CTV3
Mason Investigated For Kidnapping Of Canadian National
Guyanese/Canadian national, Rajesh Ouellette, who presently goes by the name William Mason here in Belize is tonight behind bars and additional charges are expected to be thrown at him. Mason is believed to be one of the prime suspects in the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas after Lucas' severed head was discovered by police in the back of his vehicle on Friday night.
Mason, according to authorities, was under heavy watch as he was being investigated for a kidnapping incident that occurred about two months ago in which Mason allegedly extorted a Canadian national along with his wife to pay a sum of three thousand dollars.
Yesterday during the press conference held in Belize City it was revealed that the alleged victim, a Canadian national, reported the incident to authorities; however, fearing for his life, he decided to flee from Belize and return to his native country. But why did police wait so long to detain Mason? That is one of the many questions that are yet to be completely and genuinely answered.
Four Belizeans Sentences for Scheme In Las Vegas
Back in January of this year a Belizean Family was detained in Las Vegas Nevada and were being charged with multiple felony counts, ranging from using false identities to steal almost $300,000 in unemployment funds, to mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, making a false statement in application for a passport, making a false citizenship claim, misusing a US passport and misusing a Social Security number.
Today Frederick Vernon Williams along with his wife and two sisters are back on the international news as the family of four from Belize have been given their sentences.
According to Las Vegas media, 35 year old Frederick Vernon Williams was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 87 months in prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay approximately $297,000 in restitution.
BPP Demands Answers Into Pastor Lucas' Death
The recent, gruesome murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, has undoubtedly left the Belizean people in a state of shock and disbelief, as for many it represents a shift for the worse in the state of crime and violence in our country.
And like many Belizeans, the Belize Progressive Party - BPP is not happy about the circumstances surrounding the death of Pastor Lucas.
Yesterday the party issued a release in reference to the tragic death of Lucas and the actions surrounding the investigation of his horrific death.
Firstly, the BPP extended condolences to the Lucas family on their loss and commended the officers of the Police Department who, through their attentiveness, were able to apprehend the person who is believed to have been perpetuated in this heinous crime making reference to William Mason.
Guadalupe Street Demarcated With Assistance Of Businessman
And while the works continue in the rehabilitation project of ten streets across town, today Guadalupe Street, which recently received a full upgrade, received the final touches as the entire length of road was demarcated. This much needed process, according to Deputy Mayor of Orange Walk, could not have been achieved without the generous collaboration of business owner, Abe Remple, who donated a total of eight thousand dollars that was needed to complete the delineation.
Ian Cal- Deputy Mayor- OWT:
"Recently the street got a much needed upgrade so what it needs now is demarcation and we are happy to inform the public that this is been carried out today but we would like to thank Mr. Rempel from RB's he is the one that actually made the donation towards this project and at the same time it will benefit the drivers and the residence of this area and the residence of Orange Walk town because it doesn't only help to demarcate the area but it also beautifies the area and the businesses around as well."
Works On Streets In Orange Walk Continue In Rehabilitation Plan
Three weeks ago the Orange Walk Town council embarked in the rehabilitation project for the upgrade a total of ten heavily trafficked streets across town. Today we caught up with Deputy Mayor for Orange Walk, Ian Cal, who spoke to us about the progress already underway. Ian Cal - Deputy Mayor, Orange Walk Town:
"Currently we have prepared the streets, we have sealed the streets with primer so we just waiting on some final touches to be made with some other streets and then the contractor will come in and get those streets paved, we wanted to do one today but we were not sure of the weather how it would stand so we postpone it but I am seeing that by the end of this week we should see about three other streets paved and then we are moving on to the other streets that we have on the list of ten that we have signed with the contractor. We want these streets to be done properly, we want these streets to last so we are targeting at least three streets to be prepared first then we go in and pave those then we move on to the next three streets that is how we are working it but it all depends on how fast we ca move and how fast BWS can get their work done as well because it doesn't make any sense for us to pave the streets then BWS comes in and tears it to change pipe so we want for them to go in first and change the pipes but it is a process and that takes about six weeks actually but those streets are set and it will get done and all we ask is for patience."
PUP Demands Independent Investigation Into Pastor's Death
The People's United Party today issued a release regarding the gruesome murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas, demanding that a full and thorough investigation be launched into the case. According to the release, the gruesome discovery of the head of Pastor Lucas in the possession of politically affiliated, William Mason and four others has exposed major weaknesses in several critical government departments and an incestuous relationship between Mr. Mason, Minister of National Security John Saldivar, other Ministers of Government, UDP politicians, and several members of the Belize Police Department.
