Today's Belize News: June 14, 2019

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Today's Belize News: June 14, 2019 #536797 06/14/19 06:21 AM
Joined: Oct 1999 Posts: 84,398 oregon, spr Marty OP
OP Marty	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 Ian Gordon nabs another victory, seeks sponsorship for upcoming race in Mexico Ian 'Lion' Gordon participated in and won another race in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District on Saturday, June 8th. The 20K race was organized by Mass Gym in San Ignacio and saw the participation of six runners. Gordon came out victorious over the other five contestants by finishing the race in 41 minutes and five seconds. With this victory, Gordon is confident about his next race, which is scheduled for this weekend in Toluca, Mexico on Saturday, June 15th. The Toluca 20k Run is to commemorate Father's Day and is organized by PAVIGUE. Athletic Promotions PAVIGUE began in 1996 as a Center of Registration and Promotions of Athletic Careers in the city of Toluca, state of Mexico and the Pacific Marathon. 2019 PSE results are out: Island student AnnElyse Fleser-Perdue places second countrywide! After Standard Six students sat through two separate days of intense Primary School Examinations (PSE), the Ministry of Education (MOE) released results on Monday, June 10th. A total of 7,280 Standard Six students sat the PSE countrywide on April 8th and May 3, 2019, testing their knowledge on the four major subjects of Mathematics, English, Science, and Social Studies. Topping the country were Jasmine Espat from St. Andrew Anglican Primary school of Cayo District with 386 out of 400 points, followed by San Pedro's AnnElyse Fleser-Perdue from Isla Bonita Elementary School (IBES) with 380 out of 400 points, and Jasmine Tatyana Nadine Faber from St. Peter Claver Primary School of Toledo District with 379 out of 400 points. GOB approves Social Security Contribution Reform: Contribution rate to increase In September of 2017, the Belize Social Security Board (SSB) first proposed an increase in contributions to 10% of workers earnings, and to also raise the ceiling for insurable income. Dubbed the Contribution Reform, this new policy was recently approved by the Government of Belize and come July 1, 2019, employers and employees will be paying a higher contribution rate. According to SSB, the changes to will occur over three years, with contribution rates increasing from 0.5% to 8.5% with the ceiling for insurable earnings going up from $320 to $440. San Pedro sees 117 students graduate from High School The island's two secondary education programs, San Pedro High School (SPHS) and San Pedro Adult Continuing Education (SPACE) held commencement exercises over the weekend. With a total of 117 students receiving high school diplomas. This marks a record number of students graduating on the island. First to walk to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance was SPHS Class of 2019. One hundred young men and women proudly celebrated the completion of another chapter of their education career before an audience of proud family and friends. Starting at 5PM on Saturday, June 8th at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium, the ceremonies were led by graduates Shanelly Gutierrez and Elias Zetina. After the singing of the Belize National Anthem and the SPHS school song, Ivanna Nu�ez delivered the Salutatory Address. Ambergris Today Mother And Daughter Graduate At SP Adult Continuing Education For the first time at San Pedro Adult Continuing Education (SPACE) in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, a mother and daughter team received their Associate's Degree from the tertiary education institution during the Graduation and Commencement Exercises that took place on Sunday, June 9, 2019. They were among seventeen students completing their Sixth Form studies under the distinguished patronage of Mr. and Mrs. Gustavo Ellis, Dean of San Pedro Junior College. Misc Belizean Sources Corozal ArT In ThE ParK Saturday, June 15th at Central Park SBDC Workshop: Social Media Marketing for Small Businesses Presented by: Ms. Rebeca Guerrero, Marketing & Information Officer, Beltraide. Location: SEA Belize Placencia Village. Workshop Date: June 20th, 2019. Time: 9am to 3pm. In today's dynamic digital age social media is seen as a powerful tool to assist small businesses by bridging the gap of expensive marketing. With the majority of your customers in the palm of your hands, it is important to communicate and promote your business to optimize recruiting new customers and increasing sales. It allows you to receive real-time feedback, encourages sales, allows you to stay up to date with key industry trends and ultimately extend your business reach. Caribbean Trade Organization looking for Secretary General & Chief Executive Officer CTO vacancy \| The submission deadline for the position of "Secretary General & Chief Executive Officer" has been extended to June 28, 2019. Kindly visit www.OneCaribbean.org for