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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

30 Day Belizean Treats Challenge: Day 19 to 24
We are almost there! Only six more days to complete the Belizean Treats Challenge! Let the count down begin�

Letter to the Editor: The Catholic Church and Homosexuality
Dear Editor, My husband and I were deeply offended by the article "the church, homosexuality and the community," written by Mr. Jorge Aldana, that was in The San Pedro Sun newspaper on September 11, 2015. It was disrespectful to everyone. You not only attacked Father Scott's character, the parishioners of the San Pedro Catholic Church, Pope Francis, but also the foundation on which the Catholic Church was built. Even though I was brought up in the Catholic faith, I feel it is important to be respectful of everyone's religion. We all worship God in our own way. My husband and I both had catholic education in the United States. I was born in Belize City and attended St. Catherine's Academy until I was nine years old and moved to the United States. We have uttermost respect for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. We're all God's children. He doesn't discriminate. The "Bible" is the teaching of God and his apostles. It doesn't drive people away from God, but establishes a relation with God. Mother Theresa is an example of what God teaches us to be "A servant of God." She fed the poor and cared for the sick throughout her life. Wouldn't it be great if each of us could follow in Mother Theresa's footsteps?

Joel Nagel appointed as Belize's Ambassador to Austria
Island businessman and investor, Joel Nagel has been appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria. Nagel officially took the role during a ceremony at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where he was received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Apart for being appointed as Belize's Ambassador to Austria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appointed Nagel as the Permanent Representative to its United Nations offices in Vienna. While in office, Nagel will work to strengthen and improve the relationship between Belize and Austria. Nagel is the founder and managing partner of the international law firm of Nagel & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The firm is Pittsburgh's first law boutique focusing exclusively on international commercial transactions and immigration. Nagel is also the Chairman of Caye International Bank, an investor of Exotic Caye Beach Resort and legal counsel and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer for Grand Baymen Belize.

Therapist needed for burn victim
Burn Victim Mercy Fund is seeking a Physical Therapist in San Pedro Town who would be willing to contribute his/her skills to improve the life of a very special girl. The services of a physical therapist are needed to facilitate the releases of nine-year-old Katerin Michel Perez from Shriners Hospital for Children (Burns Center), to return to Belize. Her return home can only be determined by whether or not her therapy can be continued here. It is essential to finding a therapist able and willing to contribute to the ongoing care of the burn patient who has limited resources.

Verdes FC still hoping to advance Champions League Quarterfinals
Belize's Verdes FC continue their journey in the Scotiabank Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League (SCCL). With three matches down and only one more to go in the first round, the Green Machine are giving it their all in hopes of making their country proud. Currently in the second position in their group, Verdes must achieve one more win in order to advance as only the winners of each group move on to the knockout stage. In their two most recent matches, Verdes FC experienced both a loss and victory. Their second match was an away game against Mexico's Queretaro FC on Thursday, September 17th. The match was played at the Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro, Mexico. After experiencing a draw in their first match against Verdes FC during the first game on Tuesday, August 18th at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium, Queretaro FC was determined to win.

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Supermoon Sunday evening
This weekend's full Moon is a "supermoon," as much as 50,000 km closer to Earth than other full Moons of the year. Rising in the east at sunset, the swollen disk will look extremely beautiful... because it is going to be eclipsed. On Sunday evening, Sept. 27th, the supermoon will pass through the shadow of Earth, turning the lunar disk a cosmic shade of red. What makes the eclipsed Moon turn red? A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is underway. You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet looks like it is on fire. As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb. For Belize, the Eclipse of the Moon by Earth will be happening between about 8pm to 9:30pm Sunday Evening. http://shadowandsubstance.com/

Women's U-17 training rescheduled
Island athletes selected for training please take note. The Football Federation of Belize informs that training for the Women's U-17 scheduled for September 25 - 27, 2015 has been canceled due to weather conditions. Training will resume next week Friday, October 2, 2015.

RAYMOND 'SIXTEEN' THOMPSON!
The memories of this awesome Belizean boxer continues to haunt me whenever Belizeans speak about boxing. We know that Lugwig Lightburn was the greatest, and David Dakers was back to back national boxing champ of Belize, and others rose to high acclaim in the Belizean boxing world, but Sixteen, as he is called by most Belizeans, dazzled the Belizean boxing world, and perhaps sent shock waves to the Mexican fighters all the way down to Campeche, Mexico. My close up view of him at Havana Gym under the training brilliance of Eustace Vernon, and why he was so feared by many boxers in Belize, was because of how good he was, and the skill and hard work he put into his training. But Thompson was fearless, and would step away from no challenge. He was second to none, and though he fought at a lighter weight than many of the other big boxing champions in Belize in the 1970's, Sixteen flew high like he was Belize's only national boxing champion. His style, speed, and punching power was parallel to many boxers across the world and the in the United States. He was a combination of everything you can think about in the boxing world at that time. He was a fighting machine.

Statement by Hon. Wilfred Elrington
At the United Nations Summit to Adopt the Post 2015 Development Agenda

Belize Statement Interactive Dialogue
Ending Poverty and Hunger - Post 2015 Summit

INDEPENDENCE EVE 2015
57 new photos

Final Line-Up for Sunday's Parade starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Boca del Rio Park
Thank you for registering your group/float!

