LOVE FM
Who killed Akeem Tiron Vargas?
Another man was gunned down in Belize City. 25-year-old Akeem Tiron Vargas is the latest victim as he was gunned down last night on Wagner’s Lane in Belize City. Lorna Sanchez, Vargas’ mother-in-law said that she met Vargas in the alley when she came from work and not too long after while talking to her …
What happened to Ivan Witzil?
Police continue their investigation into the disappearance of 51- year- old Ivan Roger Witzil. As we reported earlier this week, Witzil’s ex-common law wife and his children became concerned after he did not visit their home as he was accustomed to. The last time the family saw Witzil was on June 17, however, it was …
Living Hope giving children a second chance
Living Hope Preparatory School has been giving children a second chance to reach their goals and make a difference in life. The school caters for at risk youths who have failed the PSE by giving them another opportunity to re-sit it. Terri Westby, the principal of Living Hope Preparatory School, said they have twenty scholarships …
Saldivar will get his wish
Last week, Arthur Saldivar took out a lawsuit against the trustees of the People’s United Party after his application to be a candidate in the Belmopan PUP convention was rejected by the party’s vetting committee. Saldivar said that he was seeking an injunction from the court to postpone the convention. Attorney Arthur Saldivar: What was before …
Police say fire may have been arson
Police are also investigating a fire which occurred earlier this week on T-Street which was occupied by one person who had recently moved to the premises. At yesterday’s press brief, ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of the Crimes Investigation Branch briefed the media on the incident. ASP Alejandro Cow – Head of CIB: The house fire …
Police investigating fire on T-Street
Police are also investigating a fire which occurred earlier this week on T-Street which was occupied by one person who had recently moved to the premises. At yesterday’s press brief, ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of the Crimes Investigation Branch briefed the media on the incident. ASP Alejandro Cowo: The house fire which took place on …
Number of Mexican visitors to Belize grows over past two years
The Mexican press is reporting that Belize has opened its border to Mexicans wishing to tour the Jewel. According to several reports, Belize’s Immigration Department has facilitated Mexican tourists with a border crossing card that allows them to enter Belize without having to present their passports, similar to the system of border crossing cards issued …
Family offers $15,000 for information leading to Businessman Omero Campos
The family of Omero Campos is now offering a monetary reward to anyone who can assist with information that can lead to his whereabouts. Campos, a businessman, went missing on June 17 after leaving his house to go to his farm in San Narciso Village in the Corozal District. His family received a call hours …
A “YES” Campaign
Today the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially launched the Public Awareness and Preparedness Campaign on taking Guatemala’s claim over part of Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. The launch was done as the United Nations and the United States of America presented a grant in support of the education campaign, and by extension, …
Police investigates family’s allegation against Bella Vista Police
Police are now looking into the case of Jose Pop, the teenager who was assaulted by two civilians and taken to the Bella Vista Police Station on June 28 in San Isidro Village in the Toledo District. Pop’s family allege that he was taken from a neighbor’s house, where he sought refuge, by two men, …
Amandala
Accused, undefended rapist acquitted
A jury of 7 women and 2 men deliberated for about 6 hours on Tuesday, July 3, in the court of Justice Colin Williams, before it found Rudolph Smith, 43, aka “Tubba”, not guilty of rape and aggravated burglary. The jury’s verdict was unanimous.
The allegation was that in the early morning hours of November 23, 2011, Smith entered as a trespasser a house in Belize City and raped a girl who was 16 years old at the time, at knife point.
To prove its case, the Crown, represented by Crown Counsel Killeru Awich, called the virtual complainant, who testified that she was awakened when she felt someone on her back. She said that when she got up, she saw that it was a man with a knife about 10 inches long in his hand.
CitCo welcomes new City Administrator
On Tuesday, July 3, Mayor Bernard Wagner officially introduced the new City Administrator, Stephanie Lindo-Garbutt.
CitCo, in a press release, said that Stephanie has a “proven track record as a top performer in complex business environments in both the private and public sector management. Her applied work experience in sustainable project management and her established achievements in strategy and change management are key assets in supporting the Belize City Council in carrying out its three-year mandate while establishing solid foundation for its continued success.”
Cliff Kirk, 60, shot in head during robbery in San Pedro
Cliff Kirk, 60, an American businessman who owns Casa Brisas in northern San Pedro, is fighting for his life in the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Kirk, a longtime resident of San Pedro, was shot in the right side of the head by one of four masked thieves who went to his house to rob him at about 11:00 this morning.
