September 29, 2015

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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize and Mexico Sign MOU to Foster Business Relations
The MOU sets forth the procedures of co-operation for the expansion of investment and trade relations between Belize and Mexico, including the strengthening of institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation between the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and ProMexico. BELTRAIDE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Trade, which seeks to enhance Belize’s prosperity by fostering investor confidence, entrepreneurship, business growth and innovation. ProMéxico is a public trust considered a public entity, sectorized to the Secretary of Economy, incorporated under the laws of the United Mexican States, being the Mexican federal government entity in charge of promoting exporting activities, internationalization of Mexican companies and activities which tend to attract foreign direct investment.

BA -1 project participants inquire about disbursement of funds
Back in May 18, 2015 the Belize Training and Employment Centre (BTEC) a unit of the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) hosted a training seminar for women in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. The training, titled “Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking project BA- 1” targeted victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, with the goal of assisting these victims in becoming more self- confident by empowering them with the necessary tools to help them gain personal development. At the end of the training, qualified participants were eligible for a grant in order for them to start or expand their businesses. The program was held in collaboration with the Women’s Department of Belize and the Central American Integration System (SICA) at the San Pedro Town Council conference room, and was held for three weeks. On Friday, June 5th, 34 women graduated from the training. However, since then, the graduates have been waiting to receive the grants from the program so they can start their business ventures. After over three months the group of women are desperate for answers and have had no clear indication of when they will receive the economic assistance. According to the participants of the project, the wait has been too long without any clear explanation as to what will happen and they are eager to know if they will be granted the funds promised in the program. One of the participants indicated that they have been receiving calls from the mainland from different people who inquired about the state of their businesses. This has created confusion between all of them who are seeking information, since participants in other communities might have already been awarded the funds. Apparently not even the project’s former coordinator, Jorge Aldana, has been able to provide them with an answer.

Ambergris Today

Prime Minister Barrow Announces Early General Elections – November 4
When you turned to the United Democratic Party and gave us your confidence in 2008, it was for us to fix all that had gone so horribly wrong in the decade of misrule since 1998. Our country was burdened by the super bond; strait-jacketed by fiscal austerity; unable to operate a bankrupt DFC and a near insolvent social security; suffering from surging levels of poverty and neglect; and shunned by international concessionary lenders disgusted with the last Administration's thievery of public monies. The UDP's overwhelming priority was thus to replenish the state's coffers; restore local and international confidence; rescue citizens desperately in need of relief; and bring back integrity to the Office of the Prime Minister whose outgoing PUP occupant had, in 2005, been presented with a certificate of corruption by Union and Civil Society leaders.

Belize and Mexico Sign MOU to Foster Business Relations
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed recently between Belize and Mexico with the aim to establish a practical framework for the development of stronger business relations between both countries. The MOU was signed on Thursday, September 10th at the Centro de Convenciones Peninsula in Cancun, Mexico on the occasion of the “Foro de Cancun 2015.” The Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection signed on behalf of Belize while Mr Francisco N. González Díaz, Director General of ProMéxico, signed on behalf of Mexico. The signing was witnessed by Quintana Roo’s Governor, Roberto Borge Angulo. The MOU sets forth the procedures of co-operation for the expansion of investment and trade relations between Belize and Mexico, including the strengthening of institutional relations and capacity building through mutual cooperation between the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and ProMexico.

Misc Belizean Sources

First Friday of October Trash Pickup. Tres Cocos!
Come on out and join the fun!!!! Join us at the Paradise Theatre (just north of the bridge) for our monthly two hour roadside and beach clean up! Locals, expats and tourists are all invited to help out and show some Isla Love! Please be there by 9:00 am :-)

Saving Belize's Scarlet Macaws
Have some time to hear about our efforts? You can come do the Belize Audubon Society's Urban Birdwatch in the morning in Griga, then my talk in the evening. Double for one trip! Sunday October 4th Pelican Beach Resort, Dangriga. An "evening chat' with Belizean Roni Martinez of the Scarlet Six Biomonitoring Team!

Changing the Conversation
TEDxBelmopan will be hosted under the theme, Changing the Conversation, in an attempt to prompt discussion on issues affecting Belize and the world at large. As the world advances, and Belize with it, this generation is more aware of the importance of changing the conversation on how we perceive and do things. It is our hope that attendees will be inspired and moved to dig deeper into these issues and continue the discussions long after TEDxBelmopan. October 1, 2015 9:00am - 3:00pm CST

5.1 quake offshore Belize about 30 minutes ago startled some Belize City residents.

SBDC Belize Workshop: UNDERSTANDING TRADEMARKS
Free Workshop Date: October 1st, 2015 9am to 12pm. LOCATION: BELTRAIDE OFFICE, BELMOPAN Time: 9am to 12pm. Trademarks are an extremely valuable asset that not only help sell a business's products or services but also have tangible value. For many, a trademark is the means by which the customer identifies and distinguishes the products or services of one company from those of another. This presentation aims to take the mystery out of trademarks, explains what they are and how to obtain rights in them, and provides a brief overview on how to protect them. The presentation is aimed at business people within a company who seek a basic knowledge of trademarks and why they are important. Presented by: Mrs Candace Westby Fisher, Deputy Registrar, BELIPO

September 10 should have been Belize's Independence Day
By Wellington C. Ramos. Any Belizean who was born in Belize prior to the 1960s attended the Battle of Saint Georges Cay Day Parade, which was held on September 10 every year. During those days, all Belizeans would gather at their schools with the adults and men dressed as Baymen to be a part of this patriotic parade. As time went by the People’s United Party (PUP), under the leadership of George Cadle Price, decided to conduct a different day for the parade. Not only did they conduct a different parade but they also changed the name of the Queen from Queen of The Bay to Miss Independence. This dispute continues up to today because the UDP still support the Queen of the Bay and the September 10 celebrations, while the PUP support Miss Belize and the Independence Day celebrations held on September 21 of each year. We now have two national holidays in one month, which is senseless, costly and inconvenient for most of us, when we could have just decided to make September 10 our Independence Day. This move by the PUP began the separation of the festivities between the People’s United Party (PUP) and the United Democratic Party (UDP) in Belize. According to a testimony given by the late Philip Goldson, a man I consider to be our best National Hero, George Price even said that the Battle of Saint Georges Cay that occurred on September 7-10, 1798, was a myth. This is despite the fact that there is overwhelming evidence to support that these battles did in fact happen.

BELTRAIDE participates in the Caribbean Investment Summit in London
The Belize Invest arm of BELTRAIDE, represented by Mr. Brian Lin, Manager of Investment Genegration, BELTRAIDE, participated in the Caribbean Investment Summit in London, United Kingdom on September 10, 2015 hosted by the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA). The summit forms part of a larger project developed by CAIPA to promote investment opportunities in the Caribbean to potential investors in Europe. BelizeInvest highlighted a list of upcoming projects that were selected based on a criteria suggested by CAIPA. The projects include: * GSR Energy Ltd. : Bio ethanol plant and co-generation facility * Orchid Bay Belize : Commercial residential and resort development * Mel Ltd. : Development of an international airport in Placencia Following the summit, a survey was conducted to evaluate BelizeInvest’s service during the summit.

INDEPENDENCE JUMP-UP PARADE 2015
Winners of the Independence Jump-Up Parade are as follows: Best Group Category: 1st Place - Mystic Mas Band 2nd Place - ABC Pre-School 3rd Place - Dj Debbie Best Float Category ABC Pre-School

Why another early Belize General Elections?
Now that we know that the 15th Belize General Elections will be called this November 4th, we ask "why the early, sort of scurvy call for the day?" During his tenure, Prime Minister Barrow has been a good doctor at silencing the harshest of his critics. In his September 21st Independence Day speech we noted that he took credit for more right-offs and perks for the electorate. It was just another show of a politician taking down as an entertainer. Most of the promises that he made was to create more debt for the poor and middle class. The Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) saga looming are too significant to have been put to bed this early. This hot bed of a situation no doubt has played into the PM’s calling for early elections.

Plastic..plastic and more plastic, everywhere
his past Saturday, the local Scouts of Belize and Oceana Belize participatedin in an exhausting but productive Clean Up Campaign at Mangrove Park in the Finca Solana area. The weather may have kept some volunteers away but we are grateful to all those made the effort to come out and help with picking up trash and garbage around Mangrove Park. Grateful for some of those who came out: Mayolita Santos, LeAnn Aldana, Karizia Sanchez, Jamil Nicholson, Samantha Moralez, Ryan Chi, Mery Moralez, Hector Loria and Gisellie Hernandez. Yvette Sanker Riverol. The help you rendered Saturday is appreciated by our community.

World Culture Band in Peten
The World Culture Band represented Cayo at the Peten Reggae Festival this weekend. Daniel Velazquez was there to get some fantastic pictures. "San Francisco(Peten) Reggae Festival 2015 Thousands of people took over San Pancho Peten, with a jamming Reggae music festival, our Belize World Culture band was there, good vibes! Photos by Miriam Antoinette and Daniel Velazquez"

Independence Day Parade 2015
It's been a week since Belize had its 34th birthday. The SISE town council got some great pictures. The Cayo Neighborhood Watch Association also got some good pictures. The ceremony at Falcon Field went well.

Remembering Hurricane Keith 15 Years Later
Hurricane Keith slammed into Belize’s northern islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye on October 1, 2000 leaving a swath of destruction in its wake. While always wary of storms that venture nearby, the northern islands had not been hit by a Force 4 storm for close to 40 years. What began as a tropical depression on September 28, 2000. As the storm tracked westward, it continued to intensify and was upgraded to a hurricane on September 30. Shortly thereafter, Keith began to rapidly deepen, and peaked as a Category 4 hurricane less than 24 hours later. While islanders are always keenly aware of storms due to the high vulnerability of living on such a remote and low-lying island, it usually takes days for a storm to intensity. This one caught everyone off guard! The hurricane produced a 4 ft (1.2 m) storm surge from the west. Winds were unofficially estimated to have reached 125 mph (201 km/h) on the island. In the aftermath, downed trees and power lines blocked most roads. Keith damaged the roofs of about 90% of houses. About 50% of the houses in Caye Caulker were destroyed, with reports of only five dwellings still standing after the storm.

THE WEBB: BELIZEAN SOUL MUSIC IN NEW YORK!
The 1970's Belizean band in New York called, The Webb, has passed right under the radar of many Belizean music enthusiast and has been forgotten somewhat along the way as the 1980's and 90's brought American pop music through the airwaves of Radio Belize, and later the private radio stations of Belize. They became a popular R&B band that was made up of Belizean musicians like band leader and keyboard player, Jeffrey Adolphous, guitar player Eugene Adolphous, Patrick Pinkard on bass guitar, Patrick Flemming on trumpet and flugle horn, Erling Henderson on Saxaphone, Harrington Trapp on trombone and lead vocals, Ivan Domingo on drums, and Anthony Richards on percussions and lead vocals. They rose to American acclaim in Brooklyn, New York among the large Caribbean and American community there, playing for colleges and other popular venues in Brrooklyn New York and Bronx, New York. The Webb was produced by Belizeans Carrie Fairweather and Compton Fairweather who promoted the band among other popular African-American band like Brass Construction and Cameo.

Responsible Tour Guiding Seminars
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve invites all dive shops and free-lance tour guides from San Pedro and Caye Caulker to participate in our 2015 "Responsible Tour Guiding Seminars." Important for this year will be the recently amended Hol Chan Legislation (Statutory Instrument No. 17 of 2015) that includes the expansion of the protected area.

Channel 7

PM Calls Snap Election For Nov 4th
We all knew it was coming - and now, it's here - in 37 days, on Wednesday, November 4th - general elections will be held in Belize. It's a snap election, and a very early announcement for the Barrow administration - which will be only 3 years and eight months into a five-year term when the election is held in 5 weeks. The rumour went out like a wildfire at around 11:0 am, and by 12:30 Prime Minister Dean Barrow made it official with this statement - which was sent out in audio form initially. . The Prime Minister explained why his government wants a new, early mandate:... Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Having secured this period of restoration, I believe the time has come to ask you for a fresh mandate. The clean-up having been completed, the UDP must focus now exclusively on the positive, on forwarding opportunity and change. A New Belize must burst forth, where progress, prosperity and stability can reign untrammeled." "To fertilize this new bloom of change and advance and inclusion, we must re-inscribe our compact with the people. Accordingly, I have today advised the Governor General to dissolve the National Assembly and to fix Wednesday November 4, 2015 as the date for the next general elections."

PUP Leader Says His Party Ready
And so are the PUP ready? After all, pundits would agree that probably one of the main reasons driving the Barrow Administration to call an early election is the state of the PUP - which is strapped for cash, fractured by disunity and has lost three major elections this years. But today, opposition leader Francis Fonseca told the media that his party is ready, united, and focused on ejecting the UDP from Belmopan:.. Jules Vasquez "Elections was called 3 hours ago. Is the PUP prepared for a general elections in 37 days' time?" Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "We are prepared. We have been getting prepared. We ask why the sudden urgency. Just a few weeks ago the Prime Minister hinted that elections would not be until next year February or March I think he said. So the question is why? Why the sudden urgency and we believe the answer is very clear, there are looming crisis facing the Belizean nation and people. The Petrocaribe monies are drying up. The banking system is in trouble. There are so many serious problems and of course there are other issues facing the government internally that we are aware of that I think will come to the forefront very shortly and all of these things I think have led to this early unexpected call for elections more than a year early than they are due." Jules Vasquez "And then what position is the PUP in terms of: 1) its elections machinery and also that most important lubricant for all elections initiatives, money."

PM Answers The Press On Election Date
And, just in we have our interview with the Prime Minister which was conducted at 6:15 pm in Belmopan. The Prime Minister used his statement to outline the reasons for calling the earliest election in Belize's history. He spoke about a new mandate to embark on a new programme of development. But today the press probed him for the deeper reasons behind the snap election. We caught him at an event to honour Phillip Godson in Belmopan this evening - and here's the lively exchange with the media. Daniel Ortiz "Sir, why call elections early? Its 3 years and 8 months." Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Well I said that the 4 year point is the marker and so since that was my calculus, we are not too early, in terms of that yardstick. This particular juncture though, seems to me to be right. We've had a string of elections already in this current year. Everybody knew that the election was coming sooner rather than later. It struck me that let's get it over and done with, so that whoever wins can then concentrate fully on the business of governance, on the business of development, on the business of improving people's lives. If the longer I had waited, the more difficult it would have been to continue to focus on issues of governance - all important issues of governance. I hate to put it like this, but to some extent, the fact that this was an election season, was a distraction and if we had prolong it, if we had extended it, a great deal beyond today's date, it would have meant that that distraction would have been compounded."

Will Ashcroft Finance PUP?
And, so, 7 weeks of torrid campaigning begins tonight - and the greatest game changer in this election season is Michael Ashcroft. Will he fund the PUP? Or will he stand back - and count the 162 million dollars in BTL compensation that Government paid him last week? Right now that's what is called a known unknown - and today the leader of the opposition:.. Jules Vasquez "Do you expect Mr. Ashcroft to provide campaign financing for the PUP? Will anyone be reaching out to him?" Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "The question is what did the government get in return for that big cheque? That's the question. That's what you should be asking Dean Barrow. What did he bring back with him for that sweet deal that he gave Mr. Ashcroft? We have had no communication. If I do I will let you know." Ashcroft had tweeted that he would be in Belize last week - but best information says that he never arrived.

Hon. Finnegan Gets A Jump On Competition
And so in the next few weeks you can expect to see politicians beating the pavement in your neighborhood or knocking on your door - and there will also be dozens of signs going up on every corner and lamp post. One man who got a jump on the competition today was UDP Mesopotamia incumbent Michael Finnegan. He started putting up street signs this afternoon - one hour after the election was announced. Now, Finnegan had the largest margin of victory of any UDP candidate in the 2012 general election - and his is considered one of the safest UDP seats in the country. But, still, he told us he has to go to work because on an election day, any number can play:.. Jules Vasquez "Why did you feel it important to jump out of the gate, to bolt out of the gate? As the election call, your spring into action. There are signs all over Mesopotamia." Hon. Michael Finnegan, Mesopotamia Area Representative "This is what I always do. This is my modus operandi." Jules Vasquez "You won with over 81% going over 82% in the last election. You are perhaps the person who least needs to prepare."

Paul Jex, Alleged Home Invader
Former accused murderer Paul Jex was caught red handed trying to pull off a home invasion in San Pedro on Friday night. Jex, who got off for the murder of Aubrey Lopez in 2010, allegedly barged into the home of Alden Augustine at 8:30 carrying a .22 revolver with two live rounds. He trailed Augustine into the home and demanded his belongings, but Augustine put up a fight and managed to knock the gun out of Jex's hand. Jex dashed out of the house, and fell which is when Augustine and some neighbors subdued Jex and gave a him a sound beating. The home is in the area of the airstrip and police happened to be nearby. They responded immediately, arrested Jex - and later took him to the island polyclinic for the injuries he sustained when he was caught. 29-year-old Jex of the DFC Area, San Pedro Town, has been charged for Aggravated Burglary, "Kept Firearm without a Gun License" and "Kept Ammunition without a Gun License".

Cement House Drops In Ladyville
We often report on city residents whose wooden houses have collapsed but we've never seen a cement house falling before. But, that's just what we saw in Ladyville today. 64 year old retired Security Guard Vincent Bahadur and his family were inside their home on Friday night when the structure buckled on its 12 foot stilts and crashed to the ground. When we go there today the aftermath looked like an earthquake had hit. Bahadur told us today how he and his family escaped major injury, or death. Courtney Weatherburne reporting These trophies, which are the pride of this Dart playing family, once stood on a pedestal. But now, they lay bent and broken on the living room floor among the rubble. The rubble that was left after their home collapsed with them in it on Friday night. The cement walls that once sheltered and kept them safe are now cracked and crumbling And the verandas where Vincent Bahadur used to take his evening smoke caved in and flattened the rear end of this Plymouth Voyager. Bahadur was left trying to reattach the iron frame that used to be his front door. This family is lucky to be alive - they all could have been crushed inside because the fall happened so sudden.

Former Area Rep Says BWSL Should Seek Solution For Sewage, Swiftly
Since last week Wednesday, we've been telling you about the sewage problem on the Placencia peninsula. There has been a plan for an integrated sewage system in that area for almost 2 decades because the prevailing scientific wisdom is that in coastal communities, septic tanks are inefficient in keeping the nutrients generated from human waste from escaping, and it seeps into the Lagoon. That slowly poisons the marine environment, and for an area of the country which depends heavily on tourism and shrimp farming, that's a very great risk. One person who has been intimately involved in how this integrated sewage system idea solidified is former UDP Minister and three time Area Representative for Stann Creek West, Melvin Hulse. Today he outlined in detail his role in the process that has been protracted and long delayed, much to the frustration of the communities living on the peninsula. Melvin Hulse, Former Area Representative for Stann Creek West "Back in 2008, we started to aggressively pursue, because out of the blue, you would never believe a place could have started to grow and tourism took off. So we brought in Herman Longsworth. He was the chairman of the BWS board then, came into Placencia and we have several meetings with him - Seine Bight Village Council, Placencia Water Board and Seine Bight Water Board - many meetings. We were looking to tender it out so that we could get the best job because it is a big job - from the point to Riversdale. Herman said that the most qualified people really in this country would be BWS.

Two Hundred New Belizeans
213 new Belizean Citizens from 26 countries were sworn in on Friday afternoon at the UB Gymnasium in Belmopan. Now, you might say it's right in time for the election, but the registration and transfer period closed on September 10th, so these new citizens won't get to vote this time around. But they did get a lesson in Civics from Immigration Minister Godwin Hulse. Here's what he said:.. Jules Vasquez reporting After an anthem by new citizen Pablo Collado the new Belizeans took the oath of nationality and then received their nationality certificates - a group from varied backgrounds: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Immigration "Americans, Argentineans, people from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, India, Italy, Jamaica, Lebanon, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Salvador, Sierra Leone, Trinidad, Bolivia and the United Kingdom." And while they came from all over - he urged them to adopt the official language:

Searching For The Scientific Solution
Last week Friday, we told you about the opening of the Third Annual Sagicor Visionary Challenge. Belizean high school students are being prompted to develop programs to help their country through ideas rooted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Well for the course of today and tomorrow, Chemistry teachers from all over are part of a 2-day Sub-regional Micro-Science Workshop. Its a program that UNESCO and the Belizean Ministry of Education, and the Guyanese Ministry of Education are all collaborating on to see high school and sixth form students in Belize can make use of energy and water efficient chemistry testing sets. The idea is that these students can get an intuitive, hands-on, practical education in chemistry that is cost-effective. The UNESCO representative, who is also from the Ministry of Education in Guyana, explained why this micro-science kit could be very useful:

Mercury Levels In Macal Bay Snook Alarming
Mercury Levels in Bay Snook in the Macal River have tripled - and the Ministry of Health is saying you should not eat it! A public advisory was issued today. It says that 12 types of fish in the Macal River were tested. Of the twelve, 6 had mercury levels above the recommended level - but only three of those types of fishes are normally consumed by persons living in around the Macal River. These fish include the Bay Snook, Baca and Botasi - those three have elevated mercury levels. Levels were highest in the Botasi, second highest in the Bay Snook - both species had approximately three times the recommended levels. The mercury levels in Baca were only slightly elevated. But, the Bay Snook is the most concerning. Mercury levels have increased almost three times since the last test. That means that adults can only safely eat half an ounce per week - but to be safe the Ministry of Health says, you should not eat it at all, until further notice. Consumption of the Botasi and Baca should also be limited.

The Street Sense On Elections
So the date for general elections has been set - Wednesday November 4th - we all knew it would be soon but just not this soon! That was the reaction from several people we spoke with today on Albert Street. Others were more spirited about the announcement and told us they are ready for elections in 37 days. Here is what they had to say.

San Pedro, The Road More Travelled
And while that's the mood in the city - on San Pedro, the UDP Representative is hoping that the continuation of the Northern Ambergris Road will be an incentive to voters. The Prime Minister announced in Independence Day address last week that 4 more miles of that road would be concreted. Last week, our news team got an opportunity to see it for ourselves, and here's what the Area Rep. told us: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation "From the bridge north is 2/3 of the island. Around the Basil Jones area is the widest area of the island. Practically 5 miles wide. San Pedro itself, the town core is just about 1/2 a mile wide and again if we put everything together development wise, Grand Belizean Estate had surveyed over there and have sold practically over 2,000 lots. Government land that have been given to locals and Belizeans around the nation, there is probably another, with the past administration and this administration - there is practically another 4,000 lots that is available."

Basil Jones International?
And the plan is that road will eventually lead to an international airport on Northern Ambergris. We asked the Mayor and the Tourism Minister about the prospect of San Pedro getting commercial airlines flying directly there, instead of going to the PGIA. Here's what they had to say: Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation "There is 200 acres that is allocated for that airstrip, which I believe is more land than what PGIA have at this moment." Daniel Ortiz "We already have the PGIA. Why one specific tailored for San Pedro?" Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation "San Pedro is 30% of the entire tourism destination of this country. And to my belief it will be very soon more than 40%. And if we have a mega project which we know will happen as it happening in the Mexican territory. Once you have this mega project and the amount of people, why not have something that is readily available close to where this tourism resort will be along - complimenting what we have over here. Our local airlines will be about 15 miles away, so if anyone want to stay in our downtown hotel, they can come either by road, or if they want to make it faster they can come with our local airlines Maya or Tropic."

House For A Hero
3 weeks ago, the National Celebrations Commission held an event in memory of National Hero Philip Goldson, the super patriot who was a founding member of both the PUP and the UDP. As a follow up to that, the Institute of Social and Cultural Research today opened the Goldson House, a museum to honor the Great Man's memory and contribution. In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said that this opening was convenient for his official announcement of the next elections. So, we asked him to comment on the memory of the man himself. Here's what he had to say: Daniel Ortiz "It appears that his political opponent Rt. Hon. George Price, has a position that is etched, can't be forgotten, but while Mr. Goldson was right there with him in the echelons, he appears to the younger generation such as myself to be someone forgotten. Whose responsibility for that you would say?" Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Well I think it's the responsibility of all of us not to forget. Of course there is stuff that authorities can do. We should be sure for example that in our schools the history of both national heroes is taught. Something like this now that we are doing under the auspices of NICH, this will no doubt help again to assist with research, with historical memory, but ultimately Philip Goldson's life was so extraordinary.

Parents At Faith Nazarene Send Their Kids Back
On Friday we showed you the latest on Faith Nazarene Primary school - when a few teachers joined the protest against their own principal. Well, after school on Friday, a group of concerned teachers and parents including PTA members met to discuss the way forward. According to a press release today, they agreed, quote, "that all parents with children at Faith Nazarene Primary School should be encouraged to permit those children, to return to classes on Monday, September 28." The release explains that sending the kids to school does not mean that parents and teachers quote, "have stopped, or will stop advocating or agitating for change at Faith Nazarene Primary - including the demand that Principal Pech cannot continue her tenure", end quote. They say they have gotten legal advice and have clarity as to the next steps forward, including a demand to be heard by the Teaching Services Commission.

Channel 5

Prime Minister Announces Election Date!
Prime Minister Dean Barrow put all speculation to rest today when he announced November fourth as the date for the general elections. Of his two terms in office, he has [...]

General Elections to be held on November Fourth!
We can’t say that the early elections are a surprise because it has been felt for some time that the P.M. would so do taking advantage of a number of [...]

Leader of Opposition, “We’re a Little Surprised”
Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca reacted within hours to the announcement of the date for general elections. Querying why so early, he said the country is in crisis and things are [...]

Francis Fonseca Says PUP is Financially Ready
With only five weeks to prepare for general elections is the P.U.P. financially ready to launch a national campaign?  That’s what we asked Party Leader Francis Fonseca earlier today since [...]

Five Weeks for Parties to Campaign
The rollout of the party’s countrywide vote-seeking activities will see an energetic campaign to shed light on a number of issues, including corruption and misconduct.  The launch of the P.U.P. [...]

How Will Social Issues Affect Election Outcome?
So, where does the P.U.P. stand on the issues of Petrocaribe spending, the nationalization settlements of B.T.L. and B.E.L. as well as the Belize/Guatemala dispute?  Well, according to Fonseca, that’s [...]

UDP Seeks Third Consecutive Term in Office
As the nation prepares for general elections in the wake of this morning’s announcement of early elections, the Prime Minister and his administration is anticipating a place in the political [...]

P.M. Barrow Sure of Victory at Polls
According to the P.M., while he doesn’t want to sound too confident or cocky, anything other than a victory at the polls would come as quite a surprise.   Dean [...]

What’s the Confusion Over Remaining BTL Compensation?
The Opposition has lashed out at one particular aspect of G.O.B.’s settlement with the Ashcroft Group – what they call a blank check issued by government. The reference is to [...]

P.M. Resents BCWU Release
Following the announcement of the settlement over the nationalization of B.T.L., the Belize Communication Workers Union fired off a nasty release aimed directly at the Barrow Administration. They followed it [...]

Francis Fonseca Vs. Carla Barnett for Freetown
Party Leader Francis Fonseca has not lost an election in the Freetown constituency where he will be facing political opponent Doctor Carla Barnett on November fourth. Since offering herself as [...]

Will P.U.P. Campaign be Funded by Lord Ashcroft?
One more issue on the elections, the leader of the opposition was also asked about financial contributions to the P.U.P. from Lord Michael Ashcroft. Fonseca’s response is that the question [...]

Caneros Murdered Execution-style in Corozal
There was a double homicide in the Corozal District last Friday. Two farmers were shot and killed in a cane-field in the outskirts of the village of Paraiso. As they [...]

Weekend Fire Leaves One Man Homeless
Police are investigating a weekend fire in City. A small house belonging to Arturo Pasos went up in flames on Saturday afternoon. Pasos lived alone in his wooden house off [...]

Mek Mi Rich Back in Court
This morning, the final case management session for the claim of Curtis Swasey against Belize Telemedia Limited (B.T.L.) and M.M.R. Belize Productions, creators of the television game show Mek Mi [...]

COLA President Takes Aim at Minister of Labor Over Rat Remark
The Minister of Labour, Godwin Hulse, last Friday, blamed the local media for inciting the international coverage of the story of the rat that bit a baby in the incubator [...]

NTUCB President on Senator Ray Davis
The National Trade Union Congress has plenty on its plate to deal with and among the myriad of issues, is the current situation involving Ray Davis. The President NTUCB, Marvin [...]

Marvin Mora Explains Process for Removing Senator Davis
While the N.T.U.C.B. is made up of ten unions, the Civil Society Steering Committee is made up of two organizations: WIN Belize and APAMO. Mora explains that the process for [...]

The Weekend Sports Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening I’m James Adderly and this is Sports Monday.   It appears the PLB football National Completion had hit a rough spot as none of the advertised match was [...]

CTV3

Businessman Concern About Treatment Receive At Border
There is a concern emerging from an Orange Walk resident concerning regulations at the Northern Border. Prominent businessman Rene Cuello says that he is completely against the system in place at Belize’s borders where Belizeans are requested by law to stamp their passports going out and coming into the country. Cuello says it is inconvenient and unnecessary. “It restrict you, sometimes you have to catch the line for nothing sometimes you only going to the casino going to spend some time you can’t casino is still Belize and what is ridiculous about it is that they want to arrest you and charge you, the law of the stamp is there because according to my understanding is that the law was there because of the Income Tax they use to ask you for when you leave Belize so you can’t go owing taxes that law has change they don’t ask you for that even if that is so you can’t go asking every citizen for income tax release we have no problem going across Mexico.”

Billions Look Out For Red Moon
On Sunday, millions of people around the world enjoyed the sight of a “blood moon”. This was the result of a lunar eclipse combined with a “supermoon” which in turn made our natural satellite appear red in colour. During a full lunar eclipse the moon is behind the shadow of the earth however the moon will actually turn red despite it being behind the earth. The reason is simply because the light of the sun hits the earth’s atmosphere curving around and hitting the moon turning it red. Sundays Blood Moon happened to be the closest supermoon of 2015, it is called a Blood Moon, because it presents the fourth and final eclipse of a lunar tetrad: (four straight total eclipses of the moon, spaced at six lunar months (full moons) apart). The tetrad (Blood Moons) occurred on April 15 2014, October 8 2014, April 4th 2015 and now September 27th 2015.

Councillor Asks For Assistance In Finding Stolen Tent
Anyone who knows Ladrick “Mad Bull” Shepperd knows that the councillor’s priority is the wellbeing of children as it pertains to sports. Over the weekend, Shepperd, who spearheads tournaments to keep the youths active, says he was targeted by thieves as they stole a tent he uses to carry out his events. Today he stopped by our studios to recount the incident and plead to the person to have a kind heart and return the much needed equipment …. “Yesterday we had the female tournament games, the Caribbean Female Tournament that was held at the technical field, so I have a team in the tournament as well so they lives in the villages and when the games are finished and like it is on Sundays I have to take the back to where they live and the tent stay there but it seems to me that someone just took it down so by the time I went back out there the tent was gone quite strange because when I have these activities the tents stays there and so it is funny to see that doing some sporting activities is when they took the tent and it is a white tent with six legs and I had to report it to the police the value of the tent is around seven hundred dollars.”

Family Speaks On Murder Of Their Loved One
Tonight Corozal Police are no way closer to solving the double homicide that occurred in that district on Friday. As previously reported, police found the dead bodies of 42 year old Rogelio Rancharan of Paraiso Village and 58 year old Vincente Cayuno, labourer of San Andres Village lying face up in a cane field in the San Comal Area located some three and a half miles northeast of Corozal Town. The men were seen with gunshot wounds to the right side of their heads. Accompanying the victims on the day of the incident was a 54 year old man who managed to escape and made the report to police. According to him, they were scattering fertilizers in the cane field when they were ambushed.

Prime Minister Calls Early Election; November 4th
We hinted at it in the news several weeks ago, he was asked about it and his response was that General Elections would not be held this year but early next year. However, rumors persisted that the Prime Minister would call elections in November. And today it was confirmed: General elections will be held in exactly 37 days, on Wednesday November 4th, 2015. The action started this morning when the Prime Minister Dean Barrow visited the Governor General’s Office in Belmopan to advise him to dissolve the National Assembly. And so, the race begins – leading to five furious weeks of activity for the political parties and aspirants. In a prepared statement, Prime Minister Dean Barrow made the announcement, just before boasting about the advancements and achievements of his government for the past term….

COLA Lashes Out At Hulse For Blaming Media On Rats Story going International
Citizens Organized for liberty through action, COLA, says it finds the comments of Minister Godwin Hulse last Friday quote, “to be disturbing in the extreme,” unquote. Viewers may recall that last Friday Minister Hulse blamed the media for over sensationalizing the rat incident at the Western regional Hospital that eventually made its way into international news outlets. COLA, in a release issued today, says that this is an unwarranted attack on the right of free press to be relevant and thorough in the coverage of matters within the country. This, COLA adds, should not be allowed by the Belize media. COLA further called the Minister’s position on the matter a representation of how comical government officials are. While the minister contends that the images paints a nasty picture of Belize, particularly the health system, COLA says that it is the way government has covered up numerous scandals that is nasty.

4.9 Earthquake Shakes Honduras
An earthquake measuring 4.9 on the Richter scale occurred this Monday morning in the island of Roatan Honduras. The quake was felt in cities like La Ceiba and Tocoa, and some parts of Belize. The Comisión Permanente de Contingencias (Copeco) reported that the phenomenon occurred at 7:36am with 50 seconds and had the following coordinates, 17.04 kilometers North and 86.20 West. According to Jose Jorge Escobar from the Department of Physics in the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras, the phenomenon was caused due to the activation of a local failure and accumulation of force on the border Cocos and Caribbean plates.

New Surveying Technology Introduced To Farming Industry
Inspection Robotica and Skynet a professional robotics services company and an aerial services company respectively are seeking to introduce some state of the art technology to Belize that they say will greatly improve efficiency in various working sectors. Representatives, Jake Brown, CAO of Inspection Robotica and John Ferguson, CEO at Skynet were in Orange Walk today to provide a demonstration of their joint venture to several representatives of organizations and companies. The team flew on of their drones above a sugar cane field about a mile off the Yo Creek Road. Jake Brown “We can collect information on propel we can do 3d point modeling, contour maps, topography using laser beam to basically penetrate the ocean floor and map the sea floor so it is a very broad scope of what.”

LOVE FM

Prime Minister Announces Date for General Elections
Tonight Belize’s House of Representatives has been dissolved by the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Colville Young … and in thirty six days, the country’s electorate will be going to the polls to elect thirty one Area Representatives. A recording of a statement by Prime Minister Dean Barrow was released to the media today in […]

Ministry of Health Warns Fish Consumers
A recent mercury test conducted by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Department of Environment and the Belize Electric Company has led to the cautioning of fish consumers particularly in the west. The testing was done on 12 types of fish taken from the Macal River. Of those twelve species, fifty percent of […]

Teachers and Parents Tells Authorities They Will Not Stop
Last week we told of the Teachers Services Commission requiring that some concerns be addressed by the Faith Nazarene Primary School following a request for the transfer and the long leave for the school’s Principal, Policarpia Pech. Following that decision, there was an appeal by the school’s General Manager, Raymond Sheppard as well as an […]

Fonseca Asks: Why Now?
The rumor mill began churning some weeks ago where predictions for the elections were leaning more toward early 2016. Just recently and on several occasions, the People’s United Party has challenged the Prime Minister to call the elections now. Well, it seems Barrow has done just that and now the Leader of the Opposition is […]

Barrow Reminds Belize What They Found in 2008
Interestingly, both on the social media and in the streets there have been talks in some corners of the People’s United Party not being a viable alternative since it was under their last administration that secret deals were signed and the Super Bond was established and the key players in those deals remain at the […]

PUP Says the Money Is Coming and They Are Ready for Elections
So, with the elections coming up in about five weeks, leaving very little time for the opposition and third parties to prepare for battle, we asked Opposition Leader, Francis Fonseca just how ready is the People’s United Party; considering how financially strapped they were in the last two bi-elections and the municipals. According to Fonseca, […]

Fonseca Says He Has Freetown Covered
For over four decades Prime Minister Dean Barrow has maintained his seat as the Area Representative for the Queen Square Division – one of the thirty one seats in the House of Representatives. His counterpart in the opposition, Francis Fonseca, however has only been in the Freetown Division for 12 years. It is pale in […]

PlusTV

PUP says they are prepared and ready
The Opposition party, People’s United Party, has been predicting that the elections would be sometime soon, and they have been saying in the House of Representatives, “Call the elections now” but even the leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, had to admit that they were still a bit surpr...

General Elections set for November 4th 2015
It was widely speculated that this political term- 2012 to 2017- would end with an early elections to be called no later than the beginning of the year 2016. Some political observers even went as far as predicting that the elections would be called as early as November 2015; and for good reasons too...

Goldson House officially inaugurated
Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, a Belizean National Hero, was laid to rest in 2001. He undoubtedly had a significant impact on the development of the Nation of Belize and has been so honored in 1989, when the Belizean government renamed the country’s international airport the Philip S. W...

Earthquake Tremors Felt in Belize
There have been reports of earthquake tremors felt in the country of Belize. Those tremors would be because there was an earthquake sometime around 1:30 this morning, off the Northern Coast of Honduras. It was recorded as a 5.0 magnitude earthquake. There were no reports of damages....

Don’t eat Bay Snook from the Macal River
The Ministry of Health has issued a public advisory on the mercury levels of fish in the Macal River and have stated how much of the Macal River Fish can be eaten per week in order to remain safe. 12 types of fishes were caught from the Macal River of which 50% had levels of mercury above the recomm...

Mek Mi Rich case to go to trial
This morning, the final case management session for the claim of Curtis Swasey against Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and MMR Belize Productions, creators of the television game show Mek Mi Rich, was held before Justice Courtney Abel in the Supreme Court. Trial in the matter has been set for Decembe...

Cola Lashes out at Hon. Godwin Hulse for “rat” Comments
In an interview with the media on Friday, Hon. Godwin Hulse made comment on the Western Regional Hospital’s rat dilemma and the fact that the story of the rat in the baby’s incubator made international news. The minister in essence said that the story was given too much attention by the ...

Breaking Belize News

Atlantic Bank Semi-Annual Pre-Owned Auto Show is back again!
Visit Atlantic Bank’s Belmopan Branch in Garden City Plaza on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with over 25 pre-owned vehicles on sale from auto dealers in Belize. Take advantage of same day approval, 100 percent financing, quality affordable cars and attractive interest rates. All you need […]

Man to serve jail time for firearm offences
He swore he didn’t know anything about it, but 29 year old Kenroy Gillett of Central American Boulevard will spend at least the next five years in jail for a firearm. Police say they found the firearm at his residence in 2012. Gillett was found guilty by Chief […]

PUP says they are ready for elections
The People’s United Party (PUP) leader Francis Fonseca said the PUP is ready for general elections, following the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier today that elections are set for November 4th. Fonseca said in addition to the party being prepared for elections, he believes his seat in Freetown is secure. He said of […]

Mek Mi Rich case to go to trial
This morning the final case management session for the claim of Curtis Swasey against Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and MMR Belize Productions, creators of the television game show Mek Mi Rich, was held before Justice Courtney Abel in the Supreme Court. Trial in the matter has been set […]

Two detained for firearm theft
Police have detained two persons of Belize City pending investigation after a Ladyville resident reported that his licensed 9mm Glock pistol containing 10 rounds of ammunition, went missing from inside a car that he was in. 44 year old Fedencio Vasquez made the report on Thursday, September 24 and the […]

Man loses firearm in Corozal
A resident of San Andres Village, 68 year old Francisco Domingo, reported on Friday, September 25, that sometime between September 19 and 24, his licensed Stevens brand 16 gauge shotgun went missing along with 5 cartridges. The gun is valued at $150.00. Police are investigating.

Minor charged for pen gun
While on a mobile patrol in the Salvapan area of Belmopan, around 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, September 26th, police officers noticed two male persons walking and one of them dropping an object to the ground. The males were escorted back to the area where the object was dropped and officers […]

Prime Minister calls general elections for November 4
Asking the people of Belize for a “fresh mandate” to “focus now exclusively on the positive, on forwarding opportunity and change,” Prime Minister Dean Barrow has just announced via radio that he has asked the Governor General to dissolve the National Assembly and set general elections for November 4, […]

Overpowered burglar charged for gun offenses
A 29-year-old resident of the DFC Area in San Pedro Town, Paul Jex, has been officially charged for the offenses of “Kept Firearm without a Gun License” and “Kept Ammunition without a Gun License”, after he attempted to commit a burglary with a firearm and was subdued by the owner […]

COLA condemns Hulse for blaming media in rat coverage
In a press release issued by Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) this morning, President Geovanni Brackett condemned the comments made by Minister Godwin Hulse, who suggested that the media should be sensitive when covering certain incidents, such as the incident at the Western Regional Hospital where a rat […]

General elections to be held on November 4th 2015
Multiple sources have confirmed to BMG that Prime Minister Dean Barrow went to Governor General Sir Colville Young asking to dissolve the House of Representatives and Senate in time for general elections to be called on November 4, 2015. The Prime minister had said he would call elections by the fourth […]

Area of low pressure North of Yucatan maintains relatively unstable conditions over our area
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly sunny skies with cloudy spells today and cloudy skies at times tonight. A few showers and isolated thunderstorms will occur mainly over the North and some coastal areas. Winds will be blowing light to variable and the sea state will be […]

Early morning earthquake sends panic waves to the shores of Honduras
A 5.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the shores of Honduras this morning as many Belizeans prepared for work. Luckily there are no major reports of destruction in that country. Today’s earthquake was located at 16.61 N ; 86.34 W with a depth of 10 km. Its distance was located at […]

Blogs

Second annual Barts Bash 2015
On Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 9:30 AM prompt, 26 sailing vessels manned and crewed by Belizeans were at the line when the horn sounded the start of the 2015 Bart’s Bash Belize in the waters off Caribbean Villas Hotel in San Pedro. The skies were murky grey, and the skippers tried to find and catch the mere puffs of wind that rose and died from varying directions here and there along the course. The fleet was so becalmed that it took a few frustrated skippers more than 10 minutes just to cross the start line. The windlessness lasted well into the race, but at long last one of the squalls approaching from the northeast arrived, and with it winds up to 25 knots. The course circuit that had taken one Hobie Wave over an hour to complete on its first lap took 14 minutes to complete the 2nd and last time around.

Maybe a Bit Late…San Pedro’s Independence Jump-Up 2015 Parade is One of my Favorites, Part One
San Pedro…for the first time ever…postponed until the following weekend. And added on some additional entertainment. I was a little worried – about the weather…about the turnout…but there was NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! San Pedro rocks. And though insanely HOT, it was so much fun. I took 357 photos, that I whittled down to about 110. I’m just going to show you a whole bunch. Bottom line: SO MUCH EXCITEMENT and SO MUCH ENERGY. The Gilharry bus was parked by Central Park and this man wanted to pose for me. They hail from Corozal, have a full set of horns and are hugely popular.

“The Street Parade” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize
We rather fortunately found a parking space in Angel Coral Street (back street) and took the short walk to Pescador Drive (middle street) and positioned ourselves close to Pirate’s Pizza under what I think is the only tree in the street. The sun was beating down and the shade of the tree was a cool haven. We weren’t the only ones to secure shady spots to witness the pageantry. We’d probably been there around thirty minutes ( I can’t be precise because I no longer wear a watch) when the barriers that had been in place to prevent ‘normal’ traffic from entering the street were removed. The cavalcade was on its way. And then it arrived, with as always, the San Pedro Fire Department heading the procession.

Yvette Sanker Riverol and her Environmental Group step up again!!!
I am once again featuring the good environmental work of the youths of Corozal. It is wonderful to know that the youths are being guided by a dedicated leader in keeping Corozal clean and beautiful!!! Yesterday's Coastal Cleanup with Scouts of Belize and Oceana Belize was tiring but productive. To those who made an effort to go out to help in the clean up we are eternally grateful. Mayolita Santos, LeAnn Aldana, Karizia Sanchez, Jamil Nicholson, Samantha Moralez, Ryan Chi, Mery Moralez, Hector Loria, Gisellie Hernandez and Team Coordinator Yvette Sanker Riverol, the help you rendered yesterday is much appreciated. Thank you!

San Pedro is at its best when there is a parade going on, Part 1
I’d say we should have a parade every month but I think we might already be close to that, on average. This parade forms along the sandy waterfront stretch of Boca del Rio before looping through town. As we did last year, the Tres Cocos Gang met up at Wayo’s bar to watch the parade pull together like a long colorfully beaded necklace with the Caribbean blue backdrop. As the last unit passed we quickly made our way down to the Holiday Hotel where we could enjoy an hour’s respite with cold drinks and a cool breeze as marchers gamely made their way through town, down Middle Street. As they made their turn onto Front Street, it was an easy skip for us to the second-floor balcony of the holiday for an aerial view of festivities. In Part 2 I’ll add photos from the happy conclusion in Central Park where the always incredible Gilharry 7, “Belize Number 1 band!” pumped up some major jams. That conclusion also included flying colored chalk, the mayor dropping candy from a helicopter and mad dancing under an incredibly hot sun.

THE 15TH BELIZE GENERAL ELECTIONS
Yesterday and tomorrow, September 27th, and September 29th, the United Democratic Party (42nd) and the Peoples United Party (64th), 50 years after self-government and 34 years after Independence, will have marked the respective anniversaries of their founding. No other parties have governed Belize. Sixty five years ago the months of August, September, October and November were a tumultuous time in the political annals of our beloved nation. The fierce battle for self-determination was fully joined and arguably Belize’s two greatest national heroes, the architects of the modern Belize, were leading the way shoulder to shoulder. I note with some satisfaction that Prime Minister Dean Barrow has now began to pay tribute and salute them, and so too collectively have the nation began to look beyond the lines wreaked by partisanship, to their partnership welded by history. I doubt though, that that is what the PM intended when he concluded his Independence Day speech:

Weekend event crawl
There is no better way to start our annual Independence day parade than on a full stomach. My first choice, Sandbar and Ice n Beans were closed, so close by Melt Cafe was next in line. I usually order a Royal with Cheese there but this time I decided to go for something different and the fried egg is what clinched my decision. I have to say this is the best breakfast sandwich I have had at a sit down restaurant so far – they also do to go. I do wish they did not list meat as extra on the menu but it is possible they are catering to the vegetarians in that decision. Unless you are veg who would not want bacon as a regular option?. (My other favorite breakfast sandwich take out is the bacon and egg Johnny cake from Ruby’s) We finished breakfast just in time to watch the paraders make their way through town. On the way to find a spot we stopped at a side street store and enjoyed a funny non camera moment as 2 paraders dashed away from their group for a beet stop. The crowd on Middle street made for our decision to head to front street to find a less populated space to catch the parade coming in.

