Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,396
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline


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 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

PUP present municipal election candidates for San Pedro town
The People's United Party (PUP) Belize Rural South (BRS) Executive presented the candidates that will represent their party in the 2015 municipal elections in San Pedro Town. The presentation took place during a small gathering on Friday May 30th at the BRS PUP headquarters situated on Pelican Street. BRS Executive Chairman Nicholas "Nico" Varela presented the PUP 7 team which includes Mayoral Candidate Dr. Giovanni Solorzano, a medical practitioner on the island with over 20 years of experience. He will appear on the election ballot sheet for the PUP along with educators Conchita Flota, Marina Kay and Alex Noralez, businessman man Mundo Nu�ez, contractor Omar "Canasi" Guerrero, and pilot and current councilor, Gualberto "Wally" Nu�ez.

Lobster festival Draws Near!
The San Pedro Lobster Festival Committee is pleased to welcome the public to the San Pedro Lobster Festival 2014 featuring our popular Lobster Crawl Passport Event! This year we will kick off the Festival starting from Saturday, June 14th with the pre-season opening party and there will be daytime and night time events leading up to the Central Park Block Party on Saturday, June 21st featuring the musical talents of Supa G and the Pannerifix Steel Band! Each guest attending the Lobster Crawl is given a Lobster festival "Passport". In the passport there is a page for each Lobster Festival event; for each page that guests get stamped by the participating venue they are entitled to a raffle ticket. Then on June 21st, they bring the "Passport" to Central Park to the Lobster Festival's official sponsor's booth. One lucky participant will win a vacation package for 2 to attend the San Pedro Lobster Festival 2015!!

PAHO/WHO calls for stepped-up efforts to detect and treat people with TB/HIV coinfections
In the Americas, more than 1 in 10 tuberculosis patients have HIV, and TB is a leading cause of death for people with HIV Washington, D.C., 4 June 2014 (PAHO/WHO) - Despite progress by countries of the Americas in reducing illness and deaths from tuberculosis (TB) and HIV in recent decades, 280,000 new TB cases and 98,000 new HIV cases were reported in the region in 2012. The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHOWHO) recently brought together the heads of national HIV and TB programs from 27 countries of the Americas to analyze the situation of TB/HIV infections and discuss ways of integrating health services to expand diagnosis and treatment of both diseases. "Tuberculosis and HIV have been and continue to be major health problems worldwide," said Massimo Ghidinelli, head of PAHO/WHO's HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Sexually Transmitted Infections unit. "People with both conditions are treated in different health services, making it hard to provide them with comprehensive care."

Coconuts - the heart of Caribbean cuisine and culture
The coconut is considered a tropical drift seed, designed to survive for months, even years at sea.They are very buoyant and their thick, protective shells are impervious to salt water. During their long voyages they can cross entire oceans, perhaps colonizing the shores of a coral atoll or isolated volcanic island. Sea dispersal is a hit-or-miss method; after a long, perilous journey, other dangers await the vulnerable seedlings. They may perish in the parched sand without adequate moisture or be quickly devoured by ravenous land crabs. But when they are successful in finding a place to plant their roots, the results are beaches lined with custodial coconut trees that help sand from eroding while providing habitat for many shore critters. Found throughout the tropics and sub-tropic areas, the coconut is known for its great versatility, and has been cultivated and harvested for centuries. Coconuts are different from other fruits because they contain a large quantity of "water" which is not only nutritious but delicious, and when immature the tender pudding-like insides are devoured like candy.When mature they still contain some water and can be used as seednuts or processed to give oil from the kernel, charcoal from the hard shell and the fibrous husk can be used for making products such as floor mats, brushes and mattress. The oil and milk derived from it are commonly used in cooking and frying and coconut oil is also widely used in soaps and cosmetics.

Fun in the sun at weekend Water Olympics
On Saturday June 7th, the San Pedro Strength and Swim Club hosted its first ever Sun and Sand Water Olympics. The fun game-filled day kicked off around 12PM and saw three teams challenging each other. With DJ DZL of BumSquad Sounds delivering the best in music, the competition got underway. Games included the frozen t-shirt relay, egg-and-spoon race, sponge relay, water balloon toss, swim relay, cannonball contest, and the sunken treasure hunt. The teams were Buck Furpees, Shark Bait, and ElectroShocks, and while the games did not include a burpee challenge, team "Buck Furpees" sure didn't forget to remind everyone how they felt about them with their slogan printed on their shirts "I love burpees!- said no one ever."

Ambergris Today

Security Camera Catches Golf Cart Ram into Utility Pole
A security camera of a private business/home captured this video footage of a golf cart slamming into a utility pole on Seagrape Drive just south of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The driver of the cart was flung out into the street and the passenger slammed into the front windshield of the vehicle. The accident took place this past Saturday, June 7 at around four in the morning. After the impact, the driver of the cart lay on the ground for a minute while the passenger just walked away from the scene after he regained composure, not even checking to see if the driver was okay.

Inspiration Dance Performance Delivers Strong Messages at San Pedro High
San Pedro High School has established a good friendship and student exchange program with Los Angeles Harbor College through now retired Professor, Larry Heimgartner and his wife, Debbie Heimgartner (current costume designer for the Theatre Department at LAHC) for over a decade now. Theatrical drama is presented to students of San Pedro High, a program designed by Larry and former principal Angel Nu�ez, to draw attention to social issues such as drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure, bullying and rape, among others. On Thursday, June 5, 2014, students of San Pedro High witnessed and enjoyed two presentations, one that dealt with inspiration and following one's dreams and one on women's rights; they were presented by Jenny Morrison and Sarah MacKenzie of Scotland.

Pic of the Week: Garifuna Collective of Belize on European Tour
Impressive is the crowd that gathered to witness the Garifuna Collective of Belize as they perform at the Afro Pfingsten World Music Festival 2014 in Winterthur, Switzerland. The cultural musical group is on a European tour at the moment, receiving raving reviews and proudly representing Belize's Garifuna culture abroad.

Sea Turtle Nesting 2014 (4 photos)
LoggerHead turtle nest at Robles Beach. Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Program is ready for Turtle Nesting Season 2014. 2014 Nesting season on a good start. A total of 11 nests have been recorded on the Nesting Beaches of Robles and Rocky Point.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

FISHING REPORT: Week of May 31st - June 7th, 2014
Wade was here with his father and brother last week. They took off after some fun fishing and then his wife, two sons and daughter showed up! It's really fun to see eleven year old Matt talk fly fishing with the other guests. He has the wrap down! So yes, old home week once again as we have had many of our guests return for their El Pescador fix! The Grassedonio family, Mike and Sue and Cutthroat Angler's own, Jim Buckler. We had big wind which made it tough on our anglers and guides! I was really proud of everyone for making each day a new episode. Big smiles came back to the dock at the end of the day with a ton of support for family members and friends. I know that these vacations you take with your family, or long time fishing buddy, or brand new fishing buddy - all made for good fun life memories. Thank you for sharing your passion for fishing. And thank you for coming to see us at El Pescador!

Ambassadors Present Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Today Ambassador of Switzerland H.E. Louis-Jose Touron and H.E. Patricia Vaca Narvaja, ambassador of Argentina, both presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. Both ambassadors conveyed their best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen and expressed their mission to sustain and continue to develop strong relations between their respective countries and Belize.

