Alberto Bradley's "Cristina" reels in victory

Despite the cloudy skies, the Blue Water challenge had the participation of 13 boats and a total of 40 anglers who embraced the fishing challenge on Sunday, October 13th over the Pan American holiday. And just after the horn sounded for the official weigh in, it was evident that Alberto Bradley’s monster shark stood a good chance to take the grand prize, here is a recap of the results.

This 200 pound bull shark was the biggest fish caught.
Alberto Bradley onboard "Cristina" took top boat honors.
Biggest Sailfish caught by Leonardo Bradley onboard "Flor".
Vernon Wilson caught the biggest wahoo.
The Bradley's with their trophy and their grand prize of a 14foot skiff.
James Ritchie hands over prize to Wilson.
James hands over prize to Miss Flor.

Blue Water Challenge first place plaque.
Maritza Bradley took home first place for the Calcutta bidding.

Be sure to read more on this story in Thursday's edition of The San Pedro Sun Newspaper!

The winning shark weighed 202.5 pounds and proved difficult and very heavy to handle. Check out the video below:

Thieves hit Manelly's Ice Cream

After a long three day weekend celebrating the Pan American holiday, on Tuesday, October 14th thieves targeted the Manelly's Ice Cream Parlor located on Barrier Reef Drive in search of quick cash. Clemencia Uribina, employed at Manelly's for the past four years, explained that the day started out just like any normal work day. Upon arriving at the establishment, she noticed that her co-worker, Mariela was already there with Mrs. Shelly del Valle. Work continued as normal and as she went to retreive the broom from the back of the building, a young man, grabbed her and told her to get back inside, "esto es un asalto [this is a robbery]."

According to Urbina, there were two culprits who asked them to lie face down on the floor while the robbery continued. "'Si gritan matalas [if they scream, kill them],' they kept saying," explained Urbina. According to the witness, both men held knives to thier throats at different times throughout the incident.

Police officers are still processing the scene and an official report has not been released. It is uncertain as to how much cash was stolen but another report suggests that the robbers dropped their bag of loot while making their escape along Angel Coral Street.

We'll have more on this story in Thursday's edition of The San Pedro Sun, stay tuned!

Road to '09

1-on-1 with the PUP’s Andre Perez (part 1)Andre Perez, PUP Party Chairman

San Pedro Town

Q: Much has been heard about the road to Municipal Elections in 2009. How has the People's United Party been preparing for it?

A: Most certainly the PUP in Belize Rural South has been diligently working as has been evident for the past few weeks on the local newspapers informing the community of all the good things happening locally as well as nationally. Specifically here in San Pedro we have already formed our executive body and more recently we elected our new executive committee. An important note that must be highlighted is that an office already has been identified and will be opening its doors shortly, permanently staffed with a secretary.

Q: The Belize City United Democratic Party recently had their convention. What is your party’s plan on a convention? Do you have a date set up already?

A: No, we don’t have a date set. First and foremost we are already looking at prospective candidates and if indeed we get more than the required applications then in strict accordance with the PUP constitution, a date for a convention will be announced. The deadline for receiving applications is October 31st.

Q: Of course, the hardest task is finding candidates suitable enough for Mayoral and Councillor posts, do you have candidates that have expressed their desire to run for any posts? Or, do you have your slate more or less ready?

A: Yes, of course we already do have several people that have expressed interest as well as prospective names who meet the criteria that might be considering forming part of the slate. However at this point I would prefer not to disclose any names.

Q: The UDP has been in power for the past two terms in San Pedro, do you forsee any changes in that?

A: From an economic standpoint I foresee no changes or improvements if this present administration is given a third term. From a political standpoint if there is any municipality that has one of the better opportunities to bring about positive change with the PUP is here in San Pedro. The stagnant and deteriorating track record of this present UDP administration is so self evident and more so in front of almost everybody’s home. In fact I want to mention that even within the UDP, members want to see a change. Evident of that is the division and infighting that is obvious amongst the UDP in San Pedro. But more than that, all around the community, the people are not happy with the current conditions of this municipality. Look at the streets, for example, the people want a town council that will do everything possible. If not solve, at least work to make the conditions better. I am sure that this community because of the internal fighting, the people of the San Pedro are learning about the corruption that exists within the town council followed by a relentless cover up that they have embarked so blatantly.

