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
Islanders celebrate Belize's 36th Anniversary of Independence
In commemoration of the 36th anniversary of Belize's Independence, a series of activities were held on Wednesday evening, September 20th at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. Under the theme 'Belize: Confronting Challenges! Celebrating Triumphs! Renewing our Resolve!' activities included an official Independence Eve ceremony, followed by the midnight flag raising ceremony and a spectacular fireworks display. It all concluded with a fun after-party featuring Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and the Caribbean Kings, right through the early hours of September 21st. The night's official ceremonies began shortly after 10PM as hundreds of attendees gathered for the patriotic activities. Master of Ceremonies Eiden Salazar Jr., invited Mayor Daniel Guerrero to give his speech, which highlighted the importance of the occasion. Guerrero started his address saying that he hopes this would not be his last Independence Day address, giving the fact that municipal elections are scheduled for March 2018.
PLB's first round concludes: San Pedro Pirates lose 1-0 against Verdes F.C
The first round of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) concluded on Sunday, September 24th, with three matches taking place in different parts of the country. On Sunday, the San Pedro Pirates F.C. travelled to San Ignacio Town in the Cayo District where they faced Verdes F.C. Both teams gave their best in a tight match that saw the strength of the island squad, but when the time was up, it was a victory of 1-0 for Verdes F.C. Pirates' Sean Mas has stated that the team will continue working hard, and hopes to do better in the upcoming home games on the island during the second round of the PLB. The current standings of the PLB has Belmopan Bandits leading with 16 points, followed by Verdes F.C and BDF F.C with 13 points. Police United F.C has 12 points, while San Pedro Pirates have eight points. Placencia Assassins and Wagiya F.C both have seven points, and Freedom Fighters F.C have three points.
The second round of games begins on Saturday, September 30th, when the San Pedro Pirates face the Belmopan Bandits at the Ambergris Stadium. The game has been scheduled to start at 3PM sharp.
San Pedro Veterans win semi- finals against Benque Veterans
The San Pedro Veterans hosted the Benque Veterans Football Club at the Ambergis Stadium in San Pedro Town, on Saturday, September 23rd, for the second round of semifinals of the Over-40 league. Both San Pedro Veterans and Benque Veterans sought a win, but at the final whistle, it was a clear 9-1 victory for the home team. The San Pedro Veterans now advance to the finals for the Over-40 League. On Sunday, October 1st the team will travel to Independence Village in the Stann- Creek District to take on the Mango Creek Veterans in the first round of the finals. The Mango- Creek Veterans recently defeated the Belize City Kulture Yabra 4-0.
The game is scheduled to start at 4PM at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium.
Ambergris Today
Belize Chocolate Company Boutique Announces "Go Straw-Less" Campaign
On October 1, 2017, Belize Chocolate Company (BCC) will start its "Go straw-less" campaign. In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic straws that end up in our oceans and on our beaches, BCC will be encouraging all their customers to "Go straw-less" when buying a milkshakes or cold drink.
In addition, Belize Chocolate Company have launched a "Go Straw-less" poster competition, open to all Primary school and High School Children of Belize. The poster which must use the words "Go Straw-less" will be used in all publicity and posted in Belize Chocolate Company Boutique.
Prizes of gift certificates for chocolate for $75Bz, $50BZ and $25 BZ will be given for first, second and third prize. For more information and rules email [email protected]
Misc Belizean Sources
Caye Caulker Blood Drive
Saturday - Ocean Academy students are volunteering with this worthy event. Please come support the Blood Donor Drive.
Congratulations to Mystic Mas Band on winning this year's Best Group Category for this year's Independence Jump Up Parade 2017!
Perspective's of our Past presentation
Mark the dates! Community members are invited to attend this year's Perspective's of our Past presentation with oral recounts from our elders. We have all had a fascination with the grand old house beside the House of Culture -the Hall's residence. Mrs. Acosta spent thirty years living there and will share her memoirs from that time. Mr. Gegg will tell it like is, or as it was, with classism and Corozal in the mid 1900's. Join us October 3rd and 10th at the Corozal Junior College Conference Room.
