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Specials and Events
Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
SPHS students participate in art and drama exchange program
Five San Pedro High School Students (SPHS) participated in the second annual student exchange program with Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) in the USA. An initiative by Larry and Debbie Heimgartner, the program allows students to participate in a one week art and drama exchange. This year, participating students included Jaqueline Caliz, Brittany Cornejo, Eddie Jackson, Elina Palma and Yasir Roberts along with SPHS counselor Alexis Guerrero. The program ran from Saturday, May 23rd to Saturday, May 30th and provided essential experiences to the participants as it connected them with students from other countries in an effort to work together on a project called "Our World".
In hopes of continuing the aim of "Our World", as it helps spread awareness on different social ills affecting young people globally, SPHS worked on several project. "The project that three of our students worked on was from the "Our World V: Zanzibar Edition" which focuses on the environment, and specifically looks at food, water and shelter shortage. Because this is a global project, the piece written can be applied to any country in the world. As such, Larry will be working along with certain individuals to modify this piece to make it specific for Belize and San Pedro. Afterwards, our goal is to have our students learn the piece and present it to the school and to the community. The other students worked on pieces referring to "Drugs" and "Divorce" which I am proud to say will be performed in November, 2015 when Larry returns to the island with other presentations from the "Our World" project," said Guerrero.
Wheel of Fortune Winners enjoy Grand Prize Trip to Ambergris Caye
Well this past week Grand Prize winner Dan Keyser and wife Sharlene enjoyed their prize which was a seven day/ six night stay at the Ramon's Village Resort. Dan is the the fourth person to have won the show's Grand Prize within the last two years and what a prize this was! During their stay the two were provided with daily breakfast, Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkel trips and round trip Tropic Air flights to and from the island! Talk about a come up!
The couple was welcomed to the island by Ramon's Village owners Richard & Gina Headrick along with the legendary host of the iconic beach resort Mr. Ramon Nunez . While here they certainly got to experience the best of the island as they explored town, enjoyed shopping at the Tiki Turtle Trading Company, snorkeled with Ramon's Divers and of course dined at Pineapple's on the Beach. We absolutely love the food there, so we know they enjoyed as well!
Coral Reef Ed- Ventures movie night
The Coral Reef experts are already on the island gearing up for the 16th Annual Coral Reef Ed-ventures summer program scheduled for June 29th. The program is organized by students from Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts, USA with assistance from Hol Chan Marine Reserve. To kick off the fun, members of the program held a movie night on the evening of Tuesday, June 9th at the Lion's Den 6:30PM sharp.
According to co-leader Riley Gage, the movie night is a way to get the word out about the program to everyone on the island. "Movie night is for the whole family, especially the children as we are showing "Finding Nemo", which I am sure any child loves watching! The movie does relate with our program, which has to do with the reef and learning about its many inhabitants," said Gage.
Adventure Sports Ministry Volunteers visit Holy Cross
A group of 31 volunteers from Adventure Sports Ministry (ASM) of Houston, Texas in the United States are presently on the island at the Holy Cross Anglican School providing volunteer services. The group, which mostly consists of high school students, will be in Belize for a week starting Monday, June 8th. Their mission is to motivate high school students to get out and do things with their lives, to give back to their community, to show love, compassion and support the less fortunate. The main focus is on religious schools where students primarily go to church but are involved with their faith. ASM finds easy ways for students to experience ministry and missions. During their week's stay, the group of volunteers will be engaged in different activities from beach cleaning to religious concerts.
According to the organization founder, Graham Gamble, this is the first time they have visited Belize, and they can't wait to start doing all the activities they have planned. "During this week, we are doing some manual labor at the Holy Cross School, like painting, cleaning around the school and the beach as well. Also, we are doing some work at Pastor Palacio's Church, and then in the afternoons we work with the kids at Holy Cross where we do vocational bible studies, games, crafts, music, stories, and talk to the children and build relationships and have fun together," said Gamble.
Living Tree Academy donates to San Pedro Town Library
Early this year, representatives from Living Tree Academy (LTA) met with San Pedro Librarian Brianne Leiva with the purpose of initiating a partnership with the San Pedro Library. The LTA is developing a process in the United States to ship/ transport books via visitors, expats, and volunteers to San Pedro. The first shipment of books has already been donated to the library and there are plans to have more in the coming weeks.
