Channel 5
Guatemalan FM in Belize
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales and Ambassadors of the Group of Friends of Belize are in the country this week to promote a program entitled culture of peace as [...]
�Says ICJ is the Only Option
There were various pointed questions for Foreign Minister Morales today - ranging from the payment for the damage to our reef and the altercation at the Sarstoon to the alleged [...]
Elrington Says NO ICJ Without Referendum
Government's official position is that the International Court of Justice is the only option left to Belize to solve the territorial dispute. Elrington reiterated that stance this morning, but he [...]
Guatemalan Congress Delaying Referendum
Guatemala's official position is the same as that of Belize. They want to go to a referendum, and if successful, on to the ICJ. Where that referendum is concerned though, [...]
COLA/VIP Protest Outside Conference
The session, which likely would have gotten much more uncomfortable and intense for the officials of the O.A.S. and Guatemala, was cut short. But outside there was more waiting for [...]
P.U.P. Standard Bearers Call for National Convention
The P.U.P. today released an ad in which John Brice�o is heard endorsing Francis Fonseca as party leader. That endorsement took place just before the Dangriga Bye-elections. But things have [...]
P.U.P. Women Support Francis Fonseca
But before the letter was delivered, today the women of the People's United Party, including four standard bearers, a senator and the head of the women's group, held a press [...]
Media Gets Advice from P.U.P. Standard Bearers
That letter to the Chairman of the P.U.P. was deliberately not mentioned today, and neither was a meeting of Fonseca supporters held at the home of Dolores Balderamos-Garcia on Sunday. [...]
Burrell Boom Caretaker Gunned Down
The Rural Eastern Division is reporting three deaths in its jurisdiction; the first is a murder. A forty-eight year old caretaker was shot and killed at about nine o'clock on [...]
2 Die in Separate RTAs
The loss of life started on Friday night. Shortly after eight o'clock, Miguel Angel Cruz was killed in a traffic accident just two miles from where he lived in the [...]
Student Drowns on Retreat
The fourth person to lose his life this weekend is a teenager from Belize City. Fourteen year old Eric Cruz was out on an evangelical retreat near mile twenty-five on [...]
Roy Jones on Remand for Rape
Tonight, forty-seven year old Roy Jones Junior also known as "Patties" is on remand at the Belize Central Prison following an allegation of rape made by a seventeen year old [...]
Jaguars Take on Canada in 3rd Round
The Belize Jaguars will be taking on the Canucks in Toronto on September fourth, as both teams advance to the third round of competition in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.� [...]
�.Needs Your Help To Compete
The Jaguars, according to Kuylen, have been training intensely, participating in exercises on the beachfront, as well as mountainous terrain in preparation for the match.� Financially, however, there is still [...]
LICU Fires Yolanda Gomez
It was confirmed today that after twenty-four years of service, the Inmaculada credit Union was severing ties with Yolanda Gomez, it former general manager. The Board of Directors had placed [...]
Culture of Peace Exhibit Launches Next Week
Part of the Culture of Peace Program, taking place this week, involves an exhibit with various forms of expression. The exhibit was installed today and will be launched on Tuesday [...]
Mayflower Street Intervention is a Success
For the past couple weeks, the Ghost Town, Mayflower Street area has become a most dangerous area in the south side of Belize City. At least six persons have been [...]
Missing Girl Found in Lucky Strike
Jacqueline Carmen Calderon, a Belize City minor who was reported missing on Thursday has been found. The thirteen year old is now in the custody of the Human Services Department [...]
Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. The 2015 Belize District Female Softball Championship continues to grab center stage inside the Roger's Stadium. Every game has [...]
CTV3
Belize To Face Canada In Third Round Of World Qualtifiers
On the 14th of June the Belize National Football Selection, Team Jaguars, captured an impressive victory over the National Football Selection of Dominican Republic in the second round of the (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers. This was with an aggregate score of 5-1 after winning both home and away games. The impressive secured the teams place for the third round of the competition. And tonight we can tell you that, that game will be played in Toronto Canada on the 4th of September 2015.
