Today's Belize News: May 28, 2017

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Today's Belize News: May 28, 2017 #523786 05/28/17 07:09 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,393 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. 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 CAMCAYCA and CALGA organizations visit to La Isla Bonita Mayors and councilors forming the organization 'Confederaci�n de Asociaci�nes de Municipios de Centroam�rica y el Caribe (CAMCAYCA),' and Caribbean Association of Local Government Authorities (CALGA), arrived at Ambergris Caye on Thursday, May 18th for a work visit. Guests came from the countries of Panama, Guatemala, Jamaica, Dominica and the Bahamas. They were able to enjoy a glass bottom boat tour and visit Shark & Ray Alley where they snorkeled with the sharks, rays, and enjoyed the seascape of the area. Those who chose not to swim were still able to view the marine life below through the boat's glass bottom. Amancia Martinez sustains gunshot wounds in San Mateo The San Pedro Police Department is investigating a shooting incident, which occurred on Saturday morning, May 27th, which left 39-year-old Amancia Martinez injured. Martinez, a hair-braider of the San Mateo area of San Pedro Town, received gunshot wounds to her right upper arm and right side of her abdomen. She was taken to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where she was stabilized. Martinez told police officers that she arrived at her home around 12 midnight in a taxi cab. After entering her house, she went into the hall area when she heard her dogs barking outside. Soon after, seven loud bangs were heard as that of a gunshot. Martinez said that she threw herself on to the floor for cover after realizing that her house was being shot at. According to the police report, she began feeling a burning sensation to her right upper arm and abdomen, and realized she had received gunshot injuries. Miss Grand Belize seeks beauty ambassadors Miss Grand Belize, a franchise of Miss Grand International, will be hosting its first ever pageant in August, in which the winner will travel to Phu Quoc, Vietnam, and participate in the international pageant on October 25th. 76 countries participated last year in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and additional countries have been added to compete this year, including Belize. Pageant director Enrique De Le�n is currently tasked to find potential beauty ambassadors. De Le�n told The San Pedro Sun that he is looking for interested females around Belize to apply for the pageant. As he intends to have representatives from all over Belize, he has been posting open castings online. Belizean delegation visits Cuba The Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, Honourable Patrick Faber, led a high level delegation to Havana, Cuba on Monday, May 22nd. The group included Belize Rural South Area Representative and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of State in the Ministry of Health Dr. Angel Campos, along with a technical team comprising of officials from the Ministry of Foreign Trade, The National Sports Council, NICH, and the Belize Embassy in Cuba. The group sought to strengthen the cooperation between the two nations in areas such as health, education, and a further mutual development in culture, sports, trade and tourism. Ambergris Today The Island Academy's Graduating Class Of 2017 The Island Academy held its graduation ceremony for 2017 on Frinday, May 26, celebrating the accomplisments of the entire student body, teaching staff and management, but most importantly handing out graduation diplomas to seven students. Teachers in all the grade levels handed out awards to their top students for excellence in academics, personal growth and social behavior. The Island Academy's graduating class of 2017 include: Tellen Smith, John Greif, Collin Greif, Wyatt Barenfanger, Jamilet Garcia, Skyler Guerrero and Alexandra Lausen who was also awarded with the Sir Barry Bowen Cup bestowed to the exemplary senior student who exhibits utmost values of friendship, honesty and endeavor. Misc Belizean Sources Belize Tattoo Expo The 2017 Belize Tattoo Expo continues today Sunday, May 28th! The Belize Tattoo Expo brings opportunities to get inked in a range of styles by masters of the craft. Kenworth Castro accidental death Caye Caulker Police have reported the death of 22-year-old Kenworth Castro. Initial investigations revealed that around 5PM, Castro was seen swinging on a swing under a palapa at KoKo King on the north side of the village. He was told to stop as he was swinging too high and could get hurt. However, he continued. Moments later he hit his head and fell off the swing. Castro got up and looked around before walking over to the edge of the palapa. Bystanders went to check on him when they discovered him foaming from the mouth. He was quickly rushed to the Caye Caulker Polyclinic in an unconscious state. Attempts were made to revive him to no avail. Castro was pronounced dead at 5:31PM. Miss Teen Belize Kiah Pastor from Belmopan City is the new Miss Teen Belize 2017-2018! Congratulations! Miss Teen Belize Congratulations to the First Runner Up of Miss Teen Belize Pageant 2017, Grace Brown, who proudly represented San Pedro Town! Relmer Arceo passes away Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its sincere condolences to the Arceo friends and family on the sudden passing of Mr. Relmer Arceo. May his soul rest in peace and his friends and family find