FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE
Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.
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
Blue Water Grill seeks to raise 45k for Hematology Analyzer
Blue Water Grill (BWG) is aiming to raise $45,000 dollars to buy a Hematology Analyzer for the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. The machine will allow the polyclinic to give blood tests results in one to two hours rather than waiting two to three days to get them.
In the past, through their monthly donation program, BWG has purchased an EKG machine, ultrasound machine and x-ray machine for the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. Through their efforts BWG along with their sister businesses, The Phoenix and Wine De Vine, have also raised funds to assist several non-governmental organizations and other institutions such as San Pedro High School, Hope Haven Center, Oceana Belize, the San Pedro Roman Catholic School among others.
San Pedro youth top Annual English Caye Swim Challenge
Several young swimmers from San Pedro Town took on the Annual Swim Challenge between English Caye and Goff's Caye on Monday, March 12th and proudly excelled in the competition while raising awareness on the preservation of Belize's Barrier Reef System. Among the 30 swimmers from across the country was San Pedro's 13-year-old Carina Paz, who was the first and youngest female to complete the 1.6 mile swim. Brandon Santos, Jordan Santos and Kian Trejo took the first, second, and fourth place respectively. Other swimmers from the island included Robbie Zeske and Dawn Schick. The annual event organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is one of the highlights in the celebration of Oceana Belize's Reef Week 2018.
Caye Note: Fundraiser for Baby Yareli Castillo
Please help us save a life. Yareli Castillo is 22-months-old, she has been diagnosed with Encephalitis. She has been in the hospital for the past three months, two of which she spent in a coma. The other was spent submitting to three surgeries; one in her throat and the other two in her stomach. Due to her surgeries she can't get fed normally at the moment. She gets fed by a tube connected to her body and only liquid foods.
She's has now been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (brain paralysis) and she needs another surgery urgently, and proper medical treatment. We are doing a fundraising B.B.Q sale on Sunday March 18th at Boca del Rio, we will be having chicken and ribs B.B.Q, iced cold beers and good music with Rompe Raja from 11AM until 6PM. Please stop by and help us save a little angel. For any donations or orders u can contact us at 664-5903 or 654-4031.
Preschoolers shine for Festival of Arts in Ambergris Caye
As part of Child Stimulation Month, a Festival of Arts show was held at the San Pedro Lions Den on Tuesday, March, 13th. Under the theme: "Birth to Eight. Children must play", the show saw a large crowd of residents enjoying the great talents of the many preschoolers on the island.
At 9AM, a short ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a short invocation by Pastor Clive Welsh. Mistress of Ceremonies Kimberly Flores Moro then invited Education Officer of San Pedro Town, Odilia Caliz, who thanked everyone for their presence and continued support towards the children's activities. The podium then saw former teacher and owner of Black & White Cuisine Restaurant, Julia Martinez sharing a few words with the attendees.
Belmopan Bandits defeat San Pedro Pirates 4-3
The San Pedro Pirates F.C suffered another home loss against the Belmopan Bandits on Sunday, March 11th at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. The island team fought hard to win but at the end of the heated match, it was a victory for the visiting team with a 4-3 point score. For the next match, San Pedro Pirates will once again be playing home but this time against Placencia Assassins on Sunday, March 18th. The game is scheduled to start at 3PM at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. Everyone is invited to come out and support the island team for their home game. Food and drinks will be on sale during the game.
Ambergris Today
Students Impress At SPHS Business Fair
From Medical Plazas, taquerias, dessert pizzas, beauty face masks to entertainment centers, the ideas for new business ventures for the island of Ambergris Caye were free flowing at San Pedro High School's Business Fair. Senior and junior students were given the opportunity to show off their marketing skills by creating a product/business and putting it up for display and sale at the fair that was held today, March 16, 2018.
The fair was full of well-decorated booths and thought out business plans. Those with products were selling to visitors and those with business plans pitched the perfect idea of a new business in town. It was a great display of entrepreneurship by all the participating students; always a great event to visit. Great job everybody!
Tracy Eiley Gomez Sworn-In As Justice Of The Peace In Florida
On Thursday, March 15, 2018, five Belizeans residing in Florida were sworn-in as Justices of the Peace by the Attorney General of Belize Hon. Michael Peyrefitte at the Consulate of Belize in Florida. The men and women who have answered the call to serve are Mrs. Tracy Gomez, Ms. Deborah D. Duncan, Mrs. Glenda Lewis, Mr. Jason Guild and Mr. Philip Mckay.