So how is the team preparing for the next big match? According to Marlon Kuylen, Senior Executive of the F.F.B., the Jaguars have been working overtime since they came back from Dominican Republic, thus giving them a good fighting chance for the upcoming game.
"Well for the past months we've been doing mostly physical work, we were in Placencia for three days on the beach, we were in the mountain pine ridge also for three days and for the rest of this just before the match with Canada we will be doing more technical and tactical work."
BMHS Takes Third Place In SAGICOR Regional
Viewers may recall that in December of last year, Secondary Schools across Belize were preparing their respective submissions for the Sagicor Visionaries Challenge, a regional competition in which students in schools work in teams and use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math know as (STEM) to solve a problem in their school or community. Of the entries, we showed you Bishop Martin High School's submission on Mayan Power for Modern Times, aimed to increase awareness and usability of Chaya in the diets of Belizeans by creating a database, blog and instructional videos.
We are happy to announce that Bishop Martin High School, who represented Belize as National winners, captured third place from among the eight teams that competed for the title of regional champions. The Belize team also won the People's Choice Award, where participants voted online for who they thought had the best Sagicor Visionaries Challenge 2014 project.
Board of Directors Terminates Yolanda Gomez Services
July 29th would mark exactly three months since Yolanda Gomez, was placed on Administrative Leave by the Board of Directors of the institution. Since her suspension as General Manager of LICU Gomez has not spoken to the media and there is little that the Board of Directors has said about the situation. Gomez's suspension and reports of an investigation being carried out by Central Bank prompted a number of questions from the institution's members/owners. But those questions were never answered to their full extent. And tonight it's no different. But what we can tell you is that Gomez is no longer the General Manager of the institution she captained for 24 years.
In a lengthy release issued by the Board of Directors, members/owners are informed of Gomez's termination. Here is what the release says.
At the end of the release the board states and we quote "The board also wishes to reassure our members-owners that daily operations continue, including the processing and approval of loans.
Traffic Accidents Takes Life Of One Villager For San Victor Village
Over the weekend, the treacherous road networks of Northern Belize claimed another life. According to authorities, late Friday night around 11:00, Corozal Police responded to a traffic accident in San Roman Village, Corozal District, where they saw a maroon single Cab Ford Ranger Pickup on the side of the road extensively damaged and its 4 wheels in the air.
So far, investigation revealed that shortly after 10:30p.m, 19 year old Juan Gutierrez of San Victor Village, Corozal District lost control of the vehicle about 1/4 mile away from the junction of the unnamed road to the Phillip Goldson Highway causing the vehicle to overturned and him being flung out. Along with him was a 16 year old male of San Victor Village, Corozal District, who sustained an abrasion to the left arm and complained of pain. Both persons were transported to Corozal Community Hospital where Juan Gutierrez was pronounced dead on arrival. The 16 year old was treated and released. Police say they are unsure whether alcohol was involved but their investigations continue.
Belize Downgraded To Tier 3
According to the latest annual report from the U.S. State Department, Belize is among the worse countries that are failing when it comes to stamping out Trafficking in persons. The Department puts countries that do the most to fight human trafficking in Tier 1, and the least in Tier 3. Tier 2 includes a Watch List for countries in danger of dropping to Tier 3.This year, 18 countries were upgraded and another 18 were downgraded. Those downgraded from the Tier 2 Watch List to Tier 3 included Belarus, Belize, Burundi, Comoros, the Marshall Islands and South Sudan.Penalties for countries demoted to Tier 3 are at the discretion of the U.S. President, but could include restrictions on non-humanitarian assistance and funding.
Mia Quetzal - On a Mission
In May of this year, the face of the LGBT Community, Caleb Orosco was featured in the New York Time's under an article titled "The lonely fight against Belize's antigay laws" which garnered much local and international exposure. Two months later, a local transgender woman from Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District, Mia Quetzal, is being featured in a Florida based Media Corporation called Naples Daily News.
