The Guardian
Cop caught lying on the ground in full uniform
The police department's Professional Standard Branch is investigating a case of a police constable who was caught on video at the Belmopan bus terminal lying on the ground in a disoriented state. The officer identified as Police Constable Florencio Rash is attached to Precinct 1 in Belize City.
Senate probe sucks half million dollars in expenses
The Guardian Newspaper has confirmed that every single time the Senate Select Committee meets it costs the government a whopping $15,000 per session. We understand that for every meeting Krem Radio is paid a handsome $1,500 per session. Additionally The National Channel is likewise paid $1,500. That is in addition to some $5,000 which is paid to the staff for additional work they put in during the meeting within that includes payments to the staff of the National Assembly as well as staff of the Press Office. Other expenses include security provided by police as well as mileage which is paid to the Senators who attend the meetings. All told each and every meeting is costing the Government of Belize in the region of $15,000 per session.
Microsoft and GOB sign MOU to minimize corruption
Belize's 10 year relationship with Microsoft has recently experienced an additional new feature. On June 22, 2017, the Government of Belize entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the software company, the largest of its kind in the world. Although Belize has always been a Microsoft customer, we have never before been a customer in this light.The latest relationship will serve in reaching the government's National Digital Transformation Goals. The company, through the Central Information and Technology Office (CITO), will develop the country's e-government capacity. According to Angelo Chirico, General Manager of Microsoft Service for Latin America, this partnership will enable government offices to increase efficiency and effectiveness while being practical and economical.
NEMO Minister opens Caribbean and Latin American Workshop for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises on Continuity of Business and Operations after Disasters
Minister of National Emergency Management Hon Edmond Castro delivered the opening address at a workshop for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the Caribbean and Latin America on continuity of business and operations after disasters, which got underway on Wednesday at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City.
The workshop is conducted in compliance with the Work Programme for 2017 approved by the Latin American Council of SELA (Sistema Econ�mico Latinoamericano y del Caribe).
BEL has another record-setting year
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 to report to shareholders on the Company's performance and achievements for the year 2016 as it pursues its Vision to become A Model of Excellence.
BEL outperformed its 2016 financial targets, following four consecutive years of stellar performance, with net earnings of $27.3 million. Shareholders were rewarded for their confidence in the Company with dividends declared of $0.29 per share or $20.3 million.
Boats for the Police Department
The Police Department has received a very generous donation from the US Embassy in Belmopan. They now have 3 boats, and these maritime assets will be used by the Anti Narcotics Unit (ANU), which was once known as the Anti-Drug Unit (ADU). It's a donation worth US $449,000, almost a million Belize dollars.
These vessels are 3 Colombian boats which were seized by Belizean law enforcement, 2 by the coast guard, and 1 by the Anti-Narcotics Unit. They were then transferred to the US Embassy, and their law enforcement professionals retro-fitted them with state-of-the-art electronic communications and navigational equipment.
PUP does not want Minister Martinez to testify
The latest Senate Hearing on Immigration happened on Wednesday, June 28, where Immigration Officer Ady Pacheco was called back to finish up her testimony. Her name is called out - probably - the most of all the public officers who were working at the Department during the period that is under the Audit review.
So, the Senate Select Committee called her back to answer a few more questions, but they also summoned UDP Minister Anthony "Boots" Martinez. He was supposed to give testimony, but for some unexplained reason, the Committee informed him that their schedule had changed. He was dismissed and told that he will be summoned to return at a later date. Of course, the very busy Minister of Government and Area Representative was unhappy that he cancelled all important work he had scheduled, just so that he could comply with the Senate's summons.
DOE says there are laws against noise
In relation to the current debate on the "entertainment strip" in the area of Newtown Barracks in Belize City and the issue of NOISE POLLUTION being experienced for some time now by residents in the surrounding area, the Department of the Environment (DOE) supports the Mayor of Belize City and the Belize City Council in enforcing legislation that exists to ensure that there is a balance between the economic development of Belize and a healthy environment for all. As a Government Department that stands by its motto "Balancing Development and the Environment", the DOE believes in the economic/commercial development of the community, but not at the expense of the very same citizens we are here to develop and protect. This specific area in question has been a challenging location for the DOE on the issue of noise pollution.
