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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

Islanders Stand against Large-Scale Over-the-Water Development in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
In April 2018, residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker received word that the highly contested Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development at Cayo Rosario had been approved. This small mangrove caye lies in the center of the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The approval comes despite vehement objection to the construction of numerous over-the-water structures and extensive dredging within the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Town Council organizes a community clean-up in Ambergris Caye
Hoping to continue raising awareness about keeping the island environment clean, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) organized a community clean-up on Saturday, May 5th. The clean-up saw the participation of many residents. At 6AM, participants gathered at the Boca Del Rio Area to begin the clean-up. Heading south of the island, participants tackled several areas of the lagoon side, where they encountered large amounts of garbage such as plastic, old machinery, Styrofoam products, old televisions, metal, scrap wood and other items. According to Mayor Daniel Guerrero, this clean–up has made him realize how big the problem of improper disposal of garbage is on the island. “I will continue to closely work with everyone on the island, from schools to businesses, to educate and raise awareness of the importance of properly disposing of garbage to keep the island clean,” he said. Mayor Guerrero plans to visit several schools to talk to the island’s children. He also intends to monitor the sanitation department closely.

BEL talks power supply projections during informational fair
An overview of what is taking place at the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) was shared with island residents on Friday, May 4th during an informational fair held at the Central Park. The event showcased some of BEL’s key departments regarding safety, customer service, and projects while highlighting the company’s future projections of power supply to Ambergris Caye and nearby Cayes. Many islanders who stopped by to visit the different booths at the fair learned about safety measures when dealing with electricity, updated their current information with BEL, and even had the opportunity to view and touch some of the company’s maintenance equipment while learning how crucial they are for the safety of electricians.

Recycle San Pedro Belize launches glass pulverizing project on Ambergris Caye
Recycle San Pedro Belize continues to find ways to keep La Isla Bonita clean and now the team has taken up a new initiative of pulverizing glass. This project consists of residents of San Pedro dropping off their empty glass bottles, of all shapes and sizes, at a designated location just south of SP Hardware, next to the Garifuna Black and White Restaurant. The collected glass bottles are crushed by a pulverizing machine that reduces the glass into a fine sand that can be used in other ways. According to co-founder of Recycle San Pedro Belize, Ray Tyree, the pulverized glass is used for making building blocks, bricks, pavers and Water Filter Systems. They expect to pulverize the glass on a monthly bases. Plastic can also be dropped off at the location as the team is also looking at purchasing a plastic granulated melting machine. “I want to thank each and every person for taking the various steps to put waste in its correct place, for recycling and practicing waste control on our beautiful,” said Tyree.

Ambergris Today

Hol Chan Holds Informative Reef Fair
Hol Chan Marine Reserve's Reef Week 2018 is in full swing. Today, Thursday, May 10, 2018, the reef fair took place at Central Park and students from verious schools and the public in general were invited to attend a very informative fair. There were booths from the Department of Environemnt, Reef Angels, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, RRR Rescue, ACES and the San Pedro House of Culture. Children learned about protected areas, protected fish, the environment, the invasive lion fish and even about crocodiles. The House of culture displayed pictures of fishermen witht their big catch and talked about healthy fishing and conservation. It was a very hot day but refreshements were availbale for those in attendance courtesy of Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Illegal Trash Dumping Still A Problem As Town Council Spearheads Cleanup Campaign
Embarking on a cleanup campaign of the island, the San Pedro Town Council has been targeting different areas and doing massive clean ups. This past Saturday, May 5, 2018, the Council held its first official Community Clean up in the Boca del Rio and San Juan Areas. The San Pedro Town Council Staff and volunteers were out bright and early eager to get the work done. It was quite a sight seeing how many loads of garbage were taken out of the areas. Construction material, old fans, house hold, garbage…everything was cleaned up and garbage bags filled to the max. Heavy machinery had to be used to remove all the debris in the area. Now a big concern for many island residents is the topic of illegal trash dumping. While the Town Council is cleaning up certain areas of the island, there are many who are still illegally dumping garbage (old appliances, bed frames, construction material, etc) in areas such as San Mateo (to be used as landfill) and the back road behind the airstrip area.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Monthly Weather Summary April 2018
APRIL IN BELIZE IS THE DRIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF APRIL 2018, WERE WARM, BUT NOT COMPLETELY DRY. ISOLATED SHOWERS WERE OBSERVED OVER THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE THIRD DAY WAS DRY. NO RAINFALL FELL! DURING THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS ISOLATED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WERE OBSERVED AND MOSTLY OVER THE MAYA MOUNTAINS. FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE NINTH, NO RAINFALL ACTIVITY WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

Around the World Embassy Tour 2018
at Embassy of Belize in Washington, D.C.

Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission holds Second Meeting with the OAS
he Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year, under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS), on May 9, 2018 in Guatemala City. The meeting was headed by the Commissioners of both countries, the Ambassador of Belize in Guatemala H.E. Alexis Rosado, the Ambassador of Guatemala in Belize H.E. Georges de La Roche; and Mr. Manuel Washington Abdala, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the OAS for the Belize-Guatemala affairs. As stated at the last meeting of the Joint Commission, held on March 14, 2018 in Belize, the roadmap was defined for the initial implementation of four of the 13 Bilateral Agreements between the two countries. Those four agreements were the Movement of Students, the Protection of the Environment, Tourism, and the Operating Hours of Terrestrial Entry Points. The Parties will hold respective technical meetings prior to the next meeting of the Joint Commission which will be held during the last week of this month.

Belize; It’s Time to Prep for Hurricane Season
Last year, three powerful hurricanes (Harvey, Irma and Maria) caused widespread damage in the U.S. and the Caribbean. During the U.S. National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12), door and window dealers are urged to remind homeowners in coastal areas that they need to evaluate their properties and make sure their homes are ready to withstand a major storm. In Belize, presentations are focused on the role and responsibilities of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and what members of the public can do to assist, as well as to preserve their own life and properties, that of their family and other members of their community in the face of potential disaster.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of April 30th thru May 6th, 2018
The weather has been really good this week, and the Bonefishing has been the same. Brian and Carl from Canada caught close to seventy Bonefish their first day with Captain Vince, a long time guide with El Pescador. Thanks to Vince for making it happen!

Visas Town Hall in Belize City
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to our Visas Town Hall in Belize City on Saturday! With over 100 attendees, we discussed the visa application process and answered many questions. Thank you for your thoughtful questions and enthusiastic participation. Special thanks to Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, Belize for hosting us.

Music Week - May 14 to 19, 2018
The Office of the Music Ambassador in collaboration with the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) through the Institute of Creative Arts will be hosting the 3rd Annual Music Week 2018 from 14 to 19 May, 2018. The goal of Music Week is to focus on the important role music plays in the social and economic framework of Belize’s development. Furthermore, the movement towards using digital music platforms and products has created an additional barrier for musicians in the Belizean music industry to achieve meaningful levels of success.

Views from the 936-acre agroforestry concession at Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve!
The Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association in partnership with Ya'axché Conservation Trust and support from international donors have planted 165 acres of cacao trees among the forest.

