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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

Letter to the Editor: San Pedro loosing it's charm
To the Editor of the San Pedro Sun We had vacationed on the island some 6 years ago and are online readers of the San Pedro Sun. We came just back from our 2nd visit. Back then San Pedro town looked charming and had appeal with quite a unique Central American character. We visited town every day and loved the atmosphere of San Pedro. That was back then. Since, things have changed, unfortunately. San Pedro town has turned into a huge and unsightly parking lot. New buildings have the looks of ugly 2 or 3 story gas stations and it seems that every business -old and new- is completely relying on street parking. These unsightly structures are all destroying San Pedro's past character and charm. The atmosphere and character San Pedro once had, seems all but gone. Central Plaza was once a charming center piece for San Pedro with gorgeous ocean views onto turquoise waters. Nowadays Central Plaza looks poor at best, like a camp for homeless people and filled with annoying hustlers, from time shares, jewelry to drugs.

Wolfe's Woofer: Speak Your Mind
"I don't think I'm ever getting married," John said. "What's wrong? You can't find the right girl?" I asked. "Oh, I've found the right girl dozens of times," he said. "I just don't have any success with them after I meet them." "Do you sweet talk them?" "I try," he said. "I guess I don't know how to do it right. Women want to know how you feel about things. I can't do that with a complete stranger. I waste so much time with small talk that they soon get bored and we're done." "John, women do want to know your feelings. You have to break out and start speaking your mind." "I'll do it!" he said. "I'm going to Ladies Night tonight and if I get into a conversation with a woman I'm going to tell her exactly how I feel."

Police Report
Found Drugs: *On Wednesday, August 5th at 8AM, acting on Special Branch Intelligence, a group of San Pedro Quick Response Team and San Pedro Special Branch Personnel along with Belize City Anti-Drug Unit personnel and K9 dogs conducted a joint anti-drugs operation within San Pedro Town.
Rape: *A 15-year-old student of San Pedro Town, along with her sister, visited the San Pedro Police Station about 6:35AM and reported that on Friday, August 7th about 3AM, while she was asleep in her bedroom, she was awaken by someone lying on top of her and covering her mouth telling her to shut up.

Doctor Love: Married Life
Dear Doctor Love, I have always considered myself to be a happily married woman. My husband and I have been together for sixteen years and married for fourteen of those years. I am very much in love with him. Six years ago along with a group of friends we began having a barbecue every month. The barbecues started with a group of seven married couples but there are no rules about who can attend. Because of invited guests becoming part of the group there are now as many as thirty people who show up. Last year my husband invited a friend from his job. He and I had this instant chemistry. Now he comes to every barbecue and we spend a lot of time together. We sing karaoke, flirt a lot and sometimes we dance to both fast and slow songs. My husband does not dance and he doesn't seem to mind when the two of us dance. My husband never asks about this or even mentions it but I get the feeling that he does not really trust this guy. The man is unhappily married and always complains about how he and his wife are not compatible. They never have sex. I feel bad for him because he really is a nice guy and deserves to be happy

Misc Belizean Sourcesmzz

Sarstoon Island expedition
he National Security Council of Belize, which was in teleconference session for the duration of the Territorial Volunteers Sarstoon Island expedition today, expresses its profound satisfaction that the expedition ended without major incident. The Council concluded its session after Admiral Borland of the Belize Coast Guard confirmed by early afternoon that all participants in the expedition had returned safely to their staging point at Barranco Village. The welfare of Belizean citizens, no matter what the circumstances, is always of paramount concern to the Council and the Government of Belize. Thus, nothing can take away from the Council's pleasure that no misadventure overtook the hundred plus Belizean men, women and children that journeyed to the Sarstoon. Nevertheless, there is confirmation by the Organization of American States (OAS) that four of the Belizean boats that approached the Sarstoon island did so by transiting not just the north, but the south channel of the river.