EU funds capacity building in the technical vocational education and training (TVET) sector
The Ministry of Economic Development & Petroleum and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports have signed a contract with GFA Consulting Group of Germany for BZ$2.6 million for a TVET Capacity Building and Professional Development Training Programme. The GFA Team has mobilized to Belize to begin the inception phase of this 18-month contract with their partners, Sequa of Germany and the University of the West Indies.
This Training Contract, funded by the European Union under the Banana Accompanying Measures 2013, has as its objective to increase the capacity of TVET Management and Instructors in the northern Toledo and Stann Creek Districts to deliver quality training to students.
FFB fails to have presidential elections
The Football Federation of Belize could not hold its 10th ordinary congress over the weekend because majority of the congress members protested and refused to show up.
So, at press time tonight, the FFB continues to be governed by an executive that is forced to carry on with the business of the richest sporting federation in the land.
There were two important agenda items which couldn't be addressed. First, the Congress was supposed to elect a new executive to run the Federation for the next 4 years. Also, the Federation needed its budget funding approved by the congress members to run its functions, but because the congress had to be canceled, there is now uncertainty about funding to carry out its business.
Students graduate from GREAT in San Ignacio
The San Ignacio (Police) Formation held a graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 for the largest cohort of students completing the Gang Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program. According to Richard A. Rosado, Officer in Charge of the San Ignacio Police Formation, this is a testament to the formation's commitment to the expansion of the Commissioner of Police's community outreach programs. A total of seven hundred and fifty (750) students completed the training.
BDF graduates helicopter pilots
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) will hold a Graduation Ceremony to honour four (04) Pilots and thirteen (13) Technicians who have successfully completed a Helicopter Conversion Training.
The Graduation Ceremony will take place on the 30 June 2017 at the Belize Defence Force Air Wing Base, Williamson Hanger Complex, commencing at 0900 hrs. The Helicopter Conversion training started on the 11 July 2016 and concluded on 26 June 2017 and covered a wide range of helicopter related subjects and practical exercises.
Northern Regional Hospital has two new operating theaters
The Northern Regional Hospital now has a fully functioning operating theater following investments made by the Government of Belize through the ministry of health. The opening ceremonies took place on Tuesday in Orange Walk and present for the event were Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, his minister of State, Hon. Angel Campos and Area Representative for Orange Walk North, Hon. Gaspar Vega.
The gallant and the few honored in Belmopan last week
Over 280 police officers of varying ranks were recognized in an award ceremony at the National Police Training Academy in Belmopan on Thursday of last week. It was an opportunity for members of the public and the media to witness the rewarding of police officers for their long service, good conduct, merit and distinguished service during the observance of Police Week.
In his address, Assistant Commissioner of Police Robert Mariano congratulated the distinguished police officers for their "�long years of commitment, dedication and loyalty to the Belize Police Department and to the citizens and visitors of Belize."
Freak storm descends on San Ignacio
A freak storm descended upon San Ignacio Town and Bullet Tree Falls for about two hours at about midday on Saturday inundating several streets and clogging drains in the surrounding areas. For a temporary period portions of the access road to Bullet Tree Falls had become covered by water.
As a result of the surprise storm, Minister of the National Emergency Management Organization NEMO the Hon. Edmund Castro was prompted to make a quick visit to the area to meet with the Representative for the Cayo North Division the Hon. Omar Figueroa and the Mayor of San Ignacio and Santa Elena Earl Trapp Junior. The Hon. Edmund Castro was also able to communicate with the Cayo Central Representative the Hon. Rene Montero, who is also the Minister of Works. Al Westby was on the ground coordinating Government's emergency response to those affected by the harbinger weather conditions.
Sugar Crop Season Closes
The 2016 - 2017 Sugar cane crop season comes to an end this week. The Belize Sugar Industries has indicated that it will receive its last delivery of sugarcane for this crop season on Friday June 30. After 28 weeks of grinding BSI's grinders are expected to go into their annual slumber by Sunday or early next week.
The weekly report issued on the June 21 by The Belize Sugar Industries indicate that at week 27 (last week) the amount of cane milled so far stands at 1,237,818 tons which are 50,886 less than last year's crop which stood at 1,288,704 tons of sugar cane. The amount of sugar produced last year was 132,113 tons while this year it stands at 139,962 tons an increase of 7,849 tons. The factory's grinding rate for this crop season has been 6,315 tons while last year it ended with 6,575 tons a decrease of 260 which according to the industry is as a result of bad weather.
