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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5 and CTV 3
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The San Pedro Sun

Police Report: Sudden Death in Caye Caulker Village
On Monday August 11th,2014 at about 2:45PM based upon information received Caye Caulker Police visited one mile West of Caye Caulker Village where the lifeless body of a male person was seen floating on the waters facing downwards. The body was retrieved from the sea and later his name was learnt to be one, Drury John Craig 62 years old D.O.B. July 27th, 1952 American retired of 601 W. Ocean Drive Key Colony Beach Florida 33051. The body was then transported to the Caye Caulker health center where Doctor Alberto Beritan pronounced him dead. Initial investigation revealed that the last time he was seen alive was half an hour prior to the incident and no foul play is suspected. The body was observed to have two abrasions to the left foot. The body was transported to Belize City morgue where the body now awaits a post mortem examination. Drury John Craig was presently staying at Caye Caulker Village and was living inside his Yacht.

San Pedro business community delivers new barracks to Police Department
Also speaking at the event was the Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero. The Mayor took the opportunity to sound the alarm that more is needed for the police to be more effective in dealing with the island. Guerrero emphasized the need for more police transportation; improving other living structures for the officers and the need for a police law enforcement agency on the northern portion of the island. “We need to address these concerns because our tourism industry depends on security. There is potential for the north, but we need to address the security issue on the coast,” said Guerrero. Following the dedication of the building, which was done by Pastor Clive Welsh, the building was inaugurated by GricelGraniel (representing the business community), the Minister of National Security John Saldivar and Area Representative Manuel Heredia Jr. Those in attendance were invited to tour the new building as well as for a short social. The San Pedro Sun would like to join the community in congratulating and thanking those businesses that made the police barracks a reality.

Rugby Belize introduces new sport
The sport of rugby sevens is being introduced to Belizeans with the aim of establishing rugby clubs in the country. Spearheading this initiative is Tony Gillings, who founded Rugby Belize, an organization for promoting and officiating the sport in the country. The popularity of rugby sevens has grown in the past year and will make its international debut at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rugby is a style of football that is primarily played in England. It encompasses scoring goals against the opposing team by either running with the ball in hand or kicking it. Rugby sevens is similar to rugby only that instead of 15 players per team, there are seven and the game time is shorter. “Rugby Belize plans to focus on the development of rugby sevens as a forerunner to growing a full (15-man) team, and prepare to enter Belize into the next Commonwealth and Olympic games,” said Gillings. “Rugby Sevens is very popular throughout Central America and the Caribbean, and I hope Belize will soon be participating in competitions across this region because with its festival atmosphere, nobody could do a rugby sevens event like Belize.”

UDP announces San Pedro municipal slate
The United Democratic Party (UDP) has officially announced the names of the seven candidates that will contest the municipal election on Ambergris Caye scheduled for the first week in March 2015. The names were released on Thursday July 31st during the Mayor’s weekly appearance on a local morning show. The seven contestants include both current councilors and some newcomers in politics. Mayor Daniel Guerrero (realtor) is running for a second term of office as well as councilors Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez (contractor) and Severo “Severito” Guerrero (dentist). Joining the UDP slate are Hector “Tito” Alamilla (Postal Clerk II), Flora Ancona (Office Clerk), Gary Greif (Businessman) and Ruben Gonzalez (Accountant).

Ambergris Today

San Pedro AIDS Commission New Public Awareness Video
The San Pedro AIDS Commission has been doing a great job with their public awareness campaigns for HIV/AIDS in San Pedro. The group is very active and present at most island functions, always distributing information and rendering assistance. Here is the Commission’s most recent public service announcement video entitled “I Care”. The video talks about caring for persons who are infected with HIV/AIDS. They stress on learning about accurate information on HIV and getting tested. The San Pedro AIDS Commission cares about people affected directly or indirectly by HIV/AIDS; if you need help or any information call 663-9922.

Government Commits 24 Hour Emergency Service to San Pedro’s Poly Clinic
It is no news that the number one Island in the World and number one tourist destination in the country of Belize does not have a 24 hour emergency facility. Many have seen family members pass away and others suffering in need of urgent medical attention while the services of 24-hour medical facility is lacking. Belize’s Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, along with key members of the Ministry of Health, met with Mayor Daniel Guerrero on Thursday, August 14, 2014, to discuss 24-hour emergency service to be provided on La Isla Bonita, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. In an interview with Minister Pablo Marin, he shared the good news that the long-awaited 24-hour emergency service will be provided at the Dr. Otto Rodrguez Poly Clinic II in a time frame of approximately two months. “We are very pleased to make this announcement and share this good news with the people of San Pedro,” stated Minister Pablo Marin. “A total of half a million dollars will be invested in the salaries of the employees and two hundred thousand in renovations at the clinic.”

San Pedro Police Inaugurate New Living Headquarters
The San Pedro Police Department held a small yet very significant inauguration ceremony of their new Police Barracks (Living Headquarters) on Wednesday, August 13, 2014. The living headquarters of the San Pedro Police Department was in dire state of decomposition and with the support of the community of La Isla Bonita a new two-storey building had been constructed. Corporal Ryan Timmons was the Master of Ceremonies for the event and during the event, speeches were delivered by Henry Jemmott Deputy of the Belize Police Department Coastal Executive Unit, Coastal Executive Manager - Assistant Superintendent Luis Castellanos and Minister of National Security John Saldivar.

Misc Belizean Sources

Memorial for Jesse Cope
The Memorial for Jesse Cope will take place at Corona Del Mar, or Coconuts bar on Tuesday, August 19th, from 5pm until 7pm. Mike, Jesse's son, has had his hands full, as you can imagine, but now he can breathe a little and concentrate on celebrating his father's life and his friends in a public memorial. Please contact Nancy Scott at 622-4110 or myself at 623-9992 if you have any special requests or can bring a dish for pot luck. Thank you very much.

“CRIME IS CRIME” and “CRIME IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS”
These two captions, could not have been more appropriate as it was resounded by prominent members of our community who attended last night’s Corozal Police Public Meeting. The meeting was well attended by leaders of our community, business people, Citizen’s Coalition for a Better Corozal and a cross section of our Corozal Community, including various heads of our neighbourhood watch groups. The main objective of the meeting was to introduce our new Deputy Commanding Officer of the Corozal Police Formation, Inspector Peter Serano, the Citizen on Patrol (COP) Program in the Corozal District and give an update on crime statistics for Corozal and compare 2013 statistics to our current time period. Chairing the meeting was Assistant Commissioner of Police and Northern Regional Commander - Joseph Myvett, Officer Commanding Corozal Police – Andrew Ramirez and our new Deputy Commanding Officer, Inspector – Peter Serano. Peter Serano replaces Assistant Superintendent of Police Daniel Arzu who was promoted to Officer Commanding Benque Viejo Police Formation. We take this opportunity to congratulate our regional commander Joseph Myvett in his promotion as Assistant Commissioner of Police.

San Joaquin Fiesta
Reminder to all Belizeans and visitors to our beautiful Corozal, the Annual San Joaquin Fiesta starts tonight at 7:30 P.M. in the village of San Joaquin. The event continues throughout the entire weekend. Please enjoy, have fun and be safe.

