September 9, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Another vibrant and festive Carnival Road March!

UK Donates Funds to Support Public Awareness Campaign on ICJ Referendum
On Wednesday, September 5th 2018, the United Kingdom (UK) contributed 1.3 million Belize Dollars to the Public Awareness and Preparedness Campaign to support the referendum on whether or not to refer Guatemala’s territorial, insular, and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The funds will be administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project was launched in August 2018 with support from the United States Embassy in Belize and will continue until the referendum takes place on April 10th 2019.

Mortar round found in Caye Caulker; Police investigating
Police are investigating the motive and circumstances that led to the discovery of a 60mm mortar on a dredging machine located off the west coast of Caye Caulker on Friday, August 31st. The only information available is that a barge on which the dredging machine was located caught on fire early in the evening. A watchman working on the barge alerted his superior, and the police were called. The mortar was discovered in a bucket near the barge engine. Apparently, the fire damaged the mortar, but luckily did not go off.

Mass voter re-registration process comes to an end
A total of 121, 496 people were re-registered to vote during the Elections and Boundaries Department campaign throughout the country from Monday, July 2nd to Friday, August 31st. However, the re-registration process continues at the Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices countrywide. The number of people who re-registered is lower than the original target of 200,000. During the first week of the re-registration exercise, 16, 670 applications were received. That number increased during the first two weeks of the campaign but decreased for the remainder of the exercise. In the final week, only a total of 11, 907 people were re-registered.

Government of Belize declares ‘State of Emergency’ for communities in south side Belize City
The Government of Belize declared a ‘State of Emergency’ in two locations in the south side of Belize City on Wednesday, September 5th, due to escalating criminal activity in the area. The gang-infested areas are by George and Banak Streets where gang rivalry is suspected to have been responsible for the most murderous weekend in Belizean history when six persons were killed between Friday, August 31st and Saturday, September 1st. The majority of the murders involved the use of firearms.

Misc Belizean Sources

Soca Paint Party on Caye Caulker
For those wanting to enjoy the Soca Paint Party Sunday please note that if you want to join in the paint part of the party, it is recommended that you wear white!!!

Tropic Air flight schedule for Caye Caulker
Tropic Air's flight schedule to and from Caye Caulker's Municipal Airstrip! Im overjoyed to finally have Tropic Air back in action!!

Pool House Grand Opening
The Pool House is having their grand opening next weekend. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Bullet Tree's newest hang out will be having BBQ specials, and the pool will be ready for lounging. Looks like they'll have a large menu for everyone's taste.

Carnival Road March 2018
Great photos!

Carnival J'ouvert 2018!

San Pedro Uniform Parade
On September 10th the uniform parade will be taking place, due to start at 10am from Central park, the parade will cause lots of traffic delays so drivers should avoid the town center as much as possible. Please follow wardens instructions and be patient. There will be a lot of school children in the parade and their safety is top priority.

The Reporter

POLICE INTERCEPT MULES CARRYING LARGE SUMS IN US$
The police has intercepted 2 cab drivers from the Benque Viejo del Carmen area that were in possession of $65K US dollars. The search occurred in the ladyville police jurisdiction and invertigators are in the process of trying to find out what the men are doing with such a large sum of US dollars and where they obtained it. The cab drivers were traveling well beyond the vicinity of Benque Viejo, to be in the Ladyville police jurisdiction, at least 100 miles from Benque.

Breaking Belize News

Camalote man chopped to his body and face
Police are investigating a chopping incident that occurred yesterday in Camalote Village, Cayo. According to reports, yesterday, police found Daniel Sots ,50, in his yard in Camalote with multiple chop wounds to his body and face. […]

Forestry officer’s house goes up in flames in Orange Walk
Police are investigating a house fire that occurred yesterday morning in Orange Walk. Around 2 yesterday morning, police responded to a report of a house fire at No. 29 Liberty Avenue, Orange Walk. When police arrived, they saw the 2 story concrete home of Christy Tillett,26, a forestry officer engulfed in flames. […]

Tropic Air plane runs off runway in San Pedro
This morning around 10 am, a Tropic Air aircraft was operating from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye to the Belize International Airport when the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The plane reportedly ran a bit off the runway in San Pedro Town. Shortly after the incident, Tropic Air issued a statement saying that after their pilot elected to abort the takeoff, the plan exited onto the shoulder of the runway. […]

Police: 2 men from Benque Viejo busted with US $65,000
Police have detained two men from Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo for having in their possession US $65,000. Yesterday morning around 6:45 a.m., police stopped and searched a black Toyota Corolla car just in front of the Sandhill Police station. […]

Police: Thieves take over $50K from Premium Wines
Police are investigating a heist that occurred yesterday morning in Belize City. Maria Price,49, manager of Premium Wines and Spirits reported to authorities that around 10:30 a.m., she was inside the store conversing with her employees’ when 3 unmasked men entered the establishment. […]

Belize backs African nation in ICJ battle against Britain
Belize is one of a number of nations supporting the African nation of Mauritius, which is currently involved in an International Court of Justice (ICJ) trial with Britain over control of the Chagos Islands. The ICJ hearings started this week, with Belize, Guatemala, Botswana, Brazil, Cyprus, Germany, India, Kenya, the Marshall Islands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Serbia, South Africa, Thailand, Vanuatu and Zambia supporting Mauritius’ claim of sovereignty. […]

Man charged for turning on cement mixer which killed Jeffrey Hernandez
Earlier this week we reported that Jeffrey Hernandez died after being crushed inside a cement mixer while on duty. On Thursday Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo, ruled that the death of Hernandez was accidental as the mixer turned on while he was inside cleaning it. […]

Price of Diesel goes up (again)
The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) issued new gas prices that kicked in at midnight last night. Diesel gas increased from $10.47 to $10.69 per gallon – a 22 cent increase per gallon. All other prices remained the same with Premium at $11.70, Regular at $11.04 and Kerosene at $8.34 per gallon respectively. […]

International Sources

Maya Farmers in South Belize Hold Strong to Their Climate Change Experiment
In one of Belize’s forest reserves in the Maya Golden Landscape, a group of farmers is working with non-governmental organisations to mitigate and build resilience to climate change with a unique agroforestry project. The Ya’axché Conservation Trust helps farmers to establish traditional tree crops, like the cacao, that would provide them with long-term income opportunities through restoring the forest, protecting the natural environment, while building their livelihoods and opportunities. Experts say the farmers are building resilience to climate change in the eight rural communities they represent. The agroforestry concession is situated in the Maya Mountain Reserve and is one of two agroforestry projects undertaken by the 5Cs, the Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC), in its efforts to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies in communities across the Caribbean.

Videos

September 8, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Caye Caulker resident Austin Lopez charged for attacking Amado Watson
While Caye Caulker resident 47-year-old businessman Amado Watson continues to recover after he and an American female were attacked on August 28th around 11PM, police announced on Tuesday, September 4th that they formally charged Austin Lopez, also known as ‘Stino’, for Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, Dangerous Harm, and Grievous Harm. Lopez has since been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until his first court hearing on December 5, 2018.

Newly renovated Caye Caulker Airstrip inaugurated
The fully renovated Caye Caulker airstrip was inaugurated on Friday, September 7th before governmental authorities and guests. The airstrip is now one of the most modern and safest aerodromes in Belize, with a 2,840-foot long by 40-foot wide runway, asphalted with hot-mix and equipped with a lighting system that will facilitate late and emergency flights to and from the island. The renovation came at the cost of $3.6 million, partially financed by the Belize Airport Authority (BAA) along with a loan from the Social Security Board. Officiating the event on La Isla Cariñosa was Caye Caulker Chairwoman Enelda Rosado, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., BAA Deputy Chair Severo Guerrero Jr., and BAA General Manager Nicholas Ruiz.

San Pedro’s Jerry Vasquez and Jamel Jones graduate from the Belize Coast Guard
Two young men from San Pedro have successfully joined the ranks of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) after completing three months of training at the military institution in Belize City. 20-year-old Jerry Vasquez and 23- year-old Jamel Jones were part of the 79 new apprentices of the BCG that graduated on Friday, August 31st as intake number nine. The ceremony was attended by proud family members and the top brass of the Coast Guard. This is by far the largest intake the 13-year-old institution has ever seen, and just as in the past, the BCG continues to attract island residents who have a passion for protecting Belize’s territorial waters. Vasquez told The San Pedro Sun that he plans to make his service at the Coast Guard a lifetime career.

GOB votes against paying multi-million UHS loan ordered by the CCJ
Despite an order issued by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), the Government of Belize (GOB) has once again decided not to pay the now over $95 million owed to Lord Michael Ashcroft’s Belize Bank for a loan to Universal Health Services (UHS). The decision to abstain from payment was debated during a sitting of the House of Representatives in Belmopan City on Friday, August 31st, with a unanimous ‘NO’ vote from members of the current United Democratic Party (UDP) administration. Members of the Opposition, the People’s United Party (PUP), walked out without casting their votes. The debt stems from the days of the PUP administration when then Prime Minister Honourable Said Musa signed a $33.5 million loan with the Belize Bank without the National Assembly’s approval. It is alleged that Musa secretly placed the Government as the guarantor for the loan in 2004 in an attempt to improve the health services in the country. That debt continues to balloon, fuelled by interest and legal fees against Belize.

BCCI and GST host informational session with San Pedro businesses sector
On Thursday, August 30th, businesses on Ambergris Caye learned more about General Sales Tax (GST) via a compliance training held at the Sunbreeze Hotel in San Pedro Town. The training was an initiative of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), in an attempt to create a closer relationship with their members and to find out more about the GST department. Many business owners and representatives attended, and they were lectured on the importance of properly filing GST tax to avoid trouble with the Department. GST’s Tax Service Supervisor, Shirleen Coote stated that the session serves as a platform to inform businesses of their rights and obligations as taxpayers registered for GST. They also can reach out to the taxpayers and address any concern they might have about the tax.

Ambergris Today

SPTC Plants Mahogany Trees At Schools
September Celebrations are in full swing and the San Pedro Town Council set out on Friday, September 7, 2018 to plant Belize’s National Tree at school compounds throughout the island. Mahogany tree saplings were planted in schools and parks by students, teachers and principals as part of the patriotic celebrations. Students were given a brief summary of the importance of patriotism and quick facts about the Mahogany Tree.

Misc Belizean Sources

40th Anniversary celebrations of Corozal Community College
, Sept. 12, 1:30pm at the Rudolph Wade Auditorium. Corozal Community College Valedictorian Listing, 1979-2018

Vacancy at BEL
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for a Computer System Technician III in the Information and Communication Systems Department (Belize City).

Benque House of Culture gets large flag
It is with immense gratitude that we express our most sincere acknowlegment to the kind gift of an extra size Belizean Flag as our 17 years anniversary gift from Mrs.Lupita Kuylen Nabet and crafted by our very own Mrs. Josefina Salas. Our flag will fly high and bold at the historic former Police Station Flag Pole, where many were brought to strenghten social bonds. Belize da fi we now and forever 8,867!

Ismael El Buki Chacon se presenta en el anniversario de Reef Radio
Boletos en promocion a solamente 19.00 por dos en El Botanero.

Naledo Belize Ltd.’s Truly Turmeric selected as finalist in SIAL Innovation Awards 2018, Paris
Naledo Belize Ltd. is one of the world’s first manufacturers of fresh turmeric paste. Owned by Ms. Umeeda Switlo and established in 2016, the company produces a high-quality turmeric paste from a yellow ginger base, which is processed from farm to shelf in the Toledo District in southern Belize. The company uses as much locally sourced ingredients in its paste, including limes, cold-pressed coconut oil and black pepper. In little over two years, Naledo Belize Ltd. has produced over 30,000 bottles of yellow ginger paste, under the trademark, “truly Turmeric”. The company started by exporting to Canada and from then has expanded to the Bahamas and the United States. The company, structured with the principles of a social enterprise, operates by its creed “Better Business, Better Lives”. The company buys from a network of approved growers, young and old, who do not use pesticides or herbicides, and grow the yellow ginger sustainably in and amongst other crops in the forest. “We have registered over 200 growers with our company to ensure we can meet the demands of our Truly Turmeric in 2017 and forward” said Ms. Switlo.

Faith Nazarene Bathroom Inauguration
The faculty and students of Faith Nazarene Primary School in San Ignacio celebrated the handing over of the new toilet building, built with funds and efforts from Canadian, US and the San Ignacio Rotary Club. The Rotary Club of Athabasca, Rotary Club of St. Albert, Rotary Club of Fairbanks, Rotary Club of Russian Jack Anchorage, and District 7930 funded this through a global grant with the Rotary Foundation. This new facility will positively effect student health and absences due to illness. The San Ignacio club has built 14 toilet buildings at schools around Cayo, impacting the health of over 7500 students.

Language Training for Tour Guides
11 Week Course French or German. Tentative start date – week of September 24th, 2018

Tour Guides get Certificates
Two special groups of tour guides obtaining the certificates !! Commercial Fishermen and Guides !!!! Thanks to Minister Heredia Danny Guererro Mike Miguel Alamilla Pact BTB Billy Leslie Omar Arceo SPTGA !!! Congratulations!!!!!

Channel 7

Big Money Robbery At Top Shelf Liquor Store
There was a major armed robbery at a top shelf liquor store on the Northside of Belize City this morning. At 10:25, 3 men entered Premium Wines and Spirits on Princess Margaret Drive, not far from BTL Park. They walked in as customers, without masks, but two of them suddenly pulled out guns and demanded money. And they must have known something about the liquor store's money movement's, or they were the very lucky thieves. We say that because reports from police are that the company was about to make a deposit of $36,400 dollars - and all of it was stuffed into a knapsack, ready to be taken to the bank.

Cops Focussed on Southside, Robbers Focussed On North
It's frustrating for police who have hot zones in the southside under a state of emergency - but they can't be everywhere. And this broad daylight, big money robbery of a top shelf liquor store in the King's Park area is a definite black eye for the security forces. Today, we could detect some level of frustration in acting COMPOL Chester Williams - who said the state of emergency focusses on the southside:..

Police Minister Says Regulations Will Be Sent Out
Today Acting Compol Williams was with Police Minister John Saldivar as they visited police on patrol, delivering lunch to them. The Minister does it every few weeks as an act of gratitude to the cops. Today, though, the Public Emergency Zones on the southside were the biggest news. The press asked the minister when the regulations for the State of Emergency will be released:...

Bar Assoc. Blows Hot And Cold on Southside State Of Emergency
Last night you heard the human rights advocates - who are also attorneys - complaining about the many grey areas in the state of emergency proclamations - and saying that the state had invoked the maximum constitutional power with reckless haste. Well, the Bar Association is taking a slightly more circumspect approach - and seems to want it both ways. A release today says, quote, "The Bar Association…stands in solidarity with law enforcement and the Ministry of National Security in ensuring the safety of the citizens of Belize…however…any measure taken to address the crime situation should not lead to the abuse of the human rights of any citizen…"

Cops Shoot Dog In Zone #1
And, this morning, the residents of West and Plues Street say the police swept in at around 7:00 am. This area is in EMERGENCY ZONE Zone 1, and on West Street, residents heard shots fired. They came form a police weapon, after an officer shot a resident's pitbull. We warn you the next story does show the dog after he was shot. A resident told us they felt it was unfair::...

Manslaughter For Cement Factory Death
He accidentally hit the switch of a cement mixer while his co-worker was inside, and today, 18-year-old Victor Hernandez of San Carlos Village in Orange Walk District has been charged for manslaughter by negligence. Police had no objection to bail and Hernandez received bail of $10,000 by noon today.

Chief Ed. - Nazarene High Students Should Not Have Been Sent Home
Earlier this week, we told you all about the two dozen or so students that were locked out of Nazarene High because their hair wasn't short enough. It's sparked a lot of debate in the public on whether the school went too far in enforcing its code for dress and appearance. But, according to the Chief education Officer - there can be no debate: it's as simple as this: children should not be sent home from school:...

Gwen Liz Teachers - Some Will Fall To Natural Attrition
Babb also commented on the situation at Gwen Lizarraga High School. As we've reported, enrollment at that school has sharply declined, which means that many teachers won't have a job. Babb said the Education Minister is trying to find a solution, but for some, there will be natural attrition:.. Carol Babb, Chief Education Officer: "Our deputy Prime Minister, Minister Faber, is trying as hard as much as possible to ensure that each teacher on that staff gets the opportunity to keep their job..."

Caye Caulker Airstrip Re-Opens A Year Later
The Caye Caulker airstrip has finally been re-opened. It's surely a great relief for Belizeans and tourists to have this quick travel option again. And of course it is great news for the local airlines who have racked up significant losses since they had to discontinue flights one year ago. Businesses on the island are also rejoicing that visitors can now freely flood the island. I was there for the official opening. Here's that story. It has been about a year since these passengers could have enjoyed a smooth 8 minute flight from Belize City to La Isla Carinosa, Caye Caulker. They were among the few to fly the first flights which touched down at the newly constructed Caye Caulker airport.

Next Upgrade Is For Placencia Airstrip
But Caye Caulker isn't the only spot that will get a fully decked out airstrip. Minister Heredia and his team are working on a plan to renovate the Placencia airstrip as well. Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism: "We are already in the work plan for Placencia and I am sure that in the next couple of months I am hoping that something will be in the pipeline to see if we can get Placencia going." Courtney Weatherburne, reporter: "So in Placencia it is going to be a big project such as this one?"

Tropic Offers $21 Flights On Independence Day
Now that the Caye Caulker airstrip is opened to the public, Tropic air is doing a super special Independence Day promotion. You get to fly anywhere in Belize for just $21, one-way. You don't believe me? Well, we asked Tropic Air President John Greif about it today. John Greif, President, Tropic Air: "We are actually opening the Caye Caulker airstrip on the 20th just so the Caulkenos can get benefit of the $21 special so on September the 21st so for that day only you can travel between any two points in Belize for $21 and another $21 to return."

Sargassum Smothering Belizean Beaches
So while these renovated airstrips are a solid look for tourism - one pesky phenomenon that is plaguing the industry is sargassum. This brown, smelly sea weed clutter has inundated the beautiful beaches of Caye Caulker, San Pedro, with Placencia and Hopkins being the most affected. Residents have been doing their best to get rid of the sargassum but it is just too much. Minister of Tourism Heredia says this is the worst it has ever been. Today he discussed how the ministry plans to deal with this problem. Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism: "We have a task force of DOE, Coastal Zone, Fisheries Department and our own people from the industry to see what will be the short term, middle term and long term for this one because we have seen that rather than minimizing it is increasing. The amount we are getting in the Belizean coast line is much greater than anytime in my 30 years of fishing that I did, I have never seen anything like that..."

New NICH Interim President Speaks
Last night we told you about the installation of a new interim President of NICH, Dr. John Morris. He's the Director of the Institute of Archaeology, and told us today how seniority earned him the interim post:... Dr. John Morris, Interim President - NICH: "I was informed by the Deputy Prime Minister a few days ago, given that the actual president Miss Sapnah was placed on administrative leave and that he ask me if I could hold over for the meantime until the audit is done, because obviously an organization the size of NICH requires somebody to be in charged during that period and so being I presume the most senior officer, in terms of the directors at NICH, he asked me to hold over."

The NICH Audit Continues
Dr. Morris will be president - at least until Cabinet reviews an external audit which is ongoing. Morris told us about that process, and discussed the internal audit of the Music Ambassador's office:.. Dr. John Morris, Interim President - NICH: "And now the external audit is focusing on the internal audit to either validate the audit or to see where the supposed errors were made within that audit. So it's a 2 step process. I can tell you that the external auditors are currently working. I saw them in Belmopan yesterday and this morning..."

Copyright Crackdown Coming For Radio?
Copyright compliance is coming to Belize. You;Re already feeling it in your that increased cable bill - and it's also going to affect those tunes you listen to on the radio. Whether you chill with Vybes Kartel, or groove to Maroon 5, or get down with Supa G, every song that pays on the radio has got to pay a royalty to the local or international publisher. And right now, few to none of those royalties are being paid. That's what the Broadcasting Authority called over 60 radio operators to the Biltmore to discuss today. We stopped in:.. Government has signed 5 international copyright conventions.

Caracol, The Threat Persists
Special Constable Danny Conorquie was killed by Guatemalan bandits at Caracol in 2014, and since then a conservation post has been opened to provide greater security in the area. But as the Director of Archeology discussed today, when you're that close to the Guat border, you're never safe:.. Dr. John Morris, Interim President - NICH: "Let me be the first to say that I am never comfortable. We have placed measures out there and I am still not fully comfortable. Primarily because it's an open border and without casting a aspersions to our neighbor, there is still a lot of Guatemalans to Belize. It's an open border..."

Beenie and Belizean Artists Team Up
The Belize September Festival weekend will be held this weekend at the Marion Jones Stadium tonight, Saturday and Sunday. It's a celebration of Belizean talent, headlined on Sunday by Jamaican Dancehall legend, Beenie Man. We spoke to him today:… As we said at the top the event starts tonight, and ends on Sunday. General admission is 30 dollars.

Read Between The Lines For Literacy
Tomorrow may be carnival day, but it is also world Literacy Day and today the Ministry of Education held an event at ITVET to underscore the values and targets for literacy:..

Taiwan Gives To Jade Exhibits
When the Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited in August, she was taken on a tour of the Museum of Belize. The prime attraction was the jade head. But she may have also noticed that the room could use some sprucing up. So, today the Taiwanese Embassy's second secretary dropped off a small cheque to take care of that:..

Good Citizen Returns Wallet Full Of Cash
And while the Taiwanese demonstrated goodwill to a faithful ally, a Belmopan resident showed neighborliness and strong civic values to a fellow resident of the Capital. Kevin Bautista found a wallet on a rainy day and didn't rest until he found the very relieved owner. Police recognized him for it today:…

Mas Camps, Come Een!
Tomorrow, the country's eyes will turn to Belize City for the Carnival Road March. Those who can't be here to see it can watch it on Channel 7, and the images of getting wild in the streets will no doubt fill up social media feeds for days. And all the planning, work, energy and design that's going to be displayed on the streets tomorrow started months ago at Mas Camps all across the city. The judges and the media have been visiting those camps all this week - and here's what last night looked like:.. And if you can't make it out on the route, you can see the Carnival first on Channel 7 tomorrow starting at midday with hosts Wilson Grinage and Jeannie Brooks.

Motown Memories At Bliss
And while Carnival will play tomorrow, last night and tonight at the Bliss Center, it's all about timeless Motown Memories. We leave you tonight with highlites of last night's show at the Bliss… Have a great tenth weekend and join us back here on Tuesday night… Plus you can see all the tenth activities right here on channel 7...

Channel 5

Thieves Hit Premium Wines for Massive Haul
A trio of thieves netted a sizeable haul this morning, ahead of the extended carnival weekend and tenth holiday, during an armed robbery at Premium Wines and Spirits on Newtown [...]

Bar Association Raises Concerns Over State of Public Emergency
There is growing concern within the legal fraternity regarding the recent declaration of a state of public emergency in the George Street and Mayflower Street communities.  The Bar Association of [...]

Defense Attorney Says Detention is Not the Solution to Crime
The legal basis for establishing the state of public emergency in two areas is coming under question in many quarters. Defense Attorney Dickie Bradley, is also opposing the state of [...]

Attorneys Prepare to Represent Persons Illegally Detained
As we have reported, over a hundred persons were detained since the morning of September fifth, including adults and minors following the signing of the proclamation by the Governor General [...]

Tourism Minister Supports “State of Public Emergency” Measure
We did find today support for the proclamation by Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia. He has no problem with the Governor General invoking the constitutional powers to address the issue [...]

Gang Members Flee Belize City
In the three days since the government declared a state of public emergency in Mayflower and George Street areas, masked law enforcement officers have barged into the homes of residents [...]

Cache of Firearms and Ammunition Found in Cayo
This leads us to a joint operation between San Ignacio Police and officers of the Special Branch Unit which resulted in the discovery of several high powered firearms and ammunition [...]

Audit Report Reveals Contracts That Were Not Put for Tender
Tabled last week Friday in the House of Representatives was the Report of the Auditor General for the period April 2013 to March 2014. While the purpose of the audit [...]

The Renovated Caye Caulker Municipal Airstrip is Inaugurated
Commercial flights are set to resume services to and from Caye Caulker.  If you’ll recall, last October Maya Island Air and Tropic Air suspended service in Caye Caulker because the [...]

Ashley Meighan on Bail for Murder of Classmate
The number of persons accused of murder, who are applying and successfully getting bail in the Supreme Court, is on an upward trend.  One of the most recent cases involves [...]

Dean Dawson Junior Granted $40,000 Bail
Another person who is out on bail for murder is Dean Dawson Junior.  The Supreme Court granted him bail in the sum of forty thousand dollars. Dawson was charged for [...]

G.O.B. to Address Sargassum Problem
The Sargassum problem affecting coastal communities is getting worse. Villagers in Placencia, Hopkins, Seine Bight and residents of San Pedro have been battling with the stench and toxins released into [...]

Belmopan Resident Awarded for Being Honest
Belmopan resident Kevin Bautista today was recognized for being an honest individual. Last month, while dining in a restaurant in Belmopan, Bautista found a wallet containing about a thousand dollars [...]

An Ambulance is Donated to Boost Emergency Services in Southern Belize
There is limited number of ambulances to serve patients in southern Belize, but that number grew by one today.  With assistance from the Rotary Club of Edmonton, Canada and the [...]

Belize Celebrates International Literacy Day
Belize joined the rest of the world today in celebrating International Literacy Day. The event was marked with a fair at the ITVET Compound in Belize City. The Ministry of [...]

UN Joint National Steering Committee Discusses Citizen Security
The third meeting of the United Nations Joint National Steering Committee was held today in Belize City and it was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington and UN Resident Coordinator [...]

Mas Camp Day 3: Mas Bands Ready for the Road
Get ready for Saturday’s carnival road march and stay tuned to this station for our live coverage beginning at one p.m. with the J’ouvert. Now, there are fewer mas bands [...]

3-day Concert Weekend Sees Ernestine and Beenie Man Gracing the Stage
Music lovers from across the country will converge on the Old Capital this carnival weekend for three nights of concert performances from Belizean and international artists.  It’s a ticket that [...]

LOVE FM

Broadcasters get the facts on copyright
The Belize Broadcasting Authority (BBA) met with local broadcasters who are licensed by the BBA to discuss the importance of copyright compliance. Copyright gives the author of any creative work the right to control the reproduction of their work and to receive payment for that reproduction. For years, Belize has not been complying, but now …

Minister Heredia speaks on cost of new runway
Minister Manuel Heredia said the new runway came at hefty price. Manuel Heredia Jr. Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation: “Implemented at a cost of $3.6 million the Caye Caulker municipal airport is now one of the latest and most modern Municipal air drums in the country. The engineer team included substantial work to the …

Caye Caulker’s impact on Belize’s Tourism
With the improvement to the Caye Caulker municipal airstrip, it will only further create a boost in the island’s contribution to Belize’s Tourism product. Known for its allure in providing travelers with not only a small, but peaceful getaway, Caye Caulker, boasts accumulating the second highest number in overnight stays, therefore largely impacting Belize’s tourism. …

Minister Heredia speaks on sargassum
With the recent issues involving the overgrowth of sargassum along Belize’s coastline, many communities have been doing everything possible to not only clean, but to minimize the amounts accumulated on the seashores. Various communities such as San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Hopkins and Placencia are all battling with the seemingly never-ending incease of sargassum on their …

BTIA says long term solution needed for crime
What happens beyond the initial 30 days legislated under the Statutory Instrument signed by the Governor General that put into force a State of Emergency is still anyone’s guess. And though the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) believes the police department is doing its best to try something new, though draconian in nature, a long-term …

Dangriga Polyclinic employees apparently stages sickout
Usually when you’re sick you go to the hospital but the hospital is exactly where a group of disgruntled employees avoided going today. Some employees of the Dangriga Polyclinic staged a sickout and our correspondent from the culture capital, Harry Arzu reported on some of the concerns that led to the employees taking that step. …

Literacy initiative in Punta Gorda
Similar activities took place in other districts to mark the day. Correspondent Paul Mahung reports on activities in the Toledo District. Dr. Carmen Lopez Avila: “The whole purpose of celebrating Literacy day is to bring literacy alive to our students. We believe from the Ministry of Education that if our students start to read at Std. …

Laptops and tablets given away for International Literacy Day
Ten schools received tablets while five others received free laptops at the Belize District Education Centre expo at the Belize Training and Education Centre this morning. CEO for the Ministry of Education, Carol Babb said September 8th is celebrated as International Literacy Day and this year the theme is Literacy Skills and Development. Carol Babb …

Queen of the Bay designate assists Belize Red Cross
The Queen of the Bay designate has reached out to assist the Belize Red Cross after their office was burglarized earlier this week. Fem Cruz reports. Fem Cruz: “Following the sad news that we reported on Tuesday that heartless thieves broke into the Belmopan Red Cross and stole all the food supplies for the feeding …

Rotary’s ambulance donation
Today, the Southern Emergency Service located in Hopkins Village received its second ambulance from the Edmonton Riverview Rotary Club in Canada. The ambulance was brought in on a US military aircraft. The staff of the Southern Emergency Service was at the airport to receive it. Love News spoke with Rose Smith, one of the directors …

Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation speaks on rehabilitation of Caye Caulker Airport
If you’re one of those individuals that can escape Belize City for the rest of the state of emergency perhaps you would be interested in flying to the cayes. In October, 2017 local airlines stopped flying to Caye Caulker after sending many complaints to the authorities that the airstrip was not safe …

Making citizen security a priority
It may have just been coincidental but a United Nations Joint National Steering Committee meeting held today, citizen security was the main topic. Christian Salazar Volkmann, the UNDP Representative for Belize told Love News that citizen security is not only about reducing the crime rate …

The price of fuel keeps going up
Effective midnight, the price of a gallon of diesel will increase by twenty two cents. The new price will be ten dollars and sixty nine cents up from ten dollars and forty seven cents. Premium remains at eleven dollars and seventy cents, regular at eleven dollars and four cents and kerosene at eight dollars and thirty four cents a gallon …

Police seized weapons
Yesterday afternoon, police conducted a joint operation during which they searched a bushy area in the Shawville Area of San Ignacio. Authorities discovered one M6 Carbine LWRC with 2 magazine loaded with forty six 5.56 rounds, 1 Mossberg brand pump 12 gauge pump action shotgun along with three 12 gauge cartridges …

BAR Association concerned about Human Rights
So far attorney, an attorney Audrey Matura-Shepherd and the Belize Tourism Industry Association have both weighed in on the declaration of the state of emergency but the Bar Association of Belize had been relatively quiet on the legality of the instrument being forced on the south side of Belize City over the past week that had engulfed 110 persons in a dragnet …

Amandala

Ghost Town/George Street under “State of Public Emergency”
In the early hours of this morning, heavily armed elements of the Belize Police Department and Belize Defence Force (BDF) swarmed into the neighborhoods of the Ghost Town (Banak Street) and George Street gangs. By the time the Ministry of National Security decided to call a midmorning press briefing to explain what was happening in the areas (which they had declared to be areas where a “public emergency” exists as defined in a proclamation that was signed by the Governor General and published in the Government Gazette yesterday, Tuesday, September 4), the early morning police and BDF operation had picked up and detained about 100 persons, most of whom police believe have gang affiliations. The proclamation conferred special powers to the security forces to operate without being challenged on constitutional grounds by the residents in the declared areas, where some of the constitutional rights of citizens are being suspended under the emergency measures.

City gangsters flee police dragnet
Just before we went to press tonight, we received a report that as much as 20 gang members who are said to belong to the George Street Gang, were seen coming off a bus in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo District. It appears that these gang members who were seen in Cayo have managed to somehow escape the police dragnet that was set up early yesterday morning when heavily armed police and Belize Defence Force soldiers, many of them with their faces covered, descended on the George Street and Ghost Town gang neighborhoods, detaining at least 100 gang affiliates under a proclamation which declared a public state of emergency in the two neighborhoods.

