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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, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

Ministry of Health confirms Belize was exposed to Whooping Cough
The Ministry of Health (MOH) has been notified of a confirmed case of Pertussis, commonly known as 'Whooping Cough,' by the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In a press release issued on Tuesday, April 17th, the CDC reports that the confirmed case is that of a visitor, who traveled to Belize during the third week of March 2018. The Ministry was alerted on Friday, April 13th, and since then, an investigative team has been created to inform and follow-up with those the infected person may have interacted with.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks overcome Dangriga Dream Ballers as playoffs approach
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks defeated Dangriga Dream Ballers 81-61 on Saturday, April 14th at the Angel Nunez Auditorium in San Pedro Town. With this win, and with only two weeks remaining in the regular season of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL), the island team just needs to win one more game to secure the #1 seed in the semi-finals. The two-time NEBL champions have netted nine wins and only two losses in the 2018 season so far. There were two other games over the weekend conducted in Belize City and Orange Walk Town. On Friday, April 13th, Digicell Belize City Defenders fell 65-55 against Cayo's Verdes in their own home court. That same evening, Orange Walk Running Rebels hosted the Belmopan Bandits at the Orange Walk Multi-purpose Sporting Complex. Bandits lost the game by three points, 79-76, giving the Running Rebels their first win in the NEBL 2018 season.

Family fun at Carnival Fundraiser for Raise Me Up and ACES
Raise Me Up and American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) hosted a joint carnival fundraiser at Crocs Sunset Sports Bar, north of San Pedro Town on Saturday, April 14th. The event saw a large crowd enjoy an afternoon full of fun activities while supporting a worthy cause. At noon, families started to arrive ready to enjoy the variety of games and activities like ring toss, croc trap, duck fishing, and croc golf. Participants were eager to win coveted prizes. The main attraction was the "Dunk Tank" which saw attendees of all ages trying their luck to hit a target and get the dunk volunteers soaked with water.

Ambergris Today

NEMO Assists Island Families Affected By Sunday's Storm
Minister of National Emergency Management Hon Edmond Castro was on the Island of Ambergris Caye on Monday, April 16, 2018, where he visited families affected by an unseasonal storm that affected that area this past Sunday, April 15, 2018 around 6:00 AM. Three families, whose dwellings and belongings were damaged by the storm, have since received humanitarian assistance through NEMO. Hon. Castro was accompanied on his visit by NEMO Central Regional Coordinator, Al Westby; NEMO Belize Rural South Coordinator, Vanessa Parham; San Pedro Councilor with responsibility for NEMO, Damage Assessment & Needs Analysis Gabriel "Gaby" Nunez; and San Pedro Fire Chief Newton Lennon. And, while on the island, the Minister and his team also took the opportunity to visit and thank local business owner Brittany O'Daniel, who has been a consistent donor in assisting NEMO and victims of disaster on the Island.

NICH - Festival Of Cultures
The San Pedro House of Cultures invites you to celebrate with us to honor Belize`s beautiful cultures and help to raise money for the San Pedro House of Culture! On Sunday Apr 22nd at 9am-6pm. Fashion Show starts at 5pm. On the beach in-front of Sandbar. San Pedro House of Culture & Foreva Fancy Boutique invites you to celebrate Belize's cultural diversity at the 1st annual Festival of Cultures & Fashion Show on la Isla Bonita. Come enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of Belize as they bring all Belizean cultures for a fun day of celebration on the beach!

Ministry Of Health Monitoring Confirmed Case Of Whooping Cough
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has notified the Ministry of Health of a confirmed Pertussis (whooping cough) case from a visitor who travelled to Belize during the third week of March 2018. Since the alert notification on April 13th, the Ministry has activated an investigative team to inform and follow-up with as many contact persons the infected person may have interacted with. Based on the information received from the CDC, the visitor was considered infectious during their travel in Belize. To date, the Ministry has no confirmed case detected in Belize from this imported case. However, the Ministry continues to monitor the situation.

