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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
Hand-Over Ceremony of the Belize Coast Guard Maintenance Facility
On October 11, at 10:00 at the Belize Coast Guard Base 4 � miles George Price Highway, the United States Ambassador to Belize, Honorable Carlos Moreno, will hand over a boat maintenance facility to the Belize Coast Guard. This facility will enhance the Belize Coast Guard's maintenance capabilities. It also includes rooms for added storage, training, billeting space, and a medical clinic.
The United States Government provided USD $2.23 million to fund the facility and USD $483,000 of sustainment parts, maintenance equipment, and personal protective gear. Since 2011, the United States, through U.S. Southern Command's counter narcotics program, has contributed more than USD $30 million to build the capacity of the Belize Coast Guard and Belize Defense Force.
San Pedro Kids Club: An after-school program for island children
In an effort to make San Pedro a more "Child-friendly" municipality, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) introduced the San Pedro Kids Club on Monday, October 3rd as the island's new after-school program. This club was created to allow primary students to receive tutoring, engage in fun games, create arts and crafts, and play sports. Free of cost, the club runs from Monday to Thursday, 2:30PM to 5:30PM, at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex.
Due to the recent strikes by the Belize National Teacher's Union (BNTU), student participation was minimal. However, the kids club remained open for those who wished to attend.
The club is operated by founders Dee Regis, Brittney O'Daniel, Britney Travis and Kaitlin McWhorter, Arts and Crafts Coordinator Carolina Kumul, Sports Coordinator Josean Kay, and volunteers of Sagebrush Ministries, who all believe that students are the shining stars of the future. According to them, 150 students from across the island have already registered.
Belize's recovery after Hurricane Earl
After sweeping across Belize on August 3, 2016, Hurricane Earl is estimated to have caused $183.6 million in damages to both the agriculture and tourism sectors. Since then, several international organizations donated funds towards the relief efforts. Two months later, Belizeans are still recovering from the disaster and the Government of Belize (GOB) claims it is doing its best to make do with the resources available.
Lady Dixie Bowen inducted to Brentwood High Hall of Fame
As an alumna of Brentwood High School (BHS) Class of 1970, Lady Dixie Bowen, founder of The Island Academy (TIA), was among five others nominated and inducted into her high school's Class of 2016 Hall of Fame in Brentwood, Missouri, USA. In order to be nominated, inductees must have achieved distinction in a particular area including, academics, athletics, business, community service, science, medicine, military service, public service, performing or visual arts, and Brentwood's Alumni Association noted Bowen for being an exemplary alumna of the school.
Oceana in Belize questions Belize's intent to participate in Sea Seep Survey
A press release sent out from the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum and Geology Department on Wednesday, September 28th, stated that they will be conducting a multi-beam and sea seep survey to the east of the Belize Barrier Reef. The survey would be conducted in the exclusive economic zone excluding all marine protected areas, as well as areas banned from petroleum exploration. The release explains that the sole purpose of the project is to gather new regional data to advance the knowledge of geology and hydrocarbon systems. However, the Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage, along with Oceana in Belize, are not convinced about the project's environmentally friendly scheme, and are thus opposing the project.
Ambergris Today
Pic of the Week - Crocodile Goes on Golf Cart Ride
Island Problems - Living in and around the mangrove forests that comprise a majority of the island's topography, it is not that strange to encounter wild creatures such as the salt water crocodile that in habit Ambergris Caye. On her way to work, local island resident Melody Wolfe encountered this scene just across the Boca del Rio Bridge. She said; "Just another normal day driving to work." I guess its just a normal part of living on Ambergris Caye.
Chris Summers of the Ambergris Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) is pictured here after wrangling this average-sized crocodile and loading it on his golf cart to remove it from the populated area. His job, to examine the wild animal, take measurements and data and then relocate it to a less populated area of the island. Chris is the local Crocodile Dundee. THANKS CHRIS & ACES.
Letter from Roman Catholic Bishops on Teacher's Strike
With this letter we want to reiterate our support for all those pushing the Government of Belize to implement policies and laws to monitor and enforce good governance.
Now that the Prime Minister has expressed a willingness and desire to go back to the negotiating table, we support the appeal for students and teachers to get back to the classroom. The education of our young people is our primary concern. Other means besides strikes can be used to pressure the government for reforms to insure good governance.
We call on the BNTU and other unions, other social partners, the opposition and the Government of Belize to work together to see that these reforms are set into law in the coming weeks and months. The commitment of GOB to sign the United Nations Convention Against Corruption on
December 9, 2016 is one good sign of movement in this area.
