Recent Belize News, 4/21/2015 to 4/30/2015, BelizeNews.com

Status of Petrocaribe Financing

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

Tourism Statistics for January – March 2015
Tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2015 show that overnight arrivals remained steady while cruise arrivals grew significantly over the same period in 2014. There was a 1.1% increase in overnight arrivals in March 2015, representing an increase of 424 tourists over March 2014. This increase followed two months of decreases that were similarly small in magnitude, being 1.0% and 1.1% in January and February, respectively. The major factor influencing the results in the overnight sector was weather conditions. There were severe snow storms that took place frequently during this period, resulting in cancellation of flights that affected travel from Canada, as well as the Central and Eastern United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York City – some originating destinations for visitors to Belize. Cruise arrivals in 2015 have seen major increases in January and March, with 16.6% and 15.8% increase, respectively. February 2015 saw a slight decrease of 2.7% which resulted from the cancellation of two ships due to adverse weather conditions that made it impossible for tendering to take place.

SPTC to launch free Wi-Fi at Central Park
Residents of San Pedro Town will soon be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi service at the Central Park courtesy of The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and the Government of Belize. That’s because Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is fine-tuning final technical works to launch the free Wi-Fi internet service. The service is part of the government’s commitment to the residents of the island. Wi-Fi is the name of a wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed internet and network connections. According to Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the dialogue to install the free internet service at strategic public areas on the island started prior to the March 2015 municipal elections. “The project is a joint effort between the SPTC working along with the Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. We approached the Prime Minister, who agreed to assist us. We are the first municipality in the country that the Prime Minister approved this free internet service to,” explained Mayor Guerrero.

SP Sports Committee hosts another successful Football Marathon
The San Pedro Sports Committee hosted a fun filled football marathon on Sunday, April 26th for young athletes under the age of 14. The marathon was divided into two categories, Under 10 and Under 14, and saw boys from across San Pedro forming teams named after the top football clubs of the world. Family and friends of those participating came out from 11AM to show their support and cheer on the young footballers. Four teams registered in the Under 10 category. After a series of matches, teams Manchester United and Bayern Munich advanced to the finals. After 30 minutes of play time, neither team had scored so the match went into a penalty shootout. In the end, Manchester United emerged victorious over Bayern Munich with a 5 to 3 point game. Trophies were awarded to both the first and second place finishers. Individual trophies were also given to Mikey Stefan for Best Midfielder and Andy Perez for Best Defense.

Dog trainers on cruise ship visit SAGA in San Pedro
30 dog trainers and dog owners from the United States and Canada who were on board a cruise ship made a port call to Belize on Thursday April 23rd. While in the country, the group visited San Pedro Town’s SAGA Humane Society as part of a course called Education at Sea, featuring dog trainer specialist Heather Beck. The course gave the trainers and dog owners the opportunity to perform hands on work with SAGA, who operates a shelter for local dogs commonly referred to as “potlickers. The cruise took the animal lovers to places such as Roatan in Honduras, Belize and Cozumel, Mexico over the course of seven days. According to Beck, while on the boat, the dog trainers participated in courses within three specific areas. “We did a course called ‘Clients Conversation’ to teach trainers how to build their business communication and how to talk to their clients. Another area we covered was ‘Head Hunters” which is a tool used for dog training, and the third area was ‘Rehab Reality.’ That is an area I am specialized in and we look at ways to deal with training difficult dogs.”

Ambergris Today

Salpicon The Other Belizean Ceviche!
A great reunion begins with good family members or friends. And a perfect reunion or social gathering must have a delicious “boca” appetizer. This is what this succulent pork smoked salpicon is all about. Ingredients 1 Large Tomato 1 Large Onion 1 Large Lime Cilantro 1 Strip of Pork Shoulder Steak Seasonings Salt Black Pepper Pepper Sauce or Habaneros Directions

Has the seaweed gone FOREVER!?
We were surprised to see a sargasso-free beach this morning. Maybe the cold front and change of wind/tide had something to do with it. Either way, it is a sight for sore eyes.

Miss Chiquitita Pageant Annouces Contestants For 2015
Organizers for the Miss Chiquitita Pageant are pleased to present to you the five beautiful and talented young girls they are: *Seydi Medrano - 8-year-old – Wild Mangos, *Iansy Gordon - 9-year-old – Foreva Fancy, *Adriana Briceño - 8-year-old – Ashley's, *Killianie Sosa - 9-year-old – Gaby's Construction, *Alieah Moreira- 9-year-old – Lynn's Boutique. These lovely girls will take center stage on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Old Football Field and will be judged in several categories which include swimsuit, talent and modeling and formal wear. The girls will also be delighting the crowd with dance presentations. Come and witness as one lucky girl is crowned Miss Chiquitita 2015. Prizes for Miss Amity and Miss Photogenic will be awarded as well as all contestants will receive great consolation prizes.

Tila Maria Comes to San Pedro for Night of Comedy and Entertainment
Tila Maria Sesto is a popular comedian from Merida. She appeals to a wide audience for her raw portrayal of the struggles that a Yucateca woman faces in a modern society where being true to the culture is perceived as odd behavior. The show is an adult show, due to explicit language, but it is important to note that this type of language is really part of the culture. This event is organized by Proud Mestizo Promotions in collaboration with the San Pedro House of Culture. Sponsors include Tropic Air Belize, San Pedro Sun and Ambergris Today.

Belize Tourism Statistics Show Steady Growth in First Quarter of 2015
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has released tourism statistics for the first quarter of 2015, which show that overnight arrivals remained steady, while cruise arrivals grew significantly over the same period in 2014. There was a 1.1% increase in overnight arrivals in March 2015, representing an increase of 424 tourists over March 2014. This increase followed two months of decreases that were similarly small in magnitude, being 1.0% and 1.1% in January and February, respectively. The major factor influencing the results in the overnight sector was weather conditions. There were severe snow storms that took place frequently during this period, resulting in cancellation of flights that affected travel from Canada, as well as the Central and Eastern United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York City – some originating destinations for visitors to Belize.

Misc Belizean Sources

Foreign Correspondent Banking Relationships
Several large American and European banks have recently decided to cut ties with select institutions in small developing countries, a decision that appears to be correlated with the imposition of heavy regulatory fines for infractions associated with the recent global financial crisis and violations of geo-political embargoes. The new strategy of these institutions involves a reduction in the scope of global operations to minimize the probability of incurring further sanctions and fines, a process known as “de-risking”. This is the context within which Belize Bank Limited and Belize Bank International Limited are losing foreign correspondent banking relationships. The public is informed that Belize’s other domestic banks (ScotiaBank Belize Ltd., Atlantic Bank Ltd., First Caribbean International Bank Ltd. and Heritage Bank Ltd.), all of which are authorized by the Central Bank of Belize to deal in foreign exchange, have not been affected. The Central Bank has been working closely with the Bankers Association to manage the situation and to ensure that international banking services to the general public are not unduly hindered. The public is therefore advised that the aforementioned banks will continue to conduct foreign exchange transactions (including wire transfers, bank drafts, letters of credit and bank guarantees) and that Belize Bank Ltd. will be making its reserves of foreign exchange available to the Central Bank to ensure that the needs of its customers and that of the rest of the domestic system will be served. Belize Bank Ltd. has also provided an assurance that all its other banking services (including credit card issuance and merchant acquiring services) will be continuing as usual while it continues to seek ties with other foreign correspondent institutions.

Commentary: The court ruling on the Maya land case in Belize will also impact Garifuna
By Wellington C. Ramos. Long before the Europeans came to the Caribbean, Americas and other parts of the world, people and nations were living in peace in their respective territories on this planet earth. History tells us that it was not only the Europeans that were roaming this planet committing atrocities against other people and nations in the beginning but several other nations as well. However, when we examine the nature of the atrocities that were committed against people and nations before the new world order was established in 1945, they are guilty of the most genocide and violations of human rights. Many of these occurred during the colonization of the world, when they went to all the continents and established their brutal rule by force with no regard to the indigenous people and nations. The establishment of the United Nations, World Court and other international institutions, gives people and nations the opportunity to seek redress and reparations for all the atrocities committed against their people and nation. Some of these indigenous people and nations have sought redress in national and international courts but have been denied justice.

Letter: The biggest hoax in Garifuna history!
By Joseph Guerrero. We are all familiar with the story, off the coast or Yurumein (St Vincent and the Grenadines) two slave ships crashed in the years 1635 and 1675 or thereabouts. According to no less than Henry Louis Gates Jr, who is the Alphonse Fletcher University professor and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University according to Wikipedia, this story has its origin in a report made by William Young in 1795. Gates does not mention the shipwreck of 1635; he mentions only the supposed shipwreck of 1675. Many Garifuna (adjective) intellectuals have picked up on this story and have spread this story deep into the Garifuna population. Many, this writer included, for a long time believed this story, depending on the veracity of the research of our intellectuals. Prior to learning of this historical “report”, all I knew of Garifuna origins, and I suspect many other Garinagu (plural of Garifuna singular), is that we were from Yurumein, now called St Vincent and the Grenadines. We were told the British brought us to Central America because we fought against them. Never had we been told we arrived to Yurumein (St Vincent and the Grenadines) by way of slave ships that crashed on the reefs near Yurumein. The rest of the story goes the Africans intermixed with the local inhabitants and formed a hybrid culture today called Garifuna.

Walk for a Green Belize 2015 Statistics
The Department of the Environment has released the statistics from this year's Walk for a Green Belize campaign The highway cleanup netted some 2,363 bags amounting to over 8 tons. Wow, time to stop littering! Great job, everyone! The DoE got some pictures from the event. "Volunteers collected 2,363 bages of garbage or 16,541 pounds of garbage off the George Price, Phillip Goldson and Hummingbird Highways... Belize, next year let's make it be less!"

Prime Minister’s Statement on PetroCaribe
"Now I want to say something about PetroCaribe in view of the continuing attack of those that are opposed and would wish legally and politically to stop the program. The decibel level of the anti-PetroCaribe campaign reached some quite extraordinary heights last week, with some of those against using some of the most unreasoning, incendiary language imaginable. I am not going to respond in kind. Indeed, I make a clear distinction between those critics that are pure haters, so to speak, and those that are genuinely concerned and unsettled. Whether through misunderstanding or out of, for them, legitimate disagreements with some aspects of PetroCaribe, that latter group must be engaged and answered. So today I speak to those well-intentioned Belizeans that might be experiencing some PetroCaribe disquiet, and not to the shrill and strident few. I want to remind that from the outset there was never anything remotely secret or opaque about the #UDP restart of PetroCaribe. We always saw the program as a huge potential aid in the development of Belize, but one that had gone dormant under the misuse of the PUP (who only ever operated the program for the befit of their cooperants down South). So after we signed the new Agreements with Venezuela and #APBEL, we proudly trumpeted our achievement and made much of the tremendous windfall we expected to get and spend on the Belizean people.

YAM youth leaders visit the Independence Public Clinic
As part of the Belize Youth Leadership Initiative project, IVLP Alumni Kenny White, recently lead the YAM youth leaders and visited the Independence Public Clinic. The U.S. Embassy's Deputy Chief of Mission, Bruce Matthews, and other U.S. Embassy staff joined Executive Director of the Belize Family Life Association and the youth leaders in this outreach program. The purpose of the visit was to conduct six video interviews with teen moms for the compilation of teen pregnancy video diaries entitled "This is my story." They also took the opportunity to chat two nurses and a gynecologist to gain perspective on teen pregnancy in the Independence community. The video diary will be posted on social media to promote awareness on teen pregnancy by inviting teen parents who watch the video to leave a comment or tell them "which one is their story.

Parents' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities Bill
The Ministry of Education in Belize is currently consulting with stakeholders on, amongst other changes in education legislation, a new Parents' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. "ALL PARENTS HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:...... ....Parents have the right to:......d) have their child receive courtesy and respect from (sic) regardless of actual or perceived race, colour, religion, age, creed, ethnicity, national origin, alienage, citizenship status, special needs or weight:...... 3 b) be treated with courtesy and respect by all school personnel, and to be accorded all rights without regard to race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, ethnicity, alienage/citizenship status or disability"

Cayo District Spelling Bee
Congratulations, Benita Caal, for taking 1st place at the Cayo District Spelling Bee. Have fun in Corozal,and study hard. "Benita Caal of Kuxlin Ha was 1st and will represent the Cayo District at the National Contest to be held in Corozal in June"

April 19 - April 25 2015 Belize Fishing Report
Despite the wind the permit fishing was on fire! More permit this week than I have seen in a long time. Saltwater anglers have a love - hate relationship with wind. They hate casting in it, but they love the way it camouflages their presence. With lots of wave action and wave noise it is easier to get closer to a permit than the calm day we all hope for. An ideal wind here is 8-10 mph out of the east, it is a perfect compromise of having enough wind to hide your approach and not so much wind that you can't cast or the guide can't handle the boat

Channel 7

Despite Public Criticism: PM Not Dissuaded On Petrocaribe Loan Act
The Petrocaribe Loan Act – it’s already law – but the public debate about it continues – and opponents in the opposition and the say they are gaining steam. Well, today Prime Minister Dean Barrow held a press conference to try and cool them off, and create his own momentum for the Petrocaribe funded programme of government spending. He did this at the Biltmore before the largest press conference crowd we’ve seen in years: about 110 people crowded into a conference room for an exceptionally long two hours 16 minute press conference. But while PM Barrow made the case for Petrocaribe inside, outside the opposition struck with a quickly organised protest. Tonight you’ll hear both sides of the story. But we start inside the press conference where the PM took a break from his usual swagger and appeared almost contrite when he explained why his administration never took the Petrocaribe borrowing to the House in the first place:… Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "Hindsight is always twenty twenty, the move that completes now is that we never went to parliament right at the time we signed the restart. If a house wife is given credit by the shopkeeper for the groceries she receives.

Petrocaribe Funds Will Be Used To Buy Portions of Superbond Back
And to make what the UDP insists is a wholesome spending programme seem downright virtuous, the Barrow Administration is now going to use Petrocaribe funds for more than just lavish public spending on infrastructure: the PM wants to buy back Belize’s debt. Here’s how he explained it:… Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "Petrocaribe last long enough, we fully intend to use it to buy back as much of the super bond as we can. Thus saving Belizeans very many millions in debt servicing. Let me go further, I commit today, that every penny collected from petrocaribe as of April 1st 2015, the start of this financial year through to March 31st 2016 will be left in the central bank. And there after, starting April 1st 2017 - and we fully expect the UDP to be here at that time; starting April 1st 2017, not less than half of every dollar to be collected from petrocaibe will be marked for the super bond buy back.”

PUP Protests Petrocaribe Press Conference
And while buying back Belize’s expensive commercial debt, with concessionary debt is a proposition that is hard to argue with, he’s not about to win over the opposition. They disagree fundamentally with the way the borrowing bypasses parliament – and today, while Barrow was praising Petrocaribe inside, outside, the PUP was pouring scorn on it with a hastily organised protest. They went to work in front of the Biltmore – and 7News was there: Daniel Ortiz Reporting…. Police officers restricted traffic on the road in front of the Biltmore Plaza Hotel by setting up a checkpoint and a barrier. The Biltmore compound was also secured by officers who restricted access to the hotel. They were responding to intelligence which said that the PUP intended to stage a protest outside the Prime Minister’s press conference. UDP supporters and contract officers were granted entrance without much difficulty while everyone else, well… They had to prove that they had a legitimate purpose to enter the compound, or else, they would be barred. Police were determined to keep order and didn’t want agitators or persons who would disrupt the press conference to go in.

Land Minister Discusses Caye Caulker Beachfront Dispute
And while Petro-talk dominated today’s very long and very news-heavy press conference, we did get to ask the Minister of Natural Resources about those parcels of land on Northern Caye Caulker. As we reported last week, two British retirees and the former chairman of Caye Caulker are among a group of at least 14 landowners who had beachfront property – only to find that new lots had been created on the beach and seabed in front of their properties. Those 14 landowners had retained an attorney – but after two years with no progress – they called in the media. Well, seems the matter was resolved faster than you can say “election di cohn!” Today at the prime minister’s press conference Lands Minister Gaspar Vega said that as many as 15 leases for beach land and seabed had been cancelled:… Hon. Gaspar Vega - Minister of Lands "There's 100 of people being affected by this act. This is something that started from 2004. So far, the people on the television complaining about they being disenfranchised of their beach front. That was not so, just that they did not come visit us, they either went to the media before they came to us. Because that was a case that was brought to us I think in 2011 and immediately the permission to survey was cancelled. They were some leases issued. I think they brought 7 cases to us and they were all cancelled - the leases.

Police Minister's Take On Bze City Murder Spike
And we return to the story I told you about before the break. That is the spate of murders in the Belize District between Saturday night andMonday morning. Today, the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar said that to curb the spree, it will take increased patrols and more importantly “social intervention.” Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of Police "Well, we know the spikes have become a routine every now and then we get an increase in the amount of murders and each time we do - we try to re-strategise. We look at the particular areas that are being effected, the particular gangs that are involved. We try to talk to them, council them but we also try to reconfigure our patrols and our strategies in those areas and that's best as we can do now. We must recognise thought that a lot of these murders are really confined to certain elements within the city and the police department itself I believe cannot be expected to know each and every time that these people are going to commit a murder. We don't have a police on every street corner. We just got to keep working with it in terms of our patrols. I believe that more social interventions and speaking with these people to see how they can resolve their conflicts differently."

Mr. Rigo's Suspected Killer In Detention?
Last night, we told you about the 42 year-old San Pedro taxi driver Jose Beltran who was found dead in his van with a gunshot in the head. Well tonight, more details are known since police have released the official details today. As we reported, police received information of an abandoned taxi van which was in a bushy section of the San Juan Area of San Pedro. The engine was still running and police found the well-known and well-liked taximan’s body inside. He had been shot into the head, his shirt was off, he was gagged and blindfolded, and his hands and feet were taped together.Beltran, knowna s Mr. Rigo – who was a law-abiding citizen – was most likely killed so that his assailants could use his vehicle in the commission of a crime. What investigators have been able to piece together is that shortly before his body was discovered, residents saw his van speeding to that area, and it appears that the person who was behind the wheel crashed it and left it there. Two men were seen exiting the van, and eyewitnesses observed when they jumped into a waiting vessel with other men inside.

San Pedro Police Caught Guns and Bulletproof Vest
San Pedro police also made a seizure of 2 handguns and a cache of ammunition yesterday. Acting on Special Branch intelligence, a team of police officers visited a section of the San Mateo area at around 5:30. They conducted a sweep and ended up finding a red and black string bag. Inside it, the officers found a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, and another .45 pistol with a magazine of its own. Another black plastic bag was found with 40 live rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 11 live rounds of .45 ammunition. The officers also found a black bullet proof vest.

Police Minister Discusses Controversial Seaman, Keyren Tzib
Earlier this month we reported on the shocking shooting incident at the Coast Guard headquarters. Coast Guard Keyren Tzib shot her colleague Kurt Hyde to the back and the bullet exited his cheek. Apparently she has a history of violent encounters with colleagues and as a result of this, coast guard officials sent in a disciplinary file to the Security Commission years ago but nothing was done about it and she remained in the rank of SEAMAN at the coast guard. Now could the shooting have been avoided if the commission had acted promptly? We asked Minister of National Security, John Saldivar today and here is what he had to say. Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of Police "I think first of all, we've got to acknowledge that the coast guard, the management of the coast guard did all that it could within it's power to deal with the situation prior to this. They took the matter to the commission but the commission made the decision that they made. We're currently reviewing what was done in terms of the placement of Ms. Tzib to keep her out of these sort of situation.

PM's Resolution for US Bank De-risking
At the top of the newscast, we told you about today’s press conference where much of the talk was about Petrocaribe. But the event last almost two and a half hours, and the Prime Minister spent the first 70 minutes going through a number of issues of public interest. Foremost among them is the Belize Bank – and the recent loss of its correspondent banking relationship with the Bank of America. That was the subject of a meeting the Prime Minister held with Bank officials in Miami this weekend – and today he told the media that the message coming out of those meetings is that the rest of the banking sector is stable:… Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "A part from the Belize Bank, there is none of those local banks which is in any danger of having Bank of America withdraw in corresponding banking relationship them. That was absolutely confirmed to me by all the officials with whom I met. There is not any sort of looming storm cloud in the horizon. I want to make clear, that Bank of America insists that it is nothing that the Belize Bank has done wrong.

How To Resolve FSTV/Feinstein Dispute Out Of Court?
The other issued discussed in Miami was the future of cruise tourism in the Belize District. The Fort Street Tourism Village has a contractually guaranteed exclusive until for the next decade or more, while Mike Feinstein has parliamentary approval for his Stake Bank project. In the middle of all this is Carnival Cruise line which brings in the most cruise ships to Belize annually. So whose side are they on? They told the Prime Minister they are good with Stake Bank:.. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "Carnival then, in essence is saying - by all means get the new cruise port built, we will encourage that, we're not saying to you if you can't, we stop coming. And secondly they are saying, in terms of who builds it, that's for the government and Mr. Feinstein and FSTV to work out. I have said to the FSTV principals just last week before I went to Miami - that there thought, that they could build the cruise port at stake bank is not going to fly. Mr. Feinstein has made plain that he's not going to sell his island. He doesn't mind their partnering with him but in a minority role. And in any case as they have made clear to me, even if they had the island and they could raise the financing to construct the facilities - they would require a government guarantee of some 80 ode million US dollars.

Gov't Does Not Accept Communal Rights Concept; Accepts Mayan Human Rights
And another issue of urgent public interest is Mayan Communal Land Rights. Last week, when the Caribbean Court of Justice met in Belize, Government agreed to respect those rights. The Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes’ Association took this as a victory – but today the Prime Minister qualified the government’s position:… Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "That consent order does not find or establish that the Maya have indigenous title. As I understand it, indigenous title is a term that carries a particular meaning in international law and practice. In effect, if the Maya had indigenous title, that would mean they would be entitled to communal land ownership. The consent order does not establish that. What we considered was that, there claim for property rights, there entitlement - we can see there is an entitlement to property rights.

PM Resisting Compensation To Mayans
But, the issue of compensation is also – by government’s argument – impermissible. Government has argued before the court that they don’t wish to pay such compensation and today the Prime Minister explained why:… Adele Ramos – Amandala Newspaer “Why is it that the Government resisted the Maya’s claim for damages? I understand that they aren’t asking for that much. It’s about 1.5 million. Can You explain?” Hon. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize “Because, Adele, it is not, to my mind, a claim rooted in law, and I believe, what I am told. The Judges of the CCJ who might have been inclined to be sympathetic sort of said to our attorney, ‘Well, maybe they haven’t made out a legal case for it, but in the spirit of reconciliation.’ Well, if I started doing that, when will I give to the Garifuna Council damages? When will I give the Kriol organisation damages? We are all historically oppressed people, you know.”

Petrocaribe Mother's Day Cheer For All Area Reps'
But oppression is not the word that comes to mind when the Prime Minister starts to boast about the largesse of the Petrocaribe funds. That will be on full display when Mother’s day rolls around in a few weeks and UDP area representatives will be sharing out fifty thousand dollars worth of cheer among their favoured female constituents. The PUP representatives – who have shared in cheer before – have taken the position that they will no longer do so on principle. But the PM today said at least one of them was looking to abandon that hardline:.. Hon. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize May I tell you that I’ve been approached by a PUP representative asking for a share of the Mother’s Day Christmas Cheer?” Crowd “Which one?” Hon. Dean Barrow “I’m not calling any names. I’m not calling the man’s name. I told him, I can give you, but I have to make it public. Let me offer to all of them $25,000 each, as part of – Man, even though they are quarrelling with us, everybody must enjoy Petrocaribe, and their constituents, they have mothers too. They can get $25,000 for each representative, but they need to work that out with Francis and Julius.”

Petrocaribe Funds Will Prop Up Citrus Industry
And there’s also some largesse to go around in the citrus industry where Petrocaribe funds are making three million dollars – and possibly more available to tide farmers over until their final payment comes in. The Prime Minister explained:.. Hon. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize “Government, out of Petrocaribe Funds – and the farmers at CPBL were told this – will provide a 2 million dollar working capital facility so that the farmers can get paid now what they are due. They actually need 4 million. We have gone – I have gone to Heritage Bank, and Heritage Bank says it will put up to the other 2. I believe Steve is a man – he has to go to his Board. But, if that doesn’t happen, we will give them the entire 4 million dollars. When I say give, they are not asking. It’s – CPBL will pay us back.”

Petrocaribe Funds Indirectly Pays For Teachers/Public Officer Increment
And the PM also made it clear that those same Petrocaribe loan funds – which the Trade Union Congress has said is being legitimized by dubious legislation – is also indirectly making it possible for teachers and public officers to get a 4% increment this year. He explained that while they are not being paid with Petrocaribe, Petrocaribe is creating the fiscal room for them to get their raise:… Dean Barrow - Prime Minister of Belize "The plain truth is that without the flexibility for government to tap into petrocaribe for capital finances and other non recurring investments, we would have not been able to commit the portion of incremental revenue for salary adjustments that we have committed. Joe Waight, the financial secretary will tell you, that we're about to spend another 20-25 million dollars on further salary increases for the teachers and public officers this year. When do we do it Joe? July retrospective to April 1st. Petrocaribe directly enables us to be able to do that sort of thing.”

Petrocaribe Will Roll In Rural Areas
And Government as also recently signed off on contracts which will extend Petrocaribe spending on infrastructure form strictly urban to rural areas. The Prime Minister outlined the areas that will be getting attention:… Hon. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize “The rollout to the rural areas begins now. Mr. Gentle, the CEO of Works, is here to tell you about the contracts that we have just gotten through signing. There are these contracts signed for Petrocaribe projects in Belize Rural Central, Toledo East, Stann Creek West, Corozal Southwest, Cayo Northeast, Cayo North, Orange Walk East, and Orange Walk North. So Petrocaribe is coming to Trial Farm, Ladyville, San Narcisco, Bella Vista, Succotz, Independence, Esperanza, Bullet Tree, and Carmelita, and it I will not stop until every village constituency – not every village – every village constituency in the entire country would have received its fair share of Petrocaribe.” A fair share for villages, and even a Petrocaribe prayer for the churches. That’s one more petro powered initiative the PM discussed today:… Hon. Dean Barrow – Prime Minister of Belize “I’m happy to see Pastor Howell Longsworth in the audience because I have a letter from Bishop Phillip Wright on Anglican Diocese of Belize Stationary, but writing on behalf of both the Belize Council of Churches and the Evangelical Association, as a follow up to our conversation - the conversation between him and myself – regarding the support of your administration for the construction of an Ecumenical Chapel on the grounds of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. That’s a consummation devoutly to be wished. The Government will finance the entirety of the construction out of Petrocaribe Funds. And the Churches know the source of the funding, and are comfortable.”

Why Police Haven't Taken Action For DJ Vintage's Alleged Assault
Last night we told you about Edison Usher, better known as DJ Vintage. HE says that a man pointed a gun at him at the Romy Badillo fundraising event that took place earlier this month. He has made an official police report but says the police aren’t doing anything about it. Today we asked Commissioner Whylie for his comment. Allen Whylie - Commissioner of Police "I can tell you that I first became aware of that situation I believe on Friday, when I had a call from the common law wife of the DJ. I spoke to the OCED, she gave me certain information in terms of the course of action that was being taken. My instructions to her was to get in the gentleman that made the complaint and to brief him in terms of where they are in the investigation and why is it that they have not reached the decision to charge Mr. Marin. And that is what I will respond to - but I'll definitely have OCED explain to you why is it - because I don't think the complainant is being forthright as he should be."

A Tornedo-Like Storm In Toledo?
In 2011, we told you about a storm which behaved like a tornado and tore up homes in Crooked Tree Village. Then another similar storm tore up homes in Maskall Village. In both instances, the National Met Service told us that these storms, though the behaved like tornadoes, are not that type of weather system, which are native to the US Midwest. Well yesterday, another very similar tornado-like swept through southern Belize and caused damages. We haven’t been able to confirm the number of communities affected, but our information says that a number of families had their thatch roofs blown off in San Antonio Toledo. Then, in PG Town, itself, a family’s house room was torn off last night. Then, this tree, which is over a hundred years old, was uprooted. We’ve been trying to reach NEMO personnel in Toledo, but we were unsuccessful. We did reach NEMO minister Godwin Hulse, who is currently abroad, and he told us that his ministry is aware of the situation.

