February 19, 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

Two bodies found in shallow grave in Northern Ambergris Caye
Authorities on Ambergris Caye are investigating the circumstances surrounding the discovery of two bodies found in a shallow grave. They were found sometime around 11:40AM about 11 miles north of San Pedro Town on Wednesday, February 18th. Police have confirmed their identity as Benjamin Molina and Selvino Chi, both originally from the Corozal District. According to police the two were reported missing earlier today and police visited the area where they were last seen.

Former police officer Alpheus Parham found guilty in fatal shooting of Caye Caulker detainee
Almost five years after ex-Police Constable Alpheus Parham was charged for murder, he was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter. Parham’s guilty verdict originates from the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Alex Goff, who was a detainee at the Caye Caulker Police Station in May of 2010. Parham was found guilty on Friday February 13th before the court of Justice Troadio Gonzalez in the Belize City Supreme Court. On May 9, 2010, Goff was detained by Caye Caulker Police and was placed inside the eastern police cell inside the station. According to two officers who testified in court, Goff was alone in the cell when Police Constable Parham went towards the cell and shortly afterwards, a gunshot blast was heard. A second police officer in his statement to the court said that he saw Parham heading to the back of the cell and he heard an explosion. The officer added that Parham walked out of the station without saying anything to anyone. When the two officers went to check the cell seconds later, they saw Goff with a single gunshot to the forehead and in a sitting position.

San Pedrito Residents concerned over increase Gun Violence
San Pedro Police are investigating two separate shooting incidents that occurred in the San Pedrito Area leaving two residents injured. The first shooting occurred on Monday, February 9th and left 32-year-old Kareem Eagan suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg. The second shooting took place on Wednesday, February 11th leaving a 13-year-old minor, Meredith Escalante suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Police cannot confirm if the shootings were related, but believe that they most likely are based on their location. But some residents claim that the second shooting could have been prevented if police would just do their job. According owner of Espat’s Apartments, Rolando Espat, a neighbor had reported to the San Pedro Police that she had been threatened by an unknown gunman the day before the shooting on Tuesday, February 10th. “We expected something to happen because the night before, we reported to the police that three gunmen came to the building and were looking for someone. They went to a lady’s apartment and pointed a gun at her. This happened around midnight, and we called the police. They said that they were going to come but never reached. The last call I made to the police was at 3AM on Wednesday, the police never came,” said Espat. He stated that the police refused to take reports from residents in the area. “We have no cooperation from the police over here. We have information to give the police that can help them catch the persons responsible, but they don’t listen to us. All the police do is blame us for the shooting when we are not the ones involved in it,” said Espat.

Belize Fisheries Department reports on 2014/2015 Lobster Season
According to Fisheries Officer, Mauro Gongora, there was very little change in comparison of this season to the last. Fisheries recorded a total of 484,891 pounds of lobster being caught out of Belizean waters during this season. “The 2014/2015 lobster fishing season is considered a good one and the fishery has remained relatively stable over the past 28 years within the production range of 400,000 – 600,000 pounds. In 2014, lobster catch landings amounted to 484,891 pounds, which represents a decline of merely 0.45% when compared to the 2013/2014 season when 487,066 pounds was produced,” said Gongora. He also stated that there were less violations to the law on lobster fishing this year as compared to other years. “In 2014, violations of the lobster fishery regulations were low and only a few cases are still being dealt with in court. The Belize Fisheries Department remains adamant that all regulations be followed to ensure the continued prosperity of the industry,” said Gongora.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week - Celebrity Child Star Tamera Mowry-Housley Selfie's with Belizean Fans
The last day of Carnaval was in full swing on the island of San Pedro, Belize and many were enjoying the entertaining comparsas and paint party. Celebrity child star Tamera Mowry-Housley and her husband Adam Housley were spotted walking around town enjoying our traditional Carnaval. Ambergris Today's Gerry Badillo got the opportunity to talk to Tamera and ask her about her vaction in our beautiful Belize and she stated: "I love Belize so much that I will have to convince my sister Tia Mowry and my girls from The Real Show to come on the next trip." Below are Selfie's of fans who got the opportunity to meet Tamera Mowry-Housley.

San Pedro AIDS Commission Boasts 6-Time Carnival Win
At the end of the three-day Carnaval celebrations in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, the San Pedro AIDS Commission was honored with the Best Comparsa (street dancing) group for Carnaval 2015. The winners were announced on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at Central Park where the grand finale party was held to close of the painting and street dancing of the celebrations. This makes it the sixth straight win for the AIDS Commission for Best Comparsa whose members truly go all out in making their costumes, writing the perfect song and even choreographing fun dances. This year was no exception for the group as they had more elaborate costumes compared to previous years. Coming in second place was Doña Flora’s Group that boasted having the contestants of the 2015 Reina del Carnaval (Mrs. Carnaval) dancing all three days with the group. The Barbies (Men’s Group) had the largest group with close to 40 male dancers dressed in drag; they came in third place.

Tennessee Residents Make Heartfelt Donation to San Pedro High
San Pedro High School received a generous donation via visitors from Clarksville, Tennessee, United States on February 13, 2015. The donation consisted of school supplies from typing sheets, pencils, among other items. Jayson Walden’s huge donation is not like any other donation, but a special one close to his heart.

Misc Belizean Sources

Keep updated on the Alternative Movement
Vision Inspired by the People and People's National Party. Find out what they have plan for the San Pedro, Belmopan and Punta Gorda Town Councils.

Guatemalan military in Belize Waters
According to Wil Maheia, an environmentalist, owner of PGTV and Peoples National Party representative, this recently taken photo was taken of Guatemalan military personnel who were Belize's territorial waters off the coast of Punta Gorda.

Hol Chan Marine Reserve Extension Approved!
The Extension of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve has been approved and signed. Great news! Inauguration on the 25th of February 2015. S.P.T.G.A

Temperatures and Rainfall - 2014 - Belmopan
Last years Temperatures and Rainfall in picture form : Temperatures - There are 3 Red lines, the dotted line is the long term average day maximum temperatures. The Heavy Red line is the 31 day smoothed running average maximum for 2014. The wavy thin Red line are the actual daily maximum temperatures. Similarly there are 3 Blue lines for the night time minimum temperatures, for Belmopan 2014. The Green line is just the Median between max and min lines, and technically has no significance, but probably that used in many published records. We had a cooler May than usual, due to the early rains in May.

Medical and Dental Outreach Clinic in San Pedro
The Belize Medical and Dental Association will be conducting FREE Specialized clinic on Saturday 7 March, 9am at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Clinic, services that will be available includes: Paediatrician, Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist, Neurologist, Urologist, ENT Specialist, Paediatric Surgery, Internist, Cardiologist, Nephrologist, Dermatologist and Orthopaedic Surgery For more information feel free to call TEL: 226-2536

Prime Minister Accompanies Wife on Medical Visit
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow leaves the country today, Wednesday, February 18th, 2015 to accompany his wife, Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow, for a scheduled medical check-up.

THE BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE OFFICER SELECTION BOARD
The Belize Defence Force will conduct an Officer Selection Board Examination on 13 and 14 March 2015. The examination will start at 7:00 a.m. at Price Barracks, Ladyville. Selected potential male officers will attend training in any of the following countries: United Kingdom, United States, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Mexico, Taiwan. Successful applicants will be required to join the Belize Defence Force Regular Element. Applicant must be a Belizean citizen, physically and mentally fit, be of ages 18 to 23 years, and hold an Associate’s Degree or higher. Any additional qualifications will be an asset. Candidates who are interested in attending training at the United States Military Academy at West Point must sit the American College Test (ACT) prior to attending training.

Lionel “Yogi” Martin (a local Tour Guide) found a dead green turtle floating by Uno Gas station in Punta Gorda
The TIDE Science team quickly recovered the female turtle and transported her to the TIDE compound for a necropsy. Preliminary results indicate that this turtle may have been suffering from Fibropapillomatosis (FP). According to literature reviewed this is a disease plaguing sea turtles worldwide that causes tumors on the skin. These tumors can affect a turtle’s ability to eat, swim or see. TIDE is communicating with ECOMAR staff and other scientists concerning the results of the necropsy. We will keep you up-to-date as we learn more. Elmar Requena (TIDE Terrestrial Biologist) carried out a necropsy with assistance from Norman Budna (TIDE Education and Outreach Co-coordinator), Tanya Barona (TIDE Marine Biologist) and Curtis Hines (TIDE Community Researcher).

John Paul II JC Progresses
The Chapel Hill campus of the John Paul II Junior College is quickly taking formation. Looking good. More interesting pictures from the project are here and here. They are currently accepting applications.

Tony Garel Receives James Waight Conservation Award
The Belize Audubon Society awarded Tony Garel, who has worked with the Belize Zoo for almost 3 decades, the James Waight Conservation Award. The award recognizes one's outstanding contribution to the field of conservation in Belize. Congratulations, Tony! In a ceremony held last evening at the historic Chateau Caribbean Hotel, Mr. Tony Garel was honored with the prestigious James A. Waight Conservation award. Mr. Garel was recognized for his outstanding contribution to the field of conservation in Belize, namely in the area of reptilian conservation and education. Mr. Garel is the author of Field Guide to the Snakes of Belize and the curator of the snake educational display at the Belize Zoo. "According to Sharon Matola, Director of the Belize Zoo, 'one of Tony’s most outstanding accomplishments was the design and development of the wheelchair accessible walkway at the Belize Zoo which has enabled hundreds of wheelchair bounded Belizeans, especially children, to easily view native wildlife.' Mr. Garel has been working at the zoo for over 25 years, and has assisted with all of the conservation programs at the zoo."

"Akeelah and the Bee" at the Seine Bight Community Center
Last Monday, Belize Screen on the Green hit the road and featured the movie "Akeelah and the Bee" at the Seine Bight Community Center. The children loved learning about the spelling bee in the U.S. and we even held a "mini" spelling bee before the movie. This year we will be exanding our outdoor movie program to villages throughout Belize. Let us know if your village is interested in partnering with us to organize an educational screening. The first district we will focus on will be Cayo.

Bingo plus Rum!!!
Like BINGO on Friday nights at the San Pedro Lions Den wasn't already fun enough....let's add some RUM! ... Come join us on Friday Feb 20th at the Lions Club for BINGO night for a chance to win money and RUM with each BINGO!! Sponsored by Travellers Liquors & Tiburon Rum!! The fun starts at 7pm don't be late !!!

San Pedro Councilor and Mayoral Candidates Debate Rescheduled
The public is advised that the Town Council Candidate Debate scheduled for this evening, Wednesday February 18th has been canceled. However, all political parties have confirmed their participation in the Mayoral debate which is scheduled for Monday, February 23rd at 7PM at the San Pedro Lions Den.

SAT APRIL 18TH "THE GRAND INTL. RED CARPET AFFAIR AWARD & DANCE
HONORING "THE QUEEN" CALYPSO ROSE & MORE! FEAT LOVA BOY, CARIBBEAN DYNAMICS,MICHEAL WAGGY WAGNER, SAM HAMILTON, GUWIE POSSE, & THE RETURN OF DADDY TRACY WITH DJ MISTA B & BELIZEAN VIBE CREW!!!!!

BOLEDO DRAWING for Wednesday, February 18, 2015: 60

Corozal Maryhill Scout Group
The 3rd day of our Scout Week, Members of the 11th Corozal Maryhill Scout Group gathered tonight for their Campfire along with special invited guests. The night was a fun one since they showed off what Scouts do when gathered around a campfire.

Scouting Week 2015 in Corozal
To culminate the celebration of the Scouting Week 2015 in Corozal, the 6th Corozal Methodist Scout Group has organized a Mini Scouts District Olympiad. All Scout Units/Groups from Corozal are warmly invited. Trophies in forms of CUPS will be awarded to the top 3 most outstanding scout groups and consolation prizes to other participants. Let's all go aloud for this. This event will be held this Saturday February 21st to begin at Children's Park for the initial event which is a triathlon style 1 cub (runner), 1 Scout (rider) and 1 Venture (swimmer). Then the activities will follow at the Andres Campos Civic Center. The message is "Scouting is alive in COROZAL!"

Operation Skate: Cayo Edition
Operation Skate Belize is coming to Falcon Field this Saturday, starting at noon. Check out their video here. "Operation Skate is heading to Cayo! Saturday, February 21st from Noon - 5PM @ Falcon Field. All skaters from Belize City must sign up beforehand at DYS at 55 Regent St. For more information please contact DYS at 207-0773."

John Paul II JC Progresses
The Chapel Hill campus of the John Paul II Junior College is quickly taking formation. Looking good. More interesting pictures from the project are here and here. They are currently accepting applications.

Vanny Pat at Miss Culture International Maya
Vanny Pat, who won Queen of the West in 2013, is representing Belize at the Miss Culture International Maya pageant, previously called the Diosa Maya International pageant, in Merida. Belize has won the last 2 years: Grisel Rosseli Carballo in 2013 and Dalina Reyes in 2014. The pageant will be this Saturday. Go, Vanny! In related news, Jhoshi Valencia is representing Belize in the Mister Culture International pageant.

ATM Trail and Camping Area Upgrade
The trail to Actun Tunichil Muknal has gotten a much needed upgrade. It's a really nice trail now, albeit a little wide in some places. The new restrooms at the parking area are great too. Well done, NICH! "The photos show the end result of the ATM Upgrade Project which was designed to enhance the trail system from the parking lot to the entrance of the cave. In order to improve safety, trails were widened, stairs and bridges constructed where necessary and ropes erected to safely guide visitors across the river. Two resting shelters and a communal area were constructed at the camping area at the entrance of the cave."

Channel 7

Teenager Hangs Himself While In Detention
18 year old Otto Palma committed suicide in the Ladyville police station around 6:00 this evening. He was pending charges for rape. Police caught him after he allegedly raped a female behind Vista Del MAr. He was arrest don Sunday, released on Monday pending medical exams, and then re-arrested this morning. This evening at 6:00 he was found hanging by a t shirt in the jail cell. He had been charged and remanded for rape before. His body was still in the holding cell at the station at news time.

Unlicensed Driver Knocks Down Septuagenarian
A 70 year old woman was knocked down in Belize City today – and is hospitalized tonight. She was knocked down by a 19-year-old driver who has no license. It happened around 1:30 in Belize City on Water Lane at its junction with Baghdad Street. Police believe the driver – who was in an SUV borrowed from his boss – came too fast out of Water Lane when he hit a vehicle on the right hand side, then swerved left to compensate. And that’s when he burst two water mains, raked down a fence, and knocked down the senior citizen. She received extensive facial and other injuries. After that, he still hit another vehicle. Tonight, the 19 year old is in custody pending charges, and police have also detained his boss, a Chinese businessman who will also be charged for allowing someone to drive without a license.

How that Terrible Accident By Jaguar Paw Intersection Happened
Last night, we told you about the fatal traffic accident between mile 36 and 37 which claimed the life of an American National, and put another in the hospital. What police have been able to piece together so far is that at around 11:30 a.m., 30 year-old Leon Rodriguez, a tour guide who works for Big Johns Taxi and Tour Company was taking tourists 66 year-old Samuel Douglas Schulte, and 56 year-old Teresa Lyn Mauers to Jaguar Paw. When he was approaching the cutoff for Frank’s Eddy and was just about to turn left. Rodriguez says a Tow Head loaded with oranges hit him from behind. The Tow Head overturned on the highway and Rodriguez’s Blue Suzuki SUV was crushed. Schulte was suffering from various injuries to his head and body, while In the back seat, 56 year-old Teresa Lyn took the brunt of the impact and was crushed in there Meuers suffered massive head and bodily injuries, and she died while undergoing treatment at the Western Regional Hospital.

ComPol Willing To Disclose Penner File By Court Order
Last week Friday, we told you how COLA’s Geovannie Brackett and Nedal McLaren, the private prosecutors in the Elvin Penner case, have gone back to the Supreme Court to appeal his acquittal for the passport and immigration offences which they brought against him. They want Chief Justice Benjamin to overturn Magistrate Aretha Ford’s decision. She refused to call Allen Whylie, the Commissioner of Police, to disclose the police file into the investigation of the Citizen Kim Passport scandal. Today, when he met Whylie at a police event, we asked him if he is prepared disclose the police evidence in the case if the court orders him to: Daniel Ortiz "Are you prepared if that is the decision of the court to disclosure of information on the Penner investigation?" Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police "That is a private matter as you said. The outcome will decide what ever takes place. I am a law officer, I will always obey the law and the court and that has nothing to do with me what is taking place. Whatever is decided will be complied."

American Tourist Says Police Chanced Him
An American is claiming that he was targeted and assaulted by San Pedro police because he is black! 33 year old New York resident Tracy Blount came to our studios today and told us that he traveled to Belize for his friend’s wedding last week. Buton Wednesday night, when he and his friends were celebrating at Daddy Rock’s Night Club on San Pedro, he claims that police escorted him outside and assaulted him. Here is his version.

Christian Ebanks Freed Of Firearm Charges
It made major news in May of last year when Christian Ebanks, was picked up by police on a firearm charge. But tonight, he’s out free of that charge here in Belize after he was acquitted in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. 7News was there when officers of the Gang Suppression Unit searched his house on Teachers Street, Belize City, and they found a concealed weapon. That meant that that he was charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and since then, he’s been facing Magistrate’s Court on that offence. The officer who searched his house testified that they found the weapon in shoved inside an oven. In his defence, Ebanks told the court simply that he told the court that he didn’t know that a gun was there. He told the court that at that time he was having marital problems with his now estranged wife, Amber Edwards and that on the day the incident occurred, she was the only one who knew that he was going to that house after he told her that he was ending their relationship.

Inside CDB Meeting In Barbados
It made major news in May of last year when Christian Ebanks, was picked up by police on a firearm charge. But tonight, he’s out free of that charge here in Belize after he was acquitted in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. 7News was there when officers of the Gang Suppression Unit searched his house on Teachers Street, Belize City, and they found a concealed weapon. That meant that that he was charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm, and since then, he’s been facing Magistrate’s Court on that offence. The Caribbean Development Bank held a press conference today in Barbados to review the economic performance of all 19 of its member countries for the year 2014. 7News was at the event in Barbados and Jules Vasquez found that Belize was at the top of the list:… Jules Vasquez Reporting…. This morning at the Hilton Barbados Resort in St. Michael, Barbados, president of the Caribbean Development Bank Dr. Warren Smith told media from throughout the region that the 19 member countries are rebounding:

How the Unrest in Venezuela Will Affect Belize
Presently, Venezuela is going through one of the most difficult periods in its history: a collapsing economy, soaring inflation, food shortages and a high murder rate are all converging in a sort of perfect political storm bearing down on President Nicolas Maduro. But, the Venezuelan government believes that the international media which have been covering the unrest, have been mischaracterizing it, working an agenda against their Bolivarian revolution. And, so the Venezuelan Ambassador in Belize went on a local offensive today to get his Government’s side of the unrest broadcasted. He says the sustained the unrest is a coup attempt by the Opposition to overthrow the Maduro Government. But, despite all that, the Ambassador told us today that Venezuela maintains it’s friendly relations with it’s allies, including Belize:

Improving Relations Between Police and Press
In the last few years, the working relationship between the media and police department has improved, but, as they say, it is a work in progress, building trust between these two social actors who always find themselves on opposite sides of the crime scene tape. With that in mind, the Police High command organized a 2-day workshop for all the commanders and deputy commanders of the police formations and precincts. Here’s what Police Commissioner Allen Whylie had to say to his high ranking officers about the importance of the session: Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police "I'm pleased to see so many of you here this morning for what I believe is a very important 2 day workshop. It took sacrifice, and determination to say let's bring in all the district commanders and their deputy. I believe that this is a workshop that is very timely and very essential.

Deliver Your Weed By Airmail?
We’ve heard of getting high – but now it seems weed dealers are taking their drug packages higher than ever. On Monday afternoon, at around 2:00, police received information from Special branch that a parcel was flown in on a Tropic Air flight. Police searched the cargo area and officers found a brown box, which had been mailed from Corozal Town to San Pedro. Inside, they found police found 444.7 kilos – or just under a pound – of marijuana. Because police could not link it to anyone, the drugs were deposited as found property. Acting on Special Branch intelligence once again, police visited the Municipal Airstrip in Placencia, and they intercepted a domestic flight coming once again from Corozal Town.

Former BWS Employees Still Battling
After the attorneys for both sides deliver their written submissions to the Supreme Court, Justice Michelle Arana will consider whether or not the 6 former employees of Belize Water Services Limited were terminated without just cause. Viewers may remember that these 6 employees, Don Gillett, Colin Morrison, Charlette Barnett, Michael Novelo, Journett McKoy, and Mark Menzies were fired - officially - for redundancy, but they say it was really victimization, a purging of the ranks after emails and letters were circulated around about sex scandals happening within the company. Well, the case went back to court today for the last time, when BWS's attorney Julie-Ann Ellis Bradley successfully applied to recall one of the claimants, Charlette Barnett, to testify about a pair of meetings held in early October of 2012, the first between members of the company's in-house workers' union, and the other a committee meeting to discuss the union's proposals on salary scale adjustments after workers rejected the company's proposals.

Mek Mi Rich Says It Didn't Steal Intellectual Property
Last week, we told you how Dale Curtis Swasey sued BTL and the Mek Mi Rich Game show for intellectual property rights. He claims that as a Belizean entrepreneur, BTL broke a non-disclosure agreement and gave his idea of lottery texting to the owners of Mek Mi Rich. Well, On Tuesday, February 17, the company sent out a release. They said, quote, “MMR Belize Ltd. categorically denies all allegations of infringement upon intellectual property in a claim brought forth by Mr. Curtis Swasey. The allegations being made that MMR Belize Limited relied on the intellectual property or concepts of Mr. Swasey are completely false and baseless. On the 27th November, 2014 Curtis Swasey filed a claim against Belize Telemedia Limited, with MMR Belize Limited listed as a codefendant, for breach of confidence. MMR Belize Limited was alerted to the claim, however, was never served with a copy of the said claim

Breakfast For Lunch And Dinner?
Waffles for lunch anyone? Or how about freshly fried bacon and eggs? Well if you wouldn't mind those choices for your lunch break, the Memorial Park Dinner is the spot for you. It's a newly opened 24 hour dinner that serves breakfast all day. Today we caught up with one of the owners, restauranteur Ian Lizarraga and he told us what the idea behind it is. Courtney Weatherburne reports. Courtney Weatherburne Reporting… This white picket fence and these green bi-fold doors are not what you would normally see at an outdoor restaurant. But for this Belizean Dinner, that quaint look is exactly what sets it apart from others. And of course the service and unique food selections accomplish that as well.

CitCo's Land Giveaway To Employees
For the past 8 days, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has been under pressure from his opposition, PUP Mayoral Candidate Yolanda Schakron. He’s been accused of deflecting attempts to call him to task for his promises of transparency and accountability. And since it’s the election season, it was the perfect time for the press to find out that City Hall intends to give away land to its staff. So, before his opponent thinks to use it for political football the mayor discussed it with us today. So, how will this program work? Well, Central Government has given the City Council 50 acres of land at Mile 14 on the George Price Highway. A plot will be given each staff member who has worked for the council for 2 years. It’s a social program to reward the staff members, in a similar manner as the increment system which the staff got at the end of each year to for a salary increase. Bradley told us today, that neither he nor any of the councilors who are elected to office will be getting any:

Mayor Bradley Responds To Audit Questions From His Political Opponent
So, what about the audit issues which Mayoral Candidate Schakron keeps harping on? Well, as we told you, they are challenging all 3 audits which have been done of the council’s finances in the term that Darrell Bradley has served the city as mayor. In the 2011-2012 audit, the firm, Castillo, Sanchez and Burrell, gave City Hall’s finances an adverse opinion. The 2012-2013 Audit hasn’t been completed, and it is still in draft form. So, the PUP reason that since the first audit does not show confidence in the starting point of the Bradley term, then the 2013-2014 audit, the most recent one, cannot properly speak with accuracy of the end of Bradley’s term. He discussed the audits to us today, defending the council’s expenditure:

Channel 5

Missing Men Found in Shallow Grave on Ambergris Caye Hours After Report
There is a grisly double homicide making headlines tonight, following the discovery of a pair of bodies inside a shallow grave eleven miles north of San Pedro Town.  The bodies [...]

