CTV3
New Ambulances For Northern Regional Hospital
The Northern Regional Hospital and other hospitals in heath regions across the country will be among those that will benefit from six new ambulances, the Ministry of Health announced today. A release from the Ministry states that the donation is geared at enhancing a sustainable and effective health system throughout the country, by scaling up and maintaining regional health clinics and hospitals in line with the growing demands in health. These ambulances will be placed across the different regions, namely: Punta Gorda, San Antonio, Independence, Dangriga, Orange Walk and San Ignacio/Benque. The ambulances will be officially handed over to regional managers and administrators of the polyclinics and hospitals on Wednesday in Belmopan.
LOVE FM
Is Julius Desirous of Party Leader’s Seat in PUP?
Thursday, November 5 saw the Party Leader for the People’s United Party announce his resignation after his party lost several elections under his stewardship. Francis Fonseca did not only announce his giving up of the Party Leader seat but he also told the media that he would not be seeking a re-election in the Freetown […]
BPP Plans to Partake in Future Elections
It has been almost a week now since the electorate went to the polls around the country in the General Elections. The participation of the Belize Progressive Party made history in Belize as it carried the amount of Standard Bearers vying for the thirty one seats to a record number of 90. But despite their […]
BPP Urges Government to Sign Convention Against Corruption
On December 14, 2005, the United Nations Convention against Corruption was entered into force after a high level political signing conference was held in Merida, Yucatan where several countries signed onto the agreement. In a message written by the then Secretary General of the UN, Koffi Annan, he basically capsulated what the document seeks to […]
Sugar Prices Estimate Too Low for Small Farmers
All the Directors of the Committee of Management of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association met with Belizario Carballo, the Chief Financial Officer for Belize Sugar Industries and Mac McLachlan of the ASR Group. The meeting finished at five o’clock and it was about the new sugar price estimates. This year, that figure decreased so […]
Duo Wanted for Robbery at Coffee House
Police in San Ignacio are seeking two men following the report of a robbery at Vivian’s Coffee House on Joseph Andrews Drive in that municipality. The robbers managed to net more than one thousand dollars in cash and items. Fortunately no one was hurt in the process but investigators are having trouble tracking down the […]
Horticulture Classes Offered in Western Belize
For some time now the Belize Botanic Gardens have been holding training workshops in horticulture for adults and children interested in gardening and plant education. The BBG’s objective continues in providing the training sessions on topics including soil and organic fertilizers, plant propagation, organic pest control, landscape maintenance and nursery establishment. Instructors of these courses […]
Manifesto Review: Education and Technology to Be Integrated in Classrooms
Interestingly, on October 21 when Faber did his presentation on the future of education in Belize, he spoke of incorporating technology in the classroom. Just yesterday, he was given an addition to his portfolio, namely Science and Technology Education. PATRICK FABER “We want to be integrating technology as well as a learning tool and Information […]
Manifesto Review: Teachers Will Be Pushed to Raise Their Standards
Prior to the General Elections, Minister Faber did state that the Government of Belize has allocated seventy million dollars for the construction of new schools. As it relates to the development of teachers in the school, Minister Faber says the education and training of teachers in an effort to get them to a certain level. […]
Manifesto Review: Faber Commits to Continuing Education, Technology, Childhood Development
Another area that the Barrow administration has great plans in is education. Patrick Faber has remained as the person at the helm of the education sector and we will take you back again to his presentation done on October 21 for the UDP Manifesto Launch. PATRICK FABER “To sustain and surpass the gains we have […]
Manifesto Review: PM Barrow Commits to Debt Ceiling and Public Debt Management
Prime Minister Dean Barrow went on to present the vision of his administration as it pertains to the management of external debt as well as other financial controls via the passing of Bills in the House of Representatives. DEAN BARROW “We’re also going to pass a Public Sector Investment Bill. What this will seek to […]
PlusTV
Harvest for Kids: Harvest not Great but Still Good
Belize endured some a long dry season this year that threatened to destroy the year’s harvest. The crops mostly affected were corn and soy bean. Unfortunately for the Belize Camping Experience, a Christian camping program that is funded by the Harvest for Kids initiative, BCE’s financing arm, soy be...
