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FFB discusses way forward after coach calls it quits
Football president Ruperto Vicente says his federation will now have to "move on" from Costa Rica's Leroy Sherrier Lewis. Lewis was lauded for his guiding of the national team to its best ever regional performance. News broke yesterday that Lewis was hastily departing Belize and his post as national...
Dwayne Evelyn found not guilty of murder of Peter Myvett
22-year-old Dwayne Evelyn was found not guilty today of the shooting murder of George Street associate, Peter Myvett. The jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict. Myvett met his untimely death at around 12:00 noon on February 17 of 2010 while he was at the corner of Kut Avenue...
Teenager charged with attempted murder of Ronald Rivers
A teenager has been charged with the attempted murder of Belize City resident Ronald Rivers. Earlier this week, we told you that 28 year Ronald Rivers was shot while fixing a vehicle in front of the UNO Gas Station. Police were in the area at the time and saw...
PUP rate UDP on 5 years in power
Yesterday we gave a brief overview of the PUP's press conference called on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the 2012 general elections which they lost narrowly.Today we have highlights of that press conference. First, Party Leader Francis Fonseca summarizes Belize after five years of the UDP in...
PUP plan education campaign on ICJ
The PUP says it is continuing internal consultations on the party's decision to support or oppose going to the International Court of Justice to settle the dispute with Guatemala. Party Leader Francis Fonseca offers an update. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition: In terms of the party level,...
Belizean Delegation heads to Higo Chavez Funeral
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is presently out of the country accompanying his wife as she continues medical treatment. The Deputy PM has now also left the country leaving Hon. John Saldivar as the country's acting Prime Minister. Minister Vega headed to Caracas, Venezuela to represent the Government and people...
Belize City streets named after prominent residents
58 prominent residents of Belize City were honored this morning by having streets named after them. This ceremony was part of the one-year anniversary of the Council's election which happened on today's date last year. The youngest recipient is 13 year old Rowan Garel, a visually impaired boy who...
Four family members on remand for keeping unlicensed ammunition
Ellis Meighan Jr., his mother Sheldon Meighan, sister Shanique Meighan and his 17 year old brother were all charged with keeping unlicensed ammunition, after GSU found nine two millimeter cartridges inside a barrel in their home. All four family members pleaded not guilty to the charge when they appeared...
20 year old Stephen Anderson walks free for lack of case file
A man who was jailed after robbing a businessman at gunpoint and shooting at a responding cop, walked free yesterday. 20 year old Stephen Anderson was charged for holding up a businessman and stealing his motorbike in April of 2012. Soon after, Police reportedly got into a high speed...
20 year old Thyrell Hyde develops Tourism board game
Plus News has been introducing you to entrepreneurs from around the country and tonight, we shine the spotlight on a young and upcoming business owner, whose current pursuit might very well be the ideal marketing tool for other businesses in the country. 20 year old Thyrell Hyde is the...
Legacy Youth Conference this weekend
Legacy Youth Conferences are some of the most widely attended Christian events in the Cayo district. This weekend, another conference kicks off under the theme, Surrender. Organizer Patrick Andrews told us more. Patrick Andrews - Youth With A Mission: Starting tomorrow, Friday the 8th of March, we'll our Annual...
Workshop on clean development mechanism held in Belize City
A workshop on the subject of clean development mechanism was held in Belize City this morning. It is an outgrowth of the worldwide reaction to climate change, especially in developed countries, which are being charged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 25% by 2020. One of the...
Final preparations underway for La Ruta Maya River Challenge
It's that time again - when kayakers from Belize and abroad gear up to compete in the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge. As is customary, the teams will take-off from the the Hawksworth Bridge in San Ignacio and end at the Belcan Bridge in Belize City. This year,...
Fatal traffic accident leaves one man dead
There was a fatal traffic accident in the Orange Walk district. A 68 year old man was knocked off his bicycle this morning at around 5:30. Orange Walk Town resident 68 yr Teolosio Cabanas was riding his bicycle on San Estevan Road heading towards his farm located in the...
19 year old student arrested for burglary
A 19 year old student has been arrested for the crime of burglary and handling stolen goods after police say he stole over 7,000 worth of jewelry from a home. The owner of the home reported that on several occasions from December of last year to February of this...
Burglars broke into Belize National Youth Cadet Corp
A pair of burglars broke into the Belize National Youth Cadet Corp store room. According to police, sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, two cadets made their way into the association's storeroom and stole four luncheon meats, a box of happy cow cheese, two pack cakes, two boxes...