PlusTV
Pastor Llewelyn Lucas decapitated
The decapitated head of 47 year old Llewelyn Lucas was found in a bucket in the back of a vehicle owned by a Canadian man who has been accused of various scams internationally and who goes by several names: Danny Ramesh, Ted Quellet ,and William Mason. According to the official police report, On Fr...
Accused murderer had fake Belizean birth certificate
One of the other elements of the Llewelyn Lucas murder case is the fact that a birth certificate, issued in June of 2015, indicates that William Mason was born in Crooked Tree Village. Police say it is a fake certificate since Mason was born in Guyana and is now a Canadian resident. It is another ...
Minister of National Security explains his relationship with Mason
It has been widely circulated that the accused murderer has made connections with various Ministers of Government and may have been awarded several contracts with various Government Departments. One of the Ministers with whom he has been associated is Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar. At M...
$29,000 Stolen from Belmopan Income Tax Dept
There was a brazen robbery of the Income Tax department in Belmopan on Friday evening. It happened minutes to 6 o'clock on the 15th of the month when business taxes are due. According to the cashier at the income tax office, she was inside the office along with some co-workers when three male pers...
Girl Killed by Croc in Maypen River
An 8 year old girl was killed by a crocodile in the Maypen River in the Belize District. According to reports, on Sunday afternoon , 8 year old Adriana Moody was swimming in the Maypen River along with 3 other children and an adult, Indira Rhaburn. That is when the child was attacked by a crocodile....
Cop and city man charged with attempted murder
A sworn police officer and another Belize City man have been remanded to the Belize Central Prison, accused of the Thursday, July 14, 2016 attempted murder of 29 year old Nigel Castillo who was shot once in the abdomen whilst socializing near a basketball court in the Saint Martin de Porres area. 19...
Ronlee Petillo charged for murder
Police have made another arrest in a murder case. Roger Banner was gunned down in Belize City on the 9th July,2016, and on Monday 18th July, police formally arrested and charged 28-year-old Ronlee Petillo of a George Street address for Banner's murder....
Man pleads to cocaine possession
36 year old Amilcar Tulcey, one of 9 persons charged with drug trafficking and 2 counts of possession of a controlled drug, pled guilty to the charges when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. He was sentenced to 3 years and was fined $10,000 for drug trafficking. He was given u...
Belizean stuck at airport during coup attempt is safe
A Belizean was stuck at the international airport in Istanbul, Turkey during the attempted coup in that country on Friday. Martha Carrillo, who is the Country Representative for PASMO Belize which implements health programs to prevent HIV, was travelling to Durban, South Africa to attend an interna...
Amandala
Beheaded!
One of the most shocking murders to ever happen in the country came to light when police accidentally discovered the freshly severed head of a man, Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, 47, in the trunk of a pickup truck belonging to William Mason, a Guyanese national by birth, who goes by several aliases, including Rajesh/Ted/ Donny Ouellet, when they located and detained him in an investigation about another matter, a kidnapping.
Apart from reportedly holding a Canadian passport, Mason was, strangely, in June 2015, issued a birth certificate claiming that he was born in Crooked Tree, Belize District.
Lucas, on the other hand, popularly known as Pastor Lue, was a Dangriga-based pastor who died without any wife or children. He was a devoted Christian who had been especially critical of the LGBT agenda and had recently made some forays into politics.
Terrible tragedy - croc kills child, 8
An 8-year-old child was swallowed whole by a crocodile on Sunday afternoon. The child, Adriana Moody, and three other children were swimming with their mother in the Maypen river, located between the villages of Gardenia and Biscayne at around Mile 25 on the Philip Goldson Highway, when the attack occurred.
According to Indira Rhaburn, 24, who police told us is Moody's mother, at around 3:25 p.m. she saw the crocodile in the middle of the river with what appeared to be Adriana's body in its jaws.
The crocodile then began to swim down the river with the child, apparently dead, in its mouth.
Police reports indicate that Rhaburn began to pursue the crocodile in a canoe, striking it in its head with her paddle.
According to Rhaburn, despite her efforts the reptile went under water with the child, and she didn't spot the child or the crocodile after that.
