The Guardian
Decriminalize It
The National Assembly will be meeting on Friday August 18, and one of the items on the agenda is a bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act. This amendment proposes to “decriminalize” a certain quantity of marijuana which is a control drug.
This particular subject has been part of the Belizean discourse for some time now and after much consideration and consultation, the government is tabling the bill at this Friday’s House Sitting. In essence what this bill will do is to make the possession of a certain amount of Marijuana – in this case 10 grams an offence which can be dealt with via a ticketing system. It also means that persons caught with 10 grams or less of cannabis will no longer be liable to serve prison time nor will it be reflected in their police record.
Shyne resigns from BSCAP saying artists are being chanced
Shyne Barrow, Belize’s Music Ambassador, has resigned from the Belize Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (BSCAP). He is accusing the board and the former CEO of financial mismanagement, which he thinks is going to hurt the over 100 artists who became members to collect their earnings for the use of their intellectual property.
In a letter dated Thursday, August 10, Barrow wrote, “Dear BSCAP members, I resigned as CEO… I cannot justify why my predecessor, Heather Cunningham, currently the Chairwoman of the BSCAP Board, is claiming $600,000 in expense and salary from 2010-2013… Yet, at this year’s AGM, the paltry sum of $2,500 is being proposed to distribute to BSCAP members… The only reason I agreed to become CEO of BSCAP was to empower artists!”
Towhead turns over results in fatality
Around 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Belmopan Police responded to a report of a traffic accident in the vicinity of Hershey Community where they saw an overturned towhead truck. Winston Dawson of Belama Phase 3 was reportedly driving in a southerly direction and upon reaching an area around Mile 38, the truck’s front wheel blew out and the truck overturned. As a result, Dawson died on impact.
Traveling with him were Albert Che of Lord’s Bank, Dorian Buckley of Hattieville, and Keaton Pollard of a Belize City address, all employees of Benny’s. The other men were taken to the Western Regional Hospital and treated for injuries. They were transporting construction materials.
Albert division tapping into new areas for youth support
Its back to school time and as parents and guardians go about getting their children ready for the new school year, it is not only they who are making preparations. Among those who also take on the responsibility of assisting children to return to school well equipped are Area Representatives. For the United Democratic Party reps its always about doing more for the children. One such area rep is Hon. Tracy Panton who is not only focused on helping children get back in school well equipped but her goal is always about doing more.
Remember Marconi...
This past Sunday, the People’s United Party (PUP) held a convention 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. Marconi Matus, won with 345 votes. Arthur Smith, was second with 261 votes, and Javier Castellanos, was third with 240 votes. There were 17 spoilt ballots. After the results were announced Matus made the following speech in front of the media. “Today is the start of a fight against the United Democratic Party; against corruption and transparency.
Belmopan slate good to go!
On Sunday August 13th, the United Democratic Party successfully completed its convention to select a team in Belmopan to contest the upcoming municipal elections of March 7, 2018.
A total of 1067 persons cast their ballots and the results are as follows: Angel Pastrana received 786 votes; Jacklyn Burns received 769 votes; Jem Pascacio got 754 votes; Louise Willis got 747 votes; Isidoro ‘Richie’ Galvez got 734 votes; Paul Chun got 702 votes and Anna Banner-Guy received 512 votes.
Customs Officer shoots civilian in an attempt to diffuse rowdy altercation
On Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 5:05 p.m., police visited the Yo Creek Village in Orange Walk where they saw 30-year-old Dwayne Almendarez of Union Town area, Orange Walk Town, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigations revealed that earlier that evening, a Customs officer supported by BDF soldiers conducted a search on a passenger bus in the area where they attempted to confiscate some uncustomed goods. An altercation reportedly ensued during which Almendarez assaulted the officers. The crowd threw rocks at the team. The team fired a warning shot as a result. The shot did not deter Almendarez. He continued to attack the officer who, in fear for his life, pulled out his 9mm pistol and fired several shots causing injuries to Almendarez.
What is Derek up to these days?
Ask someone to name a work of science fiction off the top of their head and chances are they’ll say Star Wars. It’s got space ships, aliens, robots, futuristic inventions, the whole nine yards. We in Belize may not have any SciFi movie being made here, but it is not because of a shortage of SciFi Writers. We may have our version of a SciFi writer right here in Belize. It seem that one such person who has the potential of and skills of such a writer is Derek Aikman. This gentleman, was once poised for greatness some 30 years ago, until his arrogance got the better of him and like Humpy Dumpy , Derek had a great fall.
