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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

San Pedro R.C School host All Saints Day Fair 2018
Many island children and their parents enjoyed San Pedro Roman Catholic School's (SPRCS) Annual All Saints Day Fair. Held on Friday, November 2nd the fair is a part of the annual tradition that reveres Saints of the Catholic Doctrine, while serving as a fundraiser for projects in the school. The fair started around 5PM, with a large crowd making its way into the fair grounds. Several students dressed as their favorite Saints and Angels, including Mother Teresa Saint Peter, Saint Jude, Mother Mary and more. The fair was not just all about the Saints; those in attendance also enjoyed plenty of food, drinks, music, games and even live entertainment from SPRCS students.

San Pedro House of Culture observes Dia de Los Finados
Many residents of La Isla Bonita celebrated their dearly departed at the San Pedro House of Culture's (SPHC) El Dia de Los Finandos celebration (Day of the Dead) on Friday, November 2nd. This tradition is practiced annually among the Mestizo, Maya and Garifuna cultures in Belize. It is also a tradition in many Latin American countries. A large crowd gathered to observe the celebration and Director of the SPHC Mito Paz welcomed them warmly, explaining the importance of El Dia de Los Finados.

Ambergris Today

Protect Our Manatees - "Go Slow" Sign Installed On Belize River
BTB and stakeholders install sign on Belize River reminding tour guides to protect manatees The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with the Port Authority, Sea 2 Shore Alliance and the Belize Manatee Conservation Project, has installed a sign on the estuary of the Belize River with the aim to remind tour guides of their responsibility to protect Belize's natural resources. The installation of the sign was deemed necessary due to increasing public concerns regarding some tour guides touching and feeding manatees as part of their tours.

Rotaract Club Of Ambergris Caye Donate Trash Bins To Schools
The Rotaract Club of Ambergris Caye embarked on an environmental awareness school campaign and visited of five hundred students who were informed of proper garbage disposal. A total of 40 Trash Bins came to San Pedro of which 22 of them are going to Holy Cross Anglican School, San Pedro R.C. School and New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist School. The remaining 18 trash bins will be strategically located throughout the community where it may be most needed this week.

Belize Teachers Ready To Demonstrate On Wednesday
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) has announced that they will be holding a demonstration at the nation's capital, Belmopan on Wednesday, November 7, 2018, to serve as a warning to the Ministry of Education on stalling on a number of issues affecting teachers. BNTU President, Elena Smith, stated that the union has taken the position to demonstrate, in light of comments made by Minister of Education Patrick Faber, which the union maintains are completely untrue. Smith said that Faber continues to spread untruths about the ongoing negotiations for hardship allowance for teachers in remote areas and that the ministry is disrespecting the union by telling them to meet with district education managers instead of the Minister and his team.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Lots of Great photos & Videos from Sunday nights SAGA Halloween Spooktacular
Our deepest thanks to William McQueen for his beyond generous $3000 BZ donation to us in memoriam... In memory of Kay Falley, Ken Fellure and Milo Paz... Thank you from all of us at Saga Humane

5% discount on 2019 Trade License fees in San Pedro
It's back! Take advantage of this promotion! In honor of San Pedro's 34th Township Anniversary, the San Pedro Town Council is offering a 5% discount on Trade License fees for 2019. Please be reminded that you must fill out a renewal form prior to paying your 2019 fee.

Prevent ZIKA Community Cleanup in Calcutta
Saturday Nov. 10, 9am at the football field

Garifuna Settlement Day Yurumein and Delebration
Libertad Village, Monday November 19

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of Oct 29- Nov. 4th, 2018
Many bonefish landed both from the boats and by wading the flats. Bigger schools and larger fish were on the flats. Several larger ones were landed including one in the 20 lb. class and a couple of anglers had double permit days.

The San Pedro House of Culture celebrated Los Finados to honour our dearly departed

Save Manatees: "Go Slow" Sign Installed On Belize River
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with the Port Authority, Sea 2 Shore Alliance and the Belize Manatee Conservation Project, has installed a sign on the estuary of the Belize River with the aim to remind tour guides of their responsibility to protect Belize's natural resources. The installation of the sign was deemed necessary due to increasing public concerns regarding some tour guides touching and feeding manatees as part of their tours.

INTER-DISTRICT COMPETITIONS
The CFA and OWFA invites you this Saturday, November 10, 2018 starting at 2:00pm at the Ricalde Stadium. Come out and support Corozal as we play the inter-district against OW.

Belmopan U21 Tournament Final (1st Leg)
Las Flores FC U21 vs Spanish Lookout FC U21. Friday 6:00 pm. Isidoro Beaton Stadium. Who is your favorite pick to win the tournament?

