May 19, 2018

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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

Police Report
Kept unlicensed ammunition: A search conducted by San Pedro Police at 10AM on Monday, May 14th inside the apartment of 18-year-old John Carlos Hernandez, of Central Park Hotel, ended in the discovery of seven 9mm live rounds of ammunition. Present at the time of the search was 21-year-old Tracey Betancourt, resulting in both of them being arrested and charged with Kept Ammunition without a Gun License.
Drug Trafficking: At about 12:30PM on Tuesday, May 15th, a joint operation was conducted in the DFC area, San Pedro Town. Police conducted a search in the home of, 37-year-old Brionne Deston Swift, Belizean Fisherman of DFC area, where 24-year-old Miriam Elizabeth Rodriguez, Belizean part-time teacher of San Mateo Area was also present.

Smiles get brighter at the San Pedro Smile Dental Clinic
The San Pedro Smile Dental Clinic, located at the Holy Cross Anglican School (HCAS) in the San Mateo Area of San Pedro Town, hosted doctors from Big Sky Dental Center, Bozeman, Montana, U.S.A. from Thursday, May 10th to Wednesday, May 16th. Volunteers that facilitated their service to several island children included: Jessie Guilmette, Taylor Hodges, Kyra Doak, Julie Rood, Doctor Jessie McClung, Doctor Craig Duran, Sue Duran, Holly Duran and Adam Duran. Heading the group of Volunteers is Dr. McClung who says that during the clinics, they look for various things. “Oral examinations are to evaluate overall oral hygiene, looking for things such as plaque, cavities, or even gum disease,” he said.

PM Barrow talks Oil Prices, Referendum & Re-registration
Fuel prices, the referendum to take the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice, voter re-registration and who will succeed him as United Democratic Party leader going into the 2020 general elections were some of the hot topics Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow discussed at a press briefing held at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Wednesday morning, May 16th. With fuel prices going up at midnight that same day, Barrow said the new prices at the pump are beyond the government’s control since the world price of oil is rising. He noted that the political situation in Venezuela and the economic and trade sanctions imposed on Venezuela has caused Belize to purchase fuel elsewhere, under not so favorable terms as existed under the PetroCaribe agreement with Venezuela.

Primary & Secondary Schools Festival of Arts delight islanders
The Belize Institute of Creative Arts hosted San Pedro’s Primary & Secondary Schools Festival of Arts 2018 under the theme: “Every Child is an Artist: Art for Learning and Earning” at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium in San Pedro Town on Tuesday, May 15th. The event saw the attendance of hundreds of islanders enjoying a variety of entertainment. Participating were Island Bonita Elementary School (IBES), San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS), San Pedro High School (SPHS), New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist School (NHSDAS), Holy Cross Anglican School (HCAS) and Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES).

Ambergris Today

UN Migration Agency To Support Belize To Develop New Migration Policy
The Government of Belize and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) jointly launched on May 16th the development of a National Migration and Development Policy for Belize. The development of the national policy will be led by the Government of Belize through a Steering Committee chaired by the Department of Immigration and Nationality Services. In developing the policy, the Government of Belize requested technical assistance from the IOM in 2016, and a steering committee was formulated in 2017 to work alongside IOM in drafting the policy framework and to ensure that the policy is aligned with the Government’s development strategy and national vision.

Misc Belizean Sources

12th Annual World Telecommunications and Information Society Competition
THE RESULTS ARE IN!!! The FIRST PLACE winner of CANTO's 12th Annual World Telecommunications and Information Society Day Competition is Jamal Witty of Belize!!!!!! Jamal's Video 'AI Road to the Future', "Highlights the journey to the future and how the use of technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence, will lead the way". Jamal won a Trip for 2 to Panama inclusive of flights and hotel accommodation at the luxurious Hard Rock Hotel Panama Megapolis, Panama , 1000 USD and a Tablet!

International Museum Day at SISE House of Culture
Celebrating International Museum Day at SISE House of Culture yesterday with over 700 visitors from different schools including Georgeville and Esperanza. A huge thank you to The Belize Archives Department and Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize for their support and collaboration.

Santa Elena Primary School Science Fair
Yesterday, the Department of Youth Services Santa Elena Center participated in the Santa Elena Primary School's Science fair 2018! Our officers delivered a message on how DYS impacts young people through our different units, and they also shared the upcoming summer activities that will be taking place at the Santa Elena Youth Center!

NOTICE FROM THE MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
It has come to the attention of the Ministry of Natural Resources that certain Justices of the Peace are charging members of the public to provide services in relation to completing applications at the Lands Department. The Public is advised that this is illegal and those JPs will be reported to the Attorney General for appropriate action.

Bigger water tank stand in Midway
The Department of Rural Development assisted the Water Board in the village of Midway by constructing a bigger stand for the Water tank.

Belize Condemns Violence in the Gaza Strip
Belize has been monitoring, with deep concern, the violence at the Israel-Gaza border, which has intensified in recent days, resulting in the death of over 60 persons, including children, and countless injuries. The Government of Belize strongly condemns the use of force by the Israel Defense Force against Palestinian civilians, who have a right to peaceful protest. Belize calls for an end to the violence, and for restraint to be exercised by the Israeli military. At the same time, Belize expresses its sympathy to those who have been injured and to the families of those who have died.

Results for Day 2 of the BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge

Ya'axché Conservation Trust meets with Beekeepers
Today, Friday 18th of May, we are meeting with 18 beekeepers – farmers we have been working with over the past 5 years. We will reflect on the accomplishments, lessons learnt and identify areas that need strengthening as we continuously seek to improve our programs. Honey extracted within the Maya Golden Landscape have been sold across Belize. Thank you for supporting our farmers. We also say a big thank you to numerous donors who have supported our work of improving livelihoods.

The opening ceremony at the Maya Mural Symposium at Dreams Convention Centre in Corozal Town
The symposium is a collaborative effort by Toone Masehualo'on NGO and the Northern Maya Association of Belize. We invite community members to attend and learn about the ancient Chactemal Murals and more. The symposium is on today May 18th and tomorrow. The opening ceremony at the Maya Mural Symposium at Dreams Convention Centre here in Corozal Town. The symposium is a collaborative effort by Toone Masehualo'on NGO and the Northern Maya Association of Belize. We invite community members to attend and learn about the ancient Chactemal Murals and more. The symposium is on today May 18th and tomorrow.

Channel 7

Senator Val Throws Her Name In
Senator Valerie Woods made it official today: she will contest the PUP convention in the Albert Division and challenge her Senate colleague, care-taker Paul Thompson. Woods went to the PUP headquarters at 3:00 this evening - one hour before the deadline - to submit her name and the required paperwork. In so doing she has ended two weeks of intense speculation, which has spawned a fair amount of inter-party tension and social media chatter. She told Daniel Ortiz why she's doing it:.. Reporter: "What is your final decision at this time?" Valerie Woods, aspirant - PUP Standard Bearer - Albert: "I'll be contesting the Albert's Division for sure."

PUP Albert Committee Is All Paul
Woods is the challenger to Senator Paul Thompson who was endorsed as Standard Bearer in late 2014. Thompson said he'll grant us an interview next week, but in the meantime his committee is doing the talking for him. The Committee members sent a signed letter dated yesterday to Party Chairman Henry Usher saying that they give their, quote, "resolute and unwavering support" to Thompson as the party's Standard Bearer for Albert. The letter also notes that Thompson was the campaign manager for the successful Belize City slate in the recent municipal elections. The committee members conclude, quote, "we received overwhelming feedback from the voters that Senator Thompson is…the right leader for the division…" end quote.

Opposition Fury Over Fonso’s Facebook
And in other political news, 7News has learned that Opposition Leader John Briceno is trying to get a Supreme Court injunction against the Guardian's Editor - and UDP Mouthpiece - Alfonso Noble. The issue is in its very preliminary stage, but we understand that Briceno was attempt to get the court to restrain Fonso and his Facebook posts, which Briceño says have and continue to defame and slander him. The hearing was supposed to take place yesterday before Justice Michelle Arana, but it was postponed until this morning. But when we showed up to court, we were told that the attorneys for the 2 sides are in talks to try to work resolve this dispute outside of court.

Not Guilty After 6 Years On Remand
After 6 years on remand, 33 year old Leon Yorke was found not guilty today. In 2012, he was accused of the murder of 43 year old construction worker David John Myvett. Early on the morning of October 31, 2012, Myvett was cementing a street as part of a construction crew when a gunman came up and shot him multiple times to the body. The trial without jury was before Justice Adolph Lucas and Crown Counsel Sheringe Rodriguez, relied on the statement of one eye witness James Noralez.

Chief Elections Officer Defends Her Reputation Against Claims of Wrongdoing
Earlier in the week, we gave you in depth coverage of the PUP's challenge to the March 2018 Municipal Elections in San Pedro. The PUP 7 of that island town is hoping that the Chief Justice will declare those elections void, and that new elections would be called. As we told you, the PUP is complaining specifically about the manner in which the officials of the Elections and Boundaries Department carried out the election. They say that there were major discrepancies, which calls the result into question. The two Elections and Boundaries officials being sued in this election petition are Catherine Cumberbatch, who was acting as the returning officer in San Pedro on that day, and Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai.

Breakthrough in Belmopan Murder/Arson
Police have made a major discovery in the case of arson and murder in Belmopan. This afternoon, moving with their trademark swiftness, capital cops found Bruce Davidson's vehicle, a Mahindra pickup burnt up a mile from Belmopan in some bushes. They have also recovered some of Davidson's personal items - including a phone system. Our sources say one person - a minor - is in custody, while an adult is being sought. As we have reported, DNA samples were taken to determine if the murder victim is indeed the proprietor of the farm, Bruce Davidson, who is missing and unaccounted for.

Falling Tree Kills Child In Toledo
A young girl was killed today when a tree fell on her. It happened this morning in San Pedro Columbia in the Toledo District. 58 year old Valentino Teul was cutting down a tree and it fell on his 10 year old granddaughter Emilda Che. She was rushed to the San Antonio Poly clinic, but she didn't make it.

Daring Daylight Robbery
There was a daring armed robbery at the Courts Outlet, on Buttonwood Bay Boulevard yesterday afternoon. At around ten to three, two men entered the store. One of them pulled out a gun and went inside the manager's booth where he snatched $1,420 from the cash pan and then robbed three of the employees of their personal items. All that added up to another $5,500 in valuables. The men escaped and tonight, police have no suspects.

Con-Man Pretended To Be Rotarian On A Life Saving Mission
Police are looking for a con - man who pretended to be a rotarian fundraising for a dying child with cancer. But instead he ripped off at least one business of $1,700 dollars. Police are looking for Michael Rodriguez, who they believe was the master mind of the scam. The bogus rotarian used the name Allan Usher and here's how he made the pitch to the Farmers Light Plant, a business in Spanish Lookout. We have a voice recording from the owner back in late April: Voice of: Conning Victim: "I want to tell you of a little situation. A man called me by the name of Allen Usher and asked if we would like to donate. They had a bad case with a child that had cancer, a 10 year old kid who had to go to Merida quick. He was saying that Tropic Air was sponsoring the flight and the only thing they needed was $5,000 but they already had $3,200..."

Vasquez Charged For Hopkins Shooting
Last night, we told you about the Wednesday night incident in Seine Byte where 25 year-old Austin Williams was shot in the cheek and back. Well, police are reporting that they've arrested one man for it. He's 23 year-old Nyle Vasquez, a resident of Dangriga Town, and he's been charged for Use of deadly means of harm and Wounding. He has since been arraigned at the Independence Magistrate's Court and remanded.

Paying Tribute To Teachers
Today, teachers from all across Belize converged on the Civic Center for a mass celebration of teachers day. For weeks, the status of the event was unclear because the BNTU was not able to pay their share towards the event but - in the end, it all worked out, with good old GOB footing the bill. Sahar Vasquez stopped in got the vibe from some very happy teachers. A few weeks ago chances of a teachers' day celebration seemed like a pipe dream, but today the spirit of celebration was genuine as Education Minister Patrick Faber Stood on the podium and chanted: Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education: "There is nobody that can inspire us like great teachers can."

Union Pres Says Others Also Failed To “Come-Up”
As we told you, the BNTU was supposed to give a third of the funds to sponsor the event. BNTU President Elena Smith said they weren't the only ones who couldn't "come-up" as requested:... Hon. Elena Smith, BNTU President: "BNTU made no contributions towards but please I want to make it clear. It is not only the BNTU that said they could not contribute. We were informed again at a meeting that managers said they were unable to contribute but they were asked to give whatever little they could give whether that was done we are not aware o both groups had some difficulty in contributing towards today."

Travane Trapp For Weed
A hospital attendant has to pay a $3,000 fine after police caught him carrying 7 and a half pounds of weed in compressed parcels. MIT personnel searched 20 year old Travane Trapp and found the stash on him. He was charged with drug trafficking, and taken to court where he pleaded guilty and was fined $3,000. He has up until October 31st to pay.

The Placencia Airport Hustle
It made news earlier this week when 48 year old US Investment Fund Manager Brent Borland was charged with multiple counts of securities fraud. It's related to Belize, because he's accused of tricking investors to front 21.9 million dollars in bridge financing for an International Airport project in Placencia. Jules Vasquez did a deeper dig:... The only time we saw the Placencia Airport in use was in December of 2014 when a SICA Summit was held in Belize. But, this man - Brent Borland - seen here at what looks to be the very same airport - was using it as an investment package.

Breaking Down The Domestic Violence Act
The Domestic Violence Act certainly doesn't qualify as light or leisurely reading - and that's why RET international is working on making the act a bit more accessible to the public by breaking down the heavy law language in lay man's terms. RET and their team met today at the National Women's Commission office to start looking through the document. Here's more from there meeting. Thandiwe Diego, RET International Youth Ambassador: "So the event here at RET, here at National Woman's Commission is a collaboration between the National Women's Commission and RET International in Belize and myself the RET International Youth Ambassador. So what we are doing is we are taking the Domestic Violence Act and with youth together we are translating the act into language that is more understandable to the general public especially youth."

Desiigner In Belize
You've probably seen the ad for music week 2018 - and there have been a number of activities since Monday, plus last night the performances began at the Civic with a line-up of Belizean artists. It's celebrated as one of the biggest music events in Belize. Everyone who is somebody on the music scene in Belize will hit the stage. But international artists such as American Rapper Desiigner among many others will also be performing. Desiigner is well known for the song "Panda" - a rap sensation. Today we spoke with Desiigner and his manager at the airport and they told us their visit goes beyond the music -it's about honoring their slain loved one and friend Fareed Ahmad.

Belize Blasts Israel For Killing Palestinians
Earlier this week, Israeli armed forces shot and killed 60 Palestinian civilians who were protesting, and injured over 2,000 others. They were protesting the US Government's decision to move their Israeli Embassy from Tel Aviv, to Jerusalem. The US and Guatemalan Governments have been first to plant their embassies in this disputed city. Well, speaking to the use of deadly force by the Israeli military against the Palestinians, the Belize Government release a statement today. It says, quote, "The Government of Belize strongly condemns the use of force by the Israel Defense Force against Palestinian civilians, who have a right to peaceful protest. Belize calls for an end to the violence, and for restraint to be exercised by the Israeli military.

Making Mentors For Youths
Very regularly, we report on initiatives by the police department to try and steer young people away from a life in conflict with the law. Well, the cops are making a second attempt at their Youth Mentorship Program. The kids who participate are paired with adult mentors who work with them in a classroom setting, and exposed to sports, life skills lessons, and educational tours around the country - all in the hopes that they stay away from a life of crime. Starting next week, a new cohort of children are about to benefit from the program, and the Police Department held an opening ceremony at the Radisson.

Museums Connect Cultures
Today was celebrated all around the world as International Museum Day, and here at home, the Museum of Belize and the Different Houses of Culture have been holding events all this week. The idea is to raise awareness about the importance of Museums as important methods of cultural exchange, the enrichment of culture, and the preservation of a country's culture and history. The Museum was offering free entrance to Belizeans today, and we stopped by to speak with the Director:

When Expression Is Art
"Express Yuhself" is the name of the art show that will be held at the Image Factory next week. The show is a promising one with an all Belizean artist line up and free entrance, food, and drinks. We spoke to one of the curators and found out why you should come out to see it next week. The show starts at 7 pm next week Friday at the Image Factory.

Channel 5

Choice Bank Partners Pull Out; Central Bank Steps In
Tonight there is grim news in the offshore industry. Indications are that Choice Bank, an offshore bank operating from Belize City, is winding down due to a cash flow crisis [...]

Citco Down to 5 Days to Repay S.S.B. Contributions
A few days ago, the Social Security Board issued a demand note for payment of outstanding contributions to the Belize City Council collected from employees, but not paid by the [...]

More Contributions May be Outstanding; is it ex-City Admin’s Fault?
But who was responsible for making the payments to the S.S.B.? That, says Deputy Mayor Oscar Arnold, was the responsibility of Candice Miller, the former City Administrator, who was initially [...]

CitCo Predecessors’ Priorities Questioned
The Deputy Mayor questions the priorities of the previous administration given the fact that this outstanding payment lingered while the then-U.D.P. council put off a free concert in February. The [...]

B.N.T.U., M.O.E. Showdown at Civic for Teachers’ Day
Despite the back and forth on whether there would have been a teachers’ day celebration, today the event went on without a hitch. Teachers from across the country congregated in [...]

Union Suggests School Managements Spoke from 2 Sides on Salary Docking
On Monday, we reported that there would be no docking of salaries for teachers who rallied in Belmopan on March twenty-second. The Belize Association for General Managers of Pre and [...]

The Fight against Domestic Violence and the Law
We have been reporting on the wide-ranging efforts of the humanitarian organization; RET International, in putting a dent on the reports of gender-based violence and trafficking in persons among other [...]

Girl Crushed by Falling Tree in Toledo
A Toledo family is in mourning tonight after a freak accident in the village of San Pedro Columbia, Toledo. Ten-year-old Emilda Che, also known as Edna, was with her grandfather [...]

Opposition’s Briceño Challenges Guardian’s Noble over Facebook ‘Drug Plane’ Story
On Thursday, the case of Leader of the Opposition John Briceño versus editor of the Guardian newspaper Alfonso Noble was called in the Supreme Court, but was adjourned.  Briceño was [...]

G.O.B. Issues Statement Condemning Gaza Brutality
On Tuesday, former Prime Minister Said Musa got the ball rolling by publicly condemning the unnecessary deaths of over sixty Palestinian nationals, including children, and thousands of injuries caused by [...]

Police Make Weed Bust in the City
A twenty-year-old hospital attendant of Belize City was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. On Thursday night, just before eight-thirty, members of the Mobile Interdiction Team were on patrol in [...]

Orange Walk Resident Charged for Drug Trafficking
There was also a drug bust up north in Orange Walk District. On Thursday just before five in the morning, the Quick Response Team conducted a search at a house [...]

Bruce Davidson’s Vehicle Found; 3 Persons in Custody
There is an update to the arson in Belmopan where the body of a man was discovered on Tuesday. As we told you British national Bruce Davidson is believed to [...]

Police Launch Second Round of Youth Mentorship Program
At the close of 2016, the Belize Police Department introduced a youth mentorship programme aimed at youths at risk in some of the most troubled areas of Belize City.  It [...]

Participants Must Put in the Work to Succeed
The youths will have the opportunity as part of the programme to see more of Belize than they ever have, as most of them have only rarely if ever left [...]

Program’s Successes Include Ending Budding Gang
Deputy Commissioner Williams also discussed the successes of the first cohort of mentees, one hundred of whom graduated about a year ago. He says they learned critical skills to survive [...]

High Schools Take Stage for Belize District Festival of the Arts
The Belize District Festival of Arts got underway on Tuesday with over one hundred performances in dance, drama, song and even poetry at the Bird’s Isle. Two days later, high [...]

Play the Music! Music Week Ends with Big Bash Benefit Concert at Civic
Music Week climaxes this Saturday night at the Civic Center in Belize City. The line-up of local artists has been impressive, but on the last night of the event, a [...]

LOVE FM

The second day of the BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge
The second leg of the BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge left Placencia this morning and kayakers made their way to Dangriga. Belize International Water Sports made up of paddlers, Jesus Evelio Linares, Kenrick Daniels, Hener Cruz and Daniel Cruz crossed the finish line in first position with a time of five hours forty-eight minutes and …

VIP will embark on an ICJ Nationwide Education Campaign
The Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) will be conducting an ICJ Nationwide Education Campaign, which will be led by their Public Relations and Finance Director, Robert “Bobby” Lopez. In addition, the release stated that a separate registered entity and committee called “8867 BELIZE PEACE PROJECT” has been established in order to solicit broad base …

Belize condemns the massacre of Palestinians by Israel
Earlier this week former Prime Minister Right Honorable Said Musa issued a release condemning the massacre of Palestinians by Israel. He called on the Government to condemn the action. Today, the Government issued a release doing just that. The Government says it strongly condemned the violence initiated by Israel’s Defense Force against Palestinian civilians which …

PlusTV

POLICE LOOKING FOR THREE SUSPECTS IN LIPKA MURDER
Police are looking for three persons in connection with the murder of 49 year old American Business owner Lamont Edward Lipka. Lipka was shot to death at his business establishment in San Pedro on Sunday night. According to police, the three suspects are not originally from the Island, but they have...

POLICE FOLLOWING LEAD IN BELMOPAN MAYOR’S HOUSE SHOOTING
Police is following a lead into the shooting of Mayor Khalid Belisle’s home on Monday night. This morning ACP Joseph Myvette told the media that officers will look to see where this lead takes them. ASP Joseph Myvette: In relation to that matter the shooting of mayor Belisle residence in Belmopan, ...

HUMAN REAMINS IN FIRE DEBRIS; POSSIBLE ARSON AND HOMICIDE
Last night we reported to you that the human remains were found in the debris of a burnt house on a farm in the outskirts of Belmopan. Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the body, however they do believe the remains is that of a male. Police told us more about the incident at this morning...

MAYA MOPAN SQUATTERS REMOVED
Squatters in the Maya Mopan Area of Belmopan City are being removed by the Belmopan City Council. Several wooden houses belonging to squatters have already been dismantled and the families relocated. Today Plus News visited the area and found some squatters still in the process of relocating, while ...

MAN SHOT IN SEINE BIGHT VILLAGE WHILE SOCIALIZING
Police are looking for a suspect in relation to a shooting that took place in Seine Bight village, last night. According to police, Austin Williams was standing at a street corner with some friends when several shots were fired at him. Two of the shots caught Williams. ASP Jospeh Myvette: On Wednes...

Man Shot in Palmar Village, Orange Walk
One man was shot in the arm in the Palmar Village of Orange Walk. 32 years old Jose Oscar was inside his yard, walking to his gate, when someone fired several shots in his direction. Police told us more about this latest shooting ACP Joseph Myvett: On yesterday’s date shortly after 11:20pm, police r...

FERGUSON WANTS TO RESOLVE SITTEE RIVER LAND ISSUES
Stann Creek West Area Representative Rodwell Ferguson has been dealing with a land issue in the Sittee River Communuity, in the Stann Creek District, for over the past 13 Years. According to the area rep, he has been left with no other choice but to go public with issue. This morning Ferguson was a ...

MAYOR BELISLE SIGNATURE FORGED ON LAND RECEIPT
Earlier we reported on the Maya Mopan Squatters being removed. Well, One Maya Mopan Squatter claims that he has been paying CITCO for the land he is being removed from. The squatter was able to provide us with a copy of a payment receipt with the signature of Mayor Belisle ...

BELIZE TERRITORIAL VOLUNTEERS SAYS ICJ IS NOT THE ONLY WAY
Last night we told you that the Prime Minister is all for a ‘yes’ vote at Belize’s ICJ refferndum. In yesterday’s Press Conference P.M. Barrow stated that he believes that the ICJ is the only way to resolve the ongoing border dispute. P.M. Barrow also indicated ...

TWO FEMALE MINOR MISSING FROM CAYO DISTRICT
Two female minors from Western Belize was reported missing. The first minor that was reported missing was 15 year old Amelia Fernandez from the Village of Succotz in the Cayo District. 36 year old Ebelita Fernandez told Police that her daughter Amelia went missing on Tuesday, ...

MAN CHARGED FOR MURDER OF DANIEL GUARDADO
Police have arrested and charged 21 year old Benjamin Alexander Reid for the Murder of Daniel Guardado. Here is what Police had to say about the arrest. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of NCIB: Police has a duty to investigate all matters to the best of their ability, and I would like to thank the investigators who put a great amount of energy ...

NO MORE FREE RIDE ON CABLE SUBSCRIPTION SAYS P.M.
At yesterday’s Press Conference, P.M Barrow spent some time addressing the increase in fuel prices and the imminent fuel price increases yet to come. During the question and answer segment of the conference, PM Barrow was asked to speak on the increase of cable fees by cable providers ...

Guatemalan Army Turns Focus to Border Protection
Guatemala shares 1,667 kilometers of border with Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize. Of recently, Guatemala has decided to increase their border security by deploying more than 2 thousand Guatemalan Soldiers to its borders. In an article written in “Dialago Digital Military Magazine”, Dialago media house quotes the Press Director ...

MINISTER OF SECURITY VISITS WESTERN BORDER
As we reported to you on Monday night, security facilities repairs and upgrades are being done at the Belize Western Border by BDF Light Engineers. The work reportedly includes improvements to fences, gates and other border security features. Yesterday, The Minister of National Security paid a visit to the Western Border Upgrade Project. In a press release issued ...

Amandala

UDP CitCo owed $77,000 in SSB contributions
The Belize City Council that was led by the United Democratic Party (UDP) mayor Darrell Bradley left an outstanding balance of $77,026.80 in unpaid employees’ contributions to the Social Security Board that must be paid by the new City Council administration, led by Mayor Bernard Wagner. In its “Demand for Payment” letter dated May 15, 2018, addressed to the Belize City Council, the Social Security Board is demanding payment in five days, otherwise they will commence legal action against the council.

Belize now importing fuel from Texas instead of Venezuela
Prime Minister Dean Barrow confirmed at his press conference yesterday that Belize has stopped importing fuel from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which had been selling fuel products to the country at concessionary rates under the regional Alba Petrocaribe agreement. Belize is now importing its fuel from the US state of Texas. PM Barrow insists that the Petrocaribe program, which Belize signed with Venezuela in 2006, is not yet over, but the country is in need of a steady supply of fuel.

Feds charge Long Island man with securities fraud for bilking investors in Placencia airport scheme
The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) yesterday brought charges against a Long Island man who, it said, misappropriated millions of dollars of investors’ money that he used to finance a lavish lifestyle for himself and his family, multiple reports out of New York confirmed. Federal agents arrested Brent Borland, 48, of Sage Harbor, following an SEC investigation. Borland was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and wire fraud.

Hold on naturalizing Guatemalans continues
Yesterday at his press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was reminded that the Belize Chamber of Commerce had written to several government entities requesting information on the renunciation process for Guatemalans who apply to become naturalized Belizeans. PM Barrow responded, “They say that once you are a citizen of Guatemala, then you always remain a citizen of Guatemala, and it doesn’t matter how much you renounce that citizenship; they will continue to regard you as a citizen of Guatemala.

At UN Forum on Indigenous Peoples, Maya Leaders Alliance urged GoB to respect the rule of law
The Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association were represented at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples Issues last month. Monica Magnusson, Maya Q’eqchi attorney, who represented the 39 communities in the case against the Government of Belize at the Caribbean Court of Justice, made an address in which she urged the government to respect the rule of law. Three years after the Caribbean Court of Justice handed down its landmark ruling, recognizing Maya customary land rights, the government has failed to implement the ruling from Belize’s highest court.

Learning to C.O.P.E
On May 9, the Ministry of Education hosted the fifth annual MOE Youth Innovation Challenge competition at the Marion Jones Sports Complex, where St. John’s College High School students Adrian Marshalleck, Junway Lin, Ganriel Hope, Keenan Hyde, and Hugo Lin presented their “C.O.P.E” project to a panel of 7 judges, 2 representatives from Price Waterhouse Cooper and the international non-profit organization Peacework, and other distinguished guests. The SJC students’ innovative idea “Community Online Peer Education” offered a two- dimensional solution to improve literacy and financial literacy among young Belizeans. The first part of the project would be to launch a Facebook page where young people can meet to share ideas, interests, and conversation about topics that affect them.

Old capital vs new – BDF defenders vs the Bandits from Belmopan in PLB Closing Season Finals
The nil-nil draw between Verdes FC and BDF FC last night at the Norman Broaster Stadium, means that BDF FC has prevailed in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Closing Season home-and-away semifinal series by an aggregate 2-0 score, after posting a 2-nil victory in game 1 back on April 22 at the MCC. Last night’s game was a re-play of the semifinals game 2, which was originally played at the same venue on April 29. Verdes had won that game, 3-0, enough to secure a 3-2 aggregate victory and a spot in the Finals against Belmopan Bandits SC; but BDF had protested the game, because the referee failed to allow a re-take of a scored BDF penalty kick (by Trimayne Harris) when an infringement by the kicker’s teammate had occurred.

Cricket update
Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! There were only three games completed over the weekend of May 12 & 13 in the Sir Barry Bowen Harrison Parks 2018 Cricket Competition. The results are as follows: BDF won over Suga Boys with a score of 269 to 162. For BDF, Ordel Casasola top scored with 73 runs; and Ordel Casasola and Lloyd Casasola took three wickets each. For Suga Boys, O. Wade, Jr. top scored with 71 runs; and O. Wade, Sr. took four wickets.

Palas Birthday Race results
Here are the results from the Weekend Warriors (WW) Palas Birthday Race held yesterday from Data-Pro to Democracia Junction and back via Boom Road, for 56 miles. The race started at 9:00 a.m. with 51 “WW A/B/C” riders, and 41 of them finished.

ABL U-13 & U-21 Basketball Finals results
Here are the results for the Ahmadiyya 2018 Basketball League (ABL) U-13 and U-21 Finals held at the Belize City Civic Center on Sunday, May 13. U-13 championship In the U-13 third place match, Air Ballers won, 16-13, over Belama Gators. Luis Sosa had 6 pts for Air Ballers, while Kevin Welch had 5 pts for Belama Gators. The U-13 championship match saw Future Shock coming away with the 34-19 victory over ABC Academy. Evan Welch led Future Shock with 13 pts, while Andre Balam had 7 pts for ABC Academy.

Editorial: King Bayman vs Clinton Canul
There are many Belizeans who will not be impressed with Mr. Barrow’s record of litigation predictions, for the reason that the impression he constantly gave Belizeans, prior to and during all the Ashcroft-related cases which have cost Belizeans hundreds and hundreds of millions in the last few years, was that Belize’s legal team was top notch and that we should be looking forward confidently to vindication and triumph. It always turned out to be the opposite, and so sad for Belize’s struggling treasury. As Belize moves towards April 10, 2019, and an existential decision, we think it is desirable that Belize’s leading newspaper make sure to respect the office of the Prime Minister. About a half century ago, we saw that then Premier of Belize, Hon. George C. Price, found himself in a tricky spot vis-a-vis the Thirteen/Seventeen Proposals. As duly elected People’s United Party (PUP) Leader of the self-governing colony of British Honduras, Mr. Price was sworn to secrecy with regards to the mediation of the American attorney, Bethuel Webster, in talks between the United Kingdom and the republic of Guatemala.

From the Publisher
I remember clearly where I was when I heard that President John F. Kennedy had been shot and killed. This was the afternoon of November 22, 1963. It was a weekday, an afternoon after school. I was riding my bicycle on North Front Street between the old Bob Turton office on my right and the Holy Redeemer School play yard on my left, headed east to see my father at the General Post Office. One of my classmates, George (or Jorge) “Cul” Aguilar, was walking in the opposite direction and broke the news to me. In late November of 1963, Cul and I were in the fifth form at St. John’s College. “Fifth form” no longer exists at SJC. You just do your four years of high school and then sit your “O” levels, or whatever it is these exams are called nowadays. But in 1963, the year before they changed the long school holidays in Belize from April and May to July and August, we would do four years and then come back in June/July to prepare for November/December “O” levels The extra half year was the ‘fifth form.”

Aria Lightfoot’s open letter to the Public Service Commission
Dear Public Service Commission of Belize members, According to the Constitution of Belize, Section 105, which sets up the Public Service Commission, the Commission is comprised of the most elite law authorities, administrators and enforcement personnel in the country and for good reason; our founding fathers saw the need for our Constitution to be upheld and for our laws to be followed. The public service is there to implement laws, policy and procedures of the elected officials, and it is understood that while the elected officials may not be versed on the law, the public officer’s responsibility is to ensure that they act within the framework of the Laws and Constitution of Belize.

International insight from Howard A.
Sir, I am laughing so hard, I cannot find the keys to my typewriter. The all mighty United States of America is being shafted…, but get this…, it is being shafted by its own president!!! The USA had sanctioned a giant Chinese company named ZTE for its illegal sales to North Korea and Iran. ZTE is a telecommunications company; it sells about 65 million cell phones annually in the US alone; it is huge!!! But having been sanctioned by the US, it could not find some of the components for its phones elsewhere, and it was going under!!!! So suddenly, Trump calls President Xi in China and says, “Let’s save this company.”

I’m with Ms. Guadalupe
I think that to be with Ms. Guadalupe Lampela, the star of what must be the hottest infomerical on Belize television, means that you are NOT with the Fisheries Department. (Please, I am not about making trouble for Ms. Guadalupe with the big people at Fisheries, because she is very active in the industry.) Ms. Guadalupe is telling the nation that the fish stock in our country is dwindling, and we need to do something about it. The establishment refuses to get real. If the boss at the Fisheries Department was Mr. Wade, and not Ms. Wade, there’d be a hail of arrows going that way for the absolute refusal to do what Ms. Guadalupe says must be done: BAN GILL NETS! It is so that females in big positions don’t get the flak that males in big positions get when people believe they aren’t delivering the goods.

Beware the ICJ…
I am very thankful to Mr. Godwin Sutherland for sending me a copy of the book, Background and Study of the Special Agreement between Guatemala and Belize to submit Guatemala’s Territorial, Insular and Maritime claim to the International Court of Justice, written by Gustavo Adolfo Orellana Portillo. I believe the information that it contains should be widely spread so that Belizeans can learn of what Guatemala has to say. Sometime ago, a Belizean had written a book which was published concerning the same issue. Unfortunately, it was too expensive ($200); therefore, it was only at the reach of a few of the wealthy, elite class. The rest of us, who are the majority, know absolutely nothing of what such book contained.

Police cover-up; Pastor Natalie Robinson, 41, charged with wounding and harm
It appears that there is a cover-up regarding a pastor, Natalie Robinson, 41, who was arraigned in the #2 Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 14, on charges of wounding and harm. Robinson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a bail of $1,000. Her case was adjourned until July 31. The name of Robinson’s church was not made available. The complainant’s names, as well as their ages, were also not made available by police.

Now is not the right moment to amend the Maritime Areas Act, says PM Barrow
At his press conference yesterday at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel, Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked if his government would amend the Maritime Areas Act before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) referendum vote takes place in April 10 of next year. PM Barrow answered, “We haven’t amended it so far despite the push from people to do so. And, speaking for myself, I wouldn’t think this would be the right moment at which to do that. But you see, that is because, again, contrary to what I’ve heard people say, I don’t know how on earth anybody can suggest that the forbearance, which was represented by the Maritime Areas Act, passed by a People’s United Party government, I might remind you, how that can constitute any waiver of our rights, how that can give rise to somewhat of an ICJ decision that would say.

Juan Caducio, real estate agent, 73, drowns while fishing
Juan Cordero Caducio, 73, a real estate agent, went fishing alone in his boat Sunday morning. but failed to return home that evening. This made his friends and family members begin to worry, and they reported him missing to the police. On Monday, the police along with a search party went out to look for Caducio, and at about 10:00 that Monday morning, his lifeless body was found floating in the sea not far from Harvest Caye.

Shots fired at Belmopan mayor’s house
On Monday night at around 10:30, shots were fired in the Cohune Walk area at the house of Belmopan mayor Khalid Belisle and at his fiancé’s car, which was parked on the street in front of the house. According to the mayor, he was awakened by four loud bangs. At first, the mayor did not recognize the bangs as the sound of gunshots. He realized that the sounds, however, had come from the direction of his balcony, so he flipped on the lights and peered through, the sliding glass doors to ensure that no one was on the balcony.

The Reporter

Guests arrive for Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding
Guests are arriving to witness Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor, England. Among the 600 invited guests are American icon, Oprah Winfrey, tennis stae, Sabrina Williams, and other stars and actors. The couple will wed at noon before travelling through […]

Unofficial reports received of a murder in San Pedro
The Reporter has received unofficial reports of a murder in San Pedro. While police have not yet confirmed the incident, information reaching us is that the incident happened sometime after 11:00 Friday night. The Reporter will have details as they become available.

Falling tree kills girl
A 10-year-old girl died this morning after the tree her grandfather was cutting, fell on her. Valentino Teul, 58, of San Antonio, Toledo was cutting a tree in his yard on Friday, May 18th, and did not notice his grandaughter was nearby. As the the trunk fell, it hit her […]

GOB speaks out on violence against Palestinians
The Government of Belize today condemned the violence against Palestinians occurring in the Gaza Strip and called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis. GOB said that it had been monitoring “with deep concern, the violence at the Israel-Gaza border, which has claimed the lives of […]

Simplifying the Domestic Violence Act
The humanitarian organization, RET International, hosted a youth consultation this morning with a goal to simplify the Domestic Violence Act, Chapter 178 of the Laws of Belize, and make its content easier to understand for the average citizen. RET held the consultation in collaboration with the National Women’s Commission, and […]

Belmopan Mayor’s house shot up
Belmopan police are investigating a shooting incident which occured at the residence of Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle on Monday night in the Cohune Walk area of the city. Belisle and his finace were unharmed in the incident but have been left shaken up in the […]

Haunted killer confesses to murder
Hattieville resident, Albert Jones Sr., 45, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison after he confessed to police that he had killed missing Hattieville villager Alaine Garcia, 35, and gotten rid of the body. Jones reported to police that he confessed because he was […]

Charges upgraded against three following the death beat-down victim
Three men from Trial Farm village who were intially arrested for brutally beating an already injured accident victim, each had their charges upgraded to manslaughter after Demetrio Pott, 47, died over the weekend while receiving medical treatment. On Monday charges against Leodegario Chan, 26; Carlos […]

Ex-police officer is charged with arson!
An ex-police officer, previously convicted of theft, now faces arson charges. Brandon Hertular, an ex-police officer appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to face a single charge of arson on Monday, May 14th. Allegations are that on May 2, 2018, he started a fire […]

Belize Represented at ECLAC meeting in Cuba
Belize’s Minister for Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, Erwin Contreras, represented the country at 37th Session of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), held in Havana, Cuba, from May 7-11. H.E. Annie Burns and First Secretary, Shantal Marin, from […]

Confusion over teacher salary deductions
Members of the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) were preparing to withhold financial contributions from school managements pending a salary deduction; however, the Belize Association for General Managers of pre and primary schools said this week that no such deductions were forthcoming. Reports are that the association […]

Value of Belize’s imports from Guatemala 7 times that of exports
For the last month on record, March 2018, the value of Belize’s imports to Guatemala was substantially more than what is exported to that country. Although the trade deficit fell in March due to a decline in imports and an increase in exports, the deficit […]

Fuel Prices at home, Geopolitics Abroad
The degree of ‘business friendliness’ in the domestic economy is unquestionably an important factor in the growth prospects of local businesses. This is why a large part of the work of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) revolves around the championing and advocating for policies that eases the […]

PM comments on confusion over Guatemalans in Belize
As Belize prepares to go through its voter re-registration exercise in July, the governments of Belize and Guatemala are discussing a long-standing problem arising from Guatemalans wishing to renounce their citizenship and become Belizeans. Prime Minister Dean Barrow described the problem as a “catch 22” […]

Organized crime in Guatemala linked to incursions into Belize
Guatemalan peasant farmers who get caught inside Belize are the ones who pay the price for pillaging Belize’s natural resources. Those who are really behind the operations continue to elude law enforcement authorities, due to the lack of an effective cross-border strategy to counter those […]

CitCo will not reinstate six fired employees, despite union intervention
A meeting between the Belize City Council, led by Mayor Bernard Wagner, and the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) led by its president, talk show host, Evan “Mose” Hyde on Tuesday yielded no common ground over their differences regarding six dismissals last week, two of whom […]

Hypertension, a silent killer in Belize, is also a culprit of erectile dysfunction
Hypertension (commonly known as “pressure”) is a strong risk factor in heart disease – Belize’s #1 killer, and experts say that it can also make life miserable for couples, since it has also been linked to erectile dysfunction and loss of libido in women, particularly […]

Editorial
A recurring theme at the annual general meeting of the Holy Redeemer Credit Union, which held its annual general meeting on April 29th, was the growing tendency towards delinquency in paying back credit union loans. HRCU, like all other credit unions, charge one percent interest per month on the reduced […]

Arson reveals possible murder
Belmopan police are investigating the death of an unidentified man whose charred remains were found inside a home on a farm in the Banana Bank area of Belmopan on Tuesday afternoon. The Fire Department had first responded to a fire report and found the corpse […]

PM lays out plans for UDP’s future
Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced this week that his successor to lead the United Democratic Party (UDP) may be chosen as early as May, 2019. At a press conference held at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza on Wednesday, Barrow said that there are several […]

Could San Pedro see a re-election?
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has asked the People’s United Party (PUP) to amend its petition with regard to the March 7 Municipal Elections in San Pedro to include evidence given by the Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, that she had tampered with the ballot boxes. […]

BTB/Love FM team up to hold first ever kayak race
Some 20 years after the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge was first organized, two entities have teamed up to hold a similar race – only this time via the Caribbean Sea! The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has teamed up with Love FM to hold […]

More gas pain
As more businesses announce an increase in the cost of goods and services, Belizeans were hit this week with another increase in the price of fuel, marking the sixth price adjustment for 2018. The Ministry of Finance announced this week that as of May 16, […]

Infant and teen talent star at Festival of Arts
Belize infants and students of all ages showcased their talents for music, arts poetry, song and dance at the annual Belize district Festival of Arts hosted by the National Institute of Culture and History NICH, in collaboration with the Institute of the Creative Arts (ICA) and the […]

Breaking Belize News

Battle for Albert Constituency heats up; Paul Thompson endorsed by Albert’s Committee
Today is the closing date for applications for PUP candidates to contest the standard bearer […]

DPM Faber confirms incident with police in US
Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber, during an interview on Love FM’s Morning Show this week confirmed […]

Teacher’s Day 2018
Hundreds of teachers from all over the country gathered at the Belize Civic Center today for […]

UB’s Faculty and Staff Association makes it official
After 18 years, the University of Belize’s Faculty and Staff Association has become an officially registered […]

Mexican government protests Trump’s remarks on immigrants
The Mexican government today issued a statement informing that through its Foreign Ministry, it is issuing […]

John Paul JC awards students who earned honors in National Latin Exam
The only Junior College in Benque Viejo del Carmen, John Paul II Junior College (JPIIJC) awarded […]

Strong man championship to be held in Santa Elena town
The Belize Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation (BBBFF) has announced that it will be hosting its Annual […]

Guatemalan authorities inquire about Belize border fence project
Reports reaching BBN newsroom are that yesterday evening around 5, members of the Guatemalan army, police […]

Belize condemns violence in the Gaza Strip
The Government of Belize (GOB) today issued a statement condemning the violence at the Gaza strip. […]

BDF beats Verdes, advances to football finals against Belmopan Bandits
The semi-final rematch between the BDF FC and Verdes FC was played on Wednesday night at […]

Blogs

Rain, Weather Predictions, Upcoming Events and Pictures Around San Pedro Town
Weather, especially in the tropics, is changeable. Capricious. Fickle. But it’s not entirely unpredictable. I get at least 3 or 4 messages a week from upcoming visitors that are in a bit of a panic. They have been watching their “weather app” (it seems that it is usually from weather.com) and CRAP weather is forecast. We got some rain yesterday! After a week of hot hot humidity but sunny skies. The weather broke and we got some morning rain. Our cistern filled up a foot or two. Hooray! And the lagoon clouded up with the run off from the land and road.

First Maya Symposium Chactemal Mural on Santa Rita was held inside Dreams in Corozal
Today the To'one Masehualo'on (We are Maya ) did there First Maya Symposium Chactemal Mural on Santa Rita was held inside Dreams in Corozal. This morning the cheers were filled up by people this two days historical event this two days event inside Dreams in Corozal. Today the event commenced at 10am. Today and tomorrow will be having this historical Maya history event. Also, do not miss the Maya reenactment starting at 6pm. If you haven't been here yet contact the Belize Yucatec Group. NGO and The Northern Maya Association of Belize for a ground breaking academic and cultural experiences as we explore the hidden secrets of The Murals of Chactemal a Santa Rita Hill, Corozal town, Belize.

