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, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Forward Operating Base at Sarstoon coming along
On December 19, 2016 the controversial ground breaking of the joint Belize Defense Force (BDF) and Belize Coast Guard (BCG) Forward Operating Base (FOB) was held at an area of land on the northern bank of the of the Sarstoon River in southern Belize. Two months later work has progressed and the building is starting to take shape. On Wednesday, February 10th the Minister of National Security, Honorable John Saldivar visited the construction site, applauding the rapid pace of construction. The FOB has been long needed in the area for law enforcement presence, as the area is known for illegal activities. On his visit to the construction site, Saldivar was accompanied by senior members of the BDF, the Belize Police Department and Ministry of National Security officials, along with Honorable Frank Mena. The FOB at the mouth of the Sarstoon River is one of several initiatives being undertaken by the Government of Belize to safeguard and protect Belize's sovereignty. "The Forward Operating Base, though modest in its beginnings, will establish a much needed presence and will serve to combat illicit activities such as drug, contraband and human trafficking, and weapons trading, which threaten Belize's national security," indicated Saldivar.

Caye Caulker hosts first Lionfish Derby
The first ever Lionfish Derby in Caye Caulker took place on Saturday, February 13th and was organized and founded by the Barrier Reef Sports Bar and Grill along with Oceana Wave Maker volunteer Lynne Harris. The event was organized to continue the fight in ridding Belizean waters of the invasive lionfish. Nine teams registered for the event and headed out to the sea to capture as many fish as possible, then bring them ashore for cooking. There were four main categories which included the Most Lionfish (Scuba Diving), Most Lionfish (Free Dive), Largest Lionfish and Smallest Lionfish. There was even recognition for the youngest team taking part in the tournament. At the end of the tournament, after all the catches had been weighed, the respective winners were announced. The Most Lionfish caught through scuba diving was via Team Sagebrush from San Pedro Town with 78 lionfish caught. Team members were Brad Blanchat, Kyle Thomas, Eddie Ancona, Bill McDonald, Andre Paz, and Justin from Amigos del Mar. They walked away with $500, a case of beer and a bottle of rum. Capturing the prize for the Most Lionfish in free diving, as well as the Smallest Lionfish, was Caye Caulker fisherman Miguel Moreno. He won $600 dollars along with a case of beer and a bottle of rum. The prize for the Largest Lionfish, measuring an impressive 15" went to Stephanie and Henry Lopez from Contour Tours, who took the prize of $100, a case of beer and a bottle of rum. At the end of the award ceremony, the youngest team, Spearheads, was recognized. Even though they did not make it in any of the four main categories, they did well as the youngest group in the competition. They walked away with a $75 certificate courtesy of the Barrier Reef Sports

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Takes Steps to Remain Zika Free
San Pedro Town Council and Ministry Of Health Unite For A Zika Free San Pedro - With the recent Zika situation in the region, The San Pedro Town Council in conjunction with the Ministry of Health has embarked on a proactive approach to ensure that our island, as well as the entire country of Belize, remains Zika free. This plan of action is in accordance with the national plan of action that the Ministry of Health has embarked on. The San Pedro Town Council and the Ministry of Health are therefore encouraging all islanders to do their part to prevent all forms of mosquito-borne diseases and keep our environment and island clean.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

A love letter to the Caribbean Sea
Dear Caribbean Sea, Some of our earliest memories are of you, our beautiful Caribbean Sea. Carefree days; warm sand; beauty and abundance as far as the eye could see. Every year, we take a knee, hoping we are not forced to witness the power of your waters in storms and hurricanes. And every day, we give thanks to you for the air we breathe, the water we drink, the coasts you protect, the jobs you provide, the food you put on our tables. We dare not imagine a world without you�a world without our reef, without fish, without all the treasures that make us who we are: proud Belizeans. No matter where we live, we recognize the role you play in our personal health and in the global reality. Belize is small but we're strong. And we know just how important you are to us-all the ways we are interconnected and dependent on how you're feeling. We see you hurting. We hear your cries for help. We know that if each country works diligently to save the ocean, we can help you help yourself. We promise to act, to reimagine how we use and protect our resources to ensure we are doing what we can to minimize climate change, ensure food and job security and a better quality of life for all. You may have seen us on the coasts and cayes, picking up the garbage that's choking you. You may have heard our voices, calling for sustainable development projects. You have felt our hands as they stretch across the sand to protect you from offshore oil. It's not enough but we promise to do more. We promise to speak up even more boldly and loudly and to get even more people involved. We know that if we all come together and use our hearts, hands and voices, our small ripples will create big waves of change. We promise to do more than just say we love you; we promise to act like it. Love always, the people of Belize.

