The Guardian
BEL debt settled
Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow, held a press conference on Monday August 31 to announced to the nation that the debt to the former owners of Belize Electricity Limited, Fortis, was settled.
Speaking to the media in a press conference, the Prime Minister noted that as a result of a change in presidency at the company, with Barry Perry taking over from Stan Marshal, the former president, the process of negotiations went rather smoothly. That process started in July and one month later it was complete.
The settlement will now see the government of Belize paying Fortis 70 million dollars with the company also getting a 33 and 1/3 percent shareholding in BEL. In effect the government which once held a 70% shareholding in BEL after nationalization will now own a 37% shareholding in the company, that along with a 26% holding by the Social Security Board ensures that the Government and people of Belize maintain a majority ownership in the utility company. With the new shareholding spread, BEL will be entitled to three directors to the board. These persons will include Fortis’ Earl Ludlow, former CEO of BEL, Lynn Young and former president of the Chamber of Commerce, Kay Menzies.
More schools to be built across the country
The Government of Belize has entered into a loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank for the construction of 35 new school buildings across the country. The loan is for a total of US$35 million and was approved by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, September 2.
Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, explained that the Ministry has looked at communities across the country where the population has grown significantly to determine necessary locations for new schools. There will be 22 new schools for early childhood education (preschools). These schools will be built in Valley of Peace, Buena Vista, Billy White, Duck Run, St. Margaret’s, San Pablo (O.W.), San Jose (O.W.), Douglas, San Juan (O.W.), San Antonio (O.W.), Santa Cruz (O.W.), Trial Farm, Cowpen, Caye Caulker, Belmopan, Bella Vista, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Independence, Pomona, Punta Gorda, San Pedro, Corozal Town and Dangriga.
Marco Tulio Mendez charged with Carnal Knowledge
The good doctor… Marco Tulio Mendez, who is the current PUP Area Representative for the Orange Walk East constituency, is currently in a lot more trouble than he was before. That’s because on Monday, August 31, the Orange Walk police upgrade his charges from aggravated assault of an indecent nature to carnal knowledge.
He’s been sequestered for about 5 months, away from the public, only making his way to all his court ordered adjournments after being charged with 6 counts of indecent assault on February 3. He returned back to court on Monday, August 31, expecting that the police would finally conduct what in criminal proceedings is called a preliminary inquiry. This is a hearing where the sitting Magistrate looks at all the evidence that the prosecution has provided to the judiciary to convince them that this case ought to go to full trial.
Musa has steel cohones
There are a few things that Said Musa simply should not indulge in, that is to talk about tax write offs, Venezuelan money and borrowing. But when we deal with Said Musa, anything is possible, and anything is game. Such it was on Wednesday during the special House Meeting when he stood up to talk. Behold- he spoke about all of the above mentioned things.
Said, for the first time ever admitted to giving Ashcroft tax write offs. Maybe it was that he was never given the opportunity to say as much or maybe it was that he was simply unwilling to admit that he twisted himself out of shape in order to accommodate Ashcroft, whatever the reason was he has never publicly admitted to having given the lord some huge tax breaks. Tax breaks which allowed for him to be referred to as a malignant tumor by the Caribbean Court of Justice.
Another topic which he glibly spoke about was about borrowing. He has some set of steel cohones to be talking about debt. He lamented that the government was borrowing money. And even as he did so he explained the reason for all the borrowing that was currently taking place.
Audrey Matura’s incompetence costs Lucilo Teck over $60,000
Audrey Matura-Shepherd and other radicals may have caused the sugarcane industry to lose millions of dollars in the 2014-2015 crop season but this loss can now be piled on to what veteran farmer, Lucilo Teck, is facing for being the poster boy of Matura’s destructive actions.
Readers may remember that cane farmer Lucilo Teck “hired” Audrey Matura-Shepherd to apply to the Supreme Court of Belize for a mandamus to compel the Sugar Industry Control Board (SICB) to declare the sugarcane crop season open. It was around this very time that the Belize Sugarcane Farmers Association divided into three associations and later signed separate agreements with BSI to proceed with the sugarcane crop on January 28. Despite the fact that the associations moved forward with the crop season, Matura encouraged Teck to proceed with the application which was set to be argued on February 23.