International Sources

Belize Deputy Prime Minister confirms his detention in the US
Belize Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber has confirmed that he was “detained for about three hours” last month when he visited the United States because police thought he fitted the description of a man who was about to launch a gun attack on a school. Faber, who appeared on a television programme on Thursday night, confirmed that the incident occurred on April 20 in Henry County, telling viewers “there was an incident in the United States with the Henry County Sherriff,”. Faber said that he had gone to the school where his two children are studying and was welcomed by the principal. “I had called the schools to say that I would be visiting and I was welcomed by the principal, to say you are able to come in. I wanted to check on their progress and I wanted to ensure that the school was aware that I am very much interested in their wellbeing, in their learning environment there and so on,” he said.

Belize Resorts Launch Unique Hotels of Belize
Three of Belize’s most highly regarded resorts, Victoria House, Naia Resort and Spa and The Lodge at Chaa Creek, have launched a new signature collection, Unique Hotels of Belize. The exclusive collaboration reflects the distinctive nature and location of each property, while assuring visitors of exceptionally high levels of quality and service. Each member resort celebrates Belizean culture through sumptuous cuisine, on and off property expeditions and friendly local staff, offering visitors authentic Belizean hospitality.

Videos

May 18, 2018

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

San Pedro rejects tourism development at Cayo Rosario
Tour guides and operators, concerned citizens, and activists expressed their sentiments against the building of over-the-water structures at Cayo Rosario, situated on the north-western coast of Ambergris Caye during a boat rally in front of the 10-acre island on Sunday, May 13th. Two days later, on Tuesday, May 15th, those same feelings were shared by hundreds of island residents and visitors during a public meeting held at the San Pedro Lions Den. Citizens on the island are outraged over the idea of the proposed tourism project on Cayo Rosario, which is located within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve extension. As a united voice, they sent a strong message to the investors behind the project and the National Environmental Advisory Committee (NEAC) who approved it. Islanders say they will not allow any development on the island that would jeopardize the sensitive marine environment or the livelihood of present and future generations of San Pedranos.

Island Invasion Mother’s Day edition rocks San Pedro
In commemoration of Mother’s Day, King of the Island Promotions threw a special party for island mothers on Saturday, May 12th inside Fido’s Courtyard. Dubbed ‘Mother’s Day Fete,’ the event was full of surprises and giveaways, along with great music by some of the best Deejays on the island. A large crowd began pouring into Fido’s around 11PM when the event officially started. The party featured a premier DJ line-up including DJ Chabo, DJ Biggz, DJ Odyssey, and Evolution Sounds. The latest summer tunes, including hip-hop, old school, reggae, pop, and dancehall had the crowd going till the wee hours. Fido’s bartenders kept the cocktails and ice cold beers flowing, adding to the festive atmosphere.

9-A-Side Football tournament heads to semifinals for U-15 and Female category; San Pedro Pirates champions of the U-13
After four weeks of games, the regular season of the San Pedro Sports Committee 9-A-Side Football Tournament came to an end this past weekend at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. The first set of matches were played on Thursday, May 10th, with San Pedro Pirates versus San Mateo F.C. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, but having collected the most points during the regular season, the San Pedro Pirates claimed the U-13 championship title. The second round of semifinals will be played on Sunday, May 20th, starting at 5PM with Atletico Madrid going against Larubeya F.C in the U-15 category, followed by SPHS girls versus Island Warriors #1 in the female category. The next match will feature Los Catrachitos taking on San Mateo F.C in the U-15 category. The last match of the weekend will be between Island Warriors #2 and Ambergris Combined Force in the female category. All islanders are invited to come out to the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town to support their favorite team during the semifinals. Food and drinks will be on sale during all games.

San Pedro Red Cross hosts second blood drive of the year
Nine pints of blood were collected on Saturday, May 12th following a blood drive held by the Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch. The drive took place at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where volunteers and Belize Blood Bank personnel welcomed potential donors from 9AM to 3PM. Meanwhile, $212.50 was collected from a dollar drive held on the streets of downtown San Pedro. The majority of the potential donors made their way to the Polyclinic in the morning, answering the call to donate much-needed units of blood. They were reminded that their donation goes towards the Ambergris Caye’s reserves at the blood bank. This blood is then available for any islander who may need a blood transfusion in emergency situations.

Ambergris Today

Mrs. Martha Badillo – Mother Of The Year 2018
On Saturday, May 12, 2018, The San Pedro Town Council along with Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. hosted its annual Mother's Day Extravaganza at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex, where the mothers were greeted and presented with a special gift as they entered. It was a night filled with lots of laughter and entertainment. Mothers were serenaded by San Pedro's very own Wil & Dale featuring Mr. Fernando Trejo. El Buki imitator, Ismael Chacon delighted the crowd with popular songs as well. While Yaka’s Elite Dancers entertained with awesome choreographed dances. This year's Mother of the Year was 78-year-old, Mrs. Martha Badillo. Mrs. Badillo was born and raised in San Pedro Town and was married to fisherman, Mr. Ramon Badillo and had eleven children. Mrs. Badillo has always been dedicated to her family and her household. She was crowned by outgoing Mother of the year Mrs. Maria Elena Alamilla.

Cable Price Going Up Too In Belize!!!
You read that correctly, cable price is going up as well! Cable providers countrywide are advising their customers that there will be an increase in cable price effective June 1, 2018. In a press release sent out by the Belize Cable Television Operators Association (BCTOA) it states that it has been agreed by the member cable operators that the new rate for a basic cable package with a minimum of eighty (80) stations will be BZ$60.00 inclusive of General Sales Tax. This increase will come into effect as of June 1, 2018. Cable package sizes and offerings will vary by operator.

Fuel Prices Rise Again Due To Increase In World Oil Prices
There has been a steady increase in world oil prices over the past few weeks due to an increase in demand for the summer months. This has outstripped the ability of major oil producers to respond with sufficient increases in supply in time. The Government has engaged with the key importer, PUMA, to rationalize the delivery cost of the supply into Belize. This has resulted in the decreases in the prices of Premium and Kerosene which become effective as stated above. The Government of Belize is concerned, however, that recent developments in the Middle East and Iran, as well as the announcement of further sanctions against Venezuela, will result in a significant increase in world oil prices.

Misc Belizean Sources

Movie Night at KoKo King
KoKo King's Family Night comes around again!! Featuring the new movies of ... EARLY MAN - Award winning Nick Park's latest venture is set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures and woolly mammoths roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of Dug, along with sidekick Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth and his Bronze Age City to save their home. THE MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE Follow the young hero Thomas as he embarks on a mission to find a cure for a deadly disease known as "The Flare". Kids meals, popcorn, marshmallows and adult beverages available. Come and celebrate the long weekend with your family at the beautiful KoKo King!

Minister of National Security Visits Western Border Security Facilities Upgrade Project
On Wednesday, May 16th, the Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar visited Belize’s western border to observe the new project aimed at upgrading security at that border. As previously reported, the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Light Engineers are working on a project to repair, upgrade and consolidate security facilities at the Belize-Guatemala border at Benque Viejo del Carmen (Belize) and Melchor de Mencos (Guatemala). The works include improvements to fences, gates and other border security features. They are being coordinated in conjunction with the Belize Border Management Authority. The project is expected to take no more than six to eight weeks to complete. The works are not expected to disrupt the flow of traffic at the border.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of May 7th - May 13th, 2018
The bonefishing, as always, has been excellent again this week. The weather is also cooperating which makes for a great combination and puts many smiles on the anglers faces. First-time saltwater anglers can always find a Bonefish to hook into so they "Like the fish" can also "get hooked."

BWS at Ebenezer School Career Day
Career Day presentation at Ebenezer School by Belize Water Services

UN Migration Agency to Support Belize to Develop New Migration Policy
The Government of Belize and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) jointly launched on May 16th the development of a National Migration and Development Policy for Belize. The development of the national policy will be led by the Government of Belize through a Steering Committee chaired by the Department of Immigration and Nationality Services. In developing the policy, the Government of Belize requested technical assistance from the IOM in 2016, and a steering committee was formulated in 2017 to work alongside IOM in drafting the policy framework and to ensure that the policy is aligned with the Government’s development strategy and national vision.

2nd Annual Masquerade Gala
Saturday, May 19 at 6 PM. Are you ready to enjoy an evening wearing your best island formal? Create and wear your favorite mask and join us for an evening to play your favorite table games (craps, blackjack, and roulette). The top chip holders will win great prizes! Join us Great Gatsby-style for our 2nd annual Masquerade benefiting Hope Haven - Belize, SHINE, Raise Me Up, The Literacy Program, San Pedro Kids Club, Colleen's Kitchen at San Pedro Food Bank and a special silent auction benefiting ACES / American Crocodile Education Sanctuary! If you missed out last year, now's your chance to see how we throw your favorite dress-up gala. You definitely don't want to miss out!

Caye Caulker Health Fair
Today is the last of the health fair come out and make the most of the last day. Dentistry: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon free Belize Medical Associates: Lab will be open from 7:00 a.m. to do blood work Doctors available for free consultation Dr. Cawich Dra. Cuellar Dr. Rosado Lab and pharmacy at discounted prices.

The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People Hosts International Task Force Business Meeting in Belize
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) in collaboration with the Government of Belize convened their International Task Force Business Meeting at the Sandy Beach Women’s Cooperative Society Limited in Hopkins Village. The meeting was to commemorate the exceptional partnership with the Departments of Co-operatives and Agriculture in the management and implementation of projects funded by the organization. In 2010, Presbyterian SDOP selected Belize as a part of the new international funding strategy.

Hon. Edmund Castro Tours Belize Postal Service
Yesterday, May 16, 2018, Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, with responsibility for Postal Service, Hon Edmond Castro visited the Belize Postal Service Headquarters and General Post Office Compound in Belize City. He was welcomed by Post Master General James Gabriel, and other members of staff, who gave him a full tour of the offices and discussed with him matters relating to delivery of services to the public. One of the key issues discussed was the need to relocate offices and rehabilitate the main building, which is deemed to be in an unsatisfactory state.

BelizeINVEST, a unit of BELTRAIDE, participates at this year’s Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Miami, Florida, U.S.A
WhatsApp Image 2018-05-17 at 12.34.30 PMBelizeINVEST, a unit of BELTRAIDE, jointly with the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and in collaboration with the Caribbean Investment Promotion Agency (CAIPA) participate at this year’s Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit currently being held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Miami, Florida, U.S.A as of May 16th – 18th, 2018. The event serves as a platform for various tourism and hospitality stakeholders to meet in discussing strategic investment opportunities available in the Caribbean. The event hosts in excess of three hundred (300) delegates with profiles ranging from prestigious Hotel Brands and Company Executives, Developers, Lenders, Real Estate & Financial Intermediaries, and Government & Tourism Officials amongst others.

Corozal ITVET
Good Morning Friends. We are thrilled to invite you once again to our annual Expo taking place on May 24, 2018. Food and drinks will be on sale. Make it a day and come see the displays our trainees have prepared for you all.

3rd ANNUAL FORWARD MOVEMENTS STREET FESTIVAL
SUGA CITY INVITES - 3rd ANNUAL FORWARD MOVEMENTS STREET FESTIVAL - MUSIC - CULTURE - ARTS - FOOD - DRINKS - FREE GIVEAWAYS. May 19th.

Corozal - PUBLIC ADVISORY - FORGERY OF DIPLOMA
It has been brought to the attention of the Board of Governors and Institutions' Administrators that copies of FAKE diplomas of Corozal Community College and Corozal Junior College have been presented for employment. In both cases, the copies of the fake diplomas have the forged signatures of the Institution's Administrator and Board Chairman. In those 2 cases, the copies of the diplomas presented were not authentic diplomas of our Institutions. Our Institutions only award original diplomas to successful candidates with the original signatures of our administrators, chairman and with the official seal. Employers are strongly advised to properly verify the authenticity of our original documents. Where needed, employers may contact us to verify information for authenticity of diplomas.

Fun moments at BEL Family Day

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Peter Pan, The Cured, Pacific Rim, Terminal. *Francisco Puga (from Cancun) performing live on the big Stage Saturday Night at 9pm $25* **Please keep an eye on the movie times, as this is an irregular weekend. TERMINAL AND THE CURED are on Friday and Sunday ONLY**

A Day in San Antonio
June 10th, San Antonio Community Center.

Channel 7

Guatemalan Authorities Come Across Border To Inspect Works
This afternoon, the Guatemalan army and police were on the Belize side of the Benque border reviewing the work done by the BDF Light Engineering Company.  As we showed you on Monday, they’re installing fences and gates to ensure better crowd control at that official border crossing.  So what authority do the Guatemalans have to review their work?  Well, they made the request through the OAS to come and see what’s happening so that they can properly advise Guatemalans coming across.  The OAS set up meetings with Belizean officials and the Guatemalans.  The BDF engineer in charge briefed them - and the visit went smoothly, we are told - even if it did raise some eyebrows.

Defence Minister Reviews BDF Border Work
So, indeed, everyone is keeping an eye on the BDF’s border fence project - and that includes the Minister of National Security John Saldivar.  He took a closer look yesterday when he visited the area accompanied by CEO Felix Enriquez along with other BDF personnel.  A release says, “the improved security measures have become necessary due to the increasing volume of activity at the border, particularly trade, tourism and citizens crossing…Guatemala. The safety of Belizeans and visitors using the border crossing is also a concern that is being addressed in the upgrades being done by our ministry.

Police Have Murder Suspects, But No Charges Yet In Lipka Killing
And while they have what they believe to be the weapon, San Pedro Police still have not made any arrests in Lipka’s murder.  As we told you last night, two suspects are detained - and they were also recently charged for an ammunition offence.   But, the story goes much deeper than that because sources tell 7News that his shooting is being looked at as a professional hit, most likely done by a shooter who was flown onto the island. They still don’t know why he was killed, but the cops do know that he was a litigant in a recent lawsuit. Assistant Superintendent Alejandro Cowo told the media today that that they are looking for 3 suspects at this time:

No Suspects Yet For Shooting Mayor Khalid’s Home
Police are no closer to solving the shooting at the home of Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle. As we reported on Monday, the mayor and his fiancée were inside their Valencia Street home, and at around 10:30 p.m. they were awakened by a barrage of gunshots fired at the the house. The bullets pierced outer walls and a car door, but very fortunately, the couple escaped unharmed.  The cops said today that they are hoping that persons with information would come forward and help them to get to the bottom of the incident:

Video, But No Suspects For Torching City Employee’s SUV
And while that attack is on the Mayor of Belize’s Capital city - back here in the old capital - police also don’t have any clues as to who tried to torch City employee Sharlene Rudon’s vehicle.   She’s the Director of Administration and Human Resources at the Belize City Council - and a Molotov cocktail was thrown at her SUV in front of her home shortly after 6 staffers were fired.   The vehicle was damaged, but not destroyed. She signed at least half of the termination letters which went out last week Tuesday. But police aren’t completely clueless on this one: they do have surveillance footage which captured the arson attempt, and they are trying to identify the person caught on camera:

Police Have To Use DNA To Find Out Who Was Burnt In Home
And another case of arson is more confounding and sinister than that one.  As we showed you last night, it happened on the outskirts of Belmopan where 4 houses were burnt down, and a man’s charred remains were found in the rubble.  Those 4 structures were in a yard on Jordan Ranch road, which is an area of the old Banana Bank road, across the George Price Highway from the airstrip, at the entrance of Belmopan. It’s a case of arson - and whoever set the fire probably also meant to burn the person inside. So now it is also being treated as a murder.   But who is the person that was burned to death inside?

Hoper For Hypertensives
“Hypertension is a silent killer”: We hear it all the time, but many people especially those living with the disease, take it for granted. So today on World Hypertension Day the Ministry of Health hosted a seminar for food vendors to show them how they can help reduce cases of hypertension. Courtney Weatherburne has more. Usually when that mid-morning or late afternoon craving hits – a bowl of fruits wouldn’t be the first pick to satisfy that hunger. Many Belizeans would grab a serving of chips or chicharon among other salty or sweat treats. Well nutritionist Robyn Daly says all that salt is killing you.

IDB Wants Belize City “In the Zone”
If you live in a neighborhood where the corner store is right next to the corner bar, which is right across from the school, which is right down the street from the mechanic shop - then you’ll know why Belize needs zoning.   In Belize, we’ve never really had specific zones for commercial, residential and industrial, but that may be changing. The IDB funded a study for Belize about land use and now it seems it might actually be put to use. Today the City Council had a public meeting regarding zoning and we found out more,  Sahar Vasquez
“Explain to us what exactly you mean by zoning? Are you putting restaurants in one area, residents in one area?”

“Grabbaz” Use Golf Cart
San Pedro police have arrested and charged two men for attempted murder and use of deadly means of harm after a brazen and callous crime caught on surveillance camera.   Last Thursday morning at 4:00 am - two men were walking when two men rode up fast on a golf cart and simply knocked one of the men down.  He was flung to pavement while his friend stood by helpless as the men in the golf cart calmly came over and robbed him.  Even though he was knocked out, they calmly searched his pockets and then did the same to his friend.  After that they walked off with what they got and left.   The friend was then left to try and get help for his injured companion. Island police say they have charged two men, Denfield Tasher and Moses Mejia for attempted murder, and use of deadly means of harm.

Territorial Volunteers Reject PM’s Position On the ICJ
Yesterday at his press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s said that he personally supports a “yes” vote, so does Cabinet, and he thinks that Belizeans should be encouraged - not coerced - into voting to take Guatemala’s territorial claim over Belize to the ICJ. He also said Belize has a watertight case.   Well, for a long-time opponents of the ICJ like Wil Maheia - those are famous last words. The border activist and politician, was the first to respond and criticize the government for wanting to encourage a “yes” vote. Today, he sent this video from PG statement making his stance clear:

A Seine Byte Shooting
A man from Seine Byte Village on the Placencia Peninsula is hospitalized tonight for gunshot wounds he suffered after narrowly escaping what looks to be an execution attempt on his life. At around 7:30 p.m., 25 year-old Austin Williams was standing on a street on the south end of the village. He was in the company of another man, identified to us as Ralph Forbes, when a gunman came up from behind them and immediately turned his weapon on Williams.  That assailant shot him 2 times: 1 to the left upper back, and another to the lower part of his cheek. Police told us more:

Accountant Shot In Palmar
There was also a shooting in quiet Palmar Village in the Orange Walk District. It happened last night at 11:5 when 32 year-old Jose Oscar Santana was in his yard.  A gunman emerged from the bushes of an overgrown lot right next his property. The shooter opened fire on him, but Santana managed to get away with only a single gunshot wound on his right arm.  The cops told us today that they’re trying to get some answers: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On yesterday's date shortly after 11:20 PM police responded to a shooting incident in San Jose Palmar village Orange Walk district where upon arrival met one Jose Santana who had one gunshot injury to the right arm. He reported that whilst in his yard moving towards the gate he heard several shots and realized that he was shot to the right arm. Mr. Santana lives opposite an unoccupied overgrown lot from where police conducted searches and recovered 8 expended 9mm shells."

Jack And Tan
There was also a broad daylight robbery in Trial Farm Village. Just before 11:00 in the morning, Two men strode into Tan Store, one them pointed a pistol at the proprietor, and then jumped over the counter and snatched $700 dollars from the cash register.

Police May Have To Rethink Manslaughter Charge
And keeping it in Trial Farm - police today discussed the accident involving Demetrio Pott that happened there three weeks ago.   The 47 year-old Caledonia Villager died earlier this week. Initially, police believed that he died from an alleged beatdown he received from men whose vehicle his brother crashed into. But now, the cops aren’t so sure. A post mortem indicates that he died from “whiplash syndrome”, and the cops told us today that they will be seeking the advice of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on how they should proceed. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "The post mortem reports for that is saying that he died from whiplash syndrome."

Team Effort To Find Guardado Killer
Moving now to the city, Police investigators had to work double duty to find the man who allegedly killed Daniel Guardado.  As we told you, police arrested and charged 21 year-old Benjamin Alexander Reid, a Banak Street Resident, for the murder of 43 year-old Guardado, the mechanic who was shot and killed on Partridge Street Extension.  He’s on remand at the Belize Central Prison because the cops think he was the shooter who senselessly gunned down Guardado, a working man.  Today, at the bi-weekly police press conference, the police spokesperson thanked the investigators for effort in aggressively pursuing all tips which led to this arrests:

Griga Ganja
Turning now to weed busts, yesterday morning at about 7:15, Dangriga police searched a bushy lot in the Rivas Estate Area of Dangriga town. They found about five pounds of cannabis stashed in the lot. The drugs were labelled as found property.

Pot Eena Peppa Bottle
In the city this morning, the catch was far smaller, but it had a homegrown feel when police found a stash of forty five dollar bags of weed in black pepper and coffee containers. The find was made on Jane Usher Boulevard in Debbie Copious’s room. The weed amounted to 42 grams.

Solved A Hilux Heist
Last year in December Abner Patt reported to police that his Toyota Hilux was stolen from in front of his residence. The police investigated and while they were not able to recover the vehicle, 6 months later but they charged 22-year-old Belize City resident Calbert Humes and charge him with vehicle theft.   He appeared today before senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. He pled not guilty to the charge and was released on a bail of $6,000 plus sureties of $3,000 each. His next court date is June 14th. 

Senator Val’s Ready To Rumble, No Matta What
Last night, we showed you our interview with PUP’s Valerie Woods, who is contemplating challenging her Senate colleague, Paul Thompson in a contested convention to be the Standard Bearer for the Albert Division. She has told us that she will make a final decision tomorrow, but we wondered. If she does challenge him, will that cause a rift in the party? These types of challenges can often turn messy for mass parties, with infighting erupting behind closed doors.  You’ll already seen something like that between Gilroy Usher Sr. and Dr. Candice Pitts, who made a statement blasting her party after it refused to allow her to challenge Usher in a contested convention.

Sparks Flew On Prom Night
Last week Friday night at 8:30 in Belize City, it was the usual frenetic hype at the Radisson for the SCA Prom.  But then suddenly, there was an explosion and sparks.  A camera-man taping the event captured it:.. So what cause the transformer to explode, leaving more than a thousand people without light?  Well, onlookers tell us that it’s aluminum streamers or confetti which bridged two electrical wires on the lamp-post and caused the transformer to go “boom!” BEL says it was caused by a balloon which touched the high voltage line.  BEL dispatched a crew and power was restored shortly after. Prom goers and their entourages are regularly warned to cut down on the confetti and balloons specifically because of this electrical hazard. 

A Fair For The Future
It was all about health today at the Constitution Park where the Gateway Youth Center hosted their 4th annual health fair. Now it’s hard to get a bunch of kids to listen to grown-ups talking about healthy tips on how to live a long life, but one of the main coordinators says it is definitely worth a try to get the message out there. Here is more. Erolyn Sebastian - Counselor, Gateway Youth Center: "This is Gateway’s 4th annual health fair, so every year we try to find a different location so we can touch base with different people in the community. We have different organizations and ministries here today, we have individuals from BFLA, from VCT, we have from OCEANA, Red Cross, BCVI and we have our Gateway youth center members out here, diabetes society, cancer society."

Law Enforcement Got Love For Students
Yesterday students at the Muslim Community School in Belize City received a huge donation of school supplies ranging from pencils to backpacks from the Coast Guard. We found out more about the inspiration behind the donation. Sr. Supt Howell Gillett - Commander Southside: “What we are doing here is to show that both governments are committed. The Belizean government, as well as the US government, are committed to helping young people to get to that next level which is becoming a positive role model, becoming a positive adult. This is just one of the many things we are doing in a partnership which happens to be at this time the US southern command and the Belize Coast Gaourd. We are so pleased to do this and we hope that this type of engagement can happen on all schools in region 1.”

PM Calls Hypocrisy On Immigration Criticism
Last night’s newscast was loaded with comments from Prime Minister Dean Barrow who had a scattershot press conference to discuss all things current.   Well, we have a bit more for you from that press conference, specifically, when he was asked about the wisdom of splitting the Immigration Department into 2.  Legislation has been passed to break that department into 2 separate Sections. The first will be in charge of granting nationality and passports, and the other will be responsible for immigration and border management.  Last week we had PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay’s harsh criticism of the Barrow Administration’s decision to do this.  He says it will allow the Immigration Department to become more vulnerable to the abuses and corrupt acts exposed during the Senate Hearings on Immigration. The Prime Minister was asked about that criticism, and he called it political opportunism:

PM on Palestine Slaughter
The Prime Minister was also asked to comment on the Israeli-Palestine territorial dispute that has once again become deadly. As we told you, the United States Government has upended decades of international consensus to let Palestine and Israel settle their territorial dispute over the Holy City of Jerusalem. It’s been a bitter dispute where these 2 Middle Eastern Countries have been fighting over who should be allowed to make Jerusalem their capital. On Monday, the US moved their Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, throwing support behind that country’s claim to the disputed city. ctical ways... that we can advance this friendship and this alliance.

Channel 5

Charges Re-Considered after Death of Demetrio Pott
Police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions are in a pickle tonight because they are revisiting manslaughter charges slapped against three men in Orange Walk. Last Thursday, [...]

Trio Sought in Murder of “Monty” Lipka
There is some progress in the investigation into the brazen killing of American national Lamont Lipka in San Pedro. On Sunday night, the forty-nine-year-old restaurateur, better known as “Monty”, was [...]

Arson Confirmed, but Bruce Davidson Still Missing
There is another case that police are trying to crack and they are not getting any help from the results of an autopsy conducted on charred remains of a human [...]

Deputy PM Goes Down to Georgia; Police Hold Him over ‘Prank’ 911 Call
For weeks, there have been speculations about an incident in the State of Georgia involving Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber.  It happened on April twentieth, while he was on vacation [...]

Once a Guatemalan, Always a Guatemalan – Never a Belizean?
With the re-registration process due to start in July, some Guatemalans find themselves in an absurd situation, particularly those who acquired Belizean citizenship by way of renouncing their Guatemala citizenship. [...]

P.M. Issues Support for Belmopan Chief
A criminal investigation into an attack on the residence of Mayor Khalid Belisle in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan is still open.  The split-level, two storey abode came under [...]

Police Chase Leads in Shooting at Mayor’s House
Police today gave an update on the shooting at the Valencia Street residence of Mayor Belisle. Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett confirmed today that the department is exploring a [...]

Territorial Volunteers Hit Back at P.M.
This afternoon, the leader of the Belize Territorial Volunteers, Wil Maheia, issued a video response to the pronouncements of Prime Minister Dean Barrow on the I.C.J. issue. Maheia also spoke [...]

Accountant Targeted in Palmar
A thirty-two-year-old accountant from San Jose Palmar Village in Orange Walk District was the victim of a shooting on Wednesday night.  Jose Oscar Santana says he was inside his yard [...]

Austin Williams in Gunman’s Crosshairs in Seine Bight
Austin Williams is tonight recovering at the Southern Regional Hospital, reportedly under police guard, following a shooting incident that occurred overnight in Seine Bight Village on the peninsula. Williams was [...]

Mistaken for Someone Else; Benjamin Reid Charged for Daniel Guardado Murder
As we reported on Wednesday, police arrested and charged Benjamin Reid for the murder of Daniel Guardado who was shot and killed on May fifth on Partridge Street Extension. Today, [...]

Will Sunshine Ask Again to Come In?
On Friday, Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel crushed the hopes of Sunshine Holdings Limited to receive a share, or at the outside, all of the more than one hundred and [...]

P.M. Concedes Settlement Agreement Could Have Been Tighter
As has been noted, Sunshine Holdings did not get an exception in the 2015 settlement agreement for its debt as it was government-owned. The agreement explicitly obliged Government to take [...]

P.M. Does Not Support Embassy Moves but Cabinet Will Decide
On Monday, the United States inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem, as the first country to relocate its headquarters from Tel Aviv, in the State of Israel.  On Wednesday, Guatemala followed [...]

Border Management Agency ‘Dragged Heels’ on Western Border Fence
Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, traveled to the western border on Wednesday to view firsthand security improvements that are taking place at the Benque/Melchor crossing point.  The infrastructure work [...]

In Honor of a Teacher
In light of teacher’s day celebration on Friday, we bring you a feature story of a young teacher described as an outstanding member of the Queen Square Anglican School teaching [...]

Belizeans Show Solidarity with Cuba
The average Belizean doesn’t know that much about the island nation of Cuba – perhaps that it is a socialist state in a mostly capitalist region of the world, or [...]

A Plan for the Old Capital
Over the years we have seen many instances of disruption to life in Belize City, as a result of mutually exclusive activities being forced to co-exist with each other – [...]

Work Starts ‘Soon’ on Dredging Yabra Canal
When last we left the situation of the Collet Canal, specifically the tributary that empties into the Caribbean Sea, the Belize City Council was beginning the process of draining out [...]

Picking Your Favorite Fisherman
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and its partner agencies want to recognize fisherfollks who are doing good work in the fishing industry. Two outstanding fishers will be awarded along with [...]

To Your Good Health
The Gateway Youth Center held its annual health fair today at the Constitution Park in Belize City. A number of the organizations shared informational pamphlets, interactive games, as well as [...]

Healthy Living: the Link between ‘Pressure’ and Salt
Reducing the use of salt is a priority for health officials in Belize to prevent and contain the risk of heart diseases. The focus this year on the occasion of [...]

LOVE FM

International Hypertension Day: “Know your numbers”
Belize has a small population compared to the other Caribbean and Latin American countries, so two hundred hypertension-related deaths is considered a very high number. The Ministry of Health is doing what it can to reduce that figure and today it targeted food vendors in Belize City as part of World Hypertension Day. This year’s …

Gateway promoting healthy living
The topic of healthy living was also at the center of a fair put off by Gateway Youth Center. Reporter Johnelle McKenzie stopped by and filed this report.

Man got shot in his yard
Last night, a shooting incident occurred in San Jose Palmar Village located in the Orange Walk District. At this morning’s police press brief, ACP Joseph Myvett, Head of the National Crime Investigation Branch briefed the media on the incident. Police have no motive at this time as to why Santana was targeted.

BDF soldiers deployed to the border to bolster patrols
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) has recently noted an increase in Guatemalan encroachment in the Chiquibul Forest. In fact, last week FCD discovered areas within the Chiquibul that had been surveyed. FCD believes these recent occurrences are as a result of a ‘yes’ vote to the ICJ in Guatemala. Guatemalans living along the borders …

Man narrowly escapes death
Austin Williams narrowly escaped death in a shooting incident which occurred last night in Siene Bight Village. At this morning’s press brief, ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of the National Crime Investigation Branch, spoke on the incident. Williams was admitted to the Southern Regional Hospital in a stable condition.

Increase of cable bill was inevitable
Your next month’s cable bill will be an additional thirty percent higher. That’s because the Belize Cable Television Operators Association will increase the cost of cable to sixty dollars per month. The increase comes as a result of the association entering into a copyright licensing agreement with programmers. But with the increase, customers can expect …

Another group of squatters in Belmopan being removed by Recondev
Several families have had their houses demolished and forced out of land they occupied in the J and W subdivision in the Maya Mopan area of Belmopan. We are talking about families that have squatted in lands within that area for five or more years. They are being moved by the Reconstruction and Development Corporation, …

PM Barrow explains why there is no need to amend the Maritime Act
In December of last year, PUP Senator Eamon Courtenay attempted to table a motion in the Senate to amend the Maritime Areas Act. That motion was voted down by the Government’s majority. The amendment sought Belize to claim its full twelve miles of territorial waters rather than the three miles it currently claims. If done, …

Is the charred remains that of Bruce Davidson?
At this morning’s press brief, ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of the National Crime Investigation Branch, gave an update of the charred remains that were discovered after fire personnel had extinguished a fire which engulfed four wooden houses on the Old Banana Bank Road on Tuesday. Police have not yet identified the charred remains; however, Bruce …

Benjamin Alexander Reid charged with the murder of Daniel Guardado
Police say that the murder of Daniel Guardado was a case of mistaken identity. At this morning’s press brief, ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of Crime Investigation Branch, said that police was able to make an arrest with the help of the public.

Has the economy improved?
Is the Government broke? Yesterday at a press conference Prime Minister Dean Barrow refuted that claim, saying that the Government cannot possibly be broke if it has made available eight million dollars for the re-registration exercise and a further sum of two point five million dollars to fuel the ICJ referendum campaign. But has the economy improved? We asked the Financial Secretary Joseph Waight that question yesterday.

PM says BTL agreement “might have been far more tightly drawn so that the objective that I sought to achieve”
The nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited came at a hefty price and that’s not including the millions of dollars in litigation fees. The complex legal war over the telecom giant spanned many years and the final battle of legal position was heard in the courtroom Justice Courtenay Abel who dismissed a claim brought by Sunshine …

PM says PUP’s claims are nonsense
An amendment to the Immigration, Belizean Nationality, and Passports Acts was successfully passed late in March. The amendment splits the functions of the Immigration Department. One half of the department will be responsible for granting nationality and passport while the remaining half will deal with immigration and border management. It is a move that the …

PM explains the peculiar situation of Choice Bank
Last month it was reported that Choice Bank Limited, an offshore banking company, is experiencing a liquidity crisis. At the end of the third quarter of 2017, Choice Bank considered itself the largest international bank in Belize with more than US$238M in total assets. However, in April Choice Bank told its customers that because recent …

Scammer used Belize to collect millions of dollars
Forty eight year old Brent Borland of Borland Capital Group has been charged by the US for defrauding investors. He used Belize to do so. Borland who operated an investment firm in New York City used investors’ money to live the life of the rich and famous, until he was caught by US authorities. He …

BTB Love Belize Sea challenge – an adventure like no other
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and Love FM are teaming up to bring you the first ever BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge, which is set to commence tomorrow. This kayak race will have paddlers going from Punta Gorda to Corozal. It is expected to be an adventure like no other. Love News spoke with RSV’s …

PlusTV

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN DEBRIS OF BELMOPAN HOUSE FIRE
A man died in a house fire that took place in the outskirts of Belmopan. According to reports, yesterday afternoon about midday, Fire Personnel responded to a fire on a farm located behind Christian Academy School. After fire personnel were able to put out the fire, they began to go through the debr...

PM IS ALL FOR A ‘YES’ VOTE IN ICJ REFERENDUM
The Belize/ Guatemala ICJ Referendum is scheduled for April the 10th of 2019 and Prime Minister Barrow believes that voting ‘yes’ at the referendum is the best choice for Belize. The PM held a press conference this morning in which he addressed several pressing matters. One of those matters was the ...

BELIZEAN GAS PRICES TO INCREASE AS WORLD PRICES DO
Last night we reported to you that Regular gasoline Prices at the pump in Belize will continue to increase as world prices also increase. Yesterday the Ministry of Finance issued a press release stating that in fact, as of midnight on May 16, regular gasoline in Belize City will go up by ten cents. ...

PM ON EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
On May 2nd COLA, Citizens Organizational for Liberty Through Action, issued a press release sternly urging the Government of Belize to not corrupt the ICJ Referendum Educational Campaign by using it as a tool to persuade Belizeans towards a yes vote. COLA stated and we quote, ‘we issue this warning...

Weed Plants found and destroyed
Lady Ville Police destroyed a large number of Marijuana plants found during an operation. Yesterday evening at about 3pm Lady Ville Police conducted a searched in the area of Old Salt Creek. As a result of the search police discovered 50 marijuana plants in buckets ranging from 3 inches to 2 feet in...

P.M. TALKS RENOUNCING GUATEMALA
Thousands of Guatemalan immigrants have gained Belizean citizenship without renouncing their Guatemalan citizenship. This is a matter of great concern to many Belizeans since both the national re-registration process and the Belize ICJ Refferendum are on the horizon. The Belize Chamber of Commerce, ...

PM On Voters Re- Registration
National Voters Re- Registration is scheduled to begin on July 2nd of this year. After almost 20 years the national voter’s list is being replaced by a new list. Current registered voters and new comers are being asked to visit a registration office nearby to register or re-register. The process is ...

PM SHARES CONCERNS FOR MAYOR BELISLE
Yesterday we reported to you that the house of the Mayor of Belmopan, Khalid Belilse was under gun fire late Monday night. We showed you footage of the bullet holes on his concrete house, his yard fence and even his fiancés vehicle. Mayor Belisle told us yesterday that he does not fear for his life ...

Who will Succeed P.M. Barrow?
PM Barrow has been serving as Prime Minister of Belize for the Past 10 years. In February PM Barrow indicated that he will be retiring even though he was not sure when. During that interview Barrow said that he will certainly leave at a time that gives his successor enough space to lead the Party in...

BELMOPAN POLICE MOTHERS DAY LUNCHEON
Yesterday the Belmopan Police Department held a Mother’s day Luncheon for its officers. The luncheon was held at the My Refuge Christian Radio Station in Roaring Creek. Along the mother’s day luncheon, 9 officers were awarded for their outstanding Performance. Plus News spoke to the Operating Commander of Belmopan, Sutherland who told us more about the luncheon

PM TO TAKE SURGERY
This morning the PM took some time to comment on his personal health. As most Belizeans are aware, earlier this year PM Barrow took several trips abroad for medical purposes. He separate occasions he left both Minister Hugo Patt and Minister Junior Heredia as acting Prime. PM Barrow told the media today that he is expected to return abroad for further checkup and a possible surgery

The Guardian

PM announces timeline for leadership succession
Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, announced on Wednesday May 16 the timeline for the succession in leadership of the United Democratic Party to take place. He said that conventions will be set for representatives in the various constituencies to start in November and are to be concluded by the end of January early February of 2019. After this, delegate conventions will be held to select delegates that would attend and vote at the UDP National Convention. That process should be finished by March of 2019, thereafter the date for the leadership convention will be set and it is expected that it would be no later than May of that year.

CWU helpless for its fired members
The Christian Workers Union has been unable to get two recently fired employees of the Belize City Council reinstated. They first wrote a letter to the council and got no result and on Tuesday May 15, representatives of the union including President, Evan Mose Hyde and General Secretary, Floyd Neal were unable to get the council to budge. In a release to the media, the Belize City council explained that the meeting took place but that they will not be rehiring the two employees who are members of the union who were recently fired. All the council did was to wish them well. Of course this does not bode well for unionism in Belize since employees join unions for this very reason, to get protection from these kinds of arbitrary dismissals.

PM to vote YES to ICJ
“I am completely convinced that going to the ICJ and voting Yes is the correct choice for our country,” stated Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow at a press conference on Wednesday May 16th. He made the announcement after saying that the date for the referendum has been set for April 10th, 2019 in consideration that there is a re-registration exercise that is slated to commence in July of this year. By that time it is expected that the list of electors would be ‘robust.’ While the Prime Minister will be voting Yes to take the Guatemalan dispute to the ICJ he said that it is a particularly emotional issue and opinions are divided on going to the ICJ. PM Barrow stated that if we don’t go what would be the option? He said he could not come up with any other answer.

Shots fired at Mayor Khalid Belisle’s Home
Just around 10:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2018, shots rang out in the Cohune Walk Area in Belmopan City. The victim of the attack was Mayor of Belmopan, Khalid Belisle, and while he himself was not hurt, his house was shot at. There were at least 4 bullet holes in the walls of his home and another four in a car which was parked in front of the mayor’s home. Eight expended shells were recovered from the scene but have not yet led to any arrests or motive. According to Mayor Belisle, he and his fiancée had retired for the night just 30 minutes before when they were awoken by 4 loud bangs. “My fiancée and I were upstairs… and we heard four loud bangs, at least that’s what I could count.

San Pedro businessman shot in his business
Lamont Edward Lipka, an American businessman and owner of the Tropicana Restaurant and Bar in San Pedro, was shot and killed inside his business place, located in the island’s downtown area. The 49 year-old native of Texas, USA, was cruelly gunned down, as if the shooter’s one purpose was to end his life at all costs. Police say that at around 9:30 p.m., on Sunday, May 13, 2018, they received information of shots being fired at the business place, which is located on Coconut Drive. They responded and found Lipka’s lifeless body behind the cash register area of the Restaurant. He had suffered 6 gunshot injuries to the face, 1 to the right side of the neck, and another to the back of the neck.

BDF to Build Fence at Western Border
The Government of Belize has issued a press release stating that “The BDF Light Engineers will be working in conjunction with the Border Management Agency to improve the fences and gates to ensure better control at that official crossing point.” The decision to improve the fence comes from the need for effective border management and flow of traffic, which have sometimes been hard tasks to accomplish. Felix Enriquez, CEO, Ministry of National Security, comments that “For some time now there has been a general policy in place and a strategy to improve the way how things are managed at the border and while it is a national security issue, it is fundamentally to be managed by the Border Management Agency.

Fleecing of the Council - Wagner’s STRANGE Restructuring
The Belize City Council is currently in the middle of the strangest expense cutting and restructuring exercise in the history of public service. The Guardian has received reliable reports of cheques flying out of City Hall in the names of relatives and friends of the Councilors and the addition of several absentee workers on the payroll. With two former bankers sitting in the Mayor’s chair, it is mind blowing that the Council can attempt to pass off its recent acts as a cost saving restructuring exercise.

Alberts Division Mothers’ Day Party
Over 600 mothers from the Alberts Division gathered at the Tropicana Casino on Saturday night, May 12, for a good old fashion girls’ night out. The event organized by the Alberts Care Committee was a powerful demonstration of sisterhood and solidarity as the ladies were able to shed chains of self-consciousness, forget about their individuality and embrace a night of true bonding. Motherhood is a tough assignment and ladies rarely ever get a night off. Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton invited the mothers of her division to a much needed night off. They left the children at home to attend the first ever event in the fabulous Tropicana Casino. The night began with a short greeting from Panton. She thanked the six hundred plus women for making it out and announced that the mic was open for karaoke.

Three ambassadors present credentials
On Monday May 14th, three ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. H.E. Dr. Franz Josef Kuglitsch, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria; H.E. Mrs. Zana Rudi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo; and H.E. Mr. Leszek Bialy, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland; all presented their credentials to the Governor General. They each conveyed on behalf of their respective countries well wishes to the Government and people of Belize and their commitment to ensuring continued peaceful and prosperous diplomatic relations with Belize.

BEL’s Family Day
Belize Electricity Limited held its Annual Family Day on May 12, 2018 at Kiki Witz in Belmopan. Employees from countrywide and their families enjoyed a day of fun, games and entertainment. Each year, employees compete under four house names, which represent retirees being honored at the event. The retirees honored this year were: Mr. Frank Ramclam, Mr. Peter Ciego, Mr. Jose Espat and Mr. Herman Flowers who each gave over 30 years of service to the company.

Cable going up
For years, from in the late ‘80s cable operators have been pirating signals from the US allowing Belizeans to enjoy almost 200 channels of various television channels. The practice was a simple one, operators would purchase channel packages in the US and simply amplify and multiply the signal and sell to subscribers in Belize. Those glory days are now fast coming to an end with the strict enforcement of copyright laws. On May 9th a letter from the Belize Cable Television Operators Association began to be circulated where they are telling subscribers that, “It has been agreed by the cable operators that the new rate for the basic cable package will be capped at BZ $60.00 inclusive of General Sales Tax.

Getting our exports to CARICOM
The Directorate General for Foreign Trade DGFT is in a new push this week to boost our exports by informing the private sector businesses on the export process, export documentations required, trade agreements and other essentials. Along with EXPORTBelize they will be conducting a Trade Clinic this Thursday at the La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk. Just last week the DGFT had met with its Public-Sector Partners to review Belize’s Draft Trade Policy as part of a mandate to enhance Belize’s export opportunities and for good reasons.

A time to honor our mothers out West
The San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council held a mother’s day special at the Cayo Welcome Center on Saturday night. Hundreds of mothers came out to celebrate their contributions to the Belizean society. Staff members from the Town Council based in San Ignacio had pooled their resources along with the local business community towards one hundred gift packages. These gifts were distributed to mothers on Saturday.

Belize represented at 37th Session of ECLAC
Belize had representation at the 37th Session of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) in Havana, Cuba. The session lasted from May 7 to 11 and was attended by Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce. The Belize delegation also included Ambassador H.E. Annie Burns and First Secretary Shantal Marin from Belize’s Embassy in Cuba. The country representatives at the meeting approved 18 resolutions which focused on leaving no person behind in pursuit of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group also reaffirmed a commitment to prioritize the needs of the Caribbean in the UN Framework.

Fuel price hike inevitable says PM
On Tuesday May 15 the Government of Belize announced yet another increase in the price of fuel. Regular gasoline will go up by 10 cents to $11.14 per gallon while diesel will go up to $10.60 up by 11 cents. Meanwhile premium will see a slight decrease of 3 cents to $11.36 per gallon and kerosene likewise will fall by 12 cents to $7.75 per gallon. Commenting on the price changes on Wednesday, Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow expressed that the country is going to be in for a difficult time as a result of global cost of oil increasing at what he referred to as an alarming rate. He said that geopolitical decisions of decreasing oil supply by OPEC as well as the country’s inability to secure fuel from Venezuela as a result of U.S. sanctions on that country has made the price surge.

G.R.E.A.T Program benefiting students in Spanish Lookout
The San Ignacio Police formation has conducted a Gang Resistance Education and Training Program G.R.E.A.T graduation in Spanish Lookout. A total of 136 students have graduated from the middle school curriculum of the G.R.E.A.T program. With that event, G.R.E.A.T has almost encompassed all schools within the 38 communities of the San Ignacio Police jurisdiction. Graduates have now been empowered to be more resistant to gangs, bullying and other negative influences and at the same time they have been equipped with life changing skills.