Misc Belizean Sources

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NEMO Assists Storm and Fire Victims
Minister of National Emergency Management Hon. Edmond Castro was on the Island of Ambergris Caye yesterday Monday, April 16th, 2018, where he visited families affected by an unseasonal storm that affected that area this past Sunday, April 15th, 2018 around 6:00 AM. Three families, whose dwellings and belongings were damaged by the storm, have since received humanitarian assistance through NEMO. Hon. Castro was accompanied on his visit by NEMO Central Regional Coordinator, Al Westby; NEMO Belize Rural South Coordinator, Vanessa Parham; San Pedro Councillor with responsibility for NEMO, Damage Assessment & Needs Analysis Gabriel "Gabby Nunez; and San Pedro Fire Chief Newton Lennon. While on the island, the Minister and his team also took the opportunity to visit and thank local business owner Brittany O'Daniel, who has been a consistent donor in assisting NEMO and victims of disaster on the Island.

Ministry of Health Monitoring Confirmed Case of Whooping Cough
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has notified the Ministry of Health of a confirmed Pertussis (whooping cough) case from a visitor who travelled to Belize during the third week of March 2018. The Ministry of Health takes this opportunity to remind the public of the symptoms of pertussis or whooping cough as it is more commonly known. Whooping cough is a bacterial infection where an individual can present with very violent and uncontrollable episodes of cough, difficulty breathing with a 'whooping noise' usually at the end of the cough episode, vomiting that occurs during or after coughing, and exhaustion after the cough episode. If you or anyone around you present these symptoms, please visit or report to your nearest health center. After exposure, the infection can be transmitted during the first two weeks and the infection can last for up to six/ten weeks.

Belize Coast Guard Recruit Intake Number 9
Are you willing to join those who provide safety, security, and protection of our maritime areas? Are you ready to accept the challenge and overcome adversity? Join the Belize Coast Guard where every day is an adventure and a challenge. The Belize Coast Guard is looking for a few good men & women to join its ranks and be a part of an elite organization. Candidates should apply to the Commandant Belize Coast Guard at the Coast Guard Headquarters, PO Box 1803 Belize City by 27th April 2018. Candidates, who are considered, will be informed of the date, time and location for the recruiting exam. Remember to forward your contact information in your letter of application.

Movie Night at Central Park! in San Pedro
The San Pedro Town Council presents MOVIE NIGHT at the Central Park! This Saturday April 21, we will be showing COCO! Seating is at 6:30 p.m. and Movie starts at 7:00 p.m. Bring your Mats, Blankets and Pillows! We will also have food and juice on sale! FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint your very own coconut pod fish! Custom design your own colors and designs.

Jimmy Parish Trop-Rock Concert
April 17, 18, 19, 20. The Dive Bar and Palapa Bar and Grill. No cover charge.

Open * Ball Billiard Championship
Andres Campos Civic Center, April 28 & 29. Entrance fee $400

Power outage scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 to affect Belmopan area
Includes Belmopan, La Democracia, Mahogany Heights, Frank's Eddy, St. Matthew's, Cotton Tree, Valley of Peace, Roaring Creek, Camalote, Teakettle, Arizona, Ontario, Buena Vista, Blackman Eddy, Unitedville and areas along Hummingbird Highway from Belmopan to Armenia. BEL to relocate poles carrying transmission lines and conduct maintenance at the Belmopan Substation.

Server opening at Black Orchid Restaurant
We have a rare vacancy for a Server at the Black Orchid Restaurant. If you are service oriented, reliable & friendly we will train you for an opportunity to work in a first class environment, no experience necessary. APPLY IN PERSON Tue-Sat 1p-4p.

It's Bat Appreciation Day!
Some species of bats can live up to 40 years. Bats use their extreme sense of hearing. Bats are important for agriculture because they control insect pest population. Bats also tell us about the health of the environment because they are sensitive to changes in their surroundings. A 2015 survey within the Maya Golden Landscape identified 51 bat species, visiting bat researchers along with our team used acoustic and mist netting methods for this study. The most species-rich site was Bladen Nature Reserve with 29 species recorded.