Sailing Programme for Special Needs Kids
On August 14, 2015, the San Pedro Sailing Club, with the help of equipment provided by the Belize Sailing Center, was proud and excited to host the first Special Needs Sail Training session with one of the Special Needs children here in San Pedro. Andy Milner, Director of Training for the Sailing Club said "when Lara Goldman from Camp Starfish approached us about starting such a programme, I was instantly 'on board' with this incredible initiative". The Belize Sailing Center grew out of the San Pedro Sailing Club's intention to help bring the world of Sailing to the children of San Pedro, which would normally be financially out of reach. The goal was to instill in the children the principles of sailing that will provide them with global opportunities not only within the sailing community but in life in general. "Sailing is universal, the skills transcend just sailing, and if we can help teach these kids some useful skills, well, then we have reached our goal".

Sarstoon Expedition: The first set off at 9:38am
Thanks for the Coast Guard for the on the ground presence. Thanks Admiral Borland for doing part of your job! But no thanks for not being around to ser two Guatemalan vessels illegally enter our waters and one Guatemalan civilian vessel filled with Guatemalan media Also entering illegally and shadowing our Belizean vessels as they circle around the a Sarstoon island.

Verdes Host Queretaro
The Versed host the Queretaro this Tuesday in Belmopan, starting at 8:00pm. Go Verdes!

Channel 5

SUNDAY AT SARSTOON
Over 100 Belizeans joined the Belize Territorial Volunteers on their expedition to Sarstoon Island this morning. Coast Gaurd personel are on standby near Barranco.

The Reporter

Traffic accidents claim more lives
A child is dead following a traffic accident on Sunday evening and two adults are left injured. Details of this ibcident are sketchy and we will have a full report in Thursday's printed edition of The Reporter newspaper. Meanwhile, an American man is dead following a traffic accident on Saturday night between miles 68 and 69 on the George Price highway. The accident iccurred at around 7:00pm, and involved a green Dodge Ram pick-up truck and a blue Toyota Corolla car. The victim, Davis Turner, 68, who resided in Calla Creek Village, Cayo, was heading in the pick-up towards Benque Viejo and Carlos Chanek, 40, a taxi driver of Benque, was heading in the opposite direction.

BTB taking steps to improve tourism experience
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has begun implementing a number of strategies and policies to ensure the sustainability of tourism in Belize City and improve the quality of service and tourist experience for visitors. According to Destination Planning and Cruise Director Valdemar Andrade, the steps have come as a result of consultations with cruise partners who have expressed the concerns based on feedback from the guests on their cruises. Andrade said the BTB in partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has delivered business development training for all the groups of stakeholders in the Fort George Tourism Zone (FSTV), including hair braiders, tour guides, tour operators, food vendors and craft vendors. The training covered topics such as entrepreneurship, marketing products, customer service, understanding the customer, and sales techniques.

PUP standard bearer calls for "true" consultations in PG
Dr Francis Smith, a member of a faction of the People's United Party (PUP) who have recently been advocating for changes within the party structure, is calling for supporters in Punta Gorda to be honest with the party's leadership during the unity meeting held Sunday afternoon. "If the people in PG feel that 'you know party leader we have a doubt, can you assure us that although your name is Fonseca, Ralph Fonseca will not be back in the saddle when you win' then that is what we expect the people of PG to come out and say, without fear", Smith said. Smith, who did not attend the unity meeting, also said he felt that attending the event or taking support from his constituency would not serve the party's best interest, but rather it is up to the people of PG to actively engage the party's leadership in meaningful consultation.

BTV to Sarstoon, despite warning
Despite several warnings from the Government of Belize, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) set out Sunday morning for Sarstoon Island. The Volunteers cast off from Barranco Village around 9 a.m., bearing Belizean flags symbolic of our nation's sovereignty over this land. They are accompanied, as announced this week, by Senator Lisa Shoman. The BTV's excursion is in commemoration of the 1859 Treaty between Great Britain and Guatemala, which established Belize's borders, much of which is now subject to Guatemala's unfounded claim. GOB issued several releases this week, emphasizing that it feels the BTVC's mission is ill-advised and should have been cancelled. Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, also chimed in, both to the media and on social media, to register his disapproval, but said that his ministry will do what it can to avoid any incidents.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Security Council chastises Belize Territorial Volunteers
In its post-mortem of today's journey to Sarstoon Island in the Sarstoon River in the Toledo District, Belize's National Security Council has confirmed that there was no "major incident" to report and that "no misadventure overtook the hundred-plus Belizean men, women and children that journeyed to the Sarstoon Island with the [�]