The Im-Pastor and marijuana
There is a certain “Im-Pastor” who has his panties all tied up in a bundle over the proposed tabling of the amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Act to Decriminalize Marijuana. This guy is all over social media spewing lies and haft truths linking the decriminalization of 10 grams of Cannabis to the end of the world. In one of his posts he cites a study carried out by Dr. Natalie Castellanos Ryan at a University in Montreal Canada as his authority for opposing this move. What he failed to mention is that the effects of smoking marijuana are social in nature and not neurological.
Dion Leslie makes donation to Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence
On Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Councilor Dion Leslie, made a donation valued at $1,000 to the landscaping program at the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence. There to receive the donation of hoses, sprayer, wheelbarrows, and an array of shovels and hoes was Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Area Representative of the Pickstock division.
The program has somewhere around 55 members and it is the intention of Leslie to superimpose the blueprint of the program to include more people, even outside Pickstock. Leslie is looking for an expansion of the program throughout the city which will include single mothers and fathers as well as having a positive effect on the city.
Mexico lights up Marion Jones Stadium and assists in school feeding project
The Ministry of Sports signed a contract in October 2016 to place “Class Two Lights” on the Marion Jones Sporting Complex’s football field. The contract was one for a half of a million dollars, a part of a larger USD $5 million dollar plan. The project is one funded by the Government of Mexico as a plan to build an indoor sporting facility.
On Tuesday, August 15, 2017, the lighting system at the stadium was inaugurated. The Lighting System of the Marion Jones Sports Complex was officially opened by Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, during the visit of the Executive Director of the Mexican Agency for the International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), Agustín García-López. The opening ceremony was also attended by the Governor-General, H.E. Sir Colville Young, Ambassador of Mexico Carlos Quesnel, Deputy Foreign Minister, Hon. Patrick Andrews, and the Director of the National Sports Council, Ian Jones.
OUT OF THE BLUE
Well, the municipal elections are just around the corner, and things are beginning to heat up. Then again, that might not be too accurate a characterization, because while the RED machine is certainly revving up, the other side (the once invincible BLUE machine) is finding it difficult, if not impossible, these days to even crank up.
Their first two contested municipal conventions have been, to say the least, disappointing. In Dangriga, over three weeks ago, among aspiring mayoral and councillor candidates, they barely pulled out 500 votes. And this past weekend, in San Ignacio/Santa Elena, with three mayoral candidates contesting, they only managed to bring out a total of 850 votes. That turnout, proportionally, was actually worse than Dangriga because, after Belize City, San Ignacio/Santa Elena is the most populous municipality in the country, with a total of over 13,000 voters. So, their turnout this past weekend was a pathetic 6.4 percent of the total number of voters in that municipality.
Rural Eastern Police Division distributes almost 200 back to school packages
The Rural Eastern Police Division embarked on its Back to School Drive. A total of 195 bags with school supplies were distributed to students of the entire rural region. Those supplies included exercise books, erasers, folders, crayons, pens, pencils, sharpeners, rulers, and glue, all donated by members in the community since the initiative was a community effort.
Winner selected for Queen of the West
The San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town Council along with the September celebrations committee would like to congratulate Miss Alyssa Grant, Cayo North Candidate on her win of Miss Queen of the West 2017-2018!
The first runner up at the pageant was Miss. Amy Reyes from Santa Cruz, followed by Miss. Samantha Cruz from Cayo West.
Referring to the winner Miss. Alyssa Grant, pageant organizer Karen Fernandez told the Guardian,
“She did a wonderful performance and we are proud of her”
Some 350 persons crowded the Octavia Waight Center on August 12th to select a highly talented Queen.
Road Safety is a priority says UN Special Envoy
While the Belize Road Safety Project is about to come to an end, a visit by a United Nations delegation last week has underscored a commitment to keep road safety in Belize as a top priority. On Thursday, August 10th, the Government of Belize, through the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum, received the United Nations Special Envoy for Road Safety Mr. Jean Todt. Special Envoy Todt and his team are in Belize to meet with the Road Safety Unit, as they prepare to launch the Road Safety Project’s national communications strategy.
