Channel 5
PM Breaks Silence on Sarstoon Island Expedition
The incident between a Belize Territorial Volunteer-led expedition and Guatemalan military on Sunday has created a storm of anti-Guatemala and certainly anti-government sentiment. G.O.B. has remained tight-lipped on the attempted [...]
Should BTV Mission Have Been Accompanied by Local Military Forces?
The government has also come under fire because the expedition which included approximately one hundred and fifty Belizean men, women and children was not afforded the protection of a Belizean [...]
BTV Lauded for Patriotism, but Slammed for Risky Endeavor
PM Barrow says that they don't just talk the talk about maintaining sovereignty, but actually claim it. Every Tuesday, the B.D.F. travels down the Sarstoon to change shifts at the [...]
Channel Five Wins Big at 2015 CBU Awards
The Forty-Sixth Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union is currently taking place in Grenada.� One of the highlights of the week-long event is the Caribbean Broadcasting Awards which [...]
B.D.F. Commander, "Relationship with Guatemalan Military is Jeopardized"
The Prime Minister claims that following Sunday's incident with the Guatemalan Navy, there is no doubt that tensions and thus the risk and danger has increased, not only to the [...]
P.M. Doesn't Need to Wait for O.A.S. Report to Prove Guats Entered Belizean Waters
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington was at the press conference today and indeed, the entire issue of the Sarstoon expedition and Guatemalan falls squarely in his portfolio. But apart [...]
Did PM Chide the Foreign Minister?
And just in case that was a little ambiguous, it was made clearer by the Prime Minister. He didn't exactly go so far as to say that Elrington has been [...]
More on Belize/Guatemala Dispute and Sarstoon Island
Already escalating anti-Guatemalan sentiment was fuelled by a news report of the incident released by a Guatemalan reporter with Canal Antigua. That reporter conducted an interview with Vice-Commander Thomas, the [...]
Police Stage Intervention in PIV/Supal Street Rivalry
On Saturday morning, there was a murder on Newtown Barracks near the MCC Grounds. An Oleander Street resident, twenty-eight-year-old Joel Bishop was brutally beaten by a group of men and [...]
What's the Motive Behind Murder of Joel Bishop?
GSU Commander, Superintendent Mark Flowers, also attended the meeting to express the GSU's perspective in dealing with the criminal activities in these areas. However, on Monday, a motive has not [...]
Cops Receive Firearm Training Through SICA
Today, the ITVET Compound in Belize City was buzzing with officers, prosecutors and scenes of crime personnel. A team of officers intercepted a heavily tinted Toyota four runner, detaining two [...]
Verdes and Queretaro Draw at Nil in CONCACAF Champions League
The F.F.B. Stadium in the Garden City came alive on Tuesday night for game one of a home and away series between Verdes F.C. and Los Gallos Blancos of Queretaro, [...]
Jane Usher Kids Receive School Bags from Police Department
Today, children in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City were provided with much needed school bags and supplies, just in time for the start of the new school [...]
Laptops Donated to Belize City Schools
Last month, we showed you the summer camps being held to train students and teachers at the primary and high school levels on how to better manage financial resources, plan [...]
Belize Heads to CARIFESTA 2015
The twelfth annual CARIFESTA, the premier festival of the arts and culture in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is set to open this Friday in Port au Prince, Haiti. The regional [...]
Great Belize Productions - Channel 5 - wins 4 awards at the 46th Annual General Meeting of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union
The CBU awards are awarded to journalists from across the region whose work captured the attention of a panel of eminent judges from the Caribbean. The award ceremony took place on August 17 in Grenada and from a total of 182 entries from 10 countries, Channel 5 walked away with 4 awards.
Marleni Cuellar won two of the four awards for her stories:
"Deaf Girl in a Hearing World" which won Best Children/Youth Issues Feature and "Lifesaving Skills for 'Sugah Bellys'" which won Best Healthy Lifestyle Feature.
Duane Moody earned a Special Mention for his story "Benque Viejo's Crucifixion Re-Enactment" in the Best education/Culture Feature.
And, the Production department of Channel 5, under the leadership of Rick Romero won Best Public Service Spot with a PSA for the Drunk Driving Campaign entitled "Ashley's Story."
CTV3
Eldrid Neal Becomes New President Of Public Service Union
Every two years, a new president is elected to oversee the functions of the Public Service Union and this year, the reigns have been given to Orange Walk's very own Eldrid Neal. Neal takes over the Unions reigns and replaces Marvin Blade. Today we spoke to Neal via telephone to find out what his plans for the union are.
