The next story is an ugly one - and if you can't stand the sight of dead animals - then you should take a break form watching the news. But, to create awareness, this is the kind of story we have to run.  

Seasoned hunter, Joshua Trapp called us this evening very upset after he found a juvenile jaguar, killed, bundled in a hammock and tossed away near Burrell Boom. Here's what he saw:

Trapp says he will call authorities to find out more about the cat's demise.

Keeping Clinic Patients Safe

Since his appointment to Eastern Division, we've been showing you how Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett has been trying to improve the working conditions for the officers stationed at permanent police checkpoints and stationary posts set up at crime hotspots in Belize City.

He's partnered with members of the business community to get new police booths for those officers, so that they can shelter from the elements while on duty at these locations. Today, the latest police booth was set up in front of the Matron Roberts Polyclinic on Magazine Road, to aid the officers who stand guard at that location with nowhere to go when the pouring rain comes down. 

The booth was donated by the Ministry of Health's Central Health Region, so that the officers can better secure the Matron Roberts Polyclinic. You'll remember that that early in September of this year, 23 year-old Shakedi Baizar was murdered on the Magazine Road, right in front of the clinic. He went there to get medical attention, and after leaving, he was ambushed by a brazen gunman who killed him in broad daylight.  That killing sparked a string of murders which led to the state of emergency being declared on the southside.  

The medical staff at Matron Roberts don't want a repeat of such an incident, and as viewers are aware, there are rival gangs within close proximity of the clinic. So, the Health Ministry was very willing to partner with police to make attempts to secure the location.

We stopped by today at the small ceremony to note the installation of the police booth, and here's what the Clinic's administrator had to say:

Alexy Rosado - Administrator, Matron Roberts Polyclinic
"This is a great initiative that came around. We all know of the increase of crime that's happening in our area. We had several meetings where we are now in partnership with the police department. We're very thankful to Mr. Gillett for assisting us with this initiative. The Ministry of Health, Central Health Region constructed the booth. The booth was constructed at their end, and we're having the police department assist us with officers to be stationed in the area. Who would benefit from it would be the patients and the staff that access this the healthcare. Our facility, we have at total of almost approximately 24,000 patients that access this facility. So, our biggest concern is safety for them. So, I think, with the booth, we will secure some of that, and as well our staff that work here as well."

Sr. Superintendent Howell Gillett - OC, Eastern Division Region 1
"We want to give thanks to the Ministry of Health. They are the ones who donated it through their ministry, and it will serve this community here. What happen, we've seen in the pass - and you know as well as I do that we've had up to the level of a murder occurring in this area because there are rivaling gang members  nearby neighborhoods, without calling any names. And there are people who are scared to simply come and get medical care. We have to provide the security for people because, as much as healthcare needs to be affordable, it has to be accessible also. Our role in it to have an officer here placed during the opening hours of this clinic to offset all that I've mentioned."

The cost of this police booth is approximately $3,000.

Dean Samuels, Hopeful

For weeks, we've been covering the upcoming political convention in Port Loyola.    We've spoken to the candidates considered to be the frontrunners, Phillip Willoughby and Michael Peyrefitte.

But, Dean Samuels - a four term former city councillor - has as much political experience as Willoughby - and has bona-fides in Port where he resides.  

Yesterday we found him making a donation to a trio pf schools on Faber Road: St. John's Vianney, the Port Loyola Preschool and the Clara Mohammed Muslim School.  In a fable of political selflessness, he told us that he got fans and coolers  from a business owner who wanted to help him - but he passed it on to the kids:..

Dean Samuels - UDP Aspirant, Port
"Now Jules with me finance hard and finance short, you understand what I'm saying but Jules but this is the kind of thing and this the kind of politician and leaders that we want. I call the man and I tell the man you know what happened, if you could donate to me some fans, water coolers, some exercise books for the schools in Port Loyola in the immediate vicinity, I tell him for me boss, that going a long way. I told him it's not that I don't need the money you know, but I told him what happened is, for me, the kids, win or lose, are the true kings and queens of Port Loyola, they will benefit from it, the future leaders, they will benefit from it long after an election."

Jules Vasquez
"It is indeed a very good gesture in your campaign but you know that doesn't win elections. Elections are won with iron, elections are won with money and mobilization. It is felt, that Mike Peyrefitte and Boots Martinez, that tandem will be spending on election day to ensure a victory."