PUP Party Hack tells his troubles to Facebook
On Tuesday morning Joseph Nunez (aka Channel 3) did his lamentation of Clarence Thomas’ “A few troubles I’ve had.“ The only difference between Clarence and Joseph was, that Clarence’s song is about his troubles, while Joseph wrote about his on Facebook. Joseph started off by saying that he doesn’t usually put his business out in public, but he was doing so at this time because he needs a miracle. From what we gathered the context in which the word “miracle” is being used is to describe how badly he needs help. According to Joseph Nunez he attended Family Court last week Thursday, and he was told that he owes $5,200.00 in child maintenance bills.

Justices of the Peace to verify their status
The Attorney General’s Ministry informs that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices of the Peace, must contact the Ministry to verify their JP status before July 31, 2018. This exercise is being carried out in preparation for the upcoming re-registration process by the Elections and Boundaries Department. All Justices of the Peace are required to provide some form of proof of their status. Kindly note that the JP certificate can be used as proof of status. Each person must also provide their contact information to the Ministry.

Lake I Resource Center nears completion
After a groundbreaking at the Lake Independence Resource Center in April 2016, progress on the construction has been slow. The center is a part of the Youth and Community Transformation Project, which exists to reduce the vulnerability of children and youth to crime and gang membership in the Collet, Lake Independence, Pickstock, and Port Loyola divisions of Belize City. It is being built under the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation.

Micah Goodin supports firings at City Hall
According to Micah Goodin, he stands with the Mayor when it comes to the termination of the City Administrator. He said he finds it ludicrous that she has gone on the media. According to him she is crying for her almost $100,000 per annum salary in addition to perks. He said that she was smiling all the way to the bank while her former bosses left the council saddled with debts upon debts. Micah said the amount of debts has afforded the new council to have less resources to assist people.

PUP wants to undo San Pedro elections
Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin has begun listening to legal arguments in the election petition brought by the PUP to try to void the results of the 2018 Municipal Elections in San Pedro Town. The losing PUP 7 are alleging that there were discrepancies in the way the Elections and Boundaries officials oversaw the elections, and they suspect that they were cheated out of the Town Council Seats. The first day in court, which took place on Monday, May 15, was a marathon 8 hours. The litigants in this case are the politicians from the PUP 7 team who tried and failed to convince the island town electorate to put them into office. Those include Abner Andre Perez, the Mayoral Candidate; Dianeli Aranda; Johnnia Duarte Graniel; Urbina “Dina” Graniel; Marina Kay; Ruben Navidad; and Ian Pou.

Re-registration to cost 8 million dollars in first year
PM Barrow announced on Wednesday that the first year of the re-registration exercise will cost government some 8 million dollars to finance. Already the Chief Elections Officer and the Elections and Elections and Boundaries Commission have met with political parties to share the operational aspects of how the exercise will proceed. In the early months of re-registration, additional classrooms will be opened in order to accommodate the original mass number of people coming in to register. According to the Prime Minister the first list will be available by October of 2018. It is expected that by April of 2019 the list will be robust enough in order to have a valid referendum on the ICJ matter with Guatemala.

Renal Failure Prevention Project Nurses Recognized
An award ceremony was hosted on Monday, May 14, 2018 by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The ceremony was held for dialysis nurses of the dialysis units from both Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City and La Loma Luz Hospital in Santa Elena, Cayo. Those nurses were recognized under the Renal Failure Prevention Project, an ongoing three year project with a total budget of approximately US$2.2 million.

Sunshine fails to get back 114 million from Ashcroft
Sunshine Holdings, the Government controlled company acquired from the Ashcroft Alliance during the fight over the ownership of BTL, has lost its lawsuit against the Alliance. Justice Courtney Abel has ruled that they will not get any of the 114 million dollars they were trying to get from the Alliance. In the last issue of the Guardian Newspaper, we told you about the opening arguments in this case. Dean Boyce, and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust, an Ashcroft outfit, received the last installment in their share of BTL settlement last year. This was compensation that the Barrow Government paid them for the 11 million+ shares in the telecommunication company that the Government took control over on behalf of the people of Belize.

Albert Jones Sr. confesses to murder of missing man
A Hattieville resident, 45-year-old Albert Jones Senior, is on remand after he allegedly confessed to the murder of Alaine Garcia, a mechanic of Hattieville. According to police, Jones Sr. confessed to the murder but the body of Garcia remains unfound. Jones Sr. appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford on Thursday, May 10, 2018 where he was read the charge of murder. Because the charge is an indictable offense, no plea was taken from him and will be tried at the Supreme Court. The magistrate explained that she could not grant him bail. As a result, he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until June 26, 2018.

Three charged for deadly beating after an accident
On Friday April 27th, 2018 a vehicle being driven by Demetrio Pott crashed into another vehicle in Trial Farm village in Orange Walk. As a result of the incident Demetrio and his brother were badly beaten by some men who were in the area. That beating landed Demetrio Pott at the hospital with serious head injuries to which he succumbed on Saturday may 12, 2018.

Arson and murder in Belmopan
Police in Belmopan are trying to ascertain the identity of a body that was found amidst the rubble of four wooden structures that were set ablaze on Tuesday afternoon. Reports are that fire personnel were called out to an area know as Jordan Road off the old Banana Bank road outside of Belmopan opposite the airstrip. On doing their work at the site firemen discovered the remains of a person who was burnt in the rubble. They were able to determine that all the structures were set ablaze at the same time

Belmopan resident bleeds to death
Quick action by Belmopan Police has led to the detention and charge of Roaring Creek resident Richard Hyde for the murder of Luis Monge. However; an entire community has been left in mourning following the killing of a well liked resident. Bar tender Luis Monge and his companion Dennis Monterrosa had come to the rescue of a woman, who had reported that her golden chain had been stolen while at the La Cabana Night Club. Both were stabbed on Zultana Street in the very early morning hours of last Friday.

Robbery and high speed chase in Belmopan
A robbery at a restaurant on Nim Li Punit Street in Belmopan just before 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018 led to a police chase. Police officers responded to the location after reports of a robbery and upon arrival at the scene, a white Ford Escape was seen leaving. The police pursued the car and the occupants fired upon the police leading them to return fire. A car chase soon ensued but ended with the vehicle being abandoned and later found in an off road in Cotton Tree Village. The vehicle has since been impounded but according to ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National CIB, because there was no license plate on the vehicle, no arrests have been made.

Charged for murder of Daniel Guardado
Daniel Guardado, who was a Belize City mechanic, was ambushed and killed on Saturday, May 5, 2018 on Partridge Street. Police now say that the alleged gunman has been captured. He has been identified as 21-year-old Benjamin Alexander Reid, a carver of Banak Street, Belize City. Reid appeared unrepresented before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 where he was read a single charge of murder. No plea was taken from him; due to the nature of the offense, he was denied bail and remanded into custody at the Belize Central Prison until August 16, 2018.

Dennis Matura freed from murder charge
Dennis Matura, who was accused of a murder in April 2012, has walked away from that charge. Matura was arrested and charged on April 10, 2012 for the April 4, 2012 murder of 23-year-old Michael James Garbutt, a deportee. The murder occurred in front of the victim’s relatives’ home on Albert Street in broad daylight. He was shot as many as five times, execution style, and died on the spot. As many as three persons gave police statements which led to the arrest of Dennis Matura, 19-years-old at the time.

Ex-common-law husband charged with deadly means of harm
Irvin Noralez is out on bail after he was charged with dangerous harm after leaving his ex-common-law wife, Nifa Ramos, injured during a stabbing incident. The 41-year-old caretaker of Anglican Cathedral College was arraigned on Monday, May 14, 2018 on two indictable offenses of dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm with a deadly instrument- a machete.

Ex-police officer charged with arson
Brandon Hertular, an ex-police officer who has been convicted before on a charge of theft, is facing a serious charge of arson. Hertular, who is now occupied as a fisherman, appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s court on Monday, May 14, 2018 on a charge of arson. The allegations against Hertular are that on May 2, 2018, he damaged a butane gas tank and several pieces of lumber. The items were all property of Sherlett Hyde and valued a total of $1,540.

High School student arraigned for allegedly stealing $15,500
A rburglary on April 22, 2018 at Kim’s Shop on Antelope Street saw a 4th form student in court on May 16, 2018. That student of a Belize City High School, Robert Lamb, 18, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was read a single count of burglary. The allegations against Lamb are that on said date, he entered the business and stole $15,500 cash from a gray safe, property of Jiabi Wong. Scenes of Crimes technician said that the burglar gained entry into the establishment by removing three wooden lovers from a window located by a storeroom.

Interdicted police officer on bail for traffic related offense
An interdicted police officer was charged for a traffic offense in which he is being accused of colliding into another vehicle at the entrance of the Los Lagos Community. After weeks of investigation and the victim’s recovery, police have since levied three traffic offenses against 32-year-old Sacario Cus, a police officer already on interdiction for a criminal offense. Cus appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Kadeen Palmer where he was read three traffic offenses of negligent harm, failure to report an accident, and driving without due care and attention.

Jedd Burgess and Micah Tillett awaiting bail hearing
Two Belize City men, who were students at the time of their arrest for murder, remain on remand at the Belize Central Prison awaiting a ruling as to whether or not they will be eligible for bail. They are 28-year-old Jedd Burgess and 23-year-old Micah Tillett. The duo was charged in September 2013 for the crime of murder for the shooting death of Jamaal Neal, who was gunned down on Banak Street.

William “Danny” Mason and employees to stand Supreme Court trial
A shocking look was what William “Danny” Mason displayed at the ruling of his preliminary inquiry when it was decided that he and his employees would be standing trial at the Supreme Court. Mason along with his four employees, Ashton Vanegas of Camalote Village, brothers Keiron and Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Henry Castillo, all of Roaring Creek Village, appeared before Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody in the Belmopan Magistrate Court.

Pastor bailed after charges of harm against two minors
Natalie Robinson, a 42-year-old pastor and resident of the Burrell Boom area, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on two criminal charges of harm and wounding upon two minors. The pastor appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford on Monday, May 14, 2018 where she pleaded not guilty to the charges. There was no objection to bail and she was offered bail in the sum of $1,000 plus one surety of the same which she was able to meet. The pastor is due back in court on July 31, 2018.

Sandhill villager chopped to the neck
There was a chopping incident in Sandhill Village which has left one man hospitalized, pending surgery. That man is Ivan Hyde, a 26-year-old construction worker who was chopped to the neck. For that incident, Jude Joseph Moody, a 28-year-old fisherman also of Sandhill, has been arrested and charged. Moody was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 14, 2018, represented by attorney Godwin Haylock. There, he appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford where he was read three indictable offenses, neither of which a plea was taken for.

Shaylon Santos guilty of maim
Shaylon Santos remains on remand after he was found guilty of maim before Justice Francis Cumberbatch in the Belmopan Supreme Court. Santos is a 21-year-old resident of Teakettle and at 17-years-old, he was charged for chopping another Teakettle resident. Santos and Aldo Moro became involved in an altercation that left the victim with a chop wound to the head and the left hand completely severed at the wrist.

Six year old is injured during shooting incident
A shooting incident on Saturday, May 12, 2018 has left a 6-year-old injured. According to police reports, police visited the KHMH where they observed a male person by the name of Lamar Orellano who appeared to have gunshot wounds to the body. It was upon inspection of those wounds that the doctor classified them as remnants of a windshield that splintered and hit the minor to the upper right side of his back during the shooting.

Second man charged for shooting of Joshua Augustine
Two men have now been charged in connection with a shooting incident in which 21-year-old Joshua Augustine was shot at but missed. The shooting incident occurred on Saturday, May 5, 2018 on Police Street and this week, a second suspect was charged. Charles Young Jr., a mechanic and resident of Police Street appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Michelle Trapp where he was read a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Joshua Augustine.

Weed peddler caught by undercover cop
Emmerson Neal, a 33-year-old Belize City carpenter, is lucky to be home and not in jail after he pleaded guilty to supplying a controlled drug to someone else. Neal had initially pleaded guilty but changed his plea on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 when he appeared before Magistrate Michelle Trapp. The bust was made by an undercover police officer, Robert Chi, on Monday, November 8, 2017 during a sting operation in the Complex Area of Belize City.

Conorque floater gives Griga a 70 – 69 win over Hurricanes
In a do or die game for the Dangriga Dream Ballers after getting blown away last week in Belize City, Griga Dream Ballers had to defend home court if they wanted to live to see another day. They’re looking to redeem themselves and not let history repeat itself for the fourth consecutive year. While for the Smart Belize Hurricanes they too are chasing history as well, being the only team not to play a game 3 in the semi-finals and trying to do so in a hostile environment.

Belmopan Bandits whitewash Unitedville Rebels United in Cayo Softball competition
The Cayo Softball Association Senior Women’s competition continued on Sunday 13th May, 2018, at the Joan Garbutt Softball Stadium in Esperanza Village. In the first game of the day, the Belmopan Bandits behind the pitching of Keneshia Sutherland whitewashed the defending champions Unitedville Rebels United by the score of 2-0. The losing pitcher in the game was Shareenie Soberanis. In game two, Esperanza Wolverines edged out the winless Belmopan Capital City Emeralds by the score of 8-7.

Digicell Belize City Defenders defends home turf
In a must win game, Digicell Belize City Defenders were out to avenge their second consecutive loss on the island against the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, while making every effort to seal a victory on their home court. The home team jumped out to an early 27-21 lead to end the first quarter, with a hot start from Darwin and Jacob Leslie. San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to narrow the gap to 1 point going into the half, trailing 44-43. San Pedro’s top scorer was Jihad Wright with the game high of 21 points, while tallying 9 rebounds and 7 assists.

Belize City Primary Schools Football Competition opens
The 2017-2018 Belize City Primary Schools Football competition opened on Monday 14th May, 2018, at the MCC Grounds. The schools competing in this year’s girls’ competition are Queen Square Anglican, Holy Redeemer, St. John Vianney, Salvation Army, Wesley Upper, Belize Elementary, St. Luke Methodist, St. John’s Primary and St. Ignatius. The girls are divided into two divisions.

Belize District won National Primary Schools Track and Field Meet
The Belize District captured the 2017-2018 National Primary Schools Track and Field Meet with a total of 22 medals. They were followed by the Stann Creek district with 19 medals and the by the Cayo District with 11 medals. The meet was held at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City.

Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle: The Belize Edition
The second edition of the Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle magazine was launched on Friday, May 11 and it highlights the cultural aspect of our Jewel, Belize. According to publisher and Creative Director at McNab Visual, Tanya McNab, the magazine contains everything one should do in different destinations. “It has everything from what you should do in different destinations and because we publish so often, you may see a San Pedro edition one time and you see a Cayo and out west another time. So, that is the only thing we have the opportunity to feature much more than we were in the past with just one and we have the opportunity five times.”

Three Fires in the Belize District leave 11 Homeless
A fire erupted in a wooden house on Friday, May 11, 2018. The home housed 9 people of which 4 children were inside a room at the time of the fire. According to Sharmane Bainton, one of the residents, she received a call just before 4:00 p.m. from her daughter who was at their home on Manta Ray Boulevard in Vista del Mar. That daughter was the one who helped to get all the children out of the house and while all of them made it out with their lives, they were not able to save anything else.

Words of Life With Pastor Barry Fraser
This week we look at another special mother, Elizabeth: The Mother Who Believed in Miracles Elizabeth was married to a priest named Zechariah, and in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 1, we learn that both Elizabeth and Zechariah were righteous before God, observing all of His commands. But Elizabeth was childless, and they were both old in age. Similar to people in Job’s day, people would have thought that sin prevented Elizabeth from bearing a child.

“We See them fighting for Power”
People often call eyes the windows to the soul. But what exactly do we see when we gaze into the eyes of another person? In fact, the eyes do provide lots of information about another person’s emotional state. (Phycology today, Google.com.bz). Look, I will never criticize any Belizean who demonstrates deep emotional passion in support of his/her political party of choice. Nothing wrong with that. But when this passion mutates into fanaticism and obsession I feel compelled to comment, since at a certain point the fanatic can become deceitful, vengeful and offensive. Recent examples of high profile citizens with these character traits are Matura, Gabb, Carter, Wade, and Lizarraga. I want to nominate Courtney as president of this distinguished group.

Life Principles I Recommend Part 3
Be kind for everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about… Being a genuine believer of this quote, I realize that my readers may be going through personal difficulties of many sorts. You may be at a point where, like me. You deeply question life. Have you ever thought about it? What is life? What are you supposed to do? We don’t come with manuals at birth teaching us at to be awesome human beings. I’ve realized that even though there’s no right or wrong way to live your life, there are certain universal principles that lead to a happy, wealthy, and healthy life.

The Reporter

Courts outlet in Belama reportedly robbed!
Reliable reports reaching the Reporter is that there was a robbery at the Courts outlet in the Belama area of Belize City sometime this afternoon. We understand that about $1,600 was stolen, along with personal items. We were also made to understand that two culprits […]

Man shot near Placencia; under police guard at Southern Regional Hospital
A man was shot this morning near Placencia village, Stann Creek. Austin Jason Williams is under police guard at the Southern Regional Hospital with gunshot wounds in his jaw and back. The details of what happened will be discussed in a Police-Media briefing later this […]

Breaking Belize News

Police find 50 marijuana plants in Old Salt Creek
Police are investigating the discovery of 50 marijuana plants in Old Salt Creek, Belize District. On […]

BBN Person of the Week: Abel Simpson Sr – The Insurance Guru of Belize
Abel Simpson Sr. is one of Belize’s most respected and experienced insurance advisor. This year, […]

Man shot in Palmar village, Orange Walk
Yesterday at around 11:15 PM, police received reports of a shooting incident in San Jose Palmar Village, […]

NEMO minister tours postal service
Yesterday, Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, with responsibility for Postal Service, Edmond Castro […]

Is the top brass in the Cayo’s Ministry of Works a normal Belizean?
For consecutive mornings now, a water truck can be seen wetting the full length of […]

15-year-old minor from Succotz village missing
Benque Viejo police are investigating the disappearance of a 15 year old minor. Succotz resident, Ebelita […]

14-year-old minor from Santa Elena missing
A 14-year-old minor from Santa Elena Town went missing this week in Cayo. According to reports, […]

Trial Farm Chinese store robbed at gunpoint
Orange Walk police are investigating an armed robbery of a Chinese store in Trial Farm, Orange […]

The Daily Telegraph: Belize is one of the world’s most underrated tourist destination
An article published on May 15, 2018, in the British Telegraph Newspaper, ranked Belize among 15 […]

UDP Timeline and real Belize politics
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

A Taste of Belize in Chicago
Belizean cuisine will be featured at this year’s ‘Taste of Chicago’ event being held on July […]

Corozal Community College warns of forged diplomas
Today, the Corozal Community College (CCC) issued a release warning the public that fake copies of […]

National Security Minister visit Western border Security Facilities upgrade Project
Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, visited Belize’s western border yesterday to observe the new project […]

Benjamin Reid charged for murder
Yesterday, police arrested and charged Benjamin Alexander Reid, 21, of Belize City for the crime of […]

Land titles for Government-led housing programs to be expedited
Today, Belize’s Commissioner of Lands issued a statement informing that to clear the backlog of […]

PM Barrow explains increase in fuel prices
Fuel prices once again went up this week and many Belizeans raged on social media, ranting […]

Blogs

The Hopkins Mango Festival is coming!
This year, hundreds of Belizeans and visitors alike descend to the seaside village on June 2nd and 3rd, ready to indulge in the over twenty varieties of mangoes that grow in the area. With names such as blue, Julie, Harry, #11 (a personal favorite), thunder shock, white, slippers, black, common, belly full, apple, and more, the fun is discovering new favorites and flavors. June 2nd will see Floyd Arana’s dory fishing contest starting at 6AM. The festival itself is officially slated to start at 11AM, with live cultural music playing as around 40 gaily decorated booths present their wares to those eager to enjoy every bit of Mango goodness and culture that Hopkins has to offer. From jewelry to arts and crafts, wood works and paintings, as well as prepared mango items, there will be tons to choose from! As we all know, being out in the hot sun imbibing and eating can be pretty exhausting, and well, festival organizers have thought of everything for this year. “Spa booths” offering massages or pedicures will be just the escape needed for those weary tootsies!

International Sources

Belize farm offers look into the world of spices
When vanilla begins to bloom in the summer months, farm workers at the Belize Spice Farm have only a six-hour window to pollinate the crop. They have six acres to cover and they do it all by hand, using toothpicks. If they’re too late, they’ll have to wait until the next flowering season because it blooms only once every year. “Harvest would be in November or December, and it takes about a whole year before we market them,” said Ancelmo Shol, who works on the farm and provides tours. The farm pollinates by hand, he said, because the female part of the flower is covered, which makes it difficult for bees or hummingbirds to do the job. To get around that, farmers use toothpicks to manually move pollen from the male part of the flower into the female part.

Kingston students help build home in Belize
Johs Erlandsen, of Kingston, a junior at Boston College High School, along with with other classmates, alumni and staff members, spent their April vacation helping construct a new home for Florence Baisa, a 72-year-old woman in Belize, Central America. The volunteers went to Belize to assist an organization called Hand in Hand Ministries to build a home for a family in need, reflect on their place in the world and pray together. Hand in Hand provides simple yet stable housing for people in Appalachia and Central America. The group built the 349th house for the Hand in Hand Ministry Building for Change Program. This was Miss Florence’s first home ever. BC High bought her a mattress, sheets, a pillow and comforter. Building for Change is committed to dignity one build at a time.

Sanibel Sea School to take teen campers to Belize
After a successful expedition in 2017, the Sanibel Sea School will once again offer an educational, biology-focused trip to Belize for teens over the summer. Open to participants ages 15-18, the program will run from July 30 to Aug. 8 and will include time spent in the jungle and on a remote island close to pristine coral reef habitat. "Last year, we saw monkeys, toucans, tarantulas and so much more," Director of Education Nicole Finnicum said. "In the jungle you are completely surrounded by creatures and you can hear and see them all the time."

Videos

May 17, 2018

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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

SPTC Mother’s Day Extravaganza entertains island mothers
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) celebrated its annual Mother’s Day Extravaganza at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 12th. For a $20 admission fee, hundreds of island mothers enjoyed a variety of musical and comedic entertainment, gourmet food, drinks, and tons of giveaways. Gates opened at 6PM, with members of the SPTC, Councilors and Miss San Pedro 2017-2018 Virginia Vasquez welcoming the mothers with a gift and escorting them to their seats. Thereafter, volunteers began to serve the mommies refreshments. At 9PM, Master of Ceremonies Eiden Salazar Jr. welcomed the guests and wished them the best on their special day before inviting Mayor Daniel Guerrero to share a few words. “Mothers are very important in our society. The love of a mother is priceless and you won’t find it anywhere,” said Mayor Guerrero.

Win or go home! San Pedro Tiger Sharks one game away from NEBL championship
It’s ‘do or die’ for the San Pedro Tiger Sharks on Saturday, May 19th, when they face the Digicell Belize City Defenders in the third and last game of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) tournament’s playoffs. The Tiger Sharks had the lead after the first game in the best-of-three series on May 5th, however, they were not able to seal their ticket to the finals when they lost the second match against the Defenders 86-83. Now both teams are in a must-win situation in order to advance to the finals and a chance to become the next NEBL champion. Game 3 of the series will take place in San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 19th at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The Belize City Defenders will attempt to win a game on the island, while Tiger Sharks will defend their home court, and hope to advance to the NEBL Championship series.

San Pedro Municipal Elections case heard at the Supreme Court
After the end of the court sessions on Monday, PUP Senator and Attorney-at-law Eamon Courtenay, representing the PUP stated that returning officer Catherine Cumberbatch, along with Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai and Presiding Officer Desiree Flowers, admitted that errors were made during the reconciliation of ballots. Courtenay states that Flowers said that she wrote down 379 as the number of ballots used instead of 359, an error not witnessed by PUP scrutinee Alex Noralez before he signed off on the document. Flowers could not explain the reason of the mistake. ”This case is not about mathematics, it’s about the politics and the votes,” said Courtenay. Another argument was the claim that Tamai kept the ballots in her office. “They should be in a secure place, whatever she finds to be a secure place,” Courtenay said. “The issue is that they are not to be opened- she opened them, and counted them and did other things with them and that is absolutely prohibited by the regulations,” Courtenay added that they will be making submissions to the Chief Justice regarding the irregularities that have been identified and are not compliant with the law.

Successful coastal clean-up held during Reef Week 2018
As part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Week 2018, a massive coastal clean-up was held around San Pedro Town on Saturday, May 12th. The clean-up served as a way to continue raising awareness about keeping the environment clean, as well as to send a message to stop the use of non-biodegradable products. At 8AM a large crowd of residents gathered at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Dock located at the end of Caribena Street. Before the clean-up began, organizer of Reef Week 2018 activities Mariela Archer shared a few words with the present crowd. “I want to thank everyone who came out today to be a part of this activity. It is very important for us to protect our environment and marine life, as we all depend on it some way or the other,” she said.

Ambergris Today

SPHS Graduation Announcements – Record Breaking!
Graduation season is here and there was quite a buzz at the San Pedro High School this morning as they gave graduation announcement. Students were all excited and nervous to know what the results were as we enter graduation season. Students on campus were happy to receive the great news and without fail the ever popular signing of uniforms took place. Well wishes and congratulations written all over the uniforms with bright colored markers! The San Pedro High School is proud to announce that after professing results a total of 97 students have met graduation requirements. Five students will receive two weeks of intensive training and will be retested. If they are successful, SPHS will break the record this year with a total of 102 graduates.

Residents Against Over-The-Water Development At Cayo Rosario!
In April 2018, residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker received word that the highly contested Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development at Cayo Rosario had been approved. This small mangrove caye lies in the center of the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve just west of Ambergris Caye. Approval comes despite vehement objection to the construction of numerous over-the-water structures and extensive dredging within the protected area. Island residents are outraged by the approval given to the developers by the National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) and on Sunday, May 13, 2018, a group of concerned residents gathered at Cayo Rosario with their boats and posters for a peaceful protest against the development of over-the-water structures. Tour guides and fly fishers, along with island residents and children gathered at Cayo Rosario in over 25 boats with posters protesting and expressing their discontent.

Misc Belizean Sources

Coastal Clean up 2018!!!
Thanks to all the brave volunteers and partners that came out on Saturday to help clean up our coastline...ACES, Reef Angels, MJ Leslie, Belize Bank, Ambergris Divers, KellerWilliams Reality, Ocean Tide Beach Resort, Javier Romero & Kristin Marin (Projects Abroad)....we all did an awesome job!!!

Belmopan Cleanup Campaign
In preparation for the upcoming wet season, the Belmopan City Council in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will be carrying out a Cleanup Campaign of Belmopan on Saturday, 2nd June 2018. We hereby inviting volunteers to join us. Please call 822-2271 Ext. 234 for more information.

Register to Vote (Re-Register)
Beginning 1" July, 2018, every registered elector needs to be registered afresh, and any other person who has not yet registered to vote can apply to be registered. All applicants are encouraged to take along their documentation to the Registration Center to facilitate the process. Re-registration is to register afresh or anew, without being re-registered, YOU CANNOT VOTE IN AN ELECTION. All eligible persons are being encouraged to participate in this Re-registration of Electors Exercise.

Percussion Summer Camp, Hosted by Panerrifix Steel Band
Panerrifix Steelband's "Percussion Summer Camp" is the place to be this summer. Maestros Carlos Perrote and Benoit Coye will be conducting classes in Steel Pan, Marching Band, Latin Drumming and Marimba. It's open to everyone starting with children ages 5 (steelpan) and ages 7 (percussion/marimba). No previous knowledge necessary. High schoolers and other interested persons who may play in a band already as well as those who want to learn new styles and techniques are also welcomed.

Francisco Puga on Ambergris Caye
This May 19st for the first time on the beautiful island - Francisco Puga. Tickets for sale for only $25.00 on Reef Radio. Saturday may 19th starting at 9 pm at Paradise Theater. There we go!!!!

Applications to Purchase and Obtain Titles to Lands Subject to Government- led Housing Programmes
In our continued effort to clear the backlog of applications and in line with improving the efficiency and delivery of service, the Ministry of Natural Resources, through the Lands and Surveys Department, takes this opportunity to call the attention of individuals who have over the years benefited from Government Housing Projects that in instances where: Applicants will be able to apply to purchase their land directly, providing that they supply all the documentation necessary to support that the property under the Housing Project has been fully paid.

World Hypertension Day
Every year on May 17th, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrate World Hypertension Day. This year it is being celebrated under the theme, ‘Know your Numbers’ with the goal of increasing awareness on the dangers of high blood pressure and ways to prevent it. This year, the Ministry of Health in partnership with PAHO and the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) is organizing a forum with local chefs to promote the reduction of sodium and salt in the preparation of food.

No More Petro Oil, Fuel goes up as Belize seeks US source of fuel
Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s held a Press Conference in Belize City on May 16, 2018 in Belize City. He conceded it has been a while since he fielded questions from the media and he spoke about a variety of topics including the rising cost of fuel. “We are going to be in for a difficult time when it comes to fuel prices because the global price of oil in increasing at a rate that small countries such as ours, is alarming. There are several reasons to that but basically there is huge and increasing global demand as the pace of global economic growth accelerates.” Prime Minister Barrow referred to global issues stemming from OPEC and pending US sanctions on Iran for the rise in fuel acquisition costs as well as a decrease in production in Latin America. “Venezuela is also where they are down to just under one million barrels per day which is a 41 percent drop from the previous year. With the threat of additional sanctions by the U.S. by Venezuelan contribution to the global supply can plummet even more.”

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday. Join us to paint this "Sexy Permit" with all the contraversy going on with the destructive development planned near Cayo Rosario we want to do our part to spread awareness. So we will be doing a series of 3 paintings starting with the Permit. Belize is one of the most famous destinations for saltwater flyfishing - and for the elusive permit. We were the first country to protect the "Grand Slam" - the permit, the bonefish and the tarpon and now we must protect their habitat AND our reef from destructive development. Join is this week and be sure to take a picture of your painting and caption it "protect the permit" "save Cayo Rosario" "To love and protect Belize." Our website is down so for the time being to sign up send us a private message on our Paint N Splash page or email us at [email protected].

MOTHER'S DAY EXTRAVAGANZA 2018
On Saturday, May 12, 2018, The San Pedro Town Council along with Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. hosted its annual Mother's Day Extravaganza at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex, where the mothers were greeted and presented with a gift as they entered. The night started with a serenade by San Pedro's very own Wil & Dale featuring Mr. Fernando Trejo. They delighted the crowd with some of their favorite renditions in their Caribbean style. After Wil & Dale's performance, the official, but short, ceremonies took place, where Ms. Leticia Nuñez offered a prayer asking the Lord to bless all mothers on this very special day.

The BTB Love Belize Sea Kayak Challenge

Chocolate at International Airport!
In honor of Chocolate Fest this weekend, travelers were greeted with the authentic taste of our local cacao!

The Belize City Master Plan 2030
Belize City, home to over 80,000 people, and destination centre for many thousands of foreign visitors, has, for the past few decades, felt enormous strain by the population dynamics which has seen an approximate population increase of 67 percent between 1980 to 2009 (Data received from the Statistical Institute of Belize), and secondly by the growing concern of Climate Change impacts on the city. These two forces are creating an important strain on the City Council and on the other city authorities responsible for the day to day management and oversight of Belize City. The overwhelming impacts, as a result of these two forces, on the city’s infrastructure and services offered are now creating instances of contention against the ability for its citizens and visitors to enjoy a sustainable quality of life, and to conserve and better the appreciation of the city’s historic past and heritage. The Belize City Master Plan Project, a Technical Cooperation between the Government of Belize and the Inter-American Development Bank, set out in the September 2010, to answer these questions:

Channel 7

PM Calls On Cops to Get Answers for Attack On Mayor Khalid’s Home
Tonight, Belmopan Police don't have any compelling leads on who shot up Mayor Khalid Belisle's House. As we told you last night, it happened at his Valencia street home around 10:30 on Monday night. Belisle was awakened by the sound of gunshots and didn't see the damage until the next morning - where multiple bullet holes were seen in his wall and on his fiance's car. Police recovered eight shells expended from the scene. Today at a press conference, the Prime Minister called on police to find the perpetrators:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister: "For such a thing to happen to any individual, any politician, is terrible. But for it to happen to Khalid Belisle, whom we all know and I don't care what side of the political fence you are, to be an extremely bright, talented, honest, sincere, genuine hardworking individual is absolutely terrible."

Four Homes Burn In Belmopan, Human Remains Founds
We'll have much more from the Prime Minister's 90 minute press conference later on in the news, but, first, there's the report of another outlandish crime from the capital. 4 homes were set on fire on the outskirts of Belmopan yesterday at midday. Someone was killed in the blaze but police have not identified the body…or we should say what's left of the body. The 4 homes were in a yard on Jordan Ranch road. That's the area on the old Banana Bank Road opposite the airstrip at the entrance of Belmopan. There are still a lot of questions at this time and Courtney Weatherburne went to look for some answers today. Here's her story.

Police Say They Have the Man Who Killed Guardado
He is accused of killing 43 year old Mechanic Daniel Guardado and Benjamin Alexander Reid was taken to court today. The 21 year old was charged with murder and remanded to prison until August 16th. Guardado - a mechanic - was shot and killed on May 5th. He was hanging out with a friend on Partridge Street when he was targeted for no known reason.

Texan Killed In a Professional Hit; San Pedro Pol Have Suspects
San Pedro police have two persons detained in connection with the murder of American businessman Lamont Lipka. Sources say that the murder is being looked at as a professional hit - and the likely killer was possibly flown in from Belize City to execute it. Investigators are reviewing multiple surveillance videos and are still questioning two suspects who have already been charged for another offence. And what might the motive have been? Well, they don't know yet but - we do know that police are looking at a lawsuit where Lipka was the claimant claiming he was jilted in an investment - and had monies owing to him.

Senator Valerie Thinking of Challenging Senator Paul
On last Friday's newscast, we told you about the persistent reports we got that PUP Senator Valerie Woods had expressed interest in running as a standard bearer for the Albert Division. If true, she would be going up against her Senate and Party colleague, Paul Thompson, who's currently the divisional caretaker. Well today, she confirmed that she's been testing the waters in the Alberts, to see if Albert voters would support her if she went up against Thompson in a contested convention. Woods grew up on Palm Lane, which is right off Regent Street. Her family home is still on the same street, and today, she invited us for an interview at that location to discuss why she would want to become the area rep for Albert:

PM & Party Leader, Mutually Exclusive Posts
When the Prime Minister called a press conference today - it was his first meeting with the press since March. And some thought that he was going to announce the timeline for his departure. Well, he didn't, but he did discuss the plan for his succession. He introduced an interesting model where a new party leader will be elected in March of 2019 - but that new leader will not automatically become Prime Minister. That new leader will have to wait in the wings until he decides to step down. The PM explained that the party's run-up to electing a new leader begins in November of this year when constituency conventions will be held countrywide, followed by the selection of delegates for a leadership convention:...

Government Working With PUMA To Moderate Fuel Increases, But Expect Price Shocks
The Prime Minister covered as many as a dozen subjects in his press conference today - and one of the most pressing ones is the price of fuel. It budged up by a little last night - but more increases are expected - because of global pressures. And because of domestic budgetary pressures, government cannot cut back on its tax take. The PM explained:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "We're going to be in for a difficult time in terms of fuel prices. Because the acquisition costs, the global price of oil is increasing at a rate that, for small countries such as ours, is alarming."

PM Powerless To Stop Rise In Cable Bills
And while future price shocks are expected for fuel - your cable bill may also shock you next month. The Cable Television Operators say they are forced to increase the monthly subscription to basic cable by 33%, or fifteen dollars. So, you can expect your June cable bill to go up to $60.00 monthly, inclusive of GST. The Prime Minister who has broadcasting in his portfolio says it is to be expected, basically because when it comes to pirating signals from satellite "free paypa bun":...

PM, Cabinet Say “Yes” to ICJ
And from the cost of cable to the referendum on the ICJ…..the PM says he will vote "yes" to the ICJ on April 10th of next year - and, that's also the government's official position. He said when he looks to the future, there's really no other way to put away this centuries old claim:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I am completely convinced that going to the ICJ and therefore voting yes in the referendum is absolutely the correct choice for our country." "I first of all I ask myself if we don't go to the ICJ - what is the option. And I can't come up with a satisfactory answer." "Our case at the IC is so watertight there's no way we could suffer any setback/loss in consequence of an ICJ hearing."

GOB Urging Army To Hold The Line After Post Referendum Delirium in Guat Border Communities
So, while the Government already has a roadmap for its ICJ education campaign and the referendum date, What will be done about the effect that the referendum had in Guatemala? As we've told you both the Friends for Conservation and Development and the BDF have confirmed that the "yes" vote in that country have caused an increase in Guatemalan incursions into the South Cebada area of the Chiquibul. The FCD says that they've seen an increase in clearings, surveyed plots and farms being set up by Guatemalans in the Chiquibul. Rogue leaders on that side of the border have been misleading residents of Guatemalan border communities, and encouraging these incursions into Belizean territory.

Guatemalan Citizenship On Hold
So, what's going to happen to those hundreds of Guatemalans who do come into Belize and have built a life here with Belizean children? As we've reported over the years, there is a problem with the renunciation process for such applicants to apply for Belizean citizenship. Under Belize's Constitution, Section 29.3,, quote "No person shall be entitled…to be a citizen of Belize or be granted citizenship of Belize if such person shows any allegiance to or is a citizen of a country which does not recognize the independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity of Belize …". End quote. And, basically, that's Guatemala.

Why Not Repeal Maritime Areas?
Keeping it on the topic of Belize/Guatemala relations, the Prime Minister was asked why it is that his Government still has not amended the Maritime Areas Act, even though it has been recommended time and again by experts on the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute. As we've told you, the persistent advice, even from Assad Shoman, Belize's foremost authority on the territorial dispute, is that the time has long passed for Belize to claim all its territorial waters and its exclusive economic zone off the southernmost banks of the Toledo District. As it stands right now, Belize is only claiming 3 of its 12 miles of territorial waters between the Sarstoon River and the Ranguana Cayes. That was done so that the two countries could hopefully negotiate a settlement of Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory. But since such negotiations are at end, and both countries are staring down the prospect of a ICJ solution, the advised position is that Belize should claim its entire 12 miles to enhance Belize's bargaining position.

Sweating the Sunshine Loss
And while the PM had it easy enough navigating legalistic questions about Belizean sovereignty, it didn;t go as smoothly when we asked him about his government's latest defeat at the hands of the Ashcroft Alliance. As we told you last week, the Government controlled company, Sunshine Holdings Limited, tried to convince Justice Courtney Abel to order the Ashcroft entities, Dean Boyce and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust to give them back part of the 114+ million dollars they collected as part of the half a billion-dollar settlement over BTL. Sunshine claimed that the Government wrongly paid compensation to the Alliance for 11 million shares in the telecoms company that were once assets of Sunshine, back when it was an Ashcroft company.

Li’l Kim’s, Big Theft
On April 22nd someone stole a grey metal safe with $15,500 dollars from Kim's Shop on Iguana Street Extension in Belize City. The burglar squeezed into the shop by removing three wooden louvres from a window at the store. Police investigation led them to the arrest of 18-year-old Student Robert Lamb. Lamb appeared before the Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser today. Lamb pleaded not guilty to the charge and was offered bail of $6,000 plus 2 sureties. His case was adjourned until July 10th.

Failed Fire Truck Repaired
At the top of the news we told you about the deadly fire in Belmopan - the fire fighters were able put out the spot fires and conduct their investigation without issue. But that wasn't the case with last week's Iguana Street fire. The fire truck had some unforeseen mechanical issues. Well, Assistant fire Chief Benisford Matura told us that the truck has been repaired. Matura says the fire trucks are inspected 3 times a day, everyday, but the part that malfunctioned is not easily accessible and isn't normally checked.

The Official Word On Troubled Construction Of Youth Center
For the past two days we've been reporting on the Lake Independence Resource Center, a youth facility that will also be a multipurpose center. The 4.66 million dollar building is part of the wider Youth and Community Transformation Project funded by the CDB. But construction is delayed and the contractor is having cash flow problems where he can't pay his workers. The Project falls under the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation - and we asked the Minister about the problems it's been experiencing. He told us he sees no problem:...

Got An Airport in Placencia To Sell You...
A New York investment manager has been charged in the US for a 22 million US dollar dead raise for an International airport in Placencia. Brent Borland falsely promised investors in the project a high rate of return secured by property owned by the firm. But, it seems some of the property didn't even exist, and Borland used the money he raised to live a lavish lifestyle. He was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fraudulently raising $21.9 million US. US authorities said all investors in Borland's Belize Infrastructure Fund lost money, while the 48-year-old New Yorker diverted close to $6 million for his personal use. Borland was criminally charged with securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy counts. There's no word yet on what - if anything - this may have to do with the existing airport project in Riversdale which has been on freeze for years.

Belize & Cuba, Comrades
Today the Image Factory in Belize City hosted the fifth National Solidarity Encounter between Belize and Cuba. The audience was made up of people young and old from across the country that wanted show their respect and support for Cuba. We stopped by this morning and found out that it was more than just a solidarity declaration, it was also an art show honouring Cuba. Yasser Musa, SJC Teacher/Artist: "We developed a simple declaration pledging our continued support to the people of Cuba in our Quest I believe to expand and make more dynamic the solidarity efforts. What do I mean by Solidarity? The basic idea is to show friendship by building human capacity. This is an idea that Fidel Castro developed, his revolution and developed Cuba using the idea of building people. Building their capacity whether it is thru doctors, better literacy, and it has been transferred to Belize..."

Making Music Week Matter
It's the third annual music week - a big event for Belizean musicians - where they discuss the future of the industry, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. But, it's more than just talk - there has to be music in a week by the same name! And that's why an all-star line up of superstar performances is part of the activities. This afternoon music ambassador Shyne Barrow told the media what people can expect. Shyne Barrow, Music Ambassador of Belize: "We have 60 of the biggest and best artists. 20 of the biggest and best DJs from all around the country. We started On Monday and yesterday with music business conferences where we were discussing the digitalization of the music industry with brilliant minds such as Kenmore Simpson, Big Bang and other music executives."

Choice Bank Situation Explained
And our final two items tonight are also from the Prime Minister's board spectrum press conference. We asked him about the situation at Choice Bank. It's an offshore Bank which offers financial services to international clients. But, a few weeks ago, it informed customers that it's in a liquidity crisis. It told customers in an email, quote, "the Bank has taken the decision in its view as a matter of necessity, with immediate effect, to temporarily suspend all withdrawals from deposit accounts with the Bank and other outbound payment activities…until the Bank and/or its relevant regulatory authorities are satisfied that such suspension is no longer required."

Update On PM's Bad Back
And, finally tonight, the Prime Minister also updated the public on the condition of his ailing back. He's been seeking treatment for years - but with no success. Now, he's contemplating the possibility of surgery or stem cell therapy; he explained: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "I travelled in connection with medical consultations. I want to make clear that those consultations have always been and will continue to be about my informal back difficulties. There is as far as I know absolutely nothing else wrong with me in all other respects I am to use that colorful perhaps somewhat inappropriate expression "as healthy as a horse..."

Channel 5

Prime Minister Returns; Says He Personally Supports I.C.J.
The Prime Minister had not appeared in front of the media since his last press conference on March eighteenth, but today he did for the better part of two hours. [...]

Majority of Cabinet Stands in Support of Judicial Resolution
The prime minister is on record stating that it is his personal view that the ICJ is the best option for the resolution of the claim.  Barrow also says that [...]

Gov’t Will Not Attempt to Influence April 2019 Vote
While he would not put forward what percentage of Cabinet is in favor of a yes vote, the prime minister does acknowledge that there are indeed a few members who [...]

Why There is Still a Place for O.A.S.’ Adjacency Zone Office
The relationship between Belize and Guatemala is at times tense, but for the sake of carrying out the education campaign successfully, the existing state of affairs between both countries must [...]

Getting Out the Voters for Re-Registration
Before the I.C.J. referendum is held next year, there is the matter of the re-registration exercise spearheaded by the Elections and Boundaries Department, which is set to begin on July [...]

What’s Behind Fuel Price Hikes
The prices of fuel at the gas pumps are up yet again.  Those increases come almost two weeks after the last hike and will see the cost of premium gasoline [...]

Correspondent Banking Bogey Bedevils Petrocaribe Relations
News Five understands that the persistent issue of correspondent banking was also a factor in government’s decision to source fuel from the U.S. Gulf Coast.  Admittedly, G.O.B. has also been [...]

Arson/Murder as Body Found in Belmopan; is it Missing British-South African?
Police suspect that a cluster of houses in the Banana Bank area in the outskirts of Belmopan was set on fire to disguise a murder. The fire swept through the [...]

Charge in Murder of Daniel Guardado
Police have arrested and charged twenty-one-year-old Benjamin Alexander Reid for the murder of Daniel Guardado. After leaving his place of work on the night of Saturday May fifth, Guardado was [...]

