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Murder in Oasis area of Belmopan
There was a murder in Belmopan and the victim has been identified as 45 year old Lionel Theodore Gillett, businessman and resident of Belmopan. Gillett's body was found this afternoon, Wednesday June 1st, sometime after 1 p.m. at his farm in the Oasis area of the city. Police say that Gillet was f...

Belizean fishermen deported from Guatemala Tuesday night
The Belizean fishermen who were detained by Guatemalan authorities for alleged "illegal fishing" in Guatemalan territory were returned to Belize on the night of Tuesday May 31. The eight fishermen had been detained by the Guatemalan navy lastThursday night for illegal entry into Guatemala when they ...

Transport Department changes hands; new man promises change
Crispin Jeffries is standing down as Chief Transport Officer at the end of this week. Today, his replacement, current operations officer for the Transport Department, Tirso Galvez made his public debut at this morning's press conference at City Hall. Galvez inherits a Department beset with many of t...

Accused "con man" charged with theft
A driver for the Ministry of Health says he is out more than 3 thousand dollars after a man who purported to sell him a vehicle absconded with his money and later allegedly destroyed the vehicle. Sandhill village mechanic Reginald Coleman pleaded not guilty to a charge of theft before Magistrate Deb...

Statement on Belize in Declaration of the 8th Summit of Heads of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
The 8th Summit of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Heads of State and Government was held in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea from May 31 to June 1 2016 on the theme "Repositioning the ACP Group to Respond to Challenges of the Sustainable Development". Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred...

Carl Gordon back in the news for theft
Carl Gordon was arraigned before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza for handling a computer tablet and other electronic items belonging to Sherlene Anderson. Anderson's mother was apparently at home alone and allowed Gordon to enter to the house to give her a foot massage. The daughter later realized that th...

Trial for accused in Blue House Bar murder
33 year old Dairon Hamilton was committed to stand trial for the murder of Wilmer Cisneros. That incident happened at Blue House Bar in Ladyville about a year ago but on Tuesday, at the preliminary inquiry, Hamilton learned that he will go to trial. Hamilton, a former security guard at the Bar, al...

The Guardian

Patrick Faber, UDP Deputy Party Leader
On Sunday, UDP's from all walks of life from across the country, converged on the ITVET Freetown road campus to be a part of a process to elect a new First Deputy Leader. Two men in the persons of Honorables Patrick Faber and John Saldivar were in the contest to fill the position and they each equated themselves well. As early as 6 am movements could be seen on the ground with both camps making early preparations. The tents were being assembled; tables, chairs were set in place, signage were put in place, refreshments and food were being prepared .The all important human resources were being placed on the ground for what had all the makings of being a hotly contested race. The actual campaign leading up to Sunday's election started about two months ago when just before our National Convention, our then First Deputy Leader Hon. Gasper Vega announced that he would no longer be seeking office for that position and that is why there was the need for a Special Convention to fill that vacant position. Both gentlemen hit the ground running. The campaign that started two months ago may have started from even before both gentlemen got into Electoral Politics.

8 Belizeans deported from Guatemala
Belizeans Jeffery Nasario Gongora, Manuel Jason Flores, Antonio Pop, Simeon Vilber Batun, Isidro Benito Tamai, Jorge Ruiz Tamay, Bartolo Jimenez and Ernesto Megan are back in Belize after being detained in Guatemala. Belize's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Friday May 27 that the 8 men, all Belizean fishermen were detained by the Guatemalan Navy after they were found disembarking from their vessel at the Punta Manabique Beach, Izabal, Guatemala. The Guatemalan Navy reported that seven of the eight persons had Belizean fishing licenses but they did not have a ZARPE which is a Guatemalan port authorization document. (Punta Manabique is a peninsula that juts from the Guatemalan mainland 21 miles immediately opposite Punta Gorda Town.)

Hon. Erwin Contreras participates in Regional Meetings
The Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce participated in the 36th Session of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) from the 23rd to 27th May 2016 in Mexico City. These 5 days of knowledge exchanges were aimed to spur progressive structural change in Latin America and the Caribbean, based on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Goals. The regional and global dimensions of the agenda for Sustainable Development were also discussed. In order for the productive structure to be changed, the experts surmise that there has to be an increase in the participation of the knowledge and innovative-intensive structures, economic growth and the creation of jobs with rights; as well as the protection of the environment by fighting the effects of climate change. For this to happen, new institutions and political coalitions are needed at the global, regional and national levels.

Patrick to be appointed Deputy Prime Minister
After several weeks of robust campaigning, the United Democratic Party has a new Deputy Party Leader. The contest featured two equally matched and prepared candidates in the persons of Honorable John Saldivar and Honorable Patrick Faber. Five hundred and eighty nine delegates were made accessible to the two candidates and after the polls closed on Sunday May 29, five hundred and eighty five votes were cast. After the counting Honorable Patrick Faber had garnered eighty eight votes more that Honorable Saldivar making him the victor.

