Amandala
Porn problem at San Pedro High
Four students 2nd form of San Pedro High School in San Pedro Town have been sent home on a one-week suspension from school as punishment for circulating pornography at the school - which has been reported to be images of the nude body of a female student of the school that had been altered by the students to resemble a female teacher of the school.
The suspension commenced today, and the students are scheduled to return to classes next Friday, May 29.
Conchita Flota, the interim principal of the high school, told News 5 that the suspension of the four students brings the total number of students who have been suspended for circulating pornographic pictures to nine. Flota explained that recently, controversy had erupted over some pornographic photos of some female students that were being circulated - a situation which the management of the school addressed, she said.
Lake I man executed in yard on Periwinkle Street
Kareem Grant, 26, of Periwinkle Street in Lake Independence, died after being shot at about 8:30 last night in the yard of an unused house on the street, two houses from where he lived, while socializing with his friends.
His killer went to the gate and fired about 7 shots at Grant, hitting him in the head, chest, and back. The unknown killer then escaped from the area.
Grant was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where doctors tried to help him, but nothing much could have been done, and he died shortly after at about 10:00 p.m. His body was taken to the morgue, where it is to undergo a post-mortem to certify the cause of his death.
Police said that they recovered (5) 9mm expended shells from the scene and have since detained two persons pending investigations.
His neighbors on Periwinkle Street told Amandala this afternoon that they were in their yard socializing when they saw a young man pass their yard, walking hurriedly and holding something under his shirt.
Guats continue to "rape Chiquibul"
The Chiquibul Forest-which spans over 400,000 acres in western Belize, abutting the Belize-Guatemala border-continues to be the target of illegal pillaging by Guatemalans; and this year, there is reportedly a spike in illegal encroachments by Guatemalans who continue to clear vast acreages for farming, and some of whom extend their cattle ranches from the Guatemala side of the border to the Belize side of the border.
Last December, Belize and Guatemala signed a set of 13 agreements (which you can read about here: http://amandala.com.bz/news/13-agreements/). These include an agreement for the Protection of the Environment and Sustainable Use of Resources, which stipulates that Belize and Guatemala "will design a framework for cooperation and strategic collaboration with the aim of improving the protection and conservation of the environment and of protected areas through joint efforts." That agreement notwithstanding, things have reportedly gotten worse on the ground.
Rafael Manzanero, executive director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), said that 92 areas within Belize have been illegally cleared for planting this year, more than likely for milpa farming, and this represents a peak in those activities over previous years.
Efrain Alpuche and Saulito Vasquez charged with torching BSI/ASR cane field
After just over 47 hours in detention, Efrain Alpuche, the personal driver and bodyguard of PUP politician and cane farmer, Ramon "Monchie" Cervantes, Jr., and Saulito Vasquez, both of Orange Walk, were arraigned on a single count of arson before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer after 3:00 p.m. today.
Because the Supreme Court was in session at the time, the arraignment was carried out in the Orange Walk Police Station.
No plea was taken and the men were offered, and later met bail of $40,000 each.
When the session concluded, their attorney, Marcel Cardona, explained to the media that the bail was set at that amount "given the quantum of the alleged damage to the [sugar cane] fields of Belize Sugar Industries Limited [BSI/American Sugar Refineries (ASR)]."
Body of missing George Street man found decomposing in the pan of his truck
Denfield L. L. Bowen, 28, the father of 5 children of a George Street address, who was reported missing since Friday, May 1, exactly 3 weeks ago, was found dead in the pan of his pickup in a state of decomposition at about 2:30 this afternoon near Mile 8 on the George Price Highway.
Doctor Mario Estradabran will conduct an on-site autopsy tomorrow to certify the cause of Bowen's death.
His wife reported him missing on May 1, but efforts to find him have been in vain. This afternoon, she was called to the area by his father, who told her that his vehicle had been seen in the area and they saw his body in the vehicle.
This afternoon her father-in-law was going to Manatee when a policeman who knows him told him that Bowen's truck had been found. She said that she had not been given any other information.
GOB proceeding to amend ICJ compromis - despite PUP boycott
The decision by the Government of Belize to proceed next Monday, May 25, with the signing of an amendment to the special agreement for the adjudication of the Belize-Guatemala differendum at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague in The Netherlands has led to an unprecedented fallout with the Opposition, which has always been actively engaged in what had traditionally been a bi-partisan process.
Amandala spoke on Wednesday with Belize's resident Ambassador in Guatemala, H.E. Alexis Rosado, who told us that the signing is scheduled to take place in Guatemala City on the morning of Monday, May 25, 2015, which will be observed in Belize as Sovereign's Day, formerly Commonwealth Day. The Opposition has announced that it will stage a boycott.
