Today's Belize News: March 1, 2018

Print Thread

Today's Belize News: March 1, 2018 #529128 03/01/18 06:31 AM 03/01/18 06:31 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 83,968 oregon, spr Marty OP .
Marty OP	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 San Pedro R.C School hosts Cultural Day The San Pedro Roman Catholic School hosted their annual Cultural Day Fair on Friday, February 23rd. Throughout the day students represented various cultural groups found in the country, including the Mestizo, East Indian, Maya, Creole, Mennonite, Garinagu, and Lebanese among others. Parents and visitors were invited to the campus to observe the wide display of cultural booths. Each booth featured an ethnic group and spectators learned about the history, language, clothing, lifestyle, dances and sample the most popular dishes of each the culture represented. Later in the afternoon, guests enjoyed various cultural dance performances such as the popular Chinese Dragon Dance, Creole Bruk-down, Jankunu, and traditional East Indian dances. GOB explains shortages of fuel and cash flow amidst allegations of money issues Amidst the rumors that the Government of Belize (GOB) has maxed its 2017/2018 fiscal year budget, resulting in the shortage of fuel to the country due to unpaid arrears and a dire cash flow position threatening public workers’ salaries, two press releases were issued on Sunday, February 25th explaining the questionable situation. In the official statements, GOB stated that the shortages of fuel to the country have nothing to do with the inability to pay and that the country’s cash flow is under control. According to sources, a tanker positioned in front of Belize City loaded with almost half a million gallons of diesel and around 300,000 gallons of jet fuel is yet to be unloaded due to GOB not paying its bills. In their official note on Sunday, GOB declared that the temporary delay in the replenishment of fuel is not attributed to the government’s inability to pay. Island athletes win BVA male Beach Volleyball Tournament 1st Stop San Pedro’s athletes Jason Cabral and Badyr Sajia won the male championship for the Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) Beach Volleyball Tournament 1st stop, held on Sunday, February 11th at Old Belize’s Kukumba Beach located on George Price Highway. Among the competition were also San Pedro’s Luis “Ricky” Luna and Gabriel “Gaby” Nuñez, who previously represented Belize at the Central American Games. The BVA Beach volleyball Tournament 1st Stop featured 12 female and male teams from across the country. Shantell Arnol and Nelissa Ramirez were the champions for the female category. The BVA Beach volleyball Tournament 1st Stop sponsors included: SMART Belize, Old Belize, Kukumba Beach, Amber Sunset Jungle Resort, MVP Awards and Agua Magica. Ambergris Today South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch Holds Successful Clean Up On Saturday morning, February 24, 2018, bright and early, members and friends of the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (SACNW) were out in full force for a cleanup of the south end of the island. The group cleaned from Victoria House to the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site entrance where more than 30 adults and children filled a dump truck with garbage bags and miscellaneous items discarded along the road and beach. Items including toilet and bug zapper to truck tires and more, there was plenty to think about when wondering why people want to dirty up our beautiful Isla Bonita. A Pod Of False Killer Whales "Lost" In Belize’s Shallow Coastline The Fisheries Department is aware of the recent presence of a pod of false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens) within the Drowned Cayes to Spanish Bay area. The Department is in communication with Dr. Diana Reiss (Colombia University) and NOAA in coordinating the best approach for a rescue attempt of the animals. Through NOAA, the Belize Fisheries Department is in contact with the US Stranding Network and hope to have a plan, based on the advice of the experts over the next day or two. With the assistance of NOAA, it is anticipated that Belize will benefit from the presence of experts and veterinarians. Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve To Hosts Spring Equinox Event The Marco Gonzalez Maya Site Non-Profit Organization happily invites the public to celebrate All Things New at their Spring Equinox Event to take place on Sunday, March 18, 2018 at the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve. At 10am Maya Priest Mr. Martin Choc will officiate a blessing of the Reserve as well as extending it to our island. If anyone has a birthday, anniversary or “just married”, they can request a special blessing from the Priest. Following the Official blessing, the festivities begin in celebration of spring. Following the Blessing, there will be a dance performance from the Masewal Maya Dancers from Yo Creek, demonstrations of pod-to-bean-to-chocolate from Belize Chocolate Co., an artifact display hosted by San Pedro House of Culture and site tours offered by Belize Institute of Archaeology and Dr. Kay McCarron. Misc Belizean Sources Paint N Splash See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday. January 2018 External Trade & Consumer Price Index The Statistical Institute of Belize’s latest statistics on consumer prices show that the All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 105 for the month of January 2018, an increase from 104.1 in January of 2017 (see Figure 1). This means that, for the first month of the year, the average Belizean household experienced a 0.9 percent rise in the cost of regularly purchased good and services compared to the same month of last year. Total domestic exports for January 2018 amounted to $25.7 million, down 25.5 percent or $8.8 million when compared to the $34.5 million recorded for January 2017 (see Figure 3). Proposed Caye Caulker Crafts Market Last night we attended a Local Tourism Committee meeting at the community center. Your input for the craft market is needed. Big red flag was that septic tanks are no longer acceptable on islands and an imagine of one is included. 