"We want to hype officers and train in terms of the service they provide, we want to ensure ta they are compensated properly, we want to ensure that there is scope within the Public Service our continual growth in terms of how officers are transitions and of course to continue to be the support net and public service that they provide and how they look at public servants."
San Pedranos Join Hands To Fight Sargassum
On August 4th our reporter Dalila Ical was in San Pedro and reported on the smelly Sargassum accumulation along the San Pedro beach line. In an interview with Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, it was mentioned that the BTB has been working with stakeholders to provide necessary equipment/tools to clean the sargassum in San Pedro Island. Weeks have passed and the problem persists and there is still no sign of the equipment or of any of the assistance Bevans mentioned will be provided.
The lack of assistance prompted the creation of the Build a Beach Campaign group formed by concerned citizens of La Isla Bonita. The group's aim, under the leadership of Dimas James Guerrero, is to instil civic pride. Guerro told our reporter Karel Heredia how they will accomplish their aim.
Orange Walk Mayor Attends Meeting In Puerto Rico
Today, the Mayor of Orange Walk Town, Kevin Bernard left Belize en-route to Puerto Rico. A release from his office states that Mayor Bernard will be participating in the Latin American Mayor's Conference in Puerto Rico for the rest of the week. The mayor is scheduled to return on Monday, August 24th and during his absence, Deputy Mayor Ladrick Sheppard will act as Mayor.
Prime Minister Dean Barrow Concedes that Guatemalan Boat Made an Incursion Into Belize Waters
The Government of Belize has sent an extremely strong note of protest to the Guatemalan Government. Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced this today in an afternoon Press Conference in Belize City where he said that he, unlike the Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, did believe and accept what has been reported by the Belize Territorial Volunteers and the media when it comes to trip to the Sarstoon where Guatemala entered Belizean waters.
The PM said that he was walking into the press conference from a meeting with the National Security Council where the decision was approved. He added that government has received a report from OAS Representative Magdalena Talamas on the BTV's visit to the Sarstoon. In that report, the OAS indicates that four of the territorial volunteers' boats made it to the Sarstoon Island and circled it by entering the North Channel and exited the south channel. One boat was prevented from taking the route.
LOVE FM
Protest note to be sent to Guatemala over Sarstoon Island incident
There has been much talk about the expedition led by the Belize Territorial Volunteers to the Sarstoon Island. Earlier this week participants of the expedition shared their story which included being intercepted by Guatemalan naval authorities. Yesterday the Opposition People's United Party shared their view, urging the Government of Belize to act. Today Prime Minister [�]
BDF commander speaks on forward operating base
Sarstoon Island was thrust into the headlines after it was disclosed that there were plans to build a forward operating base on the island. The Guatemalans objected to the construction. Since then Belizean authorities have insisted that the base will be constructed. Today we asked Commander David Jones for an update. Brigadier General David Jones [�]
Senior Superintendent Chester Williams meets with rival gangs
Earlier in the week, we told you about the gang brawl that left twenty two year old Mark Benguche, with a cut wound to the left cheek and Joel Bishop dead. The duo was attacked by a group of men in the area of BTL Park in the early hours of Saturday morning. Today, Senior [�]
Taxi driver charged with rape
Forty-five year old Michael Andrews, a taxi driver of Kraal Road, was charged with rape when he appeared today before Acting Chief Magistrate Patricia Arana. No plea was taken because the offence is indictable. The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds that the offence is of a serious nature, that sexual offences have become [�]
Sandhill villager pleads not guilty to firearm offences
Twenty-nine year old Tyrone Davis, a mason of Sandhill, was charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license when he appeared today before Acting Chief Magistrate Patricia Arana. Davis pled not guilty to the charges. Acting Chief Magistrate Arana explained to him that the curt has no jurisdiction to offer him bail because [�]
Man found guilty of drug offences sentenced
Sixty-one year old James Alvarez, a labourer of Eden Site, was sentenced to three years today by Magistrate La Donna John after he pled guilty to a charge of drug trafficking for 124 grams of cannabis. Alvarez owed the court nine thousand and twenty five dollars for a previous conviction for drug trafficking which he [�]
El Salvador offers scholarships to Belizean doctors
Belizean doctors are to benefit from scholarships offered by the Government of El Salvador. This is one of the results of a recent visit by Minister of health Pablo Marin to that country. The three day visit came at the invitation of the Minister of Health of El Salvador, Dr. Elvia Violeta Menjivar and her [�]
Six high schools receive laptops
Price Waterhouse Coopers has made a donation of laptops through the Ministry of Education to six different high schools in Belize. Price Waterhouse Coopers has been hosting a financial literacy camp in Belize since 2008. Carol Babb, Deputy Chief Education Officer, spoke to Love News about the donation. Dr. Carol Babb - Deputy Chief Education [�]
Twenty students awarded scholarships from Belize Telemedia Limited
Twenty students from a across the country were today awarded educational scholarships from Belize Telemedia Limited. Those twenty students are not part of the five hundred and ninety nine that BTL has assisted in furthering their education. The scholarship is all inclusive. Melanie Martinez - Senior PR, BTL "This year marks the 24th year that [�]
Primary school students get school supplies
The Belize police Department in conjunction with a group of musicians is also contributing to the education of Belize's children. Eighty seven school bags containing school supplies were handed over to the children of Jane Usher Boulevard Area. Hipolito Novelo reporting� All Sons of God (ASG) a rap group out of the Jane Usher Boulevard, [�]
PlusTV
They Rammed our Boats; BTV
On Sunday August 16th over a hundred and thirty Belizeans ventured in to what might be the largest excursion of Belizeans to the Sarstoon Island. The company, lead by Wil Mehia of the Belizean Territorial Volunteers and Orlando De La Fuente from the Northern Territorial Volunteers, departed the doc...