Heineken Enters Partnership With Bowen & Bowen
Heineken International B.V. (HEINEKEN) announces that it has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company Ltd ("BBC"), Belize's market leader in beer and a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen Ltd (B&B), which has been an importer and distributor of HEINEKEN brands including Heineken®, Amstel and Red Stripe in Belize since 2016.

Communique issued at the conclusion of 21st Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), Nassau, The Bahamas, 7-8 May, 2018
"The COFCOR received an update on the most recent developments between Belize and Guatemala. The COFCOR expressed concern that the undertaking by both countries and the Organization of American States (OAS), to engage in the design and development of a mechanism of co-operation for the Sarstoon River, remains outstanding, and they reiterated their call for both countries and the OAS to redouble their efforts in this respect.

Open Mic Night in Caye Caulker
Hey guys its almost time for Open Mic Night in Caye Caulker! Raffles! Food, Drinks & Pastries on sale! Come support local talent! Everyone is welcome!

Mother's Day Extravaganza
The SISE Town Council is having a Mother's Day Extravaganza on Saturday night at the Cayo Welcome Center. All the mother's of the twin towns are invited to come out. There will be food, drinks, and prizes. Grupo Jade will be performing.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Black Panther, Game Night, Early Man, Red Sparrow.

San Narciso RC School cultural revival of the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) 2018
Living our culture through education - San Narciso RC School cultural revival of the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) 2018 . The San Narciso RC school have been working hard in the preservation of our identity as Maya of northern Belize by not only doing this event . The school have been teaching Maya to the children,Teaching them traditional dances and to appreciate their culture .

Channel 7

Did CITCO Firings Prompt A Fire Starter?
She's the Director of Administration at City Hall - and Charlene Rudon signed at least half of the six letters of termination that went out on Tuesday. And that's why it has raised all kinds of alarms after someone tried to torch her SUV last night. It happened at around 11:00 in front of her home when someone threw a molotov cocktail at her Ford Escape. The vehicle was damaged, but not destroyed. Police told us more: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "She reported to police that whilst at her residence they heard a noise coming from their vehicle. Upon inspection they noticed that the front portion of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire was managed to be contained and as a result it sustained minor damages to the vehicle. What we have gathered so far is that the vehicle was parked there and 2 persons apparently threw a bottle with some accelerant that caused the fire to the vehicle. It is something that we are still investigating. We are waiting for her to go to the station to give an official report and to say what will be her exact account of the incident."

“Da Fool Di Talk…" Faber says CitCo Firings Blatantly Political.
Now on the other side of that very political statement, we have a comment from the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber. He says the six firings were clearly and squarely politically motivated. Reporter: "In terms of that they say it is politically driven, your thoughts on that as the deputy?" Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education: "Well, I suspect that is the case indeed. There is victimization and we have to condemn that whole scale. The Peoples United Party when they won the election here in Belize City, I believe made it very clear that kind of practice would not happen. We are seeing where they started off with the idea very early and now it seems it is a full-scale operation. I am told that there are more people to come..."

Guatemala Says YES to ICJ, Belize says NO to Chiquibul encroachments
Last night we told you about the alarming report from the Friends For Conservation and Development, FCD. They say that on Tuesday a group of rangers on patrol in the Southern Chiquibul, came upon, quote, "a complex array of human activities, including fresh survey lines, and plantations of beans, corn, and bananas. The FCD says that farmers are pushing into Belizean territory because they are emboldened by the "Yes" vote on the ICJ referendum. The FCD is recommending a increased patrols in the area, and calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the OAS to assess the human activities.

Belize-Guatemala Commission Discuss 13 Bilateral Agreements
And on the formal and orderly side of cross border relations…the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met again yesterday, this time in Guatemala City. The group was re-activated this year to implement the 13 bilateral agreements signed in 2014 on the Placencia Peninsula. The meeting was headed by the Commissioners of both countries: Ambassadors Alexis Rosado, and Georges De La Roche with a representative of the OAS Secretary General, Manuel Washington Abdala.

Man Still Missing, Villager Charged for Murder, Says The Ghost of Garcia Got To Him
6 weeks ago, we told you about 35 year-old Alaine Garcia. He's the Hattieville Villager who went missing on the morning of February 23. Well, even though his body has not been found, police have charged another Hattieville Resident for murder. Garcia's family was frantic about his disappearance, because he is described as a family man who was always in communication with his common-law wife, and was also very attentive to his children. But, on the day in question, he walked his wife to the roadside, and while heading back to their house in the Windmill area, Hattieville residents heard gunshots. He was seen fleeing for his life, and that was the last time anyone has seen or heard from him. His body, or his remains have not been found.

Man Gets Off Accusation of 2012 Broad Daylight Killing
He was accused of a broad daylight murder on the busiest street in the country, but After 6 years on remand, 24 year old Dennis Matura is a free man. Matura was charged with the 2012 murder of 23 year old Michael Garbutt. The Crown Counsel Rene Montero declared it a "Nolle Pros" case after the two eye witnesses could not identify Matura as the gunman. The eyewitnesses said that they only saw the shooter's profile for less than 10 seconds and he wore a peak cap. So Matura walked free. On April 4th, 2012 around 2:30 in the afternoon Garbutt was shot in the head on Albert Street. It happened in front of D and D Restaurant.

Culprit Caught on Camera Robbing Corozal Store
Corozal police have made an arrest in a broad-daylight armed robbery of a Chinese store in the town. The defendant, a free zone fireman named 28 year-old Anthony Alexander Patnett was caught in the act on security camera. He wasted no time, and, appearing before Senior Magistrate Patricia Arana on Tuesday pleaded guilty to robbery. He won't be going to jail for the crime, however. The Senior Magistrate deliberated overnight and decided that Patnett will not serve a jail time for this offense. That's because it is his first conviction - and because he did not waste the court's time. Instead, he was sentenced to pay a fine of $3,000. The robbery happened at at around 3:00 last Saturday, at China Store, on 7th Avenue in Corozal Town.

Caledonia Man Brain Dead After Bad Beat Down; Family Demands Justice
47 year old father of 5 Demetrio Patt remains in critical condition after he was beaten up two weeks ago. The Caledonia resident was in the passenger seat when his brother crashed into a perked car in Trial Farm Village. The owners of the car allegedly beat up the two brothers. Demetrio got the worst of it and had to be taken to the KHMH for serious head injuries. He is on life support and feared to be brain dead. The family says police have been dragging their feet. Today we asked the head of National CIB about it:... ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "I know that the police have launched an intensive investigation into that matter and two persons have since been detained. We are in consultation at the DPP's office as to whether or when if any charges will be preferred against them. I know also that one other person is wanted in relation to this investigation."

