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Echeverria arraigned for murder
Wilser Echeverria, accused murderer of 64 year old Panamanian diplomat Jose Rodriguez De La Rosa, was arraigned in court On Thursday.
On November 26th Belmopan police took 18 year old Echeverria, of Salvapan area, Belmopan, to have him arraigned on charges of murder...
Plane Crashes in Caribbean Sea
The skies over Belize City were unfriendly for Tropic Air Flight 281 on Thursday afternoon, as it attempted to land at the Belize City Municipal Airstrip.
Authorities are yet to confirm, but reliable information to us is that Flight 281 was coming in around�2:20, and appeared to have overshot the ru...
Chopping in Lemonal
There was a chopping incident in Lemonal Village. 38-year-old Wayne Anthony, a Construction worker of Lemonal Village, was� in a yard when he was chopped multiple times.
Police say Mr Anthony's� middle finger was severed, and he had a huge chop to the left knee. Wayne Anthony was transported to K...
Worker spared fine for assault
Twenty-five year old Julio Ardon, a construction worker charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, was spared a custodial sentence on Thursday by the Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith, when she found him guilty of the charge...
Cannabis bust nets charge
Leonard Mejia, a resident of Belize City, who the police reported they busted with 60.4 grams of cannabis, was charged with drug trafficking when he appeared on Thursday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.
Leonard Mejia was also charged with possession of .4 grams of cannabis...
Teenager may face burglary charge over stolen computer
Nineteen year old Jiovanni Augustine, a resident of Biscayne Village, was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods when he appeared on Thursday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.
Jiovanni Augustine wanted to plead guilty to handling stolen goods, but Chief magistrate Smith remande...
Police probing shooting death of Robert Tracey
On Wednesday morning there was a broad daylight shooting on Wagner's Lane near the center of Belize City.
The victim has been identified as 28 year old Robert Tracey, a resident of Holy Emmanuel Street, far across town to the west.
No one saw the assailant and the police have no description of him. And that is just the start of the puzzling questions surrounding the death of a man who was no stranger to police, but a stranger to residents of the area.
Superintendent Hilberto Romero took questions from the press as to what investigators believe, know, and are trying to find out in the as-yet still young investigation.
"The information we've gathered is that he frequents different areas of the city. Again, he is from the area of Holy Emmanuel Street, and for some reason he was sitting on a stool at Wagner's Lane inside that yard. We are working on canvassing the area to see what he was doing in that particular area but like I mentioned he frequents different areas of the city and not one particular area.
The murder happened aroud ten, and we're working to establish any sort of motive at this time.
Our detectives are at the scene and they are working on trying to gather information and see if we can solve this case."
Housing demonstration in Port Loyola
The demonstration was sponsored by the Opposition People's United Party (PUP) and its standard bearer, Gilroy Usher, Sr., who hit rival Anthony "Boots" Martinez for creating different standards for himself and his constituents.
Gilroy Usher Sr. - PUP Standard Bearer, Port Loyola
"Today we are being forced to live in slum housing, not because our country does not have money to address our concerns. We're being forced to live in slum housing, because of massive corruption in government and its unconcern about the welfare of the Belizean people.
Despite millions of dollars for home restoration after Hurricane Mitch, the majority of those persons affected by the storm in Port Loyola have not received any assistance.
Belizeans, if tax payers' money is good enough to build over a dozen large yellow concrete houses for Boots over Belize City, tax payers' money is also good to build proper low income houses for the people of Port Loyola."
Stephen Okeke still not paid for TV Ramos Bust
When last we heard of Stephen Okeke and his T.V. Ramos sculpture, it was because he had finally, after countless efforts, found a buyer for the bust, which was unveiled at the September 19th celebrations in Dangriga. The bust was given to the Dangriga Town Council on a credit basis, and now sits at the temporary Dangriga Town Hall. The arrangement was that Mr Okeke would be paid a down payment for the bust by mid November, or the end of November at the very latest.
November has come and gone and, according to Stephen Okeke, he has still not been paid, even though he gave it to them at a discounted price.
Stephen Okeke - Sculptor
"So far there has not been any progress. we had an understanding that some payment wouuld be made in the process of the celebration, and of course the nineteenth would have been used as a vehicle to facilitate payment. Then worst case senario, by the end of November that a substantial amount of money would ave been paid, but so far no payment has been made, and no communication so far. That's where it stands right now. No payment has been recieved, and there was no down payment anyway.
Disability Week focuses on technology
It would be erroneous to think of persons with disabilities - some call them "diverse abilities" - as being somehow less than deserving of opportunities and a proper life. That is because, especially in recent years, persons who have lost one of their senses or functions can make up for it with other enhanced senses or functions. Modern technology is an important tool for disabled persons to keep up with the able-bodied population, and it forms part of the theme for Disabilities Awareness Week which kicked off on Sunday.
At a rally in Belize City on Wednesday, manager of the National Resource Center for Inclusive Education (NARCIE), Earlett Thomas, spoke to us about the ways technology helps make disabled persons more able.
SAGICOR Visionaries Challenge seeks best and brightest
32 projects were on display from 28 of Belize's high schools, in the second edition of a highly competitive challenge established by Caribbean regional insurance company SAGICOR, in conjunction with the Caribbean Science Foundation (CSF), and the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), to find the students best able to implement principles of the STEM disciplines - sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.
These students are not only competing against each other but with rivals from Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Hillsborough County - Tampa, Florida, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, where SAGICOR has its offices.
