The Guardian

Kevin Bernard saddles Orange Walk with a 12 year debt
Just in time for the municipal elections Kevin Bernard after doing nothing for Orange Walk after two consecutive terms, ran head first and saddled the Orange Walk town council with a debt that will see at least three consecutive councils Struggling to pay for the debt with one of the municipalities most secure revenue streams. In May of last year Bernard went into a contract with a construction company, De'Mar's Stone Company to do work in the municipality to the tune of $999,456. In a letter addressed to De'Mar's, Bernard committed to start paying for the works at the start of June 2016 and he further committed that those payment will continue for a whopping twelve years up to June 2028.

Barracuda can make you sick
In the space of four days the Ministry of Health has put out two advisories that the consumption of Barracuda can make you sick. On Friday August 18th the ministry put out a release stating that, "suspected fish poisoning (Ciguatera poisoning) was detected in persons that had eaten fish bought from a fish vendor in Ladyville, Belize District. Further investigation into these cases has linked and identified that the fish consumed was barracuda." Then on Wednesday August 23rd a second advisory was issued stating that, "2 further cases of suspected Ciguatera poisoning have been identified. Investigations conducted so far reveal that the barracuda fish from the Turneffe Islands area has been the sole carrier of the ciguatoxin or poison."

$6.9M More on road improvements for Cayo
On Monday, August 21 the Ministry of Works and Transport and Belize Roadway Construction Ltd. signed on to a BZ$6,968,955.40 contract to conduct extensive works in Santa Elena town. The contract is for Lot 5 of the Fourth Road Project, which is rehabilitation works within Santa Elena Town in Cayo District. The works will include the drainage improvements of 1,870m on the George Price Highway between Three Flags and Loma Luz Blvd. intersection with the Hawksworth Bridge; 160m along Liberty Street; and 1,940m along George Price Avenue between the Loma Luz Boulevard intersection and Hawksworth Bridge. Works to be carried out will include the clearing and removal of any remnant structures (including existing driveway entranceways), fencing and the like within the road reserve, earthworks, construction of concrete box drains, sidewalks with roadside curbs and runoff channels, pavement rehabilitation including the application of double surface dressing, and the installation of road furniture and road user safety features such as line markings, signs and lighting.

Corozal sets record number for conventions
The United Democratic Party held its convention in Corozal to select a team to represent the party in the March 2018 Municipal elections. During a spirited election process a total of 10 candidates placed their names on the ballot with the expectation of winning a position as a councilor candidate. Meanwhile 2 persons placed their names for the mayoral position. Voting started at 10 and after 1,661 persons had cast their ballots the winners were declared. Shortly after 6pm it was clear that Richard Quan had bested his opponent Rafael Castillo. Quan had received 1,274 votes while Castillo received 375. It would be about a half hour later that the results for the councilors would be known and in the end it was Melhem Williams who received the highest votes with 1,142; Nonita Ramirez received 1,012; Benjamin Acosta got 1,008; Carlos Acosta Sr. received 962; Rodolfo Riveroll got 920 and Juliet Marokin received 833. These are the candidates who will now represent the UDP in the upcoming elections.

Julius abandoned by his party
This Saturday being August 26th, will make one year since Julius Espat's uncouth behaviour cause him to be named, suspended and eventually carried out the house like a bag of dirty laundry or garbage.Well like the old saying goes, last week Friday, it appears to have been d�j� vu all over again. It appeared like Julius was about to embark on a reenactment of his performance from last year. Last Friday was exactly eight days short of being one year since that infamous performance by Julius. The similarities between what occurred last year and this year almost mirror each other. Like last year, the bone of contention was a similar issue. Just like last year, on the MOTION OF THE ADJOURNMENT, Julius rose to speak on the matter of an Auditor General's Report. For clarity we will transcribe the interaction the way it happened in the house last Friday.

John Zabaneh no longer considered a drug kingpin
After 5 years of suffering, Stann Creek businessman John Zabaneh is no longer considered a drug kingpin by the US State Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The sanction has been lifted, and he can resume conducting business relationships as per normal. His family owned businesses have had great misfortunes, however, where millions of dollars have been lost because of the designation. Back in August 2012, when OFAC first sanctioned him, and his companies with the designation, those business interests took a nose dive. He and his businesses, Mid-South Investments Limited, Mayan King Limited, Crown Paradise Enterprise Limited, and Belize Chemicals Limited, were effectively isolated. No business entities, no service provider, and no financial institutions were willing to conduct business with someone designated a "kingpin". Zabaneh complained as loudly as he could, insisted that he was not a narco-trafficker, but it was to no avail. He even pointed out that this designation prevented not only US companies from doing business with him, but Belizean companies were also giving him a wide berth, rather unfairly.