Police said that Kirk was walking down his stairs to go into his yard when four masked men came up and one of them fired a shot at him which struck him in the head.
CitCo cuts taxi operators fee in half
In the former UDP City Councils, taxis were organized into 13 unions and each taxi driver had to pay a $20 per month operator’s fee. Making good on a manifesto promise, the PUP Council has cut that fee in half.
City Councilor Allan Pollard said that much of his job has been to work with taxi drivers and that last week, the Council passed a resolution to slash the service fee in half, to $10. He said that the taxi drivers were very appreciative of this move, because, prior to being elected, the Council had heard these concerns from them.
Attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres appointed chair of Integrity Commission
The Senate met today in a special session to consider a number of appointments, but the debate in the Upper House was dominated by the appointment of attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres to head the Integrity Commission.
As is required by the law, the chairperson of the Integrity Commission must be an attorney with at least 5 years in practice.
Attorney Arzu-Torres takes up the spot of chairperson of the Integrity Commission that became vacant last December when the previous holder of the office, attorney Marilyn Williams, left the post to take up an appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Eric Echols wins “Julia Humbles” Award
Eric Echols, son of Virginia Echols, host of the KREM Radio show Moments of Inspiration, was awarded the Julia Humbles Award by the Crystal Ball Foundation in Atlanta on June 30. The award is presented to persons who “seek to promote human welfare, are philanthropists, social reformers, excellent leaders, and Good Samaritans.”
The Crystal Ball Foundation supports the development of young people who are attending or plan to attend college. According to its website, it “serves as a beacon of light to enhance the lives of students through mentorship, leadership, and scholarships.” It also salutes individuals it considers as “mentors” or role models for these young people.
Basketball champions celebrated with luncheon
The Ahmadiyya Basketball team recently participated in the “Hoops on the Beach” basketball tournament held in Cancun, Mexico. Despite the lack of facilities provided for them to practice and the limited time they had, the U13 and U19 teams both managed to bring home the gold while the U17 team brought home silver
Naveed Mangla, the president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Belize, said that just taking the teams out of the country to participate in the tournament was a success for them. The basketball league has been running for the last 4 years, and in the last couple of years it had about 100 youths participating. The basketball tournament lasts from January to May, and this year it was extended to include 400 youths.
BFLA holds 12th Annual Team Relay Triathlon
On Sunday, July 2, the Belize Family Life Association (BFLA) kicked off its Youth Month activities with the holding of its 12th Annual Team Relay (Swim, Ride amd Run) Triathlon.
Eight (8) teams of three (3) members each participated in the Triathlon, which began with a 300m swim at the YWCA pool on St. Thomas Street (17 laps of the pool), followed by a 40K ride (9 laps of a route leaving from in front of YWCA on St. Thomas Street, on to Princess Margaret Drive, up Coney Drive, turning at Buttonwood Bay Boulevard, back to Coney Drive roundabout, and retracing their route on Princess Margaret Drive and then St. Thomas Street, to tag their teammates in front of YWCA for the 10K run (6 laps from YWCA around Freetown Road roundabout, up St. Thomas Street, turning around at the Marion Jones roundabout and return to YWCA).
Smart Mundialito 2018 Opening Season finals results from the MCC
The Smart Mundialito 2018 Opening Season finals were held on Saturday, June 30, at the MCC Grounds, where Ladyville Rising Stars dethroned 2017 champions, City Boys, to become the 2018 Smart Mundialito Opening Season Champions in Belize City.
In the 3rd place game, Reality Youths came out with a 1-nil victory in overtime, after going scoreless in regulation against Hattieville Riverside Boys. Scorian Stuart got the winning goal for Reality Youths.
FFB National Over-40 reg. season winding down
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) National Over-40 football tournament is nearing the end of its double round-robin regular season. The tournament is divided into two groups of 6 teams each, with the top 2 teams from each group qualifying to the semifinal playoffs.
We don’t have the scoring details, but here are the results of games played since we last reported the standings on Sunday, June 24:
Editorial: Belize’s television generations
When live television entered Belize in 1982, the year after Belize achieved political independence, it was supposed to take the form of a controlled experiment, wherein two or three dozen affluent households would purchase equipment which would enable them to receive television signals from a specific satellite company. The majority shareholders in that company were Arthur and Marie Hoare, and the exclusive rights had been given to that couple as a political favor to Mrs. Marie Hoare, the chairlady of Prime Minister George Price’s Freetown constituency for many years.