Rocky Road Residents Rocked by Gun Blasts
Shots were fired in the gang affiliated Rocky Road area of Belize City last night around 11:30. Two gunmen opened fire on one of the apartments in the neighborhood - which is in a cluster of gangs. We spoke to one of the angry residents who was inside his room with his kids at the time of the shooting. He says if police were on duty in the nearby booth, this would not have happened. Voice of: Victim: "I was inside and they were running in my house for me." Reporter: "So they were in your house?" Voice of: Victim: "Yes if I didn't lock my door, I'm not into any problem with any young guy."

Security Guard Caught off Guard by Home Invader
Last night, 50 year old security guard Merrick Lambey was shot in his home when a gunman barged in. Lambey lives in the gang warzone of the Curl Thompson Street area. He was sleeping on the couch in his living room when he heard a knock at the door. Police told us what happened next: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "He was inside his sofa sleeping when he heard a noise coming from the front door; suddenly he realized a person was beside him and fired several shots at his direction. As a result, he suffered several gunshot injuries to his right foot and his left foot and to his right elbow. He is presently admitted in a stable condition at this moment."

"Peace be with you" : Church Leaders Reach out to HIV Survivors .
A bunch of church leaders gathered in a room talking about sexual education and HIV ? Not something we hear about often. But it happened today at the Radisson. Religious figures from different denominations attended the Faith Leaders consultation and they were there to talk constructively about the role they play in HIV/AIDS awareness. Courtney Weatherburne has more. It's hard to miss these red ribbons and "Get Tested" posters- they are everywhere. But it seems people aren't getting the message. According to yearly estimates, not many people are getting tested. Francis Morey, Deputy Director, Health Services: "Spectrum estimates that we should have approximately 4,378 persons living with HIV in Belize. Now there is a gap in how many individuals have actually been diagnosed."

Crayons and Strokes: Celebrating Creativity Through Art
Today The Belize District Education Center and the Ministry of Education, youth, sports, culture launched an art show. The show was filled with art from primary and high school students. We stopped by the Mexican Embassy where the art is being displayed and spoke to some of the Belize's youngest and finest artists about the beauty they created. The art show will be open for the public to view until May 23rd.

Miller Dead Set on Setting the Record Straight
Last night you saw a part of our interview with Candice Miller - the former City Administrator who was fired on Tuesday. She says she was fired without good cause. But the council says she was sent home for gross dereliction of duty. A letter from the council points out three areas where that alleged dereliction cost the council megabucks. Yesterday we challenged her on those points:... Jules Vasquez reporting: Miller was the pivot point in the former council - all roads led through her office. But when the new council was elected, she was shut out. Candice Miller, Former City Admin.: "I was blocke from all transactions of the council, taken off the council account, I no longer sign any purchases, requisitions, any overtime. I was not copied in on letters of people that were hired or fired etc. I literally was just at work."

Teakettle Weed Bust, They Got It From The Guats
Last night we told you about the big weed bust in Teakettle village where cops found 60 pounds in a pickup. Well, tonight police are saying that the Western weed connection with Guatemala is very live for low priced product:.. The vehicle in the Teakettle bust was a rental and police are looking into who rented it.

More Drugs and Guns off the Street
And while that weed was loose in a sack, today police busted East Canal resident Alexander Castillo with one pound of weed in a brick. He had it stashed in a school bag he was carrying. Police then ordered Castillo to take them to his house where they found two more pounds of weed. It was hidden under his mattress. Police also found 37 live 9mm Aguilar brand rounds of ammunition in a plastic bag. 19 year old Amber Jada Gillett was at the house at the time of the search so both Castillo and Gillett were detained. In other police news, you can hide a 'bad hair day' under a cap but try stashing a gun in a cap? Not such a good idea. Police went hunting for more guns and they found a chrome 38 wrapped in a fisherman's hat on Jane Usher Boulevard.

Bon appetit: Treating Nurses to Tasty Cultural Buffet
All around the world, nurses are observing National Nurses Week, and today at the KHMH, the medical staff were helping them to celebrate with a cook-out in the hospital parking lot. It's a means by which the staff can celebrate the many ethnicities and nationalities of the staff. The basic idea is that those who participated were expected to prepare an ethnic dish connected to their culture or country, and a group of judges would select a winner from the participants. Our news team spoke with the organizers today about it, and here's what they had to say:

Kid Blogger Blowing Up the Internet : Madison Edwards Receives Int’l Award
Many Belizeans know 12 year old Madison Edwards. She is not your average pre teen. At 12 she is an environmental activist who for the past three years has been making waves with her powerful advocacy for the protection of the Belize Barrier Reef. Her positive mark has not gone unnoticed. Last year she was honored with the Oceana Ocean hero award and now she has gone international. Yesterday the twelve year old was given the 2018 WWF Presidents Youth Award in Carteneja, Columbia. The award is given to people under the age of 30 who are making significant contributions to nature conservation. Edwards has a blog that helps bring attention and support to our environment. Her video blog also played a crucial role in mobilizing support against offshore exploration in Belizean waters.

Faber Confident About the Top Spot
Prime Minister and UDP Party Leader Dean Barrow will soon depart as maximum leader. Deputy Patrick Faber has made no secret of his ambition to lead - and John Saldivar is also in the race to succeed Barrow. Today, the media asked Faber how he feels about his standing in the race - and here's what he said: Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister: "I am ambitious. I have never hidden that. Yes that inevitable, that I will challenge not that I will win. Unless something happens beyond my control or if the father above has another plan for me."

So Who is The Contractor General??
Deputy PM Faber also commented on the case of the Contractor General who lapsed in his duty to file reports on time. Reports are that on April 30th he tried to submit six missing reports to the national assembly, but he was told he is not the contractor general so he could not submit a report. We asked Faber what is Cabinet's current position on this vacant post which is crucial to transparency: Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister: "Yes. I believe the prime minister reported on Tuesday that the reports were accepted or needed in and accepted. I don't know how anyone else can hand them in when he was the contractor general over the period so I don't know that anyone else can make the report..."

Faber Calm, Collected and Cagey On Issue Of US Detention
And, on a personal note, recently rumours were circulating that while Deputy Prime Minister Faber was away on an extended visit to the US he was detained. No concrete statement was ever released saying it was true but we still asked him about it today and while it seems that something did happen but he made it clear he was not in any trouble. We were unable to get comment from the US Embassy.

Cheers To Chocolate Stout
So, while the KHMH staff were putting their culinary skills on display, the staff at the Bowen and Bowen's Belize Brewing Company were presenting their annual summer brew, Belikin Chocolate Stout. The seasonal product is back on shelves just in time for the cacao festival, and the public relations team at Bowen invited the press today to talk about why the brew is a novel pairing of two of Belize's finest products.: Aaron John Palacio - PR Coordinator, Bowen & Bowen: "We're so happy to announce - this of course, is a seasonal stout. It's the chocolate stout, and we're launching - actually, we're launching this week. It was actually yesterday. We pre-sold yesterday, so for those who bought yesterday, they're actually going to get their products today."

Forged Documents At Registrar General
And in two other news items of note from the police…we start at the registrar general;'s office where a foul case of forgery has been afoot. Here's what the lead investigator told us:

Toledo Bus Jacker Busted
And in an update to a story we ran last Friday, police say they have charged someone for stealing a busy from Romero's Charters and tours in cAttle Landing, Toledo: The Romero's lost one bus which was crashed while the other was returned. The alleged culprit lives nearby to the bus depot.

