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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

Kicking off the September 9th night's celebrations in San Pedro
, the Fire Engine parade, complete with fire trucks, San Pedro Cadets, Isla Bonita Elementary School's drummers and traffic wardens passed through the island's main streets. Tonight's Tribute to the Baymen program will feature culture and music at Central Park starting at 8PM! Don't miss out!! (6 photos)

Yumm o’clock at Mesa Café!
What can be better than a place serving amazing coffee and delicious food? NOTHING! And that’s what you get at Mesa Café. Having eaten there before (stuffed burger) and loved it, and being a coffee junkie, I was quick to jump on the invite to sample some offerings. Mesa Café is owned by Australians Sheldon and Jo Florence, and they serve a variety of contemporary dishes, including a wide range of vegetarian selections. Honoring the title of “Café”, Mesa also serves real espresso coffee (for the caffeine addicts) and teas (for the caffeine non-addicts). Sheldon is the master mind in the kitchen while Jo serves up some astounding coffee concoctions. It was a solo date for me, which meant more food for me, myself and I. Located at Vilma Linda Plaza on Tarpon Street, Mesa offers both indoor and outdoor seating. I opted for indoor, away from the blazing sun.

SICA Directors of Energy meeting hosted on Ambergris Caye
The Secretary General of the Central American Integration System (SICA), in partnership with the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities hosted a two day conference on Ambergris Caye. The meeting, held at Banyan Bay Resort on September 4th and September 5th, was comprised of directors of energy from all Central American countries and involved the discussion of a number of energy related topics. Opening the event was Belize’s Minister of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities, Honorable Senator Joy Grant. In welcoming the delegates, Grant stated that the forum gives the technical directors the opportunity to look at energy related issues in the region.

Ambergris Today

Carnival Competition Extravaganza
On September 6, 2014 many gathered in Belize City to witness some of the most beautiful carnival costumes to grace the stage at this year’s Carnival King and Queen Competition. Each team showcased their best costume performance to impress the judges, while the crowd cheered on. The pictures showcase the Erotic Mas Band on their winnings: 1st place Carnival Queen; worn by Mrs. Anita Hamilton and 2nd place Carnival King; worn by Brent Hamilton. Congratulations to the Erotic Mas Band on their winnings and keep it up.

Belize receives $30millionUS for Improved Road Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Management
The Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (BCRIP) will support the efforts of the Government of Belize to improve the resilience of critical road infrastructure against flood risk and to strengthen the capacity of relevant ministries to incorporate climate resilience and disaster risk management in their investment planning and implementation. They include the Ministries of Works and Transport and Natural Resources and Agriculture. “The Government of Belize is conscious of the social, economic and environmental implications of Climate Change and takes this opportunity to first, welcome the strategic partnership with the World Bank through this loan for the Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project,” said Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. “This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize’s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations.”

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE IS AT WAR and doesn't even know it
The distant sound of gunfire in the rain forests of Belize is rare but not unheard of, usually a far off solitary hunter. But a 9mm unexpectedly going off close by in the middle of a jungle where there should only be bird calls and monkey howls is personal shock and awe. A few seconds earlier myself, 2 fellow explorers and two rangers were climbing, single file on what should have been a small, almost imperceptible trail in what I believed was one of the most remote, pristine and wild regions of Belize. But instead the trail was a 12 foot wide highway of horse hoofs, boot prints and trash up a steep saddle between two huge elevated sinkholes in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve of the southern Cayo District. Without warning, the ranger behind shoved me aside, anxiously whispered “get down, Xateros!“ and in a single fluid motion slipped off his backpack, drew his 9 millimeter pistol and charged up the hill. BAM! BAM! There is a tunneling of perception - the shrinking of peripheral vision, a quickening of heartbeat and breath, a general slowing of motion - when the moment takes an unexpected and sudden turn. As my mind struggled to make sense of the situation - the adrenaline-fueled sound of the ranger’s voice; his firm push; the kicked up stones and leaves from his boots as he flew uphill; angry shouting of “Alto! Manos Arriba!“ and then the gunfire - fear, anger and instinct kicked in. Holding my camera close to my body so it would not swing on the shoulder strap, I ran uphill in a crouched position a good 20 yards behind the ranger just now disappearing over the saddle.

5th Anniversary Corozal Art In the Park will be the best ever!

BATTLE OF ST. GEORGE’S CAYE
216 years ago, days like September 8th and September 9th were absolutely stressful to say the very least. On September 10th, a volatile day in our country's history exploded. Many things have happened since the journey to Belize's Independence began then. Between September 3rd and September 10th, 1798, things truly became very interesting in the settlement of Honduras. The Spanish made a final attempt to take (British) Honduras by force. The English and a rough neck crew of about sixty five Baymen decided that they would not walk away from their home anymore. They found it unacceptable and they resisted with all their souls in defense of what is today our native land Belize. They resisted successfully and perhaps the most important outcome of this final Spanish-English battle on our shores was that the Spanish never again attempted to remove anyone from this land.

MONKEY BUSINESS
WILDTRACKS and the struggle to rehabilitate and release injured or illegally held “pet” monkeys in Belize. FOR MANY YEARS, BELIZE HAS STRUGGLED TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM FOR THE REHABILITATION AND RELEASE OF ILLEGALLY HELD PET MONKEYS. SINCE 2010, A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION NAMED WILDTRACKS - LOCATED IN NORTHERN BELIZE - HAS BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IN ALL MONKEYS THAT ARE SURRENDERED OR CONFISCATED BY THE BELIZE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT, OR THAT ARE INJURED IN THE WILD. THE PRIMARY GOAL OF WILDTRACKS IS TO DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE ILLEGAL PET TRADE IN MONKEYS IN BELIZE, AND TO GIVE ALL RESCUED, SURRENDERED AND CONFISCATED MONKEYS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE TO BE RETURNED TO THE WILD. DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS I HAVE DOCUMENTED THE WORK DONE BY THESE DEDICATED WILDLIFE CONSERVATIONIST. HERE IS THEIR STORY. Northern Belize is a starkly beautiful land; dry most of the year, hot, rugged and unforgiving. Dotted by brackish lagoons, ringed by mangrove and blanketed by lowland forests, the ancient Maya Civilization somehow densely populated this region which today is mostly uninhabited. THE MANATEE REHABILITATION CENTRE Belize is a stronghold of the endangered Antillean Manatee, with an estimated population of between 800-1000. The Manatee Rehabilitation Centre was established to care for orphaned or injured manatees; to prepare them for their reintroduction into the wild; track their well-being for a short time after release; and to raise awareness of manatees in Belize.

VACANCY FOR BELMOPAN CITY COUNCIL: CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Belize People’s Front speaks on violence against women and children
The Belize People’s Front, and it’s Leader (The first Female Party Leader of Belize) Nefretery Nancy Marin are flabergasted by the tolerance for the abuse and violence against women by our elected officials. We refer to the recent report given by a young lady stating that she was physically abused at the hands of no less than the Minister of Education. The fact that he has not yet been arrested , he has not been reprimanded by the Prime Minister; that this young lady does not have a male figure in her life to give this “man” a dose of his own Medicine, speaks volumes regarding the amount of excesses we tolerate, and what is becoming “NORMAL” in our societies. We need to hold and place our women in a higher regard as we need to be cognizant of the fact that our actions influences the younger generations.

Field simulation exercise on Foot and Mouth Disease in the Cayo District
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) will be conducting a field simulation exercise on Foot and Mouth Disease in the Cayo District from 15 to 17 September, 2014. This exercise code-named “Baymen’s Clan” is supported by the IDB and with technical assistance from the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), the Pan American Centre for Foot and Mouth Disease (PANAFTOSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). BAHA officers along with other key stakeholders including Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and the Belize Livestock Producers Association will review a draft Foot and Mouth Disease Emergency Manual to finalise it as the Belize Emergency Manual for Foot and Mouth Disease. Exercise “Baymen’s Clan” will then have officers visiting 4 selected cattle farms in the Cayo District to investigate and control a hypothetical outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. The experts from PAHO, PANAFTOSA and FAO will be evaluating Belize’s field response capability and make recommendations to strengthen deficiencies identified.

PACT Challenge Chiquibul Expedition
his is a blast from the past. This great video from Daniel Velazquez was recently uploaded for everyone to enjoy. "2005 expedition into the Chiquibul, to create awareness on the wildlife poaching and looting issue by Guatemalans from Peten, funded by Pact, coordinated by FCD, documented by The Fosters wildlife films produced by Carol Foster shot by Richard Foster and Daniel Velazquez, expedition leader Lenny Gentle."

Channel 7

US Says Bz Offshore Companies Scammed 1 Billion!
Tonight, Belize's Offshore Banking sector is under extreme scrutiny from US authorities, and they have local police doing their work. The US Department of Justice says they are cracking the key play players in a billion dollar scheme to defraud US tax authorities. It's playing out right now at the fourth floor of the Matalon Building on Coney Drive at the office of Titan Securities. At 1:00 pm, three police pickups and the Financial Intelligence Unit swept in, reportedly to confiscate all documents and they may also arrest at least three persons who have been named in a US indictment. They are 51 year old Belizean ANDREW GODFREY, 34 year old Bahamian KELVIN LEACH and 29 year old Bahamian Rohn Knowles. Leach and Knowles are principals in Titan, while Godfrey also has an office on the fourth floor.

CWU Meets Regional Boss From FCIB To Talk Garifuna Ethics
For the past 2 weeks, we've been telling you about the controversy brewing at the Dangriga Branch of the First Caribbean International Bank about the use of the Garifuna language by two employees. The Garifuna Community has been quick to condemn the bank, declaring it a violation of their constitutional right and an affront to their indigenous rights. Bank Employee Uwahnie Martinez, who had been working at the Dangriga branch for 14 years, resigned last week, and took a complaint to her union, the Christian Workers Union, to challenge the management's complete refusal and denial that any restriction on the Garifuna language had been issued. With all the negative attention that the bank had been receiving, corporate managers in Barbados started taking notice.

PUP Says Faber's Private Issue Very Public
By now, you've surely heard all about Education Minister Patrick Faber. He was named in a criminal complaint by a 25 year old Ministry of Education staffer who appears to be his girlfriend. She says that she was having her 25th birthday party at his house on Saturday morning when he assaulted her. She made a police report saying he choked her, puled her by the hair and hit her twice. As often happens in such domestic cases, she didn't proceed with charges - so Faber was not charged. But, the court of public opinion is something else completely - and that's where he's come under major attack. Remarkably though, the PUP which you might think, would instantly seize upon such an opportunity to take down a ranking minister was slow to react. The party held a press conference on another matter yesterday, and the party leader didn't even want to talk about Faber when he was asked:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Oposition "I have not heard anything. This is the first time I am hearing about any incident involving Patrick Faber and I have no desire to comment on that issue."

Police Stumped On Paulino Case
Last night, when we reported on the murder of 38 year-old Jason Paul Paulino, the outcome was that police hadn't made any arrests. Well tonight, that position hasn't changed, but police are working on trying to solve this crime. As we reported last night, Paulino was sitting with 2 other companions on an old refrigerator at around 10 on Sunday morning. He was socializing with 2 other companions at his house on Neal Penn Road when 2 men on a motorcycle drove up to his house. There were two men on the bike, and the passenger then pulled out a weapon and fired several shots in Paulino's direction. Police say that he tried to run, but he had already been hit by one of the bullets. When he fell to the ground, the assailant stood over him and fired several more times, jumped back on the bike, and both men made their escape. Paulino was injured in the head, right side of his abdomen, and his left shoulder, and though he was rushed to the hospital in time, doctors couldn't save his life. He died about an hour later while undergoing treatment.

JP Says Police Did A Third World Waterboarding On Nephew
Tonight there is one more story added to the list of police abuses coming out of last weekend. Justice of the Peace Grace Flowers told us that on Saturday afternoon a truck full of police officers picked up her nephew 19 year old Armani Bailey from in front of her home on West Canal. Instead of taking the young man to a police station, the officers allegedly drove him to Belizean Beach - at mile 4 on the Western Highway and did a sort of third world waterboarding! They allegedly put him a garbage container and attempted to drown him! We'll let her explain the whole thing:.. JP Grace Flowers, Aunt of victim "I was up at my house, but a mind tell me to peep out and when I peep out I see the black 4Runner stop down the street, so I shouted and told my mom and my aunt to go and see who the police is harassing out there. When they went out there they said that it was my nephew Armani. So I ran downstairs went down the street and when I got there they had already search him.

House Burnt Down, And Sonya Harris Can't Get Back To "Sam"
Last month we told you about Sonya Harris, a Gungulung area homeowner, whose house burnt down. It was dramatic because she accused her own nephew who was living there at the time. Harris claims that her nephew burnt down the house because she didn't allow him to sell weed there. He was charged for arson, but now, she is trying to rebuild her home and return to the US with her husband but, like the old song says, "after the fire, the fire still burns." Thing is, she and her husband, both live in the states; he lost all his documents in the blaze, and while she still has hers; she won't travel without him. And apart from that, she is having difficulties rebuilding her house due to a property dispute. She told us about these troubles today:.. Sonya Harris, Gungulung Resident "I went to do the papers in my name and it's in there. They took it at Belmopan, that's why they said we got to wait, now as I explain if the government or the president would get in touch with me, I mean I am homeless.

PUP Leader Says Saldivar Viral Video A Factor In Investigation
Last week Friday we showed you attorney and politician Arthur Saldivar's latest fiasco - it's a video posted on Youtube by one of his opponents - where Saldivar uses some off color language and gestures while he is being baited, allegedly by Boris Mansfled at Robert's Grove resort in Placencia. The video went viral on YouTube and it comes at a most inopportune time for Saldivar as he is under investigation by his own party for conduct unbecoming a standard bearer. Yesterday, his party leader said the video does factor into the investigation:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "I have seen the video. As you know there is a process underway to deal with this issue. The report from the committee that was establish by the national executive to look into this matter should be forthcoming on Friday of this week and the national executive will discuss the matter next week. That's where it stands, we will deal with it at that time."

PUP Defends Mayor, Says PM Took Cheap Shot
But the real business of yesterday's press conference was to respond to an allegation made at Friday's House Sitting by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. He alleged that the mayor of Punta Gorda Town Anthony Fuentes had given the Toledo Teachers Credit Union to take money from the Town's subvention to pay a loan that Fuentes had. So, the allegation that he was using public funds to pay his private loan. Well, it's kind of true, but only insofar as those same public funds pay Fuentes's salary. You, the Toledo Teachers Credit Union gets the twenty two thousand dollar government subvention every month, and Fuentes gets paid out of that. Now, he has a personal loan with the credit union, and they take five hundred a month from his salary - which comes right out of the subvention. It could be seen as a "you say potato, I say potato situation" - but yesterday PUP leader Francis Fonseca says that it was a cheap shot by the PM- and an attempt to imply that there was impropriety when there is none:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "A personal loan obtained by Mr. Fuentes even before he became the mayor of Punta Gorda. A salary deduction arrangement with the Toledo Teachers Credit Union. Every single cent of the monies which go to service the mayor of PG personal loan to service Mr. Fuentes' loan come from his personal salary as the mayor of Punta Gorda."

Rhys Back Behind Bars
23 year-old Nicholi Rhys, the man who was acquitted of probably the most brazen killing in recent memory, is back behind bars tonight after he was taken to court for allegedly snatching a man's gold chain. The complainant, Delon Lockwood, reported to police that on Tuesday, August 26, he was walking on King Street, when he was attacked by a man who struck him over the head, ripped his two thousand dollar gold chain from around his neck, and ran off. Police investigated the report for 2 weeks, and they charged Rhys with robbery. He was arraigned yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Ann Marie Smith, and though the offence was not committed with a firearm, Rhys was denied bail. He was remanded to prison until October 22.

Man Charged For Carnal Knowledge of Minor
Dyron Taibo, a chef from Bullet Tree Road in Cayo District, is in jail tonight after he was accused of sexual relations with a 15 year-old. The report picked up quite a bit of attention from both the police and the press. The girl reported that on last week Thursday, at around 1 in the morning, she was picked up in a taxi by one of her female friends who was with her boyfriend, and another man at the time. She says that the friend took her in the taxi to a hotel along the Northern Highway. The female said that her friend then dropped her off with the other man, told her that she would return, and she then left with her boyfriend. That's when the man allegedly invited her into one of the rooms where he had intercourse with her against her will. Police investigated the report, and it seems that they didn't accept her story that the sex was not consensual. That's because they charged Taibo with unlawful carnal knowledge instead of rape. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate late yesterday evening.

Sugar Roads Sweetening
The sugar roads, in December of last year, they were in major disrepair after the heavy rains, and they proved to be a major problem for farmers looking to move their cane from remote areas. The 2013-2014 crop season had to start with the roads in very bad conditions, since then, repair works have been ongoing. The companies Teichroeb & Sons and Constructora Mool S.A. de C.V. are reporting tonight that they are almost finished with the two contracts they were awarded. The company reports that their contracts were funded by the European Union under a program called, "Accompanying Measures for Sugar". They say that Lot "A" which runs from San Lazaro to August Pine Ridge, Orange Walk District is 85% completed. Also, Lot "C", which runs from San Narciso to San Victor, and Palmar to Guinea Grass in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts is reportedly 75% completed.

The Tenth Is World Suicide Prevention Day
While you may be celebrating the Tenth tomorrow, you may also want to take some time for reflection because it's also World Suicide Prevention Day. Today Courtney Weatherburne spoke to Eleanor Bennett?from the Mental Health Program about how suicides can be prevented:.. Courtney Weatherburne "800,000 people from around the world die from suicide every year and it's the second leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 29, so talk to us more about Belize's case." Eleanor Bennett, Coordinator, Mental Health Program in MOH "In Belize we have a suicide rate of about 5 per 100,000. So if I can track from 2011 - 2012 and 2013 - in 2011 our suicide rate was 10.6. In 2012 was 6.2 and in 2013 it was 6.5. When you disaggregate that by male and female we have a suicide rate of about 10 to 1, for every 10 male per 100,000 that commits suicide, 1 female per 100,000 commits suicide." Courtney Weatherburne "In the release it also outlines some of the preventative measures, but what are some of the signs and also are we knowledgeable enough and have enough awareness in Belize to recognize those signs?"

Spain Minister in Belize To Give and Ask Support
Spain's Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Latin America, Jesús Gracia, is on an official trip to Belize and Nicaragua. He's visited the Prime Minister asking for support for of Spain's Candidate for the Security Council in the United Nations. And, today an MOU was signed between Spain and Belize in an effort to strengthen and boost the efficiency of one of SICA's commission OSPESCA which is responsible for fisheries and aquaculture. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, Sus. Dev. Hon Lisel Alamilla commented on the importance for the MOU to the development of this sector. A representative from New Zealand was also in Belize last week asking for Belize's support for the same initiative.

Guatemala Has A New Foreign Minister
We have all gotten to know Fernando Carrera as The Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister who has been working closely with Belizean Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington on improving relations between both countries, but now, he's being replaced. Reports out of Guatemala say that President Otto Perez Molina announced yesterday that Carrera has been appointed as the new ambassador to the United Nations, replacing Gert Rosenthal. His replacement as Guatemalan Foreign Minister is Carlos Raul Morales. No telling yet how this wrinkle will affect Belize Guatemala relations.

Ministry Says Progresso Students Picking Beans
Yesterday at his meeting with the media - Education Minister Patrick Faber discussed all kinds of issues which are timely as the new school year begins. But at the Adventist School in Progresso Village - all that is by the way. Some parents at that school are fed up with the principal and refused to send their children to classes when the new school year started. Carla Alvarez the district Education Manager yesterday told the media that there are issues on both sides of this dispute:... Carla Alvarez, District Education Manager - OW "Yes we do recognize that there are some discrepancy there and yes there is mismanagement to a certain extent and the Adventist Mission has made the commitment to do certain kinds of intervention. For example they will have the local manager there every two weeks. The general manager has promised to be there every month and working along with the Ministry of Education I am sure that we can make drastic improvement."

Another Teenager For Western Diaries
Last week, we told you about how 2 minors were charged for a robbery which happened at the Western Dairy Ice Cream Parlor on Freetown on Friday, August 29. Well, tonight there is another young man who is in police custody who has been charged for that crime. The problem is that the police are unsure if he is 17 year-old, which would make him a minor, or 18, which makes him an adult. He was taken to court today to be arraigned, but because of the age discrepancy, it was postponed until Thursday. He will be taken back before court on that date, and we'll tell you in our next newscast if we can release his name and photograph. AS we told you, the robbery happened at around 4:30 that Friday evening. Four men were riding on bicycles when they pulled up behind Western Dairies on Heusner Street. That's where four men were loading up a cargo truck. Two of them pulled out pistols and ordered the men to lie on the floor. But, very suddenly, someone inside the store opened fire shooting the two teenaged robbers, while their partners in crime dashed off. In the course of their escape, a small .25 pistol was dropped in the process. The robbers also left bicycles behind.

Channel 5

6 firms and executives in Belize accused of a US $500 million tax fraud
Belize has been named in a five hundred million US dollar tax fraud scheme. For months, there have been investigations that various companies, including Titan International Securities were using Belize [...]

P.U.P. Says Faber Must Explain Assault on MoE Employee
Minister of Education Patrick Faber is taking significant heat at the moment. The senior U.D.P. Member of Parliament has been accused of assaulting two women during a party at his [...]

P.U.P. Call on Police to Investigate the Incident
The People’s United Party has called on the police to carry out and complete an investigation into the matter. That seems distinctly unlikely, based on the response by the police [...]

Uwahnie Martinez Speaks Out
The plight of Uwahnie Martinez, a former employee of CIBC FirstCaribbean’s Dangriga Branch, concluded this morning with the bank formally accepting her resignation.  This succeeds a meeting with firstCaribbean’s regional [...]

CWU President Discusses Meeting with FCIB
CWU President Audrey Matura says the meeting was held to address three pertinent issues relating to Uwahnie Martinez’s employment situation.  That discussion, she said, was chaired by Ella Hoyos, who [...]

FCIB Senior Executive Flies in for Meeting
According to Ella Hoyos, Managing Director for CIBC FirstCaribbean, the bank has a no discrimination policy where it concerns race and language; however, certain aspects of the policy will be [...]

Nasley Sommerville Hearing Postponed
On August fourteenth, after almost a year of so-called intense investigations, former Southern Regional Hospital Administrator Nasley Sommerville finally appeared before the Services Commission to determine her fate in the [...]

Shooting Victim Speaks Out Against Police
On Monday, we reported that both a criminal and an internal investigation have been launched by the Police Department into the shooting of a Baghdad Street resident over the weekend. [...]

Second Man Arraigned in A&R Robbery
A and R was robbed on August twentieth, just before the close of business at around six o’clock. Five days after the robbery, security officer Leroy Ciego was charged with [...]

Nicholi Rhys on Remand for Robbery
Twenty-three-year-old Nicholi Rhys, the son of a female police sergeant, is tonight on remand at the Belize Central Prison after being accused of robbing a man back in August of [...]

Belize Celebrates International Literacy Day
Monday was International Literacy Day, celebrated in schools throughout Belize. The focus is on reading, comprehension and writing, and to that end the Ministry of Education collaborated with the media [...]

Progresso School Issues Nearing Resolution
The 2014 school year opened a week ago, with students returning to classrooms across the country. Well, not all students. The classrooms at the Seventh Day Adventist School in Progresso [...]

Patrick Faber Speaks Out on Proposed Firearms Act Amendment
At the sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow spoke briefly on the introduction of a bill to amend the Firearms Act. According to the [...]

Banak Street Grenade Revisited
A British A-One grenade was retrieved from the streets of the Old Capital last Saturday. The grenade was located at an abandoned house on Banak Street. While that operation was [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says Petrocaribe Infrastructure Loan Needs House Approval
Late last month, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked about a twenty million dollar loan from Venezuela through the Petrocaribe Initiative which is being used for infrastructural works ongoing nationwide. [...]

Highlights of Expo 2014
The annual expo Belize market place was held over the weekend at the ITVET compound in Belize City. It’s always a big deal, always crowded, always full of deals and [...]

CTV3

Prime Minister Says BSCFA Needs To Get Its Act Together
There have been a number of matters that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmer’s Association has had to face in the sugar industry and which can spell calamity in the industry. There are currently at least three pressing matters that they need to tackle starting with reaching a resolution to the revenue sharing of bagasse with BSI. Then there are the issues surrounding Fairtrade. These were brought up in the sitting of the House of Representatives last Friday. Corozal South East Area Representative Florencio Marin Junior is of the opinion that all stakeholders should come together to resolve the issue to ensure the survival of the industry. Florencio Marin – Area Representative Corozal Southeast “We can begin to resolve some of these issues it is not going to be easy, it won’t be resolve easily at all, it is a very serious issue but we can begin to start to resolve it if we revised the sugar act and especially begin to clearly revise the marketing of our sugar, right now we have one person marketing our sugar, we need to have some adjustments into that, the farmers at the very least have to see where we are selling our sugar, we have a lot of information when you speak with the farmers they have a lot of information how the relationship with cane farmers and the cane millers in the Central American countries operate, how they market their sugar there are many different solutions you just have to listen to everybody in the table to resolve it and everybody have to come to the table for this.”

Cattle Producers Able To Export Livestock To Guatemala
Last Friday in the sitting of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar Vega announced that there have been some good progress as it relates to livestock in Belize. Vega said that livestock producers are now able to export live cattle to neighboring Guatemala. Here is what he announced at the House sitting on Friday. Screen_Shot_2014-09-08_at_7.45.59_PMGaspar Vega – Deputy Prime Minister of Belize “Last week the Belize Agriculture health Authority, also known as BAHA and the directorate for animal health of the Guatemalan Ministry of agriculture signed an agreement governing the export of cattle to Guatemala and we are now working with the cattle producers to begin formal exports of lives animals into Guatemala. We expect that this new entry into Guatemala will hold a demand for Belizean beef and will certainly benefit our farmers and in extension the economy of our entire country.”

Tour guides Undergo Training Under LICU Program
The La Inmaculada Credit Union has been implementing the Small Scale Enterprise Development in Agriculture and Tourism project since 2008 in the Orange Walk and Corozal communities. The project has various components including medium and small enterprise development, micro grants, and institutional strengthening among others. Under these are the trainings provided to many participants under the project. A part of that group is tour guides who have been undergoing training. Twenty-eight members of the Northern Tour Guide Association have been part of the latest training and over the weekend they went on a trip for the practical part of this capacity building. Service Provider for LICU under SSEDAT, Raul Cocom spoke more on the work.

New Scout Recruits Installed In Corozal
During a special ceremony this morning at the Mary Hill RC School compound in Corozal, the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group was officially sworn-in. Witnessing the installation were parents, executive members of the Scout Group, Mayor Hilberto Campos, students and other guest including our reporter Victor Castillo who filed the following report. Victor Castillo - Reporting From Beaver to Ventures, 20 children were officially sworn in as the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group in the Corozal District this morning. It was a proud moment for the new recruits who will soon learn that being in the group is not only about wearing a prestigious uniform, its also about learning basic skills that will transform them into good men and women of society.

Bag Drive Spreads To Solomon s School
Last Friday we told you about the Give a dollar back to school drive in which thirty school bags were handed to students from Saint Peter’s Anglican School. This morning coordinators of this initiative were at Solomon’s SDA Primary where they issued out an additional twenty-five school bags. Teodoro Chan is one of the organizers and told us about their project. Teodoro Chan “The initiative is just giving something back to the community so we don’t really expect nothing in return just blessing right and just basically we just see it for the need of education for kids who really need it. We’ve been increasing with the help of the community and the people who donates whatever they feel in the can. Once God spear life we are going to continue doing it and take it as much as big as we can. We’re planning to see if we can turn it into a charity fund organization.”

Faber Says Someone Is Out To Get Him
But while the report is stating that Polanco has denied the incident, Faber says the incident did occur but not the way it was reported hence the reason why the report was withdraw. Patrick Faber- Minister of Education "A report was made and in fact I believe subsequent to that, that report has been withdrawn for the mere reason that the situation did not occur as it was reported. So it was withdrawn and so there is no issue there any longer. The reason why it was withdrawn is because in the first place it did not happen in the manner in which it was reported. "The young lady is my friend. All of you know that if fact my wife and I have undergone a separation - that is going in to almost a year now and we had an unfortunate squabble if you will, but nothing like what has been reporter.

Minister Of Education Accused Of Assault
On Friday it was Arthur Saldivar who made headlines with a video that went viral showing him using obscene language and gestures, tonight it is the Minister of Education Honorable Patrick Faber that is in the center of public scandal. According to an article released on the Social Media, a birthday party that took place allegedly at Faber’s house in Lord’s Bank Village over the weekend, turned ugly after he assaulted the birthday girl with whom he shares a relationship with.

Measures To Be Set At Progresso SDA School
Last week we reported on the ongoing turbulence at the Progress Seventh Day Adventist School among parents and the SDA administration for the removal and replacement of one teacher and the principal of the school, following serious allegations against them. On Tuesday of last week, some parents took the matter to the District Education Officer in the hope that the Ministry of Education would intervene. At that point, the Ministry was waiting in writing the decision from the SDA Management on the situation. We contacted District Education Manager, Carla Alvarez today who said that the management has outlined measures that will put in place. Carla Alvarez – District Education Officer, OW “He mentioned that the local manager will be visiting the school every two weeks to ensure that, especially that records are in place and that the administration is doing what it should be doing and the General Manager, Pastor Gillett has already committed to continue visiting the school at least ones per month so I think that in line with the fact that it is a denominational school, we need to see if indeed that will take place.”

7 Year Old Accused 13 Year Who Tried To Sodomize Him
Tonight there is an extremely disturbing coming out from the Village of San Narciso in the Corozal District that has authorities working overtime in order to get the alleged perpetrator behind bars. A seven year old male child in the company of his father visited the Corozal Police Station, where the minor reported to police that on Thursday September 4th around 6:00pm he was at home watching television when a male individual walked into the house took off his pants and attempted to sodomize him. Today when we spoke with Andrew Ramirez, Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation, we were informed that culprit is another minor.

BSI And BSCFA Resume Discussion On Commercial Agreement
Today at the halls of the BSI Staff club, representatives from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the Belize Sugar Industry Limited’s negotiating team met to renew engagements to conclude a new commercial agreement that will define a commercial relationship between both miller and producer. BSI/ASR’s Financial Director Belizario Carballo says that the new agreement seeks to set clear terms and conditions in which to operate. Belizario Carballo – Financial Director, BSI/ASR “We are hopeful that at the start of the crop we will have in place a new agreement that will set clearly the terms and conditions on which we operate and that is what we all did today as you all now we had started this process quite some time ago but we got sort of bugged down on the matter of the bagasse payment and so we have now reengage with the purpose of concluding a completely new agreement that would include the matter of the payment for bagasse but that is just one component of this overall ne agreement...

LOVE FM

The Significance of the 10th of September
Tomorrow marks the 216th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye. The day has been a bone of contention as some believe the battle never happened. Historian, Fred Hunter Sr spoke to us about the significance of the day and some of the controversy surrounding the day. Historian Fred Hunter “The whole country celebrated the 10th. 1930's, 1940's, 1950's, 1960's, it was between the 50's and the 60's because when the movement of independence started every 10th the PUP’s would take a wreath and lay it on Simon Lamb’s grave because he was the man who started the centenary of the 10th. Because when the people now say there was no celebration of the 10th until the 100 celebration. No. Thirty years after the 10th there was also a celebration. 1798 to 1818, 1828 that was the first celebration of the 10th. Those who lived it experienced it. When the 100th anniversary came Simon Lamb being a patriot or what you want to call it, realized the importance of the tenth. If it wasn’t for the tenth, if the tenth wasn’t fought and wasn’t successful we would be a part of Quintana Roo today.

Vehicles Donation to Southern Regional Hospital
The Punta Gorda Hospital is the recipient of a number of health support vehicles. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports. Pau lMahung “Southern Regional Deputy Health manager Ruth McDonald was happy of the availability of vehicles on behalf of the Ministry of health. Toledo staff was pleased to comment on plans for the appropriate use of the vehicles.” Ruth McDonald “I am happy to say that we have recently received three small health support vehicles, one of which will be assigned to Punta Gorda hospital, one to the San Antonio poly clinic and one of them is actually due to be reassigned to the Independence polyclinic. These three health support vehicles they were part of a donation from the Government of Dubai to the Ministry of Health in Belize and we are happy that we now have ours in Toledo. These vehicles will mostly be used for in town for things like Parades or for any patients that are within town and need to be brought to the hospital. We are also very happy to say that we received approval to purchase a van which we have now converted into an ambulance for the districts. This will improve the reliability of our ambulance service and assist with transportation of patients to the Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga.”

