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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

Belizean security forces not linked to recent death of Guatemalan national
A Guatemalan national was found dead well within Belizean territory on Tuesday, May 16th with apparent head injuries. The deceased, identified as 18-year-old Marvin Cristobal Chac Papin, was found inside the Chiquibul National Park near the western border with Guatemala. His body was transported to Belize City for a post-mortem examination. The incident was not linked to any confrontation with Belizean security forces as stated by the Guatemalan press. The story surrounding this latest death of a Guatemalan inside Belizean territory evolved as the Guatemalan press reported the case as homicide by Belizean armed forces. Belize’s commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier General David Jones stated that they are looking at the incident as a case of drowning. “From the patrol members that I spoke to, looking at the body there was trauma to the head and that was most likely because he fell from a cliff to a stream,” said Jones. “The stream is pretty shallow, but based on the trauma to the head, they believe that the fall from the cliff also played a role in his death.”

What’s new: Belize It Vacation Rentals
Formerly known as Belize Holiday Vacation Rentals, ‘Belize It Vacation Rentals’ offers Ambergris Caye vacationers a unique homestay experience. Belize It is an accredited company with more than 20 years in the business, specializing in the management and rental of vacation homes on La Isla Bonita. From one bedroom homes to beachfront villas with stunning ocean views and private pool, Belize It not only offers the best deals on short and long term accommodations, but they also provide all the necessities, conveniences, privacy, and comfort of a home. They take pride in excellent concierge service, ensuring that all guests have a memorable vacation. Once a vacation home is booked, Belize It greets guests via airport or water taxi, escorts them to their rental home, provide the guests with all-around service, and assistance when needed. Upon request, they also help to book excursions, massages, private chef services, fishing, diving, snorkeling, and mainland tours.

UNDP BioFin offers funds to grow Belize’s green economy
The government of Belize seeks to access funds to protect Belize’s natural beauty while growing a ‘green’ economy with the help the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BioFin) launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2012, with the support of the European Union and the Governments of Germany, Norway, Flanders and Switzerland. Belize signed onto this global partnership in 2015, and our UNDP partners joined conservation stakeholders and nongovernmental organizations to work on how Belize can stimulate investment to protect the environment, while using our natural resources in a sustainable manner. The partners explored the avenues for investment with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Environment & Sustainable Development at a Biodiversity financing workshop at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City last Thursday, May 11.

Prime Minister Barrow announces early retirement
During the House Meeting in Belmopan City on Friday, May 12th, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced his early retirement from politics. He hinted at handing over power to the party’s successor no later than the end of 2019 or early 2020 and elaborated on the reasons for leaving before his term is done. Barrow’s retirement apparently has nothing to do with him being done with politics, but rather due to health issues. In his continued efforts to find better treatment for his back problems, he is hoping for a miracle. He is now contemplating artificial disk technology, which is expected to be a breakthrough once it is approved for medical practices. He also expressed his displeasure on the talk surrounding his health issues. “I am tired of hearing about my back problems,” he said. “ To be fair to all concerned, I am keeping in consideration the prospect of going earlier, if I am unable to give all of myself to the job.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Beyond the Horizon: 2017-Belize
The Beyond the Horizon 2017 construction projects are moving forward quickly and should be finished over the next month. Stay tuned for the ribbon cutting ceremonies scheduled for the middle of June.

Sofia Guzman of Caye Caulker passes away
RIP Tia Sofia...fly with the Angels. U were such a strong lady!!

SAN PEDRO & BELIZEANS JOIN HANDS ACROSS THE SAND
San Pedro Residents, along with people across the country gathered to join hands on beaches, across bridges, along sea walls and in other public areas to stand in solidarity against offshore oil development in Belize, and to embrace a clean energy future. This is one of hundreds of synchronized events globally to raise awareness about the dangers of dirty fuels and the need to speed the transition to available, affordable clean energy solutions. The event is particularly salient this year with Belize having just recently been confronted with seismic air gun blasting in our waters late October 2016.