24 Belizean students accepted for 2017 Taiwan scholarships
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that 24 Belizean students have been awarded scholarships respectively by the TaiwanICDF (Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund) Scholarship Program and the Taiwan Scholarship Program 2017. Both scholarship programs provides every scholarship recipient a round trip economy class ticket, accommodations, tuition fees, credit fees, insurance, textbook costs, and a monthly allowance from US$400 to US$950 depending on what subject is pursued. The scholarships will last for a maximum of 5 years for each and every recipient.
Toxic People
Toxic people defy logic. Some are blissfully unaware of the negative impact that they have on those around them, and others seem to derive satisfaction from creating chaos and pushing other people's buttons. As important as it is to learn how to deal with different kinds of people, truly toxic people will never be worth your time and energy-and they take a lot of each. Toxic people create unnecessary complexity, strife, and, worst of all, stress.
Minister of Transport discusses cooperation with Singapore delegation
Minister of Transport Hon. Edmond Castro headed a team from his Ministry which met this On June 22 in Belmopan with a Singapore delegation led by Mr. Yap Ong Heng, Senior Advisor of the Singapore Ministry of Transport and Special Envoy of that country's Minister of Infrastructure.
The delegation is in Belize to strengthen transport cooperation with Belize and explore cooperation initiatives that could be executed under the recently signed air services agreement, also known as "open skies agreement".
The Signapore delegation also included the First Secretary (Maritime) of the High Commission of Singapore in London, Mr. Yao Yikai; and Assistant Director of the Ministry of Transport of Singapore, Mr. Justin Kua.
New clock at entrance of Belmopan
In the first quarter of 2016 work commenced on the construction of three roundabouts in the City of Belmopan; one is located at the Guanacaste National Park, the other at the intersection of the Hummingbird highway and Forest Drive and the third is near to the Belmopan Hospital.
All of these roundabouts came under the Road Safety Project and two of those have been complete. The roundabout at the Guanacaste National Park prominently features a flag at the center with the names of all the districts in the circumference. It also has water jets in the center which at night is illuminated with multi-colored lights. It is quite a sight to behold and a true indication of the progress that the capital city has undergone in the past few years.
Bail for Gian Espadas for drug trafficking
A 22-year-old student of the University of Belize was busted with 12 pounds of cannabis and was arraigned in court on Tuesday, June 27, 2017. He was read a single charge of drug trafficking before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after a night of lock down. He is Gian Carlo Espadas who was intercepted by MIT personnel.
Freddy Blanco receives major deduction on manslaughter case
On June 23, 2017, a young man from August Pine Ridge who pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter before Justice Herbert Lord was initially sentenced to 17 years in prison. At mitigation, he received a deduction and was finally sentenced to 9 years and 3 months for the murder.
That man is Freddy Amir Blanco who committed the crime on September 20, 2011, while he was still a minor. Blanco murdered his married lover when they got into an argument over smoking marijuana.
Burglars make off with gun
Nidia Dominquez, a 58-year-old Belizean businesswoman of Rhamdas Street, Belama Phase 3, Belize City, reported that sometime between the hours of 6:25 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. on Monday June 26, 2017 her home was broken into.
As a result of the burglary stolen were: assorted jewelleries, electronic devices, travel suitcases, a 9mm Glock along with 2 (17) shooter magazines, a box of Ruger brand 9mm live rounds of ammunition, assorted flashlights, and earmuffs. The items were estimated all to a total value of $12,355.00. Police investigations continue.
Byron James brought to court for harm to Anita Nembhard
After four months of delay, police have levied a single charge of harm against Byron James, a 31-year-old prisoner who has been previously convicted for the murder of Frank Vasquez earlier in 2017. James was brought before Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith on Friday, June 23, 2017. In court, where he was unrepresented, James pleaded not guilty to the charge of harm.
Police seek second suspect in murder of 90 year old
Police have issued a wanted poster for 26-year-old Amin Ricardo Cho. He is wanted in connection with the chopping death of 90 year old Pedro Pol who was attacked on June 15th at his shop in the village of August Pine Ridge.
