November 19, 2015

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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

Agriculture Industry Crisis: Millions lost to virus plagued shrimp
In October of 2015, Fyffes ceased buying products from Mediterranean Enterprises, causing a crash in the banana industry. This resulted in thousands of jobless Belizeans and millions of dollars in losses for one of the strongest income producers of the country, agriculture. Now the industry faces yet another set-back, as the shrimp industry faces a virus plague. Even though the viral infection begun just a few months ago, shrimp farms have already suffered significant losses in product and investment. While the relative parties have been trying to do everything to control the situation, it is unknown how long it will take for the shrimp industry to recuperate; in the meantime workers are being laid-off.

Robert Ramirez wins first Garifuna language translation quiz held in San Pedro
The San Pedro Cultural Committee along with the local National Garifuna Council (NGC) and the Ministry of Education recently organized an enlightening Garifuna Quiz contest on the island. The event took place on Monday, November 16th at the San Pedro RomanCatholic School (SPRCS) and saw the participation of six students from three different primary schools. The contest tested the participants’ knowledge of the Garifuna language, having them translate an English word into Garifuna. Representing La Isla Bonita Elementary School was Robert Ramirez and Aylin Tang, from Ambergris Caye Elementary School was Jasmine Sanchez and Yadi Flores, and representing SPRCS were Latoya Lewis and Alicia Arana. After a series of three rounds, Latoya Lewis took third place, while Jasmine Sanchez and Robert Ramirez remained tied. The tie breaking round was comprised of two questions and based on the Garifuna history rather than translating words. After the contestants deliberated their answers, it was clear to the judges that Ramirez had flawlessly answered his final questions correctly as he did throughout the contest, and he walked away with the first place while Sanchez took second place.

Christine Syme departs to represent Belize at Miss Earth Pageant
On Monday, November 16th, Miss Earth Belize 2015 Christine Syme departed Belize for Vienna, Austria where she will be participating in the 15th Annual Miss Earth Pageant. The 19-year-old beauty is among 92 contestants who will be participating in several events leading up the Miss Earth Pageant scheduled for Saturday, December 5th. Reigning Miss Earth 2014 Jamie Herrell of the Philippines will crown her successor at the end of the event. Syme, who is hoping to charm the judges to win the crown while promoting the need to respect and care for our environment, is happy to represent her country in such a prestigious pageant. Prior to departing, Syme took part in several activities to raise awareness on environmental protection here in the island. Among some of the activities, Syme took part in preparation for the pageant with a photoshoot with Olivera Rusu, a video presentation on the environment, modeling training with Zuzanna Mello and fitness training at the Train Station. Syme also took part in clean-up campaigns and tree planting initiatives.

Miss Garifuna Pageant contestants officially sashed
Four beautiful Garifuna island girls were officially sashed as delegates of the 2015/2016 Miss Garifuna Pageant on Monday, November 16th at the San Pedro House of Culture. At the ceremony, each contestant was presented alongside their sponsors while attendees learned more about the rich Garifuna culture. The event started at 9PM with an introduction of the contestants by Mrs. Julia Martinez who assured everyone that the pageant would be a memorable one. She congratulated the contestants and their courage in vying for the Miss Garifuna Title. According to her, after 18 years, a new Miss Garifuna will be crowned by the means of competition and not by appointment as it has been done all these past years. After the opening remarks, each candidate was presented with their sash by outgoing Miss Garifuna 2014/2015 Tisane Martinez. Following the sashing, the delegates and attendees enjoyed a Jankunu dance performance, which put everyone in the dancing mood. Before the event was done, each sponsor was acknowledge and thanked for their continued support. Special thanks went to the San Pedro House of Culture for hosting the activity and as well to the delegates for participating and making the event a reality.

Ambergris Today

Rare Toucan Bird Sighting in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

25 Years Ago - Was The San Pedro R C School Haunted?
This photo of our primary School in the village is the second school building. The first was a two storey building at the same location- between the central park and the beach. The two storey building had a lifespan of some twenty years, sometime between the early twenties up until 1942. It was knocked down but not totally destroyed by the hurricane of 1942. Pictured here in the very first building is a teacher’s house and a grass lawn. Imagine a green lawn right on the beach of San Pedro. After the hurricane of 1942 the villagers got together and rebuilt the school into a one storey building with the same walls and windows. This building had a lifespan of 19 years from 1942 to 1961 when it was totally destroyed by the hurricane of 1961, Hurricane Hattie. Now to the story of the ghost school! When we were kids our parent, all the parents of the village, assured the children of the day to keep a distance in the nights because often the ringing of the school bell was heard at nights on very windy days. With that in mind, many children also assured of hearing the peal of the bell, sort like a slight echo. The reason of the ghost under or inside the school building was that a soldier had been brutally stabbed under the building during a brawl.

Belize Tourism Board Awards 9 Scholarships Towards Tourism
On Friday, November 13, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) awarded nine students with scholarships for Tourism Programs. The scholarships are as follows: Three (3) two-years tuition scholarships for an Associates in Tourism at one of the Junior Colleges in Belize offering a Tourism Program, awarded to 1. Giselle Rodriguez 2. Amina Cal 3. Monique Tucker Three (3) two-years tuition scholarships for a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management at the University of Belize, awarded to 1. Jewel Williams 2. Alexander Cal 3. Gariesha Teck

Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Cancelled for 2015
On behalf of the San Pedro Business Association and the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Committee we regret to advise that we have been forced to cancel this year's event that had been scheduled for Saturday, December 05, 2015 at the Central Park. Sadly, due to a few challenges we have been faced with, both financially and because of low participation we were not able to come up with a positive outcome. As a result of these we are canceling this year's event; however our Holiday Lighted Boat Parade's date has been set for next year which will be on Saturday, December 03, 2016. We will start planning as early as mid year 2016 hoping to receive more support. The San Pedro Business Association believes that these events are important for the community and also believe in making a healthier and better society in having these types of events which also benefits the tourism and local community. We apologize again and hope that our decision is taken positively and continue to receive your support. Once again, thank you very much!!

Misc Belizean Sources

1st ever Kareem Clarke Memorial
Nov. 21st. Support a good cause and an entertaining event!

NEMO Drills in San Pedro
For the past few years NEMO has been implementing disaster scenarios at schools in our community. They have now taken it to a higher level. Yesterday, we had a surprise fire drill and all entities that would be contacted for the real deal were called in a specific order and dispatched to TIA/Casa Verde. The teachers and students did an excellent job in a situation we had never practiced: they were at recess. Not only does Miss Wilema contact the Fire Department etc. but each building has a leader and a runner. These teachers are responsible for their list of students and their contact numbers, turning on the alarm in their buildings and checking that ALL students are out of the buildings and then they take a roll call. NEMO asked that a child be removed from the group to see if we would indeed know that child was not with us. We knew immediately.

Corozal: 2nd Annual 'Flavours of the Garifuna' cultural event
Today November 19th,Garifuna Settlement Day 2015, the Corozal House of Culture (NICH) presents its 2nd Annual 'Flavours of the Garifuna' cultural event. All are invited to come experience elements of the Garifuna Culture at its best. It all starts at 6:00pm sharp!

James Lindsay British Honduras Collection
Mark your calendars - as the James Lindsay British Honduras Collection opens Monday November 30th. The historical exhibit showcases antiquities, photographs, printed materials and more dating back to the mid 1800's.

Culture Day in San Pedro
A look at Culture Day observed by the students of Ambergris Caye Elementary School.

Congratulations to Purple Passion Beauty Studio on being featured on junebug weddings
I am shock, excited and truly grateful! Next month I will be celebrating 11 years in this industry. This is the best gift that I have received. I am just an island girl that pours my love into what I do. Thanks to all my clients that keep supporting me

Steak Your Claim Garifuna Style
The San Ignacio Resort Hotel is having a special Steak Your Claim grill night in honor of Garifuna Settlement Day. Tonight, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. They'll have live drumming, and dancing. Happy Garifuna Settlement Day! "Join us this Thursday for our STEAK YOUR CLAIM GARIFUNA SPECIAL for a fusion of Garifuna culture and grilled specialties! For reservations, contact us at 824-2034 or e-mail [email protected]"

SE BUSCA!
CLASSIC 1994 ANDY PALACIO GARIFUNA SETTLEMENT DAY MUSICAL RELEASE!

The beauty and the artistic excellence of Garifuna women in dance
Belizean Legends is honored to celebrate the beauty and the artistic excellence of Garifuna women in dance in Central America and the Caribbean in commemoration of Garifuna Settlement Day. The featured photographs showcased two outstanding female dancers from one of the Central American Black Organization (CABO) black summits and conference that was held in Belize at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts at the National Institute of Culture & History (NICH) in 2012. Spectacularly beautiful!

Garifuna Week in Belize
It's a super busy week here in San Pedro. Tonight is the Miss Garifuna Pageant and tomorrow we celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day. Of course only one of the girls will go on to be Miss Garifuna ... but each one should be super proud for her courage to step up and represent her wonderful culture. Have fun tonight and thank you to each one of you for working so hard to keep the Garifuna culture alive. I am grateful to all of you.

Paradise Theater: Playing this weekend!
Marvel's Ant-Man HEIST Everest Hitman

Channel 7

On The River In The Valley
Last night, we told you about the NEMO Advisory which warned residents of the Belize River Valley Community to be vigilant of the flood waters rolling down from the Cayo District. That flood was caused by the weekend rains which inundated the entire Country. NEMO said that their personnel would be out on the Belize River today along with the BDF. Well, they invited 7News to accompany them, and we went along to see how the rising river was affecting the nearby villages. Daniel Ortiz has that story: NEMO Minister Edmond Castro and his team started their information gathering today with a trip on the Belize River. The intention was to survey and catalogue the interaction of the flood waters rushing down from the Cayo District and to see how the swell of the river was affecting the River Valley Community.

Castro: Captain Nemo, But Not Full Minister
And while Clear the Land Castro is moving around the country on NEMO duties – he does so only as a Minister of State. As we have reported, the three-term representative was again passed over for a full ministry –while every other three-term UDP representative got a full ministry. Today we asked Castro if he was still bruised by being passed over:… Daniel Ortiz "Some observers look and see that you are one of those ministers who should have gotten a full ministry not a minister of state. Do you in any way feel jilted by being appointed to a minister of state?" Hon. Edmond Castro – Minister Of State, Transport and NEMO "Not at all, we must remember that we were all elected as Area Representatives. When we go to the poll, we go to the poll to be elected and ask the people to elect us to represent them. We did not go to the poll to be elected as deputy this or minister of this or minister of that. The people elect us to be their representative. And as long as your goal is to aim to be the best Area Representative, it don't matter where you go, it don't matter what title they give you; because they can give you all the ministries there is and if you are not careful in taking care of the little area that elected you to serve them, then you won't return back to the house."

50 Pounds of Weed "Eena Van Back"
Tonight, taxi driver Walter Beaton and fisherman Kirk Dougal are in jail for drug trafficking after police found over 50 pounds of weed inside a van. In January of this year, that police stopped a dodge Caravan at the western highway checkpoint in Belize City. 41 year old Beaton was driving and 38 year old Dougal was in the passenger seat. They had a large bag stowed behind the back seat with 25.1 kilos or 55.3 pounds of weed stuffed inside. In the trial, both men said they didn’t know the weed was there. Dougal claimed he was only hitching a ride. But senior magistrate Sharon Fraser didn’t buy it. She found them both guilty of drug trafficking with intent to supply to another for the purpose of drug trafficking. Beaton has a prior conviction for harm while Dougal has been to court at least 14 times for drug related offenses.

Cops Shot Wilbert, Did They Need To?
A man was shot by police in his home in Trial Farm village, outside Orange Walk Town yesterday. 47 year old Wilbert Guerra was in his room when the police went looking for him. He was being sought by police for making sexual advances on a young girl. But when the officers tried to detain him it turned into a struggle – which ended up in Guerra being shot by a police revolver. Our colleagues at CTV3 spoke to the father and he told them in Spanish that the officers had no reason to shoot his son. Translated from Spanish to English…. Inocencio Guerra - Father "When I went out, I spoke to the guy who came here in front and he told me that my son told his daughter some bad words, so it stayed like that, now the guy told me that he went to call the police and I said well call the police and take my son. Good. So he left and I came back inside. And then it took about half an hour when the police came in, my son was in that room and so the police came and I invited them in. So they asked me where my son is and I told them he was in the room. Then they told me to call him and so I went and told my son “Boy the police came to look for you “.

Police Will Charge Driver
A man was knocked down last night on the Western Highway near mile 4. The driver Jamal Bennett told police that he knocked down a cyclist when he was blinded by approaching headlights:… Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "One Jamal Bennett was the driver of a car when he knocked down one Elsworth Lamb who was riding a bicycle; they were both going in the same direction and apparently based on what Mr. Bennett was saying that a vehicle was coming in the opposite direction with high beam and he could have not seen, so he pulled off on the side of the road and unfortunately there was this man riding in front of him and he didn't see the person due to the fact that his vision was blurred by the oncoming vehicle. He knocked down the cyclist and that person is currently admitted in the KHMH in a stable condition. He received a large cut wound to the left side of his head but he is in a conscious state, he's responding and we believe that we he will be released from the hospital very shortly."

Southside Commander Says Police Making Progress in PIV Territory
We meet the south side commander when he was touring the St. Martins Area on Oleander Street. That’s the heart of PIV Territory – and has been a site of chronic violence. But, it’s cooled down a lot in the last five months and that can be correlated to the new community-based policing model adopted by Williams. It’s the second time he and his community police have been in the area – and he says they went back asking the community to report on how the police have been responding to their needs:… Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "Yes it is a PIV area it is known as banks area but I want it to be made clear that every area is Belize City is the police area. We are no longer tolerating any turf per se but we try to see how best we can work with the different people in different areas to see how we could have some semblance of peace within the community." "When we come the last time complaints were made to us about police attitude and behaviour. We have dealt with those complaints so we're now coming back to the community to see if those complaints persist and in the same process we are again getting their views and their ideas and how best they can assist us with information to be able to better police their area."

City Crime On A Sustained Downswing
And that greater sense of legitimacy could be contributing to the unusual and very welcome sense of calm on the Southside. Knock on wood, we haven’t reported on a murder in the city for just over a month now – and Williams says it is most pronounced on the Southside:.. Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "I have looked at the statistics going back years and we have never had a complete month where there was no murder on Southside Belize City until September. Since the 2 murders we have in October which was in the 2nd week of October we have not have another murder on Southside Belize City again for over a month now again. Even though we're still waiting to see what the end of November will bring, I am also pleased to report to you all that precinct 2 area which we are currently, we have not had a murder in precinct 2 for over 2 months, going to 3 months now.

Cops Get Wingles
Assisting in that crime suppression are two more vehicles for the Southside. It’s part of the ten that the police headquarters in Belmopan received in the first week of November and Williams says it’s almost enough to put his formation halfway to where it needs to be:… Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "We received 2 additional vehicles, one assigned to precinct 1 and one assigned to precinct 2, so we continue to build on our fleet; we are not where we want to be. We have applied to the US embassy through the CARSI programme for 10 vehicles and as I have said before in order for us to effectively police outside we would want to police it, we need 10 vehicles. Currently we are half way there, we have 5. Of the 5, 3 are not in good working condition but we try to do our best with them.

70 Year Old Sexually Assaulted On San Pedro
A 70-year-old housewife was sexually assaulted on San Pedro on Monday night. She told police that on Monday night at 9:30, she was on Coco Plum street heading home when a man on bicycle attacked her. He dragged her into an overgrown, empty lot and punched her variously on the face and legs. She was knocked unconscious and woke up some time after to find her blouse torn, and underwear pulled down. Police have not made any arrests.

GIS Is The Future
World GIS Day was observed in Belize today - and Total Business Solutions had its 4th annual expo to make the technology behind GIS more accessible, especially to students. Organizer Loretta Palacio explains that GIS incorporates real world, everyday applications that are making a difference in society: The EXPO featured booths from BEL, BTL, the Sugar Industry Research & Development Institute, the Belize MetService, University of Belize, and The Amandala Newspaper.

Looking Back To 'Griga 2014
Tomorrow is Garifuna settlement day – and all roads lead, of course, to the culture capital Dangriga. And the day in Dangriga and throughout southern Belize begins with the re-enactment of the arrival that is called Yurumein. Last year, Courtney Weatherburne captured it in Dangriga, and tonight, as a primer for tomorrow, we reprise that story:…

Channel 5

Flooding Affects 8-Mile Community
The southern part of Belize was the most affected over the past weekend when heavy rains came down. Roads and other infrastructure were submerged under water and became passable when [...]

Elderly Woman Brutally Beaten and Sexually Assaulted
San Pedro Police are currently investigating a particularly heinous crime on the island and are seeking one man who they believe is still on the island. It is believed that [...]

Still No Charges for Choc Murder
On Tuesday afternoon, a post mortem exam was conducted on the body of sixteen year old Ivan Choc, who was heartlessly killed in front of his parents and siblings inside [...]

Nina Perez Still in Human Services Custody…Mother Begs for Compassion
Two-year-old Nina Charlotte Barrera-Perez was removed from her home in Orange Walk Town and taken into protective custody by the Human Services Department five days ago, last Friday. To date [...]

Southside Murders Down Significantly
The Southside of Belize City, knock on wood, is calm. In fact, we’d go so far as to say that there is unprecedented calm where violent crimes are concerned. Here’s [...]

Police Need More Vehicles to Patrol Southside
While the decrease in crime is significant and welcome, Williams says that if the police had the resources they needed, they would be able to do much more. Lack of [...]

Fathers Behind Bars for Drug Trafficking
Tonight, two Belize City fathers who are sole providers of their children are behind bars after both were convicted of drug trafficking. Two years ago in May 2013, Walter Beaten [...]

Liberty of the Seas to Visit Belize
The scheduled arrival of the Liberty of the Seas, a Freedom-class family vessel, at the peak of the 2015 tourist season, should see the landing of approximately three thousand, six [...]

Cruise Arrivals to Increase in Next Few Months…
While figures for this tourist season are on target in respect of cruise arrivals, an increase is expected in the months ahead.  With the addition of several European lines, it [...]

…Focus Remains on Visitor Experience
The launch of the Harvest Caye terminal will see a vacuum being filled in Belize City, as Norwegian will be taking its ships south.  According to Andrade, while a new [...]

Police Meet & Greet in the Martin’s
Today, the Police continued their meet and greet efforts, just one of several initiatives which they say are reaping real benefits. We caught up with officers speaking to residents on [...]

4th Annual GIS Expo Hosted in Belize
Across the globe, today is celebrated as World GIS Day and in Belize, following a symposium at the University of Belize last Friday; Total Business Solutions Limited hosted the fourth [...]

Traditional Activities Planned for Garifuna Settlement Day
On the eve of Garifuna Settlement Day, final preparations are being made by the branches of the National Garifuna Council for the traditional reenactment of the arrival of the Garinagu [...]

The Day Represents a Reflection on the Garifuna Culture
Following the mass, a parade will leave from the St. Martin De Porres Church travel contrary to traffic on Vernon Street turn into Youth for the Future Drive over the [...]

LOVE FM

Elderly Woman Assaulted on Ambergris Caye
An elderly woman of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, is recuperating from a harrowing experience she went through earlier this week. The 70-year-old, woman told police that she was on her way home at around nine thirty on Monday night when a man on a bicycle approached her and dragged her into an empty overgrown lot […]

PUP’s Deputy Will Not Seek Re-Election
As for Sandiford and her role as the Deputy Party Leader, she says she will not be seeking re-election come January 2016. CAROLYN TRENCH SANDIFORD “In terms of my post, no. I in fact I wrote myself out of the new structure because I do believe the trust of the party at this point is […]

PUP’s Sec Gen to Leave Secretariat
Reports are circulating that the Secretary General of the People’s United Party is resigning. Myrtle Palacio was brought in by Party Leader, Francis Fonseca and has been operating in that capacity since 2011. Love News asked the PUP’s Deputy Party Leader, Carolyn Trench Sandiford, if Palacio is leaving. CAROLYN TRENCH SANDIFORD “I have not received […]

Dr Jorge Hidalgo Dubbed Master of Critical Care Medicine by SCCM Council
Doctor Jorge Hidalgo has been practicing medicine in Belize for some years now and currently in an Internist at the Belize Healthcare Partners in Belize City. While Hidalgo has achieved several awards and recognition, he now has another achievement to add to his list. Earlier this month, Dr Hidalgo received a letter from the Council […]

Corozal Gets Head Start In 16 Days of Activism
Yesterday we told of the up and coming annual 16 days of activism in Belize that focuses on gender based violence and gender equality. While the program is not set to start until next Wednesday, La Escuela Secundaria Técnico de Mexico in San Roman Village, Corozal District got an early start today as a discussion […]

PlusTV

Belize Celebrates Garifuna Settlement Day for the 74th Year
History recalls that in 1832, a group of Garinagu people were led to Belize by a charismatic and ambitious Alejo Beni. In 1941, thanks to the well celebrated Thomas Vincent Ramos, Garifuna Settlement Day would become a public and bank Holiday and the historic arrival of the Garinagu to Belize would...

CARILED Helps Belize
CARILED, through whom the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) channels their resources to aid countries in the Caribbean with their local economic development plan, including Belize, met today at the YWCA in Belmopan with members of the Belmopan City Council. On the table for discussion was ...

BWS and Workers sign new CBA
This morning representatives of Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) and the Belize Water Services Workers Union (BWSWU) signed a new collective bargaining agreement before Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams. The joint press release is short on details of the agreement but says it is retroactive to N...

Men sentenced for trafficking 50 pounds of weed
In the Magistrate’s Court today, two Belize City men were condemned to a heavy fine and prison time for trafficking over fifty pounds of cannabis found inside a Dodge Caravan at the police George Price Highway checkpoint at Mile 4 on May 11, 2013, two years ago. Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer found...

Dennis Talbert denies unlicensed gun is his
Tonight, 24 year old Dennis Arthur Talbert Junior is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after accused of keeping an unlicensed firearm and 2 live rounds of ammunitions for a .38 COLT brand firearm. Late this evening, Talbert Junior was taken before Magistrate Deborah Rogers and pleaded not guilt...

Police in San Pedro investigate reported rape
A 70 year old housewife of San Pedro Town was reportedly raped. The senior citizen visited the San Pedro Police Station and reported that on Monday, 16th November, at around 9:30 p.m., she was heading home alone when a male person attacked her. She said that the male individual was riding a bicycle...

Where is the 12th Senator?
We’ve heard a lot over the past few years about the 13th Senator that was promised by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. However, that never came to fruition after his “change of heart” on the issue; but what about the 12th senator? Last Friday, only 11 senators were sworn in at the inaugural Senate Meetin...

Flood waters continue to recede
Families living in flood prone areas of the country are finally seeing a rays of hope as the skies begin to clear following incessant rains over the weekend which flooded several communities. Our camera crew travelled down south yesterday to take some footage of the devastation that was experienced ...

Mayan leader says Uxbenka continues to be destroyed
We last left the matter of the Santa Cruz Maya and their efforts to enforce the law against black resident Rupert Myles who had bulldozed part of the Uxbenka Maya ruin to build a pathway to the house in the village where the Institute of Archaeology (IOA) had announced plans to evict Myles and crimi...

Battle for Custody of Baby Nina
Social Media can be a viscous place where all sorts of personal attacks and private matters are publicly spewed. One social worker and her family had an ugly experience with just how vile it can become on Facebook. This is after the social worker was accused of kidnapping a 2 year old from Orange Wa...

Gang member arrested for gun possession
A known gang member was apprehended on Tuesday last week. According to reports, at around 5 a.m. on Tuesday November 11th , the gang suppression unit conducted a house search for illegal firearm and ammunition at the residence of one Dennis Arthur Talbert Jr. in Belize City. Authorities say that the...

Maya back in court over GOB delay
They won a major victory in the Caribbean Court of Justice earlier this year when the Government conceded that they have special customary rights over the land in and surrounding their villages in the Toledo District. But while GOB has consented to help the Maya define and enforce those rights throu...

Fatal hit and run on Southern Highway
Police are seeking one man whom they believe was involved in a fatal hit and run incident which claimed the life of one Carlota Contreras on Friday evening. According to police reports, sometime around 5:30 pm on Friday last week, police responded to a road traffic accident between miles 23 and 24 o...

Amandala

CCJ scolds GOB
The Toledo Maya, who are spread across 38 villages, have been waging a protracted legal battle for recognition, by the Government of Belize, of their customary land rights, which have been violated, according to a ruling last month by Belize’s highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This morning, the disputing parties reappeared before the CCJ via teleconference from the Belize Supreme Court with the CCJ justices sitting in Port of Spain, Trinidad, where the CCJ is headquartered. The Maya Leaders Alliance, represented by the first practicing Maya attorney, Monica Coc-Magnusson, filed an application against the Government of Belize, represented by Denys Barrow, SC, alleging that the government has done nothing since the consent order of April 2015, which sets out a clear mandate for a mechanism to give effect to Maya customary land tenure. At the end of today’s hearing, Barrow said that he would submit a report on the progress of the implementation of the consent order before January 21, 2016. The court then declared that the undertaking will be treated as an equivalent to an order of the court.

Lord’s Bank man, 31, gets 2 years for sexual assault of minor, 9
A Lords Bank resident who is also a single father of two children will be spending two years in prison after being found guilty this morning of sexual assault upon a minor. At the end of his trial today, Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser found Lionel Quiroz, 31, guilty of sexually assaulting a 9-year-old girl. On November 8, 2014, the child alleged that she was heading to her home in Lords Bank when Quiroz met her in the vicinity of the basketball court. The child told the court in her en camera testimony that Quiroz hugged her and then fondled her buttocks. Quiroz, however, in his defense told the court that the child could not have been referring to him, because on the day of the incident, he was not even in Lords Bank, so it couldn’t have been he who fondled the child. Quiroz insisted that he was in Biscayne at the time.

Boy,16, executed in front of parents
Two masked gunmen went into a house in Camalote about 8:00 Friday night, November 13, and one of them shot a teenage boy to death in front of his parents. Police say that when they went to investigate reports of a shooting in Young Bank Road, Camalote, at the home of Eluterio Choc, 35, they saw the lifeless body of Choc’s son, Ivan Choc, 16, lying face up in a pool of blood in the house, with gunshot wounds in the upper right side of the head, the middle of the right forearm, the right leg and right knee. Choc told police that he had just arrived home from work on Friday evening when his son asked him to go and buy fried chicken. He did so, and while they were eating the food in the house, they heard a knock on the door and when he went to open the door, two armed, masked men pushed their way into the house. One of the men pointed a 9mm pistol at them, while the other man, who was armed with a pump-action shotgun, stood in front of his son and stared at him, and his son began to plead for his life, begging the man not to kill him. The devastated father reported that the gunman then raised his gun and fired a blast at his son, hitting him in the arm and leg.

Guatemalan court orders Guat baby taken from Belize mother
Based on information from “Guatemalan central authorities,” Judith Alpuche, CEO in the Ministry of Human Development, says her department moved in on 22-year-old Analiz Perez Gutierrez and removed her 2-year-old child from her custody. Gutierrez said that she had been napping with her daughter at her Orange Walk residence on Friday, November 13, when a woman, accompanied by a uniformed male police officer, informed her that she was a social worker authorized to immediately take the child into custody, based on a ruling in a Guatemalan Court, which granted custody of the child to her biological father, a Guatemalan national. According to Gutierrez, the woman stated that the Office of Human Development, had been ordered by the Guatemalan Embassy in Belize to locate the child and remove her from her mother’s custody.

Shrimp industry suffers $30 mil loss from bacterial disease
Reports are indicating that the shrimp industry has suffered severe losses due to a bacteria known as “libya para humitas” that has somehow found its way into the ponds of the shrimp farms countrywide and killed large amounts of shrimp. Alvin Henderson, president of the Shrimp Growers Association, said that the bacteria was first discovered in March of this year and by June it had infected most of the shrimp farms. Henderson said that there was very little they could have done to prevent the disease, which may have come from one of the neighboring Central American countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, or Honduras, where the bacteria have been known to affect their shrimp farms. The Caribbean Shrimp Ltd. in Ladyville, which has been in operations since 1986 and is owned by Charles McIntosh, is the only shrimp farm that has not been affected by the disease. McIntosh told Amandala that he cannot say why his farm was not affected, but he did say that they grow their shrimp organically and don’t have as high a stocking density as a lot of the bigger farms.

Rained out PLB games pushed forward to this weekend
Premier League of Belize (PLB) Manager Wilhelm Miguel informed us today that all the games cancelled due to rainy weather over the past weekend, will be played this coming weekend, pushing back the schedule by another week. However, the 18th night scheduled back match between Placencia Assassins and Verdes FC remains as scheduled. (No date has yet been announced for the Bandits vs Verdes back mach.) There had been some rumors over the weekend that the BDF vs Police United game would have been played at the MCC on Sunday, but those rumors have been dispelled. “No way will anybody get us to play at the MCC in its present condition,” asserted Police United’s “five star general” Aaron “Gambis” Gamboa on Krem’s Press Cadogan sports show on Sunday morning. That match will still be the most important one this weekend, as BDF absolutely needs a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. (See standings below. Only 4 teams will qualify to the playoffs.)

Understanding Belize’s venture at UNCAF Women U-17 Qualifiers in Honduras
A couple weeks ago on November 3, the FFB (Football Federation of Belize) released the names of 18 young female football players who would represent Belize “in U-17 Women’s World Cup Elimination Tournament to be held in Comayagua, Honduras from November 11th to 13th.” The tournament is over, and a familiar script has been played, where Belize athletes gained “exposure” on the international stage. It was an embarrassment, really; and one has to wonder if the exercise has done any good to inspire the development of the game among our young female athletes at home. The Central American (UNCAF) Group B originally consisted of four entries, host Honduras along with Costa Rica, Belize and Panama; but Panama earlier withdrew from the tournament, leaving Honduras, Costa Rica and Belize. In retrospect, it raises the question if Belize should also have passed on this tournament, and concentrated more on development of our team for a better future representation.

Editorial: Celebrating the Garinagu
“This book is about the Garifuna, more commonly known in the anthropological literature as Black Caribs, a people who presently inhabit the Atlantic littoral of Central America from Belize to Nicaragua; there are also clusters of Garifuna in several Central American cities and in the United States.” “I was immediately faced with the analytic problem of how to define the time and space boundaries of the sociocultural group with which I was dealing. When had they, in fact, become a distinct people? It was known that their ancestors had lived on the island of St. Vincent in the Lesser Antilles and that their language was closely related to those still spoken among Amerindians in Amazonia. But the blackness of their skin belied the notion that they had no roots in Africa, even though neither their own folklore nor scientific analysis (before 1975) had provided any concrete evidence of that. Should the possibility of an African past be ignored or downplayed, as they themselves preferred in the 1950s? Most anthropologists chose to do that until very recently, even though the empirical evidence caused us to hedge some of the time.

From the Publisher
A couple of the candidates seeking to represent the Republican Party in next year’s United States’ presidential election are the children of Cuban exiles. These are Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz. In Florida, where most of the Cuban exile families reside, Cubans who left the island after the victory of the Fidel Castro-led revolution on New Year’s Day of 1959, and their children and grandchildren, are known to be among the most right wing, neoliberal, and militaristic of American citizens. If you examine the Cuban exile population, you will also see that almost all of them are white, or appear to be white. Yet, half of the Cuban people were black or brown when Fidel came to power. Almost all Cubans of color remained in Cuba after the Cuban Revolution. Racism had been terrible in pre-Castro Cuba, and the Cuban Revolution has not been able to eradicate the legacy of centuries of slavery, but things became substantially better for the masses of black Cubans after the Revolution. That is why they prefer to remain on the island.

“Ointment” from Pastor Stirm
Dear Editor, I wish to make a correction to the article run in this last Sunday’s newspaper about the BAEC. In it you reported that an executive leader from Belize City “leaked” information, which was absolutely not correct. That executive of the Belize City chapter attended the National Executive meeting on October 2 in an official capacity, sitting in for Pastor Longsworth, who did not attend the meeting. With all due respect to the truth and the leaders of BAEC Belize City, his presence was official, and his report was official, not “leaked,” which carries a negative, disloyal connotation. Just a little ointment on the chafe… Thanks for your work…

Alfonso C remembers a Garcia Marquez story
Dear Editor, I read with much interest the first part of a true saga from the book “Lost at Sea,” published in Amandala’s Nov. 15th issue. This story again proves man’s endurance and capacity to survive! This story also took me back to Nobel Prize-winning author, Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s book , “Relato de un Naufrago” (Story of a castaway). In 1955 a Colombian navy vessel was returning from Mobile, Alabama after undergoing repairs. The vessel’s deck was overloaded with all types of appliances (contraband) being brought back by the crew to Colombia. Still hours away from home, the vessel listed and eight men and all the cargo were thrown into the Caribbean Sea. All but one of the eight crew perished. That one sailor survived in a raft and washed up on the shores of Colombia. Gabriel Garcia Marquez was a young man working as a reporter at the newspaper “El Expectador” de Bogota, when the lone survivor showed up and offered to sell his story to the newspaper. Garcia was given the job to interview the sailor, and the daily newspaper published the story over a two week span. Gabriel remembers that the newspaper’s circulation quadrupled! It is with much anticipation that I await the next issue of Amandala!

New entrepreneurship program seeks businesswomen
Twelve Caribbean countries, including Belize, are about to launch a new peer mentoring program which organizers say is intended to fast-track women entrepreneurs in the region and to scale-up their business. The infoDev certified facilitator, Danalyn Myvett, Belize Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, said that one of her portfolio responsibilities is to create and deliver a signature event where women in business come together. She plans to host a LeadHerShip Conference on November 25, 2015 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. Myvette is promoting a new peer mentoring program, aimed at fast-tracking women entrepreneurs in the Caribbean. She is seeking 10 to 15 women entrepreneurs in Belize who have been in business for at least a few years, to engage in the program here. The call for applications closes next Friday, November 27, 2015. “It’s an exciting program. Don’t miss out!” she said.

12th National Assembly inaugurated, as Barrow commences historic 3rd term
Having been suspended with the announcement of early elections, the National Assembly has not met since September; but today, the recently elected parliamentarians, plus those appointees who will make up the Senate, converged for a ceremonial sitting of the 12th National Assembly in Belmopan. Governor-General Sir Colville Young said: “While it marks the 5th administration of the United Democratic Party, it is also the 1st time in post-independent Belize that a political party has been elected to 3 consecutive terms in office.” “The party banners are being lowered and the poster colors of red and blue and green will soon fade. And as we put away the paraphernalia of one ‘P,’ it is time to embrace that other ‘P.’ The ‘P’ we should value most: the “P” that stands for the people,” said the country’s first third-term Prime Minister, Dean Barrow. Barrow pledged that his administration will address issues such as jobs, education, health, and infrastructure.

Cleyon Marage, 11, bravely battling leukemia
While nationwide, many are gearing up for the November 19 celebrations, for some, celebrating is the furthest thing from their minds. Such is the case with Clovis Matura, 28, who has been a champion for her son, Cleyon Marage, 11, a leukemia patient diagnosed in April of 2014. We first told you about the pair in September of last year, shortly after Cleyon had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, also known as AML. AML is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Symptoms are caused by replacement of normal bone marrow with leukemic cells, which cause a drop in red blood cells, platelets and normal white blood cells.

Energy Expo at the Biltmore
The Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities (MESTPU) hosted an Energy Expo at the Belize Biltmore Plaza as a part of the CARICOM Energy Week which is being observed from November 8 to November 14, 2015 under the theme “Empowering Our Sustainable Development.” Ryan Cobb of the Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Public Utilities said that the expo is to create awareness and educate the public about the energy sector and how Belize as a country uses energy.” Some of the participants of the expo were Belize Electricity Company Limited (BECOL), Belize Natural Energy (BNE), ProSolar Engineering, Transport Department and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). The ProSolar Engineering provides electrification by means of solar power. Steve Bol, a technician of ProSolar, said “The Company has been in existence for five years and it is a renewable energy firm specializing in the design, development and implementation of solar, wind and micro-hydro power systems.” If you happen to live in a bungalow home, it would cost a onetime investment of $14,995 USD to electrify the home.

Belize issues Zik V alert, as first 5 cases confirmed in CARICOM
Belize and the rest of the Caribbean are on the alert, after the first cases of the Zika virus (Zik V), which transmits a dengue-like disease, were confirmed in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) last week Monday, November 9. The virus, which originated in Africa, is transmitted by biting mosquitos—specifically, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same vector which carries the virus for dengue and chikungunya, another emerging disease. A public advisory issued today, Monday, November 16, by the Belize Ministry of Health says that for the first time, the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed five (5) cases of Zika virus in CARICOM. Oddly though, the CARICOM member state where the cases have occurred was not named in the CARPHA release. Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations, Vector Control, told Amandala that they have not been informed which Caribbean country has confirmed the presence of Zik V.

Our Heritage: Pen Cayetano pays tribute with 34-piece art exhibit
Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated each year on November 19, and this year, the iconic and internationally-acclaimed Belizean Garifuna painter, Pen Cayetano, is holding an exhibit of 34 oil on canvas paintings, all original works, under the title, Our Heritage, as he pays tribute to Belize’s heritage through the eyes of a Garifuna man. “The main objective is to keep our Belizean heritage alive,” the artist said. “Belize has a unique heritage…. Our heritage is our strength.” Cayetano, 61, told Amandala that he is the only survivor of the group of painters who comprised the Soul to Art group back in 1975, which also included icons such as Benjamin Nicholas, Louis Sylvestre, and Percival Cain. He said that the heritage paintings which were the specialty of these artists are today hard to come by. The paintings—such as Royal Salute, which recreates a 1911 scene—also capture history. Pen paints himself in his favorite piece, Departure of old Belize boats, capturing life in the 60s. Hugo Juarez Carillo, counselor for press and legal affairs at the Embassy of Mexico in Belize at the Institute of Culture, where the exhibit is being held, told Amandala that Cayetano’s work is world class.

Entrepreneurs assisted in honing their skills
Entrepreneurs were assisted in honing their skills in a workshop that ran from November 9 to November 13, and which was administered through Young Americans Business Trust (YABT), MASHAV, BELTRAIDE, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and several other organizations. The aim of the training was reportedly to provide the participants with managerial and practical experience in the different aspects of small business. Chantae Guy, 23, a business student at the University of Belize and small business owner of Jungle Fever Teas, which she produces and sells in five stores across the country, told Amandala that the workshop has taught her how to work as part of a team, and to make her entrepreneurial skills second-nature. Guy also noted that Belizeans tend to overlook the importance of registering their products in order to own their brands legally.

Munchi and Gapi libel case ends
The case brought against Ramon “Munchi” Cervantes, Jr., and Fiesta FM by Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Gaspar “Gapi” Vega ended in the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin shortly after 1:00 p.m. today, after both sides made final oral submissions. Chief Justice Benjamin indicated to the parties that he will issue a ruling on December 22. Cervantes’ attorney, Said Musa, told Amandala today that he is confident that his client will be exonerated based on the deficiencies in the case that attorney Rodwell Williams, SC, had argued before the court. Musa said that Vega did not present any evidence of what was broadcast. Instead, Vega had a tape recording of what was broadcast on Love FM, and Love FM was not the entity being sued, Musa emphasized. Musa also stressed that the plaintiff Vega could not make up his mind about the particular actions against which he was filing suit. Cervantes, Musa said, was sued for slander, while Fiesta FM was sued for libel.

Dolores won Hattieville by 155, lost Ladyville by 253
In my column last week, I wrote that our sources had said that it was the Hattieville boxes which sank Dolores. This was not so. Dolores won Hattieville, but she lost Ladyville by too large a margin. Below is a breakdown of the village boxes in Belize Rural Central for the November 4 general election. Another very interesting constituency was Stann Creek West. On election night, the early word was that the UDP’s Walter Garbutt, a newcomer but a popular teacher, had won Stann Creek West. Our sources say that Mr. Garbutt had actually left the counting room to begin celebrating, and that the PUP incumbent, Rodwell Ferguson, had also departed from the room, in effect conceding. But, there was a bombshell foul up in which the Georgetown boxes had not been counted and recorded. The Georgetown boxes then put Rodwell over the top by 8 votes, the narrowest margin of victory in the 31 divisions. Below is a breakdown of the village boxes in Stann Creek West.

Baby did not drown in flood as reported
The ever-expanding presence of social media and the public’s almost instant access to information on the internet has caused an explosion in new, unconventional sources of news stories. Increased availability of information, however, does not guarantee accuracy, and sometimes those gathering information on the internet pass on what turn out to be incomplete or inaccurate stories. Over the weekend, there was a lot of news coverage of the heavy rains and consequent flooding in the southern districts of Stann Creek and Toledo. In one of the news stories about the flood carried on Love FM and the internet site Belize Breaking News (BBN) it was reported that a two-month-old infant slipped out of her mother’s arms and drowned in the flood. The mother and her infant child were heading home to Santa Cruz when the incident occurred, both news sources reported yesterday, Sunday. Today, Monday, however, Amandala spoke to the area representative of Toledo West, Hon. Oscar Requeña, who told us that indeed, there was an incident involving a mother and her infant child.

River Valley on watch as flood displaces hundreds in southern Belize
Hundreds of residents of southern Belize were displaced over the weekend—and some are still unable to return to their homes—after a tropical wave spawned bouts of torrential rains which drenched the Belize, Cayo and Toledo Districts. Persons from districts in Stann Creek and Toledo began seeking shelter on Saturday. Four-ton army trucks assisted with getting villagers out of places which had become impassable to regular traffic. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) provided emergency relief supplies, such as stoves and gas for cooking, for persons who were not able to return to their homes for days. They were also provided with blankets, mattresses, and medical supplies. About 400-500 head of cattle, valued at several thousands of dollars, had to be taken to higher ground because their pastures had been inundated, and feed had been moved in for them with the assistance of the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Reporter

BERT announces licensed EMTs
The Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT), this week announced the list of Emergency Medical technicians, who have been licensed for the 2015-2015 period. The 27 persons on the list have satisfied the licensing criteria of completing the required amount of continuing professional development hours and […]

Caribbean Public Health Agency warns about Zika virus outbreak
The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), this week, confirmed five cases of the Zika virus in the Caribbean and has issued a cautionary note for all nations in the region to be alert. Belize’s Ministry of Health (MOH) is preparing for the arrival of the […]

Pan American Development Foundation and Taiwan donate equipment to UB
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) donated $4,000.00 worth of technological equipment, tools and software to the University of Belize (UB) last Friday. The donation, made on UB’s second Annual Geographic Information Sytems (GIS) Day, was made possible through the support of the Republic of […]

CARICOM condemns Paris attacks amidst criticisms of biased media coverage
Amidst criticisms that the international media has given biased coverage of the recent terrorist attacks in France, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued a statement in support of those killed and injured. Following the attacks last Friday, the CARICOM Secretariat issued a statement condemning the attacks, […]

Complicated custody battle leaves two-year-old in crossfire
A complicated custody battle between a Belizean mother and a Guatemalan father has resulted in their two-year-old daughter being handed over to the Department of Human Services. The Family Court awarded custody of Neña Perez to the Department. According to the Chief Executive Officer in […]

Because Taiwan is a part of Gaia
Written by: Minister Kuo-Yen Wei During the 1970s, British scholar James Lovelock put forward the Gaia hypothesis, which proposes that the Earth is a self-regulating, complex system, and that human beings constitute one organ of this entity. The well-being of the planet is thus dependent on humankind’s ability to achieve […]

Stakeholders in Belize discuss COP 21
This week public and private sector stakeholders gathered at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel to discuss Belize’s national position on climate change. The two-day consultation hosted by the National Climate Change Office, was held to assist with the preparation of Belize’s Intended National […]

Lower sugar prices for next crop is nothing new, says CEO
While the price per ton of sugar cane delivered this coming crop year to the Belize Sugar Industries will be significantly lower than the last few years, it is nothing new from what cane farmers had been receiving five years ago, a Ministry of Agriculture […]

Police find weed at Tropic Air Office
The Police Special Branch and Criminal Investigation Branch, intercepted a shipment of marijuana at a Tropic Air branch in Ranchito Corozal, on Friday. The police claims that they reacted to a tip to search a box of Lala Milk. The box was sealed with transparent […]

Shrimp industry faces viral disease; $30 million in losses
An estimated $30 million and hundreds of jobs have been lost due to a viral disease at shrimp farms across the country. The crisis has investors trying to grapple with salvaging one of Belize’s largest income earners. Since the virus was detected in March, […]

First Kareem Clarke Memorial this Saturday
The first Kareem Clarke Memorial, organized by a group of local journalists, will be held this Saturday at the BTL Park from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in memory of the late slain Kremandala reporter. The event will feature an award ceremony for the […]

Congratulations
By: Neri Briceño Dear Editor: I extend my congratulations to both Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the UDP for the victory achieved in last week’s General Elections. It was a hard fought fight, but ultimately the party was victorious, which should translate into an overall victory for the party and […]

Dispute over property leads to triple chopping. Cops arrest Dad
A father from San Pedro Colombia Village in Toledo faces two counts of attempted murder after he chopped his two sons, when they intervened in a domestic dispute to defend their mother. In the process, one of the sons was critically wounded and is receiving […]

Heavy weekend downpour inundates Belize again
Heavy weekend showers caused several low-lying areas throughout the country to flood, resulting in hundreds of families evacuating their homes. Late Saturday, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued several advisories with evacuation tips and flood notifications, primarily for southern Belize. By Sunday, the advisory […]

Editorial
The last two weeks have been a busy time for the new government, but now that ministerial portfolios have been allocated and the Senate nominations are complete, Belizeans are waiting to see what else will unfold in the first hundred days of the new Barrow administration. There are several pieces […]

Lisa Shoman to vie for PUP leadership
Lisa Shoman, who has been appointed again by the People’s United Party (PUP) to serve in the Senate, has indicated her intention to vie for leadership of the party, making history in Belize on a platform where no woman has ever before ventured. Shoman made […]

Mother needs assistance for severely injured child
Marla Encalada, the mother of severely injured six-year-old Kareema Encalada, this week made an emotional plea for financial assistance to seek outside medical treatment to repair the child’s mutilated pelvis. “It’s hard for me; I’m pleading to the public to assist me in whatever way, […]

Mayas return for clarification – again!
On Tuesday a panel of Caribbean Court of Justice judges gave GOB a deadline of two months to return with a concrete plan with a view to defining Mayan land rights, in consultation with the Mayan people. Representatives of the Mayan Leaders Alliance (MLA) and the Toledo Alcaldes Association (TAA) […]

Breaking Belize News

Happy Garifuna Settlement Day
Tomorrow is the official observation of Garifuna Settlement Day in Belize, which is celebrated on November 19th of each year to honor the coming of the Garinagu people to this country after being exiled from Roatan Honduras following a republican revolt. Led by the great Alejo Beni, a […]

Belize Water Service and Workers sign new Collective Bargaining Agreement
This morning representatives of Belize Water Services Limited (BWS) and the Belize Water Services Workers Union (BWSWU) signed a new collective bargaining agreement before Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams. The joint press release is short on details of the agreement but says it is retroactive to November 1, 2015 […]

Minor charged over stolen motorbikes and pleads guilty to escape
A 17 year old minor who had been on the run for the last three weeks was picked up by police and today arraigned on two counts of handling stolen goods and an additional charge for escape from lawful custody while being detained for handling stolen goods. He […]

Men sentenced for trafficking 50 pounds of weed
In the Magistrate’s Court today two Belize City men were condemned to a heavy fine and prison time for trafficking over fifty pounds of cannabis found inside a Dodge Caravan at the police George Price Highway checkpoint at Mile 4 on May 11, 2013, two years ago. Senior […]

Belize Bank donates $2,000 to Mr. Belize competition
On October 30th, the Belize Bank continued to show its commitment in supporting sporting activities and youth development by making a donation of $2,000 to the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation’s (BBBFF) annual Mr. Belize Competition. A release from the bank stated that the donation is one way of […]

Minor pleads guilty for handling stolen boat engine
Two relatives, a minor and his 36 year old relative, Daniel Humes, both fishermen, were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today on a single charge of handling stolen goods. Allegations are that on Monday, November 16, 2015, both men were found in possession of an outboard […]

Who owns unlicensed gun found in Belize City?
Tonight, 24 year old Dennis Arthur Talbert Junior is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after accused of keeping an unlicensed firearm and 2 live rounds of ammunition for a .38 COLT brand firearm. Late this evening, Talbert Junior was taken before Magistrate Deborah Rogers and pleaded […]

Belize Bank proudly supports the Salvation Army Christmas Program
The Belize Bank Ltd was pleased to provide its support to the Salvation Army once again during this Christmas season. The Bank presented its contribution of $5,000.00 towards the Salvation Army’s Christmas Program which reaches out to children and adults across the country providing toys, and delivering food hampers to […]

Eight men charged for bar fight
Appearing before Magistrate Carlos Mendoza in court yesterday morning, were eight men who all pleaded not guilty charges of “Disorderly Conduct” and “Damage to Property”, which were levied against them for their involvement in a bar fight at La Catracha Bar recently. Located on Coney Drive in Belize City, the […]

Incursions into Belize still a problem
Although incursions by Guatemalan Xateros and illegal loggers have decreased in recent years, in an interview with the media yesterday, the Executive Director of Friends of Conservation and Development (FCD), Rafael Manzanero, said that incursions by xateros, gold panners and farmers from neighboring Guatemala making milpas in Belizean territory, still […]

Post-mortem on minor conducted
A post mortem was conducted on the body of 16-year-old Ivan Endy Choc of Young Bank Road, Roaring Creek Village, yesterday by Dr. Mario Estradabran. The examination, which was done between the hours of 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., determined that Choc died of “Massive Brain Damage due to Head […]

70-year-old woman brutally raped in San Pedro
San Pedro Police received a disturbing report of the assault and rape of a 70-year-old housewife in that municipality, which occurred on Monday, November 16th, while the woman was walking home alone in the area of Coco Plum Street. The elderly housewife told officers that around 9:30 p.m. on the […]

Belize exports are up
A release of the trade figures for the third quarter of this year, by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), indicates that there has been massive improvement in our country’s import to export ratio, with a drop in imports and a huge rise in exported products. Comparing the amount of […]

Belize: The Socio-Cultural Evolution and The Economy
Belize is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic melting pot with population of around 360,000. In 1964, or 50 years ago, the population was 103,000…..which means the population has more than tripled in half-a-century. This growth has been fueled by organic multiplication of the local stock of creoles (black mixed with […]

Blogs

Reaching Across the Science to Society Gap
The chasm between science and society is wide and deep, illustrated most recently by events in climate science and calls for biodiversity protection. Scientists tend to blame it on society, but scientists also share the blame. It is thus essential that the scientific community — and scientists as individuals — begin to re-think our approach to doing science. This is particularly salient for biologists who study how natural systems work, given the widespread influence of human activities on Earth’s life-support systems and the profound dependence of humanity on other living things. Scientists can distance themselves from society in four ways, sometimes inadvertently, sometimes intentionally. 1. They tend to pursue a research agenda they are passionate about, often without thinking about how the energy devoted to a particular project serves society. 2. Most scientists regard their job as finished when they report their results in a specialized research journal, adding a notch to their publication count.