City gangsters flee police dragnet
Three brothers are on trial before Justice Adolph Lucas for the murder of Denver Villafranco, 23, a BDF volunteer who was fatally stabbed around 7 p.m. on January 17, 2015, at the corner of Sunflower Street and Complex Avenue. The three accused men are Phil Staine, 45; Orlando Staine, 41; and Kareem Staine, 37. It is a trial without a jury and it began on Monday, September 3, with the Crown, represented by Crown Counsel Portia Ferguson, stating the 5 elements that the Crown has to prove to get a murder conviction. She said the Crown has to prove that Villafranco is dead, that he died from harm, that the harm was unlawful, that it was the accused persons who inflicted the harm and that when they did so, their sole intention was to kill.

Opposition leader Briceño says government’s “heavy-handedness” is not going to work
The Leader of the Opposition, the People’s United Party (PUP), Hon. John Briceño, called a press briefing at his Belize City office this afternoon in response to the Ministry of National Security’s decision to declare two areas on the south side of Belize City as areas where “a public emergency” exists. The areas where the Ministry of National Security has declared that a public emergency exists in its Statutory Instrument No 49 of 2018, are the areas bordering on the turf of the Ghost Town Gangs on Mayflower and Vernon Streets, Lake View Street and Banak Street and the George Street gang on the lower section of that street and the immediate area of Plues Street.

Jenny Lee Cruz, 19, is the new Queen of the Bay
In the 73rd Queen of the Bay Pageant, six beautiful ladies from every district except Orange Walk competed to win the crown. In the end, Jenny Lee Cruz, 19, representing Belmopan, was crowned this year’s Queen of the Bay. This is the first time in 11 years that a delegate from our nation’s capital has won the crown. The six ladies competed in four categories: the formal introduction, talent, evening gown, and question and answer categories. At the end of the evening, although all the contestants performed well, Cruz was crowned by the former Queen of the Bay, Aaliyah Ysaguirre.

Belize vs Bahamas on Friday in Concacaf Nations League qualifier, on the path to Gold Cup

Dangriga sports stats
Delille Academy females and Ecumenical males basketball teams, who both won the secondary schools national tournament and are preparing for the Central America high school CODICADER Games in Panama starting next week, will be playing exhibition games this Friday night, September 7, at the Russell “Chiste” Garcia Auditorium. The first game will be the females matchup – Delille Academy versus a Dangriga female selection at 7:00 p.m.; followed by the second game which will be the males matchup – Ecumenical High vs Ecumenical Junior College (sixth formers).

Cricket update
Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! On Saturday, August 25, the BNCA had their 2018 trophy distribution event in Lemonal Village. First place trophy for the 2018 Harrison Parks Bowen & Bowen Cricket Competition was awarded to Easy Does It Team of Lemonal Village; second place went to Summer Fever of Bermudian Landing. First place for Zone One went to Police Cricket Team, while first place for Zone Two went to Wicked 11 of Flowers Bank.

Kulture Yabra Veterans are National Over-40 Football Champions 2018
The Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Over-40 Football Tournament 2018 concluded yesterday at the MCC Grounds, where Kulture Yabra Veterans claimed the championship, after securing a 2-1 victory over San Pedro Veterans in game 2 of the Finals series. Yabra got 2 first half goals, both headers, the first from Steve “Gellies” Young (26’) and the second from Charlie Slusher (45’). Yabra forward Albert “Chicken” Arnold assisted on both goals, sending a corner from the left side for Gellies, and floating a center from the right side for Charlie, who had replaced the injured Mervin “Rugged” Flores at the 25th minute.

Prosecution withdraws ammo charge from Underwood brothers
A charge of keeping ammunition without a gun license against two brothers, Alexander Underwood, 28, and Austin Underwood, 24, was withdrawn by the prosecution when they appeared in court today. On October 23, 2017, four police officers, members of a special assignment team, went to the brothers’ residence, a two-storey house on Reggae Street, and executed a search without any residents of the house being present.

Editorial: The Southside: cancer and matrix
The problem with treating cancer cells is that they basically live within a healthy matrix in the human body, so that attempts to destroy cancer cells cause collateral damage, in that the surrounding healthy matrix also comes under attack. Leadership of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) Cabinet of Belize passed from Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean O. Barrow, area representative for Queen’s Square in Belize City, to Deputy (Acting) Prime Minister, Hon. Patrick Faber, area representative for the Collet constituency in Belize City, on Saturday, September 1, when Mr. Barrow flew to Havana, Cuba, to undergo major spinal fusion surgery, performed on Tuesday, September 4, in Havana.

From The Publisher
I have to admit that I’ve reached the stage of my life where I am regularly affected by bouts of nostalgia. On Tuesday afternoon, for instance, KREM’s Lisa Love was playing Eddie Floyd’s “Consider Me.” In the summer of 1969, that song absolutely ruled the jukebox in the pool hall downstairs of where I lived with my wife, pregnant with our first child. This was at the corner of King and George Streets in Belize City. I had spent time earlier the said Tuesday with Nuri Muhammad, as I often do on Tuesday mornings. Nuri Muhammad had been like a special consultant to the fledgling UBAD movement during that summer of 1969. He was on holiday from university in Oakland, California. The interaction between us had not been altogether smooth that summer of ’69, and after he returned to school in September that year, I had not seen Nuri until he came to Belize in 1972 as the Belize Imam of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam.

Was the 10th September a myth?
Dear Editor, There is a saying in life, “When you are a child, you digest what your elders tell you”. It’s that time again when we will start to sing Hip Hip Hurrah! Hip Hip Hurrah! May the glory of the Baymen never fade, as we march and wave our flags today! Growing up in the Seventies and earlier part of the Eighties, September was the month: a favorite part of the celebrations was marching with your school and had to pass Government House where the Governor, along with other Government officials, would wave to us as we paraded by, and whilst we were parading, we would hum or sing under our breath this famous line, “We are marching today for cake and lemonade, as we are celebrating our day, it was the 10th day of September when history was made.”

Of Caesar and Pontius Pilate
Dear Editor, I was really surprised to hear the departing British High Commissioner’s recent comment on television that he was not aware of any country that had lost territory to another country as a result of an ICJ decision. It is also an amazing coincidence that his arguments for going to the ICJ were exactly the same as those being used by the government, or is the converse the case? I hope that his replacement will display a little more respect for the intelligence of Belizeans. Now let’s proceed with the topic of this correspondence. Ever since Guatemala endorsed the 1859 border convention with Great Britain they unwittingly signed away any claim, legal or imagined, they may have had to the area of land from the Sibun to the Sarstoon Rivers.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
Deciding to write a column was no easy decision to make. I thought about how many young writers there are, if my desired audience still even reads the newspaper, my fear of possibly being rejected by the only newspaper I wanted to write for, and a load of other little considerations that delayed this, what is now unfolding on the page right before my eyes. What will this column be about? I write with the intention to highlight the positive contributions made by young Belizeans, and to share the value-added aspects of the majority of our population. For too long I have read and seen that traditional media has been rife with negative stories of young people, leaving the word “youth” in the category of scorned profanity.

First 80 pages too much for old agenda
Some people noh have no chaynj fu chaynj. A month or so ago I had put aside enough chum to purchase my very own copy of Assad Shoman’s, “Guatemala’s Claim to Belize – the definitive history”, and Jerry Enriquez’s,”To Educate a Nation: Autobiography of Andres P. and Jane V. Enriquez”, but people richer than I had purchased all the copies at Belmopan’s three bookstores. I always have my projects, but someday soon I’ll be liquid enough (after purchasing my necessary weekly libation) to go to the bookstores again. In the interim, last weekend, a very kind person stepped forward and loaned me their personal copy of Shoman’s book. Thank you, thank you, it is worth every copper you spent on it.

Exploring the reasons behind the name “Crooked Tree” Village
A person hearing the last names “Tillett,” “Gillett,” and “Crawford,” would instinctively associate the persons carrying those names with the village of Crooked Tree. This is because those names were those of the first English and Scottish settlers of the village when they arrived with their African slaves. Crooked Tree was settled almost 300 years ago and was discovered by these settlers while they were going up the Belize River in search of logwood. The village is essentially an island, being bordered by the Revenge Lagoon, Western Lagoon, and Spanish Creek. It was not until a 3.5-mile causeway from the Philip Goldson Highway was built in 1984 that the village became accessible by land. So how did this village get its name? Many websites agree that the answer is straightforward: an abundance of “crooked” trees.

Accidental shotgun discharge kills Daniel Alford, 42
Police are investigating the death of Daniel Alford, Sr., 42, a security guard of Georgeville, after he suffered a shotgun blast in the left side of his abdomen. Initially, police had told us that at about 4:30 p.m. Monday, Alford was carrying a loaded shotgun while hunting on the Mountain Pine Ridge road (Cayo District), and he fell while climbing a rocky hill and the gun hit the ground and discharged into his abdomen. When police went to the scene, they found a shotgun along with an expended shell, which was in the chamber. Myvette said they have not yet ascertained if the gun is licensed to anyone.

Man crushed to death while cleaning cement mixer
Yesterday, reports of a horrific accidental death at a cement factory circulated within the media, but it was not until about 6:30 p.m. that it was officially confirmed by the police. According to police, on Tuesday around 11:20 a.m. they visited the morgue, where they saw the body of Jeffrey Hernandez, 21, with severe injuries to his midsection — between his stomach and pelvis. Initial investigations revealed that about 10 o’clock Monday night, Hernandez, a resident of Guinea Grass, was at his workplace at AP Enterprise Cement Block Factory, when he suffered his injuries while cleaning the inside of a heavy duty cement mixer.

3 remanded for the murder of Sherris Stringham, 67
At about 11:30 last Saturday night, the decomposing body of Sherris Stringham, 67, a retired American from the state of Kansas, USA, who had been living in Hopkins for almost a year, was found under a bridge in Steadfast Community at Mile 18 on the Stann Creek Valley Road, 7 days after she had been reported missing from her home in Hopkins village. An onsite autopsy on the body certified that her death was caused by traumatic asphyxia as a result of multiple rib and sternum punctures to the chest. The investigation into Stringham’s brutal murder led to Anthony and Wilhelm Nunez, both 18, who are relatives, and a minor, 16 years old, all teenagers of Hopkins, Stann Creek District.

The Reporter

LAWMEN INTERCEPT MULES WITH LARGE SUMS OF $US CASH . . . POLICE – KNOWN GANG FIGURE APPREHENDED IN PLACENCIA
These are BREAKING NEWS stories, more details will be available soon. BREAKING NEWS – September 6th. KNOWN GANG FIGURE APPREHENDED IN PLACENCIA Police sources are reporting that they have caught

EDITORIAL – September 7th. 2018
The Tenth of September 2018 comes at a good time to remind Belizeans contemplating what they should do in the approaching referendum, that courage and valour are part of our

Sapna = Collateral Damage
“I would presume so. No one knows where Sapna Budhrani comes from. No one. No one knows her in the creative sector or the culture sector. So, again, we understand

Let’s Talk Mandatory Voting!
There is a lot of talk, and there have been a lot of complaints about our leadership and how we are governed. I have tried to study this phenomena of

FAMILY SUSPECTS MURDER IN GRUESOME DEATH
REPORTER: News Staff, - The family of Jeffrey Hernandez, who died after he suffered a large cut wound on his abdomen while cleaning the interior of a cement mixer on

Bruno’s Killer Captured
REPORTER: News Staff, - The dangerous crocodile which attacked a dog named ‘Bruno’ on a Facebook video that went viral, was captured last week through a collaborative effort involving the

NO CHARGE…NO TRIAL, GO STRAIGHT TO JAIL
REPORTER: News Staff, – The Reporter has confirmed that Police have rounded up who they say are major players in both Southside gangs targeted in the State of Emergency which

Breaking Belize News

Belize Jaguars beats Bahamas in CONCACAF Prequalifiers tonight
Belize has just defeated Bahamas in a commanding fashion in the CONCACAF Nation’s League Qualifiers. The […]

Benque Viejo men busted with US $65,000 in cash
Two Benque Viejo men remain detained at the Ladyville police station after they were busted carrying […]

Armed robbery on Belize City’s north side
BBN has been reliably informed that there was a robbery earlier today in Belize City. […]

Culprit/s steal over $18,000 from home in Corozal
Police are investigating a burglary that occurred on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in Corozal. Eneyda Perera,63, reported […]

4 charged with drug trafficking in San Ignacio Town
Yesterday, San Ignacio Police arrested four persons for drug trafficking at a home in Shawville area. At the […]

Generator valued at $10,000 stolen from Monkey River Water Board Office
Police are investigating a burglary that occurred in Monkey River Village, Toledo District last week. Kasia Gordon,40, […]

Underwood brothers beat ammunition charges
Last October Alexander and Austin Underwood were remanded to prison on ammunition charges. Four members of […]

Ashley Meighan gets bail for 2014 murder of Chryslin Gladden
In 2014 Ashley Meighan and Clement Bol were jointly charged for the murder of Wesley high […]

Murderer gets bail for death of Wallace Matura
Accused murderer, Dean Dawson Jr., 28, has secured bail in the Supreme Court. Justice Herbert […]

Man remanded for firearm and ammunition
Belize City resident, Chadrick Usher, 27, is behind bars after he was busted with a […]

Police Department accused of killing blind dog in George Street Vicinity
Residents of West Street are accusing members of the Belize Police Department of killing their […]

A State of Public Emergency
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Meet Elsie and Jeffrey Ellis of Ellis Coconut Oil Production
Ellis Coconut Oil Production is a family owned business in Belize. Owned by local Belizeans […]

13-year-old teen missing in Cayo
The family of thirteen-year-old Kenrick Menjivar of Red Creek in Santa Elena Town is concerned […]

Blogs

El Secreto Resort is Closed and Here’s What It Looks Like
Rumors have been flying over the past few months. That El Secreto Resort at mile 11 Ambergris Caye is closed. Indefinitely. The website is down as are their social media accounts. Google has them marked as “Permanently Closed” and the last TripAdvisor review is from April 2018. I decided to take a drive up the coast to check it out. The road proper ends at about Mile 9 – and then there is more of a path along the beach. I don’t know why the resort closed. The owners/developers of El Secreto were affiliated with the purchase of Caye Chapel a few years ago. I did check with a rep for the new Caye Chapel – Four Seasons Development and they are not part of the current team. Here is what I saw at 11 miles north.

Belize by the numbers!
A brief history of Belize, and some of its pressing issues: We’re bordered by Guatemala on the west and south, and for years, our neighbor has insisted on ownership of quite a large portion of our territory. In 2019, Belize is expected to cast a vote in a referendum to decide whether we take the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice. Guatemala has already voted yes to heading there, and Belizeans have been debating whether or not to vote the same. As fiercely patriotic as we are, it is no surprise that our theme would pick on the current issues and run with a bold declaration. Translated from the Creole/Kriol version, our theme says: “Belize is for us, now and forever, 8867.” This number is significant, and the more we thought about it, the more we realized that numbers are a huge part of our country.

Happy Battle of Saint George's Caye Day; And 37th years of Independence day in Belize
The Battle of St. George's Caye was a short military engagement that lasted from 3 to 10 September 1798, off the coast of what is now Belize. However, the name is typically reserved for the final battle that occurred on 10 September. The Spaniards had previously attempted to expel the British settlers and their slaves on six occasions, most recently in 1779. September 10, 1798, marked the final Spanish attempt to take over the area. Today, the Battle of St. George's Caye is a national public and bank holiday.In our international campaign and in negotiations, Belize insisted that the right of the people to independence was a separate issue from the negotiations to end the Guatemalan claim. We insisted that independence must be achieved by 1981 even if negotiations were not successful. If necessary, negotiations would continue after independence.

International Sources

Where are Helene and soon-to-be Isaac headed in the Atlantic?
Two new tropical threats have emerged in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and one could threaten some of the Caribbean Islands next week. Tropical Depression Nine and Tropical Storm Helene have joined Florence in the Atlantic Basin. Helene, which is located off the west coast of Africa, will bring tropical-storm-force conditions to the Cabo Verde Islands into Sunday afternoon. Tropical Depression Nine, which is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm and acquire the name Isaac over the next few days, will track westward into next week. The anticipated track of Tropical Depression Nine will put the Lesser Antilles in line for possible impacts next week. “There is a growing consensus that this system could threaten the Lesser Antilles during the middle or latter part of next week,” AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.

Videos

September 7, 2018

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Unregulated dredging 10 miles north Ambergris Caye
A concerned resident has reliably informed The San Pedro Sun of unregulated dredging happening now approximately 10 miles north Ambergris Caye. According to the eyewitness report, an unidentified group of men arrived at a beach with a backhoe digging up sand, loading it onto trucks and then driving away. The area where this is happening is a known turtle nesting site and as such, Hol Chan Marine Reserve has been contacted. They indicated that this incident has been taking place for close to a week and they have been unable to identify who is responsible.

Caye Caulker Police Officers and residents awarded for quick response in gas station robbery
Five police officers from the Caye Caulker Police Formation and two island residents were awarded on Friday, August 31st for their quick response to a robbery in process at the Bridge Marina gas station in Caye Caulker Village. The five officers were John Sanchez, Anibal Castellanos, Arthur Young, Shamika Garcia, and Parcino Mckin. Arkel Johnson and Javier Novelo were the island residents who helped. Joining the short award ceremony was Eastern Police Division Commander, Robert Mariano, Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Javier Castellanos and Chairwoman of Caye Caulker Village, Enelda Rosado. Deputy Commander Castellanos stated the various officers and residents were awarded for their hard work in the community, as well as for their quick response to the gas station robbery. “It is good to highlight and show some appreciation for the hard work the officers and residents are doing in the village,” he stated.

Fish Aggregating Device found near Ambergris Caye
A large yellow, buoy-like object was found floating near the shores of Ambergris Caye on Saturday, September 1st by local tour operators. The device turned out to be a Fish Aggregating Device (FAD), which is a human-made object used to attract open ocean fish such as marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi and other types of fish. The huge device was first taken to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in an attempt to discern where it came from. Afterwards, it was taken to Captain Shark’s boatyard south of San Pedro Town where it will be analyzed for possible repairs and then taken back out into the open sea. However, it is suspected that it was anchored near one of the Caribbean nations in the Eastern Caribbean. According to Elito Arceo, a successful businessman and tour operator on the island, these type of devices are usually placed out at sea in front of Ambergris Caye.

San Pedro Pirates trailing behind at the 2018 PLB Opening Season
Week five of the 2018-2019 Opening Season of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) saw yet another loss for the San Pedro Pirates Football Club. The island team was defeated in a home game at the Ambergris Stadium against Verdes Football Club on Saturday, September 1st. This latest match, which ended in a 2-1 score, puts the Pirates in the seventh position in the tournament standing, with only three points overall. The current standings of the PLB have Belmopan Bandits at the top of the chart with 13 points, followed by Verdes F.C with 12 points, and Police United F.C & Wagiya F.C with nine points each. Following the top three teams is Altitude Assassins F.C with six points, Belize Defense Force with four points and San Pedro Pirates F.C with three points. The Freedom Fighters F.C. are yet to make it on the chart.

Ambergris Today

Kim Simplis Secures Grant For HIV/AIDS Campaign In Southern Belize
Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) gets Grant Funding from Gilead Sciences Inc The Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) is pleased to announce the receipt of grant funding from Gilead Sciences Inc. for initiatives under the theme "Transforming Lives through Innovation: Implementation of high-impact prevention programs for adolescents, young men and women".

Misc Belizean Sources

UK Donates Funds to Support Public Awareness Campaign on ICJ Referendum
On Wednesday, September 5th 2018, the United Kingdom (UK) contributed 1.3 million Belize Dollars to the Public Awareness and Preparedness Campaign to support the referendum on whether or not to refer Guatemala’s territorial, insular, and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The funds will be administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project was launched in August 2018 with support from the United States Embassy in Belize and will continue until the referendum takes place on April 10th 2019. The additional funding from the UK will assist in ensuring that the population of Belize has access to all the information it needs on the history of Guatemala’s claim to Belizean territory, the background of the Special Agreement, and how the ICJ functions. There will also be activities to enhance the registration of voters. The project is an inclusive, multi-level initiative, involving engagement from various civil society organizations, educational institutions, and the public, as well as support and training from international experts.

Corozal Ceremony of the Battle of St. George's Caye
Everyone is invited on Monday 10th September to the official ceremony of the Battle of St. George's Caye in-front of the Corozal Town Hall at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Citizens Parade through the principal streets of Corozal Town. Monday September 10th is a public and bank holiday.

Power outages Sunday in Corozal
Heads Up - Two Power outages 6:00 a.m. to 6:10 a.m. and 5:20 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 9th to affect entire COROZAL and Orange Walk Districts,. BEL to facilitate maintenance works by Cenace at Xul-Ha, Mexico. Via text message.

Weekend Celebration at Miami Beach!
Meet us at the Round House. It's a weekend Celebration at Miami Beach! Everyone is invited this 9th and 10th September. September 9th at Round House - Free Dance - Music by Dynamics of Belize Band - Fireworks at midnight. September 10th - Beach Party after the parade at Miami Beach.

Cockburn Lane property being cleared in Belize City
The clearing of our Cockburn Lane property has commenced. This is the first phase before the construction of a new building that will be built at this site.

San Ignacio/Santa Elena House of Culture Hosts UNHCR Art Exhibition
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) though the Museum of Belize’s San Ignacio/Santa Elena House of Culture, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cordially invite you to the opening of a photographic exhibition entitled "RefugiARTe", on Friday, September 7th, at 7:00 pm. The exhibition consists of illustrations from artists in Latin America, depicting refugees and their many challenges. The exhibit also contains work from an artist in Belize, whose parents are refugees. Kindly note that the exhibition will be running for one month at the San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture (NICH). This is a joint venture between NICH and the UNHCR, in celebration of World Refugee Day.

Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association Training
In addition to training the Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association (TFCGA) on farming cacao, we are also teaching the group how to lead. Over a training workshop, facilitated by Ya’axché staff, their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) were identified. The farmers enjoyed utilizing the SWOT tool. This is one session in a series of leadership training workshops aimed at strengthening the TFCGA. This important capacity building workshop was funded by the GEF-Small Grants Programme.

Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) gets Grant Funding from Gilead Sciences Inc
The Spouses of CARICOM Leaders Action Network (SCLAN) is pleased to announce the receipt of grant funding from Gilead Sciences Inc. for initiatives under the theme “Transforming Lives through Innovation: Implementation of high-impact prevention programs for adolescents, young men and women”. The Grant will facilitate the establishment of the SCLAN Secretariat that will be housed in Belize, and two demonstration projects in Belize and Guyana. The Secretariat will be tasked with the oversight of projects, resource mobilization, information sharing and coordination of the Network’s activities across the region.

Belize Represented at MOU Signing between FOPREL and SICA
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Laura Tucker Longsworth, was in El Salvador for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Forum of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Central America and the Caribbean Basin (FOPREL) and the Central American Integration System (SICA). The objective of the MOU is for the two regional institutions to join efforts in advancing institutional frameworks in the areas of social/economic integration and climate change among other issues.

US Embassy Issues Security Alert for US Citizens Living in Belize
Security Alert — U.S. Embassy Belmopan, Belize. Location: Southside Belize City, Belize. Event: On September 0th, Belize's Governor General declared a state of emergency for areas of Southside Belize City. The state of emergency is effect for the next thirty days. Police and Belize Defense Force will enforce check points throughout the south side and have increased authorities to detain individuals. Actions to Take: • Exercise increased caution in Southside Belize City. • Monitor local media for updates. • Avoid crowds. • Follow all instructions of Belize authorities. • Keep a low profile. • Notify friends and family of your safety. • Be aware of your surroundings. • Be vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. • Use caution when walking or driving at night. • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt

How sargassum is tainting the waters close to shore on Ambergris Caye
It's accumulation has caused some dead zones as dead juvenile fish continue to be spotted along the beaches. Hoping we don't start seeing larger marine animals dying like in Florida. Already the smell of Hydrogen sulfide is a nuisance for residents.

Battle of St George's Caye, Official Coronation of Miss San Pedro, and Uniform Parade in San Pedro
Sept 10th, 10am in Central Park

Movie Night at KoKo King
Family Friday Movie Night: Movies start at nightfall. THE STRAY (PG): The story of how a stray dog, Pluto, comes out of nowhere and impacts the Davis family, who are struggling in many ways. In just a short time, Pluto the Wonderdog manages to save a toddler, bring comfort and companionship to a hurting 9-year old boy, help restore a marriage, and repair a broken father-son relationship. Pluto is not only a guard dog - he is a guardian angel. AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (PG13): The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

New law risks arrival of Belizeans. Citizens who enter with private vehicles must cover a payment
More than 17,000 vehicles from Belize will stop crossing into Mexico every month, to avoid Civil Liability Insurance, which is required by the Mobility Law as of September 12. Luis Gilberto Montero Maldonado, Honorary Consul of Belize in Mexico, states that there are 17,280 vehicles, 576 a day, that will stop crossing through the Chactemal Tax Precinct; With this new provision, it is expected that there will be a decrease of 60% of the 28,800 that cross the month. Those Belizean citizens who enter with their private vehicles will be subject to the obligation to cover the payment of 250 pesos for the 12-hour stay and 500 pesos for the 24-hour stay on Mexican soil, to be insured in cases of automobile accidents.

Learn Self-Defense Techniques in Corozal
All women are invited to participate. Please contact Renee Wentz for more details. Need minimum of 10 women. Space is limited.

Power outage next Wednesday in Cayo
Power outage scheduled for Wednesday, September 12 from 5:00am to 8:00am to affect the portion of the Cayo District from Unitedville to Arenal including Benque Viejo, San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Georgeville, Duck Run 1 & 2, Billy White, Central Farm, Esperanza, San Miguel, Cristo Rey, San Antonio, Santa Cruz, Bullet Tree Falls, Branch Mouth, Santa Familia, Calla Creek, Corozalito, Succotz, and surrounding areas.

DJ Competition and Block Party 2018
The SISE Town Council is having the annual DJ Competition Friday. It starts at 7:00pm, and will be held at the Cayo Welcome Center. The block party on the eve of the Battle of St. George's Caye Day will be downtown, and in from of the Police Station. It'll start at 9:00pm. "Our traditional St George’s Caye Day Ceremony and fire works happening on 9th night at the admin building/police station including the after party with live entertainment from D X BAND at the same location. Bringing culture through Paranda music to the twin towns! The Eve of St George’s Caye Day!

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Skyscraper, Next Gender, Superfly, Jurassic World. **As per your requests for the people that missed them .. We will play The little Mermaid (2018) on Friday at 7 and Oceans 8 on Friday at 9 both on screen 2 .. Friday ONLY .. Saturday and Sunday we will play the movies displayed on the poster**

Channel 7

Human Rights Questions About State of Emergency Proclamation
It’s been almost 48 hours since the Government issued a proclamation issuing a state of public emergency on the Southside of Belize City. The unprecedented Statutory Instrument came into force at midnight on Tuesday - and within hours police were searching homes and making mass arrests in two designated Zones on the Southside. 100 men were detained - and police estimated that 75 of them will be jailed for at least a month. They will not be arraigned or afforded any of the normal features of due process. Tonight, human rights advocates are pushing back. Attorney Audrey Matura Shepherd says that by declaring a state of public emergency Government used too powerful a provision of the constitution - and have not set any limits on those powers:…

Human Rights Commission Says GOB Pressed “Panic”
And while Matura says the state has not limited the blanket powers afforded to police - the Human Rights Commission says government pressed the panic button prematurely - and at a great risk to citizens rights and liberties.   Vice President Kevin Arthurs told us more via phone this evening: Kevin Arthur - VP, HRCB: "We are saying that this is surely a troubling state to have 7 murders but we have to less panicky approach, a less messy approach to getting this done because at the end of the day we have to know what we're giving up to get what we're doing. It's going to be difficult for us to look at the current circumstances..."

Attorney Says State of Emergency is Preventative Detention in Disguise
And following along that line, Audrey Matura says that this is just a backdoor for government to activate the controversial preventative detention - which was put on the legislative back burner 7 years ago.  That law was proposed in 2011 - and rejected in public consultations. She says government is now going to a constitutional extreme to do the same thing.   And, for proof of this, she points to the fact that the Carnival and Jou’vert route both go right through the heart of these areas demarcated as Public Emergency Zones.  She says if there really is a public emergency that meets the threshold for invoking a state of emergency - then there’s no way police should or would put regular citizens through these zones.  But they are, and she tells us what conclusion that leads her to:

Mayflower Resident Says Cops Pepper Sprayed Him
One city resident who lives right at the edge of Zone 2 is Lester Smith.  He resides on Mayflower Street, which is off Vernon Street. That was one of the first areas police hit at 3:00 AM on Wednesday morning.  He told us they broke down his door and then pepper sprayed him - and when he went to complain they threatened to arrest him:… Lester Smith - Complainant: "What happened is that I live at the end of the street and the policeman come and knock on my door on my house side; bang, bang, bang because I don't have no fence. They come to the house side, I get up but I was naked in my bed so I said to my young lady, put in your clothes babe because the policeman are at the house.

Has Chester Changed From Community Cop to Stormtrooper Commissioner
But, for all the hard talk and hype - we can say that life in zone #1 was cool and calm today. Out studio is a block away from the eastern boundary of that zone and we drove through multiple times today - and detected no heightened police presence - and life flowed along as normal, businesses were open and residents were going about their business unhindered. Jules Vasquez tells us what he saw on the streets today - and he outlines exactly what areas are classified as special emergency zones:.. Today, the junction of West and King Streets was calm as compared to yesterday when masked soldiers guarded this same corner. We only saw one police pickup on patrol in this so called “Public Emergency Zone”. This zone #1 has its north-western border here at the junction of East Collet Canal into Cemetery Road From there it runs straight down to Orange Street, where it has its northeast boundary at the corner with West Canal.

Battery of Big Guns Found in Cayo
San Ignacio police found a large trove of high powered weapons this afternoon.  AT 12:30, they  conducted a search in a bushy lot in the Shawville Area of San Ignacio.   They found one - M6 Carbine LWRC with 2 magazines loaded with forty-six 5.56 rounds, one Mossberg brand pump 12 gauge pump action shotgun along with three - 12 gauge cartridges, one Glock 17 - 9 mm pistol  along with a extended magazine with thirty one rounds, 1 Jericho brand 9 mm pistol  with a magazine loaded with twenty rounds and 1.2 kilos or 2.6 pounds of weed. All items were labeled and deposited as found property. And later this afternoon, Cayo cops searched a bushy area about 25 feet away from the side of Cristo Rey road and found eighty-seven 9mm rounds.

John Morris, NICH President For A Day, A Month…Who Knows?
Reports to 7News say that NICH President Sapnah Budhrani was this week placed on administrative leave.  As we’ve reported, that’s a Cabinet directive after an internal audit was leaked accusing her of mismanagement.   7News has learned that in the interim, the Director of the Institute of Archeology, Dr. John Morris has been appointed to act as interim President.  It isn’t known how long he will act, but Cabinet has stated that it wants an external auditor to assess the financial goings-on at NICH before it makes a final assessment.

Guinea Grass Family Claims Wrongdoing in Death At Cement Mixer
The family of Guinea Grass resident Jeffery Hernandez wants police to get to the bottom of their loved one’s death. As we told you, on Monday night, Jeffery Hernandez was cleaning a machine at his work place -AP Enterprise Cement block factory at mile four and a half on the George Price Highway. That is when someone turned on the machine. Hernandez was crushed inside. He died on the way to the hospital. What a terrible accident right? Well, the family doesn’t believe it was an accident at all. Here is the interview with Hernandez’s grandfather. Balbino Batun - Grandfather (Translated from Spanish): "The accident possibly happened about 10:00 at night and at 10:00 my nephew called his dad because he was the one of the sons who was working there and so the father called me that there was an accident. And so crying, the guy said that his cousin is trapped in the machine. So the police started to move and they said what the owner of the place was saying that it was an accident and Jeffery Hernandez fell inside the machine."