Luna Loca's 3rd Anniversary Weekend Celebration & Full Moon Party
February 18 - February 23. Luna Loca: on the beach, San Pedro, Belize. Calling all LUNAtics! Join us in celebrating our 3rd anniversary with a long weekend full of exciting entertainment and fun! Drink specials every day As alway's....walk in and get a free Shot. 2 for 1 Belizean rum 2 for 1 LocaRitas 2 for 1 Green Fairy Thursday 18 February 7p-12a Karaoke with Julian Melodyman Escobar Free shots for all singers, Bring your losing Chicken Drop ticket for a surprise at the bar Friday 19 February 7p-12a Video DJing by DJ Tracks Name dat tune.... Free 2 Be Saturday 20 February 7p-12a DJ GrACiErOcK Droppin dat BASS from di underground... Silly games and prizes Limbo, Musical Chairs, Punta Hoop, and The Big Suck-Off Sunday 21 February 2p-6p LUNAtic Asylum Wine Down With live music by PG Vibes 2 for 1 Bloody Marys/Marias, Micheladas, Mimosas and Bellinis

Sunsets from last night and tonight, Iguana Reef and Belize Diving Services, Caye Caulker, Belize

Ocean Ferry Belize Limited says STOP THE CLOCK!
We are trying something new on 17 February 2016! 11:30 a.m. departure from San Pedro, and 12:00 noon departure from Caye Caulker wink emoticon Come experience this and maybe even win something (hehe) - and who knows....maybe we make it a permanent thing??

Business Outsourcing Provider's Summit Belize!
Government officials from Belize and private sector representatives will meet in February to discuss a new Commonwealth strategy to improve the country's business services sector. The meeting, which will take place on 17 February in Belize City, will be an opportunity to examine the benefits of increasing the country's business services and identify priorities for policy and institutional reform. The strategy was developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (Beltraide). Businesses services cover a wide range of activities including accounting, data processing, IT-related services and telecommunications. Governments and businesses around the world outsource a proportion of these services to make efficiency gains or as part of a wider corporate strategy.

Current Market Surveillance Activities by the Belize Bureau of Standards
Government of Belize Press Office

FREE SPAYS AND NEUTERS Feb 22-26 at SAGA
World Spay Day is next Tuesday Dr. Baptist will be returning to Saga to help celebrate this worldwide event to control pet population...please call Miss Ingrid at 226-3266 to schedule your cat or dog (or rabbit) today... FREE SPAYS AND NEUTERS next week...never a better time to care for your pet and help the animals of San Pedro...

Ixcacao chocolate now in stock on Caye Caulker
Half size (2 OZ) bars in a variety of flavors $5.50 each. Full sized (4 OZ) bars in dark, milk and unsweetened baking chocolate $11. Flavors available in small bars: dark, dark with ginger, spicy dark, dark with cinnamon and milk chocolate. Message me for orders.

Garden & Flower Show in Belize City
If you are in Belize City this weekend folks, lookout for their Garden & Flower Show!

They say "Dis Da Fu Wi Chikin"
Quality Food Products which recently opened its doors announces its COROZAL GRAND OFFICIAL OPENING this Saturday February 20th, 2016. 10% off all grocery items. Whole chicken at discounted price. FREE FOOD & DRINKS (All Day Long). Every hour there will be a raffle - 5 Bicycles, 5 Micro ovens and the GRAND PRIZE of 1 Stove - See you at our location #2 Third Street South, Corozal Town (Same building where Smart is).