We spoke to contest organizer and SAGICOR Belize Sales and Marketing Executive, Abel Simpson, about where the challenge will take students.
The Guardian
Johnny Briceno's driver died leaving behind 7 Million Dollars?
For a working man who punches the clock 8-5, it does not matter how much money you save, even if it is all your money you save, it is virtually impossible to amass 7 million dollars. But that is an approximation to the quantum of money that Anthony Gillett, the former driver of Johnny Briceno, had accumulated in various bank accounts before he died.
The story of how he got the money is really unknown but what is known is that for years now there has been legal wrangling to determine who will control his estate. The situation started a few years ago, when the former driver of Briceno passed away. At the time of his death, Gillett's mother became the administrator. She would later die and an invisible hand began to move in the background to get to administer the estate. From the information that is floating out there, that estate is well endowed as Gillett is reported to have had a number of accounts with significant amounts of money in them. All told it is somewhere in the region of 7 million dollars.
PUP will take half million in Petro Caribe money for Christmas Cheer program
After being so sanctimonious about the spending of Petro Caribe funds and even going so far as to taking the matter to court to stop the Government of Belize from spending the money in social and development projects, the PUP say they will be taking the money which will come to them by way of the Christmas Cheer Program.
The Secretary General of the PUP, Myrtle Palacio, has written to the Government to say that the 13 area representatives of her party will be taking the $35,000 dollars which will be given to them to be used in assisting residents in the constituencies they represent.
It must be quite a bitter pill for them to now be swallowing especially because of their staunch opposition to the use of the money. Julius Espat and even Francis Fonseca have publicly stated that they have taken and used the money in the past. They then took some form of hypocritical high ground saying that while they had taken the money it was wrong to be spending it without it going to the House of Representatives for approval.
Chetumal Street Bridge almost complete
The Chetumal Street bridge is now a reality. In September, it was announced that a new bridge would be constructed over the Haulover Creek which would connect Belama and Fabers Road. This was deemed necessary to alleviate the traffic which flows through the city. At the time naysayers and doomsday peddlers seeped out of the woodwork and tried to condemn the idea. "Criminals will have easy access from the ghetto to the north-side" - crap. Every possible negative criticism under the sun was thrown at the project. Those dark days for hundreds of Belizeans entering and leaving Belize City are now being illuminated by the very real prospect of a new bridge. A state of the art, locally constructed ferro-concrete bridge now spans the Haulover Creek.
Harrison Holding Over for Louis Wade?
After slamming his party on Facebook for their undemocratic practices, Richard Harrison was appointed the PUP Standard Bearer for Cayo North. He was forced to quickly swallow his own vomit and tried to deflect the proverbial "puppet master" bullet he launched at his party. Unfortunately for Harrison, he is too slow to realize that he is being spread on top of the political altar. The PUP knows they have no chance to win the January 5 bye-election; therefore, they have chosen their least favourite and most expendable candidate in the pool. Their most desired candidate continues to be the Big Mouth of Plus TV and if Wade answers the call then Harrison will simply be a seat holder until shortly after January 5.
As we've reported previously, senior PUP officials in the Western Caucus want Plus TV's Big Mouth to take over as PUP Standard Bearer for Cayo North. They believe his television station's popularity in the Cayo area can benefit the entire PUP Western Caucus. However, they do not want him for January 5 as they have already conceded to Omar Figueroa. Immediately after January 5 the Western Caucus will resume courtship of the self proclaimed pastor who raised over $50,000 in one campaign fundraiser and refuses to publicize who were the biggest donors and how much tax he paid, if any.
Kenroy Parham killed near to his house
Kenroy Parham, a 25 year-old resident of the Mahogany Heights housing community, was found dead early on Saturday, November 29. He had been shot to death a stone's throw away from his family's residence.
Police don't know much at this time, but what they found was that Parham had been left for dead after being shot 3 times to the back and head. Neighbours told the press that they heard gunshots sometime after 9 p.m. the night before, but absolutely no one went outside to investigate what had happened.
Man Appeals "Harsh" Sentence for 1.3 Grams of Crack Cocaine
In February of this year, Edwin "Malantee Man" Bowen was convicted of drug trafficking for 1.3 grams of crack cocaine. He was fined $10,000 and sentenced to prison for a term of three years. However, Bowen's attorney, Ellis Arnold, applied for a stay of execution in March and applied for bail as he waits for the appeal.
On Friday, November 28, the stay of execution was granted by Justice Shona Griffith. Anthony Sylvester substituted for Arnold and presented the submission for bail. The defense is not arguing guilt or innocence but that the sentence handed down by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith is "too harsh".
Belizeans Charged for Smuggling Cubans
Belizean mechanic of Mahogany Street, Noellwyn Lester Ramclam, 50, and Cuban permanent resident, Alberto Quintana, 49, are facing charges for aiding two Cubans to remain in Belize illegally.
According to reports, on Friday, November 28, Yoelkis Garcia, 29, and Jaema Manuela Iglesia Aldana, 27, entered Belize illegally through the Mopan River in the Cayo District. There they were allegedly met by Ramclam and Quintana who used a grey Toyota Corolla with taxi license plate to transport them to Belize City.
Garcia and Aldana were arraigned before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Monday, December 1. They were read a single charge of entering Belize illegally. They pleaded guilty to the offense after first disputing the meaning of being illegal. Both took offense to being linked with the word "illegal" but when explained that they were being charged for entering illegally from the Mopan River they conceded. Both were fined $1,000 for the offense and ordered to pay immediately or serve six months in prison. An order for their removal was requested and granted; therefore, after they pay the fine or serve the time they will be deported back to Cuba.