Cops Have Not Closed Case On Cement Mixer Death
And police aren’t completely ruling out the family’s view on Hernandez’s case. Today at the press briefing police said they have gotten such reports and are looking into them. ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "What police gathered so far is that the night before, Mr. Hernandez was cleaning the machine when the machine started and he was inside. Persons who were in the area heard him scream for help and one of his co-workers arrived and cut off the machine, that is when they noticed he was inside the machine between the blade and the metal of the cement mixer. With the assistance of the fire department and BERT Ambulance and he was able to be taken out of the mixer and he was transported to the hospital where he died later on."

Questions Around Alford Death
And to another questionable case of accidental death, there are also conflicting reports in Georgeville resident Daniel Alford’s shooting. As we told you, Alford’s body was found near his home on the Mountain Pine Ridge road on Monday evening. Police had said that Alford and a couple kids went hunting in the area, he slipped and his shotgun went off hitting him in the stomach. But some relatives say that Alford didn’t have a gun on him. Police say they are looking into all sides in this case. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On Monday the 3rd of September shortly after 6:00 PM, San Ignacio police received a 911 call that someone was shot on the Pine Ridge Road in Georgeville Village. As a result the police visited the San Ignacio community hospital where they observed one Daniel Alford, 42 years security guard with apparent gunshot injuries to the abdomen.

Mysterious Mortar Ammo On Barge
Caye Caulker residents were on edge when police found a live mortar ammunition on the island on Friday. Police told us more about this find. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On Friday the 31st of August sometime around 9:30 AM, police was called to a dredge north of Caye Caulker village where upon arrival they were pointed to an area on the dredge which resulted in them discovering a 60mm mortar live ammunition. As a result the BDF experts were called who came in and inspected the ammunition before it was brought in by the BDF pending investigation. Initial investigation into that matter is that on Thursday, 30th of August shortly after 5:30 PM, the workers on the dredge had left for the day and sometime later that evening the watchman arrived and upon his arrival; a small white boat was seen leaving the area. So then the discovery was not made until the following day which was Friday the 31st of August."

History Re-Enacted: Another Miskito King in Belize
It’s one of the cornerstones of the history of Belize City: in the 1800’s, three Miskito Indian Kings were crowned at St. John’s Cathedral.   It was a strategy by the British - which had some measure control over the Mosquito Coast in Honduras and Nicaragua - to use the Church of England to legitimize their faithful subjects - who were also fierce and loyal warriors. It is the syncretism of pre-colonial statecraft and monarchical religion - and it had a 21st century replay at the St, John’s Cathedral on Sunday. Here’s what happened:..

Caleb Calls Nazarene Short Hair Situation “Institutional Intimidation”
It seems everyone has an opinion on the Nazarene High School hair cut situation. Well, among them is UNIBAM Executive Director Caleb Orozco. His organization sent out a release today saying that the schools “act of institutional intimidation has declared war on young people and is designed to promote systemic control, inequity and inequality”. He says it goes against the student’s constitutional rights and strips them of their freedom of expression. Here is how he put it.

Let The ICJ Education Campaign Begin
And we met Caleb Orozco at the first ICJ education campaign facilitators training. It was held at Caribbean Tires conference room. Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala Alexis Rosado told us more about this training and how it ties into the ongoing campaign that was officially launched in 2013. Alexi Rosado - Ambassador of Belize to Guatemala: "Today we are holding a little workshop to go over all the history and all the facts about the whole claim of Guatemala against Belize and how we have been trying to deal with it over the years, for two and a half generations they say, or more depending on where you start the problem. The fact that many efforts have been made and what we're trying to do is to make sure that everybody has the information necessary in order to be able to go out and help to the extent possible with the awareness."

Más Mas Camps
Pretty much all night you’ve been hearing the pounding soca music in the background of the news - it’s coming from Titans Mas Band - which is headquartered right down the street from us.   And the clamour of soca music can be heard all over the city during this week - as bands all over are preparing their Mas Camps to be judged. Here’s what we saw, and felt, last night:… Tonight is the last night of Mas Camp visits, so join us tomorrow for highlights of that.

Bucks From The Brits For ICJ Campaign
Yesterday evening in Belize City the British Government donated 1.3 million Belize Dollars to the ICJ Public Awareness Campaign. Here are comments at the handing over:… The awareness campaign is budgeted at 8.5 million Belize dollars, so with contributions from the US and UK now totalling 2 million dollars, Belize is about 20 to 25% there.

Channel 5

State of Emergency Affects the Elderly and the Innocent
The magnitude of the sweeping measures imposed under the state of public emergency in two zones of the city, is already causing disquiet in the affected neighbourhoods.   In less than [...]

George Street Residents Not Happy with State of Emergency
In the George Street area, the new realities under the state of public emergency is also causing havoc. Residents say they are left exposed to the brute force used by [...]

Human Rights Commission of Belize Concerned Over State of Emergency
In October 2011, Prime Minister Dean Barrow introduced, but retracted a bill on preventative detention due to public outcry.  It was seen as too draconian a measure and at the [...]

Other legal tools available to address crime says Attorney Kevin Arthurs
The Human Rights Commission of Belize says it is looking at the legal foundation of the public emergency and monitoring the measures being taken on the ground.  While Attorney Arthurs [...]

Does the “State of Public Emergency” Measure Infringe on Human Rights?
You’ve heard residents and advocates of human rights express concern about the hard-line approach to tackle crime in the Old Capital.  The argument is that human rights are being suspended [...]

B.P.D. Says There Will Be Maximum Security on Carnival Day
And if you have concerns about the annual Carnival Road March taking place on Saturday, the police say that you should have no fear. As you may have noticed, the [...]

The P.U.P.’s Long-term Plan for the Youths of Southside Belize City
The Leader of the Opposition, John Briceño, on Wednesday, criticized the government’s decision to declare a state of public emergency in two gang areas of south side Belize City. Briceño [...]

Opposition Leader Says This is Not About Politics
The People’s United Party is calling on the government to create a bi-partisan commission to tackle crime. Both Briceño and Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner say that G.O.B. has refused [...]

U.S. Embassy Issues Security Alert to U.S. Citizen Living in Belize
The U.S. embassy has issued a warning to its nationals advising that checkpoints are in place throughout the south side and that there is an increase in personnel to detain [...]

$1.3 Million Grant for Referendum Campaign
In other news…The British Government has given over a million dollars towards the I.C.J. public awareness and preparedness campaign.  On Wednesday, British High Commissioner Peter Hughes handed over five hundred [...]

Re-registration Cut Off Date is September 30th
The cut-off date for re-registration is on Sunday, September thirtieth. According to Chief Elections Officer, Josephine Tamai, although the re-registration centres have been closed due to the resumption of classes, [...]

A Mortar is Retrieved from a Dredge Near Caye Caulker
An explosive round was retrieved from a dredge last Friday, but the police department did not comment on the discovery until today.  The mortar was found on a vessel north [...]

Investigators Looking Into the Death of Jeffrey Hernandez
Belize City Police are investigating the death of twenty-one-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez. The football player of Guinea Grass Village was mangled by a cement mixer on Monday night. He was cleaning [...]

Police Continue to Investigate Shooting Death of Georgeville Resident
Was the shooting death of Daniel Alford Senior an accident or did someone fatally injure the Georgeville resident?  It’s a puzzling situation that investigators are still attempting to unravel since [...]

CitCo’s Third Piece of Equipment Still Missing
Still missing from the Belize City Council’s Works Department is the John Deere tractor which was purchased for fifty-four thousand dollars. As we reported in August, an internal audit into [...]

Kevan Jenkins No Longer CitCo’s Traffic Manager
Kevan Jenkins is no longer the Traffic Manager for Belize City. Jenkins who held the position for more than ten years was transferred to the Sanitation Department which he will [...]

Leos Club Gives Back to Our Lady of the Way School
The Leos Club, a junior arm of the Lions Club, handed over twenty-six arm chairs to Our Lady of the Way R.C. School in Ladyville. The Leos, who are students [...]

Mas Camp Day 2: Revellers Ready for Carnival Road March 2018
It is the countdown to Saturday’s Carnival road march that starts at on Central American Boulevard at its junction with Neal Pen Road into Vernon Street on to Youth for [...]

Healthy Living: Preventing Emergencies on Carnival Day
One of the busiest days of the year for emergency medical response teams is carnival day which is this Saturday. In tonight’s Healthy Living, we find out why and what [...]

LOVE FM

Anyone can be pulled into the police dragnet by stepping into the Zones
The zone encompasses the corner of Orange Street and West Canal to Racecourse Street by its corner with East Collet Canal and the corner of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard to South Creek and onto Fairweather Street. Anyone can be caught in the dragnet by passing through the zone. Audrey Matura-Shepherd says the public …

Voices on the Street give mixed opinions on State of Emergency
Love News hit the pavement on Albert Street in downtown Belize City and asked pedestrians for their opinions on the state of emergency. Voice 1: “Police them are putting out a lot of effort to keep down the crime and I guess that is a good thing the strategy that they came up with.” Jose …

Man loses his life after being shot to the abdomen
Forty-two year old, Daniel Alford, a resident of San Ignacio, lost his life Monday evening after receiving a gunshot wound to his abdomen, while on Pine Ridge Road in Georgeville Village. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett explained how the incident unfolded. ACP Joseph Myvette: “Initial Police investigation reveal that Mr. Alford was somewhere on …

Leo Club donates chairs to Our Lady of the Way RC School
With its aim of providing young people with the opportunity for development and contribution, today members of the Leo’s Club, donated twenty six chairs to a school they considered most in need. At the handing over ceremony this afternoon, Our Lady of the Way RC School in Ladyville, was the recipient of the gift. Membership …

UNDP playing a pivotal role in ICJ campaign
The United Kingdom has donated 1.3 million dollars towards the Public Awareness and Preparedness Campaign. It is a substantial amount of money which represents only 15% of the cost of the ICJ campaign that has a grand total of $8.5 million dollars. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is playing a pivotal role in the …

Gateway Youth Center gets evaluated by the Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education has conducted an evaluation of Gateway Youth Center. The institution aims to provide a productive future for school dropouts. Supervisor of Secondary Schools in the Ministry of Education, Leticia Eck explained why Gateway was chosen. Leticia Eck Supervisor of Secondary Schools, Ministry of Education: “Gateway really was a preliminary exercise and …

Man loses his life after being caught in cement mixer
Twenty one year old Jeffery Hernandez lost his life on Monday night when he got caught in a cement mixer while cleaning it. Hernandez, a worker of AP Cement Block Factory on mile four and a half on the George Price Highway, was observed with severe chop wounds to his abdomen. Assistant Superintendent of Police, …

Police finds a sixty millimeter live ammunition in Caye Caulker
Last Friday, Caye Caulker police formation received reports of a sixty millimeter live ammunition that was discovered in a dredge north of the island. Today, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett updated the media on the results of their investigation. ACP Joseph Myvette: “As a result the BDF experts were called who came in an …

Rose Anderson is being recognized by PAHO for her contribution to healthcare
Rose Anderson is being recognized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for her contribution to healthcare. (VO STARTS) Anderson works as a Health Coordinator for the Health Education and Community Participation Bureau (HECOPAB) and she is attached to the Western Regional Hospital. As a part of her duties, she trains community health workers as …

Basic Human Rights were lost with the State of Emergency
A statutory instrument (S.I.) was signed that declared a State of Emergency in two portions on the south side of Belize City. The powers granted to the police means that they can detain people for seven days without cause or legal representation and as much as 30 days throughout the period. According to well-known Attorney, …

Human Rights Commission weighs in on City Emergency
The Human Rights Commission of Belize (HRCB) has also weighed in on the issue of the state of emergency. Attorney Kevin Arthurs of the HRCB told Love News via phone that he wanted to assure the public that the commission is on the side of law abiding citizens and support any initiatives that allow for criminals to be brought to justice.

BTIA Concerned about situation in Belize
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has ten chapters and 400 members across the country. The State of Emergency had roused the US Embassy to advise American citizens in Belize to exercise caution and to avoid parts of Belize City. But the crime situation is bound to have some effect, particularly when googling Belize...

Carnival Route passes through Emergency Zone
Saturday’s Carnival route takes revelers and the public along the Central American Boulevard to the corner of Vernon Street, a significant area that is part of the State of Emergency zone where the police have broad sweeping powers. The Co-Chair of the National Celebrations Commission and Acting Prime Minister of Belize is Patrick Faber.

CitCo says September bram will be hype
Many Belizeans are looking forward to the September tenth celebrations, which is scheduled to take place during the long weekend. The activities include the official tenth ceremony, the parade, and the September bram. Hubert Pipersburgh, Communications Manager for the Belize City Council told us that the venue for the bram is the Battlefield Park and sufficient security will be on site.

PAHO recognizes Rose Anderson
Rose Anderson is being recognized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for her contribution to healthcare. Anderson works as a Health Coordinator for the Health Education and Community Participation Bureau (HECOPAB) and she is attached to the Western Regional Hospital. As a part of her duties, she trains community health workers as well as make visits to rural communities on a regular basis to discuss various health issues in order to help improve the lives of the residents.

FOPREL & SICA signed MOU
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Laura Tucker-Longsworth, recently traveled to El Salvador for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between The Forum of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Central America and the Caribbean Basin (FOPREL) and the Central American Integration System (SICA). The objective of the MOU is to foster capacity building between the two regional institutions in the areas of social and economic integration and climate change among other issues.

The Reporter

POLICE – KNOWN GANG FIGURE APPREHENDED IN PLACENCIA
Police sources are reporting that they have caught up to known Mayflower gang figure Christopher Witzil in Placencia, and he is currently detained. Witzil was charged with three counts of attempted murder for a March shooting on Mopan Street which left three persons, including a women and a minor, injured. It is believe that he was heading for sanctuary to escape the Police dragnet in the city.

CTV3

Speaker Of The House Signs MOU With FOPREL And SICA
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Laura Tucker Longsworth, travelled to El Salvador to participate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Forum of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of Central America and the Caribbean Basin (FOPREL) and the Central American Integration System (SICA). The aim of the MOU is for both regional institutions to join efforts in advancing institutional frameworks in the fields of social/economic integration and climate change among other issues.

New International Flight Headed To Belize
There's a new international flight headed to Belize, this time coming from Minneapolis, Minnesota located in the American upper Midwest. The Belize Tourism Board has partnered with Sun Country Airlines to offer these first ever seasonal non-stop flights to Belize.

224 Farmers Graduate From Farmers Field School
This afternoon a special graduation ceremony was held for 224 cane farmers who participated in the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute’s “Farmer Field School” programme. If you’re wondering how school and cane field go together, well SIRDI has developed a programme where cane farmers can sign up for courses that teach best practices on the cane field. The objective of the programme is to create a sustainable sugar industry in northern Belize.

Breaking Belize News

Police say man that died in cement mixer was accidental
Police have ruled that the death of Jeffrey Hernandez was accidental. On Monday night, Hernandez was […]

Police confirm live mortar found in Caye Caulker
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett, today confirmed that a live mortar was found in Caye […]

Weak tropical wave passes through Belize
Belize’s National Meteorological Service today reported that moist conditions will continue due to a weak tropical […]

Police: Conflicting statements in shooting death of Daniel Alford
Police are still investigating the mysterious death of Georgeville resident, Daniel Alford. Alford was reportedly on […]

FFB going all in for game against Bahamas
The Football Federation of Belize is putting all its efforts behind the upcoming match against the […]

San Ignacio/Santa Elena House of Culture hosts UNHCR art exhibition
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) though the Museum of Belize’s San Ignacio/Santa Elena […]

Belize represented at MOU Signing between FOPREL and SICA
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Laura Tucker Longsworth, was in El Salvador for the […]

South Carolina man busted with weed in Belize
An American national has been busted with weed in Belize. He is South Carolina resident, […]

UK donates over $1 million to support ICJ public awareness campaign
On Wednesday, September 5, the United Kingdom (UK) contributed BZE $1.3 million to the Public […]

Belize~ The Southside needs long-term commitment
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News. […]

Videos

September 6, 2018

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro’s Iris Salguero to represent Belize at Miss America Latina del Mundo 2018
Beautiful Miss Iris Salguero has been designated to represent Belize at the Miss America Latina del Mundo 2018 beauty pageant. Originally from San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Salguero is no stranger to pageantry, having represented Belize locally and internationally. The stunning Sanpedrana will compete amongst contestants from the Caribbean, North, Central and South America in a series of activities leading up to the pageant to be held at the Gran Teatro Bavaro, inside the Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort in Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic on Saturday, September 29th. Salguero has been in the pageantry spotlight for the past four years, and has held four consecutive pageant titles, which include Miss San Pedro 2015, Miss World Belize 2016, Miss Earth Belize 2017 and now Belize’s Miss America Latina del Mundo 2018.

Sun Country Airlines from Minneapolis USA to start direct flights to Belize in December
The Central American/ Caribbean nation of Belize is fast becoming one of the most visited destinations in the region. The newest international airline to announce flights to Belize is Sun Country Airlines out of Minneapolis Minnesota, in the United States of America (USA). On Wednesday, September 5th, Sun Country confirmed via a press release that it will start its services to the Jewel on December 22, 2018.

September celebrations begins in San Pedro with flag raising ceremony
Saturday, September 1st marked the beginning of the many patriotic celebrations Belizeans will witness across the country this month. At 6AM on Saturday, all municipalities across Belize hosted a flag raising ceremony, welcoming the September celebrations that will lead up to Independence Day on September 21st. In San Pedro Town, activities took place outside The San Pedro Town Council offices, where island residents, along with local authorities and young cadets, pay tribute to the Belizean flag. Later in the evening, the island selected its 55th beauty ambassador, Chelsea Muñoz, as Miss San Pedro 2018-2019.

2018 Copa San Pedro regular season end draws near
After eight weeks of the Copa San Pedro, leading the scoreboard is Young Strikers with 16 points in the male category, while Ambergris Combined Force and Island Warriors led the female category with 12 points each. Eight matches were played during the seventh week of the tournament at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. The first set of matches were played on Thursday, August 30th where Young Strikers defeated Legends F.C with a 4-1 score at 7 PM. In the next match, Los Catrachos F.C dominated 5-2 against G-Strikers. On Friday, August 31st, the tournament saw Peacemakers coming out victorious with a 4-3 score over Ambergris Hopes. At 9 PM, Boca Bombers won Talal F.C with a 2-4 point score. 2018 Copa San Pedro Football Tournament continues this weekend at the Ambergris Stadium, starting on Thursday, September 6th with Genesis FC versus Warriors at 7 PM and San Mateo going against Talal F.C at 9 PM. The following day, Sandy Point will take on San Pedro Pirates U17 at 7 PM, and Peacemaker versus Young Strikers.

Ambergris Today

First-Ever Nonstop Flights From Minneapolis/St. Paul To Belize Via Sun Country Airlines
The Belize Tourism Board is celebrating a new partnership with Sun Country Airlines, which announced on Wednesday, 5 September 2018, the first-ever seasonal nonstop service from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Belize, marking the 10th U.S. City to offer nonstop service to the Central American nation. Sun Country will operate roundtrip flights once weekly on Saturdays between Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and Phillip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (BZE). Service will be offered from December 22, 2018 to April 20, 2018. Check suncountry.com for full flight schedule, including departure and arrival times.

Belize City Southside Declared In State Of Emergency Due To Crime
The Government of Belize has declared a state of public emergency for two south side Belize City communities where underlying tensions and killings due to gang violence have demanded the police to step up its presence. In March of this year the level of criminal activity in the Southside of Belize City deemed it necessary for Belize Defense Force (BDF) personnel to be brought out to assist the police in special areas. Recent shootings and violence over the weekend has caused police to re-look the situation and decided it’s absolutely necessary to put two areas (Mayflower Areas and George Street) out of the five special areas in state of emergency.

Belizean Completes Ph.D In Genetics At Duke University
After 5 years of scientific research, Keisha Melodi McSweeney has achieved the highest academic degree, a Doctorate of Philosophy in Genetics and Genomics. On Monday, August 21, 2018, Dr. McSweeney successfully defended her dissertation entitled "Microelectrode array modeling of genetic neurological disorders in the era of next generation sequencing" to a panel of six accomplished and celebrated scientists at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Dr. McSweeney completed her thesis research in the lab of pioneering human geneticist, Dr. David Goldstein. In his introduction of Dr. McSweeney’s dissertation, Dr. Goldstein remarked that her courage to undertake functional biology in neuroscience, in a genetics lab, shifted the direction of the research in the group from finding mutations that cause diseases, to working out how those mutations cause disease.

Re-Registration Of Electors Exercise Until September 2018
The Elections and Boundaries Department is pleased to present an update to the public on the ongoing 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise. The public is hereby reminded that all the Registration Centers which were utilized during the period 2nd July 2018 to 31st August 2018 are now closed. All applications for re-registration are now being accepted at the Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices countrywide. The opening hours are Mondays to Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The location of the Registration Offices can be found on the Department’s website at www.elections.gov.bz.

Misc Belizean Sources

Anniversary of Reef Radio
Celebremos este Sabado el aniversario de Reef Radio gosando nuevamente de la buena musica de Los Crackers .lugar en la vieja cancha de foot ball saca chispa

BELTRAIDE Signs Memorandum of Cooperation with National Bank of Belize
On September 5th, 2018, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the National Bank of Belize Ltd (NBB). signed a Memorandum of Cooperation geared towards providing efficient and seamless services to Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in business development facilitation. Likewise, the Government’s leading economic development agency and main financial bank agreed to exchange information and data so as to actively support and promote the productive sector credit programs currently offered and managed by the NBB.

Sun Country Airlines non-stop flights Minneapolis to Belize
Congratulations on the new airline coming to our lovely Jewel! We are excited to welcome Sun Country Airlines' new non-stop flights from Minneapolis to Belize. The services begin on Saturday December 22, 2018, so those looking for a tropical holiday vacation now have one more option available to paradise!

A few tips on how to safely Coexist with Crocodiles!
From ACES....

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint "Waterfall Island".

Cut-Off Date for Re-Registration of Electors Exercise
The public is hereby advised that the 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise will conclude on Sunday, 30th September 2018. During the month of September 2018, applications will be accepted at the Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices Mondays to Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Effective 1st October 2018, applications will be accepted at the Registration Offices during normal working hours. During this period, every applicant seeking registration shall provide proof of date of birth and citizenship upon application as the Department will no longer be mandated to verify such information with the Vital Statistics Unit and/or Immigration Department.

World Suicide Prevention Day in Belize City
Today the Ministry of Health, Mental Health unit and PAHO Belize conducted a small but powerful activity in commemoration of World Suicide Prevention Day in Belize City. We raised our Suicide Prevention Day flag in Battlefield Park under the theme, "Working together to prevent Suicide." We encourage everyone to continue the discussion on Suicide and getting help; not only today but, at every opportunity. There is help. Seek us out at the Mental Health Unit in your region or at the Ministry of Health office in Belmopan. 828-4462 or [email protected].

Waterspout was seen on Wednesday in Corozal
Nearly gone pick up my baby from front street Methodist school. Wah big rass tornado over d sea.

Corozal - Vacancies exist for Driver/Salesman and Pump
Attendant/Yard Maintenance at Kuylen's Gas Service. For further information kindly call our office at telephone number 422-0330.

GOB's Controlled Pump Prices (Belize City) Effective Date: 6th of September 2018
Regular fuel going up 5 cents per gallon.

Dart Tournament in Corozal
Jahmundo cordially invites you to its second Dart Tournament starting Saturday, 15th September @ 5:00 p.m. (Luck of the Draw) and Sunday, 16th September @ 10:00 a.m. (singles/doubles/mix doubles). We are having visitors from all over Belize. Come and meet The Belizean Dart Association and our loyal group of dart players. Registration fee $10 singles & $20 doubles. Food & beverages will be available. For more information you can contact us through our FB, phone or email. Make it a date. And once you are here we can see Canelo's fight and have some cold beers

VACANCIES FOR TEACHERS - Chunox St. Viator Vocational High School, Corozal
Accepting application from suitable qualified persons for the following posts: 1. Agriculture Teacher (Full-Time) 2. Chemistry/Biology Teacher (Part-Time) September- November 2018

Bayvin Aldana Crowned Queen of the West
Congratulations, Ms. Aldana! She's the 2018 Queen of the West. "Our Queen of the West 2018-2019 Miss Bayvin Aldana. We wish her all the best through out her reign and a graceful journey."

7th Annual Adopt a Village Success
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio has concluded their 7th annual Adopt a Village Project, and with help from The Office Gurus, they provided 37 students with a backpack and school supplies. Thanks, Rotaract and TOG! "On Sunday, September 2nd, our club conducted our 7th annual Adopt A Village Project. The project aims at providing basic education to the children in the villages of Yalbac and La Gracia. We were able to provide 37 children with a school bag filled with basic school supplies and tuition for this school year. A big THANK YOU to The Office Gurus Belize for their generous donation, we wouldn't be able to complete it without their assistance. Also to our club prospects who led this project, Melanie Navarette and Brandon Savala, we would like to congratulate you both on a job well done! We are proud of you both!"

Training on use of organic fertilizers
FCD field staff from the Vaca Forest Reserve trained Toledo farmers in the Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve on production of organic fertilizers. This exchange was made possible through the GEF SGP.

Motown Memories 2
Sept 6 & 7, Bliss Centre, 8pm. Limited tickets still available... Don't miss out.

Opening Ceremony of RefugiARTe
Sept 7, 7-9pm, San Ignacio / Santa Elena House of Culture

Channel 7

Southside State of Emergency
Tonight, for the first time in decades, certain areas of Southside Belize City are under a state of emergency. Two large areas have been designated as "public emergency zones." These are the turf of the George Street and Banak Street gangs. Their recent round of warfare resulted in the weekend's spate of killings in the city. And now, the state has responded decisively - with an unprecedented move - basically to declare the warzones special areas where police have special powers to arrest and detain without charges. It's a huge and historic event - and today the acting Commissioner Chester Williams led a press conference to explain why it has been necessitated:

Shakedi’s Slaying Started It All
So, acting Commissioner Williams has laid down the law, "not anymore" he says. And the index event that set this whole chain of events into motion is a murder on Friday evening in Belize City. Until then, gang tensions in the city had been simmering, but after Friday afternoon, those tensions erupted into all out warfare. Williams discussed how Shakedi Baizar's murder marked that pivotal tipping point:.. Jules Vasquez reporting: On Friday afternoon, Shakedi Baizar was killed on Magazine Road. He had just gone to the Matron Roberts Clinic - which is in the territory of the Banak Street gang. And that's why this the 23 year old with a George Street connection was targeted for death as he walked and read his prescription:

State of Emergency Threatened From March
Now, you may ask how exactly did we get here? Belize has not been under a state of emergency since 2007 - and that one wasn't very serious - it was in preparation for a hurricane - and it was never really activated. The last state of emergency to contain crime was activated in 1981 - with the Heads of Agreement riots - which were a very serious time of unrest and upheaval. Thankfully, we're nowhere near that right now. But, the plans to declare these "public emergency zones" first came up in March of this year. That's when two innocent women were killed in a retaliatory murder - and it came after a four year old was killed earlier that month.

Detained Can Know Their Charge in 7 Days
And, being proactive in this case means rounding up persons who police believe to be in gangs. While proving gang membership in court will be another matter, the cops say they know who they want to take off the street - we asked what will happen to them next since the regular legal process has been suspended for those picked up under the state of emergency: DCP Chester Williams, AG. Commissioner: "We know who our targets are and those are the persons we are going after. I know for a fact that during our operations this morning we may have picked up some people who would not be gang members and so what we will be doing will be going through our list and will be sifting those persons out and we will be releasing them. But those persons who are a part of what we intend to do, they will be kept in custody."

Briceno’s Mixed Reaction To State of Emergency
This afternoon the leader of the opposition held a press conference at his office to comment on the southside "public emergency zones". Not surprisingly, he wasn't impressed, but, then again, he kinda was. We start with the not so impressed part: Hon. Johnny Briceno - Opposition Leader: "The fact that the government has taken the drastic step to declare a state of public emergency on the South Side of Belize City is a clear admission of their inability to handle the crime situation. Indeed, the Acting Commissioner stated in this morning's press conference that the situation is getting out of control..."

Mayor Says Cemetery Staff Situation Was Just a Misunderstanding
The PUP Leader did appear alongside his Belize City Mayor - who was never consulted on the state of emergency for select areas in his city. That gave the media the opportunity to ask him about the council's Cemetery Staff who are represented by the Christian Workers Union. This morning they refused to proceed to the Eternal Gardens Memorial Cemetery after the Council declined their request for food and subsistence. That would have meant no funerals could be held without the staff there. The mayor said it was quickly resolved:..

Mayor Says Kevon Moving On To Sanitation
We also asked the Mayor about the imminent transfer of long time Traffic Manager for the City Kevon Jenkins. Jenkins has been Traffic Manager for over 10 years - and rose up through the ranks of the Traffic Department over 23 years. But, now, quite suddenly, he's being moved over to the Sanitation Department - to be the manager there. The mayor said it is all part of an internal restructuring:..

Explaining Marilyn’s Departure
As we told you last week, the City Council's Director of Finance Marilyn Ordonez resigned. That's the second senior employee to leave the City Council since they were elected in March. City Administrator Candice Miller was fired in May but Deputy Mayor Oscar Arnold says Ordonez's resignation is a whole other matter. Arnold says Ordonez resigned on her own free will and according to him, it had nothing to do with any office tensions between Ordonez and the Mayor, or anyone else for that matter. Ordonez was a valued member of the team. Here is how he out it. Oscar Arnold, Deputy Mayor Belize City Council: "The Director of Finance was also the acting City Admin. for a few months then we had a City Admin that was appointed and so the Director of Finance Mrs. Ordonez went on leave for a couple weeks and then when she came back she had a sit down with Mayor Wagner and basically she handed in her resignation for no other reason than her personal reason so I wish her all the best."

Sept 10 Is World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10th is a big day for Belizeans but it is also an important day for the mental health unit. World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated on the 10th and to make sure it doesn't get overshadowed by all the September festivities, a special flag raising ceremony was held today at the Battlefield Park. Head of the Mental Health Unit, Eleanor Bennett told us more about this observance and updated us on the latest suicide statistics. Eleanor Bennett, Head of Mental Health Unit: "It is very important for us to observe World Suicide Prevention day, now of course at the Ministry of Health our job is to preserve life and promote heath and we are very concerned when people don't want to live so suicide is a particular area of concern for us so we have a lot of activities geared towards the prevention of suicide so we are taking this opportunity on World Suicide Prevention Day to raise a flag..."

Underwoods Got Off Bogus Bullet Charge
Brother Alex and Austin Underwood were arrested in October of last year for a single round of ammunition. We reported at the time what the family told us, that it was a bogus charge - and today that was proven in court when the prosecution was forced to withdraw the case on instruction from the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser. At a case management conference two weeks ago with Chief Magistrate Fraser, the Underwood's attorney, Dickie Bradley, submitted that there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction and today the Chief Magistrate instructed that the charge be withdrawn. The issue was that four members of the police's special assignment team searched the family yard without any of the residents being present.

Still No Word On The Real Carnival King and Queen
As we told you last night, the Carnival King and Queen results are being audited. There were some discrepancies in the scoring and the wrong winners were announced. Well, last night on our Mas Camp prowl we caught up with Vice President of the Belize Carnival Associations Patrick Thompson. We asked him about it but he didn't want to get into too much detail since the audit is ongoing. He just discussed the competition criteria. Patrick Thompson- V. P, Belize Carnival Association: "To speak on that, I cannot say much on that but at this moment they are still doing the auditing of the score and like what NICH said whenever that is through then we will know what the final result is."