3 years for 6 grams of crack cocaine
Nine persons were arraigned on charges of possession of an illegal drug and possession of an illegal drug with intent to distribute, but one person out of the nine decided to accept responsibility for the three separate parcels of crack cocaine that the police's Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) found at a house in Ladyville.
Amilcar Tulcey, 36, pleaded guilty to one count of drug trafficking and two counts of possession. For his guilty plea, he was sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of $10,000 for drug trafficking. For possession of a controlled drug, he was sentenced to two three-month sentences. The sentences are to run concurrently, so he will only serve three years in prison, but if he fails to pay the $10,000 fine, he will have to spend another three years behind bars.
This morning the nine accused persons appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. They are Elcelena Tulcey, 39, and her two minor daughters 14 and 17 years old; and her brother Amilcar Tulcey, a self-employed caterer, all residents of Mile 9 � Philip Goldson Highway; along with Messalina Garcia, 39, a hair-braider of Heron Street, Ladyville; Danielle Gabourel, 26, a customer service representative of Parrot Street, Ladyville; Tanisha Gabourel, 30, a housewife of Parrot Street, Ladyville; James Lozano, 18, a mechanic of Flamboyant Street, Ladyville; and an individual who is a car washer and has hearing and speaking disabilities.
Four Belizeans sentenced in Nevada for US$300,000 scheme
Four Belizeans who were convicted in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, in January are facing prison terms and restitution fines in connection with their conviction for a benefits fraud scheme through which the family had defrauded federal agencies of roughly US$300,000 over a period of two years.
The man accused of being a mastermind in the scheme, Frederick Vernon Williams, 35, formerly of Zericote Street, Belize City, was sentenced today by US District Judge James C. Mahan to 87 months (just over 7 years) in prison plus 3 years of supervised release, and ordered to pay approximately US$297,000 in restitution, according to an announcement by US Attorney Daniel G. Bogden for the District of Nevada.
Bogden made the announcement via a press release today, indicating that Williams was the 4th family member sentenced in connection with the scheme. Williams had been slapped with a total of 20 criminal counts for conspiracy to commit mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, mail fraud, theft of government money, making a false statement in application for a passport, and making false citizenship claims.
Policeman and his friend remanded on attempted murder charge
A police officer and another man, believed to be his friend, were remanded to the Belize Central Prison after they were arraigned on a charge that they attempted to murder a man in the Lake Independence area on Thursday, July 14.
This morning, after more than three nights in police custody, PC Wallace Meighan, 19, a resident of 1B Mahogany Street Extension, and Travaun Chee, 21, a self-employed construction worker, were charged jointly in the Belize City Magistrate's Court with four charges - one count of attempted murder, one count of dangerous harm and one count of use of deadly means of harm with a firearm upon Nigel Castillo, 29. The two were also charged with one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Gilbert Arana.
Meighan and Chee appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, who read the charges to them.
Belize's debt hitting another high
Reports published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicate that Belize's debt is bound to hit a new high this year, with the Government of Belize having to settle compensation payments for the nationalization some years ago of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and the Belize Electricity Limited.
Belize got its debt under control with the refinancing of the Superbond three years ago, when the country's debt hit the lowest trough in over a decade. Now, though, the debt figures are following the same trajectory as they did around 2004, when the then administration of Said Musa racked up both public and publicly guaranteed debt which, according to data published by the IMF, pushed the ratio of debt to GDP (Gross Domestic Product) past 100% in 2004.
Toledo 8-Ball Billiards update as of Monday, July 18
Friday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m., Knights visited Challengers at Sarstoon Bar.
Saturday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m., Anaconda visited Upstairs at Upstairs Lounge.
Sunday, July 17, at 2:00 p.m., Upstairs visited Knights at Sarstoon Bar.
Current Standing as of July 18, 2016.
BDBA Firms Tournament games continue
The Belize District Basketball Association (BDBA) Firms Tournament continued over the weekend with games at Bird's Isle on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 14, 15 and 16.
In games on Thursday night, BTL defeated
Belize Bank Bulldogs, 91-82; and Mayan Man Warriors crushed Atlantic Bank, 88-68.
On Friday, it was Belize City Council Dragons, 80-74, over Infotel; and Central Health with the 98-75 win over Bowen & Bowen.
Saturday saw BTL grounding Civil Aviation Drones, 99-78; and Belize Bank Bulldogs chewed up Atlantic Bank, 77-66.