Alvin Hyde Senior has lost eleven family members since May 2015
The much feared and reputed boss of the underworld, Russell Winston Hyde Sr, was found lifeless by the Special Patrol Unit arm of the police department about a hundred yards from his girlfriend Marcie Humes at about 9:30 pm last Friday night at the Hyde’s residence in the Young Bank Area in Camalote Village, in the Cayo District. A witness to the entire incident, who fled the scene unhurt tells police that a screaming Marcie Humes was the first one to be shot by three armed gunmen, who were dressed in dark clothes and had flashlights. The three men had come running to the top of the hill where the Hydes lived. The gunmen then went after Russell Hyde, who had attempted to flee on a dirt road next to his farm. The 45 year old Hyde was shot at close range with two shots to the lower back, one shot to the right side of the jaw, neck and left clavicle areas. While 28 year-old hair braider, Marcie Humes, from Roaring Creek Village was shot a total of seven times to the chest and leg area. Humes was rushed to the Western Regional Hospital, but died from her injuries at 10:23 pm.
Busted with undersized lobster tails
Taiwanese businesswoman, Pin Yin Wu Li, 59, is out on bail after she was caught with 18 undersized lobster tails at her business place, “Billy’s Kitchen”, on Tuesday, August 25. Wu Li appeared in court on Friday, August 28, to answer to the fisheries offense.
Pin Yin Wu Li appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers where she pleaded not guilty to a single charge of possession of undersized lobster tails, not exceeding four ounces. Li was unrepresented in court but she was provided with a translator to assist her in court. She pleaded not guilty and explained to the magistrate that when she bought the lobster tails she asked the seller to make sure they were regulation size. She said she only counted and checked some of them because there was a lot and may have overlooked some.
Calm in city still holding despite Malic Dixon’s apparent gang related murder
After a month of relative calm in the Belize City, and 2 months without outward signs of gang violence, 20 year-old Malik Dixon Jr., a resident of Mahogany Street was shot and killed a few blocks away from his home on Saturday night, August 29, just before 8:30 p.m.
What police have been able to piece together at this time is that Dixon was riding his bicycle on his way home, and while he was on Flamboyant Street, a still unidentified gunman ambushed him and fired several shots at him. two of the bullets found their mark, and struck him in the lower back, and under his left arm pit. Civilians rushed him immediately to the KHMH, but he died while undergoing emergency medical treatment.
Mark Lopez before the court for robbery and weed
Mark Lopez was in police custody for two nights last week for the alleged armed robbery of Oliver Anthony Sutherland, who turned out to be his own cousin. Lopez allegedly held up Sutherland with a gun on Thursday, August 13, and took away his gold chain valued at $1000. Sutherland made a report to police then Lopez was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. However, Sutherland appeared in court on Thursday, August 27, to inform Magistrate Ladonna John that he does not wish to proceed with the case because he found out that Lopez is his relative.
Bus driver, Placido Vasquez, 46, of Teakettle Village is out on bail after he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Wednesday, September 2, for the offense of aggravated assault with a vehicle upon Clive Hyde.
In a report to police, Hyde said that he was at his work place, Harpie’s Security, in Belize City on Tuesday, September 1, when he got into an argument with Placido who eventually jumped into a white Isuzu Rodeo and drove into him. Hyde was hit so hard that he ended up on the windshield of the vehicle.
Police corporal charged for murder
Police corporal, Ryon Wagner, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison on a charge of murder. Police believe that he shot and killed 31 year-old Nicaraguan Eduardo Manuel Perez Sanchez.
Police found Perez Sanchez’s body at around 6 a.m. on Saturday, August 29 on a feeder road about 2 miles from the junction of the George Price Highway and Young Gial Road in Teakettle Village, Cayo District. The victim’s body was fully dressed, but it had a black T-shirt over his head and face. When the investigators observed the body, they found 2 gunshot wounds in Perez Sanchez’s head. He had been murdered execution-style.
Roy Zelaya Busted with Crack Cocaine
Belize City driver, Roy Zelaya, 44, was fined $150 after he was busted with 0.9 grams of crack cocaine. According to Zelaya, he went to buy the drug for someone to earn $5 and on his way back was when he was stopped by police.
Zelaya was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Wednesday, September 2. He wasted no time and pleaded guilty to a single charge of possession of a control drug. Chief Magistrate Smith fined Zelaya $150.00 plus $5 cost of court fee.
Dr. Carla Barnett builds first park for Belama Phase IV
The Belama Phase IV area is undergoing a complete transformation. Within the past couple of years it has seen vast improvements in the roads, drains, electrification and water connections. The main road leading into it, Apollo Street, has been completely upgraded and resurfaced and all in all the living conditions of residents has seen a marked improvement.
Now after this transformation that has taken place, residents have requested and began the process to build a new park for the community. A couple of months ago, residents actually to it on themselves to go into a park-designated area and began to clear it to make way for improvements to take place. It was a noble effort and one which proved that the community was ready to take ownership and take care of the park and with that the UDP standard bearer, Carla Barnett took notice.
