Today's Belize News: July 11, 2013

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Today's Belize News: July 11, 2013 #467974 07/11/13 05:38 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	This news synopsis will be a bit more condensed than usual for a couple weeks due to time constraints. FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. Specials and Events Last night's TV news on Channel 7 and Channel 5 Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials The San Pedro Sun Professional sailing instructor, Emiliano Bolgeri trains Junior Sailing Club Professionally known sailing instructor, Emiliano Bolgeri is leading a 15 day training camp for the San Pedro Junior Sailing Club on techniques and tactics of sailing dinghies. Bolgeri is an Argentinian native currently working with the Guatemalan Junior Sailing Club. The intense summer program started on Monday, July 1st, with kids getting a chance to learn from one of the best trainers in the industry. The 17 young sailors participating in the summer program are learning disciplinary skills as well as other valuable lessons needed for professional sailing. According to Bolgeri, patience, coordination, discipline, balance and logical thinking is necessary for any sailor. "It is important for the children to start practicing at a very young age; the best age would be about seven years old. These children here today can achieve the skills needed to participate in international races with practice and discipline in the skill of sailing," said Bolgeri. Sailing takes a lot of skills and energy, but according to Bolgeri it is not all about physical strength, "This is a sport where you have to be in good physical shape but at the same time you need coordination and concentration. Sailing teaches logical thinking, each decision brings about different possibilities. Sailors have to often make many on-the-spot decisions during a race." New Board of Directors installed for San Pedro Lions A formal ceremony was held on Saturday, July 6th at the Lion's Den to install the San Pedro Lions Club's new Board of Directors for the year 2013-2014. Presiding over the event was Lion Alberto Mahler. The evening commenced with formalities as Claudio Azueta led the invocation. Giving the welcome address was Fatima Graniel, who invited outgoing president Mel Spain to deliver her final remarks as 2012-2013 Lion's president. Marina Kay moved on with the installation of the San Pedro Leo's Club 2013-2014 Board of Directors. The Leo's stand for leadership, experience and opportunity among the youths of San Pedro, and the new Board of Directors are: Cesar Cordova as President, Zeli Lisbey as Vice President, Alyssa Munoz as Treasurer, Vivel Rodriquez as Secretary, Christopher Melgar as Membership Director, Solani Graniel as first year Director, Odali Duran as second year Director, Amir Marin as third year Director and Afri Black as Tail Twister. Robbery in San Juan Area A grocery store in the San Juan Area of San Pedro Town was robbed over the weekend. According to a report from the San Pedro Police, on Saturday July 6th at around 7:30PM, the police were alerted of a robbery at "Denni's Store". Owners Ezekiel Chi and Nori Chi reported that two masked Hispanic male persons entered the store, pointed a firearm at them and demanded money. The assailants searched the store and took off with all the money in the cash register, a number of cellphone credit cards and two necklaces and bracelets that were being worn by the Chis. Police quickly responded but were unable to make an arrest. Eyewitnesses stated that the robbers made a clean getaway on a boat that was docked in the nearby area. After further investigation it was noted that the culprits got away with $3,000BZ worth of cellphone credit cards, $2,500 cash, a one of a kind 14K gold bracelet encrusted with diamonds worth $16,000BZ, and two 14K gold necklaces of a total value of $3,000BZ. Tuff E Nuff- Back to Back IBL Champions Coach Rico Black promised it, and on Friday July 5th his team Tuff E Nuff became the 2013 IBL Champs! On Friday July 5th the Tuff E Nuff boys once again headed to Bird's Isle in Belize City to face off Oceana, intent on playing the last game of the National Interoffice Basketball League finals. From game one, the 2013 series seemed to be a smooth ride for team Tuff E Nuff. They were eager to defend their 2012 championship title, and ready for back to back wins. Tuff E Nuff team coach Rico Black, mentioned he did warn the team of the challenge they would face this season, as he did recruit a much younger team who would be facing league veterans. However the veterans seemed to pose no threat to the youngsters who took the season by storm. Tuff E Nuff played a total of 13 games, winning all 6 regular games, 4 playoffs and the final 3 that led to victory. Ambergris Today Team Happy Cow Takes 1st Place at Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge It was an impressive start of the Lagoon Reef Eco Challenge 2013 as 20 teams entered this year's race, now in its ninth year. The kick off was a little after 7a.