Horticulture Classes Fall 2015
If you want to learn more about a wide range of horticulture subjects, there are a lot of classes coming up at the Belize Botanic Gardens Garden Shop. "If you have any question feel free to contact us at 834 - 4800, 824 - 3101, 671 - 3322 or stop by at our garden shop in San Ignacio for more information."

Channel 7

Alleged Child Predator Bowman Charged, In Jail
42 year old alleged child predator Kenrick Alston Bowman is in jail tonight. The Lake Independence man who has been in the news for most of this week - was charged for the little used offence of, quote, "obtaining gratification why he engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a child." End quote. He was taken to court for arraignment this afternoon - and pleaded not guilty. It brings to an end a week of intense pressure on police. But, there's a twist in every tale - and the twist in this one is that Bowman was not charged for molesting the child whose story has been on the news - the one who was allegedly involved in oral sex for two packs of Ramen noodles. The allegation is for an incident with another child - dating back to sometime in January of 2015 - a child who was only made to witness and act - not one who engaged in it. The formal charge read in court was that Bowman, for the purpose of obtaining gratification, engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a 15 year old child, knowing or believing that he was being observed or with the intention of being observed by the said child. Today, the southside commander Chester Williams wouldn't say much about that case, but explained why they have not brought charges for the more recent case:...

Teachers Take To Picket Line Against Their Own Principal At Faith Nazarene
The standoff at Faith Nazarene Primary School in san Ignacio is entering its fourth week - and still children are being kept at home by angry parents who want the principal gone. Today 249 of the 403 registered students showed up for school - which is not even three quarter of the total enrollment. Today parents got a permit to stage their second protest - and they got support on the picket line from teachers who stepped out during the morning break to protest against their own principal. Crazy�and we were there to witness it... Jules Vasquez reporting While children looked on in bemusement the chants were resounding: "Pech Must Go "and what made the difference today was that teachers were on the picket line - chanting and carrying signs against their own principal. At break time - it was more than idle distraction for these kids caught in the middle of a war between adults. Police not teachers had to tell the kids to get back to class - a chaotic atmosphere - hardly conducive to learning. How can school go on with all this noise outside - being generated by persons with vested interests - parents and teachers.

Trouble In Paraiso: Daylight Double Murder
There was a daytime double murder north of Corozal Town today. Around 10:30 am Two men were killed as they were working in a cane field. 42 year old Rogelio Rancharan and his worker 58 year old Vincente Cayuno were shot in the head by an unknown gunman. Police told CTV-3 they got the report from one man who survived:... Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police "At about 10:45am this morning, a 54 year old male person came to the police station and made a report of shots being fired in the San Roman area. That's 3 and a half miles north east of Corozal town. Police visited the area and upon arrival saw two male person lying face up in a cane field with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the right side of the head. Whilst the person came to make the complaint on the two deceased were scattering fertilizer in the cane field. Apparently someone came out of the bushes and fired shots at them. The two persons stayed there and the other person got away and he was the one who came to make the complaint." Reporter "Sir from what you found on the scene, police some sort execution style maybe?" Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police "Well the investigation is in the preliminary stage and I really don't want to speculate, but the two expended shells were found near both bodies."

Still No Bail For Keyren Tzib
Keyren Tzib, the Coast Guard Officer who has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly stabbing her common-law husband to death, went back to the Supreme Court today. She was hoping that Justice Troadio Gonzalez would allow her to go home until her trial starts, but the judge was not convinced that he had all the information to make an appropriate decision. In today's hearing, Justice Gonzalez commented, quote, "I am inclined to grant her bail, but my biggest concern is her mental status." End Quote. He was hoping to get a report from a medical professional which would convince him that the state was fully aware of her mental health. However, when Ingrid Bonilla Claire, a Psychiatric Nurse, took the stand and was prepared to answer his question, Justice Gonzalez was not convinced that her assessment alone was sufficient. That's when the court found out that there was no Psychiatrist currently posted in Belize City.

Are KHMH Staffers Going to Get 14%?
In the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, he announced that the Government of Belize was going to forgive the 9 million dollar debt that the public owes the KHMH. That was the total in unpaid medical bills left uncollected. With the government assuming those impaired debts, the Board of KHMH would be able to pay for the raise that the employees of the hospital had been asking, somewhere in line with the 18% that the teachers and public officers were given. The Guardian Newspaper recently reported that this final figure that this raise will amount to is 14%. When we had an opportunity to speak with Labour Minister Godwin Hulse at an event today, we asked him if that figure is accurate: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "The KHMH employees are not public officers, so they were not subject to that grand bonanza that the public officers were subjected to of 6 and 8 percent. However the government has to put a serious subsidy into the KHMH because it's not a self-sustaining institution and of course health is a priority. So what we have done is we have asked the board to redo their budget and as he rightly said, it's not just a hand out.