BAHA reports Bovine Rabies outbreak
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health and Belize Livestock Producers, has informed all livestock farmers to vaccinate their cattle against the ongoing Bovine Rabies outbreak. A press release from BAHA informs that the disease is currently being detected in the Cayo District and is expected to affect herds in the Belize River Valley, as suspected cases have also been detected in areas along the Macal River. The spread of the disease can be halted if livestock farmers vaccinate their cattle against rabies. Some eight different cattle coming from six different herds have been exposed to rabies, with seven coming from the Cayo District and one from the Orange Walk District. In mid January of this year we had reported a rabies outbreak, and now more positive results have been coming from places such as Arenal.

Members of Benque Viejo Police recognized
Several members of the Benque Police formation have been recognized for their outstanding efforts. Officer in Charge of Benque Viejo Police Superintendent Daniel Arzu held his monthly General meeting on Friday of last week where an inspection of his rank and file was conducted. Thereafter; he awarded several officers for a job well done for the month of May 2016. Sergeant number 107 Jaime Ferrufino and his Quick Response Team, who did a lot of drug interdiction and other operational activities, were recognized for their brave efforts. As a result of the work from Jaime Ferrufino and his team there was a sharp decrease in crime. Also recognized was Police Officer number 1404, L. Neal, who was awarded as Officer with the most arrests.

Channel 5 paid Satiim to take them to Sarstoon
On Friday viewers of Channel 5 were treated to yet another episode in the well orchestrated drama at the Sarstoon. Channel 5, who has continuously reported in such a manner as to create ill will against the government of Belize and the work of the government struck again. This time they dragged along Amandala and Krem News. What we find very interesting is the fact that there was no other television media on the expedition. Why? Well because Channel 5 foot the entire bill! They paid a SATIIM boat, or should we say paid for gas, for a Satiim boat and went about the business of trying to instigate problems at the Sarstoon.

Will PUP Deputy Leader Abelardo Mai be charged in death of Julia Arana?
Fifty Nine year old Julia Arana, the Trial Farm Resident who was knocked down by Jose Mai, the PUP Area Representative for Orange Walk South, has passed away. The post mortem has been performed, but the medical examiner has not found a direct link between her injuries and her death. As readers would remember, Julia, mother of the well-know elite cyclist Nissan Arana, was knocked down in Trial Farm Village by Mai who was driving his beige Toyota Hilux pick-up. That happened on the evening on Friday, April 1, and she was hospitalized for an extensive period of time at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Her health had improved, and the doctors allowed her to go home on Mother's Day, March 8. Well, on Sunday, at around 10 a.m., her health suddenly deteriorated at a rapid pace, and her family tried rushing her to the Northern Regional Hospital. Unfortunately, she was pronounced dead on arrival.

PUC inspires Innovation through Raspberry Pi
The first ever Raspberry Pi Jam, organized by the Public Utilities Commission, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, concluded with great success as high schoolers from all across the country embraced computer science and innovation on a scale that has never happened before. Simply hearing the name, a reader might be misled into thinking its some sort of food to eat, but the Raspberry Pi is a computer with all its major components easily disassembled. It makes for a great teaching tool, to allow interested persons to study and explore the inner makings of all computers and how they work. It may be easier to think of it as a smart phone or a laptop computer that has been taken apart and unscrewed so that persons may see what is on the inside. However, instead of that laptop computer or phone being essentially broken and useless after such disassembly, a Raspberry Pi computer is designed for this purpose exactly.

PUP trying to create discontent in the UDP
Even before the convention was over the PUP rumor mill started churning to try and fabricate a story of some sort of splintering of the UDP. It seems that the special assignment was placed in the hands of the well known PUP Political Pundit and Psuedo Intellectual Glenn Tillett. We don't know what his official post in the PUP is, or if he has one (we know he is a delegate). However what we will say is that the gentleman can give Rod Sterling who wrote and hosted the Twilight Zone a good run for his money. The gentleman appears to have a lot of free time on his hand because as we understand it he is unemployed or as some people may prefer to say UNEMPLOYABLE. So he hangs out on Facebook for most of the day where he posts and comments some strange things. We don't know out of which bottle this modern day Jeanie pulled out his latest story, but he has been posting about some feud he claims is brewing inside the Dean Barrow led cabinet and by extension the entire UDP. One may be wondering why I said pulled out of a bottle. Well I said so because his story appears to be and we paraphrase Chris Martin "UNDER THE INFLUENCE."