EXCITING SAILING THIS WEEKEND!!!
15 top sailors from around the country coming to Ambergris Caye to sail, along with the San Pedro Sailing Club against USA, Mexico, Canada and Guatemala for two days of racing. Starting Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 10am -2pm at the Boca Del Rio Park Area. Come support Belize and watch the kids sail!

MUSIC SUMMER CAMP 2014 (43 photos)
Mr. Carlos Perrote and Ms. Elizabeth Hobarth organize its 2nd Annual Music Summer Camp. Many children from all ages participated in this camp...even adults took part in the fun! The students learnt to play the various instruments: from bongos to guitars and even the steel pans. The camp concluded on Friday, August 15, 2014 with its graduationg concert that had all the parents and guests cheering for more! Great Job guys!

Channel 7

Jawmeighan Laid To Rest
6 days ago Ernest Jawmaine Meighan became the first Cross Country champion to be murdered. And today, the 43 year old became one of the very, very few champions to be buried while still a relatively young man - and still a competitive cyclist. Today, family, friends and supporters filled all the seats in the Central Assembly of God Church on Freetown Road. 7News was there when the different speakers reflected on the life and accomplishments of the man called "Jawmeighan". Here's a few snippets of what they had to say: Fitzgerald "Palas" Joseph - Fellow Rider "I want to believe that the cycling races are in heaven now and hope has gone. Elbert Hope has gone, Ellis, Dangalang Thurton - all Santino's riders. Now I believe that the Belizean riders are waiting in heaven by the former riders. And Dangalang who loves and adores Jawmeighan may have spoken to the Lord and ask the Lord to please Jawmeighan to heaven because we cannot breed these guys."

Police: Jawmeighan's Murder Was A Hit
And while the cycling family and the wider community grieves for Jawmaine, the police are trying to find his killer. They have a suspect, but it is not a person well known to police - and reports suggest it could be a minor sent by a gang to kill Meighan, as he left his girlfriend's house in broad daylight on George Street last Saturday. Police today said conclusively that it was a hit set up by the George Street Gang. Here's the lead investigator:.. Sgt. Isaias Sanchez, Precinct 1 - CIB "What we have confirmed so far is that the dead of Mr. Meighan was a motive of gang rivalry. Raheem Crawford who was shot and killed on the same morning on the said date…that could have been one of the motive for the execution of Mr. Meighan. As the police had impounded a vehicle belonging to the Meighan family I guess that had brought an alarm to the friends or associates to the deceased and it could be the main motive of this incident."

Oscar Rubio's Assault Went Initially Unnoticed
Police currently have no suspect in another murder they are looking into - that of 38 year old Oscar Richard Rubio. Police didn't know he had been beaten and struck across the head until he died yesterday morning. But, that's because the officers who picked him up two weeks earlier on July 30th didn't bother to find out what was the matter. At 10:00 in the night, they responded to a call of a disturbance in the Conch Shell Bay area and found Rubio and another man laid out in nearby Constitution Park. The police who picked them up only thought they were drunk:.. Sgt. Isaias Sanchez, Precinct 1 - CIB "Police at the time of assisting both male persons, Mr. Rubio was highly under the influence of alcohol that he could not expressed himself. I understand from the officers in question when they reach at the hospital there was no kind of conversation and actually after he got medical attention he was taken to the ICU where he remained until he succumb to his injury. Police so far have concluded that Oscar Richard Rubio was in the Conch Shell Bay area where he was approached by a male person and was attacked inflicting this head injury on him. So far we have two person in custody pending investigation. We still confirming and analyzing the investigation."

Police Found Cell Phones Inside Prison
Early this morning, a team of police and prison officers conducted a pre-dawn search of the entire Kolbe Foundation Prison facility. They were looking for any illegal items from cell phones to blade instruments. Prison CEO, Earl Jones told us that the prison welcomed the operation, because it allowed for the entire facility to be searched properly. The search was successful because a small quantity of drugs was confiscated along with prison weapons known as shivs or "boras". More importantly, the officers confiscated 6 cellular phones. The phones are considered significant seizures because the officers believe that they have been used to activate crime on the street, because the prisoners are able to send instructions to their gang crews on the outside. The authorities also believe that these phones could have been used to intimidate prosecution witnesses so that different trials would fall apart.

13 Passengers Injured In Bus Accident
He's the second in command for all of Eastern Division - but that didn't insulate Edward Broaster from falling victim to crime. Yesterday afternoon his home was burglarized - but tonight the news is that the suspected perpetrator has already been caught, in less than 24 hours. Now you might say, well, Broaster has the entire police department at his disposal to catch a thief…but he said, he caught this one on his own. He takes the story from the start:.. Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division "Yesterday at 1:45 I got an alarm on my phone that my house was being burglarize. Quickly I respond to my residence and officers were notified. By the time we got there the burglar had already left the residence. We check the camera and we observe the individual who burglarize the home and we launched an investigation and by 11:40 this morning we captured one Richard Codd with the stolen items from my residence and he is now facing charges of burglary." Jules Vasquez "So in under 24 hours you were able to catch the perpetrator?" Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster "Yes."

Sr. Supt. Broaster's Home Was Burglarized
He's the second in command for all of Eastern Division - but that didn't insulate Edward Broaster from falling victim to crime. Yesterday afternoon his home was burglarized - but tonight the news is that the suspected perpetrator has already been caught, in less than 24 hours. Now you might say, well, Broaster has the entire police department at his disposal to catch a thief…but he said, he caught this one on his own. He takes the story from the start:.. Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division "Yesterday at 1:45 I got an alarm on my phone that my house was being burglarize. Quickly I respond to my residence and officers were notified. By the time we got there the burglar had already left the residence. We check the camera and we observe the individual who burglarize the home and we launched an investigation and by 11:40 this morning we captured one Richard Codd with the stolen items from my residence and he is now facing charges of burglary." Jules Vasquez "So in under 24 hours you were able to catch the perpetrator?" Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster "Yes."

Booth Camp Getting Community Support
We also asked Broaster about the programme the police have initiated to engage at risk teenaged males from Belize City who are being recruited by gangs. He says the community has been responding to it:.. Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division "This effort has been taking significant traction Jules. We have mothers calling in every day regarding their children that are 14 - 15 that are uncontrollable and are involved in gang activities and they know this and they want their sons to be put into a discipline facility that will help them to not to recruited by the gangs and it is these days the gangs are using more and more younger persons to do their criminal activity. We want to encourage individuals who know the problem that exist on the street - know that their sons are being targeted by the gangs - know that their sons are involve in the gangs and know that their sons are vulnerable to recruited by the gangs."

Is President Vicente Under Sustained Fire?
Last night, we told you about the internal disputes which have been brewing inside the Football Federation of Belize for several months. They haven't publicized because there is the fear that the local football community will become disheartened by it, since the platform of this new executive was that there would be a change in direction from the Bertie Chimilio regime. As we told you back in September of last year, there was discord within the FFB management, in which 3 of the executives were threatened with suspension by President Vicente. We understand now that this was the result of these members criticizing Vicente's management. They made certain demands of him, that he should make changes to his management. We are told that those demands didn't come across very well to Vicente. Our information says that Vicente then made a move to get those members suspended, but his action wasn't supported by the FFB Congress, which is the highest decision maker in the sport. Caution letters were sent out saying that the members were engaging in "malicious and undermining" activities.