Police Training Academy Get New Facilities
In 2010, the then police Minister Doug Singh famously commented on the senior police officers with some senior pot bellies. Well, now the police department is doing something about getting its officers in shape. They’ve put together a gym and a track – and I found out more when I visited today:… Everything was funded through contributions from the business community, members of the Police Department and canteen funds at a total cost of Fifty-Two Thousand Dollars.

Poultry Industry's Continued Crisis
A week ago, we told you about the difficult situation facing poultry farmers of Spanish Lookout who had to kill off 60,000 of their birds which were infected with avian influenza. They agreed to basically dump 3 million dollars’ worth of investment out of an abundance of caution because they agreed that the general public shouldn’t be exposed to a potential public health risk. Well, that action has put a financial hurting on those farmers, and while we were in Spanish Lookout, we approached several farmers to speak with us about the difficulties of that decision to comply. They all directed us to the designated spokesperson, Orlando Habet, who up until a few days ago, was out of the country. Well, we finally got an opportunity to speak with Habet today at the PUP’s Petrocaribe protest, and he described to us the farmers’ perspective of this crisis they are trying to recover from:

No Helicopter Any Time Soon?
But one thing Petrocaribe isn’t paying for is the new helicopter that government announced 6 months ago. It still hasn’t appeared – and today we asked the Prime Minister about it – which led to a cold exchange:…

Channel 5

Derisking is Minor Setback to Belize’s Banking Sector
The Prime Minister took on a number of issues this morning at a press conference that started at ten and continued until about twelve-twenty. P.M. Dean Barrow spoke on a [...]

Belize Bank Fully Supported by G.O.B. and Central Bank Through Derisking Hiccup
Now for policy matters, the Bank of America has withdrawn as corresponding bank to the Belize Bank. The PM explained that there has been nothing awry and that the government [...]

Executive Chairman Says It’s Business As Usual for Belize Bank
In past three or four years, the large U.S. Banks and some European Banks have been facing some of the largest fines in the history of banking. Those fines, according [...]

P.M. Addresses Legalities of Petrocaribe Loan Act
At least half an hour of the two-hour long press conference this morning was dedicated to Petrocaribe, the controversial project which spawned the controversial Loans Act and Bill. The Opposition [...]

“Petrocaribe is Here to Stay” - P.M. Barrow
The matter of the illegality is still before the courts, but where the outcry from the Opposition, VIP, church, business sector and unions is concerned, the Prime Minister isn’t at [...]

Petrocaribe Rolls Out Countrywide…
Amidst all that was said about Petrocaribe this morning, there were only a couple things we hadn’t heard before. One is that those glorious monies will be rolling down south [...]

Citrus Farmers Receive Boost With… You Guessed It, Petrocaribe Funds
As we mentioned earlier, Petrocaribe monies will be used to bail out C.P.B.L. It’s not the first time the company is being assisted, so to speak, by government. In fact [...]

…What Else Will It Be Spent On?
As you’ve noticed, where the government is concerned, Petrocaribe is the biggest thing, bar none. Politically, it’s been a game-changer for the United Democratic Party, especially since with the passing [...]

Does Petrocaribe Cover Health and Education Too?
As you can see, it’s a long list of projects which span the country, and it’s mainly infrastructure – from sporting complexes to the City Centre to million dollar roundabouts [...]

P.U.P. Protests Outside P.M.’s Press Conference
As early as six-thirty this morning, Police were on high alert at the Biltmore Plaza, putting up barricade and roping off a section of the parking lot. All that activity [...]

Details of P.M.’s Carnival Meeting Disclosed
The prime minister’s recent trip to Miami where he met with senior executives from the Bank of America, also included a meeting with Christine Duffy, President of Carnival Cruise Lines. [...]

Carnival’s Two Cents on Stake Bank Development
During the meeting with the Carnival executive, several benefits, including distance and safety, were also outlined from use of the proposed Stake Bank project. The issue of a causeway connecting [...]

What’s the P.M.’s Take on CCJ’s Maya Land Rights Ruling?
The Caribbean Court of Justice issued a milestone decision on the issue of Maya land rights a week ago. Since then the ruling, as well as the consent order, has [...]

Upcoming Mother’s Day Cheer Extended to P.U.P. Area Reps
Today, the Prime Minister announced that all U.D.P. Area Representatives will be receiving fifty-thousand dollars to give out for the now annual Petrocaribe-funded Mother’s Day Cheer program. The P.U.P. has [...]

ComPol Whylie on Spike in Crime in Belize City
Our records show that in the first four months of the year, there have been forty-three murders; that is twelve more than in the same period in 2014. Our stats [...]

Carlos Cassanova Jr. Charged With Corozal Murder
Mark Edward Massam was hacked to death on December ninth, 2014 on College Road in Corozal Town allegedly by Carlos Cassanova Junior who was in turn shot by police. He [...]

Police Training Academy Inaugurates Gym
A ribbon cutting ceremony for a newly constructed running track and gym at the National Police Training Academy was held today at its compound in the Capital. The facilities will [...]

Police Officers Transferred
Several transfers are in the pipeline for senior officers in the Police Department, says Commissioner Allen Whylie. The transfers are part of an annual process and effective July of this [...]

U.S. Embassy Recognizes Local Youth Groups
The U.S. Embassy recognized four youth groups for doing outstanding work in their communities. Today, the youth presented on the projects which included works to rehabilitate a center to provide [...]

LOVE TV

PM Returns From Business Trip in the US
As we mentioned earlier, the Prime Minister returned home today after travelling to the United States on Saturday to attend meetings with the Carnival cruise lines and members of the financial sector who are engaged in business with our local banks. We were at the airport when PM Barrow arrived and while he would not ...

Fonseca Sends Strong Letter to PM …. PM Says No Turning Back with PetroCaribe
The PetroCaribe Bill has stirred reaction from various corners of the country but more dominantly by the Opposition Party, particularly, Cayo South Area Representative, Julius Espat. Espat is supported by his party, the PUP and today, the Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca told the media that he would be sending a letter to the ...

A Look At Internal Affairs of the Belize Police
The Professional Standards Branch is an arm of the Belize Police Department that is tasked with weeding out the corrupt officers and bringing disciplinary actions against police officers when reports of abuse, extortion, or any other offenses are made against an officer. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Noel Leal is the officer heading that unit. Love ...

Wayne Rock Killed on Reggae Street
A shooting incident after seven o’clock last night claimed the life of 29-year-old Wayne Rock of a Jane Usher Boulevard address in Belize City. Rock was reportedly sitting in a van on Reggae Street when he was approached by a gunman who shot him multiple times. Superintendent Hilberto Romero spoke on this recent homicide. One ...

Engineer Killed While Socializing in Bar
Reports of a stabbing incident came to Love News just before ten o’clock on Saturday night where an engineer was stabbed to death, allegedly and ironically by a person who was hired at the location to maintain law and order. Superintendent Hilberto Romero briefed the media on the incident. Love News understands that Cisneros and ...

Man Shot Dead on His Way To Work
Violence claimed four lives over the last three days, all four murders recorded in the Belize District. The last murder was reported in Mahogany Heights this morning. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story.

April Murders 12 and 13: Mark Medina and Tyrone Neal
The weekend murders in the Belize District have taken the body count for the month of April to about fourteen. Renee Trujillo followed the two city murders that occurred this past Sunday

PlusTV

Latest murder in Belize City claims life of 29 year old
The murder carnage in Belize City continues as gunshots were heard again in the Southside. This time it took place on Reggae Street around 7:20 Monday night and the target was a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard...

Shot taxi driver succumbs to injuries
He was shot on Sunday morning after dropping off a fare on Iguana Street. On Monday night, 55 year old taxi operator Egbert Hemmans of Central American Boulevard succumbed to his injuries in hospital...

PUP ready for street action over Petrocaribe
Elements of the opposition to the Petrocaribe Loan Act 2015 are prepared to take their frustration to the streets, a favorite tactic of dissent...

P.M. says hell no to Petrocaribe repeal
He is expected to address it further at Wednesdayâ€™s press conference but on the heels of the announcement by the Leader of the Opposition this morning Prime Minister Dean Barrow said not only no, but hell no to the prospect of any repeal of the Petrocaribe Loan Act, 2015. He explains why. Hon...

PUP file claim on 13th Senator
The United Democratic Party (UDP) made it a major plank of their campaign in 2008: the legislation to implement a thirteenth seat in the Senate for the non-governmental organization (NGO) community...

Guatemalan charged for unlawful Xate cultivation
In March 19th earlier this year, 18 young men joined the ranks of the Friends for conservation’s park rangers...

Gaspar Vega begs out of testimony in libel case
He was quick to demand an apology when it aired and even quicker to sue when he did not get one. But Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, who claims to have been libeled by a broadcast bought and paid for by the family of the late Ramon Cervantes, Sr., of Orange Walk Town last November, appears not a...

Partnering to address climate change issues
Todayâ€™s temperature in Belmopan was forecasted at 102 degrees Fahrenheit at its highest but weahter.com says it really will feel like 111 degrees in the capital...

Performance by Square Peg Players
The square peg players, a renowned performing group in Belmopan, formed in 1973, fell dormant after the group went through several leadership changes...

Blue House security guard charged with murder
Police have laid murder charges against one of the two security guards who stabbed 41 year old Wilmer Cisneros of Western Paradise to death on Saturday night at the Blue House Bar in Ladyville. He is Diarron Hamilton, also known as Percy...

Home owner chops man attempting break in
Andre Alvarez, a construction worker of Police Street, is accused of attempting to break into the Linda Vista residence of Steven Swasey, only to be met by the homeowner with a machete in hand...

Cold Front in April?
There will be a dramatic change in weather conditions this week. According to Accuweather.com while much of april is generally associated with dry weather conditions, this year temperatures soared well above normal...

The Guardian

Health Hookup
It is Hot Outside I will make this week’s health article very simple. It is HOT outside, drink water! For the past two days in Belize City the “feels like temperature” has exceeded 100F and there doesn’t appear to be any indication that the rest of the summer will be less forgiving. I covered this topic last week but I will state it again, it is hot which means you are more susceptible to dehydration, especially people over the age of 60 and young children. Some of the symptoms of mild dehydration are: • Dry lips and mouth • Dizziness • Headaches Unless you are in an air conditioned environment all day, you will need to increase your daily fluid intake (water, not beer) to help prevent dehydration. To help with this it is advisable to keep a glass/jug/bottle of water within reach to serve as a reminder of the need to drink more fluids. For those who don’t like the taste of water, you can get creative by adding fruits to flavor your water or brew a jug of iced tea. If you will be in the sun for extended periods you should take other precautionary measures such as wearing sunblock, hat and sunglasses.

Anti Petro Caribe lobby going around the media Mulberry bush
The anti-Petro Caribe lobby took on a fever pitch between last week and this week with the same suspects taking their arguments to all talk shows in mulberry bush fashion. Each of the suspects took time out to make appearances early in the morning on all radio and television stations which would allow them the time. Those suspects include Audrey Matura, Dickie Bradley, Mark Lizarraga, Julius Espat and Francis Fonseca. Round and round they have gone for two consecutive weeks taking turns at repeating their rhetoric almost like the nursery rhyme in the hopes that Belizeans would somehow, due to repetition, get on board with their agenda. They have gone to great lengths to try to say to Belizeans that the Petro Caribe bill is the worst thing to hit Belize since Hurricane Hattie. As they are going about each of the suspects are carrying along with an identical argument, almost a rehearsed argument as to why there should be no support for the bill. They say it is illegal, they say it is immoral.

Ministry holds consultation on Education Sector Strategy
The Ministry of Education launched the Belize Education Sector Reform Project on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 and key officials are now meeting with relevant stakeholders to review the implementation strategy of that reform project. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, David Leacock, says the project has three main objectives: improving governance in the education sector with emphasis on improved student achievement; increasing access and equity at all levels of education and; enhancing quality and relevance throughout the education system. These goals will only be accomplished with a strong partnership between Government, educators and parents. Therefore, the Ministry will be holding consultations with these stakeholders to go over the key components of the education sector strategy. Leacock says with the focus on improving governance, there will be the implementation of accountability systems to strengthen leadership in schools and throughout the education sector. There will also be continued investment in human resource development as well as the strengthening of management and evaluation systems. The effort to improve governance has already seen the passing of amendments to the Education and Training Act. Such amendments strengthen the accountability system of the education sector by transferring power from the executive to stakeholders as seen in the Teaching Services Commission.

National Agriculture Show starts this Friday in Belmopan
Thousands of Belizeans from both at home and abroad are now gearing up to visit the National Agriculture and Trade Show NATS, this coming Friday, which conveniently is Labor Day, while the show has also been scheduled to continue on both Saturday and Sunday of this coming weekend. Almost complete, the Agriculture Show Grounds is a well managed area under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture and is located by Roaring Creek Village and the Guanacaste Park, within walking distance from the main entrance to Belmopan City. The theme for this year’s show is “Stimulating Prosperity in Agriculture and Food Production through Renewed Public Private Partnership.” To bring in the crowds, the entrance to the Agriculture Show grounds will be free on Friday to honor our hard working Belizeans and their families. A concert will start right after the official opening ceremonies at around 2:30 pm this Friday at the Creek Side Entertainment Stage. Entrance fees for Saturday and Sunday are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children within the age range of 12 to 5 year old. To facilitate the crowd’s access to the show grounds there will be three entrances. The ‘main gate’ remains a pedestrian entrance while the ‘4H Gate doubles as a pedestrian and vehicular entrance. The ‘Roaring Creek Bridge Gate’ remains the vehicle exit gate, but a new pedestrian visitor center is being built and pedestrians can now enter there.

Making Santa Elena Town in Cayo Central into a ‘Little Miami’
Work continues within the Cayo Central Division to increase job opportunities for young people; to give them a broader horizon. These projects to create employment in Cayo Central vary from infrastructural works to investments in education. One mega project within Cayo Central that has been boosting the employment numbers is the pre-planning work for the bye-pass that will connect San Ignacio to Santa Elena Town. While the contract for this future bridge has been signed, the design plans had to be redone to accommodate measures to use local materials and equipment rather than use imported ones. Plans are also now on the drawing board to convert Santa Elena Town into a ‘Little Miami.’ These plans envisage street lights along the highway from Red Creek to the Hawkesworth Bridge. There will also be sidewalks along from Red Creek to the Hawkesworth Bridge to improve the safety margins for pedestrians. Traffic lights will also be placed by Alwin’s Store in Santa Elena, given that the current intersection in that area becomes very busy with motorists at times.

Ten Years and 4 Months Ago
On Tuesday March 10th 2015 the Nation was stunned by the revelations made by Orange Walk Central Representative and former PUP Deputy Party Leader John Briceño via a recorded conversation he had with fellow PUP Julian Chell. Several misgivings of the 1998-2008 Musa/Fonseca Administration were chronicled including the Yen Swap, Galleria Maya, BTL and Intelco. The wheeling and dealing of the leaders of that era has become legendary. It is a fact that we Belizeans have a very short term memory so those of us who are old enough to have witnessed these acts of corruption have probably archived these events somewhere in the darkest recesses of our minds. Then there are those who were too young to have been able to comprehend what was taking place at the time. The following which was taken from Channel 7 News’ archives is for the benefit of both groups…lest we forgot. Musa Comes Clean on BTL/ICC/Intelco/Prosser. On the 10th of December, 2004 the National Assembly met to conduct important government business including the passage of the finance and audit reform bill, the cruise ship port development project bill, and the mutual legal assistance in criminal matters bill. But perhaps one of the most interesting moments came when the Prime Minister finally revealed and unveiled the long obscured inner-workings of the Jeffrey Prosser/BTL deal. We first go to his response to a question by the leader of the Opposition.

Despite Bad Weather Tourist Arrivals Increase
Tourist arrivals increased in the first quarter of 2015 by 7.75 percent despite numerous weather impacted cancellations. 457,072 tourists arrived in Belize over the first three months of 2015, which is 32,873 more than the same period in 2014. The Belize Tourism Board reports that there were severe snow storms that took place during the months of January to March of 2015 which resulted in cancellation of flights from premiere disembarkation points such as Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York in the United States as well as major cities in Canada. Despite numerous flight and subsequent accommodation cancellations, overnight tourist arrivals only decreased in the first quarter of 2015 by 0.2 percent. 101,981 visitors spent at least one night in Belize in 2014. This number decreased to 101,747 in 2015. When the snow storms were most severe, January and February, overnight arrivals decreased by 1.0 and 1.1 percent respectively for an overall decrease of 1.04 percent in January and February 2015. As the weather improved, overnight arrivals did as well with a 1.1 increase in arrivals for the month of March 2015.

Bar room fight turns deadly in Ladyville, security guard charged for murder
The weekend between, Friday April 25, and early Monday evening April 27, passed with 6 people being killed in the Belize District. The first happened on Saturday night, at the Blue House Bar in Ladyville Village on Saturday at around 9:30 p.m. A group of Hispanic men went to socialize at the bar, and among the patrons were 30 year-old Roger Jimenez, a Nicaraguan construction worker, and 41 year-old Wilmer Antonio Cisneros, a supervisor for Matus and Matus Engineering. From what police have been able to gather so far, the security guards, who were on duty at the time, approached the men and asked them to pay the fee to be inside the bar, which is a usual occurrence. It appears that the men did not want to pay, and so, some sort of misunderstanding took place, which then erupted into a fight. Sometime in the course of that fight, both Cisneros and Jimenez were stabbed by one of the security guards. Cisneros’ injuries to the chest and abdomen were grievous, and resulted in his death right inside the bar.

Busted with 134 grams of weed
Anne Andrews, 52, is out on bail after she pleaded not guilty to a charge of drug trafficking on Monday, April 27. Police searched Andrews’ home at #3 Castle Street, Belize City on Friday, April 24, and found two bags of weed. One amounted to 69.4 grams and the other was 64.5 grams. Andrews was the only person home at the time of the search, therefore, she was charged with drug trafficking. When she appeared in court on Monday, April 27, Andrews was read two counts of drug trafficking. Magistrate Herbert Panton asked the prosecutor, Cpl. Kennard Clark, why was Andrews facing two counts when the matter arose from the same discovery. Prosecutor Clark took the Magistrate comments into consideration and added the amount of weed together to file one charge. Andrews pleaded not guilty to one count of drug trafficking. There was no objection to bail which was offered in the sum of $3,000 plus one surety of the same amount.

CCJ to hear criminal case appeal
Last week the Caribbean Court of Justice decided that it will hear the first criminal appeal coming out of Belize. That appellant will be 28 year-old Gregory August, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the May 2009 murder of 73 year-old Alvin Robinson. Eamon Courtenay, the former President of the Bar Association told the press back in January that the reason why no criminal appeals have been taken to the Caribbean Court of Justice before August’s case is because the convicted appellants do not have the finances required to get their case before the tribunal. Courtenay has now taken on August’s case and on Monday, April 20, they applied to the court for special leave to be heard as a poor person. After careful consideration the Caribbean Court of Justice granted him permission to bring his case, but they believe that his case should go back to the Court of Appeal, where the court will decide on the new grounds of appeal brought forward.

Monday Night’s murder #6 in Belize City in three days
Wayne Rocke, a 29 year-old resident of Jane Usher Boulevard, became the 6th person who was gunned down in the period of 3 days between Saturday, April 25 and Monday April 27. He was fatally injured by a gunman who came in the darkness of night. It happened on Monday April 27, just after 7 p.m. at the residence of #7213 Reggae Street. Rocke was sitting in a van doing some mechanic work. He had a light hung up nearby, so that he could see what he was doing. Unfortunately, that gave his killer the perfect opportunity to approach nearby, and shoot him from out of the darkness. Only the sound of the gunshots signaled to residents that a street-style execution was taking place. No one saw anything, and when the gunfire ceased, Rocke was found on the ground, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He had succumbed to his injuries.

Tattoo “Ninfar” and wrist band “Anibal” only clues to John Doe’s Identity
Police are asking the public’s assistance to determine the identity of a man found dead near mile 6 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. On Thursday, April 23, police were called to an area just before mile 6 of the Phillip Goldson Highway where they found the body of a Caucasian male floating in the mangroves. According to police, a caretaker of the area saw some vultures flying in the area and went to check what they were circling. It was then that he saw what appeared to be a human corpse floating near the mangroves. The caretaker then called the police to report the discovery. Police found the body dressed in a khaki short pants and black T-Shirt. The body was decomposing. There were no physical signs of injuries to the body and due to the state of decomposition the cause of death was undetermined. The only identifiable mark on the body was a tattoo “Ninfar” on his right arm. He also had a black and red wrist band on his left arm marked “Anibal”.

Fisherman in prison for old fines
A fisherman of Sarteneja Village, Sanasermo Torres, 48, is in jail serving the first few days of a four year jail term after he appeared in court on Friday, April, 24, for undersized conch. Fisheries Officer, Hector Cunningham, found Torres in possession of 95 undersized conch at the Northern Fisherman Cooperative on North Front Street on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Torres appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, April 20, and was remanded until Friday, April 24. On Friday he appeared in court with attorney Simeon Sampson. Chief Magistrate Smith dismissed the charges against him. Unfortunately for Torres, court records show that he owes the court $3,965 for four old convictions stemming all the way back to 2003. Chief Magistrate Smith ordered that he pay the fine immediately or serve four years imprisonment in default. Torres begged for leniency and asked for an extension. However, the Chief Magistrate said he had ample time to pay the fines.

Friends for Conservation detain Xatero in Chiquibul
At 5:00 p.m. on Sunday April 26 2015, whilst conducting a reconnaissance patrol at an area known as Cristina in the Chiquibul Forest, FCD rangers intercepted and detained David Alvisures Cheche who is originally from La Rejoya, Peten, Guatemala. This person was found 14.7 kilometers inside Belizean territory. With him he had 720 fish tail xate leaves. He was escorted to Tapir Camp then subsequently to the San Ignacio Police Station where he was charged for unlawful possession of forest produce by the Forest Department and for illegal entry by the Immigration Department. Xate is known to be exported from Guatemala to the United States and Europe for floral arrangements. David reported that he would take his product to Santa Elena, Peten where another intermediary person would buy it from him. The 720 leaves would be worth 180 quetzales or Bz $53.00. It is not certain if the person in Santa Elena has a permit from el Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas to buy and sell xate, however, it is known that persons who possess xate permits would usually get engaged on xate laundering, meaning that they put in illegal xate along with the certified xate.

Dangriga Warriors upset the league leading Western Ballaz
The National Elite League Basketball Competition continued last weekend with three games across the country. On Friday 24 April, 2015, out at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town, the visiting Dangriga Warriors pulled off an upset when it upended the league’s leading Cayo Western Ballaz by the score of 57-56. The upset win came as a result of a three pointer that was taken by the Dangriga Warriors’ Edgar Mitchell with only 4.3 seconds left in the game. The top scorers for the Dangriga Warriors were Daniel Nolberto who scored 17 points, had 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 6 steals; Brandon Flowers with 14 points and 4 rebounds and Edgar Mitchell with 12 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. For the league leading Cayo Western Ballaz, the top scorers were Keith Acosta with 17 points, 8 rebounds, and an assist; Akeem Watters with 9 points, 12 rebounds, and an assist and Emerson King with 8 points, 1 assist and a steal. On Saturday 25 April, out at the UB Gymnasium out in Belmopan, the host team Belmopan Red Taigaz edged out the Belize City No Limit Team by the score of 99-96. The top scorers for the Belmopan Red Taigaz were Jarrel Velasquez with 22 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals; Farron Louriano with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, and Travis Lennan with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.

Youth Talks
We live in a world where there is a drastic imbalance between negativity and positivity. It is a serious struggle for us as youths to understand our worth and know our abilities. Youths have an awesome power to make a change but; unfortunately, only we can utilize our gifts to make a difference. Youths have the potential to make Belize a brighter place where hopes and dreams develop and transform into shining realities and a productive garden is reaped. We have the opportunities to lead and be examples so others may follow and take heed of our walk to positivity. Often times, we as youths lose track of where we are and what we want in our future life. All sectors must play an integral role in developing and building our youth sector, but the ultimate power remains in the hands of our youths. We are the ones who must maximize on the information and education provisioned and zoom in on the resources available. We live in a small country and in my opinion, this makes it easier for us to partner and cooperate amongst each other. Young people must be able to share their ideas and talents in order for growth and sustainability in the youth sector.

The Belize Book Industry Association holds Book Fair in Cayo
A book fair in celebration of books, which was organized by the Belize Book Industry Association BBIA, was held on both April 24 and 25th at the Cayo Welcome Center in San Ignacio Town. BBIA’s celebration was also a tribute to April 23rd which is recognized as World Book and Copyright Day, where the work of authors and illustrators are given special notice. Since 2009, the BBIA has been celebrating Belizean literature, and both Friday and Saturday were no exception, where several Belizean book sellers came out to promote their products. Retired public servant Erlington Cayetano took the occasion last Friday to promote a variety of his own colorful books dedicated to pre-school and lower division children. The covers for his books are highly decorated and have a Belizean flavor. Erlington Cayetano comes from Dangriga and orders for his books can be made at 665-3387. His work on children’s books started in 2007 and he has produced all books with his own funds. For this year, the National Institute of Culture and History NICH continued to sponsor BBIA’s book fair. The Belize National Library Service and Information System BNLIS also participated this year with a book exchange program at the Cayo Welcome Center and also provided an enabling learning environment for young book readers.

Citizen on Patrol Training conducted in San Ignacio Town
Sixteen trainees under the Citizen on Patrol COP Training received their certificates this past Sunday at the San Ignacio Police Station. The three day training, which was held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of April, was conducted by Rudolf Orio, retired Superintendent of Police and coordinator from the Police Auxiliary Unit. The intensive course covered beat and patrol, patrol techniques, description of property and person, constitutional law, traffic offenses and other basic matters relating to policing. In a short ceremony, Dinsdale Thompson, Officer Commanding of the San Ignacio Police Formation welcomed the COP trainees and informed that the Police department is working towards a better relationship with the community. He also said that the Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, highly appreciates the trainees’ intent to be part of the Belize Police Force and serve Belize. All COP participants raised their right hands and made an oath of allegiance to be faithful and have true allegiance to Belize. The trainees also made an affirmation to obey all reasonable orders relevant to the Police Department’s Citizen on Patrol Program.

The Rotary Club of San Ignacio holds Voice of the West
High School students from some 13 high schools in Belize participated in the Voice of the West contest at the Hode’s Place in San Ignacio Town on Thursday night of last week. Organized by the Rotary Club of San Ignacio, the contest brings together High School luminaries to exercise their talent in various categories. Coming in first in the persuasive speech category was Keanna Hulse, Fourth Form student at the Belize Christian Academy, and who is following a long family tradition in doing well in public speaking. Keanna Hulse spoke about the role of voluntary community development work in Belize and how such work could pave a brighter future for Belize. Coming in first in published poems was Lucia Tesecum third form student form Sacred Heart College. In the original poems, Isabel Lanza from the Belmopan Comprehensive High School also came in first. In the impromptu speech category, Michael Paredes from the Our Lady of Guadalupe High School was a clear winner and as the rest of his colleagues, who came in first, received a cash prize of $300.00.

Monchie Cervantez goes to court for defaming Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega
Readers may remember Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega’s defamation lawsuit against his political opponent, PUP’s Ramon Cervantez Jr. The DPM is suing Cervantez for releasing a phone call publicly on the evening news and on national radio. In that phone call, a man who claimed to be the wanted murder mastermind, Manuel Castillo, made the unbelievable allegation. He named the DPM Vega as the mastermind behind the murder of Cervantez’s father, the late Ramon Cervantez Sr, who was killed in 2014. The Deputy Prime Minister gave Cervantez adequate time to retract and apologize, but he refused to do so. That forced the DPM to take action by way of a lawsuit. That claim was filed in late November 2014, and it’s first hearing happened in February 2015. Since then, the case has been going through pre-trial hearings and case management conference in the chambers of the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin.

Dangriga Town Council upgrading Wagaerale
Residents of the Wagaerale Area of Dangriga are overjoyed with the tremendous amount of street works that is going on in their community. Streets are being graded, potholes are being filled, and new streets are being pushed to join and open up the community. The transformation of Dangriga continues one street at a time and this Dangriga Town Council is getting the job done. As soon as street fill material is identified you can be sure that street rehabilitation work will happen and Mayor Humphreys along with the Town Administrator, Councilors and staff of the Dangriga Town Council is working hard every day to get the job done.