Statement on Belize in Declaration of the 8th Summit of Heads of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States
Recalling the Resolution at the 103rd Session of the ACP Council of Ministers, we strongly reaffirm unequivocal support for Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity in relation to on-going tensions along the border of Belize caused by the Republic of Guatemala's persistent territorial claims. We call on the Government of the Republic of Guatemala to respect the borders of Belize as established in the 1859 Treaty, and move with urgency to agree on protocols for the use of the Sarstoon River on the southern border of Belize. We urge both governments to refrain from the threat or use of force, to respect international agreements, and to move with expedition to hold national referenda with the goal of submitting all Guatemala's claims to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. We renew our call on the international community, including the European Union, to support the efforts of Belize and the Republic of Guatemala to seek a peaceful, final and just resolution to Guatemala's claims, and in particular to support the facilitation work of the Organization of American States through its Office in the Adjacency Zone.

26 weed-eaters for 26 city residents
Twenty six residents of Belize City are the proud owners of weed-eaters after the Belize City council decided to make donations to them to either start a new business or continue with an existing one. The initiative saw each councilor donate two weed eaters to deserving persons while the Mayor Darrell Bradley donated 4. The weed-eaters were being held by the Belize City council and formed part of a larger number of weed-eaters which they had acquired to do maintenance of city streets after the BML contract came to an end and was not renewed. The equipment had been acquired by the council however they are not appropriate for the heavy usage that is required of them so the decision was made to assist city residents who are into maintenance work.

Inquiry determines Blue House security guard to face murder charge
A preliminary inquiry conducted before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Tuesday, May 31, concluded with a committal for Dairon Hamilton, 32, to face a charge of murder in the Supreme Court for causing the death of Wilmer Antonio Cisneros, 42, on April 25 at Blue House Bar in Ladyville. Prosecutor in the case, Inspector Egbert Castillo, presented 25 statements gathered by Ladyville police as well as seven different pieces of documentary evidence; including, the post mortem examination results from Dr. Mario Estradabran, a medical report, a warrant for the arrest of Hamilton and a number of pictures of the deceased. Hamilton was unrepresented in court and challenged none of the prosecution's evidence.

Zachary Knox finally able to appear in court
Zachary Knox, 19, allegedly fired shots at Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams on Thursday, May 12, when a high speed pursuit paused near the North Creek "One Man" Bridge. He was apprehended shortly after by police but had not been able to appear in court for an arraignment. Knox had been in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital since the incident with no official reason why. Relatives claim that he was beaten severely by police and had to battle to stay alive. His mother says she is waiting for an official medical report before she takes her complaint to the authorities and the public. On Friday, May 27, Knox was escorted by police to the Belize City Magistrates Court where he was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm upon ACP Chester Williams and use of deadly means of harm upon Mark Vernon.

Darwin Prado out on bail for attempted murder charges
Darwin Prado, 19, is out on bail after an application was presented to Supreme Court Justice Herbert Lord on Thursday, May 26. Prado was represented in court by attorney Ellis Arnold. There was no objection to jail by the prosecution and Justice Lord offered bail in the sum of $15,000. Prado was charged for his role in the shootout that resulted in the death of Lionel Rhamdas, 21. According to police investigation, on Friday night, May 13, Casey Lozano, 23, his brother and two other friends were socializing inside the yard of Lozano's Family home on Marage Road. Three gunmen then approached them and opened fire on the group. One of the four hanging out at the Lozano home immediately fired back, and in the aftermath, a total of about 20 shots went off. When the violence ended, Lionel Rhamdas lay dead with a weapon near him.

Tyrone Reyes pleads guilty to assault with a fake firearm
Tyrone Reyes, 18, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly robbing a corn tortilla vendor with a fake firearm in the Mahogany Heights area. According to a police report, officers responded to reports of a robbery in progress in the Tiger Sandy Bay area at Mile 31 on the George Price Highway where they met Jose Delgado, a tortilla vendor of the Mahogany Heights community. He told police that while selling tortilla from out of his vehicle, a male approached him and ordered tortillas. When he asked for the money, the individual pushed his hand into his pocket and pulled out a firearm. Delgado said he grabbed the firearm and that was when his attacker punched him in his face and fled the scene.

Shane Gillett on trial for murder of Samuel Price
The prosecution has wrapped up its case in the trial by judge without jury for Shane Gillett, 30, who allegedly murdered 84-year-old Samuel Price, brother of Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price. Crown Counsel Porsha Staine- Ferguson called eight witnesses to testify in the courtroom of Justice Adolph Lucas. On Saturday, April 16th, 2011, Price's grand nephew, who usually goes to his home located at Mile 5 ½ on the Northern Highway stumbled upon his lifeless body inside the bathroom. Police investigators said that the senior citizen is believed to have been bludgeon to death. He was found slouched in one of the bathrooms over a tub with apparent signs of violence to the head. Price had fractures to the skull and swelling to the brain. His eye socket was shattered and his kidney was damaged from a hit to the body. At the time of his death, Price lived alone at a secluded area called Tarpon Cove located at Mile 5 ½ on the Northern highway. Police said that his home had been targeted in the past by robbers and they believe this was a case of burglary turned murder.

