January 9, 2017

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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Letter to the Editor: Condolences to the McDermott Family
The San Pedro Sailing Club at Caribbean villas wished to express its grief and condolences to the McDermott family on the passing away of Corry McDermott. He was a staunch supporter of our youth training program; he always gave generously of his time and resources, up to and including the donation of a sailboat. R.I.P., Mr. Corry from all of us and our sailors.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Christmas Present
“Hey, Bob. Bring your coffee and have a seat.” Bob came over to my table with two cups of coffee from Celi’s Deli. One was for his wife, Nancy, who arrived shortly carrying two breakfast burritos. “Nancy’s off to Mexico for a week,” Bob said to me. “She’s going for a seminar on the tourist business.” “Where are you going in Mexico?” I asked. “It’s being held in Mexico City.” “I’ll be surprised if you don’t like it,” I said. “The size of the city makes New York look like a small town. Plus, they have the same shops like Saks Fifth Avenue and Tiffany’s.” “That sounds interesting,” Nancy said. “I’ll do some shopping. Can I bring something back for you? Maybe a Christmas gift?” “Oh, no thanks.”

Tropic Air honors employee of the month
Every day, our Employees demonstrate a passion for serving our Customers with world-class service. This is why we feel it’s very important to engage and recognize our Employees by listening to their suggestions and ideas as well as their concerns and rewarding them for going the extra mile. Our Employees are known for friendliness, attention to detail, operational excellence, and working efficiently. They go above and beyond each and every day to provide our Customers with the best possible Belizean flying experience. Our Employee of the Month program recognizes an individual who has served Tropic Air and our Guests in an exceptional manner by exemplifying outstanding service through his or her work, and exhibiting a positive and supportive attitude.

Doctor Love: L.S.
Dear Doctor Love I just moved in with the love of my life and I am hoping we will marry in the next year. The problem is his two children from a previous marriage. He has visitation for two weekends a month and they come to stay with us. These children are undisciplined and uncontrollable. The youngest is two years old and is not toilet trained fully. He has “accidents” that I am almost certain are not really accidents at all. He refuses to eat most of anything I make for him. He often wakes up in the middle of the night and ends up sleeping between us in our bed. I have told his father that this is not proper but he will not make him go to his own bed. Even worse is the older daughter. She is six years and she has him wrapped around her little finger. She is jealous of me and whines to have his attention constantly. She wants to go with him every where he goes. She has to sit between him and me when we watch television. I have tried to be nice to her but if I give her any instruction, she defies me outright. I am thinking of telling him that his kids should only come for day visits until they are old enough to know how to act properly. What do you think? /s/ L.S.

Misc Belizean Sources

Free class in technology on Caye Caulker
Student teachers from Miami University of Ohio are offering free night classes in technology as well as English lessons for Caye Caulker youth and adults. This community service-learning project is an annual collaboration between the University, CCRCS, Little Stars and Ocean Academy.

Belize on Lonely Planet’s 2017 Best Value Destinations
Belize is number 6 on Lonely Planet's Best Value Destinations for 2017. Picture is of the Jungle Splash pontoon boat on Vaca Lake. "Belize is often thought of as one of Central America’s pricier options – but let’s take a fresh look. Here you can dive or snorkel as though you’re in the Caribbean and tour Mayan ruins such as Caraco, found deep in wildlife-packed jungle that could only be in Central America. And you won’t face long journeys: Belize is the same size as Wales or Massachusetts. Belize’s proximity to Mexico and the Caribbean has ensured a lively and exceptionally good-value street-food scene, making budget meals effortless. Yes, there are big-ticket resorts on Ambergris Caye, but head south to Placencia and Hopkins for laid- back beach culture that’s still making its way onto the map."

Western Ballaz Back in Practice
The Official Western Ballaz are getting ready for the next season of the NEBL. The host the San Pedro San Pedro Tiger Sharks this Friday, January 13th, at SHC. See anyone you know? The teams have changed up a little bit this year.

The Reporter

High-powered Carbine rifle taken off the streets
The Southside Strike Team discovere a high calibre Carbine rifle, along with an extended clip containing 5 live 9mm rounds off the streets on Friday afternoon. Reports indicate that the success came after the Strike team searched an abandon lot on Iguana Street extension in the Collet division. No one was found in the area, and the rifle has since been labelled as found property.

Thieves hold up and rob couple, burn getaway stolen vehicle
Thieves held up and robbed a couple inside their home on Hibiscus Street in Ladyville. The culprits made off with several valuable items, along with a 2010 white Ford Escape, which was later found completely destroyed by flames. Official police reports have indicated that 28-year-old Steven Wade of East Collet Canal in Belize City, was at his girlfriend’s house in Ladyville at around 11:40 p.m., and was walking from the bedroom to the kitchen when a masked gunman dressed in black clothing held him up. The robber stole two iPhones, worth $1,200 each from the couple, along with a black MK brand bag valued at $185, and a wallet with $250 and an assortment of documents.

Breaking Belize News

Police arrest teen for Sunday afternoon Police Street shooting
Earlier it was reported that Faber’s road taxi driver, Kyron Tyrell Santiago, was shot to the back and hand on Police Street in Belize City this afternoon. He was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he is listed in a stable condition. […]

Ten people injured in collision on George Price Highway
Several persons suffered varying degrees of injuries in a road traffic accident that occurred over the weekend. Yesterday evening around 5:15, a truck that was delivering cement allegedly reversed unto the highway and into a Westline passenger bus around mile 10 on the George […]

Taxi man reportedly shot on Police Street in Belize City
Reports reaching BBN indicate that a taxi driver was shot a short time ago on Police Street in the St. Martin’s area of Belize City. The victim, reportedly one Kyron Santiago, was shot as many as four times while inside his vehicle. He was rushed […]

Cool weather expected to continue
The 24-hour forecast is for cloudy, windy and cool weather with light rain mainly over the south and along the coast and little or no rainfall in other parts of the country. The wind will blow from the north at 15-25 knots with higher gusts. The sea state will be rough. A small craft warning is in effect. High temperatures are expected as follows: In the coast, 76 degrees Fahrenheit; 78 degrees Fahrenheit inland and 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the hills.

Blogs

2017 Travel Coupon Codes Flight Sales and 3 Month Calendar
It is the start of a new year and the new tacogirl coupon codes are ready to use. Click through to see participating businesses and download Belize Food and Shopping coupons. These codes are valid from January to June 2017 and offer you a few ways to save money on your vacation with a % based discount or complimentary food and drink with purchase at a local favorite. Belize Transportation Coupon Codes page will help you Save 10% on Tropic Flights and Carts. Visit the main Tacogirl Travel Coupon Codes page for ongoing list format additions for all the new coupon code specials. You will also find a good example using tacos, of how much money 2 guys saved on their Tropic Air flights.

Between These Lines
by GLENN TILLETT. “Languishing at the lower end of the global labour system is the precariat, a social class whose condition of economic precariousness has been ascribed to the rise of neo-liberal capitalism around the world. The precariat can be divided into three further groups – atavists, who look back to a lost past; nostalgics, who look forlornly for a present, a home; and progressives, who look for a lost future. The last consist largely of those who go through university only to emerge with large debts and little hope of a career or personal development.” - The 5 biggest lies of global capitalism, by Guy Standing As I listened to presentations on the ascension of Belize to the United Nations Convention on Corruption by Senator Dr. Carla Barnett, UNDP resident Coordinator Christian Salazar Volkmann, and BCCI President Nikita Usher I was struck by the incongruity of the panel, which is at the same time atypical testament to what is Belize. The fact is that what should be significant, transformative legislation was being presented by unelected political executives who are simultaneously dampening expectations even as they tout its consequential virtues. Our national government, in acceding to international pressure, acquiesced reluctantly to the treaty because the now-beleaguered but corrupted plutocratic class itself felt the pressure to yield to the demands from its plebeians (the precariat). The subsequent signing is another small step in the slow-walking of the political executive through our convoluted bureaucracy towards some approximation of greater transparency and accountability.

Improve your mood immediately by looking at these Placencia, Belize beach bars!!
OK, that title is not totally backed by science, but we hope you enjoy these images from Barefoot Bar and Tipsy Tuna - our guests RAVE about the food and atmosphere at these two....they are the template for all beach bars! This is the (famous Placencia) sidewalk in between CBC and Barefoot :) This is the totally charming entrance from the sidewalk, heading to the beach at Barefoot Beach Bar...

Being Santa Claus
Christmas or the "Holiday Season" for all you political correctness weirdos out there is a magical time of year. People seem kinder, the air is full of excitement and joy, and most notably the short fat white guy is in high demand - the one time of year everyone wants to be around that dude; I am a short fat white guy. As many of you may know I am not a huge fan of miniature or wannabe people; most of you call them children. The small ones are cool cause they just look at you and stuff, but mobile talking kids - not my cup of tea in general. Interestingly enough though I absolutely and undeniably love being a Santa. Am I discovering some deep need to connect with children? I am feeding my inner desire to bring peace and happiness to the masses? Or am I fueling an deep seeded lust to be the center of attention? Like most things that happen in this place the answer is simple - Brittney O'Daniel called me...and I can't say no to her. Not because she my brother's girlfriend that makes the best kitchen fried steak ever, but because she does such amazing things and I would like to be a part of that - a very small part as I am lazy, but a part none the less. So I agreed willingly to be the Santa for San Pedro Pre School; and once I met my helper Elf Carolina (far right of the picture) I was even happier I agreed!

International Sources

Running on Fumes: Pandemonium at Mexico’s Gas Pumps
The Mexican government has for years maintained artificially low gas prices in Mexico thanks to massive subsidies that are absorbed by the state, but as of this year that all changes. The cost of fuel will finally be adjusted to conform to real market value. The surge in gas prices is the just first major sign of changes to come, but certainly the most tangible so far. And Mexicans, clearly, are not happy. Dozens of videos have appeared online showing mass looting across the country in response to the gasolinazo, as the gas price surge is called—from Sinaloa and neighboring Puebla and Mexico State, all the way to the southernmost state of Chiapas, which shares its border with Guatemala. In Chiapas, a mob of protesters freed half a dozen—likely Central American—migrants who were being held at a detention center on Wednesday. The demonstrators then set the immigration control center on fire before ransacking nearby stores. In Veracruz, Governor Miguel Angel Yunes tried desperately to call for order at a local shopping center on Thursday, after a restive mob pillaged multiple businesses. He offered would-be thieves coupons for 500 pesos, roughly $23, “to buy food” if they desisted. In Mexico State, where the highest number of violent looting incidents have been reported, protesters reportedly tried to set a gas station on fire on Tuesday, hurling Molotov cocktails and shouting “blow it up already.”

Belize to be one of 2017's biggest travel trends says MSN Lifestyle
An article published by the MSN Lifestyle website highlighted the many attractions "off the beaten path" in Belize as part of their Travel Trends for 2017 series. The MSN Lifestyle article featured several popular tourist attractions in Belize, including the active archeological excavation at Xunantunich, an ancient Maya site and the Belize Zoo, an educational rescue center housing hundreds of indigenous species like jaguars, margays and Harpy Eagles. The MSN Lifestyle article also described the famous Great Blue Hole, a circular submarine sinkhole located on the 130 km-long Belize Barrier Reef. Measuring more than 300 meters (984 feet) in diameter, the Great Blue Hole was rated by French marine biologist Jacques Cousteau as one of his top 10 scuba diving sites in the world. Other top attractions to visit in 2017 in Belize mentioned by MSN Lifestyle included river trekking, jungle hiking, canyoning, and exploring ancient Maya sacred caves sites, including Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave. The MSN Lifestyle article concluded by noting that Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region due to its long history as a British colony. Sites like Placencia and Corozal Town on the coastline were recommended for tourists to visit as a great place to experience cultural diversity and world-class seafood.

The Lionfish: The new Pirate of the Caribbean
The lionfish is an undeniable head-turner. With its vibrant – and venomous – spines radiating from its head like a lion’s mane, its voracious appetite and incredible resilience makes it the perfect hunter, a king in the aquatic jungle. However, for the millions living within the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Western Atlantic, they are in the wrong jungle. For the past 3 decades, the lionfish have made these waters their home, and with no natural predator, they have had a devastating impact on native fish populations. Experts widely agree that total eradication is impossible, but local communities are fighting back in innovative ways, as Keiko Ashida Tao, Environmental Specialist for the World Bank, explains.

Six die in Mexico protests over 20% petrol price hike
At least six people have died and 1,500 have been arrested during days of protests in Mexico against a rise in the price of petrol. One of those killed was a serving police officer who had tried to halt robberies at a petrol station. The government announced last month that it would stop subsidising petrol and prices would gradually increase through 2017. An increase of 20% came into force on 1 January. It brought the price of a litre of petrol to 18 pesos ($0.85; £0.70). That makes the average price of a gallon of petrol around the same as the daily minimum wage - 80 pesos ($3.77, £3.07) - and the raise has caused outrage among people dependent on petrol for their jobs. President Enrique Pena Nieto has called for calm, saying the price hike is necessary after a rise in global oil prices. In a televised address to the nation, he said keeping the subsidy would have put the country's whole economy at risk.

Amazing Encounter with Horned Guans Mating in the Wild
The amateur photographer was on his first trip to Chiapas’ Sierra Madre earlier this year when he documented the endangered birds’ behavior. Apolinar Basora never thought he would get so lucky. He was on his first birdwatching trip to El Triunfo, a biosphere reserve in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas, and his group was looking for an entirely different bird. But then they saw it: a Horned Guan, an IUCN endangered bird with a possible population of only 600 individuals, according to BirdLife International. Just seeing one guan, a turkey-like bird with a red horn on top of its head, would be enough to make any birder’s trip, but Basora’s luck didn’t stop there. He and another birder actually got to see two guans—a male and a female—and watch them consummate. On top of that, he managed to snap the only known photograph of two Horned Guans mating in the wild.

Videos

January 8, 2017

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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Saga Humane Society reviews successful year
The Saga Humane Society has wrapped up 2016, a year that brought memorable highlights and much success. With so much accomplished, Saga would like to review all events that played a key role in the past year’s success. Saga is a huge advocate for the improvement of the general health and wellbeing of domestic and wild animals. The start of 2016 thus saw a new leash/collar, tag, and license law in San Pedro Town. Dogs must be restrained on private property by a fence, tether, or leash, in a humane manner. Dog owners are required to keep their dog on a leash and under immediate control any time the dog is taken off the property and in the public. By order of the Belize Dogs Act Chapter 153 Revised Edition 2000 and the San Pedro Town Dog Control Orders of 2012, all dogs six months and older must be licensed, leashed and have a proper and humane collar for identification. The annual license fee per dog is $5BZ, and can be obtained at the San Pedro Town Council.

Presenting your San Pedro Tiger Sharks Team members!
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks has officially introduced their team members for the upcoming season of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL). The new season that starts on Friday, January 13th will once again see Ambergris Caye represented by the two-time NEBL champions. Coach Rico Black is confident and believes that the team is more than ready for a great performance in the national tournament. The members of the team that will join him this season are: Kurt Burgess, Doug Penland, Douglas Valley, Raul Roches, George Williams, Tyron Edwards, Ashton Edwards, Jamal Kelly, Jay Jex, Rassi Jenkins, Afri Black, Jorrett Jones, and Nayib Casimiro. The island team recently came back from the Central American Basketball Tournament known as COCABA, held in El Salvador. The regional tournament took place between December 13 and 18 of 2016, where they claimed third place for Belize.

Minister Heredia appoints new SP Traffic Board
After being dormant for almost three years, a new traffic board has been appointed for San Pedro Town. The five-member group, officially known as the Ambergris Caye Traffic Control Committee (ACTCC), was assigned by Area Representative and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., and includes three members from the City of Belmopan and two from Ambergris Caye. Serving as the Chairperson of the Board is Ruth Dawson, while Alberto Nuñez is secretary and the CEO is Ruth Meighan. The other committee members are Commissioner of Transports, Tirso Galvez and San Pedro Town Mayor Daniel Guerrero. Guerrero indicated that the sole responsibility of the ACTCC is to monitor the importation of vehicles to the island. “They will not interfere with the internal affairs of the San Pedro Traffic Department,” Guerrero. “However, all vehicles coming to the island will be needed to be cleared by the new Traffic Board.” He stated that the decision to have outsiders as heads of the committee was unexpected. But Guerrero hopes that it is for the better, and will help decrease traffic congestion on the island.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize World Heritage Site 20th Anniversary Celebration
The Belize reef celebrated it's 100 millionth birthday with a celebration of its 20th anniversary of becoming a World Heritage Site. A lot of the heavy hitters spoke about the importance of protecting the reef, and there were many performances throughout the night. "The 20th Anniversary of our Belize World Heritage Site featured great and passionate speakers, beautiful performances and people who truly care about our protected areas. Here's a peek into our night."

The Reporter

Sixth murder on the sixth day of 2017
A sixth murder has been recorded on the sixth day of 2017, as another person has met an unexpected end by gun violence. Reports are that 35 year-old Alexander Palacio was shot by a gunman in front of his residence on Santa Maria Street in Punta Gorda Town. The incident occurred at around 7:25 p.m., on January 6,2017. Palacio sustained several gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Palacio was released from prison on parole on December 7, 2016 after serving a sentence for manslaughter in the death of 21 year-old Wasani Belgrave that occurred in 2005. Palacio was accused of the crime after he was found walking away from the scene on the Yabra bridge.

Mexico in social unrest after gas price hike
Massive social unrest in Mexico has sparked widespread protest, blockage of roads and looting of hundreds of stores over the past few days, spreading to the neighboring city of Chetumal. The protest was fueled by a recent sharp gasoline price hike that was introduced by the Mexican government on January 1, 2017. The government as a way of ending regulated prices for gasoline and diesel boosted the average price by 20%. According to several online articles, the price for a litre of premium gas is now $17.79 pesos. That makes 4 litres or about a gallon equal to nearly as much as Mexico’s recently-increased minimum wage for a day’s work. Recent reports have indicated that several stores which Belizeans frequent have been targeted by looters such as Walmart, Plaza de las Americas, Chedraui and Aurera.

Breaking Belize News

Home invader escapes in family’s Escape
A home invasion in Ladyville on Thursday cost the victims of an armed robbery a total loss of over $27,000 and an SUV as the thief stole and made his escape in the family’s Ford Escape. According to police reports, 26-year-old Steven Wade reported that on […]

House fire in Punta Gorda
Last night around 6:25 p.m., police responded to a house fire on West Street in Punta Gorda and saw a wooden structure with zinc roofing measuring approximately 26 by 30 feet engulfed in flames. No one was in the house at the time of […]

Police issue official report on murder in Punta Gorda
According to police reports, last night around 7:28 p.m. , police responded to a shooting incident in the Indian Ville area of Punta Gorda and visited Santa Maria Street where officers saw 35-year-old Alexander Palacio Jr. of Sapodilla Street lying on the street with […]

Police Department reverts to old way of communication
Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, yesterday during a meeting of police top brass at the Raccoon Street police station in Belize City, announced that police formation commanders would no longer be made available to the media for information and interviews.Instead, the media will be directed […]

Barbados fighting off devaluation
The Central Bank of Barbados, currently facing its own economic uncertainties, recently issued a warning to its government that “painful” fiscal measures are now necessary to avoid a catastrophic devaluation of its currency.Barbados, like Belize, uses a 2:1 exchange rate peg with the US […]

Blogs

Guatemala’s BELOVED Pollo Campero: Is the Fried Chicken Worth the Wait?
From all the talk I’ve heard about Pollo Campero, I could only surmise that it is the very best fried chicken in Central America..perhaps the world. The family owned chain has 350+ franchises included about 70 in the US…and I’ve heard people remember it with eyes tearing and mouths watering. According to the empire, it’s “the chicken you can’t campero”. There are many legends about their specialty – the fried chicken. The first is, that the aroma from the boxes of chicken on flights from El Salvador’s airport (an insanely busy Pollo Campero restaurant) to the U.S. are so ridiculously overpowering that headquarters is working on a special insulted box for transportation. Another rumor (which more than one taxi driver in Belize City has told me) is that the management of the chain came to Belize City to see if they could expand into our country. They went around tasting the most popular fry chicken spots in the city (it’s called “fry chicken”) and announced that Belize had no need for Pollo Campero. We were doing fine on our own. Apparently when relatives visit Guatemala, the only request they get from those in the US is not coffee or beautiful fabric but…you guessed it…Pollo Campero. And…the fries were good but not MacDonald’s crisp, the sweet tea, excellent, the dinner roll was a bit dry and the chicken….ummm…decent. It tastes like some sort of citrus and heavily of black pepper. My least favorite spice in the world. And the meat tasted unseasoned. Clearly all of Central America is right and I am wrong but I’m not a big fan. PLUS, the price was about $6US or Q42.75. That ain’t cheap. Minimum wage here is about Q80-85 per day. That’s a crazy ratio! So it’s just not my taste. What I did notice is that this empire is SO SMARTLY RUN. The technology, service (waiters and waitresses!), the speed, the uniformity, THE SPEED…super impressive.

The Mayan archaeological site of Cuello
Cuello is an ancient Maya site located in Belize’s northern Orange Walk District. One of the oldest Maya sites ever discovered, archeologists believe that the site was first settled more than 4,000 years ago. Excavations beginning in the 1970s revealed a unique style of pottery called “Swasey” after a river in Belize. It is believed that the Swasey pottery styles have no clear parallels. Cuello is believed to have been a relatively unimportant town during the Pre Classic era but served as a regional trade hub as precious items like jade and obsidian have been discovered at the site. Cuello is a fantastic example of a continuously occupied Maya site replete with pottery, evidence of expansion, and the remains of more than 20 human beings who were sacrificed during the dedication of one of the temples. Although the architecture is perhaps less impressive than at other Maya sites, artifacts discovered at Cuello have yielded extremely important information on the early history of the Maya civilization. Cuello is located approximately four miles west of Orange Walk Town via Yo Creek Road. The site is located on private land owned by the Cuello Family, but visitors are permitted to explore the site. The Cuello site is located on the grounds of the Cuello family who operate the Cuello Distillery, makers of the most popular rum in the country: Caribbean Rum. The best way to get to Cuello is to make your way to Orange Walk Town, the capital of Orange Walk District, and take private transportation to the site. Cuello has only been excavated since the 1970s, and lacks a full complement of tourist amenities.

Videos

January 7, 2017

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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Police Report
Assaulting a Police officer: * On Monday, January 2nd, the Quick Response Team (QRT) received information that a dark skinned male person with dreadlocks, wearing a blue checkered shirt was carrying an unlicensed firearm near a bar by the Central Park Area. Upon entering the said bar, Police Constable Darnell Madrill’s attention was drawn to Paul White, who he had known for two years and who fit the same description. PC Madrill and PC Eduardo Magana approached the said person, escorted him out of the premises and conducted a search. Whilst searching the said person, Pedro Campos approached PC Madrill and told him that he can’t search White and used profane words towards PC Eduardo Magana. He was informed to move back. However, Campos refused to leave.
* On December 17, 2016, PC Phillip Swift, along with other members of the Quick Response Team ( PC Kareem Staine, PC Norman Coye and SC Richard Nunez) were conducting a routine patrol in the Central park Area. PC Swift’s attention was drawn to a male person of Hispanic descent, wearing a grey T-Shirt and a long blue Jeans pants, who was aggressing and cursing another male person upstairs of a local bar. PC Swift approached them and asked both of them to leave the premises. One of the males left the bar, but the other Hispanic male refused to leave and told PC Swift that he will not go anywhere.

Southwest announces direct flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Belize
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to announce exciting news on another new direct flight from the United States of America. Southwest Airlines commencing from June 4, 2017, will offer a daily, year-round non-stop flights, from Ft. Lauderdale to Belize. The flight will have multiple connections to and from Fort Lauderdale from cities such as Baltimore, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and DC. Introductory rates for this flight are as low as US$79 one way and is currently available for booking on Southwest’s official website.

Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch reports a successful 2016
The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (BRCSP) was very busy during 2016 as they hosted fundraisers, first aid trainings, blood drives, and even radio and telethons during times of tragedy on the island. BRCSP has taken the opportunity to raise much needed funds year after year in order to continue their work in the community and despite the great challenges in 2016, they are reporting a successful year. According to the official report, in 2016 five blood drives were organized, collecting 64 pints of blood for the Ambergris Caye blood reserve. The different blood drives were held at Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, San Carlos Medical Centre, and the Washington University of Health and Science. By the end of the year, the local branch was able to help nine persons with 19 pints of blood. Throughout the history of blood drives on the island since 2013, the BRCSP has collected a total of 267 pints of blood and helped 19 persons by using 46 pints of blood.

SP Belize Express says Municipal dock use is ‘temporary’
Mayor Daniel Guerrero has been prompt to shut down the rumours that the boat company San Pedro Belize Express (SPBE) will be using the municipal dock permanently. The company, which provides commuting services to and from Belize City to Ambergris Caye, was one of the many businesses affected by Hurricane Earl in early August of 2015, and the company was forced to find an alternative area to operate its daily runs. Since then, they have been conducting business from the municipal dock by Central Park. A recent addition of structures on the dock, and the extended use of the dock have raised concerns among island residents. According to local authorities, the dock, which is Government property, has been serving the people of San Pedro Town ever since the foundation of the community, and no private entity should be entitled to operate on it permanently.

Ambergris Today

Belize Blue Hole Contender for Best Caribbean Dive Site - VOTE
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to share that Belize has been nominated in the latest 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest. An expert panel of diving and Caribbean Travel experts selected Belize’s Blue Hole as a contender for Best Caribbean Dive Site. A total of 20 countries have been nominated such as Bonaire, Puerto Rico and Aruba to name a few. Voting ends Monday, January 30th, 2017 at 11:59am EST and the winners will be announced on 10Best on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at 12:00pm EST, then later on USA TODAY. The official rules can be found here.

Misc Belizean Sources

A new fishery is born!
Forget Conch and Lobster! Today was open season for glass bottles!!!! Freedivers from around the island got started and we caught alot of them! None got away this time! lol... Many more areas to check and clean! The movement has begun! Lets do it again soon!

UB-ERI Panthera Seminar Series
Join us next week Wednesday for the first of our 2017 seminar series. See you there!

Vote for Miss Belize - Rebecca Rath for Miss Universe 2016
Miss Belize - Rebecca Rath stole the stage, the crown and the hearts of many. She has departed for the Philippines to represent Belize at the Miss Universe Pageant. Please show your support by VOTING for her as your favourite candidate. The voting is easy. Miss Universe 2016, will be the 65th Miss Universe pageant. It will be held on Sunday the 29th of January, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines. Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines will crown her successor at the end of the event. Bon voyage and all the best of luck to our Miss Belize - Rebecca "Bex" Rath!

Logo Design Competition
The Department of Youth Services is having a logo competition to brand the Youth Centres across Belize. There's a week left, and you could win a tablet. Best of luck! Closing date Jan. 15.

Maya abdominal massage: An answer to ending infertility, miscarriages?
Laura Brown never believed she’d go a month without suffering debilitating menstrual cramps. Then 13 years ago, her frustration led her to a massage table, where a San Francisco naturopath applied soft, sweeping strokes around her abdomen and pelvis, using a technique rooted in the traditional practice of the Maya people of Belize. Brown, then 19, found herself transformed. “When I got up off the table, I felt an immediate shift in my body,” she said. The naturopath explained to Brown that the technique -– officially called the Arvigo Technique of Maya Abdominal Therapy –- is designed to increase the flow of blood, lymph and what traditional Chinese medicine calls chi energy to tissues and ligaments in the pelvic area. The massage also uses gentle manipulation to move the uterus and other organs into proper alignment. The massage, Brown learned, did more than just reduce her menstrual pain — it promised to help other women in other ways. It could also ease the symptoms of endometriosis and menopause and, most remarkably, help women conceive and to enjoy easier pregnancies, even prevent C-sections. “The way she explained it to me, it all made sense,” said Brown, who decided to train in the Arvigo technique to offer it to others.

Hotel License Renewal forms for 2017
Welcome to your one-stop for BTB business forms. We know that every second counts when it comes to achieving excellent visitor experiences. With this in mind, we have made the process of applying, renewing, licensing and becoming qualified easier with categorized downloadable forms. These categories include: hotels, tour operators, tour guide, qualified retirement program, and live abroad.

Belize selects Final 23 for UNCAF Tournament
The National Football Team of Belize Selects Final 23 for UNCAF Tournament. The Coaching staff of the National Football Team of Belize has selected the final 23 players who will represent the country in the upcoming UNCAF Copa Centroamericana Tournament. These players were selected from among 30 who were called to training camp. Newly hired National Team Coach, Richard Orlowski of Poland, his assistant Carlos “Charlie” Slusher and their staff has expressed confidence in this selection to compete at a high level. The FFB will be holding a Media Press Conference on Tuesday, January 10th at 10:00 a.m. at the headquarters conference room. The purpose of the press conference is to introduce the final 23 players and showcase the new Belize Jaguars jerseys. All media houses across the country are invited to attend. The tournament is set to start on Friday, January 13th, 2017 in which the Belize Jaguars will be playing their first match against the host country Panama. The team and delegation will leave Belize on Wednesday, January 11th and returning on Monday, January 23, 2017.