Chukka's Exec Robbed
Yesterday evening, a man was robbed while at the NAPA roundabout. At 5:27 31-year-old Derrick Hemmans, a Location Manager for Chukka Tours, was carrying some supplies in a white Chevy cargo van when a man hijacked the vehicle with a gun. The robber pointed the .38 revolver at him and demanded money, so Hemmans complied, surrendering a black Lenovo brand laptop computer valued at $1,500.00 along with $6,500.00 in cash - which was the property of Chukka Tours. The man also took Hemmans' licensed 9mm pistol and a magazine containing sixteen 9mm live rounds, valued at $3,300.00. Police have made no arrests.

Bze'an Indians Celebrate Independence In The City
Today India celebrates the 68th anniversary of its independence and for the first time the quite large Belize City Indian Community organized with an early morning parade through the city and a traditional Indian breakfast in the Battlefield Park. Courtney Weatherburne joined them this morning. Bhojwani says that they plan to organize an Indian day so Belizeans can experience the totality of Indian culture. There are 350 members in the Belize City Indian Community.

Clark Tried Drug Packages
39 year old Philip Clark of Frederick Street in Belize City escaped drug charges this evening after he appeared before Magistrate Herbert Panton. According to police officer Jamil Scott, at 7:00 last night, he was patrolling Pickstock Street, when Clarke drew his attention. As Scott approached him, Clarke threw two pieces of aluminum foil into his mouth and tried to swallow it. PC Scott ordered Clarke to open his mouth and retrieved the foil with the crack cocaine. Clark would have been charged with possession of a controlled drug and obstruction charge but the amount of crack cocaine was undetermined (and probably undigested) so the charge was dropped. Instead Clarke was fined $250 plus the $5.00 cost for obstruction. Clark has until October 15, 2014 to pay the fine and if he defaults, he will be sentenced to 2 months imprisonment.

US Ambassador's Roundtable Discussion
Last night we told you about the media roundtable with the US Ambassador. It happened at the Embassy in Belmopan, and we weren't allowed to take any cameras or recording instruments into the session. But the embassy taped it - and said they would provide video yesterday - but like an electronic passenger stranded without a broadband visa, it didn't arrive until today. The sessions lasted about an hour and 10 minutes, and one of the most interesting takeaways were his comments on Cayo Northeast Representative Elvin Penner. Here's what we asked and what he said - again, video courtesy the US Embassy. Jules Vasquez "Will Elvin Penner's VISA be revoked?" H.E. Carlos Moreno, US Ambassador to Belize "I can't comment on individual cases. That question is probably be directed to Minister Penner or Mr. Penner himself as to whether his VISA has been revoked. As to any efforts by the US Embassy to revoke his VISA since that's a matter - it really raises questions of privacy and the institution and workings of the counselor section. I should not really comment on that."

A Summer Camp Featuring Drums
There are all kinds of summer workshop for kids. Most of them are centered around developing beneficial physical or educational skills - but one we visited today, offers participants a chance to get to make one of the oldest instruments on earth: the drum. Robin Schaffer visited the Museum of Belize as the five day camp was closing today:..

Michael Gordon's 20-Year Body Of Work
And our next story is about an artist who marches to his own drum…that's Michael Gordon, the Belize City street artist who has received international acclaim for his weird and visually arresting portraits. The Image Factory has been championing him for almost two decades, and now that a major book cataloguing his works is coming out - they're having a Michael Pin Gordon retrospective featuring 200 of his paintings. Courtney Weatherburne stopped in today..

2014 CXC Results Are In
The anxiety that overcomes students when they sit their CXC exams doesn't end when the exams are finished - it continues until the results are in. Well, some of that pressure will ease tonight as the preliminary results for the May to June sitting are in and we can say that, overall, students have performed better compared than last year. This year there was a 1.4% increase of Grades 1 to 3. In the areas of Home Economics and Management and Physical Education the grades have consistently garnered scores between grades 1 to 3 for the past 3 years.

Channel 5

Multiple Injuries as Bus and Pickup Collide
There was a serious accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway this morning. It happened between miles six and seven, where a loaded Ramos Shuttle Bus heading from Lord’s Bank to [...]

One Man Dies in Fatal Road Traffic Accident at Mile Two
The accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway happened at exactly eleven o’clock, and just a half an hour after that there was another accident on the George Price Highway. It [...]

Police Investigate Murder of Oscar Rubio
Police are currently investigating a murder in Belize City – that of thirty-eight-year-old Oscar Richard Rubio. The investigation started on Thursday, when law enforcement officers were informed of a death [...]

US Ambassador Carlos Moreno Defends US Judicial System…
Since absconding to Belize in October 2013, many questions have been raised concerning the fugitive status of Dr. Errol Elrington, sibling of Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington.  In the [...]

Cycling Icon Sent Off In Grand Style
The funeral of Ernest ‘JawMeighan’ Meighan this afternoon at Central Assembly of God drew hundreds of mourners, one of the largest gatherings of funeral-goers in Belize City of late.  The [...]

Police Speak on Motive for JawMeighan’s Murder
Ernest ‘Jawmeighan’ Meighan was killed on August ninth, executed with a single bullet to the back of the head. Police have maintained an intensive investigation into the slaying of the [...]

US Ambassador Speaks About Border Dispute
On Thursday, a group of journalists from across the local media participated in a round-table with U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno at the embassy in Belmopan.  During the forum a range of issues [...]

And Says US Embassy has Supported UNIBAM
While the constitutional challenge to repeal Section Fifty-Three of Belize’s Criminal Code remains before the Supreme Court, a decision is yet to be handed down by Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin [...]

At-Risk Youths from Belize City Rounded Up
The murder statistics are in, and the numbers for this year so far have officially surpassed the figures for the same period in 2013. We probably didn’t need statistics to [...]

BDF Commander Says Reform Camp is a Success
According to Brigadier General David Jones, the change in the youths in just a matter of days has been nothing short of miraculous. It’s a short term solution when one [...]

BDF Summer Camp Ends With A Bang
The Belize Defence Force is tasked with patrolling our borders and defending our sovereignty. Lately, soldiers have also been deployed on Belize City streets to assist Police in dealing with [...]

Check Out a Recap of Summerfest 2014
Summerfest 2014 took off outside of our Coney Drive studio this morning in grand fashion, as young, talented performers in all genres of music rocked the stage before an audience [...]

CTV3

Mayor Bernard To Seek Re-election
With little over 7 months away from the Municipal Elections, the political engines are starting to get revved up in municipalities all across the country. When we sat with Mayor Kevin Bernard yesterday on several subjects, we couldn’t help but ask if he will seek re-election. Here was his reaction… Kevin Bernard – Mayor, OWTC “I have been asked this question by many people and definitely my answer is yes I will be running as the Mayoral candidate for the PUP for the next election.” Maria Novelo – Reporter “And have you guys got your team together?” Kevin Bernard – Mayor, OWTC “Well, the PUP has set out its convention for I think it is the 13th of something of October we will launch our team and I can tell you that there was only one member that decided not to seek re-election and we have already been able to identify a candidate and a committee is dealing with that and so come October we will launch the PUP seven will be running again seeking re-election and definitely I believe that we will be victorious ones more come March the 15th, 2015.”

