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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.


The San Pedro Sun

Marvin Antonio Mendoza joins the list of missing persons in San Pedro Town
San Mateo resident and Honduran national 32-year-old Marvin Antonio Mendoza has been declared missing since he left home for work on September 9th. A formal report was made to police on September 15th, and relatives are seeking the public's assistance in locating him. Mendoza is described to be 5 feet 2 inches tall, has a tattoo with the word 'DRAGON' on his right forearm and another one with the word 'GLORIA' on his left forearm. He has a scar on his right forearm as well. He was last seen wearing a red and white sleeveless t-shirt, khaki Dickies �-length pants and white Jordan brand slippers. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the nearest police station.

Noche Centro Americana celebrates San Pedro Town's Central American and Mexican neighbors
Over the years, San Pedro Town has become the home of many migrants from various Central American countries, including Mexico. In recognizing their contribution to the island community, Noche Centro Americana once again observed the Independence Celebrations for five Central American countries (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica) and Mexico on Saturday, September 14th. The event included a colourful parade through the streets of San Pedro and a program with formalities and cultural activities at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex.

DOE to evaluate damages after catamaran runs aground on the reef
The Department of Environment (DOE) is currently in the process of removing a 32-foot catamaran vessel which ran into the reef on Friday, September 13th with eight passengers on board. No one was injured, and the eight passengers, including the captain, were safely rescued. The vessel remained on the reef over the weekend in an area known as Coral Gardens between Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. Once the boat is removed, the DOE will conduct an assessment to determine the extent of damages to the reef and if anyone will be held liable for the incident.

SPFD focuses on enforcing safety measures in construction projects
The construction industry on Ambergris Caye is considered a reflection of the growth of the tourism industry with the development of building projects or the expansion of existing establishments across the island. It is required by law that these constructions/expansions adhere to safety building regulations, which range from environmental concerns to health and even fire. When clearing new projects on the island from becoming a fire hazard, the San Pedro Fire Department (SPFD) has been busy trying to get everyone to abide by their regulations. As a result, some of their precautionary interventions have ended up at the San Pedro Magistrate Court.

The island's sixth blood drive of the year nets 21 pints!
The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB) conducted their sixth blood drive of the year at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II on Saturday, September 14th. From 9AM to 3PM, potential donors made their way to the polyclinic where personnel from the Belize Blood Bank, along with volunteers from the BRCSPB welcomed them. Volunteers also held a dollar drive in the downtown area, collecting $547.50 in cash. During this latest blood drive, organizers managed to collect a total of 21 pints of blood.

Ambergris Today

Safeguard Your Heart
by Seleni Perez - My mom has an old recycled box and in it she holds treasured, pictures, notes, documents and letters that hold her best kept memories stored. More than once I have asked her to have me keep it or at least one thing from it. However, she would only allow my sister and me to go through the box and once in a while she will go over it and revisit the stories these collections would hold. As a child I would never get enough, persistently asking her to pass it down to me and would be so disappointed when she would refuse. Now as a grownup, I have come to realize why she would do this. It is not that she is trying to keep it away from us but rather on safeguarding the evidence of beautiful moments of her youths.

Missing Person: Marvin Antonio Mendoza
Kindly be on the lookout for Marvin Antonio Mendoza, 32-year-old, Honduran of San Mateo area, San Pedro Town, he was reported missing on Sunday, September 15, 2019, and reported last since on Monday, September 9, 2019, when he went to his place of employment. Mendoza is about 5feet 2inches in height, medium built and weighs about 140 lbs, he has black hair and a low haircut, and brown eyes.

Early morning traffic accident on Tarpon Street
School commute begins as early as 7am... drivers are asked to exercise safe driving especially in school zones!

Various Belizean Sources

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Panamanian offshore expert says offshore banking is dead in Belize
Local news media reports that the Caporaso & Partners Law Office in Panama, which specializes in offshore and financial legal matters and represents a number of European depositors who claim they are unable to recover their money from the now defunct Choice Bank, published a scathing article claiming Belize's offshore banking sector is dead due to the ongoing situation with Choice and the fallout from the Sanctuary Bay real estate fraud. "No one will trust a bank in Belize anymore, after what happened," Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb, the firm's founder said. The firm claims that up to now, Choice has only approved the reimbursment of 53 percent of the deposits declared in the accounts, however, it hasn't completed all payments.

San Pedro 38th Independence Eve celebrations Block Party
The San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. Invite you to Belize's 38th Independence Eve celebrations Block Party on Friday, September 20th at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. We have entertainment by DJ Debbie Spain, Titans Mas Band, Dj Diablillo chetumal and Olatunji Yearwood from Trinidad & Tobago. There will be lots to eat and drink in our BLOCK PARTY section, and of course a SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY at midnight along with the 21 Gun Salute by the Belize Coast Guard. Come one, come all! Bring the entire family!

38th Independence Day Jump Up Parade
Want to be part of the Parade? Have a group or a float? SIGN UP NOW! at the San Pedro Town Council offices or by calling 226-2198!