Remembrance Day Exhibit at Corozal House of Culture
We invite you to visit the House of Culture this week as we present the Remembrance Day Exhibit along with the documentary - "Tree Fellers". Tree Fellers tells the story of British Hondurans who enlisted in WW2 and were sent to Scotland to cut trees for the war efforts. Corozal has the honour of having two living ex servicemen, Mr. Adolfo Vera who was a Tree Feller in Scotland and Mr. Anastacio Correa who kept watch over prisoners of war in Jamaica. Please join us all on Sunday November 11th at Soldiers Park for the official civic Remembrance Day ceremony beginning at 10 am.

Work continue at our Cockburn Lane and Human Development Building worksites in downtown
Foundation and columns going up at our Human Development Building site (picture on the right ). Picture on the left shows piles driven at our Cockburn Lane site. These projects are being carried out by the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project.

DAN Seminar in San Pedro
Reminder to guides dive masters instructors and dive related personnel !!! Very important!!! On Tuesday evening, November 6, 2018 we invite all divers and rescue personnel to attend the diving safety seminars by DAN, Divers Alert Network and Traveler EMS in San Pedro, Belize. Registration begins at 6:30 pm in the conference room at Banyan Bay Hotel. There will be 2 talks, including one by Martin McCafferty, Medical Information Specialist at DAN America. His talk will be "Emergency Action Plans." There will also be coffee, cookies, and a raffle for DAN prizes.

Chaac
Chaac is the representation of rain and thunder . The word Chaac in Yucatec Maya means "Rain" . The Yucatec Maya of Belize continues to give offerings to Chaac for the tradition known as Ch'a' Ch�ak .

The Placencia Breeze November 2018
RIP Miss B: The Point Loses a Legend ... pg. 5; Six Teams Walk Away with Cash Prizes at 20th Annual Placencia BTIA Saltwater Fishing Tournament ... pg. 7; Placencia Activist Finds Fuel for Her Cause at Youth Conference in London ... pg. 9; Seine Bight's Lirahuyu Seinbedi Determined to Reclaim Battle of the Drums Championship Title ... pg. 10; In Memoriam: Shearn Murphy Westby and Alden Westby, Jr. ... pg. 11; Croc Corner ... pg. 11; Fragments of Hope Initiates Exchange with Mexico's Reef Experts ... pg. 12; Over 300 Lionfish Speared in Second FoH Roundup ... pg. 12; From the Fire Hearth: Move Over Spinach and Kale; Chaya's the Real Superfood ... pg. 13;A Home Victory, First-Runner-Up Win and Pro Competition in Cuba call for a Drink from Placencia's Star Bartender Nancy Aguilar ... pg. 13;Placencia Goes Extra for Halloween and Wild for Carnival ... pg. 19;PHS and CRC Join Forces for Animal Welfare ... pg. 20;Seine Bight Running Club Update ... pg. 20;Inaugural Splash Marathon and Relay Half Marathon a Success

Passing of Mr. Pio Coc from San Antonio
"A great and gentle heart has ceased to beat." Dear Friends, we note the passing of Mr. Pio Coc from San Antonio, Toledo. Mr. Pio led and participated in many initiatives to promote and safeguard culture. His strength and vision over the decades has been remarkable. Several of us at ISCR had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Coc for the last two years to support and document the Deer Dance. Our sincere condolences to the family and the community during this time. Mr. Pio Coc, JP, passed away on Friday, November 2, 2018. Funeral services will be held to tomorrow at the San Antonio Catholic Church, Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Pio Coc, Justice of the Peace, May 5 1949 - November 2 2018.

BelizeIFF 2018 Opening NIGHT RED Carpet GALA
clock Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 6 PM - 10 PM, Bliss Center for Performing Arts. 6-7:45pm - Red Carpet Arrivals with LIVE BROADCAST ON CHANNEL 5 television. 8-8:45pm - Opening Ceremony and screening of short film THE MELANCHOLY MAN directed by Belizean/American Samantha Aldana, who will be joining us from Louisiana. 9-10:30pm - Opening Film - RUBEN BLADES IS NOT MY NAME / YO NO ME LLAMO RUBEN BLADES Directed by Abner Benaim (Panam�, Argentina, Colombia, 2018) 1 hr 25 min / Rated: G

Night out for the Birds was a roaring success
Our annual fundraiser Night out for the Birds was a roaring success. We are overjoyed to announce that we raised over $12,500BZ to help keep BBR up and running! A massive thank you to everyone that supported us, to our donors and sponsors and to our glorious hosts, Corkers Restaurant & Wine Bar who absolutely made our night!!!