Olympic Committee to hold annual Olympic Day Run
The Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association will be having its annual Olympic Day Run on Sunday, June 56 2016 commencing at 6:30 a.m. starting from in front of James Brodie on Regent Street, Belize City. The run is being held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Belize Olympic Committee, and also under the management of the Belize Athletic Association. The annual Olympic Day Run is the major attractions of national Olympic Committees in observance of Olympic Day which is observed worldwide on June 23rd. It was on June 23rd, 1894, that the modern Olympic Games were born. In the open/masters category for aged 20-44 years, the route will be from in front of James Brodie on Regent Street turn left in front of Mule Park/Belize Bank into Albert Street then onto Albert Street West, where runners will turn right onto Cemetery Lane. At the end of Cemetery, runners will turn left onto Yarborough Road and continue down Regent Street back to James Brodie and Co. for 2 laps.

Ladyville Evangelical School girls and Hattieville Government School boys won Belize Rural primary schools football competition
The Belize District Primary Schools Football Competition for Zones, 1, 2, 3, and 4 took place on Wednesday 25th May, 2016, at the Football Field in Ladyville Village. In the girls' competition, Ladyville Evangelical School, Belize Rural Primary School, Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Primary School from Maskall, Burrell Boom Methodist School and Lucky Strike Government School. In the girls' championship game, Ladyville Evangelical School defeated Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic School by the score of 1-0. The goal for Ladyville Evangelical School was scored by Dahlee Dyrell. In the first game played in the girls' competition, Ladyville Evangelical School defeated Belize Rural Primary School by the score of 1-0. Dahlee Dyrell scored the only goal of the game for Ladyville Evangelical School.

Toledo District now has Softball Association
The first ever Toledo District Softball Association was formed on Monday 23rd May, 2016, in the Toledo District. The General Meeting to form the association was held at the Julian Cho Technical High School in Jacintoville Village, where the elections of officers for the association was carried out by Ms. Jerjett Gutiérrez, 2nd Vice President with responsibilities for Junior softball of the Belize Softball Federation. Elected to serve as President was Peter Castillo. His committee will consist of Vice President- Carla Garcia, Treasurer- Maricela Menjivar, Secretary- Christina Garcia, and the members are Kera Polonio, Jenny Tanner, Edwardo Garcia, Catherine Burns and Jackeline Garcia.

Belize Softball Federation to hold Umpires Training
The Belize Softball Federation has announced that it will be holding an Umpires Training for intermediate and advance umpires from August 4-8, 2016. The Training will be conducted by the Chief Umpire of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Softball Division Robert Stanton and will include both theoretical and practical work. The federation envisions that this will be the spring board for umpires who have been involved in the game at the advance level for the past five years to move towards the International Certification for Umpires.

Social Media as a Malady
Different social media such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and Tumblr are each known to connect people in some creative form. However, the problem that arises with social media is the inability for individuals to disengage themselves from it, which in turn simply forms it into a detestable malady. The social network, Facebook, is known to be a disease that many of us carry as it allows users to simply seek attention from society in any way possible. Many people use Facebook as a means of communication to keep in contact with family abroad, close friends, or business peers. However, many others use Facebook to persecute other individuals as they seek to fulfill their desire to improve their social status by being recognized. The negative effects of the malady, Facebook, has only increased the number of these vile attacks online. Over the past week I've observed how perpetrators varying from kids to young adults have engaged in outrageous mischief simply to gain recognition amongst their Facebook friends. This mischief includes simply posting up videos online of others fighting in great rage.

Conch earnings under threat by foreign NGO
Belizeans earned approximately $33 million last year from conch and lobster exports. This is a significant amount of money and, unlike shrimp, the vast majority of it is harvested by small scale fishers. Unfortunately, the earnings of these hardworking folk is under direct threat from a United States based NGO that wants to band the importation of queen conch into that country. For years the WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals have been lobbying for the queen conch to be placed on the list of endangered species under the United States' Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the National Marine Fisheries Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration made a decision not to do so in 2014. The organization has not backed down and in February of 2016 it notified the Secretary of Commerce of their intention to challenge the 2014 decision in court. News of WildEarth Guardians' lawsuit raised concerns in Belize and the entire Caribbean region since CARICOM states export approximately $370 million worth of conch meat a year to the United States. It goes without saying; then, that this was a huge topic on the agenda of the 7th Annual Meeting of the CARICOM-US Trade and Investment Council in Washington D.C. last week.