"Dangriga Day 2017 " on Y-Not Island
Day 1 concludes at 10 pm.

VACANCY!!! -Environmental Education Assistant, Forest Ranger, Tour guide, Two cooks/ House keeper
Shipstern Conservation & Management Area.

The Reporter

CARICOM supports Venezuela despite 4 break-aways
Venezuelan President, Nicholas Maduro has received overwhelming support from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to remain a member of the Organization of American States (OAS), despite that at least four member states break ranks on the matter. Regional foreign ministers who ended the 20th meeting of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Barbados on Friday discussed the matter. St. Lucia, Guyana, Jamaica and the Bahamas did not support Venezuela, but COFCOR Chairman, Sir Louis Straker played down their dissen, saying CARICOM would not abandon Venezuela in its time of need. The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Deputy Prime Minister said: “There might be one or two countries [that may not join the majority], but overwhelmingly, CARICOM is in support of Venezuela.”

Breaking Belize News

Police and Community trouble in Cayo?
BBN has received confirmed reports that the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Cayo Special Constables Committee have resigned from the organization as well as their status as volunteer special constables. Reports are that things have not been running smoothly between the volunteers and the officer commanding San Ignacio, Supt. Richard Rosado.

Early morning fatal traffic accident
Shortly after 12:00 this morning, a motorcycle collided into another vehicle near the Rum Point area in Placencia. According to reports, the driver of the motorcycle succumbed to his injuries.

Blogs

A brief History of San Pedro and Riding around San Pedro Ambergris Today
The island of San Pedro Ambergris Caye is a spoiled island where you can meet many friends from abroad. This experience trip to San Pedro Ambergris Caye was quite changing. I had the best time around town visiting local places. Many just come to relax and enjoy the water view. Others enjoy it perfectly fine, while drinking and eating food, while being under the sun. Some do all while swimming inside the pool. What else do you want? Spoiled island can be meant as not wanting to do anything but to just relax and enjoy the weather down in Belize. Last week, I traveled to San Pedro Ambergris Caye to update you about a trip to the island. I arrived on a Friday morning with the weather humid and the sun beating my skin. No wind, a lot of mosquito's and some sun heat could have not been much complicated.

Building My Nest” in Belize
Growing up in the farm country of rural Arkansas, we lived a simple life. Now that I’m older, I reflect on that simple country life and realize how fortunate we were. As kids, we played outside all day and even after dark. We weren’t consumed with video games. We went fishing…hunting ….and chased lightening bugs at night. On hot summer days, the garden hose was our sprinkler and an old tarp was our “slip an slide”. We bailed hay, chopped cotton and rode down the old dusty farm roads on the tail gate of my daddys Ford pickup. We were the luckiest kids in the world. Being in Belize I’m seeing a reflection of my simple country life as a child. Although it’s a world away, the values and characteristics are so similar. Kids walk home from school, they play in the park, ride their bikes and walk to the store. They are happy with what they have and enjoy each day as it comes. I’m loving this opportunity to experience this simple, calm lifestyle and feel “settled.”

Dear Belize Traveler: Before You Visit, Please Read These Tips!
If you’re like most North Americans getting ready for a tropical paradise escape, deciding what to see can send you scurrying for the aspirin bottle. We don’t blame you. It’s wise to consider all manner of Belize experiences (since this nation has more choices than most) so you wind up with an itinerary that balances down time and leisure with adventures that have no rival in the Caribbean. To help you plan the perfect trip, we are delighted to share nine facts that can help morph your Belize visit from great to sublime. You will want to thank us for the following advice, but don’t bother. Our reward is bestowed when you find yourself planning your next Belize trip on your return flight home!