Saturday (Independence Day) is a public and bank holiday
The official government calendar lists Monday, September 23, 2019 as the public and bank holiday in lieu of Independence Day, but after public outcry Saturday Sept. 21 has also been declared a national holiday.

Monthly Weather Summary, August 2019
Climatologically speaking, August is known for its two weeks dry spell known locally as the "maga season". As a result, a marked drop in rainfall can be seen around August when looking at the annual rainfall distribution for the country. Weather systems that typically affect Belize during the month of August are Tropical Waves (TWs), Tropical Upper Tropospheric Troughs (TUTTs) and an occasional Tropical Cyclone (TCs) (tropical depression, tropical storm or hurricane). Abnormally dry conditions continued in August 2019 with rainfall being below normal across most of the country. The first day of the month started off relatively dry with showers and thunderstorms being generally isolated.

Average scores for the cooks at Friday nights event, Corozal's Best ever Competition

Launched of the Belize's Historical Railway System Exhibit
A terrific morning as we launched the Belize's Historical Railway System Exhibit. A wealth of historical information was shared with attendees by Mr. Giovanni Pinelo of the Institute for Social & Cultural Research. As well, artifacts which have been donated by Mr. Alan Baker and Mr. James Lindsay enriched the experience. We wish to thank both Mr. Pinelo for his keynote address and Mr. Michael Bradley of the Belize National Library Service and Information Service for documenting the event. Thank you to Adela Pederson, chair-lady of To'one Masehualoon for the vote of thanks. Thank you to our community members and historians who came out in support. And of course a gracious thank you to the Standard 5 & 6 students and educators of St. Paul's Anglican School! We invite you to visit the House of Culture and view the exhibit which is now on display through to June 2020.

Corozal Community Cleanup
Dengue Irradication Campaign. As part of the September Celebrations activity, the Corozal Town Council will be conducting a Clean up Campaign in the Rainbow Town, Altamira and Chula vista area of Corozal Town in observation of National Service Day. This event will start at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19th. We ask for your cooperation in assisting our sanitation workers and students who will participating in this exercise. Other areas of town have been programmed, dates will be published as we move into the other areas of town. We thank you for your cooperation.

Mercury in Fish from the Macal River and Other Rivers
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL), has completed another assessment of mercury levels in fishes from the Macal, Mopan, Belize, Rio Grande, and New rivers. The following advisory is being issued to guide the public on the safe amounts of fish that can be eaten to avoid ill effects of potential mercury exposure. Macal River Fish Analysis from this year's mercury testing indicated that only 3 of 18 fish species tested had mercury levels above the recommended dose of 0.5 mg/kg. These were Botasi and Cichlid from upstream Vaca Dam and Bay Snook from the Cristo Rey village area along the Macal River in the Cayo District.

Decrease in the Pump Price of Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline and Diesel Oil Effective September 18, 2019
The Ministry of Finance announces that on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, the pump price of three fuel products will decrease as follows: Premium gasoline will decrease by 47 cents from $11.31 to $10.84 Regular gasoline will decrease by 19 cents from $10.12 to $9.93 Diesel oil will decrease by 17 cents from $10.04 to $9.87 The price of kerosene will remain unchanged at $7.37 per gallon.

Corozal Elderly Man Found
76 year old Humberto "Beto" Alcoser, a resident of Chula Vista, Corozal Town, has been found alive and is doing good. Alcoser was last seen on September 15, when he left home for an unknown destination. The family wishes to extend its gratitude to everyone who assisted in locating him.

Belize River Cleanup 2019
The date is set for the National Coastal and River Cleanup. September 28th, and it starts at 8:00am by the Macal River. Contact the local Oceana rep for more information. "September 28th will be the National Coastal and River(side) Clean Up. Come on out to help clean the riverside of the Macal and surrounding areas! if interested kindly DM me or take a look at the flyer and contact your nearest Oceana Field Rep. We also sign off on Community Service Hours for those who need it! (Bags, gloves and water will be provided but we're also accepting any donations for these too). This is done worldwide and was created by Ocean Conservancy not only will trash be picked up but it will also be recorded so that we have a snapshot of the world's trash problem as it affects our oceans and rivers."

Ascenthium at Bluffs on Independence Day
Ascenthium will be performing at The Bluffs on this Independence Day! Saturday's going to be a fun night at The Bluffs.

Channel 7

Sedi Says Let Debt Forgiveness Flow
Joshua Perdomo - the Cabinet Secretary Carlos Perdomo's son has become a nationally known name - and for all the wrong reasons. As has been widely reported, the Cabinet Secretary's son had his 40 thousand dollar debt with the government written off by Parliament. The write off motion passed by the house said that he could not be found - and it had Cabinet's approval. Today, senior Cabinet member Wilfred Elrington defended the write-off, and a recent write-off of land tax debts - he said he wishes there would be more like that:

Gapi Making A Comeback?
Elrington also had some surprising remarks about UDP Orange Walk North Representative Gaspar Vega. It is widely accepted that he will not seek another term in office - but, when the current Orange Walk North Standard Bearer Homero Novelo stepped aside 8 days ago - news emerged of Vega's renewed interest in politics. Now, it may only be rumor and speculation, but Elrington said that the Vega he met recently seemed in it to win it: "Is it your understanding that the Hon. Gaspar Vega intention to run again? He is seen out more publicly now at different events. He was present at the village councils."