The Guardian
6-Lane Entrance to Belize City
Mayor Darrell Bradley has announced that in the coming weeks the Northern Highway from the Haulover Bridge to the Belcan roundabout will be concreted. More than just being concreted, the highway will be expanded in some areas where the first portion after crossing the Haulover bridge will see it become into a 6-lane highway. Getting closer into the city, it will be reduced to a 4-lane highway.
According to the Mayor, the project will cost in the region of 10 million dollars and will be financed through the raising of a second Municipal Bond. That bond will be repaid through an inbound toll which will collect $1 for traffic that flows into the city. In 6 years, that toll will generate as much as 18 million dollars more than enough to pay off the bond.
The project to concrete the highway is expected to commence in the next few weeks as there is already interest by at least 5 financiers who are willing to purchase the bond. The work is expected to be done by three contractors currently doing work in Belize City including RJB Construction Company, Matus and Matus Engineering and Medina's. The work is anticipated to last for 18 months with portions of the highway being improved through piling.
A Handsome Dividend to BSI Employee Holdings
The Belize Sugar Industry Limited held an annual general meeting on Tuesday March 5th during which the company declared dividends for the year 2012. During the meeting it was announced that a 3 million dollar dividend payment will be made to entities who had shareholding in the company previous to the October 2nd, 2012 equity transaction to ASR which took over majority shareholding in the company by virtue of over U.S. 100 million dollar investment in the company. In that transaction, ASR bought out BSI's liabilities at international and local banks as well as the Government of Belize. It also paid out outstanding dividends to the BSI's Employee Holdings, and committed to have at least 30 million U.S. dollars invested in the company.
With the declaration of dividends, which is approximately $0.068 per each of the 44 million issued shares before ASR's investment, the BSI's Employee Holdings will receive approximately 81.29% of the 3 million dollars or $2,438,627. Those moneys are expected to be disbursed on March 14th and the Employee's Trust will then disburse to its membership on Thursday, March 21st.
Budget 2013-2014 "Absolutely No New Taxes" "Increase in Social Assistance"
Though there was a 26.8% decrease in oil production in 2012 and an 11.9% decrease in cruise tourist arrivals, Belize's economy grew by approximately 5.6%. Considering that the United States' economy grew by only 2.2% and Latin America and the Caribbean have an estimated growth of 3.0%, Belize's economic performance is the marvel of the region.
The greater than projected decrease in oil production and the unexpected decrease in cruise tourism were offset by a 10.2% increase in overnight tourist arrivals. The banana and citrus industries also boosted the economy with a significant rebound year. Banana and citrus production suffered greatly in 2011 due to Hurricane Richard in late 2010 and a destructive thunderstorm in September of 2011. The incredible rebound of those two products combined with another impressive year for sugar production resulted in higher than projected growth in the GDP.
Softball plays for Gold in Costa Rica today
The National Women's Softball Team of Belize will play for Gold today at the on-going 10th Central American Games that are being played in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Six countries, namely Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama and host country Costa Rica participated in the Round Robin Competition with the top four countries advancing to the Page System Playoffs. Belize completed the Round Robin play with a 4-1 record and a date with history. Belize will finish with a medal at the 10th Central American Games.
Belize played two games on Wednesday March 6th, 2013. In the second game played, Belize defeated Panama by the score of 16-9. Belize's outfielder Barbara Cadle had a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 6th inning that sealed the victory for Belize. The winning pitching was Kenreen Gillett, who had relief help from Francine Hoare.
The Strongest Political Machinery This Nation has ever seen
As the number of supporters expressing the desire to join Village Council slates for the United Democratic Party (UDP) continues to grow countrywide, the Party is fully engaged in conducting conventions in an increasing number of villages.
13 Million still Available for Infrastructure
In December of last year, the Belize City Council became the first in the Caribbean to successfully float a bond to fund municipal development. The value of the three-tranche bond was 20 million dollars and 54 streets later there is still enough to go around to do more than what was projected.
More Mobility for Belize Defence Force
Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar hands over keys to vehicles to Commander of BDF, General David Jones
On Thursday, February 27th the Belize Defence Force (BDF) received three new Mahindra Pickup trucks from the Ministry of National Security.