CitCo Audit Revisited, Mayor Bradley Responds to Media Grilling
Just two weeks before municipal elections, Mayor Darrell Bradley has come under some heat over the finances of the City Council. It’s all about the findings of an audit report [...]

Mayor Bradley on the Offensive When Asked About 2013 Audit
In the end, there was an agreement to disagree, respectfully. We’ve seen no 2013 audit, and neither has the Council, which in our books means there is no 2013 audit. [...]

Why Has CitCo’s Debt Ballooned to $47 Million?
We also asked about one line item in particular, listed in the 2014 audit. That’s the total debt of the City Council. In 2012, it’s listed as just over twelve [...]

COMPOL Whylie Quizzed on Penner Fiasco One Year Later
Today, News Five was at a media workshop involving senior police personnel, and Belize’s top cop was also in attendance. We took the opportunity to ask him about some pending [...]

Is There Still Bad Blood Between Police Department and DPP’s Office?
There has been a well-documented contention between the Police Department and the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Things came to a head with a memo written by Assistant [...]

Will Truck Driver Be Served Notice Following Tuesday’s Fatal RTA?
On Tuesday, an accident claimed the life of a U.S. tourist and left another hospitalized. The accident, which involved a small SUV and a tow head truck, collided around eleven [...]

Harvest Caye Development on Track for 2015 Tourism High Season
The controversy may have died down, but Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship port on Harvest Caye in southern Belize is well underway. According to Director of Cruise and Regional Operations, [...]

Venezuelan Economy in Dire Straits, Ambassador Explains Media Misrepresentation
So while in southern Belize, there might be a boom due to cruise tourism, in Venezuela, the international media is reporting economic turmoil.  According to Ambassador Yoel del Valle Perez [...]

Will Belize Be Affected By Petrocaribe Quagmire?
In spite of its existing economic woes, Venezuela is yet to pull the plug on the Petrocaribe initiative.  The last shipment of premium fuel to Belize arrived in country in [...]

Payments for Petrocaribe Become Due Later This Year
The first tranche of payment to Venezuela for the Petrocaribe loan is due later this year.  That disbursement will bring to an end a two-year grace period granted to Belize [...]

Investigation Continues Into Corozal Robbery
On Friday, twenty-nine-year-old Mahesh Balani, a businessman of Corozal Town, was robbed at gunpoint of two hundred and forty thousand pesos, the equivalent of forty thousand Belize dollars.  The incident [...]

Minor Reportedly Raped Near Beach in Ladyville
A thirteen year old student of Ladyville, Belize District was reportedly sexually abused last Sunday afternoon. According to the girl, she and her friends went swimming in the sea behind [...]

Trio Acquitted of Murder in Santa Elena Shooting/Robbery
Three men were free of murder charge today when they appeared in Belmopan Supreme Court. Twenty-two year old Anthony Dennison, twenty-four year olds Traevon Williams and Denfield Tasher were acquitted [...]

Belizean Tour Operators Tom and Ivette Wilson Honored by Carnival Cruise Lines
Belize has been gaining recognition worldwide as a top tourist destination. Well tonight, there is one more to add as the leading tour operator for the Caribbean hails from Belize. [...]

CitCo Workers to Receive Parcels of Land
Earlier, we showed you Mayor Darrell Bradley engaged in the very spirited defense of the Council’s finances. But there’s more than that going on at the Council. Bradley is also [...]

Corozal Police Says Stay Alert for Kidnapping Attempts
It made big news at the end of January when news of child predators on the prowl in the north spread like wildfire. Schools were on alert and so were [...]

Kiosk In Front of Assembly Building is Dismantled
Residents in the capital city of Belmopan were up in arms about a wooden structure that was erected on reserve land near the market. Somehow, a clerk at the Belmopan [...]

Police Department Holds Media Training Workshop
Today, senior police officers from formations across the country gathered at Raccoon Street Headquarters for day one of a two-day media workshop. It’s an initiative by Commissioner of Police Allen [...]

Is There Turmoil Brewing Within the Belize Boxing Federation?
The dust seems to have settled at the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation, but over at the Belize Boxing Federation, a storm is in the making.  Former member of [...]

…President Moses Sulph Responds to Allegations
We contacted the President of the Belize Boxing Federation, Moses Sulph, to comment on the state of the executive. He says that it boils down to a few people not [...]

CTV3

PM Accompany His Wife For Medical Treatment
Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable Dean Barrow, departed the country today to accompany his wife, Kim Simpliss Barrow for her medical visit, announced a release from his office today. The release states that in his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega will take over the reins of the country’s affairs. Barrow is scheduled to return to the country on Saturday, February 21st.

BFD Releases Lobster Statistics For 2014/2015
Following the closure of the Lobster Season on Sunday, the Belize Fisheries Department issued statistics from the 2014-2015 Season. BFD figures reveal a 0.45% decline in the total production when compared to that of the 2013-2014 season. The Spiny Lobster remains as one of the top marine exports for Belize, with earnings for the 2014-2015 season amounting to an estimated $15.2 Million Belize dollars. Fisheries recorded a total of 484,891 pounds of lobster being caught out of Belizean waters during this season. The 2014/2015 lobster fishing season is considered a good one and the fishery has remained relatively stable over the past 28 years within the production range of 400,000 – 600,000 pounds. In 2014, lobster catch landings amounted to 484,891 pounds, which represents a decline of merely 0.45% when compared to the 2013/2014 season when 487,066 pounds was produced.

Belize Ranked Among Top Foreign Retirement Haven For 2015
In the international scene, Belize was ranked among the top twenty “Foreign Retirement Havens for 2015” by Forbes Magazine. According to the travel and business publication, the list is non-ranked and the places named were chosen by considering factors such taxes and the cost of living. Other countries on the list include Philippines, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Ecuador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, and Uruguay. Earlier this year, Frommer’s Travel Guide picked Belize as one of 15 Most Tantalizing Travel Destinations for 2015!

COMPOL Not Too Concern About Penner's Appeal Case
The case against Cayo Northeast area representative and former Minister of State for Immigration and Nationality Elvin Penner has been appealed in court. The rare inferior court appeal was heard on February thirteenth but was adjourned to later this month. The appeal is being brought by Geovannie Brackett, president of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) and advisor Nedal ‘Jihad’ McLaren, against Penner. According to Brackett and McLaren’s attorney Kareem Musa the appeal surrounds the analysis of section thirty of the Summary Jurisdiction (Procedure) Act under which they had applied to the Magistrate for the Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie to be summoned to court and deliver all evidence in his possession relating to the Penner and Kim scandal. Today the media asked the commissioner of police if he is prepared should the previous decision to not summon him to court is reversed. Here is a clip of what he responded, provided to us by our colleagues at KREM News.

Murders Gone Unsolved In Orange Walk
One year ago today, the decayed remains of Luis Moreno better known as “Patch” was found approximately half a mile in on a farm at Richman Hill, off the Guinea Grass Road. This was after he was reported missing fourteen days before he was found. As we’ve reported, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Mario Estradaband conducted the post mortem examination which concluded that the cause of death was chest trauma with a sharp instrument. Viewers may recall that at the scene where the human remains were found, Moreno’s sweater was riddled with slashes and from what the Estradaband could establish, Moreno was brutally beaten before he was fatally stabbed. Today, one year later that case has gone “cold” and no leads or arrests have been made since. Patch Moreno was the second homicide recorded in Orange Walk Town for 2014.

OWTC Officially Adopts Municipal Development Plan
The Orange Walk Town Council held an open council meeting last night during which they officially adopted the Municipal Development Plan for Orange Walk. The adoption of the plan is the last leg of the work that begun in 2013 through the Belize Municipal Development Project under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture. Keisha Rodriguez is the Urban Planning Officer and told us more about the project. Keisha Rodriguez – Urban Planning Officer, BMDP “We prepared the plan with the collaboration with the local planning working group here in Orange Walk as well as a consultant team, Institute for International Development, and us working at the ministry as well and really it was a of work and a lot of meetings and so forth so it is really Orange Walk’s plan and the people prepared the plan where the residence of Orange Walk town, we had stakeholders meetings and we meet with different sectors of the society here in Orange Walk and all of that contributed to what is in the development plan.”

Bodies Of Two Corozalenos Found Buried In Shallow Grave
The bodies of two Corozal residents were found shortly before midday today in a shallow grave 11 miles north of Ambergris Caye, according to the San Pedro Sun. The newspaper reports that police have identified the bodies. Benjamin Molina and Selvino Chi were found sometime around 11:40 this morning about 11 miles north of San Pedro Town. According to police the two were reported missing earlier today and police visited the area where they were last seen. Investigators were led to a blood trail and upon searching the area; came across a shallow grave. The grave was located about 150 feet away from the beach in a bushy area. While police have not released any further details, they believe it may be drug related. More in our subsequent newscast!

LOVE FM

Mayor Seeks to Distribute Land to Belize City Council Staff
The Belize City Council has an Employee Land Program which it had initiated last year with the coordination of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Fifty acres of land along mile 14 on the George Price Highway has been earmarked for distribution to the council’s employees who have been here for more than two years. Mayor Darrell Bradley explained. DARRELL BRADLEY “We want to give people a suitable parcel of land. We were looking at 100×90 parcels. We are seeing how many parcels we could get out of the 50 acres but one of the things for example I will give you one of the specific challenges that has arisen, the surveyor who is working with us indicated to us that there is part of the area that you have to leave for road reserve, there is part of it that you have to leave for public access, there is part of it that you have to leave for parks and different things like that and then there is part of the land because we have already done a walkthrough of the parcel which is land not suitable for housing development so that that determines how many parcels you can get out of the amount and then that determines how many years you are working with.

BSCFA Chairman Requests Retraction of New Registration
Two weeks ago attention was brought to a registration certificate of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers’ Association changing its status from a free membership organization to a company limited by guarantees. Following the revelation, executives of the BSCFA as well as the Chairman of the Belize Sugar Industry Control Board and even the Prime Minister, spoke against this action taken by a group of five members of the BSCFA. At a meeting of the BSCFA committee of management last week it was revealed that based on their investigation, former Vice Chairman of the BSCFA, Alfredo FRED Ortega, is behind the registration. Ortega granted us an interview where he admitted to being a part of the group who registered the association as a company limited by guarantees but explained the purpose of it was not to usurp administration of the institution but to protect its assets from “ministers” who had been persuading members of the BSCFA to abandon the association and form new organization and in the process leading to the disintegration and selling out of the BSCFA’s property. Following last week’s meeting, chairman of the BSCFA COM, Ezequiel Cansino explained they had sent a letter to Ortega and attorney Audrey Matura Shepard, who had facilitated the registration process, requesting both to retract the registration of the new company. We spoke today with Cansino who said they have received a reply from Matura but will not comment much on the matter as the issue is being dealt with by BSCFA attorney Chris Coye.

Police Commissioner Says Penner Investigation Is Completed
Last year Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin ordered that Commissioner Whylie investigate Elvin Penner after the People’s United Party successfully filed for a Writ of Mandamus. Whylie told the media that the Penner investigation has been completed. ALLEN WHYLIE “Investigation had to commence; it has continued; the passport was retrieved. I think we are at the stage where the investigation has been completed in terms of all the directives the Director of Public Prosecution had given to the police. As is the norm, that file will be sent back to the DPP, if it has not been sent already. Basically we are doing what the law says. Basically the law says the police have the authority to investigate and to lay charges and there are only two areas where the DPP should be consulted. But you also have to remember what the role is of the DPP’s office. It does not preclude the police from doing investigation, issuing the charges after sending files to the DPP office and that is what we are doing. Whether or not the DPP’s office accepts is another matter. “

To Testify or Not: Compol Awaits Court’s Decision
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA, has kept its eyes on Elvin Penner after the private prosecution filed against him was thrown out simply because COLA’s attorney, Kareem Musa, had no first hand evidence to provide to the courts. Musa asked Magistrate Aretha Ford to summon the Commissioner of Police to testify as a key witness. Ford refused and dismissed the case. Her decision has been appealed and was to be heard last week but it was adjourned until next week Friday. We caught up with Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, at a police workshop and he briefly commented on the matter.

Police Seeks Rapist Following Minor’s Report in Rural Belize
A minor, in the company of her mother has filed a report of rape at the Ladyville Police Station in the Belize District. According to the 13-year-old girl, she had gone swimming on Sunday at around twelve thirty in the afternoon in the Vista del Mar area. She told investigators that she was in a secluded area and had already come out of the water when a man emerged from some bushes and had sexual intercourse with her against her will. A medical examination was conducted on the child and that has confirmed that the minor has been carnally known.

Missing Person Found in Shallow Grave on Ambergris Caye
A body was found in a shallow grave in an area about twelve miles north of San Pedro earlier today. Police are still on the scene as a doctor is being transported to the area then the body will be removed. Reports are that the body is that of a person that was reported missing today. We will have more on this story in our newscast on Thursday.

Elderly Woman Critical After Being Swooped Off Sidewalk by SUV
A 70-year old woman is in a critical condition tonight at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after she was swooped off a sidewalk on Bagdad Street in Belize City by an SUV, reportedly traveling above city speed limits. It was a traffic incident that brought out residents from their homes and drew the attention of passersby just before two o’clock this afternoon. According to reports a blue Toyota Highlander belonging to Chinese businessman, Xin Hua Zhu, owner of a store on Douglas Jones Street was being driven at the time by 19-year-old, Boyd Lopez, an employee. Lopez was traveling from Water Lane onto Bagdad Street heading toward Mosul Street … but some yards prior to reaching the intersection with Alexandria Street, he reportedly lost control of the vehicle.

PlusTV

Elderly woman knocked down in Belize City
On Wednesday afternoon around 1:32 p.m. according to Police, 19-year-old Boyd Lopez of a Belize City address was driving on Baghdad Street in a Toyota Highlander, when he lost control of his vehicle and knocked down a 70-year-old woman, who has been identified as retired educator Marie Knowles. Mrs. Knowles was walking on the sidewalk toward her Water Lane home when Mr Lopez’s vehicle, going in the opposite direction, struck her.

Elderly Man Knocked Down By Motorcycle on Hummingbird Highway
There was an accident Wednesday evening just outside of Belmopan on the Hummingbird Highway, just a couple Hundred yards below La Cabana. An elderly man, who lives near the creek close to La Choza, was crossing the highway when he was hit by an oncoming motorcycle. The man fell to the ground and was seriously injured, bleeding profusely, and with one of his legs almost amputated. The motorcyclist and his passenger, a female were also hurt in the collision, and all three were rushed to the Western Regional Hospital.

Complete Penner file going to DPP, says ComPol
On Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie confirmed to reporters in Belize City that the Police Department’s investigation into alleged wrong doings in the issuance of a Belize passport and Belizean nationality to Wong Hong Kim in 2013 has been completed. It comes at nearly one year since the Commissioner was ordered by Writ of Mandamus from Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin last March to continue and complete the investigation into the issuance of the passport and nationality to the South Korean national and accused fugitive, who was seeking Belizean status to avoid extradition from Taiwan, where he was being held in prison.

Bodies discovered in shallow grave on La Isla Bonita
Reports from La Isla Bonita are that the bodies of two men were discovered early on Wednesday, buried in a shallow grave about 12 miles north of San Pedro Town. Due to the state of decomposition authorities had to conduct an onsite post mortem. Police are withholding the names of the individuals until the family members can be properly informed. Information indicates that the two men were reported missing sometime before midday on Wednesday. Police continue investigations.

Controversial wooden structure will be removed from Belmopan green space
The construction of a small wooden structure on lot number 1127 or 1128 in the Belmopan Market Square raised some concerns as reports were that it was being built on a designated green space area, close to the National Assembly building. Construction began last two weeks and information was that someone who works at the City Council received permission to build a temporary structure in that area for private commerce. It caught the attention of PUP Senator and PUP Standard Bearer for Belmopan Patrick Andrews, who wrote to the Central Building Authority requesting that matter be looked into. The City Council says due process was taken; however because of the general concerns expressed by the Belmopan residents, the Belmopan City council met on Wednesday and decided to remove the structure from that area.

Male Teacher accused of sending nude photos to teenage boys
Police in Benque Viejo del Carmen are investigating reports that a male teacher allegedly sent nude pictures of himself to teenage male students. On Wednesday the teacher from Mopan Technical High School in Benque Viejo del Carmen was placed on administrative leave, while investigations continue into the allegations. Two police officers were present on Wednesday to witness the teacher leaving the compound, after he was served with the letter suspending him from duties. Pictures of the teacher in the nude began circulating on facebook on Wednesday, allegedly posted by the father of one of the teenage boys who showed his father the pictures.

13 year old girl raped in Ladyville
A 13-year-old girl reported being raped in Ladyville. According to police reports, the student of Ladyville Village visited the station in the company of her mother, and reported that on February 15 at about 12:30 p.m., she along with some friends went to bathe at sea just behind Vista Del Mar. She further stated that while out of the water and in a secluded area, a man came out of the bushes and had raped her. Medical examination was conducted on the minor, where the doctor certified that the minor has been carnally known.

BWS workers in court for final hearing
After final written submissions on March 6, Supreme Court Justice Michelle Arana is to consider the case of six former employees of Belize Water Services Limited (BWS), who say they were terminated by the utility company two years ago in February of 2013, in response to alleged improper behavior in facilitating the circulation of a series of salacious and unproven allegations made against various employees that sunk the company into a morass of bitter infighting, featuring threats against all levels of staff and Board members which were reported to Police. Concurrently, according to the testimony of top BWS executives, the company was deciding to implement redundancy as a cost-cutting measure after its rates were cut 7.2% by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and department heads recommended the claimants for redundancy despite fair to good marks in their most recent performance appraisal in March of 2012.

Highway chase yields almost 2000 grams of cannabis
Four persons, including a 14 year old female minor were charged for Drug Trafficking. On February 14 at 7:00p.m., police intercepted a car on the George Price Highway heading to San Ignacio. However, while pursuing the car, an object was seen being thrown from inside the car. The vehicle was stopped and the occupants of the vehicle were identified as 31-year-old Jamaal Rupert Bennett and 31-year-old Astrid Alvarez both of Guadalupe Street, Belmopan, 21-year-old Keshawn Dennison, a Belizean Security guard of Gibnut Street, Belize City, and a 14-year-old female minor of Belize City.

Tortilla Vendor robbed in Belize City
A tortilla vendor was robbed in Belize City. On February 15, 40-year-old Francisco Mai Jr., a tortilla vendor and a resident of Albert Street, Belize City, reported that at about 11:20a.m, while he was on Lake View Street, Belize City he was approached from behind by four men of dark complexion. Two of the men were armed and both of them held a firearm to both sides of the vendor’s neck. They proceeded to rob him of $300.00bcy and a Motorola brand flip phone valued at $165.00bcy. The culprits then rode off in the direction of Vernon Street, and made good their escape.

87 year old man reported missing
An elderly man has been reported missing. 39-year-old Isai Mejia, Salvadoran National of Belize City reported that on February 13 at about 6:45a.m., he left home leaving his 87-year-old father, Jose Gregorio, a Salvadoran National of the same address, at home. Upon his arrival at 6:00 p.m., his father was nowhere to be found. Isai Mejia is 5 feet in height slim built, white straight hair, and was last seen wearing a green long pant and a T-shirt. Police investigation into the matter continues.

Court to consider no-case submission in Titan currency case
On Tuesday, Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer heard a submission of no case to answer from the attorney for Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach, the Bahamian executives of Titan International Securities, accused of failing to declare separate sums of U.S. currency in their possession totaling $12,300 on attempting to leave Belize in September of 2014, around the time that their firm and others were targeted as part of a U.S. federal indictment alleging billion-dollar securities fraud. In December when the case was heard before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer, a police officer who picked up both men from the Philip Goldson International Airport testified that the envelope he confiscated from Leach contained US$6,300 and 11 Belize dollars and was so labelled. A check of the envelope, however, failed to turn up the Belizean currency and Senior Magistrate Frazer declined to accept the envelope as evidence, because its integrity was compromised in her view.

Sexual Assault Allegations Against UB Professors
The University of Belize is currently dealing with allegations of sexual assault on students by three male employees of that institution. According to reports, on Tuesday morning flyers were being distributed on the Belmopan campus in which allegations against a male Dean and two male professors were made. The flyer lists three male employees of the schools as top sex offenders who prey on innocent students. We called the police department in Belmopan to find out if any police report was made about any such incidents connected to the named individuals on the flyer.

Senior attorney on hook for large land sale debt
On Monday, Ernest Staine, a senior member of Belize’s legal fraternity, came to the Supreme Court in an unfamiliar role. He is the defendant in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Forward in Faith Ministries and Rita McField, on whose behalf he had handled sale of a plot of land on Douglas Jones Street, Belize City, for the purposes of building a church. The total sale was for a quarter of a million dollars, the money held in an escrow account by Mr Staine. However, Mrs. McField as the seller received just $20,000 and the remaining $230,000 would be paid to her as seller on the completion of the land title in the middle of last year, but that came and went without payment.

Patrick Jones

ComPol says Penner passport investigation has been completed
Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie today confirmed to reporters in Belize City that the investigation into alleged wrong doings in the issuance of a Belize passport and Belizean nationality to Wong Hong Kim has been completed. According to Whylie, the case file is now complete and will be presented to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), if it has not already been so presented. This is coming up on one year since the Commissioner was ordered by Writ of Mandamus from Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin to continue and complete the investigation into the issuance of a passport and Belizean nationality to South Korean national and accused fugitive Won Hong Him.

Police department holds senior officers’ training in Belize City
This morning the Police Department in Belize City hosted Formation Commanders and Deputy Formation Commanders for a two-day training concerning improving communications with the media. At this morning opening ceremony, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie said that Formation Commanders and Deputy Commanders are free and invited to speak with reporters on critical issues related to crime in their respective district. Belize City’s Eastern Division already has its own community and public relations unit to address such matters.

Belmopan Baptist High School takes part in World English Experience
The Belmopan Baptist High School is embarking on a bold new initiative … and they need your help to make it happen. The school is sending a contingent of students to take part in a World English Experience, an initiative which brings together high school students from around the world to immerse themselves in the English Language.

Blogs

Holy Cross Belize kicks into high gear
I will always be grateful for the education I received volunteering at Holy Cross school way back when we first turned up. It has paved the way for me to work work with our fantastic crew and help implement San Pedro Belize Red Cross volunteer vacations, a very exciting new chapter in our book (and a big part of my mind movie) :) The school was a great role model to me and I enjoyed many amazing times there. Even though I may not write about them as much these days, Holy Cross and San Mateo area beside it are still strong in my heart. I think about them a lot and quietly work towards hopefully helping being one of the grains of sand make a difference in that area one day. Thankfully for San Mateo residents and kids, Holy Cross School has always cultivated and enjoyed the benefits of attracting a wide range of groups that wanted to Volunteer in Belize and make a difference as you will see below.

Junior Buddy’s 8th Birthday Party at the Belize Zoo: My Chance to High Five a Jaguar AND Be A Jaguar
The Belize Zoo educates kids around the country but yesterday, they brought two schools to the zoo to meet the “ambassador jaguar” – Junior Buddy – and to celebrate his birthday. I snuck right over to see Junior Buddy, the birthday boy. 8 years old…I saw him as a cub when I first visited the zoo in November 2007 with my family. His mom, Springfield, was captured, pregnant, sick and killing sheep in Springfield village and brought to the zoo. She still lives in the enclosure right next to her son.

Wondering what to do in Belize?
Whether you are on vacation or live here, having fun and getting fit are 2 great options and there are no shortage of places to do either. A bit of fun first Although I did not attend any of the evening Carnival Celebrations I have been enjoying catching bits and pieces of the early festivities while running errands. Below is a fun picture I snapped the other day when I picked up my bread maker from Pelican Properties. I also got to see the Comparsa dancers that night see tacogirl.com facebook page for picture. I missed the party last night due to work but you can catch some pics and some funny commentary on Reset and Restore Belize blog sometime soon.