San Pedro’s post-parade is pretty in pink in the park — and blue, yellow, orange . . . Part 2
San Pedro’s deputy mayor Gary Greif stepped into the cool shadows of the Holiday Hotel lobby shortly after the end of the Independence Day Jump-up Parade on Sunday. It was hot out there. And it had been a long and exhausting march for all. (See photos and read about the parade here.) But Gary was excited: “We’re on our way to Central Park. There’s going to be a big surprise there in about 10 minutes! Don’t miss it.” By the time we got the the park, it was already packed and every spare chunk of shade had already been staked out. But what the hell, the Gilharry 7, the finest show band in all of Belize had just started turning up the heat from the stage. Fans were squeezed into a five-foot deep swath of shadow in front of the stage. The swath deepened as the sun set but not fast enough to cover the masses drawn out by the driving pumping beats of the band. Suddenly the front of the stage erupted in gauzy clouds of pink, blue, green orange with hardly a breeze to bear them away. Little color packet “bombs” were sending a rainbow of corn starch and baking soda over the fans closest to the stage.

Orange Walk Carnival 2015 by Will Moreno Photography
Take a look at this years Orange Walk Carnival in Belize. Photos by Will Moreno Photography.

Best Entry wins $200.00BZD – Citizenship: Why I will vote on Nov 4th 2015
Election Date has been set for November 4th, 2015. Michelle Obama once said that you should not be cynical about politics – Voting is an important part of democracy and extremely important to forge a nation forward. Additionally, we the people elect our leaders who are accountable to us ….When you don’t participate, you allow someone else to make a choice on your behalf. In commemoration of voting in the upcoming elections- Please write a short 500-1000 word essay or submit a video presentation-5 -10 minutes long Citizenship – Why I will vote on Nov 4th 2015. Win $200.00 BZD Deadline for Essay is 10/23/2015.

Top 5 Reasons to Use Air Travel in Belize
Belize is a beautiful country, where you can travel to wonderful destinations for world-class diving, birding, zip-lining and even dining. But when it comes to transportation, you may be left scratching your head as to what is the best option? The answer is easy – flying of course! Not only does a flight on board Maya Island Air cut your travel time by more than half, but it is also one of the most safe and affordable ways to travel the country. Here are our Top 5 reasons why Air Travel is the best way to Travel in Belize: Cut Travel Time : The journey can be just as thrilling as the destination, but arriving at your destination as early as possible, allows you to enjoy more of the sights and sounds offered. A Wonderful View: Air travel offers breathtaking aerial views of the vast forests and Great Barrier Reef that simply aren’t matched traveling by land or sea.

International Sources

Earthquake monday morning, Mag 5 in French Harbor, Honduras
A moderate earthquake with magnitude 5 (ml/mb) was reported 30 kilometers (19 miles) from French Harbor in Honduras on Monday. All ids that are associated to the event: us20003pnj. Unique identifier: us20003pnj. Exact location, longitude -86.4012° West, latitude 16.6231° North, depth = 15 km. Global time and date of event 28/09/15 / 2015-09-28 13:37:04 / September 28, 2015 @ 1:37 pm UTC/GMT. A tsunami warning has not been issued (Does not indicate if a tsunami actually did or will exist). The temblor was reported at 07:37:04 / 7:37 am (local time epicenter). The epicenter of the earthquake was roughly 15 km (9 miles) below the earth’s surface. The epicenter was 104 km (65 miles) from La Ceiba (c. 130 200 pop), 92 km (57 miles) from Trujillo (c. 9 600 pop), 37 km (23 miles) from Coxen Hole (c. 7 500 pop). Nearest cities/city/villages to epicentrum/hypocenter was La Ceiba, Trujillo, Coxen Hole (min 5000 pop). Nearby country/countries, Honduras (c. 7 989 000 pop) (That might be effected).

Where to Eat, Sleep and Play in Belize's Ambergris Caye
When it comes to the Central American country of Belize, there is certainly no lack of places to explore. The country, which borders the Caribbean, boasts more than 200 islands or “cayes” scattered around the world’s second-biggest barrier reef. The largest and most visited of the islands, Ambergris Caye is a haven for nature lovers, food aficionados and party animals. Here’s how to make the most out of this vibrant island. Eat Get a taste of Maya culture at Elvi’s Kitchen, a popular dining spot for tourists and locals that started as a carry out window more than 40 years ago. On Friday evenings, the buffet highlights the best of traditional dishes such as pork pibil wrapped in banana leaves, handmade tortillas and Pollo Tikin Xic — grilled chicken marinated with oranges and Maya spices. For more local taste without the frill, El Fogon serves up a spicy, deep-fried fish of the day that keeps the place packed. A full cocktail menu makes it easy to spend a full evening here. Sleep For groups, Grand Caribe offers condos with views of the Caribbean Sea. Located two miles north of San Pedro, Grand Caribe is a good location for those who prefer to be away from the center of town. And for romance and luxury, Matachica Resort will deliver. Honeymooners revel in the property’s secluded location and hospitable staff. The day can be spent nestled under a palapa on the white sand or at the freshwater infinity pool.

Caribbean Association of Banks endorses SWIFT’s KYC Registry
SWIFT today announced that the Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB), with regional membership of 45 financial institutions across 16 countries, endorses The Know Your Customer (KYC) Registry, a centralized repository that maintains a standardized set of information on correspondent banks’ requirements for KYC compliance. Joanna Charles, Chairperson of the CAB, says, “In keeping with the CAB’s mandate of advocacy and the strengthening of the regional financial services sector, we strongly support SWIFT’s global initiative to reduce the cost and risk related to know your customer correspondent banking compliance. Our members actively exchange a range of information and documents with their counterparties in order to achieve effective due diligence standards and meet other regulatory requirements. The KYC Registry enables member banks to proactively share information with correspondent banks, increasing efficiency, reducing cost and allowing our region to demonstrate transparency and KYC compliance more effectively.”

Oil Prices and the Future of Petrocaribe
On June 2005, upon the initiative of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Venezuela, agreed on the creation of Petrocaribe, a Cooperation Agreement to strengthen energy security in the Caribbean and Central America. Today 19 countries are part of this regional initiative, as five nations joined Petrocaribe in subsequent years: Haiti (2007), Nicaragua (2007), Honduras (2008), Guatemala (2012) and El Salvador (2014). Since its creation, Petrocaribe has served as an important financing mechanism for oil-importing countries in the region. It introduced a lending scheme for oil purchases from Venezuela where conditionalities adjust to price fluctuations among predetermined thresholds. As a result, if the oil barrel falls below US$40, up to 30 percent of the bill will be financed by a 17-year loan, with a two-year grace period and an interest rate of 2 percent. Similarly, when the barrel exceeds US$40, the term for payment is extended to 25 years, with a two-year grace period and the interest rate falls to 1 percent. Member countries may also offer goods and services to pay off oil shipments.

7 Lawyers on What They Love (and Hate) About Their Jobs
Stewart Patton, attorney and founder, U.S. Tax Services Business News Daily: What do you do? Stewart Patton: I am a U.S. attorney — admitted in Illinois — who lives in Belize. I have my own practice [where] I do tax planning and compliance for Americans who live or invest abroad, with a special focus on the digital nomad community. BND: What do you love most about your job, and why? Patton: Helping people solve their problems. Many of the issues I deal with are very emotional in nature; my clients often come to me afraid for their futures — e.g., those who haven't filed in a while — or completely confused about what they should do — e.g., expat entrepreneurs trying to figure out how to structure their business. I like to take people from scared and/or confused to happy and productive. BND: What do you hate most about your job, and why? Patton: Dealing with mistrustful or untrustworthy people. Sometimes a person will think I have ulterior motives or bad intentions; other people won't actually open up to me and tell me the truth of their situation. Both of these things make it impossible to actually help someone.

Videos

September 28, 2015

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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Letter to the Editor: La Isla Basura
To the Editor: We came 10 years ago for our honeymoon to La Isla Bonita and had returned for our 10 year anniversary on La Isla Basura. This visit had turned out to be a mistake. For some years your island had been a secret tip for travelers. Nowadays there is nothing left to brag about except the myth of some “secret beach”. This time we stayed North as we thought the new road would bring what seemed to have been missing for some years. From the beginning we had noticed sewage on the lagoon side leaving infested waters, stinking smell with a possible health risk for everyone. Rebar, piles of concrete and other construction material were just thrown into nature. Styrofoam, plastic and other trash items are carelessly lining the sides of the road on this La Isla De Plastico. Occasionally placed “No Trash” signs are surrounded with large trash piles. Quite annoying for tourists is the endless number of advertising signs lining both sides of the road North. It gave us tourists the feeling and looks of a trashy Mexican highway rather than an island flair through nature.

Wolfe’s Woofer: New Bicycle
At the little outdoor restaurant I told the lady, “I’ll have three panades and three tacos.” While I was sitting at the big picnic table my friend Jorge came in. He ordered and took a seat at the table with me. “Where have you been, Jorge?” I asked. “I haven’t seen you lately.” “I been on the mainland,” he said. “I work in San Ignacio five days and I come home on weekends. You ain’t seen my old lady have you?” “Not in the last week or two.” “I just got home an hour ago and she and the boy both gone. I know they around ‘cause there’s clothes on the line and the house is unlocked.” “She’s probably out visiting her friends,” I told him. “Hey, Papa!” It was Jorge Junior, who came riding up on a brand new bicycle.

Police Report
Possession of Controlled Drugs:On Tuesday, September 22nd at 4:10AM, acting on Special Branch (SB) information, a team of Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and SB personnel headed by Police Constable # 772 Roy Ek conducted a house search at the apartment room of 19-year-old Luis Castellanos in the San Mateo Area, San Pedro Town. Also present at the time were 19-year-old Amaru Barreto and 20-year-old Juan Carlos Villatoro. The search led to the discovery of a transparent plastic bag containing 50.2 grams of suspected Cannabis.
Wanted suspect found: Ernesto Bernardez, who was wanted by the San Pedro Police Department regarding shooting and robbery investigations, has been found. Acting on San Pedro SP intelligence, a team of SP and CIB conducted an operation on Ladyville Village on Wednesday, September 17th where Bernardez was detained. He has since been brought back to the San Pedro Police Station to face charges.

Doctor Love: Friendships and Cheating
Dear Doctor Love, On my daughter’s fifteenth birthday we are planning to have a quinceaños party for her. It is not an elaborate party compared to some that we have seen on this island but my daughter is well known and has a lot of friends. Her friends will be invited along with their parents. Three months ago she had a fight with her best friend. This is one of those fights where both say they will never speak again and spend a lot of time pretending to ignore each other. These girls have been close since primary school and always went everywhere and did everything together. In my heart I know that eventually they will make up. This brings me to my problem. My daughter says that she does not want her ex-best friend to be invited. I talked to the friend’s mom and she said that her daughter says that if she is invited she won’t go. The mother and I had a good talk and we can’t figure out what to do. Please help.

Misc Belizean Sources

In far corner in blue shirt, hand on chin, Tux Vasquez (FIRED) Gee!! it must be the BLUE Shirt.

Fashion Show
So thankful for a sun kissed turn out- yesterday's Fashion Show. Thank you to resort owners and Tiki fashion designer Kirsten Miglio and her partner- Dale Milio, vibes by Warren Riker Alvaro & Gabby, Jewelry by Lindsey Hackston , photographer Kim Welsh press/bloggers tacogirl.com, models, friends, and staff ( Ak'bol yoga retreat and Eco-resort ) for making the MOLLiKULTRA Launch a success! Special thanks to Micki Denney Peevy & Keith Peevy 16 different looks on 8 Belizean beauties. Great job ladies!

Let the fun begin!
San Pedro Independence Parade photos

Poets Corner: Value for money
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Politicians are employees We transform them to rats guarding cheese Is there any requirements? Canvassing for endorsement Is just another way of seeking employment? Electioneering is an application For the electorate to consent to them running the nation They are nothing but managers of the nation’s wealth Boy! It's pure mediocre deals we are being dealt They should get annual appraisals Then increment approval The prime minister and the governor general share executive powers But Sir Colville has become a rubber stamp governor A former NIP member Has somehow become a follower Once the PM used to have to negotiate For any bill that passed through the senate Making sure it was in the people’s interest Dame Minita did not just acquiesce We need a new governor general be my guess

The Reporter

Caribbean coming together to discuss future of financial sector
Key figures in respective banking, financial and offshore sectors from across the Caribbean and Central America are scheduled to meet this week in Curacao for the first of two gatherings to discuss the obstacles facing the financial sectors in the region and solutions to reduce vulnerabilities. The Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) in conjunction with Caribbean-Central American Action (CCAA) will host a workshop on Caribbean Banking and the Caribbean International Financial Services Sector in Curacao, from September 30th to October 1st. The workshop will discuss in detail, the challenges facing the Caribbean Basin and acts as a precursor to the Global Forum of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), scheduled to take place in Bridgetown, Barbados, late in October 2015. Heavyweights in the region’s institutions, including central bank governors and private sector financial institutions to will be in attendance to discuss three key topics: correspondent banking, remittances and the offshore industry. Many countries in the region, including Belize have already started feeling the effects of increased regulations in regards to correspondent banking and the offshore financial industry.

Rare Super Blood Moon to be visible Sunday night
A rare Super Blood Moon will be visible in most parts of the world, including Belize, on Sunday night as a lunar eclipse, coupled with a “super-moon”, a full moon at perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth, take place creating the effect. The Earth’s shadow will start making its way across the moon at 6:11 p.m. Belize time. The total eclipse begins at 8:11 p.m. and will peak at 8:47 p.m. ET. The total eclipse will last about 72 minutes. The moon will become the ‘star’ of the night sky as it turns red in color during the unusual phenomenon, which involves it appearing 14 percent bigger. The strange coloration will come as the light from the sun shines onto the moon after being refracted and scattered through the dust in Earth’s atmosphere as the planet passes in between the two, casting a shadow and causing the eclipse.

Breaking Belize News

Remembering Danny Conorquie in Georgeville
This weekend saw a series of events organized in memory of Special Constable Danny Conorquie of Georgeville, Cayo District. While on duty a year ago at the Caracol Archaeological Site in the Chiquibul Forest, without support from the Belize Defence Force, he was ambushed by a group of […]

PUP host Southside Football Marathon
The People’s United Party today hosted a Southside Football Marathon at Berger Field in Belize City featuring participation from ten teams across the City, including a few from Northside. PUP Albert Standard Bearer, Paul Thompson told us the event was meant to showcase the PUP’s commitment to greater […]

Why did Arturo Pasos’ house burn down?
A Belize City homeowner is left puzzled and homeless after fire destroyed his residence behind the CET Site in Lake Independence on Saturday. According to Arturo Pasos, he was out at work from seven in the morning and got the bad news just before noon. He says the […]

Ministry of Agriculture and DFC to assist drought-hit farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture and Development Finance Corporation (DFC) have announced an assistance package for farmers affected by drought in the Orange Walk District. On Friday 70 farmers met in San Carlos village with Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega; CEO in the […]

Young entrepreneurs in PG get assistance
Plenty Belize is a non-governmental organization (NGO) in the Toledo District that works to promote the health and well-being of the district’s people, communities and environment. The organization helps local community based groups to create and maintain sustainable means of generating income. Plenty also works closely with schools […]

Super Blood Moon eclipse underway
A full moon at perigee, the moon’s closest point to Earth, takes place creating the blood red effect. The Earth’s shadow started making its way across the moon at 6:11 p.m. Belize time. The total eclipse begins at 8:11 p.m. and will peak at 8:47 p.m. The total eclipse will last about 72 minutes. As the […]

Belizean-American has problems getting passport
Belizean-American, Sharon Lamb, is a mother of two children and a nursing assistant who currently resides in the state of Illinois in the United States (US). She recently took her problem to the Amandala Newspaper after she applied for her passport several years ago in 2011 while in Belize for […]

Double homicide victims identified
The murder victims found in a cane field in the San Roman area of Corozal have been identified as 58-year-old Vicente Cayuno of San Andres Village and 42-year-old Rogelio Rancharan of Paraiso Village, both in the Corozal District. Both men were found with gunshot wounds to the head on Friday […]

San Pedro police find weed on plane
A large amount of cannabis was found inside the air cargo section of a local airline on Sea Star Street in San Pedro Town on Friday, September 25th. The discovery was made around 11:45 a.m. inside a DVD Player box, which contained 2.2 pounds of marijuana. The find was taken […]

Would-be burglar taken down by home owner
A resident of the DFC area in San Pedro Town was arrested by police on Friday night, September 25th, and will be charged for the offenses of “Aggravated Burglary” and “Kept Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition without a Gun License”. Police was called to a house on Lion Street where they […]

Blogs

Just One Recipe for Three Perfect Days on Ambergris Caye!
I met Laura and her husband in Placencia last November…they were just opening up Caribbean Beach Cabanas – a super cute (I MEAN CUTE) resort they bought on a gorgeous stretch of beach in Placencia Village. She also writes an amazing blog about her Ohio to Placencia experience. Pure Placencia. And now she is guest posting for me about the Placencia to Ambergris Caye experience. Eeek! I hope she likes it. Oh yes…everyone does. Thanks Laura! I live in Placencia, where I am told people come from other parts of Belize to vacation, because it is on par with Caye Caulker for laid-back slowness. Sometimes, I just crave a little action and busy-ness, and crowds! It was time to come up to Ambergris for a fun filled weekend :) We took Tropic Air from Placencia to Belize City, which if you get Taco Girl’s code, you can get 10% off–it is under $100us. We decided to save some money and take the water taxi from Belize City, and we learned that you should fly into the Municipal airport as it saves money and time.

International Sources

10 Ultimate international adventures to tick off your Bucket List before you're 40
Travel operator Contiki rounded up the Top 10 Bucket List spots around the world to get the adrenaline pumping whilst satisfying your sense of wanderlust. 7. Diving in Belize: When it comes to underwater adventures there is nowhere quite like Belize. Nestled between Mexico and Guatemala, this Central American gem is a diver’s paradise and its rich waters are home to various species of sharks, stingrays, turtles and barracudas. Travellers visiting in springtime might be lucky enough to encounter those infamous friendly underwater giants; whale sharks.

A financial guide to retiring abroad
Is it your goal to spend your golden years living in a hut on the beach of a Caribbean island? Or do you dream of a second act running a vineyard in Tuscany? Retiring overseas can be both more enticing and more affordable -- depending on the locale -- than retiring in the United States. But a smooth transition requires careful planning. "When you just begin thinking about it at a superficial infatuation level, it's a very exotic, romantic, sexy idea," says Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, which publishes an annual ranking of the best places to retire overseas. "But the truth is that once you get into it, it's not easy." Not all of the lifestyle changes that come with moving overseas will be ideal. Retirees will want to research how the move could affect their cost of living, tax bill and health. Here are some of factors to think about before you sell your belongings and buy a one-way plane ticket:

Videos

September 27, 2015

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, 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

Letter to the Editor: What are the plans for the upcoming tourism season?
Dear Editor: Well, Belize it or not, another tourist season just around the corner. I know that to many it certainly doesn’t feel like it but September is almost gone and October will fly by and it will be back to business as usual here on the island. We are all excited that Southwest Airlines will be starting flights to Belize as early as Oct. 15th! The question that remains is what changes will we see based on last season’s tourist complaints? Anything? Or are we living like the turtles, burying our heads in the sand in hopes the issues will be gone and no-one will bring them up again. Talking about it NOW makes it a PRO-active situation and not a RE-active one that is often too late. 1) The Sargasso is everywhere, have we learned anything from our neighboring countries and how to contain it? We all drive around with bandannas over our faces or holding our noses but what in reality can be done? Mexico is working very hard to keep their beaches clean AND building new beaches or extending existing ones by using sand to fill over the nasty smelly stuff. Are we?

Belize participates in 2nd Annual Bart’s Bash International Regatta
After an excellent performance in the 2014 Annual Bart’s Bash International Regatta, Belize had its sailing reputation to defend! And on Sunday, September 20th at 9:30AM, 26 sailing vessels manned and crewed by Belizeans were at the line when the horn sounded the start of 2015 Bart’s Bash Belize in the waters off Caribbean Villas Hotel in San Pedro. The day saw superb sailing action, even in the unfavorable weather conditions. First launched in 2014, Bart’s Bash Regatta is a legitimate international sailing race for sailors from all over the world and in every kind of sailboat. On a designated date, sailors take to their home waters and sail courses that have been designed via computer program at the hands of the Bart’s Bash Committee. The Guinness Book of World Records recorded last year’s inaugural Bart’s Bash as the largest sailboat race in history. Created to commemorate a champion sailor and philanthropist, Andrew “Bart” Simpson and to support the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, Bart’s Bash is a unique sailing regatta that unites sailors from all over the world. Bart lost his life at age 37, practicing aboard Sweden’s 72-foot America’s Cup catamaran that cartwheeled in preliminaries on San Francisco Bay, California on May 8, 2013.

Letter to the Editor: Ambergris Caye to into a living nightmare
Dear Editor: Fulfilling a five year goal of living the dream on Ambergris Caye, turned into living a nightmare! Your tourist numbers are declining and will continue to decline. Assuming you arrive at your San Pedro destination safely in any of your disgustingly dirty unsafe taxies will no doubt suffer upper respiratory sickness from the unbearable Sargasso on your already minimal beaches. I am leaving San Pedro and will not recommend this as a vacation destination to any of my travel friends. Your taxi drivers have run me off the road several times during my stay here. I have also been physically injured by a four inch protruding broken arm rest while entering a taxi at night.

Project Director Mastry explains why Sunset Boardwalk is not functional yet
Since the completion of the project, the facility has been underused, with no indication when it will be fully operational as originally intended. However, the reasons as to why the infrastructure has not been put to proper use for almost two years now may finally give people a better understanding of what is really happening. According to Christy Mastry, Projector Director at Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) the issue is more of an operational management and legislative one, especially when it comes to the relocation of the boats from the east side of the island. “In this project, all of the piers were allocated through the pier owners. It is up to the municipal authorities to start setting up plans to start collecting revenues. The issue with the terminal is mainly legislation, whether they move the boats from the front of the island or not. However, the boat owners do not want to move their boats again, like I said that is a legislative issue. They claim that they need more depth in the water around the Sunset Boardwalk area, however, at the place where they dock in Belize City is far shallower than the Sunset Boardwalk. So it’s all about coming together and having the will to relocate them; the municipality and the ministerial level have to make a decision. But the project is completed and ready to operate,” stated Mastry. She remarked that the installations are very spacious, in great condition and with all the necessary facilities to be fully operational. In the future there will be additional investments to make the terminal better accessible by taxis, but before this is done, the legislative issue with the boat owners needs to be solved.

Misc Belizean Sources

SAN PEDRO HOME INVASION: INVADER CAUGHT
On 25.09.15 around 7:50p.m., police responded to an Aggravated Burglary at a house located on Lion Street, San Pedro Town. 29-year-old Paul Jex of the DFC area was found sitting on the ground. Alden Augustine of same address reported that around 7:30p.m. he arrived at home and a Jex entered his apartment and pointed a firearm at him and demanded his belongings. He stated that a struggle ensued and he managed to take away the firearm from Jex and with help of some friends he subdued him. Paul Jex was detained pending charges of “Aggravated Burglary” and “Kept Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition without a Gun License.”

DOUBLE MURDER IN COROZAL DISTRICT
On 25.09.15 at around 10:45 a.m. police responded to a report of a double murder in a cane field in the San Roman area where they saw the bodies of two male persons with gunshot wounds to the head. They were later identified as 58-year-old Vicente Cayuno of San Andres Village, Corozal District and 42-year-old Rogelio Rancharan of Paraiso Village, Corozal District. The Initial investigation revealed that while Cayuno, Rancharan and another male person were fertilizing the cane field; someone came out of the bushes and fired shots at them causing the fatal injuries while a third male person fled uninjured. Both bodies were transported to the Northern Regional Hospital.

Sarteneja Alliance For Conservation and Development. The River & Coastal Clean-up 2015 in Sarteneja Village
Thumbs up to the Sartenja Baptist High School students that showed up this morning to take part in this countrywide activity. It is always a pleasure to see our youth taking action in such event that benefits Mother Nature and all of us! Keep the good work students from SBHS and keep the interest and motivation of making a change in our community. A special thank you to Claudia Matzdorf, Marc Fruitema, and Annalisa Sevaly!

Sept. 13th - Sept. 19th, 2015 Belize Fishing Report
Some of the best fishing of the year is in the summer nd fall here at El Pescador. It is just more likely that a person from the northern half of the US is going to visit us during the winter rather than now. So even though the fishing is at its peak we only had a few boats going out daily. Wow, three international travelers brought their A-Game this week! We get to award a rare Super Grand Slam today (9/18/15) to Ari, Martin (from the UK) got a Grand Slam on Monday and Andy (from the UK) got s Grand Slam on Thursday.

National Garifuna Council election
I will not say I am disappointed with the National Garifuna Council election that was held today in Dangriga, and the shady way the Council conducted the election, because everything they did was expected. Especially with the “family”, the top Garifuna family it seems, and their puppets decided that the lady elected in the August election was not going to operate in a way beneficial to them, so being that they seem to be all powerful they decided to have a secret elections, unknown to the Garifuna people whom name they enrich themselves on, I found out about the elections while going to the store this is because the NGC centre is one street away from my house. The “family” selected their representative today, they will continue to their self-enrichment and control of the Garifuna Council. While this organization was built to develop and unite the Garifuna people, all the “family” is doing is dividing the community. With all this said Garifuna Settlement Day is only a month away and we are more divided now than yesterday.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Belize Country Director Wildlife Conservation Society
Summary of Position Position: Country Program Director, WCS Belize Division: Global Conservation Location: Belize City, Belize, with travel to WCS work sites Position Objectives • Provide conservation and management leadership to WCS conservation activities in Belize; • Elevate and promote WCS’ work across Mesoamerica; • Lead on the establishment of program priorities, strategy, and approaches for conservation initiatives in Belize; initiate projects and provide technical guidance and management oversight to project development and implementation;

CTV3

Mark Villanueva Speaks On The Night Of His Attack
Fifteen days after he was brutally beaten and alleged tortured by his employer and cousin, 42 year old Mark Villanueva was able to relate his story. Today he spoke to us from his home and tried to remember as much as he could of what he describes as his worst nightmare. According to him, the last thing he remembers is being dragged for about quarter of a mile from his farm while tied behind a vehicle. “I was with this guy Beto Hall and I work with him and it look like he got high that night and he accused me of a weed eater and money and I left him at his camp and I went to my camp and I went to sleep and when I got up I just felt that somebody just club me on my head with something hard and from there I don’t remember nothing else until I felt he grab me again and drag me behind a car and tied me up on my hands and took me by the camp and put some weed eater beside of me and told me that I stole his weed eater and then he knocked me out completely this time and when I recall again I am at Belize hospital and all my hands are scarped up all over on my head and back and forth and I did take nothing from him God knows I no take nothing from him, the guy probably was drunk or sniffed up something.”

UDP Village Council In Paraiso Village Denies The Use Of Park
The 29th of September will mark the 65th anniversary of Belize’s oldest political party, the People’s United Party. And while it is an occasion for much celebration, there is dark cloud hanging over the activities scheduled to take place in the Village of Paraiso which falls under the Corozal North division. According to the former Chairman of the Paraiso Village Council, Reinor Castillo, the current UDP Village Council are not in agreement that the activity in commemoration of the P.U.P’s 64th anniversary take place at the Baltazar Vasquez Park. Castillo says that a letter requesting the use of the venue was sent to the Village Council but the response was unfavourable. But even so he remains optimistic and hopes that at the end the P.U.P Committee of the village will be allowed to use the park.

Corozal Police Investigates Double Murder
Two more murders have been registered in Corozal and police have launched an intensive investigation into the recent homicides. Corozal police report that they received information around ten forty five this morning from a fifty four year old man who went to the station to make the report. Police say the man said shots were fired in the San Comal Area located some three and a half miles northeast of Corozal Town. Police investigated and when they arrived at the area they found two men lying face up in a cane field, each with a gunshot wound to the right side of their heads. Officer Commanding the Corozal Police Formation, Superintendent Dennis Arnold, says the person who informed them of the shooting was reportedly with the men when they were ambushed. "At about 10:45am this morning, a 54 year old male person came to the police station and made a report of shots being fired in the San Roman area. That's 3 and a half miles north east of Corozal town. Police visited the area and upon arrival saw two male person lying face up in a cane field with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the right side of the head. Whilst the person came to make the complaint on the two deceased were scattering fertilizer in the cane field. Apparently someone came out of the bushes and fired shots at them. The two persons stayed there and the other person got away and he was the one who came to make the complaint."

US Sex Offender Charged For Sex Assault
Yesterday we told you about police in Belize City preparing a file to lay charges upon a registered US sex offender who was living in the Lake Independence Area of Belize City. And today around 1:45pm, Kenrick Bowman of a Police Street Address was read a single charge of sexual assault. The charge says authorities stems from mid-January of this year where Bowman "Engaged in a Sexual act in the presence of a 15 year-old child".

Amandala

Young boy paid “2 noodles” for sex act?
A forty-two-year-old man who has allegedly been targeting young boys on Police Street in the Lake Independence area is in police custody tonight, and it is expected that he will be charged with a sex-related offense tomorrow, Friday. Amandala has learned that the man is a convicted and registered sex offender in the US, and has been living in Belize for the past two years. Late this evening, Amandala spoke to Senior Superintendent Chester Williams, the Commander of Eastern Division Southside, who told us that he will brief the media tomorrow. Williams refused to release any information about the suspect’s identity, only confirming that he is in police custody and that the police are conducting an investigation into the matter. Even though the matter had been brought to the attention of the police since Saturday, the police had not made any report about the incident in their sitrep (situation report) as of press time tonight, Thursday.

FOB will be built on the northern bank of Sarstoon River, says PM Barrow
The Sarstoon River and the island in its midst (Sarstoon Island) have become a dangerous flashpoint in the territorial dispute between Belize and the Republic of Guatemala, which is now saying that the entire Sarstoon River, including the island, belongs to them. As a result, the Guatemalan navy has been maintaining a constant presence in Belizean waters, and has been insisting on enforcing its claim. This was demonstrated forcefully on August 16, when the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) led an expedition to Sarstoon Island and faced a blockade of Guatemalan navy boats. The resulting Guatemalan aggression against the unarmed BTV catapulted the Sarstoon Island incident into the national spotlight and led the Government of Belize to issue, in the words of Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow, “a strongly worded protest note” to the Guatemalan government. Guatemala responded with a diplomatic note of its own, saying that they do not recognize Belize’s borders and that they “escort” Belize Defence Force (BDF) patrols to and from their base at Cadenas “as a matter of courtesy for which Belize should be grateful.”

“Gapi” and “Monchie” slander case continues
The slander lawsuit brought by Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar “Gapi” Vega against his political opponent, Ramon “Monchie” Cervantes, Jr., continued in the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin today. Vega brought the lawsuit against Cervantes and Fiesta FM, claiming that a broadcast from that station, which the Cervantes family aired, slandered his reputation. The allegation is that in the broadcast, Vega’s name was mentioned by Manuel Castillo, who is wanted by police for allegedly masterminding the murder of the senior Cervantes, in a phone conversation with Cervantes, Sr.’s widow about the murder of her husband, Ramon Cervantes, Sr. From the beginning, Vega has denied all involvement in the matter. At the trial today, Cervantes took the witness stand and told the court that it was his family who decided to air the broadcast, and that they did so without telling him, since they did not want him to relive the memory of his father’s decomposing body.

Girl, 8, dies in George Price Highway accident
Kaylene Luceli Mai, 8, a student of Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town in the Cayo District, died after suffering massive head and body injuries during a road accident when her mother lost control of the vehicle in which they were travelling and the vehicle overturned. Mai was taken to the San Ignacio Town Hospital, where she was declared dead shortly after her arrival. Her body was transferred to the morgue, where it will undergo a post-mortem exam to certify the cause of her death. The incident occurred at about 2:30 yesterday afternoon, between Miles 68 and 69 on the George Price Highway, in front of Rumors Resort. Police reported that Evelyn Kuylen, 31, a clerk of Churchill Street, Benque Viejo Town, was travelling in her Mazda Tribute SUV from San Ignacio Town towards Benque Viejo del Carmen, along with her three children, when she lost control of the vehicle and it flipped over.

Con-artist posing as a car dealer scams victim of $10,300
A man posing as a car dealer scammed his victim out of $10,300, and has since disappeared. The man was paid $10,300 for a car in February, and has since disappeared. Dalila Osorio, 50, told police that on February 2, she contacted a car dealer to buy a vehicle for her in the United States, and gave him BZ$7,000 cash to carry out the purchase. She said that the man told her that the vehicle would be delivered in two weeks. Osorio told police that the man contacted her again and told her that he needed more money to ship the vehicle to Belize and to pay a broker. Osorio reported that she paid him an additional $3,300, thus giving him a total of $10,300.

Where is Sharon Lamb’s Belizean passport?
Sharon Lamb, a 50-year-old nursing assistant and mother of two who lives in Parks City, Illinois, USA, visited Amandala to tell us of the challenges she has faced in her efforts to collect her renewed Belizean passport from the Belize Immigration Department. Lamb said that she had applied for the renewal of her Belizean passport in 2011 while in Belize for her mother’s funeral. Unfortunately, she had to leave before getting it, and she had not returned until her arrival on September 2 of this year, for the September Celebrations. Upon her return, she visited the Immigration offices both in Belmopan and Belize City in the hopes of getting her passport, but she has been given the runaround, said Lamb.

2015 Bart’s Bash Regatta in San Pedro
On Sunday, September 20, at 9:30 a.m. prompt, 26 sailing vessels manned and crewed by Belizeans were at the line when the horn sounded the start of 2015 Bart’s Bash Belize in the waters off Caribbean Villas Hotel in San Pedro. The skies were murky grey, and the skippers tried to find and catch the mere puffs of wind that rose and died from varying directions here and there along the course. The fleet was so becalmed that it took a few frustrated skippers more than 10 minutes just to cross the start line. The windlessness lasted well into the race, but at long last one of the squalls approaching from the northeast arrived, and with it winds up to 25 knots. The course circuit that had taken one Hobie Wave over an hour to complete on its first lap took 14 minutes to complete the 2nd and last time around.

Parents showcase Deon McCaulay souvenir pictures
A few days before the Belize World Cup Qualifiers against Canada, David “Manu” McCaulay and Muriel Neal, the proud parents of Belize’s number one striker, Deon McCaulay, dropped by our sports desk to show off souvenir pictures they had prepared for sale to fans of Deon. The framed pictures are in two sizes, with the larger (8"x10") going for $30.00, and the smaller (6"x8") selling for $15.00. And key holders are also available at $5.00 each. Interested fans can contact them at 600-7164 or 637-0948.

Redemption! Respect Verdes, respect Belize!!
After their 8-0 loss to Queretaro at high altitude in Queretaro, Mexico (over 7,000 feet above sea level) last week Thursday, September 17, Belize’s national champions Verdes FC was for all intents and purposes out of contention for a spot in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League tournament. But, as Verdes manager Ian Jones has said, this team is built with a 5-year plan, and there is no room for despair, despite the terrible setback. And last night at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, the Verdes club took Belize across another hurdle on the international football stage, when they posted their and our first ever Champions League win, 2-1, over San Francisco FC of Panama, which also included our first ever goal scored in Champions League play. Back in 2008, Verdes had lost a pair of Champions League matches by identical 6-0 scores to Cruz Azul of Mexico. And in the recent series against Queretaro, although Verdes had held them to a 0-0 draw at the FFB Stadium, they failed to score again in the return match in Queretaro, Mexico, where they lost, 8-0. So, the 2-1 victory over San Francisco FC was a big step forward for Verdes and for Belize football.

PLB clash of undefeateds, Verdes hosts Police United
Fresh off their impressive 2-1 victory over Panama’s San Francisco FC in the first leg of their Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League series, Verdes FC will be tested on the home front by joint league leader Police United FC this Sunday in San Ignacio. Both teams are presently undefeated after 4 games in their 10-game Opening Season schedule. (See standings below.) Only 1 PLB match was played over the weekend, a back match between Police United FC and Placencia/Texmar Assassins down at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village on Saturday night, and it was the visiting Police United coming away with the 1-nil win, courtesy of a 15th minute strike by Devon Makin. Devon was also the lone scorer in Police’s 1-0 win against BDF the previous weekend, so the budding striker will be closely watched this weekend.

Editorial: PUDP
Around this time in late September each year, both of Belize’s major political parties, the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) celebrate the anniversaries of their foundation. The PUP was established in September of 1950, while the UDP was established in September of 1973. The origins of the UDP do go back to 1951, when the National Party (NP) was organized to oppose the young PUP. In 1958, the National Party and the Honduran Independence Party (NIP) came together to form the National Independence Party (NIP). It was that National Independence Party which combined with the People’s Development Movement (PDM), founded in 1969, and the Liberal Party, organized in 1972, to establish the UDP. The surpassing relevance of the two major political parties derives from the fact that they are national organizations which are completely indigenous, completely Belizean. Belize’s is a population of multiple ethnicities and different religious beliefs. The major political parties represent the most important permanent organizations which absolutely emphasize Belizean nationality above all else, such as ethnicity and religion, the reason being that it is Belizean nationality which decides an individual’s eligibility to vote. And it is that vote in which the political parties are interested. A majority of such votes on general election day will enable the political party garnering same to form a government.

From the Publisher
Usually one of my daughters reads our editorial aloud to my dad, who can’t see well enough to read any more. For some reason, however, last Friday afternoon it was I who did the honors. When I’d finished reading, my dad said he was glad that I was courageous enough to say the things that I’d said. No, dad, I said, actually there are important things I need to say for which I don’t have enough courage. Belize is a small place, and there are sacred cows here. If you touch these sacred cows in print, even if you believe that you personally are strong enough to withstand them and their worshippers’ retaliations, you will endanger your children, your grandchildren, and your generations yet unborn. Your innocent ones will feel pain. Serious! If you look at the republics around Belize, republics which gained their independence from Spain in 1821, such as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, and Salvador, it is for sure that you can identify oligarchical eras in these nation-states. I think Honduras and Guatemala are still very much oligarchical, but it is said that there have been some changes in Salvador.

Recommendations from Rosales
Dear Editor, 1. Congratulations are in order to our Prime Minister, the Hon. Dean O. Barrow, for explaining in detail, at our country’s 34th Independence ceremonies, his Government’s very “transparent and accountable” programme for infrastructure development, salary increases, the advancement of employment as well as the elimination of debt by our unfortunate and poor to our government hospitals. I also through this medium offer my congratulations to the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Francis Fonseca for advocating “unity” of purpose by the Belizean public. Let’s hope that we as a people can discard our pettiness in politics and carry that message to fruition. 2. I ask the Prime Minister to continue his good work by reviewing the areas of medicine and foodstuff that currently carry 12.5% in sales tax and endeavor to eliminate most if not all of those taxes. 3. There are retirees and seniors who are receiving funds from Social Security, but who are at the very minimum scale or, as we say locally, “at the bottom of the barrel”. I ask for the Prime Minister’s indulgence in recognizing the need to increase the amount to those people. After all, Social Security has millions of dollars invested in its coffers that should not warrant an increase of the contributions currently paid by workers and employers.

Independence Day message of Opposition Leader highlights governance reform
The Opposition People’s United Party leader, Hon. Francis Fonseca, in his brief Independence Day address, spoke about national unity, sovereignty, and the challenge of independence, as defined by the Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, Belize’s Father of Independence. “Belize has claimed its place in the global community as a proud, sovereign nation deeply committed to justice and equality for all people,” Hon. Fonseca said. Hon. Fonseca, whose party has lost all elections since 2008, and is faced with early general elections, used the national platform his Independence Day address afforded him, to highlight governance reform. Before making the call for governance reform, however, the Leader of the Opposition said, “Nation- building is not about wishful thinking; it is about hard work, commitment and participation. Each of us, as citizens of our beloved Belize, has a duty and obligation to be engaged in its growth and development. This, after all, is the central message of independence. One nation, one people, united to build a strong society in which hope and opportunity abound.”

PM Barrow’s Independence Day address
On Monday, September 21, 2015, our nation took time out to celebrate thirty-four years of Independence and to honor our forefathers whose struggle and determination brought about the freedom we celebrate today. In attendance at the official ceremony of the Independence of Belize, which got underway in the nation’s capital, Belmopan, on Monday were the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon. Dean Barrow; Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Francis Fonseca; the Governor General, Sir Colville Young; the Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin; the Mayor of Belmopan, Khalid Belisle; members of the clergy, and many other government officials, dignitaries and ambassadors who came from near and far to celebrate this festive occasion with us. In his address, Prime Minister Barrow said, “September 21, this year, arrives to the accompaniment of an even greater than usual celebratory course, and the multiple positive developments occurring during the first three quarters of 2015 have appeared to reach a flood just in time for Independence Day …” One of the main issues the PM addressed was that of the wind-up of negotiations for the settlement of the acquisition of Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and Belize Telecommunications Ltd. (BTL). He said that the settlements for the two utilities are “vindication of our nation’s patrimony” and that these utilities “are ours to have and hold forevermore.” He also added that small shareholders will get seats on the boards of both BTL and BEL, and that 10 percent of the shareholdings of both companies will be offered to the Belizean public

Union pickets over BTL settlement
Five days after Prime Minister Dean O. Barrow announced that he had personally negotiated a settlement with the Ashcroft alliance over government’s nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited, the Belize Communications Workers Union staged a protest of the settlement in the downtown area of Belize City today. This afternoon’s protest comes one day after the BCWU (Belize Communication Workers Union), which represents Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) workers, lashed out at the Barrow administration in a fiery press release for the Prime Minister’s unilateral settlement of the BTL issue. About 70 BTL workers carrying placards walked in an orderly fashion from the company’s Church and Regent Streets offices through Albert Street, making a circle around Regent Street between Brodies and Battlefield Park, as they picketed the Barrow BTL settlement agreement. The BTL workers, who reportedly have been banging on their desks at the company offices as a sign of their discontent for a few days now, are upset about being left out of the settlement negotiations.

Woman, 65, needs 5 pints of O-negative blood
Maria Dolores Castro, 65, was knocked down by a motorcycle as she was walking home from work at Mile 2 on the Philip Goldson Highway, and she suffered massive bodily injuries, including fractures to two of her arms, and one of her legs. Castro was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), but doctors there said that they must perform surgery on Castro to repair her fractures, and 5 pints of O-negative blood must be obtained before they can proceed with the surgery. Castro has since been released from the KHMH, and she is at home awaiting the blood so she can proceed with the surgery. The family is now appealing to friends and the public to donate the blood.

CWU and FirstCaribbean agree to negotiate exit package
The National Assembly passed the FirstCaribbean International Bank Vesting Bill into law, allowing for FirstCaribbean to sell its assets to Heritage Bank, at a date to be announced. This transaction, however, will leave 60 employees of FirstCaribbean Bank without their jobs and now, for their sakes, it is urgent that the bank and the Christian Workers Union (CWU), which represents the bank’s employees, iron out an employees’ exit package. Representatives of the CWU and FirstCaribbean Bank held a three-hour long meeting this afternoon at the Labour Department, where Labour Commissioner Ivan Williams acted as a mediator in brokering a scheduled negotiation between the parties. Following the meeting, CWU president Audrey Matura Shepherd told reporters, “We had a very productive three-hour meeting and the Labour Commissioner served as mediator, I would say. We ironed out certain details and the good news is that now we are preparing to actually start negotiations. We won’t go into discussion on details what our difference is, but rather that we actually plotted a way forward and that we are looking forward to genuine good faith negotiations, especially since our employees are still adamant about knowing where they stand.”

The Reporter

BEL, BEWU may settle Monday, Labor Minister hopes
Negotiations between the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and the Belize Energy Workers Union (BEWU) over an eight percent salary raise may be settled as early as Monday, Labor Minister Godwin Hulse said he hoped for. BEL management and the BEWU are set to meet on Monday and Hulse said he expects that they can settle the negotiations then. He said the two parties are not that far apart and he doesn’t believe any industrial action will happen, as the Union had threatened to strike. According to Hulse, the negotiating teams were unable to meet this week due to a death in the family of one yof the union negotiators. BEWU Vice President Marvin Mora told The Reporter on Thursday, however, that the Union is of the opinion that BEL has repackaged the original proposal and presented it differently.

Oceana stages coastal clean-up
Oceana Belize, in conjunction with the Belize Scouts Association (BSA), held a coastal clean-up effort on Saturday morning in observation of Oceana Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up. According to Celeshia Guy, Oceana Belize district field representative, there were over 100 volunteers who had signed up to clean the Marine Parade stretch. The rains, however, kept some people from participating, but a little more than half of the expected number showed up to still volunteer. She added that there were also other groups and clubs scattered throughout Belize City participating in the event. Guy said this year, for the first time, the group started cataloguing the types of garbage collected so they could later analyze and determine which types of garbage are the most commonly discarded items and most problematic. The event went up until 12:00 p.m. and a final tally in regards to the total amount of garbage collected will be available later in the week. Last year over 1,700 volunteers participated in the event and collected over 11,000 pounds of trash along coastal areas. The objective is to rid those areas of garbage which would eventually end up in the seas and rivers and pollute marine life.

Will heads roll at WRH?
After learning of a rat biting a newborn inside the incubator at the Western Regional Hospital, the Ministry of Health has begun the search for who will be held accountable. Chief Executive Officer in the MOH, Dr. Peter Allen explained this week, that the ministry has started the process by writing letters to both the Regional Manager, and the Hospital Administrator, requiring them to explain why disciplinary action should not be taken against them. The letters, Allen added, have been copied to the Ministry of Public Service in accordance with the ministry’s regulations. “We’re trying to make sure that while we do hold people responsible and accountable, we also have regard all the time for due process”, Allen said. Pending the response of those letters other members of staff may also need to explain themselves to the ministry. After a very detailed process, outlined within the public service regulations, the officer or officers deemed to be responsible, should the investigation reveal any, will face disciplinary action.

The Belize Times

Unions Awaken! – “You have taken us for fools Mr PM and we are disgusted” – Belize Communication Workers Union statement
Late last week, a series of press releases issued by three powerful unions and a civil society partner, shook the ground beneath Prime Minister’s Dean Barrow weakening legs. The statements were issued by the Belize Communications Workers Union, the Belize Energy Workers Union, the Belize Christian Worker’s Union and the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Collectively, these groups represent some of the most vocal sections of non-government. In the release, the four groups revealed their serious discontent with the Barrow Administration and increasing rancorous relationship with the Government. But it was the BCWU’s release that came like an 8.0 earthquake, shaking up the UDP Government and possibly forcing Prime Minister Barrow to defer his announcement of elections, reportedly already scheduled for Wednesday October 21, 2015. Barrow’s Independence Day speech was all about politicking – with sweets and treats here and there – but his plans were derailed. What the BCWU has exposed is that the Barrow Administration is on a deadly collision course with the Unions. After years of keeping silent, Union leaders are now stepping out speaking about the disrespect showed to them by the Government. In the case of the Belize Energy Workers Union, the disrespect to their members/the Belize Electricity Limited workers has come from the Government-appointed Board led by the Chairman who is the law-partner of Prime Minister Dean Barrow.

U.S. Sex Offender under Police investigation
42 year old Kenrick Bowman, a Belizean-American national convicted of sexual offences in the United States, is under Police custody and investigation following allegations that he lured young boys into his home. Bowman was detained on Wednesday night by Belize City Police. Neighbors allege that Bowman lured young boys to his home on Reid Street by promising to give them food including Ramen noodles in exchange. Poverty and hunger are rampant among many families in Southside Belize City. Neighbors say that dozens of young boys were known to “hang out” at his home.