Belizeans in Belize City, the nation’s population center, were desperate for television. In the extreme north and extreme south, Belizeans had been viewing television signals from Mexico and Guatemala, respectively, for decades. Many, many Belize City homes owned television sets which they had never been able to use.
The friend of my enemy is my enemy, but the enemy of my enemy is my friend …
Dear Editor,
I shall not be drawn into the argument as to whether the Zionist State of Israel is secularist, apartheid and racist, with its capital,Tel Aviv, recognised as the gay capital of the world, as against it being a continuum of the Biblical Israel, despite its government, form, ideology, values and practices are at total variance with the Israel of the Bible.
Neither will I discuss the history of this state’s formation in 1948 by its secularist and atheist founders, beginning with Theodor Herzl, David Ben-Gurion, Golda Meir and Chaim Weizmann. Nor will I examine the Machiavellian role of Britain, which had the Mandate and was unduly influenced by centuries of Restorationist doctrines within Britain, as well as those of the US, and a guilt-ridden Europe which all needed to salve their consciences because of the genocide of a people whose DNAs expose them to be more European and less Jew – hence the compromise, “Jewish”.
Jerry Enriquez thanks Henry Young, Sr.
Editor Sir,
I am writing with reference to a letter written by Mr. Henry Young, Sr. in this newspaper dated June 23, 2018, (pg. 7) in which he recommended that my book, To Educate a Nation: Autobiography of Andres P. and Jane V. Enriquez, should be a required reading for all; especially for teachers. His recommendation is an honor for which I am very grateful.
Hopefully, the Ministry of Education as well as Principals and teachers of primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions will heed his advice and seek to deepen their awareness of our nation’s rich history. Indeed, our teachers cannot continue to remain apathetic about various aspects of our nation’s history – including our political, cultural, social and economic history. Promoting the knowledge of Belize’s history is so important for nurturing well-informed citizens, and for providing valuable insights for current and future generations.
Romel queries the Ministry of Transport
Dear Editor,
I have a query for the Ministry and/or Department of Transport.
On our Belize driver’s licence there is a B2 category for six-wheel trucks and a B3 for tandem drive vehicles (with trailer).
On our highways you can frequently see delivery trucks with an extra (dead) differential, adding four more wheels to the vehicle so it can withstand more weight.
Some delivery truck drivers have only a B2 six-wheel truck licence, and some transport officers want to ticket them whenever they are driving these added dead axle trucks because they consider them ten-wheelers.
Pastor Jim Duncan from Boston Village
Dear Mr. Hyde,
I have enjoyed reading your newspaper and editorials for many many years, and have responded a few times before. This time I am writing in response to your editorial in the June 29 Amandala, titled “Belize or Israel: country or God?” I respectfully submit to you that for Belizeans to choose between our country and God would not only be foolhardy, but actually an impossibility. I will explain.
I certainly will never be as knowledgeable about the history of Belize as you are, as I’ve only lived here for 20 years, but I do know that our Belizean constitution affirms in its preamble that “the Nation of Belize shall be founded upon principles which acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in human rights and fundamental freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions, the dignity of the human person and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator.”
Who is afraid of Belize’s Diaspora?
On the whole, it is fairly obvious that the Belizean Diaspora is misunderstood and thus mis-appraised. It is not a monolithic group, but one of the most fragmented and possibly divided Diasporas. There is a lack of leadership, organisation, ideological focus and goals, and therefore there is an urgent need for capacity building. In a number of important aspects our Diaspora mirrors the national chaos and anomie at home. The Belizean Diaspora is also economically modest when compared to other Diasporas in North America and Britain. But one needs to appreciate that a Diaspora can only work its economic magic not only if the host country within which it is situated tolerates it and gives it opportunities, but also if the home country appreciates it.
Mexico goes socialist, and a NY district might too
All the talk in Mexico and Latin America right now is about the victory of Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador, a democratic socialist, in the presidential elections in Mexico this week. Much of the talk in the USA right now is about the victory of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a 28-year-old democratic socialist, who shocked a 10-term incumbent in a congressional district in New York.
There’s little pure glory for mankind in the daag-eat-daag capitalist system. We have heard American president, Donald Trump, speak about the “art of the deal” as if it is some wholesome science. It’s not! Yes, much of the success in the capitalist system depends on your talent, hard work, home work, and intuition, but a heck of a lot of the deal is about dishonest insider trading, lobbying shady politicians, and at its most vicious, taking advantage of people who are financially desperate. In the political arena it is pointing a gun or pointing to the bomb and telling leaders of less militarily powerful governments, DEAL!
