Today's Belize News: August 5, 2018

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Today's Belize News: August 5, 2018 #531677 08/05/18 06:40 AM 08/05/18 06:40 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 83,953 oregon, spr Marty OP .
Marty OP	FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report. Specials and Events Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials The San Pedro Sun Wolfe’s Woofers: Philosophy “Sylvan! Sylvan!” Mario and I were sitting at a table on the deck at Fido’s last Wednesday when he hailed a guy who was passing by on the beach. I asked, “Who is Sylvan?” “He’s probably about the smartest man in Belize,” Mario said. “He’s got all kinds of degrees from universities in the States and Mexico.” Sylvan joined us for a cup of coffee and explained that he had been away for a year studying philosophy in New York. “What is philosophy?” Mario asked. “It’s the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge.” Belize hosts 2018 XX Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship The 2018 XX Central American Women’s Volleyball Championship is being held at the Civic Center in Belize City from Saturday, August 4th to Friday, August 10th. The seven-day international volleyball tournament is a regional ranking and qualification event for the continental North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) championship that has further ranking and qualifications to the Federation International of Volleyball (FIVA) world championships. The American volleyball federations participating are Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize. Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo, Miss Honduras is Reina de la Costa Maya 2018! Taking the 2018 title of Reina de la Costa Maya is Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo of Honduras! Charming the judges and the crowd, Mary Cruz was able to walk away with the crown and title of Miss Costa Maya International 2018-19. She was selected after an elegant show of beauty, glamour and culture onstage at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex on Friday, August 3rd. The pageant is the largest international pageant held in Belize, and saw the participation of beauties from all Central American countries (except Nicaragua) and Mexico. The lovely contestants were Marcia Moody of Belize, Adriana Moya Alvarado of Costa Rica, Naydin Madeline Valladares Renderos of El Salvador, Hilary Cumings of Guatemala, Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo of Honduras, Cynthia de la Vega of Mexico, and Emigdielys Arlyn Samaniego Batista of Panama. Leading the night’s events were the affable hosts Eiden Salazar Jr. and Daedra Haylock. Massive fire leaves many residents of the Boca del Rio Area homeless A devastating fire in the Boca del Rio area north of San Pedro Town destroyed six houses early this morning, Saturday, August 4th. The fire reportedly started shortly after 1AM, no injuries have been reported, but many persons are now homeless as the blaze destroyed everything in its path. The fire threatened to spread to nearby houses, but thanks to the efforts from the San Pedro Fire Department and the many volunteers who battled the fire for hours, a larger tragedy was avoided. Residents, however, believe that is time for local and central government authorities to look seriously into this matter and provide the fire department on the island with the adequate resources and equipment to better address such emergencies. Ambergris Today Man Stabbed To Death On His Bed San Pedro Police are investigating the murder of man who was stabbed to death on his bed. According to the official police report, on Friday, August 3, 2018, San Pedro Police responded to a report on Caribena Street where they found the lifeless body of a Hispanic male lying face up on his bed with multiple stab wounds in his body. The report states that at about 7:40 p.m., Police Constable Nestor Campus was upstairs of the residence in his room when he heard a commotion. Upon making checks he saw a known male person running away from a room occupied by Carlos Valdez. The room is located on the eastern side of the residence and the assailant was running away with a knife in his hands; Campus attempted to restrain the male individual who in return attempted to stab him with the knife. Island Blaze Leaves Over 80 Homeless Destroying 10 Structures Due to the proximity of the homes to each other and high winds the fire spread quickly leaving ten structures completely destroyed and three partially damaged. Low water pressure from the town’s water supply also presented a problem in collecting water. Sadly not much could be done to save all the homes in the area; the fire stopped spreading where home were farther apart from each other. The fire was brought under control about 4:26 a.m., by firefighters who were assisted by civilians who came to their aid with buckets and water hoses from nearby homes. Although there were many upset that police officers were removing people from the area, Superintendent Reymundo Reyes (new Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit - Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker) stated that this was done for the safely of everyone. He said they were protecting people from the high heat, fire and extreme smoke inhalation as the conditions in the area were extreme. Misc