2018 Street Art Festival at Belize City So awesome!! Our students have won the 2nd and 3rd Place for Sidewalk Chalk Competition. This is a long hours competition but they all like it. Thank you to NICH Tourism on the Rise! 2018 Outlook and Opportunities 2017 was a prosperous year for tourism in Belize, with 2018 promising to be even better! With a unique blend of culture, rich inland natural resources and crystal blue waters with the world’s second largest Barrier Reef, Belize offers investors an ideal recipe for unprecedented growth and success in Tourism! Guided by the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030, the tourism industry continues to contribute an upward of 40% of Belize’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), overnight tourism grew by 10.8% to 427,109 visitors in 2017 when compared to 2016. This exceeded the population size of Belize and represents a continuous vote of confidence from Belize’s overnight tourists stemming primarily from the U.S., Europe, and Canada. Cruise arrivals, also, grew in 2017 by 3.7% to 1,014,231 visitors when compared to 2016. Based on the recent opening of the Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Cruise Port at Harvest Caye in Southern Belize and continued national cruise tourism growth, the total number of ship calls increased by a sizeable 13% to 336 calls in 2017. Jah - Nah smoothies in Corozal Jah - Nah smoothies is relocated where Gimar's use to be in Corozal. You can't get lost because we are located across from the Central Park. Jah -Nah sells smoothies for 3$ @ up such as: strawberry, banana, chocolate, pineapple, papaya and more. Other stuffs we sell aside: paletas, marshmellos, chocobanana, nachos for 3$ and up. Stop by today abd try our best smothies in town. Nat'l Heroes and Benefactors Day at the George Price Center Celebrate the 9th with an exciting and insightful look into the lives of two of Belize's Heroes. March 9, 9am-3pm 2nd Annual Benefit Concert Hosted by Sunshine Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser for Sunshine Scholarship Foundation. Friday, March 2 at 5 PM - 11 PM, Palapa Bar and Grill Boca Del Rio (over the water), San Pedro Fostering Development through the Sustainable Tourism Programmes (STP I & II) In 2008, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), funded the Sustainable Tourism Programme I (STP I: 2009- 2014), which invested in nine tourist destinations to strengthen the tourism industry’s contribution to the national economy, by consolidating the overnight tourism market with investment and activities to enhance the Belizean tourism experience. STP I allowed for the development of the National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan 2030, setting forth a national development policy and destination planning for key tourism destinations such as Cayo, Placencia, Belize City and Ambergris Caye. Corozal Junior College Annual Expo Trade Fair Friday March 16, 9am-4pm. Comedy Show Starring Brad Reeder clock Wednesday, March 14 at 8 PM - 11 PM, Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar. Corner of Angel Coral (Back Street) & Pelican St., Upstairs on corner, San Pedro. Don't miss a night of laughter and fun with our professional stand up comedy show, starring Brad Reeder, March 14 at 8:00 p.m. Brad has been seen on Showtime, Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central, and he has opened for Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, to name a few, and now he brings his razor-sharp wit to San Pedro! Also on the show, Gains Kelly from the World Series of Comedy and Rob Burrows from Crazy Canucks. Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar, Corner of Angel Coral (Back Street) & Pelican St., Upstairs on corner, San Pedro, Belize Live Music with Terryl Godoy clock Friday, March 2 at 6 PM - 9 PM. Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar. Wind down your week at Iguana Juan's with live reggae from island favorite Terryl Godoy - [email protected], and enjoy our $25 Burger, Beer and Beats special: any burger on our menu and a Belikin or Lighthouse for only $25 BZD! Iguana Juan's Restaurant & Bar, Corner of Angel Coral (Back Street) & Pelican St., Upstairs on corner, San Pedro, Belize BEL roots out utility poles from 7th Avenue in Corozal These have become redundant in their efforts of upgrading Corozal Town to their new electrical grid system. 