Renovation causing Problems to Market Vendors
Market vendors in Belmopan have been complaining about the pace of work being done at the Market Rehabilitation Project. While the project is ongoing, vendors have been relocated however according to them the site has a number of challenges especially when it rains. Love News spoke with Mayor Simeon Lopez who said while he understands the vendors’ frustrations; the Belmopan City Council has nothing to do with the ongoing project. Mayor Simeon Lopez “The Belmopan City council is in no way in control of the project to renovate the civic center parking lot. We are trying our best to get our vendors out of that situation but every time we seem to get a little closer the timeline moves a little further backwards. Just yesterday there was a walkthrough of the area yesterday evening and I was advised that maybe the move would not happen until around the 26th of September.

Attorney Lisa Shoman says Minister of Education Patrick Faber should get some help
Yesterday, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, responded to the allegations of him being involved in a physical altercation with a 25 year old female employee of the Ministry of Education. An initial report was filed at the Ladyville Police Station but was later withdrawn. Yesterday, Faber did not deny the allegations however he did say that it was withdrawn because the report was not accurate. It’s a black eye for the ruling UDP Government as another of its ministers have been involved in another scandal. The People’s United Party is now taking the opportunity to bring pressure on Faber and Prime Minister Dean Barrow. The PUP is calling on the Prime Minister to at the very least suspend Minister Faber from Cabinet pending the outcome of a full and proper investigation into this matter. The main opposition Senator for the PUP, Attorney Lisa Shoman, says Patrick Faber should get some help.

Christian Workers Union meet with CICB First Caribbean Bank
A meeting to discuss the ongoing controversy involving CIBC First Caribbean Bank took place this morning. As we have been reporting, now former employee of CIBC First Caribbean Bank, Uwahnie Martinez, alleged that the managers of the bank’s Dangriga Branch where she worked here, instructed her not to speak her native language. Since the allegations first surfaced last month, several organizations have spoken out against the matter. Even the Prime Minister stated that if the allegations were true, it cannot be tolerated. The Christian Workers Union was demanding a meeting from the Bank’s Head mangers and they got one today with the Managing Director for Human Resources, Ella Hoyos, out of the Bank’s Barbados Headquarters who said her visit was three fold.

No contention with High Schools merged
A few months ago, it became public knowledge that the Ministry of Education would be amalgamating three Belize City schools namely Excelsior High School, Maud Williams High School and Sadie Vernon High School. According to officials of the Ministry of Education, the move to merge the schools’ resources is proving to be beneficial. However, some parents had concerns that due to the location of the schools and the different city areas from which the different students would be coming from would pose a threat due to gang rivalry. According to Sister Caritas Lawrence of the Ministry of Education no contentions have been recorded in the schools so far.

Minister of Education Patrick Faber discusses School concers
The Minister of Education held a breakfast press conference this morning with the purpose to share the latest information on several important topics in relation to education in Belize. One of the topics discussed is Primary School Fees. Faber explained that the maximum amount of schools fees a school can collect is one hundred and fifty dollars and must be approved by the Ministry of Education. Minister of Education Patrick Faber “Primary school fees my friend are set by the school but are approved by the ministry of education via the Chief Education Officer. So there is no school that should be charging outrageous primary school fees or fees at any level that is receiving aid from the government or where it is a totally government or state-owned institution.

Problem being dealt with at the Progresso Seventh day Adventist School
Last week we told you that classes were back to normal at the Progresso Seventh Day Adventist School in Northern Belize after the parents and management were having issues. Today, during a media breakfast hosted by the Ministry of Education, District Education Manager for the Orange Walk District, Carla Alvarez, addressed the matter. District Education Manager O.W,Carla Alvarez “Indeed we received some complaints from the parents of Progresso and these complaints came to me in the month of July and we in fact conducted an investigation, I submitted a very lengthy report to the general manager of that particular school and I asked him because it is a denominational school and it is the management who is primarily responsible for it although it is a grant aided school and I asked the management to conduct an investigation.

Instructors at Toledo ITVET Unhappy with Manager’s practices
Instructors at the ITVET, Toledo, are expressing their unhappiness with Manager, Allen Genus. A press statement issued out by the instructors, state quote, “On May 28 in the middle of our investigation into questionable practices by the Manager, Allen Genus, the board was asked to question the Ministry of Education and determine who the manager works for and who he answers to before we proceed. We still have teachers who have received one evaluation in seven years and the manager has attempted to copy the one evaluation and submit it for seven times but was stopped by the instructors who wants a fair evaluation……. The manager is continuing to attempt to have employees teaching without a license, which is against the law! But the government seems to be turning a blind eye.” Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, responded to the instructors’ comments.

Stop order issued to Fire Victim Harris in the rebuilding process
About two weeks ago Sonia Harris lost her house in a fire incident. Her nephew has since been charged with arson in connection with the incident. Today Harris told Love News in the rebuilding process she is now facing challenges from officials. She said a stop order has been issued. Fire Victim Sonia Harris “Two or three days ago I got a call from a Mr. Williams and he said that he needs to find out what the situation is with my house. He said he was going to talk to Mr. King about the place. Well, I don’t know if he got the chance to speak to Mr. King but he asked me if I applied for the land and I told him that I did. I went to Mr. King’s office and I filled out a paper to get the land about over a month now. Now because I am trying to put back the place that was burnt down I had like four people that just came here. They said they were from lands and they told me that they want me to stop building my house.” Harris says she has been on the land for 18 years without any problems. Harris said she has applied for her land papers and all procedures are in place.

Serious Allegations were made against MOE Patrick Faber
Serious allegations were made against Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, over the weekend. In fact, a complaint was made to the Ladyville Police Department, by a 25 year old woman, who alleged that Faber assaulted her during her birthday party which was held at his residence in Lord’s Bank Village. Faber told the media this morning that the complaint has been retracted. Here is a bit of that exchange with the press. Minister Of Education Patrick Faber “A report was made indeed and was subsequently withdrawn.” Reporter “Could you tell us the substance of that report?” Minister of Education Patrick Faber “A report was made and was withdrawn, hence meaning it does not exist.”

PlusTV

Police raid offices of Titan Securities
A police raid was effected this afternoon on the offices of Titan Securities on the fourth floor of the Matalon Building on Coney Drive. We understand police were out in numbers on the ground and inside the building, seeking the owners of the business who are allegedly wanted by U.S. authorities. Ti...

Uwahnie Martinez leaves First Caribbean Bank in Dangriga
Employee of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank Uwahnie Martinez of Dangriga Town was scheduled to leave her post by her own choice as of October. But her last day on the job, after 14 years, turned out to be today. She spent it meeting with superiors in Belize City, joined by representatives of...

PUP leader responds to allegations made against Punta Gorda Mayor
On Monday the People’s United Party (PUP) called a press conference to respond to allegations that Mayor of Punta Gorda Town, Anthony Fuentes, used Council funds to pay a personal loan at the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union (TTCU)...

PUP leader says video of Arthur Saldivar is part of report
On Friday of this week, a report on the actions of suspended Belize Rural North standard bearer Arthur Saldivar will be submitted to the People’s United Party, whose National Executive will determine his fate at a meeting next week...

Raul Tush charged with Dangerous Harm following stabbing of Luis Tzib
Just an inch away from his wind pipe and Corozal Police would have reported its sixth murder for this year. On Friday September 5^th around 9:30 pm Corozal Police reported to a report in Patchakan Village in the Corozal district of a man suffering of stab wounds. Upon Police arrival they saw 45 year...

Belize City Mechanic shot and killed
A Belize City mechanic was murdered over the weekend. 38 year old Jason Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Pen Road around 9:55 a.m. Sunday with two other persons when two dark-skinned men on a motorcycle and the passenger fired several shots toward Mr Paulino...

Ministry of Education’s staffer withdraws police report against Minister
A very serious allegation of assault has exploded in the face of Minister of Education Hon. Patrick Faber. According to a leaked police report published online and obtained by PLUS News, a Ministry of Education staff member, 25 year old Nickesha Polanco, told Police in Ladyville that she was having...

San Pedro Fisherman latest murder victim on the island
There was a murder in San Pedro Town over the weekend, sandwiched between two in Belize City. We have already told you of the death of Jason Paulino, but police have made an arrest in the death of Rolando Espat. Gabriel Salazar, a name familiar to viewers, was charged with the murder. Superintendent...

Police find grenade on Banak Street
It has been a while since police have recovered hand grenades from the streets of Belize City...

Seven persons arrested in attempted robbery
Police have arrested and charged seven persons in connection with a Friday afternoon attempted robbery at the Fabers Road Snack Shop in Belize City. The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), acting on a tip received earlier in the day, got a man to the scene on time to engage the would-be robbers and captu...

Police investigating police shooting of suspect in leg
This past weekend in the West and Orange Street area near Taylors’ Alley, police say they had to use justifiable force to subdue 50 year old Kent Skeet of Baghdad Street, shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched...

7 year old boy almost sodomized
A 7 year old male child of San Narciso Village, Corozal District,  accompanied by his father, reported that on Thursday September 4, at  about 6:00pm,  he was at a house in the village  watching television when a male person took off his pants and attemped to sodomize. A medical examination was ...

Fatal traffic accident claims life of 88 year old man
There was a fatal traffic accident on Friday 5th September, between miles 83 and 84 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. A red Honda Motor Cycle with no license plates was travelling from Corozal Town to Orange Walk Town when Eluterio Chan, an 88 year old Belizean of Ranchito Village, was walking across ...

Minister of Education addresses education issues
Shaking off a personal near-tragedy over the weekend, Minister of Education Patrick Faber sat down with the press at the Belize Institute of Management (BIM) for nearly two hours, addressing several key issues in education. Topics ranged far and wide but the Minister kept coming back to the importan...

Belize loses both games to Honduras and Guatemala
Belize played two valiant games against power houses Honduras and Guatemala. In the first game against Honduras, Belize lost two to nothing, due to two auto goals, scored on Belize’s goalkeeper Woodrow West. The second game was played in Dallas Texas on Sunday evening, where they lost two to one...

Amandala

First GSU, now police “craziness!”
Police have confirmed that they have launched an investigation through their Professional Standards Branch into the shooting of Belize City resident Kent “Gigante” Skeet, 50, former football player and a resident of 33 Bagdad Street. Skeet was shot once in the left leg on Saturday, September 6, on Orange Street near its junction with West Street, as he was making his way home. The police report of Saturday, September 6, 2014, said that “while conducting operations in Taylor’s Alley, police had to use justifiable force to subdue 50-year-old Kent Skeet of a Bagdad Street address by shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched.”

Jason Paulino, 38, executed
A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side in front of his home at #9 Neal Pen Road. At approximately 9:55 a.m., two dark-complexioned men on a motorcycle who were both wearing helmets, drove up and stopped in front of Jason Paul Paulino, 38, after which the passenger on the bike allegedly took out a pistol and unleashed a barrage of gunshots in Paulino’s direction. According to police, Paulino attempted to flee, but fell in the process, and that was when the gunman got off the motorcycle, approached a wounded Paulino, stood over him, and callously shot him several more times.A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side in front of his home at #9 Neal Pen Road. At approximately 9:55 a.m., two dark-complexioned men on a motorcycle who were both wearing helmets, drove up and stopped in front of Jason Paul Paulino, 38, after which the passenger on the bike allegedly took out a pistol and unleashed a barrage of gunshots in Paulino’s direction. According to police, Paulino attempted to flee, but fell in the process, and that was when the gunman got off the motorcycle, approached a wounded Paulino, stood over him, and callously shot him several more times.

Patrick Faber “escapes,” with police help
A report made by a young woman who was throwing a party at the home of Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, against the Minister, has been withdrawn, according to police, who have now said that they have “no comment” about the matter at a press conference this afternoon at the Racoon Street Police Station. The cordon of protection around the Minister was so tight that even Police Press Officer, Raphael Martinez, refused to offer any information to the media. He even refused to provide a timeline between the time that the report was made to the Ladyville Police Station, and the time at which the complaint was actually withdrawn, which is standard information in a case of this kind. Martinez would only say that “A report was made indeed, and it was subsequently withdrawn.”

Security officer fatally shot on Sibun Street
Today saw another slaying in the pitiless streets of Belize City, and the circumstances continue to puzzle the victim’s family, since the young security guard, who was on the way to his workplace, was not known to have any ties to the streets or any of the notorious gangs that operate therein. After a slight lull in unremitting gun violence over the past few days, gunfire ruptured the morning’s serenity on Sibun Street in the “Back-a-Town” area of the Old Capital, claiming the life of Corey Douglas Howard, 21, a resident of St. Martin De Porres. Howard, a security officer who had recently been employed at KBH Security, was reportedly ambushed and shot multiple times within sight of his workplace, where he had been heading to pick up equipment to go on the job.

CWU and CIBC meet Tuesday over issues at Dangriga branch
–A team of representatives from the Christian Workers Union (CWU) is scheduled to meet tomorrow, Tuesday, with management of CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, including Ella Hoyos, CIBC Managing Director for Human Resources out of its Barbados headquarters, to discuss the case of Uwahnie Martinez, a loans officer who has resigned amid controversy over directives allegedly handed down from persons within the bank restricting the use of her native language, Garifuna, on the job. The CWU had said at a press conference last Wednesday that it was giving the bank until 1:00 p.m. Thursday to respond to their demand for a meeting which would include Martinez and CWU reps, and not two separate meetings as the bank had proposed.

Dangriga area rep calls on Parliament to denounce discrimination against Garinagu in banking
Ivan Ramos, Dangriga’s area representative for the Opposition People’s United Party, strongly denounced in Parliament today what he said was an act of discrimination against two banking employees, after allegations that CIBC First Caribbean has tried to “stifle” speech in their native tongue, a form of disrespect Ramos said he had not seen in a long time. Ramos, the grandson of Garifuna activist and hero Thomas Vincent Ramos, noted in his statement that on May 18, 2001, the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO) issued a proclamation designating the Garifuna Language, Dance and Music to be A Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. It was the first such proclamation issued by the UN organization.

Penner and Castro removed by Committee of Selection
On the occasion of Friday’s House meeting, the Committee of Selection led by Mesopotamia area representative Michael Finnegan removed Cayo North East representative Elvin Penner as chair of the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee and replaced him with the Lake I area representative Mark King. Meanwhile, Albert Division area rep Herman Longsworth was installed as chair of the Public Service, Labour, Industry and Trade Committee in place of Belize Rural North representative Edmund Castro. Both Penner and Castro, who have acted as ministers of state or junior ministers, were at the center of a hailstorm of controversy in late 2013 over allegations of impropriety in public office.

The Empire in Central America
At the opening of the second millennium, the British were mere barbarian tribes fighting each other on their island in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, and by the end of that millennium they had lost absolute control of the international empire they had built in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. But the British earned a reputation during the course of the second millennium of post-Christian history as arguably the greatest and most successful warriors on planet earth. There was a famous British Empire still in place in the first half of the twentieth century, British Honduras was one of that empire’s colonies, and there were British Hondurans who swore by the British and their empire. The Caste War of the Yucatán, which began in 1847, only 26 years after Mexico had become independent of Spain, had significant effects on the settlement of Belize. The Caste War, in which the Yucatec Maya rebelled violently against the ladino-dominated status quo, catapulted the Santa Cruz Maya and the Icaiche Maya to prominence and power to the north and northwest of Belize. The Santa Cruz and the Icaiche taxed the mahogany contractors of Belize mercilessly, frightened Belize’s settler elite with their violence, and eventually caused that settler elite to seek colonial status in the British Empire in 1862.

From the Publisher
I don’t know if you really understand what Tony Wright has been trying to do, and how his efforts contribute to the building of our national consciousness as Belizeans. Tony Wright is trying to protect the Belize market for Belizean musicians. This is something that should have been done by our elected leaders, but it seems they are always too busy trying to enrich themselves. So it is that, 33 years after our political independence, Belizean musicians are not treated with the respect they deserve, as authentic artists, in their home country. This is painful. And the man who feels the pain inside more than anyone else, and keeps on expressing it, is Tony Wright. In talking about Tony Wright, I have to do a little talking about myself in order to show you how different our backgrounds and personalities are. Some of the official disrespect which has been shown to Tony Wright over the years is derived from the fact that the power structure in Belize assumes, because he broadcasts on KREM Radio, that he is pushing an Evan X Hyde agenda. And, you must understand that there are powerful people in this country who have hated Evan X Hyde’s guts from the time he first began speaking out loud in 1969.

Fragmentary grenade found in the City
BELIZE CITY-Precinct 2 police are carrying out an investigation to determine the source of a British-made fragmentary grenade that was found in an abandoned house on Banak Street in the south-side of Belize City. Police said [...]

Patrick Faber “escapes,” with police help
BELIZE CITY-A report made by a young woman who was throwing a party at the home of Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, against the Minister, has been withdrawn, according to police, who have now said [...]

Ranchito resident dies in motorcycle accident
BELIZE CITY-An elderly resident of Ranchito, Corozal District, has succumbed to injuries he suffered after being knocked down by a motorcyclist this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway. Amandala understands that Eluterio Chan, 88, was hit [...]

Murder in San Pedrito, San Pedro
SAN PEDRO-Rolando Espat, Jr., 22, a fisherman of San Pedrito, San Pedro, is dead after a gunman shot him several times in the head and chest at about 12:30 Saturday morning. Espat was found bleeding from [...]

Cayo man, 33, detained for raping Belize City girl, 17
BELIZE CITY-A 17-year-old female from Belize City has reported to police that she was raped by a man unknown to her inside a hotel on the Philip Goldson Highway early yesterday morning. The incident reportedly happened [...]

First GSU, now police “craziness!”
BELIZE CITY-Police have confirmed that they have launched an investigation through their Professional Standards Branch into the shooting of Belize City resident Kent “Gigante” Skeet, 50, former football player and a resident of 33 Bagdad Street. [...]

Infamous firearm laws to be amended
BELMOPAN-Citizen Security in Belize, an October 2013 report of the Inter-American Development Bank authored by Jennifer Peirce and Alexandre Veyrat, said, “Licit and illicit circulation of firearms is a growing concern for Belize, particularly because the [...]

Homeless fire victims having a hard time
BELIZE CITY-Less than three weeks after the house of Sonia Harris and her family in the Gungulung area, along with almost all their belongings, was burnt down, the family is facing many difficulties. Harris and her [...]

7 persons arraigned for Friday’s brazen robbery
BELIZE CITY-This morning, seven persons lined up in the small courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith as their names were called and they were placed according to their appearance on the court book, before they [...]

Father & daughter win “B” race at Weekend Warriors September Criterium
BELIZE CITY-Approximately 35 cyclists took the streets in 4 different categories: Class C, Class B, Class A and finally – the Devil Takes the Hindmost Race, in the 6th Annual Weekend Warrior September Criterium yesterday on [...]

Updated report on Belize at CODICADER Games; Shanicka wins GOLD
BELIZE CITY-The following report was submitted today by Belize delegation head, National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) President, Deon Sutherland, in reference to events held on Thursday, September 4, at the CODICADER Games in Guatemala: “In [...]

Final results for Battle of St. George’s Caye Regatta 2014
BELIZE CITY-The 5th Battle of St. George’s Caye Regatta was staged over the weekend of August 30-31 on the historic waters off St. George’s Caye. The event was hosted by Belize City Sailing Club (BzCSC). At [...]

Corozal Wildfire Club plays youth basketball games vs Mexican teams
COROZAL TOWN-On Friday, August 29, at Corozal Civic Center at 10:00 a.m., the Corozal Wildfire Basketball Club (CWBC) hosted Caribbeans Basketball Club from Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. In the first game, in the 8-10 age group, [...]

Wayanuhaba Garifuna ya
August 29, 2014 Dear Editor Amandala, The controversy around First Caribbean Bank in Dangriga in regards to the use of the Garifuna language by its employee(s) is bigger than just bank employees speaking in the indigenous [...]

Regarding Major Lloyd Jones
Dear Editor, Major Lloyd Jones and his supporters are asking the most for Belize of its second class citizens - the Diaspora! Major! Your advocating for less rights for the Belizean Diaspora means you are advocating [...]

Major Lloyd Jones still missing the basic point
Dear Editor, Could you please publish this letter to Major Lloyd Jones? Dear Major Jones, You are missing the point because the issue is still about “the fundamental rights of citizens”. All the citizens of a [...]

Infamous firearm laws to be amended
BELMOPAN-Citizen Security in Belize, an October 2013 report of the Inter-American Development Bank authored by Jennifer Peirce and Alexandre Veyrat, said, “Licit and illicit circulation of firearms is a growing concern for Belize, particularly because the [...]

Edmund “Roach” Roches passes
BELIZE CITY-Amandala has been informed that Edmund “Roach” Roches, 54, a resident of Lake I, was found dead in his house at 8293 Miller Street off Administration Drive at about 5:30 this evening by his friend, [...]

Homeless fire victims having a hard time
BELIZE CITY-Less than three weeks after the house of Sonia Harris and her family in the Gungulung area, along with almost all their belongings, was burnt down, the family is facing many difficulties. Harris and her [...]

Penner and Castro removed by Committee of Selection
BELIZE CITY-On the occasion of Friday’s House meeting, the Committee of Selection led by Mesopotamia area representative Michael Finnegan removed Cayo North East representative Elvin Penner as chair of the Public Utilities, Transport and Communications Committee [...]

Barrow will leave the Bar
BELMOPAN-Prime Minister Dean Barrow told journalists outside the National Assembly on Friday that he will leave the Bar after new laws to remove the requirement in the Legal Profession Act for practising attorneys to join the [...]

Good news for cañeros – for now
ORANGE WALK-After receiving the disappointing news that sugar conglomerate Tate & Lyle Industries will probably only be buying a minimum of 10,000 tons of Fair-trade sugar from local cane farmers for the next sugar crop season, [...]

Chryslin Gladden’s accused murderers return to court
BELIZE CITY-Clement Bol, 23, the man who is accused of the gruesome August 2 murder of Chryslin Gladden, 16, a recent graduate and honor student of Wesley College, returned to court today, along with a 17-year-old [...]

Briceño decries “measly” $10,000 settlement for baby deaths at KHMH
BELIZE CITY-Wrongful death lawsuits could result in awards of millions of dollars, but earlier this week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) reached an undisclosed settlement with five of thirteen mothers who had lost their babies [...]

Jason Paulino, 38, executed
BELIZE CITY-A mechanic who resided in Southside Belize City was cut down in a hail of bullets yesterday morning while reportedly sitting with a few of his colleagues on an old refrigerator on the street side [...]

Patrick Jones

Fuel Pricing & Tomato Competitiveness in Belize
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that, in 2012, Belize produced 1.7 million pounds of tomato on 96 acres of land, with an average yield of about 18,000 pounds per acre. That year, Belize ranked #85 in the world in terms of yield per acre….with Netherlands being #1, producing a yield […]

Ministry of Education engages media on education issues
The Centers for Employment Training are making a comeback of sorts in at least four of six districts. According to Minister of Education Patrick Faber, the program is designed to run concurrently with the ITVET program, but address a specific need – early school leavers without high school equivalency […]

PUP demands Patrick Faber “come clean” on assault
Minister of Education, Youth and Sports Patrick Faber was accused of assault based on a complaint made over the weekend by a 25-year-old staffer of the Ministry and later withdrawn by her. Faber was alleged to have hit and choked the woman during a birthday party at his […]

Belizean named in securities fraud indictment in the United States
Belizean national, 51 year old Andrew Godfrey, is one of 6 individuals named in an indictment on securities fraud today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York. Six corporate defendants, including a Belize-registered offshore company, were also named in the indictment. According to a report on the […]

First Caribbean Bank releases Uwahnie Martinez; to review policy on language
Employee of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank, Uwahnie Martinez of Dangriga Town was scheduled to leave her post by her own choice as of October. But she agreed with her employers to leave today after 14 years’ employment. She spent it meeting with superiors in Belize City, joined by […]

Police lower charge against accused sex offender
Because they do not believe, allegedly, that a 15 year old Belize City girl did not consent to intercourse with an older man, police have elected to charge Bullet Tree Road, San Ignacio Town resident Dyron Taibo with carnal knowledge. Taibo, a chef by profession, appeared on Monday […]

Garifuna rallying against discrimination
The issue of discrimination against the Garifuna people recently exploded on center stage following allegations that a First Caribbean International Bank manager prohibited the use of the Garifuna language in the Dangriga branch of the bank. It is an issue that Mayor of Dangriga Town Gilbert Swazo says […]

New scouts sworn in at Mary Hill School, Corozal
New members have been inducted to the 11th Corozal Mary Hill Scout Group. Brief ceremonies were held at the school compound on Monday morning where 20 boys and girls were officially sworn in as members of the group. Present to witness the swearing in were parents, members of […]

Ladrones asaltan abarrotería de Orange Walk
Ladrones en el municipio de Orange Walk han hecho de las suyas en la abarrotería Taisan en la Carretera a Palmar. El robo a plena luz del día se informa rindió a los ladrones una desconocida cantidad de dinero en efectivo. Reportes desde el municipio de Orange Walk […]

PUP demand apology for P.G. Mayor
On Monday the People’s United Party (PUP) called a press conference to respond to allegations that Mayor of Punta Gorda Town Anthony Fuentes used Council funds to pay a personal loan at the Toledo Teachers’ Credit Union (TTCU). In fact, says party leader Francis Fonseca, there are two […]

Robbers target Orange Walk grocery shop
Thieves in Orange Walk town have targeted the Taisan grocery shop on Palmar Road. The broad-daylight robbery reportedly netted the thieves an undetermined amount of cash. Reports from Orange Walk town say that the robbery happened just before one o’clock this afternoon. Initial police reports say that […]

Unstable weather in the forecast
Relatively moist and unstable conditions are dominating our weather heading into the second half of the week. The general forecast for Belize and her coastal waters is for cloudy skies at times with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms, mainly inland this afternoon and then over the south […]

Empleada del Ministerio de Educación retira queja contra Ministro
Se alega que el pasado fin de semana, el Ministro de Educación Patrick Faber estuvo involucrado en un muy serio incidente de asalto. Un reporte filtrado de la policía obtenido por los medios locales incluyendo el Belize Media Group indica de que un miembro del personal del […]

Police charge elderly man with assault of officer
This past weekend in the West and Orange Street area near Taylors’ Alley, police say they had to use justifiable force to subdue 50 year old Kent Skeet of Baghdad Street, shooting him in the left leg after he allegedly attacked a police officer while being searched. Skeet […]

GSU foils robbery of Chinese store; seven young men charged
Police have arrested and charged seven persons in connection with a Friday afternoon attempted robbery at the Fabers Road Snack Shop in Belize City. The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU), acting on a tip received earlier in the day, got a man to the scene on time to engage […]

Pescador asesinado en el municipio de San Pedro
La policía en el municipio de San Pedro, Cayo Ambergris, está investigando un asesinato ocurrido a primeras horas del Sábado. La victima ha sido identificada como Rolando Espat, Jr. de 22 años un residente del área de San Pedrito. Según reportes de la policía, a eso de […]

Asesinato en la ciudad de Belice
Un hombre fue muerto a tiros el Domingo por la mañana en la Ciudad de Belice. La victima ha sido identificada como Jason Paul Paulino de 38 años. Según la policía, Paulino se hallaba sentado en un patio en la calle Neal Penn a eso de las […]

Los estudiantes en Belmopan celebran Día de la Alfabetización
Estudiantes de todas las escuelas de Belmopán se reunieron en el Parque Independence el Viernes, 5 de Septiembre para celebrar el Día Internacional del Alfabetismo. Los estudiantes, llenos de entusiasmo, vinieron preparados con sus carteles, que contenían información acerca de Alfabetismo, Salud y Paz. Aunque el lema […]

Blogs

Ashley’s Story: The Inspiration Center – Helping Kids in Belize
In the past year, Ashley has moved to Belize City and taken on a huge and important job at Belize’s new Inspiration Center. I love following her on Facebook and seeing all her pictures and observations about living in Belize’s gritty capital. She has an amazing ability to see the positive through the negative and I keep telling her that she needs to start a blog. A quote from the other day “Today I met an 8 year old boy who likes to go tarantula hunting despite the fact he said “Ms. Ashley, I’m only afraid of 2 things, spiders and clowns”. I’m pretty sure I have the best job in the world.” She’s a busy lady (working, training for the Placencia “End of the World” half-marathon and getting used to a new place) but I’m lucky that she wrote this post for SanPedroScoop. It’s good stuff. Here’s Ashley (who also gave me a rundown, recently, of her budget living in Belize City.)

Belize Weather: Tackling Climate Change
Just like Faberge Eggs, hand blown crystal glasses, Ming dynasty vases and Mona Lisa’s smile, Belize’s environmental treasures are stunningly beautiful, extremely valuable and yet very fragile. Sometimes we’re frustrated that the same care and protection that those other priceless items receive isn’t given to the environment, worldwide and in Belize. However, as more and more people wake up to the realities of manmade climate change, attitudes are changing as well, and all over the planet people are taking measures to turn climate change around and mitigate the effects this global phenomenon is having on the planet We’ve previously written about local efforts, and are glad to see that a national policy and action plan addressing climate change was presented at the National Climate Change Consultation held September 4, 2014 at the Radisson Hotel in Belize City. Dr John Charlery, a climate change modelling specialist said, “Belize as every other country in the world is going to be affected by the changes in climate. The issue of course is to what extent those changes will produce effects which can be negative or positive maybe in some cases. There are some of them that we can immediately see.” He then went on to highlight the issue of rising sea levels in relation to Belize’s low-lying coast, cayes and spectacular barrier reef.

Hawkesworth Bridge: Myths laid to rest
The reason I had decided to write about Hawkesworth bridge and E. G. Hawkesworth was because you can’t speak of one and not the other, but mostly because there is nothing that is truly written about both, allowing certain myths to settle in. In fact, for many years I had heard that the bridge was in South Africa before coming to Belize and reassembled. I myself, and I’m sure many other tour guides, are guilty of delivering this wrong information that was then spon out of control. We know now that it was not the bridge itself that was in Africa, but rather it was Sir Gerald Hawkesworth who was in Nigeria for many years before giving service to British Honduras; so therein lies the confusion. With this research I have answered many questions. I keep thinking about how many phone calls I have to make and how many emails I have to write to my past guests to correct myself that I had delivered wrong information all these years.

Happy St. George’s Caye Day!
Every year on September 10th Belize celebrates the anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, the day when the Baymen defeated the Spaniards in a fight to ascertain claim for present day Belize. Belizeans from every corner of the country dress in patriotic colors of red, blue and white and sing the popular song “The Tenth Day of September”:

International Sources

U.S. prosecutors charge 6 with running $500 million money laundering scheme
Federal prosecutors charged six men Tuesday with running a complicated offshore scheme that allegedly enabled clients to manipulate stocks, avoid U.S. taxes and launder hundreds of millions of dollars. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn alleged the men laundered some $500 million in proceeds from fraudulent securities transactions for more than 100 U.S. citizens and helped commit tax fraud. The men—all of whom reside in Belize, according to the indictment—concealed their U.S. clients’ ownership in offshore shell companies over a five- year period. Some of the clients used the entities to mask transactions in order to manipulate stocks, and then launder the proceeds through the offshore accounts, prosecutors alleged. The indictment came after a two-year undercover investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation during which an undercover agent traveled to Belize to meet with the alleged conspirators and set up offshore entities. The agent explicitly told the defendants that he planned to use a sham company to manipulate stocks, according to the indictment.

Belize Firm Charged in $500 Million Tax-Evasion Scheme
IPC Management Services LLC, a Belize-based investment firm, and its founder were accused of a $500 million scheme to launder money and hide investments as part of a U.S. crackdown on tax evasion. Robert Bandfield, a U.S. citizen, was charged in an indictment unsealed today in Brooklyn federal court with conspiring to commit securities fraud, tax fraud and money laundering. Five other individuals and six companies are accused of taking part in the plan that involved as many as 100 U.S. clients, according to prosecutors.

Current Distribution of the invasive seagrass Halophilia stipulacea in the Carribean
Have you seen the invasive seagrass anywhere else in the Caribbean other that the flagged areas below? Please let us know by contacting us or completing our online form.