Upcoming schedule
Thursday, July 21
7:00 p.m. - Atlantic Bank vs Infotel
8:30 p.m. - Bowen & Bowen vs Dragons
Friday, July 22
Yabra wins, 4-2, but Lilly White got his goal
Reporting on the Over 40 game at Yabra field yesterday between Lily White Blend and Yabra Culture to celebrate his birthday, Lilly White said his squad jumped the game, but Yabra came back to win 4-2, after being tied 1-1 at the half. "Some of my guys began to get tired late in the game," said Lilly White; "but I still feel good because I got my goal, although they tried hard to stop me from scoring." "Gellies" and "Reno" scored 2 goals each for Yabra, while "Jose" got the other goal for Lilly White Blend. Other outstanding players on Lilly White Blend were "Mango" in midfield and "Chukuru" in goal.
"We all had a real good time, with lots of food, at Tatty's place on Barrack Road after the game," said Lilly White.
Winty J (Vincent Johnson) - my life, Part 8
A: Weh di Mugga tell yu afta di game?�
W: Afta di game, man� da man� yo know da wata side�
Part 8
A: Yeah�
W: If hihn ne'ev'n� hihn no play, but hihn wahn(t) wi go swim� hihn staat to jinx wi� and tek i hand and do so da mi neck�. and pupalick (summersault) every minute� (laughs) he is� hey, Chalwa, he is something else� hihn know how fi really� dis man no mek yu sad, Chalwa� yo no?� dis da di bredda, mein� mi no see no man weh da man� �hey!.. listen man�
A: Di Mugga!
W: i da no no angel, yo no� i just gat wah vibes weh i no how fi treat people, bredda, yo no?� and i� i respect man� and i gih respect too� becaa da no no bwai kyan kum 'round wid no foolishness, yo no� off wid di coat or� yo no?� so�
A: i no does fight, and so�
W: No!� but dehn call him BEMBE!� caa i wahn beat yu� yo no?�
Editorial: Hard times
Belize is experiencing hard times, and things are about to get worse at the base of the socio-economic pyramid. There will be a flurry of government spending for the September celebrations, but the overall decline in our private sector economy will continue unabated, as the Belizean economy continues to lose jobs.
We have a functional parliamentary democracy in Belize. We have a free press and an open business market. Our country is blessed with bountiful natural resources. But our economy has been struggling for years, and, to repeat, things are getting worse.
What is Belize's problem? Well, let us begin with a world view. In the twentieth century, we saw countries like Russia, China, and Cuba make major economic progress with the implementation of revolutionary political systems which featured state control of the economy. During the twentieth century, we also saw countries like India, Singapore, and Taiwan substantially improve their economic performances with political systems which were open, democratic and allowed for free markets. There is a vibrant private sector in India, Singapore, and Taiwan. For most of the twentieth century, there was no private sector, as we know it in Western-style democracies, in Russia, China, and Cuba.
From the Publisher
I went to a funeral on Thursday afternoon. This newspaper's chief printer was burying his oldest son, a teenager. He had been killed in their Southside neighborhood. The violence, said the police, appeared to be gang-related.
Gang violence in Belize City is tied in with neighborhood loyalties. Once a baby child is born and grows up on certain streets in certain areas of this town, then he is almost automatically gang-affiliated, as we would say.
There were two aspects of the funeral which jumped out at me. One was that my printer is the son of a lady, now 88, whom I grew up next to on Church Street, between Albert and East Canal. Her family, a roots black family, was one house down from where I spent the first seven years of my life. During the more than six decades which have passed since I moved from that 'hood to West Canal and Regent Street West, I lost direct contact with Bunsie and Lester and Alma, and so on, but I always remembered we had a connection from the old Church Street years.
Letter to the Editor: Belizeans, let's have a plebiscite
Dear Editor,
Has Belize done everything reasonably possible to buttress its case against Guatemala's ever shifting claims to its territory?
Guatemala found its claims upon a theory known in international law as utipossidetis, or "as you possess." In the face of historic fact to the contrary, Guatemala asserts that such authority as Spain exercised in and over Belize prior to Central American independence was exercised through the Captaincy-General of Guatemala. In fact, such authority was asserted instead through the Captaincy-General of the Yucat�n.
