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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

It’s been a great travel year in Belize! Part 3
As Old Man Time ticked towards 2015 it was time for me to measure how 2014 rated on my good/bad/mediocre/epic/thank God-the-year-is-over meter. The best way to recall the highlights (who needs to focus on the low-lights) was to peruse through the 50+ folders of digital images I had accumulated over the year in question. I already knew it had been a pretty good one, and as I reminisced over photos of beautiful, exotic places, colorful landscapes and smiling faces I couldn’t help but realize that what made the experience so special was not only the amazing locales but the special people I shared each experience with. Last year my JOB (not a dirty word) found me paddle boarding, snorkeling, birding, sailing, dining at fabulous restaurants, weekend stays at beachside resorts, enjoying super fun lobster festivals, art festivals, September celebrations, Carnaval and Holiday Lighted Boat Parades, exploring mainland destinations like Placencia, back-road adventures to villages in the Orange Walk and Belize Districts, over the border trips to Merida Mexico and Maya ruins on Ambergris Caye.

Another successful year for the San Pedro AIDS Commission
With 2014 over, the San Pedro AIDS Commission is proud to announce another successful year of hard work. For over 13 years, the San Pedro AIDS Commission has been assisting the community of San Pedro, providing both medical and moral support to persons afflicted by the disease. The group would like to thank the generosity of the residents and businesses of our island community for another successful year of education and support. The San Pedro AIDS Commission 2014 expense report follows: Medication – $1081.25 Donation to Patients – $4107.30 Office Supplies/Expenses – $1157.50 Education – $2497.61 Miscellaneous – $947.70. Please note that miscellaneous includes expenses during our many events like World AIDS Day and other fundraisers. Total Expenses for 2014: $9,791.36.

Police Report
*On Tuesday, December 30th at about 9:30AM while Caye Caulker Police were conducting routine checks on the San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi. As a result a female was escorted to the Caye Caulker Police station where a search was conducted on her bag. Police found three black plastic bags all containing a green leafy vegetable substance suspected to be cannabis. The suspected cannabis was weighed amounting to 1,303.6 grams. She was identified as 37-year-old Aura Beatrice Moro of Santa Cruz Area, Santa Elena Town, Cayo District.

Residents claiming negligent charges by BWS
Several island residents have been complaining that Belize Water Service (BWS) Limited has been charging them for unconsumed water. Some residents have registered their discontent with the customer service section of the water company, and in some instances given a written explanation why their water meter has registered low consumption for the specific billing cycle. Despite their explanation, residents say that BWS have taken the position to charge them based on a mean-rate formula to calculate approximate consumption and charges. BWS says that while they can impose charges legally, it must be within reason. The residents contacted The San Pedro Sun and one of them provided a letter that was sent to BWS indicating their reason for objecting to the position of the water company. According to one resident, during the rainy season, their home is connected to their personal water tank that was built long before BWS ran water pipelines in their neighborhood. The resident claims that the entire building is hooked up in such a way that at any given time, they can switch from BWS to the water that is collected inside their concrete vat. The angry resident claimed that during a good rainy reason, their household can go for months without being hooked up to BWS since their vat is large.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro AIDS Commission Reports on 2014
With another successful year behind the organization, the San Pedro AIDS Commission is thankful to all the residents and businesses of Ambergris Caye who were very generous towards the group and assisted in their fundraising efforts. All the efforts of the group’s activities are to raise funds to assist HIV/AIDS patients on the island and to help spread the word on the prevention of the disease. As every year, the San Pedro AIDS Commission remains transparent in their annual financial report by publishing their total expenses for the year. The San Pedro AIDS Commission 2014 expense report follows: Medication – $1,081.25 Donation to Patients – $4,107.30 Office Supplies/Expenses – $1,157.50 Education – $2,497.61 Miscellaneous – $9,47.70. Total Expenses for 2014: $9,791.36

Embassy of Belize in Mexico Launches Facebook Page
The Embassy of Belize in Mexico officially launched its Facebook Page as Embassy of Belize, Mexico at the end of November 2014. In less than two months, the page has received more than 10,000 Likes and reaches an average of 6,000 people per day, indicating a high level of interest in learning more about Belize, what the country has to offer, and positions the page as an important platform for promoting Belize. The Facebook page, which is directed almost exclusively at the Mexican market, is the Embassy’s latest initiative aimed at actively promoting Investment and Tourism from Mexico to Belize and promoting Belizean exports to Mexico. It follows the inauguration of the Embassy’s Tourism Promotion Initiative along with BTB in May 2014 and the launching of the Embassy’s website on September 2014. Belizean producers and hotel and tour operators interested in entering the Mexican market are invited to contact the Embassy of Belize for further information on how the Mission may be able to assist.

Resident Couple Sees Results of Mangrove Reforestation in Ambergris Caye
Bob and Helen McClain moved to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize and finished constructing their house in 1993. They live about 15 minutes north of the bridge but after years of enjoying their beachfront property they noticed that the beach had been slowing eroding. After much research Bob and his wife realized that during construction of their island home they did one crucial mistake without even knowing it, and that was the removal of the mangrove growth on their property and along the shore. Today the McClains have been battling with the elements, trying to counter the effects of erosion. Their attempts at repopulating the area with new mangrove plants have been futile and frustrating. Today an unattractive seawall, made up of limestone rocks, creates a barrier on the shoreline and keeps their beach from wasting away. But Bob and Helen might have just found the solution they have been hunting for years.

Misc Belizean Sources

Chamber of Commerce calls for Peaceful Resolution to the Sugar Industry Impass
The Belize Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BCCI) is gravely concerned about the economic impact on Belize of the current impasse between the Belize Sugar Industry (BSI) and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA). The export of sugar cane accounts for BZ$107 million of Belize’s foreign exchange revenue and the loss of this year’s crop can have a crippling effect on Belize’s economy and the lives of every Belizean. The BCCI urges the stakeholders in the sugar industry to continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the current impasse in the sugar industry, and for the parties to be guided by the following important considerations: 1. The long term viability and predictability of the industry; 2. That farmers respect each other’s constitutional right to freely associate, whether with BSCFA, act as independents or form other bodies; 3. It is imperative that the crop begins so that farmers can provide for their families and meet their other obligations; 4. That careful consideration is given by the parties to the economic impact of the demise of this industry on the entire country of Belize.

Embassy of Belize in Mexico Launches Facebook Page
The Embassy of Belize in Mexico officially launched its Facebook Page as Embassy of Belize, Mexico at the end of November 2014. In less than two months, the page has received more than 10,000 Likes and reaches an average of 6,000 people per day, indicating a high level of interest in learning more about Belize, what the country has to offer, and positions the page as an important platform for promoting Belize.

2015 Caye Caulker Lobster Fest
Here's the dates for this years Lobsterfest on Caye Caulker! 21ST Annual Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2015 Friday, June 26 at 7:00pm in UTC-06 Palapa Garden, Caye Corker

Free 2 Be | DJ GracieRock
Bringing back the Free 2 Be Party with DJ GrACiErOcK! Contests- Limbo, The Big Suck-Off, MegaJenga and more (with PRIZES) Free Shots all night just for walking in the door...Belikin Bucket Specials with Free Chips and Salsa. Saturday, January 10at 7:00pm - 12:00am

GraCiErOck: GhettoFunkyShantyTown MixTape
wooooooooo baby! nice mix man!

BOLEDO DRAWING for Friday, January 9, 2015: 00

PDATE on Third Party Insurance when travelling to Chetumal, Mexico:
t’s a Third Party Insurance (seguro de responsabilidad civil) which is mandatory to all Mexicans (and thus, foreigners) driving/traveling on federal roads in Mexico. - The regulation was issued on March 2014 and it took effect last September. - The insurance must be issued by a Mexican Insurance Company, but it can be acquired through a Belizean Insurance underwriter Company. Most Belizean Insurance Companies have partnerships with Mexican Insurance Companies. - The price of the insurance can vary a lot depending particularly on the value of the vehicle as well as the amount of time (period) being covered, etc. - If someone already has even a more comprehensive insurance for traveling with his/her car in Mexico, there is no need to get a new one. For the new year 2015 all vehicles which are models 2008 or from subsequent years and where the purchase price is the equivalent to $162,255 Mexican pesos or $25,000.00BZ (at today's exchange rate), must have a Third Party Insurance when traveling to Mexico.

Planea Belice emitir 'warning' para quienes visiten Chetumal
Mexican newspaper "Novedades" explains that Mexican authorities are concerned that Belize may want to impose a "Travel Warning" to its citizens who travel on a daily basis across the border to Chetumal. MX and who have been recent victims of robberies at the hands of Mexican "Taxis". Autoridades del vecino país de Belice analizan la posibilidad de emitir alguna alerta o “warning” para sus connacionales al visitar Chetumal, México, según informó el Consul Honorario de Belice en México, Jorge Valencia, quien dijo que lo anterior obedece al número de robos de los que han sido víctimas beliceños que visitan la capital de Quintana Roo. Esto se dio a raíz de que turistas de origen beliceño denunciaron a través de redes sociales, Facebook principalmente, que han sido víctimas de robo en sus visitas a Chetumal, en su mayoria por taxistas, quienes huyen con sus compras en la cajuela de sus autos.

Channel 7

Court OK's Mandamus Hearing, But Not Until February
Can the Sugar Industry Control Board order BSI to open the factory and start milling cane? Audrey Matura Shepherd thinks it can - and that, in the present circumstances it must. Government and its Chairman Gabriel Martinez say the opposite: they say the SICB can only declare the season open after it consults with both sides and gets agreement on a date for the start of the crop. So today, veteran cane farmer Lucilo Teck and executives of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association went to ask the court to intervene and command the SICB to do what they feel is its duty: declare the season open and make it so. They're asking for a writ of mandamus, a court order which would compel the SICB to act. But, first, they must have a hearing to ask the court for permission to apply for mandamus.

Cansino: Caneros Could Cave
And so, in real time, while this case prolongs, farmers are starting to get desperate. Cane is in the ground, there is no foreseeable start for the crop, and the farmers have commitments to meet. Today, we spoke with Chairman of the Committee of Management, of the BSCFA, Ezequiel Cansino, and Chairman of the Orange Walk Branch, Alfredo Ortega. They told us that the farmers are on the verge of caving and signing with BSI to start delivering their cane: Ezequiel Cansino - Chairman, COM of BSCFA "We have been saying that we already having losses on this delay and if we will wait 6 weeks more, I think definitely cane farmers will actually from the list of the cane farmers." Mike Rudon, Ch5 "In terms of the delivery of cane, you are the head of the San Estevan Branch, responsible for 150,000 tons of cane. Are you a part of this alliance which was spoken of yesterday, this alliance of people are ready and prepare to deliver cane immediately to the field?"

Farmers Call Friday Emergency Meeting
And so with this widespread crisis in the BSCFA - the association called another emergency meeting this evening. It started after 5:00. Simply put the Association is besieged: first there's the fleecing of the fair trade funds; second, there's the move by owners of large acreages to go their own way; and third; there's the fact that the mandamus hearing won't start for another 6 weeks. So what's next? Well they're at a crisis crossroads - and many outcomes are possible including two things that may have seemed unlikely just a few days ago: one, the BSCFA may irreparably splinter, or two, to keep the BSCFA together, the association may be forced to sign the agreement which it rejected last week. And that's what they are meeting to discuss right now in Orange Walk Town. Chairman Ezequiel Cansino is asking the 18 branch directors if they will agree to yet another special membership meeting. This time it would be to consider accepting the agreement - the same one they rejected last week. What has changed since then? Well, everything…and the cane farmers association will have to carefully consider its next step.

Chamber Comes Out In Favour Of Starting Crop Now
And the Chamber of Commerce weighed in on the dispute today - saying it is gravely concerned about the economic impact of the current impasse. The business advocacy group concludes, quote, "the loss of this year's crop can have a crippling effect on Belize's economy and the lives of every Belizean." So, who's side are they on? Well, reading between the lines, it would appear to be very much in favour of starting the crop now on BSI's terms. The release says that the parties should consider four things: The long term viability and predictability of the industry; That farmers respect each other's constitutional right to freely associate, whether with ?BSCFA, act as independents or form other bodies; that the crop begins so that farmers can provide for their families and ?meet their other obligations; and That careful consideration is given by the parties to the economic impact of the demise of ?this industry on the entire country.

PUP Says The North Will Not Forget UDP's Perfidy
The PUP also has a position on the still unfolding crisis in the Sugar Industry. Today, Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca told us that Government is encouraging the farmers to break away from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. He said that the country will not forget this maneuver: Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader "This is a national issue. We've consistently made the point we need to get the crop open. This is vital to the national economy of Belize, vital to the economy of the north and the caneros and their families. But we absolutely condemn any effort by the government of Belize to undermine the BSCFA. We think that is a absolute mistake. We believe it is a very dangerous road for the government to be traveling. The BSCFA, the representatives of the farmers they have always been an integral part of the industry. This industry has grown and has develop and been successful because we have a had a very tripartite relationship; government, BSI, the private sector, the miller and caneros, the farmers, represented by BSCFA.

Minister Figueroa?
He won by the largest margin in Cayo North in over 50 years, and as a reward for his showing at the polls, Dr. Omar Figueroa has been named Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office. So while he's not a full minister, as minister of state Figueroa will be invited into Cabinet meetings. According to a government release, quote, "The decision was made today at a special meeting of Minister colleagues." that he intends to appoint Dr. Omar Figueroa, the newly elected Area Representative of the Cayo North Electoral Division, as a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. Figueroa will be sworn in by the Governor-General on Monday. He will take the Oath of Office as a Member of the House of Representatives at its next sitting.

PUP Meet To Discuss Cayo North Collapse
And Figueroa only got this ministerial position after beating PUP's Cayo North candidate Richard Harrison. It was an almost 2 to 1 victory for Figueroa, a sound defeat for the PUP which now relinquishes a seat it held only few months ago. This evening, all area representatives, caretakers and standard bearers of the PUP held a meeting at party headquarters to closely examine the election and its outcome, and what failures caused the loss: Hon. Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader "It was a joint meeting of the national executive of the party and the parliamentary caucus and standard bearers. We received a report from the national campaign manager on the Cayo by-election and also a report from the secretary general of the party on the administrative structure of that by-election. We had a brief discussion following that, but it was a very preliminary discussion."

Police Take Gun Off Streets
There were two murders in Belize City between last week Saturday and Monday. Police have been hitting the streets extra hard to make sure violence does not escalate in the wake of those two gang related killings. And last night the Eastern Division strike team struck again with a firearms seizure. They saw two men on a scooter, dressed in dark clothing on Fabers Road Extension heading towards Central American Boulevard. The scooter had no liense plate and police pulled them over. As they did , the passenger, slipped a chrome handgun out of his pocket and threw it on the ground. It was a 9mm Smith and Wesson with 7 rounds of ammunition in a magazine. Police have since arrested and charged a 17-year-old of a Mopan Street address, Belize City for the offences of "Kept firearm without a gun license" and "kept Ammunition without a gun license." He is a minor well known to police.

PUC Grants BWSL 2% Increase
In November we reported on the investment proposal submitted by BWS to the Public Utilities Commission. The proposal outlines a $108.6 million dollar program of investment that BWS wants to make in water services and projects as well as the operational expenses that amount to $151.3 million dollars. Well the PUC held a press conference today at the Radisson to deliver their response. Now, BWS did not receive the amount they proposed - the PUC approved $60.4 million in investment and $129.8 million in expenditure. While it might seem like a loss for BWS, Chairman of the PUC John Avery says that it is not calculated in loss and profit terms but really it is based on the feasibility of the projects. He gave us his view on those proposed projects. John Avery, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission "As is it we have some concerns about the feasibility of these projects whether or not they would get off the ground. And since the rate setting methodology wouldn't include such in the regulated asset value and they wouldn't have any impact on the rates, then we decided not to really consider them during this current rate review.

Containers OF Grenadillo Cleared For Export
Remember those four containers of export grade timber that we showed you yesterday? Well, tonight they are bound for the far East, after checks showed that they were not Rosewood. They are Grenadillo, also known as hormigo, which is lighter than rosewood, but sought after for its attractive finish. It seems that competing interests in the lucrative timber trade is what caused this shipment to be stopped before they could reach the Port of Belize. Someone said it was rosewood. But the Forestry Department checked and approved the export. Police had gotten involved in the operation and had to stand guard over the four parked containers all night.

Ms. Rose And The "Boots" Betrayal
A Faber's road resident is in need of assistance after her house burnt down in 2013. 50 year old Rose Williams' house was burnt down on August 27th 2013 and since then she has been living with her daughter. According to Williams she has only gotten assistance from a clothing store and Human resources and is still waiting for her area representative Anthony Boots Martinez -who she claims promised to re-build her house. Here is what she has to say. Rose Williams, Fabers Road Resident "Well I lose everything. I had two bedroom upstairs, three bedroom downstairs with my kids clothes, bed, TV - everything. So I don't have anything, I lose everything. Right now I live with my daughter Keisha. She has everything in her house, everything that is here is not mine. Yes, Boots Martinez promise me a hose from April and up to January I haven't gotten anything."

No Way To Make Up For Champagne
The last time we told you about the transgender individual, Vanessa Champagne Paris, legally known as Porfilio Rodriguez, was when she was close to being acquitted of aggravated assault for pulling a knife on Caleb Orozco's sister, Golda. Well, tonight, she's out on bail after being remanded for his latest criminal charge, an allegation that she broke into a house in Independence Village and stole….make up. According to the police, it happened on September 15, when according to Lorraine Duncan, a villager of Independence in the Stann Creek Village, someone broke into her house and stole an eye shadow, and a heart-shaped, gold ring with a diamond, 3 earrings, all to a total value of a little more than $2,000. All the items were recovered, and police arrested and charged Vanessa Champgane with burglary and handling stolen goods.

Police Surround Funeral For A "G"
On Saturday, Kareem Robbery Lopez was executed on Central American Boulevard. Troy Hyde has been charged for his murder - and the scenario has put police on very high alert. That's because Robbery Lopez was a prominent George Street figure, and for police, the aftermath of his murder, and his funeral pose major security issues. And so today, his funeral was more than just that: it was an event, both for his gang fraternity and for the police who had to make sure no acts of retaliation were visited on the funeral or the procession. Monica Bodden was there and here's what she saw:.. Monica Bodden reporting The body of 28 year old Kareem Robbery Lopez was transported one last time through the streets of Belize City. The funeral procession was led by friends, family, George Street loyalists and Belize Police officers who followed the funeral hearse to the graveyard to make sure peace was being kept in the streets.

A Survey For Sour Times In Sugarland
And, before we leave tonight, an update on the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. As we told you, the branch directors met this evening in an emergency session. They wanted a vote on whether they should go back to their members for approval to go ahead and sign the agreement because the cane farmers association is breaking up. 15 Directors attended and they decided that instead of calling another special meeting - they will instead ask the directors to take a survey of their members to find out if they want to go ahead and sign the agreement. By next week, we'll know how that is going. In the meantime, the move for some to defect form the Association is still ongoing.

Channel 5

Supreme Court Green Lights Cane Farmers’ Application for Writ of Mandamus
Cane-farmers, those called the “radicals” by Prime Minister Dean Barrow, this morning got a green light from the Supreme Court to argue for an Order of Mandamus against the Sugar [...]

Did PM Barrow Get It Right on Sugar Industry Act?
“Foolishness on top of foolishness…nonsense placed upon stilts.” – Those words were used by the Prime Minister on Thursday to describe the notion by farmers, described by him as radicals…that [...]

BSCFA Director Says Caneros Are Being Cornered Into Signing Agreement
We note again that the impact will be felt on the ground by farmers, not by attorneys in a Courtroom. The reality is that as things stand now, there is [...]

BSCFA Chairman Ezequiel Cansino Finds Himself in Catch 22
Ezequiel Cansino is the overall head of the largest cane-farmer branch in San Estevan, responsible for one hundred and fifty tons of cane. He is in the unenviable position of [...]

Can Farmers Deliver Cane Without Signing Agreement?
So the sugar cane industry is in turmoil and as we said at the beginning, nobody knows what will happen next. If the wish of government and ASR/BSI comes true, [...]

Cargo Vessel Towed Into Port After Experiencing Mechanical Problems
Turning to other issues, a cargo vessel en route to Belize has been grounded off the coast of the city since the beginning of the week when it began experiencing [...]

Omar Figueroa Appointed Minister of State
Fresh off a huge win in Monday’s Cayo North by-election, Doctor Omar Figueroa is set to join cabinet. Following a special sitting of Cabinet, the office of the Prime Minister [...]

Green Tropics on Guatemalan Laborers
Earlier this week we told you about Guatemalan labourers lined up at the Western border to come into Belize to work. We understood then that they came in on one [...]

NTUCB Reaffirms Support for BSCFA
An organization has remained in the corner of the B.S.C.F.A. is the National Trade Union Congress of Belize which reaffirmed its solidarity with the farmers earlier today. The NTUCB demonstrated [...]

…Undisturbed by GOB’s Name-calling
The NTUCB has also caught flak for seemingly leading the BSCFA impetuously.  The release essentially goes on say that the NTUCB categorically refuses to fold under insults from government and [...]

Chamber of Commerce Weighs in on Sugar Industry Crisis
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry is also weighing in on the sugar crisis and is calling for a peaceful resolution to the existing debacle focusing on the impact [...]

Port of Belize Affected by Negotiation Deadlock
Equally affected by the ongoing logjam is Port of Belize Limited.  The company does significant business with ASR/BSI and is experiencing cash flow issues as a result of the impasse.  [...]

PM Says Cruise Port Is Coming to Belize City in 2015
In his New Year’s address Prime Minister Dean Barrow made all manner of promises, government spending which he claims will rival and even surpass the unprecedented spending in 2014. There [...]

Champagne Paris Granted Bail for Burglary
Nineteen year old Porfilio Rodriguez also known as Vanessa Champagne is home tonight with relatives after spending the Christmas behind bars. Champagne spent plenty time last year before the courts [...]

2014 Court Session ends with testimony of Prison Officer
Late this evening, the Supreme Court took a half hour session to practice for the upcoming opening of the Supreme Court set to commence on Monday which traditionally kicks off [...]

PUC’s Initial Decision on Proposed Water Rate Increase
The Belize Electricity Limited announced earlier this week that it will be reducing electricity rates. But that saving will not be in your pockets for long because the other utility [...]

Chairman John Avery Explains Rate Setting
Avery went on to explain the rationale behind setting a rate that should last for the five-year period.   John Avery, Chairman, P.U.C. “We would not want to set a [...]

SICB Won’t Compel ASR/B.S.I. to Accept Cane Deliveries
There is perhaps an unprecedented level of turmoil in the sugar industry tonight. The issues delaying the start of crop are complicated, but we’ll keep it simple. On Sunday cane-farmers [...]

Are Caneros Being Misled Into Seeking Order of Mandamus?
And certainly the government is not prepared to see American Sugar Refinery close its doors. After clarifying ASR’s position, the PM did the same with his. The Sugar Industry Control [...]

B.S.C.F.A. Director Prepared to Deliver 500,000 Tons of Cane to ASR/B.S.I. Pronto
Prime Minister says that the reason that government did not move to amend the Act as instructed by the Supreme Court in 2010 is because it wanted to preserve the [...]

PM on Amendment to Sugar Act
And then Prime Minister Barrow dropped the hammer, expressing its full support for any group which would organize to deliver cane outside of the B.S.C.F.A. That signifies a complete dismissal [...]

B.S.C.F.A. Proceeds With Disbursal of Fairtrade Funds to Cane Farmers
There is still no date for the start of the sugar crop and farmers are encouraged to deal directly with the sugar company. While this represents a blow to the [...]

Will Caneros Take to the Streets in Protest?
So far it has only been bad news for the B.S.C.F.A. and it is also bad news for those farmers and directors who have vehemently advocated going back to the [...]

PM Has No Desire to Meet With B.S.C.F.A.
If you were a little unclear about G.O.B.’s rejection of the B.S.C.F.A., the Prime Minister went further. While he met with ASR/B.S.I. on Wednesday, he has no wish to do [...]

PM Says There’s No Requisite Majority to Nationalize ASR/B.S.I.
So to wrap it all up, we picked out the relevant statement which clearly shows the Prime Minister’s frustration with the continuing chaos in the industry. While Barrow has maintained [...]

LOVE FM

Young Speaks on History of CBS
The Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS) is a private protected area and pioneer in protected area co-management. In the past era, the Black Howler Monkey population was about a mere 1200 on about 4 square miles, today however, Conway Young, Volunteer Administrator Officer at CBS, told Love News that the protected area has now expanded to about 20 square miles and now has an estimated population of 4500 Howler Monkeys. Young also spoke to Love News more about the History of the Sanctuary. CONWAY YOUNG “The community baboon sanctuary was one of the first of its kind in the world in terms of how it is structured. There are seven villages that are literally inside the protected area and it’s a voluntary private protected area meaning that, the 240 land owners who signed a voluntary pledge saying that they are going to abide by certain rules. The community baboon sanctuary was officially opened on the 23rd of February in 1985; we started with 4 square miles with 800 black howler monkeys.

Minor Charged With Firearm Offenses
On January 8, 2015, Belize City police were mobile patrol in specific areas in Belize City and apprehended two 2 men dressed in dark clothing traveling on Fabers Road Extension towards Central American Boulevard on a black scooter without a visible license plate. Police conducted a search on both men and noticed that one of the men – the passenger, took out a chrome handgun out of his pocket and threw it on the ground. The passenger was shown the firearm and was requested to produce a gun license which he did not have. The weapon apprehended was a 9mm Smith and Wesson with 7 rounds of ammunition in a magazine. Police has then arrested a 17-year-old male minor of Mopan Street in Belize City for Kept firearm without a gun license and kept Ammunition without a gun license.

Home Burglary on Patridge Street
An 18-year-old student of Patridge Street in Belize City reported to the police that between the hours of 9:30 and 10:30 am on January 8, 2015, her home was burglarized. Stolen from the home were electronic items, perfume and a school bag all amounting to a total value of $480.00. Police has since detained 24-year-old Eleck Alexander Mckoy of Racoon Street Extension, Belize City and recovered the stolen items.

Fire Victim Plea’s For Area Representative Help
On August 27, 2013 the home of Rose Williams was burnt completely down and left her with nothing but the bare clothes she had on. Today Williams told Love News that it is already a year and four months since the incident and she has not received any assistance from her area representative. ROSE WILLIAMS “Going for two years my house has been burnt down. My area representative told me that he will help me in all that time, two times he helped me. I live in a house now that is $500 a month so in January he gave me $250 and March he gave me $250 and from then until now I have not gotten any help from him. Yes I went to the office, the secretary gave me his phone number, his personal cellphone number, I called, text whatever I got no answer.

GSU Raids Home on Vasquez Avenue
A home was raided by the GSU on #5706 Vasquez Avenue, two houses away from the Ceviche hut. The purpose of the raid is still uncertain, however, a family is presently detained by the GSU. A man and woman are in custody of the law presently with the presence of their two toddlers. On the scene were five police officers from Zone seven Police Station. Love News has not received any information prior to this raid.

Minor Diagnosed With Cancer
Cancer affects hundreds of Belizeans, young and old. Today Love News visited Belize Medical Associates where they met up with 8-year-old Gabryella Barnett, a young cancer patient, who is diagnosed with Osteogenic Sarcoma, a cone cancer that spreads rapidly and can be deadly within one year if left untreated. Her mother, Christina Valencia, spoke to Love News. CHRISTINA VALENCIA “My daughter was diagnosed from a doctor here that she has a case of osteosarcoma a very serious possibly deadly bone cancer and her bone cancer has been moving very fast because she was diagnosed on the 6th but we have been dealing with the pain and everything from the 5th of December 2014 she has been complaining of leg cramps and pains which we thought were just because she played too much but two weeks later the pain got worse and we took her to the KHMH, the did an x-ray which the doctor said he saw a shadow on the right femur and he could not tell us what it was, we had to get a second opinion. So we came to the medical and two weeks later we are trying to raise the money to get tested and we came Dr.Smith ordered and x-ray and a blood test which determined that she had the bone cancer.

Matura-Shepherd Speaks On Validity of Sugar Act
Abelardo Mai was not the only one who responded to the Prime Minister’s comments made yesterday during the press conference as they pertained to the constitutionality of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association. Attorney, Audrey Matura Shepherd issued a release late last night that read, in part, “It seems intentional today that the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean O. Barrow tried to make it appear as if though there is a court decision that declares the Sugar Industry Act No. 27 of 2003 unconstitutional in parts and to the extent that it will affect the case of Lucilo Teck v Sugar Industry Control Board and BSI claim no 739 of 2014; this is far from the truth.” This morning we met Matura-Sheppard outside the courtroom, where she commented further on the release she issued last night.

Court Says Yes To Judicial Review on Writ of Mandamus
With talks of division mounting within the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the speculations that some members will be branching off to other entities, a release impressing on the importance of unity was circulated today by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The one-page document states, in part, quote, “The National Trade Union Congress of Belize; makes an impassioned plea to the members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, to remain united. There is no way you can come through on the most beneficial end of this matter, if you now fall prey to the plot that has been skilfully weaved and orchestrated to break you up. Whilst this Congress is being accused of leading this Association blindly, the NTUCB absolutely refuses to buckle under the name-calling. The NTUCB affirms that the measures it has undertaken to lend continued support to the BSCFA, is to ensure the longevity of the organization and to secure the BEST for the members of the BSCFA“.

NTUCB Calls for Unity Among Cane Farmers
With talks of division mounting within the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and the speculations that some members will be branching off to other entities, a release impressing on the importance of unity was circulated today by the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. The one-page document states, in part, quote, “The National Trade Union Congress of Belize; makes an impassioned plea to the members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, to remain united. There is no way you can come through on the most beneficial end of this matter, if you now fall prey to the plot that has been skilfully weaved and orchestrated to break you up. Whilst this Congress is being accused of leading this Association blindly, the NTUCB absolutely refuses to buckle under the name-calling. The NTUCB affirms that the measures it has undertaken to lend continued support to the BSCFA, is to ensure the longevity of the organization and to secure the BEST for the members of the BSCFA“.

Figueroa To Join Cabinet as Minister of State
With only four days of celebrating victory in Cayo North and adding one more seat in the House of Representatives under the umbrella of the United Democratic Party, Dr. Omar Figueroa now joins the Cabinet as today, a release from the Government Press Office, indicates that Figueroa has been appointed as a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. The release states that the announcement came from the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow at a special meeting of minister colleagues. Dr. Figueroa is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, January 12, 2015 by His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Governor-General of Belize. Figueroa will officially take the Oath of Office as a Member of the House of Representatives at its next sitting.

Chamber of Commerce Urges for Peaceful Resolutions in Sugar
Peaceful Resolution to the Sugar Industry impasse – that is what the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is calling for via a release they sent out today. The BCCI has expressed grave concern as it pertains to the economic impact on Belize as a result of the current impasse between the BSI/ASR and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA). The release went on to say that, quote, “The export of sugar cane accounts for one hundred and seven million Belize dollars of Belize’s foreign exchange revenue and the loss of this year’s crop can have a crippling effect on Belize’s economy and the lives of every Belizean. The BCCI urges the stakeholders in the sugar industry to continue to seek a peaceful resolution to the current impasse in the sugar industry, and for the parties to be guided by the following important considerations: ONE – The long term viability and predictability of the industry; TWO – That the farmers respect each other’s constitutional right to freely associate, whether with BSCFA, act as independents or form other bodies; THREE – It is imperative that the crop begins so that farmers can provide for their families and meet their other obligations; FOUR – That careful consideration is given by the parties to the economic impact of the demise of this industry on the entire country of Belize.”

PlusTV

Omar Figueroa new Minister of State in the PM’s Office
Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow announced on Friday, January 9, 2015, at a special meeting of Minister colleagues, that he intends to appoint Dr. Omar Figueroa, the newly elected Area Representative of the Cayo North Electoral Division, as a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. It is expected that Dr. Figueroa will be sworn in by His Excellency Sir Colville Young, Governor-General of Belize, on Monday, 12th January, 2015. Dr. Figueroa will also officially take the Oath of Office as a Member of the House of Representatives, at its next sitting.