Carnival’s Happiest Campers
We spoke to Thompson at the first night of the Carnival Mas Camp visits. Only three camps were active last night - but they were hope. Codie Norales and Wilson Grinage made the rounds:... Our coverage of the Mas Camps continues tomorrow night.

Remember The Homeless
The September festivities haven't even started yet, but The Welcome Resource Center has their October events all planned out. The Welcome Center is a drop in center for the homeless, the elderly, the mentally ill and substance abusers. They go to the center from 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon to get food, take a shower and for recreational activities. Today at the World Suicide Prevention Day flag raising ceremony, the administrator Joyce Ellis told us about the 3 upcoming fundraising events that will go towards the center. Joyce Ellis, Administrator, Welcome Resource Center: "October 10th is World Mental Health Day so we have 3 major activities that the center and MHA is promoting for this year. Our first activity is the speech competition which include high schools so the competition will be for High school student and this year we will be having it at the Bliss so we are asking that all schools come out."

Sun Country Coming In From The Cold
There's a new international flight headed to Belize - and it's coming out of a place you might not expect, Minneapolis, Minnesota in the American upper midwest. The Belize Tourism Board has partnered with Sun Country Airlines to offer these first ever seasonal non-stop flights to Belize. Starting on December 22, 2018, Sun Country will operate roundtrip flights once weekly on Saturdays between Minneapolis/St. Paul and the PGIA.

Channel 5

State of Public Emergency Declared in Southside Belize City
Two gang infested areas in the south side of Belize City are under state of emergency following a murderous weekend in which six persons were killed mostly due to gang [...]

100 Persons Have Already Been Detained
As we said, over a hundred persons from both areas have since been detained and are in holding cells across the city. About seventy-five, including adults and minors, are expected [...]

Amendment to Gang Legislation Makes it Difficult for suspects to get bail
In recent times, there has been an increase in persons accused of murder, who go before the court, secure bail and get their release.  Minister of National Security John Saldivar [...]

Amendment to Gang Legislation Makes it Difficult for suspects to get bail
There have been mounting reports of police brutality and the abuse of power at the hands of the Gang Suppression Unit. There is concern that the declaration of a state [...]

“This is not the Answer’- PUP Leader
Three hours after the announcement of a state of public emergency for south side Belize City, the Opposition, People’s United Party reacted. Leader John Briceño hosted a press conference this [...]

Opposition Leader Says GOB’s ‘heavy-handedness’ is Not Working
Earlier this year in March, Prime Minister Dean Barrow called a rare weekend press conference after a bloodbath and ensued in south side Belize City. A number of steps were [...]

PUP Leader Wants ComPol Whylie Fired
The People’s United Party says it is ready to work with the government to effectively and efficiently address the gun violence in the Old Capital, but G.O.B. has repeatedly refused [...]

State of Emergency Sanctioned Months Ago says Minister Saldivar
One more issue covered in the morning’s press conference. Prime Minister Dean Barrow is convalescing in Cuba from a spinal surgery so it was left to the Acting Prime Minister [...]

Post-Mortem of Daniel Lopez and Francis Pollard concluded today
Six persons were murdered over the weekend in Belize City. The results of post-mortems conducted on two victims were released today.  Daniel Lopez, a delivery man, died from internal and external [...]

122 new complaints filed at the Ombudsman Office in 2017
The Ombudsman’s Office has issued its seventeenth annual report. The document covers the period of January first to December thirty-first, 2017. According to the document, one hundred and twenty-two new [...]

CITCO and CWU Buck Heads over Subsistence for Cemetery Staff
Employees who are a part of the Belize City Council’s cemetery staff refused to proceed to Eternal Gardens Memorial Cemetery today. The employees who are members of the Christian Workers [...]

Sun Country Airlines to start flying to Belize
With the reported number of visitors on an upward trend, another airline is starting flights to Belize for a four-month period.   Sun Country Airlines announced earlier today that it [...]

Jeffrey Hernandez’s Family Searching for Answers
The family of twenty-one-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez wants answers with regards to his horrible death. The Guinea Grass football player died on Monday night after falling inside a cement mixer and [...]

Suicide Prevention Flag flies high at Battlefield Park
A person dies every forty seconds by suicide which represents over eight hundred thousand deaths every year across the world. And there is up to twenty-five times that many who [...]

Day One of Carnival Mas Camp
Mas camps leading up to this year’s carnival road march got underway on Tuesday night.  Tensions are flaring up on the south side of the city, but revellers were energised [...]

Belize to take on Bahamas in Football Match
The Belize National Football Team is getting ready to take on the Bahamas on Friday night. The match is one of four in the CONCACAF’s nation’s league and according to [...]

LOVE FM

Mayor comments on issue with City Council and Christian Worker’s Union
As we mentioned earlier in our newscast, Mayor Wagner was seated at a press conference called by the Opposition. Since he was in the hot seat, we asked about the situation. Mayor of Belize Bernard Wagner: “To the best to my knowledge they had to go to the burial ground to do some sort of …

Belize observes World Suicide Prevention day with flag ceremony
World Suicide Prevention Day has been observed on September 10th since 2003. The Belize Mental Health Unit in the Ministry of Health joined the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to commemorate the day for the past seven years. The Nursing Administrator for the Mental Unit, Nurse Eleanor Bennett said for the second year in a …

New Airline to make stop in Belize
A new airline will be making direct flights to the Jewel. The Belize Tourism Board said Sun Country Airlines will offer seasonal nonstop service from Minneapolis/Saint Paul to Belize, making it the tenth U.S. city to offer nonstop services to Belize. Roundtrip flights are scheduled for Saturdays starting December 22nd until April 20th next year. …

Acting Commissioner speaks on State of Emergency
Colonel Lovell said the Police Department should be able to put the situation under control without the inclusion of the other sister agencies. The Statutory Instrument signed by the Governor General affects two specific areas of Belize. The Acting Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams explained the series of events that led them to have evoked …

City Council and Christian Worker’s Union on Food and Subsistence
The Christian Workers Union (CWU) came to the defense of Belize City Cemetery workers after their employers, the Belize City Council refused to provide subsistence when they work outside of city limits. As a result, cemetery staff refused to proceed to the Eternal Gardens Memorial Cemetery on the highway, which led to an impromptu meeting …

Crime Control as a result of State of Emergency declared on Belize City’s Southside
So as it stands, there were two shooting incidents near the Magazine Road area last week. The catalyst for where we are today was last week Friday’s murder of Shadiki Baizar near the Matron Roberts clinic. That sparked a series of retaliation incidents between the George Street and Banak Street gangs. There are a hundred …

PUP speaks on the State of Emergency
The Peoples United Party responded to the declaration that has hit Banak Street, George Street and significant portions of the South Side of Belize City. Leader of the Opposition John Briceno was joined by Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner who they feel had been disrespected. The Opposition believes that as the gatekeepers of Belize …

Problems continue to mount from Sargassum
The sargassum problem has far reaching effects since it also affects marine life, health of residents, and tourism. Reports are that thousands of fish have washed up on the beach front and can be seen floating in the Caribbean Sea near Ambergris Caye. Additionally, it is believed to be the cause of oxygen depletion in …

Ombudman’s Office received 122 complaints for 2017
The Ombudsman’s office is tasked to investigate complaints of wrongdoings, which may be derived from a governmental authority. In 2017, the Ombudsman’s office received one hundred and twenty-two complaints. Love News spoke with the Ombudsman, Lionel Arzu, who shared the types of complaints his office received during that period. Lionel Arzu Ombudsman of Belize: “From …

Cannon speaks on the ICJ
With the referendum approaching in April of two thousand nineteen, many are still unsure whether to vote yes or no, to take Belize to the ICJ. However, their uncertainty may be due to a lack of knowledge on the history of the Belizean-Guatemalan Dispute, or how important their choice is for the country. Knowledge and …

Westby charged after being sought for over eighteen months
Thirty year old Vildo Westby, a baker of Guinea Grass Village, who the police had been seeking for over 18 months, was charged with the murder of 44 year old Jose Ayuso when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford yesterday. Westby was remanded into custody until November 6. He was represented by attorney Dickie Bradley. The incident occurred in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, on February 2, 2017.

British Government donates $1.8 million to help with ICJ campaign
Today, the British High Commissioner Peter Hughes donated a substantial amount of money towards the ICJ education campaign. Hughes explained why donating to the process is particularly important to the UK and to Belize. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington expressed sincere gratitude to the High Commissioner on behalf of te Government of Belize.

Man dies after falling in a cement mixer
21-year-old Jeffrey Hernandez was killed on Monday night after he got caught in a cement mixer. Hernandez who was an employee of AP Enterprise Cement Block Factory at mile four and a half on the George Price Highway, was cleaning the inside of a heavy duty cement mixer when he got trapped inside the machine.

Masses of seaweed continue to invade coastal communities
Belize as well as many Caribbean countries like St. Lucia are being affected by the quantity and annoying smell of sargassum which has invaded our beaches, islands and coastal communities. San Pedro, Caye Caulker, Seine Bight and Placencia are victims of sargassum invasion. The sargassum’s build-up can be seen for miles on the beach front of these communities.

State of Emergency Declared in Belize City
Belize has consistently been listed as one of the top five countries in the world with the highest murder rate per capita, not to mention an appalling three percent murder conviction rate. Couple that with the tier three ranking designated by the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons report which has Belize as one of only two, tier-three trafficking countries in the western hemisphere, a dismal reflection for a country of close to 350,000 residents that prides itself as the “jewel.”

The Reporter

HEAVY POLICE PRESENCE TO DETER GANG CRIME IN THE CITY
A declaration of emergency proclamation has been issued by the government, and there is now a larger than usual police presence and crime prevention effort has been activated in Belize City.

Breaking Belize News

Cayo holds first ever West Fest!
The first ever West Fest, organized by the Cayo Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry […]

Regular gas goes up again
The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) has just issued new gas prices that will kick […]

Cut-off date for re-registration of electors announced
The Elections and Boundaries Department today informed that the 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise will […]

September Celebrations to be celebrated with ‘State of Public Emergency’ due to crime
The crime situation in Belize has escalated and over the weekend, there were six murders […]

John Briceno holds press conference to comment on State of Emergency
Yesterday the Government of Belize (GoB) passed a statutory instrument indicating a state of emergency […]

Mayor Wagner transfers Traffic Manager Kevaughn Jenkins
Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, today confirmed that there were some structural changes at City […]

US Embassy issues warning to citizens living in Belize
The United States Embassy in Belize today issued a security warning to all American citizens […]

Sun Country Airlines Announces New Nonstop Service to Belize
The Belize Tourism Board is celebrating a new partnership with Sun Country Airlines, which today […]

Ministry of Health raises suicide prevention flag
World Suicide Prevention Day is celebrated every year on September 10th. Today the Ministry of […]

State of Emergency declared on south-side neighborhoods
The Ministry of National Security, this morning at a press conference hosted at the Queen […]

George Street and Ghost Town declared as areas of public emergency
The Government of Belize has declared a state of public emergency for two south side […]

UN concerned over Guatemalan’s decision to terminate anti-corruption commission
The United Nations Secretary-General was yesterday informed of the decision taken by the Guatemalan President, […]

Ministry of National Security says drug plane story is ‘fake’
This morning, the Ministry of National Security issued a statement informing that it has confirmed […]

Hair, Hair – How We Fail our Boys
By Lisa Shoman: We already have a problem in Belize with keeping boys in High School. According to 2014 statistics, 27% of boys aged 13-16 do not attend school compared with 23% for girls […]

Blogs

Morning with Frannie: Sun, Sargasso and Super Special Sea Beans
Yesterday started with some heavy rains leaving puddles all over Ambergris Caye. By afternoon the sun was BLAZING and the sargasso (which has hit our shores with a vengeance over the past week) was fragrant. I decided to take Frannie Banannie out for a walk. Heading north on the road… The walking can be tough – the long grass filled with spiky burrs meets the smushy sargasso…but I found some excellent treasures.

International Sources

Diving UNESCO Heritage Sites
I like to think that the stereotype that divers are environmentally protective is generally true. I do accept that the level of environmental responsibility varies between nations, and some divers may not see the need for environmental responsibility. Back in the 1960s, there were few controls over pollution. Factories polluted our air and waters. Our garbage was burned putting toxic waste in the air or it was loaded on barges and dumped into the sea. Now, most of the world have controls in place. While the environmental movement started at different times in different nations, The United States really started moving forward in 1970, the students protesting against the Vietnam War, also started to protest about the environment. By 1972, laws were starting to be put in place. Today, we are still fighting our battles but things are much improved. “The Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS), inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, is comprised of seven protected areas; Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve, Blue Hole Natural Monument, Half Moon Caye Natural Monument, South Water Caye Marine Reserve, Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve, Laughing Bird Caye National Park and Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve.”

Videos

September 5, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

It’s official: First MMA event to be held in San Pedro!
On Sunday, September 2nd, Caribbean Villas beach south of San Pedro Town was the setting for the official presentation of the upcoming Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) event to be held on the island on October 20, 2018. Present during the event was Martin Dawson, representing Dawson’s Pit Fighters training school, Sergio Rosado of Primmates Chetumal training school and Chetumal Xtreme Cage (CXC) League, Councilor Hector ‘Tito’ Alamilla from The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and Caribbean Villas’ Felipe Sansores, along with Belizean and Mexican MMA fighters. The MMA tournament will be the first of its kind on the island, with nine confirmed fights to take place at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex.

Ambergris Today

Iris Salguero To Represent Belize At Miss America Latina Del Mundo
San Pedro’s very own Iris Salguero will be representing Belize at the Miss America Latina Del Mundo 2018 will take place at Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on September 29, 2018. “So I was expecting to wait longer to put the news out there, being that I thought this year I would step aside from pageantry. I had even declined offers from the Miss Universe Belize and Miss Costa Maya organizations. But like they say if you want to make God laugh tell him your plans. He has thrown so many opportunities my way this year, I thought I’d finally take the hint and go for it!” Stated Miss Salguero on her Facebook Page. Iris’s reign as Miss Earth Belize 2017/2018 officially ended September 1, 2018. Miss Iris Salguero has held four consecutive pageant titles Miss San Pedro (2015), Miss World (2016), Miss Earth (2017) and now Miss America Latina del Mundo (2018).

Misc Belizean Sources

Mixed Martial Arts Fights Coming to San Pedro
Mark your Calendar; Purchase your Tickets

Update on the 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise
The Elections and Boundaries Department is pleased to present an update to the public on the ongoing 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise. An update is hereby provided as follows for the period 26th to 31st August 2018. During the period a total of Eleven Thousand, Nine Hundred Seven (11,907) applications were accepted; therefore the total number of applications received as of 31st August 2018 is One Hundred Twenty-One Thousand, Four Hundred Ninety-Six (121,496).

Houses burglarized and woman assaulted in Finca Solana
As one witness said, our peace and quiet in this once sleepy little town, was rudely interrupted on Monday September 3rd, as our community came back to life after a long summer holiday. Unofficial reports are that on Monday September 3rd burglars chose to clean out many homes in the Finca Solana area of Corozal Town. Four (4) homes were broken into or attempts were made. In another incident which occurred in Finca Solana as well, a woman reports that she was robbed while walking in the Finca Solana area but not before the bad hombre assaulted her and choked her before taking off with her cellphone.

Belize's Wonder Women! Kaya C. Cattouse
We are proud to announce that for the month of September, Kaya C. Cattouse is our Belize Wonder Woman! While growing up, Kaya always excelled in sporting activities. And now, she has blossomed into a multi-sport athlete with a profound interest in cycling. She got her very first road bike at the age of 12, and at age 13, she raced in Mexico with the male junior cyclists. Her first elite female race with the Belize Cycling Association was at the age of 16. She has participated in local, regional, and international races.

Black Persimmon Highlighted on Tree Tuesday!
On this #TreeTuesday, we are placing the spotlight on the Black Persimmon tree (Diospyros digyna)! Though commonly called black sapote, this tree is not closely related to the mamey sapote or the white sapote. It belongs in the Ebenaceae, or ebony, family like the persimmon. The nearly round fruit, which grows to 5 inches wide, turns dark brown and very soft as it ripens. The pulp becomes almost black and is sweet and custard-like. The tree’s thick, glossy foliage and interesting fruit has led to it being cultivated in South Florida, Hawaii, and the Philippines, outside of its native range in Central America. South Floridians often blend the pulp with milk and cinnamon and freeze it to make ice cream. In the Philippines, the fruit is served with a splash of orange juice. Throughout Mexico, the pulp is mashed and mixed with brandy or wine to make a pudding-like dessert. The fruit season for D. digyna is just beginning. What’s your favorite recipe for this fruit?

Partial Scholarships Available for an Online Masters in Project Management
Generous benefits offered to pursue an online master’s degree program with international accreditation in Project Management

OAS Professional Development Scholarship Program
The OAS and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean - UCC are offering 34 scholarships of 100% and 50% tuition discount.

We have Turtles hatching at Ranguana Caye!!
Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to experience live turtle hatchings this month! Soonest expected dates include September 12th & 13th! Hatching can occur at night and during the day, book your day trip or overnight stay for future dates!! Locals prices available!

Fiesta FM 106.7 14th Anniversary
This Sunday, September 9th, Come to Orchid Bay Resort for the biggest Beach Party anywhere! Fiesta FM's 14th Anniversary Party at Orchid Bay Resort! All Day Long on the Beach at Orchid Bay! Gilharry 7 and Continenal Cat to perform all day! Tons of Prizes and Surprises! Don't miss this party!

2018 Maya Heroes Day
The Banquitas House of Culture and the Northern Maya Association of Belize extended its sincere thanks to everyone that made the annual Maya Heroes Day a success. We are grateful for the support received by the business community. Thanks to the Elenco Maya from Quintana Roo and the Poktapok Group for an excellent performance. We thank all the members that worked very hard and contributed to this historical event.

A Trip to Melville Rave
It's been a month since the incredible A Trip to Melville Rave in Bullet Tree. Over 12 hours of nonstop EDM on the mighty Mopan. The pre-party was at the Soul Project, and they had a Sunday all day party again at the Pool House. Amazing DJ's, and no microphones. The next one is being planned. "The 2nd event done by the Mind & Me record label was full of music, lights, dancing, splashing, and wild memories. Fun times were had and great new friends were made while Night Quest and Matt Hoy mixed the night away with some new and classic EDM mixes. The crew from Chachi's Pizza came all the way from Placencia to create some live electronica. Happy birthday to Melanie KC! Your party won't soon be forgotten." Pictures on fb.

Belize Disputes Guatemala's Claim Lecture
It's Independence Month, and what better time to hear some well informed people speak about the claim. It'll be at the University of Belize, on Thursday, September 13th. It'll also be streamed via the National Channel. "We are getting ready to hear David Gomez, David Gibson and Carlos Clarke speak on the history and future of Guatemala's claim over Belize. This is the BHA Annual September Lecture Supported by Institute for Social & Cultural Research, National Institute of Culture and History, and University of Belize Facebook streaming will be happening in HD thanks to the coverage of The National Channel!!"

Channel 7

Young Man Crushed Inside A Cement Mixer
Last night a 21 year old Guinea Grass villager met a terrible death inside a cement block making machine. It happened at AP Enterprise Cement block factory at mile four and a half on the George Price Highway. At around 9:30 last night, Jeffery Hernandez was cleaning the machine, and had inserted himself inside of it - when someone - who didn't know he was there- turned it on. Seconds later, a co-worker heard Hernandez screaming for help and ran to the machine to find him trapped between the blade and the side of the mixer. The Fire Department and BERT had to be called to extricate him. The mixer had crushed and cut his midsection - and he died on his way to the hospital.

Man Dies, Police Say Hunting Incident, Family Has Questions
42 year old Georgeville security guard Daniel Alford is dead. His body was found near his home on the Mountain Pine Ridge road after 5:00 yesterday evening. One report is that someone shot him while the police say that he tripped and accidentally shot himself on a hunting trip. It is a strange case because when we spoke with Alford's relatives today, they couldn't say for sure what happened. They were just heartbroken by their loss. Shane Jeal, Brother: "Yesterday I saw him about around after 4:30. First thing I saw was his red bike, his new bike because he just bought a new bike then when I glance back again because I glance forward because some kids were sitting on the side of the road across from where he has his animal tie so I glance on them and I saw him and two of us raised our hands and waved at each other..."

Former Employee Says National Bank Records All Messed Up
Our next story is a cautionary tale from a former National Bank employee. Katrina Young - who has a master's degree in banking and finance - worked at the National Bank of Belize for two and a half years, from its inception in 2013, up until she migrated to Jamaica in 2016. And while she started as a true believer, - tonight, she has a sobering account of how - she claims - the bank got it all wrong in its record keeping - and wrongly put her - as a regular customer - in debt to the tune of thousands of dollars - while she was paying her loan to time. For some background, Young has two loans at the bank: a student loan and a vehicle loan - and she says the bank got everything mixed up. That would have been bad enough on its own - but the confusion has ended up adding thousands of dollars to the balance outstanding on her loans, and in interest costs and late fees.

Re-Reg Wraps Up With Very Average Turnout
The full Re-registration exercise finished on Friday and a total of 121,496 voters registered during the 8 week exercise. That's the total after 11,907 persons registered in the final week. Overall, it's a somewhat disappointing figure since the Elections and Boundaries office were hoping that the number of applicants would be close to two hundred thousand voters. But, while the re-registration centers are closed, the re-registration process continues. You can go to any of the Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices countrywide Mondays to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The last date to re-register is 30th September 2018.

Shyne Rejects Narrative That PM Scolded Him On Faber
For weeks we've been reporting on the major beff between Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow and NIC President Sapnah Budhrani. And while those are the foreground figures, in the background is the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber - who appointed Budhrani - without Cabinet approval - and Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who is Shyne's father. On Friday after the house meeting - the PM seemed to have a little rap on the knuckles for both Shyne and Faber. He said Faber was wrong to have appointed a NICH President without first coming to Cabinet, while he added no one should publicly attack the Deputy PM - which we clearly took as a note to Shyne.

NICH President Sends Auditor To Shyne
And while Shyne seems to be doubling down on his war with Sapnah Budhrani and her defenders, it seems she's also doubling down on her issues with his office. We are told that on August 21st, she assigned the same NICH internal auditor Roberto Matus to commence an audit of the Music Ambassador's office - but under some very special rules. We asked Shyne about it:.. Shyne Barrow: "I find the audit to be a strategic move on the part of Budhrani to distract and divert attention from the issues that she is having with her own internal auditor, but all of my receipts are there. However, I was told by the internal auditor that he was instructed not to speak to me, so I don't see how you can conduct an audit of my office without speaking to me. I find that strange, but let's see if that will continue because she is now on leave."

Nazarene’s Hair Affair
In the news anchor business, we always say, the higher the hair, the closer to God, but in the domain of Christian education, it seems, high hair can suggest a rebellion against the order of everything virtuous. And that's why about 25 or more male students at Nazarene High in Belize City were locked out of their own school today. Our bald news director was driving by and got into the thick of a dispute over how much hair is fair for school:...

Rotaract’s Back to School Haircut Project
And while they have to go back to the barber - which one parent says will cost him 15 dollars - they could have gotten trimmed for free on Sunday at the Real Barber shop on Euphrates Avenue. The Free Back to School Haircut Project was an initiative organized by the Rotaract Club of Belize City. 7News was there and found out more:…

They Stole From The Blind
Thieves stole from the blind when they cleaned out The Belize Council for the Visually Impaired Belmopan office. It happened sometime over the weekend. The staff reported to work on Monday only to find an empty office. The robbers took specialized eye care equipment, printers, laptops, even the Ministry of Health's information system - BHIS which can only be accessed by authorized persons. If you have any information that can lead to the recovery of these pieces of equipment please call the police or the BCVI office at 610-5438. In a release sent out yesterday it states " These items will be of no use to anyone else but they will impact the lives of so many in the Cayo district who look to BCVI for eye health services."

Accomplished Belizean-American Journalist Visits
Lennox Samuels: the name might not ring a bell here in Belize but in American media it does. Samuels is a Belizean born Pulitzer Prize winning journalist. He is in Belize and today he was the main presenter at the 5th annual Silvanna Udz Leckcha series at the University of Belize. The theme of his presentation was "Enemies of the people and Fake News: How the assault on the media by Demagogues like Trump threatens democracy and makes the world more dangerous." Lennox Samuels is a reporter, writer, editor and media consultant based in Bangkok, Thailand. His 40-year career includes stints as an education writer, investigative reporter, fashion editor, city editor, news executive, and foreign correspondent.

Shyne Opens Music School At Stella Maris
Stella Maris will have a music school thanks to music ambassador Shyne Barrow. Shyne made the donation today - and told us how the effort came together. Those who want to assist the initiative can call the principal at 224-4564 Or 600-7279.

Trauma: The Struggle Is Real
If you watched the news last night - you'll know how much violence there was in the city over the weekend. But after the headlines fade, the scars remain especially for child who live in violent neighborhoods, or families targeted by crime. The One Struggle group - which is made up of mothers who have lost their sons to violence - spent yesterday reaching out to those mothers - who now have the misfortune of joining their sisterhood. And while the mothers need consoling Phillip Willoughby who founded the group says as they go to different houses they see pain and trauma in the young male children:...

Crisilda Alleges Police Brutality
And the police created more trauma over the weekend for a southside family. Crisilda Pratt says that B-Sag beat her boyfriend for no reason. He was at home on Banak Street on Sunday night playing video games when the police came barging in. She told us they took him out of the house and beat him without mercy:...

Peace In the Park
And while that causes more community damage, there's also news of Community healing a few blocks away. Restore Belize held a Peace in the Parks fun day on Sunday at the Charlie Burton Park on Gibnut Street. It was a pre-back to school celebration to get the kids 'hyped up' to learn. Here is more from the event.

Prelim. Reports Say PM’s Surgery Successful
Prime Minister DEAN BARROW underwent what he called a "serious" surgical procedure on his back this morning in Havana, Cuba. We are told the surgery was successful and that he is recovering. We asked his son Shyne for an update this morning:.. Shyne Barrow: "We will allow him to recover. We just need to pray that he has a rapid recovery with the surgery and we thank everyone throughout the country who has been offering prayers and well wishes. God bless you." The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Belize on September 21st.

King and Queen, Wheel and Come Again
Last night you saw all the highlights and comments from winners at Carnival King and Queen. Well turns out the winners may have a short lived victory because it seems someone made a mistake with the scores and may have crowned the wrong King and Queen. In a NICH release sent today states, quote, "many Carnival Groups, revelers, and onlookers were confused with the results which were announced. The scores from the various sections of the competition are being audited at the firm of Cedric D. Flowers Certified Public Accountant. The findings of the audit may have implications for the results announced at Saturday's Carnival King and Queen in both the Senior and Junior Categories." So we will keep following this story to find out who are the real champs of the competition.

Channel 5

A Parallel Audit: One for Shyne and One for NICH
A game at which two can play seems to be the direction that the tiff between Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow and besieged NICH President Sapna Budhrani is headed.  Budhrani’s suspension [...]

Shyne Says His Beef with Sapna is Not Personal
According to Shyne Barrow, the spat between himself and Sapna Budhrani is not a personal vendetta being carried out against her.  Likewise, he told the media this morning that the [...]

Audit done on procurement of Equipment purchased by the Ministry of Health
Audits are taking place both at NICH and now at the office of the Music Ambassador.  The results are expected to be released on completion. But News Five has obtained [...]

Guinea Grass Villager Crushed and Killed by Cement Mixer
Twenty one year old Guinea Grass villager, Jeffrey Hernandez, died a horrible and painful death on Monday night. Hernandez, a well-known football player in his home village, was working at [...]

Police Say Man Succumbs After He Accidentally Shoots Himself
A death investigation is ongoing in the western village of Georgeville, Cayo District. On Monday evening, police responded to a shooting at mile one on the Mountain Pine Ridge Road [...]

Red Cross Belmopan Office Burglarized
On Monday, we reported on the burglary of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired office in Belmopan. Thousands of dollars worth of equipment as well as computers and office [...]

National Bank Customer says 6 months of payments have disappeared
Former Employee of the National Bank of Belize is exposing irregularities at the financial institution that have left her in bad debt.  Katrina Young resigned from the National Bank of [...]

National Bank Manager says Customer’s monies and records are safe
According to Young, if she did not keep her own records she would have had to pay a loan of fourteen percent. Young was given a bill of fifteen thousand [...]

Nazarene High School Students Turned Back for Inappropriate Haircut
Police officers were called on a group of Nazarene High School students this morning after they refused to leave from in front of the school’s compound in Belize City. The [...]

Parents Strike Against Incompetent Teacher in Mabilha
In the remote village of Mabilha in the Toledo District, parents decided to keep their children at home for a second day in protest.  They were up in arms that [...]

A Replacement Teacher has been Identified for the Primary School
Late this evening, the principal of Mabilha Government School confirmed that the management had identified a replacement for Angel Cal and has agreed to resolve the issue.  Chairman Mateo Salam [...]

Norman Castillo alleges self-defense in fight with Alfonso Noble
A video of a fight between two men went viral on Facebook over the weekend. One of the men in the fight is The Guardian’s Editor and host of ‘Fus [...]

121,496 Voters Took Part in Mass Re-registration Exercise
The mass re-registration exercise is over and the final tally for the number of applications received by the Elections and Boundaries Department is one hundred twenty-one thousand, four hundred and [...]

Billy White Villagers are Concerned About the Disposal of Dead Cattle Near a Water Pump
There are health concerns in the remote village of Billy White. It is small village of about two hundred families in the Cayo District. The village is not often mentioned [...]

Placencia Villagers Unite to Fight Off Sargassum Attack
Placencia Villagers are coming together to fight off the Sargasso attack. Like on the beaches of San Pedro, Placencia has been invaded by Sargassum. Besides the foul odor and unpleasant [...]

Annual Flag Raising Ceremony to Kick Off September Celebrations
The annual flag raising ceremony was held at the roundabout near Pallotti High School on Saturday morning to officially kick off the September Celebrations.  The brief ritual at the Flag [...]

Dr. Itza’s Claims of Mismanagement at S.I.C.B being looked at
Chairman of the Sugar Control Production Committee, Doctor Carlos Itza, no longer holds the post of Sugar Cane Specialist and Sugar Cane Technical Assistant with the Sugar Industry Control Board. [...]

Leelah Vernon Music School to Open at Stella Maris
The Stella Martin School located on Princess Margaret Drive is preparing to add music to its programme for children with learning disabilities.  It’s a welcomed addition for which the school [...]

Rotaract Club Gives to Port Loyola Preschool!
This week Rotaract Club of Belize City donated over four thousand dollars worth of school supplies to one hundred and thirty preschool students for the new school year. The donation [...]

Controversy Over Results of Carnival King & Queen Competition
There is controversy brewing over the results of this year’s carnival King and Queen Competition. The event was held on Saturday night at the Marion Jones Stadium. But when the [...]

The Carr Sisters Need Your Help
Track and field athletes Ashantie and Ashontie Carr have been accepted into the University of Technology in Jamaica to pursue higher studies for three years.  There, they will earn their [...]

