San Pedro Daily
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Ambergris Caye, Belize Tuesday July 31, 2007 Belize's only Daily- Seven Days a Week |
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Weekend
shooting hits San Pedro
On
Saturday night in San Pedro Town twenty-two year old Uwani Nunez was
injured, apparently by a stray bullet. According to police, Nunez was
standing in front of Big Daddy’s Club around eleven on Saturday night
when he heard a shot and felt a burning in his right leg. When police
arrived they apprehended a suspect, twenty-three year old Knox
Cumberbatch of the San Juan area, carrying a thirty-eight revolver with
three expended shells. Apparently, Cumberbatch was embroiled in an
argument in the bar and fired three shots, one of which found its mark
in the unsuspecting Nunez. He was treated at the Lion’s Clinic.
Cumberbatch has been charged with Attempted Murder, Grievous Harm, Use
of Deadly Means of Harm, Carrying an Unlicensed Firearm and Discharging
a Firearm in Public. Read More
San
Pedro Tigersharks take hoops title
 The tension that met the decisive game
three of the semi-pro basketball
championships Friday night inside the City Centre between the Belize
Bank Bulldogs and the San Pedro Tigersharks was a true testament to the
big prize at stake. For certain, Keith Acosta was no superman this basketball season, still as leader of the Tigersharks he got going quickly Friday night and I know you won’t believe this is Acosta’s only two points of the night. Good rotation certainly helps the San Pedro team as they successfully swing this ball that pays off when Doug Penland plays string music. And when Gregg Rudon knocks down this three–pointer, it adds up to a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter in favour of the visitors from La Isla Bonita. Folks, we’re less than a minute into the second quarter when Darwin “Pupi” Leslie goes for the hard foul on Keith Acosta that sends Acosta writhing to the floor in pain and agony. Acosta eventually gets up with a little help from his team-mates. He would return after a lot of medical assistance. With the big man gone temporarily, the Belize Bank Bulldogs begin to bark. Leon Williams stays with the play and is rewarded with the put back deuce. Ronald Rivers then sinks this three from the corner. With the half looming, Leslie dishes to Darren Bovell who goes glass for two. However, the Tigersharks manage to finish the half with this monster jam from Damien Staples who would strike for seventeen points – with the scoreboard showing the lead cut to only five points now. Nevertheless, it’s the Bulldogs who continue the momentum in the third quarter as Tyrone Edwards slices through the Tigersharks defence for two of his game thirteen points. You’re no stranger to Judsen Stubbs the American, he is the big man for the Bank and he gets two of his team high fifteen points right here. Darwin Leslie who would contribute eleven points to the Bank’s total, spins and hits. At the end of three, the Belize Bank has possession of a two point lead. In the fourth quarter, the Tigersharks come out of their slumber – Gregg Rudon knocks down another three en route to a game high twenty-seven points as the visitors regain the lead inside the City Centre. Kevin Seroki only has seven points tonight but this three is huge. Gregg Rudon does have range and he proves it by swishing through this tre. In the meantime, Keith Acosta, in the role of the one arm bandit gives his all to the team. The San Pedro Tigersharks win 79-68, we say congratulations to the 2007 semi-pro basketball champions. When you big, you’re large! Gregg Rudon was voted Most Valuable Player and we certainly say kudos. Read More HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN
BELIZE
Recently, top adviser on H-I-V/AIDS to
U-S President
George Bush, Doctor Anthony Fauci, in speaking to a gathering of the
world’s leading HIV/AIDS experts said that the world is losing its
fight against AIDS. He said for every person that is put in therapy,
six new people become infected with HIV. Our news center contacted
Technical Director of the National AIDS Commission, Ruth Jaramillo to
find out what is the situation in Belize.