Senator Val for Albert?
While she has not yet officially put in her papers, Senator Valerie Woods is very close to making a decision on whether she will contest the Albert Division for the [...]

For Women Candidates, Quality is as Important as Quantity
While Woods harbours greater political aspirations, as one of the most prominent female faces in the P.U.P., what does she think of the conundrum on women candidates?  Former Port Loyola [...]

P.M.’s Aching Back May Need Surgery
The prime minister’s personal health, more specifically, complications he has been having with his back, has forced him to take short leaves of absence while seeking medical treatment abroad.  Today, [...]

New U.D.P. Leader by Next May
In the context of his health, Prime Minister Barrow also outlined a timetable during which the U.D.P. will go about electing a new party leader.  That process begins with a [...]

Free Ride on Cable is Over
Your cable bill is going up as of June first, and the recent push by international content providers to regulate signal piracy is the primary reason why. A few weeks [...]

U.S. Investor Charged for Fraud on Placencia Airport
Brent Borland, principal of Borland Capital Group and an investment manager from New York, faces separate criminal and civil cases in the Southern District of New York and by the [...]

Immigration to Produce Official Policy on Migration
According to local statistics, approximately as many Belizeans – fifteen percent – are emigrants from the country as there are immigrants coming to Belize from places like Central America. To [...]

The Reason for Coming Split of Department
Meanwhile, a few months ago, legislation went to Parliament for a split of the Immigration and Nationality Department. At the time, the Opposition People’s United Party objected on various grounds. [...]

No Word on “High-Risk” Nepalese Entrants to Belize
The Ministry of Immigration and Nationality continues to investigate how two citizens of the Kingdom of Nepal were granted entry to Belize on landing at the Philip Goldson International Airport [...]

San Pedranos Vent on Cayo Rosario Development
On Tuesday, we told you about a developing story in San Pedro where residents and tour operators are against the Cayo Rosario development. The ten-acre mangrove caye falls within the [...]

Company Promotes Integrated Firewall to Protect Key Information
As connected as we all are via computers and the Internet, society is becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks on personal security and information. It can be quite a job keeping [...]

Music Ambassador Kicks off Music Week
Music Week kicked off on Monday and continues through to the end of the week. As a part of celebrating and empowering Belizean artists, the week features a combination of [...]

LOVE FM

Eight million dollars set aside for re-registration
But before the ICJ referendum is held, the Government will undergo a re-registration exercise which is slated to commence on July 2. Eight million dollars have been set aside for this exercise which aims to purge the voters list. The Election and Boundaries Commission has met with both major political parties to discuss the operational …

UDP sets timeline for leader convention
Prime Minister Dean Barrow today announced that he will not complete his parliamentary term. He is scheduled to travel out of the country next week to see a physician for consultation for a surgery and stem cell treatment for his back problem. Barrow has long been considering whether or not he undergoes surgery and if …

PM Barrow condemns Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians
Former Prime Minister, Right Honourable Said Musa has called on the Government to condemn Israel for slaughtering dozens of Palestinians who were taking part in mass protests on the Gaza border. Prime Minister Dean Barrow was asked to comment on the matter. The massacre has been the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day …

Belize in for some difficult times in terms of fuel prices
Prime Minister Dean Barrow also addressed the recent increase in the price of fuel. At midnight, gas prices increased and according to the Government, the increase was triggered by increasing world gas prices. According to PM Barrow, as a small consumer country, Belize is in for some difficult times in terms of fuel prices because …

Prime Minister hopes Sunshine Limited appeals case
Last week, Supreme Court Justice, Courtenay Abel dismissed a claim brought by Sunshine Holdings Limited against the Government of Belize and the BTL Employees Trust. The claim is in relation to 11 million shares of BTL and millions of dollars. Justice Abel found that Sunshine’s claim had no merit. Essentially, what Sunshine was attempting to …

PM says best option is to say ‘yes’ to the ICJ
Prime Minister Dean Barrow says Belize has an airtight case if Guatemala’s claim is decided upon by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). This pronouncement was made this morning at a prime ministerial press conference in Belize City. The last time the Prime Minister called a press conference was in March to address the increased …

Prime Minister addresses BCCI’s concerns
Guatemalans who have attained Belizean citizenship will be allowed to re-register and consequently be able to vote in the ICJ referendum next year. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) along with the Belize National Teachers Union and its umbrella union, the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, have an issue with it. The …

PM explains why border fence took too long to erect
While the Government is able to take a pause in granting Belize citizenship to Guatemalans, it is impossible for the Government to stop all illegal entries through the porous western border. But in an effort to do so, BDF light engineers have been deployed to the Benque border crossing to improve security and efficiency at …

International organization assist Mayan and Garifuna villages
Self-Development of the People, a Presbyterian organization based in the United States of America has been supporting works in the south of the country. Cynthia Ellis-Topsey, Co-Facilitator, spoke about some of the works the organization has been supporting for the past eight years. Members of the Presbyterian organization visited Seine Bight Village, where they were …

PlusTV

BELMOPAN MAYOR TARGETED IN SHOOTING
Shots were fired in the Cohune Walk area of Belmopan last night and the Mayor of Belmopan appears to have been the intended target. Plus News spoke to a fearless Mayor Belisle this afternoon at his residence. He told us what transpired at the time of the incident Khalid Belisle, Mayor of Belmopan C...

More squatters removed from Maya Mopan, Belmopan
And in more Belmopan news, as we said, the Belmopan City Council has been exercising pressure on a squatting situation that has begun to plague the capital city. More squatters were removed today. After the squatters were removed from the reserve in the Doyle’s Delight Street area a few weeks ago, o...

Mason and Co-Accused Head to Supreme Court for Kidnapping
William ‘Danny’ Mason and his four co-accused are headed to the Supreme Court to face charges of Kidnapping. This morning Mason, Ashton Vanegas of Camalote Village; brothers: Keiron Fernandez and Terrence Fernandez, as well as Ernest Henry Castillo, all appeared in the Belmopan Magistrate Court to h...

PUP challenging San Pedro Municipal elections
In last night’s newscast we told you about the court case where PUP Mayoral candidate for San Pedro, Andre Perez, is asking the court to declare the results of the municipal elections in San Pedro as void. The trial began before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin yesterday morning and lasted until about...

Police Officer Fires Shots at Car with Children Inside
An off duty police officer fired over 6 shots at a Honda SUV with 5 passengers inside, including two children. A passenger of the SUV told Plus News that he along with his family were on their way from a church service in Orange Walk to the Village of Armenia on the Humming Bird Highway, where they ...

Belizean Gas prices to increase as world prices do
Regular gasoline Prices at the pump in Belize will continue to increase as world prices also increase. That’s according to a press release from the Ministry of Finance. In fact, as of midnight on May 16, regular gasoline in Belize City will go up by ten cents. Diesel will also go up by 11 cents. Pre...

Citco and CWU Executive meet over termination of employees
Today, the Belize City Council met with the Christian Workers Union Executive and their employees’ representative. As you may recall, six city council workers were terminated from employment. Among those were two members of the Christian Workers Union. Today at the meeting, both sides conveyed...

No Docking of Teachers Pay- Managers Press Release
Last week, BNTU President Elena Smith told the media that Managers of Schools had indicated in a meeting that they would not be paying teachers who participated in the BNTU rally against violence which took place in March of this year. However, a press release has since been...

Rounding up drugs and drug peddlers on SAN PEDRO
Yesterday San Pedro Police officers conducted a search at an apartment in San Pedro where they discovered 9mm live rounds of ammunition. The apartment belongs to 18 year old John Carlos who was present at the time of the discovery. Also present was 21 years old Tracey Betancourt....

Registry Employees Charged for Forgery
Two men from the Belize Registry Department have been arrested and charged with forgery. Reports are that police visited the Registrar General at the Supreme Court building in Belize City where they were told that some documents had been forged....

Senior Citizens Discount Continues
Belize City senior citizens will not experience any interruption in their property tax discounts. During the transition period of the new Belize City Council, Mayor Wagner indicated that the council was losing revenue due to property tax discounts...

Call to All Justices of The Peace
Re-Registration is scheduled to begin on July 2nd and in preparation, all Justices of the Peace are being asked to contact the Attorney General’s Ministry. According to a press release issued by the Ministry, this process is necessary in order for JP’s, including Senior Justices of the Peace, to verify their status...

ANTI-BULLYING MARCH
Students from the Our Lady of Guadeloupe Primary School assembled on the Ring Road in Belmopan this morning to begin their 2nd Annual Anti- Bullying March. This year the march was held under the theme H.E.R.O, ‘Helping Everyone Respect Others.’ Students marched as they held up posters and signs saying ‘NO TO BULLYING.” ...

Demetrio Patt dies after 2 weeks on life support
47 year old Demetrio Patt, who was in the KHMH in critical condition after he was beaten up two weeks ago, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. Patt, a father of 5, was in the passenger seat of a vehicle that was being driven by his brother when they allegedly crashed into a...

Soldiers at Western Border cause alarm; no tension says Ministry of Defence
There were reports of tensions at the Western Border over the weekend. According to information received, the tension was as result of an attempt made by BDF troops to clear an area in the Adjacency Zone at the Western Border. Guatemalan officers reportedly entered the area in...

Government of Belize & UN Migration Agency sign MOU
This morning the Government of Belize and the UN Migration Agency (IOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a National Migration and Development Policy for Belize, which is expected to guide Belize’s management of its multidimensional migration dynamics. Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Immigration Godwin Hulse signed on behalf …

San Pedro Murder at Tropicana Restaurant
An American businessman was shot and killed at his business establishment in San Pedro last night. According to reports, sometime around 9:30 p.m., 49 year old American Business owner Lamont Edward Lipka, owner of Tropicana Restaurant and Bar, was standing in front of the cash register when a male p...

PUP challenging San Pedro Municipal elections
PUP Mayoral candidate for San Pedro, Andre Perez, has taken his claim of an unfair election to court. The trial began today before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin and follows the PUP’s allegations of several discrepancies during the March 7th municipal elections on the island. PUP claims that there w...

6 Year old injured in Belize City shooting
A 6 year old boy was injured in a shooting incident on Central America Boulevard over the weekend. Reports are that about 10 a.m. on Saturday, 6 year old Lemar Orellano was seated in the rear passenger seat of taxi that was parked in front of Henry’s Bar on C.A Boulevard when shots were fired in the...

Ivan Hyde chopped to the neck; survives
A young man was chopped to the neck on Friday while socializing in Sand Hill Village. Reports are that about 11pm on Friday, 26 year old Ivan Hyde was socializing in front of a friend’s house when an argument ensued between Hyde and 28 year old Jude Joseph Moody. As a result, Moody chopped Hyde to ...

Richard Hyde arrested for Murder
One man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder of 23 year old Luis Monge which occurred on Thursday night. On Saturday, Police arrested and charged 35 year old Richard Hyde, a butcher from Camalote Village in the Cayo District, for the Crime of Murder. Here is what Police had t...

Missing man found dead at sea
The lifeless body of a man who was lost at sea over night was found this morning. According to information received, 70 year old American/Belizean Juan Caducio went fishing in his boat sometime yesterday and did not return home last night. As a result, a concerned relative went looking for him at s...

Belmopan Restaurant robbed by armed men
A Belmopan Chinese Restaurant was robbed on Saturday night. According to reports, three male persons armed with fire arms walked into the Samsung Restaurant on Nim Li Punit Street at about 9:45 p.m. on Saturday night and robbed business owner, Ya Yong Ma of an undisclosed amount of cash. They also s...

GOB loses another multi million dollar case
The Government of Belize lost yet another case at the Supreme Court, costing the people of Belize $20 million. Sunshine Limited , a company owned by the government, sued GOB, Dean Boyce and the Belize Telemedia Employee’s Trust. ...

GOB loses another multi million dollar case
The Government of Belize lost yet another case at the Supreme Court, costing the people of Belize $20 million. Sunshine Limited , a company owned by the government, sued GOB, Dean Boyce and the Belize Telemedia Employee’s Trust. ...

House Fires at Mile 8 and Ladyville
There was a house fire over the weekend at mile 8. A cement bungalow caught fire on Sunday afternoon and was totally destroyed by the blaze. We hear more from Orin Smith, Station Manager at Belize Fire Service. Orin Smith, Station Manager, Belize Fire Service: On Sunday, 13th May at approximately 5:36pm, the National Fire Service received and responded ...

Accident on Phillip Goldson Highway
There was a traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway sometime after twelve o’clock on Saturday morning. A video released on social media shows two vehicles off the side of the road, both with extensive damages. One of the vehicles was a red SUV and the other was a white 4 door car ...

Three women arrested for Drug Trafficking
A female Costumes Broker and two other women were arrested and charged on Friday Night for Drug Trafficking. Reports are that Corozal Police arrested and charged 29 year old s Custom Broker Camile Bodden, 26 year old Stephanie White, and 69 year old Blanca Bodden after a search was conducted at the residence of Camile Bodden ...

Money stolen from Brodies Salesman Vehicle
Over 14 thousand dollars were stolen from the vehicle of a James Brodies Company Limited Salesman in Orange Walk. Reports are that sometime between Thursday Night and Friday morning a Blue Toyata Tercell Car belonging to 30 year old Ashton August that was parked in his yard ...

Another vehicle torched in Belize City
Another vehicle was torched in Belize City in the span of two days. According to reports, on Thursday night around 11:30 p.m., 36 year old Melonie Staine was awakened by her tenant who informed her that her vehicle was on fire ...

The Reporter

Man’s charred remains reportedly found in burnt house
The Reporter has received reliable information that police have found the charred remains of a man inside a house that fire destroyed. Information is still fresh at this time, but unconfirmed reports reaching the Reporter indicate that the body of the man was found inside […]

Breaking Belize News

Belize to Celebrate World Hypertension Day 2018
Every year on May 17, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) […]

Belize celebrates Museum Day 2018
The Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture will celebrate International Museum Day on Friday, […]

CARICOM concerned over Palestine- Israel conflict
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) issued a statement today saying that it is deeply concerned by the […]

American charged for $21 million Belize airport fraud
An American man, Brent Borland, 48, of Sag Harbor, New York, has been charged for defrauding investors of over $21 million for the construction of an airport on land in Belize […]

Reflections of the night: From Palestine to Maya Mopan
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Children from Eastern Division Region 1 to begin agriculture program
Commander of Eastern Division Region One, Howell Gillett continues to engage the children and youths of […]

Belize to develop new migration policy
The Government of Belize and the United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) jointly held a launching […]

Police investigating shooting at Belmopan Mayor’s home
Belmopan police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Monday night in the Cohune Walk area of […]

PM Barrow gives timeline for departure
Prime Minister Dean Barrow, during a press conference being held at the Biltmore hotel this morning, […]

SSB says Belize City Council owed $77,000
During his transition report, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner revealed that the council had not […]

Music Week 2018
Belize Music Week 2018 is being held in collaboration between the Office of the Music Ambassador […]

Belmopan car thieves make off in Toyota Hilux
Police are investigating the robbery of a Toyota Hilux pickup truck that occurred on Monday. Juan Hernandez, […]

Dr. Gonzalez gets his job back!
Former two time Belize City Councilor, Dr. Alaine Gonzalez, has been reinstated at the Surgical […]
inated six
After an intense meeting with the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) yesterday, the Belize City Council […]

Belizeans: What are we working for?
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Football dust settles – Semi-final football rematch between Verdes and BDF set
BBN has been informed that the semi-final rematch between Verdes and the Belize Defense Force […]

Blogs

San Pedro Turns Out for Cayo Rosario Meeting: NO is Unanimous
Yesterday I arrived early at the empty Lions Den in downtown San Pedro for the Public Meeting About the APPROVED Development at Cayo Rosario on the west side of Ambergris Caye. I watched new residents, long term business owners, kids, parents, fishing guides, resort operators, tour operation owners, real estate agents, repeat visitors, San Pedranos…hundreds file into the large room. The universal response from the crowd, reiterated by Billy Leslie, President of the SP Tour Guides Association, again and again (great post about Billy from the San Pedro Sun in 2000 – a bit of his history on the island) NO OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES IN A MARINE RESERVE AND NO DREDGING OF ANY SEA BED IN OUR PROTECTED BAJOS. I was there to listen. And report back.

How To Eat Like A Local In Belize
When in Belize, eating like a local has many advantages: it’s a great way to learn about Belizean food, immerse yourself in the culture, and interact with Belizeans. Here’s a quick informational guide on the local food scene to prepare you on how to eat like a local in Belize. I’m sorry for anyone who visits Belize and is addicted to McDonald’s, Wendy’s or Pizza Hut! American fast-food chains don’t exist here. When Belizeans want a fast-food fix, they head to hole-in-the-wall places and order things such as panades, salbutes, garnaches and tacos. These take-out items are cheap, filling and delicious – make sure you try them out If you’re planning on trying a local restaurant, make sure to go before you’re hungry because food orders usually take long. Restaurants in Belize are not used to large crowds, which means pre-cooking is never necessary and your meal is generally prepared from scratch. So go to dinner early, drink a few belikin beers and do some people watching as you wait for your delicious FRESH meal.

What to Know About Belize’s Summertime Lobsterfest Celebrations
Mid-June is a time for celebration in Belize as the official lobster season opens. It typically opens June 15th every year and closes on February 14 of the following year. To celebrate the start of the new season, there are gastronomic events in different parts of the country. If you’ve considered traveling to Belize to try Caribbean spiny lobster, try to coordinate your trip around one of these three festivals. Lobsterfest on Ambergris Caye is serious business. The week-plus long event incorporates daytime and nighttime activities throughout the island. You can even pick up a complimentary Lobster Passport that you get stamped at all the event locations. You can use this to enter a drawing for a return trip to Belize! The highlight of Ambergris Caye’s Lobsterfest celebration is the giant block party on the final Saturday night. Here you’ll find many of the island’s top chefs showcasing creative lobster creations, fun libations, and the Belizean steel drum band, Panerrifix, performing.

How To Find A Long-Term Rental Property In Belize
There is a common thread in the conversation that many expats have when they first move to Belize and try to find long-term rentals—it is hard to do. There are many reasons for this, and I’ve experienced them while trying to rent in two of the most popular areas of Belize, San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Placencia. There are several factors that are important to know going in to your search: where the best areas are in town to live, how to find your rental, what is actually available, and what expats wished they knew before they rented.

Exploring the ATM Cave, Belize’s Grand Adventure
A vacation is one of the greatest opportunities to make new memories. In Belize, that can mean memories of exploring the wildlife-rich jungles, trekking to historic Maya ruins, or even lounging poolside, ice-chilled cocktail in hand. One of the most magical adventures we love sending guests to is Actun Tunichil Muknal, better known as the ATM Cave. Under an hour from Ka’ana, the cave, whose name translates to “Cave of the Stone Sepulcher,” is most famous for a series of archaeological deposits with ancient skeletons. One, “The Crystal Maiden,” is from a teenager, whose now-calcified bones sparkle like crystals after over a millennia in the dark. Was she a sacrifice victim? Nobody knows for sure, but she’s become a veritable destination in her own right. As just one of the human remains, The Crystal Maiden suggests the ATM Cave’s significance to the Maya civilization. The presence of ceramics, stoneware, and even alterations to the actual cave walls—altars, plus carvings that create silhouettes of faces and animals—further showcases that the ATM Cave was an important, sacred place of worship to the underworld gods.

Belize Is a Great Birding Destination for 2018
As a warm country with an incredibly diverse ecosystem, Belize is a natural haven for birds. The Audubon Society estimates that approximately 600 different bird species have been recorded in Belize. Approximately 80% of the birds in Belize are year-round residents while approximately 20% are migrating birds from North America that spend the winter in Belize. The Audubon Society has identified seven different Important Birding Areas (IBAs) in Belize, but you can spot birds everywhere in the country, including on the offshore islands.

The Perfect One Week Belize Itinerary
If you've only got one week to spend in the tropical paradise that is Belize, why not visit the best of both worlds? Our all-inclusive Belize vacation packages include time on both the pristine mainland as well as a sojourn to the fabulous offshore islands and Caribbean beaches. Belize is a small country in Central America just 2-5 hours' flying time from major cities across the United States and Canada.

Hiking in Belize - Great For Your Heart, Mind, and Body
Belize is just a short flight away from North America, but its exotic wildlife, unparalleled natural beauty, and thriving eco-system make it truly a world away. In Belize, the sound of birds and the perfume in the air from hundreds of flowering plant species are far more common than the hustle and bustle of modern life in the United States and Canada. That's why Belize is one of the best places in the world to unplug, relax, and unwind. Although it may not sound glamorous, one of the most popular activities in Belize is hiking through the jungle. Far from any wireless internet signal, shopping mall, or noisy highway, the jungles are, instead, an oasis of natural beauty, color, and tranquility. Everywhere you look, you'll spot incredible examples of nature at its finest, ranging from elusive jaguars to tiny frogs and insect that make the jungle thrum with energy.

Is Belize Safe
Belize is a small country, but because it isn't well-known by outsiders, a lot of visitors want to know if it is safe to visit. Of course, no country is ever going to be completely safe from crime and other risks, but Belize is an incredibly safe country for foreign visitors. Tourism is an important part of the Belizean economy. With over one million visitors a year to a country smaller than the state of Massachusetts, the government of Belize takes visitor safety extremely seriously. As such, the vast majority of visitors to Belize enjoy a wonderful, safe, and incident-free vacation. Belize is primarily a rural country. The only relatively large urban area is Belize City. Formerly the capital, Belize City is still the largest metropolis in the country with around 75,000 inhabitants. Some areas of the outskirts of Belize City are very poor and where most of the serious crimes in the country occur. But because these are far from the normal tourist spots, these incidents rarely impact foreign visitors.

Why You Will Love Birding in Belize
With one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the world, it's no surprise that Belize is a popular destination for bird watchers. More than 600 species have been recorded in the country, including more than 500 indigenous bird species that include the roseate spoonbill, orange-breasted falcon, endangered Jabiru stork, the scarlet macaw, sungrebe, enormous harpy eagle, solitary eagle, the chestnut-bellied heron, and the endangered ocellated turkey. Beyond its enormous domestic variety of tropical and subtropical bird species, Belize is also the winter homefor hundreds of bird species from all across North America. With seven different Important Bird Areas managed by the Audobon Society, Belize is one of the best places to see birds in a pristine, natural landscape.

Belize Summer Weather
Summer is a great time to visit Belize. With abundant sunshine, warm water temperatures, and deliciously cool breezes at night, Belize has everything that families, honeymooners, couples, and adventure travelers can enjoy. Here are just a few exciting things you can do in Belize during the summer: For thousands of years, Belize was the heartland of a vast empire that stretched from Mexico down to El Salvador. Today, visitors can climb enormous pyramids, explore sacred temples, and see the bloody stones where the infamous ball game was played.

Belize City - What You Need to Know Before You Visit
For nearly 200 years, Belize City was the capital of the country. Today, it's still the largest urban area and transportation hub in Belize. All international flights land at the Philip Goldson Airport just nine miles away, so Belize City is often the first place that visitors see. Despite the fact that Belize City is no longer the political capital, it is still home to many government offices, and the city is the undisputed commercial hub of the country. Two of Belize's three highways begin in Belize City, and the water docks are the main transportation gateway to the offshore islands like Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Since most people come to Belize to engage in sports like diving and snorkeling on the islands or to visit some of the pristine natural areas on the mainland, Belize City often gets overlooked. The city often gets a fearsome reputation, but there's a lot to do and see here for tourists.

Keeping Belize’s Rivers Clean – One Bag At A Time
The Macal River has a rich history – as the part of the ancient Maya superhighway it connected the highlands of Guatemala to the Caribbean coastal trade routes, as the gateway to Belize’s interior it penetrated Belize’s lush rainforests and opened them up to countless explorers and settlers. Even as recently as the early days of Mick and Lucy farming at Chaa Creek, the Macal River was the primary route in and out of San Ignacio. Today, it’s the source of adventure and delight for the countless Chaa Creek visitors who enjoy tubing and canoeing down the river into San Ignacio Town. So when Chaa Creek’s naturalist Brion Young rallied staff to join him in an ambitious clean up project, the response was, to say the least, enthusiastic.

International Sources

U.S. charges New York fund manager with Belize airport scam
A New York investment manager was arrested on Wednesday and charged with fraudulently raising about $21.9 million that he told his investors would be used to build an international airport in Belize, the U.S. Department of Justice said. Brent Borland, a principal at Borland Capital Group, was accused of having promised double-digit rates of return on investments related to temporary “bridge” financing for the airport in Placencia, roughly 110 miles (177 km) south of Belize City, and secured by real property in Belize. Instead, authorities said all investors in Borland’s Belize Infrastructure Fund lost money, while the 48-year-old resident of Sag Harbor, New York and Delray Beach, Florida diverted close to $6 million to fund a lavish lifestyle for his family.

Kampf gegen Müllberge: Belize verbietet Plastik
Immer mehr Urlauber produzieren immer mehr Abfall – beliebte Reiseziele kämpfen gegen die Vermüllung von Orten, Meeren und Stränden. Die beliebte Baleareninsel Mallorca hat dem Pastik den Kampf angesagt und ein Gesetz auf den Weg gebracht, dass die Wegwerfprodukte verbieten soll. In Kenia ist seit August 2017 die Herstellung und Einfuhr von Plastiktüten verboten, bei Nichtbeachtung drohen Strafen. Großbritannien will Plastik-Strohhalme, Wattestäbchen und andere Wegwerfprodukte ab 2019 verbieten.

U.S. Charges Brent Borland With $21 Million Investment Fraud
The founder of a New York-based investment firm was charged with defrauding investors and using their money to fund a lavish lifestyle, including payments for a Florida mansion, multiple luxury cars and private school tuition. Borland Capital Group LLC founder Brent Borland, 48, of Sag Harbor, was charged in a complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court Wednesday with cheating investors who contributed more than $21 million for the construction of a Belize airport by falsely promising a high rate of return secured by property owned by the firm.

How Britain's Colonial Legacy Still Influences LGBTQ Rights in the World
Of the 72 countries that still criminalise gay sex today, at least 38 were once subject to British colonialism. At the recent Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London, British Prime Minister Theresa May urged Commonwealth nations to reform existing anti-gay legislation held over from British colonial rule. And while stopping short of a formal apology, she used her speech to explicitly acknowledge Britian’s responsibility: “As the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced and the legacy of discrimination, violence and death that persists today.” As we show in our newly published book, British Colonialism and the Criminalisation of Homosexuality, many laws that make homosexuality a crime today were imposed during rule by the British Empire.

Videos

May 16, 2018

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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

Over 900 Lionfish caught for Hol Chan Reef Week Tournament
As part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Week 2018 a Lionfish Tournament was hosted at Estel’s Dine by the Sea on Friday, May 11th. The tournament is meant to raise awareness of the invasive species that poses a major threat to marine life. Teams competing for the grand prize were French Angel, Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop, The Dive Bar, Team Bradley, Ramon’s Village, and Sea Star Belize. Around 7AM, boats headed out to sea fully equipped to catch as many lionfish as they could and hoping to claim one of the fabulous tournament prizes. After approximately eight hours at sea, teams began returning with their ice boxes full of lionfish, ready to weigh and count. A large crowd gathered at the scale to view the huge amounts of fish caught. Out of the total 901 lionfish caught, the smallest was only five centimeters and the largest 40 centimeters.

Ambergris Caye Fishing Guide Association holds first meeting of the year
The Ambergris Caye Fishing Guide Association (ACFGA) held its first 2018 meeting at the Lions Den in San Pedro Town on Thursday, May 10th. In attendance were various fishermen and stakeholders who had a variety of topics to discuss and follow up with. After ACFGA President Enrique Marin, welcomed everyone, Hol Chan Marine Reserve manager Miguel Alamilla spoke to the gathering about a new project his organization has started. “We have started to create artificial reefs at the back of the island to expand areas for fly fishermen,” said Alamilla. He asked ACFGA members to check out the project and provide feedback to Hol Chan so that they can improve, re-design or re-evaluate. ACFGA secretary Giovanni Marin spoke next, sharing with those gathered that the Belize Tourism Board has approved their petition of extending the size requirements on ‘lanchon’ boats – primarily used for fly-fishing – to 26 feet and under, as the majority of the fishermen’s boats are currently built to that length. BTB also approved their request to increase the number of boat passengers to six, with one guide, and no helper required. Secretary Marin also revealed the association’s new website www.ambergriscayefishingguideassociation.com.

Ambergris Today

It’s A Wrap! – Successful Reef Week 2018 Comes To An End!
Hol Chan Marine Reserve’s Reef Week 2018 came to a successful end with two major events, the Lionfish Competition and Coastal Clean Up. Hol Chan Marine Reserve’s Lionfish Tournament was hosted at Estel's Dine by the Sea on Friday, May 11, 2018, where participating businesses headed out to sea from early morning to catch as much fish as possible. The count took place at the end of the day on the beach at Estel's with fun activities that included a Lionfish filleting competition. The Lionfish Tournament and fillet competition results are as follows:

San Pedro Election Results Dispute Goes To Court
It is the first of its kind in Belize, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin yesterday, Monday, May 14, 2018, heard the claim brought by Andre Perez against San Pedro Town Mayor Daniel Guerrero. Perez has contested the March 7 municipal elections results for the PUP claiming that there is a discrepancy with regards to the results of San Pedro Town. While deliberations ensued in court, a small protest took place in front of the Supreme Court building. Daniel Guerrero won out Andre Perez the elections by only 38 votes and immediately after the People’s United Party (PUP) contested the results by alleging multiple irregularities in the handling and reconciling go the ballots.

Notice To All Justices Of The Peace
The Attorney General’s Ministry informs that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices of the Peace, must contact the Ministry to verify their JP status before July 31, 2018. This exercise is being carried out in preparation for the upcoming re-registration process by the Elections and Boundaries Department.

Misc Belizean Sources

Hands Across the Sand 2018
Join us at this international event this Saturday to send a message to the world. Let's stand together and Let's Say NO to dirty fuels and YES to clean energy.

Replay Match: Premiere League of Belize 2017-2018 Closing Season. Verdes FC vs BDF FC (Replay Match)
Game has moved to Wednesday, May 16th, 2018.

Become a Friend of Ya’axché
When you become a Friend of Ya’axché, your contribution will support the conservation and management of a 700,000-acre mosaic landscape of protected areas and private and community lands. You will:

Upcoming Rotary clinics around Belize!

Chocolate festival coming up
Excited to announce the last of the Three Kings, Mr Florencio Mes, will be performing at the Grand Finale at Nim Li Punit on Sunday 20th May! Thanks to NICH for supporting this event!

The 2018 Turtle nesting season has begun!
To those enjoying the northern beaches Punta Azul, Basil Jones, Robles, please remember that for the next 6 months you will be sharing the space with sea turtles who are laying eggs so be careful not to drive over the nest, take your garbage home with you to dispose of properly, and do not tamper with marked nests. The turtles will thank you.

Expected Changes in Domestic Fuel Prices Due to Increase in World Oil Prices
The Ministry of Finance advises that with effect from midnight on May 16, 2018, there will be adjustments in the pump prices of fuel products as follows: Belize City Prices: Premium Gasoline - $11.36 per gallon – down by 3 cents. Regular Gasoline - $11.14 per gallon – up by 10 cents. Diesel Oil - $10.60 per gallon – up by 11 cents. Kerosene - $7.75 per gallon – down by 12 cents.

Caye Caulker Dental clinic today
Another successful day 2 of Health Week, thank you BCVI for another day of eye clinic and thank you Dr. D for the package. Today at 9:00 a.m. at Allan Chan's conference room dental clinic, no appointment required come in and patiently wait your turn.

DFC Loan Inquiry Form
DFC - Helping farmers since 1963. Agriculture - Business - Homes - Education. How can we help you?

2018 Cacao Festivities - BTB Kiosks

Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture Celebrate International Museum Day on Friday, May 18th
This year’s International Museum Day will be celebrated on Friday, May 18th 2018, under the theme “Hyperconnected museums: New approaches, New Publics”. The objective of International Museum Day is to raise awareness of Museums as important methods of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. The Museum of Belize will be granting free access for Belizeans to the Museum of Belize, gifting the public a complimentary viewing of the Slavery, Maya and Insect displays. The Museum of Belize will also be sending their cutest and most loved representative “Beulah” to the various events being supported by the Houses of Culture to show support.

TS'UNU'UN MAYA LEGEND
The hummingbird is one of the most fascinating birds: beautiful, light and with the ability to move subtle as a feather. But ... do you know his story? The Maya have a beautiful legend about the hummingbird or hummingbird. For them, their feathers were magical. The hummingbird was a bird with a very special purpose ... do you want to know which one? The wisest Maya say that the Gods created all things on Earth and in doing so, each animal, each tree and each stone was commissioned a job. But when they were finished, they noticed that there was no one in charge of taking their wishes and thoughts from one place to another. As they no longer had mud or corn to make another animal, they took a jade stone and with it carved a very small arrow. When it was ready, they blew on it and the little arrow went flying. It was no longer a simple arrow, now it had life, the gods had created the x ts'unu'un, that is, the hummingbird.

Channel 7

8 Shots Fired At Belmopan Mayor’s House
There was a shooting in Belmopan last night but it wasn't just any random shooting, the Mayor - Khalid Belisle's house was the target. Last night around 10:30, Belisle was awakened by the sound of gun blasts. When he checked his house this morning he saw the bullet holes and piercings in the walls and his fiancé's car. It is a bold and brazen move and it is even more shocking because it happened in the Garden City to a soft-spoken politician, who is far from being abrasive. Courtney Weatherburne went to Belmopan to try and find some answers. Mayor Khalid Belisle has been living in this Valencia Street house for 3 years. He and his fiancée has made it their home and they enjoy the peace and quiet in the area. But that calm was ruptured last night after someone shot up his house.

Danny Mason Will Stand Trial For Kidnapping
Last year, accused murderer William Danny Mason was committed to the Supreme Court to stand trial along with his co-accused for the beheading murder of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas. Today, he got more bad news when Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody ruled that he will stand trial for the charge of kidnapping. This kidnapping was alleged to have occurred weeks before Belmopan police found Pastor Lucas' decapitated head in the back of Mason's vehicle. Mennonite Lloyd Friesen reported to police that he got into a business arrangement with Mason, where Mason would import three hundred thousand dollars' worth of corn through Argentina. Friesen told police that he fronted the money, but the shipment never materialized. He then demanded that Mason return his money, and kept pressing for it.

SSB Demands Payment From Citco
Weeks ago, the new Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner reported that his predecessor hadn't been remitting Social Security payments to the SSB since August of 2017, right up to the election. Former mayor Darrell Bradley flatly denied it - as did his now terminated city administrator, Candice Miller. Here's how she responded to the allegation last week: Jules Vasquez, reporter: "The suggestion is that, which is illegal, that the council withheld the taxes and social security from August 2017 and didn't pass it on to central government and social security."

City Hall Refused To Re-Instate Terminated Union Employees
But we did get word from the council on a meeting with the Christian Workers Union - which represents two of the 6 workers who were fired last week. The release says, quote "Today, the Belize City Council met with the Christian Workers Union Executive and their employees' representative. Both sides conveyed their concerns. However, the council remained resolute that there will not be any reinstatement of the employees that were let go and the council does wish them the best." End quote.

Dr. Alain Wins Re-Instatement At KHMH
And while city hall isn't re-instating, at the KHMH a doctor who was fired didn't need a labour union - he just needed a good attorney. One month ago we told you about Dr. Alain Gonzalez, the former two term UDP City Councillor who was abruptly fired from the KHMH - after 10 years and one month of service. And not only was he fired without a chance to defend himself, he was escorted out of the hospital by security. But, Gonzalez didn't blow them up with a scathing interview or Facebook post - he got a lawyer, filed an appeal with the board of directors and bided his time. And it paid off, because he has been re-instated. 7news has confirmed that Gonzalez is back at work and transferred form the emergency room to the surgical ward.

Gas Going Up, But Not Yet Gone
US President Donald Trump's pullout from the Iran nuclear deal is driving up oil prices worldwide, and you can expect the same with Belize's already sky high fuel prices. But the news isn't all bad - not yet, at least. Effective tomorrow May 16th at midnight, Premium Gasoline which is now $11.36 per gallon in the city will actually go down by 3 cents, Regular Gasoline will go up by 10 cents, and you will be paying 11 cents more per gallon for Diesel, while Kerosene will go down by 12 cents.

Patt Manslaughter Suspects Charged
Today, the three men accused of causing the death of Demetrio Patt were taken back to the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court where their charges were upgraded to manslaughter. After a night in the detention cell, Carlos Westby, Deltran Perez, and Leodigario Chan were marched to Orange Walk Magistrate's Court this morning in handcuffs. They had already been charged for wounding and dangerous harm - and now they are charged with manslaughter.

Your Cable Bill Is Going Up
For weeks we've been warning you that there's going to be changes with your cable television service. And it looks like it's here: fewer channels for more money - and it takes effect within 15 days. 7News has received a press release from the Belize Cable Television Operators Association which says that they propose to offer a basic package of 80 channels or $60.00 dollars. That's up 33% from what most people currently pay: $45.00 for over two hundred channels. And those two hundred channels presently include HBO, STARZ, SHOWTIME - and all those - which are called premium channels. Well, not anymore. As we understand it - those are not included in this basic package. For those channels you'd have to upgrade to a premium package for more money. The details on that haven't been released.

Why The BDF Sent Soldiers To Erect A Fence
Last night on the news, you saw the fence that the BDF is building out at the Benque Viejo border - and heard about the slight disturbance it created with Guatemalan Taxi drivers crying foul. Today we asked the BDF Commander why they chose to send the BDF to build a fence at the border and what was the message sent by that. He said it was a practical decision: Jules Vasquez, reporter: "Usually if you want to put up a fence or cordoned off an area, you hire a contractor and it's just a civil process. Why did you all choose to send in the military in the form of a light engineering company?"

BDF Increasing Patrol Presence In Chiquibul
The BDF plans to pull out of the area when the fence is finished. But while they won't stay at that border the army is increasing its presence along the western border in the Chiquibul Forest. Last week, the Friends For Conservation and Development reported that since the April 15th referendum in Guatemala, many of the campesinos in the border communities adjoining the Chiquibul were misled into believing that the "yes" meant, "yes" they now own Belize. The BDF has had to respond by increasing patrols along the wide frontier before Guatemalan farmers put down roots in Belize:

The San Pedro Election, Which Way Will The Court Decide?
Last night, we took you to the Supreme Court for the PUP's petition against the San Pedro Election results of March 7. You'll remember that the election ended with UDP's Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the UDP 7 being declared as winners. The PUP wants the Chief Justice to set aside those election results, and order a new election for the island town. That hearing lasted the entire day yesterday, and it ended only a few minutes before the start of news. So, to properly summarize why it is that the PUP feels that the Elections and Boundaries Commission mishandled that process, Daniel Ortiz recounts the most important elements. Here's his story:

Interesting Ammunition Situation In A San Pedro Room
As we told you last night, San Pedro police made an interesting bust yesterday morning. They searched 18 year old John Hernandez - and it led them to his hotel room at the Central Hotel. Police searched the room and found seven 9 millimeter rounds of ammunition. They also learned that 21-year-old Tracey Betancourt is the one who had rented the room. Police arrested and charged both Hernandez and Betancourt with Kept Ammunition without a Gun License. Betancourt is known as the girlfriend of the recently murdered Paul Jex.

Is BDF Befriending Guatemala’s Ally?
So with all this chuminess between Israel and Guatemala - what's a BDF Captain doing in Mexico - along with the police and Coast Guard at a cyber security conference? That's what we asked the BDF commander today:.. Jules Vasquez, reporter: "The President of Guatemala is in Israel today for the opening of their embassy. The Guatemalans are big supporter of Israel, but I saw that a BDF Captain Usher, was in Mexico recently at an Israeli cyber security conference. Is that something that the BDF is looking at knowing that the Israeli and the Guatemalans are very close allies?"

Filipino/Belizean Found Dead At Sea
Yesterday morning the body of 73-year-old Placencia village resident Juan Caducio was found floating in the Sea near Harvest Caye. According to authorities, Caducio left to go fishing on Sunday in his fiberglass skiff but never returned. Reports say Caducio was a Filipino who had been in Belize for over 20 years and was into real estate. He is believed to have fallen off his boat while fishing and foul play is not suspected.

Work Resumes, Slowly On Multi Purpose Building
Last night we told you about the woes at the multi-purpose building on Lake I Boulevard. The 4.46 million dollar project is two years behind schedule - and the contractor has chronic problems paying suppliers and employees. That's why when we went there yesterday, the 25 man work crew had basically gone on strike because they weren't paid on Friday - and neither were they paid yesterday. But today when we went there we saw some activity - though the work crew still hadn't returned. The supervisor told us more - and did his best to put a happy spin on a less than ideal situation:..

Reward For Stolen Explorer
On Friday night, someone stole businessman Dean Fuller's 2012 Ford Explorer. He told police he parked it across from the Old Chateau Caribbean. When Fuller returned to the spot, the SUV was gone. Inside his stolen vehicle was a Samsung Galaxy S7 cell phone and a black Dell Laptop. The vehicle has comprehensive insurance. Fuller is offering a reward of $3,000 to anyone that is able to locate the vehicle. The police investigation continues.

The Urological Solution
We've reported extensively on the One Struggle the group that brings together those affected by gun violence. The group has done a lot of work with not only direct victims of violence but also with family members of the deceased, and today we found they are doing more. They are seeking free medical treatment for victims of gun violence. Urologists from the United States will be here on Sunday in Corozal and Dangriga. Since urological complications often follow gunshot injuries, The One Struggle group is offering free transportation to people who would also like to be examined.

Festival Of The Arts Starts
The Festival of Arts is an annual event where primary and high school kids showcase their many talents. Today was day one of this year's festival and the kids took to the stage at Birds Isle with a great deal of excitement. We stopped by to find out more about the festival and what this year has to offer. Darlene Lozano, Education Officer: "The festival of art highlights the expressive arts program in schools. This year we are doing it over three days. The 15th, 16th, and 17th. The 15th and 16th are for primary schools and the 17th is for secondary schools." "We have performances in drama, music, and dance. This morning we had 22 items from six different primary schools."

Come To Cacao Fest
This weekend Belizeans and tourists have the chance to visit chocolate heaven at the tenth annual Cacao fest in Punta Gorda. The fest is an eagerly anticipated event because of the rich diversity of chocolate and cultural offerings. We found out more about what the weekend has to offer from one of the event organizers Dennis Garbutt - who we spoke to via phone. If you would like to buy tickets for the event you can do so at the BTIA office in PG.

Channel 5

Belmopan Mayor’s Rude Awakening: House “Shot Up” in the Dead of Night
Belmopan’s Mayor Khalid Belisle was awoken on Monday night to the sound of gun blasts. Located on Cohune Walk in the capital, there were at least four bullet holes on [...]

Mayor Beefs Up Security; Police Not On Call
Monday night’s shooting in Cohune Walk happened less than a hundred feet away from a police booth at the entrance of the community.  That checkpoint, according to Mayor Belisle, has [...]

2 Seek Bail on 4-Year-Old Murder Charge
There has been a recent trend of accused murderers seeking bail while on remand for their charges. It is a symptom of the heavy backlog in cases at the Supreme [...]

CitCo Says No to Rehiring Fired Employees
The Belize City Council says it is not interested in taking back any of the six employees fired a week ago. A meeting took place today with the executive of [...]

Gov’t Warns of Oil Situation; Regular and Diesel Hiked
Barely two weeks after the last change, there are further changes to report tonight in relation to fuel prices, which take effect at midnight on Wednesday. Premium gasoline moves down [...]

Will C.E.O.’s Blunder Lead to New Election in San Pedro Town?
It was one of those rare court cases that didn’t wrap up when the courts normally close at five o’clock. But that’s not even the most unusual thing about the [...]

Separate Gun, Drug Busts on the Island
At around midday today, San Pedro police conducted a search at the residence of thirty-seven-year-old Brionne Deston Swift, a fisherman of the DFC area.  The joint operation led to the [...]

City Man Fined for Drug Sale to Undercover Cop
A Belize City man was caught red-handed supplying drugs to an undercover police officer and took the rap for it today. Emmerson Neal of Aloe Vera Street admitted a charge [...]

“Danny” Mason et al Face Kidnapping Trial
An apparently shocked William “Danny” Mason was told this morning he would face yet another Supreme Court trial.  Back in February of 2017, Mason and his co-accused were similarly committed [...]

2 Charged in Aggravated Assault of Friend
Two men are charged in connection with the aggravated assault by firearm of twenty-one-year-old Joshua Augustine on May fifth, 2018.  Eighteen-year-old Phozhaun Lewis was charged last week and today it [...]

Said Musa Speaks Up for Palestinian People
Former Prime Minister Said Musa, in a statement, has called on the Government of Belize to join in condemnation of Israel for using excessive and deadly force to respond to [...]

San Pedranos Meet on Cayo Rosario Development
San Pedranos are up in arms about a proposed development within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.  A small caye called Cayo Rosario was sold off to a private developer and [...]