Banquitas hosts Underdog Initiative
Banquitas was privileged to host Underdog Initiative for a short cultural session in Orange Walk. On this occasion, we demonstrated how Bollitos de Chaya and Maja Blanco is prepared. The students also sampled the product and enjoyed it very much. Ms. Esmeralda Cal taught them how to introduce themselves in Yucatec Maya. They also learned the steps of the typical Maya Mestizo dance, la botella. Thanks for choosing us to make your visit to Orange Walk a wonderful experience.

Creative workshops delivered at Coco Plum
La Casa Negra, Suggestion Gourmet and Caracol of JADE invites all children to participate from the creative workshops delivered at Coco Plum. Workshops are: aerial dance, juggling, acrobatics and painting. If you are intrested please assist and enjoy a free show at Coco Plum on Satuarday 21st of April at 3:00 pm

Youth Kick Off Civic Center
Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, presented an award of appreciation to the high school teams playing in today's friendly matches at the Belize Civic Center. These games are the first official events to be held at the new and improved Center. Female game: Anglican Cathedral College vs E.P. Yorke High School. Male game: Anglican Cathedral College vs Sadie Vernon High School.

Book Week 2018 on Caye Caulker
Read it! Dream it! Live it!

Costing and Pricing Workshop
The SISE Town Council is teaming up with SBDC to bring business workshops to Cayo. The Costing and Pricing workshop is Thursday, April 19th, at the Cayo Welcome Center. Contact SBDC for more information. "Will you be in the vicinity of San Ignacio on Thursday April 19th? If 'yes,' then you should make your way over to the Cayo Welcome Center and take part in SBDC Belize's Workshop! SBDC BELIZE & SISE Town Council signed an MOU to work together to create economic impact and assist MSME's within the twin town to start up or expand! The upcoming training is 'Costing and Pricing' from 9:00AM-12:00PM: Cost: $30.00 "

Verdes Host Running Rebels
The Verdes host the Running Rebels in their last game of the season. "This Saturday, April 21st, 2018, inside Sacred Heart Auditorium. Come out and support your Verdes Basketball Club as they take on the Orange Walk running rebels . This is our last home game and we're doing it big."

Channel 7

Faber Says If Belize's Vote Is "No" To The ICJ, Then "No" It is
Two days have passed since the ICJ referendum in Guatemala and we've gotten very little from the government of Belize - other than congratulations for our neighbors who - lest we forget - are claiming half the country. Depending on who you talk to, Belize is at a crossroads of either peril or promise - and no one from Government has laid out in concrete terms the implications of Guatemala's "yes" vote are for Belize. Today, the Deputy Prime Minister told us that due to the PM's absence Cabinet has not met to come up with a position yet - but he did comment on Guatemala's quite striking position that if Belize votes "no", then the government would have to find another way to still take the case to the ICJ. Faber says he's not so sure about that!:

When Will Belize Be Ready?
And so while DPM Faber is clearly personally in favour of a "yes" vote, Belize's own referendum seems to be a ways off. Best information suggests that it could happen sometime in the first quarter of 2019. On Saturday, Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala Alexis Rosado granted the press an interview at the Belize Embassy Headquarters in Guatemala City, and he was asked about that and the accompanying ICJ education campaign that should be ramping up some time soon. He said that as soon as the voter re-registration exercise is completed later this year, a date will be set:

Police Say Marcia Downs Was Killed By Teenaged Neighbor
On Thursday's news, we told you about the murder of 37 year-old Marcia Downs, the fourth woman to be murdered in Belize City in 2 months. Well tonight, police are reporting that they've arrested and charged one man for her murder - and, as it turns out, he lives right down her street. He's 19 year-old Antwan Rivero, and police say that he was the shooter who gunned her down outside her grandmother's house on Handyside Street. Rivero - who also lives on Handyside street - was formally arrested and charged with murder yesterday, and he was arraigned before Senior Magistrate today.

Sickle Cell, Struggle and Perseverance
Sickle Cell Anemia - people don't really talk about it much, but many Belizeans have it, and, for them, it's a life full of challenges, where every day can be a struggle. There is no cure and not much that can be done in Belize to treat it effectively - so those with this disorder just have to learn how to control it - living by strict, conservative rules of health management. But try telling that to a boy who just wants to run and have fun, or a teenaged girl who wants to enjoy good times with friends.