Garifuna activist makes plea for help with TV Ramos bust
When we last left the matter of the bust of Thomas Vincent Ramos, Garifuna hero, it was safely on display in Dangriga, but its creator Stephen Okeke was campaigning publicly in Belize City to be paid for its creation after former buyers the Thomas Vincent Ramos foundation backed out due to financia...
Thieves Strike Again
Police in Belize have their hands full with several cases of stolen items to investigate . A man’s house was burglarized over the weekend in Lucky Strike Village. 57-year-old Oscar Pollard farmer of Lucky Strike Village reported that between the hours of 3:17a.m. on Saturday the 7th of Novembe...
School warden caught with stolen cheque
This past May, loan processor Tanisha Sutherland, 31, was accused of theft and forgery of stolen cheques from her boss which were reported missing. Now one of those cheques has surfaced at a popular Belize City supermarket, where school warden 32 year old Shanile Faber is accused of trying to cash ...
Musician “Mr. Program” convicted in absentia for police assault
A popular musician is wanted by police tonight after being found guilty in court of aggravated assault of a police officer and using obscene words against that official. 30 year old Gilbert Alamilla, the artist also known as “Mr. Program,” was convicted in a trial held without him after ...
Farmers to receive average prices for sugar cane
The first estimate for prices of raw sugar cane has been released, and it is a blow to farmers in the North who have a record amount of cane in the field for the upcoming sugar crop. Producers American Sugar Refining/Belize Sugar Industries Limited (ASR/BSI) have estimated a price of $41.56 per ton,...
Abraham Lopez to be tried for sex with minor
A 42 year old Salvadoran national who is being accused of having sex twice within a two year period with a child, the first time when she was 8, will have to stand trial at the Supreme Court for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Abraham Lopez was summarily committed by Chief Ma...
Amandala
GG swears in new Cabinet
At 10:12 this morning, the newly elected United Democratic Party (UDP) leader, Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, who has won a historic third term as Prime Minister, held a press conference at the River Hall room at the Best Western Biltmore Hotel to announce his new Cabinet, including his Ministers, Ministers of State and Chief Executive Officers who will serve in the newly elected government.
Before announcing whom had been chosen to be in his Cabinet, Barrow explained, “With the need to arrive at the best possible fit in all the circumstances, it is expected that while constitutionally, the substantive Minister has to remain overall responsible for that Ministry, the Ministers of State, who we treat as full members of Cabinet, those Ministers of State are going to be assigned some of the portfolio subjects in the particular ministries and it is expected that those Ministers of State would be responsible entirely for the day-to-day administration of those particular subject areas.”
Prime Minister Barrow then went on to announce that he would be Minister of Finance, Minister of the Public Service, Minister of Energy and Minister of Public Utilities; and the Hon. Frank “Pawpa” Mena, the Dangriga area representative, will be the Minister of State with responsibility for the Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities.
Cop, 31, remanded for unlawful carnal knowledge of girl, 14
He had sworn to uphold the law, but this afternoon, a police constable was brought to the Magistrate’s Court as an alleged law breaker and was arraigned and remanded to the Belize Central Prison.
Police Constable Hector Esquivel, 31, appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, along with his attorney, Dickie Bradley.
Fraser informed Esquivel that the unlawful sexual intercourse with which he had been charged “is an indictable matter,” and so no plea would be taken from him.
Fraser then remarked, “You’re in a hot mess here, officer.”
Fraser also explained to Esquivel that because his offense falls under the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act, he had to be remanded to prison, because her court cannot offer him bail until after three months has passed, or he could apply to the Supreme Court for bail through his attorney.
Key figure in Ponzi scheme is in Belize jail
David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer, 47, who is allegedly one of the key figures in a multi-billion-dollar Ponzi scheme, and is wanted in multiple jurisdictions, was picked up by police on San Pedro, who busted him with a fake driver’s license.
The international fugitive, who has been on the run for several months, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Friday on a charge of uttering upon a forged document. He appeared without an attorney and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith had deferred sentencing until today, Monday.
Schnitzer appeared in court this morning and was represented by attorney Liesje Barrow-Chung. He and his attorney informed the court that he wished to change his guilty plea to not guilty. The court prosecutor, however, objected to granting him bail on the ground that he is a flight risk.
Leslie shoots Leslie in Santa Elena
Charles Marvin Leslie, 27, of Unitedville, Cayo District, was remanded to the Belize Central Prison today on a charge for the attempted murder of Calvin Leslie, 45, a laborer of Santa Cruz Street, Santa Elena Town.