NEBL Statistical Award Winners
Kurt Burgess and Ivan Flowers both received top honors in the NEBL, Kurt for leading in rebounds(197), and Ivan leading in steals(2.3 per game). Many of the Ballaz took other places, so check out Sporting Pulse for more. Congratulations! "Burgess is central force in a dominant front line for the Cayo Western Ballaz. He finished the regular season with 197 rebounds in 14 games for an average of 14.1. His years of experience as a top player in Belize was evident as he proved to be a stabilizing force for Cayo. He was able to best his runner up in the rebounding battle by a total of 40 rebounds to safely secure the title... Ivan Flowers is the starting point guard for the Cayo Western Ballaz. His quick hands landed him atop the the league with 2.3 steals per games. His pace help fueled a great start for the Cayo that landed them in a great position to take it all."

Mount Carmel Graduation
Congratulations, Our Lady of Mount Carmel graduates! They had their graduation over the weekend.

Caribbean Export: Special Call for Proposals- Food Safety
The Caribbean Export Development Agency officially announces the publication of the Special Call for Proposals - Food Safety for CARIFORUM agro- processing firms to receive financial assistance as part of the Regional Private Sector Development Programme (RPSDP) funded by the European Union under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). The Special Call for Proposals - Food Safety is a reimbursable grant funding facility specifically designed to provide financial assistance to legally registered agro processing firms within the CARIFORUM region who are exporting or have the potential to export their products to the European Union. It is a facility for firms looking for funding to support their capacity building to meet the food production standards of the European Union (EU) market. While the challenge also exists among the large enterprises in the Region, it is very prevalent among small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The allocation of this funding is hoped to ensure that goods of regional origin are produced under standard quality control conditions to meet the sanitary and regulatory requirements of the EU marketplace (such as HACCP, GAPs, GlobalGAP, ISO 14000, Fair Trade Certification, BRC, QF 1000, Primus GFS etc).

Walk for a Green Cayo
Saturday was the Walk for a Green Belize initiative, where groups all around Belize had cleanup campaigns. In Cayo, the Rotaract Club of San Ignacio, and the Benque House of Culture got students involved, and they cleaned up the George Price Highway. The Belize Audubon Society did a cleanup too. "The Rotatact Club of San Ignacio participating in walk for a green Belize. Working with the Department of Environment for a cleaner Belize."

Secret Passages at Soul Project
The Secret Passages art exhibit at the Soul Project is a living exhibit. If you want to add to it, just stop by, and have some fun making art. "This art show, is still in progress people from all over the world are now dropping in to ad there creativity to the installation."

Dr. Gbile Akanni at Octavia Waight
Dr. Gbile Akanni will be at the Octavia Waight Centre today for a leadership development seminar. He'll be in Belmopan on Friday, at the Nazarene Church, and Saturday at the George Price Center.

Channel 7

Gunshots At A Graduation Party
Eight people, all under the age of 30 were shot in just 26 hours in Belize City this weekend. It happened between Saturday night at 8:00 and Sunday night at 11:30. Miraculously, no one was killed in these three separate shootings that are believed to be connected. And the connection is gang warfare - which has reportedly erupted between two powerful rival gangs: George Street and Ghost Town. To tell the story of it all, we begin last night, with the most frightening shooting: wild gunshots at a graduation party. The Diaz family was having a graduation party at the Brown Sugar Marketplace - which is where San Pedro Belize Express is headquartered on North Front Street. The party was very crowded, and at the height of the celebration, armed gunmen strode in and opened fire on the gathering. Reports are that close to a hundred high school students were there, and they suddenly became possible targets for the indiscriminate shooters.

16 Year Old Girl Survives Shot To Head
Vernon was the second female to get shot this weekend; the first one was 16 year-old Corine Cory White, a third form ACC student of West Street. Sometime around 3:00 on Sunday morning, White was leaving the Princess Casino along with 2 older male companions - one of them her 27 year old boyfriend who is connected to George Street. They were in his car in front of the Princess Casino parking lot on Newtown Barracks when a gunman emerged from inside the parking lot, and opened fire on the car. One of the bullets struck White in her right ear - but did not penetrate her brain. Somehow, the bullet travelled down along her jaw, went down her throat, and is lodged inside her chest. So far, Doctors have been unable to get it out.

The Two Shootings That Started It All
And all those 6 shooting victims - may have been tied to the first two. At 10:00 on Saturday night, 28 year-old Sigmond Trapp and 25 year-old Anthony Scott were walking on Kut Avenue, and when they arrived at its intersection with Amara Avenue, a black, dark tinted Ford Escort drove past them. When the vehicle got into range, someone from inside fire several shots at them and sped off. Trapp was injured in the right hand and right leg, while Scot got suffered gunshots wounds to his right hand and upper back. They were rushed to the KHMH for medical treatment. Trapp's father Sigmund Senior, known as Sarge told us he's would not comment or make any scenery because the shooting has brought up painful memories of the two sons, Trevor and Andre he's already lost to gun violence.

How Many Supported "Plant Di Corn"?
Last week Thursday, we showed you the formation of the Rod of Correction movement, a coalition of 11 pressure groups including the unions, civil society, and other social partners who have all been agitating on different social issues. The ROC - as they call it - is a collective designed to concentrate their powers, so that they can lash government on a range of issues. The first up on the agenda for the Rod of Correction was BGYEA's demonstration against the Government, which happened on Saturday at the Battlefield Park. As has widely been reported, President Nigel Petillo and his members want Government to grant them permission to use the 20 acres of road reserve in the Harmonville Housing project so that they can plant corn. The problem is that the Lands Department has designated this area as a buffer zone, and they've ordered that no form of development take place there. Petillo and BGYEA pushed ahead with their plans, and Government responded by filing an injunction against them in Court. As a counter, BGYEA planned the "Plant Di Corn" rally, and the Rod of Correction's membership fell in behind him. It was the first time for the rod to be whipped out, and so we stopped by to get a heat check on saturday. Daniel Ortiz found out more:

Does BGYEA Have To Deliver Those Acres?
And at the crux of that argument with the Government of Belize is that the Lands Department approved 1,327 acres of land between miles 41 and 42. The grounds for BGYEA's dispute is that the 29 acres of buffer zone which they want to plan corn on, and which the government wants to leave untouched, is part of that 1327 acres approved. Now, BGYEA's toughest critics have suggested that Nigel Petillo has simply piggybacked on the issue of availability of land to citizens so that he can justify his attempt to strong-arm the Lands Department into allow them to use the buffer zone for corn farming. The motive being suggested is that he is trying to deliver land for BGYEA's business-partner Sam Patton as he had promised. On Saturday, we put that question directly to him, and here's how he responded: Nigel Petillo - President, BGYEA "The investments that are taking place at Harmonyville is not about an individual, its about the development of that community for its people and for this country. I am prepared to make another arrangement with any other individual or business or corporation or organization who is ready to give back to this country and to its people. I still hold no apology. That individual saw it it fit to come and work with us. We have been crying out to government to come and assist us. We have been crying out to government to come and build our roads, work on the buffer - they choose not to.

Immigration Bogus Documents Queenpin Back To Court
On Friday, the alleged arranger of bogus Immigration Documents, Marleny Castellanos applied for Supreme Court bail, and the grounds that the Crown Counsel asked for denial is that more charges are imminent. Well, he wasn't kidding: Tonight, another case of immigration fraud has emerged which the Immigration Department believes is tied to Castellanos. On last week Friday, 27 year-old Wendy Perez and 39 year-old Abel Reyes, both Guatemalans living on Caye Caulker, handed themselves into the Immigration Office in Belize City. They brought bogus Belizean birth certificates and Belizean Nationality Certificates with them saying that Marleny Castellanos was their facilitator. They, like 8 others before them, claimed that they Castellanos deceived them into think she was getting them through a legitimate and legal way.

