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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

Shrimp Industry not fazed by ASC suspensions
The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) has suspended several shrimp farm exports due to an Early Mortality Symptoms (EMS) outbreak. Despite the threat to Belize's shrimp industry, some farmers are indicating that they had opted out of the ASC audit and their performance would not be affected. The ASC is an independent, non-profit organization, which sets standards for sustainable aquaculture. The shrimp farms in Belize had their ASC certifications suspended include Paradise Shrimp Farm, Tex Mar Farm and Tropical Aquaculture Investment Farm. Due to lingering effects of a 2015 EMS outbreak, they were unable to undergo a planned surveillance audit, and will now have to re-start the process of registration.

What's New: Boomer's Caf�
After relocating beside Carlo & Ernie's Runway Bar on Coconut Drive, Boomer's Caf� is back and open for business. If you haven't heard about Boomer's, just know that they specialize in the most important meal of the day: breakfast! The newly renovated caf� promotes a cozy, outdoor atmosphere for any diner to enjoy their Belizean or American style breakfast favorites. Opened from 6:30AM to 2PM, Boomer's has many affordable options to choose from. From their popular overstuffed fry jacks with beans, eggs, ham and cheese, to their Belizean Breakfast with fry jacks, beans, eggs, ham, and sausage, your taste buds will definitely thank you.

Human impact continues to threaten sea turtle nesting season
The sea turtle nesting season has commenced, and the Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Program (ACMTP) has been scavenging for turtle nests in key nesting sites. As the nesting season runs May through September, ACMTP is asking the public to be extra cautious during turtle nesting season. After a recent trip to Punta Azul on Wednesday, May 3rd, ACMTP noted that large construction, excessive garbage, and sea walls may threaten this years' nesting season. Marine Biologist and Hol Chan Marine Reserve Manager, Miguel Alamilla says these risk factors can reduce the number of turtle nests. "Over the years, we have seen less nesting activity. We suspect it is due to the development on Northern Ambergris Caye. Heavy machinery on the beach can impact turtle nests, which shifts the sand on the beach and can disturb the nests," said Alamilla.

Hanne Weaver ranks top sailor during recent trip to Ambergris Caye
During the Belize Sailing Center's annual Easter Sunday regatta, 21 year-old Hanne Weaver won first place for the second consecutive year in a row. Ranked number three in the USA women's Olympic Class Laser Radial sailing, Weaver returned to Belize to not only vacation, but to train at the Belize Sailing Center, which is located at Caribbean Villas Hotel. As Laser, Optimist, and Hobie Catamaran races take place every Sunday, Weaver more than happily exercised her love for sailing. Weaver is a charismatic ambassador of her sport and has won many fans here on Ambergris Caye, particularly among the island's young sailors and their families. Since her win, she has returned to her home in Seattle, Washington, USA. However, when she departed San Pedro, she stated that sailing behind the reef was ideal for her training purposes. Thus, she is adding San Pedro to her list of regular training sites and plans to come back more than once a year. Weaver said it was great sailing in Belize again, and she can't wait to come back. There is even a plan in motion to call the Easter races the 'Hanne Weaver Friendly Open Invitational Regatta'.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Jeopardy
My God I haven't laughed so hard Are Belize really a bunch of retards? Public Utilities Commission along with Caribe Nag Enhancement of security Putting in laws on cyber security Are you kidding me? Our person information has long since been in Jeopardy Have you been listening to the Senate Inquiry? How Five senor immigration officer admitted to breach of National security? Yet there has been absolutely no penalty

Inauguration Match in Ambergris Stadium
Mark your calendars! Get your tickets! This is going to be a great match between SP Pirates and Belmopan Pirates!

Celebrate the Reef 2017
Winners of the Lionfish Tournament. Congrats Guys!!!