NTUCB & BCCI support cane farmers
All eyes are indeed on the north, as Belize waits out to see the outcome of the current impasse in the fragile sugar industry. The NTUCB says the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association must remain united! In a press release issued late Thursday evening, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) said they stand in solidarity with the cane farmers and the BSCFA, and went on the make an impassionate plea to the members of the association to remain united as they see this debacle through. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) is also wary of the current impasse in the sugar industry. In a press release issued on Thursday the BCCI urged all stakeholders holders involved to continue seeking a peaceful resolution. Failure to do so would have a crippling effect on Belize’s economy.

PM addresses recent turn of events in the sugar cane industry
On Thursday morning Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave government’s position on the recent turn of events in the Sugar industry, stating that it is now a crisis. PM Barrow recapped the negotiations recounting that on Dec...

BSCFA says PM’s alliance appears to be with ASR/BSI
While the Prime Minister says he is all for the farmers and would not wish to see the association splinter, BSCFA’s Alfredo Ortega says he does not buy it, and is of the strong opinion that the Prime Minister’s alliance is with BSI/ASR. Alfredo Ortega - BSCFA Committee of Management“I am very s...

Alfredo Ortega comments on Fairtrade’s letter to BSCFA
As we told you earlier, a letter was sent by Kieran Durnien, Assistant Program Coordinator of Fairtrade International, to the management of the BSCFA, warning that the distribution of the $4 million dollars that the farmers are clamouring for could mean the immediate suspension or, in the worst case...

New Cane field on Western Highway
As the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association reels at the current state of affairs, there are movements afoot from other companies unbeknownst to the association. Very reliable information reaching Plus News points to the existence of a cane field located at mile 25 on the Western highway. Sources s...

VIP to Contest 2015 Municipal Elections
The Vision inspired by the people, also known as VIP, is a political third party that has been around for over 5 political terms  but has never won a seat at the House of Representatives or at the Council level. VIP party leader Paul Morgan ran for the 2009 municipal elections in Belmopan...

Guatemalans lining up for work in Belize?
Reports are that a load of Guatemalan immigrants are coming across the Western border with temporary passes to work with Green Tropics, and this has raised major concerns. However, Minister Godwin Hulse says that he is not aware of those reports.

Amandala

Light bills down 5% starting this month
Over 62,000 electricity consumers should see their light bills go down by about 5%, after the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued a final decision declaring that new tariffs are being put into effect until June 2015. The rate adjustment, from an average of 43.47 cents to 41.29 cents per kilowatt hour, includes a $5.5 million rebate to consumers due to reduced power costs for purchases from Mexico. Last year, the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) had requested that the PUC reduce electricity rates by 3.4%, from an average of 43.47 cents per kilowatt-hour (KWh) to 42 cents per kWh for the first six months of 2015. Derek Davis, Director of Electricity at the PUC, told Amandala that the PUC’s initial decision had called instead for a 5% reduction and that decision became final because no one objected to it.

Cañeros swimming in “shark-infested” waters?
A thorny resolution that was passed at a meeting of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA)’s general membership meeting this past Sunday in which cash-strapped cañeros voted to share out an additional $4 million of the association’s funds among themselves, threatens to have dire implications not only for the stability of the BSCFA itself, but also on its tremulous relationship with the Fairtrade organization, through which the farmers acquire substantial financial benefits, mainly in the way of Fairtrade premium prices for their product. The decision, which was made in the face of a cash flow crisis resulting from the currently delayed 2014/2015 sugarcane crop season, is intended to provide roughly 5,300 cañeros with about $754 each after the funds are equally divided, and while the disbursement may be for a worthy cause, officials of the BSCFA have expressed great concern over the move at a meeting at their Orange Walk office today, since the association will likely be decertified or suspended for non-compliance with Fairtrade standards, and worse, we understand that it could even mean the collapse of the BSCFA.

PUP, UDP agree to discuss campaign financing reform
Alberto August, chairman of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), has denied allegations by Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca that the UDP dipped deep into the public coffers to finance its campaign for the Cayo North by-election held two days ago. August would not disclose how much was spent on the UDP’s campaign, and he told us that allegations that they spent upwards of $800,000—we suggested a million dollars—are untrue. “As I said earlier, there is cause for concern when it comes to the use of public funds in election campaigns and people will say, ‘Scorch on both your houses,’ but I think that as a country we have to get beyond that,” he said, at a press conference held at his party’s headquarters in Belize City Tuesday. “I see public funds being used for election purposes in an unprecedented way today in Belize. I don’t think it bodes well for politics. I don’t think it bodes well for democracy, for the development of our country,” Fonseca expressed.

BSI/ASR wins sugar war?
The extended turmoil in the sugar industry—the multimillion-dollar industry which not only fills breadbaskets in northern Belize, but which also forms a major pillar on which the national economy stands—is evidently heading to a major meltdown which could mean the end of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association (BSCFA) and in the view of some, the end of the small cañero as well. For the second consecutive year, the sugar crop is off to a late start, because the farmers and the millers have been unable to reach an accord on the terms of their business relationship. The impasse has caused financial pain among cañeros, and on Sunday, they forced the hands of their directors to disburse to them $4 million of Fairtrade money – a move which could lead to the decertification of the association by the European program, which would cause negative effects to ripple across the export sector. (See story elsewhere in this edition of Amandala.)

US sends request papers for two Bahamians, beginning extradition proceedings
Last September, United States authorities unsealed a federal indictment in Brooklyn, New York, for five individuals and five companies in Belize’s offshore banking sector. With the cooperation of Belize’s law enforcement authorities, and particularly the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), a move was made to shut down the operations of the companies named in the indictment. The FIU, additionally, in cooperating with the US, got a Supreme Court order to freeze the accounts of the individuals and companies named in the indictment. That court order that the FIU had secured was overturned, however, by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin in hearings that were held in chambers. The FIU was ordered to unfreeze the accounts and to return the properties of the companies.

Belizean drivers now need Mexican 3rd party insurance in Mexico
Belizeans are known to frequent various areas in Mexico, such as Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Cancun, and Merida for recreation, shopping, medical treatment, among other reasons, but now, there are new requirements for those who plan to drive in these areas: Belizean motorists who are traveling to Mexico this year will need to procure Mexican 3rd party insurance for their vehicles. The regulation was passed by Mexican authorities in September 2014, but was only enforced last month. It has drawn the ire of many local drivers, however, who view it as an additional hassle to visit our neighbors to the north. When the media went looking for answers yesterday, Javier Aguilar, Head of Trade, Investment and Tourism Affairs at the Embassy of Mexico, explained that in the past, only Mexican motorists were required to have third party insurance, but now it has become mandatory for both Mexicans and foreigners as well.

Cristo Rey burglar sentenced to 7 years in jail
Elton Coba, 30, of Louisville, Corozal District, was given a 7-year jail sentence for burglary and handling stolen goods on Monday in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court when he appeared before Magistrate Hurl Hamilton, who arraigned him on the charges, to which he pleaded guilty. Police said that on Friday, Coba was captured by Alfonso Alamilla and his family, the angry owners of the house in Cristo Rey Village, which Coba broke into and from which he stole the family’s jewelry. The family held him captive and handed him over to police, who, when they searched him, found two gold medals with Jesus Christ engravings valued at $120, one gold double-link bracelet valued at $300 and a pair of gold earrings with leaf designs valued at $60 – all of which had been stolen from Alfonso Alamilla’s home.

Fonseca says the PUP will wage “a very fierce and competitive battle” in the municipal elections
On March 4, 2015, voters from all nine municipalities will go to the polls to elect new slates of persons who they want to govern their town or city. Currently, most of those municipalities are controlled by the ruling United Democratic Party, but despite the resounding defeat the Opposition People’s United Party suffered at the polls in Cayo North on Monday, Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca says that his party will wage “a very fierce and competitive battle” in the municipal elections. “There are other battles to come; the municipal elections are in a few weeks, in March, and we now move on to that battle for the municipal elections,” Fonseca said. In the wake of his party’s defeat in Cayo North, Fonseca held a press conference today, Tuesday, January 6, congratulating the victors – Dr. Omar Figueroa and the United Democratic Party, for what Fonseca described as “a clear, decisive victory yesterday.” “As the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly I welcome Dr. Figueroa to the National Assembly,” Fonseca said.

Pain at People’s Stadium, jubilation at Isidoro Beaton
That’s why they play the game. You just never know. Four days ago, the newly energized Verdes football club was on top of the world, leading the playoffs with 8 points and 2 games remaining. The Bandits had 7, and Police had 6, after suffering back to back losses (1-0 and 4-0) to the same Verdes FC. (The 4-0 loss was on Wednesday of last week, New Year’s Eve, not Sunday as we had erroneously reported in last issue.) Needing only a draw this past Sunday, January 4, at the Norman Broaster Stadium to tighten their grip on a spot in the finals, the Verdes organization, which has done an exceptional promotional job for the game, was feeling very confident. (See standings for Wednesday, December 31.) But on Sunday, January 4, Belmopan Bandits pulled out a 1-0 win over Verdes FC in Cayo, on a Shane Armstrong goal in injury time, pushing the Bandits to the top of the standings with 10 points. The Saturday night before, Police had to break a 1-1 deadlock with BDF in the closing minutes to come away with a 2-1 victory, and this put Police at 9 points, right behind the Bandits, leaving Verdes in third place with 8 points.

Former 3-time Cross Country Champion – Duncan Vernon passes
The Cycling Federation of Belize would like to express its sincerest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Mr. Duncan Vernon. Mr. Vernon was the Annual Cross Country Classic Champion for 1957, 1960 and 1961. As a great cyclist, he also challenged the riders and placed second in 1954, 1956, 1958 and 1965. A cycling legend in his time. His funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 17, at 12:00 noon at the Wesley Methodist Church on Albert Street. His body will be laid to rest at the Homeland Memorial at Mile 7 on the George Price (Western) Highway. All members are asked to attend his funeral services and in their jersey or team uniform. May his soul rest in peace and ride in glory.

Editorial: March 4 bigger than January 5
Monday’s by-election in Cayo North was not as important as the national municipal elections scheduled for Wednesday, March 4. Monday, January 5, represented a big victory for the ruling United Democratic Party, and a major personal setback for the People’s United Party (PUP) Deputy Leader, Hon. Julius Espat. But Monday was a local election, confined to just one constituency, it could not affect national political power, and the Cayo North by-election did not offer the PUP the opportunity to control municipal budgets, as March 4 does. The results of the March 2012 general election were extraordinary because of unprecedented divergences in voting patterns between Belize City/District, on the one hand, and the other five Districts, on the other. The 2012 results were also extraordinary because the Opposition PUP had experienced major leadership turmoil in October and November of 2011, yet came within fewer than 100 votes of winning a narrow general election victory three, four months later. In late 2011, elected PUP Leader Johnny Briceño unexpectedly resigned. Interim Leader Mark Espat, despite being endorsed by 30 of the 31 party constituencies, gave up leadership after less than two weeks, whereupon several people offered themselves for the leadership position, including Julius Espat and Mike Espat. Francis Fonseca, who had lost to Briceño in a March 2008 leadership convention, was then suddenly appointed Leader by PUP power brokers.

From the Publisher
The United Democratic Party (UDP) first took control of the Southside of Belize City in the 1979 general election, when they won two of the then three Southside constituencies. Their Philip Goldson won Albert (which he had first won in 1965), and their Curl Thompson won Mesopotamia, for the first time. Mr. Harry Courtenay of the People’s United Party (PUP) held on to Collet. For the 1984 general election, the number of Southside constituencies was increased to six, and the UDP won all of these in that election. Since that time, the UDP have always won the majority of the Southside seats, with the sole exception of 1998, when the PUP won four of the Southside constituencies. In the 2012 general election, the UDP won all six of the Southside seats. With the addition a few years ago of a sizeable amount of Southside voters (who were previously in Lake Independence) to the Pickstock constituency, Pickstock may now be described as a Southside constituency. If we did that, it would be the case that the UDP hold seven out of seven Southside seats. But, we’ll just leave it at six. The point is that the Southside represents a political stronghold of the UDP.

Terrible traffic in Punta Gorda
Dear Editor, Vehicle traffic in Punta Gorda is not regulated. The Coke and Belikin depot is smack in the center of town at the corner of Main (George Price Street) and North Street, where all traffic in P.G. meets. School buses, villagers, passenger buses, cargo delivery trucks, Public Works trucks with road building materials and government and private cars and pickups all meet and pass this junction, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. It is a mess, and vehicles usually collide at this junction. Worst of all, Bowen & Bowen has the 18-wheelers jutting out of this congested depot five feet into the street so citizens cannot use the pedestrian walk on North Street. Bowen and Bowen’s agent here has other properties around P.G. that can be used with proper ventilation for its workers, and not obstruct traffic. Another eyesore is the largest wholesale-hardware store in PG, belonging to A. Witz, which is at the corner of King and Main-Middle Streets, and he uses the sidewalk of the narrow Main-Middle Street for parking big trucks with steel and cement. People have to use one side of this street, and the Fire Station is just two buildings way.

“I blame our political class”: Brian Plummer
Dear Editor: The global system of governance is a reflection of the system of most countries. The United States of America (US), who always criticize countries like North Korea, Cuba and China for human rights abuse, have been found to be wanting in its human rights records. The black community in the US has recorded myriad cases of police brutality (inhumanity). This is clearly human rights abuse by the US. The police are agents of the nation state. It is not only in the US that there are many cases of police brutality in a systematic way; it difficult to find a country in the world that doesn’t have this social ill – just to a varying degree. The goal of any economy should be to organize resources to provide the greatest degree of wellbeing to its entire population. The evidence of police brutality suggests that has not been the case for countries where this is prevalent, such as in Belize, because it is usually the socially marginalized being brutalized. The elites in a given country influence the political directorate whether in a democracy like the US or an authoritarian state like North Korea.

Sam Trucco writes from Ambergris Caye
Dear Editor, What is happening to the beachfront in San Pedro? The law states it is Queen’s Land 60 feet back from the high water mark. Yet, past Ramon’s Village north to Boca del Rio we have private individuals/businesses in permanent structures from the water’s edge up. Some sell tours; some sell water, soda etc. We have a proliferation of massage establishments right on the beach inside this 60-foot zone. We have tables upon tables of souvenir stands, some of which also offer illegal substances. We also have restaurants with tables on the water’s edge with waiters bobbing and weaving around the locals and tourists trying to make their way down the beach, running back and forth delivering drinks and food. There are actually stretches of the beach that you have to navigate that are less than 10 feet wide where these stands are set up. Why has this situation been allowed to get so out of control? Why have the laws of Belize been completely ignored for the benefit of a few and to the detriment of all?

Cañeros grapple with Fairtrade money troubles
Over 5,300 cañeros have issued a demand to their leadership to apportion to them $4 million, despite warnings from executives and officials of their association, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), that this would soon lead to them being decertified by the European program known as Fairtrade, under which they are paid a premium for Belize sugar. The premium payments are supposed to be used for programs to improve production. It so happened, though, that cañeros, some claiming financial hardships but others apparently suspicious that the office staff and executive are “living high” on the Fairtrade funds, issued a demand to their organization at their General Assembly meeting on Sunday to distribute $4 million set aside for projects to them. With 5,350 farmers sharing that pie, it means that each one would only be getting about $750.

Fresh hope for Janae
On Monday, January 5, 2015, Fred Lumor, SC, received a $300,000 check – the first payment from the Government of Belize towards a $2 million award which the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) decreed in April 2014 as a just compensation for Janae Matute, a girl who developed cerebral palsy due to birth complications, and her mother, Georgia Matute, in a landmark medical malpractice suit for Belize. Lumor told us that although there was no letter accompanying the payment, which is for damages and legal fees, Mr. Nigel Hawke informed him that they plan to discuss with him their intention to make installment payments to settle the balance of the bill. “It means a lot to me. I will be able to provide better care for Janae. I will be able to seek further medical attention for her,” said Georgia Matute, Janae’s mom.

Mayor reveals plan to take on BML workers
Next Friday, January 16, a total of 158 sanitation workers who have been employed by the Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) will be absorbed into the workforce of the Belize City Council (CitCo) as part of a transition process that will come into effect upon the expiration of CitCo’s sanitation contract with BML. After months of dialogue and bargaining with BML and the Christian Workers Union (CWU), which represents the labor interests of the workers, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley today announced that the workers will be brought on board under a management operation through which they will be placed primarily in two departments headed by former city councilor, Wayne Usher, and CitCo Sanitation Manager, Percival Murillo. According to Mayor Bradley, only 110 of the workers will actually be employed in the Council’s already brimming Sanitation Department; others will be assigned to sweeping dusty streets, while some will work to address the ongoing drainage issue, and even as security and traffic officers, depending on their specific skill sets.

The Reporter

US to discuss migration issues with Cuba
US Assistant Secretary of State Roberta Jacobson will lead a delegation travelling to the Cuban capital, Havana, later this month. These will be the first high level talks since Cuba and the US announced last month that they were restoring relations. The US State Department said the talks – to take place on 21 and 22 January – would focus on migration. The United States severed ties with Cuba’s communist government in 1961. Despite the lack of diplomatic relations, the two countries hold routine talks on migration every six months. The state department said that the next meeting would also seek to push forward the rapprochement process announced by US President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro on 17 December.

Omar Figueroa to be appointed Minister of State
Newly elected Cayo North Area Representative, Dr. Omar Figueroa will be appointed as a Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced the decision to appoint Figueroa as Minister of State at a special meeting of Minister Colleagues on Friday. Figueroa will be sworn in as Minister of State by Governor General Colville Young on Monday January 12th. He will also take the Oath of Office as a member of the House of Representatives at the next sitting of the House. Figueroa won a convincing victory for the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Cayo North on Monday, delivering an additional seat for the government in the House of Representatives and giving the government an 18 to 13 majority.

Murder at Dream Valley Resort Was this a contract killing?
Belmopan Police have made no arrests for the daylight murder of resort manager, Yaima Duany Ledesma, 30. Ledesma who was born in Cuba but has Swiss nationality, was shot twice at close range in the bar of the Dream Valley Resort, in Teakettle Village, Cayo District. Ledesma has managed the Dream Valley Resort for three years and had just returned with a group of tourists when two men approached and shot her at close range. Investigations by The Reporter revealed that the attack came from two men, dressed casually, who left their vehicle in the parking area of the resort, about 50 feet from the bar. In no apparent hurry, the men strolled into the bar and ordered drinks from the bartender, while asking for the manager. They made no attempts to mask their identities from the staff or from the tourists who were gathered nearby. When Ledesma entered the bar in response to the summons from the men, one of them took out a 9mm pistol and fired five shots at her.

Peacemaker stabbed 42 times by “drinking buddy”
The stabbings occurred at the home of Rodrigo Ayuso on Fonseca Street, just a few blocks from Medina’s home on Guyana Street. Medina, reports say, spent many of his hours socialising with friends on Fonseca Street where death caught up with him around 6 p.m. last Wednesday. Deputy Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police station, Assistant Superintendent of Police Selvyn Tillett, explained that a fight broke out at Ayuso’s house and Medina , who was sleeping at the time, jumped up to intervene. That was when the knifebearer focused the attack turned to him.

Officer commanding Bella Vista village charged!
A sting operation on Saturday night by police at the Bella Vista Police Station in Toledo has led to the arrest of the officer commanding that station, Police Constable Bernard Villanueva. Villanueva is charged with extortion following surveillance, which incriminated him. The operation was linked to a report by Jeydi Romero, 28, a Honduran domestic of the same community, which stated that Villanueva forced her to pay him $200 for the release of her husband, Nahun Romero, who was being held at the village police statíon. Later that night police set up a surveillance operation near the police station and watched as a man entered the police station and hand over something to Villanueva.

World Bank provides US $6 million for plan to protect Barrier Reef
The Belize Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project is a US $6 million climate change project funded by the World Bank. It is scheduled to begin early this year, according to the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute. The project is to go on for five years and is geared towards strengthening the resilience of the Belize Barrier Reef System to climate change. Strengthening will come about through ecosystem-based marine conservation and climate adaptation measures. The plan is to employ a two-track approach which combines ecosystem-based adaptation with enabling policy and legal frameworks as an effective long-term approach to help strengthen the resilience of the reef system against adverse effects of climate change.

City Council had a good year, with more revenues and smaller deficit- audit shows
The Belize City Council has released the results of its annual audit conducted by PKF Accountants and Business Advisers for the period up to March 2014. The audit shows that the council’s total asset value as of March 2014 was $84,999,721 or nearly 16 percent higher than the previous year ($73,376,598). Property and equipment account for more than $70 million of this year’s total asset value. The council’s total cash value stands at $3,234,431 as of March 2014; the previous year the cash value was $5,575,076. Trade and other receivables account for more than $10 million of the council’s assets.

Getting ready to take on new staff, mayor looks forward to debt-free CitCo
The Belize City Council will take on 158 workers formerly employed by Belize Maintenance Limited as early as next week, Mayor Darrell Bradley announced this week. Bradley said the Council has scheduled an orientation session for the new employees who will start work on January 16th. Bradley explained the incoming employees will be sub-divided into several units, which will deal with different aspects of sanitation. There has also been a re-configuration of management to facilitate the increase in staff, the mayor said and new regulations will be drafted to deal with the changes.

Armed youth shot dead during face-off with intended victim
A youn man who pulled a gun on a manhe was attemptingto rob was shot and killed around 7 Sunday,night on Costa Rica Street Extension in Belmopan. Nineteen year-old Kevin Vasquez, a welder, reportedly accosted Mark Conorquie, 31, who was standing outside his house in the Salvapan area, of Belmopan. Conorquie told police that the youth reached for a gun in his waist and Cornoqui went into attack mode. The two men struggled and during the struggle the gun that Vasquez was carrying was discharged three times. Vasquez received bullet wounds to his head, chest and upper leg.

Municipal streets bond hugely successful! No need for concern, mayor says
The Belize City Council has paid off the first tranche of its municipal (Streets) bond and is projecting that it will be able to meet its target payments comfortably in the years ahead, Mayor Darrell Bradley said Tuesday. The council made the first payment on the bond on December 24th. He said that payments, which include principal and interest totalled $1.5 million. The amount represents about 7.5 percent of the bond, and the sinking fund being managed by the Central Bank has a comfortable surplus, the mayor said. Bradley indicated that the next payment is due in three years when 50 percent of the bond has to be repaid. The Council projects that at that point the municipality will be able to comfortably make the payment of interest and principal.

Cane farmers hold-out will lead to sugar shortage
The Belize Sugar Factory, owned by the American Sugar Refineries group (ASR) only has enough sugar in its warehouse to supply the country until the end of January, BSI personnel the explained this week. Director of Cane Farmer Relations for ASR/BSI, Olivia Aviles, said this week that if the impasse between the company and the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) does not end quickly, the country will face a shortage of local-produced sugar. “We know that shops have some stored up, but that won’t last very long. We can only hope we arrive at an agreement, and soon,” she said. Aviles added that the impasse also presents a more urgent problem for the cattle farming industry since molasses, which is used to make cattle feed, is close to depletion also and will not last to the end of January.

Police concerned about more gang violence! Call on community for more eyes and ears
Belize City police have gone on red alert following the Saturday night murder of Kareem “Robbery” Lopez, a known member of the George Street Gang. Lopez was shot to death on Saturday night by a man on a bicycle as Lopez walked back to his car after buying food from a snack shop on Central American Boulevard, a few blocks from his home on Jane Usher Boulevard. It was 10:30 at night, and Lopez perhaps thought it was safe enough for him to venture out. But two men on bicycles were trailing him, and as he walked back to his car they shot him many times in the head and upper body, and left him dead in the street. City police, anticipating a resurgence of gang violence in the city, have beefed up their patrols of known gangland hot-spots. They have established checkpoints and increased their intelligence activity. They are also conducting random searches of suspicious persons and vehicles.

EDITORIAL
It may be hard to believe, but it is nonetheless true that we are witnessing the collapse of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association before our very eyes. The frustrating thing is that we don’t seem to be able to do anything to prevent it. Last Sunday the cane farmers […]

Primary school teacher is accused of inappropriate behaviour with students
A male school teacher at a Catholic primary school located in Belize City is the subject of an allegation that has surfaced of inappropriate behaviour involving standard five female students at the school. The Reporter has confirmed that there is such an allegation made at Saint Ignatius Primary School against the teacher, said to be in his mid-20’s. The incident in question occurred during the week prior to the close of classes Reports are that the teacher segregated a group of female students and showed them a video, the nature of which is uncertain. During the class period, however, he reportedly made the girls sit on his lap one by one, while he touched them inappropriately. The matter has been reported to the school’s administration.

Fuel prices plunge at the pumps
Motorists, as of Monday night, are experiencing a dip in fuel prices. This is the second drop in oil price since 2009 when the global trend swept prices up from just above $5 to more than $11 per gallon. Regular gasoline now stands at $7.57, a drop of 80 cents. Premium gas dipped by 79 cents to $8.01; and diesel now sells for $7.22, a 67-cent drop. The current prices are the result of fierce global competition among oil-producing nations. For the past several months oil prices have plummeted well below US $100 per barrel, dipping by as much as half that figure.

National Bank is coming to town! Building purchased for $3.01 Million from Pedmar Investment Company
The National Bank of Belize will be expanding its services to Belize City with the opening of a new branch in the downtown area. The Reporter has been reliably informed that the new branch of the National Bank will be located at #53 Regent Street where the Infotel Call Center was previously located. The information indicates that the government has already approved the purchase of the building for more than $3,000,000 from Philip Espat, the brother of Mark Espat who is the government’s Economic Ambassador. Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed Thursday to The Reporter that the expansion is indeed under way, but said he is unable to give any further details about the initiative. National Bank Chairman, Joy Grant also confirmed on Thursday that the expansion was already underway and added that the new branch should be ready for opening within the next few months, though she could not give a specific timeline.

PM Barrow aims to by-pass Belize Cane Farmers Association
At a press conference called on Thursday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated that as long as the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association maintains its position that the Sugar Industry Control Board must intervene to start the crop, he has no intention of meeting with them. Instead, GOB will support any cane farmer or cane farmer group which is formed to deliver cane to ASR/BSI. According to the PM, those farmers or groups would be fully within their rights to do so without the Sugar Industry Act having to be amended. On Thursday the leader of the nation categorically and surgically shredded the position taken by those in the BSCFA including attorney and NTUCB representative, Audrey-Matura-Shepherd, who he described as “radicals”. As far as intervention by the SICB is concerned, the Prime Minister said that will never happen. Cane farmers have written to that body asking that it step in to force ASR/BSI to start milling the cane.

UDP pommels PUP in Cayo North Omar Figueroa wins 2 to 1!
The United Democratic Party won in convincing fashion at the Cayo North by-election on Monday, January 5th, taking the PUP stronghold and beating its candidate two to one at the polls. When the final ballot was counted and recorded around 9:30 Monday night, it became clear that the UDP’s Omar Figueroa had received 2664 votes, while PUP’s Richard Harrison had received 1348 votes. Fifty-one ballots were spoilt. Political analysts claim that the UDP’s victory was widely expected because of the energy and resources put into the campaign by the ruling party. In the four weeks following the announcement of the by-election, the UDP launched an intensive, well-funded campaign with an army of campaigners armed with flags, banners, shirts, placards and posters on every utility pole and tree within view.

Patrick Jones

Supreme Court green lights Writ of Mandamus application
Supreme Court Justice Shona Griffith this morning agreed to grant permission for leave to apply for judicial review in respect to a Writ of Mandamus in favour of Lucilio Teck against the Sugar Industry Control Board. Justice Griffith indicated at the very start of proceedings that she was inclined to do this because she felt the case has sufficient merit to move forward. However there was one hurdle to overcome in the form of an objection raised by SICB attorney, Senior Counsel Rodwell Williams. According to Williams the claim as filed by attorneys for Teck, Audrey Matura Shepherd and Anthony Sylvestre, was irretrievably flawed as the claim included substantive relief, particularly declarations that could not be granted at this preliminary stage.

Blogs

Food Porn...Top 5 Life Dinning Experience
My mother raised me to believe that if I had nothing good to say, then I should just say nothing. I recently dined at Casa Picasso here on Ambergris Caye...and this could be a very long blog! If you figure I've generally eaten 3 meals a day for 35 years...then I've eaten roughly 38,325 meals. This one is easily in my top .00013% (or top 5 for easier reference). My friends Matt, Sara, and Karen were kind enough to invite me and even pay my tab - it was a most excellent surprise that Barb, Joe, Tacogirl (Laurie), and Paul were also able to join. The menu, for me, was like what a nudie mag is to most men - I couldn't take my eyes off it. My mouth watered from beginning to end. I decided on the Chef's Tasting menu (a Thursday special); since it was also Chef Ben's Birthday and he was cooking a sampling of his personal favorites from home...how could this possible be anything but excellent?! Didn't hurt that I was two Watermelon coolers (aka - the "Matt Hoys") in by the time the first course arrived. I'm not usually a Vodka man, but you couldn't taste it at all - trust me, it was there...but you couldn't taste it behind the watermelon/ginger yumminess.

El emporio de Los Mendoza Matta
Word is that these guys are tied to some high profile people in Belize. Las empresas de los cuatro hermanos –originarios de Morales, Izabal– a quienes se les vincula con el crimen organizado, han obtenido contratos públicos por Q74.6 millones. Veinticinco empresas de los hermanos Mendoza Matta captaron Q74.6 millones en proveeduría a municipalidades y organizaciones del noroeste del país, durante una década. Así se resume una de las facetas de esta familia vinculada con el narcotráfico y crimen organizado en Izabal y Petén. El portafolio corporativo de las 25 empresas de los Mendoza Matta incluye constructoras, gasolineras, transportes, hoteles, restaurantes y distribuidoras de productos agrícolas, entre otras. El pujante desarrollo empresarial podría ser, en opinión de dos analistas, un mecanismo para blanquear dinero de origen ilícito.

I fell off the wagon at Casa Picasso
I knew from the moment I saw Jackie’s facebook post for this weeks Cassa Picasso tasting menu that I was at risk for falling off the clean eating wagon. (See her post in italicized text below). Not all of our table did the special menu as it had a couple rounds of seafood on it, but those of us that did were willing to share some of the other bits like bacon jam mac and buffalo fingers. Kryptonite in hand, we instantly had them salivating in their seats and wishing they had a plate both those items in front of them. With desert we enjoyed a chorus of happy birthday and a foodie discussion about the history of putting cheese on apple pie. Apparently it is a northern thing, usually from New England. What a great night and this morning I was still satisfied and back happily on the wagon :) Ever wonder what chefs like to eat on their night’s off or after their own restaurant closes?…..Well here is your chance….This Thursday is “Tasting Thursday” and in honor of Chef Ben’s Birthday this Thursday, Chef Ben is preparing 5 of his favorite dishes to eat in a wonderful, flavorful 5 course, tasting menu. Of course, if you know a chef, you will be surprised at what they eat and what they make for themselves…..it is not all Foie Gras and Cherries Jubilee.

International Sources

Ocean Trash: 5.25 Trillion Pieces and Counting, but Big Questions Remain
Plastic, plastic, everywhere: The world's oceans are full of discarded trash that degrades and sinks, or drifts ashore at places like Turneffe Atoll in Belize. The numbers are staggering: There are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that mass, 269,000 tons float on the surface, while some four billion plastic microfibers per square kilometer litter the deep sea. Scientists call these statistics the "wow factor" of ocean trash. The tallies, published last year in three separate scientific papers, are useful in red-flagging the scope of the problem for the public. But beyond the shock value, just how does adding up those rice-size fragments of plastic help solve the problem? Although scientists have known for decades about the accumulating mass of ocean debris and its deadly consequences for seabirds, fish, and marine animals, the science of sea trash is young and full of as-yet unsolved mysteries. Almost nothing was known about the amount of plastic in remote regions of the Southern Hemisphere, for example, until last year because few had ever traveled there to collect samples.