Caye Caulker Police Investigate Case Of Rape
Police are investigating a case of rape on Caye Caulker. The report was made by a British female national who was staying at the island. The San Pedro Sun reports that the female told police that on Saturday August ninth, shortly after midnight she and six tourist friends left to San Pedro Town in a skiff driven by Jaime Rosado also known as Captain Pops. According to the tourist, Rosado has taken the group on a tour the day before after which they went to a private island where they has a party and consumed alcoholic beverages. When they arrived at San Pedro it was around one in the morning but according to the tourist she remained in the skiff along with another male tourist and Rosado as she was not feeling well, while the others went into San Pedro. She adds that her friend then passed out and it was at this time that Rosado assaulted her. She says she struggled with him but he still managed to have sexual intercourse with her against her will.

Minor Charged For Abetment To Commit Murder in Roy Bayliss' Death
Orange Walk Police have charged a seventeen year old minor for abetment to commit murder following investigations into the murder of eighteen year old Roy Bayliss of the Corozal District. Viewers may recall that Bayliss was fatally shot and wounded to the right side of his face on the morning of August third. Bayliss was reportedly eating tacos at a market stall when he was shot at.

Another Murder In The Old Capital
The murder rate in Belize City is up by one more and Belize City Police have another murder to investigate. Krem News reports that today a man identified as Ricardo Rubio succumbed to injuries received last week Wednesday during an altercation with another man. The incident occurred near Red House on Vernon Street in the Conch Shell Bay area. Reports are that Rubio was lashed with a blunt object and that both Rubio and the aggressor had to be hospitalized. Rubio’s assailant however was treated and released. Rubio on the other hand succumbed from head trauma and has now become Belize's latest murder victim.

Police Look For Two Men For Fire, Ammunition and Drug Charges
Tonight, two men remain on the run and another has been charged for kept prohibited firearm, ammunition and drug trafficking after a patrol yielded successful. According to authorities, a Belizean Special Constable/Forest Ranger reported that while he and other forest officers were on patrol in the Honey Camp National Park around 2:30p.m on yesterday’s date, they searched a tent that was located on Chiwa Camp located about 2miles East of Honey Camp Lagoon. Present during the time of the search were Estevan Chay, Juan Geronimo and Martin Lopez. The search led to the discovery of a .22 homemade rifle with a magazine containing two .22 live rounds, a coffee bottle containing 64.4grams of cannabis seeds and a crocus sack containing 78.5grams of suspected cannabis.

PlusTV

plustv
Police say they have detained two persons and are looking for another, in the continued investigation into a fight two weeks ago which has turned fatal. 38 year old Oscar Richard Rubio of Antelope Street Extension was involved in a fight with another man while with a friend at Constitution Park on Cemetery Road on July 30 around 10:00 p.m. The man hit Oscar Rubio to the back of his head. Mr Rubio was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) and admitted in critical condition, eventually lapsing into a coma, and died at 6:45 p.m. on August 13. A post-mortem examination has certified the cause of death as cerebral edema due to head trauma. We understand that the instigator of the fight is among those persons detained and he will face criminal charges.

Round Table Discussion with the Press, but Media can’t record
On Thursday, the US Embassy  hosted the media  to a round table discussion with the new man on the seat, Ambassador Carlos Moreno, which would have made it his second official encounter with the local press...

US ambassador says he will promote LGBT rights in Belize
Putting that aside, we still will provide you with an overview of some of the topics discussed at the round table discussion this morning. At the forefront of it all is the widely discussed topic of LGBT rights in Belize...

US ambassador says Errol Elrington case will be handled according to law
Switching gears to a more recent topic, we asked Ambassador Moreno to wade in on the matter concerning Dr. Errol Elrington, who is listed by United States Office of Inspector General (OIG) as being among the top ten most wanted Health fugitives...

Will Elvin Penner suffer same fate as Max Samuels over visa scandal?
Another matter that was addressed during the round table discussion is the matter concerning Ex Minister of State Elvin Penner and the infamous Passport Scandal...

Murder count reaches over 70 for 2014
Officially, murders nationwide in Belize have reached 72 for 2014, counting the deaths of Santiago Trapp in San Pedro Town and Juan Manuel Espana in Trio, Toledo District this week. We have obtained, with the assistance of our colleagues from Amandala, the Joint Intelligence Coordinating Center (JI...

Belize may be one of fasting growing economies in the Caribbean.
While Belize grapples with its murder rate, according to an article on Caribbean Journal’s Website, Belize may very well be one of the fastest-growing economies in the Caribbean in 2014...

Nasser family relieved of ammunition charges
It slipped under the radar but on July 24, 2014, the Nasser family of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was found not guilty of possession of ammunition without a gun license due to lack of evidence presented by the prosecution...

Man charged for Public’s robbery and burglary
21 year old unemployed Kenrick Longsworth of Belize City is accused of two separate incidents in the last month...

One arrested, two wanted for firearm and drug offences
A Belizean Special Constable/Forest Ranger reported that while he and other forest officers were on patrol in the Honey Camp National Park at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday August 13, they searched a tent that was located on Chiwa Camp located about 2 miles East of Honey Camp Lagoon...

More News: Scroll up from here

Amandala

Case adjourned for 3 alleged killers of Ramon Cervantes, Sr.
Amidst a small gathering on the streetside, three men who were accused of the sensational kidnapping and murder of prominent Orange Walk businessman and cane farmer, Ramon Cervantes Sr., 71, were escorted back to the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court at around 9:00 this morning, along with 8 other prisoners who were brought for trial. On July 9 of this year, Guatemalan national Noe Daniel Gonzalez, 22; Mateo Pott, Jr., 28, of Trial Farm in the Orange Walk District; and Angel Antonio Cardenas, 19, also of Trial Farm, were formally arraigned for Cervantes’ brutal death after his partially decomposed corpse was located in a shallow grave on a farm off the Honey Camp road on July 5, four days after he was reported missing.

Disgrace!!
Football aficionados and fans are in a state of utter disgust after the revelation that the Belize Premier League’s top football club, the Belmopan Bandits, have been shut out from the 2014-2015 CONCACAF Champions League competition due to what Football Federation of Belize (FFB) president, Ruperto Vicente, described as a lack of “beautification” of the FFB’s football pitch, caused by “procrastination” by the contractor. The unbelievable news came on Tuesday of this week when CONCACAF, the North, Central American and Caribbean football body, wrote to the FFB declaring that the FFB stadium, located near the entrance of Belmopan, had been deemed “unplayable” since the football field failed to meet the standards by not one, but three of the deadlines set by FIFA inspectors. Therefore, Belize has been booted out of the tournament and must endure the humiliation of being substituted by wildcard replacement, Club Sport Herediano of Costa Rica, who will now participate in its fourth consecutive CONCACAF Champions League competition.

Police beat youth who refused to claim weed
A Belize City man who claimed that he was beaten by police was remanded into custody for an indefinite time when he was arraigned on several charges before Magistrate Herbert Panton this morning. Five criminal charges were imposed on Samuel Bernardez, 22, a resident of Antelope Street Extension. These include two counts of wounding for an incident on Monday, August 11, in which, according to police allegations, Bernardez wounded Corporal Vidal Cajun and PC Sheldon Williams on Antelope Street Extension. Corporal Cajun also charged Bernardez with 1 count of resisting arrest and 1 count of assaulting a police officer. Bernardez is also charged with possession of a controlled drug, amounting to 1.4 grams of cannabis.