Librarian Brianne Leiva welcomed this assistance to the library. "We are happy to be working together with Living Tree Academy and appreciate their donation of books to the library. These new books will assist students who come to the library to do their homework," said Leiva. "The library provides many services such as general information, printing services, and internet. We have holiday programs as well, like for Easter and during summer." Leiva mentioned that with the new flow of books, the library expects to attract more people as they want everyone to make use of their services and resources. She is also making a call to volunteers in any trade to come to the library and get involved in the different programs they are initiating.
Ambergris Today
SP Graduating Class of 2015
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2015, San Pedro High School that held commencement exercises on Saturday, June 13.
This is how LOBSTER SEASON is looking in Belize!
Season opened today with great numbers on the first day's catch.
"Speeding and reckless driving"
We are first time visitors and liked the idea of a golf cart island.
During a 2 week vacation:
We have been in an accident with a speeding motorbike driver who ignored our left turn signal completely. His bike was damaged. Luckily he got away with minor injuries.
A second time a similar accident was just avoided due to our additional care knowing already that a hand signal for a left turn would be ignored.
A third time our golf cart was hit from behind by an impatient taxi driver. Our most concern was for our daughter sitting in the back.
This is not what tourists can expect and deserve for a relaxing vacation.
And btw. can anyone tell your island car drivers that the horn is not in place to greet each and every friend you might spot on/near the road.
Government Looks into Grounding of Guatemalan Naval Vessel on Belize Reef
On June 11, 2015, the Department on the Environment (DOE) received a report of a vessel grounding near Middle Caye on the Glover's Reef Atoll. Upon receiving such report, the Department of the Environment (DOE) responded by dispatching personnel to the site along with members of the Fisheries Department, the Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Port Authority in accordance with the National Standard Operating Procedure for Marine Casualties.
Belize Canoe Team Brings Home Silver and Bronze Medals from Puerto Rico
On June 6 and 7, 2015, four Belizean paddlers - Chris Guydis, Wilberto Daniels, Bayron Cruz and Amado Cruz - from the Belize Canoe Association competed in the Puerto Rico Olympic Cup and managed to place in two competitions fairly new to them.
The Puerto Rico Canoe/Kayak Association hosts this grand event annually, which incorporates Kayak Sprint Races of distances of 200M, 500M, and 1000M in K1, K2 and K4 Categories. This year, the event was attended by Belize, Guatemala, Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico. Usually more countries are represented; however, due to the upcoming Pan-American Games in Toronto, Canada this summer, many countries were not represented.
A first of its kind for Belize, the guys struggled to master the art of the kayaks due to their slender style. After only 2 days of practice, all four men raced and even though they did not medal in the K1 or K2 events, they managed to place 2nd in the K4 1000 m and 3rd in the K4 200 m events. Working together, Belize managed to bring home silver and bronze medals from their first ICF sanctioned event. Mr. Amado Cruz also placed 9th overall in the 5000 M race with a time of 26 minutes 16 seconds. The top time was 22 minutes, 30 seconds.
Misc Belizean Sources
Learn to Swim!
Registration Form
YMCA Swimming Prorgam 2015
Please complete the following registration form for our child and return it along with the payment by June 20 to YMCA Belize: 7539 Faber's Road Extension, Belize City, Belize. Phone: 222-5526 Email: [email protected].
The program runs from July 6th to July 23
Rotaract Soca Party Fundraiser
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio is having a Soca Party fundraiser this Saturday at Thirsty Thursdays. It's only $10, and all proceeds go towards their amazing community service projects. See you there!
"Rotaract San Ignacio Presents:
SOCA PARTY!
On 20th June, 2015.
Thirsty Thursdays San Ignacio
$10 Admission,
Music By: DJ Jessie!!! & Mr. ROS!!
Join us for this event,all proceeds go to community projects.
See you There.... It's Soca Time...."
Calla Creek Community Center Project
4 the World is helping to refurb the Calla Creek Community Center. It was unusable, but soon it'll be nice again, and will be used for many village functions. Thanks, 4 the World!
"Today 4 the World volunteers from Calla Creek Village along with the Village Chairman Saul Uck and 4 the World's Executive Director Robert Keith Froom started a project to refurbish the village's Community Center... This project will continue throug the summer. And will provide a place for the school to use durring the day as classrooms by the end of August 2015. The Community Center will provide shelter to the village during severe storms and will also house the NEMO early warning alarm system that warns the village of dangerous floods. "
Governor General Welcomes Four New Ambassadors to Belize
The Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young, was presented with letters of credence from four ambassadors to Belize. The Ambassadors are H.E. Manuel Roldan Barillas of Guatemala, H.E. Oren Bar El of Israel, H.E. Masanori Nakano of Japan and H.E. Alfredo Raggio Lafone of Uruguay.
