The Guardian
Petro-Caribe Act Amended to Provide for Quarterly Reporting
Prime Minister Barrow will introduce an amendment to the Petro-Caribe Loan Act at the next Sitting of the House of Representatives that will specify the usage of the funds and make requirements for quarterly reports of acquisition and spending of Petro-Caribe funds.
Though the anti-Barrow dooms-day prophets have been making the rounds on national television and radio to tell boogey man tales about the Petro-Caribe Loan Act, the people of Belize have not been swayed. The support for this Government’s use of Petro-Caribe funds is too strong and the evidence of effective spending is too concrete for people to believe any accusation of improper motive against Prime Minister Barrow. The main and obvious reason there has been no traction in the campaign against the Petro-Caribe Loan Act is because the person being accused of having ill-intention, Prime Minister Barrow, has proven time and time again to be a leader of impeccable character and the people doing the accusing have cookie crumbs all over their hands.
Though it is abundantly clear that the majority of Belizean people support the Petro-Caribe Loan Act as it is, Prime Minister Barrow will adjust the language of the law for members of society who have expressed legitimate concern. The changes that will be introduced may seem to be cosmetic but, for institutions like the Churches, certain clarifications and/or specifications are extremely important safeguards. From speaking with one representative of the Council of Churches, the thought process is “nobody is accusing Prime Minister Barrow of ill-intention but what if a future Prime Minister chooses to abuse the provisions of this Act”.
BSI cane fields burnt - PUP operatives charged for arson
Orange Walk Police have charged 2 men for allegedly burning sugar cane fields belonging to the factory owners, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, and their majority shareholder, American Sugar Refining. Town residents Saulito Vasquez, and Efrain Alpuche were both charged with the crime of arson on Wednesday, May 20, 2015.
To understand the context of this alleged arson, one has to look back to Friday, May 15, 2015 when the Sugar Cane Production Committee (SCPC) decided to cut sugar quotas for the different reaping groups in the sugar industry. The SCPC is the body which oversees sugar cane harvesting and delivery, and this body decides which section of the farmers’ associations goes next, making the process as fair as possible.
There is more cane in the fields than the factory can handle, and so the SCPC made the decision to cut down on the quotas of sugar they will allow some farming groups to deliver, while increasing some quotes for other groups. There are only 7 weeks to go, and one of the groups which benefited from this decision to re-apportion sugar cane quotas is BSI/ASR. They got a significant bump in quota of sugar they will be allowed to deliver, and so less of their cane would have ended up wasting if the decision of the SCPC was enforced. This made a large number of cane farmers very angry, and the standard act of retaliation in the north is to burn another person’s cane. This forces the owner to have to deliver at a quicker date than if the cane was in the ground. It causes the cane to spoil faster if it is burnt, and the owner is pressured to get it to the factory for grinding.
Pat Andrews is new Belize’s New Ambassador to the U.S.
Veteran banker Pat Andrews recently retired from the banking industry, and now, he is being chosen to become a diplomat for Belize. H.E. Nestor Mendez served Belize as the Belizean Ambassador to the US, but on March 18, 2015, he became elected as the first Belizean to serve the Organization of American States as the Assistant Secretary General, the second-most senior position in the Hemispheric organization.
So, the post of Belizean Ambassador to the US was left vacant, and the Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, has made the decision that Andrews will become the new ambassador.
Although Andrews has no experience in diplomacy, he has 41 years as a leader for Scotia Bank, serving as country manager for Belize. He has served the bank in positions in the Caribbean, Central America, and Canada. With this appointment he will be one of the most senior diplomats at the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Public Sector Workers’ Trust – Loans at 15% Interest!
In 1995 the Government of Belize was grappling with very difficult financial circumstances and as a result implemented a salary increment freeze thru to the year 1997. In 1996 after much negotiations andre-negotiations certain agreements were arrived at. One of these was the offer of 480,000 “B” Ordinary Shares in the Belize Telecommunications Limited to be held in trust as compensation for the increment freeze. In a Ministry of Finance Circular No. 9 of 1996 which had as its subject “GOB Wage Adjustment Proposal Issued September, 1996” and dated the 21st October, 1996, the Financial Secretary wrote about the wage adjustment and compensation proposal for government workers. The ending portion of the circular reads,“In addition to this wage proposal, the Government of Belize has also made an offer to the Unions of 480,000 “B” Ordinary Shares in the Belize Telecommunications Limited to be held in trust for all government paid workers. It is proposed that the income from these shares be used to fund various projects for the benefit of all government employees. This offer was made in compensation for the suspension of the award of increments to public officers and teachers in April, 1995.
At the estimate current market value of $4.00 per share, the total value of shares to be held in trust would amount to $1,920,000 while the income from the shares based on last year’s earnings of BTL would have been approximately $200,000.
Both Unions have accepted this offer in principle, and the Government is currently awaiting the establishment of the trust and for the project proposals to be funded from the future income of the Trust so that the transfer of shares may be effected.”
The Belize City Senior Female Softball Competition continued on Wednesday 13th May, 2015, with a game played between BTL and the Beacon at Rogers Stadium. The Beacon was looking for its first win of the 2015 senior campaign while BTL was trying to extend its undefeated streak, however, that was not to be as the Beacon rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning to edged BTL by the score of 5-4 to pick up its first win of the year.
BTL batting in the top of the 3rd inning scored its first run of the game when second baseman Kemani Williams opened the inning with a double. She advanced to third base on centre fielder Lydia Cacho’s infield hit and then scored when Barbara Cadle reached on an error committed by Beacon’s second baseman Licia Ferguson.
The Beacon then batting in the bottom of the 5th inning scored its first run of the game when right fielder Tamara Ramsey reached on a hit by pitch. Ramsey was then lifted for pinch runner Clarencia Jones who advance to second base on a fielder choice and then scored on Centre Fielder Astrid Jones run producing single.