New US Ambassador meets the press
H.E. Carlos Moreno, the recently installed Ambassador of the US to Belize, hosted a media roundtable at the US Embassy in Belmopan this morning. During that session, Moreno answered questions from the media on a range of topics, including the role of the US in helping Belize protect its territory from illegal incursions by Guatemalans, the threat of an Ebola outbreak in the Americas after the US flew home two patients with the deadly communicable virus for treatment this month, and bilateral efforts to help stave off the wave of violent crimes in Belize. US government gave money to UNIBAM, but Ambassador “could not say how much Ambassador Moreno said that he had just met this week with officials of the Organization of American States (OAS), which has helped to monitor activities on the Belize-Guatemala border, and he said that the information provided to him about the incursions is “very startling.” Moreno said that he had also been encouraged to do a fly-over to see the degree of degradation on “the disputed border.”

Jamie Dawson, 35, sentenced to 17 years for manslaughter
The man who killed Maurice Neal in December 2002, when he issued five shots around a dice game table inside the Bismark Club, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for manslaughter, after Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin heard mitigation pleas from his attorney and one character witness today. Jamie Dawson, after two inconclusive Supreme Court trials, decided to take his attorney, Anthony Sylvestre’s advice when he pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter July 20, 2014, when his third trial came up before the Chief Justice.

Belize earns $1.5 billion in crude oil sales, but production decline
Since Belize Natural Energy began producing commercial crude in 2006, roughly $1.5 billion worth of crude oil has been sold on the local and foreign markets with an estimated volume of 9 million barrels, resulting in the Government of Belize netting $424 million in receipts and landowners netting $5.3 million in royalties. This is according to figures published by the Geology and Petroleum Department. No figures are currently available to indicate the profits earned by Belize Natural Energy, but we were advised that expenditure information, which would allow us to determine the extent of BNE’s cumulative profits, would eventually be available.

British tourist tells police she was raped on boat
CAYE CAULKER—A Caye Caulker boat captain was arrested and charged for allegedly raping a tourist on his boat. Jaime Rosado appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was released on bail of $1,000 [...]

Kenrick Longsworth, 21, remanded on attempted murder charge
BELIZE CITY—Kenrick Longsworth, the son of Lavern “Anti-Christ” Longsworth, who is serving an 8-year sentence for manslaughter, was remanded to prison today on charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, dangerous harm, robbery [...]

Two 15-year-old minors remanded for allegedly raping girl, 13
BELIZE CITY—Two fifteen-year-old minors were remanded to the Wagner’s Youth Facility, located at the Belize Central Prison, after they were arraigned in the Belize Family Court today on a charge for a sexual offence against a [...]

Tyrone Davis nabbed in Roaring Creek
LADYVILLE—A robber who held up a pastor’s wife and her family at knifepoint at their Crooked Tree home two weeks ago was charged for the horrific aggravated burglary today after he was caught by authorities in [...]

Body found in shallow grave in Northern San Pedro
SUEÑO DEL MAR—Police say that Santiago Trapp, 56, of San Pedro, a caretaker of a property in the Sueno Del Mar area of San Pedro who had been reported missing, was found dead at about 1:30 [...]

COLA appeals decision to strike out charges against Elvin Penner
BELIZE CITY—Almost one year since the Elvin Penner passport scandal exploded on the national scene on September 19, 2013, there have been all kinds of public relations tactics on the part of the Dean Barrow administration [...]

Editorial: The real Belizean deal
It is this newspaper’s belief that it is the Belizean Diaspora which will ultimately decide whether Belize becomes a real nation-state or is dismembered by harsh geopolitical realities. In light of this belief, we are impressed with the recent outburst of energized expression from various personalities in the Diaspora, who have been responding to specific criticisms from the very impressive, Belizean-based Major Lloyd Jones (retired). When revolutions explode, seemingly out of nowhere, those who will end up dominating those revolutions are often anonymous, invisible when the first shots, literal or figurative, are being fired. In the beginning of the Haitian Revolution in 1791, the name being heard was that of Dutty Boukman: no one knew anything about Toussaint L’Ouverture. When the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, the name dominating the discourse was that of Francisco I. Madero. Today, it is Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata whom we know as the most famous Mexican heroes of that revolution. But, they emerged years after Madero.

From the Publisher
Faithful readers will note that I missed my last two column commitments, in part, I think, because of the Chrislyn Gladden and Jawmaine murders. Chrislyn was the daughter of one of Raiders’ friendly rivals from semi-pro basketball days, Stadium’s Byron “Scott” Samuels, a really nice brother. And the accused murderer was Jawmaine’s 17-year-old daughter with his common-law wife, Marinette Flowers. I can imagine Byron’s brutal trauma, my maximum sympathies, and then the cruel pain experienced by Jawmaine and Marinette. A week later, Jawmaine himself was shot and killed. These two murders devastated our community. I had a friendly relationship with Jawmaine’s late dad, Ernest “Presley” Meighan, a unique and controversial brother who died in the mid-1990s. When we began UBAD in 1969, Presley was one of C. L. B. Rogers’ “soldiers,” or became one around that time. So, we were serious street opponents.

Tell di Majah: if yuh bawn deh, yuh bawn deh
Please convey the following message to Major Jones. The Major, much like a child trying to manipulate a parent by asking the parent which child they love more, declares that he has a problem because he is not sure whether I (Lara), Ramos and Young love Belize or the mighty USA more. I don’t know if I’m supposed to be reading into this with more than just my eyes; but, there doesn’t seem to be much room for interpretation here. I can’t speak for Ramos and Young. I can only speak for myself. Simply put, whether Belizeans living abroad love Belize or the mighty USA more is irrelevant and a completely nonsensical question to ask. A born Belizean should not lose any miniscule portion of their citizenship status (and certainly not the right to run for elective office) simply because they gained citizenship in another country. I can’t state it any plainer than that. Maybi if ah rite it ina kriol… jus bekaws ah hav wan nada passport nuh mean dat ah dah nuh still wan full blooded Belizean wid all rights as citizen. If yuh bawn deh, yuh bawn deh, period. Becoming an American, for me was a choice that I made for personal reasons.

Media denied use of electronic devices at US Embassy roundtable
BELMOPAN—Last Tuesday, August 5, our newspaper received an invitation from the US Embassy in Belmopan to a media roundtable convened by US Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Carlos Moreno. In that e-mail, we were advised that only [...]

Old Commercial Center will soon be new City Hall
BELIZE CITY—For the past 22 years, the Commercial Center has stood in the heart of Market Square in downtown Belize City, but while the site exists as a landmark which boasts historical significance, natural elements and [...]

Amandala at 45 – the struggle continues
Today, Wednesday, August 13, 2014, Amandala, against all odds, turned 45. We boast of this not for ourselves, but for the Belizean people who began supporting us 45 years ago – a long time in a [...]

HIV testing lags behind target in Belize, where prevalence rate is highest in Central America
BELIZE CITY—Belize remains in the unenviable position of having the highest HIV prevalence rate in Central America. Although UNAIDS quotes Belize’s figure at 1.5% of the adult population age 15 to 49, Belize’s Ministry of Health [...]

