Today's Belize News: September 3, 2017

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Today's Belize News: September 3, 2017 #525587 09/03/17 06:50 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,395 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. Specials and Events Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials The San Pedro Sun Miss San Pedro 2017-2018! Congratulations to Virginia Vasquez our new Miss San Pedro 2017-2018! We wish her all the best during her reign! Shooting suspect Christian Espat is out on bail After being remanded to the Belize Central Prison for two counts of 'attempted murder', two counts of 'dangerous harm', and three counts of 'use of deadly means of harm', San Pedro resident, 21-year-old Christian Espat has been released on Supreme Court bail. Espat's attorney, Dickie Bradley was able to secure his liberty at a bail hearing before Justice Adolph Lucas, who released him on $10,000 bail. Espat is expected to appear at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on November 24, 2017. Lucas considered the submissions from the Crown Counsel and statement of the eyewitness poor, and therefore granted bail in the sum of $10,000. The bail was granted under the conditions that Espat appears before the Magistrate Court on the island and on any other day the magistrate so orders him to reappear in court. Also, he is to report to the San Pedro Police Station, every Friday between the hours of 7AM and 6PM, until the charges are dismissed. DOE issues stop order on land clearing The Department of the Environment (DOE) has issued a stop order on the land clearing a few miles south of San Pedro Town. Concerned residents reported the massive land clearance by a local developer, whereby hundreds of acres have been bulldozed, and native vegetation, including mangroves, destroyed and displacing wildlife. Environmental officers from DOE made an enforcement check at the site, and afterwards issued a cessation order and enforcement warning against the developer. The clearing has since come to a halt. "There were owls, iguanas, and racoons living in that area," said a frustrated resident. "We even heard that there are no plans to build anything on the properties, but yet they were clearing hundreds and hundreds of acres." The main concern was that the land clearing could contribute to rain runoff, which could threaten flooding during the rainy season. BIL officially hands over Ambergis Stadium to the SPTC The Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) has formally handed over the Ambergris stadium to the San Pedro Town Council, after it was inaugurated on Sunday, May 21 st. The stadium is presently managed by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and the specially created Ambergris Stadium Committee. Councilor in charge of Culture, Youth, Sports and leisure activities Hector Alamilla explained the responsibility of the committee. "The Ambergis Stadium Committee is in charge of all the responsibilities and duties of the stadium, however the SPTC also helps when it comes to decision making, until someone professional takes up the task". Pack for a Purpose is helping our island community Pack for a Purpose is a non- profit organization that was founded in 2009, with the goal to positively impact communities around the world by assisting travelers who want to make a meaningful contribution to the destinations they visit. On Ambergis Caye, more and more businesses are joining the movement. Benefits from this initiative include local schools and health centers. Las Terrazas Resort is a member of the organization, with a focus on education. They raise funds for the Holy Cross Anglican School, which serves 400 children aged three to 15. Las Terrazas recommends that guests bring items such as general school supplies, reference materials, flash cards, text/reading books and other miscellaneous items used in educational institutions. Get a Free Bumper Sticker and Save Wildlife - Boycott NCL A campaign to Boycott Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) was launched, and members of the public, especially cruisers, are being offered free bumper stickers to show their support and solidarity with the wildlife of Belize. People who take cruises love to travel and explore the world, just like other types of travelers. Many of Belize's first-time cruise passengers fall in love with the country and return year after year as long-stay tourists. Sadly, recent reviews of Norwegian Cruise Lines' Harvest Caye suggest that cruise passengers aren't getting that warm fuzzy feeling about Belize anymore and that's a bad thing for the cruisers as well as for Belize's future tourism prospects. Misc Belizean Sources Highlights from the Carnival King & Queen competition Police Department says sorry about the tear gas "The Belize Police Department regrets the unfortunate incident that occurred at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex during the Military Tattoo, and we sincerely apologize. On the 1st September, 2017 about 8:20pm members of the Belize Police Department were performing at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex for the Police & Military Tattoo during which time they were using what was known to them and marked "White Smoke." The White Smoke is known to be harmless, however one of the canisters used unknowingly contained CS-Gas. A full investigation has been launched and General Jones from the Belize Defense Force have secured all canisters for inspection. The Official Launch of the September Celebrations 2017 in Orange Walk Today, September 3 in Orange Walk Town... The Official Launch of the September Celebrations 2017. Starting at 1:45pm at Queen Victoria Park Congratulations to this year's 2017-2018 Queen of the Bay Ms Nalisha Acosta! Belize City Power Outtage this morning BEL crews have been dispatched to investigate cause of power interruption affecting a portion of Belize City since 3:51 a.m., in order to restore power supply as soon as bad weather subsides. Affected areas include Wilson Street, Mapp Street, Kelly Street, Freetown Road, Simon Lamb Street, St. Joseph Street, Baymen Avenue, East Africa Street, Calle al Mar Street, 2nd Street, 9th Street, 14th Street, 3rd Street, Barrack Road, Craig Street, Eve Street, Goal Lane, Daly Street, Handyside Street, North Front Street, Queen Street, Lottie Waight Street, Moguel Street, Lizarraga Avenue, a portion of Princess Margaret Drive and Coney Drive. 