69 Murders for 2018; What’s Driving Killings?
There have been an alarming number of homicides countrywide for the first five months of this year and counting. More than sixty-five are recorded which means that so far, there [...]

Fisherman’s Body Found Off Harvest Caye
A postmortem examination is pending following further investigation into a body found on Monday morning off the Placencia peninsula. Reports are that the remains of a man, who has since [...]

Checking on the Fish You Eat
Over the past few months, the Wildlife Conservation (WCS) has been rolling out a mobile app used to determine local fish consumption. The app, which is compatible with android phones, [...]

Tests to Determine What’s Killing Fish in O.W., Ambergris
One week ago, we reported on the apparent pollution of the New River in the area of Orange Walk Town as well as villages to the north and east, including [...]

Nazarene Kids Tell Truth on Teen Issues at Expo
The school year is fast winding down and while most students are already looking forward to summer camp, visits abroad or just generally hanging out, there’s still lots to learn. [...]

Belize District Festival of Arts Underway
Day one of the 2018 Festival of Arts for the Belize District got underway at the Bird’s Isle in Belize City. Over one hundred items from twenty-five primary schools and [...]

LOVE FM

Chief Justice reserves decision for first ever Election Petition
Yesterday Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin heard a case challenging the outcome of the March 7 elections in San Pedro Town. The People’s United Party is challenging the elections results of San Pedro Town because they believe that there were enough discrepancies that affected the results. The UDP’s Mayor Daniel Guerrero and his council defeated the …

Belmopan Mayor targeted; police search for motive
Is Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle being targeted? This is what Belmopan Police are investigating after someone fired several shots at the Mayor’s home in that municipality. It happened around ten thirty last night, and while the Mayor heard what he described as four loud bangs, he did not realize his house had been shot at …

Education Minister says Proposal 22 has already been discussed
A meeting between Minister of Education Patrick Faber and the Belize National Teacher’s Union (BNTU) is pending. The meeting was requested by the BNTU and last week Minister Faber confirmed that he would grant the union the meeting. The BNTU requested the meeting to discuss matters concerning the collective bargaining agreement, which it says has …

Fire-fighters respond to three fires over the weekend
Fire fighters were kept busy this past weekend with three structural fires. Three houses, two in Ladyville and one in the Eight Miles Community, caught fire. The first happened on Friday. Fire fighters were called out to Manta Ray Boulevard in Ladyville Village where they saw a fire consuming a wooden house. Station Manager at …

CDB and GOB partner up for capacity building programme
The second phase of a capacity building programme was launched yesterday by the Government and the Caribbean Development Bank. The programme aims to further strengthen the human resource capacity and competence of public officers at the technical, middle and senior management levels in the areas of Public Policy Analysis and Management and Project Cycle Management. …

Concern lingers at Belmopan City Hall following shooting
As mentioned earlier, the police are still working identifying a suspect and a motive for the shooting. Meanwhile, those close to the Mayor are left wondering why this has happened. His colleague Ralston Frazer, the City Administrator, says he does not have any idea why Mayor Belisle would be targeted. He added that while no …

UNDP’s Belize River Watershed Project
Today, the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) launched the project preparation phase of a multi-sectoral project at the Radisson Fort George Hotel. Love News was there and spoke with Diane Wade-Moore, Programme Analysis at UNDP, who said the project addresses bio-diversity management, sustainable land management, integrated water resource management and forest management within the Belize …

Anglican Diocese to celebrate 50th Diocesan Synod
The Anglican Diocese will be celebrating its fiftieth Diocesan Synod under the theme “Intentional Discipleship –It is What We Are About”. Love News spoke with Bishop Philip Wright of the Anglican Diocese of Belize about the event. Bishop Wright went on to speak about some initiatives which have been birthed from past Diocesan Synods. Bishop …

Churches joins Belmopan Police Formation in recognizing outstanding police officers
Police officers at the Belmopan Police Formation were recognized for their outstanding work today. The formation leaders also recognized women police officers who are mothers in celebration of Mother’s Day. The event was held at the My Refuge Christian Ministries which, in collaboration of Word at Work, sponsored a luncheon for officers awarded. Director of …

Belmopan Mayor maintains trust in his community
The incident has shaken the residents in the Cohune Walk Area, an area in Belmopan that is not known for crime and violence. Mayor Belisle says that, in fact, crimes are usually isolated around the city. He adds that despite the severity of the incident, he continues to trust his community and believes that Belmopan …

SSB threatens legal action against Belize City Council over monies owed
The Social Security Board is threatening to take legal action against the Belize City Council for unpaid Social Security deductions. A letter, dated May 15, sent to the council, reminds the council of an outstanding balance of m …

School managements will not dock teachers’ salaries
The Belize Association of General Managers for Pre and Primary Schools says that it will not dock its teachers’ salaries. The decision was relayed via a press statement issued yesterday. The association disputes statements made by BNTU’s President Senator Elena Smith last week …

JP’s have until the end of July to verify their status
The Attorney General’s Office is giving all Justices of the Peace until the end of July to verify their JP status. According to the Ministry, the exercise is being carried out in preparation for the upcoming re-registration process by the Elections and Boundaries Department …

Pain at the Pump
Fuel prices will go up once again. According to the Ministry of Finance, the new prices will come into effect at midnight. The new price of premium will be eleven dollars and thirty-six cents, a decrease of three cents, regular gasoline went up by ten cents with the new price being eleven dollars and fourteen cents …

Amandala

In court, irregularities in San Pedro elections exposed
The March 7 national municipal elections have come and gone, and all the elected municipal bodies are functioning, except for the United Democratic Party (UDP) Town Council in San Pedro, which is facing a legal challenge in an election petition about its legitimacy. In the election, the UDP mayoral candidate Daniel Guerrero won with 2,667 votes while the PUP mayoral candidate Abner Perez received 2,629 votes. This morning, a group of PUP supporters from San Pedro gathered in Battlefield Park, in front of the Supreme Court buildings on Regent Street, clutching their signs of protest as their party’s election petition got underway in the biggest courtroom in the country, which was packed to capacity, with standing room only.

San Pedro businessman, Lamont Lipka, 49, murdered
Lamont Lipka, 49, an American businessman and owner of Tropicana Restaurant, died after he was shot multiple times by a gunman in his restaurant. Information to us is that Lipka was standing behind the counter of his restaurant at about 9:30 last night, near the cash register, with his back turned towards the side door. An unknown gunman entered through the side door and fired multiple shots, five of which struck Lipka. The killer then ran out, behind the restaurant and onto Coconut Drive, and escaped.

Richard Hyde, 36, arraigned for the murder of Miguel Monje, 23
Miguel Monje, 23, a bartender and a father of two children, lost his life after being stabbed in his armpit by a chain snatcher. Information to us is that the incident occurred as the Cabaña Night Club was about to close at about 3:00 Friday morning. The patrons in the club were already going outside, when one of the men snatched a chain from the neck of a woman. The woman began shouting for help and Monje and his friend, Dennis Monterrosa, intervened. They saw the thief, who was running away, and they pursued him and caught him on Sultana Street, not far from the club.

6-year-old escaped death in “dalla-van”
Lamar Orellana, 6, was almost killed when a 16-year-old minor fired at a rival gang member on Central American Boulevard, who was running away from him. The minor fired about 10 shots at the rival gang member, one of which hit the rear window of a “dalla-van” that had stopped in front of Gadgets store, at the corner of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard. Orellana and his mother were in the back seat of the van, which was headed towards Cemetery Road at about 9:30 Saturday morning.

House destroyed by fire due to old, malfunctioning fire-fighting equipment
At around 7:37 a.m., the Fire Department was alerted to a fire at 7007 Iguana Street. Upon arrival at the scene of the fire, they discovered that the upper flat of a two-storey wooden structure was engulfed in flames. According to Benisford Matura, Deputy Fire Chief, the firefighters immediately began to extinguish the fire using one of the two units that they had brought. After they had gotten the fire under control, they decided to use the other unit. However, Matura said, they began having mechanical difficulties with the second unit.

Sunshine’s claim has no merit, finds Justice Courtenay Abel
The Government of Belize has been litigating with the Ashcroft alliance since 2009, when it passed a legislation to re-acquire Belize Telemedia Limited in a second nationalization that saw six years of legal wrangling, costing taxpayers millions of dollars. This lasted until September 2015, when Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that he was leaving the country for “medical reasons” and returned with his now controversial BTL Settlement Deed. However, the BTL Settlement Deed was not the last move. Prime Minister Barrow’s law partner, attorney Rodwell Williams, SC, brought a claim from Sunshine Holdings Limited, a government-controlled company, against Dean Boyce and the BTL Employees Trust. The claim involves 114 million dollars that was paid out of the BTL Settlement Deed.

Verdes vs BDF re-play on Wednesday at Norman Broaster
As we were about to go to press last Thursday night, word was received that the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Appeals Board had ruled in favor of BDF FC, overturning the previous decision of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Disciplinary Committee which had turned down their protest of the April 29 semifinal game 2 against Verdes FC, that Verdes had won, 3-nil. BDF had protested the game on the grounds that the referee failed to allow a re-take of their scored penalty kick, after he had ruled an infringement by a BDF player. The Disciplinary Committee hearing had been followed by sanctions for both the referee and linesman involved in the incident; but it had also ruled that the game result stands...

Mr. T. Birthday Race this Sunday in ‘Griga
In conjunction with the Third Annual Dangriga Day this weekend, the Dangriga Amateur Cycling Association, in collaboration with the Dangriga Town Council, will be hosting the 8th Annual Mr. T. Birthday Classic this Sunday, May 20, starting at 10:00 a.m. This race is an Open race for Juniors and amateur riders from across the country – NO ELITES. The race will start (and finish) from in front of the Dangriga Police Station on Commerce Street, and head on to the Southern Highway, into Hopkins Village, make a U-turn from in front of the Hopkins Police Station, and head back to the finish.

National Women’s League Week 5 scores; 1 more week to playoffs
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2018 completed Week 5 of its Group Phase over the weekend. Aýfter Week 6, the top 2 teams from each group will go on to the home-and-away semifinals. In the only NAWL game on Saturday, undefeated Jewel Fury of Belmopan had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with visiting Toledo Rumberas at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. After a scoreless first half, Ashley Rodriguez struck twice (64’ & 67’) to give Rumberas the 2-nil lead; but Suswani Martinez came up with 2 big goals (77’ & 90+’) to equalize for Jewel Fury, who maintain their lead in the standings.

C-Ray High School Cycling Week 2 results and standings
Here are the results from Day Two (Thursday, May 10) of the C-Ray Cycling Club High School Cycling Series 2018, as well as the overall standings. (Legend: Wesley College – WES; Maude Williams High – MWH; St. Catherine Academy – SCA; Sadie Vernon Technical – SVT; Gwen Lizarraga High – GLH; St. John’s College – SJC; Excelsior High – EXH; Canaan Seventh Day Adventist – CSDA; Edward P. Yorke High – EPY; Institute of Technical Vocational Education & Training – ITVET)

From here to April 10, 2019
We listened to an interesting conversation last Friday morning on PLUS TV between a Belizean lady Ph.D. who is an intense proponent of our going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for arbitration on the Guatemalan claim, and the host of the show, Pastor Louis Wade, who is also highly educated but is a strong opponent of ICJ arbitration. Pastor Wade is a man with some strange beliefs. For example, he believes that the abandoned planes being found in Belize are directly related to Belize’s decriminalization of 10 grams of marijuana where individual possession is concerned. But, Pastor Wade is a pleasant man whom we have never heard lose his temper. The lady Ph.D. is an impatient individual who can’t see why any Belizean would not want to go to the ICJ “to get the Guatemalan monkey off our backs.” She is 100 percent positive that the ICJ will rule in Belize’s favor. Pastor Wade’s position is that Belize is simply risking too much – half of our territory – in the hope of a favorable ruling.

From The Publisher
Kremandala reached a peak of power twenty five years ago when the Kremandala Raiders became champions of semi-pro basketball in Belize. I think that some very big people at that point decided that we were getting too big for our britches on Partridge Street. The Raiders represented a supreme management and business effort on Kremandala’s part. It was an investment in youth, and in basketball as an urban entertainment industry which, in my opinion, could not possibly fail. On the eve of my birthday two weeks ago, I dreamed of a “little man,” a proud black man by the name of Richmond Fitzgibbon, from Victoria Street. I saw him very clearly in my dream, and after I woke I thought of a tall man they called Farouk, who used to work at the old slaughterhouse. I thought of Farouk along with Mr. Fitzgibbon, because to me these two represented black Belizeans who had believed in me in the early days almost a half century ago.

Burgos must rent upstairs apartments
Immediately I heard that the Belize City Council was going to address the silting eyesore at Yaabra Bridge, I thought they were being presented with an opportunity. I thought that while it was silted (and we were in dry weather), was the most cost effective time for them to put in a gate. Before I go on, let me say this. I will never offer an opinion to an engineer about the design of a bridge over a river. But I will question an engineer about the siting of the bridge. I will never offer an opinion about the construction of a two-storey, and up, building. But I will respect my two cents about where they are putting it. It is incredible that they cemented the sides of the main canals, East/West and Collet Canal, in Belize City (BC). I believe the bottoms of the canals were cemented too. When we buy materials our country doesn’t make, for examples cement and steel, we absolutely have to put them to best use. It wasn’t necessary in the canals.

MUSLIMS CELEBRATE RAMADAN
Muslims will begin the one-month fast of Ramadan this year on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The twenty-nine or thirty days of fasting is one of the central tenets of the religion of Islam, which is adhered to by over two billion people worldwide. The end of this years’ fast is expected to be on June 14 or 15, 2018. Ramadan is the ninth of 12 lunar months observed in Islam. It is a time of fasting and worship prescribed by Almighty God in the final revelation to Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him), known as the Holy Qur’an. In it God says: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you that you may attain God-consciousness.”

BELIZEAN STANISLAUS
To make reform an achievable goal, those who have political power should be the prime agents of change or at least not be obstructionists. Without their approval reformers could find themselves leading a not so peaceful revolution, which may God spare us from, often results in the most barbaric expressions of human nature. Therefore, it will be most salutary if those with power allow themselves to be disciplined to accept useful and necessary curtailment of it. What we need, really, is peaceful, constructive change. Those who support the status quo may object asking: what is wrong? Everything is going fine! Look at the improvements in infrastructure! Let’s leave good enough alone!

Three weed busts over the weekend
Three drug busts reportedly occurred over the weekend. The first occurred in the Orange Walk District, on Friday at around 5 p.m., when police conducted a search on Asuncion Street in an abandoned lot. This search resulted in the discovery of 21 live 9mm rounds of ammunition and 451 grams of cannabis. Since there was no one found in the area, the ammunition and drugs were labeled as found property. The second drug bust occurred in the San Pedrito area of San Pedro Town during a joint operation that was conducted on May 11 at around 4 a.m. During the operation, police searched an abandoned lot, where they discovered 79.5 grams of a hydro-type of cannabis, as well as four 9mm live rounds consisting of three GFL Luger brand ammo, and one Anguilla brand of ammunition.

Aquatic life found dead in Ambergris Caye, New River, and the Belize River
On May 8, Ambergris Today reported that dead fish had washed ashore near Sandy Toes Beach Bar and Grill on the island. Among the dead fish were sardines, needlenose fishes, and puffer fishes. Naturally, the residents of the island were concerned about this unusual occurrence, and wondered what could have been causing it. There was no obvious answer, but there was much speculation about possible causes, including a strong rip current, a low tide leaving the fish stranded out of the water, and Sargasso toxins poisoning the fishes.

Guatemalans jumpy at the Adjacency Zone over Belize construction work
Guatemalans got jumpy at the Adjacency Zone between Belize and Melchor on Sunday, when Belize Defence Force light engineers moved to clear the area of Guatemalan taxis so that they could discharge construction materials for a perimeter fence that Belizean authorities are planning to build to ease the flow of traffic and to make traversing the area more convenient, according to a news report aired on News5 earlier this evening. The CEO for the Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez, told News5 that for some time now there has been a general police presence in place to improve the way that things are managed at the border.

Sandhill fisherman charged with attempted murder
Jude Moody, 28, a fisherman of Mile 19, Philip Goldson Highway, Sandhill, was arraigned on three indictable offences when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. The charges were attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm for a chopping incident that occurred around 11 p.m. on May 11 in Sandhill. The complainant, Ivan Hyde, 26, a construction worker of Sandhill, reported to the police that he went in front of the house of a friend and saw some men playing a card game. He said one of the men was Moody, and a misunderstanding ensued between him and Moody.

Breaking Belize News

House of Belmopan Mayor shot at
Reports to BBN is that around 10:30 on Monday night, the home of Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle was shot […]

No mercy! Gas going up again at midnight
The Ministry of Finance informed today that with effect from midnight on May 16, there will be adjustments in […]

Warm weather to continue
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is reporting that mostly sunny skies and warm weather will […]

Police issue report on man found floating in sea
Yesterday around 10:30 a.m., police visited Harvest Caye where a man’s body was found floating in […]

Health Ministry receives US $170,000 from Taiwan
Yesterday, an award ceremony was held by the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) […]

Registry clerks busted forging documents
Last week, two clerks from the Belize City Registry Department were busted for forging two certificates. […]

Minor charged for weekend shooting incident
Over the weekend, BBN reported of a shooting incident that resulted in the injury of a […]

Gas, electricity and now cable prices hiked
Cable providers are now issuing public notices to their customers informing of a coming increase in […]

Belize City Council says senior citizens’ tax discount remains uninterrupted
After the Belize City Council announced that it would be ending the 25 % discount on […]

Benque Viejo police seize 22 pounds of weed
Benque Viejo police seized over 22 pounds of marijuana yesterday from a bus parked at the […]

International Sources

Belize principal pledges to return to Penn Relays
After creating history by becoming the first country in Central and South America to compete in the illustrious Penn Relays in more than 80 years, the principal of the Belize high school that participated in last month’s relays carnival has pledged to be back. “We will definitely be back at the Penn Relays,” vowed Dr. Jeremy “Jackie” Cayetano, of the Stann Creek Ecumenical High School, in an exclusive Caribbean Life interview over the weekend. “Mr. Cordice has indicated that he will continue to support our team,” added Dr. Cayetano, referring to James Cordice, the Vincentian-born, Philadelphia-based architect behind Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the oldest and largest collegiate athletic meet in the United States.

Capacity building programmes launched by Government of Belize and Caribbean Development Bank
The government of Belize (GOB) entered in a collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank to launch a series of capacity building programmes in Belmopan. The aim of the programme will be to strengthen public capacity and enhance the competence of public officers at different levels. Public Capital Investment Programmes as well as Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy launched by GOB, will get a fillip by the recent collaboration. Yvonne Hyde, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum said that the training imparted will serve to increase the ownership of the project cycle by concerned stakeholders.

Videos

May 15, 2018

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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

Boat rally against Cayo Rosario development held prior to public meeting
Many of the supporters at the rally were fly fishing tour guides who have traditionally used the area for many years. Over 25 boats anchored on the leeward side of Cayo Rosario, the sounds of the Belizean National Anthem filling the air as more boats arrived. Soon thereafter, the gathering began their rallying cry: ‘We do not agree! No over the water structures, respect Belize’s marine protected areas!” Handwritten billboards blasted similar messages: ‘Build on your island, not on the sea, leave something for future Belize and me!” Even a few children joined in the protest to protect their future, their colorful banners proclaiming, ‘My future is not for sale,’ and ‘I will be the voice that will change the world.’

Boat rally against Cayo Rosario development held prior to public meeting
Hoping to send a strong message against development on Cayo Rosario, a small island within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone IV on the northwest coast of Ambergris Caye, a large crowd of island residents convened in front of the caye on Sunday, May 13th in a peaceful protest. Boats lined up at Cayo Rosario The event was spearheaded by active members of the island community who are opposing the tourism project that will include 40 over-the-water structures at the southern tip of Cayo Rosario. This part of the project is considered a threat to the future of some of the most important fishing flats around the island that supports the fly fishing industry. As such, a public meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, May 15th, starting at 5:30PM inside the San Pedro Lions Den. The public is invited to come out and discuss the next step on this sensitive matter.

Business owner Lamont Lipka shot and killed in San Pedro
Police have launched an investigation into the murder of 49-year-old businessman Lamont “Monty” Edward Lipka, American national of Texas, U.S.A., who was shot and killed at his place of business, Tropicana Bar & Grill located on Coconut Drive south of San Pedro Town on Sunday, May 13th. Lipka was apparently shot six times, with injuries to the face, the right side of the neck and to the back of the neck. According to residents in the area, around 9:30PM they heard several gunshots, however by the time they came outside they found Lipka’s lifeless body inside of his restaurant. “I was inside my house when I heard the gunshots I quickly came outside. When we came outside we saw the employees and guests of the restaurant running outside,” said a resident of the area. “Until afterward we noticed the body of Lipka lying inside his restaurant.” The resident further stated that they have no clue as to who could have done this to Lipka as he was a very calm person.

Ambergris Today

Belize Brewing Company Partners With Heineken
Belize Brewing Company enters partnership with leading International Brewer - Belize Brewing Company Limited (BBCo) announced on Friday, May 11, 2018, that it has taken Heineken International B.V. (HEINKEN) as a minority stake partner. This is a strategic relationship which provides BBCo with a strong international partner (the second largest brewer in the world), access to global procurement, international best practices, and greater potential growth in the CARICOM and beyond. HEINEKEN, a publicly traded company, is first and foremost a brewer... A brewer in which the Heineken Family owns majority voting rights, which makes it a Family Company who shares similar corporate values as BBCo.

Shooting at Tropicana Restaurant Leaves Manager Dead
Another shooting in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize has left one man dead in what appears to be an execution-style homicide given the reports from the San Pedro Police. The incident took place around 9:30p.m. at Tropicana Restaurant and Bar located on Coconut Drive south of San Pedro Town. The restaurant manager Lamont Edward Lipka has been reported as victim of the crime. Initial investigation reveal that about 9:20p.m. Lamont Edward Lipka was standing inside the restaurant at the cash register with his back facing the side door when a dark brown complexion male person approached him and fired two shots. It is reported that Lamont fell to the floor at which time the male person then fired five more shot at his face and then ran unto Coconut Drive, escaping in a southern direction.

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker Meeting: Road Access to Properties South of Airstrip
Public Notice: Meeting. Topic: Road Access to Properties South of Airstrip. Where: CCVC. Date: Tuesday, May 22nd. Time: 6:30 PM.

Pedicures and Manicures!
The Ocean Academy Cosmetology students want to invite you to the OA campus Tuesday May 15th, 1:30-3:00pm for an amazing experience. $15 each, or $25 for a combo mani-pedi. The girls have been trained by Sharon Tillett of ITVET and this practical experience is part of their certification requirements. Thank you for your support!. Call 226-0321 or just show up 1:30-3:00 tomorrow.

BDF to Improve Security and Efficiency at the Benque/ Melchor Crossing
The Ministry of National Security hereby informs the public that starting today May 14th, the BDF Light Engineers will be undertaking a project to improve the security and efficiency at the Benque Viejo del Carmen / Melchor Border Crossing. The Light Engineers will be working in conjunction with the Border Management Agency to improve the fences and gates to ensure better control at that official crossing point.

Men at Work Art Exhibit in Corozal
Friday June 8th, 7pm Corozal House of Culture

San Pedro Election Protest
PUP supporters outside Belize City Courthouse as court hearing takes place between the San Pedro United Democratic Party (UDP) and the San Pedro Peoples United Party (PUP) at the Supreme Court.

BTB LOVE BELIZE SEA CHALLENGE 2018
From Punta Gorda to Corozal. 190 wearing miles and 5 grueling days kayak challenge. Kayak Lovers don’t forget to sign up for this amazing adventure that takes place May 17th-21st, 2018.

BEL Vacancy
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Superintendent, System Expansion in the Planning & Engineering Department.

For the month of May, we are excited to feature Mr. Gabriel Pop as our Exceptional Belizean!
Gabriel Pop is a farmer and a friend to hundreds of cacao farmers across Southern Belize. We are proud to call Gabriel our 2016 Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative - YLAI participant! As the founding Executive Director of Na’Lu’um Cacao Institute, he works alongside his fellow Maya farmers, encouraging them to increase the production and quality of their organic cacao in harmony with the natural environment and empowering farmers to improve their livelihoods through meaningful market access. During his 12 years of work in the cacao industry, Gabriel has excelled as a leader and as a father of three boys.

Traditional Yucatec Maya Drink
A very delicious drink with white pumpkin based on Maya Como X To'op. U kaaba le ukuula' XEEK.. This drink is a mescla of rice, cinnamon, sugar and sugar sugar and a little milk to give you that unique touch. This picture is from nojoch mak faustino yam in his house in the corozal district.

Notice to all Justices of the Peace
The Attorney General’s Ministry informs that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices of the Peace, must contact the Ministry to verify their JP status before July 31, 2018. This exercise is being carried out in preparation for the upcoming re-registration process by the Elections and Boundaries Department. All Justices of the Peace are required to provide some form of proof of their status. Kindly note that the JP certificate can be used as proof of status. Each person must also provide their contact information to the Ministry.

Government of Belize and Caribbean Development Bank Launch Capacity Building Programmes in Belize
The Government of Belize in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) launched a series of capacity building programmes today, May 14th, in Belmopan. The aim is to further strengthen the human resource capacity and competence of public officers at the technical, middle and senior management levels in the areas of Public Policy Analysis and Management and Project Cycle Management. The capacity building programmes are critical to the implementation of the Government’s Capital Investment Programmes (PSIP), monitoring and evaluation, and in particular the implementation of the Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS).

Presentation of Credentials
Three ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence today, May 14th, to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young at the Belize House in Belmopan. H.E. Dr. Franz Josef Kuglitsch, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria; H.E. Mrs. Zana Rudi, Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo; and H.E. Mr. Leszek Bialy, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland; all presented their credentials to the Governor General. They each conveyed on behalf of their respective countries well wishes to the Government and people of Belize and their commitment to ensuring continued peaceful and prosperous diplomatic relations with Belize.

Belize Represented at 37th Session of ECLAC
Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister for Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, represented Belize for the 37th Session of the Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) from May 7th-11th, 2018 in Havana, Cuba. The group of countries at the meeting approved 18 resolutions focused on leaving no person behind in pursuit of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The group also reaffirmed a commitment to prioritize the needs of the Caribbean in the UN Framework.

Community Workers Day in San Pedro
Last week we had some visitors from the San Pedro R.C. School. It was community workers day and the students were all dressed as police officers, doctors, firefighters, nurses and even town council workers, to name a few. As part of their visit, they brought some goodies for each worker of the town council and they mentioned they were really grateful to our traffic wardens that conduct the school crossing patrol every morning and at lunch time. THANK YOU ALL FOR THE GOODIES AND FOR THE VISIT!

Hands Across the Sand this Saturday
Join us as we stand in solidarity and say YES to renewable energy. Sarteneja - Saturday, May 19th - 12:00 Noon - Parque Del Almendro. Corozal Town - Saturday May 19th - 12:00 Noon - Round House, Miami Beach.

Power outage scheduled for portion Cayo District from 6:00am to 2:00pm on Tuesday, May 15
Portion San Ignacio Town including Trench Town, 23rd Street, Trespuntas Road, Maya Vista Area, Rostow Lane, Collins Boulevard, Awe Street, Teodoso Ochoa Street, 6th Street, 9th Street, 11th Street, 18th Street, Santiago Juan Layout and all areas along Bullet Tree Road including Bullet Tree, Paslow Falls and areas along Santa Familia Road, including Santa Familia. BEL to replace utility poles, install new switch and lightning arresters and conduct line clearing in the area.

Dr. Ludwig Palacio's 'Audacity' Included in Belize's National Art Collection
On Friday May 11, 2018, Ms. Sapna Budhrani, Interim President of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), graciously accepted a work of art from Dr Ludwig Palacio which will become a part of the Belize National Art Collection. Dr. Palacio is a Veterinary Doctor, writer, poet, sculptor, painter, appropriate technologist, craftsman and published author. He enjoys teaching young people to develop their artistic talents and has a keen eye for beauty and creativity. Palacio’s early influences are rooted in his Garifuna culture, a combination of African and Native Amerindian. He only took his talents seriously in the year 2000 when he produced his first wood sculpture: The Statue of Unity. At that time, he cemented himself in his true passion painting, carving and sculpting of abstract art.

National Institute of Culture and History Honors Mr. Timothy Bardalez with Community Heritage Leadership Award
On Friday, May 11th, 2018 Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Patrick Faber visited the home of Mr. Timothy Bardalez in Forest Home, Toledo District, where he presented Mr. Bardalez with the Community Heritage Leadership Award on behalf of the Ministry of Culture and The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). Deputy Prime Minister Faber was also joined by the Interim President of NICH and by the Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Research (ISCR) of NICH. Mr. Bardalez, who is now 83 years old, has spent much of his life in dedicated service to Belize. Over his life Mr. Tim, as he is affectionately known, was responsible for helping to establish schools in Toledo such as Laguna Government School, Adventist Primary School, and Midway Primary School. He also taught in Mafredi, Forest Home Methodist School, Cattle Landing and Fairview R.C. School.

Corozal Wavemakers
Corozal Wavemakers led by Corozal field representative, Ryan Rivera meet to strengthen team work, communication and leadership skills as they continue to make waves for conservation in their community. Kudos to you guys! Awesome meeting where we got to strengthen team work, communication and leadership as we make waves of changes for conservation. Thank you wave makers. Thank you to Nekeisha Lima from Department of Youth Services, Nissa Waldman and Mrs. Debra Wilkes from House of Culture for collaborating with us and making this happen.

Channel 7

American Businessman Killed In San Pedro
It's Belize's number one tourist destination - but due to the drug trade, San Pedro has become all too familiar with murders. Usually, those murders happen in the San Mateo or San Pedrito slums, at the back of the island - far away from the tourist centers. But last night was very different. 49 year old American businessman Lamont Lipka was executed in the heart of town - at the restaurant he owned. Tonight, police are looking at a number of leads - and Sahar Vasquez found an island community shaken by the murder:... Usually, in the mornings at Tropicana everything is neat and clean but this morning it wasn't because last night chaos unfolded at the popular eatery.

Tensions at Benque Border When BDF Build Fence
Those crossing the Benque Border to Melchor over the weekend, may have noticed a couple BDF officers standing in front of the Adjacency Zone next to a mound of sand and cement blocks. The Government of Belize plans on doing some upgrade works in that area - sounds simple right? Well - not so fast - nothing is ever simple at the Benque Border. In order to get this project done, those Guatemalan cab drivers who operate in that area have to leave and find another spot to pick up passengers. Information is that when the BDF light engineering company arrived, some of the cab drivers did not leave peacefully. Our news team traveled out west today to see what was the situation on the ground. Courtney Weatherburne has more. It wasn't work as per usual for these Guatemalan Benque Border cab drivers. They would normally operate freely in front of the Adjacency Zone office which is on the Belize side of the border. They would park their taxi's in this lot near the office and ferry Belizeans crossing the border to Melchor - it has been happening for years. But it seems that won't be happening anymore, after the BDF cordoned off this area. The taxi drivers are now forced to just hang back and look on.

Charged for Monge Murder
One man has been charged for the murder of 23 year old Las Flores resident Luis Monge. He was fatally stabbed early last week Friday morning near La Cabana club when he tried to run down a chain snatcher. Police caught the suspect at the scene and charged him on Saturday. He is 35 year old Richard Hyde, a Butcher of Camalote Village. Police told us more today: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "Police was in the area early Friday morning some time shortly after 3, when the police observed a struggle between 3 persons. Upon the police's approaching the area where the struggle was going on, 2 of the persons fell during the struggle and the third person attempted to run away but was caught up with by the police, whom they had a brief struggle as well in an attempt to escape."

Demetrio Pott Passed, Charges Upgraded
Caledonia resident Demetrio Pott died this weekend. The father of five had been in an accident - and then gotten beaten up in Trial Farm on April 27 - which was 15 days before his death. On Thursday, three men, Carlos Westby, Deltran Perez, and Leodigario Chan were charged for causing him dangerous harm. Well now, their charge has been upgraded. Police told us more:.. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "In relation to that matter of Demetrio Pott, police has since arrested the 3 persons who were previously arrested: Carlos Westby, Deltran Perez, and Leodigario Chan have since been arrested for the crime of manslaughter."

Pott Family Angry With Attorney
This evening, we spoke to Pott's family at the morgue while his post mortem examination was being conducted. They had a lot to say about Marcel Cardona - who is the attorney for the accused. He claims that Pott's injuries are from the accident and that both he and his brother who was driving - were very drunk. Here's how the family responded to that:... Sahar Vasquez: "So the lawyer for the accused has said it was not the beating that killed Demetrio it was the accident. He also alleged that Mr. Demetrio and his brother were drunk. What is your response to that?" Brittney Molina, Niece of Deceased: "If it was because of the accident Mr. Cardona is saying he has evidence but we have evidence on Facebook that we also got so nothing about the accident makes sense when we look at those pictures. One was on the right side threw on the floor and my other uncle was behind the pick up on the floor..."

Child Injured By Broken Glass in Blvd. Shootout
A 6 year old child was injured in a shootout on Central American Boulevard on Saturday morning. It happened at the height of the morning on one of the busiest streets in the city. One 17 year old from the nearby Ghost Town area saw a rival gang figure across the street - and let off with a spray of bullets right into the morning traffic. The child was sitting in a parked van - and the information was that he had been shot to the glass. But doctors found it was the shattering glass of a side window that injured him. Police told us more:...

City Council Retains Discounts For Senior Citizens
In his March transition report, the Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner said that property tax discounts had to stop. He said the council was losing too much revenue because of it. Well, turns out a lot of those discounts are for senior citizens - who get 25% off. So, after coming off as uncaring about the elderly, the council has had to tone down the rhetoric. A release today says, quote, "elderly Belizeans will be able to continue making their property tax payments without facing economic ruin. The property tax discounts of 25% to senior citizens of this city will not be interrupted. It shall remain in full effect. It only applies to the property where they reside and does not include vacant lots."

Big Bust In Benque
For the past two weeks, we've been telling you about busts of major quantities of marijuana coming down through the western corridor. Today, Police made another: this one at the Benque bus terminal. This afternoon around 3:20, police searched the bus and found 22 pounds of weed in a black traveling bag. No one claimed the bag so the cannabis was taken to the Benque Viejo Police Station where it was labeled as found property. As you can see the weed was bundled in shrink wrapped plastic bags.

Sandhill Slashing With Machete
Two Sandhill men were socializing this weekend - and then it got nasty. Around 11:00 on Friday, 28 year old Jude Moody and 26 year old Ivan Hyde had a dispute about a card game. And that's when Moody allegedly pulled out a machete. Police told us more: ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC - CIB Belize City: "Mr. Hyde was at the residence of a friend at 19 miles, Sand Hill Village. They were socializing when an argument ensued between a group of persons that were there present in that gathering and as a result, one of the male persons inflicted the chop wound to his neck. So far, police detained that male persons who was brought into custody and questioned and on yesterday's date, that male person was arrested and charged for the crime of Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm and Dangerous Harm."

Capital Cops Set Chase
On Saturday night in Belmopan three men - one of them masked and with a gun robbed Samsung Restaurant, on Nim Li Punit Street in Belmopan. Police told us they arrived shortly after and set chase but to no avail:.. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On Saturday, shortly after 9:50p.m., police responded to a robbery on Nim Li Punit Street in Belmopan. Upon their arrival, a white in color Ford Escape was seen leaving the area which was pursued by the police and the occupants fired upon the police and the police returned fire and a chase continued to ensue. The police later found the vehicle abandoned in an off road in Cotton Tree Village. The vehicle has since been impounded and the police investigation into this matter continues."

PUP Takes San Pedro Election Petition Before Chief Justice
2 and a half months ago, we told you about the election petition that the PUP had filed to up-end the municipal election results in San Pedro. Well, just after the start of news tonight, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin adjourned the first day in the full hearing of this petition. As we reported, Incumbent Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the UDP 7 held unto their seats in the island town by a small margin. PUP's Mayoral Candidate Abner Andre Perez and the councillor candidates from the PUP 7 team say that there is a discrepancy of 275 ballots from polling station #37. Their party scrutineers cross-checked the numbers they had, and when they compared it with the figures from Elections and Boundaries officials on March 7, they came to the conclusion that these 275 ballots were not properly accounted for.

Multipurpose Center Contractor Going Broke?
In April of 2016, ground was broken for a 4.6 million dollar youth facility in the Lake I Community. The pitch was that the facility - which is right off the new, sinking Lake I Boulevard - and at the border of Gungulung would provide a safe space for youths to engage in sports, arts and culture, literacy and life skills programs. It was a glowing beacon of promise - that was to be finished by September of 2016! Well, we're lucky if it is finished for September 2018! And that's because the contractor, Wood Brick and Stone Company seems to have chronic liquidity problems. It can't pay suppliers and can't even pay its 25 workers.

CDB Schooling GOB
The CDB is also involved in a more hopeful project. It's called Public Policy Analysis and Management and Project Cycle Management. I know…those terms probably just fly over your head. But, they do mean something to public service officers whose work has everything to do with proper analysis and management. So the CDB hosted a training session for public officers in Belmopan today. Here is more from the training. This is the second round of training sessions, the 1st phase was done online.

JP, show Your Stripes!
Justices of the Peace will play a key role in the upcoming re-registration exercise. And that's probably why the Attorney General is cracking the whip on this body which operates with little oversight. The AG's Ministry says that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices of the Peace, must contact the Ministry to verify their JP status before July 31, 2018. Those who don't will no longer be able to use their JP title - simple as that. JP's - and there are hundreds of them - can either visit the office of the Attorney General in Belmopan or contact the office via email at [email protected].

Channel 5

Belize’s Security Initiative at Western Border Irks Guatemala
Tensions flared up at the western border over the weekend when authorities sought to clear the area to allow for the discharge of construction material.  Government has decided to upgrade [...]

Taxis, Students Need Not Fear
Amid the chaos that ensued at the border on Sunday, the Guatemalan media also reported that students from neighboring Melchor who commute to Benque Viejo daily to attend school, would [...]

“Monty” Taken Out in San Pedro Restaurant
An American businessman was murdered in cold blood inside his restaurant in San Pedro Town on Sunday night.  Lamont Lipka of Texas, U.S.A was inside his bar and grill on [...]

Manslaughter Charges after O.W. Beating Victim Dies
More than two weeks after Demetrio Pott and his brother were badly beaten following a traffic accident in Trial Farm, Orange Walk on April twenty-seventh.  The forty-seven-year-old succumbed to his [...]

Charges for Accused Killer of Luis Monge
Richard Hyde is tonight in big trouble with the law after he was charged on Saturday and arraigned today for the murder of Luis Monge, who was killed on Friday [...]

Minor Charged for Shooting a Vehicle; Injuring 6-Year-Old
A seventeen-year-old minor from Mayflower Street in Belize City was remanded today following a shooting incident on Saturday morning, in which a minor was injured. According to police, just before [...]

San Pedro Election Petition to Court; Elections Chiefs Make Major Admissions
A first of its kind election petition was heard in the courtroom of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin today between the slates of the two major political parties, who contested the [...]

U.D.P. Says P.U.P. Witnesses Did Themselves No Favors
Representing the United Democratic Party seven, Estevan Perrera believes the case is going better for their side than for the P.U.P.’s and that the other side has not done enough [...]

U.D.P. Chairman Calls Case ‘Waste of Time’
At this morning’s break, U.D.P. Party Chairman Alberto August offered his guarded view of the proceedings. He felt the other side did not look good, but it was still too [...]

Protestor Calls for Justice
The occasion of the court case brought a handful of protestors from the island in blue shirts to the Battlefield Park. Like their political fellows they believe they were given [...]

Registry Clerks Caught Forging ID Papers
Former registry employees Alvan Alvarez and Benedict Pascascio are tonight without jobs having been charged for forgery at the Registry of the Supreme Court. The two clerks are accused of [...]

Robbers Get Away with Attack on Restaurant in Belmopan
Just before ten p.m. on Saturday, a robbery at a restaurant in Belmopan led to a vehicle chase involving police and the robbers. That pursuit quickly escalated to a shootout, [...]

1 Charged in Sand Hill Stabbing
Jude Joseph Moody of Sand Hill Village was arraigned for attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford following a chopping incident [...]

Iginio Canto Released, But Still Faces Investigation for Out of Season Lobster
Corozal fisherman Iginio Canto Bacab is tonight at home with his family in Caledonia, after being held in detention in Livingston, Guatemala for illegally harvesting lobster in its waters.  Canto [...]

Ladyville Family of 9 Loses Home to Fire
Fires have been erupting everywhere; this weekend there were three fires in the Belize District.  In Ladyville on Friday afternoon, a fire swept through a wooden house where a family [...]

Another Ladyville Home Ablaze over Weekend
Less than twenty-four hours later, there was yet another fire in Ladyville, also on Manta Ray Boulevard for which a family of two has been displaced. A single mother and [...]

Abandoned House Afire in Western Paradise
The third fire occurred in the Eight Miles Community on the George Price Highway. What residents say was an abandoned wooden house, made from pimenta sticks, went up in flames [...]

Ex-Policeman Charged for Burning Household Goods
A former police officer is in trouble with the law again after apparently setting afire goods belonging to a Belize City woman last week. Six years ago the then-police constable, [...]

Pastor Held for Wounding Minors
Men and women of God are not usually known for violence, but a pastor of the Burrell Boom area is tonight charged with wounding and harm against two minors. The [...]

School Managers Say No Docking Salaries
Teachers’ salaries for March twenty-second will not be docked. That’s the word coming out of the Belize Association for General Managers of pre and primary schools. In a release issued [...]

The Best of Weekend Sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities…]

LOVE FM

San Pedro PUP supporters protest in favor of legal challenge to elections results
While the trial was ongoing, a handful of PUP supporters were in front of the Supreme Court Building protesting the elections results. Persons like Santos Acosta believe that the elections results in San Pedro Town do not reflect the political will of the San Pedro community, an assertion which the UDP and its Chairman Alberto …

BDF light engineers to make border crossing more secure
Over the weekend Guatemalan media began reporting an increased presence of BDF soldiers along the western border. Red Informativa, in particular, reported that BDF soldiers and police officers began forcibly removing Guatemalan vendors from in front of the OAS office in the adjacency zone. That area is called “no man’s land” because neither Belize nor …

RET Belize molding future leaders
RET International is a humanitarian organization which has been in existence since 2005 and its headquarters is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The organization has been working in Belize since October 2015, with funding from the US State Department. RET Belize is involved in working with young people through building their leadership skills. For the past eight …

US National gunned down in San Pedro restaurant
Was the murder of Lamont Lipka a hit? That is what police are investigating after the 49-year-old Texan was gunned down on Sunday night on San Pedro Ambergris Caye; another homicide on a growing list on the island. Police say a lone gunman walked into the establishment and fired several times at Lipka shortly after …

SMART Mundialito in its 7th year
On Saturday the annual Smart Mundialito kicked off in Belize City. It’s a sporting event that the telephone giant has been sponsoring for years and one which has seen the participation of children from across the country and different social and economic background. Besides awarding them with trophies and medals for their athletic abilities, the …

Chopping incident lands Jude Moody behind bars
An argument on Friday night has landed one man behind bars after he allegedly attacked and chopped another with a machete. According to police, officers found 26-year-old Ivan Hyde hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He had been chopped to the left side of his neck after he got into an argument with another …

Robbery leads to car chase; suspects escape
A robbery in Belmopan led to a vehicle chase and shootout between Police and the perpetrators on Saturday. Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch, Joseph Myvett briefed the media on the incident. ACP Joseph Myvette: “On Saturday shortly after 9:50 pm Police responded to a robbery on Nim Li Punit St. in Belmopan. Upon their …

Chief Justice hears legal challenge to San Pedro Town elections results
The PUP’s legal challenge to the March 7 elections results in San Pedro Town is being heard by the Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. We say “is” because while the trial began this morning, it is still underway with the cross-examination of Catherine Cumberbatch who was the returning officer for that municipality for the elections. The …

Combating Crime through arts
No one has been safe from the recent spike in crime. Many parents have wept over the loss of their children and children have wept over the loss of their parents. Therefore, there has been an urgency to come up with solutions to the problem. Joseph Stamp Romero, Founder of (Youth Advocacy through Arts) YATA, …

Youths return from conference ready to implement new knowledge
Kyle Miller, Youth Empowerment Coordinator at the Department of Youth Services and Councilor Allan Pollard represented Belize at the Caribbean Youth Conference held late last month in St. Lucia. Now that he is back from his trip, Miller told Love News that he is looking forward to implementing an action plan which was drafted at …

6-year-old injured in Saturday morning shooting
A six year old boy was injured in a shooting incident that happened on Saturday morning in Belize City. The child identified as Lemar Orellano, was reportedly in a “dalla’” van along with his mother and other passengers when shots rang out at the corner of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard …

Police charge one man with the murder of Luis Monge
Thirty five year old Richard Hyde has been charged for the murder of Luis Monge. Hyde is accused of fatally stabbing Monge on Friday morning at La Cabana Night Club in Belmopan. According to reports, it all happened after Monge attempted to retrieve a gold chain that had been stolen from a …

Three men charged with the manslaughter of Demetrio Pott
Demetrio Pott, the man who was beaten in late April, died on Saturday. Last week police formally arrested and charged three men for that incident. Carlos Westby, Deltran Perez, and Leodigario Chan were …

PlusTV

Man stabbed and killed in Belmopan
A young man was murdered in Belmopan early this morning outside the La Cabana night Club. 23 year old Luis Monge was stabbed when he got into a scuffle trying to assist a woman whose belongings were snatched by a man. The young lady was reportedly leaving the La Cabana night club in Belmopan when he...