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2013, and the final leg of the race ended at Central Park the next day Sunday, July 7, 2013. It was a senior, junior and female race this year and taking the top prize was Team Happy Cow for the senior division. A large crowd gathered at Central Park to cheer for all the paddlers who took part in the grueling two-day challenge of kayaking around the northern part of the island and back to town the following day. All teams started at a very fast pace and showed much strength and endurance. San Pedro Junior College Class of 2013 on High Honors Mayor Daniel Guerrero of San Pedro returned to his Alma Mater as Distinguished Patron for the graduating Class of 2013 of San Pedro Jr. College. This high honor for SPJC was also accentuated by 13 of the 18 graduates being in honor roll, the best record in its 12 years of graduations. This prestigious event took place on Saturday, July 6, at the R. Angel Nu�ez Auditorium. "After graduating ten years ago in Corozal Town, I have finally made another one of my dreams come true," remarked Miss. Heidy Maribel Monterroso, who offered the vote of thanks. She was referring to the fact that thanks to San Pedro Jr. College that offers this evening course, she was able to attend sixth form and earn an Associate's Degree. Dorian's Angels Spread Gold Cup Cheer in San Pedro A MASSIVE crowd of Belizeans, Belizean Friends, Belizean Relatives, Belizean Americans and Belizean Everything showed at Central Park in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye to the special viewing of Belize's National Football Team (Belize Jaguars) first match at the Gold Cup Tournament against the United States of America on Tuesday, July 9, 2013. With assistance from the Belize Tourism Board, who supplied Dorian's Angels with special 'Belize' noise-making vuvuselas, Sofie and Perlita were able to scour the island in search of happy and enthusiastic Belizean fans who came out to show their full support for the Belize Jaguars Team and hand them the party favors so that they could make MORE noise for Belize. Misc Belizean Sources New Border Management System The Ministry of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development, National Emergency Management and Immigration & Nationality Services, hereby informs the general public of the new Border Management System - Personal Identification and Registration System (BMS-PIRS), which is designed to encompass major migration control services. The system is a comprehensive software for capturing arrival and departure entries of travellers in the country of Belize. The Personal Identification and Registration System have been installed at all ports of entry and Immigration Offices countrywide. Throughout today and the remainder of this week all border entry points and Immigration Offices Countrywide will be testing the Personal Identification and Registration System, which will be officially launched and implemented on Friday, 12thJuly 2013. Belize: A Nation at Risk My favorite and most often used Chinese proverb reminds us simply that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Thirty years ago the Education Department of the United States of America published a report, "A Nation at Risk", to urge an overhaul of how/what their young people were taught in schools. Why? Data gathered over many years showed that young students in that country were "behind" where they should be in Education. The Report was a "wake-up call" for the country. As of today, educators in that country are still working to keep the spark alive of that school reform movement. It has been more than 30 years since Belize achieved its Independence. What has Belize (Education Department) done to make its schools its own - instead of keeping the exact system of Education used under Colonial Masters before 1981? Recently published scores of 2013 PSE proficiency examinations for Belize Primary school students show that more than 50% of the students are lagging way behind (failing) in English/ Reading and Math. Moreover, at this point in time Belize has such a high rate of unemployment, and so many of our people are poor, it's a given that a large part of our young people are NOT adept at using 21st Century technology. That is because only the wealthy (at least the working class) could possibly afford to purchase computers, and pay for expensive internet hook-ups! So, what are we Belizeans going to do after this dire warning (that literary wise our young people are so far behind where they should be) that has just exploded in our faces? Most Primary and Secondary school students in Belize are now on summer vacation. This is a good time for Belizean Education policymakers (government and church), school administrators, teachers and parents throughout the entire country, to join together and take those first few steps on the long, difficult, and "necessary" journey to reinvent, reform, and strengthen schools in Belize. Feed The Children Fashion Show Promo Shoot The Feed the Children Fashion Show is Saturday night at the Octavia Waight auditorium. They've released more pictures from the promo shoot, courtesy of JCariddi Photography. "All proceeds from this show will go towards a feeding program, catering to 98 primary school children and 12 seniors. Tickets can be bought at the cornerstone office on 43 Church Street Or At Hyde's Meat Shop In the San Ignacio Market Square! $20 VIP, $10 general. The fashion show will be held on July 13, 2013 at the Octavia Waight Auditorium (Center) in San Ignacio, Cayo. Call 824 -2373 or 627-6467 for more information! Feel free to like and share the link!" BIFF Starts Today The Belize International Film Festival starts today. On Saturday, July 13th, they'll be showing The Candidate and Her at Midas Resort as part of the BIFF. They'll have an all white party afterwards. "It's here! It's here! BIFF 2013 - FILM SCHEDULE!! Email [email