CTO, IMF differ on direction of Caribbean tourism
The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the International Monetary Fund seem to differ on the direction of Caribbean tourism. In a recent report from the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), CTO Chairman Richard Sealy, says research has shown that the Caribbean is moving in the right direction as it relates to cruise visits, long-stay arrivals and tourism spend. He said the unrelenting efforts of the CTO member countries, the CTO and partners in the private sector, combined to produce these positive results. Mr. Sealy who is also Barbados' tourism minister, said adjustments to the United Kingdom's Air Passenger Duty (APD) were among the hallmarks for the CTO in 2014. However, the IMF said in a recent report that a study examining what is driving the tourism flows in the Caribbean has found that the region’s share of the global tourism market is declining. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Working Paper titled “Revisiting Tourism Flows to the Caribbean: What is Driving Arrivals,” finds that tourism arrivals and expenditure are sensitive to both price and income factors in source markets; price and income elasticities of tourism have declined since 2008 and that price elasticity is statistically insignificant for “high-end” destinations. - See more at: http://www.winnfm.com/news/local/11062-cto-imf-differ-on-direction-of-caribbean-tourism#sthash.04AiQIbN.dpuf

Kill A Lionfish, Save A Reef: How This Invasive Species Is Taking Over The Caribbean
When was the last time you heard conservationists urge you to go spearfishing? That’s what’s happening in Florida and the Caribbean as the Lionfish, an invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific region, has taken over coral reefs and other ecosystems, threatening to completely take over native fish populations. If you’re a California diver and interested in spearfishing, this may be the perfect opportunity to spear all you want, and help the environment in the process. A Brief History of the Lionfish Invasion: Lionfish have been a popular aquarium fish for a long time, and some believe the lionfish invasion started when Hurricane Andrew smashed a saltwater fish facility in 1992, releasing six adult lionfish into the ocean. Another theory is that aquarium fish may have been released by people looking to get rid of them, similar to the way the snake population has boomed in Florida’s Everglades. It’s also possible that it’s a combination of the two, with additional lionfish being released into the wild by others in the Atlantic and Caribbean over the years.

Videos

January 9, 2015

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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

Melt Café- Great Ambiance. Great Food!
On the menu for us that day was Guacamole, Shrimp Ceviche, Huevos Rancheros, the Jerk Chicken Melt and a Club Sandwich. Each so very different, yet all so good. But first let there be drinks! I opted for a banana smoothie, while Dennis and Janelle chose to start the fun early with a Melt favorite: mimosas! They offer the classic orange and champagne, and even a not-so-usual, but very yummy watermelon and champagne! Cheers indeed! The last item to be shared around the table was the Melt Club Sandwich. And with a great track record with the dishes before, we were sure Melt would impress us with this classic. And without fault, they did! The layers sliced of bacon, ham, lettuce, tomatoes, and pickles on whole wheat bread melded perfectly with a little tangy mayo.

Beto Marin: San Pedro loses a courageous Lion
Betito’s contributions are countless; he served as member of the San Pedro Village and Town Council for many years; he was a pioneer in the fishing cooperative on the island; and most significant and dear to him, was the foundation of the San Pedro Lions club in 1975. He served in many capacities, including District Governor and Chairman of Belize Zone and District 59. His recognitions and awards are countless, but the most prestigious of them was the Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF) award in memory of international founder of Lionism. The MJF Award was bestowed on him in April 2012 in a convention dedicated to him. His contribution, commitment, and desire to serve and put others before him made Betito a true “one of a kind.” This island indeed has lost an outstanding personality and a giant. The San Pedro Sun joins the community in expressing heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Edilberto “Beto” Marin. Funeral services for Don Beto will be held today (Jan. 8th) at 4PM at the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church.

Work starts on Phase 3 of the Renewable Energy Project at Holy Cross
The Holy Cross Anglican Primary School Renewable Energy Project is moving into its third phase. The project, aimed at powering the entire school using solar energy, has already seen the installation of two sets of 24-panel 5-kilowatt arrays that provide up to 10 kilowatts of power for the school. Phase three will see the installation of yet another 24-panel 5-kilowatt array. The project is spearheaded by Holy Cross Education Foundation and financed solely through donations made via GlobalGiving (a charity fundraising website that gives social entrepreneurs and non-profits from across the world the opportunity to raise funds for improving communities in need). Around $30,000US is needed in order to carry out phase three of the project. On June 25 2014, the organization participated in an “All In” fundraising event which was part of Microsoft YouthSpark Bonus Day, where $200,000US was available in matching funds for all projects on GlobalGiving. “We participated in the recent Microsoft YouthSpark Bonus Day and were successful in raising more than $500 in matching funds. To you, our donors, we are thankful,” said John McHenry, Board Member of the Holy Cross Education Foundation. About $12,000US has been raised for phase three leaving $18,000US needed.

Under the Stars: Casey and Roxsany Bladen
Congratulations to newlyweds Casey Bladen and Roxsany Lima-Bladen! The couple celebrated their nuptials on Saturday, January 3rd before a host of family and friends. The San Pedro Sun wishes Casey and Roxsany a long and prosperous life together! May your marriage be filled with love and harmony!

Cane Farmers refuse to submit to BSI/ASR’s agreement
Over 1,516 cane farmers attended a special general meeting held on Sunday, January 4th at the Escuela Secundaria Technica Mexico campus located in San Roman Village, Corozal, where they rejected all agreements proposed by the Belize Sugar Industry/ American Sugar Refinery (BSI/ASR). Even though the 2015 sugar cane season should be well on its way, cane farmers refused to back down on their demands for better compensation for their product. As such, the crop season will not commence until an agreement between the two parties is signed. The cane farmers stated that they will continue negotiating with BSI/ARI and hope to get a better deal. Not only was BSI/ASR’s proposal rejected but BSCFA also concurred to join the mandamus action spearheaded by Lucio Teck and Audrey Matura- Shepherd to force Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) to open the crop season without a signed agreement between BSCFA and BSI/ASR. “The mandamus we will not withdraw, unless the SICB does what the law mandates it to do and fix it and put it in the Gazette. Then there’ll be no need for mandamus.

Ambergris Today

San Ignacio Resort Hotel in Belize Increases Direct Booking Opportunities
San Ignacio Resort Hotel, in the Cayo District, Belize just recently announced that it has implemented Globekey's Online Reservation System for desktop and mobile at www.sanignaciobelize.com in an effort to drive more online direct bookings. "Today's traveler seeks efficiency, variety, convenience and uncompromised service in the booking process," said Mariam Roberson, Managing Director of San Ignacio Resort Hotel. "We spent over a year planning and analyzing for the perfect online booking solution. Our commitment to delivering unsurpassed levels of luxury hospitality is now complimented with the Globekey Online Reservation System.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Sugar Cane Industry on Hari Kari Watch
Fair-trade consultant Julia Clark wrote a letter to B.S.C.F.A. Chairman Ezequiel Cansino. She said “While I understand that these are difficult times, I am concerned that in changing the premium plan approved at the Ordinary General Assembly the Association may have entered into a major non-compliance. Moreover I do not see how the Association can remain compliant with fair-trade standards with no funds to pay for staff to guide and support farmers and no funds for projects to provide an incentive to farmers to remain compliant with fair-trade Standards… I am therefore concerned that this decision effectively signals the departure of B.S.C.F.A. from the fair-trade movement and all the benefits that have been received in the past and can be received in the future.”

From The U.S. Embassy Belize: Attention U.S. Citizens in Belize!
Are you passionate about public service and want to represent the U.S. around the world? A challenging and rewarding career in the U.S. Foreign Service is waiting for you. The opportunity to work and experience cultures, customs and people of different nations is truly a career unlike any other. The U.S. Embassy in Belmopan will be administering the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) on February 6, 2015. If you are interested and qualify please sign up here to take the exam.

The U.S. Embassy Belmopan has an opening for a Purchasing Agent position.
The Purchasing Agent is for the procurement/purchasing of commodities, supplies and services (including off-the-shelf purchases) the Embassy. This includes conducting market research, preparing purchase orders or other procurement actions such as blanket purchase agreements, purchase card orders or contracts, and placing orders for requested goods and services and ensuring that these are received and delivered in a timely fashion; Reviews and processes invoices/billings, obtaining necessary approvals and documentation and submitting these to the Finance Office for payment requests. As cardholder of a Government SMARTPAY Purchase Card, is responsible for its proper use, maintenance, record keeping, statement reconciliation and following through on orders until they are received; Arranges for the repair and maintenance of copiers; Replenishes office supply stock, maintains filing system including electronic filing of all orders and prepares reports as necessary.

Manatee fatalities up
In 2014, a record number of manatees (34) were found dead in Belizean waters. Sixty-five percent of the deaths were caused by boats. In the last seven days, two manatees have suffered the same terrible fate: death by propeller. Support efforts on the water to help curb this disturbing trend. Respect no-wake zones and minimize speed in high traffic areas.

Power interruption Placencia area
Power interruption 9:00am to 10:30am, Tuesday, January 13, Placencia Peninsula: from Surfside Development to Turtle Inn, including Seine Bight and Placencia Lagoon Estate. BEL to replace utility pole and facilitate development works in the area.

NTUCB Press Release on Continuing BSCFA Solidarity
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize; makes an impassioned plea to the members of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, to remain united. There is no way you can come through on the most beneficial end of this matter; if you now fall prey to the plot that has been skillfully weaved and orchestrated to break you up. Whilst this Congress is being accused of leading this Association blindly, the NTUCB absolutely refuses to buckle under the name-calling. The NTUCB affirms that the measures it has undertaken to lend continued support to the BSCFA, is to ensure the longevity of the organization and to secure the BEST for the members of the BSCFA. The NTUCB does not intend to see the BSCFA busted; with its members relegated to cane cutters rather than cane farmers. This Congress begs the cane farmers to stand firm and stand strong as the NTUCB rallies with you to see the debacle through to the best possible outcome. United we stand … Divided we will all fall!!!

Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort – building new beginnings
Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Belize welcomes in the New Year with the launch of the newly renovated Great House and Singanga restaurant. Nestled in 21 acres of rare coastal forest with the Caribbean Sea at its doorstep, the resort’s main priority was to minimize its impact on the environment during the renovations. As a result, all surrounding foliage was left untouched during the build. And to conserve resources, in-house carpenters used locally sourced wood during construction and in making new furniture. The new second floor of the Guest House now features an expansive balcony and is home to Hamanasi’s Singanga restaurant. Downstairs the old kitchen has been converted into a large bakery and a new bar with ocean views awaits guests. With sustainability in mind, an upstairs library has been insulated to not only buffer outside noise but also to keep the room at a constant cool temperature with minimal energy usage. The library has a collection of books on Mayan history and native flora and fauna.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Thursday, January 8, 2015: 94
FANTASY 5: 21 20 39 22 11 F

Channel 7

After 55 Years, the Cane Farmers Association Splintering; PM Can't Save It
Tonight, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association is at an existential crossroads. And that's because - as might have been expected - some cane farmers, particularly those with huge acreages of cane - want to break away from the long established cane farmers association and sign their own contracts with BSI. This could mean the splintering of an institution that has been paramount in the north for 55 years. But tonight, between a fair trade fleecing and the cane compromise that crashed, there are credible reports which suggest that a move is afoot to form a new association, or associations to replace the venerable, but now beleaguered BSCFA. Reports that this might happen have been swirling for two weeks now as the sugar standoff became more and more protracted: and today they were formalized when the Prime Minister held a press conference to say, he supports the larger cane groups if they want to go their own way:

The Fair Trade Fuss
And the troubles continue for the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, this time due to the questionable usage of the Fair Trade funds. As we told you, the farmers took a resolution at the special general meeting last week Sunday that they want their association's executives to share out 4 million dollars of Fair Trade funds, which was already allocated for outreach programs to improve their lives. That's causing problems in two areas. Firstly, if and when the money is shared out, the association will be broke, and 16 field workers working on projects will be laid off. Since Sunday, the Association's executives have been warning their membership that if they share out the money in the fashion that the farmers want, it will more than likely get them into trouble with Fair Trade because this money is not supposed to given out in this manner. It is supposed to be invested in programs designed to improve the lives and the farms of the caneros. Meanwhile, Fairtrade has gotten word of the misuse of the premiums, and they've written to the association to express their disappointment.

Timber!: Four Forty Foot Containers
A Rosewood scare was raised in Belize City today with four containers on Central American Boulevard. All four of them contain hardwood and sources close to customs say they are all bound for China. But, a report emerged that the four containers were full of Rosewood - and so today, the police and the forestry department got involved. The four containers which had been parked at a warehouse, were bound for the customs lot to be shipped out. But Forestry said it had to check them first. So the seals were broken and an inspection done. According to the Chief forest officer Wilbur Sabido told us they did an inspection and everything seems to have checked out. He says the check shows that it is not Rosewood but Grenadillo, or a wood also known as hormigo. IT is lighter in colour than Rosewood. Still, it seems that there are powerful forces at work to block this export from a Chinese exporter and we are told there it will have to be opened and checked again tomorrow. We'll keep following it.

The Reality Of Guatemalan Casual Labour
Imagine about 150 Guatemalans coming across the western border, crossing freely without any passport. Well it happened yesterday - and it's been happening for years. Belize did just recently sign a bi lateral agreement with Guatemala for the exchange of casual labor, but the treaty only makes official what has been the practice for very long time. Guatemalans dominate the citrus industry's workforce, and with the picking season about to start they've started streaming in. This cell phone picture was captured yesterday and we asked Immigration minister Hulse about it today:.. Jules Vasquez "Sir 150 citrus workers came across just yesterday morning. How the system works, I know it always work before and after the treaty, is that they don't have any passports. Somebody just comes with their names on a list, their work permits are approved and they come across. That's how it works."

PM Serious About Docking Facility For Belize City
And while Hulse seems to have made an airtight commitment to Director Marin, Prime Minister Barrow has also made a new year's commitment to settle on a viable cruise ship docking facility for Belize City. Now, his undertaking is not as specific as Hulse's one - but he says he hopes to bring both sides together:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "One way or another we will find some way to make it happen. I can't tell you right now exactly how, but we will find some way to make it happen. One thing I certainly want to do is to try to get Stake Bank and FSTV together. My sense is this is a quarrel over money..." Jules Vasquez "And control..." Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Precisely, so, greed and luker."

Cops Under Investigation for Sex With Minor In Barrack Room
In the 90's there was a movie called sex, lies and videotape; but in 2014, it's more like sex, cell phones and facebook. That's what's driving a story about a police officer and a 16 year old girl who allegedly had sex in the police barracks. It seems the officer took nude pictures of her, and then his jealous significant other found them on his cell phone and posted the images on facebook. It's ugly stuff and would never make it to the news, but in this case, the police professional standards branch has been called upon to investigate because the girl's family has made a complaint against the officer at the station.

The Community Baboon Sanctuary Still Going Strong in Its Third Decade
The Department of Environment, which comes under the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development today held a media workshop in the village of Bermudian Landing. They want to encourage the press to feature the educational aspects of environmental protection on the news regularly. And that started in the conference room of the Community Baboon Sanctuary in Bermudian Landing. Here's what the organizers told us: Deidra Haylock "Like it or not the media is a catalyst for change. The media is a vehicle for information, for knowledge and knowledge empowers change and so to get citizens informed, to change policies, to change behaviors, the media has to be involved and so it was a productive direction that the Department of Environment wanted to achieve and so I had recommended that they bring together at least the main departments within the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, so that they could talk to the media about who they are, what they do, how their legislation covers them, what legislations fall under their purview and where there is avenue for relationship."

Southern Formation Lowest Crime Numbers
In 2013, when major crime was on a major downward trend, police were keeping the media up to date with statistics on a monthly basis. And police formations also got recognized on a quarterly basis for holding crime down. But in 2014, it stopped altogether - except for today when we learned that the Southern region got bigged up for the best crime figures. Yesterday at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan the Minister of National Security, and the Commissioner of Police held a meeting to discuss the Annual Statistics and the way forward for the next 3 months. For the year 2014, the southern Region which consists of Stann Creek and Toledo Districts showed a 37 percent reduction in major crimes. Accordingly, Sr. Supt. Ralph Moody, Southern Regional Commander received the award for the lowest crime rate for year 2014.

SMART Goes To Hospital
As a part of a community outreach project, Smart has partnered with the KHMH to renovate the waiting room area in the Accident and Emergency Unit. Under the project they have renovated two bathrooms, painted the waited room area, refurbished the ceiling, completed plumbing and electrical works and installed a wall-mounted flat screen television. It is a MUCH NEEDED donation. The media was invited this afternoon for the cutting of the ribbon and a tour of the area. The total cost of the project amounted was six thousand dollars.

Ortega Pushes, Barrow Bristles
At the top of the newscast, we told you all about the splintering within the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, which could lead to the break up of this body which has served the north for 5 decades. A lot of misgivings about the current crossroads the Sugar Industry finds itself at is based on the role of the Sugar Industry Control Board. Can they or can't they order the commencement of the cane season? Today in Orange Walk, Fred Ortega insisted that they must:.. Alfredo Ortega - Director, BSCFA Orange Walk Branch "All what we need to do and in this case the sugar industry act was made to guide the sugar industry as a whole. So, I don't see now that things that are within the act that can give that opportunity or that balance where one group can find a way out when they are cornered in certain position. Now he will come out and say that that is not good, that that doesn't reflect anything for him. I think that is not a good response for the law abiding citizens." And so as the BSCFA faces an existential crisis, can government do anything legislatively to save it? Today the Prime Minister bristled at the suggestion:..

Channel 5

SICB Won’t Compel ASR/B.S.I. to Accept Cane Deliveries
There is perhaps an unprecedented level of turmoil in the sugar industry tonight. The issues delaying the start of crop are complicated, but we’ll keep it simple. On Sunday cane-farmers [...]

Are Caneros Being Misled Into Seeking Order of Mandamus?
And certainly the government is not prepared to see American Sugar Refinery close its doors. After clarifying ASR’s position, the PM did the same with his. The Sugar Industry Control [...]

B.S.C.F.A. Director Prepared to Deliver 500,000 Tons of Cane to ASR/B.S.I. Pronto
Prime Minister says that the reason that government did not move to amend the Act as instructed by the Supreme Court in 2010 is because it wanted to preserve the [...]

PM on Amendment to Sugar Act
And then Prime Minister Barrow dropped the hammer, expressing its full support for any group which would organize to deliver cane outside of the B.S.C.F.A. That signifies a complete dismissal [...]

B.S.C.F.A. Proceeds With Disbursal of Fairtrade Funds to Cane Farmers
There is still no date for the start of the sugar crop and farmers are encouraged to deal directly with the sugar company. While this represents a blow to the [...]

Will Caneros Take to the Streets in Protest?
So far it has only been bad news for the B.S.C.F.A. and it is also bad news for those farmers and directors who have vehemently advocated going back to the [...]

PM Has No Desire to Meet With B.S.C.F.A.
If you were a little unclear about G.O.B.’s rejection of the B.S.C.F.A., the Prime Minister went further. While he met with ASR/B.S.I. on Wednesday, he has no wish to do [...]

PM Says There’s No Requisite Majority to Nationalize ASR/B.S.I.
So to wrap it all up, we picked out the relevant statement which clearly shows the Prime Minister’s frustration with the continuing chaos in the industry. While Barrow has maintained [...]

Jason Williams Gets Additional Prison Sentence for Stealing Rental Car
He is already serving a five-year jail term for firearm and ammunition offenses and will now spend his thirty-eighth birthday behind bars because Jason Williams was convicted today and got [...]

Minister of Immigration on Influx of Guatemalan Laborers
On Wednesday’s newscast we showed you pictures of hundreds of Guatemalan labourers massed at the Western Border waiting to come across. These labourers, we were told, entered Belize on the [...]

K.H.M.H. and Smart Upgrade A&E Waiting Room
When we last heard about the K.H.M.H., the folks there were welcoming the new baby for 2015. Well there is some more positive news tonight. The lobby of the Accident [...]

Good Morning America Chooses Destination Belize for 2015
The tourism industry closed last year on a high note after surpassing a million visitors to the jewel. And early indications are that 2015 may also be a bumper year. [...]

DOE Bridges Gap Between Man and His Environment
It is now abundantly clear that the protection of our environment is key to our continued existence. In fact sixty percent of the country has been designated as protected areas.  [...]

Community Baboon Sanctuary Explored
The workshop concluded with a tour by the Community Baboon Sanctuary in the area. The sanctuary, which spans the length and width of seven villages in the River Valley area, [...]

…But Why Is Business Slowing Down?
But the CBS relies primarily on the tourism aspect of the sanctuary. The sanctuary offers six different tours including the nature walk, a river canoe tour that is contracted to [...]

Healthy Living: get techy and live healthy
Welcome to our first segment of Healthy Living for 2015. To start the year with a bang and to help us set our goals for a balanced life style we [...]

CTV3

Electricity Rate Goes Down By 5%
Yesterday we told you about world oil prices that are reflecting lower prices at the pump for fuel and today there is more relief coming for Belizeans. That is because yesterday, the Public Utilities Commission announced that it has amended the mean electricity rate and previously approved tariffs which are resulting lower costs for the consumption of electricity. This move simply means that the next light bill you receive, you will see a 5percent decrease in your consumption. Consumers will now pay forty one point twenty nine per kilowatt hour, down two point eighteen cents. This newly approved decrease is only approved and applicable from January to June 30th.

Adding To The Sugar Crisis Is Disburstment Of 4 Million dollars Of Fair Trade Funds
Amid the Sugar Industry turmoil, there is the question if the directors of the BSCFA will disburse the four million dollars of Fair Trade funds as mandated by cane farmers during Sunday’s emergency meeting. Chairman of the BSCFA Committee of Management, Esiquiel Cansino, has indicated that the money will be disbursed despite the repercussions which include another suspension by FLOCERT following the next audit, possible decertification and the dismantling of the association. This is all due to the fact that the use of Fair Trade funds already allocated to projects goes against the organizations standards. But despite Cansino’s commitment, some cane farmers believe that the directors are just holding back the disbursement process and today they gathered at the compound of the BSCFA as a form of protest to the latest development. According to farmers, their intention is not to dissolve the association, what they do want though is to be fully informed on all that is happening within the association, particularly when it comes to the disbursement of the four million dollars.

Gateway Continues To Mark Change In Orange Walk
The students at Gateway Technical College from Wisconsin are certainly leaving their mark in communities across Orange Walk District. Today, the students who have been divided into groups of their major subjects were at Carmelita Government School teaching Information Technology and Horticulture to students at the Trinidad Government School. We spoke to students from the IT Department and students that are involved in Early Childhood education. William Stevens – Student “We are teaching them Power Point; basically we are having them make a Power Point make a background, add pictures from the Internet about specific country that they can choose.” Maria Novelo – Reporter “How are they taking to the work?”

Ranchito Resident Claims Police Brutality
A thirty three year old resident from Ranchito Village in the Corozal District is seeking justice for what he claims is police brutality. Elder Aguilar visited our news room in Corozal Town today and claimed that a sergeant, attached to the Northern Border Police booth, attacked him after he (the sergeant) had a misunderstanding with a Mexican national. Aguilar’s side of the story goes like this, he claims that he had just returned from returned from the Mexican Border when the sergeant had a verbal exchange with some Mexicans that were sitting in-front of Princess Casino. According to Aguilar he was waiting for a taxi to travel back to Corozal Town when he was approached by the sergeant who asked him to move from in-front of the casino where he was waiting for the taxi. Aguilar says at that instance he identified himself as a Belizean but the sergeant demanded that he produce and identification card. Aguilar declined to do so and the officer went back to his booth only to return shortly after accompanied by another officer and that when unjust force was used against him, says Aguilar.

Honorable Mai Concerned About Disbursement of 4 Million Dollars
From what we all know the money will be disbursed, but as we’ve heard there will be consequences. And that is what has many preoccupied including Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai. As a cane farmer, Mai says he understands the cries of caneros. But he is also conscious of the fact that the moment the four million dollars of Fair Trade funds is distributed, there will be a huge price to pay. Jose Abelardo Mai- Director of Communication Northern Caucus “I am very concerned for a number or reasons, one the farmers are in crisis mode hence the request of the amount of financing, I understand them and the need for money because they are broke and they have no money but I am not certain if it is the right thing to do and my whole concern is the sustainability of the Association, will we be able to survive if we spend that money I am not certain and that is what scares me but again we are pushing the farmers over the cliff. We could have avoided all of this man if tomorrow it would be announced that the crop would begin I am certain that the farmers would say you know what we could wait another week.”

BSCFA Writes To SICB To Start Crop
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has written to the Sugar Industry Control Board in respect to the start of the sugar crop for this year. This according to Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezequiel Cansino, is in following with the mandate of the farmers, which was passed at Sunday’s meeting. Cansino says the Committee of Management is respecting the resolutions of the farmers and is acting upon them. Ezequiel Cansino – Chairman of the committee of Management “Todos quedamos de acuerdo de que fue una resolución pasada por la Asamblea y vamos a respetar esa resolución y por eso mismo también dieron su consentimiento al comité de manejo que procega con todo lo que se tenga que hacer. En este punto referente a este caso de apoyar al Mandemus hemos cumplido al enviar le la carta el SICB también se le envió a BSI pero hasta el momento no hemos tenido respuesta de ellos y si ya tenemos la aplicación del Mandemus la copia de nosotros y la petición de la abogada, Matura para unirse con el representante de nosotros para discutir más como van a trabajar con este asunto pero hace unos minutos lo conseguimos y ahorita se le esta enviando al abogado de nosotros para que lo viera y de su opinión legal sobre este caso.”

BSCFA Contnues To Make Calculations To Grant Cane Farmers 4 Million Dollars
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association officials continue to make calculations and projections into its survival following the decision to grant cane farmers the disbursement of four million dollars. The consequences as explained by the officials are severe and can even mean the collapse of the association on a whole. One of the biggest concerns for the leaders is the Association’s standing with Fairtrade following the disbursement of the money. As is, the general assembly voted to dissolve all projects that had been approved and financed with a large part of the money. According to Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezequiel Cansino, the association is still going to push for one of the key projects on child labor. Cansino says they are making every effort to getting the project off the ground and want to carry through with it in its entirety since this was one of the biggest noncompliance that had propelled the Association into a suspension by Fairtrade last year. Ezequiel Cansino – Chairman of the committee of Management “Eso nos va afectar no solo como miembros de Fair Trade si no como productores de caña de azúcar, sabemos que el internacional condena lo que es el Child Labour y tengamos o no tengamos Fair Trade tenemos como mitigar como resolver ese problema en esta industria.”

Public Service Vehicle Caught Fire
Late this evening, residents on 5th Street South in Corozal Town were alarmed when a taxi car bearing license plate D1805 attach to the Los Tucanes Taxi union in that municipality caught fire causing panic for residents. Luckily, with the quick response of onlookers and the driver of the vehicle, they were able to extinguish the fire. From the image provided, significant damages were concentrated on the engine. Luckily no one was injured.

LOVE FM

Upgrade in KHMH Waiting Room
Collaboration between the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and SMART telecommunications has resulted in the upliftment of the emergency waiting room at the facility on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City. Love News was there for the presentation and spoke to Linette Canto of the Public Relations Department at SMART. LINETTE CANTO “We were approached by Dr.Johnson of the KHMH we took a look at her proposal which was in different phases the first phase being the most important phase which is the emergency area where patients have to wait to receive treatment. We looked at it and we decided that it really was an awesome proposal because imagine you are in distress and you are not feeling well you will want the area in which you are to be very comfortable and that is why we decided it was something we wanted to take on. Originally when we were first approached we were given a tour of the hospital.

Farmers Given Green Light to Break Away from BSCFA
He said the reason the Government did not move to comply with the court order to amend the law, was because it wished to preserve the integrity of the BSCFA. He went on to say that it will support the farmers who decide that they want to break away from the BSCFA and sign an agreement with BSI/ASR. PM DEAN BARROW “Those farmers and branches that are talking about getting together to sign the agreement with BSI outside of the BSCFA have a constitutional right to do so. That is both self-evident and clear as a matter of the 2010 Supreme Court order. And the government if those farmers choose to exercise their undoubted right will do whatever is necessary to vindicate that right. That is the law of the land and government’s constitutional duty. There has been talk of government calling an emergency house meeting on Monday to pass the amendments to the sugar act mandated by that 2010 supreme court order, that will not happen and it will not happen for two reasons.

Were the Farmers Misled on Writ of Mandamus?
The Prime Minister said those individuals that campaigned against the agreement are misleading the farmers. He said the court ruling back in 2010 found the Sugar Industry Act illegal. PM DEAN BARROW “And one of the reasons the act was found unconstitutional was precisely because it only recognized the BSCFA as the sole representative of cane farmers, the sole organization apart from the miller to be involved by the SICB in taking actions such as fixing the period for the annual crop. The amendments mandated by the court include the removal of the BSCFA as sole grower representative and substituting therefore any and all organizations such as the United Cane Farmers Association which brought a challenge to the act in the first place and the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association. In these circumstances it seems to me to be foolishness on top of foolishness, nonsense placed upon stilts for these people to argue that they will get the court to aid their illegal bid to pressure the SICB. The question might fairly be asked, can an entity declared unconstitutional under the act even have standing to move the court? We will soon find out.”

Sugar Impasse Trickles from Farmers to Country’s Overall Economy
Yesterday the northern caucus of the People’s United Party called for the Government to make a move given the delay of the crop season and the economic impact it is having on the northern district. Today Prime Minister Barrow said the impasse is having an effect not only on the north but the economy of the country. PRIME MINISTER, HON. DEAN BARROW “The damage to the economy of the north and the livelihood of cane farmers increases with each passing day. According to the Central Bank of Belize sugar exports generate $107.5 million in 2012 and $107.3 million in 2013. 5,500 farmers make up the BSCFA and sugar income underpins these many thousands of households; paying their everyday bills, servicing their mortgages, sending their children to school and in the main preserving the quality of life for both the Orange Walk and Corozal districts.

Hubert Elrington Predicts Devastation for the North
During today’s press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said that a number of farmers are contemplating to break away from the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association. While it would create a division among the farmers, the move to form their own association would certainly not be deemed illegal or unconstitutional; particularly following a court order handed down in the courtroom of Justice Legal on June 8, 2010. Attorney Hubert Elrington was the legal representative for the United Cane Farmers Association which had challenged the Sugar Act back in 2010 through their president, Wilfredo Magana. Elrington took us back to that case and its outcome. ATTORNEY HUBERT ELRINGTON “The order was made on the 8th of June 2010 and the application was for a declaration that the act itself, the entire act, was unconstitutional null void and of no effect and the order so declared so they don’t have any act I hear Mrs. Matura talking about an act and the cane farmer’s association talking about an act and the factory talking about an act the government talking about an act, no act exists, it was declared unconstitutional way back in 2010 and if my memory serves me right and I think I have a fairly good memory, the government was given by the judge Justice Legal three months to enact a new law that conformed to the constitution of Belize but that was never done.”

Government Will Not Compel ASR/BSI to Accept Deliveries
There are many who are calling on the Government to step in and set a date for the start of the sugar crop. Cane farmer Lucilo Teck has taken the matter to court and filing a writ of mandamus for them to do so. Today Prime Minister Barrow said that will not happen. PRIME MINISTER, HON. DEAN BARROW “We have said from the start and we maintain our position that we are incapable if we are to act in accordance with the law of forcing BSI to accept deliveries but we have gone beyond that. We have said not only is it impossible to do that, it is also undesirable to do that. We don’t believe that a party that is one side of an arm’s length commercial relationship should be compelled to do anything against its wishes. There are huge implications for any such attempt on the part of government to do that. Huge implications for foreign investment, huge implications in respect to this particular investment. These are people who can afford to absorb the loss and walk away from Belize and I am telling you it is quite clear to me that they would do precisely that if any effort were to be made to compel them. In all circumstances I repeat government cannot and does not even wish to compel BSI.”

Gapi Says No Protest In Sight From Caneros
The extended delay of the start of the crop season is causing speculation that farmers might decide to protest in some form to show their discontent. Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was asked if he expected some sort of demonstration by farmers. DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, GASPAR VEGA “I haven’t gotten that impression yet, I haven’t gotten that message. I think it is clear that even within the Cane Farmers Association, it is clear that what happened at the last general meeting was not what majority of the farmers wanted. I am convinced that if there was a secret ballot done tomorrow the results would be different. All of us throughout this entire country know the sensitivity of that industry and people are scared to have their cane fields burnt; they’re not worried about tires, they’re worried about their cane fields.”