Guatemalan Women Busted after Entering Belize Illegally
Two Guatemalan waitresses are in prison after they pleaded guilty to entering Belize illegally on Monday, December 1.
Silvia Liliana Cayax Arias, 33, and Rosa Delmy Sanchez Velasquez, 25, were on a bus heading from Cayo to Belize City when police boarded at a checkpoint on the George Price Highway. The women looked suspicious to police and when they were approached they could not speak English. An officer then spoke to the women in Spanish and asked that they present travel documents. The women were unable to do so; therefore, police took them off the bus and handed them over to Immigration Department.
Ensfield Reyes gets 18 months for pulling gun at wife
Ensfield Reyes, 31, will spend the next 18 months in prison after he was convicted for pulling a gun at his wife, Bernadette Reyes, 29.
According to reports, Reyes got into an argument with his wife at their King Street residence on Sunday night, April 13th. The argument got heated and as his wife was trying to leave the house Reyes pulled out his licensed firearm and fired a single shot. Fortunately for the wife, the shot missed but the incident left her traumatized and forced her to apply for a restraining order immediately after. At the time of the incident, the couple was at home with their two-year-old daughter. Police responded to the incident and arrested Reyes.
Belize observes World AIDS Day with goal of getting to Zero
Belize joins the rest of the world on December 1 to celebrate World AIDS Day with a single goal of "Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS- related deaths."
To raise awareness on World AIDS Day the National HIV Programme of the Ministry of Health partnered with the National AIDS Commission (NAC), Pan American Social Marketing Organization (PASMO Belize) and other partner agencies to host art and health fairs in eight locations countrywide. In Belize City the fair was held at the center of town, the Battlefield Park.
Is Belize a better place for children today?
It was some 25 years ago that countries all over the world made a promise to children to do everything in their power to protect and promote the rights of children to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential. Over the last two and a half decades, 192 countries have signed on the to the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and it has been recognized as the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history.
As Belize and countries all over the globe celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Convention, it is most appropriate to reflect and analyze where Belize has come from and where the country is going in relation to children's rights. Belize is definitely a better place for children today than 25 years ago but while there is much to celebrate, there is still much more to do.
New Coast Guard officers graduate
The Belize Coast Guard officially welcomed 44 new officers to their ranks on Friday, November 28 at the Williamson Complex in Ladyville. They were applicants who signed up and endured 13 weeks of training as part of recruit intake number 5.
These 44 recruits were put through the intense basic training in which they spent most of their days being put through the punishing physical tasks designed to improve their levels of fitness. Aside from the physical training, the recruits had to take classes where they were taught matters of theory which they will have to employ as full officers. Also, the Belize Coast Guard is a military organization, and so, the Intake 5 recruits were also put through training designed for tactics, strategy and combat.
After the 3 months of training, 5 officers distinguished themselves from the rest of their recruit peers, and they were each awarded for it at the graduation ceremony. Those individuals were recruits, Loani Ruiz, Best Female Officer; Kliuvert Cal, the Best Swimmer; Mario Chan, the Champion Shot Winner; Daniel Gregorio, Best Physical Training; and Filberto Pop, the Champion Recruit. Each of these 5 officers managed to distinguish themselves in these 5 categories, and so, they were chosen to receive awards on graduation day.
Belize Officially Hands Over Pro-Tempore Presidency of COMISCA to Guatemala
Following two days of regional discussions at the XLI Ordinary Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA), Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, today officially transferred the Pro-tempore Presidency of COMISCA to the Minister of Health of Guatemala Luis Enrique Monterroso, who will now serve for the next six months.
Minster of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, expressed his appreciation for the cooperation received during his time as Pro-tempore President. Minister Marin commented, "Enormous strides have been made in Belize and the region and we look forward to further progress in the next year."
Mark Lizarraga is really a PUP Senator
The matter of the use of Petro Caribe Funds by Government of Belize was taken before the Senate last week Wednesday. It was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday the 18th November. When it reached the senate for ratification, all senators were asked to vote individually. Everyone voted for it except the Opposition Senators and surprisingly or maybe not so surprisingly the Senator representing the business sector - Hon. Mark Lizarraga.
The question on any reasonable person's mind would be: Is this gentleman out of his mind? He voted against the very thing that makes business happen. He represents the business community in the Senate. Senator Mark you need to snap out of it. The business community put you there to look after their BEST interests. What are you doing? Everybody knows you are a PUP but in the Senate you must represent your people not the interests of the opposition.
Mortgage payment program rolls in
Through the Residential Mortgage Payment Program, the Government of Belize will assist qualifying Belizeans by reimbursing December 2014 interest and principal payments on all residential mortgages with an original value of up to BZ$100,000.00.
Borrowers from the National Bank, Commercial Banks, Credit Unions, the Development Finance Corporation and the Belize Social Security Board can apply for assistance; however borrowers must meet the following criteria approved by Cabinet:
1. Must be residential mortgages of original value of no more than BZ$100,000.00;
2. Must be residential mortgages for new home construction. Mortgages for home improvement will not qualify;
3. Mortgages taken out solely for the purpose of refinancing prior mortgages for the construction of new residences will also qualify for the program.