In his presentation to the Governor General, H.E. Manuel Barrillas conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Otto Perez Molina, and expressed his desire to "further promote and enhance the relations that so happily exist between our peoples and government".
Ambassador Bar El expressed his intention to "contribute to the strengthening of relations and friendship between Belize and Israel, as well as to join efforts to help shape a better world". He also stated that both countries share the "same democratic principles, a desire for peace, and a true pluralistic and heterogenic society".
50 years for Holiday Hotel
"The Holiday Hotel opened it's doors on June 15, 1965. This was the start of tourism for Ambergirs Caye. Thank you Celi, eres un orgullo sampedrano."
LITERALLY STANDING ON LOBSTER
Aha, those lovely crustaceans! June 15th marks the official opening of the 2015 Lobster Season . For many of us Belizeans and visitors to our jewel, especially around our coastal communities, grilled lobster, lobster kebabs, lobster dip or a lobster ceviche and even lobster ice cream is something they look forward to from June 15th to February 14th. There is no need to punish those taste buds any longer, as the Fisheries Department has officially declared the 2015/2016 Lobster Season open yesterday June 15th. Scientifically known as Panulirus Argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster is the only lobster that is regulated in Belize.
Because lobster, like conch, is considered commercial species, a fisherman's license is needed to engaging in the catching of Caribbean Spiny Lobster.
While the season is open, the Fishery Department will still be monitoring for undersize lobster. To crack down on the catching of undersized lobster, the Fisheries Department will be using two ways to determine the lobster size; one for whole lobster and the other for the tail only. In the case of the whole lobster, Hall explained that the vernier caliper (from center of eye to the starting of the tail) carapace must measure three inches or more. When it's only lobster tails, it must weigh four ounces or more to be considered legal for consumption.
BEL Annual Meeting ofShareholders
Thursday June 18, 8:30pm
Belize Archaeology and Anthropology Symposium XIII
The 13th annual BAAS starts on Tuesday, June 30th. Once again, it'll be in the Bedran Hall at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. They have some interesting topics this year. Call 822-2016, or email [email protected] for more information.
"Be sure to look out for one of the highlight events of this summer, the 13TH Annual Archaeology and Anthropology Symposium set for June 30th - July 3rd, 2015 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel (in San Ignacio, Cayo). This year, local and international scholars will congregate to present scholarly papers and discourse topics such as; 'Settlement and landscape Archaeology' ; 'Social Organization & Political Boundaries of the Ancient Maya' and also 'Examining the Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Belize and the region.'"
Flor de la Feria's Miss Photogenic
You can vote for Miss Photogenic in the Flor de la Feria pageant. Voting is open until July 10th. Just go to their fb page, and choose your favorite.
They are having a special presentation of the candidates this Saturday, come rain or shine.
RESPECT JAGUARS - CONGRATS BELIZE!
History was made today by Belize's National Football Team. It was perhaps their best performance ever, and it earned us our first ever trip to the Third Round of World Cup Qualifiers. All Belize needed was a draw, but we got a convincing 3-0 victory at home, winning the series by an aggregate of 5-1 in the Second Round against the Dominican Republic. The goal scorers today were Harrison Roches, Elroy Kuylen and Deon Mccaulay; but it was a complete team effort by the entire National Selection. Also playing their key role were Belizean fans in the stadium, throughout the nation and around the world, whose palpable support lifted the spirit and confidence of our boys as they played their hearts out and got great results. It was an exceptional series for Deon McCaulay who scored 3 of Belize's 5 goals overall. Respect, Jaguars! Congratulations, Belize!
Channel 7
Jaguars Win! Belize Advances To Third Round!
For the first time in history, Belize will play in the third round of a world cup qualifier. That's the bottom line after the Jaguars won in style yesterday at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan - thrashing the Dominican Republic three to nil. The game was a tour de force performance and a joy to behold for the thousands of Belizeans in the stadium and the tens of thousands who got to watch it live on TV. Channel 7 had live coverage - and we got reaction from the goal scorers and the assistant coach after the game:..
PUP Will Contest Bye-Election
Turning now from sports to politics - the PUP has decided that it will contest the bye-election for a new Dangriga Representative on July 8th. The party met last week Tuesday - and opinion was divided on whether it should even contest the election. That's principally because the party is low on finance - and was hoping to direct its limited funds towards an imminent general election. So, while it should be automatic that the PUP would contest any election - particularly to hold unto a seat - those senior party members who hold the purse strings urged a more conservative approach.