Krismar Got Off Murder, But Will Go Back Before A Jury
25 year-old Krismar Espinosa, who managed to win his murder trial in which he was accused of stabbing his fellow inmate to death, got some bad news today at opening of the June Session of the Court of Appeal. The court has ordered that he must face a new trial for that same charge. Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal presented the grounds for her appeal against Espinosa in the case where Keon Swasey was fatally stabbed while behind bars on Christmas Eve 2009. Espinosa was acquitted on December 5, 2012 when the trial judge, Justice Troadio Gonzalez upheld a no-case submission from his attorney Rachel Montejo. Well after hearing DPP Vidal's case and the response from Espinosa's new attorney, Hubert Elrington, the Panel, which consisted of President Justice Manuel Sosa and Appeal Justices Samuel Awich and Minnet Hafiz-Bertram, ordered that Espinosa must be retried. The reasons for the decision will be handed down at a later date.

Alleged Robber To Jail
Tonight, Trevor Guy, one 3 men police believe tried to rob a store last week, is in jail after he was taken to Magistrate's Court. At around 1:30 on Wednesday afternoon, 3 men entered Delcid Store at mile 8 on the Western Highway and they tried to rob the owner, Julio Delcid at gunpoint. When he realized what was happening, Delcid pulled his own licensed weapon and fired several shots at them. The men fled the area, but police responded quick enough to set chase. Police say that they spotted the 3 men in the Cemetery a mile 8, and when they approached, one of the fired several shots at him. The officers say that they were forced to return fire, and that's how they apprehended Trevor Guy. The other robbers managed to escape. Police then charged Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault; he was arraigned today before the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. Because the crimes were committed with a firearm, he was not eligible for bail, and Guy was remanded to prison until July 30.

Tried To Jack His Ex, Man Goes To Jail
28 year-old Kearney Thompson joined Guy today on remand after he pleaded guilty to assaulting his ex and stealing her purse. Thompson's ex, Stephanie Reynolds, told police that on Sunday, she was walking on Antelope Street when he approached her. She says that Thompson then attacked and beat her, after which he stole her purse which had her cellular phone and $50 cash. Police managed to track Thompson down, and they charged him with theft and harm. He was arraigned before the Chief Magistrate, where he pleaded guilty to both charges. The Chief Magistrate ordered that he be remanded to prison so that she can consider his sentence.

March Was Record Breaking For BSI, Set a Regional High
BSI is pushing to meet its cane targets before the heavy rains come - despite a shortened season. And that effort is paying off. A release from the Sugar Association of the Caribbean says that Belize is tops in the Caribbean for sugar production in April. The Sugar Association of the Caribbean sent out a release saying that Belize was the lead producer with 26,302 tonnes followed by Guyana with 25,315 tonnes then Jamaica with 24,881 tonnes. A bulletin from BSI says that four records were set at the Factory in the week of March 17 - 23rd: greatest number of Tons of cane milled for the week, the highest rate of Tons cane milled per hour for week; Tons of sugar produced for a day and Tons of sugar produced for week. Speaking generally about sugar crops in the region, Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean Karl James says that "Rain could be a retarding factor for the rest of the crop in most member countries."

President Jorge No More
Saint John's High School and Junior College graduated 325 students yesterday in two graduation ceremonies. And while the students said goodbye to the prestigious secondary and tertiary school, so did President of SJC Jorge Espat. Espat - who took up the job as President three years ago - had his last day of official duties on Sunday. He told us he's not leaving SJC - and he hopes to return to the classroom as an Economics teacher. Espat told us no successor has yet been named, but one is expected soon.

Not Alfonso Ayala, But Carlos Ayala
Last week we told you all about that meeting Danini Contreras attended as the Director of the Drug Inspectorate. We said that it was set up by Dr. Alfonso Ayala; that was an error, it was Dr. Carlos Ayala, the International Advisor on Health Systems and Services at PAHO. Dr. Alfonso Ayala has no connection to PAHO and had nothing to do with the meeting, so we apologize for the mix-up.

Evan Mariano Gets Called Up To the Big Time
3 months ago, Belize's premier striker, Deon McCauley got recruited to play professionally for the American Football Club, the Atlanta Silverbacks. Well, the news tonight is that his teammate from the Belize National Team, Evan Mariano has also been given his break to go pro in America. Rumours started circulating as early as last week Thursday morning, but the Houston Hurricanes Football Club made the official this weekend when they announced that Mariano had been officially signed. Hurricanes Head Coach, Brendan Keyes says that recruiting Mariano was part of a plan for 4 new players which will allow the Hurricanes to "challenge for the title this year". Mariano most recently played for the BDF Football CLUB AND IS Currently playing in the FFB President's Cup.

UDP Trying To Get Past Penner's Long Shadow Of Scandal
Elvin Penner is probably the most scandalized and publicly put down politician in memory. And since his public life exploded into scandal in September of last year - the UDP has steadily been trying to distance itself from the politically toxic two-term area representative. One large step in the right direction was to have been taken on Sunday when the UDP held its convention to elect a new candidate for Cayo Northeast. We visited and found Penner's long shadow of scandal still hovering over the proceedings - Jules Vasquez reports:.. Jules Vasquez reporting UDP supporters of Cayo Northeast converged on Sacred Heart High School on Sunday. Alberto August, UDP Party Chairman "The supporters of this party are eager to come out and select a new standard bearer to represent them in the constituency" The party was hoping to get out at least a third of the 6,200 voters from 7 villages and a part of San Ignacio Town. They had 3 candidates to choose from:

Half Moon Beach Filthy
In commemoration of World Oceans Day, on Saturday, OCEANA Belize took a group to Halfmoon Caye on the Lightouse Reef Atoll 53 miles east of Belize City. They visited the Great Blue Hole, and then returned to Half Moon Caye where they conducted a beach clean up - and though it should be a protected area, it was a mess! The volunteers collected more than 25 pounds of trash is just an hour. This included plastic, foam, glass, and even medical waste including hypodermic needles. This garbage is believed to wash up on Belize's islands form other countries as giant islands of waste move along with the currents.

Channel 5

5 persons injured in shooting at a graduation party in Belize City
There was a spate of shootings in Belize City between Saturday and this morning. A total of eight persons were wounded to varying degrees. At a graduation party held at [...]

2 men come under gunfire near a police station
The spate of shooting started on Saturday. Around nine-forty-five p.m., twenty-eight year old Sigmond Trapp and twenty-five year old Anthony Scott were injured at the corner of Amara and Kut [...]

16 year old in critical condition after shooting on Calle al Mar
Five hours later, sixteen-year-old Corine White was targeted near Newtown Barracks on Sunday morning.� The teenager was reportedly in the company of her boyfriend and another person inside a green [...]

An exclusive interview with Christian Ebanks
Christian Ebanks, who also goes by the name Floyd Ebanks Jurado, obtained Supreme Court bail last Friday. He was arrested and charged in May after the Gang Suppression Unit raided [...]

Ebanks on murder allegations in Ecuador
Following his arrest in May, it became known that he was listed as Ecuador’s most wanted in 2011 for a murder in the Guayas province. Ebanks confirms that there are [...]

BGYEA's "Plant Di Corn" Rally at Battlefield Park
On Saturday, representatives of the Belize Grassroots Youth Empowerment Association, BGYEA organized a 'Plant Di Corn' rally at Battlefield Park in Belize City. The grassroots organization is protesting an injunction [...]

Rod of Correction - member organizations say BGYEA rally only the beginning
The rally on Saturday was held just two days after the formation of a group called the Rod of Correction, or ROC. BGYEA is a part of that group, along [...]

Move over Elvin Penner, John August Jr. is the new U.D.P. standard bearer for Cayo Northeast
Turning to politics�The convention for the Cayo Northeast constituency was hotly contested over the weekend. Four candidates placed their names on the ballot to replace former minister of state, Elvin [...]

