KHMH Isolates Bacteria Bug That Caused Baby's Deaths

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

The KHMH Board of governors met in an emergency session this morning at the hospitals to get some answers on the death of a dozen babies at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in just three weeks. The bulk of the information they got was form a rapid response team sent to investigate what went wrong and isolate the bacteria that killed the newborns. Tonight the news is that they know the name of the bacterial bug. That was announced at a meeting held two hours ago when the meeting finished. We’ll have that shortly, but first, it was news to us that the CEO of the Hospital found out about the deaths in his own facility, on the news!:…

Dr. F. Gary Longsworth - CEO, KHMH
"Over a very short period of time beginning last week we had a cluster of deaths in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and it went out to the media. One of the parents went to the media, I believe, that actually prompted the investigation because up to that point we were not aware that the situation was developing."

Dr. Adrian Coye - Medical Chief Of Staff, KHMH
"We have seen an outbreak of a particular organism it's called enterobacter cloacae and this organism is not only selecting our Belizean babies but it's an organism that is responsible for major outbreaks in ICU's all over the world. Now we issued a release that there were 12 deaths this month which was unusual because the month is not yet done and 12 deaths that happened where the majority were happening precipitously in the last week and so this form of outbreak does raise alarm bells, adjustments are being made clinically and within the unit, some procedural changes. In despite of that we had the high number of tragic loss. However of the twelve deaths only seven has been shown in our analysis to be positive for this organism. The other deaths happened as a result of prematurity related issues and not related to this infection. This is not a super bug - the profile of the resistance pattern within the organism that we have found is sensitive to antibiotics that we do have in the hospital and made available through the Ministry of Health so it is not a super bug. The problem with this kind of organism it it's very fastidious, difficult to care and there is transmission by direct contact and also indirect contact. This is an opportunistic infection that can be anywhere. The susceptible population is the premature and babies who are in the intensive care unit as they are. Whether is was brought by different parts of the hospital, I cannot say but I know from an epidemiological point of view when you look for an outbreak you try to identify an index case and an index case was identified in February, the first infection of that nature - however that baby was treated and went home. It could be then that from that original infection, colonization had happened and that's how you talk about how things are spread that may be one source."

Dr. F. Gary Longsworth
"Generally we see between 450 to 550 patients per year in our NICU. Our annual mortality rate for that unit vary between 5% - 15% with the median being around 10%. That is what we're looking at in terms of survival rates. We're looking at between 85% to 95% survival rates."

Dr. Adrian Coye
"This number of 12 is unusually high for us. We are more used to seeing rates of 5 or 6 neonatal deaths per month. This rate of 12 and as we've explained it was in a very short period of time that it went above what we recognize as a baseline."

Jules Vasquez
"Is it a failure in reporting and responding in your opinion?"

Dr. F. Gary Longsworth
"I wouldn't refer to it as a failure. As Dr. Coye tried to explain earlier what the time log that is unavoidable between culturing a baby that is getting sick and receiving the report is out of the control of the physicians managing the case."

Chandra Nisbet Cansino - Chairman, KHMH Board Of Governors
"Because my first instinct was to come here and to find the person that was to blame and deal with that person - there are so many more technical issues to that, we got an explanation to the system of the blood culture that takes a week. That is not something that is a deficiency of the lab, a blood culture takes five days to grow and there's no way around that and there was no other way of determining the sensitivity of an organism except by doing a blood culture. While you're waiting five days for a blood culture - babies were passing away. That little cluster of time was where we lost some of the babies without knowing because it was because of this particular bacteria. The second purpose of our meetings is still to have a discussion with staff, we still have not gotten a lot of reports to determine if anybody is culpable, we have not established that at this time and that is a process that is still under investigation. The most important purpose for us being here today was for us to sit-down and have a discussion with some of the parents of the deceased children. Unfortunately they went to the media before coming to us - that is totally understandable, we have no problem with that but we needed to hear from them about their experiences. They shared a lot of information with us - they had suggestions and recommendations for us. We haven't met all of them and we're hoping to meet with all of them but that was basically the most important part of the day for me because we really needed to hear from them."

Reporter
"Accusations being made that there were two deaths in two days would have caused that the NICU be closed."

Chandra Nisbet Cansino
"What was the process of communication? That is important to us - we do not have that answer today but we are definitely working on that answer because we kow that one of the biggest questions the public has and we have an obligation to answer on that."