Month of recognition for Belizean Fishers
Belize is celebrating the month of June as Fisherfolk Month with a calendar of activities to show appreciation and provide assistance to fishers across the country. The great American author Ernest Hemingway once wrote, "anyone can be a fisherman in May". The majority of Belizeans have gone fishing at some point in their lives. Fishing is a therapeutic recreational activity and in a country with the wealth of marine resources like Belize it is always a memorable experience. Recreational fishers speak of the sun glistening off the pristine waters of the jewel. They remember the excitement of the first bite and the thrill when the catch becomes visible near the top of the water. These adventures are always set in perfect weather; bright sun and ever present breeze. At some point, a break is needed for swimming. The beverages are cold and the laughter loud. This is fishing as most of us know it.

Fox's Quest
I personally am relieved that the convention for First Deputy Leader for the United Democratic Party is over and done with. In the final days before the event the tone in the ads was turning, let's say, inimical, to keep my own tone down. I would want to believe that it is the producers of these ads, and not the candidates themselves, who were getting anxious, and the slip was showing. I personally don't have a penny invested in that dollar, and I express these thoughts simply as a long time Party sympathizer. Since the results of the convention were made known Sunday evening, it has become obvious that emotions are running high between the two camps, higher than it has ever been within the Party's hierarchy since the five years of 1993 to 1998. I don't think it will reach the level of rift as what is occurring within the PUP even to this day, four months after their leadership convention. And while there are indeed several UDP supporters who have expressed disillusionment in the social media with respect to the outcome of Sunday's contest, in reality that reaction was expected for a race as important as this one. It is the future of the UDP which is at stake, after all.

Belize City ready for 2016 hurricane season
The Belize City Council held a press conference on Wednesday June 1 where it announced that it is ready for the hurricane season which officially opened on that day. In making his introduction, Mayor Darrell Bradley explained that hurricane shelters have been inspected and those that needed to be repaired were repaired and those that did not meet the requirements were taken off the list. As it stands there are 13 designated shelters in the city. Of those shelters 5 are on the north side and 8 are on the south side. Mayor Bradley stated that the shelters have been approved for up to category 2 hurricanes, for any storm above that the shelters will not be suitable and evacuation orders need to be adhered to. As far as other preparations go for the season, Bradley explained that they have in place updated contact information for all players in emergency management. They have also reviewed their plans for transportation and evacuation routes. Additionally the council has engaged in education campaigns through outreach programs to schools. The council has also planned for a symposium to be held on June the 8 and 9th.

Hurricane Season 2016: twelve named storms predicted
Renowned hurricanologists Philip Klotzback and William Gray predicted that there is a good chance for twelve named storms, five hurricanes and two major hurricanes this year. They believe that the current weakening of El Niño is likely to transition to either neutral or La Niña conditions by the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season. In terms of the local picture, the published data indicates that there is a 33% chance that one or more named storms will track within 50 miles of Belize but there is only a 6% chance of a major hurricane coming that close. On the other hand, there is a 39% chance of a named storm coming within 100 miles of Belize, and an 18% chance that a hurricane would come that close. Chief Meteorologist, Dennis Gonguez says that vigilance is key this season.

Belize City ready for 2016 hurricane season
The Belize City Council held a press conference on Wednesday June 1 where it announced that it is ready for the hurricane season which officially opened on that day. In making his introduction, Mayor Darrell Bradley explained that hurricane shelters have been inspected and those that needed to be repaired were repaired and those that did not meet the requirements were taken off the list. As it stands there are 13 designated shelters in the city. Of those shelters 5 are on the north side and 8 are on the south side. Mayor Bradley stated that the shelters have been approved for up to category 2 hurricanes, for any storm above that the shelters will not be suitable and evacuation orders need to be adhered to. As far as other preparations go for the season, Bradley explained that they have in place updated contact information for all players in emergency management. They have also reviewed their plans for transportation and evacuation routes. Additionally the council has engaged in education campaigns through outreach programs to schools. The council has also planned for a symposium to be held on June the 8 and 9th. This symposium will also feature disaster simulation exercises to ensure that they are prepared for a disaster. He added that the City Council has planned for the hurricane season and they are organized having ensured collaboration with all relevant agencies to mitigate any disaster. He appealed that the public also become engaged in the effort of hurricane preparedness.

Benque and Melchor Police get to car thief
A Belizean taxi driver is relieved after his vehicle was the recovery in Guatemala just a few hours after the crime was committed in Belize. While thankfully no one was injured in this latest car theft, it reveals a certain pattern of behavior and organizational resilience by the perpetrators. Esdras Chaneck, a 21 year old Belizean Taxi driver of Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town reported that about 2:25pm on 25 May 2016 he was working with a rented Green in color 1999 Toyota Corolla four door taxi car with license plate BVO D-00744 when the course of his business day was dramatically changed. Upon arriving by Latin Belize situated on the George Price Boulevard Chaneck stopped to pick up two male Hispanic persons. One was dressed in blue jeans with grey button up shirt and had on a grey cap whilst the other had on a white undershirt with a 3/4 grey in color short pants. Both were between the ages of 19 to 25 years. They both got into the vehicle and sat in the back of the taxi and asked him to drop them off in San Ignacio Town. Upon arriving in San Jose Succotz Village a female person was picked up and she asked to be taken to San Ignacio Town as well.