Channel 5

CitCo H.R. Director’s Vehicle Firebombed; She Says Arson is Linked to Tuesday Terminations
This week’s firings at City Hall have ignited a political firestorm that has morphed into a potentially dangerous situation.  A vehicle belonging to a high ranking official at City Hall [...]

Mayor Spoke of “Re-Organization” in Wake of Transition Report
City Administrator Candice Miller and office manager Lisbeth Butler were among six city council employees who were given their marching papers on Tuesday.  But were the dismissals foretold in Mayor [...]

D.P.M. Says Show Cause for Firings, or it’s Political Victimization
And today when asked about the recent firings at the Belize City Council, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber echoed the sentiments of the United Democratic Party’s press release earlier this [...]

Months after Alaine Garcia Disappearance, a Murder Charge Laid Against Hattieville Resident
There has been a major development in a missing person case dating back to February of this year, when thirty-five-year-old Alaine Garcia was reported missing. The Hattieville resident was last [...]

Big Drug Bust in West; Weed Abandoned by Fleeing Traffickers
On the heels of the confiscation of some thirty pounds of marijuana in the San Antonio Village, the police department is reporting yet another huge drug bust in the west. [...]

Security Guard Shot in Home Invasion
A fifty-year-old security guard is tonight recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a frightening home invasion in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. Around one o’clock [...]

Gunmen Sought Revenge for Tyrone Stevens at Eric Mendez’s Home
Two persons are tonight in police custody pending further investigation into a shooting in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. Police say that on Monday night, at least [...]

Day 2 of Sunshine Compensation Case
The case of Sunshine Holdings Limited, Dean Boyce and the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust, and the Attorney General continued in the Supreme Court today. After testimony on Wednesday from Financial Secretary [...]

Belize Still Seeks Official Position on Renunciation of Guatemalan Citizenship
Earlier this week, the Elections and Boundaries Department outlined the process for the re-registration exercise set to begin on July first and conclude in December. An area of great concern [...]

Deputy P.M. Expresses Distaste for Activities by Guatemalans in Chiquibul
Friends for Conservation and Development is reporting that the “Yes” vote to the International Court of Justice may have embolden the Guatemalans because since then, they have been increased incursions [...]

Teachers’ Day Celebrations Will Go On
Earlier this week, there was uncertainty on the celebration of National Teachers’ Day. But today, Minister of Education Patrick Faber says there will be.  Faber said that whether the B.N.T.U. [...]

No Deductions for Rally for Government Schools
And what about salaries for those government teachers who rallied in Belmopan in March? Minister Faber says he has received word but nothing official from the different school managements that [...]

D.P.M. Asks U.S. to Explain Incident in Henry County, Georgia
Earlier today, the Deputy Prime Minister Faber was asked to comment about reports that he had been involved in an incident in the United States where he was detained. That [...]

2 Held for Post-Accident Beating; Third Person Sought
Police were also quizzed today about an incident that occurred on April twenty-seventh in Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk in which Demetrio Pott and his brother were beaten badly following [...]

Police to Revise Patrols Following Shootings in Port
Following the recent shootings and murders in south side of Belize City, the police has amped up its patrols and presence in Port Loyola, specifically in the Jane Usher Boulevard [...]

Faith-Based Leaders Meet on AIDS Effort
Belize’s men of faith are meeting with regional authorities as part of the plan to end HIV/AIDS as a chronic disease in the Caribbean by 2030. Today there was a [...]

Following Strides, Caribbean Aims to Eradicate Epidemic by 2020
The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) describes its ambitious strategy for ending HIV/AIDS in about twelve years as “test, treat and defeat.”  Director Dereck Springer says the goal is for [...]

Belize Brewing Company Unveils Chocolate Belikin Stout
The Belize Brewing Company today organized the fourth launch of its popular cacao stout. The seasonal drink is being released in anticipation of the Chocolate Festival in southern Belize. The [...]

Youth Art Exhibition Opens
The Ministry of Education launched an art exhibition today to show off the creative talents of students in the Belize District. This morning, Ministry Education Officials and students gathered at [...]

Nurses Organize Cookout at K.H.M.H.
It’s nurses week and the K.H.M.H. nurses took a little break to celebrate with a cookout competition.  Nurses from Philippines, Jamaica, Guyana, Nigeria, Cuba, and Nicaragua, along with the Belizean [...]

Healthy Living: Getting Rid of Plantar Warts
It is commonly said that one must love a person “warts and all”. While the general advice of accepting flaws may be useful, the more we learn about warts the [...]

LOVE FM

Government school will not dock teachers’ pay
After being told by some school managements that their pay will be deducted, teachers have decided to withhold contributions and donations to those school managements. Last month, more than five hundred teachers rallied in Belmopan to protest the increase of crime against women and children. It was not a holiday and some school managements have …

Jane Usher Boulevard Area resident makes plea to gunmen
But the police are not the only ones concerned over the rising gun violence in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. Belize City residents have grown concerned, especially those in areas where tensions among gang members are high. A resident of the area where Merrick Lambey resides told us today that while they were not the …

More boots in Jane Usher Boulevard Area
With the rise in shootings in the Jane Usher Boulevard area, police are placing more boots in the already high policed streets there. ASP Cowo says they are working to contain the situation as best they can. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of CIB Belize City: “Police has stepped up their patrols, they have posted patrols …

Mendez residence targeted, was it in retaliation for Tyrone Stevens’ shooting?
There was another shooting at a residence on the Jane Usher Boulevard earlier this week. Police report that it happened on Monday night when the house of Eric Mendez was fired at. Mendez was recently charged with the shooting of Tyron Stevens which happened on Sunday. Fortunately no one was injured but police are investigating …

Gunman enters the home of 50-year-old man in early morning
Gun violence continues to rage through the Jane Usher Boulevard area in Belize City. Early this morning, around one o’clock, 50-year-old Merrick Lambey was shot while inside his home on Curl Thompson Street. His attacker let himself inside the house where he found Lambey on his sofa and took aim. Police say the assailant fired …

City Council’s Director of Administration is targeted days after staff firings
The Belize City Council’s Director of Administration Sharlene Rudon’s vehicle was set on fire last night, or at least someone tried to destroy it with fire. Today police are looking at whether the damage to her property has any connection to her responsibilities at City Hall, in particular as it relates to the recent firings …

Mother shares her struggle to assist daughter with Lupus
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Many Belizeans continue to fight this disease. Joycelyn Jacobs knows the struggles only too well; …

PANCAP: faith-leaders essential to reduce stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
The PANCAP Champions for Change Programme recognized the need for faith-based organizations to be involved in reducing the stigma and discrimination that is often time associated with HIV/AIDS. Since 2004, they have been working to achieve this in other Caribbean countries and today, they held a consultation with faith leaders here in Belize. Love News …