The Milk of Human Kindness…….Overflowing!!!
It is a simple yet positive story; the likes of which we need to listen to more often. It began with a group of concerned youths and some adults who wanted to make a positive difference in their village and who identified the Feed the Elderly Initiative as the way forward. Action was swift and the cooperation from the community at large was incredible. At the end of the day on Sunday April 26, more than 70 elderly and needy people from the village of Trial Farm had been fed with typical Sunday Belizean fare -Rice & Beans, Stewed Chicken and Vegetable Salad along with Juices and biscuits. It was pure exuberance as they shared the love with these elderly and needy people. Congratulations are well in order and hats off to Angela Gentle, Deborah Martinez, Duffy Urbina, Jennifer Jimenez, David Lopez, Joslyn Martinez, Morris Cocom, Shantel Casimiro for their hard work and personal involvement in making this a success. To the Hon Gaspar Vega, our gratitude for your wholehearted moral and financial support. God Bless You All.

PUP appoints another Ashcroft Boy as Standard Bearer
Another puppet of Lord Michael Ashcroft has been handpicked as Standard Bearer for the People’s United Party. Retired BDF soldier, Lloyd Jones, is expected to be nominated uncontested as the Standard Bearer for the Belize Rural North Constituency. | Members of the PUP Rural North Committee are peeved at this pending appointment. They see Jones as a yes man for the Ashcroft Alliance controlled section of the PUP. One Belize Rural North PUP supporter says he is “a brown nosed [sucker] who has been like a shovel all his life”, meaning he is always under someone’s control when operational. Others know Jones as a slick town B. eSSer. His words cannot be taken to the bank and his sincerity is always in question. Attorney Fred Lumour says, “He is a chameleon, he changes his skin anytime.”

Remanded for $500,000 Treasury Heist
David Elroy Enriquez, 28, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly redirecting almost $500,000 in Government subvention for the Toledo Community College to a private account. Enriquez was escorted by police to the Belize City Magistrates Court on Friday, April 24, where he appeared before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith and was read three charges of theft. Due to the nature of the offense, the charges will be dealt with on indictment. Therefore, no plea was taken. Prosecutor in the case, Inspector Daniel Itch, objected to bail on the grounds of the sensitivity of the case and that Enriquez may try to interfere with witnesses. Itch also pointed out that Enriquez may be a flight risk. Enriquez’s attorney, Oscar Selgado, asked the court to take into consideration his client’s constitutional right to be deemed innocent until proven guilty. Selgado pointed out that his client has no previous arrest record and is a career man with a family. He suggested that the court hold Enriquez’s passport but grant him bail. Despite Selgado’s submissions, Chief Magistrate Smith ordered that Enriquez be held on remand at the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on June 4, 2015. Enriquez’s attorney has started the process to file for bail at the Supreme Court.

Kevin Flowers gunned down in Mahogany Heights
Police are investigating the murder of Kevin Flowers, 40, who was shot to the back of the head just after 7 a.m. on Monday, April 27, near the Mahogany Heights Community. Flowers was heading to work at the Fein Catch Tilapia Farm in La Democracia through an off road short cut between Mahogany Heights and the George Price Highway when he was ambushed. People in the area reported to police that they heard the sound of a single gunshot. A few minutes later, Flowers’ friend discovered his lifeless body. He was found in a kneeling position slumped over with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. His bicycle was found a little distance away which suggests that he was either running from his attacker(s) or he was taken to his place of execution.

Street figure gunned down on Iguana Street
The weekend’s second murder was a brazen broad daylight slaying, which happened Sunday morning, April 26, just before 10 a.m. The victim was one of the most feared men of recent times, who once associated with the George Street Gang. 31 year-old Mark Medina was killed in what looks to be a well-planned hit. It appears that he was lured to his death by one of his former associates with the promise to complete a business transaction. What the press has been able to put together so far is that Medina received a call from a man to retrieve what was owed to him. That’s when he took a taxi, which was being driven by 55 year-old Egbert Hemmans, who – from all appearances – was an honest hardworking taxi driver for years. When Medina arrived at #19 Iguana Street there appeared to be no one home. Eyewitnesses say that he was just getting out of the vehicle and was on his phone when a gunman ran out of the yard where he was to retrieve his money from.

Tyrone Neal killed on Kraal Road
34 year-old Tyrone Neal, a resident of Fabers Road, became murder victim number 3 on Sunday, April 26, less than 4 hours after Mark Medina was killed on Iguana Street (see story on page 24). According to information from police and residents, Neal was playing dominoes with a group of friends in a yard on Kraal Road when he was attacked by an unknown gunman. Reports are that the assailant crept into the yard and hid long enough to catch everyone off-guard. He shot Neal several times in different sections of the body. Neal collapsed and he was quickly rushed to the KHMH, shortly after the gunman fled. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Bus driver beats ex-girlfriend unconscious then attempts suicide
Driver of Ramos Bus Company, Conrad Roches, 28, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend until she passed out on Saturday night, April 25. Roches appeared before Magistrate Herbert Panton on Monday, April 27, where he was read a single charge of attempted murder upon Sherima Graham. Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken during the arraignment. A preliminary inquiry will be scheduled to determine if there is sufficient evidence to commit the matter to trial at the Supreme Court. Since the matter is an indictable offense, bail could not be granted at the Magistrates Court. According to reports, at around midnight on Saturday, Roches managed to stretch his arms inside Graham’s Lords Bank home and get a key to the house. He then entered and beat Graham until she went unconscious. We are told that after he beat Graham, he called a friend and told them what he did. We are also told that Roches tried to hang himself as he had already placed a piece of extension cord on a beam inside the house when police arrived.

Belize Softball Federation to hold Open Tryouts on Saturday
The Belize Softball Federation will be holding Open Tryouts for female softball players 19 years and under on Saturday 2 May, 2015, at Rogers Stadium commencing at 10:00 am. The Open Tryouts for the male softball players 19 years and under will also take place on Saturday 2 May, 2015, at 1:00 pm at Rogers Stadium The National Training Team will be conducting the Open Tryouts for both the junior girls and junior boys. The Belize Softball Federation is asking all players to bring along an identification that can be used for age verifications. The National Junior Female and National Junior Male teams will represent Belize at the Central American Junior Championships in El Salvador and Nicaragua respectively.

Police United and the Belmopan Bandits win
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season Tournament Playoff round continued on Sunday 26th April, 2015, with two games on the schedule. In the game played at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, the host team Police United edged the Belize Defence Force by the score of 2-1 to take over the lead in the playoff round. The visiting Belize Defence Force was able to get onto the scoreboard first when Harrison Tasher scored his team goal to give them a 1-0 lead. However, the lead was short lived when Harrison Roches scored the equalising goal for the Police United in the 28th minute of play. The first half of the game ended in a 1-1 draw. In the second half of the game, the host team Police United took the lead for good when Devon Makin scored his team 2nd and final goal of the game in the 58th minute of play for the win. The defence of the Police United team was able to keep the big bombs of the Belize Defence Force in check for the remaining part of the game.

10th Annual Pablo Marin Cycling Classic set for Labour Day
The Northern Zone of the Cycling Federation of Belize and the Hon. Pablo Marin will be holding the 10th Annual Pablo Marin Labour Day Cycling Classic on Friday 1 May, 2015. The Weekend Warriors A/B riders will start at 9:00 am from Corozal Town to San Jose Village and back to Corozal Town for a total distance of 40 miles. The first rider to cross the finish line in this event will receive $300.00 and a trophy, the second place finisher will receive $200 and a trophy and the 3rd place finisher will receive $100.00 and a trophy. The Female, juniors and Youth riders will commence their event at 9:05 am from Corozal Town to San Jose Village and back to Corozal Town for a total distance of 40 miles. In the female category, the first rider to cross the finish line will receive $300.00 and a trophy; the second place finisher will receive $200.00 and a trophy while the third place finisher will receive $100.00 and a trophy.

Smart 13 and U competition continues at the MCC Grounds
The 2nd week of the SMART 13 and U Football Competition continued on Saturday 25th April, 2015, at the MCC Grounds with six games on the schedule. In the first game played, London Strikers won over Ladyville Jaguars by the score of 2-0. The goals for London Strikers were scored by Jose Castellanos and Keffer Perteau. In game two, it was Young Warriors winning over 3rd Word by the score of 3-0. The goals for Young Warriors were scored by Joshawn Flowers (2) and Jose Garcia. In the third game of the day saw Hattieville Youth and Charlston to a 1-1 draw. The goal for the Hattieville Youth was scored by Christian Caceras and Kenrick Gonzales for Charlston.

Amandala

Mark Medina, 31, executed in “Crenshaw”
The second of two men who suffered gunshot wounds unfortunately lost the fight for his life at about 8:20 p.m. yesterday, Monday, less than 48 hours after the incident. The victim, Belize City taxi operator, Egbert Hemmans, 55, had been admitted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in a critical condition on Sunday morning after being shot twice—once in the chest and then in the abdomen while sitting in his vehicle. The incident occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. this past Sunday, April 26, in the area known as “Crenshaw” on Iguana Street in Belize City, when Hemmans had taken Mark Medina, 31, a known gang affiliate who was apparently marked for death, to recover some items from a house that is located on that street.

Francisco Gomez, 38, remanded for sexual assault of girl, 10
A resident of Boston Village, Belize District, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison after he was arraigned on a single count of sexual assault this afternoon when he appeared before Magistrate Ladona John. Francisco “Indian” Gomez, 38, a laborer, pleaded not guilty to one count of sexual assault when Magistrate John read the charge to him. The court prosecutor objected to the granting of bail to him, citing the prevalence of the offense. He also objected to the granting of bail to Gomez on the ground that the virtual complainant is a 10-year-old child and if granted bail, Gomez might interfere with her. Magistrate John upheld the prosecutor’s objection and remanded Gomez to prison until his next court date on June 22.

“Rat Motel” at Western Regional Hospital!
Administrators at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan told the media today that measures have been put in place to manage a case of rat infestation that was recently uncovered in the hospital’s food pantry where groceries and food stuff for staff and patients are stored. The situation came to light last Friday, April 24, when the area was being cleaned out, and pictures that were taken at the time showed that there were multiple dead rats of all sizes and even a used condom inside the dilapidated room, amongst closed barrels containing flour, rice, beans and other food supplies. Hospital administrator Bernadette Sewer explained to the media today, that the situation came to light because recently, there has been a more “in-depth” cleaning of the hospital, since there was no house cleaning supervisor for some time.

The Blue House Bar security guard charged with murder
Sometime after 9:30 p.m., on Saturday, April 25, there was a brawl inside The Blue House Bar, located between Miles 8 and 9 on the Philip Goldson Highway in Ladyville, and by the time police arrived on the scene, a man was lying dead on the floor inside. After being in police custody since Saturday night, Darrington “Percy” Hamilton, a security guard employed at The Blue House Bar, was this morning escorted by police to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, who arraigned him on a single count of murder for causing the death of Wilmer Antonio Cisneros, 41. No plea was taken from Hamilton and the Chief Magistrate remanded him to the Belize Central Prison until his next court date on July 22. Cisneros, a Honduran national who worked as a supervisor at M&M; Engineering, was stabbed in his abdomen and chest during the brawl inside the club, where a fight had broken out between a group of men who were with Cisneros and two security guards of the establishment.

Barrow meets with Bank of America amid fears of financial crisis
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow returned to Belize from Miami, USA, this afternoon, after meeting with executives of Bank of America and Carnival Cruise Lines to discuss critical developments in both the banking and tourism sectors. Barrow flew to the US over the weekend after the Belize Bank confirmed that the Bank of America, the second largest bank in the US, had decided to sever correspondent banking relations with the Belize Bank, Belize’s largest commercial bank. Barrow was accompanied on his Miami mission by his economic advisor, Ambassador Mark Espat, and Central Bank Governor, Glen Ysaguirre, who, we understand, flew on to Washington, DC, for related meetings involving the banking sector of Belize. We’ve received credible information that Bank of America, which claims that the decision to cut off the Belize Bank was triggered by a change in its business model, has maintained its stance in its meetings with the Belize delegation. We understand, though, that bank executives gave assurances that no other commercial bank in Belize would be included in what is termed “de-risking” in the financial sector.

“Not a chance in hell!”
–This morning, Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca had an impromptu interview with the media on what his party, the People’s United Party, plans to do to pressure the Government to repeal the PetroCaribe Loans Act—a controversial piece of legislation which the Opposition has dubbed “scandalous” and “unconstitutional.” Upon his return from Miami today, Barrow was informed of Fonseca’s plan to send him a formal letter of request to repeal the law—a petition letter which the Opposition hopes will also be signed by the social partners, the unions, the business community and the churches, which have also denounced the legislation, amid assertions that it circumvents safeguards built into the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act. More than that, the Opposition has indicated that if Barrow does not repeal the bill within 21 days, it will take to the streets with a protest. Barrow, who said the PUP are pursuing a self-serving, political agenda, remains resolute on the law: “There is not a chance in hell that there will be any repeal of the PetroCaribe Loan [Act],” Barrow told the press today, adding later that, “I am absolutely certain that the Belizean people are with me on this…”

MCC turf is a disaster
Fans witnessing the games on Saturday at the Smart 13 & Under tournament voiced their discontent with the playing surface of the MCC, which erupted into clouds of black dust whenever the players got into close tackles or kicked the ball. After being shut down for renovations for approximately eight months last year, the MCC is worse, much worse than it was before the closure last June. Besides being very uneven, the whole of the playing area has a top layer of black, dusty material that is loose and easily airborne, although most of the field has some grass cover. The black dust, which looks like ashes from some burnt material, cannot be good for the health of the young players, or fans downwind who must inhale this possibly toxic dust. We need the MCC for tournament games, because the MCC is the best “demilitarized zone” for our young players from all across the city to converge and play with a feeling of relative safety. But something has to be done to the playing surface; a new layer of good material is needed.

Elston “Mr. Bes” Wade, Sr., a very rare cowboy
Before I go into the Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015, under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, I need to mention a very good old friend of mine, hailing from the beautiful village of Bermudian Landing – Mr. Elston Wade, Sr., a.k.a. Mr. Bes (best). I have known this good gentleman from my young years. I have not seen him play the game of cricket, but he has a son that plays the game. That son is Jerome. I can testify that he is a strong follower of the game; not only a follower, but a promoter in years gone by. Anywhere he is seen, you will see him dressed in cowboy hat, checkered shirt, jeans pants and boots. He is a strong debating person, especially when it comes to horses or cows. Well, he is a rancher by profession. What he stands for is discipline and respect for all; more so with the underprivileged. Although he lives in Bermudian Landing, and he goes out to cheer for the home team, you could always hear him giving encouragement to the visiting team. He is not a problem maker, nor does he encourages, it. Because of the way he conducts himself, and the respect he gets, I asked him, “What’s the formula?” He said, “Mr. Young, once you respect yourself wherever you go, and whoever you’re with, respect will follow. Be careful of what you say, and to whom.”

Athletics past and present – Alexander Alvarado
They say we are a product of our environment, but Alexander Alvarado is living proof that that statement is not always true. Growing up in a neighbourhood which had a lot of crime and bad influences, he made a change. At the age of 17 he was going through some problems in his life, and he said he always told himself he wanted to be different than the youths in the area that were into gangs. It so happens that one of his good friends, Timothy Mena was involved with track and field, and told him to come out to run and train and you will like it. He decided to go, and there he met a coach, Mr. Morris. He started training, and in that same year, at the age of 17 in 2010, he ran his first race. It was the UWI 10k. It was held on the Marine Parade circuit, and he took first place. Thereafter, they had the Alpheus Williams 5k, and he also placed first. That was when he met legendary long distance runner, Joseph Carr, who he said taught him everything about running and trained him; and Joe’s wife, Shelly Carr also played an essential role in his running development.

Give some love to “the Hoggist”!
The things we used to do when we were young. Young men walking the streets today, and seeing that greying brother struggling to walk with the aid of two hand crutches, couldn’t begin to imagine the super athletic talent that he once was, a few short years ago. Youth is a passing thing, and the young often err in thinking that they have a claim on it. Like life, it is a gift, and we’re all only passing through. Enjoy, nurture, cherish the time and the blessing of youth. Hogman, the fighting spirit that he has, is determined to walk again, after suffering a stroke back in 2009 in L.A. He returned to Belize in June of last year to attend the funeral of his mother, and decided to remain in the Jewel, as the climate was considered better for his recovery. I recall a pre-season game playing for the Charger football team back in 1977. Though the game was officially still amateur, Charger’s sponsor/management had managed to lure Hogman over as our “big striker.” I played center midfield, and we were on a bus ride to Benque Viejo where we would play against a little Verdes team. This was a few years before Verdes became a power house with Erwin Contreras and company. Hogman was not on the bus with us when we left town that Sunday morning. He was coming from Dangriga, and he caught up with us somewhere between Belize City and Belmopan; and from the looks of things, he had spent a hectic Saturday night, towel across his shoulder, and all.

Conflict resolution – murderous violence
When citizens in civilized societies have a dispute between/among themselves, or enter a conflict on the landscape of the domestic society, they will usually call in the police or go to court, or both, to settle the dispute, resolve the conflict. Because the business of illegal drugs is just that, illegal, the principals in such a business cannot call in the police or go to court. They settle disputes and resolve conflicts by murdering each other. In the streets of Belize City, the business of drugs is relatively lucrative if you can control territory, and control of territory is derived from violent intimidation of those around you. For several decades now, we have seen that half our male children will drop out of school before they are 12 or 13, say, and they will not have the skills necessary to earn an honest living. They become cannon fodder for the drug dons. While one would expect that unskilled youth who are healthy would be able to do construction work, most Belize City employers in construction bring in workers from the other Districts of Belize to do the old capital’s construction work. The main reason for this, apparently, is that Belize City youth are said to refuse the low wages in construction.

From the Publisher
For you to understand how I view the matter of Maya customary land rights in Belize, you would have to know how I grew up, and how I think and feel. I don’t like skyscrapers, elevators, and planes. I don’t really like concrete and steel. I don’t like freeways. In fact, I don’t think I really like speed. I grew up in a time when life was slow in Belize. I grew up in sailboats, not speedboats. Perhaps I’m primitive. When I was about twelve years old, I read a book about the heroic chiefs of some Native American tribes leaders like Sitting Bull of the Sioux, Geronimo and Cochise of the Apache, the great Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, and others. I felt a kinship with these people. Part of that kinship may have been derived from a legend on my mother’s side of the family that we are descended from a Sioux Indian. Whatever the case, I liked the Native American way of life, and their philosophical/religious views of life, the earth, the heavens, and so on. At the age of eighteen in 1965, I flew to the United States to study in one of their universities. There, I met a young African from Malawi with whom I became very good friends.

A UDP apologist
Dear Editor, I read with interest your Editorial in the Amandala of Sunday, April 5, 2015 entitled “Pointing fingers and PUDP politics”. In this editorial you sought to equate the illegal action of the PUP in the past by totally ignoring and violating the law and the UDP who openly passed a law (as permitted by the constitution) to ensure that, if any doubt exists, procedurally everything was done correctly with respect to the PetroCaribe program. I also note the reprinting of a letter by Dr. Carla Barnett from January 9, 2008 that criticized the PUP for violating the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act. In her letter, she clearly states that in the absence of another permitting law, what the PUP did was illegal. In this present case with the UDP, that enabling law is the PetroCaribe bill that was recently passed.

Over 30,000 more cruise tourists visited Belize from January to March 2015
Whereas 234 less tourists came to spend an overnight in Belize during the first quarter, January to March 2015, as compared to the same period last year, the country welcomed 33,707 more cruise tourists during the same months. Contrasting with the nominal 0.2% fall in overnight tourist arrivals for the period, cruise tourist arrivals were up by 10.5%. The month of February actually registered a decline in cruise tourist arrivals by almost 3% or 2,673 visitors, but this was more than offset by increases of 16%-17% in cruise tourist arrivals (over 18,000 persons more than the previous year) for the months of January and March. According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), which released official tourist arrival data today, “The major factor influencing the results in the overnight sector was weather conditions. There were severe snow storms that took place frequently during this period, resulting in cancellation of flights that affected travel from Canada, as well as the Central and Eastern United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York City – some originating destinations for visitors to Belize.”

Offshore drilling moratorium remains, but for how long?
Oceana in Belize has written an 18-page letter to Senator Audrey Joy Grant, Minister of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities, requesting that her ministry withdraw a set of petroleum exploration guidelines drafted in 2013 – guidelines which include a proposed framework for petroleum exploration across various zones over the onshore and offshore territory of Belize. Oceana strongly objects to any notion of drilling offshore Belize, and its position was reiterated this week when it publicly reaffirmed that position and called on the public—which also rejected offshore drilling in a referendum held in 2012 by the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage—to remain engaged on the issue. In a March 2015 letter, Oceana’s Vice President in Belize, Janelle Chanona, said that, “Oceana in Belize urges the Ministry of Energy to immediately withdraw the Guidelines and conduct an impartial and comprehensive review (inclusive of representatives from the tourism and fishing sectors across Belize) to initiate a meaningful and dynamic policymaking process of the risks and benefits of offshore oil development in Belize. Such a review should be undertaken prior to any further action to authorize oil exploration in our invaluable marine environment.”

Two charged for embezzling $500,000 from Treasury Department
On April 7, 2015, Ministry of Finance officials discovered that approximately $500,000 had gone missing from the Treasury Department in Belize City. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 16, by no less than the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, who was briefed earlier that week on the case of the missing monies by Financial Secretary Joseph Waight. This morning police escorted Treasury Department second class clerk David Enriquez, 28, to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to be arraigned on charges in connection with the missing money from the Government Treasury. Additionally, Dangriga resident Octaviana Lopez, 39, was charged with handling stolen goods. Enriquez appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, who arraigned him on three counts of theft.

Breaking Belize News

Poultry producers hoping to avoid shortfall, raising prices
Some 75,000 birds, representing $3 million in investment, was lost in the last few weeks in the poultry industry in the Cayo District after the discovery of H5N2 avian influenza in the area detected earlier this year. It is fatal if allowed to mutate to high pathogenicity but […]

P.M. defends actions on Petrocaribe; PUP protest
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow gave the press a preview of his arguments to be presented today in defense of his actions with regard to the Petrocaribe Loan Program and the recent passage of the Petrocaribe Loan Act, 2015. Today he mounted that defense with the gusto […]

Prime Minister discusses national issues
This morning Prime Minister Dean Barrow hosted the press at the Biltmore Plaza Hotel to discuss a wide range of national issues. The following are highlights from that press conference. Banking sector stable As of April 30, 2015, the Belize Bank Limited will lose its correspondent banking relationship […]

Taxi Operator killed in San Pedro Town
The 43rd murder of this year was recorded yesterday in the premier tourist destination of San Pedro Town where a taxi operator was senselessly killed while on duty. According to island cops, they were alerted of 42 year old Jose Rigoberto Beltran’s motionless body inside his parked taxi in a […]

Man charged for shooting in Mahogany Heights
Twenty-one year old Adolphus Palacio, who allegedly fired shots at another person but missed, was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm when he appeared today before the Chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Palacio pled not guilty to the charge. He was remanded into custody until July 23. […]

Man charged for 2014 murder
A Corozal man has been formally charged for a murder in that northern town late in 2014. 23 year old Carlos Casanova, a block factory employee, spent the last four and a half months recovering from a gunshot wound sustained when he was taken in by police shortly […]

Significant increase in Cruise arrivals while overnight arrivals remain steady in Belize
Belize Tourism Board reports that during the first quarter of 2015 there was a significant growth in the number of cruise arrivals in Belize. The month of January had a major increase of 16.6% and during the month of March there was an increase of 15.8%. According to the BTB, […]

Delroy Cuthkelvin’s View of PetroCaribe
Let me preface my comments on the issue in question by stating that while I remain an active member of the United Democratic Party, I am currently not engaged as an employee of the Government of Belize, which means I am free to openly express my views on […]

Caribbean Tire to offer huge discounts for Agric Fair on Saturday
All roads lead to the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds in Belmopan this weekend for the country’s biggest annual event. The action packed weekend will feature and highlight a diverse selection of products, crafts, and produce for all visitors. For those that will be traveling in their vehicles, Caribbean […]

Protest in Belize City
While Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Dean Barrow, hosts its press conference at the Best Western Biltmore conference room, over a hundred party supporters of the People’s United Party are currently conducting a peaceful demonstration outside of the premises. Our news team is attending the conference and we will […]

Cold Front Approaches according to AccuWeather.com
The extremely hot and humid weather will finally bring some reprieve as a cold front brings downpours and cooler air will take over parts of Mexico and Central America. According to AccuWeather.com, a cold front pushed across the Gulf of Mexico will cause rain and thunderstorms to soak southeast Mexico, […]

Oceana cleanup in PG
Over the weekend in Punta Gorda, OCEANA along with the PG Town Council, held a beach clean-up that saw the cleaning of over a mile of beach front. The cleanup crew consisted of representatives from OCEANA, Mayor Fern Gutierrez and more than 50 residents of PG who volunteered to help. […]

Prime Minister to Host Press Conference This Morning in Belize City
Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow is hosting a press conference this morning in Belize City to update the public about the outcome of the meetings he had with senior officials of Bank of America and Carnival Cruise Lines in Miami last week. On an interview with Channel 7 […]

Blogs

“Dreadlock Holiday” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I tried weeding the garden. This mind numbing task normally gets me thinking of loads of stuff just so I’m not thinking of how boring weeding actually is. But this failed to work too. And then I picked up on the news of the massive event that is taking place this Saturday night when Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather fights Manny Pacquaio for the WBO, WBC and WBA welterweight titles. Huge eh. Two guys putting so much at stake on the result of a boxing match. Mayweather and Pacquaio ? No, I mean Coconut Leo and Carlo Segura (THE Carlo of Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill). Leo and Carlo have taken betting on a boxing to hair raising heights. Why? Well the loser gets to have his head shaved! Now with Carlo (he is backing Pacquaio) we will hardly notice the difference. But Coconut Leo!!!! How will he be able to do a rendition of “No woman, No Cry” absent his dreads?

Here there and everywhere
One thing about living in Belize and particularly on Ambergris Caye is that you go through periods of heavy social traffic. By that I mean because San Pedro is a tourist destination, and we get frequent friends and family visits, we are often called on to go out more. This past weekend was a good example of that, with Colin, Laura, Scotty, Shannon and Jerri all in town at the same time. My 3 day marathon included: Crazy Canucks Beach Bar Red Cross Trivia night, Fido’s, Amber Beach Bar, Estel’s, ABC, Wayo’s, Amber Beach Bar, Island Time, Amber Beach Bar, Tropic Air, Walk/ Run for Autism Awareness, Sunday Jam at Crazy Canucks and Lola’s Pub. That list does not include bbq delivery or all the places I went shopping on my way to ABC. Amber made it on a few times because the girls and Scotty were staying at Caribbean Villas Hotel, Colin and Laura were next door at Coral Bay Villas beside Chunky and Ruthie. I’m always thankful when friends help support San Pedro Red Cross and this past Friday’s trivia night, many people came out to help raise$$. $145 came from team buy ins and auctioneer Rob did a super job of selling two boxes of thin mints at $100 and $150 a piece giving SPBRC a grand total of $395 :)

International Sources

This Sanctuary in Belize is Helping to Keep Black Howler Monkeys Hanging Around
The black howler monkey, known as the “baboon” in Belize, is in danger due to being hunted and having their habitat destroyed. Fortunately, efforts made by the Community Baboon Sanctuary in Belize have been made in hopes of preserving these creatures and provide them with sustainably protected surroundings. C.B.S. is an innovative project in the field of preservationand ecotourism that protects the monkeys’ habitats, allowing visitors to experience the rainforest while seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild. I got the opportunity to enjoy these monkeys in a very intimate setting and had the rare opportunity to film a newborn baby monkey. More than 200 private landowners in Belize have voluntarily pledged to conserve their land for the protection of the Black Howler Monkey whose population has grown from 840 (1985) to more than 5,000 (2015).

Belize to Establish its First IXP in Order to Offer Faster Internet
With broadband service slow and unavailable in much of the country, Belize is gearing up to build its first Internet exchange point (IXP) in a bid to persuade more people to sign up for superior service. According to the Trinidad Guardian, major telecom operators have reached an understanding to participate in the construction of the IXP, which eases the movement of data on the network and will thus reduce the average per-bit delivery cost of the service. An Internet exchange point is a physical infrastructure through which Internet service providers (ISPs) exchange traffic between their networks. IXPs avoid the need for data to travel to other countries to get from one network to another, thus reducing latency. Today, many ISPs in the region need to pass the data through networks in the United States before rerouting to their consumers in island nations.