Tracy Eiley Gomez is a born Sanpedrana residing in Florida and is the daughter of Mr. Norman and Mrs. Susana Eiley (El Fogon Restaurant). On behalf of the entire community Ambergris Today takes this opportunity to congratulate Tracy Gomez!
San Pedro Junior Sailing Team Participates In Baron Bliss Regatta
After a three year break the San Pedro Junior Sailing Team has reformed and participated in the 90th Annual Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta in Belize City. The three sailors from the San Pedro Junior Sailing Team were Gabbi Knox, Rosemary Romero and Leroy Arzu. The race took place on Sunday, March 11, 2018, where a total of 12 sailors and four clubs represented and participated in the event. SPJST members all received medals of participation; congrats on a job well done!
The "traditional triangle course" with equal sides of one nautical mile was for the Lighters and Multihulls. Separate courses were laid for Optimist and Lasers as both these classes needed ranking points for entry into up-coming international championships. The Optimists needed to get in more than three races so the separate triangular course was laid, shortened to half nautical mile sides with the apex within 100 yards of the BTL park for better spectator viewing.
Misc Belizean Sources
Help replace the Arenal Bridge
Good morning from Arenal village, a very small community on the Eastern border of Guatemala.
Arenal is one of the poorest villages in the country and we're approximately 5 Miles from Benque and 3 Miles from Melchor de Mencos, on the Guatemalan side. Most of the villagers do not have permanent jobs; each of us does a little bit of agriculture, a little job here and there, and in order to survive we go to Melchor de Mencos for some cheap shopping from time to time or to the hospital for medical help.
In order to go to Melchor de Mencos we must cross a hanging bridge over the local river, and unfortunately this hanging bridge has been completely destroyed by a flooding in October 2017.
The estimate of the construction of the bridge is 500000 Quetzales (approximately 75000 US$) and we want to try to get the funding of the bridge on our own.
Belize Attends SICA-Spain Meeting in the Dominican Republic
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Patrick Andrews, led a delegation to a Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic where the Ministers met with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, H.E. Alfonso Dastis.
The SICA Foreign Ministers thanked the Kingdom of Spain for their continued support in the regional integration movement, particularly in the areas of institutional strengthening, human rights, poverty alleviation, and security. They welcomed the signing of the fourth phase of the SICA-Spain Fund that will support the region's commitments to the 2030 Agenda.
Rumble in The West! Boxing Night!
March 24th,2018. At The Octavia Waight Center - 7:00PM. Main Fight MECANICO ESQUIVEL vs FRANCISCO LUNA!
Tickets are:
$15.00 General,
$20.00 Reserved ( Ring Side),
$25.00 VIP.
Get it at the gate, at SI Central TV & Internet Office, TNC Studio or call us at 678-6210.
UDP Victory Rally in San Pedro
Inviting each and everyone today Saturday March 17th, as we celebrate our VICTORY PARTY.
Meet us at Maya Island Air to meet & greet the
Prime Minister of Belize "Hon. Dean Barrow".
Corozal Sign Design Competition
Be a part of creating one of Corozal's future tourism landmarks.
Corozal - Save a Life, Global Youth Day
Many youth will be donating blood to the people in need, this Saturday March 17th from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Corozal Community Hospital. Come and be part of this event. There will be prayer offerings and also visiting of the sick and ailing in the hospital.
The Calcutta SDA Spanish Church will also have a prayer booth with live music infront of the church which will be taking place at the same time in Calcutta Village. Help the needy, save a life and share your blessings. Balloons giveaway with positive messages. Cupcakes will be given out for free at the church.
There will be many more activities.
BTB Vacancy : Chief of Security
The incumbent is the leader of the security function, which includes the physical security and safety of employees, facilities and assets of the Belize Tourism Board. Physical protection responsibilities will include implementing and integrating employee security safeguards, asset protection, workplace violence prevention, access control systems, video surveillance and more. The position is responsible for performing tasks related to risk assessment, crisis management and facility security. Additionally, the person will monitor visitor flow and outside activities as it relates to creating a safe and secure working environment at the BTB.
COMMUNITY FORESTRY EXCHANGE VISIT, GUATEMALA
12 community members from southern Belize visited the Uaxact�n concession in Guatemala where forest management has seen success with local community participation.
Ya'axch� is implementing a 4 year project, funded by the European Union, with 7 partner organizations from Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The project aims to increase the capacity of participating organizations and indigenous communities in effective forest governance, conservation and sustainability.
