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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Meteorologists monitoring three storms in the Caribbean
So far, the National Hurricane Center is issuing advisories on a Tropical Storm Harvey, located several hundred miles east of the Windward Islands. The low pressure’s center is located 13.0 N 55.8W moving at 18 miles per hour (mph) with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph. Meteorologists are predicting that the low pressure has a 100% chance of developing into a Hurricane within the next 48 hours and 100% chance to grow further in strength within the next five days. Another low pressure, Invest 92L being monitored is located about 1,200 miles east of the Leeward Islands and continues to show signs of organization. As it moves west-northwest at near 20 mph, the low pressure has 60% chance of forming into an organized storm in the next five days.

Scott Charles shot at his Elliot Subdivision residence
The sound of gunshots once again disrupted the tranquillity of island residents on Wednesday, August 16th in the Elliot Sub-division of San Pedro Town. Police confirmed that 24-year-old Scott Charles a Belizean Tour Guide, suffered gunshot wounds to the lower part of his abdomen and his upper thigh. He was transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where he was stabilized, and later airlifted to Belize City for further medical treatment. Police are yet to make any arrests as investigation continues. According to eyewitnesses, over a dozen gunshots were heard. Many of the residents around the neighbourhood took cover under their tables and beds when the shots rang through the area. “At first I thought it was fire crackers, but after I saw some commotion on the street I realized something had happened,” remembers one witness. “It was like a war zone out there. What is happening to our island?” People keep asking. The official report from the Police Department indicates that around 8:40PM, while Charles was at home someone knocked on the door. As soon as he opened the door, a barrage of bullets greeted him, causing his injuries.

BTB holds workshop with hoteliers and property managers in San Pedro Town
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) hosted a two-day workshop with representatives of the hospitality industry in San Pedro Town from Monday, August 14th to Tuesday, August 15th. The workshop took place at the Lions Den and was aimed at training participants in emergency planning, climate change adaptation, being resilient to climate change, crisis management and how to share information when a crisis takes place at an establishment. Attendees from small properties to large ones participated, after the two-day training, participants expressed satisfaction with the new information acquired. This nationwide initiative from BTB aims to better prepare the accommodation sector of the tourism industry. According to Memory Castro, Capacity Building and Sustainable Tourism Manager at BTB, the idea came after their audits showed a lack of emergency planning at most of the hotels countrywide.

Ambergris Today

Help Bring Justice For Faye Lin Cannon Make A Sworn Statement
David and Anke Doehm will appear in court on August 24, 2017, in San Pedro Magistrate court for the hearing on their charges for “Cruelty to a Child”. The entire country has been appalled by the circumstances surrounding the death of Faye Lin Cannon and by the lack of evidence from the police department to charge anyone for her death. First on the list of murder suspects are David and Anke Doehm, Faye Lin Cannon’s adoptive parents, but police and prosecution have not been able to obtain enough strong evidence to charge them with murder.

Look At The Baby Turtles Hatching
Turtles are hatching on North Ambergris Caye and the Ambergris Caye Marine Turtle Program (ACMTP) has this awesome video to share. This year they have recorded 92 nests on the island and most of the turtles are hatching at the moment. The ACMTP closely monitors all the turtle nest their personnel find along the beaches north of the island and ensures they are protected from poachers. They also keep a close count and record data that can be use for research. Turtle nesting Season is at its peak with green and loggerhead turtle nesting July/August. The season runs from June to October.

Man Shot As Assailant Opens Fire At His Residence
Police reports indicate that Scott Charles, 24 years Belizean Tour Guide of Bay Side Area, San Pedro Town, was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City via air ambulance after suffering from gun shot wounds last night, Wednesday, August 16, 2017. Police say they visited the San Pedro Poly Clinic where they encountered Scott Charles suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower part of the abdomen and a gunshot wound to the upper part of the thigh. Initial police investigation revealed that about 8:40p.m., whilst Charles was at home, someone knocked at his door and upon opening several shots were fired at him causing his injuries. Police are investigating; more information as it becomes available.