24 Things About The Garifuna Culture
T1. he culture started in the North Eastern South America and the Caribbean (From the edges of the Orinoco River into the Caribbean Sea) 2. The Roots of the Garifuna culture come from Black Caribs and Arawaks. Labeling is topical – ROOTS is where the answer is! 3. Saint Vincent is the place where between 1000AD to 1796AD the Garifuna were formed. 4. For the Garifuna, God is feminine. 5. The Arawaks moved up from South America (Orinoco Basin) around 0AD (birth of Christ); the Caribs moved into the Caribbean around 1000AD. 6. Christopher Columbus met the Island Tainos (Arawak) 7. On the islands, the Arawak had gold, elaborate dances, used tobacco and other drugs, they were a loving people who were organized via matriarchal lines. 8. The Caribs were raiders and traders. Among their raiding, they collected the Arawak women – which will sooner be a part of the larger Garifuna cultural mix and language 9. After the biological mixing of Caribs and Arawak, the children were organized with a patronymic organization. They started to take their names form their fathers 10. The Garifuna people move extensively in a extensive territory

The competition was stiff and the video footage funny
Minute to Win It for Charity at Roadkill Bar is growing popular fast. A big crowd came out to support Monday night’s charity the Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch. This Week’s Games: Puddle Jumper, Face the Cookie, Mochachino (sponsored by Caye Coffee), Stick the Landing, Rapid Fire (sponsored by Island Time Brewing Company), Dizzy Mummy, Back Flip, How’s it Hanging and the last game to determine the winner, Nutstacker. Games will not be announced ahead of time, but if you want to win next week, practice Minute to Win it at home. Just go to That Blue Print Guy on YouTube and use this weeks list of games and the ones from last week Minute to Win it for Charity as a starting point.

Ambergris Caye Vs. Placencia, Belize: Buying A Beach Home in Belize…How Do You Make This Choice?
Ambergris Caye and Placencia, Belize. Both beach towns. Both have ever growing expat communities, both have restaurants, bars, shopping…both have lots to offer. And let me tell you before I start any of this – I have no definitive answer. Some people visit Belize once or repeatedly…falling in love with one spot…and the choice is easy. Keep in mind that Belize is relatively tiny – about the size of the state of Massachusetts. It’s just about 170 miles from North to South. Others visit both popular resort areas and weigh the pros and cons of each spot. But without moving there and really diving into the waters (rather than just testing them)…it’s a tough call. Both spots are gorgeous. So here are what I think the differences and similarities are…and then I’ll show you a few real estate options in both. Hopefully it will help you get an overview.

The value of volunteering
I am living proof that volunteering with conservation organisations like Wildtracks can help put you on the right track to achieving your dream job. For years, while I was studying and working in international development, I struggled to marry my passion for marine conservation and my work in natural disaster research. Most of the time I ended up spending more time and effort on my volunteer jobs outside of work than my actual paid job. One day, nearing the end of my contract, I searched an international environmental job website to see what kinds of conservation and research jobs were out there. I was so amazed and inspired to see all of these incredible positions as cetacean observers, project coordinators for coastal monitoring work, wildlife rehabilitation, research assistants in biological data collection projects, marine conservation advocacy, etc. I looked at all of these different types of dream jobs and studied the qualifications and requirements for each of them. I wanted to merge my passion into my profession but wasn’t sure how. After looking at the trends in the requirements, a mental light bulb clicked on - I clearly needed to get the relevant education and field experience in marine biology in order to get these jobs, instead of pleading with potential employers about my passion and transferable skills. That is how the simple activity of a job search inspired me to go back to school to get an MSc in Marine Environmental Management.

Read this before deciding to travel to Belize! How does Belize TRULY compare to other exotic vacations?
After hearing guest feedback about Belize for the last 2 years, I thought it was time to put together a post about who may love their vacation to Belize, and who may be a better fit for other places; I sincerely hope potential guests will read this before they come. Expectations are a big part of vacation, and no one wins if a tourist expected one thing, but found that what they were told did not match reality. This is more of an article then a blog post, less for entertainment and more for your own research for your trip! It can be so hard to choose a destination for your vacation; every place you research is going to look perfect on the internet. Only by doing a bit more research will you be able to determine the subtle or significant differences between "paradises!" HOW DOES BELIZE COMPARE TO OTHER BEACH DESTINATIONS? This is hard to capture in one paragraph! One reason Belize recently won international awards for Best Overall Destination and Best Beach Destination (Ambergris Caye and Placencia, respectively) is because Belize truly offers an authentic and sightly off the beaten path experience - NOT because Belize offers perfection unlike anywhere else. Belize is NOT like Cancun or many of the traditional places you find on cruise ports, like Nassau, St Thomas, The Dominican Republic, etc.

International Sources

MFX Broker Belize Regulation Solid as Regulator Delists Old Company
On the 17th of November the Belize financial regulatory agency posted information on its website that the entity MFX BROKER Inc. is no longer regulated by it. The International Financial Services Commission of Belize omitted to point out in its announcement that the company behind the brokerage, MFX BROKER, changed to Master Services Inc. According to the company’s representatives, Master Services Inc. is the owner of MFX BROKER’s brand with 2 licenses of International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) Belize. There were no notifications or license revocations of the company. The MFX BROKER INC entity mentioned in the IFSC announcement that it has not carried out any activity as it was closed 2 years ago. According to Igor Volkov, President of MFX Broker: “In late 2013 we decided to work in several different countries around the globe on behalf of sole legal body. Master Services Inc. was registered for this purpose. The entity received all required licenses in Belize. We closed all other entities so that clients are not confused about the company they are working with. However, the regulator posted the information about the event just two years after the change, mainly the regulator announced information about MFX BROKER INC entity which is not active and was closed so far.”

Belize’s IFSC warns against Profit Riders, promising up to 200% in daily return
The International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) has published one more warning on its website. The watchdog has voiced its concerns regarding Profit Riders Inc., an investment firm operating via www.profit-riders.com. The company is promising generous profits – up to 200% in daily returns, to investors that decide to entrust Profit Riders their money. The IFSC notes that the company is purporting to be registered in Belize to carry out online investment activities under registration number IFSC/60/560/TS/15 stating its registered office to be 84 Albert Street, Belize City, Belize, C.A. However, these claims are fake. The regulator confirms that “Profit Riders Inc.” is not licensed by the International Financial Services Commission of Belize or any other competent authority in Belize to engage in trading in securities or any type of international financial services. Investors are asked to exercise extreme caution with regards to this business entity and to inform the IFSC in case they are contacted by representatives of Profit Riders

Maya No Mystery to Her
In 2001, I traveled to the Belize-Guatemala border to report on UCSB archaeologist Anabel Ford’s many discoveries at El Pilar, the Maya monument complex she uncovered in 1983. That’s where she developed revolutionary theories that threatened to rock the academic world, namely that the Maya did not “disappear” due to an overpopulation cataclysm, but merely dwindled with time. Instead, Ford found that the Maya proudly persist in Mesoamerica, that they use the surrounding forest as a sustainable, civilization-supporting garden like they have for millennia, and that the use of fire is a critical part of that farming, not indicative of a widespread “slash-and-burn” culture that so many believe contributed to their demise. Fifteen years later, though, Ford is banging those same drums while the tone-deaf academic establishment clings to ideas invented decades ago. Her latest strike is the book The Maya Forest Garden: Eight Millennia of Sustainable Cultivation of the Tropical Woodlands, which she coauthored with Ronald Nigh, a professor in Chiapas, Mexico. In relatively nontechnical language, the book uses research from multiple fields to detail the scientific evidence behind Ford’s belief that the Maya forest can indeed sustain a large population, suggesting that the collapse was probably more of a slow sociopolitical process than a carrying-capacity catastrophe.

Canadian investor in court over seizing Garifuna land
An investor known as the ‘Canadian porn king’ faced court last Friday, November 13, accused of illegally seizing land from Garifuna communities on the east coast of Honduras Randy Jorgensen – who earnt the title of ‘porn king’ for amassing his wealth through an empire of pornographic video stores – faced charges of illegally appropriating Garifuna land for tourism development projects in Trujillo. According to Human Rights NGO Rights Action, the judge ruled that there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial. However, the Garifuna do have a five-year window in which to present new evidence. The Garifuna are descended from Arawak and Carib indigenous people and escaped West African slaves. Living in small coastal communities in Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and Nicaragua, they number about 300,000. In Honduras, there are some 100,000 Garifuna who have lived along the Caribbean coast for more two centuries, farming on small plots of land and practising subsistence fishing.

The Caribbean contribution to the First World War
Thirty years before the Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury, black and Asian soldiers were in Europe fighting for the ‘Mother Country’. Many people of Caribbean origin will have an ancestor who took part in the First World War – one of the 397 officers and 15,204 men from Britain’s Caribbean colonies who served in the British West Indies Regiment (BWIR). The regiment was formed 100 years ago because the War Office in London was unhappy about black soldiers serving in British regiments. They were drawn from the Bahamas, Barbados, British Guiana (Guyana), British Honduras (Belize), Grenada, the Leeward Islands (Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, British Virgin Islands, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis), St Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago. However, the biggest contingent – two-thirds of the total – came from Jamaica. They served on the front line against the Turkish Army in Palestine and Jordan. General Allenby praised “…the excellent conduct of the machine-gun section of the BWIR during two successful raids on the Turkish trenches. All ranks behaved with great gallantry under heavy rifle fire.” Others were sent to the trenches of France and Flanders, the sands of Egypt and the mountain passes of northern Italy. They were given the unglamorous but essential (and often lethal) jobs of digging trenches, loading ammunition and laying telephone wires.

Videos

November 18, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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

Island athletes amongst Belize’s delegation at the U-17 UNCAF Elimination Tournament
From Wednesday, November 11th to Friday, November 13th, Belize National U-17 Female Football Team were in Comayagua, Honduras participating in the U-17 Women’s World Cup Central American Football Union (UNCAF) Elimination Tournament. The tournament saw our young Belizean footballers competing against U-17 National teams from Honduras and Costa Rica in hopes of advancing to the 2016 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Women’s U-17 Championship. Even though Belize did not make the cut, they definitely displayed great skills and sportsmanship. While in Honduras, the Belize team played two matches at the Estadio Carlos Miranda. In their first match Belize lost against Honduras in a 9-1 point game. Their second match also ended in a 15-0 defeat against Costa Rica. With the two losses, Belize placed last in the group.

Nothing but Blue Skies and Blue Seas
Flights to and from the cayes are definitely my favorites. You get the perfect bird’s eye view of the bluest of blues dotted by crests of our Barrier Reef. Marvel at all the channels and take in the view of the sailboats as they’re anchored below.

SPTC donates to San Pedro Cancer Society
The San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) was the recipient of a donation from the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) on Wednesday, November 11th at the Town Hall. Mayor Daniel Guerrero along with Councilor Ruben Gonzalez, who is in charge of the Health portfolio for the island, presented a cheque of $5000.06 to the president and members of the SPCS. The donation was the result of a fruitful effort from a dollar drive organized by the staff of the SPTC in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Saturday October 31st. Gonzalez encourages everyone to take advantage of the free services at the clinic, especially on Mondays when the exams are done. However, he stated that when it comes to emergencies no one will be denied of the service during any other day of the week.

Misc Belizean Sources

Miss Earth Belize Christine Syme
Christine Syme at Belize's Phillip Goldson Goldson International Airport departing for Vienna, Austria.

Power Interruption from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sunday November 22nd for the entire Corozal District
BEL to replace utility poles and conduct testing of equipment at the Buena Vista Substation.

Power interruption 10:00am to 2:00pm, Friday, November 20, Stann Creek: Hope Creek, Alta Vista, Pomona, Steadfast, Valley Community, Hummingbird Community, Middlesex & St. Margaret’s
BEL to replace utility poles carrying high voltage lines & lightning arresters & install equipment on power distribution system in area.

CAPPS District Finals
CAPPS and the BNLS are having the district finals for the Story Reading Contest today at the George Price Center. "You're cordially invited to our 10th Annual CAPPS Story Reading Contest, 2015!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Travel Agents from the US on their FAM in San Pedro

International Student's Day
HAPPENING TODAY!!!! If you are serious about studying in the U.S. then you need to check out this virtual college fair! More than 4,500 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. are welcoming students like you. If you’re thinking about applying, log in to a November 18 live, virtual college fair to get information on many of these schools. sign up here: http://goo.gl/eumgGv 125+ universities, scholarships and more Join this free online college fair to chat with 100+ universities directly including NYU, Cornell, UCLA and get personal advice from EducationUSA, ETS experts and more. When: November 18, 2015 (Wednesday) from 4:00AM to 4:00PM EDT

Waste Water Soakaways
With all these recent rains resulting in water logged land, some may be having problems with waste water Soakaways. I hope I am not speaking too soon, but I have three soakaways in my garden, none have given any trouble this year or any trouble since they were put in. My main soakaway is from my septic tank, which is a large 3 chamber system, which then feeds into a deep underground soakaway, which is about 4 feet wide, 30 - 40 feet long on two sides and about 8 - 9 feet deep. . . . In its bottom there are large stones, then smaller stones and even smaller, then covered with several layers of plastic sheeting and finally with about 3 - 4 feet or regular garden soil. ... There is no indication on the surface lawn and plants where that soakaway is.

BHA BI-ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BELIZE HOTEL ASSOCIATION BI-ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING !!! Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2015 Time: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Place: Laru Beya Resort, 19 3/4 mls, Placencia Road, Seine Bight. Dynamic Guest Speaker, Get General updates on BHA activities, Learn about the exciting new projects and marketing activities, Chinese Auction to support BHA Scholarship Fund.

Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic Fundraiser Gala
Saturday, November 21at 6:00pm. San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Our menu will feature Lionfish and steak or a scrumptious pasta dish. Silent Auction will commence at 6, dinner at 7:30. Music by Cloud 9 will begin at 9. BWRC continues to receive amazing silent auction items. Please remember to make your reservations for Saturdays Gala event NOW, either through BWRC or at the San Ignacio Hotel front desk. Thanks to a lot of generous donors we have received over 60 awesome items for the silent auction including hotel stays and tours, as well as art work, jewellery, massages, gift baskets and other gift certificates. Support BWRC's free medical care and rehabilitation for imperilled wildlife while enjoying an entertaining night out with a three course meal and accomplish early christmas shopping with great deals to be had. Ticket price is 85 and deadline for reservations is Thursday. Hope to see you there?

Paint N Splash
This Thursday at Crazy Canucks Beach Bar 2p.m. Let me know if you are coming.

Belize delegation at VII Continental Meeting of Indigenous Women of the Americas

Channel 7

How Nanes Shnitzer Became David Banes, Belizean Extraordinaire
International fugitive David Nanes Schnitzer is at the Hattieville prison - after being caught in San Pedro two weeks ago. Right now, he's basically on a holding charge for a fake driver's license - until Mexican authorities can figure out a way to get him transferred to their side of the border where he is wanted for his part in a ponzi scheme, where Mexican investors were defrauded of tens of millions of dollars. So, he's not even being investigated in Belize for all the dubious id's he had. 7News has learned that Nanes Shnitzer changed his named to David Banes - basically taking the "N" out of Nanes and substituting it with a "B". Under that name he got a permanent residency card, a Belizean passport, a driver's license for Belize City, a drivers license for San Pedro, a social security card, a boat master's license, and for good measure, even a voter's ID. Basically Nanes had every type of Belize ID that exists - all under an assumed name. Our sources say that the passport was obtained through the immigration Department - back in 201 or 2011, when the backdoor operations at that Department were in full swing.

Mayas Go Back To CCJ to Force GOB Compliance
Just over 2 weeks ago, we told you how the Maya communities of the south had won a landmark victory in the Caribbean Court of Justice. The country's highest appellate court ordered that the Government of Belize has to make reparations of $300,000 for all the decades that the colonial and post-colonial governments had refused to recognize and protect their land rights. The main case had been decided back in April when the Government surprised everyone and decided to concede to that recognition and protection of their rights. The Court made it a binding consent order which meant that the Government was legally obligated to carry out a process of formally recognizing and protecting that rights within the laws of Belize. But, the Mayans have been waiting for about 7 months for the Government to at least start consultations with the 39 Maya villages on how those rights should be formalized. The Government has done nothing as yet to comply with the order, and so the Maya claimants filed another application to the CCJ as sort of wake up call.

Baby Suzette's Survival Against Stacked Odds In Toledo West
Last night, we took you deep into southwestern Toledo, to San Jose Village, one of the many communities inundated by the floods due to the weekend rains. That's where 2 month-old baby, Suzette Adelicia Caac almost lost her life after falling from a man's arms while he tried to cross a flooded bridge. While there is a collective sigh of relief that the infant did not perish, the near tragedy has given us an opportunity to take a snapshot of what residents of the remote villages in the south face whenever there is any kind of rain. This stream didn't look threatening yesterday, but during the weekend, it was the location where 2 month-old baby Suzette Adelicia Caac could have lost her life. The rains had turned it into a coursing waterway, much like this one which I was crossing to verify that our news team could actually make it into San Jose Village. Yes, what you're looking at is a low-lying bridge covered by floodwaters. We're told it had gone down significantly.

SNAFU: Situation Normal All Flooded Up In Toledo
So, is this an accurate representation of the realities of the 39 Mayan Villages scattered all over Toledo? Well, that's what we asked the Program Coordinator for the Maya Leaders Alliance, and here's what he had to say about the situation: Pablo Mis, Program Coordinator - MLA "Unfortunately that has been the reality of many of our communities when it comes to flooding they become very isolated from the commercial areas in town, but also it hinders the ability to pursue other activities such as generating some income. It is a big issue. It also affects not only when its flooding, but this amount of rain has prohibited many of our students to not reach high schools and primary schools. You will notice at times there are bus drivers, to not go on the road because the roads are very terrible. They are in the worst of conditions. So that unfortunately is the reality for communities and the Toledo districts perhaps has the highest numbers of communities that still does not have electricity. A lot of communities and our children are studying with candle and flash lights - situations that should not be happening at this time. But that is something that we have discussed collectively with the Maya people and those are the main issues, the central issues that the Maya land rights hopes to address. We do recognize that the government will not be able to address all of those issues on their own and it is our hope that by working along with the Maya people, recognizing their rights to those lands, allowing the Maya people to pursue other alternatives of income generation of engaging entrepreneurial initiatives that we would be able to on our own, support and work with the government to remedy some of those extreme poverty situations that we have in our communities."

River Valley Residents Wary Of Floodwaters
So that's the situation in the south but what about the residents of the Belize River Valley? Right now, the water is rolling down to that area, so the situation certainly isn't as severe as it is in the south. We went to Flowers Bank today and the river has risen considerably but the residents don't seem bothered or concerned - at least not for now. We spoke to the Village Chairman Clinton Rhaburn and he told us how they are managing the flood situation in the village. Clinton Rhaburn, Chairman, Flowers Bank "What really happened, we are not affected directly with the flash flood in time of the rain. But if you notice now that the water is coming all the way from Cayo, and then a couple days after where we are affected by the coming down of the water from Cayo. Because all those water that you hear about up there will have to pass here and we are just seeing the back water start to rise. So probably maybe in the next 3-4 days there will be a lot of difference in the community and especially to get out the community because the road will take water. The bridges, they will take water and that will create a big problem. The school probably will have to close down because of the high water on the bridges."

NEMO Sends Warning To River Valley
Before the break we took you to Flowers Bank one of those riverfont communities in the Belize River valley. Well, just a minute ago, NEMO sent their latest advisory - and it says, quote, "The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby urges people in St. Paul's Bank; Willows Bank; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon; Burrell Boom; Lord's Bank; Ladyville; Belama Phase 4, and Crooked Tree to maintain a state of heightened alert. People on the edge of the lagoon be informed that the water is rising. One family had to be relocated this evening. Take action and protect life and property. Tomorrow a BDF Boat with NEMO personnel will deploy to the area." End quote.

GSU Got Gun and High Grade Weed Stash
This morning, the GSU nabbed a 38 revolver when they searched Dennis TALBERT JR's home on Benbow Street in Belize City. The GSU says they had to kick in the door and when they got in, they saw TALBERT throwing an object resembling a firearm through a window. They took TALBERT outside where they recovered the pistol with two live rounds of ammunition. 20 year old TALBERT who is a food vendor was charged for "Kept unlicensed firearm and Kept Unlicensed Ammunition without a gun license". Police say he is a member of the Supal Street Gang. He was taken to court and remanded to jail.

Up Close At Uxbenka
By now, you're probably family with the Santa Cruz 13, which is a group of Maya villagers and one of their leading spokespersons who remains criminally charged with the unlawful imprisonment of Rupert Myles. Back in June, they handcuffed and tried to evict him from the village because they say that he unlawfully settled and destroyed a part of the UxBenka Archaeological Site. He continues to accuse Santa Cruz villagers of being racist against him because he's creole. And so while we were in the south yesterday, we finally got an opportunity to explore Uxbenka for ourselves. This is Rupert Myles House, it sits atop what looks to be an ordinary hill. He and his family have been living on this structure for some months now, ever since he and his common-law wife decided to move back to her home village.

Was Myles Maligned Based On Race?
So, today while we had opportunity, we asked the first Alcalde of Santa Cruz about Cruz's allegation that he was racially discriminated against. It's a question that's been asked and answered, but because it has been brought up again, we put it to Manuel Pop. Here's what he had to say: Daniel Ortiz "He continues to maintain that when he approached you and the chairman of the village, you all treated him with disdained because of his ethnicity. He says you told him plain and straight that he will not be allowed to live there because he is a black man and that you all don't want it mix-up." Manuel Pop, 1st Alcalde - Santa Cruz Village "It's not the point. We are not saying because he is a black man. But he did not come to the alcalde. It's the law in the village. He did his own law. He didn't want to listen to us, even the chairman and the alcalde. He want to do his own business. That's why they arrested him."

Making Reparation Fund Real
At the top of the news, we told you about the Maya claimants' trip back to the Caribbean Court of Justice on Maya Rights. Less than 3 weeks ago, they got a huge judgement in their favor that the Government must set up a fund of $300,000 to make reparations on their behalf. But, not much detail has been given on how this will exactly work, specifically, what are the terms, and how will this money actually be used? That's the clarification that their attorney tried to seek from the judges who granted the decision in the first place. The spokesperson for the MLA discussed that aspect of this morning's hearing with us, and here's what he had to say:

Could Lisa Lead The PUP?
For the past two weeks since Francis Fonseca stepped down - we've been telling you about the men who are considering offering themselves for the post of leader of the PUP. They are John Briceno, Cordel Hyde, Julius Espat and Kareem Musa. But, what if they were to be joined by a woman? Well, that would be a first, because no woman has ever offered herself for leadership of, or led any political party in Belize. But, it could happen. PUP Senator Lisa Shoman told us she is seriously entertaining the possibility of making a bid for leadership of the PUP. Shoman pointed out that she was the first female president of the bar, the first female ambassador to the OAS and the USA, and the first female minister of foreign affairs. And while she might beat the boys in "firsts", and in a debate, we pointed out to Shoman she would have a hard time matching them in political alliances, and resources. She said that's an assumption and an untested assertion.

Belize Composed For COP 21
Belize is working on a Climate Change Action Plan to reduce green house gas emissions. Today, as a lead up to the COP 21 conference in Paris, a local conference was held at the Biltmore to discuss what measures Belize can take to accomplish this plan - particularly in the Forestry , energy and transportation sectors. Climate Change coordinator Ann Gordon explained the overall objective of the plan A Belize delegation will present that action plan at Cop21 - an abbreviation for the "Conference of Parties" - the parties being the 196 signatories of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or UNFCCC, as it is called. The meeting is expected to deliver a major agreement on the action plan for saving the planet from the disastrous consequences of rising average global temperatures.

Making Accountants Accountable
Balance sheets and rows of numbers: Those are two things that may come immediately to mind when you think of accounting. But really its way more complicated than that. There are international standards and systems that accountants must meet and operate by. Today at the Biltmore there was a seminar built around those standards and the importance of implementing them. The coordinator told us it's all about providing better service to clients:.. Reynaldo Magana, President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Belize "This training is a two-day event covering international financial reporting standards. As you know the institute in Belize is in charge of accounting profession of Belize and this is one way how we try to empower our professionals including many people from the private sector as well as the public sector. It's what you call international financial reporting standards. It's the global framework for accountants as far as accounting standards. We call it 'the bible" if you like.

The Drums Delivered
The tenth anniversary of the Battle of the Drums was celebrated this past weekend in Punta Gorda Town. After a Battle of the Drums Food & Fete: Taste of the Garifuna Cooking Competition on Friday, the battle was held on Saturday at the Toledo Community College Court. The first place winner was Alanga Beidina from Seine Bight, followed by Grupo Huchelo from Baja Mar, Honduras, with the Wageirale Drummers from Dangriga in third. For first prize they won $1,800.00 dollars, plus a pair of Garifuna Drums, Championship T-shirts, Championship caps & a trophy valued at 800.00. The second place finisher got $1,200.00 and third place got $800.00.

NEMO's Latest
Earlier, we told you about the latest NEMO update - well, we have more of that now. In the Toledo District, there are still persons sheltering in the Bladden and Bella Vista shelters. Assessment of homes, and clean up are underway. Farms assessed so far by the Ministry of Agriculture personnel, indicate that cattle farmers will be needing assistance in Bella Vista and the Belize River Valley. In Cayo, the Macal River is receding, but the Iguana Creek Bridge and the Succotz ferry remain closed.

Channel 5

Mayans Return to CCJ for Clarity on Land Rights
At the end of October, in a landmark ruling, the Caribbean Court of Justice ordered Government to make reparation to the Mayan community for damages suffered. The court ordered the [...]

Rupert Myles Still Not Charged for Desecrating Mayan Site
The lack of clarity on the issue, at least where G.O.B. is concerned, has led to some very volatile situations – Rupert Myles and the Santa Cruz Mayans being one [...]

Edward P. Yorke Students Shine in CXCs
The results of the CXC and CAPE Examinations were recently released but were lost in the election fever. We’re finally catching up with the results that indicate that Alisha Anipha [...]

Who Should Get Custody of Neña Perez
Tonight’s question on an ongoing custody battle is: Should two-year old Neña Perez, who is being held by the Department of Human Services, be returned to: her Belizean mother or [...]

Imports Down…Exports Up in Third Quarter
The Statistical Institute of Belize has released its trade figures for the third quarter of 2015, showing that the country imported less and exported more. Where imports are concerned, September [...]

FCD Still Faces Serious Issues in the Chiquibul
A symposium held by Friends of Conservation and Development two years ago exposed the state of affairs in the Chiquibul Forest.  Since then, the dynamics of illegal activities in the [...]

Manzanero Says Illegal Logging Has Decreased
As to the decrease in illegal logging, Manzanero says that there is a pattern to since the beginning of 2015. In one hand, logging is down, but harvesting of   xaté, [...]

Police Search for Abelino Matamoro Following Fatal Hit & Run
An all points bulletin has been issued for the arrest of Abelino Matamoro, following a fatal hit and run incident over the weekend in southern Belize.  On Friday evening at [...]

8 Men Charged for Drunken Brawl at Belize City Bar
A group of eight men appeared in court this morning following a recent brawl at La Catracha Bar on Coney Drive in Belize City.  They are facing charges of disorderly [...]

Courts Belize Donates to the Sister Cecilia Home
Courts Belize stepped up big time to the plate today to assist the Sister Cecilia Home that is just recovering from the floods of last month. Badly needed items such [...]

Refugee Eligibility Committee Reactivated After Eighteen Years
After being dormant for eighteen years, Belize has activated the Refugee Eligibility Committee. The committee of nine persons serves as a refugee assessment group and according to the United Nations [...]

COP to Assess Inroads to Addressing Climate Change
The Belize National Climate Change Office today met to finalize and validate its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions, something all countries in the world agreed on two years ago. It’s an [...]

NEMO Provides Update on Flooding in the West
In respect of the flooding in the west, on Monday’s newscast we told you that several crossings including the Iguana Creek Bridge, the low-lying wooden bridge that connects San Ignacio [...]

CTV3

Civilian Shot By Officer While In Process Of Being Detained
Forty eight year old Wilbert Guerra, a resident of Trail Farm Village in Orange Walk, is tonight occupying a bed at the Northern Regional Hospital after he was allegedly shot by a police officer attached to the Orange Walk Police Formation. When we arrived at the scene on Mahogany Street, police and scenes of crime personnel were already leaving the area. Tonight the family of the victim is claiming that the officer abused of his power. Reports are that four cops arrived at the residence to detain Guerra after another resident of the area made a report against him. According to Guerra’s father, Inocencio Guerra, his son was accused of insulting a female, the daughter of the man who made the report. But when police arrived at the scene all hell broke loose. “Tardo como media hora cuando la policía entro aquí y el muchacho estaba metido haya dentro del cuarto cuando vino la policía yo los recibí y me preguntaron adónde esta mi hijo les dije está dentro del cuarto, llámalo me dice y agarre yo y les dije juay te vino a buscar la policía bueno cuando salió el salió con un palo y otra cosa ni se ni que era cuando la policía se le aventó encima pues, ya lo habían detenido y todo entonces se parró el muchacho allí y yo alado y el policía allí y que lo va a tira le digo no lo tires policía porque lo vas a tirar y agarro y lo tiro.”

Social Worker Involved In Baby Nina's Case Receives Threats
Yesterday we told you about a custody battle between a Guatemalan Father and Belizean Mother that landed in the hands of the Belize Family Court and the Department of Human Services. As we told you, Analiz Perez claims that on Friday evening, a social worker accompanied by a police officer arrived at her home on George Street claiming that they were there to take custody of her two year old daughter, Nina Perez. The intervention from Social Services was the outcome of a decision taken by relevant local authorities acting on a formal request made by their Guatemalan counterparts through Nina’s Guatemalan Father. The matter was filed under the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction concerning the wrongful removal of this two-year-old Guatemalan child. The child was wrongfully removed and brought into Belize. Why wrongfully you ask? CEO in the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation Judith Alpuche explained to the media that Analiz left Guatemala and returned to Belize with Nina, but failed to notify or receive consent from the father prior to her departure. The removal of the child from her mother was quickly shared on Social Media as “kidnapping” and quickly sparked what CEO Alpuche described as a “media frenzy” on the matter, painting a negative picture of the way the Department of Human Services operate. Also involved in the mix was the Social Worker whose picture and that of her daughter were plastered on Social Media. The Social Worker says Alpuche, was also threatened.

OW Town Council continues With Plan To Upgrade Streets
Pothole ridden streets in Orange Walk Town are without a huge problem, one which the Orange Walk Town Council is dealing with bearing in mind its spending limits. But while the council’s coffers is not overflowing with money, there are plans to address the urgent need of street repairs. “After this rain fall you can see the streets that need more attention and to point out a few there is a main one right in front of us Bethais Lane by Popular Bakery, that street is totally gone and it has to be redone and we are currently sitting down with the Mayor as well as he is hurriedly lobbying with our contractor to see how we can best address these streets in a timely manner and at an affordable manner as well, we have to look at how best agreements we can make, payments plans is a good option as well because we don’t have that money to invest directly into streets it costs a lot of money but when it comes to other streets like Orchid Drive.” And while we all want overnight results and or a permanent remedy for our streets, Cal says in due process, over one million dollars will be invested for infrastructure…

Orange Walkena Celebrates 102 Birthday
Today, Luisa Bardalez affectionately known as “Gran” celebrated her 102nd birthday anniversary among sodality brothers and sisters, Helpage volunteers and honorary family members at her home on Dunn Street. The centenarian is the eldest member of the Zenobia Meggs Helpage family. It’s a milestone for any centenarian to say the least and today her living room was filled with love and care from many well-wishers. This birthday celebration provided us with an opportunity to recognize this unique and outstanding lady. “I feel good and happy because what we want is to be good to people and not fighting with each other they can’t say I am a quarrelsome woman in Orange Walk nowhere I go in Orange Walk and everybody knows me and I don’t fight with anybody home and home I am not around. I got friends but plenty never come but last year more come but I sorry I can’t talk English fine.”

Rotaract OW Does Its Part To Reduce Cases Of Diabetes
Did you know that over forty thousand persons in Belize are diagnosed with Diabetes? That is an alarming rate especially since many persons do not know they are diabetic and are therefore not being treated. The disease creeps in unexpectedly and can have negative health risks, at times fatal, if it is not treated. In in an effort to spread awareness on the “silent killer” on Saturday at the Central Park, the Rotaract Club of Orange Walk will be hosting a Diabetes Fair. Chanelle Lizarraga is the Community Service Director of the Club who told us more….. “We are going to be having nurses and doctors out there who will be providing free glucose testing for the public in general so we would like to invite everyone to come out and support as they always have so it is free of charge why not take advantage of it.”

First Steps Leading To Upgrading Of Streets Around Central Park Taken
At the top of the newscast we told you about the infrastructural plans the Orange Walk Town Council has to address the issue of streets repair. While that project is yet to see its course, there is another project that is about to be completed. Currently under construction is the final phase for the Belize Municipal Development Project where the South and North Streets and periphery of the Central Park will be paved. Councilor Ian Cal says this is the start of a much delayed project, mainly due to inclement weather… “What we are seeing right now is the works of BWS and those are preliminary works that are coming in before after they have completed those works and you will be seeing works around the park, we will be seeing new pavement around the park and of course the council is looking into paving the other streets on the surroundings.”

NEMO Continues To Monitor Flooding In The South
As the waters continue to recede in the southern part of the country the National Emergency Management Organization continue to monitor the situation. According to NEMO’s latest release, communities along the Mopan and Macal must continue to take the necessary actions to save life and property. People in St. Paul’s Bank; Willows Bank; Double Head Cabbage; Bermudian Landing; Isabela Bank; Flowers Bank; May Pen; Scotland half-moon; Burrell Boom; Lord’s Bank; and Ladyville must also maintain a state of heightened alert and take actions to save life and property. Residents along the old northern highway must remain alert and farmers with livestock are being asked to take the necessary precautions. NEMO District Emergency Relief teams supported by the BDF are providing assistance to people in need.

LOVE FM

Police Seeks Driver in Fatal Hit and Run
A driver from Bella Vista Village in the Toledo District has been charged with manslaughter by negligence following a road traffic incident last Friday. Abelino Matamoro was driving a green and white Meilun motorcycle on the Southern Highway at around five thirty on Friday evening when the incident occurred between miles twenty three and twenty […]

Canadian University Offers Scholarships to Belizeans
As one of the initiatives aimed at increasing cooperation among Canadian and Belizean scholars, the Vancouver Island University is offering seven scholarships in the area of environmental studies. The university currently has five Master’s program available namely, Sustainable Tourism, Community Planning, Geographic Information Systems, Business Administration and Educational Leadership. The application for the scholarships was […]

NEMO Continues Relief Efforts and Advisories
The rains have subsided and the waters, particularly in the southern and western parts of the country are rescinding. But despite an improvement in the weather conditions, many families, farmers and businessmen and women are trying to recover from losses they endured over this weekend flooding. The National and Emergency Management Organization continues its efforts […]

16 Days of Activism: November 25 – December 10
It is that time of the year again when organizations and agencies with the responsibility of promoting gender equality and condemning gender based violence, double their efforts in bringing awareness to the issues while discussing possible solutions. Cynthia Williams is the Director of the Women’s Department who spoke on the upcoming annual 16 Days of […]

Free Legal Aid During Days of Activism
Some years ago the Women’s Department ventured outside the traditional workshops and seminars for women, under the 16 Days of Activism program. The team came up with an initiative dubbed, Legal Clinics that serves to provide legal advice and consultations with local attorneys. Cynthia Williams told Love News that this year’s legal clinic has been […]

GSU Takes Talbert In for Gun and Ammo
24-year-old Dennis Arthur Talbert Junior is behind bars tonight after he was charged with keeping an unlicensed firearm and two live rounds of ammunition for a point thirty eight firearm. Late this evening he was taken before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Members of the Gang Suppression Unit said they found Talbert in possession of a point […]

Belize to Perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
Auditions are being held for local artists around the country as Belize prepares to be the main focus in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival coming up in April 2016. Belize’s inclusion into this world renowned event was done through efforts of Ivan Duran, President of the Music Industry Association of Belize (MIAB). Belize’s […]

Belize Makes Strides in Domestic Abuse Campaigns
Domestic Abuse is an issue that has been discussed time and time again and even more so as we enter into the 16 Days of Activism program under the Women’s Department. But how beneficial or how well have these discussions and awareness campaigns helped those who are victims of domestic violence or gender based violence. […]

Belize Tourism Board Holds Sweepstakes
Last week we told you of the campaign that the Belize Tourism Board has launched dubbed, ‘Small Country Sunday’. It is a marketing initiative that seeks to encourage foreigners to come and experience Belize whilst highlighting the various local destinations. As part of the campaign there is a Watch and Win Sweepstakes taking place online. […]

PlusTV

Courts donates to Helpage
Courts Belmopan is exercising the gift of giving. At a handing over ceremony today, courts donated somewhere between 5 to 7 thousand dollars worth of furniture and utilities to the Helpage Center for the elderly in Belmopan. We spoke to Elvis Slusher, Branch Manager for Courts Belmopan, who explai...

Another mosquito borne disease reaches the Caribbean: ZIKA
With all this rain, one other factor to consider is the increase of breeding grounds for mosquitos and with the latest Ministry of Health public advisory, mosquitos are definitely unwanted right now. That’s because the Ministry of Health says that for the first time, five cases of Zika virus in the ...

Fire in San Ignacio
There was an early morning fire in San Ignacio on Sunday Morning. The building which was completely engulfed in flames was a furniture workshop, property of Julio Cubias. Everything in the workshop was destroyed as a result of the blaze. Cubias told us more. Julio Cubias, Workshop Owner: The...

Telethon for TV Ramos bust raises six thousand
A life size bust of national hero Thomas Vincent Ramos decorates Dangriga Town. The sculpture is the outstanding work of Stephen Okeke. While the piece of art is at its final destination, outstanding is the payment for the bust. While Okeke – like times past – sculpted the bust without anyone first ...

Corozal Free Zone business man killed in Chetumal
A businessman from the Commercial Free Zone in Corozal, identified as Ernesto Alonso De Miguel, aka “El Español” was reportedly killed Saturday night in Mexico. According to Mexican press reports, De Miguel was at a restaurant in Chetumal along with his family. The restaurant is “El Emporio” in Ch...

Three men arrested for Aggravated Burglary
Orange Walk police have arrested and charged three persons for the crimes of ‘Aggravated Burglary’, ‘Robbery’, ‘Aggravated Assault’, ‘Handling Stolen Goods’ and ‘Kept Unlicensed Firearm’. The arrests stem from a report made by a 65-year-old Salvadoran watchman of Camp 22, who told police that on F...

Drugs in LA LA Milk box at Tropic Air
A package on Tropic Air was found with cannabis in it. Personnel of police Special Branch and Criminal Investigation Branch, were tipped off anonymously about a package with drugs at the Tropic air Office in Ranchito Village, Corozal. On Friday , November 13th, officers arrived at Tropic Air and ...

Attempted arson in Succotz
Benque police are investigating a case of attempted arson. On Sunday, 15th November, 31 year old Jaime Chuc, a Belizean Waitress of San Jose Succotz Village, reported that at around 2:30 that morning, she was at her house when she heard a noise coming from outside. She immediately went outside and s...

The Guardian

Former death row inmate to get new sentence
Glenford Baptist is awaiting a sentence from Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin for the murder of Azrin White on July 24, 2000. Baptist was found guilty of murder by a jury of 12 in November of 2001 and sentenced to death by then Supreme Court Justice Wilfred Elrington. In July of 2015, his attorney Priscilla Banner challenged the sentence. Banner submitted that it was a breach of Baptist’s constitutional rights to be on death row for over 13 years. She said that the long period on death row breached his right not to be subjected to inhumane treatment or punishment. She also submitted that Baptist should not have been subject of an automatic sentence to death because that too is a breach of his constitutional rights.

16 year old executed in front of his father
Crying, Eluterio Choc recounted to the media the final moments of his son, 16 year old Ivan Choc’s life on Friday night. Choc said he was at home with his family including his wife, two year old son and three year old daughter eating fried chicken on the verandah of their home in Camalote village in the Cayo district shortly before 8p.m. when they heard noises coming from the yard. Eluterio armed himself with a machete and went to investigate when he came face to face with two masked men brandishing firearms. One of the men was carrying a 9 millimeter pistol while the other held a 16 gauge shotgun. Choc said he could offer no resistance against the men who went up the home’s steps and onto its verandah where Ivan Choc was. As soon as Ivan saw the men he attempted to hide under the table where he was having his meal but was unable to elude a gunshot which one of the masked men fired at him with the shotgun. Eluterio says that prior to being shot he saw his son on the ground begging and begging for his life. He begged the gunmen not to kill him but none of the pleas were heeded. The first shot hit him on the right hand. Even while being injured Ivan continued to beg for his life but the man bearing the shotgun, cranked it and fired a second shot, hitting him to the right side of the head. He died within minutes.

Orange Walk Cop Accused of Sex with Girl, 14
Police Constable Hector Esquivel, 31, is out on bail after being at the Belize Central Prison on remand for only four nights for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old minor. Allegations are that on November 1, 2015, he had sexual intercourse with a minor, 14 years and 4 months. On Monday, November 9, Hector Esquivel appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser and was read a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He appeared with his attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, and no plea was taken since the matter is an indictable offense. Due to the nature of the offense bail could not be granted to Esquivel. He was to be remanded at the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on December 18, 2015.

Mother of 7 in jail for street fight
A mother of seven children, Stephanie Moreira, 40, is serving time at the Belize Central Prison after she pleaded guilty to harm and uttering insulting words upon Shasta Flowers and Georgia Curry. The first time offender was slapped with a 15 day jail term so she can learn a lesson, explained Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. That lesson is, “You learn that you cannot take matters into your own hands.“ In court, Moreira said that she did throw a stone at Flowers because “all of them rushed at me”. She explained that the incident stems from an old matter in which two of her daughters were playing and one of them was injured by one of Curry’s sons who hit her in the face with a ball. The Chief Magistrate asked Moreira if she made a report to police so that they could intervene. She said no.

Kyle Perez accused of beating his girlfriend
Ladyville Resident Kyle Perez, 22, is out on Supreme Court bail of $5,000 after spending ten days on remand at the Belize Central Prison for allegedly beating up his girlfriend. Perez was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, November 3, 2015 for one count of maim and one count of damage to property upon his ex-girlfriend, Kamisha Yorke. Yorke reported to police that she was at home on Monday, October 26, 2015 when Perez came to see her and they got into an argument. The argument escalated and Perez allegedly took his black Samsung touch screen cellphone and broke it in her face. The phone hit left her with damages to one of her eyes.

Wesley Upper School wins in volleyball competition
The 2015-2016 Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Season regular competition came to an end on Monday 16 November, 2015, at Bird’s Isle here in Belize City. There were two games on the schedule that were played. In the girls’ competition, Wesley Upper School defeated St. John’s Primary School in three sets by the score of 25-21, 21-25 and 15-9. In the boys’ game, Wesley Upper School won handily over St. John’s Primary School in two sets by the score of 25-4 and 25-9. The competition continued on Thursday 12, November, 2015, with two more games on the schedule.

Deep Dow
While majority of Belizeans have accepted that the elections are over and done, there are some talk show hosts who persist in remaining in campaign mode and continue to poke at Government every single day of the week. Maybe it’s good for business, but to some viewers this comes across as perhaps a bit irritating. As for me, I simply switch channels when the host insists in spewing negativity and malice. In any event, someone should advise PUPS TV that the elections are behind us, and that the cycle won’t be repeated for another 5 years. That translates to 60 long, long months of anxious waiting, my brother. For the immediate future the PUP and its surrogates should concentrate in rebuilding their Party, since a weak Opposition does not bode well for our democracy.

We’re experiencing the world wrongly
In a world full of what seems like nothing but corruption, it is a natural tendency to lose a sense of hope for world peace or happiness. When we think we have stroke a balance between poverty, crime, and sustainability among the common good, the world, from our perspective, tells us the opposite. Because we physically experience the world around us, we can undoubtedly point out all its flaws and misfortunes. But are we simply looking at the world from the wrong perspective? Perhaps looking down at the world can give us a better outlook on life itself. The sight of the world from above is a beautiful one. It fills the viewer with awe and plants the idea in their head that not everything has gone wrong. To see Earth, to see it from far away, gives you the sense that the world isn’t as big as you once thought. But that’s obvious right? When one looks at something from a distance it looks smaller than it actually is. But this is different. When you see the world so small it isn’t just the planet itself that’s shrunk. It’s the people on it, friends, acquaintances, strangers, enemies they’re all so small. The human race, the seven billion something people living on this planet- the progress they’ve made, the steps they’ve taken back, the accomplishments, the failures, the problems, the solutions, the love, the hate, the entire range of human emotions, life and death- are all seen in the same light, so minute that they possibly cause no harm, yet still finding time to corrupt the inner planet.

Lee Mark Chang appointed as President of the Senate
The 12th National Assembly of Belize includes the first full time member with Chinese ancestry. Lee Mark Chang was temporarily sworn in to hold over as the President of the Senate in 2010 when Senator Andrea Gill went on maternity leave. That was just an appointment for a cup of coffee; this time, Lee Mark Chang is not holding over for anyone. He is the President of the Senate of Belize. While his appointment is going down in the country’s history books, Chang is not focusing on the historical contexts of his appointment. He is too busy “catching up on the parliamentary skills” to focus on history. Since his invitation to the Senate, Chang has been nose deep in the Constitution and texts covering the Standing Orders of the Senate. In his first address to the Senate as President, Chang assured the members that he “shall do everything in my powers to make sure that the proceedings of the House are carried out with dignity and impartiality.”

What say you Cristina?
It’s always been said that we are our brother’s keeper. That saying should be more so applied in times of emergencies. Such should have been the case during the floods of last weekend. SATIIM and the Mayan Leaders Alliance should fall in that category as their brother’s and sister’s keepers. As such they must do whatever they can do to help in securing the lives of those person in whose names they go out cap in hand to seek funding for. The Alcaldes must also play their roles in securing lives too. After all they are being paid to assist in situations such as these recent floods. In times of disasters people tend to listen to those whom they have some sort connection with. Among our Mayan people in the south that is even more pronounced because of the language barrier and cultural norms. It is not the ideal situation but outsiders (people not from within the area), are viewed as just that, OUTSIDERS! Who knows the cultural norms, tendencies and practices more than the persons on the ground such as SATIIM, MLA and individual Alcaldes? Are these not the same people who stood up in court and trumpeted the rights of the very same Mayans now affected by the floods?

PUP Chess match
There is a strange aura around this PUP Leadership Contest. For some strange reason, the would be combatants are afraid to actually declare they are in the race. All that’s coming from them is that either they are thinking about running for leadership or that people are asking or are encouraging them to run. Could it be that they are afraid of what dirt one or all their would-be opponents may be tossing on them during their campaign? There is also another angle; they too may be looking to unearth neutralizing-dirt on their would-be opponents. What I do know is that there is a shortage of files at all hardware stores. It seems like all the combatants have been stocking up on them to sharpen up their daggers, knives, swords, machetes or anything that has an edge on it to sharpen, in order to stab the other combatants in the back. This fight will be a bloody battle and even the winner will come out limping and worse off than the party is at present. Strange alliances are being formed. Persons who were once co-conspirators are now sworn enemies.

Belize to benefit from Taiwanese watchdog group
Dr. Po-Ya Chang, the President of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), visited Belize for three days from November 12, 2015 to November, 14, 2015. The purpose of her visit was to sign an Agreement on Cooperation between her office and the office of Lionel Arzu, the Ombudsman of Belize. This Taiwanese VIP is the leader of the watchdog body of the Taiwanese Government. It is comprised of 29 members of the Ministry of Audit. It is responsible to investigate complaints of misfeasance or criminal acts committed by public servants or government officials. They are completely independent and carry out their mandates to investigate criminal complaints to take to the Judicial Yuan’s Commission on the Disciplinary Sanctions of Functionaries. The Control Yuan is one of the most powerful organizations in the Taiwanese Government, and provides oversight to that government.

PADF Donates GIS Equipment to University of Belize
The University of Belize celebrated its second annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day on Friday, November 13, and in support of the initiative the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) donated US$4,000 worth of technological equipment, tools and software to the school’s GIS program. The Pan American Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization established by the Organization of the American States to bring stakeholders together to “improve livelihoods, empower communities, strengthen civil society, support human rights, protect the environment and respond to natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean”. PADF donated a platform software upgrade (ArcGIS Online Level 2), 5 Samsung Galaxy Tablets, 5 Garmin GPS units, 3 fiberglass measuring tapes, 3 metric fabric diameter tapes and 1 pruner/saw package. The donation was made possible through the support of the Republic of China (Taiwan) under the project “Community Preparedness and Resilience: Community-Based Approaches to Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation in Belize.” The donation aims to build the technological capacity of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Center at the University of Belize. Minerva Pinelo, PADF Project Director in Belize, handed over the equipment saying, “PADF is committed to supporting UB’s goal of expanding its GIS Center to provide advance GIS Courses through its Natural Resources Management Program.”

A year later
It is not that we want to live in the past, but for history’s sake we have to go back to an event of epic proportion that took place exactly one year ago on November 18, 2014. It was a rainy day actually it had rained almost nonstop throughout the previous night. A crowd of about 10,000 people had descended onto Independence Hill and assembled around the National Assembly. They were there to tell Prime Minister Barrow and the United Democratic Party, that they were pleased with the Petrocaribe funded projects. And at the same time they were saying to the COLD AND POWER HUNGRY OPPOSITION, “ we won’t allow you to take food out of our or our children’s mouths.” You see not only did those provide much need infrastructural improvements for the country, but they also provided much needed employment for most of those very same persons gathered there. Those persons would not have been working and perhaps would have resorted to illegal means in order to put food on their tables. For many of these persons the job they had was their first and it was about PRIDE. Their constant cheer throughout the day was ‘’PERTOCARIBE ROLL IT “! This crowd was so big that Jules had to take 2 teams to Belmopan to cover the event. Jules was almost driven to poetry, and this was the way he started his evening newscast “UDP Shows Mass Party Muscle, Mobilization and Multitudes in BELMOPAN. Greek mythology tells us that Helen of Troy had the face that launched a thousand ships..., well our question to the Prime Minister at the end of August about Petrocaribe spending may be the question that sent a few thousand protestors to Belmopan today. At that time, we asked why hadn’t the Petrocaribe indebtedness gone to the House as is required by the Finance and Audit act?

New virus detected: is Zika Virus in Belize?
Residents are very aware that they have to be vigilant when dealing with mosquitoes since they are the vectors for Malaria, Dengue and Chikungunya. Well, the Health officials are putting the public on notice that one more called the Zika Virus is out in the Caribbean. Zika is a viral disease transmitted by the same vector for Dengue and CHIK-V, the aedes aegypti. The symptoms last approximately 4 to 7 days, and are similar to Dengue and CHIK-V. Those include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Though complications from Zika are rare, and there have been no deaths reported, there is no treatment for this disease.

Belizean and Guatemalan parents battle for custody of child
Two parents, one Belizean, and the other Guatemalan, are locked in a legal battle over who gets custody and guardianship of their 2 year-old daughter, Belizean and Guatemalan parents battle for custody of child Nina Perez. The Department of Human Services is caught in the middle of what is being negatively referred to as an “abduction by one of it’s officers.” The child was removed from the mother’s care on Friday, November 13, with the authority of a police man who arrived at her Orange Walk Town home. Nina’s mother, Ana Liz Perez Gutierrez, has told the press that an unidentified social worker picked up the child without giving any information or any court order documents. She immediately panicked, suspecting that these persons were trying to whisk the baby out of the country to hand her over to her Guatemalan father.