Public meetings on offshore oil in SP and Caye Caulker
ATTN: San Pedro and Caye Caye Caulker! The conversation continues! The Belize Coalition invites you to a public meeting to discuss updates as they relate to offshore oil exploration in Belize. We hope to see you there!

Channel 7

Clashes, Looting and Unrest in Chetumal
Tonight, there is concern in Belize for our northern neighbors in Mexico, or more specifically, in Chetumal after a night of looting and unrest in the capital of Quintana Roo. Indeed, you may think of it as a peaceful and easygoing city, but last night there were pockets of unrest in Chetumal, and police had to lock down the town. But, while it was slightly chaotic, and totally uncharacteristic, it wasn't as bad as all the facebook rumours might suggest. From what we have been able to tell, there was no mass looting in Chetumal, and the Plaza De Las Americas Mall was not thrashed, as some reports suggest. In fact, what happened in Chetumal is a microcosm of what has been happening all across Mexico, in as many as 14 of 32 states states, causing looting at 250 stores. The unrest was triggered by a 20% increase in gas prices, after the Mexican government decided to stop subsidizing fuel prices. This has driven up pump prices, and even tortilla prices, and unleashed waves of violent demonstrations and looting across Mexico in the past five days. According to international press reports, close to a thousand people have been arrested and three people were killed amidst looting in Veracruz. AND last night in Chetumal, things were definitely on edge as State police had to fire their weapons to disperse the crowds looking for an opportunity to loot. Jules Vasquez put together the various facebook videos:…

Elderly Man Suffers Scary Home Invasion
Another elderly man was targeted in an armed robbery last night. But fortunately, he was unharmed and is recovering with his family. 77 year old Clinton Belisle was alone at his house outside Hattieville when 4 masked men broke in. They jumped over the fence from the back of the house, broke 2 of the surveillance cameras that were installed at the back and then forced their way inside. They then tied up Belisle while they ransacked his home. They took a number of electronic items including the DVR with the surveillance recordings. It was a well planned and executed crime which has left the family shaken and fearful that they might be targeted again. That's why the relative we spoke to appeared off camera and asked us to distort their voice. Here is that conversation. Voice of Relative: "He was by himself here because we left him to go home as he said he was okay being by himself here. When we were at home we got a call saying that the house was broken into and he was tied up. As we got the call we alerted the police instantly and they came onto the scene." Courtney Weatherburne: "At what time did you get the call?" Voice of Relative: "Around 12. As we approached, the police were already on the scene and they were already doing their investigation and getting a statement from my grandfather. So when my mother came they just had to get the report from here and we just had to ask what was happening and if everything was alright. We checked the scene and the surroundings. We checked inside to see what all was missing and if anything, was broken."

7News In Chetumal
At the top of the newscast, we showed you what happened last night in Chetumal, but what was it like today? Well our newsteam of Daniel Ortiz and Codie Norales went north - shopping for a story. Here's what they found:.. Daniel Ortiz reporting: Rolling through Chetumal, it appeared calm, and at a glance, it was hard to tell that riots and looting had broken out in this, Belize most beloved Mexican City. But, as we inspected more closely, we saw small signs of the civil unrest over the fuel prices. Here at this OXXO store, the caution tape was the remnant of the looting which happened here hours ago. We saw this other branch with the shutters down. But today was the Mexican holiday, Tres Reyes, so, maybe they were closed for the holiday. But, make no mistake, riots did happen here, as in other parts of the country, and as this amateur video shows, police had to move in to control unruly crowds. Some of it happened right in front of the Plaza Las Americas Mall which draws large numbers of Belizeans.

Godfrey Gone!
He's one of the leading Senior Counsels in Belize, but Godfrey Smith is leaving his private law practice to become a judge in St. Lucia. 7News has confirmed that Smith has taken up an appointment with the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court. Smith leaves next week, when he will commence sitting as a judge at the High Court in St. Lucia. At the age of 48, Smith is expected to be one of the younger judges on that highly regarded court which has responsibility for the Eastern Caribbean States of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He is not the first Belizean to take up the bench in that court; Denys Barrow was the first.

Compol Reverses Position, Changes Rules Of Media Engagement
If you watch the evening news with any regularity, you'll be very familiar with Assistant Commissioners of Police Chester Williams, Edward Broaster, Dezeree Phillips, and maybe even Superintendents Selvin Tillett and Richard Rosado. They - and others - all came to national attention when Commissioner of police Allen Whylie changed the rules of engagement for top cops and media in May of 2013. Here's what he said at the time. FILE: May 15, 2013: Allen Whylie, Commissioner of Police: "I believe that us having the first hand information is that right person to give that information. So I am empowering you today to feel free to speak to the media. If they call and you have the information, provide the information but at our level also know the information you must provide. We need to balance the right of the public to know against the right of the individuals and the victims that may have reported something. Again, we have to be careful in terms of information we do release but I will want to see the commanders more active in terms of passing information directly to the media." That was in May 2013, but two and a half years later, with murder rates climbing and no scapegoat in sight, Commissioner Whylie has reversed that position. At a meeting today at the Raccoon street station, Whylie announced that interviews will no longer be given by commanders; instead that job will now revert to the Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez. That decision has been met with widespread condemnation from a slew of media houses - including this one - which consider it retrograde and ineffective. The Police Press Office has planned a meeting with the media next week to discuss the new/old arrangement.

Cops Found A Strange Gun
Early this afternoon, the Southside Strike Team searched an empty lot on Iguana Street extension where they found a unusual weapon: a black .9 millimeter Hi-Point Carbine Rifle. We hear about 9 millimeter pistols all the time, but this one is a rifle. They also found an extended magazine containing five live rounds. No one was in the area so it was labeled and submitted as found property.

Man Says His Accuser Wanted Company In Jail
A Pinks Alley resident Twenty-nine year old Daniel Cain was charged with aggravated assault in the magistrates Court today. He is accused of shooting at Michael Arnold on November 28th of 2016. Cain pled not guilty to the charge. He said Arnold made a false report against him because Arnold knew he was going to prison and he wanted company. Cain said that at the time of the alleged crime, he was gambling. But, regardless, he was remanded into custody. And while Cain was charged for allegedly firing at Arnold, Arnold also had to answer to a charge as well. He was already charged with robbery and today he was charged with threatening words. He pled not guilty to the charge but because he was granted bail for the charge of robbery with the condition that he is not to be arrested for any other offence, he was remanded into custody.

Bail For Japanese Wife
Last night we told you about the Japanese female who was remanded for a firearm offence. That's after her Belizean husband accused her of threatening him with his own gun in their bedroom. He says Asako Solis threatened him and demanded money from the safe. Well she was remanded on 2 counts of aggravated assault and using threatening words. But after only a brief stay in jail, she was released on a bail of $5,000 that was offered to her today by Justice Antonette Moore. The bail was granted on the condition that she attends the magistrate court in Belize City as required, and that she does not interfere with the complainant or any other witness for the prosecution. Solis was represented at the bail hearing by attorney, Alifah Elringfton Hyde.

Prisoner Slips Out of Police Custody on Trip To Restroom
In February of last year, police searched Eugene Bailey and found an unlicensed .38 revolver with four live rounds. Bailey appeared in the Magistrate's Court today, where he was found guilty. He was sentenced to 5 years for each offense, both of which will be served concurrently. After his sentencing, police took Bailey to the Queen Street Police Station holding cell. While there, he was allowed to go to the bathroom without an escort. Bailey used the lack of oversight to escape from custody. But he didn't get far and he was captured later this afternoon. He is now back in custody pending a charge of escape.

Ford En Fuego
Today, a white Ford Escape was found in flames on the Old Northern Highway, near the Lake Gardens area. The vehicle was reportedly stolen from somewhere near the area, but so far police have turned up nothing in their investigation.

Dan Marcus, The Return
Belizean recording artist Dan Marcus is back in Belize working on a short film and music video project. But it's more than just another music video. Marcus, who is currently the CEO the record label Rebellious Entertainment, is shooting a video biography of sorts. One that he hopes will positively influence Belizean youths. Dan Marcus told us more about the project this afternoon... Dan Marcus, CEO, Rebel Empire Ent. Group: "The new project name is 'Life and Times of Dan Marcus' which is really an ode to my mother because it has a second title 'Life and Times of Miss Marian Last Son' which is basically me. It's basically self-explanatory, it's just a little story about my life and the teachings my mother instill in me. That's what this project is all about." Alex Courtenay, 7News: "So it's almost like a biographical movie?" Dan Marcus, CEO, Rebel Empire Ent. Group: "Yes it's basically a short film accompanied by 4 music videos which surround the concept of the very essence of what I was talking about. The life and times of me and the lessons I learnt from my mother and how I instilled it in my life to use it to execute and move forward with my craft."

Voting System For 13th Senator Finalized
The members of the NGO community in good standing met today in Belize City to hear from the five nominees for the 13th senator. Today each of the candidates gave brief presentations to urge the NGO reps to vote for them on next week Tuesday. Turns out there are only 27 NGO's who will vote, since only 29 are in good standing and two of them are inactive. As we understand it, each NGO will have one representative to vote. They will vote by rounds, and after the first round the top two or top three vote getters will advance to a run-off. And from there, the nominee which gets a simple majority will be selected. The nominees are: Edilberto Romero from Bacongo Janelle Chanano from Oceana, Donovan Reneau from BCVI Pablo Collado from Adopt A Child With a Disability And Osmany Salas from BTIA.

Integrity Commission Appointed, Gets Ready To Meet
And while the appointment of that 13th senator is a major reform initiative which will bring unprecedented balance to the National Assembly, another is the appointment and activation of the integrity commission. Each member of that body has been officially appointed by the Governor General and they will be sworn in on Thursday 12th January at the national assembly in Belmopan. After that, the Commission will have its first meeting. We'll be sure to report on it.

Channel 5

Chetumal in Protests Over Fuel Hike; How Will it Affect Belize?
The New Year has been greeted with protests in Mexico against a government price deregulation that sent the price of fuel there up by as much as twenty percent over [...]

Senior Citizen Attacked in Hattieville Home Invasion
Tonight there is a report of a despicable act upon an elderly man in Hattieville. It happened at a time when seventy-eight year old Clinton Belisle was grieving the death [...]

Japanese Asako Solis Out on Bail after Domestic Incident Involving Firearm
After spending two nights on remand at the Belize Central Prison, Japanese national, Asako Solis, who has been living in Belize for over ten years is home tonight. The thirty-eight-year [...]

13th Senator Candidates Speak Out Ahead of January Tenth Election
The Prime Minister is forced to make good on his promise and a thirteenth senator is nigh.   This Tuesday, twenty-eight non-governmental organizations will elect the long anticipated thirteenth senator who [...]

SATIIM’s Froyla Tzalam Explains Decision to Decline Nomination
Along with a shortlist of nominees who had been chosen to vie for the senatorial post came information that Froyla Tzalam, executive director of SATIIM, had declined her appointment.  Tzalam, [...]

Integrity Commission to be Appointed Next Thursday
Following the appointment of the thirteenth senator by the N.G.O.s, the Office of the Integrity Commission will swear in its new members at its first meeting next Thursday, January twelfth, [...]

Why “Make-Up Week” Failed, According to Teachers’ Union
Students were away from the classrooms this week and so were teachers and other members of the Belize National Teachers Union. They are expected back in school next Monday as [...]

Convicted for Firearm Possession, Eugene Bailey Makes a Break
Police have re-captured thirty-nine-year old Eugene Bailey, who fled the long arms of law at the Queen Street police station at around noon today. Bailey had been taken to the [...]

Belmopan Police Report Lesser Crime in 2016
Earlier this week we shared with you a wrap-up of the year in terms of crime statistics from the western-most part of Belize, Benque Viejo del Carmen Town. While that [...]

In Belize District, Residents Not Feeling Very Well
The Central Health Region has released the second part of its bi-annual health bulletin for the Belize District for 2016. The data, which is pulled from the Belize Health Information [...]

Babies Doing Better after Central Region Intervention
The Central Health Region also released the latest data on the infant mortality rate for the Belize District in 2016 and there is some good news to report. In 2015, [...]

Dengue Down in 2016; Women are Majority Affected by Zika in District
Another key set of numbers released for the Belize District are the numbers for the vector borne diseases. The Environmental Health Unit at Central Health Region continues to monitor the [...]

The Jaguars Renewed: National Team Calls Up 23 for Copa Centroamericana
A new national team has been selected to represent Belize in the 2017 UNCAF Copa Centro Americana Games scheduled to begin on January thirteenth through to January twenty-second.  The team [...]

Dan Marcus, Reggae Artist, Addresses Love and Family in New Music Release
Belizean recording artist Dan Marcus is in Belize working on a new project. Marcus will be releasing a short film with two music videos as well as an EP that [...]

Meet Kendis Gibson, a Belizean-American ABC News Anchor
In tonight’s newscast, we feature Kendis Gibson; he is a Belizean American who currently works at the ABC News network. Gibson relocated to the U.S. at the age of ten [...]

LOVE FM

Belize Gets Closer to Renegotiating Superbond 2038
The last we heard of the renegotiations of the Superbond 2038 was around Christmas time when Prime Minister Dean Barrow noted that another round of talks were due prior to the New Year. He also added that it is the hope of the Government that the bondholders would approve their proposal and that everything would […]

Belize’s Heads of Mission Meet for Annual Review
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today hosted their fifteen heads of mission at the Belmopan office to discuss and review several matters in the diplomatic arena. Love News spoke with Arlette Gomez, the Public Relations officer in the ministry for a briefing on the 3-day meeting dubbed HOME, which is the acronym for Heads of […]

The Race Is On for the First 13th Senator of Belize
The 13th Senator nominees made their presentation to twenty seven nongovernmental organizations today. Donovan Reneau of BCVI, Janelle Chanona of OCEANA Belize, Pablo Collado of Adopt a Child with Disability, Edilberto Romero of Bacongo and Osmany Salas of BTIA all expressed why they should be elected as Belize’s 13th Senator. What was also discussed was […]

A Look at the Senatorial Nominees
Yesterday we featured Donovan Reneau, the Vice President for the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired, BCVI and Janelle Chanona, the Vice President of Oceana Belize as they expressed why they should be Belize’s 13th Senator. Tonight we feature the remaining three nominees. We start with Pablo Collado. He recently founded “Adopt A child with […]

SATIIM Says Trips to the Sarstoon Will Continue Until ….
In November of last year, Guatemalan Armed Forces stopped a community forest patrol organized by the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, SATIIM. This was the first time that SATIIM was told that they needed permission from the Guatemala military to traverse the Sarstoon River. Today we asked SATIIM’s Executive Director, FroylaTzalam, for an update.

No Construction Allowed on the Sarstoon Island
In recent times, the tension between Belize and Guatemala over Sarstoon Island and Sarstoon River has dangerously increased. Guatemalan Armed Forces have become excessively aggressive in their belief that they control the river and Guatemala owns the island. Many activists have accused the Belize government of conceding Sarstoon Island and Sarstoon River even though military […]

Popular Shopping Sites for Belizeans Looted During Riots in Chetumal
Residents in various parts of Mexico are angered and have been expressing that rage via protest, road blocks, looting and civil disobedience over the last few days. Reports reaching our newsroom are that the entire situation began over the increase in fuel prices. Kenrick Theus is a Belizean living in Chetumal, Quintana Roo for the […]

New Chetumal Consular to Be Named Soon
In early December we told you of the non-renewal of the contract for Honorary Consul, Jorge Valencia in Chetumal, Quintana Roo. It has been one month already since Valencia vacated the seat and with that we asked Arlette Gomez of the PR Unit in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs if that position will be refilled. […]

No Water in Hopkins Since Christmas Season
Love News Centre has received several calls over the last few days from residents in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District who have been struggling without water for almost two weeks now. We spoke with the village Chairman, Ted Mckoy who explained the lack of cooperation and communication from the Water Board. The residents have been […]

Invaders Steal $14, Television and Laptop from Elderly Man
Hattieville Police are investigating a home invasion which has left a seventy eight year old man shaken up. At around midnight last night, four men wearing masks and one armed with a shotgun barged into the home of Clinton Belisle in Hattieville. They held him up at gun point and stole fourteen dollars from him […]

Amandala

Japanese woman, 37, accused of shooting at her Belizean husband, remanded
A domestic dispute between a Japanese businesswoman and her Belizean husband took a violent turn, and resulted in the woman being arrested by police and charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and uttering threatening words to her husband. Asako Solis, 37, who has been living in Belize for over a decade and is the owner of a tour company, appeared along with her attorney, Alifah Elrington-Hyde, before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser this afternoon. Magistrate Fraser arraigned Solis on the three charges. When she was asked to enter a plea, Solis said, “Nothing like that happened.” When Magistrate Fraser read the charge of using threatening words, Solis remarked, “That is not true. He is the one who told me if I do not sign the agreement; he will do anything to get me in jail.”

US hunts Raymond McLeod, last seen in Placencia
A former officer of the United States Marines sought in connection with the murder of an American woman is on the run, and US authorities have informed us that the man, identified as Raymond “RJ” McLeod, 33, was last seen in Placencia, Stann Creek, Belize. Krystal Jaye Mitchell, a property manager and mother, was reportedly strangled to death in an apartment in San Diego, where she had reportedly been visiting with friends. San Diego police subsequently listed McCleod as a “person of interest,” and they have consequently issued a warrant for his arrest. Back in June 2016, it was said that McLeod would he heading south to Mexico, but reports later indicated that he soon found his way to Belize; although not via formal immigration channels. A law enforcement bulletin from San Diego Police and the US Department of State, Diplomatic Security Services, was issued by the US Embassy in Belize earlier this week.

UDP’s Fonso charged for death of Gilbert “Thready” Myers
Alfonso Noble, host of the Fus Thing Da Mawnin talk show on Wave Radio/TV and editor of the Guardian newspaper, propaganda organs of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP), spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day in police custody at the Racoon Street Police Station, after he knocked down and killed Hattieville resident, Gilbert Myers, 48, popularly known as “Thready” or “Tyson,” on Christmas Eve night, December 24, between Miles 3 and 4 on the George Price Highway. On Wednesday morning, representatives from the city’s media corps gathered outside the Magistrate’s Court, as the police van transporting detained persons arrived and Noble, his face appearing tired from the many hours in police custody, climbed out of the van and was escorted to the court’s holding cell area.

Belize on high alert for suspected MS13 gangsters
Belizean law enforcement authorities have issued an all-points bulletin for 10 escapees from El Salvador, said to be connected with the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS13) gang, who were being held at San Francisco Gotera, the eastern department of Morazán, for homicide and narco-trafficking charges. Reports out of Honduras say that authorities from the neighboring countries of Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, dubbed the Northern Triangle, a classification highlighting problems with cross-border organized crime, were reportedly collaborating to secure the recapture of the fugitives. No mention was made of Belize. Colonel George Lovell, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, told Amandala this evening that he had received notification from Belize’s diplomatic mission in El Salvador of the escape and Belize police are being put on high alert. Similarly, we have been advised by another official source that Belize’s military has been advised of the possibility that the escaped Salvadorans could be headed to Belize, where there are established Salvadoran migrant communities in parts of the Cayo District.

Of nationhood and nobility
The attorney profession, while obviously a most lucrative one, can not be considered a noble profession. Attorneys say and do things which, if the rest of us were to say and do the same, would be considered self-serving, opportunistic, dishonest, and even venal. This is the license which attorneys are allowed by virtue of their esteemed profession. The military profession, by contrast, must be considered a noble and honorable one, because soldiers have to offer their lives on the battlefield. No subtlety and sophistication of rhetoric is in play during combat. The field of battle tests soldiers’ courage, resolve, fiber, manhood, and so on and so forth. In Belize, a nation 35 years of age, it is usually the case that the attorneys, who flock to the political arena, give instructions to our soldiers. Thus, with regards to the situation at the Sarstoon River, it is Baize’s attorney/politicians who have been calling the shots. We refer to our system of government as a parliamentary democracy. Attorneys and politicians rule.

Black History Month 2017: Pen to pay tribute to Evan X Hyde and UBAD
Renowned Garifuna artist, Pen Cayetano, and his family are organizing a special observance of Black History Month for 2017, and the musician and painter contacted our newspaper some weeks ago to announce that a centerpiece of the observance this year would be a special tribute to Evan X Hyde and the United Black Association for Development (UBAD)—a black power movement which Hyde and his peers led in Belize in the 1960s. The launch of Black History month by Pen is scheduled to be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the Pen Cayetano Studio Gallery at 3 Aranda Crescent in Dangriga Town. Ingrid Cayetano, who has been assisting Pen Cayetano with organizing the event, told Amandala that it is a great idea to honor Hyde so that Belizeans can understand the value of the UBAD movement. She called for a renewed interest in what Hyde and his peers did five decades ago and what activists continue to do even today.

Belmopan Bandits repeat as PLB Champions
After all the hype and anticipation surrounding the epic New Year’s Eve clash between Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2016-2017 Opening Season regular season #1 seed Belmopan Bandits SC, and #2 seed BDF FC, football fans were treated to a not-so-exciting game, that lost its thrill, except perhaps for the die-hard Bandits fans, a few moments after the opening whistle. As a serious football fan, I acknowledged that Bandits played the better ball, but BDF knew how to defend. Their mud-and-water aided surprise 1-nil win in game 1 of the finals, meant that the intrigue of the game at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium would be, how long BDF could hold out the high-powered attack of the Bandits; and could they hold on for ninety. That was the question. But before I had finished my line-up notes, apprising the formations of both teams, the game had been decided. After a centering pass toward a bunch of players, attackers and defenders, there was reportedly a hand-ball just inside the BDF eighteen around the second minute of the ball game. And referee Irfan Basdmir immediately indicated “penalty.” BDF captain Vallan Symms appealed passionately, suggesting from his actions that stopper Leon Cadle had been pushed from behind, causing the ball to hit his arm accidentally. Basdemir would hear none of it.

Yabra 10 & Under Grassroots Championship results
The first ever Yabra 10 & Under, Football Championship was completed on a rainy Saturday afternoon, December 31, with the 3rd place and championship games being played at the MCC Grounds. Nevertheless, the kids were unfazed by the inclement weather, and played right through till the end. Premier League star Gilroy “Bredda” Thurton was the referee for both games. The 3rd place game between Ladyville Rising Stars and Face of Belize had to go into overtime, and then a penalty shootout, in which Ladyville Rising Stars prevailed, 2-1, after 5 shots were taken by each team. In the championship game, Carlston FC defeated City Boys, 2-1, in regular time. Goal scorers for Carlston FC were Tayshawn Broaster and Maximiliano Gonzalez; while Raymond Gentle, Jr. scored for City Boys. The tournament results are therefore: 1st Place – Carlston FC; 2nd Place – City Boys; and 3rd Place – Ladyville Rising Stars.

Sugar & Cream!!
Despite all the mayhem, the New Year started in spectacular fashion with beautiful weather for the 27th running of the KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic, “from the border to the Boulevard,” with fans lined up along the route and especially near the finish line on Central American Boulevard. There was a righteous concern among some local fans, that the “fat” station prizes, 4 of $1,000 each and 1 of $2,000, might be taken away by foreigners; but the Mexican contingent was small and ineffective, and likewise the visitors from the U.S.A. At the end of the day, Belizean cyclists had taken all the top prizes. For those of us unable to come out to witness the pedal by pedal action, KREM Radio announcers brought the action “live into our living rooms.” Mose Hyde and veteran cycling star Andrew Smiling brought the Elite race, later assisted by Weekend Warrior cyclist Steven Bisset, who started the day riding in the Elite/Masters race from the Corozal/Mexican border, but “cashed in his chips” when the going got too rough, and opted for the “mike” instead of the bike the rest of the way. Karen Rosito and KREM Station Manager Danilee Cadle announced the Female race; while Steve “the Groovemaster” Anthony along with Andrew Ordonez did the honors for the Junior race.

FFB announces Belize’s Copa Centroamericana Selection
The coaching staff of the National Football Team of Belize has selected the final 23 players who will represent the country in the upcoming UNCAF Copa Centroamericana Tournament. These players were selected from among 30 who were called to training camp. Those players are: Newly hired National Team Coach, Richard Orlowski of Poland, his assistant Carlos “Charlie” Slusher and their staff have expressed confidence in this selection to compete at a high level.. The FFB will be holding a media press conference on Tuesday, January 10, at 10:00 a.m. at the headquarters conference room. The purpose of the press conference is to introduce the final 23 players and showcase the new Belize Jaguars jerseys. All media houses across the country are invited to attend. The tournament is set to start on Friday, January 13, 2017, in which the Belize Jaguars will be playing their first match against the host country Panama. The team and delegation will leave Belize on Wednesday, January 11, and return on Monday, January 23, 2017.

From The Publisher
Between 1992 and 1995, this time of the New Year we would be going into camp at Bird’s Isle with the Kremandala Raiders, who won semi-pro basketball championships back-to-back-to back in 1993, 1994, and 1995, after being runners up to Penta Lakers in the Raiders’ rookie season of 1992. Semi-pro basketball’s sensational entry on the city scene and its subsequent decline have left me with a permanent heartache. Usually I try not to let my enemies see how much pain they’ve caused me at any given time, but in the matter of semi-pro basketball they have a very good idea of what they did. I felt the pain. I feel the pain. There were two aspects of the semi-pro ride which were especially painful. The first aspect was that the foundation of the Raiders was young boys who had been newspaper collators at Amandala from the time they were 10 or 11 years old back in the early 1980s. Their story was a kind of Cinderella ride, so to speak, and it was very, very painful to watch the politicians ruin a genuine Southside product.

Dorla Williams writes of incredible life-saving effort for Tyron Coleman
Dear Editor, I never thought I would ever be on social media or the news media asking for any kind of help—an experience I will never forget. Imagine, you suddenly learned that you are very critically ill and was given a lifespan of about only two weeks to live if you do not undergo surgery… delicate, expensive life-saving heart surgery, and you’re bankrupt after spending all hard-earned savings and salaries on your health. At this moment, life is far more precious than any material possession, but time is against you. Pride has no more space in your thoughts. You’ve always been kind and generous to everyone; now you are in need. Who can you turn to? I would want to live too. An angiogram of the heart was urgently needed to confirm your already troubled news; you don’t have the money and another week has gone by. You’re scared to die and everybody is worried and frightened. For me, someone had bigger problems than mine. We played doctor and nurse after the angiogram; he checked his unstable pressure and I came for results and his daily experience. He trusted my medical background and I sought expert medical advice.

Three killer whales spotted in southern Belize
A male killer whale known as the orca, spanning more than 30 feet, has surprisingly surfaced in the south of Belize—a very rare sight in our tropical waters. The majestic apex predator aggressively warded off Belizean tour guides and stay-over tourists who were on a trip in the Ranguana Caye area last Thursday, before heading north with another adult whale and a younger whale of the same species, presumably on a migratory trip to cooler waters. Known scientifically as Orcinus orca, this type of whale is distinguished by its distinctive black-and-white skin patches. Jason Westby, who conducts fishing tours with a few different resorts as a freelance tour guide, told Amandala that on the day of the incident, he was working with Chabil Mar, and he was touring with a couple from Texas, USA, when the drama unfolded sometime between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. on December 29.

First newborns for 2017
News reports for the start of 2017 have been largely saturated with horrific murders, but this story is an exception, focused instead on new life for the New Year. When our newspaper visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) on Tuesday, we met the country’s first newborn baby for the year, 2017. She is Kelsey Garnett, a bouncing baby girl born at exactly 12:00 a.m. on January 1st with a healthy 7 pounds and 6 ounces to a high school student, who wished not to be interviewed or named. The newborn’s aunt, who has been by her sister’s side throughout the pregnancy, said that this was her sister’s first pregnancy. Baby Kelsey, the newest addition to the family, will live with her grandmother and mother in Belize City. Her mother, we are told, will return to school to complete her studies.

Guatemalan foreign minister continues to push for referendum on Belize issue
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raúl Morales continues to press for a formal vote by both Belize and Guatemala to have the territorial differendum between the countries adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), based on an agreement signed 8 years ago in Washington, D.C. That agreement states that the question of whether the matter will go to the ICJ could only be answered by national referenda held in the respective countries. The vote, originally scheduled for October 2013, was aborted and Guatemala’s then president, Otto Perez Molina, pressured Belize to change its Referendum Act, which requires a minimum voter turnout to validate the poll, to remove that requirement, as he argued that the provision was not conducive to a ‘yes’ vote.

