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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and the Dickie Bradley Specials


The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Cow Herd
Dale doesn't care about a cow herd, or what a cow heard...

Police Report
Theft of Motor Vehicle Glenda Sanchez, a Belizean businesswoman of San Juan Area, San Pedro Town visited the San Pedro Police Station and reported that on Sunday, June 15th at 10PM, she parked her red and black golf cart,with license plate SPC# 1483 and valued at $16,000on Caribena Street and went into an establishment to […]

Doctor Love: Marriage and Relationship
Readers, please send your letters. They can be emails, formal letters or handwritten notes. They are edited solely for grammar and spelling. Also, they are sometimes edited for length. Dear Doctor Love, I have been married for sixteen years. My husband and I have not had relations for four years. It started gradually and after […]

Goooooo Tigersharks!!!
1st ever NEBL Champions!!! Awesome game and win at home!!!

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Garifuna communities in Belize face major crisis
When the Garifuna people first arrived in Belize in 1801 and thereafter from Roatan, Honduras, they went to Belize City first and then settled in Dangriga Town. From there they scattered to other southern parts of the country of Belize in the Districts of Stann Creek and Toledo to establish villages and towns. Today, the Garifuna communities in Belize are Dangriga Town, the largest; Hopkins; Georgetown; Barranco and Punta Gorda Town, the second largest. Another village where Garifuna people lived in the past was Bomba, which is located in the Belize District in the area of Maskall Village. Most of these Garifuna people have completely lost their culture and all they have left is some of their names, like Elijio, Parchue, Ramirez and Castro. Some of them accept their Garifuna culture but others prefer to be described as Creoles.

Summer Night Concert
The Benque Summer Night Concert was Saturday night. The OAS Culture of Peace Band and the Benque Marimba Academy played.

ERI and Panthera Seminar S1E4
The 4th Environmental Research Institute and Panthera seminar is today. There will be 2 topics tomorrow, presented by Carlos Lopez and Carmina Gutierrez.

In Search Of The Most Beautiful Beach In Belize
There are few things that can motivate me to rise before the sun. But on a calm, hazy April morning I arrived at Garbutt Marine’s dock before 6 a.m., as the sun was rising… I was joining a ReefCI day trip to the Sapodilla Cayes, in search of Belize’s most beautiful beach. The other participants had fishing on their minds… Belize boasts over 200 cayes, located mostly within the protection of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. (A caye is an island.) The Sapodilla Cayes lie 40 miles east of Punta Gorda town. They form the southernmost group of islands in Belize’s famous Barrier Reef system. Few tourists to Belize make it this far south—or to Punta Gorda. Fewer yet visit the pristine Sapodillas. A World Heritage Site and protected marine reserve, the Sapodilla Cayes are considered by many to be the most beautiful cayes in Belize. The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve encompasses 14 sand and mangrove cayes. And the snorkeling and fishing in the reserve are some of Belize’s finest. The water in the reserve is often spectacularly clear. It supports a wide variety of marine species and fish. It’s possible to encounter the enormous, awe inspiring Whale Sharks if you come at the right time. Manta rays, dolphins and sea turtles and often seen in these cayes, too.

Uncovering Cahal Pech
Read about the excavations at Cahal Pech, courtesy of Cruz Cambranes at the Cayo Tour Guide Association. "For the past few weeks I have observed that excavations had started at the site of Cahal Pech, so today I had a chance to go and do Some investigations of my own. Cahal Pech has been heavily excavated for the past 60 years or so, but since 2011 excavations have unearthed large portions of the site that were covered with soil and trees, particularly the triadic winged temple located on the eastern side B1, B2 and B3. In 2011, we saw the restoration of B1 temple and it’s north wing, B2. In 2012 we then saw the restorations of B3 and the rear of B1, exposing the rear stairway, which was a surprise. In 2013, there were several investigations on plaza A. This project is being done under the BVAR flag. I marked areas that are currently being investigated click HERE FOR MAP."

The Reporter

Private sector considers EU study on a world without CARICOM
Several private sector stakeholders gave their opinions on the European Unions’ proposed study on the opportunity costs of not having the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). While the study is only a proposal to explore the pro’s and con’s of not having CARICOM, many exporters agree that the community’s existence is vital to the longevity and expansion of Belizean exports. Otto Freezen, chief executive officer of BelCar Export and Import Company Limited, explained that 75 percent of his company’s exports are sent to CARICOM countries. He added that the company name stands for Belize-Caribbean. He also said that his company does serve other markets including the United States, Europe and the Middle East. According to Freezen, CARICOM preferential market system, which penalizes purchases from non-Caribbean countries with large tariffs, allows for his company to provide the Caribbean with red kidney beans at a slightly higher price. He underscored that without CARICOM this would be impossible, and would represent an average loss of US$3.5 million per year.