El Salvador vs Belize Preview
El Salvador vs Belize Competition – Copa Centroamericana Date: 10th September 2014 (11th in EU) Kick-off time – 01:00 GMT+1 Stadium - BBVA Compass Stadium, Houston, Texas Live streaming - bet365 El Salvador meet Belize at the BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas this Wednesday evening to play their third match in Group B of the Copa Centroamericana 2014. El Salvador lost their opening game 2:1 to Guatemala before defeating Honduras 1:0 last time out. Belize lost 2:0 against Honduras in their opening match and followed that up with another loss against Guatemala (2:1).

Feds Charge 6 With Running $500 Million Offshore Laundering Scheme
Federal prosecutors charged six men Tuesday with running a complicated offshore scheme that allegedly enabled clients to manipulate stocks, avoid U.S. taxes and launder hundreds of millions of dollars. An indictment unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn alleged the men laundered some $500 million in proceeds from fraudulent securities transactions for more than 100 U.S. citizens and helped commit tax fraud. A person briefed on the probe said the amount of laundered money and the number of clients could be much larger and the investigation is ongoing. The indictment didn’t name any of the U.S. clients. The men—all of whom reside in Belize, according to the indictment—concealed their U.S. clients’ ownership in offshore shell companies over a five- year period. Some of the clients used the entities to mask transactions in order to manipulate stocks, and then launder the proceeds through the offshore accounts, prosecutors alleged.

DNA Testing Sheds Light On Bird Migrations
Migratory birds are declining across the Western Hemisphere. Conservation efforts are restricted by the inability to assess breeding grounds, migratory stopover sites and wintering areas. A major challenge has been the lack of an efficient method for connecting populations across the annual cycle. Every fall, countless birds migrate from their breeding grounds in the United States and Canada. The birds head south to spend the winter in Mexico and Central America. To see if they could detect genetic linkages, they examined DNA from 22 birds captured in five regions of the United States, sequencing 150,000 regions of their genomes. From a pool of a half-million genetic markers, they chose 96 that could best distinguish the birds. Then they compared them with those taken from a second set of 1,626 feathers from 68 locations across North and Central America. The results revealed six genetically distinct groups of Wilson's warbler. The study confirmed that birds breeding along the California coast spend the winter in southern Baja, and warblers in the eastern United States head for the Yucatan, Belize and Costa Rica. It also provided the first strong evidence that warblers in the southern Rocky Mountains and the Colorado Plateau winter in El Salvador.

Videos

Video: Blue Hole Dive - Mayan Encounter, 3min.
A couple of honeymooners and a couple of coworkers hit the Blue Hole in Belize for a little full day adventure.

Video: 39ft Catamaran Delivery. Cape Town to Belize, 6min.
A video of our voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.

Video: Tides, 4min.
Tides- Belize. Three friends fly fishing in the Caribbean

Video: MOU Belize and Spain, 2min.

Video: Mission to Belize's Chinese, 4min.
An introduction of mission to Chinese in Belize in Central of America. This teamwork is organized by Chinese Christian Mission (USA). The presentation is focused on a supportive missionary Desmond Ma, and the short-term mission team from Austin Chinese Church.

Video: Belize, 2min.
Peaceful mawning at Rumors Resort Hotel.

Video: Isla Marisol Belize Lionfish Highlights, 5min.

September 9, 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

Gabriel Salazar charged for the murder of Rolando Espat Jr.
Police on Ambergris Caye have arrested and charged 27-year-old Gabriel Salazar Villafranco in the murder investigation of 22-year-old Rolando Espat Jr. The deadly shooting took place in the wee hours of Saturday, September 6th in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro Town. Espat Jr was ambushed and gunned down by a lone gunman as he exited a local bar in the area and about 50 feet away from his home. According to Police, at about 12:20AM on Saturday, they visited the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II where they saw the body of a male later identified as Rolando Espat Jr, fisherman of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town. The body was observed with two apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, one to the left eye and one to the right upper thigh.

Glitz and Glamour at the Premier of La Isla Bonita Telenovela
Also walking the red carpet was male lead Josh Nuñez (Juan-Manuel Mendoza), and lead antagonist and Executive Producer, Horacio “Chito” Guerrero (Maximiliano de la Roca). Both men looked dashing and shared their experiences on the telenovela. “La Isla Bonita brings new light on life in San Pedro. Everyone worked so hard from the production staff to the cast. This telenovela is a huge achievement for the Belize filming industry,” said Guerrero. Lead female, Denny Mendéz (Carolina Del Valle), was unable to make it for the event but she sent her greetings through a video that was posted on the telenovela’s fan page. Following the red carpet was the screening of the telenovela. La Isla Bonita is based on the life of people living in San Pedro and highlights issues of friendship, peer pressure, hate, envy, greed, drugs and lust all the good stuff that make telenovelas so fun! The main story line follows the life of Carolina, who was left at the alter on their wedding by her fiancé, Jorge. After being heart broken and losing her father, who suffered a heart attack with confronting, Carolina renounces love completely.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Leaving The Belize Islands is Never Easy
When visiting the main touristic islands of Belize, it is very hard to say goodbye when the day finally arrives to head back home. You see people with their packed bags with them on the beach, taking advantage of every last minute in the sun, sand and sea. Luckily there are last minute flights and water taxis that leave just as the sun is ready to set. Island life is like no other in Belize. Pictured here is one fellow with his luggage at the Caye Caulker Split, waiting until the very last minute to run and catch his boat home. He just needed to admire the sunset a few more minutes.

A Hollywood Premier for Belize’s First Telenovela La Isla Bonita
The opening scenes had everybody at the edge of their seats as the interesting plot of the first episode unraveled with plenty of drama and filled with intense scenes of despair, anger and deception. A bride left standing alone at the alter on her wedding day, as her groom eloped with his mistress and a stressed father of the bride dies of a heart attack. Love, friendship, romance, hatred, deception and vengeance - the telenovela had it all, in true spirit of an intense soap opera. The island of Ambergris Caye was also like another character in the telenovela as it is the perfect backdrop for all the action that took place. The episode had amazing aerial footage of San Pedro Town and local businesses, streets and beaches were also major highlights of the project.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro Town Council: Please note a change in the Schedule of Events.
The date of the Central America & Mexico Independence Eve has been changed to Saturday, September 13. See you there!

Small Business Owners Receive Financial Aid for Startups
A series of checks in various denominations were distributed this afternoon to small business owners who will use the financial assistance as venture capital and for the expansion of their businesses. They gathered at the Radisson where Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Trade and Economic Development Mike Singh was on hand, along with a representative of the Taiwanese Embassy, to present the disbursals. The assistance is part of a collaborative effort between Beltraide, the Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises and the Embassy of Taiwan. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following story. Isani Cayetano, Reporting The emergence of small businesses across the country, from mom-and-pop stores in rural communities to medium enterprises with a complement of employees carrying out the day-to-day operations of the concern, aids in bolstering the Belizean economy. To get any venture off the ground successfully however, a formal business plan has to be outlined and seed capital needs to be infused into the initiative. It’s all part of a blueprint for entrepreneurship.

Most dangerous natural sites around the World - The Great Blue in Belize, amazingly #4
Most dangerous natural sites around the world  1. Saltstraumen (Norway), the most dangerous swirls in the world 2. Gouffre Berger Cave in France, also called “The Cave of Death” 3. Rock Preikestolen, Norway. Only for those without vertigo 4. Blue Hole in Belize, beautiful but very dangerous 5. Hussaini Bridge in Pakistan, a challenge trying to get through it 6. Nature Reserve Tsingy in Madagascar. The forest of stone knives where you can lose your life (6 photos)

Taiwan Computer Donation Ceremony
Thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, some of the primary schools around Cayo received computers, laptops, and projectors. The new Taiwanese Ambassador, Benjamin Ho, gave a short, inspiring speech, and then presented the donated computers and projectors to many of the local primary schools, and SHJC's Hands for Life club, which works with the Taiwanese student groups every Summer. A big thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, and all the great students from NTHU that spent a huge amount of time and effort acquiring the computers! "The Taiwanese Embassy donated computers to many of the primary schools around Cayo. SHJC hosted the ceremony, the Tourism Management students provided the delicious food for the event, and the computer staff and students will be installing the computers in the computer labs at the primary schools."

Channel 7

Hon. Faber's Private Life In A Tailspin Again
The news went out like wildfire on Saturday afternoon: a police report had been filed by Minister Patrick Faber's female friend - and she alleged that he assaulted her. On Saturday morning at 5:00 am, 25 year old Nickesha Polanco went to the Ladyville Police Station to report that Faber had choked her, pulled her by the hair, and puncher her twice in the face. Polanco works as a license officer in the Ministry of Education - and if we are to judge by facebook photos and postings, she and her Minister had an intimate friendship. She told police that on Friday night, she was having her 25th birthday party at his home in Ladyville. At 2:30 on Saturday morning, she was in his bedroom using her cell phone - which, she claims, caused Faber to go into a rage. She says he choked her, and when she called her friend to help, he dragged her by her hair into the corridor. She claims he also assaulted another female.

Police: Hon. Faber's Accuser Withdrew the Complaint
And while that's the allegation that the 25 YEAR OLD made against Patrick Faber during the weekend, today, when the media asked the Police Press Officer about it, he was very tight-lipped. He told us that the report has been withdrawn, and so police cannot disclose the nature of its contents. No matter how hard we tried, he wouldn't give anything else on the topic: Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could we ask about the situation where we understand that there was a complaint made in the Ladyville Police Station against Minister of Education Patrick Faber? Could you confirm if that report was made?" Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "A report was made in deed and was subsequently withdrawn." Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could you tell us the substance of that report or could you give us any information at all about that report?" Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "A report was made and it was withdrawn. Hence meaning that it does not exist."

Police find Grenade Lying Around In Ghost Town
Police took another grenade off the streets on Saturday - it is the ninth grenade event in six years. Deputy Commander of Eastern Division Edward Broaster got information of where the dangerous explosive was stashed. 7News came upon the scene shortly after,. Jules Vasquez has the report:.. Jules Vasquez reporting Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster received information that led him to this abandoned house on Banak Street. He responded immediately, still in his Saturday slippers, and here he is trying to call the BDF Bomb Expert. His information told him to look in the overgrowth under these stairs, which is where Broaster took us, as he unearthed the deadly explosive. It was tucked inside the domed cover of a coffee cup.

The Street Slaying Of The 4th Espat Male
Tonight, the Espat family in San Pedro is reeling from the loss of their loved one, 22 year-old Rolando Espat Jr. who was violently killed early on Saturday Morning. To be grieving the death of one loved one is by itself, unimaginable. For the Espat's, however, this is the fourth male in their family to be murdered, and so, the sorrow they feel is multiplied. Today, Daniel Ortiz travelled to the Island to speak with them about the death of the man they affectionately called "Rolito". Here's his report: Daniel Ortiz reporting The Espat family was beside themselves with grief as yet another of their young men was murdered in cold blood.

Police Make Quick Arrest For Rolito's Murder
As you heard in our story, Rolando Jr.'s mother and aunt are demanding justice, and San Pedro police are working diligently to get it for them. This afternoon, Police reported that they've already charged a man, and they also discussed what their investigation into his killing has revealed so far: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "I just want to report that we have since arrested and charged 27 year old Gabriel Salazar, a Belizean fisherman of San Juan Area, in San Pedro for the crime of murder." Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "Police took several statements, consultations were made with the Office of the DPP and they directed that this person be charged for the crime of murder. It was a thorough investigation, they had several tips and leads and that information was followed up."

Motorcycle Gunmen Killed Jason Paulino
At the top of the news, we told you about the murder in San Pedro which happened on Saturday morning, but there was also another which occurred in the City on Sunday morning. 38 year-old Jason Paul Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Penn Road at around 10, and he was socializing with 2 men when two men drove past on motorcycle. Police say that the men immediately targeted Paulino and fired several shots at him. He suffered a gunshot wound to the head, 1 to the right side of the abdomen, and 2 to the left shoulder. Today, police told the media that while they have no suspects, they believe that he had a prior misunderstanding, which led to his death: Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "We have several persons detained. We are recording statements, but at this time no one has been charged for that murder likewise. The information we have gathered so far is that it was a misunderstanding that he had with some persons. We do not believe that it is gang related. Some incident he had a week ago with some persons and that resulted in that shooting."

Education Minister: Parents Will Get An Ease On School Fees
At the top of the news we showed you how Education Minister Faber is under extreme scrutiny tonight for an alleged assault on his girlfriend. But he's still holding unto his portfolio as Minister of Education. Budget-wise, it's the biggest portfolio in all of government - and last week, before his public life was thrown into a tailspin, Faber and the Ministry of Education higher up's planned a media breakfast to discuss nine subjects which are all topical at the opening of the new school year. First among these was that subject which might also be a subject dear to you parents, the issue of those school fees, outside of tuition, which seem to increase every year. Education Minister Faber discussed the rule on new fees for the primary level: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education "Primary school fees my friends are set by the school but are approved by the Ministry of Education via the Chief Education Officer. And so there is no school that should be charging outrageous primary school fees or fees for that matter at any level that is receiving aid from the government or where it is a totally government or state own institution.

7 Charged For Fabers Road Robbery
And from Minister Faber, right back to Faber's road. On Friday, we told you about the brazen daylight robbery which the Gang Suppression Unit foiled. Well tonight, the 3 men who police say they caught in the act, are at Prison, and one of them has pleaded guilty to the crime. Those men who police say was directly involved are 29 year-old Jareth Crawford, 21 year-old Christian Robateau, and 21 year-old Kevin Bowen. But, there are others who police believe are involved in its planning or execution, and today, they briefed the media about their investigation. Here's what they told us: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "Quick police responds lead to the recovery of all items just over $8,000 worth of items and cash as well as the detention and now the charging of several persons."

Corey Howard's Murder Still Unexplained
On last week Friday's newscast, our headline story was about the murder of the 21 year-old Security Guard, Corey Howard, who was shot to death on Sibun Street. As we told you, he was a working man, and investigators were having trouble finding a motive for his killing because it defied other patterns of violence in the City. Today, when the media asked for an update, they told us that they are still trying to figure out what led to his murder: Supt. Hilberto Romero, O.C., Crimes Investigation Branch "On Friday we had the murder of Corey Howard. Police had commence an investigation, several persons have been detained and interviewed, however no one has been charged for that murder. We have several theories and leads that we are following up, but again like I mention before that we have no suspects at this time and the investigation continues."

Another Brutality Allegation Against GSU
It seems like almost every day our newsroom receives complaints of police brutality and general abuse of power. But today, it seemed like things got really out of hand over the weekend. We came across at least five substantial complaints of police physical abuse. And it can’t all be fictional… Here’s one story, today a single mother of 4 says told us that the news is her last resort, since she has been complaining about police abuse to higher authorities since 2012 and has gotten nowhere. Here’s her story.

Despite the Rain, Expo Drew Record Crowds
One of the main highlights of this weekend was the 18th Annual Expo at the ITVET compound. While last year many businesses had to adapt a more creative approach to their marketing techniques to accommodate the major clash between expo and carnival, this year, carnival was not in the way. Here is Courtney Weatherburne with the story on Expo 2014. And indeed the rain didn't affect the turnout.

The 2014 Carnival King & Queen
All last week, we showed you the Carnival Mas Camps - which is a buildup to the carnival road march, but also to the King and Queen of Carnival. On Saturday at the Roger's Stadium, a total of 14 bands participated in this year's competition. Courtney Weatherburne has that story. First place Senior King and Queen received $5,000 dollars.

Police Shot Kent Skeete
Tonight, 50 year-old Kent Skeete, is out on bail recovering from a gunshot injury he got when a police officer shot him, allegedly in the line of duty. The officer says that on Saturday morning at around 3:15, he was part of an operation in Taylor's Alley, in which he encountered Skeete standing on Orange Street. The officers says that he tried to search Skeete, but the civilian allegedly attacked him, and that led to a scuffle. The officer further accuses that in that confrontation, Skeete went for his gun, and he had to pull it and shoot him in the leg. Police today told the media that professional standards branch has been called in to investigate this shooting: Rafael Martinez, Police Press Officer "Whenever there is an incident regarding police and the use of force, whenever a police draws out his license firearm to use it against anybody, there is always an internal and an external investigation to justify whether or not the use of force was justifiable. What happened in this case, the officer commanding eastern division saw it fit to get in touch with the professional standards branch to look into this and of course we will be very thorough when it comes to investigating our own. There is absolutely nobody that can hide under the radar when it comes to use of justifiable use of force."

Internal Affairs Investigating Karique Tzul's Allegations Against GSU
Last week, we told you about the allegations which Karique Tzul made against the Gang Suppression Unit. He says that officers from the unit descended on a house on King Street where he was hanging out, and without warning, they started to brutalize him. It was an outrageous case, where officers allegedly kicked him so hard that he soiled himself. Well, today, when we asked the Deputy officer Commanding Eastern Division about it, he told us that Professional Standards Branch is investigating the allegation: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, 2nd In Command Eastern Division "Whenever there is allegations of police abuse the professional standard branch is task to carry out investigation and yes there is an investigation being carried out with respect to the 3 officers of the GSU." Reporter "Did the officers go at the wrong house and detain the wrong man?"

CWU Will Meet With CIBC
The Christian Workers Union will meet with the First Caribbean International Bank Management tomorrow. The meeting had long been requested, but both sides could not agree on who all should attend. Today the uni9on sent a press release saying that visiting CIBC Managing Director for Human Resources, Ella Hoyos, out of its Barbados Headquarters, wall participate in the meeting. She will meet with the CWU Team, including Uwahnie Martinez, tomorrow at 10:00 am at CIBC's main Belize City Branch.

Works Ministry Signs Road Rehab Contracts
Minister of Works and Transport Rene Montero signed off on another batch of contracts in Belmopan today. The contracts were signed this morning and Works CEO Errol Gentle outlined the upcoming renovation projects across the country:.. Errol Gentle, CEO - Ministry of Works "The first contract we will be signing this morning is with Rodla Construction and that's for the paving of 5 miles of the Old Northern. We will then be doing the concreting/paving of Oliva Sentino and Cairo Streets in Punta Gorda with CISCO. The concreting of Ramos Road and a section of the Ecumenical Drive again with CISCO Construction Limited. And then there is some baseline data monitoring equipment and this has to do with the flood mitigation project in Belize City and this will be done with after which we will be signing contracts for both roundabouts in Belize with CISCO Construction Limited and finally the feasibility study for the Punta Gorda Sporting Complex by Mahung and Partners."

Belize Lost To Guatemala
The Belize National Football team lost a heartbreaker to Guatemala in Dallas yesterday in the ongoing Nation's Cup. The final score was two to one. Carlos Ruiz opened the scoring with a brilliant strike in the 26th minute. With his back to goal, Guatemala's all-time leading scorer took a cross off his chest, turned and beat Belize goalkeeper Shane Orio with a bouncing volley from 10 yards. El Pescadito's sixth career CCA goal and first in 11 years came two minutes after Orio robbed Marco Pappa of his third tournament tally, making a sensational diving save on a 22-yard shot. Avila put Guatemala in front, 2-0, in the 51st minute, latching onto a deflected cross and putting a lunging eight-yard header on frame. Orio dived to his right and made the save as the momentum carried the ball just over the goal line.

Channel 5

Patrick Faber Accused of Assaulting MoE Staffer…
Minister of Education Patrick Faber is neck deep in a personal and political scandal tonight. The senior government minister has been accused of assaulting a staff member and her friend [...]

Minister Doesn’t Exactly Deny Accusations…
Despite being up that proverbial creek without a paddle, Faber has both hands in the water and is churning up a storm. Interestingly, while the report speaks about the Minister [...]

Faber Says He doesn’t Expect Political Fallout…
The Minister didn’t deny the incident happened, but insisted the report was withdrawn.  As Minister of Education, Faber travels the nation speaking to students, encouraging them to reach for the [...]

Police Says Faber Report Withdrawn…So Doesn’t Exist!
At a press briefing called today, the newly formed Public Relations Unit of the Police did their best in a bad situation. When asked the question about the report made [...]

Fisherman Gunned Down in San Pedro…
One man has been arrested and charged with the murder of a San Pedro resident. Rolando Espat Junior was executed early on Saturday morning reportedly by someone he knew and [...]

Death Finds Mechanic in his Own Yard…
There was another murder, this time in the dangerous streets of the south side in the Old Capital. Thirty-eight year old mechanic, Jason Paulino, was shot to the head, abdomen [...]

Another Grenade Found Just Before September Celebrations…
The threat of a grenade attack during the September Celebrations is very real, following a bold attempt in September 2008 when a hand-thrown bomb was hurled into a crowd of [...]

Police Shoot Man in Leg…Internal Investigation Ongoing…
While the police have successfully retrieved a grenade from the streets, an incident on Saturday morning is raising questions about one of its own. A police officer is under investigation [...]

Family Seeks Answers in San Ignacio Chopping…
A vicious chopping incident in San Ignacio Town over a month ago remains uninvestigated, despite numerous attempts by the family of Felix Romero Junior to have a formal inquiry conducted [...]

P.U.P. Attorney Arthur Saldivar in the Hot Seat…Again!
There is more political news. While U.D.P. Minister Patrick Faber is under heavy public scrutiny tonight, attorney Arthur Saldivar’s political star is dimming very quickly.  Saldivar is currently on suspension [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says Video Will Be Used Against Saldivar…
This afternoon, the People’s United Party called a press conference. The P.U.P. leader, Francis Fonseca was asked about the Saldivar fiasco. He told the media that the members of the [...]

P.U.P. Says PM Barrow Lied in the House…
P.U.P. Leader, Francis Fonseca was among the last Friday’s House meeting. He pointed out that the government was not helping P.U.P. town Councils. But the Prime Minister responded with serious [...]

P.U.P. Insulted by PG Town Council Receivership…
The monthly subvention that the PG Town Council receives, says Fonseca, is in the tune of twenty-two thousand to pay salaries for the mayor, his deputy and councilors. But the [...]

Education Minister Says Arbitrary Raise in School Fees Wrong!
Earlier in our newscast we showed you Minister of Education Patrick Faber on the hot seat. He was at a media breakfast which was organized last week to deal with [...]

Faber Says G.O.B. Provides ALL Primary School Textbooks…
That will be welcome news for some parents, who’ll be scrutinizing those school fees much more closely now. And there’s also the issue of school books for primary level students. [...]

The Merging of 3 Schools…An Update!
Also on the table for discussion today was the merging of the resources of three high schools – Maud Williams, Sadie Vernon and Excelsior. It was officially announced at the [...]

Carnival King & Queen 2014 – the Highlights…
It all leads to the road march this coming weekend. But on Saturday night, an extravagant show of stunning and colorful creations overwhelmed revelers as a record number of Bands [...]

Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   After falling in a 2-zip score to Honduras at the COPA Centro Americana, being hosted inside the United States, [...]

CTV3

PM Writes Off BSCFA Loan
As mentioned at the top of the newscast, the House of Representatives met today at Belmopan and among the presentations included the introduction of new bills being the Electricity Amendment Bill 2014 and the Belize Telecommunications Amendment Bill 2014. Bills were also presented for second reading and these included the Insurance amendment Bill 2014 and the Gaming Control Amendment Bill. Yet these were not the most outstanding issues brought up in the house. We have been following the developments within the sugar industry in the north and currently, we can say that there are a few hurdles the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has to deal with. Their debt to the government however is no longer of any concern as today the Government moved to write off yet another lump sum of monies owed to them. We are talking about the cancelation of a loan balance of $835, 543 dollars owed to government.

Senior Dies In Traffic Accident
An elderly man from the Village of Ranchito in the Corozal District is tonight is tonight dead after he was hit by a motorcycle. The accident happened this morning at around 7:00 between miles 82 and 83 of the Philip Goldson Highway near the Ministry of Works in the Village of Ranchito. Reports are that the victim was about to cross the highway when he was knocked down by the motorcycle which was travelling towards Orange Walk. The senior citizen was transported to the Corozal Community Hospital where he died a little after one this afternoon. Police were unable to release the name of the victim or of the driver of the motorcycle since they are still investigating.

Santa Cruz Resident Protest Outside The House, Land Is Their Problem
There seems to be an increase in public demonstrations at Independence Hall and today one such demonstration was staged there. Two groups of villagers from Stann Creek West held posters demanding their rights be respected and demanding that the government settle matters that have been affecting the communities of Santa Cruz and Silk Grass for quite some time. The leaders of both communities say that the land in their villages is being mismanaged and that the authority of the council is being undermined. Reynelio Lobos is the Chairman of Santa Cruz Village in Stann Creek West and explains their contention with government. Reynelio Lobos – Chairman, Santa Cruz Village “Nosotros estamos tratando de venir en paz y democráticamente como siempre todas las comunidades venimos y el problema es que Melvin Hulse está dando órdenes como Mr. Pandy que es el representante de terrenos entonces están midiendo los lotes para vender por acres mientras nosotros hay más personas necesitadas que están alquilando entonces nosotros queremos que el gobierno no los haga de esta forma sufriendo porque nosotros estamos representando y ellos tienen un representante que no ganaron que ellos se han tomado la ley de Santa Cruz y la verdad que a nosotros no respectan ni nos toman en cuenta, el concilio exactamente. Asi que hoy estamos aqui para tener reconcimiento, exacto.”

Former Revenue Manager To Payback CZL Town Council Missing Monies
Viewers may recall that in January of this year, we reported on the misappropriation of funds from the Corozal Town Council. At the time reports surfaced that some $80,000 had gone missing. The Mayor of Corozal, Hilberto Campos, clarified that the numbers were being exaggerated and it was only a couple of thousands of dollars that were unaccounted for. All indications were that the Revenue Manager had made away with those funds. When we first broke the story, an internal investigation was launched into the allegation and the revenue manager was relieved of his duties. And while we tried to question Corozal Mayor, Hilberto Campos on the matter, he refused to give us comment.

O/W Central Area Rep. Says $10,000.00 KHMH Compensation Is Not Enough
In May of last year, the news broke that thirteen babies had died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital due a bacteria outbreak. At the start of that scandal, CEO Gary Longsworth indicated on national TV that he did not know about the problem until he saw it on the news. At the sitting of the house today, Orange Walk Central Area Representative, John Briceno, brought up the matter saying that there should have been and that there should be more done to investigate the death of the thirteen infants. Briceno exclaimed that the KHMH did not accept responsibility for the incident and that it wasn’t until after public outcry that an investigation was launched, headed by PAHO. In June of 2013, PAHO issued its report identifying numerous discrepancies in how the case was handled at the hospital and also highlighted the lack of proper resources and management at the medical facility. Briceno stated that one year later the hospital management would still not issue a report on the incident or reach a settlement with the families of the babies that died there. In spite of this, five out of the thirteen families decided to file a lawsuit. After mediation, the KHMH finally settled and offered each of the five families ten thousand dollars. Briceno says this is not enough and is completely unacceptable.

LOVE FM

Police update on City Incidents
Police also updated the media on a number of issues that occurred in Belize City including Friday morning’s robbery at a Chinese Grocery on Faber’s Road as well as two murders. HILBERTO ROMERO “Police have since arrested and charged 7 persons ranging from the crimes of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, abetment to commit robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms. Seven person will be taken to court this afternoon for those various crimes mentioned. On Friday we had the murder of a Corey Howard, police have again commenced an investigation several persons have been detained and interviewed however no one has been charge for that murder. I go now to the murder of Jason Poulino that occurred on Sunday, we have several persons detained and we are recording statements but at this time no one has been charged for that murder likewise.”

Mayor Anthony Fuentes defends against Allegations
On Friday during the Sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called out the Mayor of Punta Gorda, Anthony Fuentes, for allegedly having used the town council’s monies to pay off a personal loan at the Toledo Teacher’s Credit United Limited. Prime Minister Barrow alleged that Mayor Fuentes along with the Deputy Mayor and a PUP town councilor used the council’s subvention monies to pay off personal loans. This afternoon, the People’s United Party called a press conference to rebut Barrow’s accusations. ANTHONY FUENTES “Senseless, insensitive and of course the individual who I believe is suffering from chronic disorder which eventually will lead to permanent insanity on Friday wanted to be little the character of myself the Mayor of Punta Gorda Town. Now I believe that as the duly elected mayor of the municipality , given the challenges that we have had under a UPD government that is not friendly to all three PUP town councils have done a lot for the municipality and so I as the mayor of the municipality must say unequivocally that I did not use the monies to pay my loan. It is deducted out of my salary and in return whenever I receive my salary its less the $500 that is the truth. I will never steal monies from a community, my town and I know that the town needs the money. So ladies and gentlemen I am here, the God above knows that I have not touched public monies. The only money that I received from the Punta Gorda Town council are monies that are given to me for my pay or stipend not a single cent have I taken from that municipality.”

Bus targeted by Robbers In Stann Creek
On Sunday our Dangriga correspondent reported that a bus transporting students and teachers from Stann Creek Ecumenical came under attack. When we spoke to the driver of the bus he told us he believed that the bus was being targeted by robbers. Today Police told Love News the incident might have been the result of a misunderstanding between two students. Here is correspondent Harry Arzu. Harry: An excursion bus filled with students and teachers from Ecumenical Junior college was attacked by bandits on the Hummingbird highway while returning to Dangriga from the Expo in Belize City. Jason Edward Saldano was the driver of the bus, he spoke to Love News about the ordeal. Edward Saldano “While I was coming away from Expo in Belize while I was dropping off between Steadfast and AltaVista I went to drop of the students there and when I looked a swarm of men came to attack the bus around 8 o’clock, between 7:30-8:00pm. When I saw them they put masks on their face. I began to drive off from the crowd and when I did that the intended men started to swarm the bus with stones and other things they had in their hands.

Milpa Rice a Success in Toledo
Results of a field demonstration plot to test increased productivity of milpa rice were a success in the Toledo District. Paul Mahung: The Milpa Rice field demonstration plot was designed by Toledo District Agriculture coordinator Flint Wagner. FLINT WAGNER “Milpa production has historically produced projection was 1200 pounds. We have seen that this is very unsustainable for farms so we wanted to improve on the yield of the milpa producers. Mr. Denis Usher was very instrumental in making available his farm to conduct this experiment to include conducting timely agronomic practices and application of fertilizer to the crop.” Paul Mahung “Wagner was pleased with the improved results of the Milpa Rice field demonstration plot.”

St. Vincent de Paul School Bag Donations
Over two thousand primary school children will benefit from school supplies from the St. Vincent De Paul Society. We have the details in this report. Ava Diaz “The Society of St. Vincent de Paul was founded in 1833 to serve impoverished people living in the slums of Paris France. Today the society boasts over 700,000 members in some 148 countries worldwide. In Belize the society has conferences in the Belize, Stann Creek and Cayo districts. This past weekend members were hard at work at one of the society’s biggest initiatives. Marion Marsden is the national President of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Belize.” Marion Marsden: “We decided we wanted to do a big project. We call it big because it’s not just a hand out. You want something smaller we hand it to you so we joined together. This initiative in Belize is all the Catholic churches mainly in Belize City and we have Belmopan and Dangriga.”

Teacher recuperating from hit and run injuiries
A teacher from the Toledo District us recuperating from injuries sustained in a hit and run accident. Correspondent Paul Mahung has details. Paul Mahung: “Punta Gorda inhabitant Candice Tate who was injured spoke to Love News.” Voice 1: About 6:30PM I was riding my bicycle on Jose Maria Nunez Street when a drunken driver on a motor cycle hit me from behind. I fell off the bicycle and he dragged the bicycle with him all the way to the lane. Paul Mahung: Tate is grateful to those who assisted her at the time of the incident and is also disappointed that the motorcycle driver did not stop to render assistance.

PlusTV

Bill to remove compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the Bar
Area Representatives met on Friday at the National Assembly building in Belmopan for a special House Sitting, and as customary we bring you the highlights of the event. Several amendment bills were read and a few motions were passed. Among them was the bill to amend the  Legal Profession Act Chapter...

Arthur Saldivar Video Goes Viral
One lawyer who has been in a lot of hot water as of late is Attorney Arthur Saldivar. Mr Saldivar has recently been suspended by his own party as investigations into alleged wrongdoing get on the way.  Going viral now is a video, showing Arthur Saldivar on camera in another controversy. Arthur Sald...