A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited
For the post of Lead Mechanic in the Transport Section.

Power interruptions 5:00am to 6:20am & 5:40pm to 6:00pm, Sunday February 21, Cayo and Belize Districts
Entire City of Belmopan, and area from Mile 31 to Mile 50 on the George Price Highway including La Democracia, Franks Eddy, Saint Matthews, Cotton Tree, Roaring Creek, Valley of Peace, Camalote, Teakettle, Arizona, Ontario, Buena Vista, Blackman Eddy, Unitedville and all that area from Belmopan to Armenia Village on the Hummingbird Highway. BEL to conduct climbing inspections of the transmission system & maintenance of equipment at La Democracia Substation.

Health Fair at Lion's Den today!
Want to know how healthy you are? Find out at the Health Fair today (Thursday) from 9am-4pm at the Lions Den!

BELIZE EXHIBIT 35 RECEPTION -Washington DC
A DAY TO REMEMBER FOR BELIZEAN EXHIBIT too many times history is forgottten this time we will share the moment of that day with our friends away from home. We thank Dr. Jean Alexandre, former VP United Nations General Assembly, H.E. Nestor Mendez Asst. Secretary General OAS. and H.E. Pat Andrews Belize Ambassador to the U.S. and OAS.

"As We Remember"
NELSON ERNEST FULLER R.I.P. (no more suffering) The Babylon Warriors and fans gonna miss you.

Cayeboard Connection sold
Congratulations to Albert and Chantel on their new journey, as well as to Ellen and Sofia on THEIR new journey. Cayeboard Connection's success has allowed me to provide jobs to 3 Belizean families and to support my own family. Cayeboard has paid for both of my daughters' schooling, a paralegal certificate, a bachelor degree and a high school diploma. With competent staff, and the support of my family, I was able to work outside of the shop and to provide countless hours of volunteer services to both the primary and high school computer labs; building the primary school lab from scratch and assisting in setting up the lab in the high school. I am grateful to all of my staff over the years whose hard work and dedication have been a huge contribution to Cayeboard's success. It has been a pleasure knowing and working with all of them. I am especially thankful to Paulina, Albert and Victoria for the awesome job they have done during my absence this past year. And last but not least, I give thanks to the people of Caye Caulker who have chosen to use Cayeboard for their computing and printing needs. I have tried my best to give back to the community whenever possible.

Cristo Rey Bird Garden
The Cristo Rey Primary School is getting a Bird Garden. The Belize Raptor Center, which will visit the school over 20 times for the project (pictures here) has teamed up with Full Basket Belize to make the bird garden happen. Thanks to both wonderful organizations! "The first of 20+ visits to Cristo Rey school. Cristo Rey is one of two schools that will receive Full Basket Belize grant money for a school bird garden this year. We are thrilled to be able to provide the children and community with a year worth of activities and a garden built with their own hands to be proud of for years to come."

Western Ballaz Host Bandits
The Western Ballaz are hosting the Belmopan Bandits this Friday. Go Ballaz! "Rivalry Match!!! You guys ready?? It's happening this Friday at SHC's Auditorium. Let's go Ballaz!!!!"

Chiquibul Forest Advisory Council launched
Thanks to the Forest Department, the Chiquibul Forest Advisory Council was launched today. This endeavor seeks to join efforts for the consolidation of the Chiquibul Forest and define strategies and framework for medium and long term goals.

