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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

SPHC opens exhibit to El Rey del Carnaval
As a prelude to the annual Carnaval activities, the San Pedro House of Culture (SPHC) opened an exhibit to pay tribute to the late Felix Ayuso, “El Rey del Carnaval” on Friday, February 17th. From his costumes to his skits, for years Ayuso has been a very prominent figure during Carnaval. El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro is a unique tradition that dates back to 1848 and has been passed down through generations. Opening the event was Mistress of Ceremonies, Vivian Noralez, who greeted the audience to the special occasion. She then invited Director of the SPHC, Mito Paz, to give the welcome address. “This occasion is very special as it pays tribute to Felix Ayuso, who is the King of Carnaval. We were actually organizing this show for months, and Felix was excited to participate. He is one of our favorite fans, and he never missed an event. He was one of the biggest promoters for Carnaval and the SPHC decided to do a special show and exhibit in his honor,” said Paz. The presentation was a grand success and the audience all cheered in delight. All of the models gathered back onstage as drinks were handed out to do a brindis (toast) in Ayuso’s honor. Following after, a dancer of Charikanari’s Garifuna Dance Group also paid tribute to Ayuso with a punta dance in rhythm to the drumming sounds.

El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro has started!
The Carnaval fever has once again invaded San Pedro Town as the annual ‘El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro,’ tipped off this past weekend. With the official ceremonies and block party on Saturday, February 25th, the festivities so far have been bigger and more colourful than ever. The traditional celebration is held to usher in the 40-day Lenten Season, and this year’s Carnaval is being held under the theme ‘Orgullo, Alegria, y Pasion; Carnaval es mi Tradicion!’ The San Pedro Town Council held the official ceremonies at the Central Park, where speeches from the organizers of the Carnaval as well as Mayor Daniel Guerrero were delivered. The program included several different performances and even a tribute to the late ‘Carnavalista’ Felix Ayuso, who was very instrumental to the Carnaval. A video presentation depicting his life with messages from friends and relatives made for an emotional moment. At the end Ayuso’s son, Joran Ayuso was presented with plaque to commemorate his father’s life by Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Area Representative and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week - Not Your Typical Street Scene in San Pedro
You don't see this everyday in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, but when you do you know its Carnaval Time! It's normal for a woman to be placing a colorful wig on a man dressed in drag on the side of the street - It's Carnaval Time!!! the best part of the three-day celebration is the street dancing groups that liven up the town with dance, music and comical satire.

San Pedro Carnaval 2017 Kicks Off
Carnaval 2017 has started with colorful costumes, live music and lots of dancing by four compara groups that took to the streets to downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. On Sunday, February 26, 2017, the island came to life with residents enjoyed one of the most traditional celebrations on the island. The four compara groups (street dancing groups) are: Flora's Group, San Pedro AIDS Commisssion, Las Original Barbies, and Jaguar's Girls. Here are some highlights of Day One:

Misc Belizean Sources

Aji Tapas Restaurant opens Wednesday under new management
Looking for exotic cocktails and great tapas? Be sure to visit Aji Tapas Restaurant!

LAUNCH OF THE BELIZE ARCHIVES ADVISORY BOARD
On Friday, 24th February, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture launched the Belize Archives Advisory Board at a meeting held in the Conference Room of the Belize Archives and Records Service (BARS) in Belmopan. The current members of the Advisory Board are: Ms. Marian McNab, Chairperson, Dr. Wilma Wright, Mr. Lawrence Vernon, Mr. Nigel Encalada, Rev. Lancelot Lewis, Mr. Rudy Aguilar and Mr. Derryck Satchwell. The Director of BARS, Dr. Herman Byrd is Secretary of the Board. Mrs. Adele Catzim-Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture in the Ministry of Education, deputized on behalf of the Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education. CEO Catzim told the Board, that “The Belize Archives and Records Service are at a critical juncture in its development. The work of BARS remains at the core of nation building. The work is not only about the collection, preservation and dissemination of information; it is about showing and telling us who we are as a people. Key historical documents (photographs, letters, reports, and newspaper articles) represent moments in time that bring meaning to the experiences we share today.”

The Farm House Deli in Corozal
Hey to all Corozalenos, Deli Farmers will hear this Wednesday March 1, 2017 in front of the Corozal House of Culture.

Belize Forward Marlon Meza shares Golden Boot Award
With Mexican Forward Ramon Maldonado. Congratulations Marlon on this great achievement.

The Belize Street Art Fest 2017 was a blast
From handprints and coloring, to sawdust art, chalk art and dancing bulls, it was a lively cultural event!