Similar as Orosco's plight for human rights in Belize, where homosexuality is criminalized, Quetzal reveals that facial hair has been one of her biggest insecurities living as a transgender woman. The article reads and we quote, "In the U.S. transgender people have started appearing on magazine covers and in popular television shows, but in Belize - where homosexuality is criminalized - being transgender can be dangerous, even deadly. With help from Belizean advocate Caleb Orozco, who was recently featured in New York Times Magazine for his work, Quetzal wants to build a safer Belize for transgender people", end quote.
LOVE FM
OAS Peace Fund Promotes Arts Among Belizean and Guatemalan Children
And while relations seem to be going well between the officials and diplomats from Belize and Guatemala, the relationship between the children from both countries is also being worked at through the OAS Peace Fund, through the arts. Magdalena Talamas, the Chief of the OAS Peace Fund spoke of the projects undertaken through the Peace [�]
Foreign Minister Says Guatemala Recognizes Belize as Independent Country
Guatemalan's Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, also made his address where he made it clear that his country had recognized Belize as an independent nation. Morales also spoke of the confidence building measures and how they have revolved between the two countries. CARLOS RAUL MORALES "I would like to say that Guatemala recognizes Belize as [�]
OAS Press Conference: Elrington Says A Peaceful Process is the Way to Go
The foreign ministers for both Belize and Guatemala sat at the head table today at a press conference held in the VIP Room at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. The presentations made by both officials were aimed at assuring the Belizean people that there is a working relationship between both countries as [�]
PUP Women's Group Emerges with National Concerns
The women of the People's United Party called a press conference this morning to speak out on several national issues. The head table included, Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman and Magali Marin Young as legal advisor. The four women standard bearers for the PUP were present. Those included Dr. Lesbia Guerra who is running in Cayo [�]
After 25 Years of Service, LICU Releases General Manager
Following word that the board of directors of the La Inmaculada Credit Union met and decided to terminate the service of General Manager Yolanda Gomez, today a statement was issued by the institution confirming what we reported over the weekend. Information to LOVE NEWS is that last week Friday in a "meeting of the Board [�]
"Group of Friends" Convenes in Belize
In a press conference held this morning, the media was informed that this week is being recognized as Belize/Guatemala Week in which several activities have been planned, aimed at harnessing relations between both countries. Magdalena Talamas, Head of the Peace Fund of the Organization of American States, spoke of the activities and their purpose. MAGDALENA [�]
Eastern Division South Takes On A Different Anti-Crime Strategy
Under the leadership of Senior Superintendent Chester Williams, a special event took place in the Mayflower area yesterday. Douglas Hyde of the Police's Public Relations Department explained. DOUGLAS HYDE "Yesterday the Police Department, specifically Eastern Division South collaborated with the Mayflower community which was a really awesome experience. We had a family sports day. We [�]
Police Back on Enforcing Quality of Life Laws
The Police Department has issued an advisory that they will continue to crack down on quality of life offences. Douglas Hyde is the department's Public Relations Officer. DOUGLAS HYDE "The Officer
PlusTV
Chiquibul Outpost opens
Today 10 months after the senseless killing of Special Constable Danny Conorquie, presumably at the hands of Guatemalan's, the Ministry of National Security is beefing up security at the Caracol Archaeological site by opening a Conservation post (CP) right near the site which will be inhabited...
Sanctions For Myles For Bulldozing Uxbenca
At a handing over ceremony today, Dr. John Morris, Director of the Institute of Archaeology, said the institute was in constant dialogue and negotiations with the village of Santa Cruz since a large percentage of the village actually sits on the 5 square kilometres of the proposed archaeological res...
Sarstoon Forward Operating Base
There has recently been a lot of controversy surrounding the long overdue Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the Sarstoon Island which was proposed since the PUP days. In May earlier this year the Belize Coast Guard travelled to the Sarstoon Island, Belize's Southern most territorial point, to pe...