Annual State Reception
The U.S. Embassy, Peace Corps and Military Liaison Office are grateful to have been part of Governor General of Belize Sir Colville Young's Annual State Reception on the eve of Belize's 36th Independence Anniversary.
BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of Sept. 18th - Sept. 24th, 2017
We are happy to welcome and be part of the continued support that Orvis shows the lodge. Cynthia Harkness, the host of a women's group and Jose Delgado who is hosting groups the next two weeks and all participants who have traveled from different parts of the United States, have been reeling in the bonefish. Lots of double digit days.
Goldson House Open House
The Goldson House For Democracy and Patriotism is having an Open House next Tuesday and Wednesday.
"Help spread the news, The Goldson House For Democracy and Patriotism is having An Open House Celebration!"
SEE & TASTE BELIZE INC. TO HOST ITS SECOND ANNUAL SEE & TASTE BELIZE FESTIVAL FOR THE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES OF BELIZE
See & Taste Belize Inc., co-hosted by the Special Envoy for Women and Children and the Spouse of the Prime Minister, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow, along with its partners, The Belize Tourism Board, BELTRAIDE and National Institute for Culture and History, will be hosting its second See and Taste Belize Festival on Saturday, October 7th at the Florida International University Kovens Center. This year's event will raise funds for the Inspiration Center of Belize, the first of its kind to care for children with disabilities in Belize.
The last See & Taste Belize Festival enjoyed immense success thanks to the support of its sponsors and the Belizean Diaspora who came from all over the USA to enjoy and celebrate Belize, and all the wonderful things they love and miss (friends, food, music, art, rum and beer)! This gathering offered an amazing opportunity to raise over US$60,000.00 towards the building of the first Neo-Natal and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Belize.
Attorney General Leads Belizean Delegation on an Official Visit to the Republic of China (Taiwan)
Three members of Cabinet are currently being hosted on a foreign mission to the Republic of China (Taiwan) which commenced on September 24th and ends on September 29th, 2017. The Belizean delegation is led by Attorney General Hon. Michael Peyrefitte and includes Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation Hon. Anthony Martinez; Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, with responsibility for Immigration, Hon. Beverly Williams; and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office Mr. Dorian Pakeman. The official visit is intended to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
On the first day of the working visit, the delegation met with the National Immigration Agency where topics such as immigration policy, border protection, and human trafficking were discussed. A courtesy call was made to the Embassy of Belize where the contingent met a group of Belizean students enrolled in universities in Taiwan.
Smart's Unlimited Internet services in San Pedro
It's wireless home internet, competitive in price to the BTL diginet.
4mbs - $55,
8mbs - $80,
16mbs - $136,
25mbs - $175.
Perfect for the slow season. Free installation and first month FREE. No rental or maintenance fee!
All clients that already have this service will see double in speed and drop in price as per table above.
BELIZE TECHEXPO 2017
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL), its members, local and international stakeholders will convene in Belize City for the FIRST ever Technology Exposition.
Key local, regional and international partners will be presenting their solutions and displaying their latest products and services at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza.
Come check out the latest trends and see how you can benefit from these home/business products.
Don't miss it!
Corozal October 7th Full Moon Concert
Let the good vibes continue....Dynamics of Belize will be the featured artists at our October 7th Full Moon Concert!
See & Taste Belize 2017
Joining us this year at See & Taste Belize 2017! is Chef Sylvia Eiley from the beautiful "Isla Bonita" from Wataview Vacation Home Belize, Chef Sylvia will be sharing her scrumptious Stewed Chicken Skewers with ripe plantain as well as coconut curry fish chowder with green plantain dumplings!
What to expect on the upcoming Belize Pelagic this Oct. 9th and 10th...