San Pedro Carnaval Celebrations 2017

Master Chef Sean Kuylen and his team wowed students at our launch event Culinary Arts at Ocean Academy
Students learned about the amazing diversity and richness of Belizean cuisines and local ingredients. Sean Kuylen's positive energy, passion and delicious samples definitely sparked an excitement and appreciation for Belizean cooking!

Wanted, foster parents
We need you, we want you!

RESTORATION OF SHOULDERS OF THE HIGHWAY PASSING THROUGH SANDHILL VILLAGE
Through lobbying efforts by Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Hon. Edmond Castro, who is also Area Representative for Belize Rural North, work is being done to restore the shoulders of that portion of the Phillip Goldson Highway passing through the village of Sandhill near its junction with the Old Northern Highway. Besides helping to preserve the integrity of the highway, this is also very useful to residents of the area who utilize the shoulders of the highway to safely move around as pedestrians from location to location within the limits of the village. It will also increase safety for public and school buses picking up and dropping off commuters in the area.

Cuban Ambassador to Belize calls on the Mayor of San Pedro
Cuban Ambassador to Belize, Her Excellency Lissette Perez Perez and Cuban Counselor in Belize, Orestes Hernandez paid a courtesy call to the Mayor of San Pedro His Worship Daniel Guerrero on Friday February 24th. Since taking up office a little over three months ago, Ambassador Perez has been meeting with Cuban residents living in Belize. “It is my first time on the island,” commented Perez, adding that, “during this event I wanted to pay a courtesy call to see how we can work together for the common good of our people of both countries.” In speaking to the Mayor, Ambassador Perez offered the SPTC the opportunity to explore ways in which San Pedro can work together with the Cuban government in the areas such as climate change, health, culture, music and sports. “We are happy for your visit. Cuba has been a good friend to Belize and we are fortunate to have benefited from Cuba’s generosity especially in the area of health and educational opportunities,” commented Mayor Guerrero. “The help offered by the Cuban Ambassador is the step in the right direction and we happy to be able to explore ways to collaborate,” ended Guerrero.

Beach soccer team returns home with a top scorer
CBSC2017 Top Scorers: Marlon Meza of #Belize and Ramon Maldonado of @miseleccionmx Individual Awards Golden Ball: Alfonso Maquensi (Panama) Golden Glove: Diego Villasenor (Mexico) Top Scorers: Marlon Meza (Belize) and Jose Ramon Maldonado Alonso (Mexico) (12 goals each) Young Player Award: Jamal Haynes (Guyana) CONCACAF Fair Play Trophy: Canada Standings 1st: Panama 2nd: Mexico 3rd: El Salvador 4th: Guadeloupe 5th: USA 6th: Bahamas 7th: Trinidad & Tobago 8th: Jamaica 9th: Costa Rica 10th: Canada 11th: Antigua & Barbuda 12th: Guyana 13th: Belize 14th: Turks & Caicos Islands 15th: Barbados 16th: US Virgin Islands

CCC marching band and dance group at Carnaval Chetumal 2017

BIRTHDAY BASH FOR JUNIOR BUDDY!
Belize's most famous jaguar and "national treasure," Junior Buddy, hit the big 1-0 last week! Over 100 guests joined us to celebrate this very special decade of jaguar conservation in grand fashion. Our VIP guests included Junior's longtime friends from St. Agnes Anglican School down the road, as well as our "jaguar expert" colleagues from around Belize. After a review of some cool feline facts about jaguars, everyone joined TBZ Director Sharon in a rousing rendition of the Junior Buddy Song, complete with "dancing jaguars" in the crowd. The Birthday Boy was eager to receive his birthday bone, quickly diving into his pond the moment it was tossed in. Junior wowed his fans with his speed and agility (still young at heart!), then triumphantly chomped on his prize for all to see. Jaguar themed games, treats, and prizes followed; plenty of fun for all! PAWS UP to all our party guests, and particularly to 7 News Belize and SanPedroScoop.com for providing excellent coverage for the celebrations. We look forward to many more years of showing the world how proud Belize is to have jaguars in our jungles!

Once a flighted White-front has been caught, they're gently restrained in a towel
They're carefully examined to make sure they're in top-notch condition - essential for success in the wild. We also record the band number of each bird we release as well as their gender and date of release.

Park Manager Ray Makin, welcomed Dr. Richard Leventhal and his graduate students at Nim Li Punit!
It was an exciting day today at work.Dr Richard leventhal,the archaeologist who discovered tomb #1 in1986 was here to revisit his dicovery.at nim li punit archaeological reserve.