protected] to reserve your tickets!!" Ian Gaynair's Header Score Here's the video of Ian Gaynair scoring via a header from Elroy Smith's free kick. Great hit, Ian! The Jaguars will play Costa Rica next Tuesday. "Belize scores against the USA in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup." Seniorita Flor de la Feria Final Show You can still vote for Seniorita Flor de la Feria. There are 1000's of pictures on their page and D Russell Photography's page. The crowning is tonight at the Benque Fiesta. "Our last post before we GO BUSY and make our final preparations to select our new queen. remember that tonight at mid night is the night we select our new miss photogenic winner! also, you the audience, will vote for MISS POPULARITY once you enter our gates at the pageant tomorrow, VOTINGS FOR THIS TITLE WILL CLOSE AT 9PM. we have everything almost ready for a great night and a great show! we are really excited! may the best win, and i clarify, 11 judges will select our new queen, so dont think that the committee has made prior selections! Benque Fiesta Starts Today The Benque Fiesta starts today! After the inauguration and some celebratory fireworks, the Seniorita Flor de la Feria will be crowned. On Friday, they'll have a dance. Saturday and Sunday, they'll have the Super Feria band playing after the daily festivities. Sunday is their Band Fest. Have fun! Inside the Jeld Wen Stadium with the Belize Jaguars These are snapshots taken inside the Jeld Wen Stadium in Portland, Oregon as the Jaguars of Belize took on the USA national team. It marked Belize's debut in the Gold Cup. Belize's healthcare policy is it adequately meeting and addressing the needs of the under serve? by Hubert Pipersburgh Access to effective medical technologies, such as vaccines and HIV treatment, has dramatically lowered child mortality across the globe and afforded millions the opportunity to lead productive lives. Yet, the recent deaths of a dozen or more newborn babies in the neonatal intensive care unit in the first 21 days of the month of May at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) appears to be a tipping point in Belize's public consciousness. Belizeans have been asking themselves some tough questions: why does this happen so often and so much more in Belize than in other countries? Additionally, the national attention over these babies' deaths are shedding more light on how unsafe infants and the general public actually are in KHMH. It is apparent that the country of Belize has a broken healthcare system, with little to no public surveillance and limited accountability. Perhaps more damning, is that most of all, this type of neglect happens simply because it is allowed to happen. There is a culture of impunity. It is also a focusing event and indicator that KHMH handling of its patients is a problem and not just a condition. As such it is now front and center and a legitimate public policy issue that demands a comprehensive rational approach. Old Sea Hunt shows Alright, any divers that have ever hunted lionfish, you have to watch this!!! Its a lot like watching a cartoon:)) Ok, so how as a child was I expected to watch this show and not dream about one day becoming a diver....? Love the fight scenes with the tanks still on and the major overacting:) Gotta love SEAHUNT!! Laguna Seca Ferry Closing The Ministry of Works has announced that the Laguna Seca Ferry (that's the second one as you travel from Corozal Town to Sarteneja) will be closed for about two weeks beginning at 7am on Monday, 15 July, 2013. The purpose of the closing is to repair the deck, which is clearly in need. The larger Pueblo Nuevo Ferry (between Corozal Town and Progresso) will need the same kind of work, but those repairs are at least two months away, according to Mr. Maurice Rogers, District Technical Supervisor, Ministry of Works. Channel 7 Jaguars Explain The Tough Debut In the Gold Cup Last night, every Belizean eye was glued to the television watching the game and tonight, Belizean hearts are on the mend after our national football selection was crushed by the US team, 6-1. Looking at the circumstances objectively, it was an outcome that should have been expected, but, when it's 11 versus 11 on the field, and Belize was on the biggest stage ever, all the nation could have done was wish for a world-shocking miracle. It didn't happen and tonight, the Belize Jaguars are in flight - headed for Salt Lake City Utah where they will play Costa Rica on Saturday. Jules Vasquez is in Portland and he spoke to the head coach before they left the Marriott Hotel in downtown Portland. Ian Mork - Belize Team Head Coach "It's a little bit hard to read at this moment, I think the team will come back and we'll play better in the next match but you know I also thought that we were more mentally prepared for the game but as it turned out - quite a few players weren't themselves and they weren't sharp with the ball, they weren't sharp defensively and it really made a difference in the game. I think it really comes down to their mental preparation and their confidence on the field. Right now we just have to regroup - the team is still together and I think we have to have a different game against Costa Rica." Belize's Jaguars: Then And Now Tonight, Belize's Jaguars and football fans around the country are trying to recover from that very serious beating the team took last night from the US. Belize took 6 goals, and for a team which is praised internationally for its world-class defense, many