Congratulations to new national champions, Verdes FC!
I haven't seen the Channel 5 report yet, but I have been reliably informed by fans behind the southern goal at the Norman Broaster Stadium on Sunday, as well as those who saw the Monday Sports Report, that Jarret's series and championship winning goal was a "professional slap into the far corner," not a header as we erroneously reported in our mid-week issue. From midfield, near the official desk on the western sideline, where I trained my camera on the goal area, I couldn't follow the trajectory of Shamir Pacheco's free kick from near the eastern sideline. My Canon camera was focused on the goal area; and with Jarret's back toward me, I missed the moment of impact, and was lucky to catch the ball in flight before it reportedly hit under the crossbar and entered the net for the 2-nil Verdes win. Because of the sudden change of direction of the ball, headers are the most difficult shots for a goalkeeper, and Jarret's left footed volley was just as nightmarish for All Belize goalie Woodrow West, who made a great effort.
It appeared to us that the Bandits had the better of play overall in Sunday's championship final, but Verdes produced two absolutely spectacular goals, a header into the right "pigeon hole" by Brazilian Alcides Thomas (31') in first half, and the left footed slap-volley again into the right "pigeon hole" in injury time by Jarret Davis (90+'). The 2-nil win was enough to give Verdes, the championship, after losing 1-nil to the Bandits a week earlier at the FFB Stadium.
Well tried, Sonny
The Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015, under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, continued over the weekend. Six games were played on Saturday, but one had caught my attention, that needs mention in detail.
This game was played in Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District, between Suga Boys of Carmelita and Sunrise of Lords Bank. Suga Boys won the toss, but gave Sunrise the option to bat first. In my days of playing, you only gave up your toss if you have strategy. I asked Sonny Wade, the captain, why he did it. He said the team bowling in the first half on the pitch will have better advantage. OK then, I told him. I'll see if it works out.
With the excellent bowling of Perandy and Clifford Tillett, wickets started falling in this order for Sunrise. 1 for 40; 2 for 49; 3 for 51; 4 for 70; 5 for 71; 6 for 113; 7 for 134; 8 for 147; 9 for 154; 10 for 154. In that inning, Garreth Joseph scored 47 for Sunrise, while the two aforementioned bowlers took 3 wickets each.
Alicia Thompson - 2015 Women Cross Country Champion
She has been prominent on the cycling scene for a number of years, having taken off a few years after giving birth, and returning to once again become a prime contender in the female cycling races hosted by the Belize Cycling Association. She had posted wins in other big races, including the 2015 Krem New Year's Classic, but the Women Cross Country, from San Ignacio to Belize City, had eluded Alicia up until yesterday, and she was determined to gain her first Cross Country win.
In pre-race interviews, Alicia sounded confident and satisfied with the work she had put in to prepare for the race, revealing that she was assisted in planning her training regimen by American Masters rider Anthony Taylor, and she has been a regular with the Weekend Warriors in their weekend races, where she has held her own.
Yesterday, it all paid off for Alicia. 2012 champion Kaya Cattouse was reportedly weakened by an asthma attack that saw her hospitalized in the middle of last week; so she was determined to conserve her energies. And defending champion Shalini Zabaneh, try as she might, could not "shake off" Kaya, after Alicia had made her breakaway near Camalote.
Belize Boxing Federation holds first Sunday Knockout event at CET compound
The Belize Boxing Federation (BBF) held its first Sunday Knockout event yesterday, May 17, at the CET compound, corner St. Thomas and St. Joseph Streets, the venue chosen by the BBF to mitigate cost.
Due to some technical difficulties, the event, scheduled to start at 2:00 p.m., actually got under way around 3:00 p.m., but it had a respectable support of about a hundred fans, consisting mostly of family members of the boxers, which was very much appreciated.
The bouts involved participation from a number of boxing gyms - coach Swaso Boxing Gym of Dangriga, where one of his fighters won in convincing style and the other lost showing great potential; coach Leopold Smart Boxing Gym from Belize City; coach Dereck Stewart's Burrell Boom Elite Boxing Club; and Lion's Den Belize City, run by coach Clinton Tucker.
In the opening bout, we saw Jevan Geban, 14 yrs, vs Gordon Richards, 15 yrs, where the judges gave Gordon the split decision victory.
Dangriga sports stats
SCFA Wamule Cup Week 12 results
The Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA) Wamule Cup 2015 continued with Week 12 games on Friday, May 15, and Sunday, May 17, at the Carl Ramos Stadium.
In the opener on Friday, Hope Creek United clipped Wagierale FC, 2-1, with Byron Perez (52' & 70') netting twice for Hope Creek, while Robert Hernandez (31') scored for Wagierale.