7th Avenue looks a lot cleaner in the absence of those unsightly utility poles. The public is asked to exercise caution when travelling on 7th Avenue today. Water outage in Belize City Today Belize Water Services informs customers in parts of Belize City, that there will be interruptions in the water supply today, March 1, 2018, starting at 1:00pm. The areas to be affected include Racoon Street and all the area that is bounded to the North by the North Side Canal, to the East & South by the Caribbean Sea, and to the West by the Belize River. These interruptions are necessary for the installation of new water mains. Due to the upgrades, customers may experience low water pressure and/or discoloration in their water supply when water is restored. Motorists are advised that Racoon Street will be closed from Dolphin Street to Central American Boulevard. Schools to be affected include St. Mary’s Primary School, St. Catherine Academy, Queen Street Baptist, and Holy Redeemer Primary School. Customers are advised that water is expected to be fully restored by 5:00pm. If they experience water supply problem after that time, they should immediately call our BWS hot line at 0-800-CALL-BWS to report it. Mainline to be repaired on Philip Goldson Highway Today Belize Water Services informs motorists that repairs will be conducted on a 24” Mainline at Mile 13 of the Philip Goldson Highway, today, Thursday, March 1, 2018, starting at 8:30am. Water supply is not expected to be interrupted; however, motorists are advised that traffic will be reduced to one lane near Mile 13. Please drive with extreme caution when travelling through this area of the Philip Goldson Highway. Traffic should be restored to normal by 5:00pm. BWS apologizes for any inconvenience this will cause to motorists but ensures that the job will be completed in a safe and efficient manner. Channel 7 Boots On The Defence Against Claims of A Hustle Scheme It's a week to go before elections, and UDP Minister of Human Development Anthony Boots Martinez is on the hot seat tonight. One of his former employees, Kirk Lamb is accusing him of setting up a scheme to profit from the public purse. Lamb, who Martinez fired back in October after he was caught stealing, has an interesting story. He says he was a lifelong Boots Martinez supporter - who the Minister allegedly set up to pose as a contractor under the Poverty Alleviation program. Lamb says an account in his name at the St. John's Credit Union would get credited by Government for building low income houses - and then he would kick the money back to Martinez. It's quite a claim, alleging a major high level hustle - and to prove it, Lamb has produced a bank account in his name showing the receipts of thousands of dollars in voucher payments - money which was often withdrawn on the same day. There is no proof, however, of any of it was transferred to Martinez. Alleged Homeland Security List Is Bogus Last night our headline was about a sensational document - supposedly from the US Department of Homeland Security - which listed over 50 police officers who have been placed on a watchlist. Yesterday - a source only showed us the list on a portable device - and gave us a few minutes to review it. Well tonight, we have the original Word document in our possession - and we can tell you that it is BOGUS. That's right - the document appears to be a case of quite creative mischief. It has none of the elements of an official document - no signature, date or seal. And, because it is an open document, it can be manipulated to delete the Homeland Security logo header, or add any name you please. Definitely not official, and definitely very suspect. DPM Says GOB Ain’t Broke Earlier this week we told you about the panic memo from Financial Secretary Joe Waight. He was fending off CEO's who are scraping for end of the fiscal year budgetary windfalls. Waight warns the CEO's, quote, "there is no money in the bank…we will likely have to issue (Treasury) Notes to meet the early end of year payday next month. Our debt is already at 100% of GDP and rising. If we continue on this path we will certainly crash." That is a dire warning if ever there was one, but since it went public, Government has been doing its best to spin the message in another direction, to make it seem that the Fin. Sec. was acting out of the usual abundance of caution, rather than true desperation. Armed Robber Foiled At Golden Bay There was a shooting just a short while ago around the corner from our studio. It happened on East Canal, in front of the hotspot known as Wax House. Our team is on the scene and we have confirmed that one person was shot and rushed to the hospital. More on this later. Also, this evening at about 5:00 pm - there was an armed robbery attempt at the Golden Bay store on Marine Parade. Reports say that a lone gunman tried to enter the store at closing time - but he ran into the store's very heavy security detail and had to beat a hasty retreat, after firing a shot. No one was harmed, and the man escaped in a waiting van. Police were on the scene of both shootings immediately after. Cabinet: Police Picture-Taking A No-No Two weeks we told you about the police practice of snapping cell phone pictures of persons who they stopped and searched. Police press officer, Senior Superintendent Bart Jones - who is also an attorney - told the media that it's a useful tool - to assist police investigations, and to even ensure that persons are not beaten by police. But, section 19 of the police act makes it precisely clear when and where police can take photographs of civilians. Those persons must be in lawful custody - not at a checkpoint or a stop and search. And that's the same way the Attorney General feels about it - and according to his Cabinet colleague, that's just what he told them last week: Boots Has No Words For Ex’s Alleged