fans have criticized that they didn't see it in action against those football superstars. But, while reviewing the game, our Daniel Ortiz picked up on a few key differences in defending which the team exhibited last night, which was in stark contrast to the very same team which played in Costa Rica in January. He pieced together this report with the help of our archives department, and here's what he discovered: Daniel Ortiz reporting Before we took a closer look at last night's performance, we went back into our archives to find a snapshot of how the team looked in the game against Nicaragua in the Copa-Centroamericana. Everyone moved in unison, and the defenders were always a few steps ahead of the strikers from that team. But in the game last night against USA, the defenders were not as fluid in transition, and they gave up a goal in the first 12 minutes of the game. Former Assistant Coach: Nat'l Team Had Strategy Changes So, which such a big difference in performance, it leaves quite a few important questions unanswered. What happened to this world-class football team? Was it all nerves? Was it because the US is a football heavy weight, or were there other factors? Today, we got a chance to speak with former Assistant Coach Charlie Slusher, who was instrumental in the team's preparation for these games. He has a very unique insight into what happened because firstly, he has been working with the team from since the beginning of this year, and secondly, because he is a former football player who has been on the national team. Recognizing that he may have a vested interest due to the nature of his departure from the team, he told that he saw coaching decisions at work which affected the players' ability to perform. Charlie Slusher - Former Assistant Coach, Belize National Team "It really pained my heart to see what the team had become to where we were. I don't want to use the word 'it was expected' in a sense that whenever you had something that was working for you and you dismantled it totally and you have one month to try to put it together. I'm talking about playing a new system of defence, trying to get the guys to adapt to something new and you only had one month. Those are some of the things that I tried to highlight to the coach - I tried to let him know that this was working for us. Like a simple example was that we played five games in Costa Rica and not even a head boss scored on us. So even that like when it comes to the corner kick, the way we defend there, he changed that. As much as I tried to explain to him - come on if one thing we had was an organized defensive tactics that all the coaches that are presently in the gold cup praise. One thing they praise about the Belize team is the way we defended as a group and as a unit and obviously people that was very missing last night. Everybody was just running around without any sense of purpose or direction. For me that pain my heart the most, for all these years we finally reached a stage where we are playing organized football at least at the defensive stand point and you dismantle it. So you know it really is hurtful to see what happened to the team and there's no way I can blame the players because I know in camp they were confused with the new system; they were never comfortable. It's like they were put in a position to fail even before the game." Contracts Signed Hours Before The Game And one of the distractions that Slusher fought hard to have the team avoid was the worry about their contracts. This was a thorny issue because the team was promised certain monies earlier on in the year, which the Football Federation of Belize said that they couldn't deliver. The team was working hard to negotiate with the FFB, but the President said that he couldn't sign any contract with the team because he didn't want to promise them anything he couldn't deliver on. As a result, the finalized contracts were not handed out until Sunday afternoon, and they weren't signed until a few hours before the game yesterday, by Sergio Chuc, the head of delegation and the FFB Senior Vice-President. Jules spoke with the FFB Executive Member Marlon Kuylen, who told him that this issue was resolved comfortably for both sides. Marlon Kuylen - FFB Executive Member "The contract was given to them two days ago - we called up the team captain to the room where we were drafting the contract, we made him go through the whole thing and he was satisfied that it was what we promised them. The following morning, which was Sunday morning we gave the contracts to all the players and we told them to take it to their rooms and to go over it, sign it and bring it back to us. But they just brought it to us today to sign." Hon. Longsworth Hopeful For The Jaguars And one Belizean who made sure to travel to Portland for the game was Minister of State with responsibility for Sports Herman Longsworth. He attended as a private civilian, but as with all ministers, he is no ordinary citizen. He told us about his reaction after seeing Belize's performance against the US. Here's how he described it. Hon. Herman Longsworth - Minister of State/Sports "I think we did as well as could have been expected; I believe that we still have a long way to go in football in Belize, but we've made the first step and I was very happy with the outcome of the game and I expect to see a better game on Saturday, I really expect to see a better game on Saturday." Daniel Ortiz "As well I am very sure that as a Belizean you felt a little bit down