Rat scandal draws international shame
The shocking discovery of a large disease-ridden rat biting on a newborn baby while inside an incubator at the Western Regional Hospital has gone from a national scandal to international disgrace as news agencies from all over the world have focused their attention on the substandard state of Belize’s health system. Over the past week, no less than four major news outlets on television and print/internet have reported on the disturbing incident that occurred on Friday September 4th 2015 at the main referral hospital in western Belize. “Rat caught on camera inside incubator after biting premature baby fighting to stay alive”, read the news heading printed in The Irish Mirror newspaper. This story, which was also published on the web, has sparked major interest on social networks and was shared on Facebook by 1,938 users in just a matter of hours. The Daily Mail UK, which attracts millions of readers in the United Kingdom alone, also reported: “A parent’s worst nightmare: The horrifying moment a RAT is found in a hospital incubator – after it had already bitten a newborn baby”.

National Service Day 2015
Friday, September 19th, 2015 was observed as National Service Day in Belize – a day which the People’s United Party has declared extraordinarily special, in memory of the life and service of the Father of the Nation, Rt. Hon. George C. Price. In the morning, the Party Leader Hon. Francis Fonseca, supporters and members of the Price family paid tribute to Mr. Price at a wreath laying ceremony at the site of his burial at the Lord Ridge Cemetery. The event was attended by primary school children who listened intently as the Price family remembered their loved one, followed by comments by PUP leaders who recognised Mr. Price’s selfless leadership and his undaunted commitment to Belize throughout his life. Following the wreath-laying, the Party, through its leaders and members, carried out various acts of service to commemorate the day.

Think About It
BELIZE IS IN TROUBLE: The 34TH anniversary of our independence has come and gone. We learnt no lessons. We shared no vision. We have no plans to move forward. We did not recount how we reached this destination following a long, hard journey to where we are. While there is much about our people and our country to be thankful for; there is much cause for concern concerning those things that are going wrong in our land. The Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech was just another mini budget presentation with the usual “I will spend millions on this and millions on that”. There is an absence of strategic thinking and a failure to tackle the real issues at the core of our national existence and our national well-being. For eight Septembers now we have been subjected to these Independence Day speeches while our country continues to worsen and our future becomes bleaker instead of beckoning. To be critical and blunt, the Prime Minister was helping us to hide our heads in the sand and coaxing us to deceive ourselves. It was also his poorest independence day address and his energy level was low.

Back to Reality!
I listened intently to the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech because I figured that I would base this week’s article on the content thereof. I was sure that there would be enough in there to warrant critique but alas, I was wrong. After listening to the entire speech, I was reminded of an old commercial done for the American fast food chain Wendy’s. Therein, a little old lady bought a hamburger and asked a question that has since become a catchphrase for anything lacking substance. That phrase aptly fit the moment for the only thing that came to mind was, “where’s the beef?” Not only was the speech lacking in substance, but this year’s presentation by the leader maximus was unwontedly civil and lacked the usual venomous responses to comments by the Leader of the Opposition. For his part, the Leader of the Opposition was mostly reflective and his remarks were confined primarily to the issues of governmental reforms, oversight and forward thinking. The Prime Minister is evidently at his best when provoked to quarreling and the progressive address by Mr. Fonseca seemed to have caught him off guard and threw him completely off his game. Many people were expecting an announcement of the date for general elections but there again, we were left disappointed in the end. The PM did confirm that this would be the “last Independence Day address” before those elections, but stopped short of giving us a date. It is still widely believed that elections will be held this year and even as early as November. With the PUP now finally united and in full fighting spirit, one can be sure that the man might be having serious second thoughts. I still think that it is high time that we eliminate this whole guessing game and have a fixed date for our general elections.

Francis, the better leader
The mighty blue machine has started to become its real self again. From proud Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon; from Benque Viejo to Half Moon the people are coming home to the People’s United Party. The timing is auspicious, even portentous. The people of Belize are calling out for a new direction, new Government and new leadership. About eight years of Dean Barrow and his corrupt, incompetent government have brought the country to its knees. There will be no going forward under Barrow. There is no future under his Government. The shameful legacy being left behind is that of a tiny country buried under a mountain of dent with nothing of substance to show for the billions that have already been squandered. That legacy is underscored by the Petrocaribe loan law which trampled upon the Constitution and the Finance and Audit Act. These laws were/are in place to safeguard public monies, and to require governments to account to Belizeans in an open and transparent manner. Dean Barrow is a huge let down. He is the ultimate con artist, politically speaking. Ask the Unions, ask the public officers, ask the ordinary citizen in the streets. Ask the student what they think of him. Ask the thousands of innocent Belizeans who have been victimized out of jobs, scholarship and land.

Belize, Young School & Vibes Alive win in O.W. U-12 football
In the Under-12 8-a-side football tournament, Belize, Young School and Vibes Alive teams posted wins. Blackwater conceded to the Belize team by forfeit. Meanwhile, Young School enjoyed a 3-1 win over Juventus in the second game of the afternoon. Calvin Reid struck the first goal for Young School, but Zidane Escalante soon equalized 1-1 for Juventus. Esmir Vasquez scored a second goal to give young School a 2-1 lead at intermission. After the break, Allen Castillo put the game on ice with a third goal for the 3-1 win. Vibes Alive enjoyed a 2-0 victory over the Centaur Minions in the third game of the afternoon. Carlos Canelo and Luis Sosa Jr led Vibes’ attacks, supported by Jose Ico, Keeshan Sheppard, and Dyene Smith at midfield. Sosa Jr. succeeded in blasting home the first winning goal past goalkeeper Justin Lopez to the left corner of the net, for a 1-0 lead at intermission.

Guinea Grass, Yo Creek & Chan Pine Ridge win in penalties
Guinea Grass, Yo Creek and the Chan Pine Ridge All Stars had to go to penalties to post wins in the 2nd Round of the Orange Walk Town Sports Committee’s 8-a-side women’s football competition at the Orange Walk Technical High School (O.W.T.H.S.) field on Sunday. The defending champs, the Chan Pine Ridge All Stars, out-gunned the Orange Walk Strikers 1-0 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation period. Shamili Cal had scored for Chan Pine Ridge while the Strikers equalized 1-1. In penalties, only Chan Pine Ridge goalie Arelli Torres scored: 1-0. The Yo Creek Gladiators won 3-2 against the Atlantic Bank girls, after a nil-zip draw in regulation. In penalties, Miriam Villamil, Myra Miranda and Noemi Magana scored for Yo Creek, while only Aaliyah Leiva and Eloisa Moreno scored for Atlantic Bank.

FC Verdes shocks Panama’s San Francisco FC 2-1 – Belize to play CONCACAF Champions league rematch in October
Belize’s top striker Deon McCaulay added 2 more international goals to his tally; as he and Verdes FC of Benque Viejo stunned Panama’s champions, San Francisco FC from Balboa 2-1 in their first encounter of the CONCACAF Champions’ League at the FFB stadium in Belmopan on Tuesday night. McCaulay and Brazilian import Alcides Thomas led the Verdes’ attack, with the help of another Brazilian import Yoras Silva and Nahjib Guerra on the wings, while Mexican import Jesus “Chui” Patino and San Leobardo Mendez supported their attacks at midfield. The Panama squad had watched the Gallos Blancos steam-roller Verdes 8-0 at the Corregidora Stadium in Queretaro last Thursday, September 17. San Francisco FC came to town expecting to do likewise, as they had stomped the Queretaro squad 2-1 at the Maracana Stadium in Panama City on August 26. They already had 3pts from that win, and the game plan was to advance to the next round with 9pts, over Querataro who has no more games to play and only 7pts from 2 wins and a draw with Verdes in Belmopan.

10 things that derailed Barrow’s election plans
Key sources within the UDP have indicated that Prime Minister Dean Barrow diverted from his plans to announce the date of elections in his Independence Day speech on Monday. Three weeks ago, during a special Cabinet/UDP caucus the area reps voted on a preferred date but were ultimately warned by their political boss that the decision is his to make and they should prepare for October. Interestingly, during that episode Corozal Bay’s Pablo Marin pleaded to his Party leader and colleagues that he felt totally ill-prepared. This is the same Marin who is currently the source of major political embarrassment for the UDP. Barrow apparently pulled out his crystal ball or tarot cards on Monday morning and saw a sign that made him uneasy about sticking to the script and calling elections in October. There is a lot of uneasiness in the UDP today, despite being in full-fledged campaign mode as a Government for the past seven years. Things are not going well for them. Here are ten reasons why Barrow’s election plans were derailed: Worse health care system ever. The recent discovery of a rat biting a newborn inside a baby incubator at the Western Regional Hospital is indeed causing political headaches for the UDP Government, but this is only the start of the failings of a poorly managed health care system.

Independence Day Message by Orange Walk Town Mayor His Worship Kevin Bernard
Thirty-four years ago Father of the Nation George Price led Belize to independence on September 21, 1981. Google defines political independence as freedom from control by another government. From the start of the British settlement in 1638 up to a few months before independence, Belize was controlled by mother England, which exploited our land and its people mercilessly. Pre-independence Premier Price told the people that independence would mean more development for all Belizeans because for the first time we would fully control our destiny as a nation. “With independence we would have the power to use the many resources of the country for our advantage,” said Price. With nationhood our people rightly looked forward to good paying jobs for every person whose is willing to work. Today with over 12% of the employable population facing unemployment, thousands of people can’t find jobs to provide the needs of their families. And getting a job with the government, which is the largest employer in the country, is becoming more and more dependent on political connections rather than qualification.

Reality Check!
Thirty-four years ago Father of the Nation George Price led Belize to independence on September 21, 1981. Google defines political independence as freedom from control by another government. From the start of the British settlement in 1638 up to a few months before independence, Belize was controlled by mother England, which exploited our land and its people mercilessly. Pre-independence Premier Price told the people that independence would mean more development for all Belizeans because for the first time we would fully control our destiny as a nation. “With independence we would have the power to use the many resources of the country for our advantage,” said Price. With nationhood our people rightly looked forward to good paying jobs for every person whose is willing to work. Today with over 12% of the employable population facing unemployment, thousands of people can’t find jobs to provide the needs of their families. And getting a job with the government, which is the largest employer in the country, is becoming more and more dependent on political connections rather than qualification.

PUP leader calls for firing of Health Minister
Leader of the Opposition Hon. Francis Fonseca, has brought pressure on Prime Minister Dean Barrow to fire Corozal politician Pablo Marin as Minister of Health. Under Marin’s watch, the Ministry of Health has been dragged through all sorts of scandals throughout the entire term of the Barrow Administration. There have been scandals involving pharmaceutical hustling, missing equipment, infection outbreaks due to poor maintenance, and stealing of hundreds of thousands of dollars. There have also been tragedies including the death of 13 babies at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, about a dozen maternal deaths due to improper care at other hospitals, all causing pain for Belizean families. The most recent fiascos, the discovery of a rat biting a baby in an incubator and the sudden death of a mother shortly after giving birth, have hit new lows.

WOMAN IN THE HOUSE – SCAPEGOAT
The dictionary defines a scapegoat as a person or group that is made to bear the blame for others. According to the Old Testament, on the day of Atonement a priest would confess all the sins of the Israelites over the head of a goat and then drive it into the wilderness, symbolically bearing their sins away. Another definition is a person who is used to lay blame on for all that goes wrong, regardless of the contributions of others. Interestingly, in Spanish the term for scapegoat is “victima propiciatoria.” To propitiate is to appease. There is a great short story in modern literature by Anatole France named “Putois.” In French putois means skunk, but in this short narrative Putois is a mythical person to whom the townspeople ascribe everything unexplainable or evil. The author in a humorous way is able to make sharp commentary on the human propensity to find a scapegoat to explain away the experience of evil. For instance, in the story a confirmed spinster suddenly became pregnant. No one ever saw her with a man, yet she was definitely with child. Of course the people whispered that it was Putois who impregnated her. Putois was conveniently blamed for everything, with one intelligent character ironically informing the people that they must think twice before concluding that Putois did not exist, as this would have deprived them of an important article of faith.

Joe & Fonso turn rat experts
It is most times comical to see how the two UDP mascots, Joe and Fonso, bend in all directions to defend the corruption and gross incompetence of their government ministers. This week, they spent a lot of time fuming on the Belizean public and denouncing “attacks” on their dear Pablo Marin for the scandalous rat attack at the Western Regional Hospital. Right on cue from lead UDP mascot, dutty mouth Michael Finnegan, Joe and Fonso claim that Pablo couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the rat. “I cyant see how dem blame di Minista,” bawled Joe. The Wave dirty duo spends their day coming up with ways to launch smear campaigns on Belizeans especially strong women like Audrey Matura Shepherd, Dolores Balderamos Garcia and Lisa Shoman. This week, they turned on the nurses at the Western Regional hospital.

Independence Day Address by Francis W. Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party
The Governor General His Excellency Sir Colville Young and Lady Young Prime Minister Honorable Dean Barrow and Mrs. Barrow My Lord Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin and Mrs. Benjamin Our Most Reverend Bishops and Members of the Clergy Members of the National assembly His Worship the Mayor of Belmopan City Mr. Khalid Belisle Members of the Diplomatic Corp Our Public Officers and Members of our Security Forces Invited Guests, Friends My Fellow Belizeans, Today we celebrate our 34th anniversary of Independence.

An Alternative to the ICJ
What is the single most important change Independence brought to a small nation like Belize? Under colonialism as British subjects, we were obligated to them. As Belizeans, we are now responsible for ourselves. This I.C.J. Proposal in its intent and purpose should be as important as the very soul of our independence because that is what is being questioned. Yes sir, Belize IS an independent nation and has been so for 34 years! This is no time for misinformation, half-truths, or deception. The smallest mistakes can and will change what the past 33 years have been known as. For those of you who say you were against the “Heads of Agreement” but yet you embrace the “Compromis”, you stand on double standards. So what concessions did Guatemala make for us in the Compromis? What concessions are we asking from them now? And do you realise that going to the ICJ means we are willing to give up something, if it comes to it? There is no difference with this and its predecessor in its intention “to remove us from our homes”. When will somebody who goes abroad as a representative of this nation stare, not return like a puppet, to parrot what has been said, what they were told, and what they are to say to us. Do any of you even know what we deserve?

Belize Chamber of Commerce calls for transparency of the BTL “Settlement”
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) stands by its position made six years ago that it was not necessary for the Government of Belize to expropriate BEL and BTL. Despite our reservations regarding nationalization, BCCI recognizes the efforts made by Fortis and the Government to arrive at a common agreement for the settlement of BEL. The ownership of BEL is no longer in question and the final cost of the settlement was made public to the Belizean People in clear and transparent language. The BCCI is most concerned at the method of Prime Ministerial Governance displayed with regard to the BTL settlement. The Prime Minister unilaterally negotiated and bound our country to make a $162.7 MM payment with the possibility of yet further payments due at the conclusion of the still outstanding Dunkeld arbitration case.

Breaking Belize News

GSU bust Cayo resident for weed
A second male person was arrested and charged for the offence of “Possession of a Controlled Drug” in the Cayo District yesterday morning around 7:30 a.m. While on special operations in Esperanza Village, members of the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) on the strength of a search warrant, visited a house […]

San Ignacio man charged for drug possession
Alexander Rios, a 29-year-old resident of the Santiago Juan Layout in San Ignacio Town, was arrested and charged for “Possession of a Controlled Drug” on Friday, September 25th, after police on an anti-drug operation searched his home on the strength of a warrant and made the discovery of 38 grams […]

Motorists avoid death in PG accident
Several people are lucky to have escaped serious injury after a Toyota 4-Runner they were traveling in flipped in the New City Area of Punta Gorda (PG) Town a short while ago. Reports are that about 5 persons were inside the vehicle driven by a Belize Defense Force […]

Three avoid serious injury in accident
Three persons are lucky to have escaped with only minor injuries after being involved in a traffic accident on the Stann Creek Valley Road yesterday evening, September 25th. The accident occurred at mile 21 around 4:15 p.m., when Keith Emmanuel, a resident of Belmopan City, was travelling from […]

San Ignacio police celebrates officers of the month
The San Ignacio Police formation held its monthly general meeting and inspection yesterday, September 26th, where four officers of the month were awarded as opposed to the standard two and another two officers were awarded by the selected inspector, Mayor Earl Trapp, for being immaculate during the inspection. The four […]

Moist and unstable conditions prevail
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies with some showers, thunderstorms and periods of rain, mainly in the North and over the sea today. Showers and thunderstorms will continue tonight, mainly along coastal areas. Winds will be blowing from the Southwest this morning, then from the South-Southeast […]

Blogs

Sargassum is gone! Rain is here, but slow season still has a lot of fun going on!
The big news at Caribbean Beach Cabanas recently is that Sue and Carlos are officially our new managers!! They have moved in on site and we have been very busy finishing up the main house. Dave and I will be renting out the 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment upstairs, and it turned out absolutely amazing. After a few more touches pictures will be up. We will live in it part of the year and rent it part of the year, and I KNOW the guests that stay there are going to be amazed!!! Sue and Carlos are SO GOOD that recent guests have written me personal emails to tell me what a wonderful job they did. We are thrilled to have them! Although the rain has picked up, especially at night, it has been spectacular here. The Sargassum is gone!! It was so pretty today that Victor and Jacobo, and Carlos took a break from working today to throw a line in the water.....they have been hard at work getting the new house done, we are 90-some% of the way there! Pictures to come soon. But check out this water!!! The rain has finally come in after a mini dry season in August. It has been raining off and on during the days, but mostly at night. There is still plenty of sunshine and breaks from rain to totally enjoy your vacation, and although a lot of places close in low season, there is plenty open. We had a great time last night at Rick's Cafe, and then found a lively group at Tipsy Tuna. There was a huge party at Yoli's last night, and plenty of other activities to keep you as busy as you want to be!

International Sources

US congratulates St. Kitts, Belize on independence anniversaries
The United States has congratulated St. Kitts and Nevis and Belize on their respective independence anniversaries, saying that their partnership and bilateral work in the region “can only serve to strengthen our relationsh­ip.” “On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Belize as you celebrate the 34th anniversary of your nation’s independence on Sept. 21,” said Secretary of State John Kerry. “When he spoke at midnight on the day of your independence, the Rt. Hon. George Price committed Belize to preserve and promote the peace, stability and prosperity in the region of the Caribbean and Central America,” he added. “The United States is proud to work alongside you in these noble endeavors,” he continued. “Our partnership and bilateral work in the region can only serve to strengthen our relationship – a relationship built on trust and mutual respect.”

Don Bohning, who spent 3 decades as a Latin America correspondent, editor for the Herald, dies
Don Bohning, who spent three decades building up the Miami Herald’s Latin American coverage, died early Saturday after a long battle with cancer. He was 82. From the mid-1960s to the turn of the century, there was scarcely a war, coup, revolution, massacre, assassination, volcanic eruption, hurricane or other act of political or environmental mayhem that Bohning didn’t cover. And when he couldn’t get there himself, he was editing copy from an all-star cast of reporters he assembled that won two Pulitzer Prizes under his command. “In the early 1980s, when the country suddenly woke up to the importance of Latin America, the Herald’s Latin Desk was a Murderer’s Row of great correspondents: Guy Gugliotta. William Montalbano. Juan Tamayo. Bill Long. Sam Dillon,” said Tim Golden, a Herald foreign correspondent of that era, ticking off a list of reporters who were the elite of American foreign correspondents. Gugliotta discovered just how highly esteemed Bohning was in the eyes of Caribbean politicians one morning when George Price, the eccentric but charming prime minister of Belize, popped in without warning at the old Herald building on Biscayne Boulevard, having flown to Miami and then taking a bus to see Bohning for an impromptu chat. Minutes later, two harried Secret Service agents burst into the Herald lobby, frantic that their charge had wandered away. Bohning was nonplussed neither by the arrival of Price nor that of the distraught agents. His patience and tranquility in the face of maddog dictators and penurious publishers were legendary. He stayed calm even in the face of the serial catastrophes that marked his attempt to cover the U.S. invasion of Grenada in 1983.

The enduring class panto behind the Cameron biography
ike any self-respecting avenger, Lord Ashcroft believes that to settle a grudge with an act more grievous than the initial affront constitutes entirely natural and defensible behaviour. Perhaps, to judge by his bold advertisement of grievance, Ashcroft even hopes his implacability will raise him in national esteem, while his enemy, David Cameron, comes crashing down. In his preface to Ashcroft’s Revenge, as the sarkily entitled Call Me Dave should, for accuracy’s sake, be subtitled, our embittered citizen of Belize chronicles the slights that – according to Senecan convention – now justify the sacrifice of his dignity to character assassination. To sum up: Ashcroft gave the Tories tons of money; Cameron didn’t offer him a decent job in return. For those who elect to live and die by the honour code of the non-dom, this appears to be pretty much up there with the abduction and ravishing of a chaste and beloved daughter. But if his colossal load of resentment is ever to bear fruit, Ashcroft must persuade readers that the prime minister’s offences go far beyond this private betrayal of a man not many people care about. Hence – for all that it rests on evidence so non-existent as to threaten the entire enterprise – the sensational pig story that opened newspaper extracts. Of Cameron’s numerous crimes the one that dominated last week’s charge sheet, perhaps because it exercises Ashcroft most, is that of insufferable, spoiled privilege. And for any readers who, prior to Call Me Dave, believed Cameron to be a comprehensive-educated meritocrat, endowed equally with modesty and the common touch, the news must have come as quite a revelation.

Five Best Songs From Shyne’s Self-Titled Debut Album
Former Bad Boy Records rapper Shyne is the the poster child of infamy and rap. Born Jamal Barrow in Belize on Nov. 8, 1978, Shyne’s mother would move to the U.S. when he was three years old, sending for him to come live with her in Brooklyn, N.Y., at the age of eight. A product of a single family home as his father, Dean Barrow, a successful attorney who is now the current Prime Minister of Belize, was barely a presence in his life, leaving Shyne and his mother to fend for themselves in East Flatbush’s notorious Vanderveer Estates apartment complex. Taking an interest in rap, Shyne began to hone his craft by rhyming and battling until a fateful meeting with DJ Clark Kent in a Brooklyn barbershop. Impressed by the young spitter’s talent and vocal similarity to the late Notorious B.I.G., Kent took Shyne under his wing and introduced him to key players in the music industry, who were also enamored with Shyne’s potential, resulting in one of the more infamous bidding wars in rap history. Among the suitors were included Elektra, Def Jam and Interscope, but Shyne would ultimately sign with Bad Boy Records and began recording his debut album.

Cuba is getting ready for mainstream American tourism
According to travelagentcentral.com, Cuba has been a tourism giant in the Caribbean for years, catering to mostly Europeans and Canadians, but now is emerging as a leisure destination for Americans as well. Cuba offers the best of the both worlds, the hustle and bustle of Havana, the country’s vibrant capital rich with nightlife and incredible cuisine, and Varadero, a region stocked with some of the most undeveloped beaches in the world. For Latin America specialists, think Ambergris Caye in Belize. Many agents and operators have seen the writing on the wall and have also been legally selling Cuba already through the People-to-People Initiative, which requires Americans to take part in various cultural experiences in Cuba, essentially, as the name implies, putting them in direct contact with the people of Cuba with hopes of learning about the way of life in the country.

Videos

September 26, 2015

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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

30 Day Belizean Treats Challenge: Day 19 to 24
We are almost there! Only six more days to complete the Belizean Treats Challenge! Let the count down begin…

Letter to the Editor: The Catholic Church and Homosexuality
Dear Editor, My husband and I were deeply offended by the article “the church, homosexuality and the community,” written by Mr. Jorge Aldana, that was in The San Pedro Sun newspaper on September 11, 2015. It was disrespectful to everyone. You not only attacked Father Scott’s character, the parishioners of the San Pedro Catholic Church, Pope Francis, but also the foundation on which the Catholic Church was built. Even though I was brought up in the Catholic faith, I feel it is important to be respectful of everyone’s religion. We all worship God in our own way. My husband and I both had catholic education in the United States. I was born in Belize City and attended St. Catherine’s Academy until I was nine years old and moved to the United States. We have uttermost respect for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or religion. We’re all God’s children. He doesn’t discriminate. The “Bible” is the teaching of God and his apostles. It doesn’t drive people away from God, but establishes a relation with God. Mother Theresa is an example of what God teaches us to be “A servant of God.” She fed the poor and cared for the sick throughout her life. Wouldn’t it be great if each of us could follow in Mother Theresa’s footsteps?

Joel Nagel appointed as Belize’s Ambassador to Austria
Island businessman and investor, Joel Nagel has been appointed as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Austria. Nagel officially took the role during a ceremony at Hofburg Palace in Vienna, where he was received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Apart for being appointed as Belize’s Ambassador to Austria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appointed Nagel as the Permanent Representative to its United Nations offices in Vienna. While in office, Nagel will work to strengthen and improve the relationship between Belize and Austria. Nagel is the founder and managing partner of the international law firm of Nagel & Associates, LLC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. The firm is Pittsburgh’s first law boutique focusing exclusively on international commercial transactions and immigration. Nagel is also the Chairman of Caye International Bank, an investor of Exotic Caye Beach Resort and legal counsel and Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer for Grand Baymen Belize.

Therapist needed for burn victim
Burn Victim Mercy Fund is seeking a Physical Therapist in San Pedro Town who would be willing to contribute his/her skills to improve the life of a very special girl. The services of a physical therapist are needed to facilitate the releases of nine-year-old Katerin Michel Perez from Shriners Hospital for Children (Burns Center), to return to Belize. Her return home can only be determined by whether or not her therapy can be continued here. It is essential to finding a therapist able and willing to contribute to the ongoing care of the burn patient who has limited resources.

Verdes FC still hoping to advance Champions League Quarterfinals
Belize’s Verdes FC continue their journey in the Scotiabank Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League (SCCL). With three matches down and only one more to go in the first round, the Green Machine are giving it their all in hopes of making their country proud. Currently in the second position in their group, Verdes must achieve one more win in order to advance as only the winners of each group move on to the knockout stage. In their two most recent matches, Verdes FC experienced both a loss and victory. Their second match was an away game against Mexico’s Queretaro FC on Thursday, September 17th. The match was played at the Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro, Mexico. After experiencing a draw in their first match against Verdes FC during the first game on Tuesday, August 18th at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium, Queretaro FC was determined to win.

Misc Belizean Sources

Supermoon Sunday evening
This weekend's full Moon is a "supermoon," as much as 50,000 km closer to Earth than other full Moons of the year. Rising in the east at sunset, the swollen disk will look extremely beautiful... because it is going to be eclipsed. On Sunday evening, Sept. 27th, the supermoon will pass through the shadow of Earth, turning the lunar disk a cosmic shade of red. What makes the eclipsed Moon turn red? A quick trip to the Moon provides the answer: Imagine yourself standing on a dusty lunar plain looking up at the sky. Overhead hangs Earth, nightside down, completely hiding the sun behind it. The eclipse is underway. You might expect Earth seen in this way to be utterly dark, but it's not. The rim of the planet looks like it is on fire. As you scan your eye around Earth's circumference, you're seeing every sunrise and every sunset in the world, all of them, all at once. This incredible light beams into the heart of Earth's shadow, filling it with a coppery glow and transforming the Moon into a great red orb. For Belize, the Eclipse of the Moon by Earth will be happening between about 8pm to 9:30pm Sunday Evening. http://shadowandsubstance.com/

Women's U-17 training rescheduled
Island athletes selected for training please take note. The Football Federation of Belize informs that training for the Women's U-17 scheduled for September 25 – 27, 2015 has been canceled due to weather conditions. Training will resume next week Friday, October 2, 2015.

RAYMOND 'SIXTEEN' THOMPSON!
The memories of this awesome Belizean boxer continues to haunt me whenever Belizeans speak about boxing. We know that Lugwig Lightburn was the greatest, and David Dakers was back to back national boxing champ of Belize, and others rose to high acclaim in the Belizean boxing world, but Sixteen, as he is called by most Belizeans, dazzled the Belizean boxing world, and perhaps sent shock waves to the Mexican fighters all the way down to Campeche, Mexico. My close up view of him at Havana Gym under the training brilliance of Eustace Vernon, and why he was so feared by many boxers in Belize, was because of how good he was, and the skill and hard work he put into his training. But Thompson was fearless, and would step away from no challenge. He was second to none, and though he fought at a lighter weight than many of the other big boxing champions in Belize in the 1970's, Sixteen flew high like he was Belize's only national boxing champion. His style, speed, and punching power was parallel to many boxers across the world and the in the United States. He was a combination of everything you can think about in the boxing world at that time. He was a fighting machine.

Statement by Hon. Wilfred Elrington
At the United Nations Summit to Adopt the Post 2015 Development Agenda

Belize Statement Interactive Dialogue
Ending Poverty and Hunger - Post 2015 Summit

INDEPENDENCE EVE 2015
57 new photos

Final Line-Up for Sunday's Parade starting at 10:00 a.m. at the Boca del Rio Park
Thank you for registering your group/float!

Horticulture Classes Fall 2015
If you want to learn more about a wide range of horticulture subjects, there are a lot of classes coming up at the Belize Botanic Gardens Garden Shop. "If you have any question feel free to contact us at 834 - 4800, 824 - 3101, 671 - 3322 or stop by at our garden shop in San Ignacio for more information."

Channel 7

Alleged Child Predator Bowman Charged, In Jail
42 year old alleged child predator Kenrick Alston Bowman is in jail tonight. The Lake Independence man who has been in the news for most of this week - was charged for the little used offence of, quote, "obtaining gratification why he engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a child." End quote. He was taken to court for arraignment this afternoon - and pleaded not guilty. It brings to an end a week of intense pressure on police. But, there's a twist in every tale - and the twist in this one is that Bowman was not charged for molesting the child whose story has been on the news - the one who was allegedly involved in oral sex for two packs of Ramen noodles. The allegation is for an incident with another child - dating back to sometime in January of 2015 - a child who was only made to witness and act - not one who engaged in it. The formal charge read in court was that Bowman, for the purpose of obtaining gratification, engaged in activity of a sexual nature in front of a 15 year old child, knowing or believing that he was being observed or with the intention of being observed by the said child. Today, the southside commander Chester Williams wouldn't say much about that case, but explained why they have not brought charges for the more recent case:...

Teachers Take To Picket Line Against Their Own Principal At Faith Nazarene
The standoff at Faith Nazarene Primary School in san Ignacio is entering its fourth week - and still children are being kept at home by angry parents who want the principal gone. Today 249 of the 403 registered students showed up for school - which is not even three quarter of the total enrollment. Today parents got a permit to stage their second protest - and they got support on the picket line from teachers who stepped out during the morning break to protest against their own principal. Crazy…and we were there to witness it... Jules Vasquez reporting While children looked on in bemusement the chants were resounding: "Pech Must Go "and what made the difference today was that teachers were on the picket line - chanting and carrying signs against their own principal. At break time - it was more than idle distraction for these kids caught in the middle of a war between adults. Police not teachers had to tell the kids to get back to class - a chaotic atmosphere - hardly conducive to learning. How can school go on with all this noise outside - being generated by persons with vested interests - parents and teachers.

Trouble In Paraiso: Daylight Double Murder
There was a daytime double murder north of Corozal Town today. Around 10:30 am Two men were killed as they were working in a cane field. 42 year old Rogelio Rancharan and his worker 58 year old Vincente Cayuno were shot in the head by an unknown gunman. Police told CTV-3 they got the report from one man who survived:... Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police "At about 10:45am this morning, a 54 year old male person came to the police station and made a report of shots being fired in the San Roman area. That's 3 and a half miles north east of Corozal town. Police visited the area and upon arrival saw two male person lying face up in a cane field with what appears to be a gunshot wound to the right side of the head. Whilst the person came to make the complaint on the two deceased were scattering fertilizer in the cane field. Apparently someone came out of the bushes and fired shots at them. The two persons stayed there and the other person got away and he was the one who came to make the complaint." Reporter "Sir from what you found on the scene, police some sort execution style maybe?" Supt. Dennis Arnold - OC, Corozal Police "Well the investigation is in the preliminary stage and I really don't want to speculate, but the two expended shells were found near both bodies."

Still No Bail For Keyren Tzib
Keyren Tzib, the Coast Guard Officer who has been charged with manslaughter for allegedly stabbing her common-law husband to death, went back to the Supreme Court today. She was hoping that Justice Troadio Gonzalez would allow her to go home until her trial starts, but the judge was not convinced that he had all the information to make an appropriate decision. In today's hearing, Justice Gonzalez commented, quote, "I am inclined to grant her bail, but my biggest concern is her mental status." End Quote. He was hoping to get a report from a medical professional which would convince him that the state was fully aware of her mental health. However, when Ingrid Bonilla Claire, a Psychiatric Nurse, took the stand and was prepared to answer his question, Justice Gonzalez was not convinced that her assessment alone was sufficient. That's when the court found out that there was no Psychiatrist currently posted in Belize City.

Are KHMH Staffers Going to Get 14%?
In the Prime Minister's Independence Day speech, he announced that the Government of Belize was going to forgive the 9 million dollar debt that the public owes the KHMH. That was the total in unpaid medical bills left uncollected. With the government assuming those impaired debts, the Board of KHMH would be able to pay for the raise that the employees of the hospital had been asking, somewhere in line with the 18% that the teachers and public officers were given. The Guardian Newspaper recently reported that this final figure that this raise will amount to is 14%. When we had an opportunity to speak with Labour Minister Godwin Hulse at an event today, we asked him if that figure is accurate: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "The KHMH employees are not public officers, so they were not subject to that grand bonanza that the public officers were subjected to of 6 and 8 percent. However the government has to put a serious subsidy into the KHMH because it's not a self-sustaining institution and of course health is a priority. So what we have done is we have asked the board to redo their budget and as he rightly said, it's not just a hand out.

Hon. Hulse: Electricity Workers Agreement Soon
Labour Minister Hulse was also able to discuss was the status of the negotiation between the Belize Energy Workers Union and the Management of BEL on an across-the-board salary increase. The union has been threatening industrial action - but Hulse told us that, from his perspective, a resolution could be worked out as soon as next week: Daniel Ortiz "It appears that the discussions are falling away and industrial action seems to be imminent. Is that the position, since you are at a more informed position than we are in the press?" Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "No it's not at all, the discussions are definitely not falling away and we are not close to industrial action. I personally spent 10 meetings and by labour commissioner and CEO took it from there to discuss with both parties. This has gone on now more than a month almost two. There were some structural issues that we wanted to clear on both sides first. We've been at a point where we have a better clarity for management and we were hoping to meet with the unions this week but we understand from them that they had some issues concerning a death in the family of some one of their persons in their negotiating team. So as a consequence we were not able to meet yesterday, we have a plan to meet on this coming Monday. It is my hope to be able to square this away when we do meet on Monday because there has now been tremendous clarity on both sides. Both what the unions really want and what the management really wants and we are fairly confident that we can bring this together."

Contending With Coastal Sewage
If you live or work in a coastal community, the ugly truth is that every time you flush your toilet, you are polluting the seas and lagoons in your area - even if at a very slow rate. Don't get too worried because pollution is measured in parts per million. That might seem a bit too abstract, but it basically means that the higher the concentration of a hazardous substance is, the more harm it is doing. The bottom line, however, is that as you've been hearing for the past few days, communities like Placencia are more at risk. That's because the sewage system being used on the peninsula are mainly septic tanks, and those are inefficient at keeping the chemicals released from human waste from eventually seeping into waterways. Yesterday, the people from Belize Weste Control told us, an integrated sewage system, which would effectively lower this rate of pollution significantly, is prohibitively expensive - in the millions of dollars. That's money that the company does not have, and if they can't afford it for Placencia, they certainly can't do so for other coastal communities. The resident consultant engineer outlined to us what would have to happen for the company to afford these integrated systems:

Mangroves Matter
So, while the country's water and sewage services provider is waiting for a grant, the environment has a ready-made defence against such pollution. We're referring to mangrove forests, which act as a natural filtration. So, that's one more reason to keep these plants around, apart from preventing soil erosion. But, the problem, as we've shown you, is that developers cut down large tracts of mangroves to make way for their development, which is something that the conservationists are very concerned about. They discussed this with us on Wednesday: "As you fly into any one of these tourism destinations, San Pedro, Placencia, Caye Caulker, you begin to see the changes in mangrove cover and similar to shrimp farms. These mangroves help to remediate and remove some of the nutrients that's coming off from the various uses and so here we have industries that depend on high water quality. But at the same time those same industries are removing ecosystems that provide a service and help to remove a nutrient out of the system. It's not the solution for all, but it is one of those elements that add to the solution and it's not only on the mainland. We are starting to see that on very small cayes much like harvest Caye. We're starting to see dredging out at Turneff and that completely removes the cover of mangroves. We anticipate that we will see the same problems that we are seeing, in Placencia and San Pedro where you are starting to see the leachate from the septic tanks reaching out to the water and then reduction in water quality."

Is Reserving The Key To Preserving Placencia Lagoon?
So, as you've seen the Placencia lagoon is under sustained pressure, either from rapid development expansion, or from the slow pollution of the community's inefficient sewage system. That and other reasons are why the Southern Environment Association is hoping that the Government will declare the Placencia Lagoon a protected area. The Executive Director told us more: Nicole Auil Gomez, Executive Director, SEA "The Placencia peninsula is within an ecological hotspot. It's within very close range of the reef. There are patch reefs off of the lagoon itself and westward of the peninsula is the Placencia lagoon which is a critical fish nursery habitat. It's an important mangrove habitat, it has high importance value for manatees, and it would be classified as the most important sites for manatees in Belize. The Placencia lagoon has been a gap in the protected area system nationally. It has been identified by several individuals in publications and the national rationalization report that comprehensively looked at the protected area system and identified it as a gap. So the environmental association is working with the friends of Placencia lagoon through the support of the world wildlife fund. To get Placencia lagoon declared a wildlife sanctuary under the new national protected area systems bill or act that will be finalized shortly. We hope to see the process move forward that we can get that site declared a protected area."

Caught With A Single Round
Santos Lopez was arrested yesterday in Los Lagos - police searched him and say they found one round of unlicensed 9 millimeter ammunition in his pocket. Police say the resident of Trinidad farm ran when he saw them. Today in Court, Lopez told the judge that police planted the ammunition in his pocket. A please of not guilty was entered on his behalf. Still, he was remanded. We are reliably informed that LADYVILLE police are investigating him in connection with a murder.

US Ambassador Gives to Fire
Yesterday, we showed you how the US Military Liaison Office handed over an 800 thousand dollar emergency, disaster, and community center in Hattieville. Well today, that office along with the US Embassy in Belmopan were in Belize City where they handed over about 1.1 million dollars in state-of-the-art equipment to the Fire Department. We spoke with the Ambassador about this donation. The donation includes 200 personal protective gear kits, 80 breathing apparatus replacement cylinders, 12 heavy duty rescue saws, 14 combustible gas detectors, 6 vehicle stabilization kits, 4 transportable pumps, and 40 handheld radios specifically designed for firefighters. But, with all this new equipment, has the government considered replacing those ancient fire engines that the Fire Department still uses? That's what we asked Hulse today: The US Ambassador told us that there are about 5 or 6 other programs that the US Government is working on as donations to the Belize Government.

The Sanguinary And The Sacred Intersect
Usually praise and worship sessions are done in a church, at bible study or privately and those include either praying or singing hymns. But not all religions have these orthodox practices. Yesterday the Bangladeshi Muslim Community in Belize City held its own form of worship in the yard behind Red House on Vernon Street. It is known as Eidal - Adha and we went to see what it was all about. We warn you though these images that we are about to show may be too graphic for the squeamish or younger audiences…so if you don't like the sight of blood, or have kids around, you might want to take a break for about 3 minutes. Here is what we saw at the ceremony: Muslims all over the world celebrate this day every year and it is done at other locations around the country. The Muslim Community sent out a press release describing what the day signifies for Muslims. It states " Eid ul Adha is also known as the Feast of Sacrifice and commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to God. This festival, is celebrated each year by Muslims all over the world."

Inside The Incubator
The Ministry of Health is spearheading a major clean up at the Western Regional Hospital. The idea is, if course, to chase out the vermin which resides in the 40 year old building. But, it was a media event tailored for only media house: LOVE TV. When we found out about it - we were told we weren't invited. So, we ended up just kinda crashing the love party - right when the infection control nurse was displaying the inside of the incubator where the rat was found:... The incubator is climate controlled - so an alarm sound anytime one of the ports is open for too long.

Hon. Hulse To Media: Let The Rat Go
And so while the infection control nurse told the media that the nursery had been cleaned just before the rat incident, Labour Minister Godwin Hulse called the media out, basically saying, "to let it go". Here's his rational: Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Labour "I was a little disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator had. Because really rats and bats are everywhere and yes it should not be there, it should have never been in the incubator etc. it's very unfortunate. Thank God nothing happened to the child but that we covered it to the extent that it got all this international coverage doesn't speak well for our country and I think sometimes we have to be sensitive on how we cover things. The nurses, we can't put that on everybody's shoulder. Rats are creative little creatures I think they've been around from the dinosaur days just like roaches you can't get rid of them and houseflies, it doesn't matter what you do, and you can only do your best.

The Vision Thing
2 months ago, we told you about how the Bishop Martin High school in Orange Walk brought home third place in the regionals of the Regional portion of the Sagicor Visionary Challenge. They developed a research program on Chaya, and that took them to the finals of the competition 2 years in a row. Today, Sagicor Life Inc. started the 3rd Annual competition by holding a workshop for the teachers in Belize. This session took place at the Biltmore Plaza hotel, and it gave us a chance to meet the winners from Bishop Martin. We took the opportunity to speak with the winners about the high-level science tour they got in the US as an award for their innovative science project. Here's what they told us: So, what are the principals of Sagicor hoping for this time around from the brilliant visionaries who will compete? That's what we asked one of the representatives today:

Channel 5

Registered Sex Offender Kenrick Bowman Arraigned and Granted Bail
C onvicted Belizean/American sex offender, Kenrick Bowman has been in the news since Tuesday for allegations that he sodomized a number of minors at his house on Police Street, Belize [...]

Why Wasn’t Bowman Charged For Alleged Sexual Abuse of Minor?
Despite Bowman’s arraignment on a separate matter this afternoon, there are a myriad of questions that need answers. Those questions were posed to Senior Superintendent Chester Williams during a press [...]

Williams Says Investigation on Bowman Still Ongoing
Does the request for statements from alleged victims of Kenrick Bowman taint the partiality of the police investigation into the reported sexual offence?  That’s what the media asked the Regional [...]

Two Farmers Executed in Paraiso
Two farmers from the Corozal District were gunned down this morning in a cane-field near Paraiso, just three and a half miles out of town. The bodies of Rogelio Rancharan [...]

Keyren Tzib’s Bail Petition Postponed Pending Psychiatric Evaluation
Keyren Tzib, on remand for manslaughter, was in Supreme Court this morning for a second appearance in her petition for bail. Last week Friday Justice Troadio Gonzalez had adjourned the [...]

Sister of Thytis Blancaneaux Says Tzib Showed No Remorse
Tzib’s mother says that she is doing okay on remand because she is away from the things that terrorize her. She’s confident that everything will work out for her daughter [...]

Minerva Blancaneaux Says Tzib Needs Real Help…Not Incarceration
Blancaneaux says that her family is seeking closure for the death of their brother and son. But they also want Tzib to get the help she needs. According to Minerva [...]

Coast Guard Personnel Allegedly Detained for More Than 48 Hours
As we told you on Thursday, the Police Department is denying that there is any update in the case of the three fishermen missing for one month. The Department also [...]

Persons Detained and Released Without Charges May Sue Police
Bradley says that his client and another Coast Guard officer who was similarly detained are considering legal action against the Police. That’s because they were allegedly held long past the [...]

Minister Hulse Blames Local Media for Bad International Press on WRH Rat
A rat in the incubator!  Not only have the jarring images gone viral but the story has made headlines across the world.  Undoubtedly, the recent incident involving a rodent biting [...]

Says KHMH Needs More Rigid Bill Collecting Procedure
Minister of Labor Godwin Hulse also touched on the proposed raise for employees of the K.H.M.H.  He rationalizes the salary increase in much the same way as the Prime Minister [...]

Fire Departments Received Critical Equipment Donation
The National Fire Service is the recipient of a generous donation of equipment from the United States Government.  This morning, U.S. Ambassador Carlos Moreno was on hand for the delegation [...]

Swiss Authorities Commence Legal Proceedings Against FIFA President
Swiss authorities began criminal proceedings today against FIFA President, Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, the two most powerful figures in world football. The Swiss are investigating whether Blatter made an [...]

Garifuna Women in New York Sing for Pope Francis
And on a more positive note, hundreds of thousands have been turning out to greet beloved Pope Francis who is in the US on a hectic schedule.  The pontiff arrived [...]

LOVE FM

Health Regional Manager Speaks on Rodent Inside Incubator
Regional Manager Melinda Guerra spoke of the most recent incident; that of the rat found inside an incubator. Something she said she has never seen in all her years working in the health field. MELINDA GUERRA “We actually went into the room with a flashlight; we have to light all the sides of the […]

The Start of the Rat Saga Inside The Western Regional Hospital
The Western Regional Hospital has been in the news over the last few weeks after it was revealed that a rat was found in an incubator in the nursery, after having bitten a baby. The video has gone viral, garnering headlines at home and abroad. While criticisms and allegations have been flying over the airwaves […]

Hulse Says It Was Disturbing that Footage of Rat Went Viral
As it pertains to the recent video of a rodent in an incubator at the Western Regional Hospital, Minister Hulse told the media that he found the exposure that the video was given, very disturbing. GODWIN HULSE “I was a little disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator had because really […]

Minister Hulse Speaks on The Role of Administrators and Staff at Health Facilities
And while Hulse indicates that there is not much he can say on the matter, we went further to ask him if he would lobby for more monies to be invested into the health sector and diverted from other areas considering the recent negative light being shed on Belize’s health sector. While Minister Hulse agreed […]

Hospital Staff Agrees to Aid in Curbing Wastage and Expenses
With the issues in the healthcare sector being primarily finances coupled with human resources and with the staff at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital recently lobbying for a raise in salaries, the Government of Belize and the negotiators came up with what would seem a win/win situation. Minister Godwin Hulse explains. GODWIN HULSE ” […]

Pastor Says He Was Jilted and Mocked
There is another complaint being made tonight to Love News and this time it is by a Pastor. Pastor Llewellyn Lucas also known as Pastor Lue is making two complaints; one against the Police Department for abuse whilst in their custody and another against Wil Maheia for not paying his accommodations in Punta Gorda which […]

Belizean American Says Immigration Lost Her Passport
Tonight there is a complaint being made against the Belize Passport Office. Sharon Lamb, a Belizean-American has told Love News that the last time she visited Belize, her Belizean passport was about to expire so she decided to renew it before returning to the US. Lamb was to pick up her renewed passport the same […]

Seventeen More Peace Corps Volunteers in Belize
Yesterday, seventeen new Peace Corps volunteers were sworn in at a special ceremony held at the San Ignacio Hotel in the Cayo District. These new volunteers will work over the next two years in communities across the country to provide capacity building and community development support for the Rural Family Health Project. In concert with […]

PlusTV

200 new Belizeans with elections around the bend
It is looking like election time is pretty close. We say that because of the large number of persons who became Belizean Citizens today at a Swearing in ceremony late this afternoon. Unfortunately, just before general elections are called every four to five years, there is a rush by politicians to g...