Channel 7

Six Year Old Knocked Down and Killed
Tonight, a Belize City family is grieving after their 6 year old daughter was knocked down and killed last night. It happened around 6:40 when 43 year old Albert Martinez was driving a Toyota Corolla and he knocked down a 6 year old who was walking on the highway with her mother near the Faber's Road junction. The mother sustained minor injuries, but her daughter, Ashanti Pollard died on the spot. Police who happened upon the scene right after the accident say he was traveling at high speed. The family told Daniel Ortiz how the accident has devastated them:.. Daniel Ortiz reporting: The family of the 6 year-old baby, Ashanti Pollard, continues to grieve her sudden, rather violent death. Her little body was hit and flung by a vehicle which struck her right outside the gate of her home. Her mother, who suffered injuries in the traffic accident, is in the throes of grief, a pain more than anything physical she endured in that accident.

Cousin Kills Cousin In Orange Walk
The weekend saw one murder, and it was in the Orange Walk district. 54 year old San Roman villager Marcelino Chan was stabbed to death, reportedly by his own cousin, 25 year old Mario Aguirre with whom he'd had a dispute. It happened at 8:30 on Saturday night, when Chan had already left Aguirre's house, reportedly after trying to part a domestic dispute. While Chan was walking away, Aguirre reportedly jumped him from behind and inflicted multiple stab wounds, one of them directly to his chest. Chan's daughter told the media that her father was trying to part a fight between AGUIRRE and his wife, when Aguirre turned on him. In the process he also stabbed another man who was trying to intervene. Here are both accounts in off-camera interviews:

GOB VS. Ashcroft Alliance In Supreme Court
On February the third the Government ran to the Supreme Court to get an urgent injunction against the Ashcroft Alliance. The injunction was granted and it prevents the Alliance, specifically BCB Holdings and the Belize Bank from taking any action to enforce a judgement from a US Court. That foreign judgement allows them to go after Belize's international assets to settle an arbitral award which government refuses to pay. But the injunction prevents them from doing so. Well, now, the Ashcroft Alliance is applying to the Supreme Court to strike out government's claim and set the injunction aside, while the government wants to make it a permanent injunction. Both sides went before the Chief Justice today where they agreed to simply go to trial on March 13th where they will determine the merits of the claim. We got explanations form attorneys for both sides:... Eamon Courtenay, SC - BCB, Belize Bank Attorney: "If we did that on an interim basis, it would largely determine the claim itself. So instead of doing in in two stages, we decided to just agree that we would treat this matter on the 13th as the trial of the claim. It either succeeds or it fails."

Saying Goodbye to a Beloved Bishop for The Catholic Faithful
The Official Funeral for Belize's first homegrown Bishop, O. P. Martin was held today in Belmopan City. But before that there was a Memorial Mass at Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City this morning at 9:00 with a viewing of the body. The church was full to overflowing and many had to take in the service form outside. Inside, the many well wishers and devotees of Bishop Martin, as well as school children filled the pews for the service. OP MARTIN was the Bishop of Belize and Belmopan from 1984 until he retired in 2007. And many who attended today's service were those touched by his ministry, or who had him baptize, confirm, or marry them.

Remembering OP's Humanity and Good Humour
And after that memorial service, his body was taken to the Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Belmopan for the official funeral. It was full to overflowing and then some where everyone came out to say a final goodbye to Belize's first Garifuna and homegrown bishop. The eulogy was delivered by his lifelong friend Meliton Auil - who remembered the Bishop's humanity and good humour:... Meliton Auil, friend: "He was a spiritual man, but also a true human being who was able to face pain and sorrow with great fortitude. He loved outdoor activity and enjoyed going on fishing trips before he was afflicted with a spinal condition that despite 2 operations was the source of great pain, especially in his back."

Galan's Escape
Police are currently looking for 27 year old Jonathan Galan. Yesterday the El Salvadorian escaped from prison where he was serving a three year sentence for drug trafficking. Police are seeking the public's help in locating Galan, and anyone who has any information about his whereabouts is asked to contact their local authorities. He previously resided in Camalote Village in the Cayo District.

Dale Succeeds Audrey As CWU President
There's a new president of the Christian Workers Union. Dale Trujeque was elected president at an annual general meeting on Saturday with an easy majority: he beat challenger Wilmore Staines by a margin of 175 to 63. Outgoing President Audrey Mature who served fora little over three years did not contest. Today, Trujeque - who is trained in industrial relations - said he wants to engage employers in a different way: Dale Trujeque, CWU President: "I think I want to look at a new model of how we engage our employers, while at the same time looking for the best for my members, my people. I can devote my fully to CWU matters during the day if I want to. So, the employers would be aware that I will always be ready to come and see them." Jules Vasquez, 7News: "The stevedores remain one of the most visible and vocal members of the CWU. When you think CWU is nothing, Central Bank or City Council or Social Security, you think stevedores. Explain to me how you will approach their CBA which they have been working on with the Port of Belize for 10 years?"