State Funeral for President Chavez Scheduled for Friday
His Excellency President Hugo Chavez lost his battle with cancer after a brave two year fight on Tuesday, March 5th, at 4:25 p.m. inside a military hospital in Caracas, Venezuela. Thousands of supporters flooded the streets of Venezuela's capital city, Caracas, to bid farewell to "El Comandante" as his coffin was transported from the military hospital to a military academy where it will remain until the official state funeral on Friday, March 8. The government has declared a seven day period of mourning and schools will remain closed for the rest of this week as the country bids farewell to its populist leader of 14 years.
One Year of CITCO under Darrell Bradley
March 7th will mark one year since the Belize City Council under the leadership of Mayor Darrell Bradley was elected into office. Based on the grade A concrete streets - 54 of them - the tenure of this Belize City Council has seen unprecedented development. The council's successes are not limited to streets; however, speaking to Mayor Darrell Bradley, he explained that there has been much more, less visible accomplishments that the Belize City Council has been able to achieve in one year.
The Death of Debt Watch
For days, weeks and months on end, there was this amorphous entity calling itself Belize's Debt Watch hammering and beating the country's financial position ad nauseam. They did everything under the sun to try to convince the Belizean public that the country was in dire financial straits. They made up figures for how much BTL and BEL are worth, they even took the Prime Minister speaking to the press out of context to try to get their message across. Their purpose turned so pathetic that they had seemingly everyday people speaking finance in their backyards. Their plan seemed simple yet evil at the same time; their focus was to ensure that those who held the Superbond would not sit with the Government and renegotiate it.
Minister Louis Farrakhan at the Big Bird's Isle
The leader of the Nation of Islam, Minister Louis Farrakhan, is visiting the country of Belize for the third time, first in twenty-seven years. News of his visit first surfaced in late November of 2012 when he was scheduled to come to Belize on December 6th. Unfortunately, Minister Farrakhan was forced to cancel the trip due to exhaustion and dehydration after visiting five Caribbean countries. Belizean Muslims and other supporters of the black movement were disappointed by news of the cancelation and hoped for a makeup visit. The date for that makeup visit was announced by Nuri Muhammad late last week and on Monday, March 4th, Minister Louis Farrakhan arrived in Belize.
A Post in The Wrong Place
As The Guardian has been moving around the City looking at the infrastructural upgrades taking place, we were taken aback by this sight. A lamp post which is sitting well into Chetumal Street, at least two feet on the street and we were left to wonder if BEL will be moving the lamp post or if it will be left there and concrete poured around it.
Prime Minister departs Country to accompany Wife for Continuation of Her Medical Treatment
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Hon. Dean Barrow will depart the country today, 5th March, 2013, to accompany his wife, Mrs. Kim Simplis-Barrow for continuation of her medical treatment.
Belize City and San Benito sign Sister City Relations
The Belize City Council hosted a Guatemalan delegation from the town of San Benito for three days between Friday, March 1st and Sunday, March 3rd. The 12-member delegation was hosted in Belize City and even taken to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. The highlight of the visit by the Mayor of San Benito, Sonia Rivera, was the signing of a sister city relations agreement.
Another Impressive Month for Tourist Arrivals
The Belize Tourism Board has released the statistics for tourist arrivals in the month of January and it shows that Mother Nature's secret is out as the number of people visiting Belize continues to increase. Overnight tourist arrivals have increased by a remarkable 17.2% compared to last year's stats. A total of 28,431 overnight tourists were recorded in January. Last year the number was 24,263. 19,965 passengers arrived at the Phillip Goldson International Airport this January which is 1,407 more than last year, an increase of 7.6%. Even more impressive news is that cruise tourism was up by 19.4% in comparison to January of 2012. 102,871 cruise tourists arrived in Belize in January. Last year, 86,128 cruise tourists made it to Belizean shores. This has been the most impressive January for tourist arrivals in Belize's history.
Deputy Prime Minister Presents Land Title to University of Belize
The Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Gaspar Vega today presented the title for University of Belize Toledo Campus to the President of the University, Dr. Cary Fraser.
This is second title presented by Hon. Vega to the University. In September 2012, the University was presented with the title to the campus for its Central Farm campus by Deputy Prime Minister Vega.
UB establishes Endowed Scholarship for ACC Student
The University of Belize last week established an endowed scholarship that will create for a student from the Anglican Cathedral College (ACC), who will major in science and mathematics at the University of Belize. The scholarship will cover full tuition and fees and will be awarded on an annual basis by the University.