LOVE FM

Anglican Diocese speaks on the tragic murders occurring over the weekend
This past weekend there were at least six murders and a couple shootings in Belize City. Canon Leroy Flowers from the Anglican Diocese said what we are seeing today has been festering for some time. Canon Leroy Flowers, Anglican Diocese: “What is happening in Belize is for quite a while now we have lost a …

Audit to be made on the King and Queen Competition
Changes might be made to the results of last Saturday’s Carnival King and Queen Competition. At the end of the competition (VO STARTS) Soca Massive took first place in the Junior Queen competition while Trench Town was named the winner in the Junior King competition. In the senior category Belizean Jewels took first place in …

President of Carnival Association speaks on why route has changed
On Saturday it is expected that the streets of Belize City will be filled with color and music as the Carnival Road March takes place. Sandra Mahler, the President of the Belize Carnival Association, explains why the route was changed. Sandra Mahler, the President of the Belize Carnival Association: This Saturday September 8th Carnival starts …

Client Says National Bank Lost her Loan Payments
A client and former employee is claiming her loan payments have disappeared for a six months period a few years ago, and the bank has no evidence of the money being received. Katrina Young showed the media evidence of wire transfers of payments and she also said that while she was an employee of the …

Library workshop focuses on changes and technology within library system
Twenty three individuals were a part of a training focusing on changes within the library system and how technology can be used. Pauline Soberanis Tillett joined the library service for this report. Pauline Tillet: “The one week workshop was conducted by Dr. Patricia Ball and Dr. Ed Lomac professors from Valdez State University. Love News …

Security Guard dies after being shot yesterday
42-year-old security guard Daniel Ezequiel Alford died from gunshot wounds he sustained yesterday. The official police reports says Alford had gone hunting on the Mountain Pine Ridge Road and was climbing a hilly area when he accidentally fell and the shotgun went off hitting him. His family is disputing the official version. Correspondent Fem Cruz …

Auditing the Music Ambassador
But instead of banks being audited lately institutions are being audited. NICH is currently undergoing an external audit to complement the controversial one completed by the theology student turned internal auditor for the institution. Another audit has been summoned following Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow’s controversial comments about the President of the National Institute of Culture …

Austin Lopez charged for Caye Caulker fight
The police department has also made another break in a case. Officers have arrested and charged Austin Lopez (VO STARTS) for attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, dangerous harm and grievous harm. Last Tuesday night Lopez was involved in a fight on Caye Caulker which left 47-year-old Amado Watson in an unconscious state …

Re-registration
The Elections and Boundaries Department received one hundred twenty one thousand, four hundred and ninety six applications from July second to to August thirty first. During the final week of countrywide registration, eleven thousand, nine hundred and seven applications were received at the centers. Electors are reminded that the centers are now closed and all …

PM on the (Havana) Road to Recovery
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left Belize on September first to undergo spinal surgery in Havana, Cuba. This morning we spoke to his son Jamal Shyne Barrow who gave us an update on his recovery. Reporter: On a lighter note any update on your father? Shyne Barrow, Music Ambassador: “Well we will allow him to recover, …

Carr sisters ask for financial assistance to attend UTEC in Jamaica
A name that has history in athletics in Belize is the Carr family. The discipline has been taken up by the next generation of track athletes, Ashanti and Ashontie Carr, who have represented Belize well at home and across the region. The Carr twins are now setting their aim higher, in an effort to further their education while at the same time honing their skills on the track …

Students of Mabilha Government School remain out of classes
The doors to most primary schools re-opened yesterday. However, students of Mabilha Government School remain out of classes. The parents have been trying to get one of the teachers removed and when that did not happen, they kept their children at home. Walter Garbutt, the Local manager of Government Primary Schools in the Southern Region told Love News about the strike action …

Music Instruments for Stella Maris in Leela Vernon’s Memory
Earlier today, Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow gifted musical instruments to the Stella Maris School in Belize City. This morning at the handing over ceremony, Barrow told the media he will seek funding to hire teachers for the school which will be named after a well-known Belizean musician. …

Cops Called to cut into Hairy Situation at Nazarene High
There was a commotion this morning outside of Nazarene High School in Belize City. Officers were on the scene along with a mobile police unit. At the start of week in Belize City that had so much violence, Love News went to Nazarene and discovered that a truly hairy situation was unfolding at the High School. …

Mafredi villagers construct water supply tower
Villagers of Mafredi in the Toledo District have worked together to construct a concrete water supply tower for a water supply system. Paul Mahung found out why the tower was desperately needed. Paul Mahung, Love FM: Phase one of the water supply systems is completed as explained by Mafredi Village Chairman Carmelo Perez who spoke to Love News at the project site. …

President of Carnival Association speaks on Mas Camp
Every year before carnival, a series of activities are held by the organizers, which precede the main event. Tonight the Mas Camp starts as judging come into effect. President of the Belize Carnival Association, Sandra Mahler, shares the details. President of the Belize Carnival Association, Sandra Mahler: Tonight starts our Mas Camp night. We have four bands: Three Juniors and one Senior that will be judged tonight. The scores are worth 20 points; they are judged on creativity and the artistic quality of their costumes and those scores that they receive at their Mas camp will be taken over to the scores with the road march and then from there they will decide who the winner will be …

Philip Willoughby speaks on murders occurring over the weekend
The violence is not an issue just for the church leaders, but it is also a social ill that has to be tackled by different organizations. The One Struggle group, which is led by former City Councilor Philip Willoughby and a few grieving mothers, have been visiting some of the affected families. Willoughby explained why these initiatives are needed to bring healing to the society. …

Amandala

UDP votes “no” to CCJ’s $95 million order
The history-making House of Representatives meeting in which area reps were to vote on whether the government, as ordered by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), should pay Lord Michael Ashcroft’s Belize Bank for a loan to UHS (Universal Health Services), ended in an anticlimactic fashion when the government’s side of the House, the UDPs, voted “no” unanimously after the debate, but there was no vote from the Opposition PUP on a Supplementary Appropriation Bill for over $95.6 million because its members left the House before the vote was taken. The original Belize Bank loan of $33,545,820, guaranteed by the Government of Belize, was originally issued to UHS, a private company owned by a group led by Loma Luz surgeon Dr. Muthugounder Venugoupal (Dr. Vinny).

6 murders in 2 days in Belize City
It was a murderous weekend in Belize City as we entered the month of September. Three of the murders occurred on Friday, August 31, and three on September 1. Five of them involved the use of firearms. The first murder happened around 1:45 p.m. on Friday. Shakeedi Baizar, 23, had just left Matron Roberts Clinic and was walking through a nearby alley when a man approached him and fired several shots. Baizar was being treated in the Matron Roberts Clinic when he succumbed to his injuries. His death is said to be gang-related and caused at least one of the other deaths that occurred over the weekend, police said.

MIT cops shot my vehicle: Inspector Fitzroy
On a weekend of mayhem, murders and violence, Inspector of Police, Fitzroy Yearwood’s Mazda Tribute SUV was shot near Yarborough Bridge, around 1:07 p.m. yesterday, Sunday. In a telephone interview tonight just before we went to press, Yearwood, a 22-year veteran of the Belize Police Department, told us that the bullet that knocked out one of his car’s passenger-side windows apparently came from a police vehicle. Yearwood said that as he was driving past “Tut Bay,” there was a police mobile patrol unit parked on the right side of the street. There were two policemen, attached to the Mobile Interdiction Unit (MIT), who were inside the vehicle.

Chon Saan delivery man fatally shot while delivering food
Daniel Lopez, 25, was one of the several persons who lost their lives over the weekend. Although there had been some gang retaliation just a few hours before his death, his family says that he was not affiliated with gangs and that he was dedicated to his common-law wife of about 9 years and his 3 young daughters. At around 11:30 p.m. on Friday, police went to the corner of Basra and George Streets, where they found Lopez’s body lying on the ground beside his motorcycle. Lopez, a resident of #153 Antelope Street Extension, was a delivery man for Chon Saan Restaurant, and he had just completed a delivery when he was shot multiple times by a man who approached him.

Vildo Westby, 30, charged with murder
A police manhunt that lasted over 18 months came to an end yesterday when Mexican authorities in Vera Cruz, Mexico, found Vildo Lorenzo Westby, 30, a baker of Guinea Grass Village, wanted by Belize police for the murder of Jose Ayuso, 44, the owner of a unisex salon in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, who was found dead in his home on February 2, 2017. Westby was arraigned on a single charge of murder when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. He was remanded into custody until November 6. He was represented by attorney Dickie Bradley.

20-year-old Ashley Reid creates own clothing line
Ashley Reid, 20, is the first runner-up in this year’s Miss Universe Belize pageant, but what the Belizean public may not know, is that she also owns her own design label, Aj Originals. As a recent graduate of the University of Belize, Reid plans to take her clothing line from a hobby to a full-time career. Reid, who is the first person in her family to graduate from a tertiary-level institution, and who received her Associate Degree in Business, said that she did not have much material possessions when she was growing up. New clothes were hardly ever affordable to her. This is what inspired her to start making her own clothes.

Kulture Yabra wins National Over-40 Football Championship
The Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Over-40 Football Tournament 2018 concluded yesterday at the MCC Grounds, where Kulture Yabra Veterans claimed the championship, after securing a 2-1 victory over former champions, San Pedro Veterans in game 2 of the Finals series. Steve “Gellies” Young (26’) opened the scoring from a header, and Charlie Slusher (45’) also scored from a header in first half, both Kulture Yabra goals assisted by Anthony “Chicken” Arnold; while San Pedro missed a second half penalty, before getting their only goal from a deflected shot taken by Abdon Sanchez at the 60th minute.

Unitedville Rebels United are back-to-back National Women Softball Champions 2018
Eight teams, two each from the Stann Creek, Cayo, Belize Rural and Belize City softball associations, converged on Rogers Stadium this past weekend, from Friday to Sunday, as the Belize Softball Federation hosted its XXVIII (28th) Women’s National Championship. And when the dust had settled last night, defending champions, Unitedville Rebels United were crowned back-to-back National Women Softball Champions. Rebels United were undefeated in the double elimination tournament which started on Friday night, their toughest of 4 contests being a 3-2 victory on Saturday over Belize Bank Bulldogs of Belize City.

Belize vs Bahamas on Thursday in CONCACAF qualifier
At present, as of August 31, Belize is ranked at #24 in CONCACAF. Our opponent in Thursday’s international at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium is Bahamas, which is presently ranked at #31. Belize’s next match in this qualifying series will be on October 30 against #36 ranked Montserrat in Montserrat. Our next home match will be on November 16, when Belize faces presently ranked #30, Puerto Rico. Our last CONCACAF qualifying match will be next March 23, 2019, against #22 ranked Guyana in Guyana.

Firms Basketball League Finals – Dragons vs Tuff E Nuff
The semifinal series in the Firms Basketball League tournament at Swift Hall are over, and two teams are now set to clash in the best-of-3 games championship finals series. The Dragons vs Infotel Vipers series was finished in two nights, Thursday and Friday; but the Belize Bank Bulldogs vs Tuff E Nuff tangle had to be settled on Saturday night. In the semifinal opener on Thursday, Belize Bank Bulldogs crushed Tuff E Nuff, 80-66; and in the nightcap, Dragons barely clipped Infotel Vipers by a 74-73 score. Friday night saw Tuff E Nuff rebound to blow out the Bulldogs, 84-54, forcing a game 3; while Dragons finished their series by again beating Infotel Vipers, this time by a wide margin, 96-81.

$95 million owing to The Lord: 5 Southside murders in 36 hours
Under the stewardships of two of the smartest attorneys and political leaders in the modern political history of Belize, Rt. Hon. Said Musa and Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Belize has ended up owing Lord Michael Ashcroft $95 million plus, and counting, and there is nothing we Belizeans have to show for it except egg on our national face. Mr. Musa, still the area representative for Fort George in Belize City, and Hon. Francis Fonseca, his Attorney General at the time when Mr. Musa used $40 million in grant moneys from Taiwan and Venezuela, separately, to clear up a debt which cronies of the then ruling People’s United Party (PUP) had accumulated at the Belize Bank, a debt guaranteed by Mr. Musa’s Government of Belize, argued in the House of Representatives last Friday afternoon that when Mr. Barrow’s United Democratic Party (UDP) came to power in February of 2008, the said debt for the Universal Health Services (UHS) hospital stood at zero, zilch. The debt didn’t exist.

Ashley Stanford discusses the Taiwan rice
Dear Editor: I wish to provide some perspective regarding a recent article titled (“Taiwan’s Rice Donation Angers Farmers”, August 23rd) that appeared in your newspaper. Regarding this issue, there was a lot of back and forth saying that: 1.Taiwan should have donated money since Belize already produces rice, 2.The rice was plastic rice, 3.They used Belize for dumping rice and 4.If they wanted to donate rice to the NGO’s they should have bought from the local farmers then donated it. Looking back now, yes, the Government could have handled it better by following the usual protocols that were to be enforced whenever goods are to be imported into the country. However, those protocols were overlooked and the rice is here.

We hired these guys for more “mekdem wait”
Ten years ago, in February 2008 to be precise, we hired a new government, a different party from the one that was in power. This government was supposed to clean up a mess. Really, there were a number of issues to repair. But the mess on the table in this piece is the one that involved the hospital named UHS – Universal Health Services. We had to weather six or so hours of rehashed testimonies on Friday, for the umpteenth time, so we for sure can forego that. We will also choose to forget all that transpired as the new government went about getting the job done. We will only remember the end story on Friday, when this government we hired went to the House and announced that they had absolutely failed.

To respect the will of the people, the referendum must be binding
If the Government has its way, Belize will hold a referendum on 10th April 2019. Electors will express their view on whether or not the International Court of Justice should finally resolve any and all claims that Guatemala has to Belizean territory. I emphasize that electors will only express their views on whether to go to the ICJ, nothing more. The referendum results are not binding on the Government of Belize. In an election, held under Belize’s electoral laws, electors elect their representatives, mayors, and councilors. The laws specifically set out the binding procedure by which persons so elected take office and perform their functions. Ultimately, there are election petitions to enforce the finality of the result. However, this is not the case with the Referendum Act.

“Come on”, the dealer at the casino tell a,” weh u got fi lose?” Mi country. Noh be wa fool, neem go da casino!!!
Is there anyone among us who believes going to court isn’t a risk? Either side can win in court. What has Guatemala got to lose by rolling the dice and going to the casino of the ICJ? Nothing. However, Belize stands to risk from the Old Sarstoon up to the Sibun and some say even as far as the cayes. The average person on the street understands this is a bad risk. Yet our Prime Minister is one who backs going to the ICJ, stating we have an “airtight” case. Should we listen to such a well known voice?

Sherris Stringham, 67, found dead
The search for Sherris Stringham, 67, an American national who was living in Hopkins, Stann Creek District, and who has been missing from her home in the village since last Saturday, came to a sad conclusion at about 11:30 Saturday morning. Police have charged three teens with her murder, and are looking for a fourth teen. Stringham’s decomposing body was found under a bridge in Steadfast, between Mile 18 and 19 on the Stann Creek Valley Road, Stann Creek District. Police said that they found Stringham’s decomposing body lying face up in some bushes under the bridge. She was taken to an area where an onsite postmortem exam was carried out yesterday by Dr. Mario Estradaban and his team.

Leroy Meighan, 22, fatally shot multiple times on his way home
Around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Leroy Meighan, 22, a resident of #13 Pelican Street, became the fourth person to lose his life since Friday. According to Meighan’s sister, he was constantly being targeted by the police because of associations with other family members of his who have had run-ins with the law. According to police reports, Meighan was walking on Central American Boulevard, on his way home, when a man came out of a nearby bushy area and shot him multiple times in the chest and the back. Police have not yet identified any suspects in relation to the shooting, and they have not established whether or not the incident was gang-related.

Ashanti Rowland, 25, killed in traffic accident in Ranchito
Ashanti Rowland, 25, an unemployed Ranchito resident, died in a road traffic accident at about 12:30 this morning while driving her car on the Philip Goldson Highway in a northwards direction towards Corozal Town. She lost control of the vehicle and it flipped in an area between Mile 82 and 83. As a result, Rowland suffered massive head and body injuries and died immediately on the scene. She was recovered out of the wrecked car and taken to the Corozal Community Hospital, where her body was deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

PM Barrow confirms that NICH president, Sapna Budhrani, is suspended
Since the word came out of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the president of the National Institute of History and Culture (NICH), Sapna Budhrani, has been suspended, we have attempted to get an official word from government about the status of Budhrani. This afternoon, following the meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister of Education, Hon. Patrick Faber, confirmed that Budhrani has been placed on suspension by the Cabinet, pending the outcome of an external audit. Prime Minister Dean Barrow also weighed in on the controversy at NICH and its embattled president, Budhrani.

The Reporter

2 PEOPLE INJURED IN WILD BRAWL ON CAYE CAULKER
Police today announced that they have arrested and formally charged Austin Lopez for Attempted Murder, Use of Deadly Means of Harm, Dangerous Harm and Grievous Harm for an incident last week in which Caye Caulker resident Amado Watson and American national Kathleen Perry were beaten. Lopez was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. On August 28th at around 11:00 p.m. Amado Watson, 47, and his companion American national Kathleen Perry, 33, were both rushed by boat to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City for emergency care. Both individuals were attacked and pummelled with stones and bottles by a group of persons outside of Barrier Reef Sports Bar on Pasero Street.

Breaking Belize News

National Library service and COBEC hosts training course
The Consortium for Belize Educational Cooperation (COBEC), in collaboration with Valdosta State University and the Belize […]

Former National Bank employee raises alarm over missing payment records
A former employee of the Belize National Bank, Katrina Young, who is also the sister of […]

Prime Minister recovers from spinal surgery
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left the country on Saturday, September 1 to undergo spinal surgery in […]

One year later, Vildo Westby charged for murder
Yesterday, police formally arrested and charged Vildo Westby,30, for the murder of Jose Felix Ayuso. […]

Police say Daniel Alford shooting was accidental; Family says otherwise
Today, police issued an official release stating that Georgeville resident, Daniel Alford shot himself accidentally […]

Police: Shooting of Daniel Alford was accidental
Police are investigating a shooting incident that claimed the life of a security guard from Georgeville, […]

David Flores is Fisher of the Year 2018
Despite getting a 93 percent score on the Belize National Selection Examination (BNSE) over three […]

Man crushed to death by cement mixer
A Guinea Grass villager died last night under horrible circumstances. He has been identified as Jeffrey […]

Over 120,000 Belizeans have re-registered; cut-off date announced
The Elections and Boundaries Department today issued an update to the public on the ongoing 2018 […]

Kaya Cattouse is US Embassy’s September Wonder Woman
Every month, the United States Embassy in Belize honors a Belizean woman for her arduous […]

Blogs

Let’s Get Real About September & October in Belize
A few days ago I started a list. Information about restaurants and bars that would close for the SLOW season, the RAINY season, the off-season. The time of the year on Ambergris Caye when we have the least amount of tourists. There. I said it! If you come to San Pedro during this time, there will be less tourists around. Your favorite restaurant might be closed. And there could be rain (though it will mostly be contained to late night downpours or passing showers) and some bugs that nip.

Fire Fundraiser at Iguana Juan’s
In spite of the downpour, it was a fun-filled night including a silent auction live music and a great 3-course meal by guest chef Patrick Parmentier ( Le Foo Frog Private Chef and Catering Services). The Iguana Juans Restaurant fundraiser was not only about helping the community at large, their cook (and his cousin) were also affected by the fire and restaurant owners Shanon and Brad wanted to help ensure that their staff member felt supported by his place of work.

International Sources

Inferno at Brazil's National Museum causes 'irreparable' damage and grief
Priceless artifacts spanning 11,000 years went up in flames as an inferno swallowed Brazil's National Museum. More than 20 million pieces of history, including Egyptian mummies and historic artwork, may have been destroyed. The cause of the fire is not yet known. "The loss of the National Museum's collection is insurmountable for Brazil," President Michel Temer tweeted. No one knows what sparked the blaze around 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Firefighters worked through the night to battle the flames, but a museum official said the damage is already "irreparable." "Very little will be left," preservation director Joao Carlos Nara told Agencia Brasil. "We will have to wait until the firefighters have completed their work here in order to really assess the dimension of it all."

Several Atlantic tropical threats to arise into mid-September; US at risk for additional hits
Following Gordon, Florence will lurk while additional tropical threats are likely for the United States, Central America and the Caribbean islands into mid-September. September is the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season and indications are that will be true to form with the potential for additional systems to form over the next couple of weeks. A parameter that tracks rising air in the tropics has the Atlantic basin in the red hot zone for tropical activity. Rising air is associated with storms. As Gordon moves inland, weakens and unloads torrential rainfall over the central U.S., Florence will stay alive over the central Atlantic.

Belize needs a new viable opposition party
By Wellington C. Ramos. The United Democratic Party (UDP) government of Belize has called a special sitting of the House of Representatives for all 31 members, to discuss settling a debt for a loan that was taken out by the Belize government under the People’s United Party (PUP) Musa administration. This loan was taken in the early 2000s from the Belize Bank, which is owned by British billionaire Michael Ashcroft, for the amount of $30 million but, due to the time and interest for nonpayment, it is now about $95 million with the interest growing daily. Shortly after the loan was obtained, the UDP came to power in 2008 and they made it publicly clear that they were not going to pay back the money due to the way the money was obtained and how it was spent by the Musa administration. They claimed that the money was used by the Musa administration to purchase a hospital known as Universal Health Services (UHS) that is owned by him and his family and not the Belizean people who were supposed to benefit from the funds.

Guatemala Creates New Interagency Task Force
A new Guatemalan interagency task force (IATF) will kick off operations in late 2018. IATF Jaguar will focus on the northern department of Petén, on the border with Mexico and Belize. About 300 elements—officers of the Army, the National Civil Police (PNC, in Spanish), and members of the Guatemalan Defense and Public ministries—will make up IATF Jaguar. The unit’s objective will be to counter transnational threats, such as narcotrafficking, and conduct anti-smuggling operations, border controls, and other security operations.

Gyminda tonduzii: A Story of Tree Discovery in Belize
Some tree discoveries happen because of the curiosity and astute observations of nonbotanists. In 2015, at Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul forest of Belize, an unusual trapdoor spider was discovered by arachnologist Dr. Aimée K. Thomas, of Loyola University New Orleans. She was accompanied by her father Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Thomas, a herpetologist and naturalist (who created the Venomous Snakes of Belize poster), student Michael Pashkevich, now working on his Ph.D. in the Department of Zoology, Cambridge University and Pedro Bol, a guide and manager at Las Cuevas. The spider was making its home in a tree that the researchers could not identify. Many if not most researchers would have ignored the tree species and focused on the spider. But Bob was persistent in collecting good material for identification. He took photographs and sent them to several botanists, including myself.

BTB Customer Service & Front-line Destination Training
Spaces are still available for our Customer Service & Front-line Destination Training for Tour Operators, Tour Guides & Taxi Service Providers.

Videos

September 4, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Vildo Westby officially charged for Felix Ayuso’s murder
Police have formally arrested and charged 30-year-old Vildo Westby for the murder of San Pedrano Felix Ayuso. Westby, who fled to Mexico after Ayuso’s lifeless body was discovered on February 4, 2017, had been initially detained by Mexican authorities since December 2017. Westby was reportedly deported to Belize over the weekend, and has since been remanded to the Belize Central Prison. The news of Westby’s remand in Belize comes as a relief to the Ayuso family on the island. It was a long process, beginning from when they offered a large substantial amount of money as a reward for information that would lead to Westby’s detention. The effort and sacrifice paid off and within months of posting the reward notice, a resident in Las Choapas Veracruz, Mexico reported seeing Westby, and he was detained by the police on December 7, 2017. He remained imprisoned in Mexico until this past weekend when he was released and handed over to Belizean authorities.

Chelsea Muñoz is Miss San Pedro 2018-2019
19-year-old Chelsea Muñoz became San Pedro’s 55th beauty ambassador after being selected Miss San Pedro 2018-2019 on Saturday, September 1st during the annual pageant. The anticipated show was held at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex where five lovely contestants vied for the coveted title in a show that delivered creativity, poise, elegance and the best of entertainment. Hundreds of islanders witnessed the event organized by The San Pedro Town Council which started promptly after 8PM with the singing of Belize’s National Anthem. This was followed by a dance presentation of the San Pedro Dance Company. Master of Ceremonies (MC) Eiden Salazar Jr., then called on each on the candidates, who took to the stage and introduced themselves.

Belize Welcomes New British High Commissioner, Ms. Claire Evans OBE
Ms Claire Evans OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to Belize in succession to Mr Peter Hughes OBE. Ms. Evans will take up her appointment in October 2018. Ms Evans began her diplomatic career in 1987 and has served overseas in Jakarta, Islamabad, Dubai and Doha. On her appointment as British High Commissioner to Belize, Ms Evans said “I feel honoured to have been appointed as British High Commissioner. I look forward to working in partnership with the Government and people of Belize to further strengthen the significant, long-standing and warm relationship between our two countries.”

BTL to donate fire trucks to San Pedro Fire Department
Following San Pedro’s most recent fire in the Boca del Rio on August 4th, which left more than 100 persons homeless, Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has announced that they will be donating two fire trucks to the island. The announcement was made on Wednesday, August 29th by BTL’s Chief Executive Officer Rochus Schreiber, who confirmed to the media that the trucks have already been identified and are expected to be delivered to San Pedro before Christmas. In the wake of the Boca del Rio fire, Ted Smith from National Fire Service had commented that they were working with BTL to acquire the fire trucks. He stated that BTL had approached them and they were discussing the possibility to acquire the trucks. He said the current units at the fire station on the island are very old and should have been replaced a long time ago. He hopes that these new trucks will better equip the island’s fire department.

Ambergris Today

Vildo Westby- Finally Extradited To Belize And Charged With Murder
Felix Ayuso was found brutally murdered in his home on Thursday, February 2, 2017. Jose Felix Ayuso was found lying in his bedroom with multiple stab wounds to his upper body. Lead suspect of the case Vildo Westby wanted for the murder of Felix Ayuso fled the country and after several months he was captured in Mexico and is finally in Belize Police Custody. Almost nine months after his capture in Las Choapas, Veracruz, Mexico, Police report that Vildo Westby is now in Belize to face murder charges for the death of Felix Ayuso. He had been detained in Mexico after family and private investigator scouted the neighborhood and work place of Westby in Veracruz, where he was working as a baker under the alias (fake name) of Alejandro Lorenzo Cruz. With the assistance of the Mexican Police Department, Westby was detained on Thursday, December 7, 2017.

Belize Among Countries With Highest Prevalence Of Chronic Kidney Disease
Preliminary Findings from National Survey to Identify the Epidemiological Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease Belmopan. September 3rd, 2018. The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and the Statistical Institute in Belize (SIB), jointly carried out a national survey for risk factors of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) countrywide from August 7th to December 15th, 2017.

Missing Hopkins Resident Sherris Stringham Murdered
American expat Sherris Stringham, 67 year-old of Missouri, USA, residing in Hopkins Village was reported missing on August 27, 2018. Initial reports stated that Stringham was missing along with her Green Nissan Exterra.

Chelsea Munoz – San Pedro's Newest Beauty Ambassador
Five young ladies competed at this year's 55th installment of the Miss San Pedro Pageant which took place on Saturday, September 1, 2018. Seleni Borges, Chelsea Munoz, Faith Noel Edgar, Janelly Akan and Daisy Martinez took the stage by storm and put on an impressive show of pageantry at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex, venue for this year's pageant. At event's end, Miss Chelsea Muñoz, sponsored by Ramon's Village Resort, was selected as Miss San Pedro 2018.

Misc Belizean Sources

ReefTV 19th Anniversary Party
Sept. 8, 7pm. $15 Entrance. Super Latinos, El Buki, DJ Ger,Ismael Chacon.

THE CAYE CAULKER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT POISED TO RESUME FLIGHTS
The Belize Airports Authority (BAA) is pleased to announce that the Caye Caulker Municipal Airport Project has been successfully completed and the airport will be ready for the resumption of much needed flights to the island in the first week of September 2018. The official inauguration is set for Friday, September 7., 2018 at the Caye Caulker Municipal Airport. The Caye Caulker Municipal Airport is now one of the latest most modem municipal airports in the country. Substantial work was done to the runway's shoulders and the laying of thousands of yards of geogrid to provide greater earth stability. Over 24,000 cubic yards of filling material were also spread and compacted.

Attention Justices of the Peace:
Monthly Meeting will be Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in Room 1G at San Pedro High School at 7:00 PM. Please make plans to attend!

Preliminary Findings from National Survey to Identify the Epidemiological Risk Factors for Chronic Kidney Disease
The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and the Statistical Institute in Belize (SIB), jointly carried out a national survey for risk factors of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) countrywide from August 7th to December 15th, 2017. The preliminary statistics for the final data indicates that 13.9% of citizens between ages 20-55 years show some evidence of kidney impairment. The prevalence of CKD worldwide is estimated to be 8-16%. These findings put Belize among countries with the highest prevalence. This national survey interviewed a total of 10,343 persons. From that total, 7,506 participants also provided a blood and urine sample to be tested. The information gathered was used to identify other potential risk factors for the development of CKD such as age, ethnicity (Mestizo/Hispanic) and specific conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. It will also help to design more targeted policies and programs to address kidney disease.

Belize Disputes Guatemala's Claim: Roots and Routes
We are getting ready to hear David Gomez, David Gibson and Carlos Clarke speak on the history and future of Guatemala's claim over Belize. This is the BHA Annual September Lecture Supported by Institute for Social & Cultural Research, National Institute of Culture and History, and University of Belize Facebook streaming will be happening in HD thanks to the coverage of The National Channel!! Thursday, September 13 at 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Belize History Association, Mountain View Blvd, Belmopan.

Benque DYS Summer Camp Finishes
Summer is coming to an end, as are all the wonderful Summer camps different organizations put on. Benque's Neighborhood Watch Summer camp ended last week. "Last week Friday, the Benque 11th Zone 4 Neighborhood Watch Summer Program came to an end. Participants completed the summer program which was organized by the Neighborhood Watch assisted by the Community Policing Unit in Benque, and our Department of Youth Services through our officers. Everyone enjoyed a week full of arts & craft activities, games, presentations and a luncheon to conclude the summer program."

8th Annual MetalHaven Bash
The 2018 Metal Haven Bash is just 2 months away. It'll be on Saturday, November 3rd, at the Cancha Marshalleck, and will start at 9:00pm. They have quite the lineup this year, with Verge of Umbra and SonicBrew representing Belize and Cayo. They have t-shirts for the event. "Metalhaven Bash - 8th Annual. Lock down the date as we will be hosting our 8th Metalhaven Bash at Benque Viejo. We will feature bands that have represented Central America in the past at the Wacken Open Air festival. We are preparing our biggest show this year with beer competition, raffles and also body suspension by Carlos Lopez. You can's miss Metalhaven 2018!!"

Water interruption in parts of Belize City today
Belize Water Services informs customers in parts of Belize City that there will be an interruption in the water supply, today, Tuesday, September 4, 2018, starting at 1:00pm. The area to be affected is all that area that is bounded to the North by Fabers Road, to the South by the Caribbean Sea, to the East by Central American Boulevard, and to the West by the BWS Sewer Lagoon.

