He is a resident of Independence Village and tonight a father of 3 is ninety one thousand, three hundred and seventy five dollars richer. That's how much is left after taxes from a $107,500 dollar jackpot.

Sebastian Mucu walked into to Tropical Gaming this afternoon to pick up his cheque. And while many might think, his winnings came just in time for the Christmas season - Mucu told Seven News - not so! He told us the money couldn't have come at a better time - since his young daughter is suffering from a brain condition.

Sebastian Mucu, Lotto winner
"I get the lucky numbers - I dream that I got a phone call on phone and I saw the number and I bought the number and I got to hear that I won the lotto. I didn't find out the same night, I listen to the radio on Sunday morning and I heard the announcement of the number over the radio. Monday morning I went to the place that I bought it and they told me that I win. I was so glad that I win the lotto because I really need the money for my family and I have a daughter that is sick. I need to carry her to the specialist; I might have to go out of the country. That is first priority then if I have enough money left over I will build a house for my family and I have my sisters that i am taking care of too because my father died about 5 years ago so I am the only son that is taking care of my family."

Monica Bodden
"You are a regular lotto buyer?"

Sebastian Mucu, Lotto winner
"Yes for almost 10 years now I am buying the lotto because I had the hope that I would win the lotto."

Monica Bodden
"How excited are you?"

Sebastian Mucu, Lotto winner
"I am very excited. When I heard I win I was so surprise, I say well God is hearing me and I need the money at the same time. I am so happy."

The winning numbers are 03-13-19-20 and 30. After taxes were deducted, Mucu walked away with ninety one thousand, three hundred and seventy five dollars.

Government Breaks Relations With Channel 5

Ever since Channel 5 was taken over by the Ashcroft group in June of 2008 - relations between the Government and the television station have been chilly. It got icy after the government took over Telemedia in August of 2009 - and now, it's officially in the deep freeze.
Government this evening made an unprecedented announcement, saying that, quote, "effective immediately, the Government of Belize is suspending normal relations with Channel 5 and Great Belize Productions."
The reasons given are that Channel 5 - claims the government - has violated the terms and conditions of its license by refusing to let government give its side of the story, or get a right of reply.
Additionally, the government claims that Channel 5 is the only television station which has refused to air the government-produced program, Belmopan Weekly and that quote,
"The station has over the past two and a half years proceeded down a deliberate path to systematically undermine, not just the government, but the interest of the entire nation and its people."
The release continues: "â€¦Channel 5 has willfully sacrificed the established principles of objectivity, fair-play and balance in its news and other current affair programs." Close quote.
And The bottom line from all this is that effective immediately, no government representative of any ministry or department will give any official individual interview or make any individual appearance on Channel 5.