Majority of teachers stay home
In a memo issued at the end of last year, the Ministry of Education and the Managing authorities of pre-primary, primary and secondary schools, indicated that students and teachers should return to their classrooms on Tuesday, January 3, to make up for time lost during last year’s eleven days of protests. Despite that official announcement, the usual stampede of uniformed students trafficking through the streets of the old capital en route to school was not observed this week. Instead, a majority of teachers and students enjoyed the full three weeks due during the Christmas break, as endorsed by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), which called for a return to classrooms on Monday, January 9, instead. According to a principal who spoke with our newspaper today, Thursday, this week was another victory for the BNTU, which stood firm against the Ministry.

The Reporter

US Coalition asks Obama to draft policies to assist Caribbean immigrants
Cities for Action, a coalition of more than 100 mayors and county executives from across the United States, is asking US President Barack Obama to draft policies to assist Caribbean immigrants before he leaves office this month. The group is asking Obama to commit to further […]

78-year-old man tied up and robbed at home
A 78-year-old man from Hattieville village was tied up inside his home and robbed around 12 a.m., on January 5. Reports are that Clinton Belisle, an unemployed of Hattieville village was inside his bedroom when four masked men forcibly entered his home. One of the men, […]

Belmopan police concerned about escaped MS-13 gang members
Belmopan authorities are on high alert after 10 Mara-Salvatruchas gang members in El Salvador escaped from prison on Sunday night and are suspected to be heading for Belize. Guatemalan newspaper, Nuestro Diaro, in its latest issue quoted as its headline “Borders on red alert,” after […]

Live grenade found in Yarborough area!
The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) at around 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday discovered another live hand grenade in an abandoned lot on Faber’s Road in the Yarborough area of Belize City. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams said head of the GSU, Inspector Glen Caliz, informed […]

City cops getting tough on gangs as murders spike
With the recent surge of murders to start the new year, the police department’s top brass this week, sent a clear message to gang members and affiliates that the police will be increasing the pressure on known criminals. At a media briefing held on Tuesday […]

Belmopan Police concerns over more counterfeit money circulating in the Garden City
Belmopan police are currently trying to determine who is behind the issuing of counterfeit $20 bills as more fake notes have recently surfaced. Police have confirmed that on Thursday, two more fake $20 notes were deposited at two major banks in Belmopan. The notes were both […]

Forestry to introduce harsher penalties for Rosewood harvesting
People who engage in harvesting Rosewood will face harsher penalties shortly, after the Ministry of Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development seeks to ask the House of Representatives to introduce amendments to the Forest Act. The request for the change follows the latest incident where […]

New United Nations Sec. Gen. calls for peace
As his first act as the new Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres is calling for an end to armed conflict. Guterres, in his New Year’s address, called on the nations of the world to make 2017 a year where they strive to overcome their […]

New AG officially sworn in
Following the December announcement of a Cabinet shuffle, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Michael Peyrefitte, assumed his new role as Attorney General this week. Peyrefitte swore in on Tuesday, January 3, before the the Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young at the Belize House […]

NGC push for land rights delayed by Cabinet shuffle
The National Garifuna Council’s (NGC) efforts to achieve traditional land rights for Garinagu people have been delayed by the last cabinet shuffle of 2016. The NGC had been working with former Minister of Natural Resources, Vanessa Retreage, to set a date to continue the dialogue, when Retreage […]

Two dead in motorcycle colission
Two people, one of them a minor, died over the weekend as their motorcycles crashed into each other on the George Price Highway. Devon Reyes, 16 and Mauro Reyes, both of Teakettle Village, were traveling in separate directions, around 6:30 p.m. on December 30, when they collided […]

US fugitive suspected to be in Belize
San Diego, California police are asking Belizeans for help in finding a murder suspect believed to be hiding out in the southern part of the country. According to a law enforcement bulletin issued by the United States Embassy in Belmopan, Raymond “RJ” McLeod, is wanted in connection […]

Editorial
Opposition Leader Mr. Johnny Briceño said something significant in his New Year’s address to the people of Belize. Outlining his govermment’s policy on Guatemala he said: “The PUP will never agree to any session of our territory to Guatemala. Our position remains Guatemala should get no part of our territory […]

Suspect charged for the murder of Randolph Johnson
Police have apprehended and charged the alleged shooter in the execution of 19 year-old Randolph Johnson, who was killed on January 3rd. On Thursday January 5, 19 year-old Elden Flowers of a Croton Lane address appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer where he was charged […]

2017 opens with murder spree, six dead in four days!
The year 2017 has started off especially violent as the opening days of the new year saw five murders recorded across Belize City in the first 72 hours of the first week of the year. The first murder of the recent wave occurred on New Year’s Eve. The murder spree […]

Nominees for 13th Senator announced
Seven candidates, this week, accepted nominations for the the long-anticipated post of 13th Senator. Prime Minister Dean Barrow signed the commencement order on the heels of the 11-day teachers’ strike in October. The nominees include: Pablo Collado, of Adopt a Child with Disability; Janelle Chanona […]

Japanese housewife jailed for pulling gun on husband
A Japanese woman, Asako Solis, 38, has been remanded to prison for allegedly pulling a gun on her husband as the two are currently locked in a bitter divorce settlement. Solis’ Belizean husband of 10 years, Elvis Solis, made the report against her. But in […]

2017 sees first murder
Continuing along the trend of rising gun violence that ended 2016, Belize has already seen its first murder for the new year. Colin Sutherland, a resident of the Conch Shell Bay area, was gunned down after 6 p.m., on New Year’s Day on Youth for […]

Teen dies in Cayo RTA
Two people, one of them a minor, are dead following a road traffic accident involving motorcycles on the George Price Highway last night. According to police, a 24-year-old Honduran construction worker crashed into 16-year-old Belizean, Devon Reyes, around 6:30 p.m., on the George Price Highway […]

2016 ends with murder!
While many Belizeans were enjoying New Year’s Eve festivities, a Sandhill Resident lost his life to gun violence. Police say that shortly after 9 p.m., Dilon Grinage was socializing in Ladyville, when a lone gunman approached him. The gunman fired approximately six shots at Grinage, […]

The Belize Times

4 DAYS…5 BODIES! – Bloody Start to 2017
As we go to press today, the fourth day of the New Year 2017, five Belizeans have already been gunned down in brutal fashion – one on New Year’s Day, two on January 2nd and two on January 3rd, all in Belize City. Even before the annoying but traditional sounds of dynamite die down completely, Police have been forced to mobilize in hotspots where it is believed that this first blaze of bullets may spark retaliations and more bloodshed. Details are scarce in Tuesday’s murders, the fourth and fifth of the year, as the capacity of investigators has been taxed. According to preliminary Police reports, they were called to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital at around 2:40pm and saw Randolph Johnson, 19, dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, right leg and left palm.

Amid Escalating Gang Warfare GSU Recovers Live Grenade
The discovery of a live grenade on Tuesday, in an area controlled by the South Side Gangsters (SSG), one of the city more volatile gangs, is probably no cause for relief by law enforcement officers as we head into what has been the bloodiest start of a new year in history. The discovery of the device, one of an alleged dozen believed to be in the hands of criminal elements, was made at around 9:00am Tuesday morning by GSU Acting Commander Inspector Glenn Caliz, near the Cumberbatch Field at the corner of Faber’s Road and Caesar Ridge Road. According to Caliz, “Right here we have a live grenade, military type standard M26-A2 hand grenade. We had conducted some operations in this area over the past hour where we came upon this grenade. With this, we called in the BDF bomb expert, who will handle this grenade to take it to a safe location, for further investigation, and further destruction.”

MoE Plays Bully…Teachers Don’t Budge!
Today many schools countrywide remained closed as teachers under the BNTU umbrella refused to give in to sustained bullying from the Ministry of Education and Minister Patrick Faber. In the wake of the October strike which forced government to its knees and shone a spotlight on this UDP administration’s shocking neglect of good governance practices and outright corruption, Minister Faber has been tireless in his efforts to punish teachers. The Ministry of Education in cahoots with some managing authorities of primary and secondary schools countrywide urged teachers to cut their Christmas break short by four days to partly make up for 11 days of strike action in October 2016. The return date was set for Tuesday January 3rd, but Ministry officials must have been sorely disappointed as a majority of members of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) ignored all intimidation tactics and banded together instead.

Why is GOB Still Paying Michelle Longsworth?
The Belize Times has been able to confirm that former Director of the Central Information Technology Office (CITO) Michelle Longsworth is still listed as active and is still receiving her salary and allowances even though she left office in July 2016 to travel with her husband to New York. Longsworth, a well-connected political public officer, is the wife of former Minister Herman Longsworth who is now the government’s Consular Officer in New York. According to our research, Michelle Longsworth left her post in July, but is still collecting more than $6800.00 every single month. To date, Longsworth has received almost $40,000 as Director of CITO even though she does not work at CITO and is in New York with her husband.

Karma
As I write this on Tuesday morning, three days into the New Year that Prime Minister Dean Barrow says will be a ‘turnaround stanza,’ three men have already been gunned down. Colin Sutherland died on New Year’s Day. Robert Gillett was executed at around midday on January 2nd and just hours after, Kenneth Dobson lay bleeding on the ground, life snuffed out by lead. The Prime Minister has consistently been able to skirt these nasty, unpleasant issues…the bodies sprawled on the ground, bleeding out from multiple bullet wounds, because it has not touched close enough to his home and cold heart. Neither the Prime Minister nor his Special Envoy reacted to the heart-breaking murder of Tyler Savery. I wonder if the Prime Minister remembers that name – Tyler Savery. For all normal Belizeans in this nation, the impact of violent crime in 2016 was powerful and painful. In his 12 minute New Year message, Mr. Barrow allocated one minute at the very end to lauding his government for all he says they have done for national security. He didn’t mention the crime rate in 2016. He didn’t mention those who lost their lives in one of the most violent years in our nation’s young history. He also did not mention any concrete initiatives or crime-fighting measures – just rhetoric as usual.

Team Imani’s Shaun Codd Wins 2017 KREM Junior Cycling Classic
Team Imani’s Shaun Codd won the 27th annual KREM Radio New Year’s Junior Cycling Classic from the Orange Walk Town Hall on the Philip Goldson Highway to the finish line at the Mahogany Street roundabout with Central American Boulevard to Belize City. 1st Shaun Codd – Team Imani’s – 2:31:36 – $1,000 prize and SMART cellphone. 2nd Nashen Ysaguirre – Team Cabral/Marin – 2:35:58 – $300 prize. 3rd Brian Sutherland – Team SMART Zoom – $200 prize. 4th Wilhem Coye – Team Big Shep 5th Efrain Mencias – unattached 6th Shawn Armstrong Jr – Team Big Shep 7th Brian Polanco – Team Imani’s 8th Kevin Gentle – Team Big Shep

Alicia Thompson Repeats as 2017 KREM Female Cycling Classic Champ
Team Belize Bank Swoosh’s Alicia Thompson successfully defended her title as Women’s champion in the 27th annual KREM New Year’s Cycling Classic in a 52-mile ride from the Orange Walk Town Hall on the Philip Goldson Highway to the finish line at the Mahogany Street roundabout with Central American Boulevard to Belize City. 1st Alicia Thompson – Team Belize Bank Swoosh – 3:16:00 – $1,000 prize, a round trip ticket to USA from American Airlines, and a SMART cellphone package. 2nd Kaya Cattouse – Team C-ray Cycling – $300 prize. 3rd Gabrielle Lovell – Team DigiCell 4G – 3:53:00 – $200 prize. 4th Kaylynn Gillett – Team Belize Bank Swoosh – 4:05:00 – 1st Youth.

SMART’s Ron Vasquez Wins 2017 KREM New Year’s Cycling Classic
The SMART Zoom cycling team dominated the 27th annual KREM Radio New Year’s Elite Cycling Classic, with Ron Vasquez taking 1st place, Brandon Cattouse – 2nd prize, and Oscar Quiros – 5th prize in the 90 mile race from the Corozal Free Zone on the Philip Goldson Highway to the finish line at the Mahogany Street roundabout with Central American Boulevard to Belize City. 1st Ron Vasquez – Team SMART – 4:06:09 – $2,500 prize and a round trip ticket to the continental United States from American Airlines, and a SMART cellphone package. Vasquez also won over $4,600 in station prizes from mile 35 to the city. 2nd Brandon Cattouse – Team SMART – 4:10:50 – $1,500 prize 3rd Giovanni Lovell – Team DigiCell 4G – $1,000 prize. 4th Jose Choto – Team Imani’s – 4:11:41 – $500 prize – 1st masters over-35 5th Oscar Quiros – Team SMART – $350 prize 6th Nissan Arana – Team Westrac Alliance – $275 prize. 7th Robert Liam Stewart – $200 prize – 2nd Over-35 Masters. 1st Ron Vasquez – Team SMART – 4:06:09 – $2,500 prize and a round trip ticket to the continental United States from American Airlines, and a SMART cellphone package. Vasquez also won over $4,600 in station prizes from mile 35 to the city.

Questions to Ministers
Would the Member for Queen Square and Prime Minister please clarify the status of the alleged lesions in his colon and provide the nation with an update on his health? Could he also say if he has fixed that troubling bowel movement problem? Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please say why the wife of former Minister Herman Longsworth is still receiving almost $7000 a month as Director of CITO even though she left that post in July 2016 to go to New York with her husband? Would the Member for Queen Square and Minister of Finance please say exactly how much government is paying for the Chon Saan building located in Belmopan? Could he further explain the decision to purchase it and the decision to move the Immigration Department to that location? Would the Member for nowhere, failed politician and new Minister of Natural Resources please state for clarity the terms of her contract, just in the event that she is threatened and has to leave and her political boss comes to the nation with another bogus explanation?

Who Pays the Piper?
By: Mike Rudon Jr. I don’t generally write much anymore. I tend to offend way too many people. I don’t like many politicians and in my line of work that’s not necessarily a safety net, if you know what I mean. But I came out of my hole this week because I got really pissed off at a friend this weekend and it kinda got my panties in a bunch. It was a simple comment on FB, that miraculous social media creature which instantly transforms all of us into experts at everything – just four little words. WHO PAYS THE PIPER?! My friend was referring to the situation with the BNTU and the Ministry of Education. There has been unprecedented confusion because the Ministry insists that teachers should return to school on January 3rd to make amends for their eleven days on strike. Many teachers, along with the BNTU and managing authorities, claim that the Ministry does not have the authority to issue any such instructions, so those teachers will be guided by the previously set schedule and will return to classes on January 9th.

LASHED BY THE ROD OF CORRECTION
By: Norris Hall. The rod of correction struck a deep and harsh blow in early October of last year, on the power hawks in Belmopan, revealing their dark souls and the lack of goodwill, decency and political acumen. Their conflict with the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) could now become gummy, sticky and nasty as they try to avenge the historical humiliation that the BNTU dished out on them. It will become even more challenging for the teachers as their anemic umbrella organization, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), is likely to bail on them. The NTUCB has been infiltrated by agents of the government as has the politically-loaded Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Unlike the teachers, they appear not to have a high road built on principles. During the past week, a certain over-zealous woman who has left behind a dirty track record with the NTUCB has resurfaced and is positioning herself in her attempt to take control of the NTUCB. Her moves have the distinct fingerprints of a government agent. She has taken some cheap pot-shots at the Teachers’ Union in an attempt to redeem her credibility with the NTUCB. The BNTU should, for its own credibility, remove itself from its spineless umbrella, the NTUCB. They (the teachers) have proven to be their own brokers of the principles of trade unionism in their demand for good and responsible governance.

A Rude Awakening…
By Eduardo Santos. Another year has dawned upon us and with that we will be faced with new challenges in our lives. Promises and resolutions will be made and for some, they will be broken in record time. I for one was one of the few that did not come up with a bucket load of resolutions since I know that somewhere down the line it might be broken. The only concession I did make was to try to get out of this year alive and to do what is best for not only myself but for my peers. For those of you that were not following the world news, especially in the financial sector, this year will be a rude awakening for you. The credit crunch that is affecting a lot of developing countries will finally reach our beloved shores. Could this scenario have be adverted? Were there solutions that could have been implemented so as to cushion the blow? The answer is yes but the people that we elected to manage our country were doing a poor job at it.

Thinking Out Loud
I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all of you the very best in this New Year. 2017 is here and it will be a challenging one. I keep in close contact with businesses both large and small here in Orange Walk, and it is no secret that they are preparing for some lean times. As well our vendors, entrepreneurs and farmers are tightening their belts after what was already a very rough 2016. We are a resilient people and I have no doubt that we will get through the worst of times together. But still it bothers me to see my people struggling, faced with burdens which are not their fault and which they did nothing to deserve. The truth is that none of what we went through in 2016, and none of the challenges we will face in 2017 are our fault. This government has been the most reckless and incompetent and corrupt that Belizeans have ever seen. The Prime Minister has really betrayed all of us. I remember looking at a press conference where the Prime Minister was announcing Gaspar Vega’s resignation. He looked like he wanted to cry as he spoke about how hard this all has been for Vega’s family. I wonder which one of Mr. Vega’s family members this has been hard on? All of them seem to have done very, very well while he was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources. Some of his family members have even become millionaires.

UDP Guardian Editor Kills Man on George Price Highway
The Editor of the UDP’s newspaper, the Guardian, and co-host of WAVE Radio’s morning show, Alfonso Noble, has been a no-show after he killed Gilbert Myers on the night of Christmas Eve while driving his company vehicle on the George Price Highway near Mile 4. Footage of the scene indicates that Noble went way off the side of the road and hit Myers who was riding his bicycle heading home to spend Christmas with his family in Hattieville. Myers died on the spot. Noble was detained on the scene and refused to provide Police with a blood or urine specimen to test for alcohol content. He was escorted to the Raccoon Street Police Station where he would be sequestered in the Police canteen, and not in a cell, until his arraignment date on Wednesday, December 28, 2016. He was charged for Manslaughter by Negligence, Causing Death by Careless Conduct, Driving without Due Care and Attention and Failure to Provide Specimen to the Police.

First Murder of 2017 May Spark Retaliation
Colin Sutherland, a 22 year-old man from the Conch Shell Bay area of the City, was shot and killed on New Year’s Day. The rest of the country was winding down their New Year’s Day activities when Sutherland’s family received word that he had been shot and kill right down the lane from where he lived. Police say that at around 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, January 1, Sutherland was walking on Youth for the Future Drive. He was in the company of two other persons. He was near to his home on East Collet Canal, but he never made it because as soon as they reached near the Bel China UNO Gas Station, they passed a car which was parked. A gunman immediately jumped out of the vehicle, took aim at Sutherland and opened fire, hitting him multiple times in the chest, the abdomen and the back.

Arrest Made in 2016’s Last Murder
On Tuesday, officers of the Belize Rural Eastern Division reported that they had made an arrest in the murder of Dillon Grinage, 25. Grinage, a resident of Sandhill, earned the tragic distinction of being 2016’s last murder. Immediately after the shooting on New Year’s Eve Police detained Sandhill resident Patrick Harris, allegedly no stranger to the Police and on Tuesday he was charged for murder. The incident happened on December 31, 2016, New Year’s Eve, at around 9:10pm when the entire country was counting down only 3 hours to the midnight fireworks. Grinage and another friend were sitting down at a food shop, which is located near to the Philip Goldson Highway’s intersection with the Old Northern Highway.

Kenneth ‘Fudgie’ Dobson is 2017’s 3rd Murder
The third murder of a so far bloody New Year is also a recent inmate of the Belize Central Prison, Kenneth Dobson. He was better known as “Fudgie” and his killer went to one of his favourite spots to gun him down. Residents tell the press that he regularly went to the house on stilts on Raccoon Street Extension to play dominoes with friends. That’s where he was socializing on Monday, January 2, at around 7:30 p.m. From Police investigation, indications are that a gunman barged in and fired several shots at Dobson. He was injured and he tried to fight, and then run, but he didn’t get anywhere far. He collapsed a short distance away from the initial attack. There are some indications that other assailants joined Dobson’s pursuer to assist in finishing him off. Shortly after, the gunman or gunmen fled the scene, and police responded as quickly as they could. As a result of this attack, Dobson passed away.

Alleged Samurai Rapist Gunned Down After Release from Kolbe
Robert Gillett, a 28 year-old ex-convict, was the second of the five victims who lost their lives over the violent New Year’s Holiday. His family expected him to celebrate the New Year with them, but he never made it. That’s because on Monday, January 2, 2017, the last day of the weekend, Gillett was walking on North Front Street. It was close to midday when he arrived in front of Belize Farm Center, and he did not make it any further. That’s because a car pulled up, and the occupants of that vehicle immediately started firing shots at him. The spray of gunfire caused Gillett to suffer as many as 11 gunshot wounds, injuries which claimed his life on the scene.

If Dah Noh Soh…
Jehovah… I swear when I heard that fool say that thing about Fonso being a Jehovah’s Witness I figured he was drunk. Either that or the drinking done messed up his three brain cells. Then to make it worse he had to take it back the very next day after he got a call from the JW people. What a moron. But he’s in good company with the drunken master. Word is client and attorney were swilling the devil juice together on Christmas Eve just before Fonso ran off the road and into a hard-working Belizean man riding home to his family. Can’t make light of that shit because it pisses me off…he killed that man and came out of Court laughing. LAUGHING! Karma is a bitch. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.

Breaking Belize News

Murder in Punta Gorda
Reports reaching our newsroom is that a man was gunned down in front of his home a short while ago in Punta Gorda. At the time of this posting, the body of the victim is still on the ground. BBN has the name of […]

White ford stolen; found in flames
A white Ford Escape that was reportedly stolen was found in flames on the Old Northern Highway. The vehicle was stolen from the vicinity of Hibiscus Street Ladyville. Police investigations continue. © 2017, www.breakingbelizenews.com. This article is the copyrighted property of Breaking Belize […]

Western Diaries now shipping to Grenada
Western Dairies marked a momentous occasion on Wednesday, as the company sent its first shipment of Belizean made ice-cream to Grenada. The shipment included more than 20 flavors familiar to Belizeans for many years. Western Dairies hopes to find a market for its ice […]

Fair weather to prevail
The 24 hour forecast is for mainly fair, warm and dry conditions to continue. A strong cold front is expected to cross the country early Sunday. The general situation is for mostly sunny weather during the day and partly cloudy at night. The wind […]

Police find rifle in Southside Belize City
This afternoon at around 1:15, the Southside Strike Team conducted a search on an abandoned lot on Iguana Street extension, Belize City which resulted in the recovery of a Black .9mm Hi-Point Carbine Rifle with serial number A61371 and an extended magazine containing (5) […]

78-year-old man tied up, robbed of $14 and electronic items in Hattieville
An Aggravated burglary occurred in Hattieville at around 12:00 a.m. yesterday. Investigations revealed that while 78-year-old Clinton Belisle was at home, four male persons wearing masks and one armed with a shotgun entered his room and demanded money. He was consequently searched and they […]

Classes to resume fully on January 9
After a week of confusion regarding the opening date for classes following the Christmas holiday, classes will fully resume as per normal on Monday, January 9. Many students, parents and teachers faced uncertainty this week as the prolonged back and forth between the Belize […]

Chetumal residents up in arms after fuel price hike
Mexico recently implemented an increase in the price of fuel and according to reports from Chetumal newspaper El Punto Sobrela I, Mexican citizens in the neighboring state of Quintana Roo are up in arms, so much so that riots and looting have been […]

Santander – creating investment and employment waves in Belize
Guatemalan based company, the Santander Group, is creating investment and employment waves in Central Belize. Santander boasts that it currently employs over 650 Belizeans and that 75% of its workforce are Belizeans. As the company enters its second year of harvesting, it is seeking […]

Blogs

Sunrise Tour At One of the Most Imporant Maya Cities or How I Got Punked at Tikal
I got punked at Tikal. Tikal is a major site in the lowlands of Guatemala. With only about 20% currently excavated, they have unearthed huge pyramids, beautiful carved stela, ball courts and some astronomical wonders in the jungle. It is often the first stop in Guatemala for those headed from Belize. Hundreds of thousands visit each year, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even George Lucas included the view of the pyramids over the jungle canopy in Star Wars. My hotel suggested a sunrise tour. Ahhhh…the warm orange glow as the sun appears over the jungle. The birds and monkeys awakening. yes, Yes, YES! Sign me up! We drove along quietly, picked up our guide in a nearby town and he suggested we sleep for the next hour or so. NOT A PROBLEM.

Skydive San Pedro – Thrills and Adventure on La Isla Bonita
Years ago, I was over the weight limit to even think about jumping out of a plane, with or without a parachute attached. I was also quite terrified of a lot of things and didn’t think myself capable – my confidence levels were certainly NOT what they are today. My initial desire to skydive was all about reckless abandon – a daredevil, not-fully-thought-out plan to defy gravity and look fear straight in the eye. Being unable to jump back then, the idea of skydiving joined the list of the many things I would do…someday. Well, that day arrived on December 15, 2016, and this time, I took on the challenge from a completely different perspective. I had been waiting nearly four days to do the jump. With each passing day, I wondered if the winds and rain that delayed my jump were signs…but that glorious Thursday burst forth beautifully, and any qualms I had were to be squashed completely: My husband will kill me…wait, no…he loves me…he totally put a ring on it… Should I write my will? Stop being such a pessimist…you’ll be fine… Maybe it will start raining before you have to jump… Yeah, no, it’s hot as heck…and winds are dying down…now or never baby…

A Semi Surprise with Delicious Food
A “semi surprise party”: when your friends see their birthday cards being signed at the bar; it then becomes pretty obvious something is going on. Originally it was a planned party to use our $150 Casa Picasso certificate from the San Pedro Lighted Boat Parade. Due to the timing of our three friends (Kendall, Heather and Jackie) having birthdays the day after we planned our get together, we decided why not turn it into a small surprise party. Also due to timing (two of our friends were not feeling well) the party got postponed so we ended up doing it on tasting Thursday as well which worked out perfectly. Jackie (one of the owners) knew that this weeks 5 course meal would be one Kendall would love – she was right. Out of the 9 of us he was the one who instantly made that his pick. The rest of us ordered a bunch of delicious dishes from the appetizer and main menu. To use up our $150 certificate, party organizer Sandie and Jackie had quietly decided to do a big dessert selection – after all it was a birthday party. Suddenly multiples of four yummy sweet treats lit up our table – great way to end a perfect night.

International Sources

Mexico stores looted following hike in fuel prices TOTAL DISORDER erupts in Chetumal, Mexico - Many Belizeans are asking us if it is okay and safe to travel to Chetumal, Mexico today after vandals confronted the local municipal police last night around 9:00 p.m. in an attempt to vandalize and loot several business establishments at the popular multi-plaza "Las Americas". Other convenient stores, various pharmacies, a TelMex branch and a Subway franchise were also targeted during the protest and looting last night. Many businesses today, particularly, the smaller enterprises have taken precautionary measures and some have closed. The larger enterprises have obtained the services of the municipal police with the backup of the National Army and so, Plaza Americas and its subsidiaries remain open as of this morning.

For those asking if Belizeans need a VISA to travel to CANADA. The answer is "YES"
Countries and territories whose citizens need a visa to travel to Canada

Belcampo Hotel Review, Belize
Set on a ridge overlooking pristine rainforest, this luxury eco-lodge is an excellent base for exploring the jungles, rivers and fish-rich waters around Punta Gorda. It’s a working estate that offers numerous well-organised activities backed up with 16 suites, a pool and delicious farm-to-table meals. The lodge is a 25-minute drive north from Punta Gorda airport, including two miles on bumpy road. A safari-style vehicle is used for the rough and steep terrain and you'll see the farm en route, which occupies around 1,000 acres within a 12,000 acre private reserve. A taxi into town costs 25 Belize Dollars one-way, or you can cycle using complimentary mountain bikes. Two self-operated ‘trams’ are provided to help guests travel up and down the hillside, the longest having a six minute journey. Expect to be engulfed by the rainforest, with the Rio Grande river at your feet and howler monkeys calling from the trees above.

Videos

January 6, 2017

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Lucky islanders win big with Castillo’s Hardware Raffle
The annual raffle extravaganza at Castillo’s Hardware Company Limited took place on Friday, December 23, 2016. For every purchase or account payment of $50, customers had a chance to win one of five fabulous prizes. Customers gathered to witness Miss San Pedro Maresha Thompson draw the tickets, hoping they would be one of the lucky winners. Owner of Castillo’s, Mr. Alfonso Castillo, shared a few words of thanks to customers and friends via Reef Radio airwaves. With the official business out of the way, the barrel was turned and Maresha proceeded to pull the first winner, that of the fifth prize. Angelica Ramos was the lucky winner of a Makita Cordless Combo Kit.