Republic of China (Taiwan) donates toward Chronic Renal Failure Project in Belize
On Monday, August 14, 2017, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced the first disbursement of US$ 221,850 to Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health, for the Capacity Building Project for the Prevention and Control of Chronic Renal Failure in Belize at the Corozal Community Hospital. There, the donation was made by H.E. Ambassador Charles Liu, on behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The project, implemented on February 10, 2016, has seen the training of 51 medical officers, 7 dialysis nurses, and 79 community health workers. They were trained by 4 Seed instructors in 2016. The dialysis nurses have each also all been certified as “Registered Dialysis Nurse” by the Nurse and Midwives Council of Belize.
Cop caught tampering with urine sample
Police Constable Ishmael Monima, a police officer posted at the Corozal Police Station, has been charged with the offense of perverting the course of justice. He is being accused of abusing public trust and his office in an attempt to destroy evidence.
A police corporal reported that at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 10, he went into the Corozal Police Station’s Traffic Office, where he placed a urine sample inside a refrigerator. This sample was supposed to have been used in the prosecution of alcohol related offenses for a defendant. The officer told his police bosses that he returned about 12 hours later, and made a check to ensure that all was in order.
Traffic accident leaves three people hospitalized
At around 10:30 a.m on Sunday, August 13, 2017, Azel August, a 19-year-old of Santa Elena, was driving a Pontiac SUV on the Loma Luz Boulevard in the direction from Hon. Rene Montero Bridge to La Loma Luz roundabout when he collided into the rear end of a Toyota pickup travelling in the same direction. The Toyota was being driven by Justin James. The impact caused the pickup truck to careen and flip off the road and onto the guard rail on the road
As a result, James, 19-years-old, and Thais Escober, 18-years-old, received severe head injuries and both were taken to KHMH. Evian Escober, 13-years-old, received abrasions on the right elbow and back. She complained of pain to the lower hip. She was transported to San Ignacio Community Hospital.
Joshua Augustine and Antwone Rivero denied bail for robbery
A woman, Kaysha Arnold, was robbed on Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Belize City. Although she managed to put up a fight against her two attackers, they managed to overpower her and run off with her cell phone.
The incident occurred on Newtown Barracks. According to Arnold, she was walking toward the Ramada Hotel when she was approached by two men. According to the victim, one of the men grabbed her around her neck while she was on her cell phone. The other man rushed toward her and although she did not see an object in his hand, fearing for her life she dropped her cell phone. The men ran off with the phone and managed to escape until they were picked up by police and jointly charged with robbery.
Burglary at Caribbean Tires
Acting upon information received of a burglary at Caribbean Tires Limited in Spanish Lookout on August 12, 2017 at 7:15 a.m. police visited the area. There, 54-year-old David Reimer reported that between the hours of 6:15 p.m. on August 11, 2017 and 7:00 a.m. on August 12, 2017, someone broke into the business establishment and damaged an iron safe located in a room at the lower flat of the building and stole USD $20,000, BZD $5,000, banking cheques, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Carlos Coronado is found with over 2 pounds of weed
Carlos Coronado was intercepted by police when he walking from East Collect Canal to West Collect canal heading towards the Novelo’s bus terminal on August 13, 2017. He was found to be in possession of 1,149 grams of cannabis, over two pounds of weed. He was arrested and charged with drug trafficking.
Coronado, a Belize City laborer, appeared in court before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza on August 14, 2017 to answer to a single charge of drug trafficking. He was unrepresented and pleaded not guilty to the charge. There was no objection to bail and he received it in the sum of $1,000 plus one surety of the same amount.
Accused drug trafficker receives bail
Richard Borland, a 22-year-old employee of the Radisson Fort George Hotel as a House Keeper, is out on bail after he was read a single charge of drug trafficking.
Borland appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Aretha Ford on August 11, 2017 where he was read a single charge of drug trafficking for having 2,124.6 grams of cannabis in his possession.
Fatal hit and run on George Price Highway
About 10:40 p.m. on August 10, 2017 acting upon information of a road traffic accident in St. Matthew’s Village in the Cayo District, Roaring Creek Police visited a scene between miles 37 & 38 on the George Price Highway where they saw 57-year-old Juan Eulalio Chavin Vitzil of St. Matthew’s Village on the road side with injuries to the head and body. Beside him was a damaged bicycle.
Robert Flores punished too harshly
Robert Flores, a 41-year-old fisherman, was tried at the Magistrate’s Court for handling stolen goods. Flores pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods on March 1, 2016 before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza.
