Amandala
WANTED!
On Saturday afternoon, police confirmed that warrants had been issued for the arrests of men believed to have been involved in the severe beating of Galen University student, Kevin Brown.
The men - Jafari Castro, Gilbert Franklin, Jr., and James Young, Jr. - are all wanted for harm. Franklin is additionally wanted for aggravated assault.
Jafari Castro is a son of Minister of NEMO and Transport, Hon. Edmond "Clear the Land" Castro, whose constituency is Belize Rural North.
At press time tonight, however, police say that the men have not been found.
Francine Pitts, Belize City Council tax collector, dead at 46
Francine Pitts, who was employed as a tax collector for the Belize City Council, was pronounced dead on arrival on Saturday, August 12, at the Western Regional Hospital.
The mother of 6 children, an asthmatic, Pitts was found unconscious on the floor of her mother's house in Mahogany Heights. She was rushed to the Western Regional Hospital by her son, Eandre Nunez, 17, but was pronounced dead, one of her sons, De' Zhaun Humes, 22, told Amandala tonight in a telephone interview.
Although a post-mortem exam has not yet been performed on Pitts' body to determine the cause of her death, her son, Humes, is of the view that their mother died from heart failure and an asthma attack.
Anna Banner-Guy loses bid to remain on Belmopan CitCo slate
The United Democratic Party (UDP) held an endorsement convention today for its mayoral candidate for the Belmopan City Council race that is scheduled to take place next year March. Khalid Belisle, the incumbent mayor, will head the UDP Belmopan City Council slate again.
It wasn't smooth sailing for the UDP to fill the six slots for their city council candidates. Infighting in the ruling party had led to one incumbent councilor, who has served two terms, to be left off the party's main slate.
And this councilor had decided not to go away quietly.
So, notwithstanding the fact that the party had chosen a slate for Belmopan, the rejected two-term councilor, Anna Banner-Guy, put her name on the ballot for today's voting, which took place at the Belmopan Civic Center from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Eldred Neal reinstated as PSU president
Eldred Neal, who was suspended after a May 19 meeting of the council of management of the Public Service Union (PSU) over a secretly recorded conversation he had with other union members in which derogatory remarks were made against the Garinagu, is being reinstated as the union's president after a meeting was held this past weekend.
Neal appeared at a Council of Management meeting held on Saturday, August 12, 2017, at the PSU headquarters, requisitioned by members of the Belmopan branch.
Edmund Zuniga, Jr., who heads the Belize City branch of the PSU, told Amandala that at the meeting, Neal admitted to making the controversial statements and apologized to the Garifuna people of Belize and those present at the meeting. Although nothing was demanded in writing, Neal will apologize to the wider membership at the AGM, Zuniga indicated.
The Dangriga Sub-Treasury jacked
A bare-faced thief with a sawed-off shotgun robbed the Dangriga Sub-Treasury, which is located in a building complex on Main Street, today. Reports are that the thief entered the premises, pointed the gun at the clerk, and demanded money.
She got scared and handed over $1,700 cash that was in a drawer.
The man then escaped on his bicycle with the stolen cash.
PG cops charged with extortion of school principal
On Friday, two police officers were dragged into the Punta Gorda Magistrate's court, where they were arraigned on charges of extortion.
They both pleaded not guilty and were offered bail of $3,000 each, which they met.
According to a complaint sheet, on Tuesday, a principal from the Toledo District was driving in the town when she came to a checkpoint being regulated by Woman Police Constable (WPC) Jenny Tanner and Police Constable (PC) Arden Jones.
WPC Tanner informed the principal that the insurance on her vehicle had expired two days earlier, and indicated that she would be arrested and charged.
PLB 2017-2018 Opening Season kicks off with a bang!!
Despite the two-week delay in commencement and very little fanfare to mark the occasion, the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Opening Season nevertheless kicked off with a real bang, with all 8 teams seeing action over the past weekend; and it promises to be a hotly contested season, judging from the scores in Week 1 of the tournament. (San Pedro Pirates FC has replaced FC Belize in this tournament.)
Here at the MCC Grounds on Saturday, visiting Placencia Assassins had hosts BDF FC "on the ropes" after a corner from the left side resulted in a header from close quarters by Assassins defender Elroy Coe glancing off the torso of BDF defender Ricky Ricketts (45' Own Goal) and rolling inside the left goal post for the 1-nil Placencia lead just before the intermission.
BDFA Interoffice Football Week 5 results
Week 5 games in the Belize District Football Association (BDFA) Interoffice Football Tournament 2017 were played last week Wednesday and Thursday, August 9 and 10, at the MCC Grounds.
