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Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: November 5, 2017 - 11/05/17 01:14 PM


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Specials and Events

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, and other specials


The San Pedro Sun

Forensic Interview Training for Victims of Human Trafficking
The U.S. Embassy, in coordination with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, provided training on Forensic Interviewing Techniques for Victims of Human Trafficking to over 65 Government of Belize officials from five different agencies: Human Services; Police; Immigration; Customs; and Department of Public Prosecutions. The Embassy continues to support the Government of Belize's efforts to reduce human trafficking. The three-day training course was held at the Biltmore Hotel from October 31 to November 2, 2017. Victim Assistance Specialist Instructors from U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Human Trafficking Institute shared best practices on how to identify and successfully interact with victims of Human Trafficking. These best practices will contribute to successful criminal cases against perpetrators of these offenses.

2017-2018 Queen Conch Fishing Quota is Set
To preserve the marine species Queen Conch (Strombus Gigas) the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD) has come up with 884,092 pounds as the Total Allowable Catch for the 2017-2018 season. The season opened on October 1st and is expected to close on June 30, 2018. However, the public is advised that if the conch production quota is met before June of next year, the season will be declared closed.

San Pedro House of Culture to feature Bernadette Damper
A new exhibit is coming to the San Pedro House of Culture, featuring works of artist and island resident Bernadette Damper. The show's main purpose is to benefit fundraising events in San Pedro Town, thus, everyone is invited to attend and support a worthy cause. The exhibit will be open to the public from 9AM to 5PM on November 9th through the 23rd. Originally from the Bronx in New York City USA, Damper had visited Belize numerous times in the past nine years. She loved coming to scuba dive and eventually became a dive master. It was until March of 2016 that she decided to move to Ambergris Caye for good.

Island residents complete Return to Happiness Program training
On Friday, October 27th a small certification ceremony was held for ten island residents trained in the Return to Happiness Program at The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). The training was done in collaboration with the SPTC, alongside UNICEF, with the assistance of the Sustainable Child Friendly Initiative Program within the Ministry of Local Government. The training was held from Monday, October 23rd to Friday, October 27th and saw the participation of persons who either work with children or volunteer in programs that involve them. The psychosocial program is design to assist children in externalizing their feelings after any traumatic event. Training organizers have the goal of creating an opportunity for children between the ages of 5-12 years, who may have experienced a natural or man-made disaster, to process their experiences through a series of guided play activities. This, in return, is expected to reduce their post disaster anxieties, as they begin to re-establish their sense of joy, happiness, security and confidence in adult protection.

Garifuna Settlement Day calendar of events announced for Ambergris Caye
The San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council has prepared and released their calendar of events leading up to the Garifuna Settlement Day to be celebrated on November 19th. The different activities organized in collaboration with the local authorities via the San Pedro Cultural Committee. This year, the national celebration is being held under the theme 'Lidan Nei Uarani Awanseruni� Mabuleida Wamei-Progress Lies in Unity� Always Remember it.' The events between November 4th, and November 12th, include the sale of traditional Garifuna food, drumming, and even a fashion show on the 11th of November. There will also be a Garifuna Mass on November 12th, starting at 10AM inside the Catholic Church. The other events will be taking place at the Central Park.

Misc Belizean Sources

mzz

Hope Haven, Ambergris Caye's Children's Home Opens
On Saturday, November 4th, Hope Haven Children's Home and SHINE Center officially opened their doors to the island community. With the inauguration comes a much needed service to the wellbeing of the children and women of San Pedro Town.

Captain Rob's Rumpopo
Every year, daddy makes his famous, delicious, mouth watering Rumpopo. This year is no different! Taking orders for Satuday 11th November...$20 per quart and $30 per liter. Captain Rob's Rumpopo, bringing the love of the Christmas season to your home!!! Comment below or inbox to place orders, thanks!

PUP 11 SWORN IN
People's United Party this evening presented it's team of eleven aspirants for the Belize City Council, which it has not controlled since 2006. The team consists of first time mayoral aspirant Bernard Wagner and councilor aspirants: Ayesha Gentle, Dr. Candice Pitts, Delthrude Hylton, Ryan Elijio, Micah Goodin, Oscar Arnold, Allan Pollard, Javier Castellanos, Michael Noralez, Albert Vaughan. The party's rally, titled The Rebirth, includes speeches from the candidates and their backers.

Orange Walk Shop Keeper murdered while attempting to protect his mother
At 8:50 p.m. on 8:50pm on Friday night 37 year old Amit Moryani was inside P & P Supermarket on Cemetery Street in Orange Walk Town along with his mother Babita Moryani. Two masked men entered the store. The unarmed male approached his mother from behind and took away her bag containing $300. While attempting to help his mother, the other robber pointed a gun at Amit and fired two shots hitting him to the chest while grazing his mother to the right side of her head. He was pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.