4. Must be legally registered mortgages and not merely the deposit of title deeds called "Equitable Mortgages."
Orange Orchard Park opened in Santa Elena Town, Cayo
A place of leisure and tranquility for the people of the Orange Orchard and Bradley's Bank Area in Santa Elena Town was opened on Sunday of last weekend. Residents from these areas came out for a short ceremony to show their happiness, for their children will now be able to play at the newly opened Orange Orchard Park, a community project built together with funds from both the Government of Belize and the Private Sector.
To mark the occasion, both Alberto August, Chairman from the Belize Natural Energy (BNE) Trust, and the Hon. Rene Montero, Minister of Works and Transport and representative for the Cayo Central Division, did the ribbon cutting. Also present for the ceremonies was the team of councilors from the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council and Victor Alegria the General Manger of BNE.
The newly opened Orange Orchard Park had an estimated total cost of $75,000.00, with the BNE Trust Fund coming up with $50,000.00 The Government of Belize's contribution towards the park is $25,000.00, and came in the form of labor.
PUP stalwart scolds Francis Fonseca
It is indeed a sad time for the P.U.P. Party. Mr. George Price would be sickened to see the mockery that is being made of a once great party.
Party Leader, Francis Fonseca and his crony Julius Espat are screaming Sabotage!! Incredible!!
It does not take a rocket scientist nor an Einstein to see why not only fanatical supporters, but also members of the Executive and of the House of Representatives are discontented enough to do an about turn. The resignation of Joseph Mahmud should not have come as a shock.
Mr. Francis Fonseca should have paid closer attention to the Hon. G. Price and also his father Mr. Fonseca Sr. He would have learned the most important lesson a politician could learn. That lesson is PR Young Mr. Fonseca believes that by ignoring and ostracizing the older and wiser members of his party and listening to the select few that are his bosom buddies is more important than reaching out and listening to the voice of the people.
Roger Anthony and Kendis Flowers Granted Bail
After spending 31 days on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly shooting at the Meighan's Banak Street home, reputed boss of the Ghost Town Crips, Roger Anthony, 37, is out on bail through the assistance of his attorney Kareem Musa.
Sheldon Meighan, mother of Tyrone and Ellis Meighan Jr., reported to police that on Saturday, October 26, she was inside her house on Banak Street when she saw Anthony wearing a camouflage outfit and a warm cap. They allegedly exchanged harsh words and immediately after Anthony allegedly opened fire on the Meighan's residence; breaking four window louvers, piercing a bedroom door and the cement walls with the spray of bullets.
Tony Rowland, 57, Caught Shoplifting at Uno Gas Station
Water Lane resident Tony Rowland, 57, is facing a charge of theft after he was allegedly caught shop lifting at the Youth for the Future Drive Uno Gas Station on Monday, December 1.
A female cashier at the gas station reported to police that at about 10:55 a.m. a man walked into the convenience store and went to the back. She saw the man take four bottles from the shelf and placed them into a bag that he had. The man then started walking towards the door at which time she ordered him to stop. According to the cashier, the man refused to stop; therefore, she locked the door and trapped him inside the store. She then called the police for assistance. A police mobile unit came shortly after and detained the man, who was identified as Tony Rowland.
Jason Sanchez Arraigned for Murder of Emerson Arnold
Police have arrested and charged Jason Sanchez, 19, for the murder of Emerson Arnold, 35, who was gunned down on Gibnut Street on Friday, November 28. Arnold was riding his bicycle to work, the Belize Water Services Limited, when a gunman wearing a hoodie rode up to him and fired numerous shots from behind. Seven bullets reportedly hit the back part of Arnold's body and he fell to the ground clinging to life. A few minutes later police transported him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police detained Jason Sanchez, also known as Jungle Rat, shortly after the shooting. He was held over the weekend and on Monday, December 1, police escorted him to the Belize City Magistrates Court to be arraigned for murder. Sanchez was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. He was read a single charge of murder. Due to the fact that the matter is indictable no plea was taken.Police have arrested and charged Jason Sanchez, 19, for the murder of Emerson Arnold, 35, who was gunned down on Gibnut Street on Friday, November 28. Arnold was riding his bicycle to work, the Belize Water Services Limited, when a gunman wearing a hoodie rode up to him and fired numerous shots from behind. Seven bullets reportedly hit the back part of Arnold's body and he fell to the ground clinging to life. A few minutes later police transported him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police detained Jason Sanchez, also known as Jungle Rat, shortly after the shooting. He was held over the weekend and on Monday, December 1, police escorted him to the Belize City Magistrates Court to be arraigned for murder. Sanchez was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. He was read a single charge of murder. Due to the fact that the matter is indictable no plea was taken. However, before the Chief Magistrate could finish reading the charge, Sanchez shouted out "not guilty". Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith told him that she will not take a plea from him but all she wants to know is that he understands the charge being read to him. Due to the nature of the offense, bail was denied and Sanchez was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until February 2, 2015.
The Twin Towns have never looked better, the choice is clear!
Residents of San Ignacio and Santa Elena will very shortly be choosing one of the two political parties to represent them. It is of the greatest importance that when the time comes each voter takes the time to think about the decision he or she is about to make.
Let us consider these truths. The Twin Towns have never looked better! Strolling downtown reminds one of Europe. Little bistros and cafes are everywhere. The Welcome Center has added so much to the town. Not only does it provide needed information to visitors, it is the home of much needed entertainment. The young and old enjoy concerts, cultural events or just hanging out in and around the area.