National Elite Basketball League regular season ends
The regular season for the National Elite Basketball League came to an end on Tuesday 19th May, 2015, at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan between the Dangriga Warriors and the Belize Yellow Pages Hurricanes. In fact, the game was a continuation of the controversial one that took place in Dangriga on Saturday 16th May.
At the conclusion of this game it was the Dangriga Warriors that defeated the Belize Yellow Pages Hurricanes by the score of 73-68 to advance to the playoffs round. The top scorers for the Dangriga Warriors were Daniel Nolberto with 21 points, 3 assists and 3 steals, Edgar Mitchell with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal and Brandon Flowers with 11 points, 9 rebounds and 1 assist. For the Belize Yellow Pages Hurricanes, the top scorers were Ty Bradley with 27 points, 4 rebounds, and a steal, Winston Pratt with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals.
The Dangriga Warriors will now face the number one seed into the playoffs the Cayo Western Ballaz on Friday 22 May, 2015, at 9:00 pm at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town.
Three students awarded in Belmopan
Three young artists have been recognized by the Anti Trafficking in Persons Council (ATIPS) on Friday of last week, during a brief ceremony at the George Price Center for Peace and Development, where the winning logo was also unveiled.
First place winner was Keron Tzul, from the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College, second place went to Cindy Acevedo from Belmopan Baptist High School and third place winner was Donovan Lisbey from Mopan Technical High School. Judith Alpuche, CEO in the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation handed both Keron Tzul and Cindy Acevedo a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 whilst Donovan Lisbey got a Moto E Global GSM 4G Phone.
The winning logo for ATIPS is a convergence of work done by both Keron Tzul and Cindy Acevedo, showing a figurine stretching a hand, where there exists both a sun and cloud with a Belize map alongside it. In Cindy Acevedo’s interpretation of the logo “…human trafficking has no regards to human life and aims to destroy the precious value of life.”
Woman killed in an ambush near Belmopan
Rosalie Galvez, a 43 year-old resident of Camalote Village, who recently moved from Roaring Creek, was shot and killed by a gunman who has a very precise aim. Galvez is the common-law wife of Russell Hyde, a man who has had a number of run-ins with police.
It happened on Sunday evening, May 17, at around 6 p.m. when Galvez was returning from a trip with her family, which included her husband, Russell Hyde, their 2 children and 2 other people who were all in a Toyota single cab pickup. They were heading in the direction of Roaring Creek, and as soon as the vehicle arrived in front of Guanacaste Park, a gunman fired 2 shots at the vehicle, as soon as it slowed down. The weapon used appeared to be a rifle. Of all 6 person in the vehicle, Galvez was the only one who was injured, and one of the bullets hit her in the right side of the head.
Americans killed in Teakettle
Two Americans, Julian Jones and Paul Signorino, both of whom were living in Belize were found dead in Teakettle Village, Cayo. Their bodies were found on Jones’ estate in the Pineapple Hill area of the village on Friday, May 15, sometime after 5 p.m. It appears that criminals robbed the property, chopped Jones to death, and shot Signorino twice in the head.
They were found by Jones’ ex-wife, 59 year-old Laura Jo Lambert who returned to the house and shouted for him. When no one answered, she became concerned, and that’s when she went around and found the lifeless body of her 46 year old former spouse first. He had suffered chop wounds to the head. She then checked other rooms in the house and found 61 year-old Signorino, who is a resident of Valley of Peace Road, with 2 bullets to the head.
The place was ransacked and the two vehicles belonging to the Americans were also searched. After doing an inventory of any possible missing items, police discovered that two licensed weapons which belonged to Jones, namely, a 9mm Beretta pistol, and a .22 rifle are missing.
Alfredo Trapp remanded for San Pedro taxi driver’s murder
The body of 42-year-old taxi driver Jose Rigoberto Beltran was found inside his van off a dirt road on the island of San Pedro on April 28, 2015. Beltran was shot once to the back of the head. Police believe he was likely killed because they wanted to use his van to perpetrate another crime. Three persons were initially charged for the murder and police have now arrested and arraigned a fourth. On Thursday, May 14, San Pedro police charged 18-year-old Alfredo Trapp with murder.
Trapp will now answer for the murder along with fisherman Luis Campos, 23, laborer Mark Arzu, 20, and Santos Garcia, 18. On Thursday Trapp was represented by Simeon Sampson when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Due to the nature of the offense, no plea was taken and bail could not be granted. He will be remanded at the Belize Central Prison until his next court appearance on June 30. At that time he will appear with the others charged for Beltran’s murder.
Watchman killed at his worksite
Watchman, 68 year-old, Sylvin “Cruz” Encalada reported to work at the Cemento Maya compound on Thursday, May 14, as per normal. A few hours later, at around 6 a.m. the following morning, he was found dead, with evidence posed to try to mislead observers into thinking that he killed himself. The medical examiner has ruled his death a homicide.
Cruz has been working at the compound, located on Perez Road, for almost 20 years, and on Friday, May 15, when he was found, a string was tied around his neck. It is believed that he was killed in the late night hours, when there were no witnesses.
Benque Viejo Police Formation working to establish new partnerships
Benque Viejo Police continues to undertake various initiatives in order to operate more effectively. Some $24,000.00 of Government of Belize funds has just been spent on tiling the floors at the Benque Viejo Police Station and comfortable chairs added to its main room thanks to the Central American Regional Security Initiative CARSI. While this takes place, Benque Viejo Police also continues to forge new alliances with the community as well as across the border line.
Police in Benque recognize that working closely with the community will help in the crime fighting efforts.
“We try our best to form neighborhood watches,” says Stanley Bowden, Inspector of Police and Deputy Officer Commanding the Benque Viejo del Carmen Police Formation.
Benque Viejo Police also maintains an active program for cadets, to keep the young usefully occupied. Several members of the community have also volunteered to serve as special constables under the Citizens on Patrol Program COPS.
Matura and Mose trying to confuse teachers
Love news announced that the Dangriga Branch of the BNTU was having a membership meeting to educate its membership on the Petrocaribe ACT. Presenters were announced as Matura, Senator Lizarraga and Mose Hyde who would be speaking on the social effect of the ACT.