detailed job description. Another Beautiful Day in San Antonio Celebration! Come and see the Yucatec Maya culture of San Antonio Cayo. Did you know that most of the peanuts in the country come from the village of San Antonio? The village is rich in history and culture and organizers of Another Beautiful Day In San Antonio (ABDISA) hopes to bring awareness to this. ABDISA seeks to celebrate the Mayan village's identity by bringing hundreds of villagers and visitors to the village to experience a day filled with Maya traditions, food, dances, art and craft, games, educational booths, a football marathon, and a bicycle race (The Don Elijio Panti Cycling Race). We spoke with Delmer Tzib about the event and the cultural significance of the activities. Encroachments must be removed from beach & public areas June 7th, 2019 - In an effort to continue the Town's beautification, the San Pedro Town Council would like to notify the public that any encroachments �signs �fences �vehicles �trees �old equipment �and other objects/etc. must be removed from the beach and all other public areas. Under the Town Council's Act Chapter 87 of the Laws of Belize, Section 26 (1) Subsection (b) states: "Any person who, not being authorized by a Council by any law encroaches on a street or other public right of way by making or erecting any building, fence, ditch, or other obstacles or work of any kind upon, over or under it or planting any tree or shrubs thereon is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars and to a further sum equal to the cost incurred by the Council of the Town where the offence occurs in removing the encroachment, obstruction or matter, or in repairing any injury done. Ministry of Agriculture Hosts Workshop for Sheep Farmers The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Unit, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, hosted a one-day workshop on the June 12, 2019 at the Central Farm Livestock Unit. The workshop was based on the "Operation of Sheep Farmers" Association, Registration of Certified Breeding Sheep, Traceability and Trading System. A total of 35 sheep farmers from the Cayo District attended the training. The objective of the workshop was for farmers to acquire knowledge on the importance of forming an association as well as the sharing of information to link better market resources and prices. BELTRAIDE Completes Business Development Training at the Kolbe Foundation- Belize Central Prison The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) through its technical units, the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) and the Small Business Development Centre Belize (SBDCBelize), conducted its third round of Business Development Trainings with the Kolbe Foundation- Belize Central Prison. The Business Development Training programme, which ran from May 7th - June 5th, had two components: soft skills and business development skills. BTEC led sessions on positive attitude and communication skills and SBDCBelize delivered sessions on business including topics such as: entrepreneurship lab, business model development, introductio BKF Junior Championships The Belize Karate Federation held their National Junior Championship over the weekend, and youths from all over the country came to compete. They have 100's of pictures from the event. Congratulations to Cayo's Kazoku Shotokan Dojyo, which won the most gold medals. They got some pictures and video too. The Cayo Shotokan Club tied for the 2nd place in gold medals. Girls Going Global visited the Embassy They met with Charg� d'Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges and other diplomats today. The group learned about our strong bilateral relationship with #Belize, as well as our Mission, our work, and our priorities. #GirlsGoingGlobal is a social enterprise aiming to expose African American adolescents to the cultures of the world. Paradise playing this weekend: Dumbo, Murder Mystery, Wonder Park, Detective Pikachu. Lionfish LOT PARTY - Part of Lobster Fest 2019 TODAY! Friday, June 14, 2019 at 9 AM - 4 PM, Come celebrate Lobster Fest and stamp your passport at The Commons San Pedro with Cook Inc, Iguana Juan's and Madisco serving tasty food and drinks. There will be live music and artisans. Stop by for a fun day with family and friends! Cook Inc will be serving Lionfish and traditional Arepas, drinks and desserts from 9am. We will also be featuring incredible #vegan food by Chef India from Back2live by CHEF INDIA in our shop so if you or someone in your group is vegan we will have options for them too. Channel 7 No Justice for Journalist: Kareem Clarke's Alleged Killer Goes Free When Amandala journalist Kareem Clarke was murdered in mid 2015 - it caused a sensation in the press corps. Clarke was a peaceful, law abiding citizen and a working reporter, and his murder showed how truly random and senseless crime can be. And tonight, any hope that his family or former media colleagues had for justice, may be slipping away. That's because the man accused of his murder, 