Today's Belize News: January 31, 2019

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Today's Belize News: January 31, 2019 #534627 01/31/19 06:33 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials The San Pedro Sun Copa San Pedro 2019 completes third week of action Island residents enjoyed another weekend of football at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town from Thursday, January 24th to Sunday, January 27th. The first set of matches for Copa San Pedro 2019 Closing Season were held on Thursday, January 24th starting at 7PM. The first match saw Vince Assassins smashing Island Sharks in a 9-1 point game. Legends F.C then won 2-0 against G Strikers F.C at 9PM. Copa San Pedro Continues this weekend starting on Thursday, January 31st at 7PM. Everyone is invited to come out and support the island players. Food and drinks will be on sale during all games. Belize Vocational Institute to introduce Hospitality Pilot Program on Ambergris Caye Belize Vocational Institute (BVS) is aiming to introduce an eight-week Hospitality Pilot Program to provide training, certification, and materials to ten participants who want to work in the hospitality industry. The organization will provide vocational training to less-fortunate and under-privileged participants within the 16-24 year age range, which includes a classroom curriculum and on-site job training internships. The BVI is an organization was founded this year by the Mooers Family Foundation, and a team of local and international hospitality professionals. The purpose of BVI is to provide adequate employee training and opportunities to at-risk and financially-burdened Belizeans who may not have the monetary or moral support to pursue a professional career. San Pedro Pirates lose 1-0 against Police United F.C In their second consecutive home game of the season, the San Pedro Pirates hosted the Police United F.C at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, January 26th. While both teams gave their best, at the end of the game the visitors managed to capture the victory with a 1-0 score. For their next match, the San Pedro Pirates will be travelling to Independence Village, Stann-Creek District to face Assassins Altitudes on Saturday, February 2nd. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium. Any person that is interested in accompany the Pirates as fan can contact 608-6396. Another win for San Pedro Tiger Sharks! The San Pedro Tiger Sharks netted another clear 86-58 victory over the Orange Walk Running Rebels on Saturday, January 26th at the Civic Centre in Belize City. This marks the second consecutive victory for the island team, who is currently leading in the 2019 season of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL). Participating teams of 2019 NEBL season will return to the court this weekend as they try to defend their current standings. On Friday, February 1st, the Belmopan Bandits will face the Dangriga Dream Ballers in Belmopan. In Belize City, the Orange Walk Running Rebels will take on Belize City Defenders. On Saturday, February 2nd, San Pedro's Tiger Sharks will play what is expected to be a challenging match against the current NEBL champions, Belize Hurricanes, at the Civic Centre in Belize City. Ambergris Today PIC OF THE WEEK: Polar Vortex...Meanwhile In Belize What Polar Vortex? It's a cool 75�F here in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The skies are blue and the sun is out. Yes it's a bit chilly for us locals, but visitors from colder climates do not seem to be bothered by the "winter chill" we are having in Belize. Don't you wish you lived here? Escape Winter in Belize!!! Misc Belizean Sources December 2018 External Trade & Consumer Price Index IMPORTS DOWN 8.6%, DOMESTIC EXPORTS UP 41.7% IN DECEMBER 2018. For the month of December 2018, Belize imported goods valuing $152.8 million. This represented an 8.6 percent or $14.4 million decrease from the same month in 2017, when imports totalled $167.2 million. CONSUMER PRICES DOWN 0.1% IN DECEMBER 2018: RENT, FUEL AND LPG UP, AIRFARES DOWN. The latest statistics on consumer prices produced by the Statistical Institute of Belize show that, for the month of December 2018, the average Belizean household experienced, on average, an almost imperceptible decrease of 0.1 percent in the cost of regularly purchased goods and services when compared to December 2017. ICJ Open Forum in Corozal at the Corozal House of Culture, Feb. 9th, 6:30pm. Belizean Patriots: Nadia Evadne Cattouse Nadia Evadne Cattouse was born in British Honduras on 2nd November 1924 (95 years old). Her father Albert Cattouse was a civil servant who went on to become Deputy Prime Minister of British Honduras. She is a Belizean-British actress, singer and songwriter. She is best known for her acting roles in many British television programmes including Play for Today, Crown Court, Dixon of Dock Green and Johnny Jarvis. As a singer in the 1960s she performed at Les Cousins folk and blues club in Greek Street, London, and appeared on television programs including the BBC's Sing Along and Hootenanny. On the folk scene she was a contemporary of Julie Felix and Fairport Convention, and was called by Melody Maker "one of the giants of the folk-song revival in Britain". With Robin Hall and Jimmie Macgregor she made Songs of Grief & Glory (1967). Her album Earth Mother (1970) was partly recorded at the 1969 Edinburgh Festival. Among other compilations, Cattouse features on Cult Cargo: Belize City Boil Up (2005), singing "Long Time Boy", and on the 1972 album Club Folk 2 (Peg Records PS3), singing "B. C. People" and "All Around My Grandmother's Floor". Reminder on the Departments Used Lead Acid Battery and Waste Oil Recycling Programs Belizean Accommodations on TripAdvisor 2019 Awards List Belize's popularity as a growing world tourism destination continues to make inroads. Last week TripAdvisor announced that several Belizean hotels have once again been recognized in this year's TripAdvisor's 2019 Travelers' Choice awards list in the World, Central American and Local categories. TripAdvisor is a travel planning and booking site, and its Travelers' Choice award winners were determined based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected in a single year from TripAdvisor travelers worldwide. Justices of the Peace sworn in Orange Walk Today in Orange Walk Town, 36 men and women were sworn-in as Justices of the Peace by the Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte. Area Representative for Orange Walk East, Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr., was present to witness the new JPs taking their oath. Former Mexican President Vicente Fox Makes Courtesy Visit to Prime Minister Barrow Vicente Fox, Mexico's 55th president, was in Belize on a personal trip. The former president and businessman paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow during his short stay. Mr. Fox was accompanied by friends - businessmen who expressed interest in investing in Belize. Fox visited several sites in Belize City, and this afternoon, departed the country. Vicente Fox served as Mexico's President from 2000 to 2006 and was succeeded by Felipe Calder�n. TORTUGA GRILL & PADDLE LOUNGE WEEKEND - SUPERBOWL SUNDAY Come watch the Superbowl game at Tortuga Grill & Paddle Lounge. We will be having promotion on food, snacks and drinks during the pre-game show. When is the Super Bowl? Super Bowl LIII will take place on Sunday, February 3rd, 2019. Kick off time is 5:30 P.M. Belize DJ Championship 2019 The 2019 Belize DJ Championship preliminaries for Cayo will be held at the Cayo Welcome Center on Saturday, February 16th. The Belmopan preliminary will be on Thursday the 14th, at the Wing Stop. DJ Jaelen Pacheco will be entering the contest. Channel 7 Father of Five Killed, Execution Style In Punta Gorda A father of 5 was killed last night in a Punta Gorda shooting that could provoke more trouble for the quiet Southern community. Jordy Flores had been shot before - and it was clear that he was marked for death. And last night the 30 year old was executed at his home. Alex Courtenay went down South to get the story... The family of 30-year-old Jerdy Flores is in mourning today after the PG resident was gunned down in his own backyard. Reports say his killer called him out and waited until his back was turned to fire. Insp. Reyes - Deputy OC, Toledo: "I can tell you that at around 6:55 pm yesterday the police received information of a shooting incident on West Street where one person was shot and was transported to the Punta Gorda Hospital." Compol Says He Will Refurbish Revolting "Pisshouse"� Corporal Darrell Tutsi Usher caused a national sensation yesterday when he posted Facebook pictures of the hideous conditions at the Queen Street detention cell. Usher and his brother were locked up for 48 hours - while police investigated them for charges of wounding and aggravated assault. The charges were thrown out of court, but the effect of those images will endure for a long, long time. And, today, settling into his new Belize City office, Commissioner Chester Williams addressed it. He said it is at the top of his list of things to do:... Love The Message, Punish The Messenger And while the Commissioner accepts that detained persons must be treated in an acceptable manner, that doesn't mean they should have cell phones in the cell block! In fact, detained persons are strictly not allowed to have mobile phones while in custody. But, it seems Corporal Usher had a camera phone - which snapped those pictures. Now, that puts the Commissioner in what would seem to be a cute situation, because Corporal Usher raised a matter of national interest - but he did so by breaking the rules. We asked the Commissioner about that contradiction today:.. Human Rights Says Detention Standards Must Improve But, good cop or bad, like we said, the Corporal has raised an issue of public interest. And, the Human Rights Commission of Belize is among the most interested. That group has been pressing police on this for sometime now - and finally, with this exposure, they have agreed to work together with police to upgrade the detention cell to minimum standards: Jules Vasquez- Reporter: "What was your visceral reaction when you saw those photos?" DOE VS Dion In Court Dion Zabaneh has been making the news for weeks now - for filling up his mother, Primrose Gabourel's lot, parcel 