Obviously the Dangriga branch will not leave that meeting with any objective input. But this also explains why Matura was able to pass off a bogus income statement on the CWU members at that February AGM. The guest speaker there was the very same Hyde who seems to be in cahoots with Matura. Hyde seems to be the newest PUP. Like a suckling pup he seems to be following Matura all over the place hungry for milk.
Monchie’s Twilight Zone episode
Monchie seems to have a very creative mind. Or he has entered into some kind of Twilight Zone. Some time ago he miraculously produced a recording of the alleged murderer of his father one Castillo. On that recording Castillo was heard to be saying that he was shot and then he fell in a river. When he woke up, he was in Mexico. Imagine the possibility of an unconscious body floating from Orange Walk to Mexico against the current. Only in the Mind of Monchie.
Now his body guard was intercepted in a vehicle belonging to Monchie in which a crime was allegedly committed. Monchie was not there, but he produced an outlandish alibi for his driver. During an interview carried on almost all local news channels he came up with an outlandish story of the pickup, a mennonite and a water pump. The story was so twisted that it is impossible to make heads or tails out of it. It really is a Twilight Zone-like creation.
Tilapia Hatchery Center officially opened in Central Farm
A Tilapia Hatchery Center THC, which is to benefit small and medium sized farmers across Belize, was officially opened this evening in the Baking Pot Area of Central Farm. The THC is a tilapia farm, which has been built by the GOB-ROC Aquaculture Project. The project is a joint collaboration between the Government of Taiwan through its Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan ICDF) and the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture.
In his welcome address, H.E Benjamin Ho said that the Tilapia Hatchery Project was another striking manifestation of the cooperation between Belize and Taiwan for sustainable development.
Also joining in was the Hon. Gaspar Vega, the Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Natural Resources & Agriculture, who applauded his colleague the Hon. Rene Montero for having previously signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiwan that had brought the THC to reality. Hon. Vega also recognized Taiwan for providing expert advice and funding to improve the socio economic environment of Belize. He added that the Government of Belize was committed to the continuation of the Tilapia Hatchery Project.
“We have the natural resources, the ingredients to develop [it],” he said.
The Embassy of Mexico and the Youth Apprenticeship Program working together for the benefit of Belizean young people
As part of the cultural activities organized by the Embassy of Mexico, a group of 35 Belizean members of the Youth Apprenticeship Program -initiative of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Belize- traveled to Chetumal to enjoy the city and to become acquainted with Mexican culture and way of life.
This initiative was intended to benefit one of the most important sectors of Belize, its young people, mindful of the importance of providing youngsters with the tools to turn into future leaders. The idea is to offer them wider cultural and educational perspectives to become better citizens, and Ambassador Carlos Quesnel-Melendez appreciates the leadership and enthusiastic support of Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow and Minister of Education Patrick Faber to the Embassy’s project, which was made possible thanks to the assistance of the Mexican Navy, in particular the Commandant of the 11th Naval Zone, Vice Admiral Romel Eduardo Ledezma Abaroa, and Mexico’s Naval Attaché to Belize.
Verdes FC National Football Champions
The Premier League of Belize Closing Season Tournament came to an end on Sunday 17th May, 2015, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town.
In the second and final game of the championship series, the home team Verdes FC blanked the defending champions and the competition’s favourite the Belmopan Bandits by the score of 2-0 to capture the National Football Title and the right to represent Belize in the CONCACAF Champion’s League to be played later this year.
The Verdes FC got on the scoreboard when Alcides Thomas scored the 1st goal of the game in the 31st minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The budding champions took that lead into the half time of the game.
In the second half of the game, Verdes’ defence maintained its composure and defended its lead well into the second half of the game when it was assured the victory when Jarret Davis scored his team winning goal in the 90? minute of the game for the 2-0 win.
Lets Talk Water Belize!
Abolish Village Water Boards and Establish Regional Water Utilities
Recently and once again there is an increase in the reports on the operations of the Village Water Boards (VWBs). Annually these concerns are the result of naturally reduced water availability associated with the onset of the dry season. Village Water Boards are peculiar creatures and there are many across Belize.
The main operators within Belize’s Water Industry are the Water Utilities, the Village Water Boards or Rural Water Systems, and the Bottled Water or “Purified Water” Operations. Belize Water Services Limited, (BWS) is licenced by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to provide adequate water supply and sewage collection, treatments and disposal services within its thirteen Authorized Service Areas in Belize.
The rural water supply is provided by the one hundred and one (101) Village Water Boards (VWBs) or Rural Water Systems that are operated as community owned water operations with the villagers as the main shareholders. Privately operated and unregulated water operations supply other rural areas that are not served by the rural water systems. The VWB is not required to repay the initial water infrastructure costs, but are simply required to operate and maintain the water operations. Economic regulation of these VWBs is by the Ministry of Rural Development under authority of the Village Councils Act, and its associated regulations for the establishment and operation of VWBs.
Youth Talks
Healthy Relationships tend to help in supporting or motivating life. Healthy love relationships are meant to improve your life in many aspects. However, if the relationship isn’t working, it can also bring complications to your daily life. Teenagers have the wrong concept that being with someone is what happiness is all about. when in reality it’s not. It’s like a business you invest in. The more you put in, the more you can get back. Healthy love relationships require a lot of investment but it’s all possible to achieve once you know what to do. So what makes a healthy relationship?
Communication is one of the most essential things when it comes to relationships. If you can’t communicate with your partner then the relationship is already not healthy. Communication is not about “talking” every day. You could be talking to your partner everyday but that does not mean you are actually communicating or interacting.
Belize flag flies at Duke University School of Law
A beautiful red, white and blue flag was flying high above the prestigious Duke University School of Law during the institution’s latest graduation exercise but this flag was not the “Stars and Stripes”. This was the “Sub Umbra Floreo” inscripted Belizean flag flying in recognition of St. Joseph Primary’s very own, Kara Nisbet, who graduated from Duke University and now holds a Master of Laws degree (LL.M.), specializing in banking and finance.