BDF continue training with BATSUB
All around the world, the military forces of a country is the ultimate test of physical and mental excellence and aptitude, and in this country, the Belize Defence Force is that standard. On Sunday, November 8, five squads of BDF soldiers competed against the team of British Army soldiers currently training in Belize. At around 5 a.m., the moderators got all the soldiers in line for a kit inspection where they were assessed on the items they would be taking with them on a march and shoot competition. They were expected to carry about 30 or more pounds of equipment. All the teams had a flawless inspection, and from there, they were transported to the Burrell Boom bridge where each team was expected to conduct a 9 mile march. Each team was allowed to start in 10 minute intervals, with the premise being that each team would challenge the team at the front to keep a high pace. Each team was expected to run each mile in only 10 minutes, as compared to the usual 15 minute per mile that the normal soldier is expected to run.

Mayan request denied at CCJ
The Maya villagers of the south took the Government of Belize back to the Caribbean Court of Justice on Tuesday, November 17. Although the Government has committed by way of a consent order to recognize and protect their land rights, the Mayas are not convinced that the Barrow Administration is moving fast enough to get it done. The case had been completed back in April 22, when Senior Counsel Denys Barrow announced that the Government did not intend to defend against the lawsuit, as it has done in the Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. The Government committed that it recognized Maya Land rights, and that it would commence consultations with the Maya themselves on how those land rights should be best protected. For the past 6 months, however, the Government did not make any tangible show of beginning the process. So, the attorney for the Mayan Claimants, Monica Coc - Magusson, filed an application against the Government asking the CCJ to grant several orders and declarations. They wanted the Court to declare that the Government was in breach of their undertaking to the court, an order of damages for those breaches, an order that the Government and the Maya must agree on how the $300,000 fund set aside for reparations must be spent, and a definition of Maya land rights to include the right to determine who can and cannot live in Maya Villages.

NEMO in full effect
As early as Friday during the Ceremonial opening of the National Assembly Hon. Edmund “Clear the Land” Castro was seen on his phone putting the things in place to get all NEMO Committees activated to deal with what they viewed as an emergency that would stem from what they saw as persistent rains that were predicted to affect the entire country over last weekend. By noon on Friday all NEMO Committees were activated. If one did not know better, one would not think that a NEW MINISTER was at the helm of NEMO. Hon. Rene Montero had just last week Monday been named Minister of Works, Transport and NEMO and Hon. Edmund Castro named his Minister of State and as indicated by the Prime Minister, Hon. Castro would be in charge of the day to day running of the Ministries of Transport and NEMO. For those doubters who started to suggest that the PM had shortchanged Hon. Castro, look at the way Castro is now performing. NEMO is a job for a Lion and “Clear the Land” is that Lion. He may be new to NEMO, but not new to crisis management.

Lionel Quiroz, sentenced to 2 Years for buttocks spank
Lionel Quirroz is at the Belize Central Prison for an inappropriate touch of a little 9-year-old girl. Quirroz appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Friday, November 13, to answer to one count of sexual assault upon a female minor. The child testified in court that she was heading home from by a basketball court when Quiroz, a man she knows well from her neighbourhood, walked up to her and began to hug her. He then touched her inappropriately on her buttocks. The child became annoyed by the action and reported the matter to her guardians who later took her to the police station to report the incident.

Stay of execution on Darrel Cayetano’s prison sentence
The brother of the Director of Belize Family Court is out on bail after a Supreme Court Justice granted a stay of execution on his prison sentence which was handed down by Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Darrell Cayetano was found guilty of possession of 4.8 grams of weed on Monday, November 9, and sentenced to two months imprisonment. However, on Friday, November 13, Cayetano’s attorney, Bryan Neal, took his case to the Supreme Court before Justice Denis S. Hanomansingh and asked for a stay of execution on the sentence. Neal appealed on the ground that a prison term was inappropriate given the small amount of weed that Cayetano allegedly had in his possession. Neal submitted that a fine should have been imposed and not a jail sentence.

Truck driver to stand trial for death of Wayne Williams
Belize City truck driver, Ervan Augustine, 43, will have to stand trial at the Supreme Court for manslaughter by negligence and causing death by careless conduct upon Wayne Williams on December 6, 2011. On December 6, 2011, the GMC water truck that Augustine was driving had been parked in the West-bound lane between miles 28 and 29 on the George Price Highway after one of its back wheels broke off. Reports were that the truck was left in the lane until darkness fell. Williams was driving his Toyota Tacoma toward Belmopan and when he passed mile 28 the truck suddenly came into his field of vision on a dark section of the road. He swerved into the lane of the incoming traffic and slammed into the driver’s side of a loaded Westline Bus heading to Belize City.

National U-16 footballers to UNCAF U-16 Tournament
The Football Federation of Belize will have representation at the UNCAF U-16 Tournament that is scheduled for November 17 to November 23, 2015, in Managua, Nicaragua. The National U-16 male football team is scheduled to leave the country on Sunday 15 November, 2015, for Managua, Nicaragua and is expected to return home on Tuesday 24 November, 2015. The games will be played at the Estadio Nacional de Futbol (Grama Artifical) in Managua.

Belize Elementary girls and boys to play Holy Redeemer girls and boys in Belize City primary schools volleyball finals
The Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Semi-final round was played on Tuesday 17 November, 2015, at Bird’s Isle here in Belize City with Belize Elementary School girls and boys and Holy Redeemer School girls and boys earning the rights to face each other in the championship game scheduled for Wednesday 18 November, 2015. In the first game in the semi-final round in the girls’ competition, Holy Redeemer School eliminating Bethel Assembly School in two sets by the score of 25-7 and 25-14 to earned the first spot in the championship game. In the second game in the girls competition, Belize Elementary School eliminated Wesley Upper School in two sets by the score of 25-10 and 25-9 to earn the second and final spot in the championship game.

Breaking Belize News

CCJ wants action from Government over Maya land rights
They won a major victory in the Caribbean Court of Justice earlier this year when the Government conceded that they have special customary rights over the land in and surrounding their villages in the Toledo District. But while GOB has consented to help the Maya define and enforce […]

Rupert Myles continues to destroy Uxbenka ruin
We last left the matter of the Santa Cruz Maya and their efforts to enforce the law against black resident Rupert Myles who had bulldozed part of the Uxbenka Maya ruin to build a pathway to the house in the village where the Institute of Archaeology (IOA) had […]

El Nino worst ever?
The United Nations’ weather agency has predicted that this year’s El Nino climate pattern will be one of the three strongest such patterns in 70 years as it is expected to strengthen further through the end of the year. While the current El Nino is likely to be […]

Orange Walkeña turns 102
Today marks the 102nd birthday for a well-known Orange Walk Resident, Ms. Luisa Bardalez. Every year, members from the Help Age Center and members from the Santa Ana Church Group get together to show love and joy by providing a cake for her special day. Bardalez, who […]

Tropic Air announces significant accomplishment
A statement released by Tropic Air earlier today, stated that it is pleased to announce its accomplishment of being the first airline in Belize to obtain IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) certification in Latin America. “Earlier this year we launched the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA). While ISSA is not […]

The Ministry of Health preparing for Zika fever
Not affecting Belize as yet, the threat of Zika fever crossing borders into our country is of primary concern to the Ministry of Health and its Vector Control Unit, as five cases have been reported in the Caribbean recently. Zika is carried by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, which is also […]

Shrimp Industry loses $30 million
Although it hadn’t gotten the media’s attention until just a few days ago, a colossal loss has been suffered by the shrimp industry in southern Belize over the past eight months, beginning in March, when an unusual bacterial infection started to affect more than half of the 15 […]

Climate change song debuted
A song produced by three Saint Lucian artists, entitled “1.5 to Stay Alive”, is to be featured at COP21 in Paris, France, which is a huge climate change conference that is expected to have a big impact on Global Warming this time around. Elijah ‘Arthur’ Allain, Marley ‘Mongstar’ James and […]

What Belize can learn from Singapore
Belize, while still a small young developing nation has many obvious challenges, some more challenging than others, but the leaders of this country would do well to learn from the lessons of success and failure in other nations. One country, which has transformed nearly every aspect of its society positively, […]

Blogs

Changes, Controversies and News: Things Going On Around Ambergris Caye
As the high season ramps up (and it is ramping up quickly this year!), there are new businesses, changes, controversies and just general chatter as always on Ambergris Caye. I have mentioned a bunch of these in various places – I thought I was a good time to summarize the buzz around town. There are two main water taxi service from San Pedro to Caye Caulker to Belize City. San Pedro Belize Express and Caye Caulker Water Taxi. The latter was always advertised as the only “locally owned water taxi”. But after complaints about service and older boats as well a dwindling schedule, the CC Water Taxi supposedly was losing money and was repossessed by the bank sometime this year. Word on the street is that they were purchased by Belizeans recently, renamed Ocean Ferry Belize Limited. The road north has been paved for about 3 miles. At about Belizean Shores Resort, the cement gives way to raised, hard packed gravel/rock/sand. All good. But then…THEN…you reach Las Terrazas Resort. And now, with the weekend rains, the road turns to a disgusting mud puddle/golf cart eating trap as you pass Las Terrazas and the old Journey’s End – which is now used for teen Christian retreats.

My rainy day treat
Just like the well known tropical fish, the Blue Tang Inn is cute and colorful. From the bright mermaid (sirena) sign to the hand painted tropical wood chairs in the courtyard area. Did you know Blue Tang fish plays an important roll in our Eco system? Blue tang fish are known to feed on algae that grows on coral. With their super sharp teeth, they are able to remove it from rocks and coral. Not only does it help prevent the algae from taking over and suffocating the coral reef, it is a healthy diet part of their diet. Because it was so rainy during my stay there, I used a few of the pictures that were taken on the day we went sailing on the Sirena Azul. It was a nice sunny day and I decided to snap a few pics while my waffles were cooking at the breakfast bar.

The Garifuna – an Iconic Belizean Culture!
Belize is considered a “melting pot of cultures”. People of different skin tones, different languages, and people belonging to different ethnic groups live in harmony with one another in this tiny Central American country. Ethnic groups in Belize include the Creole, Mestizo, Maya, Garinagu, Asian, East Indian, and Mennonites, among others. Every year on the 19th of November, thousands of Belizeans celebrate the arrival of the Garinagu people to the southern shores of Belize, a public and bank holiday known as Garifuna Settlement Day. Part of this celebration includes a reenactment of their arrival via the Caribbean Sea. This year’s theme is: “Bungiu Lerebei Sun Katei. Lidan Yein Fureindei luma Benefaü Awanseruni houn Garinagu– which means: God is the strength of all things. Garifuna progress comes from education and hard work.” In light of this we decided to share about the rich Garinagu history and culture:

Mexican Style Pork with Zucchini
1) Prepare the meat by washing it under tap water, pat dry with paper towels then dice to bite-size pieces, cutting out the fat. 2) In a pan put the small pieces of meat with just enough water to barely cover; add garlic and salt and a sprig of thyme. Cook for 2-3 hours; and when the pork is tender, let it cool down, keeping it in the broth. 3) Add the onion and garlic; add the whole chiles. Stir. Then add the chopped tomatoes, black pepper, oregano and cumin, with chicken bouillon powder and let everything simmer. Check and adjust seasoning.

Tasting the good life at Mayan Islands Resort grand opening
Word spread quickly among our friends that the Mayan Islands Resort was holding its grand opening this past Sunday and an invite quickly became the hottest ticket on Ambergris Caye. To say the opening has been highly anticipated is a bit of a reach — it has been years in the making, after all — but it has been the subject of a great deal of curiosity and speculation. For example, every time we set off by boat for the back side of the island and pass close by the resort on the tip of the island’s western prong, it is the subject of much resort envy. “That place looks awesome.” “I wouldn’t mind hanging around there” “I wanna sit in one of those giant basket chairs by the pool and sip on a drink all day!” That sort of thing.

Bird Haven at the Sewage Ponds
There was a buzz of wildlife as the sun set over the horizon beyond the mangrove trees. The crocodiles were lazily swimming along, frogs were croaking, and the fish fry were jumping. The birds were particularly active, swooping in the air to catch that last bit of dinner before night falls and the rain creeps in. As you gaze into the landscape, the plethora of bird species painted the sky and mangroves with various colors and sounds- a birder’s paradise! Surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, one could only feel at peace…until a large gushing sound came out of the corner, possibly due to someone flushing a toilet. No, I wasn’t far off into the wilderness this particular evening to go birding with the bird expert Roni Martinez from the Audabon Society (who has been my go-to guy for my research in relation to the birds of Belize), instead, we were at the sewage Ponds of San Pedro. Roni had come into town for a Urban bird count this weekend. Given I wanted to go birding with an expert and learn some local tricks of the trade, and of course hang out with a fellow conservationist, we decided to spend a Sunday evening together where we could encounter various bird species. And I mentioned to him given my time and croc research thus far, what I noticed was the Sewage Ponds was the place to be for birds! Apparently, Sewage Ponds = high bird species richness/diversity. It’s not uncommon – apparently birds like flocking to the sewage ponds in Belize.

Adobo Skirt Steak (Arrachera Adobada)
1) In a saucepan with oil, cook the meat with half the onions, half of the garlic cloves and season with salt to taste. Shred the meat with forks when it is cooked. 2) Coarsely dice the tomatoes into medium cubes and the rest of the garlic, simmer in a pot over low heat and cover, for about 15 minutes. 3) Meanwhile we can make the achiote marinade, using a blender liquefy the achiote, garlic, some onions, vinegar, chipotle peppers and beef broth. Blend until thoroughly liquefied. 4) Pour this achiote marinade in the pot. When the tomatoes are thoroughly cooked, mash them and add the remaining chopped onion. Simmer for 20 minutes, until the sauce reduces, then add the meat and bay leaf and season with salt to taste. Simmer 5 more minutes, and that’s it, your arrachera in adobo dish is ready! Serve on indivdual plates with lettuce and avocado.

JUAN IN A MILLION CEVICHE BAR
Delicious food, friendly service, where the drinks are strong, and the party begins. Come for lunch, dinner, happy hour or late night – your taste buds will thank you! Fresh delicious Conch and Lobster Ceviche everyday at Juan In A Million Ceviche Bar! We have Italian Sausage on a stick everyday, and delicious food specials every day too! Come check us out. We are open everyday till 12 midnight and our grill is heated up until then!!!

Thanksgiving Feast
Join us Thursday, November 26, 2015 for a Thanksgiving Feast at the Sports Bar! We’ll be starting at 3pm and go until we run out. Fried Turkey, Stuffing, Yams, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Cranberry Sauce, Roll. Desserts will be offered separately. November 26, 2015, Time: 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Front Street, Caye Caulker, Belize

Doggie Dip!
Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 12pm-4pm the Caye Caulker Humane Society is having a Doggie Dip! We will be bathing dogs, providing flea/tick preventatives, and vaccinations. Beer ($3) and Water ($1) will also be available for purchase. Volunteers & Donations are much Appreciated! Location: Beach at Playa Del Ninos (Palapa Gardens)

International Sources

First ISSA Certification to Tropic Air
Tropic Air is pleased to announce that it is the first airline to obtain IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA) certification in Latin America. Tony Tyler, ALTA President. "Earlier this year we launched the IATA Standard Safety Assessment (ISSA). While ISSA is not a substitute for IOSA, it is a valuable operational benchmark. Later today, I will present the first ISSA Certification to Tropic Air, based in Belize. Tropic Air was among the first airlines to express interest in ISSA and they helped us to beta-test the standard, so congratulations to Tropic Air."

St. John's mission builds house in Belize
Twelve members of St. John Francis Regis Church in Hollywood, along with the Rev. Ray Schmidt, travelled last month to Belize, in Central America, and built a home for a family in need. The group was led by Sister Luke Boiarski, director of the Lay Mission Volunteer Program, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, based near Louisville, Ky. This was the second house built in Belize by a team from St. John’s. In January 2014, parishioners built the “St. John’s Hollywood House” in honor of the SCN sisters who taught at St. John’s School for 64 years. This year, the team built the “St. John’s Bill Schaefer House,” named for a member of the 2014 Team who passed away just a few months after helping with the first house.

A Haunting Film Explores the Perilous Interface Between Tigers and People in the Sundarbans
Deep in the Sundarbans, a vast mangrove maze where the Ganges and two other great rivers weave their way to the coast in India and Bangladesh, the big-cat conservationist Alan Rabinowitz plays a video clip on his laptop for a cluster of men and women in an impoverished village where tigers — in one of their last big refuges — regularly kill or maim people scouring the shorelines for meager hauls of fish and crabs. They watch, rapt, as residents of another village snare a tiger cornered in a hut and beat and hack it to death. Through an interpreter, Rabinowitz asks what the scene makes them feel. One man immediately shouts, “Euphoria!” Rabinowitz then asks them if they would want the mangrove forests empty of tigers. As quickly, they respond with a definitive no. Without the tigers, there would be nothing to prevent wildlife poachers and other outsiders from threatening their meager livelihood.

Capturing an underwater world:Visiting artist Keith Ellenbogen collaborates with MIT faculty and staff to create a unique underwater photography course
Keith Ellenbogen is a renowned underwater photographer and adventurer. He has spent his career documenting marine life — from Palau’s coral reefs to migrating bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean — not only to showcase their beauty, but also to inspire social change and action toward protecting the delicate underwater environments in which they live. Starting in January, students will have the opportunity to work with the team in an all-expenses-paid “Underwater Conservation Photography” course. “We’ll be teaching students everything from camera settings to how to build lighting systems for underwater work to building ROVs,” Adams says, referring to remotely operated vehicles. Students will spend three weeks in Boston learning new skills, working on the available technology, and testing out their equipment in pools and aquariums before heading south, where they will spend a week with the Wildlife Conservation Society on Glover’s Reef off the coast of Belize. “Students will team up with scientists who will explain the animals and the research they’re doing,” Ellenbogen says. “[They] will photograph individual animals for aesthetic purposes as well as to tell a conservation story or narrative that helps explain why the animals are significant.” The resulting images will become part of an exhibition that will travel to museums, zoos, aquariums, and colleges around the world. An accompanying app will also allow visitors walking through the gallery to look up images to see their backstory and commentary from students. Eventually, the content from the app will serve as a permanent online exhibition.

Conference on Climate Change in the Caribbean Under Way in Puerto Rico
More than 350 people are expected to attend a conference on Climate Change in the Caribbean this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The government of the U.S. Virgin Islands is joining the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Department of Interior and governments of Puerto Rico to host the conference.

Videos

November 17, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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

Belize Free Zone Businessman Killed in Chetumal, Mexico
News coming from the neighboring border city of Chetumal, Mexico over the weekend indicate that local businessman from the Belize Commercial Free Zone, Ernesto Alonso De Miguel (known as “El Espanol”) was reportedly killed on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Noticaribe Mexican press reports that shortly before midnight on Saturday in the downtown restaurant 'El Emporio' of Chetumal city, a gunman shot and executed Ernesto Alonso de Miguel, known as the 'El Espanol' and the ministerial police Agustín Martínez Guevara, who was commander in the border town of Lieutenant Lopez. Ernesto was dining with several people, including a second police officer and family members. The shooter fled the scene after fatally injuring both Ernesto and police officer Agustin; he left behind the murder weapon. A man with the characteristics of the murderer was arrested, but investigations continue as to whether it is the same person.

BTB Awards 9 Scholarships
On Friday, November 13, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) awarded nine (9) students with scholarships for Tourism Programs. The scholarships are as follows: Three (3) two-years tuition scholarships for an Associates in Tourism at one of the Junior Colleges in Belize offering a Tourism Program, awarded to 1. Giselle Rodriguez 2. Amina Cal 3. Monique Tucker. Three (3) two-years tuition scholarships for a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management at the University of Belize, awarded to 1. Jewel Williams 2. Alexander Cal 3. Gariesha Teck. The recipients were selected based on a score sheet, which measured various factors such as grades/GPA, work and community service experience, essay describing their career goals/aspirations and their achievements/awards. Those with the highest scores were then reviewed thoroughly and the top candidates were selected.

Bahia Fest: Fashion show to benefit Camp Starfish
Mexican and Belizean organizations have teamed up to bring a high end fashion runway to San Pedro to benefit the island’s special needs youth. Scheduled for Friday, November 20th, the show will feature gorgeous Belizean and Mexican models strutting the runway in the latest fashion trends. Titled BAHIA Fest, this event is being hosted through the collaboration of Mujer Total Catalog, The Candle Garden, Amber Beach Bar and Grill, Caribbean Villas and the Consulate of Belize in Mexico. But the event isn’t just about the clothes, shoes and accessories, as its main purpose is to raise funds for Ambergris Caye Camp Starfish.

Ambergris Today

Belize Warns of Five Confirmed Cases of Zika Virus in the Caribbean
If Dengue and Chikungunya were not enough to worry about during the ‘Mosquito /Rainy Season’ in Belize, the Ministry of Health this week releases an advisory to the public that the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed, for the first time, five (5) cases of Zika virus in the Caribbean. Countries within the Americas such as Brazil, Colombia, Suriname and the Dominican Republic have all reported cases of this mosquito-borne disease this year. Zika is a viral disease, transmitted by the same vector for Dengue and Chikungunya, the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The symptoms lasts approximately four to seven days, and are similar to Dengue and Chikungunya which may include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. Though complications from Zika are rare and no deaths have been reported, there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika.

Belize’s Tiburon Rum Continues Going Global
The award winning Tiburon Rum has definitely been making headlines in the United States of America and in Belize. Many have been buzzing about its taste and happy to have ‘The Spirit of Belize’ as part of their rum collection, but soon the rest of the world will be able to enjoy this amazing rum as it goes global. Ambergris Today met up with Tiburon Rum’s Basil Destefano and got the buzz on what’s coming up next for the award-winning rum from Belize. Mr. Destefano mention that he is ready to take Tiburon Rum to the next level by teaming up with Mr. Jorge Galbis of Global Brand Equity Solutions from Miami who specializing in marketing premium brands to develop their root to market in Central America, Latin America, the Caribbean and duty free outlets.

Flashbacks - Alan Forman Scuba Diving Pioneer of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
While it can safely be said that Celi McCorkle is the Tourism Pioneer in the hotel industry of San Pedro, Alan Forman is the Tourism Pioneer in the scuba diving operations on the island. Alan and a group of San Pedranos formed the chain of local small hotels known as Coral Beach Hotels. This group offered fishing, snorkeling, sailing, mainland tours, beach parties and anything else that they sensed the visitors would enjoy. Alan Forman was the first hotelier to offer a bar and entertainment center at the end of a dock and over the sea - The Tackle Box. This place was very popular due to the ambience and spectacular view and also due to its seaquarium with a wide variety of fish, including sharks and rays as well as sea turtles. However, Alan Forman wanted the visitors to experience the diving spectacles of Belize and the Caribbean Sea. In the early 1970’s Coral Beach Hotels set up the first dive tank compressor on the Island and commenced taking tours to the blue Hole and other fine spots around Ambergris Caye. It was the commencement of what was to become San Pedro’s vibrant scuba diving operations now offered by many resorts on Ambergris Caye.

Belizeans Graduate in Modeling Course
Fashion and modeling have been on a rise in San Pedro since fashion shows have become very popular for fundraising events, entertainment and retail businesses. The trend has given the opportunity to many Belizeans to take on a modeling career with a modeling course that is being provided by professional instructor Zuzana Mello, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. On Sunday, November 15, 2015, a group of models showcased their skills in a graduation ceremony that took place at a beach resort south of San Pedro Town that included a free mini fashion show presentation, ending with a certificate distribution. The one month modeling course taught the aspiring models course under the themes of runway modeling, photo shoot modeling, auto-esteem and confidence and image projection. Congratulations to all the models for their accomplishment.

Pic of the Week - A Picturesque View Approaching the Caye Caulker Split by Sea
Our neighboring island of Caye Caulker is just a 30 minute boat ride from Ambergris Caye and an hour from Belize City. The San Pedro Belize Express Water Taxi makes stops on the island as it commutes back and forth from Belize City, to pick up and drop off passengers. Here is an early morning picture of the famous Caye Caulker Split, a tourist hot spot, as the water taxi approaches the island. It's a beautiful image that shows the charm of one of the top island destinations in the country of Belize.

Pro Golfer Greg Norman to Trademark Caye Chapel Golf Course
The Caye Chapel development group held a press conference on that island on Thursday, November 12, 2015 where the developers shared the news of golf legend Greg Norman adopting and re-designing the Caye Chapel Golf Course as part of the proposed development project on the island. Greg Norman will build a world-class golf course on Caye Chapel’s already developed 18-hole golf course. Developer Jaime Fasja states that the island resort will undoubtedly be a mandatory destination for the most important and renowned golfers in the world. The project is being developed by three top Mexican groups with an investment of over $250Mil on the first phase of the project.

Misc Belizean Sources

Ten Day Weather Outlook for Belize
Here is an outlook for the next 7-days. The forecast model is supporting the unsettled weather to continue through Friday, then resuming early on Monday with an intense arctic airmass incursion over the central and eastern USA and the Gulf of Mexico, generating sho wery weather along a frontal zone entering the NW Caribbean.

Entrepreneurship Symposium
Government of Belize Press Office

International Festival of Culture 2015
The 6th annual International Festival of Culture will be from December 4th through the 6th this year. They are having a lot of great activities this year, including the BVMA, and some international performers. "VI International Festival of Culture Program: Celebrating our Heritage while we unearth Potential Centennial Plaza FRIDAY – Dec. 04, 2015 7:30 p.m. – Musical prelude Master Violinist David Snow (USA) Opening Ceremonies Marimba Recital – Benque Viejo Marimba Academy directed by Mtro. Edgar Enrique Barrios Heredia (Guatemala) SATURDAY - Dec. 05, 2015 7:30 p.m. – Orquidea Negra Dance Company (Belize) Concert Ensamble Universitario de Jazz de la UniversidadAutonoma de Campeche followed by dance – Benque Viejo Marimba Academy SUNDAY - Dec. 06, 2015 9:00 a.m. – Arts & Crafts Expo Children’s show by Caracolitos stilt-walkers 4:00 p.m. – Comedia “La Fiesta” - Italian-adapted comedy by “La Bocha” Theatre Company (El Salvador) 6:00 p.m. - Concert Ensamble Universitario de Jazz de la Universidad Autonoma de Campeche (Mexico)"

Lets Welcome home Ms. Carmelita Leiva, who participated on our International Visitor Leadership Program
The Edward R. Murrow Program celebrated its 10th Anniversary this year. This program is an innovative public-private partnership between the Department of State, and seven leading U.S schools of journalism. In honor of the 10th Anniversary, the Department is also partnering with the Poynter Institute to offer the workshop on journalism. Ms. Leiva visited Washington DC, Norman, Oklahoma, Tampa, Florida and New York. She has had the opportunity to visit NBC and participate in meetings and panel discussions with fellow journalists from around the world.

Tacos Festival
Tacos Festival is here again, this Sunday November 22nd, 2015 at the Banquitas House of Culture, come enjoy delicious tacos and entertainment galore!

The future of the PUP and BPP in Belize
By Wellington C. Ramos. Before the elections were held in Belize on November 4, 2015, I had predicted that the United Democratic Party (UDP) was going to defeat the People’s United Party (PUP) by a margin of 20 to 11 seats. One week before the elections, I increased the margin of victory to 22 to 9 seats. I did not expect the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) to win any seats. The election results ended up being: 19 UDP seats to 12 PUP seats and 0 BPP seats. If it was not for overconfidence, cockiness and carelessness on the part of a few UDP candidates, they had those 22 seats to win. The election is now over and the UDP candidates who lost by a few votes must blame themselves for losing. I just hope that they learnt from their mistakes for next time. The PUP’s problems started in 2006 when seven of their ministers broke away from their party and asked their then prime minister Said Musa to get rid of one of their fellow ministers Ralph Fonseca who was wielding too much power over them. The prime minister refused to listen to these seven ministers and the relationship turned ugly.

Miss World Belize 2015
Miss Jasmine departed The Belize Phillip Goldson Inter. Airport on Delta Airlines yesterday on her way to Los Angeles for further preparation and training and will leave on Thursday, 19th November to Sanya, China.

RESPECT TO THE BELIZEAN LEGEND ANDY PALACIO: WRITTEN IN STONE!
In commemoration of Garifuna Settlement Day on November 19, 2015, Belizean Legends honor the dynamic work of Belize's most outstanding cultural and musical ambassador, the late Andy Palacio, and his musical, cultural, and educational contribution to Belizean society at home and abroad. No other Belizean artist ever in the hsitory of Belize had ever won the Womex Peace Prize, but Andy Palacio captured the world attention and won it in 2007 for his cultural activism for the Garinagu people, and drawing international attention to the plight of the Pan Garinagu community in Central and South America.

Flood Advisory in Belize: U.S. Embassy 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 parts of the country, particularly in the Belize River valley and along the old northern highway. 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.

Channel 7

Miracle Baby Suzette Survives Floodwaters
Heavy rains inundated the whole country this weekend - and when floodwaters overtook parts of the southern highway - it exposed many vulnerable communities. One of them is Santa Cruz on the Jalacte road - where - initial reports said that an infant was lost to flood waters on the road. LOVE FM reported that a mother was navigating the water across the road, when she stumbled and the child slipped from her grip - and perished in the rushing waters. Well, the good news is that the child didn't die, but she narrowly escaped death. Daniel Ortiz spoke to her 12 year-old sister Yesenia Ca-a today, who was acting as her mother's translator, since she doesn't speak English very well. The first thing she clarified for us was that it was not her mother, Adelia Shol, who lost the baby. It was actually a man from Redbank Village who was trying to help her cross the stream with the child, 2 month old Suzette Adelicia Caac:

16 Year Old Murdered In Ruthless Home Invasion
A teenager was killed in a brazen home invasion in Camalote village this weekend. Tonight the Choc family is in hiding after 16 year old Ivan was gunned down while he ate dinner with his family. Courtney Weatherburne found out more from Roaring Creek police today:... Courtney Weatherburne reporting This green wooden house might look like it has been abandoned for years. The verandah is moldy and decrepit and the weathered door is barred shut. But it was just a couple a days ago that the Choc family was living in this humble house. On Friday night the family was having their family dinner on this small wooden table. But that family gathering was interrupted by heavy footsteps splashing the water in the yard. A family member told us that the father Eluterio Choc went to the door with a machete and when he opened it, 2 masked gunmen stormed in. Choc tried to fight them off but he couldn't and the men shot his 16 year old son Ivan Choc.

Floodwaters Receding, But Riverside Communities Must Be On Lookout
And so tonight NEMO is monitoring water levels across the country - especially in the West, the south and central Belize. Low lying bridges in the west like this one at Iguane Creek have been under water all weekend due to the steadily rising Macal river. The Roaring Creek Bridge remains open while water hovers less than a foot below the deck. Overall, waters are receding, folks have returned home from shelters and the weather is improving. NEMO's latest update says that flood waters continue to threaten these communities in the Cayo District: Arenal; Succotz; Calla Creek; La Clarissa; Siete Millas; Barton Creek; San Marcos; Billy White; Central Farm; Buena Vista; Ramonal; Paslow Falls, Bullet Tree Falls; Santa Familia, Branch Mouth, and Roaring Creek, More Tomorrow in the Cayo.

International Custody Battle Between Parents; Baby Nina In The Middle
This weekend, a wave of outrage swept across social media when news went out from Orange Walk that two year old Nina Charlotte Alexandra Barrera Perez had basically been abducted by the Department of Human Services. And the Social Worker did it on behalf of the child's Guatemalan father. Well, turns out, that's not quite how it went - and tonight we'll both sides of the story. But we start with what you want to know most: where is the child? She is safe and sound, in Belize, in the custody of the Department of Human Services. The Department took custody under a provision called emergency care in the families and children act. In such a case, the Department has to go to court within 48 hours to get an order confirming the legality of the emergency protective care. That's just what happened at the family court today and Nina's mother, Ana Liza Perez Guttierez was in court with her attorney Marcel Cardona. When it was finished at midday she told us she got some clarity, and relief:.. Ana Liz Perez Guitterrez "I was satisfied with the results because I am calmer now that my daughter is safe, that she is not being sneaked out of the country and I am happy and I am willing to work and get to the bottom of everything and get everything sorted out."

Notorious Freezone Figure Executed In Chetumal
A notorious figure from the Corozal Free Zone was executed in a Chetumal Restaurant this weekend. Ernesto Alonso de Miguel, known as "El Espanol" was gunned down as he ate with his family in a restaurant called "The Emporium" in Chetumal. His family was spared but a policeman he was dining with was also killed. A gunman reportedly entered the restaurant and opened fire on the pair fo them and then escaped. Mexican media calls him the czar of contraband - and they say Alonso De Miguel is responsible for a large quantity of the contraband cigarettes and other illicit products moving between the Free Zone and Chetumal. De Alonzo has been targeted by the Zetas before in Chetumal but escaped as he ran over to Belize. He was also involved in a violent shootout with Mexican police in 2011.

Former Death Row Inmate Baptist's Attorney Wants Him Home For Christmas
Glenford Baptist had been on death row longer than anyone else - but after 13 years, he's going before the judge to learn his fate. But he's not on detah row anymore because his death sentence for killing Azrin White in the year 2000 was set aside earlier this year, and now he's going to court to find out how much longer he'll have to spend in jail. Today, his case came up Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin explained to him that his sentencing trial will be heard on December 18, 2015, one week before Christmas. His attorney Priscilla Banner asked the court for time to file additional affidavit on behalf of her client. Banner told the media that she is hoping that at the end of the sentencing hearing the court will order that Baptist has served his time after almost 14 years on remand. Nigel Hawke on behalf of the Government, is asking for a time of 25 years be imposed less time served on remand.

Weed Trafficker Chose Air Cargo
On Friday, Corozal police found a pound of weed being smuggled in a Tropic Air Cargo package. It happened in Corozal at the Ranchito airstrip. At 10:15 am, Special Branch and CIB personnel police had information to look for a Lala milk box. It was sealed with transparent tape and found to contain baby clothes and one parcel which was tightly wrapped in transparent plastic. The parcel was cut open and contained a black plastic back with weed amounting to 486 grams - or about a pound. It was labeled as found property.

Sick Stepfather
Benque Viejo police have charged a 40 year old man for fondling his 14 year old stepson. On Saturday morning, the teenager reported to police that at 7:30am, he was sleeping in a sofa in the hall and was awakened by someone touching his genitals. When he opened his eyes, he saw his step father sitting nude on the sofa. The youth told police that the same thing happened between the 24th and 31st October, 2015, when he was sleeping in the bedroom, and his step father would fondle him and then hand him five dollars. On Sunday evening, Police arrested the 40 year old stepfather who is a Carpenter and charged for two counts of "Sexual Assault".

Malaria, Dengue, Chik-V, And Now Zika, Latest Mosquito Borne Malady
Dengue and Chikungunya aren't the only diseases you have to worry about catching when a mosquito bites you. Now there's Zika, another virus that you can get from the same Aedes aegypti mosquito. There were a few cases of Zika in Brazil and Columbia and now the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has confirmed, five cases of Zika virus in the Caribbean. More worryingly, there are concerns that there might be cases in El Salvador. Now, Zika is called Dengue's first cousin and the symptoms are similar. But Chief of Operations for the Vector Control Program at the Ministry of Health Kim Bautista told us that there is no reason to be alarmed because there are no confirmed cases in Belize nor in neighboring countries. Bautista told us more about this virus and what can be done to keep safe. Kim Bautista, Chief of Operations - Vector Control Program "Zika virus is a virus belonging to a member of the group of viruses which includes the more common dengue virus. The West Nile virus is also a member of that family of viruses and also yellow fever. So it's a pretty old disease. The name Zika comes from the Zika Forest in Uganda where this virus was discovered in monkeys in the wild and thereafter between the 60s and the 70s it was detected in humans.

Henkis, Setting The Record Straight
On Friday night's newscast, you saw 73 year old Norman Henkis, lamenting about being put out of his house, because he didn't own the land. Well, Mr. Henkis put his own spin on certain elements of his case, and we've got to set the record straight. Henkis told us that the court ordered a settlement of $4,000.00 Belize dollars to him; not so. What the judgment actually said is that the upper storey of the house is to be valued by a valuator agreed to by both sides, and the landowner will pay him half of that value. After he's paid off, he has one month to move. There's no telling how much that figure will be. Also he told us he invested $160,000.00 dollars to build and expand the house but in court he pumped that up and said it was half a million dollars. As a result, the Judge stated in her Judgment that she quote, "did not believe the figure he gave for its construction" and found that "the figure he gives for this is entirely unbelievable".

Channel 5

A Bitter, Transborder Child Custody Battle Before Belize Family Court
A hostile battle over custody of a toddler began to unravel over the weekend. Two parents, one Belizean and the other Guatemalan, are tonight before the courts in Belize over [...]

Sixteen-year-old Shot and Killed in Roaring Creek
In Roaring Creek…a sixteen year old minor of Young Bank Road was callously killed in front of his parents and siblings just before eight o’clock on Friday night. It is [...]

…Was It Retaliatory?
Prior to his murder, sixteen year old Ivan Choc was hit to the pelvis by a gunman about three weeks ago. He was shot near the cemetery in the village [...]

Free Zone Businessman Killed in Double Murder in Chetumal
There is another homicide to report, but local police could not offer any details. A sensational double murder took place over the weekend in the neighbouring Chetumal. A businessman from [...]

Weekend Rains Leave Flooding in the South
Just a few weeks ago, Belize City was underwater…inundated by a weekend of heavy rain. NEMO had to be pressed into immediate and urgent action to relieve suffering caused by [...]

Shrimp Industry Hit by Viral Infection
We’ve been following the crisis in the shrimp industry where losses to jobs and finances are massive. Six hundred persons have been let go so far and losses are in [...]

Plan of Action in Effect to Manage Bacterial Outbreak
According to Henderson, the industry is trying to manage the effects of the bacteria to ensure that farms put the strategic response in place. Stakeholders are working along with the [...]

Fate of Former Death Row Inmate is Still Unknown
In July of this year, the last remaining death row inmate, Glenford Baptist, learnt that his sentence had been squashed, but the court is yet to determine how much time [...]

Stepfather Sexual Assaults Fourteen-year-old Son in Benque
A forty year old Benque Viejo Del Carmen resident is facing charges of sexual assault on his stepson. The carpenter is accused of acting inappropriately against the fourteen year old [...]

Shipment of Weed Discovered Inside Box of Lala Milk
No arrests have been made, but late last week, police were tipped off that someone intended to transport weed on the Tropic Air flight from Corozal Town to San Pedro. [...]

Macal and Mopan Rivers Rise Amid Torrential Rains in the West
Aside from the south, the downpour over the weekend also affected the western part of the country where the Macal and Mopan Rivers rose above their usual levels. While homes [...]

B.T.B. Awards Nine Tourism-related Scholarships
The Belize Tourism Board (B.T.B.) awarded scholarships to nine qualify students for programs that complement the tourism industry.  Three, two-year tuition scholarships for Associate Degrees in Tourism at local Junior [...]

Zika Cases Confirmed in the Caribbean
A vector-borne illness closely related to dengue and chikungunya has been detected in the Caribbean region.  In a release issued by the Caribbean Public Health Agency, CARPHA, it is confirmed [...]

Ministry of Health Prepares for Possible Outbreak in Belize
While Zika fever ranks lowest on the totem pole of the three related illnesses, the Ministry of Health reminds everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites.  Preparations for the introduction [...]

Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The weekend of sports was a washout as the torrential rains continued over the weekend across the nation. PLB [...]

CTV3

Three Men Detained For Spew Of Burglaries Committed In Orange Walk
Over the weekend Orange Walk Police were busy conducting several investigations surrounding separate burglary and robbery incidences that have resulted in the arrest of several men. The first arrest was made possible through the swift response of the Quick Response Team. According to 65 year old Angel Maldonado, Salvadoran National, Belizean resident and watchman of Camp 22 in the community of Shipyard in the Orange Walk District, on Friday November 13th, he was at a ranch belonging to Jacobo Wall, Belizean Mennonite of Shipyard Village, fixing a gate when two men approached him asking for water. Maldonado alleges that shortly after drinking the water, both individuals attacked him and threatened to kill him with a machete. One of the culprits then threw Maldonado to the ground whilst the second placed the point of the machete on his chest. The victim further reported that one of the culprits then went inside the house and took a shotgun that belonged to Wall. The assailants then took Maldonado’s cell phone and his blue Meilun Motorcycle and before they left they wanted to kill but according to the victim, he pled for his life and luckily it was speared.

MOH Issues Warning For Zika
The Ministry of Health is tonight advising the general public to protect themselves from mosquito bites due to the recent confirmation of the first 5 cases of Zika virus in the Caribbean by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). It is the first time that countries within the Americas such as Brazil, Colombia, Suriname and the Dominican Republic have all reported cases of this mosquito-borne disease this year. Based on CARPHA’s information, the Ministry of Health is preparing for the introduction of this disease based on the most recent experience with Chikungunya which spread throughout the Caribbean and the Americas, including Belize within less than one year. Zika is a viral disease, transmitted by the Aedes Aegypti mosquito, the same vector for Dengue and Chikungunya. The symptoms of Zika last approximately four to seven days, and are similar to Dengue and Chikungunya which may include fever, muscle and joint pain, headache, nausea, vomiting and rash. Though complications from Zika are rare and no deaths have been reported, there is no vaccine or treatment for the disease.

Thieves On The Lose In O/W
Authorities are investigating a robbery which left a business owner shaken and short of several personal items worth over one thousand dollars. According to the cops, business woman Dora Suyapa Escalante reported that on Saturday November 14th around 12:30am whilst at her business place namely Dora's Cool Spot situated on San Antonio Road, two male persons with blue rags covering their faces arrived at the establishment and demanded her belongings. One of the men placed a knife to her abdomen and fearing for her life, Escalante handed over her purse containing $950.00bcy in mostly $50.00bcy denominations, one gold chain valued at $400.00bcy, two perfumes valued at $200.00bcy and $125.00bcy respectively. The men made good their escape with a total of $1675.00bcy dollars in valuables.

Suspected Cannabis Found In Milk Box
Corozal Police have confiscated a milk box which was used to conceal 486 grams of cannabis. On Friday authorities visited the airstrip located in the Village of Ranchito in the Corozal District where the manager of Tropic Air, Ezequiel Chi, handed over to them a white and blue milk box which was sealed with transparent tape. The box was opened and police found inside baby clothes and one parcel tightly wrapped with transparent plastic. Inside the parcel police found a black plastic bag with green leafy vegetable substance suspected to be cannabis.

Panda's Bar Targeted By Thieves
About a month ago, Pandas’s Bar located opposite the Central Park in Orange Walk Town, came under public scrutiny after the murder of a BDF soldier Rafael Rivas inside the bar and for being one of many alcoholic establishments operating near the main recreational area of town. Tonight, there is more news to report emanating from that establishment after armed masked thieves targeted the bar last night. Belizean waitress, Ruby Zetina, reported to police that whilst behind the counter of the bar, two dark skin male individuals with mask covering their faces and dressed in dark clothing, entered the establishment armed with firearms. The men demanded money and fearing for her life, Zetina gave way to the men who helped themselves to the cash register and stole $1,200.00 in Belizean Currency.

Mother Claims Her Daughter Was Kidnapped By Social Worker
Over the weekend news spread like wildfire when a frantic mother from Orange Walk Town reported to police that her two year old daughter “Nina” was removed from her custody by an unidentified Social Worker claiming to work with the Social Services Department. Twenty-two year old Analiz Gutierrez claims that the woman, accompanied by a police officer, went to her home on Friday evening claiming that her daughter Nina was to be sent back to Guatemala to be in the care of her Guatemalan father. With nowhere else to turn to, the child’s mother and her family in Belize pleaded to the media and friends to share the word that Nina was allegedly abducted and a kidnapping report was made to the police.

LOVE FM

Weekend Rains Bring Flooding in Western and Southern Belize
It was a very wet weekend in Belize and a number of families in southern Belize was affected by the steady downpour. NEMO remains active as they continue to deal with the impact of the weekend rains. Renee Trujillo reports.

Mother Says Her Child Was Kidnapped
Authorities from the Ministry of Human Development, the Belize Police Department among other agencies are looking into an incident that occurred over the weekend where a two year old little girl was reportedly taken from her mother by a member of Social Services with the assistance of the Orange Walk Police. The family of the […]

CEO Speaks on the Removal of Child from Mother
We’ve told you about the two year old little girl who has been taken into custody by the Social Services following an unsettled family court dispute in Guatemala. As a follow up, we spoke with CEO in the Ministry of Human Development, Judith Alpuche for some clarity into the case. JUDITH ALPUCHE “Belize, as well […]

CEO Criticizes Frenzy on Social Media
As was mentioned by CEO Judith Alpuche, there was frenzy over the weekend on social media as it pertains to the case of the child being taken away. It got so out of control that threats were even being issued not only to the Social Services worker but to her child and family as well. […]

Ivan Choc Begs for Mercy Before Being Killed
A family is mourning the murder of a sixteen year old boy in Camalotte Village in the Cayo District. Our correspondent Fem Cruz has the story. FEM CRUZ “On Friday night, November 13 sometime around 8pm based on information received of shots being fired in the Young Bank area of Camalote Village Love News visited […]

Health Authorities Warn of the ZIKA Virus
On Friday, November 13, we told you of the five confirmed cases of the ZIKA virus found in a territory of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). That announcement came from the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) that made the find last Monday. Today, the Ministry of Health issued a press release, reiterating the same information whilst […]

SSB Workers Paid Uniform Allowance
There is peace, for now, at the Social Security Board as the pending uniform allowance was disbursed to the workers two weeks ago. Love News understands that the SSB workers were paid on November 2, all the monies owed to them under a uniform allowance which became due when SSB failed to meet the deadline […]

CIBC First Caribbean and Union Negotiate Packages
And while the CWU President, Audrey Matura Shepherd has not been forthcoming in updating us with the SSB payments, her silence in the matter of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and the Exit Packages being discussed for the workers at CIBC First Caribbean Bank is understood as both parties have agreed to not discuss with the […]

Rains Won’t Stop the Garifuna Celebrations
As a result of the incessant rains that the country of Belize recently experienced, many communities in the Stann Creek District were also affected by flood waters including Seine Bight Village and Placencia. Nevertheless, residents in those communities are prepared to celebrate Garifuna Settlement day slated for Thursday for this week. Correspondent Harry Arzu has […]

Fire Consumes Furniture Workshop
A Sunday morning fire destroyed a building in San Ignacio. Love News spoke with officer in charg of San Ignacio formation, Suprintendent Andrew Ramirez. CAYO FIRE “At about 8:55am on Sunday, November 15, 2015, responding to information received of a house fire on Coral Street here in San Ignacio Town, the Police and Fire Department […]

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Gelato Italiano
On a grey, chilly and breezy November day, the island was blessed with another new beginning. Caye Caulker, as with many other places, lives up to some well penned lyrics used by the Stereophonics in their song “Closing Time” and those well versed words are, “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end”. This is so true in so many aspects of life and this is a wonderful way of looking at challenges. Located up by the Split, the much-anticipated opening of Gelato Italiano took place on Sunday 15th. Anna and Marco Marini are the proprietors of this new business venture. As the winds blew and the spray danced erratically out on the choppy sea, Marco donned his whites and started preparing his first creation of the day. Homemade gelato made by a family who have been in the business since 1936.

Breaking Belize News

Belize Tourism Board awards tourism education scholarships
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) handed out scholarships to nine persons participating in tourism education at various junior colleges and the University of Belize this past Friday at its Belize City office. The winners were selected for their academic performance and work and community service. According to Director of Tourism […]

Telethon for Thomas Vincent Ramos bust raises six thousand
A life size bust of national hero Thomas Vincent Ramos decorates Dangriga Town, the outstanding work of Stephen Okeke but he has yet to be paid for it, even considering that he started work before getting a full commission or sponsor. Officialy it was later acquired by the […]

Edward P. Yorke has top Caribbean Examination Council candidates
Lords’ Bank, Belize District resident and graduate of Edward P. Yorke High School in Belize City, Nisa Sanchez, is top among the thousands of candidates who took examinations in May and June for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC), administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). Nisa obtained […]

Man charged in domestic dispute
60 year old Belize City welder, James Parks today pleaded guilty to assaulting his estranged girlfriend, using threatening words and damage to property over the weekend, on Saturday, November 14, 2015. The George Street resident caused damages to four tires valued at $400, property of Oliver Blanco and […]

Glenford Baptist coming home for Christmas?
Could the old man of Belize’s death row be going home for Christmas? Glenford Baptist, the last man on Belize’s death row, learned in July that he will no longer have to face the hangman’s noose after thirteen years but he has yet to know how much more […]

Businesswoman fined over Social Security contributions
Businesswoman Jeanette Neal was today fined $1,000 for failing to pay Social Security contributions on time for her employees, despite the fact that they have now been paid. Neal is accused of failing to pay Social Security payment within the prescribed time on behalf of employees employed by […]

Atlantic Bank promotion offers great prizes for holiday season
Christmas approaches and Atlantic Bank is already in the spirit of giving fabulous prizes to its customers. Atlantic Bank kicks off the season to be merry with their Bank Your Way This Christmas Promotion. In the promotion, customers will be able to win one of 16 fabulous prizes. […]

Attempted arson in Benque
Benque Viejo Police are investigating an attempted arson after a 31-year-old waitress of San Jose, Succotz reported that a man she knows as Juanito Chi, who also resides in that village, tried to light her house on fire, early yesterday morning. Jaime Chuc told police that she was inside her […]

Thieves make off with almost $4,000 worth of steel
45-year-old Ryan Gonzalez, a supervisor at RJB Construction, reported to police that sometime between Friday evening and early Saturday morning, 200 lengths of 3/8 steel, valued at $3,600, were stolen from the street side on Seashore Drive in Belize City. The steel was property of RJB and police are investigating the incident.

Belize City police find guns
While conducting an anti-drug operation on Sunday, members of the Precinct Two Strike Team Two and Special branch, made the discovery of two firearms in an abandoned lot on Iguana Street Extension. At around 10:14 a.m., officers found a 9 millimeter firearm with an extended clip containing six live rounds of […]

Young man killed in Belmopan
Having received information of a shooting incident on Young Bank Road, Camalote Village, police visited the home of 35-year-old Eluterio Choc at around 8:05 Friday night, November 13th. When they arrived on the scene, officers saw the lifeless body of 16-year-old Ivan Choc, a resident of that same address, lying […]

Panda’s Bar in Orange Walk targeted
Two masked, armed thieves targeted the popular Panda’s Bar sometime last night, authorities in Orange Walk said. According to the report, Ruby Zetina, a Belizean waitress at Panda’s Bar that is situated opposite the Park on Queen Victoria Avenue, reported to police last night that while behind the […]

Orange Walk police nab burglars suspected of string of crimes
Three male residents of August Pine Ridge Village have been arrested and charged for ‘Aggravated Burglary’ among other crimes committed. According to Orange Walk Police, 65-year-old Angel Maldonado, a Salvadoran national, and watchman of Camp 22, reported that last Friday while at a ranch that belongs to […]

Conditions will become less moist and less unstable later today
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies at times with some showers or periods of light rain mainly inland and in the north today, with showers becoming generally isolated tonight. The threat of flooding remains for low-lying areas of the country. Winds will be blowing from the […]

Blogs

A Dangriga Pet Clinic: Animals in Need…So Many…And the Hopkins Humane Society
The amazing Hopkins, Belize Humane Society, a relatively tiny group spearheaded by superwoman Clara Lee, organizes free veterinary clinics a few times a year for areas that lack easy/free veterinary care. And there are many of them in Belize. This most recent string of clinics hit Hopkins, Maya Center Village, Dangriga (all in Southern Belize) and San Ignacio, Cayo – with a volunteer vet from Tucson teaming up local vets and volunteers to do check-ups, surgeries and as many spay/neuters as is humanly possible in a few days. I went down South to help out at the Dangriga clinic. Amanda, a volunteer from Texas who owns Swell Chick Photography, helped by heading out into Dangriga with another volunteer to find animals that needed help…

Oreo Churros
A beautiful viewer and subscriber who is now a friend makes Oreo Churros wit me. The hi-jinks in the kitchen were great and the churros are just divine.