BEL at a glance: pre and post nationalization
BEL has now been bought and paid for, the previous owner receives 70 million dollars in cash and 33 and 1/3 % in shareholding. The decision was announced on Monday August 31 by Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow and it has now ended years of contention relationship between Fortis and the Government of Belize.
And while now it is a matter of history to see where we have come from in this battle for BEL, we at the Guardian will single out two aspects of BEL before and after nationalization. What we've chosen to look at are the operating costs and earnings by the utility company as presented in their annual reports.
In 2009 the company ballooned its operating expenses and their annual report stated as follows: "Operating expenses increased mainly due to a reduction in the level of overhead expenses capitalized as directed by the PUC and costs associated with legal challenges and defense against the actions of the PUC. Increased depreciation and finance charges and a decrease in other revenues also negatively affected earnings.
Making history in Cayo Central
Numerous projects are ongoing in the Cayo Central Division at an unprecedented rate. A newly released statement from the Cayo Central Office declares that never in the history of Cayo Central has so much been accomplished, in just two terms of the ruling United Democratic Party.
Area Representative for the Cayo Central Division, the Hon. Rene Montero has been observed in numerous sites around Cayo Central monitoring the various projects to benefit the residents of his Division.
A six million Belize dollar contract has just been awarded to Belize Roadway construction to pave the stretch of road between Santa Elena Town and San Antonio Village. This roadway between two communities facilitates the movement of farmers, tourists and residents alike, and the improvements are coming thanks to the help from Petrocaribe.
Some clarification on BEL’s settlement and shareholding
The BZ$70m in cash is what GoB is paying for 36.9% (or 25,469,490 shares) of the ordinary shares of the company (that’s the difference between the 70.2% (or 48,454,152 shares) GoB acquired from Fortis and the 33.3% (or 22,984,662 shares) that it is now giving back.
Since its acquisition GoB has received dividends from BEL shares of $ 7.3m in 2015 plus $6.3m in 2013 and 14, for which it had not paid a penny, therefore the real cost of the shares is $56.4m which is the difference between the $70m purchase price and the dividends received.
What GoB is therefore really paying for those shares is equivalent to $2.21 or just 21 cents more than $2 par value of the ordinary shares. That’s less than half (43%) of the net book value of $5.13 as at December 31, 2014, and only 53% of the 2011 net book value of $4.14, Belizeans have bought almost 37% of BEL for way below book value of shares. Furthermore, $2.21 is only 35% of the $6.29 which Fortis had originally demanded for each share in their claim against GoB.
Calm in city still holding despite Malic Dixon’s apparent gang related murder
After a month of relative calm in the Belize City, and 2 months without outward signs of gang violence, 20 year-old Malik Dixon Jr., a resident of Mahogany Street was shot and killed a few blocks away from his home on Saturday night, August 29, just before 8:30 p.m.
What police have been able to piece together at this time is that Dixon was riding his bicycle on his way home, and while he was on Flamboyant Street, a still unidentified gunman ambushed him and fired several shots at him. two of the bullets found their mark, and struck him in the lower back, and under his left arm pit. Civilians rushed him immediately to the KHMH, but he died while undergoing emergency medical treatment.
For his family, it is a devastating turn of events, but speaking frankly to reporters, his grandmother discussed with the press that they spoke with him a few times about hanging out with street figures in the Ghost Town Gang. He was regularly in the company of such individuals, and there was nothing they could do to convince him to stop.
Mark Lopez before the court for robbery and weed
Mark Lopez was in police custody for two nights last week for the alleged armed robbery of Oliver Anthony Sutherland, who turned out to be his own cousin. Lopez allegedly held up Sutherland with a gun on Thursday, August 13, and took away his gold chain valued at $1000. Sutherland made a report to police then Lopez was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. However, Sutherland appeared in court on Thursday, August 27, to inform Magistrate Ladonna John that he does not wish to proceed with the case because he found out that Lopez is his relative.
Errol Lynch, pleads guilty to handling stolen TV
Harold Perriott reported to police that on Thursday, August 20, a room he was renting in Belize City was burglarized and a number of items were stolen. Included among the items were a 32 inch flat screen television valued at $700 and a Jordan tennis shoe valued at $150 which police later found. According to police, on Saturday, August 22, Egbert Ferguson was found in possession of the Jordan tennis stolen from Perriott’s room and on Monday, August 24, Errol Lynch was found in possession of the television set stolen from Perriott’s room. Both men were arrested and charged with handling stolen goods.