Draft Amendment to Firearm Act read in National Assembly
Since the Fire arm act was amended in the year 2008, there has been mounting concerns due to the perception that many innocent people have been prosecuted, because of the provision that allows an entire household to be taken into custody if a firearm is found in the premises of their home. On Friday...

Security Guard Fatally Shot in Belize City
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot around 7:40 Friday morning in Belize City, and died later that evening. Mr Howard, who works with KBH Security Services, was in front of a white house on Sittee Street near the Lakeview Street Canal, when he was attacked. Sources say tell us...

Food Vendor’s body pulled from sea
The body of a food vendor was retrieved from the sea in Dangriga. Stann Creek correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. “The body of a man was found floating in the sea here in Dangriga in front of Holy Ghost Primary School...

Man arrested for alleged rape of 17 year old female
A 17 year old female has reported being raped by an unknown man. The incident happened on Thursday September 4, at about one o’clock in the morning. Police say they were called to a hotel  located on the Philip Goldson Highway, where they met the 17 year old  female who claimed she was raped by an...

Teacher robbed in Belize City
A Belize City teacher was robbed Thursday night in Belize City. On Thursday September 4 just before 9:00 p.m., a 28-year-old teacher of Belize City was  walking on Coney Drive heading home...

PC Linsdale Blease charged for assault and firearm offences
On Thursday September 4^th  at 3:00p.m. Police Constable Linsdale Blease, presently attached to the Domestic Violence Unit at Eastern Division, was arrested and charged for the crimes of “Aggravated Assault and Discharging Firearm in Public”. At 3:30p.m...

Belizean Firm being monitored for possibly hiring Guatemalan workers
On Thursday we spoke to CEO in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Michael Singh, about reports that workers from Guatemala were being hired by Santander Sugar, the Spanish firm that owns Green Tropics Limited’s operation in central Cayo District...

Santa Elena Neighborhood Watch hosting Beauty Pageant
The Santa Elena Neighborhood Watch will be hosting a Beauty Pageant this Saturday, September 6^th.  5 contestants are vying for the title Neighborhood Watch Queen. It is the first of its kind and organizer Cecil Flowers tells us why they decided to do the pageant. We also spoke to the contestants wh...

Silk Grass and Santa Cruz village protest in front of National Assembly
We have been reporting on the matters concerning the village of Silk Grass in the Stann Creek District, where many villagers are claiming that two separate and independent committees are going rogue. On Monday we reported the matter concerning the village Water Board, which villagers claimed had no ...

Bond Payments no Problem for Belize City Says Mayor
It is responsible for the concreting of 100 streets across Belize City, but the municipal bond commissioned by the Belize City Council of $20 million represents a financial burden but according to Mayor Darrell Bradley it is one the Council can meet. Darrell Bradley - Mayor of Belize City “In The Mu...

Jermaine Rhaburn rearrested and charged for murder of Clifford Cruz
On Thursday, Twenty-year-old Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was  rearrested and charged once again for the murder of BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz. Clifford Cruz was murdered on October first of 2012, on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City, where J...

Belize Police Department has new Community Public Relations Unit
The Belize Police Department dedicates most of its resources to the Belize District and the City in particular - partially because it is the single largest police district and it is where most crimes are committed...

Patrick Jones

Police find grenade on Banak Street
It has been a while since police have recovered hand grenades from the streets of Belize City. They have been used in several terrifying incidents in recent years, including the attack on Mayflower Street in 2008, an incident on the day of the Carnival Road March a few months later, and an attack on the house of the Comptroller of Customs, Gregory Griffith. Over the weekend there was another found, thanks to a tip from a concerned citizen. Senior Superintendent of Police Edward Broaster confirmed that BDF officials were called in and removed the grenade without incident.

Police department offers update on murders
There was a murder in San Pedro Town over the weekend, sandwiched between two in Belize City. We have already reported on the death of Jason Paulino for which several persons are in detention, but police have made an arrest in the death of Rolando Espat. Gabriel Salazar, a familiar name, was charged with the murder. Superintendent Hilberto Romero says the potential motive is still being investigated but confirmed that drugs is being considered as a motive.

Ministry of Education worker withdraws complaint against Minister
This past weekend, Minister of Education Patrick Faber was alleged to have been involved in a very serious allegation of assault. A leaked police report obtained by local media including Belize Media Group says that a Ministry of Education staff member a 25 year old female whose name we will withhold, told Police in Ladyville on Saturday that she was having her birthday party at the Minister’s residence in Lords’ Bank Village this past Saturday. According to the report, which has since been retracted, between 2:30 and 3:00 a.m., the Minister reportedly requested her cell phone which she was using; and when she refused to give it to him, she was choked and punched twice to the right side of the face, in full view of a friend who tried to intervene. But the complaint has been withdrawn, according to the Minister, who candidly told reporters in Belize City today that he and the woman remain friends and there is no story, to the dismay of some opponents.

Belize City mechanic murdered
A man was shot and killed on Sunday morning in Belize City. The victim has been identified as 38 year old Jason Paul Paulino. According to police, Paulino was sitting in a yard on Neal Penn Road around 9:55 am on Sunday when he was shot multiple times to the head, abdomen and left shoulder. Police say that their investigations reveal that two men on a motorcycle arrived at the yard where Paulino was and that the passenger fired several shots at Paulino.

My Tomato Dream For Belize
Tomato is a vegetable-fruit that can be grown year-round in Belize. Belize can produce a large surplus of tomato, using a fraction of the land used to produce corn, however it would have to develop green-house tomato production and/or expand irrigated systems production to make this happen. In 2007, the US imported ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, amounting to about US$1 billion. In that year, the US consumed around US$1.3 billion of fresh tomato, and about US$1.2 billion of processing tomato. In 2007, Mexico exported around ONE MILLION metric tons of tomato, earning around US$1.2 billion, supplying close to 90% of US imports. That same year, it imported around 48,000 metric tons, at a cost of around US$48 million.

Blogs

A Stay in Maya Beach on the Placencia Peninsula Makes Me & My Stomach Very Happy
it’s time to get back to reality. AND back to writing about my awesome trip last week to Placencia and then San Ignacio. The hiking…the pretty pretty village and…next, my two nights at the beautiful Maya Beach Bistro & Hotel. It’s most certainly my favorite place to eat. And if you’ve been following my blog for even just a few days, you probably know that my favorite activity is enjoying the food of Belize. Maya Beach is the first community when you arrive on the peninsula, It’s mostly homes and a sprinkling of a few small hotels and beach front cabanas. A few restaurants. And a police station.

September in Belize: Another Reason to Visit!
This one is for the birds! Belize is blessed with a robust year-round resident bird population, with locals including such luminaries as the keel-Billed Toucan (the national bird), parrots, mot-mots, majestic harpy eagles, tiny colourful hummingbirds and many more. All in all some 590 species have been recorded in Belize, and when you consider that nearly 40% of them are migrant, you get an idea of how much Belize comes alive with colour and song when the out-of-towners descend upon the country. Guests such as the Kentucky Warbler, Yellow breasted Chat, Purple Martin, Red-eyed Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Grey Catbird (now there’s a confused animal) and various flycatchers come to make Belize home for the winter and indulge themselves in the lush habitats and abundant food.

Meet the Birds of Belize
With around 590 bird species, it is safe to say Belize is a paradise for birdwatchers. Even regular folks who don’t have much interest in bird watching are drawn to this recreational activity when in Belize because of how easy it is to see them here. Most of the birds of Belize are local inhabitants and about 20 percent are migrants who choose to vacation in Belize during the harsh winter months in North America. With almost half of Belize being made up of protected areas, it doesn’t matter if you are in the coast, Cayes or inland, you will encounter numerous flying creatures. At most Jungle lodges it is easy to spot birds in the morning and they also usually offer excellent birding tours. Another option is waking up early and going to Mayan sites – the ruckus of the rainforest is absolutely amazing. Below are a few photos of some of the most beautiful birds you can see in the wild:

Lemon Bread Pudding
Bread pudding is my favorite dessert. This version is lemony and very moist. The glaze is divine and really makes the flavor pop.

International Sources

Ranking Caribbean Countries on Competitiveness: Report
What are the most competitive economies in the Caribbean? The World Economic Forum has released its annual Global Competitiveness Report, including results for a number of Caribbean countries. The report defines competitiveness as the “set of institutions, policies, and factors that determine the level of productivity of a country,” noting that competitiveness is as much about the ability to sustain a high level of income as it is about a given country’s growth potential. As the WEF notes, the level of productivity sets the level of prosperity that can be reached by an economy. So which country has the most competitive economy? It’s Puerto Rico, which was ranked 32nd in the world, just behind Thailand and ahead of Chile. (Puerto Rico scored particularly strongly on health and primary education).

Foundation of Veterinary Aid International in Sarteneja, Belize
For a second time in 2014, we returned to Sarteneja and Hopkins, our two favorite villages in Belize. We sterilized 111 animals. The impact of our project in Sarteneja is remarkable. Word of our work has spread, so that when we return to Belize in January 2015, we will be caring for animals in surrounding villages as well. FVAI is proud to help these underprivileged populations that have no access to basic veterinary care. Belize, a little known country in South America, is a paradise for scuba diving and snorkeling with the second largest barrier reef in the world. Its luxurious forests are home to ocelots, jaguars, monkeys, tapirs, toucans and other animals. The official language of Belize is English but the inhabitants also speak Spanish, Creole, Mayan and Garifuna.

Cobbs Arm- Corozal's premier Canoe Team
Congratulations to Cobbs Arm- Corozal's premier Canoe Team as they won 1st prize in the Best Decorated Canoe category during the Patriotic Paddle event which took place August 30th. The event which was a fun non-competitive race began in Flowers Bank and ended in Belize City.

Red Carpet Premiere of Belize's First Telenovela
What started as a longtime dream finally came to life on the 'big screen' in San Pedro, Belize, this past Friday night. The pilot episode for Belize's first locally produced telenovela, "La Isla Bonita,” debuted to an enthusiastic audience at Paradise Theater on September 5. Much like the popular Spanish soap operas, produced in Mexico, Make-Belize Films Director Matthew Klinck decided capitalize on their popularity by showcasing the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye in the country’s first telenovela. “La Isla Bonita” follows the story of an abandoned bride, played by international actress Denny Mendez, who is hoping to find love once again. Story lines include everything from complicated family issues to encounters with local criminals and drug traffickers. For Belizeans and residents of San Pedro, there are a number of recognizable and humorous tie-ins. Klinck teamed up with San Pedro native Horacio (Chito) Guerrero, Executive Producer for “La Isla Bonita,” Dion Vansen who wrote the soap opera’s script, and award-winning director Arlando Smith, who is the project’s Producer.

NASA Launches New Era of Earth Science from Space Station
The launch of a NASA ocean winds sensor to the International Space Station (ISS) this month inaugurates a new era of Earth observation that will leverage the space station's unique vantage point in space. Before the end of the decade, six NASA Earth science instruments will be mounted to the station to help scientists study our changing planet. The first NASA Earth-observing instrument to be mounted on the exterior of the space station will launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida, on the next SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services flight, currently targeted for no earlier than Sept. 19. ISS-RapidScat will monitor ocean winds for climate research, weather predictions and hurricane monitoring from the space station. The second instrument is the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS), a laser instrument that will measure clouds and the location and distribution of airborne particles such as pollution, mineral dust, smoke, and other particulates in the atmosphere. CATS will follow ISS-RapidScat on the fifth SpaceX space station resupply flight, targeted for December.

Downers Grove South High School student researches sharks in Belize
Wherever her future travels lead, Elizabeth Kazmierczak probably won’t be trying any shark fin soup. The Downers Grove South senior has a passion for marine life and conservation, and got a first-hand look this summer at how over fishing sharks for their dorsal fins has led to dwindling numbers of some species....

EYE-OPENING MISSION: Residents help impoverished Belizean villages, learn life lessons
A recent health care mission in Belize was eye opening for several North Okaloosa residents. Seventeen volunteers spent a week in the Central American country providing clinical treatments, supplies and health education to people in seven impoverished villages. Although several volunteers, including organizer Dr. Joseph Peters, were already aware of the area's health care needs, a number of first-time participants — who arrived Aug. 27 and returned last week — said the experience was memorable. “After getting (to) see the poverty these people lived in, all I wanted to do was help them out even more,” Fallon Simmons, a Crestview registered nurse, said in an email. Volunteers evaluated and administered physicals to adults and children, and physicians prescribed any necessary medications, Simmons said. “The thing I enjoyed most from this trip was seeing just how appreciative these people were that we came to help them,” she stated. “They all were so kind and polite at all times. They are willing to walk for miles away just to be seen for an hour by some doctors and nurses.”

Animal Planet’s seven days of frightful fun
On Nature’s Most Wanted: Croczilla, join wildlife cameramen Jim and Jason on their quest to track down and relocate a gigantic 4.5-metre crocodile—dubbed “Croczilla”—that is tormenting a local village in the Caribbean Republic of Belize. The boys’ job is to investigate the attacks on local inhabitants by interviewing the victims and tracking down the beast before locals take matters into their own hands and kill the endangered animal.

Videos

Video: Plongée Mexique-Belize 2014, 5min.

Video: Pescador Cavern, in the barrier reef just off Ambergris Caye, Belize, 4min.
White Sands Dive Shop took us diving to this fantastic site.

Video: Diving Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Ambergris Caye, Belize, 2min.
We went on a dive and snorkel to Hol Chan. The sea life was so healthy and varied!

Video: Belize Reisen, 3min.
Belize - das kleine Land im Norden Mittelamerikas beeindruckt durch seinen enormen Artenreichtum sowohl über- als auch unter Wasser und durch seine guten Surf- und Tauchspots. Aktive Urlauber kommen bei einer Belize Reise voll auf ihre Kosten. SHOW MORE

Video: Mexico, Guatemala, Belize 2014 - Gopro hero 3, 12min.

Video: Belize will always be an Independent Nation ----Guatemala reminds me of an old rabid dog with no teeth but still can bark!, 10min.
Belize will always be protected by Great Britain, but too we have lots friends in the Caribbean and elsewhere

Video: Monster -Alien- {within us} Human Bot Fly Removal on Mellowvision, 5min.
A family vacation in Belize in December 2008....... Nightmare for one family member.............. Two weeks after returning from an otherwise wonderful vacation, he begins to develop a 102 degree fever which lasts for two weeks. He experiences random bleeding from three small, infected wounds on his left elbow. He sees four different internists and after two rounds of antibiotics is still suffering from the symptoms. It turns out that he had three bot fly larvae growing in his arm. This video shows the removal of the larvae. Bot flies (Order Diptera, Family Cuterebridae) are large, stout bodied, hairy flies that resemble bumblebees. The botfly egg is deposited by a mosquito or sometimes by another insect. The larva grows in the host's body until it is fairly large. The botfly larva can easily be killed by taking away its air supply -- by putting vaseline or similar on the skin where the lump is, but then you still have to extract the larva. Adult botflies have nonfunctional mouthparts and do not feed. Larvae of this species parasitize wild and domestic rabbits. Females deposit their eggs in or near the entrance of their host's burrow. Bot fly larvae penetrate their host through the skin or natural body openings after hatching. The larvae form a tumor (called a warble) in the subdermal zones of their host and remain at this location until larval development is complete. Larval development varies among species, ranging from 20 to 60 days. Before pupating, the larvae leave the host's skin and drop to the soil.

Video: DECEPTION, 4min.
Song written by Carlton Sharp.... Video by Mellowvision,,,,DECEPTION Dean Barrow's Parliamentary system of Belize -90% failure- -morally bankrupt- -plagued by party voltures and Predator- HERE IS A VIDEO SONG CALLED "DECEPTION," IT WAS FILM RECENTLY BY ME, SOME FILM CLIPS WERE EDITED/ADDED TO THIS VIDEO. I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY TRUE FEELINGS ABOUT CORRUPTION AND ECONOMIC VIOLENCE IN BELIZE...

Video: Belize Video, 5min.
Scuba diving and life on the water!

Video: Susan Hooks & John Shelton Honeymoon! Snorkeling in San Pedro, Belize, Sept. 2014, 8min.
There are some who choose to celebrate their wedding with a very expensive party... But others prefer to be together in paradise overcoming fears

Video: Belize Guatemala Girl's trip, 9min.
Scuba diving in the blue hole Belize. Maya Tikal.

September 8, 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

Wolfe’s Woofer: Fitness
“Well, if it’s not Jo Castleberry,” I said. “Where have you been keeping yourself?” “I’ve been keeping myself at home,” she said. “You should go out more,” I told her. “You need to get some sun.” “I need more than sun,” she said. “I need one of them makeovers.” “You mean like the ones on […]

National AIDS Commission Island Committee receives donation
Press Release – September 3, 2014 – National AIDS Commission Island Committee: The National AIDS Commission IC is pleased and excited to extend a most grateful thank-you to Edie & Joe Pendleton. Edie works with Alberta Health Services in Canada, where she is employed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital as a Social Worker in the […]

Doctor Love: Complicated Relationships
Readers, please send your letters. They can be emails, formal letters or handwritten notes. They are edited solely for grammar and spelling. Also, they are sometimes edited for length. Dear Doctor Love, My girlfriend is 21 and I am 24 and we have a two year-old daughter. She still lives with her mom even though […]

Misc Belizean Sources

Grenade Found in Crime Hot Spot
On Saturday afternoon in Belize City, officers on Banak Street. At 1:30 p.m. the grenade was found inside an abandoned house. The BDF was called to the scene and it was removed from the property without incident. It was labelled as Found Property since there was no one in the vicinity. Abandoned properties in Belize City are regularly used to hide marijuana and handguns. (The photo is a stock image of a grenade)

Commentary: The Garifuna people's patience has run out on racism
By Wellington C. Ramos If some people were to know the history of the Garifuna people they would just leave them alone. Who are these people? These people are descendants of the native Kalinagu and Galinagu Indians who migrated from the Orinoco region in South America centuries before the Europeans explored the Americas to occupy the Caribbean islands. They have a history of fighting and winning wars against all the nations they went up against. These nations included Spain, France and Great Britain. The Garifuna people have always been against slavery and subjugation of any people. This was the reason why they were prepared to fight and die rather than to surrender to any other nation.

IMF executive board concludes 2014 consultation with Belize
WASHINGTON, USA -- On June 23, 2014, the executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation with Belize. Real GDP growth plummeted to 0.7 percent in 2013, from 4 percent in 2012, mainly due to continued declines in oil production and weak agricultural output, especially sugarcane and citrus. Unemployment stood at 14.2 percent in September 2013 and is on an upward trend since it hit its lowest level in 2008. Average inflation eased to 0.5 percent from 1.3 percent in 2012, as commodity price pressures abated. The external current account deficit widened to 4.5 percent of GDP in 2013 up from 1.2 percent in 2012, as exports of oil and agricultural products fell sharply while imports of fuel and electricity picked up. International reserves improved to 4.7 months of imports at end-March 2014 (up from 3.3 months at end-2012) mainly owing to PetroCaribe financing and private inflows.

Rotaract Adopt a Village Program
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio continued their Adopt a Village campaign, and paid tuition and donated school bags to the students of the Yalbac village. Thanks, Rotaract! "On August 31st, 2014 Rotaract Club San Ignacio delivered backpacks and paid tuition for the students of Yalbac Village. It was a rewarding and life-changing experience."

Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen
The CNWA had their 1st annual Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen pageant last night in Santa Elena. They got plenty of fun pictures from the event. "Zone 10 NW group, part of the Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association held their First Annual Miss Neighborhood Watch Queen Pageant... it was so much fun, not even the rain stopped the show! Santa Elena people are not stopped by rain, what a great time, thank you to Zone 10 for putting this together! Great job!!"

CTV3

Arthur Saldivar's Video Goes Viral
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan but basically there were no fireworks, not even sparks. It consisted of the usual back and forth among parliamentarians and presentation of bills. We will bring you the full detail of today’s sitting in a few but first we start off with what is making headlines.But the man of the hour is in more serious trouble tonight that is after a video of him using foul language and obscene hand gestures went viral on the social media. It is not the proper way for someone who is seeking political office to conduct himself but then again, when it comes to Arthur Saldivar anything can be expected.

The Reporter

IMF: Belize economic outlook “worse than envisaged”
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) medium term outlook for economic growth for Belize “is worse than envisaged” and real gross domestic product (GDP) growth would be weaker than expected in the near term. The IMF recently released the results of the Article IV consultation with Belize, which was conducted in June in Washington DC. According to the IMF, real GDP growth plummeted to 0.7 percent in 2013, from four percent the previous year, mainly due to continued declines in oil production and weak agricultural output, especially sugarcane and citrus. The IMF reported that unemployment stood at 14.2 percent in September 2013 and is on an upward trend since it hit its lowest level in 2008. It also reported that average inflation eased to 0.5 percent from 1.3 percent in 2012, as commodity price pressures went down.

Brazil’s former director of state-run oil company accuses politcians of corruption
Paulo Roberto Costa, an ex-director of Brazil’s state-run oil company, Petrobras has accused more than 40 politicians of involvement in a kickback scheme over the past ten years. Costa, who is in jail and being investigated for involvement in the alleged scheme, named a minister, governors and congressmen who were members of the governing Workers party and two other groups that support President Dilma Rousseff who is seeking re-election on October 5. Many of the names were published in Veja, one of Brazil’s leading magazines and several politicians mentioned have denied involvement. Costa claimed that politicians received 3 percent commissions on the values of contracts signed with Petrobras when he was working there from 2004 to 2012.

The Belize Times

GSU Must Go!!
The majority of right-thinking Belizeans are in support of the Opposition People’s United Party’s calls for the disbanding of the UDP Government’s Gang Suppression Unit. The GSU, trained with elite military forces in El Salvador by the United States of America, sprang into sudden action in 2010. By action we mean terrorizing community residents to instil fear. Over the years, the GSU has acted like an entity of its own with no one to answer. There is evidence that not even the Commissioner of Police or the Ministry of National Security have control over the GSU. In February 2012, following a vicious beat down of young men from Taylor’s Alley, the Ministry of National Security which heads the Police Department had to apologize to the victims for the reported abuses. They claimed to not have known of the operation nor have given the order for this attack.

UDP Fails Belize – Still No Changes to Barrow’s Draconian Gun Law
When the House of Representatives meets tomorrow, Friday September 5th, 2014, the members of the ruling UDP will report that they have failed to properly address one of the issues that have been terrorizing Belizeans: the criminalization of the citizens and abuse of the innocent through Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s heavy-handed gun laws. On Friday, August 29th, Prime Minister Barrrow appeared to be caught off guard by the media which sought an update on the changes to the firearms act which the Ministry of National Security had promised to carry out since February of this year. Obviously not quite sure what was taking place, Barrow said he “hoped and believed” that amendments to the gun laws could be introduced on Friday.

Bogus Growth!! – While the UDP grass grows, the horse starves
There is something considerably sick and wrong with a Government that would boast about so-called economic growth while the reality for its citizens tells a different tale. This week the Government-funded Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) declared that economic growth in Belize had surged to an unprecedented 8.7% in the second quarter of the year. The SIB merited the growth to better performance in sugar and citrus industries, and incredibly, a 13.2% increase in the production/consumption of beer and 7.4% percent rum. This in the heels of a statement by UDP Minister Santino Castillo that stress is causing more police officers to turn to drinking. We can conclude then that more Belizeans are stressed out than ever.

Murder suspect caught by angry residents
Miguel Choco, a resident of San Pedro Columbia, was apprehended today by a manhunt led by angry and concerned residents. Choco was the main suspected for the murder of 61 year old Agripina Coc has reportedly confessed. Residents of San Pedro Columbia launched a manhunt on Sunday morning following the discovery of Coc’s lifeless body the night before. She had been left nude on the road side. A large cut injury was seen on her forehead. The killing of the senior citizen has been condemned nationwide. Press releases were issued this week by the Chamber of Commerce, National Council on Ageing and Helpage Belize, calling on the Government to deal with crime as a priority.

Has Barrow turned PetroCaribe Gift into Curse?
“The amount of the debt owed to Venezuela by many Caribbean countries is shrouded in secrecy because the process of dealing with Petro Caribe has not been transparent. ….The beneficiary Caribbean governments have much for which to thank Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, but they would be imprudent if they did not now begin to make adjustments to their budgets for a transition from dependence on Petro Caribe to buying oil on the international market.” “They would be sensible to approach the Caribbean Development Bank for technical advice on how to alter their financial circumstances to make the transition and to propose ways in which such a transition could be accomplished with the least amount of inevitable pain — pain which would be more desirable than calamity.” The above is the opening and closing paragraphs of an article written by Sir Ronald Sanders that was published in the Jamaica Observer in February of this year. Sir Sanders is a consultant, senior research fellow at London University and a former Caribbean diplomat. Under the title “Petro Caribe: Are Caribbean countries prepared for the worst?” the article delves into the intricate and mostly ignored facts about this novel and noble initiative from the late Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez.

Editorial: THE GSU IS BSU
Only in a Dean Barrow government could something like this happen. A Police Officer engaging in a personal and political attack on television against an elected member of the National Assembly. That member is also the former two time Prime Minister of the country. It is bizarre and unheard and underlines the low level to which the government is politicizing the police force and the public service. The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca, quite rightly, was swift and unsparing in condemning this latest outrage coming from the government. On Saturday 30 August in the Lake Independence constituency, the resurgent People’s United Party held its convention to endorse the return of Cordel Hyde as standard bearer for the next general elections. Over two thousand energized residents attended. Former Prime Minister and elected Area Representative from Fort George, Hon. Said Musa was one of the main speakers.

Belize loses to Honduras 2-0, autogoals
The Belize National A Team selection, the Jaguars, lost their 2015 Gold Cup qualifier game opener to Central American powerhouses, “los Catrachos” of Honduras. The Jaguars scored two goals, but on themselves, giving the Honduras team their first win in the tournament. Goal keeper Woodrow West was not able to stop the first autogoal, scored by Jerome “Jarro” James who headed the ball in an attempt to deflect a pass from corner kick. The ball, unfortunately, steered just below the goal’s cross bar and went right into the net in the 33rd minute of the game.

Shelton Graham, Manuel Esquiliano & Giovanni Choto win annual Pawpa Brown birthday race
Team Santino’s Shelton Graham won the A/B division, Truckers Posse’s Manuel Esquiliano won the C division and C-Ray Road Addikz’ Giovanni Choto won the elite division when the Weekend Warriors Cycling Club held its the annual Andrew “Pawpa” Brown series of races on the George Price and Philip Goldson Highways on Sunday. A/B Open (50 miles from Leslie’s Imports to Garbutt’s Farm mile 25) 1st Shelton Graham – Santino’s – 2:11:12 2nd Eric Burns – Scotiabank 3rd Robert Mariano – Digicel 4G 4th Barney Brown – Scotiabank 5th Ray Cattouse – Stationery House/Medina’s Jewelry 6th Santino “Chief” Castillo – Santino’s

Complex Generals win Firms basketball champs
The Complex Generals are the Belize District Firms Basketball Champions, after winning Game 3 of the Finals 61-54 over the Belize Bank Bulldogs at Bird’s Isle on Saturday night. The Generals were very tight on defense with a full court press in the crucial final game. The Bulldogs had to fight for each basket they scored, while Marshall Nunez Jr., Rhetton Belisle and Richards stole the ball and forced several turnovers.

PUP Statement on GSU
September 2nd, 2014 On Sunday evening, August 30th, 2014 the Rt. Hon. Said Musa, former Prime Minister of Belize and current Area Representative for Fort George, speaking at a Party Convention in Lake Independence, made certain specific comments about the conduct and operations of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU). As a former ...

Hon. Jose Mai delivers school bags to needy children of OW South
Orange Walk District, September 1, 2014 With the cost of education on the rise, the assistance provided by Orange Walk South Area Representative Hon. Jose ...

UDP Convention flops in Corozal Town
Corozal Town, September 1, 2014 The UDP’s convention held last weekend to unveil the tired faces that make up their pack of recycled candidates for the upcoming town council elections turned out to be a major flop. The event, which was supposed to start at 10am saw a small handful of supporters ...

HOME ECONOMICS - The Need for Overhauling Home Mortgage Financing
By Richard Harrison Thousands of Belizean families are still living in sub-standard housing…many in “casas de carton” type dwellings…that slowly descend into ghettos, with several generations piled up one on top of the other. There is need for a complete rethinking and reformulating of the mortgage financing regime, in order to address ...

IN MY PERSPECTIVE - What We Need in Belize is Opportunity!
By Rayford Young On my last trip to Belize just a couple months ago, I had some friends over one evening just to chat and eat some Belizean food. The evening was going well then I said something that made one of my guests make a strange face and I knew ...

Hon. Joseph Mahmud – Serving the People!
Cayo District, August 30, 2014 From August 27th to 30th, the Cayo North Area Representative Hon. Joseph Mahmud organised the cleaning and lawn mowing of the Scared Heart Primary School yard in preparations for the resumption of classes. Hon. Joseph Mahmud is dedicated to enabling our children in our community to study ...

Hon. Dolores helps BRC students with school bags
Belize City, August 1, 2014 Through the generosity of SMART Hon. Dolores has distributed school bags to children in Spanish Town, Ladyville and Old Hattieville. The school bags bear the encouraging message: "Be Smart Stay in School!!" [caption id="attachment_21588" align="alignleft" width="600" caption="Hon. Dolores with some of the children receiving school bags"]...

Government’s Shameful Neglect of UB
By Gilroy Usher, Sr. A very disgraceful situation exists at the computer lab for the University of Belize as many of the computers are from the dinosaur-era. The situation is so terrible that a number of lecturers are urging students to bring their laptops to the computer class if they want ...

Joke of the Week!
The GSU Boss visits a farm in Camalote and talks with the owner, an old farmer. He tells the farmer, "I need to inspect your property for weapons and illegally grown drugs." The old farmer says, "Okay, but make sure you don't go in that field over there." The officer verbally explodes saying, ...

Tell we dah no soh!!
UDP Chairman Alberto August has been doing his best to keep “hush hush” an accident that nearly killed a resident of Bullet Tree Falls. Reliable information reaching this newspaper is that one of the quarrelsome UDP Chairman’s super-sized SUVs (the kind ...

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE: Welcome Home, Cordel
By Dolores Balderamos Garcia I attended and spoke at the endorsement convention for Cordel Hyde this past Saturday, August 30, 2014. We, and especially Cordel, were really 'God's Pikni' that afternoon and evening. He could not have asked for more beautiful weather, and at the Saint Martin de Porres Field in Belize ...

CORDEL HYDE RETURNS TO LAKE I
The St. Martin’s de Porres football field was the venue for the much-anticipated return of three-time PUP Area Representative ...

REFLECTIONS ON THE PUBLIC SQUARE - A POLICE STATE
By Francis W. Fonseca Violent crime is a serious matter that requires serious attention and action. This attention and action must come from properly trained and adequately resourced security forces. These security forces, whether they be the Belize Police Department, GSU, BDF or Coast Guard, exist and function to serve and protect the ...

Some are more equal than others at the Ministry of Education
Dear Fellow Belizeans, We the instructors of ITVET Toledo need to inform you of an injustice continuing to take place at our school. On May 28 in the middle of our investigation into questionable practices by the Manager, Allen Genus, the board was asked to question the Ministry of Education and ...

In Search of True Justice at Immigration Department
Dear Editor, As we approach the one year anniversary of the most despicable act of treason committed by a sitting member of this Government, Belizeans continue to be deprived of answers and justice in the Immigration, Passport/Nationality irregularities. It is a shame and disgrace that the powers that be refuse to ...

Diaspora: Love don’t live here anymore
Dear Editor, I am happy that my letter asking the Diaspora “what have you done for me lately”, has stirred once more, the debate about what constructive roles the Diaspora can and should play in Belize’s national development. I was particularly interested to hear about the contributions of the Diaspora outside of ...

Police Abuse in Benque Viejo
Dear Editor, My name is Gomer Enriquez, I’m a resident of Benque Viejo. I have lived all my life here, except for the years I went abroad to study. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Tourism administration and a Master Degree in Analysis and Administration of Reliability. I came back ...

Patrick Jones

Students in Belmopan Area Schools Celebrate Literacy Day with a Bang
Students from all the Belmopan Schools gathered at the Independence Park on Friday, September 5 to celebrate International Literacy Day. The enthusiastic students came prepared with their posters that had information about Literacy, Health, and Peace. Although the theme for International Literacy Day is “Literacy and Sustainable Development” the Rally and Parade highlighted the importance of literacy, healthy living, and Peace. During the Rally the students entertained each other and the audience with music, drama, and song. The organizers express gratitude to all the teachers, principals, Mayor Simeon Lopez and the City Council Officials, decoration committee, and parents for making the event a success.