The Placencia Breeze September 2018
What’s Inside: Placencia Family Business Owners Donate Hottest New Attraction at the Point ... pg. 3 September Celebrations Calendar Highlights ... pgs. 3, 10-11 Organizer of Popular New York Festival Hosting Placencia Beach Party to Attract Belizean Diaspora ... pg. 3 Top Five Reasons Why You Should Visit Placencia in October ... pg. 5 Peninsula News Briefs: ... pg. 6 Croc Corner ... pg. 6 Add Halloween to Your Placencia Bucket list ... pg. 7 Diver Shares the Magic of a Whale Shark Encounter ... pg. 9 From the Fire Hearth: The Ongoing Journey to Belize's Culinary Independence & Identity ... pg. 13 Fragments of Hope Updates ... page. 13 This is Not Normal; Peninsula Takes on Sargassum ... pg. 25 Rotary Club of Placencia News Roundup ... pg. 26 Marisha Betancourt: Carnival Queen of Queens ... pg. 29 Seine Bight Youth Running Events Updates ... pg. 26 PHS Welcomes Two New Board Members ... pg. 27 Placencia Humane Society Pet Clinic Dates ... pg. 27 Peninsula Happenings ... pg. 32

Routes for Jouvert and Carnival Road March 2018
The Carnival Jouvert is set for September 8th, 2018 and will be commencing at @ 4 AM. The program and route for the Jouvert is as follows: 3:45 AM - Ceremony for the souls that have gone ahead in the name of Carnival in honour of Jermaine Madrill, followed by a moment of silence and laying of wreath. 4:00 AM - Jouvert utilizing the following route:

Channel 7

Police: Sherris Stringham Was Killed By Teenaged Burglars
Hopkins residents are still trying to come to terms with Sherris Stringham's ruthless murder. Stringham's body was found on Friday night under a bridge at mile 17 and a half on the Stann Creek Valley Road. It looks to investigators like a case of a home invasion turned murder. But Police have made major headway, they have reportedly gotten confession statements and charged two men and a 16 year old minor. The two men are related: they are 18 year old Anthony Nunez and 18 year old Wilhlelm Nunez. Courtney Weatherburne has the full story from the time Stringham went missing to this morning's arraignment at the Dangriga Magistrates court. Here's her report: Courtney Weatherburne reporting The joy and warmth that once filled Sherris Stringham's Hopkins home is gone. Now there is only sorrow, this black bow and a makeshift message board that her friends pinned on the gate.

Alleged Killers Menace Stringham’s Friends In Court
And, in more bad news, one of Stringham's friends who was at court this morning says one of the accused men threatened to kill her. She told us more about it. She also discussed how the crime situation in Hopkins is affecting them as foreigners as well as Belizean born residents. Leslie Sorrelo, Friend: "Two of the people charged with Sherris' murder I was taking notes because LOVEFM saw that and they threatened my life and said they will murder me too and the other one said yeah we will. So these are dangerous men and we hope for Sherris's sake justice is served with the appropriate action."

Police Discuss Stringham Investigation
Now, reports say police have gotten confession statements from at least one of the suspects - and that is how they found the body. Today, the Head of National Crimes Investigation told us more:.. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, NCIB: "Around 11:45am, police visited an area between miles 18 and 19 on the Stann Creek Valley Road where they discovered the body of Miss Stringham in a state of decomposition. The body was removed from there where a post-mortem was conducted where she died from traumatic asphyxia. As a result, police have since arrested and charged eighteen-year-old Wilhem Nunez and eighteen-year-old Anthony Nunez and a sixteen year old minor for the crime of murder."

Shellshocked City Sees 6 Murders In 30 Hours
And while that murder was in the south, we turn now to the city where this weekend saw a stunning and scary succession of murders, most of them gang related. Between Friday afternoon and Saturday night - there were 6 murders in Belize City - 5 of them the result of gunplay on the southside. It has shaken a city that's pretty numb to violence - and police were left scrambling to keep up with the bad guys - after a month of relative calm. We start our coverage on Friday night - just before 8:00, when Francis Pollard was killed close to home. Jules Vasquez reporting: Francis Pollard, known as Tito was an ex-con - trying to change his life. Sounds familiar, but he was working to make it real:

Senior Cop’s Vehicle With Two Kids Inside Shot By “Friendly Fire”
Police Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood has 22 years of experience in the police department. And that's why he was shocked beyond words when his vehicle came under what he believes is friendly fire from a specialized police unit yesterday afternoon just after 1:00. He was about to cross the Yabra Bridge with two of his friend's kids in the back seat when he heard a bang and realized his windows had been shot out. He told us more at the police station yesterday when he was making a complaint:... Insp. Fitzroy Yearwood- Shot at: "Jules, I could only say it's fire from no other than my own comrades. I was taking my time driving over Yabra Bridge and the only vehicle in sight was the MIT vehicle; when I heard a loud bang. I had two children, friends of mine's children, on the back seat. They were seated immediately behind me and after I heard that loud bang I heard them scream so I stopped on the bridge, checked on them and after checking on them I realized that the bullet did enter the rear passenger class..."

Chon Saan Delivery Man Killed For No Reason
And now back to the weekend murders in the city…..We already told you about Francis Pollard who was fatally shot around 8:00 on Friday night. Well, three and a half hours later, a delivery man was killed in the middle of a gang turf. Now he was just making a food run for Chon Saan but it seems he went into the wrong neighborhood, where a gunman with a .45 pistol and no regard for human life shot him for no reason at all. Here's the story:.. Jules Vasquez reporting: Daniel Lopez was making a delivery here at the corner of George and Basra Streets - the base of a well-known city gang:

Seine Byte’s “Mabutu” Killed In Front End Blowout
We'll tell you about Saturday's murders in our next segment, but first to a fatal accident in the south. A 62 year old Seine Bight resident died in an accident on the Stann Creek Valley road on Saturday morning. Before 8:00, Japhet Marin also known as "Mabutu" was heading to Belmopan when he lost control of the vehicle and it flipped - killing him. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. Courtney Weatherbourne reporting: This morning the Marin family was going through their loved one, Japhet Marin's clothes, picking out the ones they could share among themselves and putting away the others to remember him by. Marin was killed in an accident early Saturday morning between miles 21 and 22 on the Stann Creek Valley Road.

Delivery-man and Father Of 3 Killed For No Reason
Before the break we told you about the murder of a 25 year old father of 3, a Chon Saan delivery-man who was killed just for the sake of it. That was Friday night at 11:30 - and 21 hours later, at 8:55 on Saturday night - a pre school watchman would be killed in similar fashion. We found out more on a sad first day of school today:... 48 year old Orson Stephens had been working and living here at the Port Loyola Preschool as a watchman and custodian for about 10 years - but when school opened this morning, his presence was sorely missed. Michelle Dolmo- Teacher: "It's hard, it is sad, it is a sad day for us. We lost a student, my personal student Trajan Gough in March. So, when I got the phone-call it was shocking and it took me back to that place that I will never want to visit again..."

Not Far Away, Another Murder
Now, fifteen minutes before Orson Stephens was killed in very deliberate fashion - a resident of Pelican Street was murdered about half mile away. It happened close to his home. 22 year old Leroy Meighan had just left home - and was walking down the street when he was killed. We found out more from police, his family, and a friend: ASP Alejandro Cowo: "Mr. Meighan was walking from the corner of Central American Blvd towards Pelican Street to where he lives and just approaching number 19, a male person came out a small bushy area and fired several shots at him causing the fatal injuries."

Was Shadiki Murder The Index Incident For Weekend of Violence?
Now, this entire spree of weekend killings started with one murder on Friday afternoon. That was the killing of Shadiki Baizar near the Matron Roberts clinic. As we told you on the Friday newscast, police feared retaliation - and retaliation there was. Police discussed his murder today - they say a shooter cornered him in the alley when he was coming for the clinic. ASP Alejandro Cowo: "What we know so far is that Mr. Baizer, the deceased was inside of the Poly Clinic receiving medical attention and about exiting, he was walking on magazine road and then he took that ally that leads from magazine road into Johnson Street. Whilst he was about half way he was approached form behind by a male person who just approached him and fired indiscriminately at him causing the fatal injuries."

Umpire Found Bound and Strangled In Hotel Room
And the city's only weekend murder that wasn't committed with a gun - happened in a Belize City hotel room on the northside - and the victim was a softball umpire visiting from Independence Village. Allin Anthony Portillo was in town for a ladies softball tournament and was staying at the Bayview Guest House. But he didn't show up for the game on Saturday morning, and around noon on Saturday, a cleaning lady at the guest house found him dead in his room. Police told us more:. ASP Alejandro Cowo: "Making checks inside room number four they discovered the body of a male person who was covered with a blanket. Upon inspection of the body he was observed to have his hands tied up to the front and both of his feet were also tied up. Inside of the room was kind of ransacked, however we could not determine if anything was stolen from inside of the room..."

OW Woman Killed At Horse Race
An Orange Walk woman was trampled and killed by a horse. It happened yesterday evening at 5:30 at a village horse race. Information is that Suliema Celiz darted across the finish line but didn't make it. A horse ran over her. She died from the impact. Today police say they are also looking into another angle in this case where the jockey might have fallen off the horse - sending the horse galloping into the crowd. Here is more from the police briefing. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, NCIB: "Yesterday sometime around 5:30p.m. Police were called to an area in San Felipe Village where a horse race was ongoing where on arrival on Evelina Suliema Celiz, thirty six years was seen with injuries. She was rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment. Initial investigation revealed that a horse race was in progress when Miss Celiz attempted to cross the track somewhere after the finish line and was ran over by one of the horses that was involved in the race causing her injuries. An investigation is ongoing into this matter."

Akeem Lopez Targeted By Determined Gunman
The senseless violence in the city continued on Sunday. At around 1:25 PM, Akeem Lopez was riding his motorbike on Neal's Pen Road when he came under sustained fire. Police told us more: ASP Alejandro Cowo: "He was coming from Central American Boulevard towards Kraal Road and whilst traveling approaching an alley on Neal's Pen Road, a male person just came out from the alley and fired a barrage of shots towards his direction, causing the abovementioned injuries."

Long Time Fugitive Comes home From Mexico
He's been wanted since February of 2017, and over the weekend 30 year old Vildo Westby was returned to the country to face murder charges for the San Pedro murder of Jose Felix Ayuso. Police told us more:... ASP Alejandro Cowo: "The Mexican Interpol handed over to the Belizean authorities, Belize Interpol, Vildo Westby who was being sought by police for several months for the murder that happened in San Pedro. He is presently in police custody and police are following a procedure for him to be charged later on today."

Snakeman Catches Boa Watching Him Eat
Taking a break now from all the bad news - today on Faber's Road we met a man was charmed by a snake that looked like it wanted to eat his lunch. PC James Jones told us more about the "facey" boa: True to his word, Jones set the snake free this afternoon at mile 2.5 on the George Price Highway in a wild bushy area. He did this after calling the Audubon which referred him to another NGO - and neither of them could deal with the capture of wild animals.

The Flash And The Fury of the Carnival King And Queen
And while murder dominated the news - it didn't dominate the consciousness of Belizeans this weekend. After all, it's September, time to dance, and party and celebrate. And that's what Carnival Goers did on Saturday at the King and Queen of Carnival competition at the Marion Jones. 7News was there..

Fatal Accident In North
Earlier we told you about the fatal accident down south that claimed the life of a Seine Bight resident, well there was another fatal accident but this time up north in Ranchito Village. Police told us more.

Man Critical After Ladyville Shooting
And finally tonight, a man is critical after a shooting in Ladyville last night. It was the weekend's last act of violence and it happened at around 8:30 on Sunday night. TWO MEN, one 19 and one 45 were shot. Police told us more:... Again more than one dozen expended shells were found on the scene.

Channel 5

Sherris Stringham is Found Dead; 3 Teens Charged with Her Murder
It was a crazy weekend in which the blood spilled across the city and elsewhere. As many as seven persons were murdered beginning on Friday in one of the most [...]

Sherris Stringham Died from Traumatic Asphyxia
The Hopkins community is stunned at the murder of Sherris Stringham, who by all accounts was well-liked in the village, where a memorial is being organized for later this week, [...]

Shakedi Baizar’s Killing is Gang Related
As we said there were six murders in less than thirty hours in the Old Capital. It began on Friday afternoon when Shakedi Baizar was gunned down in an alley [...]

Another Murder: Francis Pollard Gunned Down on Doris Brooks Crescent
Less than six hours after Shakedi Baizar was gunned down, a retaliatory murder occurred on Arlington Drive. Twenty-three-year-old Francis Pollard was shot several times while on Doris Books Crescent, a [...]

Delivery Man Shot and Killed on George Street
Victim number three, also on Friday night, was Daniel Lopez, a delivery man for Chon Saan Palace. The twenty-five-year-old was sent to deliver food at the corner of Basra and [...]

Independence Umpire Strangled to Death Inside Room at Belize City Guesthouse
Three murders on Friday and another three on Saturday. On Saturday morning, a guesthouse housekeeper found forty-year-old Allin Anthony Purtillo dead, covered by the hotel linen with his feet and [...]

Leroy Meighan is Gunned Down Near Home on Pelican Street
The unabated wave of gun violence over the weekend also claimed the life of a twenty-two-year-old resident of Pelican Street, who was shot and killed a short distance away from [...]

One Struggle Reaches Out to Grieving Mothers
In the wake of the violent weekend, grassroots organization One Struggle has been reaching out to grieving families in each of the affected neighborhoods.  Led by former city councilor Philip [...]

Orson Stephens is Murdered at Port Loyola Preschool
While processing the Pelican Street murder, fifteen minutes later, a school security guard was shot and killed while on duty. Orson Stephens was inside the Port Loyola preschool compound when [...]

Vildo Westby, Wanted for Murder of Felix Ayuso, is Handed over to Belize Police
Police confirmed today that Vildo Westby, wanted in the murder of Felix Ayuso, has been deported to Belize from Mexico. Westby was detained in Veracruz, Mexico in December 2017 for [...]

Fitzroy Yearwood Comes Under Attack. Was the Shooting Friendly Fire?
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood is a former press officer of the police department. He is a well-known for being outspoken and at times for going against the grain of the department.  [...]

An Elderly Woman is Pepper Sprayed as GSU Faces Off with Ghost Town Residents
There was a confrontation between residents of the Mayflower Street area and the Gang Suppression Unit, which raised the temperature in the area. On Sunday night, a truck full of [...]

Ranchito Resident Dies in Accident in the North
There was further loss of life, but on the highways. A traffic accident in the north claimed the life of a young woman in the early hours of this morning. [...]

Seine Bight Man Perishes in RTA
Another fatal traffic accident claimed the life of sixty-two-year-old Seine Bight resident, Japhet Marin. On Saturday, sometime around nine-thirty in the morning, police were called out to an area between [...]

NEMO Coordinator Dies after Being Trampled by Racing Horse
A freak accident on Sunday ended in the death of Orange Walk Town resident Evelina Suliema Celiz. The thirty-six-year-old NEMO Coordinator was at a horse race event at San Felipe [...]

Sunday Afternoon Shooting Leaves Akeem Lopez Hospitalized
Three persons were injured in separate shootings over the weekend. Twenty-seven-year-old Akeem Lopez is not known to police for any gang or criminal activity, but on Sunday afternoon he was [...]

2 Men Shot in Ladyville
A shooting in Ladyville, also on Sunday, has left two persons hospitalized in a serious, but stable condition.  Police say they have no idea what motivated the shooting that targeted [...]

Elderly Man Robbed and Tied Up
Sixty-one-year-old James Bradley had a terrifying experience early on Saturday morning. Bradley was sleeping inside his house at mile twelve of the George Price Highway when he was awoken by [...]

BCVI Belmopan Office Burglarized
No one or organization is spared from the hands of criminals. Sometime over the weekend, the Belmopan Clinic of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired was burglarized. When staff [...]

Jenny Lee Cruz is the New National Queen of the Bay
There is a new national Queen of the Bay to be crowed on the morning of September tenth. The title was clinched by Miss Belmopan, Jenny Lee Cruz, after her [...]

A Peek at the Winners of the 2018 Carnival King & Queen Competition
Even as the city recorded a bloody weekend, over on the north side, there were several festive events taking place; the Belikin Bash at the B.T.L. Park and the Carnival [...]

The Weekend in Sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend in sports...]

LOVE FM

2 Ladyville Residents shot
On Sunday night in Ladyville, two persons were shot in the New Site area, only a few blocks away from the police station. 19 year old Patrick Canelo and 45 year old Emmerito Reyes were shot in front of Canelo’s yard. Canelo and Reyes were transported for medical treatment. Love News spoke to a neighbor …

Who targeted Yearwood’s vehicle?
A vehicle belonging to former Police press officer, Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood was shot yesterday afternoon. ASP Alejandro Cowo updated the media on the incident. ASP Alejandro Cowo – Head of CIB: “Mr. Fitzroy Yearwood Police officer reported that he was driving his Mazda Tribute on Yabra Rd. and upon reaching an area by the bridge he …

Murder inside Bayview Guesthouse
Saturday was particularly violent. And it is unclear how a murder had occurred in the Bay View Guest House on Baymen Avenue in Belize City without raising any alarm. The guesthouse has security on site but yet a 40 year old man was killed in his room. The police say Allin Anthony Portillo left Independence …

Three persons arrested for the murder of Stringham
Three persons from Hopkins Village, including a minor, have been charged for the murder of US national, 68-year-old Sherris Ann Stringham. Harry Arzu has the story. Harry Arzu: “Three persons from Hopkins Village were arraigned today in the Dangriga Magistrate court for the Murder of 68 year old American National Sherris Stringham whose body was …

Killed because he lived on Arlington Drive
The second murder occurred some hours later on Friday night and Police say the incident was directly connected to the earlier shooting. Jose Sanchez: “23 year old Francis Pollard had recently become a father. The shootings that happened earlier caused a gunman to kill him because he was walking in a targeted area, Boots Crescent. …

Chon Saan Delivery Man killed while on the job
A deliveryman was killed while on duty on Friday night. Daniel Lopez was working for Chon Saan Palace when he received an order that took him in the vicinity of George Street. At 11:30 p.m. while at the corner of George Street and Basra Street, a man approached him and fired numerous shots at him. …

Principal Speaks about killing of Port Loyola Security Guard
Forty eight year old Orson Stephens, a security guard by profession was working at the Port Loyola Community Pre- School compound when he was mortally wounded. On Saturday night at 8:55 p.m. a man went to the school and shot at Stephens once, killing him. The police are investigating that murder. ASP Alejandro Cowo: “They …

Killed near Home on Pelican Street
Leroy Meighan had been charged with serious crimes before, but his family had said he was wrongfully accused. He had lived his entire life at his family home on Pelican Street in Belize City. He became another statistic to the violence. ASP Cowo, the Officer Commanding CIB, Belize City explained how Meighan was killed. ASP …

Bloody weekend in old capital
There were a total of 6 weekend murders, a strangulation and four other shooting incidents reported this weekend in the Belize District. The shooting spree began on Friday afternoon when thirty-three year old, Sakidi Baizar was fatally shot. The revenge murders were mostly innocent people who either lived or worked in the areas. However, Assistant …

Woman killed in freak accident
A woman from Orange Walk Town was killed in a freak accident yesterday. Today Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett shared what Police have gathered so far about the accident. ACP Joseph Myvette: “Yesterday sometime around 5:30 pm Police was called to an area in San Felipe Village where a horse race was ongoing where …

Traffic accident claimed one life
A fatal road traffic incident occurred on Saturday morning between miles twenty one and twenty two on the Stann Creek Valley Road. ACP Joseph Myvette said one man was killed and another was hospitalized following the incident.

Jenny Lee Cruz is the 73rd Queen of the Bay
Miss Belmopan, Jenny Lee Cruz walked away with the title of Queen of the Bay last Friday night. Cruz beat out the competition to become the seventy third Queen of the Bay, a title she will take on September 10th when she receives the crown from the reigning Queen of the Bay, Aaliyah Ysaguirre.

Belize Red Cross targeted by thieves
Thieves burglarized the office of the Belmopan branch of the Belize Red Cross. Correspondent Fem Cruz stopped by and got the details. Fem Cruz, Love FM: “There was a burglary reported at the Red Cross building in the Salvapan Area of Belmopan sometime between last night and this morning. According to the office administrator Maria Pena the thief or thieves gained entry by cutting the burglar bars and removing the glass louvers from the back window of the building.

Man Shot in his yard but survives
One of the victims from the weekend of many shootings was very fortunate. On Saturday night at 7:35 p.m., 18 year old Michael Gladden was standing in his yard in the West Canal area of Belize City (VO STARTS) when an assailant shot him to his lower left thigh.

Thieves wiped out BCVI
The thieves also made a stop at the office of the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired. Fem Cruz, Love FM: “Love News was called out to an area on Cemetery Road in Belmopan where a burglary was reported a the Belize Council for the Visually impaired. Monique Lovelle the optometrist explains.”

The Reporter

1 PERSON DIED & 1 INJURED IN RTA DOWN SOUTH
A road traffic accident between Miles 21 and 22 on the Stann Creek Road yesterday claimed the life of one man and has another receiving treatment. Police say that they found the vehicle upside down some 15 feet off the side of the road, with a passenger, Ivan Martinez,68, still inside.

CHARGES MADE IN THE MURDER OF AMERICAN SHERRIS STRINGHAM
A sixteen year old boy has been charged for the murder of American national Sherris Stringham. Police sources say three youths entered her premises to steal from her. One went inside the home while two others stayed behind as lookouts. Indications are that Stringham resisted and she was then hit on the head and killed by the minor. He is expected to be arraigned today. We’ll have more details following the Police briefing scheduled for later today.

Breaking Belize News

Police make no arrests in murder of Leroy Meighan
Police have not yet made any arrests in the murder of Leroy Meighan, 22 and have […]

Police say killing of watchman was random murder
Police have not yet made any arrests in the murder of watchman, Orson Stephens, 48, and […]

Police adamant that MIT did not shoot Yearwood’s vehicle but have not identified any suspects
Police continue to investigate a shooting incident which involved Inspector of Police, Fitzroy Yearwood. Shortly after […]

Daniel Alford shot in Georgeville village, Cayo
According to reports, a security guard was shot to the chest shortly after 5:00 this evening. […]

Decomposed cattle found near water pump in Billy White; residents concerned
Residents of Billy White village in the Cayo district are extremely concerned after repeatedly finding […]

Ministry of Health release preliminary findings on national survey for Kidney Disease
The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and […]

Two men shot in Ladyville
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in New Site area of […]

Shane Mcfoy charged for murder
Police have formally charged Shane Mcfoy of George Street, Belize city for the murder of […]

Akeem Lopez shot in Belize City
Belize city police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday afternoon. Akeem Lopez reported […]

Inspector’s vehicle shot at in Belize City
Inspector Ftizroy Yearwood yesterday reported to police that around 1:07 p.m., he was driving on […]

Blogs

Celebrating Belize at 37: My top four September Celebrations events
Although still young, having celebrated only 36 years of independence so far, Belize takes its September Celebrations VERY seriously! While many other countries honor their independence with a full day of activities, Belize’s celebrations take it to the next level, honoring our sovereignty for an entire month! This year Belize turns 37, and the lineup of events is nothing short of exhilarating. We can’t hold back our enthusiasm, ready to jump up behind the “big truck” during our festive parades, and everyone anticipates gazing up at the night sky as electrifying fireworks usher in Belize’s most patriotic holiday. While there are many events to look forward to (visit the My Beautiful Belize website for a full calendar of events), these are four you won’t want to miss!

It’s Party Time – September in Belize
The San Pedro Town Council did a great job creating a poster for this year’s September Celebrations in San Pedro. As you can see there are no shortage of events to celebrate the time around Belize’s Birthday on the 21st – this year the country turns 37. Celebrate the sunset and Coconut Cafe’s grand re-opening at Brahma Blue. Enjoy live music from Valentino, free appetizers and drink specials. A free hourly boat shuttle between 3:15 pm & 7:15 pm will pick up on the lagoon side in town. Three docks south of the international water taxi terminal by Seaduced houseboat dock. The last shuttle from the party will be at 9:30 pm.

Belize Weather
Belize is located in Central America, south of Mexico, and east of Guatemala, and although the country is only the size of New Jersey, with a population of less than 400,000 people, it has a wide variety of weather and terrain. From 240 miles of coastline, to jungles and mountains dotted throughout the middle and out in the Cayo’s, Belize has rich geographical diversity. Typically, visitors to Belize fall love with its laidback vibe and Old-World charm, with some areas remaining unchanged for hundreds of years. With relatively constant temperatures throughout the year, with mid 80’s F in the summer, and mid 70’s F in the winter, Belize offers a perfect winter escape for visitors from the U.S.

Richard Branson to Explore the Depths of the Great Blue Hole in Belize
The legendary British entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson has just informed Forbes that he plans to be onboard a submarine in Belize when it explores the depths of the Belize Blue Hole. A naturally occurring phenomenon over 1,000 feet (300 meters) across and 400 feet (120 meters) deep, the Belize Blue Hole or Great Blue Hole is a section of dark blue water in the middle of the Belize Barrier Reef that covers a large underwater cave system.

Celebrating Independence Day Belize Style
September 21 is when Belize celebrates the momentous day in 1981 when the country gained full independence from Great Britain, but the way in which Independence Day is celebrated is quite unique to Belize. September 21 is when Belize celebrates the momentous day in 1981 when the country gained full independence from Great Britain, but the way in which Independence Day is celebrated is quite unique to Belize.

Belize in November: Weather, Places to Visit & Activities
November might be a month of increasingly cold nights across Canada and the United States, but the average daytime high in Belize is a beautiful and sunny 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius). The clear blue skies, balmy temperatures, and exciting festivals going on throughout the month of November make it the perfect time to visit.

International Sources

3 charged with murder of Missouri woman in Belize
Three people have been arrested and charged with murder in the death of a 68-year-old Missouri woman who retired to the coast of Belize, authorities in the Central American nation said Monday. The body of Sherris Stringham was found late Friday near a river in Pomona, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from where she lived in the Caribbean village of Hopkins, police spokeswoman Hortence Hernandez said in a statement. The suspects were identified as two 18-year-old men and a 16-year-old minor, all from Hopkins.

Cayman musician Melvin Augustine passes
Much-loved musician and bandleader Melvin Aloysious Augustine died at the Cayman Islands Hospital Friday at the age of 72, following a short illness. Born in the village of Seine Bight, Belize, Mr. Augustine moved to the Cayman Islands when he was in his twenties to work for the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service. His love for Punta music rocked Cayman in the early ‘80s as he went on to form the band Settlers and cut his own records and CDs. Some of his biggest hits, “Bag a Sugar,” “Munzie’s Boat in the Sound,” “Fun Neva Done,” “My Mistake” and “Show your Motion,” drew people islandwide, especially in the 1980s when Pedro St. James Castle was known as the spot for good food and good music and where Mr. Augustine’s band was the star element.

Videos

September 3, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Vildo Westby reportedly under Belizean Police custody
Unconfirmed reports indicate that Vildo Westby, who was being sought for the brutal murder of beloved island activist, Felix Ayuso, is in the custody of Belizean authorities. Westby had been serving prison time in Veracruz, Mexico since December 2017, after fleeing Belize. Belize police had issued a warrant for his detention and advised Interpol, a couple weeks after Ayuso’s murder on February 4, 2017. It was suspected that Westby was in Mexico. The Ayuso family offered thousands of dollars in reward for information that would lead to Westby’s arrest. Months later, a resident of Las Choapas, Veracruz recognized Westby which led to his detention by Mexican authorities on December 7, 2017.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Emergency
“There’s one right by that big mangrove,” Vernon said. “Stop the cart.” When I stopped my golf cart Vernon got off to retrieve the coconut. “Is this what Ms. Sherry wants?” Vernon asked, as he put the coconut in the bed of the cart. “Yes. She wants eight of the ones from the Malaysian dwarf trees that already have some leaves and roots.” “O.K.”

Letter to the Editor: NO Saga Humane Society?
As one of the directors of the Saga Humane Society, I feel I must address some opinions I find EVER disturbing on this Island. Please share this information with everyone you know who has a pet. First and foremost is this one: We have a dog problem. We do not have a dog problem; WE HAVE A PEOPLE PROBLEM!!! Let me explain. Dogs (and cats) are domestic animals; domestic is defined in the dictionary as tame and kept by humans. If there were no humans, dogs and cats would be considered feral, or wild animals. Dogs and cats are not capable of thinking about whether they should eat or have sex. They do these actions not by choice (as humans do) but as a means of survival. PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOMESTIC ANIMALS that must be fed, watered, given shelter (housing) from weather elements and prevented from making babies by sterilization (spay or neuter surgery).

Doctor Love: Sexist Friend
Dear Doctor Love, I am trying to understand my why my boyfriend hangs out with a guy who makes really rude comments about girls. This guy thinks nothing about making pelvic gestures or saying things about her body and he does it loudly so everyone around can hear. He even makes remarks about me to my boyfriend. My boyfriend is caring and considerate and is embarrassed by sexist jokes and comments about women. He wants to avoid his friend, but in the end, he gives in and goes out drinking with him. He usually ends up apologizing for his friend and sometimes has to intervene to stop his friend from getting a pounding from some girls’ boyfriend, but he won’t stand up to him and tell him he should stop.

The Reporter

NATION BUILDING
A Nation is very different – it is not tangible. A Nation has a soul, a spiritual principle with moral consciousness which its members believe must be maintained, at all cost. A Nation is a group of people who belong to a specific territory over which they strive for sovereignty. They share national symbols like a flag, language, customs, national holidays, national anthem, history and myths of great leaders. In every political manifesto we hear of great promises of development and Nation Building. We elect expensive, highly paid masters to ‘work for us’ and then blame them when they work for themselves and their class…The irony!

Breaking Belize News

Woman dies after being trampled by horse
A vehicle belonging to Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood was shot multiple times in Belize City this afternoon. Yearwood was driving near the Yarborough bridge with his children and another off-duty officer when they were attacked. […]

Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood comes under gunfire by police officer
A vehicle belonging to Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood was shot multiple times in Belize City this afternoon. Yearwood was driving near the Yarborough bridge with his children and another off-duty officer when they were attacked. […]

15 people killed in August: 3 more murdered on September 1st
The month of August recorded a total of15 murders, 2 of whom were expatriots. The first victim was killed on August 3. He has been identified as Carlos Valdez, 50. Valdez was stabbed dead in his bedroom at his home in San Pedro Town. […]

Man dead in traffic accident
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred yesterday morning. Around 8:00 a.m., police went to an area between mile 21 and 22 on the Stann Creek Valley road. […]

Elderly man is victim of home invasion
Police are investigating a home invasion that occurred yesterday morning. James Bradley, 61, of mile 12 on the George Price highway reported to police that sometime between 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. He was at home sleeping and was awakened by someone entering his room. […]

Post-mortem results of Sherris Stringham revealed
A post-mortem examination was conducted yesterday on the body of American national, Sherris Stringham. The cause of death was certified to be due to “Tramatic Asphixia” as a result of multiple ribs and sterna body puncture to the chest. The cause […]

18-year-old man shot in Belize City
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in Belize City. Around 7:35 last night, 18-year-old Micheal Gladden was standing behind his yard when he heard a gunshot and realized that he was shot to his left thigh. […]

Leroy Meighen killed in Belize City
Belize city police are investigating the murder of 22-year-old Leroy Meighen. Last night around 8:35, Meighen was walking on Pelican street in Belize city when a lone gunman exited a yard and fired several shots at him. […]

Security guard gunned down in Belize city
Police are investigating the murder of a Belize city security guard. Around 8:50 last night, police went to the Port Loyola Community pre-school and saw the body of Orson Stephens, 48, security guard lying on the school verandah. […]

Security guard found dead in hotel room in Belize City
The body of a man was found inside the room of a guest house yesterday in Belize city. The victim was identified as Allin Anthony Purtillo, 40, security guard from Independence, Stann Creek. […]

Blogs

Corozal Town Council Held their September Month Inauguration
Belizean's are now feeling the Celebration vibes around Belize. A month of September Celebration is held once a year in the month of September across Belize. Each district has their own way of celebrating their own unique of Celebrating Belize's Independence. While Belizean Independence Day is on September 21, the Battle of St. George's Caye Day is on September 10 and typically marks the beginning of celebrations. On that day, radio stations begin to play patriotic music and people wear the country's colors. Even the cars around Belize put flags on their front part of the cars. House is being decorated around Belize to win prizes. In Corozal, things are gearing up for 2018 September Celebration. Corozal September will be one of one of the hypest month of Celebration.

