AmbergrisCaye.com Home
Posted By: Marty Today's Belize News: July 19, 2020 - 07/19/20 12:49 PM


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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.


The San Pedro Sun

Ambassador Nestor Mendez Assumes Second Term as Assistant Secretary General of the OAS
On July 17th, during a virtual meeting of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Nestor Mendez assumed his second term in office as the Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) for the period 2020-2025. Ambassador Mendez was reelected by acclamation at the Organization's 54th Special General Assembly on March 20, 2020.

CABEI Donates COVID-19 Sample Collection Kits and RNA Extraction Kits to Belize
In response to the request issued by the Presidents of Central American Integration System (SICA) countries at a meeting convened on March 12, 2020, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) authorized an emergency aid in favor of the Member States of the SICA, under a Non-Refundable Financial Cooperation modality, to complement national efforts for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19.

New Chairman Sworn-in for the Elections and Boundaries Commission
On July 17, 2020 at the Belize House in Belmopan, Mr. Estevan Perera was sworn-in as the new Chairman of the Elections and Boundaries Commission by the Governor General H.E. Sir Colville Young.

Belize's plan to face COVID-19 after PGIA opens as cases increase in nearby Mexico, Guatemala and the USA
An increase in COVID-19 cases in surrounding countries and the USA has Belizeans questioning the plans in place by its health authorities. When it comes to beds and medical resources to treat a wave of COVID-19, no clear indications have been provided by government as to where the country stands on such an important detail.

Ambergris Today

Belize Specialist Clinic Clarifies Inaccurate And Misleading Statements
Belize Specialist Clinic/Belize Gastroenterology & Endoscopy Center Limited would like to take this opportunity to again offer our most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Pastor Jose Cal. We recognize that during these moments of such loss, some grieve differently than others and we do not aim to judge the reactions of those most affected. We would like to clarify misstatements that were made against our medical institution via shared social media postings that several media houses made. It is most unfortunate that some of the family members have taken such a negative stance against us when our team put forth the utmost and sincerest efforts to save their loved one's life. We understand it comes from a painful place, but such negative remarks and false accusations have in turn caused irreparable damage to our professional reputation.

Various Belizean Sources

mzz

Virtual Exhibition on the Origin of the name Ambergris Caye
Ever wondered how our island got its name? Join us to a Virtual Exhibition on the Origin of the name Ambergris Caye. by the San Pedro House of Culture.

Volunteer at the Belize Red Cross - San Pedro
The Belize Red Cross San Pedro branch is extending a warm invitation for those who would like to be a part of our volunteer team!

Dr. Marvin Manzanero does a walk-through at the Phillip Goldson International Airport
Yesterday the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero along with Management staff from Central Health Region did an initial walk-through at the Phillip Goldson International Airport with guidance from the Belize Airport Concession Company Limited. They continue to review processes that will be implemented as the airport prepares for the official reopening on August 15th, 2020. They thanked the health staff who worked hard and long hours on the ground to safeguard the health of arriving passengers, themselves and the country.

Grand Caribe's 4th Annual Fishing Tournament
Day 2 updates! We have an angler reporting a catch and release Blue Marlin!

WILDTRACKS Save the Manatee Club Amazon Wishlist ARRIVES!
A huge THANK YOU to Save the Manatee Club and its members for your donations to the Save the Manatee Club Amazon Wishlist... The Save the Manatee Club shipment has arrived - one of our favourite moments of the year! Save the Manatee Club members have contributed the majority of the Esbilac milk replacement formula and probiotics needed to keep the manatee calves at Wildtracks healthy, growing and happy, each year for the past several years!!. The shipment also contains donated salinity meters, thermometers, slings, weighing scales, GPS trackers, underwater cameras...all these help ensure that the rehabilitation work can continue smoothly each year. A special thank you also to the donor of the solar power system - as we are off-grid and rely on green energy, this is particularly welcome!

Creative Monday Discussion
On July 20th, 2020 I'm going live for another edition of Creative Monday Discussion (CMD). I will be joined by some outstanding Belizean entrepreneurs who's using their brands to positively impact the lives of people. The live stream will start at 7PM on www.facebook.com/mervinbudram/live. Send in your questions to [email protected] or WhatsApp +501-637-4921

Flights to belize
We are getting a lot of "what airlines will be flying to Belize when it reopens" and "what routes will be available" comments on this page. Hopefully the below helps to answer. So far, this is what is confirmed. United daily from Houston IAH - resumes August 15. American Airlines daily from Miami - resumes August 18. Delta Air Lines 3Xweek from Atlanta - resumes September 3. Sun Country Airlines 1Xweek from Minneapolis - resumes December 19.