Raheem Marsden charged for drug trafficking
Raheem Marsden, 23, is out on bail after he was arraigned for a single charge of drug trafficking on Friday, August 28. According to police, Marsden, a resident of Belize City, was busted in possession of nine small parcels of marijuana stashed in his pants waist on Thursday, August 27. Marsden was apprehended and taken to the police station where the drug was weighed. It amounted to 62.4 grams; therefore, police charged Marsden for the offense of drug trafficking with intent to supply to another person or persons.
Three charged for stolen goods
Guatemalans Elmer Trujillo, 31, Celedonio Ortiz, 43, and Fermin Zabaleta, 36, all of #99 Lord’s Bank Road, have been arraigned in the Belize City Magistrates Court for charges relating to the theft of Sanjay Hotchandani’s goods.
The trio appeared before Magistrate Deborah Rogers on Monday, August 31. First to be arraigned was Trujillo who was read a charge of theft. Allegations are that on August 22, 2015, he stole two Westinghouse brand A/C Units valued at $2,500, property of Sanjay Hotchandani. He wasted no time and pleaded guilty to the charge. Trujillo was additionally charged jointly with Ortiz and Zabaleta for handling stolen goods. Allegations are that on August 22, they were found in possession of the two AC units at their Lord’s Bank home. Trujillo pleaded guilty to the charge as well but disagreed with the facts; therefore, his guilty plea was rejected. A plea of not guilty was entered for the three men. They were offered bail in the sum of $2,500 each plus one surety of the same.
Placido Vasquez accused of intentionally driving into Clive Hyde
Bus driver, Placido Vasquez, 46, of Teakettle Village is out on bail after he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Wednesday, September 2, for the offense of aggravated assault with a vehicle upon Clive Hyde.
In a report to police, Hyde said that he was at his work place, Harpie’s Security, in Belize City on Tuesday, September 1, when he got into an argument with Placido who eventually jumped into a white Isuzu Rodeo and drove into him. Hyde was hit so hard that he ended up on the windshield of the vehicle.
Dangriga Multi-purpose sporting complex to be rehabilitated
Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), a public sector agency of the Government of Belize (GOB), is undertaking the design, construction and management of capital projects in Belize with particular emphasis on sporting and other multipurpose facilities.
The Design phase for the Dangriga Multi-purpose Sporting Complex has been completed and BIL is pleased to announce that the contract for the Construction phase was signed today. The contract was awarded to Mr. Salvador Habet of BCG Ltd from Belize City for $2,991,544.07.
More streets for Lake-I
Through the Petro Caribe program, central government will be investing 10 million dollars more in street upgrades across the city. One of those areas that will be benefitting is the Lake Independence constituency and Hon. Mark King is none too slow to begin the work. Over the past few days the heavy equipment has once again rolled into lake I digging drains, dumping up roads and graders and rollers as doing the work to improve the roads.
Speaking to the Guardian, Hon. King said that the work being done is comprehensive in that the roads will be upgraded to what’s referred as up to paved standard. He said that accompanying the work will be the digging of drains as well as the installation of culverts and concrete walk and driveways for residents where the streets are being upgraded.
Liad Lisa
We are very certain what it is that drives Lisa Shoman- she is a rabid PUP that lives eats and drinks politics every single day. Maybe she is gunning for leadership of that worthless party and while she bids for it she is willing to do and say just about anything to get the prominence she wants.
Case in point was a posting on Facebook in which she point blank- lied to her audience, remorselessly, maybe she pretended not to know numbers and accused the government of paying 70 million U.S. dollars for the BEL debt when in reality it was just half of that.
The questions to Lisa, is and will remain, do you think that the Belizean people are as gullible as they were in the past? Do you think that they are unable to see through the social media lies that you concoct?
Another PUP horse dies
Another PUP horse has died. On Monday afternoon when P M Barrow announced that there was a settlement between the Government of Belize and Fortis in relation to BEL, a loud bawling could have been heard coming from the PUP Stable on Queen street. The PUP wailed and whined as they moaned the lost of another whipping horse.
This was the third PUP horse to have died over the last two months. The first to die back in July was a big strong Clydesdale named Petrocaribe. According to the Vet, Petrocaribe died because of excessive flogging. Petrocaribe was being flogged since last October and had been showing signs of weakness in January during the horse race named Bye-election in Cayo North.