Patrick JonesPJ

New members appointed to the BAA board
A new board of directors for the Belize Airports Authority has been named. According to media reports late last week, the new chairman is attorney at law Mikjail Arguelles, with San Pedro businessman Severo Guerrero taking up the post of vice chairman. Leila Peyrifitte is the secretary of the board while other members are Elodio Aragon, Junior, Nyani August, Tracy Panton Gary Grief and John Waight. The new BAA board comes six months after the Prime Minister asked the previous board to step down following a scandal involving checks for thousands of dollars issued to junior minister Edmond Castro. Castro was also subsequently stripped of the portfolio responsibility for Civil Aviation. That portfolio was assigned to Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia, Junior. The Prime Minister is on record as saying that what the previous BAA board did was not corrupt, describing their action as “distasteful.”

Teachers loose their jobs in High Schools merger
When the new school year starts in September, twelve high school educators will be jobless. That is because the merger of three Belize City High Schools, namely Maud Williams, Sadie Vernon and Excelsior High Schools has rendered the teachers redundant. The teachers who are being let go, five from the Maud Williams High, six from Sadie Vernon High and one from Excelsior High, were informed of their redundancy via letter last week

Michael Silva to stand trial in the Supreme Court for murder
The Supreme Court trial of San Ignacio resident Michael Silva for the crime of murder is set to start in the September session. Silva is accused of the September 23, 2011 murder of Santa Elena town resident Maritza Santos, 19. The preliminary inquiry was held last week during which full disclosure was presented in the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court by the Director of Public Prosecution Cheryl-Lynn Vidal. The full disclosure included various statements recorded by the police, a piece of wood believed to have been used in the murder and a container of herbicide. Media reports at the time of the murder said that when police visited the house that Silva and Santos shared in the Kontiki area of San Ignacio, they found Santos bleeding from a large cut wound to the right side of her forehead and a pillow was over her head.