Belize History Association General Meeting
The Belize History Association General Meeting has been postponed to Saturday, July 25, 2020. This postponement is due to the following reasons: 1. With the new 50% discount, we believe that additional time will allow for more members to register and participate in the election of the BHA Board. 2. In order to encourage members who are unable to attend a meeting on a workday, we have scheduled for the meeting to be held on a Saturday. 3. In order to enhance our safety in the pandemic, we are requesting that all participants attend the meeting virtually.

The Reporter

Weapons discovered in Roaring Creek
On Saturday Roaring Creek Police conducted an operation which led to the discovery of three .223 magazines, ten rounds of .223 ammunition, a smoke grenade and two anti-riot irritant grenades. The items were found on the Young Gyal Road approximately three miles off the George Price Highway, hidden under rocks. Nobody was in the area and the items were labelled as found property.

Egbert Baldwin shot and killed in Ladyville Saturday night
The Reporter has confirmed that Egbert Baldwin was shot and killed in Ladyville Saturday night. Official details are scarce but Baldwin and another man were on Marage Road in Ladyville when they were shot. We are told Baldwin died shortly after and the other man was rushed to the KHMH. Baldwin had just walked off an attempted murder charge on Thursday.

Breaking Belize NewsPJ

2 Dead, 2 Injured In Fatal Shooting in San Ignacio Town
Two persons died and 2 were injured in a fatal shooting in San Ignacio Town, [�]

Man killed in Ladyville
Reports to BBN is that a man was killed a short while ago in Ladyville. The [�]

Eldon Arzu can proceed with judicial review of Police Association election
Supreme Court Justice Sonya Young will hear Police Corporal Eldon Arzu's judicial review claim in [�]

Attorney General confirms appointments of judges
Before the COVID-19 pandemic in March, the Government was facing a critical shortage of judges [�]

Government, Police sued for wrongful death of Allyson Major Jr. on anniversary of his shooting
Friday, July 17, marked one year since the passing of Allyson Major Junior, in Belize [�]

Ministry of Education says schools can open early
In March, classes were called out in Belize due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic [�]

Ministry of Education to parents: 'Home schooling must be approved'
The Ministry of Education informed that it is aware of parents on social media saying [�]

Early childhood teachers, students to wear face shield
The Ministry of Education, in yesterday's Ask The Experts webcast, also discussed safety for early [�]

Ministry of Education implementing measures for class sanitation, shift system
In an Ask the Expert segment yesterday, the Ministry of Education discussed class sanitation and [�]

U.S. flags at halfmast for late civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis
President Donald Trump has ordered all U.S. flags on all American installations worldwide including the [�]

Police investigate shooting incident in Belize City
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in Belize City. Conway Galvez [�]

Criminalising Poverty: The High Cost of Security
By Greg Nunez and Bryton Codd: Citizen security remains a contentious topic in Belize as views increasingly coalesce toward the alienation of our young Black men from society. [�]

Blogs

Friday Photos Around San Pedro Town
Yesterday I headed to San Pedro town for errands. Just the usual�groceries, the pharmacy (Benadryl, our dog Elsie is very allergic to the bite of Doctor Flies that are buzzing around the north part of the island right now), get some gas and photos. Here are a bunch I took in town. My first stop was to buy some new masks. The temperature here is HOT. Hot and humid. I;ve been known to call these hot summer day "2 shirt days" because I would need a change of clothing by about mid-day. the same is true for masks. It's nice to have an extra on hand when your original starts to show sweat spots. This pacas (used clothing store) has a nice selection and they are $4bzd. (It's in the Boca Del Rio area - on the main road on the east side of the street).

Canoe down the Mopan River in Cayo
Belize's gorgeous waterways include beaches, lagoons and rivers. One of the most scenic rivers in Belize is the wide, winding Mopan River. When you're in Belize, spend a few hours riding an inner tube down this river. It's a wonderful way to relax, enjoy the scenery and spot wildlife. The Mopan begins in the jungles of Peten, Guatemala. It then runs through the Cayo District of Belize. At Branch Mouth, it merges with the Macal River to form the Belize River. The ancient Maya used the Mopan as a major trading route between cities. It was also an important source of drinking water. Today, the Mopan is still the main water source for Belizeans. It's also one of the best places to enjoy river sports like canoeing, kayaking, fishing, river tubing and swimming. The thick, green trees on the riverbanks are teeming with wildlife and birds of all kinds.