Villagers protest swearing in of new water board in Valley of Peace
Residents of the Valley of Peace community in the Cayo District are protesting the appointment of a new community water board in their community. This afternoon the members of the community held a meeting at the Valley of Peace community center, where a representative from the Ministry of Rural Deve...

Investigation into High Risk Nepalese citizens’ entry into country
Plus News has learned that there is an ongoing investigation in immigration into the processing of entry into the country for two Nepalese Citizens. We understand that an internal investigation has been launched since the 2 Nepalese citizens were granted entry to the country on Tuesday even though t...

Split in Immigration department causes concern
And while there is an investigation into what went wrong at airport immigration, concerns have been raised over another immigration matter. Back in March of this year, when debating amendments tot eh Immigration passport Act, The PUP had raised objections over GOB’s plan to separate the Immigration ...

Deputy Mayor Speaks on City Council Terminations
As we reported on Tuesday, a mass firing took place at the Belize City Council. Six persons were terminated, including former City Administration Candice Miller. Miller was placed on suspension in April after allegations of over spending were made against her. Among the six terminated employees are ...

28 Year old Dies on Shrimp Farm in the South
A 28 year old employee of a Shrimp farm died while on the Job. Plus news has received information that the young man was found on the farm gasping for air but he passed away a little later. Family members told us off camera that the young man was working at the time. They also told Plus News that Po...

Patrick Faber detained in the US?
Reports recently circulated that the Deputy Prime Minister of Belize was detained in the United States on his last visit. While Minister Patrick Faber did not deny the reports, he did not confirm either. The media pressed Faber on the matter yesterday. Here is how that went. Hon. Patrick Faber, Depu...

Bay Basketball Tournament
Belmopan Advocates for Youths, BAY, kicked off its 4th annual Basketball tournament on Saturday. The organization has been a leader in youth events throughout Belmopan, since 2012. This year’s BAY Basketball Tournament promises to engage youths in...

Belize City Deputy Mayor Blames Ex-Mayor for Miller’s Demise
As we reported earlier, Ex City Administrator Candice Miller, was among the 6 individuals terminated from the Belize City Council on Thursday. Miller’s strife with the new PUP City Council has been ongoing for weeks. First she was placed on termination after serious allegations of mismanagement and over spending was made against her...

Belmopan Cancer Society Walk
The Belmopan Cancer Society will be hosting its annual Cancer walk on Saturday. The walk attracts hundreds of supporters nationwide. It is a yearly event organized to raise funds for cancer treatment. This year’s Belmopan cancer walk will begin...

The Reporter

Robbery and shooting reported in San Pedro
An armed robbery and shooting happened last night in San Pedro. The incident occurred at Tropicana Restaurant on the southern portion of the town. People in the area reprted hearing five shots shortly after 10:00 p.m., and there is an unconfirmed report that someone was shot.

Breaking Belize News

New plant species found in Belize
A new plant specie, Alsobia baroniae, was recently identified in Belize and published in a […]

GOB and Caribbean Development Bank launch capacity building programs in Belize
The government of Belize in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) launched a series of […]

Three Orange Walk men face upgraded manslaughter charge
Last week, BBN reported on the brutal beat down of a man from Trial Farm […]

NICH honors Timothy Bardalez with Community Heritage Leadership Award
On Friday May 11, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Patrick Faber visited the […]

Three new ambassadors present credentials to Governor General
Today, three ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence to the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir […]

Restaurant manager shot and killed in San Pedro Town
San Pedro police are investigating the murder of a restaurant manager that happened last night. According […]

Belize City’s Steve Harvey passes away
His name is identical to that of American comedian, Steve Harvey, however, Belize’s Steve Harvey, was […]

Missing man found dead
This morning, a man’s body was found floating near Harvest Caye. Family and friends of Juan […]

“Kumbaya” at Belize City Hall, Council moves on united
Last Monday Belize City Councilor, Micah Goodin, expressed a loss of confidence in Mayor Bernard Wagner. […]

PUP double standards in selecting candidates?
The People’s United Party (PUP) is seeking to have all its Standard Bearers in place […]

Armed robbery and shooting in San Pedro Town
Reports reaching our newsroom are that there were an armed robbery and shooting last night at […]

BDF to improve Security and Efficiency at the Benque/ Melchor Border
Picture: La Red Informativa Posted: Monday, May 14, 2018. 8:35 a.m. CST. The Ministry of National Security has informed that effective today, the […]

Blogs

Boat Rally For Rosario Leads Up To Important Public Meeting on Tuesday, May 15th
Yesterday, local guides and concerned citizens met at the island to show unity: NO OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES AT CAYO ROSARIO. This all leads up to the public meeting tomorrow. 5:30pm at the Lions Den, May 15th. For EVERYONE. Families, guides, children, visitors, residents, lovers of our island.

International Sources

Sandy’s Garden ... Oh, Sugar
“Fairtrade sugar helps improve farmers’ harvests in Corozal,” read the label on the single-portion wrap of demerara sugar which I picked up in the café of a local garden centre recently. “Fairtrade white sugar helps rebuild a school roof in Louisville,” read another. A third told me that, “Fairtrade sugar helps disabled children play in San Andres.” Intrigued by the selection to be found in a single bowl of sugar wraps, I read the message on a fourth. “Fairtrade sugar helps save crops from pests in San Narciso.” My next dip into the bowl of sugar wraps found a label which told me that, “Fairtrade sugar helps keep children safe in San Victor.” And a sixth wrap assured me that, “Fairtrade sugar helps keep families safe in Xaibe.” And, by courtesy of the internet, I now know that I was just one label short of a full set, the missing one of which bears the message, “Fairtrade sugar helps build classrooms in San Estevan.”

Garifuna, the mixed race descendants of African slaves exiled by the British after revolts
The Garifuna or Garinagu are the descendants of West and Central Africa who intermingled with Island Carib, Arawak and European people. Before then, the Black Carib were inhabitants of the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent caused by the mixture of Island Caribs and black Africans which occurred in the 18th century. Black Caribs also reside in Dominica and Trinidad. The Garifuna are a result of the Black Caribs who spread throughout Central America, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Belize. Their exodus came after they were exiled from the Lesser Antilles by the British colonial government after several attempts of rebellion. Those deemed as having less “African” attributes were allowed to stay.

Videos

May 14, 2018

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

Shooting at Tropicana Restaurant
A shooting at Tropicana Restaurant, south of San Pedro Town has left one person dead. The incident took place shortly after 10PM and according to witnesses they heard around five gunshots. Police are on the scene.

Obituaries: Hallie Stumpf and Christopher Charles Cantlon
Hallie Stumpf, 80, beloved wife of Mr. Roy, entered Heaven’s gates on April 26, 2018. Hallie was born in a small log cabin in Cayuga, WI. She married Roy, her high school sweetheart, on September 8, 1956. Together they started life’s journey of dreams, love and happiness.
Chris loved his friends, family and his animals. He loved Belize (just to visit, not to live) and Florida. He never wanted to be cold. Chris was a free spirit, a dreamer, and an entrepreneur above all things. He accomplished so many things in his short life. From conquering dyslexia and migraine headaches to making many wonderful friends even though his anxiety made it extremely difficult for him to meet people. His family believes that his friends will miss his great smile and laugh more and more as they age.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Pain
“I retired last month and I came down here looking for a place to settle down.” The man sitting at the table next to mine on the deck at the Holiday Hotel had introduced himself as Allen. “What kind of work did you do, Allen?” “I worked on the bomb squad in Washington, D.C. That’s how I got this.” When he held up his left hand I noticed two fingers were missing. “Ooh!” I said. “That must have been painful.”

Environmental and indigenous rights activist to receive WWF’s top youth conservation award
Nina Gualinga, an indigenous woman leader of the Kichwa community of Sarayaku in the Ecuadorian Amazon, is the recipient of this year’s WWF International President’s Youth award. An advocate for climate justice and indigenous rights since the age of eight, the award recognizes Nina’s relentless efforts to protect nature and communities in the Amazon at a time when the region is under unprecedented threat from unsustainable use and exploitation. “Today as biodiversity declines and the natural systems that sustain us come under increasing pressure, the courage, determination and leadership shown by Nina and her community inspires us all. This drive to protect nature – the living fabric that underpins our well-being and prosperity – is

Doctor Love: Baby Bomb
Dear Doctor Love, I have been in a relationship for four years and everything seemed to be wonderful until my girlfriend turned thirty. Then without warning, she wanted a baby. It is all she talks about. We’ve never even discussed it but I don’t feel that driving need to have a child. She’s agreed to let me think about it but she hinted that she can get pregnant without my consent. Now I am worried she might go off the pill, so sex is tense if we have it all. I wonder if it is time for me to leave but I would like to save our relationship if possible. /s/Baby Bomb

Misc Belizean Sources

36th Annual Cashew Festival was over the weekend at Crooked Tree Village
Lots of festivities, activities and demonstrations of roasting the delicious nut! Also unique souvenirs brought to you by local artisans.

Disappearing forest
In Guatemala the Chiquibul Maya Mountains Biosphere Reserve together with its buffer zone is 305,501.95 acres. This borders Belize’s Chiquibul-Maya Mountains. But due to a lack of governance and human settlements almost the entire forest in that reserve has disappeared.

Show and tell on historic and Maya artifacts
The Institute of Archaeology joins Dr Eleanor Harrison-Buck at the Cashew Fest in Crooked Tree doing show and tell on historic and Maya artifacts as well introducing the soon to be opened Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center.

The Reporter

Forum planned for youths at risk of sexual violence
The level of sexual violence against youths, how they react to such situations, and what kind of help they can seek will be the main focus this week, during round table meetings planned by the Nancy Marin Youth Foundation in San Ignacio town, Cayo. The Foundation’s Executive Director, Nancy Marin, along with Moderator, Sofia Jawed-Wessel, PhD, MPH and coordinators are planning two days of discussions with relevant parties to discuss sexual violence that affect youths, with a view to educating those who are vulnerable. […]

Restaurant robbed at gunpoint in Belmopan
A business establishment was robbed at gunpoint on Saturday night. Police say that they responded to a report just before 10:00 p.m., at Samsung Restaurant on Nim Li Punit Street in Belmopan. Upon their arrival, the owner, Ya Yong Ma reported that a few minutes earlier three men, includibg one with a handgun, entered the restaurant and the one with the pointed the weapon at her and demanded money. […]

Fire at Mile 8 GP highway
A fire was reported an hour ago near Mile 8 community on the George Price highway. The small one-flat wooden structure was seen with flames coming from the back portion.

Police charge man with murder for fatal stabbing
Belmopan police have arrested and charged a man with murder for the stabbing death of Luis Monge, 23, who was stabbed and killed during a fight sometime around 2:00 a.m., on Friday morning. Police arrested and charged Richard Hyde, 35, a butcher of Camalote village, Cayo for the crime. Monge and another man, Dennis Monterroso had suffered stab wounds on Zultana Street in Belmopan, where they had caught up with a man who had just robbed his friend of her chain. The robbery reportedly occurred in the yard of La Cabana night club on the outskirts of Belmopan. […]

Breaking Belize News

Millions upon millions: GOB loses $20 million in another court battle
This morning around 6, tensions at the Belize- Guatemala western border were heightened as members of the Belize Defense Force (BDF) were deployed to the Belize Custom’s area. […]

Tensions heightened at Belize-Guatemala western border?
This morning around 6, tensions at the Belize- Guatemala western border were heightened as members of the Belize Defense Force (BDF) were deployed to the Belize Custom’s area. […]

6 year old injured in a Belize City shooting incident
City police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday morning in the old capital. According to police, yesterday around 10, they went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and saw six-year-old Lemar Orellano with an injury to the upper right side of his back. […]

Blogs

Launch of CC+L Summer Magazine and A FANTASTIC New Way to Follow Belize
Last week, I did one of my favorite things. I flew to Belize City… …for the launch of CC+L Magazine, Caribbean Culture and Lifstyle: The Belize Edition. The media, representatives of the tourism board, lots of supporters from Chef Sean Kuylen to Charlies Jones from Koko King and Raggamuffin Tours in Caye Caulker and some special invited guests. Tanya McNab, the powerhouse behind McNab Publishing and this magazine, in pink and the First Lady of Belize, Ms. Kim Simplis-Barrow, beautiful in yellow. They unveiled the new cover – a photo taken on the Macal River at Chaa Creek Lodge. One of the most heavenly resorts on the planet.

Videos

May 13, 2018

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

UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture makes first visit to Belize
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) made its first visit to Belize from Monday, April 22nd through to Friday, April 27th. After their visit to the country, UN experts stated that Belize must establish an independent National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) to avert and deter torture and ill-treatment of people deprived of their liberty. According to the Head of SPT Secretariat, these are standard visits, per an established annual programme of visits, and therefore not triggered by any specific issues but in general preventive work to monitor places of detention and to assist the governments to establish its NPM. The SPT Secretariat further stated that the Government of Belize (GOB) is overdue in establishing the NPM and the SPT visited to advise them on the establishment.

San Pedro Tour Operators Association General Meeting welcomes special guest from BTB
On Wednesday, May 9th the San Pedro Tour Operators Association (SPTOA) hosted a general meeting at the Sunbreeze Hotel conference room. Various issues pertaining to the association were discussed, and engaging with the tour operators was Belize Tourism Board’s (BTB) Director of Cruise and Destination Planning, Noriko Gamero. She highlighted the process of enforcement and the importance of the tourism stakeholder participation to address some of the problems affecting the tour operator community on the island. Chairman of the SPTOA Everette Anderson gave a brief overview of the issues affecting tour operators on the island, like tour operators and guides working without a valid license. He also presented a financial report of the organization and encouraged members to ask others to join.

BTB and Love FM join forces to host first ever Sea Challenge Kayak Race
In seeking to continue highlighting the beauty of Belize and its Caribbean coast, Love FM and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) have partnered to bring a new sport challenge; the Belize Sea Challenge. The competition will see kayakers compete in a 218- mile race starting from Punta Gorda Town in Southern Belize on Thursday, May 17th, and culminating on Monday, May 21st in Corozal Town, northern Belize. The race features fabulous station prizes and is expected to raise the marketing bar on Belize as the ultimate tourist adventure destination. The five-day race will be divided into three categories (male, female, and mixed) and will make overnight stops in Placencia Village, Dangriga Town, Belize City, and San Pedro Town. All kayaks must be double-seated open water sea kayaks, and up to 20 feet long.

Misc Belizean Sources

Explore the hidden secrets of The Murals of Chactemal
A tremendous amount of energy and generous support has gone into preparing the most dynamic and academic encounter that has ever been planned and assembled in oue beautiful Corozal Town, Belize. Please join The Maya cultural NGO groups To'one Masehualoon and The Northern Maya Association of Belize for a ground breaking academic and cultural experiences as we explore the hidden secrets of The Murals of Chactemal at Santa Rita Hill, Corozal Town, Belize. See the complete expression of the Maya culture as we merge the material aspects of the discussion on the murals with the spiritual expression and traditions as reflected in the "hetzmek" ceremony, the "Pok ta Pok" Maya ball game, the maya wedding ceremony re-enactment and a real and legal Maya Wedding.

Historic and Maya artifacts
The Institute of Archaeology joins Dr Eleanor Harrison-Buck at the Cashew Fest in Crooked Tree doing show and tell on historic and Maya artifacts as well introducing the soon to be opened Crooked Tree Museum and Cultural Heritage Center.

NOCHE DE CUENTOS
The Northern Maya Association of Belize,Banquetas house of culture and Sandy Hunter Library brought us a evening of stories of our Maya legends . Maya legends like the Huay Miis,X'tabay ,Alux, Nukux tat(Tata Duende) and more . Story tellers included Felicita Cantun,Faustino Yam,Baldomino Barboza,Manuel Reyes, Luz Novelo and Rick Castillo .

LOVE FM

Second vehicle set on fire in Belize City
Another vehicle was set on fire in Belize City last night. The incident happened in the North Creek area. The owner of the vehicle, Melanie Staine says that she was already asleep when neighbors alerted her that her 2001, silver Extera had been set on fire. Melanie Staine, Fire Victim: “I came home sometime after 7 …

Does City Hall have the money to pay Candice Miller?
Before her termination, Miller was placed on suspension, which she has said she will challenge in court. Her termination follows the renewal of her contract at City Hall that was done in September of 2017. That contract saw a significant increase in her annual salary to around ninety thousand dollars. Following her termination, City Hall …

Belize City Deputy Mayor defends terminations
Belize City Deputy Mayor, Oscar Arnold today addressed questions from the media surrounding the termination of six employees at the City Council, among them the controversial dismissal of former City Administrator Candice Miller. The Deputy Mayor says that the Council followed due process and stood by the grounds on which all dismissals were made. He …

Fire leaves family homeless
Tonight a family is homeless after their home was destroyed by fire. Sharmaine Bainton, along with her family, was living in the two-bedroom wooden house located in Vista Del Mar for the past two years. Bainton said that she got a call from her daughter informing her that their home was on fire. Sharmaine Bainton …

The Reporter

Child reportedly injured in shooting in Belize City
Unconfirmed but reliable reports are that a child was injured during a shooting a few minutes ago in Belize City. Information reaching the Reporter is that the little boy, who is said to be younger than 10 years old, was passing by in a Dollar Van when someone opened fire on Central American Boulevard at its junction with Vernon Street.

“Old beef” results in chopping
A man is receiving treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he suffered a chop wound on his neck during a confrontation with another man. The victim, Ivan Hyde, 26, a construction worker of Mile 19.5 Phillip Goldson highway, Sand Hill village, told police that the chopping sometime before 11:00 Friday night stemmed from a fist fight in which he was involved with the other man two months ago. He said that last night he was socializing in front of a friend’s house in the village when the same man showed up and he asked him what he was doing there.

Breaking Belize News

Over $14,000 in company cash stolen from Brodies employee in Orange Walk
Orange Walk police are investigating a robbery of over $14,000 in cash belonging to James Brodies and Company from a vehicle belonging to an employee. […]

Heritage Bank coming to Santa Elena town soon
oday, Heritage Bank employees are out in Santa Elena town meeting business owners and residents informing them that a new branch will be opened next month in Santa Elena town. […]

Man chopped to neck, refuses to give statement
Police are investigating a chopping incident that occurred last night. Around 11:00 p.m. on Friday, Ivan Hyde, 26, of 19.5 miles Philip Goldson highway, Sand Hill village was socializing at a friend’s house when a person who he previously had a fist fight with arrived. […]

$40,000 Ford Explorer stolen in Belize city
Police are investigating the theft of a Ford Explorer that happened last night. Around 11:32 last night, Dean Fuller reported to police that sometime between the hours of 7:00 and 10:30 p.m., his white 2012 Ford Explorer valued at $40,000 was stolen. […]

DPM Faber detained in the US?
Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber, responded to questions on Thursday about an incident which happened last month in Henry County, Georgia, in which he was allegedly detained by police outside of a school as a result of a “domestic incident”. […]

Fire destroys SUV in Belize City
Police are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a 2001 SUV in North Creek, Belize City. According to reports, the Belize Fire Service Department (BFSD) was called to North Creek […]

Toledo cops investigating fire that destroyed building in Forest Home village
Toledo police are investigating a fire that gutted down a building in Forest Home, Toledo. On Thursday morning around 1:20, police were called to Forest Home Village and saw a wooden bungalow house with zinc roofing measuring 40ft by 60ft, completely engulfed in flames. […]

Union members believe in Mose
The Christian Workers Union (CWU) is representing two of the six employees that were terminated from the Belize City Council. Last month, the CWU elected its new President, firebrand activist Evan Mose Hyde. […]

One of 4 accused murderers set free
Luis Campos, one of four men charged with the murder of a San Pedro taximan is now a free man. Yesterday the case against Campos was dismissed after a ‘Nolle prosequi’ ( will no longer prosecute) due to a lack of evidence. […]

Videos

May 12, 2018

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

Charged with the murder of Jose Beltran, Luis Campos is set free
After being behind bars for three years, 26-year-old Luis Campos walked free from the charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of 42-year-old taxi driver Jose Rigoberto Beltran. Beltran was killed by a single gunshot while inside his taxi vehicle on April 28, 2015. Campos along with three other men (Mark Arzu, Alfredo Trapp, and Santos Garcia) were jointly charged for Beltran’s death, but unexpectedly on Friday, May 11th after appearing in the court of justice before Supreme Court Justice Francis Cumberbatch, a ‘noelle prosequi’ was entered by Crown Counsel Killeru Awich on instruction from the Director of Public Prosecution, Cheryl Vidal. The formal notice means that the case has been abandoned by the plaintiff and therefore the Crown does not wish to proceed with the trial due to lack of evidence.

Scotiabank donates computers to Holy Cross Anglican School
The San Pedro Pirates Football Club held a press conference at the Ambergris Stadium VIP room in San Pedro Town, on Thursday, May 10th. During the conference, members of the media and invited guests were introduced to the new board of directors of the island football club. Shortly after 4PM, Hector “Tito” Alamilla Jr., Councilor in charge of sports, welcomed everyone and explained the purpose of the conference. “The owner of the football club has approached us for administrative help with the club, and we have accepted the offer. We want to make the San Pedro Pirates a championship team that can represent Belize and why not – [we have] a state of the art stadium that can host top foreign teams,” said Alamilla. He then introduced the new board of directors, which include Emeliano Rivero as President, Rocio Rivero as Secretary, Tony Maldonado, and Hector Alamilla Jr. as Managers, Eiden Salazar is in charge of Public Relations and Felipe Sansores as Marketing Agent.

San Pedro Pirates F.C introduces new board of directors
The San Pedro Pirates Football Club held a press conference at the Ambergris Stadium VIP room in San Pedro Town, on Thursday, May 10th. During the conference, members of the media and invited guests were introduced to the new board of directors of the island football club. Shortly after 4PM, Hector “Tito” Alamilla Jr., Councilor in charge of sports, welcomed everyone and explained the purpose of the conference. “The owner of the football club has approached us for administrative help with the club, and we have accepted the offer. We want to make the San Pedro Pirates a championship team that can represent Belize and why not – [we have] a state of the art stadium that can host top foreign teams,” said Alamilla. He then introduced the new board of directors, which include Emeliano Rivero as President, Rocio Rivero as Secretary, Tony Maldonado, and Hector Alamilla Jr. as Managers, Eiden Salazar is in charge of Public Relations and Felipe Sansores as Marketing Agent.

Disputed San Pedro Municipal Elections Trial Begins in Supreme Court
After the first court hearing on the controversial results of the 2018 San Pedro Town Municipal Elections on Wednesday, March 28th between the San Pedro United Democratic Party (UDP) and the San Pedro Peoples United Party (PUP) at the Supreme Court in Belize City, the case was scheduled to be heard on Monday, May 14th and Tuesday, May 15th. On Monday at the first hearing, witnesses from both parties and government are expected to be present and speak on the information that has been submitted. A verdict is expected to be delivered the following day. Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, PUP party leader Honourable John Briceño has stated that they will accept and respect whatever decision is made.

Illegal Guatemalan encroachment continues to threaten the Chiquibul Forest
The illegal encroachment of Guatemalan peasants into the Belize Chiquibul National Park continues to escalate as new findings have confirmed agricultural activity up to 2.7 kilometers within Belizean territory. The protected area is situated in the Cayo District in western Belize and borders Guatemalan territory. The latest discovery was made by Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) south of the national park in an area known as Cebada, revealing plantations of beans, corn, and bananas allegedly planted by Guatemalan farmers from nearby villages along the Belize-Guatemala border. It is alleged that after Guatemalans voted ‘Yes’ on the referendum to take the territorial dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), many of the residents along the border have been informed that Belize is now Guatemalan territory, and that works are underway for them to start occupying parcels of land in the Chiquibul area.

Reef Fair 2018 Promotes Education and Conservation of the Reef and Marine Ecosystem
As part of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Reef Week 2018, a Reef Fair was held at the Central Park in San Pedro Town on Thursday, May 10th. The Reef Fair saw various organization educating students and residents on the protection and conservation of marine life. Groups present at the fair included Oceana Belize, Reef Angels, Blue Ventures, American Crocodile Education Sanctuary, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Sarteneja Alliance for Conservation and Development, Belize Forest Department, San Pedro House of Culture, La Isla Bonita Elementary, Department of the Environment, and Ricklee Rescue and Response. At 9:30AM, the Reef Fair began as booths opened to the public highlighting topics such as the importance of protecting and preserving the Barrier Reef, as well as different wildlife and marine ecosystems. Students also had the opportunity to play games to win prizes, testing their knowledge about environmental topics. Throughout the fair, refreshments were served by the Hol Chan staff.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Tour Operators Address Concerns To BTB
The San Pedro Tour Operator Association held a meeting on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at the Sunbreeze Conference Room where they presented their financials to its members and discussed concerns with representatives of the Belize Tourism Board. The Director of Cruise and Destination Planning, Mrs. Noriko Gamero was also present at the meeting where she address issues and concerns brought up by the SPTOA. Some of these issues included unlicensed tour operators, the lack of law enforcement/prosecution amongst other issues.

Youtuber Reports He Found Peter Pan’s Neverland In Belize
The Jewel, Belize, is gaining lots of attention as a well-known Youtuber is reporting that he is found Peter Pan’s Neverland in Belize. Sounds funny right, but for many Disney diehard fans this is one pretty awesome piece of news and to the Belize Tourism Board this is awesome exposure to our little country. Youtuber Matthew Patrick has his your tube page names GameTheorist where he has a lot of videos on theories of games and several Disney inspired videos. This time around he chose Peter Pan’s Neverland and has put together a video where he strongly believes that the Turneffe Atoll in Belize is Neverland.

San Pedro Is Ready To Play Some Serious Futbol
The San Pedro Pirates Futbol Club yesterday, Thursday, May 10, 2018, made a special announcement of the introduction of a new managing team, coach and coaching staff which they are positive will lead them to victory in the upcoming Premier League of Belize (PLB) soccer competition. President and owner of the San Pedro Pirates, Emiliano Rivera has formed a committee with members how have various skills in different areas of the sport. He is joined by his wife as secretary of the club and by Tony Maldonado and Hector Alamialla as Co-Managers, Felipe Sansorez as Marketing Manager and Eiden Salazar in Public Relations. Pirates have participated in two season of PLB reaching as far at the top four teams in the competition. The new managing committee is promising a stronger soccer team for San Pedro that is more disciplined, serious, prepared, trained and community minded.

Misc Belizean Sources

Finals of the PLB cancelled
The championship game which was to be played on Saturday,12th May, 2018 at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium has been cancelled after results of the appeal match between Verdes FC and BDF FC. As stated on document attached, the game of 29th of April,2018 will be replayed. Also note that Bandits SC has qualified for the Finals of the PLB Closing Season and will be awaiting for the winner between Verdes FC & BDF FC, replay match date and time to be announced.

An apprentice of Dr. Elijio Panti: Silverio Canto “Teacher Sil”
Are the Maya dead? Did they disappear? Those are some questions that academics have debated over the years. However, I consider Silverio Canto as part of the answer to the question. Silverio is living proof of the continuity of Maya lineages and identity in Belize. A celebrated community activist, teacher and church leader, he continues to practice many Maya traditions in our piece of heaven. One of the apprentices of Don Elijio Panti, Silverio has a wealth of knowledge about herbal healing. His knowledge about Maya traditions extends from herbal medicine, to the teaching of the Yucatec Maya language and the practice of sacred Maya ceremonies. Mr. Canto’s awareness of traditional practices has attracted the attention of many scholars and students who visit him to learn about "we", the Maya. He has featured in many documentaries and has shared some of the contemporary practices of the living Maya. Currently, Mr. Canto owns and manages a restaurant where he sells Belizean food. His family greets their customers with a smile in a pleasant environment. His business not only identifies with Maya practices but is also an example of the economic opportunities in our community.

Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle: The Belize Edition Summer Issue
In January of this year, McNab Publishing released a brand new travel magazine called Carribean Culture and Lifestyle: The Belize Edition. The magazine focuses on Belizean travel, culture, and lifestyle. Today, the Belize City based publishing house released another edition of the CCL magazine, this time with different destinations and cultural pieces. We visited this morning's launch and found out more about the new issue.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Conducts Diplomatic Briefing on ICJ Referendum Public Awareness Campaign
Today, May 11th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Diplomatic Briefing on Belize's Public Awareness Campaign in preparation for the referendum on the referral of the Belize-Guatemala Dispute at the Ministry of Agriculture Conference Room, National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds in Belmopan. The presentation was delivered to representatives of the British High Commission, embassies and international and regional organizations resident in Belize. Representatives of the diplomatic community were given an overview of the Belize Public Awareness Campaign Plan of Action by His Excellency Alexis Rosado, Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala.

Notice to all Justices of the Peace
The Attorney General’s Ministry informs that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices of the Peace, must contact the Ministry to verify their JP status before July 31, 2018. This exercise is being carried out in preparation for the upcoming re-registration process by the Elections and Boundaries Department. All Justices of the Peace are required to provide some form of proof of their status. Those who fail to verify their status will no longer be able to use their JP title. Persons can either visit the office of the Attorney General in Belmopan or contact the office via email at [email protected].

Ten commandments of no to the ICJ
The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) as a part of its 8867 territorial integrity pillar and its ‘No to the ICJ’ Campaign, has developed its ten commandments, which it is releasing as a part of its accelerated public awareness initiative on the subject. 1. Thou shalt not sacrifice one single solitary square centimeter to the enemy • Belize was 8,867 sq miles yesterday, is 8,867 sq. miles today and shall be 8,867 sq. miles tomorrow and the day after, ad infinitum! 2. Thou shall not cast on the water thy birthright for a gamble in a foreign land of uncertain devices • We have inherited this beautiful and precious jewel of a country from our forefathers and we must not under any circumstance run the risk of losing it to a game of chance!

Channel 7

PUP Citco Suggests Disgruntled Ex Employees Behind “Domestic Terrorism”
"Domestic Terrorism" - that's what the Belize city council is calling the attempt to set Sharlene Rudon's vehicle on fire. Rudon is the Human Resources manager at the council and the person who signed the majority of the termination letters that went out on Tuesday. On Wednesday night, someone threw a molotov cocktail at her Ford Escape parked in front of her home - fortunately it did not catch - and the vehicle received only slight damage. It's a very disturbing event - and last night at minutes before newstime the City Council put out a very strongly worded statement, saying, quote: "It was clearly a deliberate and dangerous act of arson, and there can be no doubt that it is directly related to the recent restructuring of the Council which has resulted in the termination of five employees.... The Council condemns this reprehensible act which we view as no less than domestic terrorism, carried out no doubt by an agent or agents acting on behalf of one or more of the persons terminated."

Former Citco Employee Rejects “Terror” Narrative
Today we asked Cecil Jenkins for his response to the statement - which casts a very serious allegation on him and the other 5 persons who were terminated. Jenkins said it is a reckless and baseless claim which damages his reputation:... Cecil Jenkins Sr., Terminated from City Hall: "Jules when they're painting you as a domestic terrorist, those things can condemn your life on a whole. Anyone of us, on behalf of me, if they say something like that incriminating you like that, your professional ways of dealing with people. You going to walk to another business, and apply for a job, how will they look at us? I can attest that I Cecil Jenkins have nothing to do with any kind of arson to Miss Rudon or to condemn anyone's life. Whosoever has done such an act I believe that such things should have never happened? I hope that no one is taking what we're going through for their own purpose. I condemn such act and I don't believe in things like that. I am a believer of the law..."

Deputy Mayor Stands By Firings
Jenkins was the former Sanitation Manager - until he was sent home on Tuesday. As recently as December 2016, he had been awarded Employee of the Year in his department. Similarly, the terminated Shanna White was employee of the year for 2016 and 2017 in the Parks and Playgrounds unit - until she was sent home. Today we asked the Deputy Mayor to defend the firings:... Jules Vasquez, reporter: "How do you answer the criticism specifically from the CWU that you guys did not observe due process in dealing with their members?" Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City: "I would have to check with our HR professionals to really give you an idea of what the due process was or if it was or wasn't. I believe it did. I know that people are really, heavily looking at the dismissals, but there is another part of the restructuring. There were actually human resources that were move from one unit to the other unit as well, because that also forms part of restructuring - trying to get people in areas where they can provide value, where they weren't maybe doing it before."

Fired Workers Believes In Union Leader
But the Christian Workers Union which represents two of the six employees does have that moral authority. Today Cecil Jenkins told us he is confident in the union and the impartiality of its President Mose Hyde:... Reporter: "Do you retain full confidence in your union?" Cecil Jenkins Sr., Terminated from City Hall: "Jules I have high respect for the Mose Hyde, I believe that he is an honorable man regardless if he is the brother of Cordel Hyde or the brother in law of Mayor Wagner, but on the 4th of May, the union members executive body had a meeting with all members of the Belize City council at 1:30 that afternoon..."

Killed Trying To Catch Chain-Snatcher
A Las Flores man was killed trying to recover a woman's stolen chain. This morning around 2:00, 23 year old Luis Monge and his friends among other La Cabana club-goers were finishing up their night of partying. It was closing time. While they were outside, a man in the crowd snatched a woman's gold chain and ran off. Monge and his 19 year old friend Dennis Monterrosa chased after the chain snatcher. There was a struggle among the men and that is when the robber stabbed Monge to his arm. Monterrosa was cut to his head. Monge was rushed to the hospital but he didn't make it. Police recovered the knife from the scene. Police also have the alleged robber detained. He was caught on the scene after police fired a warning shot to break up the fight. We should note that this suspect was recently charged in a high profile robbery in Belmopan. Our information is that Monge leaves behind two children.

Wife Not Satisfied With Alleged Killer’s Story
A guilty conscience is a terrible thing. As we told you last night police charged 45 year old Albert Jones for Alaine Garcia's murder. Now normally there has to be a dead body for it to be a murder but in this case Jones allegedly admitted to killing Garcia. He told police he confessed because Garcia was 'haunting him' and it was just weighing on his conscience. But although Jones has been charged, Garcia's common law wife of 15 years, Kellyn Neal is not satisfied. She says Jones' story does not add up. Neal asks how did Jones kill Garcia, chop him up and then dump his body parts in a pond by himself and in broad day light? Neal shared more about her questions and concerns. Kellyn Neal, Common-Law-wife: "At first I felt satisfied because it is not usual that someone would confess to a murder. But after getting the details of what happened and putting everything together it. I am pleased that someone confessed but it is not adding up because I don't see how that person could have confessed to that and how he alone could have killed Alaine..."

Alleged Killers Gets Off
He was one of the four accused in a sensational broad daylight murder on San Pedro in 2015 - but, tonight, 26 year old Luis Campos is free after another "nolle pros". He was charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder of 42 year old San Pedro Town taxi driver Jose Beltran. Today Crown Counsel Killeru Awich entered the "nolle pros" motion on instruction from the Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl Vidal. The reason? A lack of evidence. Three other men are still charged for the offence. They are Mark Arzu, Santos Garcia and Alfredo Trapp. Police found Beltran dead in his taxi van on April 28, 2015. He had been tied up and shot in the head. Police believe that he was killed because his assailants wanted to use his vehicle to carry out a crime. Campos was represented by attorney Leeroy Banner.

GOB Falls To Ashcroft Alliance Again
For 3 days now, Justice Courtney Abel has been listening to arguments on the last court fight over money connected to the half a billion dollar settlement over BTL. The judge is being asked to determine who should - and shouldn't - have been paid over 114 million dollars out of the entire amount. The Government controlled company, Sunshine Holdings Limited, is claiming that the amount should have been paid to them, and that the Barrow Government wrongly paid it to the former owners, Dean Boyce and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust. When it was an Ashcroft Company, Sunshine held over 11 million shares in BTL. All that changed in 2009, when the Government nationalized the telecoms company. In one fell swoop, the Government acquired all of those shares, and it also took over Sunshine itself.

Men Charged For Beating Pott, Lawyer Says Injuries Arise From Crash
Tonight, Demetrio Pott remains in critical condition at the KHMH and today in Corozal town, three men were charged for causing his injuries. Carlos Westby, Deltran Perez, and Leodigario Chan were charged for dangerous harm of Demetrio Pott, while Westby and Chan alone were charged for wounding Pott's brother, Adan. It happened on April 27th. When the Pott's crashed into a vehicle in Trial Farm and the three men allegedly beat them down. Today outside Corozal Magistrate's Court, their attorney said it's the impact of the accident, not any beating which has Pott on life support in the hospital.

Family Of Fourteen Homeless After Fire
Tonight a family of fourteen is without a home. Early this morning the family's home on Iguana Street was destroyed by a fire. The residents all managed to escape unharmed but they lost everything. The fire department responded quickly but it seems they were not able to stop the fire from spreading, not because the blaze was too big, but because the fire truck had an unforeseen mechanical issue. Assistant Fire Chief Matura told us that the failure was not something they could have predicted. Benisford Matura, Assistant Fire Chief: "We arrived at number 7007 Iguana Street and found a two storey structure totally engulfed in flames. The upper flat was engulfed in flames. We got into operation and started to extinguish the fire but our unit experienced a mechanical failure with the pumping and could not discharge the second unit's water on the fire, so hence the reason we had to use only one unit to extinguish the fire."

Foreign Affairs Briefing Friends On ICJ Process
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today held a diplomatic briefing today with the diplomatic corps on their plan of action for the Public Awareness Campaign leading up to Belize's ICJ referendum on the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. It took place at the Ministry of Agriculture's Conference Room at the Show Grounds in Belmopan. The briefing was held with representatives of the British High Commission, embassies, and international and regional organizations resident in Belize. At the head table were Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington, CEO Pat Andrews, and Alexis Rosado, the Belize Ambassador to Guatemala. They were given an overview of the Belize Public Awareness Campaign Plan of Action.

Belize Security Team Invited To Israeli Exhibit
As a jewish nation at odds with many of its Islamic neighbors, Israel has made an industry of exporting its security expertise. And now some of that may be coming to Belize. According to a release from the Israeli Embassy in Mexico, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edward Broaster, BDF Captain Roberta Usher, along with Lieutenant Ray Good from the Coast Guard all attended the sixth seminar on Homeland Security and Cyber Emergency Management in Mexico. The release says the group was able to see the latest technologies in cyber security and defense from 25 different Israeli Companies. The group ended by having a meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Belize Jonathan Peled.

Murder Victim’s Relative Speaks
Earlier in the news, we told you about 23 year-old Luis Monge, who was stabbed to death at the end of their night of partying at the La Cabana Bar in Belmopan. He and his 19 year-old friend tried to chase down a chain snatcher. They ended up in a struggle with the assailant, and he was fatally stabbed in the arm. Now, he has a grieving family, blindsided by his sudden demise. Our colleagues, Our Colleagues from Plus TV News spoke with his cousin today, and here's what she had to say:

A Magazine Showcasing and Celebrating Tourism
In January of this year, McNab Publishing released a brand new travel magazine called Carribean Culture and Lifestyle: The Belize Edition. The magazine focuses on Belizean travel, culture, and lifestyle. Today, the Belize City based publishing house released another edition of the CCL magazine, this time with different destinations and cultural pieces. We visited this morning's launch and found out more about the new issue. Tanya McNab, McNab Visual Creative Director: "Traditionally we had been introducing the magazine once a year and we found that before you know it, it becomes a bit dated. It is not as current, businesses change, things change, and so we thought that if we were to do something that was produced every three to four months that we would be able to put out better content, more relevant more up to date, and things like that so we said it is traditionally not what we do but we are going to try. It has been a learning curve for us in producing so quickly but we are getting there."

PUP Senator Questions Immigration Split
Earlier in the news, we showed you our interview with Eamon Courtenay as he emerged victorious in the latest lawsuit between the Ashcroft Alliance and Sunshine Holdings Limited. The press also asked him for comments as PUP Senator on a recent law that was passed. It splits the Immigration Department into 2. One section will be in charge of granting Nationality and Passports, and another section will be responsible for "immigration and border management". Courtenay gave his opinion that this change will weaken the checks and balances at the Immigration Department. As viewers will remember vividly, that department has been wracked with scandals which culminated last year in the 13 month long Senate Hearings on Immigration. Here's how he questioned whether or not the Government was listening to a major complaint from the public servants who testified in those hearings:

Senator Showdown In Albert?
And while Senator Courtney is not aspiring for elected office, the two other PUP senators seem as if they may be vying against each other. Persistent and credible reports out of the PUP are that Senator Valerie Woods is contemplating a run against the PUP caretaker for the Albert Division, Senator Paul Thompson. It's not yet confirmed and Woods has not submitted her name - but we know she has been canvassing heavily for support within the party. Woods grew up in the Albert division. For his part, Thompson might have expected some protection from a challenge since he was the campaign manager for the PUP City Council slate which pulled off a huge upset in the March 7th elections. But, that seems unlikely - as there are elements within the PUP leadership who are pushing for him to be replaced by a woman candidate. Compelling, but still, it's all speculative and today, the divisional Chairman Oscar Arnold wouldn't say much:..

Micah Makes Up
At the end of April, PUP City Councillor Micah Goodin made news when he came out and blasted his Mayor, Bernard Wagner on Facebook. Goodin went on a rant, threatened resignation…the whole nine yards. And, now, in a familiar pattern he has posted an apology for his rash words - saying he supports the mayor…no doubt only chapter one, in a city council soap opera, with Goodin as the conductor. Today, the Deputy Mayor said it's a case of no harm, no foul:…

Deputy Mayor On Candice Firing
And while the Goodin matter was ironed out in-house - the case of the terminated City Administrator Candice Miller will have to be resolved in court. Miller's four year contract was terminated for "gross dereliction of duty" - and she has challenged that in an interview with 7NEws. So, why was she terminated? Today the Deputy Mayor said it's because of the actions of the previous mayor:... Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor - Belize City: "Think that the previous mayor acted irresponsibly as well and he put the microscope on duly on the ex-city administrator, because agreeing to 4 year contract passes the time of the council doesn't give the new council coming in to really evaluate what's going on or what was happening with the city administrator. You signed a contract even before another one was expired. That's just irresponsible. So he put her on duly under the microscope."

Candice Says Contract Not Unusual
And we did ask Miller about that - the timing of her contract, renewed for four years in September of 2017 , just 6 months before an election. Here's how she explained it: Candice Miller, Former City Admin.: "Mayor and then I get it. It's not parked while I am at my office." Jules Vasquez, reporter: "Now much has been made about this contract that Mayor Bradley had overstep his moral authority. He was within his legal authority, but to tie the life of another council into this city administrator was unfair to the incoming council. So it was treated as something that was corrupt and what would be called exceptionable - he shouldn't have done that."

Hopeful Hoops
And finally tonight, taking a break from all that politics, the Ahmadiyya Basketball League Belize is having its finals on Sunday. They've gone large by renting out the civic center for the event. And that's because they're expecting company: two bus loads of Mexican fans coming to support their team. We learned more from the organizers today:… The event runs from midday to four on Sunday and the public is invited.

Channel 5

Ain’t No Sunshine: Gov’t Company Shut Out of B.T.L. Compensation
After three days of litigation, Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel issued a comprehensive judgment against Sunshine Holdings Limited’s claim for compensation, in respect of shares it owned in Belize Telemedia [...]

G.O.B. Now on the Hook for Money Owed to S.S.B.
The case was comprehensively lost, but did Sunshine really lose anything? Not according to Justice Abel. He found that the company had been fully relieved by its owner, the government, [...]

Is B.T.L. Litigation Over?
So at long last, is it over? The now nearly nine-year saga of Telemedia’s acquisition by government started in August of 2009 and effectively concluded with the settlement in 2015. [...]

Deputy City Mayor Defends Terminations as Part of Restructuring
The Belize City Council has broken its silence on the dismissal of six employees earlier this week, including City Administrator Candice Miller.  While the writings were on the wall for [...]

CitCo Ready for Litigation over Firings
Sacking Candice Miller, whose contract as city manager extends to 2021, and several of her colleagues from City Hall, has likely exposed the Belize City Council to litigation.  Those lawsuits [...]

Council Concerned over HR Director Vehicle Firebombed
The torching of Human Resources Manager Sharlene Rudon’s vehicle continues to be investigated as a criminal matter.  The Ford Escape SUV was scorched by a firebomb on Wednesday night while [...]

In Belmopan, Stolen Chain Leads to Fatal Stabbing
A Roaring Creek resident is tonight in police custody, following an early morning murder in Belmopan. Reports are that as police were closing up shop at La Cabana Night Club, [...]

Homeowner Blames Fire Service for Lost House; Firefighters Say Illegal Connection Overloaded
An early morning blaze completely destroyed a wooden home on the south side of Belize City. But tonight the question is – did those fourteen persons, nine adults and five [...]