Belizean Sources Mr. Carlos Valdez passes away Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council would like to extend its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Carlos Valdez, also known as "Ninja" on his tragic passing. We hope his family finds the strength in each other to overcome this great loss. May his soul rest in peace. CARLOS VALDEZ MURDERED ON AMBERGRIS At 7:40 p.m., Police Constable Nestor Campus was upstairs of in his room in the building when he heard a commotion coming from another room. Upon making checks he saw a familiar face running from tCarlos “can” Valdez’s room with a knife in his hand. Officer Campus attempted to restrain the man but the suspect attempted to stab him with the knife. Campus eventually subdued the individual. The officer went into Valdez’s room and found his body lying face up on the bed, riddled with stab wounds. Boca Del Rio Fire Last I heard, 10 homes were consumed by the inferno. Luckily all were able to get out. It was a heartbreaking night in the Boca del Rio area and it will be a tough morning for those who are now homeless. May our community come together and help all those affected. International Night - Ivy Queen Night three of the International Costa Maya Festival ends with a bang as queen of Reggaeton Ivy Queen owns the stage. Openers included The Garifuna Collective and singer Marilyn Vanson. The Reporter Corozal family’s home sprayed with bullets A Corozal family came under fire last night when their house was sprayed with at least nine bullets. Police confirmed the incident after they recovered nine expended 9mm shells from the scene. The Reporter understands that police have detained three persons, and that one of them has named the other two of being behind the incident and their investigations continue. Fire in San Pedro destroys five homes A Fire in San Pedro Town early this morning completely wiped out five houses and caused damages to three more. Police say that sometime around 1:30 am, they responded to a report of a house on fire in the Boca del Rio area and saw one house already consumed by the blaze. The fire reportedly spread to several other houses before fire fighters could contain it. Police say it took some three hours for fire fighters, with the help of residents, to extinguish the fire. PAINTER WAS FATALLY STABBED IN SAN PEDRO TOWN A painter was fatally stabbed in San Pedro Town last night. The Reporter has confirmed that the victim is Carlitos Valdez, 50, of Caribena Street on the island. Valdez was reportedly inside his room, located on the upper flat of a club, sometime before 8:00pm when a man attacked him and stabbed him multiple times in the chest and abdomen. POLICE FIND ALMOST 7 POUNDS OF WEED IN SOUTH SIDE, BELIZE CITY Police say that separate searches they conducted recently on the south side of Belize City have yielded close to seven pounds of marijuana, but that none of the searches have resulted in any arrests because no one was found in the areas where they found the drugs. They say they have labeled and deposited the drugs as “found property.” TAIWAN DONATES TOWARD SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated towards Belize’s September celebrations. Last week Friday, Second Secretary at the Taiwanese embassy in Belize, Kelly Chang handed over a cheque for $60,000 to Sapna Budhrani, president of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) and Co-Chair of the National Celebrations Committee. Breaking Belize News Digicell text services restored Earlier today, Digicell users were not able to send or receive SMS/ text messages. Digicell informed that they were experiencing technical difficulties with the SMS service. A few minutes ago, Digicell issued an update informing all customers that the SMS services have been fully restored. […] Digicell apologizes for SMS issue Many Digicell users took to social media to rant about not being able to use their SMS/ text service today. Digicell has just issued a statement informing its PrePaid customers countrywide that they may be experiencing issues when sending and receiving SMS messages. […] NEMO Minister assesses damage in San Pedro A fire last night left 75 San Pedranos homeless. The inferno destroyed 10 homes in the Boca del Rio area. This morning, Minister of National Emergency Management and Organization (NEMO) Edmund Castro arrived in San Pedro to assess the damage by the fire. […] Benque Viejo man stabbed to death in San Pedro Police are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred last night in San Pedro. According to reports, around 7:40 last night, police constable Nestor Campus was upstairs of a home on Caribena street when he heard a commotion. […] Miss Honduras crowned La Reina de la Costa Maya 2018 Last night, Miss Honduras, Mary Cardona won the crown at the Costa Maya 2018 international pageant. Cardona succeeds former Miss Belize, Michelle Nunez, who won the 2017 Miss Costa Maya pageant. Miss México took home 2nd place and Miss Costa Rica, third place. […] Ten homes destroyed in San Pedro inferno Police and fire officials are investigating a fire that completely destroyed 10 homes in the Boca del Rio area of San Pedro town last night. Various families have been misplaced and are today homeless after losing everything in the inferno. […] Two more Belizean power-lifters bring home Gold and Bronze from regional competition