How a Belizean Hot Sauce became a Global Sensation
When you visit Belize, you might notice that a bottle of Marie Sharp's hot sauce is on every table in every restaurant, diner and bar. How did this popular sharp, named after its founder Marie Sharp, become a global sensation? In 1980, Marie Sharp was in her kitchen working on a sauce made from various fruits, habanero peppers, vegetables and spices from her farm. She came up with a concoction that she thought was pretty good, and most of her neighbors agreed. Marie began selling her tasty sauce to local restaurants. She cooked the sauce in her kitchen and had one family member as an assistant. Today, Marie Sharp employs 20 people at her factory in the Stann Creek District. The factory distributes sauces, jams and other products to restaurants all over Belize, Central America, and the world.

Summer in Belize: Fun Under the Sun!
The sunshine and tropical breeze feel a bit brighter and warmer from the comfort of a private island getaway. What could be better for a summer escape than a secluded stay surrounded by the crystal- clear Belizean waters? Summer in Belize is the best way to get rid of your quarantine fatigue! Cayo Espanto is perfectly positioned three miles off the coast of San Pedro, Belize. Our private island resort offers an array of personalized experiences such as snorkeling, tailored meals, exploring Maya ruins, private helicopter tours, and yacht excursions. The lush landscape of Cayo Espanto allows guests to remain socially distant from those they are not traveling alongside. The secluded island escape molds to the ideal adventure or relaxing itinerary every visitor prefer for an exclusive getaway.

Health Care in Belize
Medical care in Belize generally gets a poor grade, but it has been steadily improving in the last few years. Most expat residents say the country needs more healthcare facilities, more specialized physicians and staff, and better equipment. With fewer than 400,000 residents, Belize doesn't have an income tax revenue base adequate to fund a large number of public hospitals, which are free to Belizeans. But the country has dedicated, caring doctors who focus on their patients, freely offer their cellphone numbers, and still make house calls. In Belize the medical attention is more personal, although clearly not as advanced as in North America. The good news is that many of the country's healthcare shortcomings are often easy to deal with. First of all, minor ailments and many emergencies can be treated by physicians, at public clinics, and/or at a Red Cross (Cruz Roja) emergency station-all of which are found throughout the country, with the exception of some rural areas.

Criminalising Poverty: The High Cost of Security By Greg Nunez and Bryton Codd
Citizen security remains a contentious topic in Belize as views increasingly coalesce toward the alienation of our young Black men from society. We are being asked to barter our voices and displeasure for silence and security without discussing important social, economic, and political issues that affect their daily lives. Recently, this discursive process of "othering" has reduced complex social interactions to a rudimentary contrast of 'us' (the perceived law-abiding citizens) and 'them' (the monsters) by stigmatising them at every chance.

Videos

  • Grand Caribe's 4th Annual Fishing Tournament, .25min. Video submitted by Boat #12, Strike Force, with the catch and release of a sailfish! Caught by angler, Magdaluz Guerrero

  • Sam Harris of the Garifuna Collective and the World Culture Band talks about Creole Music, 7min. There are some concert performances woven into it.

  • Tendering in and Walking Around Belize, 5min. We take a tender (small boat and free) from our ship into Belize and we walk around seeing the sights.

  • ST. HERMAN'S BLUE HOLE NATIONAL PARK BELIZE, 17min.

  • Scuba Diving with Hawksbill Sea Turtles in Belize, 7min. This is a collection of Hawksbill Sea Turtle clips I took while diving in Belize in 2019. I hope you find the information in the narration useful and interesting

  • Swimming with the sharks in Belize, 6min.

  • Fried Jacks - BelizE, 6min. Vandaag maken we Fried Jacks uit Belize!

  • Ko'one'ex Kanik Maaya T'�an (Let's learn Yucatec Maya), 3min. Learning Maya Yucatec with Jose Manuel Poot Cahun.

  • Museum of Belize, 7min. Step back in time by experiencing all of Belize's history within the walls of the Museum of Belize. Join us for a mini tour of this former-prison and why it remains an iconic landmark in Belize City. Feel free to pause throughout the video to read all the interesting facts.
  • © Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board