In the opener on Wednesday, Tourist Village Tennants dropped Latino FC, 3-0, with goals from Keeron Young (23') and Carlos Guerra (4' & 62'). And in the nightcap, Brodies shut out Customs, 2-0, with Travyon Martinez (30' & 53') netting both goals.
Pickstock Lake gets first win in Week 11 of National Over-40
-It's been a long time coming, but Pickstock Lake-I finally gained their first victory in the FFB's National Over-40 Tournament 2017, and it came in at the expense of the BDF Veterans at the MCC Grounds on Saturday, August 12. BDF Veterans took a 1-nil lead on Saturday with an early goal from Steven Ortega (5'); but Pickstock Lake rebounded in second half with goals from Stanley Thomas (75') and Jermaine "Bowfoot" Zunga (82' & 87') for the 3-1 win, their first of the season.
Also on Saturday, San Pedro Veterans visited Independence and dropped home standing Mango Creek Veterans, 4-1, with 2 goals from Christopher Hendricks and 1 each from Orlando Pinelo and Alex Garcia; while Mango Creek's lone goal was by Kirk Mayen.
Rural softball regular season ends; playoffs this Sunday in Lords Bank
The 2017 Belize Rural Female Softball Tournament wound up its regular season over the weekend with games at Bermudian Landing on Saturday, August 12, and at Flowers Bank on Sunday, August 13.
In game 1 on Saturday in Bermudian Landing, Unity DHC won, 11-4, over Orchid Girls. Winning pitcher (WP) was Herlet Bull; and losing pitcher (LP) was Valorie Vernon. Game 2 saw Power Outage with the 13-1 victory over Lords Bank Sunrise. WP - Eyvette Flowers; LP - Karen Hilton.
Editorial: Corruption as PUDP culture
In this newspaper's 48 years of existence, we have been privileged, at various points in time and for various periods, to work with all four Prime Ministers of Belize - Right Hon. George Price, Right Hon. Manuel Esquivel, Right Hon. Said Musa, and Right Hon. Dean Barrow. At various points in time and for various periods, we have also felt it incumbent upon us to criticize and challenge all four Maximum Leaders Belize has known.
As we have written in these pages before, many Belizeans felt a great urgency to effect a change of government in 1984, because the People's United Party (PUP) was the only native government we had ever known and there was a hope, now exposed as na�ve, that the United Democratic Party (UDP) would be honest and pure in power.
In 2017, we can now see from this newspaper's perspective that there are certain patterns of behavior which are common to both the PUP and the UDP when they are in power.
RIGHT TO THE POINT: Matrimonial property � division upon divorce
Thus it stands to reason that the term "matrimonial property" seeks to address the properties that were obtained during the said marriage. If a person marries several times, in each marriage, only what is obtained during that marriage can be dealt with upon the divorce from that marriage. And the word "property" is not limited to land, as it may include shares, money, savings, bonds, vehicles, machinery, equipment, vehicles and any material item of some value. The principle upon which division of matrimonial property operates under, is to ensure that when the marriage ends, any of the property (using the term loosely) the married couple worked towards obtaining, is divided between them and only them as the entitled ones.
Eulogy for Stuart Simmons, Sr.
Written and delivered by Lexia Juria Simmons (Monday, August 7, 2917)
Good morning, everyone, I'm standing here today to read to you my farewell letter to my grandfather. The last section I will attempt to read it in Spanish as a tribute to the fact my grandpa was bilingual. And I know, I'll try to remember to roll my "rrs."
Hi Grandpa, as I stand here today I see you. I see you in the 4 sons, 10 grandkids and 4 great-� grandkids, whom you've left behind, some of us who sit here today, all of us who will miss you forever. I know you feared death, grandpa, but I hope you find peace up there knowing you live on through us. And when you do get there, grandpa, please, please, try to be good.
I know you didn't belong to just us though. You impacted so many people in the 82 years you inhabited this earth. You were the definition of a pillar in the community. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, "Oh! You da Mr. Simmon grand-daughta," I would have more than enough to send you on that Spain trip you dreamt of taking.
http://amandala.com.bz/news/guatemala-pacific-coast-country/
If you look at a map of Guatemala you will notice that their capital, Guatemala City, is around 300 miles from the Caribbean Sea (Atlantic side), but not much more than fifty miles away from the Pacific Ocean. Prior to Guatemala City becoming the capital of Guatemala, their capital was Antigua, which is even closer to the Pacific than Guatemala City. Antigua was devastated by an earthquake in 1773, hence the move of capital.