South Water Caye, an incredible island in Southern Belize
map of south water caye in belizeSouth Water Caye is located directly atop the Belize Barrier Reef a few miles offshore from Stann Creek District in southeastern Belize. It is in the center of the South Water Caye Marine Park, a protected reserve where fishing and industrial activity is prohibited. South South Water Caye has no airport so the only way to get there is by water taxi or private boat. Depending on the weather, it takes approximately 45 minutes to arrive at South Water Caye from Dangriga or other coastal locations in Stann Creek District.

Scuba Dive & Snorkel with Whale Sharks in Belize
Until you see a whale shark up close, it is impossible to realize just how large these gentle creatures area. Measuring up to 40 feet long and weighing up to 20 tons, whale sharks are a migratory species that circumnavigate the globe annually. The Belize Barrier Reef acts as a nursery for thousands of marine species, and the location is the only place in the world where whale sharks congregate in large numbers near the surface as they rise to feed. The best place to encounter migrating whale sharks in Belize is at the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, measuring almost 26,000 acres in size and located approximately 22 miles (36 km) off the coast of Placencia and other locations in Stann Creek District. Because whale sharks are a migratory species, they are only in Belizean waters a short time every year. Whale sharks arrive in the area in April and May and rise to the surface waters to feed when the moon is in its full phase.

How About a Shout-out for Belize’s Community Baboon Sanctuary?
Bermudian Landing is the site of the main sanctuary, but the Creole villages that have joined the effort to nurture Black Howler Monkeys include Flowers Bank, Double Head Cabbage, Scotland Half-moon, Isabella Bank and Big Falls/St. Paul’s Bank. The reserve runs along the banks of the Belize River and it’s the pride and joy of landowners who have committed to maintaining this area for this species and other local wildlife, flora and fauna. The Sanctuary is located just 30 miles from Belize City. Ask your lodgings host to arrange a formal tour that includes transport to and from the site, or you can rent a car to make the 30 mile drive. With an estimated 1500 howlers roaming the 20 square mile epicenter of the CBS, you’ll probably hear them before you see them!

International Sources

2017 Atlantic, Caribbean & Gulf Of Mexico Hurricane Season Forecast (Updated May 20th)
Latest indications continue to point to the potential that the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season may be more active across the central and eastern Atlantic than what we previously thought back in early April. The big reason for this forecast of a more active season is due to the fact that a El Nino may never really form this summer or autumn and if it does, it may end up being quite weak. In addition, the ocean water temperatures across the Tropical Atlantic have warmed quite a bit over the past month. The combination of these two factors plus other indications point to the potential for an average number of named storms with the Lesser Antilles, the eastern Caribbean, the Bahamas and the US East Coast at risk from at least 1 tropical storm or hurricane. In addition, I continue to believe that we will see the formation of at least a tropical storm in the western Atlantic during the month of June. The area I think has the highest probability of formation is around the Bahamas, the western Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Threat to people of Caribbean, Pacific islands looms
A new study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) estimates that 4.2 million people in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean and in the Pacific are living in areas that are prone to flooding due to rising sea levels.In addition to coastal erosion, rising sea levels are expected to negatively impact economic output and employment, and could aggravate inflation and cause an increase in government debt, according to the study, A Blue Urban Agenda: Adapting to Climate Change in the Coastal Cities of Caribbean and Pacific Small Island Developing States. “Caribbean and Pacific coastal cities are on the frontlines of climate change,” said Michael G Donovan, senior urban specialist at the IDB, co-author of the study. “It is critical to adapt and improve the resilience of cities in coastal zones, especially those experiencing rapid urbanisation.