Factory Farming – It’s coming to Belize
I watched Food Inc when it was released and it is important to watch. I have asked media houses in Belize to air this so people understand what is happening around them. I know you have heard the terms GMO or Organic Food; you may have even heard of Factory Farming. If you have not heard about these you may be asking what this is about. Intensive animal farming or industrial livestock production, also called factory farming, is a modern form of intensive farming that refers to the keeping of livestock, such as cattle, poultry (including in “Battery cages”) and fish at higher stocking densities than is usually the case with other forms of animal agriculture — a practice typical in industrial farming by agribusinesses. The main products of this industry are meat, milk and eggs for human consumption. There are issues regarding whether factory farming is sustainable and ethical. PETA has this article on Factory Farming. Watch the documentary now and please share with as many people as you know so they too may know. These things are coming to Belize, in fact you may have seen some already depending on where you live. Choose wisely as you shop.

The best places to go Scuba Diving in Belize
Approximately 3 years ago I was vacationing in Caye Caulker and I ran into my high school friend ILya Rosado. I hadn’t seen him in a while and to my surprise he had fallen in love with scuba diving and was now a dive master, working towards becoming a dive instructor. Due to his passion for the sport, I asked him to share on this blog, his experience of learning to dive, so that tourists could see what it was like. I was so impressed by his article that I quickly asked for more. I am regularly bombarded by readers requesting what are the top dive sites in Belize, and therefore my plan was to get enough articles to share this information. Three years later…here’s the article. Thanks for your patience. BTW: Ordinary lists like to include the Blue Hole as the number one place to go diving in Belize but ILya was clear to state that it is not! …Continue reading and you will find out why. 1. Half Moon Caye Wall 2. Long Caye Aquarium 3. Esmeralda Canyons 4. Great Blue Hole 5. Gladden Spit

International Sources

Car crash in Belize kills Twin Cities woman on Valentine's trip
A Twin Cities couple on a Valentine’s weekend cruise in the Caribbean met with tragedy during a port of call in Belize, where a traffic crash left the woman dead and the man hospitalized with injuries, a family member said Wednesday. Theresa L. Meuers, 55, of Minneapolis, died in the midday Tuesday collision while traveling to an inland community about 45 miles from the Yucatán Peninsula’s Caribbean coast, according to Emily Meuers, the woman’s niece. An extensive news report by a Belize television station from the scene said the couple’s taxi was about to turn and had pulled over to the right to first allow a semitrailer truck hauling oranges to pass. However, the truck hit the taxi, an SUV, from behind.

How Many People Visited Belize in 2014
Belize received 321,217 stopover tourist arrivals in 2014, according to year-end data released by the Caribbean Tourism Organization. The Central American country on the coast of the Caribbean Sea saw a strong 9.2 percent improvement compared to 2013. That made Belize among the fastest-growing destinations in the Caribbean region, surpassed only by the Cayman Islands, Aruba, Grenada, Haiti and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Belize’s totals were buoyed by a strong winter season that was 12.4 percent higher than the same period in 2013. On the cruise side, Belize saw a significant growth rate of 42.9 percent that was also among the highest in the region. In total, 677,350 cruise passengers stepped foot in Belize.

The White Sand Beach P*rn You Need Right Now
It's never wrong to daydream about white, sandy beaches and crisp, aqua waters. But when it's cold, slushy, and there's four feet of snow out your window, well, those thoughts take on an entirely new voyeuristic value. And if Fifty Shades of Grey taught anyone anything (it didn't, really), it's not to be embarrassed by your inner desires. Embrace them. If you're cruising the Internet for a steamy, full-frontal ocean shot to carry you through the dismal winter months, then take a look at these sexy BILFs (Beaches I'd Like to Frequent). Laughing Bird Caye Belize: This island national park is perfect for people who love to go down... diving. Laughing Bird Caye is the southernmost island in the Belize Barrier Reef and is full of colorful marine life and coral. There's no place to stay on the Caye itself -- you'll have to stay in nearby Placencia Village. But if you're looking for the perfect one-night stand of beaches, this is it. Best features: Diving; bird-watching Order now: Daily flights run between Belize City and Placencia. From there, hire a boat out to the caye.

Tamera Mowry Celebrates Her Pregnancy With a Babymoon!
Who’s pregnant and wearing a red polka-dot swimsuit? That would be Tamera Mowry-Housley! The mama-to-be is kicking back in Belize during a babymoon with husband Adam Housley as they celebrate their second pregnancy. The co-host of daytime talk show The Real is currently expecting a second baby — a girl! — so it’s only right that she have a chance to sit back, relax, and glow in a tropical getaway. “Belize, oh how I love thee!” Tamera captioned her selfie on February 16. The 36-year-old went on to share yet another snapshot of the pool and beach saying, “Thanks @adamhousley for an amazing #babymoon #Belize.” It sure looks like a great time!

Fortis Releases 2014 Annual Results
Fortis Inc. ("Fortis" or the "Corporation") (FTS) released its 2014 annual results today. Net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders for 2014 were $317 million, or $1.41 per common share, compared to $353 million, or $1.74 per common share, for 2013. Excluding the impact of non-recurring items in 2014 and 2013, described further below, net earnings attributable to common equity shareholders for 2014 were $407 million, or $1.81 per common share, an increase of $63 million, or $0.11 per common share, from $344 million, or $1.70 per common share, for 2013. In December 2014 Fortis increased its quarterly common share dividend to 34 cents from 32 cents, commencing with the first quarter dividend payable on March 1, 2015, which translates into an annualized dividend of $1.36. Fortis has raised its annualized dividend to common shareholders for 42 consecutive years, the record for a public corporation in Canada.

Videos

February 18, 2015

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
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The San Pedro Sun

Stretch it out with Pilates at Zen Arcade
Zen Arcade offers a variety of classes throughout the day, including Yoga and Pilates, Guided Meditation, and more. I was convinced by a friend to take a Pilates class with the bubbly and energetic instructor Rose Alcantara. Saturday at 10AM, on the rooftop of the Zen Arcade building. Ambitious, I cycled to Zen then climbed the two flights of stairs to meet the rest of the gang for some core workout. This is not your average bedroom practice people. A combination of cardio and stretching, Saturday’s class is more invigorating and designed to leave you sweating and breathing heavy! Each one of us was assigned a card with a move to practice for two minutes, followed by a minute of heart-pumping free-style movements. I saw Adam dancing, Ruthie shaking her thang, and I tried some jumping jacks and squats before just wiggling my booty like them. What fun!

San Pedro and Bacalar take first steps towards Sister City Relationship
The letter of intent was signed under the prospective of a lateral relationship between the two communities to foster integrity and sincerity in both municipalities. The privileges of the agreement will facilitate a beneficial relationship between Mexico and Belize, specifically, between Bacalar and San Pedro. In order for the intent to develop into the actual Sister City relationship, both municipalities need to create conditions to promote the exchange of tourism, agriculture, sports, health and other sectors of main concern. “I would like to thank the community of San Pedro for allowing us the opportunity to visit this island. While here on the island, we have received nothing but hospitality and warm welcomes. We have paved the pathway to unite our two beautiful communities. History proves that Belize and Mexico has always had an outstanding relationship, and we will continue to keep it that way. Our communities are very similar in culture and traditions. We hope that the signing of this document will only strengthen those bonds even more,” said Mayor Contreras Méndez.

Meet your San Pedro Mayoral Candidates
Name: Dr. Giovanni Solórzano Representing Party: PUP. What do you understand to be the responsibility of the Mayor and town council? What do you think is the single most important task you will have to do as Mayor? The single most important thing to do as a Mayor is to dedicate oneself to the progress for a better San Pedro. Some of the main responsibilities include the maintenance of streets, parks, infrastructure, a cohesive master plan for the development of the town, appropriate garbage disposal, sports and youth activities, social issues , and traffic regulation, most importantly we would like to deliver these activities with a new and innovative perspective.
Name: Daniel Guerrero Representing Party: UDP. What do you understand to be the responsibility of the Mayor and town council? What do you think is the single most important task you have done as a mayor? The responsibility of the mayor and council is endless because we work 24 hours around the clock always involved in almost everything. However, we can summarize it as ensuring that our garbage is picked up, thus making sure our municipality is kept clean, improvements made to our parks and playgrounds, ensure that our beaches are well kept, ensure that we improve our infrastructure and work towards improving the quality of life our people for them to live in a healthy and crime free environment. However, the single most important task is to ensure we can fiscally the affairs of the municipality. All the activities we carry out hang around a cost. We have to ensure that we properly account or our income and expenditure because without proper accounting, things can become catastrophic for any council.

Ambergris Today

Dedicated Comparsa Street Dancers Keep San Pedro Carnaval Alive
Only three groups of comparsas (Street Dancers) made it out to the streets of San Pedro for Carnaval this year; they are the loyal group of committed dancers and Carnaval enthusiasts of Doña Flora’s Group, the San Pedro AIDS Commission and the Barbies men’s group. Day two of Carnaval in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, was heightened by the dance presentations of these three amazing groups. When you take a closer look at the intricate costumes these groups come up with, closely listen to the song lyrics and see how passionately they dance for hours through the streets of downtown, you get to appreciate the dances even more. Laugh at the lyrics and crazy dancing until your belly hurts and follow the comparsas down the streets as every time there is something new or a surprise on hand. It’s a great part of Carnaval in San Pedro.

Misc Belizean Sources

Stolen Boat on Ambergris Caye
Last night at approx. 5:30 am a 38'-0" Boat was stolen from the North Tres Cococs Area from the dock. Grand Caribe Security spotted the boat traveling north. Boat is an older used WHITE hull and looks like an older " Coastal Ferry STYLE " with a cover over the passenger area and a stand up helm. Boat name is " Sea Prowler " and it has graphic drawings of LIONFISH painted on the sides. Has twin 200 hp Yamahas with charcoal grey engine covers.

BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, February 16, 2015: 42

Corozal House of Culture Third Anniversary Open House
Join us one week today as we celebrate our 3rd anniversary! We are honoured to have the Institute of Social and Cultural Research with us to unveil three new additions of the Belize Heroes and Benefactor's Exhibit, including Corozal's very own living legend Jesus Ken

Juan Carnaval Presentation
A great turn out and great thanks to all who attended the Juan Carnaval Presentation yesterday. It was an entertaining night of traditional celebration. Thank you to the COLCHA Committee and everyone involved in so many ways with making this event a success. Performers: Students from the Corozal Junior College, Our Lady of Guadalupe RC and San Narciso RC Schools, Xaibe Nicte Ha Children's Group, Roy Rodriguez, and Mistress of Ceremonies Joanna Magana. Our sponsors: COLCHA, Corozal Town Council, Bowen and Bowen and the Department of Youth Services. We are truly looking forward to next year when we invite the community to participate in the various traditional activities on the streets of Corozal Town!!

Wildtracks Update: Some weeks are super positive
and this last week has been one of those - after struggling with an unreliable vehicle for the past six months or more (off the road more often than on), we finally have a roadworthy vehicle that fits all our needs! It has the capacity for carrying up to a medium-sized manatee, or four large (spider monkey-sized) kennels without having to resort to carrying them in a truck pan, open to the elements. A major step forward, and doubly so for ensuring we won't break down on the road while transporting endangered species around the country.

Southside Poverty Alleviation Project - Phase 2
Government of Belize Press Office

Belmopan Active Youths New Website
The Belmopan Active Youths have a new website, and it looks good. You can read all about what they do, and even volunteer to be part of their amazing team. Thanks, BAY for doing all you've done for the youths. "With a mission to EDUCATE, ENGAGE and EMPOWER the youths of Belmopan and its surrounding communities, since its inception, BAY has and continues to impact and invest in youths through the development of positive programs and recreational activities. To date, the organization has engaged over six hundred young people through its various programs including the BAY Marching Band and Dance Group, its Community Park Rehabilitation Program, its Youth Drug Demand Reduction Project and most recently its Job Creation and Entrepreneurship Development Project."

Jaguars Announce Player Selection
The Jaguars will be hosting Grand Cayman on March 25th as part of the 2018 World Cup qualification rounds. They've released the roster, and Cayo has quite a few great players on there. They'll have the home field advantage since they'll play at the FFB Stadium. Practice hard! "Good morning! Please note the Press Release attached. Who is excited for this upcoming match?! Go Belize!"

BOLEDO DRAWING for Tuesday, February 17, 2015: 99. FANTASY 5: 37 5 38 3 23 N

Sarteneja Nazarene Primary School
Our preschool won second place in the Early Childhood Preschool Story Telling national competition. Congrats to teacher Pablito Canul.

CET vs SHJC Football for pre Valentine's Day
In honor of Valentine's Day, SHJC hosted CET for a friendly game of football, and they had a chocolate fountain there dispensing treats. SHJC won the match, 4 - 2.

Belize History Association Logo Design Competition

Feb 7 - Feb 13 2015 Belize Fishing Report
First bonefish ever kudos go to husband/wife teams: Marilyn and Gordon, Jeff and Beth, Pat and Sibyl, Mike and Dana. Returning guests Nick, Carl, Mike, and Bill all had their way with the bonefish surrounding Ambergris. Todd and friend Steve arrived late in the week and were greeted by some friendly bonefish on their first day out. Sharon was visiting from NYC for a few days to learn this saltwater fly-fishing and started on a tough day with North winds that seemed to give our bonefish a bit of lockjaw. Captain Erlindo and Sharon had a school of a thousand fish that just wouldn't bite despite changing flies, lengthening leaders and the like. Some 6-7 pound bonefish were caught while reef fishing!!! There are some big ones on the ocean side.

Old Embassy cables
Treasure trove of historical US Embassy cables on Belize here dating back to 1973.

FCD management plan implementation effectiveness
FCD has started an evaluation of its management plan implementation effectiveness for the period 2009-2014 together with Forest Department and FCD staff. This assessment will help in the definition of its next management plan for the Chiquibul National Park.

Channel 7

Fatal Accident On Western Highway Claims The Life of American Tourist
There was a fatal accident just after midday today on the Western Highway at mile 37 which claimed the life American Teresa Lyn Mueres and which has put her companion, American Samuel Shulte in the hospital. Police have not released official information as yet, because they are still taking statements from the parties, but we have managed to speak with eyewitnesses who saw how the accident unfold. The two were on a tour with guide Leon Rodriguez, who works for the Big John Taxi and Tour Company. They were on their way to Jaguar Paw in a blue SUV. Reportedly, Rodriguez had already been signaling that he intended to turn into the Jaguar Paw Road. He pulled off to the side, and was waiting for the 18 wheeler truck, which was carrying oranges, to pass behind him, but somehow the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle. The truck rear-ended the SUV and the force of the impact crushed from behind. The accident ended with the truck overturned on the highway and the SUV in a mangled wreck in the drain. Mueres, who reportedly was in the backseat, died as a result of the collision. Our news team was on the scene about an hour and a half later, and here's what they found when they arrived:

Ernest Staine's Continued Legal Difficulties
2 week ago, news broke that 77 year-old Ernest Staine, one of the most senior legal practitioners in the country, was in trouble of being jailed for contempt of court. That's because he has 230 thousand dollars for Rita McField - the proceeds from a land transaction. Staine was holding the money in escrow on behalf of a client for McField. He was supposed to release it when the land title was cleaned up. That happened in the middle of 2014, but he didn't hand over the money. Now almost half a year has passed and he still hasn't handed it over. Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel gave him until the end of January to hand over the money - and still, nothing was forthcoming. Well, he's since complied with the court's order to disclose his finances, and it doesn't paint a picture of confidence that he still has McField's money. Today, her attorney spoke with us outside of court and explained why:

No Case Submission For Titan Securities Owners
Bahamians, Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach, who were shoved under the public lens because of a billion-dollar securities fraud allegation brought by the US Government, have been battling their case against the Belizean Law enforcement, which was believed to be a holding charge while the Belizean government cooperated with the US Government to try to get them extradited to face grand jury charges in that country. That charge is failing to declare funds over 10 thousand dollars, and according to the Police and the Immigration Officers, these men had cash in amounts above that limit when they tried to leave the country on a chartered flight last year in September. Their case has been ongoing before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer, and so far, the FIU prosecutors couldn't get the cash they supposedly had in their possession admitted into evidence.

The Continued Shouting Match Between Bradley And Schakron
Last night, we showed you the back and forth between the Belize City Mayoral Candidate, incumbent Darrell Bradley, and Aspirant Yolanda Schakron. The PUP's candidate was challenging the Mayor, and pressuring him to make further disclosures in relation to the audits of the last 3 years of his term in elected office. As you saw, Mayor Bradley was intolerant of the criticism from the Opposition, and he summed it up as mere politicking from the other side, to try to create controversy where there is none. So, what did Schakron think of the mayor's flat out dismissal of her concerns as a politician? Well, we caught up with her at another event, and she discussed it with us: Yolanda Schakron, PUP Mayoral Candidate - Belize City "The personal attacks that he does against me doesn't move me. It doesn't bother me. The thing is that Darrell said a lot last night, but he did not answer the questions."

How The Municipals Will Determine the Political Landscape
politicians up at night - and they do their best to minimize that X factor. Most of the time that means trying to convince themselves that their own mantras are the gospel truth - and on election day, one of them will be proven right, either through political prescience or just plain dumb luck. But what are those mantras? We asked both mass party leaders on nomination day. The leader of the opposition said it's about the change, while the Prime Minister said it's about transformation:.. Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "Everywhere we go and I think people are receptive. People want to be a part of this change. So, I really believe that the change will begin as I keep saying, it will begin on March 4th and will continue through to the general election. I really believe that people are concern about the direction the country is headed. I think they want to be a part of the change."

Drainage Works Coming Under Southside Poverty Alevation
The Lakeview area in the city will be transformed under the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project-Phase 2. The main focus of this project is drainage but it also covers a broader scope of works. Francis Woods from CISCO Construction, discussed how this project will increase convenience for motorists and uplift the aesthetic quality in the area. Francis Woods from CISCO Construction "This project is focusing mainly on drainage, lining the canals, it's very similar to what we did on North Creek and it will widen the street. You will have two way parking and two way traffic on both sides, including several pedestrian bridges and one bridge across along Ebony Street - that will go across this particular canal behind me. It will be major improvements for this area. The job that we have right now is Lake View canal, which is from Vernon Street up towards Cemetery Road, from Vernon Street down to the Haulover River and then Trench Town, which is close to Sadie Vernon School."

The Spittle Bug's Deceiving Secretions
It wasn't snowing in Ladyville after all. BAHA representatives inspected the cotton tree in Ladyville today and confirmed that it was the spittlebug's secretion or "spittle mass" as it is referred to; NOT ice. According to them, these bugs attack mostly plants and agricultural crops. BAHA's Entomologist, Adriano Vasquez discussed the extent of damage they cause to crops and what can be done to eliminate these bugs: Spittlebugs or "El Salivaso" as they are referred to in the North, also attack sugar cane crops. Hosing down the tree or plant along with common pesticides will get rid of these bugs. There are thousands of species of spittlebugs and one that is a common threat to Craboo and Soursop trees is the plant hopper. They also cause extensive damage to plants. As a final note, the spittle mass has also been spotted on a tree in Jamaica, misleading people into thinking it was ice. According to an online news site entitled RJR NEWS, the mass or frothy substance was seen on a branch of a Dogwood Tree in Trelawny, Jamaica…

PUP Cleanup Attempt In Port Loyola
In our last segment, we showed you Yolanda Schakron's reaction to the Mayor's comments on the news last night. Bradley called her out for being insincere and only raising this issue now to gain political mileage. Well, her critics in the political circles may have been hard on her today when they saw that she and her team were out in Port Loyola along with Gilroy Usher on a cleanup campaign. Here's what she had to say about it. About 30 residents participated in the cleanup campaign.

The Vision For Belize City Council 2015
And before we go tonight, our last story is on what the two parties are offering to the voters of Belize City to think about between now and March 4. When Schakron was asked about her plans for the city if she was elected Mayor, she responded with these comments: Of course, Mayor Bradley is confident of his chances, so confident in fact, that he was willing yesterday to declare that Belize City residents will return him to office, even with the PUP's best efforts to unseat him. Here's his bold assertion:

Channel 5

Supreme Court Orders Senior Counsel Ernest Staine to Pay Off Monies Owed
No legal professional in Belize’s history has ever been incarcerated for misappropriation of money entrusted to them by clients, but this morning senior attorney, Ernest Staine, almost became the first. [...]

Bar Association Provides Legal Representation for Embattled Lawyer
With the facts of the case on display, the court appears to have little sympathy for a member of the legal fraternity who has committed serious wrong. And certainly, Staine [...]

Claimant’s Attorney Unimpressed with Staine’s Defense
As we told you earlier, today attorney Ernest Staine appeared unconcerned by the very real threat of prison time. Until just days ago, he had failed to obey orders of [...]

Eamon Courtenay Says General Legal Council is Dysfunctional
The accusation levied against Staine is by no means a rare one where attorneys are concerned. Traditionally, those complaints against attorneys should be taken before the General Legal Council, the [...]

American Tourist Perishes In RTA on George Price Highway
Before noon today, a delivery truck from the Hummingbird Citrus Limited Two- farm collided with a small SUV at mile thirty-one on the George Price Highway. One of three persons [...]

Do you believe there are irregularities in the finances of City Hall?
And tonight’s question is: Do you believe there are irregularities in the finances of City Hall?  Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your [...]

Christian Ebanks Acquitted of Firearm Offence…
Belize City businessman Christian Ebanks remains a free man tonight, following the dismissal of a single charge of unlawful possession of a firearm.  The charge was brought against the forty-year-old [...]

…Extradition Matter Still Pending
In court this afternoon, Ebanks testified that on the night before the GSU sting he was involved in a bitter dispute with his wife during which he informed her that [...]

Attorney for Bahamians Kelvin Leach and Rohn Knowles Says FIU Messed Up
Also in the Magistrate’s Court, Bahamians Kelvin Leach and Rohn Knowles were today back before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. The Financial Intelligence Unit is contending that the men tried to [...]

Territorial Volunteers Encounter Illegal Guatemalan Fishermen Near Sarstoon
With sustained incursions by Guatemalan poachers into Belizean territory, along its terrestrial borders, a year-round issue for local law enforcement, military and coastguard patrols in the waters off southern Belize [...]

Guatemalan Military Patrol Also Within Belize’s Territorial Waters
According to Maheia, despite reporting the incident to local authorities, very little is being done to increase police and military presence in the area of the Sarstoon River.  In fact, [...]

Schakron Says She is Undaunted By Mayor Bradley’s Personal Attacks
On Monday, P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate, Yolanda Schakron, who is seeking to unseat U.D.P. Mayor Darrell Bradley in Belize City, held a press conference saying there are flaws in the audit [...]

A New Belize City Under Mayor Yolanda Schakron?
This morning, we also took the opportunity to ask the aspiring mayoral candidate about her plans for the city, if she is elected to office.   Yolanda Schakron, P.U.P. Mayoral [...]

Mek Mi Rich Responds to Allegations of Infringement of Intellectual Property
MMR Belize Limited which is the parent company of the television game show, Mek Mi Rich, is denying allegations of infringement upon intellectual property in a claim brought by Curtis [...]

Arson Suspected in Roaring Creek Fire
A man’s house was burnt down and he lost all his belongings in a fire on Monday. By the time the neighbors called for the fire truck, the structure and [...]

Corozal Businessman Robbed of Forty Thousand Dollars in Cash
A Corozal businessman of Indian extraction was robbed of a significant sum of money on Friday evening.  While the incident has flown below the radar, twenty-nine-year-old Mahesh Balani was relieved [...]

Placencia Police Bust Weed Shipment on Tropic Air Flight
In news from the south…Placencia Police intercepted a package containing weed at the airstrip in that municipality. Based on Special Branch intelligence, officers searched a package that arrived this morning [...]

P.U.P. Mayoral Candidate Cleans Up the Old Capital
Mayoral Candidate, Yolanda Schakron today teamed up with Port Loyola standard bearer for the P.U.P., Gilroy Usher Senior, and took to the streets of south side Belize City for a [...]