Changes to the Police Formations and Police Strategy
The Ministry of National Security recently held a meeting with senior members of the police department including the Minister, the acting Commissioner of Police and the three Commanders of the Eastern Division which was recently divided into the Eastern North, the Eastern Rural and the Eastern South...
PUP members meet to draft petition for restructure?
Reports are that a number of prominent PUP representatives met at Cahal Pech in San Ignacio today purportedly to review the state of the party. Within the last months , the PUP has lost two bi-elections and the majority of municipalities in municipal elections. The campaign manager , Godfrey Smith, ...
Road Safety Project launches two week training course
The Road Safety Project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health launched a two week training today in Belmopan. The training is titled "Basic Life Support training and Medical First Response Programme." Official Opening ceremonies were held at the Ministry of Works Conference Room in Belmopan ...
21 year old charged for brutal murder of elderly man
Belmopan police have made an arrest in one of its murder cases. On July 16th, the body of 61-year-old Osmar Ramos, Naturalized Belizean of Paraiso area, was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition in a shallow grave several miles outside the Mennonite community of Springfield on the Humming...
Breaking Belize News
Belize Foreign Affairs Minister confirms FOB will go ahead
And in the spirit of the new partnership and national unity, Guatemala appears to have forgiven Belize for scaring them with the planned forward operating base at Sarstoon Island in the Toledo District. As it turns out, the Guatemalans thought Belize may have been violating the confidence building [�]
Belize-Guatemala week promotes peace process
Today the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Belize and Guatemala were together at the Radisson Hotel under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS). It is the start of a "Belize-Guatemala" week, a planned operation of the OAS to bring greater understanding of the countries' territorial [�]
PUP women speak out on national issues
This morning there was a strange press conference called by the People's United Party (PUP) in Belize City. As the political opposition and a potential Government, the PUP can always command press attention. But today's head table featured only women, albeit women leaders of the PUP: 4 standard [�]
Protesters heckle diplomats at Radisson Hotel
Members of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) and others opposed to the ICJ process gathered outside of the Radisson Hotel starting just before today's press briefing hosted by the OAS. While police held them at bay they loudly proclaimed their message to both countries' diplomats and those of [�]
La Inmaculada Credit Union issues report on investigation of ex-GM
Members of La Inmaculada Credit Union (LICU) of Orange Walk Town have been protesting the lack of response by the Board of Directors of LICU regarding general manager Yolanda Gomez. Today, via Facebook, the organization responded. It said Gomez, who has served as general manager for 24 years, was sent [�]
Day 6 and 13 year old Jacqueline Carmen Calderon is still missing
It has been six days since 13 year old teenager Jacqueline Carmen Calderon went missing in Belize City. Calderon was reported missing on July 21 by her cousin, Denilson Alexander Bolanos, who told police that Jacqueline left her home around 5:30 pm to purchase credit for his phone at a nearby [�]
Orange Walk BTIA and local library teach kids about environment
The Orange Walk Chapter of the BTIA has joined hands with the Sandy Hunter Library to offer 3 days of summer fun focusing on the environment. Today, twenty five children showed up at the Library where they were engaged in making art using recyclable materials found in [�]
Teen driver killed in pileup
A traffic accident in San Roman Village, Corozal District over the weekend is responsible for the death of a teenager and the injuries sustained by another. 19 year old San Victor Village resident, Juan Gutierrez, was flung from the Ford Ranger Pickup he was driving, when he lost control and [�]
Restaurant burglarized in Belmopan
An assortment of items valued at more than $6,000 was stolen from Corkers Restaurant on Hibiscus Plaza, Belmopan. The owner, 29 year old Samantha Hembling, reported that sometime after closing on July 23rd and returning at 8:00 a.m on July 24th, her restaurant was burglarized and electronics and jewelry valued [�]
Bacab Eco-Park caretaker shot to death at home