What are the Best Places to Go Belize Scuba Diving?
Belize scuba diving is one of the best activities in the country. There are many Belize dive sites, but there are a handful of standouts. Read on as we discover the 5 best places to scuba dive in Belize. A couple of months ago, I was on a vacation in Belize and I befriended one of my neighbors who actually turned out to be a dive master. He works in a diving shop near the hotel I’m staying at. Being new to Belize and in scuba diving, I asked for lessons and tips about scuba diving in the country. I was particularly curious on where I can find the best places to scuba dive in Belize, and he recommended 5 places.

Placencia vs Hopkins - How to choose between them for your trip to Belize!
It is so hard to choose cities to visit in a country you have never been to, and you just can't get a real sense of a city until you visit yourself. I had driven through Hopkins a few times before and we decided to stay for a long weekend to get a better sense of what it is like, as we get many questions about the differences between Placencia and Hopkins. In general, you will read that Hopkins is a "sleepier" village, more rustic, and perhaps tourist wise, a bit behind Placencia. Some travelers choose Belize because they want to have an authentic experience, and do not want to feel like they just went to another all inclusive resort. I believe the average tourist will not feel that either place is TOO touristy--I mean really, it is very hard to find a place that has NO traveler comforts unless you are going wayyyy off the beaten path. Both if you are looking for a lot of warm interactions with locals, where the experience IS the village, there are no chains, plenty of local excursions and restaurants, but it is still safe, manageable, and you can get by with English, then you are headed to the right places. I added in a few pretty pictures of Hopkins to enjoy :) So, the comparison....

Northern Arizona University students are credited with helping to preserve archaeological sites in Belize
Northern Arizona University students are credited with helping to preserve archaeological sites in Belize and as a result, supporting the country’s tourism economy, as part of a field study program with former Archaeology Director Jaime Awe. Fifteen undergraduates and four graduate students spent the summer months in Belize doing excavations, which included a structure at Xunantuknich. “This work not only conserves cultural heritage, but it also creates jobs, contributes to national identity and is educational”, said Awe, who currently serves as an assistant professor of archaeology at the university. In addition to the archaeological tenets of excavation, the students learned about preservation. The Maya built with lime plaster, a combination of water and lime, which deteriorates when exposed to rain and algae. “When we discover fragile monuments, we make a fiberglass replica that covers the original, thereby preserving and protecting it”, Awe said. “When you go to the sites, you cannot tell that you are looking at a replica.”

International Sources

Mennonite Farmers Prepare to Leave Mexico, and Competition for Water
On the edge of a high plain fringed by craggy sandstone hills, Johan Friesen’s small farm is a testament to the rural providence of his Mennonite people. Neat fields of onion, soybean and yellow corn stretch behind his concrete and adobe house. In the farmyard, a few dozen cows stand in a corral, ready for milking, and a canary-colored reaper awaits repair. But beneath this valley of orderly farms in the center of Chihuahua State, the picture is less than serene, officials and farmers say. Underground reservoirs have been drained by thirsty crops, like corn, that are the mainstay of the Mennonites’ success, they say. Competition for groundwater — which officials have warned could run out in 20 years — has strained relations between the pacifist, Low German-speaking Mennonites and other farmers and, on occasion, incited violence. In Chihuahua, nearly a century after the Anabaptist Mennonites migrated from Canada and transformed this valley into a lush carpet of crops, hundreds are trading the land they call home for one where land is cheaper and water is more plentiful. In some ways, the Mennonites’ migration is another turn of history. Those who moved to Mexico from Canada had fled persecution in Russia. Over the years, some settled in other parts of Mexico, and conservative groups broke from the Mexican colonies and moved to Bolivia, Paraguay and Belize.

Videos

November 16, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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

Belize Declares November 29 “ Small Country Sunday ”
Small businesses often struggle to stand out when they’re up against big-box retailers, and small countries—like Belize—can feel the same effects. With the busiest travel and shopping season ahead, the Belize Tourism Board is putting an exotic twist on shopping local and encouraging travelers to book like they buy: small. As a result, Belize declares that Sunday, November 29 will mark the inaugural “Small Country Sunday,” a day to honor small nations and encourage travelers to book their adventure somewhere new.

Wolfe’s Woofer: A Better Married Life
“Hey, Mr. Dennis.” “Hey, Jose. How are you doing?” “Not too good,” Jose said. “Especially when I’m out like this, buying tacos for nine children plus me and my wife. It gets expensive” “Nine? The last time I saw you there were only eight.” “Since then God blessed us with another one.” “Maybe you should ask him not to bless you again.” “Maybe so. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep for five years. I love to sleep in late on Sundays but every time those babies wakes us just when I’m dreaming good.” “Perhaps it’s time to quit having children.” “No worries about that. Me and the wife, we’re not romantic anymore.”

Guest Editorial: Talkin’ Trash
By: Robert J. Hawkins Hawkins is a retired newspaper and online journalist/editor and media relations specialist who blogs about his life in Belize, and sometimes writes freelance stories for global publications. Mary Wells, a Houston real estate agent, and her family came to San Pedro recently in search of a second home. They brought a dozen trash sticks with them to donate to our First Friday Tres Cocos Trash Pickup group. Ironically — and sadly — they chose to take a pass on Belize as their second home. It was, in Mary’s words, just too dirty. Trash everywhere. As she recently wrote to me, “Your blog today reminded me too clearly why I cannot move there. The trash and all its sources are beyond my accepting. If I could think that with efforts of locals, government, and people from other countries, it can be alleviated…not totally resolved … but slowed (so that people like you and Rose and your group can start the cleanup and your efforts will have some lasting effect), I may have been able to see the natural beauty again having a fair chance…. but I don’t think this will happen in my life time (20 years?). “It was extremely distressing to me.” I regret that Mary could not see how pristine the roadway north of the bridge looked this past Friday after our group of 20 wrapped up two hours of cleanup. Her trash sticks were especially handy with the high water beside the road, from recent rains. The sticks are a welcome addition to our war on trash. (And we need more, dear readers, if you are planning to visit Ambergris Caye soon!)

Doctor Love: Misunderstood and Good Friend
Dr-LoveDear Doctor Love I have a girlfriend for six months and I am serious about our relationship. What I don’t like is that we argue sometimes. I know this is normal but when we argue she gets sarcastic and her tongue is sharp like a knife. English is not my first language so a lot of times I don’t even understand what she is saying until it is too late to come back with a good answer. Because of this I have a lot of opinions that never get said. I am wondering if she is not the right girl for me. Right now I don’t have any other girls in mind so I’m not sure what to do. Can you help? /s/ Misunderstood

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize’s financial regulator warns against NewTradeFX
The International Financial Services Commission of Belize (IFSC) on Friday published a warning against Forex and CFD broker Financial Strategy Holdings Ltd., operating as New Trade FX (NewTradeFX) via newtradefx.com. The regulator wishes to inform investors that the business entity in question is not licensed by the International Financial Services Commission or any other competent authority in Belize to conduct any trading business. All persons concerned are warned to exercise extreme caution. The watchdog asks any person who is contacted by a representative of Financial Strategy Holdings Ltd. to contact the IFSC by e-mail [email protected] and to provide detailed data of such representatives.

Mr. Fidencio "Don Fido" Cabañas passes away
Expressing our sincere condolences to the Cabañas family & friends on the passing of Mr. Fidencio "Don Fido" Cabañas. May his soul rest in peace.

Sashing Ceremony of Miss Garifuna Contentants 2015
Monday, November 16 at San Pedro House of Culture. The contestants for the Miss Garifuna Queen Pageant have been matched with their sponsors and what has quickly become an annual part of a cultural pageant, the sashing ceremony, will be held on Monday November 16, 2015. During the event, the 2015 sponsors for the Miss Garifuna Queen contestants will be announced and the delegates who have been attending workshops in areas such as etiquette, public speaking, grooming and make-up application will be officially sashed. The five beautiful and talented young garifuna women vying for the Miss Garifuna crown exude charm, intelligence, beauty, poise and energy, and each of the contestants is extremely confident that they will certainly win the coveted crown. The coordinators of the Miss Garifuna Pageant expressed that an excellent production is in store for the public including Jankunu dancers and drumming and none of it would have been possible, without the assistance of the kind sponsors of the contestants and the Pageant. The sashing ceremony will be held at the San Pedro House of Culture, as part of the activities of the Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations. The event will be at 9:00 pm on Monday November 16th, 2015.

MINUTE TO WIN IT
Monday, November 16at 7:00pm, Roadkill Bar San Pedro. Roadkill Bar Presents Minute to Win It. Based of the hit TV show contestants compete in seemingly simple challenges with everyday items in hopes of skipping elimination and moving on to the next round. The $10bzd entry fee gets you a free travelers rum drink and a donation to the charity of the night. Prizes are donated from many local businesses. Come on by Monday's at 7pm and take a Minute to Win It for charity!

Time for a real bridge for San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Cayo
The bridge isn't lowlying, it's 'river level' so it will flood everytime.

Southern Highway near Deep River Bridge
According to Wil Maheia, the road is flooded but not the bridge.

Bullet Tree Falls Elder Passes Away
We lost the eldest Elder and one of the last Yukatek grandfathers of Bullet Tree Falls, Don Isidro Poot better known as DON PASCUAL POOT. He was born on the 4th of April 1920. At his 95 years of age he was still an outstanding “milpero” and excellent storyteller. He was the last Alcalde of Bullet Tree, appointed in 1959 by consensus to govern the village. Tonight we're having a wake at his home in Bullet Tree Falls and a funeral service will be held tomorrow Saturday 14th at 11.00 am at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Don Pacito as he was affectionately called by many, leaves behind 3 daughters- Evarista Balan, Irma Chan, Ida Galicia; 2 sons- Emanuel Poot and Leopoldo Poot; 38 grandchildren, 62 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. Grandfather Pascual, today we bid you farewell and send all our positive energies so that the immense light of the Universe guides you on your path through the sacred Saq'bé. May you travel and rest in peace!!!

Costs of rice
Rice is a staple food for most of the countries, consumed twice daily, hence the reason price is controlled and supposed to be the cheapest product on our Grocery List. Unfortunately it is not so in the Beautiful country of Belize. Apparently a pound of rice pays more than a Soft Drink in some parts, otherwise Retails for Bz$ 1.15 / LB. Being a responsible Belizean and Businessman connected to International market didn’t took long to complete “Cost of Production” research on 10 rice producing countries. Result were shocking and figures will surprise you all. Do you want to know why prices for rice are SO high in Belize? It's very simple reallt. In other nations rice growers, and farmers, are subsidised by the governmet in one way or another! If you look at milk the same thing is happening. Did you know it is cheaper to import milk than to produce our own milk? For example Canada subsidieses dairy products by more than 40%. There are many private companies in Belize who get MASSIVE tax breaks, and duty free fuel, while all our farmers have to pay import duties on all their equipment, they have to drive full duty fuel, and pay taxes on all crop inputs to plant a crop. If this nation would for just a moment shift their focus from tourism to agriculture we could could build an economy more than twice as powerful as tourism.

Battle of the Drums - Food & Fete 2015
Two nights of Garifuna cultural celebrations!

Channel 7

Nina Barrera Perez is safe
News 5 was able to confirm late this evening that 2 year old Nina Barrera Perez is indeed safe in the custody of the Human Services Department. According to Ministry of Human Development CEO Judith Alpuche, the child was taken into custody because she was illegally removed from Guatemala and brought to Belize by her mother, Belizean Analiz Gutierrez. Alpuche says that in Guatemala the matter is being treated as a child abduction, and all the paperwork is completely in order. Furthermore Alpuche says that the mother does not have sole custody of the child as that matter is still before a Guatemalan court. CEO Alpuche says the Ministry is appalled at all the allegations being made against the social worker who she says was "only doing her job." That social worker is reportedly receiving threats, and a picture of her and her daughter have been circulating in social media channels. News Five will have all angles of this disturbing story on Monday's newscast.

The Reporter

Popular meat preparations may increase cancer risk study says
A new study published in the Journal of Cancer, suggests that pan frying, grilling or barbecuing meats may increase kidney cancer risk. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, reported that charring meat by these methods produces two carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals. Those chemicals: 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenytimidazo (4,5-b) pyridine (PHIP) and amino 3,8-dimethylimidazo (4,5-f) quinoxaline (MelQx), were found even when charring chicken instead of red or processed meats. The study compared the diets of 659 cancer patients with the diets of 699 people who were cancer-free. Researchers compared not only the type of food they ate regularly, but also how it was prepared. Those who ate the most grilled, barbecued, or pan-fried meats were found to have higher risk of contracting kidney cancer.

Orange Walk resident look for missing two-year-old child
An Orange Walk mother is asking the public to help her learn the whereabouts of her two-year-old daughter. Anliz Gutierrez explained that on Friday a woman purporting to be a social worker approached her and informed her that she came to take her child, Nina Barrera Perez. She said the social worker, escorted by a police officer, explained that she did not have legal custody of the child. Gutierrez says that since they took her baby, she cannot determine her child’s whereabouts or well being. She told the Reporter that she filed a complaint with the Orange Walk police, who have been uncooperative to help her. The local media have since reported that the child is safe and in the custody of the Department of Human Services. The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Human Development Judith Alpuche was quoted as saying that the child’s removal was lawful and followed due process.

NEMO issues another flood advisory
The following is the latest advisory from the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) on the flooding across the country:

Breaking Belize News

Popular businessman killed in Mexico
A businessman from the Commercial Free Zone, identified as Ernesto Alonso De Miguel, aka “El Español” was reportedly killed Saturday night in Mexico. According to Mexican press reports, while De Miguel enjoyed dinner with his family and friends at “El Emporio” in Chetumal Quintana Roo. a lone gun man walked […]

Early morning fire guts building in San Ignacio Town
Information reaching the BMG newsroom is that fire fighters are currently trying to control a fire that has a neighborhood in panic in San Ignacio Town. Currently, BMG has dispatched a reporter in the area to garner more information about this incident. An eye witness sent the pictures […]

2 months old baby drowns in Toledo flood
Reports reaching our newsroom are that a two months old infant drowned in the Toledo District. Information is a bit sketchy but BMG was made to understand that the baby and the mother were heading home in the Santa Cruz area when the mother stumbled while crossing the […]

Blogs

Dangriga, Belize: Hey White Gial!
“White Gial, you headed to the cayes?” – was the call I heard again and again as I walked around Dangriga. Like almost every town and village in Belize, it’s a different world from San Pedro. Almost every inch of this country has an identity and a culture all its own. With only about 9000 residents, Dangriga is the largest town in Southern Belize. Dangriga is officially cultural capital of Belize and the capital for the Garifuna people. It’s funky, it’s very “un-touristy” and “white gials” aren’t expected to stay long….making our ways out to the cayes, like gorgeous Tobacco Caye…for a softer, more “vanilla” vacation. The history of the town is a fascinating one from railroads to oranges.

The Numerous Belize Mayan Sites You Can Visit Today
There are so many Belize Mayan sites that you can explore in this beautiful country, with some even yet to be discovered. Know some of the best ruins in Belize that you can visit now. Belize is home to more than 600 ancient Mayan sites. Archaeologists believe that, at one time, Belize was the center of the lowland Mayan Empire. It is possible that, during the time of Christ, a million people could have been living in what is present-day Belize. Most of these sites still remain buried and unexplored, ranging from small mounds of ceremonial caves, that are still being discovered up until this day. Of the sites that have been discovered, there is a list of major sites that are available for tours today. Mayan tribes inhabited Belize from 1,000 BC onward. This civilization was quite primitive until around the fourth century. The Mayans of Belize flourished between 300 and 900 during what is dubbed as the Classic Period and the Mayan Golden Age. Around this time, principalities and kingdoms of the Maya gave rise to huge cities and ceremonial sites. The fertile climate and location of Belize along the coast of the Caribbean Sea made it an important hub for Mayan development.

International Sources

Belizean born Evan Perez goes from Wall Street to CNN
Nov 15 - Belizean born Evan Perez goes from Wall Street to CNN. Congratulations Evan! It is heart warming to see what some Belizeans have achieved abroad. Evan Perez joined CNN as a justice reporter in 2013. In his current role, he regularly writes for CNN.com and appears across the network's programs to report on his findings.

FREE ZONE CONTRABAND ZAR “El Espaol” is executed in Chetumal yesterday
According to various Mexican newspapers, Ernesto Alonso de Miguel, alias “El Español”, allegedly known for contrabanding liquor and merchandise from the Corozal Free Zone was executed inside the popular “Emporio” Restaurant near Chetumal’s Bahia Boulevard, along with Agustín Guevara Martínez, a lone commandant police officer from that Ministry, Witnesses state that a lone gunman jumped out of a small car and opened fire inside the restaurant where “El Espaol”, his Belizean driver, commandant Martinez, and two women were sitting. Ernesto Alonso de Miguel “El Espaol” and Commandant AugustÍn Martinez were shot. Both were taken to the General Hospital where they succumbed to their injuries. In 2011 General Carlos Bibiano Villa, secretary of Public Security, stated that a police officer from their “Police Preventative State”, Jorge Amir Flota Matos was fatally shot by friendly fire while in pursuit of “El Espaol”, considered the zar of contraband liquor and merchandise from the Corozal Free Zone in Belize. It is alleged that “El Espaol” had established residency in Chetumal since the early ‘90s. He dedicated himself to illegally transporting and the contraband of liquor and merchandise across the Rio Hondo. In 2003 the infamous drug cartel “Los Zetas” made an attempt to kidnap him and since the attempt failed, he decided to move and live in Belize where he continued his illegal operation of contraband. Corozal Daily's Note: Credible sources have revealed to us that “El Espaol” or “Spanish” as he was known inside the Free Zone circles, was the only person operating a business inside the Free Zone who had been allowed to live in there and establish physical residency since 2003. We keep asking at this corner , is this the end of the Corozal Free Zone? Reports both anecdotally and in the Mexican media is that businesses in the Corozal Free Zone are closing down at a rapid pace. Sales have been battered by the devaluation of the Mexican peso. The Mexican economy, like Canada and Venezuela, has been battered by low oil prices, the country’s primary export. Businesses in the zone had already been largely negatively impacted by the loss of corresponding banking relationships, increased scrutiny due to allegations of money laundering and rampant counterfeiting and decreasing investment.

Videos

November 15, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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

Verge of Umbra’s Rocking Video Premiere
As I’ve said before, Rock/Metal isn’t exactly the driving cultural music force in Belize, but what Verge has created is a sound so unique it can’t help but BE Belize. So, after being blown away by their lyrics and sound, then meeting everyone and being a part of their video filming, there was no way I would miss out on the grand premiere! Held at Thirsty Thursdays, and sponsored by Digicell, Belikin and Traveller’s Liquors, the party featured an eclectic mix of people who clearly shared one thing in common: a love for rock! Oh my goodness, what a cool video! Everyone around me was cheering as they watched themselves and the main characters onscreen…I particularly enjoyed the concept of the video, split as it was into the various temptations facing each band member. Of course, Cricel Castillo, Belize’s top female bodybuilder, was starring in her role as the temptress and head assassin…

Food, Beverage and Hospitality Expo a huge success
On Tuesday, November 10th members of the tourism industry in Ambergris Caye were invited to the annual Food, Beverage and Hospitality Expo. The event was held at Bayan Bay Villas from 6PM to 9PM and was hosted by Madisco and the beverage division of Karl H Menzies. Invited guests got the privileged opportunity to sample food, beverage and wine products carried by the companies. With close to a hundred attendees, the event was quite successful. The expo provided the perfect forum for local hospitality and culinary businesses to browse products offered by both Madisco and Karl H Menzies in hopes of improving the service offered to their customers. Products on display varied from seasonings, cheeses, pastas, juices, wines, and other edible products, to cutlery and sanitation items. Prominent brands featured at the expo were Kimberly Clark (personal products), Milport and Colonial brand cigarettes, Santa Carolin Brut, Tito’s Vodka, Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay, Premio Prosseco Frizzanto, Aconcagua Pinot Noir, Le Borgate Cabernet Savignon, Roland canned goods, Sysco goods, Reinland Steaks and Premium Meats, and Caribbean Sunrise juices.

SPTC tackles Garbage issues on Northern Ambergris Caye
Speaking to The San Pedro Sun, Mayor Daniel Guerrero detailed their strategies in alleviating the issue on the north side of the island. “What we have done is that, Gary, the Deputy Mayor, is working along with the people up north and many trash bins have been placed up there, around 50 of them. But we want people to start practicing where to place the trash, it is a very costly project and I believe that the amount of money we spent on garbage collection could be used on other things on the island, we need everyone to cooperate with us. But with the addition of more trash drums up north and Gary working with the people up there we expect to start seeing a major change. However, we are also planning to visit schools and try to teach civic pride in the children, it starts from there,” said Guerrero. Guerrero indicated that schools need to teach civic pride to their students, and people should be more aware that our island is suffering the consequences of their behavior. If actions are not taken to tackle the problem, the situation will just continue as it is and it will be more of a tradition trying to keep the island trash free when only a small group of islanders are doing their part. Unity is vital for the eradication of the problem that affects every resident on La Isla Bonita.

Traffic conditions on the island show no improvement
Over the past months, it seems that vehicular traffic in San Pedro has noticeably increased. The increase is not necessarily golf carts, but larger vehicles. Concerned residents are questioning what is being done to control the influx of large cars to the island, especially since our streets are becoming more crowded, and the scene in some areas can be alarming during certain hours of the day. The San Pedro Town Council claims to have put plans in place to alleviate the situation. In an interview with Mayor Daniel Guerrero, he explained how the situation is being handled and what measures are about to take place. “We are considering putting a moratorium on vehicles, including golf cart rental businesses. We have stopped the golf carts, but vehicles have been coming to the island, and we need to stop it. In an effort to control the traffic, especially in school areas, we will hire more wardens,” said Guerrero. He mentioned that the Town Board will need to speed up in the implementation of parking regulations in certain streets, something he had mentioned in a previous issue of The San Pedro Sun (Volume 15, Issue #21). “We need to implement as soon as possible the ‘no parking of big vehicles on the Barrier Reef Drive, Pescador Drive and Angel Coral Street. Only small golf carts and motorcycles will be allowed to park on those streets. The cart rentals will be notified that their six-seat carts will not be allowed to park in any of these streets as well. So in that way we intend to alleviate the situation; it is not easy but we will do our best,” said Guerrero.

Misc Belizean Sources

POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE - Power Outage scheduled for the entire Corozal and Orange Walk Districts
on Sunday November 15th from 5:00 a.m. to 5:20 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Corozal & J's Cool Spot Backpacker Hostel
Welcome to Corozal & J's Cool Spot BackpackerHostel OWNER Miss. Jacqueline Usher Coolest Backpacker Hostel in corozal town /ranchito village belize central amercal Friendly and knowledgeable staff Large communal area -KARAOKE Dayle , dominos, cable tv, wifi, drinks, snacks ,coffee ,tea and onsite bar / you can also pick up hand made art works e.c.t and safe & secure tents space we have also Excellent location on bus route in front of gate Close to airstrip 10 minutes walk away,corozal town 20 minutes walk away, taxis & buses up and down all day and taxis Local pick up take u to the airstrip/bus terminal , Clean, basic rooms with bedding & fan Shared baths and kitchen We are conveniently located Featuring clean, comfortable, basic rooms We pride ourselves on keeping our prices low to provide budget accomodations in a convenient location 2 Basic grocery within walking distance 5 minutes walk away . We look forward to seeing you soon! $13 US / $ 25 bz per person per night /$70 week per person 0115016325521 FROM 6 ;OO A.M TO 12 MIDNIGHT EVERY DAY

Caribbean Colors looking for waitress
Caribbean Colors is still looking for the right female waitress to work in high season, from now until Easter. The best candidate is a single mother, not a drinker or partier (except on your day off), likes to get up in the morning early and has a happy disposition, is honest and hard working. Hours will be 7:00-7:30 to start in the morning, depending on how busy we are, until 1-2:30 p.m. 6 days a week. Do not call, but come by the gallery in person after 1 p.m.

Nice shot of yesterdays storm by Ambergris Today
It's on top of us. Take out your mop and buckets

Exploring Business Opportunities in Cuba!
EXPORTBelize, BELTRAIDE participated in La Feria International de La Havana (FIHAV) 2015 in Havana , Cuba from November 2nd – 6th. FIHAV is a multi-sectorial trade fair which had representation from over 60 countries showcasing their products throughout 25 different pavilions. Exhibitors had opportunity to establish contacts, close business deals, exchange business experiences and become familiar with new technological developments. EXPORTBelize participated in pre-arranged business meetings which were facilitated by the Embassy of Belize in Cuba and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce. The objective of our participation was to conduct an initial assessment of the opportunities for Belizean products to be exported and to learn how to conduct business in Cuba. Some of products of interest includes chocolate liqueur, corn, beans, juices, hot sauces, furniture, cleaning products, chicken and beef. EXPORTBelize received strong inquiries for various Belizean products and will continue discussions with Belizean producers and all the necessary government officials responsible for importation in Cuba to facilitate matchmaking and to foster trading relationships between the two countries.

Cayo Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrations
Garifuna Settlement Day is next Thursday. Cayo's celebrations will be great family fun. On Wednesday evening, there will be drumming, and a fashion show at the Cayo Welcome Center. Thursday morning, there will be Yurumei at Macal River Park, starting at 6:00am. A special mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church starting at 8:30am. The parade will start at the CWC at 10:30am, and at 3:00pm, the celebration finishes with Garifuna food, and drumming..

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Caye Caulker Cancer – Arms of Love
On the 22nd of November at 10am, Caye Caulker Cancer – Arms Of Love are holding a bake sale at the basketball court to raise money for this much needed cause. Having lost both parents to Cancer myself, I feel particularly drawn to this. It is a Non-Profit group which gathers all of its funding from the kind donations of people like you. Currently there are 10 active members and they are always looking for others to join to help them. Nothing says “Community” like the gift of giving and helping those closest to us when in times of need. It might be someone you know or a complete stranger, but the gift of helping someone in need is the most priceless gift in the world. If you can’t donate money but you can donate time, it’s all the same. You are involved in making someone’s life better and that is what community spirit is all about. Arms of Love are working this month with and supporting Diabetes Awareness Month with World Diabetes Day, today, Saturday November 14th.

The Reporter

Police have no suspects in home invasion/murder
Police are looking for clues to solve a deadly home invasion in Camalote Village Cayo on Friday night, which claimed the life of a 16 year-old boy. When police responded to the premises of Eluterio Choc, 35, of Young Bank Road, at 8:05 p.m., they […]

Rotary installs park number 15
The Rotary Club of Belize District 4250, this week inaugurated its 15 play ground, this time in Lords Bank village. The park, inaugurated on Tuesday, was built through a cooperation between the Rotary Club of Belize, Rotary Interact Club of Vegreville Alberta Canada, Emmanuel Foundation […]

Latin America and Caribbean need to do more about road traffic accident fatalities says ECLAC
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in a recent report, indicated that the region is not reducing the rate of fatalities due to road traffic accidents, according to its original targets. According to the Commission’s FAL report issue 342, released on […]

UNESCO partnering with Caribbean to achieve Sustainable Development Goals
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has announced that it will assist Caribbean countries to help them achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the United Nations (UN). UNESCO made the decision to offer the support at a recent Cluster Office […]

NEMO issues advisory about flooding
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) has issued an advisory that the potential for flooding is increasing, mainly in communities like Blue Creek and along the Mopan, Macal, Belize, North Stann Creek, Bladden, Rio Grande, and Moho Rivers. NEMO informs that flooded rivers and creeks […]

Deadly attacks in Paris prompts state of emergency
France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after at least 128 people were killed in a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris. Eighty people were reported killed after gunmen burst into the Bataclan concert hall and took hostages before security forces stormed the hall. […]

NAC announces upcoming symposium
The National AIDS Commission announced this week that it will hold a National HIV/AIDS Youth Symposium to commemorate World AIDs Day. The symposium will be held in collaboration with the University of Belize, and hosted at the Jaguar Auditorium at the university’s Belmopan Campus. The […]

House of Representatives has inaugural sitting
Nine days after the General Elections, on Friday, elected representatives gathered at the National Assembly in Belmopan for the inaugural sitting of the House of Representatives. The session gathered the 31 area representatives from both the incumbent and opposition for the ceremonial swearing in.  Governor […]

Breaking Belize News

Moist and unstable conditions will continue
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies with some showers, periods of rain and isolated thunderstorms over most areas, but especially among the coast and over the South. The threat of localized flooding still exists for low-lying areas of the country. Winds will be blowing from the […]

Family mourns the murder of minor in Camalote
The community of Camalote and a family are today mourning the death of one of their love ones who was brutally killed, execution style. According to police, they responded to a shooting incident and visited the residence of 35-year-old Eluterio Choc from Young Bank Road in the village of Camalote […]

Elderly man charged for drug trafficking in Dangriga
Dangriga police discovered over 154 grams of suspected cannabis at the residence of 56-year-old Mariano Williams in the village of Silk Grass during a search operation. Williams was arrested and charged for the crime of Drug Trafficking.

Mexico confirm they want David Schnitzer in Stanford fraud
According to international news reports, Mexican authorities are seeking the deportation or extradition of a Mexican American said to be involved in one of the largest fraud schemes in U.S. history. David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer was arrested last week in San Pedro Town on a charge of uttering […]

Battle of the Drums kicks off in Punta Gorda
The Battle of the Drums Competition is an annual event in Punta Gorda (PG) town, founded by Darius Avila more than 10 years ago, that brings groups from all across the region to participate and visitors from all across the world to spectate. Usually held in mid-November each […]

Weather causing flooding in some areas
For more than three days now, the constant down pour has caused many back yard floodings across the jewel. According to the National Met Service, more rains are expected for the next 24 hours. In Spanish Lookout concerns have been brought up by many residents as the level of the […]

Bullet Tree Falls Elder Passes Away
One of the eldest and last Yucatek grandfathers of Bullet Tree Falls, Don Isidro Pott better known as Don Pascual Pott has passed away. He was born on the 4th of April 1920. At 95 years of age, he was still an outstanding “milpero” and excellent storyteller. He […]

International Sources

Belize holds Stanford Ponzi scheme suspect with out bail
An associate of convicted former Texas tycoon R. Allen Stanford is being held in the Central American nation of Belize without bail as a flight risk. Suspect David Nanes Schnitzer was arrested last week when he was caught with allegedly false documents in Belize. Mexican authorities said Friday that Nanes Schnitzer headed the Mexican arm of Stanford’s Ponzi scheme, which allegedly defrauded investors in Mexico of $42 million. Mexico says it is pursuing the deportation or extradition of Nanes Schnitzer to face a 2011 arrest warrant for unauthorized securities transactions.

Backpacker, Go Home: How Tourism Is Ruining Everything
One billion tourists now roam the planet—and the world’s most pristine spots are showing the strain. In the new film ‘Gringo Trails,’ the consequences of unchecked global wanderlust. Twenty years ago, when I first visited the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, it was already one of Mexico’s most popular attractions. Though a fair amount of visitors roamed the grounds, the atmosphere was mellow, respectful of the site’s history, and vendors were at a minimum. That was then. On a trip there this year, tour buses stretched almost a mile down the road, its big parking lot overflowing. The entrance had been turned into a kitschy Mayan shopping mall, full of cheap restaurants, jewelry stores, and T-shirts featuring drawings of bodacious—and totally mythical—Indian princesses prancing around in next to nothing. The pyramids were still spectacular, but you can’t climb them—they’ve been closed since an Italian tourist fell off one and died. Vendors were everywhere selling sweatshop tchotchkes. And tourist hordes had trampled all the grass, so the huge area of loose dirt that was left became choking dust with even the slightest breeze. There are plenty of far-sighted places. Christ points to Plancencia, Belize, where locals and the government have partnered to protect the local barrier reef, the world’s third largest. And Tasmania, which has a master plan to protect the island’s largest rain forest (PDF).

The 6 Worst Reasons to Move Abroad
If you're considering moving abroad, are you doing so for the right reasons? This is among the first questions someone should ask before settling across borders. The right motivation can help ensure that the expat experience is happy and successful. But some individuals don't weigh the question enough, and some simply leave for the wrong reasons. In a recent survey, Best Places in the World to Retire, considered the issue of "why" at length. More than 500 expats contributed over 6,500 answers to frequently asked questions about moving abroad. The majority of the answers offered advice and observations on such topics as cost of living, healthcare and safety in different countries. However, many expats said that the most important first question is, "Am I moving abroad for the right reasons?" "Question your motives for wanting to leave," said Ginny Ophof, an Portuguese expat now living in Belize. "Your reasons for leaving will have a huge impact on your experience abroad, and how well you adapt and enjoy your new country. Leave for good reasons, not because you are running away from mistakes or for other wrong reasons."

Mothers’ Mistakes - Researcher And Women’s Groups At Odds Over Claim That Brutal Beating Of Boys By Mothers Creating Killers
Jamaican mothers are being warned to be careful how they go about disciplining their sons, as the use of corporal punishment could create 'monsters' instead of 'angels'. Following a near two-decades-long study, anthropologist of social violence, Dr Herbert Gayle, has concluded that the severe or brutal beatings of boys by mothers is a root cause of their disturbing behaviour later in life. The academic, who has been invited by the Government of Belize to undertake extensive work on violence in all forms, lamented the unwillingness of local authorities to commission studies on these issues. He insisted that the findings of similar research in Jamaica would go a far way in addressing the root cause of crime, violence and other forms of antisocial tendencies. "We are trying to see if we can sort out some of the painful myths regarding the value of parents to their children," said Gayle. He emphasised that the most painful of the myths is the notion that once a boy does not have his father in his life, the probability of him becoming violent is increased steeply. "There is absolutely nothing in the world to prove that," asserted Gayle. "In fact, it is the opposite."

Videos

November 14, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, 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

Enjoying some real Ramen at Taka San Japanese Restaurant
Three times; that’s how many times I’d tried to get to Taka San in Belize City. Located at the ‘mall’ on the Northern Highway, Taka San is upstairs among a cluster of stores vying for your business. Chocolate, wine, sweet treats…but I had a singular mission: Japanese please!! Their menu was not extensive, but my eye gravitated towards two things. And yes, despite weight loss being first and foremost in my head most days, that day, it was all about the noodles and rice! As my order was prepared, a basket containing a cool wet washcloth, glass of water and my juice was placed before me. Takaki asked me if I was comfortable using chopsticks – what do you think?! He very nicely placed a fork next to the sticks for me. Yum – YUM…sticky rice formed a ball around delectable bits of roast pork, all swaddled with a strip of seaweed. While I nommed on what I’ll call appetizers, my ramen bowl arrived.

Residents warned against carrying knives
The Belize Eastern Police Division is both warning and reminding the general public on the laws on carrying items with a sharply pointed blade. According to police, carrying items with blades exceeding three inches between the hours of 8PM to 5AM or during public events is illegal. This regulation has long been overseen, but will now be strictly enforced by all police divisions, including the Coastal Executive Unit, which is made up of the San Pedro Police Department and the Caye Caulker Police Department. Here in San Pedro, police have indicated that they have been observing an increase in incidents of knife related crimes. They urge everyone to continue in working with them in decreasing crimes in all neighborhoods. Police urge all residents to be aware of the blade possession laws and want it to be known that they will be targeting offenders through vigorous stop-and-search and prosecution to the full extent of the law. The penalty for violating the knife regulation can result in a $500 fine or six months of imprisonment.

Volleyball tournament continues this weekend
The 4 x 4 Volleyball Tournament is nearing its finals after four weeks of intense matches. The games take place every Friday and Sunday at the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex beginning at 7:30pm. This coming weekend is bringing a busy sporting schedule with games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The first set of games scheduled for Friday, November 13th at 8PM are as follow: Survivors vs Unique follow by Blazers vs Matanes and closing the night will be Divers vs Captain Shark. The sporting action will continue on Saturday night from 8PM with the following matches: Cast Away vs Survivors, then 4play On Da Sand vs Unique and finally Divers vs SPHS. On Sunday, this time starting at 7:30PM, will see Island Boys vs Bombas, followed by 4Play On Da Sand vs Cast Away and ending the weekend of sports will be SPHS vs Matanes.

Holy Cross Anglican School expresses concern over students’ transportation
The students of Holy Cross Anglican School in San Mateo are facing yet another hurdle. This time it involves the island taxi associations. According to the school administration, the association promised the families from Escalante, DFC, and San Pedrito areas that they would pick up their children and then take them to school, but it seems that this service has been discontinued. Allegations are that maybe the service was ceased because of the $1 fee per student being charged is too low. But at this point, the main concern is getting students to school every day and on time. Since the taxis are not picking up the children, schedules have been disrupted for the students and the school. After contacting the taxi association, they mentioned not having knowledge of such arrangements directly with the association’s office. According to the school administration the taxi drivers allegedly simply informed the children that they could not pick them up, and that the taxi drivers should have not committed to provide the service in the first place. The administration will wait for assistance from the local authorities while they struggle with the issue. The solution being suggested is to start public transportation; however according to Mayor Guerrero, it might not be the solution. “If there is public transportation installed, it has to be the right one, and the next thing is that we need to find a subsidy for it. More than likely, the government will have to subsidize it. But if there is no subsidy, then it would not be feasible if it only caters to the students. It will have to be combined with the transportation of adults and other commuters from the island.

Belizean based pilot, Arthur John Hoy Jr. recognized by FAA
Former Maya Island Air and current United Express pilot, Arthur John Hoy Jr, has been admitted to the prestigious Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airmen Certification Database. This certification is given only to pilots who have met or exceeded the high educational, licensing and medical standards established by the FAA. Hoy, who is originally from Belize City has set a positive example for other young aspiring Belizean pilot. The FAA Airmen Certification is only given to pilots that meet a rigorous standard set in consultation with the aviation industry and the public. The pilots are among the highest ranked in the world in safety measures aimed at reducing pilot errors that lead to fatal crashes. FAA pilot certification can be the difference between a safe flight and one that ends in tragedy. “Safety will be my overriding priority as Secretary, so I am especially pleased to mark my first week by announcing a rule that will help us maintain our unparalleled safety record. We owe it to the traveling public to have only the most qualified and best trained pilots,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a press release.

Ambergris Stadium renovation progressing on schedule
The Ambergris Stadium Renovation Project was officially launched on September 18th, now, a little over a month after work has begun on the new stadium, progress is very visible. AM Construction Company Limited from Orange Walk is undertaking the project, and so far, piles have been installed while other sections such as parking, and the broadcasting booth field have been outlined. Next will be the designing of the perimeter fence around the main pitch and working in the drainage system for the stadium. The project is estimated to cost $2.3 million dollars, and is being coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council and funded by the Government of Belize in a commitment to the youth of the country.

Ambergris Today

San Ignacio Resort Hotel Hosts Conference & Events Travel in Belize
The staff of Ambergris Today/iTravel Belize were in San Ignacio Cayo over the weekend and one of the events we attended was the first ever MICE familiarization social event hosted by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel on Saturday, November 7, 2015. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events and the cocktail social highlighted why the San Ignacio Resort Hotel has one of the leading conference, banquets, meeting and events hosting centers in the country. In fact, the resort caters to conference travelers and hosts a variety of Belizean corporate meetings/parties throughout the year. It is the go-to place for meetings and events, big or small. "We have been hosting large conference travel groups who come from abroad to do business, seminars or retreats in Belize," commented San Ignacio Resort Hotel owner Mariam Roberson to Ambergris Today. "It is a great marketing strategy for Belize and covers that niche out there that represents a big segment of the travel industry. San Ignacio Resort Hotel is proud to be one of the few establishments to offer such services."

Misc Belizean Sources

Overcast sky in San Pedro Friday
photo by Ambergris Today newspaper

UB students present on environmental topics
Student and Panthera Database Assistant who operates out of the Environmental Research Institute office , Yamira Novelo presents on Jaguars in rural Belize District. Cameras capture Jaguars with unique coat patterns and the sex and locations are identified.

Bomb threat at La Inmaculada Credit Union
A routine day at the La Inmaculada Credit Union was disrupted by an apparent prank call around 8:35am indicating that a bomb was planted in the institution. Authorities were called in and the area was quickly cordoned off. At about 10:20am, authorities indicated that it was a false alarm.

Water conservation training
Community representatives from both Belize and Guatemala participate on a training on best practices of water conservation. Session was given at the OAS building by FCD’s partnering organization - the Ministry of the Environment from Guatemala.

Power Outage for the entire Corozal and Orange Walk Districts on Sunday November 15th
From 5:00 a.m. to 5:20 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. B.E.L to conduct climbing inspections of transmission system in the area

Garifuna Settlement Day at the SISE HoC
The SISE House of Culture is having their annual Garifuna Settlement Day celebration. They'll be closed on the 19th, so the festivities will be on Wednesday, the 18th. "Come and Join us in celebrating Garifuna Settlement Day on Wednesday November 18th."

DANCE BZ2015
NEXT WEEK!! Nov. 23-30th at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts in Belize City! Call 227-2110 or email [email protected] for more information.

Nouveau Model Management - Belize conducting Open Casting for Male and Female Models ages 12-25
AMAZING OPPORTUNITY! Do you know anyone, Male or Female, between the ages of 12-17 and 18-25 years of age that has what it takes or committed to learn how to be a professional model? Nouveau Model Management - Belize will be conducting an Open Casting for Male and Female Models for our Teen and Adult Divisions. ... Date: Saturday, November 14th, 2015 Time: 9AM - 4PM Location: Thirsty Thursday Restaurant and Bar - Belize City

San Pedro Town Council Open House
OPEN HOUSE: Friday, November 27, 2015 On Friday, November 27, 2015, the San Pedro Town Council offices will be open to all residents and visitors to witness the new additions and renovations of the building and to learn about the daily operations of the various departments. 5% OFF TRADE LICENSE FEE FOR 2016: Friday, November 27, 2015 In commemoration of San Pedro’s 31stTownship Day celebration, The San Pedro Town Council will be offering a 5% discount on Trade License fee for 2016 only. *Promotion valid only on Friday, November 27, 2015. *Certain restrictions may apply to this offer.

SHJC Talent Show
Sacred Heart Junior College is having their annual talent show on the evening of November 28th. 'A Night of Song, Soul, and Performance' says it all. It'll be at the SHC auditorium, and it'll start at 7:00pm. They'll have skits, singing, and dancing too. They are raising money to purchase Christmas presents for local children. "The purpose of the variety show is to raise funds to bring a little Christmas cheer to primary school children as we invite Santa to give gifts to the little kids at a selected school"

Scarlet begins his educational tour
The Beauty of the Chiquibul Forest – at Saint Andrews Primary School. FCD thanks the Ministry of Education for endorsing us to launch and implement the program.

Battle of the Drums - Food & Fete
A night of Garifuna cuisine & cultural celebrations!

Garifuna Exhibition/Celebrations
A little rain may have put a bit of a damper on the afternoon's opening celebrations, but come on out at 7pm tonight for more food, music and Jakunu dances. Update: To bad it got rained out again. I have put my order in for nice weather for November 18 and 19 for the next rounds of celebrations. Here is a full list of the celebration schedule San Pedro Ambergris Caye Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration Activities. 1. 14, November 2015 - Garifuna exhibition at the NICH, House of Culture. Garifuna food on sale as of midday. Then cultural activities starts at 7:00 pm. That will include the Sashing of the five candidates for the Ms. Garifuna Pageant. Drumming, Jankanu dance, food samples and more food on sale.

Channel 7

The Summoning of the 12th National Assembly of Belize - Both Formal And Fun
House meeting Friday - you know when you hear that in the headlines, you can expect all kinds of grown man antics in the news: from low down insults, to high minded malice - because, let's be real, the House of Representatives is not so much about robust debate as it is about getting in deep digs against the other side. But, for one day every 5 years or so, all that parliamentary hostility is put aside to turn a new leaf, swear in a new set of members, or at least old members with a new mandate, and get underway on a clean sheet. That's what happened in Belmopan today for the summoning of the 12th National assembly of Belize and 7News was there to give you a front row seat:... Jules Vasquez reporting Prime Minister Dean Barrow coolly strolled up to the stairs of Independence hall - he'd been here twice before - and the third time seemed to be his most relaxed. After taking his seat as the head of parliament the opposition arrived a little late to the swearing in party. But in time to see the Prime Minister and the Deputy fetch the speaker. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "When we all went to escort the speaker to his chair, he suggested that we carry him."

Senate Swearing Was Staid
And while the new House of Representatives got underway at 10:00 am, one hour before that, the new Senate was sworn in. That's 7 new members, four returning members and one as yet un-appointed. Their event was held indoors in the House Chamber and here's how it looked: Jules Vasquez reporting The new senators hobnobbed and pleasantries were exchanged across the floor. They even took a group picture. 5 new faces for the UDP holdover senators from the PUP until a new leader is elected. By tradition, they had to fetch President Lee Mark Chang who gave a brief address Lee Mark Chang, President of The senate "I would like to express my grateful thanks for the high honors that you have been pleased to confer me and I give members my solemn assurance that I shall do everything in my powers to make sure that the proceedings of the House are carried out with dignity and impartiality."

Hon. Gapi Won't Let The Door Hit Him On The Way Out
And Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega hasn't yet found a new office. The former Minister of Natural Resources is still camped out at that building on Queen Elizabeth Boulevard. So, is he just giving a hard time after being jilted out of a top notch ministry? Today Vega and his successor at Natural Resources, Godwin Hulse told the media it's not about that:... Reporter "You are remaining with your old office?" Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister "Until I get another office." Reporter "You will move out of that building....?" Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister "Eventually we will. It's a bit confusing offices and even staff, because we had one ministry with agriculture and lands and we were represented by one set of human resources and now it has to be spread out. So it's a bit confusing. We still have not settled those things."

Church Senator Selection Under Scrutiny
And while those ministers work out their executive office politics - the Council of Churches has its own internal politics to deal with. As you saw earlier, Reverend Ashley Rocke is the new Senator for the Churches. But some church leaders say his selection for that post is illegitimate because he was not selected by a sufficiently wide cross section of churches. That's because Pastor Howell Longsworth who is the president of B-A-E-C has - depending on who you listen to - either expelled or dis-invited out district churches loyal to Pastor Scott Stirm. That leaves Stirm and his loyalists saying that a small group of Belize City church leaders excluded 30 national executive members and 200 plus churches so they could get their Senator. We asked Senator Rocke about it today:... Jules Vasquez "10 churches hijack what 200 plus churches should have decided and the suggestion is that you are an illegitimate choice, because they didn't have input of the whole cross section of Christian churches. What's your response to that?"

Single Father Of Two Gets Two Years in Jail For Fondling 9 Year Old Girl
Tonight, 31 year old single father of two Lionel Quiroz is behind bars beginning to serve a 2 years sentence after the Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser found him guilty for sexual assault of a 9 year old girl. The child testified in closed court that two years ago, in November of 2014, Quiroz, who she knew from the area walked up to her, hugged her and then touched her on her backside. Quiroz told the court that it wasn't him and that he was in Biscayne at the time. But Senior Magistrate Fraser found him guilty after the child - who is now 11 - gave a compelling account on the witness stand.

PG Chopping
An entire Punta Gorda family is tonight hospitalized after a brutal domestic dispute. On Wednesday night around 10:20 Luis Co arrived at his home drunk. Co picked up a machete and tried to chop his wife but his 2 sons intervened and Co chopped them to various parts of their bodies. One of the sons retaliated and picked up another machete and went after his father. All 3 men were taken to the Punta Gorda Hospital. One of the sons Ormando, got chop wounds to his head, right hand, knee and back. He had to be transferred to KHMH and is in a critical condition. When we spoke to police today they told us that this family has been having domestic issues since 2011 but the sons always refused to press charges. In this case though, they have indicated they will press charges.

When Will The BDF Get A Chopper?
Remember that mystery helicopter which was abandoned near the Belize-Mexico Border back in early August? It's been in the hands of the BDF for the past 100 days, and now the Government of Belize can officially claim it on behalf of the Belize Defence Force. As we had reported, this grey BELL-407 Helicopter was abandoned on a feeder road near Blue Creek Village in the extreme northwestern edge of the Orange Walk District. Since then, the police have been trying to find out its origin, but so far, no one has come forward to claim it, and you'll get no complaints from the BDF. Legally, because the required waiting period is over, it technically belongs to the Government, and the military wants it transferred over to them. There is a bit of paperwork involved with that, and when we met up with the Commander of the BDF, he told us that they are waiting patiently to be able to make use of it:

Min. Of Agric. Studying Sugar
All this week we've been reporting on the sharp drop in the projected price per tonne of sugar. It has sent shockwaves all through the north - where many farmers are saying that with the diminished returns they won't be able to service their bank loans. It's another looming crisis in this industry that seems to lurch from one crisis to the next. So what can government do to help? Today, the CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture told us that they are monitoring it closely:... Jose Alpuche, CEO Agriculture "We just received a copy of a letter from BSCFA appealing to BSI to take measures to improve the prices. At the moment it's being dealt with at the commercial level between the farmers and the factory and we are giving time for that discussion to mature. However, the very high prices over the last few years had more to do with global demand and that is now weighing in. So, now as we had expected we would see a reduction in the price of sugar at this point in time. It is something we are monitoring very closely. SICB will meet probably next week after the round of discussions between the millers and the farmers are completed."

Shrimp Situation Dire
And while the cane farmers are quibbling about prices - in the shrimp industry, they wish they had it that good. That industry has been ravaged by a virus, and it has forced all farm owners to take a drastic step of draining their ponds and starting over. CEO Alpuche outlined the massive losses to the shrimp farming industry:... Jose Alpuche, CEO Agriculture "All farms have got to dry out. Basically stop production to clean out and then restart. The industry is taking the hard way around it, but it's the best way around it. To restock with new genetic material and that's the wisest decision they could have taken. It's taking a little time. Originally they thought that they would be able to restock by early next year. But it appears that we will have a few months delay in that industry." Reporter "In terms of jobs. I mean during these months people have had to be out of jobs and how many?"

FCD Finds Illegal Guats In Chiquibul
The Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) are reporting tonight that along with the help of the law enforcement agencies, they caught 3 Guatemalans in Belizean territory conducting illegal activities. On Monday, a joint patrol which included FCD rangers, BDF soldiers and police, came upon 23 year-old Andres Ortis Ordones and 43 year-old Isidro Garcia Roque. Both men are from the village of La Esmeralda, Peten, Guatemala. They were found 10.5 kilometers inside the Chiquibul National Park near the Ceibo Grande Creek. That's the southern part of this forest reserve, and according to the FCD, they were near their hut with gold panning equipment. The pair had been panning for gold in a nearby stream. There was also signs of the negative effects of their camping out in the area, including soil erosion, defacing the reserve, and garbage pollution. The law enforcement team arrested both men, and through strenuous and expensive efforts, both were taken to the San Ignacio Police Station where they were charged with illegal entry. They may end up facing other environmental charges such as defacing a protected area, and operating without a permit inside a national park.

