Presenting Miss Nicaragua: Maritza Rivas

Reina de la Costa Maya Internacional - Contestant II - Miss Nicaragua!
Quien es esa niña, who’s that girl? Señorita mas fina, who’s that girl?
She is no other than 21-year-old Nicaraguan beauty – Maritza Rivas. Contending this year’s Reina de la Costa Maya International, Maritza has a Master’s Degree in Tourism Management and Development which according to her, is crucial for her home country of Nicaragua. “Tourism is the future of my country, all it takes is envisioning it,” she explains.
The effervescent Maritza is well known for her energy and sense of humor. She describes herself as spontaneous, charismatic, very happy, loves to laugh, enjoys sharing and making people feel good about themselves.

KHMH staff go on strike

On Wednesday morning, medic care providers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) went on strike after the Chief of Staff Doctor Khalid Ghazy was immediately fired on Tuesday. Doctor Ghazy was terminated without any reason by the KHMH Director of Finance former Orange Walk Town Council Carlos Pererra (below).Dr. John Sosa

Doctor Ghazy (below) became vocal from weeks ago about several irregularities by board members including Pererra and the Chair of Board of Director Ricardo Fabro, who are both in-laws. Some of the irregularities include the use of KHMH vehicles for personal use, purchase of pharmaceutical to alleged political friends and the high use of hospital fuel vouchers. Doctor John Sosa (President of the Belize Medical and Dental Union), who spoke to the media stated that the differences became personal attacks which were hashed out during hospital Board meetings. This led to the firing of Dr. Ghazy and no reason has been given as of press time.Only the emergency ward was operational until the strike was called off at 1:00 p.m. following a truce between KHMH medic care providers, their Board of Directors and the Ministry of Health.

American Way magazine unveiled

American Way: it is a visitors Magazine that is published by American Airlines and circulated in all American Airline flights. In its June 15th 2009 publication, American Way featured Belize in its main travel article. It is the first time in our collective history that Belize is featured in the American Way Magazine.Opening Remarks delivered by Shakira Oxley-Tsai, Director of Marketing and Public RelationsEditor of American Way Magazine Adam Pitluk

President and Group Publisher, American Airlines Publishing

During the unveiling of the article on Wednesday morning at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, stakeholders in the tourism industry, the media and even the Prime Minister Honorable Dean Barrow got the opportunity to be amongst the first to see the Magazine’s Beautiful Belize publication. In fact, the cover page of the magazine features the beautiful Kim Simplis Barrow, the Prime Minister’s wife sitting down on the beach with the Caribbean Sea in the background.

Introducing the First Lady of Belize was Mike Singh, CEO of the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture.

Reflection of Experience by Kim Simplis Barrow, First Lady of Belize

The article was written and edited by Adam Pitluk, a former reporter for several magazines including Time Magazine, People Magazine and Boys’ Life Magazine to name a few. “When I first came to Belize, it felt like a home coming [coming to home],” stated Pitluk during the unveiling ceremony. The article entitled “Beautiful Belize; where the beach is only the beginning,” narrates Pitluk and his team’s visit to Belize from their arrival to the departure including encounters with several people in Belize. Unveiling of the Magazine was carried out by Michelle Bowers and Lorena Martinez

Prime Minister of Belize Dean Barrow and Honorable Manuel Heredia Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture going through their copy of American Way

American Way is published twice a month and is circulated to over 130 million passengers every year. The Magazine remains on all American Airline flights around the world for a period of two weeks and targets about eight million people in that span of time. The online version of the articles remains posted for a longer period of time. It is not certain what is the dollar value for such free publication but it is in the millions.

Traffic Accident on Coconut Drive

Around 2:45pm, San Pedro's beloved Master Lee narrowly escaped injury when a truck collided into his usual hangout spot in front of his businessplace. The truck slammed into the concrete post, rendering much damage to both the post and front of the truck. Normally Master Lee sits outside his shop, but since the rains have begun, it was a blessing that he was not in his usual spot when the driver of the truck lost control.
According to the driver, another vehicle in front of him kept swerving, and in order to avoid the alleged vehicle, he ended up crashing into the post. It was apparent to the officers that the truck driver was intoxicated, and as such a blood sample was taken and sent to Belize City for testing. The driver, Jeremy Flowers, 25, laborer of DFC Subdivision, was subsequently arrested and will be charged tomorrow (Wednesday, June 17th, 2009) for Driving without Due Care and Attention and Driving Under the Influence.

Students of SPHS graduate!

San Pedro High School (SPHS) held its commencement ceremonies this past Sunday with 76 students walking down the aisle to accept their high school diplomas. Valedictorian was Elvin Geovany Melgar. Giving the welcome address (salutatorian) was Leonarda Victoria Cardinez, and Vote of Thanks was read by Isela Lisette Graniel. Outstanding senior of the year was Erick Alejandro Santizo, while Maria Yamily Vasquez was awarded the Sports Award for her excellence in the sports department. Student of the Year was Jin Han. Special invited guest was Elito Arceo.
Congratulations to the SPHS graduates of 2009!