Gwen Liz Teachers Stage Walkout
For years, Gwen Liz High School has been dogged by controversies and disputes that have left teachers, parents, students, and administrators upset and frustrated - while the school gets repeated public black eyes. The last major issue was with the then principal Lorna Mckay who was placed on suspension. Today another issue came to light. Twenty five teachers staged a walkout this morning to send a sharp message to their superiors. Sahar Vasquez was there and found out why they were sitting it out.

Faber Comments On Gwen Liz Situation
While that was the situation this morning, this afternoon we got comment from the Minister of Education Patrick Faber. Faber has several interests in this because of his close ties to the school as area representative and head of the Ministry which owns and administers this high school. Plus, the person at the centre of the controversy, Alifah Elrington is a UDP colleague of his. This afternoon he explained how despite all these ties, he's never used a strong hand at the school: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education/Collet Area Rep.: "I read in the teacher's letter that there is some accusation of politics being played. Let me be clear, that I have been the representative for the Collet Area for 15 years. I have been the minister of education that manages the Ministry of Education which is the proprietor, the owner of Gwen Lizarraga High School. It is a government school and if anybody is going to play politics or they will accuse anybody of playing politics - that has to be geared towards me..."

Why Is Faber Not PM?
As we told you last night, Prime Minister Dean Barrow is out of the country and has again appointed a juniour member of Cabinet to preside as acting prime minister. For the second time in a week, Minister of Labour and Local Government Hugo Patt is Prime Minister. But Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber was in country and on the job today. So why didn't he get the nod - which should be automatic in all circumstances? Faber explained it today, saying there's no trouble between him and the PM: Hon. Patrick Faber: "Not past over at all. I have been out of the country. I left just about I think in Holy Thursday before the Easter break. I have spent a week with my boys who are on spring break in the United States and subsequent to that, I was on official business in the Dominican Republic attending a SICA meeting which is the meeting of ministers of education and culture..."

DPM Faber Comments On PM's Medical Condition
The Prime Minister's trip is to meet with the IMF and the World Bank. But, there's also a medical component - due to the PM's ailing back. Faber says that he has been seeking medical treatment. Hon. Patrick Faber: "The prime minister's absence I know as well has not been planned. In fact the only planned absence that I knew he had just before Easter was to go when he went on the Easter vacation. He did take some treatment at that time and I supposed that it was when he visited with his doctors that first planned visit or absence that he - other things develop and as a result he has had to go back twice. So it's not planned on his part."

Tourist Came To Belize With Infectious Whooping Cough
A US tourist who came to Belize last month has been diagnosed with whooping cough. Tonight, public health authorities are concerned because she was all over the country and may have come in contact with dozens of Belizeans - especially those in the service industry. A press release says, quote, "the visitor was considered infectious during their travel in Belize. To date, the Ministry has no confirmed case detected in Belize from this imported case. However, the Ministry continues to monitor the situation." Ministry of Health Epidemiologist Dr. Ethan Gough told us today via phone why the case has public health implications:..

Civic Has Soft Opening For High Schoolers
Today, Belize City High Schoolers were the audience and participants in the first sporting activity hosted at the Belize Civic Center. The first and second place finishers in the male and female division for this year's Belize City basketball tournament faced off in a friendly match while their schools cheered them on and enjoyed all the new facility had to offer. Sports Minister Patrick Faber said that the stadium is starting on the right foot with the young people utilizing the facility.