Burglar Bailey Get More Jail Time
Last November Eugene Bailey and Raymond Montes were arrested and charged for burglarizing Lucky Star Supermarket on Central American Boulevard. Bailey and Montes allegedly entered the store and stole $2000 in cash and a stash of groceries. Police arrived on the scene before they could escape, so both men fled into the freezer in the back of the building where they were found chilling and were detained. Both men pled not guilty to a charge of burglary and were denied bail. They appeared in the Magistrate's Court today, where Montes stuck to his original plea of not guilty. However, Bailey had a change of heart and pled guilty. The new plea was accepted, however Montes's charges were not withdrawn and he was remanded back to prison until his trial.

"Brother Barrow" Speaks On CCJ Appointment
As we first reported ten days ago, Denys Barrow is going to the Caribbean Court of Justice. He's widely considered to be among Belize's very best lawyers but he is also a well respected Caribbean jurist. Now, he will join the CCJ as one of the Court's 7 judges. It's a highly prestigious post, but its one he had to apply for and earn in a rigorous screening process by the regional judicial legal and services commission. He explained today:... Denys Barrow - Appointed to CCJ: "I think it's a delight and it's a great benefit to Belize and I would want to add as well the Eastern Caribbean where as you know I sat for some time and enjoyed a very happy period of judicial service." Jules Vasquez, 7News: "First of all, one wants to dispel any notion that your brother is the head of government. Its real right? How does one end up on the CCJ?" Denys Barrow - Appointed to CCJ: "There is absolutely no political appointments to that body. So it's the RJLS which appoints judges, they advertise in all the countries of the region, all the CARICOM countries and I'm certain that they advertise abroad as well. So you apply, everybody applies, whether you are the sitting chief justice of Zimbabwe or you are a humble practitioner in Belize you apply.

The US Wants Guat VP
According to international news reports, the US Government is currently seeking to extradite former Guatemalan Vice President Roxanne Baldetti and former Interior Minister Hector Mauricio Lopez Bonilla for drug trafficking. According to the Washington Post, both former officials were indicted in the US District Court in Washington DC for the charges of"conspiracy to distribute cocaine and knowing that it would be distributed in the United States." The extradition request has not yet been accepted by the Guatemalan government. Baldetti is currently being tried in the Guatemalan court for several charges relating to corruption and defrauding the country of tens of millions of dollars.

The Street Was A Canvas
On Saturday downtown Belize City was transformed into a free - ranging creative space as Albert Street was jammed with art and food stalls for the 7th Annual Street Art Festival. Our crew was out there to see the art scene hit the streets... Over the past 5 years, the festival has grown from just a few booths on Albert Street to one of the most anticipated attractions in the City.

Teenage Shot In Home
The area of Antelope Street continues to be hot - and last night it put a child in danger. Late last night around 11:00, a 13 year old was inside his house with his brother watching television when shots rang out. The child felt a burning sensation and realized he had been shot in both feet. Police say he is stable.

Final Farewell For OP Martin
Today, Belize's Catholics said goodbye to a beloved Bishop. OP Martine was the bishop of Belize and Belmopan from 1984 to 2007 and in an official funeral today, the faithful and friends got to say goodbye. Tonight, as out last news item, we have clips from the end of the funeral starting with the moment the casket was taken out of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Co Cathedral by a BDF escort. From there, there was a gun salute, followed by the head of state laying a wreath, then the Deputy Prime Minister doing the same, and then the Leader of the Opposition following them.

Channel 5

Bishop O.P. Martin Laid to Rest in Belmopan
Belize gave a fond farewell this afternoon to first Belizean-born Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Belize, the Most Reverend Osmond Peter Martin. The eighty-six-year-old Bishop Emeritus was memorialized [...]

Orange Walk Man Killed While Intervening in Domestic Dispute
A man in the north was stabbed and killed by his cousin over the weekend.  Police are still looking for the killer and the family of the deceased believes that [...]

Minor Boy Shot at Home in Belize City
In the city…a minor is tonight recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital from gunshot wounds to the feet following a shooting on Sunday night in Belize City.  Around eleven [...]

Belize Bank/CIHL and G.O.B. Back in Court
The first stage of an application by the Belize Bank Limited, supported by Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited, to discharge an injunction granted by Justice Michelle Arana restraining the company from [...]