Students from Taiwan send computers for schools in Cayo
Eight schools in the Cayo district received computer donations and school supplies from students in the Republic of China, Taiwan. A total of 26 computers, including 12 laptops were handed out during a brief ceremony late last week at the Sacred Heart Auditorium in San Ignacio town. The donation of the computes and school supplies was facilitated by a group of visiting students from a University in Taiwan earlier this year and forms part of their outreach to assist with the learning experience for children. Aside from the computers, the donation included school backs, pencil boxes and colored pencils. At the handing over, the ambassador of the Republic of China, Taiwan, Benjamin Ho, oversaw the receipt of the donation by a representative of the respective schools.

Compassion School celebrates anniversary
The Compassion School, located in Yo Creek, Orange Walk, is celebrating an important milestone. That milestone is its twenty fifth anniversary of service to the community. The school first opened its doors in 1989 and on Friday the anniversary was marked with a special celebration. Past students, teachers, administrators and the school’s founders, including former politician Florencio Marin, Sr., gathered to mark the important milestone. Several presentations were made by the student body as well as token of appreciation were given to the panel at the head table.

Belmopan September Celebrations activities launched
Residents of the Garden City of Belmopan gathered at the Independence Plaza on Friday night, September 5, to witness the launching of the program of activities leading to our Independence Day, September 21. Mayor Simeon Lopez invited everyone to join in the celebration and make it memorable. He also highlighted the activities for the celebration period. The next activity will be Belmopan Battle of the Beats at 1 p.m. at the Governor General Field. Entertainment was done by Jason Wade and his dancers, Shanika Myers, Police Drama Group, Elijah Noralez, Students from Garden City Primary School under the guidance of Mrs. Beverly Requena, BAY Dancers, and Queen of the Bay Belmopan Designate- Ms. Jasmine Rhamdas.

The September 7th, 2014 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

• Possession With Intent To Supply:
  Just as we were going to press this Thursday night the report came in of another drug bust this one netting 132 grams of suspected marijuana. The report informs that at around 11 o’clock this Thursday morning a team of policemen, armed with a warrant, conducted a search on a premises located on 18th Street in San Ignacio Town. Present at the time of the search were Leon Nelson Smith, 27, and Roger Hilton, 26, both Belizean laborers. Nothing incriminating was found inside the house occupied by Leon Smith. The search then extended to the yard where, under a fire hearth, a member of the police team found a black plastic bag containing three smaller transparent plastic bags containing suspected marijuana. Smith and Hilton were arrested and jointly charged for the possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
• Suspected Stolen Goods Found:
  Police today reported the discovery of several items suspected to have been stolen. As the cooperation between the community and the police continues to grow, based on a tip off, a team of policemen this Thursday afternoon visited an abandoned wooden house located at the corner of Zaiden Street and La Luma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena Town where they found several items suspected to have been stolen and stashed inside the house. Among the items found were a sound system, standing speakers, tools, a vehicle jack, plastic containers, lawn chairs and plastic buckets.
• A Man’s Fate Hangs In The Balance:
  Police are awaiting instructions from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions which could result in the arrest of a man on a rape charge. An 18 year old female of San Ignacio Town reported to police that on Sunday, August 24, she was socializing at the home of a male acquaintance when, under the influence of alcohol, she fell asleep on his bed at around 5:00 pm. She was reportedly awoken to the man having sexual intercourse without her consent.
• Hillview Weed Without Owner:
  More black plastic bag, more weed found. Acting upon information received, a team of policemen visited a vacant lot in the Hillview area of Santa Elena Town at around 8 o’clock on Monday morning, August 25 where they found a black plastic bag containing 120.8 grams of marijuana. No one was found in the area. The weed was labeled as found property.
• Editorial: The Possibilities Are Endless:
  The United Democratic Party (UDP) was the first political party to win an election in an independent Belize. The results of the 1984 general elections is said to have been a referendum on the people’s acceptance of the guiding of the nation into independence under George Price and his People’s United Party (PUP). When the votes were counted in the first general elections in Independent Belize, history was made as the PUP was booted out of office for the very first time. Included among those losing their seat was the new Prime Minister (formerly Premier) George Cadle Price who was soundly trashed at the polls in Freetown by the youngest UDP elected Area Representative, Derek Aikman. Hence began the political demise George Price, the father of the PUP. Price’s sister, Jane Usher was a powerhouse PUP area representative in the Pickstock division where she, to this day, operates the largest credit union in Belize, the Holy Redeemer Credit Union.
• Samsung And LG Launch New Watches While Apple Waits:
  South Korean tech firms LG and Samsung have announced more smartwatches, ahead of a wide ly anticipated entry to the sector from Apple. The devices, from LG and Samsung, suggest renewed attempts to create a smartwatch that is perhaps more fashionable than previous efforts. Samsung's Gear S features a curved screen, while LG's G Watch R has a more classic watch design. Apple is rumoured to be preparing to launch its device next month. Technology news site Recode has said the smartwatch - dubbed iWatch by Apple's fans and some of the press - will debut on 9 September. However, in typically tight-lipped fashion, Apple has yet to confirm its plans.
• Caesar Panti Jr. Receives Scholarship:
  “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin once said. It is with this quote in mind that Adventures Sports Club is pleased to have been able to secure a one year scholarship for Mr. Caesar Rene Panti Jr to attend high school. The donation of $1,300 Belize dollars comes through the generous gift of Mr. Michael and Julie Lindo of New Jersey, USA, on behalf of BelCare Football Youth Academy. Mr. Caesar will be attending Sacred Heart College so the funds will be utilized to cover registration fees as well as needed school supplies including text books and utensils. BelCare Football Youth Academy is a fully incorporated organization whose purpose is to provide children of grassroots ages 6 -12 the opportunity to play football in a safe environment of fun and enjoyment.
• Chilean Sailor Makes History After Announcing He Is Gay:
  A sailor in Chile has become the first serving member of the Chilean armed forces to announce he is gay. Mauricio Ruiz, 24, told a televised news conference his decision had "not been easy", but he wanted to help fight discrimination against homosexuals. Mr Ruiz said that what was most important was not a soldier's sexual orientation, but his or her willingness to serve the country. His announcement came with the full backing of the Chilean armed forces.
• Garcia Pleads Guilty:
  A Sunday night search at a house in Santa Familia Village, Cayo District, resulted in the discovery of almost 6 grams of suspected weed seeds. At around 9:30 pm on Sunday, August 24, two policemen visited the Santa Familia residence of Belizean laborer, Mervin Carrias, 27, to conduct a search for drugs. The search led to the discovery of the trademark black plastic bag near the kitchen. Opened in the presence of Carrias, the bag was found to contain suspected weed seeds. The occupants of the house, Mervin Carrias and his common-law-wife, Rosseli Garcia, 20, were instantly detained and transported to the police station in San Ignacio where, when placed on the police digital scale, the product was recorded at 5.81 grams.
• Another Small Haul:
  As the aggressive police operations in the community continue, there is the report of the arrest of a crack addict and the confiscation of a piece of crack cocaine, a crack pipe and a penknife found in his possession. At around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, police on routine mobile patrol pulled up alongside Francis Vera, an alleged crack addict, as he was walking on Carmen Street in Santa Elena. Vera complied with the instruction to halt and when searched he was found in possession of a black metal pipe suspected to be an instrument used to smoke crack cocaine along with a small piece of hard substance suspected to be crack cocaine and a six inch knife with a black handle.
• Gastroenteritis:
  Gastroenteritis or infectious diarrhea is a medical condition from inflammation ("-itis") of the gastrointestinal tract that involves both the stomach ("gastro"-) and the small intestine ("entero"-). It causes some combination of diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain and cramping. Dehydration may occur as a result. Gastroenteritis has been referred to as gastro, stomach bug, and stomach virus. Although unrelated to influenza, it has also been called stomach flu and gastric flu. Signs and Symptoms Gastroenteritis typically involves both diarrhea and vomiting, or less commonly, presents with only one or the other. Abdominal cramping may also be present. Signs and symptoms usually begin 12–72 hours after contracting the infectious agent. If due to a viral agent, the condition usually resolves within one week. Some viral causes may also be associated with fever, fatigue, headache, and muscle pain. If the stool is bloody, the cause is less likely to be viral and more likely to be bacterial. Some bacterial infections may be associated with severe abdominal pain and may persist for several weeks.
• UniBAM Response To Amandala:
  UNIBAM categorically denies allegations made in the Amandala Editorial “Government and Gays” of 14th August, 2014 and wishes to set the record straight on the following matters: 1. There is no secret funding from the US Embassy! The Embassy generally issues calls requesting proposals for funding from the NGO community. UNIBAM has submitted proposals in response to grant calls and have received a total of US$35,000.00 over the years 2011 and 2013 as well as several other Belizean NGOs.
• Expo Belize Market Place 2014:
  Spirits are high as we prepare for our 18th annual Expo Belize Market Place 2014 scheduled for September 6th and 7th, at the ITVET Grounds on Freetown Road in Belize City from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.! The Belizean public is buzzing with anticipation as various micro, small, medium and large enterprises, both new and seasoned, have booked their booths to display quality products and services. The EXPO promises to lead the way into our September Celebration season with countless deals and steals, a fashion show and live music entertainment, fun activities for the kids, chances to win great prizes and much more!
• Ministry of Health Shares Results of Foodborne Disease Research Study:
  Belmopan. August 25, 2014. Last week the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Belize and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) presented the results of the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on Acute Gastroenteritis and causes of Food Borne Illness in Belize. The study launched in September 2012 and was aimed at estimating the proportion of the population suffering from Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as stomach flu, at a specific time period while also estimating the economic burden the disease has on the public health system.
• STAR Humor
• Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
• Letters to the Editor
• Public Notices

Blogs

The FULL Sir Barry Bowen Belikin Bash Experience Plus Dolla Beer!
Last night was the final night of one of the bigger celebrations – the annual Belikin bash. A giant free three day concert and party featuring all Belizean artists and plenty of Belikin beer. A few hundred artists (Gilharry 7 and Caribbean Connection are massive bands), hundreds of Belikin staff and thousands of Belizeans celebrating BELIZE! Celebrated annually during the Independence month and the birth month of the now deceased and sorely missed Sir Barry Bowen, this is one GIANT EVENT. And one that I’d never attended in Belize City. Missing out on the big Belikin bash? The beer of Belize “giving back through music”? This must be remedied. So far, the bash had been a huge success. Word on the street is that about one thousand people attended on Thursday night, about 3000 on Friday and about 5000 were expected last night…

My September Celebrations surprise party
Since my birthday falls under the biggest party month in Belize “September Celebrations” I decided to throw myself a really good surprise party. I knew I could use my birthday as a good excuse to get Paul off the island for some old fashioned country downtime. You might be wondering how can you through yourself a surprise party? The surprise part is actually for Paul, and something to do with one of his fav book series Lord of the Rings and the custom of people giving away gifts on their birthdays instead of receiving them. He did it for me when we first started dating so I figured I would give it a go and in my book awesome parties make great gifts. I know he will not mind I have turned our romantic birthday getaway into surprise celebration with friends. It will make the moonlight horse ride and bonfire so much better, plus I can’t wait to watch Tinker with the talking birds. We flew out this morning on the 8:00am Tropic flight from San Pedro to Belmopan, another round of people will take the 11:30 flight. A few of the gang decided to get some extra adventure in by flying to Municipal Airport on the 9:00am and catching the 10:00am express bus to Belmopan, they will be here any minute. The last two are joining us Monday for the big party.

International Sources

Water's edge: the crisis of rising sea levels
As the seas rise, a slow-motion disaster gnaws at America’s shores. Part 1: A Reuters analysis finds that flooding is increasing along much of the nation’s coastline, forcing many communities into costly, controversial struggles with a relentless foe. Missions flown from the NASA base here have documented some of the most dramatic evidence of a warming planet over the past 20 years: the melting of polar ice, a force contributing to a global rise in ocean levels. The Wallops Flight Facility’s relationship with rising seas doesn’t end there. Its billion-dollar space launch complex occupies a barrier island that's drowning under the impact of worsening storms and flooding. NASA's response? Rather than move out of harm’s way, officials have added more than $100 million in new structures over the past five years and spent $43 million more to fortify the shoreline with sand. Nearly a third of that new sand has since been washed away. Across a narrow inlet to the north sits the island town of Chincoteague, gateway to a national wildlife refuge blessed with a stunning mile-long recreational beach – a major tourist draw and source of big business for the community. But the sea is robbing the townspeople of their main asset.

Belize ready for Guatemala in key CCA encounter
Belize (0-0-1, 0 points) head coach Leroy Sherrier Lewis is confident that his team is ready to square off against Guatemala (1-0-0, 3 points) on Sunday. The sides will meet at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas, for the second day of play in the Central American Cup (CCA). In the Wednesday openers for each, Belize fell to Honduras (2-0) after conceding a pair of own-goals, while Guatemala topped El Salvador (2-1) on the strength of a Marco Pappa brace. “We played against a World Cup team, one of the largest in the area with vast technical expertise and quality,” said Sherrier in reference to the Hondurans. And now the Belizeans will go up against their neighbors, who have won three straight games, including friendlies against Nicaragua and Cuba.

Guatemala vs Belize play by play
final score 2-1 Guatemala wins

Costa Rica, Guatemala punch tickets to Gold Cup via Copa Centroamericana group play in Dallas
In the second match of the night, Guatemala beat Belize and also qualified for the Concacaf Gold Cup. Former FC Dallas forward Carlos “Pescadito” Ruiz scored for Guatemala in the 25th minute. Marvin Avila scored the second goal in the 52nd minute. Deon McCauiay scored the only goal for Belize in the 81st minute.

Sunday Crocodilian - Crocodylus moreletii Edition
Morelet's Crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii), also called the Belize Crocodile or the Mexican Crocodile, is found only in the eastern freshwater marshes, rivers, and lakes of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. Up until the 1920s it was often misidentified as the Cuban Crocodile or American Crocodile. It is named for French naturalist P.M.A. Morelet, who described it in 1850. Morelet's Crocodile is generally darker in color than the American Crocodile, and has a shorter and broader head. Males have brownish-gray skins with black bands, while females tend to have more yellowish skins. Juveniles of both sexes are brighter yellow with black spots and bands, but the females don't get as dark as the males. They are on the smaller side, when compared with other crocodile species. Adults average about 9.8 feet (3 meters) and weigh approximately 128 pounds (58 kg). They have 66 or 68 teeth when fully grown.

Videos

Video: Creation Care Study Program: Belize, 3min.
Fall 2014 orientation week! It had some of the greatest experiences in my entire life. The country is beautiful and the people are great

Video: BELIZE 2014, 10min.

Video: You Betta Belize It, 4min.

Video: Guatemala vs Belize Highlights, 4min.
Final score, Guatemala 2, Belize 1

Video: Life on Caye Caulker Belize, 3min.
Some clips from life on Caye Caulker, Beize, 04-07. September 2014. Includes snorkeling with the sharks and rays on the local reef.

Video: Dusk at Xanadu San Pedro Ambergris Caye Belize September 2014, 1min.

Video: Sailing Belize's Barrier Reef With The Moorings, 4min.
Chronicles of our 7 day bareboat charter with the Moorings. The boat is a Beneteau Oceanis 41 (Moorings 42.3) and the location was Belize's barrier reef! What an amazing experience for our first charter!

Video: Brooks and Leah in Belize proposal, 3min.
At a depth of 50 feet on the Barrier Reef in Belize, Brooks asks Leah to marry him. Coco Plum Resort Belize August 29, 2014.

September 7, 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

Fundraiser Fashion Show
In conjunction with Foreva Fancy & Wet Willy's held Saturday night to raise funds for a young islander Alicia Cisneros. Alicia has been diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and is in need of immediate treatment. We of course hope for the best for Alicia, and that her recovery is speedy.

Rolando Espat Jr Gunned Down in San Pedrito
On Saturday 06.09.14 at about 12:20 a.m. San Pedro Police personnel visited the San Pedro Poly Clinic where they saw the body of a male Hispanic person identified as 22-year-old ROLANDO ESPAT JR,fisherman of San Pedrito area, San Pedro Town. The body was observed with apparent gunshot wounds to the chest, left cheek and right upper thigh. Initial investigation revealed that at about 12:15 a.m. Espat was heading home when at about 50 feet away from his house he was approached from behind by a male Hispanic person who fired several shots at Espat causing his fatal injuries. The culprit then made good his escape.

Gaby’s Construction donates helmets to Police
On Monday, September 1st the San Pedro Police and the Caye Caulker Police received a much needed donation of motorcycle helmets. The donation was made by Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez of Gaby’s Construction Company, and is aimed to increase the safety of the police officers while on patrol. The San Pedro Police received 12 helmets, while four were handed over to the Caye Caulker Police. On hand to receive the donation was Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Department Superintendent Luis Castellanos and Officer in Charge of the Caye Caulker Police Department Inspector Jesus Palma. According to Nuñez, the donation was made after he noticed that both police departments had recently acquired motorcycles, but lacked proper helmets. Since it is the law that all persons driving a motorcycle, motorbike or an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), the helmets were urgently needed by both police departments. “I hope that this donation only serves to improve police response in keeping our two islands safe. As part of the community, I always want to try to assist the police when they need it,” said Nuñez.

Police Report
On Sunday, August 31st at 6:30AM, acting on information received, a team of Special Branch Police and San Pedro Quick Response Team (QRT) Personnel conducted a searched at the residence of 32-year-old Deon Pitts in the Bayside Area. The search led to the discovery of a wrap transparent plastic containing 117.2 gram of suspected cannabis. Pitts, better known as Ghost, a known drug peddler, was arrested and escorted to the San Pedro Police Station. Pitts has since been officially charged for the crime of Drug Trafficking and remanded to the Belize Central Prison.

Ambergris Today

Belize's first telenovela La Isla Bonita - Telenovela
La Isla Bonita - Telenovela premiered last night (first episode) with a red carpet spectacular and raving review from everybody. It was a true success and Grade A production. We give it a WOW review. Go check it out yourself! Check on comments for theater showings

Misc Belizean Sources

Pan Yaad Steel Band Concert 2014 (16 photos)
A most memorable night! The "Panerifix" (Belmopan steel pan band) gave an infectious performance throughout the night!

Schedule of Events for Corozal - September Independence Celebrations!

Dora Hernandez Riveroll's 99th Birthday
The Corozal Daily joins with all the Sons, Daughters, Nephews, Nieces, Granchildren, great grandchildren and many many friends from Corozal in celebrating Dora Hernandez Riveroll's 99th Birthday. An accomplished woman in her time "Mama Dora" or "Tia Dora" as affectionately known was the first Miss Queen of the Bay Corozal. She is the only living sister out of nine Riveroll brothers, all deceased. She is well loved by everyone in Corozal and we continue to wish her many more birthdays and may the hands of the divine continue to give her great strength and fortitude. The entire Riverolls and families connected to this family cherish and love Mama Dora as she is the only 99 year old Matriarch of the Grand extended RIVEROLL FAMILY!!! Happy birthday Mama Dora - Tia Dora from all the family, including the hundreds of nephews, nieces, grandsons, grand-daughters and friends. A special Happy Birthday greeting from the Corozal Daily "Mama Dora"

Guava Limb's 1st Anniversary Celebration
Guava Limb has had a great first year. The anniversary party was top notch. "We would like to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all our patrons who joined us on Saturday August 28th, 2014 to celebrate with us our ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY! We would also like to extend a raving THANK YOU to ALL our AMAZING PATRONS who have supported The Guava Limb Café family from our doors first opened. It has been a pleasure serving you!!!"

Financial Empowerment for Women in Belize
Video showing some great female business success stories from around Belize. Burns avenue makes an appearance. In related news, the National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls Financial Health happened last week. The conference allowed female entrepreneurs to meet and share their products. "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."

PlusTV

Bill to remove compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the Bar
Area Representatives met on Friday at the National Assembly building in Belmopan for a special House Sitting, and as customary we bring you the highlights of the event. Several amendment bills were read and a few motions were passed. Among them was the bill to amend the Legal Profession Act Chapter 320 which was presented in the House by the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington. vlcsnap-2014-09-06-06h17m58s219The amendment bill was twofold; it aimed to provide for the composition of the General Legal Council; and to remove the requirement of compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the Bar Association of Belize. After the meeting, the Prime Minister expounded on this amendment. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “Before, the matter had to go to the General Legal Council and the Chief Justice. No judge of the Supreme Court sat on the General Legal Council. The General Legal Council would make a finding and then that had to go to the Chief Justice for confirmation or for, perhaps, his disagreement. This way he chairs the thing so it’s a one stop type of operation now, and so there ought to be dispatch into dealing with complaints. That’s the first major aspect of the amendment.

Arthur Saldivar Video Goes Viral
One lawyer who has been in a lot of hot water as of late is Attorney Arthur Saldivar. Mr Saldivar has recently been suspended by his own party as investigations into alleged wrongdoing get on the way. Going viral now is a video, showing Arthur Saldivar on camera in another controversy. Arthur Saldivar, PUP standard bearer for Belize Rural North will run against Hon. Edmund Castro, should his suspension from the party be lifted. A very long press release was issued this evening by the Law office of Marcel Cardona, who claims he was present at the time of the video taken at Robert’s grove in Placencia. Mr Cardona described what led to the conflict and why Mr Saldivar responded in the manner he did, saying that Mr Saldivar and other persons were provoked by one of the shareholders of Roberts Grove, Boris Mansfield, the person who allegedly released the video of Mr Saldivar.

Draft Amendment to Firearm Act read in National Assembly
Since the Fire arm act was amended in the year 2008, there has been mounting concerns due to the perception that many innocent people have been prosecuted, because of the provision that allows an entire household to be taken into custody if a firearm is found in the premises of their home. On Friday, the amendment to that law was supposed to be moved, however, according to the Prime Minister, due to time constraints, the provision was not fine tuned enough to be moved. However a draft of it was read. Prime Minister Dean Barrow “The drafting wasn’t being done quickly enough for various reasons. I am not blaming anyone. At the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday it wasn’t quite ready, so it was agreed that the Minister and his people would get together with my favorite draftsman, Mr. Gian Ghandi, so that a quick bit of work could be done. I only then saw the finished product yesterday, and the rest of the cabinet had to sort of go on faith, that the amendments would achieve the objective that we want, and strike the fine balance.

The Reporter

Fatal shooting in San Pedro
Rolando Espat, 22, a fisherman of San Pedrito layout, San Pedro, was shot and killed shortly after midnight on Saturday in that town. Police say that when they observed the body at the San Pedro polyclinic it had gunshot wounds to the chest, left cheek and right upper thigh. According to police, Espat was heading home at about 12:15 a.m. when at about 50 feet away from his house a man approached him from behind and fired several shots at him. The culprit then escaped. Police say they have recovered one 9 millimeter expended shell and slug from the scene and have since detained a 27-year-old man of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town pending charges.

Salvador’s ex president hands self in on corruption allegations
Francisco Flores, Salvador’s former president who is wanted on corruption charges, has handed himself in. Flores is accused of misappropriating $15 million US that Taiwan gave the country during his term in office between 1999 and 2004. Flores, who has been out of the public’s view for several months, denies the charges, which he says are politically motivated. A warrant for his arrest was issued in May. A judge has now put him under house arrest.

Firearm Bill and Legal Professional Bill tabled at House Sitting
There were two bills tabled at Friday’s House Sitting namely, the Firearms Amendment Bill, the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill and the Legal Professional Bill. The Firearms Amendment Bill entails legislation regarding who is considered responsible and arrested when a firearm is found. The Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill details the specifics of bail for firearm offences. While the bills have been tabled Prime Minister Dean Barrow said the drafting of the bills is a work in progress. “I think it is getting at the central aspects of the current law that need to be fixed so perhaps we could have taken the chance and simply passed it today, but I think it has to be better to wait for a couple week,” Barrow said.

Patrick Jones

San Pedro fisherman murdered
Police in San Pedro town, on Ambergris Caye, are investigating an early morning homicide. The victim has been identified as 22 year old Rolando Espat, Jr., a resident of the San Pedrito area. According to police reports, around 12:15 am, Espat, Jr. was on his way home when he was accosted about 50 feet from his home and fatally wounded. Police say that Espat’s attacker, described as a Hispanic man, approached him from behind and opened fire hitting him several times. Police say they have detained a 27 year old man of the San Juan area of San Pedro town pending charges.

Blogs

Belize’s First Telenovela Premieres with A Red Carpet & A Seriously Impressed Audience
When you think of Belize, do red carpets events and film premieres come to mind? Probably not. And that is just part of what made last night’s Premiere Event – the Red Carpet, Showing and After-Party for La Isla Bonita Telenovela – so special. The La Isla Bonita telenovela has been in the works on the island for over a year now. From open auditions & casting last September to filming in the streets and buildings around town a few months ago, we all knew some of the details but didn’t know what to expect from the final product. And while life in San Pedro is often like a soap opera, translating that to the big screen, with local actors, crew, writers (many of them first timers) couldn’t be easy.

Time for change – Belize People’s Front
In opening to a new era of Leadership in the timeline of Belizean history, I’d like to start this communication with a quote: Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein Throughout our short history as a nation, we have consistently been on a never ending circle of electing one of two parties that have kept our nation at a near stand still position and at some points put our nation on a backward movement. We have been changing parties but yet our people and our nation have not made many significant progresses. Our Belizean people are so frustrated, angry and disillusioned that some have this feeling of hopelessness. The future of our nation is at stake and we will not sit idly by to see this trend continue in this century. Today, we are faced with high unemployment and poverty rates, families living on $25.00 a day, high cost of living, huge international debt better known as the Super Bond a debt brought upon our nation by an uncaring few who benefited from it and left us and our future generations with a bill to pay for decades to come. This debt is currently sitting at $1.033 billion dollars and growing daily, forceful take over of private companies, a steady robbery of citizens Social Security savings for political spending and a claim by Guatemala to our beloved country that remains unresolved for centuries which puts our future as a sovereign nation in doubt; these to name a few from the never ending list of items resulting from 32 years of failed leadership, lack of vision, stagnation, minimal economic growth, inefficient governance and corrupt politicians in both the PUP and UDP. We cannot continue to change political parties to become our government and we see no significant changes in our people’s lives and nation. Where did the Super Bond monies go and who were the people that benefited from it? Let me count the ways:

International Sources

World Bank to improve climate resilience in Belize
More than 170,000 Belizeans will benefit from improved climate resilient roads and capacity to manage climate risks and impacts as a result of a US$30 million project approved by the World Bank s Board of Directors. This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations, said Ambassador Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change identified Belize as one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change. More than half its population and business centers are at sea level along its low lying coastline. Hurricane Hattie destroyed half of Belize City in 1961, killing 400 people and causing damages amounting to over 600 percent of GDP, which prompted the government to build a new administrative capital 50 miles inland in Belmopan.

Guatemala v. Belize
Belize was the shock team in the 2013 edition of this tournament, qualifying for the Gold Cup for the first time in its history. A tough draw and a 2-0 loss to Honduras in its tournament opener makes that difficult for the nation. “I think it would be a huge blow if we don’t make it to the Gold Cup again. All the work we have put in through the years trying to get football to another level in Belize, it wasn’t easy,” Belize forward Deon McCaulay told Goal USA. “I think that if we don’t make it, it’s going to be something huge. We’d have to start all over again.” To get through a win Sunday against Guatemala is a must, and it will require the team to generate more in attack than it did against los Catrachos. “I’ve evaluated the last game that I played, and I think that I need to come down more for the ball and try to take on players one-on-one and try to find open spaces and help the other players moving forward with me move into space so I can create more,” McCaulay said. “I just plan to be explosive tomorrow and try to bring the best game I can bring.”

Videos

Video: BELIZE BOY- DAY WITH DESTINY PROD BY CHILL THA MONSTER, 5min.

Video: Belize's World Famous Dive Sites-SD (480p), 5min.

Video: Our Beautiful Belize-SD (480p), 3min.

Video: Margaret Usher: Belize's Softball Ace Pitcher!, 18min.
The sixth episode of a documentary series called Belizean Legends that will profile Belizean softball legend and ace pitcher Margaret Usher as she discuss with Belizean Legend host Bilal Morris how Belize beat the 1970's's softball world champions team the United States in the 1979 Pan-American Games. Usher was the pitcher that struck out the American batters and gave the Belizean national team the advantage in beating the softball world champions the United States in a historic 2-1 victory. With her outstanding accomplishments including this one in the international arena, Usher went on to become Belize's best pitcher ever in the history of the sport of softball in Belize. According to Belizean softball coaches and experts, no other Belizean softball pitcher had statistically accomplished her outstanding record as a pitcher.

Video: Pan Yaad Bands Concert in Belize City - September, 3min.
The Pantempters performing at the Pan Yaad Bands Concert at the House of Culture in Belize City, Belize - Marching toward the September 21st, Belize's 33rd anniversary as an independent nation. SHOW MORE

Video: Xunantunich Mayan Temples in Belize, 31min.
Touring the Mayan ruins of Xunantunich in Belize during our honeymoon cruise. SHOW MORE

Video: Snorkling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in Belize, 2min.
Mike & Genevieve snorkeling in Belize in 2006.

Video: Caribbean Cruise | Episode III | Belize, 6min.

September 6, 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

And the premiere of San Pedro's very first telenovela, La Isla Bonita, has kicked off!
Look out for more red carpet photos... (5 photos)

Isla Bonita Telenovela red carpet highlights!
(14 photos)

Man shot dead in San Pedro
San Pedro police have confirmed that a male individual was shoot and killed between midnight and 1AM in the San Pedrito area. Police believe he was ambushed when exiting a bar near his home. The individual sustained four gunshots. Police have recovered one 9mm bullet shell from the scene and one suspect has been detained. Police continue their investigation. The victims name will be released later today.

Veralina Rivas Awarded Officer of the Month for August
Woman Police Constable (WPC) 1672 Veralina Rivas was the proud recipient of August’s Officer of the Month Award. WPC Rivas was honored in a small ceremony on Monday, September 1st at the San Pedro Police Station. Her effectiveness and rational thinking in the past month earned her the recognition and prizes that come along with the title. Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Superintendent Luis Castellanos and Deputy Mayor Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez were present to hand over the award and prizes. According to Castellanos, WPC Rivas carries herself in the police station with pride and always puts her work first. “WPC Rivas has never once complained when tasked to do something, even more she goes the extra mile to ensure that her cases are properly dealt with. WPC Rivas also takes the initiative in making decisions that will help the police station and has never let her personal life interfere with her working profession. For these and many more reasons, I believe she is the best candidate to receive the award,” said Castellanos.

163 days later, Police houses have still NOT been relocated
The San Pedro Police Department officially received their new housing barracks on Wednesday August 13th, thanks to the efforts of the San Pedro business sector. However there are still two houses that have not been delivered after months in the making. The two homes were originally donated to the Belize Coast Guard by the San Pedro Business Association (SPBA) and after they were vacated, were given to the San Pedro Police Department. Founding member of SPBA Elito Arceo, was prepared to move the houses months ago, but the San Pedro Town Council stepped in to take the task.

Exploring the country one village at a time!
Tamara has been in love with the name of this village since she heard it, and now, here I was, finding a way to go visit it! Excited at the prospect of finally setting foot in Double Head Cabbage, we began planning our first of hopefully many forays into the back roads of Belize. Room? Booked at the Howler Monkey Lodge. Wheels? Crystal Auto Rentals had us covered.

National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls’ Financial Health
The National Call to Action Conference on Women and Girls’ Financial Health, hosted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children on Friday, August 29th, was a great success. The event was a continuation of the 20,000 STRONG Women’s Empowerment Campaign and had the participation of over 200 women and young ladies from across the country. These included aspiring, emerging and successful entrepreneurs who engaged in discussion about the opportunities, challenges and needs of women as business owners. 10659218_726061954148252_9063213613522004424_nThis exercise is a precursor and will inform the design of an economic development program that will support women entrepreneurs in starting, growing and sustaining their business. Collecting firsthand information from these women as well as organization working in entrepreneurship development was, therefore, a vital first step toward ensuring that program will be properly tailored to fulfill its purpose.