The allegations against Flores are that on February 16, 2016, he dishonestly assisted in the retention of 12 bottles of Lindeman’s Chardonnay wines value $372.00, property of Premium Wines and Spirits. Pleading guilty typically results in leniency but Flores was initially sentenced to two years in prison for the crime since March 1, 2016.
Stabbing robbery in Hatieville
On August 10, 2017, police responded to a robbery on Ysaguirre Boulevard in Hattieville where they spoke with 36-year-old Otoniel Pech, a driver for Quality Poultry Products. Pech reported that at approximately 1:00 p.m., he, along with 36-year-old Heraldo Chiac and 29-year-old Orlando Teul, arrived in Hattieville to make a delivery.
Orange Walk teenager denied bail on firearm charges
Crevaun Cardenas, an 18-year-old from Orange Walk, has found himself at the Belize Central Prison after he was charged with two criminal offenses of kept a firearm and ammunition without a gun license. He was arraigned before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza where he was read two criminal charges, one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Bernard Wade and one count of escaping from lawful custody.
PC Ramirez and two others out on Supreme Court bail
A Police Constable Franklin Ramirez along with 2 others- Trevor Brown and Elorey Graham were all granted Supreme Court bail when they appeared in the Belize City Supreme Court on August 11, 2017 before Justice Herbert Lord.
The trio was charged in the Belmopan Supreme Court on firearm charges. Their arrest was made following a Mobile Interdiction Team (MIT) bust on Monday, August 7, 2017 when they stopped a white Ford Explorer travelling from San Ignacio to Belmopan.
Police shoot rape suspect in Maya Center, was excessive force used?
On Saturday August 12, 2017, a 19-years-old female, reported to police that sometime around 4:30 p.m. that same day she caught a ride on a motorcycle with a male person unknown to her to get from Hopkins Village to the junction of the Southern Highway. Upon reaching the junction, the driver did not stop. He proceeded towards Maya Center Village.
She stated that the man drove past Maya Center and between miles 18 and 19, he took her into a feeder road and raped her. During the ordeal, she observed a tattoo on the assailant.
Robbery in West Landivar
On August 10, 2017 about 7:00 a.m., 35-year-old Andre Castillo, a car dealer, reported that while in the West Landivar area, he was approached by 2 male persons. One reportedly pointed a firearm at him and demanded his belongings. He was then relieved of his wallet, personal belongings, and jewelry amounting to $7,850.00. The robbers then made good their escape.
Stabbing victim has to recover in prison
Kendall Green, a 24-year-old victim of a stabbing incident, is behind bars after he was accused of being involved in a shooting incident. Green appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on August 14, 2017.
Green is being accused of injuring 27-year-old Marvin Ramirez during a shooting incident which occurred on Thursday, August 10, 2017 on Antelope Street Extension. Also shot and injured was 34-year-old Ryan Arnold. Both men have been listed in a stable condition.
Brandon Taylor out on bail for firearm offense
Brandon Taylor, a 31-year-old man who beat a murder rap in March of this year and who was recently dragged to court after allegedly possessing a firearm, is back on the city streets after he was granted Supreme Court bail on August 11, 2017 before Justice Herbert Lord.
Taylor was arraigned on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Aretha Ford for one count of kept unlicensed firearm without a gun license and one count of kept ammunition without being granted a gun license.
Toyota Hilux missing in Cayo
A Toyota Hilux was allegedly stolen last Friday morning in the Cayo District. Isias Banner, an employee of Key Works reported to police that last month a mechanic had come to pick up his Hilux for repair. This Hilux had on a license plate SI C-04065 and was worth $30,000.00
The mechanic communicated to Banner on Friday that his Hilux had been driven away from Joseph Andrews Drive, San Ignacio Town.
Lerone Williams is accused of stealing motorcycle
In court on August 15, 2017, the fisherman found to be in possession of a stolen motorcycle, was brought before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was unrepresented. He has been identified as 31-year-old Lerone Williams of Faber’s Road.
The motorcycle was assigned to the Ministry of Education and was recovered by police in possession of Williams.
According to Williams, he met a group of minors swimming in an area of Belize City and he said that it was from the minors that he got the motorcycle. His claim was that he was taking the motorcycle to the Police Station.
Cops charged for extortion
Two police officers from Punta Gorda Town have been charged with extortion after a career educator accused them of taking advantage of her in a moment of desperation.