Channel 7
Chinese Grocer Killed in Robbery: First In Four Years
A Chinese Belizean businessman was murdered in an armed robbery attempt last night. He's 58 year-old Bainan Wu, and our archives say that he is the first Chinese business owner to be killed in Belize City in 4 years and 3 months.
Police say that he was shot sometime around 7:30 inside his grocery store, Xi He Li, which is located at the corner of Vernon and Santa Barbara Streets where he is well known and liked.
Wu took all precautions he could to protect himself and his business, but last night, a robber killed him because he reportedly refused to hand over his hard earned money.
Family of 78 Year Old Found Dead Say It was Murder
So, while police are certainly treating the shooting death of Bainan Wu as a murder, it appears that the police press office isn't so sure about 78 year-old Karl Leslie, a Belizean American retiree living in Hattieville.
He was found dead in his home 12 days ago, and since then, police have been doing all they can to make it look like it's not another murder. They are calling it a death investigation.
So today, we reached out to his family, and they told us that the post-mortem reveals that the elderly gentleman - who had recently retired to Belize - died from blunt force trauma to the head, meaning that someone clubbed him. They told us that someone also broke his back in 2 separate places.
The Search for Kelvin Is Getting Desperate
Yesterday we told about 17-year-old Kelvin Usher who was reported missing on Sunday evening. He ran off on Sunday when the GSU arrested his father Cameron "Ras Ruben" Usher for marijuana cultivation in Lucky Strike Village.
But the case is not exactly straightforward - there are reports that the GSU fired on Kelvin Usher and others who Feld form the plantation. And that is why today there was a sense of urgency and alarm when a homegrown search party went to Lucky Strike on the old Northern Highway to try and find him. 7News was there and Sahar Vasquez reports:
Sahar Vasquez reporting:
Today, day three of the search for young Kelvin Usher continued. It was an army of people ranging from family members close and distant, to concerned classmates who took the day off from school to help in the search. Even villagers of Lucky Strike came out to assist in navigating the bush. And the police K-9 unit also came in.
Usher's mom and uncle were one of the many people who stood strong in organizing the search teams and more importantly keeping the faith that Kelvin is alive.
What if The Dam Breaks? This is What Happens Next
We have been following the aftermath of the two massive earthquakes in Mexico and the wreckage that Hurricane Maria left behind in the Caribbean, especially in the island nation of Dominica.
Well, NEMO and its partners want to ensure that if any such disasters hit Belize or nearby, they will be as ready as they can be. Today NEMO along with Belize Electricity Company Limited (BECOL) staged a multi-disaster simulation in Santa Elena and San Ignacio. It was a complete run through of their disaster plan from early morning warning messages to monitoring, and, of course, on the ground response. Courtney Weatherburne and cameraman Codie Norales went out west to be a part of the action. Here is that story.
What's With the Long Lines at the Northern Border?
Interests in the Corozal Free Zone are complaining about the excessive lines that were building up at the Santa Elena border in Corozal last week. As this video shows the line to cross over into Mexico stretch for more than half a mile and this was on Friday at a time which is not considered the rush hour.
They complain that only one immigration officer was checking the huge line - and that was causing the delay.
We were unable to get comment from the Immigration Department.
Some Stand Together In Sugar Industry
The standoff between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association and ASR/BSI continues and even with the opening of the cane harvest just a few short months away, neither side looks to be backing down from their position.
But, there is some consensus in the sugar industry - and that was evidenced today in a joint release from the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association.
They congratulate ASR/BSI for the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday of last week where they will invest 22 million dollars to increase the production of direct consumption sugars.
They note that this was, quote, "made possible due to the commitment our two associations�to the future of the sugar industry of Belize by agreeing to see out the current cane purchase agreement." end quote.
Belize Delegation Cementing Friendly Ties In Taiwan
Three cabinet ministers are presently on an official visit to Taiwan. They are led by Attorney General Mike Peyrefitte, and he is accompanied by Minister of Human Development, Anthony "Boots" Martinez; and Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams.