The June 22nd, 2014 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

  • Prowler Gets Five Years:
    The ten month burglary case against Michael “Prowler” Harrison, 52, ended today in a guilty verdict and a five year jail sentence. Harrison, usually shirtless, moves around town on horseback, of late however, he has been walking around town and, when recently asked, informed that his horse had been stolen. He is not a known trouble maker but in this instance he was reportedly caught inflagante delecto (in the act of committing the crime) inside the downstairs storeroom of the KO-OX-HAN-NAH restaurant located on Burns Avenue in San Ignacio Town. The restaurant manager reported to the police that at around 12:30 pm on August 12, 2013 as she was about to enter the downstairs storeroom she heard movements therein. At first she thought that a coworker was in the storeroom.
  • Silva’s Murder Trial Set For September:
    Accused murderer Michael Silva, accompanied by defense attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley, appeared today in the San Ignacio Town courtroom of magistrate Narda Morgan for the preliminary inquiry into the September 23, 2011 murder of 19 year old Maritza Santos. On hand in court to marshal the evidence was the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Cheryl-Lynn Vidal who, apart from statements, tendered in evidence a piece of wood and a bottle containing herbicide. At the conclusion of the process today Bradley is reported to have made no submission. The trail was set for hearing in the September 2014 session of the Supreme Court.
  • A New Era Is Blanketing Belize:
    While a very small minority is desperately seeking to convince the majority of Belizeans that not much is happening in terms of development and construction in Belize, the undisputed evidence is proving otherwise. Those involved in the construction industry are reporting the regular scarcity of construction material especially cement and blocks. Business persons engaged in the cement distribution business and the block making operations are reporting robust sales. Government’s street concreting and the accompanying drain construction projects are consuming a large portion of the increasing inventory of these materials posing extreme difficulties for business persons to keep up with the increasing demand. It is anticipated, that as the unprecedented transformation of streets and roads continues countrywide, the demand for these materials will only increase.
  • Weed Linked to Santa Elena Boy:
    Police say that a 16 year old boy, believed to be the courier for a drug dealer, was caught with a sack containing 18 pounds of weed. The report indicates that at around 8:40 am two policemen on motorcycle were on patrol on Bradley Street in Santa Elena town near the football field when their attention was drawn to a suspicious male person of dark complexion standing near a brown sack in the football field. He was wearing a black shirt and a brown ¾ pants. By the time the police circled and entered the enclosed facility, the person had disappeared. The brown sack was left at the very spot where it was originally seen. When inspected, the sack was found to contain suspected marijuana. Police also came upon a pair of black and grey slippers near the sack of weed.
  • Beware Of That Fire Water:
    Those within and outside the police department awaiting the fall, on a domestic violence charge, of a police constable attached to the San Ignacio precinct, might be disappointed to know that a fall there might not be as the complainant has reportedly indicated that she wishes to proceeded no further with the matter against the policeman. It is reported however, that the police will nevertheless proceed with slapping constable #101 Fermin Choco with a common assault charge as soon as he is located which is proving challenging as he is currently on vacation. Police believe that this latest development should prompt PC Choco to pick up the charge from his base station and face the court where the wife will take the witness stand and inform the court that she desires to proceed no further with the matter.
  • Garifuna Communities In Belize Face Major Crisis With Employment, Lots, Housing, Lands and Education:
    When the Garifuna people first arrived in Belize in 1801 and subsequently thereafter, from Rotan and Honduras, they went to Belize City first and then settled in Dangriga Town. From there they scattered to other southern parts of the country of Belize in the Districts of Stann Creek and Toledo to establish villages and towns. Today, the Garifuna communities in Belize are; Dangriga Town the largest, Hopkins, Georgetown, Barranco and Punta Gorda Town the second largest. Another village where Garifuna people lived in the past was Bomba which is located in the Belize District in the area of Maskall Village. Most of these Garifuna people have completely lost their culture and all they have left is some of their names like; Elijio, Parchue, Ramirez and Castro. Some of them accept their Garifuna culture but others prefer to be described as Creoles.
  • Public Participation Committee Must Interact With The Public:
    Last month, Fortis-BECOL (who owns and operates the dams on the Macal River) had an information table at the San Ignacio Visitor’s Center. The stated purpose was to inform people about the Emergency Preparedness Plan and Early Warning System and “interact with the various presenters”. I spoke to representatives of the Department of Environment and NEMO, and was told “yes” when I asked if I could give comments/suggestions. I made suggestions on how to improve people’s awareness of the warning system and a way to test it. But no one wrote anything down. This led to my giving a written statement of my comments and an invitation to present my ideas at the next meeting of the Public Participation Committee (PPC), pending their approval.
  • Lupus:
    Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue - not just antigens - causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage. Several different kinds of lupus have been identified, but the type that we refer to simply as lupus is known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE. Other types include discoid (cutaneous), drug-induced, and neonatal. Patients with discoid lupus have a version of the disease that is limited to the skin. It is characterized by a rash that appears on the face, neck, and scalp, and it does not affect internal organs. Less than 10% of patients with discoid lupus progress into the systemic form of the disease, but there is no way to predict or prevent the path of the disease.
  • New Sport To Offer New Hope For Youth:
    The disconnect between youth and society at large is a real problem throughout Belize, particularly in densely populated areas where there is little opportunity for employment, and community facilities and services are stretched to breaking point. With unused reserves of energy and a need to be doing something, many young people end up taking the wrong path contributing to high rates of street and gang crime. But a new sport project aims to change all that. * The fastest growing sport in the world today is coming to Belize - Rugby Union is making its first appearance with the Hattieville United Youth Sports Club * Belize is the last in the region to join the worldwide rugby family, as plans revealed to launch the sport nationwide under the Belize Rugby Board
  • Luis Suarez Left England On The Brink Of A World Cup Exit As His Double Strike Gave Uruguay Victory In Sao Paulo:
    Liverpool striker Suarez was making his return after a month out following knee surgery - and it proved to be bad timing for England and manager Roy Hodgson as his brilliance was the difference in a fiercelyfought encounter. Suarez put Uruguay ahead with a first-half header then scored a superb winner six minutes from time after Wayne Rooney's first goal at a World Cup gave England hope of avoiding a second successive Group D loss. But defeat means the odds are now stacked against England escaping this tough group. They will be out unless Italy - who overcame England in Manaus - beat Costa Rica on Friday.
  • Mass Grave Found In Eastern Mexico:
    There is no word on the cause of deaths and officials have warned that the number of corpses could rise. The region has seen fierce fighting between rival drug gangs. Thousands of Central American migrants pass through the state each year, heading to the US. Drug related violence in Mexico has left more than 85,000 people dead since 2007. The grave was found after an anonymous call at a farm near the border with Oaxaca state. Marines are guarding the area as investigators try to recover more bodies, and start the process of identifying those already unearthed. In recent years, Mexican authorities have discovered several mass graves with hundreds of corpses of victims of the drug gangs who fight for control of territories useful to their trade.
  • Transforming The Tower Hill Airstrip In Orange Walk:
    As the unprecedented development continues countrywide, ground was broken today in Orange Walk for the rehabilitation of the Tower Hill Airstrip on the outskirts of Chan Pine Ridge Village. The onsite official ceremony began at 10:00 am with Dylon Jones serving as Master of Ceremony. In delivering the welcome address, UDP Standard Bearer for the Orange Walk East constituency and member of the new Board of Directors of the Belize Airports Authority, Elodio Aragon Jr. informed the gathering of invited guests that the rehabilitation project will transform the facility into an all weather airstrip which cannot presently be utilized in raining conditions. Aragon additionally informed that the project, combined with last week’s ground breaking for the asphalting of the 4.5 miles of the Philip Goldson Highway passing through Orange Walk Town, is a clear testimony of a government at work. He promised to pave the 2 miles of road leading into Chan Pine Ridge village.
  • STAR Humor
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  • Public Notices