Civic Survivor Speaks
Since Friday, the news of the death of two roofers at the Belize Civic Center has been making national headlines. And while Orlington Stuart and Roque Jimenez died, 4 of their fellow workers survived the fall from the scaffolding, 30ft above the Civic Center's main court. Those men are Lucas Ortiz, William Savery, Charles Hyde and 20 year old Patrick Canelo. We spoke to Canelo today to ask about his recovery and also whether he believes he's being adequately compensated.

SSB Says OHS Bill Is Needed
In attempting to find out whether Delnox Belize is offering adequate compensation to the workers that survived the Civic accident; 7 News reached out to Chandra Nisbet Cansino, the general manager of policy and programs at the Social Security Board. She wasn't able to comment on the specifics of the case due to the ongoing investigations, however, she spoke at length about how the SSB handles workplace injuries and its full support for the passing of the Occupational Health and Safety Bill. Chandra Nisbet Cansino, General Manager , Policy and Programs SSB: "At this time the investigations are ongoing and we would like to take the opportunity also to remind workers that if they are unable to make a claim due to hospitalization or in this unfortunate instance death..."

BCCI Says OHS Review Ongoing
And in more news of how the public sector has responded to the tragic Civic Accidentlast night three statements surrounding the event were issued by the NTUCB, the Ministry of Labor, and the PUP. The NTUCB in particular claimed in their release that, before this preventable accident they had already sent correspondences to the Chamber of Commerce to get back to the discussion table and address concerns with the OSH Bill. Tonight The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its own press release reiterated its commitment to the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill.

The Depths of Disputation About Progresso Heights
At the top of the newscast, we showed you our interview with Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington. We met him outside the courtroom of Justice Courtney Abel. He's currently presiding over the very strange fight between Elrington and his former business partners, who are the directors of Progresso Heights Limited. For several months now, we've been following the saga of this very bitter commercial dispute between Elrington, who is a shareholder of the real estate company, and the American directors, Lawrence Schneider and his son, Adam. The Schneider's and their company are suing Elrington because of cautions he lodged, which stopped them from selling over a dozen parcels of land. Basically, Progresso Heights Limited is a real estate company that currently cannot conduct any business in Belize due to these cautions.

Coro Cops Make A Big Weed Bust
On Monday, September 16th, 2019, about 1:00 p.m., Special Branch police were conducting searches on an overgrown lot in Halls layout, Corozal Town when they discovered a .38 special revolver with one .38 live rounds of ammunition and two expended shells in the chamber. The items were labeled and deposited as found property Later that day at around 4:00 p.m., special branch again was on patrol within the 4 Miles Lagoon area, Santa Elena Border, Corozal District, and they became suspicious of 26 year old Serio Ramon Hall and 24 year old Nestor Alejandro Cowo who were carrying crocus bags on their shoulders.

St. Matthews Man Charged For Robbery in Trinidad, OW
Last night we told you about the sports bar robbery in Trinidad Village, Orange Walk. Well, police have arrested and charged St. Mathews villager 34 year old Francisco Santos for two counts of robbery. He was arraigned in court today.

Making A Modern Media Modality For National Assembly
The initiative to get a fully functional and technologically current video switching system installed at the National Assembly continues. A technical group with representation from major media houses met today at the committee room of the National Assembly to agree on what equipment would be used.

Wilfred Waffles on Next Leader
And from the House of Representativesto who will represent the UDP as its next leader. Today the press asked Wilfred Elrington whether he supports Patrick Faber or John Saldivar and he said he hasn't decided: "The only race I am involved in is the leadership race for the Pickstock constituency. I have no greater ambition actually."

Can Superman Safeguard His Delegates?
And while Wilfred is waffling, Phillip Willoughby has already pitched in his lot with the Saldivar camp. It's a dramatic defection - because he was thought to be all-in with Faber. And while it was widely speculated that Faber would strike back at Willoughby with the political equivalent of a nuclear warhead, instead he has posted a conciliatory message on Facebook, saying, quote, "Mr Willougby has indicated to the world via his social media that he will not be supporting me in the upcoming leadership convention. This is his right. I appreciate Phillip's honesty, even if it is only just finally coming and I reassure him now that where there is a personal resource of mine or the UDP that he can utilize for his bid in Port Loyola to secure victory for our beloved UDP, it is always available."