Charles Leslie was also charged with the use of deadly means of harm, keeping a firearm without a gun license, keeping ammunition without a gun license (9mm rounds) and handling stolen goods.
Police say that Charles Leslie shot Calvin Leslie in the upper shoulder during a struggle, which was witnessed by police at about 12:30 Saturday morning in a yard on Santa Cruz Street.
Police came on the scene during the struggle and found Charles Leslie holding a gun in his hand, and arrested him.
Leslie was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court today, where he was arraigned on the charges and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until December 19.
Two men badly beaten in Orange Walk in separate incidents
Two men of Orange Walk Town have been admitted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a serious condition after they were beaten in two separate incidents.
Chel Vasquez, of San Roman, was attacked by a group of men who beat him in front of his wife and children. As a result, his skull was cracked, and he suffered internal injuries. His friends rushed him to the Northern Regional Hospital.
Vasquez told police that he was driving home along with two friends on Thursday night, but just before reaching his house, his vehicle suffered mechanical failure and stopped. A crowd of men then approached his vehicle, pulled him out and began to punch, kick and stomp him, and also beat him with a stick.
His two friends who were with him were also beaten, but they were able to rescue Vasquez from the violent mob, who then left the area.
Veteran cop captures armed robber
Sergeant Joseph Martinez of Punta Gorda Town singlehandedly captured and disarmed an armed robber who went to his place of work at the Johnson Distribution Center in Punta Gorda at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon.
Martinez, who declined to be called a hero, gives thanks to Inspector Daniel Cacho, combat instructor at the Police Training Academy, whose training allowed him to take charge of the situation, and he also acknowledged the other instructors who trained him.
The robber has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison on charges of attempted robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm and keeping unlicensed firearm and ammunition, until December 14.
Martinez told Amandala in Punta Gorda that he was at work at the Johnson Distributors on Main Street, speaking to the supervisor, who was sitting behind the desk (other workers were also in the center), when three men walked into the center, one behind the other, and the first of the three went straight to the supervisor, pointed a gun at him and demanded money.
Belize District Interim U-15 Football Tournament
The Belize District Interim Football Committee’s U-15 Football Tournament, coordinated by Stanley “Jordan” Reneau, had Week 2 games yesterday at the MCC Grounds. There are 9 teams in the competition, and 4 games are played every Sunday, with 1 team resting. Berger United was resting this past weekend. After a single round-robin regular season, the top 4 teams will go on to the knockout semifinals.
In game 1 on Sunday, Face of Belize defeated Carlston Strikers, 4-1, with 2 goals from Mario Galindo and 1 each from Alexis Tun and Ajani Vaughn. The lone tally for Carlston Strikers was by Cron Augustine.
Game 2 saw Smart Brown Bombers blasting Ladyville Jaguars, 7-0, with 3 goals from Tyreek Muschamp and 1 apiece from Maynor Hernandez, Ceron Usher, Lamar Sutherland and Claishan Lewis.
Police lead at Week 8 of PLB 2015-2016 Opening Season
Only 2 of the scheduled 3 Week 8 games were played over the weekend in the Premier League of Belize Opening Season 2015-2016 regular season. The Belmopan Bandits FC vs Verdes FC match at the FFB Stadium on Saturday night was suspended due to some problems with the Verdes team roster. It was a great disappointment to the couple hundred fans in attendance, some of whom had travelled great distances to attend the match. This would now make two back matches remaining for defending champions Verdes FC, one against Placencia Texmar Assassins FC and the other against Belmopan Bandits FC. Of course, that still depends on the decision of the league. A PLB release today said that “the game between Belmopan Bandits vs Verdes FC is being reviewed by the League’s Disciplinary Board,” and that “after a decision has been made” they will be “informing the general public later on this week.”
Annual T.V. Ramos Cycling Classic this Sunday
Dangria Amateur Cycling Association, in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Belize, will be hosting the Annaul T.V. Ramos Cycling Classic this Sunday, November 15, starting at 10:00 a.m. from the Wadani Shed. This race will be in 3 categories:
First will be the Elite category, which will be the big boys, which consists of the Cross Country riders. They will travel from the Wadani Shed to Placencia Junction round-about and back to Wadani Shed. First place gets $500.00; second place, $300.00; third place, $200.00; and fourth place, $100.00. The defending champion from last year is Brandon Cattouse.