Dean Samuels
"For me, what counteracts money is love and talk to people like human beings and be real with people and understand what people the go through their livelihood and make people understand. You know what happen, it's not today I should look on, people need to start to look on thing like long term bredda, down the road who will give me a fair share. Minister Martinez is going, who is the man that I could see afterwards, who I could deal with afterwards, who will look out for us afterwards. When I decide basically to run for Port, you know I give up my job, good pay, offer to maybe campaign and work but Jules for me at the end of the day bredda, nobody get a fair shake. I believe with the candidates them that the run beside me, nobody get a fair shake. Who really care about people in Port Loyola? For me breds, I prefer lose and could live with that, then for at the end of the day endure somebody that I believe people won't get a fair shake man. That is just my thing, it's nothing personal as I say."

Jules Vasquez
"What will be the outcome on November 4th? You are not anyone's front runner."

Dean Samuels
"Jules, I would be a fool to tell you I am running in this to lose, like what I said I'm being honest with you. Elections for me are won on election day, election is for me Jules, people come out and support and vote how they want and me and you know they have a lot of little thing that you could.... you know what I mean, you have to be real; but at the end of the day Jules, I'm going to do my best and the end I pray and I hope that the people of Port come out and vote for themselves this time and not for a hands out or a lee 50 or 100 and people realize that they need to think about their living."

The Convention is on Sunday.

Hackathon Is Hot

A hackathon is a computer programmer's heaven – well, today about 4 teams of developers and programmers from Belize and 5 from Jamaica spent all day working on an idea or solution to an issue related to tourism in Belize. The Belize teams worked at the UWI Open Campus in Belize City and the Jamaican teams joined in through Skype. We dropped by to see how the hackathon was going –which is part of the OAS's Open week.

The teams will present their ideas and prototypes tomorrow afternoon at the Biltmore. The 1st place team gets $700 US dollars, 2nd place $500 US dollars and 3rd place gets $400 US dollars. The OAS project team is accepting proposals that can be implemented within a 6 month period. The OAS will give funding of up to $5,000 US dollars for the project proposal. 

Arrest For ‘Griga Hit And Run

On Monday's newscast, we told you about a fatal hit and run accident in Alta Vista Village, on the Hummingbird Highway, which claimed the life of 45 year-old David Cunil.

On Saturday night at around 9 o'clock, he was heading home after an evening of drinking with some friends. He never made it home because someone ran him over and left him to die on the roadside. 

Police today announced that they've charged the man who they believe was driver who fled the scene after knocking down Cunil.

ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"There is an update on the fatal road traffic accident in Dangriga, which occurred over the weekend, during which David Cunil was found dead on the highway. Police have since arrested and charged Jorge Alberto Eraso, a 44 year-old Honduran National of Alta Vista Village, for the crimes of manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, driving without due care and attention, driving without being the holder of a valid driver's license, and driving without third party risk insurance."

Very Rough Robbert At Zeta Gas

So, we've already told you about yesterday's evening armed robbery at Midtown Restaurant in Belize City, and last night's robbery at El Paso. But, there was another one which happened early this morning, at the Zeta compound, located at mile 13 on the Philip Goldson Highway. 

At the press conference, Police told us that the thieves tied up the watchman and made off with a large quantity of cash from the building:

Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino - CIB
"On the first of November, at about 4:15 a.m., Ladyville police were called to the Zeta compound. This would be at 13 and a half miles on the Philip Goldson Highway. There, they spoke to the security guard, who indicated that at about 1:50 a.m., whilst he was in the security booth, he was making a log in the security log book. He was approached by 3 individuals, one of whom was armed, and they subsequently tied him him hands and legs. They entered the main building, for the establishment. At this time, all we know is that there was a large amount of undisclosed cash. The investigation is ongoing as we speak."

Police say that they are investigating this incident.

Rotary And Los Muertos

"Eat, Drink, and Be Scary" - that's what the Rotary Sunrise Club wants you to do on Saturday at their "Dia De Los Muertos" Fundraiser.  The event will be held at the Mexican Institute of Culture and History near the Princess.

Today, a trio of Rotarians told us that it's all about fundraising for some very worthy programs:..

The event runs from 7:00 pm to midnight on Saturday and tickets are fifty dollars.