A principal from Toledo reported to police that on Tuesday, August 8, she was driving her vehicle when she arrived at a police checkpoint, where she was stopped by Woman Police Constable Jenny Tanner and Constable Arden Jones.
Trevor McFoy receives sentence and fine
The Belize River Valley Supplies Gas Station located in Scotland Half-moon Village Belize Rural District was robbed in March 2016. The Manager and two patrons were also robbed of their personal belongings and cash at gun point. The quick response of police in the area at the time led to the arrest of the men who were found not too far from the scene.
Over a year later, the arrest led to the conviction of 25-year-old Trevor McFoy and 19-year-old Kendall Staine. They were both found guilty of the charges of robbery and for keeping an unlicensed firearm and ammunitions when they appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza in court on August 16, 2017.
San Pedro man shoots two students and an adult
Christian Espat, a 21-year-old San Pedro resident, was rushed over to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court late Monday, August 14, 2017 to be arraigned on seven criminal offenses. He appeared before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza who denied him bail due to the nature of the offense he allegedly committed. As a result, Espat was remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until November 14, 2017.
Taxi driver attacker remanded to prison
One of two men accused of badly beating an interdicted police officer, now taxi driver, has been identified as 20-year-old Juan Sis. Sis appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 after more than two days of lock down. Doctors have yet to determine the level of injuries inflicted on the victim, therefore no plea was taken from Sis. He was arraigned on a single count of grievous harm.
Caribbean Tires burglar receives $20,000 bail
Acting upon information received on August 12, 2017 at 7:15 a.m. of a burglary at Caribbean Tires Ltd. in Spanish Lookout, police visited the area. There, 54-year-old David Reimer reported that between the hours of 6:15 p.m. on August 11, 2017 and 7:00 a.m. on August 12, 2017, someone broke into the business establishment and damaged an iron safe located in a room at the lower flat of the building and stole USD $20,000, BZD $5,000, banking cheques, and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Digicell inches a step closer to regaining prestigious Belize City Softball Title
The Digicell Senior Female Softball Team, moved a step closer in regaining the prestigious Belize City Senior Female softball title, that it lost four years ago when it defeated Beacon, in an extra inning game by the score of 13-12 to take game one in the best of three series, which was played on Friday 11th August, 2017, at Rogers Stadium.
The lead in the game changed hands many times before Digicell was able to pull out the stops to secure its first win in the championship series.
The winning pitcher was Mary Flowers and the losing pitcher was Hortence Thurton.
Belize Athletics Association to hold National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of its National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on the 26 – 27 August, 2017.
All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events.
Belmopan Bandits open defence of national football title on the right footing
The Premier League of Belize 2017-2018 Opening Season commence on Saturday 12th August, 2017, with two games on the schedule.
On Saturday 12th August, 2017, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, the defending National Football champions of Belize, the Belmopan Bandits opened its defence on the right footing when it blanked the San Pedro Pirates FC by the score of 2-0.
The first goal of the game was scored by Jerome James in the 6th minute of play while the 2nd and final goal of the game was scored by Elroy Smith in the 90th minute of play to give the defending champions the win.
While at the MCC Grounds, the Belize Defence Force FC edged out the visiting Placencia Assassins FC by the score of 2-1.
HUMAN RACE: JUSTIN WILLIAMS
Justin Williams was still in the saddle, already in the 54×12, ready to explode toward the finish line and away from the sound of splintering carbon fiber. The 2017 Dana Point Grand Prix would be over in about 12 seconds, but in that moment, he still had two Cylance Cycling teammates in front of him and two dudes fighting for his wheel. Williams had been banging bodies with one of them, the racer with No. 99 pinned to his jersey, a few laps earlier and had pushed him off a teammate’s wheel. “That guy had been riding aggressive all day,” Williams recalls. “This is my home race and my whole squad was out there. Sometimes you just need to establish dominance.”
Mayan Man Warriors win back to back games in firms’ competition
The Belize District Basketball Association 2017 Firms’ Competition continued over the last weekend with a number of games on the schedule.
On Thursday 10th August, in the first game played, Belize Bank Bulldogs defeated Grace Kings by the score of 74-46.
The top scorers for Belize Bank Bulldogs were Roscoe Rhys with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal; Dominique Guzman with 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals and Akeem Richardson with 10 points, 6 rebounds and a steal. Meanwhile, the top scorers for Grace Kings were Alex Gordon with 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals and Wayne Garbutt with 8 points, 8 rebounds and a steal.