Nisbet will now be recruited by the top international law firms. Her goal is to perform impressively enough to make partner so that she can be in a position that will enable her to create opportunities abroad for Belizeans in the legal field. However, dearer to her heart is a plan to start a scholarship program for Belizeans who may not have the financial resources but have the talent to better the country. Nisbet says, “I believe that an education is the most valuable asset that a person can have because it can never be taken away.”
Three students awarded in Belmopan
Three young artists have been recognized by the Anti Trafficking in Persons Council (ATIPS) on Friday of last week, during a brief ceremony at the George Price Center for Peace and Development, where the winning logo was also unveiled.
First place winner was Keron Tzul, from the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College, second place went to Cindy Acevedo from Belmopan Baptist High School and third place winner was Donovan Lisbey from Mopan Technical High School. Judith Alpuche, CEO in the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation handed both Keron Tzul and Cindy Acevedo a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 whilst Donovan Lisbey got a Moto E Global GSM 4G Phone.
The winning logo for ATIPS is a convergence of work done by both Keron Tzul and Cindy Acevedo, showing a figurine stretching a hand, where there exists both a sun and cloud with a Belize map alongside it. In Cindy Acevedo’s interpretation of the logo “…human trafficking has no regards to human life and aims to destroy the precious value of life.”
Making Education Relevant to Belize’s Economy
Numerous consultations are taking place simultaneously in Belize as the Ministry of Education is drafting its Education Sector Strategy with a goal to make education in Belize relevant to the economic development needs of the country.
“One investor could not come to Belize to open a call center service because we could not produce 100 computer programmers,” says Derrick Satchwell, Deputy Director of Tertiary and Post Secondary Education Services. Satchwell used this example to make the point that there is a bounty of opportunities available for Belize if the human resource is focused on areas of need.
Satchwell appeared on Wave Radio’s “Fus Ting Da Mawnin” with Dr. Margarita Gomez, Director of Employment Training and Educational Services, on Tuesday, May 19, to brief the public on the Ministry of Education’s goal of developing a dynamic system. Dr. Gomez says, “For the first time there is a structured approach being taken in Belize in order to bridge the gap between education and employment.”
Mothers in the Cayo North Division treated to a Mother’s Day event
About one thousand mothers from the Cayo North Division came out to continue the celebration of their mother’s day event on Sunday of this past weekend at the Octavia Waight Convention Hall in San Ignacio Town. Music was provided by the Jade Band and numerous gifts, including stoves, washing machines and refrigerators were given out to mothers.
In his brief address to mothers, the Representative for the Cayo North Division, the Hon. Omar Figueroa, recognized Joe Moreno from the Jade Band, for his outstanding contribution to music.
“His contribution to music is unmatched,” said the Hon. Omar Figueroa.
Mothers enjoyed the games of chance, music as well as food at the Octavia Waight Convention Hall in clear appreciation for their lifelong contributions in the upbringing of their families. According to Deputy Mayor Bernadette Fernandez, this is the first time that the Conventional Hall had been packed to capacity for any single event.
Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young Concludes an Official Visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan)
At the invitation of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. Sir Colville Young, Governor General of Belize and Mr. Alan Slusher, President of the University of Belize, concluded a productive five-day visit to Taiwan.
H.E. Sir Colville Young and Mr. Alan Slusher called on His Excellency Ma Ying-jeou, President of the Republic of China, His Excellency David Lin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as His Excellency Timothy Yang, Vice President of the National Policy Foundation where both parties discussed areas of continued cooperation.
The Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young and Mr. Alan Slusher also visited the Kaohsiung Public Library and the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) where the delegation was briefed on the ongoing projects between the Republic of China (Taiwan), and Belize. H.E. Sir Colville Young and Mr. Alan Slusher also took the opportunity to meet and engage with some Belizean students studying in Taiwan.
Hot mix reaches Ladyville
Perhaps the first road in the country to have been paved with hotmix was the stretch of road that takes drivers to the Philip Goldson international airport- it is in Ladyville. That must have been at least 15 years or more ago. Since then, the residents of Ladyville had only that road to boast about. That of course is until Wednesday of this week, when the paving of Scissors tail street started in Ladyville.
Through constant lobbying by UDP standard Bearer for Belize Rural Central, Beverly Castillo, 8 streets including Scissors Tail will be hotmixed. According to Castillo, Woodpecker, Ocean Jack Avenue, Mantaray Boulevard , Perez Road Poinsettia Street and Pigeon Street will be similarly paved using hotmix. The project is being carried out by Rodla construction and Belize Roadway company.
Castillo explained to the Guardian that the streets were selected in consultation with residents of Ladyville based on various criteria. Among these was the need for the streets to be upgraded and the overall social benefit which it will bring to residents on these streets. Consideration was also taken on trying to decongest the stretch of the Philip Goldson Highway in front of the Guadalupe R.C. school with the paving of Mantaray Boulevard.
Matura and Mose trying to confuse teachers
Love news announced that the Dangriga Branch of the BNTU was having a membership meeting to educate its membership on the Petrocaribe ACT. Presenters were announced as Matura, Senator Lizarraga and Mose Hyde who would be speaking on the social effect of the ACT.
Obviously the Dangriga branch will not leave that meeting with any objective input. But this also explains why Matura was able to pass off a bogus income statement on the CWU members at that February AGM. The guest speaker there was the very same Hyde who seems to be in cahoots with Matura. Hyde seems to be the newest PUP. Like a suckling pup he seems to be following Matura all over the place hungry for milk.
Second attempt on Kenroy ‘Bouncer’ Arnold claimed his life
After almost 2 months after someone attempted to kill him, 29 year-old Kenroy Arnold, “Bouncer”, was murdered early on Sunday morning, May 17. Whoever killed him snuck up on him at a wake being held for another very recent murder victim.