The youth can now enjoy their new basketball court that was so needed. The Joseph Andrews Drive is now looking like a real boulevard.
Xunantunich Education Centre opened in the Cayo District
The Xunantunich Education Centre was opened on Thursday of last week within the Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve near San Jose Succotz Village in the Cayo District. The 950 square feet facility is a product of the Making Tourism Benefit Communities Adjacent to Archaeological Sites MTBCAAS Project, which had targeted nine other archaeological sites in Belize. Funds for the education center came from the Belize Rural Development Program Two (BRDP11), with support from the European Union EU and the Government of Belize.
In his address, the Minister of Tourism and Culture the Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jr. stated that Xunantunich has been the focus of many strategic undertakings by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture and Civil Aviation in recent years, including the replacement of the access site as well as the establishment of a new visitor center.
"Today's event reflects the critical importance of Xunantunich as it relates to the preservation, promotion and conservation of the Mayan Civilization in Belize," he said.
Belize City Primary Schools Basketball competition opens
The 2014-2015 Belize City Primary Schools Basketball Competition commenced on Tuesday, 2 December, 2014, at Bird's Isle in Belize City.
They are 15 boys' teams and 6 girls' teams in the competition. The schools that are participating in the boys' competition are Wesley Upper School, Buttonwood Bay Nazarene School, St. Mary's Anglican School, St. Luke Methodist School, Queen Square Anglican School, St. Ignatius School, James Garbutt SDA School, St. Martin De Porres School, Belize Elementary School, Ephesus SDA School, St. John Vianney School, Trinity Methodist School, St. Joseph RC School and Holy Redeemer School. Meanwhile, the schools in the girls' competition are St. Luke Methodist School, Belize Elementary School, Buttonwood Bay Nazarene School, Holy Redeemer School, Ephesus SDA School, and St. John's Primary School.
East Sports Committee to sponsor Aragon's Basketball Tournament
The Orange Walk East Sports Committee is sponsoring the Aragon's Basketball Tournament at the East Sports Centre that is scheduled to commence on Friday 12th December, 2014.
Teams that are interested in participating in the tournament must have 10 players, 2 coaches and a manager. According to the organisers, teams must wear uniforms.
The championship team will receive $1,000.00 cash, individual medals and a team trophy the 2nd place team will receive $500.00 cash, individual medals and a team trophy. Also there will be the individual awards which include MVP and Most Discipline Team.
Belize Athletics Association to host 2014 National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event.
This event will be held at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 6th and 7th December, 2014.
All athletes 16 years (born 1998 and older) can participate in the events.
Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association). Registration forms can also be obtained from and returned to the National Sports Council's offices throughout the country.
Norwegian Brings Christmas Cheer to Belize City children
Santa Claus was late to the party this year because of an emergency drill on one of Norwegian's cruise ships but his tardiness did not weigh down the excitement of over 200 Belize City children eager to start the Christmas season with some much needed cheer. On Tuesday, December 2, over two hundred children from Belize City received Christmas gifts from Norwegian Cruise Line at the Belize Tourism Board's 11th Annual Children Christmas Party on the grounds of the House of Culture.
Alro Cansino, Destination Planning and Development Assistant of the BTB, says many of the children are from the Dorothy Menzies Child Care Center and Wesley Primary School. Organizers invite children from Dorothy Menzies and a different primary school each year. This year a number of invitations were also given to community organizations in Lake Independence, Queen Square, Port Loyola and Collet constituencies. Cansino says the organizing committee was granted a waiver by the Ministry of Finance to bring in the gifts from Norwegian free of duty.
Hon Rene Montero Christmas 8 ball tournament in Santa Elena, Cayo
Hon. Rene Montero Christmas 8 ball tournament being organized by Link-Up Bar in collaboration with the Cayo Billiards Association continued on Sunday, Nov 30 at Link-Up Bar in Santa Elena, Cayo. We are happy to share the following updates with you.
Match 1: Rookies came out with their "A" game and hurt tournament leader Link-Up, 2-1. For Rookies , Erwin Fernandez shot without fear as he dropped top shooter Jimmy Rudon who was the player with most wins and was undefeated until this game. Then, Wallace Chu kept it going as he bested Juan Villanueva also by 3-2. Erwin Woodye, Jr of Link-Up got the win for his team by defeating Hector Ortiz at 3-1. It must be noted that this was the first loss for Link-up, so, much respect goes to Rookies especially Erwin Fernandez and Wallace Chu who surely didn't play like any rookies. Match 2: Shooters came out with blood in their eyes and zipped Team Ranza 3-0. For Shooters, David Fernandez won Frederick Jones 3-1, Gilbert Luna won Armin Lopez 3-2, and Luis Usher won Hon. Elvin Penner 3-0. This was Mr. Penner's first match played in a tournament, so we say respect to him as he was welcomed by Cayo's top shatta.
Old School prevails in penalty shoot out
The Vega Cup Tournament entered its semi-final round on Sunday, 30 November, 2014 at the People's Stadium in Orange Walk Town with 2 games on the schedule.
In the first game played Jaguars United blanked San Antonio FC by the score of 1-0. The only goal of the game was scored by Orlando Castillo in the 44th minute of play.
In the second semi-final game played, the competition's favourite Old School FC eliminated Awe V. United by the score of 4 -2 in penalty shoot out to advance to the championship game. The goals for Old School were scored by Alfred Jesse, Marlon Miranda, Eleazar Itza and Oilver Hendricks.