Mayor Darrell Bradley still undecided on political future
Will Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley run for a second term of municipal office? That's the question that he's been asked much more than a few times in recent [...]

Court of Appeal orders a retrial for accused murderer, Krismar Espinosa
The second sitting of the Court of Appeal for this year was held today and the bench, which included President Manuel Sosa, Justice Minnett Afiz-Beltran and Justice Samuel Awich, handed [...]

The Maya Leaders Alliance wants back its stolen rosewood
In May, an undisclosed amount of rosewood went missing from the Savannah Forest Station. It was later discovered that the rosewood, confiscated during April operations in the south by the [...]

BGYEA President refutes claims that he has private stake in planting corn
As we told you, BGYEA took centre stage at the rally on Saturday. The group is fighting for the right to plant corn in about sixty acres designated as a [...]

Valley of Peace farmer says Green Tropics not willing to compromise
The discussion between Valley of Peace farmers and Green Tropics is ongoing, but from all accounts there has been little progress. Ministry of Agriculture testing has indicated that damage to [...]

CEMO says it's prepared and ready for hurricane season
The hurricane season kicked off on June first, and today the City Emergency Management Organization, CEMO, held a press conference at City Hall. While one purpose of the conference is [...]

A comprehensive evacuation plan revealed
While shelters are ready, they should be a last resort. CEMO has also worked on an elaborate and comprehensive evacuation plan. According to Mayor Bradley, that evacuation in the event [...]

Kaya Cattouse with stats from the basketball court, football field, and cycling on highways
Good evening! I'm Kaya Cattouse, welcome to this week's edition of Sports Monday.   In the National Elite Basketball League we see game 3 kick off at the Sacred Heart [...]

CTV3

Broad Day Light Robbery At Money Gram, Orange Walk
This morning, the attendant at money gram located on Otro Benque Road got the scare of her life, when two masked men rushed in brandishing weapons and demanding money. And while the ordeal lasted a few minutes, the incident was caught on camera. Today, police are seeking two suspects in this latest brazen daylight robbery. Selvin Tillett is the deputy commanding the Orange Walk Police Department. Selvin Tillette - Deputy Commanding, OW Police "Police visited the area and there was one Adrelia Marin 22 years of said area reported that about 8:20 two dark complexion male persons with masks entered and robbed her of approximately $6000.00 and her cellphone and made good their escape, police responded and we understand that there were cameras but it makes a little bit difficult because they were using masks but even with that we have two suspects that we are looking for."

Pharmacy Week Observed In Orange Walk
June 6th to 13th was observed countrywide as pharmacy week in Belize with the theme "Guardians of Health". The pharmacist's role has evolved greatly over the last few centuries. Towards the end of the 1900s to the present, pharmacists have focused on responding to managed care and new concerns about the quality of patient care. In recent times, the pharmacist's role in public health has evolved. According to an international study, pharmacists were viewed as the second most trusted profession after nurses. Addressing public health concerns has been an issue for many years and the nation is beginning to realize the importance of utilizing pharmacists to improve efforts in this arena. And in lieu of the observance week, we take a look at the daily lives of these trusted professionals.

Lousianna Government School Takes Second Place In Spelling Bee Contest
The Lousiana Government School district finalist, Isabelle Swasey is the country's second best speller. Twelve district finalists convened at the Countryside Park in Spanish Lookout Friday, June 6th, 2014, to compete for the 20th annual "speller of the year title". It was a tightly contested competition since all the representatives remained intact for rounds one and two with full points. Topping the competition as the best speller for 2014 was ten year old Shanalene Guyap of Solid Rock Academy in Dangriga. Not only did Gayap capture the 1st place title but she also made history by being the youngest winner in all the 20 years of the competition! We'll have reactions from Swasey in tommorws newscast.

Police Discovers 31 Pieces Suspected Crack Cocaine
A routine mobile patrol in Corozal Town led authorities to the detention of two men in that municipality. On Friday June 6th at around 9:45 pm, the attention of Corozal Police was drawn to a white in color four doors Toyota Camry bearing license plate CZL C 01701. Police immediately pulled over the vehicle which was being driven at the time by 24 year old Paul Massam. At the time Massam was accompanied by 22 year old Jeovanni Young. Both men were informed that a search would be conducted inside the vehicle for drugs and firearms at the Corozal Police Station. And so said so done. At the station the vehicle was searched and police managed to confiscate a white chopstick shell filled with 31 pieces of suspected crack cocaine hidden between the driver seat and the hand rest. The drugs weighed in at 6.58 grams.

Belize Is Ranked As The Leading Producer Of Sugar
A release from the Sugar Association of the Caribbean ranks Belize as the leading producer of Sugar for the month of April, with Guyana and Jamaica closely behind. In a release, these Caribbean Sugar producers had reasonable production of 80,392 tonnes of sugar. Chairman of the Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC), Karl James says for the current crop, a total of 218,404 tonnes of sugar has been exported to the EU, followed by 8,863 tonnes to CARICOM, and 5,066 tonnes to other destinations. He continues that up to April, no exports were made to the United States Market. Whilst optimistic about the prospects for the remainder of the crop, James says the weather could be a major factor in the months ahead. Belize was the lead producer with 26,302 tonnes followed by Guyana with 25,315 tonnes then Jamaica with 24,881 tonnes.

14 Year Old Hangs Herself At Home
What could possibly lead a 14 year old to take her life away and putting their family members through an immense grief? That is the question being asked by residents of Ranchito in the Corozal District. Over the weekend 14 year old Vianney Vasquez and her younger brother were left home alone while their father, 47 year old Donaldo Vasquez, went to work in Corozal Town. Vasquez told police that when he arrived home around 3:45pm, he asked his son where Vianney was. The response he received was not good as he was told that Vianney had not been seen since 1:00pm and was nowhere to be found.

Another Chopping Incident In The Village Of San Roman
On June 3rd, 24 year old Joseph West was charged for the crime of murder after 34 year old Giovanni Borland succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital. West is accused of hacking Borland on the head with a machete after they became involved in an argument while in the Village of Libertad in the Corozal District. Tonight there is another chopping incident to report this time in the village of San Roman in the Corozal District that has left two men hospitalized at the Corozal Community Hospital. Information reaching our news room is sketchy but based on what we were told by our sources at the Corozal Police Formation an official report is yet to be filed and police are still carrying out their investigation.

A Closer Look At ER's Icy Treats
Last Friday three young entrepreneurs returned from a trip to Jamaica where they were awarded for their outstanding work as young entrepreneurs. They were nominated by the La Inmaculada Credit Union for the third Annual Citi-CMFA Caribbean Microfinance Awards since they have for some time now been part of the programs implemented by the institution. The Citi-CMFA Microfinance Caribbean Awards recognizes the work of institutions like the LICU and of individuals who ensure maximum financial and social returns within the microfinance sector in the Caribbean. The awards are held to recognize such efforts and to highlight the outstanding achievements of these institutions and individuals who succeed under these institutions. We presented the three winners last Friday and today we take a closer look at their success and how they came about to be young entrepreneurs. Tonight we highlight Eider Romero founder of ER's Icy Treats who won Best young entrepreneur in the Caribbean.