Liliana Nunez to represent Belize

Twenty-one year old beauty, Liliana Nuñez, born San Pedrana, will have the privilege to represent Belize in October at the Reina Internacional Del Trópico in Honduras. A bevy of thirty beauties who hail from the Caribbean, South and Central America will vie for the crown in what has been garnering attention from all corners of the world. The week long pageant is slated for October 20th to 26th, 2008 in which the final selection will take place in La Ceiba, Honduras.
The Sun spoke to Miss Nuñez and found out more about this beauty ambassador. Naturally, she is excited about her trip and about representing Belize in Honduras since pageantry is something she claims she always wanted to do. When asked what prompted or inspired her to participate in the event, Liliana commented she had always wanted to experience what it was like on the international stage and that with a passion for dancing has developed a good grasp of being on stage. With only a few weeks before her departure to Honduras, Liliana says “I have been preparing for this for almost three months, and the one thing I have to offer as a candidate representing Belize is my culture. My hobbies include working out and living a healthy lifestyle, swimming, a passion for dancing and spending time with friends,” she ended. Liliana is a past Miss San Pedro and enjoyed travelling to both Mexico and the USA in her past experiences with the San Pedro Dance Company. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from St. John’s College Junior College.
The pageant will consist of three segments including: swimwear, evening gown and a question and answer session. The competition for best National Costume will be held on October 22nd and Liliana says her costume will depict the Blue Hole as one of the main tourist attractions the Belize jewel has to offer. Only in its second year, the young gala event is geared at bringing to light the importance of preserving our environment; to emphasize that indigenous groups are a part of our culture and to unite all efforts to benefit children and the youth. Last year’s reigning queen, 19-year-old, Brazilian beauty Camila Alcamin will also participate in the event.

The Sun joins the San Pedro community in wishing Liliana the best of luck in the competition!

Jealous rage ends in murder

Update: Murder Suspect in Police Custody

Gregorio Alvaro is now under police custody. San Pedro Police carried out an extensive man hunt for Alvaro and detained him at approximately 10:45 on Thursday morning. Alvaro was found to be hiding out in a house around Captain Morgan's Retreat in north Ambergris Caye. Charges have not been laid upon as police are awaiting the results in the post mortem examination. Charges to be levied is Murder in the first degree.

At approximately 12: 30 p.m., Roberto Marroquin arrived at Molina's home for this midday meal. There he was met by Gregorio who produced a knife and lunged after him. One stab wound on the left rib cage and one puncture wound on the left side of the chest later, he turned his attention to Molina and her four-year-old daughter, who was at home at the time along with her one-year-old brother.

Terrified for her life, Molina jumped out of her house and into the surrounding swampy waters, treading as fast as she could with her daughter in her arms. "Lo mato! Lo mato! (He killed him! He killed him!), she screamed reports neighbors. Continuing with the interview Molina says, "He said he will come back to kill me. He will return. The police need to find him. He will come back and kill me. I have four kids. I need them to find him. I need justice!," she exclaimed.

Molina had lived with Gregorio for over six year and the couple had four children ranging from the ages of one to six. They had been estranged for the past three months and Gregorio did not take care of his children. As of recent, Marroquin, who neighbors describe as a loving man, someone who adored children, offered his assistance to Molina. Marroquin who worked as a construction worker, would buy groceries and food stuff which Molina would cook for him, herself and the children.

The deceased, Roberto Marroquin

The video above shows the area in San Mateo where Molina lives. As shown on the video, officers had a hard task taking the body out of the area. An elaborate network of London bridges are the only roads used by the residents to get to and from their homes.