21 year old Mark Waight was acquitted today by Justice Colin Williams in a trial without a jury. The Crown, represented by Senior Crown Counsel Shanice Lovell, had relied mainly on the testimony of a witness who claimed to have seen Waight shoot Clarke. Businessman Jacked and Stuffed in Trunk This morning in Orange Walk a businessman was jacked and stuffed in a car trunk. At around 11:00, 50 year old Palmar resident, Kiran Kumar Solani was robbed of $3,000US and $50,000 pesos by two creole men with firearms. They put him in the trunk of his white Toyota Camry and drove the car to the Corozal Free Zone, parked it under a shed and are believed to have fled with the cash. Solani managed to escape and called the police who have processed the vehicle for clues and are now looking for suspects. GSU And Composite Team Accused of Serious Brutality On Monday, Police Commissioner Chester Williams publicly acknowledged that his officers mishandled the detention of 60 year-old Nestor Vasquez Jr., which ended with him being killed by a violent, mentally ill man who was also in police custody. And tonight, police are being accused of improper behavior once again. Their accuser this time is 31 year-old Michael Hulse, an auto mechanic who lives in the Buttonwood Bay area of Belize City. He's claiming that early on Tuesday morning, officers from the GSU stormed into his house, and put a beatdown on him. They were there to search for illegal firearms and drugs, and they say that they found 5.6 grams of cocaine inside his house. That's a drug trafficking charge that he is refuting, and his attorney says he is claiming innocence, and that the drugs were planted on him. Successfully Sued, Sedi Turns Table On Former Business Partners He may be a Cabinet Minister, but that hasn't kept Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington out of the Courts. For some time now, he's been tangled in a lawsuit with the directors of Progresso Heights Limited. These are his former business partners, and back when he was a practicing attorney, the Corozal based real estate company retained his law firm. Elrington later became a minority shareholder in the company. Best information indicates that the business relationship between the two went completely sour in 2009. That's when they parted ways due to a bitter commercial dispute, and immediately after that, Progresso Heights sued him in the Supreme Court. COLA's New Captain Takes Over From General Giovanni COLA started out in 2008 as the "Citizens to Oust Lord Ashcroft" - a KREMANDALA pressure group with Bernard Adolphus as its first president. From that single issue group, it has morphed into a full fledged, broad spectrum activist group, the Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action. And the man at the helm for much of COLA's rise to national prominence has been Giovanni Brackett - the three term president. The hard-charging, hard-talking Brackett has become synonymous with COLA, but today, he surprised many when he announced that, it was time for him to take a step back. Police Update Media On Murders Today, at this week's second police press briefing, ASP Alejandro Cowo gave an update on the police's progress in ongoing murder investigations. In all three cases the police have arrested and charged the suspects they were searching for. Here's what Cowo had to say... ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Country-wide we have three arrests for this week. The first arrest we have is reference the shooting death of Carlos Noe Reyes, which occurred on the 28th of March, 2019 at Dangrig Town. Reference that investigation police arrested Starling Perez, 24 years from Jane Usher Boulevard for the crime of murder." Stabbing Outside "I'n'I" Cowo also told us about a stabbing incident in Caye Caulker that took place just outside of one of the island's most recognized party spots, "I'n'I" Reggae Bar. According to reports two men started fighting outside the bar, which resulted in 21-year-old William Thomas being stabbed. Here's ASP Cowo with more... ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Last night Caye Caulker police responded to a stabbing incident where they saw William Thomas, 21 years of Caye Caulker Village suffering from an apparent stab wound to the back..." Police Make Progress in Robbery Investigation There is an update in the case of the robbery of Bowen and Bowen Sales Supervisor Malcolm Mortis, who was held up in his company vehicle on Gabourel Lane on Tuesday. Police told us more... ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "There was a robbery on Tuesday, just after midday. Business sales supervisor for Bowen and Bowen Mr. Malcolm Mortis, 28 years was doing his delivery on Gabourel Lane in Belize City. WHile he was inside of his vehicle he was approached by two persons of dark complexion. One of them was armed with a firearm. The person pointed the firearm at him and as a result robbed him of his cellular phone and $1000 Belize currency. Thereafter the two male persons made good their escape. So far police have not detained anyone reference to this robbery." One Arrest In Waste Transfer Robbery Lastly, ASP Cowo shared more information about the robbery at the Solid Waste Transfer Station last weekend. One man suspected to be involved in the robbery has been arrested. Here's more on that story... ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Reference the robbery and burglary at Solid Waste Transfer Station police arrested and charged Erwin Castillo for the crime of robbery and burglary." Plenty Police Fail 880 police officers countrywide sat their promotional exams on May 4th. The results were released yesterday, and only 20%, or one out of every five officers passed; that means 80% failed. These officers were trying to get promotions from the rank of Constable to Corporal, from Corporal to Sergeant, and from Sergeant to Inspector. An internal document we've seen says that of the 880 officers, 685 of them - or 77.8% - failed. Creating Opportunities Through Sewing Late last year we told you about one of the Police Department's most unique community outreach programs, teaching single and stay-at-home mothers how to sew. The project is spearheaded by Deputy ComPol Robert Mariano, who has been sewing all his life. Today we went to a graduation ceremony for the project's newest set of seamstresses and spoke to Mariano, as well as a former student turned teacher, about the program's success... Robert Mariano, Deputy ComPol: "It started just over a year ago whilst I was officer commanding eastern division. We realize that there is a lot of people within our communities that are unemployed and I have the skills of sewing..." Belize City Council Wants Money From Sale of Bonds They've been discussing it for months, and yesterday the Belize City council announced that it plans to float a municipal bond. It's a 6 million dollar bond - maturing over the period of three months, six months, or a year, and paying interest rates of 3.20%, 3.45%, and 3.70% - which is more attractive than what you'd get at the bank. The council says the proceeds from the bond will allow it to alleviate short-term seasonal cash flow challenges. Instead of using costly overdraft bank facilities and expensive property discounts, the council would use the proceeds form the bond to bridge its financing needs. place before the end of July. Come To Me, Refugee Today the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and other related agencies officially opened up a refugee resource center in Benque Viejo del Carmen. The center will serve as a shelter for incoming refugees as well as an information hub for those attempting to seek asylum in Belize. We heard more about how the new resource center will assist refugees today... Channel 5 Police Perform Poorly in 2019 Promotion Exams There is disappointing news coming out of the Belize Police Department tonight, where hundreds of officers who sat last month's promotion exams have failed to meet eligibility to move up [...] In Defense of Corporal Eldon Arzu Corporal Eldon Arzu, President of the Belize Police Association, is suing Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and has been granted judicial review of the legitimacy of his post as the [...] Man is Beaten, Kidnapped and Robbed Fifty-year-old Kiran Kumar Solanri is tonight recuperating from a frightening ordeal he experienced this morning. �Solanri, who is from Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District, told police that the [...] Caye Caulker Stabbing Victim in Critical Condition A Caye Caulker resident is fighting for his life at the Karl Heusner Memorial, Hospital having undergone a round of life-saving surgery today following a stabbing on the island. On [...] Sales Supervisor is Robbed at Gunpoint on Gabourel Lane, Belize City There is little to report from the crime blotter tonight. Just after midday on Tuesday, two thieves - one armed with a gun - held up the sales supervisor from [...] Search Continues for Trio as Investigations Continue into Armed Burglary Police also gave an update on the armed burglary at the Solid Waste Transfer Station in Belize City. As we had reported on Monday, a group of persons targeted the [...] Sedi Goes Before the Court of Appeal Foreign Minister Wilfred 'Sedi' Elrington appeared before the Court of Appeal this morning where, in his private capacity as a shareholder in the legally embattled Progresso Heights Limited, is appealing [...] Foreign Minister Elrington on I.C.J. Application On Wednesday, the International Court of Justice issued a release in which it essentially acknowledges receipt of Belize's application to have its territorial dispute with Guatemala resolved in that jurisdiction.