Reporter
"At this point is the infection under control?"

Chandra Nisbet Cansino
"Yes"

Dr. Adrian Coye
"The answer is yes but there is always a risk. As I said we are always under threat and in this particular case we believe we have it under control. We are making plans and changes that allow us to safely take care of our Belizean babies in the near future."

It is important to note that while the media has been alerted about newborn deaths from infection dating back to December of last year, the administration says those were likely unrelated. The pediatric intensive care unit was built 16 years ago and has a capacity for ten newborns; in May, as in many months prior, it was operating well above that capacity.

A release from the office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children stresses that it is spearheading the construction of a Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Unit – which will be in a new wing at the KHMH.

Mother Accused Of Infanticide Remains On Remand At Mental Facility

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

22 year-old Felicia Chen, the mother who is accused of killing her 3 babies, was back in Magistrate’s Court today. The outcome of today’s hearing is that based on the advice of her psychologist, she will continue to be remanded at a mental health facility in Belmopan until June 21st.
So, this makes her 4th trip to Magistrate’s Court, and the 3rd time that it is decided that she must continue to receive mental help. And while 7News been closely monitoring the case, we can’t help but notice that members of the police department have been doing an exceptional job at shielding her from our cameras, and by extension, the public.
There are 2 unusual features of the case. The first is that, neither the media nor the public is allowed inside the courtroom whenever Chen must be given a hearing before a sitting magistrate. That sort of treatment is mostly reserved for cases which involve minors and victims of sexual abuse when they testify. It is also odd that Chen is being cradled in the bosom of the female officer every time she makes a trip to and from the court.
Well today, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Lynn Vidal, told the media today that these steps have been taken on the orders of the court.
And if you are wondering why the same care was not afforded to Jared Avery Ranguy who stands accused of killing his mother, sister and stepfather, the DPP said that at the time of his arraignment in November of last year, there was no mental facility active which could accommodate him.

She continues on that Ranguy was later afforded the same mental treatment while on remand at the Belize Central Prison, and that a medical team makes regular assessments to his mental health.

Baptist Family Fears Loved One Was Murdered

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

The Belize City family of San Pedro Resident Jerome Baptist is fearing for the worst tonight – they believe he was killed on the island on Sunday night. Since Monday, San Pedro police have been looking for his body on northern Ambergris Caye but they haven’t come up with anything. Gunshots were heard on Sunday night in the San Juan area of the island and there are reports that some men were seen dragging a body into a boat. Baptist has not been seen since then – but police and his family are following up on various leads. A number of persons have been detained, questioned and released.

Forestry's Final Figures From The Rosewood Roundup

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

The Rosewood Amnesty finished two months ago and today the Forest Department released the final figures listing how much rosewood was collected during the 19 day period and from which purchasers. The Chief Forest Officer discussed it today:…

Wilbur Sabido - Chief Forestry Officer
"We're talking about a total of 400,000 port feet that has been declared to the forest department. Actually in total royalty we are talking close to $200,000 paid in royalty. In terms of tonnage we're talking close to about 580 tons to that 400,000 port feet that I mentioned before. All of the Rosewood that has been declared has actually been measured in the Toledo District. Currently we are in the process of supervising the loading of the Rosewood to the containers by various exporters. As it is right now especially in the South we have presently containers being loaded - what is done is basically, our officers keep a tally what is being loaded versus what is declared. So in essence when the time for exportation comes we need to have clear evidence in terms of the receipts being presented to us and is paid the royalty on the Rosewood that has been declared."

Jules Vasquez
"Have you all encountered any Rosewood that had been cut post amnesty - that had been cut between April 8th - 25th, 2013? You all said you would know because because it is distinctive and you can tell from the physical quality."

Wilbur Sabido
"Well we saw some that we felt was cut during the time that you mentioned, post the period that we had said we wouldn't be accepting any harvesting of Rosewood. Based on our estimate it was really a small percentage probably a 1-5% of the total that has been declared."

Reporter
"There have been allegations in the past of collusions between some of the persons harvesting or trading Rosewood and persons within the Government service and even within the forestry department."