University Of Belize Records 4,668 New And Returning Students For 2017
Students Welcomed at Historic and First Matriculation Ceremony in Belmopan - 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 16th August, 2017. The packed ceremony took place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the UB Jaguar Auditorium. Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat, President of UB indicated to students that the matriculation is a formal ceremony “to mark your enrollment as a student of the National University of Belize. It symbolizes your right of passage into this University, that you have met the standards for entry into our University and that you are now all enrolled as a student in a Certificate, Associate Degree or Degree program of the UB”.

Misc Belizean Sources

Introduction of Belize Delegation Attending the 2017 CODICADER Under 15 Games
The Belize Delegation of one hundred and ten (110) members is scheduled to leave the country on Sunday, 20th August 2017 in route to Tegucigalpa, Honduras for the VI CODICADER Student Sports Games for 13 – 14-year-olds from 20th – 26th August 2017. A press conference will be held on Friday, 18th August 2017 at 3:30 p.m. in the Marion Jones Sports Complex Conference Room to introduce the Belize delegation.

Belmopan Ministry of Labour, Local Government & Rural Development Office Relocating
The Ministry of Labour, Local Government & Rural Development (Belmopan Office) hereby informs the public that our Ministry will be relocating effective from August 28th, 2017. Our new office will be located at the following address: Corner 29 Raccoon Ave & 6129 Brown Street (Upstairs Daily Superstore, beside Peace Corps) Mountain View Area, City of Belmopan Our phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses remain unchanged. We look forward to serving you at our new location.

School items gifted to SPTC
Ms. Linda Clark-Fonda of Lake Charles Louisiana brought some school goodies to the San Pedro Town Council on her visit to San Pedro Town. She would like to give thanks to her friends at the Eye Clinic - Dr. Mark Crawford, Dr. Tom Price, Dr. Lori Goldberg, as well as her friends and grandchildren, who gave up some of their most treasured and personal items.

EXPORTBelize and the Belize Bureau of Standards hold Stakeholders Consultation
EXPORTBelize in collaboration with the Belize Bureau of Standards held a Stakeholder Consultation on Tuesday August 15, 2017 at BELTRAIDE’s Headquarters in Belmopan City. This consultation was aimed to review and discuss the Final Draft for the CARICOM Regional Standard on Cocoa and Chocolate Products where approval or disapproval of the standard would be commented on and submitted by Belize for further submission to CROSQ, the regional organization for standards. The session consisted of those key stakeholders within the cacao industry who the regional standard, when passed, would ultimately impact.

Caye Caulker September Holidays
Our final calendar coming soon!

Kathak Ballet group of Hemantha Kalita
You are kindly invited to this wonderful cultural experience presented by the High Commission of India to Belize, Tuesday August 22nd. August 22nd at Las Vegas Hotel, Free Zone, Corozal starting at 7:00 p.m.

Ricardo Elias "EL BUKY" from Monterrey, Mexico
Coming to you live at the Princess Casino Free Zone, Corozal this Friday, August 18th and Saturday 19th. It is a comical, magical and musical show you don't want to miss. It all starts at 10:00 p.m. No cover charge. Plus get a chance to win and enjoy yourselves.

Teaching vacancy at Concepcion R C School
A teaching vacancy exist for one school year at Concepcion R C School. All applicants must possess a background in Primary Education, a valid Full License to Teach in Belize and Police Record. Candidates must meet the Belize Teaching Service Commission requirements to teach as posted before. Applications must be Address to: Assistant Local Manager, Corozal Catholic Public Schools, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Corozal Town, P O Box 34. For further information call 422 2018 or email corozalcps@gmail.com Deadline for submissions of applications 24th August.

Great News for women entrepreneurs!
Vital Voices Global Partnership opened 2018 VV GROW Fellowship application to women business owners from around the world. The Fellowship: A Leading Global Accelerator for Women Entrepreneurs is a highly competitive one-year global accelerator program for women owners of small and medium businesses. The program includes customized business skills training, technical assistance, leadership development, and access to networks to grow their businesses and increase their leadership impact.