� [...] Geovanni Bracket No Longer President of COLA Geovanni Brackett is no longer the president of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA. Brackett passed on the baton to twenty-one-year-old Shawn Christopher Saldano who won the post in [...] Shawn Saldano is COLA's New President According to Saldano, under his leadership, focus will be placed on building COLA's membership and economic revenue. Shawn Saldano, President, COLA "The first of which is the security of [...] Saldano Renounces His Support for the U.D.P. While Shawn Saldano is new to COLA, he is not necessarily new to the world of politics. Saldano worked at the Youth Department and years ago he had the aspiration [...] Residents Cry Foul as Company Disposes of Waste A number of residents along the Philip Goldson Highway near mile fifteen, just after the Burrell Boom cut off, are expressing concerns over what they say is a health hazard [...] Stakeholders Discuss Challenges Affecting Girls A national consultation to address challenges to girls' education was held today at the Belize Institute of Management in Belize City. Private and public sector stakeholders gathered to look at [...] Safeguarding Education for Young Girls The idea is to get young women and girls to understand their position and value in society. There must be a multi-ministerial approach to solve the issue. Today's consultation serves [...] Sewing with the Ladies on Southside The Belize Police Department, through its Community Policing Unit, is teaching south side residents how to sew through an initiative called the Community Development Sewing Programme. The police partnered up [...] Apply Today for the National Youth Awards Are you an active youth in your community? If you are doing good work that is making an impact, then you may qualify for the National Youth Awards.� The Department [...] Another $15,000 Winner for Scratch & Win There is yet another fifteen thousand-dollar winner in the recently established Scratch and Win game. Caye Caulker resident and father of one, Wilber Chi is taking home twelve thousand seven [...] Healthy Living: Mental Health among Adolescents A four-day gathering of mental health professionals continued today as part of an effort to finalize a tool that will be used to gather more information on the state of [...] The Reporter Beltraide Completes Business Development Training At The Prison The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) through its technical units, the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) and the Small Business Development Centre Belize (SBDCBelize), conducted its third round of Business Development Trainings with the Kolbe Foundation- Belize Central Prison. Man Kidnapped, Beaten, Robbed Then Taken To Free Zone The Reporter has confirmed that a man has reported that he was beaten, robbed and kidnapped by two men this morning. According to the man, who resides in Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District, he was robbed of $3000US and $50,000 pesos by two men with guns. Breaking Belize News Jamaica takes field Friday as Women's World Cup continues The "Reggae Girlz," Jamaica's national women's football team, have already made history even if they [�] COLA elects new President, Shawn Saldano By acclamation, 21 year old youth activist Shawn Saldano was earlier this week elected president [�] Apply for a scholarship from the Government of Belize The Government of Belize (GOB) is offering Professional and Technical Scholarship Awards for 2019. The [�] ICJ acknowledges pending Belize/Guatemala case As a formality, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has acknowledged that the territorial dispute [�] Belize joins the Region in Fight against Hunger Yesterday, the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) hosted a sensitization meeting with [�] Erwin Castillo charged for burglary at Belize Waste Control Belize City police have charged Erwin Castillo with the crime of robbery and burglary. Readers [�] William Thomas, 21, stabbed in Caye Caulker A Caye Caulker man is hospitalized after he was stabbed sometime last night. He has [�] 28 Inmates Complete Business Development Training at Kolbe Foundation The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) through its technical units, the Belize Training [�] COLA elects new President, Shawn Saldano By acclamation, youth activist Shawn Saldano was earlier this week elected president of Citizens Organized [�] Man charged for murder of Kyne Gentle 13 months later Hugh Middleton, 24, has been charged with the murder of Kyne Gentle, 28. In the [�] Man charged for murder 13 months later Hugh Middleton, 24, has been charged with the murder of Kyne Gentle, 28. In the [�] Belize joins the world in celebrating World Day against child labour Belize joined the international community today in celebrating World Day against Child Labour and highlighted [�] A new vision for the south: third-party pledges to change the status quo As Belize prepares for Village Council elections, a team of Villagers from Independence has stepped [�] Two cops on trial for manslaughter Four years ago, a teenager detained by police over an alleged burglary died in their [�] LOVE FM Paslow Building to be rebuilt as a Welcome Center The Paslow building, which was one of Belize's historic buildings, was built in the 1920's