Mayor Bradley Takes The High Road Out
The general elections hysteria has subsided and by now the new ministers and area representatives have settled into their elected positions while others have resumed the role they had before. Darrell Bradley is one of them who has gone back to his office at City Hall. His is one of the more notable defeats in the general election, because Bradley has literally transformed Belize City. But all that cachet and all those millions spent did not translate into a general elections victory. Today we caught up with Bradley at another event to get his reaction on the election results. He was very humble - congratulating and offering his support to Caribbean Shores area representative Kareem Musa. Courtney Weatherburne: "In a previous interview with my colleague Daniel Ortiz, you were convinced that you were going to win. You weren't even entertaining the thought of defeat. Tell us your feedback on your results. You lost I think by 56 votes more or less. Tell us what this shows." Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City: "Well I mean its politics and in politics there is a winner and there is somebody who's not the winner and you go on. I have been beset by challenged in the past and it's something that you go on. I am a person who is a fervent believer in service. I ran for mayor because I wanted to be of service to my community.

Hon. Hulse Has a Whole Lot Going On At Lands
And while Mayor Bradley can only imagine what might have been, Senator- Minister Godwin Hulse is living the dream. He's at the headwaters of a powerful ministry at Natural Resources - but figuring out how to make that ministry work is another thing altogether. Today he told us about his plan of action:... Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Natural Resources "We have to structuralize this, so that we are clear what we are doing. So that we don't have all the things you are hearing about people's lands being infringed on. Title documents being transferred and people are complaining and that will take a little bit of doing. But first thing is to sit down, be clear with all the people what they are supposed to do, work through the HOD and all the heads of sections or heads or units and try to get that in an order." As we noted earlier, Hulse hasn't actually moved into the Ministry because former Minister Gaspar Vega is still occupying it.

For Whom The Bell Rings
Right now most folks are getting ready for Garifuna Settlement Day. It's the highlight of November along with Battle of the Drums and all the other cultural events leading up to the 19th. But is anyone thinking about or preparing for Christmas already? Well, The Salvation Army is. Today they launched the Christmas Kettle Initiative at the Battlefield Park this morning. The Regional Commander of the Salvation Army told us why it's important to help out. They plan to raise $100,000 dollars this year.

BDF Honors British Training
Since BATSUB announced its return, we've shown you what they've been up to while training select BDF soldiers and themselves. That included taking part in Sunday morning's 9 mile march and shoot competition. Well today, the officers who made it to the end of 4 tough weeks were celebrated with a graduation ceremony. It was, like the Ceremonial Swearing of the House of Representatives, dampened due to the intermittent rains. Despite that, these soldiers proudly accepted the respect and acknowledgement of their commanding officers. 7News was there this evening, and here's what they told us: Brigadier General David Jones - Commander, BDF: "We had two courses culminating today. We had the range management qualification. We range management entails weapon handling. Teaching the students how to handle the weapon properly. How to disassembly it. How to clean it and even in the dark they are able to disassemble the weapon and even assemble it again. Then teaching the soldiers how to actually fire the weapon properly. teaching them the marksman principles from 1-4 and ensuring that they are hitting the target properly, using different fire positions - what is the best fire positions to hit different targets and that was a 4 week course.

Coldstream Gaurd Completes Training Tour
Also, the first group of British Soldiers to train in Belize since 2011 are almost finished with their jungle training. Today, the Commander of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards told us that he is satisfied with the work that his subordinates put in, and he's hoping to bring back another regiment next year: While these British Soldiers from the Coldstream Guards will leave shortly, another group will come in under BATSUB to do their jungle training. We should note that elements of the Coldstream Guard also makes up the prestigious Queen's Guard.

"Land Claim House": Henkis Learns The Hard Way
Our next story is about a land dispute in the Lake Garden area of Ladyville. A Belizean American Retiree is fighting against his stepdaughter, and he says he's being forced out of a home that he spent his entire life savings on. Now, usually don't report on these types of cases because land disputes in general are very messy and involved, and, ultimately, the court is supposed to decide who gets to keep the property. In this case, Justice Sonya Young has ruled that the retiree must move out. He's decided to go public with is story as a sort of warning that he hopes viewers will heed. Daniel Ortiz has that story: Daniel Ortiz reporting Meet 73 year-old Henkis. He's Belizean who migrated to the US try to make a better life for himself, and in the course of doing that, he became a naturalized American citizen. After he worked 36 years in America, he decided to come to Belize to retire. He says that in hindsight, he was reluctant to do that.

Police Intervene In Worrying Child Case
Police had to intervene at a primary school yesterday morning when a 9 year old wanted to take his own life. A police report says that the standard 3 student was attempting to jump off the school verandah. The child told his teacher that he was hearing voices telling him to jump off the verandah and walk in the middle of the street so a vehicle can knock him down. Police report that he was taken to the Cleopatra White Polyclinic accompanied by his grandmother and the school counselor where he was evaluated by a Mental Health professional. So as not to bring attention to the child, we cannot report the name of the school.

Diabetes: It's Not A Death Sentence
Last week we told you about the Remembrance Day held for those who have died from Diabetes. Well, today the Belize Diabetes Association held a fair at the Battlefield Park to let the public know that diabetes isn't a death sentence. Public Relations Officer Lovett Nunez told us how you can still live a long life with diabetes. Over 40,000 Belizeans are living with Diabetes.

Channel 5

Inaugural Sitting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan
Today members of both houses of the National Assembly were officially sworn in at an inaugural sitting on Independence Hill in Belmopan. The procedure was primarily ceremonial, conducted with traditional [...]

Did Gapi Vega Refuse to Give Up Office at Ministry of Natural Resources?
As we’ve reported, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was stripped of the natural resources portfolio which he had held since 2008. That powerful ministry was given to Senator Godwin Hulse. [...]

Aquaculture Industry Loses Millions Due to Shrimp Disease
There is a huge development in the shrimp industry, and amazingly it’s gone completely under the radar. Because of a widespread viral infection, the industry has lost tens of millions [...]

Agriculture C.E.O. Says EU Sugar Price is Beyond Their Control
In the sugar belt, cane farmers are extremely concerned about the first estimate which they are expected to receive per ton of sugar cane in the 2015/2016 crop. That price [...]

Sugar Quota of Concern to Farmers, Ministry of Agriculture Monitoring Situation
There is also another issue which is of concern to farmers, and it has to do with their quotas. Prior to the end of the last crop, the Sugar Industry [...]

6-year-old in Need of Medical Assistance After Being Knocked Down in Ladyville
Six-year-old Kareema Encalada remains hospitalized at the Belize Medical Associates after being knocked down by a motorist in Ladyville a few weeks ago.  The incident occurred on October twenty-eight when [...]

…Mother Appeals for Financial Aid to Assist With Surgery Abroad
The single mother of three needs assistance with securing her daughter’s travel documents.  The cost of Kareema’s airfare is separate from the amount necessary to defray expenses related to the [...]

5 Accidents in Precinct Four. What’s Happening Motorists?
Traffic accidents have become a perennial problem. Today there were five in the precinct-four jurisdiction in the city alone and police report that there have been at least two daily [...]

Arlie Avilez’s Family Speaks Out
A criminal investigation remains open into the death of Arlie Andrew Avilez, who succumbed to injuries received during a physical altercation in mid-October. Today, his grieving family is simply trying [...]

…Sister Says He Didn’t Deserve to Die Like an Animal
Despite the family admitting that their loved one was a drug addict, they maintain that he did not have to meet such a violent end.  While they all want justice, [...]

Mayor Darrell Bradley on Election Loss
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley spoke candidly today about the results of last week’s elections. Bradley was beaten by Kareem Musa in Caribbean Shores by a slim margin. But a [...]

Has Election Loss Blown Wind Out of Bradley’s Political Sail?
There’s been enough speculation that Mayor Bradley was aspiring to lead the United Democratic Party. But has the loss at the general elections put a wrench in Bradley’s political aspirations?  [...]

Drunken Husband Beats Up His Wife and Chops Up Sons
Three family members were wounded during a domestic dispute at their home in San Pedro Columbia, Toledo. On Wednesday night, an intoxicated Luis Co and his wife were embroiled in [...]

Bail Granted to Police Constable Hector Esquivel
Two men who were before the court recently accused of different criminal offenses were granted Supreme Court bail in the sum of five thousand dollars each today. The first is [...]

Lionel Quiroz Gets Two Years for Sexual Assault of Minor
Tonight, a single father of two children is beginning a two-year jail term imposed upon him by Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser for the offense of sexual assault for touching a [...]

Salvation Army Kicks Off Annual Kettle Drive
The tinkling sound of bells and the sight of bright red-colored kettles are signs that Christmas is drawing near. Every year around this time, the Salvation Army in Belize would [...]

A Fair to Celebrate Diabetes Month
Many persons don’t know they are diabetic and are therefore not being treated. The disease creeps in unexpectedly and can have far reaching health risks, at times fatal, if it [...]

LOVE FM

NEMO Issues Advisory on Constant Rains and Possible Flooding
Just after four o’clock this evening an advisory from the National Emergency Management Organization was issued warning residents of the persistent rains expected over the weekend along with localized flooding. The advisory reads, quote, “The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) hereby informs the general public that as the rains continue over the weekend the risk of […]

Ceremonial Opening for the National Assembly
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is now serving his third term as the country’s leader. Today in Belmopan all thirty one newly elected representatives were on hand for the inaugural sitting of the House of Representatives. We have more in this report by Ava Diaz Sosa. AVA DIAZ SOSA REPORTING “Hundreds of Belizeans made their way […]

Guatemalan Found in the Chiquibul with Xate Leaves and Drugs
The Friends for Conservation and Development has detained yet another Guatemalan trespasser in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The arrest occurred at around midnight last night when they found of an address in Peten, Guatemala about seventeen point seven kilometres inside Belize’s territory. Garcia was detained and searched when the authorities found him at a camp […]

BDF’s Retirement Age Up Fore Review
A few months ago we brought you the story of the Minister of National Security speaking on the proposed amendments to the retirement age for officers in the Belize Defense Force. Commander of the BDF, Brigadier General David Jones gave us an update on where that initiative currently stands. COMMANDER DAVID JONES “ One […]

Belize Ranks 4th in Caribbean on Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing is taking over the market in various parts of the world and it is an avenue that many countries are pursuing when it comes to promoting their places as a tourist destination. Of thirty five Caribbean countries, Belize was recently ranked number four on the Digital Marketing Index for 2015. The marketing index […]

Taiwan Gives to the University of Belize
The University of Belize was a recipient of four thousand dollars worth of technological equipment, tools and software courtesy the Pan American Development Foundation. The donation was handed over during UB’s second Annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Day and was made possible through the assistance of the Republic of China, Taiwan. The donation aims to […]

Christmas Kettle Appeal 2015 Launched
Christmas is around the corner and for the Salvation Army that means all its agents will be out in the streets with the goal to raise money. This morning the Salvation Army launched its annual Christmas Kettle Appeal downtown Belize City with the intention of raising one hundred thousand dollars. Regional Commander, Major Joliker Leandre, […]

Three Men Chopped In Family Dispute
The chopping incident of three Mayan descent men is being investigated by the authorities in Punta Gorda. Reports are that at around ten twenty on November 11, police went to the Punta Gorda Hospital and found the trio suffering from chop wounds. Two of them were suffering from multiple chop wounds to different parts of […]

PlusTV

Garifuna Awareness Day observed
Today is Garifuna Awareness Day. This day is normally observed the Thursday before the 19th of November which is Garifuna Settlement Day. The festivities got on the way on PlusTV’s Rise and Shine this morning as guests Gwen Nunez Gonzalez, Veronica Arzu, and Joshua Arana. According to Gonzalez, ther...

Amandala

Evangelical Churches quarrel and “bruk-up!”
The Belize Association of Evangelical Churches (BAEC) appear to be suffering from “strife and controversy” brought on by differences between Pastor Scott Stirm, who resides in Roaring Creek, Cayo District, and Council President Pastor Howell Longsworth, after a meeting was reportedly held on Friday, October 2, at the Central Assembly of God Church in Belize City, by Pastor Stirm to elect a new president of the BAEC. Information to Amandala is that after Council President Longsworth learned of the reputed meeting, he convened a “special meeting” of the BAEC on Monday, October 5, at his church, Eagles Nest, also in Belize City, and 13 pastors, including Pastor Longsworth, signed a declaration, dated Tuesday, October 13, saying that the spirit of the meeting by Pastor Stirm, who had no “power or authority” to convene such a meeting, “was contentious, disingenuous, and certainly not in keeping with the unity that the association portrays, and contrary to the very essence and purpose of the association.” The October 13 letter said that the BAEC “would not acknowledge or affirm” any meeting held by Pastor Stirm, and in consequence of this, the 13 pastors signed the letter.

The confusing death of Arlie Andrew “Andy” Avilez, 51
Well-known street figure Arlie Andrew Avilez, 51, also known as Andy Avilez, of Ordonez Street, Belize City, died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital on Sunday, October 25. Doctor Mario Estrada Bran, who conducted the post-mortem on the body, declared that the death was due to cardiac thrembo-embolism due to acute cerebral aedema resulting from brain hemorrhage/head trauma. The autopsy was carried out on Monday, November 9, at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, 14 days after Avilez died at the hospital. Police reported that on Friday, October 9, Avilez was involved in an altercation with a businessman on the Philip Goldson Highway after he was accused of stealing from a restaurant located on the Philip Goldson Highway. During the altercation, according to police, Avilez allegedly beat the reportedly Chinese proprietor with a piece of iron. A struggle reportedly ensued and both persons ended up in a nearby drain. Police took both persons to Belama Police Station, where medico forms were issued.

Two more elusive Guat gold panners nabbed inside Chiquibul
Belizean authorities who patrol the western border region of the Chiquibul along with Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) have detained two more illegal gold panners in the Ceibo Grande Creek area of the southern Chiquibul. Reports to Amandala are that on Monday, November 9, Andres Ortis Ordones, 23, and Isidro Garcia Roque, 43, both of La Esmeralda, a village in Petén, Guatemala, were detained in a joint operation by a patrol team, included military, police and support personnel. Ordones and Roque were detained roughly 6½ miles (10.5 kilometers) inside Belizean territory. “These individuals were found in their hut with panning equipment consisting of pans and vials. Nearby their hut, the high impact of their activities on the headwaters, namely soil erosion, defacing of the park, garbage pollution and the contaminants on the stream were highly visible,” FCD’s Executive Director, Rafael Manzanero, said. The two Guatemalans were consequently charged for illegal entry, and they may face additional charges of defacing a protected area and operating without a permit in a national park.

Who can save the PUP?
The Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) held a meeting of its executive at its Independence Hall headquarters this afternoon. This is the first post-election meeting of the party since the PUP’s resounding defeat at the polls in last Wednesday’s general elections, which resulted in the PUP leader, Francis Fonseca, announcing his resignation the following day, Thursday. The party began suffering a string of defeats at the polls, beginning from the March 2012 general elections, under Fonseca’s leadership. Since Fonseca’s announcement, however, a number of names have been mentioned as his possible replacement, an exercise that will culminate in the choosing of a fourth PUP leader with Johnny Briceño’s sudden resignation in October 2011. At today’s executive meeting, the PUP decided not to change its three senators — Lisa Shoman, Anthony Sylvestre and Jason Andrews. A date for the nomination of persons wishing to fill executive posts has been agreed to, as well as a date for its National Convention, when a new PUP leader will be elected from among delegates chosen from the 31 electoral constituencies.

8th annual Marketing Expo
The King’s Room of the Princess Hotel was buzzing with young entrepreneurs displaying a variety of products that draw the young and the old who just cannot resist a good deal. These entrepreneurs were University of Belize students taking part in the 8th Annual Marketing Expo. We have passed the era where one is expected to go out and get a job; the scarcity of available employment is now prompting students to be creative and become young entrepreneurs. This is what Edna Arzu, a marketing lecturer of the University of Belize, is doing by not pushing them beyond their own expectations. Arzu told Amandala that there were two categories: the marketing group who created a product or service and found different ways to promote that product and the small business group who developed a business plan for their product and through the process have created a business. The marketing booths included Belize Jump Start, which produce a cappuccino drink; Luminous Glow is a candle maker; Orgo’s Creation produces bags; Body Teaser uses local products to develop scrubs; Kuknat sells body wash.

Sugarcane farmers not happy with new prices
Belizario Carballo, Chief Financial Officer of American Sugar Refinery/Belize Sugar Industry (ASR/BSI) told Amandala that they have issued the first cane price estimate of $41.56, which is not the final price. Carballo said the agreement between BSI and the cane farmers is that the farmers get 85% of the price, and based on the estimate of $41.56, the farmers will be getting $35.33 per ton. Carballo added that last year BSI bought 1.2 million tons of cane from the 5,400 farmers. Oscar Alonzo, Chief Executive Officer of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, said that they were aware that the price of sugar was falling on the world market, but they didn’t expect the price decline to be so drastic, and didn’t expect it this year. Alonzo is afraid that at the new estimated price, the payment to farmers might not be sufficient to cover the farmers’ expenses. Alonzo said,” The BSI are using 9.5 tons of canes to produce 1 ton, but believe that they can use 9 tons per 1 ton of sugar, which will increase, the price between $48, to $49. The payment to the farmers would then be, between, $38 to $39, allowing the farmers to better sustain themselves.”

Belize crushed at UNCAF Women U-17 Qualifiers in Honduras
In our first Group B game in the UNCAF Women U-17 Qualifiers in Honduras, the Belize Women U-17 squad lost, 9-1, to host Honduras yesterday, Wednesday. Belize plays Costa Rica tomorrow, Friday, at 4:00 p.m. Honduras and Costa Rica will clash on Sunday, November 15, most likely to determine the Group B winner. Guatemala, Nicaragua and El Salvador are in UNCAF Group A. El Salvador crushed Nicaragua, 7-1, last Wednesday, November 4; on Friday, November 6, Guatemala beat Nicaragua, 4-0; and on Sunday, November 8, it was Guatemala, 1-0, over El Salvador, to finish at the top of Group A.

FFB – Belize Male U-16 to UNCAF Tournament in Nicaragua
Belize will be participating in the Male U-16 UNCAF Tournament to be held in Managua, Nicaragua from November 17 – 23. The final selection of the Belize National U-16 Male (Football) Team is listed below. The Belize delegation will leave the country on November 15, returning on November 24. Belize Male U-16: Ian Reynaldo Domingo Pou, Korey Nicholas Gomez, Devin John Nunez, Hakeem Elijah Smith, Glenn Johan Richard Tillett, Ainsleigh Hazael Marquis Perez, Tahj Devynn Austyn H. Reid, Daren Apolonio, Shaquelle Emorson Matute, Jemario Deandre Sanabria, Zerik Blayne Cabral, Davis Myrick Marshall, Elton Kenrick Gordon, Gabriel Fitzgerald Ramos, Jalen Damian Budna, Kyle Anthony Lozano, Joseph Anthony Ramirez, and Javier Isai Millian. Coaching staff: Dennis Serrano – Head Coach, Gabriel Ramos – Assistant Coach, Thomas Rivars – Physiotherapist, Herbert Trapp & Michael Benjamin – Equipment Managers,Peter Alvarez – Team Manager. Games will be played on the following dates and times on artificial turf in Managua, Nicaragua.

CYDP Peace Cup Week 10 results
The Conscious Youth Development Council (CYDP) Peace Cup football tournament continued with Week 10 games on Saturday, November 7, at the MCC Grounds, despite the deep trenches still around the perimeter of the playing field. In game 1, Hattieville United and Uprising Stars played to a 1-1 draw. Albert Arnold shook the net for Hattieville, while Harold Thompson scored for Uprising Stars. Game 2 was a blowout, as Mahogany Heights bombed Jerusalem, 8-nil, with goals from James Fitzgibbon (2), Tyrone Gladden, Yasani Ramirez (3) and Randy Castillo (2). Game 3 was another lop sided score, as Tut Bay dropped Los Lagos, 6-1, behind goals from Brian Martinez (2), Kevin Rowland (2) and Delroy Flowers (2). The lone tally for Los Lagos was by Hosni Turton.

SCA females and TCC males are NSSSA Volleyball Champs 2015
The National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) High School National Volleyball Tournament got underway on Friday, November 6, at the Julian Cho Technical High School in the Toledo District. There were four (4) teams participating in the female division and four (4) in the male division, representing the four different geographical zones of the country. These were: FEMALE (F) – Stann Creek Ecumenical College – South DivisionD; Saint Catherine Academy – Central Division; Belmopan Comprehensive School – West Division; and Muffles College – North Division. MALE (M) – Toledo Community College – South Division; St. John’s College High School – Central Division; Sacred Heart College – West Division; and Muffles College – North Division. The tournament followed a simple knockout format, with semifinals played on Friday, and the third place and championship matches played on Saturday.

Editorial: Preening peacocks, pressing poverty
In Belize, our proximity to the wealthy United States, plus the fact that our migrant worker/relatives inside the States were sending clothes and various American commodities to us, resulted in our developing expensive, American tastes. Overall, we could not afford such American tastes on Belizean salaries, so our national psyche became one marked by a certain level of dissatisfaction and frustration. The irony was always, however, that Americans were working longer hours and more days per year than we Belizeans were. But, we wanted what Americans were enjoying. When we reached the United States, we got the sense: in the words of B.B. King, you have to pay the cost to be the boss. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina’s destruction of New Orleans exposed the fact that within the great United States itself, there was a disgraceful, unacceptable level of poverty and suffering inside one of America’s most famous cities. In Belize, it was not that Belizeans did not know that even worse poverty and suffering existed in our old capital and, indeed, in our country, but it took last month’s rain floods to reveal how terrible our housing and living conditions had become. The fact of the matter is that our ruling politicians routinely preen like peacocks here, and the most casual of scrutiny will reveal that they have become addicted to wasting and embezzling millions and millions of taxpayers’ dollars. The ruling politicians and their cronies throw away a lot of money on brand new American vehicles, they grab all the choice real estate and sell it to foreigners for big bucks, and the United Democratic Party (UDP) government, now in its third term, has blown millions of taxpayers’ dollars in advertising subsidies for the party’s newspaper, radio station, and television station.

From the Publisher
When it comes to politics, I am not a numbers man. I mostly deal with vibes. You know, of course, that I am therefore not a politician, because politics is about arithmetic. My son-in-law, Mark Espat, is a big numbers man, and he has an outstanding record in electoral politics. He and I have some very interesting conversations. Apart from being an outstanding electoral politician, undefeated in fact, Mark is also a student of politics and an analyst of election results down to the finest of details. The days and weeks after a big election provide him with enormous grist for his research mill. The recent general election campaign and election day itself were very stressful for me. Having aged, I can’t handle the pressure so well. As you know, I have not been writing this column for weeks. I was angry at the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) for having allowed a whippersnapper to threaten me publicly, and I felt it was difficult for me to write and remain under control. Then, I began to become angry at the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), because their sloganeering did not groove with their institutional reality. This was a party manifestly dedicated to their executive, not to the people. For me to have lashed out at the PUP would have perhaps embarrassed or discomfited my candidate son, I felt, so I held my peace.

Neri Briceño writes PM Dean Barrow
Dean O. Barrow Prime Minister of Belize SUBJECT: Congratulations Dear Sir: Allow me to extend my congratulations to both you and your party for the victory you achieved in last week’s General Election. The election was a very hard fought fight but ultimately your party was victorious which should translate into an overall victory not only for your party, but also for the people and the nation of Belize. Political campaigning is never an easy, fair or tasteful task, but the job of governing one’s people unlike campaigning must always be a fair and just one. After the brutal political campaign that just took place, it is now a time for political healing, nation building and for the people of this great nation to move on and concentrate on the task of uplifting the lives of ALL Belizeans regardless of one’s political allegiance. You, your party and the government are a key part of the catalyst to make that happen. As the nation and the international community look at the composition of the key members of your governing administration, we are pleased to see the inclusion of more women but yet are disturbed that there is not a single substantive post held by anyone in the South, once you jump into the Toledo District.

UEF-sponsored lecture on Why Black Lives Matters to Public Health
The UBAD Educational Foundation (UEF) hosted a lectured on the (hash tag) “# Why Black Lives Matter to Public Health,” at the University of the West Indies Open Campus this evening. The vacationing New York City Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene, Dr. Mary Bassett, who was visiting her daughter, Pambana Bassett, a volunteer librarian at Library of African and Indian Studies, delivered the lecture. Sponsors for Dr. Basset’st lecture include Dr. Adrian Coye, CEO of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital; attorney and activist Audrey Matura-Shepherd; the University of the West Indies; Kremandala, and Marva’s Restaurant. Dr. Bassett is a medical professional with more than 30 years’ experience in public health and recently published an article entitled: “Black Lives Matter – A Challenge to the Medical and Public Health Communities” in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine in March of this year.

Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology Meets in Belize
Belize is currently hosting the 52nd annual meeting of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology (CIMH). The 5-day meeting is being held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. Belize’s Chief Meteorology Officer, Dennis Gonguez, told Amandala that the five-day meeting is focused on the discussion of meteorology and hydrology issues, research and training and in the first two days, an examination is made of how the institute can be advanced. On Wednesday, the directors of the meteorological services throughout the Caribbean will meet to discuss technical matters in relation to meteorology in the Caribbean. Finally, on Thursday and Friday, the representatives of the Ministers of Meteorology throughout the Caribbean will meet to discuss policy and financing of meteorology in the Caribbean region. Dr. David Farrell, principal of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology, told Amandala, “The meeting pulls together the directors of the Board of Governance of the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology & Hydrology with the goal of looking at the past accomplishments of the institute and forging a way forward for the coming year.” Belize is one of 16 member states and these member states fund the institute, said Farrell.

Police balk at charging UDP supporter for discharging firearm in public
On election night, November 4, when the results of the Belmopan constituency race between the United Democratic Party (UDP) incumbent John Saldivar and his People’s United Party challenger Jason Andrews were announced, supporters of Saldivar, who had won back his seat and was reappointed Minister of National Security on Monday, were ecstatic, so much so that one man fired his licensed firearm into the air—committing the offense of “discharging a firearm in public,” contrary to the Firearms Act. Almost immediately, Belmopan police moved in to take the individual suspected of firing the gun into custody. As the incident began to unfold, someone began to capture it on a video camera, and the recording has gone viral on social media. The video does not show the man firing his handgun into the air; however, police on the scene had someone they suspected had fired the gun. The video shows police officers holding the alleged culprit, but above the noise of his euphoric supporters, a voice, allegedly that of Saldivar, is heard instructing the police officers to, “back off, back off now,” as the man is pulled away from police and pushed forward, disappearing into the sea of red T-shirts.

The Reporter

Belize Youth Cadet Corps Marching Band gets new musical instruments
The Police Youth Cadet Corps Marching Band received a donation of marching band equipment from PetroCaribe funds. Police Sergeant Brent Hamilton, officer in charge of the Community Policing Precinct II, which manages the Cadet Corps, stated that the band is excited to have received six neo-drums, […]

Diabetes Association holds health fair
In commemoration of upcoming World Diabetes Day, the Diabetes Association of Belize (DAB) held a health fair on Friday. The event at the Battlefield Park, provided an opportunity for the Association to engage the public with vital information pertaining to diabetes, health and wellness. The […]

Salvation Army launches Christmas Kettle drive
On Friday the Salvation Army officially launched its annual Christmas Kettle fundraiser, despite heavy rains, in front of the Battlefield Park on Albert Street. To commemorate the launch, the Salvation Army Band and the Wesley College Band serenaded passersby with Christmas Carols. Regional Commander of […]

Tuberculosis now as deadly as AIDS says WHO
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis now ranks along side HIV as the world’s most deadly infectious disease. WHO released the 20th installment of its Global Tuberculosis Report last Friday. It identified trends and presented statistics on TB spanning over the two decades […]

Yes to the ICJ – the people have spoken!
The nation spoke on November 4th, 2015. Except for Wave TV and two other stations, the entire Belizean media with its radio, TV and newspapers bombarded the UDP and Prime Minister Barrow on Petro Caribe funds, corruption, the Guatemala issue, and management of public funds. The last […]

General Overview& Institutional Strengthening for Belize Tax Administration
Review to propose a more efficient tax system As may have become quite conspicuous in the last two installments of EDC’s Strictly Business, the Trade and Tax Revenue process, being spearheaded by the Trade and Tax Committee (The Committee), is designed primarily to achieve increased efficiencies in the tax administration […]

Police get 10 new vehicles
The Belize Police Department will expand its patrol presence in various districts, with the delivery of 10 new patrol vehicles by the Government of Belize. Minister of National Security John Saldivar handed over the vehicles to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie on Wednesday at Police […]

Traffic fatalities too high in Latin America and Caribbean says ECLAC
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in a recent report, indicated the region is not reducing the rate of fatalities caused by road traffic accidents according to its original targets. According to the commission’s latest report issue 342, released on November […]

Rotary installs park number 15
The Rotary Club of Belize District 4250, this week, inaugurated it’s 15th play ground, this time in Lords Bank village. The park, inaugurated on Tuesday, was built through a cooperation between the Rotary Club of Belize, Rotary Interact Club of Vegreville Alberta Canada, the Emmanuel […]

Prime Minister appointing sub committee specifically for Guatemala
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, this week, announced that he will appoint a new Cabinet sub-committee to look specifically after matters pertaining to the Guatemalan territorial dispute. Barrow made the announcement on Monday at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, while introducing the new members of Cabinet […]

Business sector re-elects Mark Lizarraga as Senator
The business sector, namely the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Belize Business Bureau (BBB) have re-elected businessman, Mark Lizarraga, to serve the next five years in the Senate. Lizarraga got endorsement from the BBB from the onset and his only competitor […]

Women Watch in Election 2015
The 2015 General/National Elections have come and gone and as such have taken its rightful place in the annals of Belizean history. According to the Elections and Boundaries Department, the total number of registered electors as of September 2015, stood at 196,587. And of that number, […]

MDGs 2015 report highlights achievements and challenges for Belize
The the United Nations development Program (UNDP) Millennium Development Goals (MDG) report and post 2015 agenda gave Belize positive reviews in some areas but noted there is still much progress to be made. According to the report, Belize is failing to meet its goal to […]

Belize introduces first female Attorney General
Attorney at Law, Vanessa Retreage made Belizean history this week, when she became the country’s first female Attorney General. Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced the appointment on Monday at the Belize Biltmore Plaza hotel, among the other ministerial appointments for cabinet. She was sworn in […]

Who will lead the PUP?
The People’s United Party (PUP), has set Sunday, January 31st as the date for its National Convention to select a leader who will reconfigure, unite and lead the party into the next General Elections. The decision was made on Wednesday at the PUP’s headquarters during […]

New Cabinet sworn in
This week the new ministers and senators representing the United Democratic Party (UDP) were officially sworn in, marking notable changes in the government’s configuration. The Governor General swore in the 20 ministers (13 full ministers and seven ministers of state) on Monday at the Belize […]

Harm or discipline?
A driver for the Human Services Department was charged and convicted on Thursday in the Magistrate’s Court for inflicting harm on a young relative he tried to discipline for having a hickie on her neck. In an ironic twist, the employee for the Department […]

Alleged nude photo of senator causes backlash
An offensive online post claiming to show a nude photo of newly appointed Senator Francine Burns went viral on Monday and prompted quick backlash from a number of women’s groups and leaders. Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced Burns’ appointment on Monday morning during a press […]

Breaking Belize News

NEMO issues flooding advisory
The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) issued an advisory this evening, stating that with the forecast predicting a significant amount of showers across the country tonight and over the weekend, the risk of localized flooding is likely to increase. It listed areas of concerns to be: Sarteneja in Corozal District, […]

Paris attacks leave dozens dead
“France has declared a national state of emergency and has closed its borders after at least 40 people were killed in multiple gun and bomb attacks in Paris,” reports the BBC News. President Francois Hollande called the events “unprecedented terrorist attacks” and added, “This is a horror.” […]

Challenge to The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry to democratize the selection of the “Business Senator”
First and foremost congrats to all the Senators who were today sworn in as members of the National Assembly. However, as a member of the business community, I must write to express my utmost disappointment with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and the Business Bureau in their selection […]

National Assembly holds first meeting of new term
42 of the 43 men and women who will lead Belize over the next five years gathered in Belmopan for the first sitting of the National Assembly in the new term of Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the United Democratic Party, their third consecutively. Barrow and the UDP […]

Supreme Court hands out bail to two accused
Today two men who were before the court recently accused of different criminal offenses were both granted Supreme Court bail in the sum of $5,000 each plus one surety of the same amount. Interdicted cop, 31 year old PC Hector Esquivel, is being accused of having sex with […]

Police intervenes in child suicide attempt
According to police, 9-year-old primary school student in Belize City had to be taken down off his school veranda yesterday morning, as he was attempting to commit suicide for a strange reason. Police were called to the school at around 9:00 and were told by the boy’s teacher that he […]

Family chops up each other during dispute
A family dispute in San Pedro Columbia Village, located some miles out of Punta Gorda (PG) town, landed a father and his two sons in the hospital for chop wounds inflicted among themselves. Police visited the PG Hospital at around 10:20 p.m. and saw three men of Mayan […]

Suspected suicide in American woman’s death in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda (PG) Police made the shocking discovery of a body hanging in the home of an American couple in Cattle Landing Village, late Wednesday afternoon, November 11th. Officers visited the home of 51 year old Scott Christopher O’Brian and his common law wife, 50 year old Dorleen […]

La Inmaculada Credit Union bomb threat a prank call
Orange Walk Police were called out to the La Inmaculada Credit Union after receiving a suspicious call around 8:35 a.m. stating that a bomb may have been planted in the institution. Authorities quickly cordoned off the perimeter and vacated everyone from the immediate area so as to carry out […]

UB gets $4000 donation from The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF)
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) is a non-governmental organization that works to improve lives and protect the environment, as well as respond to natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean. A press release from PADF issued today, indicates that it has made a donation of technological equipment, tools […]

Moist and unstable conditions to continue
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly cloudy skies with some showers, periods of rain and a few thunderstorms over most areas, but especially in the South and along the coast. Low lying areas will remain at risk of flooding for the next day or two. Winds will […]

Bomb threat at La Inmaculada Credit Union
Information reaching our newsroom is that members of the La Inmaculada Credit Union are presently evacuating the premises after a call came in of a possible bomb threat. Members of the Police Department have been called in and are in the area. This is a developing story and […]

Blogs

Greg Norman Visits Belize – Golf Course Planned for 2016
I know very little about golf but even I have heard of now retired professional Australian golfer, Greg Norman. He has won 85 major tournaments in the 1980s and 1990s and spent 331 week at Number One in his field. His nickname is the Great White Shark. He was born in Queensland, Australia – home to the largest barrier reef in the world (Belize just happens to have the second) and he now designs prestigious golf courses around the world. For a bit of ooohhhing and aaahhhing (even if you don’t play golf), take a look at the list of the TOP 15 Greg Norman Golf Courses.

Where else could you do this before you fly?
For her departure, on her last trip here, Lydia was booked on the 11:00 am flight to Belize International Airport. We opted to make plans with Colin and Laura to have one last breakfast before she left and Estel’s was the unquestionable choice. We agreed to meet at 9:00 to make sure we had enough time in case our popular beach breakfast spot was busy. It was, but we still made it out in under an hour. Lydia still had some last minute gift shopping to do, so she asked if we could pass by Ambar in Fido’s Courtyard. This is a popular spot for reasonably priced nice jewelry. I know a few girls that have ongoing collections and pick up a new piece from there every time they vacation. After Ambar we still had some time so I decided to head north and that we would stop in at Cast Away, Omar’s shop on the way. I have had him restring a few crystal necklaces and Lydia said she has used him for jewelry repairs as well and was up for a fast look.

5 Must Do Bucket List Tours in Belize
Pack your bags and don’t forget your camera, Belize is one destination that will keep you coming back for more. Adrenaline junkies from all over the world have travelled to the jewel to experience some of the most amazing and unBelizeable adventures. If you have never travelled to Belize worry not, I have gathered 5 must do tours to make your bucket list unforgettable. Feel free to leave a comment below or hashtag #itravelbelize and share with me your epic pictures of your adventures in Belize. 1. Dive/Snorkel the Great Blue Hole 2. Explore the Lost World Crystal Cave 3. Dive/Snorkel the Great Barrier Reef 4. Get Zipped, Whipped & Dipped (Zip lining, Rappelling & Cave Tubing) 5. Visit the Best Little Zoo in the World – The Belize Zoo

5 Reasons to Love Belize Weather
Paradise / Vacation / Relaxation – all wonderful words that we love so much and would like to use more often, right? Well would you believe me if I tell you that there is a destination that captures all of those words and more? Yes, it’s my beautiful country BELIZE. This hidden jewel is a subtropical paradise with agreeable weather all year-round, a place where every picture you take looks like a postcard or a screensaver. Even a fleeting summer rainstorm seems beautiful and you I can’t forget those colorful sunsets and sunrises. Here are the 5 reasons to love Belize weather: 1. Perfect Temperature 2. Holidays in Paradise 3. Summer in Belize 4. Rainy Season Relaxation 5. Travel Light

If You Can Attend Only One Belize Celebration, Make it Garifuna Settlement Day
Garifuna Settlement Day is eagerly awaited year round, and while it always takes place on November 19th, the rituals and parties dedicated to this historic occasion start early, the most important of which are profoundly symbolic. But to understand why the date is so important, one must know the story behind the holiday. During the 19th Century, the Garifuna people were expelled from their homeland in the Grenadines by the British army, so they did what other indigenous people do when they need a homeland: they boarded ships and sailed west and slightly north, seeking asylum in Belize where they were invited to settle. Since that time, Garifuna society has flourished, particularly in the Dangriga area where the grandest of all celebrations are staged annually. That stated, were it not for fate, this momentous occasion might never have been recognized and established had it not been for Belize civil rights activist Thomas Vincent Ramos. He took issue with the fact that while other Belize cultures commemorated their heritage in festive ways, the Garifuna people couldn’t point to a single day that was totally theirs.

Finn Kardashian: Vietnam, I Love You, Episode 7.2 – Halong Bay & Hanoi
Greetings from my beautiful country of Belize, Sorry for the late blog but been here and there and everywhere. Kind of a celebrity in my own town. So now let’s talk about that country in Southeast Asia that stole Finn Kardashian’s heart (note from SPS: he now speaks in the third person!). Am still in love with VIETNAM! How about we start with our over night adventure in Ha Long Bay. If it is not apparent, I am so so infatuated with this country. Ha Long Bay has been recognized by UNESCO as a WORLD HERITAGE SITE, we left early in the morning shuttle – took about 4 hours to get there and then the magical boat ride took us around the entrance, The bay features thousands of limestone karst’s and isles in various sizes and shapes. Halong Bay translates to “where the dragon descended into the sea”. You’ll see why…

Slow Cooker Cochinita Pibil Tacos (Yucatan Pulled Pork)
Rub down pork butt with achiote paste. If the pork is tied up, remove all the string and massage the achiote over the unfolded piece of meat. In a large bowl, mix together orange juice, lemon juice, vinegar, habanero and the spices. Place pork in the orange mixture and leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight. Turn the pork at least once in the marinade to ensure even saturation. In a small bowl, mix together vinegar, salt and sugar until the dry ingredients are dissolved. Place onions in a sanitized glass jar and pour vinegar over top. Add peppercorns and top up with water until all the onions are submerged.

Cochinita Pibil
This is a Mayan recipe for an incredibly delicious "pulled pork" for tacos. We make this at the restaurant I work at, Ciudad D.F. in Dallas, but I actually like this recipe better. It comes from 'Tacos' The Santa Fe School of Cooking Series cookbook. Achiote paste and Banana leaves can be found in your local Hispanic Market. Trust me on this the Habaneroes only add flavor, there is no heat at all. If you want it spicy add more and leave the seeds in. Roasting them first also adds more spice.

Pachanga Means Party!!!
A Pachanga is what locals call a festive celebration, a bash, PARTY! San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is always alive with parties; be it birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, business events, beach parties, rallies, fundraisers or just your TGIF get-together. Living on an island people get creative with their party themes and even the venue. The beach is one of the most popular spots to throw a party – Hey! You cannot beat the scenery on La Isla Bonita. On a beautiful day it is all you need as a backdrop and the coconut trees are your decorations. But how about a Pachanga on board a Pachanga? What!? Yeah! This weekend the family threw a surprise birthday party for Madison on board La Pachanga (party boat) and the fun was out of this world.

International Sources

QUEEN ELIZABETH SCHOLARS: BUILDING RESILIENCE IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES
VIU’s Building Resilience in Coastal Communities (BRiCC) program will be offering 24 internship and scholarship positions for VIU students and 7 scholarships to incoming Belizean graduate students from 2016 to 2018. BRiCC QE II Scholars will undertake research, project work and internships in collaboration with community partners in Belize and on Vancouver Island that aim to support: Capacity to foster sustainable economic activity, particularly tourism. Management of water in coastal zones, including drinking water. Developing and managing parks and protected areas in or near coastal communities. Coastal communities’ responses to climate change. Sustainable aquatic foods and local agricultural production.

Mega project for Caye Chapel Island: Un macroproyecto con sello yucateco
According to the "Diario de Yucatan" News,Thor Urbana Capital is in Belize today to assess and sign plans for the new development. Con una inversión de más de 250 millones de dólares, Inmobilia, la empresa yucateca de bienes raíces premium detrás del Yucatán Country Club, Country Towers y Vía Montejo, entre otros, desarrollará, en asociación con Thor Urbana Capital, su primer macroproyecto fuera de las fronteras mexicanas al anunciar Caye Chapel, un exclusivo y lujoso complejo turístico, residencial, ecológico y deportivo, localizado a unos kilómetros de la costa de Belice. Enclavado en las cristalinas aguas del mar Caribe, Caye Chapel se convertirá en poco tiempo en un destino exclusivo, armado con casi 4 kilómetros de playa, un majestuoso campo de golf de la firma Greg Norman, un hotel gran turismo de renombre internacional, residencias beachfront, y bungalows asentados sobre el mar turquesa, se informa en un comunicado. Ubicada a unos minutos de Belice por avión, la isla de 114 hectáreas contará también con un private landing strip disponible las 24 horas del día al servicio de los residentes y visitantes, permitiendo conexiones en minutos con los aeropuertos internacionales de San Pedro y Belice.

This man flew to Belize and paid $94,000 for a risky brain implant to study the link between thoughts and speech
Every now and then, a scientist comes along who is so dedicated to their work that they decide to experiment on themself. Phil Kennedy is one of those scientists. As MIT Technology Review's Adam Piore reported, the neuroscientist who pioneered the technology used to connect the human brain to a computer decided to get his own brain implant in 2014. In June 2014, Kennedy flew to Belize and paid surgeons $25,000 to implant electrodes into his brain's motor cortex, which controls his ability to move. But the surgery, which lasted 12 hours, didn't go as well as planned. When he awoke, he couldn't speak, he told Tech Review. A spike in his blood pressure during the procedure caused his brain to swell, leaving him temporarily paralyzed. But Kennedy says he wasn't afraid, because he invented the surgery and knew what to expect. Within a few months, he had recovered, and returned for a second surgery to implant the electronics that would record the signals from his brain. When he got back to his lab in Duluth, Georgia, Kennedy began recording his brain signals while saying or thinking basic sounds or words, like "plum" or "hello world," Tech Review reported.

Belize holds Ponzi scheme suspect without bail, Mexico seeks deportation or extradition
An associate of convicted former Texas tycoon R. Allen Stanford is being held in the Central American nation of Belize without bail because he is considered a flight risk. Suspect David Nanes Schnitzer was arrested last week when he was caught with allegedly false documents in Belize. Mexican authorities said on Friday that Nanes Schnitzer headed the Mexican arm of Stanford's massive Ponzi scheme, which allegedly defrauded investors in Mexico of $706 million. Mexico says it is pursuing the deportation or extradition of Nanes Schnitzer to face a 2011 arrest warrant for unauthorized securities transactions. Stanford was sentenced in the United States to 110 years in prison after being convicted of bilking investors in a $7.2 billion sale of fraudulent certificates of deposits from the Stanford International Bank.

US, Mexico sign deal on sharing satellite data directly, say will help Mexico track hurricanes
U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell shakes hands with Eduardo Sojo, president of INEGI, Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, after signing an agreement to share satellite data between the U.S. and Mexico, at the 2015 Ministerial Summit of the Group on Earth Observations, in Mexico City, Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. The U.S. and Mexico have signed a deal for Mexico to receive land-surface imagery and data directly from a U.S.-operated satellite. Officials say that will allow the country to better track environmental change, as well as improve monitoring and preparation for phenomena such as hurricanes.

Videos

November 13, 2015

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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

PC Anthony and PC Bol honored as part of the Officer of the Month Award Program
On Tuesday, November 10th, two Police Constables (PC) attached to the San Pedro Police Department were honored as part of the reinstated Officer of the Month Award Program. The officers are PC 888 Arthur Anthony who took the award for the month of September 2015, and PC 1445 Epifanio Bol, officer of the month of October 2015. By offering the award, senior members of the department hope that all officers will strive to be more efficient and productive when serving the community. Both PCs expressed their excitement toward receiving the award for their respective months. “I am aiming for the sky. I want to be more organized and excel in my work so as to be the best police that I can be,” said PC Anthony with pride. PC Anthony has been part of the Belize Police Department for 15 years and has proven to be very reliable and great leader. “PC Anthony was holding over a relief, which is normally the job of a Corporal or Sergeant. This shows a lot of responsibility in his behalf. He has the respect of other constables even though he is of their same rank. All these qualities say a lot about the person he is and that why we awarded him for the month of September. We see the potential in him,” said Bodden.

Roadkill Bar Presents ‘Minute to Win It’ for Charity
Roadkill Bar has started a game night Based on the hit TV show “Minute to Win It” with proceeds benefiting a charitable organization in San Pedro. The game sees contestants competing in seemingly simple challenges with everyday items in hopes of skipping elimination and moving on to the next round. The game nights are held every Monday at 7PM. For an entry fee of $10BZ, participants get a free Traveller’s Rum drink and a donation to the charity of the night. Participants can also win one of several prizes donated from many local businesses. Larry Hasbrouck, of Colorado, USA, went on to take the win as Grand Champion, and walked away with a $10 Roadkill gift certificate and Caye Coffee flavored rum cake made by Wade the Gringo. Runner up Roman won a $10 gift certificate and a Roadkill cozie.

Grand Caribe patrons and staff team up for Beach Cleanup
On Sunday, November 8th, the beach between Grand Caribe Resort south to Palapa Bar was cleaned up thanks to the combined efforts of two resort residents and some hardworking staff. Lisa and Ronnie Cyrier, along with 15 staff members from Grand Caribe collected a trailer full of garbage that had been washed up on shore during the recent inclement weather. Garbage remains the main issue across the island, but with the recent heavy rains, an exceptional amount of garbage has washed up on the beaches of Ambergris Caye. In an effort to beautify the area, the Cyriers, who live at Grand Caribe, set out to clean up the beach, but after filling up two bags, they realized that the task was far too big for just two persons. “We couldn’t believe all of the garbage that had washed up on the shore from our most recent storm.

SPTC says North AC Quarry is benefitting the island’s infrastructure
The master plan of the quarry, calls for a subdivision of land into 41 lots, the extraction of material and one proposed lake. Manager of Cayo Frances Limited, Fidel Ancona, commented on the project and its benefits. “The project is set to benefit the island with the extraction of top quality material for the construction of roads, while protecting the environment. In contrast with the high costs to bring material from the mainland which puts at risk our reef from the traffic of barges, the substitute we have on the island is of good quality and it blends in well with our environment,” said Ancona. He also indicated that the lake near the project will be beautified and turned into a pond. “A pond will be created as the material is extracted and this pond will not have any connection to other natural lagoons. My plan is to aerate the pond by pumping air through perforated PVC pipes set on the bottom of the pond to provide oxygen for the fish and shrimp that I would stock in it to keep the pond alive and attractive.

Ambergris Today

Missing Orange Walk Boy Could Be in Ambergris Caye
The Orange Walk Bureau reports that 12-year-old Anthony Quim has been missing for six days now and authorities believe that the child could be on Ambergris Caye. They have partnered with authorities on the island for assistance in locating him. Island residents are asked to call the police department if they have any information on the little boy’s whereabouts. His mother, Xiomara Quim told police that on Saturday around 4:00 a.m., her son left home to an unknown destination and has not been seen or heard from since. Anthony is described as being of hispanic descent, weighs about 100lbs, has black hair and stands about 5Feet tall.

Belize Names First Female Attorney General
Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow has appointed Vanessa Retreage as the country’s first female attorney general. Retreage and other Cabinet members took the oath of office on Monday. As the Attorney General, Retreage will be act as the primary legal adviser to the Government of Belize. Besides the post of attorney general, Retreage will head the Legal Affairs Ministry, replacing Wilfred Elrington, who becomes foreign minister.

Misc Belizean Sources

Vacancy for Sales Representative at Hummingbird Furnishings
Good Opportunity! Hummingbird Furnishings, a well established furniture manufacturer in Belize, is expanding and is looking for a Dynamic person to join the vibrant sales team. If chosen he/she may get the opportunity to manage one of our branches.

CAPPS Finals at SIPL
CAPPS had its zone 2 reading contest finals at the San Ignacio Public Library. Congratulations to the 3 winners and best of luck and the district finals! "CAPPS held its Zone 2 Elimination reading contest at the San Ignacio Public Library. A special thank you to all our judges and timekeeper. The following students will move on to the District Finals to be held later this month Category 1 Nhissah Monsanto- Sacred Heart Primary School Category 2 Kaleah Torres- Arms of Love Primary Category 3 Ronan Stewart- Sacred Heart Primary School Best of luck to our Zone 2 representatives at the District Finals "

CLINTON 'JUNIE' CRAWFORD: BELIZEAN PIANO IN RETROSPECT!
Belizean legends hope to bring you the incredible story of Belize's most prolific piano player of the 1970's Belizean music scene Clinton 'Junie' Crawford. As soon as we highlight the well searched after video shoot of the legendary Belizean musician, we will be gracing this page with his incredible story. Clinton Crawford still remains Belize's most prolific piaono and keyboard player yet that has influenced many others that have gone to become great like the legendary Belizean piano and keyboard player Michael Hyde, and many others that came after him. Crawford who know lives in the Bahamas and still playing his melodic and soulful style of music there, comes back to Los Angeles often to play music, and also goes home frequently to Belize to serenade with other musical acts still doing there thing on the ground. We appreciate you Junie. You're original Belizean musical talent.

HARRINGTON TRAPP & THE WEBB: BELIZEAN SOUL!
Another classic and legendary pic of Harrington Trapp & The Webb shown through the eyes of the soulful Belizean R&B singer Trapp himself, of the 1970's Belizean band in the United States. Notice how Trapp wears proudly his stylish shirt promoting the band the Webb that he sang lead vocals for. A truly classic Belizean soul music story of the soulful 70's in Black America. We Belizeans were there too.

The Dynamic Ulloyd Hederson & The Messengers!
This classic photo comes to Belizean Legends through the courtesy of the outstanding Belizean basketball phenom, Clinton Pulu Lightburn. It was always my wish to tell the story of this incredible Belizean artist and band, Ulloyd Hendserson, and his melodic and jazzy Belizean band, The Messengers. When we produced the long awaited musical feature of one of Belize's balladeers of all time a couple months ago, Harrington Trapp, we were able to get a small glimpse of Ulloyd Henderson & The Messengers through the eyes of Trapp, who had mentioned when The Messengers broke up in the 1960's their band, The Promoters, inherited the band instruments of The Messengers. Harrington Trapp also mentioned that it was Ulloyd Henserson who later migrated to New York and formed the band, The Webb. Trapp also mentioned on Belizean Legends that if any one wants to dispute that fact that they should check in with him. Quite a challenge. The brother knows his Belizean music history.