when you saw them loading us up like that!" Hon. Herman Longsworth "You bet I was, because you got emotional and you got into the game but when you sat down after the game and you thought about it, you couldn't have expected anything better, really. I believe that the team felt very strongly that they were representing Belize as Belize was behind them. I certainly told them, you know, on certain terms that whatever the outcome was for that game - that we were extremely excited that they had already gotten to that stage and that, that alone for us was a win. I believe the guys are upbeat, they lost the game; I saw them after the game last night and they are already looking towards the next game; I am looking forward to an excellent game on Saturday from Belize." Nat'l Team Chairman Still Detained And one member of the delegation who is still in the US, but not for the reason he went there, is National Team Chairman Rawel Pelayo. Our newsroom has confirmed with reliable sources that Pelayo was detained in Houston after he was processed by immigration. According to our sources, the US authorities have him held at a detention center after he was escorted by officers of the USA's Drug Enforcement Agency. Sources tell us that he will remain in that detention center until tomorrow, where his family hopes that he will be release and sent back to Belize. We've also been informed that when he applied for his visa, the US Embassy held on to his passport for a longer than normal period, and he had to sign a waiver in which he agreed that even though he got an authentic US VISA, it didn't ensure that he would be allowed to enter freely. We'll keep following the story as it develops. BATSUB Donates More Vehicles Since the BATSUB operation of the British Forces in Belize downsized, the Belize Defence Force has had difficulty to mobilize troops to the border. They've received numerous donations of vehicles to assist with the vital helicopter support they lost, but BDF still has issues mobilizing. Well the British Forces have come through once again, and they've donated 17 vehicles to assist. They held small ceremony to note its importance, and 7News attended. Here's what the BDF Commander told us about this major assistance. Brig General David Jones - Commander, BDF "This donation came about from an initial meeting I had with the British government, there was a member for the Ministry of Defense who came to visit Belize and after I took over in February, I had a meeting with him shortly after and I told him that one of the critical lack of capacity that the BDF has is lack of troop lifting vehicles. I noted that BATSUB had a number of these four ton trucks here; they have scaled down, and they're not being used and we are in desperate need of these and apart from this - I've added for other critical things but this was one of the main things I needed. Patrick Andrews; Now a PUP Standard Bearer Jason Patrick Andrews, he's known well, as the co-host on Plus TV's Rise and Shine, but tonight, the nation gets to know him as the new standard bearer for the People's United Party for the Belmopan. He announced his candidacy today, and he got the blessing of the party as well. He sent out a release saying, quote, "As a member of the Peoples United Party and a resident of the City of Belmopan, I, Patrick Jason Andrews, hereby officially announce my candidacy for Standard Bearer, Peoples United Party (PUP)�" End quote. It is important to note that Andrews is currently facing a libel suit as a party along with his co-host, and co-owner of Plus TV, Louis Wade. And interestingly, the man who's pressing this lawsuit is his opponent from the UDP, the current Belmopan Area Representative, and the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar. Ariel Rosado Foundation Provides More Scholarships Viewers may know very well about the Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation. It was launched in memory of Ariel Rosado, the talented young cyclist whose life was tragically ended by a traffic accident in March 2011. Well, the Foundation launched their new scholarship program last year, which assists students from primary school, all the way up to the University Level. Today, they held a ceremony to note the second batch of scholarship awardees, and we got a chance to meet them. Here's what Rosado's father, who is also the president of the board of directors at the foundation told us about these new awardees: Dr. Alvaro Rosado - President, Board of Dir., Ariel Rosado Foundation "The foundation was found eighteen months ago, a year and a half ago and the first year we gave out nine high school scholarships, one university scholarship, and five scholarships for sailors fom primary schools. This year, the second award ceremony, we have increased the awards to twenty six. We are giving ten primary school sailors. We are extending St. Lukes and we are adding St. Johns Primary School to learn to sail with the Belize Sailing Association. We have renewed all the nine high school scholarships that we gave last year and we've added four more; we are renewing one university scholarship that we gave last year and we are adding two new ones. One of the new features is that one of the scholarships, university, is an athletic scholarship and this is to try to encourage people to follow in Ariel's footsteps. The awardee for this year is very apt because he is Quiroz, he is the is the last cross country champion and now the national junior cycling road champion for Belize