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,396
Marty Offline OP
OP Offline

More News: Scroll up from here

LOVE FM

City Emergency Organisation Is Ready for Hurricane Season
City Hall was the venue for a press conference called by Mayor Darrell Bradley in his capacity as the Chairman of the City Emergency Management Organisation. While the conference discussed a wide range of issues including the City's evacuation strategy, hurricane shelters and CEMO's collaborations with several stakeholders, it basically was called to inform the media that CEMO is prepared and that their plan has been fine-tuned and is detailed in terms of time, transportation, drivers, shelter management and the likes. Addressing the media houses today was Councillor Phillip Willoughby, whose portfolio at the council includes CEMO. PHILLIP WILLOUGHBY CITY COUNCILLOR "We are prepared as we normally do at this time of year as we open the hurricane season. We're looking at any other natural disasters, manmade or otherwise but one of our marked accomplishment and feature that in partnering with the Belize Red Cross is the signage that is around the city. If you were to look at where the post office is, the old plaza building, the overpass at the roundabout connecting the Phillip Goldson Highway, you would see outlined, the name of hurricane shelters, other minor details that directs the residents of Belize city and others as to where to go and how to reach where you need to go and as I said, other minor details. The second minor accomplishment to that is the evacuation route; we've been speaking to this evacuation route for some time.

Three Cops Granted Bail; One on Remand at Belize Central Prison
Four police officers of San Ignacio Police Station faced criminal charges today in the Magistrate's Court of that municipality. Elaine Berry gives us the details. ELAINE BERRY Cayo Correspondent "The four officers who were involved in an incident on Monday, May 26 at about 12:30am in Unitedville Village, Cayo District with four men who were retuning back from a wake in Ontario Village and who stated that they were assaulted by the officers and during the assault one of the men was fired at after walking away and was shot in his back. They were all arraigned this morning in front of Magistrate Morgan and their charges were read. 3 of the officers met bail of $800 and they are: Corporal Ricky Valencia, P.C Maxwell Valerio and Special Constable Ernesto Budna. While the other officer, P.C Jesus Marroquin was remanded to the Kolbe Foundation in Hattieville until July 31, 2014. Marroquin was charged for deadly means of harm, committing the crime of wounding and attempted murder upon 19 year old Elston Arnold."

Estranged Spouse Causes Harm to School Warden
Twenty-eight year old Kearney Thompson, charged with theft and harm, became an inmate of Belize Central Prison today when he appeared before the Chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith and pled guilty to the charges. Thompson was remanded into custody until Monday, June 16, for sentencing. The incident occurred on Sunday, June 1. Stephanie Reynolds, a 27 year old school warden who is the ex-girlfriend of Thompson, reported to the police that she was walking on Antelope Street when she was approached by Thompson who beat her then stole her purse which contained her cell phone and 50 dollars . Reynolds was given a medico-legal form and she was taken to Karl Heusner Hospital. The doctor who examined and treated her classified her injuries as harm. She had injuries to her elbow, her finger and the side of her face.

Police Nabs Suspected Robber
Trevor Guy, one of three persons who police believe attempted to rob Delcid Store at mile 8 on George Price Highway, was charged with attempted robbery and aggravated assault when he appeared today before the chief magistrate, Anne Marie Smith. Guy pled not guilty to the charges. He was remanded into custody until July 30. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4. Julio Delcid, the owner of the store, reported to the police that while he was in his store, three persons entered, one of them armed with a firearm. Delcid said the gunman pointed a pistol at him and he drew his licensed firearm and fired several shots. The culprits fled and Delcid made a report. The police responded quickly and located the suspects in the cemetery at mile 8. The police reported that as they approached one of the suspects fired shots at them and they returned fire. As a result, they apprehended Guy but the other two suspects managed to escape.

Guatemalans with Fake Nationality Documents Surrender to Police
Two Guatemalans, who were allegedly furnished with Belizean birth certificates by Marleny Castellanos, were charged with two counts of using a document that they are not entitled to use when they appeared today before Magistrate Dale Cayetano. They are 27 year old Wendy Perez and 39 year old Abel Reyes. They pled guilty to the charges and they were fined one thousand dollars for each offence. They were ordered to pay forthwith. If they default on payment they will serve three months for each offence. The sentences are to run concurrently. On Friday, June 6, Perez and Reyes, both of them residents of Caye Caulker, went to the immigration Department in Belize City and handed themselves. They both had Belizean birth certificates and Belizean nationality certificates. When immigration officers checked they discovered that they discovered that the names of the persons on the birth certificates were not the name of the biological mothers of Perez and Reyes. As a result, their Belizean nationality certificates were cancelled. Castellanos , who is believed to the supplier of the birth certificates, is currently remanded to prison on several immigration charges and more charges are expected to follow.

Director of Public Prosecutions Wins Appeal Against Accused Murderer
An appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lyn Vidal, of the case of 25 year old Krismar Espinosa, who was acquitted of the murder of Keon Swasey, was allowed today by Belize Court of Appeal. The judges of Belize Court of Appeal ruled that the ruling of the trial judge, Justice John Gonzalez, and the acquittal be set aside and a retrial on a charge of murder be before a judge other than Justice Gonzalez. The judges of Belize Court of Appeal will give their reasons in writing at a later date. Espinosa, a resident of Orange Walk, was charged with murder after Swasey was fatally stabbed on December 24, 2009, at Belize Central Prison. At the time Espinosa was remanded on a charge of murder for the death of his girlfriend. At the trial which began on November 26, 2012 and ended on December 5, 2012, Espinosa's attorney, Rachel Montejo, had submitted that Espinosa did not have a case to answer due to insufficient evidence. Justice Gonzalez upheld the submission and directed the jury to return a formal verdict of not guilty. The DPP had appealed on the ground that the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to go to the jury.

NGOs and Unions Join Hands Against Government of Belize
BGYEA: The Belize Grass roots Empowerment Association is currently fighting an injunction brought by the Government of Belize to prohibit them from disturbing the buffer area of Harmonyville. That's a problem for BGYEA and Nigel Petillo because he was planning to plant corn in the buffer through an agreement with investor Sam Patten. The facts are that Petillo requested that the Lands and Survey Department removed squatting immigrants from the buffer zone. But when the Land Commissioner found out that Petillo had entered in a private agreement with Sam Patten, an order of cease and decease was issued. Petillo made his media runs stating that the idea was to plant corn in the buffer zone in order to raise funds for infrastructural works in Harmonyville. However, the Lands and Survey Department didn't buy it and so an injunction was obtain to prohibit BGYEA from planting corn. On Saturday, BGYEA held their "Plant DI Corn" Rally at Battle Field Park and since they became a member of the newly form Rod of Correction, BGYEA was not alone. Love News was out there and here is the story. GEOVANNI BRACKETT President Citizens Organized for Liberty Through Action "You ask yourself the question, why isn't the government going after the Guatemalans who are illegally farming our land in the buffer zone, in the thousands of acres. "

University Students Benefit from Workshop on Intellectual Property Law
A three week workshop focusing on intellectual property rights began today in Belmopan. Correspondent Angelica Cruz reports: ANGELICA CRUZ Western Correspondent Love News "The University of Belize in collaboration with a team of girls from Middleton Tennessee State University is having a 3-week workshop at the UB Jaguar Auditorium in Belmopan. This workshop is based on intellectual property law and global entertainment transaction. Deborah Watson, Attorney and university Professor spoke to Love News and told us how it will benefit our country." DEBORAH WATSON Professor Middleton Tennessee State University "The purpose of the international classroom initiative is to join forces between the creative community and Belize and Central America and the United States program where I am a professor at Middleton State University and our department of recording industry within the college of mass communication. What we hope to do is to bring what strengths and knowledge we have to the incredible talent within the Belizean community. To help foster a greater infrastructure for exploitation in the best use of the word and opportunity to have a professional life as a musician, or as a film maker, or as a book writer, or anyone in the art to assist in the process of bringing knowledge and a more mature market skills that the US has developed into this incredible opportunity with very talented young people in Belize. So I am very grateful to Stone Tree Records, who is our partner in the memorandum of understanding, Ivan Duran in particular and also the University of Belize."