Words of Life with Pastor Barry Fraser
Our topic this week is “Be Positive Minded.” In the Old Testament book of the prophet Jeremiah, chapter 15, verse 16, we read: “As your words came to me I drank them in, and because I belong to you.”
Television Preacher and author Joyce Meyer said, “Thinking positive in a negative situation is the best thing you can do for yourself.” This is because no matter what we do we can never eliminate all the problems in our life. As long as we are on earth we will never have the perfection we desire. If we fail to think positively, we will end up always trying to look for something in which to drown our sorrows. This is what is normally referred to as coping mechanisms.
Feeding Program to be boosted by thrift shop in San Ignacio
A cozy thrift corner was opened on the Bullet Tree Road on Saturday by the Non Profit Cornerstone Foundation to boost its feeding program for the new school year- come September 2017. The thrift shop sells an assortment of shoes, clothing, jewelry and books with the profits going towards Cornerstone’s main foundation; to feed 80 kids from the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Areas.
Cornerstone Feeding Program caters to the needs of children from the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic, Saint Andrews and the Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio. During the course of a normal school year, children are also fed daily at the Santa Elena Roman Catholic Primary School.
“…THE ICJ WILL END UP BEING OUR BEST OPTION, OR OUR ONLY OPTION…”
I urge you to read for yourself the rational of publisher Evan X Hyde on page 13 of the Friday, August 11th, 2017 issue of AMANDALA. He made it abundantly clear that when “some of [his] activist friends immediately went public with a complete denunciation of the ICJ proposition he, “did not do what they did.” He did not say if he had discussed the matter with them. Did he ask them to explain their reasons? Human beings are born with free will and it may very well be that he respectfully made a mental note of their position. Stubbornness is a trait of some humans. Just this morning Keith was trying once again to teach me about ‘the subtleness of science and the exactness of art.’ Just as I was getting ready to take him seriously; he blurted out how very close he was to Ms. Nora. At that very second I was hearing her voice in my head – she never called his name to me but rather preferred the moniker “Old Liad.” Go figure…
Breaking Belize News
Former Harlem Globetrotter, Melvin Adams, in Belize for charity event
Former Harlem Globetrotter, Melvin Adams, has been spotted in Belize.
He was seen at the National Fire Services Office in Belize City where he delivered an inspirational speech to the fire fighters.
Information to BBN is that he will be in Belmopan tomorrow night for a charity event.
Tropical Storm Harvey forms in the Caribbean
This afternoon, the Hurricane Hunter found that the tropical disturbance in the Caribbean has formed into Tropical Storm Harvey. Harvey is the eight named tropical storm of the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season. An Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft indicated that maximum sustained winds […]
Belmopan police and traffic officials meet to discuss traffic management
Today, members from the Road Safety Project Management Unit, Belmopan Police, the National Transport Department, and the Belmopan Municipal Traffic Department met to discuss traffic management on the George Price Highway and within Belmopan. Sr. Supt Howell Gillett said that based on statistics, serious […]
University of Belize holds matriculation ceremony
The new Academic Year 2017-2018 has begun for the University of Belize (UB). Faculty, staff and the leadership team formally welcomed students at the historic and first matriculation ceremony in Belmopan on August, 16th 2017. The packed ceremony took place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 […]
Belize delegation departs Sunday for CODICADER Under 15 Games
The Belize Delegation of one hundred and ten (110) members is scheduled to leave the country on Sunday, August 20th, 2017 in route to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for the VI CODICADER Student Sports Games for 13 – 14-year-olds. The event will take place from August 20-26th ,2017. A press […]
Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural development relocating office
The Ministry of Labour, Local Government & Rural Development (Belmopan Office) informs the public that the Ministry will be relocating its office effective August 28th, 2017. The new office will be located on the Corner of 29 Raccoon Ave & 6129 Brown Street (Upstairs Daily Superstore, […]
Police detains ganja farmer in Cotton Tree
A farmer of Cotton Tree Village, Cayo District has been detained by police. According to reports, yesterday evening around 5, police visited a farm located about four miles west of Cotton Tree Village where they observed a palm hut. Police met Rosendo Cunil, 47, a Belizean […]
Foreign Ministerial Bull
By Lisa Shoman: Two years ago, I accompanied over a hundred Belizeans to the Sarstoon, one of the internationally recognized borders between Belize and Guatemala. Despite the fact that my own government disavowed my participation as a sitting Senator, to Guatemala in a diplomatic note, and […]
Belizean scientist authors groundbreaking new study on hair loss treatment
Aimee Flores, a Belizean student completing her Ph.D in Cellular and Molecular Biology at UCLA in Los Angeles, California was the lead researcher of a group from the university that discovered a new way to activate the stem cells in hair follicles to make […]
Tropical cyclone could become hurricane in east of the Caribbean
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami has begun issuing advisories on Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine.