so he has been awarded a scholarship based on his cycling abilities and the fact that he has been accepted into the university." Galen University Contracts It's Basketball Athletes Another group of students who received scholarships are the basketball athletes currently on the Galen Eagles Basketball team. The Galen University held a public contract signing for those new scholarships, and invited the media to the event. With footage provided by our colleagues at Plus TV, we'll show you what the coach of the told us today about the importance of the event: Steven Williams - Coach, Galen Eagles Basketball Team "Yesterday we actually completed our program - when I started a year and a half ago we had 6 or 7 guys on scholarship. Yesterday we completed that process by giving scholarships to 15 set of young men and 6 players returning and we had 7 signed contracts yesterday. Sometimes if you know when it's not to follow order in a certain way sometimes you have little loose ends - with a contract it's easier for them to abide by rules and regulations coming into the University." Daniel Ortiz "Tell us about these contracts - what are the stipulations? Give us an idea of what the obligations of the student/athletes are and what obligation of the university are?" Jaguars Get Major Sponsorship Perks We've been embedded with the national football team all this week in Portland Oregon. It was smooth sailing until last night's tough loss to the USA. One of the highlites for the team members was a trip to the Nike Campus. Nike, the sports apparel company is based on Portland Oregon and the team is sponsored by Nike as well. So they got a special hook-up to go to a very special store, the only one of its kinds in the USA probably, the Nike employees Store. Jules Vasquez tagged along - and here's how it went. Jules Vasquez reporting from Portland A trip to the Nike store meant a walk from the team's downtown hotel to the MAX Rail train stop - which is just two blocks away. The team took over the sidewalk and seemed to enjoy the group outing. And when they had to wait a few minutes for the train, they used the opportunity at the picturesque Pioneer Square South for some photo taking, profiling, and interviews with foreign media. BDF's Summer Camp Reactivated Here's what the BDF Commander told us about the activities that the participants enjoy: Brig. General David Jones - Commander, BDF "We're hosting a summer camp - it's done annually, unfortunately we didn't do it last year but this we're doing it. We have programs such as small boat handling, arts and craft, we've added bird watching this time, and we have a football camp and introduction to computer. It's all for kids between the ages of 10 to 16. It started Monday and it's going to run for two weeks, we'll have a break in between and then it will start in late in July and end in August. So it's two separate two week program for kids age 10-16." Channel 5 Rise and Shine, birth of new politician to take on Belmopan As the co-host of the popular and often controversial Rise & Shine morning show on Plus TV, Patrick Jason Andrews has gotten his fair share of public attention. Today, via [...] UK donates 17 Bedford Four-Tonners to the BDF The United Kingdom via the British High Commission donated seventeen Bedford Four-Tonner trucks to the Belize Defense Force. It's a welcomed gift since ten of the twenty trucks currently used [...] British High Commisioner retiring but BATSUB reemerging Patrick Ashworth, better known as Pat, has been a public officer in the United Kingdom from 1971 when he started as the F.C.O. in the Finance Department. And after a [...] Minors burglarize Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day In broad daylight on Monday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located on Cemetery Road was burglarized.� The culprits have been identified as two minors and twenty-two [...] Guatemalan national and 17 pounds of weed in San Ignacio A Guatemalan national is in big trouble with local authorities after he was busted in the west on Tuesday with over seventeen pounds of weed. Just after ten a.m., San [...] Openly gay and says he's here to stay There is some confusion right now surrounding the pro-constitution rallies and anti-gender policy protests being held across the country. The evangelical associations and other affiliated organizations are moving ahead full [...] Ariel Rosado Memorial Foundation issues more scholarships The recently established Ariel Rosado Foundation stepped up to the plate in a big way this morning. The foundation has managed to provide fifteen new scholarships to deserving students while [...] Superstar performances at the Bliss! For the past two weeks, Belize's biggest and brightest stars have sang, danced and performed their way into the hearts of Belizeans everywhere. Tonight, the best from Group A return [...] LOVE FM Grace Primary School Student Donates to the Zoo Back in March the United States Embassy launched a competition for primary schools across Belize. Students were to find the best suitable name for one of Pat the Cat's jaguar cub. Pat the Cat was a problem jaguar that was taken to the Milwaukee Country Zoo to breath. One of his cubs w... Belize Completes First of Three Games In Gold Cup 2013 The most anticipated football game by Belizeans, that of the Jaguars Versus the United States of America is now over and done. And although hopes and optimism were high Belize was not victorious, however there are two more matches to go, and