Accused pedophile arrested and charged
The 42 year old US registered Sex offender who has been accused of molesting a minor in his home on Police Street in Belize City has been arrested. His name is Kenrick Bowman, and Belize City police officially arrested and charged Bowman this afternoon sometime after one o’clock. The charge is fo...

Fire Service given U.S. donation
The U.S. Military Liaison Office (USMLO) of the U.S. Embassy in Belize has made a donation of equipment to the National Fire Service as part of its humanitarian assistance program, following yesterday’s dedication of a new community center in Hattieville. We hear more from U.S. Ambassador to B...

Senator Hulse discusses BEL agreement
The Ministry of Labour has had to intervene in two separate labour disputes in recent weeks – staff of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) with FCIB management, and the Belize Energy Workers’ Union (BEWU) with Belize Electricity Limited ...

New Training equipment for Georgetown Technical H.S.
The Head of Delegation for the European Union to Belize, Ambassador Paola handed over training equipment valued at over 1 million dollars to Georgetown Technical High School (GTHS), located in the Stann Creek District on Wednesday 23 September, 2015. The modern state of the art equipment is for prac...

Keyren Tzib still not granted bail through the Supreme Court
Keyren Tzib has still not been granted bail by the Supreme Court. Justice Troadio Gonzalez said today in court, “I am inclined to grant her bail, but my biggest concern is her mental status.,” and with that her case was adjourned again for next week Friday, October 2, 2015. Last week at the first...

Special Needs girl Carnally known
A special needs female was reportedly taken advantage of sexually. An 18 year old Female of Esperanza Village, Cayo District along with her aunt, reported that on the 14th of September she was carnally known. The female was called over to a house in the village by seven male persons known to her on...

The Reporter

Help Age Belize salutes “Golden” citizens
HelpAge Belize is encouraging Belizeans to honor the elderly during the upcoming celebration of Senior’s Week. The week will be celebrated from September 26 to October 3 with the theme “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the Urban Environment.” HelpAge branches countrywide will hold events throughout […]

Fire Department gets $1.2 million donation from US
The Belize National Fire Service received a donation of BZ $1.178 million worth of new equipment from the United States Military Liaison Office (USMLO) at a handing over ceremony on Friday morning aimed at improving the department’s services, efficiency and providing greater safety for firefighters. US […]

Credit Unions hold financial literacy competition
The Belize Credit Unions League held its Belize district school quiz competition at the Holy Redeemer parish hall on Friday morning as part of its effort to advocate financial literacy awareness in schools to help youths understand the importance of financial wisdom. Coreen Robinson […]

Sagicor visionaries challenge prepares for another round
High school science teachers from around the country gathered at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Saturday morning for a sensitization workshop on the upcoming Sagicor Visionaries Challenge. Over 30 teachers, coming from as far as Stann Creek and San Pedro, gathered to learn the […]

Mom safe, but daughter 8, dies in road trauma
A routine trip between San Ignacio and Benque Viejo Town turned tragic for a mother and her three children on Independence Day, when their vehicle overturned, killing one of the children, eight year oldKeylin. Head of the San Ignacio police formation, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez […]

New study points to link between education and early sexual activity
Data gathered from the 2014 Country Report on Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes (KAP) toward persons living with HIV/AIDS, suggest that education can curb early sexual activity among Belizean youth. The survey was commissioned by the National AIDS Commission and carried out by the Statistical Institute […]

BEWU, BEL negotiations stalled again
Negotiations between the Belize Energy Workers Union (BEWU) and the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) management over a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), including a raise of pay for employees, have stalled again and indications are that the union may soon give a directive to go […]

Verdes FC shocks Panama’s San Francisco FC 2-1 in CONCACAF Champions league
Barely a thousand fans filled a quarter of the seats at the FIFA Goal Project Stadium in Belmopan on Tuesday night, September 22, but they saw history made, as Belize’s top striker, Deon McCaulay led Verdes FC of Benque Viejo to a 2-1 upset of […]

Labour commissioner mediates meeting between FCIB and CWU
First Caribbean International Bank and the Christian Workers Union (CWU) are closer to settling matters over an exit package for workers, after a meeting this week facilitated by the Labour Department. Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams, explained on Tuesday that executives from the bank and the […]

Caribbean Villas postpones Gay Pride event
The Caribbean Villas resort in San Pedro, which offered a tourist package marketed internationally as the the biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) pride event in Belize’s history, has postponed the even. Caribbean Villas owner, Peter Lawrence told The Reporter that the event, […]

A New Party?
By Neri Briceno Why do men aspire for political leadership in Belize? The answer for this can be broken down into three distinct categories; those who do it for love of country, those who genuinely do it for love of people and those who do it for greed. Belize has […]

Parents losing faith at Faith Nazarene Primary
The student enrollment at Faith Nazarene Primary School has gone from 420 to 390 in a matter of months, with many parents still not sending their children to school amid the conflict between principal and teachers. The school’s principal, Policarpia Pech indicated to The Reporter […]

Fonseca calls for governance reform
The Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca has called for governance reform in order to combat poverty, corruption and inequality. In his Independence Day address in Belmopan, Fonseca said: “True development calls for profound qualitative change, not only of the economy but also of the […]

GOB reaches settlement over BTL!But CWU is not impressed
The Government of Belize has reached a benchmark settlement with Ashcroft’s business interests over the 2009 nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL). But the Belize Communication Workers Union (BCWU) whose members have shares in the company have condemned the settlement and expressed the view that Prime Minister Dean Barrow is […]

Editorial
A major stumbling block to the settlement of the BTL dispute has always been the bizarre terms of the 2008 Loan Agreement between the Ashcroft-led Directors of BTL and British Caribbean Bank. The loan agreement was for Bz. $45 million, structured in such a way that any default by the […]

PM writes off $9M in KHMH debt
The government has written off the debt that citizens owe the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) as their “Independence Day gift” – an amount that totalled $9 million. The announcement came during Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s Independence Day address on Monday in Belmopan. It is […]

Did registered sex offender operate underage sex ring in Belize?
On Wednesday night police detained registered sex offender Kenrick Alston Bowman, for the second time. Officials say it is likely that he will be charged on Friday for an incident involving an underage boy on Saturday night. Bowman was convicted in California for oral sex with a 14 year-boy, and […]

Police commander apologizes for ‘home invasion’
Regional Commander of Eastern Division South, Senior. Supt. Chester Williams on Tuesday issued a personal apology to a Belize City resident after police ran through her home in search of some unspecified person. It is likely that this is the first time that any such action has been taken, despite […]

Breaking Belize News

Senator Hulse discusses BEL agreement
The Ministry of Labour has had to intervene in two separate labour disputes in recent weeks – staff of First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) with FCIB management, and the Belize Energy Workers’ Union (BEWU) with Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) management. As we […]

Fire Service given U.S. donation
The U.S. Military Liaison Office (USMLO) of the U.S. Embassy in Belize has made a donation of equipment worth about $1.2 million to the National Fire Service as part of its humanitarian assistance program, following yesterday’s dedication of a new community center in Hattieville. U.S. Ambassador to Belize, […]

Senator Hulse predicts smooth sugar crop opening
At this time of the year, for at least the past few years, it has not been unusual to hear of rumblings of discontent in the sugar industry. With the takeover of Belize Sugar Industries Limited (BSI) by American Sugar Refining, Inc. (ASR) and their moves toward making […]

Minister Hulse blames media for international rat coverage
Minister of Labor, Local Government, Rural Development, National Emergency Management Organization, and Immigration and Nationality Godwin Hulse said he was disturbed at the massive coverage that the rat in the incubator at the Western Regional Hospital got and suggested that the media over-sensationalized the incident, which led to negative international […]

Police investigate statutory rape case
San Ignacio police are investigating a case of statutory rape between a 13-year-old female of Buena Vista Village in the Cayo District and a 17-year-old Guatemalan male who she refers to as her boyfriend. Yesterday, September 24th, the minor along with her mother, reported that her and the Guatemalan male […]

Special-needs female claims rape
A disturbing incident in Esperanza Village, Cayo District, happened September 14th and involves an 18-year-old female with special needs. The victim reported to police that on that date, she was called to a house by several male persons whom she only knows by face. Inside the house, a female told […]

Double homicide in the Corozal District
There is disturbing news coming from Corozal Town. According to information reaching BMG, the dead bodies of two men were found in a cane field located behind the village of Paraiso in the Corozal District. Sources also indicate that one of the men was shot once to the head and […]

Police to charge U.S. sex offender after report
Belize City police are preparing to charge Kenrick Alston Bowman, a registered sex offender in the state of California who has been living in the Lake Independence Area of the City for at least two years. Reports are that on Saturday night, an alert neighbor told police he heard distressed screams […]

Man charged for single bullet and magazine
A man is pending ammunition related charges after a live 9-millimeter round and an empty gun magazine was found on him during a search yesterday. Santos Lopez reportedly ran from a police patrol that was passing through the Los Lagos area, before being apprehended and searched. He was detained after […]

Mayor: Taxes in Belize City have not gone up
Businesses, particularly in Caribbean Shores where incumbent Mayor of Belize City Darrell Bradley faces a challenge from Kareem Musa, are complaining that they pay an unfair share of the city’s property and trade license taxes without getting the requisite service. They also say taxes have gone up since he took […]

Shyne seeks legal help for return to US tour
Shyne Barrow, the son of Prime Minister Dean Barrow who is also the Music Ambassador of Belize, is a widely popular Grammy nominated hip hop artist that sold millions of records in the United States until he was deported in 2009. Although Shyne hasn’t been releasing new music in the […]

Who tampered with the George Price Monument in Orange Walk?
Yesterday, a picture of the George Price Monument located on the George Price Avenue and Stadium Street in Orange Walk Town was posted on Social Media and triggered a barrage of opinions from supporters of both political parties. The Facebook user noted that the monument needed to be fixed since […]

The reason general elections haven’t been called yet
Belize is ripened with the political circus that normally accompanies the Socafest and the parades this time of the year. All these things serve as perfect distractions for our political leaders to mask their accomplishments to a drunken citizenry. So while you try to decipher what was really […]

Blogs

Exciting New Bars & Restaurants on Ambergris Caye: Nook Restaurant & Cocktail Bartique
One clever business woman, Erin, is taking a popular business that she started in Placencia, Belize and opening a “sister business” or a Part Deux on Ambergris Caye. Placencia’s popular Mojo Lounge is now in San Pedro – on the beach and called Nook Restaurant & Cocktail Bartique – and has the same funky feel as its partner biz down south. Here is Nook on Facebook. I stopped by Wednesday night for a taste, a tour and to meet the crew…I think you are going to like this spot. Every day HAPPY & A HALF 5-6:30 half price starters and half off all cocktails on the first page! $4 beer, lighthouse and stout. NOW THAT’S A HAPPY HOUR! 15% off for anyone who calls San Pedro their full time home. The bar – large enough so that they could make the sitting areas more intimate in this HUGE space. Erin assures me the many many cushions are on their way…stuck in customs wouldn’t you know?

West Bay fundraiser, San Pedro fashion show and Full Moon concert
Ak’bol Yoga retreat and Eco Resort is hosting a Saturday afternoon fashion show. Featuring Tiki designs and Mollikultra swimwear with Jewelry by Belizean Arts. The event is from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm and will have free appetizers and cheap drink specials in the early afternoon with show starting at 4:00 pm. Bean Restaurant will have entree specials for those that would like to enjoy dinner after the show. Kirsten Miglio (Tiki) owner of Ak’boL Yoga Retreat Center & Resort Belize 7 years, yoga instructor for 19 years, Mom for 18 years. Her clothing line was inspired by her nickname Tiki that she has had since being a baby growing up in St. Lucia. Kirsten has always had a little hippy dippy, edgy bohemian look to her designs and her past clientele spanned from Rock and Roll bands to Drag Queens and Club Kids.

Sometimes, ‘Belize’ isn’t the answer to all of life’s questions
If the answer to all of life’s difficult questions is “Belize,” then why don’t some expats succeed here, while others do? It is not unusual to say goodbye to someone on whom we were about to bestow with Belize-friend-for-life status. More and more, it becomes clear that if you want to be here for the long-haul you have to behave more like a Rolling Stone than a Beatle. Ok, you can insert your own pop or rock bands in there, but the point is, the Stones are still around making music and filling stadiums while the Beatles are but a fond memory. And there are reasons for that that transcend living a crazy rock-n-roll lifestyle. Sigh. Never mind. Instead of belaboring this analogy I’d like to give you some specific reasons why people don’t make the cut as ex-pats in Belize. Since I have only been here for a year and a half, I won’t pretend to speak authoritatively on this subject.

Besties
After weeks, no, months of almost no rain, the weather gods have decided we are due for precipitation. Of course, with rain and occasional bouts of thunder and lightening, it means our outside dogs spend time on the porch, in the house, and generally being underfoot. And while they frequently spend their days sleeping, no matter where they are, sometimes the monotony becomes too much and some wrasslin' needs to happen. There has been a slew, a bevy, a veritable plethora of culinary experiments going on for The Wright Table. Check them out, whenever you have a moment. Vinegar Braised Chicken, Pasta with Shrimp and Chorizo, Ricotta Stuffed Pork Chops, Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies, & Homemade Pici Pasta.

International Sources

Belize Government Planning New International Airport
Belize’s government will seek to build a new international airport on Ambergis Caye, one of the country’s top offshore island destinations, said Prime Minister Dean Barrow in a public address this week. Barrow said that following the completion of an 11-mile North Ambergris Caye road project that will enhance access to regional resorts, the Belize government will “redevelop, redesign and expand” the Basil Jones airstrip at the road’s end into a new international airport. “I am also happy to announce that Basil Jones will be renamed the Efrain Guerrero International Airport in honor of the recently deceased San Pedro patriot,” said Barrow in a speech during the country’s Independence Day celebrations reported by the San Pedro Sun website. “With this, we expect a veritable tourism explosion in Ambergris Caye, which is of course already our market leader,” he added. The airport will provide easier access to the international tourism market, said Barrow. The prime minister did not outline a timeframe for development of the new facility. Belize’s Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport, located in Belize City, is currently the country’s main airport. Barrow said the government hopes “both the paved road and the airport will greatly benefit tourism and business development on Northern Ambergris Caye.”

PETROCARIBE: A Great Success of ALBA
PETROCARIBE is one of ALBA''s greatest success in these ten years, seeking to ensure a significant amount of fuel demands in the Caribbean, said today a specialist of the Center for the Study of Cuban Economy (CIEM). CIEM economist Jose Angel Perez presented a review on the development of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) 10 years after its foundation, in which he pointed out that the bloc has fostered cooperation as a way to strengthen energy security and bring prosperity to its country members. "Despite the positive impact of PETROCARIBE on the region, the current crisis of the oil value represents a challenge for the Venezuelan Government, which is the cornerstone of these mechanisms of integration", said Perez. PETROCARIBE has provided 301 million oil barrels to country members, which means 40 percent of the demand in the region, and revenues valued at $28 billion USD, of which Venezuela has already received $16 billion USD, according to data issued by the Telesur television station.

Climate change, the Pope and the Caribbean
In a little over a month’s time negotiators from around the world will gather in Paris to try to reach a final and globally binding agreement on a new treaty on climate change. It is no exaggeration to say that achieving this is of existential importance to the Caribbean. The meeting, from November 30 to December 11, will be the largest since 2009 when a similar attempt in Copenhagen failed, only to be followed by recriminations between the developed world, advanced developing nations, and those countries most at risk, over who was to blame. Since then the process has moved on and the positions of many nations, most notably the United States and China, have become closer. One general reason for this is that the two countries among many others have since the Copenhagen summit agreed to regulations, policies or laws that now enable them to make specific pledges on how they are going to cut greenhouse gas emissions, rather than the non-specific approach taken in 2009.

Videos

September 25, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Island triathletes star in Punta Gorda races
San Pedro star triathletes once again shone in national competitions, with Jordan Santos being part of the winning team for the Olympic Distance Triathlon and Kent “Bob” Gabourel winning the 2015 Annual National Beach Cruiser Cycling Race. Both races were held in Punta Gorda Town during the Independence Day weekend. Island athletes Jordan Santos, Brandon Santos, Kent Gabourel, Eric Donis, and Kian Ancona all made San Pedro exceptionally proud as they continue to perfect their skills in local races across the country. First to take place was the Olympic Distance Triathlon, which was held on Saturday, September 19th. 11 relay teams lined up for this event that had the participants swim 1,500 meters, followed by a 40 kilometer ride and a 10k run. A very difficult feat for any professional athlete, this race tested the participants’ utmost endurance and stamina. As the race kicked off, athletes took first to the water for the swimming discipline of the triathlon. First out of the water was 20-year-old Brandon Santos of team C-Ray Deadly, with a time 0:24:44 (hours:minutes:seconds), followed closely by his brother, 17-year-old Jordan Santos of team San Pedro Tri with a time of 0:28:26. The Santos brothers had veered off course on the return leg of the swim which allowed Deon Cus of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) team to make up time, ending his swimming segment in 0:28:56.

Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition deliver Independence Day Address; Barrow hints at early General Elections
The official ceremonies commemorating Belize’s 34th Independence anniversary took place on Monday, September 21st at Independence Hill in Belmopan City. The event sees the attendance of foreign dignitaries as well as members of the Belize Diplomatic Corp among other invited guests. Per tradition, both the Prime Minister of Belize and the Leader of the Opposition addressed the Belizean public during this ceremony, highlighting main issues and future plans for the country. After establishing protocol, Leader of the Peoples United Party (PUP), Francis Fonseca was first to take to the podium to deliver his address. In his speech, Fonseca emphasized the importance of unity and coming together in patriotism for a better Belize. “Indeed there are important lessons to be drawn from the past 34 years, but today for me, the more important question is what will we make of the next 34 years? What is our national vision for this next chapter of our young nation’s life? And are we, each of us, prepared to work, and sacrifice to achieve that vision and create the society we say we aspire to?” asked Fonseca.

Pepitos
Have you tried these? They’re actually pumpkin seeds that have been roasted and salted. Quite a treat, if you ask us! You can find them almost anywhere in the country for either $1-2 a bag. Be sure to try them on your next visit and tell us what you think Here in Belize we call them pepitos! What do you call them in your country?

Two Island footballers selected for the Belize National Male Under-16 Football Team
Ian Pou and Wilson Cruz have been selected to play in the Belize National Male Under-16 Football Team. The two island footballers were drafted for the national team after their participation in the 2015 Football Federation of Belize (FFB) National Male U-15 Football Championship. Pou and Cruz of the San Pedro Male U-15, who were among the ten participating teams in the championship, will be joining young footballers from across the country to represent Belize at the Central American Football Union (UNCAF) Male U-16 Tournament. Scheduled to take place in Nicaragua from November 23 to the 29, 2015, the UNCAF tournament will feature selections from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Belize. Training for the Belize National Male Under-16 Football Team will commence on Friday, October 2nd at the FFB Headquarters in Belmopan. Training will be held from Friday to Sunday. Selected players are to be at FFB at 8:30AM and must bring along their passport.

San Pedro enjoys Independence Eve Celebrations
A series of activities to commemorate the 34th anniversary of Belize’s Independence took place on the Sunday evening, September 20th. This year’s September Celebrations were held under the theme “Belize Renewed, Confident, Competitive, Committed.”It all began with the official Independence Eve ceremony followed by the midnight flag raising ceremony, a grand fireworks show, and concluding with an international soca concert by Ricardo Drue at the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting complex. The ceremony kicked off with the introduction and arrival of the various dignitaries. After all the invited guests were seated, the island’s beauty ambassador Miss San Pedro Iris Salguero was escorted by Deputy Mayor Gary Greif and the San Pedro High School Marching Band. There was a series of Independence Day speeches delivered that night by the town’s various leaders. Mayor of San Pedro Town Daniel Guerrero was first to make his speech, highlighting the advancement and transformation the country is going through under the present government. He indicated the infrastructural development that is taken place around the country, including Ambergris Caye. He also mentioned the collaboration between the central government and the municipality of San Pedro. “We are currently undergoing road works on Northern Ambergris Caye. Equally, we are making advancements in the area of sports and education with the construction of a new Ambergris Stadium and a government school. On this occasion, my wish is for all residents to join the ranks of good citizens and only then will Belize feel renewed. Until we do this, we will feel confident to face the global and social challenges that we are facing today. When we have good Belizean citizens, Belize will be competitive and strong to stand before any country in our region.

Ambergris Today

Mardi Gras Party Bus Ignites Carnival Celebrations in Corozal Town
Corozal Town has always been a sleepy town, mostly concentrated in commerce and a gateway to the Mexican neighbors in Chetumal City. But lately business entrepreneurs have been working in promoting the small town by the bay as a tourist destination with fun events and interesting things to do. Now that Corozal is also promoting a Carnival Parade during the Independence Day celebrations of Belize, for the second consecutive year D Spot Lounge has been adding a Mardi Gras Party Bus to the parade. There are two double-decker buses, in fact, that are suited up for one purpose only – to PARTY!!! These party buses bring a unique experience that takes Carnival to a whole new level. They are like no other floats in the parade and bring new and higher spirits to the Carnival Road March. The buses are equipped with drinks, music, party favors and of course the party people.

$5Mil Investment Project for Sports Infrastructure on Ambergris Caye
Groundbreaking ceremony of the Ambergris Stadium Renovation Project took place on Friday, September 18, 2015, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. It marked the commencement of construction of a new sporting facility that will replace the old complex that had deteriorated with time and lack of maintenance. When completed, the stadium will meet the requirements for hosting various sporting events on the island as it will also be equipped with FIFA international standards in order to host international games. “With the building of this new facility, it will address some of our sporting shortfalls on the island,” stated San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero in his address. “Nonetheless, I will be the first to acknowledge that much more needs to be invested in the area of sports on the island. Yes we need a basketball court, a track and field arena and we can go on and on, but small steps like this one we are taking today that gives us the hope that in the future we can look into investing more in the area of sports. The new facility that will be built is a collaborative effort of our local municipality working along with the central government.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Beware of predators...
This is a photo of Kenrick Alston Bowman a Belizean-American living in Reid street just off Police street, Belize city. The events surrounding how for over a year he got to sodomized and have oral sex with the little boys in the neighborhood is disgusting especially since many unsuspecting parents allowed their boys to go and hang out by his house but also because a few found out about what he did to their sons and instead hushed it. One child I spoke with explain he gave them food and that was a major attraction for them. Reliable reports are that he is now in police custody... I pray there is sufficient evidence to levy charges against him. Today he tried to move out if the house but he was captured before he could abscond. That's a picture of his home where many boys were entertained. Reports are that some of the little boys even slept over and some because their mothers went out partying and used him as a babysitter and he was all too willing. Sad story being uncovered. Let's not judge these kids but help them process this trauma.

Fashion Show at Ak'bol on Saturday
TIKI re inspired wear, MolliKultra Swimwear, Jewelry by Belizean Arts. Saturday, Sept. 26th at Ak'bol Yoga Retreat and Eco-Resort. Preshow 3pm, Show at 4pm. Free Admission

Video of San Pedro Parade route for Saturday
This is the Parade Route for Sunday, September 26, 2015!

Leader of the Opposition Independence Day Speech 2015
By Hon. Francis Fonseca. As always, we do so with a deep sense of national pride. And, as always, we recognize and acknowledge with deep gratitude the sacrifice and courage of the leaders of Belize’s Nationalist Movement who, over many years, worked tirelessly to free Belize from the oppressive chains of Colonialism. In these 34 years we have faced challenge and adversity as a nation and people but our spirit has remained strong and resilient. Belize has claimed its rightful place in the global community as a proud, sovereign nation deeply committed to justice and equality for all peoples. Indeed there are important lessons to be drawn from the past 34 years but today, for me, the more important question is: what will we make of the next 34 years? What is our national vision for this next chapter of our young nation’s history? , and are we, each of us, prepared to work and sacrifice to achieve that vision and create the society we say we aspire to?

The Nation's Youngest Sailors Best Their Eiders in Belize's Segment of the 2nd Annual Bart's Bash International Regatta
On Sunday, September 20, 2015, at 9:30 AM prompt, 26 sailing vessels manned and crewed by Belizeans were at the line when the horn sounded the start of 2015 Bart's Bash Belize in the waters off Caribbean Villas Hotel in San Pedro. The skies were murky grey, and the skippers tried to find and catch the mere puffs of wind that rose and died from varying directions here and there along the course. The fleet was so becalmed that it took a few frustrated skippers more than 10 minutes just to cross the start line. The windlessness lasted well into the race, but at long last one of the squalls approaching from the northeast arrived, and with it winds up to 25 knots. The course circuit that had taken one Hobie Wave over an hour to complete on its first lap took 14 minutes to complete the 2nd and last time around. Jorge Sanchez skippering the Hobie 18, Shalom, came screaming across the finish ahead of all others, a minute 45 seconds ahead of Jorge Olivarez' Laser Radial and 2 minutes ahead of Antonio Ricardez' Laser Radial. However, after the handicaps are applied to these and the other boats, seven of the children sailing Optimists swept the top 7 places. Kevin Velasquez of San Pedro was the first of them and won First Place overall. Second was Nashira Ricardez of Belize City.

The reserve that's not a reserve.
The Mexico Rocks Reserve still has no rangers and fishing continues. The night security on that boat permanently anchored in the reserve takes fish out of the reserve. (Sea Trek site at Mexico Rocks) It seems no one cares.

SAN PEDRO INDEPENDENCE EVE 2015
Lots of photos!

PM Flirting with early elections
Leader of United Democratic Party (UDP) and Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow seems to be making preparations for general elections, credible sources say. UDP standard bearers were called to Belize City on Wednesday, reportedly to pose for campaign photographs in preparation for the launch of the UDP’s manifesto. Our sources also say that a meeting of their Central Party council is scheduled for this weekend. With options running out for PM Barrow where Belize’s ailing economy is concerned and members of his cabinet mired in major scandals, observers say that Barrow has no choice but to seek a new mandate.

Cane farmers to benefit from IDB Grant
Over five thousand cane farmers will benefit from technical assistance to improve productivity, reduce costs, and remove bottlenecks to competitiveness in the sugar cane industry, through a grant of $2.6 million from the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank). This is part of a Strategic Development Plan that people in the industry will engage in to upgrade the quantity and quality of their product, stated (SIRDI) the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, which is implementing the project. “The proposed technical assistance will centre on building a sustainable farming model that strengthens capabilities at the farm level and increases coordination with key stakeholders. The intervention model is based on two keys elements: strengthening the technical and managerial capacities of farmers through a dedicated extension service, and integrating technology and information systems to enhance decision making and coordination”, a

The Perspectives of our Past
The Corozal House of Culture is dedicated in preserving the history of Belize's north. The Perspectives of our Past is an annual lecture series which offers a venue for students and the general public to learn about Corozal and northern Belize's history through the words of our elders. This year we are delighted to be partnering with the Corozal Junior College by presenting the series at their campus. You are kindly invited to join us Tuesday September 29th for the first lecture commemorating the 60th anniversary of Hurricane Janet at the Corozal Junior College's Education Building, beginning at 10:00 A.M.

A Night of Marimba
If you love marimba music, A Night of Marimba is for you. It's happening on Saturday, October 3rd, at the Octavia Waight Centre. It's a fundraiser for the center, and the Benque Marimba Youth Academy will be playing. Leonard Mangar will be there with his witty humor too. "Support the University of Belize Small Business Students!"

A BLESSED EID & HAJJ TO ALL MUSLIMS GLOBALLY!
When we reflect on the song, The World Is A Ghetto, by the band called War, there comes a time when we as human beings on this earth must make sacrifices in some way or the other to make others live peacefully, happily, and safely. This is what today is for Muslims like those like yours truly. To make a symbol, or a gesture of sacrifice for something worth sacrificing for in your life, and the most important thing in ones life is to make sacrifices for others less fortunate than ourselves. Today hundreds of Muslims lost their lives in Saudi Arabia making that ultimate pilgrimage of sacrifice to leave their native homes as a sacrifice of their love for the Most High. And as we think about all the starving people in this world, the refugees among the people of the world regardless of their race, and just the plain human suffering of people we may not even know, we have to at least reflect on the fact that there is at least something that we can do to make this life better for someone. Be good to somebody today people, it could the ultimate sacrifice that would save your life. Have a blessed day, and appreciate your life. It's a gift. Peace!

Channel 7

Police Will Charge Alleged Predator
Last night police detained the alleged sexual predator who's been preying on young boys in the Lake Independence Area. He remains in police lockdown tonight, and police expect to charge him tomorrow for as yet unspecified offences. But, based on that solid expectation, we are tonight releasing the name of Kenrick Alston Bowman, a convicted sex offender in the state of California. According to public records, three years ago, he was convicted of "oral copulation with a minor under 14 years of age or by force or fear" in San Diego, California. The 42 year old has been living alone in the area of Police Street for at least two years, where - according to neighbors - a steady stream of boys regularly visit his house. On Saturday night, an alert neighbor says he heard distressed screams from the house and later saw a disoriented young boy walking from the house. He claims the boy told him he had performed oral sex for two packs of Ramen noodles.

Ministry Searching For Western Regional Solution
On Tuesday we told you about the Western Regional hospital vendors who were removed from the compound by police and forced to sell food outside the hospital gate - as a part of the rat eradication campaign. Well, that's where they are today but that's not where they want to stay. When they spoke to us on Tuesday they told us they want answers because their livelihoods and safety are at risk. Today we asked Health CEO Peter Allen what they are doing to accommodate these vendors. Courtney Weatherburne "Looking at the vendors first of all, we are aware that you said in an interview before with CTV3, that removing the vendors from the hospital is a part of the entire system or approach to dealing with the rat population at the hospital. But the vendors are saying that it's unfair to them because they believe they are not a part pf the problem and that it will affect their livelihood. How do you respond to that?"

CEO Rejects Minister's Suggestion That Rat Was Planted In Incubator
Now this issue with the vendors happened as a result of the rat that was found in the incubator. Since that appalling incident the hospital management and the Ministry have been on a full court press to get rats out of the hospital and its environs. But while the management is handling the situation with the vendors - it is still baffling how the rat got in the incubator in the first place. One week ago, when our colleagues at CTV3 interviewed Health Minister Pablo Marin - he made the very unsettling suggestion that someone might have put the rat in the incubator. Today we asked CEO Peter Allen about this, and he told us that's just unthinkable. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO - Ministry of Health "I certainly have heard the rumors of sabotage. I certainly have heard the rumors that there is some kind of campaign. From my perspective, let me say that we will focus on the issues. We will focus on the issues of the development of plans within the 30 million dollar grant. We will focus on the issues of correcting challenges that address the institution right now, because honestly I cannot comprehend that there is any patriotic Belizean who would so, shall we say bitter and twisted, as to possibly engaged in such slander and activities against the public hospital and against other care providers who do their best under difficult circumstances to provide care and treatment for our people."

New Western Hospital Coming, But When?
And focusing on what needs to be done to provide better health care for patients, CEO Allen told us about the EU grant that will be used to build a new energy efficient hospital for the Western Region. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO - Ministry of Health "The budget is never enough I would suggest and so our role has been principally to support the initial efforts. I know that there have been ongoing with all of these different efforts, but I am not sure exactly what the current is in terms of what they spent. But I know is that the recommendations from the technical body and the recommendations from the administration and management of the facility is that really the building is old and dilapidated. I'm sure it's older than you, but perhaps not as old as me. But certainly it's been there a for a long time and it needs replacing and that's why we have been working so hard with the European Union and you know we have to thank the Minister and the Prime Minister for pushing so hard for us to win that grant of 30 million dollars from the European Union under the 11th European Development Fund, to construct what will be an essentially a new hospital."

Who Will Be Held To Account At Western Regional
And while the management and the Ministry are already working on trying to solve the rodent problem at the hospital, what about disciplinary action? Will any one be held responsible? As we have shown you, the blame has been loosely thrown around from the Health Minister to the Administrator, to the vendors, but no punitive measures have been taken against anyone. It is extremely embarrassing since now the rat story has been featured in international news including The UK Daily Mail, Irish Mirror, Fox News, Primer Impacto, Fox News and even CNN International. We asked CEO Allen how he and the Ministry are handling all this bad publicity and if anyone will be held to account. He told us it's all part of a process. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO - Ministry of Health "It's outrageous and there is a process and we follow that process. The first step of the process is to write what we called in the public service "show cause" letters. Those have already been written and delivered, where people in administrative responsibility are ask to give us reasons why disciplinary actions should not be taken and what is their explanation for the events as they untold."

Health Ministry Braces For Wrongful Death Suit
And the rat found in the incubator after biting a newborn's toe is only one of a series of mishaps that have plagued the Western Regional Hospital. 29 year old Big Falls resident Nolberta Sanchez died after giving birth to her 4th child on the 10th of September. She was transferred from the Southern Regional Hospital to the Western Regional Hospital where she got a C-section and also had to get her womb removed because of complications. Sanchez's husband John Romero told us that the doctors did not ask for his consent before they started the 2nd operation - removing her womb. After that operation Sanchez was still not feeling well and complained of stomach pain. So from there she had to be transferred to the KHMH where another operation was done to remove 3 pints of blood from her stomach. But Sanchez didn't make it and died in the ICU at the KHMH. We asked CEO Allen for an update on this case but he couldn't provide much details because of a pending lawsuit.

35 Year Old crushed In Early Morning Traffic Accident
There was a fatal traffic accident at mile 2 on the Phillip Goldson Highway - around 4:30 this morning. A Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV was travelling towards Belize City when the driver lost control and rammed into the cement fence at Jose Shoman's residence. Trapped inside the extensively damaged vehicle was the driver 35 year old John Gordon - who appeared to have died on impact - and his passenger Jamilia Arnold - who was trapped in her seatbelt and screaming for help. It took the help of neighbors, police officers and the fire department to rescue Arnold in just a matter of minutes. Her injuries are classified as minor. Gordon sustained severe head and body injuries and died on the spot when the SUV was actually enfolded unto itself.

Placencia Lagoon, Under Sustained Sewage Pressure
Last night, we showed you small excerpt into our coverage of a developing situation on the Placencia Peninsula. It involves what happens when residents and visitors flush their toilets. The conservationists say that there is strong evidence to suggest that the human waste is slowly polluting the lagoon. We went down to Placencia with our friends in the conservation community to examine the situation for ourselves. Daniel Ortiz reports: Daniel Ortiz reporting The Placencia Peninsula... It's one of those areas in the country which is experiencing rapid expansion in the number of residents, and new developments. For Placencia Village itself, this community, like the other tourism destinations, is also expanding its tourism business to try to attract as many visitors as possible. But, with all that expansion, come corresponding growing pains, one of them being the concern of just too many houses, hotels, resorts, restaurants and businesses, all clamoring for limited space on the peninsula. The peninsula also has the gift and curse of being surrounded by a lagoon.

Sewage Solution Not That Simple
So, what happened with that integrated sewer system that the Belize Water Services and the Government of Belize announced in 2011? Has it been stalled, or has it been scrapped? Well, the company's representative met with us for an intensive sit-down interview, where they explained that the project is going to happen, it's just a matter of when. For context, they told us about what has been happening since 2011: Sanjay Keshwani - Technical Services Manager, BWSL "2011, the government of Belize and I think we had signed the contract for this project. 2011, after that the feasibility study was done. The Halcrow was hired as a consultant following the IDB policy and procedures. Feasibility study was done July 2012 and then again following the IDB policy and procedures, we hired HILCO as a detailed design consultant. In 2013, HILCO was hired by September 2013. The procedures have taken long. It takes about 6 months' time to hire an international consultant. The first effort was failure. So that's why from 2012 to 2013. After HILCO came on board in 2014, they did preliminary studies, preliminary design, estimate and so forth. They were designing for the location across Seine Bight. The first meeting with the Shrimp Farm Growers Association where they...they were polite but they were very forceful and objecting the location. Since then the project is in this mode. So we were trying to work with them, how we can agree on something. Finally it was decided that we need to do this study to scientifically prove that this particular location is better for every single industry in that region. So that's where we are today."

Putting Propriety In Property Tax Assessments
One month ago - the PUP Candidate in Caribbean Shores, Kareem Musa challenged his UDP opponent, Mayor Darrell Bradley by saying that Caribbean Shores residents were disproportionately burdened by paying an unfair share of the city's property tax. Mayor Darrell Bradley chose not to engage at the time, but when we caught him today - he said that those property taxes are going down:.. Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City "I have always maintained that the trade license regime is something that has been broken. This is something that we really raised since I became mayor and we have been working with the chamber of commerce on a task force that meets on average every 2 weeks to try to see if we could put in place a better regime. During the period when we have this task force in place 2 years, we have issued a moratorium on the increase of property taxes and trade license, so that we have not made any adjustment for the last 2 years and we do not anticipate making any adjustment unless we reach agreement with the chamber of commerce but there is nothing afoot in relation to increasing anybody's trade license and have documentation in the form of a letter that we issued to the chamber of commerce every year to indicate that for the period in which we are negotiating with this task force there will be no increases and we have held good for that for 2 years."

Dean Street Drain's Deficiency
And, in a much lower tax bracket on the southside in the Mesopotamia division, we remain concerned about our neighbors on lower Dean Street where it just has to drizzle - and the streets get flooded for days. The chronic and acute drainage problem is a nuisance to residents, and a serious inconvenience to the many pedestrians and school children who have to wade through the waters to get to work and school. It's a problem that's been going on for years, and it only got worse when they cemented the street. Today we asked the mayor what can be done for the denizens of Dean Street and he gave us a lesson in hydraulics:.. Darrell Bradley - Mayor, Belize City "Well in relation to one of things that we are seeing not only on Dean Street is that our perennial problem and this is kind of a city council issue is one that we have not and this is over the years, put sufficient focus on effective drainage works.

Calling All Crooks
And from Dean Street Drains, to Corozal Cops and Robbers. We also asked CEO Allen about the brand new electrosurgical machine that was stolen from the newly opened surgical unit at the Corozal Polyclinic. The equipment is valued at $22,000 and the Ministry is asking for your assistance in locating this pricey and very important piece of equipment. Today CEO Allen urged the public to report if they see this equipment or if anyone is trying to sell it to them. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO - Ministry of Health "It's really a shame, we would say that such a thing can happen. This is an electro surgical unit so essentially it's something like an electric scuffle and has a value of 26 thousand dollars and clearly the number of people who have use for a surgical scalpel is extremely limited. So our hope there is very few people who may be interested in procuring a surgical scalpel that has been stolen from a public hospital would be interested enough and patriotic enough to report that matter to the authorities."

BIL's Building
For months, we've been reporting on contract signings by Belize Infrastructure Limited for sports facilities in various districts. But what's happening with the actual work on the ground? Yesterday, we asked BIL's General Manager Christy Mastry about these projects, and she explained them in detail: Christy Mastry - GM, Belize Infrastructure Ltd. "Where we are now is basically, we have just about signed all of the contracts that we initially set out for the west the down south, which includes Dangriga and Punta Gorda and for the island of san Pedro. I am down south today doing visits on the football facilities for both the Dangriga and Punta Gorda. Both of those are coming along very well. They are getting concrete bleacher blocks, lockers, restrooms and the construction is moving along quite well, for most of the projects now at this point. so I think we only have maybe one other small project to sign in the San Pedro which is a semi-enclosed basketball facility, a roof facility that we are looking at right now and then of course we are in the middle of negotiations for the big project of the Belize City Center." Daniel Ortiz "What is the cost of the facilities in Dangriga and Punta Gorda? What is the cost of the football field in San Pedro?"

A Poor Farmer's Plea For Consumer Conscience
Last week we told you about the deepening drought in the grain producing areas of Orange Walk South. Well, since then, rain has fallen on the Orange Walk District, just like everywhere else. It's come too late to save thousands of acres of corn - which are planted in May, June and July, but hopefully it can moisten the soil for the vegetables and beans that will be planted in the cooler months. Still, the drought has been a major and costly set back - and it could result in higher vegetable prices later this year, when the corps are harvested. That's bad news for local farmers who have to face contraband and consumers who could care less. San Carlos Farmer Max Hernandez asked consumers to work with them:.. Max Hernandez - Farmer "The big problem for us is that we want to sell our product. They need to control the contraband or stopping the permit or special paper when we have our local produce. We need to stop the special permit to import vegetables. We have the same vegetables in Belize. When we harvest the corn, we go to the local market, we need to encourage the consumer that our vegetables in Belize is fresh and healthy." Drought conditions are expected to ease by the end of November.

Health Fair For The People
Earlier in the newscast you heard Health CEO Peter Allen address the series of incidents at the Western Regional Hospital - but in light of all that negative news, there are several positive and uplifting initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry. One is the Caribbean Health and Wellness Fair which was held at the Battlefield Park today. Health coordinators told us why this kind of public information interface is important to the lives of city residents. And while it is citizens responsibility to lead a healthy lifestyle, Mayor Bradley says it is also the responsibility of the Government to keep them healthy.

US Military Builds In Hattieivlle
This morning the Military Liaison Office at the US Embassy hosted the opening of an emergency operation and community center in Hattieville. It is a part of the 2013 project that will offer villagers shelter in times of disaster. 7news was present at the ribbon cutting and we spoke to US Ambassador Carlos Moreno. The project was funded through the US department of Defense Humanitarian Assistance Program and totaled 820,000 Belize dollars.

Prison Staff Workshop
No visitation was allowed today at the Belize Central Prison. That is because over 20 control officers were attending a public relations and professionalism workshop on the prison compound. The training focused on topics such as communication, telephone ethics, and search and count procedures -the areas mostly complained about by the public. There will be a continuation of the training.

The End Of The Taheera Era?
And while we were at the prison we confirmed what was first reported to us last week that Superintendent Taheera Ahmad who has been a veritable institution at the prison UNDER KOLBE MANAGEMENT -is no longer at the facility. There are all kinds of stories about an acrimonious departure, but the CEO told us that she simply resigned:.. Virgilio Murillo, CEO, KOLBE Foundation "Miss Taheera sent in her resignation I think it was last Tuesday. She pretty much sent in a very short letter saying that she is resigning and it actually takes effect on the 10th October, because she is currently on sick leave. She did not say much in that letter other than to say that she resigns and that she thanks the foundation for the years that she has been with us and we accepted the resignation. Certainly, I know she is pursuing her own career, because she does have a career as far as I am aware in social work. Because that seems to be where her passion is." Taheera Ahmad's resignation becomes effective on October 10th. We were told she is currently on sick leave. We tried getting a comment from Ahmad today but we were told to ask the prison.

Getting Down At Georgetown
Head of Delegation for the European Union to Belize, Ambassador Paola Amadei yesterday handed over more than one million dollars' worth of technical and vocational training equipment to Georgetown Technical High School in the Stann Creek District. It's a part of a fund known as the Banana Accompanying Measures Programme, which is designed to reduce poverty in the banana belt - and has already put 8 million dollars into the school's development. Technocrats underscored the importance of the investment:.. There are approximately 600 students enrolled at Georgetown Technical. Surrounding communities encompassing 21 villages will benefit from this project.

Belize Boxers Get Help
Last night we told you about the visiting international heavyweight who's going to box this weekend in San Ignacio. But, what about Belize;s boxers? Well, they got a boost today from the National Olympic Committee which made a donation of equipment. 7News was there:.. That was Vice-President of the N-O-C, Owen "Sonny" Meighan and President of the Boxing Federation Moses Sulph..

Channel 5

Did Child Predator Offer Noodles for Sex With Underage Boys?
Kenrick Bowman, who is a sex offender registered in San Diego, U.S.A. is in police detention tonight and it is expected that he will charged for allegations of sexually abusing [...]

Police Deny Any Development in Case of Missing Fishermen
One month ago three Belize City fishermen – Donovan Usher, Giovanni Murillo and Jerome Bowen – went out to Turneffe for a day. They never returned and are presumed dead. [...]

Health CEO Speaks on Eviction of Food Vendors
The recent eviction of vendors from the Western Regional Hospital, as part of an effort to rid the facility of a grave rodent infestation, has raised the ire of sellers [...]

No Timeline Given for Return of Vendors
While there is no timeline for the re-positioning of the vendors, Doctor Allen told the media earlier today that while the Belmopan City Council empathizes with them, the mayor and his councilors also [...]

One Man Dies in Early Morning RTA on Phillip Goldson Highway
There was a fatal collision early this morning at Mile Two on the Philip Goldson Highway. One of two persons travelling in a S.U.V. was killed instantly in the crash [...]

MoH Will Not Comment on Nolberta Sanchez Investigation
Nolberta Sanchez died at the K.H.M.H. on September tenth after undergoing surgery several hours earlier in Belmopan, where she gave birth to a child via caesarian section.  When doctors at [...]

Fate of Lucia Cal Investigation Mired in Bureaucracy
The proverbial buck, the outcome of all the scandals that have besieged the Western Regional Hospital since the beginning of the year, stops at the Minister of Health.  He, in [...]

Boxing Match Scheduled for Friday Already Creating Controversy
An international heavyweight bout featuring Mexican boxers Fres Oquendo and Pablo Gibran is scheduled for Friday night in San Ignacio.  The much advertised event is being coordinated by the Belize [...]

Belize Boxing Federation Receives Donation from the Olympic Association
The Belize Boxing Federation is the recipient of a major donation from the Belize Olympic Association.  Today, the organization received several thousand dollars in equipment, including gloves and title belts.  [...]

Police Say Violent Crimes in the City Have Decreased
There was another shooting in the city on Wednesday night, and with it come concerns that violence in the old capital is flaring up. It’s a valid concern because it [...]

Efforts Continue to Crack Down on Belize City Gangs
Most of the violence in the city has been linked to gang rivalries. Strictly speaking gang affiliation is illegal, but gang members apparently haven’t gotten the memo. Williams told us [...]

Southside Gets $37M for Poverty Alleviation
During his Independence address on Monday, the Prime Minister touched on various issues, but few as important as citizen security crime. Where that critical component is concerned, the news is [...]

Triston Popper Shot on Pickstock Street
Back to the shooting on Wednesday night, eighteen-year-old Triston Popper remains in a stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, following an attempt on his life in the wee [...]

Six Months for Yohannah Lourdes Quixote for Harm
A Salvadoran woman, who is the mother of two young boys, is serving her first night of a six-month sentence imposed upon her by Magistrate Ladonna John this morning. On [...]

Uncle and Nephew Arraigned on Aggravated Assault Charges
Today, a pair of relatives was arraigned for a shooting at the house of Brian Davis, a Sand hill resident, on Monday, September fourteenth, 2015.  A youth, who turns eighteen [...]

Healthy Living looks at Caribbean Wellness Week
Caribbean Wellness Week is being celebrated under the theme: Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Aging. Several activities have been scheduled for this week to encourage Belizeans to adopt healthy lifestyle changes. Today, [...]

CTV3

BAHA Remains Tight Lip About Poultry Situation In Fire Burn
In last night’s newscast we told you about the Belize Agriculture and Health Authority quarantining a farm located between Shipyard and Fireburn Village in the Orange Walk District. Villagers we spoke with said that BAHA officials met with them, around midday on Tuesday of this week and said that they performed tests on poultry on the farm and found traces of a virus. Villagers were informed that their chickens would be removed from the village that very night. The officials followed through with that and removed one final brood of chickens by midday on Wednesday. The situation, said the villagers, caught them unprepared and some we found were still distraught about having their chickens taken away. We have yet to verify where they were taken. Many villagers received a reported eight dollars per head of chicken by a Mennonite from Shipyard but others claim that they did not get any payment. We attempted to get official comment from BAHA officials in Belmopan but were once again unable to reach anyone who could give an official comment. We will keep following this story.