Channel 7

CARICOM Meeting Wraps On Placencia, We Resolve To ...
At this hour, the Heads of Government from the 15 member States of CARICOM are finishing up their third day of the 27th Inter-Sessional Meeting, which was held on the Placencia Peninsula. Since Monday, we've been bringing you coverage of meeting as it progressed, and after all the discussions, the meeting closed by charting the way forward for a number of pressing issues facing the Caribbean Community as a collective. At an afternoon press conference, Prime Minister Barrow, who is the Interim Chair of CARICOM, sat down with the media along with Secretary General Irwin LaRocque. They walked the Caribbean press through the resolutions coming out of the conference. The Secretary General told us that he and the other Heads of Government are pleased with how the meeting unfolded: Ambassador Irwin LaRocque - Secretary General, CARICOM "Prime Minister just very briefly to thank you for your kind words first and foremost but also to thank you for your stewardship over our community from day one of us assuming office you have been in the driver seat. The arrangements made for today, the conductor of the meetings over the past day and a half I think is exemplary, it's most efficient. You'd be surprise to know the amount of work our heads of government have achieved in a day and a half. Some of the topics as you have heard are fairly witty but they were dealt with thoroughly and with guides to action."

CARICOM Meeting Big On Correspondent Bank De-Risking
But, the biggest issue facing the CARICOM Nations right now is the loss of correspondent banking relationships. As has been widely reported, this phenomenon called de-risking is a result of the US crackdown on money laundering and the financing of terrorism. That has caused the large US Banks to cut off their relations with the indigenous banks of the Caribbean. It's a widening crisis, and over the last three days, the CARICOM heads of government have discussed the problem and possible solutions at length. Today, the Prime Minister shared with us what the conference of leaders has decided on to deal with the de-risking threat: Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "On correspondent banking, we're great to the appointment of a high level advocacy group to be led by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda; the chair of the finance minister committee we had earlier set up. This group will be charged with the responsibility to represent the interest of the region in addressing this issue including an approach to the UN and the WTO. We're also talking about engaging directly with the regulators, particularly in the US and with congress, certainly with as many congressional leaders as the team will be able to interface with."

CARICOM On Border Disputes
One other fringe issue that the 15 Heads of Government discussed today was the border dispute that Belize has with Guatemala, and the border dispute that Guyana has with Venezuela. We spoke to Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington in Placencia where he discussed these territorial disputes: Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs: "There were two border issues that were dealt with, one the Belize border issue the other one is the Guyana border issue; but I just listen to one of the Prime Ministers who was saying that the Guyana border issue has been on the table since 1993. So these are two issues that have coming back every time the heads meet because it gives the heads an opportunity to affirm their solidarity with the countries in their struggle and claim and of course to get an update as to what has transpired since the last meeting. That is essentially what took place, I was able to give them an update on all that has transpired since we last met and tell them what we are planning to do in the future." Reporter: "Now I know the CARICOM provides support when it comes to issues that the member states are facing both nationally and at a regional level. What kind of support can the Caribbean community possibly lend in terms of our Belize Guatemala issue?"

GOB Pushing Forward With Port Partnership For Cruise Ships?
What's the cruise future for Belize City? That's a question that we've been asking on this newscast for months now - and finding an answer is like aiming at a moving target. First - back in 2004 - it was the Carnival Cruise Port at the Port of Belize, and then that completely fell part, and then it was Stake Bank -which only recently fell out of contention, and, now, the new frontrunner is the old frontrunner: they're back to the Port of Belize. Government wants a public-private partnership - reportedly with the Ashcroft Alliance - to build a docking facility there. Exploratory meetings were held last week Wednesday at the Tourism Board - and even the Prime Minister was there. So was Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment Tracy Taegar Panton - and we asked her about it:� Hon. Tracey Taegar Panton - Minister of State, Investment Trade & Commerce: "It's clearly as the Prime Minister indicated a project that we will be looking at very seriously. We have heard over the years and you know I've served in tourism for many years prior to taking on this roll and responsibility. That the berthing facility that will allow passengers to dock and land and go immediately on tours is really what we've heard from the cruise sector. Stake Bank presented a possibility without the causeway it presents challenges and so the port is in Belize City is potentially a site we can look at. We are speaking to a couple of potential investors to examine the feasibility and viability of such a project but we're in the very preliminary stages at this point."