Belize Defence Force still a top of the Premier League standings
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season Tournament continued on Saturday, 29 November, with two games on the schedule. In the game played out at the People's Stadium in Orange Walk Town, the league leading Belize Defence Force blanked the defending national football champions by the score of 1-0 to maintain its lead in the on-going competition.
The only goal of the game was scored by Carlton Thomas in the 10th minute of play.
Meanwhile, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the host team Police United won over Wagiya by the score of 6-4. The Police United was able to get onto the scoreboard first when Harrison Roches scored his 1st goal of the game in the 27th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead.
The Police United team took that lead well into the closing minutes of the first half of the game and it was not until the 46+minutes of the half that Abraham Chavez scored the equalising goal for his team. The visiting Wagiya then took the lead when Abraham Chavez scored his 2nd goal in the 48th minute of play for the 2-1 lead. The Police United team was back unto the scoreboard when Harrison Roches scored his 2nd goal of the game in the 51st minute of play when he tied the score at 2-2. Roches then untied the score for good when he scored his 3rd goal of the game in the 53rd minute of play to give the Police United a 3-2 lead.
SICA's 20th Meeting of Ministers and General Directors of Culture held in Belize
The 20th Meeting of the Council of Ministers & General Directors of Culture of the CECC/SICA (Central American Education & Culture Coordination/Central American Integration System) was held at the Grand Caribe Resort on San Pedro, Ambergis Caye, on 20th November 2014. The meeting was hosted and chaired by Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation - Pro Tempore President for Culture during the period that Belize holds the Presidency of SICA (July - December 2014).
Minister Heredia was joined by other Ministers, Vice Ministers and Directors of Culture of these countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic.
Sugar Crop Now Looks Possible
The Belize Sugar Cane Farmers' Association (BSCFA) and Belize Sugar Industries Ltd (BSI) met for 5 straight hours on Wednesday 3 December to continue discussions on a new commercial agreement, as facilitated by the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow.
Of the five issues of contention, two were disposed of quickly, but three core areas of disagreement were discussed at length. These three areas are: the length of the new agreement, the payment for bagasse, and the ownership of the sugar cane.
At the end of the discussions, the BSCFA presented proposals to settle these three contentious issues, and a response to these proposals from ASR/BSI should be given by Friday, 5 December. This response will be taken by the BSCFA to its membership this weekend, where, if there is consensus, an agreement could be signed by Monday 8 December. The 2015 crop could then start within three days of the signing.
Patrick Jones
Man spared jail sentence, gets fined for assault
Twenty-five year old Julio Ardon, a construction worker charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, was spared a custodial sentence today.
Ardon was found guilty by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith.
The Chief Magistrate told Ardon to count himself lucky that he is not going to Kolbe Foundation.
On conviction for the offence of aggravated assault with a firearm, a person is liable to a sentence of 2 years.
Cannabis bust results in charges
Leonard Mejia, a resident of 16 Pickstock Apartment who the police reported they busted with 60.4 grams of cannabis, was charged with drug trafficking when he appeared yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.
Mejia was also charged with possession of .4 grams of cannabis.
He pled not guilty to the charges.
He said that the police put the cannabis on a scale 3 times.
The first and second times the cannabis weighed 59.6 grams and the third time when they put the cannabis on a different scale it weighed 60.4 grams.
Teenager may face burglary charge over stolen computer
Nineteen year old Jiovanni Augustine, a resident of Biscayne Village, was charged with burglary and handling stolen goods when he appeared yesterday before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith.
Augustine wanted to plead guilty to handling stolen goods but Chief Magistrate Smith remanded him into custody until Thursday, December 11 in order for the prosecutor to decide whether the prosecution will accept handling stolen goods or go for a burglary conviction.
According to the allegation, on December 2, Augustine broke into the home of John Oliver, located in West Landivar, and stole one laptop computer, which has a value of $400.
Plane ends up in the Caribbean Sea in Belize City
A plane belonging to Tropic Air appears to have overshot the runway at the Municipal Airstrip in Belize City this afternoon and landed in the Caribbean Sea. Details are slowly starting to emerge, but confirmed reports are that the incident happened around 2:30 pm when Flight 281 [�]
Bishop Martin High School repeats as Visionaries Challenge winner
For the second year in a row, the Bishop Martin High School from Orange Walk has come out victorious as the National winners in Sagicor's Visionaries Challenge. The event was held on Wednesday at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City. [�]
Belizean to take part in Miss Global International
Belize will have participation in the Miss Global International pageant this weekend in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Audralee Enriquez traveled to Jamaica on Monday and has been taking part in pre-pageant activities, with the main event scheduled for Saturday, December 6. The pageant was first held in 2004 [�]
Galen University to hold Open Day
Galen University has announced it will be holding an Open Day at all of its campuses on Saturday.
Stating at 8:30 am and continuing through to 4 pm, the Open Day will give potential students a chance to learn about all of the University's programs being offered.
In addition to learning about available programs, prospective students will get a chance to apply and register for any of the programs commencing in January, 2015.
According to a press release from Galen University "successful applicants for the that day will qualify for a tuition grant of up to 20% and will receive a 50% discount on their application fee."