Both Sides Prepare for Further Court Battles
As previously reported, Caribbean Investment Holdings Limited has filed a Constitutional claim challenging the validity of the Central Bank (International Immunities) Act and the Crown Proceedings (Amendment) Act. Those matters [...]

6 Year-Old Girl Struck Down in Accident
Tragedy struck on Sunday night in Belize City when a six-year-old girl was knocked down and killed sometime before seven o’clock. Ashanti Pollard and her mother Dawn Swasey were walking [...]

New C.C.J. Judge Denys Barrow Says Dreams Do Come True
Senior Counsel Denys Barrow is a few months away from becoming Belize’s highest ranked appointed judge regionally. He will join the bench of the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port-of-Spain, [...]

Dale Trujeque Rises to Lead C.W.U.; Says Teachers are Example for Working Force
Veteran labour officer, human resources manager and labour and industrial relations expert Dale Trujeque now heads the Christian Workers’ Union. Elections took place at the annual general meeting over the [...]

Gales Point’s Artie Myers to be Retried for Child Sex Accusation
This afternoon at two o’clock, three judges of the Court of Appeal handed down a written judgment in favour of convicted prisoner, Artie Myers.  The Gales Point Manatee resident was [...]

Police Seek Prison Escapee in Belmopan
Belmopan police are reporting the apparent escape of a prisoner from the Central Prison at Hattieville sometime over the weekend.  The escapee has been identified as one Jonathan Trigeros Galan. [...]

Fire Razes House in Dangriga
A fire in Dangriga has completely destroyed a house and partially destroyed another. Sometime around one-thirty this afternoon, a two-storey wooden house and its contents were gutted by the blaze, [...]

Enjoying Art on the Streets of the Old Capital
The seventh edition of the anticipated Street Art Festival took place over the weekend in the downtown area of Belize City. The arts were in full display, from paintings to [...]

Will Stevedores Finally Get Their Collective Bargaining Agreement with Port of Belize?
The C.W.U.’s membership is at about nine hundred and stretches across the country from north to south and east to west: Belize City Council and Central Bank to Saint Martin’s [...]

Beach Footballers Return with Modest Success
The National Beach Soccer Team of Belize returned to the country today following its participation in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship 2017 held in the Bahamas. Team Belize won four [...]

Premier League Football and Elite League Basketball on Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. [Feature on weekend sporting highlights....]

CTV3

Still NO Justice For Corozal Resident Victor Cituk
Last Friday made it exactly one month since we reported on the allegations by Corozal resident 36 year old Victor Cituk against the Corozal Police. Cituk told us that despite making a report to the authorities on the brutal incident in which he was knocked down and run over by an SUV, and despite pointing out who the driver was, the Police were dragging their feet on the case. That the Police have taken their time with an investigation should be nothing out of the ordinary and actually commendable, but the incident occurred on January 1st and in this case authorities have now taken nearly two months to figure out what is a straight-forward case. Today we interviewed a recovering Cituk, who told us that two months later, he is still not getting help.

S&P Says Belize is Close To Default
Seven days have passed since the February 20th deadline for the Government of Belize to make payment of $26m due to the Superbond debt. While the Government is now relying on a 30-day grace period to allow for time to strike a renegotiation deal, the economy keeps taking hits, giving the Belize’s negotiating team less room to make demands. The latest news on the economy comes from credit rating service Standard and Poors, who on February 21st further downgraded Belize’s foreign currency sovereign credit rating from ‘CC’ to negative watch. This occurred the day after Belize faulted on its scheduled payment. S&P has indicated that the reason for its downgrade is that there is at least a one-in-two likelihood that we will lower the rating on Belize to 'SD' within 90 days.

Bishop O. P. Martin Laid To Rest
Hundreds of Catholic parishioners and Belizean leaders today gathered in Belmopan City to bid farewell to Belize’s first local ordained as Bishop. The most Reverend Bishop Emeritus Osmond Peter Martin passed away on Thursday February 16th in his home town of Dangriga at the age of 86. Bishop O.P Martin had been struggling with the ailments of the aging process and died peacefully. A state funeral was held for O.P Martin today at our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Belmopan where a host of government dignitaries and Catholic officials as well as family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of a pioneer in the Christian community. Official celebrants at today’s service in Belmopan included Auxiliary Bishop Christopher Clancy, Bishop Elect Lawrence Nicacio and outgoing Bishop Dorick Wright.