Remarks On Secret Recording Martinez was also asked to answer about the remarks allegedly made by his ex-wife now UDP councillor candidate Noreen Martinez. She was allegedly captured in a secret recording speaking very disparagingly about UDP party officials and her ex - husband. Today, Boots would only say he has been divorced a long time:... Hon. Boots Martinez: "First thing let me clarify, I am divorce since 2004 and I don't know about what was said. I hear the ad, but it's very distorted. I don't pay attention [to that]." NTUCB Bex with UNCAC Process On last week Friday's newscast, we told you how the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) was going to be delayed until mid-July. Belize is ready for the next step of the implementation process, which is a country visit from experts representing the UNCAC nations Haiti and Tuvalu. But, because the experts from Tuvalu did not get the required travel documents to get to Belize for a February visit. So, it's been pushed back by 5 months, and today the National Trade Union Congress of Belize sent out a press release complaining bitterly about the delay. Finally, Columbus School of Medicine Comes Through The Columbus Central University School of Medicine near the entrance of the PGIA in Ladyille is in the news again tonight. You may remember COLA's 2017 protest in front of the school - President Geovannie Brackett and fellow activist Raymond Rivers led that demonstration saying that the school is a fake and just a front for some shady operation. Well today, there was no protest in front of the school to disrupt it's "white coat event". It is pretty much a symbolic ceremony to welcome the students into the medical field. Students from the Washington University of Health and Science at the San Pedro campus also attended the event. We dropped by and the President told us more about the schools. Minister of Education Patrick Faber also commented on what this event says about the legitimacy of the school. Cops Harassing Her Son? A Ladyville mother says police keep harassing her 17 year old son. Joy Belazaire told us today that it started on Sunday when police detained her son in Orange Walk for driving a stolen motorcycle with no license. Belazaire says that her son did not know the motorcycle was stolen because a friend just lent him the cycle. But somehow her son's name was called up in Ladyville in relation to a separate incident. She says this is not the first time police have detained her son and she has had it. Here is what she had to say. Joy Belazaire, Mother: "Monday evening while I was in Orange Walk to deal with my son the officer told me that after he is finished charging him with.... The officer tell me that they would charge him for handling stolen goods and 3 traffic offense and well he say after he done a charge him they still can't release him..." He Allegedly Home-Invaded 92 Year Old Two weeks ago, we told you about 23 year-old Floyd Escarpeta, who was remanded to the Belize Central Prison for allegedly breaking into the Coastal Road home of 92 year-old Modesto Bardalez. Well tonight, he has a co-accused, who was arraigned today at the Magistrate's Court. He's 23 Elton Bowen, a resident of Gales Point Manatee, and he was arraigned today before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer today on the charges of burglary and theft. Police say that on February 16, he and Escarpeta allegedly broke into the elderly man's home at mile 16 and three quarter on the Coastal Road. They then stole several household items and personal documents - as well as Bardarlez's pickup truck, which was recovered with Escarpeta's help. Close Call with Oil Tanker In Village For the past two days we've been telling you about all those fuel tankers coming overland from Guatemala with fuel. Well, one of them was involved in a traffic accident this morning in Cotton Tree village. It happened right in front of the village school and it could have been serious because of the volatile cargo - but thankfully it was not. At mile 44 on the George Price Highway a towhead rear ended one of the tankers. It was not a high speed collision, but the two head still got badly mashed up and had to be removed with a front end loader. It happened right at the highway's rush hour around 7:30 AM - and traffic had to be diverted through a back road in Cotton Tree. The Fire Department had the highway closed off while the vehicles were removed. Solar Pump Water System For San Victor Residents of San Victor village in the Corozal District will be getting access to clean fresh water tomorrow. And more than that, they will get it with a high tech solar water pump. Government with funding from the Caribbean Development Bank upgraded and expanded the water system. Water will be available for over 200 homes, school, and churches. The total cost of the project was $831 thousand dollars. The solar powered pump will be able to utilize two days of sunlight to fill the tank. Mayor Bradley, Very Good At Goodbye’s You know those love songs about it being "hard to say goodbye", or about a lover who was "never good at goodbye's"? Well, Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley…he's not that guy; in fact, he's VERY good at saying goodbye - so much so that he keeps doing it! That was confirmed today when he had his third farewell event. Today was his last day in office - and the mayor had a small ceremony for his councillors and the media. He couldn't leave without saying a few more words to his employees and city. Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "How are you feeling at this point?" Darrel Bradley, Former Mayor of Belize City: "Well, you kind of feel good. People have indicated to me that we did a good job that, of course, has a great degree of satisfaction. I mentioned in my presentation that I regularly go to BTL Park. I am there with my son and family. I see other people enjoying the space. I see other people enjoying the infrastructure that we have contributed to building. It gives you a certain amount of satisfaction that what you have done for six years worthwhile to some people." A Park With Purpose The Government of Belize is collaborating with the UNDP and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund for an infrastructure upgrade of the Teodocio Ochoa Park in Cayo. The UN India Fund has given Belize a grant of $590,000 US to build several facilities on the park lands. It includes a multi-purpose facility for the new "San Ignacio Community, Exercise, Social Sports, and Women's Group Feeding Programme Complex." A press release from the Government says that an estimated 4,000 residents from San Ignacio and Santa Elena will benefit. The complex will also serve as a centre for a food pantry program. A launching ceremony was held at the park yesterday, and here's what the main speakers had to say about this new program: Inflation Was Up 1% in January, 2018 There was a 1% increase in inflation in January. This is according to the Statistical Institute of Belize which says that for the first month of the year, the average Belizean household had to pay 0.9 percent more for regularly purchased goods and services compared to the same month last year. This was mainly caused by an increase in fuel prices. In contrast, several meat products, including ground beef, pork chops, whole chicken and pigtail, together with eggs and milk reported lower prices for the month of January 2018 in comparison to January 2017 Channel 5 Misused or Just Used? Kirk Lamb and Minister Boots Face Off Between July of 2016 and October of 2017, when he was terminated, the first of several regular payments by journal voucher, for eight thousand two hundred dollars, was deposited to [...] S.J.C.U. Cites Client Confidentiality on Lamb’s Account This afternoon, Saint John’s Credit Union which is named as the institution where the deposits were made into Lamb’s account issued a brief release stating it will not be providing [...] P.U.P. Cries Shame on Port Loyola Rep While on the ground in Port Loyola, the P.U.P. were sure to put their two cents in on the revelations made by Kirk Lamb on Tuesday night. Standard bearer Gilroy [...] Housing for the Poor is Not for the Government Minister “Boots” Martinez carefully distinguished between the non-governmental organization Housing for the Poor and the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project, the former of which Kirk Lamb claimed he deposited monies given [...] Why Special Effects Tires are the Best for Ministry of Works The 2012-13 general audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Institution listed numerous instances of mismanagement and improper practice in several ministries of government, most notably Works and Education. Under the [...] Tankers Crash on Highway but PUMA Oil Still Coming In A fuel crisis has been averted for now, even though a PDVSA tanker is in the harbour waiting to unload. It is claimed that government owes PDVSA, but that allegation [...] U.S. Has ‘Blacklist’ of Officers for Training, but Not by Homeland Security A number of officers of various ranks within the Belize Police Department are barred from participating in law enforcement programs funded by the United States government. Contrary to reports made [...] Visa Issues Also a Concern It was reported some time ago that the U.S. had canceled the visas of officers of various ranks for their alleged involvement in illegal activities. So does the most recent [...] On Sarstoon, Elrington Warns of ‘Crying Wolf’ A recent expedition to the Sarstoon involving a team of reporters from Belize and Guatemala ended in a confrontation with members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces. The attempt to travel [...] Trade Unions Issue Blast on UNCAC Postponement The National Trade Union Congress of Belize is preparing for its annual general meeting this coming weekend in Dangriga Town. But one of the issues it will be discussing is [...] Darrell Bradley is Mayor No More; His Final Bow at City Hall The end of the mayorship of Darrell Bradley came today. At a ceremony this afternoon, Bradley handed over the responsibility of the city to Administrator Candice Miller. The act ends [...] Bernard Wagner, P.U.P. Begin Final Election Sprint in Port Loyola Just hours after speaking with its area representative, News Five was back in the Port Loyola division for our final story in the ‘On the Campaign Trail’ series, introducing you [...] Prices and Imports Up, Exports Down The prices of consumer goods went up by almost one percent in the month of January. That’s according to the Statistical Institute of Belize. The SIB released its quarterly figures [...] A Tour Operator’s Terrifying Encounter with Senior Policeman Richard McDonald, a tour operator of Belize City, is accusing a senior police officer of assaulting him inside the Police Department’s headquarters at Raccoon Street five weeks ago. Because the [...] Richard McDonald Pursues Criminal, Legal Action McDonald