UDP Leadership revisits Dangriga
The second stop on the post National Convention tour of the United Democratic Party (UDP)Team was in Dangriga for a meeting and social interaction with representatives from Dangriga and Stann Creek West constituencies.
UDP Leadership returns to the South
True to the promise of coming back to the people after the February 17th, National Convention, today Deputy Party Leader, Hon. Gaspar Vega; Party Chairman, Alberto August and Deputy Chairman of the United Democratic Party, Fern Gutierrez met, in Punta Gorda Town, with delegates from Toledo East and Toledo West in the company of Caretaker Representatives ,brothers Eden Martinez and Juan Coy respectively.
THEN & NOW
It is so good to be back in the pages of the Guardian again.
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It once was, many years ago, when Mike Espat could have been considered a political force to recon with. Those days have long gone by as was clearly demonstrated during the last sitting of the House of Representatives. The NOW poor excuse for an area representative truly embarrassed himself when he "proudly" sought to express a private issue as a matter of "grave" public interest.
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It is no secret that Mike Espat supported neither Said Musa nor Francis Fonseca for leadership of the now dwindling opposition but the very least they could have done was to advise him that such matter has no place in the House and thereby save him all that public embarrassment.
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Yes everyone knows that Mike Espat supported the Pineapple face Marin Sr. for leadership of the opposition and that when he sought advice from the Junior Marin in the House, the poor fella, who knows not his posterior from that section of the arm just below the shoulder, wrongfully encouraged him to make a fool of himself in the House of Representatives and by extension to the nation by way of national radio and television.
Abel Arana's Family asks: Where is the Gun?
23-year-old Abel Arana died shortly after he was involved in a shootout at a residence on Camal Street, Hattieville Village on Sunday, March 3rd. According to a preliminary report from the Belize Police Department, Arana was at the house on Camal Street socializing with Sherlock Ralph Martinez and others when an argument ensued. According to police, "shots were fired apparently by both persons who took out weapons and fired at each other." Arana was shot to the abdomen and left side of the buttocks. He was taken to the Hattieville Health Center where he later succumbed to his injuries. Martinez was shot in the lower part of the abdomen. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he continues to receive treatment for the injury.
Relatives and friends of both men have been outspoken about their assumptions of what happened in the house on Camal Street. Those close to Martinez are saying that he and Arana never had a relationship as friends; therefore, they would not have been socializing together. One friend of Martinez appeared on 7 News and said that Arana went to the house with the intent of killing Martinez. However, during the attempt, Martinez managed to knock the gun away and fired shots of his own. Arana's parents dispute the allegations. They believe that their son was 'chanced' out of his life. They claim that the two men were friends as Martinez was very visible at a party that Arana had thrown for his child a few days earlier. Arana's parents believe their son was beaten by numerous individuals and then shot. They ask, "If he [Arana] had gone there to kill him [Martinez] why not leave the gun on the scene so the police can find the gun? Where is the gun now?"
First Woman to be tried for Escape at the Supreme Court
On Friday, March 1st, the case of escape against 21- year-old Latifah Augustine, a student and resident of #170 East Collet Canal in Belize City, was committed to the April Session of the Supreme Court by Magistrate Dale Cayetano. As a result of the decision, her old bail was revoked and she was placed in lock down; she was offered a new bail in the sum of $3,000 plus a surety of the same amount.
In the past, the offense of escape was treated as a summary offense and was tried at the Belize City Magistrate's Court but an amendment to the act now sees the charge being dealt with on indictment. When a person is charged for the offense, no plea is taken and a preliminary inquiry is held to determine if there is sufficient evidence to commit the matter to the Supreme Court.
Augustine is accused of escaping from lawful custody on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 whilst at the Queen Street Police Station. She had been detained for assaulting a police officer and drinking in a public place. In a report, Sgt. Titus Parham reported that on Saturday, November 3rd, 2013, at about 10:40 a.m., he was on duty at the Queen Street Police Station as the EDO (Executive Duty Officer), when he was informed that Augustine was detained and placed into the female cell area for the offenses.
Woman withdraws Bail from Ex-Cop
On Monday, March 4th, an ex-police officer, who was dismissed from the Belize Police Department after being charged for robbery, saw his 2012 bail revoked in court. Kimberly Grant, his former girlfriend, visited Court #6 where she appeared before Magistrate Adolph Lucas requesting the urgent withdrawal of her bail from her ex boyfriend, Michael Diaz.
