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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

A below average hurricane season predicted for 2019
A well-known hurricane research team from the Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America (USA), has released its initial predictions for this year's hurricane season. The season begins on June 1st, and the highly respected team, who has been issuing tropical outlooks for the past 35 years, is predicting a slightly below average forecast with a total of 13 named storms, five hurricanes, including two major storms. According to the report from the CSU, the current weak El Ni�o phenomenon appears likely to persist and perhaps strengthen this summer or autumn. This means that sea surface temperatures averaged across the Caribbean Sea are slightly below normal, and the distant North Atlantic Ocean cooler.

Recycled hopscotch set installed at Holy Cross Anglican School
Holy Cross Anglican School students can now enjoy a recycled hopscotch set that was installed at their school on Tuesday, April 9th. The hopscotch blocks are made from recycled glass collected during various clean-up campaigns hosted by San Pedro Clean and Green. According to Dawn Schick of San Pedro Clean and Green, this will hopefully teach the children that recycling is now available on the island and that they should protect their environment. Schick further told The San Pedro Sun that on the first week of May they plan to launch their educational program at the various schools on the island, explaining recycling and the importance of keeping the environment clean.

San Pedro Smile Center Dental Clinic celebrates 13 years of service
For the past 13 years, the San Pedro Smile Center Dental Clinic, located at the Holy Cross Anglican School (HCAS) in the San Mateo Area of San Pedro Town, has been hosting volunteers that provide free dental services to Belizean children and other members of the community. The clinic also educates children on the importance of good dental care, with the hope that they can pass on that same mentality to residents of their community and even their own children in the future. The HCAS Smile Center was founded by Dr. Mark Johnson from Annandale, Minnesota, USA. Over the years, Dr. Johnson and his wife Joan, a dental hygienist, have been organizing and coordinating efforts to have the clinic up and running so that volunteer dentists can come to San Mateo Area to provide effective and efficient services to the students.

Atlantic Bank Limited announces new innovative services at annual business mixer in San Pedro Town
Under the theme 'Building the future together; Efficiency through Innovative Technology,' Atlantic Bank Limited (ABL) San Pedro Town Branch, held its annual business mixer on Tuesday, April 9th at Caprice Bar and Grill. Several members of the business community and guests attended the event, which started at 6PM, and where they learned about the new additions and improvements the bank has to offer to their clients for 2019 and beyond. Attendees were then introduced to the new feature of ABL: its dual interface Point of Sale (POS) and card launch. The new service includes chip and contactless-enabled POS terminals with new cards that will perform both contact and contactless payments at any chip and contactless ABL's enabled POS terminals.

Hol Chan announces activities for Reef Fest 2019
Hol Chan Marine Reserve has announced the various activities that will be taking place during their annual Reef Fest, to be held from Tuesday, May 7th to Saturday, May 11th under the theme: "Our Reef, Our Life, Our Responsibility. Get involved." For the past 13 years, Hol Chan has been celebrating Belize's Barrier Reef System through a week of activities, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of protecting and preserving the marine environment. This year's Reef Fest will kick-off at 9:30AM on Tuesday, May 7th with a primary school Educational Puppet Show at the Lions Den in downtown San Pedro. The following day, the highly anticipated primary school Trivia Competition will take place at the Lions Den. The competition will start at 9:30AM and challenges students' knowledge of Belize's ecosystem, flora, and fauna, as well as the laws pertaining to the protection of the environment. That night, the Official Reef Fest Launch will take place at the San Juan Roundabout at 7:30PM. This a new event added to the calendar this year so be ready for a surprise.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Origin Restaurant opens in San Pedro
The island's first all Plant Based Menu is here. Origin Restaurant opens doors today in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Located on Back Street. Breakfast: 7a.m. - 10a.m. Lunch: 11:30a.m.- 2:30p.m.

CCC Marching Band at Band Fest 2019!
Lots of great photos!

BAND FEST 2019 FINAL RESULTS
Congratulations to all the bands that took part. Best Choreographed Band 2019 - Benque Viejo Marching Band - Cayo Most Improved Band 2019 - Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico Ambassador Marching Band - Corozal Most Popular Band 2019 (decided by text voting ) - Corozal Community College Marching Band - Corozal NEW Drumline Category Champion 2019 - Corozal Community College Marching Band - Corozal

Provision of transportation services for Police Officers & other employees of the Ministry of National Security
Great News for Police Officers in Corozal traveling to work in Orange Walk and Belize City. The Commissioner of Police's Office announced that the Belize Police Department has re-engaged with the Belize Transit System (BTS), for the provision of transportation services for Police Officers & other employees of the Ministry of National Security. The contract is for transportation services between Corozal Town to Belize City & vice versa. Please note that this re-engagement will see the Police Officers paying less than the standard charge.