YJ’s Deli still operating on public land
Why is YJ’s Deli, located at the corner of Angel Coral and Black Coral Streets still allowed to operate on public land, free of charges? That is a question that has been on the mind of many island residents since the deli should have moved by June 14th. The deli was opened and allowed to provide food for construction workers of the San Pedro Boardwalk Project over three years ago, but that project was inaugurated in March, 2014, yet the deli is still operational. The deli is owned by the family of Joel Chi, the driver for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr. Back in May, the SPTC confirmed that YJ’s Deli had not been paying municipal tax and in fact was not even registered in the data base. Furthermore, in a previous interview in May, Mayor Daniel Guerrero explained that once the project was completed, the agreement was for the business to move out by a given time since that was an agreement under the Sustainable Tourism Project (STP). He also said that a reminder letter would have been sent to owners of YJ’s Deli. That time expired on June 14th, and as of press time, the business was bustling with patrons. Six months after the project was inaugurated, YJ’s Deli is still fully operational.

Ambergris Today

Moho Chocolate Factory - From the Bean to Chocolate Bar Tour
This week’s blog post took me to Moho Chocolate Factory and Cafe in Belize City, where I hung out with some of the most talented chocolatiers in the business. They showcased to me how their chocolate made from organic cacao is produced and taken from the bean straight to the bar. Moho Chocolate was established in January 2012 and is a producer of one of the highest quality chocolates made in Belize. All of the cacao used is sourced from Maya Mountain Cacao which is located in the pristine rainforest in the Toledo District of southern Belize; and farmed by local entrepreneurs. During the chocolate tour, I was informed by Charles that the Maya’s believe that chocolate is a good use for the rejuvenation, fertility and strength of the body. It is a fact that up to this day the Maya’s still believe and use the chocolate for its amazing properties. Chocolate contains 300 minerals, including: Copper - for growth and healthy enzymatic reactions, Zinc - for a strong immune system, and better digestion, Manganese – for better absorption of calcium, making healthier bones and Sulfur – for the proper function of our cells.

I’m Headed to Cancun to Represent Belize at TBEX
I’m so very excited to share this bit of news with all of you, as I can finally announce something really big for myself, Ambergris Today and Belize. I am traveling to Cancun, Mexico, next week for the TBEX Travel Bloggers Conference. However, I am not only going to the largest blogger’s conference as an attendee. I have been honored by the organization to represent Belize and participate as a panelist speaker.

Embassy of Belize in Mexico Launches Website
The Embassy of Belize in Mexico officially launched its website on 1st September, 2014. The site, which will be in both English and Spanish, contains information that may be useful to Belizeans as well as to residents of Mexico and other neighboring countries. The primary aim of the site is to encourage greater awareness about Belize, its system of government, and its unique geography, culture, and people. The website also serves to promote Belizean exports, investment opportunities, and tourism, and will provide information about consular services as well as educational opportunities.

Travellers Liquors Unveils New Flavored Belizean Rum
September is here and what better way to celebrate than with Travellers brand new “Belizean Rum”. The Belizean distillery just added a new flavor to its line of gold rum which they claim to be their best taste yet. The new rum hit stores countrywide today for Belizeans and visitors to enjoy during the country’s patriotic celebrations. At a media conference held at the company’s headquarters in Belize City on Wednesday, September 3, 2014, Travellers held the official unveiling of their new rum. “The Belizean Rum has come a long way and a lot of hard work has been put behind in making this rum, from the design to formulating the rum,” stated Travellers chemist Mr. Jose Reyes. “This is not a premium aged rum; it’s a premium rum. Selected from the most mature and finest aged barrels used to blend and flavor.”

Misc Belizean Sources

The flag of Belize
The flag of Belize is a continued version of the earlier flag of British Honduras (the name of Belize during the British colonial period). British Honduras obtained a coat of arms on January 28, 1907, which formed the basis of the “badge” used on British ensigns. The coat of arms recalls the logging industry that first led to British settlement there. The figures, tools, and mahogany tree represent this industry. From 1950 onward an unofficial national flag was in use. It was blue, with a modified version of the arms on a white disc in the centre (sometimes a blank white circle was used as the coat of arms was difficult to draw). The national motto, Sub Umbra Floreo, meaning “I Flourish in the Shade”, is written in the lower part of the coat of arms. Happy 33rd Independence to all Belizeans at home and abroad.

Artist Erwin Chan
Belizean artist Erwin Chan from the Cayo District attend the 25th Annual art Exposition of Guatemala's Regional School of Art "Humberto Garavito" in Guatemala. Congratulations to this great local artist.

Taiwan Computer Donation Ceremony
Sacred Heart College was the host of the Taiwanese computer donation ceremony yesterday. The new Taiwanese Ambassador, Benjamin Ho, gave a short, inspiring speech, and then presented the donated computers and projectors to many of the local primary schools, and SHJC's Hands for Life club, which works with the Taiwanese student groups every Summer. A big thanks to the Taiwanese Embassy, and all the great students from NTHU that spent a huge amount of time and effort acquiring the computers! "In July and August 2014, 12 volunteers from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan visited Belize again for the fourth time. During their stay, the volunteers learnt that many elementary schools in Cayo District still did not have sufficient computer equipments and stationery for students’ learning. To improve the learning environment for the students, the volunteers sought assistance from Taiwan and secured the donation of these above-mentioned equipments and materials. "

Belikin Beer has a new look. They've changed the labeling on their beer bottles. They still have Altun Ha on there, and they kept the same great taste. Amusing musical selection for the commercial: the epic theme from 2001. "Belize Brewing Company proudly presents the new look with the same great taste of Belikin Beer! Produced by Ben Popik & Joanna Popik of Island Films.

Corozal Community College
As we begin this new school year, we want to remind parents that is is very important that they be involved in their children's education. We are organizing a series of meeting in September and are asking parents to make every effort to attend and become familiar with the policies of the school and meet their children's teachers. Below are the dates for the meetings by forms: September 11 (Thursday) - Fourth Form September 16 (Tuesday) - Third Form September 18 (Thursday) - Second Form September 23 (Tuesday) - First Form The meetings will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Rudolph Wade Auditorium. Please make every effort to attend and be punctual. May you all have a wonderful weekend.

September Celebrations in Cayo
The SISE Town Council has made a complete schedule of Cayo's September Celebrations events. There's a lot on there, and it looks like there's an activity on most days, and this weekend too. Belmopan has a calendar of events too.

Maria Estella and Maybelline Beauty Show
Cayo's Maria Estella took her Maybelline Beauty Show on the road. She had a session in Cayo, and then one in Belize City. Daniel De La Torre was on hand to show how best to use the beauty products, and Danny Chung got some great before and after shots. "Both days were very successful. We hope that everyone who came out was pleased with everything they learned and bought. You were all a very receptive audience and we couldn't be more pleased. If there were any items that you missed out on, remember we distribute all over the country. We know everyone is excited to see their pictures, so those will be posted as soon as possible. Look out for them this coming week! Don't worry, this isn't the last of it, Daniel De La Torre was super impressed with the audience so he will be back. Thanks everyone!."

National Service Day
September 19th is National Service Day. It was created in honor of George Price. It's a day to help out in the community, and there will be plenty of community service events happening that day.

Belize Wins Gold at NCCWMA
Belize won a gold medal at the North, Central American and Caribbean World Masters Athletics Championship, which was held in Costa Rica last week. 3 Belizeans competed in the championship, and Daland Jones won the gold in the shot put competition. Congratulations, Daland Jones!

Channel 7

Security Guard Killed" ... For His Gun?
This morning at around 7:30, A security guard was shot on Sibun Street in the area of the city known as "Bak-a-Town". By noon, he was dead from his injuries. It's an unusual crime because, by all appearances, the victim, 21 year-old Corey Howard was a working man with no connections to any of the city gangs, the shooting defies known crime patterns. Tonight, his family is grieving his loss, and they're trying to make sense of his violent end, which has all appearances of one of those street slayings we've seen so many times. We spoke to police this afternoon, and to his family half hour before news time. Here's what they told us:

GSU's Back Is "Got" By The PM
There was a robbery foiled by the GSU today - more later, but, so the GSU is back in the headlines tonight, but, this time, for the right reasons. But, the issue of whether the unit does more harm than good is still very much a public and political debate. Today at the House Meeting in Belmopan the Prime Minister conceded there have been excesses but still endorsed the overall effectiveness of the Unit and its commander. That's after he stayed far from the war of words between former two term Prime Minister Said Musa and Inspector Mark Flowers:.. Mike Rudon, Ch5 "Could we get a comment from you on the exchange from the former and the head of the GSU?" Prime Minister Dean Barrow "They both said more that enough aren't they?"

House Debates Crime/GSU
But the debate about crime in general and the GSU specifically was not limited to those comments from the Prime Minister - it was also discussed on the House floor. That's where the representative from Toledo West, Oscar Requena discussed the recent heinous murder of Agripina Coc in his constituency. But when he moved from there to Belize City, that's when he entered the crosshairs of the police Minister John Saldivar. Here's how their exchange went:.. Hon. Oscar Requena, Toledo West "What is unprecedented though about it is the number of women and girls that are being targeted. We have seen many examples Mr. Speaker of innocent hard working Belizean women and young girls who are being murdered and slaughtered across this country by criminals who are running across this nation. When a man cannot provide for himself and his family, it is an attack on his manhood. When a woman cannot provide for her family, it is also an attack on her self-esteem and integrity and these are the issues that this government has to address Mr. Speaker. Just 3 days ago Mr. Speaker we witness on national television the incidents happening in the streets of Belize City in which a young man was beaten and it is allege that he was beaten so bad that he even soiled himself Mr. Speaker.

GSU Foils Robbery
Earlier on, you heard the Prime Minister's endorsement of the GSU and its controversial commander, Inspector Mark Flowers. And, today - in the middle of a public debate, the GSU proved its worth and showed why they're not going anywhere anytime soon. That's after they foiled a robbery in progress on Fabers Road. Here's how it happened, 3 men went to rob the Fabers Road Snack Shop. They almost made off with major loot and electronics, but because the GSU had prior information, they got a police officer out on the scene in time. It led to a shoot out, but at the end, all 3 suspects were detained. 7News was on the scene shortly after and we spoke to the commander about the details:

GOB Moves To Bar Mandatory Bar Membership
Earlier on, you saw the discussion in the House of Representatives about crime - but that was about it for across the floor fireworks today - in what was mostly an unremarkable House Meeting. But there was important legislative business, namely the introduction of two prices of long - anticipated legislation, namely the Firearms Amendment Bill and the Legal Profession Amendment Bill. The Legal profession bill seeks to install the Chief Justice as the chairman of the general legal council and to make it so that lawyers no longer have to be members of the bar association. The Prime Minister discussed both:.. Jules Vasquez "Is this a symptom of your fatigue with the Bar Association? You have said that it is instrumentalize by a group of PUPs." Prime Minister Dean Barrow

New Gun Law Is A Work In Progress
The other bill that was introduced and will have to go for lengthy consultation is the Firearms Amendment Bill and the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Bill. The firearms bill has to do with who all get arrested when a gun is found at a property, and the crime control and criminal justice has to do with bail for firearm offences. As has been widely publicized, the gun laws have come under heavy criticism as being oppressive and based on a presumption of guilt, rather than innocence. So, government has changed it - but the legal drafting went right up to the very last minute and from the PM's comments today it was clear that it is still a work in progress:... Jules Vasquez "The average man and woman would just want to know what has been describe as an odious position in the law that everyone in a household or in a vehicle gets taken under joint enterprise."

Hon. Briceno Says KHMH Compensation Not Enough
One other subject of great public interest that came up at today's House Meting was the KHMH and the recent settlement in the case of five of the 13 babies who died inside the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in May of 2013. According to Orange Walk Central Representative John Briceno, the families got ten thousand dollars each for their babies:.. Hon. John Briceno, OW Central "It is only at the mediation that the CEO decided to make an offer. An offer of a measly $10,000 for each mother Mr. Speaker. Mothers that have been grieving, they have been suffering, they have been wondering why is this happening to them, why is it that the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital which supposed to be the premier hospital in this country have let them down. Mr. Speaker this is not just a slap in the face of these women or these mothers but also an insult to the memory of these children. $10,000 for the death of 5 of the innocent children from an institution and ministry that is riddled with corruption, mismanagement and wasteful spending."

Stann Creek Villagers Protest Outside House
And while Briceno protested the ten thousand dollar payment inside the house, outside there was another protest, this one about land. A group of about 40 villagers from Stann Creek gathered at the steps of the National Assembly building to voice their concerns because they say they their village lands are the subject of a land grab. Courtney Weatherburne heard their complaints. Courtney Weatherburne reporting While there were the usual fiery exchanges between members of the House, a small but vocal crowd of protesters assembled outside. Silk Grass and Santa Cruz residents are claiming that UDP Standard Bearer Melvin Hulse is illegally selling off their land and according to them, it is facilitated by corruption in the Lands department.

First Caribbean Bank Cautioned For Discrimination On House
And one subject that did not escape comment in the House today was the allegation of language discrimination at the First Caribbean International Bank. As has been widely reported, the Bank has been condemned because a senior staffer Uwahnie Martinez alleges tat she was scolded for talking to a customer in Garifuna. She is one of two Garifuna employees at the Dangriga branch of the Bank and other reportedly has also filed a grievance with the Christian Workers Union. Today the Area Representative for Dangriga named that other long time employee:.. Hon. Ivan Ramos, Dangriga "It was not the employee that started the conversation. It was the customer and so the employee basically responded in Garifuna. Mr. Simeon Joseph Jr. has been with the bank from the time of Barclay's Bank for 32 years. A respected gentleman, an intelligent and productive gentleman, one that has the admiration of the Garifuna community and I believe by extension of Belize because he has also worked at other branches. Uwahnie Martinez, a Garifuna woman again concern with the same issue. She was born in Hopkins, she is a Garifuna. Her first language is Garifuna, so to be told that she cannot speak Garifuna in the bank, this is unacceptable and I come here today to ask this honorable house to reaffirm then to the Belizean people and to all of us that discrimination will not be tolerated anywhere in this country."

Mayor Says He Will Have A Solution For Belmopan Market Vendors
On Tuesday we told you about the distraught market vendors in Belmopan who claim that the city council is charging them outrageous fees for a spot at the new market place in front of the Civic Center. Well, today at a meeting between the Mayor and the vendors, he told us that the fees are not outrageous at all and that he has negotiated a feasible payment plan with the vendors. Simeon Lopez, Mayor - Belmopan City "As to increase in prices no, it's only $2 per day. What we were suggesting you can pay the one thousand dollars plus in advance and that's okay, we don't have to collect from you from the rest of the year again. Lots of them couldn't meet that and we agree well, we will charge you per month."

Arthur Goes Viral
In the past three weeks - attorney and PUP politician Arthur Saldivar has become one of the most talked about national figures - and, let's just say, most of those discussions don't center on his positive traits. And tonight it's gotten even worse - after a video emerged where he's caught in an unfortunate exchange with a managing shareholder of Roberts Grove Resort in Placencia. The video was captured, allegedly by Boris Mannsfeld last week Saturday, August 30. Saldivar is confronted by Mannsfeld holding a camera, and he let's off a few choice words. He clearly is being baited, but, much to his detriment, he falls for it - and the rest is viral video history after the video was posted on youtube last night. We've had to bleep and blur out a few parts, but here it is:

Speedbump fiasco On Princess Margaret Drive
Last night on the news, we spoke to Francis Woods of CISCO Construction about Central American Boulevard and whether it will be ready for Carnival Day next Saturday. We also used the opportunity to ask him about the speedbump confusion on Princess Margaret Drive. That road was recently paved without speedbumps, and then the jackhammers came in to install speedbumps, and then those jackhammers came back to destroy those speedbumps, so that new ones could be installed. Woods told us, it's their bad:.. Francis Woods, Contractor - CISCO Construction "We were quite upset, that was a simple miscommunication between ourselves and the person that did it. However we are taking them out and putting a very soft bump. We want that the bump still is there to slow down traffic, but that it's not very dramatic going over it. We want to consider cyclist as well because they have to go over it. Whenever we have races and stuff we want to make it nice enough that they can go over it easy."

Mas From The Mas Camps
A few minutes ago - you probably heard thumping music in the background of this newscast. Don't get it wrong, we're not having a September party - that was the carnival motorcade, just part of the riotous buildup to Carnival Day. All of it is an effort to foster that true Carnival spirit - which Monica Bodden and Codie Norales got another heaping serving of when they went to the Mas camps last night. Here's what they found:..

PM Exposes PG Mayor
And from carnival we go right back to politics. Today the Prime Minister ended the house meeting with allegation of a very irregular transaction by the mayor of Punta Gorda town and two of his councilors, here's how he described it:.. Prime Minister Dean Barrow "But that a part, that Punta Gorda Town Council administered by his great People's United Party and in particular stewarded by Mayor Anthony Fuentes gave instructions to the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Limited to make deductions from the council's subvention monies forwarded by government to repay a loan of $32,187.42 that the PUP Punta Gorda Town Council had secured from the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. In addition to that, the mayor you see instructed the Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. to also take out from the town council monies deductions in order to repay the personal loan of the PUP Mayor of the Punta Gorda Town Council. Toledo Teachers Credit Union Ltd. shall maintain direct deduction from the subvention for commitments for 3 of the officers of the Punta Gorda Town Council in respect to the mayor and deputy mayor and the particular PUP councilor in relation to their personal liabilities herein considered. You want the government to give monies to your town councils when their town councils behave in this fashion? Give instructions for government monies to be use to service their personal loan? Sir, not today, not tomorrow, not ever."

Channel 5

Security Guard Murdered In Morning Shooting on Sibun Street
It has been rather quiet over the past few days in the Old Capital…that was until this morning when the silence on the streets of the city was shattered by [...]

Armed Robbery on Fabers Road, Quick Response Leads to Arrest of 6 Persons
There was a late-morning armed holdup in Belize City today, where thieves entered a business establishment on Fabers Road Extension and proceeded to lift several items, including cash from the [...]

Belize City Teen Allegedly Raped Inside a Hotel
Police are also reporting a disturbing incident of rape in the city. A seventeen-year-old female minor is reporting that she was raped inside a hotel on the Phillip Goldson Highway. [...]

GSU Commander Highlights the Successes of Its Operations
The Gang Suppression Unit, in recent days, has come under sustained fire from the public for its strong-arm approach to crime fighting.  Of late, there have been allegations made against [...]

P.M. Barrow Comments on Gang Suppression Unit
Following today’s sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Barrow was asked about the exchange between former Prime Minister Said Musa and GSU head Mark Flowers. The exchange has [...]

Stann Creek Residents Protest House Meeting Over Land Issues
While things inside the House of Representatives were relatively tame today, comparatively speaking, there was a very vocal protest outside the House. About one hundred villagers travelled a long way [...]

John Briceño Condemns Paltry Settlement from K.H.M.H.
Earlier this week, five mothers of babies who died in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in May 2013 received settlement from that institution. Investigations by the Pan American Health Organization [...]

…and Widespread Corruption at the Hospital
That wasn’t the fiery debate just yet…that came when Briceño went after former K.H.M.H. Director of Finance Carlos Perera. Perera was fired by the K.H.M.H. Board recently, following a series [...]

Body of Dangriga Resident Washes Up on Beach
Dangriga Police are tonight investigating the sudden death of a forty-five-year-old resident. Details are that the man went swimming earlier this morning and his body was later found floating near [...]

ASR Clarifies Fair-trade Sugar Misconceptions
There was quite a scare in the sugar industry last week, when it was announced that there would be a considerable reduction in the quantity of fair-trade sugar to be [...]

P.M. Barrow on Sugar Cane Farmers Association
Prime Minister Dean Barrow lashed out at the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, the body which administrates the eighteen cane-farming branches. ASR has maintained that the decision to reduce quota [...]

National Bank 1 Year Later
The National Bank of Belize recently celebrated its first birthday, with much the same fanfare with which it celebrated its birth. Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow lauded the institution which [...]

Honorarium Concert at B.T.L. Park
This weekend in Belize City promises to be quite eventful and fun-filled, with lots to do for the entire family.  While there is the Sir Barry’s Belikin Bash and the [...]

Mas Camp 2014 Wraps Up in Belize City
The Carnival Road March 2014 is a week away and since Tuesday of this week, the fourteen bands competing were judged in the preliminary stage of the event. Thursday was [...]

CTV3

The North Records Another Suicide
There is another suicide case to report tonight, 36 year Fidel Catzim, a mechanic from Sarstoon Street took his own life sometime in the wee hours of this morning according to authorities. Deputy Commanding the Orange Walk Police formation, Inspector Selvin Tillett says the exact events that caused Catzim to allegedly kill himself are unclear. Inspector Selvin Tillett – Deputy Commander, OW Police “On Thursday 4th of September, at about 6:10am acting upon information police visited Sarstoon Street in Orange Walk Town and upon arrival they saw the lifeless body of a male person identified to be Fidel Catzim 36 year a Belizean mechanic of above mentioned address was seeing hanging on a beam inside his room, initial investigations reveals that he was at home with his nice Nikita flowers hanging with an electrical wire inside his bedroom apparently dead, he was last seen alive about 1:00am todays date at about 9am the post mortem examination was conducted on the body of Fidel Catzim and has caused death as a consequence of hangin.”

BSI And BSCFA To Resume Discussion on Commercial Agreement
A meeting between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the Belize Sugar Industries Limited is scheduled for Monday September 8th 2014 to resume negotiations for the Commercial Agreement. Currently no agreement exists between the miller and the producer to purchase sugar. While both entities agree on most of the conditions placed on the agreement, the negotiation on bagasse revenue sharing is proving to be a setback for the agreement to be signed. So, will anything change during the upcoming meeting? We will let you decide for yourself. Mac McLachlan- International Advisor ASR Group’s “We have put forward a formula for the payment of bagasse which we believe it is sensible, it is scientifically based and that we believe should form part of that agreement.”

Has The Ministry Of Transport Address Taxi Issues At The Northern Border?
Last week we had the opportunity of interviewing Chief Transport Officer Crispin Jeffries on several issues dealing with road safety including drunk driving. In that Interview we also asked him for an update on the issue with Belizean and Mexican taxi drivers at the Old Belize Chetumal Border. At that time Belizean taxi drivers claimed that the Mexican taxi operators were invading their territory thus affecting their business. In sight of the situation, Jefferies told CTV3 News that the matter would be investigated and apparently it was. When we spoke to him last week he told us that the department addressed the situation and the Mexican taxi drivers are no longer allowed to work in the area. A few of them though, can be seen parked inside the casinos parking lot since they are hired by clients of the casinos.

Another Robbery Committed In Corozal
Tonight there is one more report of robbery that is coming out from the Corozal District. This time the victim is a 41 year old woman from the village of Ranchito. Today Ana Sosa walked in to the Corozal Police station and reported to police that on August 30th, around 2:00am while she walked around Maya Hotel located on the Philip Goldson Highway, she was attacked by four to five male persons. According to her report made to police five days after, she was beaten by all five men and to make matters worse her red Samsung Galaxy phone with calling number 628-8080 of an unknown value was stolen from her. She also reported that her purse with personal documents and $80.00 was also taken.

100 Pound Cylinder Of Butane Reduces By $1.00
The price for a 100-pound cylinder of butane gas has gone down by $1.00. In the north, a hundred pound cylinder tank of Liquid Petroleum gas from Belize Gas Limited went from $115 to $114 and in Corozal the price went from $114 to $113. LPG from Belize Western Energy Limited, Southern Choice Butane, Zeta Gas and Tomza Gas went from $112 to $111 and in Corozal from $111 to $110.

Tate And Lyle's Move has Nothing To Do With Bagasse Negotiations
While it has been said that Tate and Lyle’s decision to drastically reduce the amount of Belize’s Sugar sold to Fair Trade is due tom the changing EU market, there are those who think otherwise. When the news first broke the first question that was asked was, Is Tate and Lyle pressuring cane farmers to accept BSI’s proposal of 51 cents payment per ton of bagasse? According to McLachlan, that is another misconception. Mac McLachlan- International Advisor ASR Group’s “That’s absolutely false and incorrect as I have mentioned before it is due to the market and it has nothing to do with the bagasse negotiations.”

Suicide, A Silent Killler
Known as the ‘silent epidemic’, in today’s society, suicide continues to be a major problem. Suicide is a huge but largely preventable public health problem, causing almost half of all violent deaths and resulting in almost one million fatalities every year, as well as economic costs in the billions of dollars, says the World Health Organization (WHO). Estimates suggest fatalities could rise to 1.5 million by 2020. But on a local scale in Belize, the Ministry of Health is indicating that the suicide rate for the country is 5.3 per 100,000, which is one of the lowest among Central American countries. But according to Eleanor Bennett, Nursing Administrator at the Ministry of Health, a single suicide case is one too many and that it is a serious issue that is related to mental illnesses such as depression.

Tate and Lyle Defends Its Decision To Reduce Quantity Of Sugar sold Under Fair Trade
On Tuesday August 26th 2014, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association received the shocking news that for the 2014/2015 crop, Tate & Lyle would only be selling a minimum of 10,000 tons of Belize’s sugar to Fair Trade. That’s 55 thousand less than what was sold for the 2013/2014 crop season. It is also a huge hit financially. For the 2013/201 4 crop season the BSCFA will collect close to 8 million dollars in Fair Trade premiums. But for the 2014/2015 crop the association will only receive a little over a million dollars due to the reduction. While the association made a huge noise over the issue sighting that the drastic cut would affect cane farmers and the sugar industry on a whole, BSI/ASR, who owns Tate and Lyle, has kept silent about the situation. That is until today. In an interview with ASR Group’s International Advisor, Mac McLachlan, he told us that there have been various misconceptions when it comes to Tate and Lyle’s latest move. He also added that the cutback is not only for Belize but for suppliers across the board. Here is how McLachlan defended the company’s decision.

LOVE FM

Mayor Darrell Bradley Speaks about Street project
The street works continue around Belize City and yesterday when we sat down with Maor Darrell Bradley we asked for an update. MAYOR DARRELL BRADLEY “We are right now at 125 streets. Because of our projects we are kind of very mindful that we want to finish a lot of work going on into the rainy season. Right now we are finishing up Seashore drive which looks very nice; we are doing York Street and Lancaster Street. I am getting bids for the extension of Vernon Street and I am talking about the other side of Vernon Street across from Central American Boulevard onto the Western Highway. We are also looking at extending King Street from Canal to Canal that is one of the bids we are looking at also. We are going to finish West Canal, we did East Canal that is to be finished from Bishop Street to Regent Street West and then we are going to finish that and we are going to do West Canal and we are connecting a lot of the areas.

Slight Increase in Crime in Toldeo
A slight increase in crime has been reported in the Toledo District; here is correspondent Paul Mahung. Paul Mahung “Punta Gorda Police Station Sergeant Concepcion Cal spoke of the crime figures for last month as compared to that of July.” CONCEPCION CAL “Major crimes for the month of August 2014 at the Punta Gorda Police Formation category 2014 are: murder 1, rape 1 , Carnal Knowledge 0, burglary 4, theft 1, robbery 1, a total of 8.” PAUL MAHUNG “How does this compare to the month of July Sergeant?” CONCEPCION CAL “For the month of July we have murder rated as 0 for that particular month, rape 0, Carnal Knowledge 0, Burglary was 1, Theft 3, Robbery 0 that was a total of 4. In comparison now we have noted that burglaries have gone up to 3 and we have 1 murder for this month in comparison to last month which was 0, that is equivalent also to rape which is 0 but this month it went up to 1 so there’s a big difference.”

Calendar of Events launched In Belmopan
“The Belmopan September Celebration Committee will officially launch their calendar of events this evening at the Independence Plaza in Belmopan. Love News spoke to Deputy Mayor and Chairlady of the Committee Anna Guy who shared with us the different activities planned for this year’s celebrations.” Anna Banner Guy: “This year the Belmopan September Celebrations Committee is very excited about keeping it at home. We plan to have all of our activities to be family oriented and a time for enjoyment in our own municipality. Today we are excited about the launching of the Belmopan September Celebrations and we’re handing out our calendars all over the city and have been doing that for the past week but we officially launch today at 6pm at Independence Plaza which is of course at the steps of the Assembly building.

18 years of Belize Expo Show
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry once again will be hosting the Annual Expo Belize Market at the ITVET Compound on Freetown Street tomorrow and Sunday. This marks the 18th year of the Trade show and this year it is expected to be even bigger and better than last year. There will be many small and medium businesses that will be promoting their products and services to the public. Love News met with BCCI, Expo coordinator Yorshabell Cattouse who spoke more about this year’s expo YORSHABELL CATTOUSE “This year marks eighteen years since the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been organizing Expo Belize Marketplace. This weekend it takes place at the IT VET grounds on Freetown Road Belize City starting from 8am to 5pm. We have tickets on sale; it is 5 dollars adults, 3 dollars kids. If you want to buy your tickets in advance and not stand in the lines you can do so at our office on Coney Drive at the Western Union office and also at Doony’s on Albert Street and Totos on Orange Street.

Body of Dangriga Man Retrieve from Sea
The body of a food vendor was retrieved from the sea earlier today in Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. HARRY ARZU “The body of a man was found floating in the sea here in Dangriga in front of Holy Ghost Primary School. He has been identified as 45 year old Simon Norberto, a food vendor of the Rivas Estate area of this municipality. His common law wife said that he left home this morning at about 5:10AM to go swimming like he did yesterday. Just before six this morning his body was found floating in the sea. Here is an eyewitness account from a person who was about to take a swim in the same area, Denmark Hernandez.” DENMARK HERNANDEZ “I was going to take a swim this morning and upon reaching Deep Pride in front of the Holy Ghost School I saw a bicycle and a couple clothes. I didn’t see anybody or anything so I decided to take a little work out. I was there and I tried to see if anybody would come out of the water from the surroundings from where I saw the bicycle and the clothes. I didn’t see anyone come out of the water around me so I decided to go in. It was when I was going in the water that I saw the body of a person floating and I thought it was a manatee or something. I decided to look at the body for a little while. Upon reaching the man I saw him and called the BDF because they were around and they came to the beach side and they saw the body. I realized it was the body of Simon Nolberto my neighbor in ‘Rivas’ Estate.”

Silk Grass Residents Protest In front of National Assembly Building
While members of the House of Representatives were meeting inside the National Assembly building, outside, residents of Silk Grass Village were registering their frustration and anger against the Lands and Survey Department. As we have been reporting for over a week now, a hundred villagers are upset that the officers at the Lands Department do not want to take their monies for leases they possess. Chairman, Soloman Andrews, told us what he hopes to achieve by way of the demonstration. SOLMAN ANDREWS “From since 2008 they tried to go in to pay their leases and they can’t pay their leases so we drew the attention to the lands department and said look the people can’t pay their leases, they need to pay their lease because the grave period is soon up sometime early in next year and they still get denied to let the people go in and pay their lease. So three weeks ago they said that the people could have gone in and paid their lease and I sent the people to make cheques and they gave them all different dates, they also gave me a different date so we are here today to see what we can get resolved because the people need to pay their lease because the seven years is near and they need to pay their leases so that they can construct their property.”