Members of the Belize City Council Child Advisory Body receive School Grants
Children of the Child Advisory Body, an arm of the City Council which consists of 13 members, received back to school grants on Thursday, August 15, 2017 at the City Hall. There, Councilor Hyacinth Latchman-Cuellar presented to members of the body who range between the ages of 8 and 17. Latchman-Cuellar's portfolio includes everything involving children and she was grateful to be a part of this initiative. The first grant was distributed in 2015 and for each subsequent year, she has played an integral part in the relationship between the city and its youths. This initiative offers a unique approach that equally benefits both parties. The hardworking children have been very active in some decision making that's related to youth and have all been enthusiastic to help. According to the councilor, the grants are just ways of saying "Thank you."

Benque Viejo neighborhood watch summer camp
A Zone 4 neighborhood watch group activity under the leadership of Captain Samuel Bruce concluded last Friday in Benque Viejo. As a result, Inspector Stephanie from the Benque Police Formation proceeded to hand out certificates of completion to the children of the zone 4 summer camp, followed by volunteers serving a delicious meal to all. Since 2008 the Zone 4 Benque Viejo Neighborhood watch has been very active with various community events. Among their signatory event is the annual Children's Summer Camp offered free of charge to hundreds of children. Among the activities this year were arts & crafts, sports, educational lectures, and implementing community policing programs such as the GREAT program.

BTB offers four Scholarships
The Belize Tourism Board presented four lucky recipients with scholarships all relating to the field of tourism. The short ceremony took place on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the BTB Conference Room where the recipients and family members were present. The program, which has been in effect for over 5 years, seeks specifically to benefit students that wish to endeavor into the field of tourism. Financial support given to recipients is accompanied with individual agreements. Each scholarship beneficiary enters a specific concord with the Board which generally stipulates that the scholar maintains a certain GPA and performs well since all their efforts should be dedicated to their work rather than on the financial burdens of studying. After their study periods, each recipient has the opportunity to join the BTB for a short period.

The new Carnival route
The Belize City Council hosted a press conference on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 with the purpose of establishing parking and vending regulations for carnival day. The council also finalized their update on the carnival route and gave reassurances on the safety to be expected at the crime hotspots at Mayflower Street and Conch Shell Bay. The route starts at Caesar Ridge Road, into Central American Boulevard, right into Vernon Street, left onto Bel-China Bridge and onto Douglas Jones, through Cinderella Plaza, onto Kelly Street, Baymen Avenue and finally onto Princess Margaret Drive. The endpoint of this year's carnival is the Marion Jones Sporting Complex, the first time in many years.

Hon. Edmond Castro opens Belize River Valley Development Symposium
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management and Area Representative for Belize Rural North Hon. Edmond Castro was Main Speaker on Wednesday morning at the opening of the Belize River Valley Sustainable Development Symposium in Bermudian Landing. The objective of the symposium is to assist communities in the villages throughout Belize River Valley to organize and put in place proper systems and institutions for residents to utilize existing technical knowledge, expertise and skills for profitable production in Agriculture, Clothing and Textile, and Agro-Processing; and to develop innovative initiatives which will attract the youth in the area into agriculture and working in their community for its overall development.

Top track athletes receives City Council recognition
Mayor Darrel Bradley and several other city councilors hosted Ashantie and Ashontie Card and Faith Morris and their coach at City Hall on Friday, August 18, 2017 for their international representation of Belize. Morris has recently returned from Kenya when she participated in the International Association of Athletics Federation Under-twenty World Championship. The trio has also represented Belize in Central American and other regional athletic games in which they performed well.

Government of Belize officially announces legislation on Indefinite Moratorium on Offshore Oil Exploration
During the sitting of the House of Representatives on Friday, August 18th, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow officially announced Cabinet's August 15th decision to legislate an indefinite moratorium on offshore oil exploration in Belize's territorial sea, including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Prime Minister Barrow stressed that the current administration has had, and has committed to for some time now, an official policy decision to abstain from oil exploration in our territorial sea and EEZ. Cabinet's decision is in furthering that policy decision, to assure citizens, the environmental community, and investors, that the Government of Belize is committed to sustainable development.

Goldson House teams up with BCVI for 3 day summer camp
A summer camp for about 20 children has just successfully ended in Belmopan with the participants learning about one of Belize's brilliant leaders. The Goldson House at number 82 Orange Street, Belmopan, in collaboration with the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCCI), ended its summer camp last Friday. The three-day summer camp sensitized participants on issues relating to blind persons. The camp was open to children 6 to 15 years, and commemorates the 94th birthday of Belize's National Hero, Hon. Philip S. W. Goldson, who was blind.