Information to the press is that Arnold was at a residence at #20 Perez Road in Ladyville village, and he was having a drink with a few associates at an informal gathering in memory of 68 year-old Slyvin “Cruz” Encalada. A few of Encalada’s relatives left for a few minutes to take home one of their friends. He was alone. There is a faulty light on the lamp post in front of the yard. The suspicion is that as soon as the light malfunctioned, 3 men who were hiding in the bushes behind the house emerged and started shooting at Arnold. He tried to run, and that’s when he met up with another gunman who reportedly cut him off. 3 shots were fired at him at that time, but he managed to take cover in one of the rooms.
CEO of the Benque Viejo Free Zone escapes injury
Alfred Sattler, Chief Executive Officer of the Benque Viejo Free Zone escaped unhurt on Thursday of last week after a single slug ended beside him, inside a white Ford Escape L/P BVO that he was driving. However; for Henrri Quiroa, an 18 years old salesperson at the Benque Viejo Free Zone, who was a passenger, was not as lucky as the same bullet entered his upper right shoulder and exited behind his neck. Henrii Quiroa, was immediately taken to the Mopan Clinic and then transported to the Western Regional Hospital in a stable condition.
At the time when the shot was fired, Guatemalan National Henrri Quiroa was a passenger sitting on the front passenger seat, travelling in the white Escape on the George Price Highway towards the Belize Western Border. Alfred Sattler was driving the vehicle about a quarter mile away from the Western Border, between mile 75 and 76 and in an area known as Pugas Gate, when both men heard a single gun shot.
Family fined for undersized conchs
Four members of the Rangel family of fishermen from Chunox Village, Corozal were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, May 14, for separate fisheries offenses connected to undersized conch.
Brothers Jaime Rangel, 38, Mike Lin Rangel, 39, and Leandro Rangel, 53, were charged along with their brother-in-law Isidro Patt, 43, for being in possession of undersized conch. On May 7, 2015 the men were making a delivery at the Northern Fishermen Cooperative when Fisheries Officer Rodney Castillo inspected their catch. Jaime was found in possession of 146 fully processed undersized conch. Leandro was found in possession of 195 undersized conchs. Mike was found in possession of 98 undersized conch. Isidro Patt was found in possession of 265 undersized conch.
Zaccheus Martinez busted with neighbour’s missing property
Delivery Supervisor of Bowen and Bowen, Zaccheus Augustus Martinez, 32, is out on bail after he pleaded not guilty to burglarizing his neighbours’ house. Sometime between February 12 and May 18, 2015 the home of Lesvia Betancourt at #35 Fabers Road was burglarized and stolen were a number of household items; including, a brown sofa set valued at $750, three light fixtures valued at $12 each, an Acros refrigerator valued at $250, a black double board deck and mattress valued at $1,200 and other items totalling $4,716. Police investigations resulted in the recovery of two items. The Acros refrigerator and one of the light fixtures were found inside the home of Betancourt’s neighbour, Zaccheus Martinez. Police arrested and charged Martinez with burglary and handling stolen goods.
Patrick Swasey on bail for kissing a boy
Patrick Swasey, 23, is out on bail after he was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 18, and charged with one count of aggravated assault of an indecent nature upon a male minor whom he allegedly kissed on the lips in December of 2014.
In a report to police on Saturday, May 16, the child’s mother says that on Friday, May 15, she checked her son’s Facebook chat history with Swasey and saw that he had sent her son nude pictures of himself and other females. She then went next door to where Swasey was and confronted him about the Facebook conversation he had with her son. She said Swasey tried to explain but she asked her son if he had ever molested him. That was when her son told her that Swasey had kissed him on the lips back in December of 2014.
Beacon clips the high talking BTL
The Belize City Senior Female Softball Competition continued on Wednesday 13th May, 2015, with a game played between BTL and the Beacon at Rogers Stadium. The Beacon was looking for its first win of the 2015 senior campaign while BTL was trying to extend its undefeated streak, however, that was not to be as the Beacon rallied in the bottom of the 7th inning to edged BTL by the score of 5-4 to pick up its first win of the year.
BTL batting in the top of the 3rd inning scored its first run of the game when second baseman Kemani Williams opened the inning with a double. She advanced to third base on centre fielder Lydia Cacho’s infield hit and then scored when Barbara Cadle reached on an error committed by Beacon’s second baseman Licia Ferguson.
The Beacon then batting in the bottom of the 5th inning scored its first run of the game when right fielder Tamara Ramsey reached on a hit by pitch. Ramsey was then lifted for pinch runner Clarencia Jones who advance to second base on a fielder choice and then scored on Centre Fielder Astrid Jones run producing single.
Alicia Thompson is the Female Cross Country Champion
The Cycling Federation of Belize sponsored its 26th Annual Female Cross Country Cycling Classic on Sunday 17th May, 2015.
This year’s event attracted some 8 female cyclists that started from in front of Columbus Park in San Ignacio and concluded in front of Leslie’s Imports at Mile 2 on the George Price Highway.
There was a break -away of some 4 riders that included the new champions Alicia Thompson and former champions Fiona Humes-Castillo, Gabrielle Lovell and Estefany Cruz. At Mile 52 or just outside Camalote Village, Alicia Thompson rode away from her competitors and she never looked back.
At the end of 4:10:56 seconds, Alicia Thompson crossed the finish line to lay claims to her first ever Cross Country Title. She completed the 68 miles event some seven minutes before her main competitors.
St. John Vianney School wins again in primary schools football competition
The Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association is pleased to announce that the 2015 Edition of its Annual Olympic Day Run is set for Sunday 31st May, commencing at 6:30 am from in front of James Brodie on Regent Street in Belize City.
The run is being held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and the Belize Olympic Committee, and also under the management of the Belize Athletic Association.
The first 100 participants registered on the morning of the run will receive a Commemorative T-shirt and also a certificate in recognition of their performances will be given out to all. Medals and ribbons will be distributed to the winners at the end of the race.
