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The San Pedro Sun
Beach Restaurant operating without permits in San Pedro Town
A beach restaurant called London Eye Grill on the Boca del Rio beach is operating without a trade or liquor license. The establishment lacks the required bathrooms but counts with a dining space and serves alcoholic drinks.
According to the San Pedro Liquor Licencing Board, London Eye Grill has not applied for a liquor license and will be closed. The restaurant was apparently shut down in December 2018 by The San Pedro Town Council, with police assistance, as it did not have the required permits. However, it is alleged that after the intervention of Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr., the business was re-opened. The San Pedro Sun was unable to reach Heredia for comment.
Caye International Bank named Best Private Bank in Belize, 2019
Caye International Bank, based in San Pedro Town, was recently named as the 'Best Private Bank in Belize, 2019' by the Global Finance Magazine. This is the second consecutive year that the financial institution has been named the Best Private Bank in Belize. The title is awarded based on a range of factors that include recommendations from top analysts, public filings, company documents, and sources within the financial industry.
Caye International Bank initially began as a mortgage company in 1996, started by Attorney Joel Nagel and Mike Cobb. Due to its continued success over the years, the decision was made for it to become an international bank. On September 30, 2003, Caye International Bank officially received their International Banking License from The Central Bank of Belize. It is the only international bank headquartered on Ambergris Caye, which conducts financial services with both individuals and corporations inside and outside of Belize.
Ian 'Lion' Gordon continues to make his mark at international marathons
Island athlete Ian 'Lion' Gordon continues to proudly represent San Pedro Town and Belize in international marathons. Gordon recently placed 30th out 160 competitors in the 40-49 age category at the XX Gran Marathon Pacifico Mexico race held in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico on December 1, 2018. The race saw the participation of approximately 10,000 runners competing in four different categories. It is rated as one of the top 10 marathons in the world, as it sees the participation of some of the world's best.
Gordon told The San Pedro Sun that the race was a great experience, helping him to grow as a professional. "It is always an honor to participate and represent Belize in these international marathons. Nevertheless, the most important part of it is that it prepares me for future races as it motivates me always to push myself to continue doing better," he said. One of Gordon's main goals is to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France and be an inspiration to those people who believe that they are too old to accomplish their dreams.
Caye Caulker visitor not charged for apparently discharging a firearm in public
Caye Caulker residents are questioning the basis under which police released a former resident accused of discharging his licensed gun in public. Identified as a David Isaiah Bonner, or commonly known as Brah to Hicaque�os, the alleged shooter is apparently from Hawaii, United States of America, and used to live on the island a few years ago. According to witnesses, Bonner discharged his gun in the old cemetery on Friday, January 4th, and after being reported, police detained him the following day. His detention was not for long, and he was released without any charges, pending an investigation.
San Pedro Tiger Sharks ready for 2019 NEBL tournament
The island's basketball team, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, has officially introduced its team for the 2019 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament, which starts on Friday, January 18th. The two-time NEBL champions will be playing their first game of the season away from home, facing the Orange Walk Running Rebels on Saturday, January 19th in Orange Walk Town.
The team is once again being coached by basketball veteran Rico Black, alongside assistant coaches Darren Bovell and Travis Santos. Rico told The San Pedro Sun that they are coming with a solid team this year, and he asks the entire basketball community on the island to come out and support the Tiger Sharks this season. The 2019 San Pedro Tiger Sharks are Doug Penland, Douglas Valley, Raheem Baptist, Kyle Young, Kurt Burgess, Jihad Wright, Ashton Edwards, Winston Pratt, Francis Arana, Gene Myvett, Tyrone Edwards, Martavious Adams, Louis Pitterson, Keith Pollard, and Brandon Rogers.
Misc Belizean Sources
Danilo Villatoro Amador Arrested for Murder of Alfonso Guy
On Saturday, January 12th, San Pedro Police formally arrested and charged 25-year-old Honduran waiter Danilo Villatoro Amador, for the crime of murder after the death of Police Corporal Alfonso Guy. Guy was fatally shot in his barrack room in the San Juan Area during the early hours of Friday, January 11th. He was initially treated at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II and then airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. He succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the KHMH.
San Pedro Chapter cleanup continues
We spent our morning assisting Ms. Sheria Parham to remove two trailer loads of trash from her yard and street. Sheria wants to create a safer environment for the neighborhood children and also provide a clean path for their neighbors to reach their home, as her neighbors have been using a frequently flooded path, created by old pallets across a trash-filled pond to get to their home. Sheria is graciously allowing them to cross through her yard via the new path she is creating so the family can feel safer walking to their home. Akeem, her neighbor's child, even helped us by picking up small pieces of trash he found laying along the road!
But that's not all, on our way to the Transfer Station, we were stopped by a man who took a piece of garbage off our hands. He saw a way to repurpose an old metal sink as a flower pot! What is trash to one, may be a treasure to another!
Corozal House of Culture Graffiti Fest '19
There was lots to drink, booth information, paintings, snacks, and lots more to see on display. It is a fun event to witness in Corozal.
Service Providers Needed: BEL is interested in doing business with you
Send your info to [email protected] or contact our Purchasing Department at +501-227-0954.
BEL Vacancy for Computer Technician
A vacancy exists for the post of Computer Technician II in the Information Systems Department (Belize City) of Belize Electricity Limited.
BEL Vacancy for Apprentice Lineman
A vacancy exists for the post of Apprentice Lineman I in the Distribution Department (Independence) of Belize Electricity Limited.