Getting More People Into The Banking System
Today the Central Bank officially launched what is called the National Financial Inclusion Strategy. The idea is to ensure that everyone has access to useful financial products and services from a bank account to loans and funds transfers among many others. Here is more from the launch and why financial inclusion is a non-negotiable necessity in the 21st Century.

Strange Fruit In Citrus Drought
One month ago, we told you how the drought in the north was decimating corn crops. Well, it has also affected citrus in the south. Nikita Usher form the Chamber switched hats to his day job, which is Chief Administrator at Citrus Products of Belize Limited. He told us the drought has produced smaller oranges: The Statistical Institute of Belize reports that "in the first 7 months of 2019 Earnings from citrus exports fell substantially by 30 percent or $16.8 million, from $55.8 million in 2018 to $39 million in 2019, due to decreased sales of orange concentrate and orange oil."

Chamber Not Ready to Declare On NGC Monopoly
And switching back to his Chamber of Commerce hat, Usher commented on the controversy about the country's new LPG supplier, that's the National Gas Company - a public private partnership that will see to the supply of all LPG products throughout Belize.

BCCI Pres Touches On Banking Industry
Usher also commented on the situation with foreign exchange. The last few months of the year create a high volume of imports and increased demand for foreign exchange. Usher commented on it and the banking situation:.. Nikita Usher, President, B.C.C.I.: "That is becoming not so much of a challenge as yet, but we certainly know that the whift of recent rumors of Scotia, which we don't know that to be certain but that sparked off some issue for some businesses as we speak with now. But I think the crunch will come down as we move down to the December period."

Late Evening City Shooting
A man is in a stable condition after being shot an hour ago. IT happened on Pelican Street where 31 year old Joseph Rowland a motorcycle mechanic was shot to the right buttocks. Rowland was standing int front of his house when a vehicle drove by and and opened fire at a friend of his, hitting Rowland.

Fuel Prices Down Across The Board
Hold off on going to the gas station tonight because fuel prices are going down across the board at midnight. The price for premium gasoline, regular gasoline and diesel will decrease as follows: Premium gasoline will decrease by 47 cents from $11.31 to $10.84 Regular gasoline will decrease by 19 cents from $10.12 to $9.93 Diesel will decrease by 17 cents from $10.04 to $9.87

Mercury In Macal Again
2 weeks ago, we told you about the preliminary results which the Ministry of Health gathered on the mercury levels in fish from the Macal River. Today, the Ministry released those official results. They say that they collaborated with the Department of Environment and the Belize Electric Company Limited (BECOL) to test the mercury levels in fishes from the Macal, Mopan, Belize, Rio Grande, and New Rivers. They're now making recommendations on the safe amount of fish that the general public should consume so they can avoid the ill effects of potential mercury exposure.

The Latest On The New River
And while the Ministry of Health says that fish from the New River in Orange Walk is safe from mercury, you definitely don't want to be eating anything from that river right now. That's because it is polluted, and the environmental authorities are hard at work to try and rehabilitate it. As we reported yesterday, the Department of Environment has observed some positive changes in the oxygen levels for the river, since they started installing mechanical aerators at strategic locations.

21st and 23rd are Holidays
So...September 21st falls on a Saturday - which is when the official ceremonies, the uniform parade and the downtown fest will be held in Belize City. But then, it was not a public and bank holiday. That was on Monday, a public and bank holiday as a replacement for the 21st. That has led to widespread confusion.

Channel 5

Is Gapi Returning to Electoral Politics in Orange Walk North?
Is disgraced U.D.P. politician and former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega mounting a political comeback ahead of the November 2020 general elections?� Over the weekend, Orange Walk North Standard Bearer [...]

U.D.P. OW North Standard Bearer Resigns; Is Gapi Making A Comeback?
Dated September ninth, Homero Novelo's resignation letter is addressed to the U.D.P. Secretary General Pearl Stuart. Novelo tells Stuart, "It has been an enjoyable but though journey from the U.D.P. [...]

Sedi is Undecided on U.D.P. Leadership Candidates
The race for the leadership of the United Democratic Party in the months prior to the 2020 general elections is taking shape.� Despite talks of a so-called dark horse, Deputy [...]

Teen Killers on the Loose in Garden City
A minor, as young as thirteen years old, is believed to have been involved in the double murder of Gruver Delgado and Herman Villadares. The cousins were shot and killed [...]

Final Arguments are Made in Progresso Heights Case
This morning in the courtroom of Justice Courtney Abel, the long-drawn-out case against Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, a shareholder with a twenty percent stake in the embattled Progresso Heights Limited, [...]

Sedi Defends His Interest in Progresso Heights
According to Elrington, the submissions were all based on technical arguments in law.� Elrington says that while Schneider attempted to speak on behalf of Progresso Heights by way of the [...]

The Preliminary Inquiry for Albert Moreira, Accused of Murdering His Ex-Wife
The preliminary inquiry for B.D.F. soldier, Albert Moreira, accused of the murder of his estranged common-law-wife, Felicia James kicked off on Monday before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson.� Prosecutor in [...]