SPTC seeks to finance dredging project on the lagoon side of the island
The plan to dredge from the southern Marina Area north to the Sunset Boardwalk, located right behind the Honourable Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex has been stalled for over two years now. In 2015, it was announced that dredging would happen in 2016. Clearly, that did not happen, however, local authorities on the island began making preparations in August of 2016, assessing the area to be dredged. Guerrero has insisted that the change will benefit everyone. According to him, the new route would provide much diverse natural scenery of the western side of the island for passengers. He emphasized that it will also reduce the congestion on the eastern coastline of San Pedro Town, bringing a balance to the heavy traffic the windward side of town currently experiences. Guerrero encouraged everyone to work along with the Town Board, who is committed to continue improving the services the island has to offer to all visitors.

2017 Caye Caulker Lobster Fest canceled; San Pedro and Placencia is still a go!
Since 2007, hundreds of lobster lovers have made plans to attend Lobster Festivals across Belize. Not only does the festival celebrate the reopening of lobster season, but it has become a dynamic attraction for tourists within the country. Caye Caulker, the original and longest-running festival, was considered a ‘must-do’ every year. However, the Caye Caulker Lobster Fest Committee made an official announcement on December 21, 2016, informing the general public that Caye Caulker’s 2017 Lobster Fest has been canceled. As the news came suddenly, The San Pedro Sun confirmed that both San Pedro’s and Placencia’s Lobster Fest will take place this year. San Pedro Lobster Fest organizer, Rebecca Arceo, explained that each Lobster Fest Committee is managed differently. “I understand where Caye Caulker is coming from. In the early years for us, it was a struggle to get people to participate. But I have found that the people like organized events, and that businesses like that their venues are assigned a date, which helps draw people to their business,” said Arceo.

Melvin Montesino charged for stabbing
On Monday, January 2nd, 32-year-old Belizean Tour Guide, Henry Williams was stabbed by Melvin Montesino, after a dispute at a local night club. According to the report given to the San Pedro Police Department, Williams went to the night club around 2AM to socialize with his friends. After Williams paid his entrance fee and was searched by security, he proceeded to the bar area to get some drinks. Before he was served, he was approached by a slim built, tall, Hispanic male, with low-cut black hair, who was vomiting right in front of him. Upon seeing the male, Williams recognized him as Melvin Montesino. When Montesino approached Williams, he was pushed away, and the two men began to brawl. Montesino stabbed Williams on the left side of his back and abdomen. After appearing in court on Tuesday, January 3rd, Montesino was formally charged with ‘Grievous Harm’ and ‘Use of Deadly Means of Harm’.

Ambergris Today

A Farewell to Corry McDermott
It is with saddened hearts that the community of San Pedro learned of the passing of Corry McDermott. Corry came to San Pedro many years ago to join his brother Gerry McDermott, owner of Paradise Hotel. A very friendly person, Corry made tons of friends with Sanpedranos and residents as he managed his own real estate business. He was a writer, promoter, traveller and an avid philanthropist. Ambergris Today and iTravel Belize, on behalf of he people of San Pedro and Ambergris Caye, extend sincere condolences to the family of Corry McDermott. Message from McDermott Family "We regret to inform you of the death of Corry McDermott on December 31st 2016. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1931. He is survived by his loving wife Janet, his children Cheryl Ann, Sean and Mary Colleen and his sister Patricia as well as his step children Cyan, Cindy, Monte and Apryl and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.The story of Corry's life in Belize will be printed at a later date and information about a memorial to follow."

Rebecca Rath Miss Belize Universe 2016 Departs to Miss Universe Pageant
Dangriga born and bred, Rebecca Rath has spent the last few months mentally, physically and spiritually preparing for her journey to represent Belize in the upcoming Miss Universe Pageant in Manila, Philippines. Rath left Belize on January 3, 2017, on her way to Dallas for final wardrobe preparation and then on to Los Angeles for final training sessions with National Director, Opal Enriquez. She departs to Manila on January 11. Rebecca Rath is the first to represent Belize in the Miss Universe Pageant in ten years and is already a favorite on social media and popular pageant websites. The 65th edition of the Miss Universe pageant will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines. Missosology.info, a professional pageantry website, recently ranked Ms. Belize as 18th, stating that Belize is usually ignored but this time, the country is sending a beautiful candidate who is an athlete, appealing and very articulate. The website offers an in depth assessment of the Miss Universe front runners.

Misc Belizean Sources

NEW SOUTHWEST ROUTE COMING IN JUNE: FORT LAUDERDALE TO BELIZE
Coming on the heels of Prime Minister Barrow's announcement in his 2017 New Year's Message, Southwest Airlines today named Belize among its list of new destinations for its new non-stop daily service from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Service will commence on June 4th, 2017 with fares as low as US$79.00. Starting book those tickets!

Power Interruption 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Sunday, January 8, Belize City
Portion Orange St, West Canal between King St & Regent St West, Church St, Bishop St & portion Albert St. BEL to relocate high voltage lines in area.

Street Art Festival
Saturday, February 25th, 2017, Albert Street

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Taiwan ICDF Scholarship Program 2017
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is pleased to announce that the 2017 Taiwan ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) Scholarship Program at undergraduate or graduate level for qualified Belizeans has started its application process. These scholarships are for enrollment at universities in Taiwan, commencing in September 2017. Applicants need fill out and submit the TaiwanICDF Scholarship application form and related documents to the Embassy before March 17, 2017.

Belize nominated for 10 Best Reader’s Choice Awards and Featured on the New York Times List of Places to Go
The Belize Tourism Board is pleased to share that Belize has been nominated in the latest 10Best Readers' Choice Award contest. An expert panel of diving and Caribbean Travel experts selected Belize’s Blue Hole as a contender for Best Caribbean Dive Site. A total of 20 countries have been nominated such as Bonaire, Puerto Rico and Aruba to name a few. Voting ends Monday, January 30th, 2017 at 11:59am EST and the winners will be announced on 10Best on Friday, February 3rd, 2017 at 12:00pm EST, then later on USA TODAY. The official rules can be found here. The contest, which is being promoted by USA TODAY, gives voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice at http://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-caribbean-dive-site/. A person can only vote once a day for the run of the contest. The Belize Tourism Board takes this opportunity to ask all Belizeans to assist us in making the Blue Hole the number one dive site by voting. And even more exciting news for Belize for the commencement of 2017 is that we have been featured in The New York Times’ annual list of 52 Places to Go in 2017. This is one of the most widely shared travel stories each year and a source where many travelers research for their trip inspiration. Placencia was chosen as #42 by the writer alluding to the destination as a laid-back atmosphere while offering close proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef for exploration. It also cited the recent developments and expansions in accommodations and amenities with the upcoming launches of Naia Resort & Spa and Itz’ana Resort and Residences.

Simone Biles' Motivational Ceremony
Simone Biles visited Belize for her free vacation, and she had a motivational session for future Belize Olympic athletes. "A motivating, one-on-one, session for young Belizean athletics and students at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts."

Mexican riot
Chetumal residents riot and police disperse teargas near the Plaza las Americas Mall

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
The Girl on the Train, What Now? Max Steel, Ouija

Channel 7

A 19 Year Old Charged For Killing Another 19 Year Old
Two days after 19 year old Randolph Johnson was killed, his alleged murderer has been charged. Elden Flowers - who is also 19 - appeared in the Magistrate's Court today where he was charged with murder. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser declined to take a plea and Flowers was remanded. Flowers is linked to one of the feuding gangs in the St. Martin's area. He allegedly shot Johnson on Tuesday afternoon. At the time of the attack, the teenager was fishing in a canal in a secluded area less than a mile from his home. He was along with five other young men who saw the suspect. Johnson's murder was followed by another killing in the same area four hours later. That was likely an act of retaliation. Police have since held mediation sessions between the warring gangs.

Who Will Be The 13th Senator?: The NGO Nominees Speak
Last night we told you about the six nominees for Senator. Well, tonight there are five. Valdemar Andrade has declined. So that leaves it between Donovan Reneau, Edilberto Romero, Janelle Chanona, Pablo Collado, and Osmany Salas. Tomorrow, they will each present themselves to the NGO Community, and on January the tenth, the NGO's will vote to select their Senator. But, not all NGO's will vote; it will only be those "in good standing" - that means those NGO's who have filed their returns as required by law. And of the 137 registered NGO's, how many is that? Well, try 29. That's right. Only 15% of the registered NGO's re in good standing. And only they can vote for the 13th Senator! And while you can argue over whether 29 NGO's can truly represent the much wider NGO community, that's what it's going to be… So we spoke to each of the nominees today - to find out why they want to be Senator. We start with Donovan Reneau. He's the Vice President of BCVI and has also been LOVE FM's night shift DJ for 20 years. He told us why he accepted the nomination:

Schools, Slowly Shutting Down - See Ya Next Week!
So, school should have started on Tuesday, and a couple of them did try, but based on the survey we did today, they tried and failed. When we did a drive by today we saw Wesley lower, closed; ACC high school, closed, Wesley college, closed; St. johns Anglican, a few classrooms were opened, Queen's Square, also closed, Wesley upper, that was closed too, St. John Vianney, closed; St. Ignatius, closed, St Martin's, closed; nearby St. Luke's also closed; we saw open classrooms at Palotti, while St. Joseph's was closed, and so was Holy redeemer - those are the two biggest Catholic schools in the city. We did see a few students at Anglican St. Mary's. So, all in all, in the struggle between the BNTU on one side, and the Ministry and School Managements on the other, we'd say: game over, the Union won this tug of war. Now, did the students lose? Well, we'll have to wait till the end of the school year to know the answer to that one.

From Life In Prison, To The Possibility of Life Outside Prison
In November, the Court of Appeal ruled that a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole can no longer be handed down to convicted murderers. This ruling came out of the appeal of Gregory August, who in 2012 was charged with the murder of 73 year old Alvin Robinson. He was originally sentenced to life in prison without parole, but the judgement has since been appealed and ruled unconstitutional. While the case is still not 100% over, since it is currently being taken to the CCJ, it has sent a potential precedent. There are currently around 40 prisoners serving life sentences in Belize, and if the CCJ rules in favor of August, some of their sentences will be up for review. That's why today, students from the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, along with a few lawyers, went to the Hattieville Prison today to brief these inmates on their possible options. Two of those students gave us some more details on the consultations and the significance of this appeal... Hector Guerra, Student, Norman Manley Law School: "We were here to speak about the implications that emanate from the Gregory August decision that was handed down by the court of appeal earlier this year."

Belize's Murder Rate Second Highest In Caribbean
As we've been reporting, the number of murders recorded in Belize in 2016 increased sharply. It shot up by 15% from 119 in 2015 to 137 in 2016. That is our unofficial number since the police still have not circulated the final statistics. That accounts for a murder rate of 36 per one hundred thousand - which si very high, among the highest in the Caribbean. Here's how it compares based on available statistics. The number of murders in Jamaica went up by 10%, and their murder rate shot up to 47 per hundred thousand, which is probably the highest in the Caribbean. Based on preliminary information gleaned from a number of sources, that would put Belize's murder rate at the second highest in the Caribbean, with the largest percentage increase in murder. And while Belize is at 36, Trinidad is closely behind at 34 mruders per hundred thousand, and they had a 10% increase in the number of murders. The Bahamas is next with a murder rate of 30 per hundred thousand, but they had a 22% decline in the number of murders. St. Lucia is also unexpectedly high with a murder rate of 23, but, again, the number of murders went down by 26%.

Youths Allege GSU Fired On Them With Rubber Bullets
In our first 2 newscasts for 2017, we told you about the 6 murders which happened within 72 hours. So, the police are under pressure to get contain the spike in crime, and in their joint press conference, 2 days ago, Eastern Division Commanders Chester Williams and Edward Broaster made it clear that police would be watching the gang neighbourhoods like hawks. They said, quote, "The criminals will be holding more press conferences than the police", end quote. That means that residents in these crime hotspots will have a lot to complain about. And though Southside Commander Chester Williams did clarify that police brutality will not be a feature of these intensified operations, there is already a complaint of police excess coming out of the Ghost Town neighbourhood. Two youths from the Mayflower area say that the GSU was very heavy handed, shooting them with rubber bullets, which left them with hideous welts. We visited them today where they said it was unprovoked:

Cops Find Weed, Gun
But, make no mistake, the police also continue to find unclaimed property of criminals. This morning members of the Strike Team North searched an empty lot on Pickstock Street. They found a plastic bag containing two smaller bags each containing about 8 ounces of suspected cannabis. The Strike Team also searched an empty lot on McKay Boulevard where they found a chrome 9 millimeter P95 Ruger pistol along with four live rounds. Both the firearm and cannabis were deposited as found property at the Queen Street Police Station.

Suspected Stalker Gets Bail
Today 21-year-old Shawn Phillips appeared in the Magistrate's Court. He was arraigned on three criminal offenses: burglary, throwing missiles and common assault upon his alleged 19 year old victim. According to the victim's report, Phillips had been lurking in an abandoned house across the street from her home on New Year's Eve. He later emerged from the house and threw glass pints at her house. Phillips then took advantage of an open door and entered without her permission, armed with a glass bottle. The victim said Phillips began to threaten her, and only left after she told him she would call the police. The victim described Phillips as "just a friend", which gave Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser concerns about whether or not he was obsessed with her. After being reassured by Phillips that he would leave the victim alone, the Magistrate reluctantly offered him bail of $2000.

Southwest Flies From Fort Lauderdale, Can The Budget Carrier Break American's Miami Monopoly?
The Prime Minister announced it in his New Year's address last week - and today Southwest Airlines made it official. Starting June fourth, the budget airline is going to fly out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Belize. Southwest boasts that a one way fare can be as low as 79 US dollars - and we did find that when we checked their site today. Now, for those not familiar, Fort Lauderdale is a city about 30 miles north of Miami - and this daily, year - round flight is sure to shake up the Miami Monopoly that American Airlines has enjoyed for decades. That means fares are likely to be forced down by this budget competition. Benefits of that will redound to domestic travellers, and tourists. Today, BTB's Director of Marketing, Karen Pike discussed Southwest's distinctive market niche:.. Karen Pike, Director of Marketing - BTB "So ever since we had the flight from Houston hobby with Southwest airlines start we have known Southwest has been interested in giving us a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Belize so we are finally pleased that all the meetings and discussions have now resulted in June 4th being the day that the inaugural flight will take place from Fort Lauderdale to Belize daily nonstop."

Belize Selects Team For Copa Centroamericana
Belize has selected its National Football Team for the Copa Centroamericana Tournament which begins next Friday in Panama. 30 players showed up to camp, and new coach Richard Orlowski of Poland, and his assistant Carlos "Charlie" Slusher selected national team veterans such as Shane Orio and Woodrow West, Elroy Smith, Ian Gaynair, Trevor Lennen, Danny Jimenez, and Dion Mcauley, along with newcomers Michael Atkinson and Makonnen Clare. Belize faces host country Panama in the opening match. We'll talk to the team next week.

Channel 5

Police Charge Alleged Killer of Randolph Johnson
Police have cracked the second of six murders that occurred over a four-day period. It’s been two days since the murder of Police Street resident nineteen-year-old Randolph Johnson and tonight, [...]

10 Alleged MS-13 Gangsters Flee El Salvador Jail; Could They be Headed for Belize?
There has been a prison break reported, but not in Belize. Ten inmates escaped from a jail in El Salvador on Sunday. Authorities in Honduras and Guatemala are on alert, [...]

Watching for Counterfeit Twenties in Belmopan
It may be “maaga season,” but there is money circulating in Belize. Too bad it’s not the genuine kind, according to Belmopan Police. This week they found counterfeit twenty-dollar bills [...]

Janelle Chanona and Donovan Reneau Discuss 13th Senator Nominations
A final list from which a thirteenth senator will be chosen was formalized on Wednesday, after a steering committee vetted the names of all nominees.  That number has since been [...]

UNIBAM’s Caleb Orozco Questions Consultative Process
Gay rights activist Caleb Orozco, executive director of UNIBAM, has raised several issues concerning the process being used by the Thirteenth Senator Steering Committee in going about the selection of [...]

Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Beats Drums for Referendum
Guatemalan newspaper, Prensa Libre, in its January second issue, carried recent statements made by Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales. According to the article, FM Morales announced that Belize had [...]

Tracking Traffic Fatalities; is Road Safety Project a Success?
On Tuesday, we covered a fatal motorcycle collision in the Teakettle area, which claimed the lives of two young men from the village. It is the last of eighty-three fatal [...]

What’s Behind Crashes in Christmas Season
Of the eleven traffic incident fatalities reported in December, it is noted that seven took place between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, including the death of Gilbert Myers on [...]

Ex-Brodies’ Deliveryman Charged for Theft from Store
Twenty-year-old Frederick Sutherland, a former deliveryman for James Brodie and Company, was dragged to court today on a single charge of theft.  It is alleged that the fisherman of East [...]

G.O.B. Will Go to Court for Vega, Pitts “Compensations”
News Five has confirmed from reliable sources that the Office of the Solicitor General filed a claim in the Supreme Court on December twenty-eighth against the son of former Deputy [...]

Police Minister Plans New Effort on Surveillance Cameras
You may recall that a few years back the Police Department installed surveillance cameras in key spots on south side Belize City; at the corner of George and Dean Streets; [...]

Crime – Whose Fault Is It, Really?
2016 ended off as one of the deadliest years in Belize’s history – with one hundred and thirty-seven murders. The transition into the New Year was a bloody one as [...]

Despite Checkpoints, Gangs Continue War on Southside
The Christmas Season saw a noticeable increase in the number of police officers assigned to various hotspots across Belize City.  In fact, it would almost seem as though a small [...]

More Flights to Belize from Southwest Airlines
Starting June fourth, there will be a daily direct flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Belize at rock-bottom prices. That’s the latest coming out of the Belize Tourism Board, the [...]

Blue Hole, Placencia Get International “Big-Up”
The B.T.B. wants your vote to make the Great Blue Hole the ‘Best Caribbean Dive Site.’ Belize was nominated in the ‘Ten Best Readers’ Choice Award’ contest after it was [...]

Healthy Living: Do “Fad Diets” Cut Weight Faster?
So we’ve all heard of the military diet, the alkaline diet, grapefruit diet, and the cabbage soup diet, all that seem to be popular here in Belize when we want [...]

CTV3

Former Immigration Director Discusses Political Culture At Immigration Department
As you heard in our report of the Senate hearings earlier, the name Elvin Penner kept surfacing. Penner, you would recall, was in the thick of the 2013 immigration scandal involving illegal nationality and passport granted to South Korean national Won Hong Kim who was in a Taiwan jail at the time. Penner did more than recommend the processing of the documents. Yesterday the former Director Maria Marin testified that she had to carry out a major investigation into the Penner case, and while being asked about her involvement in the case, it led into a whole other serious conversation about a special file kept for Ministers, who like Penner, seemed to have an insatiable appetite for visas, passports and nationality documents. Senator Aldo Salazar – Chairman Senate Select Committee: “Comments by Mrs. Maria Marin that VISA recommended Minister Penner request initialled by her and dated and approved her initial in the same thing occurs in Pen Lin and Lee Joan Liu, this suggestion which I am seeing here is that there was an approval because the minister, am not saying that is the case I am saying looking at this it could be interpreted that that suggestion is being made, so I want to ask you whether the recommendation of Minister Penner in these instances, whether that weights on your decision to approve the VISA?” Maria Marin - Former Immigration Director: “Whether the requirements were met or whether the processes were followed and whether the supporting documents were provided.”

Guatemala Continue To Invade Belizean Waters
The Belize Territorial Volunteers led by Wil Maheia and their monitoring of the southern waters and the continued encroachment by illegal Guatemalan fisherfolk has not relented into the New Year. Today Maheia visited media houses to alert Belizeans that the trespassing into our territory continues. According to Maheia, just yesterday he visited the Sarstoon area and discovered that about ten Guatemalans were carrying fishing activities north of the Belize Defense Force Forward Operating Base. Now, if you know your Belizean map, you’ll immediately realise that north of the FOB is very much deep into Belize’s territory. Wil Maheia - Belize Territorial Volunteers: “Yesterday when I went to the Sarstoon I saw at last ten to twenty Guatemalans not of the Forward Operating Base which clearly means that there are inside Belize’s territory and they were all conducting illegal activities, they were setting nets where the SI according to Belize it would make it illegal, none of these nets are registered and clearly they were from Guatemala, the sad part about this is that all these fishermen had to pass the Forward Operating Base to get into Belize so clearly the laws are just not being enforced Guatemalans continue to operate as if not only the Sarstoon is annex but also from Barranco down because they were very close o Barranco yesterday.”

LOVE FM

Chester Chastises Media Personalities Over Murder Reports
There is no doubt that there is both concern and fear by Belize City residents in regards to the recent spike in murder concentrated in Southside Belize City. The news media has been keeping track of this recent spike, some reporters more than others. In a press briefing on Tuesday, ACP Williams accused certain reporters […]

Belize Placed on Alert for Possible Presence of MS13 Gang Fugitives
Whether or not the ten Salvadoran fugitives have plans to enter Belize is yet to be determined but police authorities are taking no chances and have issued a warning to the public to be on the lookout for the ten men who broke out of a maximum security jail in El Salvador. Honduran and Guatemalan […]

Teenager Charged for Killing Randolph Johnson
Nineteen year old Elden Flowers, a resident of Croton Lane, has been charged with the murder of 19 year old Randolph Johnson who was shot and killed on Tuesday, January 3. The charge was read to Flowers when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser who told Flowers that no plea will be taken […]

Pate Charged in Fatal RTA
Forty one year old Tedford Pate of San Ignacio Town has been arrested and charged for the death of forty eight year old David Alfaro. Pate was charged for manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct and drove motor vehicle without due care and attention. Pate knocked down and killed Alfaro on Tuesday, December […]

Sugar Production Sees Slight Decline from 2016
The 2016/2017 sugar cane crop season entered its fifth week on January 2. Last week, the factory at Tower Hill milled 32, 659 tons of cane, producing 3,197 tons of sugar. The factory is milling more than four thousand tons of cane per day. Last week’s tons cane per ton sugar ratio was recording at […]

Southwest Airlines Expands Presence in Belize
In August 2016, we told you of the announcement by Southwest Airlines to have seasonal direct flights from Denver, Colorado, USA to Belize starting March 11, 2017. We are still some weeks away from seeing that inaugural flight from Denver and it seems that 2017 will be a boom for Belize’s tourism industry as come […]

Bandits Sports Zooms in on Basketball
24-year-old, Richard Smith is from Cleveland, Ohio, USA and was brought into Belize yesterday by the Belmopan Bandits. Smith won’t be playing football however, instead he will be on the basketball courts in Belmopan. Coach Bernie Tarr met Smith at the airport yesterday and Love News got the chance to meet up with them in […]

PlusTV

Dillon Grinage; final murder victim for 2016
Just before 2016 came to an end there was a murder in the Ladyville area; the final one for 2016. The victim has been identified as 26 year old Dillon Grinage, a Belizean Laborer of Sandhill. ACP Edward Broaster has the details: Edward Broaster, Assistant Commissioner of Police; On Saturday the 31...

Major Crimes down in Belmopan area
Through the Meet and Greet initiative, the Police Department has developed a closer relationship with their various communities. Inspector Santiago Patt of the Belmopan Police Department said that with the help of the community, the police was able to solve two murders and several robberies. Accordi...

New Attorney General sworn in
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte was this morning sworn-in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. Hon. Peyrefitte takes on his new role after serving in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since his election in ...

Rebecca Rath Departs Belize to Miss Universe Pageant 2017
Dangriga born and bred, Rebecca Rath has spent the last few months preparing for her journey to represent Belize in the upcoming Miss Universe Pageant in Manila, Philippines. Rath left Belize today, January 3rd on her way to Dallas for final wardrobe preparation from where she makes her way too L...

The Guardian

5 Murders in 4 days - How will police address the crime situation
The New Year started with a bang, several bangs, too many bangs at that and with each bang a life was ended. The violence in Belize City has escalated to unacceptable levels and culminated with the loss of five lives in just the first three days. Colin Sutherland, 22, was killed on New Years Day, Robert Gillett, 28, and Kenneth Dobson, 32, were killed on Monday, January 2, Randolph Johnson, 19, and Bert Abraham, 47, were killed on Tuesday, January 3. Most of these deaths are the result of gangland violence and internal gang warfare. Public outcry and the call for Police action was immediate and not without reason. There was a sense of impending danger for the general public as these gang outbursts can easily lead to loss of innocent lives. Now all life is important and precious, but when these gang members have engaged in MAD (mutually agreed destructive) behavior then they have forfeited their right to live as law abiding citizens do.

Simone Biles visit was “Rewarding”!
Simone Bile’s love for Belize has been well documented by major news networks from the United States such as ABC News, CNN, NBC Sports, New York Times, Olympic Talk Blog, Time Magazine, USA Today and Yahoo Sports among others. She holds dual citizenship for the United States and Belize and refers to Belize as her second home and favourite place to go on vacation. 2016 was a breakout year for the nineteen-year-old 4-foot 9-inch gymnast as she won four gold and one bronze medal at the Olympic games in Rio. Biles and Hillary Clinton were the top two trending women on twitter in 2016. She and Lebron James were named Athletes of the Year by the Associated Press. She was named Woman of the Year by several other institutions, including ESPN. It was a busy year for the Olympic giant and she deserved some time to relax over the Christmas holidays. There was only one place she thought of and she made it known to ABC News from August when she told Good Morning America, “We [US “Fierce Five”] all want to go to Belize.”

Belizeans Shine Bright in College Bowl Games – Kentucky’s Stephen Johnson
Two of the top performers in this year’s Division I College Football Bowl games are children of Belizean parents. Stephen Johnson of the University of Kentucky and Deontay Burnett of the USC Trojans delivered memorable performances. Johnson is the son of Paula Warren-Johnson, daughter of Paul Warren, Belize’s first Honorary Counsul to California, and Pearl Stuart, Belize’s first Counsel General in Los Angeles and current Secretary General of the UDP and Chair of the National Committee for Families and Children. The University of Kentucky is known for basketball. In the state they have been an after thought in football for many years since Kentucky is home to powerhouse Louisville. According to “SEC Country”, Johnson has gone from “losing his starting gig at Grambling State to starting under center for the College of the Desert Roadrunners then transferring to Kentucky to be the backup behind entrenched starter Drew Barker and then filling in for an injured Barker and leading Kentucky to a 7-win season.”

25 officers recognized
Twenty five police officers from the Belize District Rural Police Division were recognized with awards at a brief ceremony held on Wednesday morning at the Princess Ramada. The awards are the product of an initiative by the Belize Police Rural Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster. Broaster along with two members of the business community got together and devised a way to reward those police officers who displayed exemplary work ethics during the year. “We must not only discipline our officers when they do wrong, we must also commend them when they do right,” explained Mr. Broaster. The businessmen agreed to contribute monetarily to the program and it is thus that apart from a certificate of recognition, the awardees received $500.00 Belize Dollars. This is indeed a novel and bold initiative and speaks to the level of leadership on the part of Mr. Broaster.

Michael Peyrefitte is the New Attorney General
on. Michael Peyrefitte has been sworn in as Attorney General for Belize. At a short ceremony at the Belize House in Belmopan, Hon. Peyrefitte took the oath officially installing him to the post. Peyrefitte takes up the position after serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives from 2012. Peyrefitte will be taking the office after former Attorney General, Hon. Vanessa Retreage demitted office in December of last year after serving a one year term. With Peyrefitte’s move, Laura Longsworth has been nominated to replace Hon. Peyrefitte as Speaker of the House. The new Attorney General was accompanied by family, friends, Ministers of Government, the Cabinet Secretary and His Worship the Mayor of Belize City.

Process to elect for 13th senator commences
The names of 6 persons who have been nominated and accepted the nomination to be the 13th senator was issued this week. Those nominated include Pablo Collado representing an NGO named Adopt a child with disability; Janelle Chanona representing Oceana, Belize; Edilberto Romero representing BACONGO; Osmany Salas representing the BTIA; Donovan Reneau representing the BCVI; and Valdemar Andrade representing TASA. The nominations will now proceed to go to the steering committee which will vet the candidates according to the criteria established by the NGOs in good standing on Nov 9th 2016. As a result of the nominations, Janelle Chanona and Osmany Salas have resigned from their posts on the 13th Senator Steering committee.