Some Coral Reefs Managing to Recover
Coral reefs, true reservoirs of biodiversity, are seriously threatened by human activities and climate change. Consequently, their extinction has often been heralded. Now, researchers are painting a less gloomy picture: the planet’s reefs are not doomed to disappear. But they will be very different from the ones we presently know. A new coral fauna will emerge, coming from the species that are most resistant to temperature increases. Some reefs are recovering: Are coral reefs condemned to disappear? During the first decade of the 21st century, the intensification of cyclones, the phenomenon of coral bleaching due to ocean warming, outbreaks of a coral-eating starfish and coral diseases left us with this fear. But today, scientists are revising their pessimistic forecasts from the previous decade. In fact, recent research works show that, while numerous coral species have indeed been declining for more than 30 years, other are holding firm or even increasing in abundance. Consequently, some reefs have recently managed to recover. Expanding coral genera: During a vast international study over fifteen years, IRD researchers and their partners observed the ecological development of seven coral reefs throughout the world: two in the Caribbean, in Belize and in the American Virgin Islands, and five throughout the Indo-Pacific Ocean in Kenya, Taiwan, Hawaii, Moorea and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Consequently, the scientists have shown the increase of certain genera, like the Porites reef corals, real reef builders that can resist temperature rises well.

Videos

Scuba Diving Belize 2015, 5min.

UnBelizeable - 2015, 6min. About a month ago my girlfriend took my GoPro and went on a Caribbean 4-day vacation to San Pedro, Belize. Just sunshine, bikinis, turquoise water, white sand beaches and her best friends. I'll be sure to tag along next time!

This Monkey Sanctuary in Belize is Helping to Preserve the Black Howler Baboon, 1.5min. The black howler monkey, known as the "baboon" in Belize, is in danger due to hunting and habitat destruction.

Plongée BELIZE avril 2015, 3min. SCUBA diving in Belize.

Diving BELIZE April 2015, 3min. SCUBA diving in Belize.

Dolphins at play in Belize, 8min. I'm convinced they appreciate fast swimming things like boats and skiers .These DPV's seem to fascinate them. Juan calls the site 'Captains Canyon' its just in front of the dive shop.Notice when she turns it off and holds out her hand they get board and go away, but she turns it back on and they come back.

BSI/ASR CROP REVIEW WEEK 13, 4min.

Basic History of Belize, 4min. Historia básica sobre el país Belice Mi ingles no es el mejor pero es lo máximo que he podido hacer

Belize: Spring Break 2015, 5min. One week trip to Belize.

Expatriation Made Easy: An Interview with Macarena Rose, 16min.

April 29, 2015

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

Taxi driver murdered in broad daylight, his van was to be used in a robbery
The San Pedro Sun understands that police have reviewed surveillance footage from a financial institution that shows when the taxi cab was boarded, which pointed investigators to a quick lead. Broaster would not discuss if indeed they have reviewed surveillance footage, but explained that their investigation has seen some early but positive results. “We’ve determined that there were three main suspects involved in the shooting…we are looking for two more. As part of our investigation, we have detained a total of three people, one of whom is our main suspect,” indicated Broaster. While police would not go into details regarding the motive for the murder, Broaster indicated that the perpetrators were planning a robbery. “The investigation that we are carrying out will reveal what transpired between the time the culprits went and got the cab, to the point where they got to the location where the van was found. We know for sure that there was a boat, which we have in our custody that was utilized to flee from the area. The information we are receiving is that the taxi would have been used to commit a robbery. We are investigating the information as to where the robbery would have taken place.”

Successful Awareness Walk/Run for Special Needs Children held by ACES
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) dedicated Sunday, April 26th to raising awareness for children living with special needs on the island. Along with the support of over a hundred island residents, ACES organized the first even 5K walk/run for awareness to coincide with Autism Awareness Month. Being the only school on the island to have a separate classroom for special needs students, the ACES event was a way to raise much needed funds for the initiative. ACES prides themselves in providing a quality and individualized education for special needs children and hoped to raise awareness on the issue for all islanders. According to Sarah Freudenberg (Master of Education Teacher), who has been leading the ACES’s special education program, this walk/run was important to sensitize the island community to the particular education requirements of special needs children. “This project is close to my heart and I am so thankful for all the support we have received from the residents and even the business community. I am very happy with the special needs program at ACES and with everyone’s support, it will only continue to grow,” said Freudenberg.

Ambergris Today

Flashbacks: When San Pedro Transitioned from a Fishing Village to Tourism Hot Spot
This Flashback has so much to comment on but the bottom line is that it depicts the last days of the fishing era just about to change into a tourism community. We see the last of the lobster fishing boats hauled up on the beach for renovation and a touch of fresh paint during the off season. The boats still carried masts for sails but were equipped with a bracket at the stern where an outboard engine was installed. Notice the 20 horsepower Evinrude motor on the ground. We also see a few hobby cats, a sign that tourism had commenced in San Pedro. Oh there is a Land Rover Jeep, one of four vehicles on the island. Occasionally it was used to haul the boat up on land. Notice the police station on the side of Central Park. The little building with the glass window was the office and the side with the single small window was the jail. Do take a look at the wood circular water tank called a “curbato”.

25 Years Ago - International Radio Stations were Entertainment for Island Villagers
The biggest name in radio today in Belize is Love F M. (98.1 FM) but did you know that back in the 1950's there was a whole lot of international radio in San Pedro? And what's more, a lot of villagers had their private antennas in their own yards. First let me take you through the International radio stations. There was first and foremost Radio Harlengin Texas. Yes all the way from Texas we got to enjoy musical programs in the days when Country and Western was very popular. Then there was Radio Havana, bringing us salsa, merengue, and hot Latino music all the way from Cuba. Radio Havana also had fine comical programs. Added to this was radio La Ceiba from Honduras. In this radio station San Pedranos enjoyed several radio novelas of love and romance as well as good family comedy and adventure.

Murdered Taximan Found Dead Inside His Own Vehicle
Residents in the area recall hearing a single gunshot and did not expect to hear the grim news of the body of 42-year-old San Pedro Taximan, Jose Rigoberto Beltran, found inside his own vehicle with one gunshot wound to the back of his head. After experiencing a decrease in criminal activity due to an increace in patrolling, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye was shaken up once again on Tuesday, April 27, 2015. But as police conducted its investigations, the body of Beltran lay inside the taxi van well after 1p.m. parked lagoon-side, into some shrubberly off the road in the San Juan Area. The body of Beltran was discovered by a Coast Guard unit that was patrolling the lagoon, who were flagged down by a man who spotted the taxi van. The crime scene was just around the corner of the San Pedro Police Department and police believe that it is likely that Beltran was subdued, taken to that spot and killed. Police gained knowledge that the criminals needed his vehicle to conduct a robbery.

San Pedro: Dead Taxi man discovered this morning
With crime being down for sometime now, it's sad to report the discovery of a taxi man found dead inside his vehicle in the San Juan Area this morning. More information to come as it becomes available.

Weather Forecast Calls for Heavy Rains After Heat Spell
It has been HOT and DRY the past few months but according to weather forecasts this week and an obvious spike in humidity – rain is on its way, and lots of it. According to AccuWeather.com, big changes are on the way for parts of Mexico and Central America and that includes possible rain and thunderstorms that could bring flooding to the region. Red sunsets, like the one pictured above, taken yesterday are one indication of possible rain. What was a long stretch of dry weather and record heat, a cold front will be pushing down its way into the Gulf of Mexico bringing rain to southeast Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Belize’s National Meteorological Service’s forecast calls for seasonably hot and dry weather today with the approach of a late season cold front that will support a break in these conditions. Neighboring city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico experienced a sizzling high of 110 degrees F. the last couple of days, while in Belize temperatures reached in the high 90’s in the mainland.

Misc Belizean Sources

Taximan Jose Rigoberto found dead
At 1:00pm, the body of 42 year old San Pedro taximan Jose Rigoberto Beltran is still inside his van, parked off the road near the San Juan Layout. He was allegedly shot once to the back of the head. Residents say they heard one shot at approximately 9:45am. and the body was found at around 10:00am. Police allegedly have two men detained, and are awaiting Scenes of Crime personnel to process the area.

Cayo Citizens on Patrol Program
Congratulations to all those that aced the training for the Citizens on Patrol program! Great to see. Thanks go out to the SI police for organizing the training. Best of luck to all. "On Sunday 26th April 2015 San Ignacio Police concluded the first training for the citizens on patrol program. We would like to congratulate the newest members of the COP."

Thinking of applying for the ESF Grant? Time is running out….
Political/Economic Chief J. Nathan Bland recently appeared on Open Your Eyes to discuss the 2015 Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Economic Support Fund (ESF) grant opportunities. The U.S. Embassy intends to issue three to five awards in amounts between US $100,000 and $400,000 for projects that aim to strengthen citizen security by focusing on job creation and providing alternative activities and better education for youth at higher risk of gang affiliation and/or engaging in criminal activity.

Vaca Forest Reserve Fires
The Vaca Forest Reserve located north of the Chiquibul National Park has been under constant wild fires, that have created large gusts of smoke into Benque and Succotz. Without any fire lines, farmers have caused the destruction of large areas of the reserve. The fires still continue.

CSKC Wins at Copa Poptun
Congratulations to all the CSKC students that won at the Copa Poptun Karate tournament! They took home 28 medals. " The Cayo Shotokan Karate Club in conjunction with the Belize Karate Federation participated in the 3rd Copa Poptun in Guatemala on Saturday, April 25, 2015. The delegation led by Sensei Herman Pastor Jr. and David Diego was comprised of 13 Junior athletes ranging from ages 6 to 16. The team was awarded the 2nd Place trophy for winning 8 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals.

Channel 7

Reggae Street Slaughter
At the end of last night's news, we told you about the fatal shooting on Reggae Street. The victim was 29 year-old Wayne Rocke, who became the Belize District's 6th murder victim in 48 hours. Courtney Weatherburne was at the scene in the "Yabra" area last night - and she has this report:... Courtney Weatherburne reporting Those flashing blue and red lights and this flapping barricade tape are all too familiar to city residents. And residents of the Yabra area were faced with that scene last night on Reggae Street after 29 year old Wayne Rock was shot and killed near this house. Like the ending of most of these tragic murder stories, the family was escorted to see their loved one's lifeless body. Before it was wrapped in a blood stained sheet and driven away. The family admits to Rock's street reputation but says that was his past.

Second Victim From Medina Shooting Succumbs
Adding to the frightening spate of murders is 55 year-old taxi-man Egbert Hemmans. He was the driver who took 31 year-old Mark Medina to Iguana Street on Sunday morning. He walked right into a trap, and a gunman was waiting for him. He killed Medina and shot Hemmans in the chest and abdomen - the bullet exited his back - damaging his liver. Hemmans sped off and drove himself to the KHMH - arriving there in a critical state. Doctors did what they could for him, but he passed away last night at around 8:00 from complications due to his injuries. According to his sister, the doctors called her telling her that he went into shock and about an hour later he died. Today police said that he was the victim of an unfortunate circumstance: Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division "Mr. Hemmans was pronounced dead yesterday around 8:20PM. That post mortem will be conducted sometime today."

San Pedro Cabbie Killed For His Golf Cart
42 year-old Jose Beltran, a San Pedro Taximan better known as Mr. Rigo, became the 7th murder victim in two and a half days. Police found him dead inside his vehicle in the San Juan Area of San Pedro this morning at 10:00. He had been tied up and shot in the head. The senior command of the Police Eastern Division has been on the island for weeks trying to root out the crime problem, and this evening, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster briefed the media about what they've been able to find out. He told us just over an hour ago that it appears that his killers targeted this law abiding resident for his taxi, which they planned to use in the commission of a crime: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster "We responded, we found the male person with one gunshot wound to the head and our response to the incident, we managed to apprehend one of the main suspects. We've confiscated a boat with a 75 horse power engine that was use as the getaway vessel. We have one main suspect in custody and we are searching for two others."

60 Hours, 7 Murders In Bze District
So, that San Pedro murder brings the toll between Saturday night and Monday night to seven murders in the Belize District in a little more than 60 hours. It's a staggering number, and that's why everyone was on high alert this afternoon when shots rang out in Munoz Alley in the Fort George area. No one was hurt - but a number of shot rang out in the alley which adjoins the notorious Pink's Alley. Police maintain active patrols in the area.

Security Guard Arrested For One Murder
Police have made an arrest for one of the killings over the weekend. Diarron "Percy" Hamilton, the security guard who fatally stabbed 41 year-old Wilmer Cisneros, was charged for murder this morning and tonight, he's at the Belize Central Prison. Hamilton was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith, and due to the nature of the offence, no plea was taken. He was denied bail and remanded to prison until his next court date, which was scheduled for July 22. As we reported, the incident happened at around 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 22. Cisneros and a friend were patrons at the Blue House Bar in Ladyville. They were having a drink, when Hamilton and another security guard allegedly approached them and asked that they pay the entrance fee. According to his family, this fee only becomes a requirement after 9 p.m., and so they intended to leave. They somehow got into an altercation which escalated to a fight. Cisneros and Jimenez were stabbed during the fight, and Cisneros' injuries to the chest and abdomen were fatal.

PM Back From Talking To Bank of America and Carnival Cruise
Taking a break now from all that crime....Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to the country today after a quick trip to Miami to meet with senior officials from the Bank of America and Carnival Cruise Lines. He's having a press conference tomorrow to discuss the outcome and what it means for the banking sector and the cruise tourism industry, but the media wanted a preview and met him at the airport today. Here's what he told us:... Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Well in respect to Bank of America, I think that the way forward is clear. What is going to be permitted and not permitted in terms of the government's hand-holding with the Belize Bank. It was useful, we know exactly how we are to proceed and that's been extremely helpful. In terms of Carnival, again, my mind is certainly clear as to Carnival's position re-Stake Bank and that again alone was worth the trip. I can't suggest that there is all of a sudden now a very bright well-define yellow brick road."

First Quarter Tourism Figures Show Stagnation
2014 was very strong for both cruise and overnight tourism when record numbers were realised. But, the first quarter of 2015 shows numbers for the overnight tourism sector going down ever so slightly - a very worrying start to the year for the BTB and tourism interests. Now, we stress, it is down very marginally, less than half of one percentage point - but it is worrying because the quarterly figure comes after a succession of years in which growth was shown consistently in every quarter. So, what's causing it? Well, according to a BTB release, you should blame it on the weather. The release says, quote, "There were severe snow storms that took place frequently during this period, resulting in cancellation of flights that affected travel from Canada, as well as the Central and Eastern United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York City." End quote. And while that is perhaps plausible, the other side of that coin is that there are now more flights from more destinations to Belize than ever before - and the cost of air fares is trending down due to lower fuel costs - which should attract more travellers.

Opposition Leader Will Give PM Ultimatum
Leader of the opposition Francis Fonseca says he is writing a letter to the Prime Minister which will give him 21 days to repeal the Petrocaribe Loans Act. What happens after that? That's what we asked Fonseca after he appeared on the KREM WUB show this morning:... Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "We have drafted a letter which we are sending to the Prime Minister of Belize. Which our objective is to have all of these partners, even if it's the third parties, if they want to join in - to be signatories to this letter, demanding that this PetroCaribe act be repealed and if is not repealed within 21 days of that letter, then we will have to mobilize and take to the streets and get the support of the Belizean people on this issue. Because we believe it is a fundamentally important issue, that goes to the heart of governance and goes to the heart of democracy." Jules Vasquez "This complicated by the fact that in 2005, the PUP signed the first PetroCaribe agreement. Two months after it had passed the Finance and Audit Act, which the former president of the PSU Mr. Dylan Reneau, wrote is in fact doing the same thing which the PUP now criticizes - undertaking a loan of infinite amount without the approval of national assembly."

PM Will Not Be Moved on Petrocaribe
Of course, the UDP says you can't be in favour of Petrocaribe spending and against the Petrocaribe Loans Act - because the ruling party maintains that Petrocaribe is such a strange instrument of credit that it cannot fit within the confines of the Finance and Audit Act. And that's why the Prime Minister said he wasn't fazed when we asked him about the Leader of the Opposition's 21 day ultimatum:.. Jules Vasquez "He will give you 21 days. Then after that he will take it to the streets." Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Well, I am certainly prepared to make a statement on PetroCaribe tomorrow. It's not escape my attention that there has been an unrelenting campaign over the last week and I am now learning that it continues into this week. So, I will make a statement. Prepare for a long press conference, because there are so very many issues to address. But I can say from now, that there is not a chance in hell that there will be any repeal of the PetroCaribe loans act." Jules Vasquez "Even if the social partners and the Opposition galvanized?"

86 Year Old Trapped In Fire
There was a fire in the city this afternoon. It happened at #17 Neal Pen Road around 3:30 this afternoon. But, it wasn't just the structure that was at risk, an 86-year-old woman was at home all alone - luckily neighbors were able to save her. The fire department was quick to the scene - and a neighbor told us off camera how she saved the octogenarian - we also spoke to the tenant downstairs about their damages:.. Voice of Neighbour "I saw the smoke and I heard the lady crying. I went upstairs and tried to carry her down but I couldn't succeed so I called for someone and a young man came to help me, and that's how we brought her downstairs." Courtney Weatherburne "Was she the only one in the house at the time?" Voice of Neighbour "She was the only one at the time and she cannot move." Nicholas Mogual, Tenant, downstairs "The downstairs is supposed to be wet right now because when I went in there it was getting wet and there was a lot of smoke so I couldn't stay in there. But it's just getting wet for right now."

DPP Says Ellis Meighan No Charge To Answer For "Zimbab" Shooting
It made big news last year when George Street General, Carlos Abraham known as Zimbab was shot on Lakeview Street. Ellis Meighan Jr -who lives around the corner from the crime scene - was one of the accused persons, but today he walked from attempted murder charges. The DPP directed that the charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm should be withdrawn. With that, Meighan Junior walked out the court a freeman. Now, only a 17 year old minor stands accused of the crime. A preliminary inquiry will be held in early June.

Gang Rape Allegation From Southern Tertiary School
There is a troubling allegation of gang rape coming out of one of the Tertiary Education Institutions in the South. It involves a case where a female student is accusing as many as five of her male counterparts of raping her on a class trip. For the protection of the victim's identity police have asked us not to release certain sensitive information - like the name of the school. But we have confirmed that this tertiary level class trip was taken from the school in the south to San Ignacio on Thursday April 16. We understand that an 18 year-old female special needs student was on the trip with 75 other students and 2 teachers We understand the student was returning from the restroom, when she was pulled into a room and forced into having sexual relations with several of her male peers. We've confirmed with San Ignacio police that a report was made last week, and police have visited the school in the south to investigate the allegations.

Minister's Nephew Being Protected From Gun Charge
Earlier this month we reported on the boat accident near the municipal airstrip which left boat captain Romy Badillo critical. We also told you about the fundraising event that was organized by his family and friends to cover medical expenses. While the family advertised the event as being a fun filled one, there was one confrontation that changed the entire mood. Edison Usher better known as DJ Vintage came to our studios to tell us about a frightening encounter he had with another man at the fundraising event. Usher told us that he was setting up the sound system at the Hour Bar Field for the event when a man drove over his speakers wires twice. Usher told us he was only trying to dissuade him from driving over the wire by waving or signaling him to go another way but the young man in the vehicle took it to another level by pulling a gun. Here is Usher's account of what happened next. Edison Usher, Had a gun pointed at him in public "The reason why we're trying to divert things is because there's wires on the ground that damage the equipment and it's very expensive. He mumbled something, I didn't hear it too well because the breeze was blowing a little bit.

Teenaged Girl Missing For Two Weeks
A 16-year-old girl has been missing for about 2 weeks now and her family came to our studios yesterday to ask for help in finding her. Shania Bain's sister, Kemiesha Perry, told us today that she has run off before with friends but in the past she always came back. This time though concerns are mounting for the family because she has never been gone this long. Her sister told us more: Kemiesha Perry "No one said anything like having her or condoning her at their house, but the only thing that I heard was that she's in the complex and PIV area. That's the only thing that I heard but I didn't...." Courtney Weatherburne "Someone saw her in that area?" Kemiesha Perry "Yes, because a couple people to whom I spoke to, like people who are in her class and different things. They said how they saw her in the area and if they would see her again, I gave them my number so if they see her just let them contact me and just let me go for her. When she use to go, she use to go two days and return. Sometimes nearly a week and then she comes back but then it wasn't such a big deal. Yes, we would go look for her even if it were two days but, now she hasn't returned so I can't say. Well I know she's alive there but I just don't know exactly where she is. I just hope wherever she is, she's safe and I hope she comes back home so she can go back to school."

Deputy PM Vega Wants To Sue, Doesn't Want To Appear In Court
Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega's defamation lawsuit against his PUP political opponent, Ramon Cervantes Jr. went back to the Supreme Court today. We're referring to the decision by the DPM to sue Cervantes because he released an explosive phone call recording on the evening news and on national radio. In that phone call, the man claiming to be Manuel Castillo, the wanted murder mastermind, named Vega as the person who orchestrated Cervantez father's murder last year. Today was a case management conference which focused mostly on an application to amend the claim, made by Vega's attorney, Rodwell Wiliams. We waited outside of court and spoke with Cervantes and his attorney who claims that in this application, Vega wants the lawsuit to continue against Cervantez, he just doesn't want to be obliged to appear in court regularly for it:

26 Year Old Man Raped Child
Last night we told you about a 38 year old who was remanded for sexually assaulting a 10 year old girl, and tonight the story is about a 26 year-old accused of doing the same to a nine year old girl. Salvadoran National Daniel Rios, a taxi driver of Starfish Crescent, was arraigned on the charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and harm against of a female child 9 years and 5 months old when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Due to the nature of the offences, he was remanded into custody until August 5. The child reported to the police that Rios had sex with her at his home on April 24. The child was taken to the hospital where she was examined by a doctor who classified her injuries as wounding.

Rats At Western Regional
The Western Regional hospital has an infestation of rats and health authorities are trying to eradicate these rodents as quickly as possible. On Friday afternoon around 11:30 staff members were cleaning the storage room when they found drawers, cupboards and other areas over-run with rats. We spoke to the Regional Manager of the Hospital, Melinda Guerra and she says that pest control as well the infection control unit are working together to get rid of the rats in the storage room and in any other room in the hospital where these rodents may be lurking. Guerra told us that she met with CEO Peter Allen today and he approved the budget of $18,000 to thoroughly clean and renovate the storage room and works should begin as early as Friday. All foods items and supplies that were contaminated and unfit for consumption were discarded. All the other food items that are safe for consumption have been moved to another area in the hospital; the storage room is not in use at this time. Guerra says public health inspectors are conducting an overall assessment of the hospital.

PUP Taking GOB To Court for 13th Senator
Earlier in the news we told you how the PUP will be issuing the government of Belize with a 21 day ultimatum to repeal the Petrocaribe Loans Act. Well, the opposition will also go to court to force the UDP to bring into effect the constitutional amendment to add a 13th. Senator to the Upper House. This amendment was passed years ago, but the Barrow Administration simply refused to bring it into effect - because they say their very own amendment would paralyze the legislature. Well now the PUP is taking it to court. The Leader of the opposition explained: Attorney Eamon Courtenay who has been an outspoken public critic of the non-adoption of the constitutional amendment will be bringing the action.

PUP Says No Cozying Up To Ashcroft
And while the PUP tries to generate momentum for a general election which is coming sooner rather than later, the truth of politics is that you can't get momentum without money. And for that, many seasoned political observers feel that the PUP will turn to Michael Ashcroft - who is the biggest single financier in Belize's post independent history. But, recently Ashcroft has been changing his strategy - both in Belize and in the UK where he no longer gives to parties as much as he focuses on what are called marginal seats - basically constituencies that could win with just the right infusion of campaign financing. But today the PUP would not admit to even that; they say Ashcroft has shown no interest in them - and the feeling is mutual:.. Reporter "The last time you were asked, you were dismissive about the presence of Lord Ashcroft in Belize. Since then, has the PUP met with him? And will the PUP be accepting campaign financing from him?" Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "We just discussed that on the KREMANDALA Show. No, we have not, Jules did not invite me to his meeting with him so I couldn't go. So we haven't heard anything from Lord Ashcroft at all and for me it's a moot question. We are not accepting money from someone who is not offering us money. I don't know if Jules told the man a lot of bad things about me, I don't know. So in any case for us, we are committed to raising money from the Belizean people. That's how we ran our election in 2012. From the Belizean people, the Belizean business community, that's how we're going to do it again whenever the elections are called."

PUP Will Present Public Plan For Convention
38 year-old Haitian National David Modest arrived at the PGIA with a fake Belizean permanent residency permit, and so tonight he's at the prison for it. We have not been able to confirm which flight he arrived on, but the Immigration Officers flagged the immigration document he presented to them when he arrived. When they did a background check, the realized that the permanent residency permit was fake. He was questioned, and he later revealed he bought the document online. He was then charged with using a document he wasn't entitled today, and when he was arraigned today before Magistrate Ladonna John, he pleaded guilty. He was fined $1,000 to be paid forthwith, and because he couldn't pay, he was sent to prison to serve 6 month. After that, he will be deported at the earliest convenience.

Channel 5

Murder on Reggae Street - Mechanic Slain While Repairing Vehicle
The murder count went up by three in the past twenty four hours. In San Pedro a taxi man was killed in his van, while in the city another cabbie [...]

Taxi Driver Succumbs to Gunshot Injuries in Wake of Weekend Carnage
At eight-twelve on Monday night when the medical officers would pronounce Wayne Rocke dead, they were called to the bedside of fifty-five year old Egbert Hemmans to record his death. [...]

Popular Cab Driver Found Dead Inside His Van in San Pedro
The forty-third murder of the year happened in broad daylight this morning in the San Juan Layout of San Pedro. At around ten this morning, popular taxi-man, forty-two year old [...]

Should the Government Repeal the Petrocaribe Loan Act?
And our question for tonight is: Do you believe that the government should repeal the Petrocaribe Loan Act? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or [...]

PM Returns from Meeting with Bank of America and Carnival Reps in Miami
Prime Minister Barrow has been away on official business in Miami where he met with representatives from the Bank of America and Carnival Cruise Lines to discuss separate issues pertaining [...]

Will Petrocaribe Loans Act be Repealed Within 21 Days?
Will the controversial Petrocaribe Loans Act be repealed by May nineteenth? That’s what Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca and P.U.P. Deputy Party Leader Julius Espat are anticipating, following an [...]

PM Says Leader of Opposition’s Statements are Outrageous
During an appearance in the media earlier today, Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca said that the stipulations within the Petrocaribe Loans Act were made by PM Barrow in order [...]

Petrocaribe Loans Act Won’t be Struck Out, PM Open to Tweak Law
While the prime minister has made it abundantly clear that there will be no repeal of the Petrocaribe Loans Act, he is open to the idea of fine-tuning the legislation [...]

Elderly Woman Escapes Mid-afternoon Fire on Neal Pen Road
An eighty-six year old lady had to be rescued from her house today after it caught fire. A neighbor and friends heard her crying out and they ran in to [...]

Administrator Comments on Rodent Infestation at Western Regional Hospital
In Monday’s newscast we showed you the food storage area at the Western Regional Hospital. The condition of that room, complete with rat infestation and just generally nastiness, came to [...]

Tourist Arrivals Remain Steady in First Quarter of 2015
The new tourism figures for the first three months of this year are in. According to the stats from the Belize Tourism Board, overnight arrivals remained steady while cruise arrivals [...]

Pre-Trial Review Commences in Libel Case Between Gapi and Monchie
Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega speedily brought a lawsuit against his political rival of Orange Walk North standard bearer Ramon “Monchie” Cervantes Junior, last November charging libel because of a [...]

Ramon ‘Monchie’ Cervantes Shares Perspective on the Case
The DPM has steadfastly denied the charges, but his attorney, Senior Counsel Rodwell Williams, today applied to amend the statement of claim form, with a decision by the Chief Justice [...]

Security Guard Arraigned for Murder of Patron Inside Blue House Bar
Security Guard Darion Hamilton was slapped with a single charge of murder when he appeared in court today. Hamilton, a guard at the Blue House Bar in Ladyville, was charged [...]

Still No Motive for the Mahogany Heights Murder of Kevin Flowers
Earlier we told you about three murders over the course of Monday night and this morning. But the bloody Monday killings were preceded by an early morning shooting in Mahogany [...]

Who is John Doe? Body Still Unidentified Five Days Later
Last Thursday, the badly decomposed body of a John Doe was discovered floated near mile five on the Phillip Goldson Highway. The discovery was made when a caretaker of a [...]

Ellis Meighan Jr. Acquitted of Attempted Murder of Zimbab Abraham
Tonight, Ellis Meighan Junior is free of charges of Attempted Murder, Dangerous Harm and Use of Deadly Means of Harm with a Deadly Weapon. He was charged along with a [...]