47 year old Prudencio Gonzalez, caretaker of Bacab Eco-Park on the Philip Goldson Highway, was apparently shot to death at home in Burrell Boom on Sunday night. Police say a security guard found the dead man in an isolated area of the park three hours after hearing a gunshot fired. Gonzalez [�]
PUP women speak up on national issues
At a briefing this morning, women leaders of the People's United Party (PUP) showed their support for the embattled party leader Francis Fonseca, while also stepping up as equal partners to speak up on various national issues. The party's standard bearers, House Representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Senator Lisa Shoman and Secretary [�]
Great weather continues for last week of July
Mainly fair and warm weather conditions are expected to prevail over the country for the next couple of days. The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies with little or no rainfall today and partly cloudy skies with isolated showers and thunderstorms tonight. Winds will be blowing [�]
Why the Ministry of Education hasn't published the 2015 PSE Results
I will define non-privileged children as children do not receive sufficient help in learning school work from their family. Children living below the poverty line, children living in a dysfunctional family, children living with non-educated parents and children living with parents who do not speak or understand English [�]
Police bust Cayo men for cannabis
San Ignacio police Special Patrol Unit will prosecute two men from Cayo District on drug charges. Police searching a cement house in Santa Familia, Cayo, on July 24 found 37 year old Ronald Valladarez with 286 grams of suspected cannabis hidden in a black parcel in his pants pocket and [�]
Murder near Bacab Park in Belize District
There was an apparent murder Sunday night. Ladyville police responded to a call in the area of the Bacab Eco-Park on the Philip Goldson Highway just before midnight. They found one 42 year old Prudencio Gonzalez lying face up in a pool of blood. Police have scheduled a briefing for [�]
News anchor injured in traffic accident
News anchor for Love TV, Tarun Butcher, received the fright of her life on Sunday night after she was involved in a traffic mishap. According to information gathered, Butcher was driving her vehicle over a speed bump near Chen's Supermarket in Santa Elena Town when another vehicle ran into her. [�]
Caribbean Tourism Organization reports tourism slowdown in Belize
Lesser numbers of arrivals from North America has led to a slowdown in the tourism industry after years of robust growth, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) reports in the Caribbean Journal. The 129,316 tourist arrivals reported from January to April of 2015 is down 1.2% from the same period in [�]
Chaa Creek's Eco-Kids Summer Camp for 24 Very Special Kids and a VERY LUCKY Me
The Lodge at Chaa Creek may be the most beautiful resort in Belize. There are contenders for sure�but the attention to details, the staff, the grounds, the art, the rooms�as they say it's "Wildly Civilized". I say it is perfection in the jungle.
The annual Eco-Kids camp that gives 24 young Belizeans from all parts of the country to attend (FREE!) this one week camp with amazing scheduling, gear, supervision, housing, food, activities and from what I saw CRAZY FUN. These 24 kids (age 8 to 13) were having the time of their lives. The 24 are divided into four teams. Toucans, Tapirs, Howler Monkeys and Jaguars. There are 10 counselors and jr counselors with the kids. TEN!
Palenque And Pakal The Great
In 612 began the rule of Muwaan Mat - the same name as an ancestral deity of the site. Muwaan Mat's identity remains enigmatic, but may have been the mother of, and regent for, Palenque's most famous king, K'inich Janaab' Pakal l ("Pacal" or "Great Sun Shield"), who assumed power in 615 at age 12 and ruled until 683. Pakal is one of the best known Mesoamerican kings, famed for his mortuary monument. Yet his reign was not easy. His kingship to Palenque's established dynasty was, at best, tenuous, and his reign was mired in foreign conflict. Yet Palenque's "greatest artwork and longest texts emerged as reactions to the defeat and breakdown of its royal line, as new dynasts strove to legitimise and consolidate their power" (Martin and Grube 2000: 155).
For example, the palace was built on an Early Classic foundation, a platform measuring roughly 58 by 79 meters (190 by 259 feet). Pakal's rooms and courtyards created an administrative residence that dominated the central part of the site. The palace had facilities for ceremonies and receptions, plus amenities like sweat baths and latrines. The design also included architectural innovations to increase the span encountered by the corbeled vault, and also to reduce the weight displaced to the walls, by the use of mansard-style roofs.