UDP and PUP- Polar opposites
The United Democratic Party and People’s United Party are exact opposites of each other. The difference between the two is like what day is to night. First let us look at the top, the UDP have a brilliant attorney at law and humanitarian as it’s Leader in the person of Hon. Dean Oliver “Lionheart “ Barrow. Hon. Dean Barrow is a great orator, he equips himself on any topic he is called to speak upon always making eye contact with those he is speaking with. Even when he speaks to a huge gathering it is like he is speaking to each person individually. He makes eye contact and one gets a chance to see the sincerity in his speech. Honesty is the mode of Mr. Barrow in both his personal and professional life either as an attorney or as an elected official. His name has never been called in any type of underhanded deal or hustling. Another thing is that Hon. Barrow allows descent from amongst those persons he leads. Democracy reigns supreme in the UDP where anybody’s position may be challenged, including the position of the Leader of the Party.
Bulldogs capture Firms Basketball Competition Title
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms Competition came to an end on Saturday 29 August, 2015, at Bird’s Isle. The third and final game in the competition had to be played when on Friday 28 August, 2015, the Central Bank Team forced the if necessary game.
In the championship game, the Belize Bank Bulldogs wasted no time in demonstrating its superiority over the Central Bank team when it blasted it by the score of 71-57.
In the second game of the best of three series played on Friday 28 August, the Central Bank team forced a third game in the championship when it edged out the Belize Bank Bulldogs by the score of 70-67.
Junior Athletes to Commonwealth Youth Games
The Belize Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association will join seventy other Commonwealth Games Associations at the V Commonwealth Youth Games that will take place in Apia, Samoa, from September 5- 11, 2015.
The V Commonwealth Youth Games will see participation from young athletes from all corners of the Commonwealth of Nations in 9 different sporting events.
The Belizean Contingent which is consisted of Ashantie Carr (400m & 800m); Ashonti Carr (Long Jump),Marco Mendez (Men’s Singles), Michael Sosa (Coach/Delegate) for the Tennis Athlete and Tricia Flores who will doubled as Coach/Delegate for Athletics and all so as the Chief-of-Mission, left the country on September 1, 2015.
Kent Gabourel captures 16th Lionman Triathlon championship
The Belize Triathlon Association sponsored its 16th Annual Lionman Triathlon on Sunday 30 August, 2015, at the Sanlighters Promenade in Belize City.
According to the President of the Triathlon Association Giovanni Alamilla, the course was an Olympic Distance event that included the 1500 metre swim, 40K ride and the 10K run.
At the end of the event, it was Kent Gabourel that repeated as the Lionman champion. Gabourel completed the swim in a time of 31m 24s, ride in a time of 1:03:00 and the run in a time of 0.38 for a total time of 2:15. The second tri-athlete to cross the finish line was Amed Figueroa and he completed the course with the following time; swim 26m47s, ride 1 hr 9m and the run in a time of 0:41 for a total time of 2:16. The third tri-athlete to finish was Eric Donis and he completed the course with the following time: swim 25m7s, ride 1h 10m and run 0:44 for a total time of 2:19.
Junior male softballers to Estelí, Nicaragua
The Belize Softball Federation will be participating in the X Central American Junior Male Softball Championship that will be played in Estelí, Nicaragua from September 4-7, 2015.
The National Team left the country on Wednesday September 2, and will join the National Teams of El Salvador, Guatemala and the host country Nicaragua. The games will be played in Noel Gamez Sports Stadium in Esteli, Nicaragua.
Belize’s National Junior Male Softball Team is made up of players from the Cayo District, Belize Rural, Belize City and San Pedro.
The leader of the Delegation is Edison Parks, 1st Vice President of the Belize Softball Federation, while the coaching staff consists of Head Coach Keith Madrill and Assistant Coach Brandon Bood. The players selected are: Keron Tillett, Tyrone Armstrong, Hedras Ramirez, Bruce Hylton, Jerome Carr, Rene Flowers, Lester Games, Nahor Howe, Christian Orellana, Devontae Middleton, Keran Fuller, Damian Pollard, Anfernee Brooks, Charles Stuart and Christian Hernandez.
Verdes FC are the new leaders in the Premier League Opening Season
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season Tournament continued over the last weekend with three games on the schedule.
On Saturday 28 August, 2015, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village, the host team Wagiya and the visiting Police United played to a 2-2 draw.
The Police United was able to get onto the scoreboard first when Harrison Roches scored the 1st of 2 goals in the 41st minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead.
It was not until the 2nd half of the game that the host team Wagiya was able to penetrate the Police United defence when Eugene Martinez scored his team equalising goal in the 54th minute of play to tie the score at 1-1. Police United took another lead when Harrison Roches scored his 2nd and final goal of the game in the 73rd minute of play to give his team a 2-1 lead.