One dead and several injured in accident
Police report indicates that on Saturday night 15th August, 2015 about 7:00 pm two vehicles were involved in a head on collision between Mile 68 and Mile 69 on the George Price Highway near Rumours Resort, Cayo District. Initial investigation revealed that a green, 2 door 1996 dodge ram pickup [�]

Two injured and one dead in traffic accident
Reports have reached our newsroom that around 5:30 pm this evening, a fatal accident occurred on the Hummingbird Highway. The information reaching us indicates that a grey SUV with Cayo license plate was involved. A child has been confirmed dead and two adults have been transported to a medical facility [�]

Man beaten during robbery
Reports reaching our newsroom today is that a young man was beaten in a robbery attempt in Santa Elena, Cayo. According to reports, on Friday night while out with some friends, a young man withdrew money from his bank account at the ATM machine at CP Gas Station on the [�]

Fight in Belize City leaves one hospitalized
Unconfirmed reports is that after leaving the dance at Princess Ramada Hotel and Casino several persons were involved in an altercation that has resulted in one death and another seriously injured. Stones, cement blocks and other projectiles were thrown causing serious damage to vehicles and persons. During this fight [�]

Premier League of Belize first game ended in a draw
The opening of the Premier League of Belize competition was officially launched last night at the Norman Broaster Football Stadium in San Ignacio, Cayo. Football fanatics came out in numbers to witness the first match of the competition. It was Real Verdes welcomed Placencia FC for its [�]

Charges dropped in Belize Sugar Industries Limited cane field arson
Two Orange Walk men were told this week in court, that charges of arson against them have been withdrawn by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for lack of evidence, 7 News reports. Efrain Alpuche, a security guard for PUP standard bearer Ramon Cervantes Jr., [�]

Fight in Belize City leaves one hospitalized
Belize Media Group has confirmed that a late Friday evening fight took place near the Ramada Princess Hotel in Belize City. One person was injured and is in the hospital. Other details are sketchy at this time and we will continue to follow the story.

Blogs

Sustainable Seaweed Industry: A reality for Belize?
At a time when both fish and fishers face an uncertain future in my home country, Belize, I see hope. And it comes in the form of seaweed. Let me explain. As a child, I would hear the shouts of street vendors every day as they pushed their carts through the hot, busy streets of Belize City yelling "SEAWEED! GET YOUR ICE COLD SEAWEED!" It is a sweet, milky drink that's made of red algae locally known as "seaweed" and it is believed to be an aphrodisiac. Fishers have traditionally harvested seaweed while on their fishing trips as supplemental income to their traditional catch of conch, lobster and fish. However, the fish are getting smaller, the conch harder to find and the lobsters have moved to deeper waters. But the seaweed remains. Fishers are struggling to make a living and seaweed is coming to the rescue! Belize's fisheries, like so many around the world, are in decline. The combined impacts of increased fishing pressure, coastal development and invasive species have pushed Belizean fisheries to the precipice of overexploitation, but there is still hope for this little Caribbean country. And that hope is seaweed. Seaweed is a part of the solution for fishers and fish alike.

From San Pedro, Belize To The US of A: With a Belize City Sushi Stop
A gorgeous clear day�and quite the view of the rafts of sargassum coming in. Pretty good around Ambergris Caye but where the reef gets low�just before Caye Caulker�oh my. We were landing at Municipal Airport in down town Belize City to stop for lunch at a new Japanese spot�JAPANESE IN BELIZE CITY! and then make our way to the airport for the 3pm American Airlines flight to Dallas (Stop #1). In a taxi, we drove a short way on the Northern Highway to a new mall area JUST open�just across the street from Courts.