BELIZEAN SOFTBALL GREATS: NOREEN BODDEN!
The incomparable Belizean softball great, Noreen Bodden, is Belizean Legends sport athlete of the week. Her hard hitting batting style and incredible softball athleticism in the 1960's and 70's brought Belizean fans to their feet during the golden ages of Belize's softball greatness when Belize beat the best in Caribbean softball, and then went on to defeat some of the greatest in the softball world. Queens are the champion.

Channel 7

Gapi And Monchie's Last Face Off In Court?
The political battle in Orange Walk North between Gaspar Vega and Monchi Cervantes has been decided in Vega's favor. Right now, however, the battle in the Supreme Court continues without any declared winner. The lawsuit, filed by Vega against Cervantes for slander, went back before the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin this morning. As viewers are well aware, Vega is defending his reputation against a tape released on national radio by the Cervantes Family in which the Deputy Prime Minister was accused of masterminding Ramon Senior's brutal killing. The lawyers today made final submissions to chief justice Kenneth Benjamin. Rodwell Williams, who is representing Vega, focused his legal arguments on evidence in the case where he asserts that libel and slander had been proven against both defendants. Eamon Courtenay, attorney for Fiesta FM - who's being sued for libel, focused his submission on evidence presented that while his client did broadcast a portion of Cervantes family memorial service, the actual defamatory tape did not air on their radio station because they had technical difficulty in their studios. Said Musa, who is Monchi's attorney, focused on the assertion that the claimants had not proven their case against his client. He paid special attention to the fact that while the other side asserts that this defamatory tape that exists, it has not been played in open court, and so there is nothing for the judge to decide on against Cervantes.

Avilez's Brother Speaks Up: Andy Was No Saint, But...
Last night we told you about the investigation into the death of 51 year old Andy Avilez. It is believed that Avilez died as a result of a fight he had with a Chinese businessman on October 9th. Wen Hua reported that he caught Avilez stealing tools from his hotel on Dolphin Drive and that Avilez hit him on the side of his face with an iron rod. Avilez was charged with wounding but then, Avilez gave a completely different account. Avilez told police that he was picking bottles out of a drain near the hotel when he was attacked. He was badly beaten and had to be hospitalized. But he did not make it. Avilez died on October 25th. Today we spoke to his younger brother Jose Sosa who told us that he didn't even know his brother had died. Sosa told us that although his brother wasn't the 'best behaved' he was trying to change his life for the better.

Mother of Seven Sent To Jail
Tonight, a Belize City mother of 7 is serving a 15 day prison sentence for fighting with another woman. 40 year old Moreira, who works at a fisheries cooperative, pleaded guilty to insulting words to Georgia Curry and harm with a piece of rock upon Shasta Flowers. That usually results in a fine - but today Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith sent her to jail for 15 days, saying, quote, "You must learn a lesson that you cannot take the law into your own hands." The prison term came as a shock to the mother who left her children at home because she was expecting to be fined. She never thought that she wouldn't get a chance to go back home after taking a guilty plea. This evening, her co workers came to 7News to plead her case:

7 New Senators; 4 Old Senators; 1 Undecided
Tomorrow, the National assembly will meet for the first time since the election 8 days ago. That's when all the new members will take their oaths. You already know about the 31 members of the House of Representatives, but the Senate is not so clear. The UDP has named its 6 members Godwin Hulse, Carla Barnett, Steve Duncan, Aldo Salazar, Francine Burns and Macario Coy. While the PUP will stay with its three Senators from the last term until a new leader is elected; they are: Lisa Shoman, Anthony Sylvestre and Jason Patrick Andrews. The Belize Council of Churches will have a new Senator and he is Baptist Reverend Ashley Rocke. The business sector will have the same Senator and he is Mark Lizarraga. The National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society steering committee have not yet decided on their senator.

Chandra's Speedy Sayonara
She served as Chairman of the KHMH board of Governors from June 2012, and today after an action packed 31 month stint - Chandra Nisbet-Cansino announced to her board that she was stepping down. She sent out a statement today saying, quote, "I am graciously stepping down to make way for a new Chairman who, I am certain, will do a good job and with whom I will work to ensure a smooth transition." That new chairman we are told is UDP stalwart and attorney Marilyn Williams. Nisbet-Cansino was asked to resign after the government changed - even though her appointment as Chairman had recently been renewed.

Caye Chapel Welcomes A Golfing Legend
In December of last year we told you about the sale of Caye Chapel to a Mexican group - which already has resorts in Northern San Pedro, Playa Del Carmen And Acapulco. That's a good resume, but it hasn't translated into very much on the ground in Caye Chapel where things seem to be at a standstill. But today, those developers got a shot in the arm from the visit of pro golf hall of famer Greg Norman. Norman won 20- PGA Tour Titles in his career and is now one of the most sought after golf course designers in the world. And that's what Caye Chapel is all about. It already has an 18 hole golf course - albeit a very run down one - and today Norman visited to sign unto the project: he says he will build a world class golf course on Caye Chapel. 7News was in Caye Chapel for his arrival:...

Taiwan's Government Watchdogs in Belize
A delegation of high-ranking Taiwanese public officials are in Belize - but they're not the usual state functionaries; these ones specialize in watchdog activities to keep their government officials and the public service in check. To appreciate the role that these VIP's play in their Government, think of them like a Taiwanese version of the Audit Department, the Integrity Commission and Police Internal Affairs office all rolled into one. The head of the delegation, Dr. Po-ya Chang, is the President of a body known as "The Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan)". He today signed an agreement with Belize's Ombudsman, Lionel Arzu to provide assistance and technical support in areas of human rights violations and how to handle them. It's an important partnership forged between these two oversight bodies, and this evening, they held a press conference to announce it to the public. 7News was there, and we spoke to the Ombudsman about how it will assist him and his staff in carrying out their duties:

Ombudsman Lionel Talks About Police
This event also gave us an opportunity to speak with the Ombudsman about his role as the public's advocate against injustices committed by law enforcement. Lionel Arzu is tasked to investigate abuses against citizens generally - and police abuses make up many of these complaints. He's commented before the police internal affairs - known now as the Professional Standards Branch - had not been the most cooperative with his office when police are the accused. This evening he told us that over the past few months, the relationship has been improving: Lionel Arzu, Ombudsman of Belize "We had issue with the police as a whole in the department. Today I must be fair with the police because we have been having monthly meetings with professional standard bureau from the police and the idea of the monthly meetings is to make sure that whatever correspondence that are sent to them, they are able to give us updates. Our think besides giving us updates, we want written correspondence saying yes this is what I have done and I close this case. If we at the office is satisfied with their response, then we close it. If we are not satisfy then we continue."

Sugar, Are The Sweet Days Done?
For the past 2 nights, we've been telling you about the difficulties that the local Sugar Industry is expected to have because the international prices for sugar in Europe are low. Most of our coverage has been focused on how the farmers will be negatively affected, but tonight, we have the perspective of the factory owners. First though, the Chief Finance Officer of BSI/ASR explained to our colleagues that even though the European Prices started to decrease from last year, local industry in Belize didn't feel pinch because a contract with Tate & Lyle Sugars in London. He said that this contract ended this year and the re-negotiated deal now reflects what the prices are now, in real time, instead of the UK company absorbing the difference. Here's how Carballo explained it: "We will be seeing this year a reduction in prices that we get from the EU market which remains our most beneficial market. The level of preference is significantly reduced, but at this point in time it is still better that say the world market, which is our other alternative for selling sugar - exporting sugar. Belize as a country unfortunately has a very small local market. Roughly about 10% of pour production is sold on the local market.

Tweaks In Education Senior Management
Education Minister Patrick Faber is heading into his third term as minister - and he's done the past two with pretty much the same senior management staff. But today he announced a change - a very small one. Chris Aird is being moved as Chief Education officer and now takes up the vague post of Senior Technical Advisor (Education). He is replaced as Chief by Dr. Carol Babb - and her Deputy Chief slot will be filled by Dr. Neulin Nelson Villanueva. Cecilia Smith will also be a Deputy Chief Education Officer.

Save Belize Times?
If you have a copy of this first November 2015 edition of the Belize Times - save it! It might be the last one you'll see in a while. The PUP party paper has not come since the week before elections and none is expected this week again. The headline said "Save Belize" but it may as well have said "Save Belize Times" because we understand the PUP currently doesn't have the finance to produce the paper, and staff aren't sure whether they are coming or going - they just know that right now they don't have a job. Yesterday, the party Chairman told the media that they hope to work it out and that the notice of a national convention has to be published in the Times so the paper will have to be printed. He didn't say when.

Youths: Setting the Example
Today YMCA hosted a conference for teachers, coaches and mentors. The main focus is to train teachers and youth leaders on how to inspire and motivate kids and how to set a positive example for them. Executive Director of YMCA Clara Cuellar told us that it's not all about content or following strict class objectives -it's about building character and social responsibility. It was a one-day training and it's part of the Youth Community Transformation Program that will be launched this year.

Riding To Remember Ramos
In a week's time it will be Garifuna Settlement Day and that means the TV Ramos Cycling Classic is back again. The race will be held on Sunday and it starts in Dangriga at the Wadani shed and ends in Placencia. But this is not just a cycling competition - it's a sporting event that commemorates one of the most iconic figures in the Garifuna culture. We found out more from the organizer: Cyclists who want to participate must be at the Wadani Shed by 9 Sunday morning. In the Elite Cyclists category, the 1st place winner will walk away with $500.

Pen's Paintings
Now the TV Ramos Cycling Classic is only one way to keep the Garifuna culture alive. Another seminal figure among the Garinagu is Pen Cayetano and he is doing his part through art. 34 of Pen Cayetano's most prized pieces are on display at the Institute of Mexico. The Exhibit started at 7:00 tonight and it's entitled "Our Heritage". We spoke with the artist about his works and how every stroke in his paintings celebrate history. The Art Exhibit will remain open to the public until December 11th.

Channel 5

Monchi and Gapi Back in Court
This morning, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin heard closing arguments in the libel and slander suits brought by Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega against Ramon Cervantes Junior. The claim, in a [...]

Rodwell Williams Says Slander is an Appropriate Charge
Rodwell Williams says the suit for slander is an appropriate charge, and he disagrees that the offence would have to be committed verbally. He told News Five that by his [...]

Recording from Fiesta FM was Never Introduced into Evidence Says Attorney
Eamon Courtenay is the attorney for Fiesta FM, the station on which it was said Cervantes caused the offensive recording to be broadcast. But Courtenay claims that the recording from [...]

…Chief Justice Reserves Decision in Slander Suit to December Twenty-second
Williams admits that indeed, he has been forced to rely on secondary evidence because they could not get a copy of the allegedly offensive broadcast. He’s hoping that the Justice [...]

K.H.M.H. Chair Chandra Nisbet-Cansino Steps Down
On Tuesday, News Five broke the story of the removal of K.H.M.H. Board of Governors Chair Chandra Nisbet-Cansino. She was approached on Monday and asked to step down, although she [...]

A Police Investigation into Death of Arlie Avilez
Was fifty-one year old Arlie Andrew Avilez killed? An investigation is ongoing by officers attached to the Belama Police Station into the untimely death of the Belize City man on [...]

Will Any Charges Be Brought Against Chinese Hotelier?
On October thirteenth, however, only Avilez would appear before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith and arraigned for one count of wounding upon the Chinese businessman. He pleaded guilty to the [...]

Businessman Mark Lizarraga is Re-elected to Second Term as Senator
On Wednesday, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry met in special session to elect a senator to upper parliament.  Daniel Gutierrez of Belize Natural Energy Limited and businessman Mark [...]

…Denounces Malicious Attack on Fellow Senator
Newly appointed U.D.P. Senator Francine Burns has been the subject of a malicious online attack.  On Monday, a post on Facebook which shows a nude image, purportedly that of the [...]

Mother of Seven Sentenced to Fifteen Days Behind Bars
A mother of seven children, forty year old Stephanie Moreira, who is a resident of Iguana Street, Belize City, will have to spend time behind bars for using insulting words [...]

Frederick Neal Charged for Harm After Disciplining Teen Girl
A driver of the Human Services Department appeared in court this morning and pleaded guilty to causing harm to a fourteen year old child. Forty-one year old Frederick Neal was [...]

Caye Chapel Set for World Class Golf Course and Luxury Resort
Caye Chapel, an exclusive property, is on its way to becoming home to a world class golf course. The island was acquired by a Mexican group of hoteliers last December [...]

What’s the Status of P.U.P.’s Finances?
The battle for leadership of the People’s United Party is currently being waged primarily in the social media. Whoever wants the title has until December fifteenth to submit their names, [...]

Pen Cayetano Launches Exhibition Ahead of Garifuna Settlement Day
In time for the celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day, Pen Cayetano is exhibiting a collection of paintings at the Mexican Institute in the City. Entitled Our Heritage, Cayetano says that [...]

CARICOM Energy Week 2015 Celebrated in Belize
Regionally, the CARICOM Energy Week was launched on Sunday with a walk-a-thon across member states except for Belize. Since Monday, however, a team from the Ministry of Energy has been [...]

Healthy Living and Urinary Tract Infections
Healthy Living is back tonight after a hiatus. And in the following segment, we look at what is called UTIs; that’s the abbreviation for Urinary Tract Infections. It’s not a [...]

CTV3

Orange Walk Police To Implement Christmas anti-Crime Campaign
Each year around this time, police departments around the country “beef up” their presence on the streets and security measures to curb crime especially during this holiday season. First to announce their security plan was the Orange Walk Police formation. According to Officer Commanding the formation, Assistant Superintendent Selvin Tillett, its Christmas Anti-Crime Campaign will commence from the 15th of November 2015 and end the 15th January 2016. “During this Christmas season police will increase foot patrol in business areas in the Orange Walk Town, also you will see increase in mobile patrols in the highway in an effort to minimize accidents, police will target drunk drivers public drinking and enforce the intoxicating liquor act, we will be launching several operations targeting gang members, drunk trafficking, firearms and human traffickers and smugglers our increase in patrols is just as an effort to make Orange Walk more peaceful so that you people can enjoy a very nice Christmas.”

Case Of Ramon Cervantes Jr. And Honorable Gaspar Vega Back In Court
Political rivals Ramon “Monchie” Cervantes and Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega were back in court today in Belize City. Viewers may recall that Vega filed a lawsuit against Cervantes Junior for defamation of character after the Cervantes family released a recording of a phone call allegedly made to them by Manuel Castillo; the man believed to be the mastermind behind the murder of Ramon Cervantes Senior who was kidnapped on July 2nd and murdered the following day. During the conversation the man purporting to be Castillo, claimed that Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega was involved in the murder of Cervantes. The DPM refuted those allegations and right after preceded with the lawsuit against Cervantes Junior after his request for a full and unequivocal public retraction was not met by Cervantes Junior. So today’s event would see the convergence of many Vega supporters who waited over four hours, even when it rained. Vega spoke to our colleagues at 7News after the session….

ASR/BSI Seeking For Commitment From Farmers In Order To Build Investor Confidence Among Stakeholders
The sugar prices continue to be at the top of issues that concern the northern part of the country. Today we had the opportunity to speak one on one with the Chief Financial Officer at BSI/ASR Belizario Carballo who explained that new contract with Tate and Lyle is not protecting the industry from the impacts of low market prices on the EU market. Carballo says that the contract that ended in the last crop, there was an established minimum price of 425 euros and although the EU market price was trading close to one hundred euros below that, Belize was still receiving that full payment and thus shielded from the impact in the last sugar crop. But this is Not so this year. “The new contract that we have in place from the 2016 crop onward is based on the average price that Tate & Lyle sugars purchases sugar from ACPC’s countries like Belize that have preferential assessing to the EU market which means that we can export sugar into the European market without paying duty so the average of the purchases of Tate & Lyle sugars have in the marketing area in the EU which begins from October 2015 to September 2016 during that time the purchases for that period of time we will be paid an average so in that sense it is a fair price but what that means is that we are now, that price is now linked to the market price and as I said before the market price in the European market has fallen, we expect to see a little upturn for next crop but with tis crop it is this lower prices that we are still seeing.”

BMS Indicates No Major Tropical Cyclone Formation Is Expected
Despite the constant downpours being experienced in the North, forecasters at the Belize Meteorological Service are indicating that no Tropical cyclone formation is expected in the North Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea or the Gulf of Mexico during the next 48 hours. According to forecaster Francisca Wellington, this soggy weather is expected to last into the weekend… “No there is not a system but a pocket of moist that air moving towards us and we also have in the upper levels that is conducive for this to expand so it is not any system like a tropical wave or tropical storm or anything like that and we are seeing a decrease in showers late Saturday evening for the entire country but especially along the coast.” Of note is that low lying areas will experience localized flooding during the next day or two.

LOVE FM

Cervantes vs Vega Trial Concludes in Supreme Court
Both Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, Gaspar Vega, and his political opponent, Ramon Cervantes Jr. have been accused in connection with the murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr. The body of Cervantes Sr. was found in a shallow grave in Orange Walk Town last year. During a memorial service, the Cervantes family played an audio recording […]

Guatemalan Duo Nabbed Inside Belize’s Chiquibul Forest
Two Guatemalan men were arrested inside the Chiquibul forest on Monday. According to Friends for Conservation and Development, FCD, two gold panners, 43 year old Isidro Garcia Roque and 23 year old Andres Ortis Ordones both from Peten, were detained ten point five kilometers in Belizean territory. Ordones and Roque were found inside their hut […]

Control Yuan of Taiwan Signs Agreement with Ombudsman’s Office
A document of cooperation between the Ombudsman Office of Belize and the Control Yuan Office in the Republic of China on Taiwan was signed this afternoon at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City. This cooperation agreement comes months after the initial discussions had begun between local stakeholders and the Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize, Benjamin […]

Visiting Meteorologists Wrap Up Conference in Belize
It has been over a decade since Belize played host country for the annual meteorology meetings for the Caribbean …. But as at Sunday, November 8, delegates from across the Caribbean came filing into Belize for the 55th Meeting of the Caribbean Meteorology Council coupled with other associated meeting sessions. With the five day session […]

Ombudsman Wants His Contract Renewed
The Ombudsman of Belize, Lionel Arzu has been operating in that capacity for the last three years but come January 1, 2016, his contract would have expired. It is a position that he seeks to retain as he has applied for renewal of his contract. LIONEL ARZU “My contract is up January 1st, 2016. I […]

Ombudsman Reports Improved Relations with BPD
It has been some months now since our newsroom has gotten an update from the Ombudsman, Lionel Arzu but the last time we spoke with him, he had told us that there were some difficulties in dealing with complaints against the police. Today, however, Arzu spoke of improved relations with the Belize Police Department. LIONEL […]

Wet Weather for the Christmas Season
Around this time of year, many Belizeans look forward to the slight dry chill that indicates the Christmas season is near. Some years have been known to be chillier than others particularly in November through to January and with Christmas trees already going up and the stores already having pre-Christmas sales, we thought we’d check […]

Castro Finds His NEMO Portfolio Fitting
On Monday, November 9 when the Prime Minister of Belize announced his third Cabinet at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize, there were reports that three time Area Representative, Edmond Castro was not happy with him being named Minister of State as he, like many others, had thought that after retaining a UDP seat […]

Dr Leslie Remembers the Genesis of Belize’s MET Service
Every day, one of the constants that can be look forward to on either radio or television is the weather report from the National Meteorological Service. It is one of the services that many people may have just been taking for granted. Today, whilst at the opening of the third phase of the meeting of […]

Only Five New Additions to the Senate
Yesterday we reported that the Opposition People’s United Party will not make any changes to its three Senators. Attorneys Lisa Shoman and Anthony Sylvester Junior along with Jason Patrick Andrews will be back in the Senate representing the Opposition. The Business Senator will remain the same as businessman Mark Lizarraga will be endorsed as the […]

The Guardian

Another woman caught trying to smuggle weed into prison
Shantel Xenia Waight, 18, is home on bail after she spent one night on remand at the Belize Central prison for attempting to smuggle weed into that facility. At around 3:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, Cpl. Frank Garcia and other police officers were called to visit the Belize Central Prison after a woman was found in possession of weed in three separate toothpaste containers. According to the officers, when they arrived they met prison officers detaining the female later identified as Shantel Waight. The officers handed in three toothpaste packages labeled A, B and C. Prison officials told the officers that Waight went to visit an inmate at the prison and during a routine search they cut open three toothpaste packages, wiped off the toothpaste and found some green leafy like substance suspected to be cannabis. As a result, Waight was detained for drug trafficking.

Shanile Faber charged for cashing stolen cheque
Shanile Faber, 32, is out on bail after she was charged with one count of claiming upon a forged document for attempting to cash a stolen cheque at 88 Shopping Center on Central American Boulevard. In May of this year a loan processor, Tanisha Sutherland, 31, was accused of theft and 11 counts of forgery for allegedly stealing $3,589.45 in cash and cheques from her former boss, Sahba Badee. Faber is the cousin of Tanisha Sutherland. Allegations are that Sutherland gave Faber one of the cheques. Faber then visited 88 Shopping Center to cash it and that was when police made the link and arrested them both.

Corozal cane farmers busted with fake nationality documents
Marcus Vasco, 40, and Mark Rosalez, 29, both cane farmers of San Pedro Village, Corozal, were allegedly caught in Belize City on Tuesday, November 3, with 13 certificates of Belizean citizenship. However, the documents proved to be fake so the men were arrested and charged with being in possession of false nationality documents. Vasco and Rosalez appeared in the Belize City Magistrates Court on Thursday, November 5, and both pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of possession of a false document before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. The documents were in the names of Cesar Fernando, Benigno Ramos Marroquin, Ara Argentina Carpio, Carlos Manuel Espinosa, Jose Luis Rodriguez, Anhel Arturo Peralta, Alberto Alexander Medina, Samir Suzeli Chelinos, Marco Julio Medina, Jessica Esperanza Vanega, Estephanie Dyannie Mendoza, Odaliz Mariela Lopez and Maria Estella Ortiz.

Drug trafficking case file disappears
Kareem Thomas Gillett, 27, is free from a charge of drug trafficking after he appeared in the Belize City Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 11, and there was no case file to present. Gillett, a resident of #108 Vernon Street, was accused of drug trafficking 100.7 grams of cannabis on December 6, 2014. While they never found him in physical possession of the bag of weed, an officer alleged that when they pulled up on Vernon Street they saw Gillett throwing an object to the ground. The officer took Gillett back to the area where the black plastic bag was thrown. When he retrieved the bag in his presence, it contained green leaf like substance that proved to be 100.7 grams of cannabis.

Francis Fonseca resigns as PUP leader; big fight for leadership now
On Thursday November 5, Francis Fonseca did probably the most honorable thing he has ever done in his life and resigned as the leader of the People’s United Party. It came as no surprise as Fonseca has consistently proven to the PUP that a leader he is not. So he called a press briefing and said he would resign as the party leader and would not seek re-election. The first statement we will believe as there is no way he can take it back but as for the second statement we wait and see as with all PUP’s what they say cannot be taken at face value. Now that Fonseca is out of the picture the battle for leadership is commencing and the names that are being called come as no surprise. Kareem Musa, son of Said Musa has aspirations and he would be a favorite because he comes literally straight from the bowels of the old guard. Then there is Julius Espat who too represents the old guard, complete with their ‘dutty ways’. He is the epitome of what it means to be a PUP and we need not restate what has been said about the PUP in the past by Hubert Elrington. Then there of course are the malcontents, Johnny Briceno and Cordel Hyde. Seen as traitors both they are nonetheless gunning for the position of leader.

Evangelical Association chases Louis Wade and Stirm; selects new senator
The 12th National Assembly of Belize will be summoned for the first time on Friday, November 13, when all members will be sworn in to serve the people of Belize. Members of the House of Representatives will serve under the guidance of the people from their Constituency. Members of the Senate will serve under the guidance of the associations they represent. One such association being represented in the Senate is the Churches of Belize. For this National Assembly the Belize Evangelical Association of Churches (BEAC) is selecting the Senator to represent the Churches, after consulting the Belize Council of Churches. The Guardian Newspaper has been reliably informed that Pastor Ashley Rocke of the Baptist Association of Belize has been selected as the Senator Designate of the Churches. Rocke’s selection came after months of scuffle within the Belize Evangelical Association of Churches. The Guardian has been monitoring the association for weeks after word surfaced that a group of extremists, led by Louis Wade and Scott Stirm of the Cayo Area, have been trying to hijack the organization.

Man charged for attempted murder in Cayo
On 6th November 2015 Charles Mourvin Leslie 27yrs Belizean unemployed of Unitedville Village, Cayo District, was arrested and charged for the crimes of Attempted Murder upon 45 year old Calvin Leslie, Belizean Laborer of Santa Cruz Street Santa Elena Town; use of deadly means of Harm; and keeping Firearm without a gun License. He was also charged for being in possession of a 9mm Smith and Wesson pistol and keeping Ammunition without a gun license to being (5) 9mm rounds as well as Handling Stolen Goods. San Ignacio Police Officers report that they were patrolling on Thursday of last week at about 12:30am on Santa Cruz Street, Santa Elena Town when their attention was drawn to two male persons struggling in a yard on the ground. The Police heard one of them screaming for help and upon approaching the two individuals; they observed blood on one of the male persons identified as Calvin Leslie. He had been shot to his right shoulder.

Mexican-American David Schnitzer wanted by Interpol, U.S. and Mexico
On Friday, November 6, Mexican-American David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer, 47, was taken before the Belize City Magistrates Court after he was busted in San Pedro Town with a fake driver’s license. Police charged him with uttering on a forged document and he pleaded guilty to the charge before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Sentencing was deferred for Monday, November 9. However, when the matter was brought up in court on Monday, Schnitzer had retained the services of attorney Liesje Barrow-Chung and he changed his plea to not guilty. The case has gained international attention because Schnitzer is wanted by Interpol, United States and Mexican officials for his alleged involvement in a ponzi scheme that scammed investors out of billions of dollars. Since Schnitzer changed his plea to not guilty, the issue of bail was raised since a date for trial had to be set. Prosecutor, Inspector Egbert Castillo strongly objected to bail. He submitted several grounds as to why Schnitzer should not be granted bail. Castillo said he would like the court to take into consideration the strong possibility that the accused is a flight risk.

Orange Walk cop accused of sex with girl, 14
Police Constable Hector Esquivel, 31, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with a 14-year-old minor. Allegations are that on November 1, 2015, he had sexual intercourse with a minor, 14 years and 4 months. On Monday, November 9, Hector Esquivel appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser and was read a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. He appeared with his attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, and no plea was taken since the matter is an indictable offense. Due to the nature of the offense bail could not be granted to Esquivel. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on December 18, 2015.

Wilfred Ramirez pleads guilty to keeping prohibited firearm and ammunition
\Wilfred Ramirez, 22, is serving time at the Belize Central Prison after he pleaded guilty to keeping a prohibited weapon, a sawed off shotgun. On Monday, November 9, Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith sentenced the young convict to four years imprisonment for keeping a prohibited weapon and four years imprisonment for keeping prohibited ammunition. Ramirez was at the funeral of Julian Willoughby in May of 2014 when police saw him holding on to something in his pants waist. He apparently lost grip of the object which then fell though his pants and unto the ground. Officers rushed towards Ramirez and took away the object. It turned out to be a home made sawed off shotgun. Ramirez was arrested and charged with keeping a prohibited weapon and ammunition.

Hon. Dean Barrow sworn in as 3 time Prime Minister of Belize
Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow was historically sworn in as the first Prime Minister of Belize to have attained government for three consecutive terms. The Governor-General His Excellency Sir Colville Young did the honors on Monday November 5th. The brief ceremony was held at the Belize House in Belmopan. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife, children, other relatives and supporters.

Police Department gets new fleet
Keeping on its manifesto commitment to better equip the security forces, the Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar handed over 10 new patrol vehicles to the Belize Police Department. Receiving the vehicles was commissioner of Police Allan Whylie on Wednesday November 11. The vehicles were purchased through the Ministry of Finance at a cost of $280,000 and will be deployed to Belize City, Ladyville, Belmopan, Dangriga, San Ignacio, the Intermediate Southern Formation (Independence Village) and the Special Patrol Unit (headquarters in Belmopan).

New ambulances for better healthcare delivery countrywide
Six new ambulances were handed over to regional managers and administrators of polyclinics and hospitals countrywide. The Minister of Health Hon. Pablo Marin and Minister of State in that ministry Hon. Angel Campos handed over the ambulances. The new fleet of ambulances is part of government’s efforts to enhance a sustainable and effective health system throughout the country. With the new ambulances the ministry is improve healthcare delivery at regional clinics and hospitals as the demand for improved services increases.

Laugh til uh belly buss!
There were a few funny situations coming from this recent election, but at this time I will only deal with 3 of them. Firstly let me say how pleased and happy I felt when I knew for sure that Wilfred Peter "Sedi" Elrington would win Pickstock. It felt so good because I was a part of his team, being on the ground before and during the election. I was also in the room during the counting. While in the counting room I started adding the result of each ballot box, to see when he would pass that 50% plus 1, the magic number that would make him win. Even before the last box was finished I knew he had won.

Et Tu Marion?
There is absolutely nothing, and we mean absolutely nothing, wrong with supporting a political party of your choice. It is our God given right to do so and to do so without fear or favor because we live in a democratic society. But support is one thing and another is fanaticism especially by people who purport to be independent journalists. We were taken aback by Marion Ali who is supposed to be working and writing for perhaps the last remaining independent newspaper in the country. Reading her Facebook rants it would seem that Goma must have been bothering her or a severe case of EPS was nagging her wallet. Whatever the case, we can come up with no explanation as to why she would attack policies of the UDP.

Hon. Saldivar intervenes to prevent a mob after his victory announcement
Since Thursday, November 5, the day after the Elections, the Facebook bullies, mainly disgruntled PUP’s who were upset about the loss at the polls, have been making a lot of noise about the Honorable John Saldivar footage. They’re trying to suggest Saldivar called police off a UDP supporter suspected of firing a gun in public. They go further than that and try to attack the National Security Minister’s credibility by suggesting that he used his authority as an elected officer to force police into looking the other way on a crime. So, exactly what does the video show? Well, it was obviously a few minutes after all the supporters were waiting patiently to hear the announcement of who had won the election in Belmopan. It was a very emotional moment for the re-elected Area Representative, and someone fired a shot into the air, supposedly in celebration. The police immediately moved in to arrest the person they believed to have been the shooter. Those other UDP supporters were not having it, and they were already confronting the police to stop them from arresting this man. The video missed that entire confrontation, but the camera arrives just in time to see Saldivar telling the officers to “back off”.

OAS Observers praise Belize’s electoral process
As our readers may be well aware by now, Prime Minister Dean Barrow and the UDP have been elected by the voters to a third term in office. During the November 4 Elections, an Observer Team from the Organization of the American States was in Belize to oversee the conduct and procedures to carry it through. Those observers were impressed with what they saw, and they are satisfied that once again, Belizeans have demonstrated a commitment to the continuation of a peaceful constructive democracy. This Observer Mission was made up of 13 officials from 11 countries who managed to visit 162 of the country’s 225 polling booths in 30 of the 31 electoral constituencies. That’s a total of 72% of all the polling booths that these observers were able to witness for themselves. It was headed by Jacinth Henry-Martin, the Chief of Mission. The observers took note of the significant preparations that the Belize Elections and Boundaries Department, and the Elections and Boundaries Commission made in collaboration with the other members of the public service. They also noted that there was an increased participation by women in the political process. There were 11 women candidates out of a possible 88, a 12.5%. There was also large participation from Belizean youths.

Toledo Community College and St. Catherine Academy repeat as National Secondary Schools Volleyball champions
The National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) National Volleyball Championship for 2014-2015 took place over the weekend of November 6 and 7, 2015, at the Julian Cho Technical High School in the Toledo District. On Friday 6 November, 2015, in the first of two female game 5 played, Belmopan Comprehensive High School defeated Muffles College by the score of 25-18, 25-7 and 25-17. In the second female game, St. Catherine Academy defeated Stann Creek Ecumenical College by the score of 25-13, 25-14 and 25-10. In the first male game played, Muffles College defeated Sacred Heart College by the score of 25-15, 22-25, 25-17 and 25-22. In game two, Toledo Community College defeated St. John’s College by the score of 22-25, 25-22, 25-22, 29-31 and 17-15. The championship then continued on Saturday 7 November, 2015, with the Consolation Matches and the Championship Matches.

Wesley College male wins again in Central Region Basketball Competition
The Central Region Secondary Schools Sports Association Basketball Competition continued at the Bird’s Isle with a number of games. On Tuesday 10 November, 2015, there was no game in the female competition as Ladyville Technical High School who was scheduled to play against Wesley College withdrew from the competition. We will need to wait for the official result of that game. In the male game that was played, Wesley College continued on its winning path when it defeated Ladyville Technical High School by the score of 58-38. Wesley College is now posting a 3-0 record. On Monday 9 November, in the female game played, Gwen Lizarraga High School defeated its sister school Edward P. Yorke High School by the score of 21 -15. In the male game played, Gwen Lizarraga High School won handily over Edward P. Yorke High School by the score of 66-42.

Police United FC new leaders in Premier League competition
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season Competition continued over the weekend with two games being played. On Saturday 7 November, 2015, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the host team Placencia Assassins FC won handily over the visiting Belize Defence Force by the score of 4-1. The visiting Belize Defence Force was able to get onto the scoreboard first when James Flores scored his team only goal of the game in the 6th minute of play for a temporary 1-0 lead. It was not until well into the first half of the game that the Placencia Assassins FC got on the scoreboard when Luis Torres scored the equalising goal in the 18th minute of play to tie the score at 1-1. The Placencia Assassins’ Ashley Torres scored the go-ahead goal in the 31st minute of play to give his team a 2-1 lead and from that point in the game the team never looked back. The Placencia Assassins’ lead was further increase when Luis Torres scored his 2nd goal of the game in the 47th minute of play for a 3-1 lead. The final goal of the game was scored by Jesus Urbina an own goal in the 75th minute of play for the 4-1 victory.

Holy Redeemer School wins again in primary schools volleyball
The Belize City Primary Schools Volleyball Competition continues during the course of this week with games at Bird’s Isle. The competition continued on Wednesday 11 November, 2015, with two more games. In the girls’ game played, Wesley Upper School defeated Bethel Assembly in three sets by the score of 18-25, 25-21 and 15-11. In the boys’ game, Wesley Upper won via the default route. On Tuesday 10 November, 2015, in the first of two games played in the boys’ competition, Belize Elementary School defeated St. John Vianney School in two sets by the score of 25-14 and 25-9. In the only game played in the girls’ competition, Holy Redeemer School defeated Wesley Upper School in two sets by the score of 25-5 and 25-9. And in the final game in the boys competition, it was Holy Redeemer School winning over Wesley Upper School in two sets by the score of 25-15 and 25-18.

Funeral services held for police officer in Cayo
A funeral service was held on Saturday evening of this past weekend for Sergeant Orlando Jesus Michael Cruz at the Roman Catholic Church in San Ignacio Town. Delivering the mass was father Noel Leslie, who gave ample time for family members to express themselves and remember the good memories of Orlando Cruz. During the mass one of his daughters expressed, “…daddy you will always be in our hearts.” The Church service in his hometown of San Ignacio was well attended by family and friends as well as by the various divisions within the Police Department. Police Commissioner Allan Whylie was present for the funeral services. Also present was the Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena Earl Trapp Junior. Sergeant Orlando Cruz is survived by his mother Linda Parham and his father Pedro Cruz, as well as his three daughters Yeleni, Paula and Nayzeth. His brothers were Kurt and Shannon Cruz and sisters, Sharon Pastor, Chelsea Cruz and Estersita Cruz Frias.

Mennonite saving seeds is land locked in Cayo
David Johansen, a Mennonite farmer from Spanish Lookout claims that his farm has been landlocked for the past two months by a couple from his neighborhood. According to David Johansen, he had left for Europe on July 17th but on his return discovered that his neighbors are refusing to offer him passageway to his farm; except through a swamp. David Johansen says that to build a road to his farm, it will cost him thousands of dollars. The youthful Mennonite farmer has in the past year been trying to build a seed bank. His structure for a seed bank has already gone up, but he is in need of a dehumidifier. For the moment David Johansen is storing his treasured seeds inside special containers in a concrete structure. His stock of seeds comes from different parts of the Country and neighboring Guatemala.

Petro-Caribe donates drums to Police Youth Cadet Corps
“Live and Learn – Think Positive” is the motto of the Police Youth Cadet Corps of Belize and this organization has been playing an integral role in instilling discipline and providing hope for many young Belizeans. This is why the ALBA Petro-Caribe Belize Energy Limited (APBEL) felt it fit to hand over a set of musical instruments worth over $8,000 to the Cadets on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. The Police Youth Cadet Corps takes pride in spreading the values of leadership and teamwork. These lessons are shared with cadets through a number of means: sports, community service, fellowships and the performing arts. Since 2013 the Cadet Corps has provided training for a number of young men and women for its drumline. The drumline started with a donation to the Mahogany Youth Cadets from Hon. Wilfred Elrington in August of 2013 with six spare drums, two base drums and two cymbals. Since then the group has been performing at events across the country and has taken as good care of the equipment as possible over a two year span.

Rationale Behind Cabinet Appointments
Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow, announced his new administration on Monday, November 9, explaining that seniority and past performance played a huge role in his appointments. The Minister of Finance rescued the Belize economy from the brink of collapse; restructured the Superbond to provide significant debt relief for the country; strenghtened the country’s international credit rating; presided over consecutive years of revenue and GDP growth; approved consecutive salary increases for public officers; unlocked Petro-Caribe Program resulting in the transformation of the country’s physical infrastructure and raised the foreign reserves to record highs… Hon. Dean Barrow. The Minister of Agriculture intervened numerous times to save the sugar industry which is the bedrock of the North economy. His intervention resulted in a long term deal between the factory and cane farmers that has provided stability that has been lacking in the industry for years. The Minister of Agriculture presided over measures to combat the destructive Citrus Greening disease that wreaked havoc on the citrus industry. He also played a huge roll in saving the citrus industry from self destruction due to an irreparable relationship between farmers and the Citrus Products of Belize Limited. He has already been engaged in efforts to save the banana industry from collapsing due to the U.S.-Zabaneh feud. All this while presiding over the greatest land distribution period in Belize’s history with almost 30,000 house lot to first time land owners… Hon. Gaspar Vega.

Sore loosers
This recent ELECTION LOSS has struck a very hard blow to the PUP. Not only did it deal a death-blow to the political carriers of many of their candidates, but it may have also put a stop to any chance of hustling those PUP insiders and hangers-on may have envisioned to come from a PUP victory. They have now gone out on a full scale attack on anybody associated with the UDP. Harry! Political Commentary? One of the first to land his salvo was Love Fm’s Dangriga Correspondent Harry Arzu. Love Fm has a format it has used for many years, where their correspondents from across the country would call into the Monday morning talk show and file reports on what may have occurred or is about to occur in their area. This Monday was no exception. Harry Arzu was the third Correspondent to call in with his report, but what followed was not about any NEWS. It was an all out political attack on the newly reelected Hon. Frank “Papa” Mena. Before anybody jump to the defense of Harry, let me say he has the right to have his own political views and to support any political party or causes he wishes to support, but that bias must not be reflected in reporting the news for an INDEPENDENT NON-POLITICAL and UNBIASED media house. There are other Correspondents who work for Love Fm, who also have their political preference, but they never let it overshadow their reporting on the news. Such is the case of Paul and Celia in the south and Elaine and Fem out west. Their reports are down the middle and professional.

Sugar Prices may fall this season
Cane Farmers from Corozal and Orange Walk have received some tough news that for the beginning of the next crop season, they will be getting a 21% pay cut for every tonne of cane that they deliver to the factory. The 2015-2016 Sugar Cane season is expected to be very difficult. On Friday, November 6, the factory owners, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, along with their majority shareholder, American Sugar Refineries Group, (BSI/ASR) released the figures that they are prepared to pay the cane farmers per tonne of cane. They estimate that they will be able to pay farmers $41.56 per tonne. That price is based on the market prices that currently exist in the European Countries, where Belizean sugar is primarily exported and sold to. The European Market is moving toward the global prices for sugar to prepare for the changes coming in 2017 to the European Laws. Right now, as readers are aware, beet sugar producers are being restricted and regulated so as to not affect the sugar cane farmers. In 2017, that will change and beet sugar producers will be able to compete on equal ground with sugar produced from cane.

H.E. Dr. Po-Ya Chang, President of the Control Yuan, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Leads a Delegation to Visit Belize
Her Excellency Dr. Po-Ya Chang, President of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the supervisory agency of the country, together with Her Excellency Jane Y. W. Chiang, Member and Chairperson of International Affairs Committee (IAC) of the Control Yuan, and two staff members, are scheduled to visit Belize from November 12 to 14, 2015. The purpose of President Chang’s visit is to sign an Agreement on Cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman of Belize and the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), with Hon. Lionel Arzu, Ombudsman of Belize, to strengthen the cooperation and exchanges between these two agencies and to promote and safeguard human rights. The Control Yuan is an independent watchdog body of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), comprised of 29 members and the Ministry of Audit. All members, including the Control Yuan President, are appointed by the ROC President for a term of six years, which may be renewed.

Influenced by Jack or Johnnie?
On this past Krem’s Sunday Review, the guest was Glenn Tillett. For the Co-host Yaya Marin-Coleman and Bill Lindo it was like beating their heads against a wall. Glenn for some reason was in a very foul mood. He started out with what I view as an insult to the Garinagu by referring to them as CARIBS. When Yaya questioned him as to why he used that term, he told her some song and dance routine about him coming from Stann Creek and that he refuses to use the term Garifuna and Gariganu because he was from the old school. His next target was PM Barrow’s health . It was as if though Glenn was the PM’s Doctor. The way he sounded was like he knew more about PM Barrow’s health than the PM himself. According to Glenn the PM’s health will get so bad during this term that it will render him useless. Bill then told him that the PM had a problem with his back and not his brain. Lindo went further than that explaining that Franklin D Roosevelt was maybe the best and longest serving USA President ever and he did so while being wheelchair bound. Well what came next from Dr. Glen was from as far out there as ever. He said something to the effect that the PM is either taking MEDICATION or will start to take medication, that will alter the PM’s mind. If you noted he did not say that it was Jack or Johnnie that would alter the PM’s mind.

Somebody tell Wade elections done
The General Elections were held on November 4 and seven days later some malcontents are still dwelling on the results and in the case of Louis Wade claiming electoral fraud. They cannot come to terms that the party they supported and fought for, the PUP, lost so miserably to the UDP. One can understand if the election results were close and maybe a recount or a protest would make a difference but this is not the case. The results were decisively in favor of the United Democratic Party which was returned to Belmopan for a third consecutive term. At every opportunity he gets Louis can be heard crying like a battered animal that he knows that there was electoral fraud. He is so pathetic that he tries to garner support from callers to his morning call-in show. It is entertaining to see him flustered every morning trying to find an explanation as to why the PUP lost. He seems to not know that elections have come and gone and continues to campaign during his morning show.

The winning UDP teams from Cayo
The results of the 2015 Elections for the Cayo District region is now showing a majority winning by the United Democratic Party UDP. Official results from the Election and Boundaries Department released on the 4th of November Elections shows that Omar Figueroa, Rene Montero and Erwin Contreras held on to their UDP positions in the Cayo District, a highly contested arena where there existed 45,124 registered voters. Omar Figueroa beat Michel ‘Micho’ Chebat in Cayo North by 159 votes, Rene Montero beat Daniel ‘Dan’ Silva in Cayo Central by a comfortable 213 votes and Erwin Rafael Contreras bested Dr. Lesbia Lissette Guerra in Cayo West by an overwhelming 1,284 vote margin. For Omar Figueroa, Rene Montero and Erwin Contreras, a total of 2,674, 3,249 and 3,290 voters delivered their winning ballots on November 4th, respectively.

Breaking Belize News

Who wants to lead the People’s United Party?
Friday, November 13th, 2015. Aaron Humes Reporting: Francis Fonseca remains leader of the People’s United Party (PUP) and of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, but the battle to elect his successor is on. All that is known at this point is that the leadership will be decided on Sunday, January 31. But does […]

KHMH Chairman steps down
A press release issued by Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) a short while ago, served to announce the stepping down of its Chairman of the Board of Governors who has decided to do so after serving more than three years. The release thanked Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Minster of […]

People’s United Party leadership candidates emerge
The People’s United Party held its executive meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss a national convention, in which a new leader will be elected for the party since Francis Fonseca announced he will be stepping down from the post. When that meeting concluded, members of the party spoke to the media, […]

Joint operation in Orange Walk results in drug arrests
The department of Crime Investigation Branch (CIB), Special Branch (SB) and the Quick Response Team (QRT), conducted an Anti-Drug operation in the Orange Walk District on the November 11th, which was successful. Around, 6:10 am a search was conducted on the premises of 25-year-old Jeovani Danilo, Coyoc of […]

Family feud sends mother to jail
A Belize City mother plans to appeal a short jail sentence handed to her today by Chief Magistrate Ann-Marie Smith after she was found guilty of using insulting words and harm. Mother of seven 40 year old Stephanie Moreira was sentenced to 15 days behind bars for the […]

December decision for Gaspar Vega and Ramon Cervantes Jr.
Their rivalry in Orange Walk North politics has quickly become one of the most compelling in Belizean politics, but at its root is something deeply personal. The elections may be over, but Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and PUP rival Ramon Cervantes Jr. are still locked in battle over […]

2-year-old boy found and returned home safely
Orange Walk Bureau Reporting: Police in Orange Walk report that 12-year-old Anthony Quim has been found and was reunited with his family early this morning. Authorities say he was found in San Jose Village in the Orange Walk district. The force wishes to thank the general public for their continued cooperation.

Moist and unstable conditions will support showery weather over the next few days
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies today with some showers or periods of light rain over most areas along with a few thunderstorms. Showers will become more frequent along the coast tonight and there is the possibility of localized flooding in the South over the course […]

Blogs

Sailing on the Serina Azul
What a great way to start a day – sailing to Hol Chan Marine Reserve on the Serina Azul. The boat was to set sail Sunday at 8:30 am so Aimee said she would pick me up at 8:00am. We met Carolyn and Neil for 8:15 am check in at Blue Tang Inn. We set Sail with Captain Carlos and crew Edwin and Arnold. Along the way Aimee and I pointed out a few landmarks to Carolyn and Neil including Mata Rocks where they are staying and the roof of Aimee’s new house down south. I never get tired of traveling our coast line by boat, unless of course it is choppy wet weather then it gets old fast. The day however was perfect – beautiful and calm. First stop was Zone D; Shark Ray Alley – I am glad our boat captain picked there before the Hol Chan as we had the place to ourselves. The boys offered people life jackets to make the experience easier by floating and explained how things would work on this portion of our snorkel trip.

Experience a Different Kind of Lovely in the Butterfly Jungle
One of the must-visit attractions in Belize, the Butterfly Jungle gives you a glimpse of the different butterfly species of Belize without having to travel lush jungles. Imagine walking through a lush jungle that is teeming with bright Belizean butterflies and exotic flowers. Wouldn’t that be a sight to behold? Well, you don’t have to imagine anymore because you can now do this without travelling the jungles of Belize. The Butterfly Jungle is a beautiful place that raises butterflies found in the jungle of Belize right in the heart of Ambergris Caye. Valley Ruddick and Tom Thomas have made a butterfly garden where they raise butterflies and allow you to see each stage of their transformation from a miniscule egg from a lowly caterpillar to the miraculous jeweled butterfly. Located at Rendezvous Estates, which is just less than five miles north of San Pedro Town, the Butterfly Jungle allows visitors to walk among hundreds of butterflies inside a greenhouse that is filled with exotic flowers and jungle plants that attract butterflies.

Three Pepper Fish with Bruschetta Pasta
Chop pepperoncini and slice shallots. Always check fish for bones (wash hands). Steps Preheat large, nonstick sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Season fish with salt and pepper. Place oil in pan, then add fish; cook 3–4 minutes on each side or until fish is 145°F (or opaque and separates easily). Remove fish from pan. Place shallots, pepperoncini, pimientos, and fried peppers and onions in pan; cook and stir 2 minutes. Stir in wine and butter; cook and stir 2–3 more minutes or until butter melts and wine has reduced by about one-half. Serve pepper mixture over fish.

International Sources

FREYA Premiere
New York Film Academy Documentary Department is proud to announce “FREYA”, will premiere with four other NYFA student documentaries at the prestigious DOC NYC on Friday, November 13, 2015 at the IFC Center in New York City. Filmed by seven students during a NYFA Filmmaking Expedition to Belize, “FREYA” follows the story of an endangered loggerhead sea turtle fighting to survive a shark attack against the odds. "Following Freya's story has been the opportunity of a lifetime," says Director, Rachael Peltzer. On the expeditions, young filmmakers explore threatened ocean worlds and raise a call to activism through the power of documentary storytelling - all in collaboration with some of the top marine conservation organizations. "The ocean is in great danger" says Producer, Gary Bencheghib "But we are hopeful that stories like Freya's will help increase awareness of such critical environmental issues." The students who worked on "FREYA" spent a week filming and helping the local volunteers. The expedition focused on the imperiled Mesoamerican Reef including coral reef conservation, endangered sea turtles and manatees. "It's exciting to see the expeditions spark a deep love for the oceans in young filmmakers - and a passion to tell stories that can help save them" says Andrea Swift, Chair of the Documentary Department at NYFA. Expedition collaborators include Mission Blue, Healthy Reefs for Healthy People, Oceanic Society, Ecomar, Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, Sea to Shore Alliance & Coastal Zone Management of Belize, Hawksbill Hope, and the Belize Fisheries Department.

Help Save the Crocs- Honduras Croc Petition
If you haven’t heard by now, Honduras is having a crocodile crisis. Cocodrilo Continental has shut down its doors to an allegation that the farm was laundering drug money by the US, and now 9,000 crocodiles along with other animals are suffering from lack of food and other basic husbandry needs. And let’s not forget about the employees who have also been gravely impacted. The director of the Asociación Hondureña Protectora de los Animales y su Ambiente (AHPRA) has started a petition to reach out to the President of Honduras to take positive and immediate action in order to prevent a horrible animal welfare situation to formulate. If you are interested in signing the petition, you can find the link here:

Guatemala threatens Belize?
A change of government in Guatemala and Belize is reviving long-simmering fears of war between the Central American neighbors. Media in Belize are reporting that a leaked document written by a senior officer in the Belize Defense Force apparently claims an ongoing campaign of aggression and confrontation from the Guatemalan military along the Sarstoon River, which forms the border between the two nations in the south. The leaked memo, dated Oct. 22, notes incidents as far back as 2003, with tension reaching dangerous point in 2006. The tension eased when the two nations' armed forces agreed on protocols for their border forces along the Sarstoon. But the memo says late 2009 saw another incident, in which a Guatemalan army vessel anchored on the Belizean side near the mouth of the Sarstoon, and raised a Guatemalan flag from a tree-top. BDF troops apparently removed the flag, but that the Guatemalan soldiers defiantly promised to replace it. The memo came to light in the lead-up to general elections in Belize, in which Prime Minister Dean Barrow of the conservative United Democratic Party (UDP) won a record third term. The Belizean elections closely followed those in Guatemala, where the new president-elect, Jimmy Morales, has revived territorial claims on Belize. Barrow made much of the issue, proclaiming that "Belize will not be bullied."