Bureau Of Standards Brought Down The Hammer
On this newscast, we always knock the Bureau of Standards for being too soft on enforcement, but they've been busy doing their work these past six weeks. The Bureau reports that its officers have visited 150 stores all over the country to check on the new controlled price of rice and sugar - which went into effect at the end of December, 2015. So, of the 150 stores which they checked, 30 of them were price gouging. This was most prevalent in the south and at corner shops in rural areas countrywide. And where prices were higher than the controlled price, the Bureau confiscated their product, taking in 2770 pounds of rice, white sugar, brown sugar and flour. A third of that came from stores in Belize City, while Punta Gorda and Dangriga had half of the total, Cayo had only 10%, and Orange Walk and Corozal added up to only 8% of the total product seized. And that's not the end of it. The controller of Supplies has the case files and he will send if to the DPP for advice.

Keeping the City Zika Free
Today another Zika sensitization meeting was held but this time the Belize City Council was involved. This morning at City Hall 3 health officials gave a presentation on the Zika virus to the city council. For some of you, these meetings may seem redundant given that there are no confirmed cases in Belize and it's pretty much the same information we have been reporting on since cases of the virus began exploding all around us. But health officials say nothing is redundant when it comes to public health. Here are just a few comments from the presentation regarding the transmission of the virus and the symptoms Dr. Javier Zuniga - Reg. Manager, Central Health Region: "Zika is a virus and it belongs to a family of virus known as flavivirus and it is transmitted by a vector and that vector is known as the Aedes Aegypti mosquito. I'm sure you're familiar with the Aedes Aegypti mosquito because it also transmits dengue and chikungunya. The symptoms include slight fever, headache, very important with Zika is a non-purulent conjunctivitis. What do we mean by non-purulent, when we have discharge from the eyes, when you have a pink eye that's a purulent discharge but on this case there is no purulent discharge so its dry but the eye is red. Aching joints just like dengue, chikungunya, heat rash could also appear muscular pain, general discomfort and very important is that it causes vertical transmission. What does that mean; it means that it is passed from mother to child."

Mayor Still Waffling On Plaza Paving
Last night we told you about the situation with Cindarella Plaza in Belize City. One week ago, the Mayor said that the Ministry of Works would pave it - and yesterday the Ministry said it would do no such thing: they built the canal underneath the street; paving the surface is CITCO's job. Yesterday, Councillor Phillip Willoughby said that they're hoping that when the 21 million dollar municipal drainage is finished - there'll be some contingency funds available to come up with the half a million dollars or so need to pave that stretch and a portion of Baymen Avenue. Well, truth is there won't be; the money has all been spent or programmed. So we asked the Mayor today what's going to happen: Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City: "The reality though is that the area has to be completed, it will either be completed by the project or if not by some other agency including the city council so that we're trying to see how we can work with the various entities to ensure that's done as soon as possible. Last time we had our public meeting; this was one of the things that was raised. Two pivotal areas were raised, Cindarella Plaza and the area in front of Publics and I think that these are two areas where admittedly there is public disquiet in relation to the lack of completion of those projects and these are two areas that the city council has placed as a priority. So the next works that occur will occur along Cindarella Plaza and along the area of East and West Canal."

Vision Over Visibility For Sandlighter's Promenade
And while Cindarella is a wait and see for City Hall, it seems so is a project on standstill at the Sand Lighters Promenade. If you pass there regularly you would have seen these 2 wooden frames on the side walk. They have been there for about a month and it seems like whoever built them there just abandoned the project. Well, that's not the case at all, those two wooden frames will be a part of an ambitious water sports spot. Today the Mayor told us more about this project and how it fits right into the city's master plan. Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City: "The idea with that is that a year ago the city council received a proposal from an individual who wanted to do a zip lining business in the water ways. This was something that we were very excited about because you have had an idea with the master plan where we are developing a lot of the water front area in terms of the cementing streets, BTL Park, Battlefield Park. We are now talking about working with the Inter-American Development Bank and the American Planning Association in doing a project in the Yabra area which is on the water front. And the idea with the master plan is that there could be a significant more economic investment and opportunity with water sports..."