Band Fest 2019
The BTB is a proud sponsor of Band Fest 2019, which took place in Orange Walk Town this Saturday at the People's Stadium. 11 bands performed, with Benque Viejo Band emerging as this year's champions!

The Chom(Vulture) the Maya legend
Legend has it that in Uxmal, one of the most important cities of El Mayab, lived a king who liked parties very much. One day, it occurred to him to organize a great celebration in his palace to honor the Lord of Life, called Hunab ku, and to thank him for all the gifts he had given to his people. The king of Uxmal ordered the preparations for the party well in advance. He also invited princes, priests and warriors from the neighboring kingdoms, sure that his celebration would be better than any other and that everyone would envy him later. Thus, he was waiting for his palace to be adorned with the rarest flowers, as well as preparing delicious dishes with venison and turkey from the bush. And he could not miss the balch�, an intoxicating liquor that the guests would love.

The Reporter

Hard Work Pays Off, Small Businessman Attests
Ramon Joya, 37, has raised his four children through hard work each and every day. In fact, while most of us are still sleeping at 2:00 a.m., Ramon's day is already entering full swing. That is when he starts to grind several hundred ears of corn to make the hot corn meals he serves up in front of Gwen Liz High School every school day and at the Michael Finnegan Market on Saturdays.

Emotions Ran High During Debate Over ICJ Referendum
The debate over the ICJ Referendum Bill, introduced by Prime Minister Dean Barrow was not without its fair share of emotions and candid exchanges and at the end of the day, each member except for two - one who abstained and the other who was absent - held their political party lines.

UPDATE - Body Of Teen Who Went Missing at Sea Found
The body of Fredrick Lammey Jr., 16, has been found in front of Coco Plum Island, a few miles away from Dangriga Town, and his immediate family believes that there is more to the story and have asked the Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

Belizean Detainees Dodge a Bullet
Late on Thursday evening, the Ministry of National Security issued a press release confirming that four Belizeans, including two law enforcement officers who were detained for firearm-related offense in Guatemala, have been released from custody. The release confirmed that Police Constable Fabian Laurie, Coast Guard Officer Seaman Pedro Colomer, and civilians Kevin Hernandez and Jerille Laurie are expected to arrive in Belize on April 12th.

Alcohol, Whorehouses & Sad Songs
By: Mike Rudon Jr. - It is difficult, even now - or maybe especially now, to explain what alcohol did to me. I started writing these columns some months back, and rode them out through the darkest times of my life. There were honestly times I thought I wouldn't make it through, as I fought alcohol and depression. I think fought may be too strong a word - because I gave in much more than I fought. It is hard to gain perspective in those times. It is even harder to get on stable footing.

Belize's Sustainable Economic Growth
By Nefretery Marin - Prime Minister Barrow's vision for infrastructural development was ingenious, visionary and well needed. His investments were well planned out; I have always commended him on this. The only misfortune was the mass and entrenched corruption. He failed to chop off its ugly head�maybe the machete was too rusty by then.

Balancing the Scales - What Are Men Afraid Of?
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - Truth be told, men have shorter life expediencies than women. This fact is due to certain biological, behavioral and environmental factors. You might be optimistic and say, "well, sumting haffu kill wi". But why is it that women outlive men? Could there be a lingering factor that might be able to even the scores? What are women doing that men aren't?

Youth Disappears After Very Strange Circumstances on Caye Trip
A youth reportedly disappeared under strange circumstances after he reportedly jumped into the sea during a caye trip in the presence of relatives. According to Jael Sjogreen, 23, a fisherman of Dangriga Town, on Monday evening around 5:30 he went to South Water Caye to do some fishing with his cousin Fredrick Lammey Jr., 16, and another person, Jael Sjogreen said, that while on the trip Lammey began to behave strangely.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Perhaps General Elections Instead?
By: Dr. Gerald Zuniga: Belize is travelling through some uncharted waters in its legal and political history. The uncleared politicolegal atmosphere yesterday, which still hovers, is very dangerous for the state of affairs because the government is pushing its agenda against all odds.