PlusTV

God Gives Away Salvation to a Repented Soul
This week's Bible verse is taken from Psalm 32: 5 “I have acknowledged my sin to you and my injustice I have not concealed. …and you have forgiven the wickedness of my sin”.

Elvin Penner's Replacement as Standard Bearer is John August
Former Minister of State Elvin Penner will be replaced by the current Mayor of San Ignacio John August Jr. as the UDP Standard Bearer for the Cayo North East Constituency in the next general elections. On Sunday, June 8th, more than a thousand UDP supporters came out to vote...

Three Shootings in Belize City Over the Weekend
Police are investigating three separate shooting incidents in the Old Capital this weekend, which left eight persons injured, two critically. We begin on Saturday night around 9:45 p.m., when 28 year old Sigmund Trapp and 25 year old Anthony Scott, both residents of Belize City, were walking on Kut...

Two Teenagers Detained for Stabbing a Man
In other police news, Gumercindo Pop is receiving treatment at the Western Regional Hospital, in Belmopan after a stabbing incident at Billy White Village, Cayo District, which involved 18 year old Santos Angel Chacon and a 15 year old minor. According to reports, on Saturday, June 7th, at about...

Krismar Espinoza to be Retried for Murder
The Court of Appeal began its second session for 2014 this morning with criminal appeals. This afternoon, it ordered ]25 year old Krismar Espinoza of Orange Walk Town to be retried at the Supreme Court before a different judge for murder. Espinoza was accused of the stabbing death of...

Money Gram Robbed in Orange Walk
There was an armed robbery in Orange Walk earlier today. According to police at about 8:35 pm two armed men of Creole descent, wearing masks, broke into the office of Money Gram located in Otro Benque, Orange Walk Town and stole an estimated $6,000 and a cell phone. The...

Image Store Robbed on Albert Street
In Belize there was another armed robbery. According to police reports on Sunday afternoon, Indian Supervisor for Image Store located on Albert Street, Belize City was inside his work place along with two other co-workers when two male persons entered the business establishment; one armed with a handgun. They...

Trevor Guy Charged with Attempted Robbery of Store
A shopkeeper had to fight fire with fire last week and as a result police have charged Trevor Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault on Julio del Cid, the owner of the Del Cid Store at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Guy is alleged, along with...

More Illegal Certificates Uncovered in Caye Caulker
Two individuals who say they were assisted by Marleny Castellanos to illegally obtain Belizean documentation came forward and turned themselves in to police last week. They are Caye Caulker residents and Guatemalan citizens Wendy Perez, 27, and Abel Ruiz Reyes, 39. They both appeared in Magistrate’s Court today before...

Arson Suspected in Corozal
There are reports of a possible arson in the Northern District of Corozal. According to woman Police Constable Rosario Romero, Resident of Libertad village, at about 3:30 a.m. she was awaken by her one month old son and when she got up she saw flames outside her house. Upon...

Penner Recall Petitioners Not Allowed to Vote?
But while over a thousand supporters came out to vote during Sunday’s UDP convention, several voters were denied that privilege. Rejected Voter of Cayo Northeast UDP Convention "They refused me.� Dehn no waa mek ah vote.� Dehn seh that da becaw dehn she me gawn sign the PUP ballaet.�...

Thousands Attend Global Day of Prayer Nationwide
This past�Sunday�was celebrated on the Christian calendar “Pentecost�Sunday” the day when the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as they were gathered together in the upper room for prayer. Since the year 2000, a movement of prayer which started in South Africa, has seen millions of Christians from different...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

20 Kids Receive Holy Communion
On Sunday, June 8, 2014, twenty children from the Caye Caulker R.C. School received their First Holy Communion. Holy Communion is one of the seven sacraments ascribed to by the Catholic church. Congratulations to all the children on this religious milestone.

More Caye Caulker Residents Are Caught With Fake Nationality Documents
In May of this year (2014), over 10 persons were rounded up in Caye Caulker for being in possession of fake nationality documents. According to the ten persons, the person who helped them acquire the fake documents are one Marleny Castellanos and one Well, the immigration net did not end there. Two other Guatemalan residents living in Caye Caulker have surrendered themselves to police. They are claiming they did not know that the documents provided to them by the said Castellanos were bogus. 27 year old Wendy Perez and 39 year old Abel Reyes were formally charged with two counts of using a document which they were not entitled to. They pled guilty to the charges and were fined one thousand dollars each. The fines are payable forthwith, or in default they face three months imprisonment.

Patrick JonesPJ

Krismar Espinoza to be retried for murder
The Court of Appeal began its second session for 2014 this morning with criminal appeals. This afternoon, it ordered 25 year old Krismar Espinoza of Orange Walk Town to be retried at the Supreme Court before a different judge for murder. Espinoza was accused of the stabbing death [�]

Trevor Guy charged with attempted robbery of store
A shopkeeper had to fight fire with fire last week and as a result police have charged Trevor Guy with attempted robbery and aggravated assault on Julio del Cid, the owner of the Del Cid Store at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Guy is alleged, along [�]

More illegal nationality certificates uncovered on Caye Caulker
Two individuals who say they were assisted by Marleny Castellanos to illegally obtain Belizean documentation came forward and turned themselves in to police last week. They are Caye Caulker residents and Guatemalan citizens Wendy Perez, 27, and Abel Ruiz Reyes, 39. They both appeared in Magistrate's Court today [�]

School warden attacked on street by ex-partner
28 year old Kearney Thompson of Belize City pleaded guilty to stealing his former girlfriend's purse and attacking her on the street on June 1, 2014. He will be sentenced next Monday, June 16, by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith on charges of theft and harm. 27 year old school [�]

Maya Leaders Alliance wants to know what happened to Toledo rosewood
The Maya of Medina Bank in the Toledo District say a large batch of rosewood which they held under protection was illegally confiscated by the Forest Department and has subsequently disappeared. We spoke to Cristina Coc of the Maya Leaders Alliance on Saturday during the Plant Di Corn [�]

City gets ready for hurricane season
The 2014 hurricane season has begun. Are you ready? The Belize City Council and its Central Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) say they are, and want residents to be as well. Today Belize City Mayor and CEMO chairperson Darrell Bradley and City Councilor with responsibility for emergency management Philip [�]

A bloody weekend in Belize City leaves two people in critical condition
Between Friday night and 12:30 this morning, gun violence in Belize City sent no less than 8 people to the emergency room. Two of the shooting victims are listed in critical condition. Starting with the most recent � five people were injured in a shooting incident late [�]

Teenage girl commits suicide in Corozal
A Corozal family is going through immense grief after a 14 year old girl committed suicide over the weekend. Vianney Vasquez, according to reports, ended her life on Sunday afternoon by hanging herself from a beam in a house in her parents' yard in Ranchito Village, Corozal. [�]

New ambassadors from Switzerland and Argentina
Two new diplomats have been welcomed to the ranks Belize's Diplomatic Corps. They are Patricia Vaca Narvaja and Louis-Jose Touron. According to a brief statement from the Government Press Office, Ambassador Touron is the new representative of Switzerland in Belize, while Ambassador Narvaja is Argentina's new top diplomat in Belmopan. Both ambassadors presented their credentials to Governor General Sir Colville Young t Belize House in Belmopan, expressing their desire to continue and develop strong diplomatic and bilateral relations between their respective nations and Belize.