The young cacao trees being grown in Belize’s first agroforestry concession (within a protected area) are getting lots of love
29 farmers of the Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association were involved in a practical pruning training over a two-day period. The farmers are expecting their first harvest early next year and we are excited! This unique conservation model – guided by a management plan, conservation agreement and expertise of Ya’axché – is providing a lot of success!

Caye Caulker September Celebrations Calendar of Events

UB’s First 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 16th August, 2017. The packed ceremony took place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the UB Jaguar Auditorium. Professor Emeritus Clement Sankat, President of UB indicated to students that the matriculation is a formal ceremony “to mark your enrollment as a student of the National University of Belize. It symbolizes your right of passage into this University, that you have met the standards for entry into our University and that you are now all enrolled as a student in a Certificate, Associate Degree or Degree program of the UB”.

Chevening scholarship
We would like to congratulate our friend and colleague Sylvia on receiving a Chevening scholarship and will be pursuing her graduate degree in Public Archaeology at the University College of London!

Channel 7

Man Killed, Gunmen Ambushed Him At Door
There was a shooting last night on San Pedro, which unfortunately, has now turned into a murder investigation. The victim is 25 year-old Scott Charles, a tour guide of the Bay Side area of the island town. His loved-ones say that he is a hard-working family man, but last night, gunmen went hunting him at his house. Reports to police are that gunmen knocked on his door, and when he opened it, they opened fire. We've spoken with his family today, and their account is a little different. They believe that his killers were watching him, and as soon they realized that he was alone, they kicked in his door and shot him to death.

Retired Cop Beaten, Loses Tooth
Well-known retired Assistant Superintendent of Police Francis Williams was badly beaten by three men who allegedly jumped him one week ago. Police have arrested the suspects and they appeared today before Acting Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser today. They are 24 year old security guard Darrell Brown, his brother, 29 year old personal trainer Rayford Brown, and 28 year old sales agent Eckert Powell, from Freedom Street. They all pleaded not guilty.

Not Another Tropical Storm!
About a week and a half ago, stores, banks and businesses countrywide closed down early in preparation for Tropical Storm Franklin. Fortunately for us, Franklin veered north, and his rains and winds had very little effect on Northern Belize. But before you can properly say, "Farewell Franklin", it may already be time to say "Hello Harvey!" - with a clear sense of dread! That's right, today, a weather system that formed off the coast of Africa has made its way into the Caribbean, and as of 3:00 this afternoon, has been upgraded to a tropical storm, and its projected path has it coming straight to Belize by early next week. Now, we stress this is just a projection, but we spoke to the Deputy Chief Meteorologist, Catherine Cumberbatch, to get a clearer idea of where this storm may be heading...

Stolen Hilux Almost Made It Back Home
The next story about a stolen vehicle almost has a happy ending, but not quite. It's about a Toyota Hilux pickup that was stolen from a mechanic shop in San Ignacio last week Friday. And like every other stolen Hilux it ended up in Melchor. But, yesterday there was a major break in the case, when the Hilux showed up at the border and Guatemalan police were ready. They had been told to look out for the pickup and they dutifully impounded it.

Finally! Carnival Route Finalized
After much anticipation and speculation, the route for the 2017 Carnival Road March has been confirmed. It's been an unresolved issue for months now because authorities insisted that the safety hazards posed by the route were just too great: it blocked Belize's two major highways and the entrance to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for hours. The carnival committee has been weighing multiple options and routes, and has finally made a decision. The vice president of the Committee told us what the route will be:..