100000 Poets for Change 2017 Concert The 100,000 Poets for Change concert will be on Saturday, September 30th, at the Soul Project. Festivities and music start at 6:00pm. There will be many different artists performing. This Day in History September 2nd, 1787 This morning at 3 o'clock a hurricane came on which desolated the Settlement exceedingly, destroyed every house in it, but one, and considerable property; a number of lives were lost on this occasion, and many of the public papers. The shipping of the country went all ashore and were lost. Source: Honduras Almanack 1829 The Reporter Hurricane Irma remains a category 2 storm in Atlantic Ocean Hurricane Irma - the latest Atlantic storm to develop since Harvey last week- remains a category 2 hurricane as it churns in the Atlantic Ocean. Its strength is expected to increase in the coming days, however. Irma's maximum sustained winds were measured this evening at 110 mph, according to the US' National Hurricane Center "Irma is currently a small hurricane, with hurricane-force winds extending outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extending outward up to 70 miles," the Centre informed. Police find gun, ammunition, weed Police have recovered a handgun and ammunition during two searches today. The Department's Special Assignment Team searched an area in the Lord's Ridge Cemetery and discovered a .32 revolver with six live rounds of ammunition. The team also searched the Conch Shell Bay area and found seven .22 and five Aguila brand ammunition. Meanwhile, the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) reportedly found a quantity of marijuana and more ammunition during a search in the George Street area today. Breaking Belize News Vinicio Cerezo, the former President of Guatemala is in Belize. Cerezo served as President of Guatemala from 1986 to 1991. Cereza played an important role in the peace process in Central America during the 1980's and remains active in peace matters through the 'Esquipolas Foundation for Central American Integration'. Fair weather to continue Some cloudy spells during the daytime and cloudy at times tonight. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms will continue to affect mostly northern and central areas this afternoon, then mostly south and the coast tonight and tomorrow morning.The wind will blow from the east to southeast at 10-20 knots. Hurricane Center monitoring Irma The National Hurricane Center (NHC) continues to monitor Hurricane Irma in the Atlantic. Irma is a Category 2 Hurricane located over the central tropical Atlantic Ocean. Irma continues to move south of due west across the central tropical Atlantic and this motion is expected to continue over the next couple of days. Belize City police find ammo This morning around 8, the Special Assignment Team conducted a search in the area of Conch Shell Bay that resulted in the discovery of 7 .22 and 5 Aguila brand of live rounds of ammunition. Gun and ammo found in Belize City According to police reports, around midday today, the Special Assignment Team conducted a search in the area of Lord Ridge Cemetery that resulted in the discovery of 1 pistol grip .32 Taurus brand revolver along with 6 S & B live rounds of ammunition. Mother fears her missing son is dead Erwin Paulino Ridriguez, 17, has been missing for nine days now. His mother, Sylvia Rodriguez, fears that he has been killed. Since his sudden disappearance last Thursday, no one has seen or heard from him. Defence Lawyer gets 'beat up' at cricket match Defence Lawyer, Leeroy Banner, was allegedly beaten at a cricket game in Double Cabbage village. Banner reported to police that last Saturday, Calbert Reynolds and another man were drinking and then ambushed him. Conservationists launch campaign to boycott Norwegian Cruise Lines' Harvest Caye A coalition of conservationists and activists in Belize have banded together to launch a campaign to boycott Norwegian Cruise Lines(NCL). The group is offering free bumper stickers to members of the public and especially cruisers to show their support and solidarity with the wildlife of Belize. U.S. imposes economic sanctions on Venezuela Responding to the ongoing civil crisis in Venezuela, the United States imposed an economic sanction against the country's government. US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order prohibiting any new deals in debt and equity issued by the the Venezuelan government and its state-owned oil company. Flood mitigation works completed in Toledo Today, Minister of National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro was on a working tour in Punta [�] Blogs Opening Ceremony of the September Celebration in Corozal Check out the September Celebrations Calendar of Events Below for more information..... let the fun begin! The official opening ceremony in Corozal was held on September 1st at the Corozal Town Central Park that began at 6pm, followed by the 8th annual DJ Face -Off Competition. The ceremony ended with some fireworks display for the audience to enjoy the event. How this event works? Well, there are two rounds of competitions, at the end, the Judges was awarded to those who were their favorite Remix songs and those who sounded the best. Congratulations to this year's 2017-2018 Queen of the Bay Ms. Nalisha Acosta! She was giving out awards to those who won