Guatemala City, which is just a few miles from Antigua, became that country's capital in 1776. Coffee was king in Guatemala and this is an area where they had their largest plantations. The story, History of Coffee in Guatemala, says that there were half a million coffee trees around Antigua in 1859. And by 1880, coffee accounted for 90% of that country's exports.
El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua are also Pacific coast countries. If you look at a map you will see that those countries' capitals - Tegucigalpa, San Salvador, and Managua - are near to the Pacific. There's a sound reason why these countries developed with a look toward the other ocean in our hemisphere. British buccaneers might have something to do with it. Then there was the trouble with hurricanes.
Marijuana decriminalization laws ready for Parliament
Belize moves for the first time to remove criminal sanctions for possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana. It is not the same as 'legalization,' as fines would be levied for offenders, as is the case with traffic offenders.
Doug Singh, one of the leading members of the committee which had been tasked several years ago to come up with recommendations for the decriminalization of up to 10 grams of marijuana, told Amandala today that the enabling legislation-an amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act-is due to be tabled in the House of Representatives when it meets in special session on Friday, August 18.
Marconi Matus wins PUP mayoral vote
On Sunday, members and supporters of the People's United Party (PUP) converged at the Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio Town to elect a mayoral candidate for the 2018 municipal elections. A total of 863 persons voted in the polls, which opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 5 p.m.
Three candidates vied to lead the PUP team in the battle for the twin towns next year. When the final ballot was counted, Marconi Matus, a career businessman, won the day with 345 votes. Community activist, Arthur Smith, was the second choice with 261 votes, and retired BDF Colonel, Javier Castellanos, was third choice with 240 votes. There were 17 spoiled ballots recorded.
Inside job - over $50,000 cash stolen from Caribbean Tires
In 2005, Caribbean Tires Limited in Spanish Lookout opened its offices for business for the first time.
Since then, the company has not been subject to news coverage until over the weekend when burglars made off with over $50,000 in cash and checks from the company.
According to police, David Reimer, 54, reported that between the hours of 6:15 p.m. on Friday and 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, someone broke into the establishment and gained access to a lower flat of the building where an iron safe was kept.
The culprit or culprits then wrenched off the door of the safe and helped themselves to US$20,000, BZ$5,000, along with a string of checks valued at $13,000 and another undisclosed amount of cash.
6 Guatemalan men busted panning for Belize gold
Over the weekend, six Guatemalan men were busted inside the Chiquibul National Park panning for gold.
According to a statement issued by the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), at around 3 o' clock on Saturday afternoon, soldiers of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and FCD park rangers were on patrol in the Chiquibul.
The patrol unit reportedly heard voices coming from a camp located near the Ceibo Chico Creek, situated at the south end of the national park.
When the patrol unit got closer to where the voices were coming from, they observed four men inside a pit digging, while two other men were carrying water in small containers.
The Dangriga Sub-Treasury jacked
A bare-faced thief with a sawed-off shotgun robbed the Dangriga Sub-Treasury, which is located in a building complex on Main Street, today. Reports are that the thief entered the premises, pointed the gun at the clerk, and demanded money.
She got scared and handed over $1,700 cash that was in a drawer.
The man then escaped on his bicycle with the stolen cash.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 this afternoon. The clerk, who was the only public official at the Treasury at the time, told police that she was behind the counter, engaging in a business transaction with a woman, when a man walked into the office with a bag.
Breaking Belize News
Gas prices going up again
Today, the Belize Bureau of Standards announced that effective midnight tonight, Regular gas is going up by 51 cents.
Regular gas, which was priced at $9.70 prior to he latest increase will now cost $ 10.21 per gallon.
Jafari Castro and Franklin detained by police
A short while ago, the Belize Police department informed the media that Jafari Castro and Gilbert Franklin have been detained by police.
A warrant was issued earlier this week for Castro and Franklin's arrest in connection with an attack of Kevin Brown,21, basketball player from Camalote Village.
Does the Audit Report on Ministry of Works reveal another hotbed of corruption???
BBN has obtained a copy of the Auditor General's Report on the Ministry of Works for the period April 2012 to March 2013 and it is wrought with irregularities.
The Report is still being perused by our reporters but, just like the recent Audit Reports on the Immigration and Nationality Department, the observations made by the Auditor General on the Ministry of Works are mindboggling.
"Numbers don't lie," says Shyne
Shyne Barrow, former Chief Executive Officer of the Belizean Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (BSCAP), held a press conference today, providing evidence to his claim that the former CEO had claimed over $600,000 in salaries.