Pictures of Riot Control Training in Belize
It's not that the U.S. military trains for this, which is necessary and recommendable. It's not that they seem to enjoy it so much, which is stupidly understandable. It's that they are often being trained to detain and dispel rioters that are engaging in legally protected activities. Some of the situations include environmental protesters holding signs that say "Save the Halibut" and "Stop the Violence", as well as antiwar protesters holding signs with peace symbols and "No more war" written on them. The following set of pictures from a training exercise for the military of Belize shows protesters holding signs that read "Freedom 2 Worship", WE DEMAND MORE MONEY and "No More Taxes".
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE GRAND PLAZA AT TIKAL
What an incredible recognition to digest that the ancient Maya, the people who built those overgrown cities in the jungles of Mesoamerica and abandoned them at the end of the classic period (900AD), were still living in and around the great city of Tikal in Peten, in the 18th century! Guatemalan archives have this information. What we know historically contemporary is that a group made an expedition to find this site in 1848 and they introduced to the world their findings in 1853. The Governor and the commissioner of El Peten, Francisco Tut and Modesto Mendez were the ones who brought the attention to the site of Tikal.
After the information came out on the city, everyone wanted to touch the walls of what we now recognize as "the place of voices"; one of the most magical ancient Maya Cities in the Maya world that rivalled cities such as Copan in Honduras, Palenque in Mexico and Caracol in Belize. If you have never been there, allow us to introduce this City to you by offering 5 things you should know of what is the "downtown" of the "place of voices".
The Necropolis of Tikal
Many who visit ancient sites want to know how the people lived in the particular cities and they also want to know what truly made the people who lived within them great. While people will find a multitude of great stories of how the people of the ancient cities lived, they may probably ask where those people who built those cities go. At Tikal, the truth is, while the ancient Maya descendants are still alive and scattered all over Mesoamerica, the people who collaborated to make the ancient city what it was are still there - not only in spirit but interred in some of the most beautiful tombs ever designed for kings anywhere. The entire North Acropolis in "downtown" Tikal is evidence of this.
The North Acropolis earliest date goes back to c. 350BC. This was located on a platform that hosted a few temple buildings early but it eventually became the resting place of many kings in the classic period (250AD-900AD). Archaeologists have uncovered that this particular area was redecorated with beautiful tall pyramids around 400AD. Building after building, one over the other have been uncovered suggesting that the ancient Maya used a process of superimposition as a way to use the tight spaces within particular plazas and the North Acropolis at Tikal is a shining example of that.
Four Great Kings and a Queen of Tikal
The state is a reflection of the leader of every company or institution. To make a city unbelievable great, like Tikal, whose history started as far back as 900BC it had to have great leadership. There was failure certainly, but for the most part, the city was embellished with much success over the years. It defeated Calakmul, a super power and contemporary of Tikal. This defeat alone gave it abundance in the world of bragging rights. These leaders were called kings; living gods who managed the middle of the tripartite world of ancient Maya cosmology.
Epigraphers, archaeologists who literally know to read the writing on the walls of the ancient Maya, have made great strides in the interpretation of royalty and their activities throughout the Maya area. They have also been able to read the names of great men and women and the dates of their accession to their thrones and death. Some of the names, when translated to the English language, are quite unusual and at least, interestingly funny!
Belize, Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
SBDCBelize BELTRAIDE and La Inmaculada Moving Forward
On the 3rd December, 2014 the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), through its Small Business Development Center, SBDC Belize signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to benefit local Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the areas of credit facilitation and credit management with La Inmaculada Credit Union Limited.
This collaboration is expected to better connect our clients to much needed start-up or expansion capital and better prepare them to actively participate in a competitive environment. In addition to assisting new clients, the collaboration will also benefit existing clients of the La Inmaculada Credit Union Limited, who may want to enhance their business management practices.
Belize weather: the best on the planet!
Blink and you might miss it was a pretty good description of this year's calm hurricane season, which officially ended at the beginning of December.
Yes, it's a great feeling when the season comes and goes without anyone really noticing it, and this year's had that mellow quality we all love.
As visitors to Belize quickly learn, we are blessed with some of the best weather conditions on the planet, with average yearly temperatures of 84° F (29°C) and not much of a difference between seasons. Just one more factor in Belize's growing reputation as a true tropical paradise.
However, all tropical paradises the world over have one thing in common - the warm weather and surrounding seas are perfect breeding grounds for tropical depressions which can grow into full fledged hurricanes. Belize, like most countries that are affected by these cyclonic storms, has developed sophisticated systems for predicting, recording and dealing with severe weather, so over the years the effects have been mitigated to an impressive degree.
Waking Up To Rain But�YESTERDAY? It was GORGEOUS in Belize
The rainy season in Belize is not what you might picture - non-stop drowning monsoons of rain keeping the sky dark and road impassable for weeks at a time.
Whoops�I did see this picture. Stuck on a back street last week, in a golf cart, in a giant puddle�someone's got to get out and push? Right?
Ok sure, we will have one three or four day period of rain (and I think we may have gotten that out of the way already- see photo above!) and it will take a while to dry out. The back roads (like the one above) in particular.
But what I am TRYING to say is that we usually get a pretty mixed bag when the rainy season comes in earnest. A morning of rain, an afternoon of brilliant sun.
International Sources
Wareham High students heading to Belize, Caribbean
The School Committee Wednesday approved a trip for Wareham High students to Belize in February 2016, and authorized the Class of 2016 to sponsor a Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean in April 2016.
Science teachers Joy Higgins and Craig Berriault proposed an eight-day scientific excursion to Belize for students in all four high school grades through International Zoological Expeditions, including excursions to rain forest and coral reefs and various cultural experiences. The estimated cost of the trip is as high as $2,500 per person, which they said will be subsidized primarily through fundraising.