Hon. Hulse: Electricity Workers Agreement Soon
Labour Minister Hulse was also able to discuss was the status of the negotiation between the Belize Energy Workers Union and the Management of BEL on an across-the-board salary increase. The union has been threatening industrial action - but Hulse told us that, from his perspective, a resolution could be worked out as soon as next week: Daniel Ortiz "It appears that the discussions are falling away and industrial action seems to be imminent. Is that the position, since you are at a more informed position than we are in the press?" Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "No it's not at all, the discussions are definitely not falling away and we are not close to industrial action. I personally spent 10 meetings and by labour commissioner and CEO took it from there to discuss with both parties. This has gone on now more than a month almost two. There were some structural issues that we wanted to clear on both sides first. We've been at a point where we have a better clarity for management and we were hoping to meet with the unions this week but we understand from them that they had some issues concerning a death in the family of some one of their persons in their negotiating team. So as a consequence we were not able to meet yesterday, we have a plan to meet on this coming Monday. It is my hope to be able to square this away when we do meet on Monday because there has now been tremendous clarity on both sides. Both what the unions really want and what the management really wants and we are fairly confident that we can bring this together."

Contending With Coastal Sewage
If you live or work in a coastal community, the ugly truth is that every time you flush your toilet, you are polluting the seas and lagoons in your area - even if at a very slow rate. Don't get too worried because pollution is measured in parts per million. That might seem a bit too abstract, but it basically means that the higher the concentration of a hazardous substance is, the more harm it is doing. The bottom line, however, is that as you've been hearing for the past few days, communities like Placencia are more at risk. That's because the sewage system being used on the peninsula are mainly septic tanks, and those are inefficient at keeping the chemicals released from human waste from eventually seeping into waterways. Yesterday, the people from Belize Weste Control told us, an integrated sewage system, which would effectively lower this rate of pollution significantly, is prohibitively expensive - in the millions of dollars. That's money that the company does not have, and if they can't afford it for Placencia, they certainly can't do so for other coastal communities. The resident consultant engineer outlined to us what would have to happen for the company to afford these integrated systems:

Mangroves Matter
So, while the country's water and sewage services provider is waiting for a grant, the environment has a ready-made defence against such pollution. We're referring to mangrove forests, which act as a natural filtration. So, that's one more reason to keep these plants around, apart from preventing soil erosion. But, the problem, as we've shown you, is that developers cut down large tracts of mangroves to make way for their development, which is something that the conservationists are very concerned about. They discussed this with us on Wednesday: "As you fly into any one of these tourism destinations, San Pedro, Placencia, Caye Caulker, you begin to see the changes in mangrove cover and similar to shrimp farms. These mangroves help to remediate and remove some of the nutrients that's coming off from the various uses and so here we have industries that depend on high water quality. But at the same time those same industries are removing ecosystems that provide a service and help to remove a nutrient out of the system. It's not the solution for all, but it is one of those elements that add to the solution and it's not only on the mainland. We are starting to see that on very small cayes much like harvest Caye. We're starting to see dredging out at Turneff and that completely removes the cover of mangroves. We anticipate that we will see the same problems that we are seeing, in Placencia and San Pedro where you are starting to see the leachate from the septic tanks reaching out to the water and then reduction in water quality."

Is Reserving The Key To Preserving Placencia Lagoon?
So, as you've seen the Placencia lagoon is under sustained pressure, either from rapid development expansion, or from the slow pollution of the community's inefficient sewage system. That and other reasons are why the Southern Environment Association is hoping that the Government will declare the Placencia Lagoon a protected area. The Executive Director told us more: Nicole Auil Gomez, Executive Director, SEA "The Placencia peninsula is within an ecological hotspot. It's within very close range of the reef. There are patch reefs off of the lagoon itself and westward of the peninsula is the Placencia lagoon which is a critical fish nursery habitat. It's an important mangrove habitat, it has high importance value for manatees, and it would be classified as the most important sites for manatees in Belize. The Placencia lagoon has been a gap in the protected area system nationally. It has been identified by several individuals in publications and the national rationalization report that comprehensively looked at the protected area system and identified it as a gap. So the environmental association is working with the friends of Placencia lagoon through the support of the world wildlife fund. To get Placencia lagoon declared a wildlife sanctuary under the new national protected area systems bill or act that will be finalized shortly. We hope to see the process move forward that we can get that site declared a protected area."

Caught With A Single Round
Santos Lopez was arrested yesterday in Los Lagos - police searched him and say they found one round of unlicensed 9 millimeter ammunition in his pocket. Police say the resident of Trinidad farm ran when he saw them. Today in Court, Lopez told the judge that police planted the ammunition in his pocket. A please of not guilty was entered on his behalf. Still, he was remanded. We are reliably informed that LADYVILLE police are investigating him in connection with a murder.

US Ambassador Gives to Fire
Yesterday, we showed you how the US Military Liaison Office handed over an 800 thousand dollar emergency, disaster, and community center in Hattieville. Well today, that office along with the US Embassy in Belmopan were in Belize City where they handed over about 1.1 million dollars in state-of-the-art equipment to the Fire Department. We spoke with the Ambassador about this donation. The donation includes 200 personal protective gear kits, 80 breathing apparatus replacement cylinders, 12 heavy duty rescue saws, 14 combustible gas detectors, 6 vehicle stabilization kits, 4 transportable pumps, and 40 handheld radios specifically designed for firefighters. But, with all this new equipment, has the government considered replacing those ancient fire engines that the Fire Department still uses? That's what we asked Hulse today: The US Ambassador told us that there are about 5 or 6 other programs that the US Government is working on as donations to the Belize Government.