St. John Vianney School wins again in primary schools football competition
The Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition continues at the MCC Grounds with a number of games being played.
On Tuesday 19th May, 2015, in the first of three games played in the boys’ competition, Holy Redeemer School edged out St. Joseph School by the score of 3-2. The goals for Holy Redeemer School were scored by Anthony Usher, Dani Fabro and Claishan Lewis. Meanwhile, the goals for St. Joseph School were scored by Sergio Andrada (2).
In game two, Belize Elementary School continued on its winning path when it blanked James Garbutt Seventh Day Adventist School by the score of 1-0. The goal for Belize Elementary School was scored by Ajani Vaughn.
And in the final game of the day, Queen Street Baptist School blasted Hummingbird Elementary School by the score of 6-0. The goals for Queen Street Baptist were scored by Keenan Rowley (3), Shaquan Gabourel (2) and Eshack King.
Belize Bank Bulldogs to defend Charles Solis Memorial Title
The Belize Softball Federation will be hosting the VII Annual Charles Solis Memorial Softball Tourney on Sunday 24th May, 2015, at Rogers Stadium.
The Charles Solis Memorial Tourney utilises the Double Elimination Format and the games are played in its abbreviated format.
The teams that will participate in this year’s tourney are the Belize Bank Bulldogs, BTL, Orchid Girls from Burrell Boom, Camalote Spokane and Unitedville Rebels United.
The games will begin at 9:00 am and the Tournament Director is Mr. Edison Parks, 2nd Vice President of the Belize Softball Federation.
The Belize Bank Bulldogs is the defending champions.
Breaking Belize News
The Big Game
By G Michael Reid: A while ago, journalist extraordinaire Glenn Tillett told me a story that has resonated over time. According to Glenn, there was a farmer who lived out in the country on a farm with lots of animals. Eventually, the farmer met a girl and they got married. Unfortunately, the house in […]
Bringing CSME alive in the classroom
as practiced by the Caribbean Community and particularly the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). For the last few weeks, consultants have been accompanying the local Ministries of Trade and Education and CARICOM/CSME personnel in promoting CSME among the secondary school teachers’ corps to teach it to Belizean […]
Cancer Care Symposium addresses long term care
Today’s annual Cancer Care Symposium at the Radisson Fort George Hotel was held under the theme, “Caring, Coping, and Surviving: Cancer Control – Not Beyond Us!” Presenters from Belize and other countries discussed global strategies for health and survivorship of all cancers, early detection and control, and put […]
Public servants host fair
To pay tribute to the yeoman’s work done by public servants in Belize a fair took place at the BTL Park with booths from every department imaginable – Education, Health, meteorology, police, income tax, and many others. Customs Clerk I in the Customs and Excise Department, Geovany Tzib, […]
Women politicians recommend changes to Representation of the People Act
Change is coming and soon to one of Belize’s oldest and most important laws. The Representation of the People Act, Chapter 9 of the Laws of Belize, is being vetted for changes to help women gain greater access to politics. The report on strengthening women’s representation in national […]
Belizean Kara Nisbet graduates from Duke Law School
For many years the most famous Belizean at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, United States of America, was professor of physics and mathematics Dr. Arlie Petters. A 27 year old working in a different field now hopes to emulate his achievements and blaze her own trail. Kara […]
PUP pulls out of Special Agreement signing
Today the People’s United Party (PUP) sent out a press release announcing that it, quote, “will not participate nor be a party to any amendment of the Special Agreement made between Belize and Guatemala.” End quote. This follows the PUP’s understanding that Belizeans would be consulted before any […]
Body of Denfield Bowen Discovered
Information reaching our news desk is indicating that the body of 27 year old Denfield Bowen was discovered this afternoon in the neighborhood of 8 miles on the George Price Highway. Bowen was last seen on Thursday, April 30th around 5:20pm and both police and members of his family believed […]
PUP announces its non-participation in Special Agreement Meeting
Honorable Francis Fonseca and the People’s United Party has decided that they will not be attending the meeting between Guatemala and Belize’s Foreign Ministers to amend the Special Agreement, which is scheduled to be held on May 25th in Guatemala City. Fonseca, the PUP’s leader, has decided that the party will […]
Dangriga Police investigates shooting incident in that municipality
Dangriga Police are seeking for one person for questioning into an incident that occurred in the Backatown area in that municipality. According to authorities, whilst they were on patrol in the “Back town” area they observed two men acting suspiciously and upon approaching the two individuals they ran away. Police […]
Alicia Thompson is Belize’s 2015 Female Cross Country Cycling Champion
n Sunday, Belize Bank’s Alicia Thomspon captured the garland at the 26th running of the Annual Female Cross Country Cycling Classic. Hundreds of Belizeans rejoiced when Thompson crossed the finish line from a competition of 8 female riders. At 8am on Sunday, the cyclists kicked off the 68 mile journey from San Ignacio Town to Leslie’s Imports on the George Price Highway in Belize City.
Alicia started off the race strong and relentlessly held up the pace, separating from the crowd just before Mile 53, where she ran solo from thereon taking all the remaining station prizes as she made her way to the City.
Belizean Artists Lighting Up the Bliss
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) is hosting hundreds of Belizean Young Artists at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts. The official ceremonies began at 10 a.m with Ms. Diane Haylock, President of NICH addressing the congregate along with other speakers like Mr. Joseph Stamp. Some outstanding students were awarded certificate of achievement for work in Art. The Jamboree has the students making some joyful noise to the performances from students at Gulisi Community, Gwen Lizarraga High School Marching Band, Lirahuñu Satuye Dance Company, San Jose Nuevo Palmar Dance Group, and Noe Agrida (Poet).
Government of Belize funds Summer Programs
The Government of Belize officially announced its Summer of Sports Program which will be funded by PetroCaribe. The goal is to offer monies to existing sports summer programs in an effort to provide opportunities that engage youth and children in positive learning activities during the summer holiday.