Two corporals in Cayo awarded for outstanding work
Assistant Commissioner of Police Aaron Guzman did an inspection of Police Officers from the Belmopan, San Ignacio and Benque Viejo Sub Formations at the San Ignacio Police Station on Friday of last week. In his monthly inspection, the Western Regional Commander, Aaron Guzman, sought to discover the standing of each police officer as they report for duty as well as remind the community that the police officers are working in cohesion in the performance of their duties.
Guzman also took the time to award two Corporals from the San Ignacio Police Formation for their outstanding work ethic during the month of August of this year. These two police officers were chosen by the Officer in Charge of San Ignacio Police, Inspector Andrew Ramirez. First to be awarded for dedication, commitment and leadership qualities shown to the San Ignacio Police Formation was Corporal Ricky Valencia.
Minister of National Security continues countrywide tour
National Security and public safety is paramount in any society. It reassures communities and promotes positive development of any nation. Keeping a society safe is the job of law enforcement agents and in Belize’s case it is our National Police Department. In order for these officers to carry out the gargantuan task of keeping the community they serve safe they require resources, both material and human. Apart from this it is important that the officers feel taken care of and also motivated. No one understands this better than our Minister of National Security the Honorable John Saldivar. He has since embarked on a mission to visit all the police formations and to engage in meaningful discussions with every officer in the Belize Police Department.
September Celebration Kicks Off on St. George’s Caye
St. George’s Caye was where it all started – a tiny undeveloped island that has morphed into the beautiful jewel the world now calls Belize. It may be easy to forget that 217 years ago there was a move to quash the settlement. Spanish troops loaded huge vessels and approached the settlement with a plan to clear the territory of a bunch of unwelcomed upstart wood cutters. What they did not expect was that a group of whites, free blacks and slaves would stand their ground. The details of their stance has been greatly debated. Undebatable; however, is the fact that this resistance by a few brave men and women paved the road to September 21, 1981 when Belize was granted Independence by Great Britain. And it is for this reason that we must remember the 10th day of September and never forget the significance of Cayo Cocina (St. George’s Caye).
Police and partners remain vigilant in the West
Police in the Western Region will need to remain vigilant to prevent further entries of illegal immigrants from across the Belize-Guatemala border. Recently there were two instances, apart only three days, where five Cubans were detained near Benque Viejo del Carmen and the matter is now being addressed by the Immigration Department. It will now be left to the Belize Courts to decide whether these ten persons will be deported back to Cuba or Guatemala. As recently as Friday of last week, a migrant was detained at a Benque Viejo Police checkpoint as he was travelling from Belmopan to the Belize-Guatemala border. Police now believe that this immigrant had burglarized a place in Belmopan. As revealed by this case, the vigilance of Benque Viejo Police with their regular checkpoints along the George Price Highway shows that the Belmopan, San Ignacio and Benque Viejo Police Formations are working well in conjunction with other security related personnel; as security in the West also hinges on the Belize Defense Force, Tourism Police, Special Patrol Units, Customs, Immigration and even the Forestry Department.
Zone Ten helps needy family in Cayo
Members of the Zone Ten Neighborhood Watch Executive, headed by Chairwoman Desol Neal, recently made a visit to rural Cayo to assist a family in dire need. The Zone Ten Team therein took the opportunity to provide psychological support as well as resources to the family. Funding for this effort by Zone Ten was derived from a Father's Day event that was recently held at the Santa Elena Basketball Court. Neal says that Zone Ten is committed to provide continuous support to the educational needs of the children from this family.
Belize Bank Bulldogs are National Softball Champions
The XXV National Women’s Softball Championship has now been recorded in the Sports Annals of this country.
The six teams Double Elimination Format Championship saw some of the finest softball games played in the country for quite a while that brought fans to jubilation in Rogers Stadium the home of softball in the country.
On Sunday 30 August, 2015, in the 11 and final game of the championship series which became necessary when the defending champions the Belize Bank Bulldogs rallied from an early deficit to upend BTL in game 10, saw the budding champions retained its title as National Softball Champions of Belize when it edged out the Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL) by the score of 5-4.
BTL batting in the bottom of the 1st inning scored the first run of the game when Lydia Cacho reached on a hit by pitch and scored when first baseman Barbara Cadle drilled a Kenreen Gillett fastball into the left-centre field gap for the first run of the game.