Belize Cancer Society's Annual Cancer Walk
his morning, we were happy to join the Belize Cancer Society's Annual Cancer Walk in honor of those who have lost their lives to this terrible disease, and also to raise money for cancer medical treatments. The Embassy's J. Nathan and Shannon Bland joined the nearly four mile trek from Camalote back to Belmopan. Great event!

The Reporter

Minister Saldivar completes tour of northern Coast Guard facility�
The Minister of Defense, John Saldivar recently completed a two-day tour of Coast Guard facilities in the Northern caucus of Belize. The tour which commenced on May 10, is part of the Minister's plan to inspect and assess security facilities in Belize. The tour officially kicked off at a Coast Guard base in Consejo Shores Corozal, where the Coast Guard operates a temporary base owned by the Customs Department. According to a press release, the facility will soon be developed into a proper inter-agency facility that will house the Belize Coast Guard, Belize Defense Force, Coast Guard and Immigration Department, and will provide law enforcement capacities for the areas of Consejo, Chetumal and Corozal Bay, extending to Sarteneja.

Fire guts Audubon's building in Crooked Tree
This morning a fire roared through the Audobon Society building at the entrance of Crooked Tree Village, destroying everything inside. The building nor its contents were insured and the total loss is estimated at over $80,000. At around 3:45 a.m., fire personnel responded to a call for assistance, where they encounter the 40�40-foot, green wooden structure completely engulfed in flames. Site manager, 54-year-old Derek Hendy of 53 miles Belize Corozal Road, told investigators that while on his way to the site, he noticed what appeared to be a fire in the vicinity. When he reached close enough, he realised hat it was the Audobon Society building that was on fire. Fire personnel are currently conducting the necessary investigations to determine the cause of the fire.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Defense Minister concludes tour of Coast Guard facilities
On Thursday, May 11, Minister of Defense John Saldivar concluded his national tour of facilities operated by the Belize Coast Guard, the final leg of that tour being in the northern sector. The tour began at Consejo Shores in Corozal, where the Coast Guard operates a Forward Operating Base out of a temporary facility owned by the Customs Department. That facility will soon be developed into a proper inter-agency Forward Operating Base involving the Belize Coast Guard, the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Customs Department and Immigration Department, providing law enforcement Security for the area of Consejo, Chetumal Bay and Corozal Bay extending to Sarteneja.

Early morning fire destroys Audubon Society building
An early morning fire destroyed the Audobon Society building in Crooked Tree. Around 3:45 this morning, police received information that the Audubon Society building located at the Crooked Tree entrance was on fire. Police visited the scene where officers observed a green wooden structure measuring about 40�40, totally engulfed in flames.

Blogs

Bloggers, Influencers Visiting Belize - Will It Work For You
If you check on Instagram - my favorite sharing medium and perhaps the most influential for spreading one's brand around the globe - you'll see that there are lots of bloggers visiting Belize these days. Travel bloggers and lifestyle bloggers - INFLUENCERS. I LOVE seeing Belize from the perspective of visitors - especially those that take gorgeous photos. It's a great question and a very tricky and highly personal one - AND I think it can be some of the best, cheapest advertising around - but only if you pick the right match. Here are some suggestions from me. I'd love to know what you think. Ask for the numbers. How many readers do they have, followers on FB, Instagram and other social media outlets that are important to your business. Take a look at their stuff�does it speak to who YOU want to speak to? Will they reach people that you are unable to reach in your advertising?

Lubaantun: Put the Largest Mayan Complex in Belize on Your Must-see List
Lubaantun's 11 large, towering structures-plus five plazas and three ball courts-are marvels that have no equal, according to Belize's Institute of Archaeology and archaeologists who oversaw excavation of this landmark. There are no doorways to be seen, and building corners are round rather than square. You'll have to imagine thatch and wood structures that once topped these buildings because they're gone now. Green moss peeks out from every crevice, reminding visitors that Lubaantun thrived during the Classic Period (730 to 890 AD) but remains nothing more than an echo of the past today. Despite its high elevation-200 feet above sea level-you might think this attraction easy to find, but in fact, rainforest obscures Lubaantun until one gets close. It's situated above the Columbia River and about 1.5 miles from San Pedro Columbia Village in the Toledo District. Some speculate that Lubaantun once served as a military overlook due to its lofty elevation.