Legal Profession Bill Discussed
Another significant bill that was introduced today at the Sitting of the House of Representative was the Legal Profession Bill. The Bill is the brainchild of Minster of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General, Wilfred Elrington. The Bill seeks to amend the Legal Profession Act, Chapter 30, to provide for the composition of the General Legal Counsel to remove the requirement of compulsory membership by attorneys-at-law to the bar association of Belize. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, spoke about the bill. PRIME MINISTER DEAN BARROW “The reconstitution of the general legal counsel with the Chief Justice as chair ought to result in not just a quicker initial hearing of complaints brought against attorneys at law by members of the public but bringing finality to such complaints more quickly. Let me explain. Before the matter had to go to the general legal counsel and the Chief Justice, no judge of the Supreme Court sat on the general legal counsel. The general legal council would make a finding and then that had to go to the Chief Justice for confirmation or for perhaps his disagreement. This way he chairs the thing so its a one stop kind of operation now and so there ought to be dispatched into dealing with complaints that’s the first major aspect of the amendment. The second is very straight forward, to remove this mandatory requirement that all attorneys at law become members and pay fees to the bar association of Belize. “

Area Rep slams down on Ministry of Health
Area Representative for Orange Walk Central, John Briceno, also criticized the Government of Belize and the Ministry of Health, after audit reports, proved that large sums of monies were being misappropriated at several health institution including the Southern Regional Hospital and Central Health Region. Briceno called out the former Financial Secretary of the KHMH, Carlos Perrera. Area Rep OW Central John Briceno “Let me remind you Mr. Speaker and remind my honorable colleagues in this honorable house that way back as June the 19th of 2009 in this National Assembly I called that attention of the Prime Minister about the hustling and the corruption at the KHMH led by its ring leader the former CFO one Mr. Carlos Perrera a well-connected UDP lackey from Orange Walk, Belize City. He married to a beautiful young lady from Orange Walk and that is why he is in Orange Walk, he is from Belize City. He was the one that was leading the big hustling in the purchases of the medicines. Let me give you a few examples to remind ourselves as to what was happening. “

KHMH CEO’s action chastised by Area Representative for Orange Walk Central John Briceno
On Tuesday, through a mediation session, five of the thirteen mothers who lost their babies at the KHMH in May of 2013, agreed to a settlement offered by the Management of the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital. Attorney for the five mothers told the media that day, that both parties were satisfied with the settlement. Area Representative for Orange Walk Central, John Briceno, chastised the CEO of the KHMH for the amount of money paid to the five mothers. Area Representative for Orange Walk Central John Briceno “It is only at the mediation that then the CEO decided to make an offer. An offer of a measly $10,000 for each mother. Mothers that have been grieving, suffering, that have been wondering why this has happened and why it is them, why it is that he KHMH which is to be the premier hospital in this country have let them down.

Prime Minister Barrow agrees with Response from Head of GSU Mark Flowers
Earlier in the week Love News aired the comments made by former Prime Minister of Belize, Said Musa, about the aggressive tactics being exercised by the Gang Suppression Unit. Musa pledged that if the PUP would come into power at the next general elections, one of the many things they would do is to disband the GSU. The comments did not sit well with the Head of the GSU, Inspector Mark Flowers, who fiercely fired back at Musa by saying that Musa’s comments were irresponsible. That response sparked a wave of controversy between the People’s United Party and the GSU. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, backed up Flowers saying that he believes that the senior parliamentarian was out of line. PRIME MINISTER OF BELIZE DEAN BARROW “I would like to feel that there is a stronger internal mechanism to deal with excess when they occur. I would like for us to have an ideal situation where excess don’t occur but that’s not going to happen, this is not a perfect world.

BSCFA debt written off by G.O.B
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has been having a rough couple of weeks. First, they have not come to an agreement with ASR over the payment of bagasse and they were later notified that Fairtrade would only take a specific amount of their sugar for sale. The BSCFA, however, received some sort of alleviation after the Government of Belize announced that it write off an outstanding balance to a loan owed by the BSCFA, as explained Prime Minister Dean Barrow. PRIME MINISTER DEAN BARROW “Mr. Speaker this is the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association loan right off number two motion 14. Whereas a resolution was adopted by this honorable house on the 12 December 2013 approving the right off of the sum of Belize $2,866,835 payable by the Belize Cane Farmers Association under the sugar price stabilization fund and whereas the association has now informed the government that the actual balance of the loan has changed and that has shone in the 2011-2012 audited financial accounts of the association is in fact $3,702,378 and not $2,866,835 as previously intimated and has requested the government to write off the balance $835,543 and whereas the view of the association’s audited financial statements there is no likelihood that it would be able to repay this balance in the foreseeable future.

Fire Arms acts to be Amended
The House of Representatives met today in Belmopan where several issues of national concern were discussed. Several bills were presented including one to amend the Firearms Act. In recent times several media reports have highlighted what is being called the unfair gun laws where several people are arrested and sent to jail without bail. According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the acts aims to relieve hardship in genuine circumstances for those caught up in such situations. PRIME MINISTER OF BELIZE DEAN BARROW “The drafting wasn’t being done quickly enough for various reasons I am not blaming anyone and at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday it wasn’t quite ready so it was agreed that the Minister and his people would get together with my favorite draftsman Mr. Gian Ghandi so that quick bit of work could be done. I only then saw the finished product yesterday and the rest of the cabinet had to sort of go on faith that the amendments would achieve the objective that we want and strike the fine balance but the question of joint possession and trying to ensure that there is not this automatic joint possession charge looking at who is the head of the household and providing circumstances in effect you can’t charge at all if you are to avoid the mischief.

Young Woman Set Up By A Friend To Get Rape
One man has been detained following a rape report. According to Police, the young woman was set up by one of her friends. POLICE PRESS OFFICER RAPHAEL MARTINEZ “Her friend arrived to pick her up in a taxi. The friend was apparently with her boyfriend and of course with an unknown man was sitting in this taxi cab as well. This young lady was taken to a hotel on the Philip Goldson Highway where her friend told her I will come back for you and that never did materialize. The young lady was then taken into a room by this unknown person to her and she was raped.” The Police is asking the public, especially parents to be vigilant and to advise their children accordingly. As it relates to the suspect who is accused of the murder of 61-year-old Agripina Coc in the Toledo District, no charges have been filed as yet.

Chinese Store Robbed
Meanwhile a number of young men have been detained following a robbery at the corner of Lionel Tillett and Faber’s Road. Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez “This was at the corner of Lionel Tillet and Faber’s road extension here in Belize city where some young men robbed a Chinese store. However that is still being processed as we speak but I can tell you that we have since apprehended six persons and they are presently in detention. As I mentioned before we are processing this new development and we believe we have also recovered all the items that were stolen.”

PlusTV

Security Guard Fatally Shot Outside His Belize City House
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot around 7:40 Friday morning in Belize City, and died later that evening. Mr Howard, who works with KBH Security Services, was in front of a white house on Sittee Street near the Lakeview Street Canal, when he was attacked. Sources say tell us...

Man arrested for alleged rape of 17 year old female
A 17 year old female has reported being raped by an unknown man. The incident happened on Thursday September 4, at about one o’clock in the morning. Police say they were called to a hotel  located on the Philip Goldson Highway, where they met the 17 year old  female who claimed she was raped by an...

Teacher robbed in Belize City
A Belize City teacher was robbed Thursday night in Belize City. On Thursday September 4 just before 9:00 p.m., a 28-year-old teacher of Belize City was  walking on Coney Drive heading home...

PC Linsdale Blease charged for assault and firearm offences
On Thursday September 4^th  at 3:00p.m. Police Constable Linsdale Blease, presently attached to the Domestic Violence Unit at Eastern Division, was arrested and charged for the crimes of “Aggravated Assault and Discharging Firearm in Public”. At 3:30p.m...

Michael Rhaburn rearrested and charged for murder of Clifford Cruz
On Thursday, Twenty-year-old Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was  rearrested and charged once again for the murder of BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz. Clifford Cruz was murdered on October first of 2012, on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City, where M...

Official September Celebrations opening for Belmopan
The official September Celebrations opening for Belmopan got on the way this evening at the steps of the National Assembly...

Suspected Murderer of Agripina Coc is Captured
The man suspected to have been responsible for the murder of Agripina Coc was captured on Thursday, with the assistance of residence from San Marcos Village. On Monday August 1st the body of Agripina, an elderly Mayan woman, was found a short distance away from her home in the rural community of San...

Minister of Local Government appoints Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council.
Municipal elections cycle every three years in Belize and, with only about 6 months away from another one, scrutiny from the Department of Local Government has increased, especially against the PUP Punta Gorda Mayor Anthony Fuentes and his council...

San Ignacio Town Board taken to court by SSB for lack of payments
UDP Mayor John August and the San Ignacio Town Council have been taken to court for withholding Social security fees from workers and not paying it to the social security Board for a period of three years.A summons was issued to the  San Ignacio town Board to appear in the San Ignacio court on the ...

Concerns expressed over new Pomona Water Board
On Sunday at 10am, Pomona Village Council held change over ceremony for its new Water Board. Pablo Wagner is the immediate past chairman and has handed over to incoming Chairman Adriano Vanegas. According to Area Representative, Hon Rodwell Furgeson, the outgoing board had done a stellar job, keepin...

Silk Grass and Santa Cruz residents to protest at National Assembly
Over the last week or so, PlusNews has been highlighting various issues raised by villagers in the south. These issues involve the resources of water and land in the villages of Silk Grass and Santa Cruz. PlusNews has confirmed that the residents from both villages will be staging a protest in front...

Second round of grants to small businesses participating in the Emprende project
The second round of grants to small businesses participating in the Emprende project co-sponsored by BELTRAIDE, the Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Enterprises (CENPROMYPE), and the Republic of China (Taiwan), concluded on Thursday. From a field of 88, 14 persons were selected to receive...

Plans for a Nuclear Lab at UB to promote safe and peaceful nuclear technologies
Dr. Aaron Lewis, Assistant professor at the University of Belize, travelled to Jamaica in 2012 when he was asked to represent Belize at a regional workshop in Jamaica, where he pitched a proposal on behalf of the University to the International Atomic Energy Agency, the World’s Cooperation center in the Nuclear field. The idea is to establish a Nuclear Lab at the University of Belize in Belmopan to promote safe, secure and peaceful nuclear technologies.

Ranchito Village woman beaten and robbed
A 41 year old woman of Ranchito Village, Corozal District,  reported that on August 30^th at  about 2:00am, while she was walking around the Maya Hotel situated on Phillip Goldson highway, she was attacked by four to five men...

Deshawn Craig faces further charges in relation to firearm
As we reported on Wednesday, laborer Deshawn Craig faces further charges in relation to a firearm he tried to get rid of this week. It turns out that the firearm belonged to one Derrick Hemmans and was apparently stolen. Deshawn Craig was read charges of handling stolen goods and pleaded not guilty ...

Butane prices drop by a dollar countrywide
The price for liquid Petroleum, known also as Butane gas, is about to go down by a dollar in every district. According to a press release sent by the Belize Bureau of Standards, effective Friday September 5^th, the new controlled price per 100lb cylinder of liquid petroleum imported by the Belize Ga...

Amandala

“Brand new ” GSU accused of brutality
The Belize Police Department’s elite Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) which rolled onto the streets in late 2010 has frequently been accused of violating the constitutional and civil rights of residents of the south side of Belize City. They are once more being accused of the wanton brutalization of a citizen. Some GSU officers were operating on King Street early yesterday, Wednesday morning. In the wake of their departure, a West Street resident, Kariq Tzul, 23, who is the grandnephew of the Mesopotamia area representative Hon. Michael Finnegan, had to seek medical treatment, after he allegedly was severely beaten by the GSU officers. Deborah Myvett, Tzul’s mother, told Amandala this morning, Thursday, that she received a call asking her if she was aware that the GSU had beaten up her son.

Mexican authorities say “Hezbollah terrorists”; Lebanese community says “Belizean citizens”
Four Belizean-Lebanese citizens who traveled to Mexico were believed to be Hezbollah terrorists by Mexican police after they were informed that two Middle-Eastern men, believed to be terrorists, were with two women travelling in a grey BMW car with Belize registration on Friday in the Tulum City area of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The men were believed to be members of the terrorist organization Hezbollah, which, according to some reports, has been operating a cell out of Belize. The Mexican online newspaper Black Gold, of Friday, August 28, said that “Hacsam Elsayed and/or Hassan El Sayed,” linked to the militant group Hezbollah, had crossed the state onboard a Mercedez Benz from Belize.

Agripina Coc’s alleged killer caught
Five days after her gruesome death, Punta Gorda police, with the aid of unrelenting villagers, captured a 24-year-old resident of San Pedro Columbia, a village in the Toledo District, who was wanted in connection with the murder of villager Agripina Coc, 61, whose nude body was found in some bushes near her home with a large chop wound to the center of the head this past Saturday, August 30, at around 7:30 p.m. At about 10:00 a.m. today, the suspect, dressed only in boxer shorts, was detained; the clothing was the same clothing that he reportedly was wearing when he was last seen traversing the area where Coc had been murdered this past weekend. The young man was pinpointed as the primary suspect by fellow villagers of San Pedro Columbia, who were convinced that he was the culprit, since he was seen in the area when Coc was murdered, and also, because the residents allege that he was the man who has been harassing women of the village. The suspect has even been accused of sexually assaulting women in the village in the past.

Coast Guard saves 8 from the blue: 3 missing!
The Belize Coast Guard, in conjunction with a few other search organizations, is at press time tonight on a massive manhunt for three Cubans who went missing after their vessel, Helga, capsized just two miles east of Caye Caulker around 11:30 Saturday night, March 19. The Panama-flagged cargo vessel, which was loaded with salt bound for Mexico, from Honduras, and was carrying a crew of eleven, capsized after running into bad weather. The three members of the crew who are still missing are Alexis Gonzalez Cune, Nelson Perez Ardao, and the captain Arturo Edrei Garcia, ages unknown. Eight others — Iraelio Mengana Garcia, 47; Armando Garnado Martinez, 47; Humberto Iglesias Hernandez, 49; Antonio Perez Sadez, 37; Alfredo Porta Martinez, 43; Jose Consta Nalia, 46; George Herrera Aldana, 38; and Joaquin Ruiz De Zarate Arribas, 39 — survived the overturning of the vessel.

IMF calls on Belize to take “strong measures”
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) released its latest assessment of Belize this evening, and its executive board’s assessment calls on the Government of Belize to trigger “a vigorous policy response” to what the IMF describes as Belize’s weakened macroeconomic performance, “on the back of decelerating growth and increasing fiscal and external imbalances.” The IMF is calling for “strong measures” which it said “are necessary to moderate goods and services and wage-related outlays, reform the public employees’ pension system, and broaden the base for the general sales tax.”

CWU prez, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, not backing down on CIBC FirstCaribbean
The president of the Christian Workers Union (CWU), Audrey Matura-Shepherd, called a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to offer, via a public appeal, a “final opportunity” to CIBC for a meeting with the union to settle allegations coming out of its Dangriga branch that the only two Garifuna-speaking employees at that location, a male and a female, had been told that they could not speak their language in the bank. Matura-Shepherd said that one of the correspondences from the bank stated that the language was “loud and unwelcome.” She said that the Barbados arm of the bank, which runs the Belize operations, recently wrote her and tagged it as confidential, asking her to please not come public on the allegations.

Who pays the piper …
At the end of their lecture presentations on Wednesday morning at the Bliss glorifying the British Baymen and the Battle of St. George’s Caye, Mr. Fred Hunter concluded that “it was the Africans who won the battle,” but Mr. Francis Humphreys, the UDP Mayoral candidate in Dangriga, conceded that nothing changed in the enslaved condition of the said same Africans after September 10, 1798. In 1798 there were some naval episodes and confrontations between September 3 and September 10, featuring an invading Spanish fleet from the Yucatán and the defending British Baymen from the settlement of Belize. There were no casualties of any kind on the Baymen side, and no battle casualties of any kind on the Spanish side. This was not much of a battle, when we consider Borodino in 1812, say, and there is no record of its being celebrated until exactly 100 years later, because of an initiative organized by a BEC employee and subsidized by the colonial government of British Honduras.

From the Publisher
I had a unique experience this week. A 15-year-old St. John’s College student came to visit me at Kremandala on Partridge Street Monday afternoon. He was small, bespectacled, light-skinned, of Maya descent, and he lives with his parents on the Southside of Belize City. His main subjects are chemistry, biology, and physics, but he is interested in film making, which requires scripts, so for that reason he is looking at writing and writers, which brought him to us. Now when we see students back here, it is usually because some teacher gave them a specific assignment which required their visiting Partridge if they wanted to get a good grade. But this young student had come here on his own, as far as I could figure out. This made him special. I’m not sure whether to call my visitor a young boy or a young man. I guess I have to stay with “young student.” He had made contact with me through the newspaper office, which is to say, he had e-mailed the newspaper, the mail went to the editor’s desk and the editor forwarded it to me. I responded to the student through his e-mail address, and we arranged for him to come to Partridge.

Amendments prepared to “soften” gun law
BELIZE CITY-Government’s legal counsel, Gian Ghandi, SC, told Amandala today that amendments to both the Firearms Act and the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act have been prepared and should be introduced in Parliament at tomorrow’s [...]

3 men charged with drug trafficking; only 1 convicted
BELIZE CITY-Two brothers and one of their cousins were jointly charged with drug trafficking, but at the end of the trial today in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, only one of the trio [...]

Coast Guard officer charged with manslaughter by negligence
BELIZE CITY-An officer of the Belize Coast Guard was today arraigned on a charge of manslaughter by negligence in connection with the death of a Crooked Tree resident, Benjamin Gentle, Jr., 20, which occurred on the [...]

Ebony Street resident sentenced to 5 years for unlicensed firearm and ammo
BELIZE CITY-A 21-year-old man who resides on Ebony Street was found guilty in the Magistrate’s Court today of keeping an unlicensed firearm and unlicensed ammunition. Stephan Anderson, who has had his share of remand time for [...]

Belize Softball and volleyball teams disqualified from playing at CODICADER Games in Guatemala
BELIZE CITY-There is a lot to be desired in the preparation of Belize high school teams that represent the country in the regional CODICADER Games. Participating student/athletes must be under 18 years of age, but we [...]

Kent and Shalini repeat as Lionman Triathlon 2014 Champions
BELIZE CITY-The 15th Annual Lionman Triathlon – a 1500 meter swim, followed by a 40 km ride, and ending with a 10 km run – was held on Sunday, August 31, a the Sand Lighters Promenade [...]

Lily White “Back to School”
BELIZE CITY-Primary schools across the city and country opened today, and there were some happy kids who received their school bags, books, pencils, etc. from their parents or from some kind souls helping out those in [...]

Table Tennis - Belize qualifies for Central American & Caribbean Games – Veracruz, Mexico 2014
BELIZE CITY-Belize has now officially qualified to participate in Table Tennis at the 2014 Central American & Caribbean Games, to be held in Veracruz, Mexico in November, 2014. Tyrone Tun and Carlos Cui successfully qualified in [...]

Power to the needy, not the greedy!
Dear Editor, Today, Friday, September 5, marks almost a year since the Penner Passport Scandal was disclosed to the citizens of this honorable country. It gives us a great indication of the incompetency of those in [...]

Diaspora of Belize: Organize!
Dear Editor, I am happy that my letter asking the Diaspora “what have you done for me lately”, has stirred once more, the debate about what constructive roles the Diaspora can and should play in Belize’s [...]

From New York City, Wellington Ramos
Dear Editor, The Gang Suppression Unit (G.S.U.) was implemented by the Government of Belize just like how the Police Special Force (P.S.F.) was implemented by the PUP back in the 1960’s to break up the U.B.A.D. [...]

September Celebrations officially opened
BELIZE CITY-The official ceremony to mark the opening of the 2014 September Celebrations was held today at the House of Culture in Belize City amidst a gathering of diplomats, public officials, government representatives and patriotic citizens. [...]

Belize no-show at UN migrant workers’ rights hearing
BELIZE CITY-The United Nations Committee on Migrant Workers is reporting that it has had to consider the Belize situation in the face of a no-show by the Government and its failure to submit a report to [...]

Alcoholism leads to death of Corozaleño
COROZAL-It is no secret that alcoholism is a serious and growing public health problem not only in our country, but all over the globe, and that is exactly what the family of a Corozaleño suspects was [...]

Blacks experience highest obesity rate in US-based study
BELIZE CITY-Last Friday, Belize health professionals discussed the prevalence of obesity, linked to non-communicable diseases such as cancer and heart disease, among Belizeans and the data depicted substantially higher obesity rates among Belizean women when compared [...]

Firearm Amendment not presented in Cabinet
BELIZE CITY-Although no draft of the Firearm Amendment Bill was presented in Cabinet on Tuesday as had been expected, it appears that an attempt is still being made to ensure that a draft is ready for [...]

Lawyers will no longer have to be members of Bar
BELIZE CITY-An amendment is due to be tabled in the National Assembly on Friday to remove the requirement for practicing attorneys in Belize to be paying members of the Belize Bar Association. The Legal Profession Act [...]

LPG down by a dollar
BELIZE CITY-Effective today, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), a mixture of propane and butane cooking gas, will inch down by a dollar on the 100-pound cylinder, according to an announcement from the Supplies Control Unit in the [...]

Nigerian man’s report to police led to the discovery of his illegal status in Belize
BELIZE CITY-A Nigerian man who witnessed a crime and decided to report it to police ended up in the custody of the Immigration Department after his passport revealed that he had overstayed his visit to Belize. [...]

3 men charged with drug trafficking; only 1 convicted
BELIZE CITY-Two brothers and one of their cousins were jointly charged with drug trafficking, but at the end of the trial today in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, only one of the trio [...]

The Reporter

Brazilian indigenous group expel illegal loggers from their land
Confrontation between a group of indigenous people in Brazil’s Amazon region and illegal loggers working in their communal forests have led to the detention and expulsion of the loggers. Leaders of the Ka’apor tribe accused the Brazilian authorities of failing to protect them and they proceeded to tie up the loggers and set fire to their trucks and chainsaws, before forcing them out. The logs found at the indigenous territory in the north-eastern state of Maranhao were also destroyed. The incident happened from August but has just come to light. The Brazilian indigenous agency, Funai, says it has requested tighter security in the Alto Turiacu Indian Territory to prevent violent clashes.

World Bank approves $60 million loan for climate change projectt
The World Bank has approved a $60 million loan for a project to improve infrastructure and to increase Belize’s capacity to manage the impacts of climate change. The project will be implemented over a five year span and financed from an International Bank for Reconstruction […]

KHMH CEO to go by end of September
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) Chief Executive Officer Dr. Gary Longsworth said he will be vacating his post at the end of September. According to Longsworth, the hospital has not yet decided on his replacement but said he believes the post would be filled […]

Saldivar’s camp protests at PUP headquarters
PUP leader Francis Fonseca says that his party’s national executive supports the decision to suspend Arthur Saldivar pending the outcome of investigations into alleged misconduct. Fonseca told reporters this week that further to the suspension on Wednesday, September 17, the same body will decide […]

High cost of Stomach Flu in Belize
The economic burden caused by Acute Gastroenteritis (AGI), also known as stomach flu, is estimated at over $18 million, according to data released by the Ministry of Health. The ministry released some of the findings from the Burden of Illness (BOI) research study on AGI […]

‘Reparations not on Belize’s priority list,’ says Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Government of Belize is not aggressively pursuing the issue of reparations for slavery from European nations, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred Elrington. Elrington said that because of issues currently occupying the governments resources such as economic development and national security, reparations is […]

Rotary Donates school supplies to Central Assembly
The Rotaract Club of Belize made a donation of 50 school bags filled with school supplies to needy children of Central Christian primary school on Wednesday. According to Tanya Thompson, Community Service Director for Belize Rotaract Club, the children receiving the school bags with […]

Editorial
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association received some bad news last week from their British sugar buyers, Tate & Lyle PLC. Tate & Lyle is now exercising its option to delay payment for sugar supplied throughout the year until after the sugar has been sold! ! This is harsh treatment […]

CWU to CIBC: its not over yet!
The Christian Workers Union is requesting a meeting with CIBC First Caribbean International Bank to discuss matters pertaining to the resignation of Uwahnie Martinez, the Dangriga branch’s employee who resigned after charging that the bank discriminated against the Garifuna language. The union requested the meeting […]

GSU working on transparency, says unit’s chief
Belize’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) is taking steps to improve the transparency of its operations, GSU Commander, Inspector Mark Flowers said Thursday. Flowers, who took over less than a month ago, told this newspaper that the GSU has established a system of recording its planned […]

More high school students have tried drugs than not
Three out of every four teenagers between the ages of 14 and 16 admitted they’ve tried drugs, a recent study by the University of Belize and the National Drug Abuse Control Council revealed. Four hundred and fifty high school students participated in the survey, and […]

Archeological sites to get new health and safety policies
A new Health and Safety Standards Policy will now regulate activities at archaeological sites across the country and a sensitization campaign will be launched to familiarize stakeholders with the new regulations. The official manual was handed over to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and […]

New bridge for Haulover Creek on the way
Procurement for the design and construction of a new bridge to span the Haulover Creek at mile five on the Philip Goldson Highway is expected to take place shortly as part of a multi-million-dollar project. The government had secured a loan of US $29 million […]

Patrick Jones

Man charged for Chukka robbery
This week we have been reporting on the recovery of a stolen firearm at the residence of 35 year old Deshawn Craig on Caesar Ridge Road. That firearm is alleged to have been stolen from Derrick Hemmans, the manager for Chukka Tours who was robbed in August. On […]

Youth re-charged for 2012 murder
19 year old Jermaine Rhaburn was released from charges of murder this past April when his case was struck out. He had been accused of the October 2012 murder of Clifford Cruz at the Belize Defence Force’s Militia Hall on the George Price Highway. Both Cruz and Rhaburn, […]

Policeman charged for gun assault on citizen
At the conclusion of an investigation spanning several months, police moved quickly to arrest one of their own. On Thursday Constable Linsdale Blease, 32, attached to Eastern Division’s Domestic Violence Unit, was arraigned on charges of aggravated assault and discharging a firearm in public. Blease is accused of […]

Security guard murdered in Belize City
21 year old security guard Corey Douglas Howard was shot and killed today. The shooting happened around 7:40 this morning in Belize City and Howard was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a critical condition. He died while undergoing treatment. Howard, who works with KBH Security […]

Blogs

Two tasty lunch options in San Pedro Belize
El Fogon is located just north west of the airstrip on the side street by Save On Grocery. Chaya Cafe at Zen Arcade is located south west of town by on the first side street past the old Belkin distributor by Island Academy school (would have mentioned Sea Star st. but it is highly possible there is there is no street sign). Fresh lime juice, stewed pork and key lime pie were my last menu picks at El Fogon, long time Belize food hot spot. My lunch was a little more expensive here at around $33 but still worth it and I was totally stuffed when done. This local Restaurant has been a much talked local favorite for years as you can read in the Ambergris Today restaurant review – Enjoy A Family Style Dinner at El Fogon Restaurant, also has great food pics by Jose Luis Zapata.

A Belize Airline Discussion: Slow Season, Ticket Prices, Cruise Ships & The Placencia International Airport
Just a few HUGE topics that affect each and every one of our lives in Belize – whether we work directly with the tourism industry or not. Tourism is estimated to make up just over 30% of employment in Belize and on Ambergris Caye? That number is much higher. So…just a few days ago, I was listing on my Facebook page the restaurants and hotels that were taking time off in September and October this year for renovations, for staff vacations or maybe just to save themselves from the dismal “slow season” P&L; sheet. I then received an email – and it got me thinking about the slow season. Sure…it is “back to school time” around the world, the get-back-to-work season, and it is our rainy/storm time here in the tropics, but do we close because no one is here? Or does the fact that we close influence potential vacationers decisions about visiting Belize?

Profits from Incarceration
Seeing today how easy it is for a person to end up in jail, especially youth that have been forced for the most part into a life of crime because of unemployment rates, lack of opportunities, education and such in Belize; except that is if you know string to pull in the system. I want to share this report with you because it has been or will be in Belize pretty soon. How incarceration and the legal system have been setup for gains of some at the life and expense of others. Who runs the largest jail in Belize? Who pays for things offered by said jail? Just two questions that you should think of and there are more, think about it, thing in this article will ring bells.

24 Epic Journeys To Take Across Belize Before You Die
The creation of bucket lists has become a popular endeavor for many people recently. Often these lists include taking trips to foreign lands. If you have created this type of destination list or have the desire to travel, there are many Belize journeys to include on your list of things to do in Belize. Taking the work out of the search for you, below is a list of 24 Epic Journeys To Take Across Belize Before You Die.

5 Articles On Placencia Belize You Need To Read
For the past few weeks we have been collecting and sharing with our readers the best and most popular articles and blogs on Belize that are making headlines on the Internet. This week our Data Scientist Team observed a surge in articles on Placencia, the beautiful tourism destination in Southern Belize. We have compiled a list of those articles below and the content range from things to do to the best time to move there. We have also been noticing that Belize has been getting an incredible amount of exposure online (we will share those articles with you on Sunday, September 7th). So without further ado, here are the articles on Placencia we believe you should read right now:

International Sources

Live flight tracker!
A live flight tracker that shows air traffic in real time. Great coverage and cool features!

Cruise arrivals up in July
While stay-over tourism figures showed healthy growth for July 2014, cruise ship arrivals for the month rose by 79.63% over the figure for July 2013, with more than 120,000 passengers, up from almost 67,000 last year, according to the last statistics from the Department of Tourism (DoT). There has been a steady rise in cruise arrivals over 2013, with the exception of January, but this July was the busiest since 2004, when around 123,000 people arrived by cruise ship, turning around the downward trend since 2006. Cruise passengers for the first half of the year, January through June, for the Cayman Islands were up 8.6%, compared to an overall growth in the region of 4.3%, which follows a world average rise of 4.7%, according to figures released by the Barbados-based Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Cayman Islands stay-over visitors in the first half of 2014 increased by 9.4%, compared to an overall increase in the Caribbean of 4.3%, with Jamaica up 1.6%, the Bahamas down 1.8% and Barbados down 0.1%, while Belize, Grenada, Haiti and Montserrat all showing significant growth, according to the CTO.

Summer of the Goatfish
With the northern hemisphere days getting shorter, and the air getting crisper as autumn approaches, we reflect back on the summer soon passing. You may not have known, but this was the “Summer of the Goat” as christened by internet sites, and further blessed with countless video and photographic outpourings of humanity’s apparent love of goats. The cyber cuteosphere erupted with frolicking baby goats, bipedal goats, narcoleptic goats, goats with puppies, goats with British royalty, bleating goats singing along to the theme from Jurassic Park, and this was just the start. Though I certainly appreciate goats for their sublime comedic gestalt, that was certainly not my summer. As a marine biologist I had a very different summer – the Summer of the Goatfish. Goatfishes are found worldwide in shallow, warm waters, and as an ichthyologist with pathetic swimming skills, I’ve dog-paddled alongside them the shallows of the Gulf of California, waded with them in the Red Sea, and snorkeled among schools of them in Hawaii. This year I enjoyed them again in the Caribbean waters off Belize and the Cayman Islands, continuing my excitement of underwater fish-watching and reinforcing my admiration for these fishes, and at 55 species, that’s plenty to love.

Boosting resilience in the Caribbean countries
Having lived and worked for more than a decade in four Caribbean countries, I have witnessed firsthand how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are extremely vulnerable to challenges ranging from debt and unemployment to climate change and sea level rise. Such aspects make their paths towards sustainable development probably more complex than non- SIDS countries. That was my experience, working closely with governments, civil society organisations and the people of Belize, Cuba, Guyana and Haiti – where I led the U.N. Development Programme’s (UNDP) reconstruction efforts after the devastating January 2010 earthquake. That’s why the upcoming UN Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), taking place in Samoa, Sep. 1-4 is so important. It will provide an opportunity to increase international cooperation and knowledge sharing between and within regions. And it takes place at a key moment, ahead of the Climate Change Summit at the UN General Assembly, to be held on Sep. 23.

CARICOM Makes Case for Sustainable Development of SIDS at UN Conference
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) officials at the Third United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) made the case for the peculiar vulnerabilities of SIDS to be considered when the international community formulates economic policies for those countries. The critical importance of debt management, concessionary financing, partnerships, financing for climate change adaptation and mitigation, trade, capacity-building, technology and sustainable energy in addressing severe challenges confronting SIDS were among the issues emphasized by the CARICOM high level delegation, which included Heads and Ministers of Government. Speaking at the AOSIS Leaders Conference, Barbados' Prime Minister Hon. Freundel Stuart advocated for what he described as the "SIDS Collectivity." SIDS, "speaking with one voice," he explained, was paramount in representing their interests at the international level, whatever the issue - whether trade relations; graduation from least developed status and the constraints experienced; the inherent weaknesses of using GDP as the sole criterion for accessing concessional resources; or the sustainable development of SIDS, including the adverse impacts of climate change.

Videos

Video: World Air Traffic 24 Hour Period - YouTube, 1min.

Video: Wildtracks Cenote in Sarteneja, 10min.
Perhaps the most unusual spot I have ever dived. Well off the beaten track near a village called Sarteneja in Belize. The sights are predominantly shallower than 7 meters so this is also a great spot for snorkelling and freediving. SHOW MORE

Video: Guatemala and Belize, 12min.

Video: Nina Agdal, Beach Bunny Swimware shoot at Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, Belize - Unravel Travel TV, 3min.
Sanctuary, Belize is the location for Nina Agdal modeling Beach Bunny Swimwear’s spring-summer 2014 collection. Nina Agdal (1992) is a Danish fashion model. She was one of three models to be featured on the cover of the 2014 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Location Shots at: Kanantik Reef & Jungle Resort, Belize

Video: Plongées au Belize, 7min.
avec Phocea Mexico.