and started off as a retail store. It later became the post office building, before it was burnt down in in the early 2000's. For years, it was just a parking lot utilized by many in the congested downtown streets, � Exposure to violence and lack of exercise linked to Teen Mental Health Two initiatives, a Measurement of Mental Health Among Adolescents at the Population Level and Helping Adolescents Thrive, were launched earlier in the week. The initiatives, a product of collaboration between the Ministry of Health and UNICEF is expected to address the mental health of teens by assessing and eventually addressing the concerns. Love News spoke � Alarice Andrewin Scholarship fund established Alarice Andrewin, a dedication educator, lost her life in a tragic triple murder which shocked the country. Her family, friends, and students are still reeling from this disaster, but one of her close friends has decided to take out a scholarship in her name. The scholarship will be managed by the Ariel Rosado Foundation. The � Helping teenage mothers to finish their education Today at the Belize Institute of Management, a conference was held to talk about young girls and education, specifically the hindrances to these girls' education. Diana Shaw from the Child Development Fund was able to tell us the details of what was being discussed. Diana Shaw - Child Development Foundation: "We are looking specifically at � Elrington and Progresso Heights Ltd back in court Wilfred Elrington and Progresso Heights Limited were back in court today. As you will recall, Wilfred Elrington was a shareholder of Progresso Heights Limited owned by an American father and son, Lawrence and Adam Schneider. In a previous case, the Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, had ruled in Progresso Heights Limited favour by ordering the � COLA has a New President, Christopher Saldano In 2007, if you asked for cola, chances are you'd be referring to a beverage sold by Bowen and Bowen. But in 2008, COLA referred to The Committee to Oust Lord Ashcroft. At its genesis, KREM Radio talk show host and KREM TV director, Mose Hyde, headed COLA's ad hoc committee. At the time there � Police make arrests for murders Convictions for murders is perhaps the primary criticism of the Belize Police Department. However, the police department continues to make strides in the investigation of crimes even when they are no longer in the daily headlines. Earlier today, Assistant Superintendent of Police, and the Officer in Charge of CIB for Belize City, Alejandro Cowo told � Shots fired after Hot Dog Vendor Robbed There were shots fired last night in the "Back A Town" area which is behind the Belize City Centre. The police department believes the shots were fired to mask the getaway of a robbery that had just occurred on Central American Boulevard. 49 year old Reina Andino sells hotdogs and burgers, in front of Star � Blogs What's Going on With SanPedroScoop? LobsterFest Starts Today! Today is the first season of Lobster Festival. Over a week of festivities celebrating Belize's favorite crustacean. (Least favorite? Mine are sea lice. Though barnacles really REALLY creep me out.) I've been busy editing and finishing this book. Here's the story. A friend of ours visited the camp at the end of January. He was hosting two weeks of anglers from Canada at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly but more interestingly to me�he was just about to release an ebook. It clearly wasn't the title of the book that got me�it was the idea of a BOOK. Passive income, Jordan said. Now that sounds appealing! So here I am�4 months later. Blood, sweat, tears, self doubt, misery and�a book! Passive income my ass! If the stars align, it will be available on Amazon on Monday, June 17th. Caye Caulker - a laid-back, bohemian, Caribbean paradise....what to do and how does it compare to Placencia? I recently spent some time in Caye Caulker, which is one of the top destinations in Belize - the top places people tend to go are Ambergris Caye, Cayo, Placencia, and Caye Caulker - about in that order. People go to Ambergris for the crazy fun, Cayo for the world-class adventure in the jungle, Placencia to experience a remote, pretty, fishing village, where you can connect to an authentic Caribbean/Central American village, and then Caye Caulker - which people go to to experience a perfect little bohemian, Caribbean island - it looks like a postcard. Caye Caulker is really easy to get to - a quick (ish) ferry from Belize City; within an hour you are there, and the ferry itself is a fun adventure. Caye Caulker is super cute the minute the ferry pulls up - it is a line of candy-colored wood buildings with appealing patios, swings, happy people, beach dogs.... International Sources Agriculture still 'old school' Belize Agriculture Ministry CEO Jose Alpuche said there has been a lack of proper policy for agriculture in the region. Agriculture, he said, has been seen for a long time as a sector that survives on handouts. That has to change. Outlining efforts by farmers in Belize to access markets in other countries, Alpuche said agriculture needs to be seen more like a business. 