Belize Biochemist Groundbreaking Stem Cell Research
A young Belizean's groundbreaking research has been published in a top US medical Journal. On Monday, Aimee Flores, who is pursuing a Ph.D in Stem Cell Research and Bio-chemistry at UCLA had her paper published in the "Nature Cell Biology", a leading medical journal. She's in Belize on a week's break and sat down with Jules Vasquez - to talk about her project. We looked back at her long history of academic excellence which has brought her to where she is now:

Wilfred Riles Them Up Again
Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington is no stranger to controversy - and his seemingly blasé comments about the border always find a way to properly tick people off. And, last night, he did it again, which is why, tonight, he's the subject of an open letter of protest which Former PUP Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman addresses to Prime Minister Dean Barrow. She's angry about what Elrington told the press yesterday in an interview about the Jacobo Arbenz 4-lane freeway to Puerto Barios . Here are his remarks:... Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Foreign Minister: "The whole issue of the building of the road under the 1859 treaty was regarded by the British as a non-issue, that's a non-issue. So whether they build it or not is not of any moment, it's not going to affect in any way the litigation in which we have, that's a non-issue, it has no real bearing on the issue. Why we have to go to ICJ is because we don't have borders that are internationally recognized and that can put us in trouble."

Cunil For Cultivation
Yesterday police conducted a search on small farm about 4 miles West of Cotton Tree Village where they found 47-year-old Rosendo Cunil relaxing in a hammock under a palm hut. The cops searched him and found about 2 ounces of cannabis. They proceeded to search the rest of the hut, where they found a 16 gauge shotgun and 6 shotgun cartridges. Police then inspected the surrounding area and found 3 small marijuana plantations about 100 feet away from the hut. In total the cops found 638 marijuana plants ranging from 3 inches to 3 feet in height.

Pounds of Weed in Bze District
Police made two weed busts in the Belize District yesterday. The first one occurred in the evening at mile 19 and a half on the Phillip Goldson Highway in Sandhill. The team searched a bushy area and found a crocus bag with one pound of weed divided into 4 parcels. No one was in the area, so it was labelled as found property. The second bust was made last night. Going on a search warrant, the south side strike team searched the residence of David Haulze on Aloe Vera street. They found 4 plastic bags weighing in one pound of weed. Haulze was charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

Capital Cops Crackdown on Highway Craziness
Just this week, we've reported on two fatal accidents on the George Price Highway. And that's why the Road Safety Project Management Unit, Belmopan Police, National Transport Department and Belmopan Municipal Traffic Department met today to discuss traffic management on that Highway and within Belmopan. Police statistics show that most serious and fatal accidents occur mostly during the weekends and so they have agreed to increase patrols during peak hours on the Western corridor and also on the Hummingbird highway, and within the Capital city. Motorcycle offenders will specifically be targeted.

Yoga Therapy Expert in Belize
Earlier this week we told you about the BELTRAIDE "Maya Spa Experience Brand Competition". Well, today, an expert in another kind of massage arrived in Belize to offer training to masseuses at resorts and spas across the country. Sudevi Kramer will conduct a training in Vedic Thai yoga therapy at the Om Shanti yoga studio here in Belize City. She explained her craft to us today:.. Sudevi Kramer, Vedic Thai Yoga Instructor: "The roots of this work actually are in Thailand and it goes back about to 500 BC and its actually part of their medicine. It originated with the indigenous people and it's around because it works. Its accessible folk medicine yet in the last degree of a physician training they study Thai massage. That kind of says it all. So it's not just people coming for a massage to feel good although that's certainly part of it. It can be taken to the level where if somebody has like frozen shoulder or rotator cuff or a sprain ankle or any just mundane things that happen to us in life. Certainly it's not a surgical procedure, but it is everyday first aid for the mind, the body, the spirit. It works with energy lines in the body."

BELTRAIDE Wants To Find You A Job
We have reported extensively on many entrepreneurship trainings and small business programs hosted by Beltraide. Well, they want to go a step further by connecting you to your potential employer. They plan to do this through an online registration system and if you were unable to register today you can do so tomorrow at their talent fair. Today was day one of the fair and We dropped by to find out how you can finally get that job you were desperately looking for.