Channel 7

Upset! Willoughby Wins, "Peyre" Goes Down
The UDP's convention season began with a bang yesterday in Port Loyola and Cayo Northeast. With respect to Cayo where two mayors and one former area rep had a very hotly contested battle - the real war was in Port Loyola where rival camps of UDP superpowers deployed the political equivalent of nuclear warheads to get their candidate elected. The convention may have been for Port Loyola - but the future leadership of the party is what was really at stake. Jules Vasquez was there to see who won the convention and the bigger battle for control of the UDP's future:... Jules Vasquez reporting: On the flat paper it seemed simple enough - one division, four names. But, not that simple on the ground at St. John Vianney where large ambitions were clashing for control not of this division - but, really, of the UDP's future. Philip Willoughby gave us the thumbs up on the move, while Mike Peyrefitte seemed his usual demonstrative self.

Hon. Boots Says PUP Infiltrated, Dominated UDP Convention
And so, while Willoughby has a happy beginning, the Boots thing….that ending isn't going too well. In successive political contests - we're talking the City Council in March and this divisional convention - Martinez-backed candidates have failed to get a majority of the vote in his division. But, how did his candidate lose this convention in his own division with Boots working and spending to ensure a victory for Peyrefitte? Martinez says the PUP infiltrated Willoughby's camp and heavily influenced the outcome.

Deputy Compol Threatens Gangs With Another State of Emergency
Last week we showed you the robbery spree in the city where Midtown Restaurant, Freetown Drug Store, El Paso Fast Food and Belcove Hotel were robbed by armed gunmen. Of course, at Belcove, a responding police officer was shot and killed. Police didn't seem like they could offer to do too much about it - other than the usual platitudes about increasing patrols. But, today, Deputy Compol Chester Williams, seized, it seems, by some higher directive said they may institute another state of emergency for troublesome gangs. Here's how he put it:...

Cop Could Have Been Saved By Bulletproof Vest
And that sudden hardline may be a direct response to the killing of an officer in the line of duty. PC Osbourne Martinez was responding to a robbery in progress at Belcove Hotel on Friday morning when a robber shot him in the ribs as he stepped into the hotel - he died shortly after from that injury. Deputy Williams narrated the chain of events that led to his murder, and the lessons learned for police. Chester Williams- Deputy ComPol: "A call was made to the police control room of a robbery in progress at the establishment. The police responded as we normally do and you would appreciate the fact that with the ongoing operations on ED 1, that the police's response time to incidents are normally within a minute..."

Two Arraigned for Cop's Murder, One In Hospital Pending Charge
Those robbers have since been identified as 18 year-old Tyrique Myles, 19 year-old Rayford Mejia, and 21 year-old Glen Lopez - all from the PIV area. Only Rayford Mejia and Glen Lopez were marched to the court today for their criminal arraignment. Tyrique Miles is still at the KHMH recovering from the gunshot he suffered to the leg in Friday's shoot-out with police.

Cops Can't Find Evidence to Charge 13 For Trafficking Thousand Lbs. Coke
And while those men have been remanded for murdering a cop - the case is not so clear cut for the 13 persons detained in connection with 479 kilos of cocaine which police busted last week. Police caught 12 Guatemalans and a Belizean - and a bunch of guns, but could not find enough evidence to link them to the 479 kilos of cocaine. Deputy Compol Williams explained today:... Chester Williams- Deputy ComPol: "We have not been able to tie any of the detainees to the drug discovery. Yes, some were charged with keeping unlicensed firearm and ammunition and that was shared to you all over the weekend. And those against whom we had no evidence..."

Suspected Drug Running Guats Arraigned on Weapons Charges
As you heard, police can't prove that the Guatemalan nationals they detained were the persons trying to smuggle the cocaine that they confiscated last week. So instead, they went with charges that they can prove. Today, they marched Mario Rodolfo Lopez Moreira, Gilberto Gomez Jimenez, Marco Vinicio Palencia, Berardo de los Angeles Franco Carias, and Sergio Wilfredo Morales Godoy to court for a slew of firearms charges. Godoy and Carias were charged with 1 count of keeping an unlicensed firearm for a chrome 9 mm pistol, keeping unlicensed ammunition for 47 live rounds of 9mm bullets, keeping prohibited materials for a chrome extended magazine...

Police Say No Drugs Went Missing
And while 5 of the detained have been arraigned for various non drug-trafficking offences - police today flatly rejected reports that two of the 479 kilos have gone missing. Deputy Williams kind of laughed it off:... Chester Williams- Deputy ComPol: "The alacrity at which the media houses ran with that story this morning is alarming. I can say to you that all the drugs that were recovered are in police custody; none have gone missing." Reporter: "Could you confirm that there was indeed an alarm raised after suggestions that 2 kilos of cocaine went missing?"

Another Armed Robbery Caught on Camera
Police are trying to gather as much information as they can in a mid-morning robbery at a San Ignacio store. 2 thieves walked into the store and cleaned the owner out - and the terrifying holdup was all caught on surveillance camera - which didn't seem to bother the robbers too much. Police told us more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, NCIB: 'San Ignacio police responded to a robbery on Lily Street on in San Ignacio Town where on arrival, the proprietor of a store reported to them that while inside his store he was approached by two Hispanic male persons, one of whom was armed, who demanded money..."