was detained and the senior officer indicated he would be booked for committing a mischievous act. But when he went to court the following Monday, officials there told him [...] Former B.D.F. Soldier Charged in Monday Night Shooting Former soldier of the Belize Defence Force Kareem Beeks is accused of the attempted murder of Akeem Requeña on Monday night, February twenty-sixth, near Gibnut Street. Beeks was previously in [...] Art Takes over Albert Street The street art festival held in the city yearly has been growing by leaps and bounds. This year, there were more artists, more art in many forms, entertainment and food [...] Sarawee Thirsts for Water The community of Sarawee is a small village on the fringes of Dangriga with just over three hundred residents. With the dry season now underway, the shortage of potable water [...] CTV3 Is SIB In Financial Troubles? At the top of the newscast we told you about the increase in the cost of living for the month of January. We now move over to the total amount of imports recorded for January 2018. SIB figures illustrate that imports saw a growth of 5.9 percent or close to $8 million, landing at a sum of $144.2 million in comparison to January 2017 which recorded only $136.2 million. During this same period, several categories experienced a significant increase such as the ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’ category which rose by 64 percent or $8.1 million, from $12.5 million to $20.6 million due to large quantities of imported fuel. The ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ category was up by almost one-fourth or $6.3 million to $32.4 million this year primarily attributed to higher spending on farming equipment. While the ‘Export Processing Zones’ doubled as opposed to last year, soaring from $1.8 million to $4.1 million. Prime Minister Visits UDP Town Council Slate In The North Confirmed reports are that Prime Minister Dean Barrow visited the northern towns yesterday. If you’re wondering how come you missed the fanfare, the political rallies, the high level security detail and grandiose speeches of the best is yet to come, it’s because there was none. Reliable sources are that PM Barrow came to Orange Walk Town and Corozal Town for clandestine political meetings with his two Town Council slates. In those meetings, he discussed their election campaigns and election preparedness. LOVE FM Minor oil spill on highway Last night, two trucks entered Belize from Guatemala containing oil heading to the Puma facility in Belize, when they collided on the George Price Highway in front of the primary school in Cotton Tree Village. As a result of the incident, we understand that there was an oil spill. The Ministry of the Environment was … NTUCB questions the government seriousness about UNCAC In December 2016, Belize became the 184th member to sign onto the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). A working visit was scheduled by government experts from Haiti and Tuvalu which is vital to the implementation of UNCAC. Last Friday, a press release was issued from the press office stating that the trip scheduled for … It is time to end Domestic Violence! Earlier this month, 46-year-old Hermelinda Pinks Emmanuel and her husband 43-year-old Jason Emmanuel were found dead in their home. It is alleged that Hermelinda died at the hands of her husband Jason Emmanuel who later turned the gun on himself. The tragedy sent shock-waves through the community and left us with more questions than answers. … Cabinet calls police profiling illegal Cabinet addressed the issue of the Belize Police Department profiling members of the public in its meeting this week. Many complaints and concerns were raised when Police began taking pictures of people and their personal information at checkpoints. Attorney and former Senator Lisa Shoman was among the first to speak out against the issue, calling … Minister accused of shady business Minister Martinez also addressed a scandal that arose this week. He has been accused of using bank accounts belonging to his employees to transfer monies from government and then having them withdraw the monies and then hand over to him. The allegation is being made by his former employee, Kirk Lamb who says that he … Problems with housing project in Port Loyola? But that’s not the only allegation against the Area Representative for Port Loyola. There are allegations that the Taiwanese Embassy has asked the Prime Minister to investigate Minister Martinez on the housing project in his division. The Minister denied the allegation. Anthony Martinez – Area Representative, Port Loyola “The South Side project the sponsor for … No one accountable for repairs to damages of newly installed lamp posts A number of minor accidents have happened along the recently renovated stretch of the Philip Goldson Highway past the Haulover Bridge, between miles seven and eight. One of these accidents happened at the start of this week, and while none of the accidents resulted in major injuries to drivers, it has caused damages to at … Area Rep. for Port Loyola focused on municipals Belize is presently at the height of the political season as the March 7 Municipal elections near and the political camps have been relentless with their campaigns, sometimes turning nasty. One of the political advertisements that has been circulated is one where UDP Councilor Candidate Noreen Martinez, and who was formerly married to Minister Anthony … Two months into the New Year has