And in the nightcap, it was New Site FC and Hopkins FC playing to a 2-2 stalemate. Daniel Suazo (20') and Ean Luis (54') shook the net for New Site, while Joseph Augustine (61') and France Nunez (63') tallied for Hopkins.
Sunday's opener saw another 2-2 draw, this one between Maya King FC and Police FC. Elser Suchite (25' & 29') struck twice for Maya King, while Emmerson Castillo (18') and Francis Castillo (40') scored for Police. In the scheduled nightcap, Benguche FC won by default (3-0) over Green Gold FC.
The race to the playoff is on, and we have four more weeks of regular season games to play.
The claim which is a land grab
At this point in the history of the Guatemalan claim to Belize, the most important thing to understand about the republic is that Guatemala is dominated by a neo-European, elitist oligarchy which controls an excessive, obscene amount of Guatemalan land. The majority of Guatemalans, and the majority of Guatemalans are of Indigenous ancestry, are landless. In 2015, then, what the Guatemalan claim to Belize is, is a land grab. What is not clear is whether this Guatemalan land grab is intended for use as a sop to Cerberus, in the sense of acquiring new acreage to distribute to and appease the landless masses in the republic's east and north, or whether the desired new acreage will end up where land has always ended up in Guatemala - in the maws of the oligarchy and the military with whom they are allied.
In the modern world, where racism, colonialism and imperialism are internationally condemned, Guatemala can not get away with publicizing a claim to Belize which is based on Spanish rights and papal authority which originate in the fifteenth century. Guatemala needs to look her own domestic reality squarely in the eye, and that reality demands immediate land reform. Too few Guatemalans have too much land, and too many Guatemalans have too little.
From the Publisher
Next Friday May 29 marks the 43rd anniversary of an explosive night in the history of Belize. I've written about the events of May 29, 1972 several times before, but there has never been a public discussion of what happened. One of the reasons there has never been a public discussion of what happened is that less than a year after the events of May 1972, high level moves were being made to establish what became the United Democratic Party (UDP) in September of 1973. The events of May 29, 1972 suggested that the UBAD Party had become too powerful, and the traditional, consensus Opposition politicians had to take over the energy which UBAD had unleashed. UBAD, in a sense, had become too big for its own good.
The UBAD decision in August of 1970 to become a political party was probably a mistake, and I have taken full responsibility for it. One of the reasons it was a mistake was because a large percentage of UBAD supporters could not even vote, the voting age not being lowered from 21 to 18 until 1978. Another reason the UBAD decision to become a political party was a mistake was because UBAD was criticizing the church-state educational system and the white supremacist curricula of its schools. History has confirmed what common sense always suggested: you cannot criticize the churches and compete politically in Belize.
Fanon in the modern context �
Hopefully you noticed in the previous discourse that violence goes hand in hand with power. Hopefully you noticed that the examples of violence deal with situations of poverty.
Poverty is the result of power used to deny equal distribution of resources and wealth. Creating, contributing to or sustaining poverty is violence. Failure to eliminate poverty is violence.
In The Wretched of the Earth, the late psychologist Frantz Fanon, a Black man born in Martinique, analyzes the psychology of the colonist and the colonized in their respective struggles for power and freedom. The first section is on violence.
Now, Dr. Fanon was talking largely about physical force and confrontation, violent language, rifle butts and bayonets and bloody knives in the formation and organization of colonies and their eventual "disorganization" and decolonization. However, he may as well have been analyzing the psychologies of the rich and the poor. The parallels are striking; one has only to substitute "the wealthy" or the "ruling class" for "the colonist" or "the colonized intellectual"; "the poor" for "the colonized" or "the native" or "colonial subject" or "exploited." In doing that exercise one gets a true picture of the plight of the poor and their relationship to the wealthy and the inherent violent acts in that reality.
One roof, one bolt �
Dear Editor,
I am writing to bring this to the attention of the Transport Authority in Belize City. I am a regular bus rider in Belize. A few months back, due to an incident, a steel post in a bus station was damaged and has been left unattended for the last few months.
Sitting in the station numerous times waiting for buses, I studied this phenomenon and found out the whole roof is supported by one bolt.
Right now this can be fixed by few hundred dollars, but if it collapses, it could be thousands of dollars and maybe loss of life. Please, someone in authority arrange to fix this damaged post.
Do it if not to save someone's life, at least to save some money for government. Even the insurance company that insures for this kind of event should try to fix it: it will save them money and hassle.
Police crime database fully digitized
Harry Noble, who has been working with the Police Department for the past 13 years to help develop its Wide Area Networks database, has informed our newspaper that the police now have access to immediate digital information on incidences of crime, with the recent completion of the roll-out to the districts. Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo, was the last police post to be connected to the digital network about a month and a half ago. What this means is that the police are able to instantaneously track crimes occurring across the country.