Ruth Haramillo:Technical Director of the National AIDS Commission “One of the key point in that statement was that for every person that was on treatment,there were six others not accessing the services of they’re not aware that they’re HIV positive.That is the key statement in that whole fight that relates to Belize in the same way.Yes,it’s a lot of significance having taken to address HIV in Belize.Treatment is offered in this country free of cost also testing.What happens is that similarly,like in other parts of the world,there are many others who do not know they’re HIV positive and those who are,are not accessing the services for various reasons.That is the fight that we have in our hands now.In Belize,our HIV infection is still primarily transmitted by unprotected sexual intercourse between heterosexual-that means men and women.As reported by the Ministry of Health AIDS program surveillance unit.There are in Belize now,just in this quarter of January-March 2007,that report says that there are 93 new HIV infections reported.That means these are people who are accessing testing services and getting to know their status.But in total since the epidemic began in 1986 and to the end of December 2007,there are now 3,898 persons who are newly infected with HIV and that says a lot for us because it gives us a picture of what is happening out there in our population but what is even more alarming is that there are many others who have not tested and this is why we’re promoting the ‘Know Your Status’ campaign.” Jaramillo comments on penalties in place for people who knowingly transmit the virus. She also shares tips on being safe. Ruth Haramillo:Technical Director of the National AIDS Commission “In our current laws there is a clause that criminalizes that intentional transmission,however,there is a flaw in that law because it’s very difficult in the courts to prove that there was intent of transmission and I think we’re missing the point,the most important point and that is what role do we as individuals play to prevent infections and prevent ourselves from becoming infected and this brings me right back to the first comment about knowing your status.First of all,we need to know where we stand,then if we are to protect ourselves from being infected,we need to do either of the following.And this is what is perhaps the strongest message that we need to put out there.We need to,as sexual beings,abstain from having sex with multiple partners,or even delaying the age when we start to have sex or even more importantly be faithful to our own current partners.Secondly,we need to get to know ourselves and our partner’s HIV status.So each one of us who are sexually active should be more responsible in trying to get tested and recognize what that means when you get tested.And until you know for sure where you stand or where your partner stands,and your still engaging in sex,use protection.” Jaramillo says that we should support people who are H-I-V positive and encourage them to utilize the services that are offered. Ruth Haramillo:Technical Director of the National AIDS Commission, “We must all encourage persons we know,also who are HIV positive,and this is very difficult to do.In our society many of us have come in contact with people who are HIV positive and need our support.Encourage people who are HIV positive to go and get that support,get counseling,call the National Aids Commission at 223-7592 or -94 or call the Alliance Against Aids at hotline 223-6493.All of us stand ready to provide that kind of encouragement and support and this is what we must encourage society to engage in if we are going to fight and win this war against HIV/AIDS.” Read More Four dive masters
certified as instructors
 Belize has gained a reputation as one of
the top diving spots in the
world, drawing an increasing number of tourists to our waters. That
boom has spurred the need for more professionals in that field, which
is why for the last two weeks four Belizean dive masters have been
immersed in books as well as seawater, to become certified as SCUBA
instructors. According to Sea Sports Belize owner, John Searle, one of
the course facilitators, the men worked hard for the certificates they
received today.John Searle, PADI Course Director “During the twelve days we teach them how to make knowledge development presentations, we teach them how to do presentations in the water and also they have a few exams, very intense standards exams and also some theory exams. So the stress level was quite high for the last ten days, and I’m sure today stress levels gonna be a lot lower.” Juan Carlos Vasquez works aboard the Belize Aggressor while Mervin Reyes is employed by Ambergris Divers in San Pedro. The other successful graduates are Carlos Oviedo of Tobacco Caye and Eli Rodriguez from Sea Sports Belize. The Dive Instructor course costs approximately four thousand dollars per person. The Belize Tourism Board absorbs some of that expense by providing partial scholarships to participants. The certification is overseen by PADI, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Read More NOTICES/LETTERS
TO THE EDITOR
THOUGHT
OF THE DAY
If we couldn't laugh, we would all go insane Jimmy Buffett HEALTH
AND BEAUTY
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 www.grandcaribe.bz debbiewade@gmail.com
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