Wilbur Sabido
"From way back I have spoken about that and I believe the Minister made absolutely clear her position of alleged corruption in the Forest department and throughout her ministry and certainly that is something that I too am very concerned about in terms of the allegations. Now I do recognize that for the Toledo district especially there have been numerous allegations and what we've done is we've in essence rotated staff out of the Machaca forestation. Also in terms of the checks and balances for this batch of Rosewood that is being allowed for export, we have been very meticulous in terms of documenting the flitches - flitch by flitch, where they come from and who we're buying it from. Also the check and balance occurs for instance in this case in the Toledo District, they are supervising the loading, also when it reaches the port - there will be a new set of Forest Officers that inspect the container flitch by flitch if they have some suspicion that there is some mixing of stamp with unstamped material. So that we feel is an added level of scrutiny."

Jules Vasquez
"How about the value? How will the market value be determined and when will the Government get it's 50% of them?"

Wilbur Sabido
"In all honesty I'm not completely certain of those arrangements that have been made between the Ministry and the exporters in terms of the 50%. I would gather that they will need to present legitimate receipts from whoever it is they sell the material to and based on that the Government will be deriving it's portion that they had agreed with exporters."

Sabido sent us the list this evening. It lists the amnestees – if we can call them that – where they are from, the volume of Rosewood they claimed under the amnesty and the amount paid in Royalty. But we note that the intended exporter – which in most cases is GIV Import/Export Company is not listed.

Belize Bandwidth Still Slowest, Most Expensive In Region

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

BTL may have doubled internet speeds and cut rates in NOVEMBER of 2012 – but according to a 2013 survey of Caribbean Internet Service Providers, internet in Belize is still the most expensive and among the slowest in the entire Caribbean region.

The study was done to update the May 2012 survey, which made so much news in Belize. The researchers found that Belize is the only place in the Caribbean where you can still find 128k sold as a minimum speed. In most countries, the minimum speed offered is one meg and it is at 256k in a few countries.

As for the maximum, Belize falls behind there as well. The maximum speed you can buy in Belize is 8 megs – and that is for $346 US dollars per month which is the most you’ll pay for any amount of bandwidth in any country in the region.

But in Jamaica, you can buy 100 megs for 129 US dollars per month; in Trinidad, 100 megs costs 124 US dollar per month. In countries like Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Cayman and Dominica, the maximum speed availableis also 8 megs, but it sells for between 130 and 150 US dollars per month.

Belize is also the most expensive place to find a 2 meg connection, at 118 US dollars, compared to 27 US dollars in Jamaica.

But it’s not all bad for Belize, the report notes that quote, “over the last 2 years Belize has been improving the speeds and pricing of their Internet broadband service offerings. Since 2012, the incumbent provider, Belize Telemedia Limited, reduced monthly prices by over 50%.” And this table shows that only Barbados brought down prices more than Belize. The survey is based on BTL’s prices, and they told us they will comment later this week

Belize Technocrats Get Refresher On Multilateral Environment Agreements

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

Do you know what RAMSAR, CITES, CBD and SPAW are? They sound kind of like that bacterial bug at the KHMH but actually, these are environmental agreements that the Government of Belize and other Caribbean countries have signed unto. But due to a lack of funding and political will these agreements are never really brought into force in domestic law, or what the policy wonks, call mainstreaming. That’s the subject of a three-day training workshop on what are called Multilateral Environmental Agreements. We found out more from the Chief Environmental Officer.

Martin Allegria - Cheif Environmental Officer
"The objective here today is to build capacity in these institutions to become more conscious and aware of these Multi-lateral agreements or conventions and how to incorporate these into the developmental plans of Belize."

Dr. Therese Yarde - CARICOM Secretariat
"And the value of mainstreaming especially to this small country is that Belize and many other countries in the Caribbean Community has signed on to a lot of agreements and the more you sign on to it the harder it is for you to implement. So what mainstreaming does is tighten it up together."

Martin Allegria
"So that we can start to plan for and enforce thereafter these other conventions that largely have been ignored for many reasons."

Jules Vasquez
"How would you answer the criticism that small and developing nations such as these that will be assembled here are trying to figure out ways to mainstream these agreements while large nations - China and the USA haven't signed on to a lot of these protocols and they are the culpable ones."

Martin Allegria
"Yes you can say that"

Dr. Therese Yarde
"I think it's especially worth it for small countries because not withstanding that some other countries may not have signed on to many of the agreements. The point of the agreement that it helps us to protect our environment in our own countries so regardless of what any other bigger country is doing we have to do what is good for our country and to protect our environment."

