Ahead of Hurricane Beryl making landfall later this week, the Belize High Courts have adjourned cases across the country as of tomorrow, Wednesday July third to Monday, July eighth, with the exception of bail which is scheduled to be heard on the morning of July third. According to a release issued by the Senior Courts of Belize, the decision has been taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all court judges, staff, jurors, attorneys and the public.
Tag: 2024-07-02
A New Acting Ports Commissioner is Appointed
Kaylon Young has been appointed Acting Ports Commissioner following the abrupt departure of former Ports Commissioner Darlin Gaitan last week. Earlier today, the Belize Port Authority announced that the appointment of Young, a seasoned professional in the maritime sector with over a decade of experience working at the B.P.A. Young holds a Master’s Degree in Maritime Affairs, specializing in Maritime Law and Policy from the World Maritime University.
S.P. Mayor Says Price Gouging Will Not be Tolerated
Earlier we heard San Pedro Mayor, Wally Nunez say that islanders have been taking early precautionary steps to prepare for Beryl in the event it dips in its track and comes closer our way. And as has been the case, when there’s an emergency, merchants and shop owners begin to price gouge, but that will not be tolerated in San Pedro, according to Mayor Wally Nunez. He told us that the San Pedro Town Council has been getting out that message clearly on the radio station and the various media platforms on the island.
Wally Nunez, Mayor, San Pedro
“They cannot be doing that. It is illegal and they can face consequences, especially through their trade license. If they are caught increasing any of those prices, because this is a time when we’re supposed to unite and help each other and not take advantage of people. And our staff has been out there checking on the different stores, grocery stores and the hardware stores to make sure that they are not decreasing the prices of the goods.”
Marion Ali
“Okay, so there is monitoring of that, yes?”
Wally Nunez
“Yes, definitely. We are monitoring that but if there’s anybody who has information of any establishment that is increasing the prices to please let us know through our Facebook page or call the Town Council.”
B.S.C.F.A. Exposed to Environmentally-friendly Aro-products
B.S.C.F.A. Committee of Management Vice Chair, Alfredo Ortega told us earlier that around seventeen hundred canefarmers in the north have suffered losses so far by the flood waters, which represents roughly twenty-five percent of all canefarmers from Orange Walk and Corozal. The B.S.F.C.A. official is in Guadalajara, Mexico for a workshop on agro-science. Ortega will be back on Wednesday, as the workshop has been shortened because of the approaching Hurricane Beryl. He explained to us that the session is mainly to share information about products that could be beneficial for the farmers across the board.
Alfredo Ortega, Vice Chairman, Committee of Management, B.S.C.F.A.
“It’s more products that could be beneficial for the cane farming community, not only cane farming, but also all the agriculture sector, because these products that they are presenting to us right now are products that are really friendly with the environment. They’re mostly enriched with organic production, so they are more environmentally friendly and we’re seeing that if we start to use those products, then we can have better yields with the same varieties we have. And also our vegetable farmers or our green farmers can really benefit to have a better use in their production of the different vegetables that we can plant.”
Belize Courts Adjourn Proceedings Due to Hurricane Beryl
The Chief Justice of Belize, Louise Esther Blenman, announced that, in anticipation of Hurricane Beryl’s impact, all proceedings in the Belize Magistrate Courts and the Belize Family Courts will be adjourned from Wednesday, July 3, 2024, through Monday, July 8, 2024. This decision prioritises the safety and well-being of court staff, jurors, attorneys, and the public.
Details of Adjournments:
-Effective Dates: All court cases scheduled between July 3 and July 8, 2024, will be adjourned.
Rescheduling of Cases:
– Cases scheduled for Thursday, July 4, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
– Cases scheduled for Friday, July 5, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Wednesday, July 10, 2024.
– Cases scheduled for Monday, July 8, 2024, will be rescheduled for mention on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
– Court Operations: Normal operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, barring any further impact from the hurricane.
– Urgent Matters: In exceptional circumstances, the Magistrate Court will be available to hear urgent matters as conditions permit.
The public is urged to stay informed through official channels and adhere to any advisories issued by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).
For further inquiries or updates about court matters, please contact the office of the Registrar at 227-0045.
The judiciary appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as these steps are taken to ensure everyone’s safety.
BAHA Urges Livestock Owners to Protect Animals as Hurricane Beryl Approaches
The Chief Veterinary Officer of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) is advising livestock owners to closely monitor the development of Hurricane Beryl and take necessary measures to safeguard both human and animal life. With an extremely active hurricane season forecasted, planning and preparation are crucial to minimize losses caused by such disasters.
BAHA recommends the following key activities to reduce the risk of harm to animals before, during, and after a storm:
Before a Hurricane:
– Ensure an accurate count of all animals owned or under care, with updated records and proof of ownership.
– Secure an adequate supply of feed, water, and veterinary supplies, including necessary medications for use before and after the storm.
– Move livestock out of flood-prone areas to higher, safer pastures.
– Secure animal housing and remove loose and dangerous items that could become projectiles during the storm, including feeders and waterers.
– Trim trees and remove branches that could potentially fall on barns or animal housing.
– Ensure pets have adequate shelter from the elements and are not tied down if proper shelter is unavailable.
During a Hurricane:
– Stay inside and avoid any outdoor activities.
After a Hurricane:
– Approach animals with caution due to potential stress caused by the storm.
– Conduct a complete headcount of all animals.
– Inspect animals for injuries or open wounds and provide immediate assistance.
– Ensure animals have access to clean water and food.
– Record and promptly dispose of any deceased animals.
– Evaluate and repair any structural damages to animal housing.
For further information, contact the Animal Health Department at animalhealth@baha.org.bz or call 824-4872.
Clarita Pech Appointed as Acting Clerk of the National Assembly
Clarita Pech has been appointed as the Acting Clerk of the National Assembly of Belize.
This appointment is made following the resignation of the former Clerk, Eddie Webster.
Pech brings twenty-five years of experience at the National Assembly to her new role, having served as Deputy Clerk for nearly fifteen years. She has previously acted as Clerk on several occasions. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Sector Management from the University of Belize and certificate courses from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association’s virtual academy on parliamentary mechanisms.
House Speaker Valeria Woods thanked Webster for his fourteen years of service to the National Assembly and wished him well in his future endeavors.