Grant told Magistrate Adolph Lucas that on several occasions, Diaz has not been showing up at court despite the fact that in December 2012 she made a personal visit to him make sure he showed up. Diaz defied her request and as a result, she revoked her bail. Magistrate Lucas granted her request after she explained her situation.
In court, Diaz, who was unrepresented, explained that his ex-girlfriend is being malicious against him because they recently broke up. He says he did not show up on his latest court date because it was changed without his knowledge.
Guilty of Possession of a Controlled drug
In February 49-year-old Benjamin Lester Chaplin, a Plummer of Faber's Road pleaded guilty to assaulting a 12-year-old child when he beat her with his belt. On Friday, March 1st, he again appeared in Magistrate's Court, this time to answer to charges of possession of a controlled drug.
Chaplin appeared before Magistrate Hettie Mae-Stewart where he pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled drug. For the two offenses, despite the fact that he has 3 previous convictions for possession of a controlled drug, Chaplin was spared from jail term as he was fined $8000 plus $5.00 cost of court for 9.8 grams of cannabis, and another fine of $300 plus $5.00 cost of court for 3.7 grams of cannabis which were found in his possession. The two fines were ordered to be paid by April 29th, 2013 or in default of payments, he is to serve 9 months altogether.
Drug Plane that left Belize detained in Venezuela
Jorge Bustamante Ustariz and David William Sawatzky
A Plane with U.S. registration number N345MD, which left from a licensed airfield in Western Belize without a flight plan, was intercepted in Venezuela by the armed forces of that country. The Plane, an Aero Commander 500, flew illegally into Venezuelan airspace to land in an unregistered airstrip in Venezuela on Friday, February 22nd but was intercepted sometime around 2:40 on that morning.
Venezuelan news reports indicate that the plane was occupied by 51-year-old Canadian, David William Sawatzky and Colombian, 31-year-old Jorge Armando Bustamante Ustariz.
The airplane was equipped with 4 auxillary fuel tanks for an approximate flight possibility of 8 hours. Inspection of the on-board GPS system determined that the plane had left Belize and was destined to an airstrip near the border of Venezuela and Colombia. Authorities in Venezuela are speculating that the plane would have been used for narcotraficking.
Two detained for Murder of Frank Neal
Police have detained two persons in their investigation of the murder of 36-year-old Stevedore, Frank Neal. Neal was riding his bicycle on Glynn Street at about 5:50 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5th, when a dark complexioned man rode up from behind and fired several shots at him. One of the bullets struck Neal to the back of the head causing him to die instantly.
Neal is not from the area where he was killed and there is still no certain motive established by police as yet. He is a resident of Guerrero Street and the ride on Glynn Street was a routine one for him since he frequented the area to buy Johnny Cakes. Police have not confirmed if anything was stolen from Neal who, according to reports, had just collected his pay. One 9mm expended shell was recovered from the scene and police investigation continues.
Honduran beaten to Death in Dangriga
35-year-old Honduran maintenance worker, Julio Cesar Lopez Funez collected his pay from the Belize Bank Dangriga Branch at approximately 1 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27th. He then exited the bank and while walking on Tubroose Street, he was assaulted and left in an unconscious state. Funez's wallet, which contained cash and identification cards, was stolen. Police responded to the scene at 1:26 p.m. and found him lying in an unconscious state with injuries to the face and head. He was rushed to the Southern Regional Hospital then transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday, March 1st, at 9:15 p.m. Police investigation into Funez's murder continues.
Eugene Palacio gunned down on Caesar Ridge Road
37-year-old Eugene Eric Castillo Palacio spent Sunday night, March 3rd, partying with his relatives on Caesar Ridge Road on the occasion of his aunt's birthday. The family's celebration came to an abrupt halt at about 9:30 p.m., when the festive music was overlapped by the sound of gunshots just outside the premises. Palacio was standing on the side of the street with a female cousin when a gunman of dark complexion came walking from the direction of Gill Street. The gunman walked up to Palacio and shot him in the face. He then fired several more shots at Palacio before he fled the area. Palacio received gunshot injuries to the head and chest. He died on the scene. Police are asking individuals with information that can assist the investigation to visit the nearest police station. According to reports, there were numerous people on the street at the time of the murder.
Charged for Prohibited Firearm
Police conducted a search at #79 Tigris Street in Belize City on Monday, March 4th at around 5:45p.m. where they found a .40 caliber pistol along with two rounds in a crate filled with garbage. At the time of the search three women were present and they were subsequently arrested by police.