LOVE FM

SC Courtenay Seeks Court Action to Move Forward on Arbitration Against Belize
An application to strike out the injunction filed by the Government of Belize against Belize Bank Limited and BCB Holdings Limited was heard today in the courtroom of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. The application will go to trial and seeks to lift the injunction that was granted by Justice Michelle Arana. The injunction halted the […]

Minor Gets Hit and Killed on Faber’s Road by Cab Driver
Six-year-old Ashanti Pollard was knocked down and killed on Sunday night. The six year old girl was along with her mother, 42-year-old Dawn Swasey on Faber’s Road when she was hit by a speeding car. Police say they were on mobile patrol when approaching the corner of Kroman Road and Fabers Road Extension, they saw […]

Guatemala Wants to Reopen Investigation into Death of Minor in the Chiquibul
Guatemalan authorities are hoping to hear from the Belize Government shortly on the request they made to have the investigation reopened into the death of 14-year-old, Julio Rene Alvarado Ruano which occurred in April 2016. The minor was with his father, Carlos Alvarado and his 11-year-old brother when an exchange of gunfire ensued between them […]

Christian Workers Union Has New Lead
Dale Trujeque was elected as the President of the Christian Workers Union on Saturday. The elections were held during the annual general meeting at the UWI Open Campus in Belize City. Trujeque, who succeeds Audrey Matura, will be joined on the new CWU Executive Board by Treasurer Ella Waight, Trustees Phillipa McDonald, Deon Pitter and […]

House Fire Under Investigation in Southern Belize
A fire just after midday destroyed a two storey wooden house in Dangriga. Correspondent Harry Arzu has the story. HARRY ARZU “

Arson Suspected in Destruction of Principal’s Office
The administration of the United Community Primary School in southern Belize is spending the day clearing debris from a fire that consumed the principal’s office in the wee hours of this morning. Anthony Zuniga is the school Principal; he spoke with us on what he found when he got to the school. ANTHONY ZUNIGA ” […]

UDP Chairman Says the Party Does Its Part on Anti-Corruption
The United Democratic Party has not been spared when it comes to irregular and questionable activities within the Government. The last few years have seen these questionable matters accumulating and giving the Barrow administration a black eye particularly since it was Prime Minister Dean Barrow who spoke of ridding the government of corruption back in […]

UDP Says They Are Ready for Re-registration
Last Wednesday during the meeting of the UDP’s Central Executive, the matter of re-registration was tabled as explained by the Party Chairman, Alberto August. ALBERTO AUGUST “Like I said we had a meeting on Wednesday and we discussed the issue of re registration and the redistricting exercise but the position remains the same. Government will […]

Convicted Drug Trafficker Escapes from Prison
A 27-year-old male prisoner broke out from the Belize Central Prison on Sunday after he was sent on an errand to the guard tower. Jonathan Galan was serving three years for drug trafficking with a fine of ten thousand dollars with an additional three years should he default on payment. A prison official told Love […]

Boy Gets Shot Whilst Watching TV at Home
A thirteen year old student was shot on Sunday night. Police say just after eleven o’clock last night they went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw the teenager, a student of Antelope Street, suffering from gunshot wounds to both feet. The teenager was reportedly inside his home with his brother watching television […]

The Reporter

Man shot dead; child knocked down and killed
A man was stabbed to death in Orange Walk town on Saturday night. Police say at around 8:30 that night, Marcelino Chan, 54, was socializing with a friend and the two got embroiled in an argument. Chan suffered three stab woumds – one to the left rib cage, one behind the left ear and one to the left side of chest. He was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he died. Police have detained one person pendimg investigations. In other news, a six-year old girl was knocked down and killed on Sunday night on Faber’s Road in Belize City.

Bishop Martin to be laid to rest today
The Most Reverend Bishop Osmond Peter Martin, who died last week Thursday, will be laid to rest today following an official Mass of Thanksgiving at Our Lady of Guadalupe Co-Cathedral in Belmopan. The service starts at 3:00 p.m., and the body will be received for viewing at 2:00 p.m. A Mass was held in Bishop Martin’s hometown, Dangriga on Sunday. Bishop Martin passed away at his house in Dangriga after ailing for a while. He was 86 years old. The bishop retired in December of 2007, at the age of 75.

Breaking Belize News

New Archives Advisory Board appointed
Last Friday, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture launched the Belize Archives Advisory Board at a meeting held in the Conference Room of the Belize Archives and Records Service (BARS) in Belmopan. The current members of the Advisory Board are: Marian McNab; Chairperson, Wilma Wright; Lawrence Vernon; Nigel Encalada; Rev. Lancelot Lewis; Rudy Aguilar and Derryck Satchwell. The Director of the BARS, Dr. Herman Byrd is Secretary of the Board. Adele Catzim-Sanchez, Chief Executive Officer with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture in the Ministry of Education, was deputized on behalf of Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education.