Tumor Patient Efrain Alvarado Needs Your Assistance for Treatment
The family of eleven year old Efrain Alvarado needs your help. He was first hospitalized back in October for chest pains and was later diagnosed with a minor tumor, for [...]

CTV3

River Hills Christian Church Empowers Women In Corozal District
A group of professional health care providers and missionaries are in Belize providing much needed assistance to Belizeans in the north. The missionary group from River Hills Christian Church from Ohio, USA are offering medical assistance and empowering women from the village of San Pedro in the Corozal District. Nancy Brokamp – Missionary Leader “Our mission trip is from River Hills Christian Church, Cincinnati Ohio, and we come down every year as a medical mission trip basically, the sowing was an off shoot of that trip, we started here about three or four years ago with one women and now we have a group of fifteen and we invited women from Louisville to come in and also learn how to sow, so they are here with us today we have a group of about twenty three.”

Belize Met Service Conducts National Climate Outlook Forum
Variation in climate influence directly or indirectly affects human activities in either experiencing losses or benefits. Understanding and making effective use available of climate information is therefore critical to ensure efficiency and sustainability. Without a doubt Climate Change is an important topic and with that in mind, today the Belize National Meteorological Service, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization and Environment Canada, hosted the Second National Climate Outlook Forum at the ITVET conference room in Corozal Town. Dennis Gonguez, Chief Meteorological Officer at the Belize Met. Service, spoke today on the status of the service and its five components of the Global Framework for Climate Services and how the National Meteorological Service is fostering the developments and advancements of these components locally.

Strange Formation Observed In Orange Walk
There was a report made on one of the Belize City media last night about an icicle like formation on a tree branch in Ladyville Village which probably sent many Belizeans looking up their trees. Today, we report another strange looking formation on a tree in a family’s backyard that resembles the one featured in the media last night. This time though, that was found in Orange Walk. The family did not want to comment on camera but they did say that they came across this white substance by accident. Someone was pinning some clothes out and felt water drops on her forehead and looked up. Upon closer inspection of the branches on this very tall fig tree, the woman spotted the limb which was dripping. Below, on the lawn, the drips have dampened bricks.

Shell Conducts Annual End Of Year Give Away
Today, four winners selected in the grand end of the year fuel promotion held at Shell One Stop Service Station walked into the service office to collect their prizes. The promotion which is an annual event was kicked off on December of last year and closed on February of this year. For every 30 dollars spent on Shell Fuel purchased at any shell gas station countrywide, customers received a coupon to fill out. This year, all winners hail from the Orange Walk District and we got to speak to the Sales Executive and some of the winners.

Post Mortem REveals Cause Of Death To Be Due To A Fracture Skull
Yesterday we told you about a hit and run incident that left one Orange Walk teen dead and tonight, police are no closer to solving the puzzle of “who did it”. As we reported, sometime around 6:45am police visited mile marker 61 where they saw 19-year-old Christian Javier Villalobos, Belizean of Narajal Street Louisiana Area, lying face up with head and body injuries apparently dead. Police have concluded that Villalobos was walking on the Highway when he was hit from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction which did not top to rendered aid.

PlusTV

Belize City men arrested and charged for unlicensed ammunition
Two Belize City men were arrested and charged for possession of unlicensed ammunition. According to police reports, on February 14 at 11:30 a.m., police were on mobile patrol on East Collet Canal, where they conducted a search on a blue Ford 4-Door Pick-Up truck, and searched the occupants of the vehicle. They are 23-year-old Oliver Anthony Sutherland of an East Collet Canal address, and 24-year-old Oscar Avilez of an Albert St address.

Arson suspected in Roaring Creek Fire
On Monday we reported about a fire incident that gutted a single bedroom apartment at noon time in the San Martin Area Belmopan. Well just before our news time on Monday, we received reports of another fire this one in the Village of Roaring Creek. According to reports at around 5:30 Monday evening, neighbours saw a fire rising from a wooden bungalow house in the Another World Area, Roaring Creek Village. Neighbours also reported seeing a person running away from the house. The authorities were alerted of the fire; however when they arrived at the scene the house was completely burnt down.

Fatal Hit and Run Accident in Orange Walk
There was a fatal traffic accident early Monday morning on the Phillip Goldson Highway. It happened between Miles 61 and 62 on the Phillip Goldson Highway, Orange Walk District, where 19-year-old Christian Javier Villalobos was the victim. Christian, a Belizean of Orange Walk Town, was found on the highway lying face up with head and body injuries apparently dead. Initial investigation revealed that while Mr Villalobos was walking on the Highway, he was hit from behind by a vehicle traveling in the same direction which did not stop to rendered aid.

American National perishes on George Price Highway
Belmopan police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fatal traffic accident at the Jaguar Paw Junction on the George Price Highway, that caused the death of American citizen 56 year old Teresa Lin Neuer. At around midday, hundreds of oranges littered the road in front of the Jaguar Paw Junction, about 36 miles on the George Price Highway. This Western Star brand 18 wheeler truck transporting an estimated 675 bags of oranges belonging to HAL 2 flipped on its side spilling all its contents. Inside the truck were Miguel Angel Arriaza Jr, the driver of the 18 wheeler, and Emil Lisbie, who was on the passenger’s side. He received a large cut wound to the head. But the worst part of the accident was found behind this large 18 wheeler cargo truck.

Robbers in Corozal make off with thousands of dollars
Robbers in Corozal made off with thousands of dollars. The robbery happened on Friday February 13. 29-year-old Mahesh Balani, a businessman of Corozal Town, reported that while standing in front of a store on 4th Avenue, Corozal Town, speaking to a friend, he was approached from behind by two men who placed an object to his back and robbed him of $240,000.00 Pesos (Mexican Currency). That is over $40,000 Belize dollars. The two men made good their escape. Police investigation continues.

Mayor Darrell Bradley dismisses opponents
Of course the press went to City Hall seeking a response from the incumbent Mayor Darrell Bradley. First, Mayor Bradley noted that the Council converted from a manual system to an electronic system, which has been helpful in addressing some of the auditors’ questions, but he says that any incompletion in previous audits is no indication of mismanagement to him. “When I took over office at that City Hall, every single transaction in City Council was a manual transaction. When we did our first audit, it was nightmare to have to locate all the documents and all the information. But we wanted to bring in auditors, so that the auditors could assure members of the public that those things were done in a consonant way.

Man Demands money and threatens murder
Police are investigating a case of extortion, where it is believed a man is attempting to solicit $15,000 through the use of threats. On Thursday February 12th, a 37 year old Honduran supervisor of Bella Vista village, Stann Creek District, reported to police that on January 29th at around 9:00 pm, he received a call from an unknown number, where a man’s voice spoke and demanded $15 thousand dollars or else one of his family members would die.

Policeman found guilty of manslaughter of detainee given jail time
Police Constable Alpheus Parham, who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on Friday in the court of Justice John Gonzalez, was sentenced to 10 years today. But PC Parham will only serve 5 years, because 5 years was deducted from his sentence because of the of the time he spent as a prisoner on remand and the plea for mitigation by his attorney, Simeon Sampson. A jury of six men and six women deliberated for four hours to reach unanimous verdicts on both charges before Justice Gonzalez.

Hammerhead Shark caught near Hopkins
A Hammerhead shark was caught by a fisherman’s net in the shallow waters of Hopkins over the weekend. The one caught was a Scalloped Hammerhead shark a breed rarely seen. At one point in time hammer heads were a common sight in Belizean waters, however the Scalloped Hammerhead is today considered an endangered species. According to reports the 8 feet long hammer head shark was found entangled inside a net in the shallow waters of Hopkins Village at around 4:00 pm on Sunday February 15th.

PUP Mayoral Candidate questions independent audit
On Monday morning the People’s United Party invited members of the press to hear their conclusions as to the independent audit for the 2013-14 fiscal year of the Belize City Council. It is two weeks before the municipal elections and the PUP are trying to unseat a Mayor, thought in some circles to be popular and effective at City government. But clearly not in the PUP’s circles, as the Opposition led by candidate Yolanda Schakron leveled multiple charges at the credibility of the Pannell Kerr Forster report, including that previous reports done by Castillo Sanchez and Burrell showed an adverse opinion of the Council’s fiscal management in one instance, and in another, none at all.

Police shoots Dangriga man in both legs
A man is at the Southern Regional Hospital recovering from gunshot wounds to his legs, after he allegedly refused to relent his advancement on a Dangriga man with the intent to harm. According to police reports, at around 12:40 pm on Friday February 13th, 27 year old Elroy Quinonez of New Site, Area, Dangriga, was sitting on a bench outside a bike shop located on George Price Drive, Dangriga, when 43 year old Gregory Williams passed by on a bicycle cursing at Mr Quinonez and making a lot of noise. Williams allegedly had a machete in hand.

Apartment in Belmopan gutted by fire
A fire in the San Martin Area of Belmopan gutted a single bedroom apartment on Monday morning. The fire started on the upper flat of this two story building that is surrounded by an intricate web of houses. One eye witness reports that at around 11:40, upon going to bathe, she saw smoke coming through the zinc roof of the upper building, belonging to 46 year old Eva Sanec. 46 year old Eva Sanec and her husband were not at home, and their son who lives with them in the apartment is believed to have been playing outside when the fire started. Family, neighbours and friends who were there at the time, laboured to put out the flames as soon as they realized the house was on fire, but by that time it was already out of their control. The authorities were immediately alerted and due to their quick response time the flames were brought under control before it could spread to the adjoining buildings.

Amandala

Hattieville resident, 29, executed in Ladyville
Investigators are still trying to pinpoint the motive behind the appalling execution of Denver Owen Jones, 29, of Hattieville, an ex-BDF soldier who was found shot to death on a dirt road in a remote area of Ladyville two days ago, the police press office reported today. Authorities said that around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, they visited a road which connects Marage Road with Lake Gardens in the Ladyville area, where they found Jones on the ground with a single gunshot wound in his left cheek. According to Superintendent Hilberto Romero, the head of the Crimes Investigation Branch (CIB) in the Belize District, Jones went to the area in his car with the intention of dropping off some money for an unknown individual at the time that he met his death.

Cop sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter
A jury deliberated for more than four hours on Friday in the murder trial of Police Special Constable Alpheus Parham, who has been charged with the 2010 murder of Alex Goff, before returning to the courtroom of Supreme Court Justice John “Troadio” Gonzalez to announce their unanimous not guilty of murder verdict. The jury, however, reached a unanimous guilty of manslaughter verdict. This afternoon, Monday, Justice Gonzalez heard a mitigation plea from Parham’s attorney, Simeon Sampson, S.C., who suggested that Parham should only be sentenced to the time he had already spent in prison, and sent home. Parham gave an expression of regret along with an apology to the family of the deceased. Justice Gonzalez then sentenced Parham to 10 years in prison. He stipulated that Parham, who has been on remand since 2010, will have 5 years deducted from his sentence, the time he spent in prison; he will, therefore, only serve 5 more years in prison.

Yolanda Schakron attacks Darrell Bradley
The recently concluded audit of the Belize City Council was the subject of a press briefing this morning by the opposition People’s United Party (PUP) and its mayoral candidate, businesswoman Yolanda Schakron. During the press briefing, the Opposition described the audit report as “an indictment” of Mayor Darrell Bradley’s performance, but minutes later, reporters heard from the Mayor, who called the PUP’s categorization “baseless allegations …a red herring and political mischief two weeks before an election.” Apart from its mayoral candidate Schakron, the PUP head table featured Jose Coye, a former Minister of Health during the past two Said Musa administrations, who is also a former mayor of Belize City. Coye spoke at the press briefing in his capacity as a chartered public accountant.

Motorcyclist’s legs “broken up” after accident in Gungulung
Earl Pitts, 23, an employee of the Ministry of Works, who resides in the Gungulung area of Belize City, was knocked down by a Mazda Tribute while travelling on his motorcycle on Holy Emmanuel Street in the Gungulung area and as a result, suffered severe injuries to both legs and his arm. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a critical but stable condition. According to Pitts, he was travelling on his motorcycle when the vehicle, which was traveling towards him in his lane (on the wrong side of the road), slammed into him. The impact hurled him off his motorbike and he landed on the windshield of the vehicle, rolled onto the bonnet and landed on the pavement. The incident occurred at about 12:30 this afternoon.

Municipal Elections 2015 round-up
In the last municipal elections held in 2012, there were 170 candidates; for the upcoming municipals, to be held on March 4, 2015, there are a total of 163 candidates: 26 mayoral candidates (down from 28 in 2012) and 137 councilor candidates (down from 142). The race will be strictly between the two dominant parties – the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) – in the northernmost municipalities of Corozal and Orange Walk as well as in the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena; however, third parties and independent candidates have thrown their hats into the electoral ring for the remaining 6 municipalities. Punta Gorda is the municipality with the most candidates (24). In that town, the People’s National Party (PNP) has nominated a full slate led by PNP leader Wil Maheia, and there are three independent councilor candidates who will compete alongside the mass parties. PG mayor Anthony Fuentes, the incumbent PUP candidate, is making a bid to retain his seat, but he is being challenged by Fern Gutierrez, the female councilor who landed the only seat on that council for the UDP in 2012, after having garnered the most votes for her slate.

“Somebody has to bell that cat!”
Last Thursday morning, the Supreme Court of Belize declined—just as the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had done in 2013—to enforce a mega multi-million-dollar award won in foreign arbitration by British billionaire Michael Ashcroft against the Government of Belize, on the grounds that the award could simply not be enforced because it would be contrary to public policy, since the agreements from which the award had emanated had not been approved by Parliament. Later that evening, at around 3:00 p.m., Ashcroft sought a breakfast meeting via Channel 5 CEO Amalia Mai, with Audrey Matura-Shepherd, a prominent Belizean attorney and activist – a request which Matura-Shepherd said surprised her, given the sour note on which things had ended when she first met with Ashcroft 15 years prior as a senator of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP).

BDF on top, Police registers first win, Verdes first loss in Week 3 of PLB Closing Season
With defending champions Belmopan Bandits resting, 4 games were scheduled for yesterday, Sunday, in Week 3 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Closing Season 2014-2015, but only 3 games were actually played, as a sudden downpour in P.G. forced the cancellation of the game between home standing King Energy/Freedom Fighters and Placencia Texmar Assassins. At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, home team Belize Defence Force (BDF) bombed San Ignacio United, 5-nil, with goals from Ricky Ricketts (14’), James Flores (15’), Andrew Allen (57’) and Adgar Adderley (67’), who was reportedly just signed up with BDF last week. BDF are now at the top of the standings. ( See standings below.)

After Week 2, NEBL has two undefeated teams remaining
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) saw record crowds in basketball arenas country wide, as fan support increased while basketball passion dripped off the faces of game attendees. Belize Hurricanes (1-1) had their first home game on Friday night at the Belize Elementary Gym in Belize City, where they were able to record their first victory of the season, handily defeating Belize City No Limit (0-2) by the score of 86-62. Belize Hurricanes was led by newcomer Ty Bradley who made a splash in his first NEBL game, tallying a double-double, with 19 points and 10 caroms, while dishing out 3 assists. Rookie Tariq Middleton finished with 17 points, behind a 58% shooting night, with three 3 pointers. Brian White was also huge in the paint, with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds; while Winston Pratt finished the night with 10 points and 3 assists. In a losing effort, Belize City No Limit was led by Brandon Rogers who scored 16 points and pulled 8 rebounds, and Lennox Bowman tallied 11 points and 5 boards. Gregory “Chippy” Rudon scored 8 points with 9 rebounds and 3 assists, as his team is only one of two teams to yet record a win in this season.

Editorial: Uphill battle
An incredible amount of data and knowledge is available on the Internet these days for serious seekers of the truth. The story of the island of Diego Garcia, for instance, is very interesting, and may be relevant where understanding Belize’s situation is concerned. Diego Garcia was/is an island which was strategically located in the Indian Ocean. The United States Defence Department wanted the island for a military base, because its strategic location would enhance their ability to monitor and menace China and Russia, their two greatest rivals for world hegemony. Diego Garcia was a British possession with two or three thousand native residents, primarily of African and Indian ancestry. The natives needed to be gotten out of the way, by any means necessary. The natives were, of course, considered expendable by the British and the Americans, and the story of what happened has been told by the internationally famous journalist, John Pilger.

From the Publisher
The sexuality of children, especially girl children, is an economic factor in homes where there is extreme poverty. Society has made laws which declare a specific age to be the age of consent. Before such an age, a girl child cannot legally consent to sex. So that, any male who engages in sex with a girl child who is legally underage is guilty of what they refer to in America as “statutory rape.” But, in homes where there is extreme poverty, starvation in fact, an underage girl child has a financial value out there in the street world where people bend and break the law in order to survive. What the previous sentence is really saying is that there are adults – parents and guardians, who become desperate enough to make their underage children available to predatory males who can pay the price. (It should be noted that there are also predatory females.) We’re absolutely not talking about situations like the Maya cultures which have a tradition of having girl children marry years before the colonial law said they were of age to do so. We are talking about this urban situation which is around us in Belize City.

FCD pioneers wildlife conservation ties with Taiwan
Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), met this morning in Belize City with Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Benjamin Ho, who reiterated his support for FCD’s patriotic conservation work in helping to protect Belize’s resources inside the Chiquibul Forest. Manzanero, whom Ho sees as Belize’s wildlife ambassador, recently returned from a mission in Taiwan, where he had a chance to promote the Chiquibul, as well as to forge new alliances with related NGOs in that Asian country. “It was really a very wonderful experience. Even though I had taken trips before, this one was [exceptional]. I was able to visit national parks and protected areas and meet other institutions in Taiwan,” Manzanero told us. He said that Ho has encouraged him to strengthen any potential partnerships with Taiwan’s environmental institutions and he will be pursuing that over the next few weeks.

Authorities must remain vigilant on Chiquibul
With the murder of Special Police Constable Danny Conorquie at Caracol in September 2014, there has been a strengthening of police and military presence in the Caracol zone of western Belize, and Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends of Conservation and Development (FCD), the organization which co-manages the Chiquibul National Park, said that this has dissuaded a lot of “incursionists” along that zone. However, he stresses that Belizean authorities still have to remain attentive. “We have to maintain our boldness. We have to maintain our strength out there. We have to be as tactical and strategic, and we have to always be vigilant and demonstrate that we, as a country, are serious about our stability in that area,” Manzanero said. “With all the eyes being put towards the border, the Chiquibul and Caracol zone, we feel that there was much more attention [paid] to [the] zone, and the public became much more responsive and wanted to become more aware of what is happening there,” he pointed out.

Death of rare shark highlights need for gill net ban
The death of a rarely seen scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) in the waters off Hopkins village after it became entangled in a gill net, highlights the need to transition away from this destructive fishing gear. According to Oceana Belize’s investigations into the incident, the approximately 8’ hammerhead swam into a gill net placed in the shallow waters on the north end of the village. By the time the fisherman pulled up his net on Sunday, February 15, the shark had already drowned. Once a common sight in Belizean waters, the scalloped hammerhead is today classified as a species endangered by extinction. Globally, it is estimated that in the last 30 years, the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks have declined by more than 95%.

Supreme Court Appeal of Penner private prosecution decision
On September 20, 2013, the Office of the Prime Minister issued a press release that shook the country by announcing that the Hon. Elvin Penner, Minister of State in the Ministry of Immigration, had been fired from Cabinet due to his apparent connection to the illegal issuance of a Belize passport. The Barrow administration, however, seemed to impede the levying of criminal charges against the disgraced area representative for the Cayo North East constituency—and not even a Supreme Court-issued writ of mandamus to the Commissioner of Police was able to move the process forward. Last year, two members of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) — Giovannie Brackett, the organization’s president, and Nidal McLaren — filed a criminal complaint against Penner in a private lawsuit in Belmopan.

Patrick Jones

Tourist dies, another injured in road traffic accident
There was a serious road traffic accident this morning on the George Price Highway in St. Matthew’s village. It happened around eleven thirty this morning and as this video footage show, involved a tow-head truck that was hauling oranges and a small SUV. One of two American tourists traveling in […]

Court to consider no-case submission in Titan currency case
Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer today heard a submission of no case to answer from the attorney for Rohn Knowles and Kelvin Leach. They are the Bahamian executives of Titan International Securities accused of failing to declare separate sums of U.S. currency in their possession totaling $12,300 on attempting […]

Senior attorney avoids contempt charge but must pay debt
Ernest Staine, a senior member of Belize’s legal fraternity, appeared in the Supreme Court this morning as the defendant in a lawsuit filed on behalf of Forward in Faith Ministries and Rita McField. Staine had handled sale of a plot of land on Douglas Jones Street for the […]

Marijuana found in shipment of vegetables
A box of vegetables arrived at the Placencia airstrip today. It is not an unusual occurrence; but when Special Branch officers searched the box, they found that in addition to the tomatoes, cucumber and onions, someone had included a hearty helping of marijuana. It appears that much care was taken […]

Truck and SUV crash on the George Price Highway
A traffic accident this morning on the George Price Highway left several people injured. The incident happened just before midday near the Jaguar Paw road junction with the George Price Highway in St. Matthews village, Cayo. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCTcUb66q0E

Blogs

Monday on Ambergris Caye, Belize – What’s New?
Yesterday was a holiday in the states – President’s Day – many kids are off from school and families on vacation. In San Pedro, it was day two outta three of our unique Carnaval. (Read lots more about the holiday here.) And the island feels super busy. Sunday afternoon kids were out on the beach and the front street painting each other and jumping in the water. Adult joined in yesterday and today, Tuesday, is the finale… I ran into two of the comparsas groups. This one dressed as hippies and dancing…super cute. This morning, the town clock was wrapped and didn’t have too much paint on it yet.

Southwest Airlines Prepares For Houston-Belize Route
According to Southwest’s Senior Communications Advisor, Brad Hawkins, the airline will allow passengers to and from Belize to carry two bags of up to 50 pounds each for free, which, last time we checked, can tack up to a couple hundred dollars on the price of a flight with competing airlines. Southwest is apparently also scrapping additional fees for changing your tickets. Nice! Combined with free Wi-Fi and live TV, it sounds like Southwest is going the distance to attract Belizean business, meaning that they see this increasingly popular little country as a valuable destination. And that’s music to our ears… Oh yeah, speaking of music, it sounds as if Southwest will also be adding Belizean music to the inflight playlists.

CARIBBEAN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
THE AIM OF THE CARIBBEAN EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARDS IS TO CREATE AN EXPORT CULTURE ACROSS THE REGION BY ENCOURAGING CARIFORUM FIRMS TO BEGIN EXPORTING OR TO EXPAND their exports through a programme that acknowledges and rewards exporters. The specific objectives are: To give recognition to exporters (SMEs) that have demonstrated an ability to achieve exporting success as demonstrated primarily through export volumes, diversity of export markets and sound export strategies and action plans; To give recognition to youth and female exporters across the CARIFORUM region; To give recognition to exporters that have integrated green technologies into their operations; To encourage exporters to innovate by investing in R & D to improve product development and; To encourage exporters to engage in corporate social responsibility.

Commentary: Nomination Day in Belize and its accompanying hysteria
By Frank Edward Paco Smith, Jr. (JP) Alas, as much as I searched Belize’s two major news channels’ websites, I was unable to find a news story concerning the Belize City Nomination Day "festivities" that wasn't segmented. In so saying, I mean that I was unable to find one concerning the Belize City event that featured both of the two major political parties' goings-on. On one hand, I could chalk it up to the formatting, because it certainly makes sense from a technical standpoint to post them on their respective websites as separate stories. Yet, from another perspective, I could very well deduce that the manner in which both Channel 5 and Channel 7 posted the relevant coverage is indicative of the 'red' and 'blue' stranglehold the PUP and the UDP (also known as the PUPD) have on the collective Belizean psyche. That, of course, might not be fair... given what I explained beforehand.