The Sanguinary And The Sacred Intersect
Usually praise and worship sessions are done in a church, at bible study or privately and those include either praying or singing hymns. But not all religions have these orthodox practices. Yesterday the Bangladeshi Muslim Community in Belize City held its own form of worship in the yard behind Red House on Vernon Street. It is known as Eidal - Adha and we went to see what it was all about. We warn you though these images that we are about to show may be too graphic for the squeamish or younger audiences�so if you don't like the sight of blood, or have kids around, you might want to take a break for about 3 minutes. Here is what we saw at the ceremony: Muslims all over the world celebrate this day every year and it is done at other locations around the country. The Muslim Community sent out a press release describing what the day signifies for Muslims. It states " Eid ul Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice and commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival, is celebrated each year by Muslims all over the world."

Inside The Incubator
The Ministry of Health is spearheading a major clean up at the Western Regional Hospital. The idea is, if course, to chase out the vermin which resides in the 40 year old building. But, it was a media event tailored for only media house: LOVE TV. When we found out about it - we were told we weren't invited. So, we ended up just kinda crashing the love party - right when the infection control nurse was displaying the inside of the incubator where the rat was found:... The incubator is climate controlled - so an alarm sound anytime one of the ports is open for too long.

Hon. Hulse To Media: Let The Rat Go
And so while the infection control nurse told the media that the nursery had been cleaned just before the rat incident, Labour Minister Godwin Hulse called the media out, basically saying, "to let it go". Here's his rational: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "I was a little disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator had. Because really rats and bats are everywhere and yes it should not be there, it should have never been in the incubator etc. it's very unfortunate. Thank God nothing happened to the child but that we covered it to the extent that it got all this international coverage doesn't speak well for our country and I think sometimes we have to be sensitive on how we cover things. The nurses, we can't put that on everybody's shoulder. Rats are creative little creatures I think they've been around from the dinosaur days just like roaches you can't get rid of them and houseflies, it doesn't matter what you do, and you can only do your best.

The Vision Thing
2 months ago, we told you about how the Bishop Martin High school in Orange Walk brought home third place in the regionals of the Regional portion of the Sagicor Visionary Challenge. They developed a research program on Chaya, and that took them to the finals of the competition 2 years in a row. Today, Sagicor Life Inc. started the 3rd Annual competition by holding a workshop for the teachers in Belize. This session took place at the Biltmore Plaza hotel, and it gave us a chance to meet the winners from Bishop Martin. We took the opportunity to speak with the winners about the high-level science tour they got in the US as an award for their innovative science project. Here's what they told us: So, what are the principals of Sagicor hoping for this time around from the brilliant visionaries who will compete? That's what we asked one of the representatives today:

Channel 5

Registered Sex Offender Kenrick Bowman Arraigned and Granted Bail
C onvicted Belizean/American sex offender, Kenrick Bowman has been in the news since Tuesday for allegations that he sodomized a number of minors at his house on Police Street, Belize [...]

Why Wasn't Bowman Charged For Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor?
Despite Bowman's arraignment on a separate matter this afternoon, there are a myriad of questions that need answers. Those questions were posed to Senior Superintendent Chester Williams during a press [...]

Williams Says Investigation on Bowman Still Ongoing
Does the request for statements from alleged victims of Kenrick Bowman taint the partiality of the police investigation into the reported sexual offence?� That's what the media asked the Regional [...]

Two Farmers Executed in Paraiso
Two farmers from the Corozal District were gunned down this morning in a cane-field near Paraiso, just three and a half miles out of town. The bodies of Rogelio Rancharan [...]

Keyren Tzib's Bail Petition Postponed Pending Psychiatric Evaluation
Keyren Tzib, on remand for manslaughter, was in Supreme Court this morning for a second appearance in her petition for bail. Last week Friday Justice Troadio Gonzalez had adjourned the [...]

Sister of Thytis Blancaneaux Says Tzib Showed No Remorse
Tzib's mother says that she is doing okay on remand because she is away from the things that terrorize her. She's confident that everything will work out for her daughter [...]

Minerva Blancaneaux Says Tzib Needs Real Help…Not Incarceration
Blancaneaux says that her family is seeking closure for the death of their brother and son. But they also want Tzib to get the help she needs. According to Minerva [...]

Coast Guard Personnel Allegedly Detained for More Than 48 Hours
As we told you on Thursday, the Police Department is denying that there is any update in the case of the three fishermen missing for one month. The Department also [...]

Persons Detained and Released Without Charges May Sue Police
Bradley says that his client and another Coast Guard officer who was similarly detained are considering legal action against the Police. That's because they were allegedly held long past the [...]

Minister Hulse Blames Local Media for Bad International Press on WRH Rat
A rat in the incubator!� Not only have the jarring images gone viral but the story has made headlines across the world.� Undoubtedly, the recent incident involving a rodent biting [...]