According to the NHC, the disturbance is centered as of 11 a.m. AST about 365 miles east of Barbados and is moving toward the west near 17 mph.
The NHC says that this motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days.
Belize~ Decriminalization of Marijuana
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the Cannabis plant intended for medical or recreational use. The main psychoactive part of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC); one of 483 known compounds in the plant, including at least 65 other […]
Belize City man busted with weed
Last night, police conducted a search with a warrant at the home of David Hauze on Aloe Vera Street, Belize City. Police found 4 black plastic bags containing cannabis which amounted to a total of 445 grams. Hauze was arrested and charged for possession […]
BTIA Cayo invites you to its Cocktail Party
The Belize Tourism Industry Association, Cayo Chapter is inviting all tourism stakeholders to its cocktail party to be held on Friday, August 18, 2017 at the Wine House in San Ignacio Town. The BTIA is inviting hoteliers, restaurateurs, tour operators, bar owners, gift shop […]
The Amazing San Pedro Scavenger Hunt!
Always on the lookout for new, fun entertainment, the Truck Stop hosted their first ever scavenger hunt race. Based off the popular show The Amazing Race, The Amazing San Pedro Scavenger Hunt brought residents and visitors together for an afternoon of fun challenges and solving cryptic clues in what seemed to be a Mario Cart race come to life!
Introduction, Birding Spanish Creek Blog
My name is Francis Canto Jr, I'm a birder 23 years old from the small Central American country of Belize hence the name of the blog, 501 is the phone code of Belize. I started seriously birding in late 2015 after an Urban Birdwatch organized by the Belize Audubon Society. After that I fell in love with birding and even more with photographing birds, since then I've birded in all of the districts in Belize, seen 415 species and photographed 325 of those species. I decided to start this blog to share my various birding adventures with other while showing them the importance of protecting the vulnerable environment we currently live in.
We get to use the pool too?
A lunch invitation took my friend Aimee and I 3.5 miles north of San Pedro town to O Restaurant at Las Terrazas resort. While there we got to talking with the new general manager Julian. When he mentioned wanting to include the local crowd more in regards to the restaurant versus just the tourists the first thing out of my mouth was “pool option”? This has been an ongoing occasional thing on the Belize forum (general link) as many people want to know which resorts allow you to use their pool.
He gave us the official word that both locals and tourists are allowed to use the pool at Las Terrazas with food and or drink purchase. As you can see from the featured image above the it is worth a visit – more pics below.
Come visit Caye Caulker, Belize
Belize’s tranquil island getaway of Caye Caulker floats gracefully atop the glistening aqua and emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea. Surrounded by swaying palm trees and rustic boat docks, the shores of Caye Caulker lie just a few hundred meters inside the second largest barrier reef in the world. The reef’s coral formations shelter a clear, shallow canvas of water that takes on an ever-changing array of multicolored shapes and hues.If you can pull yourself away from the transfixing Caribbean waters, when you set foot on the shores of Caye Caulker, you’ll quickly get a sense that the island moves to its own beat, fitting its well-deserved billing as the tranquil, laid back member of Belize’s northern cayes. Caye Caulker might be described as lightly developed, with just enough business establishments and services to make for a comfortable vacation without jeopardizing the local culture and authentic tropical island atmosphere.
Mechanical rides are once again here in Corozal District Civic Center
GOVERNMENT TO ENSHRINE BAN ON OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION
Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow has written a letter to Vice President of Oceana Belize, Ms. Janelle Chanona, informing her that Cabinet has decided to move to enshrine into law their policy decision to abstain from offshore oil exploration in Belize’s territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone.
According to the Prime Minister, the moratorium, which will be in effect indefinitely, will be presented to the House of Representatives in October of this year
It is expected that the legislation will receive bipartisan support in the House, and be well received in the environmental community.
Wildtracks Update
We've been a little slow on updates recently, but for those manatee lovers out there, here are Mitch and Lucky - about to enter soft release in the lagoon, and Khaleesi and Twiggy - already in the soft release phase...