Barefoot Rentals and Services in Placencia Belize wins international prestigious award
Luxury Travel Guide Magazine, one of the word’s leading source sites for affluent travelers, has named Barefoot Rentals and Services in Placencia as Tour Operator of the Year in the Americas. Located in beautiful Placencia, Belize, Barefoot Rentals and Services won the award beating out competitors from prominent tourist destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Hamilton Parish, Bermuda. Luxury Travel Guide emphasized that it had reviewed thousands of establishments, throughout Central and South America, before finally closing Barefoot for it’s commitment to world class customer service.

Police issues report on road traffic accident in Santa Cruz which claimed one life
According to police reports, on Friday, February 24 around 4:19 a.m., Intermediate Southern Formation received information of a road traffic accident in Santa Rosa Village, Stann Creek District. When police went to the scene, they saw Maximo Ical, 21, of San Roman Village, Stann Creek lying on the road motionless and appeared dead with severe head injuries.

Mario Aguirre wanted for murder in Orange Walk
According to police reports, on Saturday, February 25 at 8:50 p.m., Orange Walk Police got information of a stabbing incident. When they visited the Northern Regional Hospital, they saw Marcelino Chan, 54, of San Roman Village, Orange Walk District with cut wound to the left side of both ears and on the left side of his chest area. Police investigation reveals that sometime around 8:30 p.m., he was socializing at a friend’s house and decided to leave.

Salvadoran National escapes from prison
Reports reaching our newsroom is that a prisoner escaped yesterday from Kolbe. The picture was initially shared by officer commanding Belmopan Police, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett. Today, the name of the prisoner was released. He is Jonathan Galan, 27, a Salvadoran national.

Marlon Meza wins Golden Boot Award at FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Bahamas
Belize participated in the 9th edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup which was held in Nassau, Bahamas. The CONCACAF beach soccer tournament took place from February 20- 26, 2017 at the Malcolm Beach Soccer Facility. The premier international beach soccer championship is contested by the men’s national teams of the member associations of FIFA.

Drunk driver kills 7 year-old girl in road traffic accident
:Sometime before 7 last night, 6-year-old Ashanti Pollard was walking along with her mother 42-year-old, Dawn Swasey. While approaching the intersection of Kroman Road and Fabers Road Extension in Belize City a car approached travelling at high speed which knocked down Ashanti. She suffered head and body injuries and was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival at 8:20 p.m.

Fair weather to prevail
The 24-hour forecast is for mostly fair weather to continue with sunny skies today and partly cloudy skies tonight and some isolated showers. The wind will blow from the east to southeast at 10-20 knots. The sea state will be choppy. High temperatures are expected as follows: In the coast, 86 degrees Fahrenheit; 90 degrees Fahrenheit inland and 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the hills.

13-year-old student shot in Belize City while watching TV
According to police reports, around 11:10 last night, police visited the K.H.M.H. where they saw a 13-year-old male student of an Antelope Street, Belize City address suffering from gunshot wounds to both feet. Police investigations revealed that last night around 11, the child was inside his house along with his brother watching TV when they heard several gunshots and shortly thereafter, he realized that he was shot.

Blogs

Sunday Morning Serenity: Yoga at Beautiful Ak’Bol Resort
Ak’Bol Yoga Retreat and Eco-Resort is located about 1 mile north of the bridge in a beautiful neighborhood called Tres Cocos, on a very pretty stretch of ocean. I’ve sung the praises of their dock many times – the BEST swimming dock on Ambergris Caye. With a great, easy breezy beach bar and restaurant to make things that much better. If they have the peanut butter chocolate pie – ORDER IT! But…I have NEVER been to the daily yoga class (I am not counting the special meditation class I went to last year). Which is just about crazy because it is held on that most beautiful swimming dock. And I love yoga…in theory and sometimes in practice. When I have been to other spots in the past, I am always the least flexible in the class, I am always sweating like I am power lifting but I do love the slow down and focus part of the practice. The get-into-a-comfortable-position-that-isn’t-laying-on-your-bed pose and stop thinking. I also love the fun/funny stuff that many yoga teachers say. “Just be present in your body” or “honor your heart center” or “you hear the garbage truck going by, honor it…and let it go” or “downward dog is a resting pose” – PFFFT!