Dangriga celebrates World Day of Prayer
Approximately 500 people made their statement for the Lord Jesus Christ during a powerful Christian Parade in beautiful Dangriga on June 8th to pray against corruption, racism, discrimination, hate, and un-Godly behaviour. The faithful gathered near the Drums of Our Fathers Monument on the southern end of the town and paraded through the principal streets ending at Princess Royal Telemedia Park. The energetic crowd joined their voices in hymns and spiritual songs along with prayers and blessings. The organizers were very pleased with the turn out and enjoyed everyone to continue praying for the nation, Education Leaders, Prime Minister and Government leaders. One of the organizers Pastor Evans said that the celebration is to pray against all forms of corruption, evil, and unacceptable behaviours.

Toledo celebrates World Day of Prayer
Hundreds of Belizeans turned out on Sunday at the Julian Cho Technical High School auditorium for the 2014 World Day of Prayer. During the course of the two-hour long church service, the congregation sang, worshipped and prayed for the nation of Belize. Organizer of the event Pastor Victor Hernandez says the Day of Prayer activity served to strengthen the church and believers stand firm in spite of prevailing challenges. The 33 church leaders and their congregations took time out to pray for Belize and its leaders and affirmed that God is supreme over Belize.

Blogs

A Cruise to Belize: AMAZING Excursions from Cave Tubing to Mayan Sites
Or: Planning ahead- what to do with 8-10 hours in Belize? As I mentioned in my previous post, before my honeymoon I visited Belize 3 times on a cruise ship. This was never part of the plan; actually, taking 3 cruises within 10 years was unlikely, much less visiting the same port each time. As it turned out, each of my 3 visits showed me something Belize did well, and gave me enough of a taste for the country that my husband and I decided to return for 10 nights. So what were these great experiences? First visit: Ruins, wildlife and a change of plans My first trip was on a cruise with friends when I was 22ish. We split up - my friend Zac and I planning to visit the ruins at Lamanai while the other two headed off to Caye Caulker and Shark Ray Alley. Lamanai had captured my imagination as soon as I read about it, from the boat trip down a jungle river to exploring- and climbing- the partially-excavated ruins. My Indiana Jones fantasies were about to come true! (No� not that kind�) Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. Two weeks before our trip, the excursion was cancelled. The ship had a mechanical issue which meant slowing down its travel speed, thus shortening our time in port. We wouldn't be there long enough to make it to Lamanai and back again.

"What a Fool Believes" in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Up bright and early yesterday morning and out on the veranda - the western, lagoon facing one on the first floor- with a mug of black coffee (no sugar) and my iPad (the old one, not my iPad Air). I sat out there for around ninety minutes , reading The Times online and catching up on emails and Facebook and then shortly before 07.00 hours I wandered down to the front gate to unlock it so Lloyd and his boys could get in for their day in the garden! With the guys spreading the gravel I then showered, shaved, brushed my teeth, got dressed and headed to 'Town for breakfast at Estel's Dine By the Sea where I knew that I could tick off a few of Julian's photo challenges. Julian's photo.

The best little Zoo in the World
I have a story to share with you about something incredible that happened in Belize, some might even consider it something straight out of a fairytale book. I'm referring to the Belize Zoo and the tale of its happy ending. Did you know� The latest estimate of species on earth is about 8.7 million species. That's an amazing number. Some species are still not found yet, now that thought is even more amazing! Unfortunately, many species are not free to live in the wild; to live in the unbridled forests and deserts where the survival of the fittest is the law. Many animals have not been given the chance to defend themselves and win or lose the Darwin challenge. Many animals are taken from their natural places of dwelling to put into cages and exhibits in menageries. In 1982 a National Geographic Animals of Central America filming session happened in Belize. People had some wild animals as pets and they got permission from their owners to be filmed, others were filmed in the wild. After the shooting, the film crew could not get the owners of these animals to take them back - so, then what? Enter Sharon Matola a tall, beautiful and strong intern working on the film. She and her team, with the support of grants, transformed the only way any other zoo in the world should be given a license to exist.

The feeding trough!
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez I expected better! From Genitty, Caritas, Aird, Carol and Brenda Who have been in the school system forever! More so, in the capacity of administrators So they know the constraints as managers But have miraculously forgotten, now that their bread has butter Now that most of them are doctors, sitting at the table of their master They now think they are better because they are now the decision makers We have schools refusing kids You trying to tell me they can't find space Majority of these parents are single parents Many of the children are truants Pick them up and put them in school Some kids honestly want to go Put 50% of them in school and the other 50% in the army Our children need a structured system We have to find ways to engage them Invest in the army for those who do not want to go to school All the doctors in the ministry of education Are looking to pad up and help their alma maters They do not look at the extenuating and overarching factors They are about helping the Anglicans, the Methodists and the Catholics They are there for their own self interests Hence the reason that it is nonsense what they now suggest Then they are forcing the masses to ingest and digest

The Jungle's "Elmer's Glue"
The Belizean jungle provides, like all jungles, special treats to all animals. There are wild berries, cohune nuts, water vines and a Mayan spice called culantro (not cilantro that you know), to name a few. Birds and mammals have a fanatical appreciation for the jungle of Belize. Sure, after all it is their source of food and certainly their home. Every so often, the jungle offers something very different to the universe. An example is the stemadaemia fruit. If we ask anyone to remember the name of this wild fruit for a test, they would, at best take a wild guess on the true or false question or a wild guess on a multiple choice question. However, things change when the local name flavour start enriching one's vocabulary. The local names give to this particular wild fruit are "horses nuts", or "Grandfather's nuts" or the Spanish name "cojotones". Now, try forgetting those! Whatever name you can remember, we know that toucans and parrots love this fruit which splits in half when ripened exposing a bright orange/red inside with a centre of yellow seeds. Its beautiful and it definitely will get your attention. While we do not consume this nut, we certainly have had much experience as kids using it as a tool.

FIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANCIENT MAYA
1. Did the abandonment of ancient Maya cities occur because, simply, the people disappeared into thin air? Answer: No, the ancient cities were not abandoned because of the ancient Maya disappearance. The Maya (descendants) still live in Guatemala, Mexico and Belize. The ancient cities, were abandoned for the most part by 900AD which is at least 600 years before the European conquest began. The abandonment of the cities was perhaps one of the most amazing decisions they made, but after the royalty left these cities, the engineers, architects and mathematicians among them basically left too. There was no one left who knew how to maintain these cities infrastructure. To further fuel the abandonment, these cities were sacred spaces which tremored powerful spirituality that which the peasantry who remained respected with fear, hence it was easier to walk away. 2. Why did the Maya have so many gods? Answer: Ancient people throughout the world created gods out of phenomenon they could not understand. For example, Ra was the Egyptian sun god. Every ancient civilisation celebrated the sun. The Maya sun god was K'inich Ahau (Lord of the the day). The rain god was Cha'ac and K'awil was the god or royal lineage. All the phenomena needed answers. When their science couldn't explain it, they deified it.

International Sourcesizz

World's Largest Artificial Reef is being built in Quintana Roo
A team of expert engineers, environmentalists, architects and specialized divers embarked upon the greatest adventure of their lives and took on their hands a once-in-a-lifetime challenge: Building the world's largest artificial reef. The purpose? Diverting the attention and negative impact of time on the natural ecosystem, and fight against climate changes to preserve the Mexican Caribbean's splendor, by regenerating the marine ecosystem with an enormous labor. Kan-Kan�n is an environmental project never-seen before! It means to turn into the new habitat of thousands of sea species, and will protect the coast from natural erosion. Consisting of a mega project, we currently stand before a fascinating and interesting solution to a strong problem: the deterioration of marine systems, product of climate changes. This monumental artificial reef will be built using over 1,000 hollow pyramidal structures created on a concrete and micro silica base. Each one of them approximately weighs ten tons, and must be placed with extreme precision over the seabed by very powerful cranes and a team of specialized divers.