We are collaborating with Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) in southern Belize to implement the activities of the project entitled "Gobernanza Forestal de Pueblas Indigenas y Comunidades Forestales en REDD+ y FLEGT". SATIIM supports 2 local groups who are managing a community logging concession.
Channel 7
Murder At Newstime
Goodnight, and welcome back to 7News. First off, there has been a murder in the city. It happened right around the corner from us at the corner of King Street and West Canal. A Spanish descent male was found slumped over in his car. He was shot to the head. This happened about 20 minutes ago.
We'll have more information as it becomes available.
Monstrous: 21 Year Old Charged For Murder/Rape of 17 Month Old
21-year-old Everal Martinez has been charged for the murder of baby Alyssa Nunez, the 17 month old sexual abuse victim who died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.
Two weeks ago, Martinez was taken to court under a blanket of security and charged for 2 counts of attempted rape of a child and 2 counts of attempted assault of a child.
Today, it was a far more low profile affair when he was hurried into court in a tinted police mobile.
Sole Suspect In Plane Landing Released
And while he is in jail, the single suspect police had detained in connection with the landing of a drug plane in the Blue Creek area has been released.
On Wednesday at around midnight, Police - responding to the report of an illicit plane landing - found the Orange Walk resident driving out of the general area where the plane had landed. He was in a red pickup. He was detained for possible involvement since this is not a much trafficked area. But, now he has been released without charges - making it the third case of drug planes landed in the north in 16 days - and police have nothing to show for it: no drugs, no suspects…nada.
And, some say, this is by design, and hint at collusion by some law enforcement elements. First off, the landing of drug planes is obviously a major enterprise, with many moving parts - parts that must exist in Belize for the operations to work.
New Sheriff For The City
And, as Vidal goes to Belmopan, back to Special Branch, he makes way for Sr. Superintendent Howell Gillett, who will take over as Eastern Division Southside's new commander.
As we told you last night this is part of a major shakeup in the senior ranks of the Department.
Now, the south side has been passed around a number of times to try and find the right fit. Everyone remembers the era of Super Cop ACP Chester Williams and his community policing strategy - then the command was given to Senior Superintendent Marco Vidal - with his paramilitary policing style, and now it's in Sr. Supt. Gillett's hands - who has made it clear that community policing is the only way to go. We met up with Gillett in downtown Belize this evening already adjusting to the big city life. He told us more about his youth focused approach.
New Commander's First Priority
Now Gillett will meet with his south side officers on Monday morning to make it official. And Gillett already has his things to do list prepared. He is eager to get started. He gave us a specific breakdown of what his first order of business will be as the new Southside commander.
Sr. Supt Howell Gillet, Southside Commander:
"I want to quickly go house to house especially to start with the affected areas in Belize City in the Southside of Belize City. And the police can't do it on their own, the police will never be able to solve crime on its own so we have to enlist their support."
"Another thing that readily comes to mind is that there is too much available ammunition on the street and maybe even available guns so we will have to be going after those who have the guns and ammunition so that the public.."
FECTAB Says Nohoch Che'en For Belizeans Only
3 weeks ago, the then PUP Mayoral candidate Bernard Wagner sided with the local tour operators, handicraft vendors and guides who hustle outside the gates of the Fort Street Tourism Village.
Whether or not the Mayor was pandering for votes, the reality is that the presence outside the compound of the tourism village has been an ongoing industry dispute.
And, the consultations to resolve this issue haven't exactly been going well, since the ideas of putting them near the Memorial Park, and the Marion Jones Stadium were rejected by the locals. Their position is that they're already scrambling for the crumbs from cruise tourism in Belize City, and putting them that far is sort of like out of sight, out of mind.
March For Empowerment Ropes In Students
In 2014, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children organized the first every 20,000 Strong Women's Empowerment Rally. The message was clear then: women from all over coming together to celebrate their value and collective strength.
Today - four years later - the messaging is not so clear - because many ask what an empowerment march can do when women and children are being killed in the street.