Before the day was done, a man who also lives at the home visited the police station and gave a caution statement admitting to police that the gun was his. That man is 21-year-old Keron Pinto.
After an overnight in lock down, Pinto appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith on Tuesday, March 5th where he was charged with keeping a prohibited firearm and keeping unlicensed ammunition. In court, Pinto who was unrepresented pleaded not guilty to both charges. Due to the nature of the offenses, bail was denied and Pinto was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until April 5th.
Guilty of Drug Trafficking
On Tuesday, March 5th, Prison inmate, Lenton Polonio, who has been serving time for money he owes the court, changed a not guilty plea to guilty for the offense of drug trafficking. As a result he was fined $10,000 plus a $5.00 cost of court. In default of payment, he will spend 3 years in prison. He has until June 30th, 2013 to make payment.
The fine was imposed on Polonio when he appeared before Magistrate Dale Cayetano in Court #4.
Polonio, 34, was arrested and charged on September 14, 2012 in Orange Walk Town but was arraigned in Belize City after he was caught in possession of 147 grams of cannabis.
The bust occurred at about 7:30 a.m., when police officers stopped a brown bus heading north.
According to PC Abner Pasqual, of the Anti-Drug Unit, he and other officers on operations in the old Maskall Road stopped the bus. When the back door of the bus was opened, he smelled the high aroma of cannabis.
Ronald Revers escapes Death
28-year-old Ronald Revers is lucky to be alive after he was targeted by a gunman on Monday, March 4th. A little before 11 a.m. on Monday, Revers was doing mechanical work on a Ford Escape that had shut down in the Uno Gas Station compound on Youth for the Future Drive when he was approached by a gunman who rode up on him and fired a single shot at Revers. Life and death was a matter of inches for Revers who was lucky since the bullet went through his cheeks. Police responded quickly to the incident and managed to detain Mayflower Street resident, 18-year-old Lloyd King, for the shooting. A .38 revolver was recovered and Revers was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Softball plays for Gold in Costa Rica today
Team Belize finished Round Robin Competition with a 4-1 record.
The National Women's Softball Team of Belize will play for Gold today at the on-going 10th Central American Games that are being played in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Belize Defence Force halts The Belmopan Bandits
The 2013 Closing Season of the Premier League of Belize continued over the last weekend with a number of games across the country.
On Sunday, March 3rd, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town, the defending champions and current leaders in this year's competition, the Belmopan Bandits were dealt its first defeat of the tournament by former champions the Belize Defence Force by the score of 2-0.
The Belize Defence Force got on the scoreboard in the early minutes of the game when Richard Jimenez scored the 1st goal of the game by the score of 2-0 to give his team an early lead. The first half of the game ended 1-0 in favour of the Belize Defence Force.
In the second half of the game the Belize Defence Force was able to extend the lead when Khalil Velasquez scored his team 2nd and final goal of the game in the 58th minute of play for the win.
Nazarene High School Girls and Boys in Grand Finals of High School Softball Competition
The Central Region Secondary Schools Softball Competition for 2012-2013 will come to an end on Friday, March 8th, at Rogers Stadium with the Grand Final games in the Playoff System.
In the female championship game, Nazarene High School will face the winner from the Final Game which is scheduled to be played on Thursday, March 7th, at Rogers Stadium between Edward P. Yorke High School and Ladyville Technical High School.
Nazarene High School advance to the Grand Final Game on Monday, March 4th, when it defeated Edward P. Yorke High School by the score of 13-7. The winning pitcher was Elma Wade and the losing pitcher was Jessica Lauriano.
Meanwhile on Tuesday, March 5th, Ladyville Technical High School eliminated Wesley College by the score of 18-7 to advance to the Final Game. The winning pitcher was Amber Wade and the losing pitcher was Brianna Meighan.
National Primary Schools Softball Championship This Friday
The 2012-2013 National Primary Schools Softball championships will be played this Friday March 8th, 2013, at Rogers Stadium for the girls and at the ITVET Compound for the boys. The competition will commence at 8:30 am with the Official Opening Ceremony.
The championships will be declared opened by Mrs. Philippa Griffith-Bailey, ISF Hall of Fame Member, Women in Sports Commissioner and Treasurer of the National Sports Council of Belize.