PM Blames BSI/ASR for Unsigned Agreement
The situation in the sugar industry remains uncertain and it is not certain what effect comments made by Prime Minister Dean Barrow will have. At a conference today, the Prime Minister said the Government has always supported the sugar cane farmers. He said in the recent negotiations, Government pressed successfully on behalf of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, ensuring that the areas of concern brought by farmers were addressed. After an agreement between ASR/BSI and the BSCFA was reached he said trouble arose when it was time for the formal legal contractual agreement. PRIME MINISTER, HON. DEAN BARROW “I pull no punches in saying that the unraveling that then took place was entirely the fault of ASR/BSI, they insisted on a clause giving them the right to judge cane quality when that function had been agreed as being the province of the SCPC ever since the time of the industry MOU forged again by this administration and which was entered into I think in 2010. Not surprisingly and in fact quite justifiably the BSCFA rejected this ASR move and made clear that they would not sign the agreement unless that offending clause and in fact one other was taken out.

PlusTV

Cayo man arrested for possession with intent to supply
In the Cayo District, on Tuesday December 6 at 4:25p.m., police were patrolling on the George Price Highway Santa Elena Town, when they stopped to conduct a search on 45-year-old Albert Dennis Myvette, who was riding a bicycle on the highway. They discovered a yellow plastic bag containing 130 grams of suspected cannabis from his pants waist. As a result, police arrested and charged Albert Dennis Myvette of George Price Highway, Santa Elena Town, for the offence of Possession of Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply.

Custom Broker threatened with a gun
A 30-year-old Custom Broker, and a resident of Belize City, reported that on Wednesday December 7 at 9:05a.m., he was riding his bicycle on Albert Street and while reaching in front of Bon-Fire Alley on Albert Street, one of three men, who were standing in front of the Alley, pulled out a black hand gun and asked him, “You wa dead?” Fearing for his life, he sped off on his bicycle. Police investigation into the matter continues.

4 arrested for possession of a controlled drug
On Wednesday December 7 at about 7:00 a.m., police conducted a search at #19 Fabers Road in Belize City, at a small wooden bungalow structure, in the presence of the four occupants. There police found a black plastic bag containing what appeared to be cannabis. Police then escorted all four persons ...

Tourist fined for weed possession
Honduran national and American resident, 42 year old Mario Silva Brown, was fined $250 for possession of 0.9 grams of cannabis in the court of Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Mario Brown, a bathroom and kitchen designer residing in the U.S...

Senior citizen charged for Drug Trafficking
On December 6, 2015 at about 11:00a.m., police conducted a search at the residence of 57-year-old Randolph Cadle of Crooked Tree Village, which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag containing 101.3 gram suspected cannabis. Present at the time of the search were 25-year-old Dean Lanza of Pelic...

Drugs found in abandoned lots in Belize City
On January 6, 2015, police conducted searches in an abandoned lot located on Price Alley, Belize City, which led to the discovery of a black plastic bag that contained eleven transparent plastic bags of suspected Cannabis, which amounted to a total of 96 grams...

The Guardian

Two to One victory for Omar Figueroa in Cayo North
The Red Machine was fully oiled and executed perfectly on Monday January 5, 2015 when Dr. Omar Figueroa delivered the Cayo North constituency once again for the United Democratic Party. Defeating his opponent with a two to one margin the Red Hills are once again claiming the color of their fame. The return of the Red Hills however is being done so with a true charismatic people person who has already committed to begin the work immediately. During a call to Wave Radio’s Fus Ting Da Mawning, on Wednesday,Dr. Figueroa started off by thanking all the voters who came out to support him and in particular those who voted for him. He also thanked those who exercised their right even if it was not in his favor. He then went on to explain that his first order of business is to establish his constituency office. He added that he will be based at his office for at least two days a week and he assured that he would not leave until every single persons is attended to.

Belize City Council ready to hire BML workers
On Friday, January 16, the largest staff of any municipal government in Belize will increase by 59 percent. The sanitation contract between the Belize City Council and the Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) will expire on January 15; therefore, the Council is preparing to host an orientation exercise the following day for 158 individuals that it will be absorbing from the company. The questions that have been on the Mayor’s mind for months are how will the Council be able to cover the new wage bill and how will such hirings fly under recently established “Municipal Service Regulations”. Mayor Darrell Bradley says he is still concerned about the challenge of such a huge addition to the staff but says that he is committed to making it work. After consultations with the Human Resource Department of the Council, the Mayor has decided to divide the Sanitation Department into two units. One will continue to be headed by current Sanitation Manager, Percy Murillo, and a new unit will be headed by current Emergency Management Coordinator, Wayne Usher. Bradley says one unit will be responsible for operations dealing strictly with collection of garbage and other residential services. The other unit will be responsible for cemetery services, cleaning parks and other public spaces as well as other public health operations.

UDP Government mandates lowering of fuel prices
For the fourth consecutive time since November 25 the price of fuel went down this week again. On Tuesday January 6, the price of premium stood at $8.01, regular at $7.57 and diesel at $7.21. Premium went down by 77 cents, regular went down by 80 cents while premium went down by 67cents. The price decrease is directly related to the UDP’s government commitment to pass on savings to consumers immediately when the acquisition price of fuel goes down. Senior officials say that the savings is directly related to the government’s tax formula which is set where government’s take is fixed as a percentage of the price of fuel acquired. The prices have now fallen from $10.48 for premium, $10.12 for regular and $8.37 for diesel in November of last year.

Cane Farmers reject agreement to deliver cane to BSI
There is approximately 1.477 million tonnes of cane on the ground currently, and through Audrey Matura-Shepherd’s influence, the milling season will be delayed even further because the farmers have decided to reject the government facilitated compromise agreement with BSI/ASR the second time around. As a result, more cane will be wasted, and the farmers will lose more money on their investment. In last week edition of the Guardian, we told you how Matura-Shepherd was campaigning hard with the help of those within the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association who did not like the terms of the agreement. She had been meeting with the farmers in small groups to try to convince them that there is no need to sign the commercial agreement. She and her client, Lucilo Teck, a farmer claiming over 40 years of experience in the industry, had already attempted to block BSI/BSCFA agreement when they went to court for an injunction.

Year in Review - 2014
December Through the Residential Mortgage Payment Program, the Government of Belize will assist qualifying Belizeans by reimbursing December 2014 interest and principal payments on all residential mortgages with an original value of up to BZ$100,000.00, as was stated in the Pime Minister’s Independence Day Speech. Borrowers from the National Bank, Commercial Banks, Credit Unions, the Development Finance Corporation and the Belize Social Security Board can apply for assistance; however borrowers must meet the following criteria approved by Cabinet: 1. Must be residential mortgages of original value of no more than BZ$100,000.00; 2. Must be residential mortgages for new home construction. Mortgages for home improvement will not qualify; 3. Mortgages taken out solely for the purpose of refinancing prior mortgages for the construction of new residences will also qualify for the program. 4. Must be legally registered mortgages and not merely the deposit of title deeds called “Equitable Mortgages.” Cane Farmers force Fair Trade money bonanza In August, three and a half months ago, news emerged that Fair Trade intended to reduce the amount of Fair Trade Funding that the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association received after buying Belizean sugar at premium prices. Secondly, the organization which provides oversight of the use of the money, Flo Cert, temporarily decertified the association yet again due to financial misappropriation and theft of the association’s funds, and the violation of child labour statutes. Only 2 days after being officially cleared of the most recent ban, the farmers are forcing the Association to do something which is bound to get them in trouble again with the oversight bodies of the Fair Trade agreement.

Fair Trade threatens to de-certify Belize after cane farmers demand a $4M drawdown
Fair Trade International, the organization which allows sugar from Belize to be bought at a higher price as a form of social outreach programs, has written to the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, for the second controversial resolution made by the farmers to fleece Fair Trade Funds. They want to draw down 4 million dollars to be distributed evenly among each of the 5,300 farmers. The only problem is that this is not the way Fair Trade intended these monies to be used, and now, the BSCFA risks being de-certified or suspended once again after being green lighted only days before Christmas. Apart from torpedoing the latest deal being offered by ASR/BSI, the General Membership passed another resolution on Sunday, January 4, that their association must make available 4 million dollars for them to share out while the uncertainty of the start of the crop is being dealt with. Now, that’s not how that money is supposed to be used for. It was budgeted to fund development programs for the farmers so that their crop quality can improve, and so that the lives of the farmers are improved. It is not supposed to be used like a bank book to cover hard times.

Doctor Omar Figueroa wins in the Cayo North Division
By the time the dust had settled in a fiercely contested Cayo North Division, Dr. Omar Figueroa came out leading at the polls on Monday of this week by 1,316 votes, with him getting 2664 votes and his contestant Richard Harrison, 1,348 votes. There were 51 ballots that were rejected in the entire election process. On exiting the counting center at the Cayo Center for Employment Training, where some 13 ballot boxes had just been counted, the new Representative for the Cayo North Division Dr. Omar Figueroa thanked the Prime Minister of Belize, the Hon. Dean Barrow, the Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Gaspar Vega, and his family and friends; for their support during the bye-elections held for Cayo North on Monday.

PUP calls a ‘closed press conferece’
The PUP’s 2012-2016 Reform Agenda pledged “A Freedom of the Press Law” as part of the many fiascos (Manifesto) promises to the Belizean People. On Tuesday 6th January the People’s Disunited Party held a PRESS CONFERENCE at the PUP’s Headquarters on Queen Street, to update the public as to the results of the By-election held in Cayo North. Invitations were sent out to all media houses and PRESS outlets to attend said press conference. Shane Williams, a reputable journalist in the employ of the Guardian Newspaper responded to the invitation to media houses and went to the PUP’s Headquarters where the so called press conference was to be held. Whilst getting his equipment ready, Mr. Williams was approached by non-other than Vaughn Gill, the Host/co-Host/producer/director of the morning show-the Whip hence forth known as the WEEP. Gill told Mr. Williams in no uncertain terms that “this is a closed press conference” and that he was not welcomed at this press conference and had him brusquely escorted out of the PUP headquarters.

PUP- DEVOID of LEADERSHIP
“We have to keep in mind it’s a bye-election which was forced, as I said, by a sudden resignation.” The question has still not been answered as to why there was this sudden resignation from a person who obviously wanted to be in politics, but did not see the leadership of the PUP viable; note there has been nothing coming out of that camp. “ So I think, as some of you have characterized it, we were in a sense caught off guard. I think everyone regarded us as underdogs going into this bye-election even though we had held the seat before. "

A Cold Farewell
I first met the Chairman of the United Democratic Party, Mr. Alberto August, about a year ago at a function at Mr. Lot Aragon’s residence here in OW. The Chairman had just attended a meeting with the OW Central UDP committee to plan the upcoming convention for that constituency, and thereafter he decided to give the “Chief” a shout. When Lot introduced me to Mr. August, the Chairman commented that he had the impression that the by-line "Jamil Matar" was a pseudonym perhaps for Wilfrido Novelo, a supporter who has indeed in the past contributed regularly for the UDP. Anyway, Mr. August said he was pleased to meet me and that he liked my articles. I quickly became aware that the UDP chairman was full of dynamic energy; constantly on the move, and fully dedicated to the success of the UDP. As he spoke with supporters that evening, he came across as being intimately informed of the challenges facing the Party at all electoral levels, from village council to national constituencies.

“New Year, New Me”
As the New Year comes about we reflect on things that need to be changed in our lives. We start thinking on New Year resolutions, the “New Year, New Me”. Its funny how one year to the next makes us feel like a fresh start when in reality it’s just a one day to the next difference. But it’s a belief that “Fresh starts are good” and nothing is wrong with that. But as the year goes along we forget the “New year, New Me”. Many people don’t tend to believe in New Year resolutions because they failed to achieve their resolutions in the past. Some people actually achieve their resolutions but most don’t. So what can you do to achieve your resolutions? First make a clarification of what is it you want to change or achieve in the New Year. Don’t make broad comments like “I want a car” or “I want to change my personality”. There are many types of cars out there, what brand of car? Or which part of your personality you want to change? Many people don’t achieve their resolutions because they themselves don’t exactly know what their resolutions for the New Year are.

Slain while he waited to work
Mervin Underwood, a 32 year-old employee of Cisco Construction, was gunned down in a brazen daylight murder on Monday, January 5 at the foot of the Pound Yard Bridge. He had just left his Water Lane home to report to work, and he went to stand at the corner of Cemetery Road and East Canal Street. He was waiting for the “Chocolate” bus which usually took him to his work site, which was a short distance away from him. That’s when a lone gunman chose to seize an opportunity. This assailant was reportedly wearing a long sleeve shirt, long pants and a black shirt was covering his face. He pulled out a 9 mm gun and shot Underwood twice, and when Underwood collapsed, the shooter stood over him and fired 3 more shots to be sure. Underwood suffered among others an injury to the head, and he died immediately, causing chaos in that area, which is usually very busy in the morning.

Charged for stabbing rapist?
Sandra Perez, 29, was before the Belize City Magistrates Court on Tuesday, December 31, to answer to a single charge of grievous harm but she claims the victim was trying to rape her. In court, no plea was taken since the matter is an indictable offense. The complainant is Kenrick Pennell who was stabbed once to the abdomen on December 29. However, Perez is alleging that she is the true victim in the case. She was very emotional in court before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Perez told the Senior Magistrate that she and Pennell were fighting. She said, “Without telling a lie, he tried to rape me. He kicked me up all over.” Perez lifted her blouse and showed the court bruises on her upper back, shoulder, forehead and face. She also showed the court a piece of white cloth which she claims is a white blouse she was wearing at the time when Pennell tore it off. She says that she tried to make a report to police about the attempted rape but no one took her statement.

Busted with firearm and ammunition
Curlin Phillips, 25, of a Curl Thompson Street address and Tevin Palmer, 18, of a King Street address, are on remand at the Belize Central Prison on gun charges. According to police, at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, a mobile unit noticed a gold vehicle at the corner of Ebony and Zericote Street that they thought was suspicious. When the men saw police they fled and police set chase after them. Police say they saw as an object was thrown out of the vehicle. Police later caught up with Palmer and Phillips who were taken to where the object was thrown and later found a black rusty .357 Astra brand revolver loaded with six rounds of .38 ammunition.

“Robbery” executed on the Boulevard police charge one
One of the most polarizing street figures of Belize City, Kareem Fredrick Lopez, was gunned down and killed on Central American Boulevard late Saturday night, January 3. Lopez went to buy at a fast food shop at the corner of Central American and Jane Usher Boulevard at about 10:15 p.m. on Saturday but before he could leave the area he was ambushed by multiple men. One of them pulled out a handgun and emptied the clip into his head and body from close range, making sure he was dead. Police responded to the scene shortly after but Lopez had already expired. A postmortem examination concluded that he died of “severe brain injury due to Traumatic fracture of skull due to multiple gunshots to the head”. Lopez was only 28 years old.

Young man killed while trying to execute another man in Belmopan
Kevin Vasquez, a 19 year-old Honduran from Belmopan City, was shot and killed on Sunday, January 4, in what currently appears to be a failed execution attempt of another man. The man who caused him to be fatally shot, will not be charged with any criminal offences at this time. 31 year-old Mark Conorquie, originally from Belize City, told police that at around 6:30 p.m., he was outside in his yard when Vasquez tried to ambush him. According to Conorquie, he saw when Vasquez attempted to pull a gun from his pant waist, and they got into a fight over possession of the weapon. The two men reportedly struggled, and that’s when the gun went off, injuring Vasquez in the head, chest and upper leg. He died from those injuries.

House destroyed by flames in Benque
By the time the smoke had settled a formerly green in color wooden house in Western Belize had been consumed by fire. The family of Ingrid Can is still reeling from a fire, which started on the first day of the New Year on Elizabeth Street in Benque Viejo del Carmen. Members of the Benque Viejo Branch of the National Fire service responded to a call for help as a result of the fire at about 1:40 pm. When the firemen responded they also noted that a second concrete building on Elizabeth Street had also been damaged by the flames and made every effort to extinguish it. Family members and friends gathered Friday at the location of the burnt single storey house to start the cleaning up process. Four adults had been occupying the house at the time of the fire, but have now found temporary shelter. Their possessions were completely destroyed by the fire. The loss was estimated to be some twenty thousand dollars and the house was not insured.

Belize Athletics Association to hold National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. The event had to be postponed and is now set to be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 24 and 25 January, 2015. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association). Registration forms can also be obtained from and returned to the National Sports Council’s offices throughout the country.

Mai Joins the Herd, sugar cane deliveries being made more impossible
Last night on CTV3 in Orange Walk Town the Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party decided to put yet another obstacle to a timely resolution to the crisis in the sugar industry. The area representative for Orange Walk South, Abelardo Mai, announced that the PUP were proposing 5 more conditions to be conjoined to any agreement with BSI for a start of crop. One of the main points stipulated by the PUP was that Government should promptly transfer the 2% shares presently owned by the Government and People of Belize to the BSCFA, which would allow for the Association to have a representative on the Board of Directors of the Sugar Company. The other significant demand was that since the cane is perpetually “owned” by farmers in any given crop, they should have a key role in the marketing and sale of sugar and molasses since these products also belong to them.

Morning Weep looking for excuses for election defeat
The PUP's morning Whip turned into the Morning Weep on Tuesday January 6th as the hosts including Shutty, Marshal, and Bugle Vaughn tried to come up with every excuse in the book to explain away the trouncing that the PUP took at the polls in Cayo North. Marshal claimed that the UDP formed a barrier in front of the polling stations preventing the PUP's from voting, we are not sure how he was able to see this but that was his story and he was sticking to it. Then Shutty chimed, grabbing a piece of paper and scribbling the number 44% on it and saying that there is no way that 62 percent of the voting population could have come out. He then said voters were being paid to come out. Meanwhile Bugle Vaughn tried to read text messages which turned out to be an impossible task since he, of course, cannot read.

New Year’s Honors announced
In a News Release from Belize House in Belmopan, the Office of the Governor-General announces that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to make the following appointments to THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER BRITISH EMPIRE on the occasion of NEW YEAR HONOURS 2015. C.B.E. To be an Ordinary Commander of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Michael Clarence Edward Young LLB., C.L.E. for Contribution to the Legal Profession and the Community O.B.E. To be Ordinary Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Ms. Esther Ayuso, for contribution to the Community and Women’s Rights Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth MSN, RN, for contribution to Nursing and the Community M.B.E. To be an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Mrs. Bernadette Fernandez, for Contribution to the Community and Leadership The Date for the presentation of awards will be announced later.

Who is the real leader of the PUP?
The recent historic by-elections in Cayo North showcased the who is who in modern politics. Both political parties flexed their political muscle and like the proud peacock displayed party colors for all to see. The casual bystander however looked at this spectacle and upon spontaneous observation concluded that the blue party lacked so much muscle and color that it was not a surprise to anyone when the votes were counted that they lost. In high hopes, during the voting; in guarded hopes after the polls closed and then after in hopelessness, the PUP supporters and pundits held a semblance of support for their born loser candidate. We stood and observed as the only real leader of the PUP… Johnny Briceño stood ground and rallied hopelessly until the end. He was the only one in the PUP hierarchy who embarrassed himself and pathetically tried to display a semblance of support for the born loser (maybe the buying of Big H had something to do with this great comradery).

Another cop charged with extortion
Police from the Independence Southern Formation have charged 22 year old Bernard Villanueva with extortion. Reports are that at about 7:30p.m. on Friday January 2 they received information that Villanueva who was in charge of the Bella Vista village station was demanding money from 28 year old Jeydi Romero for the release of her husband. Romero’s husband, Nahun had been detained by Villanueva earlier in the day. After receiving the report, police set up surveillance at the police station when at around 9:50p.m. a man visited the station and handed over something to Villanueva. Police who were on surveillance acted immediately and upon Villanueva seeing the officers approaching, he threw the package he had been given. It was retrieved and turned out to be 200 dollars in different denominations. The money was cross checked with some which had been previously photographed and it turned out to be the same.

Charged for New Year’s eve killing in Orange Walk
Miguel Moises Medina, a 51 year-old man from Orange Walk who is better known as Chino, was killed as a consequence of being stabbed 42 times on New Year’s Eve. Police have been investigating this very violent case, and they’ve already charged a man only 5 days later. Medina was at a house on Fonseca Street in Orange Walk Town on Wednesday, December 31, at around 6 p.m. He was socializing with a group of men, and according to police, they got into a fight. It is unclear at this time what caused the fight, but it escalated to extreme violence where Medina was stabbed all over his head, torso and arms. He died from that attack, and Orange Walk Police moved in quickly where several men were detained, and evidence was retrieved from the house.

Lincoln Moralez Pleads Guilty to Stealing Cell Phone
Lincoln Moralez, 23, of Saint Thomas Street is lucky to be a free man after he pleaded guilty to stealing a relative’s Samsung Galaxy S4, valued at $1,800. Tara Waight reported to police that she was socializing with her family near Allenby Street on January 1 and left her purse in a vehicle parked in front of the yard. Later she remembered that she had left her cellular phone in the purse and went to pick it up. Waight could not locate her phone and that was when she told her parents that the phone was missing. As they started to inquire and checked people in the area, Waight says she noticed Moralez throwing an object into the canal. when she confronted him he told her that it was a beer bottle that he threw. After being pressed, he later admitted that it was the phone that he threw into the canal. Waight reported the matter to police and Moralez was arrested.

Using apples to smuggle weed into prison
Raheem Myles, 18, is serving the first days of a six months sentence for attempting to smuggle weed into the Belize Central Prison on New Year’s Eve. According to the case files, Myles went to visit an inmate at the Belize Central Prison on Wednesday, December 31, and a prison officer conducted a routine search on him and his packages. According to the officer, one package contained three apples. The officer noticed that a transparent plastic like material was exposed from under the apple’s sticker. He took off the sticker and saw the plastic coming from inside the apple. The officer took out the bag and noticed that weed was inside. The other apples were searched and in total three plastic bags were found containing weed. The bags had weed rolled up in smaller parcels. Hattieville police were called to the prison and Myles was handed over along with the weed. Police weighed the weed in Myles’ presence and it amounted to 46 grams. He was charged with drug possession.

“Robbery” executed on the Boulevard police charge one
One of the most polarizing street figures of Belize City, Kareem Fredrick Lopez, was gunned down and killed on Central American Boulevard late Saturday night, January 3. Lopez went to buy at a fast food shop at the corner of Central American and Jane Usher Boulevard at about 10:15 p.m. on Saturday but before he could leave the area he was ambushed by multiple men. One of them pulled out a handgun and emptied the clip into his head and body from close range, making sure he was dead. Police responded to the scene shortly after but Lopez had already expired. A postmortem examination concluded that he died of “severe brain injury due to Traumatic fracture of skull due to multiple gunshots to the head”. Lopez was only 28 years old.

Busted with firearm and ammunition
Curlin Phillips, 25, of a Curl Thompson Street address and Tevin Palmer, 18, of a King Street address, are on remand at the Belize Central Prison on gun charges. According to police, at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, a mobile unit noticed a gold vehicle at the corner of Ebony and Zericote Street that they thought was suspicious. When the men saw police they fled and police set chase after them. Police say they saw as an object was thrown out of the vehicle. Police later caught up with Palmer and Phillips who were taken to where the object was thrown and later found a black rusty .357 Astra brand revolver loaded with six rounds of .38 ammunition.

Young man killed while trying to execute another man in Belmopan
Kevin Vasquez, a 19 year-old Honduran from Belmopan City, was shot and killed on Sunday, January 4, in what currently appears to be a failed execution attempt of another man. The man who caused him to be fatally shot, will not be charged with any criminal offences at this time. 31 year-old Mark Conorquie, originally from Belize City, told police that at around 6:30 p.m., he was outside in his yard when Vasquez tried to ambush him. According to Conorquie, he saw when Vasquez attempted to pull a gun from his pant waist, and they got into a fight over possession of the weapon. The two men reportedly struggled, and that’s when the gun went off, injuring Vasquez in the head, chest and upper leg. He died from those injuries.

Hector Rangel of Benny’s Megabytes is 25th KREM Classic Champion
The 25th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic is now history. The much heralded event was held on Thursday 1 January 2015, where some 68 elite riders participated in the 96 miles event. In the Open Elite category, the first rider to cross the finish line was Hector Rangel, a Mexican who rides for the Benny’s Megabytes Cycling Team, in a time of 3:50:26 to laid claims to the 25th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic. He was then followed by David Santos of Bel-Cal Cycling Club in a time of 3:53:25, and he was followed by Ron Vasquez of Western Spirit Cycling Club in a time of 3:53:00, and he was followed by Angel Tzib of Team Smart in a time of 3:53:27 and he was followed by Giovanni Lovell of Digicell 4G Elite in a time of 3:54:00 for the top five positions. The other top positions went to John Delong who is unattached, and he completed the course in a time of 3:54:00, and he was followed by David Henderson of Team Smart, Nissan Arana of Predators, and he was followed by former champion Byron Pope of Benny’s Megabytes, and then by Henry Moreria of Team Smart for the tenth position.

Belize Athletics Association to hold Annual General Assembly
Belize Athletics Association will hold the 2015 Annual General Assembly at the University of the West Indies Auditorium, Princess Margaret Drive, on 31 January, 2015 at 2:00pm. There is one vacancy open for the election of a committee member for which nominations are sought. All members are required to pay their 2015 annual dues by the 27 January, 2015. Payment of dues can be made at any of the National Sports Council offices throughout Belize.

St. Ignatius School wins in Belize City primary schools basketball competition
The Belize City Primary School Basketball Competition continued on Wednesday 7, January, 2015, at Bird’s Isle with two games on the schedule. In the girls’ competition game played, Holy Redeemer School defeated St. Luke Methodist School by the score of 3-2. The top scorer for Holy Redeemer School was Yu Ting Li with 2 points while Khia Downs scored the 1 point for St. Luke Methodist School. In the boys’ game played, St. Ignatius School defeated Queen Square Anglican School by the score for 31-1. The top scorers for St. Ignatius School were Glenford Bermudez with 11 points and Tairel Carcamo with 8 points. For Queen Square Anglican the only point of the game was scored by Jaheem Bent.

National Elite Basketball League Tips off on February 6
The National Elite Basketball League, NEBL, will be tipping off its second annual basketball tournament on Friday, 6 February 2015. Tentatively, there are nine teams in the tournament this year, having representation from Corozal, Orange Walk, San Pedro, Belmopan, San Ignacio & Santa Elena, Dangriga, Punta Gorda and two teams from Belize City. A meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. this Saturday, 10 January at the Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association Office on Albert Street. The name of teams, tournament schedule, team rosters, opening night details and other tournament logistics will be conveyed next week, after all these matters are finalized at the meeting scheduled for this Saturday. The NEBL is anticipating another great season of basketball, as teams are solidifying their rosters while planning to offer greater excitement and a better product for their respective fan bases.

Belmopan Bandits vs Police United this Saturday at Isidoro Beaton Stadium
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season Tournament semi-final round continued over the weekend with two more games on the schedule. On Sunday 4 January 2015, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the two times defending champions the Belmopan Bandits inched a step closer to qualifying for the championship round for a third consecutive time when it blanked Verdes FC by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Shane Armstrong in the 90?minute of play to give the Belmopan Bandits the victory. Meanwhile, on Saturday 3 January 2015, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the host team Police United edged the Belize Defence Force by the score of 2-1. The Police United got on the scoreboard first when Amin August Jr. scored the 1st goal of the game in the 17th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The first half of the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Police United squad.

Patrick Jones

Lingering sugar industry crisis could cause BSCFA split
Prime Minister Dean Barrow says that despite the Government’s best efforts, the refusal of Belize Sugar Industries Limited/American Sugar Refining (BSI/ASR) to open its doors to cane farmers without a valid commercial agreement could lead to a split between farmers in the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), who appear hopelessly divided over accepting the agreement currently on the table. Officially, the BSCFA’s membership has rejected the current terms and sent negotiators back to square one, demanding that they join canero Lucilo Teck’s motion for writ of mandamus to be heard in the Supreme Court tomorrow, Friday, demanding that the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) set a date for the start of crop over BSI/ASR’s objections.

Department of the Environment hosts media training
The Department of the Environment (DOE) today hosted members of the press in the home of the Community Baboon Sanctuary to push for greater collaboration in the field of environmental reporting. Acknowledging the limitations of the press in balancing the crime and […]

Tourist fined for weed possession
Honduran national and American resident 42 year old Mario Silva Brown was fined $250 for possession of 0.9 grams of cannabis in the court of Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Brown, a bathroom and kitchen designer residing in the U.S. state of Minnesota, paid immediately on order of the […]

Man given jail sentence for failing to return rented vehicle
Jason Joseph Williams faces more jail time after being convicted today of theft of a motor vehicle he rented. The 36 year old Williams saw a five-year sentence for theft tacked on to the two five-year sentences he is already serving for firearm and ammunition convictions. On January […]

Woman charged for drug trafficking
A young woman from Belize City isin big trouble after allegedly admitting to police she had possession of marijuana at her residence in Conch Shell Bay. 20 year old Carolee Orosco pleaded not guilty to a charge of drug trafficking before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. This morning around 11:35 the […]

Gun charges reinstated for mechanic
Fifty four year old auto mechanic Edward Westby of Fabers’ Road, thought he had seen the back of a charge of abetment to carry firearm and ammunition without a gun license. The case was struck out last April when the case file turned up missing, but he faces the […]

Corozal taxi catches fire
A Corozal taxi driver is temporarily inconvenienced tonight after his car caught fire this evening. Information received indicates that the incident happened on Fifth Street South in Corozal Town and involved a cab belonging to Los Tucanes Taxi Union. It is not known what caused the fire but residents were […]

Man found dead in his bed in Orange Walk
The body of a man was found inside his home in Trinidad village in the Orange Walk district. The name of the man has not yet been confirmed by police; but preliminary indications are that foul play may not be involved. Neighbors say the man had been […]

Blogs

The Top 4 Countries in the World For Retiree Benefits
Belize is well known for its gorgeous Caribbean seascapes, idyllic offshore cayes, beautiful beaches, eco-adventures and Maya ruins. But in addition to the country’s natural beauty, eco-adventure options and cultural offerings, Belize has established an enticing benefit program for retirees. The program is governed by the Retired Persons Incentives (Amendment) Act of 2001. Fortunately, you need not wait until you’re over 55 to qualify for the retirement benefits offered by the Belizean government. As soon as you reach 45 you can apply for the Qualified Retirement Program (QRP). And unlike most other countries’ retirement programs, you won’t be required to live in Belize full-time as a retiree. Once you become a QRP you’ll need to spend only one month a year in Belize to maintain your status. Once you receive a special QRP status card you’ll be able to come and go freely from Belize. Each year QRPs renew their status, but it’s a fairly simple process.

Commentary: The by-election result in Belize could be saying many things
By Wellington C. Ramos. When the People’s United Party (PUP) representative Joseph Mahmud resigned abruptly in the Cayo North constituency, the members of the PUP were shocked, appalled and angry with him. Information in the press stated that he was dissatisfied with the leadership of his party. However, the United Democratic Party (UDP) saw it as a golden opportunity for it to win back a seat that it had traditionally held on to for many years. Immediately, the party started to mobilize its members to use all the resources available to them to win back the seat whenever the by-election was called. Well, the election was held yesterday, January 5, 2015, and 4,063 voters turned out to vote in a division that has 6,598 registered voters, which is 60%. When all the votes were counted, it was reported that the UDP candidate Omar Figueroa received 2,669 votes, while the PUP candidate Richard Harrison received 1,340 votes and there were 61 spoilt ballots.

Tips For Planning Your Perfect Belize Holiday
There’s no time like the present to begin planning. Taking the time to explore options, learn a bit about where you’re going and the most cost effective ways to get there not only can save time and money later, it’s also a great way to shake that post-holiday feeling of “here we go again”. And, if you’re considering going to Belize, where there’s so many things to do and see you can get overwhelmed upon arrival, this is a good time to start putting together a basic itinerary. Yes, with a virtual smorgasbord of adventures and fun things to do in this little Caribbean country studded with the remnants of the ancient Maya civilisation, beautiful beaches, the world’s second largest barrier reef, pristine rainforests and more, you’ll want some time to consider your options. Horseback riding? Snorkelling? Canoeing down meandering rivers? Bird watching? Scuba diving? Exploring Maya temples and ancient cities? Learning or brushing up on Spanish in a super-friendly bilingual country? The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination.