Says KHMH Needs More Rigid Bill Collecting Procedure
Minister of Labor Godwin Hulse also touched on the proposed raise for employees of the K.H.M.H.� He rationalizes the salary increase in much the same way as the Prime Minister [...]

Fire Departments Received Critical Equipment Donation
The National Fire Service is the recipient of a generous donation of equipment from the United States Government.� This morning, U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno was on hand for the delegation [...]

Swiss Authorities Commence Legal Proceedings Against FIFA President
Swiss authorities began criminal proceedings today against FIFA President, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the two most powerful figures in world football. The Swiss are investigating whether Blatter made an [...]

Garifuna Women in New York Sing for Pope Francis
And on a more positive note, hundreds of thousands have been turning out to greet beloved Pope Francis who is in the US on a hectic schedule.� The pontiff arrived [...]


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LOVE FM

Health Regional Manager Speaks on Rodent Inside Incubator
Regional Manager Melinda Guerra spoke of the most recent incident; that of the rat found inside an incubator. Something she said she has never seen in all her years working in the health field. MELINDA GUERRA "We actually went into the room with a flashlight; we have to light all the sides of the [�]

The Start of the Rat Saga Inside The Western Regional Hospital
The Western Regional Hospital has been in the news over the last few weeks after it was revealed that a rat was found in an incubator in the nursery, after having bitten a baby. The video has gone viral, garnering headlines at home and abroad. While criticisms and allegations have been flying over the airwaves [�]

Hulse Says It Was Disturbing that Footage of Rat Went Viral
As it pertains to the recent video of a rodent in an incubator at the Western Regional Hospital, Minister Hulse told the media that he found the exposure that the video was given, very disturbing. GODWIN HULSE "I was a little disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator had because really [�]

Minister Hulse Speaks on The Role of Administrators and Staff at Health Facilities
And while Hulse indicates that there is not much he can say on the matter, we went further to ask him if he would lobby for more monies to be invested into the health sector and diverted from other areas considering the recent negative light being shed on Belize's health sector. While Minister Hulse agreed [�]

Hospital Staff Agrees to Aid in Curbing Wastage and Expenses
With the issues in the healthcare sector being primarily finances coupled with human resources and with the staff at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital recently lobbying for a raise in salaries, the Government of Belize and the negotiators came up with what would seem a win/win situation. Minister Godwin Hulse explains. GODWIN HULSE " [�]

Pastor Says He Was Jilted and Mocked
There is another complaint being made tonight to Love News and this time it is by a Pastor. Pastor Llewellyn Lucas also known as Pastor Lue is making two complaints; one against the Police Department for abuse whilst in their custody and another against Wil Maheia for not paying his accommodations in Punta Gorda which [�]

Belizean American Says Immigration Lost Her Passport
Tonight there is a complaint being made against the Belize Passport Office. Sharon Lamb, a Belizean-American has told Love News that the last time she visited Belize, her Belizean passport was about to expire so she decided to renew it before returning to the US. Lamb was to pick up her renewed passport the same [�]

Seventeen More Peace Corps Volunteers in Belize
Yesterday, seventeen new Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in at a special ceremony held at the San Ignacio Hotel in the Cayo District. These new volunteers will work over the next two years in communities across the country to provide capacity building and community development support for the Rural Family Health Project. In concert with [�]

PlusTV

200 new Belizeans with elections around the bend
It is looking like election time is pretty close. We say that because of the large number of persons who became Belizean Citizens today at a Swearing in ceremony late this afternoon. Unfortunately, just before general elections are called every four to five years, there is a rush by politicians to g...

Accused pedophile arrested and charged
The 42 year old US registered Sex offender who has been accused of molesting a minor in his home on Police Street in Belize City has been arrested. His name is Kenrick Bowman, and Belize City police officially arrested and charged Bowman this afternoon sometime after one o'clock. The charge is fo...

Fire Service given U.S. donation
The U.S. Military Liaison Office (USMLO) of the U.S. Embassy in Belize has made a donation of equipment to the National Fire Service as part of its humanitarian assistance program, following yesterday's dedication of a new community center in Hattieville. We hear more from U.S. Ambassador to B...

Senator Hulse discusses BEL agreement
The Ministry of Labour has had to intervene in two separate labour disputes in recent weeks - staff of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers' Union (CWU) with FCIB management, and the Belize Energy Workers' Union (BEWU) with Belize Electricity Limited ...

New Training equipment for Georgetown Technical H.S.
The Head of Delegation for the European Union to Belize, Ambassador Paola handed over training equipment valued at over 1 million dollars to Georgetown Technical High School (GTHS), located in the Stann Creek District on Wednesday 23 September, 2015. The modern state of the art equipment is for prac...

Keyren Tzib still not granted bail through the Supreme Court
Keyren Tzib has still not been granted bail by the Supreme Court. Justice Troadio Gonzalez said today in court, "I am inclined to grant her bail, but my biggest concern is her mental status.," and with that her case was adjourned again for next week Friday, October 2, 2015. Last week at the first...

Special Needs girl Carnally known
A special needs female was reportedly taken advantage of sexually. An 18 year old Female of Esperanza Village, Cayo District along with her aunt, reported that on the 14th of September she was carnally known. The female was called over to a house in the village by seven male persons known to her on...