They arrived there on Monday and the trip ends on Friday.
They are meeting with Taiwan's National Immigration Agency, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, and the Workforce Development Agency in the Ministry of Labour. Before returning to Belize, the delegation will meet with representatives from the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Examination, and the Directorate-General of Personnel Administration.
An Overview of the Dominica Situation
The severity of impact that Hurricane Maria has had on Dominica becomes more apparent every day. The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States - of which Dominica is the poorest member - has gotten a firsthand assessment of the devastation in Dominica and has pledged to assist and is calling on others to do the same.
In a press conference today, the Commissioner of Grenada to the OECS detailed the horrific reality on the island - from the complete destruction of homes, schools, medical centers even roads have disappeared, not to mention the brutal effects on agriculture. Here is an excerpt from that briefing.
Sustainable Tourism Project - What It's Doing On Caye Caulker
The IDB Funded Sustainable Tourism Project II - launched in 2016 is all about implementing the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in new and emerging destinations such as Corozal District, Toledo, the Mountain Pine Ridge, and Caye Caulker.
Last week in Caye Caulker, the IDB and the Ministry of Tourism launched a signage project for the village - Country Manager Cassandra Rogers explained how it will work.
Cassandra Rogers, IDB Country Rep., Belize:
"A program which supports the improvements, restoration and diversification of local destinations such as Caye Caulker. We believe this is the right way to go in order to optimally harness Belize's tourism potential for wealth creation and sustainable growth and also to make sure that whatever is done is done in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. I feel confident that through this program we shall realize the possibilities that flow from strengthening destination planning and management and to ensure as much as possible that tourism is a benefit to the local community. Very important, and the local economy."
Diego and Frida, Love Beyond Politics
About a half an hour ago, the Mexican Embassy opened a double art exhibit, which they are inviting Belizeans to come out and enjoy.
The first is called "Frida & Diego: A Smile at the Crossroads", and it is a nod to two of the well-known Mexican artists artists whose work represents a key part of Mexican History. Frida Kahlo was a world-renown painter, who with her husband, Diego Riviera, who is Mexico's most celebrated muralists. they were also communists, using their art to push for social change.
But this latest shows doesn't focus on their politics, it instead looks into the lives of two powerful personalities.
We stopped by and spoke with the Mexican Embassy's Counsellor for Legal Affairs and Press. Here's what he had to say about this first exhibit:
Hon. Faber Learned Hard Lessons In September
And our last two items tonight - are a sort of farewell to the September Celebration season. First, we look at the remarks made by Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber who chaired the September Celebrations Commission for the first time this year. On Independence day, he conceded he had learned some tough lessons - including not to have the tenth day jump - up and parade on a Sunday:...
Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister:
"When I took in this task I had no idea what I was signing up for. I certainly thought it would have been on the easier side of the workload, but as it has turned out it has proven to be one of the more challenging segments of work. Such challenges included the need to amend the route of the carnival, hearing the church's plea for not celebrating the 10th on a Sunday and of course the Queen of the Bay debacle. But less you think that I am complaining on day when we ought to be celebrating, let me say that I am proud to have presided over an extensive lineup of patriotic events under the theme "Confronting challenges, celebrating triumphs - renewing our resolve.""
The Crown Thief
And of course you can't say Sayonara To September without re-visiting that Queen of the Bay craziness. That's when the double crowning happened - with Aaliyah Ysaguirre being crowned Queen at the front of the stage, while Pageant Committee Chair Zenaida Moya was crowning Esmeralda Cal simultaneously at the back of the stage. It was a first, but it wasn't the most audacious crowning comedy we've ever seen.
For that we had to go back in our archive to September of 2013 in Succotz Village when the queen of the Ms Independence Day pageant Yancy Bautista, attended the crowning ceremony, and chose not to participate because she got jilted out of her winner's package. She told on the side until she snatched the crown from the runner up just as they placed it on her head, and she ran off, breaking it. The Moya affair has nothing on that one.