Mysterious Messages Appear on My Beach Walk Home on Ambergris Caye
Yesterday, after running a bunch of errands in town, I took my usual beach walk home on a gorgeous day. The tide was a bit lower and the rafts of sargasso seaweed had stopped coming in. Let’s hope PERMANENTLY. And then I started passing random sign…first HONOR. Just passed Caribbean Villas, I saw DIGNITY hammered to a beach log. By Xanadu Resort – PEACE. I’m a giant fan. What’s not to love about the message? (Though I’m thinking WWJD is a bit of a weak link…)

International Sources

Above the fray: Lord Ashcroft, is thriving as a pollster
LORD ASHCROFT apologises for having chosen a “strange place” for breakfast. The London business hotel to which the Conservative paymaster-turned-pollster has invited Bagehot is not quite up to billionaire standards. But his excuse—that he is there to run a focus group on the NHS—is unnecessary. Inscrutable and hard to place, Lord Ashcroft could have suggested a greasy spoon and your columnist would not have been surprised. It is remarkable, given his prominence in British politics for over two decades, what a mysterious figure he is. Partly that reflects the complexity of his affairs. A self-made man—and son of a hard-up colonial officer—he has large investments in many countries, including Belize, where he spent part of his childhood, has owned a bank and other firms, and was domiciled for tax purposes. After he became the Tories’ treasurer in 1998, this made him a target of newspaper attacks; he was accused of dodging tax and, without evidence, of exerting undue influence on Belize’s government and of being under investigation for drug-smuggling. In 2010 The Economist urged the Tories to ditch him on account of his tax status.

Investors Are Getting Nervous About 'Frontier' Debt
Investors are turning more cautious about dollar bonds from "frontier" markets - a fast growing but less developed and higher risk sub-set of emerging economies - due to sliding oil prices, low trading volumes and expectations of smaller returns. Within the diverse group of economies, which ranges from Belarus and Belize to Egypt and Pakistan, interest is likely to shift in 2015 towards energy importing nations that will benefit from cheaper crude, and away from oil exporters. Debt issuance by frontier countries is a small proportion of the total for emerging markets, which are dominated by bigger names such as Brazil or Russia. But their governments have made the most of investors' hunt for better returns while interest rates in developed economies remain ultra low.

Videos

January 8, 2015

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

Fisher folk licenses and vessel licenses
The Fisheries Department hereby informs the PUBLIC that a grace period will be given up until January 30th 2015 for the renewal of fisher folk licenses and vessel licenses. The renewal of fisher folk licenses for 2015 began on December 01st 2014 at the Belize Fisheries Department, Belize City office. Licensing in the fishing communities will commence on January 19th 2014. The following are the scheduled dates for licensing in the fishing communities:

On Eagles Wings Ministries to host Give Her Hope Inaugural Event
On Saturday, January 17th, On Eagles Wings Ministries (OEWM) will host their first event in San Pedro. The Give Her Hope Inaugural Event will be held at Ramon’s Village Resort and will serve as a means to introduce the OEWM to the San Pedro community. One of the hostesses for the event is none other than Miss San Pedro 2014-2015 Michelle Nuñez, Belize board member. OEWM is a non-profit based out of Charlotte, North Carolina and was founded in 2008 by Emily Fitchpatrick. It is aimed at providing hope, empowerment and a brighter future for girls who have been or are at risk of being sexually exploited. In 2013, Fitchpatrick visited Ambergris Caye and quickly noticed the growing problem of crimes against children, especially sexual exploitation of young girls. As such, she decided to commence work here on the island and soon had recruited OEWM island members: Michelle Nuñez, Clive Welsh of Lighthouse Christian Radio Station and Eric Maas of Seek. Serve. Save. Ministries. “OEWM is about females that have been sexually exploited through the commercial sex industry. We strive for prevention, outreach, empowerment and aftercare of victims,” said Nuñez.01 On Eagles Wings Ministries-2

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro: Here are the dates for the Carnaval events that will be taking place
Comparsas groups, kindly sign up your group at the San Pedro Town Council with Ms. Lorna Vasquez.

Residents of Corozal and Surrounding Areas: OPPORTUNITY - If you know of someone who is unemployed, let them sign up.
The Department of Youth Services in partnership with Beltraide BTEC (The Belize Training and Employment Center) is offering you all a unique 3 week training opportunity for individuals who are seeking potential employment within the call centers and BPO Job market FREE of COST!!! WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IF INTERESTED? VISIT our office located at the Cor. Barton and Roaring Creek Streets in Belmopan City to take the required PRE-TEST from Jan 5th to 14th. For more information kindly call 802-2104 or 635-8390.

BASKETBALL SEASON is BACK in Corozal for 2015
The organizers wish everyone in Corozal a Happy New Year and look forward for your support. The first 3 games of competition will be played this Saturday Jan 7th starting at 7 p.m. FREE ENTRANCE, - It will be full of excitement so everyone is welcome to cheer and support. THANK YOU AND ALL THE BEST IN THE NEW YEAR FROM YOUR HOME TEAM COROZAL PREDATORS..

Lowe Point discovered
n 2012 we found what is believed to be a Lowe Point in Bladen Nature Reserve. In late December 2014 we found another projectile point. We are awaiting confirmation from Dr. Jaime Awe of the National Institute of Culture and History to confirm if this is also dated between 7000 to 2000 B.C. and if it was a tool of the Archaic People

January 2015 Licensing
The Fisheries Department hereby informs the PUBLIC that a grace period will be given up until January 30th 2015 for the renewal of fisher folk licenses. The renewal of fisher folk licenses for 2015 began on December 01st 2014 at the Belize Fisheries Department, Belize City office. Licensing in the fishing communities will commence on January 19th 2014. The following are the scheduled dates for licensing in the fishing communities. (SEE PHOTO BELOW) Applicants are advised that they must present the following documents when applying: 1. FISHERFOLK LICENSE requirements NEW ENTRANTS BELIZEAN (a) Applicant must be 18 years or older and (b) Present a valid Social Security Card or (c) Voters Identification Card along with a Birth Certificate or (d) Valid Passport

BOLEDO DRAWING
for Wednesday, January 7, 2015: 28

COMEDIAN "LA CHACALA" IN COROZAL
Laugh your heart out with this super funny COMEDIAN "LA CHACALA" from Mexico. Performing two shows this Friday and Saturday at the Princess Hotel and Casino at the Corozal Free Zone. Reservations can be made on the 2nd floor of the Princess Hotel or by calling 423-7652 or 423-7521. It will be two nights of laughter and full entertainment! Don't Miss out!

Ky-mani Marley in Belize City Feb 14th
Riverside Tavern

Channel 7

Cane Country Cash Blues
Tonight, the sugar industry still has a cloud of uncertainty hanging over it. The cane farmers rejected the latest commercial agreement with BSI, and they’re going to court to compel the Sugar Industries Control Board to declare the season open and force BSI/ASR to accept cane. BSI has not made any comment, but as we’ve shown you the Prime Minister does not support the move to take the SICB to court. And while the disagreement continues, the farmers’ losses are mounting – as they pay the price for a delayed sugar crop for the second year in a row. So, today, the Directors who were most forceful in the position to sign the compromise agreement, were in Belize City making the media rounds to generate public support for the plight of the farmers.

Can Court Compel SICB?
As we’ve told you, after the General Meeting on Sunday, the farmers passed a resolution that their association must join Lucilo Teck in his Mandamus Lawsuit. As we’ve told you, the premise of this tactic, as explained by Teck attorney, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, is that the Sugar Industries Control Board has the obligation by law to determine when the crop season starts and ends each year. According to Matura-Shepherd, the law allows for the SICB to declare the season open, so by that reason, since there is no legal requirement for a signed agreement before the season starts, the SICB is able to start the season on whatever date it chooses. When we asked the Prime Minister about that resolution on Monday, he was not particularly supportive, and that has caused farmers within the Industry to react negatively to that position. So, for context, we re-air that portion of our interview with Prime Minister Barrow, as he discusses his government’s position on the idea that the SICB can be compelled to declare the season open without the signature of the latest deal with BSI. Here’s what he had to say:

PUP Northern Caucus Says It Stands By Farmers
The PUP says it supports the cane farmers’ decision to reject the proposed agreement as it is, quote, “clearly disadvantageous to the cane farmers.” They issued a release calling on the Sugar Industry Control Board to quote, “fulfill its obligations under the Sugar Act and declare the crop open by the 14th January, 2015.” It says BSI should do this with an interim agreement. They also, quote, “urge the Belize Cane Farmers Association and Belize Sugar Industries/American Sugar Refinery to resume negotiations.” They are also calling for an independent expert to review both formulas for bagasse payment. And it calls on government to hand over its 2% shareholding in BSI to cane farmers association – which would give the farmers a seat on the board.

Pasos Charged For Chino's Murder
Orange Walk Police believe that they’ve solved the stabbing murder of 51 year-old Miguel “Chino” Medina, the last murder of 2014. Tonight, the man they’re accusing is spending his second night on remand. He’s 30 year Tony Pasos, a labourer of San Narciso Street in Orange Walk Town, and on Monday Evening, he was formally arrested and charged with murder. He was arraigned yesterday in the Magistrate’s Court, and remanded to the Belize Central Prison. On New Year’s Eve, at around 6 p.m., Medina was socializing with a group of men at a small house on Fonseca Street in Orange Walk Town. The men had some sort of disagreement which escalated to murder and Medina was stabbed 42 times. He bled to death inside the house.

Half-A-Mil Just Lying Around
Right now, as we speak – over $500,000 in fantasy 5 winnings is just waiting to be claimed. It was drawn on Saturday January 3rd. It is the highest winning in Belize’s history for Fantasy 5. Now, for most of you, if you won that much money, you wouldn't hesitate to claim it. But for others that’s THE reason why they would re-consider showing up to collect it – because it is such a hefty amount. We spoke with Public Relations Officer Karil Wallace today about this hovering security issue for winners. Karil Wallace - Public Relations Officer, Fantasy 5 "They haven't come in as yet but we're open for them to come in and bring their ticket and claim their prize. We know that a lot of people may be sceptical of trying to not want to be on TV show their faces. We at fantasy 5 we acknowledge people safety, if they want to show their face, or not show their face, we can try to arrange something with the media that their safety is the number one thing.”

Your Electricity Rate Went Down
You probably haven’t noticed yet, but on January 2nd, your electricity rate went down. The PUC approved a 5% rate cut, bringing the average rate to 41.29 cents per kilowatt hour, down from 43.47 cents. Today the PUC’s Director of Electricity told us what the rate cut means to you, and how the lower cost of power generation allowed it to happen:.. Derek Davis - Director of Electricity, PUC "A 5% reduction enters and the average and therefore each classification approximately 5% reduction." Jules Vasquez "Okay, so then my light bill in December was 100 and assuming that I have the same exact usage, my light bill in January” Derek Davis "95 dollars.” Derek Davis "End of the day we can offer this 5% reduction due to, like I said generation cost is reduced. Next adjustment will be July 1, 2015 and we are seeing another reduction."

Bridgefoot Property Dispute
Many of you might be familiar with Raymond Jones also known as “Naphty”. We covered his “Drums not Guns” initiative which eh started last year to get young men involved in a process he calls “healing the country with music”. But while Naphty wants peace and love to spread among the Belizean people, peace certainly does not reign where his business is stationed– at the foot of the swing bridge. A long-standing property dispute which was sparked in 2008 between Jones and the neighboring business has caused discord between the two. The dispute has been ongoing for years, and it has been taken to court. But while the court proceedings are ongoing, on site, tensions have intensified between both owners. Jones claims it all started with a personal conflict involving his sons in 2008. Raymond "Naphty" Jones "The whole thing about out there is, while going through the court proceeding, it was alleged that I didn't have anything to do with out there, I didn't put 1 cent in the construction cost of this structure, I didn't do no labour, which is totally lie and false.

Man Jailed For Car Rental Gone Very Wrong
He’s already in jail for two 5 year sentences for firearm and ammunition convictions, but 36 year old Jason Joseph Williams, was sentenced to 5 more years today by Magistrate Dale Cayetano after he was found guilty of theft of a 2007 Kia SUV. The theft really started as a rental on January 6, 2014. The owner of Euphrates Auto Rental, 53 year old Robert Wagner, known as “Small Change”, testified that on January 6, Williams rented a Kia Sport, value at $34,000 dollars. He rented it for 2 days at $150 dollars per day – and when Williams didn’t return it, Wagner reached him and he requested two more weeks. Wagner said he tried to contact Williams several times after that but he had no luck. Two more months would pass before police recovered the vehicle in Placencia on March 6. Williams was detained in Placencia the same day. He testified and admitted that he had rented the vehicle from Wagner.

With Gun To Court
In April of last year, 54 year old auto mechanic Edward Westby got off a charge of abetment to carry firearm and ammunition without a gun license. Well, he was brought to court today and charged a second time with the same offence. He pled not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. He was released on a bail of $1,000 and his case was adjourned until February 25. According to the allegation, on April 23, 2014, 19 year old Malik Stuart was seen handing a 9 millimeter pistol to Westby right after Patrick Bevans was gunned down on Jane Usher Boulevard. The police had pursued Stuart and said they saw the hand over when they caught up with Stuart. The gun turned out to be the licensed property of Westby. Stuart was charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license while Westby was charged with abetment.

A Minnesotan With Marijuana
The US State of Minnesota will legalize medicinal marijuana on July first 2015, but it seems one Minnesotan was trying to get a jump on that her in Belize. Forty-two year old Mario Silva Brown, a Honduran who lives in Minnesota, was fined $250 today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after he pled guilty to a charge of possession of 0.9 grams of cannabis – less than one tenth of an ounce. Brown, who works as a bathroom and kitchen designer, was ordered to pay forthwith. He paid the fine and he was released. He was busted on Monday, January 5, in San Pedro while on vacation. The police were on patrol in the Boca Del Rio area when they stopped Brown and found the cannabis in a grey knapsack.

Another Conch Shell Bay Bust
And form Ambergris Caye to Conch Shell Bay, twenty year old Carolee Orosco, was busted with one pound and a quarter of cannabis. She pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking when she appeared today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. She was released on a bail of $3,000 and her case was adjourned until February 10. Around 11:35 a.m. today police constable Stephen Ferguson and other members of the Eastern Division Strike team went to Orosco’s residence and asked her if she had anything to declare. According to Ferguson, Orosco said she had one and a quarter pound of cannabis in the bathroom. The police went to the bathroom and reported that when they searched under the floor covering, they found one black plastic bag that contained 5 bags with each bag stuffed with quarter pound of cannabis.

2015 A Bad Year For Manatees
A dead manatee was seen floating in the sea in the Seashore Drive area of Belize City yesterday. It is the second manatee found dead since the start of 2015 and both deaths were caused by watercraft. According to Program Coordinator for the Belize Coastal Zone Management – Jamal Galvez, this causes an alarm, because 2014 saw the most manatee deaths ever recorded in a single calendar year. And out of the 34 manatees, 65% of the deaths were a result of watercraft collision. He is concerned about the continuing trend:… Jamal Galvez – Program Coordinator, Belize Coastal Zone Management "It’s not only just second but from last year 34 being the number of manatee died in 2014. It's a cause for alarm because it's a continuation of what we've seen last year being the most ever recorded with over 65% of these deaths as a result of water craft collision. There is a need for concern, Belize host the highest population of manatees in the world and with the increase of mortality, there is a great need for concern."

The Fiduciary Fuss Over Fair Trade Funds
At the top of the news, we told you about the crop and cash crisis the cane farmers OF the north find themselves in. And in crisis mode, they took a resolution on Sunday to share out 4 million dollars more among themselves to hold them over until the crop uncertainty is dealt with. For 5,300 farmers the payout per farmer would be a little less than 800 dollars each. As we’ve told you, the directors of the BSCFA opposed that resolution because Fair Trade funds are there to improve the lives and the farms of the cane farmers – not to serve as hard-time handouts. And so, if this money is shared out as the farmers demanded on Sunday, then the association will likely be decertified or suspended for non-compliance. Yesterday, Chairman Cansino called a meeting with his directors to discuss how the Association can convince their membership that this is a bad idea. At that meeting, the accountant informed the 18 directors that there is only 1.5 million dollars available in the Association’s accounts which is not Fair Trade money. The directors then decided that they will try to convince their members to accept this amount instead of touching the Fair Trade funds.

A Dark Day for Tour Operators Says Greenwood
The last time you heard the name Dark Night, was when FECTAB was complaining of the height requirement that the National Institute of Culture and History wanted to enforce for tourists visiting the Nohoch Che'en cave. Well, FECTAB’s president, Tom Greenwood, is bringing that name up once again because he says that the business owner is trying to stop them from using the Dark Night Caves, which is under a co-management contract with NICH. Greenwood claims that the management of NICH says that they have rights to use the caves just like the business owner. The only problem is that there is only 1 road which leads there, but part of the road passes through a piece of land that the Dark Night owner bought. Greenwood claims that this man is blocking the road, on the basis that it is private property, thus preventing access to the caves.

Channel 5

Fair-trade Drops Bombshell on B.S.C.F.A.
Just when you thought you’d gotten all the bad news the sugar industry could dish out, there is more. News Five has confirmed that fair-trade has written to the B.S.C.F.A. [...]

B.S.C.F.A. Proceeds With Disbursal of Checks Despite Fair-trade Warning
But despite that clear warning from fair-trade, today officials at the B.S.C.F.A. are busy preparing to disburse checks to the almost five thousand five hundred registered cane-farmers in Orange Walk [...]

Turbulence Ahead for B.S.C.F.A., Projects to be Halted and Employees Laid Off
While four million dollars may seem like a lot of money, divided between five thousand five hundred dollars, it only comes up to a little over seven hundred dollars per [...]

P.U.P. Northern Caucus Issues Release on Sugar Woes
The Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party this afternoon issued a statement on the state of affairs in the lifeblood of the north.  The caucus calls on the Sugar [...]

Are Guatemalan Laborers Entering Belize for Work?
Why were hundreds of Guatemalan labourers at our Western Border crossing into Belize today? Well that’s the question everybody wants answered at this time. As you can see from this [...]

Chetumal Street Bridge: A Timeline to Completion
It is not officially open yet, but traffic is already traversing the Chetumal Street Bridge in Belize City that spans the two highways; Phillip Goldson and the George Price thoroughfares. [...]

Gas Prices Continue to Plummet
Remember back in March of 2009 when fuel prices at the pumps for regular and premium were just above five dollars? Since then the prices for the most part went [...]

Electricity Rates Going Down
There is another bit of good news. The Public Utilities Commission announced today that it has amended the mean electricity rate and previously approved tariffs which are resulting lower costs [...]

Johnny Ramclam Busted at P.G.I.A. for Failure to Declare
Turning to the courts: A Belize City car dealer was nabbed at the Phillip Goldson International Airport on Monday afternoon in possession of seven thousand dollars in US currency and [...]

Tourist on San Pedro Nabbed for Possession of a Roach
A Honduran national who resides in Minnesota, U.S.A., but was visiting Belize and staying on La Isla Bonita, San Pedro was busted with a “roach,” which is a small amount [...]

Is Political Pendulum Still Swinging in Favor of the P.U.P.?
Municipal Elections 2015 are set for early March and Belizeans in nine towns and cities are once again gearing up to go to the polls in the national exercise.  Despite [...]

Alfredo Ortega to P.M. Barrow, “Stop Joking Around!”
Fair-trade dropped a bombshell on the B.S.C.F.A. today concerning the disbursal of four million dollars to farmers. Prime Minister Barrow went on record earlier this week to say that he [...]

Prime Minister Barrow Says B.S.C.F.A. Resolution is Outrageously Ill-founded
Following on the heels of Sunday’s meeting with cane-farmers, letters have been sent to both the SICB and the Prime Minister requesting intervention and immediate action. So far there has [...]

P.M.’s Take on State of the Sugar Industry
Even as the B.S.C.F.A. tries to chart a path over rocky roads and through shark-infested waters, there are increasingly loud reports of discord among farmers. News Five has covered every [...]

Gapi Says B.S.C.F.A. Resolution was Politically Motivated
The Prime Minister has been the man guiding the ship of government’s intervention in the sugar-cane crisis, but without doubt his navigator has been Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. So [...]

Bicycle Stolen from Non-profit Organization
Together We Can Solve Hunger….it’s a non-profit organization that was established less than a year ago with a single goal – to assist the less fortunate Belizeans in the city. [...]

Together We Can Solve Hunger Reaches Out to the Homeless
The organization has grown and now caters to over forty homeless persons in the city. The family has providing weekly food hampers to several families throughout the city. Mai took [...]

CTV3

Northern Caucus Weighs In On Sugar Industry Crisis
Tonight there is no shying away from the fact that the Sugar Industry is in crisis. The economy of the north is stagnant as a date for the commencement of the 2014/2015 crop is yet to be set. It is a situation that has captured the attention of many including non-governmental organizations and now the People’s United Party. Today, the Party’s Northern Caucus, via a press release, spoke extensively on the current stalemate and expressed huge concern on the state of affairs that the sugar industry finds itself in. In the release the Northern Caucus calls on the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) to fulfill its obligations under the Sugar Act and declare the crop open by 14th January, 2015 since the party is convinced that they have all the power to do so. Jose Abelardo Mai- Director of Communication Northern Caucus “We are entirely convince and we have been saying this a long time ago in the house or representatives we are saying that the SICB has to do its job, I have said it in the past more than one time that, the SICB has held one or two meetings in one year, they are dysfunctional and we have the chamber collecting large sums of money, they have high cost I am not saying everything under the SICB is bad, SIRDI is doing an excellent job but we need to get the SICB to do what it is supposed to do and all what we are asking is clear in the law, they can set the date.”

BSCFA Contnues To Make Calculation To Grant Cane Farmers 4 Million Dollars
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association officials continue to make calculations and projections into its survival following the decision to grant cane farmers the disbursement of four million dollars. The consequences as explained by the officials are severe and can even mean the collapse of the association on a whole. One of the biggest concerns for the leaders is the Association’s standing with Fairtrade following the disbursement of the money. As is, the general assembly voted to dissolve all projects that had been approved and financed with a large part of the money. According to Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezequiel Cansino, the association is still going to push for one of the key projects on child labor. Cansino says they are making every effort to getting the project off the ground and want to carry through with it in its entirety since this was one of the biggest noncompliance that had propelled the Association into a suspension by Fairtrade last year. Ezequiel Cansino – Chairman of the committee of Management “Eso nos va afectar no solo como miembros de Fair Trade si no como productores de caña de azúcar, sabemos que el internacional condena lo que es el Child Labour y tengamos o no tengamos Fair Trade tenemos como mitigar como resolver ese problema en esta industria.”

Dead Body Found In The Village Of Trinidad
Sometime around 1:00 this afternoon, Orange Walk Police received a call from residents of Trinidad Village claiming that a villager was discovered motionless in his home, after not being seen since the weekend. Upon making checks, neighbours discovered the body of village resident, Hulbert Jenkins. We spoke to a close friend and villager who told us that Jenkins had been complaining of his illness for some time now. Francisco Hernan Tilltte – Villager “Yo que sé que el días está enfermo y pues le decíamos que se vaya a medicar pero el dice que está bien que le gusta estar delgado y no gordo.” Maria Novelo – Reporter “Entonces el sufria de diabetes?” Francisco Hernan Tilltte – Villager “Pues yo creo que algo así tenía el pero él decía de su estómago que no se sentía bien porque no comía bien. Todos lo conocen como el Chino pero su mero nombre de él es Albert Jenkins.”

Fuel Prices Continue To Decline
We start off this segment with a bit of good news. The price of fuel here in Belize continues to reduce as world old prices continue to plummet. As of January 5th 2015, consumers are paying $8.09 for a gallon of premium gas witnessing a reduction of 81 cents as the price stood at $8.85. Regular went from $8.45 to $7.64 seeing a reduction of 81 cents while Diesel now sells for $7.28 as the price reduced by 67 cents. Of note is that fuel is now much cheaper here in Belize than across the Northern border in Mexico.

Insurance Issue For Belizeans Travelling to Mexico Still Being Ironed Out
Yesterday, we told you about a new rule to be implemented at the Northern Border where Belizeans venturing into Mexico in their private vehicles would need to purchase third party insurance at the Mexican side. And while this move is still in its definitive stages, we spoke via telephone to Jorge Valencia of the Belize Honorary Consul in Quintana Roo to clear the misconceptions since the news brought much outrage among Belizeans. Jorge Valencia - Belize Honorary Consul in Quintana Roo “From last year in September, the Mexican Federal Government implemented that all vehicles using federal highways needs to have a third party insurance, it has not yet been implemented and they are still working if it still going to be implemented this month or they are going to wait a little while but that means all vehicles coming in either national vehicles or foreign vehicles have to have a third party using federal highways that means if there is a federal police and they don’t have it they will be fined.”

Honorable Mai Concern About Disbursement of 4 Million Dollars
From what we all know the money will be disbursed, but as we’ve heard there will be consequences. And that is what has many preoccupied including Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai. As a cane farmer, Mai says he understands the cries of caneros. But he is also conscious of the fact that the moment the four million dollars of Fair Trade funds is distributed, there will be a huge price to pay. “I am very concerned for a number or reasons, one the farmers are in crisis mode hence the request of the amount of financing, I understand them and the need for money because they are broke and they have no money but I am not certain if it is the right thing to do and my whole concern is the sustainability of the Association, will we be able to survive if we spend that money I am not certain and that is what scares me but again we are pushing the farmers over the cliff. We could have avoided all of this man if tomorrow it would be announced that the crop would begin I am certain that the farmers would say you know what we could wait another week.”

BSCFA Write SICB To Start Crop
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association has written to the Sugar Industry Control Board in respect to the start of the sugar crop for this year. This according to Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezequiel Cansino, is in following with the mandate of the farmers, which was passed at Sunday’s meeting. Cansino says the Committee of Management is respecting the resolutions of the farmers and is acting upon them. “Todos quedamos de acuerdo de que fue una resolución pasada por la Asamblea y vamos a respetar esa resolución y por eso mismo también dieron su consentimiento al comité de manejo que procega con todo lo que se tenga que hacer. En este punto referente a este caso de apoyar al Mandemus hemos cumplido al enviar le la carta el SICB también se le envió a BSI pero hasta el momento no hemos tenido respuesta de ellos y si ya tenemos la aplicación del Mandemus la copia de nosotros y la petición de la abogada, Matura para unirse con el representante de nosotros para discutir más como van a trabajar con este asunto pero hace unos minutos lo conseguimos y ahorita se le esta enviando al abogado de nosotros para que lo viera y de su opinión legal sobre este caso.”

Snatcher Charged For Theft
A gold chain snatcher was formally arraigned and charged in the Corozal Magistrate Court room this morning. 25 year old Pablo Alejandro Kumul, a resident of San Ignacio Town and another known address in San Pedro Town was slapped with one count of Theft. According to 27 year old, Estela Lopez domestic from Corozal town, on Monday night around 8:45 whilst on her way home on College road, a Hispanic male person dressed in a grey sweater and light brown pants and black cap of slim built approached her whilst walking and suddenly snatched her 10 karat gold chain valued at $400.00 Belize Dollars from off her neck and made good his escape.

Omar Figueroa Is The New Representative Cor Cayo North Consituency
Yesterday we showed you the political energy and mood of the bi-election in Cayo North where throngs of residents trickled in the polling stations to exercise their right. Well tonight, the numbers tell a tale: of the 6,598 registered voters, a total of 4063 voters came out - that's 62% of the electorate. For many, it is considered a respectable turnout for a by election, but significantly less than the 2012 general election where 74% came out. The 13 ballot boxes were taken and counted at the Center for Employment Training and around 10:15pm, the winner was announced. Final statistics show that the PUP’s Richard Harrison received 1,340 votes while UDP’s Omar Figueroa received 2,669 votes. Figueroa now stands as Area Representative for Cayo North and will fill in the vacated seat until the end of the General Election term.

LOVE FM

BFF Calls Stann-Creek Fishermen Association Intervention
The Belize Federation of Fishers is calling on the Stann-Creek Fishermen Association to suspend its chairman. According to the Federation the chairman is being accused of embezzlement and this goes against the integrity and policies of the Federation. This alleged embezzlement is very serious and paints the wrong perception of the Stann-Creek Fishers Association and its members. The Federation says it is prepared to remove the Stann-Creek Fishermen Association from the Federation if the chairman is not relieved from his post until the matter is clarified. Last week the Federation also issued a release calling for the removal of a senior fisheries officer from his post until a civil matter brought against him is settled. The Federation says it stands ready to condemn any form of corruption be it from its membership and other stakeholders including the Fisheries Department as it work towards attaining a sustainable fishery.

Northern Caucus Calls GOB For Starting of Crop Production
The Northern Caucus of the People’s United Party has joined the call for Government to ensure that the sugar cane crop gets underway. Love News spoke with Orange Walk South area representative Abel Mai who said we believe the sugar industry should benefit both the miller and the farmer equitably. Mai said the situation has dragged on long enough. ABEL MAI “We need the mill to start grinding sugar cane and these are the conditions again that we have set. We are certain that the SICB can set the date for the crop to open and we are asking the government to intervene and we have asked over and over again in the public media and the House of Representatives we have made it very clear. The farmers are suffering, there is no money out there, and the business sector is actually locked down because there is no economic movement in the region of Corozal so we need to get the crop started. The first thing we need is for the SICB to set the date for the crop to open and secondly we are asking that an independent expert because these matters whenever you fail to meet reach at any position, arbitration is the only way to go and this is the international recommendation international standards that you have to follow.

Goff Speaks on Wesley College Program
Wesley College is holding its’ Annual Parent Education Program, with the theme “Effective Parenting of Teenagers.” The Program, which will run for approximately fifteen weeks, is focused on the improvement of better parenting skills and counseling or guidance for parents who are struggling to keep their teenage child in control. Love News spoke to the Counselor at Wesley High School, Elizabeth Goff, who spoke to us more about this program. ELIZABETH GOFF “We consider it a very important program to help our parents to share with them some strategies, learning some parenting skills, networking with other parents, sharing with other parents because it is important. There is no school that prepares you to become a parent and so in recent year’s parent education programs have been introduced and have proven to be quite effective in helping parents with the challenges of being a parent, a parent in the 21st century coping with their changing teenager.

Jones Speaks on Restore Belize New Project
Restore Belize was created to improve the lives of Belizeans. The organization has been very active in carrying out its mandate. Today Love News visited Restore and spoke to Marie Munoz, who told us about the implementation of a new project in the city where they provide mentors, counselors and tutors to students who are struggling in high school. Munoz told Love News that this program will assist to decrease the number of drop-outs as well as decrease the level in poverty and crime. Major Lloyd Jones, Port of Belize Consultant and Mentor in the Program, spoke to Love News more about this program and his current experience in it. MAJOR LLOYD JONES “The program is designed to find people within the community that can provide some guidance to some of the young people who are currently not in school and I think they recognize the connection between not going to school and the inability to earn a meaningful living and then obviously the spin off from that in terms of the crime and so on so I think that is the gist of the program.

Garcia Speaks on Video Production Initiative
Thirty youths who hail from broken homes are taking part in a video production that will take the form of an advertisement. The production stems from a poem that was written by Jason Garcia, on domestic violence. We went to the Yabra Policing Community Office where we met up with Garcia, who explained the initiative and what it seeks to do. JASON GARCIA “We are doing an ad that has to do with domestic violence and based in the household.” RENEE TRUJILLO “What is the objective behind doing this?” JASON GARCIA “It sends a message over to the Belizean people and to the community about the violence that is taking place in their home. I think they will sometimes actually when the violence is taking place on them they don’t even know that it is actually happening to them so with this poem we give them knowledge that they will know more or less when something like this is happening to them.”

