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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
Exploring the Jewel: Glover's Reef Atoll
The atolls of Belize are a wonder on their own, the perfect place to unwind and experience some of the Caribbean's most pristine waters. Snorkel and marvel at a flourishing marine ecosystem, or just relax.
Glover's Reef is located several miles off Belize's southern coast and is one of three atolls allows visitors to partake in a host of marine activities including snorkeling, diving, kayaking and much more.
The atoll is home to some of the West Caribbean's most diverse reef types and is home to one of only two spawning sites for the endangered Nassau Grouper. In addition to small guest accommodations, the Glover's also boasts a research center with vast information on the rich marine ecosystem that surrounds the area.
Candidates officially nominated for 2015 General Elections
On Friday, October 16th the 31 constituencies that make up Belize held Nomination Day to officially submit the names of the candidates who will be contesting the upcoming General Elections. With elections scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th, three candidates are now officially in the running for Area Representative of the Belize Rural South (BRS). Contestants representing the People's United Party (PUP), United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) appeared before Returning Officer Martin Alegria and Election Clerk Leodan Torres at the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) where they were nominated by six registered voters of BRS.
Yakarelis Hernandez to participate in Miss Centroamerica Pageant
Former Miss San Pedro Yakarelis Hernandez has been selected to proudly represent Belize at the 2015 Miss and Mister Centroamerica Pageant. Scheduled for Friday, November 27th in Le�n, Nicaragua, the pageant will see both female and male beauty delegates from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama. The Miss and Mister Centroamerica Pageant is an annual event held with goals of promoting regional tourism and the beauty and talent of the people. The Miss and Mister Centroamerica Pageant will be taking place at the Teatro Jos� De La Cruz Mena in Le�n, Nicaragua. Participants will compete in cultural costumes, casual wear, swim wear and formal wear. The pageant is being organized by founder Saul Benitez. Hernandez is scheduled to depart on Friday, November 20th to participate in the preliminary section of the pageant.
BRS Standard Bearers' Debate in Caye Caulker set for October 26th
The San Pedro Sun and Reef Radio/TV are excited to announce that plans are underway for the first ever Belize Rural South (BRS) Standard Bearer Debate in Caye Caulker. The debate is scheduled for Monday, October 26th at 7PM and is being organized by The San Pedro Sun, in partnership with Reef Radio/TV.
The event will be held at the Iguana Reef Inn Conference Room and free admission to the debate will be determined by tickets equally distributed to all candidates and community stakeholders. All three candidates running for the General Election in BRS, incumbent Manuel Heredia JR (UDP), Jos� "Elito" Arceo (PUP) and Robert "Bobby" Lopez (BPP), have been invited to participate.
The Standard Bearer debate format will be based on prepared questions that will be solicited from the community. Participants will be presented with the questions at the time of the debate. Each candidate will be allotted time for an opening statement. Debate answers will be limited to a specific time and each candidate will also be given the opportunity for a brief, timed rebuttal. Candidates will also have the opportunity to directly question each other. At the end of the debate, each candidate will be allowed a timed closing statement. Absolutely no participation from the audience will be permitted.
Ambergris Today
SHINE Girls Hosted at Cardio Dance Club by Gerry
Saturday, October 10, 2015, the successful organization SHINE (Shaping Healthy Identities through Nurturing and Empowerment) kicked off its second annual program with a new set of young girls along with founder Michelle Nu�ez, Miss San Pedro 2015 Iris Salguero, Alexis Guerrero and Senior Shine Members.
Orientation took place at Banyan Bay Resort where 15 new members embarked on what would be a two-month journey that entails of six lessons plans that will build their confidence, strength and productivity.
"On the first day the girls met for the first time, enjoyed snacks, drinks and decorated their folders which will be used throughout the course," commented Michelle to Ambergris Today.