Commissioner of Lands on Hopkins Beach Erosion
On Monday’s newscast, we showed you the images of the massive erosion in the southern village of Hopkins. It started about a week ago and since then, some residents and [...]

Is There Any Way to Reclaim Worn Beachfront?
As to residents and resorts who have lost their beachfronts to the erosion and whose property values have gone down, is there any way that they can reclaim their lands [...]

FCD to Receive Assistance from Kentucky University
On Monday, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center and the Western Kentucky University. The agreement seeks to help the region with its climate [...]

CTV3

Case Of Vega Versus Cervantes Goes Back To The Supreme Court
Viewers may recall in July of last year when businessman Ramon Cervantes Sr. was brutally murdered and his body dumped and found in a shallow grave in an area off the Honey Camp Road in Orange Walk. And while there has been an arrest made of the three persons accused for his death, an explosive allegation emerged that Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega somehow had a hand in the murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr., father of PUP Standard Bearer for Orange Walk North Ramon Monchie Cervantes. That phone call, in Spanish, was played on Love FM during a live broadcast of the family's memorial ceremony for the patriarch. Since the recording was released, Vega has categorically denied that claim, and in November, filed a suit to sue Monchie Cervantes Jr. for libel in the Supreme Court. Today, that case was heard in the Supreme Court in Belize City and from all indications, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega does not appear interested in personally appearing in the Supreme Court to clear his name. Today’s agenda in court should have been a pre-trial review for the case before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. Today Cervantes ’attorney Senior Counsel Said Musa reported that Vega’s attorney, Senior Counsel Rodwell Williams, applied to amend the statement of claim form.

Taxi Man Murdered In Island Of San Pedro Town
The crime wave has trickled into the premier tourist destination of San Pedro Town as today a taxi man on duty was killed execution style inside his taxi cab. San Pedro police say they are investigating the murder of 42 year Jose Rigoberto Beltran after they were alerted by neighbours in the San Juan Area of a gunshot heard in that vicinity shortly after 9:00am. Police responded to the area around 10:15am and saw a grey taxi cab parked in a feeder road in the San Juan Area. Upon further checks, Beltran was seen with his hands tied between the two front seats of the vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the back of the head. Beltran was a taxi driver of the San Pedro Airstrip Taxi Union and was a resident of the DFC area. Island cops say at this point, they have not ascertained a motive but are looking at robbery and a drug related angle. Five people have been detained and statements are being taken. So far, no arrests have been made. Residents say Beltran was a cordial, friendly and reliable taxi operator of the island.

Elodio Aragon Jr. Come To His Own Defence
On Saturday night some residents of Chan Pine Ridge Village in Orange Walk attended a meeting held by the People’s United Party committee in the village and expressed a number of concerns. Among these are accusations against United Democratic Party Standard Bearer for Orange Walk East Elodio Aragon Junior. In an interview with Chan Pine Ridge resident Damian Tzul, he told us what these allegations are. Damian Tzul “Also other issues that were being brought at the Agric Show that was not being held this year, the Chairman of the village after having a meeting with ourselves, members of the committee and with Josue Carballo, the PUP standard bearer, because of Mr. Aragon who is the UDP Standard Bearer wanted him to give him the fair and all funds of that to be channeled to his UDP Committee for his political campaign or whatever, so he refused to give him the fair and that is one of the reasons that the fair was not being held this year, also we discussed about a very sensitive issue here in the village also where Mr. Aragon has made a convenient meeting last week and has stated that he is appointing Mr. Mateo Tzul as acting Chairman of the village and the villagers did not acknowledge what the has done because in the village council act there is nothing that states that as acting Chairman to be appointed we either have to go to a by-lection and then the people then decide a chairman of the village so at no time the villagers will permit that this fake acting chairman will be acknowledge in the village.”

Bus Shed In San Lorenzo Road Vandalized
The San Lorenzo Bus Shed, a project instituted by the Orange Walk Town Council has seen its fair share of vandalism, as other public spaces around town. But the vandalism continues says officials at the Town Council and it is becoming a concern. The bus shed which serves as a bus stop for students and residents in that community, was once again vandalized only that this time it had markings of gang insignia, particularly the Trial Farm Bloods. The Council will see to it that the illegal graffiti is removed and has partnered with the officials at the ITVET to try and catch the culprits. The public is reminded that vandalism of property is liable for a fine and an offense punishable by law.

Africanize Killer Bees Removed From San Pablo School Compound
Yesterday we told you about a swarm of Africanized bees that had made their home on a Mahogany tree at the San Pablo RC School which were the cause of classes being cancelled in the afternoon. Today we checked with the school administration and were informed that the hive was successfully removed and the children were back in class today. The school officials were not aware that the swarm of bees had nested on the tree until they had a very close encounter with the insects on Monday morning. As a result of the incident, the school administration decided to let the children out for the rest of the day and arrangements were made to get rid of the bees. The school received assistance from villagers and successfully removed the animals from the tree. No one is reported to have been injured or hurt by the animals.

Infrastructure Project To Commence In Free Zone
The main road in the Corozal Free Zone is scheduled for expansion and the work should start soon reports the Mexican press. The report indicates that by the end of this month or in early May, work should commence on the project which is expected to serve the customers that visit the free zone on a daily basis. The following is a full report aired by the news agency Notivision in Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico. We attempted to get official word from the Free Zone Management today but when we contacted the chairman David Ackerman he told us he was in an all-day meeting.

San Narciso Villager Charges For Robbery
A San Narciso Villager was arrested and charged for robbery over the weekend. According to the report made by 23 year old Sabrina Martinez, on Friday around 9:00pm, she was heading to her house walking on the main road in San Narciso and while crossing over the main road pedestrian ramps, she was approached by a male person known to her as Nelson Claros alias ‘WICHO” from the same village. Claros asked her for money for him to go and buy marijuana and she replied she had none. At that point she kept walking and suddenly she felt someone pushed her violently on the chest causing her to drop flat on the ground. According to Martinez she felt scared and when she looked up she noticed that it was Claros that had pushed her. Martinez reported to authorities that Claros snatched her cell phone valued at $270.00 Belize dollars and ran away. Subsequently, police were called and apprehended and charged 31 year old Nelson Claros for the crime of Robbery. Authorities have not been able to recover the stolen cellular phone.

BYM Calls On GOB To Address Crime Rate
For Belize City, a city that has struggled with one of the nation's most alarming murder rates, the surge in killings so far this year has provided a jarring, blood-spattered reminder of the problem's endurance. And while the shooting sprees may seem rampant, questions are raised about the police department's ability to effectively handle the murder caseload. And today, the Belize Youth Movement issued a release on the devastating spate of gun violence in our country. BYM is calling on the Ministry of National Security to demonstrate appropriate concern and proper leadership and response at what have been extremely violent weeks in the country. Statistics show that there have been 44 cold-blooded murders and dozens more near fatal shootings in the four early months of 2015. Almost half (20 killings) of those homicides have occurred in Belize City and the majority of them involve gun violence and gang violence. April has been the bloodiest month with 16 murders so far. While our communities, in particular Belize City neighbourhoods are terrorized by gun violence, our society is fast losing precious lives, says BYM.

BTB Releases Latest Tourism Statistics
Cruise arrivals in Belize have grown significantly in the first quarter of the New Year, reports the Belize Tourism Board. Cruise arrivals in 2015 have seen major increases in January and March, with 16.6% and 15.8% increase, respectively. The BTB details that for the first quarter of 2015, overnight arrivals remained steady. There was a 1.1% increase in overnight arrivals in March 2015, representing an increase of 424 tourists over March 2014. This though was followed by two months of decreases that were similarly small in magnitude, being 1.0% and 1.1% in January and February, respectively. According to the BTB’s first quarterly report, the major factor influencing the results in the overnight sector was weather. “There were severe snow storms that took place frequently during this period, resulting in cancellation of flights that affected travel from Canada, as well as the Central and Eastern United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York City – some originating destinations for visitors to Belize”, the report stated. The BTB projects that in 2015 it will see an increase in arrival numbers over last year. It will also keep a close watch on the global conditions in the months ahead as they keep playing a role in the number of tourist arrivals to the country.

PlusTV

Two held for deadly Ladyville bar fight
A night out for two laborers in Ladyville ended tragically when both of them were stabbed during a fight, one fatally...

Mark Medina killed in Belize City
There were two murders in Belize City on Sunday afternoon, happening no more than three hours apart from each other in the heat of the day...

Tyrone Neal shot dead two hours after Medina murder
Three hours later around one in the afternoon, the heretofore quiet area of Kraal Road was shaken by gunfire. When it had all settled Fabers Road resident 34 year old Tyrone Neal lay dead of multiple gunshot wounds in a yard at the corner of Kraal Road and Haynes Street. Supt...

Murder victim’s body dumped in Mahogany Heights
The peace of Mahogany Heights at the extreme western edge of the Belize District was shaken this Monday morning by gunfire around 7:00 a.m. Later in the day the body of 40 year old Kevin Flowers was found on the roadside showing a single gunshot to the head...

Green Belize Clean Up Initiative
From Students, to softball clubs, to private organizations; hundreds of individuals came out on Saturday to clean up garbage along the entire 77 miles of the George Price Highway...

Road Traffic Accident leaves Motorcycle Driver in the Hospital
A man from the village of Valley of Peace is today recovering at the Western Regional hospital following a traffic accident that caused him injuries to the left arm and left knee...

Burglary at Elections And Boundaries Department Belmopan
The elections and boundaries office in Belmopan was broken into over the weekend and burglarized...

BDF truck and civilian car in crash
This morning on the Philip Goldson Highway near Mile 13 at the junction with the entrance to the Los Lagos Subdivision there was a crash of two motor vehicles - one a jeep vehicle used by the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and a civilian vehicle. There were no serious injuries reported...

Gun Found in Well Known Pastorâ€™s House
Police arrested and charged 5 persons today including a 15 year old minor all from the Village of Roaring Creek, Belmopan for the possession of guns and ammunition. According to reports, based on information police visited the house of a well known pastor in Roaring Creek this morning...

Breaking Belize News

Illegal immigrant from Haiti charged
38 year old Haitian national David Modeste, who arrived in Belize today via Phillip Goldson International Airport with Belizean residency permit which he said he bought online, was fined $1,000 by Magistrate Ladonna John after he pleaded guilty to attempting to use a permit not being issued by […]

Taxi driver charged for unlawful sex with nine year old
26 year old Salvadoran national Daniel Rios, a taxi driver of Starfish Crescent, was charged with unlawful sexual intercourse of a female child 9 years and 5 months old when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Ann-Marie Smith. Rios was also charged with wounding. He was remanded […]

Ladyville dead body not identified
Reports reaching us over the weekend were that a dead male body found in the vicinity of the Haulover Bridge had been identified as one Anival Alvarado. The body was decomposed and showed no signs of violence on it making it difficult for authorities to determine the cause […]

Police update recent murder cases
The murder carnage in Belize City continues as gunshots were heard again in the Southside. This time it took place on Reggae Street around 7:20 Monday night and the target was a resident of Jane Usher Boulevard. Superintendent of Police Hilberto Romero says the death of Wayne Rock, […]

Prime Minister plans press conference after Miami trip
On Friday afternoon Prime Minister Dean Barrow left Belize for Miami, Florida, where he met with representatives of Carnival Cruise Lines to discuss a way forward regarding the Stake Bank Port, and with officials of the Bank of America concerning its recently severed relations with corresponding banks and […]

Political parties spar over Petrocaribe
Elements of the opposition to the Petrocaribe Loan Act 2015 are now prepared to take their frustration to the streets, a favorite tactic of dissent. The complaint is that the Act, which concerns some $286 million borrowed by the Dean Barrow administration since 2012, effectively legitimizes acts seen […]

Darrell Bradley “disappointed” City residents, says PUP
After dithering for several months and very nearly losing the opportunity, Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley held on to that title comfortably in the March municipal elections. But he is all set to potentially abandon that post after being recently confirmed as the UDP candidate for Caribbean […]

PUP discusses internal issues
Today leader of the parliamentary Opposition and of the People’s United Party (PUP) Francis Fonseca made his first appearance for some time on the KREM Wake Up Belize Morning Vibes program along with deputy leader Julius Espat this morning. Fonseca’s leadership has been rocked by back to back […]

Belize Bank’s Branch Offices continue physical transformation plans
In its ongoing commitment to service excellence, the Belize Bank Limited under-took the initiative a few years ago to improve and transform its human resource structure, business process and physical infrastructure. The first step was marked with the opening of the flagship North-side Branch at the Matalon Business Center on […]

Well Known Bullet Tree Man Succumbs to Injuries at KHMH
Belize Media Group received a report this afternoon from our San Ignacio reporter that Antonio Teck Sr, a well known farmer from Bullet Tree Falls Village, Cayo District has died at the KHMH. According to reports, Teck was chopping the limbs of a Tamarind tree yesterday morning about 10:00 am […]

Taxi Driver Shot on Sunday Morning Has Died
The Sunday morning shooting that happened in Belize City has claimed the life, not only of thirty one years old Mark Medina but also fifty five years old Egbert Hemmans. Hemmans had taken Medina to a house on Iguana Street on Sunday, when he was ambushed by a gunman. After […]

Gaspar Vega begs out of testimony in libel case
After speedily bringing a lawsuit against his political rival charging libel on a radio broadcast in which allegations were made that he ordered a hit on that rival that claimed his father’s life instead, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega does not appear interested in personally appearing in the […]

Rodent infestation at Western Regional Hospital
According to reports, the pictures were taken on Friday from the supplies room, which houses food items prepared for patients, doctors and nurses. Authorities have been alerted of the problem and are taking every effort to rid of the problem, but it seems like a problem that will not go […]

PUP to install Major Lloyd Jones as Standard Bearer for Belize Rural North
Tomorrow, April 29th, the People’s United Party will hold a press conference in Belize City to announce that Major Lloyd Jones will be the new standard bearer for Belize Rural North. The meeting will be held at Independence Hall at 10am. More information will be posted shortly.

Man Snatches Woman’s Phone in San Narcisco, Corozal
One man from the village of San Narciso in the Corozal District is facing the long arms of the law. According to 23 years old, Sabrina Martinez, on Friday, April 24th, she was on her way home on the main road of the village when she was approached by a […]

The Caribbean Court Ruling on The Maya Land Case in Belize Will Have an Impact on The Garifuna People as Well
Long before the Europeans came to the Caribbean, Americas and other parts of the world, people and nations were living in peace in their respective territories on this planet earth. History tells us that it was not only the Europeans that were roaming this planet committing atrocities against other […]

Blogs

It’s A Scorcher out There! Heat, Beach Erosion, Signs, Chocolate and a bit More
This April has been a HOT ONE for sure and with very little rain. These past few days, I woke up thinking someone must be burning something…the air is that thick with haze. Luckily for us on the coast, we have been cooled by the “Easter winds” but temperatures on the mainland this week… OH NELLY. Here are the mainland highs. Tomorrow a cold front is supposed to move through bringing, potentially, some heavy rains (woo hoo!), cooler temperatures (woo hoo x 2) and thunderstorms (not so woo hoo!) Here’s what I’ve been doing with my week…other than a bit of sweating and plenty of work. Hot weather happens to be quite beautiful…and we also happen to be on the Caribbean Sea so things could be SO much worse.

A new specie of bug has been discovered in Belize!
And it’s so beautiful it deserves to be named after Belize’s Cayo District After our post of 20 March 2015, The Beautiful Bugs of Belize, it should be no secret how enamoured we are of those little friends of ours who are so important to the Belize’s biosphere and the natural order of things. So imagine our excitement at hearing that a new species of insect has been discovered in Belize. And to add to the good news, the little critter has been named after our favourite Belizean district – Cayo! That’s right, recently added to the over 900,000 species already identified as sharing the planet with us is Ambrysus cayo, a cute little (OK, we’re already prejudiced) saucer bug, which Entomology Today lyrically describes as one of those; “True bugs in the suborder Heteroptera in the family Naucoridae in the subfamily Cryphocricinae – the saucer bugs (also called creeping water bugs) so called because of their round, flat shape.”

International Sources

Liquid Mercury Discovered Under Ancient Temple May Shed New Light On Teotihuacan
More than 10 years after it was discovered, a mysterious tunnel hidden under an ancient pyramid in central Mexico is giving up new secrets. Archaeologists say they've found "large quantities" of mercury at the end of the 340-foot tunnel, which lies under the legendary Temple of the Feathered Serpent pyramid in the ancient city of Teotihuacan, some 30 miles northeast of Mexico City. "It's something that completely surprised us," Sergio Gomez, the tunnel's excavation director, told Reuters, adding that his team does not yet know why the liquid metal was put there. Mercury has been found at three archaeological sites in Central America, the Guardian reported. Archaeologists believe it may have had ritual significance, perhaps symbolizing some sort of river to the underworld. "A few examples have been found in the Maya area, but it is very rare in ancient Mesoamerica," Dr. George Cowgill, an Arizona State University anthropologist and one of the world's leading experts on Teotihuacan, who was not involved in the discovery, told The Huffington Post in an email.

Two new creeping water bug species found in Belize, Peru
Two new insect species have been added to the 900,000+ species that have previously been described: Ambrysus cayo, which was found in streams in western Belize, and Procryphocricos pilcopata, which was found in streams in southeastern Peru. Both are true bugs in the suborder Heteroptera in the family Naucoridae and the subfamily Cryphocricinae -- the saucer bugs (also called the creeping water bugs), so called because of their round, flat shape. The discoverers are Dr. Robert W. Sites of the University of Missouri's Enns Entomology Museum, Dr. William Shepard of the University of California-Berkeley's Essig Museum of Entomology, and Dr. Shepard's wife, Cheryl Barr. Dr. Sites and Dr. Shepard have collaborated on many insect-collecting expeditions around the world. Dr. Sites is a specialist in aquatic hemipterans, and Shepard specializes in aquatic beetles. Descriptions of the new species appear in an article called "Neotropical genera of Naucoridae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Nepomorpha): New species of Ambrysus and Procryphocricos from Belize and Peru," which was published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America.

Plains resident to study Maya archaelogy in Belize
A Plains resident has received a scholarship to study Maya archaeology in Belize. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the Univeristy of Texas at Tyler, Martin Slann, announced that senior Natalie Haynes will be given a scholarship from The Explorer’s Club for $1,500. The club offers scholarships to high school, collegiate and post-graduate students in support of exploration and field research. With the award, Haynes will travel to Belize this summer where she will assist excavation teams and collect data through the Maya Research Program. The program offers UT-Tyler students and other student scholars worldwide the opportunity to participate in real-world research and study of the Mayan Indian culture through the Blue Creek Archaeological Project at the Blue Creek Research Station in Tulix Mul, Belize.

A leader on and off the field, Carlos plans to return for a fifth rugby season at Trent
When talking with Gwynne Carlos, it takes only a few seconds to realize she is young woman who is sure of herself and knows what she wants. The 22-year-old from Barrie exudes confidence in every facet of her life, whether it be pursuing an education at Trent University, playing rugby for her Trent Excalibur team or helping others. She is committed, dedicated and believes in giving nothing less than 100% in whatever endeavour she is undertaking. Academically, Carlos maintained a 75% average for her four years and made the Dean's List this year. She is heading to Belize soon for seven weeks of field work. She would like to work in a museum as a curator. On the playing surface, she has been a player and leader. She has been rewarded for her accomplishments.

Coral Reefs May Not be Doomed After All
A wealth of research has warned that corals reefs, true reservoirs of biodiversity, are seriously threatened by human activities and climate change. But now researchers are offering a glimmer of hope, finding that corals may not be doomed to disappear after all. According to a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE, the planet's reefs will still be around in the future, but they just may look different from the ones we know now. Meaning, new coral fauna will emerge, coming from the species that are most resistant to temperature increases. Currently, corals reefs are under a lot of stress due to the intensification of cyclones, warming ocean temperatures that are causing extensive bleaching events, outbreaks of a coral-eating starfish, ocean acidification and coral diseases. These factors, combined with threats of overfishing, pollution and coastal development, had led the majority of scientists to believe that the world's corals would disappear by 2100. But now a team at the French Institute of Research for the Development (IRD) in Marseille, France is painting a less gloomy picture. In fact, while numerous coral species have indeed been declining for more than 30 years, others are remaining stable and even increasing in abundance. Consequently, some reefs have recently managed to recover.

Woman's work: Birthing new Caribbean entrepreneurs
You really don’t know what to expect when you put a dozen-plus Caribbean entrepreneurs in one room for a week. But when 15 entrepreneurs from 12 Caribbean countries came together in Port of Spain in April to share experiences and build strategies for future collaboration, it just felt like the start of something good. Besides their Caribbean heritage and passion for productivity, these go-getters—all women—had something else in common. Each had been competitively selected to take part in the first-ever facilitators training for the Women's Innovation Network of the Caribbean (WINC) program, a World Bank project funded via the Canada Development Bank that specifically supports woman entrepreneurs in the region.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. Fourth Fleet
U.S. Navy Surgeon General and Chief of U.S. Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery Vice Adm. Matthew L. Nathan embarked the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) April 19-23, which is currently deployed in support of Continuing Promise 2015 (CP-15). Continuing Promise is a collaborative effort with partner nations to conduct civil-military operations including humanitarian-civil assistance, subject matter expert exchanges, medical, dental, veterinary and engineering support and disaster response within the region, demonstrating the U.S. support and commitment to Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Prior to embarking the ship, Nathan visited the CP-15 Belize medical and engineering sites as well as attended a reception and closing ceremony. While embarked, Nathan toured the ship, met with senior leadership and non-governmental organization volunteers and took a turn serving lunch to the junior personnel. Before departing, he attended the opening ceremony for the start of CP-15 operations in Guatemala. During an all-hands call onboard Comfort, Nathan emphasized the responsibility those Sailors have been given, to care and medically provide for people during humanitarian missions and disaster relief efforts.

January Jones Asks Belize to #SayNoToOffshoreOil
Did you know January Jones is an outspoken ocean advocate? Not only has the actress worked with Oceana to win support for the oceans, in 2013 she even swam with sharks to make a powerful PSA about why we should be scared FOR sharks, not scared OF them. This Thursday, she took to Instagram to lend her voice to another cause. Offshore drilling is a dangerous practice and can have extreme negative consequences for wildlife and economies. Props to January Jones for lending her voice to the protection of the Belizean reefs and for asking her enormous fan base to help.

Videos

Birdwatching at Cockscomb and Sittee River | Bocawina Adventures Belize, 2.5min. Venture to Cockscomb Basin Jaguar Preserve to explore the trails in the world’s first Jaguar Preserve. Known for its spectacular waterfalls, mountain views, nature trails, and rich diversity of Neotropical birds, this is a perfect place for a bird watching adventure. The preserve is currently operated by the Belize Audubon Society. Our Mayan naturalist guide will take you to the Sittee River where you will go on a birdwatching boat trip along the river. The mangroves located at the mouth of this river are the tallest ever reported for the Caribbean region and among the tallest anywhere in the entire Neotropics. Large marine and freshwater crocodiles inhabit the banks and waters of the river and sightings are very common. Iguanas can be seen sunbathing on the branches of trees hanging over the river. Bird watchers will be thrilled by the variety of airborne wildlife like flycatchers, egrets, kingfisher, toucans, parrots and herons.

Belize 2015 - UHMS Travels The World, 4.5min. Nice video from Andrew Malbin on scuba diving. Nice labeling of fish

Diving in Guatemala-Belize-Mexico, 5min.

The Scuba Shop - Belize trip 4/2015 - The Great Blue Hole, 12min. Made a couple trips to the Blue Hole on an incredible trip to Belize with The Scuba Shop. Total dive time from descent to surface was around a half hour.

Belize Groove, 2min. Get your groove on. Caribbean drummers playing it well in Belize City.

2015 - Navigator of the Seas - Royal Caribbean - Roatan - Belize City - Cozumel - Cruise, 20min.

Missionaries life inspiring experiences and Waqf-e-Arzi in Belize, 62min.

Autorizan ampliación en la Av. principal de zona libre de Belice, 1.5min. La Ampliación de la avenida principal de la zona libre de Belice está autorizada para realizarse a finales de este mes o a inicio de mayo, con esto se dará una mejor atención a los compradores que visiten este recinto fiscal , reveló Carlos Parra Jiménez Empresario de la zona libre de Belice.

Island Expeditions Belize - Light House Reef (UNESCO World Heritage Site), 5min. Video production for Island Expeditions marine basecamp at Light House Reef. "Leading the Way in Belize Since 1987, Island Expeditions leads sea kayak, snorkel, natural history, and dive expeditions to beautiful Lighthouse Reef, Belize. Based on Half moon Caye, at Lighthouse Reef in Belize, the group stay in Safari style tent accommodations, and are fully guided and fully catered to for multi day vacation to the most beautiful place in Belize"

Justin Williams: 2015 Belize Cross Country Cycling Champion!, 23min. The incredible cycling athlete, Justin Williams, who became the first Belizean-American to have won the globally popular cycling classic, Belize Cross Country Cycling Classic, comes from Belizean parents in Los Angeles, and a family of cycling champions, the Miguel brothers, who dominated Belize's Cross Country for many years. While this has been William's third attempt at competing in the race, placing fourth in the previous ones, the self-motivated 25-year old Belizean cycling phenom rides professionally also in Los Angeles, and has his eyes on the internationally acclaimed, Tour de France, that he says has been his greatest dream to one day ride the race with the Belizean flag on his back. Williams and his brother, Corey Williams, who also placed fifth in this years race, executed a strategy from the onset of staying up front in the race from the onset, and worked hard as a team to beat the best of the foreign riders from around the world that had come yearly to win the internationally acclaimed cycling classic. His incredible story told here on Belizean Legends to host Bilal Morris has been an inspiration for many a Belizean cycling enthusiast at home in Belize, and abroad in the Belizean diaspora, who may one day want to attempt the grueling and iron man like 144 miles cycling classic that was held in the scorching Central American heat on April 5, 2015. The race has been won before by many American, Mexican, and Guatemalan cyclists since Mexican Pablo Calderon became the first rider outside of Belize to win in 1971, and American Ward Zauner became the first American to win in 1987. Williams is the nephew of the Belizean cycling champions of the 1950's, 60's and 70's, Edward, Arthur, John 'Johnito', and Rudy Miguel, a long line of cycling champions who had achieved the highest level of cycling athletic accolades for Belize in the history of the sport.

Snorkeling in Laughing Bird Caye, Placencia Belize, 1.5min.

Fan worms in a mangrove off the coast of Belize, 1min.

April 28, 2015

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

Doctors from around the world participate in Hyperbaric Medical Course on Ambergris Caye
56 doctors from around the world converged on the island for a six-day course in hyperbaric medicine. The course is being offered in partnership with the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and the Divers Alert Network (DAN) with assistance from the local San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber Clinic. The course’s main objective is to increase physicians’ knowledge in hyperbaric chamber medicine as well as to review their skills on ways to better assess the health and well-being of potential divers. Cindi Easterling has been the Course Coordinator for the UHMS-DAN continuing medical education (CME) program for over 25 years. According to Easterling, during the six-day course, doctors go through daily four-hour intense lectures imparted by some of the best, internationally-renowned physicians. She said, “Doctors gain infinite knowledge because we bring in internationally renowned physicians from around the world. Some of the doctors are internationally known specialists and professors and we share knowledge. Having knowledge in hyperbaric medicine can only increase a doctor’s ability to give better patient-care. It also allows them to be a part of a network from around the world in which you become a part of a group of physicians that you can call if you need more information and further consultation.”

11th Annual Lagoon Reef Eco-challenge is a go
The 11th Annual Lagoon Reef Eco-challenge is set to take place on Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th. Organizers have been hard at work preparing all details for the iconic kayak race that takes participants through San Pedro’s lagoons and sea in a test of endurance and strength. Of course, teams also look forward to the amazing prizes, including a grand cash prize for the first place winners.Lagoon Reef Eco-Challenge-33 According to event organizer, Elito Arceo, 26 teams have registered so far and he expects more teams to register before the race date. The race follows the same traditional structure: paddlers take off on Saturday at 7AM from the beach in front of Central Park and make their way towards the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge, where they will enter the lagoon side of the island. The first day of the race will take kayakers up to the Basil Jones Area in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve where they will camp out for the night. The second day of the race kicks off on Sunday at 9AM. Kayakers will make a last sprint from their campsite to Central Park, along the eastern coast of Ambergris Caye.