Boxing Day Party held in Benque
A Boxing Day Party went well in Benque. Samuel Bruce Captain of the Zone 4 Neighborhood Watch Program along with the Town’s children celebrated their 9th Consecutive year of observing a Christmas Season event for the neighborhood families and children. This year, Zone 4 personnel went around the neighborhood inviting everyone to the party, which was held on Tuesday 27th, between the hours of 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm at the Sam’s Community Park. This spacious park features a secure stone building, football courts, volleyball court, playground area, BMX trails, and full bathroom & kitchen facilities. With over 400 participants they enjoyed various games, competitions, and raffle events ending with a Santa Claus Piñata filled with 40 pounds of candies. Sam Bruce says that it was truly a joyous occasion for everyone. He thanks everyone that volunteered to help this year, and all the faithful sponsors that made the event possible.

Conviction for Rosewood found in Benque
On Wednesday December 7th, 2016, the Forest Department confiscated a total of 31,000 board feet of rosewood in flitch and lumber form in the Benque Viejo area. The Department proceeded to charge Miguel Angel Estala on January 4th, 2017 at the San Ignacio Magistrate Court with “unlawful possession of forest produce” in accordance with Section 19 of the Forest Act CAP 213. Estala pleaded guilty and was charged the maximum fine of $1,000.00, the rosewood material was forfeited to the Government of Belize. The Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development recognizes that perpetrators face a relatively minor penalty for forest crimes. Therefore, it has embarked on an exercise to revise penalties and fines for forest crimes, and will seek to introduce the necessary amendments to the Forest Act at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.

Assisting the Sugar Sector in Belize
More than 70 years ago, a group of visionaries recognized the need to create an agency specializing in agriculture for the American continent, with a purpose that still remains valid today: to promote agricultural development and rural well-being in this region. Thus; the Inter American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture IICA was born and today this organization continues to assist Belize in charting a course for agricultural sustainability. IICA has recently completed a reporting session with its stakeholders in an attempt to show that it is also playing a pivotal role in the sugar sector in the North of Belize. IICA Representative in Belize Dr. Dowlat Budhram advises that sugar production is an important ‘cash cow’ along with bananas, citrus and aquaculture. “I have learned over the years that you protect your cash cows, you make sure that they function well to generate the resources, they function well to generate the foreign exchange resources for the economy.”

Year in Review 2016
2016 began with a series of road mishaps and most memorably with the passing of well known businesswoman Pamela Bennett—Cumberbatch in one of those accidents. While driving on the Northern Highway with her husband, she collided head on with a vehicle being driven at the time by Alfredo Navarrete. Both drivers died on impact, while the husband of Ms. Bennett was rushed to the KHMH hospital. There was another accident which happened 3 hours before that deadly collision in the very same area. In that accident a blue Ford Escort, which was being driven by 27 year-old Marvin Ramirez, crashed into a purple Chevy Equinox, which was being driven by 30 year-old Andre Gordon.

First life taken in 2017
The New Year’s Holiday murders continued with the shooting death of 22 year-old Colin Sutherland, a resident of the Conch Shell Bay area of Belize City. Sutherland’s killing happened at around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 1, on New Year’s Day, when readers were most likely celebrating. All indications are that he was walking on Youth for the Future Drive, in the near vicinity of the UNO Gas Station, which is located at its intersection with Vernon Street. Sutherland and 2 other companions walked past a parked car. That’s when one armed assailant immediately jumped out of the vehicle, and started firing shots at him. Police say that the gunman pursued him and shot him several times in the chest, the abdomen, and the back. That gunman escaped along with his accomplices, and police arrived shortly thereafter to try to rush him to the KHMH for emergency medical treatment.

Murder number 6 claims the life of easy going Bert Abraham
By all accounts 47 year old Bert Abraham was an easy going individual, with a very jovial and happy go lucky personality. That however was no deterrent to a killer who sought him out on Tuesday January 3rd at around 7:30p.m. ending his life with bullets. Family members report that Abraham was at home and had just sold some weed to someone and was in the process of hiding what was left over when a gunman approached him and shot him dead at the gate of his home on Holy Emmanuel Street in the St. Martin’s de Porres Area. A motive is yet to be established for the killing of Abraham but police are working feverishly in the area to calm gang rivalry tensions which have erupted once again over the past few days.

Murder number 6 claims the life of easy going Bert Abraham
By all accounts 47 year old Bert Abraham was an easy going individual, with a very jovial and happy go lucky personality. That however was no deterrent to a killer who sought him out on Tuesday January 3rd at around 7:30p.m. ending his life with bullets. Family members report that Abraham was at home and had just sold some weed to someone and was in the process of hiding what was left over when a gunman approached him and shot him dead at the gate of his home on Holy Emmanuel Street in the St. Martin’s de Porres Area. A motive is yet to be established for the killing of Abraham but police are working feverishly in the area to calm gang rivalry tensions which have erupted once again over the past few days.

3 years for pushing ex-girlfriend into the sea
Former Belize Defense Force soldier, Rennick Baizer, 32, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment after he was convicted of pushing his ex-common-law-wife into the sea on Newton Barracks. The fall caused the woman to sustain injuries to her body which a doctor classified as wounding. In a report to police, Shawna Gillett, 28, said that she was sitting by the sea side with some friends in front of Elements Night Club on Sunday, January 24, 2016 when Rennick Baizer approached her and the two got into an argument. The quarrel escalated and Baizer pushed her over the sea wall and she fell into the water. She suffered from abrasions to her left hand and other parts of the body. Gillett reported the matter to police and Baizer was arrested and charged.

Cop cleared of charges for shooting Nigel Castillo
Police Constable Wallace Meighan, 19, is free of charges relating to the shooting of Nigel Castillo, 29, which took place on Thursday, July 14, and Travaun Chee, 21, saw a charge of attempted murder downgraded to use of deadly means of harm, aggravated assault with a firearm and wounding upon Castillo. PC Meighan and Travaun Chee were charged on Monday, July 18, with attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm with a firearm upon Nigel Castillo. Castillo reported to police that he was at the basketball court located behind the Charles Bartlett Hyde Building at around 9 p.m. on the Thursday when he was targeted by gunmen. Castillo was shot once to the lower abdomen. When police responded to the scene of the shooting, they found Castillo bleeding from his injury and immediately rushed him to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for treatment. Police investigations later led to the recovery of a pair of firearms and the arrest of PC Meighan and Chee. The shooting is believed to have been triggered by an altercation that took place on the basketball court earlier that night. They were additionally charged for one count of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Gilbert Arana who they allegedly intimidated with a firearm.

Fully formed fetus found in Benque
A fully formed fetus was found in Benque Viejo del Carmen. On Saturday December 31, 2016 at about 4:15 pm, Benque Viejo Police visited an area along the banks of the Mopan River on Riverside Street, Benque Viejo Town, where upon arrival they found a large transparent coffee glass bottle with a fetus inside. The bottle had on a brown cover upon opening the container a black plastic bag was found inside. Further inspections by Police found that inside the bag there was a fully formed fetus believed to be male and apparently dead. No one was seen in the immediate area where the fetus was found. The fetus was retrieved and transported to the San Ignacio Town Community Hospital where the doctor pronounced it dead. It awaits a post mortem examination.

Fudgie killed as he played dominoes
The family of 33 year-old Kenneth Dobson, aka “Fudgie”, was the 4th family to lose a loved one on what should have been an enjoyable end to the New Year’s holiday weekend. He was murdered by gunmen who went looking for him at his favorite hang-out spot. The incident happened on Monday, January 2, 2017, at around 7:30 p.m., near to Dobson’s home on Raccoon Street Extension. He was in the company of friends playing dominoes as he always does in the evenings under a house on stilts. Most likely, he had his guard down, and that’s what the shooter exploited when he simply walked in through one of the gate entrances. Residents say that he immediately approached Dobson and open fire on him. Dobson reportedly tried to fight his attacker off, and he also tried to run, but he collapsed a short distance away from where he met the gunman. Reports say that the shooter had associates who came over to finish Dobson off, after which, they fled the scene.

Second day into the new year and Robert Gillett killed
Robert Gillett, a 28 year-old who was recently released from prison, was shot and killed on Monday, January 2, the final day of the long Holiday weekend. He was the third victim of gun violence, and at this time, police are not exactly sure why he was slain. Gillett was expected to show up to his family in Ladyville for a small New Year’s get-together. They anticipated that he would arrive sometime during the day, but sometime around 12 p.m., he was walking on North Front Street, in front of the Belize Farm Center. He never made it to that family gathering because he was ambushed by gunmen who attacked him in a drive-by shooting. According to his family, he was injured about 11 times to various parts of his body, and collapsed right on the street corner, where he bled out and died.

Dillon Grinage executed before the New Year
There was a spike in violent crimes over the 3-day New Year’s Weekend, which has resulted in the murder of 4 men. The victims are 28 year-old Dillon Grinage, 22 year-old Colin Sutherland, 28 year-old Robert Gillett, and 32 year-old Kenneth “Fudgie” Dobson. Dillon Grinage, a resident of Sand Hill Village became the last victim of 2016 when he was gunned down and killed on New Year’s Eve, December 31. Police have since arrested and charged one man in connection with his murder. It happened at a food shop in Sand Hill at the intersection between the Old Northern Highway, and the Phillip Goldson Highway. Grinage was in the company of a friend when a lone gunman snuck up from behind, shot him several times, and ran off in an attempt to escape. Police were immediately contacted, and they arrived on the scene where they found Grinage clinging to life. The officer tried to rush him to the KHMH in time to get medical treatment, however, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

San Pedro retiree robbed by his friend
Gary Hamilton, 65, a retiree of Sea Grape Drive, San Pedro Town reported to police that at about 12:50 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28, he left River Bar to walk with Omar Delgado towards the Boca Del Rio Park. Upon reaching in front of a construction site by the park, he stopped and sat on the bar of his bicycle. According to Hamilton, Delgado then left and headed towards the beach front, which was dark, and returned about five minutes later with another man. The man immediately walked up to Hamilton and grabbed him by his neck. While the man held him by the neck, Delgado went into his pants pocket and took out his cellphone valued at $600 and his sunshades from off his head valued at $30. Delgado then demanded that he hand over his money but Hamilton said he had spent all at the bar. This was when Delgado punched him in the face and told him not to make a police report or they will come back and mess him up.

Randolph Johnson executed while fishing with friends
Police on the Southside of Belize City had to contend with the 5th murder of the year when they were called out to Mile 2 and a 1/2 on the George Price Highway on Tuesday January 3rd. There they found the body of 19 year old Randolph Johnson who had been shot in the area. Police also found a couple of bicycles very near to where Johnson’s body was. The 19 year old was in the area at around 2:00 pm, fishing with friends. While he recreated, a gunman made his way to the bushy area and fired several shots at Johnson. He was hit in the chest, right leg and left palm. While his friends managed to rush him to the KHMH for treatment he did not survive.

Eleck Leander McKoy charged for escape from police station
Eleck Leander McKoy, 26, is back in police custody after police allege he managed to escape custody on December 4, 2016 from the Queen Street Police Station. According to police, the seasoned criminal was being held for burglary when he escaped from the station. He was apprehended and charged additionally for escape but McKoy disputes the allegations. McKoy appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza on Thursday, December 29, and was read a single charge of escaping from lawful custody. He pleaded not guilty to the charge. In court he said, “The whole place is barricade up and there is camera everywhere.” He continued, “I neva escape. The cameras nuh tell lies, sir.”

Leroy Meighan charged for shooting teenaged girl
Leroy Lawrence Meighan, 21, of #13 Pelican Street in Belize City is at the Belize Central Prison on remand for charges relating to the shooting of a 14-year-old girl. On Tuesday, January 3, Meighan was arraigned on criminal charges of use of deadly means of harm and wounding for shooting the girl once to the left thigh on November 13, 2016. According to police reports, the girl was standing with a male friend at the corner of Curassow and North Creek Street when Meighan opened fire in their direction, hitting her in the left thigh. She was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where she was treated and released. Police believe the intended target that night was the young man she was talking to who they know only as “Stagger”.

Two motorcyclist killed in Cayo
Two motorcyclists were killed as a result of colliding into each other. On Saturday December 31, about 6:30pm, upon information received of a traffic accident between Teakettle and Ontario Villages, Roaring Creek Police visited the area between mile 53 and 54 where they observed two motorcycles in the middle of the highway with extensive damages. They also observed two male persons lying face down on opposite sides of the highway just a few feet from the motorcycles. One of the male persons was lying motionless on the right hand side of the road from the direction of Teakettle toward Ontario Village and appeared to be of Hispanic descent and the other male person was of Creole descent. First responders were able to report that the two men had head injuries and broken legs. Initial investigations reveal that the Hispanic male person was travelling from Belmopan to San Ignacio on a motorcycle while the Creole male person was travelling from San Ignacio to Belmopan when the collision occurred.

Security guard turns thief
A Security Guard from Priority Security Company is serving his first nights of a five year sentence for burglary after he pleaded guilty to entering a home he was responsible to protect and stealing items belonging to the home owner and her guests. Jorge Montero, 48, of Lords Bank Village was unrepresented when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser on Friday, December 30, to answer to a single charge of burglary. Allegations are that on December 26 he entered the house of Stephanie Lupp, 69, at #7 Princess Margaret Drive and stole, a pink digital camera valued at $1,040, a Kindle tablet valued at $420 and a white charger valued at $72. Lupp told police that she had guests visiting Belize from December 23 to December 26 for the holidays and one of her guests complained about their items being missing. Lupp told police she had hired a Priority Security Guard to stand guard on their property and when she reviewed the surveillance camera it showed the security guard entering her home. She said that she did not give him permission to enter.

San Pedro resident, charged with drug trafficking
55-year-old Moises Roberto Soriano of Pescador Drive area, San Pedro Town is out on bail after he was charged with one count of drug trafficking for 3.8 grams of cocaine. Allegations are that on Thursday, December 29, he was caught in possession of 3.8 grams of cocaine whilst in front of Karamba Restaurant on the island. According to police on the island, they saw him riding a bicycle contrary to the flow of traffic on Pescador Drive so he was stopped. The officer then noticed that Soriano had his hand gripped tightly and was acting suspiciously. This caused them to execute a search. Soriano refused to open his hand so the officer forced it open and he had a transparent plastic bag inside with what appeared to be cocaine. Soriano was escorted to the San Pedro Police Station where the suspected cocaine was weighed in his presence and amounted to 3.8 grams. Since the amount was more than 1 gram Soriano was charged with drug trafficking.

Ron Vasquez captures 27th Krem New Year’s Day Cycling Classic
The Belize Cycling Federation in partnership with KREM Radio held its 27th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic on Sunday 1st January, 2017. The Elite, Masters and U-23 riders started the 96 miles journey from the Belize/Mexico Border with the finish line at the junction of Mahogany Street and Central American Boulevard in Belize City. Some 54 riders started out on the historic journey with 32 riders completing the journey. At the end of some 4:06:09, it was Ron Vasquez of Team SMART that captured first place. The second rider to cross the finish line in a time of 4:10:50 was Brandon Cattouse also of Team SMART. Giovanni Lovell of Digicell 4G Elite Cycling Team finished third in a time of 4:10:50 and he was followed by Jose Choto of Imani’s Team in a time of 4:11:41 and he was followed by Oscar Quiros Jr. of Team SMART in a time of 4:11:41 to round off the top five finishers in the Elite category.

Rhondre Lewis captures Belize Athletics Association 10K run
The Belize Athletics Association sponsored its annual 5K and 10K Run on Sunday 1st January, 2017. The event utilized the Central American Blvd Circuit at and commenced at 6:00 am. In the main event which was the 10K run, 1st place went to Rhondre Lewis is a time of 39:41:31. The second athlete to cross the finish line was Marvin Hope in a time of 41:39:84, with third place going to Eaton Panton in a time of 43:45:84 and fourth place going to Anthony Flores in a time of 52:11:02. In the female 5K Run, first place went to Verenise Rodriguez in a time of 31:55:11.

Belize to compete in the Central American Football Union Copa Centroamericana Tournament
The Central American Football Union (UNCAF) has made its selection for the group stage for the upcoming 2017 Copa Centroamericana Tournament. Belize, being a part of the seven (7) UNCAF Nations, has been placed in Group A, which includes Panama, Honduras and Nicaragua. The Tournament will be held from 13 – 22 January, 2017 and will be hosted by the Republic of Panama. The top four teams will qualify for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while the fifth-place team will advance to a play-off against the fifth-place team from the 2017 Caribbean Cup for the final Gold Cup berth. All matches will be played at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City.

Belmopan Bandits national football champions of Belize
The Premier League of Belize 2016 Opening Season competition came to an end on Satrurday 31st December, 2016, out at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in the City of Belmopan, where the 2nd and final game in the home and away championship series was played. The home team the Belmopan Bandits went into the second game a game down to the Belize Defence Force. On Saturday 24th December, 2016, at the MCC Grounds, the Belize Defence Force blanked the Belmopan Bandits by the score of 1-0 to take an early lead into the final game. All that the Belize Defence Force need was a draw against the Belmopan Bandits to lay claims to this year’s opening season championship but it was not to be so. The outcome of the second game and the championship was determined in the first 34 minutes of play.

“The Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) Voted Against The ICJ Resolutions”
This week I was hoping to offer you a special treat, recall that I am still actively looking for a letter purportedly written by National Hero Goldson in which he recommended going to the ICJ to settle the dispute. I can report that there is a lady who says that P.S.W. Goldson told her that the ICJ would be the very best place to defeat the unfounded Guatemalan Claim! I am therefore very happy to be getting closer to the prize! On the other side of the coin, as I listened to some talk radio and read some newspapers, I realized that there is great danger out there. The uninformed are out in full force, saturating the newspaper pages and the airwaves with dangerous opinions and suggestions. They bestow ‘expertise’ unto themselves and then say and write things that are absolutely wrong. They are disingenuous. We all need to know a lot more. We all need to catch up on the details of the unfounded Guatemalan claim. We gained Independence in 1981 – we are newcomers to the table. Some in the Media and some ‘representing’ the People are wickedly playing partisan games.

WORDS OF LIFE
In Psalm 71:19-21, the writer declares, “Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will remember my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” As we begin the year 2017, it’s a good time to reflect on the past 12 months, and consider what our Heavenly Father has brought us through. Our enemy Satan will always be busy trying to pull us down. In John 10:10, Jesus is referring to the devil when he says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.” The more we do for Jesus, the more he attacks. He will attack us at our weakest point, and at our most venerable time.

Breaking Belize News

Canada has not lifted visa requirements for Belizeans
An article posted on CBN-TV.com entitled “Canada Opens Its Borders to Belizean Visitors” is reporting that Canada has lifted the visa requirements for Belizeans. The article is untrue and false and CBN-TV is reportedly a fake news site. This afternoon, the Ministry of Foreign […]

Southwest Airlines introduces direct flights from Fort Lauderdale to Belize
Southwest Airlines has announced daily, year round, Fort Lauderdale to Belize flights starting on June 4, 2017. According to reports, these flights will connect in Fort Lauderdale to and from cities in the eastern half of the United States such as Baltimore, New York, […]

NGO to elect senator next Tuesday
The administration of Prime Minister Dean Barrow will finally see the appointment of a 13th senator which had been promised in the 2008 UDP manifesto. However, that 13th senator will not be selected by PM Barrow but instead by the NGO community. Today we […]

Celsa Cobo is Tropic Air’s employee of the month
Tropic Air has issued a press release announcing that Celsa Cobo is their employee of the month. “Everyday, our Employees demonstrate a passion for serving our Customers with world-class service. This is why we feel it’s very important to engage and recognize our Employees […]

Miss Belize Universe, Rebecca Rath departs for Philippines
On Tuesday, January 3, Miss Belize Universe, Rebecca Rath departed for the final countdown to Miss Universe 2017 in Manila, Philippines. The 65th edition of the Miss Universe pageant will be held on January 30. Rath’s infectious personality, vibrant smile and captivating intelligence and talents […]

International Sources

Southwest flying to Belize from Fort Lauderdale
Southwest Airlines has announced daily, year round, Ft. Lauderdale to Belize flights. Flights will connect in FLL to/from cities in the eastern half of the United States such as Baltimore, New York, Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa and DC. Service commences June 4, 2017 and its now bookable at southwest.com with fares as low as $79 each way. Due to increased demand, they have also added extra Denver to Belize #nonstop frequencies for the summer of 2017 Congratulations to our friends at Southwest. They will now serve Belize from Houston, Denver (starts March 11) and Ft. Lauderdale.

NY Times 52 Places to Go in 2017
There are thousands of getaways to explore this year. Here are some ideas to get you started. 42. Placencia, Belize: Ecotourism expands in southern Belize. A traffic arm still swings down to close the main road into Placencia in southern Belize whenever a small plane lands on its narrow peninsula. More of those planes may be stalling golf carts, a popular form of transportation here, with the recent opening of Naïa Resort and Spa, offering 35 beach houses, a yoga studio and a juice bar. The boutique Itz’ana Resort & Residences will follow in March with a locavore restaurant, five-room spa and rum bar. The laid-back beach town offers access to the Belize Barrier Reef, prime waters for seasonally diving with whale sharks, which were recently deemed endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Guatemala and Belize move towards popular consultation on territorial litigation
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Raúl Morales announced today that the Lower House of Belize has approved the reforms to the Referendum Law and decided to eliminate the electoral register, which leaves the majority with a simple majority Popular about the centenary territorial litigation with Guatemala. "I received last Thursday the news that the Lower House of Belize had already approved the reform of the Referendum Law, which eliminated the voter registration and left it with a simple majority, which added to the approval of the Congress of Guatemala Of the Protocol to the Special Agreement, paves the way for that longed-for popular consultation, "the Guatemalan Foreign Minister said at a news conference. The official said that this is a topic of 160 years, but it was decided in an institutional manner in 2008 to conduct the consultation so that the inhabitants of each country decide whether the case of territorial litigation is brought to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). "Both countries will act on equal terms and conditions," said the head of Guatemalan diplomacy.

Luxurious Belize getaways
Francis Ford Coppola’s new island retreat is among a swath of hotel openings encouraging visitors to explore an alternative side of the Caribbean. What music would you like?” asks my private attendant, Sucely. When you rent a tiny island eight miles out in the Caribbean Sea, there is a temptation to play something very loud indeed. But I demur: “I’m happy with the sound of the wind and the waves.” Relaxing on Coral Caye, a precarious speck of sand lost in the turquoise waters of the Belize Barrier Reef, one feels too humbled by nature to risk upsetting the elements with some high-volume heavy rock. I sense the ocean gnawing relentlessly at the mangrove-stitched shore, and watch the casuarina trees bowing to the unforgiving winds. Beneath me, the ground rises no more than a couple of feet above sea level, and when it’s time for a stroll it takes a mere three minutes to walk the length of my castaway paradise. Fortunately, there’s also a large, welcoming and tastefully decorated Great House, with a sand floor and pink conch shells on the walls — which is just what you’d expect from Francis Ford Coppola, the film-maker, passionate winemaker and maverick hotelier. Opened in October, Coral Caye is the latest example of Ford Coppola’s commendable and long-running interest in creating characterful getaways that offer, in his words, “barefoot elegance with a luxurious wink”.

A cacao tour of southern Belize — from bean to bar
Eladio Pop greets me for a tour of his 30-acre acre farm with a football-size cacao pod strapped to his back and a braided reed across his forehead. "Welcome to my paradise," he says, as we head into his Belizean rain forest brimming with cacao trees, pineapple shrubs, banana and mango trees, coconuts palms and a host of medicinal plants. "This is where chocolate begins," Pop says, plucking a ripe, yellow cacao pod from a tree before splitting it open with his machete. Inside, the thick white pulp cushions a kaleidoscope of purple beans covered in sticky gel. I pop one in my mouth, taste the sweet tropical nectar and then bite into a raw bean. Before it's dried, fermented, roasted and mashed, cacao is just a mild-tasting legume. We continue along the winding path, smelling and tasting other fruits and aromatic leaves. It's all part of Pop's Agouti Cacao Farm Tour (www.agouticacaofarm.wordpress.com) in this tiny Mayan village of San Pedro Columbia in southern Belize. Cacao has been prized in Mayan culture for centuries. The word is said to originate from the Mayan word ka'kau. Long revered as a drink consumed by the elite, the beans were once used as a form of currency.

“Belize Doubles Down on Tourism” by COHA Research Associate Alejandra Castillo
Tourism continues to be one of the most important sectors of Belize’s economy. Since 2007, the industry contributed over 25% of all jobs and made up over 15% of the country’s total GDP. A report by the Belize Tourism Board reveals that during the first quarter of 2016 tourist arrivals registered an all-time high, with a 16.9 percent increase in overnight tourist arrivals compared to 2015’s first quarter. These numbers are encouraging, indicates the Caribbean Journal, that claim Belize is having its “best year ever” in spite of the disquiet generated by the murder of ABC7 web news producer Anne Swaney on January 15. In a response to this homicide, ABC7, along with a couple other North American news sources, published articles casting doubt on the reliability of the Belize police, citing State Department studies that reveal alarming figures that indicate convictions in only three percent of all cases are solved.

Five Of The Best Overwater Bungalow Resorts In The World
Trying to figure out what could be the best vacation? Perhaps you see a deserted tropical island or even a snowy peak, but what about an overwater bungalow? Elevated over the ocean, these orthodox hotels are most often found in the Maldives and the South Pacific, but these overwater bungalows can also be found in some parts of Europe and Asia. According to Fodors, the best overwater bungalows usually comes with a private pool, elegant glass paneled floors where you can see the beauty of the ocean underneath from corals to colorful fishes and a ladder that will lead you down to the water wherein you can snorkel or just relax. With all these amenities and stunning beauty around, for sure you won't be leaving your far from your hotel anytime soon. Here are some of the best bungalow resorts around the world. Cayo Espanto, Belize is a four-acre private resort has seven villas around it. Cayo Espanto villa is an overwater villa which is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea. Guest of the villas can take a sun lounge at the end of their docks where they can relax all day long or have a private dinner served in there.

Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism successfully implements sanitary controls project
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), in partnership with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has successfully completed the project “Capacity Building of regulatory and industry stakeholders in Aquaculture and Fisheries Health and Food Safety to meet the SPS requirements of international trade”. The project, which started in September 2016, was funded under the EU’s 10th EDF Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Project and delivered with the help of a team of consultants from Megapesca in Portugal. The aim was to continue to help CARIFORUM countries to improve the safety of fish and fishery products for consumers in national and export markets, and several activities The project prepared six new manuals to help fish inspectors apply the best international practices to the inspection of fishing vessels, processing establishments and aquaculture facilities. The subjects covered include HACCP, traceability, and for the first time, a compendium of food safety hazards encountered in Caribbean fishery products.

Videos

January 5, 2017

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

BNTU and Ministry of Education clash regarding opening dates for new semester
A push-and-pull effect regarding the start of classes has students and parents/guardians across Belize puzzled. Due to the 11-day industrial action taken by the BNTU in October 2016, the Ministry of Education (MOE) had initially agreed to deduct four days from the Christmas break and two days from the Easter break to make up for the lost time. However, before schools closed for the 2016 Christmas holiday break, the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) issued a press release that ordered students to take their full Christmas vacation and return to the classroom on Monday, January 9th. In response, the MOE issued out a press release reminding students to disregard the BNTU’s press release, and that classes for the new semester will resume on Tuesday, January 3rd. Parents/guardians had to play the waiting game, and see what the outcome would be on Tuesday morning. Some students dressed in their uniforms and arrived at school. The majority of schools across the country canceled classes, due to poor attendance. All primary government schools were closed on January 3rd, while San Pedro High School (SPHS) classes were in session. However, on January 4, 2017, all schools were closed, including SPHS, and students were told to return on Monday, January 9th.

The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage writes to CEO Hyde
Dear CEO Hyde: On December 28th 2016 the Government of Belize issued a press release entitled PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE MARINE MULTIBEAM AND SEA SEEP SURVEY. That press release states that the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum “invites the general public to a public consultation on the Marine Multibeam and Sea Seep Survey that the Government of Belize intends to complete in the deep offshore territorial waters of Belize” and that “the public will have an opportunity to clarify any concerns and to share their views on the survey”. The Belize Coalition to Save Our Natural Heritage is therefore requesting additional details regarding the intended structure and purpose of these public “consultations”: • How will input from the public be handled? • To whom should written submissions be forwarded? • Will the public’s input play a role in whether or not the government decides to proceed with the multibeam and sea seep survey? If so, what is that role?

GOB: ‘Guatemala fishing regulation violates International Law’
The reports that Guatemalan authorities have released a document suggesting that its inhabitants are allowed to fish unimpeded in Belizean waters all the way up to Punta Gorda Town in Southern Belize, has once again caused outrage among Belizeans. Investigations have revealed that the Guatemalan regulation dates back to 2002, and according to current government officials, they were unaware of such regulations by the neighbouring country. The Government of Belize (GOB) has since categorically rejected this fishing legislation imposed by Guatemala. In an official statement issued last week, the GOB stated that Belize’s maritime spaces are established by the Maritime Areas Act of Belize, which is in accordance with international law.