No Free Lunch at Falcon Field
The No Free Lunch event will be next Saturday, January 19th, at Falcon Field. They'll have many local artists perform throughout the evening. The fun starts at 4:00pm.
"At least 12 ARTISTS prepare to take the stage at what we plan to make a regular event here in San Ignacio! Starting the year off right with a step in the right direction of positive artistic expression. This time we have artists from Benque, Belmopan, & local studios coming together to make this fire blaze!"
Waight Award Nomination Call 2019
The Belize Audubon Society is accepting nominations for the 2019 James A. Waight Award. The award is for those outstanding in conservation.
"Do you know an outstanding Belizean individual or organization in conservation? Nominate them for our James A. Waight Conservation Award today!
Submit nominations to [email protected] by the deadline of 5:00 pm on February 1st, 2019.
Read more about the history of the James A. Waight Award here.
BTB Contingency Planning Workshop
The Belize Tourism Board is having a Contingency Planning workshop on Wednesday and Thursday, January 16th and 17th, at CET. The workshop focus on emergency planning and response and global weirding adaptation measures.
"Contingency Planning Workshop for accommodations in the Cayo area."
The Reporter
FIRE DESTROYS LADYVILLE HOME
A wooden structure with zinc roofing located at #78 Dove Street in Ladyville was completely destroyed by fire last night. Preliminary details released by Police indicate that sometime around 11:20 p.m. on January 11th, a man visited the residence and was heard calling out for a female. Shortly after, flames were observed coming from out of the structure.
ANOTHER MURDER IN THE CITY
Jose Manuel Ayala, 29, a resident of Freedom Street in Belize City, was found dead early this morning, with what appeared to be five gunshot wounds to his face.
Ayala was discovered by Police just after 1:45 a.m., on the front passenger seat of a parked vehicle near mile three on the George Price Highway.
Breaking Belize News
House completely destroyed by fire in Ladyville, Belize
A house was completely destroyed by fire last night in Ladyville, Belize.
Around 11:30 last night, police were called to Dove Street in Ladyville where they saw a wooden structure with zinc roof engulfed in flames.
San Pedro Police investigating murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy
Authorities are investigating the murder of Corporal Alfonso Guy, 55, that occurred on Friday morning in San Pedro Town.
Around 1:17 AM on Friday, police went to the San Pedro Polyclinic where they saw Guy suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen.
Man found shot dead in parked car
A man was found dead in the Belize District this morning.
He has been identified as Belize City resident, Manuel Ayala.
According to initial reports, he was found riddled with gunshots inside a vehicle parked near mile 3 of the George Price Highway.
Blogs
The Best of San Ignacio
Great article about Cayo from the Full Passport. But, to have two days is 2 weeks too little. She has a decent itinerary with Cayo for the nature and jungle, and Hopkins for the beach.
"Located about fifteen kilometers by road from the Guatemalan border, San Ignacio is a popular base for exploring the mountainous, jungle-covered Cayo District of Belize. There's something for everyone in San Ignacio: backpackers will love the plethora of inexpensive accommodations and the lively bars along Burns Avenue; adventure seekers will revel in opportunities to trek through mysterious, sacred caves and explore the countryside by horseback; history nuts will delight in the abundance of important Mayan ruin sites nearby; and chocoholics will enjoy the chance to learn about the chocolate-making process from the descendants of the people who created it - and sample the goods, of course!
Affordable Place to Stay in Mountain Pine Ridge, Belize - Kāne Villas
Mountain Pine Ridge Nature Reserve, locally referred to as "Pine Ridge," is a beautiful destination in Belize where you can experience majestic waterfalls, explore ancient cave systems and completely disconnect from civilization. Mountain Pine Ridge is one of Belize's top destinations to visit where you can experience some of the top attractions in Belize such as Big Rock Falls, Rio Frio Caves and Caracol Maya Ruin.
Kāne Villas is a self-catering vacation rental property located in Mountain Pine Ridge. While it lacks typical resort amenities and services such as a restaurant, room service, and a lobby, Kāne Villas offers guests a gateway to endless adventures in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Guests have the options of visit Caracol Archaeological Site, Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools, Thousand Foot Falls, and other must-visit sites in the area.
International Sources
Israeli-led group buys endangered coral reef in Belize
This is My Earth has crowdfunded $30k - much of it from Israelis - toward the purchase and protection of a strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll.
Destructive and unsustainable development have damaged or destroyed Turneffe's coral reef, backreef flats, sea grasses and mangrove forests, according to the Turneffe Atoll Trust (TAT).
But hope is on the horizon, thanks to a $30,000 crowdfunding campaign by the Israeli-led international nonprofit organization This is My Earth (TiME).
According to TiME founder and CEO Prof. Uri Shanas, a conservation biologist at the University of Haifa-Oranim, the funds will enable TAT to buy and protect a five-acre strategic parcel of the Turneffe Atoll and ensure there will be no development on what Shanas calls "an amazingly beautiful spot."
Archaeologists discovered INTACT human skeleton COVERED in crystals in Mayan temple
ARCHAEOLOGISTS uncovered an entire human skeleton covered in jade crystals during a Mayan temple excavation, it was revealed during a bombshell documentary.
Even to this day, archaeologists are constantly battling against local looters to get their hands on some of the most exquisite finds to learn more about this advanced society. However, there is one discovery that has topped them all over the years, it was revealed during Amazon Prime's "Mayan treasure hunters" series.
The 1990 documentary featured an interview with a Guatemala criminal who told a tale of a "priceless find."
The man, who did not reveal his name, detailed: "Picking sapodilla leaves [to make chewing gum] is the only job that pays money out here - at least eight or nine dollars a day.