Police Charge One For Freetown Drug Store Arrest
A man has been charged for the daring Freetown Drug Store robbery. He is Ryan Cole and Police are still looking for his accomplice. Here is more from the police press briefing. ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "In reference to the robbery that occlude at the Freetown Drug Store on November 1st, as a result of an investigation Police arrested and charged Ryan Michael Cole of a Tibruce Street address for the crime of robbery. There is another suspect in custody that the police is interviewing at this moment."

Backhoe Marauder, Samuel August Under Heavy Police Guard
Tonight, Samuel August remains in the KHMH under increased police guard after Friday morning's escape. On Friday he escaped from the hospital where he was under police guard for killing his own child and the child's grandmother. August then car jacked a woman, rammed into a backhoe on the Northern Highway and tried to kill himself with a pair of scissors. It's a bewildering and frightening sequence of events, starting from Wednesday's Faber's road rampage to Friday's mad dash. Police gave us an update on August's case.

PUP Deputy Has Dream For Diaspora
As we've been reporting, the ICJ referendum is six months away. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' education campaign is underway and it is the hope that Belizeans are also educating themselves on this issue to make the most informed decision. But what about the diaspora? Are they plugged in and engaged? Well, it seems so because some Belizeans living abroad have expressed interest in voting in the April 2019 referendum. It has been the forefront of of the social media dialogue and today Caribbean Shores Rep. Kareem Musa took it a step further. He presented to the media a proposed amendment to the representation of people act to allow Belizeans living abroad to vote in the referendum. He explained his recommendation this morning.

Meaningful Mentorship For Kids
Today, Over 80 kids graduated from the 6 month Eastern Division police mentorship program. This is the 2nd cohort and we stopped by for the ceremony to meet the kids. There were about 20 mentors and they taught the kids anger management among other key life skills lessons. The kids also went on a number of fun field trips all over the country. The police hope to continue this program next year.

Close Convention in Cayo Northeast
The Port Loyola Convention is the one that made tonight's headline - but out west, the red hills of Cayo had a dandy! The Cayo Northeast convention featured former UDP Mayor, John August, versus the current Mayor, Earl Trapp versus former three term Area Representative, Salva Fernandez. After the first count, only two votes separated Trapp and August - but after recounting one box, that lead went up to six - and former Chairman Doug Singh made the announcement:..

Boots Not Ready To Retire
And while August Jr has to now reach out to his opponents to mend fences, the process is the same in the city - if a little more complicated because of the multiple ministerial ego's that have to be placated. First off, there's Boots Martinez, who called himself the King of Port - only to make it clear that he will select who is heir to the throne. But, his ministerial colleagues Patrick Faber and John Saldivar double teamed him to deny him that opportunity. So now that the heir is Phillip Willoughby - who Martinez considers a pretender to his throne - will Boots consider stepping down a little early to make room for Willoughby? You probably know the answer to that one - but, here is it, just for the record:..

Farmer Electrocuted By Lightning
A man was electrocuted in Spanish Lookout. Police found his body on Friday evening on a farm. ACP Myvett told us more.

Three Brothers For Murder
A month ago, we told you about the conclusion of the murder trial without jury for the 3 brothers: 46 year-old Phil Staine, 37 year-old Kareem Staine, and 41 year-old Orlando Staine. The prosecution showed evidence that in January of 2015, they were personally responsible for the stabbing death of the 23 year-old BDF volunteer, Denver Villafranco. Well, after consideration of all the evidence, Justice Adolph Lucas has returned with a decision acquitting both Kareem and Orlando Staine. The judge has also found the third brother, Phil Staine, not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

Channel 5

No One to be Charged for Multi-Million Dollar Cocaine Bust
A mega drug cocaine drug bust last week involving a boat moored at the Princess Hotel, a single engine plane and two S.U.V.s won't result in any drug charges. The [...]

5 Guatemalans Charged for Cache of Firearms; 2 Plead Guilty
Around ten a.m., five of the seven Guatemalans appeared before Magistrate Emmerson Banner for the cache of ammo found on them at a checkpoint in Hattieville and at a hotel [...]

7 Guatemalans Guilty of Illegal Entry; Removal Order Granted
This afternoon, the two remaining Guatemalan nationals were also hauled before the courts and charged along with the first group for having entered the country illegally. Jorge Martinez Pinto and [...]

2 of 3 Persons Arraigned for Murder of PC Osbourne Martinez
On Friday morning, the fatal shooting of Police Constable Osbourne Martinez and a robbery at the Belcove Hotel in the downtown area as well as the arrest of three perpetrators [...]