Icy Valentines at the Sandbar Hostel
For some myself included, Valentines 2015 will go down as the longest Valentines day celebration in San Pedro history. It was a 3 day affair and the gold medal endurance winner goes to Best man Joe Chung. He planned and attended the bachelor crawl Thurs night, crashed the bachelorette Fri evening, showed up reasonably fresh faced, all partying considered and still faintly marketed for the Saturday afternoon wedding. After we arrived I asked Kendall if he would not mind taking a few pics for me on his awesome 41 megapixel camera phone and as the day went on, I decided to increase picture selection few more of the many cell phone photographers attending the event. I wanted to just enjoy my time and not loose the moment behind a camera which happens all too often as a blogger.

Lemon Herb Chicken
The flavor of this chicken is similar to that of Pollo Loco. It's not cooked on a grill, but I cook it just below broil so that the meat remains juicy and the flavor pops. You can put more spice and more color to suit your own needs.

International Sources

Cookbook of the Week: 'Caribbean Potluck'
Yahoo Food’s Cookbook of the Week: Caribbean Potluck: Modern Recipes From Our Family Kitchen (Kyle Books) by Suzanne and Michelle Rousseau, the Kingston, Jamaica-based sisters from cooking show Two Sisters and a Meal. The two women, who write that their friends refer to as “balls of fire,” are proud of their Jamaican heritage, and celebrate its cuisine and way of life in this book. They write, “We have always believed in promoting the best of Caribbean living, in spite of the many challenges faced by what many consider a ‘Third World lifestyle.’” Noteworthy: You’ll learn some Caribbean lingo in this book! “Fetin’”, for example, means gathering around together, usually for a meal. As the Rousseaus write: “Our time living in Trinidad in the 1970s was defined by what the Trinis call ‘fetin’ and limin’ (that’s Trini speak for partying and socializing).” Another one is “mix-up and blenda.” “Our family is a perfect example of what we call the ‘mix-up and blenda’ (a Jamaican patois expression meaning ‘a diverse mixture and blend of things’) that is Caribbean history; complete with our own unique blend of African, French, German, Indian, Scottish, Haitian, Cuban, and British heritage.”

Avon to Cease Operations in 16 Caribbean Territories
Cosmetics giant Avon has decided to cease operations in 16 Caribbean territories as it works to restore its core business in the United States, a spokeswoman confirmed to Efe on Tuesday. “Avon has announced its decision to cease operations in the Islands markets that fall under U.S. distribution,” said the firm’s manager of external communications, Lindsay Fox. She added that the New York-based company “remains committed to focusing its resources on restoring the health of the U.S. business to deliver future growth.” Fox said Avon will no longer accept orders from 16 Caribbean territories after Feb. 20. Avon will cease operations in Antigua, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curaçao, Dominica, Grand Cayman, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

UNICEF Tap Project Challenges Americans to Stop Using Their Phones to Provide 14 Million Days of Clean Water to Children
The UNICEF Tap Project today announced its challenge to the American public: put down your phones and help save children's lives. The unique mobile experience aims to unlock 14 million days of clean, safe water for children around the world by encouraging Americans to stop texting, calling, emailing, tweeting and posting -- and challenging their friends to do the same. 748 million people around the globe do not have safe, clean water to drink, and more than 2.5 billion people live without a proper toilet. The lack of these basic necessities is not merely inconvenient -- it can be lethal. By simply logging onto UNICEFTapProject.org beginning March 1, Americans can work to change that and help to put children first.

Videos

February 17, 2015

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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

Councilors’ debate in San Pedro date change
The San Pedro Sun and Reef Radio/Reef TV would like to inform the general public that due to the Carnival activities, the councilors’ debate for February 16th has been rescheduled for Wednesday February 18th. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Houston to Belize via Southwest Airlines – it’s coming!
Southwest Airlines, where “bags fly free”… We’re pretty sure this delightful tagline has travelers mentally packing and preparing for the October 2015 Houston-Belize route launch. As we discovered during a very informative meeting with Brad Hawkins, Senior Advisor in Communications at Southwest, ‘bags fly free’ is a HUGE positive in the aviation industry. Joined by Tropic Air’s Anthony Hunt (Chairman of the Belize Aviation Development Committee) and Julie Kee, Brad met with the media on the island to talk about Southwest’s move to bring more visitors to Belize. We already have airlines bringing daily flights to Belize, so what’s the difference with Southwest? Aside from two free 50-pound bags chock-full of items to make your next vacation here super-awesome, they also DO NOT charge additional fees! More often than not, travelers’ biggest complaint is about hidden fees and extras that take a chunk out of their fun money before they have even gotten to their paradise destination. Well, Southwest is here to ease that travel headache, which means more margaritas and Belikins in your future!

Sexual Abuse against Children is a no no…
Belize became the fifth country to ratify the UN convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). That CRC document has since become the most widely ratified convention and human rights instrument in the world. This is testament to our country’s recognition of the importance of caring for our children and nurturing them to be responsible and productive citizens. This commitment obligated our Government to enact laws and policies that create the enabling environment for children to flourish. One of the obligations to our children is to protect them from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse and neglect. In this light, the recent alleged sex-related cases and the sexual exploitation of our children in the news is extremely troubling to the NCFC. It is an example of the challenges the social sector encounters when attempting to change attitudes that allow children to remain vulnerable to violations of their person.

Kelly McGuire celebrates birthday in San Pedro!
Some people REALLY know how to celebrate their birthday, and singer/songwriter Kelly McGuire is no exception! For years the crooning Texas musician has returned to the island each February to not only celebrate his birthday, but to treat the island to some toe-tapping, fun dancing, sing along music. From playing at an afternoon party at Palapa Bar, to a snorkel cruise to Hol Chan, to a Sunday afternoon show at the beachside Island Time Bar & Grill, to a dinner show at Ramon’s, Kelly was joined by many friends and fans alike.

San Pedro’s Joe Melgar graduates with honors from US Army
American Author Henry David Thoreau once said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams, live the life you have always imagined.” That is exactly what 19-year-old Joe “Joey” Amelio Melgar did when he followed his dream to become a soldier in the United States Amy. The Sanpedrano graduated with top honors on February 5th from the Fort Benning army post located in Georgia, USA. Joey, as he is affectionately known by many on Ambergris Caye, is the son of Pamela Zetina. The young Belizean is pursuing his dream of being in the US Army and will be specializing in General Mechanics.

Heredia Jr says that a government school will be built before the end of his term
Primary Education in Belize is compulsory for children ages 4 to15 years; however there are several factors that can affect school attendance. One such factor on the island has to do with the lack of classroom space for children on Ambergris Caye. School populations at the three main grant-aided schools have passed accepted standards, and because of the lack of space, many simply stay home. For some time now, islanders have been promised by the Area Representative Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr. that a government school will be built.Interview with Heredia- web It is unclear how many children between the ages of 4 to 15 are not attending school, but unofficial estimates put it at around 200. That is based on results from the 2010 census and a Child Activity Survey conducted in 2007. With the influence of the imported labor force from mainland Belize, there continues to be a need for more classroom space as the current congestion is straining the capacity of existing schools.

Ambergris Today

Celebrity Spotting – TV Show Host/Actor Tamera Mowry Vacations in San Pedro
TV show host and actor Tamera Darvette Mowry-Hously must be wondering what is going on in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, as she chose to vacation in La Isla Bonita during one of the craziest times of the year – Carnaval!! Word got out that Tamera was in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, after she posted a few images on her personal Instagram account of her setting in a lounge chair on beach with the comment: “Belize, oh how I love thee.” Tamera also hastagged one of the pictures with #babymoon indicating that she was on vacation during her second pregnancy. She just recently confirmed, during one of her talk show episodes, that she was expecting a baby girl. Ambergris Today got word that Tamera was riding around town during the Carnaval celebrations but was unable to spot her.

Yes! This is Carnaval in San Pedro, Belize
Men dressing up in drag and dancing through the streets of downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize – there is nothing odd with that, once it is Carnival time, of course. The official Carnival celebrations kicked off on Friday, February, 13, 2015. The comparsas (street dancing groups) are always a highlight of Carnaval in San Pedro and three of them made their way through downtown San Pedro once again with vibrant costumes and cheerful song & dance. The men’s group who dress in drag came out in full force and are always there to give spectators a great laugh. Of course Carnaval is not complete with revelers hitting the streets with paint and raw eggs in hand to joyfully paint each other; it’s the signature practice that makes the yearly event so colorful and fun. The painting and street dancing continue for two more day. Here are some images of the FUN of San Pedro Carnaval Day One:

San Pedrano Looks Towards Successful Career in US Army
Upon completing his education at San Pedro High School, Joe Amelio Melgar, known as Joey or Jojo, moved on to the United States of America where he joined the U.S Army. It seems like only yesterday but already Joey has graduated from the U.S. Army Basic Training program at Fort Benning in Georgia. Joey graduated with honors and as team captain with a few awards. We had the honors of speaking with him and here is what he had to say: “I started basic training on November 3 at Fort Benning, Georgia which is one of the most decorated and best bases in the USA for developing the best soldiers in the army. I was with 2nd battalion known as the panthers. The company I was with was named Charlie 2-47.

Misc Belizean Sources

Manatee Fact-Sheet (The Real Belizean Mermaid)
I'm pleased to announce that the new Manatee Fact-Sheet (The Real Belizean Mermaid) is now available on the Be Kind Belize website. This is a free download, like the rest of the resources available there, for any educators, volunteers, community workers or simply people who wish to learn about Belizean wildlife. Please do have a look and share.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE for Hammerheads
If you want to see Endangered Hammerheads protected in Belize please write to the Fisheries Administrator Ms Wade and the Fisheries Department ([email protected]) and urge them to pass a law protecting these species. Thank you for caring and wanting to keep hammerheads alive to thrive!

Nohoch Che’en Sinkhole Expedition
Check out one of the reports from the 14 day expedition that went into the Chiquibul Forest, and explored some of the natural beauty found there. Tony and Therese Rath got some amazing pictures during the trip. Check out the size of that sinkhole. Well worth the read. A 14 day expedition into the Chiquibul Forest of Belize to explore and document biological and geological diversity, find and map Maya sites and discover what exactly was at the bottom of the Holec sinkhole elicits contradictory emotions for a Belizean visiting the Chiquibul for the first time.

DEATH OF RARE SHARK HIGHLIGHTS NEED FOR GILLNET BAN
The death of a rarely seen Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) in the waters off Hopkins village after it became entangled in a gillnet, highlights the need to transition away from this destructive fishing gear. According to Oceana Belize’s investigations into the incident, the approximately 8’ Hammerhead swam into a gill net placed in the shallow waters on the north end of the village. By the time the fisherman pulled up his net on Sunday, February 15th, the shark had already drowned. Once a common sight in Belizean waters, the Scalloped Hammerhead is today classified as a species endangered with extinction. Globally, it is estimated that in the last 30 years, the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks have declined by more than 95%. Known as “walls of death”, destructive gear such as gillnets and activities such as finning contribute to this staggering reality faced by shark species like the Scalloped Hammerhead.

OCEANA: Sneak peak of the sensational selfies done today at the Placencia Art Festival!
The overwhelming response to the say no movement by fishers, tour operators and Belizeans in general was amazing! Thank you Placencia! We're excited about tomorrow!

BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, February 16, 2015: 42

Michael Hyde Wins 2nd Grammy
Congratulations, Michael! Belizean keyboardist Michael Hyde won his 2nd Grammy award, the second year in a row by the way. Last year he won for his work on Ziggy Marley's 'Ziggy Marley in Concert' album, and this year for 'Fly Rasta,' both of which won Best Reggae album. Here's to a 3rd win next year!

Channel 7

Cold Blooded Ladyville Killing
Tonight, Ladyville police are investigating an execution style murder that happened in that village on Saturday night. It was staged in an open lot between the Japan area - which is home to certain Belize City gang elements - and the Lake Garden area - which is an upwardly mobile residential community. Denver Jones met his end between those two worlds. 7News was there on Saturday night and Daniel Ortiz reports:.. Daniel Ortiz reporting At about 9:30 on Saturday night, 29 year old Denver Jones parked his Geo Prizm at a cut off on Marage Road. He left 3 teenaged males - all minors - inside the car and walked in about a hundred feet - he told them he was going to buy weed. But, inside the bushy area under the cover of tall grass, there would be no weed transaction, he was killed here in cold blood - with a single gunshot to the head:

Man, Boy Injured In Random City Shooting
That was the weekend's only murder - but there was a terrifying public shooting spree on Sunday night in Belize City - which left two injured: a young boy and a middle aged man. It happened at around 7:00 on Faber's Road. 56 year old Charles Guy and 9 year old Davian Sanchez were buying at the corner Chinese Store when a gunman just opened fire on them - and the general area they were standing in. Fortunately they only received injuries to their legs. Police told the media today that it was a random shooting:.. Supt. Hilberto Romero, OC - CIB - Belize City "Police visited Fabers Road area where a report was received that there had been a shooting and several extended shells were found. Police made checks at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they found two male persons; one with a gunshot wound to the leg and one with gunshot wound to the lower part of the right foot."

Two Men Killed In Hit And Run Accidents
A man was found dead on the Phillip Goldson Highway this morning around mile 61. That is near San Pablo village north of the "Mameyal" curve. Christian Javier Villalobos appeared to have been walking north when he was the victim of a hit and run - who left him on the road to die. It happened sometime in the pre-daylight hours, but his body was not found until early this morning. Police told us they need the public's help:.. Rafael Martinez - Police Press Officer "At approximately 6:45 this morning, Orange Walk police proceeded to an area at around mile 61 on the Phillip Goldson Highway, where they saw 19 year old Christian Javier Villalobos, suffering from what is characteristic from a hit and run accident. At this point, police cannot locate or they don't have any suspect in custody and for this incident, they are again, requesting the assistance of the public to find out who are the person involved in this allege hit and run incident at mile 61 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Police believe that some persons around there may have seen what had happened."

First A Prison Officer, Now A Prisoner
He was a prison officer, but tonight Ryan Rowland is a prisoner - after he was convicted for drug trafficking. Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith convicted him in absencia for the trafficking of 55 grams, about two ounces of weed. She ordered him to pay the mandatory minimum fine of $10,000 dollars, or in default serve 5 years in jail. But, he wasn't there to pay, so police went to pick him up. He couldn't pay by noon, so they took him to jail - where the prison officer is spending the first night of his 5 year sentence. 10 months ago, on April 17, 2014, Rowland, was busted at the Belize Central Prison in possession of 55 grams of cannabis.

Darrell Vs. Yolanda, GRRR!
Last week on the news, you heard the PUP's Mayoral Candidate for Belize City Yolanda Schakron, issue a public challenge to Mayor Darrell Bradley to explain why the council spent 1.3 million dollars in legal fees. Schakron said it was exorbitant; the mayor rebutted by explaining that it was to settle a debt with Belize Waste Control, a debt which no other council paid. Well, if you thought it would be the end of that back and forth, you thought wrong. Schakron and the PUP are keying in on the audit - they say it shows several degrees of financial mismanagement and a lack of accountability. Of course, the Mayor categorically disputes that, and he has declared that the PUP Mayoral Candidate is electioneering. Today, Yolanda Schakron invited the media to a breakfast meeting to drive her point home. This time, they aren't only questioning last year's audit - they start with the audit of 2011-2012 in which the auditors gave an adverse opinion of Council's finances at that time. There were millions of dollars under question which the auditors were unable to verify that the Council, under the Zenaida Moya Administration, had either paid out or collected.

Endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Snared In Gill Net
The Scalloped Hammerhead shark is endangered and a rare sight in Belizean waters, and tonight the image we have is of a dead one, snagged in a gill net. OCEANA says the death points to the dangers of gillnets. OCEANA's investigation has determined that the approximately 8' Hammerhead swam into a gill net placed in the shallow waters on the north end of Hopkins village. They say that when the fisherman pulled up his net on Sunday, February 15th, the shark had drowned. Globally, In the last 30 years, the population of scalloped hammerhead sharks has declined by more than 95%. Oceana Belize's Vice President Janelle Chanona says, "From a sustainable management angle and an economic standpoint, gillnets have no place in Belizean waters."

NHI Goes North
The National Health Insurance scheme has been rolled out to the north. NHI services were officially launched at two newly expanded clinics, Corozal Polyclinic II and Patchakan Presbyterian Clinic. The Minister of Health - who is the representative for Corozal Bay was all over it at the at the Corozal Community Hospital Compound on Santa Rita Hill, in Corozal Town today:.. Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health "We are starting to roll out here in Corozal and soon we will be extending this healthcare services. Already working so well in the Southside of Belize and in the south of Belize. Throughout the rest of our beloved country, I am also very happy to inform all Belizeans that this is being accomplished without touching any Social Security reserve."

Cop Gets 10 Years For Killing Detainee
Police Constable Alpheus Parham, who was found guilty last week of manslaughter for killing prison Detainee Alex Goff, will spend 5 more years in jail. That's the sentence he was handed today by Justice Troadio Gonzalez today. In his mitigation hearing today, his attorney Simeon Sampson reminded the court that he has been on remand since 2010, and that prior to this conviction, he was of good character. So, after consideration, Justice Gonzalez, sentenced Parham to 10 years in prison, but 5 years were deducted for the time he spent on remand.

Three For Firearm To Court
Three persons were arraigned on ammunition offences when they appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, and tonight, they are on remand. They are 39 year old Darrell Rowland, a resident of 200 Pigeon Street, Ladyville; 37 year old Angela Burns, a public officer of 205 Sunset Park, located at mile 8 on George Price Highway; and 45 year old Jessie Stephenson, a nurse who resides in Los Angeles. They were charged with keeping prohibited ammunition, keeping unlicensed ammunition and possession of .02 grams of cannabis. The police reported that on Saturday, February 14, they went to Rowland's house and when they searched the yard they found 5 rounds of prohibited ammunition, 2 rounds of .38 calibre unlicensed ammunition and a small quantity of weed.

Was Icicle In Ladyville Just Bug Droppings?
On Friday we told you about what looked like the formation of an icicle on the limb of a cotton tree in Ladyville. It caused quite a stir in the community because some residents thought it was snow. As we reported, meteorologist Derrick Rudon attributed this occurrence to an excessive cooling of the limb or rapid evaporation. But that might not be the only explanation. According to email and facebook chatter we've picked up on, the sliver of ice may be the work of what's known as a spittlebug.

The Art of Being 102
Eulalio Smith, a resident of Rancho Dolores, turned 102 on Thursday. Now, he's one of the very, very, very few Belizeans to reach that ripe old age - and he made sure to celebrate it in style, indulging liberally in his favourite beverage, Brandy Mist. That's right, old Mr. Eulalio still likes a good drink. But there's much more to him as Courtney Weatherburne found out today:.. Courtney Weatherburne reporting "In the sweet by and by", that's one of Smith's favorite songs to sing on his bed. It is where he spends most of his time, listening to his tunes on this 20 year old radio. But he did get up and enjoy the birthday party his family threw for him on Thursday. Birthday signs, balloons and messages of admiration for Smith still hang in his room.

Apologized For Bad Touch
A woman accused 45 year-old Cresencio Flores, a fisherman from Santa Elena, of touching her inappropriately, and caused him to be criminally charged, but tonight he's free, after apologizing in court for the unwanted sexual advance. The incident occurred on Friday, February 13, when, according to the complainant Flores touched her crotch. Well today, when the case went back before the Magistrate's Court, the woman informed Senior Magistrate Frazer that she wanted no further court action. After she was questioned several times by Senior Magistrate Fraser, the woman admitted that it was a man by the name of Cruz who asked her to drop the charge.

Getting On Bad In Chetumal
And tonight we leave you with footage of Carnival Chetumal Style. In the true tradition of carnival, our neighbors to the north are engaging in one week of revelry before the beginning of lent, which starts on Ash Wednesday, February 18th. They held their Carnival on Avenida "Er-o-es" on Saturday - and they invited Erotic Mass Band and Mother Nature to participate along with the Pandemonium Steel Band. Courtnesy of NICH, we have footage of the Belizeans showing our Mexcian neighbors a thing or two about getting down on the road. We leave you with that, have a good night and join us back here tomorrow.

Channel 5

Ex-B.D.F. Soldier Killed on Valentine’s Day
A former B.D.F. soldier was likely lured to his death on Valentine’s Day. Denver Jones was murdered after nine o’clock on Saturday night in an area that he was known [...]

9 year old Boy and a Fisherman Shot In Belize City
In Belize City, nine year student, Davian Sanchez, and fifty-six year old fisherman, Charles Guy, were shot while they were in front of Zen’s Shop on Faber’s Road. Guy is [...]

CitCo’s Financial Records Under the P.U.P. Microscope
This morning, the P.U.P. held a press briefing to draw public scrutiny to what they say is very questionable management of the City Council’s finances over the past three years [...]

Former Mayor Joe Coye Says Mounting CitCo Debt Unsustainable
According to accountant and politician, Joe Coye, although the 2012 audit is inconclusive and the 2013 audit is incomplete, the figures presented in the 2014 audit are cause for alarm. [...]

Mayor Bradley Scoffs at Coye’s Opinion on CitCo Audit
The P.U.P. maintains that from what they’ve seen of the audit, and from what they haven’t seen, there is a clear indication of mismanagement. According to Coye, it’s almost impossible [...]

Is Audit Scrutiny Really Political Propaganda?
According to Bradley, it’s beyond him how anybody could question the record of the Council, when he maintains that they have been nothing but transparent. He got quite hot under [...]

Yolanda Schakron Says Mayor Bradley is Incompetent
The Belize City Council has received financial assistance from Central Government, to the tune of millions of dollars to bail out city hall for B.M.L. workers, for streets and other [...]

Will Taxes Be Lowered Under a P.U.P. City Council?
So with all that said…is all the hullaballoo about CitCo’s finances a genuine concern, or a political red-herring? We figure that depends on who you ask, on which side of [...]

Darrell Bradley Defends His CitCo Administration
And to wrap up the political discourse, Mayor Darrell Bradley dismissed the P.U.P.’s assertions as utter nonsense. And to prove it, he even threw his predecessor under the bus, claiming [...]

Ladyville Trio Charged for Possession of Unlicensed Ammunition
Darryl Rowland, a real estate officer from Ladyville, along with two women, Angela Burns, a Second Class Clerk employed with the Belize City Prosecution Branch, and Jessie Stephenson, a visiting [...]

Separate Hit & Run Accidents Claim Two Lives
Two persons also lost their lives over the weekend in separate hit and run accidents, one up north in Orange Walk and the other in the Stann Creek District. Just [...]

Meet the Dangriga Mayoral Candidates!
Our Meet the Mayoral Candidate series takes us tonight south, to the banana and citrus belts. In Dangriga, the mayoral seat is between two educators—one is in the classrooms and [...]

Dangriga Machete-man Shot by Police Officer
Also in Dangriga, forty-three-year-old Gregory Williams is tonight recovering from gunshot wounds to the legs after being injured by a police officer at the start of the weekend.  On Friday [...]

Rare Specie of Hammerhead Shark Dies In Gill Net Near Hopkins
The drowning of a rarely seen Scalloped Hammerhead Shark in Southern Belize has brought into sharp focus the use of gillnets at sea. For years, fishermen have been calling for [...]

Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The 2 Belize City teams in the NEBL season went into the Belize Elementary School Auditorium desperately looking to [...]

CTV3

PUP Northern Caucus Elects New Committee
The People’s United Party’s Northern Caucus has a new Chairman. In fact it has an entire new committee. The election of the new committee took place on Sunday and it comes at the heels of Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez, the former Chairman being stripped from the post by the party’s National Executive after he was charged for aggravated assault against two minors. Aspiring candidates and elected officials of the PUP met at here in Orange Walk where the elections took place. At the end of the meeting, Orange Walk South Area Representative Jose Abelardo Mai was elected as Chairman of the Northern Caucus and aspiring Area Representative for Belize Rural South Elito Arceo was elected as Vice Chair. We spoke with both political leaders at the event and they filled us in on the role the caucus plays.