A New Member Joins the 'A' Team
As we embarked on our newest adventure to Travel Belize and began to immerse ourselves in the diverse cultures and destinations that it has to offer, our Ambergris Today team recognized the need to have someone at our home base to continue bringing you "News with a Positive Attitude".
We went in search of someone local or with enough time on Ambergris Caye to know our people and what matters to you, our audience. It had to be someone with a passion for writing, creativity and pull towards new online trends.
Our task was not easy, but one we took very seriously. We hope that you, our readers, will be happy with our decision as we proudly welcome Solani Graniel as Ambergris Today's newest team member.
Misc Belizean Sources
FREE Ear Cleaning, Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting
Dr. Buddy Fewell and team from Louisville will be providing FREE Ear Cleaning, Mold Making Hearing Aid Selection & Fitting at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic on Monday October 31st, 2016 starting at 8am.
Anti human trafficking measures
Yesterday 12 persons completed a 4 day training of trainers programme on anti human trafficking measures. The participants came from the Immigration and Labour Departments, Ministry of Human Development, the Police Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health.
The training was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration with funding from the US Government
SBDC Workshop: ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Presented by:
Mr. Jorge Gentle, Business Advisor SBDCBelize, Beltraide.
Location:
BTEC Building, ITVET Compound, Freetown Road, Belize City.
Workshop Date:
13th October, 2016 Time:
9am to 4pm. The overall objective of this training is to equip our clients with knowledge, skills, and capabilities necessary to self-analyze their capacity as entrepreneurs, and be able to be innovative and develop the capacity to think outside of the box.
Cost: $40.00,
Includes snacks and Lunch.
YOA Orchestra of the Americas Southern Cone Tour Scholarship
National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) in conjunction with YOA Orchestra of the Americas invite all Belizean musicians to audition for a scholarship to participate in YOA's Southern Cone Tour in the Summer of 2017.
Bird Conservation Program in the Chiquibul
FCD signed an agreement with Biologist/Artist/Writer - Mr. Marcus England based at Los Angeles for the development of a Bird Conservation Program in the Chiquibul. We are excited on this partnership.
Urban Birdwatch: Dangriga
Dangriga get those shorebirds and hudut ready for tomorrow. The birding crowd is coming your way!
The Belizean YLAI participants have arrived in the U.S. and are ready to represent Belize!
Lets wish them good luck for the next few weeks!!!
History of the San Pedro Sun
On March 13, 1991 the first issue of the San Pedro Sun was printed....The San Pedro House of Culture will launch the exhibit on the growth and coverage of San Pedro new over the last 25 years. Join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the San Pedro Sun.
Monthly Weather Summary, September 2016
September 2016 in Belize was mostly moist, especially over the south and over inland areas. The first day started with a few showers and isolated thunderstorms over the south. On the second and third day, fair weather prevailed, with only isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms. On the second night, however, the south experienced a few more.
On the fourth day, a weak tropical wave approached the country. This wave was associated with moisture preceding it and so a few showers and thunderstorms affected the country on the fourth and fifth. The following two days were sunny and fair with isolated showers and isolated thunderstorms.
Another tropical wave affected the country on the eighth and ninth day. The north of the country experienced the bulk of the rainfall. Mainly fair weather followed on the tenth and eleventh day, except for afternoon hours, when inland areas experienced a few showers and thunderstorms.
Prime Minister requests BNTU to return to negotiating table
In a letter dated today, Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow wrote to the BNTU President formally requesting BNTU to return to the negotiating table
World Standards Day 2016
Government of Belize Press Office
Senate Special Select Committee Composition
Senate select committee composition is now official according to Senate President Chang. The senate composition has already passed in the senate to reflect the balance of power in the senate based on senate standing orders. Pup has 3 senators = 1 senator. UDP has 6 senators = 2 senators. 1 for church, 1 for unions and 1 for business. Total of 6 senators. All on the committee will have their chance to question relevant witnesses. We should be meeting shortly to confirm who will be on senate select committee. Then they will decide who is the chairman/chairwoman and start inquiry.
FCD will be hiring a Landscape Manager for the Vaca Forest Reserve
This activity forms part of the Chiquibul Forest Investment Initiative.
Belize Raptor Watch T-shirt campaign!
The 2016 Belize Raptor Watch is well underway and today we are launching a T-shirt campaign!