Who Tampared With George Price Monument?
There is more political bicker to report tonight as another Facebook post triggered another flurry of comments from both PUP and UDP supporters. A Facebook user posted a picture of the George Price monument located at the George Price Avenue and Stadium Street with the caption, “A monument dedicated to the Rt. HON GEORGE PRICE. It’s a shame that this has been there for such a long time and no one has bothered to fix it. CAN ANYONE PLEASE FIND ALL THE MISTAKES? This monument is found at the entrance of the Boulevard that is in front of San Francisco school. Whoever the person in charge of this atrocious doing, what a shame. Hope someone fixes it up soon,” unquote. The post soon caught the attention of several, including Mayor Kevin Bernard who is of the firm belief that this is yet another attempt of the UDP and its supporters trying to cause mischief. We spoke with him over the phone today to find out what happened to the monument and to clarify if it was indeed a mistake by the artist or a photo shopped picture. This is what he said happened.

Carmelita Resident Says Her Land Is Been Taken Away
A single mother is fighting for her rights over a parcel of land she says she has been living on for four years in Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District. According to the woman, Amalia Flowers, a man she did not name applied for the land about a year ago. Flowers says he knew she has been living there for some years and the only reason she had not applied for her papers was because she was preoccupied with her son who had suffered an accident. “I clean it up for four years right now and I planted up and follow it up and I paid his own brother the follow it down and then he passed one day by my house and he asked me what is my number for my land and I told him it is 171 and then went behind me and applied for the land and then I went to Mr. Aragon and he gave me a recommendation letter make them cancel it and they didn’t want to cancel it at lands and then I went to Gasper one day a Thursday and I explained myself to him and then he told me that I have to leave the land because I only went to squat in the man land and he has it clean but it is not him who had it clean but he doesn’t owned it he has one beside mines but he sold it already but he wants to claim my one where I am living in and so I have been living there for four years and I went to lands and they treat me like nobody and they never gave me any opportunity to explain.”

Belize Police Detains US Sex Offender
Belize City Police have detained a registered US sex offender that has been residing in the Lake Independence pending an investigation on allegations of sexual misconduct upon minor boys. The serious allegation stems from a complaint made by a neighbor who has for a while been observing that several boys visit the offender’s home. Reports indicate that the predator has been luring neighborhood boys with Ramen noodles in exchange for sex acts. The neighbor reported the matter to the police after he witnessed a young boy emerging from the man’s residence in a disoriented state. The neighbor says when he asked the boy what the matter was, the boy explained that he had been forced to perform oral sex with the man in exchange for two packs of noodles. The police acted swiftly to detain the man but because not enough evidence was gathered and the mother of the child refusing to make a complaint he was set free.

LOVE FM

Sabotage at the Western Regional ?
The public was outraged after it was reported that a rat bit the feet of a newborn baby at the Western Regional Hospital. That outrage grew when a video of the nurses removing the rat from the incubator and killing it with a broom […]

Still no arrest in child molestation allegation
Hipolito Novelo, Love FM News: The house on Reid Street is empty and looks abandoned. Before this past weekend, young boys described to be under the age of 14 from the neighborhood frequented the house. Neighbors believed that the man living in the house was a registered sex offender. The man is described as being […]

Traffic accident claims one life
This morning the Phillip Goldson Highway was the scene of a fatal traffic accident which claimed the life of one John Gordon. The accident occurred at mile two on the Phillip Goldson Highway, across from the Puma gas station, sometime around 4am. It was a solid impact which caused extensive damage to the vehicle, almost […]

KHMH staff receives 14% increase on salary
Last week, the Chair of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority and the staff successfully managed to negotiate on the way forward. The staff members will receive a fourteen percent increase after committing to be more participatory and efficient. The increase will cost the KHMH one point six million dollars more per year but for […]

Ministry of Agriculture prepares for next drought to prevent another 80 million dollar lost
Last week the Chief Executive Officer for the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Alpuche told us that about twenty eight million dollars in crop has been lost due to the drought affecting the region. Alpuche told us that the drought is expected to be over with in November but what has been lost cannot be recovered. […]

Western Regional Vendors are being blamed for rat issue in hospital, vendors says no.
In order to deal with the rat problem at the Western Regional Hospital, several measures are being taken. One of those measures is to remove the vendors from the hospital’s vicinity. But the vendors, say that they are not the problem. They say that their livelihoods have now become threatened and refuse to get out […]

Police Seeks Shooters
Police are looking for two suspects following a shooting incident that left a man hospitalized. Police say just after midnight they went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw 18-year-old Triston Popper of Pickstock Street suffering from gunshot wound to the left side of the chest, left side of the back, left thigh […]

Wear Orange and End Violence Against Women and Girls
The United Nations Women are taking the campaign to end violence against women a bit further and longer. Rather than observing Orange Day on November 25 of each year as a day to raise awareness and prevent violence against women and girls, a proclamation was made to have it observed on the 25th of each […]

UB Aims to Assist Students at Kuxlin Primary
There is a partnership between the University of Belize and the University of North Florida College of Education and Human Services whereby both entities are seeking ways to assist children in their home country who are having problems keeping up in school. A team from the Ministry of Education in Belize traveled to Florida recently […]

PlusTV

Fatal early morning accident caused by speeding and wet roads
There was a deadly accident early this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway which claimed the life of one man. It happened sometime after 4 o’clock this morning at Mile 2 on the highway across from the Puma Gas Station. Police say when they arrived on the scene, they were able to remove 27 year o...

Heavyweight boxer Fres Oquendo to fight in Belize
He has fought many boxing champions and legends – from Evander Holyfield, John Ruiz and Chris Byrd to David Tua, James Toney and Ruslan Chagaev. But while he has never held a world title, contender Fres Oquendo is recognized as a durable and experienced challenger. The 42 year old from Chicago...

Caribbean Wellness Day promotes healthy aging
A Health and Wellness Open Day was held in Belize City as part of activities under Caribbean Wellness Week. Using the slogan “Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Aging,” the Ministry of Health is promoting overall personal health. We hear more from Dr. Jorge Polanco, liaison with PAHO on non-com...

Health Ministry hunts missing hospital equipment
The Ministry of Health has turned to an unusual source to locate surgical equipment stolen from the community hospital in Corozal two weeks ago. We hear more from CEO Dr. Peter Allen. Dr. Peter Allen, CEO Ministry of Health: It’s really a shame you would say that such a thing can happen. This ...

[CEO Allen addresses woes of Western Regional Hospital]
Belmopan’s Western Regional Hospital has been in the center of a firestorm with revelation upon revelation coming from the crumbling structure – the deaths of two women attending the hospital and the discovery of rats and snakes attacking a baby in an incubator and a nurse respectively. ...

75 year old man missing; family suspects foul play
A man in his mid 70’s has gone missing and the family says they suspect foul play. 75 year old Francisco Reyes, a resident of Salvapan, Belmopan, is a farmer. He spends most of his days at his farm near the community of Springfield Village, Cayo. When he was not farming he would be at the Tues...

Child Molester Closely Monitored by Police
On Tuesday we told you about an explosive allegation against a US National living in Police Street Extension in Lake Independence, Belize City, who, according to several online sources, happens to be a registered sex offender in the US. The police were called to the location on Saturday when a neigh...

The Guardian

$11 Million in hospital debts written off
In last year’s Independence Day address, Prime Minister Barrow announced that Government would cover the December mortgage payments for all Belizean home owners whose mortgage was originally less than $100,000. Such announcements on Independence Day have become a tradition of the Barrow Administration and that is why Belizeans across the country were glued to their radio and television sets to hear what gift he had for his people this year. Prime Minister Barrow did not disappoint. Prime Minister Barrow announced that Government will find the funds to provide KHMH employees with the salary increase that was agreed with the KHMH Board and the Cabinet sub-committee; however, “as a matter of principle, GOB does not want simply to hand over the monies for the salary increase as a gift. We will therefore treat it as a buyout of the debt owed by consumers, by the Belizean public, to the KHMH.” He went on to say that in order for Belizeans across the jewel to feel the benefit of the debt forgiveness, “we will also forgive all monies currently owing by patients to all Government hospitals throughout the country.”

A third raise for teachers and public officers
Teachers, police officers, fire fighters, soldiers and other public officers now know that they will be receiving a third salary increase in as many years – three years, three raises. “Because we expect continued economic and revenue growth, next year should see a third salary raise for Government workers and this is really quite extraordinary,” Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced on the 34th anniversary of Belize’s Independence. Under the Framework Agreement between the negotiating teams of Government and the unions (Public Service Union, Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers) signed in February of 2014, one half of the increase in actual recurrent revenue from one year to the next (in a three year span) will be allocated to salary increases for public officers and teachers. Based on this formula, $29 million was allocated to salary increases for fiscal year 2014/2015 and $38 million for 2015/2016. In fiscal year 2014/2015, the Government spent $368 million for personal emoluments and $60 million for pensions. Therefore, the $38 million represented an almost 9 percent salary increase for public officers. With a third raise coming to public officers, those in the rest of the region are watching Belize in amazement. In a time when governments in the Caribbean region are raising taxes, freezing wages and laying off workers, the Government of Belize is getting ready to grant public officers a third straight raise.

Verdes make Belize proud in CONCACAF Champions League
Verdes Football Club, Belize’s representative in the 2015 CONCACAF Champions League, have managed to pull off a major victory against their second opponents in the tournament’s Group C match ups. It’s a major feat for a Belizean team who has scored the most points in this tournament to date, very much like Belize’s historical 3rd Round appearance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Championships. In their first match against Mexico’s Queretaro, Verdes was soundly defeated in two matches by 8 goals to zero. Some football fans, and the tough critics of the sport, suspected that Team Belize would have been demoralized to the point where the next match was basically going to favor San Francisco FC from Panama. Well, on Tuesday night, September 22, Verdes redeemed themselves and reignited hope at home. San Francisco scored first in the 12th minute, but Belize’s premier striker, Deon McCaulay, equalized with a goal in the 18th minute. He had an opportunity to give Verdes a one goal lead, when he took a penalty shot in the 39th minute, but his shot hit the crossbar and rebounded back in his direction. Even though that put it back in play, the San Francisco defenders managed to keep him from scoring another goal.

Cabinet approves Belmopan City’s Municipal Bond
Belize’s Cabinet approved last Monday the floating of a Municipal Bond by the Belmopan City Council to the tune of some six point five million Belize Dollars. The municipal bond is patterned similarly to what was done in Belize City by Mayor Darrell Bradley. A paper on the bond was presented during a cabinet meeting on September 14th after which measures towards passage of the legislation for that municipal bond bill is expected to begin shortly. It is now hoped that from the floating of this six point five million in municipal bond, the Belmopan City Council can use at least half a million dollars to improve its ageing equipment and vehicles. One million of that six point five million should go towards retiring a loan that the Belmopan City Council has with the Holy Redeemer Credit Union. While some 40 streets have either been cemented or chip sealed paved over the past three years, the Belmopan City Council is now looking forward to pave another 30 streets and simultaneously work on drains from the remaining five million of the municipal bond.

Belize’s Tribute to 21 Patriots
On Thursday, September 17, 21 distinguished men and women were honoured at the 2015 Tribute to Belizean Patriots at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. The National Honours and Awards Act was passed on August 16th, 1991. It says that each year honours and awards may be conferred to individuals, living or dead, who may have rendered outstanding and meritorious service to Belize. This year, 19 individuals received Meritorious Service Awards and two received Orders of Distinction. The Order of Distinction was bestowed upon the late great Senior Counsel Gian Chand Ghandi and the beloved Emma Boiton. Ghandi was honoured posthumously for his contribution to the Belize Judicial system and his tireless service to the Government and people of Belize. He was born in India but his family had to leave all their belongings behind at the age of 14 when they fled from their home during the formation of the new state of Pakistan. The family spent almost four months in refugee camps in Pakistan before settling in modern day India. Ghandi studied political science at Punjab University; received his Masters of Law degree at the British Institute for International and Comparative Law in London. In 1973 he was called to the Bar in London. Ghandi then went on to serve in the public service in England briefly before a short stint as a university lecturer in Guyana.

Belmopan City Council braving various challenges
The Belmopan City Council is braving several challenges at the same time as it seeks to manage the City sustainably. Sitting now at the helm is Mayor Khalid Belisle, who says that the transition from the previous council has continued smoothly, but now being in office is different than from looking from the outside. One of the major challenges now confronting the Belmopan City Council is that its rate of collection of property taxes hovers around 50%. In terms of its garbage fee the Belmopan City Council is not doing much better. The Belmopan City Council has a garbage fee in place of five dollars per month for residential and about three hundred dollars a year for commercial garbage. However; the Belmopan City Council’s residential collection rate for garbage is about 4%. “I must admit, [that it] has been the apparent failure of the Council to inform the people that there is a garbage fee in place…we have never or we have seldom if ever sent out garbage fee bills the way we send out property fee bills every year,” says Khalid Belisle, the Mayor of Belmopan.

Who put the rat in the incubator?
The images of a rat running around (for his life) in a baby incubator invokes emotions of the worst kind in any reasonable human being. Add to that the idea of it being in there along with a newborn whom it reportedly bit and you have the script for a horror movie. No one would have their child, a newborn at that, cohabitating with an animal such as a rat even for a second. These however are the reports coming from the Western Regional Hospital in the city of Belmopan. These reports have dominated the media and morning talk shows for several weeks. They have even been reported in the international media by way of Univision’s very popular ‘Primer Impacto’. There are a few issues however with what has been reported and with the question of how the rat ended up inside the incubator. Until an in depth investigation is carried out all we have are speculations. In that same light I would like to share my belief of how it got there. The rat was placed inside the incubator by someone with an ulterior motive albeit an evil one. Now, there are many reasons a person would do something as unthinkable as that, including idleness, to attract attention, to embarrass someone in authority, to create mischief for the staff and the list goes on. There are some pretty twisted people out there and whatever the reason for that person or persons to have placed that animal in there the act is a sick one.

Labor Commissioner mediates in CWU and First Caribbean workers issues
The Labour Commissioner has intervened in the dispute between the employees of First Caribbean International Bank and the international managers who are trying to make their way out of Belize. Their union’s president, Audrey Matura-Shepherd, on her usual anti-government rant, has been trying to suggest in the press that the Barrow Administration used the might of parliament to fast-track the transfer of assets between First Caribbean and Heritage Bank. That is furthest from the truth, and all the Government has done is to make the transfer smooth, to ensure that all goes well and that the asset ownership is not compromised. Since the passage of the First Caribbean International Bank Vesting Bill, the Christian Workers Union had been having difficulty with the breakdown of communication between them and the Bank’s management. The Commissioner of Labour, Ivan Williams, and his team managed to chair a mediation meeting between both sides, and they agreed on the best path forward for these negotiations.

Monchie faces the music for playing libelous
Ramon Cervantes Jr., the PUP politician, better known as “Monchie”, was the last to take the witness stand in the libel and slander lawsuits that Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega brought against him. Readers are very well aware that DPM Vega asserts that Cervantes, who is his political opponent in Orange Walk North, severely injured his character and public image when he and his family broadcasted a phone call on national radio. That phone call, you will remember, featured a man, who claimed to be Manuel Castillo, who remains wanted by Orange Walk Police in the murder of Ramon Cervantes Sr., who is the father of Monchie. This man, in the phone call, made the grave and somewhat unbelievable allegation that the Deputy Prime Minister - who deserves the benefit of the doubt for his unblemished criminal record - was the main player who set up the plot to kill Ramon Sr., in a very gruesome and terrible way. Another party to this lawsuit was the Briceño Family’s radio station, Fiesta FM, which the Deputy Prime Minister asserts was one of the broadcasting partners who aired these spurious allegations.

Students of Faith Nazarene still not in classes
Teachers and parents at the Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio Town remain faithful that issues with Principal Policarpia Pech will be resolved just in time for students to continue attending school; as the number of students attending has increased over the last few days. But those hopes almost disappeared today after the Teaching Service Commission refused to approve proposals for Policarpia Pech to get a long leave and transfer; after a three week long standoff between her and a vocal group of parents and teachers. In a release by the Ministry of Education it states the while it supports the rights of parents to pursue quality education for their children and also supports that teachers be treated fairly and justly by their administrators and management, those rights ought not to be gained by resorting to measures that do not recognize the rights of others to be afforded due process and to be heard in their own defense.

H.E. Pat Andrews presents credentials to President of the United States of America, Barack Obama
H.E. Patrick Andrews presented credentials to President Barack Obama on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at the White House in Washington, D.C. as Belize’s Ambassador to the United States of American States. Ambassador Andrews in his message to President Obama conveyed warm greetings from the Governor General Sir Colville Young and Lady Young as well as on behalf of Prime Minister Barrow and Mrs. Barrow. He underscored the cordial relationship Belize and the USA have always enjoyed; based on mutual respect and on shared values. He also expressed the need for a deepening of understanding and continued relations in a variety of areas of common interest to Belize and the region. He expressed Belize’s commitment to the role as the link between the two sub regions of Central America and the Caribbean with the aim of advancing the common agenda. President Obama in his reply welcomed Ambassador Andrews to Washington and said, “Belize and the United States share a strong partnership based on mutual commitment to strengthen democracy and regional security. We value the collaboration between our governments to strengthen the rule of law and promote citizen security.”

Public Sector Worker’s Trust meeting legal battles
A group calling themselves the 'Public Service Retirees Ad Hoc Committee' has retained the services of attorney Hubert Elrington & Company. The group is attempting to settle a dispute over the use of moneys which has accumulated in the Public Sector Worker's Trust. At this point in time members of the committee along with their attorney are negotiating with trustees of the trust and their attorney. The background to this story is that in July of last year the Government of Belize handed over 3.6 million dollars to the Trustees of the Public Sector Workers' Trust. This is money that has accumulated since 1995 when public officers were given shares in BTL in lieu of an increment freeze between April1, 1995 and March 31, 1997. Since then the shares have been earning dividends which were held in a separate savings account in trust for the public officers and teachers.

17 villages receive supplies from Ministry of Rural Development
A Department of Rural Development handing over ceremony of riding mowers, pipes, pump and electrical supplies was held at the National Emergency Management Organization NEMO warehouse on Thursday of last week in the City of Belmopan. On hand to make the deliveries were the Hon. Edmond Castro, Minister of State in the Ministry of Works and Transport as well as the Hon. Gowin Hulse, Minister of Labour, Local Government, Rural Development, National Emergency Management and Immigration & Nationality. Also present were Village Chairpersons, Standard Bearers and officials from the Ministry of Local Government. A total of 17 villages are benefiting from the supplies to improve their access to potable water as well as from riding mowers to assist in the maintenance of public areas; to a total cost of $33,000.00 About 2,307 households or 13,479 persons obtained benefits from the distributions last Thursday. The community of Caledonia has now obtained a submersible pump, motor and electrical materials for their pump house. Santa Clara, Old Northern Road and the Belize River Valley, which consists of nine villages, get a riding mower each, while Ladyville, Duck Run and Alta Vista get pipes and fittings.

New bridge for Trinidad Village
Trinidad is a quaint little village of about 1500 residents situated in the Orange Walk district. The village falls in the Orange Walk South constituency where the Standard Bearer is Mrs. Guadalupe Magana Dyck. She has been the standard bearer for this area for a mere three months and the work she has done is exemplary. She has been tirelessly working for the residents of this area in everything that affects them including streets, water systems, electrification, etc.… Her latest project is the replacement of a bridge in Trinidad village. This bridge is an important link between two parts of the village as there is a creek which cuts the village in two. There has been a bridge across this creek on a main street from time immemorial but the last time it was replaced was 22 years ago by the then area representative Ruben Campos in 1993. Since then it has serviced hundreds of residents including school children and farmers who use it daily. It is also used by cane farmers who have to cross over it with trucks during the cane season. It is indeed an indispensable piece of infrastructure in the village.

Children’s school rally held in Benque Viejo
A colorful children’s school rally was held in Benque Viejo on Friday of last week. The rally began at 9:00 am from the much renovated Centennial Park, where a brief ceremony was held to celebrate a Belize Renewed, Confident, Competitive and Committed. At the ceremony, the invocation was given by Father Beau Shwaeitzer and welcome address by the Mayor of Benque Viejo del Carmen Heraldo Ramcharan. The guest speaker at this occasion was the Hon. Marconi Sosa, who gave words of inspiration to our youths. Thereafter; some eight educational institutions filed for the parade follows: BVO Community Pre-School, Victorious Nazarene, Mount Carmel Primary School, Mount Carmel High School, Howard Smith Nazarene, Hills of Promise SDA and the Mopan Technical High School. The parade proceeded through the streets of Benque, mainly George Street, to the George Price Boulevard, Diaz and Kennedy Street and thereon to the Cancha Marchalleck.

Boxing revived with visit from heavyweight contender
Boxing is a dying sport in Belize. Boxing matches are a rarity today. Older folks talk about a time when the sport was very much alive in Belize. In fact Belize has produced a few remarkable boxers who turned professional and had spectacular careers. Two such boxers were Selvin(Lefty ‘Satan’ Flynn) Campbell and Verno Jeremias Phillips. Lefty ‘Satan’ Flynn born in Belize in 1917 and his name was Selvin Campbell. He became a professional boxer and later changed his name to Lefty Flynn. Flynn was also known as “His Satanic Majesty” and eventually fought out of Jamaica becoming Jamaican featherweight and later welterweight champion. He then moved to England in late 1936. Flynn was a successful opponent in British boxing circles and fought many of the up-and-coming fighters of his age. In 1954 he made an unsuccessful attempt at the British Honduras welterweight title in Belize City.

Bail granted to four Charged for PG gang rape
The two sisters and their common-law-husbands charged in relation to the gang rape of an 18-year-old girl in the Indian Creek area of Punta Gorda have been granted Supreme Court bail. On Monday, September 7, Santa and Zita Shol were arraigned in the Punta Gorda Magistrates Court along with Zita’s common-law-husband, Albert Kanti, for the crime of abetment to rape. Santa’s common-law-husband, Wilhelm Garbutt, was arraigned for the crime of rape upon the 18-year-old girl. The 18-year-old girl reported to police that she was walking in the Indian Creek area when two females ambushed and beat her up. They then threw her into a nearby bushy area where two men held her down and one raped her.

BDF Camp Coordinator in Trouble for Hotel Stay with Camper, 14
BDF Private and 2015 Camp Coordinator, Kenneth Gary Swazo, 29, is out on bail after he was remanded for allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old camper in August of this year. On Friday, September 18, Swazo appeared before Justice Traodio Gonzalez where he was granted bail in the sum of $10,000 plus two sureties of $5,000 each. Conditions to his bail is that he report to the Dangriga Police Station every Friday until the case is disposed of and he is not to interfere with the victim. According to reports, Swazo met the girl at the 2015 BDF Summer Camp and kept in touch after the camp was over. According to reliable sources and police report, on August 20, 2015, Swazo took the girl to a hotel located on the Phillip Goldson Highway, formerly known as Gulf Hotel, where they had sexual intercourse. The girl’s parents learned of the incident when someone alerted the mother and she confronted the child. The girl admitted to her mother that she went to the hotel with Swazo where they had sex. The parents then took the girl to the police station where they reported the matter. The girl was taken to a doctor who confirmed that she had been carnally known and classified her injuries as grievous harm.

Inmates busted with weed inside prison cell
Two prison inmates who were busted with weed inside their cell were slapped with three additional years to their sentence after they pleaded guilty to the offense of drug trafficking on Wednesday, September 23. Ernest Billary, 23, and Jevon Slusher, 27 were busted inside their cell at around 1:45 p.m. on Friday afternoon, September 18. Prison officer Ricardo Castillo found the drugs wrapped up in four black plastic bags that were sealed with transparent tape. Billary was already serving a ten year sentence for firearm related offenses and Slusher had already served two years of a five year sentence also for firearm related offenses.

Accused of Damaging Bermudian Landing Police Station Window
Bermudian Landing Village resident, Sherwin Rocka, is out on bail of $2,000 after he appeared before Magistrate Ladonna John to face charges of escape from lawful custody, damage to property and harm. Allegations made against Rocka is that on August 30, 2015, he caused harm to Harrison Sutherland in Willows Bank Village. Rocka was arrested and taken to the Bermudian Landing Police Station. It is there that, according to police, he caused damages to the station’s windows while escaping from the lawful custody of Sgt. Aaron Zuniga. The damage to the windows have been estimated at $700. Rocka was unrepresented when he appeared in court on Wednesday, September 23, and pleaded not guilty to all three charges. There was no objection to bail which Magistrate John granted in the sum of $2,000 plus one surety of the same amount. Magistrate John ordered Rocka to report to the Ladyville Police Station every Friday of the week until the case is disposed of. He is due back in court on November 23.

Tyron King remanded for burglary
Tyrone King, 19, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand after he was denied bail for allegedly burglarizing a construction site on Chetumal Street, Belize City. Allegations are that on Friday, September 18, he and others forced themselves into RJB’s construction site on Chetumal Street and stole $2,511.14 worth of construction material belonging to Romel Berges. King was unrepresented on Tuesday, September 22, when he was arraigned before Magistrate Ladonna John. He pleaded not guilty to a single charge of burglary. Before leaving the courtroom, King asked to speak and told the magistrate that officers of the Gang Suppression Unit visited him at his work site on Chetumal Street and hit him so hard that he went unconscious. He said that when he gained consciousness and was asked about the burglary he told the officers that he had seen when the men ran up the street from the construction site and hid the items. King said the officers arrested him because they could not locate the men who took the items.

Son stabs father for patting his girlfriend’s butt
Kyson Graham, 39, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand after he was accused of stabbing his father. Graham claims that he retaliated after his father slapped his girlfriend’s butt but the explanation was not good enough to get him bail. Wayne Welch reported to police that on Tuesday, September 15, his son stabbed him at their home. Graham was arrested and charged with grievous harm since the injury to his father was serious. Graham was unrepresented when he was arraigned before Magistrate Ladonnna John on Friday, September 18. He was read a single charge and pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Christopher Smith had heavy objection to bail. The objections were on the grounds that releasing Graham would jeopardize the safety of the victim since he lives at the same residence as the accused. He also based it on the severity of the injury; Welch was still hospitalized at the time of arraignment. Prosecutor Smith also asked the court to take into consideration the fact that police investigations are still in progress as additional charges may be levied upon Graham. Magistrate John took Smith’s objection into consideration and denied bail to Graham. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until November 18, 2015.

Tour Guide Accused of Threatening to Kill Police Officer
Louigie Turton, 38, a tour guide of the Ladyville area is out on bail after he was accused of assaulting a police officer, using indecent words and threatening to kill him. In court on Wednesday, September 23, Turton was unrepresented when he was arraigned before Magistrate Deborah Rogers but he told the court his attorney is Leroy Banner. Turton pleaded not guilty to one count of using indecent words, one count of aggravated assault with a dangerous instrument (beer can), one count of common assault and one count of using threatening words towards tourism police officer Rufert Leslie. Those words are, “Ah wah frig yuh up now.” The incident is allege to have occurred on July 24, 2015 in Belize City.

Verdes FC clips San Francisco FC in Scotia Bank CONCACAF play
The ScotiaBank CONCACAF Champions League competition continued on Tuesday 22 September, 2015, at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan between the San Francisco FC from Panama and Verdes FC the National Football Champions of Belize. The visiting San Francisco FC was the first to get onto the scoreboard when Daniel Moran scored the 1st goal of the game in the 13th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. However, that lead was short lived as Deon McCauley converts a headed goal to tie the score at 1-1 in the 19th minute of play. The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. In the second half of the game started out with the San Francisco FC on the prowl but denied the opportunity to score in the 66th minute of play on a goal attempt that went wide. Verdes FC in the 67th minute of play also had a chance at the goal when Rodney Torres shoots that was saved by Alex Rodriguez.

C-Ray captures Olympic distance Triathlon
The Belize Triathlon Association sponsored its first ever Olympic distance Traithlon event in Belize and it was held in Punta Gorda Town on Saturday September 19, 2015. Eleven relay teams lined up for this event that had the participants swim 1,500 meters followed by a 40k ride and a 10k run. First out of the water was 20 year old Brandon Santos 0:24:44, followed closely by his brother 17 year old Jordan Santos 0:28:26. The Santos brothers had veered off course on the return leg of the swim which allowed Deon Cus 0:28:56 of the Coast Guard to make up time. On the bike, the three riders namely Brandon Cattouse, Joel Borland and Kent Gabourel started working together to keep any other teams from catching them. They worked well together until 7 miles from the transition area. Borland started attacking Brandon and Kent on all the rolling hills leading into Town. On one of the last rolling hills Borland was able to create a separation between himself on Kent. Only Brandon was able to follow him and they came into the transition at the same time. Kent followed in two minutes later.

Minister Herman Longsworth launched Jump Rope for Health Campaign in Belize
The Hon. Herman Longsworth, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports with direct responsibilities for Youth and Sports on Thursday 17 September 2015, officially launched the Jump Rope for Health Campaign at an Official presentation of Jump Rope Kits to schools in the Belize District that have participated in the training that was held in May. The Jump Rope for Health Programme originated in the United States of American and was first implemented in Trinidad and Tobago in 2004. Today, 11 territories within the CARICOM Region, which includes Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The goals of the Jump Rope for Health Programme are to facilitate the development of healthy habits among primary school aged children. To help reduce NCD risk factors among primary school age children; to increase parental and teacher support towards the promotion of healthy habits within school environments, and to inspire the development of healthy lifestyle school policy and guide.

Peace Cup Football competition continues at the MCC
The CYDP Peace Cup Football Competition resumed on Saturday 19 September with 4 games on the schedule. In the first game played, Westlake United defeated Tut Bay FC by the score of 4-3. The goals for Westlake United were scored by Michael Hernandez, Denroy NcCord, and Wayne Miller (2). For Tut Bay FC, the goals were scored by Gilroy Thurton, Dalton Cayetano and Kevin Rowland. In game two, Kelly Street FC won handily over The New Revolution by the score of 5-2. The scorers for Kelly Street FC were Francis Andrews, Whitfield Fisher, Christopher Guild and Tyrone Muschamp (2). Meanwhile, the two goals for The New Revolution were scored by Ernest Flores. In the third game of the day, Uprising Stars blanked Los Lagos FC by the score of 6-0. The goals for Uprising Stars were scored by an autogoal, Jermaine Foster, James Bowman, Harold Thompson and Kadeem Myers (2).

Police United FC blanked Placencia Assassins FC
The Premier League of Belize Opening Season for 2015-2016 continued on Saturday 19 September, 2015, at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village. The only game played was a back match on the schedule. In the game played between the host team Placencia Assassins FC and the visiting Police United FC, it was the latter that blanked the Placencia Assassins FC by the score of 1-0. Police United’s FC only goal of the game was scored by Devon Makin in the 15th minute of play that gave his team the victory. The competition will continue this coming weekend.

Prime Minister’s Independence Day Message
Your Excellency, the Governor-General, Sir Colville Young, and Lady Young My Lord Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, and other Justices of the Supreme Court Hon. Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, and Mrs Fonseca, Hon. Ministers of Government and Members of the National Assembly, Your Worship the Mayor of Belmopan, Mr. Khalid Belisle. My Lords the Bishops of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches of Belize, Bishop of the Methodist Belize/Honduras District, President of the Evangelical Association of Churches, other members of the Clergy, Excellencies of the Diplomatic Corps, Members of the Consular Corps, Special guests, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Belizeans. September 21 this year arrives to the accompaniment of an even greater than usual celebratory chorus. And the multiple positive developments occurring during the first three quarters of 2015, have appeared to reach a flood just in time for Independence Day. Thus it is that we have now procured vindication in what was an ongoing battle to win final acceptance of our decision to take back the Belizean patrimony constituted by our nation’s essential public utilities. For my Administration, It is almost impossible to overstate the significance of the BEL and BTL settlements. After all, this has been for us a kind of second sovereignty campaign.

Hotel California
One of my neighbors, Mr. Buenavides, recently came to my little shop and pointedly asked me if I was no longer a supporter of the UDP Government since he claims he does not see my contributions in the Guardian anymore. As I explained the troubles I was having with my laptop, and the various attempts to have it repaired, I realized that people are very conscious of the present political environment and look around for any chink in the armor of the two major political parties. With that brief excuse, let me share my personal observations with you even as I try to capture the main political events of the past three weeks. Indeed there is much to write about, and I will have to be careful to keep my thoughts in order as I hit the keys this Wednesday morning, 23 September 2015.

Breaking Belize News

PG resident giving back to community with backpack drive
Kimone Flores, also known as “PG Gyal”, was born and raised in Punta Gorda before migrating to the United States (US) where she now resides, but Ms. Flores never forgot her roots as she continuously donates to education in Punta Gorda Town with her annual backpack drive and […]

Health Ministry hunts missing hospital equipment
The Ministry of Health has turned to an unusual source to locate surgical equipment stolen from the community hospital in Corozal two weeks ago. CEO Dr. Peter Allen says they have listed the equipment on the website “Belize Buy and Sell” in the view that no one will […]

Health Ministry plans renovations for Western Regional Hospital
Belmopan’s Western Regional Hospital has been in the center of a firestorm with revelation upon revelation coming from the crumbling structure – the deaths of two women attending the hospital and the discovery of rats and snakes attacking a baby in an incubator and a nurse respectively. The […]

Belmopan will get a new hospital valued approximately $30 million Bze dollars
The current Western Regional Hospital, which has served the new capital Belmopan since almost its inception, has reached its limit of usefulness. While the budget for the hospital has been well stretched, no amount of money, says CEO Peter Allen, can disguise the hospital’s many faults. And that is why Belmopan […]

Caribbean Wellness Day promotes healthy aging
A Health and Wellness Open Day was held in Belize City as part of activities under Caribbean Wellness Week. Using the slogan “Healthy Lifestyles, Healthy Aging,” the Ministry of Health is promoting overall personal health. Dr. Jorge Polanco, liaison with PAHO on non-communicable diseases, says it is about […]

Faith Nazarene saga continues
Turmoil is once again stirring at Faith Nazarene Primary School after Principal Policarpia Pech’s application for long leave and a transfer were both declined by the Teaching Services Commission, voiding the agreement that was reached by the parents, teachers and education officials. The problem has now been reincarnated and the […]

Verdes makes history
A win by Verdes FC Tuesday night puts them in Belize’s football history books as the country’s first team to win a game and gain 4 points in the CONCACAF Champions League and remain undefeated at home after two matches; one ending in a draw against Queretaro and being victorious […]

Police believe speeding and wet roads caused fatal accident
While they continue to investigate, Police in Precinct 4 believe initially that a combination of high speed and rainy conditions on the road caused this morning’s fatal traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway. According to Superintendent of Police Linden Flowers, police responded around 4:20 to Mile 2 […]

Traffic accident claims one life
This afternoon, police are to give a briefing to the media on this morning’s traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway. BMG understands that it happened around four a.m., across from the Puma Gas Station next to the residence of Jose Shoman at Mile 2. One person is confirmed dead […]

Police and BDF destroy massive weed plantation
Belize Defense Force (BDF) personnel, in a joint effort with the police, destroyed one of the largest marijuana plantations in Belize’s recent history. The plantation was situated about five miles South of Arenal village along the Western border with Guatemala. The discovery was made on Friday, September 18th, when 70,000 […]

Authorities quiet on Fire Burn poultry raid
Authorities at the Belize Agriculture and Health Authority (BAHA) have yet to give an official report on the poultry situation at Fire Burn Village but have conducted several raids in farms that have left residents angered and confused. BMG understands that on Tuesday night, officials descended on the village where several farms […]

San Pedro getting its own international airport, more infrastructural works coming
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye will be the site of a new international airport to be constructed in the years to come as part of the government’s focus on infrastructure-based developments to increase economic activity and in this case, stimulate tourism on the island and in the rest of the country. Prime Minister […]

Entrepreneur fights to break cycle on Southside
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) tells the story of 24 year old car wash entrepreneur Roy Geban, who says that with hard work he has become his own boss after years of drug abuse and police trouble. Geban owns and operates Roy-O’s Car Wash on Fabers Road, started with […]

Blogs

“Don’t Rain on My Parade” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
I woke up on Monday morning around 03.45 hours (I know this because I’ve got one of those clocks that project the time on to the ceiling) to the sound of rain tapping at my bathroom windows. It was coming down hard, very hard. Now back in my previous life that sound would have filled me with a degree of dread. How to keep control of the brolly (umbrella for non UK readers) on the way to work without poking someone’s eye out. Wet suit, wet shoes. A damp and depressing day ahead. But now … I love the sound of rain. The heavier the rain the better. Give me a torrential downpour over a shower any day. Why? Simple I need the rain to ‘feed’ the 45,000 gallon tank that ‘sits’ under our house. As the strength of the rain reduced my confidence that the San Pedro Independence Day Parade would go ahead increased so Rose and I got ready and headed to ‘Town to meet our friends from BATSUB who were over for the weekend to celebrate a birthday. We met at Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill after getting my lips around a bottle of Belikin I checked the San Pedro Town Council Facebook page to see if there was any news about the ‘Parade. There was but regrettably it was to announce that ‘rain had stopped play’. The ‘Parade had been cancelled until Saturday (subsequently moved to Sunday). Only one thing for it. Get another Belikin!

Exciting New Bars & Restaurants on Ambergris Caye: Stella’s Smile
New spots are popping up around Ambergris Caye. Not just change of ownership at an existing place but brand new restaurants. Yesterday I ate at two — snacks, let’s say…but more like two dinners. Please…try not to judge. I’m excited about both. Both present some new ideas…and a new look to the island. I’ll start with my first stop – Stella’s Smile. I was reminded of it right across the street from my home when I saw this new sign going up at Robin’s Kitchen. Another, and even more alluring reminder, was posted up north. About 1 mile over the bridge on the paved road in front of a newly built house…and the palapa and dock behind it that make Stella’s Smile.

International Sources

BU Students Discover Corals in Unlikely Place
The photos evoke what a stoner must see while watching Fantasia: a kaleidoscope of vibrant-hued corals in all kinds of shapes. As striking as their colors and forms—although you wouldn’t know it by looking at the photos—is their neighborhood: they’re clinging to mangrove roots, not a place you’d expect to find them. For four years, BU students have snorkeled around an atoll off Belize to study mangroves, the “flooded forests” with roots breaking the water surface that are the membrane between islands and sea. It’s not research for the squeamish. “We often saw large rays, barracudas, upside-down jellyfish,” says Zachary Bengtsson (CAS’15). The long days in the water could chill the body, and the students endured numerous stings and bites from jellyfish and bugs that didn’t appreciate intruders. Despite the discomforts, Bengtsson loved all of it. The highlight came in 2013 when the students, acting on a suggestion of their professor, Boston University Marine Program (BUMP) director John Finnerty, looked for and found corals, better known for living in magnificent reefs, not in underwater forests. “All the major reviews about how important mangroves are talk about everything but corals,” says Finnerty, a College of Arts & Sciences associate professor of biology and winner of a 2013 Metcalf Award for Teaching Excellence. It’s unknown, for example, if corals migrate back and forth between mangroves and nearby reefs, he says. Deciding to fill in some of those blanks, his students returned to Belize for a snorkeling census last November and December. They’d paddle for three to five hours at a time around the mangroves, measuring, flagging, and photographing the coral population. They tallied about 30 species, looking hale and hearty, untouched by prolonged bleaching, the potentially lethal process corals use to expel their algae.

Feel the beat: Aurelio will share his original music at ¡Globalquerque!
Aurelio grew up as a prodigy of percussion. He’s managed to parlay all of it into a spectacular career, one that will bring him to the Duke City as part of ¡Globalquerque! this weekend. He will perform at 10:30 tonight. Aurelio performs Garifuna music – a genre found in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The music is heavy on drums. Aurelio is ready to return to the Land of Enchantment for a show. “I have performed in Santa Fe, and returning to New Mexico is a great joy for me because the public is very open to Garifuna music (my genre of music),” he says. “I hope to establish a place in the hearts of the people attending my concert and leave them with the spirit of the Garifuna people through our music.”

Little Time Left To Act On U.S. Tax Haven Legislation
The Caribbean has just 14 congressional working days from today, September 24, to try to have the US Congress or the District of Colombia address an act naming seventeen Caribbean nations as ‘tax havens.’ If passed without amendment, it could have the effect of reputationally damaging the countries concerned with unpredictable trade, financial, and economic consequences. The background is a little complicated. Under the terms of the US Constitution the District of Columbia, which of course includes that nation’s capital, is able to govern its local affairs, but has to submit its legislation for the agreement of Congress. This provision, which has its origins in events in Washington in 1788, grants the US legislature exclusive jurisdiction over the District in ‘all cases whatsoever’ in order to provide for the maintenance and safety of the capital. This means that in practice, any Act passed by the Federal District has to be sent to Congress for oversight by Committees of both houses. In the case of budgetary bills, there is a period of thirty working days during which ‘active approval’ is required.

No Hurricanes in Western Atlantic Yet for First Time Since 1914
The Atlantic tropical cyclone basin has seen several named tropical storms thus far in 2015. But when it comes to hurricanes, this season hasn't packed much of a punch, particularly in the western Atlantic. Eric Blake, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center (NHC), commented on the lack of hurricanes west of 55 degrees longitude in the Atlantic basin so far this season. Blake said this marks the first time there have been no western Atlantic hurricanes through Sept. 22 since 1914, when there weren't any. The 1914 season was the last time no hurricanes formed anywhere in the Atlantic basin, which includes the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Two factors working against hurricane development, wind shear and dry air, have been quite prevalent from the Gulf of Mexico into much of the Caribbean all summer long.

Videos

September 24, 2015

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, 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

Belize Independence Day Celebrations Across the Globe
High spirits filled the air in districts across the nation as Belize celebrated it’s 34th Independence over this past weekend! While the weather did not grace us with sunny skies here in Belize on Independence Day, not even the rain was able to stop the shows of patriotism! In San Pedro, islanders brought in Independence with an official Town Ceremony complete with a line up of local talent and a headlining performance by Carribean soca artist, Ricardo Drue. The night also featured a 30 minute firework display – talk about the ultimate birthday bash! Orange Walk Town, held a massive showcase of celebration with their annual Independence Day Carnival. Complete with bright costumes, soca music and dancing revelers and plenty to drink!

PM Barrow announces international airport to come to North Ambergris Caye
Ambergris Caye continues to grow as the top tourism destination in Belize and with that comes continued investment in infrastructure. Currently, the Government of Belize (GOB) is investing in Northern Ambergris Caye with the construction of 11 miles of paved road. GOB has also confirmed that once the road is complete, they will venture into a new project which will see the construction of an international airport on Ambergris Caye. The airport will serve to continue promoting the island as Belize’s top tourism destination as it will provide easier access to the international tourism market. Prime Minister Barrow first announced the possibility of an international airport in San Pedro during the United Democratic Party’s (UDP) pre-election rally on February 28, 2015. During Barrow’s Independence Day Speech delivered on Monday, September 21st at the Belmopan City ceremonies, he further elaborated on the project. “A while ago I spoke of the economy and was pleased to emphasize its basic soundness. What I wish now to do, is to underscore that tourism remains our single largest driver, and talk a little about our plans to continue encouraging its star turn.

San Pedro Lions Pay Tribute to the Late Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price
September Celebrations kicked into full gear over the weekend as the Nation celebrated its 34th year of Independence with parties and parades at every corner of the country, despite the weather setbacks. The Lions Clubs of Belize joined in the festivities by paying tribute to the man who made it all possible, the Father of the Nation, the late Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price. On Saturday September 19th Lion members around the country participated in the 2nd Annual Flag Raising Ceremony in honour of Belize’s first Prime Minister. Ceremonies were held at held at respective clubs across the country and in San Pedro Town, under the organization of new president Fatima Graniel.

Ground Breaking ceremony officially held for Ambergris Stadium
The long awaited groundbreaking ceremony of the Ambergris Stadium Renovation Project took place in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Friday, September 18th. The event marks the official commencement for the construction of a new sporting facility which will replace the old one. Estimated to cost around 2.3 million dollars, the project is being funded by the Government of Belize in its commitment with youth and sports. Upon completion, this new stadium will meet the needs of the sporting population on the island and will be equipped with a FIFA international standard pitch in order to host international games. The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months at the most. The project is being coordinated by Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) in collaboration with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), and executed by AM Construction Company from the Orange Walk District.

Island students show patriotism during 2015 Children’s Rally
The various schools of San Pedro Town gathered on Friday, September 18th for the yearly Children’s Rally organized by the Ministry of Education. Hundreds of students marched through the major streets of the island dressed in patriotic colours. The rally is part of the September Celebrations events which takes place countywide. The Rally ended at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium, where students convened for a series of presentations, celebrating Belize’s Independence. The San Pedro High School (SPHS) band delivered an instrumental rendition of the National Anthem. Giving the welcome address was Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES). Each school had prepared presentations to entertain the crowd. The San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) delivered a poem entitled “Our National Outlook” while the New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist School Choir sang a patriotic song. Holy Cross Anglican School also recited a poem entitled “Forever Our Belize.”

Ambergris Today

Belize Carnival Road Show Makes Strong Presence in Orange Walk Town
Belize turned 34 on September 21, 2015, drawing thousands of Belizeans out of their homes to celebrate all month long. Activities are aplenty, but one destination getting lots of attention during Independence Day is the northern district of Orange Walk. The popularity of the Belize City Carnival Parade moves on to Orange Walk Town the following weekend. Growing in number of participants from all over the country, the Orange Walk Carnival parade is another true patriotic experience in the up-and-coming destination in Belize. Orange Walk Town comes to life as Belizeans unite to celebrate our Independence Day from the villages in the south, Belize City, Cayo, Corozal and as far off as the coral isles. The streets are filled with on-lookers dancing and enjoying the marching bands, decorated floats and carnival dancers. The patriotic spirit was definitely on point and the vibes were flowing all through the town as many waved their flags and sported their best patriotic outfits.

Government of Korea Donates Equipment to The Inspiration Center
Visiting Ambassador of Korea His Excellency KIM Byong-seop, handed over equipment & vehicles totaling US $100,000 to Chairperson of The Inspiration Center Board of Directors, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow. The donation comes three years after Mrs. Simplis Barrow made a presentation to a gathering of ambassadors to garner support for the Inspiration Center. Today, she expressed her deep appreciation and gratitude to the Ambassador and his Government for keeping her dream in mind over the years and coming up with such a generous donation. According to Acting Executive Director of The Inspiration Center, Joycelyn Lopez, the equipment donated will benefit the center and the population it serves in several ways including an increase in client coverage and improving the services currently being offered by the medical staff as well as the physical therapist and speech therapist. This gift will also help to strengthen the Community Base Rehabilitation Program. Among the donated items are mounted projectors and a wireless PA system which will contribute to the sustainability of the center by turning the conference and multipurpose rooms into an income generating avenue. These spaces are now equipped to be rented for workshops, seminars and conferences.