Stewart's documentary does Belize festival
Journey Through Music - Rhythms of Africa, a documentary conceptualised by former Third World drummer Willie Stewart, will be screened at the July 16-21 Belize International Film Festival. Stewart is executive producer of the film through his Embrace Music Foundation, based in South Florida. Journey Through Music was produced by SteadyImage Digital Media. It looks at 'at-risk' or disadvantaged teens of Caribbean and Cuban descent, as well as Americans, living in South Florida. The documentary shows the positive impact music has on youth with societal challenges. "We produced the documentary because there was a need to engage in the conversation of bringing music and the arts back into the schools globally. There was no message being promoted and we thought the mission and task that Willie had before him was the best story to be told," Adrian Allen, CEO of SteadyImage told the Jamaica Observer.

At Belize Lodge, Lessons in Coffee and Cocktails
Aspiring chocolatiers, baristas and mixologists may find inspiration in Belize this summer. Belcampo, a 16-room luxury lodge and 3,000-acre organic farm in southern Belize, is offering an artisan-in-residence program related to sustainable food production. The program includes a series of half-day workshops, starting with coffee roasting and brewing classes led by James Freeman, the founder of California's Blue Bottle Coffee company. Mr. Freeman has been an advisor to Belcampo, helping it find agricultural partners with the skills needed to develop plantations at low altitudes. The classes, scheduled from June 4 to 9, include "cuppings," or coffee tastings, to teach students about aroma, mouthfeel and flavor. Next in the lineup, in July, are hands-on seminars dedicated to chocolate. Taught by Katrina Markoff, the award-winning chocolatier behind Vosges Haut-Chocolat, the course will begin with a flight of drinking chocolates to teach guests the difference between the original Aztec drink and the milky, often sweetened European version.

Humanitarian's meet in the Caribbean to review and update contingency plans for Hurricane season
The 2014 Hurricane season is now in session as Hurricane Amanda has now passed and Tropical Depression 2-E is now churning off the coast of Mexico unleashing heavy rains, prompting Red Cross National Societies across Latin America and the Caribbean to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. In order to support these preparations, the Red Cross convened its annual preparedness meeting, held in Belize and hosted by the Belize Red Cross, this past 20 to 21 of May, 2014. Contingency Disaster and Preparedness meetings offer a unique spaces for humanitarian actors and government authorities to come together and discuss several of issues pertaining to improving coordination and contingency planning for disaster response and relief operations, key factors in ensuring rapid and effective response. Jan Gelfand, Head of Programmes and Operations for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in the Americas explained "if a hurricane or disaster should impact a given country, the government and civil society capacity to respond is quite limited, therefore we have decided to partner with others through our Red Cross network in order to improve humanitarian response, save more lives, and accelerate recovery efforts".

More underwater maps to explore in Street View
Back in 2012, Google released some amazing underwater Street View imagery from a few areas around the world. As part of World Oceans Day last Sunday, Google has released some additional underwater Street View imagery that is equally stunning. In partnership with the Catlin Seaview Survey, you can now dive and explore some additional locations in Belize and the Philippines including the Belize Barrier Reef and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park. The Catlin Seaview Survey team has documented many underwater locales around the world using their 360-degree panoramic SVII cameras, including a growing number of UNESCO Marine World Heritage Sites. We'll continue to add this imagery to Street View in Google Maps as it's collected. In the spirit of World Oceans Day, the goal of this project is to expose the world to the beauty of these marine habitats, and to create a scientific baseline record so that their changing health can be monitored over time.

Notes From Caribbean Week: What's New in Paradise?
Overall Caribbean tourism growth is modestly higher in 2014 with visitor arrivals up by a little more than two percent, according to tourism and government officials gathered at this week's Caribbean Week New York conference, sponsored by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). Nevertheless there are some clear winners among the 30 destinations that comprise the Caribbean hospitality group's membership. "The region is up by almost two percent year-over year," said Beverly Nicholson-Doty, chairman of the CTO and tourism commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands, at a meeting with media during the conference. "And as a hotelier myself I know how important RevPAR [revenue per available room] is and that is increasing as well. We really are very positive about the forecast." Indeed, several destinations report tourist arrival growth of more than five percent year-over-year for the first quarter of 2014 according to CTO Tourist data released this week show. The winners include Antigua and Barbuda (up 5.8 percent), Belize (9 percent), the British Virgin Islands (10.7 percent), the Cayman Islands (9 percent), the Dominican Republic (6.1 percent), Montserrat (24.9 percent) and St. Lucia (5.4 percent). In negative territory are Curacao (down 4.3 percent) and surprisingly, Grenada (down 5.5 percent).

35 Clearest Waters In The World To Swim In Before You Die - Readers Choice
Ambergris Caye Belize is not only the most popular island in the world but also one of the top places to swim in clear waters according to Daily News Dig, a popular website on the Internet. The article states: Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize, and the main destination for travelers to this western Caribbean nation. The weather is mild, the beaches are beautiful, and the history is rich, Belize is a land of swaying palm trees and colorful sunsets.

Videos

Video: Kan Kan�n: The Guardian of the Caribbean, 3min.

Video: Golf Cart Crashes into Utility Pole, 1min.
A security camera of a private business/home captured this video footage of a golf cart slamming into a utility pole on Seagrape Drive just south of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The driver of the cart was flung out into the street and the passenger slammed into the front windshield of the vehicle.

Video: Best of America by Horse Back Interviews with Tom Seay and John Carr, 20min.
Lively interviews with Tom Seay host of Best of America by Horseback and John Carr from Banana Bank in Belize bananabank.com

Video: Best of Amercia by Horseback interviews with Tom Seay and John Carr, 30min.
Lively and fun interviews with Tom Seay the host of Best of America by Horseback and John Carr from Banana Bank in Belize.

Video: Belize Fisheries authorites launch drones, 4min.
Chief Coxswain Michael Sabal and Assistant Coxswain Calman Hall explain use of the technology

Video: Belize Medley, 4min.
Brief visit to Caye Caulker and Hol Chan Marine Reserve, followed by ten days of camping on Half Moon Caye at Belize's Lighthouse Reef. Activities included: snorkelling, sea kayaking, kayak sailing, fishing, and standup paddleboarding.

Video: Belize Trip Part 1, 6min.
Kyle Liaw

Video: Arrow Blenny Belize, 1min.
This video is shows an Arrow Blenny in Belize in August 2013

Video: WCUOC BELIZE 2014, 11min.
West Coast University - Orange County Global Public Health Initiative Punta Gorda, Belize 2014

Video: Video, Ambergris Caye 1990, 20min.

Video: FLORIDA AND BELIZE, 57min.
BELIZE STARTS AT 39:00. STARING DESHLER AND MOLLY

Video: Belize Mission Trip June 2014, 9min.

Video: Blue hole, Belize 2014, 21min.
Diving Blue hole, Half moon, Aquarium. May 19 2014

Video: James Le Lacheur (as Matt Berry) on the Belize Rainforest, 7min.



Link Copied to Clipboard
March
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Cayo Espanto
Click for Cayo Espanto, and have your own private island
More Links
Click for exciting and adventurous tours of Belize with Katie Valk!
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 132 guests, and 0 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums44
Topics79,198
Posts500,015
Members20,458
Most Online7,413
Nov 7th, 2021



AmbergrisCaye.com CayeCaulker.org HELP! Visitor Center Goods & Services San Pedro Town
BelizeSearch.com Message Board Lodging Diving Fishing Things to Do History
BelizeNews.com Maps Phonebook Belize Business Directory
BelizeCards.com Picture of the Day

The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members
and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5