San Narciso To Hold Annual Agric Show For Corozal Southwest
Since being elected in 2012 to represent the people of Corozal Southwest, P.U.P Area Representative Ramiro Ramirez has been working for his people in that constituency by organizing many projects. One of those projects involves the continuing of social and economic activities and this year, Ramirez says things are coming along well for the 3rd Annual Agriculture Show that is scheduled in San Narciso Village. At the Northern Caucus Meeting over the weekend, we had the opportunity to speak with Ramirez on the logistics of the event. “Traeríamos una vez más el Agric Show que tantos años abandono el UDP cosa que hay que darle beneficio a los agricultores entonces se ha hecho cada año desde el 2012 vamos en la tercera etapa y seguiremos siempre y cuando Dios preste vida e tenemos el Agric Show este 28 de Febrero y la inauguración seria a las 3 de la tarde y demos gracias a Dios que estamos haciendo esta cosas para los agricultores que son muy importante ellos dan el pan en la meza a todos los Beliceños y hay que darle ese aplauso a ellos porque ellos hacen ese tal trabajo arduo que no muchos les gusta pero estamos enfocados en eso. Eventos que vamos a tener todo el día arrancamos a las 10 de la mañana y vamos a tener bastantes empresas allí...”

Newly Formed Youth Group Assist The Ederly
A newly formed Youth Group is starting to leave their mark with humanitarian gestures and outreach initiatives to the community of Orange Walk Town. We are talking about the La Inmaculada Youth Group who were showing the love to our golden citizens this past Sunday at the Zenobia Meggs Helpage Center. Shamin Urbina who is the Youth Leader says they are looking at recruiting new members into their proactive group. Shamin Urbina – Youth leader “We want our youths to reach out to other people because as you may know we want to give out youth to God and not only our older days as it is the best time of our lives so we want to give this part of our lives to God so that someday someone can wait for us.” Maria Novelo – Reporter “Who are we?” Shamin Urbina – Youth leader “Our group is made up of mainly youths made up of between the ages of 13 and 23 but we also have other people that are older and mainly from the Orange Walk community.”

Student Of Compassion School Wins PAHO/WHO Award
The Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) launched its #TOUCHINGLIVES international school talent contest in August of last year where they invited students from throughout the Americas to submit creative work that promotes hand washing, one of the most effective and low-cost measures for preventing disease and illness. And while there were countless submissions from schools across the Caribbean Region, we are very much delighted to report that a Belizean student from Yo Creek Compassion School in the Orange Walk District won one of the internationally recognized awards in the print category of the contest. Dr. Kathleen Israel is the Interim Representative for PAHO. “One of the students from this community Dianelly Carrillo, she got recognized in the competition for the written component a poem that she submitted and for me I think that is a wonderful thing and I think it just demonstrates how important it is to mould young minds no matter where they are, no matter how rural the community may be, no matter how small the school may be if the teachers are interested if they are involved with the children will also become enthusiastic about learning and about contributing so this is a contribution she has made not only for this community for which she originates...”

NHI Rolled Out In Corozal District
The Government of Belize has implemented the National Health Insurance “NHI” program in Belize, Stann Creek and Toledo Districts, that up to today’s date 36,000 persons on the Southside of Belize City benefit of the program that was established in 2003 following the pilot project in 2001 conceived by the People’s United Party. Today residents of Corozal can boast that they have also been rolled into the NHI program. This morning in a short ceremony, Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health, Dr. Peter Allen, CEO in the Ministry of Health, Manager of the Corozal Hospital Dr. Nelson Marin and Regional Director, Guadalupe Longsworth in the company of Corozaleños witnessed the inauguration of the much anticipated Poly Clinic 2 at the Corozal Community Hospital under the NHI program.

LOVE FM

Minor Injured in Faber’s Road Shooting
Following a fatal shooting in Ladyville this weekend, a shooting also occurred in Belize City this weekend that leaves a nine year old minor and fifty-six year old Charles Guy in a stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. According to Eye Witnesses, Guy and the minor were standing in front of the Chinese store on Fabers Road when the alleged gun man rode passed and fire shots at them and made his escape on Sanker Street. Deputy Officer in Charge of Crime Investigation in Belize City, Inspector Hilberto Romero, explained further more. “Police visited the Faber’s Road area where a report was received that there was a shooting, several expended shells were found. Police made checks at the KHMH where they found two male persons one with a gunshot wound to the leg and one with a gunshot wound to the lower part of the right foot. These people were at the Chinese store when someone came and opened fire in that general are. We have not established who the target was because this was a minor and then a 56 year old man who were shot. The investigation continues. One person is in custody and again based on investigations we will determine if he will be charged but one person is in custody at this time.”

Hattieville Resident Killed in Ladyville Shooting
29-year-old Denver Owin Jones was shot and killed on Saturday night in Ladyville. The shooting occurred on a dirt road that links Marage Road and Lake Gardens. Deputy Officer in Charge of the Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City, Inspector Hilberto Romero briefed the media. “On Saturday the 14 of February police visited an area off Marage Road a road leading into the Lake Garden area where they saw the lifeless body of Denver Jones 29 years with a gunshot wound to the head apparently dead. Investigation revealed so far that he went to that area in his car and he went into the road that he was found which is in a dark area. Later on his body was found there, he was in the car there were three other persons that went along with him in that particular area.

Former PUP Mayor Combs Through Citco’s Audit
As we mentioned, Joe Coye, was brought in as an expert with numbers and he too commented on what he calls the many fallacies stated in the audits. JOSE COYE “The council has contracts that it also services, sanitation and solid waste management which is about $8 million and he was giving us a figure, .40 cents on the dollar which proved not to be true but that is another matter. Now before when you look at the financials that were being put out which is on the website prior to 2011-2012. If the council had only paid let’s say $4 million of the $8 million we would not have known that the council has $4 million owing. We would only have known that they paid out $4 million.

Political Heat Turns Up Between Schakron and Bradley
With that said, Bradley responded to Schakron’s statements, saying her concerns are not genuine and purely election propaganda. DARRELL BRADLEY “I believe that the first two pages of the audit contain the auditors’ opinion. So, I would dispel any kind of allegation that the auditor didn’t give an opinion. The first two pages of the audit which I released to the public in December contain the auditors’ opinion. Of course they won’t give an audit that is 50 pages long, they will give an opinion to say that they checked the accounts of the City Council; they are satisfied in doing the audit and they give an opinion which I think is like two or three pages long.

Mayoral Aspirants Debate Before the Media on Increase of Taxes
In the first segment of our newscast, we told you about the City Council’s Audit Report that aspiring Mayor Yolanda Schakron and Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley, spoke of. Both mayoral candidates held a press conference for about an hour in which the city’s audits were not only the key subjects. It became a “she said-he said” with Schakron stating that Bradley has plans to increase taxes- a notion he strongly refuted. “I have heard that they will increase taxes if they win again. That would really be unfortunate first of all if they win and to increase taxes. As we walk around this city the cry of the people is ‘we are being overtaxed’ we are burdened with tax. You cannot burden a community with tax, the community will fail. The businesses are failing at this time. What I can tell you is that we will not increase taxes.”

Joint Efforts in Toledo To Cease Bandit Activities
Activities described as Bandit related criminal operations are reported in Rural Toledo. The reported criminal activities are of major concern to villagers of the affected rural areas and joint Police and BDF operations are part of efforts to capture any individual or those involved in what is described as Bandit related activities as confirmed by Officer in command Toledo Police Formation Superintendent Simeon Alvarez. “At around 10 p.m. on the 8th of February, based on information received of some bandits in the Otoshaw/Dolores area a team of police which consist of the quick response team departed around 4 a.m. that morning to that area in search of the alleged bandits. As a result of that one Juan Cus a 32 year old Guatemalan national was located and brought to the Punta Gorda police station where it was alleged that he was a part of the team. As a result of the interview it was later learnt that he was not a part of that particular operation where it was said that the bandits were armed and were threatening and robbing people in that area. In the interview we found out that it was a negative of him and he was later released.

Has Central Government Been CITCO’s Saving Grace and Money Back-Up
The People’s United Party’s mayoral candidate for Belize City was flanked this morning by chartered accountant, who was once a Government Minister and a Belize City Mayor under the People’s United Party, Joe Coye along with other PUP councilor candidates. Aspiring Mayor, Yolanda Schakron called a press conference to speak about the City Council’s figures and bottom line. According to the PUP, Mayor Darrell Bradley, has failed to account properly and has deliberately misled the residents of Belize City. In the nearly one hour press conference, Schakron outlined what she says is wrong with the audit. “The audit for 2012 by Castillo Sanchez and Burrell Charted Accountants had an adverse opinion. Basically what that means is that they did not have enough evidence to say what the real position of the council was. The numbers reportedly could simply not be independently verified as being correct.

Mendez Replaced as PUP’s Northern Caucus Chairman
The People’s United Party has a new Northern Caucus Chairman. Following the allegations of inappropriate behavior against Orange Walk East Area Representative, Marco Tulio Mendez, who held that seat, the party requested Mendez to vacate the seat. On Sunday the representatives of the eight electoral divisions in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts and Belize Rural South convened in Orange Walk to elect a new chairman. Orange Walk South Area Representative, Jose Abelardo Mai was elected as the new Chairman. JOSE ABELARDO MAI “Essentially the rule of the Northern Caucus is to monitor and report on the party’s activities and the different party arms, their functions and their organizations. Right now we are busy with the Town Council elections so we are helping to organize the campaign, the Northern Caucus members to go out and visit along with the candidates; organizing the different activities that lead up to the municipal elections.”

PlusTV

Hit and Run in Orange Walk
In Orange Walk Town, Police are seeking assistance from the community to find out who may be responsible for a road traffic accident that knocked down a young man from the community, With more, here is Police Press Officer, Raphael Martinez. “At approximately 6:45 this morning, Orange Walk Police proceeded to an area at around mile 61 on the Phillip Goldson Highway, where they saw 19 year old Christian Javier Villalobos, suffering from what is characteristic from a hit and run accident. At this point, police cannot locate or they don’t have any suspect in custody and for this incident, they are again, requesting the assistance of the public to find out who are the person involved in this allege hit and run incident at mile 61 on the Phillip Goldson Highway.

Hattieville man lured to death in Ladyville?
29 year old Denver Owin Jones of Hattieville, Belize District, is the second man from that village to die in the last few days. He was found dead lying face up on a road connecting Marage Road in Ladyville to Lake Garden community, with a single gunshot wound to the left cheek, around 9:30 on Valentine’s Day evening. According to police, he went alone into the road, leaving three friends behind in his vehicle, but did not come out alive. The question is, did someone call him to do business in an unlit area which resulted in his death? Superintendent Hilberto Romero, who is in charge of Criminal Investigation Branch for Eastern Division, which includes the entire Belize District, says police have not established a motive but are looking at that angle and others.

Boy, 9, and senior citizen shot in Belize City
It was not fatal, but residents of Fabers Road in Belize City were surprised around 7:00 p.m. Sunday by the sound of gunfire in their neighborhood. Nine-year-old student Davian Sanchez of Rivero Street Extension was found shot twice to the right leg, and 56 year old Charles Guy, also known as Robin, a fisherman from Fabers Road, was hit to the right leg as well. The two were buying at a store when, according to police, a single armed man rode up and opened fire. But was this shooting targeted, or random? We found out from Officer in Charge of CIB Eastern Division, Superintendent Hilberto Romero. “Police visited Faber’s Road area where a report was received that there was a shooting and several expended shells were recovered. Police made checks at the Karl Huesner Hospital where they found two male persons. One with a gunshot wound to the leg, and one with a gunshot wound to the lower part of the right foot. One person is in custody for this shooting, and an investigation continues.

Man killed in hit and run on Southern Highway
Independence police are investigating a hit and run incident. According to reports, on Sunday February 15th, Police visited an area near mile 23 on the Southern Highway in the village of Santa Cruz, where they saw a man lying face up on the right side of the road apparently dead. The victim was later identified as 38 year old Oswaldo Portillo, a Guatemalan farmer. Mr Portillo received injuries to the face, abdomen and left arm. His body was taken to the Southern Regional hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:40 am.

Patrick Jones

Political parties spar over independent audit
Two weeks from the municipal elections, in Belize City the major political parties exchanged blows over the results of an independent audit for the 2013-2014 fiscal year of the Belize City Council. People’s United Party candidate Yolanda Schakron and two of her councilors hosted the press this morning […]

Orange Walk student wins international award
In August of last year, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization launched a “Touching Lives” School Talent International Contest. It called for the participation of school students from all across the Caribbean Region. And from a pool of submissions, a Belizean was fortunate enough to win […]

Gill net snares endangered Hammerhead shark
Concerns have been raised over the killing of a rarely seen Scalloped Hammerhead shark. The shark died this past weekend in the waters offshore southern Belize and it has raised serious concerns for Oceana-Belize. The organization today sounded the alarm after its investigation, based upon information it had received, revealed […]

Policeman jailed on manslaughter conviction
Supreme Court Justice Troadio Gonzalez has sentenced Police Constable Alpheus Parham to a total time of 10 years in prison. Constable Parham was found guilty last week of a charge of manslaughter in the shooting death of Alex Goff, who he shot to death in a detention cell at […]

Two die in hit-and-run incidents on opposite sides of the country
Police in Orange Walk are investigating an apparent hit-and-run incident on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The victim has been identified as nineteen year old Christian Villalobos, a resident of the Louisiana area of Orange Walk town. According to reports, Villalobos’ body was found at the side of the Phillip Goldson […]

Police investigate hit-and-run incident in Orange Walk
Police in Orange Walk are investigating an apparent hit-and-run incident on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Preliminary information received says that the incident happened near mile 61 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The body of the victim, whose name has not yet been confirmed, has been taken to the morgue at the Northern Regional Hospital for a post mortem examination.

Blogs

50 Shades of Grey in Belize
What IS sexy, and I noticed it yesterday afternoon while taking this picture, is a grey sky in Belize. 50 shades? 100 shades? Who cares… As it says in that seriously crappy book – Belize makes “my very small inner goddess sway in a gentle victorious samba”. Ewwww. Here are some of the many beautiful shades of Belize gray.

SCENES FROM A TRIP NORTH
Another glorious day on Ambergris Caye so we decided to head north of our house and evaluate the scenery up there vs. the more populated areas south of us. Also, I’m tired of running into people we know while I’m sweating my ass off and, obviously, way out of shape. There was a great breeze and sunshine reflecting from the waters everywhere we turned, so heading to some of the most beautiful beaches on this day was the perfect scenario. We can walk the beach most of the way from our place to the bridge and, on the way, you run into this festive looking park. Would you expect any other colors? Here is the bridge over the split that heads north. If you’re in a vehicle or golf cart, you’ll need to pay the toll, which is $10BZ roundtrip.

15 Mind-Blowing Belize Landscapes

International Sources

Maimed Toucan Set To Receive 3D Printed Beak
Last month, a toucan was brutally attacked by a bunch of youths in Costa Rica, an assault that left the poor bird mutilated and missing a substantial chunk of its beak. And the world was not happy about it. The incident quickly earned a lot of attention online, and it didn’t take long for people to dip into their pockets to help the fella out. Now, thanks to the generous public, the animal’s outlook may not be so miserable as he is set to receive a prosthetic replacement. According to BBC News, four different companies in the country said they have the skills to help him and have volunteered their services to 3D print the bird a new beak, which could be the first time that a toucan has received such a prosthesis. However, scientists know that such a procedure can be successful as prosthetic beaks have been fitted on an eagle and a penguin before.

Belized to meet ya: Central America’s sexiest secret beach
Peek-a-booing out of a far western pocket of the Caribbean, Belize’s Ambergris Caye is like the shy kid whose older brother gets a DUI and whose underage sister gets knocked up — all of a sudden he’s the golden child for just basically sitting there, doing nothing. It’s true, the Central American country’s largest island — just a 20-minute prop-plane hop northeast of the mainland on Tropic Air — is surrounded by at-risk siblings. Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico — across the hall are all sorts of narco-trafficking, kidnappings, white slavery and head-removal shenanigans. (Remember cartels? They just have slightly better table manners than ISIS.) But beachy, mangrovey, 25-mile-long, mile-wide Ambergris is quiet as a mouse. The most danger you’ll encounter in bustling 13,000-souled San Pedro, the caye’s only town, is getting your foot run over by a tipsy driver on a golf-cart (the main form of transport). I apologize in advance. Ah, what a difference a barrier reef makes — barrier being the operative word — and calling it home has other perks, too, like insane diving ops attracting all sorts of snorkel-faced expats. Not to mention a reality show or two. Do you think Fox would’ve filmed season one of “Temptation Island” just anywhere? I think not. Here’s how to do one of Central America’s, indeed, most temptation-filled secret beaches.

Cope and Alfaro lead Costa Rica to beach volleyball victory in Central America
Costa Ricans Karen Cope and Natalia Alfaro won a golden set 15-7 over Guatemalan siblings Maria Jose Orellana and Maria Andrea Orellana as Costa Rica claimed the women's top place of the Central American Beach Volleyball Tournament, a first round competition of the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Continental Cup. El Salvador and Honduras blanked Honduras and Belize respectively 4-0, earning the other two tickets to the next phase. Nicaragua 4, Belize 0: Lolette Rodríguez/Elia Torres of Nicaragua A defeated Tichele Solis/Tisha Solis of Belize B 2-0 (21-5, 21-11) and won 2-0 (21-5, 21-6) against Jasmine Anderson/Kelsey Balderamos of Belize A. Claudia Machado/Osiris Patricia Juarez of Nicaragua B defeated Anderson/Balderamos 2-0 (21-16, 21-14) and won 2-0 (21-16, 21-9) over Solis/Solis.

Vickie Swan Releases SPLIT SECOND DECISION II APPREHENDED
In the new book "Split Second Decision ll Apprehended" (published by AuthorHouse), the second installment in author Vickie Swan's trilogy, is set in a village in Belize and presents a fictional story based on nonfiction testimonials of human trafficking reports. Now that Anita is a pawn in his game, Dante proudly takes her on a tour of his 'empire.' She witnesses how he forcibly takes children from the surrounding villages in Belize and barbarically trains young boys to be soldiers and how he 'prepares' young girls to be sold on the human black market. Gaining some freedom, with Anita's help, some of the young girls show their strength and courage to rebel against Dante and the outcome will surprise the readers. The cruel experiences Anita faces, while in Dante's care, teach her how to be manipulative and her feat is - can she put Dante behind bars and still free Carolyn from his clutches?

For the adventurer in you: The top 10 exotic caves from around the world
The hidden treasures of the world captivate the adventurous hearts of common people everyday. Caves are unique; no two caves are the same. Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize provides explorers with a unique journey, including underwater traveling. Reaching this legendary Mayan cave is not easy. "One must hike, wade and underwater swim," states Perfect Vacation. But if you make it, this is a life-changing view.

Videos

February 16, 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

Tropic Air Launches Codeshare to Tegucigalpa
Effective, February 17, 2015, Tropic Air has entered into a partnership with CM Airlines of Honduras to offer same day travel between Belize City and Tegucigalpa, Honduras via both airlines’ flights to San Pedro Sula, Honduras. This service will eliminate costly overnights when travelling between Belize City and Tegucigalpa, and will serve to stimulate tourism and trade between the two countries. “Today, in partnership with CM Airlines, we are pleased to add Tegucigalpa, Honduras to our route network” says John Greif III, President of Tropic Air. “Our passengers have been asking for this service for some time, and today we are pleased to make it happen”.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Why Marriages Break Up
“Hey! Dennis! What are you doing here?” I was at the big market in Chetumal, Mexico, right across the border from Belize. I turned around to find that it was my old friend Mike calling me. “Hey, Mike. I’m killing time until it’s time to catch the boat back to San Pedro. What about you?” “My wife dragged me out to do some shopping. I think I’ve been through every stall in this market.” “Where is your wife?” “We got separated about an hour ago. She was looking at some curtains and she probably hasn’t even noticed that I’m not there.” “How are you going to find her?”

Letter to the Editor: Harrison Longsworth
In your last week’s publication, I read with, great annoyance, the letter to the editor that alleged that the writer had conducted a survey at his place of business which yielded certain conclusions. I have no problem with any legitimate findings, whatever they may happen to be. Fact is fact. However, I have always held that those who would sign voluntary submissions as “concerned citizen” or “name with-held by request” or any other shield for anonymity are either cowards or liars or both. When someone does not accept ownership of a statement by signing his name to it, the credibility of the statement is immediately suspect.

Doctor Love
Dear Doctor Love My husband is a jealous guy. I know he loves me and I love him but this is really getting to me now. My husband does not work regular. He gets little jobs to make money but he usually spends it at the bar. I have a very good job and I pay the bills. At my job there are people that I have to work very close with. Most of them are women but one is a guy. He is a happily married, attractive man. All of the women like him but only as a friend, not in a physical way. My husband hates him because he is convinced that I am cheating with him. Everyone else knows it is not true but my husband will not give it up. He has talked about it with my family, his family and everyone we know.

Misc Belizean Sources

Benque Market Lonely on Valentine's Day
Saturdays are considered the most important market days in the country. However, this is how the Benque Market looked on Saturday February 14th. According to a release from the European Union "The Benque Viejo del Carmen Market is now a developed 6000 square foot plaza which facilitates permanent stalls; paved parking spaces, an upgraded recreational area which features a gazebo and beautification through added green spaces. All the stalls facing the new plaza and green areas are connected with covered walkways." According to residents, many vendors are either on bicycles or on foot going house to house to sell their goods. These goods are not limited to local goods as some are contraband goods and some from their farms in the area. Benque shoppers also have a culture of going to the district market in Cayo or to Melchor De Menchos, Guatemala which is closer and cheaper.

BRAD PATTICO: IN CELEBRATION OF BELIZEAN CREOLE FOLKLORE!
The last standing Belizean Creole folk artist, musical ambassador, and Grio, Brad Pattico posed here with yours truly Bilal Morris in 2011 in Los Angeles. Pattico is the only formidable Belizean musical folk artist that has a complete musical package of Belizean folk music ready for the live international stage.

REMEMBERING GEORGE GABB: BELIZEAN ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE!
Yours truly Bilal Morris posed alongside, The Sleeping Giant, Belize most celebrated artistic masterpiece to date at the National Institute of Culture & History (NICH) in 2010.

YAYA MARIN COLEMAN: A BELIZEAN ACTIVIST FOR A CAUSE!
Yours truly meeting of Yaya Marin Coleman for the first time in December of 2013 to cover the first attempted visited by Minister Louis Farrakhan to Belize was an rewarding experience that will be remembered here at Belizean Legends. This dynamic Belizean woman of courage needs no accolades to represent her since she is all the accolades in itself. Straight up and outspoken, Yaya was clear to me as a Belizean who was downright serious about the causes she struggled for. While penning an article at the Amandala Press on UNIBAM versus the churches, Yaya came straight to me that day and introduced herself with one of the most powerful personalities that would be ever be seen in present day Belizean society. She was to the point and made an urgent invitation for me to attend the CABO meeting in Honduras that was unfolding in a few days. Though my trip was too short, and it was a must to refuse the invitation, since the work at Amandala was priority, the offer could hardly be refused though my instincts succumbed.

AZIATIC & ELJAI: BELIZEAN LEGENDS IN MUSIC!
Seeing Aziatic perform live at Pupa Curly's Sea Breeze Festival a few years ago at the Los Angeles Sports Arena was a show of epic performance that will go down as quality and outstanding performance for us here at Belizean Legends. The captivating artist's stage show and musicians were just one of the best in Belize's Punta Rock genre, and if duplicated on the world stage again will blow away any Caribbean, R&B; and African artists for that matter. We hope to see more of this Punta Rock icon in Belizean music take the stage more in concert hopefully at the Belize City Council BTL Park Concert shows in Belize City soon.

CTV3

COLA Call on Mendez To Face The Media
And while COLA President Giovanni Brackett spoke with the media this morning following the hearing of the case against Elvin Penner, he took the opportunity to share the organizations sentiment on the charges against Orange Walk East Area Representative Doctor Marco Tulio Mendez who has been charged with six counts of aggravated assault against two minors. According to Bracket, COLA has issued a press release on the matter and asks that Doctor Mendez give a statement on the accusations that have been levied against him. “Unlike other cases where COLA has been leaked documents for us to see the nature of the statements against individuals or the scenario, this has been quite different. We have not seen any statements. And what makes it a bit peculiar is that it involves minors. And as you would know in the media that we are commanded to be very sensitive under the different laws and we have to be very careful not to put children’s identities out there. But we want to make it very clear that COLA by no means has any tolerance for any act against children, and we’ll go even further, we not only find this allegation serious and disheartening...”