Pic of the Week - Is There Such a Thing as a Diving Belizean Cowboy?
If there weren't any before, there is one now - a Diving Belizean Cowboy! - Scuba Dive Instructor Venancio Tillett pays tribute to Belize the way he knows best! He shared two things he loves in one picture that speaks for itself - Diving and Belize! #HappyIndependeceDayBelize #SeptemberCelebrations #DiveBelize

Flashbacks - San Pedro Aired on Sabado Gigante by Don Francisco
This gentleman driving the golf cart in San Pedro has a strange name indeed. Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld (born December 28, 1940), better known by his stage name, Don Francisco, is a Chilean television host, and a popular personality on the Univision network reaching Spanish-speaking viewers in the United States and all over the world. He is best known for hosting the former variety shows Sábado Gigante and Don Francisco Presenta. Now Don Francisco used to produce a segment in his show called “La Camera Viajera” or The Travelling Camera, sort of like our “My Travelling Feet”. In the 1980’s when Sabado Gigante had a high rating in San Pedro, Belize, Don Francisco visited La Isla Bonita to present San Pedro, Ambergris Caye to the world. It was the biggest welcome ever to San Pedro for any celebrity. All the schools lined the airstrip and streets to greet him and there were our local celebrities welcoming him like Wil and The Tequila Trio with music, Chico Flores with ceviche, and of course, Celi McCorkle with a tour of San Pedro and a good dose of San Pedro hospitality. This visit was of course recorded and played on television when the entire world got to know of San Pedro, La Isla Bonita. Today Sabado Gigante has been retired and San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is proud to have been featured in this very popular show of Univision.

Angie and Gustavo Ellis Celebrate Silver Anniversary
Angie Ellis and Gustavo Ellis originally of Corozal Town and now full fledged San Pedranos celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary along with their son Gustavito Ellis Jr., family and friends on Saturday September 19, 2015. The very warm and splendid exchange of vows and exchange of wedding rings as well, took place on the beach in front of Mayan Princes as Angie Ellis had always dreamt of. Justice of Peace and Commissioner of the Supreme Court as well as Catholic Lay Minister Abel Guerrero Sr. presided over the ceremony which was followed with a reception at the Lions Den.

Local San Pedro Realtor Daniel Hartin Opens Sandy Point Real Estate Ltd.
Daniel Hartin, award winning Broker/Owner, is pleased and excited to announce the opening of Sandy Point Real Estate Ltd. Sandy Point Real Estate will be dedicated to representing and selling Belizean Cove, Coco Beach, Belizean Shores, Coral Bay Villas, Xtan Ha, as well as pre-construction projects underway such as Venezia del Caribe and Isla Tesoro. Daniel Hartin, with his continued success, saw the need to open up a real estate company to focus exclusively on Sandy Point Real Estate. Hartin, formerly with RE/MAX Southwind LLP, is now focusing his experience on building and growing Sandy Point Real Estate. His team of nine is dedicated exclusively to Sandy Point Resorts and welcomes all brokerages on the island to show Sandy Point Resorts real estate to potential clients.

Plans for International Airport in Ambergris Caye, Belize Announced
In his Independence Day message to Belize, Prime Minister Dean Barrow made mention of government’s plans for improving infrastructure that will be designed to boost tourism in the country. One major project will be the construction of an international airport for the island of Ambergris Caye. The Prime Minister’s plan to move forward is with infrastructure being planned around the tourism industry that is one of the largest revenue earners for Belize. “Tourism remains our single largest driver, I’ll talk a little about our plans to continue encouraging its star turn,” stated PM Barrow. “These include additional marketing and quality improvement efforts but they also include destination infrastructure improvement and there are three projects in that connection that I wish to highlight. First, there is the continuation of the North Ambergris Caye Road Project; we have just signed a contract for the construction of another 4 miles of the road providing land access to the premier resorts on North Ambergris, making for a total of 11 miles that we have already funded.”

Misc Belizean Sources

June, July, Aug Rainfall:
June ended up being Average, July only about 50%, Aug only about 25% The open triangles are the Normal, maid readable by the dotted line Blue filled in triangles are what Belmopan actually had, highlighted by the dashed line. Light Blue line is water in the top soil. . . . . Green line water deeper in the ground.

Jamal Galves, Friend of the Manatee
A big, big PAWS UP to our colleague and friend, Jamal Galves, on his recognition as a Belizean Patriot during this year's September Celebrations. Jamal was given the Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to conservation in Belize. He also has the distinction of being the youngest recipient of this prestigious award. A distinction well-earned! "Manatee Jamal," has worked tirelessly for many years on behalf of the endangered West Indian Manatee. His efforts range from public education, to manatee rescues and research, to lobbying for stronger regulations and official presence in "no-wake zones" near Belize City.

San Pedro Independence Day parde rescheduled
The San Pedro Town Council hereby informs everyone that after much consideration and receiving numerous calls and messages, The San Pedro Town Council has rescheduled the parade to SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015, instead of Saturday, since Sunday is a resting day for many. We apologize for any inconveniences caused and hope everyone can join us on Sunday to make it bigger and better! Happy September Celebrations! ROUTE: STARTING AT BOCA DEL RIO PARK ONTO LAGUNA DRIVE,PASSING THE SAN JUAN ROUNDABOUT ONTO PESCADOR DRIVE,LEFT ONTO TARPON STREET, LEFT ONTO BARRIER REEF DRIVE AND ENDING AT THE CENTRAL PARK. NOTE: BARRIER REEF DRIVE & PESCADOR DRIVE WILL BE CLOSED TO ALL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC FROM 8:00 A.M.

Corozal Independence Day Parade 2015
Corozal celebrated Independence Day 2015 with the traditional patriotic program and Independence Day Parade. This year it for the first time in over two decades it was under the imminent threat of rain.

Prime Minister of Belize Independence Day Speech 2015
September 21 this year arrives to the accompaniment of an even greater than usual celebratory chorus. And the multiple positive developments occurring during the first three quarters of 2015, have appeared to reach a flood just in time for Independence Day. Thus it is that we have now procured vindication in what was an ongoing battle to win final acceptance of our decision to take back the Belizean patrimony constituted by our nation’s essential public utilities. For my Administration, It is almost impossible to overstate the significance of the BEL and BTL settlements. After all, this has been for us a kind of second sovereignty campaign. Now, after six years of struggle, those two fundamental Belizean assets are ours to have and hold forevermore. And to further concretize this achievement, let me announce right away that Government will be offering an additional 10% of the shareholding in both companies to the Belizean-and I stress Belizean-public, including the two companies’ employees.

Boa constrictor trapped in a plastic container
This morning we discovered a boa constrictor trapped in a plastic container. Fortunately we found it early enough before any harm was done. It was gently restrained, rescued, and then released into the forest. Plastic products can be incredibly dangerous for wildlife so please try and reduce your consumption, reuse it if possible, and recycle it as a last resort.

Paint N Splash: Lil bird
Thursday, September 24at 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Join us this Thursday to paint this cute little bird. We will provide a stencil for the bird and step by step instructions! Order your favorite drink enjoy good company and master the Art of having fun!

Full Moon Concert happening this weekend
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 26th for this GRAND Full Moon Concert featuring local musicians and dancers on the beach at The Sandbar. It will be a night full of "sabor latino". See you there. Presented by the San Pedro House of Culture

Little Free Library at Rotary Park
Rotary Park has a Little Free Library now. They made a cool little video about the project. More to come! Thanks, Rotary! "The first 'Little Free Library' in Belize, joins the 30,000 + from around the world. It's a book exchange program to promote literacy amongst communities and neighborhoods. The Little Free Library is a 'Take a Book, Return a Book' free book exchange in its most basic form. Rotaract San Ignacio in collaboration with HL's Furniture began and executed the project in the month of August. The Little Free Library is located in Santa Elena Rotary-Rotaract Park."

Why are all the Ocean Academy students on the beach?
he annual Ocean Conservancy International Coastal Cleanup! Tomorrow (Thursday Sept. 24th) starting at 1:00pm students and teachers will act as "citizen scientists" by removing trash from the island and recording their findings on data collection sheets that will then be tallied for the global report on marine and land debris. The Belize Scouts are the key organizers, and Ocean Academy is working in partnership with Oceana and the Village Council as well. Everyone welcome to join in! Also we still have our free reusable shopping bags to give out, in order to reduce single-use plastic bags on the island .

Channel 7

Police Probe Pedophile
Last night 7News blew the lid off a shocking allegation of a convicted US sex offender living in Lake Independence who has been plying neighborhood boys with Ramen noodles in exchange for sex acts. Tonight, following our lead, police are actively investigating a case, which they more or less walked away from on Saturday night. That’s when a concerned resident of the area – which we will very generally refer to as Police street – saw a boy in a disoriented state – and asked him what was the matter. The child explained that he had been forced to perform oral sex with a man from the neighborhood in exchange for two packs of noodles. The concerned resident called the police – who picked up the man, but released him hours later – because the child’s mother did not want to make a complaint. The case might have died there, but we heard of the story and followed up. Turns out the man in question is a convicted sex offender in the state of California – and has been living in that area of Belize for more than two years. Our reporting on the case caught the attention of the southside commander and today he told us that he has sent his officers into the area to search out possible victims:… Jules Vasquez "The fundamental allegation by a member of the public is that the police failed to act responsibly, they fail to act competently and they failed to protect a child who had allegedly been the victim of a very gross act of molestation."

A Peep At Harvest Caye
The Harvest Caye Cruise Port – it’s one of the few mega projects ever staged in Southern Belize – but up until now, it’s been shrouded in mystery and controversy. And as it enters the final stages of construction, in preparation for a February 2016 opening, the mystery persists. 6 weeks ago, we tried to dispel all that by asking Norwegian’s Senior Vice President Colin Murphy to give us a tour of the place, but he just ignored us. So today we teamed up with some of our friends in the conservation community to go see for ourselves what it looks like. Of course, the island is private so we couldn’t go there, but we went near – near enough to get a clear sense of the scale and size of the project. Daniel Ortiz reports: The Harvest Caye Cruise Port - sometimes embattled, sometimes controversial, but now very close to becoming a reality - was bustling with activity today, as it had been for months now.

Ministry of Education Urges Restraint At Faith Nazarene
Last night we told you how all attempts at a compromise have crumbled at Faith Nazarene after the Teachers Services Commission rejected both proposals from Prinicpal Policarpia Pech. Pech had applied for long leave and a transfer – if finalized that would have solved the problem at the school but the Teaching Services Commission said “no – go” so they are back at square 1. In response to that, the Ministry of Education sent out a 2 page press release outlining the rights and responsibilities of the management, teachers and parents in this situation. But it also highlights the importance of following protocol and due process. It states, quote, “We recognize and fully support the rights of parents to quality education for their children in a safe supportive learning environment" but also adds “Such rights however are not gained by resorting to measures that do not recognize the rights of others.

BDF Burns Major Marijuana Plantation
70 thousand! That’s how many mature marijuana plants the BDF destroyed in a plantation last week Friday. Working along with the police, BDF found the plantation 11 kilometers south of Arenal Village – which straddles the western border near Benque Viejo. The BDF says the plants varied in length from one foot to four feet tall, and they also found forty pounds of marijuana seeds. The seeds and all the plants were uprooted, and destroyed by fire.

Convicts Convicted
Last night, we told you about the 2 prison trustees who were caught trying to smuggle weed inside the jail. Well tonight, both men, are back in lockdown, and they will serve additional time in jail for it. They are 27 year-old inmate Devon Slusher and 33 year-old Ernest Bilary, and according to prison officers, Both men tried to smuggle about 4 and a half ounces of marijuana, which was stuffed in their booths. Since they are prison trustees, they thought that they would not be checked as thoroughly as other ordinary prisoners, but, they ended up being caught. Both men pleaded guilty to the offences when they were arraigned before Magistrate Ladonna John today. Since they are already serving time, the Magistrate sentenced them to 3 years to be added to their prison sentences that they are now serving. Slusher is serving 5 years, while Bilary is 10 years, both for firearm offences.

The Sewage Situation In Placencia
Earlier in our newscast, we showed you how the Harvest Caye Cruise Terminal is shaping up with all the ongoing construction work. That opportunity to see it came up because the two conservation groups, the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative, and the Southern Environmental Association, invited us out talk about issue very important to them. We’re referring to a centralized sewage system for the Placencia community, which had been planned but delayed for years. According to the experts, a recent environmental report says that the increase in microbes of the the waters of the peninsula’s lagoon is most likely caused by the community’s lack of proper sewage disposal. That could have devastating effects on the country’s coral reef systems and the shrimp industry taking place on the peninsula. So, today, Roberto Pott, of the Healthy Reefs for Healthy People Initiative explained what’s happening while this centralized sewage system continues to be delayed:

Falling Home Put Family Of Four Out Doors
Tonight a family of four is homeless after their wooden bungalow house collapsed with them inside. The family who resides on Western Avenue told 7news that around 5 this morning they were awaken by the sudden fall. No one was injured during the incident but most of their household items were destroyed. Tonight they are asking for the public’s assistance to help build back a house. If you would like to assist the Smith family, they can be reached at telephone number 6-3-1-6-5-5-2.

Otis Got Shot
On Monday night a 22 year old man was shot while riding his bicycle on West Canal. Around 9:00, 22 year old Otis Gladden of a Racecourse Street address was riding his bicycle when a light complexion man fired a shot at him. This area has seen chronic gun violence between rival groups – who live just a few yards from each other. Today, we asked the Southside commander if this indicates a resurgence of that violence:.. Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "In terms of the incident with Otis Gladden, it is a situation that the police are still investigating. Like you rightly said, he was walking on the canal side and he was shot. He has not been able to say to us who shot him. But nonetheless, we have done and again as a part of our strategy; whenever there is a shooting what we normally do is to move in the area and get the intervention team, the mediation team to talk to people to ensure there is no retaliation. I must say that since we began this process that everything that we've had, there has been no retaliation because we have been very effective in moving immediately after a shooting and see how best would could talk to parties to neutralize an possibility of retaliation between the different groups."

Labour Commissioner Slightly Circumspect
Last night, we told you about the apparent break in the deadlock between the Christian Workers Union and the managers of First Caribbean Bank on how to negotiate the exit packages for the 60 bank employees who will lose their job when First Caribbean leaves Belize. That interview happened only moments before news time, and so tonight we have a bit more from it for you. The Labour Commissioner was very careful to point out that his office was instrumental in trying to start the dialog on how they would meet, and not about the actual negotiations that need to take place: Ivan Williams - Labour Commissioner "I was not able to look at the proposal because the purpose of this meeting was merely to get them to agree to a date when they are going to negotiate. The labour department does not participate in negotiations; that is for the parties. So we are just to help them arrive at a date and the agenda of the matters to be discussed; which there were at odds in terms of where do they start, which matter to be discussed first and so on. Also there were some issue in relation to the collective bargaining agreement. Whether there should be a discussion for a full CBA or whether there would be certain articles within the CBA that needs to be discussed. So they have also agreed that there will be article 18 and article 22; which has to do with the salary and the redundancy of employees, which I believe will help in the process of arriving at a package, if and when the transaction takes place between the two banks."

Labour Commissioner Says Heritage Accountable
So, what will happen if First Caribbean’s Management and the Christian Workers Union cannot reach an agreement before the bank’s exit becomes final? Well, the Labour Commissioner says that according to the Labour Laws, they or the bank purchasing the assets, Heritage, are legally obligated to look after the interests of these employees. Here’s how he explains it: Ivan Williams - Labour Commissioner "I was also able to raise the relevant legal framework governing that type of relationship and I mentioned that in the event an employer seeks to terminate the services of its employees; then adequate notice must be given. For those employees who are there for more than 5 years, the law required a 8 week notice. Clearly the bank would have given its employees 8 weeks’ notice of their intention to terminate their contracts. In addition to that, in 2011, the labour amendment act #3 of 2011; provisions were made in there for a 30 day notice with a full detail of those employees who will be affected. The proposed benefits of those persons and it also makes provisions for the labour department to intervene to try and mitigate the adverse effects that they redundancy would have on employees.

CWU With the BCWU
One other issue which Matura-Shepherd chose to comment on is the position that the Belize Communication Workers Union has taken in relation to the BTL settlement between the Barrow Administration and Lord Michael Ashcroft. As we told you, that bill has been passed into law, and so, the Government and BTL will have to pay at least 162 million dollars to Ashcroft related companies and trusts as payment in compensation for their appropriation the telecoms company back in 2009. Last night, Matura-Shepherd said that as fellow trade unionists, they side with the Communication Workers Union: Audrey Matura Shepherd, President - CWU "We stand in solidarity with the workers at BTL. It is not only because of the wrong that has happened to them but also because as a nation, it is an issue that has not properly been ventilated. It is clear cut from day one; you cannot take someone's property and not have to pay for it. So we knew there were would have been a payment. In fairness, this was something that affected not only government who took and the former owner who said they own; but also the small shareholders and the employees who for ions we have been hearing there is an employee trust. But an employee trust that employees have never elected who are their representatives on board, have never gotten an accounting as to their money, have never known what is really theirs; although their names are being used as employee trust. It has been controlled by Mr. Ashcroft for who appointed Mr. Dean Boyce.

A Heavyweight's Hype
Fast Fres Oquendo: If you watch boxing you might have seen a few of his matches on the international stage – fighting one of Boxing’s legends like Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield among others. Well, now you will be able to see him fight right at the Victor Galvez Stadium in Cayo on Friday night. He will go up against our very own Pablo “El Ruso” Gibran. Oquendo arrived today and we met him at the airport. He told us this match is for the young Belizean boxers. Autographing and weigh in night is tomorrow at 7 at Midas Resort in Cayo. Fight night is on Friday at Victor Galvez Stadium at 7. There will be 11 bouts in total on Friday night.

Cops Keeping "Gaza" At Bay
Already on the news tonight, you’ve seen a lot of Southside Commander Chester Williams – and that’s probably as it should be; after all, he’s in charge of one of the most crime saturated areas per square mile on earth. But, while Williams is contending with crimes, what he’s really trying to build is community consensus – because for many years, due to police excesses – the police department’s authority has been viewed by many as forceful but illegitimate. So, Williams and his northside counterparts have been touring to build up community support. Today we found him on central American Boulevard near Freedom Street – which is a hotspot unto itself. He told us what it’s about:…

What Are Police Powers Of Search
And earlier this week, Commander Williams had to do some special community intervention at the home of a southside resident who say police stormed into her home un announced and without justification. Williams apologized to her and spoke to the officers as well, but it raises the deeper question of what are the limits of the police in home searches. We followed up on that:… Reporter "What are the entry and search procedures? What are police allowed and not allowed?" Sr. Supt Chester Williams - Commander, Eastern Division Southside "The police do have a right to enter the premises of people to conduct search. There are times when the police are in hot pursuit, they may see somebody running and in the process of running they go into a house; the law allows the police to go in immediately after that person to apprehend. Now in terms of just ordinarily going to a person home, then it would require the police to take along a search warrant. And even thought under the firearms act, the police do not need to carry a search warrant. I will still emphasize with my officers to be on the safe side, to take along a search warrant."

Verdes Victory
Belize’s Verdes FC scored a major upset in the Scotiabank Champions League last night when they beat the Sab Francisco club out of Panama two one in a trilling game at the FFB Stadium. Many thought Verdes would be deflated after an 8 to nil thrashing in the thin air of Querretaro last week – but they rebounded like champions. San Francisco scored in the 12th minute but Super Striker Deon McCauley scored a header into the left corner of the net in 18th minute past Panama's goalie Alex Rodriguez. McCaulay had a chance to take his team into the lead with a penalty in 39th minute, but his ball hit the crossbar and rebounded back into play. Nearing the end of regulation, in the 88th minute MCCauley got his revenge when two San Francisco players were in fornt of the goal, but the ball reached Deon, whose immediate right foot shot put it into the empty net to put Verdes up for good 2-1 in the 88th minute.

Channel 5

LOVE FM

Police Investigations Are Ongoing into Case Surrounding A US Registered Sex Offender
Yesterday we told you of the registered sex offender residing on Police Street in Belize City. The 42-year-old man has been convicted in the USA for the offense of copulating with a minor under the age of 14 by force or fear. He is a registered sex offender in California and residents want him out of the area. He has been detained and released without any charge. Neighbors are accusing him of sodomizing one of the boys in the neighborhood. But it goes deeper and while police are yet to establish when this alleged child predator entered the country, residents suspect that he has been abusing several children in the neighborhood for quite some time. Today the media asked Senior Superintendent Chester Williams how Police are handling the matter. “The allegation, if it is true, is a very very serious one and I will tell you that the police will not side idly by and see that being swept under the rug; that will not happen, if the allegations are true. Hence the reason why there must be an investigative process and I have directed my investigators along with the person in charge of Domestic Violence Unit; they have now teamed up with human development officers in the area canvasing to see if we could find any children or child who may had been victim of this alleged child molester. We have interviewed one child that child had given us certain information which again we are still probing....”

Labor Commissioner Says Provisions in the Law Will Protect FCIB Employees
Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams, shared the different provisions within he law that protects employees who find themselves in a situation like this. “In the event an employer seeks to terminate the services of its employees then adequate notices must be given and for those employees who are there for more than five years the law requires an eight week notice so clearly the bank would have had to give its employees eight weeks’ notice of their intention to terminate the contract. In addition to that in 2011 the Labor Amendment Act No. 3 of 2011, provisions were made in there for a thirty day notice with full data of those employees who will be affected, the proposed benefits of those persons and it also makes provisions for the Labor Department to intervene to try and mitigate the adverse effects that the redundancy would have on employees and so clearly that is the legal framework. So there are laws governing that the bank, and the bank, just in the event and I don’t think that bank has any desire, because it wouldn’t serve the bank any good to pack up and leave; they have a reputation and they have everything to lose, but I had to remind them of those legal provisions which in any event they have to follow and the legislation goes further to say in a transaction where there is buying and selling, if the seller doesn’t ensure that their obligations are taken care of in regards to the employees then the buyer steps in and assumes those liabilities. We have provisions in the labor law for that.”

CIBC First Caribbean and Christian Workers Union to Negotiate Exit Packages
After a three hour meeting, representatives from the Christian Workers’ Union and First Caribbean Development Bank decided to finally enter into negotiations. The meeting was held at the Labour Department and was mediated by the Labour Commissioner, Ivan Williams at the invitation of both parties. As you may already know, FCIB struck a deal to sell its assets to Heritage Bank but the problem is that the employees were being left in limbo as they were uncertain as to what their exit package would be and if they would be collecting their outstanding salary increase. What compounded the fears of the workers was that there was no Collective Bargaining Agreement. While Prime Minister Dean Barrow has passed the Vesting Act into law, paving way for the sale, no date has been set as to when it will take effect until certain situations have been resolved, one of which is the one with the employees. But by what Audrey Matura Shepherd and Labor Commissioner told us last night, the bank is willing to give the employees an exit package seeing that they have decided to enter in negotiations to do so.

PlusTV

Verdes Makes Historical Win
Belize Verdes FC made history last night by defeating Panama’s San Francisco 2 to 1 in the 2015 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League. It was an exhilarating game that had fans on the edge of their seats. It wasn’t broadcast locally, but our reporter Emanuel Pech was there and has a revie...

Labour Department breaks CWU/FCIB deadlock
Late on Monday evening there was a briefing of the press regarding the latest in the ongoing dispute between First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) on behalf of the bank’s soon-to-be former workers, who are agitating for their exit package after ...

Body and Soul Clinic in Roaring Creek
A missionary group is here in Belize having medical clinic at Body and Soul Ministries in Roaring Creek Village. The team has been in the country for about a week now, sharing their skills and offering free services. Tomorrow is their last day, but after this team leaves, another one will take its ...

VIP NOT a part of new third party amalgamation
Yesterday it was announced that a new “third” party is to be formed as part of the amalgamation of existing third parties, including the Vision Inspired by the People. However, we must make a correction to that story. Vision Inspired by the People is NOT a part of the new venture. Rather, according...

Teaching Services Commission denies Faith Nazarene Principal transfer
The Belize Teaching Services Commission’s (BTSC) has denied the Nazarene Management’s submission to have the principal of Faith Nazarene Primary School be given long leave and thereafter transferred out of the school. As has been reported, there have been tensions between parents and the management ...

Conman stole over $10,300.00 from lady
A conman robbed a lady of over $10,300.00 Belize Dollars. 50-year-old Dalila Osorio reported that on the 25th of February 2015, she gave a man by the name of Mark Anthony a cheque for $5000.00, and also $2000.00 in cash to purchase a vehicle in the U.S.A. The vehicle was to be delivered in the time...

Vehicle stolen in Orange Walk Town
A vehicle was stolen in Orange Walk Town. Alfonso Cho of Libertad Village, Corozal District reported that on Tuesday the 22nd of September at around 5:00 p.m., he visited Orange Walk Town and left his red 1990 Toyota Corolla car parked on Stadium Street. When he returned at 9:00 p.m. to get his veh...

Breaking Belize News

Ambergris Stadium to be renovated
The San Pedro Sun reports that a $2.3 million project to replace the old Ambergris Stadium broke ground on September 18. The Government of Belize plans a FIFA-approved international-level stadium. The completion of the sport complex is expected to take between eight to ten months at the most. The […]

Heavyweight boxer Fres Oquendo to fight in Belize
He has fought many boxing champions and legends, but has never held a world title; however, contender Fres Oquendo is recognized as a durable and experienced challenger. The 42 year old from Chicago by way of San Juan, Puerto Rico, is in Belize for a tune-up fight to […]

CWU says first meeting with Port amicable
The dispute at First Caribbean Bank is one of two major labour issues being dealt with by the Christian Workers’ Union. The other, especially difficult issue is the plight of the stevedores working for Port of Belize Limited. Despite their internal might at the Union stevedores have been […]

CWU says GOB “unfair” to BTL employees in settlement
There was an outpouring of support from sister unions for the Belize Communications Workers Union (BCWU) after their stinging press release attacking Government last week for failing to consult employees of Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) before reaching a settlement with the former owners including the BTL Employees Trust […]

Labour Department breaks CWU/FCIB deadlock
Late on Monday evening there was a briefing of the press regarding the latest in the ongoing dispute between First Caribbean International Bank (FCIB) and the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) on behalf of the bank’s soon-to-be former workers, who are agitating for their exit package after being told […]

Public invited to attend ‘Perspective of Our Past’ lecture
‘The Perspectives of Our Past’ is an annual lecture series in which teaches students and the general public learn about northern Belize’s history through the words of elderly citizens. This event is organized by the Corozal House of Culture, which has partnered with the Corozal Junior College to host this […]

Why Belmopan vendors had to leave Western Regional Hospital
The Ministry of Health’s Public Health Department says it has gone “to the limit” by forcing vendors off the compound of the Western Regional Hospital in order to attend to its many problems. Forgoing a requested meeting on Friday, the vendors were served with notices of eviction signed […]

Bankers’ Association denies impropriety
There is a Bankers’ Association of Belize and they have issued a statement on the permission granted in the U.S. courts for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to seek information on Americans with accounts in Belize who have not complied with home regulations to report on their income. […]

Fisherman and minor caught with firearm at sea
A Belize City man and a minor from Orange Walk are charged with keeping firearm and ammunition without a license. Marcelino Kal and the minor, 17, have pleaded not guilty to charges that they kept a 9mm pistol with ten live rounds of ammunition off the island of […]

Forward Operating Base to be built; politicians split on civilian defense role
In his Independence Day address Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed that a Forward Operating Base will be built on the north bank of the Sarstoon River, but gave no other details. This comes on the heels of the Belize Territorial Volunteers and other civil society supporters forcing the […]

Mother seeking public help to find missing daughter
A desperate mother is seeking the assistance of the public in locating her missing 15-year-old daughter. Thirty-two-year-old Regina Bowen of Rivas Estate area in the Dangriga District visited the police station on September 22nd, and reported to police that her daughter Nezlie Shemar Alvarez left home on September 20th and […]

Police on the lookout for stolen car
A resident from Libertad village in the Corozal District and Orange Walk Police are currently looking for a red 1990 Toyota Corolla Car. According to 45-year-old Alfonso Cho, on September 22nd he parked his vehicle on Stadium Street around 5p.m. and upon his return around 9 p.m. his vehicle was […]

Disturbing allegations against US sex offender living in Belize
A man registered as a sex offender in the state of California is under suspicion of sodomizing young boys at his Lake Independence home in Belize City and was allegedly detained by police but released without charges, after an account of a disturbing incident by a young boy. One concerned […]

BEL explains weekend blackouts
After two Independence weekend blackouts, one on Sunday night and the other on Monday, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) released a statement explaining what is causing the recent string of power outages across the country. According to BEL, an “unidentified fault” is the cause of the Sunday night outage at 11:30 […]

Blogs

Mimicking Nature for a Sustainable Economic Future
Having reached the limits of nature’s tolerance, we are finally shopping for answers to the question: “How can we live on this home planet without destroying it?” Just as we are beginning to recognize all there is to learn from the natural world, our models are starting to blink out – not just a few scattered organisms, but entire ecosystems. A new survey by the National Biological Service found that one-half of all native ecosystems in the United States are degraded to the point of endangerment. That makes biomimicry more than just a new way of viewing and valuing nature. It’s also a race to the rescue. Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is an evolving discipline that studies nature’s “best ideas” and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems. Studying a leaf to invent a better solar cell is an example. Think of it as “innovation inspired by nature.” The goal is to create products, processes, and policies – new ways of living – that are well-adapted to life on Earth over the long haul. The core idea is that nature, “imaginative” by necessity, has already solved many of the problems we are grappling with. Animals, plants, and microbes are the consummate engineers. By natural selection, they have found what works, what is appropriate, and most important, what lasts here on Earth. Like the viceroy butterfly imitating the monarch, we humans are imitating the best adapted organisms in our habitat.

The Sun Was Out But Things are Far from Dry in San Pedro
Yesterday started cool and a little bit overcast but by mid-morning, the sun was out and things were heating up. The weather map has been looking a bit more…September. And this rain we have (almost all of it on September 21st – Independence Day) has made the plants extremely happy. Just a street or two back from the beach, my friend’s house has become lake front property! And gorgeous birds are flocking in to enjoy.

What a difference a day makes on Ambergris Caye
Here is the view from our deck on Sunday morning as we were about to receive our first significant rain in months. It mostly poured on Monday, Belize’s Independence Day, which was supposed to be celebrated here with a big, colorful, joyous parade. The Jump Up Parade been postponed until Saturday. This is around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015. The sky was gray-black until this little light hole opened ever so briefly. It has been overcast and raining since then, until Tuesday afternoon. This is the same sky this morning, Sept. 23, 2015, the first day of Fall on Ambergris Caye. It is true that our trees don’t change color but our skies certainly do!

CIGARETTE TRAFFICKING AND BELIZE
Last week a story about two men arrested in Guatemala for smuggling cigarettes caught my eye so to speak, especially the name of one of the men whom I believe is also a Belizean. It brought back memories …. In 2011 I went to Melchor de Mencos to see for myself the phenomenon of cigarette trafficking across the Belize-Guatemalan border which my reports had said was creating an entirely new class of noveau riche there. I visited three businesses, two of which were operated by women, and spoke to the managers who showed me their beers and cigarettes mostly. The variety and price was incredible. The cigarettes were all knock-offs but that was hardly discernible to anyone who may not have had the experience of buying and smoking the genuine American-made article. In my conversations at the border I had learned that cigarettes were crossing the border by the container full, as was gasoline, trucked all the way apparently from the Corozal Free Zone.

The coming Pupusa war: A tongue in cheek story by Bill McMichael
Pupusas in San Pedro are prepared on gas fires, flat-top griddles located in front of the restaurants by expert pupusa chefs at two very similar restaurants directly across the street from each other. Waruguma and Pupusaria El Salvador have very similar ambiance, menus and pricing. When we started going to San Pedro, Waruguma was the one that was praised on Tripadvisor.com so on the trip when we finally ventured off the beach, we dined there. The food was fabulous at a price point that was so low it almost made us uncomfortable. This past visit, we noticed that something had changed along that stretch of Middle Street. Whatever it was, it was not obvious. Even though we were welcomed back with literally opened arms at Pupusaria Salvadoreño, I could tell there was tension in the air. There seemed to be a flash of aggression in the eyes of the formerly cheerful dueling pupusa makers. They stared over their flat tops in silence at each other like the gunfighters at the OK Corral waiting for someone to make a move. Nothing was overt, but a certain passive-aggressiveness could be sensed. We did not realize what was going on. Both restaurants had always seemed symbiotic in the past in drawing Salvadoran food enthusiasts to their stretch of Middle Street. We returned to our condo puzzled.

A Day of Sailing??? “I Do!”
So, when our friends David and Linda (the owners of Coral Tours, aka Catamaran Belize) invited us to take part in a day of sailing for David’s last day before leaving the island, we quickly replied with a great big “YES”! You see, David and Linda would soon be getting married in Colombia – David’s home – and this would be his last day with us in San Pedro for approximately 5 weeks. Linda wouldn’t be heading out for a few more days, although, it was also her last day to fully enjoy their time together in San Pedro before reuniting with him in Colombia. Our journey started dockside at 11:00 am with all of us anticipating the day’s festivities and what was in store. With David and Linda, you know it will be exciting and anything but dull! The voyage began and we were slowly advancing north of San Pedro Town to Mexico Rocks. There will be snorkeling in our near futures! I can feel it! As we lounge on the comfy cushions on the bow of the boat, the rum punches and beers are being served by the attentive crew with quick haste! We could get used to this!

International Sources

How Belize celebrated its Independence day
Although a tourist off-season, September is a great time to be in Belize when they celebrate their Independence Day with absolute fervor and zeal. A British Crown Colony since 1862, Belize was declared an independent nation from on September 21, 1981. On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, John Kerry, Secretary of State congratulated the people of Belize as they celebrated the 34th anniversary of independence this year. In early Belize history, the country was under Spanish rule, but Spain did not actually control the area due to a belief that it did not have sufficient resources to gain the country’s full attention. However, the Independence Day celebrations are certainly testament to the Belizeans’ love of a good party, with flags proudly flying, vibrant parades, lively dancing, and a multitude of food stalls serving up delicious local foods.

Belize taps local lawyer as its ambassador to Austria
US developer, has Grand Baymen on Ambergris. Fron Pittsburgh. But he must love those Sacher torts.... The Belize Foreign Ministry has appointed a Sewickley-based lawyer and developer as its official ambassador to the Republic of Austria, as well as permanent representative to its United Nations offices in Vienna. Joel Nagel, of the firm Nagel & Associates, was formally appointed in a ceremony at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna earlier in September, where he was received by Austrian President Heinz Fischer. Nagel expects to focus on his activities in Vienna on trade investment, development assistance and culture and tourism promotion of Belize. Nagel & Associates launched in 1992 and focuses on international commercial transactions and immigration. Nagel is also co-founder of ECI Development Ltd., a beachfront resort developer with properties in Belize, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

International exchange: Jacksonville partnership model expands to Belize
Some techniques used to prepare education majors for life in Duval County Public Schools will soon cross international borders. A $90,000 grant awarded to professors at University of North Florida’s College of Education and Human Services will allow it to expand its long-standing university-school partnership program into Belize in Central America. A delegation of six teachers and administrators from the country visited Woodland Acres Elementary, one of the four Duval schools involved in the program, titled the Urban Professional Development School. In the classrooms of the poor, low-performing elementary school, teams of UNF education students work in small groups and one on one with students on the areas they struggle with most. “These are schools that have high needs,” said UNF’s John Kemppainen, who heads the initiative. “For instance, this school has a very high transient population with students who come in and out, but the kids still need an education. It’s working with the kids where they’re at.”

IRS Targets Secret Offshore Bank Accounts
US taxpayers with secret bank accounts in Belize are about to feel the full force of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). A federal court in Miami has issued summonses against Belize Bank International and Belize Bank aiming to identify accounts controlled by US taxpayers from 2006 until 2014. Belize banks are subject to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) from 2015, but the US tax authorities want to uncover accounts where they believed millions of undeclared dollars were stashed away in secret during the previous decade. In the lead up to FATCA, one Belize Bank lost correspondent status with the Bank of America, although this is now restored and another bank closed. The closed bank suffered from allegations of laundering cash used to buy counterfeit goods such as alcohol, cigarettes, designer clothing and jewellery.

McCaulay brace powers Verdes FC past San Francisco
Deon McCaulay scored both goals to power Verdes FC (1W-1D-1L, 4 points, -7 GD) to a 2-1 win over San Francisco (1W-0D-2L, 3 points) in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League on Tuesday night at FFB Stadium. The result eliminated the Panamanian visitor from Group C contention, but revitalized Verdes’ very slim hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals. In order to overcome first-place Queretaro (2W-1D-1L, 7 points, +9GD), the Belizean power must close out group play with an 17-goal win at San Francisco on October 22. Things appeared to be going the Monjes’ way, when Daniel Moran gave them a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute with a curling right-footed effort from the upper-left edge of the 18-yard box. Five minutes later, though, the Central American rivals were on level terms. A right-sided cross by Yoras Silva found McCaulay unmarked 10 yards from the net. The Belize international did well to direct his header past outstretched goalkeeper Alex Rodriguez and inside the left post. It was Verdes’ first-ever SCCL goal after being shutout in its previous four matches, all losses. In the 39th minute, Verdes was awarded a penalty, when Jesus Patiño was taken down from behind in the box by Erick Rodriguez. McCaulay missed an opportunity to get on the scoresheet again, firing the subsequent kick from the spot off the crossbar.

Flats wading shoes: how to choose
Arriving in Mexico's Yucatan on my first ever tropical saltwater fly fishing trip, I was loaded with newly minted gear. Lightweight, sun-protective wading shirts, quick-dry pants with zip off legs, buffs, gloves, flats boots and a host of other gear that I'd just ripped the tags off before packing. Even though my getup clearly hadn't seen any time on the water, I must have chosen relatively wisely, given the lack of stares and giggles our first morning as I hopped into our Palometa Club panga which headed off across Ascension Bay in search of a welcoming permit flat. Having learned my lesson in Mexico, I stashed my Simms Flats Sneakers and tossed a pair of flats booties into my bag the morning before I headed out on my next flats trip — this time to Belize's Turneffe Atoll. We arrived at the dock on our first morning and after introductions were advised to ditch our flip flops and put on our wading boots even before our skiff had left its slip. Feeling more seasoned in my gear selection, I confidently pulled my booties from my bag only to be greeted with Fabian's same puzzled inquiry, this time from my Belizean guide Daniel. "Those the only shoes you brought?" Daniel asked. Dejected and confused, I informed him that they were. Daniel suggested that we head back up to the small fly shop at the Turneffe Flats lodge and grab me a pair of loaners but I decided to soldier on with my choice of the booties.

Mt. Pleasant Township native studies in Central, South America
Mt. Pleasant Township native Ashley Funk recently expanded her horizons far into the Earth's Southern Hemisphere. A senior enrolled at Wellesley College in Wellesley, Mass., Funk was one of 50 American college students to earn a Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship for undergraduate environmental study from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The two-year fellowship program provides up to $50,000 to recipients to finance travel to conferences and academic expenses, money Funk used earlier this year to study in the Central American countries of Costa Rica and Belize, along with the Republic of Peru in western South America.

Videos

September 23, 2015

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, 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

Separating two neighbors: The Rio Hondo
If there is one thing Belize isn’t lacking in its water bodies. Not only are we bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east, we also have 35 major rivers flowing through our lands. This is not mentioning the hundreds – even thousands – of streams, lagoons, creeks, ponds, swamps and little pools that form during the rainy season! Yup, Belize is truly blessed with water! Among all those 35 five rivers, two are mentioned in our National Anthem, the Rio Hondo and the Sarstoon. These rivers acts as the northern and southern most bodies of water in the country and also act as borders between Mexico to the north and Guatemala to the south. While trafficking the Sarstoon River is a bit complicated due to the ongoing territorial dispute with Guatemala, traveling the Rio Hondo is the complete opposite. Belize and Mexico are pretty good neighbors and the Rio Hondo is a gateway between the two countries.

Ambergris Today

The Little Parade That Cheered Up an Entire Town
It was not a parade – but it was!! Well, not the official Independence Day Parade, that was postponed. But just enough energy from a small group of people got the town going on a gloomy day. A tropical wave passing over the country of Belize brought much needed rain to the agricultural sector but it put a damper on the Independence Day Parade in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. It rained so hard on Sunday, the 20th and well into the next morning that the parade and festivities in San Pedro Town were postponed until next Saturday, September 26. The rains finally subsided past 2:30p.m. and all was quiet until the town heard the thump of loud music and roaring cheers of a small crowd coming down the streets. It was the impromptu decision of a group that was participating in the parade to hit the streets that ignited a mini parade. Heck, The islanders wanted to parade and took the opportunity of a break in the bad weather to do so. My Traveling Feet were by the beach taking pictures for the Belize Story on Snap Chat when they encountered the very happy group of patriots.

Celebrity Spotting: Actress Kayla Ewell and Husband Honeymoon in San Pedro, Belize
The cameras of Ambergris Today captured Vampire Diaries actress Kayla Ewell and her husband actor and model Tanner Novlan strolling down the streets of downtown San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize as the couple enjoyed a quiet and romantic honeymoon in the country. Having recently married on September 12, 2015, the acting couple immediately came to La Isla Bonita to enjoy a few days in Belize. Looking at Kayla’s posts on her social media profiles, the couple enjoyed a romantic stay at El Secreto luxury resort in North Ambergris Caye and some adventure at Hol Chan’s Shark Ray Alley. Images on Kayla’s Instagram profile also shows her enjoying cocktail poolside at the resort and also at the doors of Elvi’s Kitchen restaurant where she quotes, “My mom craved Elvi’s fish sandwiches! Now I understand what all the fuss was about!! Unbelievable!” Ewell is best known for her role as Vicki Donovan on the hit CW series Vampire Diaries. She also previously had roles on NBC’s short-lived Freaks and Geeks, as well as CBS’s soap staple, The Bold and the Beautiful. She previously dated actor Kellan Lutz for close to two years back in 2006.

Misc Belizean Sources

Prime Minister's Independence Day Speech
In doing this my Administration, as always, seeks to do right by all the people of Belize. And as a Government on this last Independence Day before the next general elections, Im not going to announce the date… we stand before the bar of history fully expectant of a judgment recognizing us as the good and faithful servants we have always striven to be.

Highlights of the September Independence Day Carnival Parade in Orange
Held yesterday September 21st. Photos courtesy Corozal Daily.

Panerrifix Full Moon Concert
The Panerrifix Steel Band is playing Centennial Park in Benque on Saturday, starting at 8:00pm. This is part of the Benque House of Culture's Full Moon Concert series. Don't miss it! "Mark your calendars for a Concert night featuring the Pannerifix Steel Band from the Capital City."

THE 'SAME OLD ME' IS THE CLASSIC BELIZEAN ARTIST HARRINGTON TRAPP!
The legendary Belizean musical artist, Harrington Trapp, musical career span from his time as as a vocalist in the 1960's with bands in Belize like The Promoters and Glenn Bood & The Telegrams, to his work as a musical artist and vocalist in the United States in the 1970's and 80's with Belizean bands like the legendary The Webb, to the reggae band called the Babylon Warriors. Since making his mark as an outstanding vocalist and trombone player with the Webb, Trapp later on went on to carve out a career for himself as a solo artist and vocal stylist in the 1980's, 90's, and beyond. His incredible body of work has warranted much respect and admiration from new and younger Belizean artists of today who credited the veteran Belizean artist, producer, and musician, with a model to emulate in their careers.

BELTRAIDE & UB PARTNER TO CONSTRUCT GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE’S FIRST-EVER GREEN BUILDING!
On September 17, 2015, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE), in collaboration with the University of Belize held the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a new facility: Belize Enterprise and Innovation Institute (BEI2). The building will be located on University of Belize’s Faculty of Management and Social Sciences campus in Belize City and will house two of BELTRAIDE’s technical units: SBDC Belize an Export Belize. It is designed to nurture entrepreneurship and innovation and strengthen Belize’s enterprise competitiveness. The building will accommodate a series of meeting rooms, small business incubators as well as a resource centre. The BEI2 is the first government facility to incorporate both Green and SMART technologies which will be beneficial in promoting environmental conservation as well as encouraging the use of modern technologies to facilitate enterprise and innovation.

Channel 7

Mother Runs Off Road, Her Eight Year Old Daughter Dies
Tonight, 32 year old Evelyn Kuylen is recovering from minor injuries she received after she ran off the Western Highway yesterday in a Mazda Tribute. But, what she can't recover from is that her 8 year old daughter, Kaylene died as a result of the injuries she received in that accident. Just a short time earlier, Evelyn - who is a clerk at the social security board - and her three children, aged 9, 8 and 2 years old were in the 21st September Parade in Belmopan. The kids were aboard the Social Security float throwing out sweets. They were heading back home to Benque Viejo from that happy outing when the accident happened at 2:30. I visited the devastated mother Evelyn Kuylen at her home in Benque Viejo today: Courtney Weatherburne reporting 8 year old Kaylene Mai sometimes shared this room with her siblings and her mother But now this room is cold and empty with her oversized casket lying on the bed she once slept on. Little Kaylene died in an accident on the Benque road on Independence Day.

Western Regional Chases Vendors, Cites Rat Problem
Rate at the Western Regional Hospital…who's to blame? First it was the pantry, then was the newly installed air conditioner in the nursery, then it was the fact that the building is on the ground floor, then the blame was put on the administrator, and then on the minister, and now…it's the food vendors outside the hospital. They are being blamed - partially at least - for contributing to the rat problem. And now, the hospital administration wants them off the property. But, it's not that simple; the vendors say that they stand to lose their livelihoods for something that isn't their fault. I visited them today:.. Courtney Weatherburne reporting Under the shade of this Flamboyant tree seems like a cool resting spot for this family waiting for an update from the doctor about their relative in the hospital. But this is not a hangout spot or a family waiting area, it's where the food vendors set up and sell their food every day. They are not here anymore because they were given a letter on Friday informing them that they had to pack up and leave the compound - all 4 vendors. And when they showed up again this morning, police came to remove them from the property. Now the only things left behind are the grey tarp hanging loosely over the tent, and this table now being used as a makeshift bench.

Convicted US Sex Offender Accused of Trading Noodles For Sex With Boys
Tonight, we have a very disturbing allegation of child molestation to report on. It involves a registered sex offender from the US who has been living in Belize for almost 2 years. He had been living in Belize City under the radar, but an accusation has emerged that this man may have sodomized a young boy. Now, he hasn't been charged for anything in Belize - in fact, he hasn't been formally accused, and so, even though his picture has been published in the state of California as a sex offender, we can't share his name or show an image of him at this time. That's because, -as it has been reported to us - this man was briefly detained, but not charged, on suspicion of child molestation. But, after you hear the following account from a concerned neighbor, you'll definitely wonder why he's free tonight. This concerned adult told us that after months of suspicious movements of a number of young boys in this man's house which is in the Lake Independence Area, he came upon a male minor who told him that he had been sodomized. He took action and got the police involved, and here's what happened next:

A Home Invasion In San Ignacio
This residence at 29 Rosewood Street in San Ignacio was the scene of a home invasion this weekend. Police say that last night at 11:00 pm, 46 year old Immigration Officer Ismael Pulido was feeding his dogs, reportedly pitbulls, when three masked men entered the yard. They forced him into the house where one of the men clubbed him over the head with a pistol and demanded money. He handed over $1,500 dollars - while the men helped themselves to his Glock pistol and his gold chain. Ismael Pulido had to be taken to the hospital for head injuries. His wife was unharmed. The family had no comment today, but Police say his attackers had been watching him - and waited until the police had gone home after 21st activities.