Editorial: The benefits of our community insurance system
We have a very interesting health and crisis insurance system here in San Pedro, which comes in the form of ‘the fund raiser’. Every week the community learns that one of its members is suffering from a debilitating illness or family crisis where they are in desperate need of financial assistance. Friends and family rally the community for help, often holding barbeques, rice and bean dinners, dollar drives, social functions and even raffles and radio-thons to raise the much needed funds. Everyone seems to have a little extra change in their pockets each week to help out, and there’s usually a significant amount of cash raised. Rarely is it enough…but always it’s a huge help nonetheless. Although this approach to raising money in a time of need works to some extent, it is somewhat depended on who you are. Families who are popular certainly raise more attention, thus more money, while the less known individuals garner less. Regardless of social status the need is the same, and here is where our community ‘insurance’ system lacks effectiveness.

Ambergris Today

Island Residents Rally for Autism Awareness in San Pedro
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) is the first school on Ambergris Caye to substantially separate a special education classroom that caters to island children with special needs. The classroom directly impacts students with disabilities and assists ACES in its efforts to provide quality education in Ambergris Caye. Having just recently opened a special need classroom at the start of the 2014 school year, ACES held its first Annual 5K Walk/Run for Autism Awareness this past Sunday, April 26, 2015, to coincide with Autism Awareness Month. Central Park was the center of activity where residents gathered, mostly in groups to show solidarity from different businesses including employees of Blue Water Grill, Camp Starfish, Belize Down Syndrome Society, Belize Chocolate Company, among others and members of CrossFit San Pedro and WOD Zone. Participants registered for $5 and those willing to race took up the challenge to complete the course that ran from Central Park to Banana Beach Resort and back in the fastest time. Others decided to just support the cause by walking the course.

Misc Belizean Sources

PetroCaribe Loans Act 2015
AN ACT to make special provisions for borrowing money from Alba Petrocaribe (Belize Energy) Limited; and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. (Gazetted ..................., 2015). WHEREAS: (a) in June 2005, the Republic of Venezuela and several Caribbean countries (including Belize) entered into an Energy Cooperation Agreement providing for the establishment of PETROCARIBE; (b) in furtherance of the said Energy Cooperation Agreement, Venezuela and Belize entered into a bilateral Energy Cooperation Agreement in September 2005; (c) pursuant to Article 1 of the said bilateral Energy Cooperation Agreement, Venezuela agreed to supply to Belize crude oil, refined products and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) up to four thousand barrels per day (4,000 bpd) on an annual basis, and designated Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) to supply the said petroleum products subject to certain terms and conditions; (d) to facilitate the supply of petroleum products, Belize and Venezuela established a joint venture company, ALBA Petrocaribe (Belize Energy) Limited (APBEL), consisting of the Venezuelan state owned enterprise PDV Caribe, and the Government of Belize (GOB) owned company, Belize Petroleum and Energy Limited (BPEL); (e) APBEL has been jointly designated by Belize and Venezuela as the importing entity in Belize, for petroleum products purchased from PDVSA;

Beltraide Costing and Pricing Workshop
The specific objectives of the training are to enable participants to: Better understand the importance of costing and pricing Acquire information about techniques used to calculate costs Acquire information on how to adequately price a product a service Participate in exercises that allows them to engage in costing and pricing Acquire the skills and knowledge to participate or facilitate in the costing and pricing of their product or service. Expected outcome: Competent individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively calculate cost of producing their product and service and to implement pricing that will allow their business to be profitable. Workshop Date: April 30th, 2015 Time: 9 am to 12 noon WORKSHOP LOCATION: ITVet Campus - Freetown Road (BTEC Building), Belize City, Belize Tel: 223-3195 or email: [email protected]

San Pedro Property Taxes are due
TAXES NOW DUE. Kindly visit the San Pedro Town Council office to make payment. Thank You.

Earth Day 2015 at the Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic
A "historic moment" to us at BWRC, and other partners: Earth Day 2015 marked the signing of a renewed 5 year MOU with the government of Belize. In addition to renewing agreements with its NGO partners, the Forest Department's Cayo Branch and the San Ignacio Mayor inaugurated the newly created tree nursery - with the purpose of giving trees to schools smile emoticon, and a symbolic mahogany tree was planted. Much respect and a huge thank you to the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the honourable Minister Lisel Alamilla, the Belize Forest Department with Chief Officer Wilber Sabido and Wildlife Program Director Victoria Chi for their vision, cooperation and strong desire to make a positive difference for future generations, jointly with its NGO partners! We at BWRC are honoured to continue to serve and support wildlife and nature conservation with medical services, rehabilitation and emergency response.

Reusable Bag program
The Embassy's Reusable Bag program has been expanded to San Pedro!!!!! Last November, the Embassy launched an exciting initiative in Belmopan that focused on harnessing small public private partnerships to reduce the excessive use of plastic bags and improve the local environment. The initiative has been so popular in Belmopan that we have now expanded that program to San Pedro! Super Buy, Save On Groceries Plus, and The Baker in San Pedro now offer a FIVE PERCENT DISCOUNT to customers who use a U.S. Embassy reusable grocery bag provided by the U.S. Embassy on select purchases. Just ask for a free U.S. Embassy reusable bag next time you visit one of these locations to make a purchase!!! Other vendors and store owners in other parts of Belize should contact us at [email protected] if they are interested in participating in this program as well!!!

Wellness, Nutrition and Health Are Driving A New Tourism Market In Belize
They once came primarily for the diving, unspoiled nature and extensive Mayan archaeological sites. But a new generation of travellers to Belize has discovered another attraction this uncrowded Caribbean country offers – healthy vacations with a focus on wellness and wholesome, locally produced food. And, according to the Lodge at Chaa Creek, both the travelling public and Belize’s growing hospitality industry are beginning to take notice. Bryony Fleming Bradley, Chaa Creek’s food and beverage manager, said the new tourism trend is driven by health conscious travellers seeking to combine physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing with a traditional Belizean vacation. “We’ve been catering to health-conscious guests for some time now, with our onsite Hilltop Spa, Maya organic farm, Maya Medicinal Plant Trail, Mariposa Restaurant and other attractions and amenities that promote wellbeing, so it’s great to see such a surge in travellers looking for a that kind of experience,” Ms Fleming Bradley said.

Belize shrimp growers achieve ASC certification
Five Belize shrimp farms have been awarded Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. The Belize Shrimp Grower Association members have achieved certification against the global science-based ASC Shrimp Standard as responsible and well-managed farms. Member of the Belize Shrimp Growers Association, Alvin Henderson, describes Belize as a country of rich biodiversity with a stretch of mangrove belt along the coast that acts as a natural filtration system. “The journey towards ASC certification has helped to highlight areas of our operations where we can make meaningful change with minimal financial resources. Sometimes all that is really required is a change of perspective,” Henderson explains. “We’re using less water on our farm through improving the way we manage water quality. And, by focusing on compliance, we uncovered that the water in the receiving body is of even better quality since our mangrove buffer acts as a biofilter.”

Boom Road Waste Transfer Station and Dumpsite Rehabilitation
The public is hereby informed that under the current Solid Waste Management Project, the executing agency, the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWaMA) of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) has awarded a contract for the construction of a waste transfer station and dumpsite rehabilitation at the location of the existing dumpsite through the Burrell Boom - Hattieville Road, between the Philip Goldson and George Price Highways. These works are financed by the Inter – American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Belize and co-financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF), Belize Chemicals and Waste Management Project #00089331

REGIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM | CCRIF SPC
CCRIF SPC (formerly the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility) now invites applications for the 2015 CCRIF Regional Internship Programme. This programme provides work experience in areas related to disaster risk management. Applications are invited from individuals who are citizens of CARICOM member countries and/or CCRIF member countries. Applicants must be graduates of a recognized university and must have completed a course of study in any one of the following key areas: Disaster risk management Environmental management Meteorology Climate studies Civil engineering Management studies with a focus on risk management Environmental economics Geography/geology Actuarial science

BOLEDO DRAWING for Monday, April 27, 2015: 80

Channel 7

Mark Medina's Murder, A Mexican Hit Or George Street Setup?
Over the past four weeks we've reported on the murders of Jamie Chavarria and Mark Ramdas - both of them killed in and around Berkley Street and Wagner's Lane. That's a very tight geographic area - with rival gang-affiliated persons living a stone's throw from each other. Mark Medina lived right there too on Berkeley street - and he was a part of the feuding - which is why police locked down that area one week ago when Jamie Chavarria's funeral was being held. But on Sunday, Medina took a taxi to another area - Iguana Street, the block known as "Crenshaw". And that's where a masked gunman was laying in wait for him - and let loose with a barrage of gunfire. Daniel Ortiz was on the scene shortly after and has this report:... Daniel Ortiz reporting At around 10 a.m. yesterday, 31 year-old Mark Medina lay lifeless on the pavement in front of #19 Iguana Street. He had been shot and killed execution style by a gunman who apparently knew exactly when and where to find him.

Man Killed On Way To Work In Mahogany Heights
Medina's was Sunday's first murder - and within 20 hours two more in the Belize District would be dead. The last was Kevin Jones Flowers who was killed in Mahogany Heights this morning. The 40 year old was gunned down as he was walking to work across the road at the shrimp farm in La Democracia. A gunman or gunmen waylaid him on the shortcut he takes every morning and hunted him down. Courtney Weatherburne was at the scene:... Courtney Weatherburne reporting 40 year old Kevin Flowers's body was found here on this picado between Mahogany Heights and the George Price Highway. He was found huddled on his knees. According to his family, he was on his way to work at the Shrimp Farm this morning when he was killed. He was riding on this bike but had to abandon it to try and run from his shooter.

Kraal Road Killing
There was another murder in the city, which happened 3 hours after Mark Medina was killed yesterday. This one happened in the gang territory of Kraal Road, but the victim was reportedly a man with no such affiliation. 34 year-old Tyrone Neal, a resident of Fabers Road, was playing dominoes in a yard on Kraal Road with 3 other men, which he does regularly. That's when a gunman snuck into the yard. When he got close enough, the assailant shot Neal several times. He was rushed to the KHMH, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Today, we spoke with police and his common-law wife, about the killing of a man suffering from sickle cell anemia: Supt. Hiberto Romero - OC, CIB Eastern Division "On Sunday 26th April, police responded to a shooting on Kraal Road. They found expended shells. They visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they fund Tyron Neal, 34 years, with gunshot wounds to the chest and to the abdomen. About an hour thereafter, he was pronounced dead at the KHMH."

Blue House Butchery
The weekend's first murder happened in Ladyville on Saturday night at a bar that has a history of violence. On Saturday night 41 year old Wilmer Cisneros along with some friends went to the Blue House Bar from around 7. But things took a turn for the worse after 9 that night when two security guards got in an altercation and Cisneros jumped in. In a short time, he ended up dead on the floor. We spoke with his sister today and she told us what she knows. Sister of: Wilmer Cisneros "We know what Mr. Jimenez told us and some witnesses that were there with my brother. He was just taking a beer with his friends and they say is that they went into the bar, they were drinking a beer. In Blue House, you have a pay a fee after 9pm. They reach in there about 7pm on Saturday night. There were no security guards. And about 9pm, the security guards went and approached them when they were in the bar and told Jimenez (not my brother), that they had to pay the fee to stay there. But my brother told them that that were leaving - they were going home. So, they got in a discussion.

Man Gets off Murder Charge - Brought When He was Just a Boy
Taxi Driver Francis Chukwu was killed in December of 2010 - and today more than four years later, the last man accused of his murder left the Supreme Court a free man. Kendale Green who was a minor when he was first remanded for the crime was acquitted today in a trial without jury before Justice Adolph Lucas. In the course of the trial it was found that a confession statement which Green gave as a 17 year old was inadmissible because neither a parent nor a guardian was present. The next witness was Darcell Sanchez, the girlfriend of another man who had been accused. She said she could not remember anything - and the judge would not allow the prosecution to admit her statement in which she said Green told her he did it. Green's attorney Anthony Sylvestre, then submitted that his client has no case to answer. Justice Lucas upheld the submission and acquitted him.

Alleged Cable Con Man Gets Off Again
Carl Gordon - he's been accused of being the con man who poses as a cable collector and then uses that ruse to get into homes and rob the unsuspecting. We stress, that is the accusation, but he got off the first time he was charged and he did so again today - even before the charges could be properly put before the court. A single charge of theft was withdrawn by the prosecution because there was no evidence that a theft had actually occurred. Gordon was accused of again impersonating a cable collector and using that to gain access to a house where an I-pod and some jewelry were stolen. The complainant reported to the police that her grandmother told her that Gordon went to their house to check some cable wires. Magistrate Panton found that there wasn't an iota of evidence of the offence. Gordon, who was deported from Chicago in 2013 for illegal entry and possession of drugs, was also charged for change of address without prior notification to the Commissioner of Police. He pled guilty to that charge but magistrate deferred sentencing until May 29 and released him. The 50-year-old cook was freed of 3 counts of theft several months ago.

Another Xatero Caught
Another Guatemalan Xatero was found in the Chiquibul yesterday. FCD rangers found David Alvisures Cheche AT 5:30 at an area known as Cristina which is 15 kilometers, or 9 miles inside Belize. The Guatemalan from La Rejoya, Peten was carrying 720 fish tail Xate leaves - which may sound like a lot, but he told the Rangers he would only get 180 quetzales, and fifty three dollars when he sold them in Santa Elena Peten. He was taken to the San Ignacio Police station where he was charged with unlawful possession of forest produce by the Forest Department and for illegal entry by the Immigration Department. He told the rangers that he knew he was in Belize and understood he was in a reserve. The Xate he was collecting was probably going to be exported from Guatemala to the United States and Europe where it is popular for use in floral arrangements. The village of La Rejoya where he comes from is described as a target community for sustainable livelihood programs, which would spawn xate plantations, and other industries for the villagers in the hope that it would reduce the theft forest products from Belize.

PM Had High Level Meetings In Miami
Prime Minister Dean Barrow travelled to Miami on Saturday for high level meetings on two pressing domestic concerns: the future for the Stake Bank Port, and the correspondent banking relationship between Belize's Banks and the Bank of America. An official release says he met with cruise lines and officials from correspondent banks. Our information says those separate meetings were with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and the Bank of America. He returns to the country tomorrow.

Analysing Education
An education consultation was held this morning at the ITVET conference room. The main focus of the consultation was to discuss issues affecting the educational system - delving into student performance at all levels and other key areas affecting the governance of the system. Now it may seem like a lot of ground to cover but the CEO of the Ministry of Education David Leacock told us that the strategy in place will tackle these issues. David Leacock, CEO, Ministry of Education "The Belize education sector strategy was approved by Cabinet. And that has been guiding our work ever since. That sector strategy was based on the diagnosis of the education sector identifying what were the issues in the education sector. Just like when you go to a doctor, you get a diagnosis, they tell you what's wrong with you and what you need to do to fix it. Well the diagnosis told us what some of the issues in the sector were. The sector strategy tells us what we should be doing to address those issues. Strengthening the governance has a particular focus with how do we govern the system so that we can get improved performance and all? So how can we be more accountable? So some of the proposals that were presented this morning spoke about appearance, bill of rights and responsibilities. You know, and it directly targeting, getting parent more engaged in the education of their children. And having schools being more accountable for parents for the education that they provide."

38 Year Old Remanded For Allegation of Sex Assault on 10 Year Old
A 38 year old man accused of sexually assaulting a 10 year old girl is in jail tonight. The child reported that on April 18th she was at her grandmother's house watching a movie when Gomez entered. She said when she went to the kitchen for a glass of water he slapped her behind. She went to her grandmother's room to tell her what had happened and the grandmother, who is confined to a wheelchair, told Gomez to leave but he refused. She said Gomez then grabbed her by her cheeks and tried to kiss her. Gomez then left her go and told her he wanted her to have a baby for him, she said. The child told police that Gomez then left and said he will return for her. He appeared today before Magistrate Ladonna John and was arraigned on a charge of sexual assault. He pleaded not guilty but the prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the offence has become prevalent and that there is a strong possibility that if granted bail Gomez will interfere with the child. Magistrate John upheld the objection and remanded Gomez into custody until June 22.

Courtney Goes Karting
Engineering, speed, team work, competition and discipline. These are all the key elements that will lead you to success in motor sports and they were all put to test yesterday in San Ignacio. The Belize Automobile Club organized a fun karting event for the community to promote kart racing in Belize. According to the coordinators, this is just the start - just a seed that they hope will grow into a flourishing industry in Belize. We went to San Ignacio yesterday to find out more. Courtney Weatherburne "These guys are gearing up for a ride on the Joe Andrews Boulevard, but while it may seem that they are simply tweaking a toy, in fact they are preparing for the future of kart racing in Belize." Courtney Weatherburne reporting And the road to that future begins here. There was no clearly mapped out karting circuit, just a bend in a newly paved road and according to the coordinator, that's what grass roots motor sports is all about. Victor Murga, Sporting Director, Belize Automobile Club "What we want to do is build motor sports on a whole, we have avenues that we can go into 4x4 competitions, everything."

Medina Family Speaks Against Cops
As we told you at the top of the newscast, 31 year old Mark Medina was killed in a sensational Sunday Slaying on Iguana Street. Medina has a long rap sheet, and appears in our archives from as early as 2002, then just a teenager, the target of gunshots fired in his neighborhood. In 2005 police shot him when he was being pursued as a suspect for murder. In 2007 he was charged for the murder of a Chinese grocer, and in 2010 he was sentenced to four years for firearm possession. And these are just some of the offences he was charged with. We give this background to show the enduring bad blood police have towards him. And that ha prompted at least one police officer to jump on facebook and broadcast his frank feelings about Mark Medina's death, basically to say he had it coming. That has outraged his family. Monica Bodden spoke to his cousin a short while ago:.. Voice of: Cousin of Mark Medina "I got up this morning and I have his program that needed to get done. So I said 'well I have to cut and paste, download from the internet'. So I said to myself 'let me go on Facebook', and when I went on, the first thing that popped up on my page was a comment from a police man who got transferred to Punta Gorda. I think, as a police officer, nothing like that was supposed to be posted on Facebook about Mark Medina Junior. Because I just want him, (the officer) to know that Marky is a smart, educated, 4th form graduate, handsome and that he could get the most women which he (the officer) cannot get. You tell him that for me."

Channel 5

Breaking News: Late Evening Shooting in the City
Breaking News: Word to News Five is that a man was shot and killed a short while ago on Reggae Street on Southside, Belize City as he was. Police are [...]

Bar Patrons Impaled by Security Guards in Ladyville; One Dead, One Injured
From our count, there have been forty murders since the start of the year with April being the deadliest month with sixteen murders. It’s nine more than the same period [...]

Mid-morning Execution on Iguana Street, Mark Medina is Gunned Down
The first of two murders in the City was a broad daylight shooting on Iguana Street which claimed the life of thirty-one year old Mark Medina and left a fifty-five [...]

Single Shooter Seeks Out Tyrone Neal in Sunday Bloodbath
The murder of Mark Medina was followed by another in the City where three hours later, thirty-four year old Tyrone Neal was gunned down likely for a small quantity of [...]

Murder in Mahogany Heights, Forty-Year-Old is Shot and Killed
And if three murders in one weekend weren’t bad enough, there was another early this morning…this time at the community of Mahogany Heights near Mile thirty on the George Price [...]

Rodents Take Over Western Regional Hospital, Rats Infest Food Storage Unit
There are rats at the Western Regional Hospital – a lot of rats – big rats, medium-sized rats and little baby rats – entire rat families. But it’s no laughing [...]

Are There More Arrests to Come in Treasury Hustle?
Late last week, Treasury Department Second Class Clerk David Enriquez was arrested and charged for three counts of theft. Authorities believe that he diverted half a million dollars into private [...]

Embezzled Treasury Monies Were Meant for TCC Subventions
According to a Police report issued, the money diverted by Enriquez was meant as subventions for the Toledo Community College – two hundred and twenty-five thousand plus dollars diverted in [...]

Fin. Sec. Gives Update on Petrocaribe Funds
Last week, Government sent out a tag team of political legal advisor Michael Young and Financial Secretary Joseph Waight to sell the Petrocaribe Bill. That was a short-lived initiative as [...]

Former B.D.F. Major Lloyd Jones Joins Belize Rural North Political Race
There is some news coming out the People’s United Party tonight which may give the opposition party wind in its sails after the devastating March fourth defeat at the Municipal [...]

Did San Pedro Police Act Unlawfully in Confiscating Palapa Bar Proprietor’s Money?
On April seventh, businessman Scott Harnish was found in possession of over a hundred thousand dollars in U.S. currency inside his home on the north end of San Pedro Town. [...]

Kendale Green Acquitted of Murder
The trial of Kendale Green for the December 2010 murder of Nigerian taxi man, Francis Chkwu, concluded today in the Supreme Court. Initially, police had charged Jermaine Zuniga and [...]

Massive Beach Erosion in Hopkins, Residents and Resorts Affected
Once known for its delicate shoreline, the village of Hopkins in the south is facing chronic coastal erosion. Residents woke up one morning to find that their beach had been [...]

Guatemalan Detained with 2000 Xaté Leaves 14 Kilometers Inside Belize
Over a month ago, new rangers graduated from the Friends for Conservation and Development, also referred to as the FCD rangers program. The now eighteen rangers have been deployed to [...]

Climate Change - A Global Problem, CCCCC Signs MOU with Kentucky University
The World Health Organization estimates climate change will cause an additional two hundred and fifty thousand deaths per year between 2030 and 2050. And with this alarming fact, the efforts [...]

Shandel Parham is Belize District’s Top Speller
The Twenty-first National Coca-Cola Spelling Bee is underway and the Belize District Finals were held today at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium. Of the sixteen participants who competed, Shandel Parham [...]

Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. It’s the mad rush to the PLB playoffs people and the B.D.F.’s journey to the F.F.B. Stadium yesterday was [...]

CTV3

Two Time Sex Offender Caught Trying To Enter Belize
A two time convicted sex offender who was on probation was arrested trying to enter Belize on March 12th using a fake Canadian passport. Reports are that he was to meet a 16 year old girl whom he met on the internet. According to a criminal complaint filed with United States District Court, 27 year old Troy Anthony Pertuset of Saint Albans, was arrested by Belizean authorities when he tried to enter the country. Pertuset was first required to register as a sex offender in April 2005, when he was convicted of moving a 14-year-old girl to different locations to have sex with her in Highland County, Ohio. In February of 2010, Pertuset 22 years old at the time was then convicted of two counts of third-degree sexual assault in Kanawha County Circuit Court, for assaulting two 14 year old girls. Reports state he picked one of them up from school and the second he plied with alcohol. Pertuset was sentenced to 2 to 10 years in prison and an additional five years’ probation following his release. He was released March 17, 2014, at which time he began his five-year term of supervised probation.

Who Sold The Water Tank In Chan Pine Ridge, Residents Want To Know
Residents of Chan Pine Ridge gathered over the weekend for a community meeting in which they discussed the apparent sale of one of the village’s assets without prior consent from the village council. The PUP committee in the village along with the Chairman of the Village convened the meeting. After several inquiries to the Rural Development Officer Ruben Campos to clear up what happened with the water tank and the land it was located on and not receiving any response, some villagers along with the PUP committee organized the meeting. Chan Pine Ridge resident Damian Tzul told us more about what they have unearthed on the matter. “Our investigation has reached so far because we had the service of the Attorney Mr. David Norales who has done an in-depth investigation in reference with land where the well and the tanks was brought down and at the end of the day we had reached to a conclusion that in 1994 which our investigation from lands according to the Attorney; the land was being purchased by the then Area Representative same Mr. Rubén Campos and according to the records was being put on WASA name which is now BWSL for $5,500...”

Orange Walk's Top Speller Is From Trial Farm School
It may have been his months of preparation, or his prior experience before the competition that led 11 year old Jafet Munoz to victory, whatever the case maybe the reality today is that the title of Orange Walk District’s best speller will remain with a determined Trial Farm Government School student. On Friday, Munoz was among the ten students participating in the district finals of the 21st National Spelling Bee zone eliminations and he emerged as victor. It’s a huge accomplishment for the school and today in his honour, a short assembly and mini parade around the schools periphery was held. Our news team stopped by the school today and we spoke with both Munoz and his coach Faustino Juchim. Maria Novelo - Reporter “You won your first in the district level of the Spelling Bee, tell us how the competition was for you, was it challenging?” “No” Maria Novelo - Reporter “It was super easy for you?”

Corozal PUP Standard Bearer Keeps Youth Off The Street
Sports are often used as a way to reach out to youths in a society. And for one community in Corozal Town, particularly San Andres Village, PUP Standard Bearer for Corozal North David Castillo and sports enthusiasts have partnered to organize a 6 a side football competition. Organizers say the David Castillo Football Cup aims to fill this void in a sport-centric context, which has been proven to retain high youth participation and effect meaningful community-wide change. DAVID CASTILLO – Corozal North, Standard Bearer “Am very happy to see today that we have many teams that have registered you know, it is about 28 teams, it is unprecedented that Corozal has so many teams participating in a competition, so it is very gratifying seeing many young people participating and Mr Sheppard has come about simply with the petition of our young people and for so long the Corozal Constituency haven’t had these activities and the young people wanted something even though I am not elected, even though I am not at an official capacity we saw the need in putting this together because I can recall in our times we had sports going and we didn’t give the players a rest and certainly it is important to look at our young people, they are the future of our constituency, the future of our country so as leaders we need to put these programs in place you know and certainly I am committed to continue supporting such programs.”

Guatemala National Detained For Illegal Entry To Belize
It is no secret that the infiltration of Belize’s border and our forest reserves by Guatemalan Xateros has become a growing national problem. And while the magnitude of the damage caused by these border incursions is unknown, yesterday rangers from Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) intercepted and charged a Guatemalan national for having in his possession Xate. According to the release, at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, whilst conducting a reconnaissance patrol at an area known as Cristina in the Chiquibul Forest, FCD rangers intercepted and detained David Alvisures Cheche who is originally from La Rejoya, Peten, Guatemala. This person was found 14.7 kilometers inside Belizean territory. The release said that Cheche was found with 720 fish tail Xate leaves. He was escorted to Tapir Camp then subsequently to the San Ignacio Police Station where he was charged for unlawful possession of forest produce by the Forest Department and for illegal entry by the Immigration Department.

Family Looses Home As A Result Of Arson
A family of five are left to live in the remains of what was their home following an arson on Friday last week. Police report that fifty-three year old Amanda Kau’s house was set ablaze sometime around eleven on Friday night. The San Jose resident was inside the house along with four others including minors. Police report that Kau stated that her neighbor had come to the house and threatened her with a machete and set her house on fire. When we visited the family today, they would not comment on camera but told us that around eleven that night she was at home when her neighbor came around demanding to get inside her house. She explained that the man seemed intoxicated and she refused to let him inside. At that point he lit the house on fire. Kau says they tried to save what they could while her neighbors assisted in putting the fire out. They lost some clothes and furniture but no one was hurt in the ordeal. The fire destroyed the roof and most of the fifteen by twenty feet thatched house. The family has nowhere to go and remain in the same house until they can get it fixed. The damages totaled some four thousand dollars. Authorities are seeking one man and continue their investigations. If anyone wishes to assist the family in any way they can contact them at cellular number 605-2573.

PlusTV

UN Belize country team reports on work
Belize joined the United Nations four days after independence in 1981 and since then has been an active participant in the work of the umbrella organization of nations...

Treasury Department Scammer Arrested and Charged
Police have arrested and charged two persons in connection with the half a million dollar scam from the Treasury Department in Belize City...

Body Found Floating In Sea
The Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of a Caucasian male person whoâ€™s lifeless body was found floating in the sea in the village of Ladyville, Belize...

Belize City man charged for drugs found in traffic stop
Drug trafficking charges were filed against 34 year old Marlon Chavez, a welder of Gentle Avenue in Belize City, after police found marijuana on him during a traffic stop. According to police they were patrol in the vicinity of St...

Somerville will fight her case
Nasley Somerville, former Hospital Administrator for the Southern Regional Hospital was dismissed from the public service after over a year of being placed administrative leave on half pay...

UK Couple Alleges Beach Front Hustle
On the 23rd of April, 2015, a retired couple from England spoke to some media houses alleging that they were hustled out of tens of thousands of dollars by the lands Department after their property was devalued...

Breaking Belize News

Shooting in Belize City
Reports reaching our news desk is indicating that residents on Reggae Street in the Belize District heard several gunshots just a few minutes ago. Our news team is out at the scene along with police officers and they have confirmed that 1 person has been killed.