British tourist tells police she was raped on boat
CAYE CAULKER—A Caye Caulker boat captain was arrested and charged for allegedly raping a tourist on his boat. Jaime Rosado appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court yesterday where he was released on bail of $1,000 [...]

Kenrick Longsworth, 21, remanded on attempted murder charge
BELIZE CITY—Kenrick Longsworth, the son of Lavern “Anti-Christ” Longsworth, who is serving an 8-year sentence for manslaughter, was remanded to prison today on charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, dangerous harm, robbery [...]

Two 15-year-old minors remanded for allegedly raping girl, 13
BELIZE CITY—Two fifteen-year-old minors were remanded to the Wagner’s Youth Facility, located at the Belize Central Prison, after they were arraigned in the Belize Family Court today on a charge for a sexual offence against a [...]

Tyrone Davis nabbed in Roaring Creek
LADYVILLE—A robber who held up a pastor’s wife and her family at knifepoint at their Crooked Tree home two weeks ago was charged for the horrific aggravated burglary today after he was caught by authorities in [...]

The Diaspora dilemma
I have been following the dialogue and discourse between Major Lloyd Jones and members of the Belizean Diaspora regarding the responsibilities and political aspirations of the latter, not quite certain that I should join in the [...]

Body found in shallow grave in Northern San Pedro
SUEÑO DEL MAR—Police say that Santiago Trapp, 56, of San Pedro, a caretaker of a property in the Sueno Del Mar area of San Pedro who had been reported missing, was found dead at about 1:30 [...]

COLA appeals decision to strike out charges against Elvin Penner
BELIZE CITY—Almost one year since the Elvin Penner passport scandal exploded on the national scene on September 19, 2013, there have been all kinds of public relations tactics on the part of the Dean Barrow administration [...]

Changes in the police top brass
BELIZE CITY—Some changes have been made at the top levels of Belize’s Police Department. It has been announced that Sr. Superintendent David Chi has taken over command of Precinct 1 police and he is replaced as [...]

Belmopan market vendor says they are being forced out of business
BELMOPAN—A retiree who has been working as a herbalist at the Belmopan Market for the past 8 years has major gripes with the Belmopan City Council, which, she says, is fleecing the local market vendors by [...]

Needy heart patient, 41, seeking medical assistance
BELIZE CITY—Congestive heart failure (CHF), which mainly occurs when the heart is unable to maintain sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body, is one of those deadly conditions that can claim a patient’s [...]

The Reporter

Image Factory celebrates artist
The Belize Image Factory launched an exhibit with works from Michael Gordon to celebrate its latest book Binomiun. According to Yasser Musa, Image Factory owner the book is a compilation of works from Belizean artist, Michael Gordon who has been producing art for about the […]

Brazilian presidential candidate killed in plane crash
Eduardo Campos, Brazilian presidential candidate was killed on Wednesday when a small plane carrying him to a campaign stop crashed into a residential neighborhood. All seven people aboard the the Cessna were killed when the aircraft crashed in the city of Santos, Brazil, about 40 […]

Jawmeighan remembered; move afoot to name race after cycling legend
As preparations are being finalised to lay one of Belize’s most accomplished cycling legends, Ernest “Jawmeighan” Meighan, to rest on Friday, plans are also very much in the mind of Minister of State in Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Santiago Castillo, to have […]

BAHA holds food safety workshop
The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) in partnership with the Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) held a week-long workshop to train farmers on good agriculture practices. According to Dr. Miguel Figueroa, BAHA’s food safety director, the training is geared toward […]

MOH explains why no CHIKV in Belize
The Ministry of Health has given an explanation as to why there has been no reported cases of Chikungunya in Belize despite the epidemic reaching over a half million cases within the region. Kim Bautista, chief operator of the Vector Control Unit in the ministry, […]

BML owner says CitCo changed payment plans
Belize Maintenance Limited (BML)’s owner, Lawrence Ellis, said that he was supposed to receive a payment on Wednesday but was told by City Council that he would not receive a payment for the next two weeks. According to Ellis, BML and CitCo had met […]

Man’s family reports him missing, police find him savagely murdered
San Pedro police are following several leads into the death of 57-year-old Santiago Trapp, who was reported missing last week. San Pedro police have confirmed that the Edwards family reported Trapp missing after he failed to show up in town by Saturday. On Sunday, […]

BCCI and Auditor General talk PAC
Auditor General Dorothy Bradley said she is open to dialoguing with civil society on ways to raise awareness and apply pressure on the government for the reform and reconstitution of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). “I have absolutely no problem with that; I am […]

Parliamentarians meet in Belize
Belize hosted a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) workshop for the Caribbean, Atlantic and Americas region to discuss ways to improve the effectiveness of parliament in each respective member country. According to Speaker of the House of Representatives Michael Peyrefitte, the purpose of the week-long […]

CITO working towards E-government
To address rising demands for efficiency in the public sector, the Central Information Technology Office, which is the Government’s technology arm, is taking steps to upgrade current manual government processes to Electronic Government (e-government) processes. E-Government E-Government strategies, as defined by the United Nations Public […]

Get serious about cyber security! Caribbean Cyber center urges
The Caribbean Cyber Security Center is urging governments throughout the region to give cyber security legislation higher priority to safe guard countries from losing millions of dollars to cyber crimes. James Bynoe, Chief Executive Officer of CCSC, explained that in countries throughout the region there […]

Auditor General gives update on Health Audits
Auditor General Bradley said her office recently started auditing the Western Health Region and is currently still auditing the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Bradley also indicated that she still has intentions to audit the Central Health Region again. Currently, Bradley’ has a team auditing […]

Auditor General annual report almost completed
The Auditor General’s annual report for the year 2011-2012 should be prepared, completed and submitted within the next three weeks, Auditor General Dorothy Bradley said Wednesday. According to Bradley her office has almost completed that audit after having received financial statements from the Accountant […]

At-risk boys get new perspective at Halfmoon Caye
A group of fourteen at-risk Belize City youths visited the Blue Hole as part of a collective social program effort between Oceana, the Belize Audubon Society, and Wake Up Belize morning show. The initiative was a two-day trip in which the 14 boys, between […]

NTUCB on the OSH Bill
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) agrees that the proposed Occupational Safety and Health Bill may need amendments before being passed, Dylan Reneau NTUCB president said. The union and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) have both made submissions to […]

Port CEO: Work on Boulevard affecting cargo shipping
The slow paced infrastructural work on the Central American Boulevard is having a negative impact on cargo transportation to and from Port of Belize Limited, the port’s chief executive officer, Arturo Vasquez, said this week. Vasquez told The Reporter that the issue has been […]

The Grass is greener on the other side of the FFB Fence

So Belize must sit out the CONCACAF Champions League again for another year! Why? Because, again, not a single football stadium in the country is up to FIFA standards for an International match. And that is after almost $2 million has been pumped into the FFB Stadium in Belmopan between […]

Editorial

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize this week has replied to a Reporter Editorial last week in an interview with this newspaper. The NTUCB concedes that the Bill now before the House needs to be revised, but insists that having made a commitment to implement ILO Occupational Safety and […]