Hope For Compromise Dashed At Faith Nazarene?
Hope for a resolution to a three-week long standoff has been dashed at Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio. That's after the Teaching Services Commission rejected both compromise proposals put forward by Principal Policarpia Pech. To defuse the standoff between parents and teacher unified against her, she had proposed to go on long leave and to get a transfer. She put in the applications but the news coming to the school today is that both were rejected by the Teaching Services Commission. So, that puts the situation back to square one and General Manager Raymond Sheppard had to break the news to the Parent Teachers Association today. Now, with Principal Pech not having anywhere to go, he confessed that fears another cycle of parent led protest may begin. Encouragingly, more than 300 of the 400 registered students showed up for school today, while last week, fewer than half were showing up.

FCIB on the Frontburner For The Labour Department
Last week, the National Assembly passed the First Caribbean International Bank Vesting Bill into law. That allowed for First Caribbean to transfer their assets over to Heritage Bank in a sale - at a date to be set by government. But, while that sale is being finalized, the date that 60 employees will lose their job keeps moving closer. So, every minute counts, and today, the Labour Department arranged a 3-hour long meeting between the bank and the employees' bargaining agent, the CWU. That meeting finished just a few minutes before news time, and we spoke with the President Audrey Matura-Shepherd and the Labour Commissioner for a few brief comments. Here's what they had to say: Audrey Matura Shepherd, President - CWU "We had a very productive 3 hours meeting and the Labour Commissioner served a mediator I would say. We ironed out certain details and the good news is that now are preparing to actually start negotiations. We won't go into discussion on details what our difference is, but rather that we actually plotted a way forward and that we are looking forward to genuine good faith negotiations. Especially since our employees are still adamant about knowing where they stand."

Pickup Flips Into Drain
No one was seriously hurt when a pickup truck flipped into a large drain on the northern highway last night. It happened near Traveller's Bar at mile two where the Mistubishi L200 reportedly lurched out of an open lot, lost control and flipped into the drain - which was full of water. And while there were small children inside - they managed to get them out safely while the older passengers climbed out through the windows. Police have not provided details but four person were taken to the hospital.

Trafficker Sees Cops, Drops Weed
On Friday, Ladyville police picked up 1.3 kilos, or a little less than three pounds of marijuana when the rural rapid response team pulled up on a suspected trafficker. It happened on Egbert Quilter Street in Ladyville where the suspect dropped the packages and ran. On Friday, Ladyville police also arrested two prison trustees, 27 year old Jevon Slusher and 33 year old Ernest Bilary for smuggling 132 grams, or four and a half ounces of marijuana into the prison. The marijuana was allegedly stuffed in their boots. Both men are serving time for an unlicensed firearm. On Thursday, three trustees were caught trying to smuggle a pound of weed into the prison in a truck.

BEL's Weekend Blackouts
BEL has been plagued by blackouts for the last three days. First, on Sunday night at 11:30, there was what is being called an "unidentified fault" which caused a ten minute blackout in the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro Town. And while BEL only took a few minutes to bring back up the power, BEL still hasn't been able to find the fault - which is somewhere in the northern Belize District. There was another multi-district blackout yesterday, on Independence day 12:30 - and BEL says that one was caused by an accident in Benque Viejo Town, which damaged a lamp post carrying high voltage lines. That one affected western, central and southern Belize. Power was restored to all areas between 1:00 and 3:30 pm, with the exception of a portion of Benque Viejo Town, which was restored at 5:00 p.m. after repairs to the damaged pole. BEL had to use backup supply from Blair Athol power plant in the South, as neither CFE form Mexico nor BEL's own Gas Turbine supply were available.

CEO Says Vendor Eviction Is Necessary
Earlier we told you how the food vendors at the western Regional Hospital are being moved from inside the hospital's parking lot, to reduce the rat population. From last week, the Health Ministry CEO, Peter Allen, explained that this decision was coming down. Here's how he explained the immediate intervention being made to make sure that there are no more rats in the nursery: Dr. Peter Allen, CEO - Ministry of Health "What the ministry was doing already is that we have formed a special committee with the management committee of the regional hospital. We have had our principle public health inspector and go into the facility along with the deputy director of health services and conduct a review of everything that could possibly be done. And of course there are difficult decisions that are being made and being implemented as we speak. For example, the vendors who sell food in the compound may be upset, but we are going to have to ask them to move. People who have overgrown lots around the hospital maybe upset but we are going to have to make sure those lots are properly cleaned and taken care of. Indeed the building is old, indeed there are drains that run under the building and so we will have to do what we can with those to maintain the situation in a clean and sustainable way."

Political Leaders Messages Contrast On Independence Day
Yesterday, countrywide rains dampened Independence Day Activities all across Belize - but mostly, folks pushed on through the wet conditions. In Belmopan, where the official ceremonies were held at Independence Plaza - a tent provided the cover for the country's political leadership to give their national addresses. A welcome from the Belmopan Mayor set the tone:.. Khalid Belisle, Mayor - Belmopan "Belize renewed a rejuvenation long overdue but in progress. Belize confident certain that together no obstacle is too great, no challenge insurmountable. Belize competitive, improving our capacity and ability to contend in a globalize world. Belize committed, we all have a collective skin in the game and there is very little room for any other agenda other than the Belizean agenda to be advanced." Hon. Francis Fonseca, Leader of the Opposition "34 years after independence, 17 years of PUP, 17 years of UDP, our responsibility and obligation is to work together in good faith to change, improve and strengthen the failing systems and structures we have in place to govern and develop Belize. On this independence day, let us embrace governance reform by committing to the appointment to the 13th senator, to reactivating the integrity commission and to restriction it, the public accounts committee."

Another Korea, Another Kim
And while Special Envoy Kim Simplis-Barrow is getting a million dollars of government funds to finish up the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, the Inspiration Center, whose board she chairs, also received a generous donation from the Government of South Korea today. This morning two hundred thousand dollars' worth of equipment and devices were handed over to the center. According to Simplis-Barrow, it is a much-needed donation. Two brand new vehicles were also included in today's donation. The donation comes three years after Simplis-Barrow made a presentation to a gathering of ambassadors to muster support for the Center.

PUP Pulled Thousands, Plus G11
The PUP had just about its full roster of standard bearers for its Power to the People Rally in Corozal Southwest on Saturday. Official estimates say the party pulled a crowd of two thousand, while the PUP is boasting that it had five thousand supporters in San Narciso. But the number that really mattered was the number of standard bearers on stage. We have confirmed that all of the G-11 attended - and just about everyone else was there as well. This officially puts the party's disunity problem on the backburner as it gets ready to celebrate its 65th. Anniversary next week.

Play, Pan Man!
And as we close tonight - we do so with one last splash of September spirit. We'll look back at the joyous and jumping jamfest that is Pan Yaad. This year, the crowd was huge, bigger than last year, and the bands were at the vivid, vivacious best. Have a good night and join me back here tomorrow.

Channel 5

Conorquie Family Receives Compensation for Murdered Son
Three days short of a year, on September twenty-fifth, 2015, Belizean Tourism Police Special Constable, Danny Conorquie was murdered as he stood watch at the Caracol Archeological Site in the [...]

Child Killed in Road Traffic Accident
Also in the west…There’s a tragic story of a young child who was killed in a traffic accident on Independence Day.  The death of the eight year old Kaylene Mai [...]

PM Delivers Independence Address
Independence Day was officially celebrated on Monday in the capital Belmopan with all the traditional pomp and ceremony. Apart from ogling the “who’s who” in government and society, including foreign [...]

P.U.P. Leader Says 34 Years Down…What’s Next?
The address by P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca was brief and unlike previous years, there was no pointed criticism of government over critical issues. Fonseca seemed pensive as he spoke about [...]

Fonseca Calls for Governance Reform
Fonseca also pointed out the critical importance of reform, though he wasn’t taking overt jabs at government. In fact, he seemed to be looking at both the P.U.P. and the [...]

B.D.F. to Build Base on North Bank of Sarstoon River
The Sarstoon – actually the wider picture of Belize’s sovereignty – has been a hot-button issue in past months. Relations between Guatemala and Belize are not at the best point [...]

Did G.O.B. Get the Best Deal in the Settlement of the Utilities?
And tonight’s question is: Do you believe G.O.B. got the best deal in the settlement of the utilities? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or [...]

CWU/FCIB Deadlock Broken
After three hours of meaningful discussions which concluded at about six this evening, the deadlock between the Christian Workers Union and the management of First Caribbean International Bank has been [...]

Matura-Shepherd Says PM to Blame for FCIB Employee Action
The recent passage of the Vesting Act to enable the buyout of FCIB calls to question the timeliness of the negotiations between the union and the management of the bank.  [...]

WRH Food Vendors Evicted Because of Rat Infestation
Rats and snakes at the Western Regional Hospital….even the international media has been covering the scandalous state of affairs of the hospital. Today, it was about the hospital’s laundry found [...]

Health Inspector Says Vendors Had to Go as WRH Implements New Measures
The letter was issued to the vendors on Friday following a notice that the hospital administration was requesting a meeting with them.  That meeting never happened and they were in [...]

CWU Supports BCWU in Settlement Concerns
As we reported on Friday, the Belize Communication Workers Union, in a scathing release issued following the settlement of the B.T.L. nationalization, soundly criticized the Barrow administration, as well as [...]

Matura-Shepherd Says Discussions with Port on CBA Amicable
Matura-Shepherd also gave an update on negotiations between the CWU and Port of Belize Ltd. with respect of a collective bargaining agreement for waterfront workers.  While the CWU president admits [...]

Bankers Association of Belize Speaks on IRS Investigation
Articles, both local and international, on the banking and financial sectors have prompted a reaction from the Bankers Association of Belize. Just last week, a US federal judge granted permission [...]

Immigration Officer Assaulted During Home Invasion
There was a home invasion in the Santiago Juan Layout of San Ignacio Town. Just after eleven on Monday night as forty-six year old immigration officer and owner of Coaba [...]

Fishermen Remanded for Firearm Offence
Tonight two fishermen, from Belize City and a seventeen-year-old minor from Carmelita, Orange Walk District, are on remand for a nine millimetre pistol with ten live rounds which police say [...]

James Adderley and the Weekend Sporting Highlights
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   Last Thursday, Verdes FC sojourned into Mexico for its away match with Queretaro’s Gallos Blancos and this early goal [...]

CTV3

More Than 10 Million Dollars To Be Used By GOB To Cover Public Debts At KHMH
The September celebrations have come and gone and memories are all that remain as the entire Nation of Belize celebrated with pride the country’s 34th anniversary of Independence. As is customary, the formal Independence Day festivities are held in Belmopan with the traditional pomp and ceremony befitting the thirty-fourth anniversary of independence. The Prime Minister gave a glowing report of the state of the nation pointing to several initiatives and before an audience of elected ministers, dignitaries, other invited guests and the wider public, he lauded the work of his political party as the present administration and promised an even brighter outlook for Belizeans with many projects underway. The PM outlined that with the great growth in the first quarter, it has provided for a third salary increase for public officers.

Petro Caribe Funds To Seek Construction Of International Airport
The Prime Minister also trotted out various economic features to make the argument that in four key sectors of national development, Belize is ahead of the curve thanks to the elusive Petrocaribe Program. The PM boasted about several projects that will be primarily funded by Petrocaribe including the announcement of a new airstrip for Northern Ambergris Caye and the continued paving of the roads. “Tourism remains our single largest driver, I’ll and talk a little about our plans to continue encouraging its star turn. These include additional marketing and quality improvement efforts but they also include destination infrastructure improvement and there are three projects in that connection that I wish to highlight. First, there is the continuation of the North Ambergris Caye Road Project...

Prime Minister Promises To Construct Forensic Lab
The petro Caribe buck will also be used to construct the much needed Forensics lab that seeks to better the conviction rate and over 35 million dollars will be invested in Phase 2 of the Southside Poverty Alleviation Project. The PM believes that by creating more jobs and reducing the poverty line, crime will dwindle. “Start now, of the 30 million U.S. Cabei loan. As has been detailed, the monies will assist the police, the BDF and the Coast Guard. The improvement in forensic capability that is part of the deal, should, together with improved policing, lead to a better crime solving and conviction rate. The community outreach of the police especially on south side of Belize City will combine with a second serge in hope and improved living and job conditions that the commencement now of south side poverty alleviation phase II represents. Under that program a total of 37 million dollars is being spent on south side constituencies, the money funds improve streets and drains.”

Leader Of The Opposition Promotes Governance Reform During Independence Speech
Leader of the Opposition, Francis Fonseca, also addressed the crowd. In his speech, Fonseca keyed in on the importance of working in unity, and committed for the greater good of the country and its people. Honorable Francis Fonseca – Leader, People’s United Party “Nation building is not about wishful thinking. It is about hard work, commitment and participation. Each of us as citizens of this our loved Belize has a duty and obligation to be engaged in its growth and development. Proclaiming our sovereignty and territorial integrity risks becoming nothing more than empty clamorous rhetoric. Thirty-four years after independence our efforts to combat poverty and inequality demand and require an equal sense of purpose and unity. True development calls for profound qualitative change not only of the economy but also of the society. Central to this change is governance reform.”

LOVE FM

Opposition Leader Speaks of Nation Building Whilst Calling for Senator #13 Among Other Things
With the general message at the Independence Day ceremony being that of unity and nation building, the Opposition Leader, Francis Fonseca did speak on those factors as he honed in on the importance of every Belizean playing a role in the further development of Belize. FRANCIS FONSECA “In these thirty-four years we have faced challenges […]

Barrow Administration Announces Write Off of Public’s Debt to Government Health Facilities
While nothing would probably top the write offs of loans as he had done some years ago, Prime Minister Barrow did announce a write off of sorts as it pertains to members of the public who owe the KHMH for medical services rendered. Prime Minister explained how this write off will be justified. DEAN BARROW […]

Salary Increase for KHMH Workers Comes with Conditions
Right Honorable Dean Barrow made his eighth speech yesterday as the country’s Prime Minister since he became duly elected in 2008. The official ceremony was held at Independence Hill in the country’s capital city, Belmopan, Cayo District and as tradition would have it, since 2008, Prime Minister Barrow has become known for using this platform […]

PM Announces Opportunity to Purchase Shares in Utility Companies
One of the key objectives that the Barrow administration came into Government with was the goal to nationalise the utility companies in Belize. That goal was achieved in recent years as the Government of Belize now owns the Belize Telemedia Limited and the Belize Electricity Limited. With those checked off on the Barrow administration’s things […]

Next Fiscal Year Will Bring Another Salary Increase for Public Officers
With the recent decision to raise the salaries of the workers at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, the public officers and teachers were also awarded an eight percent raise in June 2015 earlier this year that was retroactive to April 1, 2015. Prime Minister spoke of these increases in wages and announced that public officers […]

Plans for Infrastructure Designed For Tourism Boost in Belize
We have told you of the announcements made yesterday by the Prime Minister when it comes to health, salary increases for public officers as well as moves being made in the public utility companies. Another area touched on by Prime Minister Barrow was the plans for infrastructural developments around the country. Barrow first spoke of […]

Prime Minister Says Construction of Base on Sarstoon Island Is A Go
One of the highlights of this year that has been debated on the media, in public and on the social media is the issue of the construction of a Forward Operating Base on the Sarstoon Island in southern Belize. Prime Minister Barrow, in his Independence Day speech, assured the Belizean people that the Forward Operating […]

National Security Ministry to Get a Boost in Equipment
While Prime Minister Barrow spoke of plans for a paved highway to Caracol which he says will improvements in Belize’s national security efforts in the Caracol area, he did speak of additional measures and investments being made in the Ministry of National Security. DEAN BARROW “We are pleased with the disbursement, start now, of the […]

PM Barrow: Inflation at a Low and Unemployment Down
With all these announcements made at yesterday’s event which will undoubtedly carry a heavy financial burden on the Government, Prime Minister Barrow did give a brief overview of the country’s economy, saying that it is good. DEAN BARROW “Our economy is doing well. The great growth of the first quarter was succeeded by a small […]

US Registered Sex Offender Arrested in Belize?
A registered sex offender has been reportedly spotted in Belize. We cannot reveal his identity because our reports tell us that he has not been charged in Belize City for any offence. However, our information is that the 42-year-old man is wanted in the United States and is registered on the California Sex Offender Archive. […]

PlusTV

Prime Minister’s September Celebrations speech highlights
Independence Day Celebrations were held across the country yesterday, though in certain areas, including Belize City, the weather dramatically affected the activities. While the rains cancelled the Formal part of the parade in Belize City, herein the Capital City, both the official ceremonies and t...

Opposition Leader’s 2015 Independence speech highlights
Earlier in our newscast, we brought you highlights of the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speech. We now look at the Leader of the opposition’s speech. Hon. Francis Fonseca mentioned the need to work in unity and gave the illustration of the BTV and commended them for their patriotism. Francis Fo...

Third Parties amalgamate
Today it was announced that the three third parties, mainly People’s National Party, Vision Inspired by the People, and We the People Reform Movement, will be amalgamating into one National third party, whose name and color is yet to be determined. The third parties have been pushing for refo...

Concocaf Champions League 2015 ; Belize vs Panama
The stage is set for the second leg of the Scotia Bank Concocaf Champions League 2015 which will be held at the FFB Football Stadium in Belmopan tonight between Belize’s Verdes FC and Panama’s San Francisco FC. Last month, Verdes held their own against mighty Queretaro drawing against th...

Disturbing Rat Video Goes International
The Western Regional hospital has been getting a lot of bad publicity since news of a rat infestation at the hospital grounds first broke in the local media. The bad reputation only increased when a video that was leaked to the media captured the moment when nurses desperately tried to exterminate a...

Measures being taken at WRH to curb infestation problems
Now with all this bad publicity coming not only from the local media but from international media, how is the hospital responding? In several interviews conducted over the week, the Ministry of health authorities effectively divorced themselves from the Western Regional Hospital saying the inciden...

PUP rally sees thousands in the North
On Saturday, September 19, the PUP held another in a series of rallies titled, “Power to the People” in the, San Narciso , Corozal District. It is the fifth of such rallies and has been the biggest one so far, with an estimated five thousand persons in attendance. This is the first rally to have ...

Breaking Belize News

People living less healthy years and shorter lives in Belize
New studies from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metric and Evaluation (IHME) show that while most of the world enjoys increased life expectancy, Belize doesn’t and Belizeans now enjoy less healthy years of life. According to the report, within 23 years, from 1990 until 2013, global average life expectancy for both men and women rose 6.2 years, from 65.3 to 71.5. Out of the 188 countries and regions studied, only 11 have experienced drops in life expectancy, including Belize. Belize is the only country in what is considered the North American territory to have experienced a drop in life expectancy, joining countries like Botswana, Namibia, South Africa Gabon, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Belarus, Paraguay and Guyana.

Bar goes up in flame in Cayo district
Brenda Nicolas, owner of Maturas Bar, located in Billy White Village in the Cayo District reported to police that someone had set her business place on fire. In Nicolas’s police statement she reported that on September 18th at midnight she left her bar properly secured. Upon arrival the following morning she observed that the building was completely destroyed by fire. Items lost amounted to $32,000.00, she reported.

Armed burglary in San Ignacio
San Ignacio police are currently investigating the details surrounding an aggravated burglary in that municipality. According to 39-year-old Judith Pulido from a 29 Rose Wood Street address in the Santiago Layout, her 46-year-old husband Ismael Pulido was feeding the dogs when three armed men wearing masks entered the yard. One of […]

EU Ambassador to make donations to education and hurricane preparedness in Stann Creek
European Union (EU) Ambassador Paola Amadei will be handing over two separate donations on Wednesday, September 23rd, to improve education in the Stann Creek District as well as provide a refurbished hurricane structure in Monkey River Town. The first ceremony will be to officially give Georgetown Technical High School (GTHS) more […]

Eight-year-old dies in Independence day accident
While Belizeans across the country celebrated the 34th Birthday of Belize, a family mourned the death of a loved one. According to police reports, around 2:40 p.m. on Independence Day, they responded to a traffic accident between miles 68 and 69 on the George Price Highway in the Cayo District area. Upon arrival police saw a dark […]

Belize appoints new Ambassador to Austria
The Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appointed a Sewickley, Pennsylvania, US -based lawyer and developer as its official ambassador to the Republic of Austria, as well as permanent representative to its United Nations (UN) offices in Vienna. Joel Nagel, of the firm Nagel & Associates, was formally appointed in a […]

Moist and relatively unstable conditions prevail over the area
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting mostly cloudy skies this morning with some showers, thunderstorms or periods of light rain mainly over the southern parts of the country and along the coast. Skies will be cloudy at times this afternoon and tonight, with a few showers and thunderstorms […]

Charles Leslie leaves Belize Unity Alliance for new movement
Former Placencia Village Chairman and political candidate Charles Leslie Jr announced Sunday that he is stepping down as chairman of the Belize Unity Alliance in order to pursue a new opportunity, according to a post he added on his Facebook page. He will act as spokesperson for a […]

U.S. offers congratulations to Belize on Independence Day
Speaking for President Barack Obama and the American people, U.S. Secretary of state John Kerry issued formal congratulations to Belize on the 34th anniversary of its Independence. Secretary Kerry pledged the continuing friendship and assistance of the United States to fulfill the mandate given on the first Independence Day by […]

Blogs

Independence Eve’s HUGE PARTY & The First Ever 21st Jump-Up Parade Rain Out
It was the BIG holiday weekend across Belize. Independence Day – Belize’s 34th. And San Pedro was kicking it off with a Sunday night, Independence Eve, celebration in the back Football Field, musical performances including one by Soca star Ricardo Drue..and a huge fireworks display. The weather looked iffy that afternoon but the event turned out AMAZING. Follow DFphotos_BZE on Instagram. Looking at the STUNNING photos he took of the event. Check out his videos also…totally awesome. And then after the fireworks…and everyone went to the clubs…at about 3am, the skies opened. After months of drought…and it POURED. 5 inches overnight well into the morning. The parade was supposed to line up at noon…and was postponed. We heard that Belize City had cancelled their parade…that Corozal had paraded in the rain and that Orange Walk (THE BIG ONE) would start late…at 4pm. And for the first time ever. San Pedro cancelled it’s Independence Day parade. Postponed actually…for Saturday the 26th.

A rained out 34th Independence day did not stop the party
Thankfully for party goers, it waited till after the fireworks and Independence eve celebration for Chac (the rain god of the Maya) to let loose. It down poured fairly heavy from about 1:30 am onward and kept right on going. As a result there was some damage control yesterday morning. First off, little did I know I could have used a kayak to go get a jar of coffee and some eggs this morning. I was expecting puddles but this one was deep enough to make me go back and get my camera so I could show you just how much rain we got overnight. Secondly, when I got home it was a full out whirlwind of boat issues. Unfortunately the recently repaired automatic bilge pump option was not working and my neighbor’s boat was going down fast. Aimee called to say she and Martin’s son would be over in a minute to help me bail the boat. She is across the canal and literally from the time it took them to get one street over, the boat went from partially up right to a sinking ship. Theirs was not the only one. At least one other boat that we know of went down in our neighborhood.

International Sources

This Map Will Tell You If Your City's Pollution Could Affect Your Health
Ever wondered about how your town or travel destination's air quality might affect your health? Here's your chance to find out. On Sept. 18, the Beijing-based environmental nonprofit Air Quality Index China released a real-time, interactive map displaying air pollution levels around the world. The AQICN map, which automatically updates every 15 minutes, compiles verified data from official environmental protection agencies about 1,000 locations, and displays each site's air quality index on the map. Users can see a full report and breakdown of a location’s air quality and pollution forecast by clicking on one of the flags. The indices are based on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's air quality index scale, which measures five major air pollutants (ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide) to calculate a location's air quality and the possible health effects. Each site is color-coded to display its current level of pollution according to the scale, which can be seen below. The data is by no means complete, however. Most of Central Asia and almost all of sub-Saharan Africa lack information on air quality. However, AQICN aims to increase its station coverage by 10 to 20 percent a year, according to the group's website.

Cayo, Belize, Is The World's Best Place To Disappear
In my office in Panama City, hanging on the wall opposite my desk in a place I see every time I glance up from my laptop, is a photograph of the entrance to Eva's Restaurant in San Ignacio, Belize. I came upon the photo three years ago in a café in Boquete, Panama, where I was having breakfast one morning. I looked up from my fried eggs and noticed, across the room, what looked to me to be the front door to a place I'd been frequenting for more than two decades. I got up, walked over, and confirmed that, indeed, it was Eva's. "Is that photograph for sale?" I asked the waitress. "In fact, it is," she replied. "All the art on the walls is for sale..." I discovered Eva's Restaurant 28 years ago during what was not only my first trip to Belize but also my first press trip. I traveled from Baltimore, Maryland, my home at the time, to Belize City and then onward to Ambergris Caye, Placencia, and, finally, inland, to Belize's Cayo District, all courtesy of the Belize Tourist Authority. I spent three days in each region and enjoyed them all, but it was Cayo that got under my skin. Cayo, Belize, I realized, was a place for disappearing.

The 4 Best Places to Live in Belize
Belize is an anomaly. Bordering Mexico with a Caribbean coastline, Belize has advantages you would expect: warm weather, gorgeous beaches, low cost of living, laid-back lifestyle and magnificent tropical jungles. The former British Honduras, which became an independent country in 1981, has become a magnet for North American retirees. That's partly because Belize has two big advantages you wouldn't expect: The legal system is based on English common law, and the official language is English. To be sure, there are disadvantages. There are approximately 340,000 people in Belize, a country geographically larger than Massachusetts, which has a population of more than 6.7 million. That's not a large enough population to support easily accessible, first-rate healthcare and higher-end shopping. For these items, expats go to Mexico (just over the border), or to the U.S. Still, Belize offers many great communities for retirement and long-term living. Here are the 4 best places to move to in Belize in alphabetical order, as identified by the contributors to Best Places in the World to Retire.

Billionaire's Tax Status Remains At Heart Of Cameron Tell-All Book Scandal
Playwright John Osborne noted, “In London, love and scandal are considered the best sweeteners of tea.” If true, right now, Londoners must be in sugar shock. Londoners – and indeed most in the U.K. – were rocked earlier this week by lurid allegations about Prime Minister David Cameron’s past following the release of Call Me Dave: The Unauthorised Biography, a book about Britain’s top politician. Penned by college chum and former Conservative treasury chair Lord Ashcroft, the biography was excerpted in the Daily Mail. The headline alone raised eyebrows: Revenge! Drugs, debauchery and the book that lays Dave bare: How PM’s snub to billionaire who funded the Tories for years sparked the most explosive political book of the decade Charges in the piece ranged from allegations of drug use to debauchery at a dinner club while Cameron was at Oxford; the latter sparked racy headlines across the globe and series of NSFW tweets marked #piggate. For its part, Downing Street refused to comment on the most salacious of the allegations, clearly hoping that they might die down once some other scandal attracted the public’s attention.

Who is Lord Ashcroft, and why has he written a book about David Cameron?
A look at the man behind this week's revelations about the prime minister. Michael Anthony Ashcroft, more commonly known as Lord Ashcroft, has kept a near-permanent presence in the news for many years. This week, he's exploded back into the headlines of every newspaper and news bulletin with extraordinary claims about David Cameron's university activities made in his upcoming unauthorised biography of the PM. Prior to his book, Call Me Dave, co-written with journalist Isabel Oakeshott, being serialised in the Daily Mail this week, Ashcroft was recently best known for his extensive constituency-level polling. His polls, like those of many other pollsters, predicted a range of results that were ultimately proved wrong in the general election result.

NOAA hunts 'perfect invader' in marine sanctuaries
More than 300 dead lionfish sit in the freezer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's regional office, putting a smile on the face of agency scientist Michelle Johnston. The spiny, brightly colored fish were killed during a recent four-day hunt in the Gulf of Mexico's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Now they are destined for research labs where Johnston hopes to find out more about the invasive species, including what native wildlife it eats. Polly Alford helped to establish Reef Conservation International, now ReefCI, in Belize earlier this decade. At the outset, the organization's mission was to entertain guests as it conducted research on coral bleaching and monitored the health of the corals and commercial fish species. These days, Alford admits much of her job is controlling lionfish populations. Last year ReefCI removed more than 7,000 lionfish from Belize's waters. They just keep coming back, she lamented.

“Tax haven” list could damage reputation of Caribbean countries
The Caribbean has just 18 congressional working days from Sunday, September 20 to try to have the U.S. Congress address an act naming 17 Caribbean nations as “tax havens”. If passed without amendment, it could have the effect of reputationally damaging the countries concerned with unpredictable trade, financial, and economic consequences. Under the terms of the U.S. Constitution, Washington D.C. is able to govern its local affairs but has to submit its legislation for the agreement of Congress. This provision, which has its origins dating back to 1788, grants the U.S. legislature exclusive jurisdiction over D.C. in “all cases whatsoever” in order to provide for the maintenance and safety of the capital. This means that in practice any act passed by the Federal District has to be sent to Congress for oversight by committees of both houses. In the case of budgetary bills, there is a period of 30 working days during which “active approval” is required. This August, the District’s 2015 Budget Support Act was approved by the Mayor of Washington, D.C., Muriel Bowser, and sent to Congress for consideration. Unlike previous bills that listed criteria defining a tax haven without identifying specific jurisdictions, the present bill names 39 nations and territories, 17 of which are in the Caribbean. These are: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, the islands formerly constituting the Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St, Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In love with the cacao
Doctors are always telling us to drink green tea, eat our fruits and vegetables and even have a glass of red wine, but what if they told us to eat chocolate? Craft chocolate-maker and scientist Adam Kavalier of Undone Chocolate in Washington, D.C., is enhancing the all-natural taste of his single-origin chocolate through his delicate “bean to bar” process, which brings out the natural antioxidants and health benefits in chocolate. The sourcing of the cacao beans differentiates Undone from other chocolate makers. “We pay very close attention to our cacao beans — where we get them, who produces them, if they’re organic, if they’re directly traded; that there’s a transparent sourcing model for us,” Kavalier said. To do so, the team establishes good relationships with farmers who are on the ground harvesting, fermenting and drying the cacao. Each of these steps is critical to the quality and taste of the cacao, and all are out of Kavalier’s control. Undone sources beans from the Dominican Republic and soon will use beans from Nicaragua, Bolivia and Belize.

My Central American Adventures
After Tikal, we crossed the border into Belize, to San Ignacio. San Ignacio itself was nothing special, but was close to a lot of beautiful scenery and fun activities. You could go caving, or tube through the caves for a less strenuous experience. The main highlight of Belize, however, is the island of Caye Caulker. Heavily influenced by Caribbean culture, it was 1km long but full of life. It had plenty of places to eat or sunbath on the seafront, or for the more active; snorkelling, cruises and whale shark spotting are available. Another full four days were spent there and it was too short of a time. We then moved onto our final destination: Mexico. We stopped in the beach town of Tulum for two days. Whilst it is normally beautiful, the beaches are currently covered in seaweed so you can’t swim or sunbath easily. However, there are more ruins and caves to inspect and a thriving nightlife. The last place of the holiday was Playa del Carmen, just down the coast from the party town of Cancun. It was by far the most touristic place of the holiday: Starbucks and Subways littered the streets and there were more Americans than Mexicans. Another place plagued by seaweed on the sand, it did not offer much in terms of entertainment. After a day and a half there, I was ready to come home.

USA Passports, no longer adding visa pages
ATTENTION U.S. CITIZENS LIVING IN BELIZE: The Embassy of the United States of America in Belize and the U.S. Department of State would like to announce the following important change to your passport: After December 31, 2015, no more extra visa pages will be added to U.S. passports. Instead, the 52-page passport books will be issued at no extra cost to U.S. citizens applying from outside the United States. The determination to eliminate the visa page insert service was made to enhance the security of the passport and to abide by international passport standards. Renew your passport early to make sure you have enough blank pages for visa stamps and see travel.state.gov for more information. Also, if you have not already enrolled in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), please consider doing so at step.state.gov

Videos

September 22, 2015

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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, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Local dive operators participate in hyperbaric informational session
The Subaquatic Services of Belize Hyperbaric Chamber in San Pedro held a valuable presentation at the Lions Den as part of its continuous vital service to the Belize Diving Industry. On Tuesday, September 15th, local dive operators and dive masters/instructors were provided with a presentation full of guidance as what to do when dealing with diving related incidents. One of the most common situations divers may encounter is decompression illnesses, but simple steps can avoid this. Leading the presentation was Kevin Morgan, a patient coordinator working in a hyperbaric chamber in Thailand. He explained about the importance of getting acquainted with decompression symptoms and delivering the adequate attention to a patient. “Tonight’s presentation is mainly to educate local divers more about decompression illnesses and understanding it. I have known professional divers that sometimes get confused with the symptoms or signs of decompression sickness and then we can have a misunderstanding of what is really happening, and this can be critical for the customer. Diving is a fun sport and everyone needs to know what can happen if the safety measures are not taken. It should be a safe experience for customers. Once we can identify the signs of illness adequately, we can then apply the proper attention to the patient. Some common symptoms are pain in the muscles and joints, cramps, numbness, nausea and in extreme cases paralysis. However, if we know what are the risks associated with these type of incidents, then we can avoid them before they happen.

Who was Basil Jones and why is the area named after him?
From early in the sixteenth century Spain maintained territorial claim to the New World including the Western Caribbean and Ambergris Caye. But the Dutch and English began exploring the area as early as 1569. From that point on Spanish sovereignty was frequently challenged and by the beginning of the seventeenth century, pirates were attacking the ships and towns of the Spanish Empire in the New World. These pirates were made up of many different nationalities and colors, black and white, English, French, and Dutch. The pirates probably used Ambergris Caye as one of their remote retreats and safe harbors. Here they could care for their boats, rest their crews, hide their treasures and obtain food and water for their next raid. The discovery of small treasure-troves on the island and of gold coins washed up on the beach, together with old bottles suggest that it was visited often and its abundant resources utilized. But through the years Spanish influence lessened and so did the number of Spanish merchant ships. The pirates were forced to adapt and turned to more commercial means of making money. They became wood cutters, logging the rich tropical and subtropical rain forests, for the precious hardwood, and became known as The Baymen.

Martial Arts Master introduces Muay Thai Fitness program
Local San Pedro resident Barry Goldberg is pleased to introduce a new fitness program for islanders. GSDA (Goldberg Self Defense Academy) is reality based for stimulating training on the beach, specializing in Muay Thai Fitness training. This discipline combines the best techniques from Wing Chun (China), Krav Maga (Israel), and Muay Thai (Thailand), forming an easy way to learn self-defense and martial arts. Barry’s passion for training and teaching martial arts took him to Asia (China) where in 2012 he created his own program, which has been formally certified by the Zhongshan China Wing Chun Association. Booking a training session is as easy as calling 636-8892 to arrange a location and time. Goldberg is prepared with all equipment, including first aid kits and of course, an immense load of knowledge. Classes range from 60-90 minutes, with a local price of $25-$100 BZ, depending on the type and size of group. “We also specialize in team building and customized classes along with seminar services. This fitness program is good for everybody regardless of age or gender,” Says Goldberg.

34 years celebrating a tiny country’s struggle to independence
As we look back on Belize’s 34 years of independence and prepare to celebrate yet another year of peace and prosperity, it is only fitting that reflect the efforts that have gotten us here. It was Monday, September 21, 1981 when the Union Jack was lowered and the Belizean Flag rose, signifying that Belize was no longer a colony of Great Britain. A British Crown Colony since 1862, brave men and women struggled for almost two decades to bring a new era to the people and today we have dedicated an entire month in their honor. While the road to independence was not a bloody one like that our Central American and Mexican neighbors, it did present challenges. For many years, the Belizean, at the time British Honduras, Government largely left matters up to the British. The Government under the administration of Premier George Price, leader of the Peoples United Party (PUP), was the first to start a campaign for Independence. He believed that if Belize could rally sufficient international support independence would soon come. But Belize had one major issue to settle and it was the looming invasion threat from Guatemala over a claim to southern most Belizean territory. With the help of National Heroes such as Antonio Soberanis, Monrad Metzgen, and Philip Goldson, British Honduras became Belize, a fully independent nation recognized by the United Nations (UN).

Misc Belizean Sources

Independence Day Jump-Up Parade postponed due to weather
The San Pedro Town Council hereby informs everyone that, unfortunately, the Independence Day Jump-Up Parade scheduled for today is postponed to Saturday, September 26, 2015, due to the weather we are experiencing. We apologize for any inconveniences caused and hope everyone can join us on Saturday to make it bigger and better! Happy September Celebrations!

Independence Day Celebrations 2015
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye brings in Belize's Independence Day with one big party on the eve of the 21st with highlight performance of Soca artist Ricardo Drue and a huge fireworks display.

Corozal Carnival Parade 2015
The traditional Carnvial Parade was held in Corozal on Sunday, September 20, 2015. On this page is a sampling of the floats and groups in the parade. For hundreds more images, including several photos of each float and group in the parade, click here.

BEL Restores Power Supply following Unscheduled Interruptions
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) has restored power supply to several affected areas across the country following unscheduled power interruptions that occurred last night and earlier today. At 11:26 p.m. on Sunday, an unidentified fault on the transmission system caused a power interruption in the Corozal District, Orange Walk District and San Pedro Town. Within ten minutes, BEL was able to restore power supply to the North. Investigations have since revealed that the fault on the transmission system is located in the northern Belize District; however, BEL continues its search to locate the fault. At 12:35 p.m. today, a system trip on the transmission system occurred due to a traffic accident in Benque Viejo Town, damaging a utility pole carrying high voltage lines. The north of the country, including San Pedro Town, was unaffected.

Paint N' Splash
This Thursday at Crazy Canucks 2p.m. please let us know who is coming!

Medical Policy
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. Historically Belize had high standards medically Elders talk of medical quality In yesteryears paying twenty five cents for dentistry Doctors visiting schools regularly Paying $1.25 for dental surgery Thirty years later have we regressed? Is there provisions for a school health unit in Gob's impress? Despite advancement in technology Doctors returning from study Now rat di bight baby! Has gained us more embarrassment internationally There is a National Reproductive Health policy Between 2004 to 2006 if mi mind noh di slip mi Emergernt Corp did the consultancy Now we have NHI where the follow up studies? Why are there no reports on the quality? We should be re visiting that data constantly Then adjusting accordingly There must be accountability, After all it is our social security money We need to defend it constantly

A BELIZEAN MUSIC LEGEND IS IN THE HOUSE!
The legendary Belizean musical artist Harrington Trapp came out to the Belize Independence Day celebrations on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Hollywood Park & Casino in Inglewood, California. Seen here with BREDAA's chairman, Nuri Akbar Estrada. Belizean Legends will be bringing you soon a classic documentary on this Belizean musical icon, and his incredible work with the legendary Belizean bands like the Promoters, Glenn Bood & The Telegrams, the New York based, the Webb, and the Los Angeles based reggae band, Babylon Warriors. A most historic and information packed feature on Belize's music history through the eyes of one of Belize's most long lasting musical artist of today, Harrington Trapp.

THE BELIZEAN DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT FOR ADVOCACY!
It was a most powerful moment of encountering Belizeans in the diaspora who care and want to share something for Belize in the diaspora. Discussing crucial issues affecting Belize with Belizean folk, and taking that extra step of making a difference for people and country is so highly expressed by many Belizeans who visited the BREDAA information booth that provided information on the Belize / Guatemalan Dispute, and the recent Sarstoon Island crisis, as well as the Belize diaspora vote that is now making its third year of advocating for Belizeans to vote from abroad, and a full court press to resurrect the Seventh Amendment in the Belize constitution. It was an honor to have Belizean, Mario Lara, and Eugene Trapp who stopped by to pledge their support for Belizean causes, and present excellent discussions and ideas in terms of how the Belizean diaspora can move forward as one body, and one people. A big time respect brothers. You are appreciated.

BELIZEAN LEGENDS IN SERVICE TO THE DIASPORA!
Like many other Belizean organizations that serve Belizeans in the medical field across the Belizean diaspora in the United States, this Belize cancer society and its small but very needed service and advocacy for Leukemia, made its presence known as a diaspora service that is helping in drawing awareness to one of the serious killers of Belizeans in the diaspora, Leukemia. We here at Belizean Legends thank and appreciate Mrs. Mary Usher-Swales, founder and president of the Belize Chemotherapy Organization of New York, Inc. for taken out the time to tell us all about the service that her organization provides. We urge you to support this noble cause for the health and wellness of all Belizeans abroad.

NURI AKBAR ESTRADA AT THE BREDAA'S INFORMATION BOOTH AT BELIZE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS AT HOLLYWOOD PARK & CASINO ON SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2015
The Belize Rural Economic Development of Agriculture through Alliance (BREDAA) and its outspoken chairman, Nuri Akbar Estrada, has been putting some serious work on the ground advocating for the Belize diaspora vote since 2013, and continuing his relentless drive to bring this most pertinent awareness to Belizeans in the Los Angeles Belizean community. His work continued on Sunday, September 20, 2014, manning the BREDAA information booth at the Belize Independence Celebrations at Hollywood Park & Casino in Inglewood, California. The booth disseminated information on the Belize / Guatemalan Dispute, the political climate in Belize, and the Belize Diaspora Vote. Along with Bilal Morris, also of BREDAA, Estrada interviewed on camera, many prominent Belizeans in the Los Angeles Belizean Community, as well as the visiting Minister of Education, Patrick Faber. Belizean Legends will be bringing you these most relevant voices in the Belizean diaspora very soon. We as much as you look forward to seeing and hearing these movers and shakers in the Belizean community.

BELIZE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATIONS IN LOS ANGELES!
Belizeans in Los Angeles came out in large numbers this year to commemorate Belize Independence Day Celebrations at the Hollywood Park & Casino in Inglewood, California. It was a massive crowd much larger than last year in the city that houses the largest Belizean community in the whole of the diaspora. A sight to see for all who love Belize, and Belizeans. Belizean Legends was there, and will bring you some interesting highlights of this momentous celebration in the Belizean Diaspora.

The Reporter

Charles Leslie resigns as chairperson of Belize Unity Alliance; takes up new role
Charles Leslie, who was vocal in the campaign leading up to the last general elections in 2012, ha resigned his post with the Belize Unity Alliance (BUA) with immediate effect. Leslie, who issued a press release announcing his decision on Sunday, said he is taking up a new political role. “I am happy, proud and hopeful in taking up my new role as the Public Relations Director in the people’s progressive alliance, which an official political name will soon be announced”, Leslie said in his letter to the BUA. Without explaining his reason for the decision or what the new political movement is all about, Leslie closed off his letter by saying that his move is just the continuation of a journey he began in 2010.

Belize celebrates 34th anniversary of Independence; rain alters uniform parade
Belize celebrated the 34th anniversary of her Independence on Monday, with official speeches in Belmopan from the Mayor of Belmopan, the Leader of the Opposition and from the Prime Minister. Belmopan Mayor, Khalid Belisle, who revealed that he was born just months before Belize got independence, told the gathering that he has never known a Belize that was not politically independent. The mayor urged all to do all they can to take our country to new heights and advised while the struggle to do so can be arduous, there is no challenge that is insurmountable. He also said that as we go about our individual work, “there is no other agenda than the belizean agenda to be advanced.” Diane Haylock, co-chair of the September Celebrations Commission, and who represented the Chair, Tourism Minister Manuel Heredia said, “It is clearer today that what we sought prior to 1981 was not about severing colonial ties”, but a desire to be resolute in our fight to create democracy.

Breaking Belize News

Horrible car accident on the Western Highway claims 1 life
We have received reports about a horrible car accident that happened yesterday afternoon on the Western Highway near Rumours Resort. Information is still sketchy but we were made to understand that one person died in the incident.

Opposition Leader calls for “sense of purpose”
Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca delivered a statesman’s address on Independence Day in workmanlike prose, calling for a sense of purpose and unity as we look ahead to the next 34 years. Acknowledging the deep debt of pride and gratitude to the leaders of the nationalist movement, he said leadership was not about “wishful thinking” but about hard work, commitment and participation by all Belizeans, paying attention to job creation, education, health care and national security. As an example he cited the trip of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) to the Sarstoon Island in August, where, he said, they made “a simple powerful statement that all of Belize is ours to protect and defend… a clear, strong message of unity in the face of the Guatemalan claim.” But he also points out that resources are necessary to back our claim.

Prime Minister launches final push of development agenda
In recent years, the Prime Minister’s Independence Day Message has been treated as more a policy statement than one of patriotism, and this year’s was no exception. While mentioning that this administration is on its last Independence Day before the next general elections, Prime Minister Dean Barrow adlibbed, “I am not going to announce it,” referring to a date for general elections, to laughter and applause. He has previously stated that it would be called before March of 2016, when the Government will have reached four years in office. Prime Minister Barrow used his address to highlight both successes and failures in this last year and the grandiose plans for the immediate future.

Speakers laud Belizean progress on Independence Day
Independence Day ceremonies have begun under overcast skies in Belmopan, with a light rain shower overseeing the Guard of Honor mounted by the Belize Defence Force (BDF). Opening the ceremony, Mayor of Belmopan Khalid Belisle noted that he has never seen a Belize which was not independent as he was born a few months before Independence Day.

Belize celebrates 34 years of Independence
A happy Independence Day from Belmopan! BMG is on site at Independence Plaza in the National Capital for today’s official ceremonies which will kick off at 10:35 a.m. Belmopan Choral Society is providing entertainment as we await the arrivals of the Mayor of Belmopan, Khalid Belisle, Leader of Opposition, Francis Fonseca, Chief Justice of Belize, Kenneth Benjamin, Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow, and Governor General, Sir Colville Young, among other dignitaries.

Blogs

HAPPY 34th BIRTHDAY BELIZE!
Wow! It’s hard to believe that it’s been thirty-four years since that magic day on September 21, 1981,when Belize proudly stepped onto the world stage as a new, independent nation; ready to chart her own course as an equal among other countries. On that day, filled as it was with hope, pride and excitement, no one was quite sure what the future held. There were the usual naysayers; the former British Honduras was too small, too poor and too inexperienced to go it alone. But to the people and leaders of the now sovereign Belize, opportunities outweighed fears, and challenges were faced with robust enthusiasm. You could feel the excitement of; “We’re gonna knock our own ‘ting!” And that’s exactly what Belize did. The people rallied together, rolled up their sleeves and went to work, to take a quote from the Battle of St George’s Caye, “shoulder to shoulder”. Almost overnight, new businesses began sprouting up, and along with them a range of NGOs and various other organisations to ensure that development was going to include a commitment to environmental sustainability and social improvement.

THE ALTERNATIVE STRUGGLE IN BELIZE
I talk to Belizeans on the ground every day and the one thing that is certain in all the discussions is that they want a serious Alternative, not a bunch of individual units working together under a common idea. Belizeans see that as a larger more spread out version of the two party system. Currently we have PUP and UDP fighting for power, if the Alternatives win, it will be a larger struggle for power.. The lesser of two evils is still evil. And we keep doing the same insane thing of voting in evil every 5 years. Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. – Albert Einstein Belize is ready, the Alternative is not. But pushing people to the lesser of two evils is not the way to progress.. Why are we not working to ensure we have a viable alternative in a single group rather than multiple units? Think about this.. In the past 33 years, the PUP and UDP have their proven track record behind them, while the alternatives are yet to prove themselves. Why are we hell bent on destroying alternative choices and keep going down the two roads that already has a history of destruction and failure?