Contraband Cigarettes Confiscated In Mexico, Product Believed To Be From The CCFZ
Tonight a two ton container truck loaded with what is believed to be cigarettes exported from the Commercial Free Zone is impounded by the Procuraduria General de la Republica in Mexico. According to a Mexican Newspaper in Mexico, around midnight yesterday, officials from the PGR were on a routine check point where the truck driver was asked to open the doors of his containers. When he did officials noticed the large amount of cigarettes being transported.

Road Works In Corozal 70% Complete
With 285 days into the road project launched by Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow in June of 2014, the Corozal infrastructure project is approximately 70% complete. Today as our news team paid a visit to the work site in Corozal Town, over 80 workers employed by Imer Hernandez were busy as they aim to complete the work by the end of July. According to a ground supervisor, the weather has been holding up favourably and if it remains that way the project should see much more improvement in the near future.

Case Of COLA Versus Penner Goes Back To Court, Penner Is A No Show
Earlier this week we reported on a rare Inferior Court Appeal to be heard today Friday by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. That appeal is being brought by Geovannie Brackett, president of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) and advisor Nedal ‘Jihad’ McLaren, against Cayo Northeast area representative and former Minister of State for Immigration and Nationality Elvin Penner. This goes back to the case against Penner in the Kim Won Hong Passport scandal that was dropped in court in June of last year. COLA representatives and their attorneys appeared before the court today but the matter was not heard. COLA attorney Kareem Musa explains. "The appeal before the Honorable Chief Justice from the court's decision of the learned magistrate Ms. Aretha Ford - today was the first hearing of that appeal. As you know this matter concluded at the magistrate's court level in last year and in August of last year, we had filed our notice of appeal. We filed a ground s of appeal and we are now in a position to proceed with that appeal. We have filed our skeleton arguments as well. This morning we were notified that Mr. Penner had a change of an attorney. As you would recall at the magistrate's courts level he was represented by Mr. Ellis Arnold. This morning, we were notified that Ms. Trecia Pitts Anderson would be going on record and in that regard she requested an adjournment, because she was only retained I believe Wednesday of this week, so she will be needing a little time to prepare her arguments for a full hearing."

The Reporter

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner may face Argentina bomb probe
An Argentine prosecutor has asked a federal judge to investigate President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner over allegations she helped cover up Iranian links to a deadly 1994 bombing. Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita inherited the case from Alberto Nisman, who was found dead in mysterious circumstances. The president denies the allegations, with the government calling the probe an “anti-democratic attack”. The attack on a Jewish centre killed 85 people. Iran denies being involved. The latest prosecutor’s move means the judge will have to decide whether to authorise new investigations to prove the president’s alleged involvement. If the prosecutor and the judge agree that there are enough elements to prove Ms Fernandez committed a crime, she could face prosecution and be charged.

Man and minor shot in Belize City Sunday night
Two people, a man and a minor were shot on Sunday night in Belize City. The two, Charles Guy, 56, and a 9-year-old boy were shot to their right legs while making a purchase at a grocery shop on Faber’s Road. Reports are that the shooter rode by sometime around 7 p.m. and unleashed a volley of shots into a small group who were at the shop before riding off on Sanker Street. Police, who recovered about a dozen expended shells from the scene, have no suspects.

Hattieville man shot dead in Ladyville
Denver Jones, 29, a villager of Hattieville village was shot dead shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday night in Ladyville Village. The incident happened on Marage Road with its junction with a road lwading to an area called Lake Gardens. Jones was shot once to his left cheek and died at the scene. Ladyville police have detained three persons in connection with the murder.

Patrick Jones

Two people injured in Sunday night shooting incident in Belize City
A man and a minor were victims of a shooting incident in Belize City on Sunday night. The victims, a 9 year old boy and 56 year old Charles Guy, both sustained non-life-threatening injuries to their right leg when a man fired several shots in their direction as the two of them were buying at a grocery store on Fabers Road. Police responded to reports of the shooting incident around 7 pm on Sunday and when they visited the emergency ward at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, they found Guy and the minor undergoing treatment. Initial information received say that close to a dozen expended shells were recovered from the scene of the crime.

Senior Citizens attend social event in Orange Walk town
The La Inmaculada Youth Group today hosted a social event for 12 golden citizens from Orange Walk Town. The afternoon was spent by playing games, youths reciting poems and showcasing their talents in short skits. A care package was given to each person which were contributions from the community. The group meets for planning every Sunday at the auditorium.

Hattieville man murdered in Ladyville
A man was shot and killed last night in Ladyville village, Belize district. The victim has been identified as 29 year old Denver Owin Jones, a resident of Hattieville village. Police say that around 9:30 pm on Saturday they visited a road which connects Marage Road with Lake Gardens where they found Jones on the ground with a single gunshot wound to his left cheek.

Blogs

It’s Carnaval time in San Pedro, Belize
Carnaval 2015 begins in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize. On Sunday, Front Street, the beach and Central Park were given over to paint wars by kids. They descended on the park with bottles filled with washable paints (hopefully) and even some raw eggs. Often banding together in teams, they waged battles on other groups, gleefully smearing each other from head to toe. They get to do it again after school tomorrow and Tuesday, starting at 3 p.m. The adults get to join in too. A big part of the celebration is Carnaval Comparsa, the marching of adult groups in themed costumes. They can be political, social, cultural — and as often as not, that very attractive woman marching by you is a guy. Some, like Felix, head of the local HIV Commission (in a photo in this blog) do an amazing transformation. The groups march and dance every night and compete for prizes.

Belize Pollution Problems
Pollution is the leading cause of death in low- and middle-income countries, according to a report from the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP), an organization whose members include the World Bank, Columbia University’s Earth Institute, and various United Nations’ bodies and national governments. In 2012, pollution – in the form of contaminated soil, water, and both indoor and outdoor air – was responsible for 8.4 million deaths in developing countries. That’s almost three times more deaths than those caused by malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis combined. And the Ebola outbreak that had American legislators shaking in their suits, while ignoring more pressing national issues? Last year, fewer than 8,000 individuals died from the Ebola virus. Belize has managed to preserve its natural environment more effectively than any of its neighbors in Latin America and the Caribbean. Nevertheless, the country still faces its own environmental pollution challenges, most of which are consequences of development projects and a growing population. There are currently seven major environmental issues, related in one way or another to pollution that impact Belize’s natural resources. While these issues are by no means exhaustive, they represent the most pressing matters. High deforestation rates, improper solid-waste management, polluted water, rapid coastal development, increasing poverty, weak institutional and legal frameworks, and the recent discovery of sweet crude oil all pose significant threats to Belize’s ecosystems.

Gorgeous Weather, Good Eats and Cute Spots in San Pedro
This week’s weather in San Pedro has been absolute perfection. Cool in the morning and evening and warm sun all day. A bit breezy the last day or two but now I’m just getting nit-picky. It was a week of political rallying – elections in San Pedro are coming up QUICK – March 4th…and kids gawking at them over the school fence. Okay…on to the good eats. Wednesday, for lunch, I had an extremely tasty burger at Blue Water Grill. Green apple, thick thick bacon and lots of blue cheese. Yum.

12 of the Best Restaurants in San Ignacio, Belize
While Belize is well known for its scenery, its outstanding cuisine often goes unnoticed. San Ignacio in particular has a restaurant scene that rivals cities many times its size. Here are a dozen establishments worth visiting. Cahal Pech Village Resort Restaurant, Ko-Ox Ha-Nah Restaurant, Erva’s, Mr Greedy’s, Fuego Bar & Grill, D Catch Sea Food Bistro, Pops Restaurant, Mincho’s, Cenaidas Belizean Food, Maxim’s Restaurant, Hode’s Place, Rolson’s Cocina Cantina.

International Sources

BELIZE ON DRUG TRAFFICKING – ANALYSIS
Currently, Belize is struggling with an onslaught of drug trafficking, a common theme experienced by many Latin American countries, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. You can now add Belize to the list that is now caught up in the “War on Drugs.” Geographically, Belize shares a northern border with Mexico, a western one with Guatemala, and access to the Gulf and several Caribbean countries. Its physical location and the increasing violence in Mexico and Guatemala make Belize an ideal transshipment point to the U.S. market. To counter the drug trafficking threat, Belize has followed the U.S.’s policy by adopting a hardline approach and cracking-down on drugs. Belize has looked to its allies- the U.S., Canada and the U.K. – to help strengthen its military, called the Belize Defense Force, and the country’s police force. The question is whether this militaristic approach is the best option for tiny Belize because the same approach has arguably failed in Mexico and Guatemala. After laying out the facts, Belize may want to look at other options, like marijuana legalization and investing in new social programs, to combat the drug problem into which it has fallen.

Why Caribbean Business Needs Reform
Doing Business 2015: Going Beyond Efficiency is the 12th in the series of long-standing co-publications of the World Bank and International Financial Corporation which ranks the global competitiveness of nations annually. In this publication, 189 economies were assessed over the period 2013 to 2014. 32 of these economies are within the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. LAC and South Asia “remain the two regions with the smallest share of economies implementing regulatory reforms as captured by Doing Business”. 13 of these economies are recorded as Caribbean States. Like “Doing Business in the Caribbean: CARIFORUM needs Reform”, this article includes 3 additional states taken from Latin America which are members of CARIFORUM: namely Belize, Guyana, and Suriname. The current and previous rankings of these 16 economies are shown in the table below.

Videos

February 15, 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

Jennifer Mefford donates to Holy Cross
Jennifer Mefford decided to donate her lucky earnings from the National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl XLIX to Holy Cross Anglican Primary School. While enjoying the Super Bowl at Lola’s Sports Bar, Mefford participate in a Super Bowl Squares Competition, where to her surprise she won $500. She decided the money should be used for a worthy cause and as such donated it to Holy Cross to be used in the schools feeding program. Way to go Jennifer! The faculty, staff and students of Holy Cross extend a big thank you to Jennifer Mefford on her kind donation.

Immer Perez loses court case against The Split Landowners
The Belize Supreme Court has ruled against Immer Perez in the land dispute of Emerald Point, better known as The Split in Caye Caulker Village. Perez, owner of Lazy Lizard Bar and Grill which was located on the Split, and lease-holder of the area, was in a legal battle against Emerald Point landowner, Dan Nichols. Perez has now been mandated to relocate within 20 days’ time and his liquor license has been annulled. The dispute started back in August 2014 when Perez was presented with a 90-day notice that he must leave the premises on Emerald Point because it was sold. His lease stated that if the land was sold then the lease would terminate, but Perez found out that the land was never sold. The lease, which was valid up until May 31, 2018, was still legal and as such Perez refused to evacuate The Split. The problem escalated in November 2014 when he was forcefully and apparently illegally evicted along with all his belongings off the premises.

Local Tour Guides participate in Dive Safety Seminar
Several local tour guides from San Pedro participated in a Dive safety Seminar on Monday, February 9th at the Isla Bonita Yacht Club conference room. The seminar is part of a dive accident prevention campaign being carried out by Sub-aquatics of Belize Limited via the Hyperbaric Chamber Clinic. Participants received vital knowledge on Decompression Illness (DCI) from two members of the International Sub-aquatics Safety Services (SSS) Chamber Network: Paul Cunliffe, Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer, and Netzahualcoyotl Segundo, Emergency Medical System (EMS) Dive Medical Technician (DMT). The seminar included information on how tour guides should deal with dive accidents, including the signs of DCI and how to provide first aid to affected divers. “This a part of our service to the community and the chamber, as it is a soft session on dive accidents management training. The seminar will improve awareness and safety in diving. We will highlight the services that are provided by the chamber. It’s important that all tour guides are aware of the general information involved in DCI to ensure that immediate treatment is given. Simple steps can be taken before the diver is taken to the chamber to ensure he/she makes a full recovery,” said Cunliffe.

The San Pedro Belize Red Cross hosts successful First Aid/CPR Training and Blood Drive
The San Pedro Belize Red Cross (SPBRC) is pleased to report much success in their first two events for 2015. These events included a First Aid/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training held on Thursday, January 29th and a blood drive held on Saturday, February 7th. Recently appointed co-leaders of the SPBRC Health Committee, Sue Barkhouse and Joann Reilly were in charge of organizing the events.

Misc Belizean Sources

Now introducing Belizean Actress Shantay Reyes from the new Movie $TATE$
An exclusive interview with Shantay Reyes with dA Net-Work Magazine: A lot of people still haven’t heard of the country Belize or think Belize is in South America. What do you think can be done to put Belize on the map? Shantay Reyes: My opinion on this is that Belizeans as a whole should be a little more united. I think if, as a country, the citizens of Belize help each other, the country itself will be more recognized. dA Net-Work Magazine: In your own words, how would you describe the movie $TATE$ and why do you think other people should come see it? Shantay Reyes: REAL! The movie shows what people go through in reality. People should want to see the movie because I'm in it. Duh! I know one way or another, someone can relate to the movie. dA Net-Work Magazine: How did you get involved with the movie $TATE$ and what have you done to make your friends and family aware of this project? Shantay Reyes: I was approached by Jah about having a role in the movie and of course I couldn't say no to him, lol. Honestly, I kept the movie a secret to friends and a few family members. Well, I don't want to say a secret, but I just didn't announce it. I'm more of a person who's going to do and tell later when everything is done.

Little Belize Offers a Lot (Including Tax Advantages)
Among other benefits, those in the program can import household goods and vehicles (cars less than three years old, a boat, or a light plane) tax-free within a year of approval. They are also exempt from paying any tax on income or investments generated outside Belize. The couple brought in a shipping container’s worth of household goods to start their new life near Bullet Tree Falls Village, just outside San Ignacio, the regional capital of the Cayo District. This region in the interior is known for its jungle, mountains, and agriculture. The couple’s North American-style house, which includes a large courtyard and swimming pool, sits on a double lot near a narrow river. A solar power system, which cost $65,000, enables them to be completely off-grid.

Western Ballaz Defeat Tiger Sharks
The Western Ballaz defeated the Tiger Sharks last night. The final quarter saw the Ballaz up, and as the clock ran out, the gap was erased. The Tiger Sharks hit three 3 pointers within a minute. With under a minute to go, the Ballaz took it to a 3 point lead. The 4th 3 point shot never made it. Congratulations, Western Ballaz! You are the greatest!

The Reporter

Family receives death threats from extortionist
Police in the Stann Creek district are investigating a series of death threats that a family has received from someone who has demanded money from them. According to police, the threats started on the night of January 29th when Nelson Folgar, 37, a Honduran-born supervisor of Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek received a threatening phone call. Folgar told police the man who called from an unidentified number said that one of Folgar’s family members would be killed if he did not come up with $15,000. A second threat came on Thursday afternoon when Folgar’s sister-in-law found a note making the same demand and threat. The note indicated the family had 72 hours in which to provide the money.

COLA’s Penner appeal case starts in Supreme Court
Former Minister of State, Elvin Penner, will have to appear in the Belize Supreme Court after Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin started to hear the appeal by COLA, the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action on Friday. The CJ will deliver his ruling on whether Belmopan Magistrate, Aretha Ford erred in her judgement that Penner had no case to answer in July of 2014. Penner, charged with immigration offences for having allegedly facilitated the issuance of a Belizean passport to Kim Wong Hong, a South Korean who was in a Chinese jail at the time when the passport was issued in September of 2013. Although Penner himself was absent in court, his new attorney, Trecia Pitts Anderson informed the court that she had just been retained two days prior and requested an adjournment to prepare for the case.

Crash between freight train and bus leaves 16 dead in Mexico
At least 16 people have been killed and 30 others injured in a collision between a freight train and a bus at a level crossing in northern Mexico. Pictures showed the bus split in half by the force of the crash, in the town of Anahuac in Tamaulipas state. Local reports said the driver of the bus may have ignored the stop light at the crossing. The bus was reported to have been carrying about 60 passengers although it only had seating for 40. A statement by the train’s operator, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, confirmed there had been “a lamentable accident” at about 17:25 (23:25 GMT) on Friday.

The Belize Times

Ready For Victory!!!!
Over 2,000 supporters turned out to stand shoulder to shoulder with PUP Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and the PUP Belize City Council team"][/caption] The venerable blue machine of the People’s United Party revved its engine to high gear in all municipalities countrywide as Nomination Day was held for municipal election candidates in all towns and cities. The images of the marches that simultaneously began throughout the country around 9:30 on Wednesday February 11th morning were powerful. It showed large crowds and long lines of stalwart supporters who came out to show their support for People’s United Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and the candidates who are contesting the upcoming municipal elections. In Belize City, led by Mayoral Candidate Yolanda Schakron, the team was surrounded by leaders from the various constituencies in Belize District and over 2,000 loyal supporters. They ecstatically walked, marched and danced up Vernon Street, unto Central American Boulevard and then on Mahogany Street, where they gathered in front of the Charles Hyde Building to take part in the official nomination process. Inside they met with Elections and Boundaries officials who supervised and completed the nominations.

UDP CitCo will raise taxes – Leaked memo reveals vehicle licensing and traffic penalties will be doubled, tripled and quadrupled
Mayor Darrell Bradley and his band of lazy and do-nothing UDP Councillors have been secretly considering imposing significant increases to traffic fees and penalties for the already tax-burdened city residents, according to a Belize City Council memo leaked to the BELIZE TIMES. The memo was reportedly prepared and introduced for review at a City Council meeting in mid-2014. The document is titled “Suggestive Price list for Traffic Offences” and contains the Council’s plans to increase various fees by large sums. The document lists up to 57 traffic violations, several of them first-time heard of, that fall under the proposed sky-high fines. For example, the Council plans to hike the fine for “Using motor vehicle without mud wings” from $25.00 to a whopping $200, which is an increase of 800%. Another example is “Fail to stop engine of stationary vehicle”, which will go from $25.00 to a staggering $50.00, an increase of 100%.

Yolanda Schakron – FOR THE PEOPLE!! – Darrell Bradley calls proposal for scholarship fund “STUPID”
The difference between Yolanda Schakron and Darrell Bradley was very clear for all to see when UDP Mayor Bradley attacked Mrs. Schakron’s noble idea that her entire salary will be used to finance a scholarship fund. At the PUP’s Belize City manifesto launch on Saturday, February 7th, Mrs. Schakron unveiled that her personal pledge to the city is to give up her salary in order to get an education scholarship fund going for the children of Belize. Mrs. Schakron has been a successful business woman for over twenty years. She explained that through her business she has been assisting children every year through an education programme that provides funding to support their studies. Throughout the campaign for City Council election over the past months she has seen the high levels of poverty in the city and in particular the level of inequity in the access to education among our young people. She said she believes that providing more support to education would assist in the alleviation of poverty that exists in Belize City.

UDP Politics as Usual…
In terms of this crime thing, can we realistically expect 2011 to be any different from 2010? Can we expect a decrease in murders, in home invasions, in assaults, in robberies and shootings and thefts? The government has offered nothing different from 2010 – no new initiatives, no new agenda, no new plans, no bold, visionary ideas. There is nothing new coming out of the Ministry of Police, nothing new coming out of the Police Department. Operating Restore Belize is still putt-putting merrily along on the wings of a song. Poverty is increasing apace, as is unemployment. Frustration and desperation are heading on up. There have been no social programs offered and no move to address the school dropout rate. There is still no state of the art forensic/DNA lab which Mr. Barrow promised something like three years ago. He continues to promise the lab periodically but still nothing. That’s all we’ve gotten from this government – NOTHING. The Minister of Police did his media thing the other day but while he may be cute (or not) we were given NOTHING concrete, nothing to base our hopes for better on. So far 2011 isn’t looking all that great…

Editorial: WRONG AND OUTRAGEOUS
The Prime Minister, like his Belize City Mayor, cannot keep his mouth shut. Even when he is wrong, outrageous and disgraceful. On Nomination Day, Wednesday 11 February 2015, he had to be himself. Never mind he looked frail, drawn up and run- down. He forced his weak voice to make disgraceful comments about the personal family tragedy of an elected member of the House of Representatives. Trying to squeeze political mileage from the Dr. Mendez matter, the Prime Minister ranted about the need for the doctor to resign his seat. He even dragged in the Leader of the Opposition by suggesting enough was not done to force a resignation. Excuse us Prime Minister, but how dare you? Your remarks are out of order and they are inexcusable. You know fully well that Dr. Mendez’s matter is before the courts. As an attorney you know how improper it is to make such comments and pass judgement on a matter not yet decided in court. As a Prime Minister you, of all persons, should be the last one to be uttering such comments.

Louisiana girls are national basketball champs
The Louisiana Government School girls from Orange Walk Town won the national primary schools basketball championships at Birds Isle on Friday, February 6th. The Sugar City girls won 37-5 over the St. Peter Claver RC School girls with Eloisa Moreno scoring 14 points, and Aaliyah Leiva adding 11 points, while PG’s Normalee Gomez scored 3 points. In 3rd place, the Sacred Heart RC School girls won 10-5 over the BES girls with Shannel Thomas scoring 6 points while BES’ Allyana Musa scored 5 points. National Sports Council coordinator, Kaya Cattouse, presented team trophies and individual medals to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, while the Most Valuable Player award went to Sugar City’s Aaliyah Leiva.

SCA advances to football nationals
The St. Catherine’s Academy girls will represent the Central Division at the high school football championships on February 20-21, after winning the finals 2-0 over the defending champs, the Gwen Lizarraga High School girls, at the MCC grounds on Saturday. SCA’s Shevonie Crawford created the plays for Gabriela Mendoza to score the 1st and 2nd goals against Gwen Liz’s goalie Loretta Cadle. SCA’s Jennifer Estrada, Jody Pott and Jada Myvett looked to increase the lead, while Gwen Liz’s Essenie Ciego, Vivica Young and Landisha Saldano sought to get on the scoreboard, but the long whistle sounded to a 2-0 win.

Belize Bank Bulldogs win softball champs
The Belize Bank Bulldogs repeated as champs of the 7th annual Charles Solis Memorial softball tournament at the Rogers Stadium in Belize City on Sunday. The Belize Bank ladies walloped the Cayo district champs, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy, 8-7 in Game 6, the championship final. Belize Bank’s Marsha Wills and Sharette Vernon came home in the 1st inning, and winning pitcher Ashley Lucas made it 3-0 in the 2nd inning.

Mek WHO Rich??? – Curtis Swasey claims his “Mek Mi Rich” idea was illegally replicated by not normal Belizeans
Belizean entrepreneur Curtis Swasey is taking Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) to court for alleged breach of contract in a claim that involves the alleged misappropriation of intellectual property. Swasey claims that the idea of the “Mek Mi Rich” lottery draw is his. He explained in court files that in January 2012, he had approached marketing representatives and shared the concept for a lottery draw program which can be accessed exclusively by BTL customers. According to Swasey, he signed an Information Exchange Agreement with BTL reps which contained a two-year period of non-disclosure in the event the agreement would be terminated. He said that since 2012, he has been in dialogue with BTL reps on the program. Throughout that time, he reportedly provided training and had discussions about implementation. On August 7, 2014, BTL abruptly wrote Swasey informing that they would not accept his proposal. However, a few weeks later a lottery draw initiative and game show called “Mek Mi Rich” was introduced to the public by a private company with BTL as their partners.

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – Striking A Balance
In 2005, which amazingly is all of ten years ago, I was invited by the Commonwealth Secretariat to be a member of a group of international Observers for the elections in Tanzania in East Africa. We attended a briefing at the Commonwealth Office in London before flying to Kenya, then on to Tanzania that October. As it turned out the elections on the mainland were postponed. However, the Zanzibar elections proceeded as planned. Zanzibar is semi-autonomous and has two main Islands – Unguja and Pemba. My colleague, Christiana Thorpe from Sierra Leone, and I were deployed along with two Commonwealth staffers to the northern island of Pemba. Pemba is beautiful and lush. It is the more rustic of the Zanzibar islands, and it specializes in the production of cloves and other spices. Almost all the population are Muslim in their faith. The topic of this piece is how do we strike a balance in women’s attire between revealing clothing, or a lack thereof, and what is appropriate and acceptable culturally. We were three weeks in Tanzania/Zanzibar, and I was intrigued by the brightly colored kangas (from the Swahili word ‘ku-kanga’ – to wrap) of the women and the very modest attire of people there. Women were well-clothed, covered, and beautiful. The varieties and loveliness of fabric were a joy. On returning home, I was driving on Central American Boulevard, and there I saw two young women strolling in their back-out blouses and very hot pants. For me it was a bit of culture shock in reverse. What a lot of skin was showing!