Wilfred, Will Philloughby Fly Away To Windy City?
Earlier in the news, we told showed you our interview with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington where he briefed the media on the CARICOM discussion about the territorial disputes in the region. That also gave us the opportunity to ask him for confirmation on whether or not the Barrow Administration is going to appoint 2 UDP politicians to diplomatic postings in the US. They are former Albert aspirant Phillip Willoughby and former Albert Area Rep. Herman Longsworth. As viewers will remember, they stepped aside and discontinued their candidacies so that Tracy Taegar-Panton could become the UDP Albert Standard Bearer, and eventually the Area Representative. Last year, the Prime Minister denied that they were being given a gift in exchange for stepping aside, and so today, we asked Foreign Minister Elrington about the plan to turn them into diplomats. Here's what he said: Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs: "I know a little bit more in relation to the Longsworth one than I do with respect to Willoughby. I have spoken to Mr. Longsworth, I have spoken to my CEO in relation to Mr. Longsworth and I know that he was to do the counsellor work in New York that is the thinking, that is the plan and I think that they are making budgetary arrangements for that. I do not know where the Willoughby one stands. I haven't spoken to Phillip on that, I don't think I've ever spoke to him about it in any detail and I haven't gotten any information from my CEO on that as well. So I don't know where it stands."

Darrell To Phil: "Please Don't Go"
And while there is no clear plan for Phil Willoughby in the Windy City - that's just fine with Mayor Darrell Bradley, who says he has plenty of use for him here where he's a fourth term city councillor:� Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City: "We don't have any position in relation to that yet because I have not been notified by the councillor nor by any other entity in relation to his departure. Phillip Willoughby is an integral part of the council; I have had the great pleasure of working with him over the last three and a half going on to four years since I've been mayor. I think that he has been one of the most effective departments of the city council; we have seen expansion there to now where we're dealing with more coordination with flood mitigation efforts, climate resilient efforts and so its broad base. You're dealing now with leading the city Zika response so that I think he is an effective councillor, I would sad to see him depart if he chooses or goes anywhere but we will make those determinations at the appropriate time. At the current time I don't know that he's leaving at any specific date in the future and when that date comes then we're going to deal with it."

BPO Is Big Business
When you think about the outsourcing industry you think about call centres - now those types of jobs aren't the highest paying jobs or aren't what you would chose as a career path, but Acting Manager of Belize Invest Beltraide Hero Balani says these types of jobs are very helpful in developing a person's basic skill set for the work force. And today at the first ever Belize Outsourcing Service Summit held at the Radisson - the importance of this sector was highlighted. Balani told us more about the significance of this summit Hero Balani - Acting Manager, Belize Invest: "As you know the business process out sourcing sector which deals with the contact call centre industry has been growing significantly in Belize and so what Beltraide has done today is to really gather all the stakeholders that are involved in this industry included the Telecom providers, academia, the private sector of course and then the public sector; in terms of our ministry, the bureau of standards is here. So what we are here to do today is to really look at what the consultants are recommending for the next steps in the industries development." Courtney Weatherburne: "So tell us more about the specific areas that the consultants are focusing on in terms of development, improving the out sourcing industry in Belize, tell us more about that."

Belama Drainage Capped Off By A 2 Million Dollar Canal
And councillor Willoughby was brought into harness yesterday when the Ministry of Workers toured the 21 million dollar Municipal Drainage project. The City Council will inherit the project and Willoughby sits on the Committee. The engineers met their greatest challenge in trying to regularize drainage in the swampland communities in Belama phases 3 and 4. We had a look yesterday:� Jose Divas - Technical Specialist, Flood Mitigation: "It's very challenging; you can't imagine it is very difficult. It is difficult in the design stage and it is even worse at the execution, the implementation stage." That's the reality for engineers and work crews trying to bill drainage on the very low lying Delcia Goff Street in Belama Phase 3." Jose Divas - Technical Specialist, Flood Mitigation: "Well initially what was here was one small 10 foot patch of road leading all the way to the canal. We will be expanding that to almost 24 feet wide road with 5 foot drains and 5 foot sidewalks on both sides."