The second category will be the Weekend Warriors, leaving a minute after the Elite from the Wadani Shed to Maya Centre on the Southern Highway and back to the Wadani Shed. First place receives $400.00; second place gets $300.00; third place, $100.00; and fourth place, $50.00.
BECOL season bounces into playoffs this weekend
The BECOL Basketball Tournament hosted the remaining games of the regular season this past weekend, where most teams were jostling for playoff contention. In game 1, Roaring Creek Special Effects defeated Invaders, 53-44, in the Over 35 division. With the win, Roaring Creek secured the #1 seed in the division. Roaring Creek was led by Artan Tucker, who had the game high with 20 points; while Karon “Civic” Neal finished with 16 pts, and T. Nelson netted 8 pts. The top scorers for Invaders were Dylan Ayuso with 17 pts, and Kent Requena with 12 pts. In game 2, Light and Peace was a no-show, giving the win to Flames, to keep their playoff hopes alive in the Senior division. In the nightcap, Assassins were unable to field 5 players, giving the win to RCV Stallions. With the loss, Assassins were eliminated from playoff contention.
Of monarchy and succession
We wrote in these editorial pages before last week’s general elections that we were concerned about the dangers a third consecutive United Democratic Party (UDP) term posed to this newspaper. The people of Belize, and we have expressed this opinion before, did not really wish to give the UDP a third consecutive term, but the Belizean people never believed that Francis Fonseca, the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) Leader appointed in November of 2011, was his own man, so to speak. On November 4, 2015, the Belizean people, whether correctly or not, believed that Francis Fonseca, as Prime Minister, would have received instructions from Said Musa and Ralph Fonseca.
The individuals at the highest levels of the PUP who were Francis’ handlers were so afraid of the opinion of the rank-and-file of the party that they refused to have him endorsed by a national convention of the PUP. These individuals preferred to violate the PUP constitution. In their misguided position, they were buttressed by the remarkable performance of the PUP in the March 2012 general elections, when the party, under Francis’ leadership, came within fewer than 75 votes of a stunning 16-15 upset victory. This almost inexplicable performance by Francis’ PUP, after just four months of his leadership, became the justification and the excuse for almost four years of executive, anti-democratic rule inside the PUP.
Belize unable to reduce poverty level
“Despite the gains in education enrolment, Belize still has not harnessed its domestic capacity
effectively to significantly grow its economy. Poverty in Belize is increasingly geography-specific, gendered and generational. Belize’s real economic growth, which has consistently exceeded regional averages, has not necessarily translated into tangible reduction in the poverty levels.” This was pointed out in the Millennium Development Goals Report and Post 2015 Agenda.
The primary poverty safety nets in Belize are the Conditional Cash Transfer and the Food Pantry programs; however, these programs are relatively young, and so it is not yet possible to determine whether they can sustain a reduction in poverty, said Elishah St. Luse, Programme Associate, Poverty Reduction & Democratic Governance of United Nations Development Program.
The report looks at the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that were established by the United Nations at the start of the millennium in an effort to help with the developmental progress of the UN’s member states. The timeframe for achievement of these goals was a period of 15 years, which expires this year.
Cop charged with abusing prisoner with baton
Superintendent Andrew Ramirez, Commander of San Ignacio Police, has reconfirmed his “zero tolerance” for police abuse of members of the public.
Constable Kent Thompson, 28, of Hillview, Santa Elena, was arrested and charged for the crime of harm after he was allegedly seen beating a man who was being detained in a cell at the San Ignacio Police Station, with a baton.
PC Thompson was charged with harm and he was taken to the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court today, where he was arraigned on the offence. He was offered bail of $800 and ordered to return to court on December 30.
San Ignacio police said that a recommendation will be made to the Commissioner of Police for his interdiction during his trial. Thompson will also face disciplinary charges and will be tried by a police tribunal for violation of the code of conduct that governs the behavior and conduct of police officers.