No momentum for the PUP
Over the weekend the PUP held a convention in Punta Gorda to select candidates for the municipals. Well when it was all over it was as if it never started. They had dusted off the good old Carlos Galvez to run as mayor and after overworking, there were a mere 518 persons who voted. The other two candidates Charles Selgado got 191 votes, Joseph Martinez got 46 and Soraya Roches got 35 votes. To say the least the turnout was pathetic and indicative of the kind of support that the PUP has in that municipality.

Taiwan supports the Chiquibul National Park conservation
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that Taiwan's Forestry Bureau of the Council of Agriculture is happy to support the conservation work in the beautiful Chiquibul National Park for the third straight year. Through a contribution of US$10,000 to Belize's "Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD)", this year's sponsorship will particularly help manage and protect the Chiquibul Cave System. The Chiquibul Cave System, deeply situated in the Chiquibul National Park, is the largest and longest cave system in Central America as well as a world class cultural heritage. However, it is relatively unknown and a robust management presence is needed. The surrounding forest cover is also under continuous peril from illegal extractors.

Taiwanese group assisting schools in Cayo
Schools in rural Cayo are becoming equipped with computer hardware, thanks to international help. The Belize Educational Service Group BESG from Taiwan recently handed desktops and laptops to schools during a special ceremony at the Sacred Heart College auditorium in San Ignacio Town. Present for the delivery of the computer hardware was H. E Charles K.Y Liu, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, who shared that such acts will undoubtedly increase the friendships between Belize and Taiwan. Community developer Ricky Cunil, commenting on the special occasion says, "I want to commend them for the great job they have been doing in schools and in Belizeans lives. It is not easy to do community service and fly to another country to carry out your project. Every year they are helping schools in rural areas with computers, with classroom equipment and other stuff to make school environment student friendly."

Traffic Teams working for a safer Belize
Traffic management in the Nation's capital continues to be addressed by various stakeholders. On Thursday of last week, the Belize Road Safety Project Management Unit, Belmopan Police, National Transport Department, and the Belmopan Municipal Traffic Department met to discuss traffic management; especially on the George Price Highway and within Belmopan. According to Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, the evidence derived from statistics indicates that serious and fatal accidents occur mostly during weekends.

Christian Espat denied bail for shooting that left three injured
Christian Espat, the 21-year-old accused by police of trying to kill two minors, is behind bars because at his bail application on Friday, August 18, 2017, there was objection to bail by Crown Counsel Jacqueline Willoughby. His application will be heard again on August 25, 2017. Late August 14, 2017, the resident of the San Pedrito area, San Pedro was arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison without bail after he appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza in the Belize City Magistrate's Court

Road traffic accident near Northern Border leaves two hospitalized
On August 18, 2017 at about 7:00 p.m., Corozal Police visited an area between miles 89 and 90 on the Phillip Goldson Highway where a red Freightliner Century Truck with container was parked on the left side of the road. It was also observed that a Toyota Corolla was on the right side of the highway with its front portion extensively damaged. Initial investigations revealed that about 6:40 p.m., the driver of the Toyota Corolla lost control of the vehicle and slammed into the rear of the container. The car was being driven by Ernesto Pech. Pech was accompanied by Jarbi Alvarez and Rosari Alvarez. Pech was travelling toward Corozal Town from the Belize Northern Border.

Bail after being charged for wounding his ex-lover's mother
On Monday August 21, 2017, 23-year-old Angel Gonzalez, a chef from San Pedro, was brought into Belize City to be arraigned on a single charge of wounding upon his ex-partner's mother, Adelita Gonzalez. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he pleaded not guilty to the charge. Allegations against Gonzalez are that on Saturday, August 19, 2017, Gonzalez intentionally and unlawfully caused a wound to Adelita Gonzalez. There was no objection to bail and it was granted to him in the sum of $1,500 plus one surety of the same. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to post bail due to the late arraignment and had to be remanded to the Belize Central Prison for the night. His employer, Sergio Pech, posted bail for him on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.

Man with broken jaws wants help with his medical bills
A football game on San Pedro has left Patrick Robinson with two broken jaw and Moryl Diaz liable for thousands of dollars. The incident occurred on August 20, 2017 on San Pedro which left Robinson unable to walk properly and with a large medical bill. A misunderstanding ensued during the game when Robinson allegedly charged at Diaz. In a moment of instinct, Diaz swung at Robinson and now has Robinson in the position he is in. On Monday, August 21, 2017, 51-year-old Diaz, a captain and fisherman of Belize City was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate's Court on a single charge of grievous harm upon his friend, Robinson. Diaz who was unrepresented, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Canadian manager's home burglarized
Barbara Dawn Kelt, a 58-year-old Canadian Manager of South Water Caye, Stann Creek, reported to police that between 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017 and 8:00 a.m. the following day, someone burglarized her office at the International Zoological Expedition (IZE) building. Stolen were an Avanti security safe valued at $ 350.00, an expired Canadian passport which had in it her Belizean residence certificate, a Canadian birth certificate, an updated Canadian passport, and $16,000.00 in cash. Total loss amounted to over $16,350.00. Police investigation continues.