Nim Li Punit Ruins
Just because stelae is this ruin's main attraction, that doesn't mean you won't find other wonders. In addition to the 26 monoliths, a huge sandstone structure rises around 40 feet into the air and beneath that, two other plazas and a ball court sprawl across the compound. Even the location is exotic: it sits high atop a Maya Mountain ridge in southern Belize, and was once an important ceremonial and ritual center as well as a village that was home to up to 7,000 Mayans at one time. Travel the Southern Highway north 25 miles from Punta Gorda, or start your trip in Belmopan and drive 45 miles along the Hummingbird Highway to the Southern Highway exit, then another 50 miles to reach Indian Creek Village. That stated, the very best way to visit Nim Li Punit is to book a tour with your resort hosts so all of these details are sorted by the experts.

8 Kid-friendly Belize Resorts to Consider for a Fun 2017 Visit
If you make a list of reasons to visit Belize with the kids in 2017, you can remove the topic of high air fares from the equation. New, direct flights from major North American cities are increasing like rabbits, so whether you're an American Airlines regular, Southwest devotee, you're collecting Delta frequent flyer miles or WestJet is your ride from Canada, 2017 makes an ideal year for a "family vacation." Travel time from major cities is equally easy on families: short flights mean your kids won't get bored. What better way to start a family vacation!

International Sourcesizz

A Tropical Wave Entering The Eastern Caribbean Will Help To Bring Increased Rainfall Next Week To Hispaniola, Puerto Rico & The Bahamas; We Will Have To Watch It For Any Low Pressure Development & Outside Possibility Of Tropical Development
Satellite imagery and weather analysis indicates that there are two tropical waves that I am watching right now. The first is located in the eastern Caribbean along the 65 West Longitude line and the second is located just east of the Lesser Antilles along the 57 West Longitude line. Strong westerly wind shear is impacting much of the Caribbean right now and tropical development is highly unlikely with either of these tropical waves. The reason why I am keeping an eye on them is because it appears that they will bring an energy kick to help and develop either one broad area of low pressure or multiple little low pressure systems in the central and southwestern Caribbean by about Tuesday and Wednesday. This will lead to coupious amounts of moisture to be drawn from the central and southern Caribbean into the Bahamas leading to heavy rainfall and potential flooding across Jamaica, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and much of the Bahamas starting around Tuesday and continuing through at least next weekend.

Belize double slay suspect out on bail
The Canadian man described by cops as a person of interest in the grisly double slaying of Francesca Matus and her American boyfriend in Belize was released on bail Friday. John Deshaies, 54, who lived on the lower level of Matus' seaside villa, was taken into custody after the 52-year-old Keswick woman and her beau - Drew Thomas DeVoursney, 36 - were found strangled to death and dumped in a sugarcane field almost three weeks ago. Deshaies, who was granted bail after more than a week in jail, has denied any involvement in the double murder and the "bogus" theft. His bail conditions include surrendering his Canadian passport, checking in with cops once a week and staying in Belize.

Caribbean Girls Under Cyber Attack
A cyberbullying victim's parents are speaking out in Belize against the alarming practice of posting nude photos of young girls online. The couple sit facing away from the camera as they recount the episode that forever changed their daughter's life. The father, slowly and in a plaintive voice, says someone accessed the photo from her social media account and reposted it to a public site. With just a few clicks, the damage had already been done. "It was a huge blow to our family when it happened. Me and her mother, we tried to be strong for her, and supported her in every way possible, and to try to get over it. It was a terrible thing for her," he says. "Be bold for change against cyber violence!" shouts the mother, firing a parting shot in the final frames.