1 of 3 Staine Brothers Found Guilty of Manslaughter
It was a busy day in court�Brothers, forty-one-year-old Orlando and thirty-seven-year-old Kareem Staine were found not guilty of the murder of twenty-three-year-old B.D.F. volunteer soldier Denver Villafranco. �The ruling was [...]

San Ignacio Police Investigate Armed Robbery
Armed robbers also hit a business in the Cayo District.� �Two Hispanic men, one armed with a handgun, held up the owner of Lily's Store in San Ignacio Town at [...]

Tibruce Street Resident Charged for Armed Robbery of Freetown Drug Store
Ryan Cole from Tibruce Street, in the Saint Martin De Porres area has been arrested and charged for the armed robbery at Freetown Drug Store. He along with another suspect, [...]

Chester Threatens to Impose Another State of Emergency
With the alarming number of robberies across the south and north sides of Belize City, the police is threatening to reinstate a state of emergency. Numerous businesses have been hit [...]

Philloughby Takes Port Loyola As New U.D.P. Standard Bearer
Port Loyola opened up the convention season for the United Democratic Party. The four-man race was hotly contested with at least two of the candidates getting major support and endorsement [...]

How Willoughby Won the Day
After securing a win by one hundred and eighty-seven votes, Phillip Willoughby took his party's oath to become its standard bearer for the Port. �To get there, there were various [...]

Will Boots Step Down and Ride Off Into the Sunset?
As we said, the sitting area rep mouthed early support for Michael Peyrefitte, as leader of the party, but first the attorney general had to secure the Port.� Now that [...]

Shots Fired During Convention
Shots were fired as the convention was being held on Sunday. In an effort to intervene in an altercation between two rival gangs, a police officer fired warning shots in [...]

A Bill for the Diaspora to Participate in the I.C.J. Referendum
In July, Prime Minister Dean Barrow met with representatives of the diaspora to discuss the two-month residency requirement to re-register to vote in the April 2019 referendum. Belizeans living overseas [...]

…But NOT To Participate in Belize's Electoral Politics
While the bill seeks to allow Belizeans living outside the country to participate in next year's I.C.J. referendum, it does not permanently eliminate the two-month residency requirement due to several [...]

Still Hospitalized, What's the Future of Samuel August Senior?
Samuel August Senior, who is accused of killing his five-year-old son, Samir, and his mother-in-law, Louise Young, remains hospitalized under police guard at the K.H.M.H.� August Senior is accused of [...]

Supreme Court Building Refurbished
Three months ago, rehabilitation works commenced at the Supreme Court building in downtown Belize City. The works are part of a much larger infrastructural revitalization mission to rejuvenate the Belize [...]

Jose Barrera Dies After He is Struck by Lightning
Police also reported today on the electrocution of a resident of Spanish Lookout area. On Friday, November second police were called to a farm in Greenhill where they discovered the [...]

88 Youths Successfully Complete BPD's Youth Mentorship Programme
Back in May, the Belize Police Department launched its second annual Youth Mentorship Programme, which culminated today with a certification ceremony for the youths who made it through to the [...]

The Weekend in Sports with James Adderley
Good evening, I'm James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities...]

LOVE FM

UDP Convention in Port Loyola
The United Democratic Party held a convention in the Port Loyola Division on Sunday. Love News was there when the polling stations were open and spoke to the new area representative for the UDP after the ballots were counted. Jose Sanchez: "The UDP Port Loyola convention on Sunday at the S.t John's Vianney primary school �

Phillip Willoughby will Represent UDP in next Gen. Election
The UDP Convention for the Port Loyola area was a report card on the leadership of the incumbent Anthony Boots Martinez. Martinez chose Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte as his successor, while former City Councillor Phillip Willoughby had the support of Minister of Education Patrick Faber as well as Minister of National Security John Saldivar. When �

BOOTS says he will give the goods and services to Port Residents
The next General Election is still a distance away. Love News asked Minister Martinez if he would filter the government subvention for Port Loyola through the next area representative Phillip Willoughby. Martinez made it clear, he is still in charge of the UDP Port Loyola Division. Jose Sanchez: "In terms of the goods and services �

Attorney discusses legal amendents for parole to muderers and rapists
Belize is a country with a low conviction rate for murder and has been pegged as one of the top five most murderous countries per capita on the planet. Amendments were made in 2017 to the Laws of Belize. Outspoken Attorney Audrey Matura spoke to love news on the amendments made which grants parole for �

Boots Blame PUP for Loss in UDP Convention
This morning Anthony Martinez held a press conference at his office. Rather than accept that the combined strategy of the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Education worked in favor of Phillip Willoughby, Martinez blamed Peyrefitte's loss solely on the Peoples United Party. Anthony Martinez: "Brief synopsis of it that I say that �

BNTU ready for Wednesday's Strike in Belmopan
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) held a meeting with its representatives last week and accused Minister of Education Patrick Faber of union busting and intimidation. The Ministry also placed a deadline on when it requires a response from the Union on hot topic issues. But union President Elena Smith says they will respond but �

Peyrefitte said people who wore his shirt did not vote for him
Michael Peyrefitte's ground campaign did not work in his favor. He had placed his campaign in the hands of incumbent, Anthony "Boots" Martinez. Peyrefitte spoke to the media when the chairman announced Willoughby was the winner. Peyrefitte said it was obvious that some of the people who wore his UDP shirts did not vote for �

BNTU still upset about teachers not getting Commuting Allowance
BNTU President Elena Smith also told Love News that another issue that has upset them is the fact that the Ministry will not pay some teachers commuting allowances. Elena Smith President BNTU: "So what happens that we have some teachers who do not qualify for hardship because they come back and forth everyday but they �

Robbers remanded to prison until January 8, 2019
19-year-old Rayford Mejia and 21-year-old Glen Lopez appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford where the duo was charged with jointly for the murder of Police Constable Osborne Michael Martinez. Additionally, they were charged with three counts of robbery, one count of kept firearm without a gun license and one count of kept ammunition without �

The Reporter

BOOTS CLAIMS PUP HELPED WILLOUGHBY WIN PORT LOYOLA
According to Anthony 'Boots' Martinez, a list he put together during the re-registration exercise was submitted to the UDP Secretariat, and somehow Phillip Willoughby managed to get a copy of that list. He claims that somehow with the use of that list, the PUP managed to get into the Convention to support Willoughby, leading to a loss for his candidate, Michael Peyrefitte.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Boots blames PUP after Peyreffite loses convention
Port Loyola Area representative, Anthony 'Boots' Martinez is blaming the People's United Party( PUP) for the [�]

Supermarket robbed in San Ignacio Town
Reports reaching our newsroom are that Lily's Supermarket in San Ignacio Town was robbed a short while [�]

Blogs

The Most Gorgeous Pool Day at Las Terrazas Resort
Last week - on one particularly gorgeous HOT October day, I decided to visit one of the most beautiful pools on Ambergris Caye. A few hours lounging in and out of the pool with lunch and a few mocktails. It's absolute heaven at Las Terrazas Resort. It's a gorgeous place to stay but BEFORE I get the emails, let me answer your question. YES. You can use the pool if you are just there for the day. Las Terrazas asks that you spend $50bzd at the bar and restaurant. Just check in with the front desk� I had a seafood wrap and cilantro fries (CILANTRO! I THINK IT SHOULD BE ON EVERYTHING!) and just relaxed. The pool felt divine.

Caye Caulker, Belize: 5 reasons to visit the idyllic island
A jewel in the Caribbean Sea, Caye Caulker, Belize is the true definition of "island vibe." Found in Ambergris Caye off the country's east coast, the tranquil island is so tiny that you can walk around the whole thing in about an hour-barefoot, naturally. Surrounded by the spectacular Belize Barrier Reef which is the second longest in the world, it's the perfect base for underwater adventures, such as snorkeling with sharks in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and scuba diving in the famous Great Blue Hole. Or simply sit back, relax and soak up the sunshine while being hypnotized by the idyllic surroundings. Here are some of the top things to do in Caye Caulker, and five reasons why you should go.

First Annual Belize Birding Festival
It was surely one of the most enjoyable events we've been to for this past year; but, by the end of the day, we were all exhausted - that's how you know you had a good time! For some, the Belize Birding Festival started around 9:00 a.m.; well, not for the Belizing.com Team! We kicked off the birding fest at 6:00 a.m. with the early morning urban bird watch in the Belmopan area. Before we started birding, we decided to grab some breakfast at the Belmopan Market Square. An assortment of breakfast burritos, chicken tacos, scrambled eggs and fry jacks were ordered. Fry jacks�you must have these fried fluffy goodness on your morning plate when visiting Belize!

A STRANGE RELIGION AND THE ANCIENT MAYA
Before there was man, there came light into the universe. Explosive, bright, unending light. It triggered the earth to bubble over and in many cases collapse, expand and recreate itself. We live in one of those recreated space and time of the existence of the very universe today. Time, that mystical, untouchable thing seems to lead all our human lives and it pulls, pushes and prods us into doing. Most of us obey. Some refuse to be led by the unseen. In early Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and the Mediterranean area, there were gods. There were gods everywhere. There were gods for many things we can imagine or tangibly see in our daily lives. A god for rain, sunlight, moon, agriculture, wind, love and all the great blessings and terrors man has witnessed. Then something happened in early Europe. Thought.