Breaking Belize News
COLA skeptical of Fortis deal
This week Government announced a settlement with Fortis Incorporated regarding the acquisition of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). It is now halfway to completion with passage secured in the House of Representatives, but opponents of the original takeover are asking: what was the fuss? Citizens Organized for Liberty through […]
COLA expands “Build the Base” campaign
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) has ramped up its campaign in support of the building of the Forward Operating Base at Sarstoon Island. In today’s briefing it introduced a set of T-shirts for those who support the campaign. President Geovannie Brackett suggested that Government would try […]
PM surprised by Ryon Wagner arrest
33 year old Police Corporal Ryon Wagner is tonight behind bars on charges of murder, after being accused of the death of laborer Eduardo Perez Sanchez, who was shot to the head and then dumped in a secluded area on the Young Gial Road, Teakettle Village, Cayo District. […]
When will Belize’s general elections be called?
While he was speaking about Guatemala’s general elections, Prime Minister Dean Barrow will soon face elections of his own. In summary according to our friends at Wikipedia, the last general election, actually a double with the municipals, was held on March 7, 2012. Following a 17-14 victory for […]
Southside Poverty Alleviation Project tackles housing
A total of $1,495,000.00 has been allocated for phase two of the housing project in the Port Loyola and Lake Independence Divisions, as part of the Southside Poverty Alleviation project being funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development. It is estimated that between 100-200 houses will be built for […]
PM sorry to see Guatemalan president’s resignation and speaks about upcoming elections
Following the breaking news overnight of the resignation of President of Guatemala Otto Perez Molina, who faces corruption charges in a long-running customs scandal, Prime Minister Dean Barrow told reporters today that his presidency had not been marked by as much hardline behavior as might have been expected […]
Three men and a minor remanded for drugs and ammunition offenses
Dominique Franklyn, John Henry, Elwin Evans and a 17 year old female minor are spending their first night at the Belize Central Prison after magistrate Hurl Hamilton remanded them for the offences of drug trafficking and possession of ammunition. For context, Corozal Police acting upon information intercepted two vehicles last […]
Orange Walk Traffic Department enforces road rules
This afternoon, about fifteen $1.50 taxi operators met with the Traffic Manager of the Orange Walk Municipal Traffic Authority to voice their concerns over their pick up and drop off zones. The Traffic Department is now enforcing the regulations and policies in place as it pertains to […]
PUP cancels youth radio show
Members of the youth and reform wings of the People’s United Party (PUP) are up in arms following the hasty departure of former standard bearer and youth advocate Micah Goodin, who has resigned as an executive member of the Belize Youth Movement and left his radio program, Outspoken, […]
Teen girl goes missing from home
Police are currently investigating reports of a missing teenager, 16 year old Jocelyn Flores of A-Street, Benque Viejo, who hasn’t returned home since early Sunday morning, August 30. Her mother, 42 year old Martha Flores, reported that she and Jocelyn went to sleep at around 1:00 a.m. and when she […]
Belize City branch of National Bank opens
The “people’s bank”, the National Bank of Belize, is opening a second branch in Belize City on Regent Street. Established two years ago as a low-cost option for public servants, the Bank has achieved and even exceeded expectations, according to general manager Alvaro Alamina at today’s opening. The […]
BELIZE ~ THE NOT-SO-OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL RESERVES
Belize’s OFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL RESERVE position in 2014 was $486.8m, up from $291.5m in 2012, $166.4m in 2008, $35.8m in 2005 and $114.7m in 2001. “In a strict sense, foreign-exchange reserves should only include foreign banknotes, foreign bank deposits, foreign treasury bills, and short and long-term foreign government securities. [2] […]
Guatemala President Otto Perez Molina Resigns
The President of Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina resigned late last night after a judge issued an arrest warrant against him in connection to a growing corruption scandal that has put the country into a political crisis. Vice President Alejandro Maldonado Aguirre will take office to serve out Mr. Pérez Molina’s […]
Dear Belize, it’s time to scrap your ban on LGBTI visitors
Belize is one of only two countries in the Western Hemisphere that still bans the entry of homosexuals. While the law is rarely enforced, it serves to stigmatize and vilify LGBTI people, who are regularly fired from jobs, evicted from their homes, bullied in schools, and suffer verbal and physical assaults.
Repealing the entry ban on gays will send a clear signal that LGBTI people are welcome, and belong, in Belize.
Hotter than Hot sauce
Lately it has been hotter than hot sauce. Even our swimming pool was literally like bath water the other day. We have also been experiencing slightly more rain and the past 2 nights there has been middle of the night showers with enough rain to make me get up and close the east windows. That did not cool anything down however. During the daytime you can still spit on the ground and watch it sizzle.