It's a tough question, but a fair one - and we asked it today. Jules Vasquez reports:
It was an orange wave crashing into the Caribbean blue on Marine Parade. Up close though, there was a lot less orange and a lot more white - as in school uniform white. Schools came from all over the country,
Some with their marching bands. It made for a nice vibe on the street - but, we wondered was their presence optional, or ornamental? Lead organizer Kim Barrow embraced it as a cross section of community support:
The Avocado Altercation
A market vendor is demanding that police pay her $4,500 for confiscating and damaging her stash of avocadoes. Maria Cowo bought 750 avocadoes from her usual supplier up North. Now the trouble started yesterday evening when police held up her supplier and took all the avocadoes she had already paid for. He was just there to deliver her order. An amateur video captures all the commotion. Today I went looking for more answers at the market. We spoke to one eyewitness off camera as well as the supplier's cousin. They all maintain that the avocadoes were locally grown in San Victor, Corozal.
Voice of: Eyewitness:
"It was around 6pm in the evening. I was closing my business and I went outside and I saw 2 police officers holding a guy for some avocados. Asked them why they are holding him for. He says [police] because of contraband avocados. So we stood there and I say but those look like local avocado. The police didn't want to listen to anyone. They call someone and they stayed there like an hour. I expected they were waiting for some bargain or something. Then the mobile reach and ask what was going on and that's when they were told that they have some contraband avocados and they put it in the truck. The guy who had the avocado was willing to go in the truck with them because it was his avocado, but then they put 2 other stuff that did not belong to him, so that's when he refuses to get inside of the truck."
Guatemalan Weed Plantation In Chiquibul
The Friends for Conservation and Development are reporting that they helped the police and the BDF capture a Guatemalan man who was about to start up a marijuana plantation in the Chiquibul forest.
At around 1:30 p.m. yesterday, a joint patrol consisting of a of FCD ranger, members of the Belize Defence Force were on duty in the Caballo area of the Chiquibul. That's when they came across a man later identified as 25 year-old Manuel De Jesus Hernandez Vega, a resident of the Guatemalan Village La Esperanza, in Melchor De Menchos.
The lawmen caught him with 3 live cartridges belonging to a 12-gauge shot gun, and at his camp, they found 5 small plastic bags, which contained marijuana seeds. Each of the bags weighed about a half a pound.
Guatemala Gets Ready For ICJ Referendum
On last night's news, we showed you part one of our exclusive interview with the new Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize, Gorges De La Roche.
He was discussing different aspects of Belize/Guatemala relations and the topic of their ICJ public campaign came up.
On April 15, Guatemalans will go to the polls and vote on whether they want to take their country's territorial claim to Belize to the International Court of Justice.
For months now, the Guatemalan Government has been hosting their public education campaign on the ICJ referendum, and we wondered what kind of feedback they've been getting on this claim to Belize that's almost 200 years old.
Would Guatemala Try To Slip Out of ICJ Judgement?
Now, for the territorial dispute to actually go to the ICJ, the populations of both Belize and Guatemala have to vote yes in their respective referendums.
But, as you may be aware, there are those strong-minded Belizeans who refuse to entertain the idea of an ICJ resolution. And that's because there is suspicion that if Guatemala loses the case, they will simply ignore the ruling and carry on as though nothing has changed.
We asked the Ambassador point-blank about that concern:
Daniel Ortiz, reporter:
"We know that in the past, your country was claiming half of Belize. Is that still the position?"
H.E. Georges de la Roche Du Ronzet - Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize:
"When you ask that, I will remind you that we are tiptoeing around a legal case, a court case or hopefully a court case. So I won't even dare to answer that. Once we are at the Hague there will be a memorial presented by us in the stages of their procedures in the Hague. So that's the answer I can give you."
Garrido For Shooting Garoy
Last month, we told you about the shooting of 35 year-old Reginald Garoy, the Belize City taxi-man, who according to reports, had to jump into the Belize City canal to escape his armed assailant. Well, police say that the shooter was 20 year-old Ezmir Garrido, a resident of West Canal.
He was arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford on the charges of grevious harm, and use of deadly means of harm. Due to the nature of the offenses, no plea was taken, and Garrido was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. He will be taken back to court for an adjournment on May 16, 2018.
Four Dozen New Belizeans
Over 40 new Belizeans were sworn in today at the George Price Center in Belmopan. Deputizing for the minister - CEO Edmund Zuniga urged the new citizens to celebrate Belizean plurality:
A Festival For Gospel
And one Trinidad Gospel Soca artist might someday want to call Belize home. J Prince is back in Belize for the third time. He's the headline act at the Belize Gospel Expo 2018 to be held this weekend at the National Agriculture and Trade Showgrounds. He told us how me blends the party mood of soca with prayerful thoughts:...
The Gospel Fest is free to enter.