Tourism Arrivals on the Rise in Belize, Reports Tourism Board
Overnight arrivals for the 3rd quarter (July-September) of 2015 have shown a significant increase of 6.9%, when compared to the same period in 2014. September saw an astounding increase of 19.3%; the highest increase ever recorded for the month of September, going as far back as 2006. There were 14,242 overnight visitors in September 2015, which is an increase of 2,299 compared to September 2014.
The Airport remains the leading entry point into the country. Air arrivals accounted for 74.7% of the total overnight arrivals. September 2015 saw an increase of approximately 20% through the international airport.
"We can conclude that visitors from the United States accounted for the bulk of this increase in airport arrivals for September, as arrivals for Americans increased by 28.55%," stated the Belize Tourism Board in a press release. "Overall, Americans continue to be our main market, making up close to 65% of arrivals."
San Pedro Fairs Well Over Stormy Wet Weekend
It rained and rained and rained over the weekend, as an area of low pressured dumped over a foot of rainfall mostly over the northern part of Belize. Belize City was the area hit the hardest as extreme flooding called for emergency planning and action.
But despite all that rain, the situation in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye was mostly wet with no major flooding or emergency situations taking place. The San Pedro Town Council and the San Pedro Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) did report though, that a family of three individuals was evacuated from their home early Sunday morning and that they remain in a shelter. Boat owners had the difficult task of keeping their vessels afloat and properties remain waterlooged and/or flooded, but the cobblestone streets in downtown San Pedro drained quickly and made for ease of getting around.
Flashbacks - Special Mechanic in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
What was this car doing right in the middle of the street between Friendship Park and Blake House? (now Heritage Bank) Obviously there is very little traffic or the car would have been towed to another location. People are still walking in this Flashback without shoes, so it must take us back into the 90's. And then you will notice the sandy street with palm trees and flowering plants which makes up Barrier Reef Drive. All we can say is: "Only in San Pedro will you find a mechanic fixing up a car right in the middle of the street. ONLY IN SAN PEDRO! This picture is really nostalgic of the old days in San Pedro when we used to say: No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problem. Do you think it would be a problem today to fix up your car in the middle of Barrier Reef Drive or Coconut Drive?
Misc Belizean Sources
Belize FISHING REPORT: Weeks of October 11th - October 17th, 2015
Congrats to Southwest Airlines on their inaugural flight from Houston to Belize. It was great to host Evan from Southwest here at the lodge.
Unfortunately, stormy weather dominated much of the week. It was not an organized storm; but there was enough instability to give us lots of rain, and wind late in the week. In fact Saturday's fishing had to be canceled as the winds were above our safety threshold. Despite not so great weather, the hearty prevailed with bonefish and tarpon!
San Pedro BRS Standard Bearer debate postponed
Please note the San Pedro BRS Standard Bearer debate has been rescheduled for Friday, October 23rd. 7PM at the Sunbreeze Conference room, only ticket holders will be admitted. It will also be aired live on Reef Radio/TV.
Tourism Arrivals on the Rise
Overnight arrivals for the 3rd quarter (July-September) of 2015 have shown a significant increase of 6.9%, when compared to the same period in 2014. September saw an astounding increase of 19.3%; the highest increase ever recorded for the month of September, going as far
back as 2006. There were 14,242 overnight visitors in September 2015, which is an increase of 2,299 compared to September 2014.
The Airport remains the leading entry point into the country. Air arrivals accounted for 74.7% of the total overnight arrivals. September 2015 saw an increase of approximately 20% through the international airport. We can conclude that visitors from the United States accounted for the bulk of this increase in airport
arrivals for September, as arrivals for Americans increased by 28.55%. Overall, Americans continue to be our main market, making up close to 65% of arrivals.
Public Advisory on Temporary Closure of Cleopatra White Polyclinic
The public is advised that the Cleopatra White Polyclinic, Belize City is presently closed due to flooding. Persons needing urgent attention are asked to visit the
Matron Roberts Polyclinic or the Port Loyola Health Center where health personnel from the Cleopatra White Polyclinic have been deployed.