seen over 20 murders Despite efforts to solve the crime problem, crime in Belize has been edging up with each passing year. The total number of homicides for 2015 stood at one hundred and nineteen, in 2016 that number increased by nineteen bringing it to one-hundred and thirty-eight and in 2017 it went up even further to one hundred … Carmelita Gov’t School gets new building Earlier in the week, the Government of Belize inaugurated a new school building for the Carmelita Government School in the Orange Walk District. The infrastructure development comes at a total cost of one million and one hundred and ninety seven thousand dollars. It was made possible through a grant from the Caribbean Development Bank with … Darrell Bradley delivers his last speech as Belize City Mayor Today Darrell Bradley gave his last speech as the Mayor of Belize City. Bradley says that according to the law, the council must dissolve at the last day of February so this evening he passed on the council’s responsibilities to City Administrator Candice Burke. More charges to be levied against Mexican trio soon Belize City police say they will charge 27 year old Belen Hernandez, 26 year old Jacson Jafet and 31 year old Leonel Rodriguez for additional crimes. The Mexican trio was busted while in Corozal Town with 60 stolen international credit cards and a substantial amount of monies. They all have been charged with theft of about one hundred thousand dollars which they had been withdrawing from different ATMs across the country since last year November. Tonight they remain behind bars as investigators prepare to lay more charges against them. On Tuesday Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo updated the media. Cycling Federation tentatively sets date for elections The Cycling Federation of Belize has tentatively set April 28 as the date it will carry out elections for its executive. The announcement was made by the Federation’s Vice President Orson Butler last week via the Federation’s Facebook Page. The announcement comes after some cyclists raise concerns over the management of the Federation and the sport. Belize and India partner for infrastructural development Yesterday the Governments Belize and India partnered to launch an infrastructural project that will be funded by the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The infrastructure projects will upgrade the Youth Challenge Programme facilities and construct a new San Ignacio Community Exercise, Social Sports, and Women’s Group Feeding Programme Complex. The project is valued at a little over 1.1 million dollars. Sugar Industry stalkholders express concerns to SICB Love News has obtained a letter dated February 23 and sent to the Chairman of the Sugar Industry Control Board, (SICB) Gabriel Martinez. The copy of the letter we received is signed by Chairman of the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association, Salvador Martin, Chairman of the Corozal Sugar Cane Producers Association, Elvis Canul, Chairman of the Progressive Sugar Cane Producers Association, Tiburcio Acosta and Cane Farmers Relations Manager, Olivia Avilez. Belize and Andorra establish diplomatic relations On Monday Belize officially established diplomatic relations with Andorra, an independent European microstate situated between France and Spain. The diplomatic relationship was officially instituted following the signing of an official Protocol. It is expected that mutual cooperation and friendship between Belize and Andorra will be enhanced as bilateral cooperation, including tourism, will be explored. Andorra is significantly smaller than Belize. A 2017 estimation puts its population at 73, 000. Its area is 180 square miles. PlusTV SaraWee Man dies while in police custody Another person is dead after being in the custody of police officers. On Saturday February 24th, 44 year old Humphrey Mitchel died as a result of head and body injuries. According to police, they detained Mitchel in Sarawee Village on the strength of a commitment warrant and placed him in the pan of... 6 BDF soldiers and one cop arrested for murder Seven BDF soldiers and one police officer have been arrested for murder. On Saturday February 24th, police arrested and charged 29 year old Police Constable Lennart Cajun who is assigned to Special Patrol Unit and BSAG. Along with the police officer 6 BDF soldiers were also charged with the murde... Blogs Life In Belize Moves At A Slower Pace, And That’s Just Fine With Us “It’s just by chance we discovered Ambergris Caye, when a much-needed rest drew us to the island for a vacation. But it’s the natural beauty that kept us coming back year after year and eventually deciding to move here permanently,” says Dawn Schick. After years of 16-hour days as owners and operators of a Victorian B&B and cupcake shop in Richmond, Virginia, the easygoing lifestyle of San Pedro, on the island of Ambergris Caye, Belize, is just what she and her husband, Albert, were looking for. “We’d been vacationing here several times a year for more than six years and decided this would be our eventual retirement home. But after years of hard work in the restaurant and hospitality industry, we thought, why wait until ‘someday,’? Why not take the plunge right now?” Dawn explains. St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park No one is quite sure who Saint Herman was, but today, his famous cave is located inside one of Belize's most beautiful national parks. Officially known as St. Herman's