The Reporter

Help Age Belize salutes "Golden" citizens
HelpAge Belize is encouraging Belizeans to honor the elderly during the upcoming celebration of Senior's Week. The week will be celebrated from September 26 to October 3 with the theme "Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment." HelpAge branches countrywide will hold events throughout [�]

Fire Department gets $1.2 million donation from US
The Belize National Fire Service received a donation of BZ $1.178 million worth of new equipment from the United States Military Liaison Office (USMLO) at a handing over ceremony on Friday morning aimed at improving the department's services, efficiency and providing greater safety for firefighters. US [�]

Credit Unions hold financial literacy competition
The Belize Credit Unions League held its Belize district school quiz competition at the Holy Redeemer parish hall on Friday morning as part of its effort to advocate financial literacy awareness in schools to help youths understand the importance of financial wisdom. Coreen Robinson [�]

Sagicor visionaries challenge prepares for another round
High school science teachers from around the country gathered at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Saturday morning for a sensitization workshop on the upcoming Sagicor Visionaries Challenge. Over 30 teachers, coming from as far as Stann Creek and San Pedro, gathered to learn the [�]

Mom safe, but daughter 8, dies in road trauma
A routine trip between San Ignacio and Benque Viejo Town turned tragic for a mother and her three children on Independence Day, when their vehicle overturned, killing one of the children, eight year oldKeylin. Head of the San Ignacio police formation, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez […]

New study points to link between education and early sexual activity
Data gathered from the 2014 Country Report on Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes (KAP) toward persons living with HIV/AIDS, suggest that education can curb early sexual activity among Belizean youth. The survey was commissioned by the National AIDS Commission and carried out by the Statistical Institute […]

BEWU, BEL negotiations stalled again
Negotiations between the Belize Energy Workers Union (BEWU) and the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) management over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including a raise of pay for employees, have stalled again and indications are that the union may soon give a directive to go […]

Verdes FC shocks Panama's San Francisco FC 2-1 in CONCACAF Champions league
Barely a thousand fans filled a quarter of the seats at the FIFA Goal Project Stadium in Belmopan on Tuesday night, September 22, but they saw history made, as Belize's top striker, Deon McCaulay led Verdes FC of Benque Viejo to a 2-1 upset of […]

Labour commissioner mediates meeting between FCIB and CWU
First Caribbean International Bank and the Christian Workers Union (CWU) are closer to settling matters over an exit package for workers, after a meeting this week facilitated by the Labour Department. Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams, explained on Tuesday that executives from the bank and the […]

Caribbean Villas postpones Gay Pride event
The Caribbean Villas resort in San Pedro, which offered a tourist package marketed internationally as the the biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) pride event in Belize's history, has postponed the even. Caribbean Villas owner, Peter Lawrence told The Reporter that the event, […]

A New Party?
By Neri Briceno Why do men aspire for political leadership in Belize? The answer for this can be broken down into three distinct categories; those who do it for love of country, those who genuinely do it for love of people and those who do it for greed. Belize has […]

Parents losing faith at Faith Nazarene Primary
The student enrollment at Faith Nazarene Primary School has gone from 420 to 390 in a matter of months, with many parents still not sending their children to school amid the conflict between principal and teachers. The school's principal, Policarpia Pech indicated to The Reporter […]

Fonseca calls for governance reform
The Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca has called for governance reform in order to combat poverty, corruption and inequality. In his Independence Day address in Belmopan, Fonseca said: "True development calls for profound qualitative change, not only of the economy but also of the […]

GOB reaches settlement over BTL!But CWU is not impressed
The Government of Belize has reached a benchmark settlement with Ashcroft's business interests over the 2009 nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). But the Belize Communication Workers Union (BCWU) whose members have shares in the company have condemned the settlement and expressed the view that Prime Minister Dean Barrow is […]

Editorial
A major stumbling block to the settlement of the BTL dispute has always been the bizarre terms of the 2008 Loan Agreement between the Ashcroft-led Directors of BTL and British Caribbean Bank. The loan agreement was for Bz. $45 million, structured in such a way that any default by the […]

PM writes off $9M in KHMH debt
The government has written off the debt that citizens owe the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) as their "Independence Day gift" – an amount that totalled $9 million. The announcement came during Prime Minister Dean Barrow's Independence Day address on Monday in Belmopan. It is […]

Did registered sex offender operate underage sex ring in Belize?
On Wednesday night police detained registered sex offender Kenrick Alston Bowman, for the second time. Officials say it is likely that he will be charged on Friday for an incident involving an underage boy on Saturday night. Bowman was convicted in California for oral sex with a 14 year-boy, and […]

Police commander apologizes for 'home invasion'
Regional Commander of Eastern Division South, Senior. Supt. Chester Williams on Tuesday issued a personal apology to a Belize City resident after police ran through her home in search of some unspecified person. It is likely that this is the first time that any such action has been taken, despite […]

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Senator Hulse discusses BEL agreement
The Ministry of Labour has had to intervene in two separate labour disputes in recent weeks - staff of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers' Union (CWU) with FCIB management, and the Belize Energy Workers' Union (BEWU) with Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) management. As we [�]