The Ministry of Health expects to have the Cleopatra White Polyclinic back in operations by tomorrow if weather permits.
The Ministry of Health regrets any inconvenience this may cause. An updated public advisory on this situation will be sent out accordingly.
For any additional information please contact the Central Health Region office at telephone number 223-2722.
Patty Arceo giving out water and groceries to d people of Bahia!
Chactemal Bridge closed temporarily
Embassy of Mexico Belize - Travel Warning - The Embassy of Mexico to Belize informs the general public that the Chactemal Bridge that joins Belize and Mexico, registered 50 centimetres of flooding this morning, therefore advises commuters to avoid using the bridge for the moment. In case of emergencies, they recommend using high vehicles.
Commuters and travels driving down to Belize from Mexico are further advised to use the old "Subteniente Lopez" Bridge to exit Mexico.
US Embassy Belize - Security Message for U.S. Citizens - Flood Advisory in Belize!
U.S. Embassy Belmopan informs U.S. citizens that due to heavy rainfall the Belizean National Emergency Management Organization(NEMO) has issued an advisory. Heavy rainfall has affected part of the country, particularly Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek and Belize City. Roads in Belize City are flooded but the highways and main thoroughfare are open and passable. U.S. citizens should stay tuned to local forecasts and follow instructions from local authorities regarding road detours and other safety restrictions. Belizean authorities caution the public not to drive around in flooded areas especially in low vehicles. U.S. citizens living and traveling in Belize should take this information into account, and be aware that localized conditions in affected areas could change without warning.
Bus runs to Sarteneja have been suspended
NEMO Corozal has confirmed to the Corozal Daily that all bus runs to Sarteneja have been suspended until the current situation with the flooded road improves. At this point, they are closely monitoring the situation with the village chairman to see if it will be necessary to involve the Maritime and BDF boats to transport residents.
BEL Appeals for Public Awareness of Electrical Hazards
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has requested the support of NEMO in cautioning the public of the life-threatening hazards caused by illegal and improper electrical connections. In separate instances over the weekend in Belize City, lives were put at risk: a house was extensively damaged and there was an avoidable power outage due to these unsafe electrical connections.
On Saturday, an extension wire connected directly from an electrical meter became immersed in water on the ground, causing a short circuit which led to a fire that damaged the property and threatened the lives of those in the immediate area.
Coral Bleaching Event 2015
Coral Bleaching has been observed and documented on reef infont of Ambergris Caye. An assessment has been conducted and we are presently analysing the data.
Jose "Elito" Arceo organized the preparation of hot meals and delivered them with clean drinking water in San Pedro and Caye Caulker
As you all know the low pressure sustme has really affected our entire country the last few days. We wanted to do something to help so we prepared hot meals and delivered them along with water in San Pedro and Caye Caulker to help families that have been impacted by the storm.
NEMO Advisory #9 A weak area of low pressure located in the Gulf of Honduras is producing showers and thunderstorm activity across portions of Belize. The disturbance is moving slowly westward to west-north westward across the southern Yucatan Peninsula and into the extreme south western Gulf of Mexico during the next few days. This system will likely produce heavy rainfall across portions of Belize, northern Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next few days.
School back on today
Please note that classes will resume today, October 20, 2015, as per usual, for both Caye Caulker and San Pedro schools. Please share this message. Thank you.
NEMO Advisory #10
A weak area of low pressure located in the Gulf of Honduras is producing showers and thunderstorm activity across portions of Belize. The disturbance is moving slowly westward to west-north westward across the southern Yucatan Peninsula and into the extreme south western Gulf of Mexico during the next few days. This system will likely produce heavy rainfall across portions of Belize, northern Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula during the next few days.
Poets Corner: Divine Intervention
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. OPEC funding disguised as poverty alleviation,
When in fact its poverty institutionalization?