BZ$500,000 has been set aside for this summer initiative and because it is not possible to fund all summer programs throughout the country, this year’s sponsorship will focus on sporting programs only, since sports and physical education are important to the early development of youth.
Poachers Kill Tapir at Chalillo Reservoir
riends For Conservation and Development (FCD), the environmental organization that manages Belize’s largest protected area and some of the nation’s most prized landscape and natural resources posted this morning on their Facebook page that they found a dead tapir at Harris Creek along the Chalillo Reservoir. FCD is now on a mission to track down the poachers that killed the tapir, which is the national animal of Belize.
SAGA and the Bowl of Pudding
The event of the day - SAGA Humane Society was having a cook-off! Looking back at the handy dandy FaceBook event dealie-whopper I see they had free shots...not sure how I missed that...but I did. These fine folks do a lot of good for the 4 legged...actually we have to really just call them cats and dogs around here cause I've seen more than one that doesn't have 4 legs...friends. You should totally like their FaceBook page and stop by to walk some dogs!
Was I rolling at the VIP table? No. Did I want to be? No. I got to sit with my pals, in the corner - nice deep bench with fabulous cushions. Luna Loca is a cool venue. Spent some time there over Easter weekend and had a good time then too. Friendly staff, good drinks, fun specials...good place to check out. I don't get there much cause it's outside this hermits 3 block radius - but you should check 'em out.
On to the meat of the cook-off...and really the main reason I went. First, I really need to apologize, I'm about to say things that will not be appreciated (especially by my biggest fan the unnamed travel writer that loves me so very much); won't mention who these dishes belonged too, and I certainly won't hold it against them beyond the confines of this event. I was last in line (too much time chatting), and these fines folks gave of their time and resources to help this great event - so kudos to them!! But I still have to critique, so on to the "what the heck dude...how did you come to a cook off with out enough food awards" - #1 - Bacon Wrapped Dates, #3 - Ginger Peanut Butter Sauce and Carrots (to be fair I got some carrots), #5 - Tropical Cheese Meatballs, #6 - Chicken kabob with Peanut Butter Sauce. Yeah 1/2 the field failed to make it to end of the race.
BAREFOOT IN AMBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE
Winter. Chicago.Blah. Time for a sun break!
It just so happens that I have family in Belize – and they have a small B&B on Ambergris Caye, Belize – right on the edge of the magical turquoise Caribbean sea. Done and DONE!
Ambergris Caye is a long, narrow strip of an island, about 20 miles east of Belize’s mainland and practically touching the Yucatan Peninsula directly north. Anchored by the town of San Pedro to the southern end of the island, it’s the most visited of the cayes (islands). It’s an idyllic, relaxed barefoot tropical place, bordered just ¼ mile offshore by the hemisphere’s largest barrier reef, which makes it a world class diving, fishing and other watersports destination. When I first visited San Pedro in 1999, the streets were sand, there were barely any cars and most people walked around barefoot and drove golf carts. Over the years, tourism and development have continually changed the island, but it remains at heart a waterfront village, full of palapa bars and boat docks pointing the way to the waters beyond.
Upon landing at the airport, my stepdad picked us (my husband, 8-month-old daughter and I) up in the golf cart. After some talented luggage wrangling, we were off on our 2-mile journey north. The busy town center quickly dissipates, and as you cross north of the river cut, the road winds past private homes and condo buildings flanked by lush bougainvillea, palms and tropical lilies. After about 25 minutes, we pulled into the narrow track at Blue Wave Villas – and into a marvelously lush jungle.
Belize Fish Serre
Brown fish slightly in cooking oil. Dice fat from pork an fry on low heat; add onion and brown slightly. In a separate contain( grate plantains, mix with a little coconut cream and salt and form into small dumplings. In a large pot, bring coconut milk and water to boil, add oil from fried diced pork fat, onion, pepper and garlic. Add fish and then drop in plantain dumplings one at a time. Cook for 15 minutes longer. Serve hot with white rice.
Gorgeous Day, Best Ceviche in Town And A Busy Weekend Ahead
I stopped into Lily’s Restaurant to confirm the best classic ceviche in town. Confirmed. The conch is just so fresh…and delicious.
On to the weekend – there is quite a bit going on across the country. In the south, the amazing Belize Chocolate Festival. Check out my posts from last year below. FUN…and such a magical part of the country.
Here in San Pedro – it’s the 11th Annual Lagoon-Eco Challenge. The brutal 2 day 42 mile kayak race around the island that ends Sunday late morning in Central Park. There is a party in Central Park to celebrate and…Estel’s Dine by the Sea is a HOT ticket Sunday morning. Please save me a seat! If memory serves me correctly (and it rarely does), the first guys come in around noon. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Also…Saturday night is a HUGE EVENT. The Garifuna Collective – a group that can bring me to tears within a few minutes and have me busting with pride to live in Belize – is performing in San Pedro.
International Sources
Guatemala Central Bank Boss Arrested as Investigations Widen
Guatemala central bank President Julio Suarez was arrested Wednesday as multiple corruption scandals spark increasing demands for President Otto Perez Molina’s resignation. Suarez was one of 16 people arrested for fraud as part of a probe into 116 million-quetzal ($15.1 million) contract issued by the Social Security Institute to Drogueria Pisa de Guatemala S.A., according to Ivan Velasquez, chief of the United Nations’ crime-investigations unit in Guatemala. The director the country’s Social Security Institute is also under arrest.
“The people awarding this contract weren’t qualified to review the proposals,” Velasquez said, adding that the company lacked “infrastructure” and “experience” in performing dialysis.
Belize, From Jungle To Reef
Belize is a small country with much to offer. In just a few hours, you can get from the jungle interior, with wildlife, caves and Mayan ruins, to an idyllic Caribbean island with a Rasta vibe, perfect for snorkeling or diving the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.
