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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

Sensitizing CARICOM to Climate Change
The small island states of the Eastern Caribbean are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and to heighten public awareness within the region to this threat, media professionals from throughout the English–speaking Caribbean gathered in Belize City for a training workshop on this issue. Belize’s National Climate Change Office (NCCO) hosted the workshop as a follow-up to a public survey of Climate Change knowledge, attitudes and practices. The NCCO partnered with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (5Cs), the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) and the Japan-Caribbean Climate Change Partnership (J-CCCP) in hosting the workshop at the Ramada Princess hotel in Belize City on Wednesday and Thursday, April 26-27.

Is Sargasso causing health issues on the island?
Sargasso has once again invaded the shores of Ambergris Caye, and island residents are concerned about the health hazards that come with it. Not only is the accumulation of seaweed unattractive, but it also produces an unpleasant smell, often compared to that of rotten eggs. In addition, residents are claiming that Sargasso is impacting their health. According to Dr. Javier Zuniga, decayed Sargasso produces a toxic gas, which can have an effect on people’s health, especially those who are sensitive. “When the seaweed decomposes in the sea, it releases hydrogen sulfide, and produces bacteria that can result in mild skin rash or irritation. It can also cause the eyes to be irritated. The gas is colorless, and therefore, difficult to prevent from inhaling. Sensitive people are most at risk, including babies, the elderly, and those with breathing complications,” said Zuniga. He said that Sargasso only poses a health risk whenever the seaweed is damp. When the seaweed is dried, especially during the summer months, it does not release toxic gas.

Preparations underway for the 12th annual Ambergris Caye Reef Week
Final preparations for the 12th annual Reef Week celebrations are underway at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The events will take place in San Pedro Town from the 8th to the 14th of May under the theme ‘Let’s Protect our Greatest Treasure; so it’s enjoyed with pleasure.’ The theme was selected in a Primary School competition held earlier this year. The winning submission came from Kimberly Houghton, a student from the Island Academy School. According to Mariela Archer, Environmental Education at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and main coordinator for 2017 Reef Week activities, the theme will emphasize the importance of protecting the reef so that future generations can enjoy it. “This is everybody’s business. If we do not protect the reef it will affect all of us; not just the tour guides who depend directly from it, but everyone,” explained Archer. “The entire country could suffer the consequences, as the reef drives a lot of tourism into the country’s economy.”

Controlling the use of pesticides to protect food and the environment
The Pesticides Control Board (PCB) has launched a 5-year strategic plan to help farmers obtain better yields on their crops while minimizing the use of pesticides, with zero residue in their produce. The PCB’s Registrar of Pesticides, Ms. Miriam Ochaeta-Serrut, presented the launch at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City last Thursday morning, April 20th. Consultant Dr. Dowlat Budhram explained the 11 parameters by which the plan was developed as a part of a package to strengthen the PCB as an institution. Drawing on his years of experience of best institutional practices, he had carefully evaluated the external environment in which the Board operates, and what was its defined mission and current strategy.

Caye Caulker group says decriminalizing marijuana will improve the economy
Should a law be passed legalizing the plant use, entrepreneurs envision opening a marijuana café in Caye Caulker, where the drug will be used for medicinal and recreational purposes. They are optimistic that more income can be generated than is currently brought in by the island’s tourism product. “We would then be able to take care of the big problems our island is going through,” said the entrepreneurs. Attempts to push the matter for consideration have been fruitless, but interested stakeholders are quite optimistic that the decriminalization of marijuana will eventually happen. Former Opposition Senator Lisa Shoman recently gave her opinion on the topic. “Tax it, license it. It could be a powerful boost for tourism, and it is a viable cash crop for the Jewel,” she said. “There is no rational excuse to refuse to move past decriminalization to legalization of personal use amounts for adults.” Many states in the USA have legalized marijuana and are reaping the economic benefits. For example, the state of Colorado legalized the drug in 2015. The new industry has created more than 18,000 full-time jobs and added $2.4 billion to the state’s economy each year.