Bandits robbed of CONCACAF opportunity! FFB blames contractor for not getting field ready in time
The Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) announced this week that the Belmopan Bandits will not play in the 2014-2015 Champions League because of the condition of the Football Federation of Belize field in Belmopan. CONCACAF made the announcement on Sunday […]

Whistleblower legislation gets AG and private sector support
The Auditor General Dorothy Bradley and representatives from the private sector support the Public Service Union’s push for the drafting and implementation of whistleblower legislation. According to Bradley, her office’s website already provides a whistle blowing feature, in which anyone with information can send […]

What’s wrong with this picture?
Once again, an international media outlet has confused Belize’s Blue Hole, with its sister Caribbean world wonder, Dean’s Blue Hole, which is located in Clarence Town on Long Island, Bahamas. This time, the image of Belize’s Blue Hole appeared on msnlatino.telemundo.com, under the headline “Los Lugares Más Extraños Del Mundo”—that is to say, “The Strangest Places in the World”. The issue, however, is that the image of Belize’s “unique” Blue Hole appeared next to a caption that read: “The big blue hole, Bahamas: known as Dean’s Blue Hole, located in the west bay of Clarence, is the deepest hole in the world, about 663 feet.” Those facts clearly don’t correspond with Belize’s Blue Hole—which is little over 400 feet deep, and the gaffe is enough to upset any Belizean. Belize Tourism Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, Alyssa Carnegie told The Reporter Thursday that the BTB, via its legal council, has written the editor of the publication to have him correct the error, which would most likely mean them removing the image of the Blue Hole and replacing it with Dean’s Blue Hole.

Patrick Jones

Michael Gordon exhibit kicks off Image Factory’s 20th year
The Image Factory’s latest art exhibit is a tribute to a hero of the local art community. Self-taught and prolific, Michael Gordon has created more than 2,000 paintings in over 20 years of work, and between 200 to 300 of those are on exhibit for the next two weeks, beginning tonight. It is the start of a media blitz by the Image Factory to mark its 20th year of artistry. Gordon no-showed the pre-launch press conference which has become a Factory tradition, but his colleagues, led by Yasser Musa and Gilvano Swasey, were happy to give respect to their colleague and friend.

New deputy OC for Corozal police
Meet Inspector Peter Serrano. He was introduced to the residents of Corozal town during a public meeting on Thursday night as the new deputy officer commanding Corozal police. Inspector Serrano takes over from Inspector Daniel Arzu who was transferred last month and is now serving as the officer commanding Benque Viejo de Carmen police.

Passenger bus and pickup truck collide on the Phillip Goldson Highway
A passenger bus and a pickup truck crashed this morning on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Initial reports from the area say the crash happened around 11 am between miles 6 and 7, near the Haulover Bridge. Multiple injuries are reported, including passengers in the Ramos Shuttle bus that was heading towards Belize City when the accident happened.

Police utilize checkpoints as part of crime control operations
Persons travelling to the north for the annual San Joaquin Fiesta will encounter heavy police presence. That is because authorities in Corozal and Orange Walk have been conducting joint special operations in an effort to keep crime under control during the weekend event. According to the officer commanding […]

Crime prevention operations in Corozal
Police in Corozal are utilizing a recent donation from the United States embassy in crime control operations. The two Polaris all terrain vehicles are being used in a multi-agency border patrol initiative. Police are also carrying out daily check points among other initiatives designed to fight crime in […]

CitCo plans review of trade licenses in Belize City
Belize City businesses are asking for a change in enforcement of trade licenses by the Belize City Council. Reporting to residents at a public meeting on Tuesday night, Mayor Darrell Bradley indicated that the Council is listening to proposals from the business community to revise charges from the […]

Murder count reaches over 70 for 2014
Officially, murders nationwide in Belize have reached 72 for 2014, counting the deaths of Santiago Trapp in San Pedro Town and Juan Manuel Espana in Trio, Toledo District this week. We have obtained from the Joint Intelligence Coordinating Center (JICC) the record of reported major crimes for 2014. […]

Blogs

South Ambergris Caye, New Digs & A New Neighborhood For A Few Days: A Look Around
Ambergris is a 26 mile long caye lying just along the hemisphere’s largest barrier reef. The largest island in Belize. And this caye is loosely broken up into subdivisions (or neighborhoods) – from the far south’s Boca Ciega and Holiday Lands to the west with Grand Belizean Estates to the north end’s Bacalar Chico and Palmero Point. Here is the best map I’ve found but what I’ve REALLY learned, is that it take years to get these all straight. Sometimes the name is used all the time to refer to the area. Like Tres Cocos or Boca Del Rio and sometimes never. If you asked me an hour ago (after 7 years of living here) where the El Tesoro Area of San Pedro was? I could tell you that I had never heard of it. I’m guessing even YOU need to look at the map. The only real experts on this break down are the real estate people. For the past day or so, I’ve been exploring a new area…one I’ve walked through but where I’ve never overnighted. Until now. The Mosquito Coast. I’ve been staying at a gorgeous home on the beach…

Belize Weather: When Is The Best Time To Visit?
If you are thinking of visiting Belize, you might try to look for the best time to visit this country. However, there is no really fixed answer to this query. This is because it is always a great time to visit Belize, although visitors look for different opportunities when choosing the best vacation time. For instance, there is no exact time of the year for the best scuba diving in Belize, but if you dive with whale sharks, it is ideal to go from March to June. There are some major factors that contribute to having a more enjoyable vacation in Belize. The high season for tourists in Belize is between November and May. This is the period that simultaneously runs with the dry season, which is the best time for Belize weather. Unintentionally, according to the Belize weather bureau, this point in time also matches with North America’s winter season. This means that a lot of Americans and Canadians escape the cold looking for warmer climate. Low season in Belize runs from June to October. Most travelers strategically visit Belize at this time to take advantage of the lower rates. Most tourism businesses drop their tour and room rates from 30% to 50% to accommodate the dip in tourist arrivals.

Get Ready to Party Again! Belize’s September Celebrations Are Bigger Than Ever This Year
Belizeans love a party, it’s part of the national consciousness. But one month a year stands out as the absolute pinnacle of Belizean revelry. Yes folks, the September Celebrations are just around the corner, and this year’s nationwide fiesta is looking to be the biggest and brightest yet. For the uninitiated, Belize comes alive during the month of September as the nation celebrates its relatively recent independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981. Independence Day celebrations on the 21st follow the St George’s Caye Day festivities on September 10th..

“Road to Nowhere” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I’ve always enjoyed my early morning “me” time on the veranda. For those of you who are reading this blog for the first time (where have you been?) this is normally any time between 04.00 to 06.00 hours (the latter being a “lie in” morning) when I head out to the western (lagoon) facing veranda on the first floor of our house with a mug of coffee (instant, black and no sugar) and my iPad. I’m now starting to appreciate this time even more. Why? I hear you thinking (don’t worry I can’t really hear you). Quite simple actually, a house is being built on the lot adjacent to us and the sounds of construction start reverberating around our house between 06.30 to 07.00 hours. And they are working weekends too. I’m guilty of exaggerating the noise actually. It’s not really that bad. There’s been the sound of shovels digging to create the depth for a water tank. The moving, cutting and bending of rebar. The cement mixer at work. Oh, and the sound of some of the guys singing (and one of them is not too bad).