Five persons injured by accident in Cayo
Five Belizeans were injured on Wednesday evening of last week by a single traffic incident. On Wednesday May 25, 2016 about 4:30 pm San Ignacio Police received information of a road traffic accident on the George Price Highway across from Rumors Resort near San Ignacio Town. As a result police visited the area where they observed a gold in color Saturn car with license plate BC- 49764 facing an east to west direction; in a ditch with its front portion extensively damaged. About 30 feet away on the other side of the road was an extensively damaged GMC green pickup with license plate C-04657, facing in a west to east direction. Initial investigations reveal that about 4:25 pm on that same day, the car BC-49784 driven at the time by William Sanchez, a 29 year old Belizean Immigration Officer working at the Western Border and a resident of George Price Highway in Santa Elena Town, was travelling from an east to west direction (from San Ignacio to Benque Viejo). He was travelling behind the green GMC Pickup C-04657 when, according to William Sanchez, he saw the brake lights of the pick-up light up, which caused him to brake as well.

Reginald Coleman charged for running racket
Mark Arnold, 49, a driver for the Ministry of Health, visited the police station on Monday, May 30, and reported that in March of this year he purchased a white 1998 Mitsubishi Montero from a man he knows as "Mr. Garbutt" but the man made off with the vehicle after he turned over the money for the purchase. According to Arnold, he visited the Department of Traffic and Enforcement to get the vehicle transferred into his name. He then handed over $3,500 for the vehicle and they agreed to meet at Garbutt's house since they were in separate vehicles. Garbutt would drive home and hand over the keys to Arnold. They headed over to the address Garbutt said was his home by taking different routes. Arnold arrived at the address but Mr. Garbutt did not. According to Arnold, he then made several calls to Garbutt's phone but he got no answer. That was over two months ago.

Calaney Flowers claims she did not hit Lyndon Morrison's cycle to cause his death
"Everything happened very fast," said Calaney Flowers, former Atlantic Bank employee accused of running over her ex-boyfriend, Lyndon Morrison, and his new girl, during her ten minute dock statement in court on Tuesday, May 31. Flowers said in court, "Lyndon and I share a son, Triston Morrison. He is four years old. On the night of August 28, 2012, I was having a normal conversation with Lyndon at the Chinese shop. I reminded him of the money that he was to give me for our son to buy something for him that he needed. I was the first one to have left the Chinese shop. I drove up Mahogany Street, then I made a left into Central American Boulevard, then I crossed Belcan Bridge. I crossed the first pedestrian ramp. It was when I was approaching the speed bump, when Lyndon cycle zoom in front of me. It passed by on the right side of the street on Freetown Road. It was going very, very fast. The next thing I knew, there was a crash and the cycle was on the street."

Drug style execution in Corozal
Delmar Javier Guerra; a 44 year-old resident of San Joaquin, Corozal with the ominous street nickname, "El Diablo"; was gunned down and killed in Paraiso Village. At this time, there are no motives revealed, but the suspicion is that Guerra, who had reported ties to the criminal underworld in the north, was killed by other persons who may have cross-border ties with personalities from Mexico. At around 5 p.m. on Thursday, Guerra showed up at a house in Paraiso Village where he regularly goes to do his laundry. It's a usual part of his routine, and residents believe that he couldn't have been on his guard, expecting enemies to try to make an attempt on his life. Before he could get out of the van he was driving, two shooters on motorcycles, wearing long-sleeved shirts and motorcycle helmets approached the vehicle and opened fire.

Businesswoman charged for operating without cash register
Sandra Sol, 38, businesswoman from the Down Town Plaza facility is facing tax evasion charges after General Sales Tax agents accused her of operating without a cash register. Allegations are that she has been running a business, Sun Digital Photo, at #27 Albert Street without the issuance of any kind of receipts. Furthermore, GST agents found no programmable cash register at her establishment. Due to these infractions, she was charged with two tax offenses. Sol was unrepresented when she appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers on Friday, May 27. She was charged with failure to issue GST receipts and one count of failure to utilize a programmable cash register. She pleaded not guilty to both charges. Magistrate Rogers adjourned the matter for June 30, which is the day set for disclosure to be provided to her. The penalty for the offenses she faces carries a fine of up to $5,000 for each count.