CITCO Looks to Kid Advisors
This afternoon, the Belize City Council held a grant ceremony to recognize 15 children who they will assist with back-to-school funding. They are all members City Council's Child Advisory Board, which was set up to give youths a seat at the table where City Hall makes policy decisions. The Councillors say that the Child Advisory Board often give their opinions on different policies that could affect the children of the City. For over 2 years, they've been diligently working with these municipal leaders, and today, as show of appreciation, they were gifted with a back-to-school package. 7News was there, and we spoke with the City Councillor responsible for children about the advice they have gotten from this board:

Fire At FUNDAECO, Guatemala
Fundaeco is a Guatemalan NGO that operates on the other side of the Sarstoon river. They recently got a grant along with Toledo's TIDE NGO to invest in communities. TIDE built piers and tourism attraction in Punta Negra and Monkey River while FUNDAECO built a restaurant for the fishing co-op on the Guatemalan side. Well, that restaurant - opened only weeks ago by the German funders and Belize's Ambassador to Guatemala - went down in flames this week. Reports from FUNDAECO say that it was caused by a faulty gas tank while other reports say tensions are high on that side between the fishermen and the CO-OP.

John B Defends Home Turf On Campaign Trail
We're about 7 months away from the 2018 Municipal Elections, and both political parties are getting in campaign mode. Apart from the paid political ads on the evening news, many of you have started getting visits from the municipal candidates. The PUP, which hasn't won a major election since 2003, has a lot of ground to make up for because the ruling UDP won 8 out of the 9 municipalities countrywide, and 62 of 67 seats in 2015. The PUP was only able to hold on to a split council in Orange Walk Town, and now PUP Leader John Briceno has to defend his home turf. Our colleagues at CTV3 News caught Briceno on the campaign trail earlier this week where he spoke about the importance of retaining Orange Walk.

Channel 5

Murder Victim “Shot Up” at San Pedro House
The latest murder victim is a tour guide and fisherman from San Pedro killed within days of a shooting that left an adult and two minors injured. On Wednesday night, [...]

Public Accounts Chair Julius Espat Says Report Must Be Ventilated
Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan should see the tabling of the 2012-2013 Auditor General’s Report on which we have been reporting all week.  It is all [...]

More Audited Irregularities in G.S.T., B.D.F., but Not Lands or Finance
Two of the largest ministries in the government service – Finance and Natural Resources – were not included. Coincidentally, the same man, Prime Minister Dean Barrow, is currently directly in [...]

1-Year Integrity Commission ‘a Joke’
Formed last December, the Integrity Commission was intended to provide independent assessment of the assets of Belizeans in public life. But a few weeks ago it was announced that the [...]

Lisa Shoman Tells P.M. to Reject Elrington’s ‘No Borders’ Comment
Foreign Minister Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, in an interview with the media on Wednesday, once again raised the ire of many, including former Foreign Minister Lisa Shoman.  While speaking on the [...]

Former Foreign Minister Says Guatemala Must Respect our Borders
Shoman who has been an advocate for going to the I.C.J. has now changed her position in light of what is being said by the incumbent foreign minister.  That is [...]

Can Guatemala’s Referendum Be Trusted?
Following a round of fruitless bilateral discussions with Guatemala in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2016, which ultimately failed to produce a Sarstoon Protocol, the former foreign minister’s perspective on the [...]

Carnival Goes through Belchina This Year
While the Battle of Saint George’s Caye and Independence Day remain the twin towers of the September Celebrations Calendar, in Belize City, the Carnival Road March reaches those heights.  September [...]

Relief for Indigent Property Taxes is Based on Process
Campaign efforts to elect a U.D.P. mayoral candidate for Belize City are in full swing and, as expected with any political race, promises are being made ahead of the August [...]

Julius Promises Governance Reform under P.U.P.
As you’ve heard at the top of the news, two-term representative Julius Espat is under no illusions about the state of Belize’s governance, which he says can be traced back [...]