Barrow held the conference at the Belize City House of Culture this morning, providing a document that showed former CEO and current Chair of the Board, Heather Cunningham, had claimed over $600,000 in salaries and expenses for the period, 2010-2013.
San Ignacio police officer investigated for police brutality
A police officer attached to the San Ignacio police formation is being investigated for a report of police brutality and pulling out his firearm at a minor.
PC Chris Usher is being investigated by the Belize Police Department's Professional Standards Branch and the San Ignacio police formation.
BBN reported of an incident that occurred last Thursday night in Santa Elena town, in which a 20-year-old driver, accompanied by his two brothers - one 18, the other 13, and some employees were returning from delivering items in San Ignacio town.
Northern customs bust 79 cases of contraband beers
According to a report from 7News yesterday, customs officials busted 79 cases of Corona and Superior beers on Saturday in San Victor village, Corozal.
Belmopan teen missing
The family of Hellen Ethelma Adolphus,15, is worried over her disappearance and is seeking the public's assistance in locating her.
According to her family, she was assigned a councilor and ran away from the Belmopan Government Plaza on Tuesday, August 8 around 4:00 p.m.
IDB blog makes recommendations on how Belize can improve juvenile justice
Sin Medios, a blog operated by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), has commended Belize's approach to dealing with juvenile crime and made recommendations on how those efforts could be improved.
Following the release of a GAP analysis published by the IDB on the "Community Action for Public Security (CAPS)," financed by the IDB, which measures desired outcomes against actual outcomes, the blog pointed out that Belize could benefit from law reforms, which would remove the ability for minors to be sentenced to life without parole. The blog pointed specifically to the charge of "uncontrollable behavior" which are offenses that do not involve criminal acts, noting that in 2015, 44 percent of minors in the system stood accused of such crimes.
Diasporan organization joins calls for voter re-registration
Belizeans United for Equal Rights at Home and the Diaspora (BUFERHD), is calling on Belizeans to reject that voter re-registration has been postponed until next year.
The organization, in a statement released to day, said it joins all concerned parties taking issue with the fact that re-registration was deferred until after the municipal elections set for next March.
Burrel Boom teen reported missing
Yesterday around 9:05 a.m., Silvia Janeth Simon, a Honduran domestic from Burrell Boom village, Belize district reported that on Saturday, August 12, around 6:30 a.m., her 12-year-old daughter Catherine Esmeralda Claros left home and has not returned since. Claros is of brown complexion, slim [�]
Western Dairies celebrates 50th Anniversary
Western Dairies (WD), the popular ice cream and dairy producing company in Spanish Lookout, celebrated its 50th anniversary last week. WD is the leading milk manufacturer in Belize and their well-recognized ice cream is largely considered the tastiest frozen treat made in the country. [�]
Police recover money stolen from Caribbean Tires; employee detained
BBN reported on Sunday that Caribbean Tires in Spanish Lookout was robbed of over $50,000. David Remier, 54, reported that between the hours of 6:15 pm on Friday, August 11, 2017, and 7 am on August 12, 2017, someone broke into the business establishment and damaged an iron safe by [�]
Belize Network of NGOs call for Re registration before Municipal elections
The Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) today issued a statement expressing its grave disappointment that the national re-registration exercise that was to have been initiated in July 2017 has been postponed to next year. According to the BNN, given the impending national referendum regarding [�]
Belize financial regulator warns of bogus securities company
The International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), Belize's financial regulator, has issued a warning regarding Trine Markets Group Ltd. According to the IFSC, it has noted that Trine, which operates under the trading name TRINEMARKETS, is falsely claiming to be 'controlled' by the IFSC. The [�]
PUP introduces San Ignacio/Santa Elena Municipal Slate
The People's United Party (PUP) held a convention on Sunday, August 13, 2017 in San Ignacio to elect its Mayoral Candidate that will represent the Party in the March 2018 Municipal Elections. According to the PUP, the venue for the convention was Sacred Heart [�]
Belize to get big bucks from IDB
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is set to provide close to US$800,000 in technical cooperation grants of US$400,000 each for Development and Integration Development for Mesoamerican Project member nations. Belize is a member nation which stands to benefit along with Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, [�]
Vehicle claims life of man on bicycle
A fatal road traffic accident in the Cayo District has claimed the life of one man. According to police reports, just before 11 p.m. on Thursday night police visited mile 37 on the George Price Highway where they saw 57-year-old Juan Eulalio Chavin Vitzil [�]
The diversion factory called Truck Stop has come up with a corker
I imagine it started with the Sunday pig roast. Since roasting a pig is a slow and tedious process that the average person can watch for no more than 11 minutes tops, somebody came up with the idea of a cornhole tournament to fill time. Suddenly the tournament became a Big Deal, carrying loads of pressure and enthusiasm way beyond its fighting weight. It began drawing crowds. Drinking crowds. People actually PRACTICE to win the cornhole tournament. And some give SERIOUS THOUGHT to the names of their teams.