Fire Service given U.S. donation
The U.S. Military Liaison Office (USMLO) of the U.S. Embassy in Belize has made a donation of equipment worth about $1.2 million to the National Fire Service as part of its humanitarian assistance program, following yesterday's dedication of a new community center in Hattieville. U.S. Ambassador to Belize, [�]

Senator Hulse predicts smooth sugar crop opening
At this time of the year, for at least the past few years, it has not been unusual to hear of rumblings of discontent in the sugar industry. With the takeover of Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) by American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) and their moves toward making [�]

Minister Hulse blames media for international rat coverage
Minister of Labor, Local Government, Rural Development, National Emergency Management Organization, and Immigration and Nationality Godwin Hulse said he was disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator at the Western Regional Hospital got and suggested that the media over-sensationalized the incident, which led to negative international [�]

Police investigate statutory rape case
San Ignacio police are investigating a case of statutory rape between a 13-year-old female of Buena Vista Village in the Cayo District and a 17-year-old Guatemalan male who she refers to as her boyfriend. Yesterday, September 24th, the minor along with her mother, reported that her and the Guatemalan male [�]

Special-needs female claims rape
A disturbing incident in Esperanza Village, Cayo District, happened September 14th and involves an 18-year-old female with special needs. The victim reported to police that on that date, she was called to a house by several male persons whom she only knows by face. Inside the house, a female told [�]

Double homicide in the Corozal District
There is disturbing news coming from Corozal Town. According to information reaching BMG, the dead bodies of two men were found in a cane field located behind the village of Paraiso in the Corozal District. Sources also indicate that one of the men was shot once to the head and [�]

Police to charge U.S. sex offender after report
Belize City police are preparing to charge Kenrick Alston Bowman, a registered sex offender in the state of California who has been living in the Lake Independence Area of the City for at least two years. Reports are that on Saturday night, an alert neighbor told police he heard distressed screams [�]

Man charged for single bullet and magazine
A man is pending ammunition related charges after a live 9-millimeter round and an empty gun magazine was found on him during a search yesterday. Santos Lopez reportedly ran from a police patrol that was passing through the Los Lagos area, before being apprehended and searched. He was detained after [�]

Mayor: Taxes in Belize City have not gone up
Businesses, particularly in Caribbean Shores where incumbent Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley faces a challenge from Kareem Musa, are complaining that they pay an unfair share of the city's property and trade license taxes without getting the requisite service. They also say taxes have gone up since he took [�]

Shyne seeks legal help for return to US tour
Shyne Barrow, the son of Prime Minister Dean Barrow who is also the Music Ambassador of Belize, is a widely popular Grammy nominated hip hop artist that sold millions of records in the United States until he was deported in 2009. Although Shyne hasn't been releasing new music in the [�]

Who tampered with the George Price Monument in Orange Walk?
Yesterday, a picture of the George Price Monument located on the George Price Avenue and Stadium Street in Orange Walk Town was posted on Social Media and triggered a barrage of opinions from supporters of both political parties. The Facebook user noted that the monument needed to be fixed since [�]

The reason general elections haven't been called yet
Belize is ripened with the political circus that normally accompanies the Socafest and the parades this time of the year. All these things serve as perfect distractions for our political leaders to mask their accomplishments to a drunken citizenry. So while you try to decipher what was really [�]

Blogs

Exciting New Bars & Restaurants on Ambergris Caye: Nook Restaurant & Cocktail Bartique
One clever business woman, Erin, is taking a popular business that she started in Placencia, Belize and opening a "sister business" or a Part Deux on Ambergris Caye. Placencia's popular Mojo Lounge is now in San Pedro - on the beach and called Nook Restaurant & Cocktail Bartique - and has the same funky feel as its partner biz down south. Here is Nook on Facebook. I stopped by Wednesday night for a taste, a tour and to meet the crew�I think you are going to like this spot. Every day HAPPY & A HALF 5-6:30 half price starters and half off all cocktails on the first page! $4 beer, lighthouse and stout. NOW THAT'S A HAPPY HOUR! 15% off for anyone who calls San Pedro their full time home. The bar - large enough so that they could make the sitting areas more intimate in this HUGE space. Erin assures me the many many cushions are on their way�stuck in customs wouldn't you know?

West Bay fundraiser, San Pedro fashion show and Full Moon concert
Ak'bol Yoga retreat and Eco Resort is hosting a Saturday afternoon fashion show. Featuring Tiki designs and Mollikultra swimwear with Jewelry by Belizean Arts. The event is from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm and will have free appetizers and cheap drink specials in the early afternoon with show starting at 4:00 pm. Bean Restaurant will have entree specials for those that would like to enjoy dinner after the show. Kirsten Miglio (Tiki) owner of Ak'boL Yoga Retreat Center & Resort Belize 7 years, yoga instructor for 19 years, Mom for 18 years. Her clothing line was inspired by her nickname Tiki that she has had since being a baby growing up in St. Lucia. Kirsten has always had a little hippy dippy, edgy bohemian look to her designs and her past clientele spanned from Rock and Roll bands to Drag Queens and Club Kids.