Will City Fix Broken Benches In New Park?
And the municipal drainage project didn't just build big drains, it also rehabilitated two parks in the Belama area. But when we visited the D'Nest Park, we saw that four of the large concrete benches - which were just recently installed as part of the project - had already been uprooted by vandals. They were heaped at the entrance to the park as a semi permanent eyesore. We asked Willoughby is the city council has the institutional wherewithal to remedy this sort of destructive behaviour:� Jules Vasquez: "How do you feel about this level of public miscreancy?" Phillip Willougby - Belize City Councillor: "Well it's disappointing, all of us should." Jules Vasquez: "Up keep is a huge problem for city council, we're sitting in a brand new park, we see that those benches are there. I would imagine if I come here a year from now, they'll still be there. We see that the grass isn't cut, these are problems to city council, it has a problem maintaining its properties to standards."

American Murder In PG May Have Been Motivated By Jealousy
American national Thomas Rackowski may have been murdered as a result of jealousy. Our sources tell us that Rackowski became friends with a man and the man may have become suspicious of Rackowksi and his girlfriend. When we spoke to police today they said they also got this information but can't confirm as yet. 2 men and the woman in question are still detained in connection with this murder. Rackowski was murdered on Saturday night at around 9:25 at his Hopeville home in Punta Gorda. He was at his home reading that night when 3 persons entered through a screen door. They attacked Rackowski and stabbed him 4 times - twice to the neck and twice to the chest. They all ran off but Rackowski dragged himself to the phone and called the police. He died on Monday. Police say that this wasn't a burglary or any random home invasion because nothing was stolen from the house. Police say Rackowski was the target. We will keep following up on this murder case.

Southside Cops Solving City Shootings
Since the middle of 2015, south side gun violence has been on the decline. But it spiked up last weekend when 15 persons between the ages of 17 and 19 were shot in three separate incidents. Today, we asked the second in Commanding of the Southside if all of this is indicative of the gang warfare reaching another dangerous tipping point. Here is what he said. Alden Dawson - Acting Regional Commander: "It's just an incident that the weekend saw two shooting and shooting is nothing new to the Southside. We have been very successful in keeping it to a minimal and to my mind two incidents over the weekend are actually minimal." Duane Moody - Channel 5 News: "Sir what are you guys doing interventions in case of this?" Alden Dawson - Acting Regional Commander: "We continue our meet and great with the public and again the meet and greet has been seeing a lot of success and through the same meet and greet has assisted us in getting information that led to the two arrests in the shooting."

Cops Keeping Up Street Engagement
The Police meet and greet of the South Side police continues. Police say their commitment to this community engagement is paying off. This time they started at the Antelope Street Extension. The Meet and Greet session continued to Iguana Street Extension, Raccoon Street extension, Pelican Street Extension, Elston Kerr Street and surrounding areas.

Pedro Police Partake With Public
Yesterday we told you about the murder of a Honduran National who was stabbed to the throat in front of her apartment by unknown assailants. San Pedro police are arduously following up on the matter but so far there has not been any breakthrough in the investigation. The only thing that police know for sure is that she was robbed of more than five hundred dollars. So while that case is still wide open, police in San Pedro are implementing an extensive preventative mode to curb the level of criminal activity known to run rampant in the island. While speaking with Superintendent Bowden yesterday we asked her about these crime fighting and crime preventing initiatives. San Pedro Police continue to implement the meet and greet program in their jurisdiction.

The Taste Of Pure Tango
A group of professional tango dancers are in Belize and want to perform for you. The group calls itself A Puro Tango and it is originally from Colombia. These dancers have been in many countries but tomorrow night they are performing in Belize for the very first time. One dropped in as they were rehearsing and got a glimpse of their performance. The group will be performing at the Bliss center on the 18 and the 19th -that's tomorrow and Friday starting at 8. And then they perform in San Pedro on the 20th and the 21st.