Candles
The light from a fire has long been associated with rituals and prayer. This source of light is present in many forms: in the burning of oil, incense and candles. The candles used for "Finados", a ritual where food is prepared and placed on an altar for the dead, is one of the many pure items placed. They provide the light that will guide the souls in the afterlife towards the altar for the special feast that has been prepared for them. There are many myths in candle-making but these are rules and candle-makers follow them. The preparation for the making of the candles truly begins an entire month before they are actually made. The person making the candles abstains from sexual contact and this is to cleanse the body from impurities. Also, a woman who is making candles must not be menstruating during candle- making. This again has to do with purity, but it is also believed that the candles have the tendency of not staying together, bending or breaking when this rule is not observed.

Senior Guide & Guiding Department Manager: Carlos Hernandez
Originally from Western Belize, Carlos arrived at Caves Branch as a very young man- interested in improving himself both mentally and educationally. He joined the team in 2000 and quickly became a favorite with his easy smile and hilarious jokes. He became a tour guide by accident. At the age of 17 he enrolled in the Center for Employment Training in San Ignacio, Belize and of the three trade courses offered he was eliminated from 2 of them and Tour Guiding was the only course he was able to take. His internship was at Duplooy's Jungle Lodge and following his completion of the training, he was employed as a Junior Tour Guide in Training at Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. 19 years later, Carlos has become a mature, fun-loving, easy going and trusted employed. His value to the company is more than gold.

The Hummingbird Highway in Belize
The Hummingbird Highway is a modern, paved, two-lane roadway that was inaugurated in 1994. The Hummingbird Highway measures approximately 53 miles (86 km) long and connects Belmopan, the national capital, to Dangriga on the southeastern coast. The Hummingbird Highway offers a panoramic view of all of the different landscapes in Belize. Starting in the west, the Hummingbird Highway passes through the northern part of the Maya Mountain range, crosses several scenic rivers, and passes through fragrant citrus orchards before ending just a short distance from the beach outside of Dangriga.

St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
Officially known as St. Herman's National Park, this pristine natural area measures more than 500 acres (200 ha) in size and includes several incredible caves. The park is also home to the Blue Hole, sometimes known as the Inland Blue Hole to distinguish it from the Belize Blue Hole located offshore at Lighthouse Reef. The Inland Blue Hole is one of Belize's greatest natural landmarks. Almost perfectly circular, the Blue Hole is located in the middle of the rainforest. Formed naturally following the collapse of an underground cave, the sapphire waters of the Blue Hole are the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim on a hot day.

7 Belize Family Vacation Activities For Kids
Belize is a beautiful, tropical wonderland with plenty to do and see for the entire family. Here are 7 amazing family vacation activities for kids that you can enjoy in Belize: Founded in the 1980s to rescue injured and abandoned animals, the Belize Zoo is the country's premier wildlife education center. Kids can learn about and see more than 100 indigenous species at the Belize Zoo including harpy eagles, jaguars, and enormous boa constrictor snakes. The largest botanical gardens in the country, the Caves Branch Lodge has a vast collection of beautiful flowering plants, including orchids. With delicate scents and gorgeous colors, the plants of Belize offer a great introduction to the ecology of the Belizean rainforest.

7 Powerful Reasons Why People Love to Travel To Belize
Just a short distance from the United States, Belize is rapidly becoming one of the hottest travel destinations in the region. Here are 7 powerful reasons why people love traveling to Belize: Although the country is small, vast swathes of the jungle are protected in national parks and animal sanctuary. Wildlife abounds in the jungles of Belize, including 500 species of birds, two species of monkeys, and large cat species like jaguars.

Visit Tikal from Belize
Today, Tikal is located in the rugged El Peten department of Guatemala just a short distance from the border with central Belize. The main land crossing from Belize into Guatemala lies west of Belmopan and it is easy to make a day trip to Tikal from most locations in Belize, including the Caves Branch Lodge. Tours to Tikal depart early in the morning around 5:30am so that visitors can watch the unforgettable sight of the sun rising over the jungle, bathing the ancient buildings with golden light. The tour includes all transportation costs, Guatemala border fees, Tikal park fees, and a four-hour guided tour of the site. Participants will return to Caves Branch around 6:00 pm on the same day. Americans, Canadians, and citizens of European Union countries do not need a visa to enter Guatemala and visit Tikal.

Chaa Creek Is Once Again Named Belize's Hotel of the Year 2018
The Lodge at Chaa Creek was just named Belize's Hotel of The Year 2018 by the Belize Tourism Board at the 16th annual National Tourism Awards gala. This was the second time the western Belize eco-resort was recognised as the country's best hotel by the BTB, having earlier taken home the award in 2010 - 2011.

International Sourcesizz

Overcoming fear: key to Belize's future
In the introduction to his quite remarkable new book on the long-running Guatemalan claim to Belize, the author, Assad Shoman, makes the riveting comment that "Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not to their own facts". He is right to make this statement because protagonists in territorial claims, particularly the ones with the least facts to support their case, propagate much propaganda to suit themselves. Guatemala's claim to Belize and Venezuela's claim to two-thirds of Guyana are telling examples of reliance more on opinion and territorial ambition and less on facts. But, there can be little doubt about the facts that are set-out in Shoman's latest book, "Guatemala's Claim to Belize. The Definitive History". He has meticulously provided impeccable sources and references for each of his statements, especially the more controversial ones.