The Growth of Black Consciousness in Belize 1914–1919
Violence, whether spontaneous or premeditated, has an inherent attraction for both the historian and his reader. On the one hand there is the heightened colour of strong emotions unleashed in an individual or society exposed to unacceptable stress. On the other, the rare opportunity to perceive fully, perhaps for the first time, the processes in that individual or society which are most important to its functioning. Those processes and the psychological and ideological assumptions which regulate them may be only fully comprehended when the organism, be it individual or collective, makes war upon itself.
Riding across Belize for kidney patients
The Ride Across Belize is a community-supported annual initiative by the Social Security Board (SSB) to raise funds to support charitable causes and aid in the development of Belize. According to the SSB’s website, they started the initiative because, “medical practitioners linked to the Social Security Board decided that the institution needs to do more in emphasizing the importance of healthy living.”
The Ride Across Belize program, according to the website, has two main objectives: to “work as a team and raise needed funds to generate public awareness for worthy causes, and to promote healthy lifestyles in Belizean homes.”
Michelle Cox Hoare new KHMH CEO
Michelle Cox Hoare, a veteran administrator of 33 years in the Belize Healthcare Service, is now the new Chief Executive Officer of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH).
She came with a Master’s Degree in Public Health, a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Administration and served as the Director of Nursing Service at the KHMH, and the Program Officer for the United Nations Population Fund for Belize.
Hoare was introduced to the media yesterday as the new CEO during a brief ceremony.
Brhea Bowen, 20, awarded $10,000 in damages for GSU violation of her constitutional rights
The Belize Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) has been costing taxpayers many thousands of dollars in lawsuit awards as a result of a number of incidents involving the violation of citizens’ constitutional rights by the unit, which has engaged in an overzealous enforcement of the laws, especially the Amendment to the Firearms Act, which calls for the arrest of all persons on a premises where unlicensed firearms or ammunition are found.
Today, a Supreme Court judge awarded a 20-year-old woman $10,000 after the court found that the GSU had violated her constitutional rights when she was arrested and charged, along with her mother and brother, for possession of unlicensed ammunition for some shotgun cartridges a GSU search party found at the family’s La Croix Boulevard home.
Jose Salinas, 16, attacked and stabbed after exiting bus in Hope Creek
Jose Salinas, 16, a fourth form student of Hope Creek, is recovering at the Southern Regional after he was beaten and stabbed in his back and abdomen yesterday morning in the village.
Salinas is now declared to be in a serious but stable condition.
Information to us is that yesterday morning, Salinas travelled from Belmopan to Hope Creek on a James Bus and on his arrival in the village three men were waiting for him at the bus stop.
The Reporter
Belize city restaurant robbed
New Fortune Restaurant located at the corner of West Collet Canal and King street in Belize city was targetted by three thieves on Thursday night. While
A
keem Vargas shot dead on Wagner’s Lane
A shooting on Wagner’s Lane in Belize city on Thursday night has claimed the life of Akeem Tiron Vargas, 25. Vargas was shot to the right side of his neck
Two men arrested for stabbing and assault cases in St. Mathew’s village
Two men, Germaine Joseph and Santos Eduardo Lopez, have been arrested for separate stabbing incidents, both of which happened in St. Mathew’s village recently. Joseph, 30, a construction worker of
Guatemalan citizens can re-register: Attorney General
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte told the media today – despite a reported pause by the Immigration Department on the issuance of Belizean nationality to Guatemalans amid concerns over the renunciation
UNCAC inspection team to finally arrive this weekend
A team of government experts from the nations of Haiti and Tuvalu, whose February visit to Belize was reportedly postponed due to logistical challenges with arranging their travel plans, is
Prime Minister Set to give speech at CARICOM H-O-S, July 5th.