Channel 5
Kelvin Usher Remains Missing; Family and Friends Fear Worst
A desperate search continues for missing seventeen-year-old Kelvin Usher.� Family, friends, students as well as the police searched an area in Lucky Strike off the old Northern Highway for hours [...]
Did G.S.U.'s Behaviour Contribute to Situation?
In Belize City, attorney Richard "Dickie" Bradley, who is defending Cameron Usher Senior and considers him a close friend, says the bigger tragedy than the discovery and burning of the [...]
First Chinese Grocer Murdered in Old Capital in 4 Years
Police are not providing details on the deadly shooting of a Chinese grocer in Belize City. Shortly before eight o'clock on Monday night, a robbery attempt turned fatal for Bainan [...]
Illegal Mahogany Loggers Out on Bail
Earlier today, a group of four illegal loggers appeared in the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court where each man was formally charged for unlawfully harvesting as many as thirty-two pieces of [...]
Karl Leslie Death Remains Mysterious
Was an elderly resident of Hattieville murdered or did he die of natural causes?� The family of Karl Leslie believes that their loved one may have been killed by someone [...]
Guns for Freedom?
Police making a routine traffic stop in Belize City on Saturday encountered twenty-seven-year-old Shayanne Castro, a Port Authority clerk, and her husband Wasani, found no evidence of firearms or ammunition [...]
Marijuana Law Subject to Misinterpretation
After introducing for a first reading the bill to decriminalize possession of ten grams or less of marijuana in the House of Representatives in August, Prime Minister Dean Barrow indicated [...]
Fine for 'Draw' Possession
That proposed marijuana amendment came up in court today when Errol Garbutt, a heavy equipment operator living on Racoon Street, Belize City who is planning to relocate to the US, [...]
Father Avoids Charge for Beating Daughter & Wife
Francisco Mejia of Santana village, Belize District, is lucky to avoid a criminal charge after his wife elected to withdraw charges of harm and threatening words. The charges arise from [...]
How to Avoid the Contagious 'Pink Eye'
Severe cases of conjunctivitis remain on the rise across the country, as infections among adults and children continue to spread.� Pink eye, as it is commonly known, is a swelling [...]
Hygiene and Prompt Treatment Important
Prevention of pink eye is partly by hand washing and treatment depends on the underlying cause.� In the majority of viral cases, there is no specific treatment; however, most cases [...]
Mexico Says Thanks for Earthquake Help
Two devastating earthquakes struck central and south-western Mexico in succession between September seventh and nineteenth. Between them they have caused more than four hundred deaths and extensive material damage. As [...]
In Cayo, NEMO Prepares for Multi-Disaster Scenario
The National Emergency Management Organization led a simulation exercise for a multi-disaster and emergency response scenario involving a break in a dam along with other scenarios happening at the same [...]
The Ordinary Lives of Extraordinary Artistes Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo
At this hour, the Mexican Embassy in Belize is unveiling two separate photographic exhibits at the Mexican Institute of Cooperation in Belize City as part of their year-long celebration of [...]
A Trip Through Mexico's Exotic Architecture
The other exhibit is photographs of major infrastructure in ten Mexican cities from Zacatecas in the north to the capital, Mexico City, to Campeche in the south. These are the [...]
CTV3
Belize Strengthens Ties With Taiwan
A Belizean delegation comprised of Attorney General, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Anthony Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, Hon. Beverly Williams and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office, Dorian Pakeman travelled to the Republic of China in Taiwan on an official visit to further strengthen the longstanding partnership that exist between both parties.
On Sunday September 24th, the delegation met with the National Immigration Agency where issues involving immigration policy, border protection, and human trafficking were discussed. A courtesy call was made to the Embassy of Belize where the contingent met a group of Belizean students enrolled in universities in Taiwan.