Michael Wallace hit called from the prison
Twenty two year-old Michael Wallace went to visit his younger brother at the Prison on Saturday, May 28. On the way back home, he became a victim in a street style slaying after 2 vehicles cut him off, allowing for gunmen to shoot up the car he was driving. Michael Wallace, and his older brother, 29 year-old Richard, went to the Belize Central Prison to visit their under-aged brother who is on remand for a charge of murder. Reports to us say that while at the prison, there was communication from inside the prison that the men who live in the gang area known as 'Southside' had come to visit. That communication reportedly came from a rival gang to the Southside gang. At around 2 p.m., the Wallace brothers, and their friend, Edward Flowers, left to head back home in Belize City. At around mile 9 on the Western Highway, while the 3 men were driving along in a white Nissan Altima car, 2 vehicles, one of them a Chevy trail Blazer and the other a white Infinity SUV cut them off on the road. As soon as the two vehicles forced Richard Wallace to stop, occupants from both vehicles jumped out and started firing at the 3 men who were inside the car.

Police United to represent Belize in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Tournament
The Police United FC of Belize, winners of the 2015 Opening Season, will represent Belize in the 2016 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League Tournament. The management of the team travelled over the weekend to Miami, Florida, USA, where the pick took place on Monday 23rd May, 2016. The Police United FC is currently in Group E for the first round of the tournament. The team will play four games in the first round on a home and away basis. The other teams in Group E along with the Police United FC are CF Pachuca from Mexico and Club Deportivo Olimpia from Honduras. Verdes FC was the last representatives from Belize that participated in the CONCACAF Champions League Tournament.

UB Black Jaguars lead in Belize Rural Softball Competition
The Belize Rural Softball Association competition continued on Sunday 29th May, 2016, out in Lord's Bank Village with two games on the schedule. In the first game played, the league's leading UB Jaguars blasted Exotic Girls from Hattieville by the score of 12-2. The winning pitcher was Karlene Williams and the losing pitcher was Iceny Baptist. In the second game, Orchid Girls from Burrell Boom won handily over the host team Sunrise of Lord's Bank by the score of 14-3. The winning pitcher was Therese Baptist and the losing pitcher was Karen Hilton. The competition will continue this coming Sunday 5th June, 2016, with four games on the schedule. In division A games that will be played out in Hattieville commencing at 1:00 p.m. UB Black Jaguars will go up against Orchid Girls and in game two, it will be Sunrise of Lord's Bank against Exotic Girls of Hattieville.

Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition fast coming to a close
The 2015-2016 Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition is fast coming to a closed. The competition continued on Monday 30th May, with four games on the schedule. In the first of two games in the girls' competition, Belize Elementary School and Unity Presbyterian School played to a 0-0 draw. In game two, Wesley Upper School and St. John Vianney School played to a 1-1 draw. The goal for Wesley Upper School was scored by Leyah Clay while the goal for St. John Vianney was scored by Jaydi McKenzie. In the first of two boys' games, St. John Vianney School blanked Wesley Upper School by the score of 3-0. The goals for St. John Vianney were scored by Rafael Franklin (2) and Ken Galvez.

Breaking Belize News

Accused Samuel Price killer maintains innocence
Justice Adolph Lucas heard closing addresses today in the trial of 30 year old Shane Gillett, charged with the murder of 84 year old Samuel Price, the brother of the former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. George Price. Samuel Price was killed at his home, […]

Judgment due in Calaney Flowers murder case
After hearing closing addresses yesterday, Justice John Gonzalez has set a date in next week to give his verdict on 29 year old Calaney Flowers who is charged with the murder of Lyndon Morrison, the father of her 4 year old son. Morrison was […]

3 grand fine for not displaying GST certificate
Display your General Sales Tax (GST) certificate, or face a 3 thousand dollar fine. The auto business Mike's Spare Parts must heed that lesson today after being taken to court by the Government unit. Appearing on behalf of business owner Luis Urbina, who is […]

Man faces more sex charges
22 year old Keshane Shaquille McDougal and attorney Herbert Panton thought he would be dismissed of a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse made against him in March. But the pair were surprised in court when they learned that five additional counts of the charge […]

Soldier to be tried for unlawful sexual intercourse
Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith has committed 30 year old private of the Belize Defence Force, Kenneth Gary Swazo, to stand trial at the October session of the Supreme Court set to commence on October 4, 2016. Swazo, a Dangriga resident, is accused of taking […]

Cashier walks from theft charges
An emotional Rashida Sedacy, former cashier for Travellers Ltd., today learned she no longer faces 117 counts of theft. Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith dismissed all charges from the 26 year old after attorney Darrell Bradley rebutted the prosecution's attempt to introduce additional evidence in the […]

Delegate from Belize Rural Central says position terminated over convention
Supporters of a woman who claims she was let go by area representative Beverly Castillo briefly congregated outside her constituency office in Ladyville this morning. It is alleged that at Sunday's convention to elect a first deputy leader, 2 members of the Rural Central […]