On that day Pol was at his shop sometime around 2p.m. when two men of Hispanic descent entered the shop, tied him up and robbed him. The men who were armed with machetes also chopped Pol multiple times to the head and face as well as his entire body causing him to die.
Drug trafficking in Corozal
On June 26, 2017, police were conducting mobile patrols in Corozal Town and followed a green Toyota Corolla taxi where they saw two male persons exit at a restaurant. The taxi then left the area and parked at 8th Avenue where police conducted a search of the taxi. In the taxi at the time of the search were Marlon Beltran, Belizean Taxi Driver of San Antonio Village, Corozal District and 29-year-old Gino Ayuso, Belizean sales clerk of Paraiso Village.
Jermaine Franklin's murder caught on tape
On June 27, 2017, police responded to shots being fired on Kings Street, in front of Teddy's Music and DVD Rental in Belize City. There they saw the body of 36-year-old Jermaine Franklin of Fabers Road, Extension lying on the pavement with gunshot wounds to the back.
Investigations reveal that at 6:25 p.m., Franklin was inside the store when a male person walked inside and fired several shots at him. Police response led to the detention of the person who is believed to have been the perpetrator. Franklin's body was transported to the K.H.M.H.
Jahleel Goodger on remand for stealing vehicle from Sit and Sip
Jahleel Goodger, a 21-year-old Belize City car washer, is on remand after being denied bail after he was caught red handed stealing a woman's $17,000 2008 Saturn Vue motor vehicle from in front of Sit and Sip Bar in Belize City. The vehicle which remains unfound was the property of Linda Tun and was stolen on Sunday, June 24 2017.
Tun reported her vehicle stolen after she lost the key. Tun claims to have taken out the car battery and went to Sit and Sip bar when she saw her vehicle being stolen by a man who took a battery and placed it into her vehicle then drove off with it.
Akeem Guzman targeted in San Ignacio
Akeem Guzman, a 21 year-old resident of San Ignacio Town, was shot and killed at a friend's house during the weekend. He was socializing with a 16 year-old companion in his yard, and the killer used the opportunity to ambush him from the shadows.
Guzman's brother and his mother recounted to the press that the last time they spoke to him was less than 2 hours before he was shot and killed. They say that he was over at their home, and his mother reportedly told him that it was getting late, and that he should be heading to his house.
Shandoy Jeffords found not guilty for attempted murder of prison mate
Shandoy Jeffords, a 32-year-old ex-inmate at the Belize Central Prison, has managed to beat an attempted murder charge after he tried to slit the throat of his prison mate, 30-year-old Pedro Pech in June 2013.
Allegations are that on June 18, 2013, Jeffords cut Pech's throat with a razor in the recreational hall of Tango 11 at the Belize Central Prison. The incident erupted after Pech was given cash to hand over to Jeffords by Jeffords' brother. Pech never handed the money over to Jeffords. The men had it out because of their differences and it was then that Pech was injured. A doctor had classified his injury as wounding.
Man from Unitedville succumbs to injuries from accident
A man from Unitedville in Cayo was fatally injured in a traffic accident on Friday. Forty one year old Kenrick Anthony Myvette received multiple head and body injuries after being flung from a motorcycle near Running W on the George Price Highway. This was as a result of hitting a vehicle coming in the opposite direction, driven at the time by Elvin Penner, a Public Relations Representative at Koop Sheet Metal.
Arson in Punta Gorda
Clarentina Coc, a 23-year-old woman of Graham Creek Village, Toledo, reported on June 21, 2027 that on June 17, 2017 while she was at home she heard a noise outside and upon checking she saw a man she recognize as a villager from Graham Creek Village Toledo setting her thatched roof on fire. Her house was 30 feet in length and 15 feet in width with board siding. The house was completely destroyed by fire along with household items valued at $11,000.00. Police are investigating.
Purse snatcher caught in the act
A thief was caught red handed by an ex-police officer who saw him snatching a woman's purse.The purse snatcher has been identified as 22-year-old Renick Dominguez, an unemployed resident of Biscayne Village.Dominguez appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charge of theft.
Allegations are that on Monday, June 26, 2017, he stole from Alisha Chan, an LG cell phone valued at $600. Chan was waking on Freetown when Dominguez grabbed her cellphone. An ex-police officer saw the entire incident and caught up with Dominguez who held him down until police officers came and Dominguez was handed over.