Will now be used for reconstruction
Instead of to win general elections
This is nothing shy of divine intervention
These funds will be used for flood mitigation
A condition caused by CITCO's miscalculation
The George Price highway roundabout construction
And the Chetumal Street elevation
Sending water backlogging into Lagoon Crewman
Flooding out the residents of Faber's Road and its extension
Ten inches of rain in the city
In only thirty-six hours mi bally
The former PM claiming he is not blameworthy
He has no control over the weather and climate change
But he did have some control over whether the city had drains
Thirty-six hours of rains put the city's infrastructure under great strain
Residents all over the city going insane
People calling the radio stations to complain
Some guys even find snakes in the drain
COAST GUARD SHUTTLE FROM SARTENEJA TO COROZAL TOWN
Commencing at 6:00 a.m. this morning October 20th, 2015, the Belize National Coast Guard will be ferrying students from Sarteneja to Corozal Town.
Classes resume in Corozal for all schools with the exception of Guadalupe R.C. in Alta Mira, Fire Burn RC in Fire Burn and St. Viator Vocational High School and Sarteneja (Sarteneja Baptist High School, Sarteneja La Inmaculada RC, Sarteneja Nazarene and Pre Scchool and Sarteneja Community Pre School).
Guadalupe R.C. School in Altamira is still designated a shelter therefore there will be no classes until further notice.
WATER TAXI SERVICE TO SARTENEJA/COROZAL TOWN
The "Saw Fish" is back. Starting tomorrow Tuesday October 20, 2015, the Saw Fish will be running scheduled trips from 6:00 AM and returning at 2:00 PM and for Fridays 6:30 AM and back at 4:00 PM! To make reservation please contact Julian Mesh at No. 623-2563. Adults $15 and students $10. Thank you for your support!!
Last week we made the trek south to return the TIDE yellowheads to their natural home
We sent back 13 birds in all: 9 babies that were pulled from nests that were overcrowded, or in danger of falling or being poached or predated. The remaining 4 birds were Forest Department confiscations from 2 years ago, now deemed healthy and fit enough to attempt a release. This was particularly exciting and nerve-racking for us, as we had never before released ex-captive yellow-heads. Please, please behave yourselves!
Thanks to Amanda and Oscar for braving the weather to make the journey, and thanks to everyone that helped to bring all of these babies and adults to the point of release. Wish them luck!
Channel 7
Low Pressure System Dumps 10 Inches of Rain On City, Produces Mass Flooding
October has been known as the stormiest month in Belize with many terrible hurricanes developing, including Hattie, and more recently Iris and Richard. But this weekend, it wasn't a storm; it was a low-pressure system that sat over central and northern Belize and produced copious showers and thunderstorms over a 32 hour time frame.
It left the city swamped, with many areas submerged. 7News was out in the rain all day yesterday - and Daniel Ortiz has this story:
Daniel Ortiz reporting After continuous downpour of rain for more than 30 hours, most Belize City streets were inundated on Sunday.
Areas hardest hit were Lake Independence, Collet, and Port Loyola. Even some of the well-built areas like the Pallotti Roundabout weren't spared.
Though most business were closed, and the rain continued unabated, residents still had to do their daily shopping.
107 Storm Affected Persons Forced Into City Shelters
And so, that was yesterday. Today, it was the aftermath - picking up the pieces and cleaning up for those whose homes were flooded out, and figuring out what next for the over two hundred persons in shelters countrywide. In the city, the biggest shelter was the ITVET Building where Courtney Weatherburne found city residents in dire straits:...
Courtney Weatherburne
"I am walking in about 6 inches of water on the Antelope Extension. It's one of the most affected areas after the weekend downpour. This is what is left after 10 inches of rain fell in the city between Saturday and Sunday. That has left this vulnerable area inundated. Many residents were forced into shelters with little or no personal items. While the waters have receded and the rains have stop for now, it's still not enough for residents to return home."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It is in these classrooms that several families are staying- for now it's the closest thing to a home.