Ambergris Today

How To Vote For Ambergris Today’s Person Of The Year
Every year Ambergris Today asks you to nominate an exceptional person who is doing positive things for the island community. Someone who is helping others, giving of his/her free time, making a positive change for the betterment of others or promoting a good cause. Our team goes through the nominations and there is usually a clear winner in the bunch. We have decided that 2017 will be the year we involve you more in the production of YOUR news with a positive attitude. Why not start with the biggest decision of the year? We’ve taken the four most nominated candidates and we want YOU to choose the winner! How you ask? In a Live Stream Poll. That’s right, you get to choose LIVE and see the results of the poll as the votes accumulate!

Belize Red Cross San Pedro Shares Positive New Year Message
Since the branch has started doing blood drives in 2013, the San Pedro Red Cross has collected 267 pints of blood for our Ambergris Caye Reserve and helped 19 people with 46 pints of blood. Recipients were country wide from Ambergris Caye, Belize City, Caye Caulker, Dangriga and Orange Walk. Please keep in mind that pints of blood have a shelf life, so our quarterly Blood Drives are always important to make sure we have the capacity to help when needed.

Celebrity Spotting: Hollywood Stars Bring in New Year in Belize
Not one but two celebrities were spotted at the Tipsy Tuna in Placencia for the New Year’s countdown. James Franco, or better known as Harry Osborn, Green Goblins son in the movie Spiderman, mingled with the crowd at the tourist hotspot of the peninsula. He was nice enough to take picture with his fans. James is also known for his roles in the movies Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Spring Breakers, Oz the Great and Powerful, King Cobra and many more. The second celeb ringing in the New Year at the Tipsy Tuna was Drew Carey (pictured above). He is an American actor, comedian, sports executive and game show host. He is best known for his own sitcom “The Drew Carey Show” or the famous game show host of “The Price is Right.” A third celebrity spotting took place in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Alan Tudyk was caught on New Years Day as he made his way to dive one of Belize’s greatest assets, the great Blue Hole. John Romero of Amigos del Mar shared his photo-op with Alan on his diving trip. Alan is an American actor and voice actor. He is best known as Steve the Pirate in the movie Dodgeball, also for his role in A Knight’s Tail. His voice is well recognized in various movies such as Wreck it Ralph, Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia and Moana.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro Red Cross recap for 2016 and a New Years wish
The San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross (BRCSP) would like to wish everyone a healthy, safe and prosperous New Year. San Pedro Red Cross is committed to Saving Lives and Changing History Through Helping our Community. Our two primary ways of doing this are through Blood Drives and First Aid trainings. This year BRCSP held 5 blood drives and collected 64 pints of blood. Blood Drives were held at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic, San Carlos Medical Center and Washington University. As a result the San Pedro Branch was able to help 9 people in need receive 19 pints of blood.

SBDC Workshop: INTRODUCTION TO ACCOUNTING AND BOOKKEEPING
Presented by: Mr. Jorge Gentle, Business Adviser, SBDCBelize, Beltraide. Location: Belize Training & Employment Center (BTEC) Training Room, ITVET Compound, Freetown Road. Workshop Date: January, 12th, 2017. Time: 9:00 am to 3pm. The workshop aims to provide tools and materials that will improve the use of attendee's numeracy skills in and prior book keeping information. Also, it will assist to improve their businesses by using simple business management techniques and how to develop financial statements. The ultimate goal is to allow for the business to keep financial records of their activities so they will be able to use that information to make better decisions / increase profit for the business. Cost: $60.00. Includes: Snacks, Lunch and Refreshments

Tyler Perry to speak in Belize
Join us in welcoming Tyler Perry to the line up of speakers for Leadercast 2017. Book your tickets for May 5th 2017, Belize Biltmore Plaza.

First Chiquibul Challenge Marathon race
Join the race and take the challenge for Chiquibul - support, volunteer and participate in the first Chiquibul Challenge Marathon race (20K/40K) on March 12th 2017. Registration form and payment options will be shared later this week. As we continue to work to develop this event, and seek sponsors we have a little race ahead of the race aside our own busy schedules. Which brings me to: on the 18th of February we are organizing a 5K/10K race in San Ignacio and the first prize in the 10K categories will be... free entries to the Chiquibul Challenge Marathon! So put on those shoes and get out there to enjoy a good run or walk and we hope to see you soon!

Attention ALL Liquor License Holders and New Applicants!
Please take note of the dates! Also, Trade License Holders, if you have not renewed your license, please visit the San Pedro Town Council office to do so, as you are now operating without a valid license as of December 31, 2016.

A BELIZEAN LEGEND: CALLING HARRY CADLE!
It's been some years now since Belizean Legends started the hunt to feature the legendary Belizean multi-talented athlete, Harry Cadle, who after his migration from Belize now lives in Los Angeles. He has become just one of those Belizean legends that we here at Belizean Legends will continue to hunt, and if successful soon next year 2017, will bring you the story of this incredible talented Belizean athlete from the 1970's Belize football and basketball greatness in living color and the spoken word. Until then...!

CONFISCATED ROSEWOOD
On Wednesday December 7th, 2016, the Forest Department confiscated a total of 31,000 board feet of rosewood in flitch and lumber form in the Benque Viejo area. The Department proceeded to charge Miguel Angel Estala on January 4th, 2017 at the San Ignacio Magistrate Court with "unlawful possession of forest produce" in accordance with Section 19 of the Forest Act CAP 213. Estala pleaded guilty and was charged the maximum fine of $1000.00, the rosewood material was forfeited to the Government of Belize. The Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development recognizes that perpetrators face a relatively minor penalty for forest crimes. Therefore, it has embarked on an exercise to revise penalties and fines for forest crimes, and will seek to introduce the necessary amendments to the Forest Act at the next sitting of the House of Representatives.

Marie Sharp's Cayo Culinary Center
Marie Sharp's is coming to Cayo! They are launching a Tourist Center downtown. They'll have culinary classes there to, so you can cook some wonderful - and spicy - Belizean food. They'll be located at 2 Victoria Street, in the Busman Arnold building.

Channel 7

47 Year Old Killed - Is It Because He Was A Gangster's Uncle?
47 year old Bert Abraham is the 6th murder victim since Saturday. He was gunned down in front of his Holy Emmanuel Street home last night around 7:30. We were the first on the scene and we had shown you a few pictures during our newscast. Tonight we have more details. I spoke to his older sister to try and find out why Abraham was targeted: There was never a dull moment when Bert Abraham was around, he would always be blasting music and putting on a show for whoever would watch him dance. But last night, there were no dancehall rhythms to jam to only the deep crackle of the police radio as it came alive And dreaded sobs and whispers among loved ones Abraham was shot several times in front of his house as he was stashing his weed after a sale.

19 Year Old Randolph Johnson Killed While Fishing
Yesterday we told you about 19 year old Randolph Johnson who was shot dead near Mile 2 ½ on the George Price Highway. It's an unusual murder because it happened in a relatively remote location. At around 2:00 pm, he was fishing with friends in a secluded area about a mile west of his neighborhood in Saint Martin's Deporres. That's when an armed man ran up and fired several shots at Johnson, hitting him in the chest, right leg and left palm. His friends rushed him to the hospital, but he was dead on arrival. We spoke to his family members today to get a better idea of what happened, and see how they're coping with the unexpected loss… Alex Courtney: "Could you just tell us what the family know about the incident that happened?" Voice of Aunt of the Deceased: "We no know nothing much, all we know he mi gone fishing yesterday and somebody call and say they shoot ah up." Alex Courtney: "And police has not given you any information about the investigation so far?" Voice of Aunt of the Deceased: "Not yet."

Cops Say Teenager Killed Dillon Grinage
So, these murder cases continue to stack up – waiting to be solved. Police are working with what information and evidence they have to lay charges and they have made progress in one case so far; that’s the Sandhill killing of Dillon Grinage. 19 year old Patrick Harris was charged with murder yesterday evening. He was arraigned today. Harris is accused of shooting Grinage on Saturday night. Grinage was hanging out at a food shop at the Maskall junction when Harris allegedly snuck up behind him and shot him dead. Reports are that both men had a disagreement earlier in the day. Harris was remanded to prison until March 1st . Police are also looking for another suspect in this case.

New Police Minister Grappling With Crime
2017 has not been off to a good start for Belize's murder statistics. It has been four days since the beginning of the year, and already five men have been gunned down. Add that to the one who was killed on New Year's Eve, and we have 6 men murdered in 72 hours – or about one every 12 hours. They are Dillon Grinage, on Saturday night, Colin Sutherland on New Year's Day, Robert Gillett on Monday, Kenneth Dobson, also on Monday, 19 year old Randolph Johnson killed yesterday afternoon, and Bert Abraham killed last night. Yesterday during a joint press conference, the Commanders of the Belize Eastern Divisions committed to immediately respond to this killing spree – ut then two more murders happened – in the same area. Today we spoke with the Minister of State with responsibility for Police, Elodio Aragon, who told us about his plans to put an end to the New Year's violent start…

Senate Probe Calls Former Director To Defend Herself
After a brief pause for the holidays, the Senate Hearings on the Immigration Department resumed today. The Senate Select Committee called Former Acting Director of Immigration Maria Marin to testify. Now, she was called to respond to the claims made by Auditor General Dorothy Bradley and her lead auditor, Carla Faber. In the last session, they outlined the mass irregularities at the Department between 2011 and 2013. In their testimony the auditors explained why they singled out Marin for allegedly trying to get in the way of their audit. Well, Marin got her long awaited chance to defend herself today. Here's how it went: Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee: "The director Mrs. Marin has consistently found ways to evade requests made for the accessing of records." Maria Marin - Former Director of Immigration: "The following have been requested and not received. An internal report, that internal report I believe she was referring to the restructuring report that was a paper that was to be submitted to cabinet. I did not have a copy of that and from the very inception when they requested on I think it was the 15th of October 2013, they requested a copy of that internal report."

Former Director Marin Comments On UDP's Pursuing Immigration Docs
When the Hearings resumed after lunch, it was time for Marin to take questions on the substance of the Auditor General's report. A major reveal in the report are that UDP Politicians, both elected and unelected, intervened at the Immigration Department to get immigration documents approved for persons they recommended. A number of those persons, according to the Audit, did not qualify for visas, nationality, or passports. Yet, they got those documents any way, and in some instance, it happened with lightning speed, some in the matter of days. Well today, under oath, Marin confirmed what some of the findings suggest, that Ministers were indeed attempting to exert influence on officers at the Immigration Department to get documents for specific applicants. Here's that back and forth between the Committee and Maria Marin:

Who Will Be NGO Senator?
And the Senate will soon be joined by a 13th. Senator. Yesterday, the NGO community nominated 7 persons to be senators; 6 have accepted the nomination. They are: Pablo Collado – he's a popular flutist, but he is nominated by his organization called, "Adopt a Child With A Disability" Janelle Chanona, the OCEANA Vice President has accepted the nomination. Edilberto Romero, from another conservation NGO called Bacongo has also accepted the nomination. Osmany Salas, who is the president of BTIA has also accepted. Donovan Reneau, a popular radio DJ and visually impaired advocate, has been nominated by the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired.

Big MS-13 Jail Break in Salvador Causes Concern In Belize
Belmopan police are asking the public to be on the lookout for 10 Salvadorian fugitive gang members who escaped a maximum security jail in their country. Newspapers in Honduras and Guatemala report that the men used a hacksaw to cut themselves out of a jail cell at the San Francisco Gotera penitentiary on Sunday. 50 men were housed in the cell, but only 10 managed to escape from the prison, which is known to house gang members. These escapees are reportedly linked to the MS-13 Gang, or Maras Salvatruchas. Now, Honduras and Guatemala share borders with Salvador so they are on "maximum alert", but Belmopan police say Belize should also be on its guard. And that's because there are large Salvadorian communities residing in Belize, especially in the greater Belmopan area. Belmopan police say, quote, "there's a likelihood they could come to Belize." End quote. The capital cops are asking anyone seeing any of these men to call police. They are considered dangerous.

Japanese Wife Accused of Pulling Gun on Belizean Husband
A Japanese woman is in jail tonight after her Belizean husband says she threatened him with his own gun. Elvis Solis says that on December 18, and again on December 21, 2016 Asako Solis threatened him with his licensed nine millimetre pistol in his bedroom. He claims she additionally told him, to give her the money or she would kill him – referring to money in a safe. That's two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and threatening words. Now, the firearm offence carries an immediate remand, even though she told the judge today "Nothing like that happen. Not guilty" Still, the 37 year old was remanded and her case was adjourned for March 8, 2017. Her Attorney Alifah Elrington has already started the bail application for Solis and those documents are expected to make it to the Supreme Court by Friday.

Fined One Grand For Thousands Of Board Feet Of Rosewood
Last month we told you about the rosewood confiscated in Benque Viejo Town. Today, the Forestry Department confirmed that the 31,000 board feet in flitch and lumber form was the property of Miguel Angel Estala. He appeared in the San Ignacio Magistrate Court yesterday charged with "unlawful possession of forest produce". Estala pleaded guilty and was assessed with the maximum fine of the quite paltry one-thousand dollars. The rosewood was forfeited to the Government of Belize. The Ministry of Forestry acknowledges that the fine is minor and is working on revising penalties and fines for forest crimes. In related news, the Forest Department also conducted an operation in the Gomez Estate, a large, privately owned forest in the Toledo District, where they found 1000 board feet of rosewood along with 2500 board feet of Santa Maria lumber.

Belize Ice Cream Exported to Grenada
Western Dairies Ice Cream has been a fixture in Belizean refrigerators for years, and now the people of Grenada will be able to stock their shelves with it as well. The first shipment of the Belizean ice cream went out today. Over 24 flavours are being exported in sizes ranging from 3000 cups to over 50 one-gallon containers. Western Dairies General Manager, Armando Estrada told that Grenada is just the first step, and that they plan to expand exports to the rest of the Caribbean.

The Man Called "ET" Back in Jail
Basil Willis is no stranger to the Magistrate's Court. He has a rap sheet of over 90 offenses, many of which he has been convicted for. Well, today, less than two weeks since he got bail for a burglary at the Grace Primary School Kitchen, Willis was back in the dock. Yesterday, mechanic Egbert Vernon reported to CIB personnel that his car was broken into and over $1000 worth of tools were stolen. Police were quick to respond and found Willis, tools in hand, just thirty feet away from where Vernon's car was parked. In court today Willis pled guilty to handling stolen goods and damage to property. Magistrate Carlon Mendoza refrained from imposing a non-custodial fine due to Willis's storied criminal history. Instead, Magistrate Mendoza sentenced him to a year in prison for each offence, with the sentences to run consecutively.

Homicides Leading Cause of Death In Central Region
The Central Health Region which covers the Belize District reports that in the public health system there were only 38 cases of Dengue reported in 2016, compared to 66 in 2015. But there were two cases of Dengue Hemorrhagic, compared to none the year before. There were 29 cases of Zika reported with no cases of malaria or Chik-V. We stress this is only in the Belize District public healthcare system. And, not surprisingly, the leading cause of death in this area in 2016, was homicide, with cardiovascular causes second, and cancer, third. Also, the total cases of infant mortality in 2016 were down from 34 in 2015, to 23 in 2016.

A Commendation For Cops
Today, 25 officers in the Eastern Rural Division were honored for their professionalism and dedication to their job. Each officer was presented with a plaque and a monetary bonus as thanks for a job well done. The recipients were chosen by a panel comprising commanding officers in the division. The Commander of the Eastern Rural Division, Edward Broaster, told us more about the ceremony and the selection process…

Back On The Meet and Greet Grind
As we told you earlier, Southside police weren’t giving any interviews on the two murders which happened just a few hours apart yesterday. That’s uncharacteristic, but the insist they only wanted to talk about positive news today – and that meant the usual Wednesday meet and greet session. 48 officers flooded into precinct two – and went directly to the St. Martin’s area where rival gangs caused yesterday’s two murders. We asked Dawson what the community reaction was like: Commander Williams was working in the area, but on an investigation.

Channel 5

Police Regroup After Another Murder; Bert Abraham Targeted at Front Gate
The top brass of the police met in emergency and closed door session today, in light of a murder spree since the start of the year. They were not providing [...]

Who Wanted Randolph Johnson Dead?
Hours before Bert Abraham was executed, nineteen year old Randolph Johnson was among a group of friends fishing when he too was ambushed near Belize Waste Compound on the George [...]

Police Charge Patrick Harris with Dillon Grinage Murder in Sandhill
Since December thirty- first, the six murders have the police working around the clock, but except for one, police are yet to crack the cases.  Dillon Grinage did not live [...]

Rosewood Busted in South and West; Stiffer Penalties for Offenders?
The Forest Department is cracking down on the illegal harvesting of hardwood. Two major busts have been made in recent days in the west and south, which show that the [...]

Senate Special Committee Meets with Maria Marin
The first hearing of the Special Senate Select Committee for 2017 was hosted at the National Assembly, Belmopan. Sitting before the six-member panel was senior official of the Immigration Department, [...]

Is Ex-C.E.O. to Blame for Immigration’s Black Eye?
According to Marin, she was swamped with research on the Won Hong Kim matter and concurrent investigations of the Department internally and by Police. She asked her subordinates to check [...]

Former Acting Director Says Insta-Visas, passports, Nationalities Not Legit
The Committee also tried to question Marin on the various approvals for visas, passports and nationalities in 2012 and 2013, when she was deputy and then holding over as acting [...]

6 to Vie for Thirteenth Senate Position
Nominations have been closed for the selection of a thirteenth member of the Senate. The United Democratic Party first proposed it in 2008 as a counter to a fully elected [...]

George Street Invades Ladyville – Police Want Them Out!
On Tuesday night sometime around eight, there was a shooting in the village of Sandhill; fortunately, no one was injured, but that there was a shooting at the same residence [...]

Dorian Pakeman Charges Coming; Department Was Fair to Alfonso Noble in Mishaps
Dorian Pakeman and Alfonso Noble are both highly connected U.D.P. loyalists. Pakeman in March and Noble in December of 2016 knocked down and killed two men in separate incidents. Now, [...]

No Cause of Death for Male Fetus in Benque
In another update…What killed a seventeen-week-old fetus found wrapped in a plastic bag and stashed inside a large coffee bottle and laid to rest along the quiet banks of the [...]

Anne Swaney Murder Case Still Outstanding a Year Later
Nearly one year ago, Chicago, Illinois television producer and journalist Anne Swaney was found murdered at a resort outside of Benque Viejo del Carmen. Local police called on investigators from [...]

Awards for Top Cops in Rural Eastern Division
Regional Commander of the Rural Eastern Division, ACP Edward Broaster, pulled out all the stops to reward some of the Police Officers who work under his jurisdiction. Today, he recognized [...]

Gangs and Guns Standing in the Way of Crime-Free Belize
Six murders in four days have taken some by surprise, while others were not so shocked by the spike in the homicides. And on Tuesday night, you heard the top [...]

What’s the Strategy for Police Department?
Just now you heard Minister of Police Aragon speak on the short term methods they are implementing to cut the sharp increase in killings since the start of the New [...]

CTV3

Senate Committee Exposes Weakness In VISA Application Process
Even though she was moved from the Immigration Department in September 2013, following the Penner/Won Hong Kim scandal, Marin’s name has been called out in numerous reports that followed. Most recent, the Auditor General’s special audit report named Marin for a number of flagrances, but they also made mention of her for allegedly refusing to provide key information to their investigation team. Flanked by her attorney, Darrel Bradley, Ms Marin defended herself today, saying she did what she could. Senator Aldo Salazar, Chairman: “The suggestion is made that you were not as cooperative as was expected from the Auditors General’s team in your interaction with the Audit Team, in conducting the audit, is that the case?” Maria Marin - Former Acting Director of Immigration: “No sir not at all, the audit team came to visit me in November and that was comprised of the Auditor General and I can recall that of November 2013, I can recall that she came with at least two examiners Senior Officers at the time, they came to indicate to me and they told me that they were going to do an Audit of the department at that time I told them that I welcome that opportunity because I felt that that audit would add substance to what I had already been trying to achieve at the department through my ministry at no time did I indicate to them that they were not welcome there.”

Former Immigration Director Says Passport System Must Be Wiped Up Clean
The Senate Special Select Committee hearings into the Auditor General’s report on Visa, Nationality and Passport irregularities continued today at the National Assembly in Belmopan with the cross-examination of former Director of Immigration Maria Marin. Marin has been in the hot seat for several years, since she was the Acting Director of Immigration during the period several scandals involving the questionable issuance of nationality, visas and passports broke out. Today, Marin had the opportunity to speak on many of the instances of alleged wrongdoing when she gave her testimony under oath. We’ll get to some of her statements shortly, but first the former Director gave her honest opinion of what needs urgent addressing at the Immigration Department. She opined that the whole passport system needs to go. Senator Aldo Salazar – Chairman of Senate Select Committee: “Which of those recommendations would immediately or would eliminate some of the weakness that we can see now?” Maria Marin - Former Acting Director of Immigration: “We said it over and over again, Mr. Chairman at least when I was the Director. We need to replace the passport system at one point in time we spoke bout upgrading it but the fact is that we need to upgrade that.”

LOVE FM

2017 Sessions of Senate Inquiry Begin
The Senate Special Select Committee met for the first time this year to continue its investigation into the findings of the Auditor General’s Special Visa and other findings Report on the Immigration and Nationality Department for period 2011-2013. The first witness to be called was former Acting Director of Immigration, Maria Marin. Marin was the […]

One Step Closer to the 13th Senator
Six Belizeans have accepted nominations to take the seat for the 13th Senator position. It is a move that Government agreed to activate in the latter part of 2016 which has now led to the nomination process. Janelle Chanona of Oceana Belize, Osmany Salas of BTIA, Edilberto Romero of Bacongo, Donovan Reneau of BCVI, Pablo […]

Minister Says New Strategy to Curb the Recent Murder Spike
With only four days into the New Year, residents of the old capital are becoming concerned over the spike in murders. While 2016 ended with one hundred and thirty eight murders, 2017 has now registered five homicides within its first week. Minister with responsibility for the Belize Police Department, Elodio Aragon says he too is […]

BDF Secures Grenade for Destruction
Yesterday we told you of an M26 hand grenade found under a house just off Faber’s Road in Belize City. The find was made by the Gang Suppression Unit who in turn called on the bomb experts at the Belize Defence Force to remove the small bomb from the area. According to GSU Commander, Inspector […]

Harris Taken In For Sandhill Murder
On New Year’s Eve, 26-year-old, Dillon Grinage was killed in Sandhill Village, Belize District. Yesterday, investigators made an arrest and charged the individual with murder. ACP Edward Broaster updated the media. EDWARD BROASTER ” Grinage was killed just after 9pm making it the last and the 138th murder for 2016.

Murder #5 – Albert Abraham Shot in His Front Yard
Belize City police are investigating the murder of Albert Abraham which occurred last night at around seven thirty in the Gungulung area. Preliminary investigations reveal that the victim was standing near the gate of his home on Holy Emmanuel Street when a gunman approached the area in a vehicle and fired several shots in his […]

Rural Police Wants Gang Members Out of the Area
While we were at the scene of the fifth murder for this year on Holy Emmanuel Street in Belize City last night, Police of the Rural Eastern Division were called out to the Maskall Road where reports were made of shots being fired in the area. Commander of the RED team, Assistant Commissioner of Police, […]

Rosewood Confiscated in the West and South
Miguel Angel Estala has been charged with unlawful possession of forest produce. On December 7, 2016, personnel from the Forest Department confiscated a total of thirty one thousand board feet of rosewood in flitch and lumber form in the Benque Viejo area. Estala appeared in the San Ignacio Magistrate Court today and pleaded guilty to […]

Police Minister Says Noble May Have Been Jilted Due to Political Affiliation
The traffic incident that claimed the life of Gilbert Swasey on Christmas Eve 2016 led to a series of comments, criticisms and discussion on social media. This heated debate was perhaps because the driver involved in this accident was UDP’s Alfonso Noble. In the course of the police investigation, Noble was detained for the entire […]

Making it Safe in the Eastern Parts
Five murders have been committed within three days of the start of the New Year. All of them are a result of gun violence and all have been committed in Belize City. City residents have expressed grave concerns over the situation. The three Assistant Commissioners of Police in charge of Eastern Division say they will […]

Breaking Belize News

Libertad Village without police station for more than a decade
The Libertad police station was destroyed by fire on September 6, 2004. More than a decade later the community is still without a police station and there is no sign of any new police station coming to the village any time soon. Police presence […]

Man fined $1,000 for illegal rosewood
The Forest Department issued a press release today informing that it confiscated a total of 31,000 board feet of rosewood on December 7, 2016 in the Benque Viejo area. The Department proceeded to charge Miguel Angel Estala this morning at the San Ignacio Magistrate […]

10 ‘highly dangerous’ gang members escape from El Salvador jail; could they be heading to Belize?
The Nuestro diario newspaper of El Salvador is reporting that their borders are on high alert after 10 inmates escaped from prison in their country on Sunday. The men are members of the dangerous and violent gang Mara Salvatrucha. The security authorities of the […]

Police find pump action shot gun in Belize city
Yesterday morning at about 12:30, police searched an abandoned lot on Partridge Street Extension, Belize City which led to the discovery of a 12 gauge pump action shotgun wrapped in a black plastic garbage bag with S&B Arms Company, Japan markings. No one was found […]

Police reports on recent murders
According to police reports, on Monday night January 2, police visited Raccoon Street where officers saw 33-year-old Kenneth Dobson of Raccoon Street Extension with two gunshot wounds to the right side of the head. Investigation reveals that he was playing dominoes under a house at #83 […]

Ex-Marine wanted for killing girlfriend suspected to be in Belize
Raymond McLeod, an ex US Marine wanted by the San Diego Police for the murder of his girlfriend Krystal Mitchell, is believed to be hiding out in Belize. Mitchell was last seen alive with McLeod. She was found dead in the apartment of an acquaintance. […]

BDF bomb expert to dispose of found grenade
As we had reported yesterday, the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) found a live grenade while conducting a search in the Yabra area. According to reports, the GSU found the grenade in an abandoned lot between two homes. The grenade has been classified as an […]

Blogs

Caves Branch Jungle Lodge is “for the Birds”!
From the exotic Blue Crowned Mot-Mot to the elusive Keel-Billed Toucan (the national bird of Belize), these and other beautiful winged creatures are our most colorful guests in the area of Belize where Caves Branch Jungle Lodge’s 50,000 acre estate is situated. To confirm what we already knew for years, our lodge was asked to join the Annual Bird-A-Thon, held this past May 2016, for which we enjoyed the taste of victory at wining the H. Lee Jones Cup trophy from the Belize Raptor Research Institute. Caves Branch Lodge topped the competition with “206” species within a 24 hour period- making the property the “birdiest” destination in Belize. At any given day, all types of birds in their illustrious plumage frequent our property grounds; while others require an early morning tour to encounter their distinctive calls and habits. Rapidly becoming a mecca for bird watchers from around the globe, the pristine landscapes of Belize are home to nearly 600 species of birds. It is hard not to become enthused about the spectacular variety of feathered creatures one encounters during their visit & tours, accompanied by the most patient and expert guides who easily point out the “call” before the bird. These highly trained bird freaks are so tuned to nature that they can pick up a bird call and tell you exactly what species it is as well as the gender.

6 FAMOUS MOVIES YOU DIDN'T REALIZE WERE FILMED IN BELIZE
Everyone loves a good action movie- a good plot or a fantastic tale, but did you know that Belize is featured in a few pretty good movies? Yep, you heard right- Belize is the background for several Hollywood films and here is the list: 1) 2012: Kurse a di Xtabai (Curse of the Xtabai) directed by Matthiew Klinck, this 80-minute Creole-language thriller is the first major dramatic movie filmed entirely in Belize. The feature was selected as the opening night movie of the 2012 Belize International Film Festival. 2) Alien Origin- Shot in the jungles of Belize and filmed by Mark Atkins, this 2012 action movie features scenes in some of Belize’s expansive cave system and even a Mennonite community with mysterious plot about an archeology team that goes missing during an expedition.

6 AMAZING BELIZEAN RESTAURANTS TO THRILL YOUR CULINARY SENSES
For many foodies, a super great meal can be a life-altering experience in the most delicious of ways. And when a restaurant or eatery displays key elements, such as consistency, hospitality and creativity plus superb food day in and out, you simply have to let the word out on these gems. But with new restaurants popping up like microwaved popcorn, it is a tough position to be when deciding which spots deserve your hard-earned cash and especially your time. In this guide, we will walk you through a list of 6 excellent restaurants to eat at in Belize.