Martin Allegria
"Yes your points of view are correct but we keep the other 187 or 190 nations - we continue to basically put in our little two cents in order for there to have some form of awareness by these countries that you mentioned that they should join us. Slowly but surely they are coming around and knowing that the earth is only so much it can withstand and after that you'll see the wrath of mother nature and we are beginning to see that in terms of the climate change issue because at the end of the day these developing nations and even us that are developing. We are now conscious that the main objective of environmental protection is the survival of human beings - not saving the lizards, parrot or snail. There are reasons why those specifics being targeted in terms of survival of human kind at the end of the day."

The workshop considers four agreements, the Convention on Biological Diversity known as CBD, the Protocol Concerning Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife in the Wider Caribbean known as SPAW, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora known as CITES and the Convention on Wetlands known as Ramsar.

The workshops are being held in African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries.

A Hulking Wreck Stuck On Lighthouse Reef

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

Today, we also got a chance to ask the Chief Environmental Officer about an environmental eyesore. It’s the M/V Transfer Cargo Ship which has been stuck on the on the barrier reef shoals off Lighthouse Reef for almost a decade. The ship ran aground in 2005, and on a trip south this weekend, we saw it was still there. We asked Allegria about it.

Jules Vasquez
"And the Hulking wreck is still there stuck on the reef. What is the status of that? What are the environmental consequences of this and would it ever be moved or will it just stay there to rot?"

Martin Allegria - Cheif Environmental Officer
"Well MV transfer was the critical point in our journey in Environmental Management in Belize especially the Marine Environment. Yes when that incident occurred we didn't have the legislation for example that we have now. We didn't have the capacity for damage assessment etc. so unfortunately that vessel has been there as you rightly said for years now notwithstanding. Recently there has been interest because of the scrap metal market so that's a possibility that we have to look into. However, it has to be done in an environmentally and safe manner so that at the end of the day the damage that it has already done that it is doing with hurricanes and with swaying - damaging the corals. If we can look at that and try to avoid it in the near future by completely removing it environmentally conscious wise and making some funds out of it rather than it just being there. Not only as an environmental hazard but also an eye sore for tourism and other stuff."

Jules Vasquez
"Were the owners of that vessel ever to pay a fine?"

Martin Allegria
"That's why I began the interview that back then we didn't have the law that we brought in in 2009 with the amendment of the act with the Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines on groundings."

Allegria says there are about 3 vessels presently stuck on Belize’s reef system.

NTUCB Cites GOB Abuses, Says "Be Ready To Act!"

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize also has natural resource issues on its mind. It sent out an angry statement today noting what it calls “malpractices of varying sorts, as it relates to the use and management of our natural resources.”
The release says it is quote, “scandalous but also tremendously and utterly outrageous that we have witnessed; first the continued raping of the Rosewood stock down south, then the bulldozing of the very obvious Mayan archaeological mound, Noh Mul and most vexatious of all GOB’s inaction regarding the court ruling - reference, on-shore drilling,” end quote. The statement concludes that all this, quote, “’NAHW GOH WURK!!!’”

The release concludes that there is a perception that, quote, “certain sectors of the society are above the law or even that the law is silenced to allow abuse of our patrimony…The National Trade Union Congress of Belize…calls on all parties…to cautiously gauge this developing situation…(and) requests of all to be prepared to come to the defense of this land and its resources. We attentively listen, keep watch and stay on the ready to act!" End quote.

Family of Alleged Shooter Claims Abuse and False Imprisonment

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

On Monday, 7News told you about 33 year-old Peter Castillo, the man who survived being shot in the calf, shoulder and jaw on Saturday. Well, police have been investigating the report, and they believe that they have the man who was the shooter.
The problem is that his family is saying that they have it all wrong because Kareem the accused, Gillett was at home with his girlfriend at the time of that shooting.