And, of course, Hope!
All five are doing very well!
Two 15 minute power interruptions 7:00am to 7:15am & 4:45pm to 5:00pm, Friday, August 18: entire Orange Walk & Corozal Districts
BEL to replace transmission poles in the area.
Belize Educational Service Group Ceremony
The Belize Educational Service Group had their handing over ceremony this week. They donated computes to many of the local primary schools. The NTHU student group recently finished their community service project in Cristo Rey, and are heading south to do another one. Thanks, NTHU!
"Today I was part of the Handing over ceremonies of Desktops and Laptops to schools from the Belize Educational Service Group from Taiwan. I want to commend them for the great job they have been doing in schools and in Belizeans lives. It is not easy to do community service and fly to another country to carry out your project. Every year they are helping schools in rural areas with computers, with class room equipment and other stuff to make school environment student friendly. This year computer award recipient were the following schools: Buena Vista Government School Cristo Rey R.C School Hidden Paradise Government School La Gracia Government School New Life Government School St. Joseph R.C School St. Martin De Porres RC. School St. Matthews Government School St. Vicent Pallottie RC. School Department of Youth Services Benque"
International Sources
Protocol to the special agreement between Guatemala and Belize
In the Official Gazette of August 9, 2017, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala, published the Protocol of the Special Agreement between Guatemala and Belize were both ratified to submit the Territorial, Insular and Maritime Claim of Guatemala to the International Court of Justice, May 25, 2015. The text of the Protocol signed by Guatemala and Belize was published along with the preceding ratification and the concluded agreements are as follows:
Mayans accurately predicted solar eclipses hundreds of years in the future
People today aren’t the only ones who are fascinated by darkness descending in the middle of the day. Ancient civilizations tracked solar eclipses, too — although their calculations were done without the benefit of today’s scientific equipment.
The Mayans were extremely literate, University of Colorado anthropology professor Payson Sheets said. Not just literate, but the most literate of any new world civilization “by a long shot.”
The ancient civilization would diligently record its history, including when kings and queens were crowned, equinoxes and solstices, and solar and lunar eclipses.
“Every century of recording, they would get more accurate,” Sheets said. “The prediction would be more precise.”
9 Caribbean Countries That Have Seen A Drop Off Of Foreign Investments
At least five Caribbean countries recorded a net positive increase in foreign direct investments last year but nine saw a definite drop off. News Americas Now analysis show they are: The Central American CARICOM nation of Belize took the fourth spot on the declining foreign direct investments rank. Belize saw a 32 percent drop-off last year – down to just USD 33 million compared to USD 65 million in 2015. With this second consecutive year of decline FDI reached levels similar to those of the 2000s. Capital inflows were the largest FDI component, accounting for 58 percent, and their contraction could not be offset by the increase in reinvested earnings.
Videos
The Amazing San Pedro Scavenger Hunt, 4.5min. The Amazing San Pedro Scavenger Hunt brought residents and visitors together for an afternoon of fun challenges and solving cryptic clues in what seemed to be a Mario Cart race come to life!
THE JOURNEY Part 1 | PLAYA DEL CARMEN to BELIZE | CROSSING THE BORDER!, 7.5min. Day 1. Playa del Carmen. Belize Border. Then into Belize. This is the plan at least. We expect that, being prepared, the Belize border should not be too difficult but with a strange and messed up immigration system in Mexico, I have a "hold" on my immigration process, therefore it is not the Belize border, but crossing OUT through the Mexican border that may cause the problem.
1 Week In Belize, 2min. Completed a House For a Family in Need;
- Taught summer school to over 100 kids each day;
- Met the family again that we built the house for last year;
I want to Belize 2, 12min.
Weltreise 2016, Belize, GoPro, 4min. Belize, Caye Caulker.
Swim little guys!, 1/2min.
Green Turtle Hatchlings... Turtles are hatching on Ambergris Caye. This year we have recorded 92 nests on the island
Belize day 1/fishing, 15min.
Belize Diving 2017 Green Moray Eel, 1min.
Belize 2017, 3.5min.
Talk Ah Di Town August 17, 2017, 35min.
Digital Marketing Strategist, 38min.
Former Harlem Globetrotter inspire youths through basketball, 36min.
Caribbean Motors is raffling a new Wingle, 18min.
Belize Bonefish, 28min. Belize River Lodge Bonefish of Belize.