4670 in the Buttonwood Bay Area. The lot - 1.3 acres of it. - happens to be in the sea - and it is land which Zabaneh says he is reclaiming. But, from Saturday January 19th to Friday January 25th - Zabaneh continued to fill, in defiance of a stop order from the Department of the Environment. And that's why today 76 year old Primrose Gabourel 43 year old Dion Zabaneh, had to appear before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford - represented by their attorney Emil Arguelles. The Department of the Environment has charged them for failure to obtain environmental clearance prior to development activity; failure to comply with an enforcement notice, that is, a stop order; hindering or obstructing an officer in the conduct of his duties and proceeding with a project without complying with environmental clearance. Bert Vasquez Back Arguing His Own Case Bert Vasquez was back at court today. He was at the Court of Appeal trying to submit new evidence in relation to his attempted rape conviction. As we reported in December 2018, he will serve an additional 4 years for that crime which is apart from the 10 years he got for his first conviction of forceable abduction and aggravated assault of an indecent nature. Well today at the court of appeal - with Vasquez representing himself - the panel of judges agreed to accept his submission of new evidence. We spoke to his mother after the court session. Debbie Vasquez, Mother: "Well what happened here today is that Bert put his appeal forward and he put in certain things that he wanted to from the beginning, the judges they allow it and he will have an appeal. They accept his submission. He should be back in March so he will have his appeal and he will have his say." Former Mexican Pres In Belize Former Mexican President, Vicente Fox is a global figure - known recently for his blunt criticisms of US President Donald Trump - and actively rejecting demands that Mexico pay for the US President Donald Trump's border wall. And, he just finished vacationing in Belize. Today he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dean Barrow in Belize City. According to a GOB press release, Fox was accompanied by businessmen who expressed interest in investing in Belize. City Council Keys In On Domestic Violence The Belize City Council is hosting its first ever Domestic Violence Conference this evening. The conference is expected to be the first step in a large plan to bring awareness to and fight against domestic violence of all forms. The conference features speakers from many different sectors, all of whom are aiming to shed some light on the important issue. We spoke to the Councillor who spearheaded the event to find out more... Compol Moves Into New Digs As we told you earlier, we caught up with the commissioner of police at his new Belize City office. Well, actually, it;s not that new: it was designated as the commissioner's office way back in the 90's - and that's about the last time it was used! So the Raccoon Street staff refurbished it for the new Compol who went there today for his first clinic. He said he's there to do real police work, not profile:.. Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "During my tenure as commissioner I intend to have an open door policy as well as easy access to members of the public. This office from timely memorial was established for the commissioner of police. But for many years the commissioners of police have not opened the office or held clinic in Belize City where they can see persons from this part of the country..." Chester Won't Be Police Ombudsman And while he is willing to sit with his critics - The Commissioner says he will not see everyone who requests a meeting. He says there are matters that can be resolved lower on the command chain - but there are also failings up and down that chain that have to be brought to his attention:.. Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "I am not here to address police complaints per say, but let's say for example you have made a report to the police and times have passed. The police have not given your a feedback. You have been checking with the police and they are not forthcoming. If you want to come and see the commissioner for that, so that the commissioner can check with the investigator or the officer to see how far they are with your complaints, then you can come and I am here just as the other police officers that serve the public and for us if you don't have an avenue where people can get feedback in respect to complaints that people have made to the police, then we are bound to fail." Compol Agrees With Gun License Fees And one matter that could come to his office is the issue of those gun license fees which increased dramatically last year. Two weeks ago we had a gun owner on air complaining that the new fees gave the criminals the advantage in his area which is Valley of Peace. Today Williams said that he doesn't see any urgency to reduce those fees:.. Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police "I do not see an issue with the increase of the gun license fee. I believe that having a firearm.." Belize Soybean Oil To Jamaica Earlier this week the Ministry or Trade, Investment and Commerce, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture announced the export of the first shipment of soybean oil to Jamaica. Late last week 5 shipping containers filled with crude soybean oil made their way to our CARICOM neighbor. The Directorate for Foreign Trade recognized the need for the product within the region and began sensitization workshops to find companies and farms capable of filling the demand. Eventually, Bel-Car Exports and Imports and the Northern Grains Cooperative were identified as candidates. With the success of this initiative both Ministries have committed to continuing their work increase export opportunities for Belizean companies. Kidney Association Donates To School Last week we showed you the launch of the Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure in Belize. Well, the Kidney Association of Belize has launched its own project. It's a national educational campaign where they will conduct presentations at schools countrywide. They started off in the Belize district at the Anglican Cathedral College. The Kidney Association team spoke to the kids about the disease and how to avoid getting it by living a healthy lifestyle. Belize American Chamber Spreading Out In its 5th year of existence, The Belize American Chamber of Commerce - which is based in Florida - is expanding to other major US cities. The idea is to attract more investment to Belize. They recently opened an office in Houston - and that's where they are having an investment forum on February 28th. The Executive Director told us more today: Michael D. Young, Belize American Chamber of Commerce Ltd.: "The Investment for Rom is where Belize actually goes to the US on a platform and says these are the projects ewe have, these are the shovel ready projects.." Canaan & Courts I can see clearly now: that's what 24 Canaan SDA students were saying today after Courts optical gave them their brand new pair of glasses. It's part of their project called "Brighter View." We dropped by to see the students with their big smiles and bright eyes modeling their new glasses. Courts optical also handed out glasses to students from Sadie Vernon this afternoon which completes the countrywide distribution. IN total the courts optical team screened over 1,000 students from 12 schools countrywide and 225 of them needed glasses. Courts Optical invested $90,000 in this project. EP York Says No Fuss Over Puffs Last night we showed you the facebook comments on the female student hairstyle policy at Edward P Yorke high school. As we told you, some parents and students took offense when they were told that certain hairstyles like the afro puff was a bit too much for school. Well, we spoke to the principal today and he told us that they have an open door policy at the school and if parents and students had an issue with this policy they could have gone to discuss it with him, not post it all over social media. He also clarified that neither he nor the school has any problem with natural hair but simply that the hairstyle must be neat, and properly kept. Channel 5 Veinte is Executed Hours after being Discharged from PG Hospital The life of thirty-year-old Jordy Flores was cut short on Tuesday night in his own back yard. He had survived two previous attempts, but the third proved fatal. Punta Gorda [...] Efrain Beltran is Arrested for the Chopping Death of Guatemalan Laborer A suspect in the gruesome machete murder of Guatemalan labourer Elmer Salazar has been arrested.� The apprehension of Efrain Beltran earlier today comes after he allegedly chopped Salazar to death [...] ComPol Chester Williams Says Detention Cell to be Renovated The deplorable and filthy conditions of the holding cells at the Queen Street Police Station have shocked many. The images show the deteriorating detention cells and the unsanitary restroom conditions, [...] ComPol Explains Darrel Usher's Lock-Up Situation The images were circulated on Facebook by Police Corporal Darrel Usher, who is on interdiction. Now, Usher and his brother spent more than forty hours inside the holding cell, also [...] B.A.L. Fire Still Being Investigating The National Fire Service continues to investigate the fire that broke out at Belize Aquaculture Limited near Placencia on Monday evening. We understand fire officials are still on the scene [...] A Near Showdown for Belama Phase Four Lands Several families in Belama Phase Four were ordered, via letters on Monday, to vacate their houses. �Earlier in the month, the residents of this area were told that they were [...] Former Mexican President Vicente Fox Meets with PM Barrow Mexico's former President, Vicente Fox, was on a brief visit today. Fox's visit was unannounced, but the government offered him courtesies. A very short release says the fifty-fifth president met [...] Seashore Property Dispute Goes to Court Businessman Dion Zabaneh and his mother Primrose Gabourel were arraigned this morning for four charges for non-compliance with the Environmental Protection Act. For the past three weeks, a Buttonwood Bay [...] Bert Vasquez to Defend Himself in Appeal Hearing In the Court of Appeal today, convicted sex offender Bert Vasquez appeared to appeal his November 2018 attempted rape conviction. Vasquez sought and was granted permission for his case to [...] ComPol's Office Reopens in the City Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says he wants to rebuild the trust with the public. He is going about that by opening up his doors to members of the public, [...] New Grassroots Organization Says Vega and Pitts Need to Pay Up There's a new grassroots organization in town. The members call themselves "Belize Economical Freedom Fighters." It is being led by a name that you may recognize - Raymond Rivers. He [...] 