Misc Belizean Sources

Mr. Garvey
Mr. Garvey: All I have is my pen. But black liberation I’ll defend. Even to the end. All I have is my voice. For the University without walls I won’t think twice. All I can o is give the youth advice. Life is all about choice. All I have is my poetry. For Garvey I write freely. That his message and philosophy resonates throughout the country. Contributing to Belize’s national Identity. Belize owes you its gratitude. For the safety of the Liberty Hall when our politics was being construed. So the British did not intrude. For mentoring TV Ramos . Giving the NGC HQ a former Liberty Hall to us. Influencing him to lobby for a Caribe Settelment Day for us. This history that has eluded us. instead Barron Bliss they gave us.

Liberty Hall
Short listed The people have it twisted. After Isaiah Mortar Invested. It was for the upliftment of Black people it was dedicated. Baby Contest. Nutrition and many a community programs. It was the hub for political meetings. Formation of people’s agenda, boxing, carving and coffin making. The original PUP. It birthed NIP strategy. Curtis high now Excelsior. Even UBAD used it to stage their agenda. If I had the money I’d repair it all. Several initiative rose and fall. We’ve had so many promises from City Hall. When you see today’s liberty Hall. The only next thing to is to sit down and baul. 1931 hurricane victims were sheltered at Liberty Hall. Two community water vats were at Liberty Hall. Before it was partially destroyed. Then the Goal on Gabriel lane filled the void. British soldier gave out rations at Her Majesty’s prison case the tow was destroyed.

San Ignacio Medrete Town Hall B-Roll
Residents of San Ignacio, Santa Elena & surrounding communities, take note of the dates (MAY 8-16th) for the upcoming free medical clinic at the Macal River Park in San Ignacio. Beyond the Horizon: 2017-Belize will be offering a range of medical services including Dental, Vision, General/Family Medicine, Women's Health and more.

Beacon Belize Youth Magazine Vol I
The Beacon has launched! It's the new Belizean magazine geared towards the youth. It has many inspirational stories, youth profiles, and lists many volunteer and training opportunities. Well worth a read. "The Energy for Life Youth Group are all scholars of BNE’s Energy for Life Program. They would like to thank all those who agreed to be interviewed to have their stories published, all those who took time out to explain the mission, vision and purpose of their organization, all those organizations and companies that submitted ads and all those who provided donations so that this magazine could be published."

The Reporter

Teen stabbed in Mahogany Heights
A teen was stabbed in Mahogany Heights this morning. Police say Clint Geban, 18, was stabbed to the left side of the abdomen at around 4:30 a.m today. So far, no one has been arrested and police investigations continue.

Breaking Belize News

Missing San Pedro teen found
A San Pedro teen reported missing since last Thursday has been located by her family. Her mother, Angela Rivero, had told police that she was unable to locate her daughter Delsci Rivero, 16. However, today she was found safe and in good health.

Police reportedly find grenade on Southside
Our newsroom has received reports that Belize City police located a grenade on Fern Lane. However, the police department has not yet issued an official report or classification of the grenade.

Teen stabbed in Mahogany Heights
Today around 4:30 a.m. there were again reports of violence in that Belize District village. Clint Geban, 18, was stabbed to the stomach and left for dead.

Man charged for killing teen
A man has been charged with the murder of a Lord’s Bank minor on Wednesday night. According to police information, Timothy Thurton, 28, was charged with the murder of Brandon Bradley, 17. Bradley was shot several times as he was making his way home to his family in Lord’s Bank.

Hot and hazy conditions to prevail
Mostly hot and hazy weather is expected today with cloudy skies tonight. The wind will blow from the east to southeast at 15-25 knots. The sea state will be rough.