Belize City Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Elderly Woman
An elderly woman is the latest victim of an alleged sexual assault. She was purportedly inappropriately touched and grabbed on her private parts and her breast by a man known [...]

Fuel Prices Down
There is a change in fuel prices and this time the costs are seeing a dip as of Wednesday. Premium gasoline sees the biggest decrease of forty-seven cents from eleven [...]

Sedi Sounds Off on Joshua Perdomo Loan Write-off
The loan write-off that has been approved for a forty thousand dollar debt that was owed by Joshua Perdomo, son of Cabinet Secretary Carlos Perdomo, to the Government of Belize [...]

"The Death of Belize's Financial System"
Caporaso and Partners Law Office in Panama says that Belize's offshore banking system is dead. The law firm which specializes in offshore banking says that the recent closure of two [...]

B.C.C.I. Prez Says Businesses to Face Challenge Obtaining Foreign Exchange
Private sector businesses are about to face challenges accessing foreign exchange. According to the President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nikita Usher, the news that Scotia Bank [...]

Vessel Removed 4 Days After It Ran Aground on Reef
Four days after a catamaran with tourists ran aground on the reef in the coral garden area, north of Caye Caulker Village, the vessel is finally removed. Today, Coral Tours [...]

Who Will Be Charged for Damage to Reef?
The vessel is a catamaran that carries out tours within Belize. While it is a Belizean registered company, it is owned by a Colombian national, and the vessel is captained [...]

One Person Charged for Trinidad robberies
A Saint Mathews Village resident has been charged for robberies of two bars in Trinidad Village, Orange Walk District, which occurred after nine o'clock on Friday night. While police has [...]

Chamber Breaks Silence on National Gas Company Limited
In August, the government tabled and passed the�National Liquefied Petroleum Gas Project Bill which essentially establishes a monopoly which then controls the importation and price of butane. The Bureau of [...]

B.C.C.I. Provides Update on Occupational Safety and Health Bill
It took the unfortunate and tragic deaths of Roque Jimenez and Orlington Stuart to highlight the urgent need for the passage and implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Bill. [...]

Expert Says B.S.I. Water Treatment Exceptional
The Belize Sugar Industry has responded to a report that the mill is largely at fault for the state of the New River. B.S.I. is refuting any claim that the [...]

Shooting Victim Asks ComPol for a Hand
A Punta Gorda resident is claiming he was shot by cops and is making a plea to the Belize Police Department. According to twenty-four-year-old Justin Espat, the incident happened over [...]

7 Persons Displaced by Fire in San Pedro
Seven persons have been displaced after an early morning fire on San Pedro gutted the wooden two-storey apartment they called home. Just before six o'clock as Vanina Alpuche and her [...]

Belizean Teacher Chosen for Prestigious Global Education Program
Alex Cruz is in the U.S.A. as part of the cultural exchange programme: Participate Learning. The initiative recruits teachers from all over the world to live the experience of teaching [...]

Job Opportunities Open Up at Carnival Cruise Lines, Auditions Continue on Wednesday
Day-one of a not too common opportunity to work onboard one of the many ships for Carnival Cruise Lines concluded this evening at the Radisson Fort George in Belize City. [...]

Amandala

Belmopan gunman executes two cousins, 16 and 17
There was a bold, daylight execution of two teenaged cousins that has left residents of the San Martin area of Belmopan in shock and grief. The execution occurred early Saturday morning near a dried-up creek in the San Martin area. Herman Alexander Valladarez, 16, was shot, along with his 17-year-old cousin and hang-out partner, Gruver Lizandro Delgado. After witnessing the shooting of his cousin, Delgado tried to run away, but he fell and the gunman caught up with him and shot him in the head at point-blank range.

Adamir Choc, 19, found decomposing
On Saturday, September 7, 19-year-old Adamir Choc went to E&L's Sports Bar in Belmopan, along with some friends. Surveillance video footage from the club reportedly shows Choc getting into a vehicle and that was the last time she was seen alive. Reportedly, Choc's friends had gotten into an altercation with another woman and they did not tell her that they were leaving the club. Video footage from the club showed Choc looking around as if she was trying to locate the three friends with whom she went to the club.

2 die in Civic Center scaffolding accident
At about 10:30 this morning, a platform on a scaffold that was 50 feet above the basketball court and bleachers in the Belize City Civic Center collapsed, and six men who were standing on the scaffold as they worked on the ceiling of the Civic Center came crashing to the concrete floor below. Jesus Contreras, a worker who saw the tragedy unfold in front of him, said that the scene was horrific. He saw an old man known as Roque fall head-first to the floor; which smashed his skull and hurled brain tissue onto the floor, while Orlington Earl Stuart fell on his shoulder first and then hit a railing.

