NHSDA closes in protest

There are still no answers in the murder of 21 year old University of Belize student Teddy Murillo. The Murillo family is very active in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and Teddy was a Deacon. In fact on Friday night, hours before he was killed he was at church. Well, that Church took a bold stand for him – the decision to shut down the 25 primary, secondary and tertiary schools it manages on Friday, March 5th.The San Pedro Seventh Day Adventist Academy took a stand along with their peers and the school was closed for the day. Students remained at home while teachers showed their solidarity.

According to an official release, the decision to close the house doors at all those schools is to, “express indignation art the brutal and senseless murder of one of our young members...” It continues to say, “the ongoing murders (some from the very same persons who ought to be protecting us) have instilled fear and chaos in citizens and visitors alike.” A church with thirty four thousand members countrywide just outright saying that police are responsible for “some of” the “ongoing murders?”

Related stories:

Channel 7 (Adventist Church Will Shut Down 25 Schools)

Channel 7 (Family of Murdered Deacon Accuses Police of Murder)

Brush Fire by Ambergris Stadium

Fire officials were called to the scene by Ambergris Stadium mid-morning where a fire was getting out of control. Apparently garbage was being burnt and it started spreading to the dry brush around it. The officials managed to get the fire under control.

details will be posted as they become available

Do the Right Thing honors Ocean Academy students

Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor outstanding students in their institution who have been recognized for their academic accomplishments and for their contribution to the safety of the island. Two outstanding Ocean Academy students were honored to win the community policing Do the Right Thing Award. Mercedes Requena (November) is a top student who is passionate about marine biology, conservation work, and Environmental Club and Jaison Hernandez (January) is a young man who has overcome difficult circumstances (tropical storm destruction of his home, missing a year of schooling, health challenges) and pursued his educational goals with grace, determination and strength of character. 'Do The Right Thing' aims at encouraging youths by reinforcing socially desirable behavior among our young people. It will also serve as a means of demonstrating that “good kids” are newsworthy and will go a long way in fostering a positive relation between the Belize Police Department, youths and the community. This is an exceptional program that specifically targets in-school youths that have made a positive turn around in their lives and are role models to the other youths around them.

During the ceremony, semester one honor roll students were also honored, along with the newly formed volunteering Interact Club. It was a day of applauding great achievements with Mercedes Requena winning yet another award, this one for National Youth Award for Environmentalism.

Ocean Academy joined parents, media representatives, Board of Governors, education officers in congratulating the outstanding students.

NEMO holds training exercise

For the spectators on the beach, it seemed as though there was an accident in progress, but in fact, it was a simulation exercise for NEMO participants. Having trained for search, rescue and evacuation, participants of the exercise put what they learned into action. According to Mr. Frank Panton, the scenario was as such: “Two boats collided between the reef and Central Park. Belize Port Authority (BPA), Coast Guard, NEMO and SP Team came into action and tried to rescue and help those on board. There was one (hypothetical) death and one injury during the simulation, and participants had to apply what they had learned in the classroom.” He added that the exercise was completed successfully.

NEMO hopes that boat owners, managers, operators, participants and the public at large, will now ensure that passengers using the water taxis are documented (and not just by head count), plus that life jackets are won or made readily accessible to all who travel via water taxis. It is important for all to work together in a collaborative manner and be able to communicate with each other in such incidents. Safety and accountability for passengers was the top priority demonstrated.

Alberto Wade appointed Tropic Air SP Station Manager

Press Release – Tropic Air – March 2nd, 2010 – Tropic Air has announced a major change affecting the San Pedro Terminal. Catherine Paz, a 17-year veteran of Tropic, has announced her resignation as Station Manager and also as the acting Manager of the Sales and Marketing Department. She has decided to go into private business. Tropic is announcing the appointment of Alberto Wade to become the new Manager of the San Pedro Terminal effective March 1st, 2010. Alberto has worked for Tropic for over 20 years, 12 of which were in the San Pedro Station, as Assistant Manager and the last eight years in the Operations Department.

“We are pleased and fortunate to have Alberto as our new Manager. He comes with a wide range of experience by working in the San Pedro station and then in our Operations Department”, said Johnny Greif, Tropic’s President.

“Alberto brings a tremendous amount of knowledge that he has gained from the various departments throughout Tropic. He is widely known throughout San Pedro and will definitely be an asset to our employees and especially our customers”, concluded Greif.