International Sources

The Western Caribbean Will Be An Area To Watch For Possible Tropical Development Between May 8th & May 15th
Western Caribbean Tropical Development Is Possible Between May 8th & May 15th: The long range operational GFS model and GFS ensemble model guidance continues to hint at possible tropical development sometime between May 8th and May 15th. The weather pattern that could produce tropical development in the western Caribbean will include a strong cold front that pushes southeastward across the entire southeastern United States, all of the Gulf of Mexico and the northern Caribbean late next week and next weekend (May 4th to May 6th). As this front lifts out, it could either leave behind a piece of energy in the western Caribbean or lift a piece of energy northward from the eastern Pacific into the western Caribbean during the week of May 8th. This area of disturbed weather could find favorable environmental conditions to try and develop into a tropical depression or tropical storm in the western Caribbean between May 8th and May 15th. Right now, only the GFS model and its ensemble members are forecasting tropical development in the western Caribbean. You should take the GFS model with a grain of salt as it has a bias towards forecasting erroneous tropical cyclones in the western Caribbean and we could very well be seeing the same thing here. One thing that is somewhat noteworthy is that the GFS ensemble guidance initially forecasts low pressure to develop in the eastern Pacific between May 8th and May 11th, but then forecasts this system to be pulled northward across Central America into the western Caribbean by about May 13th.

Toronto woman and American boyfriend missing in Belize, friends say
A search was underway in Belize on Saturday for a Toronto woman who went missing with her American partner, according to friends. Francesca Matus, 52, and her boyfriend, Drew De Voursney, 36, have not been seen since they left a bar in Corozal on Tuesday night. Suspicion was first raised on Wednesday when a friend of Matus went to her house in Corozal to drive her to the airport for a flight back to Canada. The house was in order, with her bed made and passport left out, but Matus wasn’t there. It was as if the couple had not returned home the night before Matus was scheduled to fly out, said Timothy Barfield, a close friend of De Voursney. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said it was aware of reports of a Canadian citizen missing in Belize, but would not confirm the person’s identity.

Has Caribbean Sugar Got A Future?
UNLESS the sugar industry in the English-speaking Caribbean can develop a concerted plan of action over the next few months, it is quite possible that in a few years’ time there will be little left of an industry which, for evil and good, has played a central role in the making of the region, writes David Jessop. This is because this year will see two tsunami-like events occur, both of which threaten the survival of the industry in its present form. The first relates to the changes that will take place this October in Eu- rope’s sugar regime. Then, as a long- planned measure, the EU will abolish national beet sugar production quotas in Europe, reducing prices and causing the overall volume of sugar imported to fall as Europe becomes self-sufficient. For high-cost Caribbean cane sugar producers – Guyana, Barba- dos, Belize and Jamaica – this poten- tially spells the end of the European market. The second challenge arises out of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Britain has officially given for- mal notification to the EU to leave, triggering years of uncertainty for all of Britain’s trade partners as they negotiate new arrangements.

Videos

Agric 2017 Rodeo, 2hr30min.

Sashing Ceremony of Miss Teen Belize at Finn & Martini, 18min.

The Zenaida Moya Show, April 26th 2017, 60min. A discussion with President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and NGO Senator, Senator Osmany Salas, and Executive Director of the BTIA, Mr. John Burgos, regarding the recently introduced increase in Departure Tax by the Government of Belize under the name Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) 'conservation fee' that goes, however, to the Government of Belize Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Belize Mission Trip 2017, 2min. Project: Building a bathroom for the boys

Heidi & Michael’s Dive Trip Highlights, 3.5min. Ambergris Caye & Blue Hole, Belize 2017

BELIZE'S FOOTBALL GREATNESS: RUPERT "CANALAYTE" ANDERSON! (PART ONE), 80min. Meeting the legendary Belizean football goalkeeper, Rupert Anderson, for the first time in person after seeing him play so many games as the "hard to score on" iron clad defense for first team Landivar in the 1960s and early 70s, then Spurs, and later on White Label in the late1970s and early 80s, Belizean Legends embarked on one of the most prestigious production to date two weeks ago to document the incredible story of one of Belize's most celebrated athletes of all times.

Placencia Village Belize 2017, 6min.

Belize 2016, 7min.

Belize, 7min.

Leaving the Cayes for Mainland Belize, 1.5min. Shaking and rattling all the way in a Cessna Grand Caravan single prop plane. Not relaxing at all. Instead, take one of the ferries that goes back and forth between the mainland and the cayes, OR hire a helicopter.

Lesia Skydiving in Belize, 4.5min. That time Lesia jumped out of a perfectly good airplane in Belize.