58 pounds of weed in police hands
San Ignacio police intercepted the trafficking of over 58 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday. ASP Cowo shared more details of the bust. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB Belize City: “Whilst in the Tea Kettle Village they intercepted a blue in color Wingle with Belize City license plate and as a result they observe two male …

Guatemalan-Belizeans will be allowed to re-register
There are a significant amount of persons originally from other Central American countries who now call Belize home and have been granted citizenship. Among those persons are Guatemalans, which has raised concerns because of the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. Many have expressed that Guatemalans who have obtained Belizean nationality not be allowed to vote in the …

Teacher’s Day event will proceed unhindered, says Education Minister
Education Minister Patrick Faber also responded to the BNTU’s decision not to financially contribute to this year’s Teachers Day event. The event will be held on a national level at the Civic in Belize City. The BNTU says it does not money to contribute and today Minister Faber told the press that the event will …

DPM Patrick Faber’s run in with police in the U.S.
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber had a run in with the law in the US last month. The incident reportedly happened on April 20 in Henry County, Georgia. According to online reports, two Henry County Schools had to placed on lock for more than two hours after threatening calls were made to the school. The …

Deputy Prime Minister addresses concerns raised by BCCI
The Nationality Scrutinizing Committee has ceased reviewing applications from Guatemalans who want to be granted Belizean Citizenship. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has been very vocal on their position that no Guatemalans should be granted Belizean Nationality because it is in contravention of the constitution. The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and …

Cabinet decides to accept former Contractor General’s missing reports
Yesterday we told you that former Contractor General Godwin Arzu wanted to submit his missing annual reports to the National Assembly at the end of April. We were told that his reports were not accepted by since he is no longer the contractor general and the law states that it is only the contractor general …

Guatemalan encroachment getting worse
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is reporting recent increased encroachments in the Chiquibul Forest. The escalating encroachments within our borders are, according to the FCD, as a result of a ‘Yes” vote which the Guatemalan Government garnered during its ICJ Referendum last month. According to the FCD, Guatemalans who live near the border are …

Patrick Faber condemns ‘victimization’ by Belize City Council
In a statement issued late yesterday evening, the PUP Belize City Council explained why six employees were terminated. In the release, it states that since the council is in a poor fiscal condition, it was necessary for a restructuring exercise to be carried out in order to achieve financial stability. That exercise included the termination …

Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission meets
The Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met on May 9 under the auspices of the Organization of American States, OAS, in Guatemala City. Among the matters discussed was the defining of roadmap for the initial implementation of four of the 13 Bilateral Agreements between Belize and Guatemala. These include the Movement of Students, the Protection of the Environment, …

PlusTV

Drug planes landing in Spanish Lookout
There have been recent reports of illegal drug plane landings in Spanish Lookout. The illegal landings are reportedly taking place on a developing airstrip in the Yallback area of the community. Paul Lopez files this report. Paul Lopez, PlusTv Journalist: As most Belizeans are aware, there have been...

Re registration set for July 2
Voters Re-registration is set to begin on the second day of July. A voter’s re-registration is required by law to take place every ten years, but one has not taken place for the past 20 years in Belize. Over the past several months, re-registration has been a topic of conversation surrounding Belize...

Teachers’ salaries to be slashed for participating in rally
In March of this year, teachers from across the country gathered in Belmopan for a rally against violence against children and women. The BNTU had organized the event to coincide with the annual budget debate at the House of Representatives. Hundreds of teachers participated as well as other individ...

Increased encroachment since Guatemalan Referendum
Has there been an increase in Guatemalan encroachment in Belizean territory since that country’s Referendum? Friends of Conservation and Development says it appears that way. On Tuesday, May 8th, FCD rangers were patrolling the Southern Chiquibul when they discovered a complex array of clear encroa...

CWU president speaks on behalf of CWU members fired by City Council
Yesterday, we reported on the terminations of six employees from the Belize City Council, including the City Administrator Candice Miller. Two of the workers fired are members of the Christian Workers Union and today on his morning talk show, President of CWU, Mose Hyde, spoke about the firing of th...

BNTU takes no position on going to ICJ
As we said earlier, re-registration is in the pipeline leading up to the referendum on whether Belizeans should take the Guatemalan territorial dispute to the ICJ. Yesterday, the media asked the president of the Belize National Teachers Union if it has an official position as a union on going to th...

Rented pick up abandoned with sacks of weed
This afternoon, police conducted a joint operation in Teakettle Village when they came across a blue Great Wall Wingle pick up with Belize City license plate. Upon seeing the cops, the driver attempted to evade the police and collided into a hill. The occupants of the vehicle jumped out of the vehic...

Eric Mendez’ house shot at
Yesterday we told you that 20 year old Eric Mendez had been arraigned on the charge of attempted murder. He is the accused gunman who shot Tyrone Stevens several times on Sunday while Stevens went to a store to purchase. Stevens is listed in a critical condition and Mendez is now on remand until his next court appearance.

Business owners need to be vigilant as robberies increase
Earlier this week, police told the media that many of the crimes occurring in the country are due to robberies. Even some of the recent murders are believed to have been as a result of robberies gone bad. Police say they are investigating each case and these types of crimes are harder for polcie to prevent. However, Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams explained that there are some measures that business owners can take to help deter robbers and perhaps assist police in apprehending criminals in the event of a robbery.

MASS TERMINATION AT BELIZE CITY COUNCIL
There was a mass firing at the Belize City Council this morning. According to information reaching Plus News, at least 11 persons were fired and based on several reports, former City Administrator Candice Miller was among the number of persons who received termination letters this morning. Miller was placed on suspension over a month ago after Mayor Wagner accused Miller of failing to protect the interest and resources of the city.

Eric Mendez charged for attempted murder of Tyron Stevens
Twenty year old Eric Edward Mendez has been charged for the Sunday, May 6, attempted murder of Tyrone Stevens. Tonight Mendez is on remand at the Belize Central Prison while his alleged victim is at the KHMH recovering from as many as nine bullet wounds to his body. Stevens is said to be stable but critical.

Belizeans remanded to prison in El Salvador for Money laundering
Last week Thursday we reported to you that 3 Belizeans were arrested in El Salvador for money laundering offenses. As we reported those three Belizeans were 32 year old Marlon Alberto Valle, 28 year old Jessy Grabiel Ojeda, and 35 year old Deymy Vanessa Rodríguez.

More Shootings, More Police in Port
The Port Loyola Area in Belize City has seen an increase in shooting incidents over the last week. Many were left in shock by Wednesday night’s shooting incident on Fabers Road that was caught on surveillance camera. Four persons were shot in that incident. Since that night, we have reported on several different shooting incidents in the Port Loyola area, including the murder of 29 year old Jason Sutherland on Thursday night.

PUC and BWS going to court
Earlier this year, the PUC decided to lower water and sewage rates by an estimated six point three nine percent. The intended decrease was a preliminary decision to be in effect from April of 2018 to March of 2020. However, BWS has not made any changes to their rates since 2015; instead the utility company made a decision to take the proposed decrease to court for judicial review.