Shellimae Crawford, Nemo Coordinator
"What we have here now is what we have. We had to have people that were in the Gwen Lizarraga shelter were transferred over here because they were out of electricity. So they had them come over this side. So that is what we have."
Mayor: City Needs To Do More For Vulnerable Families
Now while those flood victims wait on that relief plan , they have to stay at the shelter with their young children or just keep sleeping on soaked mattress at home. Today at the press conference, Mayor Darrell Bradley conceded that after seeing the living conditions of some of these families - a lot more needs to be done in these areas.
Darrell Bradley, Mayor, Belize City
"One of the things that I was saying very truthfully, because from early on in this emergency I did assessments through Belize City driving. I was with Councilor Theus on several trips. We actually evacuated several persons ourselves. In an emergency like this, you get a sense of people's real living conditions and our need to focus on areas of poverty alleviation. Our need to focus on housing conditions. Our need to focus on critical areas of development and it is very telling and very sad that the people who were most affected are the people who generally are in most need. So that I think that your question does have a significant amount of a merit, in terms of saying that we need to be comprehensive in urban planning on a whole."
Mayor: Floodwaters Ran Off Faster
But, Bradley also told us about the work they have done in other areas to alleviate the effects of flooding - specifically with the flood mitigation project. Bradley told us how this project has improved the run off period on several streets.
Darrell Bradley, Mayor, Belize City
"Belize City is at sea level and we are seeing major anomalies in terms of climate shifts. You had a period in Belize where you have within 6 weeks heavy heat and now you have had a situation of torrential rains. These weather patterns would be with us for some time and because we are at sea level this city will flood. This is why I made the comment in terms of the run off time. One thing that I will say is that the improvements with the flood mitigation project with the drainage works that the city has focused on over the last I would say year and a half, it has worked.
Child Trapped In Fallen House
As we told you, the flooding did not cause any deaths in Belize, but it could have when a house dropped and trapped a young boy inside. 9 year-old Earl Gentle Jr., and his family were having a social gathering at his Jasmine Street home when his aunt's house fell on top of him.
Now to be clear, there were a number of factors, which contributed to the unfortunate incident, and the house falling was not caused only by the rain. First, the house is old, and his family knew that it was fragile. It finally gave way during the downpour.
9 year-old Earl suddenly found himself trying to escape the entire weight of the structure. His father explained to us how his son miraculously survived:
Earl Gentle Sr. - Family home fell
"I was inside because of the weather and the rain. I was inside messing with some clothes and a lightning just strike through the house and I heard my old lady say that the house drop. But then I heard my other son crying saying that my little son is underneath the house.
Will King Be Gentle With Gentle?
When we went to interview the family on Sunday - we saw Area Representative Mark King making his visit. He told us that the Gentle family is on the list for assistance but gave no specific time frame:..
Mark King, Area Rep. - Lake I
"What they want is to the house to be repaired and so that will be coordinated in the process after this entire thing."
The Human (And Political) Emergency Of City Flooding
So...Belize City flooded out on Sunday - and most of the waters drained off by evening. But when the waters roll away - it exposes a city where many live in poor structures on the margins of poverty.
That's a human emergency, and with weeks to go before an election, also a political one. So, the floods prompted a prime ministerial press conference on Sunday. PM Barrow told the media that this is a natural disaster and requires the urgent attention it will receive.
Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
"What is happening is a disaster, is a crisis, as precipitate an emergency small "E." We of course give thanks for the fact that as bad as it is, it could have been worse. I know that there is a state of emergency declared in neighboring Quintana Roo. We hear of bridged collapsing in Guatemala. So that of the areas that have been most directly affected, we in Belize seemed to be comparatively better off. Perhaps that's not the way to frame it. We are not as badly off as other areas in the other two countries. My senses is that the City Of Belize has been hardest hit. From what I gather, from what I can tell, both in terms of the messages that gave been sent, the briefings I've been given, the updates I've been provided with, NEMO and CEMO have done very well in deed in trying to cope initially with the problems."