Trunk Show for Lee Vanderwalker at Belizean Arts
Artist Lee will be in town and she will be showcasing her latest creations! Do not forget we have a date next week Wednesday.

BTIA 2nd Annual Tourism Expo.

Coral abuse shooting commercial at Hol Chan
So today bright and early I went out with a filming crew out to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve as a hired safety diver. Once we got there I found out that they were filming a commercial for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. It was a bit odd to see that Hol Chan would issue a permit without sending a guide or someone to monitor the activities that this group had planned. I was given the assignment to keep an eye on the videographers in the water. So we hop in the water, myself, a diving videographer and 2 others that would be on the surface snorkelling while they filmed 2 young boys snorkelling around. As soon as we got in, we headed towards the northern part of the channel in the shallow area. I noticed that the 2 videographers snorkelling were kicking the coral. I popped my head up and told them they need to watch how they're kicking as they can't be doing that. We continued on and once we got closer to the channel, 1 of them proceeded to stand on the coral to have his head out of the water. I popped up once again and this time actually yelled at him to come off and stop! We continued our way into the channel where things got even uglier, this time with the diving videographer. 1st off all he was way overweighted as even before we got to the channel he was dragging along the turtle grass beds.

BAY Art Fest 2017
"Inviting you all to the Annual BAY Art Festival on November 25, 2017 at the Belmopan Civic Center! Please come out and support our local artists...The Belmopan Active Youths is hosting the Third Annual Art Festival in the Capital City, Belmopan. Registration is now open and will proceed until November 17th, 2017. We are inviting all artist in Belize to partake in exhibiting and retailing their artwork!"

Low water pressure in Orange Walk today
Belize Water Services informs its customers in Orange Walk that they will experience low water pressure in the water supply today, Sunday, November 5, 2017. The entire Orange Walk will be affected. This low water pressure is the result of a scheduled power outage. Customers may experience discoloration when water is restored. Residents are advised that water supply should return to normal by 3:00pm on today. If they experience water supply problems after that time, they should immediately call BWS' hotline at 0-800-CALL-BWS (0-800-225-5297) to report it.

The Reporter

Child knocked down; in critical condition
A little boy is in a critical condition after he was knocked down on Satyrday in Belize City. Sketchy information is tbat the incident happened sometime around 8pm and that the driver of the vehicle did not give his/her particulars when they took the child to the hospital. The lttle boy suffered a head injury and scrapes to his face.

Westjet launches Calgary to Belize service
Vacationing in Belize became so much easier and cheaper for Canadian visitors when Westjet Airlines of Canada introduced its new direct Calgary to Belize service on Friday. The inaugural flight departed Calgary at 10am and, despite some weather delays, touched down at the Philip Goldson International Airport at 3:30pm, Belize time. Introductory fares were as low as US$230 for the midweek flight one way Calgary to Belize and US$226 Belize to Calgary - a little more pricey at US$356 one way on the weekends; but travellers booking as far ahead as three months can get fares as low as US$490 round trip! Fares go up to almost double over the Christmas holiday weekend.

Another Belize City man shot dead
A Belize City man was shot dead last night in the Port Loyola area. A police press release states that around 8:35 last night, Dedron Dennis McKay, 20, a deliveryman, was shot in the abdomen and the right lower side of his back. The incident happened while McKay was socializing at #19 Haynes Street. Police say an unknown male fired several shots at McKay. He died within a few minutes. No one has been arrested thus far.

Orange Walk businessman murdered while defending mom being robbed
An Orange Walk businessman is dead after he was shot in the chest in his family store shortly before closing time last night, when he tried to help his mother being robbed. The incident happened sometime before 9:00 while Amit Moryani, 37, and his mother, Babita Moryani were inside P&P supermarket on Cemetery Street, Orange Walk town. Police say two armed masked men entered the establishment and one of them attacked the elderly woman from behind and took away her bag containing $300 cash. Amit, who saw what was happening, tried to help his mother, but the man who had the gun pointed the weapon at him and shot him in the chest, then shot at his mother, grazing her on the right side of her head. Amit died about an hour later at the Northern Regional Hospital.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

Child in critical condition after accident in Belize City
Reports to BBN is that a child was knocked down this evening on Baymen Avenue in Belize City. The child was taken to the KHMH for medical treatment.