Let’s “Sea’s D Day” with Seaduced by Belize
I would give anything to be out at sea every day. A self-appointed water baby, I think the only thing better than splashing waves and salty sea breeze is being out at sea on a decked out boat. Lucky for me, Seaduced by Belize has recently added such a vessel to their fleet and a couple of us lucky My Beautiful Belize writers were invited for a play date. The double-deck houseboat, christened “Sea’s D Day” is the pride of owners Elito and Rebecca Arceo. This vessel is definitely one-of-a-kind, remodelled beautifully by Rebecca herself! Featuring a large sun deck on the upper level, there are plenty of lounge chairs and an ample serving counter. Elito mans the boat from the top. The lower level is even more outstanding with a fully functional kitchen, two lounge areas, a patio and two bathrooms. “Sea’s D Day” departs from Sunset Boardwalk on the lagoon side of the island and, unlike conventional tours, takes you on the leeward coast of the island to a pristine sandbar.

Flores, Guatemala: Is it More Than Just Tikal?
Just 2 days ago, I embarked on my 2 week trip in Guatemala. Not exactly backpacking since the idea of sharing a dorm room with the young party crowd makes me feel…well…tired. But a lazy tour taken solo with a budget (or a guideline budget of $50US a day) – no real schedule or plans except to start my trip in Flores, Guatemala. Flores is just over the western border from Belize. There is the city of Santa Elena (with an airport and a bus station) and her smaller sister island city now connected by a causeway – Flores. Built on top of an older Maya site (like many of the towns in this region), Flores is the ideal spot to start off a Guatemalan holiday. Both are on the 2nd largest lake in Guatelama, Lake Peten Itza. Fresh water and about 40 square miles. Flores has always been referred to as the “gateway to Tikal” and for many, Flores and Tikal seem almost interchangeable. Tikal and the jungle around it are stunningly beautiful and a major Maya site but is it the only reason to go to Flores?

International Sources

Nargis Fakhri’s beach selfie at Belize will give you vacation goals
Nargis Fakhri who's last Bollywood outing was 'Banjo' opposite Riteish Deshmukh is spending her days taking exotic vacays to the most amazing holiday destinations across the globe. She has been spending the last few days in Belize and the leggy lass has been posting some rather interesting pictures from her beach holiday. The svelte actress seems to be having the time of her life basking in the sun. In a recent selfie, the actress can be seen wearing over-sized sun glasses, with her earphones plugged in. Perfect way to enjoy the beach, isn't it? She captioned the picture, "Music produces a kind of pleasure which human nature cannot do without" -Confucius Throwback to good times in Belize #music #vacation.

Why tiny San Pedro is a world famous destination
Madonna first sang about the tiny town of San Pedro, Belize in 1987. Touched by its beauty and charm, she fell in love with the little island paradise. Decades later, the town has changed very little. There are no cars, except taxis. The people ride in golf carts, small motorcycles, and bicycles. There are few places as beautiful and as untouched by the rest of the world.

Videos

January 4, 2017

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro brings in 2017 with a bang!
La Isla Bonita definitely has a reputation for hosting faboulous events, in particular, its New Year’s Eve Countdown. On Saturday, December 31st, hundreds of revelers flocked to the Central Park to bid farewell to 2016, and welcome in 2017. Organized by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC), the annual celebration keeps getting bigger and better every year. With live music from the hottest bands and DJ’s, many party favor giveaways, and a spectacular fireworks display, everyone who celebrated the special event enjoyed themselves to the fullest. The grand party began at 10PM, with musical performances by one of Corozal’s finest—Caribbean Roots. Their upbeat rhythms had everyone dancing as they awaited the big countdown. As midnight drew near, official ceremonies started with a prayer by Pastor Clive Welsh of Lighthouse Christian Radio. Master of Ceremonies Eiden Salazar then called Mayor Daniel Guerrero to the podium to deliver his New Year’s Address.

Outgoing Speaker of the House Sworn-in as New Attorney General
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte was this morning sworn-in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. Hon. Peyrefitte takes on his new role after serving in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since his election in 2012. He now succeeds Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage who demitted office in December 2016 after serving as Attorney General for one year. Mrs. Laura Longsworth has been nominated to replace Hon. Peyrefitte as Speaker of the House.

Misc Belizean Sources

Raymond McLeo wanted under investigations of murder
Raymond McLeod, who is wanted under investigations of murder, was last seen in Placenia, Stann Creek, Belize. McLeod has fled to Belize via Mexico. If McLeod is located, please contact Crime Stoppers Belize, Police or the U.S. Embassy any time, day or night. McLeod is a former Marine with PTSD and may have access to weapons. A warrant has been issued for McLeod’s arrest.

'Neet and clean fi 2017'
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Belize started off their New Year with cleaning Northern Highway and Antelope street for #KeepBelizeCleanIn2017 Campaign. Thanks to Belize City Counsel for their support and to those who came out and helped.

Road north San Pedro
We ended the year by improving and expanding the section of the north road in front of Las Terrazas Resort leading to Journey's End.

Outgoing Speaker of the House Sworn-in as New Attorney General
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte was this morning sworn-in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. Hon. Peyrefitte takes on his new role after serving in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since his election in 2012. He now succeeds Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage who demitted office in December 2016 after serving as Attorney General for one year. Mrs. Laura Longsworth has been nominated to replace Hon. Peyrefitte as Speaker of the House. The new Attorney General was accompanied by family, friends, Ministers of Government, the Cabinet Secretary and His Worship the Mayor of Belize City.

It's been a good year for the Music Ambassador!
The office of the Music Ambassador is dedicated to providing continuous support for our musicians whether financial, infrastructural or educational. The office of the Music Ambassador is pleased to help artists manage and develop their talent as well as find innovative ways to showcase and distribute their talent in the digital era. 2016 was a stellar year for artist support. I would like to thank the acting President of NICH, Gregory T. A. Vernon, for believing in my vision and being committed to supporting the music community. I also thank my colleagues at Institute of Creative Arts - NICH Karen Vernon, Jackie Castillo, Patricia August Mr Welch and Dorren August as well as members of the Music Commission Omar Cloudnine Arzu who constantly finds ways to help artists, Troy Djdalla Flowers who uses his number 1 tv/radio show to promote Belizean artists, Tyfara Andazi, Al Obando, Mr Castillio. Special thanks to Michael H. M. Bowen & Mayor Belize Candice Miller for all their support.

Exodus: A Journey Through Divorce
Belizean Author writes about life after divorce. Set in an exotic, tropical location, Exodus tells the story of divorce that is true no matter where you live in the world! Debbie Mendoza faced this challenge after twenty four years of marriage, and lived to write about it. She addresses the different stages, emotions, and issues, of divorce that are universal. This is no ordinary book about the stages of divorce.It is an intimate look into what it is like for a Christian woman clinging to her belief in God, while letting go of everything that had been normal for her for over two decades. This book is raw and unsettling, and it takes you from despair to hope; from being frantic to gaining peace. It is a beautiful story of God’s redemption.

Splashers
Lets get our splash on this Thursday at Crazy Canucks at 2pm. Please sign up on our website

"Cory" McDermott passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the McDermott family & friends on the passing of Mr. Cormac "Cory" McDermott. Mr. Cory as he was affectionately known made San Pedro his home many years ago and became friends with everyone. His cheerful spirit will be greatly missed. May his soul rest in peace.

New Year's Countdown at Central Park 2016
San Pedro Town welcomed the new year with a bang! As you can see in the pictures, town square was filled to its maximum with residents and visitors to bring in the new year 2017. The crowd gathered in front of the stage in anticipation of the countdown, which was conducted by International DJ from St. Maarten, DJ OUTKAST! "...5-4-3-2-1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" everyone shouted, followed by a grand fireworks display as the clock struck 12! DJ Outkast had the people amped up until 2 in the morning playing all the top hits. After DJ Outkast's performance, the crowd kept on going with Caribbean Roots from Corozal up until 4 in the morning with the crowd's favorite musical selection of cumbia, soca, and even modern hits. The San Pedro Town Council would like to thank everyone who came out to bring in the New Year at the Central Park, and for making this event a successful one. Special thanks goes out to our Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Eiden Salazar, Mr. Clive Welsh for his blessing, Marisha Thompson, Miss San Pedro 2016-2017, DJ Outkast, Brad Hemmings, John Marsden, Caribbean Roots Band, Mauricio Mejia, Skynet Sounds, Mr. Efrain Guerrero, Mr. Windell Stevens, our SPTC Workmen, Sandy Toes Bar, Bamboo Fence, Pedro's Inn, Tropic Air and everyone who was a part of this magnificent event! Until next time!

Poets Corner: Terrorism
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. Ministers should be sent to prison For treasonous acts against Belizean citizens After the eleven days strike, government never learned its lesson Attempting to withhold the teachers’ salaries was an act of terrorism Belize has a terrorism act But most Belizeans are ignorant of this fact Hence the reason they are reluctant to act As the government sets on the unions back Belizeans, we can do better than that I make an appeal to teachers not to yield Parents don’t make government use your children as shields They, the managing authority and secret deals Teachers’ fight is our fight for real If we do not take a stand our fate is sealed Teachers were not consulted when managers and government made their deal Teachers should seek an injunction for real

Oceana VP for Belize Janelle Chanona speaks on becoming the 13th Senator
Chanona stated "As a nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to the teachers, business community and civil society for their unwavering commitment to ensure the appointment of a 13th Senator. It is therefore with an overwhelming sense of patriotic pride that I announce that I have accepted a nomination (thank you Turneffe Atoll Trust) to become Belize's 13th Senator. I do so with the unconditional support of my family and Oceana Belize. Everything I have done and said, and what I will do or say, has been and will always be in effort to be a constructive Belizean and to meaningfully participate the process of nation building. I extend sincere congratulations to my fellow nominees and enthusiastically look forward to the days ahead; we are only as strong as we make each other. May God bless Belize."

Channel 7

Ministry and Managements Shown Up, Schools Didn't Open
The New Year has started, but the new school semester, not quite yet. For weeks we've been covering the push and pull over when school should re-open after the Christmas holidays. The Ministry and the school management says the opening date is today January the third, while the Union says it is the ninth - and parents and students were caught in the middle. So in the end....who had their say, and who had their way? Well, it seems the teachers won out - at least at the Primary School level. Most schools we visited in the city this morning were only half opened: administrators, a few teachers, a good many students, but not enough to have a proper school day. And those students who did go to school were eventually sent home because there wasn't enough critical mass to carry through with a full school day.

Live Grenade Found In City
And while the concern over whether your child is missing out on school is what's worrying households across Belize tonight, in Belize City the story for the New Year so far has been murder. There have been five Belize District murders since Saturday night. Tonight, we'll have all the stories, but we start in the Yabra area where police recovered a grenade today. The Gang Suppression Unit was conducting searches in the area of Old Fabers Road, which is in the turf of a well known city gang. The GSU found it in an abandoned lot, in the near vicinity where another grenade had exploded back in 2008. Fortunately, the cops discovered this one, which was unused, but still very much intact, ready for detonation. The experts have since determined that it is an M26-A1 hand grenade, and our news team was on the scene when the authorities finally retrieved it. Here's what the Acting Commander of the GSU told us at the location:

New Year, Old Murder Trend Continues
And so while that grenade has been taken off the street, tonight Belize City is on edge. That's because Five men have been killed in 65 hours. They are 27 year old Dillon Grinage, killed in Sandhill on New Year's Eve, 22 year-old Colin Sutherland killed in Belize City on New Year's Day, 28 year-old Robert Gillett killed in Belize City yesterday, 32 year old Kenneth Dobson, killed in Belize city last night, and 19 year old Randolph Johnson killed in Belize City this afternoon. All of them were killed with firearms.

City Sees Another Murder After Long Weekend of Violence
Our coverage on this panorama of violence begins with the most recent murder. That happened this afternoon on the Western Highway near mile two and a half. It is across the highway from the old entrance for the dumpsite. The circumstances of the shooting are not known - but we do know that 19-year-old Randolph Johnson was killed. He is from the nearby Police Street area. We spoke to his family who said that they are waiting for police to tell them what happened. We observed two abandoned bicycles on the scene, and we saw police searching in the bushes. Police have one known suspect they are looking for. The officer commanding southside could not be reached for comment. We'll have more on this tomorrow.

"Fudgie" Met An Unexpected End
Another city man was shot dead in front of his friends on Raccoon Street Extension. 32 year old Kenneth Dobson was at a friend's house last night when a gunman walked up and shot him. There are varying reports as to how many men attacked Dobson but it is believed that the true story can be found on a store's surveillance footage. We have more details. Courtney Weatherbune reporting: Kenneth Dobson always hung out under this Raccoon Street house with his friends. He would drop by, have a few drinks and play dominoes. But last night, this space that brought him and his friends so much joy and laughter is now tainted with his blood. Dobson better known as "Fudgie" was shot and killed around 7:30. Reports are that the gunman walked through this gate up to Dobson and shot him several times. Dobson apparently tried to fight him off but he couldn't. He then tried to run away but collapsed here. Not too long after, Dobson's sister got the shocking call. Voice of: Sister: "The dynamites are exploding and all kinds of things are happening around but we are not paying any attention to it until my phone rang and when my phone rang they told me to come because Fudgie got shot and I asked where? and they said right here by Ralph's, so I got up and I went and when I went out there I saw him on the ground and I spoke to the lady and I told her I am his family member and I want to see him because I do not believe it."

Sutherland Slain, A Family Grieves
And now we turn to the New Year's Day murder of 22 year-old Colin Sutherland, a Belize City resident from the Conch Shell Bay area. It happened some time after 7 on Sunday night in front of the BEL China UNO Gas Station on Youth For the Future Drive. By all accounts, he was a law-abiding citizen, and he was near to home, but none of that mattered when a car pulled up right next to him on Vernon Street. A gunman immediately jumped out and opened fire injuring him in the chest, the upper abdomen, in his back, and in the right upper thigh. Today, in a joint press conference featuring all 3 commanders of the Eastern Division, Assistant Police Commissioner CHester Williams shared what details they have at this time: ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern Division South: "On Sunday, January 1st, sometime around 6:30 p.m. there about, Police responded to a shooting incident, on Youth for the Future Drive, right in front of the Bel China Gas Station. Upon arrival at the location, the police observed the wounded body of a male person identified as Colin Sutherland. He was rushed to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival."

Ms. Belize To Ms. Universe
Since winning the Ms. Belize pageant in in September 2016, Rebecca Rath has been travelling the country attending events and promoting charities. She has also been preparing to represent Belize on the world stage at the 2017 Ms. Universe pageant. Today Rath left Belize to make the final preparations for the competition, which will be held in the Philippines. Before she left we got a chance to speak to her about her experience as Ms. Belize so far, and her hopes for the Ms. Universe pageant. Alex Courtenay, 7News: "Let's backtrack a bit and talk to us about the experience after winning Miss Belize Universe and preparation into going to Miss Universe." Rebecca Rath, Ms. Belize Universe: "It's been a lot of work, it's been conditioning your body, mind, getting your wardrobe ready and doing your research on world issues because you never know what they're going to ask you out there, what's going to happen when you in Manilla. So now that the time is finally here and I'm getting ready to leave I'm so excited, feeling prepared and ready."

Robert Gillett Slain
We continue our coverage of the long weekend's list of murders with our story on the Monday afternoon murder of 28 year-old Robert Gillett. He was killed on the very last of the 3-day holiday on North Front Street. At this time, police aren't exactly sure why he was targeted, but today, the Eastern Division North Police Commander, Dezerie Phillips shared what they have been able to piece together since the broad daylight killing. Here's what she told us: ACP Dezerie Phillips - OC, Eastern Division North: "Yesterday, Monday January 2, sometime around 12 midday, police responded to shot being fire on North Front Street. Upon arrival Robert Gillett, 28 years-old, was observed lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds to the body. He was rushed to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Investigations so far have revealed that Gillett was walking on North Front Street, from the direction of Mapp Street, when a car pulled up and shots were fired from the car, fatally wounding him. Police have launched an investigation into the matter. We have 2 persons detained so far, and a motive has not been established as yet."

Dillon Grinage Was Weekend's First Murder
And the last murder to report tonight was the weekend's first. It happened in Sandhill on Saturday night. Dillon Grinage was sitting near a food shop at the Maskall junction when a gunman snuck up from behind and shot him. Reports are that his murder was as a result of a disagreement between Grinage and his shooter. Police gave us more details today in a press conference. Grinage's grandmother also told us how difficult it will be for her now without him. ACP Edward Broaster, OC, Rural Eastern Division: "On Saturday, the 31st of December, the Rural Eastern Division received reports of a person who was shot at the junction of the Old Northern Highway and the Philip Goldson Highway. This occurred at about 9:10 p.m. When police arrived on the scene they saw a male person with gunshot wounds to his body, and they tried to rush him to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. Our investigation revealed that the deceased, Dillon Grinage, was seated with another male person when the lone gunman came from a northerly direction and fired several shots at them, where they were seated at Analee's Food Shop. The deceased received 6 gunshot wounds, and we have mounted, since then, a manhunt for the suspect, who was caught yesterday. We are doing some follow-up, and more-than-likely, he will be charged today for murder. The evidence that we have gathered so far, led us to that individual."

Cops Try To Contain Crime Spike
So, it's a very violent start for the New Year, and coming off 2016 which saw 137 murders, or a 15% increase, the police are under pressure to reign in the violence. Today the 3 commanders of Eastern Division told us what they plan to do:... ACP Chester Williams - OC, Eastern Division South: "Yes, the way the year began is of concern, and rightfully so. Three murders in 2 days is way too much, and I will take the opportunity now to assure the residents of Southside Belize City that Southside Belize City will be safer than it was last year. The police production will be better than it was last year, as well. We have tried a new approach to policing, which will continue, but while we embark on that new approach. I will send sound warning to those persons who have not taken advantage of the 1 year and 6 months to decide whether or not they want to change their lifestyle, that the style of policing will be changed where they are concerned. In the sense that, you cannot be out there on one hand, committing crime, and pushing others to commit crime, and on the other hand, think that you can call me and I will rescue or I'll take the police off your back. That will not happen. I have given my strike team new directions this morning, and like Mr. Broaster said, the criminals will be complaining more of the police. It is not my style to brutalize people. So police brutality is surely out of the window. The officers will be out there in a more aggressive manner in the gang ridden neighborhoods, conducting stop and search, of them, their vehicles, motorcycles, whatever they're seen on. They will be harassed by the police until they get the message."

Former Speaker Is New AG
Former House Speaker Michael Peyrefitte was today sworn in as Attorney General. In a double move, Peyrefitte vacates the House Speaker's seat, which he has held since 2012 - and immediately takes up the post left by Vanessa Retreage, who is returning to private life. Peyrefitte was known as a sometimes quick-tempered House Speaker - and he clashed many times with the often-combative PUP Representative Julius Espat. In August that famously culminated in Espat's forcible ejection from the House under Peyrefitte's order. That rift still has not been mended, and, now, the task of making it right falls to the new speaker Laura Longsworth. Peyrefitte will now be a member of the upper house, as he also takes up Retreage's vacant post as Senator. Peyrefitte will now have a seat in Cabinet - and he leaves his private practice as an attorney.

Two Killed In Teakettle Fatal
Two Cayo men were killed on New Year's Eve when their motorbikes had a head on collision. It happened on New Year's Eve at around 6:00 pm between miles 53 and 54 on the Western Highway, which is the stretch between Teakettle and Ontario villages. 24 year old Honduran construction worker, Byron Reyes and 16 year old Belizean Devon Reyes were riding their motorbikes in opposite direction when they ran into each other. The media spoke via phone with the sisters of Devon Reyes about what they know about the incident. Leticia Reyes, Sister of Deceased: "Last night just before my brother died I was talking to him. I was at home at the back standing by the door when they were coming from behind the bush, him and my little cousin. He asked 'sis what did you cook?'. I told him I already cooked stew beans with beef and white rice. He said 'give me some then' so I said 'you begged too late its done already' then he said 'anyways thanks'. He walked away and turned around and said 'sister you haven't even given me a Christmas gift; I want a new year's gift from you'. He went back across to my cousin's house. By the time I came down the hill to my mom, he was standing out in the road. We were sitting when my next brother passed on bicycle and said 'you guys are here laughing when your brother just died?'. I said 'what? no, "grandpa" (Devon Reyes) isn't dead'. That is how they called him. My brother in law was here the same time so we went to check if it's true. By the time we arrived and saw the police lights we saw the accident when we jumped out and saw the same cycle he left on."

Ex US Marine Wanted For US Murder, Suspected To Be In Belize
Ex US Marine, Raymond McLeod, is currently wanted by the San Diego Police for the murder of his girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell. Mitchell, was found dead in the apartment of an acquaintance, and was last seen alive in Mcleod's company. That was in June, and according to reports, McLeod fled to Belize through Mexico. And now they want your help to find him. In a bulleting sent out by the US Embassy in Belmopan, San Diego police say he is likely to frequent gyms and is possibly working in construction. They also say that he suffers Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time as a Marine and may have access to weapons. McLeod was last seen in Placencia. If anyone has any information on his whereabouts, they can contact Crime Stoppers Belize, their local police station or the US Embassy.

Weed In Septic Tank
As we told you earlier, the GSU found a grenade today on Faber's Road. But that wasn't all they did. They also conducted a search in an abandoned lot on Jane Usher Boulevard. During the search, the officers checked the contents of a septic tank on the lot where they discovered a knapsack containing four bags of cannabis, altogether weighing about 14 ounces. No one was area where the drugs were found so they were labelled as Found Property.

Another City Murder
And before we continue tonight, we can report that another shooting has occurred. It happened just a few minutes ago on Holy Emanuel Street in the St. Martin's Area. A man was shot multiple times. We'll have more on this later in the news.

The New Year's New Baby
The first baby of the new year at the KHMH was born just a few seconds after midnight. She is Kelcey Garnett - but regrettably, her mother was too shy to talk to the media today. So we did talk to the father of the second baby. He is 8 pound 7 ounce, Zander Steven Canto and he was born at 3:04 am on Sunday morning. His parents are from Caye Caulker, and his dad Mario says the baby was due on boxing day, but he held off until New Year's. Here's how he put it:... The San Cas Group also left packages for other new mothers in the ward. Their program of gift hampers for newborns also extends to the districts.

KREM Cycling Classic, Who's A Contender
And while all those new years babies brought joy to their families, Belize's elite cyclists were in pain on the northern highway - riding into a difficult headwind to see who would claim the fame of being first, and the fortune of accumulating the most station prizes in the KREM New Year's Day Cycling classic. The race is seen as one of the most important classics leading up to the cross country, because it immediately separates the contenders from the pretenders. Our Codie Norales was out on the road:...

Dramatic Sprint In Women's Race
And while Ron Vasquez beat his competition by five minutes, the winner of the junior race, Shaun Codd, was about four and a half minutes ahead of his competition. The only dramatic sprint for first came in the female race where Alicia Thompson edged out Kaya Cattouse in a spectacular burst of speed.

Channel 5

Randolph Johnson Killed in Afternoon City Murder
2016 closed with a record number of murders, one thirty-seven persons were killed by December thirty-first. The carnage at the start of 2017 shows no signs of letting up so [...]

Robert Gillett Shot Dead on North Front Street
Prior to the murder of Randolph Johnson this afternoon, twenty-eight-year-old Robert Gillett was executed on North Front Street around midday on Monday. Police have not ruled out that it may [...]

Grenade Recovered from Near Cumberbatch Field by G.S.U.
The discovery of a live M26 fragmentation hand grenade this morning, by personnel attached to the Gang Suppression Unit, continues to draw attention to an exceptionally violent and bloody New [...]

Schools Re-Open; Where Are the Teachers?
Across the country, teachers were not in classrooms in response to a call from the Belize National Teachers Union. The latest dispute between the B.N.T.U. and the Ministry of Education [...]

Recent Inmate Kenneth Dobson is Another Murder Victim
The New Year continued with a second murder on Monday night. Thirty-one-year-old Kenneth Dobson was shot and killed while he socialized with friends on Raccoon Street Extension. The Belize City [...]

Colin Sutherland was Belize’s First Murder Victim in 2017
Twenty-two-year-old Colin Sutherland was shot and killed as he walked on Youth For the Future Drive on New Year’s Day. A man got out of a vehicle and fired several [...]

Murder in Sandhill; Socializing Dillon Grinage Killed before New Year
While families celebrated the holidays, others grieved as criminals took over the streets. In Ladyville, Belize District, twenty-five year old Dillon Grinage was executed at a local food stall by [...]

Fetus Found Stuffed in Large Coffee Bottle Near Mopan River
The New Year is considered a time for new beginnings, mostly summarized with the appearances of babies. But one baby boy didn’t make it to 2017. Benque Viejo Police were [...]

“Miss Belize” Departs for Philippines – Rebecca Rath Considered a Favourite
There’s some good news to report tonight amid all the crime…With the Miss Universe 2017 pageant just weeks away in Philippines, Rebecca Rath, our Miss Belize, left earlier today to [...]

Michael Peyrefitte Steps Up as Attorney General
Heading over to Belmopan…the first order of official business at Belize House this morning was the swearing-in of Michael Peyrefitte as Attorney General. Peyrefitte took the oath before Governor General [...]

Welcoming the Newest Belizeans in 2017
There’s another reason to celebrate. The first baby to be born this year is baby Kelsey Garnett. She was delivered at twelve on Sunday morning weighing seven pounds six ounces. [...]

Frank Young Charged, But He Insists He Did Not Kill David Andrews
They hung out together, but police believe that twenty-year-old Frank Alexander Young decided to kill nineteen year old David Andrews on December twenty-third on Racoon Street, for unknown reasons. As [...]

Massive Motorcycle Crash Snuffs Out 2 Young Lives in Teakettle
In addition to over one hundred and thirty lives lost to violence, by guns or other means, the highways and other roads also exacted a heavy toll. Though we were [...]

Ex-Marine Turned Accused Killer May Be Hiding in Belize
The US Embassy has issued a bulletin seeking information on the whereabouts of U.S. national Raymond Samuel McLeod Junior, who is wanted in connection with the murder of Krystal Mitchell [...]

Sports Tuesday: Belmopan Bandits Are Premier League Champions
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   {Feature on weekend sporting activities….}

CTV3

Teachers Country Wide Stay Away From Classrooms
The gates of most Primary and Secondary schools remained closed here in Orange Walk today, contrary to what had been decided by the Ministry of Education and Managers of Pre, Primary and Secondary schools who decided that classes were to resume today, January 3rd to make up time for BNTU’s eleven day strike in October of last year. While the Ministry and school managers remained intent on having schools re-open today, BNTU held their ground and as mentioned in Friday’s newscast following a meeting, BNTU Orange Walk unanimously agreed to take their full Christmas break and go back to the classroom until January 9th as stipulated in the education rules. Based on what we observed today it is safe to say that parents and teachers continue to support the union. Our news team visited various primary and high schools today and only found a couple operational. The gates at Trial Farm Government, Chapels, Salomons, San Francisco and La Inmaculada Primary Schools were padlocked and no one was present. While St. Peters Primary School was open, classrooms were locked up. Louisiana Government School was open with 54 students in class out of the over nine hundred.

Teachers In Corozal Ditch The Classrooms
The Belize National Teacher’s Union’s insistence that classes should open on January 9th instead of the Ministry of education’s advised date –January 3rd – seems to have been resoundingly accepted by teachers and even parents at most schools in Corozal also. We found nearly 80% of schools closed or with insufficient number of students or teachers to hold regular classes. We found closed Corozal Methodist School, Guadalupe RC Primary School, San Antonio Government School, Mary Hill R.C., and Xaibe Government School. We found St. Francis Xavier open with a significant number of students in attendance. Corozal Community College resumed classes as scheduled with students showing up. In Paraiso Village the school was open for classes, but only 5 of 12 teachers reported and about 20 students.

Corozal Resident Knocked Down
A Ranchito family has started the New Year with some terrible news after their loved one passed away in a road traffic accident on Monday evening just outside Xaibe Village. 47 year old Valdemar Cawich, better known to his friends as “Baby”, was driving his red motorcycle with Corozal license plate M-0515 from Patchakan Village to Xaibe Village around 5:30pm on Monday January 2nd when at this curve, he lost control of the cycle and was thrown off, landing face first onto the road side. Reports from authorities that the injuries to Cawich’s face were so severe that he died shortly after impact and could not be identified by his facial features. His identity was confirmed until they found an I.D. card on the body. Cawich had reportedly been socialising and taking a few drinks with friends earlier in the day, which is suspected to have been one of the reasons he lost control of the cycle at the curve.

Former Speaker Of The House Sworn In As New Attorney General
This morning Hon. Michael Peyrefitte was sworn-in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. The former Speaker of the House of Representatives succeeds Senator Hon. Vanessa Retreage who demitted office in December 2016 after serving as Attorney General for one year and as Minister of Natural Resources for approximately four months. Peyrefitte served in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since his election in 2012 and taking over his position is Laura Longsworth. Of note is that in October 2016, Peyrefitte had filed a lawsuit against the then Attorney General Vanessa Retreage and the Auditor General Dorothy Bradley. The new Attorney General was accompanied this morning by family, friends, Ministers of Government, the Cabinet Secretary and His Worship the Mayor of Belize City.