Drain Dwelling City Croc Pops Up In Hospital Compound
And to add to all the flood related craziness already going on in the city, on Sunday - a massive crocodile was found in the KHMH compound. The nine-foot crocodile is believed to have come out of a massive drain that connects the KHMH to Saint Thomas Street.
His appearance in the KHMH back yard near the morgue at midday caused traffic to be blocked for hours - as a throng of spectators converged at the back fence of the KHMH. Eventually, a group of fearless bystanders decided to capture him. After they could not snare him with a volleyball net, they snagged him with a tow-strap, managed to tie him, and duct taped his mouth. But the croc put up a mighty fight - until he was handed over to the police. They took him in their bus, and didn't charge him for a mischievous act or wandering abroad; instead the croc was handed over to ACES, the American Crocodile Education Sanctuary.
56 Year Old Killed In Attempted Hit On "Lado"
After a September with no murders in the city's southside, Saturday October 16th saw two killing in just a few hours. The first victim was a case of collateral damage in a street war; a gunman killed 56 year old Edward Robinson when he was going for the notorious Jamil "Lado" Betancourt - who survived. The Robinson family is shattered by the senseless murder. Monica Bodden reports:...
Monica Bodden reporting
Around 7:49 on Saturday morning police responded to this address on North Creek Area on the Southside of Belize City - where they found 56 year old Edward Robinson dead - lying on this concrete verandah.
Wallace Robinson - Brother of Deceased
"He got up and walked out of the house and went across to a house when I heard gunshots. I was ducking, not knowing my brother was dead. They come and tell me that my brother is dead. That is not easy you know. The police didn't want me to go and see my brother."
Robinson was shot multiple times and died almost instantly. According to his brother, he had just left home - just across the street from where he was shot. His brother heard the loud sound of gunshots and came outside after the commotion.
Karl Heusner Shot In Face, Pronounced Dead At Karl Heusner Memorial
Just a couple hours after Robinson was murdered and Betancourt critically injured there were two other shootings in the city. The first happened on Ebony Street - in the Long Barracks area where no one was injured. The other shooting happened on Saturday afternoon just after 2:00 where 30 year old Karl Heusner was shot at the corner of Berkley and Albert Streets. Heusner - who is the descendant of THE Karl Heusner - was shot in the face and died at the KHMH.
According to police - the motive of the murder may be gang related.
Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside
"Couple hours thereafter, sometime after midday thereabout, police again received information of shots being fired near the corner of Albert and Berkley Street area and police responded where they saw one Karl Heusner Junior suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to the K.H.M.H. and again he was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Shot With His Own Shotgun?
And there is one other murder to report tonight - this one happened on the Stann Creek Valley Road. Jose Rodolfo Sanchez Galeas was found lying on the floor of his home which is on a feeder road at one and a half miles on the Stann Creek Valley Road. He had been fatally shot to the back of his neck and forehead - and his 16 gauge shotgun was missing. No arrests have been made.
Lord Ashcroft Seriously Ill
Rumors of Michael Ashcroft having a serious illness have been percolating in Belize for weeks, but today it was confirmed by the British press that he was quote, "in an 18 day fight for his life." News of his illness became known when he was a no show last night in the UK at the launch of his new book, a scathing, unauthorized biography of British Prime Minister David Cameron.
The reports say he, quote, "suffered a 'life-threatening' illness�facing septic shock, liver and kidney failure."
The report said that Ashcroft had to be rushed by air ambulance from the Turks and Caicos islands to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on September 22nd. THE UK GUARDIAN reports that he also had internal bleeding from a leaking intestinal lesion.
Police Station Burglarized, Firearms Stolen
Investigators in Placencia and Hopkins are trying to find out how 2 loaded handguns went missing from the Hopkins Police Station, when they should have been under lock and key.
The official version at this time is that two 9mm pistols - one containing 8 live rounds and the other containing 10 live rounds - were stolen during a burglary of the police station. One of the guns belongs to the police, and the other belongs to a Hopkins resident who believed that the gun would be better secured in police custody.