in round 1 and round 2. UPDATE: DJ CALLIE WINS 8TH ANNUAL DJ FACE-OFF COMPETITION 2017. Last weekend of the rides in Corozal This is the last weekend of the rides which are located at the Corozal Civic center. It has been here for quite some time now in Corozal. And, tonight Saturday will be the last day of the rides before they leave. Last night, I went to scoop about the event why it is always fun to visit the Mechanical rides. Usually, 2-3 weeks before school opens in Corozal the mechanical rides are put together for kids and adults to enjoy. Tickets charge varies from the rides you want to ride. And, Surprisingly, not only here at Civic Center was the rides. In front of the old Social Security Office where they use to be located, Mechanicals rides for young teenagers were in this location and for Adults. And, the kids ride where at the civic center. On the grounds, there were quite a number of people came out to enjoy the last weekend. Since school starts on Monday for primary school, not many people came out. Because everyone wanted to see the Dj Competition at central park. International Sources Exploring Belize: From Mayan ruins to barrier reefs and birds, there's lots to see and do in this small Central American country Getting to Belize isn't necessarily easy. It's certainly worth it. After flying from Spokane, my wife, Rowena, and I spent the night in Dallas to avoid a nine-hour airport layover. From there, it was an easy two and half hour morning flight to Belize City. Upon landing, it was clear that Belize is a young developing country. It only gained its independence from Great Britain in 1981. The trees are taller than the buildings. In fact, its highest building is a Mayan temple. Belize's dry season is between February and May. We chose March, with stops in north-central Belize, and Ambergris Caye (the "queen of the cayes"), off the northern Belizean coast, to experience the Barrier reef, Mayan archeology and birds that congregate nowhere else on the planet. Mayan Communities Able to Identify and Hopefully Protect Territories Mayan communities in Belize now have a way to officially identify and potentially protect their territorial boundaries. On August 9, the International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples, the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) in Belize launched the Maya Lands Registry and announced the project they developed for the Crique Sarco community. In their press statement, SATIIM noted that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) had ordered the Belize government in 2015 to "create an effective mechanism" to identify and protect Mayan lands in accordance with their traditional governance. "Two years later and still no mechanism exists," according to the SATIIM press release. How to see the Great Blue Hole, in Belize Sixty miles east of Belize City, past Turneffe Atoll, there's a hole in the sea. Seen from above, it is a near-perfect 984ft-wide circle of inkiness in the turquoise Caribbean. It is all but surrounded by the coral outcrop of Lighthouse Reef, and sometimes the water level drops enough that you can walk around the rim. But the visitors who make the two-hour boat trip haven't come to walk, but to dive into its dark-blue depths. The sides of the Great Blue Hole fall sheer for about 110ft. It becomes even more spectacular as you encounter huge stalactites hanging from the roof of what you suddenly realise is a flooded cave, more than 400ft deep. Videos Newly elected Miss San Pedro Virginia Vasquez sharing a few words with the audience after being announced as the winner!, 1/2min. Belize Now \| September 1, 2017, 30min. Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte meets with Village leaders in southern Belize and tours the southern magistrate's courts, Belize Tourism Board takes media on a tour of Hopkins, and the National Women's Commission hosts a symposium on Women in Politics. These stories and more on this week's edition of Belize Now. Here's a look at all the bands in the Carnival King & Queen Competition taking place right now at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. , 10min. Belize 2017, 3.5min. LAND, AIR & SEA BELIZE with Michael Davis, 5min. Every day is a highlight and everyone is a VIP All made possible by a great team of Belizean Tour Guides and Crew Members...thanks my friends and crew. Here's a look at participating guest from around the world. Good Love after Bad: Camp Belize, 2min. Sweet Surrender: Camp Belize, 2min. BELIZE ISLAND GIRL Hol Chan Marine Reserve, 4min. Belize 2017- sailing trip, 2.5min. Day Sail from San Pedro to Caye Caulker Bleize. Snorkeling and Freediving Belize 2017, 7min. Swimming with sharks, turtles, stingrays and more. Hope you enjoy this video. Most of this footage was shot at Shark Ray alley & Hol Chan Marine reserve off the coast of San Pedro ( Ambergris Caye). Some of it was also shot at the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve off the coast of Placencia. Hol Chan Marine Reserve Belize!, 4min. Diving the beautiful Hol Chan Marine Reserve and swimming with a manatee. Bonefishing on the Fly in Ambergris Caye, Belize, 5.5min. A look at Bonefishing in Belize with Tres Pescados Fly Shop(www.belizefly.com) based in San Pedro. This video takes you on a journey to the flats of Ambergris Caye via the island hopper flight from the mainland of Belize, through the streets on San Pedro before boarding a skiff and heading out the glorious flats off the islands. Fantastic up close fly fishing for bonefish in and out of the skiff in some the most breathtaking scenery you will find. It is really is hard to beat a trip to Belize with a fly rod! The Crystal Skulls of Belize, min. Television documentary attempting to discover whether the Mitchell-Hedges Crystal Skull, which was discovered in the Central America of Belize is a modern piece of art or an ancient Mayan artifact.