Travelogue explores 'Beneath the Jungle... and Beyond'
Dec. 7 will be the next Fairfield Glade Lions Club Travelogue at the Palace Theatre at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $8 per person. More than 3,000 years before the time of Christ, a consortium of autonomous city/kingdoms developed and flourished in a region now mapped as southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. They thrived until and around the 15th century AD, leaving behind astounding monuments to the energy, industry and ingenuity of their populations. They built temples rivaling those of Egypt… perhaps not as large but more extensive. A calendar more accurate than out own, astronomical observations used in constructing their buildings reveal a surprising degree of sophistication and knowledge. Today the descendants of those ancient Maya still populate this same region of Central America. Many are still farmers. But some are cowboys. Young men still rope and brand cattle today in Guatemala much as it must have done in the western U.S. 150 years ago. They dress in the regalia standardized by Hollywood. They wear T-shirts and rubber boots, and sport cell phones. They are hardworking young men, rounding up and managing cattle herds still.

Videos

November 12, 2015

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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

Clean Up Campaigns- Keeping the pretty island “pretty”
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye has for many years been a coveted destination for travelers. This beautiful island and its people have experienced exponential growth and development throughout the last thirty years and just like with anywhere else in the world-with growth- comes growing pains- these pains include sanitation! We are a beautiful coastal community, and while we are lucky to live in what many call paradise, it does come with responsibility, because trust us- we don’t always wake up to beautiful beaches. Every day loads of debris wash in with the evening’s tide (in some areas more than others). These include Sargasso and debris including garbage, that wash in from deeper seas. Whose responsibility is it then to clean up what’s been washed in? While the town council does presume the responsibility of cleaning the public beaches, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t all do our parts- After all, it is most definitely our civic duty. Thankfully we realize that, as several volunteer groups have come together to tackle the problem of pollution. We give all these groups and they’re volunteers two-thumbs up and encourage everyone to volunteer!

David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer charged in Belizean courts for forged documents
47-year-old David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer, who was arrested in San Pedro Town on Tuesday, November 3rd, was brought before the Belize court on a single charge of producing a forged document. Nanes Schnitzer was arrested following a special operation conducted by the San Pedro Police Department, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) and the US Marshals Service, as he is wanted in Mexico for involvement in the Allen Stanford Ponzi scheme. Before being extradited, Nanes Schnitzer will need to face charges before the Belizean tribunal for having an invalid driver’s license. After his arrest, Nanes Schnitzer was remanded to the Belize Central Prison and first appeared in court on Friday, November 6th where he pled guilty to the charge of having a fraudulent driver’s license (SP-2269) which was found on the day of his arrest. On his second hearing on Friday, November 9th, Nanes Schnitzer changed his plea from guilty to not guilty under advice from his Attorney-at-law Liesje Barrow Chung in hopes of being granted bail. But Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith still denied him bail, as he presents a high flight risk. Nanes Schnitzer will not appear in court again until Tuesday, December 4th, when Magistrate Smith with give her final ruling.

Island to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day
With Garifuna Settlement Day slated for Thursday, November 19th, the San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council has announced several activities which will be held to commemorate their culture and heritage. With the assistance of the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and the San Pedro House of Culture (SPHC), the event will serve to promote and raise awareness on the vibrant Garifuna culture. This year’s celebrations are being held countrywide under the theme “Bungui Lerebei Sun Katei Lidan nei fureindei, Luma Benefau Awanseruni Houn Garinagu: God is the strength of all things, Garifuna Progress lies in Education and Hard Work. In San Pedro, activities kicked off on Thursday, November 5th with a presentation on Reef TV’s Morning Show. On Saturday, November 14th everyone is invited to participate in a Garifuna Cooking demonstration at Central Park from 10AM to 3PM. This will be followed by the Ms. Garifuna San Pedro Pageant scheduled on the same day at 7PM at the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sports Complex. Five lovely ladies will be contesting for the crown from reigning Miss Garifuna San Pedro Tisane Martinez. The contestants are Sheila Montero, Zennia Nunez, Nicole Dun, Michelle Martinez and Ashanti Martinez. The night will include entertainment by Black and White Charikanari Dancers, as well as great food and drinks. Tickets for the event are on sale at the SPTC at the following costs: Children – free, high school students – $5, adults – $10 and reserved -$15.

PM Barrow sworn in: Cabinet members and Senators appointed
After winning 19 out of 31 seats in the 2015 General Elections, the United Democratic Party (UDP) has officially taken over control of Central Government for its third consecutive term. As such, on Thursday, November 6th, UDP leader and elected Area Representative for the Queen’s Square Constituency, Honorable Dean Oliver Barrow, was sworn in by Governor General Sir Colville Young during a private ceremony as a three-peat Prime Minister. Following his official installation, Barrow announced the members of his Cabinet and Senate who will be assisting him in running the country for the term of 2015-2020. The official announcement was made on Monday, November 9th during a press conference at the Biltmore Plaza in Belize City.

SPRCS students enjoy some cool treats
There were big smiles on their faces as the students and staff from San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) were treated to delicious paletas on Monday, November 9th. Courtesy of long time island visitors, Debby and Larry Heimgartner and Manelly’s Ice Cream Shop, over 1,000 popsicles (paletas) were handed out. The treats were definitely well received in this hot weather, as both students and teachers accepted them with much gratitude. For years, the Heimgartners have distributed these tasty strawberry and chocolate treats to the students and staff of SPRCS as a form of appreciation towards the community for the support and hospitality that has been extended to them. “We are happy to be giving back to San Pedro and that the children are enjoying these treats,” said Larry. He also commented that when he first started, there were under 500 students and today, that number has doubled!

Ambergris Today

Belize Declares November 29 “Small Country Sunday”
Small businesses often struggle to stand out when they’re up against big-box retailers, and small countries—like Belize—can feel the same effects. With the busiest travel and shopping season ahead, the Belize Tourism Board is putting an exotic twist on shopping local and encouraging travelers to book like they buy: small. As a result, Belize declares that Sunday, November 29 will mark the inaugural “Small Country Sunday,” a day to honor small nations and encourage travelers to book their adventure somewhere new. “We’re thrilled to announce this initiative,” says Karen Bevans, Director of Tourism at the Belize Tourism Board. “Small Country Sunday is a movement to connect travelers to Belize, who struggle to compete with the big budgets and infrastructure that many larger countries have. This program will directly impact the livelihood of many small business owners and families who rely on tourism.”

Residents Shocked About News of Fugitive Caught in San Pedro
“David was a regular customer here at the restaurant and bar,” commented a local resident in North Ambergris Caye. “He came in daily and became a friend throughout the two years. I was shocked when I learnt this news about him! Especially his wife, she was a sweet person (At least that’s how I know her). Reminded me of Rjay who was extradited few years back whom I was roommates with! He did seem a little stressed out lately!” “David and Elizabeth frequented our establishment as well; as a matter of fact, our first dollar came from them -- we have it signed on our door,” commented another business owner in North Ambergris Caye. “We also became friends with both of them and are still in shock about this news.” David pleaded guilty on the count of his forged documents at Belize’s Magistrate’s Court; his bail was denied on the grounds that he is a flight risk and was remanded to Belize Central Prison. While Stanford has since been convicted and sentenced to a hundred and ten years in prison, there are no criminal charges pending against Nanes in the United States.

Misc Belizean Sources

Training of Trainers Business Labs on IP and Product Branding for Creative Industries
SBDCBelize in partnership with Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), Organization of American States (OAS), Ministry of MASHAV – Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jerusalem and The Golda Meir Mount Camel International Training Centre (MCTC) coordinated a five day Business Lab focused on Intellectual Properties and Commercialization of Creative Industries held from November 9th to November 13th, 2015 at the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) Building located in Freetown Road, ITVET Compound, Belize City. The objective of this workshop is to provide tools and skills to national institutions that implement economic development programs by providing potential local trainers and facilitators with a flexible and effective methodology to create a heightened awareness among nationals and to explore opportunities along with the related steps to start up their business. Additionally, it will focus on providing participants with hands on training and helping them acquire tools that will aid them in the development of innovative ideas and their implementation.

Regional Strengthening of Health Services and Efficient Accessibility of Ambulances throughout Belize
As Belize strives to enhance a sustainable and effective health system throughout the country, the Ministry of Health is proactively seeking to scale up and maintain regional health clinics and hospitals in line with the growing demands in health. In line with this, the Ministry of Health has procured and will be handing over six (6) new ambulances on Wednesday, November 11th in the Ministry of Health Parking Lot, Belmopan. These ambulances will be placed across the different regions, namely: Punta Gorda, San Antonio, Independence, Dangriga, Orange Walk and San Ignacio/Benque. The ambulances will be officially handed over to regional managers and administrators of the polyclinics and hospitals mentioned above. This equitative distribution by the Ministry of Health is regarded as a further improvement and response that these clinics must have in order to improve health services throughout Belize.

Bartender needed on CayeCaulker
Meldy's is looking for a male bartender to work from 6:30am to 3pm. Must be flexible, punctual and willing to work on holidays and flexible hours. Please contact 629 0202 to schedule an interview. We are located in Caye Caulker.

Ti Bum has passed away
"She no bizniz" as the song says, but the local dancer featured in the Ti Boom Boom video by Reckless passed in the month that honours her culture.

Miss Divali Nagar Pageant
Miss Namita Balani, Miss East Indian 2015-2016. Miss Namita Balani, who won the Miss East Indian Belize 2015 – 2016 Cultural Pageant, organized by the Corozal Organization of East Indian Cultural Heritage (COEICH), is presently in Trinidad and Tobago where she will be proudly representing Belize in the Miss Divali Nagar Pageant on Sunday, November 8, 2016. Other participants hail from Trinidad & Tobago, Canada, Surinam, Jamaica and Florida. Ms. Namita is doing very well in the preliminary activities and we do hope she can bring home the crown! The pageant will be broadcasted on ZEE TV. COEICH wishes her all the best as she represents Belize and we also encourage young ladies of East Indian descent to participate in our annual Miss East Indian Cultural pageant to be held in August 2016. We are pleading to the Belizean public to visit the National Council of Indian Culture of Trinidad and Tobago’s (NCIC TT) Facebook page and like Ms. Namita’s picture as this can help her win Ms. Popularity. Any help and consideration will be much appreciated.

Crocodiles in Corozal Bay
We have received numerous reports of two crocodiles roaming in our Corozal Bay for some time now. One has been spotted in-front of Rainbow Park and the smaller one has been seen between Scotty's Bay Inn and Scotty's Bar & Grill. Swimmers should be careful and exercise caution when venturing into these waters. Here is a photo of the smaller one taken in-front of Scotty's Bar & Grill. We ask the Forestry Department and other relevant authorities to please take note and action in relocating these two crocodiles.

BWRC Auction Gala
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic's 2nd annual Auction Gala fundraiser is on Saturday the 21st, and the SIRH. There will be great food, entertainment, and plenty of great silent auctions. "Don't forget to purchase your tickets for BWRC's Annual Auction Gala at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel to support BWRC's free medical care and rehabilitation for imperilled wildlife!"

Guava Limb Café: Sharing Knowledge with Tourism & Culinary Students
The Guava Limb Cafe hosted 7 Tourism students from the Centro Escolar Mexico, to give them some insight into the tourism and restaurant business. Thanks, Guava Limb! In related news, they are almost done with their latest upgrade, and the new kitchen is fully functional...and still preparing the same amazing food. "7 young and energetic students from The Centro Escolar Mexico in the Corozal District made their way to Western Cayo to visit the restaurant of the year 2015, The Guava Limb Café."

Paradise Theater: Playing this weekend!
Ricki And The Flash, No Escape, American Ultra, The Outfield

Paint N Splash in San Pedro
This Thursday at Crazy Canucks Beach Bar 2p.m.

Calendar of classes and workshops offered at Belize Botanic garden
Evening classes will be held at the Garden Shop, 37 West Street, San Ignacio: 6pm-8pm. All-day classes will be held at Belize Botanic Gardens: 7:30am-3pm. Bring notebook, pen, gardening clothes and water bottle to all classes! Instructors: Rudy Aguilar, Freddy Tut and Josue Mai instructors of BBG’s two-year Professional Gardeners’ Programme, funded by duPlooy’s Jungle Lodge and the EU. 1. SOILS and ORGANIC FERTILIZERS $80 per person Two part class: Saturday 14th Nov. 7:30am- 3:00pm; Saturday, 21st Nov. 7:30am-3:00pm Healthy, vibrant plants need healthy, balanced soils. You can improve your garden by understanding how to assess and then amend the soil. Bring container to bring home your own organic fertilizer! Topics include: Soil Mixes, Soil Types, Rock Fertilizers, Manures, Compost, Liquid Fertilizers. 2. PLANT PROPAGATION $120 per person Two evening classes plus two full days: Friday, 27th Nov., 6pm – 8 pm; Saturday, 28th Nov., 7:30 am to 3 pm; Friday, 4th Dec., 6pm – 8 pm; Saturday, 5th Dec., 7:30 am to 3 pm Producing your own plants from seeds you have saved, or from cuttings, slips of plants, or pieces of root, can be a rewarding hobby or profitable business. Bring home your own “plant baby”! Topics include: Grafting, Budding, Plant layering, Cuttings, Seed planting.

Saga Humane Society 2015 Auction is now open
With only forty-four days until Christmas, and Thanksgiving in the US right around the corner, many of us are searching for that perfect holiday gift. Well look no further. The Saga Foundation has some fantastic gift ideas for you in the 2015 Holiday Auction. Our generous business owners here in San Pedro have donated activities and excursions, golf cart rentals, meals galore and some amazing accomodations. There is something for everyone. You even have the option to "Buy Now" if you don't want to wait until the auction closes on December 15, 2015. And remember, all proceeds will go directly to the care of the animals of Saga Humane Society.

Boledo Drawing: November 11, 2015: 11

Donation to the San Pedro Cancer Society
Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilor Ruben Gonzalez presented a cheque of $5000.06 to the President and Members of the San Pedro Cancer Society. This total was collected on the Dollar Drives that was made by the Staff of the San Pedro Town Council in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We thank the public for being a part of the Dollar Drive, from the smallest to the biggest contributor. Thank you!

His Excellency Oren Bar El, Ambassador of Israel to the Republic of El Salvador, makes a courtesy visit to Mayor Daniel Guerrero while traveling our country

Government of Belize Provides New Vehicles to the Belize Police Department.
The Government of Belize, through the Ministries of Finance and National Security, has purchased 10 new patrol vehicles for the Belize Police Department at a cost of BZ$280,000. The vehicles were officially handed over to the Police Department today, November 11, at the Belmopan Police Station. The vehicles will be distributed to the formations in Belize City, Ladyville, Belmopan, Dangriga, San Ignacio, the Intermediate Southern Formation (Independence Village) and the Special Patrol Unit (headquarters in Belmopan). Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar presented the keys to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, who received them on behalf of the Belize Police Department.

BLACK SMOKE BLOWN AT THE SUGAR CANE FARMERS OF THE NORTH
We have read from media reports that "the first estimate for prices of raw sugar cane has been released, and it is a blow to farmers in the North who have a record amount of cane in the field for the upcoming sugar crop. Producers Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) have estimated a price of $41.56 per ton, with some 1.225 million tons of cane available from which BSI expects to mill 129,000 tons of sugar. However, according to former BSCFA president and branch leader Alfredo Ortega, there is more than that amount available. According to BSI officials the low estimate price reflects the prices in the EU market and they claim to have started seeing this since last year but it did not have an impact then due to prices in former contracts with Tate & Lyle that extended to the 2015 crop. The drop in the EU market is below the minimum price of 4.25 euros that was in the last contract with Tate and Lyle.

Detour at the Corozal Community Hospital
We would like to inform the general public of a temporary detour at the Corozal Community Hospital for the rest of this week. The reason being the Hospital driveway will be grated and paved this week. In the mean time, parking in the rear of the hospital can be accessed by a temporary road near the eye center, just after the round about. We apologize for any inconvenience; however, this project will greatly improve the quality of service for the residents of Corozal.

Channel 7

Four On-Base For The PUP; Who Will Rise on January 31?
The PUP met at party headquarters today for the first time since their bruising election defeat a week ago. The party called all executive members and standard bearers to a farewell luncheon for outgoing party leader Francis Fonseca. The various candidates all arrived between 12:00 and 12:30. Only one man was missing – and that is the guest of honour – Francis Fonseca. He arrived close to 1:00 pm and joined his colleagues at an event where – we are told – he received unanimous praise. After that luncheon, the members of the executive remained for a meeting to discuss principally – the national convention which needs to be held to elect a new leader among other posts. That meeting ended around 3:15 pm – and Chairman of the Party Henry Usher gave the media a briefing on what was decided:…. Henry Usher - Chairman, Fort George "We will have a national convention. There was some question whether it would have been special convention to elect a party leader or a national convention. It was decided by the majority of the national executive that we will have a national convention. The date of the national convention will be the 31st of January that is a Sunday in 2016. We will have a deadline for nominations for the open post of the 15th of December 2015 and of course the deadline for the delegates list to come in around the same time. By the constitution it has to be 30 days prior to the date of the national convention."

Briceno Makes It Plain
And while Briceno didn’t want to talk to us there – yesterday, he did speak to his own TV Station, CTV-3 back in Orange Walk. The former leader made it public that he is seriously considering offer himself for leader at the National Convention: Hon. John Briceno - Area Representative, Orange Walk Central "Will I do it, like I said it is always a great privilege to be the leader of the PUP, so it's not something I take likely and I am seriously considering it that is something that I will probably do. But before I make that final decision, I think I need to continue to talk to my colleagues and trying to put together a winning formula so that we will be able to do the work that needs to be done; there is a lot of work to be done especially after every lost."

Cordel Considering
Lake Independence Representative Cordel Hyde has also expressed interest in pursuing the leadership post. Today he told the press he’s been receiving a lot of calls of support and is considering it:… Hon. Cordel Hyde - Area Representative, Lake I "We've had a lot of request, a lot of well wished, a lot of encouragement from a lot of people all over the country; whether through text, through e-mail messages, whether through Facebook messages encouraging us to take the plunge and step up to the challenge at hand and I can tell you that we are seriously considering it at this moment. We're talking to a lot of people and it's a big deal but it's one that we are taking very seriously and we don't have to make that decision today, tomorrow or the day after. Truth be told in this meeting that is coming up right now is a good chance that they will give us until the middle of December to get in our names and a convention won't be due until early in the first quarter."

Is Chinese Businessman Responsible For Andy Avilez Death?
In police news tonight – investigators are trying to determine if a man named Andy Avilez died as a result of injuries he received in a fight with a Chinese businessman early last month. The entire ordeal started back on October 9th when 52 year old Chen Wen Hua from a popular hotel in the area of Dolphin Drive got into a fight with 51 year old Avilez who he claims to have caught stealing tools. Now Avilez is very well known to police and the cops say they found the men wrestling a drain: Wen Hua said Avilez caught him on the side of his face with an iron rod. Avilez was charged with wounding, and when was taken to court on October 13th, he pleaded guilty. But he had a different account of what transpired and said police were fabricating a story against him. He said he was riding my bicycle, picking up bottles out of a drain and that’s when he felt someone strike him in the head. He says he fell and and the person continued to flog him. Avilez said he had to go to the doctor, and showed the Chief Magistrate a doctor paper where he said he spend 6 days in the hospital.

Belmopan Police Looking Into Saldivar's Supporter
And in another controversial police case, tonight Belmopan police are commenting on that John Saldivar supporter who allegedly fired a gunshot into the air. On Friday, we showed you that viral video which showed John Saldivar calling off police who intended to detain the man they suspected of discharging a firearm in public. Saldivar says that he was trying to defuse a possible mob scene with his supporters who may have attacked the police had they pushed the issue. The Prime Minister accepts his explanation, but what about the police themselves? Saldivar is once again their minister - and their boss - but this evening, Commander of the Belmopan Police made the point that he can see Saldivar’s point, but that his officers will deal with anyone who breaks the law. Here’s what he had to say to our colleagues from Plus TV this evening:

Cane Country Blues
Last night, we told you how the low international prices of sugar may threaten the local industry. The cane farmers are heavily invested, and they have loans at the bank to service. Today, our News team travelled to Orange Walk to speak with a few of the farmers to get a first-hand perspective on the loss of earnings that could come out of the next sugar season. Daniel Ortiz has that story: All these sugar cane stalks, tall and numerous, belong to cane farmer Marcel Gutierrez, They're about ready to be harvested, and Guiterrez and his family have been preparing for the opening of the new season which should take place later in this month. This is a huge investment for him and his family, and the only way of life he’s known for the past 22 years. He says the problem with the 21% pay cut that’s been announced is that he won’t get a return which will allow him to pay his loan to the bank which financed his cane fields. Marcel Gutierrez - OW Cane Farmer "I made a loan this year the differential price will be good and not be good. For approximately the next year I will can't clean my cane fields, not fertilize, nor pay my workers to clean the cane because it will be a very low reduction of price. And it's very hard with me and family to survive on this low price of cane."

7 New Ambulances To Be Deployed
The ambulances are finally here. In May, former Health CEO Peter Allen told us that the Ministry of Finance had approved the purchase of 6 ambulances and that they were just working on the delivery details. Well, they were delivered and officially handed over at the Ministry of Health’s Belmopan Office today. We spoke to Minister Pablo Marin about these long awaited ambulances and how they will improve health services across the country. Hon. Pablo Marin - Minister of Health "It’s 7 ambulances that we have received. Its money from the Ministry of Health from the PCP and that is why 4 of the ambulances are going down south. They are going to PG, Independence, San Antonio, Dangriga; that's 4 of them. We'll take one to Cayo and one to Benque and one has already been delivered to Corozal; that was the first one we got. As you can see it’s the first time ever we have 7 new ambulances in the country and we are looking already to purchase 2 more. One will be for Orange Walk and the other one will be looking at where the next one should be going."

Hon. Pablo and Health: A Ways To Go
Now these Great Wall ambulances were scheduled to be delivered just before the election – but shipping delays pushed that back to this week. So it comes as a post election bonus, a sort of fresh start for Minister Pablo Marin’s re-election and re-assumption of the cabinet portfolio. Hon. Pablo Marin - Minister of Health "I feel proud of myself. I feel proud of my staff that we have accomplished so much in the Ministry of Health. We have received grants from the Japanese that's about 5 million dollars. We have received grants from the European Union. We have invested in clinics around the country. We have fixed the labs in the country. We have fixed pharmacies in the country." "In Corozal the operating theatre was removed from Corozal and taken only in the region of Orange Walk. I have opened an operating theatre in Corozal and its working. In San Pedro, you had an 8 hour service in San Pedro; now I can boast I have a 24 hour service in San Pedro. Benque, we had an 8 hour service; now we are implementing a 12 hour service in Benque and that we have done all over the country. We are looking now to do a hospital in San Pedro which we needed. We need to do a hospital in PG; we definitely need that. And these things we have done through time, so how is it that they will say that the Ministry of Health has not improved?"

Western Regional: Betta Must Come
And on that list of improvements is the Western Regional Hospital. The Hospital Management and the Ministry have come under heavy criticism after a series of unfortunate incidents, culminating in a rat biting a new born in an incubator. Minister Marin told us that they are very serious about eventually building a new hospital. Hon. Pablo Marin - Minister of Health "Definitely we are going to continue to do renovation of the Western Regional Hospital; which is an old hospital. We need to do a lot renovation there. This 30 million dollars that we are going to get will improve the facility tremendously. The operating theatre that we have at the Western Region is new operating theatres; so that will be added to this new building that we're going to do. And eventually we need to tear down the old one and rebuild it again; but it takes time and also I'm asking the people working at the hospitals to have a little more love to their job and to give that extra mile in the hospitals. The hospitals are for the people and we have to realise that eventually myself or maybe one of my family will go to the hospital and then you need to take care of them."

WRH Vendors Doing Ok, But Want Better
Apart from the renovations, another issue on the hospital grounds was the vendors. They were removed from the premises and forced to sell outside the compound. Well, when we spoke to one of the vendors today he told us that business is going very well but that he and all the vendors would still prefer to be back on the compound. Russell Arnold Jr. - Vendor "It's about 2 months now since we are out there from inside to outside the hospital and business still going on, it's not bad. People still come in and buy because they see us coming out every day. It's raining, right now I'm filling up and we are not giving up, we are coming out every day and city council come and when I went to them they gave us a letter to move but since 2 months ago they didn't move us. They told us fill the spot and we can stay until they can give us help back inside." Courtney Weatherburne "So you guys are still managing out here?" Russell Arnold Jr. - Vendor "Yeah, we are still managing out here. Business move different because people just pass through coming in and buy from us; which that never does happen."

Progress After Peter?
As we told you, CEO Peter Allen has been replaced by Dr. Ramon Figueroa in the Ministry of Health. Allen is now the CEO in the Ministry of Finance, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities. Marin told us – sure, Allen will be missed but the Ministry will also benefit from Figueroa’s expertise. Hon. Pablo Marin - Minister of Health "I will miss Peter Allen, I will not say no but remember Dr. Ramon was already the DHS and for him to be able to come as the CEO it's just for me a plus and now I'm going to have Dr. Manzanero as the DHS; which is he is a workaholic and I know that he will give another good part for the Ministry of Health. And I think everybody in the Ministry is happy about it even though when they talk about Peter Allen they say he's a little bit too strict; English man like. But in that manner we have to say thanks to Peter Allen because we have gotten a lot of grants because of his dedication to the ministry." Peter Allen had been the Health CEO from 2008.

Sustainable Energy Showcase
It’s Caricom Energy Week – and – in it’s final pre-election gasp - the now dismantled Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Pubic Utilities organized what’s called an energy expo. It’s an effort to raise awareness about sustainable energy sources as a key to sustainable development. We found out more form the organizer:… Ryan Cob - Energy Officer, Ministry of Energy "We're inviting the general public and schools to come in and learn about the energy sector. We'll be having different booths by Pro Solar, BECOL, DFC, BNE as to educate one, the school children about energy sector but because we're bringing all the public to one general location we also needed to have a way for people to finance these types of things. These technologies are relatively expensive so that's why we've invited the DFC along here as well at the expo because they have a line of credit so as to support these type of technology and activities. It's a one stop shopping centre basically that we're providing here today. It's economic that's driving us, so all the interventions, all of the recommendation that we are doing; yes policy helps to motivate it but it's economics that actually drives it." It was a one-day event.

Wesley Students Learn Garifuna Culture Intuitively
It’s one week before Garifuna Settlement Day, but Wesley High School in the Albert Area today went out of its way to re-enact the arrival of the Gairfuna to these shores. It’s called yurumein, and the re-enactment requires that the actors come in to shore on canoes – or the next best thing. Today in a sudden squall the next best thing was the Coast Guard – who assisted with two very sea worthy vessels. But whether canoe or coast Guard, you could still hear the drums coming to shore. 7News was there for the arrival:…

V Is For Veterans
If you took notice today you probably saw lots of folks walking around with a red poppy pinned on their clothing. It’s not a decoration or accessory – it’s a sign of remembrance for the men and women who fought and served during World Wars 1 and 2. Tonight, we take you back to 1914 and tell you why today is significant. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow. Between the crosses, row on row,” Those are the 2 opening lines of the Great War Poem written by Canadian John McCrae in 1915. It was written in remembrance of all the men who fought in World War 1 and 2. At the Ex-Servicemen League’s office, the walls are filled with picture frames of men and women who played a key role in the war.

Community Endorsement For Northside Cops
Today, the police from precinct three went into the community for their meet and greet. Now, we’re always showing you the southside cops going on their community rounds – but today precinct three from the northside was making the rounds. We found them in Rhaburn’s Alley off New Road where the partnership was evident:…

Marching With Meaning
And the community policing unit in precinct two got their own kind of community endorsement with the gift of eight thousand dollars worth of Marching Band Equipment at the Yabra Community Centre. Sergeant Brent Hamilton told us more: The Police Youth Cadets marching band comprises 40 members.

Great Wall For Great Cops
In our last segment, we told you about the ambulances that were delivered to the Ministry of Health. Well, 10 patrol vehicles – also Great Wall Brand - were also handed over to the Belize Police Department today in Belmopan. These patrol vehicles will be distributed in Belize City, Ladyville, Belmopan, Dangriga, San Ignacio and Independence Village. The cost of all the patrol vehicles is $280,000.

Channel 5

Will Cordel Hyde Replace Francis Fonseca as New P.U.P. Leader?
The biggest single issue on the political front in this week following the 2015 general election is the leadership vacuum in the Opposition People’s United Party. The day after a [...]

Lake-I Area Rep Says P.U.P. Needs to Renew Itself
Hyde says that successive failures have shown that it is time to stop paying lip service to change, and to make something happen. He wants to be an agent of [...]

Where Does Julius Espat Factor Into Leadership Equation?
Current Deputy Leader Julius Espat has also found himself thrown into the mix for leader. Today he didn’t go so far as to confirm that he will submit his name [...]

Julius Seconds the Notion for Urgent Change in P.U.P.
Espat agrees with Cordel Hyde that the Party needs to go back to its roots and shake things up, since the package currently being served isn’t getting the job done. [...]

Kareem Musa – Is He Also at the Gate for Leadership Race?
One name thrown into the leadership race is Caribbean Shores Area Representative Kareem Musa. He’s relatively new, with only one very significant, but recent victory under his belt. Like Espat, [...]

EU Sugar Prices, Cause for Concern Up North
The 2015/2016 sugar crop is slated to start in the next fourteen days, but the news tonight is that while sugar prices on the world markets are good, prices in [...]

No Post Mortem Into P.U.P.’s Defeat at Polls, Full Steam Ahead
Those interviews with P.U.P. representatives were done at Independence Hall, where the P.U.P. held its National Executive meeting following a luncheon with leader Francis Fonseca. Chairman Henry Charles Usher told [...]

New P.U.P. Party Leader Will Choose Opposition Senators
Another decision that was taken at the Executive meeting of the People’s United Party is that as it relates to the senate, the status quo remains.  The three senators who [...]

Sugar Assessment Incomplete Says B.S.I. Official
Earlier we told you about the low sugar prices that farmers will be paid for the new sugar crop. There is another issue that is bubbling. It involves the results of [...]

Still No Arrest in Election Day Shooting
Exactly seven days after a man fired his weapon into the air in front of hundreds of witnesses on election night, there has been no arrest. The alleged shooter, identified [...]

Will Minister of Police Be Investigated for Role in Incident?
Discharging a firearm in public is a criminal offence. So is obstruction. And from the video, there it appears that there was obstruction by John Saldivar and by his supporters [...]

Bottle Picker Dies After Being Badly Beaten By Chinese Businessman
There is an ongoing criminal investigation into the death of fifty-one-year-old Arlie Andrew Avilez of Belize City. Avilez passed away since October but a post mortem examination has just been [...]

Popular Belize City Tailor Charged for Sexual Assault of Minor
There is another investigation ongoing by the Crime Investigation Branch in which a well-known Belize City tailor is at the center of a sexual assault allegation. A fourteen year old [...]

8 Years of UB Market Expo
A market expo showcasing the ingenuity and creativity of students from the University of Belize was held today in Belize City. A large array of products made by the students [...]

6 New Ambulances for Health Sector; 10 New Police Vehicles Received
A fleet of badly needed vehicles has been acquired for the Ministry of Health and another by the Ministry of National Security. The Ministry of Health says that it has [...]

Youth Cadets Receive Marching Band Equipment
A rather hefty donation of marching band equipment, including drums and cymbals, was also handed over today to the Cadet Corps of the Eastern Police Division South. The donation was [...]

Indian Community Celebrates Diwali in Belize
Every year around this time, the Indian Community celebrates their new year. Known as Diwali or Deepawali, it is a festival of lights that religiously commemorates the return of King [...]

CTV3

Police Narrow Investigation On Whereabouts Of Anthony Quim
Orange Walk Police have narrowed their search for twelve year old Anthony Quim on the island of Ambergris Caye after receiving information of his whereabouts. Reports to our newsroom indicate that Quim may be in the company of two elder boys, one of which we have been able to acquire a recent photograph. Police say they believe Quim is in the company of Milton Canchan and another minor in the San Pedrito Area of San Pedro Town. As of newstime though, police have been unable in locating the missing boys. Meanwhile, police asks anyone with information on their whereabouts to come forward or call the mother, Xiomara Quim at 665-8084. We’ll keep monitoring this story for any developments…

BSCFA Orange Walk Branch Meets With ASR/BSI On Way Forward Of Industry
As sugar cane farmers brace to face significant financial crisis, there is one option that organizations and even BSI may take. That is to approach lending institutions and lobby for a more accommodating repayment plan to help ease the blow from the price cut in the coming crop. Chairman of the Orange Walk Branch of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Alfredo Ortega says this was discussed in a meeting on Tuesday. “We as an organization we are looking forward, yesterday we had the meeting with representative from BSI and we told them that we need to join hands together to have a chat with the financial institutions to see how best we can find a way on having the institution at least contemplating at least on how they can balance with those farmers because as you know currently as is what this price is doing is pushing the farmers five steps further to poverty, we have been in poverty and with this situation is chasing the farmers and not only the farmers but also those people that re depending on the crop not only on the crop but those that are doing the necessary husbandry at the cane field level so this situation will really put a negative impact to the cane farming community and it will chase us to a poverty situation if nothing is being done that is very important for us that we negotiate with the institution to see how best they can alleviate this situation in regards to what amount will they going to be charging the farmers for the upcoming crop.”

Police Arrest And Charged Miguel Chata For Attempt Burglary
In other crime news from the North, police in orange walk have arrested and charged a burglar who attempted to burglarize Hilda’s Hotel located on Zericote Street. Authorities say the quick response from the Hotel’s security led to the detention of a male who is no stranger to the law. “Ruben Guerra, Belizean businessman of 13th Guadalupe Street, reported that on given date at about 2:30am whilst at his home he got a phone call from his security guard who informed him that someone is trying to break into his business establishment Hilda’s Hotel on Zericote Street, Orange Walk Town, Mr. Guerra informed police who responded and caught Miguel Chata , a Belizean unemployed of San Lorenzo Housing Site who was seeing jumping out of the yard with a machete in his hand, police have arrested and charged Miguel Chata for the crime of attempt burglary.”

BSCFA Orange Walk Branch Requesting Increase In Pound Of Sugar
There may be an increase in the price of sugar on the local market. Following the announcement of the first payment to sugar cane farmers for the coming crop, stakeholders have begun discussions on the way forward to remain in the industry and be more competitive in the international market, ensuring the sustainability of the industry in Belize. With the new price cut, farmers look for ways to cushion the financial blow and are preparing to approach the government with a proposal to increase the price of sugar in the country which has stood at fifty cents per pound for about fifteen years says Chair of the Orange Walk Branch of the BSCFA Alfredo Ortega. “We have been asking the government to increase this price so that farmers can have at least a little bit of pillow in regards to dollars per ton of cane, a math was made that if the price of pound of sugar is increased for twenty five cents farmers are able to get five dollars per ton of cane delivered so that is something that was charged to the Chairman of the SICB Board about two years ago...

Belizean Hindu Community Celebrates New Year - DEWALI
And before we leave you tonight, members of Belize’s Hindu Community are busy celebrating their new year. It is called Diwali, or the festival of lights, a time when Hindus all over the world pray for blessings. The scenes on your screen are from celebrations in India, which included dancing, games, skits, firecrackers, fireworks and other entertainment. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, and marks the beginning of the fiscal year in India. This special day, is widely celebrated by Indians residing all over the globe. Similar to the Easter season, this date varies every year and falls normally between the months of October and November following the traditional Indian calendar. Here in Belize, there is a gathering at the Belize Hindu Temple to celebrate the Festival of Lights. The Indian community comes together and lights a candle after which everyone continues to socialize, greet and wish one another a successful year.

LOVE FM

Remembrance Day Observed in Belize
Remembrance Day or as some may know it, Veterans Day, is being celebrated today in memory of World War 1 when fighting ceased when an resolution, or temporary end of warfare, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, […]

The Future of the PUP Mouthpieces ….. Belize Times/Vibes Radio
It is no secret that the main Opposition Party has been grappling with some serious financial woes in recent years. A struggle that the PUP has never seen before as it has always had the physical and financial wherewithal to rally supporters, sparing no expense. With another five years of being in opposition, Love News […]

PUP Chairman Speaks on Election Outcome
It is no secret that the main Opposition Party has been grappling with some serious financial woes in recent years. A struggle that the PUP has never seen before as it has always had the physical and financial wherewithal to rally supporters, sparing no expense. With another five years of being in opposition, Love News […]

Manifesto Review: Sports and Infrastructure
Tonight we continue with our recapping of the UDP Manifesto Promises made on October 21 at the party’s Secretariat on Youth for the Future Drive. Yesterday we brought you the commitments made in the financial sector with the objective of managing the country’s debt and borrowing as well as giving the local business persons a […]

PUP Senators Remain
Friday, November 13 will be the first official gathering of the elected Area Representatives and appointed Senators at the National Assembly in Belmopan. According to the Chairman of the PUP, the three Opposition Senators will not be changed. HENRY CHARLES USHER “In terms of the Parliamentary appointments we have a joint meeting of the House […]

Union Lifts Strike Action Against CIBC First Caribbean Int’l Bank
Staff who are members of the Christian Workers Union at First Caribbean International Bank have decided to lift their strike against the financial institution. As you may recall, these employers picketed in front of the bank in an effort to display their frustration and discontent with the management of FCIB. The strike started about 14 […]

PUP Sets Date for Election of New Party Leader
During today’s National Executive meeting of the PUP, it was decided that the National Convention will take place in early 2016. That is where a new Party Leader and some posts in the National Executive will be up for election. Chairman, Henry Usher explained. HENRY CHARLES USHER “A National Convention which means that other posts […]

PUP Meets Following Announcement of Fonseca’s Resignation
The National Executive of the People’s United Party met just after one o’clock this afternoon at Independence Hall in Belize City. Chairman of the PUP, Henry Charles Usher spoke to us on what the agenda entailed. HENRY CHARLES USHER “We had a meeting at the National Executive. We had three items on the agenda, the […]

Upcoming Conference Will Bring Women Together for Business Growth
Women Entrepreneurship Day is a movement that is about celebrating and supporting and empowering women who are entrepreneurs. On November 25, there will be a Leadership Conference for growth-oriented business women to link and experience in-person interaction, acquire knowledge and learn how to grow their businesses. Danalyn Myvett, President of Belize Centre for Training and […]

Belize Tourism Board Holds Small Country Sweepstakes
The Belize Tourism Board has embarked on a new marketing initiative called Small Country Sunday. According to a release issued by the BTB, Small Country Sunday is a movement to connect travellers to Belize, who struggle to compete with the big budgets and infrastructure that many larger countries have. This program will directly impact the […]

PlusTV

Did Minister of National Security Obstruct Justice? Police respond…
On the night of the elections, Plus TV got an exclusive video of recently re-elected area representative John Saldivar as he ordered the police personnel who were stationed at the Belmopan counting Station at Comprehensive High School to back off as they moved in to arrest a man whom they suspected ...

PUP’s talk about new leader options
Last week we told you about open vacancy for party leader in the People’s United Party. Several names have since been tossed into the conversation when considering the viable options within the PUP. Some of those names include Kareem Musa, John Briceno, Julius Espat and Cordel Hyde. On Friday, Espat...

San Ignacio Police arrest one of their own
San Ignacio police have arrested one of their own for police brutality. Over a month ago, a resident of San Ignacio, Gustavo Williams, reported to authorities that while he was detained at the station for domestic problems, 26 year old Police Constable Kent Thompson opened the cell door and beat him...

Man arrested at bus stop for cannabis
Camalote police conducted a search at a bus stop where they found 64.8grams of Cannabis. On Monday the 9th of November, while police were on mobile patrol in Camalote Village, they conducted searches on several individuals at a bus stop. One individual was 22-year-old Shaquille Wayne Banner of Belmo...

Barber shop search led to discovery of Cannabis
A police search in a barber shop led to the discovery of 215 grams of Cannabis. On Tuesday the 10th of November, police conducted a search in the barber shop located in San Ignacio Town. With the consent of the owner of the establishment, checks were made behind a counter inside the barber shop whi...

Youth cadets receive marching band equipment
ALBA Petrocaribe Belize Energy Limited (APBEL) has made a donation of $8,000 worth of marching band equipment to the band established by the Police Department Youth Cadet Corps in 2013. The handover took place today and we spoke to Officer in Charge of Community Policing for South Division Precinct ...

New Ambulances for Regional clinics
Minister of Health Pablo Marin handed over 6 new ambulances to regional health clinics across the country. The handing over took place this morning at the Ministry of Health Parking Lot in Belmopan and is as a result of the Ministry’s goal to enhance a sustainable and effective health system throug...

Breaking Belize News

Burglar arrested in Orange Walk
On Wednesday November 11th 2015 Ruben Guerra Belizean Businessman of #13 Guadalupe Street reported that on the said date at about 2.30 a.m. while at his house he got a phone call from his security guard who informed him that someone was trying to burglarize his business […]

Illegal immigrants busted for crack and weed in Orange Walk
On the 11th day of November 2015 about 9:30 a.m. Orange Walk Police visited the home of Jose Bonilla located in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District with the intention to execute a search warrant for drugs. Jose Bonilla, a Salvadoran national along with his common law […]

Police Department gets 10 new vehicles
The keys to 10 new police patrol vehicles were handed over to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, by Minister of National Security John Saldivar, earlier today in Belmopan. These vehicles, at a total cost of BZ $280,000, were purchased by the Government of Belize through the Ministries of […]

Report says Belize met most of Millennium Development Goals (MDG), poverty still high
With approximately 40-45% of Belizeans living either poor or indigent despite real economic growth, the target to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger as part of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) created by the United Nations 15 years ago has not been met, as cited in a report obtained […]

Police investigate death of 51-year-old man
Belize City Police is investigating of a 51-year-old man who was charged by police for a brawl he was involved in, shortly before being hospitalized. Arlie Andrew Avilez of Belize City was arrested then charged for “wounding”, appearing in court on October 13th and was hospitalized two days later on […]

San Ignacio resident busted with 215 grams of weed
An 18-year-old male of Vaca Street, San Ignacio Town, was arrested and charged yesterday evening for the offense of “Possession of controlled drugs with the intent to supply”, after he was busted with a substantial amount of cannabis. Police visited Larry’s New Looks Barber Shop on Far West Street in […]

Ministry of Health hands over new ambulances
In an effort to enhance our health system in Belize, the Ministry of Health, headed by Minister Pablo Marin, continues to seek ways in which it can scale up and maintain regional health clinics as well as hospitals to satisfy the growing health demands. As a step towards […]

12 year old boy still missing
Today makes five days since 12 year old Anthony Quim was reported missing. His mother, Xiomara Quim told police that on Saturday around 4:00 a.m., her son left home to an unknown destination and has not been seen or heard from since. Anthony is described as being […]

People’s United Party to hold executive meeting on leadership
Following the People’s United Party’s (PUP) defeat in the November 4th General Elections and its former leader, Francis Fonseca stepping down from that position on November 5th, there has been a media frenzy trying to figure out who are the candidates aspiring to fill that gap in the PUP. It […]

Belize: The Way Forward For the PUP
The People’s United Party (PUP) has lost 8th elections in a row since the general elections of 2008. For the third consecutive term, they will serve as Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Their “guided democracy” philosophy is obviously not working too well for them. They will not get different results […]

Blogs

The Toledo People’s Eco-Park Plan
This is a story about a people who are struggling, striving for the opportunity to help themselves; a story about people who are suffering, who have found a solution to their suffering, but are not being given the chance to act on that solution; a story where the reader has the power to affect the outcome, which is not yet written. Today the indigenous people and culture-groups of the Toledo District in Belize, Central America, live in economic poverty, and are needlessly suffering as a result. Infant mortality, child malnourishment, unemployment, crime and illiteracy rates in the south of the country are high, while the rest of the nation races to the forefront of the glamorous highly profitable global tourism industry. Sadly the impoverished communities of the Toledo District are treated as an inconvenient embarrassment by the developing Belizean government, and are viewed as un-marketable by national tourism organizations and related private-sector business associations. The Kek’chi and Mopan Maya, Mesitso, Garifuna, East Indian and other ethnic groups of Toledo find themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of colonialism, dependent upon the meager contributions of local government and foreign aid to survive. Lacking the trappings of modernity to attract to their district the kinds of trade and commerce which preoccupy their nation’s leaders, these communities have no leverage with which to inspire their government to assist them in the areas of environmental, social and economic development. Instead the indigenous populations of southern Belize quietly endure an unspoken discrimination in the form of disregard for their legal democratic voice and abandonment of their solutions to the alleviation of poverty, thus earning this beautiful, wild territory its unfortunate moniker, “the Forgotten District.”

High Season Comes Early to Ambergris Caye, Belize
This past week…I wasn’t sure if it was just me. I saw tourists. Lots of them. More people unloading at Tropic Air, more golf carts filled with visitors and town just felt like it was hopping. But…it’s early November? A time of year that’s just…quiet. Usually super quiet. Could it be true? The streets were busy so… I decided to talk to a few professionals. A golf cart company manager. Two hotels. One of the airlines. One of the tour companies…to see if I was right. Is it busier right now than it usually is in the beginning of November? I spoke with Ultimate Golf Carts – the manager said that they have 20 carts and are busier than they have been in seasons. They are almost fully booked November to February – and totally booked for Christmas through New Years. (And there is certainly more transportation competition on the island). Okay, what about tour companies? I talked to Rebecca, the owner of Seaduced by Belize with her husband. They specialize in snorkeling, sailing and mainland tours. She said that they are busier – and especially for bookings in the beginning of December. A historically slow time as people abroad prepare for the holidays.

Plan your Belize Honeymoon around these 6 Romantic Ideas!
With Belize becoming THE new Romance Destination, we thought we’d compile a handpicked list of activities to do in Belize on your next Romantic Getaway – all that would be missing is you (and your love!). A private beachside moonlit dinner, a sensuous chocolate spa treatment, stargazing from your outdoor hot tub jacuzzi or perhaps an adrenaline pumping adventure will surely up your romance factor. So, whether you’re celebrating a special occasion such as a birthday, a honeymoon, an anniversary, or just looking for the ideal weekend getaway, Belize is definitely the right destination. Here’s why!

The Secret to Scoring the Best-Value Property on Belize’s Paradise Island
A blessed sea breeze keeps you cool…elegant frigate birds glide and cavort above the sea, ready to grab a quick breakfast in the clear waters below them… This is Ambergris Caye—an island less than 40 miles from the mainland of Belize. The best on-beach deals are usually found for resale condominium units in established developments. There are a variety of beach condo complexes that have a track record and reputation, and are well priced when compared to new condo developments. For example, I found a one-bedroom condo at an established beach development going for under $89,900. It’s only one-and-a-half miles south of the town center. Look a half-mile across the bridge and you can find furnished two-bedroom condos. In an established condo complex, I came across one for $280,000. Both are close to the town’s amenities, but removed from the hustle and bustle of the town center. Another option is to look north where major growth is occurring. It used to be an ordeal to navigate the dirt road north during the wet season. But paving of 10 miles of the road north is underway. It should be completed during the next dry season. Once the paving is complete, it will be much easier to reach the more remote northern areas of the island. But real estate prices have not yet adjusted upwards for the few northern condo complexes already there that aren’t as easy to reach. Right now you can buy a new condo or casita on the beach for under $130,000.

From San Pedro to Dangriga, Belize For a Free Veterinary Clinic
Yesterday morning, I woke up early to pack for a short trip to Southern Belize. Short in duration, not in travel time. Just one day to help with a free veterinary clinic that I helped with last year. The clinic where I ended up finding the best dog in the world. ELSIE! Who in one year went from this…neglected, starved almost to death, with tick fever…

Placencia Village in Belize: What is There to Enjoy?
A beautiful peninsula in southern Belize, Placencia Village is home to some of the best beaches and activities in the country. Follow this Placencia Village travel guide to help you experience this place at its best. A gorgeous green peninsula in Southern Belize, Placencia Village has 16 miles of sandy beaches, with the warm Caribbean Sea to the east and the charming Placencia Lagoon on the west. Placencia is divided into two parts, north of the airstrip and south of the airstrip. The whole of the village can easily be covered on one beach cruiser ride. Its busy part is on the south where visits will find a good amount of restaurants, banks, bistros, coffee shops, banks and guest houses. You will also find the taxi and bus station, and the harbor. The northern portion of Placencia, on the other hand, includes the Garifuna Village and is less densely populated. It has so many more expensive Placencia Village hotels. Because of its close proximity from the famous Belize Barrier Reef, it has a real surf. The water is clean and clear, and has trade winds that are gently and cooling. Tourists can find many sights that are calming to the spirit, such as the picturesque Belizean sunset on a deserted peninsula beach in Placencia.

Pook’s Hill All-Inclusive Jungle Lodge in Belize
It was called the bird’s nest; our large bungalow at Pook’s Hill Lodge was elevated about 20 feet off the ground and tucked far away from the rest of the hobbit looking bungalows. It was surrounded by green trees and vines; this was the middle of the jungle. In the light of day it was all rather exotic, and I was well aware that it would get even more exotic as the sun went down as I know from experience that’s when the jungle tends to wake up. I could tell Allie was impressed, she had never stayed or seen such a place before – and neither had I. It’s hard to build natural looking, modern living spaces in the jungle! We got settled in that night and had dinner in the communal dining area which was screened in to protect us from mosquitoes. As Allie put one of everything on her plate to try I smiled and realized this was one area that I knew I would have no issues with Allie – she was adaring eater, just like her sister. I love daring eaters. The jungle touches many senses. Obviously from a visual perspective you are surrounded by dense green jungle everywhere you look – it’s pretty amazing to think about what is inside that foliage, or to see geckos and lizards scurry. But you are also treated to jungle surround sound in the mornings. Waking up at Pooks Hill was a beautiful symphony of birds, bugs, geckos, and the occasional monkey. As the sun came up so did the volume creating a beautiful ‘nature’s alarm’. As cool and different as the jungle environment and creatures are, there’s also a part of me that thinks – there are plenty of things in the jungle that I really don’t want to see. - See more at: http://www.weblogtheworld.com/countries/central-america/pooks-hill-all-inclusive-jungle-lodge-in-belize/#sthash.6I7lFo42.dpuf

Garifuna Settlement Day: A Quick Look at the Garifuna Culture
November 19th is observed as Garifuna Settlement Day and a national holiday in Belize. The Garifuna people take this particular day, to commemorate the arrival of the Garinagu to Belize and to celebrate their contributions to the development of the country. In the days leading up to the 19th, Dangriga and its surrounding communities prepare for the arrival of locals and international travelers, seeking to imbibe in the typical Garifuna food and drink, dance to the rhythmic beating of the drums and partake in the week long festivities. What’s not to be missed is the “arrival re-enactment,” where everyone gathers to watch this modern day portrayal of the first Garinagu people to the shores of Belize. The Garinagu are descendants of the Carib Indians of St. Vincent and the Nigerian slaves whom were shipwrecked on the island in 1763. They were exiled to Roatan, Honduras by the British in 1796, and migrated to Belize in 1802 after civil unrest in Roatan. Presently, the Garinagu make up 6 percent of Belize’s population and are predominately found in Southern, coastal villages, such as Hopkins and Placencia.