LOVE FM

Teacher Gets Shot in Seine Bight
A 32-year-old teacher is recovering from a gunshot wound to the foot in southern Belize. The Dangriga woman was visiting friends in Seine Bight Village, Stann Creek District and was talking to a cousin near Nautical Inn when they heard noises resembling the sound of pop-shots. Those noises turned out to be gunshots; moments later […]

Pump Action on Partridge
A 12 gauge pump action shot gun was found this morning by Belize City Police. Officers attached to Eastern Division South located the firearm on Partridge Street. No one was in the immediate area at the time of the search so the shot gun was taken to the station where it was stored as ‘found […]

Breaking Belize News

Another man killed in Belize City; 5th murder of 2017
The dangerous streets of the old capital have claimed another life. The fifth murder in only three days of the New Year 2017. Reports are that the victim was shot a short while ago in the Holy Emmanuel area of Belize City. Information to […]

Shooting in Belize City this afternoon
Reports reaching our newsroom is that a man was shot a short while ago near Belize Waste Control on the George Price Highway in Belize City. The victim has been identified as 19-year-old Randolph Johnson also known as “Tunups” of the Lake Independence area […]

Outgoing Speaker of the House sworn in as new Attorney General
Today, Michael Peyrefitte was sworn in as Attorney General before the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. Peyrefitte takes on his new role after serving in the capacity of Speaker of the House of Representatives since […]

GOB and UN sign United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework (UN MSDF)
Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release informing that Minister Wilfred Elrington and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Belize, Christian Salazar Volkmann, signed the United Nations Multi-country Sustainable Development Framework (UN MSDF) at a brief ceremony held in Belize City […]

Fetus found on river bank in Benque Viejo?
According to police reports, on Saturday evening, December 31, 2016 around 4:15, acting upon information received, Benque Viejo Police visited an area along the banks of the Mopan River on Riverside Street, Benque Viejo Town, where they saw a large transparent coffee glass bottle […]

GSU remove grenade off the streets of Belize City
Reports reaching our newsroom are that the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) found a grenade this morning around 9 by the Yabra area in Belize City. The grenade has since been transported to experts from the Belize Defense Force for examination. No one has been […]

Southside cops take shotgun off City streets
In light of the bloody New Year weekend, south side cops in Belize City have managed to take a gun off the streets, their first for the year. Acting on intelligence, the police conducted a search this morning at around 12:30 in an undisclosed […]

Blogs

Wildtracks blog: How one Google search changed my life...
It's easier to continue with a life you might consider comfortable, than deal with the uncertainty of disruptions. I had drifted down this path that most would consider successful. But for me, I spent one too many mornings unhappy, dreading the day ahead. I literally felt like I was living the dream life of somebody else and I kept asking myself, "how did I get here?" I needed a change, but what? Once I was ready to take the leap, that's where the Google search came to be. "Volunteering with Manatees". Why? It was the first thing I was ever passionate about - saving manatees from extinction. Fast-forward 7 months, after quitting my job, leaving NYC and traveling for the first 3 months of my "freedom", I found myself at Wildtracks. I remember walking in to chaos at breakfast and not knowing what to expect. After a few days of getting acclimated, I was asked if I'd like to go meet Annie, a one year old howler monkey, in the nursery. I thought "What am I doing meeting a baby monkey? I came here for manatees...", but of course I kept this to myself. I can still remember the first time Annie climbed into my lap and purred. It was like nothing I've ever experienced in my life. And from that moment I knew, my life would never be the same....

International Sources

Meet the Central American Women the United States Is Detaining and Deporting
"Neither El Salvador, Guatemala, nor Honduras averages fewer than 31 murders for every 100,000. The region has the highest rate of violent killing in the world but for the deadliest war zones. “When you have refugee conditions, and people are really in peril of their lives, there's no such thing as creating a 'deterrent.' And then you’re taking a traumatized population and you’re re-traumatizing them through what can only be described as prison, using euphemistic terms like ‘family detention.'”

Passports for Sale
The following script is from “Passports for Sale,” which aired on Jan. 1, 2017. Steve Kroft is the correspondent. Graham Messick and Evie Salomon, producer. If you have been thinking about leaving the United States, moving to another country and changing your nationality, it’s never been easier to do. In this era of globalization, citizenship and passports have become just another commodity to be bought and sold on the international market. All you need is money and a willingness to contribute a few hundred thousand dollars to the treasury of a cash-starved country or acquire a piece of real estate there. It’s called citizenship by investment and it’s become a $2 billion industry built around people looking for a change of scenery or a change of passport, a new life or maybe a new identity, a getaway from the rat race, or perhaps an escape from an ex-spouse or Interpol. In any event, it’s brought in huge amounts of revenue for the sellers and attracted among the buyers a rogue’s gallery of scoundrels, fugitives, tax cheats, and possibly much worse. If you’re shopping for another passport, the top of the line right now is Malta. By investing a million dollars in this Mediterranean island, a Russian or Chinese or a Saudi can become a European citizen with a new EU passport that will allow them to travel just about anywhere without a visa. There are also much cheaper, less discriminating alternatives available in the Caribbean, especially on the tiny island of Dominica, where Lennox Linton is a member of Parliament.

Vote for Your Favorite Caribbean Dive Site!
Happy New Year! Belize has been nominated in the latest 10Best Readers' Choice travel award contest, which just launched today! An expert panel selected Belize as a contender for Best Caribbean Dive Site. The contest, being promoted by USA TODAY, gives voters four weeks to vote for the candidate of their choice. A person can vote once a day for the duration of the contest.

International & Nationwide Sale, Southwest Airlines
Low fares on flights. Our friends at Southwest Airlines have a sale to Belize on right now. As little as $126usd each way .

The top travel destinations for 2017
Once you've eaten all the latkes and played all the board games, youre going to need another way to fill the bank holidays. And when its cold and grey outside, whats better than planning your holidays for next year? Here's our hot list of the top travel destinations for 2017. There’s nothing like a new flight route to catapult a destination to everyone’s attention and Belize is the latest, getting a direct route from Heathrow with American Airlines last month, saving those precious holiday days previously spent in transit in the USA or Mexico. Around the same size as Israel, you can also pack plenty into a trip once you arrive — jungle, Mayan civilisations, snorkelling and diving on the world’s second largest barrier reef to name a few. Family travel specialists Stubborn Mule have tipped it as their top destination for family adventure too.

Videos

January 3, 2017

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, and other specials

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker: 6 free evening classes in Conversational English and also 6 free classes of Basic Computer Skills!
6 free evening classes in Conversational English and also 6 free classes of Basic Computer Skills! Tuesday January 3rd, 7:30-8:30pm in the upstairs Village Council room. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week and also next week. Instructors are students enrolled in a Technology and Education course at Miami University of Ohio. Just show up to register, or contact Joni Miller of Ocean Academy at 615-0408, FB or [email protected]

BELIZE'S WONDER WOMEN! The Women Who Help Make Belize Great!
For the month of January we are proud to announce that Ofelia Novelo is our Belize Wonder Woman! We feature one such individual, one that through her gallant efforts has worked hard to better the lives of women in Orange Walk. We feature Mrs. Ophelia Novelo nee Campos, founder and integral part of the group MAMAS ( Mujeres Ayudando a Mujeres A Superarse (Women helping women to excel) ). Mrs. Novelo is an artisan and instructor born in Orange Walk Town. Possessing the natural ability to care and nurture others, at the tender age of 15, she put her skills to the test and joined the medical field as a nurse at the old Orange Walk Hospital, where she assisted in birth deliveries.

The Reporter

2017 sees first murder
Continuing along the trend of rising gun violence that ended 2016, Belize has already seen its first murder for the new year. Colin Sutherland, a resident of the Conch Shell Bay area, was gunned down after 6 p.m., on New Year’s Day on Youth for the Future Drive, near the Traffic Department. Initial reports had named one Felix Sutherland, Colin’s older brother, as the murder victim; however, police confirmed this morning that it was, in fact, Colin that got shot. Police are investigating the incident.

Breaking Belize News

Third murder in second day of 2017
Reports reaching our newsroom is that a man was shot shortly before 9:00 p.m. Details are sketchy but preliminary information indicates that the murder occurred on the Raccoon Street extension. The victim has been identified but BBN will withhold the name as details are […]

Vega-Pitts land saga stalled by latest Cabinet re-shuffle
It has now been 63 days since Andre Vega and Sharon Pitts were ordered to return the $400,000 they each had received from the Government of Belize in suspicious land transactions. Resigned Attorney General Vanessa Retreage had written Pitts and Vega in October ordering […]

Belize City sees second murder on second day of the year
Reports reaching our newsroom is that a man was shot to the head around lunch time today at the corner of Mapp and North Front Street. Details are sketchy but preliminary information indicates that the victim, identified as 28-year-old Robert Gillett, died on the spot. […]

Miss Belize Universe ranks 18th by pageant experts
The 65th edition of the Miss Universe pageant will be held on January 30, 2017 at the Mall of Asia Arena, Manila, Philippines. Rebecca Rath will be representing Belize at the distinguished event. Rath has gained more popularity after winning the Miss Belize Universe pageant […]

Fair weather conditions to prevail
The 24-hour forecast is for mostly fair and warm weather to continue with sunny skies today and partly cloudy tonight. The wind will blow from the east to southeast at 10-20 knots. The sea state will be moderate. High temperatures are expected as follows: […]

Man stabbed in San Pedro last night
San Pedro police are investigating an incident that left one man with multiple stab injuries last night.As of this morning, the victim is alive and is being transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital while the suspected attacker is in police custody awaiting charges. BBN […]

Blogs

Tropical New Years and a World Resolution
This year was a first in that I would say my friends and I ran into very few people we knew while ringing in the New Year. Due to our foursome being a bit like a fast moving Goldilocks (this bar is to crowded, that one too loud) we had our friends Jules and Rosemary sprinting after us. We ended up finding the perfect spot on the beach and of course Murphy’s law kicked in they were already doing last call at Nook so we enjoyed a relaxing drink and had to find a different spot to enjoy the show. I was glad we did as it gave me a chance to check out the fireworks barge up close before we picked our watching spot – a nice relatively uncrowded dock. I was also glad we had detoured back to my house along the way for my pashmena. It was quite chilly that night and I would have been shivering without it. As we waited for them to start and listened to Mayor Danny’s speech, I enjoyed hearing him give accolades to Raise Me Up, San Pedro Red Cross and other charities as well as some good reality TV, watching boats go by on the water.

New Years Day in San Pedro: A Crowded Beach, A Party at Estel’s and a Flotilla of BucketLusters
Yesterday was a gorgeous way to start 2017. 1. We are in sunny San Pedro. 2. The beach was busy with kids, families and visitors swimming and just relaxing and 3. My favorite breakfast spot, Estel’s by the Sea was celebrating her 25th birthday. And…for a little added interest – a flotilla of catamarans had just arrived after an all night New Years party at the Lazy Lizard on Caye Caulker. A group of about 150 people from all over the world – I will call them the Bucket Lusters. You can find out more about them online. But not quite enough…it leaves you wanting WAY more information. Estel’s was working EXTRA hard…not exactly taking time to rest on their laurels for the 25th anniversary. They had been open until 3am on New Years Eve and then opened an hour later for breakfast. The crew had been working since then.

This is Belize: Last sunrise of 2016, first sunset of 2017 and stuff in between — some fake, some real
The last sunrise on Ambergris Caye for 2016 was a real beauty. A diaphanous gold, like spun cotton candy, filled the air out to the reef as an early morning sun shower cleansed us, washed away this most unusual year. Happy New Year to you all! May your every dream find its path to fulfillment in 2017. Thanks to the recent addition of Moppit to the household, sunrises are becoming a daily thing. In pre-Moppit days, I would awaken at a civilized hour and think, “Wow. That must have been a nice sunrise. Maybe tomorrow.” My specialty is the sweet spot between mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Either side of that you most likely will find me napping, thinking terribly deep thoughts, meditating or, uh, napping — sometimes all at once. Now we discover that Moppit has a penchant for early morning walks. Early morning. I am also discovering that Rose is already up at that hour, getting ready for her day at Island Pilates by Rose, planning out routines, selecting music, drinking coffee, reviewing her schedule, making lists, responding to e-mails.

International Sources

Technology students help provide computers in Belize
Computer networking and repair students at Eastern Oklahoma Technology Center took the skills they acquired in class and used them to benefit students and teachers in Central America. The Eagle Mountain-Saginaw independent school district's instructional technology and curriculum departments in Fort Worth, Texas, worked with the nonprofit organization Teachers Reaching Teachers Globally to provide computers for principal teachers in the Toledo district of Belize. EOC Tech students installed operating systems on the desktop computers and laptops that were donated. EOC Tech computer networking and repair instructor Josh Davis worked for the Texas school district for 10 years, and his brother-in-law currently works there. “My brother-in-law's office got involved with this nonprofit that provides tech to poor teachers in rural Belize,” Davis said. “They gathered up a bunch of laptops and took them to Belize, where they conducted a day or two of training with these teachers.”

An Ancient City Emerges in a Remote Rain Forest
Most of the important archaeological sites in Central America were “discovered” by archaeologists who, in fact, didn’t discover them at all but were led to the ruins by local people. I’ve known several Maya archaeologists who routinely started fieldwork in a new area by heading into a dive bar and hoisting beers with the locals while listening to various bullshitters spin tales about ruins they’d seen in the jungle; once in a while, a story would turn out to be true. But, because these sites were long known to local people, they had invariably been disturbed, if not badly looted. The revelation of an ancient city in a valley in the Mosquitia mountains, of Honduras, one of the last scientifically unexplored regions on Earth, was a different story. This was the first time a large archaeological site had been discovered in a purely speculative search using a technology called lidar, or “light detection and ranging,” which can map terrain through the thickest jungle foliage, an event I chronicled in a story for the magazine in 2013. As a result, this discovery revealed something vanishingly rare: a city in an absolutely intact, undisturbed, pristine state, buried in a rain forest so remote and untouched that the animals there appeared never to have seen people before. After the piece came out in The New Yorker, I returned to the region with a joint Honduran-American archaeological expedition to explore the city on the ground. On February 17, 2015, our helicopter landed in a slotlike zone macheted out of a stand of heliconia, next to an unnamed river in the valley scientists had nicknamed Target One, or T1. There were five of us, along with three British ex-S.A.S. jungle-warfare specialists, whose job was to keep us alive for the next nine days.

Videos

January 2, 2017

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, and other specials

Misc Belizean Sources

Does anyone know what's going on here near the old NOVA shrimp farm in Toledo District?
The southern margin of these ponds shows someone recently added a dike around mangrove habitat...and that's not ok.

Vivian's Anniversary Celebration
Happy 1st anniversary, Vivian's Cafe! They are celebrating today, and have some fun activities for the kids. "Come and celebrate with us our 1st ANNIVERSARY at our current location! This year we've expanded our menu to include latte's, on-the-rocks drinks, hot coffees, pastries & more blended drinks and we're thankful for the support we've received from all our customers nation-wide! Join us for an evening of good family fun where we'll have the following & other surprises: Face Painting with Abi from 2:30pm - 6:30pm Photo Booth corner with professional photographer Amir Lozano Combo deals on a new product we're launching: Caramel Popcorn"

The Reporter

Teen dies in Cayo RTA
Two people, one of them a minor, are dead following a road traffic accident involving motorcycles on the George Price Highway last night. According to police, a 24-year-old Honduran construction worker crashed into 16-year-old Belizean, Devon Reyes, around 6:30 p.m., on the George Price Highway between miles 53 and 54. Both riders, who live in Teakettle Village, received severe head and body injuries and died on the spot. Their collision marks the last RTA of 2016, but the continuation of a spike in accidents on the major highways within the past few weeks. At the start of the holiday season the Police Department had asked drivers to be cautious on the highway; however, for the month of December, there have been RTA’s in San Ignacio, Orange Walk, Belmopan, Hattieville, and Belize City, among other locations.

2016 ends with murder!
While many Belizeans were enjoying New Year’s Eve festivities, a Sandhill Resident lost his life to gun violence. Police say that shortly after 9 p.m., Dilon Grinage was socializing in Ladyville, when a lone gunman approached him. The gunman fired approximately six shots at Grinage, three of which found their target. Grinage received one gunshot wound to the head and two more to the chest. Grinage fought for his life, and he was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), but died at around 10:10 p.m. Police say that they don’t have anyone detained in connection with this latest homicide, and that they do not have any suspects. Grinage’s death marks the last murder for 2016. Police are expected to release the full Crimes Comparative Statistics for 2016 later this week. Unofficial reports are that murders were slightly above the figure for 2015. The Department has ongoing preventative measures within Belize City, including increased stop and search for known gang affiliates, and mediation to avoid retaliation, to try and curb the recent spike in violent crime, particularly with the use of firearms.

Breaking Belize News

Conch Shell Bay man 2017’s first murder victim
The year 2017 has already recorded its first murder in southside Belize City. The incident happened a short while ago on Youth for the Future Drive near the BelChina bridge. Collin Sutherland, a resident of nearby Conch Shell Bay was shot and reportedly died […]

Last murder of 2016 happened last night in Ladyville
The last murder of 2016 occurred sometime after 9:00 last night in Ladyville. According to police reports, at around 9:10 p.m. Dilon Grinage, a 26-year-old Belizean laborer of Sandhill was socializing when a lone gunman fired 5 to 6 shots at him. He received one […]

Two dead in motorcycle collision
Two men died in a fatal motorcycle collision last night. According to police reports, at around 6:30 p.m. between mile 53 and 54 on the George Price Highway, Byron Reyes, 24, a Honduran Construction Worker of Teakettle village and Devon Reyes, 16, a Belizean Laborer […]

Blogs

A Drive in the Country to Chat & Chill, North Ambergris Caye
2016 was a big change for me. I dropped my title of “townie” or resident of the south-side and moved north. WAY north. 7 miles to be exact. If you are like I was less than one year ago, that would mean nothing. Here are my estimations of where the mile markers are. North Ambergris Caye Mile 3: Belizean Shores Resort (end of paved road), Mile 4: Turn to Secret Beach, Mile 5: Rojo/Mata Chica, Mile 6: Canary Cove, Mile 7: Xtan Ha Resort, Mile 8: La Beliza Resort (old Blue Reef), Mile 11: El Secreto, Mile 14: Tranquility Bay So…we drove north. The hard packed road from Miles 3 to 7 has been getting worse with rain, wear and tear and the HEAVY truck traffic but once you pass Mile 7, the resorts and the traffic thin out. And the road becomes smoother and you are surrounded, mostly, with nature. It’s really quite beautiful. Yup…that’s corn.

Enjoy Affordable Island Living in Belize
The seafront widens into an expansive, soft-sand beach lined with lime green, yellow, orange, and plum-colored kiosks. They tempt you with margaritas, beers, and sweet treats. Occasionally a golf cart drives by, but most people get around on bicycles, or on foot. The island of Caye Caulker is classic Caribbean—a rare find these days. Life is simple, laidback, and close to nature. It’s a perfect spot if you enjoy swimming, diving, fishing, and snorkeling. A growing arts scene is attracting painters and other artisans who appreciate the quiet lifestyle and draw inspiration from the unspoiled, natural beauty. And right now, Caye Caulker is sitting in a “sweet spot.” It still feels old school, with its palm-lined beach and two-story clapboard homes (no high-rises here). With fewer than 2,000 residents, there’s room to move, and barely any traffic. Yet the island has reliable electric power, water, and internet service. There’s a rich mix of restaurants, bars, and coffee houses. And it’s English-speaking, which makes it easy to adjust to life here. Best of all, it offers great value compared to most other Caribbean islands. A long-term rental here typically goes for $1,000 to $1,200 a month. By contrast, a similar rental in the Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands would run closer to $3,000 a month. And from what I hear from expats on the ground, it’s much more difficult to get residence and/or start up a business in many of the more saturated Caribbean spots.

International Sources

Looking Ahead to 2017: What to Watch For, Weather- and Climate-Wise
Between a record-strong El Niño and catastrophic floods, fires, and drought, 2016 was a memorable year for weather and climate in North America as well as globally. What can we expect as we roll into 2017? A precise weather forecast is asking too much, but there is already a lot we can say about some key factors. Here are six developments to watch for in 2017. They’re presented in rough order of increasing confidence, followed by details on each prediction.

Videos

January 1, 2017

Happy New Year 2017!

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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Misc Belizean Sources

Stolen backpack
A guy broke into one of the dorms of Pause Hostel and stole a backpack around 5:10am this morning. The owner lost the Canadian passport along with the backpack which is essential to leave Belize and return to home country on January 2, 2017. A police report had been filled in Caye Caulker police station, and noticed that multiple incidence happened on the same day at Pause Hostel. The owner is willing to award $50 USD to whoever retrieve the passport.

San Pedro Town brings in 2017 in grand style
With a mega party featuring a spectacular fireworks show and International DJ Outkast! Happy New Year everyone!

Community BBQ and Park Meet Up
The Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project have lots of activities for your participation and enjoyment in 2017. Our first event starts on January 14th at the House of Culture.

The Placencia Breeze January 2017
INSIDE January 2017 Pg 3 Placencia, Something for Everyone Pg 5 BTIA news / Thank You to Mistletoe Sponsors Sidewalk Art Festival Booth Form Pg 6 Croc Corner Pg 7 Poem by Sasha Lopez Pg 9 From the Fire Hearth - Healthy Eating Pg 11 Placencia Casino & Sports Bar Spotlight Pg 13 New Books / Amik Kil Ha' Spotlight / Orca sighting Pg 15 & 18 Placencia BTIA Members Pg 16 & 17 Placencia Peninsula Map Pg 20/21 Placencia Peninsula Guide Pg 22 Fitness Information Pg 23 End of the World Marathon / Ardith (Ardie) Grover Obituary Pg 24 Liquor Licenses Pg 26 Community Corner Pg 27 Licensed Tour Operators in Placencia / Licensed Tour Guides in Placencia Pg 28 Placencia Humane Society News Pg 29 Mistletoe Ball / Christmas Craft Fair / Boat Parade Pg 30 Placencia Peninsula Happenings Pg 31 Calender of Events

The Reporter

Special Senate Committee preparing for first meeting of 2017
The Senate Special Select Committee, formed to investigate incidents of wrong doing cited in the Auditor General’s Special Audit Report of the Immigration and Nationality Department, has set the date for its next meeting. According to an official communique sent by the office of the clerk of the National Assembly, the Committee will hold its first meeting for 2017 on Wednesday, January 4. As a part of the structure of the meetings, the proceedings will be carried live on local radio and television stations. After several months of disputes between the Government, the Opposition and the social partners about the Committee’s configuration, terms of reference and budget, the Committee began its work in October, to investigate the irregularities from 2011-2013 cited in the Special Audit Report. The Committee called the auditor General, Dorothy Bradley, as its first witness. Bradley explained that while the report numerous instances of improper practices, many of which involved Cabinet ministers, he added that the Report only covers approximately 25 percent of the total amount of questionable practices discovered during the audit.

Prime Minister gives New Year’s message
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, issued his New Year’s message to Belizeans this week, highlighting the challenges and successes of 2016, along with a glimpse of what Belizeans can expect in 2017. In his message, Barrow highlighted the declines in the agriculture industry, GOB’s social fall-out with the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) and the devastating effects of Hurricane Earl as major challenges in 2016. He also spoke on the continuous declines in the economy, which led to what he referred to as a “mild recession.” In the success category, Barrow highlighted numerous infrastructure projects, including the opening of the Harvest Caye port and a number of multi-million-dollar sporting and community projects in San Pedro, Dangriga and Punta Gorda. He also said that the Central Bank of Belize projects economic growth at 3.5 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in 2017 giving the country hope in an otherwise, difficult economic time.

Breaking Belize News

Old habits die hard but change we must: Recommendations for 2017
My wife Mili and I are very happy to be home after a successful four-year assignment in Africa. After a year of first-hand observation and living after our return, we can conclude 2016 was quite an eventful year for Belize, apparently exciting for […]

Fatal traffic accident in Ontario village, Cayo
Reports reaching our newsroom is that two motorcycles collided in Ontario village in the Cayo district shortly around 7 tonight. BBN has been able to confirm that one person is dead. There may be a second fatality due to this motocycle accident but BBN […]

Police arrest suspect for David Andrews’ murder
Southside police have made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old David Andrews. Police believe that Frank Young, 19, also known as “John John” was the man who got off the back of a motorcycle and gunned down Andrews last Friday. Information to BBN […]

Security Guard jailed for stealing from employers
A security guard is currently in prison after he stole several items from a place he was hired to secure from thieves. The incident occured last Monday night when Jorge Montero, a security guard for Priority Security Company, was watching the home of Stephanie […]

Microsoft’s new cross platform service named ‘ Belize’
Microsoft plans to change how people tell their stories or share photos and videos by introducing a new cross platform service. The service was initially revealed by a report fromZDNet. The service will be called ‘Belize’; it will be a cross-platform service with apps for […]

Blogs

And So it Ended…Goodbye Belize. Adios.
Things had been a little more quiet at work for a few weeks. I was not complaining about ending my time at Saga Humane Society on a less hectic note. However, now that the final days were winding down, it was like they could smell that I was leaving. Everyone was in a panic to see the vet before she left the island for good. On Thursday we lined up a nice final snip day. Thursday is when we did the majority of our free spays and neuters. Secretly, this was one of my favorite days. Not because it was all surgery, but because it was mostly human-free. Merari in reception knows that unless your dog has a leg hanging off or an eye falling out, Thursday is not for appointments. I could have a break from the regular stress most vets face in dealing with a variety of clients, questions, and personalities. On this Thursday one of the staff went out into the community to do some errands and to look for any additional animals that might need spay/neuter. She returned with an owned dog that was already neutered, but clearly was having trouble walking. I took a look and thought, “What in the H#@*!??” This dog had a tumor that I had never seen the likes of before.

2 Tickets to Paradise on SEA’S d DAY
I was so excited to get a day on the water to one of my favorite places; the back side of the island, for some high quality relaxation time. When I got the message the night before, that I could bring a friend I knew I would have no trouble finding one. At the time I had two great short notice choices in close proximity. Sandie won first pick by a millimeter because she and I already toured the boat together and I told her if I get a “plus one” it will be her. She almost jumped at the chance but between checking into the Sunbreeze Hotel for a hot date with her hubby the next day and a bit of work, her plate was full. Fellow boat lover and longtime friend Jack was an instant “yes”. The crew for the day was: Alex, Sonia, Monique and last but not least Elito and Rebecca who personally welcomed us for the special press tour – i Travel Belize, San Pedro Scoop and San Pedro Sun. They shared a bit about their vision of wanting to do something unique and highly enjoyable and wanted our feedback. I would definitely say they hit the mark. Houseboats are a very cool way to travel. That day it was combined with excellent staff, family, great fellow writers and yummy food. What more could a girl ask for?

International Sources

The best destinations around the world for 2017
Kick back or kick out. Chill on a beach or hang out in one of the world's hot spots. Whatever style of holiday you prefer, there's no need to throw a dart at a map to decide your destination. We've scoured the continents to find the best of the best for every week of the year.

Travel Scene: 10 places you might be able to live better than in U.S.
There are plenty of places to live in this world — and in some areas you might be able to live better than you can in the U.S. The publication Live and Invest Overseas is out with its new yearly ranking of the top 10 places in the world to "live better, reinvent one's life and have a grand adventure in 2017," according to a news release from Kathleen Peddicord, author and publisher of the report. The list this year includes locales in traditional places like Portugal, France and Spain, as well as places one would not expect, including the Dominican Republic, Malaysian Borneo, Nicaragua and Columbia. 4: Santa Familla, Belize. Life is back to the basics. A region of wide-open spaces, fresh air, warm sun and fertile land. The world's best place to disconnect and unplug.

2016 – A year of highs and lows for the Caribbean
Caribbean tourism remained on a high in 2016, but with threats such as Brexit and correspondent banking lurking dangerously close to its doorstep, the performance of the region’s economies remained at a worrying low. Politically, it was also a mixed year for the region in which several incumbent Governments were shown the door. In St Lucia’s case, new prime minister Allan Chastanet suggested that it was a ballooning debt, coupled with an onerous Value Added Tax (VAT) system, an inability to reduce high unemployment, and the implementation of a 66 per cent increase in the cost of pipe water that led to the demise of the Kenny Anthony-led St Lucia Labour Party (SLP) administration. Anthony was himself forced to relinquish leadership of the SLP following its humiliating defeat at the polls.

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