For cornhole.
That must have triggered something in the merry pranksters who created this shop - Ben and Joanna Popik and Adam and Jackie Feldman. (And working with them is their own Steve Bannon of Creative Diversions, a master of ceremonies in his own right, Joe Chung!)
Next thing you know, there are interesting movies being screened right out on the lagoon under star-lit skies on Wednesday nights. And now there are family movies on Friday nights, too.
Belize after Dark
An "Accidental Tourist" tour of Island life after Sunset
When many think of traveling the Caribbean, the first thought is of the amazing adventures you'll experience on the water. Clearly, that's a focus when you think of coastal Belize. From Southern Placencia to Northern Ambergris Caye, thousands of divers look forward to experiencing the Barrier Reef, Great Blue Hole, the Hol Chan Marine reserve, and countless other dive/snorkel destinations. But when the sun goes down, there's more to do than eat a fantastic meal and call it a night.
The Belizean coastline is dotted with hundreds of bars and nightclubs. Many, have a DJ or live music. Who doesn't want to dance the night away with the Barrier Reef as your backdrop? Over 30 days (and nights) I listened to the music that entertain the life blood of this country. Each year, millions of tourists finance the economy of this tiny country with dollars, euros, pesos, yen and countless other forms of currency. While you may see day photos mixed in, many of these places thrive on nightlife.
Soaring over Ambergris Caye
Years ago while visiting, I met a couple of brothers who ran a diving business in San Pedro. Ecologic Divers is widely popular and respected here. Their services are superb and the staff is 100% customer & safety focused. Eric & Kendall Beymer operate the business. Despite my sometimes less than intelligent tourist questioning, they always gave friendly and accurate answers. Even during this trip, a friend wanted a last minute snorkeling adventure. Eric of course made a phone call and it was all set! When I visited last year, Kendall spoke of moving (expanding) part of the business to Roatan, Honduras. It's another slice of paradise down the coast (way down the coast). That's where Kendall was during this trip. Perhaps I'll see him next time.
Videos
Hol Chan Marine Reserve, San Pedro Town, Belize C.A.,1 min. Hol Chan Marine Reserve is one of the most popular areas to dive or snorkel while here on Ambergris Caye. Established as the first marine reserve back in 1987, this area offers vast numbers of both macro and pelagic marine life as well as different types of coral. "Hol Chan" is a Mayan word meaning "small" or "little" channel, This channel is a natural "cut" through the barrier reef system which is a little more than 75ft/23m wide and 30ft/9m deep creating 2 mini coral walls.
How to Apply for a U.S. Visa Online. It's easier than ever!, 2.5min. Every year, millions of people are issued visas to travel to America, some for tourism, some to visit friends and family, some to study, some for medical treatment, some for business meetings and even some who just like to shop.
Going Back to School, 24min.
A few seconds with Island Guitar Legend & Luthier Dale Wallace Sr., 1/4min. Catch him at Elvi's Kitchen starting this Saturday @ 6:30p.m.
Belize Tourism, 4min.
Belize Caye Caulker Stressless Snorkeling Tour, 4.5min. Big thank yous to Keith for this wonderful snorkeling tour around the Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve. From sea turtle to nurse sharks, we had an incredible time swimming and discovering the Caribbean's wonders.
Ziplining Tour GoMaya Belize Adventures, 3min. Getting There: The adventure begins at 9:00AM with a pick up at your hotel or in San Ignacio Town. We embark on our journey out of San Ignacio on an hour and 15 minutes' drive along the George Price Highway (paved road) until arriving at the junction of the Jaguar Paw Cave Tubing outpost. The drive into the site's parking lot is another 10 minutes or so on paved road.
Paddle-Boarding in Belize! (First Time!), 1min.
Belize River Lodge - Bow to the Silver King Tarpon, 37min. Tarpon, Snook, & Bonefish on the flats of Belize.
TOP 5 THINGS to do in BELIZE! Ocean Lovers PARADISE!, 7min. If you are a water baby like me, you have to visit Belize. It's the up and coming destination in Central America and full of stunning views and fantastic wildlife. Here are my Top 5 Tips for what you need to do while there!
Police Check Point Talk Show Live, 60min.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