Blogs

Lobster Prepared Countless Ways Rocks at the 2014 San Pedro Lobsterfest Block Party
Last night was the GRAND finale of the week long San Pedro 2014 Lobsterfest. Everyones’ passports were stamped and entered for a FANTASTIC raffle prize – a trip for 2 back to 2015 Lobsterfest complete with flights, hotels, restaurant visits, tours and TONS more. The amazing Paneriffix Steel Pan Group started out the night doing songs from Bob Marley to Rihanna… Here’s my YouTube video. Comes out grainy….but I couldn’t wait 400 hours for the full thing to upload! A WALL of speakers that turned up properly WOULD make ear drums bleed. I shivered for those staying later to see the fantastic artist, Supa G. Famed for his song “4 Men” – sample lyric: White man gotta pay the bills, Spanish man gotta build da house, China man gotta cook the food and…black man gotta lay the pipe.

Videos

Video: Dolphins Surfing, 1/2min.
Dave filmed this amazing aerial vision with his quadcopter off Esperance, along south Western Australia's beautiful coastline. Huge pods of bottlenose dolphins cruise the shoreline, surfing, playing and teaching their young how to forage amongst the crystal clear turquoise waters. Such intelligent and playful animals - we have a lot to learn from their lifestyle!!

Video: Paneriffix Belize Steel Pan Band Rocks Rihanna, 1/2min.
2014 San Pedro Belize Lobsterfest kicks off with some fab music

Video: Entrepreneurship MOOC Ceremony,
The University of Belize and the U.S. Embassy partnered up to offer a 6 week entrepreneurship class. Congratulations to all the graduates! "As a wrap up to the online course, 'Beyond Silicon Valley: Growing Entrepreneurship in Transitioning Economies' that the U.S. Embassy facilitated through hosting in person review sessions at the University of Belize, The Embassy hosted a course completion ceremony for participants who successfully completed the course and attended the review sessions. After the short ceremony the Embassy provided a 'pizza' party for the participants."

Video: Belize Guatamala 2014 Apr/May, 15min.
Our short trip to Belize and Guatamala, ATM footage from elsewhere as there are no cameras allowed there anymore.

Video: Dive recap at Southern Cayes, Belize, 4min.
Funny video of swimming with sharks.

Video: Belize Day 3, 5min.
Caves Branch tubing

Video: Guatemala-Honduras-Belize - 2013, 6min.

Video: Crooked Tree Trip 2012, 9min.
This a short movie I put together of the Belize Offroad Club behind Crooked Tree village, Belize.

Video: 2014 Belize Snorkeling Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley, 5min.
Filmed on a Go Pro3+. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark-Ray Alley Located in the north of Belize and visible from the southeastern shore of Ambergris, the country's largest caye, Hol Chan and Shark-Ray Alley may be Belize's most popular dive and snorkel spots. Crowds can be problematic, but at a mere 30 meters deep and with Finding Nemo-esque underwater views, the positives outweigh the negatives, especially for diving newbies and snorkelers.

Video: Belize Guatemala 2014, 15min.
Enjoy our adventures! Vid credits for ATM portion belong to google search as no cameras are allowed there anymore!

Video: Belize 2013, 7min.
Sailing Belize 2013 - Humphrey.

Video: Belize movie, 17min.