the strength in each other to over come this loss. MISS BELIZE "CROWN CHRONICLES" (VOL. X111) STATEMENT FROM OPAL ENRIQUEZ Greetings my beloved Belizeans. First, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported Queen of the Jewel throughout the years. I would especially like to thank our corporate partners: BTB, NIGH, Great Belize Television Channel 5, McNab Visual Strategies, The Best Western Biltmore Plaza, Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow, Maruba Resort, Midas Resort, The Ministry of Education, and Bowen & Bowen. Our epic return to Miss Universe was a monumental accomplishment in pageantry. The overwhelming amount of support Rebecca received from Belizeans at home and abroad speaks volumes about our ability to stand together as a nation. Rebecca represented our country well and will forever be remembered as the young woman with the beautiful smile and engaging spirit who took Belize back to the world stage. No LED lights The Department of Transport indicates that affixing of LED lights (inclusive of other lights varying in size and color) on to a motor vehicle without the written permission from the Department of Transport is an offence under the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Regulations. Regulation 159 of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Substantive Regulation, Chapter 192 of the Laws of Belize Revised Edition 1991 states: "There shall not be fixed to the vehicle any lamps other than those required by these Regulations except with the written permission of the Department of Transport". Anyone found in contravention of this Regulation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Woman shot by Bullet shot through wall of home At midnight on Saturday, 27th May 2017 a woman was shot in the San Mateo area, San Pedro Town. She has been identified as 39 year old Amancia Martinez. She is suffering from a gunshot wound to her right upper arm and right side of her abdomen. As a result she was transported to the San Pedro Polyclinic where she was admitted to ward in a stable condition. Martinez reported that on Saturday, 27th May 2017 about 12:00 a.m. she arrived home in a taxi. She then entered her house and closed the door. While she was in the hall area of the house she heard dogs barking, followed by 7 loud bangs. She dove to the floor for cover and felt a burning sensation to her right upper arm. She realized that she had received gunshot injuries to her right upper arm and to the right side of her abdomen. The Police arrived shortly after and transported her to the San Pedro Polyclinic for medical attention. Belmopan Football Association First Division Football Competition Today at the Isidoro Beaton stadium, B sure to come on out to the triple header today. Congratulations to all the Corozal Junior College - ACE students For being the first Paralegal Graduating Class 2017 in the history of the school! Certificate of Paralegal Studies:- Irma Judith Castillo, Patricia Gabriela Clarke, Valdemar Bernardo Castillo, Nemencio Acosta, Humberto Juarez. Associate in Paralegal Studies:- Abiel Ochoa, Yeseňa Ampare Rancharan, Belky Jessie Gilharry, Edgar Luis Teck, Amelio Miguel Cal Jr., Virginia Phillips, Renan Villanueva, Marleni Yvette Montejo, Malena Oliva, Aaron Isai Vasquez. Liberated red lored babies These two red lored babies were liberated from a captive situation. A complicated network involving a professional poacher. Thank goodness for sharp-eared Forest department officers! Jess, one of our interns, named them Carmine & Cerise. Beautiful names for these excitable little creatures. Community relations project Phoenix takes off at Western Regional Hospital! This volunteer initiative led by the Embassy's Military Liaison Office has brought together Beyond the Horizon: 2017-Belize, Belmopan City Council, Belize Defence Force, Ministry of Health Belize, QSI International School Of Belize, Service Members from Trinidad and Tobago, the Embassy volunteers, and many more dedicated participants! THANK YOU to everyone who came out to lend a hand! Next time you drive by the hospital, check out the progress! This Day in History On 27 May, 1784, The Settlement was formally delivered over to Great Britain by the Crown of Spain. World Turtle Day No better way to celebrate World Turtle Day than with a trip to the sea turtle nesting beach. Today, we found 10 new nest. The nesting season started at the beginning of May and already we have 14 nest total. We are off to a great start. Happy World Turtle Day to everyone! Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network On this World Turtle Day, we wanna say THANKS to the hard work and dedication of the Belize Sea Turtle Conservation Network. Thanks to their commitment, the marine turtle population in Belize is finally stabilizing after decades of decline due to threats like coastal development and poaching. But they need our help! Marine turtles are still in danger! Take action today at panda.org/belize to protect our Belize World Heritage site and the nesting and feeding grounds it provides. THE "BELIZEAN FOCUS" NEWSPAPER! Belizeans in Los Angeles, California will remember one of the first efforts of diaspora news in 1983 for the Los Angeles Belizean Community, the outstanding newspaper by the Los Angeles Muslims of Belize (LAMBS) called, "Belizean Focus". The newspaper which was published by L.A.M.B.S. documented one of the most interesting phenomena that today has created what is called here at this documentary series, "The Belize Gang