Belize: Too Many Men Giving Up?
An epidemic of mammoth proportions is spreading across Belize…..men who are giving up on life and sitting on the street corners and drains in almost every city, town and village….drinking themselves to death. While small pockets of alcoholics are nothing new to Belize cities and […]

Blogs

Capturing Family Bond at Grand Caribe
My first big wedding I photographed was theirs… and we keep in touch since then. We were talking about family portraits, forever, and finally, we decided this is the best moment to do it… We didn't planned with details.. just went with the flow.. so, the dad, danced with his girls on the beach, the girls we having around resort, we found some flowers and was dad's idea to pick them for his girls hair… we created moments and I did my very best to capture their family bond. - See more at: http://www.photographyinbelize.com/blog/#sthash.HmCqTiye.dpuf

Clever Incomes Mean More Leisure Time in Belize
Diana Snyder first visited Belize as an anthropology student. "My first thought as I exited the plane was that someday I would live in a place as beautiful as this," she says. Today she does. Her home is on Ambergris Caye-the country's largest island, set amid the blue Caribbean waters. "I don't know which I value more-the slower pace of life or the spectacular beauty of living on a tropical island," says Diana, who spends about two hours a day running her online business…and the rest having fun. "I wake up every morning after eight full hours of sleep to the sound of booming surf and birdsong. My first thought is of coffee, instead of email. "My day starts with yoga, followed by coffee with friends, then a couple of hours on the laptop. Afternoons are for gardening, going into town, managing a vacation rental apartment I added last year, diving, fishing, sailing, or biking up the beach.

Eating Our Way Around Town With the New Belize Foods Tour
Chef and food writer James Beard could not have said truer words than this quote, "Food is our common ground, a universal experience". For the inaugural Belize Food Tour, it definitely rang true. What a great way to spend a Saturday, eating our way around San Pedro Town with the new Belize Foods Tour. The foodies were out in full force and ready to taste new things and for some, a few old favorites. On Saturday afternoon, a group of us got to know each other and the island one bite at a time - it was a great experience. My friend (and part time at team taco as Editor/fact checker) Aimee, my plus 1 for the event, and I met for the tour at 11:30 in Central Park. It was a brilliantly bright hot day and we were ready for some pit stops, light walking, and to try out some new things. I was interested to see where our 8 places to visit would end up being. Although I have tried many off the beaten path places having lived right downtown twice since 2006, I knew I was missing some. I had hopes that today's tour would fill my hunger for something new to crave close to home. This dyslexic girl decided to practice her math and figured a 3 hour tour meant everything would be fairly close and we would have roughly 15 minutes at each place with approximately 7.5 minutes walking time in between. As it turns out, we ended up doing 7 places in good time and that was the perfect amount.

Giving in San Pedro: How You Can Help Local Kids in June or "Eat & Win"
June is a big month for festivals in San Pedro - What better times to enjoy your favorite food AND give back to the community? Let me tell you about three very worthy causes, all focused on children, that are being highlighted in June on Ambergris Caye. Blue Water Grill & The San Pedro High School: The owners of Blue Water Grill, Kelly and Mukul Kanabar, are both amazing restaurateurs and huge contributors to this community. Through their donations program at the restaurant Blue Water Grill and picking a new project each month, they have touched hundreds, probably thousands of kids in San Pedro. Finn & Martini, BelizeKids.Org and Camp Basil Jones: BelizeKids.Org is a fundraising operation starting up on the island that is really just a new name/entity for some amazing work that has been done over the years by the owners of Canary Cove. They want to expand their efforts to help the kids of Ambergris Caye and involve the community. The Community & The Inspiration Center: June 18th there is a big fundraiser for another extremely worthy cause, Belize's only organized help for children with disabilities, the Inspiration Center. Businesses from across this island are banding together to donate and raise money.

International Sources

19 Pics That Show What Shyne's Life Is Like in Belize
It appears Shyne is living quite the lavish life in Belize. The rap star currently resides in his native land, the central american nation on the Carribean seas, where his father, Dean Barrow, is the Prime Minister. Now-a-days it seems like life is more of a vacation for Shyne as the rapper's Instagram is filled with seaside pictures, beautiful women and the occasional visit from a celebrity. Although not allowed to enter the U.S. stemming from his 10-year sentence and conviction on two counts of attempted murder, assault and reckless endangerment, the rapper appears to still be living a dream. Following the 1999 incident in which Shyne shot guns in defense of Diddy at an NYC club, the rapper was released from jail after eight years and deported indefinitely. Occurring because a fight had broken out, the incident at the club left three people injured. Shyne was 22 at the time. The story attached to the rapper's legacy has given him even more of a historical relevance in our genre. That's why the Bad Boy 20th anniversary reunion couldn't have went down without him. Shyne made an appearance via satellite during the second night of the first two shows at the Barclays Center in May. No word if he will pop up again for the full length Bad Boy Reunion Tour kicking off in August.

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