International Sources

Three Reasons To Visit This Jungle Lodge In Belize: Monkeys, Coffee, And Fly Fishing
If the journey is as important as the destination, then traveling to Belcampo Belize supports the maxim. From the international airport in Belize City, I boarded domestic carrier Tropic Air, an airline comprised of a squadron of short-range Cessnas. Effectively functioning as a winged bus following the coastal route, the plane puddle jumped to several towns enroute to Punta Gorda. No ID checks before boarding. Five-minute turnarounds to land and depart. Warm greetings exchanged between pilots and regular passengers transporting mail, groceries, laundry, and sundries. Better than a bus, however, I had a view of the vast virgin rainforest below on my right and the Belizean Great Barrier Reef on my left. Deplaning at the last stop, I found a Belcampo staffer waiting in a safari-ready Land Rover. The bumpy 20-minute transfer took us past Belcampo's organic gardens, green house, pastured chickens, lambs and pigs. We ascended a steep hill to reach the lodge where staff formed a welcoming semi-circle. As new arrivals receive a drink during check in at the open-air Rum Bar, the bartender slipped me a ginger mojito, made with ingredients freshly snipped from the “Cocktail Garden." Another staff member offered a damp fragrant towel. As an iguana scurried past my luggage, I thought “this place feels like hipster Brooklyn meets The Jungle Book.”

Mission Cry’s director reports on Belize trip
Sometimes, the best way to find out what someone needs is simply to ask. Jason Woolford of Mission Cry, formerly Christian Resources International, did just that on his recent trip to Belize. “They’re not asking for food or clothes, but they’re saying, ‘Listen, we need discipleship, we need Bibles, we need Christian books,’” he said. That’s where Mission Cry comes in. According to Woolford, their goal “is to reach the entire country of Belize with the Bible or a Christian book in every home in this country.” John Foy, an on-the-ground partner in Belize, said the answers Woolford got are spot on. Most local believers “don’t really need any more evangelism. What they really need is more discipleship. They need Bibles so they can read it, eat it, and grow.”

Study concluded on cost of fishing in Caribbean states
A landmark study to look at the impacts of rising cost factors on fishing operations in the Caribbean has been concluded, and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in collaboration with FAO, will convene a validation workshop in Barbados on Monday and Tuesday to review the findings and chart the necessary course of action. At the upcoming event, CRFM executive director, Milton Haughton, will present a general overview of the project and explain what the workshop is expected to achieve. The background, findings, conclusions and recommendations of the study will be presented by consultant, Claudia Stella Beltrán Turriago, economic consultant, for final refinement. The study, carried out in select CRFM Member States, focused on factors such as capital, labor, maintenance and energy costs. At next week’s meeting, participants will review and finalize the formal report on the findings of the study, as well as propose workable policy options and strategies to improve efficiency, productivity and sustainability in the fisheries sector. The broader aim is to improve competitiveness and profitability at the local, regional and international levels.

Videos

The arrival of the body of Most Reverend O. P. Martin, Bishop Emeritus of Belize City and Belmopan, 4min.

Ranguana Caye- Private Island Belize, 1min. Arial views of the beautiful remote Ranguana Caye.

San Pedro Carnaval 2017 Foam Party!!, 1min.

Dona Flora Ancona Comparsas Dance Group in action at El Carnaval De San Pedro!, 2min. Day 2 is just getting better and better. Que viva la tradición!

Carnaval Livens up with Foam Party + MORE Dances & Painting, 22min.

Carnaval Dancing, 11min.

Carnival in Chetumal, 9min.

The Department of Youth Services in coordination with Go Belize and Mr. Brent Hamilton from the K9 Unit conducted sessions with first form students from Our Lady of Guadalupe High School in Belmopan, 1min. The sessions focused on Team Building, Anger Management, Peer Pressure and Bullying. To conclude the activities, the students were taught the Stress Dance by Mr. Hamilton.

Belize Tourism Board - “North Islands”, 1min.

Belize Tourism Board - “Southeast Islands”, 1min.

Belize Tourism Board - “Western”, 1min.

Numinous Navigation - San Pedro, Belize, 2min. Highlights of our 5 day stay at the Caribbean Villas Hotel in San Pedro Belize to start our honeymoon.

Day 3 in Belize- Actun Tunichil Muknal ATM Cave, 6min. Our journey to the Mayan Underworld...Actun Tunichil Muknal aka ATM) Cave- this was the most incredible day....

Snorkeling Belize 2016 GoPro Full HD, 4.5min. Snorkeling in Caye Caulker, Belize. Shark Ray Alley, Hol Chan marine reserve and seahorse reserve.

Belize Me Bella, 2min. Our golf cart ride from the water taxi terminal to our hostel, Juan in a Million, in Caye Caulker, Belize.

Belize 2017, 4min. ust a little video showing what I got up to on a field trip to Belize!

Ball game court in Belize, 15sec. Ullamaliztli is an Aztec ball game, also known as modern day Ulama that is still played in Sinaloa Mexico. The Mayans played the game as well. This is a court in Belize at the Xunantunich ruins.