54 thousand dollar robbery in Corozal
A 34-year-old Indian national and store manager of Corozal Town, Avinash Deshmukh, reported that on Friday, 23rd June, 2017, he flew from Ranchito Village to San Pedro Town leaving his silver 4-Runner parked in the parking lot. The flight arrived in San Pedro where he collected whole sale and retail proceeds from his store amounting to a total of about $54,000.00.
Salvadoran woman fails to get asylum in Belize
A Salvadoran mother whose son got caught up in trouble with the law for having weed in his possession was brought before the court on June 28, 2017 to answer to a single charge of failure to comply with the conditions of her visitors permit. That woman is Maria Concepcion who has been living on Holy Emmanuel Street.
Concepcion came to seek asylum but allegations are that on December 5, 2016, she was issued with a notification letter stating that she did not qualify for asylum and from that date, she had failed to get any other extension into Belize. As a result, she was charged with the immigration offense.
Salvadoran Family sent home for drugs and no papers
A family of 4 Salvadoran immigrants were all dragged to court after 1.6 grams of cannabis and a utensil used for smoking drugs was found at their Holy Emmanuel Street home in Belize City. The family members will be extradited to their country of origin after their unfortunate run in with the law.
The family was arraigned on June 27, 2017 before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser after being in police custody since June 24, 2017. The persons are 18-year-old Santos Emilio Orellana Valdez, his mother 39-year-old Maria Concepcion Valdez, and her two brothers, 18-year-old Moises Elias Gomez Valdez and 19-year-old Ceasar Gamaliel Gomez Valdez. They were read two criminal offenses before the magistrate.
Burglary in San Pedro
On June 22, 2017, 51-year-old Fernando Giacoman, owner of Coco Cabana Restaurant and Bar in San Pedro Town, reported that several Atlantic Bank cheques amounting to a total value of $7,629.80 went missing from his office. Police are looking for two persons as the investigation continues.
One Love captures Allison "Harrier" Laing Basketball Tournament
Sugar City Hoops sponsored the Allison "Harrier" Laing one day Basketball Tournament on Sunday 25th June, out at the Trial Farm Basketball Court in Orange Walk. Seven teams participated in the one day event.
One Love received $300 cash plus the championship trophy while Truckers received $200 plus the second place trophy.
The Allison "Harrier" Laing One Day Tournament 2017 was a success. Thanks to all the teams that participated and thanks to BABO for officiating. Congratulations to the champions One Love. 2nd place went to Truckers from Belize City.
Edgar Nissan Arana is the 2017 National Road Champion
The Cycling Federation of Belize held its National Road Championship on Sunday 25th June, 2017, in three categories namely Elite, U-23, Masters; Female and the Junior and Youths.
In the Elite, U-23 and Masters Category, some 28 cyclists signed up to participate in the event but on race day only 21 cyclists stared the course with only 13 cyclists completed the 105 miles event, which started out in Dangriga Town and concluded at Leslie's Imports at 1.5 miles on the George Price Highway.
At the conclusion of the event, Edgar Nissan Arana of Westrac Alliance Cycling Team rode into the history books, when he was the first rider to cross the finish line in a time of 4:26:05 to capture the 2017 National Road Championship.
Arana was followed by Brandon Cattouse of Smart/CRay Western Spirit Cycling Team in a time of 4:33:10 to claim second place. The third rider to cross the finish line was Ron Vasquez also of Smart/CRay Western Spirit Cycling Team.
Belize District Basketball Association Firms' Competition opens
The Belize District Basketball Association 2017 Firms' Competition opened on Friday 23rd June, at the St. Martin de Porres Swift Hall in Belize City. There are nine (9) teams participating in this year's competition- Belize Bank Bulldogs, Belize Telemedia Ltd., Central Health Department/Fire Service, Dragons, The Kings, Grace Kings, INFOTEL/Mars Distributors, Mayan Man Warriors and Tuff e Nuff.
The competition will continue this coming weekend with four more games on the schedule. On Friday 30th June at 7:00 pm in game one, INFOTEL/Mars Distributors will go up against The Kings and in the night cap Grace Kings will see actions against Tuff e Nuff.