Moreover, they say, police abused him when they detained him for a separate incident on Monday:

Yvette Tillett - Claim Brutality/Wrongful Imprisonment Against Her Son
"Well Monday when I was at my house I saw my son across the street talking to two BDF and when I saw how they were behaving I said 'hey' and I ran across the street and they told me that my son was being upstart to them. I called the police to deal with him they had already taken him and put him in the vehicle and asked him if it was a ride he wanted then they told him 'let's go'. When I went to Raccoon Station they sent me to Euphrates because I was going there to find out what happened with my son when I saw my daughter in law was going through the door and then I saw my son and he was wet. I asked him what is it that they did to him and he told me that they beat him up and 'chance' him. They released him on Monday night. They held him like an hour and ten minutes then we went home. This morning they came and they told me that they came for Kareem and they told me that they are going to charge my son for attempted murder. I told them my son didn't do anything he was with his girlfriend."

Daniel Ortiz
"How can you vouch that he was where he was when this incident happened?"

Yvette Tillett
"This is his girlfriend right here with me - she said he was at home with her. Not only her, but her uncle and her mother could say that he was at home at that time when the incident happened."

Daniel Ortiz
"So you're saying that police are compounding this brutality with a charge that they can't substantiate?"

Yvette Tillett
"Right, that is what they're doing because my son didn't do that but like I told you we have to arrive at court to be able to talk out of it. When they are arresting you you can't say 'no my son didn't do it' - we have to get to court first. I really didn't want my son to go to jail again."

According to the family, the police plan to charge and arraign him tomorrow for that shooting.

The Long, Strange Journey Of Audrey's Passport

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

Audrey Matura-Shepherd is the well-known, outspoken Vice President of Oceana in Belize, but that didn’t stop a perpetrator from forging her stolen passport, and trying to pass it off as belonging to someone else.
That forged passport showed up 5 years later in a case in Orange Walk after police conducted a sting operation on the home of Matthew Williams in June 2011. You may remember him as the man who owned the vehicle police impounded because it was transporting 15 persons who were suspected to be cargo as part of a human trafficking move.
Williams was charged for the Matura passport and several others believed to be forged documents, and since then he’s been making regular appearances in the Magistrate’s Court for his adjournments. His matter was called up today where it was set down for the final date, and Matura was supposed to be crown witness against him.
That hearing couldn’t take place because Williams’ attorney did not show up for court. The matter is adjourned until July 30.

It is expected that on that date, Williams will get his day in court, and Matura-Shepherd will testify against him.

Dr. Parks Schools Her Minister & CEO In Scathing Sendoff Speech

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

Dr. Marjorie Parks, the Deputy Director of Health Services and Chief Nursing Officer retired today, and she did so in style, after sending off a “boom-shot” to her Ministry’s top brass just before she left.
Dr. Parks gave one of the main addresses at the National Nursing Conference held in Corozal last week Friday. In the presence of her Minister and CEO, she spoke out against political interference in the nursing profession. We’ve gotten a text copy of her speech and it says, quote, “The position of Principal Nursing Officer, the highest in the Nursing hierarchy in the Government Service has traditionally, been prestigious…The PNO provides policy direction and guidance to the nursing profession. This situation was changed in 2008 when almost all decisions for nursing and nurses were taken over by the political directorate at the Ministry of Health.”
It continues, quote, “Even the Nurses and Midwives Council of Belize, a statutory body, which since 1923, has been effectively regulating the practice of nurses was not immune to political intervention. Under a system of micromanagement and unwarranted victimization many nurses have been deprived of their benefits for any real or imagined infraction against the powers that be.”
She adds that, quote, “For example, the nurse who is has been acting as the Registrar of the Nursing Council for over seven years has not been appointed to the post, neither has the RN who is carrying out the responsibility for Infection control at the Corozal Hospital been promoted to the post. In both instances the posts are vacant, the nurses qualified and recommendation has been made by their supervisors but these have not been forwarded to the Ministry of the Public Service for processing. Even the current succession plan for filling of the Deputy Director of Health Services and Chief Nursing Officer post, which is in line with the Revised Criteria for Appointment and Advancement in the Nursing Profession is being thwarted.”
And one more thing, she adds that: “Belize has not been represented at various nursing forum as representatives were often prevented for being at important regional and international meetings…even when funding was available.”
How’s that for a sendoff?

Today the Ministry had no comment saying it doesn’t want to get into a back and forth. Still, the allegations of mistreatment of the nursing profession are startling and the top brass will, eventually, have to answer.

New Police Rides For The North

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

This morning the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, handed over two new Mahindra Pickup Trucks to the Police Department.