supporters continue to show pride in the players.... Two Youths Injured In Separate Shooting Incidents Two men were injured in separate shooting incidents in Belize City on Tuesday. Police say just after five o'clock yesterday evening they went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw 18-year-old Barry Johnson suffering from a gunshot wound to the left knee. Initial investi... Burglars Target Church in Belize City Police have charged three persons, including two minors for a burglary at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Cemetery Road in Belize City. On Monday morning the President of the Church reported that the church had been burglarized. Thieves had pried open the burglar ba... Duo Found in Stolen Vehicle Police have recovered a vehicle that was reported stolen. Police say the vehicle which was stolen in Corozal was recovered in Orange Walk Town. Police say the vehicle was in the possession of 26-year-old Edwin Caliz Bardalez of Belize City and 36-year-old Robert Hill of Corozal who wa... Galen Puts on Basketball Entertainment for Football Support While Galen University has played an integral role in sponsoring scholarships for the Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation, the tertiary-level institution has not confined its humanitarian energies to academics. On Friday the university's basketball team will conduct a fundraisi... Valley of Peace Family Gets New Home The total value of the donations amounts to three hundred thousand Belize dollars. A family of the Cayo District is happy to have received a home today. Correspondent Fem Cruz travelled to Valley of Peace where the house was handed over. He tells us more. FEM CRUZ "T... Local Morning Show Enters Political Arena Co-host of the Plus TV's Rise and Shine Morning Show, Patrick Andrews, announced today that he is now a member of the Peoples United Party. Andrews who is a resident of Belmopan, says that he is now a candidate to become the PUP's Standard Bearer in the Belmopan Constituency.&nb... Ariel Rosado Foundation Awards Scholarships to the Needy Marion Ali, Reporting 26 students from across the country today received scholarships from the Ariel Rosado Memorial Education Foundation. The two year-old Foundation has expanded over the course of its existence from offering 15 scholarships in 2012 and has included a number of new cat... Blogs My first time trial and cheap eating around town Food first of course Who doesn't love cheap pork tacos and fresh fruit for dessert? That was our super tasty budget friendly meal twice this week. The first time we got tacos on our errand run and decided to head down the road for for apple bananas. The girl told us her shipment was due the next day and we chose mango on a stick instead. I opted to wait till we got in closer range of a kitchen sink to eat mine. Dick chose to dive right in and settle with the old water bottle hand wash trick. Another good place for cheap grab and go food is The Baker south of town, they make good sandwiches on white or whole wheat in the $5 - $8 range. My ham sandwich was good I also got a coconut granola square but I have not tried it yet. GingerScoop Reports: Sunset Cruising to A Bird Sanctuary Ambergris Caye, the largest of Belize's cayes, is surrounded by many MANY more islands. In fact, there are hundreds of them�most uninhabited. I'm starting to sound like a guide book so let's get to it. I've been sitting on Krista's (aka GingerScoop aka the co-owners of Crazy Canuck's Bar just south of San Pedro town) post for a few months now�the whole time that I was in Rhode Island. Here is her super cool trip with Imagine Tours to a bird sanctuary not far from San Pedro. Sunset cruises are fantastic in San Pedro. Sailing�.booze�..good people�.beautiful scenery. World Famous Artist, Michael De Feo, Leaves His Mark on San Pedro, Belize I've only been back on the island for about a week but one of the first things that struck me while walking around San Pedro is this flower. It seems to be painted, stuck or printed all over town. Here it is on the cemetery wall� Sign from aliens? Definitely not the usual San Pedro graffiti. I mentioned it to a few people and heard the same story. Some new church had posted and painted this around church. Church? That does graffiti? Hmmm� I put a picture on my SanPedroScoop facebook page�along with the uber-creepy dolls that some kids (or possibly an evil demon) had drawn beneath it and found another answer. This artwork is famous�I mean super famous. It appears all over the world. In London� I am, Eco Kid I want to be an eco-kid because I care for my environment and caring for the present means protecting our future. As an eco-kid, I will protect my environment so that a change in the way we live may start to take place. Belize is full of nature; it is like a little paradise in the heart of Central America. At nights when I go outside my house, I enjoy feeling the cool breeze given by the many trees as they dance and wave under the moonlight. It is a wonderful experience living in a natural, peaceful environment. It causes me great disappointment when I see that people are cutting down trees and destroying our animal's habitats. As a result of this, many species are becoming extinct. Moreover, people fail to realize that trees help to reduce the greenhouse effect because they capture carbon dioxide that causes damage to the atmosphere. Trees are also important since they provide oxygen that is needed for life. Last but not least, many