Fonseca Speaks on Bi-Elections
As with any election, on the heels of the outcome, the participating political parties take time out to reflect on their performance and how they attained that particular result. This recent bi-election held on Monday was no different as Opposition Leader, Francis Fonseca told the media during a press briefing yesterday spoke of the importance and necessity of doing a full assessment and reflection of the party’s performance, campaign strategies and other contributing factors. LEADER OF OPPOSITION, FRANCIS FONSECA “We lost the seat when Mr. Mahmud resigned form the national assembly and our effort yesterday was to try to regain that seat and retain that seat for the PUP and obviously that was not successful so yes it is clear as I said a clear and decisive victory for the UDP and a defeat for the PUP in that by-election. We have to evaluate it obviously we have to do a proper analysis of the entire election the by-election.

Fuel Prices Decrease by Significant Margin
The last drop in fuel prices at the pumps around the country was seen in December 2014 that took them under the ten dollar mark. Almost thirty six days later, we can tell you that prices have dropped once again by a significant margin. For consumers of diesel, the price has gone from eight dollars and sixty nine cents to seven dollars and twenty one cents – that is a drop by one dollar and forty eight cents. Meanwhile the price for super or premium fuel has gone down by one dollar and twenty cents, taking the recent price of ten dollars and one cent per gallon to eight dollars and eighty one cents. Regular fuel also dropped significantly by two dollars and nine cents taking the cost to seven dollars and fifty seven cents per gallon.

FAIRTRADE International Warns Farmers of Being Non-Compliant
Yesterday Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association told Love News that he was concerned about the mandate by farmers for the use of four million dollars from the FAIRTRADE funds. Despite the reservation of the directors, farmers demanded that they get the funds. Love News spoke with Senior Accountant at the BSCFA, Zune (ZOO-NI) Canche who said the process has gotten underway. ZUNE CANCHE “After yesterday’s consultation with the Directors we did receive an official memo from the committee of management giving the directive to proceed with the process of the dispersing of the four million dollars. So as is, we have started working on the preparation of the cheques; we are at the start of that because we had initially worked with the 1.5 million so we had to remove that and enter these under the four million, so, we are at the start of the printing of those cheques indeed.” AVA DIAZ-SOSA “Now I understand that the BSCFA has received a letter from Fair Trade, could you tell us the essence of that letter?”

PlusTV

Is the Collapse of the BSCFA Imminent?
On Wednesday the management of BSCFA mailed a letter to BSI/ASR company and SICB with its official response to the proposal of a 7 year agreement that the months of arduous negotiations boiled down to...

Belize City Council operating on small deficit for 2013-2014
The Belize City Council has reduced its operating deficit for the 2013-2014 financial year, according to its independently audited financial statements released at the end of 2014 and available in book format for reporters on Tuesday...

Fictitious Marriage charges for Belmopan man
In December 2014 we told you of a Roaring Creek man who was charged for bigamy. Now there is a similar case to report on. On Monday January 5th, the wife of one Mario Antonio Cano, 27 year old resident of San Martin Area Belmopan,  reported to police that her husband had married another woman in 200...

Woman charged for drug trafficking
A young woman from Belize City allegedly admitted to police that she had possession of marijuana at her residence in Conch Shell Bay. 20 year old Carolee Orosco pleaded not guilty to a charge of drug trafficking before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. On Wednesday morning around 11:35, the Eastern Division...

Failed to return rented vehicle
Jason Joseph Williams faces more jail time after being convicted on Wednesday of theft of a motor vehicle he rented from a popular auto rental facility...

Gun charges reinstated for mechanic
Edward Westby, a 54 year old auto mechanic of Fabers’ Road, Belize City, thought he had seen the back of a charge of abetment to carry firearm and ammunition without a gun license, after the case was struck out last April when the case file turned up missing, but he faces the same charge once again ...

Is the Collapse of the BSCFA Imminent?
On Wednesday the management of BSCFA mailed a letter to BSI/ASR company and SICB with its official response to the proposal of a 7 year agreement that the months of arduous negotiations boiled down to...

Omar Figueroa beats Richard Harrison 2:1
60.81% of Cayo North’s registered voters cast their votes in Monday’s by election in Cayo North; a fair turn out.   The results of that election were announced at around 9 o’clock, so when we left you at the end of our newscast the counting was still on the way. It was a busy day on Monday  ...

PUP says no excuses for by-election defeat
With Monday’s UDP victory, the PUP’s might in the House of Representatives is dented, and its momentum going into the municipal elections in March seems to be halted...

DOE to have meeting over Barton Creek Dams
Last Week Tuesday December 30, we told you about the story of the Dam that was built in Barton Creek, apparently without permission from the Department of the Environment. We will play the original story in case you missed it last week. Many Belizeans know of the ATM cave; Actun Tunichil Muknal , ...

City Council to absorb 158 BML workers
After months of grappling with the issue and public pronouncements that the plan would not be sustainable by Mayor Darrell Bradley, on Tuesday the Belize City Council announced what appears to be more than a breakthrough...

Police lay murder charges for Kareem Lopez death
Police in Belize City have laid charges of murder on 27 year old Troy Hyde of Curl Thompson Street. He is accused of the murder of 28 year old Kareem “Robbery” Lopez on January 3, in front of a fast food establishment on Central American Boulevard. Kareem Lopez had gone to the establishment to b...

Seniors Injured in Traffic Collision
There was a traffic accident on Monday evening at around 4:00 pm in front of the Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds in Belmopan. The accident  left two seniors in the hospital and another seeking treatment at a private hospital. The accident involved a white Saturn Vue and a black Mahindra pickup.

Thief captured in 10 minutes!
A would be thief lasted only 10 minutes on the run before he was caught by Corozal police. According to police reports, at around  8:45 pm on Monday January 5^th, Estala Lopez, a 27 year old Belizean Domestic of Corozal Town, was walking on College Road when a Hispanic male approached her and seized...

Foreigner Drowns in Placencia While Under the Influence
The body of a Honduran National residing in the Village of Placencia, Stann Creek District, was found floating in the sea on Monday afternoon apparently dead. Police responded to the scene at around 12:35 pm in an area near the beach in Placencia, where they saw the body of 35 year old Honduran Nati...

Patrick Jones

Tourist fined for weed possession
Honduran national and American resident 42 year old Mario Silva Brown was fined $250 for possession of 0.9 grams of cannabis in the court of Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Brown, a bathroom and kitchen designer residing in the U.S. state of Minnesota, paid immediately on order of the […]

Man given jail sentence for failing to return rented vehicle
Jason Joseph Williams faces more jail time after being convicted today of theft of a motor vehicle he rented. The 36 year old Williams saw a five-year sentence for theft tacked on to the two five-year sentences he is already serving for firearm and ammunition convictions. On January […]

Woman charged for drug trafficking
A young woman from Belize City isin big trouble after allegedly admitting to police she had possession of marijuana at her residence in Conch Shell Bay. 20 year old Carolee Orosco pleaded not guilty to a charge of drug trafficking before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. This morning around 11:35 the […]

Gun charges reinstated for mechanic
Fifty four year old auto mechanic Edward Westby of Fabers’ Road, thought he had seen the back of a charge of abetment to carry firearm and ammunition without a gun license. The case was struck out last April when the case file turned up missing, but he faces the […]

Corozal taxi catches fire
A Corozal taxi driver is temporarily inconvenienced tonight after his car caught fire this evening. Information received indicates that the incident happened on Fifth Street South in Corozal Town and involved a cab belonging to Los Tucanes Taxi Union. It is not known what caused the fire but residents were […]

Man found dead in his bed in Orange Walk
The body of a man was found inside his home in Trinidad village in the Orange Walk district. The name of the man has not yet been confirmed by police; but preliminary indications are that foul play may not be involved. Neighbors say the man had been […]

Blogs

SouthWest Airlines is Coming to Belize – Hurray! But What Does It Really Mean?
Just about a month ago, Southwest Airlines, the largest carrier of US domestic passengers, announced it was flying to Belize. More arrivals! Lower fares! Or at least those are the immediate thoughts/heartfelt wishes we all had when the proclamation was made. But flights dates are not yet announced – and there is still some finalizing to do. So yesterday I sat down with Anthony Hunt, Chairman of the Aviation Development Committee for the Belize Tourism Board and Director of Marketing at Tropic Air and all around nice guy, to ask some questions. And I did a bit of research on Southwest Airlines myself since, as a born & raised Jersey girl, I have never flown the airline… So I asked myself: What’s the deal with Southwest Airlines? Most of you probably already have the answers. But humor me.

Banana and Spinach Smoothie
Josh helps me make a Banana/Spinach Smoothie in my Blendtec blender. This treat has replaced our craving for ice cream. With only a few ingredients you can make a wonderfully delicious drink to satisfy any sweet tooth.

International Sources

Still the Most Stylish Retreats in Central America: Francis Ford Coppola's Turtle Inn, Blancaneaux Lodge and La Lancha
“Everything unfolds frame by frame,” is how Bernie Matute, general manager of Blancaneaux Lodge, describes the guest experience at his remote, romantic retreat in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest in the Cayo district of Belize. That’s no coincidence: Its owner and creative director is one of the most celebrated filmmakers in America. Cinematic is the way I like to think of Francis Ford Coppola’s trio of tiny luxury resorts in Central America. Nothing feels scripted—not overly wrought or contrived—but someone clearly approached the places with an eye for detail, a sense of framing memorable views, and an intention to let a good story take place. Whether it’s taking the first sip of a lemongrass mojito during a sunset herbal-mixology session in the organic garden, concluding a horseback ride at an enticing swim-in-me waterfall, or simply opening the room-darkening doors in the morning to reveal a vista of the Privassion River, moments have a way of unfolding delightfully here. A loving attention was clearly applied. (Disclosure: I was hosted as a journalist at all three resorts.)

China angles for Central America influence
With ambitious plans for a canal through Nicaragua and a Honduran hydroelectric dam, Chinese firms are increasingly testing the waters in Central America, a region long considered the United States' backyard. The audacious canal project, which would rival the US-built Panama Canal, underlines China's growing global power but has also highlighted the pitfalls that go with it. The $US50 billion ($A54.10 billion) project, awarded to a Hong Kong-based company, has sparked protests and attracted a host of opponents, from naysayers who call it a future white elephant to Nicaraguans who fear a land-grab and environmental catastrophe. "If you add up the 15 marches organised in the past two-and-a-half months, we've had 40,000 people," said lawyer and activist Monica Lopez Baltodano -- not a trifling figure for a country of six million.

Carnegie Recognizes Community Engagement
SUNY Cortland has re-earned the community engagement elective classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, becoming the first institution in the State University of New York system to hold the reclassification distinction. It means the College will keep the Carnegie Foundation’s prestigious community engagement endorsement for 10 years, through 2025. Fewer than 400 campuses nationwide can claim the designation and only 157 obtained re-classification in 2015. The college has q robust study abroad program includes internships and student teaching experiences in countries ranging from Australia to Thailand. At the Belize Zoo, for example, recreation majors built accessible walkways for people with disabilities. SUNY Cortland’s overseas programs also were spotlighted by the American Council on Education. The College was one of three institutions recognized as a national leader in using technology to create meaningful global experiences for students.

Videos

January 7, 2015

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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

Dr Omar Figueroa elected as new Area Rep for Cayo North
The United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Dr. Omar Figueroa is the newly elected Area Representative for Cayo North after defeating his opponent, the People’s United Party’s (PUP) Richard Harrison in a historic by-election. Figueroa captured 65.7% of the 4063 total votes cast on Monday January 5th. The announcement of the results culminated a long day of arduous work for the two political parties, who had campaigned hard the weeks leading up to the by-election, and who had set up political machinery to bring out the electorates on Election Day. Throughout the day, Figueroa was flanked by senior elected Cabinet Ministers including the Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and other key political elements. Through the UDP Secretariat, the incumbent party transported hundreds of party supporters including candidates for the upcoming municipal election from across Belize to the Cayo North constituency to boost Figueroa on by-election day. PM Barrow told The San Pedro Sun that for the UDP, it was a strategy to send a message that the UDP is united and ready to “Take back Cayo North” from the opposition PUP.

Big Celebrations for the New Year
San Pedro Town said good bye to 2014 and hello to 2015 in grand style! Hundreds of island residents and visitors flocked the town on Wednesday, December 31st for the much-anticipated New Year’s countdown. Activities were held across town, as local establishments held spectacular New Year’s Eve parties. Even The San Pedro Town Council pulled out all the spots by hosting an extravagant countdown party at Central Park, with DJ Jax from Miami performing live till the wee hours of the morning. Ceremonies at Central Park started promptly after 8PM. Leading up to the countdown, party goers enjoyed performances from Rompe Raja, The San Pedro Dance Academy, Blackhenoh featuring Dale Wallace and music from Skynet Soundz. As the New Year drew nearer, Father David Mumba of the San Pedro Roman Catholic Church delivered a heartfelt blessing for the community, after which Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Area Representative Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. took the opportunity to welcoming all attendees and wishing them a prosperous 2015. San Pedro Town 2015 New Year Celebrations-5With only a minute till midnight the countdown began, and as the clock struck 12, a spectacular fireworks show erupted as everyone cheered in celebration of the New Year. Immediately after the fireworks show, DJ Jax kicked off the dance party which went on until almost 2AM.

San Pedro’s only fast casual beachfront eatery opens this weekend
Recent Island Transplants Dawn and Paul LoCascio are set to open San Pedro’s’ first Fast Casual Eatery beachfront at Black Coral Street this weekend. What do you call a Fast Casual dining experience with hyper-locally sourced, sustainable menu creations, a palapa covered deck with retro stainless tables, and a Maître ‘d who knows his stuff? Ray’s Big Dog. The latest beachfront eatery to hit the San Pedro restaurant scene is already causing a stir, and their doors don’t open for business until Saturday. Ray’s is making handcrafted All Beef and Chicken Hot Dogs loaded with gourmand toppings, fresh peel and eat shrimp growlers with Ray’s Sunset Sauce, and Old School Ice Cream Floats. Ray’s is more than their catchphrase Hot Dogs and Cool Treats, you can also enjoy a cold beer or a glass of exceptional wine, and don’t forget that Ray’s is dog friendly, so bring Fido with you.

Ambergris Today

25 Years Ago: Growing Stages of Ambergris Caye -San Juan Area
The expansion of San Pedro Town core into the Boca Del Rio Area may be described as expansion Number One. As the roads were cleared and delineated, light posts and electrification were next and with that San Pedro residents started constructing in the area. George and Tanta Eiley were the very first ones to build in what people called the bush. San Pedro High did not come into the picture until 1981 and was completed in 1987. Growth was not an overnight thing. It took quite a lot of planning and hard work along with patience. The Lands Committee of San Pedro took charge of issuing lots and clearing for streets. Soon that section marked as Section A looked like one continuous part of the town. In due time there was need for more land for the residents to build their homes. Look at that section marked as Section B on the aerial shot of San Pedro Village. That mangrove infested and marshland was the obvious area for needed expansion. Unfortunately there had been a change in the municipal leadership of San Pedro and cheap political campaign had begun. I will not mention the political party for fear of this article being labeled as political, but it was a political party which encouraged people, anybody who expressed an interest in land, to simply go there and clear a lot and build a home.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro Liquor Licensing Board meeting
LIQUOR LICENSE HOLDERS TAKE NOTE.

Benquenos Kick some Guatemalan Butt
Benque Viejo's La Plebe Basketball Team was victorious in a tournament in Peten, Guatemala on January 4th, 2015. La Plebe won the First Place Trophy. Roberto (Mosho) Castellanos was the gold star receiving the MVP Award and Charles Ponce was honored with the Scoring Title.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Tuesday, January 6, 2015: 73
FANTASY 5: 23 16 31 7 20 L

End of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers' Association and the future of the sugar industry?
At a meeting this afternoon 18 branches of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) Directors approved that an additional $4 million of Fairtrade Funds be used among farmers. Chairman Cansino says this will force them to layoff all of BSCFA employees and perhaps the end the association. Will this move spell out sanctions as de-certification of the BSCFA from Fairtrade? At this corner, we continue to support the sugar cane farmers and their struggle.

Channel 7

Omar Figueroa Wins Historic Landslide
When we left you last night - it was with the news that UDP candidate for Cayo North Omar Figueroa was amassing a huge lead in the early counting. And by 8:45 this was confirmed when the first boxes were counted and they showed Figueroa leading by a constant ratio of two votes to one. When it was all over, he had secured 2664 votes to 1348 for Richard Harrison, a margin of just about two to one. That is a blowout, a landslide victory for the UDP and a historic trouncing for the PUP. The 1316 vote difference between the two candidates represents a 1700 vote swing from the 2012 election when the PUP's Joseph Mahmud won the area by 398 votes. And more than that, research shows it is the largest margin of victory in that division since 1961. For the UDP it is one more seat in the House of Representatives, increasing the ruling party's hold on the balance of power to a comfortable 18 - 13 majority. And for Omar Figuroa, he now enters the House as one of only three representatives on either side with more than 65% of the vote in his division. The other two are Dean Barrow and Michael Finnegan. That's pretty elite company, and here's how he and his supporters celebrated the huge win in San Ignacio last night:..

Opposition Leader Gracious In Defeat
Richard Harrison was not available for comment last night - and today, he wasn't around when his party leader held a press conference to talk about the loss. Fonseca faced the press alone, but he took the blame and right off the bat, he was gracious in defeat:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "First of all I want to on behalf of the People's United Party, to congratulate the United Democratic Party and in particular their candidate Dr. Omar Figueroa on his victory yesterday in the Cayo North by-election. It was a clear and decisive victory and we congratulate him and their party on that victory. As the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly I welcome Dr. Figueroa to the National Assembly."

UDP Leader Says PUP Didn't Come Out
But the good spirited-ness can only go so far. The political bottom line is that the PUP resoundingly lost a seat they had, and they did so 7 weeks before Municipal elections. UDP party Leader Dean Barrow seized on that when he told the media last night that the PUP supporters didn't come out for their own party:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "We brought out our people. Clearly it was a two horse race the other horse appeared not to be running. The PUP could not bring out its supporters for various reasons, including tremendous disenchantment with their leadership as expressed by the departed area representative."

Fonseca Tells PUP Supporters, Hold Strong, We'll Be Back
And today Fonseca took the blame, sort of. He accepted that the fault rests with him as leader - but didn't accept that he was responsible for the alienation of PUP supporters. He reached out to the party supporters, though, saying…basically...keep your heads up:... Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "And to say to them, we will live to fight another day and together we must move forward. To our supporters, I know its disappointing and many of you are down today, but as I said, we have to keep moving forward and as the leader of the People's United Party, I take ownership and full responsibility for the loss and I have to look at myself what can I do better, what should I be doing more, how can we strengthen whatever units and arms of the party we need to strengthen to make the PUP more effective. What are we doing in terms of our message as a party? Is that message getting across to the people of Belize? Is it getting across to the people of Cayo North? I think yes, people are feeling down and disappointed. Even though people knew the odds were stack against us. But I think our people in the PUP understand the circumstances of this by-election. I am not for predictions or guarantee, but I can guaranteed this to the Belize people and to our supporters that the People's United Party will form the government of Belize whenever the next elections are called. Whether it's called, in 2015, 2016`or 2017, the People's United Party will form the government of Belize."

Charged For The Murder Of "Robbery"
28 year-old George Street Figure Kareem "Robbery" Lopez, was murdered on Central American Boulevard on Saturday Night. Well, the man who police believe was one of his shooters is 27 year-old Troy Hyde, a resident of Curl Thompson Street. As we reported, Hyde was formally arrested and charged yesterday evening. He was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith for the charge of murder. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 24. Lopez was gunned down at around 10:20 on Saturday night. He went to buy food, and as just after he got out of vehicle, a group of men ambushed him and shot him multiple times to the head and body. He died on the spot.

Mayor Comes Up With Plan For BML Workers
Next week Friday, on January 16, 158 sanitation workers from Belize Maintenance Limited will be reporting for their first day of work at the Belize City Council. Viewers may know that this is one day after City Hall's contract with that sanitation company expires. The mayor hoped he could get a big break on the council's expenses by letting go of that hefty contract, but after the Sanitation Workers staged a daring garbage protest, Prime Minister Dean Barrow had to step in and guarantee them all employment at city hall. In late 2014, Mayor Bradley resisted that mightily but just before Christmas, he came around, and decided to make it work. Today, he held a press conference to announce that after a much brainstorming and planning, he and the rest of the council has come up with a low impact plan to take the sanitation workers on. Bradley told us how it will work:

Mayor Explains How Sanitation Debt Will Be Paid
So, that's one headache solved with BML, but the council still owes them major arrears. So, how will the council handle that? Well, according to Mayor Bradley, the council has been working toward retiring that debt slowly by making multiple payments in at intervals, especially during this period since, City Hall is currently generating revenue from trade licenses and property taxes. Here's how the payment schedule should work all the way up to the end of February when all arrears are expected to be paid: Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City "We had entered into an agreement with BML in relation to the retirement of their debt obligation which is quite significant. We had paid them I think at the ending of October 3 payments which was about two hundred thousand plus. At the end of November we had paid them 5 payments which was about roughly three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. At the close of the year we had paid them an additional four hundred thousand dollars which was not included in the agreement. The agreement indicated that we were going to make those balloon payments and then thereafter we were going to pay them twenty dollars per week until the monies were retired. We are paying them the twenty thousand dollars per week and in addition to that we paid them four hundred thousand dollars as a balloon payment to ensure that we can pay them off quite comfortably by the ending of February and that puts us at the first week in December, so we are still in an arrears position with them, but we are making accelerated payments to them and we are at the first week in December, so we are behind about five or six weeks and we expect that we will be able to close them comfortably by ending of February. So that when we hit that ending of February deadline, we will have no more obligation to BML as it relates to their recurrent debt with us."

Woman Says Burglars Won't Put Her Out of Business
A food shack on Freetown road has been burglarized 4 times since Christmas. The first break in happened on December 21st when the robbers stole groceries, soft drinks and kitchen utensils. They struck again the next night on the 22nd, then on the 29th and then also on January 2nd. With this number of break-ins and not to mention the financial loss endured by this small business, two of the most obvious options would be to close down or re-locate. But for the 44-year-old owner Annette Ramclam, those aren't options. Annette Ramclam, Owner - PG Kitchen "The first time they broke in is through the side window. What happen is that in the night time the place is really dark, so you can't see anything that is happening and then we have this tarp tent in front of us that block all the view from everything from the street side, so nobody can see what is happening and I think that is the advantage they have. The thing is I don't think it's the government or the city council or anybody to put a security out here, it's our responsibility because we are just leasing from City Council, and so it's our responsibility to find a security.

Belizean Accused of Robbery In Mexico
A Belizean man allegedly assaulted a Mexican woman on Friday in Quintana Roo. According to a Mexican newspaper, Diario Respuesta 34 year old Roberto Heredia Bradly assaulted a Mexican woman in the Zazil-Ha zone in Playa Del Mar, Mexico. He held a knife to her throat threatening that if she screamed he would hurt her. That's when Heredia stole money, a cell phone and her shoes and ran off. But his escape was short lived - police caught him a few blocks away. He was then taken in for the crime of theft and carrying an illegal weapon in Mexico.

Mayor Says Muni Bond Being Paid, Timely
In the last segment you heard the mayor talking about debt. One that we didn't get to is the biggest one: the municipal bond. He told the media today that the first tranche of the Municipal Bond, has been paid off comfortably. He says that this is not only good news for the Council, but an independent audit of the earnings from this first tranche indicates that if the council continues to manage its finances in this manner will be able to make payment on the second tranche in 7 years: Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City "The municipal bond which is a big part of the carrying debt of the Belize City Council. You will see that the audit mentions a debt obligation of approximately 21 million dollars. A significant amount of that is the bond itself and the first tranche of the municipal bond which is the 2 year bond was repaid on the 24th December, 2014 and the principal was repaid together with interest and that represented a payment of 1.5 million dollars or 7.5% of the bond and the sinking fund which is being manage by the Central Bank has a comfortable surplus.

PUP Leader Says Party Will Find More Funds
And staying on the subject of money, the PUP seems that it needs its own bond after it was grossly outspent in yesterday's by-election. Now, say what you will about money demeaning democracy, but since about the 90's, politics has become a money game: and if you don't have it, you can't play, at least not very well. The PUP leader conceded that the PUP does need a greater fundraising drive:.. Jules Vasquez "Are you all financing wise in a worse situation that you were going into this election with a 1700 vote swing?" Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "No Jules, I don't think so. I think we certainly as I said earlier, it's a critical factor, a critical issue which I take responsibility for and that means we have to get out there and work harder on that issue. I have to work harder on that issue which I will admit and confess that it's not something I am comfortable with and like to do, but obviously it's something I have to address in a more aggressive manner."

Prison Weed in Bun and Apple
38 year-old Orven Usher, a resident of Fern Lane, tried to smuggle weed into the Belize Central Prison and tonight he's facing only a $500 fine instead of a prison sentence. Usher was busted on Sunday, January 4 when he went to prison to take food for inmate Jed Burgess, who is on remand for the murder of Jamal Neal. When the bun was put through an x-ray machine some foreign substance were detected and when the bun was cut open the cannabis was found inside. He was charged with drug possession, and he was arraigned today before the Senior Magistrate, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

PM Says City Port Will Come
You may have seen the Prime Minister's New Year's Day Message, which we aired in our New Year's Eve newscast. But the thing was 10 minutes long, so just in case you tuned out, he did outline some important public initiatives. One of them is the promise to give students at tertiary level a tablet for free. He said in the speech that his government has purchased approximately 7,000 devices: Most of his message was focused on Tourism, and the improvements that he and his government wants to make in infrastructural upgrades. He says that apart from fixing roads to 3 main tourist sites, a cruise port and docking facility is coming to Belize City, one way or the other:

Gas Price Gone Down Again
And one thing he didn't mention in there was the price of gas, which keeps going down. Gas prices went down again at midnight last night. Premium Down went down (.77cents), Regular went down (.80cents), and Diesel went Down (.67cents. Observers say this is the lowest gas prices have been since 2009. The falling price is due to the tumbling world price of oil because of the price war between OPEC countries and shale gas produced in North American countries. No one can say when the price war will end, which means that for a time prices should continue to falls for consumers.

Channel 5

Figueroa Trounces Harrison in Cayo North!
The results of the Cayo North by-elections were known early on Monday night but were in fact predicted before voting even took place. Early in the counting, the U.D.P. enjoyed [...]

P.U.P. Reels from Devastating Loss
While the U.D.P. celebrates, for the People’s United Party, it has been a devastating loss.  At a press conference at Independence Hall this afternoon by the P.U.P., the media brief [...]

Fonseca Remains Optimistic About Municipal Elections
While the Cayo North bye-election is being used as a barometer to measure the parties’ respective abilities to mobilize supporters to the polls come March, Fonseca admits that the existing [...]

Is the Impact of the P.U.P.’s Cayo North Loss Seismic?
And what’s the morale of the P.U.P. following Monday’s devastating loss at the polls?  According to Fonseca, while there is disappointment, the party is preparing to move ahead and that [...]

Do You Support Cane Farmers Rejecting ASR/B.S.I. Proposed Agreement?
And tonight’s question is: Do the support the position of cane farmers to reject the proposed agreement by ASR/B.S.I.? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 [...]

B.S.C.F.A. to Support Order of Mandamus
The only thing for certain in the sugar industry is that it is back to square one and tonight, the industry finds itself at rock bottom. While there is urgent [...]

Lucilo Teck Explains Injunction Against B.S.C.F.A.
Both the B.S.C.F.A. and Lucilo Teck were making the media rounds this morning. Teck, a former secretary of the B.S.C.F.A., maintains that the purpose for seeking an injunction would have [...]

P.M. Barrow on Latest Turn of Events in Sugar Crisis
When we checked tonight, there was no word yet on any possible meeting between the key players in the industry. But late this evening, the B.S.C.F.A. has written to the [...]

What’s the Fate of BML Employees?
The employment of sanitation workers by Mayor Darrel Bradley has been prickly issue. But tonight, after months of discussions with Belize Maintenance Limited and the Christian Workers Union, a total [...]

G.O.B. to Assist CitCo with Salaries of Sanitation Workers
According to Mayor Bradley to assist with the level of service that will be given to the public, the council is in a process of strengthening its human resources. Central [...]

Troy Hyde Charged for the Weekend Murder of “Robbery” Lopez
  Today, under heavy security with police armed with M-sixteen rifles, Troy Deon Hyde, of Curl Thompson Street, Belize City, was taken to court for arraignment. At eight-ten this morning, [...]

P.U.P. Urges for Campaign Finance Reform
One more issue from today’s press conference by the Opposition Leader. The People’s United Party has for some time been clamoring for campaign finance reform.  The motion would compel all [...]

Mayor Bradley Says Sanitation Debt to be Settled by February
Earlier in the newscast, you heard Mayor Darrell Bradley say he was taking on one hundred and fifty-eight employees, formerly employed by Belize Maintenance Limited. While that comes on board [...]

What’s the Latest on Belize City Road Works?
The purpose of today’s press briefing by Mayor Darrell Bradley was really to outline several matters for which the general public wanted answers. Sanitation—contractors and workers aside—Mayor Bradley also spoke [...]

Does the Key to Downfall of Maya Civilization Lie in the Blue Hole?
The ancient Mayan civilization, recognized for its monumental contributions to art, science, astronomy and architecture, was perhaps made extinct by a century-long drought.  While periods of dry weather have been [...]

CTV3

Cane Farmers React To BSCFA's Suggestion To Realease Only 1.5 Million Dollars Of Fair Trade Funds
Early this morning a group of about twenty farmers from the Corozal District gathered at the Belize sugar Cane Farmers Association building in an effort to speak with officials on the supposed change that had been made. That change, farmers understood was that the Association, including branch directors, had decided to disburse only 1.5 million dollars to farmers and not the four million as had been decided at the meeting on Sunday. We visited the farmers who were very vocal about their discontent on the matter and called themselves “the rescue team”. Mario Camara – Louiseville Branch “Entiendo que se aprobó y queremos ver si nuestro voto de nuestra palabra que dimos haya vale porque parece que ya no vale porque se aprobó en la sala.” Eiden Romero – Libertad Branch “Nosotros estamos acá para decirle y mostrarle a los 18 directores que están haya que por nosotros están haya para representarnos y para el beneficio de nosotros y nosotros acá también estamos porque nosotros somos la máxima autoridad de los caneros y si decidimos algo en esa junta que hubo el domingo es porque nadie debe de ir a contra nuestra palabra.”

Corozal Town Council Missing Funds Still Pending At Court
In January of last year we told you about the missing funds from the revenue department at the Corozal Town Council that was put on hold after it was discovered that thousands of dollars had been allegedly misappropriated. As a consequence of that allegation three employees were sent home and an internal audit was to be launched to verify the exact amount of monies missing and who was to blame. Later that year in September, Mayor Hilberto Campos granted an interview to our colleagues at Channel 7 where he stated that a total of $13,495.00 was unaccounted for and not 80 thousand as previously reported. According to Mayor Campos he had his former Revenue manager sign an affidavit confessing that he was practically involved in the outcome of the investigation and that he also has committed to pay back the council despite him leaving the country. Campos added that he was to meet with his council to discuss the way forward to the next step which would be to either hand it over to the police for him to be prosecuted or to have him pay back the Corozal Town Council. Today upon making checks with the Corozal Courts there were no such files.

Students From Gatway Provide Therapy for The Elderly
A group of students from Gateway College who are majoring in physical therapy are providing much needed and welcome exercising sessions to the golden citizens of our community. The group has joined hands with PeaceWork International and been engaging residents in health, therapy, education and much more as part of their community service programs in Wisconsin. We spoke with physical Therapist instructor Tracy Gattz who shared with us their experiences so far. Tracey Gatts – Phyrical Therapist Instructor “So they are college students from Wisconsin and they are going to service project, the students are graduating in May, three Therapist Assistant and they are coming to practice their skills and teach the community on how the importance of exercise and if they have injuries to help heal their injuries the same we would with our patience back home.”