The teams are representing the six districts of Belize in both the boys' and girls' competition. The teams participating in the girls' competition are Biscayne Government School (Belize District), Trial Farm Government School (Toledo District), Aguacate Roman Catholic School (Toledo District) St. Francis Xavier Roman Catholic School from Esperanza Village (Cayo District), Independence Primary School (Stann Creek District) and Xaibe Roman Catholic School (Corozal District).
The schools that will participate in the boys' competition are Holy Redeemer School (Belize District), Carmelita Government School (Orange Walk District), San Pedro Columbia Roman Catholic School (Toledo District), St. Jude Roman Catholic School from Camalote Village (Cayo District),Independence Primary School and Xaibe Roman Catholic School (Corozal District).
Belize City Interoffice Softball Competition 2013 Game Results
Game 1:
KHMH - 16
Baby Ruth - 12
Highlights:
KHMH scored 16 runs on 11 hits. Meanwhile, Baby Ruth Baaba Shap scored 12 runs on 8 hits. However, the Baby Ruth Baaba Shap offence was keyed by shortstop Brian Grant who collected 3 hits in 5 official-at-bats. All 3 hits were of the home runs type. Grant had a 3 run homer in the bottom of the 1st inning, a solo blast in the bottom of the 6th inning and a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 7th inning.
The winning pitcher was Ricardo Hermoso and the losing pitcher was Jumoke Castro.
Game 2
BTL - 16
Kit Kat Baaba Shap - 0
Highlights:
BTL scored 16 runs on 10 hits. BTL Shortstop Nelson Tillett and Centre Fielder Lupito Acosta was the key to the BTL offence. They both collected 2 hits each. Tillett went 2 for 2, while Acosta went 2 for 3.
The winning pitcher was Bernard Pitts and the losing pitcher was Leonora Morales.
Mayan Architecture: Student Models of Temples
Holy Cross: Every year our Standard 3 (5th Grade) students study Mayan architecture as part of their social studies curriculum. This year they made great models from all sorts of materials.
Our standard 3 students had a lot of fun in social studies producing excellent models of Mayan Ruins as part of the social studies. Their creativity was incredible. Some carved from polystyrene, others made theirs from cardboard and construction paper. Several poured a block of concrete then shaped and carved before it was all set. The models looked great, as did the smiles of achievement on their faces! Well done, Std 3
Enjoy the photos of these great models - and the smiles of achievement on the student's faces.
Upper Division Field Trip
Last week our students from Standards 4,-6 (Grades 6 - 8) went on a field trip to Belize Zoo and the Western Dairies factory in Spanish Lookout. They raised all the funds themselves, and from all accounts had a fantastic time. The Std 6 students wrote letters to imaginary friends talking about their day, a few of which are below.
I'll post pictures from the day when I have them, but in the meanwhile the image above is of the Harpy Eagle that the students write about. At 3″ tall it is one of the largest eagles in the world.
El Fogon Restaurant in San Pedro: Traditional Belizean Food in a Traditional Setting
El Fogon is legit. Authentic Belize in all ways�family run, old school cooking over a "fogon" or open fire stove and delicious simple Belizean dishes. All the classics from stew chicken (the unofficial national dish of the country) to salbutes.
The restaurant is located just a street north of the San Pedro Tropic Air terminal in San Pedro�if it's your first time and you are rightly confused about my super vague directions, just ask. Here is a look at the kitchen that you see as soon as you walk in. It's almost like being at someone's house. Well�if you had friends that cooked this way.
How to Make Belizean Coconut Shrimps
nstructions:
In medium bowl, combine egg, 1/2 cup flour, belikin beer and baking powder. Place 1/4 cup flour and coconut in two separate bowls.
Hold shrimp by tail, and dredge in flour, shaking off excess flour. Dip in egg/ belikin beer batter; allow excess to drip off. Roll shrimp in coconut, and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, heat coconut oil to 350 degrees F in a deep-fryer.
Fry shrimp in batches: cook, turning once, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden brown. Using tongs, remove shrimp to paper towels to drain. Serve warm with your favorite home made dipping sauce.
What Went Wrong?
Our children are being raised in fear of going outside. When I was I young girl growing up in Belize the only thing that would keep me from going outside was severe thunderstorm.
I am saddened to see the severe stress and worry that our children are going through. There is the old saying that says "It Takes A Village", but in Belize our village is in a desperate state of disrepair.
Crime and the fear it induces is driving our children indoors and on occasions they are still not safe in their beds. We need to help our children and the best way to do so is to repair the breakdown of marriage, family and community togetherness.