plants are used as medicine to cure illnesses. Entrepreneurs Training Workshop 2 pictures of the workshop "Innocent Man" in Ambergris Caye, Belize. When Rose and I were at our build in Ambergris Caye, Belize the day the guys installed the first of the sliding windows (doors) I was quite taken by the motto on the back of the 'T' shirt that young Appolito was wearing. A few words that encapsulate the opinion that we have formed about the guys that Daniel Camal, our building contractor, has had working on our house. If you can't see the motto clearly it is " Excellence is not a skill, it's an attitude" Well the guys that we have had working on our build undoubtedly have attitude. And the right attitude at that. Didn't really do too much at all yesterday morning/early afternoon because it was a grey day with intermittent rainy periods. Just one of those days that you accept that you will get during the rainy season. We need the rain anyway to fill the 45,000 gallon water tank that we have under the house that we are building (or, to be more precise, having built). The Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl - The Diurnal Hunter Today's Belize Photo of the day is the Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl which is scientifically known as the Glaucidium Brasilianum. International Sources Scott D. LONGEVIN M.D. passes away Dr Scott Longevin from Cincinnati Ohio a doctor that used to visit Belize to do charity work, has passed away. Here is a link to read what really happened. He has done blessed work with my mother in law;s son in Corozal, who he was one of theirs. A great man that has done works in Belize is gone. An Angel has visited Belize with all due respect and we need more people like him. Thanks and please please from my wife's family I ask of thee for this request the "NOVELO'S FAMILY". That doctor has saved a kid's arm. Vintage Photos: Exploring the Yucat�n A series of old photos of the Yucatan.... CCJ rules in favour of BCB in USD22.5m loan dispute The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has ruled that the British Caribbean Bank (BCB), formerly the Belize Bank of the Turks and Caicos Islands, can commence foreign arbitration proceedings against the government of Belize in its dispute over USD22.5 million loan owed to BCB by Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), even though the matter is still under litigation in Belizean courts, local news vendor Amandala reports. According to the article, the foreign arbitration proceedings are reportedly to be held in the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). According to TeleGeography's GlobalComms Database, in December 2009 BCB was seeking to close down BTL on the basis that it neglected to pay back the debt of USD22.5 million plus charges it had inherited via the state takeover. BTL responded by saying that it considers the loan taken out in 2007 by the previous board of directors under private ownership (of companies associated with British businessman and politician Lord Michael Ashcroft) to be unlawful and void, claiming that the loan was 'illegally' used to buy up BTL shares and redistribute them to companies controlled by Ashcroft. Gold Cup marred by match-fixing attempt: report Belizian players claim fixer tried to pay them to throw match. Match-fixing has reared its ugly head once again at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, according to a report. Players on the Belizian national soccer team have come forward and told a television outlet that they had been approached to fix Tuesday's match against the United States at Jeld-Wen Field in Portland, Ore. Andres Makin Jr., Ian Gaynair and Woodrow West said they were approached by an unidentified man, who offered them large sums of money in exchange for losing to the heavily favoured Americans. Despite losing 6-1, the four national team selections claimed to rebuff the attempt to manipulate the outcome. An American Dream We return to America in five days after two weeks in a country where you can't flush toilet paper, and no one is rich, but everyone smiles and the trees sing songs to you and drop food at your feet. I don't know if things will ever be the same. Calgary to Belize \| $491 roundtrip after taxes \| August to mid December United Airlines is currently undergoing an unadvertised fare drop on their flights from Calgary to Belize City (BZE). Prices look to have dropped in the months of August, September, October, November, and up to mid-December. Often, the problem with getting to Belize from Calgary is finding flights with a decent connection each way. The fastest way to get there and back is typically on United, with a 1-2 hour layover in Houston each way. To find these flights with decent connections each way, it looks like you will want to focus on flights departing Calgary on Tuesdays, and returning on a Thursday. Louisiana Air Guardsmen help build schools in Belize - KALB-TV News Channel 5 & CBS 2 BELLE CHASSE, La. (KALB News Channel 5) National Guard provides learning facilities for 500 students in Belize, receives valuable training. (Louisiana Air Guardsmen help build schools in Belize: BELLE CHASSE, La. Spreading the word - getting young people out sailing in Belize I have recently returned from a holiday in Belize where I became a full member of the Belize Sailing Association (BzSA). The World's 21 Best Cities for Retirement - Ambergris Caye and Cayo in Belize included Check out these affordable, welcoming and safe retirement options.