Also stolen in this burglary were 2 police handheld radios. We've learned that police are investigating this embarrassing case of theft as a possible inside job.
Maya King Farm Shut Out, Shut Down, Opens Soup Kitchen For Jobless Workers
Last week we told how the Maya King Farm was abruptly cut off by the Banana Growers Association - who has decided that it will no longer buy bananas from the biggest farm in Belize. That's a deathblow for a farm that was already on life support. The issue is that Fyffes international was helping Maya King with some bridge financing during lean months of low production. But John Zabaneh told us that Fyffes was helping - and we reported it. That's what apparently set off alarms in Ireland where Fyffes is headquartered. And that's because of the Kingpin designation that the US put on John Zabaneh - who, even though, he's no longer the beneficial owner or point man at Maya King, is still affiliated with the farm. It seems that bot even Fyffes - the biggest importer of fruit in Europe - can afford to do business with any company that has the kingpin taint.
Tourism's Strong September
As we told you last week, overnight Tourism showed remarkable growth in September. Overnight arrivals in that month were up 19.3%, the greatest increase ever recorded for the celebrations month, going back to 2006.
Overall arrivals for the third quarter were up by 6.9%, compared to last year. The BTB reports that there has been a major increase in South American arrivals, with a 45.1% increase of those visitors for the first 9 months of 2015 - while Asia had a 25.1% increase.?
Escaped 19 Year Old Recaptured
San Ignacio Police have caught an escaped prisoner. 19 year-old prison inmate Carlos Garcia escaped just over 2 weeks ago from the station's Cell Block.
After an intensive search, police received information that he was still in the Cayo District, and this afternoon, they caught him on the Bullet Tree Road.
He's now back on lockdown, where he will face a charge for escape, as well as the rest of his 2 month sentence. He was convicted of possession of control drugs.
BEL Urges Caution, Safety
Tonight on the news you've heard a lot about Antelope Street extension - one of the most flood-affected areas of the city - and that's because it's severely challenged in terms of infrastructure. That means many of the neighborhoods in the far reaches of the Collet Division have no streets, no drains and no lamp-posts. That forces residents to create their own ramshackle power grids - hundreds of feet of electrical wire, plotted like a spider's web across the makeshift neighborhoods. Mix that with rising floodwaters, and it's a recipe for disaster. BEL had to cut power in the area over the weekend, after the company reports that "In separate instances�lives were put at risk: a house was extensively damaged and there was an avoidable power outage due to these unsafe electrical connections."
Today BEL's Public Relations Manager Vonetta Burrell told us why these connections pose a real safety hazard:..
King And The Culverts
And while BEL is issuing a public warning - on Sunday evening Lake I Area Representative Mark King was trying not to fix drains - but to make one, one big enough to drain out all of Gungulung. We met him near the Chetumal Street bridge on Sunday evening:..
King Pressure
King is under pressure to deliver to his constituents - many of whom have inadequate housing. In just two weeks, he's also going up against an opponent in Cordel Hyde who has never lost an election. All that means, King, who is no stranger to hard work - is under intense pressure. We asked him about it yesterday:..
School Rules
Classes were cancelled in Belize, Orange Walk and Corozal today. Here's what's happening tomorrow.
In the
Belize District
All pre, primary, secondary schools resume classes tomorrow with exception of Pallotti High School, Queen Square Anglican Upper, St. Lukes Methodist, Unity Presbyterian, Calvary Temple, Bethel Primary, Grace Primary, and Sister Clara Mohammed
In the Corozal District
Classes resume in Corozal for all schools with exception of:
Guadalupe RC in Alta Mira
Fire Burn RC in Fire Burn
St. Viator Vocational High School
All schools in Sarteneja (Sarteneja Baptist High School, Sarteneja La Inmaculada RC, Sarteneja Nazarene and Pre School and Sarteneja Community Pre School)