Noble told Amandala that all crimes are tracked in the database, but their challenge now is analyzing and disseminating the information.
"All the data is linked in. Whenever you go to any police station now, it's all computer work. Everything is digitized," he told us.
He told us that the Chief Executive Office in the Ministry of National Security has asked them to develop a webpage, where information would be readily accessible to the public. That webpage, he said, is currently being developed by the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) in Belmopan.
Fuel prices skyrocketing again - premium over $10 a gal
Drivers were able to breathe a major sigh of relief this January when the prices of premium and regular gasoline dipped to under $8.00 a gallon; however, the most recent price adjustments implemented last night have put the price of premium gas in Belize City at just above $10 a gallon, an increase of 65 cents on the gallon, and the price of regular gas at $9.39 a gallon-the second highest price levels since the year began. Pump prices, which are calculated and set by the Ministry of Finance, vary in each district.
When we visited the gas station earlier this week, both regular and premium gasoline were tagged at $9.36 a gallon, after a new shipment of regular gas caused a price change of 16 cents on the gallon, from $9.20 to $9.36. The price edged up another 3 cents 4 days later.
Groundings with iconic keyboard master Clinton "Junie" Crawford
The United Black Association for Development (UBAD) Education Foundation has been holding "open-mic" poetry reading sessions at Spooner's Caf�, on North Front Street for several months, to raise funds for the Dr. Leroy Taegar Institute of Learning, Literacy and Numeracy Program, located at the Library of African and Indian Studies on the Kremandala compound. Last Thursday night, May 14, poets and those who support the UBAD Educational Foundation were treated to the special sounds of one of Belize's most accomplished and iconic musicians.
Almost none of the young poets who took to the microphone were aware of who the man on the keyboard was, nor of his significance to the early Belizean beat.
Clinton "Junie" Crawford, whose music was synonymous with the name "the great Lord Rhaburn", who has entertained generations of Belizean music lovers, must have sounded different to the young people in the audience at Spooner's, but when Sydney "Stretcher" Lightburn took the mic and belted out a jazz song, with Crawford at the keyboard, the appreciative crowd wanted more, so Crawford fed their hunger for more by playing a few more tunes.
Belize's Tysha Roches takes 1st place in CANTO's video competition
Tysha Toni Roches, 17, a business student of St. Catherine Academy, has copped 1st place in a regional video competition sponsored by the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organizations (CANTO), for her video titled, "ICT and Me".
In a press release issued Wednesday, CANTO said that Roches emerged as the number one contender in CANTO's 9th Regional World Telecommunication and Information Society Day Video Competition, with Belize snagging the award for the second consecutive year. William Mahler, Jr., won the competition last year.
"Her video informed and enlightened viewers of the evolution of communication and how it shapes and creates an innovative environment through ICT and Telecommunication platforms," said a statement from CANTO.
US issues security alert on murders in western Belize
Following the double murder of two American men in western Belize this weekend, the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) of the United States Department of State has issued a security message for US citizens in the Belmopan area, citing an increase in violent crimes between the villages of Roaring Creek and Teakettle, Cayo District.
It said that eleven murders have taken place since January 1, 2015 within the specific area of concern. That represents just under a quarter of the murders reported in Belize so far this year happening within a span of about 5 miles.
Last Friday evening, American retirees Julian Christopher Jones, 46, and Paul David Signorino, 61, were brutally murdered in the Pineapple Hill area, of Teakettle in the Cayo District.
The Reporter
Fatal shooting in Belize City; another in Dangriga
A shooting on Friday evening on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City has claimed the life of a man.
The incident happened shortly before 7 p.m.
We understand that there was another shooting in Dangriga shortly after 9 p.m., the details of which this newspaper is seeking to confirm.
Stake holders meet to discuss early childhood development
The Government of Belize this week, in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund, began working on a national early childhood development strategy.
To develop a comprehensive strategy, representatives from the Ministries of Education Youth and Sports, Health, and Human development gathered at the Radisson Fort George Hotel for a one day strategy session, the first of a series of activities in the strategy's development.
Ivan Yerovi, UNICEF representative, explained that the main idea is for the three ministries to get together to start building new integrated ECD services.
"The main output to come out of this meeting is to decide how they are going to start building these integrated services," Yerovi explained, "clear guidelines, clear timelines, and clear actions so we can start building those integrated services."
"Kids at Work" business expo a success
On Friday, Horizon Academy hosted its first financial literacy fair entitled "Kids at Work Business Expo."
The event, which showcased a variety of products for sale made primarily by students with guidance from teachers and parents, was held on the school's compound at mile 3 on the Phillip Goldson highway.