Fire Service Working to Maintain ‘Dated’ Fleet
Deputy Fire Chief Benisford Matura has spoken on the dated fleet of trucks – and how it slowed them down from carrying out the kind of fire-fighting needed to save [...]

SUV Burns on North Creek
Sometime after midnight on Thursday, an SUV belonging to Melanie Staine was observed on fire on North Creek in Belize City. The Fire Department was called out to extinguish the [...]

Micah Goodin Apologizes; CitCo Back Together
An olive branch, in an attempt to mend a somewhat broken relationship between Councilor Micah Goodin and Mayor Bernard Wagner, has been extended via an online apology on Thursday.  The [...]

Pitts’ Pique a Matter for Central P.U.P.
So how does the council feel about Doctor Candice Pitts who took a somewhat similar aim at her own party after being asked to step aside in Port Loyola in [...]

Government Ready to Meet with Teachers on Collective Bargaining Agreement
The Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Government of Belize and three of the unions is a matter that is still on the table.  The Public Service Union, the Belize National [...]

G.O.B. Accepts ex-Contractor General’s Reports
On Thursday, the DPM also gave us an update on the Contractor General. If you’ll recall, Godwin Arzu’s contract was not renewed and his replacement has not been announced.  Arzu [...]

Thinking of Summer with Arts Camp
On Thursday, the Belize District Art Showcase opened at the Mexican Institute in Belize City. The two-week exhibition features art pieces from students in pre-school, primary and high schools. The [...]

The Problem with Split Immigration Department
Earlier this year, amendments to the Immigration, Belizean Nationality and Passports Acts passed through the National Assembly. Collectively, they proposed to divide the functions related to immigration and nationality services, [...]

Diplomats Meet with Foreign Affairs on Referendum Campaign
The countdown is on to next April’s referendum in Belize on the referral of the Belize-Guatemala Dispute to the International Court of Justice. The public awareness campaign is being stepped [...]

Appeal Reversed for B.D.F. in Football Dispute
An unorthodox decision by the Football Federation of Belize Appeals Committee is throwing a wrench in the Premier League of Belize Championship Finals. Last week, we reported about a protest [...]

Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle Magazine Launched
Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle launched its second edition today. The magazine, published by McNab Visuals, will be used to promote travel and culture locally and regionally.  It goes to print [...]

Best Youth Athletes Converge for Championship
The National Sports Council held its annual national track and field championships at the Marion Jones Stadium in Belize City today. Over two hundred students, the best of the best [...]

LOVE FM

City Hall bosses concerned over safety of staff
But it seems that the troubles at City Hall are many. On Wednesday night, the vehicle of the Council’s Director of Administration, Sharlene Rudon was set on fire. While Rudon and her family managed to intervene in time to save the vehicle, the incident has raised concerns at City Hall. In a statement issued Thursday …

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to hold basketball tournament
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is having its basketball finals this Sunday at the Civic in Belize City. Basketball teams from Belize and Mexico will converge to prove that they are the best team of their category. President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Naveed Mangla shared why you should attend Sunday’s game. Naveed Mangla, President of the …

Patrick Faber has his eyes on the UDP Leadership
Patrick Faber says he still has hopes to lead the United Democratic Party. The Deputy Prime Minister is also the Deputy Party leader of the UDP and he has his eyes set on the leadership. Since Prime Minister Dean Barrow will not seek re-election, he will step down as Party Leader giving way to a …

Education Minister will meet with teachers
Minister of Education Patrick Faber says he will meet with the Belize National Teachers Union to discuss new concerns as part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The parties have not been able to conclude the negotiation for a new CBA and the BNTU has written to Minister Faber requesting a meeting. Yesterday Faber told …

Ain’t no sunshine for Sunshine Holdings as Justice Abel dismisses case
Today Justice Courtenay Abel dismissed a claim brought by Sunshine Holdings Limited against the Government of Belize and the BTL Employees Trust. The claim is connected to the half a billion dollars settlement that GOB had to cough up for the nationalization of Belize Telemedia Limited. It’s a very interesting, complex and as Justice Abel …

Nepal Citizens flagged as high risk
On Tuesday, two citizens of Nepal, a country in Southeast Asia landed on a Copa flight at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. These two persons were deemed as potential security risk however they still managed to set feet on Belizean soil. We understand that three persons from the Immigration Department are being investigated for allegedly …

PlusTV

Belize City Man Shot While Sleeping
There was another shooting in the Jane Usher Area of Belize City. According to reports, 50 year old Merrick Lambey was sleeping on the sofa in his living room when a male person entered through his front door and fired about 5 shots in his direction. Police told us more at this morning’s press brief...

Dennis Matura walks from murder charge
24 year old Dennis Matura has been freed of murder charges. Matura was accused of the Aril, 2012 murder of Michael James Garbutt who was gunned down execution style on Albert Street. It was a broad daylight killing, where Garbut was shot as many as five times, including a bullet to the head. The s...

Albert Jones confesses to murdering missing man
A Hattieville resident, 45-year-old Albert Jones Senior, is on remand tonight after police say he confessed to the murder of a man who has been reported missing. Jones was arraigned this evening for the murder of Alaine Garcia, a Mechanic and father of Hattieville Village. Now, Garcia has been ...

CITCO Director of Admin’s vehicle torched
The vehicle of the Belize City Council’s Director of Administration, Sharlene Rudon, was torched on Wednesday night. Rudon told police that sometime around 11 p.m., her car was parked in front of her King’s Park home when someone lit it fire. Rudon is the person who signed the termination letters of...

PATRICK FABER ADDRESSES CITCO TERMINATIONS
And still on the subject of termination of City Council Employees, yesterday, the Belize City Council issued an official press release stating in part, quote, ‘after more than two months reviewing of the departmental structure, with the desired objective of fostering efficiency and effectiveness, t...

Drugs were coming from Guatemala to Belize city
Yesterday we reported that San Ignacio Police intercepted a blue Great Wall Wingle rental pick up in Teakettle Village carrying a total of 26.429 kg of Cannabis. Upon seeing the cops, the driver of the vehicle attempted to evade the police and collided into a hill. The occupants of the vehicle jumpe...

FABER SPEAKS ON CHIQUIBUL ENCROACHMENT ACTIVITIES
Yesterday we reported that FCD rangers discovered a complex array of clear encroachment activities in the area of the reserve better known as South Cebada. The rangers reportedly came across fresh survey lines, plantations of beans, corn, and bananas planted by Guatemalan farmers. Rangers were also ...

Belize City Man Shot While Sleeping
There was another shooting in the Jane Usher Area of Belize City. According to reports, 50 year old Merrick Lambey was sleeping on the sofa in his living room when a male person entered through his front door and fired about 5 shots in his direction. Police told us more at this...

Dennis Matura walks from murder charge
24 year old Dennis Matura has been freed of murder charges. Matura was accused of the Aril, 2012 murder of Michael James Garbutt who was gunned down execution style on Albert Street. It was a broad daylight killing, where Garbut was shot as many as five times, including a...

Albert Jones confesses to murdering missing man
A Hattieville resident, 45-year-old Albert Jones Senior, is on remand tonight after police say he confessed to the murder of a man who has been reported missing. Jones was arraigned this evening for the murder of Alaine Garcia, a Mechanic and father of Hattieville Village...

CITCO Director of Admin’s vehicle torched
The vehicle of the Belize City Council’s Director of Administration, Sharlene Rudon, was torched on Wednesday night. Rudon told police that sometime around 11 p.m., her car was parked in front of her King’s Park home when someone lit it fire. Rudon is the person who signed the...

PATRICK FABER ADDRESSES CITCO TERMINATIONS
And still on the subject of termination of City Council Employees, yesterday, the Belize City Council issued an official press release stating in part, quote, ‘after more than two months reviewing of the departmental structure, with the desired objective of fostering efficiency...

Drugs were coming from Guatemala to Belize city
Yesterday we reported that San Ignacio Police intercepted a blue Great Wall Wingle rental pick up in Teakettle Village carrying a total of 26.429 kg of Cannabis. Upon seeing the cops, the driver of the vehicle attempted to evade the police and collided into a hill. The occupants...

FABER SPEAKS ON CHIQUIBUL ENCROACHMENT ACTIVITIES
Yesterday we reported that FCD rangers discovered a complex array of clear encroachment activities in the area of the reserve better known as South Cebada. The rangers reportedly came across fresh survey lines, plantations of beans, corn, and bananas planted by Guatemalan...

Who’s footing the bill for Teacher’s Day celebrations?
A National Teacher’s day celebration is scheduled for May 18th at the new Belize Civic Center, but who will foot the bill? Teacher’s day is celebrated annually on different levels using a cycle of celebration. On the first year, teacher’s day is celebrated on the school level,...

LA RIVERA’ COMMUNITY WANTS SQUATTERS REMOVED
Over the past few weeks, Plus News has been following the Mount Pleasant Creek Squatting issue in Belmopan. The issue caught the eyes and ears of the nation and many Belizeans took to social media to voice their concerns. After the issue raised national concern, the Belmopan City...

INDEPENDENCE VILLAGE LAND ISSUES
Land dispute issues are also brewing in Independence Village between its community members and the Village Council. According to reports, villagers of Independence Village are infuriated following a village council meeting that went ‘south’ last night. According to information reaching Plus News, during an Independence Village Council meeting on Wednesday night, villagers questioned Village Council members about a De-reserved area of land located between Independence Village and Punta Gorda junction.

TWO BUSES STOLEN FROM ROMERO’S CHARTER SERVICES
Last week Friday we reported that a stolen bus overturned on the Southern Highway. While information was sketchy at the time, Plus News now understands that the overturned bus was the property of Romero’s Charter Service located in Cattle Landing village. However, the over turned bus was not the only bus stolen. A second bus was also stolen from the Charter Service Company that same Thursday morning.

Police update on Eric Mendez house shooting
On Tuesday we told you that 20 year old Eric Mendez had been arraigned on the charge of attempted murder. Mendez is the accused gunman who shot Tyrone Stevens several times on Sunday while Stevens went to a store to purchase. Yesterday we reported that while Mendez is on remand at the Hattieville prison, gunmen opened fire on his home in the Jane Usher area on Monday night and it is believed to be directly connected to the Tyrone Stevens case. Police told the media what happened on Monday night.

More Drugs; more guns
The war on drugs is a daunting one and seems to have intensified following the decriminalization of marijuana late last year. This morning, police conducted a search on 19 year old Alexander Steven Castillo and found 464 grams of compressed cannabis in his school bag. Castillo was then taken to his home where cops found more weed under his mattress...

JOINT COMMISSION DEFINES BILATERAL AGREEMENT IMPLEMENTATION ROAD MAP
Yesterday the Belize Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year in Guatemala City. The meeting was headed by the Ambassador of Belize in Guatemala H.E. Alexis Rosado, the Ambassador of Guatemala in Belize H.E. Georges de La Roche; and Mr. Manuel Washington Abdala, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the OAS for the Belize-Guatemala affairs.

BELMOPAN LION’S CLUB OFFERS FREE OPTOMETRY EXAMINATIONS
For the past 4 days, the Lions Club in Belmopan has been partnering with Optometrists from the Southern College of Optometry in the U.S. to offer eye examinations to residents of Belmopan and surrounding villages. The eye clinic began on Monday morning at the Lion’s Building in Belmopan and concluded earlier this evening. Plus News Spoke to Mike Thomas, a member of the Lion’s Club in Belmopan who told us more about the Clinic.

Amandala

CitCo’s HR and Admin Director’s vehicle firebombed
Last night, Sharlene Rudon, the Belize City Council’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, awoke to a most frightening reality: she looked outside and saw flames on her 2008 Ford Escape, valued at $17,000. The vehicle was parked in front of her residence on a street in the Kings Park area. Fortunately for Rudon, she, her brother and her neighbors were able to extinguish the blaze that had started on the front portion of her SUV. Neighbors suspect that the culprit is a man, with his face covered, who they saw jump into a waiting vehicle and speed out of the area.

Councilor Micah Goodin makes Facebook apology to Mayor Bernard Wagner
Last Monday, city councilor Micah Goodin unleashed a bitter attack on Belize City mayor Bernard Wagner, but this afternoon, Councilor Goodin appeared to have a change of heart and decided to throw his support behind Mayor Wagner in the wake of the council’s termination of City Administrator, Candice Miller. In his preferred medium, Facebook, which he has recently reactivated, Councilor Goodin writes: “We may not see eye to eye on many things, but I stand by my Mayor in the termination of City Administrator Candice Miller.”

CitCo terminates 5 employees as it enters “restructuring phase”
Five Belize City Council employees were terminated on Tuesday, as Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner began to steer the council into what has been described as its restructuring phase. Two of the terminated workers are members of the Christian Workers Union (CWU) and their termination brought a swift reaction from the newly elected CWU president, Mose Hyde, who spoke out against the termination on his KREM Radio/TV Wake Up Belize yesterday morning.

Albert Jones, 45, Hattieville fisherman, charged with the murder of missing man
Albert Jones, 45, a fisherman of Hattieville, was charged with the murder of Alaine Garcia, 35, when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. She explained to him that she would not take a plea because the offence was indictable. She also explained to him that she could not offer him bail because of the nature of the offence. Jones was remanded into custody until August 10.

Elections and Boundaries’ 8-million-dollar budget for re-registration
It has been about twenty years since a re-registration of voters has been done in Belize, and today, the Elections and Boundaries Department held a press conference to discuss the upcoming re-registration that will commence on July 1, 2018. Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer, announced that they have allotted an 8-million-dollar budget for the entire process. Tamai said that the budget includes the costs for staffing, especially since some 300 additional persons will be needed; costs for the equipment necessary to verify that each applicant qualifies; and the cost of the new voting IDs, which will be equipped with security features (the laminated IDs will no longer be issued).

Juan Bol, the Maya boy from San Jose, Toledo, who made it to the top
Juan is a humble youth from San Jose Village who was always determined to be the best at whatever he decided to do. After graduating from PG Methodist Primary School, Juan enrolled at Toledo Community College and commuted sixty miles daily to attend his classes. Incidentally, his commute would be 20 miles less if a connecting shortcut bridge to the village would finally be repaired by the PUDP government. But despite this obstacle, Juan arose at 4 a.m. daily to attend class with his fellow students. After this four-year routine of studying and traveling to Toledo Community College, Juan graduated with excellent grades, B+ – A-. However, he was forced to take a hiatus from pursuing higher education due to lack of finances.

Cricket update
Greeting from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! The Sir Barry Bowen Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2018 took a break over the past weekend, May 5 & 6, in order for the BNCA to host the Florida Academy Cricket Club (FACC) team. Over the weekend (May 5 & 6), several 20/20 matches were played. On Saturday morning, an Over-50 match was played; and in the afternoon, the FACC team played against the Belize Senior Team (selection of players from various teams).

National Amateur Women’s League Week 4 results
Week 4 games were played over the weekend in the National Amateur Women’s League 2018 tournament, and there were a lot of goals scored across the country. There are four teams each in the North and South zones, and they are playing a home-and-away round-robin within each zone, after which the top two teams from each zone will come together for the home-and-away semifinals. Two games each were played on Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6. On Saturday at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, home standing Gladiators bombed Millennium United from Belize City by a 6-1 margin.

OWFA Semifinal game decision
Attention! Attention!!! After consulting with the Football Federation of Belize (FFB), Match Commissioner and the Orange Walk Referee Association, the Orange Walk Football Association (OWFA) has decided that the United Ballers FC vs Trinidad FC second leg semifinals game will be completed on Friday, May 11, at Louisiana Football Field, starting at 7:30 p.m. It will be a “closed game,” meaning NO FANS ALLOWED!! The game will be played from the beginning of the second half.

Hold everything!! BDF wins appeal; BDF vs Verdes to be re-played
Just when it seemed like we were once again going into a weekend in suspense, and the status quo remaining with the championship game set between Belmopan Bandits SC and Verdes FC at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night, we received a call around 7:30 p.m. tonight from PLB General Secretary, Wilhelm Miguel, confirming information we received a few minutes earlier from a BDF source, that the FFB Appeals Board had over-ruled the PLB Disciplinary Committee decision, and found in favor of the BDF FC request to have their semifinal game 2 against Verdes be re-played. It is not clear yet if the game will be re-played in its entirety, or from the point in the match, around the 37th minute, when the Laws of the Game relating to the penalty was violated.

The tourism economy: pelvis over cerebrum
Before Belize was flung open to tourism in the mid-1980s and 1990s, it was already the case that our society had a lot of poor people in urban settings. Often when we speak about our poverty in Belize, we hesitate to confront the starkness and brutality of the human condition of poverty. We don’t want to say that people are hungry, much less that people are starving. In a home which is poor and hungry, the physical sexuality of the child, especially the female child, becomes an economic commodity, a commodity increasing in value as the child enters puberty. The sexuality of the child may be classified as an economic commodity in a poor home or community because there are adult predators of various sorts who are willing to pay money in order to exploit, violate actually, the sexuality of the child. In a poor home or community, which is suffering from hunger, money from any source means food, which amounts to the easing of pain.

From The Publisher
When I returned to Belize from school in mid-1968, as a black-conscious writer in a society where sympathizers of white supremacy controlled the printing technology, I had to begin learning about printing presses. After a few years, I became convinced that the Germans made the finest printing presses on planet earth. Norman Bouloy’s Heidelberg presses worked like music. (At Bouloy’s Benex Press, incidentally, is where I met the late Edward Brown, who was a quiet printing genius in his own way.) I raise the point about German printing technology because, as the years went by, I became more and more impressed with their engineering and technology, so that I began to feel that if it had been merely a case of German engineering and technology versus British engineering and technology in the twentieth century’s two world wars, we “British subjects” in British Honduras might well have become German subjects.

To Fire or Not to Fire
Dear Editor: I must be the first to confess that there is much that I do not like about the United States, but will also be the first to confess that there is much I love about it. The Americans have managed to build a First World superpower in a relatively short period of time over their short 200-plus years of existence. They have done this through innovation, hard work and a vision of where they wanted to be in the future. Their leadership had their eyes on global influence and they did everything to push their national interest to achieve that. The US has always, and that’s even before this current administration’s public pronouncement, placed American interests first. Those who have not seen this are blind. While there may be those who disagree with this, I will save that conversation for another time.

Slay the wicked!
Dear Editor, The Bible is a book for all times. Whether it was the massacre of Muslim men, women and children at Ayyadieh in 1191, the American Civil War of 1881, Belize‘s Independence of 1981 or the Robotic Wars of 2150; these events have all been accurately foretold in the pages of this good book. While there are other religious writings such as the Quran and the Talmud that deserve equal respect, the Bible works well for the majority of us here in Belize. Unfortunately, many people dismiss the Bible as a collection of fables and disconnected verses. They say it only talks about ancient times when people walked around in robes with colorful rags on their heads, traveled in horse-drawn chariots and that sort of thing. So they are amused.

The respected David Gibson writes
Dear Sir, You are correct in your observation that the event of 1798 does not constitute an element-force of arms/right of conquest- of Belize’s legal arguments to title under international law. The significance of the event is that it represents the last attempt by Spain to assert control over territory it had permitted for usufruct purposes to the British, first to the Belize River, then to the Sibun. The issues of uninterrupted and effective occupation, recognized by the ICJ Statute 38(1) as customary international law, are substantially more important for Belize’s legal arguments, as are those for validity as a boundary delimitation treaty of the 1859 Boundary Convention, and the right of the Belizean people to self-determination.

Guatemala, Belize, and the ICJ: The Big Picture
I am addressing this brief message to ALL Belizeans, wherever they may be and irrespective to which of our three political parties they belong, or, like myself, owe allegiance to none. Belize’s going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in any case with Guatemala is NOT the option Belize should adopt. The people of Belize must resoundingly tell both the UDP Government and the PUP Opposition on Wednesday, 10th April, 2019 – NO. Why? 1. Guatemala, as against Belize, has assembled the best team in the world of renowned, world-class and tried and tested international lawyers, historians and international politics specialists its extensive war chest has purchased. Guatemala has been in a state of calculated preparedness for many years. And, I state this from a position of knowledge. Belize does not have that advantage. Belize, should it make the irrevocable error of going to the ICJ, would be employing mere bows and arrows against an adversary equipped with an arsenal of ballistic missiles. This is not about David and Goliath, but the unfair world of realpolitik.

The referee didn’t teef
Everyone who gives a daam about football knows what transpired in Broaster Stadium in a playoff game between Verdes and BDF a couple weeks ago, so we don’t need to rehash. Okay, a penalty was called and it vanished into thin air. The BDF is a fine team. If they had gotten past Verdes, they could have beaten Bandits for the title, though the odds favored the boys from Belmopan. The BDF team is really very good right now. If the penalty had been allowed, as it could have been, or retaken, as it should have been, and BDF had scored, Verdes could have, would have had to, up their attack. They could have won 4-1, which would have given them the title shot. The obvious call was for a replay of the game, since the penalty was not retaken. The football committee has explained why they let the score of the game stand, which meant elimination for BDF.

Ruling on Bakassi shows clear path
Some Belizeans have suggested that the ICJ’s ruling on the Bakassi should make Belizeans fear going to court with Guatemala. In 2002, the ICJ ruled that the contested territory of Bakassi (257 sq. miles), belongs to Cameroon, not Nigeria. I understand Nigeria’s gripe. Cameroon does look opportunistic. But the verdict is consistent with the Europeans’ law. The Wikipedia says that in 1981 the two countries went to the brink of war over Bakassi and another area around Lake Chad, at the other end of the two countries’ common border. More armed clashes broke out in the early 1990s. In response, Cameroon took the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 29 March 1994.

Reconnecting with childhood friend & ABC news anchor, Kendis Gibson!
The Gibsons lived a house away and behind from yours truly’s family home on Cairo Street in Belize City in the 1970s. The family of seven boys came from a proud and respectable Belizean parenthood: father Alrick Gibson was Belize’s most skillful and constructive cabinet maker of all time. Their mother, Mrs. Hortense Gibson, provided unconditional love and upbringing for her boys who could not have had any better of a guardian. She molded them with the kind of respect that has made them into the persons they have become today. Kendis Gibson stood out as the youngest of the brothers, and it was obvious from his upbringing among his older siblings that he showed immediately a passion for reading and was always seen on the stairs of their home with a book. A few of the brothers were boys my age, and we played some serious football and basketball games together sometimes on the rocky Cairo Street, and in the yards of our homes. We competed hard against each other.

Almost 6 years later, enforcement of Draconian gun law leads to a constitutional rights violation claim
Yesterday in the Supreme Court of Justice Shona Griffith, a constitutional challenge to what has been described as “the Draconian gun law” was heard. Following the two-and-a-half hour hearing, Justice Young informed attorney Anthony Sylvestre, who appeared for the claimant, and Crown Counsel Briana Williams, who appeared for the Attorney General of Belize and detective corporal Adrian Lopez — who are the defendants, that she would hand down her judgment on June 14. The civil lawsuit has its genesis in a raid that was carried out at a home on Lacroix Boulevard, in the Lake Independence area, in July 2012, by Gang Suppression Unit police.

CitCo votes to terminate City Administrator Candice Miller
The Belize City Council voted yesterday, Wednesday, May 9, to terminate the services of City Administrator, Candice Miller for dereliction of fiduciary duties to the Council. Miller was placed on a one-month suspension after it was discovered that she had signed some cheques that the incoming People’s United Party (PUP) Council found to be highly questionable. However, before the one-month suspension, with its full salary benefits, was completed, Miller engaged the services of attorney Magali Perdomo to legally challenge the suspension, contending that it violated the principles of natural justice.

Guatemalan plantations found in the southern part of the Chiquibul National Park
On May 8, the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) had reported on some plantations belonging to Guatemalan farmers that were found in the South Cebada area of the Chiquibul National Forest. According to Rafael Manzanero, executive director of FCD, the plantations that were found mainly consisted of corn crops, but also included beans and bananas. There were also recent survey lines. Manzanero stated that it was Guatemalan environmentalists who had alerted them about the illegal activity in the area. He said that they have received information that it is possible that there have been rogue Guatemalan leaders who have told farmers that they can own land in Belizean territory. Manzanero said that the Guatemalan environmentalists are trying to find more information on this, as it puts their local farmers at risk.

Demetrio Patt, 47, in coma after being beaten with baseball bat after RTA
Demetrio Patt, 47, a laborer of Caledonia, Corozal District, and a father of 5 children, is presently in a coma in the Intensive Care Unit of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Patt was beaten in the head by two men after a vehicle collision on the Trial Farm Road, Orange Walk District, on the night of April 27. Information we’ve received is that Patt was driving his vehicle from Orange Walk to Corozal when he became involved in a minor collision with a car. When Patt came out to see what had happened, two men came out of the other vehicle and beat him in the head with a baseball bat.

The Reporter

Fatal stabbing in Belmopan!
A man was stabbed to death and another was injured early this morning in Belmopan. The incident occurred on Zultana street in the Las Flores area around 2:30 a.m., and claimed the life of Luis Alfredo Monge, 23, a bartender of Moho Blanka street, Las […]

Fire on Iguana Street
A house fire occurred earlier this morning on Iguana Street in the Collet area of Belize City. The fire was reported sometime around 7:30 a.m., and two fire trucks reportedly arrived at the scene shortly after but had to connect to a pump in the […]

Security guard shot while sleeping on his sofa
Police have increased their patrols in the Jane Usher area of Belize city after a string of recent shootings there,  including an incident in which a security guard was shot to his foot while sleeping in his sofa at home on Thursday morning. According to […]

Traffic accident on George Price highway claims one life
A man lost his life in a traffic accident on the George Price highway in a three-vehicle crash on Monday morning. It happened shortly before 10:00 a.m., when Miguel Ayala was heading towards Belize City from the direction of Belmopan in a gold pickup truck. […]

Father 42 is charged with incest against teen
A father finds himself behind bars after being accused of incest. The 42-year-old fisherman, whose name and identity cannot be revealed, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The father appeared unrepresented in Court 1 before Senior Magistrate, Aretha Ford. Senior Magistrate Ford explained […]

Memo claims Belizean man confessed to execution-style killing of US sheriff
In what may the first such case involving a Belizean in the USA, Trenton Trevon Lovell, 29, who will have to stand trial for the 2016 killing of Lancaster Sheriff Steve Owen, is being accused of having perpetrated an “executive-style” killing of the law enforcement […]

Guatemalan social media rhetoric against Belize condescending and racist
The responses of Guatemalans to the article, “Climate change activists should strongly resist Guatemala’s unfounded claim,” which was published in last week’s edition of the Reporter and shared on social media, expose the condescending and racist thinking still held by some of those who live […]

NGC addresses pressing concerns
Garifuna communities in Belize have voiced the need for respect of their ancestral lands and have identified unemployment, educational and career development, health and wellness, and the disconnect they say they have felt with leaders of the Garifuna community as some of the most pressing […]

Crime constraining tourism growth and earnings
Although Belize continues to boast unprecedented records in tourism arrivals, with an increase of 25% in overnight tourism and 5% in cruise tourism for the first quarter of 2018, studies indicate that the crime situation in Belize and the rest of the Caribbean court is […]

GOB to spend $34 million on airport link road
The government of Belize signed a contract this week valued at BZ $34,274,306.17 for the construction of the Airport Link Road. Minister of Works, Rene Montero signed the contract over to CISCO Construction on Monday, for works to begin immediately after the sign date. Funds for the […]

“Guatemalan incursions worse since referendum,” says FCD
The April 15 Referendum in Guatemala on taking the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has increased the level of Guatemalans illegally entering Belize and plundering its resources, according to Friends of Conservation and Development (FCD). FCD, the organization that co-manages the Chiquibul Forest […]

Hepitatis A virus emerges in communities along the western border, MOH on alert
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working to sensitize communities along the western border, in particular in Bengue Viejo and Arenal, after the ministry noted several cases of Hepitatis A were detected in school aged children. According to the MOH, the virus was first detected […]

An Academic Performance Index For Cayo Primary Schools
The purpose of this brief article is to report on research activity that was designed to collect base-line data to support my argument on the need for a primary school accountability system to be established in Belize. Currently the MOE conducts two […]

Myth vs Fact: increasing public awareness to save Belize’s iconic American and Morelet’s crocodiles
Dangerous. Pests. Vermin. Man-killers. Useless. These are some of the words used to describe crocodiles given the many false beliefs and misguided facts about these creatures, generally created by media sensationalization or lack of educational outlets to provide THE FACTS. Such negative perception has led to […]

Editorial
Working class Belizeans who have had to put up with police brutality will welcome the recommendation of the United NationsSubcommittee on Torture which is requesting that the Government of Belize set up an independent commission to monitor the use of torture and cruel treatment of persons in police custody. The […]

Cable cost to rise
While Belizeans have seen the cost of various goods and services rising consistently in recent months, the cost of cable will also be going up as early as June 1, to assist cable service providers in managing the cost of becoming compliant with international copyright […]

Voters, get ready to re-register
If you want to have a say in the outcome of the next General Elections or whether or not Belize should settle its territorial differendum with Guatemala at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), then you will need to re-register. The Election and Boundaries Commission […]

Citco fires six employees in one day! CWU fighting for two
Two months after he took office, Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner has terminated the services of six of his employees, chief among whom was the City Administrator, Candice Miller who was placed on one month’s suspension for “dereliction of (fiduciary) duties”. In a terse press […]

Honduran police seize 700 lbs of cocaine destined for Belize
Police in Honduras, this week, reported seizing a shipment of over 700 pounds of cocaine worth more than US $5 million on a Panamanian ship, which was destined for Belize. According to La Prensa, a Honduran newspaper, the Panamanian vessel set sail from Colombia a […]

Jail house blues for KTV Champ, Belizeans arrested for money laundering
Five Belizeans have been remanded to prison in El Salvador pending trial for attempting to smuggle over US $66,000 in undisclosed cash through the country. The five Belizeans: Marlon Alberto Valle, Jessy Grabiel Ojeda, Lilian Racquel Salazar, and Deymy Vanessa Rodríguez, plus Rongcang Chen, were remanded because […]

Culprits torch City Council’s Human Resources Manager’s vehicle
One night after she signed termination letters on behalf of the Belize City Council for five of the Council’s employees, someone tried to destroy the vehicle of the Council’s Human Resources Manager, Sharlene Rudon. The attempt happened around 10:30 p.m., on Wednesday, while Rudon was […]

Breaking Belize News

Foreign Affairs Ministry conducts Diplomatic Briefing on ICJ Referendum Campaign
Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a Diplomatic Briefing on Belize’s Public Awareness Campaign in […]

Murder investigation launched after fatal stabbing in Belmopan
Belmopan police are investigating a stabbing incident that claimed the life of a man. According to […]

Notice to all Justices of the Peace
The Attorney General’s Ministry informed today that all Justices of the Peace, including Senior Justices must […]

Football games nullified, playoff finals uncertain as BDF wins controversial penalty protest
No football games will be played this weekend in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Closing […]

BTL ranked #1 for mobile data download speed
Belize Telemedia Ltd. (BTL), via a press release, announced that it has been ranked number […]

Belize Makes History: Our Participation at the Annual Pennsylvania Relays
Posted; Friday, May 11, 2018. 4:00 p.m. CST. According to an article in Caribbean Life News (CLN), late last month Belize made history […]

Dennis Matura, another accused murderer walks free
A man accused of a murder on one of Belize city’s busiest street is now […]

Man confesses to murder after allegedly seeing victim’s ghost
In February of this year, Hattieville resident, Alaine Garcia, 35, was reported missing. He had […]

Orange Walk man beaten badly now on life support
Orange Walk police are investigating the brutal beat down of a man from Trial […]

Belmopan man stabbed to death trying to stop chain thief
This morning at around 2:00 a.m. a man was stabbed in Belmopan and bled to […]

Young Belizean environmentalist wins another award
Popular Belizean blogger and environmentalist, 12 year old Madison Edwards just won another award. Edwards […]

Heineken buys shares in Belize Brewing Co.
. Today, Heineken International B.V. (HEINEKEN) announced that it has acquired a minority share in […]

Blogs

Corozal Rotaract held there mothers day event at Mothers Park
Last week Saturday I mentioned to the public that the Corozal Rotarct began a volunteer work to rennovate the Mother's Park in Corozal. The group manage to finish the project for the public to use. Donation was made by the Town Board and others donators. On Thursday, the Corozal Rotarct held there Mother's Day event jointly with the Mother's Park Rennovation Ceremmony that began at 6pm. During the Mother's Day event Corozal Rigo Vellos opened the ceremmony to thank the mothers who joined the event at Mothers Park. During the event mothers were given a basket for them to enjoy. And, first three mothers who came on the microphone was given a free gift.

A view from Rain Beach, Corozal
Rainbow Beach is located on North part of Corozal. Rainbow Beach Park attracts many from around Belize. Many come here just to hang around, play volleyball, bbq with the family, play football, birthday parties and more. It is open to the public to use in Corozal. The water is not that salty as you may think. It mixes with the river water and creates a fresh water. But, this park is not only for this use, theres also a excersise bars that used for those that want excersise in the park. Rainbow park is a large place to come out and bring your dogs to play.

The sweet celebration of chocolate in southern Belize
Humble in appearance yet heavenly in flavor, cacao AKA chocolate, has been celebrated in the Toledo District since 2007. This southern area of Belize is recognized for its superior cacao beans that are not only a significant export product for the area but a national treasure when it comes to Belizean chocolatiers. Always held over the Commonwealth Holiday weekend (mid-May), what began as the Toledo Cacao Festival later evolved into the Chocolate Festival of Belize. This funky looking pod that almost resembles a squash and yields flavors that only dreams are made of is more than worthy of the three-day celebration in Punta Gorda Town! Each year this delicious festival grows and attracts hundreds of visitors from around Belize and beyond. This year, the event committee is changings things up a bit with a Pre-Chocolate Bash on the evening of May 18th with the energetic music of the X-Band.

International Sources

Anderson, Diagne to travel to Belize with Sports Reach program
Western Kentucky men's basketball players Josh Anderson and Moustapha Diagne will participate this month in a cultural exchange basketball trip to Belize through the Sports Reach sports ministry program. Anderson and Diagne join a list of WKU standouts who have traveled abroad with Sports Reach, including Justin Johnson, Nigel Snipes, T.J. Price, George Fant, A.J. Slaughter and Steffphon Pettigrew. Participants on this year’s trip, which runs May 16-26, are scheduled to play six games against teams from the Belize National Elite Basketball League, along with a few local all-star teams from across the country.

THOMPSON AWARD FINALIST: Lexie Rhoton, Rye Cove
For the past two summers, Rhoton has volunteered to serve as a counselor for kids from underprivileged backgrounds at Camp Hope in Church Hill, Tennessee. This summer, Rhoton will embark on a mission trip to Belize with a group from different churches in the Scott County area. Located on the eastern coast of Central America, Belize is surrounded by the Caribbean Sea and dense jungle. Residents speak a variety of languages, including Belizean Creole and Spanish. “I was invited on this trip by a friend in a youth group, and I was all-in from the start,” Rhoton said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to travel out of the country and help people with different backgrounds and personalities. I’m very excited.” Rhoton has been researching the diverse culture and living conditions in Belize. She’s ready to be immersed in a new land where the missionaries must bring their own water supply and adapt.

Tourism contributes 8% of the world’s carbon emissions
Deep down we all know that flying is bad for the planet, but too often the lure of some sun, sea and a cheap airline ticket can sometimes push that thought straight out of our heads. But new research from the scientific journal Nature Climate Change has discovered that the tourism industry now contributes 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions – a startling stat we can’t ignore – and it isn’t just plane trips that are the problem. Researchers found that between 2009 and 2013, the global carbon footprint from tourism increased four times more than predicted and among the 160 countries they looked into, transport, shopping, hotels and food were the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas.

Videos

May 11, 2018

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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

Islanders Stand against Large-Scale Over-the-Water Development in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve
In April 2018, residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker received word that the highly contested Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for development at Cayo Rosario had been approved. This small mangrove caye lies in the center of the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The approval comes despite vehement objection to the construction of numerous over-the-water structures and extensive dredging within the newly expanded Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Town Council organizes a community clean-up in Ambergris Caye
Hoping to continue raising awareness about keeping the island environment clean, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) organized a community clean-up on Saturday, May 5th. The clean-up saw the participation of many residents. At 6AM, participants gathered at the Boca Del Rio Area to begin the clean-up. Heading south of the island, participants tackled several areas of the lagoon side, where they encountered large amounts of garbage such as plastic, old machinery, Styrofoam products, old televisions, metal, scrap wood and other items. According to Mayor Daniel Guerrero, this clean–up has made him realize how big the problem of improper disposal of garbage is on the island. “I will continue to closely work with everyone on the island, from schools to businesses, to educate and raise awareness of the importance of properly disposing of garbage to keep the island clean,” he said. Mayor Guerrero plans to visit several schools to talk to the island’s children. He also intends to monitor the sanitation department closely.

BEL talks power supply projections during informational fair
An overview of what is taking place at the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) was shared with island residents on Friday, May 4th during an informational fair held at the Central Park. The event showcased some of BEL’s key departments regarding safety, customer service, and projects while highlighting the company’s future projections of power supply to Ambergris Caye and nearby Cayes. Many islanders who stopped by to visit the different booths at the fair learned about safety measures when dealing with electricity, updated their current information with BEL, and even had the opportunity to view and touch some of the company’s maintenance equipment while learning how crucial they are for the safety of electricians.

Recycle San Pedro Belize launches glass pulverizing project on Ambergris Caye
Recycle San Pedro Belize continues to find ways to keep La Isla Bonita clean and now the team has taken up a new initiative of pulverizing glass. This project consists of residents of San Pedro dropping off their empty glass bottles, of all shapes and sizes, at a designated location just south of SP Hardware, next to the Garifuna Black and White Restaurant. The collected glass bottles are crushed by a pulverizing machine that reduces the glass into a fine sand that can be used in other ways. According to co-founder of Recycle San Pedro Belize, Ray Tyree, the pulverized glass is used for making building blocks, bricks, pavers and Water Filter Systems. They expect to pulverize the glass on a monthly bases. Plastic can also be dropped off at the location as the team is also looking at purchasing a plastic granulated melting machine. “I want to thank each and every person for taking the various steps to put waste in its correct place, for recycling and practicing waste control on our beautiful,” said Tyree.

Ambergris Today

Hol Chan Holds Informative Reef Fair
Hol Chan Marine Reserve's Reef Week 2018 is in full swing. Today, Thursday, May 10, 2018, the reef fair took place at Central Park and students from verious schools and the public in general were invited to attend a very informative fair. There were booths from the Department of Environemnt, Reef Angels, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, RRR Rescue, ACES and the San Pedro House of Culture. Children learned about protected areas, protected fish, the environment, the invasive lion fish and even about crocodiles. The House of culture displayed pictures of fishermen witht their big catch and talked about healthy fishing and conservation. It was a very hot day but refreshements were availbale for those in attendance courtesy of Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Illegal Trash Dumping Still A Problem As Town Council Spearheads Cleanup Campaign
Embarking on a cleanup campaign of the island, the San Pedro Town Council has been targeting different areas and doing massive clean ups. This past Saturday, May 5, 2018, the Council held its first official Community Clean up in the Boca del Rio and San Juan Areas. The San Pedro Town Council Staff and volunteers were out bright and early eager to get the work done. It was quite a sight seeing how many loads of garbage were taken out of the areas. Construction material, old fans, house hold, garbage…everything was cleaned up and garbage bags filled to the max. Heavy machinery had to be used to remove all the debris in the area. Now a big concern for many island residents is the topic of illegal trash dumping. While the Town Council is cleaning up certain areas of the island, there are many who are still illegally dumping garbage (old appliances, bed frames, construction material, etc) in areas such as San Mateo (to be used as landfill) and the back road behind the airstrip area.

Misc Belizean Sources

Belize Monthly Weather Summary April 2018
APRIL IN BELIZE IS THE DRIEST MONTH OF THE YEAR. THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF APRIL 2018, WERE WARM, BUT NOT COMPLETELY DRY. ISOLATED SHOWERS WERE OBSERVED OVER THE NORTH AND SOUTH OF THE COUNTRY. THE THIRD DAY WAS DRY. NO RAINFALL FELL! DURING THE FOLLOWING THREE DAYS ISOLATED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WERE OBSERVED AND MOSTLY OVER THE MAYA MOUNTAINS. FROM THE SEVENTH TO THE NINTH, NO RAINFALL ACTIVITY WAS OBSERVED AROUND THE COUNTRY.

Around the World Embassy Tour 2018
at Embassy of Belize in Washington, D.C.

Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission holds Second Meeting with the OAS
he Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year, under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS), on May 9, 2018 in Guatemala City. The meeting was headed by the Commissioners of both countries, the Ambassador of Belize in Guatemala H.E. Alexis Rosado, the Ambassador of Guatemala in Belize H.E. Georges de La Roche; and Mr. Manuel Washington Abdala, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the OAS for the Belize-Guatemala affairs. As stated at the last meeting of the Joint Commission, held on March 14, 2018 in Belize, the roadmap was defined for the initial implementation of four of the 13 Bilateral Agreements between the two countries. Those four agreements were the Movement of Students, the Protection of the Environment, Tourism, and the Operating Hours of Terrestrial Entry Points. The Parties will hold respective technical meetings prior to the next meeting of the Joint Commission which will be held during the last week of this month.

Belize; It’s Time to Prep for Hurricane Season
Last year, three powerful hurricanes (Harvey, Irma and Maria) caused widespread damage in the U.S. and the Caribbean. During the U.S. National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 6-12), door and window dealers are urged to remind homeowners in coastal areas that they need to evaluate their properties and make sure their homes are ready to withstand a major storm. In Belize, presentations are focused on the role and responsibilities of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and what members of the public can do to assist, as well as to preserve their own life and properties, that of their family and other members of their community in the face of potential disaster.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of April 30th thru May 6th, 2018
The weather has been really good this week, and the Bonefishing has been the same. Brian and Carl from Canada caught close to seventy Bonefish their first day with Captain Vince, a long time guide with El Pescador. Thanks to Vince for making it happen!

Visas Town Hall in Belize City
THANK YOU to everyone who came out to our Visas Town Hall in Belize City on Saturday! With over 100 attendees, we discussed the visa application process and answered many questions. Thank you for your thoughtful questions and enthusiastic participation. Special thanks to Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina, Belize for hosting us.

Music Week - May 14 to 19, 2018
The Office of the Music Ambassador in collaboration with the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) through the Institute of Creative Arts will be hosting the 3rd Annual Music Week 2018 from 14 to 19 May, 2018. The goal of Music Week is to focus on the important role music plays in the social and economic framework of Belize’s development. Furthermore, the movement towards using digital music platforms and products has created an additional barrier for musicians in the Belizean music industry to achieve meaningful levels of success.

Views from the 936-acre agroforestry concession at Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve!
The Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association in partnership with Ya'axché Conservation Trust and support from international donors have planted 165 acres of cacao trees among the forest.

Heineken Enters Partnership With Bowen & Bowen
Heineken International B.V. (HEINEKEN) announces that it has acquired a minority stake in Belize Brewing Company Ltd ("BBC"), Belize's market leader in beer and a subsidiary of Bowen & Bowen Ltd (B&B), which has been an importer and distributor of HEINEKEN brands including Heineken®, Amstel and Red Stripe in Belize since 2016.

Communique issued at the conclusion of 21st Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), Nassau, The Bahamas, 7-8 May, 2018
"The COFCOR received an update on the most recent developments between Belize and Guatemala. The COFCOR expressed concern that the undertaking by both countries and the Organization of American States (OAS), to engage in the design and development of a mechanism of co-operation for the Sarstoon River, remains outstanding, and they reiterated their call for both countries and the OAS to redouble their efforts in this respect.

Open Mic Night in Caye Caulker
Hey guys its almost time for Open Mic Night in Caye Caulker! Raffles! Food, Drinks & Pastries on sale! Come support local talent! Everyone is welcome!

Mother's Day Extravaganza
The SISE Town Council is having a Mother's Day Extravaganza on Saturday night at the Cayo Welcome Center. All the mother's of the twin towns are invited to come out. There will be food, drinks, and prizes. Grupo Jade will be performing.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Black Panther, Game Night, Early Man, Red Sparrow.

San Narciso RC School cultural revival of the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) 2018
Living our culture through education - San Narciso RC School cultural revival of the Yucatec Maya(Maya Mestizo) 2018 . The San Narciso RC school have been working hard in the preservation of our identity as Maya of northern Belize by not only doing this event . The school have been teaching Maya to the children,Teaching them traditional dances and to appreciate their culture .

Channel 7

Did CITCO Firings Prompt A Fire Starter?
She's the Director of Administration at City Hall - and Charlene Rudon signed at least half of the six letters of termination that went out on Tuesday. And that's why it has raised all kinds of alarms after someone tried to torch her SUV last night. It happened at around 11:00 in front of her home when someone threw a molotov cocktail at her Ford Escape. The vehicle was damaged, but not destroyed. Police told us more: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "She reported to police that whilst at her residence they heard a noise coming from their vehicle. Upon inspection they noticed that the front portion of the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire was managed to be contained and as a result it sustained minor damages to the vehicle. What we have gathered so far is that the vehicle was parked there and 2 persons apparently threw a bottle with some accelerant that caused the fire to the vehicle. It is something that we are still investigating. We are waiting for her to go to the station to give an official report and to say what will be her exact account of the incident."