Breaking Belize News
Cordel Hyde to announce candidacy for PUP leadership
BMG has received reliable information that Cordel Hyde, the new area representative for the Lake I division will be contesting the convention for the leadership of the People’s United Party (PUP). We were informed that Hyde has started meeting with other members of the party in Belize City […]
New latrines for villagers in San Victor
Several families from the Village of San Victor in the Corozal District benefited from the Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) program spearheaded by the Red Cross with the construction of new latrines for underprivileged families. Red Cross hygiene promoters and technical experts began working in rural communities using […]
Musician “Mr. Program” convicted in absentia for police assault
A popular musician is wanted by police tonight after being found guilty in court of aggravated assault of a police officer and using obscene words against that official. 30 year old Gilbert Alamilla, the artist also known as “Mr. Program,” was convicted in a trial held without him after he […]
Abraham Lopez to be tried for sex with minor
A 42 year old Salvadoran national who is being accused of having sex twice within a two year period with a child, the first time when she was 8, will have to stand trial at the Supreme Court for two counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Abraham Lopez […]
School warden caught with stolen cheque
This past May, loan processor 31 year old Tanisha Sutherland, was accused of theft and forgery of stolen cheques from her boss which were reported missing. Now one of those cheques has surfaced at a popular Belize City supermarket, where school warden 32 year old Shanile Faber is accused […]
Smart supports St. Peters feeding program
This morning at a small ceremony at the St. Peters Anglican School, a contribution was made towards the schools feeding program. Representatives of Smart Belize handed over a cheque for five thousand dollars which will assist in sustaining the program. About 40 students benefit from the program […]
First woman to become Attorney General in Belize
While announcing the members of the Cabinet yesterday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow named Vanessa Retreage as the first female Attorney General in Belizean history and said that her appointment will ease the load on Wilfred Elrington, who held the seat before elections. Retreage, an attorney at law by […]
Ambassador Alexis Rosado meets President Jimmy Morales: “professional…conciliatory”
New Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has met with Belize’s ambassador, Alexis Rosado, following his victory in the October 27 run-off. In his Monday press conference, as he had previously predicted, Morales’ message given to Rosado to report to Belize was, in the Prime Minister’s words, “professional and perhaps even conciliatory,” but he added […]
Farmers receive low price for sugar cane
BMG has learned that the first estimate for prices of raw sugar cane has been released, and it is a blow to farmers in the North who have a record amount of cane in the field for the upcoming sugar crop. Producers Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) have estimated a […]
Taiwanese chief of control visits Belize
A pair of top Taiwanese officials are visiting Belize this week. The President of the Control Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Her Excellency Dr. Po-Ya Chang, and counterpart H.E. Jane Chiang, who chairs the International Affairs Committee of the Yuan, are here to sign a cooperative agreement with […]
Armed robbery at Vivian’s Coffee House in San Ignacio
At around 7:45 last night, two men with shirts covering their face, walked into Vivian’s Coffee House on Joseph Andrews Drive, San Ignacio and stole approximately $800 from the cash register, as well as two gold rings from and an iPod from the employees. The incident was reported by 38 […]
Boat engine stolen from fisherman
A 40 horsepower Yamaha brand outdoor boat engine, valued at $8,000, was stolen from a 53-year-old fisherman of Belize City, sometime between Sunday evening and yesterday morning. George Marin reported that he left the engine on Riverside Street in Belama Phase 2 extension at around 4:00Wednesday evening and upon returning on Monday morning at 6:00, he noticed […]
Police looking for stolen cycles
Independence police are currently looking for a Blue Meilun motorcycle, property of 20-year-old Jose August from Bella Vista Village. According to August, between 5:00 a.m. on October 15th and 9:00 p.m. October 16th, his motor cycle bearing license plate DGA-M0604 valued at $3,795.00 was stolen from behind his house in Bella Vista Village. Another cycle […]
Burglary in Lucky Strike
A farmer of Lucky Strike Village reported to police that sometime between the early morning hours of Saturday, November 7th and early Sunday afternoon, his home was burglarized and an assortment of items, including his shotgun, as well as some cash, all adding up to a total of $2,319, was […]
OW police seek missing 12-year-old boy
Authorities in Orange Walk are seeking the assistance of the general public in locating a missing 12-year-old boy from the Louisiana Area of Orange Walk Town. He is Anthony Quim of an Oak Street address, and student of Louisiana School. According to his parents, Quim left home to an unknown […]
Belize Progressive Party calls for Prime Minister to sign the The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)
A press release from the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) issued earlier today, served to inform the general public that it is now one month before the 12th anniversary of the historic United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), to which Belize is not signed onto. It states that PM Dean Barrow […]
Minute to Win it for Charity
Roadkill Bar Presents Minute to Win It for Charity.