Developing story, Caricom H-O-S Meeting at Montego Bay, Jamaica, July 4th. – 6th. 2018
Breaking Belize News
Beryl intensifies to a Category 1 hurricane
The National Hurricane Center has just upgraded the status of Beryl to a Category 1 […]
Police find weed and cocaine in Caye Caulker
Yesterday morning between 5:15 and 6:30, a police search in an abandoned lot on Estrella Street, Caye […]
Father and son charged with drug trafficking in Corozal
Yesterday around 1 p.m., police searched the residence of Jose Escamila Sr., 48, of the Finca Solano […]
Belize City man gunned down
Belize City police are investigating the murder of a twenty-five-year old construction worker. Last night around 7:00, […]
International day of Co-operatives being celebrated on Saturday in Belize city
The Department of Co-operatives with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, […]
Minor reportedly raped by ex-boyfriend
Belmopan police are investigating a report of rape in their jurisdiction. Yesterday, a 15-year-old minor […]
Over 120 clerks participate in training program
The Ministry of the Public Service hosted a Clerical Promotional Program to provide vital training […]
Belizean artist awarded 2018 Bridget Jones Award
Belizean artist, Katie Numi Usher is the recipient of this year’s Bridget Jones Award for […]
Ministry of Agriculture concludes five-day training course
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and through the […]
First hurricane of 2018, Beryl, continues to gain strength
Beryl became the first hurricane of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season today. As of 11:00 […]
Cayo Espanto – Private Island Paradise
Located just three miles off the coast of Ambergris Caye is the ultra-exclusive private island, Cayo Espanto. Attracting a mix of discerning luxury travelers and A-list celebrities, this five-star resort features seven private villas, including one over-the-water bungalow. If you’ve ever fantasized about a private island getaway with round the clock pampering and gourmet cuisine, rest assured – Cayo Espanto is the stuff dreams are made of!
You won’t have to wait until your arrival to realize how special this vacation is going to be – the pampering starts the minute you make your reservation. An e-mail questionnaire fleshes out important details like the time you prefer your morning coffee, what your dream dinner is, and how much pampering do you want. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, let them know as the staff will do their best to make it happen.
Complimentary transfers to Cayo Espanto depart from Ambergris Caye via a quick 10-minute boat ride. Before you even have time to settle in on the boat, you’re already being delivered to your villa’s private dock, where the entire staff is on hand to welcome you.
Sometimes You Need Extreme Patience
I messaged both Wade and Kathy from Roadkill Bar this morning to let them know that I was finally changing my sign that is on display along the outside fence of the bar. After that, I decided to check and I found the start of getting the sign repainted dates back to May 20th, 2016. I tried to speed up the process but there was just no way around it. I was not only waiting on one sign painter either. I tried three and finally, I ended up going with the original of the three. And yes there is great a lowdown to that slow down however in the interest of respect, I am keeping it light.
The irony to this story is when I turned up at the internet cafe to leave some money for the clear coat, my previous sign painter was there – I have literally not seen him in years. Belize definitely was showing it’s sense of humor when it had me on delay for my sign.
Buying Liquor On Your Way Into Belize
This was originally posted in 2012 but there have been some important updates at the international airport.
Most notably, there are TWO inbound duty free stores and the selection has broadened to include some sunglasses, make-up and candy in addition to American brand cigarette cartons and wine and liquor. AND it can get you lower prices.
There are no two ways about it…drinking in Belize can be expensive. Enjoying a beer at a local bar starts at $5BZD (or $2.50 USD), local rum is generally priced about the same and it goes up, way up, for imported liquors. Vodka or tequila drinks generally start at $12bzd. A glass of (often Chilean) wine starts at $15bzd. A night out can grow expensive depending on your tastes and your venue.
International Sources
Hurricane Beryl to raise risk of flooding in Caribbean; State of emergency declared in Puerto Rico
Hurricane Beryl, a tiny storm over the south-central Atlantic, is projected to take a path over the northern Caribbean.
As of early Saturday morning, Beryl was moving west-northwestward at about 14 mph (22 km/h) and had maximum sustained winds of 75 mph (120 km/h).
Beryl is entering a zone of conditions that are likely to inhibit its further strengthening.
"Because of the small size of Beryl and anticipated weakening, widespread wind damage is not expected," according to AccuWeather Meteorologist Jake Sojda.
However, there will be some risk to lives and property along the storm's path. People should take precautions.
Videos
Talk Ah Di Town July 5, 2018, 60min.
Belize Police Department - Safety precautions for businesses and communities, 60min.
The Welcome Resource Center is celebrating its 5th Anniversary., 24min.
The Mahogany Media Summer Paint Sessions, 18min.
The Belize City Council is organizing a 5 week tournament, 12min.
Professional techniques that singers use to enhance the quality of their singing voice, 42min.
Keron Flies His Kite is an inspirational children's book, 24min.
My BELIZE EXPEDITION!!, 5min.
Diving In Belize, 3.5min. Today we went Scuba diving in Belize, specifically La Isla Bonita - San Pedro.
Sports Talk Show, 2hr.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