Sept 1st. End of Summer? Not in Belize!
As those in the US of A have their last hurrah…last big weekend at the beach, last wearing for those white linen shorts (NO WHITE AFTER LABOR DAY!), last summer BBQ or clam boil…here in Belize, this time of year feels like the heart of summer. Autumn officially begins on September 21st – Belize’s Independence Day – but in my book, September and October can be some of the hottest, stickiest months of the year. The heat is ON…and the weather is at her most stormiest. The sea is WARM…the air is humid and there are tropic waves in the Carribbean. I’ll say it again – THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOUR VACATION IS GOING TO BE RAINED OUT! It means you should pack a few extra things. Perhaps have some ideas for some rainy afternoon activities. And be THANKFUL that a late afternoon rain burst is #1 BEAUTIFUL and #2 going to save you from the SERIOUS sunburn that this Caribbean sun can give even the most careful.

Corozal September Celebration Calendar 2018
Military Tattoo at Ricalde Stadium, Corozal Town. Free. Friday, September 7th, 6:30pm Matinee at Central Park, Corozal Town. Free. Saturday, September 8th, 6pm Miss Carnival at Andres Campos Civic Center, Corozal Town. Paid. Sunday, September 9th, 7pm Fire Engine Parade on the principal street of Corozal Town. Free...

Belize da fu wi - now and forever! Caye Caulker
Opening of September Celebrations Month- Uniform parade and culture show.

International Sources

Ellie Mannette, Father of the Modern Steel Drum, Dies at 90
Ellie Mannette, a Trinidadian musician known in the United States as the father of the modern steel drum, died on Wednesday at a hospital in Morgantown, W.Va. He was 90. The cause was kidney failure, his daughter Juliette Mannette said. As a child in Port of Spain, Trinidad’s capital, Mr. Mannette became fascinated with the bands he saw using trash cans and buckets as drums, hitting them in different ways to create different sounds. For the rest of his life, he sought to elevate and expand the craft of steel-pan music, and to share it with the world. He became a master tuner, builder and teacher. His shop, Mannette Instruments in Morgantown, is a major supplier of the instruments in the United States, and he trained students in tuning at West Virginia University for nearly 20 years. Numerous American universities now have steel-pan ensembles of their own, some led by Mr. Mannette’s former apprentices. Mr. Mannette was among the first to fashion a steel drum that had all the notes of the chromatic scale, so it could play any melody in any key.

Neighbors remember Blue Springs native killed in Belize
People in Lake Tapawingo are heartbroken after learning one of their former neighbors was killed in Central America. Authorities in Belize found the body of Sherris Stringham on Saturday; the Blue Springs native had been missing from the coastal town of Hopkins for a week. “It wasn’t the answer we wanted, but when she was found it brought a little bit of relief,” said Elizabeth Welch, who lived across the street from Stringham in Lake Tapawingo for 25 years. Stringham retired to Belize, about a year ago, after decades of working as a bus driver and grocery store cashier in the metro. “She posted something every week, climbing waterfalls, picking bananas or at a BBQ and learning how to make Belizean potato salad,” Welch said. “She was having a blast.”

Antigua and Grenada moving to join the CCJ
Two CARICOM countries — Antigua and Grenada — are to hold referendums on Nov. 6, 2018 to decide if they should join the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). This is Antigua’s first referendum, while it would be Grenada’s second, which was rejected in 2016, where other items were also included on the ballot. In the Nov. 6 referendums both countries are likely to include only one item —- to decide the final court of appeal for their respective countries. The current final appeal court for the two countries and most English-speaking Caribbean is the Judicial Committee of the London-based Privy Council.

Belizean prime minister comes to CCJ’s defence
Belizean prime minister Dean Barrow today came to the defence of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), while taking a shot at naysayers who attempt to cry down the court. Addressing the swearing in ceremony of new CCJ president Adrian Saunders of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Barrow also questioned the reluctance of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries to make the regional institution their final court of appeal. It was a direct challenge to his host, Jamaican prime minister Andrew Holness, whose country has refused to adopt the CCJ as its final appellate court, but also to the remaining leaders gathered in Montego Bay, Jamaica for their 39th summit, and who have yet to join the court in its appellate jurisdiction.

Eco Tourism Pioneer Lucy Fleming on Belize & Life as a Spiritual Practice
Meg: Before you settled in Belize, you traveled extensively. Tell me about the first time you traveled alone. Lucy: My first really alone travel was the summer before college, going across the country with the JJ Rider Circus. Once on board, I soon realized that this traveling circus was its own traveling world and as a mere lackey it was going to be hard rote being accepted by this fascinating and eclectic group of new colleagues. This was 1967 and the circuses and carnivals of the day still endorsed freak shows which meant that we had our fat and bearded ladies, midget families, extra tall, tattooed and pierced men, and a wide assortment of the human oddities of the day. Fire-eater and sword swallower thrill acts joined the more accomplished acrobatic, horse prancing and knife throwing shows. I’ll never forget the excitement of everyone pitching in to put up the tents in a new venue; the constant training for the various acts and the wild energy that ran through this tight knit circus family that held generations of nomadic history.

Videos

September 2, 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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Congratulations to the newly elected Miss San Pedro 2018-2019 Chelsea Muñoz!

Is Sargassum hazardous to our health?
Besides aesthetically unpleasant, the Sargassum seaweed and the gases it emits as it rots along the shores has been proven to be hazardous to human health. Not only is it affecting the tourism industry and destroying marine life, but the seaweed can cause respiratory problems due to the high levels of toxic gases it omits when decaying. In the water, Sargassum can be harmless to humans, but once it lands on the beach and starts decomposing, it begins to release hydrogen sulfide gas, or H2S. Colorless, poisonous and with an unpleasant rotten-egg odor, the H2S effect is based on how much is inhaled, and for how long. Exposure to very high concentrations can quickly lead to death.

Belize Police Department awards volunteers and neighborhood watch groups
Island volunteers and neighborhood watch groups were awarded during the Belize Police Department’s Community Policing Unit Award Ceremony held at Old Belize, located on the Western Highway on Wednesday, August 29th. Present at the award ceremony were Police Officers, Cadet Members, neighborhood watch groups, members from businesses, community and other partner agencies, where they were recognized and given certificates of appreciation. San Pedro Town officers, Police Constable (PC) Juan Choc and PC Harris Gabourel received awards of appreciation for their contribution and dedication to the island community, while special volunteer Constables Samuel Gomez and Marcus Baki received appreciation awards for their time volunteered and dedication given to the San Pedro Police department.

Islander Josue Valle drafted to Belize’s U-16 Male Football National Team
On Wednesday, August 29th the Football Federation of Belize released the names of players that will form Belize’s Under-16 Male Football National Team to participate in the upcoming Unión Centro Americana de Fútbol (UNCAF) U-16 tournament to be held in Guatemala City from October 22nd to the 27th. Among the players drafted was San Pedro’s very own, 16-year-old Josue Valle. Valle is a second-year student at San Pedro High School and is no stranger to the football scene here on the island. He is currently a part of Legends Football Club and is partaking in the 2018 Copa San Pedro Football Tournament currently underway.

Misc Belizean Sources

Eastern Police Division Commander presents awards
Eastern Police Division Commander Mr. Robert Mariano awarded (5) Police officers and (2) members from Caye Caulker jurisdiction for their bravery and commitment of service to the community and also to the Belize Police Department.

LICA's Caye Caulker Cafeteria Business Shower
We here at LICA would like to cordially invite the community to our business shower on September 3rd, 2018 at our new location (downstairs of the Augusts’ residence)! We would like to thank everyone who supported our nightly sales, fund raisers & pastry sales, these past few months! We are truly grateful for all the love and support! Come visit our location & check out our menu!We will be having all the little things you guys like on sale as well as treats for our loyal customers! Thank you again from all of us here at LICA!

Chiquibul Junior Ranger Summer Camp Finishes
The FCD's first Chiquibul Junior Ranger Summer Camp has concluded. Twelve children had a great time learning all about the Chiquibul and its importance.

2018 Junior Ranger Summer Camp
The first Chiquibul Junior Ranger Summer Camp has concluded. Twelve children made it successfully. The Chiquibul Junior Ranger Summer Camp has been launched with the participation of 12 children. This First camp is made possible with the support of the British High Commission Office in Belize and Belize Eco-Cultural Tours.

The Reporter

BODY FOUND AT GUEST HOUSE . . . . EXPLOSIVE FOUND ON DREDGE . . . BODY OF Sherris Stringham FOUND . . . . . . DELIVERYMAN MURDERED
At around 12:45pm today Police were called to room #4 At the Bayview Guesthouse on Baymen Avenue in Belize City. There they found the body of Allin Purtillo, 29, covered with a white sheet. His hands were tied with a phone charger cable and his feet with a shoe lace. Purtillo was found by an employee of the guesthouse who went to clean the room. The Police is seeking information on the circumstances leading up to the discovery of the 60mm motar round found on a dredge near Caye Caulker last night.
Information gathered so far is that the watchman of a dredge barge anchored some 300 meters off the north of the island, noticed that there was a fire on the barge sometime around 6:30 p.m. The watchman called his supervisor who then sent the employees who had left only an hour earlier.
The third murder for Friday in Belize City occurred on Basra Street after 11:00 last night when Chon Saan delivery man Daniel Lopez was shot to death. We’ll have more information on this story later today.
The body of American national Sherris Stringham was discovered by Police after 11:00pm last night. She had been thrown off a narrow bridge in the Valley Community, Stann Creek district. Four minors and an 18 year old are currently in Police custody. We’ll have more details as this story develops.

Police & Cable Provider Team Up for Education
Five hundred school children dubbed the neediest and living inside the confines of Eastern Division Region One in Belize City are receiving backpacks loaded with school supplies courtesy their neighborhood top cop and Central TV and Internet Belize. Last Thursday Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Officer Commanding Region One, formerly known as the Southside, teamed up with Telford Moody, Central TV sales representative to hand over the first thirty backpack at the Raccoon Street Police Station.

Breaking Belize News

Belmopan wins Queen of the Bay 2018
Last night Belmopan’s Jenny-Lee Cruz was crowned Queen of the Bay 2018. Aside from taking the crown she also walked away with the “Miss Eloquence” award. Belize City’s Neisha Bailey was selected as the first runner up. […]

Daniel Lopez murdered on George Street
Police are investigating the murder of 25-year-old Daniel Lopez. Lopez was delivering food at the corner of George and Basra street in Belize city around 11:30 last night when he was gunned down. A lone gunman approached Lopez and fired several shots at him. […]

Man killed in Belize city last night
Police are investigating a shooting incident that took the life of a Belize city mechanic last night. Around 8:00 last night, police went to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and saw the body of Francis Pollard, 23, of Arlington drive. […]

Police confirm body of missing American woman found
Police have confirmed that the body of missing American, Sherris Stringham was found last night. Around 11:28 last night, police went to an area between miles 18 and 19 on the Stann Creek valley road where they saw the partially decomposed body of a clear complexion female lying face up in some bushes under a bridge. […]

Prime Minister departs the country for medical treatment
The Office of the Prime Minister today informed that Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, left the country today to undergo spinal surgery in Cuba. During his absence, Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, will act as Prime Minister. […]

Belize~ Will Guatemala invade if Belize says No to ICJ?
By Richard Harrison: One of the fear tactics being used by promoters of yes to ICJ vote, to scare voters into going along with the yes vote, is that our allies will abandon us, and that Guatemala will invade if we say NO to ICJ. I do not believe that this is true, because: Belize and Guatemala agreed, at the UN and OAS, to solve the dispute peacefully. […]

Belize City: Three dead in 10 hours
Yesterday three men were killed in Belize City in a span of ten hours. The first victim was killed at around 2 p.m. He has been identified as Shakeedi Baizer, 23. […]

PUP walks out of house meeting
The Speaker of the House recorded 14 absent members at the voting in Parliament yesterday, after the People’s United Party (PUP) staged a walk out of the session. The PUP stayed for the duration of the house meeting, called to bring the motion on whether or not the Government of Belize would pay some $95 million to the Belize Bank to settle the amount owed resulting from the Universal Health Services debt guarantee. […]

Body of Sherris Stringham found
The body of Sherris Stringham, an American National has been found. According to reports, her body was found in Pomona Village, Stann Creek District late last night by authorities. […]

“Tito” killed on Pen Road in Belize City
Last night a man was killed in Belize City. His identity remains unknown but he was commonly referred to as, “Tito”. According to reports, he had just left his home on Neal Pen Road when a man walked up to him and opened fire. […]

International Sources

7 of the World’s Most Picturesque Places to Poop
Belize makes it on the list of most picturesque places to poop. Seriously. As any seasoned traveler knows, while everybody poops, not everybody does it in the same way. Confronted with foreign toilets, you may be baffled as to what those extra buttons mean, or by the fact that it looks like a shower stall with foot grips. But in some cases, vacationing means a toilet with an incredible view. The expert jet setters at Lonely Planet have combed the world for the most picturesque lavatories on the planet. The resulting book, Toilets: A Spotter’s Guide, is a collection of more than 100 glorious lavatories from Alaska to India to Antarctica. We can’t guarantee they smell nice, but they certainly make up for it in ambiance.

Florida, US Gulf Coast on alert for brewing tropical threat
A tropical feature packing flooding downpours may gain strength as it crosses Florida and the Gulf of Mexico early this week. The feature, known as a tropical wave, produced torrential downpours and localized flooding as it crossed the northern Caribbean late this past week. “Through Labor Day, South Florida, central Cuba and the central and northwestern Bahamas can expect tropical downpours and locally gusty thunderstorms to be most prevalent,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. People hoping to spend Labor Day at the beaches of South Florida will likely need to adjust their plans. “Flights into and out of Miami and Fort Myers area airports could face delays and cancellations on Monday,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts said.

Family says Blue Springs native missing in Belize found dead
A Blue Springs native who was missing for close to a week in Hopkins, Belize has been found dead according to her family. FOX4's Zac Summers spoke with 67-year-old Sherris Stringham's son, who said Stringham was found dead under a bridge overnight Saturday. Police told family that four teenagers were trying to break down a gate outside of her home and she caught them, but she was struck on the head and knocked out. Police say the teens ransacked her home, dumped her body and took her SUV for a joyride before trying to set it on fire. The SUV was found abandoned along a dirt road on Thursday. Police have arrested four teens, but no one has been charged yet.

The Perfect Cast: Saltwater fly fishing hooks Columbians
However, for the prized trophies of saltwater fly fishing, Greg, Michael, and other veteran anglers make an annual fly fishing pilgrimage to the waters of Belize, targeting varieties of fish not typically found in South Carolina waters — mostly tarpon, bonefish, and permit. Landing a permit with a fly rod is the ultimate prize. Their silvery slender bodies camouflage them in the crystal-clear waters, and their acute senses of sight, smell, and hearing significantly add to the challenge. Along with bonefish, they’ve been dubbed one of the “grey ghosts of the flats.” Despite all the experience both Michael and Greg have accumulated between them, only Michael has hauled in a permit, and it took him three years to hook this prize. Greg hopes to catch his permit during their trip this year. “Getting a permit would be a huge accomplishment for me, but I’m looking forward to the trip regardless,” Greg says. Though coming up empty would be disappointing, for the dedicated saltwater fly fisherman being in a boat off the coasts of Belize or South Carolina would rarely rate as a horrible day.

U.S. citizens Voting in USA Midterm Elections
To #Vote2018, U.S. citizens abroad must register and request an absentee ballot after January 1, 2018. Visit #FVAP to do both: http://ow.ly/xF9xd

General Marcos Canul/Maya Heroes Day
Today our Maya culture was also present at the BTIA Orange Walk event . This is the Maya dance group U il' Xim from San Narciso village,Corozal . Nuestro pueblo Maya Masewal esta presente en el Norte !!!

General Marcos Canul/Maya Heroes Day
Yucatec Maya men from several villages of Corozal and Orange walk for 146 years of the Last stand of Maya General Marcos Canul/Maya Heroes Day at Orange Walk town. La resistencia del Pueblo Maya Masewal en Belize continua !!!

EL PUEBLO MAYA DEL NORTE DE BELIZE SE LEVANTA A 146 AÑOS DE LA MUERTE DEL HEROE MAYA MARCOS CANUL
Today the Northern Maya Association of Belize and To'one Masehualo'on presented to us Maya Heroes Day . Recognizing Yucatec Maya people of Northern Belize who have work hard in the preservation of our culture and identity .

Videos

September 1, 2018

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Hol Chan asks residents to refrain from interfering with turtle nests and hatchlings
The 2018 turtle nesting season is at its peak on Ambergris Caye, with nests hatching along the northern coastline. The number of nests has been increasing annually and some turtles have been nesting near areas with development. At such, nearby residents/visitors might stumble into a hatching nest and be tempted to help the baby turtles reach the sea. This action, well-intended as it may be, is discouraged by the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, who urges the public when discovering a nest with baby turtles to contact them at 226-2247 any day during normal working hours. They advise that for the well-being of the turtles and to keep accurate statistics for their marine turtle program, people need to avoid coming into contact with the nest or the hatchlings.

First MMA tournament to debut in San Pedro
Island fans of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) are in for a treat, as Martin Dawson and his Pit Fighters training school, along with Primmates Chetumal training school, and Chetumal Xtreme Cage (CXC) League will host the first ever MMA tournament on the island on Saturday, October 20th, at 8PM at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. The event will see several different matches with fighters from Belize and Mexico. An official event to announce the MAA tournament will be held on Sunday, September 2nd at Caribbean Villas in San Pedro Town at 4PM, which will include a meet and greet session with the fighters representing Belize. Tickets for the event will be on sale, starting at $25 for general admission and $35 for VIP seats.

U.S Government donates counter-narcotics equipment to the Ministry of National Security
In an effort to help Belize combat the war against drug trafficking, on Tuesday, August 28th the Government of the United States of America via its embassy in Belize donated counter-narcotics equipment to the Ministry of National Security, including an upgraded secondary entry control point to the Belize Defense Force (BDF) base at Prices Barracks in Ladyville. The equipment, which will aid the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) and the BDF to counter-attack illicit drug activities, comes from the United States Southern Command and funded by the U.S counter-narcotics program office. The equipment was handed over by the U.S Embassy Senior Defense Official Lieutenant/Defense Attache Colonel Eldridge Singleton to BCG Commandant Admiral John Borland and Deputy Commander of the BDF Colonel Azariel Loria during a ceremony at the BCG headquarters in Belize City.

Fish Right, Eat Right Program certifies restaurants in San Pedro Town
The Fish Right, Eat Right program has certified various restaurants on Ambergris Caye for their efforts in promoting sustainable seafood. Fish Right, Eat Right Program was created with the goal to have seafood purveyors become part of the solution to managing and protecting Belize’s natural resources, by agreeing to purchase only seafood that is legally caught, and follow the best management practices, reducing the market for juvenile seafood products and other unsustainable practices. The program is implemented by the Belize Fisheries Department (BFD) and Belize Tourism Board (BTB), along with the support of Belize Federation of Fishers, Belize Fishermen Cooperative Association, Belize Tourism Industry Association, Oceana Belize, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and Environmental Defense Fund.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Christina Was Worried She Would Attract Too Much Attention Passing Through Town
Their work is HARD, DIRTY AND DANGEROUS! But they love it! We cracked a joke at Christina Manzi that she would not attract any attention laying on top of an eleven foot crocodile while they drove it past downtown San Pedro! The 'beast' actually measured 11.5ft and it took the crocodile hunters from ACES about an hour to round up before they could load it onto their vehicle. (Ambergris Today was there to video the entire process) Success was at hand when they released the beautiful creature miles away from civilization in North Ambergris Caye in its natural habitat. Below is what Chris and Christina posted to explain this particular capture and release:

Belizean Melvin Arevalo Needs Your Vote For Unsung Hero Award
Founded in 2009 by travel visionaries Serge Dive and Sarah Ball, PURE Life Experiences is a hand-selected global community of leading experts in experiential travel – including high-end suppliers; Private Travel Designers serving a high-net-worth clientele; and renowned members of the travel press. The PURE Awards is a celebration of their community and their extraordinary power to Change Worlds. Pure has an expert judging panel, featuring renowned, experientially minded travel journalists, has whittled down nearly 300 entries to create the final shortlist. In this shortlist you can find Belize’s Melvin Arevalo, an accredited ornithologist and shares his deep knowledge of the birds of Belize with guests.

Misc Belizean Sources

Press Release-Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development – August 31, 2018
This letter to the country is a full page ad in today's San Pedro Sun newspaper. It is for immediate release and asks the important question -- If the guides and the people and the businesses of Ambergris Caye are against the Cayo Rosario development in Hol Chan Marine Reserve - and even our local politicians say they are against it - then WHO is pushing for this project? Stand against large scale dredging and over-the-water structures in Belize's Hol Chan Marine Reserve. In 2015, our Area Representative Manuel Heredia JR and San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero successfully proposed that the Hol Chan Marine Reserve be expanded to include over 135 square miles of seagrass beds, wetlands, mangrove cayes, shoals and flats. The purpose? To forever preserve an invaluable nursery for our Belize Barrier reef and safeguard vital habitats for the protected and economically lucrative, permit, tarpon and bonefish species. But now this very area is in immediate danger, threatened by a development project on and around a tiny mangrove island named Cayo Rosario, located well within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Obama Foundation Scholars
It’s that time of the year again! Positive change on a global scale begins with just one person: you. You're committed to making a difference—and you already have. Join our community of international leaders and work together to tackle the world's most pressing problems. As an Obama Foundation Scholar, you'll take part in a one-of-a-kind program that combines a Master of Arts degree at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy with an extraordinary scholarship that includes access to exceptional experiences outside the classroom with the Obama Foundation. You’ll be part of a network of rising leaders. It's an experience that is sure to change you—and will help you change the world.

Mr. Happy's Fundraiser on Caye Caulker
Saturday, Sept. 1st, 11am Central Park

Vacancy at Caves Branch for Sales Specialist
on the Hummingbird highway just outside of Belmopan

Power outage scheduled for Sunday, September 2 from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to affect a portion of Belize City
Entire Lake Independence area including Morning Glory Street, Mahogany Street between Central American Boulevard and Sittee Street, St. Jude Street, Hondo Street; Mopan Street, Nargusta Street, Sarstoon Street, Courtney’s Crescent; Mahogany Street between Casuarina Street and Holy Emmanuel Street including Black Orchid Street, Jasmine Street, Periwinkle Street and Hibiscus Street; Marigold, Fern and Croton Lanes; Tibruce, Carnation, Heart, Scaber, and Venus Flytrap Streets; Partridge Street, Casuarina Street, Western and Electric Avenues; Violet, Police, Sunflower, Gordon, Canondate, Hyde, Raleigh, Jones, Diego, Balan and Riverside Streets; Mokay Boulevard, Complex Avenue; Cumberbatch, Gladden, Brown and Giles Streets; Lacroix Boulevard, Rootsville; Central American Boulevard, portion Cemetery Road, Daker Street, Coffin Street, Elston Kerr Street, Rosalie Street, Antelope Street Extension, Iguana Street Extension, Pelican Street Extension, Raccoon Street Extension, Sister Mary Benedict Street, Neal Pen Road Extension, Arlington Drive, Trinity Street, Unity Street, Louise Bevans Street, Freedom Street, South Creek Road, Ramsey Street, Muhammed Ali Street, Benbow Street, Rudan Street, Neal Pen Road, Haynes Street, Kraal Road, Supal Street, Boots Crescent, Monroe Street, Matura Street and Doris Brooks Street.

Ministry of Works Hosts Environmental and Social Safeguard Training with Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and European Union (EU) Support
Today, August 31st, the Ministry of Works, through the George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project, concluded a three-day workshop on Environmental and Social Safeguards. The training was held at the George Price Centre for Peace and Development in Belmopan. Approximately 35 participants attended the training which included various government ministries and departments, utility companies, the two contractors for the on-going civil works, and the specialized supervision firm for the George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project.

BELIZE OUTSOURCING SERVICES: Outlook and Opportunities
Belize’s location has proven to serve not only as a strategic point for the export of goods to North America, CARICOM and Latin America (LAC) but also for its regional recognition as both a nearshore and offshore destination for the export of services to various markets. Since the establishment of the first contact center in 2005, Belize has experienced over 80% industry growth and currently hosts twenty-four (24) established operators offering various services in Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) and emerging areas in Information Technology Outsourcing (ITO). The development of this sector is attributed to Belize’s talented English speaking labor force with bilingual capabilities and its close proximity to North and Central America, a strategic location in line with similar time zones.

RefugiARTe Exhibition Launch
The SISE HoC is launching the RefugiARTe Exhibition next Friday, September 7th, at 7:00pm.

Channel 7

A First! The “Nay’s” Had It
This evening in Belmopan, history was made in the House of Representatives. For the first time ever - the "nay's" had it when the government side voted down a bill brought by the Prime Minister. We're talking of course about the supplementary appropriations bill for 95.6 million dollars to pay the Ashcroft Alliance compensation for the Universal Health Services debt. Here's the vote which took place two hours ago at 4:15 - after a 5 hour debate. You'll only see the government side voting because, by then the opposition had walked out. More on that later, but first here's that vote:

PUP Debate, And Then Walk Out Before Vote
So, at the end it was 17 no's with 14 absences - 13 of those absences were on the PUP side which had walked out of the house about half an hour earlier. They did so after engaging fully in the debate and even extending it. Those who got up to debate for the PUP made it clear that they feel the UDP should vote to pay a debt it is responsible for. But, apparently lacking the courage to actually cast a yes vote to pay almost 100 million dollars to the Ashcroft Alliance, the PUP side inexplicably just up and walked out when the Prime Minister stood to wind up the debate. When he walked out of the members room - the opposition leader didn't even want to talk to the press:...

PM Comments On Making Dubious History
With that, the opposition leader turned his back on the media - like we had done him something - and leaving the very same show that his party had spent hours participating in. Like we said, inexplicable, but the PM then went on to wind up the debate - and end the meeting. When he came out he spoke about the dubious history that his party made today:... Reporter: "A historic day in the house. I am not sure it's the type of history you would want to preside over. What is your emotional feeling? Obviously the word of this will go all over, that a government brings a motion and then votes down its own motion. It just doesn't happen in parliament."

PM Says No Vote Not An Affront to CCJ
And so Parliament spoke mightily today - and depending on your view of such things - it was either a bold assertion of parliamentary supremacy - and by extension, the people's will, or, a flagrant disregard of the law, and a flouting of the highest court in the land. But, as we said earlier, the vote came after hours of debate - which the Prime Minister opened up just before 11:00 am. He set the stage for the "no" vote, saying each member on the government side was allowed a conscience vote - and a "yes" vote, would not mean ignoring the authority of the CCJ:...

Briceno: “You Broke It, You Buy It”
The Leader of the Opposition responded to the Prime Minister - and he said that the Government is setting a dangerous precedent. He set out the party line for the day: that the PUP had disposed of this debt in 2008 - albeit by diverting grant funds meant for other purposes to the Ashcroft Alliance bank accounts. From there, the PUP argued, it is the Barrow Administration that basically "stronged" back that money - and set the stage for a huge and costly legal battle - which it lost - at the taxpayer's peril. Briceno said the UDP broke it, and should pay the bill for it :... Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "Now when you think back that we are at 95 million, it was only 36 million back then. We should have paid it back then. But now it's at 95 million, because they are fighting all over the place in courts, spend millions of dollars - to lose all of these cases and now we are 95 million dollars."

DPM Says There’s No Money To Pay
Deputy Prime Minister Faber held the UDP line: that they would love to obey the court, but government simply cannot find 95.6 million dollars to pay the Ashcroft Alliance: Hon. Patrick Faber, Collet Area Rep.: "We find ourselves in a final position where the court is saying that yes you need to pay this money. But I am sure in the same wisdom that the court is saying you need to pay that money in that very same wisdom the court will understand and sympathized with this honorable house and the Belizean people when we say that we absolutely cannot afford to pay..."

Rt. Hon Musa Says The Vote Is A Sham
One of the more interesting perspectives on the debate was from senior parliamentarian and former Prime Minister Said Musa. He is the architect of the private and secret Guarantee for Universal Health Services back in the early 2000's. He's also the Prime Minister who diverted grant funds from Venezuela and Taiwan to settle the debt. So he is the originator of the problem - but he says he also cleaned up the mess before he left office. And that gives rise to the argument over whose mess is it, really? As you might expect, both sides spent much of the day blaming each other.

Gang Related Figure Murdered, Can Cops Contain Retaliation?
Police and police mediators have been holding down crime in the city for some months now - but today there was a gang related killing. And, tonight, the cops are working to contain any retalliation. Just after 2:00 pm, 23 year old Shakeedi Baizer was shot multiple times - right after he left the Matron Roberts Clinic on Magazine Road and was walking through an alley. 7News was first on the scene and Courtney Wetherburne has the story:

Man Charged For Abetment in Law Firm Robbery
A 20 year old man has been charged in connection with the Courtenay and Coye law firm shooting. He is Victoria Street resident Sayeed Barona. He was charged with abetment to commit robbery when he appeared today before Magistrate Emerson Banner. Barona pleaded not guilty. He was offered a bail of $8,000 with one surety, which he met. His next court date is October 31st. The incident happened last week Friday. Security guard 53 year old Lascelle Jeffords was on duty when two men emerged from a KIA sportage. One of them pointed a gun at him and demanded that he hand over his pistol. He refused and he and the gunman got into a struggle and Jeffords was shot to his stomach, but survived.

The Mystery of Those Flight Coordinates
There still aren't any answers as to what is behind the Facebook post featuring a notebook full of flight coordinates. As we have reported, someone posted pictures of a notebook with handwritten notes, allegedly detailing routes for illegal drug plane landings, GPS coordinates among other revealing information. Although it wasn't disclosed to the public, this notebook has been in police custody since March of this year. This is after authorities found the notebook at the site of a crashed drug plane in northern Belize. As was stated in a police press release, authorities have examined the notebook and their investigation continues. So while all that has been established, how did this someone end up with pictures of this notebook post on a facebook page? We asked Acting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about it today.

Police Launch Major Operation To Shake Up Northern Dons
The information in the notebook is only one part of it though, how about the local players involved in the landings of these drug planes. There is an elaborate network specifically up north. So police are bringing down the pressure to squeeze them out through intense operations in Orange Walk and Corozal. In fact there was an operation today and our information is that members of the GSU, SPU, MIT and other units detained 45 persons. The team also confiscated several items. Today Acting Commissioner Chester Williams told us more about these operations and also responded to the speculation that a Shipyard resident may be one of those involved in these illegal plane landings. Here are his comments.

UDP Politician’s Spouse Detained
Also in the rush today, 7News has confirmed that the spouse of a UDP politician was detained. He was not charged but was a person of interest because a name matching his showed up in a mobile phone found at one of the plane landing sights. Like most of the persons detained today, he was not charged.

Ag. Compol Says Drug Case Not Done
37 year old Peter Schmidt and 33 year old Carlos Lopez. They were caught with 5 kilos of cocaine and a pistol back in December 2017. They were charged with drug trafficking and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition without a license. But, as we reported this week, the pair walked free after the arresting officer didn't show up for the court case. So the case was struck out. Well Acting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams says, Not so fast! Today Williams told us that these men will be re-arrested and the arresting officer will be dealt with. Chester Williams, Acting Commissioner of Police: "But in respect to what transpired in the courts.."

New Guardsmen Called Up
79 men and women have officially joined the coast guard. After an intense 12 weeks of training, there was a special graduation ceremony for these new recruits this morning. I dropped by to see them begin a new chapter of their lives as distinguished officers. Here is that story. On a final note in coast guard news, there will be a Firearms and Security Expo tomorrow at the Hattieville Gallery range. There will also be the annual pistol competition among others. The public is invited to attend.