Hard working carpenter killed in San Pedro
Armando Lopez, a 34 year-old carpenter and fisherman who moved to San Pedro Town over 10 years ago, became the second victim to lose his life to gun violence on the island in 4 days. Island Police sources tell the press that there is a recent feud over drug turf that has flared up between 2 dominant groups, and Lopez may have been a casualty of that war. The incident happened in broad daylight on Sunday, August 20, 2017. Sometime around 2:40 p.m. Lopez was sitting inside the Winner's Spot Bar on Barrier Drive, which is a street in the heart of Downtown. It is one of the busiest parts in the island tourism destination, but Lopez's shooter and his accomplice still carried out their attack.

Customs officer shoots and kills a man, police still investigating
Dwayne Almendarez, a 30 year-old resident of Orange Walk Town died at the KHMH on Saturday, August 19, 2017 after clinging to life for 4 days in a coma. Cellular phone footage shows that he got into a confrontation with a Customs Officer in a contraband hotspot in the Orange Walk District. Shortly after that incident, he was shot by a Customs Officer, and those injures claimed his life. Footage captured by a civilian shows that on Tuesday, August 15, 2017, at around 4:45 p.m., a customs officer, who remains unnamed by police, was supported by BDF soldiers in an attempt to stop a bus traveling through Yo Creek Village. It was heading from Santa Cruz, a famous contraband hotspot that borders Mexico's Botes.

Motorcycle thief is denied bail
Shawn Perez, a 22-year-old fisherman and construction worker of Jane Usher Boulevard, Belize City is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after he was accused of handling a policeman's stolen motorcycle. Perez, who was unrepresented, appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser in court on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 where he was read a single charge of handling stolen goods. Allegations against Perez are that on July 26, 2017 in Belize City, he dishonestly appropriated a red motorcycle valued at $3,100, the property of Edwardo Ciau, a police officer with the Belize City Prosecution Branch in Belize City. The officer had parked his motorcycle at home in the Port Loyola area when it was stolen.

One fake cop granted bail, the other nowhere to be found
Earlier in 2017, two Belize City men, Dorian Blair and Barrington Slusher Jr., were accused of impersonating police officers. Blair was previously accused of this crime and in court on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, he was a no show. This is the second time that Blair has failed to show up to court and as a result, a bench warrant has been issued for his arrest. At their initial court appearance, the men were both denied bail but Blair managed to secure bail through the Belize City Supreme Court. Slusher was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until August 23, 2017 when he was granted bail in the lower court. He appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser who granted him bail in the sum of $2,500 plus one surety of the same amount.

Father of two is gunned down at home
The Belize City family of 24 year-old Ryan "Fish" Thompson continues to mourn his untimely and violent death. Gunmen shot him right outside of his house, just as he arrived home. His two young daughters and his girlfriend were at home when he was attacked. Thompson's relatives told the press that he arrived at his home on Neal Penn Road Extension at around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 20, 2017. He was just about to open the door to the house when a gunman emerged from the darkness and immediately started shooting at him. Thompson was injured to the left side of his chest, and to the right leg, and as soon as the gunfire subsided, first responders found him where he had collapsed.

Four men charged for attack on retired Superintendent of Police
Two brothers and two others are accused of attacking a retired superintendent of Police. They have been identified as 24-year-old Darrell Brown, a Security Guard at the Princess Hotel & Casino, 29-year-old personal trainer Rayford Brown, Eckert Powell, a sales agent, and 25-year-old Aaron Tillett, a security guard at Sadie Vernon High School. The first three appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Friday, August 18, 2017 while Tillett was not arraigned until Tuesday, August 22, 2017. At each of the arraignments, they were all unrepresented. The four men all pleaded not guilty to the single charge of wounding upon Francis Williams, a retired Superintendent of police who ended up losing a tooth at the end of the vicious attack.

Men accused of robbery in PG out on bail
Two Belize City men accused of robbing Three Star Chicken Company of an undisclosed amount of money on July 10, 2017 and who have been on remand for the armed robbery are presently out on Supreme Court bail. They were granted bail by Judge Adolph Lucas when they appeared in court on Friday, August 18, 2017 where they were represented by attorney Anthony Sylvester. They have been identified as 18-year-old Kevaughan Smith and 23-year-old Jovanni O'Brian, both residents of the May Flower area. They were brought to the Supreme Court for their bail application. There was no objection to bail and they were each offered bail in the sum of $5,000 plus one surety of the same.