Don’t Let UNCAC Die!
Belize is now a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which was signed in December. But there has been no discernible movement to implementing its dictates and Cayo [...]

Storm Harvey Coming to Belize Next Week?
Belize is in the projected path of newly formed Tropical Storm Harvey.  And we say projected because it is still early to determine whether it will really head this way. [...]

CitCo’s Child Advisory Board is Going Back to School
This afternoon, a handful of students, all of whom are members of the Child Advisory Board, an arm of the Belize City Council, were recipients of back-to-school grants.  The initiative [...]

BELTRAIDE Plays Employment Matchmaker
If you are looking for a job, here is an opportunity that can help you. BELTRAIDE today launched a talent fair to create an employment database to meet the demands [...]

Ministry of Education Expands Response on Medical Schools
A month or so ago, the president of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action and his counterpart in the Poor People’s Organization for a Healthy and Righteous Society, visited the [...]

Reward to Return 3 Months’ Missing Erin Linarez
In May, thirty-two-year-old Erin Linarez left his family home on the island of Ambergris Caye to voluntarily check himself into the REMAR rehabilitation center in Bullet Tree Village. Linarez, battling [...]

Healthy Living Gets You Ready for Back to School
If you’re a parent, you have definitely heard the advice that children enjoy routines. There are only a few weeks left before the start of the school year. And, that’s [...]

LOVE FM

Three men charged for harm following assault on Kevin Brown
This afternoon twenty one year old Jafari Castro, twenty one year old James Young and eighteen year old Gilbert Franklin appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser who read them a single charge of harm. The three men are accused of brutally beating 21 year old basketball player Kevin Brown on August 6 while at the […]

Accident on the Hummingbird Highway leaves one man dead and three others injured
Pauline SoberanisTillett reporting… “An early morning traffic incident on the Hummingbird Highway just before reaching Hershey claimed the life of one person and left three others injured. Love News was called to the area and upon arrival saw a trailer truck loaded with building materials on the right hand side of the highway in a […]

Foreign Affairs Minister speaks on proposed amendment to Misuse of Drugs Act
On Friday, a piece of legislation to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act will be tabled in the House of Representatives. As we had reported yesterday, the bill seeks to decriminalize up to ten grams of marijuana. We are not expecting much debate on the matter since parliamentarians from both sides of the house have […]

Belize represented at Human Trafficking Seminar in Washington
Belize is participating in a Human Trafficking Seminar in Washington D.C. Representing Belize are Minister of Human Development, Anthony Martinez and Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte. (VO STARTS) Both men met with the Deputy Attorney General for the US Department of Justice, Rod Rosenstein and discussed the partnership between both countries to halt human trafficking. During […]

Marion Jones Sporting Complex gets state of the art lighting system
The Mexicans have invested one million Belize dollars to have a lighting system for the football pitch at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. Those lights were officially inaugurated and tested last night during a ceremony that saw the presence of one of Mexico’s Vice Minister, Ambassador Agustin Garcia-Lopez. The ambassador explained to Love News that […]

Minister Elrington comments on reports of Taiwanese loan to Guatemala
This evening the media caught up with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington. One of the questions posed to the Minister was in respect to the recent news that had emerged from Guatemala in respect to the hundreds of millions of dollars purportedly being loaned to the Guatemalan government by the Taiwanese Government. However, as […]

Education Minister stands behind Chair of Gwen Liz Board
Dr. Lorna McKay came out to the media earlier this month after receiving a letter formally putting her on administrative leave for twenty days. The letter was personally delivered to her on August 7 by the School Board Chairman, Roosevelt Blades. Dr. McKay has claimed victimization and has stated that the intimidation tactics by Blades […]

Minister Faber responds to Commonwealth report on youth work in Belize
At the end of July we told you of a report from the Commonwealth Secretariat has expressed dissatisfaction at the support being given to youth workers in several of the member countries with Belize performing extremely low. The 275-page document reveals the outcomes of a study done in thirty five Commonwealth countries and the steps […]