Roberto Nah, 14, missing from San Pedro
Roberto Nah, 14, a student, has been reported missing since Wednesday, September 11, at about 12:30 p.m. when he left home for an unknown destination. Since then, he has not been seen or heard from, and his whereabouts remain unknown. Police and his family are seeking public assistance to find Roberto. Anyone who sees him or has information that could be of assistance in finding him is urged to contact the nearest police station or San Pedro police at 206-2022, or call 911, or 0800- 922- TIPS.

BSI says "It ain't me!"
After many months of criticism that it was one of the main players that caused the New River to become dangerously polluted, Belize Sugar Industries (BSI) has come forth with a statement that it is not responsible for the pollution of the river, in which fish by the thousands, as well as turtles, birds and other aquatic life, including even crocodiles, have perished. Studies by some environmentalists reveal that some parts of the river have become so "dead" that there is no life in it, or on its banks.

Present and former Belize City mayors share the stage for opening new City Hall building
Opening ceremonies were held this evening for the refurbished City Hall building on which work had started during the United Democratic Party term of Mayor Darrell Bradley, and which has been completed under the stewardship of People's United Party mayor, Bernard Wagner. The highlight of the opening ceremony, therefore, was the presence of the former and present Belize City mayors sharing the stage for the opening of the multimillion-dollar building, located on Regent Street, at the foot of the Swing Bridge that will serve as the City Council's City Hall.

Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club hosts BzSA 4th Ranking Regatta of 2019
The Belize Sailing Association (BzSA) held its fourth Ranking Regatta of the year for the Optimist and Laser classes in Caye Caulker, August 10-11, 2019, hosted by the Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club (CCCSC). The regatta was attended by competitors from Corozal, Ladyville, Caye Caulker and Gales Point. This was Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club's 2nd time as host. The event was a great success, beginning with barge transportation of boats and trucking to the venue, full media coverage by "The Voice of Caye Caulker" on and off the water, great sportsmanship and, of course, wonderful sailing. The welcoming back of two of Caye Caulker's past Optimist sailors, namely Glenford Barrera and Malaki Jones, was a big positive.

NEBL prepares for 2020 season with rule change
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) continues to prepare for its upcoming season, which is slated to commence on Saturday, January 18, 2020. There is a significant rule change that will come into effect in the upcoming season, where the Belizean American label has been removed. All Belizean players are treated with the same conditions, and there are no restrictions on the number of Belizean American players per team.

Stann Creek F.A. 1st Division Cup 2019 Week 3 results
Week 3 games in the Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA) First Division Cup 2019 were played on Friday night at the Carl Ramos Stadium. In the opener, South Side Warriors won, 2-1, over Elijio Beni DYS FC with goals from Darnae Garcia (19') and David Solazo (64'), while Alvin Lino (57') scored for Elijio Beni DYS.

Belmopan F.A. 2nd Division Tournament weekend results
The Belmopan Football Association (BFA) Second Division Tournament 2019 continued over the weekend with games on Friday night and Sunday afternoon at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. In the opener on Friday night, Arizona FC and Ramon United played to a 0-0 draw. And in the nightcap, Spanish Boys dropped BMP Compre Elite FC, 4-2, with goals from Victor Saavedra (30' & 67'), Fernando Barrera (34') and Jose Rodesno (83'); while BMP Compre got a goal each from Rafael Franklin (51') and Frybin Paguada (86').

LPG deal -another poor GoB decision
Dr. Gilbert Canton probably deserves to be rewarded for his bright idea to have Belizean business folk and the government wrest control of the LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) market from foreign hands, especially if it leads to Belizeans paying less for the commodity. But, there are no such guarantees. Dr. Canton, the manager of the new National Gas Company Limited (NGCL), has said (to Channel Five) that while he was the CEO at BNE (Belize Natural Energy), they made attempts to get into the LPG business, but the industry was monopolized by foreign interests, and this allowed those interests such control that they could manipulate wholesale prices. It is not impossible that he didn't press the case while at BNE because he saw the possibilities for himself a little down the road.

Thank you, Brother Colin Hyde
Thank you, Brother Colin Hyde, for giving this, your humble servant, a space in several of your articles. I appreciate it very much. It has been a long time since we had our debates on said Battle of St. George's Caye. Nevertheless, up to now, no one has brought forth tangible evidence of such event. So, as you may know, in a court of justice, if there is no evidence to validate a case, it is dismissed by the judge. However, the colonial apologists of 1898 knew absolutely nothing of an Emancipation Day. They lobbied for a day to glorify the British Baymen's Clan and their bastard sons. No hard feelings, Brother.

Stories to give the sense to pokonoh boy stick detractors
It is my firm belief that truths crushed to earth that don't rise here will rise there, in the next world. One truth that the philistine bohgaz have been trying to crush to earth will not be suppressed here, no matter how hard they try. If you say you disapprove of the reason our slave ancestors got on those rafts with their pokonoh boy sticks and went out to the fray, I understand that. To say that they didn't, when all the records show that they did, that I noh buy. The slaves could have been paid, they could have been promised less harsh treatment, they could have bought into propaganda, they could have fallen under the spell of a dynamic leader, they could have been threatened, they could have decided "better the devil we know than the devil coming from Merida": they had any number of reasons to defend the land that their offspring would inherit.