Video: Few Clips from behind the scene of the Music video ---No Gossip---, 4min.
No Gossip is the name of Michael Wagner newest album, his music video has the same title and will be out in a few days...

September 5, 2014

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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

Well known Sanpedrano Gerald Leslie is has been living in the USA, working as pilot for the world famous songwriter and singer Jimmy Buffett. It is no surprise that both men share a love for the sea and fishing. During their spare time, the two often go out to sea and practice their fishing skills. On one of their days off last week, Leslie, Buffett and another friend went fishing off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. During their day’s adventure, the trio caught a huge deep-sea black tuna. Buffett and Leslie are excited to share the picture with the people of San Pedro Town.

San Pedro’s line-up of event for September Celebrations
The 2014 September Celebrations are well under way, and citizens from all six districts are celebrating Belize’s most patriotic month of the year. This year’s celebrations are being held under the theme “Industrious Hands, Intelligent Minds, Together for Belize”. 2014 marks the 216th anniversary of The Battle of St. George’s Caye Day and the 33rd anniversary of Belize’s Independence Day. Here in San Pedro, September will be celebrated in grand fashion with a line-up of events.

Howler Monkey Resort lives up to its name!
“If you miss the turn/sign and arrive at the Community Baboon Sanctuary museum you have gone too far,” read the directions on how to get to The Howler Monkey Resort in Bermudian Landing, and sure enough (and despite their ample sign) in our excitement we did just that! The Resort is just yards from the main road but it’s certainly tucked away. We are warmly greeted by owner Melissa Turton and her son Jusef, and our excitement mounts as we follow them on a path through the open, landscaped property to our cabaña. There are a handful of these quaint cottages, all intermittently situated along the sloping bank of the wide, slow river below us.

Police to implement Anit-Crime Campaign
The San Pedro Police Department has officially launched a September Celebrations Anit-Crime Campaign . Aimed to ensure safety for residents and visitors during the event-filled month. The campaign will last from Monday, September 1st to Tuesday, September 30th, and entails an increase in patrols as well as police presence during scheduled events. The San Pedro Police Department is made up of 46 police officers, and receives additional help from 20 volunteer Special Constables.

Belize Jaguars Participate in 2014 Central American Cup
The team has been practicing for the past month under the guidance of Head Coach Costa Rican Le Roy Sherrier Lewis, and will be competing in Group B against Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. Group A consists of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. Tournament matches will be played in four different cities: RFK Stadium in Washington DC, Cotton Bowl in Dallas Texas, BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston Texas and Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles California. Each team will compete in three matches which will determine the final lineup. The top four teams automatically earn the UNCAF spots for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the champion of the tournament earns a coveted spot in the 2016 Centennial Cup America. The 5th finisher will earn the right to participate in a two-leg playoff against the fifth-place team from the 2014 Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup, for an additional Gold Cup spot.

Ambergris Today

Humble Patriotic Celebrations in 1980
This was the first verse of the historic song we all sang during the parade of September tenth. In fact children used to sing it during the school rehearsal one month before the event. On the day of the event there were two speeches, one from the village alcalde and one from our Area Representative, Honorable Louis Sylvestre (RIP). Note that there was no elaborately decorated stage. In this case it was only a platform with no backdrop. Behind the stage was the church bell tower and then the famous Blake House. As for the coronation Lily Paz Nuñez was crowning Estrella Nuñez in the year 1980. They were accompanied by the other pageant contestants. (Kindly identify them in comments if you know them) In the center is Louis “Cuz” Sylvestre, the man in whose memory and honor the new sporting facility has been named.

First Lady Kim Simplis Barrow and Daughter Visit the Blue Hole
During their visit, mother and daughter were able to appreciate the stunning aerial views of the Great Blue Hole. In describing the experience Simplis Barrow shared, “I knew I was going to see it and I knew what I was going to see but just approaching the Blue Hole and seeing it for the first time was an experience I can’t explain to you in words…what it really felt like. To see this magnificent natural wonder right there in front of you was an incredible experience. To me, it’s important to show Salima what it is we have in Belize; the natural wonders we have and the importance of conserving it.” Simplis Barrow says she is all too aware that conservation is as much about future generations of Belizeans as it is about this one. “And they deserve the same experiences we are having today. We as Belizeans should really be proud of what we have and be proud of Belize.”

Belizeans Asked to Observe World Suicide Prevention Day 2014
While some people turn to suicide to cope with problems, it is important to know that suicide and suicidal thoughts are never solutions to stress. Many people who committed suicide never sought treatment for their underlying mental health issue, although effective treatments are available. The Mental Health Program of the Ministry of Health has ongoing activities targeting suicide prevention and treatment across the country. The Mental Health Clinics in each district provide psychological services to persons in need of counselling. The Ministry has also published a training pamphlet entitled “Suicide Risk Guidelines: a resource for teachers” in addition to other informative materials which are currently being used by the Mental Health Program staff.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show gets new TV
On one of his weekly visits to the Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show, Mayor Daniel Guerrero presented the hosts of the show, Mr. Angel Nuñez and Mr. Eiden Salazar, with a new Television set since the previous one that they had was sadly stolen from their studio. The Good Morning San Pedro Talk Show has become a vital source of communication in our town where it has not only helped in spreading news, promoting awareness and informing the town, but it has also helped many families and individuals in raising funds via telethons. Keep up the good work Reef TV!

Belizeans to Benefit from US$30 million Climate Resilience Project from World Bank for Improved Road Infrastructure and Disaster Risk Management
The Belize Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project (BCRIP) will support the efforts of the Government of Belize to improve the resilience of critical road infrastructure against flood risk and to strengthen the capacity of relevant ministries to incorporate climate resilience and disaster risk management in their investment planning and implementation. They include the Ministries of Works and Transport and Natural Resources and Agriculture. “The Government of Belize is conscious of the social, economic and environmental implications of Climate Change and takes this opportunity to first, welcome the strategic partnership with the World Bank through this loan for the Climate Resilient Infrastructure Project,” said Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. “This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative effects on Belize’s economic growth and welfare of its present and future generations.” CEO Hyde added that the project is designed at increasing the resilience of the Belizean people to climate change and its impact on the environment and economy of Belize.The project will rehabilitate 30 kilometers of roads, improve the Ministry of Works’ capacity in road maintenance and training of road maintenance personnel, operationalize

Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council Appointed
The Department of Local Government hereby informs the general public that effective Monday, September 1, 2014, the Minister of Local Government appointed a Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council. The appointment of a Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council is in accordance with Section 5 Subsection 23A of the Town Council Act as amended by Statutory Instrument No. 21 of 2008 which gives the Minister with responsible for Local Government such powers “where the Minister, after considering the financial affairs of the Council, forms the opinion that its financial affairs are not in accordance with the rules and regulations, or that the financial position of the Council is such that it requires strengthened fiscal management and controls, he may after consultation with the Council, appoint a financial controller to oversee the financial affairs of the Council and may direct that all disbursements from the Town Fund above such amount as he may prescribe shall be certified by such financial controller in order to be valid.” In this regard, the Minister has appointed Mr. Glenford Hines to act as Financial Controller for the Punta Gorda Town Council for the period of one year.

U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno in Stann Creek, Toledo Districts on familiarization tour
U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno recently traveled down south to the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts on a familiarization tour. During this trip, he had a chance to meet with Claret Care, a Catholic religious organization that manages an HIV clinic in Dangriga. Claret Care has partnered with the Pan American Social Marketing Organization (partially funded by USAID), to provide HIV testing to at-risk groups and also promote safe sex practices. Photo 1: Ambassador Moreno joins Claret Care and PASMO personnel on a tour of the facilities. Photo 2: Claret Care Team Leader, Ms. Elecia Castillo, shows Ambassador Moreno one of the rapid HIV/AIDS tests which delivers results in 6-7 minutes.

La Isla Bonita on Canadian News
First we made the Italian tabloids, now we're on the Canadian news!! Amazing international coverage for Belize's telenovela!

La Isla Bonita telenovela viewing schedule

Ministry of Natural Resources & Agriculture hosts meeting of the Central American Agricultural Council

September Potluck South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch
Our 3rd annual (or is it 4th…but who’s counting) September Potluck Social is on Sunday, September 7 from 11am to 3pm and is being held at the Caribe Island Clubhouse (Pink Condos). If you’re here on the island we hope you will join us for a fun day of mingling with your neighbors and enjoying everyone’s culinary talents. In order to make sure that we have plenty of food and drink we need to know how many to expect and what dish you are bringing (to feed 25 to 30 folks). If you plan to attend and did not fill out the food sign up sheet at the August general meeting, please reply to this email and let us know how many will be in your party and what dish you will bring:

New price structure for the sale of Liquid Petroleum Gas
The Supplies Unit in the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection is hereby informing the general public that effective September 5, 2014 there will be a new price structure for the sale of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

A fantastic day at the House of Culture today as we opened the Battle of St. George's Caye Exhibit.
We thank the close to 500 primary school students and their teachers who visited and viewed the exhibit. We kindly invite the Corozal community to come in and learn more about this most important time in Belizean history. The exhibit will be on display through to November. (18 photos)

Rescued baby Armadillo from Corozal
Baby armadillo, orphaned, from Corozal district was successfully delivered to us with the help of numerous people in the Wildlife Conservation Network. Due to its' very small size, we settled it in the "nursery" enclosure. That allows us better access to the observation of the animal. Thank you, everybody!

Hawkesworth History
History lesson of the day. Learn about the Hawkesworth Bridge's history with the latest articles from the Cayo Tour Guide Association. There's an article just about the Hawkesworth Bridge, and one about Edward Hawkesworth too. "The Hawkesworth bridge was opened on Saturday August 20th 1949 and was named after the late Sir Edward Gerald Hawkesworth, former governor of Britsh Honduras. The type of bridge was decided based on the fact of very high flooding and that the River was used to float logs downstream... The total cost of the bridge was $198,384.33 and contained 2,260 tons of concrete, 264 tons of steel work and the cables, made of 7 individual strands and weighing 18 tons each. The foundation was carried to bedrock 12 feet below the surface. The columns were raised to a height of 46 feet and the center to a height of 52 feet, 7 feet above the heightest known flood level. The total length of the bridge is 480 feet and the main span is 280 feet, with an additional 100 feet on each side."

Valley of Peace Medical Clinic
Valley of Peace village had a medical clinic, courtesy of Best of America by Horseback, which promotes riding in Belize. "Today we spent most of the day preparing for the free medical clinic. Best of America by Horseback is providing to a village near Banana Bank Lodge where we take guests riding in Belize. We have not publicized this work on the show, but Best of America by Horseback has been quietly supporting the Valley of Peace Christian School, an elementary school in this small village for some time, helping with school supplies and other needs. Tomorrow and Wednesday our riders and volunteer nurses and a doctor who have traveled here with us from the states will be hosting a free clinic to the students, their families and anyone in the village needing medical attention. This work is extremely heart warming."

Francis Reneau's CELEBRATION
September 4 - September 7. Francis Reneau's “Celebration” is a colorful musical journey through Belize, encouraging the myriad of cultures which combines to make this country so unique. “Celebration” pays homage to the indigenous Maya, whose cities flourished between 200 and 800 AD. In movementB, the melody of Mayan harp lines at the heart of this work, while the story of the Maya is cushioned by the tranquility of the marimba. Both instruments are still played in Belizean villages, particularly in the Cayo and Toledo districts. Reneau also explores the vibrant cultures of the Africans - the Creoles, descendants of salves brought to Belize in the early 1700s, and the Garinagu, Africans in the diaspora who were never enslaved. With some Amerindian ancestry, the Garinagu settled in Belize last century at the tail-end of a long journey from Africa, to St Vincent, to the shores of Central America's Caribbean coast.

Channel 7

Teenager Charged Once Again For BDF Volunteer's Murder
Two years ago, 21 year old BDF volunteer soldier Isaac Cruz was killed at Militia Hall in Belize City. The alleged killer was another reservist, but he was only 17. The story at the time was that the two had some hard words, and the teenager had a BDF issued AR-15, so he shot and killed Cruz - right there on the military compound. The 17 year old, who is now 19, is Jermaine Michael Rhaburn. He was charged for murder back in 2012, but he walked in April of this year when the case was struck out. So the last thing he could have expected was that he would be picked up at work this morning to be charged for murder, a second time. But that's just what happened based on a Directive from the DPP's Office.

Was PC Blease Acting Lawlessly?
He's sworn to uphold the law but tonight, a police constable is in jail after he allegedly got lawless with a firearm. 32 year old Linsdale Blease of a Belama Phase one address in Belize City was charged for aggravated assault and wantonly discharging a firearm in public. It happened between miles 25 and 26 on the Western Highway in February of this year. Cordel Duran alleged that between Miles 25 and 26, Constable Blease approached him, pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the ground and fired a shot. The cop and Duran allegedly had an altercation that day over a vehicle that got burnt up which purportedly belonged to the cop. But, no charges were levied back in February when the complaint was made; however, the file was sent to the DPP's office and it came back today ordering that the police charge Blease.

Garifuna Community Keeps The Pressure Up on CIBC
Yesterday, the president of the Christian Workers Union Audrey Matura Shepherd told the media about a deadline she'd given the First Caribbean International Branch. She demanded that by 1:00 pm, the Bank indicate its readiness to meet with the Union and its member, Uwahnie Martinez, who recently resigned from the Bank. Well, Matura Shepherd told us today that the Bank did respond and she expects that the union, along with Uwahnie Martinez will meet with the Bank tomorrow. As we reported, Martinez - an employee of 12 years - has resigned alleging discriminatory practices by the manager at the Dangriga Branch of the Bank. The Union says Martinez was not allowed to speak to bank customers in Garifuna. And so while First Caribbean has the Christian Workers Union to contend with, they also have to deal with a new pressure group, formed out of various Garifuna Organizations including the National Garifuna Council, Ligemeri Dangriga, Garifuna Development Organization and the Dangriga Town Council.

Youth Claims GSU Officer Tried To Shoot Him
The GSU's violent intervention in the King and George Street area yesterday is still resonating in that neighborhood. Today we were called to speak with a young man who claims that when everything started yesterday, a GSU Officer tried to shoot him. He explained that it all started with an unusual car in the neighborhood:.. Voice of: victim "Yesterday when I walk downstairs and I notice a suspicious car on the lane and the young man from downstairs was going to his grandmother and when he pass car the GSU jumped out from the car and start to beat him for no reason. So I couldn't stay in the area and so I flee from the area and I ended up reaching doe the lane. They were searching the area and one of them meet me, but I didn't run. The man (GSU) point the gun at me fired a shot. As he fired that shot I jump the fence and so I ended up escaping because I don't want to get shot for nothing."

Unrelated Search Leads Police To Seize A Stolen Gun
Police went pursuing a robbery suspect and allegedly busted 35 year-old Deshawn Craig with a gun. So, tonight, he's at prison after being taken to court for it. The incident occurred on Monday morning just before 10. The police reported that they was pursuing a man who they believed was involved in a robbery attempt, so they visited Craig's residence. They said that upon their arrival, Craig ran out of his house and he threw a plastic bag over a fence. They retrieved the bag, and found that it contained a black 9 millimeter pistol with 6 rounds of ammunition in its magazine.

Police: Tablada Helped Steal That Gun
And while police say that Craig had the stolen gun on him, the man police believe who actually stole it from Derrick Hemmans, the rightful owner, is Belize City resident Nelson Tablada. He is also at prison tonight. 31 year-old Chukka Tours Manager Derrick Hemmans told police that on Thursday, August 14, exactly 1 month ago, he had just come back from Water Caye, and he was unloading supplies from a white Chevy cargo van. He said that he drove off, and when he arrived at the NAPA roundabout, he was ambushed by an armed man who robbed him of 2 black bags which contained, $6,500 cash, and a laptop computer. The man also relieved him of his licensed 9mm pistol, which was loaded with 16 live rounds of ammunition.

SICA Meets In Belize; Sustainable Energy For All Discussed
Representatives from the member countries of SICA, the Central American Integration System, are in San Pedro tonight after an entire day of meetings. As we've told you, Belize is currently the protem President of SICA, and will maintain control for the next 5 months. That's why a team from the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities were the hosts today of a technical meeting for government professionals from the energy sector in all the member countries. On the agenda, along with renewable energy, was the topic of designing social programs to assist poorer sections of the population to get access to affordable electricity. Energy Minister Joy Grant was the Keynote Speaker and after her presentation, she spoke with the media about the significance of these discussions for Belize. She told us that there is the plan have access to power in every community throughout the country, as part of the Sustainable Energy for All Initiative currently endorsed by the region:

A Lot More Yet Unsaid About Climate Change
One of the one most devastating and destabilizing issues affecting Belize and the globe is Climate Change. Now, many of you may think that discussions and coverage surrounding this issue have been exhaustive but at today's National Climate Change Consultation held at the Radisson, the stakeholders made it clear that this issue can never be overemphasized. Today's consultation centered on the presentation of a National Climate Change Policy, Strategy and Action Plan geared at addressing climate change in Belize. Climate Change Specialists commented on the grave factors that are affecting Belize in terms of climatic and environmental conditions and the impact this plan will have on the regulatory process. David Simons, Consultant, National Climate Change Policy for Belize "We have been working on this plan now for a few months. The whole idea is that I haven't recognize that climate change is a phenomena which is affecting Belize and the government has decide that the way to approach this is to develop a national policy, strategy and action plan. Basically what the policy do is to kind of set the guidelines that will determine how they are going to go forward; the goals, objectives, action plan - things which ought to be done. So what we've been doing over the past few months is engaging with stakeholders just to ensure that we can get an input from them to understand clearly what their concerns as far as climate change is concern, how it's affecting Belize."

Revellers Ready For The Road, But Is The Road Ready For Them?
And CISCO Construction is hoping that the climate doesn't change in the next 9 days as the company rushes to try and get all of Central American Boulevard ready for the Carnival Road March. It's only about two miles from the Belcan Bridge to Caesar Ridge Road, but work on the Boulevard is a major project with drainage, sidewalks, a roundabout and a dual carriageway. It started in February of this year and was supposed to take one year, but right now, work is at hyper speed, as CISCO Construction tries to get all of the Road March route ready - even if some of it has to be one lane only. Presently 250 men and women are working on four different areas of the Boulevard and Princess Margaret Drive - and today Francis Woods told us they'll make it in time for a smooth road march: Francis Woods, Contractor - CISCO Construction "For carnival in particular we are trying to get much done as possible. We figure that there will only be like a 400 foot stretch that the carnival will not roll on fresh concrete, new concrete."

Eastern Division Gets A New PR Organization
If you follow police news - you'll know that since the de-centralized precinct system was put in place last year - you've seen precinct police giving interviews on the evening news more regularly. But, last week, word came down that a new beefed up police press office would be regulating, and in essence, restricting, those appearances. That sounded like bad news for the media and for the free flow of information which our viewers depend on. And so, today, the senior command of the Eastern Division along with the three members of the new Community Public Relations Office, comprising Raphael Martinez who is now joined by Douglas Hyde and W-Corporal Hortense Hernandez - met with the media to explain that the new deal is not a raw deal - just information management, not control, they claim: Douglas Hyde, Public Relations Coordinator, Eastern Division "We basically exist to promote the reasonable of mutual understanding and cooperation between Eastern Division and the stakeholders especially the staff, the general public and the media as in gender continued public confidence and service. We are in the process right now of identifying police officers from each precinct in the next couple of weeks to participate in training in public relation and also in terms of interviewing skills and stuff like that which is very important for information dissemination to the general public when it comes to media interviews."

RFP Process Still Going
Earlier, we told you about the SICA meeting in San Pedro in which the social programs were discussed to provide energy to 100% of the country's population. Well during that discussion, Keynote speaker, Joy Grant, informed the gathering about Belize's request for power initiative. As we told you, the government and your electricity company are trying to increase the capacity of the national grid by introducing an additional 75 megawatts of energy. The 20 bids were officially tendered 3 months ago, and today, Grant discussed with us how far the process has gone in reviewing the programs which will be selected to produce that additional power. Here's what she told us: Hon. Joy Grant "That started on May 29th and we got 57 applications, much more than we thought. We are happy about that because what that shows is investor confidence in the country and come in and say they would like to do a project. We did the first review and we brought that down to about half and then we did a second review that we had the socio-economic benefits from all of these that were on the short list and also the financial analysis because that's very important. If we are going to get new sources of energy it must be at a competitive price if not it does not make any sense, so we are at the point where all these analysis has been done. There is a small group of 3 with representatives from BEL, the Public Utilities Commission and the ministry working very hard on this and in the next 10 days the short list will be announce to the Belizean public."

BELTRAIDE Helps 14 New Entrepreneurs
If you are an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, you are aware of the steep cost of getting a startup business going, but today Beltraide made that start up process for 14 entrepreneurs, a bit easier with a seed grant for their business. The entrepreneurs told us how this grant will significantly assist in the growth of their business. Omar Castillo, Senior Business Advisor, SBDC Beltraide "Today we are celebrating the hard work of all these entrepreneurs here. This was a 3 month process, they really had to buckle down and do a lot of work. It took place in 3 phases; there were 2 workshop phases, each followed by fieldwork. The approach we took it's not just feeding you information, but actually going out and putting it to use, so interacting with the market, you customers finding out what's the actual needs because as entrepreneurs we fall victim to thinking that we have the perfect product. You don't know until you actually interact with your market. Here at SDBC Belize and Beltraide like our mantra say "making small business happen" we want to see mindsets change, so programs like these and resources that SDBC Belize offers we believe could do wonders in not only helping a few people, but changing entire mindsets and that's the direction we want to take Belize." Courtney Weatherburne "What inspired you and your son to write this book?"

Mas Camps Madness Continue
Tonight the Mas Camps are continuing all across Belize City. Unless you've been to a mas camp, you might not understand how really crazy it gets. And that's because the Mas Camp serves two purposes: a very practical one of getting all the costumes ready for the Road March, and another more intangible one of building that carnival spirit, which - at the senior camps is fostered by loud soca music, wild and dirty dancing, and in no small part by a "goodly" amount of alcohol. Monica Bodden and camera man Codie Norales got to see it in action last night when they visited Mother Nature's Creation and Erotic Mas Band. They started though with the pure and untainted energy of the youths at the Pickstock Carnival Band:.. Monica and Codie are back out on the Mas Camp circuit tonight with the final set of visits and you'll see that story tomorrow…

Mexico's Brass Quintet Arye
And while soca's the thing at those camps, they would no doubt be able to find a few saucy steps for a visiting Mexican Brass Band . The group is called "Ayre" and it comprises two trumpet players, one French horn player, a tenor trombone player as well as a bass trombone player. We got to hear them play at rehearsal today. The concert will take place tomorrow evening at the Institute of Mexico at 6:30. Entrance is free. The group will also perform on Saturday at the Benque Viejo House of Culture as part of the celebrations of the 3rdanniversary of the cultural center.

The La Isla Bonita Telenovela
Tonight, the local film industry is getting ready for the screening of telenovela filmed on San Pedro. The telenovela is called La Isla Bonita and it's been in production for several months now. One of the things which makes it unique, is that though the director is an international film maker, the actors, and producers are Belizeans who are trying to grow the local film industry. Today, we got a chance to catch up with a few of the cast and film crews for a discussion on the Telenovela, which hopes to capture the local Hispanic population. Here's how that discussion went: The first screening of the La Isla Bonita Telenovela will be held tomorrow evening with a red carpet gala event. The producers are still looking for a distribution deal.

Oscar B Back In Belize
Trinidadian Soca artist Oscar B is in Belize for the September celebrations. He's been coming to Belize since the 90's but this time he's solo on a mini tour of Belize. He invited the mature audience to come out and enjoy his old school Soca vibes - this weekend at the Biltmore:.. He will also be performing in Cayo on Independence eve.

Jaguars Need A Win Or Draw In The Next Nation Cup Match
Team Belize lost two - nil to Honduras yesterday evening in Washington DC. The defeat was doubly disappointing because both of Honduras' points came from "own-goals." But now, team Belize has to prepare for the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Sunday where we take on Guatemala. If it is to have any hopes of moving on Belize has to win or tie in that game.

Channel 5

The Accused Murderer of San Pedro, Columbia Woman Is Finally Captured
The alleged killer of an elderly woman from the southern community of San Pedro, Columbia is tonight in Police custody. And he has confessed to the brutal murder of sixty-one-year-old [...]

Residents Praised and Criticized for Their Role in Suspect’s Arrest
The villagers of San Pedro, Columbia and those from San Marcos played a crucial role in the capture of the alleged killer. They acted swiftly after the murder of a [...]

GSU Commander Mark Flowers Opens Up About the Unit’s Public Image
The Gang Suppression Unit remains the object of intense public scrutiny.  Recently, the elite task force came under fire from the People’s United Party which ultimately resulted in a tiff [...]

Flowers Says Balance Between the GSU and Public is Necessary
According to Flowers, a delicate balance needs to be struck between the GSU and the public in the manner in which it executes its function.  Hostility, he says, needs to [...]

Small Business Owners Receive Financial Aid for Startups
A series of checks in various denominations were distributed this afternoon to small business owners who will use the financial assistance as venture capital and for the expansion of their [...]

Community Public Relations, the Police and the Media
On Friday, a terse email from the Police Press Officer announced to the media that all requests for information or interviews from senior officers would have to be channelled through [...]

Douglas Hyde Outlines Police Departments New PR Strategy
Where the media is concerned, we are assured that using the new method information-gathering will be streamlined and much more efficient. All queries will be made to the new unit, [...]

Eastern Division Gets Made Over
The Eastern Division is getting a new look and new feel, the brainchild of Commander Dezerie Phillips. It’s all about changing the perception of the Police Department, making it more [...]

Jermaine Michael Rhaburn Re-arrested for Murder of BDF Volunteer
On Monday, October first, 2012, a young B.D.F. volunteer soldier, Clifford Isaac Cruz was killed on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City. [...]

Cop Remanded to Hattieville Prison for Aggravated Assault With a Firearm
Tonight, a cop is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after the D.P.P. handed down her directives to have him charged for an allege gunplay incident which is said [...]

SICA Meets in Belize to Discuss Energy Cooperation
Belize currently holds the presidency of the Central American Integrated System, SICA. That means hosting a round of regional meetings in different critical areas, like energy. This morning, directors from [...]

Carnival Mas Camp 2014: Are Erotic and Mother Nature Ready for the Road?
Day three of Mas Camp 2014 is currently underway and a News Five team is visiting the five remaining bands that will face the judges in the preliminaries of the [...]

Mexican Brass Quintet Takes the Stage in Belize
The Embassy of Mexico is inviting the public to a concert by a Mexican Brass Quintet “Ayre” on Friday at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City. The ensemble which [...]

CTV3

LOVE FM

Belize City Mayor speaks of recent trip
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley is back home after attending a conference in the United Kingdom. When we sat down with the Mayor, we asked about his recent trip. Mayor Darrell Bradley I had gone to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community conference which is an annual convention which is held in the United Kingdom. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community recently set up a chapter in Belize, I attended the opening ceremonies, delegates came from Canada and I had engaged with them. They have a very active nonprofit humanitarian wing that they call Humanity First they do a lot of disaster relief, construction projects with engineers who are part of their community and we had engaged them in getting some of that technical assistance for Belize City .The facility that they set up in the Coney Drive area of Belize City has an internet cafe, it’s very much into attracting young people and those are areas which I think we could cooperate with that community. I was asked to bring words of greeting and welcome on behalf of Belize.

SICA focuses on renewable energy
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities is hosting a two day conference in partnership with the Secretary General of the Central American Integration System, SICA. In attendance were Directors of Energy of each of the SICA country and on the agenda was the discussion of the status of their current projects, and agree on future projects with an emphasis on renewable energy. Hipolito Novelo reporting … “Representatives of SICA countries, including that of Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize, converged at the Banyan Bay Villas on San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. It was day one of a two day conference in which Directors of Energy from all SICA member countries had an opportunity to discuss the current status of existing projects and brainstorm for future ideas. The emphasis was placed on Renewable Energy. According to the Minister of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities, Joy Grant, the conference is historic, as it is the first time that Belize is hosting the Directors of Energy. “ MINISTER JOY GRANT “Energy efficiency is a huge topic we need to look at it very closely but also at the same time rural electrification, getting electricity to the villages that presently don’t have it is a priority. When we look forward and we look forward to solving the problems as I said earlier, we could look at it on a national level and we are and we are coming up with solutions but it’s always best in circumstances such as these to look at it from a regional perspective.”

Alternative Energy bids still under review
Back in June, the Public Utilities Commission and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities presented bids submitted for electricity generation. Twenty proposals were submitted and the idea is to attract an idea that would satisfy public demand for electricity services within the country for the next 15 years. The bids are currently going through a perusal process and according to Minister of Energy, Science and Technology and Public Utilities, Joy Grant, the number of bids have been reduced to 10. Minister Joy Grant “If we are going to get new sources of energy it must be at a competitive price without it does not make any sense. So we are at the point where all the analysis has been done, there is a small committee of three representatives from BEL, the PUC and the Ministry working very hard on this and in the next 10 days the shortlist will be announced to the Belizean public. At that stage we go into negotiations because people have said that we have the money and we can do this but we have to make sure that that is in fact so and as soon as these negotiations will probably take a month or so and at that time we will be ready too look at what time we could start to implement these projects that would have been chosen.”

Man faces murder charge for the second time
BDF volunteer soldier Clifford Isaac Cruz was shot and killed on the compound of Militia Hall located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery on October 1, 2012. Jermaine Michael Rhaburn was charged for the murder however earlier this year the charge was struck out. Today based on a directive from the office of the DPP, the 20-year-old Rhaburn was taken to court where he was re-charged for the 2012 murder. No plea was taken from Rhaburn who was unrepresented. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 22. The Chief Magistrate noted that the record showed that the charge had been struck out. No reason was given for the initial striking out of the charge against Rhaburn. According to a relative, Rhaburn was picked up from work this morning at a Chinese store and brought to be re-arraigned for the old murder. According to reports, Rhaburn and Cruz were involved in an altercation on that day which resulted in Cruz being shot.

Belize remains dependent on Mexican power
Belize has yet to be independent when it comes to supplying energy for our own consumption. A portion of the energy Belize uses is bought from Mexico at a high rate. Minister Joy Grant says that cutting the electrical wires that connects Belize and Mexico, is not in the near future. Minister Joy Grant ‘That does entail setting up the infrastructure, the lines that could carry the load and that would mean significant investments however we are working both with the world bank and the IDB and looking to see if Belize could become a member of CEPAC, we are not . These discussions are quite advanced. Now to your specific question of buying energy from Mexico I said this morning that fifty seven percent of our electricity is from renewable resources. Now that is actually more than most countries especially in the Caribbean. If we could increase that while keeping the cost down, we will be able to decrease our dependence on Mexican energy. That will not happen in the very short term. We are always lucky that we have this arrangement with the Mexicans of which we are very happy that we have it, we are glad that the Mexican government is working with our government this way because Belizeans don’t have to worry if we have for example very dry air and we don’t get the hydroelectricity, we can always get from Mexico but with time we would like to use biofuels which gives us energy in a more sustainable manner than Hydro to bridge the gap so that most of our energy will be coming from renewables, bring down the cost and make us more energy sustainable.”

Villagers capture murder suspect
The man believed to have murdered 61-year-old Agripina Coc of San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District was captured earlier today. Paul Mahung reporting… The capture of the suspect occurred during a joint search operation of a number of San Marcos Villagers led by San Marcos Villagers and Punta Gorda Police search team led by Cpl Steven Parham. STEVEN PARHAM “At 9 o’clock a.m. on today’s date Thursday September 4, 2014 acting on information that the suspect in relation to the murder of Ms. Agripina Coc of Columbia Village was sighted in San Marcos Village, myself along with PC 1195 Antonio Pop, PC 192 Davy Griffith and WPC 21 David Allen visited San Marcos Village where some villagers were still in pursuit of the said suspect. We all joined the determined villagers of San Marcos where we combed the bushes leading to the Southern Highway in search of the suspect. About 10am, the suspect who was dressed only in boxers and shirt was caught on the southern highway between miles 12 and 13. The suspect is presently detained at the Punta Gorda town police station.”

Police Department creates new Public Relations Unit
When the news of the creation of a new unit w