Guatemala also conveniently ignores the historic fact that once independent, it negotiated and signed a treaty in 1859 which simply recognized and memorialized a pre-existing boundary line between British territory and the territory of Guatemala. In no sense can the 1859 Treaty be construed as ceding Guatemalan territory to Britain in exchange for a promise to build a trade route. Accordingly, Guatemala's claim to have cause, to rescind its obligation, to have ceded land because of Britain's failure to build a trade route has no basis in fact or in law.
Letter to the Editor: Dismembering The Jewel
Dear Editor,
Recently, I have been thinking of something my mother used to tell us as children when an object of value fell and broke. She would say, "Save the pieces". Looking back I think her reason for this request was to see if the treasured possession could be mended if the pieces were saved. Let us now turn to the topic of this correspondence.
There is an overwhelming preponderance of facts and opinions from very learned and intelligent persons supporting the position that Belize has a virtually iron-clad defense for clearly defined boarders with Guatemala and sound legal title to the territory it occupies. Those who support our Government's decision to go to the ICJ have used this argument in support of their position. I find this to be very sound reasoning and I do agree with them that we could easily prevail at the ICJ if this were the question the ICJ will be asked to decide. Unfortunately however, under the Special Agreement our leaders have made with Guatemala, this is not the case.
Forensic experts probe deadly shootings in conflicts over incursions
Belize's western border with Guatemala is known to be a very porous border through which Guatemalans habitually come to pillage the resources east of the Pet�n, and particularly in the area known as the Chiquibul. The Chiquibul is Belize's most expansive protected land mass, divided into the Chiquibul National Park, the Chiquibul Forest Reserve and the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, where Special Constable Danny Conorquie was gunned down in 2014 while on duty, reportedly by Guatemalans who were irate over the confiscation of their horses, used to illegally extract logs from the area.
The Conorquie death was never subjected to a thorough forensic probe. However, it may now be included in a broader investigation triggered by the recent shooting death of a Guatemalan minor at Cebada, within the national park, and very near to the Belize-Guatemala border. Two experts are reportedly in-country to lead that investigation, commissioned by the Organization of American States (OAS), following separate requests from Belize and Guatemala.
Europe's financial system on verge of collapse
Last weekend, Prime Minister Renzi said that while Italy has a banking crisis that could end in collapse at any time because of the more than 360 million euros in non-performing debt; he should warn that the crisis surrounding Deutsche Bank is "a hundred times worse".
Deutsche Bank is sitting on a pile of non-performing loans and some US $ 72.8 trillion in current derivatives contracts. Germany's entire GDP is US $ 4 trillion, and the entire European countries produce some US $ 18 trillion dollars per year. Deutsche has a leverage ratio of 40:1. Remember Lehman at the time of its collapse had a leverage ratio of 31:1. In the last 12 months, Deutsche Bank's balance sheet fell some 48%. Now it's at 8% of its value in the year 2007.
But another bubble is about to burst in Europe. According to Bloomberg, as of Monday major real estate funds in London were facing major investors' run; and the prospect of an imminent blowout of the entire British real estate bubble is very real. Standard Life Investments has suspended its UK Real Estate fund so as to stop investors' pulling out money.
Impostor cops rob Income Tax of $30,000
The Income Tax Department Office on Trinity Boulevard in Belmopan was held up by three impostor policemen at about 4:30 this afternoon. The office, which is a one-flat bungalow-type concrete building, is unattached to buildings in the row on Trinity Boulevard.
The robbers stole about $30,000 along with the personal belongings of the office clerks, and the cap and gun of the policeman who was on duty in the office.
Police told Amandala that the clerks were balancing their books before closing when two men wearing police-type camouflage clothing on which the word "POLICE" was imprinted, and also wearing caps that matched the camouflage clothing, approached the office. The police officer on duty at the office, believing that they were police officers making checks, opened the door so that they could enter.