What a legacy we have passed unto our children!! But together we can do so much more, change is coming; it has to come.
Ten Powerful Marketing Tips for the Small Business
Print your best small ad on a postcard and mail it to prospects in your targeted market.
People read postcards when the message is brief. A small ad on a postcard can drive a high volume of traffic to your web site and generate a flood of sales leads for a very small cost.
No single marketing effort works all the time for every business, so rotate several marketing tactics and vary your approach.
Your customers tune out after awhile if you toot only one note. Not only that, YOU get bored. Marketing can be fun, so take advantage of the thousands of opportunities available for communicating your value to customers. But don't be arbitrary about your selection of a variety of marketing ploys. Plan carefully. Get feedback from customers and adapt your efforts accordingly.
Small Business Success
Small business owners are a hard working bunch. It seems that the only time they come up for air is, well, never.
And that's a problem, says small business expert Bill McBean. The serial entrepreneur - and author of the book Facts of Business Life: What Every Successful Business Owner Knows That You Don't - has experienced firsthand what it's like to be consumed by the day-to-day pressures of running a company.
He cautions that a relentless focus on closing that next deal, keeping the books in the black and constantly putting out fires can be harmful to a business in the long term. While drive and ambition are admirable qualities, there are times when it's OK to take a step back and take stock.
Missing You
Rose and I are having a great time in Dallas. With the Tom Tom and the hire car we have been able to find our way around reasonably successfully. Think I have only overshot a turnoff twice since we have been here. In England it wasn't uncommon for me to that on a single journey to somewhere new to me. Mind you, I didn't use a GPS then.
Everything here is on a grand scale. Huge roads. Massive shopping malls. Large shops. No 'big hair' though. Really disappointed. When I watched JR and Sue Ellen back in the late 70s all of the women had 'big hair'. Suppose things have changed in the last thirty-five years!
We have had plenty to occupy our time. The roads are great and, unless we have travelled during rush hour, we haven't been subjected to traffic jams. The journeys though - from one shopping center to the next- still eats up the time because they always seem to be around twenty miles apart. Perhaps it is bad planning on my part. Or maybe it's just the way Dallas is because of its sheer size.
Although we are having a great time and seeing the things (taps,(faucets for non UK readers), shower heads, fans, etc) we came here to look at, already (we have only been here four days) I find myself thinking I am missing you Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Mennonite Gurls A'ken Cook: Roasted Chicke with Raisin Bubbat
Thishere is un old fashyuned Mennonite method uf stuffin' a he . . . no onyuns, no celery er sage. T' stuffin' is simlar t'a raisin breed, a lil uf t'sweet and savery blend.
Ingredients:
3 - 4 lb roastin' chicke
1 tsp salt
peppr
Laurie##Q##s seesonin'
Stuffin' (Bubbat)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
3 tsp bakin' powdr
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped prunes
International Sources
Trinidad to play Belize, Peru in football friendly
Trinidad and Tobago will play two Central American opponents later this month as they continue preparations for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.
The Trinidadians will take on Belize at home March 22 and travel to Lima to face Peru three days later, reports CMC.
The March 26 encounter against Peru is a return friendly after the Caribbean side lost to them 0-2 here last month.
"We had a good opportunity to see some of the players from abroad in the last game against Peru and we also had the chance to see the local-based players in that particular game," said national head coach Hutson Charles.
"The process of seeing what the players have to offer will continue in these two matches coming up."
The match against Belize will be played at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva due to the unavailability of other venues, which are currently being upgraded.
Belize lost 0-1 to Costa Rica and drew 0-0 with Guatemala in their opening two games of the Central American finals in January.
VIDEO: Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (UNESCO/TBS)
The coastal area of Belize is an outstanding natural system consisting of the largest barrier reef in the northern hemisphere, offshore atolls, several hundred sand cays, mangrove forests, coastal lagoons and estuaries. The system's seven sites illustrate the evolutionary history of reef development and are a significant habitat for threatened species, including marine turtles, manatees and the American marine crocodile.
Belize Makes Lonely Planet's 'Most Relaxing Destinations' List
Lonely Planet have their Traveler's Choice lists out for 2013, and Belize is ranked 7th on the Relaxing list. Of course!
"No surprises here. All of the top 10 destinations for relaxing are known for their amazing beaches. Most are also well-known for their unhurried 'island time' sensibility."