CSCPA And PSCA Congratulate BSI/ASR For 22 Million Dollars Investment
Nine days after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association announced its intention to move forward with its proposed twenty two million dollar investment to expand the tower hill factory to increase the production of Direct consumption sugars and broke ground for the new three hundred thousand ton storage unit, the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers association today issued a joint press release congratulating BSI/ASR for their commitment to Belize's Sugar Industry.
Viewers may remember that following the ceremonies held last week both the CSCPA and the PSCPA refused to give comment as the two associations who had openly accepted the proposed investment by agreeing to see out the current cane purchase agreement, and did not do so until today's release.
Belizean Film Selected For An Oscar
"Yochi" a Belizean Film and the winner of the best short film at the 2016 Belize International Film Festival has been selected for an Oscar- Qualifying theatrical run, making it the first film ever made in Belize to be considered for an Academy Award.
'Yochi' is a short film written and directed by award- winning new Mexico film maker Llana Lapid and entirely filmed in Belize featuring an entirely Belizean Cast. The short film is a story with a strong wildlife conservation message in which the growing issue of poaching is highlighted in a small country like Belize.
LOVE FM
Teenager Missing, Family Concerned
The family and friends continue to struggle with how the police have been handling the investigation into the incident that led to the disappearance of seventeen year old Kelvin Usher. Another detail that has them puzzled surrounds a phone call that Usher's sister, Leniqua Usher received on Monday. She says a police officer from the [�]
Armed robbery leaves Chinese businessman dead
Fifty eight year old Bainan Wu was shot to the left temple last night. It happened at around 7:40pm while he was in his store on Santa Barbara Street in Belize City. He was rushed to the KHMH where he died. Investigators believe that the motive was robbery. This is the second armed robbery of [�]
Leslie Family still seeking answers
The family of 78 year old Karl Leslie believes that he was murdered and robbed by someone he knew. Leslie was found dead in his bedroom at his house in the East Windmill Area of Hattieville shortly after nine o'clock in the night on September 14th. As we have reported, the police initially said that [�]
Is BELCOGEN experiencing financial problem?
The preferential rate that Belize has enjoyed over the years from its biggest consumer, the European Union EU, will come to an end when the EU changes its sugar regime at the end of this month. In preparation for that, ASR/BSI held a ground-breaking event last Monday to demonstrate their commitment to meeting the challenges [�]
Cane farmers associations back ASR/BSI to overcome sugar challenge
The Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association and the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association are congratulating ASR/BSI on its strategic step to help address the challenges the Sugar Industry will face in a week's time when its loses its preferential rate with the European Union. The strategic step referred to by both associations is last week's [�]
Immigration Director to appear for the third time before the Senate Hearing
The Senate Hearing resumes tomorrow after taking a week off. Two persons are scheduled to make an appearance. The current Immigration Officer Diana Locke is set to make her third appearance and she is expected to be followed by the current Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Immigration, Edmund Zuniga. It is expected that [�]
Belize Delegation in Taiwan
Belizean delegation led by Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte is in the Republic of China, Taiwan. Peyrefitte is joined by Minister of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation Anthony Martinez, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Immigration, with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Williams and Director of the Government of Belize Press Office, [�]
Ministry of Education puts schools on alert
In yesterday's newscast, we told you that conjunctivitis better known as pink eye is increasing at an alarming rate. To date, the Ministry of Health has recorded a total of 1,108 cases. In light of the high amount of cases, the Ministry of Education today issued a memorandum to all teachers, reminding them that they [�]
Search for Kelvin Usher continues
Seventeen-year-old Kelvin Keyon Jahiem Usher remains missing and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance have raised numerous suspicions of foul play on the part of the police. For starters, Usher was along with his father 41-year-old Cameron Kelvin Usher who was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana on Sunday. Now while the police issued a [�]
Honoring our Elders
The elderly's toil and sweat afford us the comforts we enjoy today. Yet on some occasions they receive little appreciation for all they have done. Many are abandoned and forgotten while others become the target of crimes. Helpage of Belize is urging all Belizeans to be kind to our senior citizens, especially during this week [�]