Belize, Suriname among countries on track to eliminate malaria by 2020
Belize and Suriname are potentially on their way to achieving elimination by 2020. Other regional countries, however, have recorded an increase in the number of cases of malaria, which puts at risk achievement of the goals to reduce the number of cases, and eliminate the disease in the region by 2030. On the eve of Malaria Day in the Americas (November 6), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) urges countries of the region to take urgent action to halt the increase in cases, maintain achievements, and free the continent of malaria, a disease which, during the last century, was the leading cause of death in almost every nation in the world. "Malaria elimination is now closer than ever," said PAHO Director, Carissa Etienne.

St. Lucia, Bahamas warned of worsening drought situation
The Barbados-based Caribbean Drought and Precipitation Monitoring Network (CDPMN) says while some parts of the Caribbean have been receiving below-normal rainfall in the past few months, there are concerns for short-term drought situations only in St. Lucia and The Bahamas. According to the CDPMN, the current drought situation, up to the end of September, shows that Antigua, northern Belize and the southern-most part of Hispaniola have seen long-term drought developing. It said shorter term drought is seen in northern Belize, St. Lucia and Tobago, and that long-term drought situation, by end of November this year, is evolving in northern Belize.

Birthplace of Cacao Identified in Amazon Region
An international team of scientists has found that the upper Amazon region gave birth to the domesticated Theobroma cacao, the plant from which chocolate is made. Theobroma cacao was a culturally important crop in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, a historical region and cultural area in North America that extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. Cacao beans were used both as currency and to make the chocolate drinks consumed during feasts and rituals. Archaeological evidence of cacao's use, dating back to 3,900 years ago, previously planted the idea that the cacao tree was first domesticated in Central America.

Billions to be gained in coral reef investment, new analysis shows
New findings released offer a compelling business case for investing in the protection of the world's coral reefs, with economic benefits stretching into the tens of billions in just over a decade. Focussing on two of the world's major coral reef areas, the Coral Triangle and the Mesoamerican Reef, the study, The Coral Reef Economy, compared the estimated economic outcomes of two scenarios from now until 2030: one a Healthy Reef Scenario, where reefs are returned to a healthy state through increased investment in protection and preservation; and two, a Degraded Reef Scenario, where the health of the reefs continues to decline from current levels. The contrast is stark: a shift to improved coral reef health from one of further decline in the period to 2030 could unlock an additional $37 billion ($2.6 billion per annum) in Indonesia and an additional $35 billion ($2.5 billion per annum) in Mesoamerica in three key reef-dependent sectors: tourism; commercial fisheries; and coastal development.

Videos

  • The BELIZEAN QUEEN OF PEPPER SAUCE MRS. MARIE SHARP, 7min.

  • Highlights: Belize gets their first #CU20 win, 1min. Highlights: Belize gets their first #CU20 win with a 4-2 victory over Sint Maarten.

  • GREAT BLUE WILD Series BELIZE HD 1080p, 46min.

  • U Janal Pixano'ob in Belize, 1.5min.

  • My Belize by Berne, 4min.

  • Raptors Provide Cleaning Services for Baird's Tapirs, 2min. The curious phenomenon of one animal species cleaning another is known to science as a cleaning symbiosis. "Clients" get rid of external parasites, dead tissue, or mucus, and cleaners get a meal. The bizarre array of cleaner-client relationships ranges from wrasses cleaning other fish, to mongooses cleaning warthogs, to oxpeckers cleaning large mammals. The only raptors reported as cleaners, five species of caracaras and the Black Vulture, also clean large mammals.

  • Belize / Canada Company Featured On Dragons Den, 8min. On Friday, November 2nd's episode of Dragons Den, Vancouver, Canada based company Naledo was featured pitching a sales deal on their new Turmeric Paste which is purchased from local farms and made into a Turmeric Pastedown in Punta Gorda in the Toledo District of Belize.

  • Night Dive Belize, 1.5min. We did one night dive while in San Pedro at White Sands Dive shop. Not a lot of marine life was out that night, but I got a few cool shots of the locals.

  • 2018 11 Belize Aggressor III, 12min. Paul and I completed 40 dives, and 40 hours, 11 minutes under the sea.. this 10 minute video are the highlights (not even close to what the experience was!)..

  • Belizean Creole Buns Made Easy, 17min.

  • How to Make Belizean Chimole | Black Soup, 10min. Chimole or Black Soup as it is commonly known, is s meat lovers dream. This savory soup has a total of three different types of meat and black recado is the exotic spice that gives the soup its noir black color and makes it, spicy and savory. One tast and you will be wanting more if this comforting dish.