Based on the hit TV show, contestants compete in seemingly simple challenges with everyday items in hopes of skipping elimination and moving on to the next round. After competing last night I can say it’s not so simple and I need to practice big time. It was well worth the $10 entry fee though and we had loads of fun.
Go to Roadkill Monday nights at 7:00pm and take a Minute to Win It for charity. It costs $10bzd to play and in addition to raising money for a great cause each week, it gets you a free Traveller’s Rum drink and a chance to win prizes donated from local businesses.
Last night’s soft opening raised a total of $80 for the Lion’s Club. There were 7 entries and one person decided to kick in an extra $10.
Among the players there was some serious competition and it made for a fun and exciting night. We also kept the audience in stitches as we tried our best to complete the not so simple challenges. Who would have thought sliding a cookie from your forehead to your mouth would be so challenging? Good thing the cookies were sturdy as we each got 2 only and they hit the floor many times – 5 second rule.
Experience a Dive in the World Famous Belize Blue Hole
Diving the Belize Blue Hole is a dream for many divers. Learn the right way to discover the Belize Blue Hole depth, and go home bringing with you a very unforgettable experience.
Thousands of scuba divers visit Belize yearly, and many of them only have the Belize Blue Hole in mind. This might be because it’s the most popular dive site in the country, and is one of the most advertised by local tourism investors. However, the Blue Hole is now just known as a bucket list dive, something that you won’t care to visit again. But there’s hope for this, as false expectations and assumptions are the main causes of disappointment. This dive site is different, though; it’s the kind of novelty that, with the right conditions, can be enjoyed when approached with the right expectations and mindset. The shelf starts as a wall covered with coral, and then becomes a gentle sandy incline that leads up to a dark abyss. If you dive from local dive boats, you’ll be given about a minute or two to descent and equalize if you’re led to the drop off where will freely go down into the darkness. As you go down, the depths drain the colors to a gloomy shade pretty much the same from the natural light seen after dusk. Further down, you’ll see silhouettes of one of the most fascinating predators of the ocean.
Easy Breakfast Cheese Danish
Preheat oven to 350* degrees and grease a... 13X9-inch baking pan.
Lay a pack of crescent rolls in the pan and pinch the openings together.
Beat the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and egg together until smooth.
Spread the mixture over the crescent rolls evenly and then lay the second pack of crescent rolls on top of the cheese mixture and brush with egg white.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Trash talkin’ on Ambergris Caye in Belize
Mary Wells, a Houston real estate agent, and her family came to San Pedro recently in search of a second home. They brought a dozen trash sticks with them to donate to our First Friday Tres Cocos Trash Pickup group.
Ironically — and sadly — they chose to take a pass on Belize as their second home. It was, in Mary’s words, just too dirty. Trash everywhere. As she recently wrote to me, “Your blog today reminded me too clearly why I cannot move there. The trash and all its sources are beyond my accepting. If I could think that with efforts of locals, government, and people from other countries, it can be alleviated…not totally resolved … but slowed (so that people like you and Rose and your group can start the clean up and your efforts will have some lasting effect), I may have been able to see the natural beauty again having a fair chance …. but I don’t think this will happen in my life time (20 years?).
“It was extremely distressing to me.”
I regret that Mary could not see how pristine the roadway north of the bridge looked this past Friday after our group of 20 wrapped up two hours of cleanup. Her trash sticks were especially handy with the high water beside the road, from recent rains.
The sticks are a welcome addition to our war on trash. (And we need more, dear readers, if you are planning to visit Ambergris Caye soon!)
Yellow-Headed Parrot Release
They're FREE!
A big first for us as there are 4 birds in this group that were confiscated pets. Exciting times. On October 15th, 13 yellow-headed parrots were transported from Belize Bird Rescue in Belmopan to TIDE’s office in Punta Gorda, where they were loaded onto a boat in the rain and transported to Payne’s Creek National Park (PCNP) for release into the wild. Nine of these birds were removed from their nests in PCNP and surrounding wildlife areas by TIDE rangers just this past spring. But why were they removed from their nests in the first place? It was actually for their protection!