10-Year-Old Cancer Patient Jaylen Young Dies Tonight it is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Jaylen Young. We reported last week on the ten-year-old who was battling a cancerous tumor which was growing [...] S.S.B. Donated 30K to Kidney Association of Belize This morning, the Social Security Board handed over a cheque for thirty-thousand dollars to the Kidney Association of Belize. The monies have been earmarked to boost the association's education awareness [...] Speak Up!! CitCo Hosts First Domestic Violence Conference Speak Up!� It's the first-of-its-kind public forum to openly address the prevalent issue of domestic violence.� Organized by the Belize City Council, the conference provides a platform to break the [...] Over 200 Students Benefit from Courts Optical Brighter View Programme Over ninety thousand dollars in eyewear will be distributed to high school students at twelve high schools across the country. The donation is courtesy of Courts Optical Centre, which tested [...] Culture Comes Alive at Anglican Cathedral College Anglican Cathedral College today hosted its annual culture awareness day. The purpose is to increase the students' knowledge about the many and different cultures in Belize through first hard experience. [...] LOVE FM HRCB addresses inhumane conditions of facilities for detainees The Human Rights Commission of Belize, HRCB, is appealing to the newly appointed Commissioner of Belize, Chester Williams, to address the inhumane conditions of the bathroom facility used by the detainees on lock down at Queen Street Police Station. HRCB noted that some years ago, with the assistance of the Chief Justice and Commissioner Whylie, � Son organizes "A Ride For Mr. Mike and Candlelight Vigil" for slain father The eldest son of Marie Sharp, 58-year-old Michael Williams was gunned down as he dropped home his girlfriend on Sunday night in Belize City. Two assailants waited for him and shot him through the window of his Chrysler Pacifica SUV just after midnight. Jody Williams, his son is organizing "A Ride For Mr. Mike" and � Father of Shooting Victim speaks against police 21-year-old Marcos Antonio Zelaya was walking on Complex Avenue in Belize City with family members, including Jose Antonio Zelaya his father. As they were about to buy tacos, a vehicle stopped and a man fired several shots, hitting the 21-year-old on his upper right shoulder and upper right portion of his back. He's clinging to � First Businessman sends OJ then Demolition Man to Belama to destroy Homes Belama Phase Four in Belize City were given eviction notices for land that some of them have been living for years. The situation. Born and naturalized Belizeans as well as migrants from other Central American nations have moved to the area and carved out a home in the swamp, while filling it with any material � Birds and Disneyesque Alaska Flight flys South for Winter The Polar vortex in the the north has been yielding deadly cold as thousands endure power cuts, travel issues mount in Midwest, USA. New cold records are expected to be made as the polar vortex sends extremely cold air into midwestern and northeastern United States to end January. States of emergency have been issued in � SIB Stats show Exports down for 2018 Merchandise exports for 2018 totalled $398.7 million, down 10.5 percent or $46.9 million from total exports of 2017, which amounted to $445.6 million. A significant decrease in earnings from sugar, attributable to diminished prices for that commodity on the European market, was the primary contributor to the decline in total domestic exports. Revenues from sugar plunged � Former Government Minister disappointed with PUP's "No to ICJ" stance As you may or may not be aware, earlier this month Prime Minister Dean Barrow, along with former Foreign Ministers, Assad Shoman, Godfrey Smith, Lisa Shoman and Said Musa, who served under past PUP administrations, signed a declaration in support of taking Guatemala's claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. They were � "[#%!] House" will be renovated There were some viral photos that circulated online about the state of the holding cell, commonly known as the [#%!] house at the Queen Street Police Station. Even from a distance, the stench emanating from the cell is repugnant. However, the deplorable state of the cell and its toilet will be addressed. Commissioner of Police � Courts Optical provides students with prescription glasses Courts Optical issued glasses to 24 students at Canaan Seventh Day Adventist High School this morning. The initiative is led by Unicomer and was established by the company back in 2015. Grisel