Your first step is to fly into Belize City and head for the interior. At this point, you can rent a car or pay for a transport van. Driving yourself around is cheaper but less relaxing, as many sites are on unpaved and unmarked roads. Plus, given that the local economy is heavily dependent on tourism and you've got the cash to get down here in the first place, you may as well spring for the comfortable van ride.
Many of Belize's lush jungle lodges are in the Cayo District, near the Guatemalan border. There are plenty to choose from, but one small lodge stands out for its tranquility, outstanding food and sustainable practices.
You’ll want to get out to the reef as soon as you can. You can see it breaking waves from the shore. As you get closer, the water gets shallow and clear, and well-populated with rays, nurse sharks, tropical fish and the reef itself. Belize has made admirable efforts in protecting its most famous natural resource, and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is just one of the beautiful spots where that effort clearly pays off.
Mishawaka native shot to death in Belize
A Mishawaka native has been found dead from gunshot wounds to the head in the small Central American country of Belize.
Belize police are investigating the murder of Paul David Signorino, 61, after finding him May 15 in a house in the Pineapple Hill area of Teakettle Village, according to the website, “Breaking Belize News.”
Also in the house, police found 46-year-old American Julian Christopher Jones dead from multiple “chop wounds” to the head.
Police had no suspects in the case, the website reported on Wednesday.
Signorino graduated from Penn High School in 1973, according to his Facebook page, and later moved to Alaska. He had two adult children, a son Jeff and daughter Amireah, who live in Alaska, according to their Facebook posts and comments they made on the Breaking Belize News website.
The Lonely Fight Against Belize’s Antigay Laws
Rozco! Love you, hon!” cried a man in baggy jeans. His shout, insincere and taunting, was aimed at the back of Caleb Orozco, a 41-year-old man walking along a row of tarp-covered souvenir stands near one of Belize City’s ferry terminals. Orozco’s only acknowledgment was to walk a little faster, car keys clutched in his hand. It was a hot December afternoon, a week before Christmas, high season in the city’s tourist zone. Two policemen appraised Orozco but said nothing as more taunts flew. “Saw you on TV!” a woman dressed in white jeered from her craft stand, where she sold carved wooden boats. Farther down the sidewalk, two men snickered. “Caleb! You done rub too hard!” leered a man in a blue baseball cap, pointing to Orozco’s crotch.
“Batiman!” someone called from the shade of a food-cart umbrella.
In Belize — a small Anglophone Caribbean nation tucked into the eastern flank of Guatemala and Mexico — “batiman” (Creole for, literally, “butt man”) has long been the supreme slur against gay men, the worst possible insult to their personhood and dignity. But now another slur is beginning to take its place: “Orozco.”
How Facebook helped catch paedophile ‘Big Dave’
DAVID Thompson was a 49-year-old social studies teacher with a predilection for young girls.
He spent his nights sending perverted messages to children in Belize via Facebook. The social network proved to be both his enabler and his eventual jailer.
While the teacher from Florida was grooming two underage girls for sex, the United States’ Homeland Security’s Cyber Crimes Center was monitoring his sickening game.
Thompson created another persona, a Belizean girl called Iris Levy, who introduced the 13-year-old and 15-year-old to “Big Dave” from Tampa on Facebook. He began chatting with them, promising them gifts and money if they would let him take their virginity, the Tampa Tribune reported.
Meanwhile, his alter-ago, Iris, told the girls: “if u give yourself to dis man ... he will neva forget dat and b there for as long as u want him,, Save it for him cause d man take care of u.”
Thompson was stopped trying to enter Belize for his sordid trysts in March 2014, his tenth trip to the country since 2011, and denied entry. Officials found condoms and Cialis (an erectile dysfunction drug) in his suitcase upon his return.
Can You Fail At Being An Expat?
Over our years of living abroad, we've talked to more than a few people who have a secret fear. It's a fear shared by people just beginning to think about retiring or working abroad and by folks who have already made the move.
The secret fear is this ... what if I fail?
This raises a great question. Can you fail at being an expat the same way you can fail a math or driving test, or fail at becoming a nurse or a pilot?
Our answer is "no." Here's why.
There isn't a standardized test for being a successful expat. There are as many ways to retire or retry your life abroad as there are people who do it.
Swinging in a hammock in Belize, beachcombing in Mexico, organic farming in Ecuador, running a B&B in Colombia, doing online consulting from Panama ... there really is no typical way to be an expat, just as there is no such thing as typical retirement or employment anymore. Almost anything is possible, almost anywhere.
Guide to Essential Books on Expat Life: From How-Tos and Memoirs to Fiction
Time to get reading. There are books for just about every stage of the expat lifecycle: books for those who are thinking about moving abroad, for those who are already expats and trying to make sense of their worlds, for those who are raising Third Culture Kids, for those who are considering retiring abroad, and for those who are struggling with re-entry.
In fact, the world of books by and for expats is enormous and growing by the day. The how-to books alone could fill a small library. Add to that first-person memoirs, plus endless numbers of novels and works of poetry using the expat life as fodder. Some books combine memoir with how-to, others reflect on expat worlds of earlier times, and some tap into the financial benefits of life abroad. We have sampled numerous books and found a cornucopia of information, cautionary tales, and chatter about food, language and culture shock. Here is a sampling of reading material for those with wanderlust:
Belize does it again!
Belize cops first place in CANTO’s 9th Regional WTISD – Video Competition for the second consecutive year. Last year the competition was won by Mr. William Mahler Jr.; this year it was his female countryman, Ms Tysha Toni Roches who edged out the competitors with her video titled ‘ICT and Me’. Her video informed and enlightened viewers of the evolution of communication and how it shapes and creates an innovative environment through ICT and Telecommunication platforms.
See video here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_Fh3-kP6VQIOGRZMi0wWG5GbEU/edit?pli=1
The seventeen-year-old who attends the Saint Catherine Academy in Belize had this to say on her success: “I feel excited and I am proud of myself that I could create something so good. I have experience in videography and participated in other competitions in Belize before, but I wanted to see how I (material) would be viewed outside of Belize”.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