The yellow-headed parrot is an endangered bird that lives in the pine forests of Southern Belize. As an endangered species, it is illegal to remove them from the wild, but poachers often catch them anyway for sale in the pet trade. This is threatening wild populations, along with loss of habitat to expanding human activities. TIDE is working to protect remaining populations in PCNP and to help them expand and grow.
International Sources
Thinking about studying in the U.S.?
More than 4,500 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. are welcoming students like you. If you’re thinking about applying, log in to a November 18 live, virtual college fair to get information on many of these schools.
Find out about specialized degree programs, what it’s like to study at a big urban school compared to a smaller school in a rural area, and which entrance exams are required where. Ask about how to get a visa or how current international students enjoy their schools.
You will have access to EducationUSA advisers, visa officials and representatives from more than 100 universities who will answer your specific questions. When you log on, you will be able to text or video chat and download resources provided by each college’s virtual booth. Live webinars will teach you how to choose a school, apply, pay tuition and get a visa.
Guildford soldier swaps ceremonial duties in Windsor for jungle training
A Guildford born officer has swapped ceremonial duties in Windsor for sweltering heat and torrential rain, training in the heart of an American rainforest.
Captain Jody Bragger (29) has been deployed as a Range Officer to the middle of Belize's rainforest on an exercise code named Mayan Warrior.
He usually serves with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards (1CG) in Windsor.
During his deployment he will learn how to fight in the jungle and how to navigate and survive amidst the dangers that lay beneath the canopies.
Captain Bragger reflected on what he has learned during this trip, and a previous visit five years ago as a Platoon Commander:
The making of the "Hamilton" cast album
Great show if you get a chance to see it. Hamilton from St Kitts-Nevis. Watch his interview on 60 minutes. He was compelled to create this, as the best artists are. Read the lyrics.
How did a show about some "dead white guys" become a sensation? For anyone who can't get a ticket, here's a small sample of the songs, cast, and lyrics
"It's the dopest beat you'll ever hear in your life." That's what Lin-Manuel Miranda, creator of the Broadway smash "Hamilton," tells 60 Minutes correspondent Charlie Rose in the Overtime video above.
But he's not talking about one of his own songs. He's playing Rose a track from the musical "Camelot," one of several cast albums his parents introduced him to as a child.
Miranda's family didn't attend many Broadway shows, but they collected countless recordings on vinyl -- and Miranda consumed them. So when it came time to record the cast album for "Hamilton," he wasn't messing around.
Videos
Best Belize Jungle Lodges, 2min. MSN travel reporter Darley ranks 3 Cayo jungle lodges as the best in Belize: Blancaneaux, Banana Bank, and Mountain Equestrian Trails. Blancaneaux was on the Travel Channel's top 10 list, along with 5 other Cayo lodges: Chaa Creek, Hidden Valley Inn, Parrot Nest, Sleeping Giant, and Table Rock.
"From luxury to budget-friendly, three great eco-lodges in Belize, including one owned by famous Hollywood director Francis Ford Coppola...Mountain Equestrian Trails, Banana Bank, and Blancaneaux all rock!"
Mikado Ad, 1min.
Minute to Win it at Roadkill Bar San Pedro Belize, 2min. The $10bzd entry fee gets you a free Traveller’s Rum drink and a donation to the charity of the night. Last night’s soft opening raised a total of $80 for the Lion’s Den. Competition was stiff and it made for an exciting night.
Belize Adventure, 11min. Belize Outdoor Adventure, Caves Paddling, Maya Ruins, Whitewater River Paddling, Ocean Camping.
Belize Tourism Board Introduces Small Country Sunday, 2min. In an effort to raise awareness for small countries that can struggle to compete with big country tourism marketing budgets, The Belize Tourism Board is declaring this November 29 "Small Country Sunday." The day is intended to celebrate all that small countries have to offer, and to encourage travelers to consider small country travel in 2016.
People who post on social media why small country travel is important, using the hashtag #SmallCountrySunday, will be eligible to win a free vacation for two to Belize. Winners will be announced the night of 11/29.
"Euphoric Belize" - Belize Tourism Board, 1.5min. BRAND NEW VIDEO FOR TOURISM IN BELIZE!!!
AmbergrisCaye.com 