On Saturday 1st July at 7:00 pm. Belize Bank Bulldogs will go up against Central Health Department/Fire Service and in the final game of the evening; it will be BTL against Dragons.
Silk Grass Royale Girlz clip Seine Bight Flame in Stann Creek Softball competition
The Stann Creek Softball Competition continued on Sunday 25th June, 2017, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village with two games.
In the first game played, Silk Grass Royale Girlz edged out Seine Bight Flames in extra inning by the score of 12-11 to win the game. Seine Bight Flames led for most part of the game, when in the bottom of the fifth inning an assortment of fielding errors opened the flood gate that allowed the Silk Grass Royale Girlz to tie the score at 5-5. At the end of 7 innings the score was 11-11 and the Tiebreaker Rule had to come into effect in the top of the 8th inning.
Breaking Belize News
Belize Represented at XLIX Summit in Costa Rica
According to a Government of Belize press release, Belize attended the XLIX Summit of Heads of Government and State of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Costa Rica from June 28th-30th, 2017.
The release says that Central American leaders met to discuss regional cooperation, security, and the continued strengthening of regional integration.
Festival of Hope to be celebrated in Belize City
On Saturday, July 22, 2017 thousands of people from across the nation of Belize will gather together in Belize City for a historic day of music concerts, X-tream sports, fun, games, and a message about the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
NICH hosts Belize Archaeology Symposium in San Ignacio
The 15th installment of the Belize Archaeology Symposium (BAS) is being held from June 28 ‐ 30, 2017 in San Ignacio, Cayo, Belize.
The primary objective of the symposium is to disseminate current archaeological information to the people of Belize, the tourism industry, and the general archaeological community.
European Union funds capacity building in TVET sector
The Ministry of Economic Development & Petroleum and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports have signed a contract with GFA Consulting Group of Germany for BZ$2.6 million for a TVET Capacity Building and Professional Development Training Programme.
How to build a bridge- UDP engineering vs PUP Racketeering
By Delroy Cuthkelvin: The PUP and UDP are as different as night and day, and one thing that bears this out most graphically is infrastructure. Look, for example, at the spanking new, sturdy Cayo Bridge across the Macal River built by this UDP Government (top photo) which [�]
Belize gets another black eye for trafficking in persons
The 2017 US State Department report on Trafficking in Persons is out. The report indicates that again Belize is ranked in the lowest tier three because, "The Government of Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is [�]
Notice: Noise abatement regulations
In relation to the current debate on the "entertainment strip" in the area of Newtown Barracks in Belize City and the issue of NOISE POLLUTION being experienced for some time now by residents in the surrounding area, the Department of the Environment (DOE) supports [�]
Michelle Nunez to represent Belize for Costa Maya Crown 2017
The National Director for Miss America Latina Belize, Michael Arnold announced Michelle Estrella Nu�ez as Miss Belize Costa Maya 2017. Nunez is from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and aims to become the first San Pedrana to capture the Costa Maya crown. The 26 year-old, [�]
Coast guard officer graduates with top honors from US Naval War College
Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) graduated from the United States Naval War College on June, 16th 2017, after successfully completing the Naval Staff Course in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A. Soberanis, who is the first Belizean to attend the one-year version [�]
Drunken police officer appears before tribunal
A video footage gone viral on social media this week captured PC Florencio Rash in an inebriated fashion at the Belmopan bus station. Yesterday police confirmed that he was under the influence of alcohol. Belmopan Police have headed disciplinary actions against him which have [�]
Mayor Bradley hosts press briefing
Belize City Mayor, Darrell Bradley, called a press briefing this morning to address several issues affecting Belize City, including trade license reforms, the renovation of the.commercial center and the ongoing discussion about night clubs on Princess Margaret Drive. Bradley exaplained that the new trade [�]
Caye Caulker Lobster Fest 2017 kicks off this weekend
Belizeans and tourists are heading over to Caye Caulker for the annual Lobster festival. First began on July 1994 by the Islanders Veterans Football Club, the Caye Caulker Lobsterfest is the original Lobster Fest of Belize, and the only festival on Caye Caulker Island. [�]
No agreement yet for new San Ignacio/Santa Elena bridge
The new bridge connecting the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena is almost completed. Chairman of the United Democratic Party, Alberto August had indicated on social media that the bridge will be named, "The Rene Montero Bridge", but government has not issued [�]
GDP up for first quarter
Preliminary estimates from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) show that Belize Gross Domestic Product for the first quarter of 2017 was up by 2.1 percent, when compared to first quarter in 2016. The total value of goods and services produced in Belize was [�]
Imports down a little, exports up a lot in May
Belize's expenditures on imports fell by 4.2 percent for the month of May, while revenues from exports were up by 28.9 percent, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize's (SIB) latest External Trade Bulletin. For the month of May 2017, imports were valued at [�]
Cost of living up in May
Continuing the trend since the beginning of 2017, the cost of living in Belize was higher in the month of May than it was in 2016. According to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), the prices of goods and services regularly purchased by Belizean [�]
Man chopped to death in Corozal
According to police reports, Omar Morales Gonzalez, 21, a Salvadoran living in Belize was murdered in San Joaquin, Corozal. Gonzalez was chopped to the neck. The perpetrator also chopped Doniver Armoldo Ruano, 20, also of San Joaquin Village. Ruano received chop wounds to right [�]
Getting to Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker: Taking the Water Taxi after You Arrive at International Airport
There are two water taxi companies that are located within minutes of each other but one has more departures than the other. That makes it much more convenient.