Sometimes, 'Belize' isn't the answer to all of life's questions
If the answer to all of life's difficult questions is "Belize," then why don't some expats succeed here, while others do? It is not unusual to say goodbye to someone on whom we were about to bestow with Belize-friend-for-life status. More and more, it becomes clear that if you want to be here for the long-haul you have to behave more like a Rolling Stone than a Beatle. Ok, you can insert your own pop or rock bands in there, but the point is, the Stones are still around making music and filling stadiums while the Beatles are but a fond memory. And there are reasons for that that transcend living a crazy rock-n-roll lifestyle. Sigh. Never mind. Instead of belaboring this analogy I'd like to give you some specific reasons why people don't make the cut as ex-pats in Belize. Since I have only been here for a year and a half, I won't pretend to speak authoritatively on this subject.

Besties
After weeks, no, months of almost no rain, the weather gods have decided we are due for precipitation. Of course, with rain and occasional bouts of thunder and lightening, it means our outside dogs spend time on the porch, in the house, and generally being underfoot. And while they frequently spend their days sleeping, no matter where they are, sometimes the monotony becomes too much and some wrasslin' needs to happen. There has been a slew, a bevy, a veritable plethora of culinary experiments going on for The Wright Table. Check them out, whenever you have a moment. Vinegar Braised Chicken, Pasta with Shrimp and Chorizo, Ricotta Stuffed Pork Chops, Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies, & Homemade Pici Pasta.

International Sourcesizz

Belize Government Planning New International Airport
Belize's government will seek to build a new international airport on Ambergis Caye, one of the country's top offshore island destinations, said Prime Minister Dean Barrow in a public address this week. Barrow said that following the completion of an 11-mile North Ambergris Caye road project that will enhance access to regional resorts, the Belize government will "redevelop, redesign and expand" the Basil Jones airstrip at the road's end into a new international airport. "I am also happy to announce that Basil Jones will be renamed the Efrain Guerrero International Airport in honor of the recently deceased San Pedro patriot," said Barrow in a speech during the country's Independence Day celebrations reported by the San Pedro Sun website. "With this, we expect a veritable tourism explosion in Ambergris Caye, which is of course already our market leader," he added. The airport will provide easier access to the international tourism market, said Barrow. The prime minister did not outline a timeframe for development of the new facility. Belize's Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport, located in Belize City, is currently the country's main airport. Barrow said the government hopes "both the paved road and the airport will greatly benefit tourism and business development on Northern Ambergris Caye."

PETROCARIBE: A Great Success of ALBA
PETROCARIBE is one of ALBA''s greatest success in these ten years, seeking to ensure a significant amount of fuel demands in the Caribbean, said today a specialist of the Center for the Study of Cuban Economy (CIEM). CIEM economist Jose Angel Perez presented a review on the development of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) 10 years after its foundation, in which he pointed out that the bloc has fostered cooperation as a way to strengthen energy security and bring prosperity to its country members. "Despite the positive impact of PETROCARIBE on the region, the current crisis of the oil value represents a challenge for the Venezuelan Government, which is the cornerstone of these mechanisms of integration", said Perez. PETROCARIBE has provided 301 million oil barrels to country members, which means 40 percent of the demand in the region, and revenues valued at $28 billion USD, of which Venezuela has already received $16 billion USD, according to data issued by the Telesur television station.

Climate change, the Pope and the Caribbean
In a little over a month's time negotiators from around the world will gather in Paris to try to reach a final and globally binding agreement on a new treaty on climate change. It is no exaggeration to say that achieving this is of existential importance to the Caribbean. The meeting, from November 30 to December 11, will be the largest since 2009 when a similar attempt in Copenhagen failed, only to be followed by recriminations between the developed world, advanced developing nations, and those countries most at risk, over who was to blame. Since then the process has moved on and the positions of many nations, most notably the United States and China, have become closer. One general reason for this is that the two countries among many others have since the Copenhagen summit agreed to regulations, policies or laws that now enable them to make specific pledges on how they are going to cut greenhouse gas emissions, rather than the non-specific approach taken in 2009.

Videos

  • Plong�es au Lighthouse reef, Belize, 5min.

  • Belize it or not Trip 2015 featuring "Save Everyone" by Sunrunners / "Rice and Beans" by Bella Carib, 16min. Footage of our GoPro adventures in Belize (September 2015) featuring our "Belize it or not" crew. Taken in San Ignacio and San Pedro, Belize. No iguanas were eaten during the filming of this movie (hopefully). Thanks for the Rice and Beans Belize!

  • Plong�e au Great Blue Hole du Belize, 7min.

  • Belize Road Trip 2015, 2min. Video taken as I traveled in Belize, cruising in the back of a truck driven by Elwin.

  • Chris & Kelli's Belize Wedding Film, 9min. Chris & Kelli's intimate wedding celebration at Captain Morgan's Resort in Ambergris Caye, Belize.

  • GSU / ADU DOING THEIR JOB OR HAVING FUN??? (CARNIVAL 2015 BELIZE - ORANGE WALK), 4.5min.

  • Lodge at Big Falls Punta Gorda Belize, 9min.


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