Carballo, Public Relations at Unicomer says it is another way the company gives back to community. Over the past weeks the company has � Former Foreign Minister challenges Belize Peace Movement to an ICJ debate The Belize Peace Movement continues to push its campaign for a "no" vote on taking the Guatemalan claim over part of Belize to the ICJ. The referendum is less than two months away and in the same light, government continues its education campaign on the issue. Over the past weeks, there has been some developments, � Belize City Council talks domestic violence When we talk about murder rates we rarely ever separate the causes. Some range from gang rivalry, drunken behavior and some from domestic violence. In Belize, we have seen many children losing parents due to home affairs that eventually escalate and turn fatal � Low Performance Appraisal for Security Guard who stabbed on-Duty Bartender At 1 a.m. on November 16, 2017, thirty-one year old Jose Gusman, a bartender reported to the police that while he was at the Pickstock Pool Side socializing with friends he got into an altercation with a security guard, Richie Mendez on duty at the establishment and he was stabbed in the lower right side of his abdomen � Mother and Son taken to Court A mother and her son made it to the courts as they appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford today. 76 year old Primrose Gabourel and her son 43 year old Dion Zabaneh, were charged with failure to obtain an environmental clearance prior to development activity; failure to comply with an enforcement notice, that is, a stop order � Robbery suspect indicates "it wasn't me" Twenty-four year old Kyle Zelaya, a construction worker of 24 Fairweather Street, was charged with robbery when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. On January 11 at 3:30 p.m. on January 11, twenty-three year old businessman Wei Lui � Murder was the case that they Gave Reid Twenty-one year old Benjamin Reid, who was charged with the murder of 43-year-old Daniel Guardado, was committed to stand trial in the April session of the Supreme Court today by Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford after a preliminary inquiry was held to determine if a prima facie case has been established � The Reporter Disgusting & Inhumane Conditions At Main Police Detention Today Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the Reporter that even before the pictures of the terrible conditions at the Queen Street cell-block went viral, he had already asked a contractor for an estimate to get it fixed. Williams agreed that the conditions are inhumane, but pointed out that it is the prisoners, and not the Police, who have the cell block in the state that it is in. ComPol Comments About Detained Police Officer On Sunday, Police detained Police Officer Darrell 'Tutsi' Usher and his brother Dorian after an official complaint was made against them. The complainant dropped the complaint immediately after, but the Usher brothers were still locked down in the cellblock, charged and processed through the Court on Tuesday. A Good Story About A Pair Of Good Cops The Reporter continues to highlight and commend the good work of Police Officers who go above and beyond the call of duty. We are told that this afternoon after school Jayden Palacio, 8, showed up at the Roaring Creek Police Station asking for help with his homework. The officers on duty were happy to assist. CTV3 Severe Weather Conditions Causes Minor Damages In North Over the weekend, a cold front which was predicted to hit in Mexico, affected the entire Yucatan Peninsula as it landed on Sunday afternoon accompanied by heavy rains and strong winds. Though it lasted approximately an hour and half, it toppled six city polls in Playa del Carmen and caused over 20 trees to fall, one of which reportedly resulted in human injury, whereas, there was a reported fatality in Bacalar due to an accident. CALEDONIA FAMILY CLAIMS DESTRUCTIVE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY ARSON A family in Caledonia suffered tremendous loss when two of their homes were destroyed by a fire in Caledonia Village last night Sunday, January 27th. The first home, a wooden structure with zinc roofing, was occupied by a family member who was sleeping. Around 10pm, he woke up to the loud calls of a neighbor, warning that a fire had engulfed the house. Breaking Belize News Little Jaylen Young passes Ten-year-old Jalen Young passed away just after 10:00 a.m. today. Channel 5 Belize aired the story [�] Woman claims card withdrawals was payment for sexual favors On Friday, January 25, Empress Williams, 22, was arraigned before Magistrate Emmerson Banner on a count of [�] Social Security donates $30,000 to Kidney Association of Belize Today, the Social Security Board (SSB) handed over a generous donation of $30,000 to the [�] Remembering when a former Guatemalan Foreign Minister said his country had no chance at the ICJ As Belize draws nearer to April and the decision on whether or not to take [�] Former Mexican President Vicente Fox visits PM Barrow Former Mexican President, Vicente Fox is in Belize. This morning, Fox visited Prime Minister of [�] Human Rights Commission and COMPOL