The committee unanimously approved the trip. "Any time our kids can get an experience like this one is worth it," Chairman Clifford Sylvia said.
Fort Collins cacao importer launches first product
Fort Collins-based importer and wholesaler of premium chocolate products Madre Cacao has begun distributing its first product, Cacao Body Butter made of 100 percent cocoa butter.
The bulk butter produce is processed from cacao beans in Ecuador, and is then shipped to Colorado for packaging.
In 2006, owner Eric Foote worked in the oil and gas industry with four weeks on and two weeks off. During his time off he would travel south of the border. During a backpacking trip through Belize he met a family that made chocolate from cacao beans, an event that led to a quest to find world-class chocolate, he said.
Norwegian cruise ship to feature Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant
Norwegian Cruise Line's next ship, which will be based in Miami, will have Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville restaurant and the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar on board, the company announced Thursday.
Margaritaville will be a complimentary restaurant on the Norwegian Escape, which will debut in Europe next October and begin week-long Caribbean cruises out of Miami starting Nov. 14. The 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar will be an outdoor bar on the ship's Waterfront zone and will feature live music nightly.
Norwegian's port at Harvest Caye, Belize, will have a Margaritaville when it opens next fall, and a 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar will open next year on Norwegian's Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
Margaritaville eventually will be expanded to the rest of the fleet, but details haven't been set yet, said Vanessa Lane Picariello, Norwegian's director of public relations.
Professor David Stoddart: Geographer who championed the conservation of ocean reefs and stopped military bases wreaking ecological havoc
It is now conventional wisdom that reefs are of huge importance in the ecology of the oceans. It was not always so. If any one scientist can be said to have alerted the world to the significance of oceanic reefs it was David Stoddart.
Stoddart left his Faculty in Cambridge University, part of the brain drain, for much, much more money - in order to fund his various projects, rather than for any personal recompense - and became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley. As Sir James Wordie, the Arctic and Antarctic explorer, and Stoddart's Master during his time at St John's College, put it to me sadly: "The Americans poached him. The money available for David's expensive field work and diving in San Francisco was simply not available in Cambridge."
After graduation, Stoddart began his studies of coral reefs and islands in 1959 in the western Caribbean; he pioneered much of the work on the Belize reef, then the responsibility of British Honduras. He returned there to do more work on corals and plants, working for Louisiana State University before and after a major hurricane, tracking its effects on atolls and reefs. He gained a PhD from Cambridge for this work in 1964.
Scotiabank Reports Fourth Quarter and 2014 Results
Scotiabank's 2014 audited annual consolidated financial statements and
accompanying Management's Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) will be available
today at www.scotiabank.com, along with the supplementary financial
information and regulatory capital disclosure reports, which includes fourth
quarter financial information. All amounts are in Canadian dollars and are
based on our audited annual consolidated financial statements and
accompanying MD&A for the year ended October 31, 2014 and related notes
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS), unless otherwise noted.
Reported Basis: Fiscal 2014 Highlights
-- Net income of $7,298 million, up 10% from last year
-- Earnings per share (diluted) of $5.66 versus $5.11, up 11%
-- Annual dividends per share of $2.56, compared to $2.39, an increase of
7%
Videos
Video: Belize Melting Pot of Cultures, 2.5min. The people of Belize have an array of traditions and customs that represent more than 10 diverse cultures. This is truly a melting pot of colorful personalities, making the 314,000 residents of Belize the countrys greatest resource on the tourism front. The Belizean people are comprised of a harmonious combination of Maya, Mestizo, Creole, Garifuna, East Indian, Mennonite, Arab and Chinese, as well as a number of European, American and other expatriates, a combination which has resulted in one of the happiest and most peaceful countries in the region and a widespread reputation as one of the friendliest tourist destinations in the world!
Video: Belize and the Sea, 3.5min. The longest Barrier reef in the hemisphere, the most extensive cave system, the greatest percent of land mass in the region under protected area status, all in one tiny country? How fortunate can one destination be? In the protection of our marine and terrestrial resources coupled with active environmental awareness programs, Belizes vibrant tourism industry was unwittingly born.
Video: Belize Jungle's and Wildlife, 3min. Private waterfalls, jungle canopies teeming with birds and exotic flora, hiking trails following the footprints of the elusive jaguar, iguanas splashing into crisp clear rivers these are only a few of the options visitors have to Be One with the beauty of Belizes rainforest.
Video: A Glimpse of Belize HD, 4min. Belize, the only English-speaking country in Central America, offers a unique combination of richly, rewarding experiences that make it unlike any destination on the planet. Swim with the exotic sea life along the Western Hemisphere's largets barrier reef. Explore the fascinating mysteries of the largest concentration of Maya sites in the region.
Video: Belize and the Maya History, 3min. Although Belize's Maya occupation began as early as 1500 BC, it was during the Classic period of 250 AD to 900 AD that the population is thought to have exceeded one million people. Archaeological remains of the ancient Maya include pottery, skeletons, stelae, and tall palaces, temples, and ceremonial centers.
Video: Sean Paul in Belize, 3min.
Video: Plenty Belize NGO, 7min.
Video: Del Mar, 6min. This is a video documentary on Belize Flyfishing, for a film class, hence the explination of simple fly fishing concepts. -Went down for three days of fishing and got dished some not so optimal weather for the better part of the trip, wish there were more fish shots, but theres always the next trip.