Corn off the cob
Belize is a dot on the map, located in the narrow strip connecting the two Americas. From tamales to chicken tacos, the country is home to some delicious corn-based specialties that go well with cocktails made with Caribbean rum. But what catches attention here are the corn tortillas and masa (which means dough in Spanish). So popular are the tortillas that the local populace eats it with anything. Even with dumplings, as the Chinese living in Belize are known to do. Fuelled by such demand, masa is prepared in large quantities in little factories that are located across the country. Belize is divided into fivedistricts and each of them has its share of corn tortilla factories. But, closer to the north in Corozal and Orange Walk, you will find more tortilla factories because of the influence of the product from the neighbouring country of Mexico. Factory workers will have you know that unlike eating them, the making is tedious. Most factories start operations on a daily basis at 4 am! As I walked into Tortilleria Chico’s (located on a busy highway in Corozal), the fragrant smell of freshly ground corn was overpowering. It was like being trapped in a giant can of Green Giant corn, easily the most popular can of corn in any neighbourhood supermarket in India or abroad.

Behind the Scenes with a Shark Tagging Operation
More than 200 species of sharks appear on the IUCN Red List, ranging in status from critically endangered to near threatened. Scientists suspect some shark populations have declined by as much as 90 percent. Loss of these apex predators ripples through entire marine ecosystems; some coral reefs have died after sharks were fished out. Declines also hurt the commercial and recreational fisheries and tourism industries. In order to protect sharks, though, scientists need to know where they hang out and the routes they travel in the world’s oceans. One of the best ways to find out is to tag and track the animals. In 2008 acoustic tags provided the first proof that individual whale sharks move between Belize and the northern Gulf of Mexico, an important finding for efforts to protect that endangered species.

Flying over the Great Blue Hole
That moment when you're flying over the Great Blue Hole in Belize! The Great Blue Hole is a part of the larger Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a World Heritage Site of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The NJ National Guard is in Belize as part of an annual multinational exercise, Beyond the Horizon, which brings together soldiers, airmen, and marines from the reserve and active components of the U.S. military, as well as personnel from foreign military organizations..

Videos

Terrific Tapir moment!, 1.5min. Terrific Tapir moment! So much fun hanging out with Indie the Central American tapir and zoo founder Sharon Matola at the Belize Zoo! Often referred to as the mountain cow, Tapirs are the largest terrestrial mammals in Central and South America, weighing upwards to 500 pounds. Incredibly they are related to horses! Have a prehensile snout that functions similar to an elephants proboscis. Tapirs face threats from habitat loss and poaching for bushmeat. Thankfully, the Belize zoo is on the front lines for conserving this incredible beast! Going to make an awesome episode of Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin!

Feeding Turtle - Long Caye Belize, 3min.

Jaguar - Part 1 - Journey to the Caves, 2.5min. I wanted to take a unique photo of the elusive jaguar, so I built a camera trap and found a national park in Central America keen to join my project. The park rangers had just discovered ancient Mayan caves in the jungle, inside was jaguar paw marks. This is the story behind the image.

Quality Believe Raw Belize, 3hr.

Paradise Guy Cornhole Game in Belize at The Truck Stop, 5min. Cornhole is a fun game to play and even more so if you are playing it in Belize. Enjoy a Sunday Fun day at the Truck Stop with the Paradise Guy as he walks you through the basics on the beautiful island of Ambergris Caye.

Morgan & Mauricio's Belize Engagement, 3min. I've known Morgan and Mauricio for a good portion of their adorable love story, so when Mauricio asked me to be there when he popped the question in Belize I was over the moon to capture it for them. These two were meant for each other, I can't wait for their wedding!

Scuba Steve Snorkeling San Pedro Belize, 7.5min.

Injured Diver Kissed by a Turtle Belize 2017, 1.5min. Injured Diver getting kissed by a turtle in Belize.. Diving the very day after severe high ankle sprain, gets to be kissed by a beautiful Hawks bill turtle... at Aquarium dive site near Long Caye

Honeymoon in Belize, 7.5min. Honeymoon at Beaches and Dreams Hopkins, Belize We had the trip of a life time on our honeymoon last week in Belize.

WELCOME TO BELIZE, 14min.

Cave Tubing in Belize Cavetubing.bz, 8.5min. Cave Tubing in Belize, with Cavetubingbz, Roberto and Luis thanks for a great tour and lunch, with some rum punch!