Murder Confirmed
And finally tonight, an update to our headline story. There has been another murder on the southside. One hour ago, a Spanish man was found slouched on the driver's side of a ford escape. The Deceased is Victor Mason Gibbs of 17 Mex Ave. More on Monday.
Channel 5
Independence Primary School visits Channel 5
The students of Independence Primary School visited to learn about the history and operations of Great Belize Productions Ltd. These school tours are very important to the company as it provides the opportunity to share the legacy of the company and to inspire children to pursue the many career options in media and television. Here's a few images from Wednesday's tour.
Today we were visited by the students of Maya Mopan Primary School
Everal Martinez Charged with Step-Daughter Allyssa Nunez's Murder
Her plight touched the heart of many Belizeans. Her unnecessary death enraged them. But life went on in the Old Capital as twenty-one-year-old Everal Martinez was briefly and quietly arraigned [...]
Howell Gillett Brings Fresh Approach to Eastern Division (South)
There is a new commander to take on the Eastern Division South Command of the Police Department in the city. After eight months on the job as the head of [...]
New Capital Gets Interim Leader as Senior Superintendent Vows to End "Carnage" in Old Capital
So who will take over from Gillett at the Belmopan Formation; and will Superintendent Daniel Arzu remain as Deputy Regional Commander at Eastern Division South? Here's that update from Gillett. [...]
Cops Caught on Camera Harassing Avocado Vendor
Around six o'clock on Thursday evening, there was a ruckus outside the Michael Finnegan Market, Belize City that quickly became violent. Officers attached to the Special Patrol Unit were caught [...]
Family Says SPU Must Pay for Spoiled Goods
This evening, the nineteen-year-old resident of San Victor visited News Five along with his family. Sister Maria Cowo said that while he was held at the Racoon Street Police Station, [...]
New Managers of Civic include Elite Basketball Team Owner
A press conference will be held on Monday to announce the management company to take over the running of the brand new thirty-three million dollars Civic Center. The construction of [...]
Cover-Up Underway in Drug Plane Landings, Sources Allege
Police this afternoon confirmed that the single person held in connection with a suspected drug plane that crash landed in the Cuatro Leguas area of Blue Creek, Orange Walk around [...]
20,000 Strong Returns to Marion Jones
Twenty-thousand Strong? Not quite - but they descended on Belize City nevertheless with their call for gender parity. This year, the women rallied for change with "Nurturing the Next Generation [...]
Breaking: a Murder on the Canalside
There is breaking news to report tonight. Just minutes ago, there was a murder in Belize City where a man has reportedly been shot and killed near the corners of [...]
FECTAB Back on the Warpath against GOB
The outspoken folks at the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations had been quiet for some time, but today they turned up the heat on Government, again. The organization wants to [...]
Howell Wants to Close Gap with Gangs
Since the beginning of the year, gang violence and gang-related murders are on the rise with the south side of the city particularly hit. 2017 ended with the second highest [...]
New Commander Wants to Talk with Everyone
But will there be a return of the method of mediation with gang members as was employed by ACP Chester Williams alongside Dianne Finnegan and Nuri Mohammed? That initiative was [...]
CitCo Shakeup Rumbles to Gwen Liz
Gwen Liz High School continues to face a series of administrative troubles, this time at its board level.� News Five understands that job interviews were being held this afternoon for [...]
Agro-Producers to Meet with G.O.B. over GST Exemptions
The Belize Agro-Productive Sector Group will meet with Prime Minister Dean Barrow and other top officials next Wednesday ahead of the Budget Debate. During the presentation on March ninth, the [...]
Taxi Man's Shooter Identified, Charged
Twenty-year-old Esmir Garrido has been charged with grievous harm and use of deadly means of harm on taxi driver Reginald Garoy. Garoy was shot and injured in the right side [...]
Pickwick Loses Second Round Versus Princess in Court of Appeal
The Court of Appeal this morning handed down a decision in the case of Belize Pickwick Club Hotel Limited and Belize Pickwick Club Limited, against Princess Entertainment Limited, Golden Princess [...]
Courts Helps Out at Sister Cecilia Home
Thirty-three residents at the Sister Cecilia Home for the Elderly were treated to a tea party by Unicomer Belize as the company undertook a week-long of activities in volunteerism. Over [...]
Taiwanese Make Investment in Sheep, Goat Rearing
For two years now, a national sheep and goat-breeding center at the Central Farm has been in operation to develop this small sector and so farmers who are rearing sheep [...]