Faber Speaks On Shyne Vs. Sapnah Saga
Going back now to Belmopan - today we got all sides of the Shyne versus Sapnah saga. First, to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Patrick Faber. He's been vouching the president he appointed for weeks - but that didn't seem to swing Cabinet - which still voted to suspend her. Today we asked Faber why she hadn't been placed on administrative leave :... Jules Vasquez - Reporter: "What is the situation with the president of NICH Sapna Budhrani, is she on suspension?" Hon. Patrick Faber: "We are still working at it but that was the instruction from Cabinet and so, I have no intentions of not carrying out what the Cabinet has asked to do."

PM Says DPM Should Be Respected
So while Faber says he expects his president to get that letter next week, the PM says he might have thought she would get it today. Here are his comments on the entire issue: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow- Prime Minister of Belize : "Well, as he said, obviously the letter casing her leave had not yet been received by her; I hope it has been dispatched. But she also made a valid point, when she is placed on leave she doesn't seize thereby to be president of NICH, she is president on leave. I want to make clear that this is not about seeking to punish this lady. The board has come out in her defense and the board is entitled to do that. The deputy prime minister has been defending her all along and he is entitled to do that..."

Ambassador Shyne Stands Firm On President Sapnah
And so while the Prime Minister seemed there to be chiding his son for publicly undermining the Deputy Prime Minister - Musical Ambassador Shyne is holding his line. He says NICH President Budhrani remains - in his mind - under a cloud of suspicion:.. Jules Vasquez- Reporter: "Sir, but you have written severally to the minister, to the president herself, accusing her of material acts of, let's call it the popular word for today, misfeasance. The board is there saying 'no, no, no' the auditor is wrong and by implication Shyne is wrong. There isn't anything wrong, there are errors in the auditor's report, do you accept then that there are also errors in your conclusion?"

PM Going To Treat Back In Cuba
And, finally from Belmopan today, we have an update on the Prime Minister's back. He's leaving tomorrow to take three weeks off for another back surgery. He gave us the details about what he said is a "SERIOUS" procedure: Deputy Faber takes over as acting PM tomorrow.

Shooting In North
Earlier we told you about a murder in the city, but there was also another shooting, this one up north at the Corozal Freezone. Fortunately it wasn't fatal. A Chinese shop attendant was targeted. He is 42 year old Jun Xie. The information is that this afternoon around 12:30, three masked armed men dressed in dark clothes entered the North American Fashion Store in the Corozal Freezone; one of them walked up to Xie and fired several shots at him. Xie was hit to the left foot. He was taken to Chetumal for medical treatment. We'll have more on Monday.

Last Day Of Re-Reg Looked Slow
Today was the last day of the re-registraiton exercise - and while you may have expected a rush on the last day - all the centers we visited showed low to no activity. In fact, what we saw the most was teachers getting ready for school. Up to last week, less than one hundred and ten thousand persons had registered which is well off the target of two hundred thousand. Next week Monday we. Should know the the total for the complete exercise. If you missed it, regular registration continues.

Channel 5

The UHS Debt is Finally Tackled in Parliament
A special sitting of the House of Representatives took place in Belmopan today on an issue that has been thorny and divisive.  Prime Minister Dean Barrow, as Minister of Finance, [...]

Ballooning UHS Debt Can’t Be Paid Out of the Public Purse
The PM has taken the view that the judgment from the Caribbean Court of Justice which ruled that the loan is legal, cannot be paid from the consolidated revenue fund unless [...]

The Executive, the Legislature and the Looming UHS Debt
According to the PM, it was for the House to decide if the debt to the Belize Bank would be paid. His argument rested on the basis that the debt [...]

P.U.P. Walks Out, Refusing to Vote on UHS Debt Bill
For years, the guarantee by the government on a loan to the then Universal Health Services has been debated and tried in the courts. Today, it came down to a [...]

Johnny Breaks Down the UHS Loan
For the People’s United Party, the UHS loan guarantee goes back to the Musa Administration, one which this current government won’t let them forget. But when the Leader of the [...]

Johnny to P.M. – You Broke It, You Must Fix It!
Briceño placed the loan at the front door of the Prime Minister under whose watch the issue lingered before several courts for numerous years and remains unpaid. Briceño made the [...]

UHS Debt, “A $95.6 Million U.D.P. Bukut”
After tracing how the loan had meandered through the courts in Belize, London, New York, Miami, Washington and Trinidad, Briceño pointed to the law firms that had benefitted from legal [...]

“That is a U.D.P. Debt” – Musa to Barrow on the $95.6 Million UHS Debt
Back to the House…Contributing to the debate was Fort George Area Representative Said Musa.  Musa was the Prime Minister at the time when the government decided to act as a [...]

Francis Fonseca Says Debt Responsibility Lies Squarely with PM Barrow
Freetown area rep Francis Fonseca was attorney general when G.O.B. signed off to guarantee the initial loan of thirty-three million dollars. The amount owed today has tripled so he put [...]

Shakedi Baizar Gunned Down in Belize City
Twenty-three-year-old Shakedi Baizar of the Eight Miles community was shot and killed today in Belize City.  It is reported that around this two this afternoon Baizar had just exited the [...]

That Notebook with Flight Plans for Illegal Plane Landing in the North
Today, News Five caught up with Acting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams at an event in the city. As head of operations for the Belize Police Department, Williams was asked [...]

Investigation Continues into Fake Facebook Profile that Leaked Notebook Images
The postings on Facebook were made by an account belonging to a ‘Vincent Edwards,’ who is believed to be highly connected and the man on the ground during these illegal [...]

Anti-Drug Operations Underway in Northern Belize
The online posts have caused the Ministry of National Security, specifically the Belize Police Department, to kick into gear. Operations Commander Chester Williams told News Five today that along with [...]

Carlos Lopez and Peter Schmidt to be Rearrested and Charged for Drug Case
We also asked the acting Commissioner of Police about the case against thirty-three-year-old Carlos Lopez and thirty-seven-year-old Peter Schmidt. Earlier this week, the duo walked free of charges for the [...]

Culture Minister Confirms NICH President’s Administrative Leave
Embroiled in controversy, President of the National Institute of Culture and History Sapna Budhrani dominated the news this week. Budhrani was put on the hot seat after leaked audit documents [...]

PM Says Cabinet Wouldn’t Sweep NICH Fiasco Under the Carpet
Prime Minister Barrow also weighed in on the NICH debacle, reiterating that embattled president Sapna Budhrani will be placed on administrative leave as of Monday.  Budhrani will remain president of [...]

PM Heads to Cuba for Spinal Surgery
Prime Minister Barrow is traveling to Cuba this weekend where he will be undergoing medical surgery on his spine on Tuesday.  He will be gone for most of September and [...]

San Pedro & Placencia Experiencing an Extreme Case of Sargassum
In recent years, as early as 2011, the issue of Sargassum has been on the front-burner across the Caribbean. Here, in Belize, it was first recorded in late 2014. This [...]

American Woman Remains Missing; Family Fears the Worst
Fear is settling in as it is almost a week since sixty-seven-year-old Sherris Stringham has been seen in Hopkins Village.  She last messaged her friends on Saturday, promising to meet [...]

79 Seamen Apprentices Join the Belize Coastguard
The Belize Coastguard is recording its largest number growing from strength to strength in its thirteenth year history. Today, just under eighty new members joined its ranks which have swollen [...]

Carnival King & Queen Take Centre Stage at Marion Jones on Saturday
On Saturday night, the Marion Jones Stadium will come alive with pre-carnival sights and sounds. At seven in the night the annual King and Queen of 2018 carnival will compete [...]

NICH Board Comes Out in Defense of President Sapna Budhrani
The controversy at the National Institute of Culture and History continues to unravel with President Sapna Budhrani is in the hot seat.  Since details began to emerge on the state [...]

NICH President’s Vehicle was Purchased in Chetumal
The purchase of a compact crossover vehicle for use by NICH President Sapna Budhrani, as well as fuel consumption for the 2018 Honda CR-V raised eyebrows in the memo sent [...]

Fuel Consumption for NICH Vehicles Comfortably Below Budget
The gas bill for NICH during April and July was also queried by the internal auditor.  According to his report, which was described as a draft audit, fuel consumption sprang [...]

Missing Altun Ha Funds Were Found and Deposited into NICH Account
On the issue of missing monies, Matus’ report indicates that funds collected from archaeological sites, including Altun Ha, have been unaccounted since March eighth.  Heading the Institute of Archaeology since [...]

LOVE FM

Peoples United Party Walks Out of House Meeting
Late this evening, after delivering some presentations, the Peoples United Party, led by Leader John Briceno (VO STARST) walked out of Parliament without voting on the loan motion tabled before the House. Said Musa, Francis Fonseca, Kareem Musa and the Leader of the Opposition spoke favorably about paying bills but ultimately abstained by their absence, …

Ministry of National Security’s stance on going to the ICJ
Next April Belizeans will be going to the polls to decide whether or not to take the decades long unfounded Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice. Today CEO in the Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez shared where his Ministry stands in the debate. CEO in the Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez …

Methodist Church elects new bishop
Reverend Alvin Moses Benguche has been appointed to be the Bishop and the District President for the 2018 to 2021 Triennium of the Methodist Church. Reverend Benguche has been a minister for twenty-eight years, serving in Jamaica and Guyana. Reverend Benguche, who is a Belizean, recently returned to Belize to take up his position as …

UB to host second all-inclusive fete to assist with their Endowment Fund Bursary
To provide financial assistance for students in need, the University of Belize started what they refer to as a UB Endowment Fund Bursary. In order to raise funds, the University will host its second all-inclusive fete. President of the University of Belize, Professor Clement Sankat spoke the need for the public to support the upcoming …

PM blames Former PM Said Musa as the Architect of UH Deal
It was when the Prime Minister was about to give his presentation and scold the Opposition that they walked out of parliament. This didn’t do anything less to calm the PM who was already incensed and ready to scold the Opposition, particularly the architect of the deal, former PM Musa. Prime Minster Dean Barrow: “The architect …

Leader of the Opposition says Universal Health Care debt was at Zero
Prior to his sudden departure, the leader of the Opposition initially chastised the UDP for their alleged bad deeds. However, he said the PM was negligent when the UDP came to power because the Universal Health debt had a zero balance. He blamed Prime Minister Barrow for forcing the Central Bank to retake the funds …

Seventy nine new recruits inducted into the Belize Coast Guard
Seventy nine new recruits joined the ranks of the Belize Coast Guard after completing twelve weeks of rigorous training. CEO in the Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez, spoke of the significance of the newest intake. Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez: “Today is a very important day for the Belize Coast Guard and for the …

Shyne says NICH Board is a Rubber Stamp
We can report tonight that NICH President Sapna Budhrani will be suspended pending the outcome of an external audit which was ordered by Cabinet. The case against Budhrani was forwarded by Music Ambassador, Jamal Shyne Barrow who was present at the National Assembly Building today. He told the media that he saw the press conference …

How the Belize Coast Guard benefits Belize’s national security
Since its inception, the Belize Coast Guard has been active in trying to curb crime and illegal activities within our maritime borders. CEO Enriquez spoke of the importance of the Belize Coast Guard to our country’s national security. CEO Enriquez: “The Belize Coast Guard is now recognized as one of the cornerstone institutions in National …

Crime stoppers offer reward for Sherris Stringham’s disappearance
Crime Stoppers Belize is offering a thirteen hundred dollar reward for any information leading to information on Sherris Stringham. (VO STARTS) The 67-year-old US national who had only recently settled in Hopkins Village, disappeared on Sunday. Friends became concerned after she did not show up for a get together. Having not heard from her for …

Shakeedi Baizer executed in broad daylight
The ongoing gun violence has claimed another life. 23 year old Shakeedi Baizer was gunned down in broad daylight on Magazine Road in Belize City. According to police reports, the incident occurred just after two o’clock this afternoon. Baizar had just exited the Matron Roberts Clinic and was walking through an alley when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots at him...

Businessman injured in armed robbery
A businessman was shot inside the Corozal Free Zone earlier today. 42-year-old Jun Xie came under fire while inside his store, North American Fashion Store. According to police, about twelve thirty this afternoon, three masked men armed with handgun entered the store, one of the men pointed a gun at Xie demanding money...

Amandala

Controversial UHS bill to the House tomorrow
A new chapter is about to be written in Belize’s parliamentary history when the Universal Health Care Bill, which is over $95 million, goes to the floor of the House of Representatives tomorrow, Friday. Members from the government side have indicated that they will vote against the measure—despite a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) order to pay the Belize Bank in line with the terms of a loan guarantee made by the Government of Belize on behalf of Universal Health Services (UHS). Since the CCJ ruling, the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) has gone on record urging the Government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow to pay the UHS debt. If the government parliamentarians were to vote yes on this particular bill, this is one of the few instances where there would have been bipartisan support on the floor of the House, with the 12 PUP members voting the same way as the government members.

Cabinet silent on NICH’s Sapna Budhrani alleged suspension
The word allegedly coming out of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting was that the president of the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), Sapna Budhrani, had been suspended, reportedly pending the outcome of an external audit. We say “allegedly” because Cabinet has inexplicably refused to validate media reports that in fact, it has indeed suspended a favorite of Education Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, Sapna Budhrani. After serious allegations surfaced against Budhrani, Faber came out swinging in her corner, telling the media “… I will continue to have that kind of confidence in her leadership and again the comments made by the Musical Ambassador were rather unfortunate.

Brodies’ $90,000 worth of imported medication denied entry into Belize
Brodies Supermarket has taken to the media to express its concerns over a $90,000 shipment of imported medication that is not being allowed into the country due to new drug regulations set in place by the Ministry of Health (MoH). According to a press release from Brodies, the withholding of the medication is due to the labels being in Turkish, and not English or Spanish. However, the Health ministry is saying there is much more to the story. In July 2017, MoH established a new law to ensure the quality of the medication being imported into Belize. Under the new law, an importer who is going to import a pharmaceutical product must get the GMP Certificate (Good Manufacturing Practice) and CPP (Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products) for the medication and present it to MoH, who will provide the permit necessary for the medication after the submitted documents have been verified.

Import and domestic export rates increase in July 2018
Today, the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) held a press conference at which Statistician II Tiffany Vasquez discussed import and domestic export rates for July 2018. According to Vasquez, Belize’s total imports for the month were valued at $165.6 million, which showed an increase of 7.5% or $11.5 million from July 2017, when imports totaled $154.1 million. The majority of this increase was due to a 40% growth in the “Food and Live Animals” category, up $6.1 million from $15.1 million in July 2017, to $21.2 million in July 2018. The reason for this increase was a spike in the importation of wheat (for milling) and various other grocery items. Heightened purchases of cigarettes and clothing led to the increase of the imports of goods that fall under the “Commercial Free Zone” category. The value of purchases in that category went from $26.6 million to $30.7 million, an increase of $4.1 million.

Lost-and-found Robert Jacobs reunited with family
Robert Jacobs, 16, of Punta Gorda, Toledo, who has been missing from home since last Friday, August 24, has been found. Fisheries officers and Belize Defence Force soldiers on a joint, routine patrol, found Jacobs yesterday, floating in the sea on a board between Barranco and Sarstoon, Toledo District. The boy was rescued and taken to the Punta Gorda Hospital. Information from his parents is that he was receiving fluids intravenously (“drip”) at the hospital because he was very dehydrated. According to his mother, young Jacobs was on some land the family owns south of Punta Gorda when he got lost.

St. John’s Cathedral undergoing much needed restorations
June of this year saw the start of the “Saint John’s Cathedral 2018 Restoration Initiative”, an initiative in which members of the restoration project are attempting to return the oldest church in Belize to its original magnificence. While these restorations are happening the church is still alive and well, with services continuing as usual. The cathedral, built from bricks which had been used as ballast aboard ships, was constructed about 200 years ago, between 1812 and 1820, when Belize was the colony of British Honduras. It was initially a parish church but became a cathedral in 1891.

Rogers Stadium Club’s Annual Reunion and Basketball Sports Day, August 18
From the early 1970s, a group of young sportsmen have been congregating and engaging in sporting activities inside the Rogers Stadium compound, corner of Cemetery Road and Fairweather Street; to the point where they began participating in sporting competitions in basketball and football at the then major sporting outlets of Bird’s Isle and the MCC Grounds. Sports of all sorts were played at Rogers Stadium – basketball, football, softball, badminton, hand-ball, you name it; but the sport where the team representing the “Stadium” made the greatest impact in competition was basketball, where their most renowned star was probably the late Mervin “Shape” Rhodas on the Rogers Stadium All Stars team of the 1970s and 1980s. Many of the original members and leaders of the Rogers Stadium Physical Cultural Sporting Club (RSPCSC) have since migrated to the United States, but they have maintained links with the home base, often contributing equipment and other support to remaining Stadium Club members in the Jewel.

BDFA condolences for referee Charles “Chubby” Young
The Belize District Football Association (BDFA) expresses its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Charles Young. Mr. Charles Young (Chubby) has been a long serving referee / friend of the Belize District Football Association, and was always willing to assist in any way for the love of the game. He loved to referee the beautiful game of football. Mr. Charles Young has served us well, and will be greatly missed by the BDFA and the football family. May his soul rest in peace.

Stann Creek FA U-15 and U-17 updates, Week 3 standings, schedule
Below are the standings and upcoming games for Week 4 in the Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA) U-15 and U-17 Tournament 2018. Kindly note that the U-15 and U-17 games will not be played this Sunday, September 2; that is because Wagiya FC semipro team will make use of the stadium on that day. Therefore, our U-15 and U-17 games are scheduled to be played on Friday and Saturday of this week. Let’s continue the great work we are doing with our youths. In U-15 games last week, Silk Grass and New Site played to a 3-3 draw. Alex Alvarez (10’) and James Martinez (22’ & 43’) shook the net for Silk Grass; while Kevin Higinio (7’) and Darnell Chavez (39’ & 44’) hit the target for New Site. And in game 2, DYFA clipped Monument Site, 1-0, on a goal by Randy Martinez (60’).

21st National Belikin 8-Ball Tournament Finals – Long Island of Belize City back-to-back Champs!!!
The 21st Annual National Belikin 8-Ball Tournament commenced in May in eight different regions, namely: the six districts, in addition to Belmopan and San Pedro. A total of 60 teams throughout the country were competing to see who would be the champ, and represent their region in the Big Dance on the pool table on Saturday and Sunday, August 25 and 26, in Belmopan at the Lions Club. It was hype, exciting, knee-shaking, heart pounding, hands trembling, nerve racking, and, yes, it was raining; but, just as the rain cannot stop the reggae jam, the rain could not stop this indoor sport and the 8-ball from pocketing.

Editorial: Belizean self-defence
The Southern Caucus of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) this week introduced the idea of Belizean self-defence on the Wednesday morning edition of the KREM Radio/TV Wake Up Belize (WUB) show. When we say “introduced,” what we mean is that no group of area representatives and standard bearers from the two major political parties, the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the PUP, has ever gone public with respect to the idea of Belizeans defending ourselves. The spokesman of the Southern Caucus, Dr. Luis Zabaneh, on Wednesday morning went so far as to articulate the possibility of a military draft for Belizeans 18 years and older. Belize is a country where a lot of significant socio-political realities remain sub-surface. Immediately the idea of Belizean self-defence is broached, the reality of the present composition of our army becomes a matter for conversation. Belize’s Mayans and Garinagu are represented in our security forces in numbers disproportionate to their population percentages.

A football mom cries out for Jardehl!
Dear Editor, Imagine how beautiful life could be! I’m a proud football mom! I make no apologies for all the time I commit to my children and their love for football. It all started when my sons were born. Having only boy children, I had to learn from early on that little boys have a fascination for two things — dirt and sports. If I was going to keep sane, I would have to learn to get involved and love what they love. I certainly was not the conventional mother who depended on her husband alone to help mold and develop my children’s love for sports because they are boys.

Tribute to Richard Foster
Dear Editor, I have just read the article on page 5 of your August 24, 2018 edition of your newspaper. Thank you so much for printing such a touching and profound tribute to Richard Foster. I did not have the pleasure of meeting this fine gentleman, but I appreciate his legacy left to Belizeans, his countrymen and to all who knew him. What a great loss to this country, but most of all to his family and friends.

To respect the will of the people, the referendum must be binding
If the Government has its way, Belize will hold a referendum on 10th April 2019. Electors will express their view on whether or not the International Court of Justice should finally resolve any and all claims that Guatemala has to Belizean territory. I emphasize that electors will only express their views on whether to go to the ICJ, nothing more. The referendum results are not binding on the Government of Belize. In an election, held under Belize’s electoral laws, electors elect their representatives, mayors, and councilors. The laws specifically set out the binding procedure by which persons so elected take office and perform their functions. Ultimately, there are election petitions to enforce the finality of the result. However, this is not the case with the Referendum Act.

“Come on”, the dealer at the casino tell a,” weh u got fi lose?” Mi country. Noh be wa fool, neem go da casino!!!
Is there anyone among us who believes going to court isn’t a risk? Either side can win in court. What has Guatemala got to lose by rolling the dice and going to the casino of the ICJ? Nothing. However, Belize stands to risk from the Old Sarstoon up to the Sibun and some say even as far as the cayes. The average person on the street understands this is a bad risk. Yet our Prime Minister is one who backs going to the ICJ, stating we have an “airtight” case. Should we listen to such a well known voice? With all due respect it was our Prime Minister who said going to court with Ashcroft and BTL was a win, yet the Government of Belize, and the people lost to the tune of over a half billion dollars.

A public opinion matter
I am aware of a law (or laws) in our country that keeps public comment on judges and legal matters in check — “libel laws” we most likely inherited from the British. It isn’t common for Belizean leaders to comment on court matters. I have heard the Prime Minister step lightly on judgments from the courts that he didn’t favor. Yes, I heard the present leader step around, nibble at the quality of judgment rendered in a case or two. He should know what he is doing. He is trained in the law business. It is understandable why there would be certain “protections” for the court, a level of insulation set there to prevent too raw commentaries on certain types of cases. We understand why murder cases are off limits. However, there are certain cases that are “public opinion” and the insulation is altogether excessive, oppressive even.

Belize, be on the alert
Do Belizeans want to be recolonized by Guatemala on the upcoming Compromis referendum, signed by the Belize government and Guatemala on 8th December, 2008? For a yes, vote for the ICJ. This referendum may decide our future and shall be held on the 10th April, 2019. Let us remember the recent British referendum that was a homemade referendum to break away from the European Union (BREXIT). By a majority of votes the British people reaffirmed their self-determination to remain a free nation in Europe and in the world once again. With the 1997 British withdrawal from Hong Kong, the Spanish government renewed the call for a return of Gibraltar, the 1,396 foot high rock of 27,000 inhabitants, to Spanish rule.

Vehicle of missing American from Hopkins found in Orange Walk
Concerns continue to grow for missing American national, Sherris Stringham, 67, who lives in Hopkins. She has been missing since last Saturday morning, August 25, when she was last seen in her vehicle in the village. Her vehicle had also disappeared. This morning, police announced that Stringham’s missing vehicle, a green Nissan Xterra with license plates C – 14628, was found abandoned in Orange Walk Town yesterday. It was found without its license plates and insurance sticker. The vehicle has been impounded as the investigation continues. On Sunday, an employee of hers had tried to call her, but got no response. The worried employee then called police.

Man’s body, with bullet wounds, found near Valley of Peace Road
Roshane Alexander Jones, 24, a laborer of Camalote, was found dead at about 6:00 this morning on the side of the so-called Farmer’s Express Way, a road in the Cayo District that links the George Price Highway with Spanish Lookout, and connects to Valley of Peace and Buena Vista on the way. There were two gunshot wounds in Jones’ face. Information to us is that a farmer who was walking on the road at about 8:00 this morning, on the way to his farm, saw the body of a Creole person lying in a pool of blood on the roadside. The man immediately called police, who went to the area to investigate.

Two Indian theft suspects returned to India without being charged
Back in November 2017, Amandala reported on a strange case of alleged thieves who insisted that they were in fact victims of human trafficking. What transpired was that on September 13, 2017, Jack Charles, a businessman, reportedly sent his employee, Jitendra Kumar, 29, with his Chevy Equinox, to pick up $60,000 from a business in Dangriga. Kumar reportedly then met up with his colleague, Keyur Barot, 23, and they both escaped across the border, to Guatemala, where they abandoned the car. Guatemalan authorities later found the vehicle and returned it to Belize.

Justin Lemoth, 29, gets 10 years and 7 months for manslaughter
Justin Lemoth, 29, who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by Justice Adolph Lucas on July 20, was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment today. But Lemoth will only serve 10 years and 7 months because Justice Lucas subtracted 4 years and 5 months from his sentence, which was the time he spent as a prisoner on remand. Lemoth was convicted for causing the death of Richard Waight, Jr., 17, who was fatally stabbed in his chest with a knife in April 2014 during an altercation on a basketball court in Hattieville.

The Reporter

UHS, The No’s have it: empty seats of the opposition
Today the People’s United Party walked out of the House of Representatives in Unison, before registering their vote on the motion to pay the Universal Health Services debt. Prime Minister Dean Barrow introduced the motion this morning to appropriate over $95 million to satisfy the debt, and the House in standard fashion debated the motion...

Sargassum situation getting worse
The Placencia Village Council called an emergency meeting today to try and devise a plan of action to deal with the large amount of sargassum that has washed up on the beach. Vice Chair of the Village, Harald Wallen, told the Reporter that sargassum is an annual problem, but the current wave is the worst Placencia has ever seen...

Nudes, Nudes, Nudes!
It seems that almost everyday Facebook ‘lights up’ with the announcement that somebody’s nudes have been ‘leaked.’The typical response seems to be almost predictable: ‘send please.’ The private photos and...

EDITORIAL – August 31st. 2018
It is true that less than four years after the Battle of St. George’s Caye in 1798, the stunning effect of this victory by the Baymen was diminished by the...

Cabinet Says Sapna Must Go, – NICH Board Says NO
On Tuesday, based on allegations of wrongdoing at the National Institute of Culture and History, Cabinet allegedly issued a directive that NICH President Sapna Budhrani, appointed to that post by...

COP FOILES MURDER ATTEMPT
The lives of several bystanders in the usually bustling strip near Fibber’s food stop near the intersection of Cemetery Road and Johnson Street were put in real danger on Tuesday...

WHISTLE-BLOWER WAKES UP SLEEPING MINISTRY
Earlier this week several posts on a Facebook page under the name of Vince Edwards went viral. Edwards made serious allegations against unnamed Ministers of Government and senior Police Officials,...

$95M VOTE GOES TO THE HOUSE
The Government of Belize has announced a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives this Friday, during which a vote will be taken on whether or not to pay the...

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING WOMAN
The search for missing American national Sherris Stringham, 63, took another turn last night after Police found her green Nissan Xterra abandoned near the Orange Walk Bypass. Reports are that...

MISSING PG TEEN FOUND AFTER 5 DAYS
Five days of torment and worry for a Punta Gorda mother whose teenaged son went missing last week Friday came to a heart-wrenching, but happy end on Wednesday afternoon after...

SECURITY GUARD SHOT ON THE JOB RECOVERING
Lascelle Jeffords, 53, a security officer who was shot last week Friday evening while on duty at Courtenay Coye law firm, is in a stable condition and is said to...

Breaking Belize News

Suspect in attempted murder killed in old capital!
A shooting in Belize City has left one man mortally wounded. He is 8 miles […]

Reward offered for information on Sherris Stringham
Crime Stoppers Belize has issued a $1,300 reward bulletin for anyone with information on the […]

Fired for speaking out?
Dr. Carlos Itza, the now former Chairman of the Sugar Control Production Committee (SCPC), received […]

Ministry of Works hosts Environmental and Social Safeguard Training
Today, the Ministry of Works, through the George Price Highway Rehabilitation Project, concluded a three-day […]

PUP exits House meeting; refuses to vote on UHS
Earlier today at a Special sitting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow […]

Chinese businessman shot in Corozal Free Zone
A shooting in the Corozal Freezone has left one man injured. He has been identified […]

Placencia organizes sargassum clean up
The Placencia Sargassum Task Force has organized a clean up campaign for Sunday, September 2. […]

Home destroyed by fire last night in Punta Gorda
Police are investigating the cause of a fire that destroyed a cement house in Punta […]

Guatemalan President announces he will not renew mandate for anti-corruption commission
Today, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced that his Government will not renew the mandate of […]

Finance Director at Belize City Council resigns!
The Belize City Council is currently without a Finance Director. That is because on Wednesday, […]

Chinese man with Belizean nationality busted with protected species in Mexico
It never made the news but last month a Chinese man with Belizean nationality was […]

Indian nationals claiming to be human trafficking victims, deported to India
During his press conference in Belize City today, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett, dropped […]

GDP shows improving economy for Belize
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has released figures for the country’s Gross Domestic Product […]

Blogs

BANYAN BAY SUITES’ 1ST FARMERS MARKET SET FOR SATURDAY, SEPT. 1ST!
Over a dozen artisans, vendors and local producers from across San Pedro Town have confirmed their participation in Banyan Bay Suites’ first ever, Farmers Market on Saturday, September 1st. Visitors can expect offers and discounted deals on sculptures, artisanal breads, jewelry, pickles, handmade bags, hummus, dips and other organic items. Organizers of the event are excited to bring together the community and allow visitors to purchase items that are not readily available on the island, at reasonable prices. While it promises to be a successful event, organizers are hoping to host this event on a bi-monthly basis.

Meet and Greet was held at Jammrock
On Thursday, August 30, 2018, Corozal Queen of the Bay held their Meet and Greet at the Jammrock to meet with their favorite fans. The five delegates came out to present themselves one-by-one to speak about why they chose to represent themselves at the pageant. The five contestants for 2018 are: Delegate #1 Karen Cuellar Delegate #2 Connie Centeno #3 Miss Jazmin Campos #4 Miss. Joswanie Hall, Delegate #5 Miss Reina Mejia. This event was hosted by Jammrock for everyone to come to meet the delegates. During the show, Meet And Greet the fans had the chance to take pictures with there favorite delegates. Each one of them participated in giving out tickets for this weekend. And, Come out this Saturday to witness one of the popular events across Belize right here in Corozal. It will be held at the Corozal Civic Center beginning at 7pm.

International Sources

Oldest surviving Maya book declared authentic
Fifty-four years after it was sold by looters, an ancient Maya pictographic text was judged authentic by scholars Thursday. Mexico's National Institute of History and Anthropology said the calendar-style text was made between 1021 and 1154 A.D. and is the oldest known pre-Hispanic document. The 10 surviving pages of the tree-bark folding "book" will now be known as the Mexico Maya Codex. It had been known as the Grolier Codex. It may have originally had 20 pages, but some were lost after centuries in a cave in southern Chiapas state. It contains a series of observations and predictions related to the astral movement of Venus. Mayan texts are written in a series of syllabic glyphs, in which a stylized painted figure often stands for a syllable. A Mexican collector bought it in 1964, and it was first exhibited at the Grolier Club in New York in 1971. Collector Josue Saenz returned the book to Mexican authorities in 1974. The fact that it was looted and had a simpler design than other surviving texts had led some to doubt its authenticity.

Richard Branson To Join Personal Submarine Expedition To The Bottom Of The Blue Hole In Belize
Personal submarine technology is not new to most superyacht owners. In fact, most new superyachts being commissioned these days have dedicated space to store and launch a sub just like the do for all the other “toys”—speedboats, limousines, jet skis, and of course on the largest yachts, helicopter pads and a place to store the chopper belowdecks that every billionaire needs. But as personal sub technology evolves, I’m hardly surprised to see a submarine manufacturer such as the British Columbia-based Aquatica Submarines team up with Ocean Unite co-founder and Virgin Group founder, and philanthropist Richard Branson, documentary filmmaker and ocean conservationist Fabien Cousteau (grandson of the Jacques Cousteau), and the Roatan Institute of Deep Sea Exploration (RIDE) for an expedition to the bottom of Belize’s Blue Hole in the coming months.

Videos