Cane Farmers Make Their Point Clear, Nothing Should Delay This Crop
And while the negotiators find themselves in a deadlock once more, there continues to be a division among farmers. The losses incurred in delaying the crop continue to add pressure on all stakeholders. The vote on Sunday was for the association to refrain from signing an agreement with BSI but some feel otherwise. Amid the varying opinions some farmers feel that the government has the ultimate power in resolving the situation. Eiden Romero – Libertad Branch “Nada debe de detener la zafra y lo único que debe de detener la zafra es la naturaleza que Dios nos ha mandado y nada de negociaciones así yo no sé porque esa compañía BSI quiere que nosotros firmemos algo que nos va a dañar en el camino eso es lo que no queremos. Nosotros no vamos a firmar porque esta cana y esta compañía crea una economía fuertemente al norte y sabemos si no hay zafra no hay dinero y quien consigue el dinero siempre el gobierno así que nosotros le estamos pidiendo no es nada de política porque nosotros estamos peleando nuestro derecho y nosotros solo queremos que el Primer Ministro ponga la palabra que comience la zafra porque él es la autoridad máxima acá también y se puede hacer y con nosotros aca.”

BSCFA Says If 4 Million Dollars Is Disbursed It Could Mean The Collapse Of The Association
During Sundays Special Meeting held by the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, cane farmers passed a motion to have four million dollars of Fair Trade funds distributed equally among all cane farmers by Friday of this week. At the meeting, officials of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association expressed great concern over the decision but the crowd would not allow for much discussion on the matter and the motion was passed. Chair of the Committee of Management Ezequiel Cansino called a meeting yesterday with the eighteen branch directors to further discuss the decision since according to him; this could mean the collapse of the Association. Ezequiel Cansino- Chairman, BSCFA, COM “Nosotros estamos bastante preocupados por esta decisión por el hecho de que realizamos al dar estos 4 millones la organización, la BSCFA prácticamente va a colapsar.” Zune Canche – Senior Accountant/Acting CEO “Es lamentable que no se pudo explicar porque si el efecto es grande porque los cuatro millones que ellos decidieron disolver a base de los proyectos aprobados no incluye solamente proyectos que son como fertilizantes y programas sociales que hemos llevado acabo, sino también incluye los gastos ...”

Peacework International Conducts Workshop
Peacework International has commenced work in various communities in the Orange Walk District. Today a part of the team commenced a workshop with interested persons on first aid. Instructors included personnel from Gateway Technical College who have teamed up with Peacework directors to conduct this year’s activities in Belize.Nursing Instructor – Gateway Technical College“This is important to learn because there are thousands of people that are injured in the work place, in the home or in the school, all we want to make sure that our participants are prepared and that they recognize, prevent and are able to treat emergencies and also that they know how to seek medical care.” Dalila Ical – Reporter “From the group that you see here, does any one person has prior training to this or is this really their first encounter with this kind of training?”

Belize City Resident, Marvin Underwood Gun Down
Belize City residents were left traumatised this morning after sounds of gunshots rang out. This morning’s shooting claimed the life of a 32 year old Belize City resident Marvin Anthony Underwood. Around 6:55 this morning police received reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of Roger’s Stadium and upon their arrival in the area they discovered the lifeless body of Underwood lying on the street in the vicinity of the Pound Yard Bridge with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Underwood was transported to the KHMH where his body tonight awaits a post mortem examination.

Cane Farmers Attack Chairman Cansino During AGM
At various points throughout the course of the meeting on Sunday, farmers expressed discontent with the Chair of the Committee of Management, Ezequiel Cansino. At one point the crowd even motioned for a vote of no confidence in his leadership. The media asked Cansino for his reaction to the farmers’ stand in respect to his capabilities. “I am not concerned about that even though my colleagues give me a vote of no confidences or reshuffles come at the end I have to stay for my branch and I will keep fighting for my branch as long as my branch keeps me as chairman of San Estevan.” While the farmers were very vocal against Cansino, no vote was made to overthrow him from his position.

Man Charged For Medina s Murder
A few hours before the New Year 51 year old Miguel Medina became Orange Walk’s night murdered victim after he was stabbed more than 40 times while socializing at a house located on Fonseca Street in Orange Walk.Today the man police believe committed the crime is behind bars after he was arrested and charged by Orange Walk Police. Thirty year old Tony Pasos, Belizean laborer of San Narciso Street appeared before the Orange Walk Magistrates Court this morning where the charge of murder was read he was officially charged for murder.Since the matter is an indictable one no plea was taken from Pasos and he was remanded to the Kolbe Correctional Facility until his next court date.

Will BSCFA Directors Distribute 4 Million Dollars As Demanded By Cane Farmers
At the special general meeting held Sunday, cane farmers also voted to have four million dollars of Fairtrade money distributed among them. This is additional money to the two point five million dollars that was distributed among farmers in December last year. The decision concerns the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association leadership as it can have grave implications to both the association and farmers themselves. The money had been allocated for a number of projects within each of the eighteen branches, some of which are being carried through for the last three years. The vote led to the dissolving of these projects in order for the money to be redirected to the farmers. That process alone brought added friction with farmers and their leadership and at one point the tensions became all too visible. Here is a look at how that process unfolded. Ezequiel Casino “Me decepciona sinceramente porque cuando yo vine acá no vine con intenciones de quebrar a la Asociación y me alegro el momento que todos se pararon y dijeron no a la firma del agreement y sinceramente me convencieron de estar con ustedes pero a esto sinceramente yo no estoy de acuerdo pero la decisión es de ustedes, la decisión es de ustedes y si la mayoría lo ha dicho solo quiero pedirle a ustedes estén conscientes de lo que se está decidiendo.”

Deportee Kareem Lopez aka Robbery, Second Murder For 2015
He went out to purchase food; and little did he know that he would go down on record as the second murder victim for 2015. We are talking about deportee Kareem Lopez also known as Robbery who was killed on Saturday night at around 10:15 as he stepped out of his vehicle on Central American Boulevard. Initial investigations have revealed that Lopez was approached by a group of men who fired several shots in his direction. Some of the bullets found their target as Lopez was fatally injured.

Belizean Accused Of Robbing Mexican And Arrested
Reports reaching our news room tonight are that a Belizean is currently under Mexican Police custody after allegedly robbing a Mexican woman in Playa del Carmen Quintana Roo, Mexico.According to El Diario Respuesta, a Mexican Newspaper, 34 year old Roberto Heredia Brady who claims to be Belizean, was arrested over the weekend after he was accused of robbing a Mexican lady at knife point.The newspaper reports that on Friday around midnight the woman was heading home when a man, armed with a knife, attacked her, telling her that if she screams he would hurt her.

LOVE FM

PM Says Municipal Election is the Main Focus Now
Omar Figueroa is the new Area Representative for the Cayo North. Figueroa rose as the newest member of the House of Representatives following bi-elections held on Monday after the post was vacated by PUP representative Joseph Mamud. Both main political parties expressed confidence at the start of the race but at the opening of the polls at 7am, it was clear the UDP machinery was running more smoothly. There was a low voter turnout for the first six hours but as it neared the closing time the numbers started to rise steadily. By the time the polls closed at 6pm there were a few voters still in line waiting to vote. The 13 ballot boxes were then transferred to the ITVET in San Ignacio where the counting took place. All 13 boxes were counted simultaneously and by 8:30pm the word was out that UDP candidate Omar Figueroa was leading the race. A few minutes past nine o’clock, it was confirmed that the counting was completed and the new area representative for Cayo North was Omar Figueroa. A crowd of UDP supporters had gathered under the rain in front of the ITVET awaiting to see and hear from their new area representative and Figueroa fulfilled this task when he emerged from inside the counting room accompanied by close relatives.

Dawson Speaks on Construction on Philip Goldson Highway
Those of you who commute on the Philip Goldson highway probably question what is transpiring on the right hand side opposite of Roses and Westrac. Today Love News spoke to Alexander Dawson, Site Supervisor at Cisco Constructions, who explained further more of the works occurring on the corner of the highway. Here’s what he has to say: ALEXANDER DAWSON “Well at the moment we are constructing a round a bout to make the flow of traffic easier between the Western and the Northern without causing confusion. With the round a-bout here vehicles instead of stopping the flow of traffic will just ease and go easier to diver easier off. Well the round a bout has to be big enough to maintain trailer trucks going to port and back so with that the round a bout will be able to handle a two lane highway.

Prison Wardens Find Weed Hidden Inside Bun
Thirty-eight year old Orven Usher of Fern Lane, Belize City who attempted to smuggle 30 grams of cannabis into Belize Central Prison by putting it in a bun, was fortunate he was not given a custodial sentence when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser and pled guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled drug. Senior Magistrate Fraser fined him five hundred dollars and gave him until February 28 to pay. If he defaults on payment he will serve five months. She told that he was lucky he had not come to court yesterday because he certainly would not have been fined. She was referring to a case yesterday in which she sentenced an 18 year to six months for trying to smuggle 46 grams of cannabis into prison in some apples. Usher was busted on Sunday, January 4 when he went to prison to take food for inmate Jed Burgess, who is charged with the murder of Jamal Neal. When the bun was put through an x-ray machine some foreign substance were detected and when the bun was cut open the cannabis was found inside.

August Speaks on Interruption of Sanitation Services
Last Friday, January 2; there was a group of disgruntled workers at the San Ignacio Town Council inside the Sanitation section. Reports reaching Love News are that there were some missing inventory from the municipal office and administration was preparing to have the workers compensate for the missing items. It wasn’t a decision taken lightly by the council’s employees and to show this discontent, the employees reportedly went on strike. It was a brief interruption of service in the sanitation sector for the town as Mayor John August explained. JOHN AUGUST “There was a minor incident and the council was concerned over some items that had gone missing from our garage and we brought it to the attention of the workers and I think some of them were not too happy with the way we were undergoing the investigation but I have spoken to them and I have sorted out the matter already and I think the work is being continued, garbage is being picked up.

Barrow Says No Petro Caribe for Bi-Elections
The issue of finances has been well highlighted by both political parties, particularly as it relates to Monday’s bi-election. In the instance of the United Democratic Party, yesterday’s bi-election and the weeks leading up to it, had shown signs of significant monies being spent on the ground particularly in the Cayo North Division. While for the People’s United Party, it was quite the opposite as they had indicated that their funding was limited and that they are concerned at how the UDP is spending tax payers’ money for campaigning. FRANCIS FONSECA “There is cause for concern when it comes to the use of public funds in election campaigns but I think as a country we have to get beyond that; we have to think about these issues. it’s a dangerous road we are travelling, where, as I have said before, there seems to be no line, in my view, between the public treasury and the United Democratic Party treasury. There seems to be no line. Election campaigns are run with public funds completely. On Election Day people are getting letters for scholarships, people are getting land papers. So, people will say that has been happening for a long time and that may be fair but I continue to make the point that we are in unprecedented waters, the scale and level and depth of it is unprecedented, in my view and I think we all have to take a collective pause.”

Thompson Speaks on Investigation in Police Brutality
In June 2014, Love News brought to you the story of 39-year-old, Ernesto Chan, a taxi driver of San Ignacio Town, Cayo District who at the time was not only facing marital problems, eviction from his home but had also been allegedly assaulted by two police officers from that municipality. When we aired the story some six months ago, we had met up with Chan, who bore scars and photos of a bloody mouth and other injuries which he claim were inflicted by two officers, namely, Sergeant Octaviano Victorin and Corporal Rudolph Rodriguez. In our story, we had told you that the Public Standards Branch of the Belize Police Department had launched an internal investigation into the matter, but it seemed like a slow paced investigation as in November, Chan was back at our offices saying that he is yet to get an update on the investigation and the two officers were still on active duty. We caught up with Superintendent Dinsdale Thompson, who now heads the San Ignacio Police Station to get an update on that investigation.

Arrest Made For Robbery’s Murder
27–year-old, Troy Hyde, a resident of Curl Thompson Street in Belize City was charged with the murder of 28-year-old, Kareem ‘Robbery’ Lopez when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Hyde was remanded into custody until February 24. Lopez was gunned down around 10:20 p.m. on January 3 while he was in front of a fast food establishment on Central American Boulevard. He had gone to the fast food establishment and was opening the door of his car when he was approached by a group of men and one of them opened fire, riddling Lopez’ body with multiple gunshots. Lopez was transported to KHMH where he was pronounced dead.

Works Resume on Chetumal Boulevard
Last year we told you about the completion of the Bridge that joins the north and south-sides. Today Love News stopped by and spoke to Deon Burns, Site Supervisor about the current works that have started on Chetumal Boulevard. DEON BURNS “Right now on Chetumal Street we are doing the infrastructure, right now we are on the drainage, doing the sidewalk drainage going all the way to the creek down that side, afterwards we will come behind and do the street. We’ll put in a two way street with a median in the middle and we will try to get everything done as soon as we could but with the weather we are going very slow and due to the Christmas holiday. The other thing is yes, the bridge is open, most people use it as easy access. Right now it is kind of traffic-able for us right now but I understand everybody need to get to work quick and fast but I will ask everybody to minimize the traffic. All of us are working and it is hard for us , our excavator and our trucks hauling in and out. Concerning going to the creek on the left hand side, there is a board house upstairs I understand that will be moved out and the yellow cement house before that, we will put a slab off the bridge going down so they can access. On this other side I am not sure what we will do as yet as we reach there, maybe another two and a half months we will get there if we go by schedule, with weather and everything or a little earlier.”

Villager Charged For Burglary and Theft
Belmopan Police have arrested and charged 24-year-old Kim Thomas of Camalote Village with theft and burglary. 53-year-old, Nelson Gallardo of Roaring Creek Village told Police he was at home sleeping when he was alerted by his security guard that an intruder was on the premises. Upon investigation they saw some movements at the back of the garage, which is located on the same compound. Upon investigation, they saw a man of dark complexion walking toward some machines which were on the compound. With the assistance of the other security guards they held him there and called the police. Police recovered a vehicle starter, one hundred sand seventeen dollars in different denominations and three bottles of soft drinks. As a result, Thomas was arrested and charged.

Men Charged With Robbery and Aggravated Burglarly
Two men were charged with two counts of robbery and one count of aggravated burglary when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. They are 23 year old Ronald Michael and 27 year old Edwin Emmanuel Coye. They were also charged with wounding and harm. They pled not guilty to the charges. They were remanded into custody until March 3. According to the allegation, on Friday, January 2, the defendants and another, whilst armed with a firearm, entered as trespassers the home of Maria Gonzalez, located on Superintendent George Arthurs Street and stole money and items that amounted to over one thousand dollars. The men also allegedly stole money and items amounting to two thousand two hundred and seventy five dollars from Jennifer Gonzalez and money and items amounting to over two thousand dollars from Francisco Avila. The police have also alleged that the men caused a wound to Jennifer Gonzalez and caused harm to Maria Gonzalez.

Teen Charged For Possession of Controlled Drugs
Eighteen year old Raheem Myles, who tried to smuggle 46 grams of cannabis into Belize Central Prison by hiding them inside some apples, was sentenced to six months today by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after he plead guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled drug. Myles had expected a fine but Senior Magistrate Fraser told him that she will send him to the place where he was trying to smuggle the cannabis to join the person he was taking it to. Myles was busted on Friday, January 2 when he went to Belize Central Prison with three apples. When the apples were cut open the cannabis was found inside the core. One apple had 10 parcels which amounted to 16 grams, a second apple had eight parcels amounting to 12 grams and the third apple had 13 parcels which amounted to 18 grams. Apparently, the sticker on each apple was removed and a hole was made which formed the entrance for the cannabis. After the cannabis was put inside the apple, the sticker was put back where it was to cover the hole.

Belama Resident Charged With Sexual Assault and Threat
Thirty-five year old Baron Anderson, a resident of Belama Phase Two, was charged with sexual assault and using threatening words when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Anderson plead not guilty to the charges. He was offered a bail of two thousand dollars and his case was adjourned until March 3. The bail was offered on the condition that he says away from the complainant and anybody connected to her. The incident occurred on January 1 at Golden Casino, located on Newtown Barracks. The complainant, who is over the age of 16, reported to the police that while she was at Golden Casino, Anderson came and sat beside her and grabbed her vagina. She said Anderson then told her that anytime he sees her and her boyfriend he will kill them. Anderson said in court that the complainant used to be his girlfriend.

Men Charged For Firearm and Ammunition Offenses
Two men were charged with firearm and ammunition offenses when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. They are 25 year old Curlan Phillips and 18 year old Tevin Palmer. They were charged with kept a prohibited firearm, a .357 revolver and kept six rounds of point thirty eight calibre ammunition. They plead not guilty to the charges and they were remanded into custody until March 5. They were busted around 12 a.m. on January 3. The police reported that they were on mobile patrol on Banak Street when they saw a gold colour four door Altima car with the defendants inside. The car was on Banak Street and it was heading towards Central American Boulevard.

Elton Coba Charged For Burglary
30-year-old Elton Coba has been charged for burglary. This follows a report made by Sonia Alamila who told Police someone burglarized her home on January 2. The thieves made off with some of her jewelry. Police conducted a search on Coba and found a number of the stolen items. Coba appeared before Magistrate Hurl Hamilton where he pled guilty to the crime. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

Arturo Cantun Reports on Bi-Election in Cayo North
As we mentioned earlier, polls have closed in the bi-election in Cayo North. Arturo Cantun was on the ground during the day and filed this report. ARTURO CANTUN “Today a by-election was held for the Cayo North constituency. The two candidates are new in the political race. For the UDP it is Omar Figueroa and for the PUP it is Richard Harrison. At the start of the voting at 7AM voters were just trickling in. Both candidates however were both optimistic that more voters were going to come out after midday. Around midday we spoke with PUP candidate Richard Harrison who was very confident that his machinery was working well.” RICHARD HARRISON “Well I am feeling good, it is going as we suspected. They have a lot of campaigners and that is mostly what has voted for them, campaigners who they are paying to vote. Our voters are voluntary people coming to vote of their own free will and we are getting them out and we are going to do that until 6pm.”

RTA on Hummingbird Highway
Four people were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital after a traffic accident on the George Price Highway. Correspondent Angelica tells us more. ANGELICA CRUZ “Four persons were rushed to the Western Regional hospital following a traffic accident on the Hummingbird Highway. Love News visited the scene sometime around 4:15 on Monday afternoon January 5th and saw silver Saturn VUE on the right hand side of the highway in a drain in some bushes with its front portion extensively damaged. About 20 feet away on the right hand side of the highway also in some bushes a grey Mahindra pick up with damages to its passenger side door.

Sunday Night Murder Claims Life of Teen
Belmopan Police have two persons detained following a Sunday night murder. Correspondent Angelica Cruz has the details. ANGELICA CRUZ “Belmopan police hands are full; they are trying to put all the pieces together in trying to solve the second murder that occurred in less than 4 days. According to the neighbors, sometime around 6:30PM on Sunday evening January 4th, they say there were inside their house sitting down when they heard the sound of two gunshots being fired coming from the back of their house. They then came outside and saw a number or people running where there was an exchange of several gunshots between two groups of people.

Shooting Claims Life of Lopez
A shooting this weekend on Central American Boulevard claimed the life of twenty-three-year-old, Kareem Lopez, also known as robbery, who resides on George Street. According to eyewitnesses, Lopez was by a Chinese shop, opposite bi-way internet café, purchasing something from the store when he saw a gun man ran out of a nearby yard with a gun. Witnesses told us that Lopez turned and ran towards his vehicle when he tripped and the gun man let fire on him. Love News received vital data that just before the shooting, Lopez was engaged in a heated argument with a gentleman who then held him up at gunpoint and threatened his life on New Year’s Day on Faber’s Road; the gun snapped and Lopez returned the favor by placing a gun in the assailant’s mouth and threatening him. No angel to the law, Lopez life has been threatened numerous times.

Martinez Speaks on Recent Shootings and Murders
Police have been busy trying to keep up with the criminals. Since our last newscast on Friday, three murders and several shootings have been reported. Two of the fatal shootings occurred in Belize City. We start with the latest which happened just before seven o’clock this morning. Raphael Martinez is the Press Officer in the Ministry of National Security. RAPHAEL M ARTINEZ “It occurred at approximately minutes to seven this morning when police were informed of gunshots being fired in the vicinity of Rodger’s Stadium. When police went to the scene they saw a male of dark complexion who was identified later as 32 year old Marvin Anthony Underwood lying in the vicinity of the Pound Yard bridge apparently dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Again he was transported to the KHMH where his body awaits a post mortem examination as the investigations continue.” It is believed that this morning’s shooting was retaliation for Friday night’s murder which took the life of a well known street figure.

Early Morning Shooting Claims Life of Man
There was a shooting this morning at the corner of East Collet Canal and Orange Street in Belize City. According to Police just before seven o’clock they received reports of shots being fired in the vicinity of Roger’s Stadium. Police say on arrival they saw 32-year-old Marvin Anthony Underwood lying on the street in the vicinity of the Pound Yard Bridge with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Police have a press briefing scheduled for later this afternoon. Sources tell Love News that Anderson’s murder was retaliation for the murder of Kareem Lopez which occurred on Friday night. Love News has been told that Underwood left his home in the Yarborough area and was heading to work when he was shot. Anderwood received a gunshot wound to the head and succumbed to his injury on the spot. Police investigation continues into this matter.

PlusTV

Police fail to apprehend high-speed shooters
Residents of the Kraal Road area of Belize City awoke to see police chasing a group of men in an SUV on Sunday morning. They were responding to reports of alleged gunfire heard on Kraal Road. We responded as well and witnessed the high-speed chase through the neighborhoods of the Southside to George Street, where the shooters ditched the vehicle and escaped. They were alleged to be carrying and using sub-machine guns. The vehicle in which they were traveling, a Hyundai Santa Fe SUV with Belize City license plates BC-C-47582, was impounded after being processed where it was ditched on George Street, and then taken to Queen Street where it remains under guard pending further examination.

19 year old shot and killed in Belmopan
On Sunday January 4 at about 7:00p.m., shots were fired on Costa Rica Street Extension in the Salvapan Area of Belmopan. 19 year old Kevin Vasquez was shot to the head, chest and leg. Mr Vasquez was a Honduran welder of Chile Street, Belmopan City. We spoke to Officer in charge of the Belmopan formation, Howell Gillett, who told us more about the incident and the investigation. “So far, our investigation shows the person might have been hit by a .38 revolver that was found on the scene. Three expended shells were found inside the .38 revolver, and three live rounds.

Mervin Underwood shot and killed
Kareem Lopez’s murder was the first of two in Belize City within 56 hours . There was another on Monday morning in a highly trafficked area near the Pound Yard Bridge . Police responded to reports of gunshots being fired in the vicinity of Rogers’ Stadium, and came upon 32 year old Mervin Underwood with a fatal wound to the head. With a formal report here is Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez. “Police were informed of gunshots being fired in the vicinity of Roger’s Stadium. When police went to the scene they saw a male of dark complexion, who was identified later as 32 year old Mervin Anthony Underwood, laying in the vicinity of the Pound Yard Bridge apparently dead, with an apparent gunshot wound to the head.

DOE to have meeting over Barton Creek Dams
Last Week Tuesday December 30, we told you about the story of the Dam that was built in Barton Creek, apparently without permission from the Department of the Environment. We will play the original story in case you missed it last week. . Many Belizeans know of the ATM cave; Actun Tunichil Muknal , as well as the cave at Caves branch , also in the Cayo District. The Dark Knight story, which aired recently in the media, showed the plight that local tour guides have in accessing the cave location in that property. PlusNews travelled to Barton creek, a Mennonite community, now owned by a few wealthy Canadians and Americans. Deep within this lush forest and farming area is a tourist destination known to just a few Belizeans; The Barton Creek cave system is comprised of well over 5 miles of caverns with an entire mile accessible to tourists for canoeing and sightseeing. The cave was used by the Mayas for ceremonies and when combined with the Mayan pottery, bones and stalactites and stalagmites it has become one of the areas protected and administered by NICH.

Omar Figueroa beats Richard Harrison 2:1
60.81% of Cayo North’s registered voters cast their votes in Monday’s by election in Cayo North; a fair turn out. The results of that election were announced at around 9 o’clock, so when we left you at the end of our newscast the counting was still on the way. It was a busy day on Monday for the two camps to get their voters in at the polls, to vote for either UDP candidate Omar Figueroa or PUP candidate Richard Harrison. At the end of it all, Omar Figueroa garnered an impressive lead, almost doubling Harrison’s votes. Returning Officer Wilbur Sabido made the announcement. “For the Cayo North Electoral Division, we had a total of 4,013 votes cast. Mr Omar Figueroa received some 2,665 votes, while Mr Richard Harrison received 1,348 votes. 5 ballots were spoiled, 51 rejected. So thus, after the return of the poll has been taken, I hereby certify that the Member elected for the Cayo North Electoral Division, in pursuance of the within writ as having received the majority of the votes lawfully given, is Mr Omar Figueroa.”

7 years for burglary
Last week we reported on the incident of a 30 year old son trying to stab his 52 year old father in the chest. The father managed to escape unharmed after his son entered their home under the influence or some substance. The father got out a restraining order against his son, Elton Coba, but Coba paid that no mind and the following day, returned to the family house. The father and mother ran out through the back into some nearby bushes, while the son tore open the screen door and entered the house making threats to kill them all, after which he stole some of his father’s belongings before leaving. Elton Coba appeared before Magistrate Hurl Hamilton, where he was fined $300.00 for damaging the screen doors, $1,000.00 for breaching the protection order, and was offered bail in the sum of $3,000.00 for the crime of burglary to his father’s house.

Stabbed to the head while trying to part fight
At about 12:45 a.m. on Saturday January 3, police responded to a stabbing Incident on #6621 Police Street in Belize City. 32-year-old Aaron Kerr of Police Street was stabbed to the left side of the head. According to police, Aaron Kerr was socializing with some friends when a fight ensued between two man on the street side of Police street. Aaron Kerr intervened to separate them, and as a result one of the male persons inflicted the injury to him.

Police Officer arrested and charged for extortion
Officer in Charge of the Bella Vista Police Station, 44 year old PC Bernard Villanueva, was arrested and charged for extortion. On Friday January 2, a 28 year old woman reported to Independence police that the police officer in Bella Vista insisted that she pay him $200 for the release of her husband. The Independence police officers photocopied four twenty-dollars notes and two fifty-dollars notes and then sent in someone to make the payment to PC Villanueva on behalf of the woman. Bernard Villanueva took the marked notes and immediately released the woman’s husband. Independence police then moved in and retrieved the marked monies from Bernard Villanueva and formally arrested and charged him for extortion.

Cane farmers vote No to ASR/BSI commercial agreement
Sunday’s general membership meeting of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association saw a massive turn out. The estimated count was somewhere between 1,500 to 2,000 cane farmers, who travelled from far and near to exercise their democratic right to have their voices heard in the matter concerning the signing of a final agreement with BSI. As we told you last week, the agreement was to be signed on Tuesday, however, 5 of the 18 BSCFA directors opted for the decision to be made by the cane farmers, as is required by their bylaws. In addition to that, cane farmer Lucilo Teck and Association Executive Javier Keme, with the help of their attorney Audrey Matura-Sheppard, had filed an application for an injunction to stop the committee from signing without the approval of the majority. That led to the fiery meeting on Sunday, where a clear division was noticeable between those who wanted it signed and those who did not.

Amandala

Omar thrashes Richard!
For the first time since 1961, when voters began casting their ballots in Cayo North, by-elections were held today in that constituency and the end result was an almost unprecedented blowout, the extent of which has not been seen since Hector Silva won the division for the People’s United Party 54 years ago. Today, it was the United Democratic Party’s Dr. Omar Figueroa who stole the show by sweeping up nearly twice the votes garnered by his rival, the PUP’s Richard Harrison. The United Democratic Party’s chairman, Alberto August, who is also the chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, reported to Amandala tonight that their candidate, Figueroa, had received 2,665 of the 4,013 votes cast in today’s by-election, while Harrison had received only 1,348 votes. The final official statistics indicate that 5 ballots were deemed spoilt and 51 rejected. Dr. Omar Figueroa, the UDP candidate, a jaguar researcher by profession, has not had as strong a media presence as Harrison, but he told us today that he has been working on the ground, going from house to house, listening to the people’s issues: land, health, education, infrastructure and jobs.

“Chino,” 51, stabbed 42 times as he slept
Just a few hours before the dawn of the New Year, a very brutal and bloody murder occurred in which the victim was mercilessly stabbed over 40 times at a house on Fonseca Street in Orange Walk Town. According to police, at around 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, Miguel Moises Medina, 51, also known as “Chino”, was drinking with a group of friends when they got into a fight, and he was later stabbed a total of 42 times in the stomach, chest, neck, face, arms and back as he slept on a sponge inside a concrete structure belonging to one of his associates, Rodrigo Ayuso. Police were called, but by the time they arrived, Medina – a resident of Guyana Street in Orange Walk – had already died on the spot, and since then, investigators have been trying to find out why Medina’s companions attacked him so viciously.

Cañeros to SICB: Start the crop; stop the crap!
Today marked a critical juncture in the seemingly unending impasse that has overwhelmed the sugar industry as the cane farmers shot down a previously-accepted draft commercial purchasing agreement between their representatives, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), and the factory owners, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI)/American Sugar Refineries (ASR), and called on the governmental oversight body known as the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) to use its authority to declare the opening of the long-deferred 2014/2015 sugarcane crop season. In the face of a mixture of heightened police presence and high tensions, an unprecedented crowd of over 1,500 local cañeros gathered en masse at their usual meeting place, the Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico auditorium, on the outskirts of Corozal Town starting at 9:00 a.m. today.

2015’s first murder
A little more than 15 hours after the New Year began, the first murder of the year occurred. Yaima Duany Ledesma, 30, a Cuban worker at Dream Valley Resort Restaurant and Bar situated about two miles into the Young Gyal Road, off the George Price Highway, was shot and killed in the establishment where she worked by one of two men. Amandala was informed that at about 3:30 p.m. New Year’s Day, two men went into the establishment and ordered drinks, after which they asked to see Ledesma, and when she came to see what they wanted, one of the men took out a pistol from the waist of his pants and shot her as she came towards their table. Ledesma was hit in the chest and stomach, and fell to the ground.

Cisco Construction worker shot and killed near Pound Yard Bridge
Mervin Anthony Underwood, 32, a soil tester employed at the CISCO Construction Company, died after he was shot in the head near the Pound Yard Bridge by an unknown gunman as he was heading to work this morning. A bus driver for CISCO Construction told Amandala that he was driving up Cemetery Road to Pound Yard to pick up Underwood to take him to work, when at about 100 yards from Pound Yard Bridge, he saw people running, and when he approached, he saw his friend and workmate sprawled on the ground. He had been shot.

Was fire at BSCFA CEO’s house a case of arson?
Things have been “hot” in the current sugar dispute for some while now, and an early morning fire that happened today at a house that was being rented by the CEO of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA), Oscar Alonzo, has ignited concerns that the ongoing back-and-forth in the sugar industry may be taking a volatile turn. At around 1:00 a.m. this morning, fire officials in Orange Walk were called out to the San Lorenzo Housing Site in Orange Walk Town where Alonzo’s concrete bungalow house had apparently been set ablaze only two days before a BSCFA general meeting, where 5,000 plus cane farmers will decide whether or not they want to accept the compromise agreement between them and the factory owners for a second time.

“Weed apples” get teenager 6 months in jail
On New Year’s Eve, a teenager was arrested for attempting to smuggle marijuana into the prison inside three apples. Raheem Miles, 18, who is a first-time offender, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug and was sentenced to 6 months in prison this morning when he was arraigned on the charge before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. A look of confusion appeared on Miles’ face after he entered his guilty plea and he then asked the court to show him leniency and the Senior Magistrate told him that he needed to give her a good reason why he should not be sent to prison. “You go to prison and smuggle drugs; it’s obvious you want to go there. You should have been charged with drug trafficking the moment you stepped on the prison compound with drugs,” Frazer told Miles.