Two more Belizean power-lifters bring home Gold and Bronze from regional competition The Belize Power-lifting Association today informed that three Belizeans participated in the 16th North American Regional Powerlifting Championship competition in Mexico city, Mexico. […] Belizean wins Gold Medal at Regional Powerlifting Championships in Mexico Yesterday, Belizean power-lifting enthusiast and personal trainer, Kaylon Godoy won a Gold Medal at the 16th North American Regional Powerlifting Championship Competition in Mexico City, Mexico. The International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) and the North American Regional Powerlifting Federation (NAPF) brings together drug-free regional powerlifting enthusiasts in America and the Caribbean. […] Blogs Boca Del Rio Blaze Ambergris was abuzz today with talk of the fire that displaced 75-84 people (exact number still to be determined) in the Boca Del Rio, San Juan area late last night. The fire broke out Just north-west of the Train Station Gym and behind Compadres bar on the lagoon side of town. The community is springing into action fast, food, clothing, and hygiene donations are being accepted at Hope Haven Shelter (across from Maya Island Air). Colleen’s Kitchen at the shelter will be providing 3 meals a day for at least a week, along with fruits and snacks for the kids. When I messaged Karen Brodie to get permission to use her devastating fire pictures, she also gave me a few details to share with you. “The blaze started around 1:00 am. It seems like it was arson according to Manuel Heredia. A fight was going on in the house where the fire started according to neighbors. It was an incredibly hot fire, literally an inferno. Even when I first got there and wasn’t brave enough to get real close I could feel the heat from it and I was worried about explosions.” Saturday view in Corozal Corozal Town is located in the northernmost district of Belize, the Corozal District. The town itself offers a laid-back, slower lifestyle than many bigger, busier cities or tourist-filled locations. Its proximity to the Mexican border, and Mexican city of Chetumal, makes it a great place for duty-free shopping, and also means that the bustling city life is just a short trip away for those who begin to miss it. International Sources The Humble Golf Cart Golf carts by definition are a small self-propelled vehicle designed to carry two people around a golf course with less effort than walking. The idea, and first use of a golf cart is credited to J.K. Wadley, a resident of Texarkana, Texas/Arkansas, who in 1932 after witnessing a senior citizen using a three-wheel vehicle to get to the grocery store, decided it would be perfect on his local links, it wasn't. On Belize, golf carts are a major mode of transportation, and are a popular tourist rental. They've also become favorites at hunting camps, factory's, and yuppie neighborhood's where residents drive carts tagged NEV's, or neighborhood electric vehicles. War on sharks: How rogue fishing fleets plunder the ocean’s top predator It was billed as the biggest poaching bust in history, a monumental win for conservationists. An Ecuadorean Navy patrol vessel, guided by advanced radar and a small plane, bore down on a ship the length of a football field making a beeline across the Galapagos Marine Reserve — probably the most fiercely protected waters in the world. Filling the freighter’s freezers: 150 tons of dead sharks, most of them endangered and illegal to sell. Only small pieces off those 6,000 carcasses were actually of much value. The fins. Videos Interview with San Pedro Mayor on Fire in San Pedro., 6min. Minister Edmond Castro on fire incident in San Pedro., 6min. Neighbor of Fire Victims, San Pedro., 2.5min. Police Official speaks on the major fire and murder that took place in San Pedro., 3.5min. “Heads need to roll” says San Pedro resident Jorge Aldana in speaking to members of the media about the fire that destroyed ten homes in San Pedro., 5.5min. San Pedro Fire, 5min. Belize vs El Salvador, XX Central American Women's VolleyBall Championship! , min. Nicaragua vs Guatemala, XX Central American Women's VolleyBall Championship, min. Costa Rica vs Panamá, XX Central American Women's VolleyBall Championship, min. Ivy Queen live on stage at Costa Maya Festival!!!, 2min. This is ground zero in The Boca del Rio FIRE, 1min. you may recall that in July of 2014, there was a massive fire on this same block. Belize Boat Snorkel, 4min. Caye Caulker, Belize, 5min. What a wonderful trip to Belize! San Pedro, Belize \| July 2018, 7min. San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Biking Around Caye Caulker, Belize, 2.5min. Belize is one of my favorite countries that I have vacationed. I absolutely loved this place! And, the island of Caye Caulker absolutely stole my heart. Full disclosure: I look this island up all the time to review the current real estate opportunities. I would live here in a heart beat. The people were so kind, the views unreal, and the idea of no cars allowed is something I was definitely on board with! Check out more from the island!!! EXPLORING PLACENCIA - IS BELIZE SAFE?, 15min. In this video explored the village of Placencia in the southern region of Belize. Another really nice relaxing place to visit with a lot of beaches. I also quickly comment about the safety for tourists in Belize.