Scott Charles dies after being shot in San Pedro
On Wednesday, August 16, 2017, another shooting incident occurred on La Isla Bonita. This time, Scott Charles, a tour guide and fisherman, was the victim. According to initial police reports, Charles was at home with his wife and child when someone knocked on his door. Upon opening the door, several shots were fired in his direction causing him to be hit in the lower abdomen and upper thigh. He was taken to the San Pedro Polyclinic but had to be air lifted to the KHMH where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, August 17, 2017.

Accused of stealing a Skill Saw
Corey Sebastian, a 21-year-old Belize City resident, is being accused of burglarizing the Security Booth of Global Company located on Barrack Road in Belize City. Allegations are that on Sunday, August 20, 2017, he entered the Security Booth of Global Company as a trespasser and stole a silver Skill cutting saw valued at $700, the property of Errol Lynch. Sebastian appeared unrepresented before Acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser on a single charge of burglary. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and since there was no objection to bail, he was granted bail in the sum of $3,000 plus one surety of the same which he was able to meet.

Shooting Incident
On August 21, 2017 at 5:35 p.m., police visited Vernon Street in Belize City where they saw 18-year-old Marquise Conorquie, unemployed, with a gunshot wound to the right thigh. Investigations revealed that Conorquie and a companion were on Laura Dunn Street when a male person came from behind a wooden house and fired a single shot in their direction, causing his injury. Conorquie and his companion then ran through the burial ground onto Vernon Street and the perpetrator ran in the direction of Antelope Street. Although the victim is failing to cooperate with the police, investigation continues.

Traffic officer is on remand following gun play
A Traffic Officer is on remand after an alleged incident involving a gun that occurred on Tapir Street on Friday, August 18, 2017. On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, the 24-year-old Mario Vernon was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate's Court where he appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza to answer to a single charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon upon his neighbor, 21-year-old Jervin Lewis. In a report to police, Lewis said that he and Vernon had a misunderstanding on August 18, 2017 over money and that was when Vernon pointed a gun toward him. Fearing for his life, Lewis reported the incident and as a result, Vernon was detained and charged.

Austin Williams fears losing his arm after knife attack
A man could lose his arm after being attacked by another man over the weekend. The man accused of the attack was arraigned in the Belize City court on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. He has been identified as 21-year-old Lynton Maskall, a resident of Belize City. Maskall appeared before acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was read a single charge of grievous harm upon Austin Williams, his neighbor. No plea was taken from Maskall in light of the fact that the doctor that performed the examination on Williams recommended that he see a specialist in reference to his injuries. As a result, the charge against Maskall might be upgraded to a more serious offense.

Digicell Belize City Senior Female Softball champion
The Belize City Senior Female Softball competition came to an end on Wednesday 16th August, 2017, when Digicell defeated Beacon by the score of 10-7 in the second game of the best of three series to recapture the prestigious Belize City title it lost four years ago. Digicell won the series 2 games to 0, while scoring a total of 23 runs against the pitching of Beacon while giving up 19 runs to Beacon. The winning pitcher for Digicell was Mary Flowers and the losing pitcher was Hortence Thurton in relief of Kenisha Sutherland.

Belize Athletics Association to hold National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of its National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 26 - 27 August, 2017. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the Belize Athletics Association via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association) or at the Marion Jones Sports Complex. Cost of registration is $10.00 per athlete.

Firms Basketball competition enters playoffs round
The Belize District Basketball Association 2017 Firms' competition regular season came to an end on Thursday 17th August, 2017, at Swift Hall here in Belize City. In the first game played, Central Health defeated The Kings by the score of 72-45. The top scorers for Central Health were Faisal Ahmad with 20 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals; Keith Pollard with 14 points, 17 rebounds and a steal and Paul Moro with 11 points and 3 rebounds. Meanwhile, the top scorers for The Kings were Farron Louriano with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals; Dave Apolonio with 10 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 2 steals and Leon Williams with 7 points, 6 rebounds and an assist.

Conscious Youth Development Programme 2017 Peace Cup to commence on August 28
The Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP) has announced that its 2017 Football Peace Cup will commence on Sunday 28th August, 2017. Interested teams can register to participate in the up- coming competition at the offices of the CYDP at 117 North Front Street in Belize City. It is noted that the first 14 teams to register will participate in the Peace Cup. The Organising Committee informs that the first meeting for the 2017 Football Peace Cup is scheduled for Thursday 10th August, at 1:00 pm at the CYDP Office.

Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy repeat as Cayo Softball champions
Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy repeated as the champions of the Raymond Garbutt Sr. Cayo Senior Female Softball Competition which was sponsored by the Hon. John Saldivar, when it defeated the Unitedville Rebels United by the score of 5-0. The winning pitcher was Leandra Guy and the losing pitcher was Francine Salazar. The Cayo Softball Association presented the championship awards and individual awards immediately after the game. Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy and Unitedville Rebels United will represent the Cayo Association at the XXVII National Women's Softball championship.

Verdes FC and Police United win in Premier League of Belize Football competition
The Premier League of Belize 2017-2018 Football Opening Season continued over the last weekend with four games on the schedule. On Saturday 19th August, out at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town, the host team San Pedro Pirates FC and the visiting Belize Defence Force FC played to a 1-1 draw. The goal for the visiting Belize Defence Force FC was scored by Hector Martinez while the goal for the San Pedro Pirates FC was scored by Jarren Lambey. At the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the visiting Bandits Sports and the Placencia Assassins FC played to a 1-1 draw.

Marijuana, LOUIS, MOSE, EAMON, LISA, RALPH, SAID and GOEBBELS
Louis Wade babbled:"�every beer, versus tequila, versus 'big foot' or 'elephant foot'�" He is mouthing foolishness because alcohol, bottle size and folklore are not comparable! Beer and tequila are alcoholic drinks. Elephant foot refers to a large sized bottle. Bigfoot is a make believe ape like creature. "Marijuana comes from a plant just like cocaine comes from a plant, just like alcohol comes from a plant, just like heroine comes from a plant. Plants have chemicals. It just so happens that marijuana has 420 Tetrahydrocannabinol of which science has only identified and tested 50 of the 420. When a person smokes marijuana they add heat to 420 chemicals, so a chemical reaction takes place and the 420 chemicals turn into something else." The previous words are again owned by Louis Wade. He is talking even more foolishness this time!

Jack in the Box
To set the record straight, I don't want you to think that all supporters of the People's United Party whom I come in contact with are all insufferable fanatics. In fact, many of them are reasonable, rational individuals whom out of fidelity to family and tradition are PUP'S. You see, here in OW people will hardly change their religion or their political affiliation. With that common courtesy out of the way, I want to tell you that two major issues transpired over this past week which has the Opposition going "Cinco, seis" as they say in Spanish. The first is that the popular Phillip de la Fuente is once again contesting for the mayoral seat here in OW on behalf of the UDP. Before Phillip's entry, the PUP was practically celebrating a "sure -win". Now they are depending on Facebook with fake news to try "belittle" Philco. One half-crack bird brain told me that he heard it from "high up" that Bernard would win.

Issue #36 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online!
Click HERE to download the PDF

Issue #37 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

Biochar Implementation in Agricultural Systems of Belize
In addition to pressures to adapt to climate change, agricultural production demands include innovative and effective solutions to balance both food production and environmental sustainability (Lehmann and Joseph, 2015). Volatility in agricultural commodities, in parallel with population growth, have initiated an alarming concern as to whether the rates of agricultural production will be able to meet its future food demands. Recent years have shown an improvement in agricultural productivity, but future demands are uncertain, especially in light of environmental factors such as climate change (Sands et al., 2014). The climate problem is now extremely large and is drastically affecting our food production systems.

Old Crops Become New: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batata) Part 2
An Underutilised Tropical Root By Santiago Juan. An Underutilized Root Sweet potato is a plant grown for its tuberous roots in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate regions. As mentioned in the last Belize Ag Report, issue 36, sweet potato is cultivated for food in more than 100 countries, sometimes as a staple food but usually as an alternative food. All varieties of sweet potato are a good source of vitamins and minerals. In East Africa, the sweet potato is known as "the protector of children" because it is often the only food that stands between a child's survival and starvation. A fast-maturing perennial plant, it is grown mainly as an annual. The roots are adventitious, mostly located within the top 25�

Belmopan Weekend Farmers' Market at NATS Grounds
By Sally Thackery. The new pavilions at the Belmopan showgrounds are now open on Saturdays and Sundays for local farmers to sell their products to the public. Opening day, Saturday July 29, was lively and well-attended, by both the public and the market sellers. Big thanks to CEO Jose Alpuche and Show Grounds Coordinator Gary Ramirez for such a bright vision for this property at the entrance to Belmopan. The entire showgrounds have been cleaned up, mowed, landscaped with beautiful plants and vendor stalls have been colorfully painted. These detailed improvements also include a new entrance gate, bathrooms in all sections and designated parking areas.In addition to fresh vegetables, the market offers dry goods, eco-friendly cleaning products, fruit trees, flowering�

SIRDI EU IPDM Project: Metarhizium anisopliae Production to Control Froghopper in Sugar Cane
By Jeffy Gomez, Luciano Chi, Luis Gongora and Jian Cob. Froghopper is considered a major pest in sugarcane; every crop cycle it affects sugarcane farmers by increasing control costs while decreasing productivity. The problem is especially serious with the elimination of the preferential market for Belize's sugar. Hence, it is of great importance to start adapting more environmentally-friendly controls by deterring the use of chemicals and meeting standards set by the Fairtrade market. With the assistance of the European Union (EU), the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the project entitled "Strengthening of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in the Sugar Industry" is being implemented in the northern sugar belt. The�

Beyond the Backyard: Suck Your Way to Health
By Jenny Wildman. I came across an article about a strange fruit that can boost your brain function - something all seniors think of when they cannot remember names or misplace their glasses. The picture was that of the fruit known here as kenep, kinnip or guayo. The deciduous, polygamous kenep tree is part of the soapberry family along with logan, rambutan and lychee, all cousins to the northern chestnut. The scientific name is Melicoccus bijugatus commonly referred to as Spanish lime, quenepa, genip, chennet, talpajocote and mamoncillo from the verb mamar to suck. Kenep trees are native to South America and the Island of Margarita and also found in drier woodlands and gardens of the Caribbean and Central America.�

2016 Domestic Export Trade Data Disaggregation
Top Export Partners,Top Exported Products, Data extracted from Statistical Institute of Belize

Rice: Circle R's Contribution to Food Security in Belize
By Jeffrey Maga�a. The highest priority for Circle R Products Limited, a farmer-owned business, is food security for Belize. Their newest product, Dalla Rice, was recently introduced to provide a 14 oz. package of grade A rice for $1. Harvest for Kids is grade A premium rice; Jade is grade B; Ruby, grade C and Topaz, grade D. The Harvest for Kids product is named for the socially responsible project it supports. A percentage of the sale of all Harvest for Kids rice goes to support Belize Camping Experience in Belize City, summer Bible camps and work with kids in schools throughout the city. We believe that if our children are inspired today, our country can become a better place.�

Fusarium spp.: An Important Disease of Soybeans
By Felix Cawich, Agronomist, M.Sc. Worldwide, soybean is considered an important crop for the production of oil and as a source of protein for people and animals. In addition, it´s now being used for biodiesel production. According to the Worldwide Web Foundation (WWF), soybean production has grown 10 times in the last 50 years, covering over one million square kilometres. The increasing production area, like the increase in yield of monocultivation, has also led to higher presence of disease in soy plantations. Furthermore, the varying climate may favor rapid development of diseases. Important Diseases Diseases originating from different microorganisms can cause blights, cankers, rots, rusts, wilts and others, causing damage to different parts of the plant at any given growth�

Fertility Needed for Growing Pastures and Hay
By Neal Kinsey. When the requirements for life-giving soil fertility to provide abundant plant growth and robust animal health are accurately considered, far too many pastures and hay fields used for livestock production are seriously lacking. Testing the soils in pastures and meadows has sadly proven this to be true far too often, even when only the absolute minimum nutrient content for those soils is considered. To treat your animals right you have to treat your soils right. Anything less and you rob from the total potential of life-giving principles for your soil, the plants grown there, the livestock that consume them and the products that are provided as a result. When soils are not cared for correctly, it is�

Modern Water Wisdom: An Interview
AUTHOR JUDITH SCHWARTZ EXAMINES WATER MANAGEMENT Reprinted with permission from Acres USA magazine, Vol.47, No.6 Interview: Author Judith Schwartz Examines Water Management. When writer Judith Schwartz learned that soil carbon is a buffer for climate change, her focus as a journalist took a major turn. She was covering the Slow Money National Gathering in 2010 when Gardener's Supply founder Will Raap stated that over time more CO2 has gone into the atmosphere from the soil than has been released from burning fossil fuels. She says her first reaction was "Why don't I know this?" Then she thought, "If this is true, can carbon be brought back to the soil?" In the quest that followed, she made the acquaintance of luminaries like Allan Savory, Christine Jones and Gabe Brown and traveled to several continents to see the new soil carbon paradigm in action. Schwartz has the gift of making difficult concepts accessible and appealing to lay readers, and that's exactly what she does in Cows Save the Planet And Other Improbable Ways of Restoring Soil to Heal the Earth, which Elizabeth Kolbert called "a surprising, informative, and ultimately hopeful book."