PUC says Caye Caulker should be on the BEL grid
The PUC has called on B.E.L to inter connect the island of Caye Caulker to their power grid. Caye Caulker is one of the few remaining areas in Belize that is powered by diesel generators. According to PUC Chairman John Avery, B.E.L has been spending in excess of three million dollars a year on Diese...

P.U.C CHAIRMAN SPEAKS ON ELECTRICITY RATES INCREASE
As we reported last Week, Belizean’s can expect an increase in their light bills. B.E.L recently requested that the P.U.C increase electricity rates due to lower consumer usage and higher cost of power. B.E.L initially requested an increase from thirty six point nine-nine cents per kilowatt-hour to ...

18 year old charged for Aggravated Assault
Eighteen year old Phozhaun Lewis was remanded to prison for aggravated assault with a firearm. Lewis was arraigned on a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon 21 year old Joshua Augustine. The arrest resulted from a shooting incident in Belize City which occurred on Saturday, May ...

Increased Police Presence in Dangriga
Known as the ‘culture capital’ of Belize, Dangriga has not been spared from shooting incidents and murders. Plus News has reported on three separate shooting incidents in Dangriga over the past two weeks. Two of those shooting incidents resulted in the murder of 55 year old Jamaican national Patrick...

CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP
According to the latest Climate Change study on Belize, as a low-lying developing country, the nation of Belize is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In an effort to identify adaptation measures to decrease this vulnerability, as well as to build Belize’s national capacity on climat...

Raccoon Street Police Station Gets New Conflict Resolution Office
The Raccoon Street Police Station is getting a new office to tackle gang violence in Belize City. The office is referred to as the Conflict Resolution office and it is as a result of collaboration between the Belize Police Department and various supporting organizations. According to Robert Mariano...

Basketball
On Friday night the Smart Belize Hurricanes and the Dangriga Dream Ballers played at the brand new Civic Center inBelize City. Devin Daley of Smart Belize Hurricanes led the team in scoring with 23 points. Devin Daley, Guard, Smart Bze Hurricanes: Today was just a rough first half, but thankfully w...

The Guardian

Fire Left, Fire Right, Fire Center Belize City Mayor fires six employees without cause
There is a great deal of uncertainty and apprehension at the Belize City Council as six staff members have been fired from the Council and there is word that more are underway. The Guardian has confirmed that the six staff members received their letters of termination on Tuesday May 8; all the letters are dated a day earlier on May 7. Among those persons receiving their letter was Candice Miller, the now former City Administrator. On Thursday of last week, Miller along with her attorney Magali Perdomo appeared before the council for her to answer to charges by the council of neglect of duties. Apparently her fate was deliberated thereafter and the letter was drafted. In the correspondence it states that she was terminated, “for gross dereliction of your duties.”

$300 School Subsidy automatic in Corozal and rural Belize, Orange Walk and Cayo
On the occasion of this year’s Education Showcase, Hon. Patrick Faber noted the following: “We have for instances noted with great delight the impact of the Government’s High School Subsidy Program. The most recent MICS Survey report shows that transition rate from primary to secondary school is higher for the poorest wealth quintile than the next two quintiles above it. This is a clear indication of the impact of the Government’s high school subsidy program.

Countrywide Solid Waste Management
In 2015, the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWMA) completed the implementation of the Sanitary Landfill and transfer stations that sees the safe and effective disposal of waste from Caye Caulker, San Pedro, San Ignacio/Santa Elena and Belize City to the sanitary landfill at mile 24 on the George Price Highway. Under the project, transfer stations were built in all the abovementioned areas and one was also built in Burrell Boom. With that now complete and with garbage being properly managed in these areas, the intention is for the solid waste management to be expanded countrywide.

Contract Signed for Construction of Airport Link Road Project
The Government of Belize has signed a contract with CISCO Construction Ltd. in the sum of BZ$34,274,306.17 for the construction of the Airport Link Road. The signing of the contract took place on Monday, May 7, 2018 and works are expected to commence immediately. Funding for this project was secured through an OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) loan.

Belize to measure Iodine Intake in Children
The ministries of Health and of Education, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and Iodine Global Network, will be working together to carry out a survey. That survey will be used to measure and report on the levels of iodine in Belizean children. Belize is one of the nine Caribbean countries participating in the “Caribbean Region Urinary Iodine and Sodium Study 2018” project. During this survey, approximately 400 children between the ages of 6 and 12 from four primary schools in the Belize, Stann Creek, and Corozal Districts will participate. Their height, weight, and head circumference will be measured and body fluid samples will be taken for laboratory testing and analysis. Officials from both ministries involved are in communication with the selected schools, teachers, and parents to share the details of the survey.

2018 Youth Innovation Challenge
The opening ceremony of the fifth annual Youth Innovation Challenge was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. This year’s challenge, held under the theme “Literacy for Financial Security”, saw the participation of ten secondary schools from the Belize District. Those schools included San Pedro High School, Caye Caulker Ocean Academy, Ladyville Technical High School, Edward P. Yorke, Saint Catherine Academy, Saint John’s College, Sadie Vernon Technical, Anglican Cathedral College, Gwen Lizarraga High School, and Belize High School.

GOB takes Ashcroft Alliance for 100 Million Dollars
Justice Courtney Abel has heard opening arguments in the first of a three-day trial in the claim that the Government controlled company, Sunshine Holdings Limited, has made against the Government of Belize and the Ashcroft Alliance. The company is seeking restitution, and it is asking trace the monetary compensation, to the tune of over 100 million dollars, which the Government paid to the Ashcroft-allied, Dean Boyce and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust in the settlement of the fight over BTL. They want the money to be paid to Sunshine, instead of the BTL Employees Trust, which means that they want the Ashcroft entity to pay them that money which they assert was never theirs.

A Bitter Pill for Pitts
With the slogan, (From “Lee Johnnycake Gyal” to Dr. Candice Pitts Back to serve Port) Candice Pitts launched her campaign to dethrone Gilroy Usher as the PUP standard bearer in the Port Loyola constituency. But while her campaign was impassioned and tireless, on May 2nd she was given a bitter pill to swallow. All her efforts were dashed when the PUP endorsed Usher as the Standard Bearer. No convention would take place. That must have sent chills down Pitts’s spine and ruptured her gall and bile spilled to all corners of the PUP. In a statement she stated that, “the PUP have dictated a decision for them.

Candice Pitts sticks it to the PUP
It happened just like we expected, Dr. Candice Pitts has gone on the offense. She hit the PUP hard for what she considered as the PUP doing her an injustice. For context, let us lay out the situation as it happened. Pitts was being encouraged to mount a challenge in Port Loyola. According to what we’ve heard from those deep throats in the PUP, it was by her special friend Cordel. She was certainly hot on the heels of Gilroy Usher, who had been the face of the PUP in Port Loyola since just after the 2008 election. Riding high on her recent victory as a part of the PUP Belize City Council slate and banking on her humble beginning as the self dubbed ‘LEE JOHNNY CAKE GYAL,’ she started a rather aggressive campaign to replace the aforementioned Usher.