Shotokan Karate Club excel in Guatemala competition
On Saturday April 25 2015, The Cayo Shotokan Karate Club in conjunction with the Belize Karate Federation led by Sensei Herman Pastor Jr. and David Diego, participated in the 3rd Copa Poptun in Guatemala. The delegation which was comprised of 13 junior athletes ranged from ages 6-16, were awarded the 2nd place trophy for racking up an impressive 8 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals. The top performer recognized by the BKF was Caylon Dyke, who won the most medals in the tournament including 3 gold and 1 silver in separate kata and kumite categories. Congratulations are in order to all the young karate athletes for their display of bravery and unmatched sportsmanship during the competition.

Sex Offender Caught Entering Belize
27 year old Anthony Pertuset, a Canadian National and two time sex offender was caught at the Belizean border before finding refuge in the Central American Country. According to a report from Charleston’s Daily Mail, Pertuset who was released on probation and was arrested trying to enter Belize using a fake Canadian passport to meet with a 16-year-old girl in March. Pertuset was first required to register as a sex offender in April 2005, when he was convicted of moving a 14-year-old girl to different locations to have sex with her in Highland County, Ohio. The report says that just five years later in February 2010, Pertuset was convicted of two counts of third-degree sexual assault in Kanawha County Circuit Court, which was reported by the Daily Mail. Pertuset, 22 at the time, assaulted two 14-year-old girls, picking one of them up from school and plying the other with alcohol, according to newspaper archives.

Beach Erosion Put Resorts in Hopkins at Risk

Jofet Munoz top Speller in Orange Walk
Meet Jofet Munoz, top speller of the Orange Walk District. The 21st National Spelling Bee competition took center stage at the Crystal Palace auditorium in Orange Walk Town on Friday, where 10 competing schools participated. At the end of the second round in the reserve list, Jofet Munoz from Trial […]

Corozal House of Culture Hosts Full Moon Concert
Since the Corozal House of Culture was established an abundance of cultural activities and events have been organized for the community. One of their trade events has been the Full Moon Concerts that have been an annual event since 2012. And with the past success, the National Institute of Culture […]

PM departs country to meet with Cruise Lines in Miami
Over the weekend we reported that Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow left the country to meet with officials concerning two separate issues, particularly, the Stake Bank project and the banking sector crisis. PM Barrow is expected to return on Tuesday but during his visit, he will meet with officials from […]

Body Found in Mahogany Heights
Reports reaching our news room is indicating that a body was found in the vicinity of Mahogany Heights. Residents in the area claim to have heard gun shots around 7am this morning and the body has been identified as 40 year old Kevin Flowers. Police and Forensics are at the […]

More hot and dry weather in Belize
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting more hot and dry weather this week. Today will be mainly sunny and hot and tonight it is expected to be warm. No rain fall is expected. Winds will blow to the East to South East at 10 to 20 knots and […]

Blogs

6 Belize Jungle Adventures from Chaa Creek’s Nature Reserve!
The Lodge at Chaa Creek has the reputation as Belize’s “Destination within a destination” because there’s so much to do right here and with an emphasis on healthy activities and meals using fresh ingredients from our Maya organic farm, locally raised livestock and seafood from Belize’s pristine Caribbean coast, people of all ages can enjoy amazing exciting adventures. If you are interested in exploring the lush Belizean jungle in one destination here are a few of many adventures found within Chaa Creek’s 365 acre Nature Reserve: 1. Natural History Museum and Butterfly Exhibit Tours 2. Belize Rainforest RTV Safari Tours 3. Canoe Tours 4. Horseback Riding Tours 5. Bird Watching Tours 6. Miss Macal Safari Tours

San Pedro Runs For Autism Awareness: Great Turnout for The 5K Race
Sunday morning, 10am. Central Park San Pedro, Belize. A 5K run/walk for Autism Awareness was organized by the Special Needs teachers at one of the local schools – Ambergris Caye Elementary or ACES. Now on Ambergris Caye, we have fundraisers galore. But most involve eating, usually BBQ, and drinking, usually Belikin and rum punch, sometimes a radio-athon…but races to raise money are a relatively new thing for the island. And a totally great idea as islanders get more and more into organized fitness. We now have TWO Crossfit gyms! Here are lots of pictures from the race. The teams, the winners, the support from the SP Red Cross and other charities. Super fun and a GREAT turnout.

Curried Fry Jacks and Oxtail
This is a wonderful spin on our Belizean Fry Jacks that someone shared with me. I paired it up with stewed Oxtails. This is savory meal for any season.

International Sources

Ice cream recall extended to Caribbean
On Monday, Blue Bell Creameries of Brenham, Texas, voluntarily expanded its recall to include all of its products currently on the market because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This recall includes ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snacks made at all Blue Bell facilities. The recalled products have been distributed internationally to several countries in the Caribbean region, including Anguilla, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands. Consumers should not eat any of the recalled products. If these products are in your freezer, they should be thrown away or returned, even if some of them have been eaten without anyone becoming ill.

CARPHA and Mexico sign MOU to benefit 17 million Caribbean people
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ministry of health of the United Mexican States, through the Federal Commission for Protection from Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS). The aim of the MoU is to establish a mechanism for strengthening international cooperation in the health field. The MoU will also provide support for the establishment of the Caribbean Regulatory System (CRS), which will be hosted by CARPHA, and will benefit the people of the Caribbean. The activities of the CRS are related to strengthening the regulatory capacity of the Caribbean and supporting the expansion and rapid access to lower-cost generic medicines.

Belize shrimp farms ASC certified
Five Belize shrimp farms have been awarded Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification. The Belize Shrimp Grower's Association members have achieved certification against the global science-based ASC Shrimp Standard as responsible and well-managed farms. Member of the Belize Shrimp Growers Association, Alvin Henderson, describes Belize as a country of rich biodiversity with a stretch of mangrove belt along the coast that acts as a natural filtration system. “The journey towards ASC certification has helped to highlight areas of our operations where we can make meaningful change with minimal financial resources. Sometimes all that is really required is a change of perspective,” Mr Henderson explains. “We’re using less water on our farm through improving the way we manage water quality. And, by focusing on compliance, we uncovered that the water in the receiving body is of even better quality since our mangrove buffer acts as a biofilter.”

Central America offers a huge opportunity to brave investors
In recent weeks, the Mediterranean Sea has become a tragic, watery graveyard. Ironically, a place that most Brits associate with fun and holidays is the final, most perilous leg of a daunting journey for many African migrants. Less reported in the UK, but just as sad, is the Central American child immigrant crisis. Every year, tens of thousands of Central American children make the long journey north to hand themselves in at the US border. There, they hope a loophole in US immigration law means that they will be handed over to relatives already in America. Firstly, a quick definition of Central America. The region is made up of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama and is home to around 41 million people. The largest country is Guatemala with 14 million people; the smallest is Belize with just 300,000 people, while the rest have between three million and seven million people each.

Heat Ends as Rain Elevates Flooding Threat Across Central America
Big changes are on the way for parts of Mexico and Central America this week. Following a stretch of dry weather and record heat, a cold front will push across the Gulf of Mexico causing rain and thunderstorms to soak southeast Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. Much of April saw scorching heat from Villahermosa to Merida while rainfall was extremely scarce. While April is typically warm and dry across this region, no rainfall was reported in both cities while temperatures soared well above normal. This unrelenting heat will finally come to an end during the middle of the week as a cold front brings cooler air and widespread rainfall to the region.

The Collapse of Chávezcare
Leonardo Flores lay listlessly in his bed, passing the day much as he had the previous three months of his stay in a rundown ward of the Jose Benitez State Hospital. In January, the 42-year-old computer technician was riding in a car when it was hit by a truck being driven by a drunk driver. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors managed to stabilize him and immobilize his right leg, which had suffered a compound fracture. “They told me that I needed surgery to place two pins in my femur,” he said. “But the hospital didn’t have them, so my family had to buy them. And then when they had them, the doctors couldn’t operate, as they didn’t have the right drugs, supplies, and anesthesia. I was placed on a waiting list.” One surgeon offered to operate on Flores for a bribe of 18,000 bolivares ($2850, at official exchange rates) — three times the minimum wage, which he paid. But a pre-operative x-ray revealed that his bone had begun to re-knit itself off-center. So the doctors had to re-break it before they could operate, creating yet another delay. “Now I have no idea when they’re going to operate. I can’t work. My family is spending all of their money in trying to schedule me the operation and get me out of here,” Flores said.

Moving Indigenous Land Rights from Paper to Reality
Frustrated with decades of marginalisation, and of seeing their rights respected only on paper, Indigenous peoples are calling for major recognition from the international community. Speaking at U.N. Headquarters on Apr. 27 as part of the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues – which started last week and lasts through Friday – the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Victoria Tauli-Corpuz expressed disappointment with the scant efforts to enshrine Indigenous People’s rights in the post-2015 development agenda. “It is very regrettable that out of the 17 (Sustainable Development) Goals, there is no reference to Indigenous People. This does not speak well for the U.N. and its member states,” she said. Taking Indigenous knowledge and traditional technology into account internationally could contribute to solving many of the world’s major crises in relation to the environment and climate change, and ultimately bring sustainable development, stressed Tauli-Corpuz. A positive example comes from southern Belize, where Indigenous People have reached an agreement with the government after three decades of struggling to secure their land rights. Christina Coc, director and co-founder of the Julian Cho Society, represented the Maya villagers of Toledo in their negotiations with the government of Belize.

What a Scuba Diver with a Spinal Cord Injury Has to Teach Us About the Learning Process
Stan Clawson loves to open the door for people. “They don’t expect it,” he says. Clawson, a filmmaker and communications professor based in Salt Lake City, is in his late 30s with sandy hair, blue eyes, and a handlebar mustache. He’s tall, “six-foot-four,” he says, “you know… laying down. Upright? I’m not sure. Maybe four-foot-eight? Four-ten?” Clawson has the deep, dynamic voice of a radio announcer and something of the devil in him. He’s been in a wheelchair since a rock climbing accident when he was 20 years old, when he fell 49 feet and severed his spinal cord between the T9 and T10 vertebrae. Since then, he’s learned to boogie board and downhill ski. He’s competed in marathons. And he’s earned advanced certifications as an open water diver. The fact that Clawson never saw himself as being particularly athletic—and still doesn't—reveals he’s been in a growth mindset his whole life. “There are people who do sports,” Stan says, “and there are people who do them well.” Before his accident, Stan rock climbed, but he wasn’t a die-hard about it. “Rock climbing is just kind of a thing I did every once in a while. It was fun… Though,” he says, with his trademark dry sense of humor, “I clearly didn’t rock climb well. God, I mean, I fell 49 feet, right?” “But with scuba diving, I just did it. It seemed natural.” He fell in love with diving the very first time he went out, off the coast of mainland Belize in the Ambergris Key. In the middle of the open water, the dive master handed Clawson a small shark. Though Clawson had of course expected to see a few fish here and there, he wasn’t prepared for the gorgeous, teeming marine life he encountered. Holding a shark in his hands connected him to the sport of diving in a very visceral way. The weight of the creature caused him to “sink a little bit. It wanted get out. It was like a cat that didn’t want to be held… But you get handed a shark, you take it, right?”

Tropical island holidays: readers' tips, recommendations and travel advice
Readers offer advice on the best tropical islands around the world. Send us your travel tips for the chance to win a £350 holiday voucher. Ambergris Caye, Belize: Victoria House, a luxurious retreat in old plantation grounds on the quieter south side of Ambergris Caye, Belize, is a gem. Spend as much time as you can in the water, because the barrier reef is quite incredible and full of colourful life. You won’t fail to come up close to rays, nurse sharks and turtles, as well as coral in every shape and form. On the island, the food is punchy and flavoursome. We had an excellent Belizian/Creole lunch at Wild Mango’s set on the beach front and dinner at El Fogon, a favourite with the locals where the freshly caught snapper and conch are a delight. The homemade cinnamon rolls at The Bakery are a treat, and we had the tastiest jerk chicken at Robin’s Kitchen, a small hut set off Coconut Drive. Be sure to come back with a bottle of Marie Sharp’s Habanero Hot Sauce.

Trinidad and Tobago to Host Forum on Caribbean’s Future
Trinidad and Tobago is set to host the May 5-7 Forum on the Future of the Caribbean, which will include heads of governments, business leaders and academic experts to discuss poverty, inequality and resource mobilization in the region. “We need disruptive thinking and bold action if we are to create a resilient and international Caribbean future,” Trinidadian Foreign Minister Winston Dookeran said in a statement published Monday by the Caribbean Community. The conference in Port-of-Spain is to be co-hosted by the foreign ministry and the University of the West Indies in collaboration with the UN System, regional inter-governmental partners and the Commonwealth. Forum participants are expected to “challenge each other to consider persistent development problems in new ways and identify approaches directed at widening opportunities and improving living conditions for all Caribbean citizens,” according to the statement.

A Caribbean money launderer casts a shadow long after his death
This is the late William Valentine "Billy" Herbert, Jr., LLB, PhD, the founder of one of St Kitts' major political parties, the Peoples' Action Movement, or PAM. Dr Herbert's titles in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis included: (1) Foreign Minister. (2) Deputy Prime Minister. (3) Ambassador to the United Nations. (4) Ambassador to the United States. (5) Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS). (6) Minister Plenipotentiary without Portfolio. In the 30 years since Dr Herbert's mysterious death, his role, as a founder and funding source for PAM, has been a matter of controversy. I will attempt to clear the air, with regard to my first-hand knowledge, gained as the result of my long-term business relationship with the man. Who was Billy Herbert, and who killed him? There has been a lot written about Dr Billy Herbert, whose estate, filed after his untimely death in the 1990s, was valued at $20 million, though many questions remain. From his law office in Anguilla, Dr Herbert engaged in laundering the criminal proceeds of narcotics traffickers; I know that because he serviced many of my clients in the 1980s. Though many people believe, notwithstanding Herbert's flagrant representation of drug kingpins, the reason that his crimes never resulted in his indictment in the United States, was due to his high government office, there is, however, another little-known reason. He cooperated with US and UK law enforcement investigators, who ended up in Billy Herbert's Anguilla chambers due to their participation in a major international case.

Videos

BBC NEWS - BELIZE DAM, 3min. This BBC News expose was widely acclaimed at a time when the fate of the Amazon Rainforest was very much in the news headlines throughout the world. As with all my videos I saw that my job was to work closely with the Producer mutually selecting the pictures and audio/music, treating them if necessary and deciding the best place for them to go. I was also able to make suggestions to the script. It is very much a team effort.

Belize - Pathfinder K8 World Travel 2015, 12min.

CLASSES ARE CANCELLED AT SAN PABLO R.C SCHOOL DUE TO AFRICANIZED BEES, 3min.

Will Belize Video, 3min.

Fish and Trips, 3min. Want to know what I did this winter? This is it. Traveled through Belize, Guatemala and Hawaii...in that order.

Belize Adventure Films- I'm Jumping in with the Sharks!, 2min. This Belize Adventure Film was shot at Shark Ray Alley of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve located in the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of San Pedro, Belize.

Walking Caye Caulker Belize 2015, 1.5min.

England to Sandpedro Belize: belizeanbeauty Timz, 9min. i guys wlcm to Belize, showing you a little bit of my homeland.

Belize cruise ship tender docking fail, 15min. Belize cruise ship tender has major difficulty docking with Navigator of the Seas on April 24, 2015 and crashes into Navigator of the Seas stair boat while bringing passengers back from shore at Belize City

Belize Snorkeling 2015, 5min. Upper Columbia Conference spring break mission trip to Guatemala/Belize. Some footage of the snorkeling adventure in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

April 27, 2015

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

Letter to the Editor: VIP on the littering of garbage
As the world celebrates the importance of caring for mother earth, we [VISION INSPIRED BY THE PEOPLE] feel it is time we all place more importance in the cleanliness of our island. A growing concern of residents and visitors of San Pedro is the improper disposal and littering of garbage which has become a serious environment and health hazard. On the health side, there continues to be an alarmingly high incidence of cancers, skin infections and gastro-intestinal diseases affecting the residents of San Pedro. There is an underlying root cause of these health issues and the removal of all garbage would certainly improve the quality of life in San Pedro. On the environmental side, research conducted over the last seven years has revealed evidence of continuous degradation of the marine environment. The garbage pollutes the air, water and land and subsequently harms human and marine life. This has placed our very livelihood at risk, jeopardizes the tourism and fishing industry and could ultimately result in the collapse of the island.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Jealousy
“I hate to take this trip,” Raul told me. “I know my old lady is cheating on me and I don’t want to leave her alone for three days.” “You don’t have much choice. You have to be in court in San Ignacio about that land deal.” “I know,” he said. “I can’t get out of it.” “Are you sure she’s cheating?” I asked. “Who is she seeing?” “I don’t know and I don’t have time to find out right now,” he replied. “I fixed her, though. I put a special lock on the bedroom door and gave her three days of food. There’s bars on the windows and a bathroom in there so she’ll get by.” “Raul, that’s not legal,” I said.

Police Report
*On Tuesday, April 21st at about 12:30PM, police officers conducted searches in the San Pedrito Area where they discovered one black in color magazine Taurus Brand, seven 9mm live rounds, one 3.80 live rounds, six .38mm live rounds, three 16 gauge live rounds and 20.36 grams of suspected Cannabis. All items were taken to the San Pedro Police Station and labeled as “Found Property”. *On Tuesday, April 21st at about 12:01PM, police officers conducted a search in the Boca del Rio Area where they discovered a large parcel which was wrapped in transparent plastic wrap. When opened it was noticed to contained compressed suspected Cannabis. It was taken to the San Pedro Police Station where it weighed in at 4.18 pounds. It was labeled as “Found Property”.

Doctor Love: Drug Addiction and Weddings
Dear Doctor Love, My wife has always been a good mother. Our relationship was alright until I found out that she had been introduced to drugs at her job. She started disappearing for hours on end and then it became overnight. When she did not come home for three days I found she was staying at the house of a drug dealer and she thinks she is in love with him. I packed up her clothes and sent them to her and she did not come back. That was three months ago. I have the two children and I let her see them but only at our house. Since I can’t be there all of the time she is alone with them sometimes. Two weeks ago I noticed some little things were missing and then my daughter told me that her mama’s boyfriend came over. I immediately changed the locks and refused to allow her back in the house but I don’t think I can hold her off forever. What can I do? /s/ Busted

Misc Belizean Sources

Optinam North American
Five of Belize's top Optimist sailors raced today at BTL Park in Belize City for the prize of representing Belize in Optinam North American. San Pedro Sailing Club's own Kevin Velasquez took the 1st winning all 6 races. Trent Hardwick of Belize City came in with a strong 2nd. The two boys will be Belize's first ever team to enter Optinam, a world level Optimist sailing event. Jazmin Campos of Corozal, Nashira Ricardez of Belize City and Tyler Garbutt of Placencia who came in 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively, though not participating in Optinam, will make up the base of Belize's international Optimist sailing team 2015. The event today was sponsored by the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA). Congratulations to all five sailors! Sailors from left to right: Nashira, Kevin, Tyler, Trent, Jazmin

San Pedro Roman Catholic Church holds Family Day
After 10am mass. Free food, drinks and fun games for the children.

LOTTERY DRAWING for Sunday, April 26, 2015: First: 4749 Second: 8950 Third: 5419 Missing: 2, 3, 6

Empyrean Art Center Grand Opening
Cayo is getting a new art center on Burns avenue. Empyrean Art Center, which is located right next to Mickey's, is having their grand opening on May 2nd. They are still looking for fellow artists to show off their work there. "Looking to fill the walls for the Grand Opening on May 2nd! Do you know an artist? Please share!"

CTV3

Top Spellers Of O/W Battle For Spelling Bee Competition
Hundreds of students gathered at the Crystal Palace Auditorium for the district finals of the 21st National Spelling Bee competition. There are several zones in Orange Walk and today ten competing schools equipped their best spellers for a showdown of the words and intellect and at the end of several tough rounds, the speller for Trial Farm Government School emerged as victor. Runner up was Louisiana Government School followed by Solomon’s SDA School rounding off the competition. The National Spelling Bee final is scheduled for June 5th in Corozal Town. We will have a word with the Orange Walk’s best-speller in Monday’s newscast.

Two Persons Charged For Missing Funds At Governents Treasury
Two persons were arrested and charged today in connection with the missing monies from the Treasury Department. As we’ve previously reported, a Belizean Business analyst for the Treasury Department, and the Government of Belize, reported that on January 28th, of this year $225,296.97 was sent from the Treasury Department to a Belize Bank Account registered under Seine Bight Community Training Program. The monies were a monthly subvention for the Toledo Community College, Punta Gorda Town, but were transferred to Seine Bight Community Training Program at a Belize Bank account and the monies withdrawn from the Belize Bank account, Dangriga Branch over a period of time. A further search in the system revealed that on the January 12th, 2015, David Enriquez did a similar transaction in the sum of $47,638.71. In addition, Accountant General at the Treasury Department and the Government of Belize, reported that on March 14th, of this year $225,296.97 was sent from the Treasury Department to a Belize Bank Account registered under the name Octaviana Lopez of #24 Magoon Street Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District. The monies were a monthly subvention for the Toledo Community College, Punta Gorda Town, but were transferred to Ms. Lopez’s Belize Bank account. The monies were withdrawn from the Belize Bank account, Dangriga Town Branch over a period of time.

The Reporter

Another man shot in Belize City Sunday
A third man was shot on Sunday, this time on Kraal Road in Belize City. The incident happened around 2 p.m. The Reporter will have details in our printed edition.

One dead, one critical after Sunday morning shooting
A Sunday morning shooting around 10 a.m. on Iguana Street has left one man dead and another in a critical condition. According to reports, Mark Anthony Medina was shot multiple times and died on the scene before police arrived. The other victim, 55-year-old taxi driver Egbert Hemmans was also shot to the chest. Hemmans was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and is listed in critical condition. According to police, investigations into the matter are still in an early stage.

PM leaves to meet about Stake Bank and banking sector
Prime Minister Dean Barrow flew to Miami on Saturday to meet wih officials concerning two seperate issues, the Stake Bank project and the banking sector crisis. Barrow is expected to return on Tuesday but during his visit, he will meet with officials from Carnival Cruise Line. In a previous interview, Barrow had indicated that once he had met with Carnival as to their position on the Stake Bank cruise docking facility project, he would then bring the disputing stakeholders from Stake Bank and the Fort Street Tourism Village to the negotiating table and chart a definitive way to resolving the issue. Barrow will also meet with officials concerning corresponding relations with financial institutions in Belize as some, including the Belize Bank, have already started feeling the effects of US policy toward jurisdictions, like Belize, that have been listed as harmful tax havens. Two weeks ago at the Summit of the Americas in Panama, US President Barack Obama pledged to Caribbean leaders that he would have the policy reviewed and see where some relief could be brought to the region.

Breaking Belize News

Belize Beach Volleyball Teams in Continental Tour
For the first time in Belize’s volleyball history, Belize has both a male and female team participating in the NORCECA tour in Grand Cayman. NORCECA stands for the North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation and is an incorporated, non-profit organization responsible for all volleyball activities that take place in […]

Stabbing in Ladyville results in two causalities: one murdered and another wounded
Around 9:34 pm on April 25th, 2015, Ladyville police responded to a report of a fight at the Blue House Bar situated between miles 8 and 9 on the Phillip Goldson Highway in Ladyville Village. Upon arriving at the scene, they found the body of 41 years old, Wilmer Antonio […]

Decomposed body found near Haulover Bridge is Anival Alvarado
The body of the decomposed man found near Haulover Bridge on Thursday evening has been identified as Anival Alvarado, a Honduran national. According to reports, his nickname was “Pepino” and he was identified by the tattoo marked “Ninfar” on his right arm and the black and red wrist band he […]

Shooting in Belize City
There are reports of a fatal shooting incident this morning in Belize City. The victim is reported to be a resident of the George Street area. More on this story coming up later.

12 persons arrested and charged for drugs and firearms in Roaring Creek
GSU Commander, Mark Flowers informed Belize Media Group this morning that they are presently in the village of Roaring Creek conducting an intensive operation that up to now has proven to be successful. According to Flowers, yesterday a dozen people were arrested and charged for drugs and firearms in Roaring […]

After 2 guns go missing in PG Police Department, whistle blower cop calls out corruption in the department
A Punta Gorda policeman believes there is corruption happening in the PG Police Department. According to a police officer who spoke anonymously, last week Saturday, April 18th 2015 while on his working shift during 1:00-7:00a.m, 2 guns went missing from the Quick Response Team’s locker in the PG Police Station. […]

Belmopan Area Festival of Arts Performing Arts Section Concludes
Students in the Belmopan Area have shown their talents on various stages in the Belmopan Area Clusters. The excitement was stirred up by beautiful voices with appropriate children’s songs, drama, and dance. Since the festival is not a competition the students were awarded Certificates for their level of presentations. […]

Man Stabbed to Death in Ladyville
Belize Media Group has received reports of a stabbing incident in Ladyville, in the Belize District. According to reports, a man was stabbed in front of a bar around 10:30pm last night and has succumbed to his injuries. The motive of the stabbing is unknown. For an update on this […]

Blogs

Big Changes for North Ambergris Caye: The Extension of The Road North & A Quarry
Ambergris Caye has been thought of as a tiny island for a while. A small island with a big diving problem, the t-shirts say. It is not a small island at all. And the narrow “sea to lagoon” sections that most see when visiting are just a sliver of a much bigger land mass. One that has been relatively unused due to lack of roads and infrastructure and because the island has always been…well…big enough. But as popularity grows, more tourists are visiting and more Belizeans are coming to work and live, we need more room. And building a road up north – the road that has already been paved from the bridge to Belizean Shores Resort – is a HUGE part of it. GO NORTH! It’s where the land is.

Following Moses through Belize
“You may pack one Nalgene, a camera, a change of underwear, and your passport—nothing more, nothing less.” We do this. We are driven to the bus station. We wait outside while the bald man who told us what to bring disappears into the building. He returns and we are handed an envelope and a couple bus tickets. The bald man grunts and gestures toward one of the gargling buses. We ask no questions. We’re too excited to not take this seriously. We climb up the stairs like kids pretending to search for buried treasure. Except that the buried treasure is God. And we aren’t pretending. 96 ounces left. I’m 19 years old. I believe in wearing white t-shirts with the same pair of blue jeans every day. I am sustained by books about spirituality and those orange Ramen packets. I have been living on a catamaran off the coast of Belize with a ragtag crew of a dozen young adults. I am learning to be a disciple, but wrestling with whether or not I believe in God. We are part of a program called Youth With A Mission.

Life after Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize
As someone who can struggle with motion sickness, a 30 minute bus ride along a muddy and bumpy road seemed like a nightmare at the start of my adventure into the jungles of Belize. In a few short hours on our return trip, that ride would seem like a pleasure cruise. It’s amazing what a little Dramamine and some perspective can do for an outlook on life. The bus ride was just the first of many challenges on a group trip to Actun Tunichil Muknal. A local Belizean who ran a tour company sold my husband on what was billed as an adventure of a lifetime. It’s a sales pitch perfected over time: “It’s an easy walk!” the promised. Sure, you’ll walk through some water, but it’s always warm: “so warm!” They lied. The first part of our cave adventure doesn’t start at the parking lot. These elements are left off the tour guide’s sales pitch. First, there are the three river crossings in murky water and a healthy hike along a trail where large cats could be lurking behind the next corner. Finally, we arrive at camp only to be told the adventure is NOW beginning. So, we leave behind everything we’ve carried along this early part of the adventure, and walk straight into the mouth of a pitch-black cave with a river running through it.

Returning to Wildtracks - Molly looks at the changes since her last Wildtracks experience
How time moves is completely relative to what is going on in your life at the moment. I can tell you that time felt very slow when I went back to the United States for about six months after spending almost nine months at Wildtracks last year. When I left Wildtracks, in September, a lot of big changes had happened at the Rehabilitation Centre - completion of the Central Enclosure for the Spider Monkey Complex, moving two new sets of howler monkeys out to pre-release enclosures and the eldest nursery monkeys getting ready to move outside to their new enclosure. Upon my lucky return to Wildtracks in March of this year I found out just how fast time moves at Wildtracks. My first day back, I got to see how everything had changed in the past six months and it was amazing. So many fantastic things had happened while I was gone. One of the things I was most excited to see was the development of the “quarantine” area. Enclosures have been taken down and moved into the forest to give some monkeys, like Elliot and Athena, a more natural environment away from the hustle and bustle of the Manatee Building. When some of these enclosures were taken down there was room for a new sanctuary enclosure to be constructed for Nikki and Rafiki - the two permanent sanctuary primates at Wildtracks.

