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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
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 Sources
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 Jones
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 � 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
- Your Weekly Horoscope and Lucky Numbers
- Letters to the Editor
- Public Notices
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.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