A Government that Tramples on the Constitution
Dear Editor, When a leader cannot protect and wantonly tramples the Constitution which is the Supreme Law of the land, he should no longer remain in government. Belize is currently led by such an arrogant leader. The PM doesn’t allow the 13th Senator; and doesn’t allow PAC to function, undermining the important layers of check and balance. The President of the Senate voted unconstitutionally against an Inquiry Bill proposed by the Business Senator; while the “guardian” of transparency Minister Godwin Hulse should have abstained from voting on his principled beliefs, yet he voted. This was during the Penner passport/nationality scandal. Hulse, interestingly, was also the one who allowed Penner, who was not the substantive Minister of Immigration, to sign the infamous and scandalous passport and certificate of nationality to the Korean national who was in jail in Taiwan and had never set foot on Belizean soil.

Public Transportation: A Backward Industry
Dear Editor, It’s a frustrating scenario with nothing being done to alleviate it. The current bus schedule and the amount of buses running are clearly not meeting the public’s demand. A “herd” of people waiting in congestion at the bus terminal for ONE bus that cannot accommodate all of them is the daily struggle. It becomes a situation of “Survival of the Fittest” where people run, push and curse each other just so they can get in the bus. All respect for grandma, grandpa and children is thrown out the window as they are pushed and shoved around in all the commotion. The number of standees and people that get left behind can easily fill another bus or two but no extra buses are sent. How difficult can it be for the Ministry and bus companies to solve this issue? Terminal Management is a waste of time and resources! Their duties seem to be opening and closing the terminal gate, writing down bus arrival and departure time just for the sake of it, cursing the standees to get off the bus and calling the police when they refuse to do so. Terminal Management should be gathering vital information and making daily reports on the amount of seats available when a bus arrives (since most buses arrive at the terminal almost full), the amount of people waiting at the terminal, the amount of standees, and the amount of people that get left behind. They should have the authority to call the bus company to request an additional bus to be sent within 15 minutes to accommodate the people left behind.

“Let’s follow the money!” – PUP Mayoral Candidate Yolanda Schakron’s Open Letter to Mayor Darrel Bradley
Dear Mayor Bradley, The financial statements of the Belize City Council for 2014 leave many questions unanswered under your management. You stated that the $1.3million in legal fees and professional fees under the Office of the Mayor was due to the various lawyers the Council have on retainer. Then subsequently in another interview, you have stated that $1.2million of the amount was for the judgment ordered by the courts on the settlement of the BWC court case against the City Council – not lawyers on retainers. But a basic accounting principle is that any arrears for a specific item would have been recorded as such- an arrear that is in effect what the judgment payment for BWC is. They are not legal fees. Sanitation is recorded as sanitation, and a legal fee as legal. 1. It is our understanding that the Auditors for the 2011/ 2012 Financial Statements gave an Adverse Opinion on the financials because they were not satisfied with millions of accounts receivables and monies owing that they could not find sufficient evidence to satisfy themselves as to the true amount. Who was the previous auditor of the 2013 financial statements? Will you say what is the reason they have not issued an opinion on that audit? Why would you proceed with the audit of 2014 if the previous audit has not been qualified?

Patrick Jones

Rotary Park in Santa Elena town undergoing renovation
A new set of playground equipment is on the way for installation at the Rotary Park in Santa Elena town, Cayo. The equipment is coming from Canada and will be installed over the course of two days, on March 7 and March 8. To make way for the new equipment, members of the San Ignacio Rotary Club were out at the park on Saturday morning to put in “sweat equity” as the preparation of the Rotary Park for the major upgrade is well underway. With shovels in hand, wheelbarrows at the ready, a backhoe on hand and a dump truck filled with sand, the Rotarians went to work on a bright, sunny and warm Saturday morning ripping up old concrete slabs and carting them away.

Hattieville man dies weeks after being shot
Three weeks after he was wounded in a shooting incident in Hattiville village, 28 year old Eugene Pitts has died. Someone opened fire at a party on the night of January 25 in Hattieville village, injuring him to the midsection and damaging his internal organs. Pitts had been hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial in Belize City until he died of a heart attack on Thursday night. Police have still not made an arrest for the shooting and the case has now been upgraded to a murder investigation.

Prime Minister: Dr. Mendez must resign
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has joined the chorus of opponents of Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez, area representative for Orange Walk East, who faces serious charges of aggravated sexual assault with two young women who were minors at the time the incident was alleged to have taken place to resign from his position immediately. While his party, the People’s United Party, have suspended him from party activity and he has already declared that he will not stand in the next general election, his opponents have demanded much more. His immediate resignation would trigger a by-election in the constituency.

Blogs

GOLF CARTS & GRILLS!
As previously mentioned in an earlier blog, we hadn’t decided whether to buy or rent a golf cart. After shopping around to 4 different rental companies, we pulled the trigger and rented this gem at a great rate! It possesses all 3 requirements we insisted it have – good tires, a windshield and SPEED! Many of the golf carts down here can be passed up, quite easily, by the likes of my grandmother. And she uses a walker. This golf cart has some pep! We were now able to run the errands for large and heavy items that we couldn’t possibly have done on foot. First things first, we hit Bowen & Bowen (the beverage distributor) for two 5 gallon bottles of water, a case of Fanta Club Soda and, my favorite item, a water dispenser with a stand! It’s the little things, I guess. With a golf cart loaded to it’s maximum, it made sense to drop this stuff off at home before heading out on more errands.

The Conflict of Interest Regime in Belize
Proposals from the National Plan of Action By: Geraldo Flowers, Ph.D. Introduction Belize ratifies Inter-American Convention Against Corruption on August 02, 2002. The Belizean Attorney General’s Ministry and the OAS signed an MOU to develop the National Plan of Action Against Corruption in June of 2007. The Draft Plan of Action was produced in June 2009 and can be found at www.belizelaw.org. A Draft Plan of Action Workshop was held in March 2010 in Belize with a broad spectrum of stakeholders to review the Plan of Action and provide input. Belize’s legal-institutional system was borne out of the British colonial experience. Section 2 of the Imperial Laws (Extension) Act, Chapter 2, provides that, “2(1) Subject to the provision of this or any other Act, the common law of England and all Acts in abrogation or derogation or in any way declaratory of the common law passed prior to 1st January 1899, shall extend to Belize.”

Belize Mexico Border
I. BOUNDARY BRIEF The Belize–Mexico boundary is approximately 250 kilometers (155 miles) long. Inland from the Boca Bacalar Chico on the Caribbean coast, it extends through the Chetumal Bay for about 81 kilometers (50 miles) to the mouth of the Hondo (Rio Hondo). The boundary follows the thalweg of the Hondo and Blue Creed (Rio Azul) upstream to the meridian of Garbutts Fall. It then follows this median southward to the tripoint with Guatemala on the parallel of 17º49 North. II. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The British Bay Settlement was established in the area which is now Belize1in 1638. By the Treaty of Madrid of 1670, Spain accorded recognition to the de facto British possessions in the Caribbean area, but it did not accept Great Britain’s contention that the terms of the treaty included the Bay Settlement.

Maritime Areas Act of 1992
An Act to make provision with respect to the Territorial Sea, Internal Waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone of Belize; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto of 24 January 1992 National legislation – DOALOS/OLA – United Nations BE IT ENACTED, by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives and the Senate of Belize and by the authority of the same, as follows: PART I PRELIMINARY Short Title and commencement 1. (1) This act may be cited as the Maritime Areas Act, 1992 (2) This Act shall come into operation upon such date as the Minister may by Order published in the Gazette appoint. Interpretation 2. In this Act: "baseline" means the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured as described in Section 4; "equidistance line", as between Belize and an adjacent State, means a line every point of which is equidistant from the nearest point of the baseline of the "exclusive economic zone" means the exclusive economic zone of Belize as described in Section 6 and, to the extent that Section 7 applies, as delimited pursuant to Section 7; "foreign vessel" means a vessel that is not registered as a Belizean ship under the Registration of Merchant Ships Act, 1989 (Belize) (Act. No. 32 of 1989); "foreign State" means a State other than Belize;

The Top Most Romantic Places in Belize
I’m not an expert in destination weddings or honeymoon getaways but there’s something that is clear to me…Belize is special…Belize is magical…Belize is perfect for romance. I have been all over Belize and have worked in the tourism industry for years and through that experience I have encountered many couples vacationing in Belize and wouldn’t stop raving about Belize. Time after time, they would repeat to me that they were fortunate to travel to Belize, choosing an adventure destination is a fun bonding experience. Here are eight places I recommend for a unforgettable romantic vacation: El Secreto, Hamanasi Resort, Roberts Grove, Cayo Espanto, Ka’ana Resort, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Matachica Beach Resort, Victoria House.

Why Buy Real Estate in Belize
Belize is a great investment in real estate. Why not own a tangible asset outside the U.S. in a country with great investment fundamentals? It’s an English speaking country and only two hours from the U.S., and less expensive than other Caribbean countries, since it is relatively undiscovered. For that reason, the values are going up. Nowhere else can you find such pristine natural resources in an area that has been a well-kept secret for so many years, until now. Move to Belize.

Manatees and Monkeys - Nicole shares her experiences as a Wildtracks volunteer
I first read about Wildtracks on Facebook this summer, a post about the manatee calves shared by a friend of a friend. It seemed like fortunate timing since I was already planning a trip to Central America so I sent an application, thinking that it sounded like a great place volunteer. It was my first time volunteering abroad, first time in Belize, and first time working with animals other than dogs and cats so I set off with no real idea what to expect. And I loved it. I was leaning toward working with the manatees when I arrived and that’s where I started out. My very first day I got to swim with each of them: Rhamases, Khaleesi, Mitch, and Lucky. It was an amazing experience to get to see manatees up close and get to know their personalities. After a couple days I got to start learning how to prepare Rhamases meals: about three bottles, four times a day, and buckets upon buckets of seagrass. This boy has a very healthy appetite! I also helped collect seagrass by swimming or canoeing out into the middle of the lagoon and picking the grass off the seafloor. Rhamases definitely keeps the volunteers busy with this, usually eating at least two five-gallon buckets each day.

Guests having fun in Placencia, Belize! Check out these pics....
If you want to get excited about a trip somewhere warm (BELIZE!!!) what better way than to enjoy pictures of other people having fun? Our Cleveland friends just left and we had the time of our lives. I am sure the rest of the group is as exhausted as I am after 10 days of nonstop fun :). I already posted the first few days of pictures....here is the rest of their trip!! First picture of the whole group, with Lacey! Coconut drinks on the beach..... Some beach fun.... She let the beach dogs lick her face. Not recommended.

Northern Belize is Filled with Amazing Wildlife
Northern Belize consists of Corozal District on the coast and Orange Walk District located inland. Corozal is in the very northern edge of Belize, closer to Mexico, while Orange Walk is southwest and closer to the middle of Belize. You’ll find an abundance of wildlife which attracts many tourists every year to this region. In northern Belize, you will find all five species of wildcat: Jaguar, Puma, Margay, Ocelot, and Jaguarundi. There are two species of monkeys here: the howler and the spider monkey found living in trees. Other wildlife typical of the area include: White-tailed deer, the grey fox, armadillo, opossum, and the kinkajou. You’ll also find different lizards, such as the anole and the rainbow ameiva. There are over 200 kinds of trees and 250 kinds of orchids found in this region.

International Sources

Cathedral raises money for Belize child care home
A BD375 donation has been given to the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Home in Belize on behalf of the congregation of St Christopher's Cathedral. The money was raised during last year's Christingle service, where the theme was "children helping children". Bahrain resident and volunteer Yvonne Trueman raises money for the orphanage in Belize to commemorate the death of her helicopter pilot son, who used to work with the children more than two decades ago.

Where to Go in 2015: Frommers' picks reflect celebrations, sustainability, value
Travel experts Arthur and Pauline Frommer, publishers of the famed Frommer Travel Guides and hosts of a long-time "Travel Show" on radio, offered their list of places to go in 2015 during the New York Times Travel Show. "We polled our contributors – journalists – we hire people in destinations we’re writing about – to produce this list of top places you should go in 2015," Pauline said. "We believe destinations like fine wines, years when they are better than other years." There are also some destinations they recommend on the list as a "see it now before it is destroyed" and others they recommend because tourism can be a salvation, sustaining a community under siege economically, environmentally and culturally. Belize is one of the most life affirming destinations on the planet – wonderful for families – consider it a place that has everything: like Costa Rica, it has pristine jungles, beautiful beaches, fabulous water sports, but unlike Costa Rica, it also has cultural riches (Costa Rica is more of a nature destination). Belize has Mayan temples, caves that were used by the Mayans for human sacrifice. Actun Tunichil Muknal (the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), also known locally as Xibalba or ATM, near San Ignacio, Cayo District– I did it with my daughters and to this day, it is still their favorite adventure - you swim into the cave, and at one point, take off shoes, and walk in your socks over a calcified floor where there are ancient Mayan pots that can’t be moved because they are embedded, and next to pots are skulls and skeletons from human sacrifice. You feel like Indiana Jones. We also rappelled down cliffs.

Forbes 20 Best Foreign Retirement Havens For 2015
Belize: The sole Central American country with English as the main language is a warm outdoor paradise of barrier reef diving, fishing, boating and beach. Belize aggressively courts retirees with a Qualified Retired Persons program offering permanent residency, and the cost of living is modest. Popular spots for retirees include Ambergris Caye (pictured), an island 35 miles northeast of Belize City. Health care away from Belize City can be spotty, but Miami is just a two-hour plane ride away.

Videos

February 14, 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

Falling in love with Caye Caulker
It doesn’t matter how long it’s been, docking along the shores of Caye Caulker still has that calming, soothing effect. She’s got brilliantly colored homes along her beaches juxtaposed next to a few less gaudy ones, the trees still line her shores, and more often than not, a hammock is strung between them for a quick nap. You could walk her streets at the most leisurely pace, not once coming across a vehicle. In fact, you have to walk around sleeping dogs more often than stepping aside for a golf cart! Caye Caulker is not pretentious. She is tiny and unique, from her pretty sandy beaches and funky boats tied up to mooring spots – to the darker, yet just-as-enticing, west side where older homes, fishermen’s spots, and mangroves have taken root and made their home. Caye Caulker is really a fun date – casual if you’re up to it, and for her formal means slipping on flip flops instead of being barefoot. Her restaurants are homey, but the food within is often out-of-this-world. Her beaches shaded from her many coconut trees, the drinks icy cold and unique.

San Pedro Councilor and Mayoral Candidates Debate Plans Finalized
Plans have been finalized for the first ever council candidate debate to be held on February 16th. A mayoral candidate debate will be held on February 23rd and both debates will commence at 7pm. The debates, hosted by The San Pedro Sun and Reef Radio/TV will be held at the Lion’s Den and will be televised live on Reef TV on channel 20 and broadcast live on Reef Radio at 92.3FM. For the Councilor Candidates’ debate, the names of two aspiring candidates from each party will be submitted to the organizers as their representative, while the Mayoral candidates will be the only person to represent their party in the Mayoral Debate. In order to assure an orderly crowd the debate will be open to only those with tickets. Each candidate will be allotted equal amount of tickets to distribute at their discretion. In addition, select members of the Town Council, private sector and media will be invited. It is anticipated that close to 100 people will be in attendance. Crowd participation will be limited to applause when appropriate and alcoholic beverages will not be sold or permitted at the events. The debates will be limited to two hours and The San Pedro Sun will also have up-to-the-minute updates on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SanPedroSun.

Estel’s 2015 BBQ Cook-Off tantalizes island taste buds!
It may have been a competition for the best BBQ, but the clear winners were certainly the 120+ sets of taste buds that got to enjoy some finger-licking BBQ at Estel’s on Tuesday, February 10th! The fourth annual BBQ Ribs Cook-off saw sold-out tickets and lots of delicious ribs being enjoyed on a gorgeous Tuesday. Competitors were Kevin Urbina, Rick Saager, Jim Gochenour, Randy Blanscet, Ali Rush and Charles Worthington (the champion two years in a row). Smoky, tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs seasoned and grilled to perfection – what more could one want on a beach on Ambergris Caye?! Well, bragging rights of course! According to the judges, the clear winner was Ali Rush – who ousted Charles Worthington from his reign. A good-natured Charlie said “It was getting hard being on top!” as the crowd applauded Ali’s win. Charles still took second place, and he was followed closely behind by third place ties Rick Saager and Kevin Urbina.

Corozal Bay Regatta opens 2015 Belize Sailing Season
Sailors from across the country converged in Corozal Town on Saturday February 7th and Sunday February 8th from the first regatta of the 2015 Sailing Season. The Corozal Bay Regatta saw young sailors participating in the Optimist and Laser Pico Class from Belize City Sailing Club (BCSC), San Pedro Junior Sailing Club (SPJSC), Belize Sea Scouts (BSS), Corozal Bay Sailing Club (CBSC), Caye Caulker Sailing Club (CCSC), and Placencia Sailing Club (PSC). The Corozal Bay Regatta is the first national ranking regatta of the year. National ranking regattas determine the sailors who will participate in the National Champions Regatta (BIZ15) at the end of the sailing season. In the Optimist class, six races were carried out. Each sailor was allowed to discard their worst race score. In the end the sailor scoring the least points ranked on top. In the end Antonio Ricardez Jr. from BCSC took the win with seven points. In a close second was SPJSC’s Blanca Velasquez with eight points. Other top sailors included: Nashira Ricardez from BCSC in 3rd, Trent Hardwick from BSS in 4th, Jazmin Campos from CBSC in 5th, Glenford Barera from CCSC in 6th, Tyler Garbutt from PSC in 7th, Connor Rhamadas from PSC in 8th, Angel Mo from CCSC in 9th and Ronaldo Bo from CCSC in 10th. Other SPJSC sailors included: Rashawn Gonzalez in 19th, Leroy Azul in 21st and Danny Trejo in 24th.

SPHS celebrates Career Week
From Monday February 9th to Friday February 13th, San Pedro High School (SPHS) has been focused on Career Week. The annual event is held in secondary school across the country as a means of informing students on the many professions available in their communities. The highlight of the week long activities was the opening ceremonies, where students were treated to an inspirational speech from Attorney at Law Diana Shaw. Organized by SPHS Counselor, Alexis Guerrero, the event kicked off at 9:30AM. Principal Emil Vasquez was first to address the students, speaking of the hard decision that choosing a career is, and encouraging the students to go after what they like and not what others expect them to do. Following his speech, Guerrero took time to introduce the guest speaker for the event.

Owner of sailboat lodged on the reef allowed to leave amidst investigation
The Belize Department of the Environment (DOE) has finally released details about the incident in which sail boat Termaji, originally from France, ran aground on the reef near Caye Caulker on December 30th. The island residents of Caye Caulker village are concerned that if not moved soon, the vessel may cause further damage to the reef eco-system. It was not until Oceana in Belize joined the residents of Caye Caulker Village in calling for the removal of the vessel that the DOE sent out a press release over a month after the incident.

Ambergris Today

Miss West Indies Belize to Compete in St. Maaten
Miss Marcia Flores Moody, 20 years old arrived in St. Maaten (Martin) Island in the Caribbean on Monday, February 9, to represent Belize at the 2015 pageant for Miss West Indies and will be competing with more than 20 other countries. Miss Moody is first place in the voting category as the public favorite for this event. She requests that all her Belizean friends and supporters vote for her by going to misswestindies.org/vote-now/. You can vote for her once every day from until Saturday, February 14, when the final night of the completion will be held. She is expected to return on Monday, February 15, on American Airlines to Belize.

Closure of The Lobster Fishing Season in Belize
In a press release sent out by The Fisheries Department, the public is informed that the lobster fishing season will close on February 15 and it will remain closed until midnight of June 14, 2015. “Any person found in possession of lobsters during the said closed season will be prosecuted in accordance with Section 3(1)(b) of the Fisheries Regulations, Chapter 210 of the Subsidiary Laws of Belize Revised Edition 2000-2003.” The Fisheries Department also reminds fishers that lobster traps should be removed from the fishing grounds during the closed fishing season. During the month of March 2015, Fisheries Officials will be visiting fishing camps and coastal fishing communities to take stock of lobster traps owned by individual fishers in order to facilitate the registration of such lobster traps. The Fisheries Department will be actively enforcing the removal of traps from the waters during this period.

Misc Belizean Sources

Business Plan Development WORKSHOP
Workshop Date: February 26th, 2015, Time: 9am to 12pm. PRICE: FREE. The overall objective of this training is to equip our clients with knowledge, skills, and capabilities necessary to develop their business plan. The purpose of this workshop is to help participants understand what the elements of a business plan are. The time constraints of the session, and sensitivity of private client information, do not allow the participants or the facilitator to actually draft any component of the business plan during the workshop. However the workshop instead should be lead as a brainstorming session to allow participants to be thinking of what would be included in their specific plan. Then later they would write their business plan using the ideas generated during this workshop. Therefore the class should be very informal and mostly discussion based. The manual provides pointers, but it is up to the participants to come up with their own specifics. Trainer should actively engage the participants throughout the workshop to be sharing ideas and thinking of how each element of the business plan comes into play in their specific business. ** NOTICE ** Workshop location has been changed!! Workshops are now held at out BTEC Building on ITVet compound, Belize City.

CJC Eagles Environmental Club
There is magic all around us! All you need to do is to slow down, take some time, and enjoy all that nature has to offer! CJC EAGLEs Environmental Club participated this morning in the Belize Audubon Society's 18th Annual Backyard Birdcount. Elma Levy, Jeanette Gomez, Raul Manzanilla, Eddii Sorto, Endevora Jorgenson, Varsha Clarke

Big fish!
Remember today is a Black Friday but we wish to share this awesome Picture of Ceci Lara from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye at Isla Marisol or Cayo Doble.

Visit from Miss Audrey and her Standard One class of St. Francis Xavier School
A great visit from Miss Audrey and her Standard One class of St. Francis Xavier School today! The students were dressed as their favourite Public Service officer and enjoyed learning more about our national patriots with our current exhibit; the Belize Heroes and Benefactor's Exhibit.

TRAFFIC RULES DURING THE PAINTING AND COMPARSAS FROM SUNDAY FEB 15 TO TUESDAY FEB 17

Here are the rules and regulations for Carnaval.

San Pedro Carnaval Schedule
Don't miss out the Carnaval Fiesta! Block Party tonight at 7:30 p.m. There will be dance performances by Yaka's Elite Dancers, Miss San Pedro 2014, Michelle Nuñez and from the Ballet Folklorico de Bacalar with over 20 dancers. We will also have a performance by Guillermo and Neslen Rivero and our very own local band Rompe Raja! You definitely won't want to miss this show! QUE VIVA EL CARNAVAL DE SAN PEDRO!

UB's February 2015 Graduating Class
Congratulations to all the February 2015 graduates! Lissette Staine gave the keynote address.

Cayo's Best on Travel Channel
Congratulations are in order for 3 Cayo restaurants. Fuego, Guava Limb, and Montagna Ristorante were all on the Travel Channel's top 10 Belizean restaurants, giving Cayo the most, with 3. In related news, Guava Limb is ranked 1st place in Cayo on Tripadvisor. "Belize is becoming a trendy culinary destination with chefs using fresh seafood, herbs, fruits and vegetables to create contemporary dishes and drinks... Belize is an intriguing new culinary destination. Chefs use fresh seafood from the Caribbean, herbs and vegetables from organic gardens and tropical fruits from local markets to create culture-blending dishes."

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