Well, they are the same ones who did the assessment - and it seems the overwhelming reaction was that, the party must fight - even if it is an uphill battle. An official announcement is expected tomorrow - one week after the party took a wait and see approach. And it's one week lost - because in being so cautious about what some say should have been automatic - the opposition has sacrificed critical campaign time - because the election is now only 23 days away.
Guat Vessel Removed, Opposition Not Happy
The Guatemalan Naval vessel has been removed from the reef. The gunboat was removed on Saturday morning at 11. When we spoke to Coast Guard Commander Bennett he told us that it only took about 10 minutes to tug the vessel off. Bennett told us that the new tug line from Guatemala made all the difference in this case -it was stronger and more durable. By 11:40, the gunboat was tugged all the way out of site. Now, a team from the Department of Environment was sent out today and their assessment should be finalized by tomorrow. The official report will then be sent to the Ministry of National Security and of Foreign Affairs. So, that's good news right? Seems like a happy ending �.Well not for some, there are still a number of questions arising from the public and in this case the PUP. The PUP sent out a release today questioning the description of events by the CEO in the Ministry of National Security. In the release, the PUP also questions the presence of the naval vessel in Belizean waters. It says "How is it that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize's territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize's national security apparatus." The release goes on to outline 4 questions relating to the Guatemalan naval vessel issuing a distress call on time and if charges will be laid for breaches of the Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act and the Environmental protection Act.
Belizeans Detained By Guatemalan Armed Forces Tell Their story
But did the embarrassment of the grounded vessel have anything to do with what appears to have been the hostile detention of five Belizeans in Guatemala this weekend?
EXTORTION...
But, the men told us today that the entire ordeal could have been avoided at the initial stage. They say that the Guatemalan soldiers tried to extort them for 25,000 quetzales, and if they paid, they would be released, no questions asked. Here's how that encounter went:
Cops: Hon. Saldivar's Driver Hit And Run
Police Minister John Saldivar's driver has been arrested and charged for knocking down a man in Camalote on Saturday night. Around 8:00, the driver, Orlando Castillo was heading to Belmopan in his Volkswagen when he hit Vallan Paul Cucul between mile 50 and 51. Castillo said that Cucul veered onto the road on his bicycle and he couldn't avoid hitting him. Cucul died on the spot. Well, today 6 charges were brought against Castillo at the Magistrates Court in Belmopan. We wondered- was there any special treatment afforded to Castillo? - After all he is the police minister's long time driver. OC Howell Gillett today assured us that everything was done to maintain transparency in this case.
Man Run Over And Killed While Repairing Motorbike
There was another fatal accident out west, but this time on the Jaguar Paw road. Last night at around 9:00, 33 year old Marco Antonio Gutierrez was fixing his motorcycle on the side of the road when another motorcycle driven by a 17 year old crashed into Gutierrez - instantly killing him. Belmopan police updated us on the case so far. We also spoke to his wife today who was at the station looking for answers about the death of her husband.
First City Murder In Three Weeks
There hadn't been a murder in Belize City for about three weeks - but the peace was broken on Friday night when a man was murdered on the southside. Today Monica Bodden spoke to his family to find out why - here's her report:..
Caye Caulker Makes Changes
Last week, we had extensive coverage of the story of 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz who became the third man in 12 years to die in the Custody of Caye Caulker Police. The outcome of that incident is that 2 police officers have been criminally charged with murder, and they are also facing disciplinary charges. 3 more officers, including the former commanding officer of the island, have also been put on interdiction because it is suspected - but still unproven - that while they were on duty, they may have known that Sotz was being brutalized and tortured, but they did nothing to stop it.
Men Cleared Of Security Guard Murder
Accused murderers Talbert Mena and Jamal Jackson are free tonight after they were acquitted before Justice Troadio Gonzalez.
Bar Battles GOB In Court Over Judges' Tenure
How long should a High Court Judge appointed to serve before it appears that his or her tenure security is not at risk? And, do judges with short appointments by the Government of Belize appear to be under influence by the Cabinet of Ministers, especially when the Government is a litigator?
Major Upgrade For G. Price Hwy. From Belmopan To Santa Elena
The Western Highway between Belmopan and Santa Elena Cayo is a quite ragged stretch of road - but now 65 million dollars will be spent to upgrade it. The Financing comes from the IDB which is providing 27 million US dollars - while the European Union is chipping in with 5 million Euros and Government puts in 1.5 million US dollars.