Volleyball and CPR at The Belize Zoo
Who knew there could be so more fun than just getting to see (and touch) the animals at the zoo?
The Tropical Education Center (TEC) and the Belize Zoo are one company which allows for overnight stays, with amazing possibilities. See some great pics of the animals and accommodations on Trip to Belize Zoo, Old Belize and Cucumber Beach and Belize Zoo night tour.
The setup is wonderful. You can bring along your tents and sleep under the stars or utilize their dorms and/or pond houses with a lovely view of the pond where there are many turtles basking in the sun and the croc lurking somewhere about- they say, but we didn't see him. There is a library on site with a vast collection of information for research purposes. There are trails to follow which may lead to the discovery of a wide range of wildlife that roam free in the vast forested area that's been kept naturally undisturbed for the most part, the birds carrying on their grumbles and the tarantula peeking out of his hole for his next meal. A conference room that includes a display of bones of the mammals, reptiles, and amphibians found within the area is ready to be used for indoor activities. A kitchen and dining hall, located beneath the library and conference room, is opened daily for three meals per day, with incredibly talented and tolerant cooks.
International Sources
Missions in a Belizean Paradise
An 11 member team from Broadway United Methodist Church, led by Rebecca O'Brien, returned to Belize for the third time with Thirst Missions.
From June 6-14, the team served in Belmopan, at the "Kings Children Home," which is an orphanage in the Cayo District of western Belize. Many of the people speak Spanish even though English is taught in schools, and many of the people who reside in Belmopan have come from the neighboring areas of Guatemala, El Salvador and other Central American countries. Belmopan has a population of 20,000 hardworking, loving and caring people. Most of the people there are retired, and for the young people, their income comes from working in local stores and government offices. It's a growing city with many physical and spiritual needs.
Last-Day Permit in Belize
My final day at El Pescador started with some dramatic winds and an overcast sky. Donning our rain gear, my guide, Hilberto, headed up north to Chico National Park. After entering the park, I landed a bonefish on my second cast, so we quickly changed over to hunting permit on the flats. The slow stalking was rewarded when we spotted a school a few hundred feet out. With some expert poling by Hilberto, we were soon in range.
Here, the casting instructions earlier in the week with Truel Myers (Orvis' head fly-fishing instructor) and subsequent days of practice paid off big-time, as I dropped a 75-foot cast on target. I was casting the same Ghost Shrimp pattern I'd used to catch the bonefish, and after three strips, the permit was on. It was a great fight, with the permit making three runs that took me into the backing. Those plus some impressive short runs and the permit slowly wore itself down. Hilberto went into the water and safely secured it. Absolutely addicting!
Videos
Belize: Bacalar Chico Dive Camp and Placencia Lionfish Project, 3min. This video summarizes 7 Days at BCDC and 2 in Placencia for the kick off of Lobster Fest and the 5th Annual Lionfish Slayers tournament. This was one of the best vacations I have ever been on. It was a working vacation since I was a volunteer, but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Eco-systems of the watershed PSA, 1min. is made from footage of a documentary, of an EIA done by Jackson State University/Galen students and UB students, headed by Ed. Boles Phd, and funded by National Science foundation and Monkey Bay. shot and edited by Daniel Velazquez.
Crab and Pasta Salad, 6min. A refreshing, easy pasta and seafood salad that is sure to tantalize the taste buds. In under 30 minutes you can have a wonderful fulfilling dinner.
belize Bone fishing and tarpon, turneffe flats, 7min. Just a quick video taken with my go pro, an evenings fishing outside the lodge where i was staying and a quick clip of a tarpon i caught
Cave Tubing Caves Branch Belize, 15min. Bits and pieces of a 4-5 hour 7 mile cave tubing trip down a river and
through 5 caves via Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Adventure Lodge.
It's still a long video, but I sped up parts and cut out a lot - gopro
didn't work so well in the dark, but the caverns were just amazing.
Snorkling in Belize!, 3min.
A River Somewhere Season 2 Turneffe Islands Belize, 27min.