Check the website for San Pedro Belize Express for times and prices. You do not have to buy tickets before hand - you can buy them right at the water taxi terminal.
LONG NOTE: You may notice that people around you are getting different prices. The water taxis in Belize often have "local" and "visitor"/"tourist" pricing. Many bristle at the thought of it! But before you balk and think you got ripped off by "gringo pricing", let me tell you why I think this is TOTALLY fair almost all of the time.
The water taxis are how locals get from the cayes to the mainland for business, for school, for shopping and to visit family. Though privately owned, it is basically public transportation. (There is no public transportation in Belize in the true sense of the word - all boats, buses and flights are privately owned.)
International Sources
Gas prices worldwide
Gas prices by country using official data sources.
New Research Finds Air Pollution is Far Deadlier than Previously Thought
The U.S. standards for our two deadliest air pollutants--ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter (PM2.5 )--are not stringent enough to prevent thousands of premature air pollution deaths each year among the elderly, found a study by Harvard University scientists, led by Qian Di, released Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research was exceptionally vast and lengthy, covering all 61 million Americans on Medicare, age 65 and older, for the thirteen years from 2000 to 2012.
The EPA's National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) sets the acceptable annual average concentration of PM2.5 pollution at 12 micrograms per cubic meter of air. However, the study discovered that PM2.5 concentrations as low as 5 micrograms per cubic meter caused significantly increased death rates, and found no "safe" level of PM2.5 below which the risk of death tapered off.
Videos
Sacred Heart Junior College Student Video, min. Christopher Witz, with the help of some of his friends, has created a wonderful promo video for SHJC. High level of production, and it shows. It also has a great message about family and foundation, which is SHJC's tagline. Now's the time to register for next semester, and find out about scholarships, of which there are many.
Belize 2017, 2min. stopped in Belize for some vacation time after volunteering in Guatemala!
Rare Low Level Flight over Belize's Barrier Reef - Awesome HD Footage, 4min. See Belize's Barrier Reef up close courtesy of a Low Level flight from Belize City to San Pedro Town on Maya Island Air. See why Belize is one of the best diving destinations in the world.
KTV the Remix (June 27, 2017), 3hr.
A VILLAGER IS CHOPPED TO DEATH IN SAN JOAQUIN, 6min. There was a murder that occurred in the wee hours of this morning in the normally quiet community of San Joaquin Village in the Corozal District. A fight among three men had a deadly result when an armed man fatally chopped one, and seriously injured the other.
SHOW MORE
Talk Ah Di Town June 29, 2017, 25min.
Regional Testing Day, 34min.
DigiCell shared the details of their latest promotions, 19min.
Benefits of the Moringa plant, 33min.
National Corn Coconut and BBQ Festival, 1min. COUNTDOWN BEGINS....UNDER THE TENTS, ON THE BEACH, IN THE SAND....IN THE SEA, THIS FESTIVAL IS ON.
Great Blue Hole, Belize, min. Scuba diving in the Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, Belize. Imaging by Aldo Perez.
Corozal Community College Marching Band welcomes APEX Music, 1.5min.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