CARICOM members to phase out incandescent bulbs
As members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) move to become more energy efficient, steps are being taken to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs. On the basis of a mandate from the CARICOM Energy Ministers, plans for the phasing out are being developed by the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). Those plans are expected to be completed in September 2018 with the initiative beginning possibly as soon as January 2019.

Police arrest one for Back-A-Town shooting
After being busted with a .380 pistol loaded with 7 live rounds in its chamber, Nisani Daniel Garcia was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. He appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was read charges of keeping a firearm and keeping ammunition without being granted a gun license. The allegations are that on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at about 8:30 p.m., police received information of shots being fired in the Back-a-Town area. Several police officers proceeded to the area on Saint Jude Street. There, they entered a yard and saw a male person stooping down at the back of the house.

Guilty of Attempting to kill his Cousin
Kevaughan Staine remains on remand after he was convicted on a charge of attempted murder. This conviction took place on Friday, May 4, 2018 before Supreme Court Justice Colin Williams. Staine was charged for the attempted murder of Taisha Staine, his cousin. The incident occurred just a stone’s throw away from the victim’s house on Gladden Street in the St. Martin’s de Porres Area on December 13, 2013. It was witnessed by Taisha’s mother who saw the gunman but did not recognize that it was her daughter that the gunman was attempting to kill.

Chased, shot and killed in St. Matthews
Dean Glenford Galvez, a 21 year-old laborer of Saint Matthews Village in the Cayo District, has been charged with murder for the shooting death of his fellow villager, 19 year-old Roni Casasola Jr.. His relatives say that the man who shot him to death was behaving in a drunken and belligerent manner, and that they don’t know why that shooter gunned him down. Police say that around 12:35 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, they responded to information of a shooting incident in the village. When they arrived, they found a hispanic young man on an unnamed street. He was later identified as Casasola, and the cops observed that he was suffering from gunshot wounds.

Daniel Guardado killed for no apparent reason
Daniel Guardado, a 43 year-old working man in Belize City, was murdered over the weekend in an unexplained and apparently senseless shooting. He reportedly had no ties to the streets or criminal activities, yet, he was ruthlessly shot and killed by a gunman who police are now looking for. Police say that at around 9:35 p.m., on Saturday, May 5, 2018, they went to the KHMH where they found Guardado who was already pronounced dead on arrival, as a consequence of multiple gunshot injuries to his body.

Hattieville Family spared jail time for Drugs and Ammunition
A family of four Hattieville residents is lucky to be home after two of the four were charged with drug and ammunition related offenses in November 2017. Sonia Shepherd, 61, her children, Aretha and Kenrick Danderson, and her 18-year-old grandson Hakeem O’Brien were in court on Friday, May 4, 2018. The family members had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession of a controlled drug and for keeping ammunition without granted a gun license.

Father on remand for Incest of 13 year old girl
A 42-year-old fisherman, whose identity cannot be revealed, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 7, 2018 on one count of incest. This man was accused of a sexual crime against his daughter and as a result, he was only read the indictable offense of incest. No plea was taken since the matter can only be tried in the Supreme Court.

Weed client killed Jason Sutherland
Belize City police suspect but must confirm that Jason Sutherland, 29, was murdered in what looks to be an ongoing feud between two warring gangs. Sutherland was shot and killed by a man who pretended to be a non-threatening marijuana customer. On Thursday, May 3, 2018, at around 8:35 p.m., officers from the Criminal Investigation Branch visited the KHMH where they found Sutherland suffering from multiple gunshot injuries to the body. The doctor on duty had already pronounced him dead on arrival.

Luis Velasquez owes $40,000 in liquor
A man who was wanted by the Supreme Court for fraud is now in police custody and a determination is to be reached as to how he will pay a $40,000 debt owed to L&R Liquors. That man is 36-year-old Luis Velasquez. He was found by police in the village of Maskall. There was an all-points bulletin out for Velasquez for fraud when he was picked up on Friday, May 4, 2018 by police in Maskall.

Murder suspect walks free-caution statement ruled inadmissible
On May 17, 2012, 48-year-old Jermaine McNab was gunned down while inside his store, Mobile Hardware, located at the corner of Curassow Street and Cemetery Road. McNab was shot three times to the body and died on the spot. For that murder, an 18-year-old Anthony Carballo was considered a murder suspect after police claimed that he gave them a witness and a caution statement.

Taxi man called out and killed
Sbeiro Habib Hajjara, a 36 year-old Honduran Taxi driver living in Belize City, was found dead inside his taxi vehicle early on Sunday, May 6. He was on the job, and it is uncertain why he was killed. Another innocent law-abiding citizen was murdered in cold blood, in what looks like a spike in crime for the last three weeks. Police say that at around 3:47 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to reports of shots being fired at the corner of Mahogany Street and Western Avenue in Belize City.

Remand for Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition
Belize Police were able to take another illegal firearm off the streets when they arrested and charged Malique Gentle for the offense of keeping unlicensed firearm and ammunitions. The 21-year-old was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 7, 2018 before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford.

Verdes FC and the Belmopan Bandits SC play to a Draw in Game One of the Finals
The Premier League of Belize 2017-2018 Closing Season has now entered its championship round with the first of the home-and-away series game played on Sunday, May 6th at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town between the defending champions Verdes FC and the Belmopan Bandits SC. In the first game played, the defending National Football Champions Verdes FC was the first to make it onto the scoreboard when Alcides Thomas scored the 1st goal of the game in the 47+ minute of the game to give the defending champions a 1-0 lead.

Lord’s Bank Sunrise leads in Belize Rural Softball Competition
The 2018 Belize Rural Softball Competition continued on Sunday 6th May at Flowers Bank with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, Sandhill Shooting Stars defeated Arrows Reloaded by the score of 16-15. The winning pitcher was Jasany Westby and the losing pitcher was Shauna Avilez. In game two, Lord’s Bank Sunrise won its third game of the competition when it defeated Double Head Cabbage by the score of 9-6.

Pepsi National Elite Basketball League commence playoff round
The long anticipated Pepsi NEBL semi-finals rolled into Game 1 of its best-of-three series this past weekend. Both match-ups were given a preview at the end of the season as both semi-final duo played each other at the end of the regular season. With four formidable teams entering the playoffs this year, the championship is surely up for grabs where any of the 4 teams, who win this season will not come as a surprise. The level of the play in the NEBL is surely improving every season, as is evident by the quality of games.

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 a National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday the 19 – 20 May, 2018. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association) or at the Marion Jones Sports Complex. Please feel free to contact any of the members of the BAA executive or any of the coaches at the MJSC.

Unitedville Rebels United continue on Winning Path in Softball Competition
The Cayo softball Association 2018 Senior Women’s Competition continued on Sunday 6th May, at the Mae Gordon Field in the City of Belmopan with three games on the schedule. In game 1, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy defeated the Belmopan Capital City Emeralds by the score of 20 to 2 in four innings. The winning pitcher was Leandra Guy and losing pitcher, Aludy Hyde. The Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy’s offence was keyed by Shakira Wade’s home run in the game.