Now if 65 million dollars sounds like a lot for 19.4 miles of road - well it includes the installation of a new Roaring Creek Bridge with a higher and wider bridge. The current one is flood prone and can barley hold two lanes of traffic.
The project emphasizes a reduction in road fatalities, and a decrease transport times.
Coach Nunez Speaks
For the past week - the news has been all about the National Football Team, the Jaguars. We've had extensive coverage in the Dominican Republic and in Belize. But, through it all you haven't heard very much from Brazilian Head Coach Jorge Nunez. He lets his assistant Charlie Slusher do all the talking to the press. He does that, primarily - we suspect - because his English isn't very good - but also because it's his style - he's naturally very laid back and shies from the spotlight. But, there must be something substantial behind the shy exterior - because this Brazilian Coach has Belize playing the beautiful game. Yesterday his assistant told us it has a lot to do with coaching continuity:�
Goodbye Round 2!
And so, tonight, we end as we began - with visions of football artistry - for the first time Belize can say goodbye to the second round of world cup qualifying and hello to a third round where the opponents will be tougher, the stadiums will be bigger, and the stakes will be higher...
We close tonight with images of the second round from the D-R to the FFB Stadium�
Have a great night and join me back here tomorrow�.
Channel 5
Belize Jaguars Dominate Dominican Republic
Sunday's momentous victory in front of hundreds of cheering fans at the F.F.B. Field ensures Belize a place in the third round of qualifying matches ahead of the 2018 World [...]
Belizeans Detained in Santa Cruz�
The detention of five Belizeans in Guatemala, and the alleged abuse of those detainees, has resulted in a formal protest being forwarded to Guatemala. It's an incredible story which started [...]
�Say They Were Terrorized by GAF�.
Despite the worst fears of the detained men, they were not shot and left in that grassy pasture as they expected. Instead they were taken eight more kilometres where they [...]
�.But Plead Guilty to Offences
McKenzie and his companions were taken back to the Police Station without being allowed to speak on their own behalf. They were first put into a cell with other Guatemalan [...]
Belize Issues Formal Query to Guatemala
As we told you earlier, a formal note has been sent to Guatemala through diplomatic channels, following the reports made by the men. According to Acting C.E.O. in the Ministry [...]
Belize City Man Gunned Down
Three persons lost their lives over the weekend in separate incidents in the west and the Old Capital.� On Friday night, shots rang out on Partridge Street Extension sometime around [...]
Another Shooting in the City
Twenty-four hours after the murder of Williams, shots rang out once again in the city. Just after nine p.m., twenty-seven-year-old Jason Sutherland was shot to the left foot as he [...]
Replacement Officers Detached to Caye Caulker
Last Wednesday, two officers, PCs Leonard Nunez and Hallet King were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate Court for the murder of eighteen year old Hilberto Sotz. Sotz, a second [...]
Sotz Family Still Grieves Senseless Murder
The sensational murder of eighteen-year-old Hilberto Sotz of Caye Caulker left the country stunned. Sotz was beaten and killed whilst in police custody at the island's police station. As we [...]
Minister's Driver Charged in Hit-And-Run Fatality
On Saturday night a man on a bicycle was hit by a speeding government vehicle and killed on the George Price Highway, between Miles fifty-one and fifty-two in Camalote. It [...]
Customs Officer Involved in RTA in Corozal
On Friday night around nine, sixteen year old Azir Zalazar was knocked down off his bike on College Road in Corozal. Zalar, who was complaining of pain in his hands [...]
World Day Against Child-Labour Observed
World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June twelve. It's an opportunity for the globe to raise its voice against child labour and at the same time make a [...]
Prison Officer Speaks About Inadequate Conditions
Earlier this month, twenty-four-year-old Michael Robinson, recently released from a seven year stint in prison, visited the media with a list of allegations against the management and even prison officers [...]
Are Inmates Allowed Home Visits?
When Michael Robinson spoke out about conditions at the prison in early June, he mentioned that certain privileged inmates were given temporary "get out of jail" cards which allowed them [...]
Prison Officers Beat Down on Inmate
According to Staine, the trafficking of drugs into the prison is rampant, and so is the abuse of prisoners. And that's just the tip of the iceberg where the Belize [...]
Belize at the World Series of Poker
It’s not a game that is followed by the masses but for those who know a thing or two about poker; it is understood that the World Series of Poker [...]
Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. There comes a time when opportunity presents itself and indeed you've got to grasp it with both hands. 3 [...]