Principal, Diane Maheia, said that with the overwhelming support from the public, the school has decided to make the event annual.
"We are hoping that the people that came today will be inspired and realize that entrepreneurship is a life style that needs to be taught to their kids," Maheia said. "We will incorporate this activity into our learning cycles but it can't just be a once a year thing at school."
Estela Lara, teacher of the pre-kinder, and kinder garden students, emphasized that even though her students are aged between two and four years, the children were the main drivers of the products.
Monkey River loses more beachfront to rapid erosion
Rapid beach erosion has been the hot topic of discussion in Monkey River Village. The village, located in the Toledo District, has been experiencing severe beach erosion since 1979. Hurricanes Mitch in 1998 and Iris in 2001 sped up the process and the result […]
Belize has new avian veterinary specialist
Belize has a newly-trained aviary specialist in the person of Philip DeShield, 26, who returned home last Thursday from a sponsored�avian veterinary course in the United States. DeShield says he hopes to use his newly-acquired skills to assist the Belize Bird Rescue (BBR), the […]
Near-death traffic accidents occur hours apart on same highway
Several persons escaped almost sure death when their vehicle came to a screeching halt just feet above the Belize River shortly after 7 p.m. on Sunday. The concrete barrier on the river's edge stopped it from careening into the crocodile-infested waters near mile seven […]
Mom shot dead in front of family�
A mother of three, was shot dead while heading home on the George Price Highway in a vehicle with her family. Roselia Galvez, 43, a resident of Society Hall Road, Roaring Creek, was killed around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, after enjoying an afternoon of […]
Attempted Murder witness killed at wake
Twenty-nine-year-old Kenroy “Bouncer” Arnold was ambushed, shot and killed on Saturday night in Ladyville as he attended the wake of another recent murder victim. His family alleges he was killed because he was supposed to testify in an upcoming attempted murder case. According to […]
Taiwan ICDF gives Belize US$2.5 Million Tilapia hatchery
Commercially-farmed Tilapia were first introduced to Belize more than 20 years ago in the mid 90's through Taiwan technology exchange. This week the Republic of China on Taiwan's Technical Mission has gave a big boost to the industry by building a US$2.5 million, state of […]
VIP says no to ICJ and PetroCaribe Act
The Vision Inspired by the People (VIP), at a press conference on Wednesday, expressed its opposition to the Prime Minister's proposed amendments to the controversial PetroCaribe Loan Act and taking the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). VIP candidate Patrick Rogers […]
BEWU denies demanding unfair salary increase
The Belize Energy Workers Union (BEWU) has denied reports that it staged a "sick-out" on Monday in protest of Belize Electricity Limited's (BEL) refusal to grant workers a salary increase. A BEWU release sent out on Wednesday, said that contrary to what was reported […]
Boat sinks off coast of Caye Chapel
A 14-passenger seagoing vessel named "Island Woman" en route from Belize City to Caye Caulker ,experienced problems and sank off the southern tip of Caye Chapel last Friday afternoon. Sherlette Martinez, operations manager at the Belize Port Authority, acknowledged that the vessel, registered to […]
EU Ambassador meets with PM
European Union) Ambassador to Belize, Paola Amadei, is on an official visit to the country this week with the purpose of visiting a number of sites to check on the progress of some of the EU-funded projects. She met with Prime Minister Dean Barrow. […]
Basketbrawl in Dangriga
No fans were present to cheer on the Dangriga Warriors as they won the fourth and last berth as the No.4 seed in the National Elite Basketball League playoffs: 73-68 over the Yellow Pages Hurricanes of Belize City. The game was played at the University […]
Fibbers' famous sauce can now be found at supermarkets
Belizeans can now find the famous sauce of Fibbers Fast Foods in retailers throughout Belize City. Both Brodies locations, all thee Publics Supermarkets, and Caribbean Chicken now carry the Original Honey Glaze and Spicy Honey Glaze sauces of Fibbers Foods, the company formed from the […]
Editorial
Guatemala made a formal request to Belize last week to vary treaty agreements to allow her to hold her referendum on Belize along with national elections. National elections in Guatemala are scheduled for Thursday, September 6. Run-off elections will be held on Tuesday, October 20, to select the next President […]
Minister Edmund Castro in the hot seat again!