16-year-old remanded for the murder of his friend, Christopher Chi, 13
oday, a minor, 16, of Yo Creek, Orange Walk District, who is the suspect in the brutal death of Christopher Chi, 13, also of Yo Creek, was arraigned at the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court on a charge of murder. He was remanded until November 5. On Tuesday, the body of Christopher Chi, who was reported missing, was found stuffed in a culvert in a cane field off the San Lorenzo Road in Orange Walk Town. The body was in an advanced state of decomposition.

Boat runs aground on the Barrier Reef in San Pedro
A boat in which 8 tourists were sailing, in front of San Pedro, this morning ran into the reef and the boat capsized. Luckily, no one was injured. The Coast Guard and other rescue companies went to the area and helped the visitors. The Coast Guard secured the boat, which is owned by a tour company of Caye Caulker. They now await a team from the Department of the Environment to inspect and assess the damage to the reef, if any, and to put a monetary value on the damages.

LOVE FM

Why so much crime? PUP leader comments
Crime in Belize has seen a surge in recent months. It has resulted in law-abiding citizens becoming fearful of being on the streets. While crime has always been an issue regardless of which Government is in power, the opposition never fails to hold elected officials accountable. Leader of the Opposition, John Briceno, did just that �

Belize preparing for a win at ICJ
Belize is on its way in finalizing a legal team to represent us at the International Court of Justice. It has been over four months since the country voted in favour of taking the Belize/Guatemala claim to the ICJ. June 21 saw the ICJ set a timeline for the initial pleadings. Guatemala has until May �

Men injured in Civic Center accident may be able to reap Social Security benefits
Last Friday saw the deaths of two men, Orlington Stuart and Roque Jimenez, who fell from a thirty foot scaffold inside the Belize Civic Center. Four other men were also injured in this accident. While questions were raised about whether the men were following safety protocol, there is also the question of who is responsible �

BSI claims it is not polluting the New River with untreated effluent
The newly installed aerators in the New River have been working overtime to try and remedy years of pollution and neglect that the river has suffered. While the Department of Environment looks at long term solutions, it notes that the entire community, both public and private sectors, needs to show the river some much needed �

Will Vega return to politics
Area Representative for Orange Walk North, Gaspar Vega has been notably absent from House meetings since his resignation from Cabinet over a land scandal. Rumor has it, however, that Vega is looking to make a comeback. With the recent resignation of the UDP's Orange Walk Standard Bearer, Dr. Homero Novelo, speculations have mounted that Vega �

Who will be the next leader of the UDP?
Dean Barrow, a three-term Prime Minister, is expected to hang up his hat next year. It will also mean finding a new leader for the United Democratic Party. The Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and John Saldivar are contending for the position. Today, the media asked Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, who he will �

Roads in the South flooded due to heavy rainfall
Rainy weather in the south brought flooding in some areas, making it impossible for vehicles to access certain areas. Toledo Correspondent, Paul Mahung reports. Paul Mahung, Toledo Correspondent, Love FM News: "Rainy weather conditions last night resulted in set backs to vehicular traffic due to flooding in several low lying areas in rural Toledo. The �

Elrington and Progresso Heights in court again
Progresso Heights Limited, a real estate company is suing Wilfred Elrington, who was a minority shareholder in the company for putting cautions against their properties. As a result, preventing them from selling the properties. Today, the court heard submissions from both sides in the matter. In his submissions, Elrington did not address the matter of �

24 years of improvement for KHMH
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is celebrating 24 years of service to the people of Belize. A ceremony was held yesterday, also saw the unveiling of the hospital's Accident and Emergency waiting room. During her speech, Chief Executive Officer, Michelle Hoare spoke about the many improvements the hospital has seen. Michelle Hoare, CEO, Karl Heusner �

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Government declares Saturday (Independence Day) a public and bank holiday
After much public outcry about Saturday, September 21 not being declared a public and bank [�]

Two men caught with over 60 pounds of weed
Police have arrested two men in Corozal after catching them with over 60 pounds of [�]

Police remove another gun off the street
The Belize Police Department has taken another illegal firearm off the street, this time, from [�]

Findings of Mercury in Fish from the Macal River and Other Rivers
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Belize Electric [�]

Mayor Wagner opens new City Hall
The Belize City Council officially opened the doors of the new City Hall on Friday. [�]

Countrywide children's curfew "will hold parents�accountable": says ComPol Williams
While yet to establish a motive for the murder of Christopher Chi in Orange Walk, [�]

Itzamna Society organizes workshop on traditional medicine
On September 15, 2019, a workshop was held at the visitor's center of the Noj [�]

Fuel prices go down
The Ministry of Finance announced today that on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, the pump price [�]

Belize Youth Movement: Take action now!
The Youth Arm of the PUP, Belize Youth Movement (BYM) issued a statement today expressing its [�]