The Guatemalan Claim Pt. 7
Belize - Toward Independence! 11th November, 1980 UN resolution 35/20 declares that Belize should advance to a secure independence with all its territory before the conclusion of the next General Assembly and urges the British and Guatemalan governments to continue searching for a solution to the dispute 11th March, 1981 Belize, Guatemala and United Kingdom sign 16 point agreement that establishes the headings for future negotiations that would result in the peaceful termination of the territorial dispute There is a violent reaction by the citizens of Belize to these 'Heads of Agreement' with particular objection to a clause which gives Guatemala use and enjoyment to Southern cages and rights in maritime area adjacent thereto 2nd April, 1981 State of emergency with night time curfew declared by the Government of Belize 6th July, 1981 Belize rejects Guatemalan demands at New York meeting. There is broad disagreement over interpretation of "Heads". Negotiation fail

Guatemala Military engages BTV at Sarstoon Island
The BTV (Belize Territorial Volunteers) make their trip to the Southern parts of Belize every year, and this year they decided to visit the Sarstoon Island that is well within Belizean territory. Guatemala however with it's always on aggression mode, not only came into Belizean waters but assaulted Belizeans by blocking their passage and attempted ram and push boats into Guatemalan territory to engage even more. I am hearing words also that the Guatemalan military was apparently giving guided tours on the Island, what kind of shit is that? All this in front of the OAS observers, let's see what happens from here. I'm not holding my breath tho as history proves that the people in position to act always take Guatemala's side. Treason much anyone?

International Sourcesizz

ETX nursing students plan medical trip to Belize
Kimberly Malone and Mara Poland are two East Texas nursing students who are planning a trip to Belize, but not for a vacation. They want to help provide health care to orphans in a country where quality medical care is a luxury. The two nurses-in-training are already hitting the books for their upcoming semester at UT Tyler Palestine and their trip. "We have a lot of nursing skills on our hands right now and we have this opportunity so that's what we're going with," said Malone. With help from the International Service Learning program, Malone are Poland are heading to Belize to help the already struggling health clinics provide care for women and young children. "We just drive anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes depending on where you are to get to a hospital," explained Malone. "There, you could drive up to two hours and hopefully get to one."

Hanover youth completes service trip to Belize
Daniel Whelan of Hanover, a junior at Boston College High School, with 11 classmates and two BC High faculty members, Michael Clancy and Dr. John Sullivan, spent their April vacation building a house for Ms. Dawn in Belize, Central America. Dan and the BC High volunteers went to Belize to assist an organization called Hand in Hand Ministries build a home for a family in need, reflect on their place in the world and pray together. Hand in Hand provides simple yet stable housing for people in Appalachia and Central America. When they arrived the group received a visit from former mayor of Belize City, Frank Lizama O.B.E., a woodworking artist, from whom students purchased Christian themed wood art such as nativities and crosses.

A Reverend's Mission to Establish First Lutheran Churches in Belize
A reverend from Missouri was in Corpus Christi on Sunday to gain support for a special mission. Reverend Duane Meissner was a guest this morning at Trinity Lutheran Church on Louisiana Avenue. He and his family will be moving to Belize in Central America at the end of the year to establish the first Lutheran churches in that country. Something, he says he's been thinking about his entire life. Meissner said, "the people are wonderful and have a rich culture. I can't wait to bring them what I have to offer as a preacher of the good news of Jesus."

Cenote discovered under 1,000-year-old Mayan temple in Chichen Itza in Mexico
It is a towering testament to a long dead civilisation and has fascinated archaeologists for more than 150 years, but one of the most famous Mayan pyramids has been hiding a secret beneath its mighty steps. Researchers have discovered an enormous sinkhole beneath the 1,000-year-old Temple of Kukulkan, also known as El Castillo, which dominates the Mayan city of Chichen Itza in the northern Yucatan Peninusula of Mexico. And they fear the underground cavern, or cenote, which has a river running through it, may eventually cause the entire pyramid to collapse if its roof gives way. Experts believe the huge chamber may have had special significance for the Mayans, who worshipped at the pyramid, as it is thought to be connected to other sinkhole lakes that surround the pyramid by underground rivers. It may also be linked to another location known as the High Priest's Grave, or the Ossuary, a smaller pyramid with a sanctuary in the centre which was used as a communal graveyard.