The wife of Minister of State, Edmund Castro, Helen Castro, is seeking to seize a parcel of land in the community of Fresh Pond, Lot #28. That parcel is currently in the name of Tricia Young, leased to her since September 2, 2013. But an eviction order issued to Young […]
Police find decomposed body at Mile 8
A badly decomposed body found in a remote area of West Lake, in the Mile 8 Community has raised suspicion foul play. Around 4 p.m. on Thursday, police were summoned to the Mile 8 community off the George Price Highway, where they discovered the badly […]
Brother pleads guilty to drug trafficking allowing other brother to go free
A plea change from not guilty to guilty sresulted in Giovanni Reque�a, a maintenance worker of Neals Pen Road in Belize City being fined $10,000 for drug rafficking. Charges against his brother, Ellis were withdrawn. On July 4, 2014, police chased a pink car […]
Cervantes' employees charged for burning BSI canefields
Police suspect arson to be the cause of 20 burned acres of cane in Orange Walk district. The case has resulted in Efrain Paul Alpuche and Saulito Vasquez, both employees of Ramon Cervantes' family, being arraigned for arson before Magistrate Sharon Frazer in Orange Walk on Wednesday. The men are […]
New 'Rider Fee' jacks up local airfare prices
Belizeans and tourists, and even employees of domestic carriers, Tropic Air and Maya Island Air will have to pay an additional $6 rider fee per departure, effective June 1, 2015. The announcement came via a Tropic Air release dated May 12th which stated that "the Government of Belize and the […]
High-school suspends students amid nude photo scandal
Nine students from San Pedro High School have been suspended for their participation and involvement in the creation and dissemination of nude photos. including alteration of one photo in an attempt to defame one of the school's teachers. SPHS Interim Principal, Conchita Flota clarified […]
Breaking Belize News
1 Dead After Shooting in Belize City
A shooting that happened in Belize City around 6:30 p.m. last night has claimed another life.
According to reports, two men were shot on Iguana Street near Kim's store. One of them is deceased and the other has survived.
This is a developing story and we will be updating it shortly.
Is Golency Belize a Fake Business?
Their About Us page reads "Golency Group consists of six companies including BuyWithGolency, Golency Assets Brokers, Golency Precious Metals and Golency Investment Group. A bulk purchase is when a group of individuals work with Golency to purchase together. By purchasing as a group, each participant saves 20% - 70% or [�]
Belizean, Tysha Toni Roches conquers 1st place in CANTO's 9th Regional WTISD
A St. Catherine's student, Tysha Toni Roches is the winner of a regional video competition organized by CANTO. World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is spearheaded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and CANTO commemorates this day with an annual video competition on the respective ITU theme. This year's theme [�]
Walton's family seeks monetary assistance for Nancy
The family of Nancy Liliana Walton is appealing to the Belizean public for monetary assistance to pay for an urgent surgery she needs after falling off a zip line. Nancy was zip lining in Playa Del Cayo in San Ignacio when the incident occurred and she suffered a severe back [�]
Caleb Orozco reveals Belizeans' casual anti-LGBT stance in N.Y. Times Magazine profile
Speaking to the New York Times Magazine for a personal , executive director and former president and founder of the United Belize Advocacy Movement (UNIBAM), Caleb Orozco, has said that his fight against Section 53 of the Criminal Code that officially outlaws sexual acts "against the order of nature" [�]
Youth Empowerment Project making strides in PG
The Department of Youth Services in Punta Gorda in collaboration with the PG Town Council and Plenty Belize, held a Youth Governance Forum on Wednesday in which youths from various schools in PG participated. The event was held at the Town Council's Conference room which was packed to capacity with [�]
South Bend Tribune quotes Breaking Belize News
South Bend Tribune, a daily newspaper based in Indiana, USA quoted Breaking Belize News in an article entitled "Mishawaka native shot to death in Belize". The news article was on the murder of Paul David Signorino that happened on May 15th in the Pineapple Hill area of Teakettle Village in [�]
Do not miss this year's Mango Fest in Hopkins
This year's Mango Festival in Hopkins promises to be the biggest and best Mango Fest the village has ever seen! The event is organized by Hopkins Village Council in conjunction with the Hopkins Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association and is scheduled to begin at 10a.m on Saturday, May [�]
Republic of Taiwan donates US$2.5 million for Tilapia Aquaculture in Belize
Accredited to a promise made to Prime Minister Barrow by Taiwan's President Ma Ying-Jeou back in 2009 that the country would aid in the development of Tilapia Aquaculture in Belize, we have received yet another donation to the industry. The aim of commercially farmed Tilapia, first introduced to Belize more than [�]
The APNU-AFC wins election in Guyana
The APNU-AFC that won Guyana's elections last week is uniquely comprised of Africans, East Indians, Amerindians and Dougla. They teamed up for the first time in the country's history to draw the votes of people looking beyond race, showing a small change in the ethnic voting pattern. The People's Progressive [�]
US Embassy issues security caution for Visitors
The U.S Embassy has issued a statement advising American citizens to use extra caution while in the area between Roaring Creek and Teakettle in western Belize. This is a result of the rise in violent crime in that area where eleven murders have been recorded since the beginning of the [�]
Weather forecast for Friday 22nd. Mainly sunny with a few cloudy spells
The general weather situation calls for a slightly increase in moisture over some areas of the country for the next 24 to 48 hours.