Guatemalans Talk About Belize
In last night's news, we took you to Guatemala's Capital City for the historic ICJ referendum. Our news team had our very first opportunity to talk to regular everyday Guatemalans, to ask them what they think about the centuries old territorial claim. We interviewed a total of 37 Guatemalans, and we encountered a wide spectrum views on what they think about the claim, and what they really think about Belize and Belizeans. Here now are a few clips of our conversations with our neighbors to the west:

Carlos Raul, Won't Back Down On BDF Claims
But while our Daniel Ortiz and Codie Noralez were "hugging up" with the Guatemalans, the trip also gave us a chance to challenge former Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales on those very strong and offensive comments he made against the Belize Defense Force in April of 2016. At the time, he was still Foreign Minister, and he publicly disparaged the BDF for the death of the 13-year-old Guatemalan, Julio Alvarado Ruano, at the hands of Belizean lawmen. He said, quote, "We won't go and hunt down a Belizean, like they have hunted down Guatemalan farmers before. Sorry for the strong expression but that is literally what they have done."

NEMO Helps Storm-Shaken San Pedro
Last week Wednesday we told you about the freak storm that hit the southern village of Crique Jute. Well something similar hit San Pedro on Sunday. Now the weather forecast had warned about a cold front coming in over the weekend but San Pedro got more than a cold front they got strong storm force winds as seen in this video. 3 families were affected - the storm ripped up their homes. NEMO Minister and his team were on the island yesterday on a relief mission. The team went to assess the damage and provide supplies.

Police Upgrade From Tent To Booth
Police in one Belize City hotspot have gotten an upgrade in their accommodations tonight. Patrol teams on West Canal have a real roof over the heads tonight - after the tent they had been using for years had become torn and shredded. The booth was the gift of a concerned citizen - and police hope that many more will feel the same pull that he responded to:… The booth is valued at three thousand dollars, and anyone wanting to donate one can contact Triple L Construction.

Howell High-Stepping
And, the Southside Commander had a busy day. We caught him in the afternoon, but in the morning he was at the Wagner Youth Facility at the Belize Central Prison. Senior Superintendent Gillett also signed an agreement with a general merchandise story that will give a special incentive to police Officers of the Month starting this month:

Broaster Got Jokes
And while Gillett had the community police thing going, Deputy Commissioner Broaster provided comic relief for the press:… Ok, then...he got jokes...

Channel 5

Gov't Says Yes to I.C.J. but Belizeans Have Final Say
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber has chimed in on the outcome of Guatemala's referendum, sharing with the media a personal view on the democratic process in the absence of a [...]

If It's a No, Respect, but Nothing Changes
The possibility of voters saying no to the ICJ is a very real likelihood.� If that were indeed the case, Faber says that government would have no choice but to [...]

Keep Politics Out of I.C.J. Decision
On Monday, Opposition Leader John Brice�o told News Five that government has fallen short of meaningfully consulting with the People's United Party on what has long been a national issue.� [...]

Guatemala Foreign Minister Commends Relations with Belize
News Five, in an interview with Guatemala's Minister of Foreign Affairs, touched on two topics of special interest to Belizeans in the wake of Sunday's referendum. The first concerns relations [...]

FM Sandra Jovel Polanco Promises Guats Will Respect Any Ruling
But could relations be soured or broken irretrievably if the International Court of Justice, assuming assent from both populations, rules in Belize's favor? It's a question that makes both sides [...]

Progressive Party Wants Seat at Table for Education Campaign
While there were bouquets across the border between Belize and Guatemala following Sunday's referendum result, color the Belize Progressive Party unsurprised and unimpressed. They said as much in a press [...]

19-Year-Old Charged for Murder of Marcia Downs
Police say they have caught up to the man they believed killed one of Channel Five's own. Thirty-seven-year-old Marcia Downs was shot twice at her front gate on April eleventh [...]

Gwen Liz Teachers Sit Out; B.N.T.U. Comes to Aid
Approximately twenty teachers of Gwen Lizarraga High School this morning staged a sit-out from classes in continuing fallout over the appointment of members of the school's board of governors. While [...]

Education Minister Insists Alifa Elrington is Needed at Gwen Liz
This afternoon, Education Minister Patrick Faber told reporters that he was scheduled to meet with the teachers later on. He insists that as Collet area representative and education chief, he [...]

Can Former Principal Lorna McKay Make Comeback?
As for Doctor Lorna McKay, who was unceremoniously thrown out of her post last August, her case is still before the Teaching Services Commission. A ruling found evidence to support [...]