Breaking Belize News
Stolen boat engines recovered by Placencia Police
A boat engine was reported stolen by Placencia Tour Guide Leopold Leslie, 48, on Saturday July 16th. Leslie told police he docked his 23-foot vessel with a 60 Horse Power grey Yamaha brand engine near the Municipal Pier area in Placencia Village. When he [�]
Donald Trump is Republican Party nominee for U.S. president
This evening, businessman Donald Trump officially clinched the Republican Party presidential nomination after securing enough delegates during the roll call vote on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. U.S. media sources report that a rules change allowed Trump's home state, [�]
Mayor: No money missing from Bond sinking fund
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has issued a blistering response to allegations that some 200 thousand dollars is missing from the Sinking Fund held in the Central Bank of Belize, which serves as the base of repayment of the 20 million dollar municipal bond [�]
City Hall disowns William Mason
The name William Mason has been all over the news since Monday, but there was a time when it was not widely known. In fact, six weeks ago, Mason appeared at a Central Emergency Management Organization (CEMO) press conference at the start of the [�]
CitCo holds public consultation on seaside development
It's common for major projects under the environmental impact assessment process organized by the Department of the Environment (DOE) to hold public consultations to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a project - and engagements tend to be robust, as with the Harvest Caye [�]
Rupert Myles trespass challenge gets underway
The first hearing of the connected cases of the Maya community of Santa Cruz versus Rupert Myles for trespass at the Uxbenka Maya site and Jalacte village versus the Government of Belize was heard by Supreme Court Justice Michelle Arana. As the road toward [�]
Mentally challenged P.G. man admits manslaughter in stepfather's death
25 year old David Ortiz of Punta Gorda Town has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter in the death of his stepfather, 69 year old David Benguche in March of 2014. Ortiz, found to be mentally challenged, was today handed a [�]
Bulgarians back in court for confiscation challenge
28 year old Jeorji Petrov, and 25 year old Halid Yuksel Aptula have already pleaded guilty to multiple counts of theft and are serving a concurrent 12-month prison sentence. In May of this year, the Bulgarian nationals were caught stealing from the Belize Bank [�]
Maya and GOB back to CCJ over consent order
The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) this morning held a hearing via video-conference with legal representatives of the Government of Belize and the Maya Leaders Alliance/Toledo Alcaldes Association in response to recent reports on the implementation of the Consent Order it issued last April recognizing [�]
Belizeans sentenced in fraud case
Las Vegas media reports say four family members from Belize have been given their sentences in a scheme to steal almost $300,000 in unemployment funds and benefits from multiple federal agencies. 35 year old Frederick Vernon Williams was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge [�]
San Ignacio man stabbed to death
Edilberto Morales, 33, was stabbed to death last night in San Ignacio during an altercation. Morales was stabbed to the chest, rib area and left shoulder. The incident happened in the Santiago Juan Layout area of San Ignacio town. Morales, a resident of the [�]
Marie Sharp's is Fiery Hot!
Located along the Hummingbird Highway is an amazing operation that can only be described as 'Fiery Hot'. Ha�okay, yes, I'm talking Marie Sharp's Hot Sauce Factory, and I promise no more cheesy jokes.
Marie Sharp's began as Melinda Pepper Sauce, and there are a lot of older generation folks who still refer to the bottles as such. Whatever you call it, the sauce remains the same, with an almost cult-like following. It is a staple on Belizean tables and a quick, easy, much-appreciated souvenir for visitors, and those who live in the US often BEG for bottles of the hot stuff. The hot sauce market is varied, and Marie Sharp's is right there standing proud with the big guns. Japan is their #1 export client; with the green habanero sauce being their favorite. Germany and the USA are tied for second biggest client, followed closely by Switzerland and South Korea. Yes�our beloved Marie Sharp's is smokin' worldwide! It's hard not to argue that point: hand-picked and washed habaneros, hand-chopped carrots and onions, all natural ingredients with zero preservatives�Marie Sharp's has cornered the market for unique, homegrown hot sauce.
Monday Morning on Ambergris Caye's Leeward Side: THE Sandbar
Saturday afternoon, we headed back around the island and up to the leeward side for some fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and relaxation at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly or "the camp"�
Gorgeous night time photo taken by Vishal Billa.
Two boats headed up. Family from California is in town�
It's been a beautiful weekend. Yesterday was perfect for a trip to the sand bar - two boats again headed out- the larger one with people, the smaller skiff towing a few paddle boards.
Some went out on the Boteboards�
Some went fishing�
Even a drone was sent up to see it all from above. MAN those drones are cool.
But after about 2 hours of paddling and just soaking, dark clouds started to move in and we were off. Bottom line? I LOVE THIS SANDBAR.
International Sources
Suspected Canadian con artist arrested in Belize for allegedly beheading priest
On Saturday evening, outside of a downtown bar in Belize's capital, Belmopan, police peered into the bed of a pickup truck parked outside of a bar. There, police say they found cash, firearms, and a bucket. Inside the bar was William Mason.
Inside the bucket was a head, which belonged to a local pastor. The truck, even his own attorney admits, belonged to Mason.