International Sources

Top Belize club expelled from CONCACAF Champions League
Football’s governing body FIFA has launched a probe into the state of the sport in Belize after the country’s leading football team was expelled from the 2014-15 CONCACAF Champions League. The operations of the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) are currently under scrutiny after Belize Premier League champions Belmopan Bandits were removed from the league Friday, reports CMC. The decision to eject Bandits was taken after confederation inspectors ruled that the pitch at the FFB stadium was unplayable. FFB President Ruperto Vicente said FIFA has already contracted a local company to assist the federation to put its finances in order.

Belizean banquet offers biblical implications
It was a simple invitation. "We're having a fish barbecue Saturday night and want you to come." My wife, Joyce, and I were in Belize for a meeting when our friend, Liz, extended the gracious invitation. We asked what we could bring, insisting that we could not show up empty-handed. Liz finally allowed us to pick up some paper plates and cups and some soft drinks. We were looking forward to the evening but didn't really know what to expect. Little did we realize that we were about to experience an unforgettable Belizean banquet with biblical implications. We were told to arrive at 7:30, but in Belize that means anytime between 7:30-9. Being the punctual Americans we are, Joyce and I arrived at 7:30 on the dot — only to find no one else there, except two men working the grills. They had three of these big barrel grills fired up, and it was evident they were doing some serious grilling.

Taipei, Belize sign accord to fight human trafficking
Taiwan signed an agreement Friday with its Central American ally Belize on cross-border cooperation to combat human trafficking. The agreement is the ninth of its kind that Taiwan has inked with a foreign country, the others being Mongolia, Honduras, Indonesia, Vietnam, Paraguay, the Gambia, the United States and the Solomon Islands, according to the Ministry of the Interior. The latest pact was signed in Taipei by Interior Minister Chen Wei-zen and Belizean Minister of Immigration Godwin Hulse on behalf of their respective governments.

You Can Visit A Cave Where the Ancient Maya Sacrificed Humans
In Belize, the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave is an eerie experience for visitors. If you’re looking for a last minute summer vacation, why not take a tropical vacation to Belize to visit a place of ritual human sacrifice? That would be the Actun Tunichil Muknal Natural Monument, where, the Daily Beast writes, archaeologists have uncovered evidence of human use dating from around 250 A.D. to 909 A.D. According to the Belize Audubon Society, the ancient Maya people believed that the cave was home to gods who controlled agriculture and rain. The name Actun Tunichil Muknal means Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre. The cave is in roughly the same condition it was in when it was discovered in 1989. From the Beast: Pottery and sacrificial tools naturally cemented to the ground or hidden around the cave’s stalagmites and layers also offer evidence. The “Stelae Chamber” boasts two stone markers, thought to be where high-level community leaders performed rituals to the gods. Sharp rock blades found nearby indicate they cut themselves to offer their own blood. Ancient bowls feature so-called “kill holes,” possibly to drain blood or allow a spirit to escape. One less sinister piece of pottery, known as the “Monkey Pot” for a primate decoration near the rim, drew attention as one among only four ever discovered in Central America.

Ten Places to Go Before They Disappear
Belize Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. This natural system consists of seven sights, with one of the most diverse eco-systems in the world which is regrettably under threat and vulnerable. Oceanic pollution and increased temperatures are leading to coral bleaching which is why its imperative to see this extraordinary world heritage site sooner rather than later.

Swimming at the top of Maya paradise
My wife and I were staying at a beach-bungalow resort in Hopkins Village, Belize, which is about halfway down the Belizean coast. Our bungalow was a mere 44 paces from the ocean. We spent our first two days reading novels on beach chairs, napping in hammocks and swimming in the ocean. Sometime during the afternoon of our second day, my wife turned to me from her beach chair and said, “You’ll never believe this: but I’m kind of bored.” Now that is a good problem to have. So when we awoke on our third day in Belize we were buzzing with restlessness; with adventure and exploration foremost on our minds. The place where we were staying, Jungle Jeanie’s by the Sea, is a wonderful little collection of raised cabanas spread among the palm trees. It also has a common area which serves as its office and guest dining room. And it has wi-fi. So it’s the place where everyone who’s staying at Jungle Jeanie’s gathers to eat, drink and swap stories about their day’s adventures.

Videos

Video: Belize, 3min.
Agnes Irwin School SSP trip to Belize

Video: The San Pedro AIDS Commission Cares, 1min.
Here is the Commission’s most recent public service announcement video entitled “I Care”. For more information about HIV/AIDS, call us at 663-9922. We're here to help.

Video: Aurelio Martinez @ Irie Sea Breeze 12, 3min.
Aurelio Martinez on stage and performing at Belize's Sea Breeze Festival...

Video: WCU - LA Students Share their Stories, 10min.
Students of West Coast University - Los Angeles joined Hillside Health Care in our global health initiatives in 2013. In this video, the students detail their individual stories in Punta Gorda, Belize. From discovering ethical questions to understanding the necessity of cultural sensitivity and communication, the students learned about themselves and the world. Along the way, the students developed relationships with their patients and with each other. Overall, the trip abroad changed perspectives.

Video: Belize 2014, 10min.
John Knox Youth Mission Trip

Video: Walk lightly on the world.., 5min.
A video of some nice moments in Central America..from Costa Rica up to Belize.. We are one organism, we are all one..We need to be in harmony with it so it stays our home..

Video: Open Your Eyes SummerFest (August 15, 2014), 2hr17min.

Video: Sports Reach Belize Day 1, 10min.

Video: Sports Reach Belize Day 2, 7min.
This is a Sports Reach Mission trip to the Country of Belize. The Group Leaders were Robby Speer and Stan Curry. Coach Was Florida State Assistant Coach Dennis Gates. Players were Troy University Starting Forward Kevin Thomas, Troy University Freshman Aaron Ariri, Western Kentucky University wingman Nigel Snipes, Former Angelo State player Antonio Dye, Incoming freshman at Union College Wilson Smyth, Former Campbellsville University forward Phil Lowery and Last but not least Tedrick Stephens

Video: Belize Trip 2014 2.0, 10min.
This is the recap of the familia Belize Trip 2014 as two separate visits to the country are highlited in the video with still-photos and music. It was a blessed and fun time had by all who participated.

Video: Spotlite Globe: Belize (SPOTLITE - TRANS 7), 7min.
Spotlite Globe Belize

Video: Beverly 'Bunny' Rhamdas: Belizean Softball Legend!, 27min.
The third episode in a video documentary series called Belizean Legends that will profile the legendary Belizean softball player and gold medalist Beverly 'Bunny' Rhamdas who played on the Belize national selection that won the gold medal in the 1974 Central American & Caribbean Games in Santa Domingo. Rhamdas discusses her softball career in Belize with Belizean Legends host Bilal Morris and revisits highlights of the game where Belize won its first gold medal in an international sports competition, and the homecoming reception that the Belize national team received from Belizeans and government alike.

Video: 2014 Carlos Perrotte Concert held in San Pedro, Ambergris CAye, Belize, 3min.

Video: Belize Nurse Shark, 3min.
Friendly nurse shark.

Video: Belize 2014, 3min.
Agnes Irwin School SSP trip to Burrell Boom, Caye Caulker, and Placencia, Belize.