What is Needed to Solve Border Issues
Belize's ambassador to Guatemala, Alexis Rosado, today provided a primer of the countries' relations and plans surrounding resolving the Guatemalan claim. He notes that there is not much Belize can [...]

Decision Will Have International Ramifications
Detractors of an I.C.J. resolution have insisted that Belizeans will now face undue pressure for a 'yes' vote from the Government for the simple reason that we will not look [...]

In Capital, Squatters Told to Clear Out
There's a growing squatters settlement on a reserved land in Belmopan and authorities want them to vacate the area within fourteen days. The squatters, all believed to be immigrants, have [...]

Patrick Faber Explains Why He Has Not Been Acting for P.M.
For a second time in a few weeks, Corozal North Area Representative Hugo Patt has been named Acting Prime Minister.� The appointment comes in the absences of Prime Minister Barrow [...]

Health Ministry Checking for Cases of Whooping Cough
The Ministry of Health is actively following up on a confirmed case of a visitor with Pertussis or what's more commonly known as whooping cough. According to the Ministry, on [...]

Community Policing in Belmopan
Last week, we told you about the U.S Embassy's community policing presentation with Belize City cops. The purpose is to share tips and ideas with local authorities on how to [...]

City Cops Get New Booths in Patrol Areas
Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett is at it again. This afternoon the Eastern Division South Regional Commander was at the corner of West Canal and Rocky Road in south side Belize [...]

Howell Gillett Talks to Wagner's Youths, Plans to Make Them GREAT
This morning, Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett addressed the inmates at the Wagner's Youth Facility at the Belize Central Prison. In his statement, Gillett touched on a number of topics including [...]

Officers of the Month to Collect Dibary Certificates
The Eastern Division South Commander also signed an agreement today with Whalther Campos of Dibary Group of Companies that will see the Officer of the Month starting April and for [...]

The Road to a National ID System
The Inter-American Development Bank in collaboration with the Statistical Institute of Belize kicked off a four-day course on administrative data. For the past two years, both institutions have been working [...]

Kids Create Posters for Peace
The Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest has been ongoing for thirty years; this is the eleventh year since Belize has been competing. The competition encourages young people between the [...]

Basketballers Christen New Civic
A few hundred high school students converged on the Civic Center this afternoon in somewhat of a dry run.� The facility opened its doors this afternoon for a pair of [...]

CTV3

Business Woman Confirms Brutal Assault, Says Its The 6th Time
Back in December 2016, we had reported on the brutal assault and robbery of a businesswoman in Corozal Town. She had reported that upon arriving home in the Santa Rita Heights area during the night, she was attacked by a gun-toting male person. Tonight we can report that 10 days ago the same businesswoman was the target of yet another violent assault outside her home. The victim, who requested to remain anonymous due to concerns about her safety, shared that on Saturday, April 7th, she and a female friend parked outside their home and just as they were about to go inside, they were approached by two armed men wearing masks on their faces who launched a vicious assault on both of them. The victim we spoke to suffered large cuts on her face and forehead, while her friend had severe bruises on her face.

Belizeans Caught Fishing Illegally In Guatemalan Waters
Reports coming from Guatemalan media "Guatevision" indicates that two Belizean citizens along with a Guatemalan national were detained by Guatemalan authorities after they were caught fishing illegally in Guatemalan waters near Livingston, Izabal. The men were reportedly caught in the possession of an enormous load of lobsters. Further reports state that this type of fishing is prohibited in the country.

BTB Offers Scholarships For Tourism Programs
The Belize Tourism Board is offering scholarship opportunities to interested applicants for Tourism Programs commencing August 2018 for Full-time Students for the following degrees: 1. Associate Degree in Tourism (Two Year Tuition Scholarship) Requirements: Applicants must submit a certified copy of their High School Diploma, an official transcript, two BTB recommendation forms, a page which describes your career goals and aspirations, proof of Belizean Citizenship and a copy of the acceptance letter into the Tourism Program for 2018 at one of the Junior Colleges or Universities offering the Tourism Program.