The ayes have it; Referendum Bill passes to Senate, 18-11-1
Late on Friday evening after hours of debate in the House of Representatives, a division was called on the Belize (Territorial Dispute) Referendum Bill, 2019. The voting went mostly along party lines, with one abstention as expected from Rt. Hon. Said Musa, and the absence once again of Orange Walk North's Gaspar Vega.

Police officers to get cheaper bus fare rates
The Belize Police Department (BPD) has worked out a deal with Belize Transit System (BTS) to offer police officers traveling from Corozal to Belize City a reduced rate. The BPD explained this morning that the parties officially signed the contract in Friday, April 12, and that the arrangement is not a new one but rather a re-engagement between the parties.

HRCU hosts housing open day
Well over 1,000 people visited Sandhill village this morning for the housing open day hosted by the Holy Redeemer Credit Union (HRCU). The event, geared towards members and potential members of the HRCU, showcases two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses available in the HRCU's Eagle Gem Estate community, named after Henry Eagle Usher.

Police find weed field in the south
The Belize Police Department found and destroyed a marijuana planatation in southern Belize yesterday. Police say that officers found the plantation, which had over 1,000 plants measuring between 2 and 6 feet tall, some seven miles north of Silver Creek village.

Construction worker shot in Belize City
A 26-year-old construction worker managed to survive a shooting incident in Belize City last night. Police say that Cashief Myvett was walking through an alley off Fairweather street around 7:10 p.m. when a gunman approached him and fired several shots

Man charged for shooting a minor
Police have arrested and charged 21-year-old Deon White for shooting 15-year-old Emory Williams. Police say that White is answering to charges of 'attepmpted Murder', 'use of Deadly means of harm', and 'wounding'.

Belize Peace Movement responds to joint release issued by US, EU, and UK
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) said yesterday that the joint release issued by the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union in regards to the postponement of the ICJ referendum, did nothing to address major issues surrounding the exercise.

16 year old who jumped out of boat missing in Southern Belize
Jael Sjogreen, a Belizean fisherman of Dangriga, Stann Creek reported to authorities that on April 8, 2019, around 5:30 pm, he and his cousin Fredrick Lammey,16, went fishing in South Water Caye. Sjogreen told police that he noticed his cousin Lammey began to behave very weird.

14-year-old girl from Trial Farm missing
Yesterday, Angela Esquivel of Trial Farm, Orange Walk reported that about 5 a.m. on Thursday, her granddaughter Grizely Nayely Guardado,14, left home and has not returned. Guardado is of Mestizo descent and is about 5 feet in height.

International Sourcesizz

CDB Grant Stirs Up Fuss About Regional White Sugar
The April 2 announcement of a more than US$97,000 gift from the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB, to Caricom for a study on plantation white sugar has Jamaican manufacturing representatives lining up on different sides of the hot-button issue. He adds that Caricom member Belize is the only current producer of refined sugar, a variant known as plantation white, which is essentially achieved by bleaching the dark cane sugar. At the level of the Caricom's Council for Trade and Economic Development, COTED, Belize has been embroiled in a quarrel with manufacturers in Trinidad & Tobago, who, for years, have been requesting and receiving waivers of Caricom's mandatory 40 per cent duty on imports from outside the region in respect of the refined sugar they say is not available within the regional trading bloc.

Jungle Warfare: Paratroopers On Exercise In Belize
Paratroopers will spend the next six weeks in the jungles of Belize as part of Exercise Mayan Warrior. 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment are developing their ability to survive and look after their kit in arduous conditions. The exercise will enhance the Regiment's ability to work in a range of climates and locations around the world.

Videos

  • Garbage erupts on fire in San Pedro, 4min. Neighbors on buckets outed the flames that could have destroyed a line of golf carts parked in the lot of the former Wings Department Store at around 9pm tonight. Somehow, garbage set on the side of the parking lot caught fire and quickly escalated to a possible dangerous situation for the carts parked in the lot and Mr. Deli next door. But before the fire department could make it to the scene, the flames were extinguished.

  • Sarteneja Easter Regatta Fest 2019, 4.5min. Sarteneja United Drum Corp brings home the Second place in the Drum Corp Category. Sarteneja is proud of you guys! Congrats

  • Belize Band Fest 2019, 77min.

  • By Speedboat to Half Moon Caye, Belize, 7min.

  • Belize Yard Boxing, 6.5min.

  • Jungle survival, Belize, 3min. Wood peker,checo,culun'te

  • Going fishing after finishing my job first, 7min.

  • PLB Closing Season | San Pedro Pirates vs BDF FC | Live at the Ambergris Stadium, San Pedro, 2.5hr.