OAS says Belizeans entered Guatemalan territory
The National Security Council of Belize says Belizeans entered Guatemalan territory , according to the OAS. While no one from the National Security Council was on the trip, a press release issued says that the NSC was in teleconference session for the duration of the Territorial Volunteers Sarstoo...
Guatemala says Belizean delegation abusive
As we told you earlier in our newscast, a hundred and thirty Belizeans traveled to Sarstoon island and had an encounter with the Guatemalan military. It was an intense encounter; one that was well documented by our Belize media core. But it was also documented by the Guatemalan media, who are tell...
Guatemalan gunboat ground on reef now guarding against BTV Belizeans?
While following the News Threads coming out of Guatemala after Yesterday's Sarstoon activities , we came upon a story published by Emisoras Unidas of Guatemala. The article claims that " In order to maintain the sovereignty of the territorial waters of the State of Guatemala , on Sunday...
Breaking Belize News
Belize protests Guatemalan incursion at Sarstoon Island
The Government of Belize says it has taken action over the fact that armed forces of the Guatemalan navy entered Belizean waters in order to prevent unarmed Belizeans, members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), from attempting to access Sarstoon Island on Sunday last. A protest note was [�]
P.M. defends Foreign Minister over media comment
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington was silent for all of today's Prime Ministerial Press Conference, and that is for a reason. The Minister, speaking in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's events to Amandala, insisted that formal confirmation from the OAS was needed and that the various media [�]
How will military respond in wake of BTV incident?
There are many dimensions to the handling of the incident in the Sarstoon and one of them concerns military relations between Belize and Guatemala. Prime Minister Barrow told today's gathering that one of the reasons why the BTV's intervention was not needed is that the military, facing severe [�]
PUP demands better accounting of banking system
The People's United Party has made its first statements on the ongoing saga in the banking sector where the offshore facilities are being targeted by the U.S. and European Union for alleged mismanagement, and the closing down of correspondent relations with multiple banks. The PUP believes that the offshore banks [�]
PUP working on internal unity
Following the first public comments by members of the dissident group of representatives in the PUP that are calling for reform, PUP leader Francis Fonseca spoke briefly today. He stated that the contact between his lieutenants and those of the dissidents are the first steps toward a resolution. Fonseca said, [�]
Belize protests Guatemalan "incursion" in BTV incident
Saying that for now the OAS' report is inconclusive as to whether the boats of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) entered Guatemalan waters on Sunday, but sure that they did enter our waters, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that Belize has sent an "extremely strong" protest note to [�]
PUP challenges Government over Guatemala approach following BTV expedition
The People's United Party (PUP) has joined the rest of the nation in supporting the Belize Territorial Volunteers following their Sunday journey to Sarstoon Island. But they wish to go even further with regard to how to handle the unfounded claim. While Belize wants peace with Guatemala, said [�]
El Salvador to provide medical scholarships
Following an official visit to San Salvador, El Salvador to meet opposite number Dr. Elvia Violeta Menjivar and her deputy, Dr. Julio Robles Ticas, Belize's Minister of Health Pablo Marin reports that the Government of El Salvador has offered to provide free services through the visit of a medical team [�]
Burglary in Dangriga Town, one person was shot and several detained
Around 2:45 am this morning, police responded to an attempted burglary call at the Grigazilean store, owned by a Chinese-Belizean in Dangriga. When the police arrived at the scene, the burglars were also attempting to enter the Selana Restaurant Apartments which is located in the same building. Shots were fired [�]
Fair, Warm and dry conditions expected for the next couple of days
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies today and clear skies tonight with little to no rainfall. Winds will be blowing from the East - Southeast at 5-15 knots and the sea state will be light chop to choppy. High temperatures today are expected around 89 [�]
Land Of The Free - An Open Letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs, and collectively, our Cabinet
In regards to your statement "I don't know if they (the Guates) know when they are in Belize territorial waters. There is nothing demarcating there." I grew up in Placencia. 6th generation Placencian. I am a fisherman's son like most people who were born and grew up in [�]
The Guatemalan Claim Pt.10
The final leg of the claim (up to December 2008) has moved through some turbulent waters, so to speak. Today August 19th, 2015 the claim is as hot as ever.