The Clayton-Bulwer Treaty
Convention Between the United States of America and Her Britannic Majesty; April 19, 1850. One of the more peculiar diplomatic documents in the history of inter-American relations: in it, the US and Britain agreed to avoid unilaterally annexing or fortifying any canal across the Central American isthmus. That Nicaragua, the ostensible object of these negotiations, was not invited says something about the diplomacy of the era. THE United States of America and her Britannic Majesty, being desirous of consolidating the relations of amity which so happily subsist between them, by setting forth and fixing in a convention their views and intentions with reference to any means of communication by ship canal, which may be constructed between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, by the way of the River San Juan de Nicaragua, and either or both of the lakes of Nicaragua or Managua, to any port or place on the Pacific Ocean: the President of the United States has conferred full powers on John M. Clayton, Secretary of State of the United States; and her Britannic Majesty on the Right Honorable Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, a member of her Majesty’s Most Honorable Privy Council, Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, and Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of her Britannic Majesty to the United States, for the aforesaid purpose; and the said plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in proper form, have agreed to the following articles:

The August 2015 issue of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

The Perfect Design – Feathers In A Nutshell
I can still recall the first feather I held in my hands. I was 6 years old, walking down a dirt road with my grandfather when I spotted a feather, its vibrant blues and white reflecting the sun’s rays. My new treasure was the tail feather of a blue jay. From that moment on I became one of millions around the world awestruck by birds and the incredible characteristic that grants them the freedom of flight: feathers. Feathers are the inspiration for fashion fabrics and accessories, for traditional, ceremonial or religious wear throughout the world, and for the beautiful, flamboyant costumes of Caribbean and Central American Carnivals. The beauty of feathers inspiring fashion designers drove several species almost to the brink of extinction. Feather colors vary from vibrant reds of a vermillion flycatcher, bright yellow and green on a displayed yellow-headed parrot to the bald head of a turkey vulture. Feathers on birds attract a mate, protect them from the sun, repel water and insulate them from the cold. They have the ability to keep harmful bacteria at bay, and most importantly are structurally crafted to give flight, allowing birds to inhabit every continent except Antarctica.

To The Editor
Featured in the full page ad supporting the use of genetically modified organism (GMO) seed that appeared in the Belize Ag Report, issue 27, paid for by the Belize Grain Growers Association (BGGA) was a statement that GMO technology is used to produce animal feed. We must not forget that people eat the animals that ingest the seeds that have been injected with poison. In addition, there are increasing numbers of farmers reporting better animal health with non-GMO feed. Cattle deaths due to digestive problems or pneumonia have been cut in half for farmers who have switched back to non-GMO feed. State-of-the-art technology is already here to provide plentiful healthy and nourishing food and soil, safe renewable energy, clean water, and safe medicine– without the use of petroleum-based chemicals, seed manipulation and patenting. The technology and science of permaculture, bio-mimicry, bio-char, composting, biodiversity, non-toxic weed/pest management practices, along with other technologies described under Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in the Farm Management Manual published by the Belize Ministry of Economic Development, are all designed to eliminate pollution, cost, and waste.

Winged Invasion
Middle of dry season, hot and dry as expected, but out of nowhere the heavens open and we are blessed with a shower. No matter how small, any amount of moisture at this time of year can trigger something fascinating…..Clouds of tiny insects emerge from the ground, and disperse everywhere, and I mean everywhere. These delicate, soft bodied insects are subterranean termites swarmers (Genus: Reticulitermes), or locally known as wood lice here in Belize. This phenomenon is seasonal in some parts of the world, but here in the tropics it is usually an environmentally triggered event, with frequency dependent on region, species and colony size. These clouds of insects fly aimlessly on wings much larger than their bodies and float where the wind takes them, like grains of pollen, with slightly more control. Their extra-large wings serve their purpose for gliding on the breeze, but then pose a problem. When a termite reproductive (aylate), finds that small crack in the soil, and try to squeeze in, this is where the mess begins. To better enable the termite to go in search for their new home underground, they shed their wings and start their own form of cave exploration, except this is for survival of the species, so it is serious business and this is where the persistence of these pesky critters comes into play.

Soil Profile
The soil profile is an important tool in farm management. A soil profile, can give valuable insight into soil texture and fertility which is very important in growing crops. This simple overlooked procedure can save a lot of problems by taking a peek on what is laying beneath the surface of the land. A soil profile is made up of distinct layers, known as horizons. The five most common horizons are collectively known as the master horizons. Scientists have developed methods to describe the various components and characteristics of the soil profile. By using common terminology, soil profile descriptions are valuable for deciding how the soil might be used and/or predicting how the soil might react to its intended use. Technical descriptions of the soil are not only useful for farmers, but for scientists, ecologists, soil engineers, hydrologists and land use planners. A soil horizon makes up a distinct layer of soil. The horizon runs roughly parallel to the soil surface and has different properties and characteristics than the adjacent layers above and below. The soil profile is a vertical section of the soil that depicts all of its horizons. The soil profile extends from the soil surface to the parent rock material.

The Emerging Roles of the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) and Sugar Industry Management Information System(SIMIS)
As Belize heads towards the direction of increasing and maximizing sugar cane production without clearing new land the need for plant nutrition turns out to be a key study factor. Plant nutrition is important because different sugar cane varieties, soils types and weather conditions dictate types of fertilizer to be used to increase production and at the same time lower the cost of production. The research department of SIRDI has embarked on a mission to use clean seeds to establish nurseries to introduce new varieties of sugar cane. It is also collecting soil samples to verify nutritional needs of the sugar cane, establishing baseline data of different varieties and establishing a seed bank of clean seeds. The extension department has been designed as a technology transfer section with its primary role to train stakeholders to improve cane yields, be more cost effective and increase net return to sugar cane farmers. Its main objective is to establish an efficient and effective field advisory service network throughout the northern sugar belt.

Energetic Agriculture – Soil, Carbon, And Microbes
The top 2 inches of soil is the source of all living things on planetEarth; it’s where all the foods that sustain animal and human life come from. Over the last 50 years as we turned agriculture from being primarily based on biology to an industry based onchemistry, we have been steadily destroying our precious top soil. Soil begins with rock, sand, or river sediments and when mixed with organic matter becomessoil. It takes several hundreds of years to create soil but we can destroy it in 20 to 50 years with toxic chemicals and bad plowing methods. The good news is that humans can create soil inabout 3 to 5 years’ time. Carbon and microbes work together. One needs the other. Good or healthy soil is about 50%solids and the other 50% is water and air. One very important fact is carbon can never be created or destroyed. It changes form. When weuse certain chemical fertilizers, or do bad plowing of our fields, we drive carbon out of the soil.

Oregano!
Pungent, balsamic, spicy, zesty, slightly bitter, aromatic, tasty and healing describes oregano, an ancient herb with many culinary and healing properties. Oregano, origanum vulgare, is a well-known common species of Origanum, a genus of the mint family. Grown as a hardy small shrub and considered to be a perennial herb, oregano grows to be anywhere from about two to over six feet tall. One bush goes a long way and will stay productive for at least three years or longer, then will reseed itself. Two varieties of oregano are grown and used in Belize. One is the familiar small medium grayish to green leaved kind, described above, which many associate with pizza and spaghetti sauce. The other variety, grown widely in Belize, known as ‘Mexican oregano’, has larger succulent, fuzzy, pale green leaves, and is actually not considered botanically to be a true oregano. Mexican oregano is a member of of the vervain family, Verbenceae. It grows easily and is used to add a hint of rosemary with a citrus accent and is used as a subsitute for epazote leaves.

Beyond The Backyard – Paternal Instinct
In March 2015 alone more than 100,000 visitors flocked to Washington State USA to see the Cherry Blossoms. They fly from around the world and join the feeding frenzy sucking up the sight of these marvelous trees. They marry under the confetti of petals, dancing and reveling in delight, taking shots with their i phones and sharing their joy on Facebook. In Belize there is a blossom that momentarily takes my breath away, as I am stunned by its beauty, every bit as impressive as the cherry blossom but with much more versatility. It has a fairly humble position as it is used mainly as a living fence and nicknamed “quick stick”as it is really that easy to grow in any type of soil. Its deep roots and quick growth make it a good windbreak. Gliricidia sepium is derived from the Latin meaning to kill a rat. Which is just one of its many uses. It is a good insect repellent and used on dogs and livestock for flees, ticks and scabies or to get rid of termites and bed bugs. There are many folkloric medicinal claims and known to be antipruitic, antioxidant, antifungal and antimicrobial. In Mexico there is a antibacterial soap made from the bark. It is also a leguminous nitrogen fixer suitable for alley cropping. Cut branches are then used for firewood and lumber.

Hugelkultur
Hugelkultur, pronounced hoo-gul-culture, is an ancient way of gardening or farming. Practiced for hundreds of years in Germany and Eastern Europe, hugelkultur is now receiving widespread attention and interest by farmers worldwide. The word hugelkultur is a German word meaning raised mounds or hill culture and is constructed on top of decaying wood debris and other compostable material. These growing mounds hold moisture, build fertility for the plants, maximize growing space, and provide nutritious soil for growing fruits, vegetables and herbs. They are particularly useful in places where water is scarce, allowing farmers and gardeners in the tropics to continue to grow during the dry season.

Food Safety Testing In Belize
The Central Investigation Laboratory (CIL) is a food testing laboratory that operates under the Food Safety Services of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).It is housed at what was originally in the 1970’s the Veterinary Laboratory of Belize City. While the archaic structure is where one would least expect to find the country’s only official food testing laboratory, the work that takes place on these premises is of vital importance to Belize. For example, when a panic-stricken public needed answers during the “pink potato”scare it was in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory (CAL)that operates at CIL that the adulterant was identified as a food dye. CIL houses both the CAL, and the Food Microbiology Laboratory(FML). The FML is a biosafety level 2 laboratory that tests food products for pathogens that cause food borne illness such as Salmonellosis (from the Salmonella bacterium), Staphylococcus aureus, and Vibrio cholera; it also provides testing support to the Ministry of Health in outbreak scenarios. This laboratory had its origins in the Fisheries department, and was relocated to the BAHA facilities in order to support export certification of the fish and fishery products, and particularly aquaculture, after the founding of BAHA in the year 2000. Since that time the lab has expanded to encompass testing of other food matrices as well.

Considering Lime and its Use for the Best Crop Response
There is a book with my name on it called, Neal Kinsey’s Hands-On Agronomy. And although it has been popular enough that several printings with numerous updates and small revisions have come out since the last major revisions in March, 2009, the profits from sales each month are not sufficient to pay even my telephone bill which is only a small part of monthly expenses. That is not meant as a complaint, but just to point out that making money by selling the book is not the big reason for its existence. It was written and intended to help farmers better understand the fertility issues of the soil. And also to help everyone concerned gain a better understanding about how and why the soil’s fertility needs vary so much from one part of a field to another. And furthermore, to help explain how to correct the poor areas and improve the good areas in order to grow the best crops possible in each different soil. In the 2006 through 2013 printings of Hands-On Agronomy, page 64, the discussion of liming and pH begins. From that point in the chapter and on into the next, the explanation of the relationship between calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium and each one’s influence on pH is discussed, with many examples provided along the way that are intended to help make the points become even clearer.

Soil Fertility Workshop at UB’s College of Agriculture Declared a Resounding Success by Participants
Shortly after Neal Kinsey’s articles started appearing in the August 2014 Belize Ag Report issue 26, growing numbers of readers opined that it would be beneficial to bring him to the University of Belize’s College of Agriculture (UB CF) to present his introductory 3 day Albrecht-Kinsey Method Soil Fertility Course to Belizean students, teachers and farmers. This was realized at UB CF on May 11, 12 and 13th, 2015. About a third of the 65 participants were 2nd year students at the College of Agriculture or teaching staff from UB CF and other Institute for Technical and Vocational Educational Training (ITVET) schools in Belize.

Avian Influenza in Belize
Belize implemented its active surveillance programme for avian influenza (AI) in 1999 as a result of the high threat arising from the avian influenza H5N2 outbreaks which started in 1994 in the neighbouring country of Mexico. When Guatemala and El Salvador reported low pathogenic avian influenza H5N2 in 2000 and 2002, respectively, the active surveillance for avian influenza was strengthened. In 2009,through the implementation of the Belize Poultry Improvement Plan (BPIP), AI monitoring of chicken broiler and layer breeder flocks commenced with breeder flocks being tested three times in their lives. 2014 was no different from other years in avian AI surveillance activities including active and passive surveillance and monitoring of breeder flocks. All blood samples collected from active and passive surveillance for AI in 2014 tested negative. All blood samples collected under BPIP in 2014 also tested negative except for samples collected in Spanish Lookout, Cayo District from an 8000 chicken broiler breeder flock 39 weeks of age, in early December, 2014.

BEL-CAR Update Blackeye Peas (BE’s)
Red Kidney Beans are now a part of the coop program at BEL- CAR along with corn and blackeye peas. That means the farmers who grow RK’s receive equitable payments based on the prices BEL-CAR receives when they sell them. That will take care of the problems that arise when price fluctuations due to supply/demand variances in the market place result in different prices paid to farmers whose harvests and deliveries vary during the season. Blackeye peas are graded according to their quality which is determined by detailed export standards, including appearance (color, spots/markings caused by insects), moisture, and presence of non-BE beans, splits or foreign material, e.g., stones. Weather can adversely affect bean quality. For example, weather that is too dry during the growing season causes BE’s to have a yellowish color; however, BE’s should be harvested in dry weather (no rain the previous 2 weeks) to maximize quality. Spotting also comes from weather conditions; but weather is not the only factor affecting quality.

Soils Of Belize – Eastern OW District, Northern Belize District
My last article addressed the western/south western portion of the Orange Walk district. This article looks at the eastern portion of the district and its association with the northern part of the Belize District. The major agents of the formation of these soils are the two rivers – The New River in the north and the Belize River in the south that form these two associated drainage basins further south. The principal geophysical feature is the flat land intersperses with many large and small water bodies such as lagoons, lakes and ponds. These watersheds have substantial areas of marsh lands and swamps (peat) as well as areas that are old leached alluvial pine ridge soils as well as younger soils lying on top of limestone and further south lying on top of clay hard pans. Drainage is usually a problem causing anaerobic soil conditions. Anyone who has travelled the course of the New River readily appreciates the estuarine nature of the main course of the river as it passes east and then north into the Corozal District. The occasional top gallon floods expose the nature of the flood plains. The youngest soils near the permanent water courses are entisols or inceptisols with significant water regimes and so are called aquaent or aquaept.

Quality Planting Material from University of Belize
The University of Belize has established a commercial-scale plant micropropagation laboratory at its Central Farm campus. This much needed service has not been previously available in Belize but is now supplying Belize’s agriculture sector with quality planting material. By using micropropagated plants farmers can produce better crops with higher yields. Belize’s sugarcane industry has already begun using plants produced by the laboratory. Additionally, lab staff are developing procedures for producing citrus seedlings and technical support will soon be forthcoming for banana plantlet production. In addition to providing farmers with quality planting material this technology can be used to rapidly introduce new varieties into the country and distribute them to growers. It is also useful for providing farmers with large quantities of plants for use at a specific time of year permitting them to take greater advantage of weather patterns and market opportunities.

Homemade Health – Chronic Pain
Those who suffer from chronic pain related to the muscular-skeletal system will attest that it can be debilitating and miserable. One may think the pain is inescapable and relay on pain medication or resort to surgical intervention to escape. This article will introduce you to a revolutionary method that has worked for thousands of people. The cost to you will be about Bz $18, which is the cost of the book I recommend you purchase for complete step-by-step instructions. The caveat is that the responsibility for your health is on you. Only you can take the steps. No one can do it for you. However, the good news is that if you do it, you can enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle. If you’re in a hurry, just go to Amazon to download the book, “Pain Free: A Revolutionary Method for Stopping Chronic Pain” by Pete Egoscue with Roger Gittines. You can download a free version of Kindle on your telephone or computer and start right now.

Belize Livestock Producers Association
How things change in such a short time! With the price of cattle reaching record level over the last couple of months and no downturn in prices likely in the foreseeable future. The public has been in uproar at having to pay high prices in the stores for ground meat and stewing beef. Farmers and processors are being accused of gouging the public and this is simply not true. Discussions on the TV and newspaper articles are fuelling this fire and while it understandable, there are many folk that are either not fully informed or misinformed. It would appear that there is a growing informal trade once again developing between Belize and Mexico with cattle being moved across the border at several points. However, these numbers are very small in comparison to what is being sold to Guatemala.

Jaguar Predation: Ranchers and Conservationists Strive Together for Answers Toledo’s Ya’axche Hosts Experts from Panthera
There are no current estimates as to what the countrywide jaguar and puma losses to the livestock industry are, as many ranchers have been reluctant to discuss the predation issue. More information is needed on cat predation of livestock in Belize, to create the best strategies to minimize these losses. However, enough is already known to identify several predation hotspots, including the Belize River Valley area around Crooked Tree and rural Toledo District. The Belize Livestock Association (BLPA) will shortly begin coordination with the Belize Forestry Department and Panthera, the world leader in wild cat conservation, to include cat predation feedback in the cattle sweep surveys of ranchers. Not waiting for these in-depth particulars to begin assisting Belize’s ranching sector, in June, Panthera sent their Brazilian based Jaguar/Cattle Conflict Director, Dr. Rafael Hoogesteijn, and locally based jaguar expert Dr. Rebecca Foster to meet with ranchers in both Toledo and Crooked Tree.

What Happens to Belize’s Bananas and Sugar after 1st January 2017?
To have an appreciation for what is happening or will happen with Belize’s sugar and bananas after 2017 it is important to understand a bit about the World Trade Organization (WTO), Common Agriculture Policy (CAPS), African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP), Contonou Agreement, Everything But Arms (EBA) treaty, Doha Round and Bali Ministerial Declaration. International trade is a very complex business that has to do more with politics than actual trade. So that while governments never buy or sell agricultural produce themselves they have a tremendous impact on access, price, form and quantity of goods moved. In the case of Belize it is important to understand how these agreements, treaties and decisions affect our trade with the EU. While banana and sugar are the largest exports to the EU they are by no means the only ones. Citrus, Cacao and Marine Products are also on the list. The Cotonou Agreement is an agreement signed in 2000 between the European Union and African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. Under Cotonou, ACP countries are exempted from paying tariffs for most of their agricultural primary exports to the EU. Most ACP countries also have special trade privileges under the Everything but Arms (EBA) treaty with the EU. Under this treaty all Least Developed Countries (LDCs) have tariff-free access to Europe’s markets for all their goods except arms.

Tilapia Hatchery Centre “UnBelizeable taste; I’m lovin’ tilapia”
Almost two years after the first shovel of dirt was ceremoniously turned over at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Tilapia Hatchery Centre in Cayo, the grand opening was held on May 20th with over 100 people in attendance. Dignitaries included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA) Hon. Gaspar Vega, Ambassador of R.O.C. (Taiwan) Mr. Benjamin Ho, MNRA Director of Extension Mr. Belarmino Esquivel, extension officers from the other districts and Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM)project personnel. With funding from the Taiwan International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF), the project is to remain under development and management by TTM until February 2017 at which time it will be turned over to Belize. TTM project manager is Mr. Luis Jou and MNRA project coordinator is Mr. Miguel Sosa. The primary objectives stated at the ground-breaking ceremony included producing one million high quality tilapia fingerlings to assist the development of small-scale tilapia farming operations in Belize. Although the 16 earthen ponds, 16 fingerlings concrete tanks and 12 nursery concrete tanks built at the hatchery over the past two years can handle 700,000 fingerlings, this first year production was 400,000,80 – 90% of which are being sold to farmers. The farmers in attendance were able to see the fingerlings as part of the tour of the facility.

Growing Jackfruit in Belize
Considering that the giant ripe fruits of the jackfruit tree range in size from 10 pounds to more than 70 pounds, this is one of the largest tree fruits on the planet. A large family or a small village may feast on a fruit of this enormous size! Jackfruit trees are reasonably well adapted to Belize growing conditions. They thrive in Belize’s rainy wet season, but they are stressed and may defoliate in the dry season months. Over the years, we have introduced many seedling varieties of jackfruit, scientific name Artocarpus heterophyllus,family Moraceae, to our farm on Spanish Creek in the Belize District. This tree is closely related to the tropical breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis. Jackfruit is native to India and Malaysia and other areas of Southeast Asia in lowland tropical forests. The fruit has been carried by man throughout the tropics; it was introduced into Jamaica in 1783 and is commonly grown there, and its seeds have been planted throughout the tropical Americas. Tropical Agro-Forestry, Ltd. Is always in search of new fruit varieties for the forest edges and cultivated areas. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) determined that the introduction of jackfruit seed would pose no risk to other crops in Belize. Jackfruit plants from fresh seed sourced in Florida were planted in our nursery in grow bags of native soil amended with rice hulls and composted wood sawdust.

Cassava Value Chain Participants
From May 10 to 15, 2015 Ms. Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano, a consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), visited Belize to conduct a survey on participants in the cassava value chain, focusing on the processing and marketing aspects. The objective of the survey was to understand the informal food systems, determine men’s/women’s participation and needs along the value chain, the main points of entry, road blocks and best practices to support women/men entrepreneurs and also to determine whether food safety guidelines are followed, highlighting the importance of safeguarding public health. The survey was conducted as a series of visits to households, farms, women’s groups, processor sand local markets, meetings with public and private stakeholders anda workshop where findings were shared with invited guests. Public and private stakeholders that participated in the survey were the District Agriculture and Cooperative Department, Ministry of Health Belize and Belmopan, Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET), Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), farmers, women’s groups, processors, Belize Ag Report, the National Garifuna Council,Agriculture Research Unit and senior technical staff from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Corn Growth Stages
This identification system divides plant development into vegetative (V) and reproductive (R) stages. The (V) stages are designated numerically as V1, V2, V3, etc. through V(n)where (n) represents the number of leaves with visible collars. The first and last (V) stages are designated as VE (emergence)and VT (tasseling). The six reproductive stages are simply designated numerically. Vegetative and Reproductive Stages Each leaf stage is defined according to the uppermost leaf whose leaf collar is visible. Loss of the lower leaves will begin about V6 due to increased stalk size and nodal root growth. To determine the proper leaf stage after lower leaf loss, split the stalk lengthwise and inspect for inter node elongation. The first node above the first elongated inter node is generally the fifth leaf node. This fifth leaf node can be used as a reference point for counting the top leaf collar.

Adaptation of Soybeans to Belize
Soybeans, a major crop in Belize,come in hundreds of varieties. In1983 the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) began to evaluate a large number of soybean varieties in Belize. Seed samples of those varieties were acquired from international centres where the seeds were produced by using traditional breeding procedures. We were able to select a few varieties which were adaptable to Belize (not genetically modified and also not hybrid). CARDI released a number of varieties based on evaluation in Belize and produced annually a limited amount of seeds of those selected varieties. The major factor of adaptability was the amount of daylight in Belize. The soybean is sensitive to day-length (photo period).

Forests and Agriculture for Human Well-being
At approximately 60% intact forest, Belize has the highest rate of forest cover in Central America. Forty percent of these forests are protected under the National Protected Areas System (NPAS)(Cherrington, 2014). As a biodiversity hotspot, these forests provide habitat for over 100 globally-threatened species, including 4 critically endangered, 21 endangered and 30 vulnerable terrestrial species. With about half of the population residing in rural areas, many Belizeans depend on forests for livelihoods, including the provision of food such as game meat and freshwater fish, timber for housing and shelter and firewood for cooking. The forests’ contribution to GDP and national development often go unnoticed. Apart from important ecosystem services such as climate regulation,protection from flooding and pests and disease mitigation, our national forests also provide a lifeline for human well-being: water. The Maya Mountains Massif, one of the country’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) with intact forests, contains 14 watersheds which provide water to over 128 communities in Belize (including 18% of Belize’s population along the Belize River watershed) and more than 180 communities in Guatemala, resulting in over 300 communities that depend on the forests of the Maya Mountains for water.

Coconut Production and Market Opportunities Formation of Stakeholders Platform Committee
Since the 1980’s there has been a decline in coconut production worldwide including Belize, due mainly to the loss of international market resulting from the promotion of negative health impacts and problems from pests and diseases. However, the market situation has changed in recent years. Coconut and its derivatives are now regarded as being beneficial to human health and wellness. Between 2008 and 2014, there was a 700% increase in world demand for coconut products, especially green coconut water, milk, cold-pressed virgin oil, fibers and cosmetics. Belize and the other CARIFORUM countries are keen to meet some of those market demands. The European Union (EU) has contracted the International Trade Centre (ITC) to oversee the implementation of a 4 year, 3.5 Million Euro project for increasing coconut production in the CARIFORUM countries of Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago. Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) is partnering with ITC in these efforts.

Red Ring Disease in Coconuts
Coconuts are not just for shipwrecked island survivors any more. In the past five years,world demand for coconuts and coconut products has increased over 800%. Recent interest from the European Union to invest large amounts of grant money to help increase production to meet the world’s increasing demand provides Belize with a great opportunity to expand its growing capacity and export what already grows naturally. Plans for a growers and processors association are already in the works, and one of the top priorities will be education about the world’s most destructive wilt disease in coconuts: Red Ring disease. Red Ring disease is caused by the tiny Red Ring nematode(Bursaphelenchus cocophilus), first described on coconut palms in 1905. The vector of this nematode is the palm weevil(Rynchophorus palmarum), in whose gut the nematode resides until transmitted by feeding. The nematode causes serious damage to palms, which are stunted and eventually killed by nematode infection.

Fresh Organic Produce for the Cayo
Pro-Organic Belize (POB), a group of persons committed to sourcing healthy food in the Cayo district in Belize, have joined together with the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association (SACOGA) to form a successful buyers and organic growers organization. A transitional organic three-year contract has been signed by POB and SACOGA. Each week a list of available produce is sent to the list of customers. Once orders are received, produce is packaged and delivered to the San Ignacio Saturday open air market for customers to pick-up from 7:30 – 10:30 am. Produce from the weekly harvest is also available for sale from the SACOGA booth. The customer base is 50 and growing with orders from around Belize. A popular addition to the weekly produce is the addition of freshly grown organic sprouts. Despite a spate of bad weather the farmers are rallying to keep their customers satisfied with organically grown produce. POB is introducing a labelling system with the San Ignacio market vendors to help buyers know which produce is imported with agro-chemicals, grown in Belize or grown in Belize organically.

Maya Forest Garden – Agave
What may look like a wild jungle is really a welcoming garden,one made by the ancient Maya. Maya gardeners chose and tend plants that are useful. Their forest gardens are a 2,000-year-old gift, but a living gift that we must care for, use and learn about, and share. I have worked with traditional Maya forest gardeners over the past four decades and will share a story of plants of the Maya forest garden. This article on the Henequen (Agave four croydes) is the first of a planned series of articles on Maya forest plants. The Maya relied heavily, both directly and indirectly, on plants and trees of the bush – for food, water, medicine, tools, cultural rituals, and clothing. The Henequen, also spelled Henequin and Heniquen,is a native cactus of the Maya forest here in Belize as well as Mexico and Guatemala. It can be found among monocot shrubs(leaves with parallel veins and flowers arranged in threes). It is reportedly naturalized in Italy, Canary Islands, Costa Rica,Cuba, Hispaniola, Cayman Islands and the Lesser Antilles. The Henequen leaves yield a fiber which was used by the Maya for producing rope, handbags, gunny sacks, hammocks, and other useful products that are completely biodegradable.

National Agriculture Trade Show 2015
The fairgrounds in Belmopan came alive from May 1st to 3 rd with over 40,000 attendees at the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS), the single largest event in Belize. The main objective of NATS is to educate the public on the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the Belizean economy and food security. It is an annual event sponsored by the National Agriculture and Trade Show staff in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture (MNRA). The first NATS fair was held in 1937, and has steadily grown since. Starting in 1970 the annual event has been held in Belmopan. The venue now covers over sixty acres. The theme of the 2015 NATS fair was “Stimulating prosperity in agriculture and food production through renewed public-private partnership.” The 2015 NATS fair was expanded to include participants from other countries in Central America who were invited to attend and become involved.

Ag Briefs
Joe L Friesen Brahman Breeding Stock Auction, will be held on Sept 5, 2015 at Joe Friesen Jr’s Iguana Creek Farm. For details see ad. Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) will hold their Annual Organic Fair on Friday Oct 30 and Saturday Oct 31, 2015. For further information, contact SHI as per their advertisement. Spanish Lookout’s 4th Bi-annual Commercial and Industrial Expo is scheduled for Friday Feb 26 and Saturday Feb 27, 2016 at Countryside Park,Spanish Lkt. Information: [email protected]

Mediterranean Fruit Fly Detected in Southern Belize
These activities are important to ensure that the outbreak iscontained and that the Medflies are eradicated quickly. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) hereby informs the public, especially in Southern Belize, that the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (or Medfly) has been detected in the village of Hopkins in the Stann Creek District and in the Sapodilla Cayes in the Toledo District. As a result of these detections, eradication activities such as fruit stripping, ground spraying, and delimitation trapping are underway in these areas.

International Sources

Trump Becomes Mexico's Favorite Villain
America’s Southern neighbor is beating up on the real estate mogul. Literally. While his “Make America Again Great” hats may be the most popular campaign swag north of the Rio Grande, in Mexico the most popular Donald Trump paraphernalia is of a different variety: Piñatas. Ever since announced his entry into the presidential race last June with a thundering tirade against Mexico, Mexicans and immigrants in general Dalton Avalos, a 28-year-old piñata maker from the northern Mexican border city of Reynosa, has been doing a brisk business in candy-filled effigies of Trump. “I’ve sold something like sixty or seventy since I started making them, they’ve been doing very well,” Avalos tells me. The Facebook page of his workshop is filled with photos of Trump piñatas, most of them depicting the billionaire as a comic book villain: overweight, a big mouth and an outlandish hairstyle, even by Trump standards. “To me, it’s a way of creatively expressing my anger over his racism and his hatred for Mexico and my people,” Avalos explained. “But it’s also a way to make fun of him. And people love it, my customers have been very supportive.”

OGMS Spanish teacher studies in Belize
Oak Glen Middle School Spanish teacher, Lynn Elliott, was one of those lucky few who had the opportunity to combine an exotic locale with a learning opportunity that will provide cross-curricular learning opportunities to benefit her students. This summer, Elliott participated in a science teaching workshop in Belize. The nonprofit PaxWorks organized the workshop, which included local university professors, teachers from the United States and China, Belizean teachers, and a Belize-based ecologist. The group spent eight days at the T.R.E.E.S. institute in the rainforest of the Maya Mountains and at the Tobacco Caye Marine Station. They examined environmental issues affecting Belize, created science curricula, and collaborated to begin new projects for their home classrooms. Elliott was accepted to the workshop aimed at science teachers because she has changed her sixth grade Spanish curriculum to focus on environmental issues in Latin America. Her students will use hands-on activities and authentic materials in Spanish to learn about conservation and environmental science.

Belize's National Day
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Belize as you celebrate the 34th anniversary of your nation’s independence on September 21. When he spoke at midnight on the day of your independence, the Right Honourable George Price committed Belize to preserve and promote the peace, stability, and prosperity in the region of the Caribbean and Central America. The United States is proud to work alongside you in these noble endeavors. Our partnership and bilateral work in the region can only serve to strengthen our relationship – a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. I offer my heartfelt congratulations and warmest wishes for continued prosperity as you celebrate your Independence Day.

Tax Evaders Targeted in United States Using Belize Accounts
The authorities in United States have now started targeting Belize-based banks as an expansion towards their search of all those Americans who they suspect of tax evasion by hiding their undisclosed assets and incomes in offshore accounts. The approval to do so has been given on Wednesday by a Miami based federal court. The court gave approval for special legal summons of “John Doe” to seek income related information of all such U.S. taxpayers who may be holding undisclosed accounts at Belize Bank Limited or Belize Bank International Limited. The Miami court authorized the federal investigators to see records of all those so-called Belize bank correspondent accounts that are maintained in Citibank (NYSE: C) and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). The IRS can get great insights from all these bank accounts that allow foreign banks to handle financial transactions in U.S. dollars without the presence of the United States as the former can now identify all those U.S. taxpayers who either held or hold accounts at the different Belize financial institutions. Such ‘John Doe’ summonses by the IRS authorities can provide in-depth information about all such individuals who have been using these Belize financial institutions as well as to the extent in which their funds were transferred to other jurisdictions. However, the acting Assistant Attorney General said that they have been getting information from various sources regarding details of hidden offshore schemes and foreign accounts.

How Fishermen Can Replenish the Seas
It may sound like a tall order: By 2020, the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal for oceans calls on the world to "manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems...effectively regulate harvesting...end overfishing...restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible...[and] produce maximum sustainable yield." Can we really meet those targets in five years? I believe we can. Promising signs, backed by groundbreaking research, show how quickly we can replenish the world's seas while providing enough seafood to feed an additional 600 million people at today's per capita consumption rate -- if we get the incentives right. The stakes keep rising. Forty percent of the global population live within 60 miles of salt water. Many small coastal communities rely on ocean fisheries, which add $270 billion to global GDP, support 260 million livelihoods, and provide protein for nearly 3 billion people. Meanwhile, acidification, pollution, rising tides, and overfishing converge to undermine seafood harvests. Unless we reverse this spiral, we face a serious food crisis. In Belize, overfishing caused sharp declines in reef fish and conch; for some harvesters, spiny-lobster harvests shrank from 200 to 20 per day. But incentives changed after EDF and our allies introduced secure rights, known as "managed access." Early adopting fishermen oversaw a dramatic decline in illegal fishing and as a result their fishing businesses thrived. Word spread up the coast until nearly all 3,000 fishermen wanted the same opportunities, and recently Belize's cabinet voted to expand the approach nationwide.

Lord Ashcroft Accuses David Cameron of Sex Act With a Dead Pig
The prime minister is now facing a ‘Bae of Pigs’ crisis, after a new book alleges he had carnal knowledge of a dead pig. “I did not have sexual relations with that pig.” It’s not the sort of denial any world leader wants to make, and Prime Minister David Cameron has yet to respond to allegations that he once inserted his penis into the mouth of a dead pig. The bizarre, and possibly illegal act, allegedly took place during the initiation for a debauched and secretive society at the University of Oxford. The lurid details are described in an extraordinary, unauthorized biography of the British prime minister written by the former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. Downing Street has refused to comment on the alleged indiscretion, which is being described as his “Bae of Pigs” crisis on Twitter. Lord Ashcroft’s book also alleges that Cameron was a member of a “dope smoking group” called the Flam Club and repeats rumors that cocaine was allowed to circulate openly at the future prime minister’s home in London. Ashcroft, who gave more than $12 million to the party, accuses Cameron of appearing lazy and unreliable and says his own campaign chief described him as a “posh c***.”

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September 21, 2015

Happy Independence Day!!!!

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, 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

Happy Independence Day to all Belizeans at home and abroad! Long live Belize!!
Official ceronies for the 34th Independence Day have kicked off

Belize Is Small Towns
No freeways, no skyscrapers! Belize is all about its local villages, towns and little cities with warm smiles! Belize is SMALL TOWNS!

Wolfe’s Woofer: Bad Day at The Drugstore
At the drugstore there were three people ahead of me. The pharmacist who waited on us had a bandage on his forehead and he walked with a really bad limp. As I got in line the door burst open and an angry man walked in and shoved his way to the front. “What’s going on?” the druggist asked him. “I got home this afternoon and found my wife crying. She said you insulted her on the phone about something she bought from you yesterday. Now I want an apology.” “Let me explain,” the druggist said. “My alarm clock didn’t go off this morning. I was twenty minutes late leaving home so I didn’t even get breakfast. I ran out to my golf cart and found one of the tires flat. Then I found that I had left my keys in the house and the door was locked. I had to break my front window to get back in.”

Local Realtor Daniel Hartin Opens Sandy Point Real Estate Ltd.
Daniel Hartin, award winning Broker/Owner, is pleased and excited to announce the opening of Sandy Point Real Estate Ltd. Sandy Point Real Estate will be dedicated to representing and selling Belizean Cove, Coco Beach, Belizean Shores, Coral Bay Villas, Xtan Ha, as well as pre-construction projects underway such as Venezia del Caribe and Isla Tesoro. Daniel Hartin, with his continued success, saw the need to open up a real estate company to focus exclusively on Sandy Point Real Estate. Hartin, formerly with RE/MAX Southwind LLP, is now focusing his experience on building and growing Sandy Point Real Estate. His team of nine is dedicated exclusively to Sandy Point Resorts and welcomes all brokerages on the island to show Sandy Point Resorts real estate to potential clients.

Doctor Love
Dear Doctor Love, My marriage has had some hard times. I have been with my husband for eight years and we have been married for seven. We got along great while we were living together. Once we were married about a year the troubles began. He had several women that he was still contacting and he was still going out with his friends to the bars two or three times a week. I thought all of these things would stop once we got married. They have not got any worse but they have not got any better either. I have overlooked the going out with his friends but we have fought a lot over texts and phone calls he gets. He never admits anything unless he is caught red-handed. When he gets caught he promises that it will never happen again but it always does.

Misc Belizean Sources

Introduction to General Sales Tax (GST)
Beltraide Workshop Date: September 24th, 2015, 9am to 12p. The department of General Sales Tax (GST) is offering a workshop on Introduction to GST. This session will include: Registering for GST - application process, Voluntary registration information and the benefits of being a registered taxpayer. Completing GST returns - GST payment due dates, Information to submit Managing GST Obligation - Record keeping for GST, Tax invoices, Duplicate tax invoices and much more! LOCATION: BTEC Building (Innovation Room) ITVet compound. Time: 9am to 12pm

Verdes Host Panama
The Verdes host the team from San Francisco, Panama, Tuesday, in Belmopan. Go Verdes!

Benque Football Stadium Starts
They've started on the new Benque Football Stadium. It'll be a world class stadium. "The ongoing development at the future FIFA Standards Football Field,everyday is history." More pictures.

BELIZE INDEPENDENCE IN 1981 & WE'VE COME A LONG WAY!
Remembering Prime Minister, George Cadle Price, and his quest and accomplishment for Belize's independence that was achieved in 1981. Here in Los Angeles his party the Peoples United Party (PUP) who were removed from power in 1984 by the Belizean people, had campaigned most passionately in the Belizean Diaspora, in the Los Angeles Belizean Community. The radio show, Belize Caribbean Pulse in 1989, hosted PM Price and his opposition party who later returned to power in 1989. Here on the show with him is Said Musa, Dr. Theodore Aranda, and Tom Greenwood. They were interviewed by host Nuri Muhammad . A legendary moment in history indeed.

A few of the many species of fish that inhabit Glover's Reef Marine Reserve contributing to functional biodiversity and fisheries livelihoods.
Clockwise from top left: Tiger Grouper; Nassau Grouper; Spanish Hogfish; Gray Angelfish; Queen Angelfish; French Angelfish; and Stoplight Parrotfish (banned from extraction).

The Reporter

Police suspect arson involved in fire that guts bar
San Ignacio are looking for two residents of Santa Elena Town for questioning following a fire that totally destroyed a bar and all its contents on Friday morning. Police say that 40 year-old Brenda Nicholas, the owner of Matras Bar in Billy White Village, Cayo, reported to them that she lockes up the establishment at midnight on Friday and everything was in tact. She said that when she returned to the location at 6:00 a.m. Saturday she discovered that it had been destroyed by fire. The bar, together with its contents, including a pool table, stereo system, assorted drinks are valued at $32,000.

Pope Francis meets Fidel Castro after Havana mass
Pope Francis has met Cuba’s former President, Fidel Castro, after celebrating mass in front of tens of thousands of people in Havana. The two men discussed world affairs and religion, in what the Vatican called an “informal and friendly” encounter. Before the meeting, Pope Francis gave a homily in which he urged Cubans to serve each other rather than ideology. It is the first visit by the Pope to the Communist-ruled island, on a trip that will later take him to the US. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi described the meeting between Pope Francis and Fidel Castro, which took place at the former Cuban leader’s home, as low-key. They exchanged books: Pope Francis gave Mr Castro three titles, including a book of sermons by Mr Castro’s former teacher, while in return the Pope received Fidel and Religion, a collection of interviews with a Brazilian priest.

Two ambassadors to take part in Belize’s Independence celebrations
Two ambassadors arrived in Belize in time to celebrate with us the 34th anniversary of our Independence. The two ambassadors, His Excellency David Izzo of France and His Excellency Roy Eriksson of Finland presented their credentials to the Governor General Sir Colville Young on Thursday, at the Belize House in Belmopan. The ambassadors expressed their honour to be invited to celebrate with us, as well as their hopes for strengthening friendship and cooperation between their countries and Belize. Ambassador Eriksson conveyed his government’s hope to share knowledge with Belize in the areas of education and forestry, as our two nations share interests in those areas.

PUP rally in Corozal draws thousands; G-11 attend
The People’s United Party’s (PUP) Power to the People rally in the Corozal district on Saturday drew several thousand people. The rally, which started from Libertad Village to San Narciso, where speeches were held, included a motorcade that had over 125 vehicles and the standard bearers and supporters of the four constituencies in Corozal. The event also saw the attendance of all the menbers of the ‘G-11', which had over the past six weeks been boycotting party events. Two of the 31 standard bearers were missing, none of whom made up the G-11. Kareem Musa who is running in Caribbean Shores was reportedly travelling and Dr. Lesbia Guerra who is running in Cayo West has a death in her family.

Breaking Belize News

Centenarian Belizean marks 103rd birthday in Brooklyn
Rhoda Isabella Cherrington, of Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.A., marks her one hundred and third birthday this week, according to a profile in the New York Daily News. The last of 14 children born in Mullins River, Stann Creek District on September 23, 1912, she is old enough […]

Amid speculation, PUP are ready for general elections
Tension continues to rise as political observers believe Prime Minister Dean Barrow may announce a dissolution of the House of Representatives during his Independence Day address on September 21. Predictions are being made for elections to be called as early as November, but the Prime Minister has limited […]

Belize: The State of the Nation 2015
“Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there […]

MOH investigating multiple incidents at Western Regional; administrators to blame?
While an investigation is underway concerning multiple incidents reported recently at the Western Regional Hospital, in interviews with News 5 Minister of Health Pablo Marin has questioned whether administrators were properly doing their jobs. The public servants are talking among themselves, but not yet to anyone else. Marin […]

Psychiatric evaluation to determine Keyren Tzib bail
Accused of the attempted murder of a co-worker in April, Coast Guard seaman Keyren Tzib now faces an additional charge of manslaughter for the death of common-law husband Thytis Blancaneaux in July, which happened as they were arguing at their residence in Lords’ Bank, Belize District. Justice Herbert […]

Blogs

Two New MUCH Needed Schools Coming to San Pedro, Belize
Living Tree Academy School. The website says it will be a primary and secondary school. “The goal of LTA is to help every child pursue education. This will enable them to maximize their ability by giving and serving to their family, community, country and the world. Our mission is: Giving access to educational opportunities worldwide. Living Tree Academy helps supply educational materials, scholarships, books, and uniforms for education in Belize as well as community service in the areas of medical and public works.” We now only have one secondary school on the island – San Pedro High School… The other campus being readied on the island (in the VERY beginning stages) is the popular Sagebrush Church. They currently pack the house at the Theater just across the bring each Sunday…with what I hear is a positive, community minded, non-judgemental message. Though not religious, I DO want to attend a service. They have recently purchased a nice chunk of land just across the river. JUST after you pay your toll to go over the bridge north…look to your left. Right along the water…a seawall is already going in. I hear it will be a church and a school and more…

Requiem for a pair of sandals
Two weeks before Rose and I moved to Belize I was still in need of a pair of sandals. I’d always been more of a running shoes kind of guy. Never sandals. Out on the road nearly every day, I would grind a pair of running shoes down in a matter of a few months. Then they would become my regular walking shoes until the raggedness and odor were too much. At which point they would come to rest on the floor of my closet, sometimes for years. I’d also use them as hiking shoes, bicycling, water socks, dress shoes, work shoes and casual footwear. My feet were so happy in running shoes. Especially Sauconys. In a new pair of Sauconys I felt like I was flying. I felt like I could run forever. That feeling usually lasted no more than a month, and then the Sauconys would flatten out, become thin and hard, as if there were nothing between my feet and the road.

International Sources

Mayan temple holidays: Face to face with the lost civilisation
Dusk at Tikal in Guatemala is supposed to be a spiritual time. A sunset at any Mayan site is no small thing, and as we strolled across the lawns there was only the sublime serenity of a day’s ending: red-lored parrots flapping home, ocellated turkeys browsing for one last meal, the Temple of the Great Jaguar turning a warm golden colour as our closest star did its thing. It was, therefore, much to the chagrin of my guide, Luis, when 20 or so local children began playing on a steep slope on the southern edge of the plaza. They were running to the top and, on reaching the walls of an old palace, collapsing in a fit of giggles and rolling down the hill. “It’s funny,” Luis said, smiling sadly, “but it’s also a little disrespectful. This is a place of history and heritage.” I understood, but didn’t share, Luis’s preoccupation. There was something quite lovely about the descendants of Mayans having fun in this ancestral square. An altar smoked with an offering. Folk music came from a far corner. Two men ate a snack. There were even a couple of Mexican Mormons gawping at the pyramids – the Latter Day Saints lot believe American Indians are descended from migrants from Israel.

A loyal friend, but never cross him: RICHARD KAY says Cameron must wonder why he made an enemy of Lord Ashcroft
When David Cameron arrives at the Tory conference in Manchester in two weeks it will be to the acclamation of a party faithful celebrating the first outright Conservative General Election victory for 23 years. There will be much schmoozing from the high command with the donors whose millions helped deliver that 12-seat Commons majority and condemn Labour to catastrophic defeat. One figure unlikely to be taking part, however, is Lord Ashcroft, the billionaire Tory who for so long bankrolled the party and laid the foundation for May’s electoral success. As the one-time treasurer and deputy chairman, his contribution not just to Conservative coffers but also to modernising and transforming the party machine, which he set about with high energy and dedication, has been immense. But after years of unquestioning devotion to the Tory cause, fired by the ideals of Margaret Thatcher in the Eighties, he became disenchanted with Cameron’s brand of Conservatism and increasingly detached from the Prime Minister’s inner circle. For a man who has poured £8 million into the party, you might think his views demanded to be heard.

A financial guide to retiring abroad
Is it it your goal to spend your golden years living in a hut on the beach of a Caribbean island? Or do you dream of a second act running a vineyard in Tuscany? Retiring overseas can be both more enticing and and more affordable — depending on the locale — than retiring in the United States. But a smooth transition requires careful planning. “When you just begin thinking about it at a superficial infatuation level, it’s a very exotic, romantic, sexy idea,” says Kathleen Peddicord, publisher of Live and Invest Overseas, which publishes an annual ranking of the best places to retire overseas. “But the truth is that once you get into it, it’s not easy.” Not all of the lifestyle changes that come with moving overseas will be ideal. Retirees will want to research how the move could affect their cost of living, tax bill and health. Here are some of factors to think about before you sell your belongings and buy a one-way plane ticket:

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