Today's outlook is for sunny weather with a few cloudy spells.
Showers will be isolated with the chance of an isolated thunderstorm mainly in southern Belize.
Winds will blow to the East at 10 to 20 knots and the sea state will be choppy.
High temperatures today are expected around 87 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast; 95 degrees Fahrenheit inland and a comfortable 82 degrees Fahrenheit up on the exposed areas of the Mountain Pine Ridge and along the Maya Mountains in the south.
The Island is Buzzed!
We were fortunate enough to have met these cool cats around town. By "cool cats", I simply mean that I can tolerate their company and banter for a lengthy amount of time without looking for someone else to talk to in the vicinity.
Upon further discussion with Gregg and Deb, we discovered that they were the new owners of Island Buzz Caf� and Grill. We had never been patrons of this establishment before now, so we have nothing to base our opinions on except these two great people and their FANTASTIC FOOD!
Gregg and Deb hail from Texas and Seattle. You know��the place where that fancy coffee chain originated? Well, anyway, Deb LOVES coffee and knows where every major coffee joint is on the west coast. I may be exaggerating that but I think if you asked Gregg, he would have my back. They put their noggins together, bought the joint and now Deb has the ability to hook up an intravenous line of espresso to her arm (or one of the other SEVERAL flavored coffee varieties they offer), while she makes wonderful breakfast and lunch items. Gregg, however, is still in search of his favorite "beverage" on the island. I think he will persevere!
By the way, I should mention that they are serving Caye Coffee at this place.
Belize Recipe: Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Lobster Medallions & Pepito Pesto!
Heat Oven to 450°F. Cut the pumpkins in half and remove the seeds. Rub the pumpkin thoroughly with the vegetable oil, and roast in the oven for 45 minutes or until tender. Soak the pumpkin seeds in an equal part brine solution of salt and water for 20 minutes. Drain water, pat dry and roast on a hot griddle, (locally known as a comal), until toasted and smoky. May also be roasted in the oven, turning often. Store the seeds in an airtight container.
Add the fish stock, carrots, onions, celery, thyme, and garlic to a saucepot and simmer. Poach whole lobster tails in fish stock for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Remove from shell and slice into half inch medallions. Scoop the flesh from the roasted pumpkin and add to the now lobster infused seafood stock. Cook on medium to high heat for 20 minutes. Pur�e the pumpkin and vegetables with broth in a blender until smooth. Return the pur�e to the pot and season to taste. Finish by adding cold butter for extra silkiness.Top with pesto and lobster medallions.
Flying Over Ambergris Caye with Belize Parasail�DOLPHINS!
I got an offer I could not refuse. Come meet us at Fido's Dock in downtown San Pedro and try parasailing�just give it a try.
I'd never been parasailing. I've seen the parachutes floating over the reef but heights? So not my thing.
After a few weeks of hemming and hawing, I decided to give it a try. In the timeless words of Khloe Karadashian - YOLO! You only live once. Plus�it would make for great pictures.
I can't think of a better way to take in this sort of view of the island. Helicopter rides are fantastic�thrilling�amazing�but priced way over most peoples' budgets.
And out to the reef. Once you get to 350 feet it is absolutely silent�the rustle of wind once in a while�
International Sources
A trip to Belize to study tarpon � are you in?
This August a small group of anglers from all over the USA will be traveling to the Caribbean to participate in the Belize Tarpon Tagging Expedition, a partnership between anglers and scientists with the University of Miami. This expedition is a unique opportunity for folks to pitch in and lend a hand in an effort to enable global scientific research to the marine fisheries community. Research focused on Atlantic tarpon, Megalops atlanticus.
For decades tarpon have taken the main stage in places like Boca Grande, the Florida Keys and Port Aransas, Texas. In fact, recent economic research studies have shown sport fishing in Florida is now a multi-billion dollar industry that exceeds the state's citrus revenue. Those are big numbers and numbers reliant upon the success of annual fish stocks to return year after year for the longevity and sustainability of the resource. Years ago, many resource managers thought about the management of tarpon as a state's issue, not a federal or international issue. But those beliefs may not be consistent with contemporary theories developed through the use of high-tech satellite tags that track tarpon in real time as they migrate thousands of miles annually. It's been long thought that tarpon migrate. But, not until the last decade since Dr. Jerald Ault of the University of Miami's, Tarpon and Bonefish Research Institute started a satellite tagging program has there been irrefutable proof that in fact tarpon do travel across regional, state and international boarders over the course of a year.