The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) made visit on the 16th August where close to 150 volunteers and press personnel came face to face with the Guatemalan Coast Guards bullying the Belizeans out of their own territorial space. Our Belizean Coast Guards, on the command of the present government, just sat idly on the dock of the southern mainland of Toledo. Included in the group of volunteers were the Organisation of American States (OAS) representatives, Wil Maheia one of the founding leaders of the groups and Senator Lisa Shoman.
17th September, 2002 Facilitators Proposals Presented to the people of Belize:
- They describe the m]land boundaries of Belize. These are exactly as described in the 1859 Convention.
- They propose that Belize retain its territorial sea entitlement as proposed by the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
- They propose a settlement in Belize/relocation to Guatemala scheme for the residents of Santa Rosa Village.
Top 7 Water Adventure Activities To Do In Belize
Are you thirsty for a little fun in the water? Do you have an appetite for adventure? Are you craving something new and exciting? Well, we know a place that can sufficiently feed your appetite for thrill.
No, we're not talking about a warm shower or a refreshing dip in a pool. The place we are talking about is Belize! Belize is not only home to a variety of marine wildlife, but is also a spectacular location for some fun, water-based, recreational activities.
17 Reasons to Visit Ambergris Caye Belize
Some societies believe that the sky is divided into 17 celestial layers, and who are we to argue with them? The sky over Belize is unforgettable, no matter how many layers there are, but we'll use the reference to suggest 17 reasons to visit Ambergris Caye, perhaps the most well-known and popular destination in Belize.
1. Make Ambergris Caye your scuba diving jump-off point. Close proximity to Lighthouse Reef and the Turneffe Islands are highly-rated areas to explore, so try to get to both.
2. Ambergris Caye has been named the number one destination in Belize by travel authorities, so who are you to question their unanimity?
3. As Belize's resort epicenter, choices abound...
4. Snorkle your heart out in the Great Barrier Reef vicinity. Ask your resort's concierge to arrange a trip to this colorful underwater kingdom.
5. Eat up on Ambergris Caye. Tropical shacks serve authentic island fast food but there are plenty of top-rated restaurants, too. Indulge in freshly caught seafood 24/7 and if you come during lobster season, bring a bib!
The Things I Miss
Okay, to properly get into a frame of mind close to where I am - maybe that will make this post better - you'll need to crack a Shock Top, or a Blue Moon, or even a PBR...ah...a PBR. When I land (whenever that happens) in the states I'll be buying a case on the way "home".
Home. Where the hell is that? I typed it up there, then had to go back and put the quotation marks around. Like it was a solid place in my mind...'home'...was a solid place. But it isn't. I'm in the middle I'd say. Between here and there. I loved it there. I love it here. Very different reasons for both - and likely nothing that can ever be combined into one place. Has anyone found that one perfect place? Does it exist? Maybe for them. Not for me.
ANYWAY - enough of that...have you cracked that beer? Now turn on your preferred music player service; Pandora, iWhatever, Amazon Prime for me (thank you Amazon for a decent player that works in Belize and doesn't suck up hardly any bandwidth). Plug in one of the following stations - John Denver, Mumford, no...make it John Denver; but the Amazon one is better than the iWhatever one.
International Sources
Cuban thaw poses tourism threat to Caribbean neighbours
Surge of US visitors to Havana could suck vital dollars from other sun-kissed islands. High quality global journalism requires investment.
The sight of the Stars and Stripes being hoisted over the newly opened US embassy in Cuba last week, was one of the most visible signs yet of the diplomatic rapprochement between the long-term foes.