Crisis." As seen on this headline in a 1984 edition of the Belizean Focus the headline titled, "Belize / Third Greatest Drug Trafficking Country to the U.S." has become a wake up call for most Belizeans today in terms of the destabilization of a once peaceful Belizean society. Channel 5 OPAL ENRIQUEZ ISSUES STATEMENT ON MISS BELIZE "CROWN CHRONICLES" Enriquez announced that she will be stepping aside in her capacity as national/creative director of the organization. She says she is taking some time to pursue other interests. There will not be a 2017 Miss Belize pageant. Effective immediately, Rebecca Rath's 2016 - 2017 Miss Belize reign ends. The 2017 title and its respective duties have been assigned to 2016 first runner up Marcia Moody. Enriquez also addresses some of the allegations made by Tony Rath in his five part series, 'Rocky Road to Miss Universe.' For the full statement, see attached four-page document! Breaking Belize News Police confirm death of Kenworth Castro in Caye Caulker Yesterday evening around 5:10, Kenworth Castro, 22, a diver of the Bahia area of Caye Caulker was taken to the island's health clinic in an unconscious state. According to police, around 5:00 Castro was seen swinging from a swing under a palapa at KoKoKing. According to reports, Castro was warned by bystanders that he was swinging too high and could get hurt. Castro continued swinging and he hit his head and fell, police reported. Dorian Pakeman’s case dismissed Dorian Pakeman, Director of the Government Press Office, yesterday, walked out of the Belize City Magistrate's Court free from charges of causing death by careless conduct. In January of this year Pakeman, was charged for the death of 45-year-old Dean Dawson. He was driving the vehicle which knocked down Dawson in March 2016. Seine Bight man murdered in domestic altercation According to reports from police, a man was stabbed last night in Seine Bight Village in Stann Creek. The incident occurred during a domestic altercation in which the victim was stabbed. Bradley criticizes UDP operatives for “disruptive behavior” Last week's senate hearing was disrupted when a group of men led by Chairman of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Alberto August were protesting for the removal of Senator Eamon Courtenay from the Senate. During the now infamous incident, Mace-Bearer of the House of Representatives, Brian "Yellowman" Audinett threatened media personnel. Daniel Gutierrez is new Ambassador to the USA Belize has a new Ambassador to the United States of America. Daniel Gutierrez takes up the new post which is based in Washington, DC. The former ambassador, Patrick Andrews is coming back home to Belize where he will now serve as Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Blogs How to use your cell phone in Belize - 9 tips on staying connected while you are here! A very common question I get from guests is how their cell phones will work in Belize, and what options they have when they are here, for wifi, calling/texting back home, and staying connected via their data. Here are our latest recommendations! 1.) The most obvious and easy way to stay connected is to simply connect to the wifi available at almost every hotel, restaurant, bar, the airport, and even some shuttles. If it is your first time out of the country, it seems scary to have your phone looking like its roaming, or getting messages that your data is on, and hearing stories about outrageous fees people have paid because the settings on their phone were not right. You just have to make sure that your data is turned off when you arrive. 2.) If you are just using wifi - and don't need a local phone number, or the ability to have local calls come in, you can use several methods for staying in contact with people at home. The most popular way is through Facebook messaging, which is free, and allows you to call, text, and send pictures. You can download this app to your phone. Is International Banking Right For You? International banking, or offshore banking, is a perfectly legal way to make managing your wealth easily accessible, more convenient and flexible worldwide. But, is it right for you? Wherever you live, international banking gives you the potential to grow and offers you peace of mind knowing your money and assets are being protected beyond your home country. By having a foreign bank account, you have access to more investment options and taking a vital step towards freeing yourself from dependence on any one country and its local government. International banking gives you the opportunity to benefit from better interest rates and makes life a lot easier for expatriates to conduct business internationally. Belize Opens Yoga & Ayurvedic Wellness Spa in Ambergris Caye Science and Soul Wellness had their grand opening at Mahogany Bay Village, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It was an effective occasion accompanied with fun, food & celebrations with some showcase of the services they will be providing. There were also; dance performances, style fashion show, reggaeBest Yoga & Ayurvedic Wellness Spa jams, silent auctions, where all the contributions and earnings from these go to a Belize charitable that advantages regional girls called SHINE. Paulette Gloria Howard, a Mahogany Bay Village homeowner and also yoga exercise master owns and also operates Science and Soul Wellness. They provide a complete health and wellness, yoga and also various other services such as Swedish and also Ashiatsu massage therapy, Ayurvedic counseling