One TV station has billed the murder as the "crime of the decade." Another said that the killing had "paralyzed the country."
According to local media, based on interviews with lawyers, prosecutors, and police, Mason refused to cooperate with police, and officers had to break into his truck in order to continue the search. From there, they searched Mason's pig farm in a nearby town where police believe they've found the burnt remains of a body.
The victim, Pastor Llewelyn "Lue" Lucas, was, according to a local TV station, "loved and respected by everyone." An image of Lucas' severed head sent to VICE News shows that it was stuffed into a plastic bag.
Mohawk Regional students hunt iguana, eat termites on Belize trip
Thirteen students from the Mohawk Trail Regional School traveled to another world this summer - to the rainforest, Mayan culture and barrier reef of Belize, a small Carribbean nation just south of Mexico.
A small country of 380,000 residents that is 60 percent forest, Belize is known for its diverse ecosystems and many species of land and water animals. It was also home to the Mayan civilization, which flourished there about 3,000 years ago.
"It was quite an adventure, as we spent five days in the rainforest, four days on the coral reef and an overnight at the Belize Zoo," said Mohawk science teacher Kathleen Stier, who was one of the chaperones on the trip.
The first time Stier went to Belize was in 1979, she said - and it was a trip that changed her life. "It was a rugged, unforgettable trip," she said. "It made me want to study biology."
Since then, Stier has been to Belize a few more times. But she spoke about it so often that her Advanced Placement biology students started asking her to take them with her this summer.
10 Best Places to Retire in Belize
Belize is most certainly not the cheapest countries to retire to. If you are looking at Belize as your retirement destination, it is safe to assume that you already have taken care of the finance. That said, if you are interested in retiring to a tropical paradise, then you cannot go wrong with Belize. The country may be small compared to some other competing tropical locations, but it sure does pack a big punch when it comes to charm and scenery. Well, it must be said that there are some Latin American and Asian countries out there that offer the tropical beauty at a much cheaper package, but little perks like a great English speaking community, awesome 55+ communities in almost every locale around the country make it just a bit more attractive. Also, expats and foreign retirees living there at present have very high opinion of Belize for anyone willing to spend their golden years in peace. Also, there is a lot of fun activities to do in Belize, during both day and night. But, packing your bags and setting sail should wait till you find the right place to retire to in Belize.
Videos
Lion Fish Contest on Open Your Eyes..., 27min.
Kaina Martinez on her plans for the future on Open Your Eyes..., 32min.
Belize Theatre Company Presents the Adventures of Ticky Bood on Open Your Eyes..., 20min.
Ms Ann Gordon of the National Climate Change Office on Open Your Eyes..., 28min.
Welcome Resource Centre in Belize City on Open Your Eyes..., 27min.
Duane & Isani Weekend Wrap Up on Open Your Eyes..., 26min.
National Epidemiology Unit on Open Your Eyes..., 23min.
Tribute to Pastor Lucas, 4min.
BELIZE A STATE OF EMERGENCY - William Mason and the Government of Belize, 3min. Anonymous Belize
ORANGE WALKENOS BEWARE. THE FISH IS NOT HEALTHY FOR CONSUMPTION, 1/2min. Its the kids im worrying about, yesrerday 4 kids took a bag full of fish home. Is it so coincidental that a factory is dumping spoil molasses, which the workers say gives you itching if you touch it, into their ponds and down stream by maracas the fishes are dying. can it be that maybe just maybe the fishes are dying every year around this same time because it's at this time of year the factory cleans out?
Belize, 4.5min.
Gospel Ambassadors, 5min. Zamar Student Choir shares the Good News of the gospel with evangelistic CDs and tracts on mission in the country of Belize, Central America.
Belize drone footage, 3min.
Diving in Caye Caulker, Belize, 3.5min. Saw the most amazing reef in Caye Caulker, Belize. DSLR footage by Charlotte, GoPro footage by Rayna.
Interview with Mr. Alpuche CEO for Agriculture in Belize, 4min. Our CEO Umeeda Switlo speaks with Mr. Alpuche about the future of the Agriculture industry in Belize.
Abroad to Belize!, 8min.
The Reefs of Belize - 360° Video, 3.5min.
Take an underwater journey to Glover's Reef Research Station in Belize and immerse yourself in coral reefs. Experience the thrills, challenges, and serendipity of wildlife photography and explore the role of visual culture as a catalyst for positive social change on our tiny blue planet.