National Park, this pristine natural area measures more than 500 acres (200 ha) in size and includes several incredible caves. The park is also home to the Blue Hole, sometimes known as the Inland Blue Hole to distinguish it from the Belize Blue Hole located offshore at Lighthouse Reef. The Inland Blue Hole is one of Belize's greatest natural landmarks. Almost perfectly circular, the Blue Hole is located in the middle of the rainforest. Formed naturally following the collapse of an underground cave, the sapphire waters of the Blue Hole are the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim on a hot day. How a 2 hour town errand turned into 5 hours….Oh San Pedro, we love you! It’s that time of year again in San Pedro. The time of year when those nasty ticks like to find a nice furry home. Their favorite spot this past week? Lisa did her best to find and remove as many critters as she could, but it’s always best to leave the final tick inspection and removal to the experts at the San Pedro Animal Hospital. We made an appointment for 9:00 and believe it or not, we showed up on time! The US And Belize Governments Join Together To Help Preserve Our Maya Heritage You can understand why we loudly and vigorously applaud the memorandum of understanding between the US and Belizean governments that was signed February 23, 2018. Officially titled the “Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Imposition of Import Restriction on Archaeological Material of Belize” the agreement identifies trafficking in artefacts as a serious international offence. That little jade bead the friendly guy in the bar offers you? Maybe a shard of coloured pottery? Or a spear point? Taking it out of Belize can put you in a world of trouble. And while smuggling artefacts out of Belize has always been a crime, there will now be greater scrutiny, and greater penalties for doing so. Chaa Creek And Inland Belize Meet Boston TV Yes, we like Boston, so it’s great news to know that Boston likes Chaa Creek. For proof, check out this newscast on popular Beantown ABC television station WCVB TV channel 5, where reporter Anthony Everett starts out extolling the virtues of Ambergris Caye before informing his viewers that: “But the coast isn’t the nation’s only calling card. Belize is in fact a many splendored thing. It’s the perfect place for a little ‘R and R’ – reef and rainforest.” The Difference Between Sargasso and Seagrass Travelers are sometimes unclear on the difference between sargasso and seagrass. Besides the stench and residue left by decomposing sargasso also known as sargassum, there are a couple of other differences. Sargasso is seasonal and it can affect peoples health. I have yet to hear of anyone having an allergic reaction to seagrass which is a permanent fixture. Seagrass plays a starring role in a clean ecosystem. Thriving seagrass beds are one indicator of a healthy ocean environment. The seagrass, which actually resembles thick land grass has deep roots in the sea floor and among other things, it acts as a filtration and feeding system. Sargasso is a free-flowing orangy colored seaweed that travels with the ocean current down from the Sargasso Sea. While most people think of the downsides first (and there are many) the upside is that it is used as protection for migrating sea animals. International Sources Study offers blueprint for community-based public history research A new paper on fieldwork in rural Belize serves as a case study for how an established anthropology fieldwork model can be used to both develop site-specific cultural and historical exhibits and train a new generation of public history scholars. The paper also highlights the importance of diversity to research teams when engaging in research - especially community-based scholarship. "For this project, we worked with two Belizean villages - Crooked Tree and Biscayne - that are in close proximity to the Mayan ruins of Chau Hiix," McGill says. "Most of the residents in both villages are Belizean Kriol, of African descent. Our goal was to develop exhibits and educational materials that could be used by the villages to foster tourism and support educational efforts." Videos Chaa Creek, 2min. Big thanks to our friends at WCVB Channel 5 Boston for spotlighting our little slice of paradise here in Belize on Chronicle on WCVB Channel 5...! Councilor candidates of San Ignacio / Santa Elena Cayo,39 min. on Open Your Eyes University of Belize - Transformation Plans, 36min. on Open Your Eyes Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), 30min. on Open Your Eyes Belize from take to landing but of what?, 14min. Only for fishing nerds.... BPP PROGRESSIVE AGENDA LAUNCH \| BELIZE CITY MUNICIPAL TEAM, 65min. Driving to Placencia from Belize City, 1min. These beautiful lush green sceneries can be seen after an hour drive from Belize City (Airport). On the way you can see fresh fruit and vegetable vendors on the road. There is also a shop where they sell fresh yogurt, cheese and milk that we didn’t get to stop by because of the road construction. Snorkeling in Ambergris Caye, Belize, 3.5min. We went snorkeling in Ambergris Caye. The sea life here was incredible. I tried to identify as many as species as I could. Belize. Paradise island, 6min. Belmopan Bandits vs. Police United F.C., 130min. Two Years ago we went live for the first time. This is our first PLB live coverage. We have grown a lot since then, we've learnt a lot, and we continue to strive to do better everytime. Enjoy!