and also treatments, facials, chiropractic care job, also natural spray tans with a comfortable and also is just one of the largest studio in Belize. It has 3 main centers: Caves Branch Hosts International Health Emissaries Caves Branch Lodge in Belize's Cayo District has once again hosted the International Health Emissaries. From May 8-10, 2017, the International Health Emissaries operated a free clinic in Armenia Village on the Hummingbird Highway, treating hundreds of local children, adults, and the elderly. A Romantic Belize Getaway: Beauty & Luxury in Paradise Although Belize is just a small country located on the Caribbean coast of Central America just south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, it is a wonderland of both lush jungle on the mainland and tropical paradise on its hundreds of offshore islands. Just a few hours' flying time from major cities across the United States, Belize is the ideal place to enjoy an unforgettably romantic vacation. Imagine holding hands as you walk down the beach, watching the sun rise over the sparkling waters of the Caribbean. Imagine laughing with amazement as you sail along a series of zip lines high above the jungle. Imagine the wonder of exploring ancient Maya pyramids, some of which are still bigger than any modern man-made structure in the country, as they reach for a cloudless blue sky above. Finding the Right Resort on Ambergris Caye For Your Belize Vacation Pronounced locally as am-BUR-giss key, Ambergris Caye is the largest island in Belize and one of the top vacation destinations in the country. Made famous by the 1986 Madonna hit song "La Isla Bonita" (the beautiful island), Ambergris Caye is part unspoiled national park and part colorful beach town home to some of the best seafood in Belize. Whether you're coming to Belize for your honeymoon, family vacation, or adventure travel, there's a great resort for you on Ambergris Caye. Here is just a small selection of the resorts to choose from on Ambergris Caye: International Sources 35 Percent of the World's 'National Animals' Are Threatened With Extinction The US bald eagle is doing fine. The Central American tapir of Belize? Not so much. Just about every country has a national animal, a symbol that is widely recognized and a source of pride, whether it's the bald eagle (the national bird in the US), the beaver (in Canada), or the Central American tapir (that's Belize). Around the world, 35 per cent of the world's symbolic national animals are threatened with extinction-and only 16 percent are receiving protection from their respective countries, according to a new paper from University of Miami researchers Austin Gallagher and Neil Hammerschlag. Videos Morning Matters with the group Legendary, 61min. Belize Tattoo Expo, 15min. Opal Enriquez speaks about Rebecca Rath and the next appointed Miss Belize Marcia Moody, 90min. Enriquez says it is about moving forward. Rebecca Rath is Miss Belize 2016. Marcia Moody is Miss Belize 2017. Rath's reign is cut a few months short to accommodate Moody's entry into a pageant. The Miss Universe Pageant is a private entity that sells licenses. It is not run by countries or government agencies. The license for a Belize candidate is held by Enriquez. Belize 2015, 5min. Traditional Garifuna Drum Making (2017), 2min. 2017-04-28 Sayonarra Wall and Tarpon Wall with Belize Pro Divers, 8.5min.2017-04-28 Sayonarra Wall and Tarpon Wall with Belize Pro Divers - Free swimming Green Moray Eel at 07:18, Spotted Drumfish, Spotted Moray Eel, Hogfish, Smooth Trunkfish, Blue Chromis, Blue Tang, Lobster, Crab, Lionfish Dye Tracing to Barton Creek Cave, Belize, 15min. In 2002 several U.S. cavers continued an ongoing survey project in the caves around Barton Creek. Before getting underground we visited three insurgences, sinking streams, and used fluorescein dye, optical brightener, and rhodamine dye to test whether that water went to Barton Creek Cave. Blue Hole - Belize, 14min. CHUKKA Belize Staff Recognition Program 2017, 25min. Cancer walk 2017 in Belize, 2min. You Betta Belize It!, 13min. Some GoPro footage from our "unbelizable" May 2017 trip to Belize! Most of it includes shots from snorkeling in Caye Caulker (Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Coral Gardens, and Shark Ray Alley) and Ambergris Caye (Mexico Rocks and Basil Jones), which was out of this world! Belize has the second largest barrier reef in the world (aside from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia). We saw so many sea creatures in the crystal clear blue water: tropical fish, sting rays, eagle rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks, lion fish, barracudas, conch, lobster, sea urchins, a puffer fish, a moray eel, and so much more! Aside from that, we also saw plenty of amazing coral formations and underwater plant life. There is also some footage of some of the inland activities that we did, such as cave tubing through St. Herman's Cave and hiking, crawling, and bouldering through the Crystal Cave. Check it out and we hope you enjoy because we sure did! :) Getting to Belize, to Survey Barton Creek Cave, 15min. In 2002 I joined some good cavers in Belize to do some jungle caving. We surveyed in Barton Creek cave, dye traced several insurgences to connect them to Barton Creek, and visited a half dozen other interesting caves in the area, including Stone Sepulcher. Miss Estereo Amor Belize auditions, 1min. Attention Belize and San Pedro, the Miss Estereo Amor Belize auditions are coming your way this weekend.