Update on the Church State Commission
By now the findings of the Church/State Commission should have been tabled to Cabinet and there should have been a definitive way forward by now on the Gender Based Policy and the issues arising out of the Section 53 ruling. There was a hiccup in the plan, however, when the Council of Churches and the […]

Auditor General’s Report goes to the House on Friday
The 2012-2013 Auditor General’s Report will be tabled at the House sitting on Friday. It looked at a number of areas within government, and among many things, the Auditor General points that most bank accounts and other government accounts have not been reconciled for several years. But there is more in the report, and these […]

Deputy PM comments on his trip abroad
Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber returned home last week after going away for business and pleasure. Last night we caught up with him at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex where he spoke of his trip and its success. Patrick Faber – Deputy Prime Minister “It was not all holiday, I was engaging with the […]

Minister Wilfred Elrington questioned about Progresso Heights Limited
Last month we reported on a case involving politician and attorney, Wilfred Elrington. The case was heard by the Justices of the CCJ on July 21. It was Progresso Heights Limited versus Pitts and Elrington Law Firm. The matter dates back as far as seven years when both parties were in business together. Progresso Heights […]

Man hospitalized after being shot by law enforcement officer
Police in Orange Walk have confirmed a shooting involving BDF soldiers, customs officers and civilians. That shooting happened yesterday evening and left 30 year old Dwayne Almendarez wounded. Police say that BDF Soldiers and customs officers conducted a search on a bus in Yo Creek Village. Uncustomed goods were found and the authorities attempted to […]

Juan Sis charged for beating a police officer
Twenty year old Juan Sis, a sales clerk of Antelope Street who allegedly beat a police officer, was charged with grievous harm when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Senior Magistrate Fraser told him that she will not take a plea because the complainant is still in the hospital. The prosecutor objected to […]

Search in Chan Chen Village nets over nine pounds of marijuana
Today Corozal Police made a huge drug bust, recovering over nineteen pounds of marijuana. According to police, a team of officers in Corozal conducted a joint operation and searched an open lot in Chan Chen Village in the Corozal District early today. There they found nineteen and a half pounds of compressed marijuana. No one […]

Police make arrest in burglary at Caribbean Tyre
Police have charged 22 year-old Omar Gomez, a Belizean truck driver of Billy White Village for the burglary of Caribbean Tyre in Spanish Lookout. Gomez has been charged with burglary, handling stolen goods and damage to property. He was arraigned at the San Ignacio Magistrate Court and was granted bail of twenty thousand dollars. His […]

Students receive book scholarships
Paul Mahung reporting… “The annual book scholarship program is a project of Toledo Institute for Development & Environment as explained by TIDE’s Operations Manager and coordinator of the Scholarship program, Stephanie Supaul.” Stephanie Supaul – TIDE’s Operations Manager and coordinator “The TIDE scholarship program began in 2001 with a total of ten high school students. […]

Taiwanese Ambassador donates to Albert area representative
Ambassador Charles Liu of the Embassy of the Republic of China, Taiwan today handed over a donation to Area Representative for the Albert Division, Tracy Taegar-Panton for a back to school drive under the Constituency Development Initiatives for the constituency. Minister Panton says aside from the donation, she will be holding further discussions with the […]

Councilor Dion Leslie donates gardening equipment to Samuel Haynes Institute
This afternoon Belize City Councilor Deon Leslie handed over gardening equipment worth over one thousand dollars to Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence to benefit their Landscaping & Beautification Program. The handing over ceremony occurred on the school grounds. Barbara Elrington, one of the Directors of the Samuel Haynes School of Excellence spoke to the media […]

BWS employees and ITVET teachers complete training on plumbing code
The Public Utilities Commission held a training on the plumbing code with sixteen participants including ITVET teachers and field supervisors of the Belize Water Services Limited. The group received their certificates of completion this morning at the ITVET compound in Belize City in a brief ceremony. Director of the water and waste water sector at […]

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 […]

Blogs

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.