5 Overwater Bungalow Resorts That Are So Much Easier to Get to Than Bora Bora Maldives, Bora Bora and Tahiti-these are all high on our list of dream trips, especially since their luxury hoteliers are the O.G. pioneers of overwater accommodations. But factor in a couple thousand dollars on your flight and 15- to 20-plus hours up in the air, and you'll find the allure wanes a bit. That's why we couldn't be more thrilled that resorts in Belize, Mexico, St. Lucia and more have jumped on the overwater bungalow bandwagon. A couple hundred bucks and only a couple hours to get to these desirable destinations? Consider our bags packed. Patterns with a purpose: Local girls sew dresses, send to Belize In a world with so much negativity, there is a group of local girls who are working diligently to make a positive impact. That impact will be felt far beyond the boundaries of Sullivan County. They are sewing together dress patterns. Their purpose? These dresses will be sent over 2,500 miles south to be given away. On July 16, Maura Secrest and Wes Bedwell will take off to San Ignacio, Belize on a 100% youth-led mission trip. During their week there, they will be wearing many hats, doing everything from helping to build a church to conducting a Vacation Bible School. This will be a new experience for Secrest, as she and Bedwell will be traveling with a group from her aunt's church in LaPorte. Trophy human skulls found unveil Mayan´s gruesome war practices Archaeologists in the jungles of Belize recently discovered two "trophy skulls". This significant event may help shed light on the very little-understood collapse of the once mighty and powerful Maya civilization. The human skulls were defleshed, painted and ornamented, meant to be worn around the neck as pendants. This was found in a burial ground more than a thousand years old at the Maya city of Pacbitun, where a warrior was buried with it. The article has multiple symbols apparently of military might: war trophies made from the heads of defeated foes. Both skulls are similar to depictions of trophy skulls worn by victorious soldiers in stone carvings and on painted ceramic vessels from other Maya sites. Eight great places to see beyond the sea Will of Tres Pescados Fly Shop and Hopkins! Chart a course for an extraordinary coastal experience in places combining life on the water with culture, nature, and history. Hopkins moves to the irresistible drum and shaka (rattle) beats of the Gar�funa, descendants of Carib Indians and West Africans who escaped shipwrecked slave ships and found refuge in coastal Belize. Take a deep dive into Garifuna culture by taking drumming lessons and trying hudut, a savory fish and coconut stew dish and served with mashed plantains. Explore the flats where you can fly fish for bonefish, permit, tarpon, and other hard-pulling fish in the expansive saltwater flats inside the Belize Barrier Reef. Videos Interview with Valentino Marin, candidate for Caye Caulker Village Council Chairman, 11min. GEF SGP Belize success story - Working with local communities to build climate change resilience, 2.5min. Short video clip showcasing the work GEF SGP is doing in partnership with Ya'axche Conservation Trust to assist farmers in adapting new strategies to deal with climate change. Scuba Diving Belize 2019, 10min. We spent about 12 hours diving over 17 dives during our time in Belize and these are a few moments from those dives. A LIFE WITH HORSES!\|RIVER SWIMMING\| CAYO BELIZE, 13min. Stop and Frisk in Belize on june 12th. Is this police policy legal?, 1min. by Caleb Orozco National Council on Aging - Elderly Support / Abuse Prevention, 50min. World Elderly Abuse Day - June 15, 2019. Ix-Chel Poot - Executive Director, National Council on Ageing. Ivorine Bulwer, Executive Director, HelpAge Belize. Talk Ah Di Town June 13, 2019, 35min. Keep Our Rivers Beautiful, 1min. Daniel Velazquez has made another video with footage from the 1st No Styrofoam No Plastic Summer Camp. They are getting ready for the 2nd annual Summer camp. Bullet Tree has closed the access to the river due to all the trash left and pollution occurring there. This video reminds everyone that littering in the river is unacceptable. It's easy to clean up after oneself. Crocodile Creek Cabanas Eco- friendly cabanas in Placencia, Belize, 8min. Crocodile creek cabanas is located on the Placencia Peninsula. With a panoramic view of Placencia's lagoon , these cabanas run solely on solar energy which is easily harvested in Belize. Popcaan performance in Belize having fans go crazy, 9min. Smithsonian Research Institute at Carrie Bow Belize Tour, 1.5min. A tour around the Smithsonian Research Institute situated on Carrie Bow Caye in Belize showing facility, dry and wet labs and library. Hogfish, 1/4min. Hogfish can be found rooting around the sandy sea floor looking for mollusks and crustaceans - the fork of choice is their snout!