Dangling Modifier
Monchi Cervantes and Abelardo Mai from OW North and OW South respectively decided to take no chances and quickly programmed their constituency conventions for this Sunday past. They must have reasoned that when you take a chance any number can play. Monchi would have certainly remembered the fate of one Raphael Avila, who tended to the OW North constituency for four years leading up to the 2012 elections, then at the last minute he was defeated in convention by Jorge Briceño. An identical chess move caught Mr. Diodi Novelo in OW Central in 1989; a last minute “golpe” from the late Polo Briceño.

Words of Life With Pastor Barry Fraser
This week, we look at a special mother: Naomi, the mother-in-law who shared her faith. Naomi and her family fled to the country of Moab because of a famine in their land. Her husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After 10 years both of Naomi’s sons passed away, and Naomi heard that the Lord Yahweh had blessed the land of her people with food again. She told her daughters-in-law that they could return home to find new husbands. Although they both wept at her leaving, one refused to leave Naomi’s side.

Life Principles I Recommend Part 2
Do you have a personal manual of life principles that you live by? What adages do you use to guide you in your everyday living? Since last week, I have been sharing my list of 75 important life principles that I try to live by. This list is a compilation of important life lessons I’ve learned at one point or another. It pertains to different areas of life from dealing with people, to our emotions, to life’s challenges, to achieving success, to handling failure. I shared the first 25 last week and this week I’ll share the second 25 of my list.

Breaking Belize News

BBN person of the week: Basilio Mes
Born in a humble Maya family in Santa Cruz Village in the southern lush jungles of the Toledo District, Basilio Mes grew up to do what he loves to do – birding, spending time in nature, and tour guiding. […]

Is Turneffe Atoll the geographic location of Peter Pan’s paradise?
A popular Youtuber by the name of Matthew Patrick on his Youtube Channel The Film […]

Were UDP operatives involved in act of arson?
This morning we reported that the Director of Administration at Belize City Council, Sharlene Rudon, was […]

National re-registration scheduled for July, know the facts!
It has been almost 12 years since the Government of Belize has n’t cleaned up the voter’s […]

Police confiscate 58 pounds of weed in Teakettle, Cayo
Police are investigating an incident involving a vehicle that was carrying 58 pounds of weed. According […]

FCD reports on illegal occupation by Guatemalans inside the Chiquibul
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) issued a report yesterday informing that while on a joint […]

Belize-Guatemala joint Commission meets with OAS
Yesterday, the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year, under the auspices […]

Armed robber caught on camera fined $3,000
In a very unusual case, a Corozal firefighter was fined and released after being charged with […]

Belize City Council HR Manager victim of arson
Our newsroom has been reliably informed of an arson incident which has a political back […]

Minister Faber says BNTU unable to make payment for teachers’ day event at Civic Center
Every year, one day is set aside to celebrate and to honor the teachers of Belize […]

Belize City Mayor and brother-in-law at odds over recent terminations
Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, and his brother-in-law, Evan “Mose” Hyde, are currently at odds. Not […]

Minister Faber supports docking salaries for teachers that protested against violence
During the historic eleven days of protest by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), Minister […]

Candice Miller defends annual $90,000 salary and says termination unjust
She has been trending on social media for a while and made the news several times, […]

Belize’s Health Services congratulates Nurses
Belizean nurses join the World and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in speaking out on […]

Belize City Council issues statement on terminations of employees
Yesterday evening, the Belize City Council issued a statement following the termination of employees from the […]

Cayo man rapes 14-year-old step-daughter; Police are investigating
Cayo police are investigating a case of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her […]

Belize City students tour Crooked Tree Village
Yesterday, Commander of Eastern Division in Belize City, Howell Gillett along with his staff members took […]

UDP tells PUP Mayor to reinstate employees and stop terminations
Earlier this week we reported that several top-level employees at the Belize City Council were terminated. […]

Blogs

Cayo Rosario Development: Hol Chan Marine Reserve is For the People Of Belize, Not Private Gain
Development is planned and has been approved for Cayo Rosario on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye. This press release really says it all but first…a bit of background. And a few pictures. Bottom Line: THERE SHOULD BE NO OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES IN HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE. Cayo Rosario is the caye that you see when you visit Secret Beach.

International Sources

BELIZE CREATES HISTORY
Belize created history late last month by becoming the first country in Central and South America to compete in the illustrious Penn Relays in over 80 years. “In 1937, a Panamanian team came to the Penn Relays and, since that time — until now — there has not been a team from Central America participating in the games,” James Cordice, the Vincentian-born, Philadelphia-based architect behind Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the Penn Relays. Cordice, a community advocate, was instrumental in having two St. Vincent and the Grenadines high schools — The Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the St. Vincent Grammar School — compete in the Penn Relays Carnival for the past eight years.

The Jaguar Is Made for the Age of Humans
There’s a jaguar in the baño,” George Olah told me with a small smile. “Um?” I managed, squinting into the dusky Amazon forest surrounding our camp. “She’s behind that tree. Look for spots,” Olah said. Then: “No. That tree,” pointing to a trunk between 30 and 40 feet away. In an instant, I registered that, yes, the bathroom trail we had cut through the Peruvian jungle was indeed occupied by a member of the largest cat species in the Americas. She was so close that if she launched herself at one of us, it would be game over in seconds. “Shiiiiiiiiit,” I said as we—unarmed except for a couple of machetes and a small slingshot—quickly moved closer to get a better look.

Videos

Belize Music Week, 2min. Belize Music Week May 14 to 19, 2018 Belize City Civic Center Music - Everybody's Favorite.

Bike Ride Belize May 09, 2018, 9min.

Cayo Espanto - Belize, 1min.

Cave tubing in Belize, 23min. Cave tubing in Belize. You travel through a good portion of the cave system. Well worth visiting.

MOTHERS DAY 2018, 8min. PGTV News Network

Chocolate Stout, 35min. on Open Your Eyes

Bruk it down Jenny, 35min. on Open Your Eyes

National Aids Commission, 48min. on Open Your Eyes

, 1/2min. Baird's tapir on an early morning stroll around Rio Grande and checking out a trailcam. She's giving it a good sniff with her long flexible nose.

Mass fish death on Ambergris Caye, 7min.

Mothers Park Ceremony, 3min.

Cayo Rosario and Blackadore Caye | Ambergris Bay, 1/2min. On an American Airlines flight from Miami to Belize we fly over Ambergris Bay which is just to the west of Ambergris Caye.

Exploring San Pedro, Belize, 14min. We loved Belize! We had a great time exploring the ruins at Lamanai, snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Mexico Rocks, venturing out to “Secret Beach”, and relaxing by the pool. We stayed at the Grande Caribe in Ambergris Caye.

SAN PEDRO, BELIZE 2018, 5min.

Fishing trip clip/ I went to belize, 5min.

Playing with a Tarantula (Belize), 1min.