“Da Fool Di Talk…" Faber says CitCo Firings Blatantly Political.
Now on the other side of that very political statement, we have a comment from the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber. He says the six firings were clearly and squarely politically motivated. Reporter: "In terms of that they say it is politically driven, your thoughts on that as the deputy?" Hon. Patrick Faber, Minister of Education: "Well, I suspect that is the case indeed. There is victimization and we have to condemn that whole scale. The Peoples United Party when they won the election here in Belize City, I believe made it very clear that kind of practice would not happen. We are seeing where they started off with the idea very early and now it seems it is a full-scale operation. I am told that there are more people to come..."

Guatemala Says YES to ICJ, Belize says NO to Chiquibul encroachments
Last night we told you about the alarming report from the Friends For Conservation and Development, FCD. They say that on Tuesday a group of rangers on patrol in the Southern Chiquibul, came upon, quote, "a complex array of human activities, including fresh survey lines, and plantations of beans, corn, and bananas. The FCD says that farmers are pushing into Belizean territory because they are emboldened by the "Yes" vote on the ICJ referendum. The FCD is recommending a increased patrols in the area, and calling on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the OAS to assess the human activities.

Belize-Guatemala Commission Discuss 13 Bilateral Agreements
And on the formal and orderly side of cross border relations…the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met again yesterday, this time in Guatemala City. The group was re-activated this year to implement the 13 bilateral agreements signed in 2014 on the Placencia Peninsula. The meeting was headed by the Commissioners of both countries: Ambassadors Alexis Rosado, and Georges De La Roche with a representative of the OAS Secretary General, Manuel Washington Abdala.

Man Still Missing, Villager Charged for Murder, Says The Ghost of Garcia Got To Him
6 weeks ago, we told you about 35 year-old Alaine Garcia. He's the Hattieville Villager who went missing on the morning of February 23. Well, even though his body has not been found, police have charged another Hattieville Resident for murder. Garcia's family was frantic about his disappearance, because he is described as a family man who was always in communication with his common-law wife, and was also very attentive to his children. But, on the day in question, he walked his wife to the roadside, and while heading back to their house in the Windmill area, Hattieville residents heard gunshots. He was seen fleeing for his life, and that was the last time anyone has seen or heard from him. His body, or his remains have not been found.

Man Gets Off Accusation of 2012 Broad Daylight Killing
He was accused of a broad daylight murder on the busiest street in the country, but After 6 years on remand, 24 year old Dennis Matura is a free man. Matura was charged with the 2012 murder of 23 year old Michael Garbutt. The Crown Counsel Rene Montero declared it a "Nolle Pros" case after the two eye witnesses could not identify Matura as the gunman. The eyewitnesses said that they only saw the shooter's profile for less than 10 seconds and he wore a peak cap. So Matura walked free. On April 4th, 2012 around 2:30 in the afternoon Garbutt was shot in the head on Albert Street. It happened in front of D and D Restaurant.

Culprit Caught on Camera Robbing Corozal Store
Corozal police have made an arrest in a broad-daylight armed robbery of a Chinese store in the town. The defendant, a free zone fireman named 28 year-old Anthony Alexander Patnett was caught in the act on security camera. He wasted no time, and, appearing before Senior Magistrate Patricia Arana on Tuesday pleaded guilty to robbery. He won't be going to jail for the crime, however. The Senior Magistrate deliberated overnight and decided that Patnett will not serve a jail time for this offense. That's because it is his first conviction - and because he did not waste the court's time. Instead, he was sentenced to pay a fine of $3,000. The robbery happened at at around 3:00 last Saturday, at China Store, on 7th Avenue in Corozal Town.

Caledonia Man Brain Dead After Bad Beat Down; Family Demands Justice
47 year old father of 5 Demetrio Patt remains in critical condition after he was beaten up two weeks ago. The Caledonia resident was in the passenger seat when his brother crashed into a perked car in Trial Farm Village. The owners of the car allegedly beat up the two brothers. Demetrio got the worst of it and had to be taken to the KHMH for serious head injuries. He is on life support and feared to be brain dead. The family says police have been dragging their feet. Today we asked the head of National CIB about it:... ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "I know that the police have launched an intensive investigation into that matter and two persons have since been detained. We are in consultation at the DPP's office as to whether or when if any charges will be preferred against them. I know also that one other person is wanted in relation to this investigation."

Rocky Road Residents Rocked by Gun Blasts
Shots were fired in the gang affiliated Rocky Road area of Belize City last night around 11:30. Two gunmen opened fire on one of the apartments in the neighborhood - which is in a cluster of gangs. We spoke to one of the angry residents who was inside his room with his kids at the time of the shooting. He says if police were on duty in the nearby booth, this would not have happened. Voice of: Victim: "I was inside and they were running in my house for me." Reporter: "So they were in your house?" Voice of: Victim: "Yes if I didn't lock my door, I'm not into any problem with any young guy."

Security Guard Caught off Guard by Home Invader
Last night, 50 year old security guard Merrick Lambey was shot in his home when a gunman barged in. Lambey lives in the gang warzone of the Curl Thompson Street area. He was sleeping on the couch in his living room when he heard a knock at the door. Police told us what happened next: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "He was inside his sofa sleeping when he heard a noise coming from the front door; suddenly he realized a person was beside him and fired several shots at his direction. As a result, he suffered several gunshot injuries to his right foot and his left foot and to his right elbow. He is presently admitted in a stable condition at this moment."

"Peace be with you" : Church Leaders Reach out to HIV Survivors .
A bunch of church leaders gathered in a room talking about sexual education and HIV ? Not something we hear about often. But it happened today at the Radisson. Religious figures from different denominations attended the Faith Leaders consultation and they were there to talk constructively about the role they play in HIV/AIDS awareness. Courtney Weatherburne has more. It's hard to miss these red ribbons and "Get Tested" posters- they are everywhere. But it seems people aren't getting the message. According to yearly estimates, not many people are getting tested. Francis Morey, Deputy Director, Health Services: "Spectrum estimates that we should have approximately 4,378 persons living with HIV in Belize. Now there is a gap in how many individuals have actually been diagnosed."

Crayons and Strokes: Celebrating Creativity Through Art
Today The Belize District Education Center and the Ministry of Education, youth, sports, culture launched an art show. The show was filled with art from primary and high school students. We stopped by the Mexican Embassy where the art is being displayed and spoke to some of the Belize's youngest and finest artists about the beauty they created. The art show will be open for the public to view until May 23rd.

Miller Dead Set on Setting the Record Straight
Last night you saw a part of our interview with Candice Miller - the former City Administrator who was fired on Tuesday. She says she was fired without good cause. But the council says she was sent home for gross dereliction of duty. A letter from the council points out three areas where that alleged dereliction cost the council megabucks. Yesterday we challenged her on those points:... Jules Vasquez reporting: Miller was the pivot point in the former council - all roads led through her office. But when the new council was elected, she was shut out. Candice Miller, Former City Admin.: "I was blocke from all transactions of the council, taken off the council account, I no longer sign any purchases, requisitions, any overtime. I was not copied in on letters of people that were hired or fired etc. I literally was just at work."

Teakettle Weed Bust, They Got It From The Guats
Last night we told you about the big weed bust in Teakettle village where cops found 60 pounds in a pickup. Well, tonight police are saying that the Western weed connection with Guatemala is very live for low priced product:.. The vehicle in the Teakettle bust was a rental and police are looking into who rented it.

More Drugs and Guns off the Street
And while that weed was loose in a sack, today police busted East Canal resident Alexander Castillo with one pound of weed in a brick. He had it stashed in a school bag he was carrying. Police then ordered Castillo to take them to his house where they found two more pounds of weed. It was hidden under his mattress. Police also found 37 live 9mm Aguilar brand rounds of ammunition in a plastic bag. 19 year old Amber Jada Gillett was at the house at the time of the search so both Castillo and Gillett were detained. In other police news, you can hide a 'bad hair day' under a cap but try stashing a gun in a cap? Not such a good idea. Police went hunting for more guns and they found a chrome 38 wrapped in a fisherman's hat on Jane Usher Boulevard.

Bon appetit: Treating Nurses to Tasty Cultural Buffet
All around the world, nurses are observing National Nurses Week, and today at the KHMH, the medical staff were helping them to celebrate with a cook-out in the hospital parking lot. It's a means by which the staff can celebrate the many ethnicities and nationalities of the staff. The basic idea is that those who participated were expected to prepare an ethnic dish connected to their culture or country, and a group of judges would select a winner from the participants. Our news team spoke with the organizers today about it, and here's what they had to say:

Kid Blogger Blowing Up the Internet : Madison Edwards Receives Int’l Award
Many Belizeans know 12 year old Madison Edwards. She is not your average pre teen. At 12 she is an environmental activist who for the past three years has been making waves with her powerful advocacy for the protection of the Belize Barrier Reef. Her positive mark has not gone unnoticed. Last year she was honored with the Oceana Ocean hero award and now she has gone international. Yesterday the twelve year old was given the 2018 WWF Presidents Youth Award in Carteneja, Columbia. The award is given to people under the age of 30 who are making significant contributions to nature conservation. Edwards has a blog that helps bring attention and support to our environment. Her video blog also played a crucial role in mobilizing support against offshore exploration in Belizean waters.

Faber Confident About the Top Spot
Prime Minister and UDP Party Leader Dean Barrow will soon depart as maximum leader. Deputy Patrick Faber has made no secret of his ambition to lead - and John Saldivar is also in the race to succeed Barrow. Today, the media asked Faber how he feels about his standing in the race - and here's what he said: Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister: "I am ambitious. I have never hidden that. Yes that inevitable, that I will challenge not that I will win. Unless something happens beyond my control or if the father above has another plan for me."

So Who is The Contractor General??
Deputy PM Faber also commented on the case of the Contractor General who lapsed in his duty to file reports on time. Reports are that on April 30th he tried to submit six missing reports to the national assembly, but he was told he is not the contractor general so he could not submit a report. We asked Faber what is Cabinet's current position on this vacant post which is crucial to transparency: Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister: "Yes. I believe the prime minister reported on Tuesday that the reports were accepted or needed in and accepted. I don't know how anyone else can hand them in when he was the contractor general over the period so I don't know that anyone else can make the report..."

Faber Calm, Collected and Cagey On Issue Of US Detention
And, on a personal note, recently rumours were circulating that while Deputy Prime Minister Faber was away on an extended visit to the US he was detained. No concrete statement was ever released saying it was true but we still asked him about it today and while it seems that something did happen but he made it clear he was not in any trouble. We were unable to get comment from the US Embassy.

Cheers To Chocolate Stout
So, while the KHMH staff were putting their culinary skills on display, the staff at the Bowen and Bowen's Belize Brewing Company were presenting their annual summer brew, Belikin Chocolate Stout. The seasonal product is back on shelves just in time for the cacao festival, and the public relations team at Bowen invited the press today to talk about why the brew is a novel pairing of two of Belize's finest products.: Aaron John Palacio - PR Coordinator, Bowen & Bowen: "We're so happy to announce - this of course, is a seasonal stout. It's the chocolate stout, and we're launching - actually, we're launching this week. It was actually yesterday. We pre-sold yesterday, so for those who bought yesterday, they're actually going to get their products today."

Forged Documents At Registrar General
And in two other news items of note from the police…we start at the registrar general;'s office where a foul case of forgery has been afoot. Here's what the lead investigator told us:

Toledo Bus Jacker Busted
And in an update to a story we ran last Friday, police say they have charged someone for stealing a busy from Romero's Charters and tours in cAttle Landing, Toledo: The Romero's lost one bus which was crashed while the other was returned. The alleged culprit lives nearby to the bus depot.

Channel 5

CitCo H.R. Director’s Vehicle Firebombed; She Says Arson is Linked to Tuesday Terminations
This week’s firings at City Hall have ignited a political firestorm that has morphed into a potentially dangerous situation.  A vehicle belonging to a high ranking official at City Hall [...]

Mayor Spoke of “Re-Organization” in Wake of Transition Report
City Administrator Candice Miller and office manager Lisbeth Butler were among six city council employees who were given their marching papers on Tuesday.  But were the dismissals foretold in Mayor [...]

D.P.M. Says Show Cause for Firings, or it’s Political Victimization
And today when asked about the recent firings at the Belize City Council, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber echoed the sentiments of the United Democratic Party’s press release earlier this [...]

Months after Alaine Garcia Disappearance, a Murder Charge Laid Against Hattieville Resident
There has been a major development in a missing person case dating back to February of this year, when thirty-five-year-old Alaine Garcia was reported missing. The Hattieville resident was last [...]

Big Drug Bust in West; Weed Abandoned by Fleeing Traffickers
On the heels of the confiscation of some thirty pounds of marijuana in the San Antonio Village, the police department is reporting yet another huge drug bust in the west. [...]

Security Guard Shot in Home Invasion
A fifty-year-old security guard is tonight recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a frightening home invasion in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. Around one o’clock [...]

Gunmen Sought Revenge for Tyrone Stevens at Eric Mendez’s Home
Two persons are tonight in police custody pending further investigation into a shooting in the Jane Usher Boulevard area of Belize City. Police say that on Monday night, at least [...]

Day 2 of Sunshine Compensation Case
The case of Sunshine Holdings Limited, Dean Boyce and the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust, and the Attorney General continued in the Supreme Court today. After testimony on Wednesday from Financial Secretary [...]

Belize Still Seeks Official Position on Renunciation of Guatemalan Citizenship
Earlier this week, the Elections and Boundaries Department outlined the process for the re-registration exercise set to begin on July first and conclude in December. An area of great concern [...]

Deputy P.M. Expresses Distaste for Activities by Guatemalans in Chiquibul
Friends for Conservation and Development is reporting that the “Yes” vote to the International Court of Justice may have embolden the Guatemalans because since then, they have been increased incursions [...]

Teachers’ Day Celebrations Will Go On
Earlier this week, there was uncertainty on the celebration of National Teachers’ Day. But today, Minister of Education Patrick Faber says there will be.  Faber said that whether the B.N.T.U. [...]

No Deductions for Rally for Government Schools
And what about salaries for those government teachers who rallied in Belmopan in March? Minister Faber says he has received word but nothing official from the different school managements that [...]

D.P.M. Asks U.S. to Explain Incident in Henry County, Georgia
Earlier today, the Deputy Prime Minister Faber was asked to comment about reports that he had been involved in an incident in the United States where he was detained. That [...]

2 Held for Post-Accident Beating; Third Person Sought
Police were also quizzed today about an incident that occurred on April twenty-seventh in Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk in which Demetrio Pott and his brother were beaten badly following [...]

Police to Revise Patrols Following Shootings in Port
Following the recent shootings and murders in south side of Belize City, the police has amped up its patrols and presence in Port Loyola, specifically in the Jane Usher Boulevard [...]

Faith-Based Leaders Meet on AIDS Effort
Belize’s men of faith are meeting with regional authorities as part of the plan to end HIV/AIDS as a chronic disease in the Caribbean by 2030. Today there was a [...]

Following Strides, Caribbean Aims to Eradicate Epidemic by 2020
The Pan-Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) describes its ambitious strategy for ending HIV/AIDS in about twelve years as “test, treat and defeat.”  Director Dereck Springer says the goal is for [...]

Belize Brewing Company Unveils Chocolate Belikin Stout
The Belize Brewing Company today organized the fourth launch of its popular cacao stout. The seasonal drink is being released in anticipation of the Chocolate Festival in southern Belize. The [...]

Youth Art Exhibition Opens
The Ministry of Education launched an art exhibition today to show off the creative talents of students in the Belize District. This morning, Ministry Education Officials and students gathered at [...]

Nurses Organize Cookout at K.H.M.H.
It’s nurses week and the K.H.M.H. nurses took a little break to celebrate with a cookout competition.  Nurses from Philippines, Jamaica, Guyana, Nigeria, Cuba, and Nicaragua, along with the Belizean [...]

Healthy Living: Getting Rid of Plantar Warts
It is commonly said that one must love a person “warts and all”. While the general advice of accepting flaws may be useful, the more we learn about warts the [...]

LOVE FM

Government school will not dock teachers’ pay
After being told by some school managements that their pay will be deducted, teachers have decided to withhold contributions and donations to those school managements. Last month, more than five hundred teachers rallied in Belmopan to protest the increase of crime against women and children. It was not a holiday and some school managements have …

Jane Usher Boulevard Area resident makes plea to gunmen
But the police are not the only ones concerned over the rising gun violence in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. Belize City residents have grown concerned, especially those in areas where tensions among gang members are high. A resident of the area where Merrick Lambey resides told us today that while they were not the …

More boots in Jane Usher Boulevard Area
With the rise in shootings in the Jane Usher Boulevard area, police are placing more boots in the already high policed streets there. ASP Cowo says they are working to contain the situation as best they can. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of CIB Belize City: “Police has stepped up their patrols, they have posted patrols …

Mendez residence targeted, was it in retaliation for Tyrone Stevens’ shooting?
There was another shooting at a residence on the Jane Usher Boulevard earlier this week. Police report that it happened on Monday night when the house of Eric Mendez was fired at. Mendez was recently charged with the shooting of Tyron Stevens which happened on Sunday. Fortunately no one was injured but police are investigating …

Gunman enters the home of 50-year-old man in early morning
Gun violence continues to rage through the Jane Usher Boulevard area in Belize City. Early this morning, around one o’clock, 50-year-old Merrick Lambey was shot while inside his home on Curl Thompson Street. His attacker let himself inside the house where he found Lambey on his sofa and took aim. Police say the assailant fired …

City Council’s Director of Administration is targeted days after staff firings
The Belize City Council’s Director of Administration Sharlene Rudon’s vehicle was set on fire last night, or at least someone tried to destroy it with fire. Today police are looking at whether the damage to her property has any connection to her responsibilities at City Hall, in particular as it relates to the recent firings …

Mother shares her struggle to assist daughter with Lupus
Lupus is a systemic autoimmune disease that occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your own tissues and organs. Inflammation caused by lupus can affect many different body systems, including your joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, and lungs. Many Belizeans continue to fight this disease. Joycelyn Jacobs knows the struggles only too well; …

PANCAP: faith-leaders essential to reduce stigma associated with HIV/AIDS
The PANCAP Champions for Change Programme recognized the need for faith-based organizations to be involved in reducing the stigma and discrimination that is often time associated with HIV/AIDS. Since 2004, they have been working to achieve this in other Caribbean countries and today, they held a consultation with faith leaders here in Belize. Love News …

58 pounds of weed in police hands
San Ignacio police intercepted the trafficking of over 58 pounds of marijuana on Wednesday. ASP Cowo shared more details of the bust. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB Belize City: “Whilst in the Tea Kettle Village they intercepted a blue in color Wingle with Belize City license plate and as a result they observe two male …

Guatemalan-Belizeans will be allowed to re-register
There are a significant amount of persons originally from other Central American countries who now call Belize home and have been granted citizenship. Among those persons are Guatemalans, which has raised concerns because of the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. Many have expressed that Guatemalans who have obtained Belizean nationality not be allowed to vote in the …

Teacher’s Day event will proceed unhindered, says Education Minister
Education Minister Patrick Faber also responded to the BNTU’s decision not to financially contribute to this year’s Teachers Day event. The event will be held on a national level at the Civic in Belize City. The BNTU says it does not money to contribute and today Minister Faber told the press that the event will …

DPM Patrick Faber’s run in with police in the U.S.
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber had a run in with the law in the US last month. The incident reportedly happened on April 20 in Henry County, Georgia. According to online reports, two Henry County Schools had to placed on lock for more than two hours after threatening calls were made to the school. The …

Deputy Prime Minister addresses concerns raised by BCCI
The Nationality Scrutinizing Committee has ceased reviewing applications from Guatemalans who want to be granted Belizean Citizenship. The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has been very vocal on their position that no Guatemalans should be granted Belizean Nationality because it is in contravention of the constitution. The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and …

Cabinet decides to accept former Contractor General’s missing reports
Yesterday we told you that former Contractor General Godwin Arzu wanted to submit his missing annual reports to the National Assembly at the end of April. We were told that his reports were not accepted by since he is no longer the contractor general and the law states that it is only the contractor general …

Guatemalan encroachment getting worse
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) is reporting recent increased encroachments in the Chiquibul Forest. The escalating encroachments within our borders are, according to the FCD, as a result of a ‘Yes” vote which the Guatemalan Government garnered during its ICJ Referendum last month. According to the FCD, Guatemalans who live near the border are …

Patrick Faber condemns ‘victimization’ by Belize City Council
In a statement issued late yesterday evening, the PUP Belize City Council explained why six employees were terminated. In the release, it states that since the council is in a poor fiscal condition, it was necessary for a restructuring exercise to be carried out in order to achieve financial stability. That exercise included the termination …

Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission meets
The Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met on May 9 under the auspices of the Organization of American States, OAS, in Guatemala City. Among the matters discussed was the defining of roadmap for the initial implementation of four of the 13 Bilateral Agreements between Belize and Guatemala. These include the Movement of Students, the Protection of the Environment, …

PlusTV

Drug planes landing in Spanish Lookout
There have been recent reports of illegal drug plane landings in Spanish Lookout. The illegal landings are reportedly taking place on a developing airstrip in the Yallback area of the community. Paul Lopez files this report. Paul Lopez, PlusTv Journalist: As most Belizeans are aware, there have been...

Re registration set for July 2
Voters Re-registration is set to begin on the second day of July. A voter’s re-registration is required by law to take place every ten years, but one has not taken place for the past 20 years in Belize. Over the past several months, re-registration has been a topic of conversation surrounding Belize...

Teachers’ salaries to be slashed for participating in rally
In March of this year, teachers from across the country gathered in Belmopan for a rally against violence against children and women. The BNTU had organized the event to coincide with the annual budget debate at the House of Representatives. Hundreds of teachers participated as well as other individ...

Increased encroachment since Guatemalan Referendum
Has there been an increase in Guatemalan encroachment in Belizean territory since that country’s Referendum? Friends of Conservation and Development says it appears that way. On Tuesday, May 8th, FCD rangers were patrolling the Southern Chiquibul when they discovered a complex array of clear encroa...

CWU president speaks on behalf of CWU members fired by City Council
Yesterday, we reported on the terminations of six employees from the Belize City Council, including the City Administrator Candice Miller. Two of the workers fired are members of the Christian Workers Union and today on his morning talk show, President of CWU, Mose Hyde, spoke about the firing of th...

BNTU takes no position on going to ICJ
As we said earlier, re-registration is in the pipeline leading up to the referendum on whether Belizeans should take the Guatemalan territorial dispute to the ICJ. Yesterday, the media asked the president of the Belize National Teachers Union if it has an official position as a union on going to th...

Rented pick up abandoned with sacks of weed
This afternoon, police conducted a joint operation in Teakettle Village when they came across a blue Great Wall Wingle pick up with Belize City license plate. Upon seeing the cops, the driver attempted to evade the police and collided into a hill. The occupants of the vehicle jumped out of the vehic...

Eric Mendez’ house shot at
Yesterday we told you that 20 year old Eric Mendez had been arraigned on the charge of attempted murder. He is the accused gunman who shot Tyrone Stevens several times on Sunday while Stevens went to a store to purchase. Stevens is listed in a critical condition and Mendez is now on remand until his next court appearance.

Business owners need to be vigilant as robberies increase
Earlier this week, police told the media that many of the crimes occurring in the country are due to robberies. Even some of the recent murders are believed to have been as a result of robberies gone bad. Police say they are investigating each case and these types of crimes are harder for polcie to prevent. However, Deputy Commissioner Chester Williams explained that there are some measures that business owners can take to help deter robbers and perhaps assist police in apprehending criminals in the event of a robbery.

MASS TERMINATION AT BELIZE CITY COUNCIL
There was a mass firing at the Belize City Council this morning. According to information reaching Plus News, at least 11 persons were fired and based on several reports, former City Administrator Candice Miller was among the number of persons who received termination letters this morning. Miller was placed on suspension over a month ago after Mayor Wagner accused Miller of failing to protect the interest and resources of the city.

Eric Mendez charged for attempted murder of Tyron Stevens
Twenty year old Eric Edward Mendez has been charged for the Sunday, May 6, attempted murder of Tyrone Stevens. Tonight Mendez is on remand at the Belize Central Prison while his alleged victim is at the KHMH recovering from as many as nine bullet wounds to his body. Stevens is said to be stable but critical.

Belizeans remanded to prison in El Salvador for Money laundering
Last week Thursday we reported to you that 3 Belizeans were arrested in El Salvador for money laundering offenses. As we reported those three Belizeans were 32 year old Marlon Alberto Valle, 28 year old Jessy Grabiel Ojeda, and 35 year old Deymy Vanessa Rodríguez.

More Shootings, More Police in Port
The Port Loyola Area in Belize City has seen an increase in shooting incidents over the last week. Many were left in shock by Wednesday night’s shooting incident on Fabers Road that was caught on surveillance camera. Four persons were shot in that incident. Since that night, we have reported on several different shooting incidents in the Port Loyola area, including the murder of 29 year old Jason Sutherland on Thursday night.

PUC and BWS going to court
Earlier this year, the PUC decided to lower water and sewage rates by an estimated six point three nine percent. The intended decrease was a preliminary decision to be in effect from April of 2018 to March of 2020. However, BWS has not made any changes to their rates since 2015; instead the utility company made a decision to take the proposed decrease to court for judicial review.

PUC says Caye Caulker should be on the BEL grid
The PUC has called on B.E.L to inter connect the island of Caye Caulker to their power grid. Caye Caulker is one of the few remaining areas in Belize that is powered by diesel generators. According to PUC Chairman John Avery, B.E.L has been spending in excess of three million dollars a year on Diese...

P.U.C CHAIRMAN SPEAKS ON ELECTRICITY RATES INCREASE
As we reported last Week, Belizean’s can expect an increase in their light bills. B.E.L recently requested that the P.U.C increase electricity rates due to lower consumer usage and higher cost of power. B.E.L initially requested an increase from thirty six point nine-nine cents per kilowatt-hour to ...

18 year old charged for Aggravated Assault
Eighteen year old Phozhaun Lewis was remanded to prison for aggravated assault with a firearm. Lewis was arraigned on a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon 21 year old Joshua Augustine. The arrest resulted from a shooting incident in Belize City which occurred on Saturday, May ...

Increased Police Presence in Dangriga
Known as the ‘culture capital’ of Belize, Dangriga has not been spared from shooting incidents and murders. Plus News has reported on three separate shooting incidents in Dangriga over the past two weeks. Two of those shooting incidents resulted in the murder of 55 year old Jamaican national Patrick...

CLIMATE CHANGE WORKSHOP
According to the latest Climate Change study on Belize, as a low-lying developing country, the nation of Belize is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In an effort to identify adaptation measures to decrease this vulnerability, as well as to build Belize’s national capacity on climat...

Raccoon Street Police Station Gets New Conflict Resolution Office
The Raccoon Street Police Station is getting a new office to tackle gang violence in Belize City. The office is referred to as the Conflict Resolution office and it is as a result of collaboration between the Belize Police Department and various supporting organizations. According to Robert Mariano...

Basketball
On Friday night the Smart Belize Hurricanes and the Dangriga Dream Ballers played at the brand new Civic Center inBelize City. Devin Daley of Smart Belize Hurricanes led the team in scoring with 23 points. Devin Daley, Guard, Smart Bze Hurricanes: Today was just a rough first half, but thankfully w...

The Guardian

Fire Left, Fire Right, Fire Center Belize City Mayor fires six employees without cause
There is a great deal of uncertainty and apprehension at the Belize City Council as six staff members have been fired from the Council and there is word that more are underway. The Guardian has confirmed that the six staff members received their letters of termination on Tuesday May 8; all the letters are dated a day earlier on May 7. Among those persons receiving their letter was Candice Miller, the now former City Administrator. On Thursday of last week, Miller along with her attorney Magali Perdomo appeared before the council for her to answer to charges by the council of neglect of duties. Apparently her fate was deliberated thereafter and the letter was drafted. In the correspondence it states that she was terminated, “for gross dereliction of your duties.”

$300 School Subsidy automatic in Corozal and rural Belize, Orange Walk and Cayo
On the occasion of this year’s Education Showcase, Hon. Patrick Faber noted the following: “We have for instances noted with great delight the impact of the Government’s High School Subsidy Program. The most recent MICS Survey report shows that transition rate from primary to secondary school is higher for the poorest wealth quintile than the next two quintiles above it. This is a clear indication of the impact of the Government’s high school subsidy program.

Countrywide Solid Waste Management
In 2015, the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority (BSWMA) completed the implementation of the Sanitary Landfill and transfer stations that sees the safe and effective disposal of waste from Caye Caulker, San Pedro, San Ignacio/Santa Elena and Belize City to the sanitary landfill at mile 24 on the George Price Highway. Under the project, transfer stations were built in all the abovementioned areas and one was also built in Burrell Boom. With that now complete and with garbage being properly managed in these areas, the intention is for the solid waste management to be expanded countrywide.

Contract Signed for Construction of Airport Link Road Project
The Government of Belize has signed a contract with CISCO Construction Ltd. in the sum of BZ$34,274,306.17 for the construction of the Airport Link Road. The signing of the contract took place on Monday, May 7, 2018 and works are expected to commence immediately. Funding for this project was secured through an OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) loan.

Belize to measure Iodine Intake in Children
The ministries of Health and of Education, in partnership with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and Iodine Global Network, will be working together to carry out a survey. That survey will be used to measure and report on the levels of iodine in Belizean children. Belize is one of the nine Caribbean countries participating in the “Caribbean Region Urinary Iodine and Sodium Study 2018” project. During this survey, approximately 400 children between the ages of 6 and 12 from four primary schools in the Belize, Stann Creek, and Corozal Districts will participate. Their height, weight, and head circumference will be measured and body fluid samples will be taken for laboratory testing and analysis. Officials from both ministries involved are in communication with the selected schools, teachers, and parents to share the details of the survey.

2018 Youth Innovation Challenge
The opening ceremony of the fifth annual Youth Innovation Challenge was held on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. This year’s challenge, held under the theme “Literacy for Financial Security”, saw the participation of ten secondary schools from the Belize District. Those schools included San Pedro High School, Caye Caulker Ocean Academy, Ladyville Technical High School, Edward P. Yorke, Saint Catherine Academy, Saint John’s College, Sadie Vernon Technical, Anglican Cathedral College, Gwen Lizarraga High School, and Belize High School.

GOB takes Ashcroft Alliance for 100 Million Dollars
Justice Courtney Abel has heard opening arguments in the first of a three-day trial in the claim that the Government controlled company, Sunshine Holdings Limited, has made against the Government of Belize and the Ashcroft Alliance. The company is seeking restitution, and it is asking trace the monetary compensation, to the tune of over 100 million dollars, which the Government paid to the Ashcroft-allied, Dean Boyce and the Trustees of the BTL Employees Trust in the settlement of the fight over BTL. They want the money to be paid to Sunshine, instead of the BTL Employees Trust, which means that they want the Ashcroft entity to pay them that money which they assert was never theirs.

A Bitter Pill for Pitts
With the slogan, (From “Lee Johnnycake Gyal” to Dr. Candice Pitts Back to serve Port) Candice Pitts launched her campaign to dethrone Gilroy Usher as the PUP standard bearer in the Port Loyola constituency. But while her campaign was impassioned and tireless, on May 2nd she was given a bitter pill to swallow. All her efforts were dashed when the PUP endorsed Usher as the Standard Bearer. No convention would take place. That must have sent chills down Pitts’s spine and ruptured her gall and bile spilled to all corners of the PUP. In a statement she stated that, “the PUP have dictated a decision for them.

Candice Pitts sticks it to the PUP
It happened just like we expected, Dr. Candice Pitts has gone on the offense. She hit the PUP hard for what she considered as the PUP doing her an injustice. For context, let us lay out the situation as it happened. Pitts was being encouraged to mount a challenge in Port Loyola. According to what we’ve heard from those deep throats in the PUP, it was by her special friend Cordel. She was certainly hot on the heels of Gilroy Usher, who had been the face of the PUP in Port Loyola since just after the 2008 election. Riding high on her recent victory as a part of the PUP Belize City Council slate and banking on her humble beginning as the self dubbed ‘LEE JOHNNY CAKE GYAL,’ she started a rather aggressive campaign to replace the aforementioned Usher.

CARICOM members to phase out incandescent bulbs
As members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) move to become more energy efficient, steps are being taken to phase out the use of incandescent bulbs. On the basis of a mandate from the CARICOM Energy Ministers, plans for the phasing out are being developed by the CARICOM Secretariat and the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). Those plans are expected to be completed in September 2018 with the initiative beginning possibly as soon as January 2019.

Police arrest one for Back-A-Town shooting
After being busted with a .380 pistol loaded with 7 live rounds in its chamber, Nisani Daniel Garcia was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court. He appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was read charges of keeping a firearm and keeping ammunition without being granted a gun license. The allegations are that on Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at about 8:30 p.m., police received information of shots being fired in the Back-a-Town area. Several police officers proceeded to the area on Saint Jude Street. There, they entered a yard and saw a male person stooping down at the back of the house.

Guilty of Attempting to kill his Cousin
Kevaughan Staine remains on remand after he was convicted on a charge of attempted murder. This conviction took place on Friday, May 4, 2018 before Supreme Court Justice Colin Williams. Staine was charged for the attempted murder of Taisha Staine, his cousin. The incident occurred just a stone’s throw away from the victim’s house on Gladden Street in the St. Martin’s de Porres Area on December 13, 2013. It was witnessed by Taisha’s mother who saw the gunman but did not recognize that it was her daughter that the gunman was attempting to kill.

Chased, shot and killed in St. Matthews
Dean Glenford Galvez, a 21 year-old laborer of Saint Matthews Village in the Cayo District, has been charged with murder for the shooting death of his fellow villager, 19 year-old Roni Casasola Jr.. His relatives say that the man who shot him to death was behaving in a drunken and belligerent manner, and that they don’t know why that shooter gunned him down. Police say that around 12:35 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, they responded to information of a shooting incident in the village. When they arrived, they found a hispanic young man on an unnamed street. He was later identified as Casasola, and the cops observed that he was suffering from gunshot wounds.

Daniel Guardado killed for no apparent reason
Daniel Guardado, a 43 year-old working man in Belize City, was murdered over the weekend in an unexplained and apparently senseless shooting. He reportedly had no ties to the streets or criminal activities, yet, he was ruthlessly shot and killed by a gunman who police are now looking for. Police say that at around 9:35 p.m., on Saturday, May 5, 2018, they went to the KHMH where they found Guardado who was already pronounced dead on arrival, as a consequence of multiple gunshot injuries to his body.

Hattieville Family spared jail time for Drugs and Ammunition
A family of four Hattieville residents is lucky to be home after two of the four were charged with drug and ammunition related offenses in November 2017. Sonia Shepherd, 61, her children, Aretha and Kenrick Danderson, and her 18-year-old grandson Hakeem O’Brien were in court on Friday, May 4, 2018. The family members had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of possession of a controlled drug and for keeping ammunition without granted a gun license.

Father on remand for Incest of 13 year old girl
A 42-year-old fisherman, whose identity cannot be revealed, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 7, 2018 on one count of incest. This man was accused of a sexual crime against his daughter and as a result, he was only read the indictable offense of incest. No plea was taken since the matter can only be tried in the Supreme Court.

Weed client killed Jason Sutherland
Belize City police suspect but must confirm that Jason Sutherland, 29, was murdered in what looks to be an ongoing feud between two warring gangs. Sutherland was shot and killed by a man who pretended to be a non-threatening marijuana customer. On Thursday, May 3, 2018, at around 8:35 p.m., officers from the Criminal Investigation Branch visited the KHMH where they found Sutherland suffering from multiple gunshot injuries to the body. The doctor on duty had already pronounced him dead on arrival.

Luis Velasquez owes $40,000 in liquor
A man who was wanted by the Supreme Court for fraud is now in police custody and a determination is to be reached as to how he will pay a $40,000 debt owed to L&R Liquors. That man is 36-year-old Luis Velasquez. He was found by police in the village of Maskall. There was an all-points bulletin out for Velasquez for fraud when he was picked up on Friday, May 4, 2018 by police in Maskall.

Murder suspect walks free-caution statement ruled inadmissible
On May 17, 2012, 48-year-old Jermaine McNab was gunned down while inside his store, Mobile Hardware, located at the corner of Curassow Street and Cemetery Road. McNab was shot three times to the body and died on the spot. For that murder, an 18-year-old Anthony Carballo was considered a murder suspect after police claimed that he gave them a witness and a caution statement.

Taxi man called out and killed
Sbeiro Habib Hajjara, a 36 year-old Honduran Taxi driver living in Belize City, was found dead inside his taxi vehicle early on Sunday, May 6. He was on the job, and it is uncertain why he was killed. Another innocent law-abiding citizen was murdered in cold blood, in what looks like a spike in crime for the last three weeks. Police say that at around 3:47 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to reports of shots being fired at the corner of Mahogany Street and Western Avenue in Belize City.

Remand for Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition
Belize Police were able to take another illegal firearm off the streets when they arrested and charged Malique Gentle for the offense of keeping unlicensed firearm and ammunitions. The 21-year-old was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, May 7, 2018 before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford.

Verdes FC and the Belmopan Bandits SC play to a Draw in Game One of the Finals
The Premier League of Belize 2017-2018 Closing Season has now entered its championship round with the first of the home-and-away series game played on Sunday, May 6th at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio Town between the defending champions Verdes FC and the Belmopan Bandits SC. In the first game played, the defending National Football Champions Verdes FC was the first to make it onto the scoreboard when Alcides Thomas scored the 1st goal of the game in the 47+ minute of the game to give the defending champions a 1-0 lead.

Lord’s Bank Sunrise leads in Belize Rural Softball Competition
The 2018 Belize Rural Softball Competition continued on Sunday 6th May at Flowers Bank with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, Sandhill Shooting Stars defeated Arrows Reloaded by the score of 16-15. The winning pitcher was Jasany Westby and the losing pitcher was Shauna Avilez. In game two, Lord’s Bank Sunrise won its third game of the competition when it defeated Double Head Cabbage by the score of 9-6.

Pepsi National Elite Basketball League commence playoff round
The long anticipated Pepsi NEBL semi-finals rolled into Game 1 of its best-of-three series this past weekend. Both match-ups were given a preview at the end of the season as both semi-final duo played each other at the end of the regular season. With four formidable teams entering the playoffs this year, the championship is surely up for grabs where any of the 4 teams, who win this season will not come as a surprise. The level of the play in the NEBL is surely improving every season, as is evident by the quality of games.

Belize Athletics Association to hold National Track and Field Championship
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. The event will be hosted at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Saturday and Sunday the 19 – 20 May, 2018. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events. Registration forms can be obtained from and returned to the BAA via email ( [email protected]) or from our Facebook page (Belize Athletics Association) or at the Marion Jones Sports Complex. Please feel free to contact any of the members of the BAA executive or any of the coaches at the MJSC.

Unitedville Rebels United continue on Winning Path in Softball Competition
The Cayo softball Association 2018 Senior Women’s Competition continued on Sunday 6th May, at the Mae Gordon Field in the City of Belmopan with three games on the schedule. In game 1, Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy defeated the Belmopan Capital City Emeralds by the score of 20 to 2 in four innings. The winning pitcher was Leandra Guy and losing pitcher, Aludy Hyde. The Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy’s offence was keyed by Shakira Wade’s home run in the game.

Dangling Modifier
Monchi Cervantes and Abelardo Mai from OW North and OW South respectively decided to take no chances and quickly programmed their constituency conventions for this Sunday past. They must have reasoned that when you take a chance any number can play. Monchi would have certainly remembered the fate of one Raphael Avila, who tended to the OW North constituency for four years leading up to the 2012 elections, then at the last minute he was defeated in convention by Jorge Briceño. An identical chess move caught Mr. Diodi Novelo in OW Central in 1989; a last minute “golpe” from the late Polo Briceño.

Words of Life With Pastor Barry Fraser
This week, we look at a special mother: Naomi, the mother-in-law who shared her faith. Naomi and her family fled to the country of Moab because of a famine in their land. Her husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. After 10 years both of Naomi’s sons passed away, and Naomi heard that the Lord Yahweh had blessed the land of her people with food again. She told her daughters-in-law that they could return home to find new husbands. Although they both wept at her leaving, one refused to leave Naomi’s side.

Life Principles I Recommend Part 2
Do you have a personal manual of life principles that you live by? What adages do you use to guide you in your everyday living? Since last week, I have been sharing my list of 75 important life principles that I try to live by. This list is a compilation of important life lessons I’ve learned at one point or another. It pertains to different areas of life from dealing with people, to our emotions, to life’s challenges, to achieving success, to handling failure. I shared the first 25 last week and this week I’ll share the second 25 of my list.

Breaking Belize News

BBN person of the week: Basilio Mes
Born in a humble Maya family in Santa Cruz Village in the southern lush jungles of the Toledo District, Basilio Mes grew up to do what he loves to do – birding, spending time in nature, and tour guiding. […]

Is Turneffe Atoll the geographic location of Peter Pan’s paradise?
A popular Youtuber by the name of Matthew Patrick on his Youtube Channel The Film […]

Were UDP operatives involved in act of arson?
This morning we reported that the Director of Administration at Belize City Council, Sharlene Rudon, was […]

National re-registration scheduled for July, know the facts!
It has been almost 12 years since the Government of Belize has n’t cleaned up the voter’s […]

Police confiscate 58 pounds of weed in Teakettle, Cayo
Police are investigating an incident involving a vehicle that was carrying 58 pounds of weed. According […]

FCD reports on illegal occupation by Guatemalans inside the Chiquibul
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) issued a report yesterday informing that while on a joint […]

Belize-Guatemala joint Commission meets with OAS
Yesterday, the Belize-Guatemala Joint Commission met for the second time this year, under the auspices […]

Armed robber caught on camera fined $3,000
In a very unusual case, a Corozal firefighter was fined and released after being charged with […]

Belize City Council HR Manager victim of arson
Our newsroom has been reliably informed of an arson incident which has a political back […]

Minister Faber says BNTU unable to make payment for teachers’ day event at Civic Center
Every year, one day is set aside to celebrate and to honor the teachers of Belize […]

Belize City Mayor and brother-in-law at odds over recent terminations
Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, and his brother-in-law, Evan “Mose” Hyde, are currently at odds. Not […]

Minister Faber supports docking salaries for teachers that protested against violence
During the historic eleven days of protest by the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU), Minister […]

Candice Miller defends annual $90,000 salary and says termination unjust
She has been trending on social media for a while and made the news several times, […]

Belize’s Health Services congratulates Nurses
Belizean nurses join the World and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in speaking out on […]

Belize City Council issues statement on terminations of employees
Yesterday evening, the Belize City Council issued a statement following the termination of employees from the […]

Cayo man rapes 14-year-old step-daughter; Police are investigating
Cayo police are investigating a case of a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her […]

Belize City students tour Crooked Tree Village
Yesterday, Commander of Eastern Division in Belize City, Howell Gillett along with his staff members took […]

UDP tells PUP Mayor to reinstate employees and stop terminations
Earlier this week we reported that several top-level employees at the Belize City Council were terminated. […]

Blogs

Cayo Rosario Development: Hol Chan Marine Reserve is For the People Of Belize, Not Private Gain
Development is planned and has been approved for Cayo Rosario on the leeward side of Ambergris Caye. This press release really says it all but first…a bit of background. And a few pictures. Bottom Line: THERE SHOULD BE NO OVER THE WATER STRUCTURES IN HOL CHAN MARINE RESERVE. Cayo Rosario is the caye that you see when you visit Secret Beach.

International Sources

BELIZE CREATES HISTORY
Belize created history late last month by becoming the first country in Central and South America to compete in the illustrious Penn Relays in over 80 years. “In 1937, a Panamanian team came to the Penn Relays and, since that time — until now — there has not been a team from Central America participating in the games,” James Cordice, the Vincentian-born, Philadelphia-based architect behind Belize and St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ participation in the Penn Relays. Cordice, a community advocate, was instrumental in having two St. Vincent and the Grenadines high schools — The Thomas Saunders Secondary School and the St. Vincent Grammar School — compete in the Penn Relays Carnival for the past eight years.

The Jaguar Is Made for the Age of Humans
There’s a jaguar in the baño,” George Olah told me with a small smile. “Um?” I managed, squinting into the dusky Amazon forest surrounding our camp. “She’s behind that tree. Look for spots,” Olah said. Then: “No. That tree,” pointing to a trunk between 30 and 40 feet away. In an instant, I registered that, yes, the bathroom trail we had cut through the Peruvian jungle was indeed occupied by a member of the largest cat species in the Americas. She was so close that if she launched herself at one of us, it would be game over in seconds. “Shiiiiiiiiit,” I said as we—unarmed except for a couple of machetes and a small slingshot—quickly moved closer to get a better look.

Videos