International Sources

Virtual School Trip for student with Belizean Heritage
It's not a local story but a good story. Max Castillo is the son of Alya Rosado, who grew up on Princess Margaret Drive.
Teacher coordinates ‘virtual field trip’ for student with severe allergies: When it comes to allergies and children today, the risks are a true reality for many families that can be a matter of life and death. For third grader Max Castillo, allergies can keep him out of the school. But his teacher is trying to keep him as close to the classroom as possible - even when it may seem impossible. Max has anaphylactic allergies to wheat and dander that have plagued him since birth and a severe gluten sensitivity that attacks when the 8-year-old is even exposed to it. Last year, Max had a 7th birthday he would rather forget. “He ended up being hospitalized for five days and missed his birthday,” said Ted Castillo, Max's father.

The only affordable retirement for most Americans isn’t in America
Christine Schofield, mother of three, disappeared the day after the Bowl-A-Thon: February 13, 2012. She’d co-chaired the annual fundraiser with Holly Riordan at the Brunswick Zone in the Chicago suburb of Woodridge. The Grand Prize at the auction was a wheelbarrow full of wine bottles, which Christine wreathed in flowers. Altogether, the event raised more than $35,000 for We Grow Dreams, a not-for-profit greenhouse providing employment for teenagers with disabilities. Christine had been guilty of dreaming through the internet. She’d harbored a secret addiction for photo-gazing at the sprawling mansions in Latin America—mostly, the expansive kind built by industrialists and profiteers. When Panama and Guatemala and Ecuador out-priced even her fantasies, her dreams turned to Belize. Belize sat as a tiny nation of 350,000 people—roughly the population of Tampa, Florida—nestled on the Yucatán peninsula. “A thumb,” Christine said, laughing, “sticking it to the butt of the world.” As a former British colony, Belize was the only English-speaking nation in Latin America. It became sovereign in 1981, though it still remained part of Queen Elizabeth II’s vast commonwealth.

Videos

November 11, 2015

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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

Francis Fonseca to retire from politics: PUP in search of new party leader
After being in the political arena since 2003 and serving as the People’s United Party (PUP) leader since 2011, Honorable Francis Fonseca is stepping down not only as party leader but also as a politician. The announcement was made a day after the 2015 General Elections on Thursday, November 5th during a press conference at the PUP headquarters in Belize City. Fonseca announced that he will be stepping down as party leader and retiring from politics immediately after serving this term (2015-2020). Fonseca is the incumbent Area Representative for the Freetown Constituency, who defeated United Democratic Party’s (UDP) Carla Barnett and the Belize Progressive Party’s (BPP) Elizabeth Villanueva Dena. “Ladies and gentlemen, it has been my distinct honor and privilege to lead the People’s United Party over the past four years. I think given the results of the 2015 General Elections, it is right and appropriate that I stand down as the leader of the PUP. I certainly want to thank the wonderful people of Freetown for their unwavering support for four consecutive general elections. I had been and continue to be humbled by their love and support. This has been my last election. I am still in my 40s, but I think I will have to find another way to contribute to the development of Belize. I will of course serve out my term working for the people of Freetown. But I do not intend to seek re-election,” said Fonseca before a crowd of party members and supporters.

Ambergris Today

Manuel Heredia Keeps Tourism Ministry as New Belize Cabinet Appointed
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. who now takes on his third term as area representative of Belize Rural South (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker & St. George’s Caye) also takes on his third term as Minister of Tourism for the country of Belize after showing much progress and increase in tourism for the country. Heredia was given back his ministries of Tourism and Civil Aviation, but his ministry of Culture was handed out to another Cabinet member. He joins a new Cabinet that was appointed by Prime Minister Dean Barrow on Monday, November 9, 2015. “Congratulation are in order to all my fellow UDP candidates who went to the polls and I am most grateful that the UDP is remaining in office,” commented Hon. Heredia. “Congratulations are also in order to our Prime Minister, who led us to a victory a third time. I would like to thank the Belizean people who have placed their trust in me once again. Thank you to all my supporters that gave up their time and resources, to ensure that the work of the UDP continues. Once again thank you for your unconditional support!”

Misc Belizean Sources

Stolen Golf Cart in San Pedro
REWARD FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE RECOVERY OF STOLEN GOLF CART: green cart, plate # 2174. Contact 226-4949 or 631-6666

Communique - Inaugural Sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate

Poets Corner: Educational Zoning
It’s time Belize restructures its system of education to accommodate the out of school population To make it relevant to the needs of the nation Arts, dance, agriculture discipline, aptitude and applicable to the population This must be done on a 24 hour rotation It must begin with alphabetization Using UB students, retired teacher, volunteers and teachers vacationing To teach the populace reading Instead of CPDs that are boring Summer incentive with accreditation to another degree in learning The curriculum needs revamping From a European to Caribbean style of teaching School hours needs some tweaking We need re evaluate the population we’re serving 8-5, 1-5, 5-9 dah evening Mek sure every household has a garden Revitalize neighborhood and create gardens By engaging in abandoned lot clearing and planting

Children’s playground in Lords Bank Village
The Rotary Club of Belize District 4250 is pleased to announce the inauguration of a children’s playground in Lords Bank Village, today Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at 5:00 pm. The building of the Lords Bank Playground was coordinated by the Rotary Club of Belize, Rotary Interact Club of Vegreville Alberta Canada, Emmanuel Foundation and the Lords Bank Community. Today’s inauguration marks the 15th playground that the Emmanuel Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Belize, the Interact Club of Belize, and other partnerships with local communities, have built.

H.E. Dr. Po-Ya Chang, President of the Control Yuan, the Republic of China (Taiwan), Leads a Delegation to Visit Belize
Her Excellency Dr. Po-Ya Chang, President of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the supervisory agency of the country, together with Her Excellency Jane Y. W. Chiang, Member and Chairperson of International Affairs Committee (IAC) of the Control Yuan, and two staff members, are scheduled to visit Belize from November 12 to 14 2015. The purpose of President Chang’s visit is to sign an Agreement on Cooperation between the Office of the Ombudsman of Belize and the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), with Hon. Lionel Arzu, Ombudsman of Belize, to strengthen the cooperation and exchanges between these two agencies and to promote and safeguard human rights. The Control Yuan is an independent watchdog body of the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), comprised of 29 members and the Ministry of Audit. All members, including the Control Yuan President, are appointed by the ROC President for a term of six years, which may be renewed. The Control Yuan is mandated to investigate complaints of malfeasance or criminal acts committed by public servants or agencies and to censure or impeach them. Members are empowered to launch investigations on their own initiative. In instances where the watchdog agency concludes that crimes have been committed, it refers such cases to both courts and the Judicial Yuan’s Commission on the Disciplinary Sanctions of Functionaries.

Energy Week
The Ministry of Energy, Science & Technology and Pubic Utilities (MESTPU), is pleased to announce that Belize will be hosting CARICOM Energy Week during the week of November 8 - 14, 2015. During this week the MESTPU will be hosting an Energy Expo as a part of a regional effort to raise awareness and foster innovation in the area of sustainable energy in caribbean countries for national and regional development. It is specifically designed to raise awareness within the public and private sectors, civil society and academia of the innovative approaches required for the ef fective adoption of sustainable energy solutions development in government, business and social development geared at enhancing Belize’s global competitiveness. Under the theme, “EmPOWERing Our Sustainable Development”, the Energy Expo will feature sessions dedicated to practical uses of sustainable energy technologies and systems in education, business, and government. Access to affordable, clean and sustainable energy supplies is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity during the twenty-first century. Belize is in a unique position to lead the charge in the adoption of sustainable energy for development.

Power interruption 9:00am to 3:00pm, Thursday November 12, Belize District
Mile 8 to 25 on the George Price Highway including Sunset Park, Western Pines, Tropical Park, Hattieville, Freetown Sibun, Gracie Rock, Bainsville, Rockville, Jih Chan, entire Boom Hattieville Road and Belize River Valley including Fresh Pond, Burrell Boom, Castleton, Flowers Bank, Isabella Bank, Scotland Halfmoon, Bermudian Landing, Lemonal, Double Head Cabbage, Willows Bank, Saint Paul’s Bank, Big Falls, & Rancho Dolores. BEL to replace utility poles carrying high voltage lines.

Xunantunich Conservation Work
The Institute of Archaeology is doing some conservation work on Xunantunich's structure A13. When was the last time you visited Xunantunich? "The Institute of Archaeology continues on with its mission of preserving our sites and enhancing them for visitation. Conservation works were carried out on Structure A13 at Xunantunich. Visit the site today and see the work that was done!"

Peace Corps Belize is hiring for the following positions
1. Safety and Security Manager 2. Health Project, Program Manager Please visit the Embassy's official website for more information on the specific positions and the application requirements.

Embassy Auction
Saturday, November 14at 8:00am. U.S. Embassy Silent/Sealed Bid Auction Items for auction include household furniture, carpets, office furniture, appliances, motor vehicles, computers and more!!! PLEASE NOTE - registration and preview are on FRIDAY, November 13, 2015 from 1-3 PM and the actual auction will be on Saturday, November 14, 2015 (8-9 AM registration and preview) from 9 AM to 12 PM.

This is our prime minister's last term
By Wellington C. Ramos. I hope that the United Democratic Party (UDP) establishes a vibrant and permanent Youth Corps to groom future leaders within the party. One of the biggest problems I am seeing with our political parties in Belize is that some people are running for political offices and have little leadership qualities and substance. People who are elected to political offices have to deal with complex issues that will affect our people and nation. Establishing a Youth Corps within all the political parties will increase the possibilities of producing better leaders for our people and country. When George Price died it was a major loss to the PUP because all they knew was George Price as their leader from the 1950s. It affected them so much that even up to this day they act as if they would like to raise him from the dead to be their leader again. George Price is already dead and there cannot be another George Price like George Price, those days are gone. Why? Because they did not groom other people within their party to replace him as a good leader. Unlike the PUP, the UDP hero was always Philip Goldson but he did not remain the leader of the party since the 1970s. Also, the UDP does not highlight Philip Goldson the way the PUP highlights George Price. This is a big mistake on the UDP party's part because when it comes to the issue of "Guatemala", no Belizean that I know could have a record of defending and protecting Belizean rights to our country like Philip Goldson.

Bahia Fest high end fashion show
Save the Date: Friday, November 20th for Bahia Fest high end fashion show sponsored by Mujer total. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Ambergris Caye Camp Star Fish. Join us for a high end fashion show sponsored by Mujer total. Original fall and winter designs will be showcased along the runway. Ticket admission is $55 BZ. Please visit Caribbean Villas or The Candle Garden to purchase your ticket. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Ambergris Caye Camp Starfish. There will be raffle items and an auction in addition to the latest fashion trends! This event is hosted by: Mujer Total, The Candle Garden, Amber Beach Bar & Grill, Consul de Belice & Caribbean Villas

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The OAS Department of Human Development and Education the Inter-American Telecommunications Commission (OAS/CITEL) in collaboration with the Administración Nacional de Telecomunicaciones del Uruguay-ANTEL-; are offering scholarships for the course “Redes de Nueva Generación-NGN-”. This is an online course and will be delivered in Spanish. The course will be delivered through the online platform of ANTEL; from December 7th to December 18th, 2015 and from January 18th to March 1st, 2016. Scholarships recipients will be selected from among applications bmitted to the OAS Department of Human Development and Education through the National Liaison Office (ONE) in each Member State.

Boledo Drawing: November 10, 2015: 31

AMAURYS
IMPORTANT NOTICE: AMAURYS will be playing at "Il Baretto" Thursday November 12 from 7.00 to 9.00 pm and NOT on November 11 We apologize for the change.

Ocean Academy Christmas Show
If you have any questions or want to purchase a Gala Ticket please pm me!!!! Thank you!! If you know of any visitors coming to the island, please feel free to tell them about this event! Thank you!

Cayo Vet Clinic Weekend
The Hopkins Belize Humane Society is coming back to Cayo and teaming up with CAWS this weekend. They are having 3 free spay and neuter clinics. Friday: Santa Elena, starting at noon Saturday: Santiago Juan Layout, starting at 8:30am Sunday: Kontiki, starting at 8:30am Thanks HBHS and CAWS, for making this happen. "Friday 13th, Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th: HBHS clinic with CAWS and Dr. Tesecum from PAWS Veterinary Clinic. See details on the flyer below. Message if more details needed and we'll get back to you as quickly as possible."

Great Opportunities & Job Vacancies.
harvest Caye. Be sure you realize that these are VERY part time jobs. And only part of the year. Check NCLs arrival days on Harvest Caye and you can see for yourself.

Happy Diwali
Happy Diwali to our local Indian community as they celebrate Diwali (Festival of Lights). All the best to you on behalf of Museum of Belize and the Houses of Culture, and National Institute of Culture and History.

Channel 7

Sugar Cane Int'l Prices Down: Threatens Local Industry
Right now, the Sugar Industry is bracing for what is expected to be a tough season, which should start sometime later this month. The price of sugar, and the corresponding price that farmers get paid for their cane, has fallen by 21% when compared to last year's number, and so the farmers may end up losing money if the prices don't improve throughout the year. BSI/ASR released their estimates for sugar in the next upcoming weeks put the price at $41.56 per tonne of cane that they are proposing to pay to farmers. It's based on the price of sugar in the European Union's market. That's $11.44 less than last year's initial estimate which was $53 dollars. At first glance, it might not look like much but the farmers are getting a 21% decrease in earnings, which cuts deep into their profit margins. Factor in that they have their debts to pay and a 20% cut in their budget is heavy blow. All of this is happening before 2017 when the preferential market status that Belize enjoys as an ACP member country officially expires. Beet Sugar production will compete directly with Sugar Cane, and so the price will be driven down even further.

Female Senator Supported By Women's Groups
Francine Burns was just named to the senate yesterday by the Prime Minister - but before the young attorney from Orange Walk could warm up to the news - a nasty article was posted on a site called "NBZ Live" alleging that there are nude photos of her on the internet - and purporting to show one such picture. Today an avalanche of criticism came from women's advocacy groups. The Women's Issues Network Belize was first, and their statement says, quote: "While we should be celebrating the women who have been elected and appointed into leadership of our National Government, we are instead disgusted by the outright disrespect and attempt to humiliate yet another Belizean woman." The release says they, quote, "stand in solidarity with Senator Burns and every other woman or young girl who has been exposed against her will by people they have trusted." The National Women's Commission sent out its own release, saying, quote, "(the) nude pictures...falsely and maliciously claim to be that of newly appointed...Senator, Francine Burns." It adds, quote, "it falsely seeks to discredit and demean Burns' character and downplay her achievement as a young attorney; at a time when the government has made strides in promoting women to the highest decision-making levels..."

Cordel's Cagey Candidacy For PUP Leader
PUP Leader Francis Fonseca announced his decision to step down last week Thursday - and, slowly, the names have been popping up as potential successors. We've already told you about John Briceno, Julius Espat and Kareem Musa. Briceno said he would wait and see - but now we have learned that he is interested in the leadership. Julius Espat and Kareem Musa had already said they were considering it. So that's three, but there's one more: Cordel Hyde - the four term Lake Independence Representative, and judging by his share of the vote in the last election, he's the most popular of all PUP Candidates. Cordel Hyde beat his opponent Mark King by two thousand votes - and while he's not making any pronounced maneuvers or overtures for leadership - we are reliably informed that his name is being put out there for leader by a cross section of supporters. Now, it's way too early to say who's a favourite, and who will actually vye for leadership - because no date for a leaders' convention has been set, and already there is talk of alliances being formed. The party meets tomorrow at a luncheon to send off outgoing leader Francis Fonseca, and the national executive will meet thereafter, and may decide on the date for a leadership convention. We'll let you know how that goes.

Cop Charged For Brutality
Yesterday we told you about a police constable who was remanded for carnal knowledge - tonight the story is about a cop charged for police brutality. San Ignacio Police are reporting tonight that they've brought criminal charges against 26 year-old Constable Kent Thompson; he's accused of brutalizing a man who was in detention at the station's cellblock. Exactly a month ago, San Ignacio Resident Gustavo Williams reported officers at the station that he was being detained at the cellblock due to domestic problems. He told police that while he was in lockdown, a police officer opened the door and started to beat him with a baton. He told the investigators that the officer struck him on the left shoulder, the left arm, the left side of his abdomen, his right leg, and his right arm. A doctor certified that Williams suffered injuries classified as harm. Police took the civilian's complaint very seriously and after the revision of surveillance footage and recording statements, police arrested and charged Thompson with for harm.

Wrestling Turned to Gunplay In Cayo
27 year-old Charles Leslie, a resident of Unitedville Village in Cayo, has been arrested by San Ignacio Police because they believe that he shot a man in Santa Elena Town during a fight. Police report that at around 12:30 a.m. last week Thursday, officers were on patrol when they found 2 men struggling on the ground. When the officers got closer, one of the men shouted for help. They intervened, and when they were separated the two, they saw that one of the men, later identified 45 year-old Calvin Leslie, had been shot to the right shoulder. The other man was Charles Leslie, and investigators say that they found him with a black Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol, which was loaded with 5 rounds. Charles Leslie was charged with attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, keeping an unlicensed firearm, and keeping unlicensed ammunition. Leslie will be arraigned at Magistrate's Court and remanded.

Caught With A Shotgun At A Funeral
22 year-old Wilfred Ramirez, a resident of Antelope Street Extension, is spending the second night of a 4 year sentence after he was convicted of being in possession of a sawed off shot gun while at a funeral. Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith heard evidence from the prosecution that on May 9, 2014, police were at Lord Ridge Cemetery to keep a watchful eye on the funeral procession for slain city resident Julian Willoughby. Viewers may remember that his murder was believed to be gang-related, and so, the police were there to keep the peace. That's when they noticed Ramirez who started to behave suspiciously. They saw him holding on to what looked like a gun being held in his pants waist. When the officers moved in his direction, he lost his hold on the object which slid down his pants leg and fell to the ground. The officers quickly detained him and retrieved the object which turned out to be a home-made sawed off shot gun.

Hulse, Mega-Minister Justified?
As we told you last night, the Ministry of Natural Resources - or Ministry of Lands - as it is commonly called - will now be under the portfolio of Senator-Minister Godwin Hulse. Former Minister Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega confirmed that he asked the Prime Minister to be relieved of it - because of all the pressure that his colleagues and others were bringing on him. So now that pressure falls on Hulse - or does it? He put a lockdown on the immigration department that substantially - if not totally - stopped the hustling and influence peddling in that key department. So will he do that same at Lands? The Prime Minister says he gave Hulse the nod because he is good at implementing systems: Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "I know Godwin Hulse to be somebody who is very big on systems, who is very big on organization because of his engineer's mind will always want to restructure and try to configure things differently and that is fine. I don't know him to be somebody who will simply as you say put things in some sort of lock down. He is far too intelligent - he is far too clever - he is far too enlightened for that to happen. So I absolutely no doubt that the Lands Department, although there may be some sort of re-organization, some sort of refresh, will continue to operate in a way that will see it serve the public and serve the business community and serve the economy." And yesterday at the press conference to name the new minister, we could kind of tell that Hulse - who is the only Senator Minister this time around - was pleased as peach that he had been given a substantial ministry. And why not? It's a choice political plum - and one which some of Hulse's colleagues say should be reserved for someone with a mandate, someone who was elected - not selected. We asked him about all that yesterday:...

Mad Dogs In Belize
Belize is featured in a new British series called Mad Dogs. If you haven't heard about it, it's because it's new - only at its first season. Now, the show was filmed in Puerto Rico but it's about a group of guys who travel to Belize for the weekend - they expect an island thrill with exclusive parties and beautiful Belizean women, but really, they have no idea what's in store for them. Today we met with the writer and creator of the show Cris Cole. He and his team were shooting the Micheal Finnegan Market and Cole told us that's it's all about bringing the real deal to viewers. Cris Cole, Writer and creator - Mad Dogs "So it's basically about 4 old college buddies who reunite in their 40s to meet a fifth college buddy who lives in Belize and has been very successful and they've come down to stay with him for a weekend and everything goes wrong. Everything that can possibly goes wrong, goes wrong. But these are 4 ordinary guys. They don't have any special skills, they don't travel a lot, they are not very worldly and so following the journey of every man as he gets involve in a crime which has nothing to do with him and one thing leads to another.

Play, Don't Park
The Rotary Club of Belize teamed up with their counterparts from Alberta Canada to build a children's playground in Lord's Bank Village. The Rotarians from Canada are called "Interacters" and they have built 14 playgrounds all over Belize. And since Sunday, they have been steadily working on this one in Belize. They finished today, and their youth services coordinator told us more:... Brian Match, Youth Services Coordinator - Canada "We came down with a group of interact students and they fundraise on Canada to be able to come down and help with the playground together. It's a partnership with Emmanuel Foundation. They fins or get used playgrounds in Canada and then they rebuild them in a warehouse and fix them up and then they ship them down here by container, so that we can then set them up here." Lexi Fedoruk, Youth Volunteer "We've been running for less than a year and we already had a chance to do this and it was pretty cool and I got to be a part of it and seeing the kids and how happy they are that now they have a playground, that's amazing."

SCA Again!
The National High School Volleyball Tournament was held over the past weekend in Punta Gorda at the Julian Cho Technical High School in the Toledo District. Out of the four teams in the male division, the hometown favourites Toledo Community College emerged victorious, beating Muffles in the five setter championship game. In the female competition - the most dominant sports programme in Belize - SCA volleyball - again proved themselves and won their 16th national title. They beat Belmopan Comprehensive in the final. This is to complement the SCA programme's remarkable 21 championships in the central zone. Kevanna Sebastian from SCA and Nathaniel Castillo from TCC won the MVP awards. Sol Belize and Crystal water are major sponsors of the event.

Channel 5

Alleged Nude Photo of Newly Appointed U.D.P. Senator Goes Viral
The recent appointment of attorney Francine Burns as a senator for the United Democratic Party was welcomed news on Monday, as it was generally accepted that the Barrow administration was [...]

…Women’s Organizations React to Malicious Social Media Post
The online photo has been traced to the nbzlive blog and according to Reynolds; the unwanted attention arising from such indecent exposure is the very reason why women have traditionally [...]

K.H.M.H. Chair Chandra Nisbet-Cansino Asked to Step Down. Was it Political?
News Five has been able to confirm that Chair of the K.H.M.H. Board of Governors, Chandra Nisbet-Cansino, was approached on Monday and asked to resign. Nisbet-Cansino has been Chair for [...]

Ceremonial Sitting of House of Representatives Set for Friday
The first sitting the Cabinet took place today in Belmopan; there are twelve full ministers and seven ministers of state who sat around the table. We do not have any [...]

Who Will Be the New P.U.P. Leader?
Who will be the new leader of the People’s United Party? That’s the million dollar question left hanging in the wake of the 2015 general election and the announcement of [...]

San Ignacio Police Charged for Beating Up Detainee
A police officer attached to the San Ignacio formation has been arraigned on a single charge of harm after repeatedly striking an individual in custody at the station with a [...]

B.P.P. Challenges PM Barrow to Sign Onto Anti-Corruption Convention
The fight against corruption is an issue that has on the agenda of the former Vision Inspired by the People, which has now become the Belize Progressive Party. The B.P.P. [...]

…Third Party Urges Public to Have Area Representatives Pressure PM
The B.P.P. is also calling on the public to lobby their area representatives to ensure that Belize signs the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.   Paco Smith, Chairman, B.P.P. “Certainly [...]

Belize Progressive Party on Election Results
The general elections held last Wednesday was contested by three political parties—the People’s United Party, the United Democratic Party and the Belize Progressive Party. Considering itself a third option, the [...]

Shanile Faber Pleads Not Guilty to Forgery
A school warden appeared in court today and was charged with claiming upon a forged document. She is Shanile Faber, who is related to Tanisha Sutherland who in May of [...]

Warrant Issued for Immediate Arrest of Mr. Program
Tonight, a warrant for his immediate arrest has been issued against thirty-year old Gilbert Alamilla, who is the well known performing artist, “Mister Program”. This follows his conviction in absentia [...]

Retired Cop Foils Attempted Robbery in Punta Gorda
A retired police officer is being heralded as a hometown hero after thwarting a robbery attempt in Punta Gorda Town.  The incident has subsequently led to the arrest of a [...]

Armed Robbers Hold Up Vivian’s Coffee House in San Ignacio
A daring, armed robbery at a café in San Ignacio Town on Monday night has left a cashier and her co-worker short of cash and other valuables.  According to thirty-eight-year-old [...]

Scholarship Opportunities in The Land Down Under
If you’re on the lookout for an opportunity to further your studies abroad, and a scholarship would be just your thing, you may want to pay attention. The Australian government, [...]

Taiwanese Delegation to Arrive in Belize to Meet with Ombudsman
A high level delegation from Taiwan is expected in Belize later this week. Headed by Doctor Po Ya Chang, the delegation arrives this Thursday to sign an agreement with their [...]

Harvest for Kids Reaps Soybeans
Harvest for Kids is a fundraising program for Belize Camping Experience. Every year the program transports youths from Belize City to farms in Blue Creek for a firsthand experience on [...]

CTV3

New Ambulances For Northern Regional Hospital
The Northern Regional Hospital and other hospitals in heath regions across the country will be among those that will benefit from six new ambulances, the Ministry of Health announced today. A release from the Ministry states that the donation is geared at enhancing a sustainable and effective health system throughout the country, by scaling up and maintaining regional health clinics and hospitals in line with the growing demands in health. These ambulances will be placed across the different regions, namely: Punta Gorda, San Antonio, Independence, Dangriga, Orange Walk and San Ignacio/Benque. The ambulances will be officially handed over to regional managers and administrators of the polyclinics and hospitals on Wednesday in Belmopan.

LOVE FM

Is Julius Desirous of Party Leader’s Seat in PUP?
Thursday, November 5 saw the Party Leader for the People’s United Party announce his resignation after his party lost several elections under his stewardship. Francis Fonseca did not only announce his giving up of the Party Leader seat but he also told the media that he would not be seeking a re-election in the Freetown […]

BPP Plans to Partake in Future Elections
It has been almost a week now since the electorate went to the polls around the country in the General Elections. The participation of the Belize Progressive Party made history in Belize as it carried the amount of Standard Bearers vying for the thirty one seats to a record number of 90. But despite their […]

BPP Urges Government to Sign Convention Against Corruption
On December 14, 2005, the United Nations Convention against Corruption was entered into force after a high level political signing conference was held in Merida, Yucatan where several countries signed onto the agreement. In a message written by the then Secretary General of the UN, Koffi Annan, he basically capsulated what the document seeks to […]

Sugar Prices Estimate Too Low for Small Farmers
All the Directors of the Committee of Management of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association met with Belizario Carballo, the Chief Financial Officer for Belize Sugar Industries and Mac McLachlan of the ASR Group. The meeting finished at five o’clock and it was about the new sugar price estimates. This year, that figure decreased so […]

Duo Wanted for Robbery at Coffee House
Police in San Ignacio are seeking two men following the report of a robbery at Vivian’s Coffee House on Joseph Andrews Drive in that municipality. The robbers managed to net more than one thousand dollars in cash and items. Fortunately no one was hurt in the process but investigators are having trouble tracking down the […]

Horticulture Classes Offered in Western Belize
For some time now the Belize Botanic Gardens have been holding training workshops in horticulture for adults and children interested in gardening and plant education. The BBG’s objective continues in providing the training sessions on topics including soil and organic fertilizers, plant propagation, organic pest control, landscape maintenance and nursery establishment. Instructors of these courses […]

Manifesto Review: Education and Technology to Be Integrated in Classrooms
Interestingly, on October 21 when Faber did his presentation on the future of education in Belize, he spoke of incorporating technology in the classroom. Just yesterday, he was given an addition to his portfolio, namely Science and Technology Education. PATRICK FABER “We want to be integrating technology as well as a learning tool and Information […]

Manifesto Review: Teachers Will Be Pushed to Raise Their Standards
Prior to the General Elections, Minister Faber did state that the Government of Belize has allocated seventy million dollars for the construction of new schools. As it relates to the development of teachers in the school, Minister Faber says the education and training of teachers in an effort to get them to a certain level. […]

Manifesto Review: Faber Commits to Continuing Education, Technology, Childhood Development
Another area that the Barrow administration has great plans in is education. Patrick Faber has remained as the person at the helm of the education sector and we will take you back again to his presentation done on October 21 for the UDP Manifesto Launch. PATRICK FABER “To sustain and surpass the gains we have […]

Manifesto Review: PM Barrow Commits to Debt Ceiling and Public Debt Management
Prime Minister Dean Barrow went on to present the vision of his administration as it pertains to the management of external debt as well as other financial controls via the passing of Bills in the House of Representatives. DEAN BARROW “We’re also going to pass a Public Sector Investment Bill. What this will seek to […]

PlusTV

Harvest for Kids: Harvest not Great but Still Good
Belize endured some a long dry season this year that threatened to destroy the year’s harvest. The crops mostly affected were corn and soy bean. Unfortunately for the Belize Camping Experience, a Christian camping program that is funded by the Harvest for Kids initiative, BCE’s financing arm, soy be...

Garifuna activist makes plea for help with TV Ramos bust
When we last left the matter of the bust of Thomas Vincent Ramos, Garifuna hero, it was safely on display in Dangriga, but its creator Stephen Okeke was campaigning publicly in Belize City to be paid for its creation after former buyers the Thomas Vincent Ramos foundation backed out due to financia...

Thieves Strike Again
Police in Belize have their hands full with several cases of stolen items to investigate . A man’s house was burglarized over the weekend in Lucky Strike Village. 57-year-old Oscar Pollard farmer of Lucky Strike Village reported that between the hours of 3:17a.m. on Saturday the 7th of Novembe...

School warden caught with stolen cheque
This past May, loan processor Tanisha Sutherland, 31, was accused of theft and forgery of stolen cheques from her boss which were reported missing. Now one of those cheques has surfaced at a popular Belize City supermarket, where school warden 32 year old Shanile Faber is accused of trying to cash ...

Musician “Mr. Program” convicted in absentia for police assault
A popular musician is wanted by police tonight after being found guilty in court of aggravated assault of a police officer and using obscene words against that official. 30 year old Gilbert Alamilla, the artist also known as “Mr. Program,” was convicted in a trial held without him after ...

Farmers to receive average prices for sugar cane
The first estimate for prices of raw sugar cane has been released, and it is a blow to farmers in the North who have a record amount of cane in the field for the upcoming sugar crop. Producers American Sugar Refining/Belize Sugar Industries Limited (ASR/BSI) have estimated a price of $41.56 per ton,...

Abraham Lopez to be tried for sex with minor
A 42 year old Salvadoran national who is being accused of having sex twice within a two year period with a child, the first time when she was 8, will have to stand trial at the Supreme Court for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Abraham Lopez was summarily committed by Chief Ma...

Amandala

GG swears in new Cabinet
At 10:12 this morning, the newly elected United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, who has won a historic third term as Prime Minister, held a press conference at the River Hall room at the Best Western Biltmore Hotel to announce his new Cabinet, including his Ministers, Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers who will serve in the newly elected government. Before announcing whom had been chosen to be in his Cabinet, Barrow explained, “With the need to arrive at the best possible fit in all the circumstances, it is expected that while constitutionally, the substantive Minister has to remain overall responsible for that Ministry, the Ministers of State, who we treat as full members of Cabinet, those Ministers of State are going to be assigned some of the portfolio subjects in the particular ministries and it is expected that those Ministers of State would be responsible entirely for the day-to-day administration of those particular subject areas.” Prime Minister Barrow then went on to announce that he would be Minister of Finance, Minister of the Public Service, Minister of Energy and Minister of Public Utilities; and the Hon. Frank “Pawpa” Mena, the Dangriga area representative, will be the Minister of State with responsibility for the Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities.

Cop, 31, remanded for unlawful carnal knowledge of girl, 14
He had sworn to uphold the law, but this afternoon, a police constable was brought to the Magistrate’s Court as an alleged law breaker and was arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Police Constable Hector Esquivel, 31, appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, along with his attorney, Dickie Bradley. Fraser informed Esquivel that the unlawful sexual intercourse with which he had been charged “is an indictable matter,” and so no plea would be taken from him. Fraser then remarked, “You’re in a hot mess here, officer.” Fraser also explained to Esquivel that because his offense falls under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, he had to be remanded to prison, because her court cannot offer him bail until after three months has passed, or he could apply to the Supreme Court for bail through his attorney.

Key figure in Ponzi scheme is in Belize jail
David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer, 47, who is allegedly one of the key figures in a multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, and is wanted in multiple jurisdictions, was picked up by police on San Pedro, who busted him with a fake driver’s license. The international fugitive, who has been on the run for several months, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday on a charge of uttering upon a forged document. He appeared without an attorney and pleaded guilty to the charge. Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith had deferred sentencing until today, Monday. Schnitzer appeared in court this morning and was represented by attorney Liesje Barrow-Chung. He and his attorney informed the court that he wished to change his guilty plea to not guilty. The court prosecutor, however, objected to granting him bail on the ground that he is a flight risk.

Leslie shoots Leslie in Santa Elena
Charles Marvin Leslie, 27, of Unitedville, Cayo District, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today on a charge for the attempted murder of Calvin Leslie, 45, a laborer of Santa Cruz Street, Santa Elena Town. Charles Leslie was also charged with the use of deadly means of harm, keeping a firearm without a gun license, keeping ammunition without a gun license (9mm rounds) and handling stolen goods. Police say that Charles Leslie shot Calvin Leslie in the upper shoulder during a struggle, which was witnessed by police at about 12:30 Saturday morning in a yard on Santa Cruz Street. Police came on the scene during the struggle and found Charles Leslie holding a gun in his hand, and arrested him. Leslie was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court today, where he was arraigned on the charges and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until December 19.

Two men badly beaten in Orange Walk in separate incidents
Two men of Orange Walk Town have been admitted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a serious condition after they were beaten in two separate incidents. Chel Vasquez, of San Roman, was attacked by a group of men who beat him in front of his wife and children. As a result, his skull was cracked, and he suffered internal injuries. His friends rushed him to the Northern Regional Hospital. Vasquez told police that he was driving home along with two friends on Thursday night, but just before reaching his house, his vehicle suffered mechanical failure and stopped. A crowd of men then approached his vehicle, pulled him out and began to punch, kick and stomp him, and also beat him with a stick. His two friends who were with him were also beaten, but they were able to rescue Vasquez from the violent mob, who then left the area.

Veteran cop captures armed robber
Sergeant Joseph Martinez of Punta Gorda Town singlehandedly captured and disarmed an armed robber who went to his place of work at the Johnson Distribution Center in Punta Gorda at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Martinez, who declined to be called a hero, gives thanks to Inspector Daniel Cacho, combat instructor at the Police Training Academy, whose training allowed him to take charge of the situation, and he also acknowledged the other instructors who trained him. The robber has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison on charges of attempted robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm and keeping unlicensed firearm and ammunition, until December 14. Martinez told Amandala in Punta Gorda that he was at work at the Johnson Distributors on Main Street, speaking to the supervisor, who was sitting behind the desk (other workers were also in the center), when three men walked into the center, one behind the other, and the first of the three went straight to the supervisor, pointed a gun at him and demanded money.

Belize District Interim U-15 Football Tournament
The Belize District Interim Football Committee’s U-15 Football Tournament, coordinated by Stanley “Jordan” Reneau, had Week 2 games yesterday at the MCC Grounds. There are 9 teams in the competition, and 4 games are played every Sunday, with 1 team resting. Berger United was resting this past weekend. After a single round-robin regular season, the top 4 teams will go on to the knockout semifinals. In game 1 on Sunday, Face of Belize defeated Carlston Strikers, 4-1, with 2 goals from Mario Galindo and 1 each from Alexis Tun and Ajani Vaughn. The lone tally for Carlston Strikers was by Cron Augustine. Game 2 saw Smart Brown Bombers blasting Ladyville Jaguars, 7-0, with 3 goals from Tyreek Muschamp and 1 apiece from Maynor Hernandez, Ceron Usher, Lamar Sutherland and Claishan Lewis.

Police lead at Week 8 of PLB 2015-2016 Opening Season
Only 2 of the scheduled 3 Week 8 games were played over the weekend in the Premier League of Belize Opening Season 2015-2016 regular season. The Belmopan Bandits FC vs Verdes FC match at the FFB Stadium on Saturday night was suspended due to some problems with the Verdes team roster. It was a great disappointment to the couple hundred fans in attendance, some of whom had travelled great distances to attend the match. This would now make two back matches remaining for defending champions Verdes FC, one against Placencia Texmar Assassins FC and the other against Belmopan Bandits FC. Of course, that still depends on the decision of the league. A PLB release today said that “the game between Belmopan Bandits vs Verdes FC is being reviewed by the League’s Disciplinary Board,” and that “after a decision has been made” they will be “informing the general public later on this week.”

Annual T.V. Ramos Cycling Classic this Sunday
Dangria Amateur Cycling Association, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Belize, will be hosting the Annaul T.V. Ramos Cycling Classic this Sunday, November 15, starting at 10:00 a.m. from the Wadani Shed. This race will be in 3 categories: First will be the Elite category, which will be the big boys, which consists of the Cross Country riders. They will travel from the Wadani Shed to Placencia Junction round-about and back to Wadani Shed. First place gets $500.00; second place, $300.00; third place, $200.00; and fourth place, $100.00. The defending champion from last year is Brandon Cattouse. The second category will be the Weekend Warriors, leaving a minute after the Elite from the Wadani Shed to Maya Centre on the Southern Highway and back to the Wadani Shed. First place receives $400.00; second place gets $300.00; third place, $100.00; and fourth place, $50.00.

BECOL season bounces into playoffs this weekend
The BECOL Basketball Tournament hosted the remaining games of the regular season this past weekend, where most teams were jostling for playoff contention. In game 1, Roaring Creek Special Effects defeated Invaders, 53-44, in the Over 35 division. With the win, Roaring Creek secured the #1 seed in the division. Roaring Creek was led by Artan Tucker, who had the game high with 20 points; while Karon “Civic” Neal finished with 16 pts, and T. Nelson netted 8 pts. The top scorers for Invaders were Dylan Ayuso with 17 pts, and Kent Requena with 12 pts. In game 2, Light and Peace was a no-show, giving the win to Flames, to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Senior division. In the nightcap, Assassins were unable to field 5 players, giving the win to RCV Stallions. With the loss, Assassins were eliminated from playoff contention.

Of monarchy and succession
We wrote in these editorial pages before last week’s general elections that we were concerned about the dangers a third consecutive United Democratic Party (UDP) term posed to this newspaper. The people of Belize, and we have expressed this opinion before, did not really wish to give the UDP a third consecutive term, but the Belizean people never believed that Francis Fonseca, the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) Leader appointed in November of 2011, was his own man, so to speak. On November 4, 2015, the Belizean people, whether correctly or not, believed that Francis Fonseca, as Prime Minister, would have received instructions from Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca. The individuals at the highest levels of the PUP who were Francis’ handlers were so afraid of the opinion of the rank-and-file of the party that they refused to have him endorsed by a national convention of the PUP. These individuals preferred to violate the PUP constitution. In their misguided position, they were buttressed by the remarkable performance of the PUP in the March 2012 general elections, when the party, under Francis’ leadership, came within fewer than 75 votes of a stunning 16-15 upset victory. This almost inexplicable performance by Francis’ PUP, after just four months of his leadership, became the justification and the excuse for almost four years of executive, anti-democratic rule inside the PUP.

Belize unable to reduce poverty level
“Despite the gains in education enrolment, Belize still has not harnessed its domestic capacity effectively to significantly grow its economy. Poverty in Belize is increasingly geography-specific, gendered and generational. Belize’s real economic growth, which has consistently exceeded regional averages, has not necessarily translated into tangible reduction in the poverty levels.” This was pointed out in the Millennium Development Goals Report and Post 2015 Agenda. The primary poverty safety nets in Belize are the Conditional Cash Transfer and the Food Pantry programs; however, these programs are relatively young, and so it is not yet possible to determine whether they can sustain a reduction in poverty, said Elishah St. Luse, Programme Associate, Poverty Reduction & Democratic Governance of United Nations Development Program. The report looks at the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were established by the United Nations at the start of the millennium in an effort to help with the developmental progress of the UN’s member states. The timeframe for achievement of these goals was a period of 15 years, which expires this year.

Cop charged with abusing prisoner with baton
Superintendent Andrew Ramirez, Commander of San Ignacio Police, has reconfirmed his “zero tolerance” for police abuse of members of the public. Constable Kent Thompson, 28, of Hillview, Santa Elena, was arrested and charged for the crime of harm after he was allegedly seen beating a man who was being detained in a cell at the San Ignacio Police Station, with a baton. PC Thompson was charged with harm and he was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court today, where he was arraigned on the offence. He was offered bail of $800 and ordered to return to court on December 30. San Ignacio police said that a recommendation will be made to the Commissioner of Police for his interdiction during his trial. Thompson will also face disciplinary charges and will be tried by a police tribunal for violation of the code of conduct that governs the behavior and conduct of police officers.

Breaking Belize News

Cordel Hyde to announce candidacy for PUP leadership
BMG has received reliable information that Cordel Hyde, the new area representative for the Lake I division will be contesting the convention for the leadership of the People’s United Party (PUP). We were informed that Hyde has started meeting with other members of the party in Belize City […]

New latrines for villagers in San Victor
Several families from the Village of San Victor in the Corozal District benefited from the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) program spearheaded by the Red Cross with the construction of new latrines for underprivileged families. Red Cross hygiene promoters and technical experts began working in rural communities using […]

Musician “Mr. Program” convicted in absentia for police assault
A popular musician is wanted by police tonight after being found guilty in court of aggravated assault of a police officer and using obscene words against that official. 30 year old Gilbert Alamilla, the artist also known as “Mr. Program,” was convicted in a trial held without him after he […]

Abraham Lopez to be tried for sex with minor
A 42 year old Salvadoran national who is being accused of having sex twice within a two year period with a child, the first time when she was 8, will have to stand trial at the Supreme Court for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Abraham Lopez […]

School warden caught with stolen cheque
This past May, loan processor 31 year old Tanisha Sutherland, was accused of theft and forgery of stolen cheques from her boss which were reported missing. Now one of those cheques has surfaced at a popular Belize City supermarket, where school warden 32 year old Shanile Faber is accused […]

Smart supports St. Peters feeding program
This morning at a small ceremony at the St. Peters Anglican School, a contribution was made towards the schools feeding program. Representatives of Smart Belize handed over a cheque for five thousand dollars which will assist in sustaining the program. About 40 students benefit from the program […]

First woman to become Attorney General in Belize
While announcing the members of the Cabinet yesterday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow named Vanessa Retreage as the first female Attorney General in Belizean history and said that her appointment will ease the load on Wilfred Elrington, who held the seat before elections. Retreage, an attorney at law by […]

Ambassador Alexis Rosado meets President Jimmy Morales: “professional…conciliatory”
New Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has met with Belize’s ambassador, Alexis Rosado, following his victory in the October 27 run-off. In his Monday press conference, as he had previously predicted, Morales’ message given to Rosado to report to Belize was, in the Prime Minister’s words, “professional and perhaps even conciliatory,” but he added […]

Farmers receive low price for sugar cane
BMG has learned that the first estimate for prices of raw sugar cane has been released, and it is a blow to farmers in the North who have a record amount of cane in the field for the upcoming sugar crop. Producers Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) have estimated a […]

Taiwanese chief of control visits Belize
A pair of top Taiwanese officials are visiting Belize this week. The President of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Her Excellency Dr. Po-Ya Chang, and counterpart H.E. Jane Chiang, who chairs the International Affairs Committee of the Yuan, are here to sign a cooperative agreement with […]

Armed robbery at Vivian’s Coffee House in San Ignacio
At around 7:45 last night, two men with shirts covering their face, walked into Vivian’s Coffee House on Joseph Andrews Drive, San Ignacio and stole approximately $800 from the cash register, as well as two gold rings from and an iPod from the employees. The incident was reported by 38 […]

Boat engine stolen from fisherman
A 40 horsepower Yamaha brand outdoor boat engine, valued at $8,000, was stolen from a 53-year-old fisherman of Belize City, sometime between Sunday evening and yesterday morning. George Marin reported that he left the engine on Riverside Street in Belama Phase 2 extension at around 4:00Wednesday evening and upon returning on Monday morning at 6:00, he noticed […]

Police looking for stolen cycles
Independence police are currently looking for a Blue Meilun motorcycle, property of 20-year-old Jose August from Bella Vista Village. According to August, between 5:00 a.m. on October 15th and 9:00 p.m. October 16th, his motor cycle bearing license plate DGA-M0604 valued at $3,795.00 was stolen from behind his house in Bella Vista Village. Another cycle […]

Burglary in Lucky Strike
A farmer of Lucky Strike Village reported to police that sometime between the early morning hours of Saturday, November 7th and early Sunday afternoon, his home was burglarized and an assortment of items, including his shotgun, as well as some cash, all adding up to a total of $2,319, was […]

OW police seek missing 12-year-old boy
Authorities in Orange Walk are seeking the assistance of the general public in locating a missing 12-year-old boy from the Louisiana Area of Orange Walk Town. He is Anthony Quim of an Oak Street address, and student of Louisiana School. According to his parents, Quim left home to an unknown […]

Belize Progressive Party calls for Prime Minister to sign the The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
A press release from the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) issued earlier today, served to inform the general public that it is now one month before the 12th anniversary of the historic United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Belize is not signed onto. It states that PM Dean Barrow […]

Blogs

Minute to Win it for Charity
Roadkill Bar Presents Minute to Win It for Charity. Based on the hit TV show, contestants compete in seemingly simple challenges with everyday items in hopes of skipping elimination and moving on to the next round. After competing last night I can say it’s not so simple and I need to practice big time. It was well worth the $10 entry fee though and we had loads of fun. Go to Roadkill Monday nights at 7:00pm and take a Minute to Win It for charity. It costs $10bzd to play and in addition to raising money for a great cause each week, it gets you a free Traveller’s Rum drink and a chance to win prizes donated from local businesses. Last night’s soft opening raised a total of $80 for the Lion’s Club. There were 7 entries and one person decided to kick in an extra $10. Among the players there was some serious competition and it made for a fun and exciting night. We also kept the audience in stitches as we tried our best to complete the not so simple challenges. Who would have thought sliding a cookie from your forehead to your mouth would be so challenging? Good thing the cookies were sturdy as we each got 2 only and they hit the floor many times – 5 second rule.

Experience a Dive in the World Famous Belize Blue Hole
Diving the Belize Blue Hole is a dream for many divers. Learn the right way to discover the Belize Blue Hole depth, and go home bringing with you a very unforgettable experience. Thousands of scuba divers visit Belize yearly, and many of them only have the Belize Blue Hole in mind. This might be because it’s the most popular dive site in the country, and is one of the most advertised by local tourism investors. However, the Blue Hole is now just known as a bucket list dive, something that you won’t care to visit again. But there’s hope for this, as false expectations and assumptions are the main causes of disappointment. This dive site is different, though; it’s the kind of novelty that, with the right conditions, can be enjoyed when approached with the right expectations and mindset. The shelf starts as a wall covered with coral, and then becomes a gentle sandy incline that leads up to a dark abyss. If you dive from local dive boats, you’ll be given about a minute or two to descent and equalize if you’re led to the drop off where will freely go down into the darkness. As you go down, the depths drain the colors to a gloomy shade pretty much the same from the natural light seen after dusk. Further down, you’ll see silhouettes of one of the most fascinating predators of the ocean.

Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
Preheat oven to 350* degrees and grease a... 13X9-inch baking pan. Lay a pack of crescent rolls in the pan and pinch the openings together. Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg together until smooth. Spread the mixture over the crescent rolls evenly and then lay the second pack of crescent rolls on top of the cheese mixture and brush with egg white. Bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown.

Trash talkin’ on Ambergris Caye in Belize
Mary Wells, a Houston real estate agent, and her family came to San Pedro recently in search of a second home. They brought a dozen trash sticks with them to donate to our First Friday Tres Cocos Trash Pickup group. Ironically — and sadly — they chose to take a pass on Belize as their second home. It was, in Mary’s words, just too dirty. Trash everywhere. As she recently wrote to me, “Your blog today reminded me too clearly why I cannot move there. The trash and all its sources are beyond my accepting. If I could think that with efforts of locals, government, and people from other countries, it can be alleviated…not totally resolved … but slowed (so that people like you and Rose and your group can start the clean up and your efforts will have some lasting effect), I may have been able to see the natural beauty again having a fair chance …. but I don’t think this will happen in my life time (20 years?). “It was extremely distressing to me.” I regret that Mary could not see how pristine the roadway north of the bridge looked this past Friday after our group of 20 wrapped up two hours of cleanup. Her trash sticks were especially handy with the high water beside the road, from recent rains. The sticks are a welcome addition to our war on trash. (And we need more, dear readers, if you are planning to visit Ambergris Caye soon!)

Yellow-Headed Parrot Release
They're FREE! A big first for us as there are 4 birds in this group that were confiscated pets. Exciting times. On October 15th, 13 yellow-headed parrots were transported from Belize Bird Rescue in Belmopan to TIDE’s office in Punta Gorda, where they were loaded onto a boat in the rain and transported to Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP) for release into the wild. Nine of these birds were removed from their nests in PCNP and surrounding wildlife areas by TIDE rangers just this past spring. But why were they removed from their nests in the first place? It was actually for their protection! The yellow-headed parrot is an endangered bird that lives in the pine forests of Southern Belize. As an endangered species, it is illegal to remove them from the wild, but poachers often catch them anyway for sale in the pet trade. This is threatening wild populations, along with loss of habitat to expanding human activities. TIDE is working to protect remaining populations in PCNP and to help them expand and grow.

International Sources

Thinking about studying in the U.S.?
More than 4,500 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. are welcoming students like you. If you’re thinking about applying, log in to a November 18 live, virtual college fair to get information on many of these schools. Find out about specialized degree programs, what it’s like to study at a big urban school compared to a smaller school in a rural area, and which entrance exams are required where. Ask about how to get a visa or how current international students enjoy their schools. You will have access to EducationUSA advisers, visa officials and representatives from more than 100 universities who will answer your specific questions. When you log on, you will be able to text or video chat and download resources provided by each college’s virtual booth. Live webinars will teach you how to choose a school, apply, pay tuition and get a visa.

Guildford soldier swaps ceremonial duties in Windsor for jungle training
A Guildford born officer has swapped ceremonial duties in Windsor for sweltering heat and torrential rain, training in the heart of an American rainforest. Captain Jody Bragger (29) has been deployed as a Range Officer to the middle of Belize's rainforest on an exercise code named Mayan Warrior. He usually serves with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (1CG) in Windsor. During his deployment he will learn how to fight in the jungle and how to navigate and survive amidst the dangers that lay beneath the canopies. Captain Bragger reflected on what he has learned during this trip, and a previous visit five years ago as a Platoon Commander:

The making of the "Hamilton" cast album
Great show if you get a chance to see it. Hamilton from St Kitts-Nevis. Watch his interview on 60 minutes. He was compelled to create this, as the best artists are. Read the lyrics.
How did a show about some "dead white guys" become a sensation? For anyone who can't get a ticket, here's a small sample of the songs, cast, and lyrics "It's the dopest beat you'll ever hear in your life." That's what Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the Broadway smash "Hamilton," tells 60 Minutes correspondent Charlie Rose in the Overtime video above. But he's not talking about one of his own songs. He's playing Rose a track from the musical "Camelot," one of several cast albums his parents introduced him to as a child. Miranda's family didn't attend many Broadway shows, but they collected countless recordings on vinyl -- and Miranda consumed them. So when it came time to record the cast album for "Hamilton," he wasn't messing around.

Videos