Diving deeper into Mayan lore - and a den of human sacrifice
Shoeless and shivering cold, I'm halfway through a subterranean triathlon of wading, swimming, and climbing through Belize's Actun Tunichil Muknal, a portal to the sacred underworld according to ancient Mayan lore. Locals still call the cave Xibalba, or "place of fear," and as I tiptoe past yet another human skull, it's not hard to understand why.
Three hours before, the cave looked welcoming - refreshing, even. A river flowed from the vine-draped grotto, and a swim across a 15-foot pool was required to access the inner depths. Jumping into the clear, minnow-filled water was the closest I and my Northeastern University classmates - volunteering in western Belize over our spring break - would get to scuba diving off the country's Caribbean coast. Eager for semi-aquatic adventure, we may have overlooked the fact that we were venturing into what was once a den of human sacrifice.
Not far from the cultural hub of San Ignacio, Actun Tunichil Muknal is closer to Guatemala than to Belize's tourist-heavy eastern seaboard. Famous for its skeletal sovereign, a young woman whose calcified remains have earned her the epithet the Crystal Maiden, the cave is one of a number of prehistoric sites in the mountainous Cayo District, where the Mayan civilization thrived more than a millennium ago. The skeletal remains of 13 other humans, as well as many ceramic and stoneware pieces, have been discovered in the limestone abyss.
Ecotourism a natural for Belize
This place is hard to leave. It's unvarnished and unhurried, where residents sell handmade goods, local organic produce, and experiences for visitors that exhibit the trophy natural wonders of Central America's smallest country. It's a new country, gaining independence from Britain only in 1981. So when it could do as it wished, Belize made a very forward-thinking decision: Lock down most natural resources and use these protected reefs, jungles, and mountains for responsible, sustainable tourism.
My wife, Lori, and I visited Punta Gorda in February. Our odyssey started on a brilliant day. We spent the next few days fly-fishing for permit, arguably the most coveted gamefish. We were guided through Garbutt's Fishing Lodge, a down-to-earth business run by four brothers and a sister. In their youth, the Garbutts would harvest fish from the sea and take them to market. Dennis Garbutt quickly realized that their way of life was depleting resources. "We would find that there was no way to expect that every finfish we caught and took to the market would sell; this was wasteful. Extremely wasteful. Overfishing was obvious." So he started a guided fly-fishing company.
Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World
Belize is famous for their Blue Hole. Underwater sinkhole descends more than 400 feet deep below.Belize is a big choice to let divers have an adventurous experience. The barrier reef here is the second largest in the world and helps to attract a variety of marine life. You will find from a number of damselfish to the more substantial sharks and mantas. The diving spot is the home to three of the four atolls in the Western Hemisphere. The shallow waters and deep walls offer bets diving experience to try out different expertise.
4TH ANNUAL GARIFUNA FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS TODAY AT ELECTRIC LODGE
There's something about Venice's critically acclaimed Garifuna Film Festival that's capturing attention from filmmakers, musicians, and artists from all over the world.
The 4th Annual Garifuna Film Festival, which returns today, May 22, through Monday, May 25, at Electric Lodge, is considered an international tower of strength and a major galvanizing force for unity amongst nations.
The festival's focus has always been to give a message of hope and solidarity with conflicting countries and cultures proving they could work together both productively and creatively.
The goal is to heal the divide between nations thereby transcending petty politics and borders.
Videos
Action Twenty24: San Pedro, Belize, 9min. Chris and Amy Bonnett, founders of Action Twenty24, share their passion for the people of San Pedro on Ambergris Isle in Belize.
Children Youth Community and Sport football tournament, 5min. In Corozal Town today tensions were high as parents and schoolmates were on the edge cheering on their favorite team in the Children Youth Community and Sport football tournament.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE SECTOR, 5min. Public Service Day intends to celebrate the value and virtue of public service to the community; highlight the contribution of public service in the development process; recognize the work of public servants, and encourage young people to pursue careers in the public sector. Earlier this week we took a look at the work and services offered by government offices in Orange Walk town. Today, government department officials presented their work at the Corozal district.
Diabetes in Belize and genetics, 57min. Rise and Shine
Diabetes and Belize- exercise and fitnss part 1, 30min. Rise and Shine
Diabetes in Belize and exercise part 2, 40min. Rise and Shine
Belize Vacation - Hamanasi | Tree house, 26min. Trip to Belize at Hamanasi Resort to stay in their tree house -Belize Vacaction, Belize tourism. Guide to belize.
Secure Water - Solar Well Pump & Gravity Feed System - Maya Mountain Research Center, Belize, 14min.
Lionfishing in Belize, 8min. LionFish Spearing in Belize.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