Homemade Health - Why and How to Use Essential Oil - Part 1
By Marguerite Fly Bevis, RN, BSN. This article, part 1 of a 2 part article on essential oils, describes their basic properties and why they are used. Part 2 will describe how to use them. Essential oils, the quintessential essence of medicinal plants, have been used by man for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. They are mentioned in the Bible at least 600 times. Thirty-three different oils are mentioned. Essential oils are the original medicine upon which modern medicine is based. Birch and wintergreen contain salicylic acid, the same component in aspirin but essential oils are easier on the body and present fewer, if any, side effects, whereas modern medicines can have many, some of which can be more�

Belize Strengthening Partnerships by Applying "One Health"
By Dr. Joe Myers, DVM. BAHA Medical and veterinary officers from Belize were trained to collaborate using "One Health" strategies in zoonotic and food-borne disease surveillance, diagnosis and preparedness and response, through a comprehensive two-year professional development programme, the One Health Leadership Series (OHLS). The OHLS is part of the regional One Health, One Caribbean, One Love Project, implemented by the University of the West Indies (UWI), School of Veterinary Medicine. The One Health project was funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by the ACP Science and Technology Programme (S&T II), in collaboration with the 'Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Project', of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme coordinated by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).�

Control Postbloom Fruit Drop in Citrus Production

Maya Mountain Heirloom Cacao
What Makes Belizean Cacao So Special? Understanding Genetics of Belizean Cacao Beans By Dan O'Doherty & Minehaha Forman. In the rapidly growing world of specialty craft chocolate, Belize has earned its place among the fine flavored origins of cacao. Known for its unique fruity/caramel flavor, Belize cacao has won numerous awards in recent years. Cacao beans originating from Maya villages in the Toledo district of Belize and processed by Maya Mountain Cacao, Ltd (MMC) recently received an heirloom designation from the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA). The cacao sample was made into chocolate and blind-tasted by a panel of nine veteran chocolate companies including Guittard, Valrhona, and Felchlin. Panelists universally praised the sample for its overall high quality, as�

Cannabis Hemp Building Materials
By Karin Westdyk. James Savage, a New York business analyst, was greatly disturbed after learning about mold problems making thousands of New Orleans homes uninhabitable after hurricane Katrina, and of the thousands killed in Haiti, crushed by their own homes during an earthquake. He searched for solutions and came up with a material that has been around for thousands of years and started a company to create building materials made from mold resistant, stronger-than-steel cannabis hemp. Hempcrete The outer portion of the hemp stalk has a long history of use for producing paper, fabric, rope and sails (the word canvas comes from the word cannabis), but Savage discovered that hemp chips made from the woody interior of the cannabis plant�

Nematodes - Friend and Foe
by Mary Loan. Nematodes are non-segmented worms that live everywhere on the planet, including in ice and snow to the depths of the ocean and even in arid deserts. They are most abundant in tropical regions of the world, like Belize. Other names they are known as include: eel worms, thread worms, root knot worms. There are thousands of identified species of nematodes with estimates of about one-half million varieties to be 'discovered', studied and named. Most nematodes are almost invisible to the human eye and are less than 1 mm, or 1/125 of an inch in length. There are generally thousands of nematodes in a handful of soil, over one million in a spadeful, and as many as three�

The Humanure Handbook - A Review by Chris Harris
This is the book no one would publish. Why? Because it deals in some detail with a subject distasteful to some, uncomfortable to others and "something we just don't talk about " to yet more. So the author, Joseph Jenkins, published it himself. And in the process he did us all a big favour. OK, so what is this "taboo subject"? Well it deals with the subject of the ecological disposal of human waste. At first glance the author's ideas amount to little more than an advanced view of the "bucket and chuck it" approach used in many rural areas of the world already. But here comes the rub. Jenkins applauds the "bucket" idea, but strongly challenges the "chuck it"�

Dear Veggie Detective
Dear Veggie Detective, Would you please investigate the mystery of the white-centered tomato? Why do some tomatoes have white centers and others are all red and tasty? Signed, Tomato Lover Dear Tomato Lover, Your mystery is solved! Tomatoes with white centers have a deficiency in potassium, an element abbreviated as K because phosphorus was assigned the letter P. Basic fertilizers that you buy have three main elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and are designated in 3 numbers which corresponds to these three elements. If your soil doesn't need N or P you can buy elemental potassium fertilizer. Potassium will give you not only the nice red color on your tomatoes but bigger fruit�

Ag Briefs
UB CF announces that the next Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility 3 day course will be held the week of August 27th (note this has been changed from the dates in the previous Ag Report). This will be a repeat of the very well-received Intro 2 Course given in February. To register, contact David Thiessen at 670-4817 or [email protected]. Limited registration. Avocados reached the highest prices in the US over 19 years early this summer, at $28 USD/10 kilos, due to lowered yields caused by bad weather and other problems in the main producing countries of Mexico (strikes), Peru (floods), Chile (droughts) and the US (California droughts). Avocado as colorant: Researchers at Penn State, USA, inadvertently discovered that avocado