San Pedro Sun

Dear Editor:

Each cub made their own cakes. Those cubs were Yasir, Emanuel, Manuel, Michael, Carter, Armando, Jennessa and Abrianna.

We once more extend the invitation to join us.

Thank you!

The Cub Scouts

The preliminary hearing for the murder charges against Brionne Swift and Victor Garnet continued on Monday at the San Pedro Magistrate Court. On January 26th, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) referred the murder charges to a preliminary hearing to see if there was sufficient evidence to send the case to the Supreme Court. Both Swift and Garnet are accused for the January 2009 double murder of Eduardo “Brahlee” Gutierrez and James Swan that occurred in the Rocky Point Area on north Ambergris Caye.

That same day, Magistrate Emerson Banner heard arguments from Swift’s defendant attorney Richard “Dickie” Bradley. In Bradley’s argument, he pointed out that there was no concrete evidence to point Swift to the murder scene. In fact, Bradley stated that the statements submitted for evidence were contravening each other.

At the end of Bradley’s summation of his arguments, Magistrate Banner explained that he would reserve his ruling on the preliminary hearing until Monday, February 8th, 2010. When both accused went into court on Monday, Magistrate Banner adjourned the case for Tuesday, February 16th on the request of Attorney Bradley who could not be in court for the ruling. Both Swift and Garnet were remanded to the Hattieville Prison until February 16th, pending the results of the preliminary hearing.

Related links: Drug war claims three lives  Alex Soler freed of murder charges

The San Pedro Lions Club on Friday made two donations; one to a local resident and the other to an institution.

Lion Manuel handing over food items to Ellis

Ellis expressed his gratitude to the Club for the generous donation, as did authorities at Holy Cross. Those authorities indicated that the items will be used as part of the school’s feeding program.

 The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) located in the Toledo District received a well needed donation from Grand Belizean Estate Limited. The donation was in the sum of Belize $5,000 and will be used in the construction of a secure, natural habitat for crocodiles relocated to ACES’ facilities.

ACES facility in the Toledo District

 In a press release, ACES stated when relocating problematic crocodiles, their facility required a secure, natural habitat. The reptiles removed by the Forestry Department originate from various areas in the country and are taken to the ACES facilities. Crocodiles which have been removed from Ambergris Caye’s ecosystem have also found a home at ACES sanctuary.

    Grand Belizean Estate Managing Consultant Francisco Alvarado told The Sun that upon learning about ACES’s needs, Grand Belizean Estate did not hesitate to generously donate to the initiative. “We were impressed with the work ACES is doing to save these incredible animals. We became very much interested in contributing to the cause therefore we decided to make such a donation,” stated Alvarado. He added that they will continue to support ACES in their efforts to promote the protection of the American Crocodiles in Belize. He stated that Grand Belizean Estate has also committed their support to ACES’s desires in establishing a facility on the island, similar to that in the Toledo District.

    With Grand Belizean Estate’s efforts to assist, ACES hopes to come up with a much need population assessment of the number of crocodiles and potential nesting sites in the area. Grand Belizean Estate stated that their donation is just one way they are giving back to the community. For the time being ACES said that the donation will help them significantly in the purchasing of some of the materials needed for the commencement of a 10,000 square feet containment area for the crocs. ACES is still short of $16,000 and are welcoming any donation. You can contact ACES by calling (501) 665-2762.

Caye Caulker Police charged one of their own after a young girl on the island reported to authorities that she was sexually assaulted. The officer is 20-year-old Tourism Police Constable Darren Casimiro of Caye Caulker Village. The incident allegedly occurred on La Isla Carinosa on Tuesday, February 2nd and the constable was arraigned the following day in San Pedro’s Magistrate Court.

According to Police the 14-year-old Canadian tourist told her mother that sometime around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2nd, she was walking along Front Street in Caye Caulker Village. Upon reaching an area near Sobre Las Olas Restaurant, she was approached by Constable Casimiro who was on a bicycle. The girl told her mother that Casimiro took her to an area behind the restaurant where the officer proceeded to touch her all over her body inappropriately.

The girl, accompanied by her mother, gave a statement to police where she accused Casimiro of assaulting her. Based on the information and evidence gathered, authorities proceeded to charge Casimiro. Casimiro was charged for the crime of indecent assault on a minor and was taken before San Pedro’s Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

Judge Emerson Banner offered Casimiro bail in the sum of $2,500 and a surety of the same amount. Casimiro was placed on interdiction effective today and will be subjected to a Police internal investigation.

On Saturday Jan. 30^th the Saga Humane Society hosted an open house and volunteer recruitment day. The event took place at Fort Dog where the Saga dogs are housed.

Guests and dogs enjoyed interacting with each other and free lessons on how to teach your dog to heel were offered by Pampered Paws. Many people, with pet in tow, were eager to learn this helpful practice.  

Saga also recruited volunteers to help at Fort Dog and the veterinary clinic where the cats are housed. Volunteer opportunities range from dog walking, fundraising, animal socialization, running information booths and painting to writers and artists.

Saga Humane society recently celebrated its 10^th year and is looking forward to the New Year filled with lots of exciting projects and events! For more information please call the clinic at 226-3266 or visit their website at www.sagahumanesociety.org.

Fire officials are still investigating the circumstances that caused an evening fire on Thursday on the upper floor of a concrete building. Just after 6:30 yesterday evening, both Police and Fire Officials received a distress call of a fire in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro Town. First to arrive on the scene were members of the San Pedro Police Department, who happened to be in the area at the time of the fire. They, along with neighbors, brought the fire under control until the Fire Department arrived. When Fire Officials arrived on the scene they noticed that the fire was already under control.

Club Latino will be hosting “Celebrity Bartender Night” tonight to benefit the San Pedro Lions Club.

Lion members Mel Spain, Kainie Manuel and Jorge Aldana will be tending the bar so be sure to stop by and have them mix-up your favorite cocktail!

Proceeds from every sale will go towards the San Pedro Lion’s Club, so come on out and show your community support while enjoying a fun evening!