Naked and Afraid's Matt Wright: Meeting Nude Women in the Jungle Was 'Primal,' but Not Sexual
During my first time doing Naked and Afraid in Thailand, I was paired with a woman named Lindsay Boisclair. After that, I went to Belize for a short Naked and Afraid experience with PEOPLE's Steve Helling. During this season of Naked and Afraid XL, I was initially matched with two guys - but now we found the camp of two nude women. So yes, I have met a lot of naked people. I had just spent two weeks naked in the jungle with another dude. It was no longer odd; it was just our reality. We decided to explore more parts of the jungle for the other groups. When we smelled the campfire, we knew we were close. We snuck up even closer and I swear I could smell a feminine presence. (They smelled much better than Russell and I did.)

The non-mother who started Mother's Day
Ironically, the founder of Mother's Day was not a mother herself. Anna Jarvis created the holiday to honor her late mother, Ann. Ann Jarvis was a dedicated community organizer and philanthropist. According to the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, she "founded Mothers' Day Work Clubs in five cities in West Virginia to improve sanitary and health conditions." The clubs hired women to help families with sick mothers and created programs that tested the quality of milk (the FDA did not exist back then). During the Civil War, Ann's clubs provided aid to injured soldiers. According to Katharine Lane Antolini's book, "Memorializing motherhood: Anna Jarvis and the struggle for control of Mother's Day," Anne once said, "[I] hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother's day [sic] commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it." Two years after Ann's death on May 12, 1907, Anna handed out 500 white carnations to all the mothers at Anna's church, St. Andrew's Church in Grafton, West Virginia. The white carnation became the official flower of Mother's Day, according to an article in The Atlantic Constitution from May 7, 1912. After years of lobbying, President Woodrow Wilson declared Mother's Day a national holiday that would be celebrated on the second Sunday of every May.

Videos

  • BPP Mother's Day Message, 4min.

  • Crooked Tree Audubon Society building gutted by fire, 10sec.

  • PLB ACTION! Final Match! Belmopan Bandits vs Verdes FC, 2hr.

  • Mass of Ordination of Bishop Elect Lawrence Nicasio, 3.5hr. Roman Catholic Bishop of Belize and Belmopan

  • Diving Turneffe Atoll, Belize (2017.May), 11min.

  • DEFENCE MINISTER CONCLUDES NATIONAL TOUR OF BELIZE COAST GUARD, 5min. Defence Minister Hon John Saldivar Concludes National Tour of Belize Coast Guard facilities with the Last Leg of that Tour in the Northern Sector - May 10 and 11. 2017

  • Cherie and Debbie Belize zoo, 9min.

  • Belize Zoo, 5min. A quick tour on Belize's pride of native animals, The Zoo holds hundreds of animals that are found all over Belize. Enjoy!

  • Cavetubing in Belize with cavetubing.bz, 70min.

  • Belize trip 2016, 8.5min.

  • Zipline in Belize with Cavetubing.bz / Zipline.bz, 35min. Zip-lining in Belize. there are 7 lines in total, two of which are over rivers. there is also a very scenic bridge you get to walk across. at two lines i end up not making it to the other platform, this is due to me breaking too hard , not the fault of the zipline itself I came to Belize aboard a Royal Caribbean ship and the guides did a excellent job of getting me back to port with a hour to spare

  • IZE Belize Blue Creek Rainforest Preserve with Sylvano Sho, Explorer and Private Guide, 3min. IZE Belize Blue Creek Rain Forest Preservation. What an awesome trip the staff at IZE Belize arrange for our visit with Sylvano Sho, Explorer and Field Guide for Blue Creek.

  • Fly Fishing Turneffe Flats, Belize, 5min. This film from Aardvark McLeod will show you why Turneffe Flats Lodge in Belize is such a world class operation. The wide open wadeable flats of this atoll are the perfect environment to stalk tailing bonefish in skinny water and also represents one of the best destinations for permit fishing in the Caribbean.