KREM “Big Shilling” 2015 New Year’s Day Cycling Classic
After a three-year stretch of Belizean born champions, a foreigner, Mexican Hector Rangel, a Masters rider (over 35 years old) riding for the Belizean team, Benny’s Megabytes, came in all alone, after sweeping the bulk of the station prizes, to claim the Elite crown for the 25th KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic. There was a lot of hype and great expectation of heroic performances from local riders going into this year’s KREM Classic, and it had a lot to do with the very attractive prizes, especially the unprecedented five $1,000.00 Elite station prizes along the 96 mile journey from Belize/Mexico border in Corozal to Belize City, where the race ended in front of Santos Diaz & Sons on Central American Boulevard. There were some early sprints for station prizes, where Belizeans Gregory Lovell, Giovanni Lovell and Ron Vasquez claimed their portion of the prize money; but foreigners took 24 of the 30 station prizes, including 4 of the 5 big $1,000.00 prizes, with eventual winner Hector Rangel (Benny’s Megabytes) taking over the race at Maskall Junction and claiming the last 20 station prizes on his way to capturing the first place honors in 3:50:26.

BAA National Track and Field Championship set for January 24-25
The Belize Athletics Association (BAA) invites all athletes and track enthusiasts to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. This event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on January 24 and 25, 2015. All athletes 16 years (born 1998) and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ([email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association). Registration forms can also be obtained from and returned to the National Sports Council’s offices throughout the country. Please be advised that registration forms should be submitted no later than Wednesday, January 21; no late registrations will be accepted. Cost of registration is $5.00 per athlete. Events will include: 100m; 200m; 400m; 800m; 1500m; 5000m; 10,000m; 4x100m; 4x400m; Long Jump; Triple Jump; High Jump; Javelin; Shot put; Discus.

Wednesday is D-Day, PLB playoffs down to the wire
What a game! What a season! What a playoff in this Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2014-2015 Opening Season! The 4 teams who made the playoffs were not decided until the last weekend of regular season football; and these playoffs, which will end this Wednesday night, are in a similar position. BDF is out of the race, but they can still be a spoiler for Verdes. None of the 3 teams battling for the 2 spots in the championship finals – neither Belmopan Bandits, Police United nor Verdes FC is sure of a spot in the finals. There are a host of mathematical possibilities. Of course, Verdes could take BDF lightly, and that would send Police and Verdes to the big dance, whatever the outcome of their game. But if Verdes beats BDF, then Verdes is home free, and Police would need a win against Bandits, because a draw would send the Bandits through. (See the latest standings below.) Going by our unofficial reports, in games at 4:00 p.m. on New Year’s eve last Wednesday, December 31, the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk saw Belmopan Bandits with a 1-0 win over BDF; while at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, Verdes followed their Saturday night 1-0 win over Police United with a 4-0 blowout of the law men on Sunday afternoon. Police was obviously weakened by the loss of their sweeper, Frank Lopez, who was red carded on Saturday night, and thus had to sit out the Sunday game.

Boxer wants to see more events in the New Year
Boxing trainer/enthusiast Henry “Boxer” Gill visited the sports desk this morning to say that he wants to see more boxing events in the New Year. He says he is calling on Boxing Federation President Moses Sulph to start visiting the gyms and do the necessary groundwork to get some boxing events going for the youths. “Let’s not be distracted with who says this, and who says that, and the politics and all that. The youths need to be busy, and we need to have more regular boxing events,” said Boxer.

Force, face, and fools
In their dealings with African and Maya people over the last five plus centuries, the European peoples have generally been brutal, oppressive, and exploitative. Quite intelligently, the Europeans eventually decided to put a face on the force they were using against non-European peoples. In the beginning, the force was naked. The force was originally designed to terrorize the “natives” and assure their abject capitulation. After the force achieved its objective, the conqueror/imperialist could resort to the use of religion and various public relations devices to deceive and divide the now subject native peoples. The sweet modern face of white supremacy has made collaborationist fools of some of us non-Europeans who thought it useless to resist the power of the colonial system. Collaboration with the Europeans was also profitable, more profitable than resistance, so maybe collaborationists were not such fools after all. The decision in a special general meeting on Sunday by Corozal and Orange Walk cane farmers to turn down an agreement with BSI/ASR, the transnational company which owns the Tower Hill sugar factory, was an act of resistance. As such, political observers will view Sunday’s vote as favoring the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP). In no way can the vote be seen as favoring the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), because the government had been calling for the agreement to be signed and for the grinding of sugar cane to begin.

From the Publisher
I’m writing this early Sunday morning, just a couple hours before the cane farmers of the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts meet in general assembly to decide whether to sign an agreement with BSI/ASR which is on the table, or to embark on some other course of action. As things are, the commencement of the new sugar crop, with respect to the grinding of the sugar cane which is in the fields, has already been delayed for a month because of extended negotiations between the cane farmers, who own the sugar cane fields, and BSI/ASR, the company which owns the factory which grinds the cane, to decide some fundamental issues of power, control, and money. Over the weeks and months of the negotiations, our editorial position at this newspaper has been consistently in support of the cañeros. The reason for that support is because that is who we are at this newspaper: we support the principle of power to the people. It is the cane farmers who are the Belizean people.

Let better pay for cane-cutters also roll…
Dear Editor, The escalating tension here in the North is indeed a very crippling experience that continues to dampen and even dismantle the spirits of many families, particularly those whose livelihoods are anchored in the squealing axis of the sugar industry itself. As a canefarmer, I indeed stand in full support and solidarity with my compañeros cañeros in a most unconditional and steadfast manner as we hope that whatever differences between our representative, the BSCFA, and BSI/ASR are well-ironed out in a meticulous way that will seek to always protect and promote our interests in this very important industry.

Belize moves to establish first Science Technology and Innovation Institute in 2015
Belize will move in 2015 to break ground for a new Science Technology and Innovation Institute, which Dr. Colin Young, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities, said will be designed to reflect the findings of extensive studies being carried out by Korean partners working along with the Ministry. In his New Year’s message this year, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow said that 2015 will be the year of technology in Belize, with the Government also gifting an Asus tablet (made in Taiwan) to each tertiary level student in Belize. He said that 9,000 such tablets will be purchased for distribution. At the high school level, Government plans to finance improvements of computer labs.

Roy Bayliss’ alleged killer remanded
A Corozal resident has been placed behind bars in connection with the 2014 murder of Roy Bayliss, 18, who also lived in Corozal, but was shot and killed after a night out in Orange Walk Town on August 2. Today, six months later, Raymond Jacobs, whom police have named as the trigger man, appeared in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court, where he was arraigned and subsequently remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 2015 for Bayliss’ murder. Although he did not specify what information led them to the accused, Deputy OC for Orange Walk Police, ASP Selvin Tillett, told us that “investigations” led to Jacob’s arrest, and that “there might be more arrests in regards to this same incident later on.” After the murder had occurred, police had reported that Bayliss was involved an altercation with a man in front of the Hi-5 Night Club in Orange Walk Town, and was later shot in the right cheek and behind the left ear after leaving the nightspot.

Chief Elections Officer refutes PUP’s allegations of by-election corruption
During a press conference yesterday, Tuesday, the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP)’s party chairman, secretary general and legal advisor suggested that the United Democratic Party (UDP) was trying to sway the outcome of the upcoming Cayo North by-election through the transfer of Jerrylyn Bruce, the senior registering officer from the Cayo North Elections and Boundaries Branch, who, the PUP alleged, refused to facilitate UDP chairman, Alberto August, with the election binders containing the personal information of the voters from Cayo North. The Opposition claimed that the transfer, which had happened just days before the election, was done as a consequence of that supposed occurrence; however, August has categorically denied having any contact whatsoever with Bruce, and asserted that he has no interest in the binders because he uses what is publicly available: the voters list. Today, Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, spoke about the seemingly abrupt re-assignment of Ms. Bruce with the media, explaining that the situation was misinterpreted by the PUP, and that Bruce was actually re-assigned to a different registration office in Cayo North, and not transferred, as was previously thought.

Shameless “friend” stole purse from woman while socializing with her
A woman has been detained by police, pending charges of theft, after she was captured on camera stealing the purse of Sabrina Martinez, 33, a domestic of San Narciso, Corozal District, while they were socializing at a bar in Corozal Town. The incident occurred at about 7:00 Tuesday evening, December 30, at a bar on 5th Avenue in Corozal Town. Martinez told police that she, the friend and her nephew were socializing at Perfect Restaurant when she left her purse with the friend for safekeeping while she became engaged in a conversation with another acquaintance of hers. Martinez reported that she ordered drinks from the bar and when she went for her purse from the friend to pay for the drinks, the friend and her purse were nowhere to be found.

Man charged with sexual assault of his ex-girlfriend released on bail
A Belize City man who pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of use of threatening words against his ex-girlfriend was released on a bail of $2,000 plus one surety of the same amount after Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer arraigned him on the charges this morning. Byron Anderson told the court, “The young lady used to be my lady and we broke up. She is jeopardizing everything for me.” Anderson’s ex-girlfriend reported to police that on the night of January 1, 2015, she was at the Golden Casino on Princess Margaret Drive, where she met Anderson. The woman told police that Anderson sat down beside her. After they spoke to each other briefly, Anderson got angry and grabbed her private parts without her consent, she reported.

Police share some fines associated with some common offense
The Police Department has shared a list of cases for which persons were recently fined for various offences. Please see below: POSSESSION OF AN ARTICLE WITH POINT Fined $100.00 with $5.00 cost of court to be paid by 31/12/14, in default 1 month imprisonment. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT Defendant found guilty and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. VEHICLES CAUSE MOTOR VEHICLE TO PROCEED IN A ONE-WAY STREET Fined $100.00 with $5.00 cost of court to be paid by 31/1/15, in default (i/d) 1 month imprisonment.

Finally, Janae getting paid!
Financial Secretary Joseph Waight told Amandala today that the Government of Belize via the Ministry of Finance is making an initial payment towards the $2 million which the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had awarded back in April to Janae Matute and her mother, Georgia Matute, in an unprecedented medical malpractice suit against the Government of Belize and a former public sector doctor, Raju Meenavalli. Waight told us that the attorney for the Matutes, Fred Lumor, SC, has accepted the Government’s offer to pay about 5% of the total award as well as legal fees, and Waight said that he is confident that the payment will be made, if not by this Friday, January 2, no later than Monday, January 5. “Thereafter, we hope to agree on a payment schedule which would reflect the lifetime needs of the young lady,” Waight said.

Patrick Jones

PUP leader takes blame for by-election defeat
Monday’s by-election result – 2,669 votes for the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Omar Figueroa to 1,340 for the People’s United Party’s (PUP) Richard Harrison – was a surprise even to seasoned election observers, especially considering the fairly low turnout of 61%. But a win is a win, and a loss is a loss, and the PUP’s might in the House of Representatives is dented and its momentum going into the municipal elections in March seems to be halted. The PUP’s leader, Francis Fonseca, says the party makes no excuses for its showing and congratulated his opponents at a press briefing today for their decisive win. It is now time, he said, for the party to evaluate itself and fix any problems it has as the election cycle heats up.

City Council to absorb 158 BML workers
The Belize City Council has agreed with sanitation contractors Belize Maintenance Limited (BML) on a means of smoothly transitioning the company’s workers on the expiration of the Council’s contract with BML next Friday, January 16. Some 158 workers will move over to the Council’s employ, including some managers and supervisors, but according to the Council, only 110 will actually be employed in the swollen sanitation departments; the others will be transferred into other departments of the Council, with particular attention to those of specific skill sets. The Council’s current Sanitation Department will be split in two with specific responsibilities, to be chaired by former councilor Wayne Usher and current sanitation manager Percival Murillo.

Omar Figueroa is the new Cayo North area representative
Omar Figueroa is the newly elected area representative for Cayo North. Figueroa defeated the People’s United Party candidate Richard Harrison in a bye-election held on Monday, January 5. According to the official statistics published by the Election and Boundaries Department, a total of four thousand and twelve votes were cast yesterday. Of that amount, Omar Figueroa received two thousand, six hundred and sixty four. His opponent Richard Harrison got one thousand, three hundred and forty eight votes. Fifty one of the ballots were rejected.

Blogs

San Pedro loves to party
It’s no secret San Pedro Loves to Party and celebrating NYE 2015 was super fun. It started out at a private roof top party which was a great place to watch the spectacular 45 minute fireworks show. We also enjoyed watching an annual tradition, Lola’s Pub NYE street party from above. We could see everyone dancing in the street. This year they had a DJ set up across the street at Belize Bank. After the roof party had cleared out and we cleaned up, we headed downstairs to catch the end of Lola’s then a bunch of our group went on to Fido’s to continue the fun. Kendall and I decided food was in order first and walked to the park – nothing says happy new year like street meat :) The lines ups were long at our favorite taco stands so we opted for getting a burger and burrito from one of the girls that had no line. Food was good but I still like my regular girl best and I am pretty sure Kendall would say the same for the one he, Matt and Sara frequent.

Gorgeous Day For A Walk Up North: Rojo Beach Bar to the Canary Cove Compound
Just after lunch, I headed north from Rojo Beach Bar – which is located at about 5.5 miles North Ambergris Caye to Canary Cove – just over 6 miles north. Take a LOOK at their website. Holy crap! A like a place that can be described as “a compound”. And passing Mata Chica and their rainbow colored cabanas… They were working feverishly to clean up the sargasso seaweed that is washing up in bulk – and doing a pretty good job of it.

“She’s Leaving Home” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Since moving here to Ambergris Caye, Belize in May 2012 ,and especially since I started this blog, I have been asked innumerable times ” So what do you miss from home” (‘home’ being the UK)? I’ve nearly always responded with ” Not a lot actually”. I miss my family and friends and I sometimes think about how nice (what a weak and bland word that is) it would be to be able to go to the shops and buy whatever you need. However as we approach our third year here I now know that what you think you need is actually better described as what you want. And, what you want is not always what you need! After a while here you get used to ‘this’ or ‘that’ not being available. It’s not terribly uncommon to find that carrots or potatoes are available, let alone more ‘exotic’ vegetables or fruits, anywhere on the island. It’s no big deal though, you just see what is available and adapt (well Rose does as far as preparing and cooking it and I do my ‘bit’ when I eat it!). This acceptance though doesn’t stop you from occasionally hankering after something that you just know that you can’t get in Belize, let alone the island.

From Beach to Mountains, Expats Enjoy a Great Lifestyle and Low Costs in English-Speaking, Caribbean Belize
“Belize has a lot to offer those seeking a new life abroad. There’s a feeling of opportunity and possibility, of a place being shaped right now…a country where retirees can find a comfortable place or someone with an idea can start a business,” reports InternationalLiving.com editor Jason Holland. “It’s not as established as some of the other tourist destinations in the region, so there’s still lots of room for new businesses that fill a gap in the market.” With a population of 330,000, Belize offers plenty of empty, wide-open spaces. Located below Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, this is picture-postcard Caribbean. It’s a country of Maya temples, seaside condos, jungle lodges, and colonial mansions.

31 Reasons Living In Belize Spoils You For Life
1. Because of the weather With its subtropical climate, the average temperature is 85 degrees. 2. Because of Hol Chan Marine Reserve It’s one of the best diving & snorkeling spots in the world. 3. Because of The Great Blue Hole It’s one of the most amazing places on Earth according to The Discovery Channel.

International Sources

Save the region from climate change
IF ever there was a time and an issue for the countries of the Caribbean to speak with one voice and at a high level, both the time and the issue have arrived. The issue is the global average temperature arising from climate change which is now scientifically indisputable. A decade of research shows that a rise in temperature of two degrees Celsius (2°C) is a dangerous threshold, particularly for small islands and countries with low-lying coastlines. Yet, the world is heading in that direction with all the potential for the ruin of small islands and the destruction of human habitats on low-lying coastal areas in countries such as Belize and Guyana. Throughout 2015, the countries of the Caribbean need to scale up their participation, responses and advocacy in every international forum on this issue. The time has come for the appointment of a high-level figure to head-up a permanent team of Caribbean experts, including members of the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre, to represent the region with a single, strong voice. That team and its leader—accountable to heads of government—should be responsible for several important aspects of this grave problem that threatens the existence of some Caribbean countries and the viability of all of them.

Videos

January 6, 2015

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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

Cayo By Election
The UDP wins the by-election making Omar Figueroa the new elected Area Representative for Cayo North. He captured 2669 votes cast over Richard Harrison's 1340. 51 were rejected.

It’s been a great year in Belize! (Part 2)
About 365 days ago I had no idea of all the amazing things that I would get to experience thanks to work. Yes, WORK! Writing for My Beautiful Belize has allowed me the privilege to enjoy, taste, and view my country in different eyes. This unique opportunity has broaden my love for Belize and has left me wanting more… more fun, adventure, history, culture and of course more challenges! This past year I got to see Belize’s Blue Hole from a bird-eye perspective, a truly awe-inspiring experience. But honestly my most favorite memory of the year had to be cave tubing through the Crystal Caves down in Cayo. It might be because I love sparkly objects but after my trip to Crystal Cave I’m debating on making it my wedding venue (No, im not engaged yet…).

Over 6500 Cayo North voters to go the polls in by-elections today
Residents in Cayo North will have a new elected area representative at the end of a by-election that is being held today January 5th. A total of 6598 registered voters will be able to cast their votes between the hours of 7AM and 6PM at two polling stations. The two candidates contesting the election are the People’s United Party’s (PUP) Richard Harrison and the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Omar Figueroa. The two candidates and their political machinery had exactly one month to prepare for the by-election which was triggered by the resignation of the PUP’s Joseph Mahmud from parliament. Since Sunday January 4th, the two mass parties had placed banners, flyers and flags around the two polling stations and throughout the Cayo North constituency. At polling station number 73, located at Sacred Heart Primary RC School located in San Ignacio Town, 5056 registered voters will be legible to cast their votes. At the smaller polling station number 75, located at the Immaculate Conception RC School in Bullet Tree Falls Village, a total of 1542 registered voters will be legible to go to the polls.

Ambergris Today

Miss San Pedro Rocks into 2015 New Year Celebrations
San Pedro ended 2014 with a bang! As 2014 was hours away of culminating, visitors and residents gathered around Central Park to bring in the New Year 2015 and watch a spectacular show of fireworks. The San Pedro Town Council held its annual countdown at Central Park. Before the clock hit midnight, there were performances on stage by San Pedro’s very own Rompe Raja Band and the San Pedro Dance Academy. Following their performances was Blackhenoh featuring Dale Wallace and music from Skynet Soundz. Father David Mumba, from the San Pedro R.C. Church offered everyone a blessing for a bright upcoming year and Mayor Daniel Guerrero welcomed everyone to the event. He shared with everyone a few accomplishments that the Council reached in 2014, such as the paving of the northern road. Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation, also wished every one the best for the upcoming year.

Island Wedding - Bladon/Lima Nuptials
Ambergris Today congratulates Casey Bladon and Roxsany Lima on their wedding celebration that took place on Saturday, January 3, 2015, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The nuptials took place at the Shalom Temple and the reception thereafter at the San Pedro Lions Den where family and friends got together to celebrate the happy occasion. Best wishes to the newly weds.

Misc Belizean Sources

To Boldly Go Where No One Wants To
by Tony Rath. Bringing Light to the Heart of Darkness. MOVING SLOWLY FORWARD, YOU PART THE BRANCHES AND LEAVES TILL THE BOW OF THE BOAT TOUCHES THE RIVER BANK, THEN YOU TIE THE BOW LINE SECURELY TO A BRANCH. Looking over the side of the skiff, you raise your leg over the gunnel and search carefully for a place to put your foot. That first step is a choice: leaf covered muck, thin arched root, or an unknown puddle inches or feet deep. The root it is. The second step? The same options. You chose another root. Head down, concentrating, your eyes search for that third root. As you step, your back foot slips, both boots sink into mud and water. Resigned to wet feet, lifting your gaze you see a tangled, confused wall of impenetrable roots rising from festering, thick, decomposing blackwater. The stench of decay the air; oil sheening on stagnant pools; rotting, swollen logs covered by fungus and moss; the buzz of mosquitoes, the silent fleeting blur of biting flies, spiderwebs peppering the path ahead; sweat pulled from your forehead by the still, humid air drips and blurs your left eye. Everywhere is shadowy and cramped, claustrophobic and forboding. The sulfurous, dense forest lining the northern banks of the Sarstoon River, Belize‘s southern common border with Guatemala, overwhelms all five senses at once; as if you‘re stepping directly into Joseph Conrad‘s Heart of Darkness. This expedition explored the forests along Belize‘s two southern rivers, the Sarstoon and Temash. The area between the rivers is part of the Sarstoon-Temash National Park (STNP). The STNP protects the entire watersheds of these two wild and remote rivers, including a vast wetland complex and the most highly developed riverine mangrove in the country. Both rivers then empty into the rich fishing grounds of the Caribbean Sea.

FUND RAISING BBQ: Support the Corozal Bay Sailing Club
TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR THE COROZAL BAY SAILING CLUB'S CHICKEN AND PORK BBQ. Chicken Dinners are just $7 and include extra BBQ sauce, beans and tortillas The yummy Pork dinners have the same sides and are $8 or $10. Location: Franks' Meats 10 4th Ave Corozal Date: January 16 Time: 10AM-1PM You must present your pre-purchased ticket for your meal. Tickets available at Frank's Meats or through members of the club. Frank's Meat's 634-7374 Loreta 666-3447 Gerard 665-5121

US Embassy Artisan Fair 2014
Damari Perez, Chairlady, and Jennifer Krottinger, Peace Corps Volunteer, attended the US Embassy's Artisan Fair in mid-November as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014. The women launched new products, hand-made crocheted purses and bags at the event. This was the first-time for the women to attend the event, and have a presence. This year's fair highlighted women owned businesses. Thank you US U.S. Embassy Belize!

Mortgage Payment Program Extension
GOB Extended the Closing Date for Submission of Applications for the December 2014 Residential Mortgage Payment Program

Reflection
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. All Belize social movements essentially suffer from the same aliment They died when they stopped paying attention to recruitment Then some began to believe we needed money to build a movement So did the PUP political movement UBAD which was supposed to be a Belize version of the Black Panther Movement Our resiliency they try to hide The fire burnt from inside Our social movement dies When the protective factors, the ancestors are cast aside The spirit of Garveyism had the imperialist petrified But due to infiltration and men’s false pride The movement was split into two sides Essentially, this is why UBAD died Many flocked the Bliss to hear Evan X speak

Belizean Herbology Course
Harness the power of our beautiful plants! The Medicine Wheel in San Ignacio is hosting a 20-month long course with 8 weeks of Belizean Herbology, 4 weeks of nutrition, and so much more! Learn the power of the plants you recognize, utilize their potential, expand and share your knowledge of the plants in your area in this intense natural medicine course-learn, grow, and see the healer within each of us.

PUP concedes Bi-election in Cayo North
UDP Omar Figueroa elected as the new area representative building momentum for the UDP for the upcoming March 2015 municipal elections. UDP Omar Figueroa received 2669 votes and PUP Richard Harrison received 1340 votes representing close to a 2-1 margin.

Channel 7

Cayo North's By-Election, The Timeline
Right now in Cayo North, 13 ballot boxes from two polling stations are being carted over to the Center for Employment Training compound. That's the counting station for only the third divisional by-election in Belize's history. That means that in about two, or two and a half hours, we should know who the new representative for that area is. Voting today started slow but when polls closed at 35 minutes ago at 6:00 pm, figures say the final turnout was 4023 voters or about 61% of the registered voters - that's in line with the divisional by-election in Freetown in 1993 where 60% came out. And while the voters were slow to come out early on - the mass parties muscled in on the division and flooded the area with supporters from all over the country.

The Political Muscle of the Mass Parties In Cayo North
Indeed, there were many political personalities just standing around - doing, it seemed, something close to nothing. We spoke to many of them, and the two men who remained on the move: candidates Omar Figueroa for the UDP and Richard Harrison for the PUP. Here's what they had to say:... Omar Figueroa, UDP Hopeful - Cayo North "We got slowed down a little bit because of the rain, but it looks like it will hold up. We feel very positive." Jules Vasquez "Now, a lot of people would say it should be the easiest election to win because every division is helping you. While I see you working, you have all 30 constituencies assisting."

62 Percent Came Out to Vote In Cayo North By-Election
But, before that we go back to the numbers. To repeat, a total of 4063 voters came out - that's 62% of the 6598 registered voters. That is considered a respectable turnout for a by election, but significantly less than the 2012 general election where 74% came out. Polling Area #75 in Bullett Tree had 74% turnout with 1,137 persons voting. Polling area #73 in San Ignacio had only 58%, or 2926 of the 5056 voters coming out.

Robbery Murdered In Jane Usher Turf
We've been hearing the name Kareem "Robbery" Lopez regularly for the past 8 years, since 2006, for different incidents on the streets. But tonight, Lopez who is said to be high up in the hierarchy of the George Street Gang, remains at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Morgue after being gunned down and killed on Saturday night at about 10:15 pm. Police say that he went to buy food on Central American Boulevard and while he was opening the door of his car, a group of young men ambushed him and one of them opened fire riddling his body with bullets. He died on the spot, the gunmen rode off. Shortly after, a crowd of people, including his family and friends, arrived on the scene around the time that our news team did. Daniel Ortiz has that report:

Benua Was Shot 3 Hours Later
Three hours after that murder, police responded to another shooting - this one wasn't fatal. 25 year-old Benua Andrews was shot to the right side of his face at the corner of Fern Lane and Flamboyant Street around 12:45 am. He was rushed to the KHMH, and police say that he remains in a critical condition and on life support at this time.

The Brazen Day Light Murder of Mervin Underwood
And then, Homicides #3 and 4 happened on Sunday night and early this morning, one in Belmopan and one in Belize City. Belmopan Cops aren't sure that 17 year-old Kevin Vasquez was murdered yesterday, but this morning's early street slaying of 32 year-old Mervin Underwood leaves no uncertainty. It happened at around 7 this morning right at the foot of the Pound Yard Bridge on the corner of West Canal and Cemetery Road. That area is very busy in the mornings with commuters going to and for the Novelos Bus Terminal. That didn't stop a brazen gunman who executed Underwood and ran off before police first responders arrived. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting The friends and co-workers of 32-year-old Mervin Underwood were unable to process what they were seeing. He was killed in broad daylight, in a crowded area. Still, it happened, and eyewitnesses tell us that the gunman moved stealthily. He was dressed in a long sleeve shirt, long pants, and a shirt used to cover his face.

Teenager Shot And Killed; Shooter Claims Defence
A 19-year-old was shot and killed in Belmopan last night but the circumstances surrounding the shooting are questionable. After 7:00 last night 19 year old Kevin Vasquez approached 31 year old Belize City Native Mark Conorquie in his yard. Conorquie noticed that Vasquez was pulling out a gun from his waist and tried to defend himself by fighting Vasquez off. That was when the 3 shots were fired hitting Vasquez in the head, chest and upper leg. Police are still trying to unravel the shooting and are not calling it murder just yet. The officer commanding shared the information they have so far.

Cane Farmers Reject Compromise Deal The Second Time Around
No deal but let's continue to negotiate. That's what the cane farmers told BSI and the Government at yesterday's special general meeting. As we told you, the farmers had first accepted the Government-facilitated compromise on December thirteenth. But after three weeks of going back and forth on the language of the final agreement, and 5 hours of passionate agitation yesterday, the farmers took the resolution that they will not be forced into signing the agreement just so that the crop can begin. That means that the sugar crop, just like last year around this time, is now delayed with no foreseeable date for its start.and the gap between the cane farmers and the factory owners is widening once again.

Cane Country New Year's Cheer?
Shortly after agreeing that the cane farmers will not sign the compromise agreement, one of the farmers tabled a motion that the executive of their association must make available 4 million dollars of Fair Trade money to distribute evenly among the 5,300 farmers in the north. Now, the farmers still haven't gotten a conclusive response if they ran afoul of Fair Trade regulations when they made a resolution to share out 2.5 million dollars of those funds during Christmas. They claimed that it was to assist with the hardships of the delay in the start of the grinding season, a sort of cane country Christmas Cheer. But Christmas is done, and now the farmers want to make an even deeper dip into the Fair Trade Funds. At yesterday's meeting, the directors tried their very hardest to kill that motion and convince the farmers that it's against Fair Trade rules to share up that money. The funds have already been allotted to different upgrading projects within the sugar cane industry, all designed to modernize the industry and make it ready for 2017 when the preferential markets disappear. But, the majority demanded that their executive discard those programs and allow the farmers to divvy up the 4 million dollars.

Chairman Cansino Has Opponents After Compromise Deal
At yesterday's general meeting, Ezequiel Cansino, the Chairman of the Cane Farmers Association's Committee of Management came under fire from various farmers. He's credited as one of the individuals who pushed forward for the farmers to sign the compromise agreement so that the crop season could begin without any further delay. While he was well-intentioned, he is being blamed by some as the man who helped to negotiate unfair terms for farmers. Yesterday, a vote of no-confidence came out of a heated back and forth between the farmers. It did not gain any sort of traction with the rest of the assembly, but we wondered if Cansino would be able to survive such a move. Here's what he said when we asked him about it:

Benque Family Lost Everything In A Fire
The Can family in Benque lost everything in a New Year's Day fire. The family of 5 was in their home on 493 Elizabeth Street when they noticed smoke coming from one of the bedrooms after 1 in the afternoon. With no time to collect their belongings, they raced outside barefooted. In a couple of minutes the fire spread to the entire house, destroying the wooden sections. The firemen as well as many residents were frantically trying to put out the fire before it spread to the neighbor's house. We spoke with 37 year old Ingrid Can over the phone on Friday and she says she does not know what caused the fire and that she is still waiting for an official report from the Fire department and the police. Ingrid says the cost of damage is about $75,000. Family members are assisting them at this time but if you would also like to assist you can call 660-8477.

GSU Makes Holiday Seizures
Over the Holiday, the Gang Suppression Unit has been out on the patrol, and they've managed to make several ammunition and drug seizures. On Saturday, January 3, 2015, the GSU conducted searches in the Conch-shell Bay Area, which is known base for the concealment and sale of large quantities of marijuana. The team ended up finding 10 live rounds of .223 ammunition used in high powered military weapons, such as for an AR-15 rifle or a M-16 rifle. No one was in the area, and so, it was deposited as found property. And on Last week Sunday, December 28, GSU search teams made 3 separate drug seizures. It started at around 1 p.m. when officers were on Tigris Street. They searched an empty lot, and found 10 transparent bags and a black plastic bag, each containing cannabis, which were hidden under a coconut tree. The total weight was determined to be 1.214 kilograms, or 2.68 pounds, which were all deposited as found property.

Officer Charged With Extortion In Bella Vista
Tonight, Police Constable #22 Bernard Villanueva, the officer in charge of the Bella Vista Village Police Station, is facing an extortion charge after a couple says that he shook them down for money in exchange for his release from the holding cell. It happened at about 7:30 p.m. on last week Friday, when Independence Police received reports that Constable had demanded money from 28 year-old Jeydi Romero, for the release of her husband, Nahun Romero. Independence Police Officers were dispatched, and they conducted surveillance on Villanueva, with a sting operation to catch him in the act. They saw a man visiting the station, and he handed PC Villanueva an item.

The Rest of the Political Machinery Involved In the Cayo North By-Election
And so...on this day full of so much news - the biggest news story is still unfolding in Cayo North. That's where right now counting is taking place for the Cayo North by election. There are 13 ballot boxes with about 300 votes each so counting should be finished between 8:30 and 9:00 pm. And while we await that outcome - to keep the political energy going we go back to Cayo North form some more of the interviews we conducted today. We asked the UDP Ministers about the possibility of their presence actually alienating voters:.. Jules Vasquez "Isn't there however a risk that when you go and campaign because maybe as Minister of Education, you didn't give my son a scholarship or I had ask for assistance and I didn't get any. These are the things happen in government. You can't please everyone - that when you go or the Deputy Prime Minister goes, some land issue with my family - that you all are actually a disincentive to vote UDP."

Channel 5

Live Coverage: 2015 Cayo North Bye-election
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But Coye’s position came under swift attack from Javier Keme, the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the B.S.C.F.A.  Keme rejected Coye’s view that the new agreement provided farmers with [...]

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Aaron Kerr Stabbed While Attempting to Part Fight
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Intruder Nabbed by Security at Westar Gas Station
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GSU Raid Conch Shell Bay, Weed and Ammo Found
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PLB Playoffs Wind Down…in Sports Monday
Good evening I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   We kick off the action with Saturday night’s crunch time affair between Police United and the Belize Defence