Sustainable Belize Shrimp Farming
When the human population is small as in Belize today, there is a tendency to look at coastal wetlands as expendable lands, for the greater immediate need of commercial exploitation and a growing tax base. The results are now in, from Thailand and other parts of Asia. To ignore the benefits of coastal filtration systems, such as mangrove swamps, is a disaster and more expensive in the long run. The longer run is not so far away either, just about thirty years in Belize. Unlike many ocean shore countries, Belize has an inner sea, inshore fisheries and an offshore great barrier reef and islands. These would be severely damaged as the population levels rise to half a million and the one million people mark, without these natural coastal filtration systems. In the past shrimp farm ponds have replaced coastal mangrove swamps. And pollution comes not only from shrimp farms, but from chemicals, fertilizers, feces, waste treatment plants, garbage dumps and many other causes. In order to protect the inshore fisheries and offshore reefs the cost to future governments some thirty to fifty years away would be impossible to try and duplicate the already existing natural filtration system of mangrove belts along the coast of Belize. Shrimp farming in particular became a focus of the coastal lands use of Belize in the 1980s. A lot of knowledge, problems, and ecological environmental effects are now known, that were not known a decade or two ago about shrimp farming. Shrimp farming has run into considerable trouble in recent years. Destruction of mangrove coastal zones to build ponds, was a political decision found to be in error. We now know that shallow lagoons, ponds, creeks and mangrove belts of up to a half mile wide are needed to cleanse the pollution coming off the mainland. The chemical reactions and combinations of atoms and molecules that by natural process convert toxic pollutants into harmless natural substances are almost impossible to duplicate by man-made substitutes for mangrove swamps.

International Sources

Lord Michael Ashcroft resigns from House of Lords
LORD Michael Ashcroft has resigned from the House of Lords as he can no longer "contribute meaningfully,” according to the International Business Times. The 69-year-old was treasurer of the Conservative Party from 1998 to 2001, under William Hague and also served as deputy chairman. He has donated £10m to the Tories since the 1980s but withdrew the lifeline in 2013 amid speculation he doubted the party would secure a majority at the general election in May. His Lord Ashcroft Polls service into marginal seats is seen as a barometer of how the election could unfold. A statement on his website said he was stepping down to concentrate on his Lord Ashcroft Polling service as well as publishing interests. "Earlier this year Baroness D’Souza, the Lord Speaker, said that any Member of the House of Lords who can 'no longer contribute meaningfully' should retire,” his statement read.

CENTRAL AMERICA INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT Q2 2015: NEW RESEARCH REPORT AVAILABLE AT FAST MARKET RESEARCH
We currently forecast an average of 3.43.3% real growth in Central America's construction industry value for 20145 (excluding Panama) which is considerably higher than our regional average estimate for 2014 at 0.2% (excluding Panama). We expect Nicaragua's construction industry to return to positive in 2015 while Panama's will contract, as the completion of the Canal expansion nears its end. We see high risks, small scale and limited growth opportunities across the region as a whole. A crucial factor underpinning our forecasts for infrastructure investments in future years is political and security risk. This is a particular concern in El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala where high levels of crime, homicide, violence, and insecurity exacerbate operational risks for companies willing to invest in BMI's Central America Infrastructure Report provides industry professionals and strategists, sector analysts, investors, trade associations and regulatory bodies with independent forecasts and competitive intelligence on the Panamanian, Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, Salvadoran, Costa Rican, Belizean, Honduran infrastructure and construction industry.

Videos

Go Pro ,Belize Xuanatunich,Mayan Ruins., 2min.

Zip Line Belize, 5min. Some video of us doing the a zip line course in Belize. We did the zip line course after cave tubing.

Belize vs. Cayman Islands - First Half (2015 Friendly/Amistoso Internacional), 39min.

Belize vs. Cayman Islands - Second Half (2015 Friendly/Amistoso Internacional), 47min.

Gabe and Gina in Belize, 4min. Caye Caulker.

From Dangria to Belize city, March 28 2015, 3min. Landing footage of a small plane flying over the jungles of Belize

2015 BELIZE EXPERIENCE, 3min. Part of Loyola High School's Experience week.

Vu sur Terre Saison 2 Belize 2015 04 22, 52min.

Live While You Live - Sharks & Stingrays Belize Barrier Reef, 1.5min. A Bucket list Experience swimming with Sharks, Stingrays & the deadly Electric Eel! The best that life has to offer on the Belize Barrier Reef!

Podziemne miasta Belize Podziemie Majów [Lektor PL][Film Dokumentalny], 61min. Podziemne miasta Rzym [Lektor PL][Film Dokumentalny] Podziemne miasta Rzym [Lektor PL][Film Dokumentalny] Film dokumentalny o podziemiach ...

Cave Tubing in Belize - GoPro Video, 15min. Cave tubing shore excursion in Belize during a Carnival Cruise line stop on the Carnival Sunshine ship. A lot of the trip is inside the cave and is lit by headlamps. It's a beautiful walk through the jungle to the river and a relaxing float down and through the cave.

April 26, 2015

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

Caramba Restaurant waiter recognized by TripAdvisor
A waiter at Caramba Restaurant has received a pin of recognition from a TripAvdisor representative for his outstanding service. 23-year-old Oscar Campos has been working at Caramba for the past six months and a couple weeks ago had the honor of serving a TripAdvisor representative who was visiting the island. Impressed with the level of service Campos offered, and claiming he served the best Piña Colada on the island, the representative bestowed Campos with a TripAdvisor pin of recognition. “I’m happy and much honored to have received this recognition,” said Campos. TripAdvisor pins of recognition are given to members of the TripAdvisor network and are meant to be handed out to persons within the hospitality industry that give exceptional service. According to the TripAdvisor website, these pins are not widely distributed and it is considered an honor to receive one.

Letter to the Editor: Pamela Zetina’s Volunteer Servicies Dismissed due to Politics
Letters-to-the-EditorI am truly saddened that it has come to this and now I realize that politics plays a very dirty role on how things are ran (manipulated) in this island. I respond to a letter from the management of the San Pedro House of Culture, under the authority of Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation. The letter states that I have been relieved of my volunteer services as member of the committee of the San Pedro House of Culture in which I was just recently appointed. Clearly, the Minister’s decision is strictly political as he has made that clear to me in person. This saddens me because I only want to volunteer my services to better my community and make the islanders proud of having such a great facility that promotes our rich culture. At first I cried because of my rejection of these two politicians (Mito Paz and Manuel Heredia), but then I realized I was not serving them but my people of San Pedro. Today I smile with pride and joy because there are so many others who have invited me to share my passion of serving with them and for San Pedro.

Easter Bunny makes a vacation stop at SPRCS
Walking barefoot on the island used to be the norm, but with progress comes cobblestone streets, and when you combine hot sun and tough roads, going barefoot isn’t so fun anymore. With that in mind, three couples from Alberta, Canada brought down many pairs of shoes to gift to some children at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS). Bruce and Brian Griffith, Sheila and Dave Belkey, Shirley and David Hickle and Marilyn Hogan stopped by SPRCS on Thursday, April 17th to distribute shoes and little souvenirs to one of the Standard I (Grade III) classrooms. “Having heard that some children have no shoes to walk in, and knowing that going barefoot can cause all manner of infections or increases the chances of getting cut on glass or shell, we thought we would bring down some shoes to distribute on our return trip,” said David Hickle. Children’s faces lit up as the Easter Bunny (Bruce Griffith) walked in. Excited, each child was beaming and grateful for their presents.

WPC Sherifa Young convicted for 2012 police brutality incident
Woman Police Constable (WPC) #1342 Sherifa Young has been found guilty for the crime of “Harm” in regard to an incident that occurred in December of 2012. Young, who has been in interdiction from December 19, 2012, was sentenced on Tuesday, April 14th at the San Pedro Magistrate Court for one count of “Harm”. Her sentence was in reference to news article, “Victims of alleged police brutality in San Pedro call for justice”, which was published in The San Pedro Sun in Issue 49 Volume 22 dated December 13, 2012. WPC Young was charged after three island residents claimed police brutality and use of unnecessary force. The incident occurred on December 17, 2012 after Ricky Jurado was arrested by a WPC Young and Corporal Mark Young. Two of Jurado’s friends intervened during the arrest, because the police were using excessive force. As a result Elder Mauricio and Vianie Perez were approached by WPC Young. She proceeded to hit Mauricio and Perez several times with a baton. When Perez tried to defend herself, it only resulted in WPC Young injuring her further.

Misc Belizean Sources

Prime Minister Barrow Departs for Miami, Florida
The Office of the Prime Minister informs the general public that the Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow departed the country for Miami, Florida today, April 25, 2015. During his visit, the Prime Minister will meet with cruise lines to discuss a way forward regarding the Stake Bank Port; and he will also meet with officials concerning relations with corresponding banks and financial institutions in Belize. The Prime Minister is expected to return to the country on Tuesday, April 28th, 2015. In his absence, Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Gaspar Vega will act as Prime Minister.

Western Ballaz Play Dangriga Warriors
The Western Ballaz hosted the Dangriga Warriors last night. The Warriors won this time around. Kenny Lamb, once again, got some great shots of the game. Go Ballaz! "Game was fast, fun and entertaining! The Warriors had their way taking home the win, but The Ballaz gave them a run for the money. Nuff Respect to both teams! Troyer was not able to play as he is injured. (Tag players & ppl, share, like, comment) Thanks."

Walk For A Green Cayo
The Rotaractors from Cayo participated in this year's Walk for a Green Belize this morning. It was a country-wide effort, and the statistics on how much trash was cleaned up should be out soon. Thanks, Rotaractors! "Rotaractors participated this morning Saturday, April 25th, 2015 in a clean-up campaign In commemoration of Earth Day 2015 together with Oceana Members and The Department of Environment. The clean-up campaign consisted of the entire George Price Highway and Macal River in San Ignacio. Thanks to all the amazing people who came out to inspire others and make a difference."

BBIA Book Week Kickoff
The Belize Book Industry Association kicked off Book Week yesterday at the Cayo Welcome Center. They had fun and games, and there were a lot of books to peruse. In the evening, they had a Literary Evening at the Soul Project. It continues today.

The Reporter

UN agencies look at ways to improve services in Belize
A group of representatives from various United Nations (UN) agencies have started sharing and reviewing data in an attempt to improve their impact throughout Belize. The group, including representatives from the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFP). Roberto Valent, UN resident coordinator said the idea is to pool resources together to work along with the government to ensure that Belizeans are getting the best services possible. Valent said issues including poverty, gender equality and development goals are at the top of the list. UNICEF representative Ivan Yerovi said violence against women and children are the main cause of concern for his agency. He added that Belize needs to ensure, through the judiciary, that offenders who perpetrate violence against children, especially sexual violence, are punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Volunteers line highway for Green Belize
Volunteers from various organizations joined the Department of the Environment (DOE) on Saturday morning for the second annual Green Belize clean-up activity. Seli Cho, environmental officer at the DOE and organizer of the clean-up said the DOE was pleased with the turnout of volunteers that participated. According to Cho, volunteers included participants from the not only the DOE and the Belize Audubon Society but also the police department, the Belize Coast Guard, Belize Scouts, police cadets, the Belize Bank, First Caribbean, the Inter American Development Bank and a host of schools just to name a few. Chief Environmental Officer of the DOE Martin Alegria said the significance of the event is to sensitize the public about the harms of littering and giving them an opportunity to participate in the cleaning of their surroundings.

The Belize Times

Cordel Shuts Down Mark King – UDP land fraud continues
The UDP losing candidate in Lake Independence Mark King should be investigated by the Police Department for being in possession of possible fraudulent land documents. King has a land title for block 45 of parcel 61 situated just behind the Charles Bartlett Hyde “Complex” building in the Lake Independence area. But like many, many instances of land fraud and hustling that have occurred under the UDP Government where land papers are issued for properties that already have owners, this land in question was already privately owned by a community group in Lake Independence. It was purchased by the Lake Independence Action Committee as far back as 2007 at a value of $20,000. The land even has a building erected on it, which was financed by fundraising efforts but was destroyed by fire months before the 2008 election. On Tuesday morning, in one of his mad tirades, King lost his few senses and sent a demolition crew to the area in an attempt to bulldoze the building and claim the land. He told the media that he was “in possession” of a title for the same land which was given by the UDP Government to the “UDP Lake Independence Committee” in October 2014.

2015 SMART Mundialito kicks off!!
The 2015 SMART Mundialito annual football competition kicked off with 12 teams playing 6 games at the Yabra field last Saturday, April 18. In Game 1, the defending champs City Boys Juniors and sub-champs, Ladyville Rising Stars, drew nil-zip. In Game 2, the 2x Mundialito champs Brown Bombers drew nil-zip with the Collet Strikers. In Game 3, the Face of Belize FC bombed Mahogany Heights FC 3-1, with Jose Zetina scoring first for Face of Belize and Heights’ Curtis August Jr equalizing 1-1 before the half. After the break tiny Sanja Pitts Jr. scored Face of Belize 2nd goal, and Ajani Vaughn scored Face of Belize 3rd goal.

Hurricanes, Dangriga Warriors & No Limit vie for NEBL basketball playoffs spot
The Yellow Pages Hurricanes, Dangriga Warriors and NO Limit are all in the hunt for the 4th spot in the National Elite Basketball League playoffs. The Hurricanes posted their 3rd win with an 83-81 upset of the defending champs, the San Pedro Tigersharks, before a packed house at the Belize Elementary auditorium on Friday night. Winston “Air Jun” Pratt led the Hurricanes with 24 points and 4 rebounds, while Brian “Brybo” White scored 19 points and 7 rebounds. Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the Tigersharks’ scoring with 24 points and 5 rebounds. The game was down to 9 seconds when Leslie was fouled and stepped to the charity stripe to score 2 free throws and tie the ball game 81-81, possibly sending the game into overtime. The Hurricanes had possession and inbounded to Leon “Biggs” Williams, whose shot beat the buzzer for the 83-81 win!

Corozal Methodist wins softball nationals
The Corozal Methodist School boys defeated the Independence Primary School team 6-2 to win the national primary school softball championships at “Hostel” football field on Racoon Street on Friday, April 17. The Corozal boys won collecting 2 hits off Vince Garbutt’s pitching. He also walked 9 batters, allowing 6 runs. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were presented team trophies and individual medals, and Corozal’s pitcher Dale Centeno won the Most Valuable Player award, with 4 wins, 11 strikeouts and scoring 3 runs.

Erwin Contreras gives high school a bounced cheque
UDP representative for Cayo West may be one of the UDP’s most wealthy do-nothing politicians, but he was caught up in a suspicious case of possible fraud when a cheque with his name was used to pay a high school in Benque Viejo del Carmen, but it bounced. Last year, Contreras had attended the Mopan Technical High School graduation ceremony and promised that he would purchase and donate a Risograph printer for the school. Well, one year has passed and not even an ink came through as donation. But with early elections coming, and since another graduation is coming up and expecting an invitation, Contreras’ office submitted a post-dated Belize Bank cheque to the school for $8000. But the cheque has been as good as nothing. When the school tried to use the cheque, it was rejected by the bank because the account did not have the adequate funds. The staff and students of the high school are all aware of the stunt being pulled by the UDP politician who has been representative for so long that he acts as if he owns the area.

Fired for major embezzlement – Nasley Sommerville yet to face criminal charges
Nasley Sommerville, who has been at the center of an investigation into the fleecing of hundreds thousands of dollars from the Southern Regional Hospital’s Maternal and Child health program, was terminated by the Public Services Commission on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015. Sommerville, who was the Administrator of the hospital, had been on suspension with half pay since October of 2013 when evidence of the missing monies was detected by the Auditor General. The Auditor General had conducted a surgical review of the Hospital and found that 189 cheques were disbursed improperly, leading to the embezzlement of over $366,000. The Auditor General also found that during the timespan in which the monies went missing, from January 2010 to September 2013, there was ZERO check and balance by anyone at the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Allen, was asleep at the wheels and failed to carry out his duties of properly monitoring the accounts at the hospital.

Cop charged for rape of 14 yr. old – PC Cyril Casimiro was also accused of attempted rape in 2008
Police Officer #1093 Cyril Casimiro has been remanded to prison for the alleged rape of a 14 year old in Corozal Town. The 14 year old, accompanied by her mother, reported to the Police that while walking on Antonio Sosa Drive in the Altamira area of Corozal Town around 1:00pm, she met Casimiro dressed in Police clothing and driving a red motorcycle marked “Police”. The minor said that the officer offered her a ride home and she got on the motorcycle, but instead of taking her home Casimiro allegedly took her by the sea behind the Finca Solana housing area where he had sexual intercourse with her against her will. The minor was taken to the hospital where she was examined and found to have been carnally known. She has identified PC Casimiro as the perpetrator and he was charged with rape.

People Power!!
In the movie “Juice”, Tupac’s character “Bishop” was complaining to his boyz in the hood about the lack of respect shown to them and his feeling of powerlessness in gaining the “Juice” (i.e. money, power, respect) that other people in the neighbourhood had. He told his boyz “you gotta get the ground beneath your feet pardna, the wind behind your back!!!” Essentially Tupac was telling the boyz to rise up to become awakened as they had the power within them to make the change and get the “Juice” money, power and respect. Today in the “Jewel” especially the old capital, a similar sentiment is mushrooming – the feeling of powerlessness – at the rise of inequality, joblessness, and increased poverty. However, the United Democratic Party Government and all its political cohorts continue to foster these social ills through the political economy and the various anomalies of “clientilism” (the buying and selling of votes) and the Prime Minister declaring that millions upon millions would have been spent to hold on to the Cayo Northeast constituency and Petrocaribe rolling to win the bye-election in Cayo North...

3 killed, 9 shot over the weekend
Gun violence continued to take siege of the country over the past few days and in particular last weekend which saw three persons fatally shot and nine others injured in separate shootings in Belize City alone. The most tragic of these incidents was Sunday night’s double shooting of couple 54 year old Mike Estell and his common-law wife 29 year old Coleen Sharp, which occurred in their home in Ladyville. Answers to this tragedy appear to have vanished with the life of the two deceased because Police still do not have a clear understanding as to what led Estell to shoot his partner twice in the head and then turn his .380 pistol on himself. Sharp was shot on the nose and forehead. Estell had a gunshot injury to his right temple. It is believed that they had a fight after arriving home separately on Sunday night. In the house, the Police found Sharp’s IPhone6, broken up, and Estell’s chain thrown on the bathroom floor. They were clothed only in underwear and found in the bathroom.

Barrow, Where Have the Millions Gone?
There is a story which goes something like this. A proud mother went to see her son’s marching-out parade. As the parade passed on the street, all the soldiers were marching ‘left right’, ‘left right’. Her son was marching ‘right left’, ‘right left’. She said proudly, look! Only my son is marching correctly, all the others are marching wrong. This sums up the position Prime Minister Dean Barrow is adopting with his wrong-headed and unconstitutional Petrocaribe law The figures, revealed so far, show that the Prime Minister had been illegally hoarding and spending from a fund of almost five hundred million dollars. There was a balance of one hundred and sixty-odd million in February this year. At that time he had already taken out two hundred and eighty six million without adhering to the Constitution and the Finance and Audit Reform law. He gave no detailed reports to the nation. He tabled no accounts of receipts and expenditures to show how the monies were used. There is something rotten going on Each month some eight to twelve million dollars goes into the Petrocaribe funds.

Think About It
Since September 2012 the Prime Minister has been secretly using millions upon millions of dollars from monies out of a Petro Caribe fund. The total up to February 2015 has been a whopping $286 million. All of this is unconstitutional (Section 114 of the Constitution) and a criminal offence (Section 24, Finance and Audit Reform Act of 2010). Caught with his pants down, the Prime Minister hastily passed a law one night on Friday 27 March 2015 to do two major things. The law is trying to legalize the Prime Minister’s illegal actions in secretly taking out millions of dollars over two years without following ANY of the procedures required by law. The second thing the new law does is to allow the Prime Minister to continue to take out millions without getting prior approval of the National Assembly. Under his new law, the Prime Minister can take out any amount any time for any purpose and there can be no limitations on what he does. Weird but true. The Prime Minister MAY use some of the millions for capital projects, community projects and to help the poor. He MAY, the law does not say he SHALL. Yes, it is weird but it is true. It is unlawful but he has now tried to make it lawful. It is a criminal offence but he is hoping he has decriminalized his behavior with his new law. Since 2012, each time he took out money he committed a criminal offence.

Hotbed getting hotter
In a meeting held in Los Angeles in October of 2013 with Belizeans in the Diaspora, Prime Minister Dean Barrow referred to the Ministry of Natural Resources as “another hotbed of corruption.” Interesting that he should have used the word “another” since just about every department in every ministry of this government is riddled by this “wrong and distasteful” way of conducting business. Just last week news broke of improprieties at the Treasury Department where certain employees had pilfered monies adding up to well over a half of million dollars. When confronted with the revelation, Mr. Barrow flippantly dismissed it as “just a few people doing this and that”. The Prime Minister is very good at what he does, but what he does is not a good thing. The man is well trained in the art of sophistry and can make serious transgressions seem trivial. Look how easily he was able to downplay the egregious actions of Elvin Penner, predicting from the very start that nothing would come of it. “Factual guilt and not criminal guilt” was how he explained it and true to word, Penner walked free and is still laughing all the way to the bank.

Facey Barrow wants Audrey Matura-Shepherd excluded from Union meeting
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is a facey man. Thinking he has Union leaders on “strings” the way he had the former NTUCB President, he has asked for a meeting with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, but has reportedly demanded that Audrey Matura-Shepherd not be allowed to attend. Barrow wants to meet with Union leaders to scold them about their position on the Petrocaribe Loan Act, known as the Barrow Law. The NTUCB has condemned the law passed and approved in a rush on March 27th. It has agreed with the People’s United Party, the Chamber of Commerce and other activists that the law is retrograde and attempts to arbitrarily validate the Government’s wrongdoing – borrowing and spending millions of dollars without getting approval from the National Assembly.

PUP Congratulates the Maya Leaders’ Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes’ Association
The People’s United Party congratulates the Maya Leaders’ Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes’ Association on their historic achievement in finally winning from the Government of Belize recognition of their indigenous right to occupy land in Southern Belize. In the year 2000, the Government of the People’s United Party had signed with the Maya Peoples of Southern Belize a “Ten Points of Agreement” in which stated that: “The government recognizes that the Maya People have rights to lands and resources in southern Belize based on their long-standing use and occupancy.” This was followed in 2001 by an amendment to the Belize Constitution to specifically include “Belize’s indigenous people” among those whose identity, dignity and social and cultural values needed to be recognized and protected.

PUP donates 14 tablets to Hattieville Government School teachers
In a short ceremony this afternoon, PUP Deputy Leader and Belize Rural Central Area Representative Hon. Dolores Balderamos Garcia handed over 14 Tablets and a Flash Drive containing 500 e-books including encyclopaedias to the Principal of Hattieville Government School Mrs. Batun. The tablets will be distributed to the teachers from Standard 1 to Standard 6 in an effort. The e-books which include material that is useful to their teaching curriculum will be shared among the teachers and can be accessed through the tablet. Attending the ceremony were Secretary General Myrtle Palacio, PUP Collet Standard Bearer Yasmin Shoman and Major (Retired) Lloyd Jones. The donation of these education tools marks the PUP’s commitment to revolutionising education through technology.

Breaking Belize News

Hot and dry weather will prevail for the next couple of days
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny and hot weather today and partly cloudy tonight. Winds will blow East- South East 10 – 20 knots with occasional higher gust. High temperatures are expected to be around 90 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast; 98 degrees Fahrenheit inland and a comfortable 83 degrees Fahrenheit up on the exposed areas of the Mountain Pine Ridge and along the Maya Mountains in the south. A high tide is expected at 2:38 pm and a low tide at 10:28pm tonight. The sun will set at 6:11 pm.

Ministry of Education Personnel Meet to Discuss School Improvement Support
District Center Managers and Education Officers met in Belize City on Friday-April 24th to discuss planned measures of improving data collection and storage for schools across this country. Additionally, support mechanisms are being put in place to assist the Administrators, Managers, and teachers to improve school performance and add more excitement to the learning process. Mount Saint Vincent University will work with the school leaders, teachers, and Administrators to provide additional support in implementing their school improvement plan over a 4-year period. The Research Arm of the Ministry, under the direction of Dr. Neulin Villanueva and Mr. Bernardino Pech, is providing the planning and training needed for the Ministry’s Open EMIS System that has been put in place to facilitate the data collection and storage initiative.

Police need help identifying decomposed body
On April 23rd 2015, we reported that Ladyville police found a decomposing body floating in the vicinity of the Haulover Bridge. Police say that so far they have ascertained that the body is of a Caucasian male dressed in khaki shorts and a black t-shirt and has a tattoo marked “Ninfar” on his right arm. According to police, they also found him with a black and red wrist band on his left arm marked “Anibal”. Because of the advanced state of decomposition, police are unable to determine the cause of his death. There is also no sign of injury to the body and police are not suspecting foul play. The decomposed body was found by a caretaker of a property just past the Haulover Bridge who noticed vultures circling the dead carcass.

International Sources

Belizean journalists end stay at MSU
Murray State University played host to a pair of Belizean journalists this week as part of a television co-op program through the U.S. Department of State. Hipolito Novelo, a reporter for LOVE-FM in Belize and his photojournalist Brian Castillo spent three days on campus this week interviewing Belizean students at MSU and filming campus life. Julie Umstead, a contractor with the State Department, also joined the two journalists at MSU and with them at seven different colleges and universities in the U.S. The trip was part of the “100,000 Strong in the Americas” initiatives, a private sector partnership to increase the number of U.S. students studying in Latin America by 100,000 and the number of Latin American students studying in the U.S. by 100,000. Reporting trips like that for the Belizean journalists in Murray are all part of spreading the word, Umstead said. Of course, when she began her research on prime institutions to take the radio/TV reporters from the Central American English-speaking country, she said she repeatedly noticed MSU topping Google searches and State Department reports.

“Liquid mercury found under Mexican pyramid”
That’s the beginning of the headline on an article in Britain’s The Guardian published on April 24. Alan Yuhas, the reporter from the Guardian, has done a super job in this report of balancing comments from specialists with an attempt to convey what is exciting here. Since I ended up quoted rather a lot (considering that I was talking on a cell phone while at a cafe for breakfast, without notes, and mainly trying to think who I could suggest to provide expert information) I was motivated to follow up on my off-the-cuff summary of previous finds of liquid mercury in prehispanic sites in Central America with something a little more precise. I should begin with one correction: liquid mercury hasn’t been reported from any Olmec sites, so far as I know. In research published in Science in 1975, archaeoastronomer John Carlson demonstrated that a hematite object excavated at the Olmec site of San Lorenzo, in the Gulf Coast of Mexico, could act as a compass oriented to magnetic north if it was floated on liquid mercury. Carlson specifically suggested that the Olmec might have used liquid mercury in this way. That report was picked up by others and recently, even scholarly works have stated as a fact that liquid mercury was used starting around 1000 BC. A major point of disagreement among archaeologists writing about finds of liquid mercury has been whether it was collected from naturally occurring deposits, or produced by processing cinnabar, as Ashmore argued for Quirigua. David Pendergast, excavator of the ballcourt cache at Lamanai, described the large quantity of liquid mercury there as likely collected in the highland area of Honduras or Guatemala, where naturally occurring deposits of native (liquid) mercury could potentially be found accompanying cinnabar.

Videos

LA VOZ KARAOKE 2015 WEEK 5 - DISC1, 95min.

LA VOZ KARAOKE 2015 WEEK 5 - DISC2, 33min.

Diabetes in Belize- Mr. Cornelio Marfield and Plus TV, 33min. Plus TV in partnership with director of the Diabetes Association, Mr. Cornelio Marfield, discusses the problem of diabetes in Belize.

Zip Line Belize, 5min. Some video of us doing the a zip line course in Belize. We did the zip line course after cave tubing.

SubWing Belize, 5min.

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow - VII Summit of the Americas, 13min.

Belize Reef, 6min.

Belize Reef 3, 7min.

Scuba Diving Belize, 5min. Scuba Diving in Belize. Dive Site: Turneffe Atoll; Crick Ozeen and Pine Ridge. Big thanks to Divemaster Abelito

Sound Effect - Forest, Birds, Belize Birds, Howler, Flies, Howls, Air, Insects, 2min.

Sound Effect - Village, Birds, Belize Rooster, Bird Flock, Bg Birds & Insects, 3min.

Howler Monkey at Lamanai in Belize, 1min. Group of howler monkeys in the trees near out camp at Lamanai in Belize.

Belize Trip 2015, 9min. Our family adventure to Belize.

April 25, 2015