to meet and discuss insane bathroom conditions at Queen Street Police Station The Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB) and newly appointed Commissioner of Police (COMPOL), Chester Williams [�] PG police investigating Jerdie Flores murder Police are investigating the murder of Jerdie Flores that occurred last night in Punta Gorda town. [�] Between these lines �on Belize City Council's Breaking the Silence Conference By Glenn Tillett: This evening's conference on domestic violence, spousal abuse, and sexual assault will not be just a pebble thrown in the pond of our cultural complacency on this virulent issue. [�] Global Woman Club chooses Belizean as new branch director Global Woman Club ( GWC), an international organization dedicated to the advancement of women has [�] Belize~ Hospital for San Pedro? By Richard Harrison: The town of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is Belize's most popular tourist destination�and La Isla Bonita is in need of a hospital. Many political promises have been made in the past�yet the hospital has not been realized. [�] Caribbean moving closer to green economies with phaseout of single-use plastics According to the United Nations Environment Program and the World Resources Institute, there are 127 [�] 1 Guatemalan and 5 Belizeans arrested for entering illegally in the Bladen Nature Reserve Enforcement rangers of Ya'axch� Conservation Trust conducted two separate arrests in Bladen Nature Reserve in [�] Caribbean moving closer to green economies with phaseout of single-use plastics According to the United Nations Environment Program and the World Resources Institute, there are 127 [�] 1 Guatemalan and 5 Belizeans arrested for entering illegally in the Bladen Nature Reserve Enforcement rangers of Ya'axch� Conservation Trust conducted two separate arrests in Bladen Nature Reserve in [�] Blogs Lunch at the New Losers Bar Belize - Country Music on THE Most LOVELY Day Yesterday I walked up the beach on the MOST glorious day to have lunch at the new Losers Bar Belize - "This Life Ain't For Everyone" (that's their motto) - in the Boca Del Rio neighborhood of San Pedro. Losers started building on the island last year with a flurry of controversy. A HUGE brand new dock in the once residential neighborhood, many - including the San Pedro town council - objected to its construction. The project moved ahead quickly. And the structure, just finalized a few weeks ago, is SERIOUS. Impressively and (from what I gather) expensively constructed and outfitted, I decided to stop in for lunch yesterday to see the final product! The bar is impressive if not a bit bland. But then�it just opened! There is a HUGE bar wrapped around the kitchen� A swimming platform�lounge chairs� A neat loft area� And seating for a SERIOUS amount of people. International Sources Nassau Grouper Becomes Critically Endangered The Nassau grouper-a fish known for its spectacular spawning aggregations in and around the Caribbean Sea-is now a "Critically Endangered" species, according to a new assessment by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). The Nassau grouper (Epinephelus striatus) inhabits the waters of the Bahamas and the Caribbean, and averages about 20 pounds in weight. Once a common species throughout its range, the fish has been in steep decline since 1980 and has declined by more than 80 percent over that time. The Nassau grouper is now at risk of extinction, according to scientists. Videos 2019 Belikin Belize DJ Championship #2, 1.5min. Belize Snorkeling 2018, 10min. Had fun snorkeling in the cold temps with my son on our family cruise in January of 201 Comprehensive Belize Mission Trip, 9min. A video and photo compilation of a mission trip to Belize with Barefoot Children Ministries in January 2019 Hol Chan Marine Reserve in San Pedro, Belize, 7min. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a marine reserve close to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, off the coast of Belize. It covers approximately 18 km� of coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangrove forest. Hol Chan is Mayan for "little channel". Belize 2017, 22min. Belize Aggressor III liveaboard, May 2017. Belize Placencia Silk Caye snorkel, 7.5min. A day out to Silk Caye national marine park. Neat place, but it gets crowded quickly. If I did it over again I would just rent a boat for the day. Belize Snorkeling 2018, 9.5min. Good times snorkeling out of Belize near the island of Caye Caulker. Went snorkeling at our stop in Belize on a Family Cruise in January of 2018. The air temperature was unusually cool @ around 60 f. Belize Cave Tubing, 5min. Placencia, Belize Beach (Drink) Olympics, 8min. There are beach parties and there are beach parties, BUT none compare to the Placencia, Belize Beach (Drink) Olympics. Sports Talk Show, 60min. THE FIRST CODER DOJO IN CENTRAL AMERICA LAUNCHED HERE IN ORANGE WALK, 10min. Carla Alvarez launches Belize's (and Central America's!) first Coder Dojo after participating in International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)! This after school coding program will promote #STEAM education, keeping the kids engaged and off the streets. Congratulations Carla!