Attorney General to Churches, "Step up or shut up"
Attorney General of Belize, Michael Peyrefitte has challenged the churches opposed to the decriminalization of marijuana to either run for political office or refrain from criticizing the new legislation. Peyrefitte, following the ascension of the Misuse of Drugs Amendment Bill into law this week, said that the churches are objecting simply for the sake of objecting.

Police bust marijuana farm in Paraiso Village
Yesterday, Orange Walk Special Branch, Quick Response Team, other specialized teams and officers were on operation in northern Belize and found a marijuana plantation located about 6 miles North West of Paraiso Village.

Fast Food Shop robbed in Camalote Village, Cayo
On Thursday, November 2, 2017, around 10:39 p.m., M and M's Fast Food in Camalote Village, Cayo District was robbed. According to police reports, the victim was observed with several injuries to her face.

GOB officially Launches Belize Electronic License and Permit System
The Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) H.E. Ambassador Charles K. Y. Liu officially handed over the Belize Electronic License and Permit System (BELAPS) to Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) of the Government of Belize yesterday at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina.

Belize City Police find unlicensed .38 revolver during random search
Last night around 7:30, police conducted a search on Pitter Street, Belize City behind Lord Ridge Cemetery which led to the discovery of a .380 pistol with serial number 260975 in an empty tomb.

Masked men ambush and kill shopkeeper in Orange Walk Town
Yesterday around 9:00 PM, police visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they observed the body of Amit Moryani, 37, a Belizean shopkeeper of Cemetery Street, Orange Walk Town suffering from a single gunshot wound to the upper left side of his chest.

Police: Man, 20, shot and killed in Belize City
Last night around 8:35, authorities visited the KHMH where the body of Dendron Dennis Mckay, 20, was seen with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and one to the right lower back.

Blogs

The Ultimate Guide to Belize
Belize is an incredible destination that is most certainly going to explode with tourists very soon. For now, it remains relatively untouched with only 250,000 visitors per year. We visited four districts in the country. The variety of experiences are endless. Lush jungles, rain forests, aqua blue water with white sand beaches and some of the best diving spots in the world. I am excited to share my guide to Belize with you, but first, here is a little background info. During our two and a half week stay, we met some of the most interesting people we have ever come across on our travels. Both expats that have made Belize their home for decades and locals. The common value is every one of them have such passion for Belize, the desire to share it with tourists and to promote it to the world. Its funny, because they want to have more visitors, but at the same time keep it a secret. I could sense the inner battle when I spoke with them. Luckily for me, they were all so generous in sharing hidden gems.

International Sourcesizz

Destructive 2017 Atlantic hurricane season may be over for US despite officially ending Nov. 30
While the official end of the Atlantic hurricane season is not until Nov. 30, the chance of a tropical storm developing and hitting the United States this month is very low. August and September brought great devastation due to hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria striking heavily-populated areas. However, these storms struck when conditions were conducive for supporting tropical cyclones as hurricane season was at or approaching its climatological peak. Ocean temperatures were like bath water and winds aloft were light during late August and September. While hurricanes have formed and even struck the U.S. during November, the odds of such an occurrence are very low on average. "Even though the Atlantic hurricane season officially lasts until the end of November, the weather pattern, statistics and the AccuWeather forecast strongly suggest that the possibility of another significant hurricane hitting the U.S. mainland is extremely small for the rest of the season," according to Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather founder and president. The low risk is due to an increase in westerly winds at most levels of the atmosphere across North America. These winds tend to steer any potential tropical systems away from the Atlantic Seaboard and to a great extent the central and western Gulf of Mexico coast. Meanwhile, stiff easterly winds at the surface and strong westerly winds aloft farther south in the tropics work toward disrupting the development of storms in the Caribbean Sea and the south-central Atlantic. Currently, there are also vast areas of dry air over the Atlantic, and water temperatures have throttled back from their late-summer peak levels.

Videos

  • Hope Haven and Shine Center officially open doors to the community of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye Raise Me Up Congratulations!!!, 5sec.

  • Vehicle on fire on the Placencia Road at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 4th, 2017, 1min. Eyewitnesses says it occurred near Riversdale.

  • Splash pad at Harvest Caye - Belize, 1min.

  • BELIZE, Renae Sherese MARTINEZ - Contestant Introduction (Miss World 2017), 2min. Meet this year's contestant from Belize.. Renae Sherese MARTINEZ! Who will be crowned Miss World 2017 ?

  • Belize & Guatemala 2017 (w/ EF College Break), 5min. I went to Belize and Guatemala this past summer with #EFUltimateBreak. Had a blast and met some awesome people!

  • BELIZE 2017 GOPRO, 3min.
  • © Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board