Sport the new Belize Raptor Watch T-shirt and support raptor conservation at the same time. Our goal is to sell at least 50 shirts! All profits will go directly toward raptor research efforts and outreach in Belize.
Check out the T-shirt at the link below, and score one of these awesome shirts before October 27th!
Channel 5
Strike Will Continue Into Next Week, But B.N.T.U. Up for Negotiations
There will be at least a sixth day of industrial action organized by the Belize National Teachers' Union on Tuesday because Monday is a holiday. That is the news coming [...]
P.M. Says He Will Meet With B.N.T.U. as Part of Umbrella N.T.U.C.B.
Within a few hours of Luke Palacio's statement, the Prime Minister responded. He wrote to the B.N.T.U. president saying that Palacio's statement is a fig leaf. According to the Prime [...]
Teachers Will Continue Community Service and Public Education Campaign
So while they will be out of school once more, the teachers will not be idle. According to B.N.T.U. National President Luke Palacio, the teaching corps will be hitting the [...]
B.N.T.U. Executives Chastise Foreign Affairs Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, speaking to reporters over the weekend following a meeting of the United Democratic Party's National Party Council, made statements on the then-coming industrial action [...]
Teachers' Union Salutes Catholic Bishop, Rebukes Papal Nuncio
The Teachers' Union also addressed the ongoing concern with the Roman Catholic management. Following a letter from Bishop Dorrick Wright addressing the strike plans, the Papal Nuncio visited Belize during [...]
Teachers and Chamber of Commerce Meet Next Week
As has been reported, the Belize National Teachers' Union and Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been in dialogue concerning the ongoing industrial action. We will have more on the [...]
B.C.C.I. to Decide on Role with Senate Inquiry, Possible Shutdown
But the ongoing teachers' strike has somewhat overshadowed the Select Senate Inquiry into the Auditor General's Special Report on the Immigration and Nationality Department, for 2011-2013. But the issue is [...]
G.O.B. Names Members of Special Committee; First Meeting on Wednesday
While the B.C.C.I. is yet to make a determination, the Government has pulled a fast one. The Clerk of the National Assembly announced that the Senate Select Committee established last [...]
Fire Victims Flown out to U.S. for Life-Saving Treatment
This afternoon, two minors severely burnt in an act of arson were airlifted to the United States. Four-year old Ian Sambula and eight-year old Empress Hamilton sustained burns to ninety [...]
Funds Needed to Pay for Air Ambulances
Yvette Burks of Burn Victim Mercy Fund is asking for assistance to repay a loan she took out to cover the cost of airlifting the burn victims to the Shriner's [...]
Godfrey Smith Releases "The Biography of Michael Manley"
Attorney and author Godfrey Smith has released his second book, which he describes as the definitive biography of late Jamaican statesman Michael Manley. He previously wrote to great acclaim the [...]
Man Charged With "Going Equipped" to Burglarize House
A neighbourhood watch on Coral Grove Drive, Belize City, and quick response to a burglary in progress led to the arrest of a well-known criminal figure of Guadalupe Street. This [...]
Accused in Sex Assault Case is Cleared in Court
Back in March, we told you about thirty nine year old Amador Pott who was charged with sexual assault, exposing his person in public and using insulting words. Well, last [...]
Caleb Orozco Celebrates Gay Partners Taking Cases to Court
Domestic violence, unfortunately, is not unusual; many cases are reported at the Family Court and Magistrate's Courts on a daily basis. But since August tenth, when Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin [...]
Foreign Affairs Minister Takes Credit for U.N. Speech
Minister for Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, known for his cautious approach on the international stage with the Guatemalan claim, earned rare cheers for what was seen as a stronger position [...]
Guatemala and Belize Advance Efforts to Resolve Dispute
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington also spoke on how things are moving with relation to Guatemala's unfounded claim to Belize. There are two significant developments. First, Guatemala's Congress [...]
World Mental Health Day Observed
Every year, World Mental Health Day is celebrated on October tenth. The theme this year is focused on Psychological First Aid and the support people can provide to those in [...]
Pastors Meet to Boost Spiritual Work
This week, pastors from across denominational lines and the country converged at the Biltmore Plaza for a three-day conference funded by the Houston Texas Healing Church in the U.S.� The [...]
Teachers Training in Science Education under UNESCO
A two-day workshop to train teachers in science education was underway today in Belize City. Fifteen primary school teachers from across the country were hard at work with micro science [...]