Papa San live in Gospel Concert this Friday
Jamaican Gospel singer, Tyrone "Papa San" Thompson is scheduled to arrive in Belize tomorrow. Papa [�]

Urgent blood donation needed
The family of Earl Pratt, 48, is asking the public to help save his life [�]

Hondurans linked to landed drug plane charged
Terrencio Mejia Cruz, 36, and 53-year-old Jacobvani Mejia Garcia, both of La Ceiba, Atlantida, Honduras, [�]

Belmopan teens wanted for double murder
Sometime around 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, Herman Valladares, 16, and Gruver, Delgado, 17, came [�]

Minor drops rape case against accused man, 30
She was sexually assaulted at the tender age of nine, but four years on, she [�]

Police say cause of Adamir Choc's death is inconclusive
In a press conference held yesterday, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvette, commented on the [�]

Ministry of Labor restates commitment to OSH Bill
Yesterday evening the Ministry of Labor issued a response to Friday's deadly and tragic collapse [�]

Blogs

Connecting The Dots
As I listened to the speakers at the Caribbean Culture + Lifestyle Belize conservation issue launch, they were all connecting dots about the special edition's important theme of conservation. Everyone had something interesting and different on the main focus. It was unanimous that we have to work together to highlight, value and take ownership of our most treasured and in many places overstressed environment.

Nim Li Punit + Lubaantun in Southern Belize- Maya Rain Songs
Though music is now most commonly used as entertainment, for the ancient Maya, music held a more specific purpose. Discoveries made at the ancient sites of Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit in southern Belize serve as keys to uncovering the true nature and value of music to the ancient Maya. Lubaantun is Belize's largest Maya site of the southern districts. Discoveries dating back to the 1920s at Lubaantun reveal that the site was home to players of a wind instrument known as an ocarina. Researchers suggest that the ancient Maya used ocarinas to produce music for daily ceremonies. Ocarina music may have served as the ceremonial accompaniment for both birth and burial, along with other rituals to inspire fertility and abundance. At the nearby city of Nim Li Punit, a more recent discovery links us again to the ceremonial use of music in the quest for abundance. In 2015, Geoffrey Braswell of UC San Diego unearthed the second-largest jade object ever to be found in Belize*.

International Sourcesizz

Spider Monkey Mission
The young spider monkey was no more than a year old when her mother was killed. Poachers in Belize had shot her so they could sell the young monkey as a pet. The shotgun blast knocked the small monkey clear of the tree where she was being cradled by her mother-shattering her right arm, dislocating her tail, and peppering her body with shot pellets. Realizing the baby monkey was too damaged to be sold, the poachers tied her up and left her. She went without food or water for three days before a concerned passerby notified the Belize Forest Department. They rushed her to the Wildtracks Primate and Manatee Rehabilitation Center, which works to protect the country's endangered spider and howler monkeys by rehabilitating confiscated animals so they can return to the wild.

The Mosquito Coast TV Show in the Works With Justin Theroux
Apple is working on a fresh adaptation of Paul Theroux's cult novel, The Mosquito Coast. The new TV series, being lined up for Apple's streaming service, Apple TV+, already has a showrunner in place in the form of Neil Cross (Luther). Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) will be executive producing, and will also direct many of the episodes. It's been confirmed that The Leftovers' Justin Theroux will star in The Mosquito Coast, and it's not a coincidence that Theroux shares the name of the book's author - he's his nephew! Per Variety, the story will follow "an idealist who uproots his family and moves them to Latin America". This will be familiar territory if you've ever caught the film version of The Mosquito Coast, which was directed by Peter Weir and released in 1981, starring Harrison Ford, Helen Mirren, and River Phoenix, and garnering awards for Ford at the time.

Meeting another bookbag Santa on a plane
I am the president of a Roanoke-based charity called "Bookbag Santa" that takes a group of people and boxes of school supplies down to Belize every summer. You might think that this sounds like a pretty neat trip to take - and you'd be right - but, this year, the best part happened on the way back to Roanoke. The man in the seat next to me on the plane turned out to be the principal of a little school in Belize, with two classrooms, two teachers, and 30 students. He also has a side business, flying to the United States once or twice a year to buy an old Greyhound-type bus, and drive it south through Texas and Mexico to Belize, where he re-sells it to one of the bus companies there.

Videos

  • Tres Cocos Resort, Ambergris Caye, Belize, 1.5min. Resort impression.

  • Standardization Of The Belizean Flag Ceremony, 2hr.

  • National Lecture: History and Evolution of the Belizean Flag, 2hr. September 17th, 2019

  • Loggerhead Tutle in Belize, 1min.

  • Scuba diving for kids in Belize, 1.5min. Children of eight years and up can explore the Belize reef.

  • National Geographic Video: Tropical Kingdom of Belize (1987), 50min. Here's the second one of the three National Geographic LaserDiscs that I'm uploading, this one focusing on the wildlife of Belize, a tropical country in Central America. Get ready to see everything from underwater fish to above water insects!