I swear it feels like I lose a litre of water every time I ride my bike to town and back to do errands. Thankfully 3 of my errands were in air conditioned buildings. First stop was Atlantic Bank where I had to once again try and sort out why my bank card and matching pin number were not working. I finally got the answer (after a few visits) apparently the very card I was holding was noted “lost” in my file and there for cancelled – go figure. I will be getting a new one within a week. I was glad to have an answer and cool off in the process.
It's slow season, and there is Sargassum, but everyone is still having fun in Placencia!
The Sargassum has been the talk of most of the Caribbean recently, and Belize and Mexico have been getting hit pretty hard for several weeks now. There have been days where it didn't seem more seaweed was coming in, but then the next morning would bring new patches floating around, just when we thought we were done! It is also hitting different parts of the peninsula different days--some parts aren't too bad, and you can still swim at Placencia Point, Maya Beach, and Tranquilo :)
A great picture from Mylene Colmar on Twitter from Mexico, which represents how it looks pretty much everywhere, on a very very bad day--most days are about a 1/10 of this:
There is still PLENTY to do here and the seaweed does NOT have to ruin your trip. Those that live here and run resorts are more than happy to guide you to where you won't have to deal with it. It could be gone in a week or a month but no one is canceling vacations over this! These two shots were taken within the week, no problem with the views!!
International Sources
Canada looks to keep focus against Belize
For training, Belize’s national team pits cops against robbers.
Not the pre-teen version you played in your backyard. Rather, the domestic soccer derby version.
After all, it’s CONCACAF, where bizarre things happen throughout World Cup qualification.
Canada hosts a Belizean side Friday night at BMO Field that consists of players predominantly from two domestic clubs: Police United and the Belmopan Bandits. The former was – and maybe still is – comprised of actual law enforcement. We can’t be sure. They don’t have a proper website.
As for the Bandits, well, we don’t want to speculate about alleged criminal pasts.
It’s safe to assume Canada’s staff likely doesn’t know much about Belize heading into CONCACAF’s third round.
Canadian men look to dispatch underdog Belize in FIFA World Cup qualifying
Superstitious Canadian soccer fans may not be happy to know that Belize is home to the world's largest sinkhole.
Located 100 kilometres from the mainland, "the Great Blue Hole" is 300 metres wide and 125 metres deep.
Canadian coach Benito Floro will be looking to avoid blundering into a Belize-made hole as his team opens a home-and-away World Cup qualifying series Friday at Toronto's BMO Field.
On the surface, it should be smooth sailing. British bookmaker William Hill has Belize as a 12-1 underdog.
Canada is ranked 102nd in the world while Belize -- whose population is around 350,000 -- is No. 128. The Canadian men dispatched the Jaguars 8-0 on aggregate when they met in a similar qualifying tie in 2004.
What is Beach Seaweed?
Beach seaweed has been problematic this year, but don’t stress if you are expecting travel to the south. Some of the white sand beaches and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean are darkening with an influx of decaying sargassum.
Brown-coloured seaweed, with small pods attached – also known as sargassum – are washing up on many beaches in Mexico, as far north as the Dominican Republic, and the eastern shores of Barbados, and reportedly smelling like rotten eggs. The decay and rate of sea weed found on the beaches has been so bad in recent years it has become a global issue, being blamed for everything from Rhode Island’s explosions in the sand to disrupting beach developments in West Australia. Sargasasum is a real nuisance this year, and has been a growing problem since 2011.
The Associated Press reported officials calling for an emergency meeting of the 15-nation Caribbean Community and the impact this beach seaweed may have on tourism in the coming months. The costs associated with removing the seaweed are high, and even when the seaweed is cleaned up, the smell can still remain. So what is the takeaway from this news? Is this a natural disaster or an inconvenient part of the natural cycle of ocean life?
Videos
Berne Live On Belize Musicians Past And Present, 26min. Berne appears live on Belize Musicians Past And Present with Tony Wright and JC Arzu.
Spotted Eagle Rays in Belize, 14min. Swimmimg with spotted eagle rays while diving along the barrier reef in Belize.
Come Back from Belize, 4.5min. Bluegrazer
Stephen Fry in Central America Season 1 Episode 2 - Belize to Guatemala - Lights Out!, 62min.
Belize trip-Vimeo, 3min.
Belize Sun Dancer II, 24min. Scuba diving in Belize
Belize - wunderbare Vielfalt, 3min. Belize, das mittelamerikanische Land mit langer Karibik-Küste bietet faszinierende Erlebnisse an Land und unter Wasser. Das Video des Belize Tourism Board bietet tolle Eindrücke von dem, was Urlauber erwartet.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