What It's Like to Stay With Francis Ford Coppola, Boutique Hotelier
Coppola never meant to be a hotelier. He just liked taking his family on vacation. After falling in love with the jungle while filming Apocalypse Now in the Philippines, he decided to get a little piece of it closer to the U.S. In the early 1980s, Coppola picked up a run-down lodge in the mountainous rainforest of newly independent Belize and outfitted it with four-wheel drives, good beds, and, perhaps apocryphally, the country's first pizza oven and espresso machine to entertain his brood in style. "What I realized afterwards was that I was accidentally creating the infrastructure for a hotel," he says over the phone from his Napa (Calif.) home. The 20-room Blancaneaux Lodge opened in 1993. Four more properties followed-another on the beach in Belize, and the rest in the seemingly disparate locations of Argentina, Guatemala, and, of course, Italy. A fifth, based out of a French Quarter mansion in New Orleans, has been in development limbo for years. What unites them?

Videos

  • Sarstoon expedition 1, 2min. Today after our ceremony as all five vessrls moved off to go circle SARSTOON ISLAND the Battle of Sarstoon island began as the guatemslan vessel commanded by officer Thomas intentionally move their vessel into path of our 38ft vessel carrying 37 patriots. The showdown lasted over one hour and the oas reos were not present as they escorted the other four vessels being shadowed by the other military vessel. .... do note this guatemalan vessel was in belizean waters and the other vessel doing the shadowing was in belizean waters at all times along with a guatemakan civilian vessel carrying their media ... our coast guard nor immigration and bdf were present to stop their blatant illegal incursion. .... this one sided diplomacy n confidence building measure is NOT working.

  • Sarstoon expedition 2, 4.5min. The Guatemalan military aggressing Belizean boats very far into Belizean territory. Sarstoon Island is behind the Guatemalan military boat and Belize's boundary line is behind Sarstoon Island. Meanwhile, the Belizean military hid out of sight all the way in Barranco. The Guatemalan military aggressed us the entire journey around Sarstoon Island but in the end over 100 Belizeans got to see and fall in love with Sarstoon Island.

  • Sarstoon expedition 3, 4min. Here is another video showing how the aggression started the first four smaller vessels. Kudos to Orlando de la Fuente whom with his quick thinking took charge of his vessel and cut past the two guat boats trying to block them.... and trust me the OAS just looked on as they said they would .... the Guatemalans gave no respect for the OAS as in their face they displayed thier blatant bullying and illegal acts.

  • Belize Blacktip Diving Music, 2min.

  • Flyfishing in Belize for the TPST, 7min.

  • A place in my heart -Placencia Belize, 5min.

  • BELIZE! Day 4 :) Our island adventure!, 4.5min.

  • Belize Carnival Song Competition 2015 "Missy B", 4.5min.

  • Rising Stars Performing Arts Camps, 2015 - Belize, 4min.

  • Belize Mission Trip 2015, 7.5min. A slide show of Lakeshore Missionary Church Youth Group and their mission trip to Belize with Thirst Missions Belize.

  • Howlers near the Jaguar Temple, Lamanai Belize, 1min.

  • Jaguar coaxed into somersault at Belize Zoo, 1min. Junior Buddy the jaguar born at the Belize Zoo does "encounters" where in paying guests are locked into a cage in his enclosure.

  • Inside Story: From Blighty to Belize, 48min. *BBC iPlayer TV programmes are available to play in the UK only (or use a proxy).* British troops celebrate Christmas in the jungles and mangrove swamps of Belize. (1978) First transmitted in 1978, this programme focuses on the day to day lives of the British troops guarding the Belize/Guatemala border and their celebrations on Christmas Day, 1977.