Receiving the vehicles on behalf of the Police Department was Deputy Commissioner Elodio Aragon, who then handed them over to the Officer Commanding the Northern Region, Senior Superintendent Joseph Myvette. ARAGON discussed how the trucks will be used:

Elodio Aragon Jr. - Deputy Commissioner of Police
"These vehicles are slated for the Northern Districts - Orange Walk and Corozal. These vehicles are really needed in the north because of the wide amount of ground they have to cover. As we begin to improve on our services and we reach out to our communities - these vehicles will come in handy for officers to be able to get out there and to look into reports that arises in these rural areas so these vehicles will play a key role to assist upon the efficiency of the Police Department."

The took place this morning at the Ministry of National Security Headquarters in Belmopan.

Rowan's Next Great Adventure

(posted on Wed May 22, 2013)

You’ve heard about Rowan Garel – the courageous blind 14 year old who’s climbed the Victoria Peak and walked from Cayo to Belize City in 5 days.

And now on July 14th, he will be trying something new – and this time out at sea. The first former will dive the Blue Hole and will be the first blind Belizean to ever do so. Rowan’s efforts are a part of a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Belize Center for the Visually Impaired summer camp that caters for children who are blind from all corners of the country. We caught up with the teen today who told us what preparations are taking place for his latest big adventure.

Rowan Garel - Will Dive Blue Hole
"So I'm going to be scuba diving - I’m going to dive the blue hole not down to the bottom but just to the surface before it slopes down. We try to figure out stuff that are going to 1. raise awareness and 2. be challenging in a way. We were just speaking - the family, my dad and I thought about this idea why don't I scuba dive. It is something he's always wanted me to do and I would want to do it as well. I have to do a course online and it just consists of several chapters of a book that you have to read and they have some knowledge reviews and quizzes and a final exam that will be from all the chapters from the begin to the end. Once I'm finished that I'll do a series of open water dives - just dives - to let me practice my skills that I've learnt and that is what I have to do. It will be a challenge but in a different way. The others were challenging physically, it was very grueling, very strenuous but this is a challenge to try to figure out what I will do such as how will we communicate, how will I meet the standards for instance I have to monitor my ear gage and that's how it's going to be a challenge. Our goal is to raise awareness as well as funds and that's really what this is about."

Carla Musa - Communications Officer
"This year Rowan figured that since he had already gone up to Victoria peak and walked across the country of Belize, that he wanted to do something completely different so he and his family have decided that they are going to get Rowan certified and trained so he can dive in Belize's Blue Hole. So it's going to be the first time a Belizean who is blind has actually attempted this and we're very honored that Rowan is taking this on for BCVI and that's the way the other children of BCVI feel as well and we're excited too. Last year we were very lucky we had so much support from Belizeans, people abroad - we couldn't have asked for more and this was in terms of kind donations, monetary donations. This year we're hoping for the same. We started stressing last year and we'll continue with that theme this year that everyone knows and because it's the highlight of our year about BCVI's summer camp but we actually work year round to support more than 60 students that we have who are registered in school and who are getting ready to go to school. This year, this fund raiser is going to help us to provide physical support in school, at home and as well as equipment and devices for the children in the program. This year we're hoping to meet a $100,000, it sounds like a lot but it takes about $100,000 to run this portion of our rehab program so we're just trying to cover our cost because we don't charge for the service to the families or the children that we're providing it to so BCVI needs to try to find other ways to try to cover the cost of that."

To contribute to Rowan’s effort you can deposit to Belize Bank account number 7-1-0-9-6 or drop donations off at BCVI. Also you can send payments to PO Box 5-2-5. BCVI plans to raise one hundred thousand dollars with this year's dive.

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KHMH Isolates Bacteria Bug That Caused Baby's Deaths

Mother Accused Of Infanticide Remains On Remand At Mental Facility

Baptist Family Fears Loved One Was Murdered

Forestry's Final Figures From The Rosewood Roundup

Belize Bandwidth Still Slowest, Most Expensive In Region

Belize Technocrats Get Refresher On Multilateral Environment Agreements

A Hulking Wreck Stuck On Lighthouse Reef

NTUCB Cites GOB Abuses, Says "Be Ready To Act!"

Family of Alleged Shooter Claims Abuse and False Imprisonment

The Long, Strange Journey Of Audrey's Passport

Dr. Parks Schools Her Minister & CEO In Scathing Sendoff Speech

New Police Rides For The North

Rowan's Next Great Adventure