If President Barack Obama gets his way, the US Congress will soon go further still and lift its 55-year-old trade embargo on the island.
Such a move would be a major boon to the Cuban economy, not least by unleashing a torrent of big-spending American tourists on the island, which has largely been starved of such arrivals for more than half a century.
This, however, could prove disastrous for some of the small islands elsewhere in the Caribbean which are heavily dependent on tourism. They could see much of the US tourism trade they have come to reply on decamping to the large, and quite possibly cheaper, new competitor in their midst.
TV highlights
On "House Hunters Off the Grid" (HGTV at 10), a couple of restaurateurs look for a sustainable home in Belize's Cayo District with a reliable Internet connection that will allow them to continue to run their business.
The oceans 'secret' grasped Leah Biery's attention at a young age - See more at: http://www.island-reporter.com/page/content.detail/id/526746/The-oceans--secret--grasped-Leah-Biery-s-attention-at-a-young-age.html?nav=5051#sthash.70xY95k6.dpuf
While working on the project, the documentary "End of the Line" was screened and featured "the most amazing fishery scientist in the whole world" Daniel Pauly. Biery said she fell in love with the documentary and Pauly's message, which resulted in Neill contacting Pauly about Biery working with him as a grad student.
"Bruce emailed him and a day later he called me back and said 'Do you want to study shark fisheries at UBC," she said smiling. "I did a masters degree in fisheries management at the University of British Columbia. Through that I went to Belize and worked for the marine conservation organization Oceana and I studied gill net fisheries and juvenile fish catches."
The people of Belize, Biery said like to eat really small fish because they fit on their plates, which is an issue because the fish are still babies and have not had a chance to reproduce. While in Belize she interviewed fishermen on how they use nets, what they catch with the nets and what size fish they are catching. The interviews led Biery to making a recommendation to the Belize government to adopt new fishery regulation to regulate those issues more effectively.
Videos
Video on growing and making Chocolate!, 9min. Been to AJAW Chocolate yet? You can make your own chocolate there. Here's a great video where you can learn about the chocolate tree, and the delicious treat.
"Adrian Choco is a local tour guide and chocolate maker. In this video you will see the process of making the Ajaw Chocolate located in the heart of San Ignacio for a taste of Belize."
Belize Mission Project Movie 11/2012, 30min. Belize Mission Project marked its 19th anniversary w/ its Dental-Medical Mission in Belize in Oct. & Nov. 2012 headed by Dr. Frank Whipps. What started as a "fishing mission" evolved into a yearly Dental-Medical work Volunteers spend a week a year of about 40 assorted groups of Dentists, MD's, Hygienists, Audiologists, technicians & other assistants etc. The venues this year was in the town of San Pedro Caye, Placentia, Seign Beight, Maskall, Hattieville & Caye Caulker
Fishing tarpon and permit in Placencia Belize_ XXL Adventure AS, also a second one here, 1 min. Denne filmsnutten viser litt action fra Placencia s�r i Belize. Dette er en destinasjon for de som �nsker � fiske tropisk, med spesielt tarpon og permit som hovedm�l. Placencia regnes som en av verdens beste permit- destinasjoner, for det finnes ikke mange plasser i verden du kan f� 20 - 40 kast p� permit hver dag.. Det kan du her!
Rappelling in Black Hole, Belize, 4.5min.
Scuba Diving Belize 2015, 12min. Diving Blue Hole and reefs around Caye Caulker and San Pedro / Ambergris Caye Belize with Pittsburgh Scuba June 2015.
Aterrizaje en San Pedro - Ambergris Caye Belize 1, 2min.
Aterrizaje en San Pedro - Ambergris Caye Belize 2, 3min.
Belize, 1.5min. Dji Phantom 3 video of Belize
Island Expeditions Belize - Glover's Reef Atoll - Belize's Premier location, 4min. Leading the Way in Belize Since 1987, Island Expeditions leads sea kayak, snorkel, natural history, and dive expeditions to beautiful Glover's Reef, Belize. Based on Southwest Caye, at Glover's Reef in Belize, the group stay in Safari style tent accommodations, and are fully guided and fully catered to for multi day vacation to the most beautiful place in Belize. Let us show you the best of Belize!
Belize 2015 HD, 9min. Here is a video clip produce by one of our student from Canada showcase the many different adventures he experience on his visit here in Belize in March.
A few days on Caye Caulker, Belize., 5.5min. On the road between Mexico and Guatemala.