September 29, 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

One person detained following the murder of Caye Caulker resident Christopher Meighan in San Pedro Town
Police have detained one suspect in connection with the discovery of the lifeless body of 21-year-old Caye Caulker resident Christopher Meighan in a hotel in San Pedro Town on Friday, September 28th. Meighan was found by an employee shortly after 11AM in a sitting position between two beds in a pool of blood with what appeared to be a large cut wound to the throat area, a stab wound to the left lower abdomen and one stab wound to the left foot. Police transported the body to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II where Meighan was pronounced dead on arrival and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s morgue in Belize City.

ICJ and the State of Emergency highlighted during Independence Day Ceremony
On Friday, September 21st, the official ceremonies that commemorated Belize’s 37th Independence anniversary were held as customary at Independence Hill in Belmopan City. The patriotic event saw the attendance of Belize Diplomatic Corp and foreign dignitaries among other invited guests. During this year’s address to the nation, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber delivered the speech on behalf of Prime Minister Dean Barrow who was not available for the event. He spoke on various projects that the government has embarked on as well as on issues of service delivery, national security, the economy, infrastructure and the future of Belize as a country. As per tradition, the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño also had the opportunity to address the Belizean public, highlighting the many national issues the country is confronting.

New fly-fishing guides in San Pedro Town receive their licenses
A short ceremony was held at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Office in San Pedro Town on Wednesday, September 26th, to officially issue licenses to the newest fly-fishing guides of the island. They are Cesar Hernandez, Luis Rodriguez, Rojel Sanchez, Anthony Espat, Kirian Espat, Gilberto Espat, Brian Espat, Delmar Rodriguez, Jerry Espat, Jose Lopez and Francisco Morales. President of the San Pedro Tour Guide Association, Philip Leslie, spoke shortly after 4PM, congratulating the new fly-fishing guides and sharing the importance and responsibility of their new job. “Our tourists will now be in your hands, so we hope that you guys take good care of them,” he said. Leslie further reminded the new guides to always renew their license on time in order to avoid any problems with the Belize Port Authority.

Qualified Belizean Voters once again encouraged to Re-register
With only a few days remaining in the Elections and Boundaries Department’s 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise campaign, the turnout continuous to be inadequate. Under the theme “Your Right to Vote Depends on It”, the Department is making one last call for qualified persons to visit their nearest Elections and Boundaries Registration Office. The campaign is set to end on Sunday, September 30th, after which the Department will no longer be actively advocating for persons to register. As of Saturday, September 22nd, a total of 124,416 application had been received, 38% shy of the Department’s targeted goal of 200,000. In the last Election Exercise, there were a total of 196,587 eligible voters, number not believed to accurately depict Belize’s voting population.

Iris Salguero’s Miss American Latina del Mundo journey has begun!
Island beauty queen Iris Salguero has departed the country to participate in the 2018 Miss America Latina del Mundo Pageant to be held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. From Monday, September 23rd to Saturday, September 29th, Salguero will proudly represent Belize among 22 other participants. Being hosted at the Barcelo Bavaro Grand Resort, Miss America Latina del Mundo is one of the first and oldest pageants specifically for women of Latina descent. Previous to her departure, Salguero expressed her excitement and enthusiasm at once again representing Belize at the international level. No stranger to the world of pageantry, she has held several titles, including Miss San Pedro 2015, Miss World Belize 2016 and Miss Earth Belize 2017.

Ambergris Today

Caye Caulker Resident Murdered In San Pedro Town
Police are investigating the murder of 21-year-old Christopher Meighan, resident of Caye Caulker Village who was found dead in a hotel room in San Pedro Town. According to reports San Pedro Police visited the Central Park Hotel on Barrier Reef Drive shortly after 11:30a.m., where they found the body of a male person with multiple stab wounds to the body. Reports stated that police caught the suspect attempting to board a flight to leave the country and is now in police custody. More on this as it becomes available.

Misc Belizean Sources

Inspection of existing fire hydrants in Orange Walk
An joint inspection of existing fire hydrants was done today by personnel of the Fire Department, BWS and Town Council. This is based on one of the first recommendations from Today's meeting. We will share the findings later, but as a Council, we will be another voice for the People in demanding that better maintenance, servicing and equipment be provided to the department and hydrants.

27th Anniversary of the National Coastal & Riverways Cleanup
Happening at Miami Beach this Saturday, September 29th - It is the 27th Anniversary of the National Coastal & Riverways Cleanup by Oceana Belize in collaboration with the Scout Association of Belize. Join us in Corozal this Saturday, September 29th, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Miami Beach. Bring rakes and gloves.

Corozal: Prevent Zika
REMINDER - Prevent Zika - Community Cleanup! Sunday September 30th, 2018. Please support this wonderful community activity sponsored by the Red Cross. Everyone is invited.

Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association capacity building workshops
Trio Farmers Cacao Growers Association continues to participate in a series of capacity building workshops in leadership and governance for effective management. This session, being the second, focused on decision making and leadership types to increase the association’s transparency and accountability. The organized forest community group maintains its commitment to improve their good governance. Furthermore, our capacity building program is contributing to a longlasting stewardship for the protection of the Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve – where the farmers have access to grow cacao in Belize’s first agroforestry concession.

Fisheries Department Skills Training Graduate Receives Opportunity in Anguilla
The Fisheries Department in collaboration with the Belize Marine Conservation and Climate Adaptation Project congratulates Mr. Noe Verde, an Electrical Installation graduate from Sarteneja Fishing Village, who was selected to work with other Belize City ITVET graduates with DCK Worldwide company in Anguilla. Mr. Verde left the country on September 28, 2018 and will work in Anguilla for 2-3 months, all expenses paid. Mr. Verde was one of 15 Trainees who completed the Electrical Installation (Level 1 and 2) course at Orange Walk ITVET. This eight-month customized skills training programme included internship. Mr. Verde holds an Associate Degree in Environmental Science and worked part time with the Sarteneja Fisherman Association.

Caye Caulker YARD SALE!!
Bondi Bar this Sunday 30th Sept 9:30 am-ish till 4 pm. Lots of stuff for sale...clothes, kids stuff, electronics, kitchen wares, Halloween costumes, general household goods, artwork etc...We are several vendors...so there'll be a lot items and great deals!!

This is How We Keep Breathing Book Launch
The launch of This is How We Keep Breathing will be Saturday night at the Soul Project. You can meet some of the authors, and get your book signed...and try some new artisan wines at the same time. It's part of the HYP weekend, and tonight they are having a 'poetry face-off' at the Soul Project, and tomorrow morning a 'write-o-thon' at Hode's.

No Styrofoam Summer Camp Exhibit Launch
The SISE HoC will be Launching the No Styrofoam Kids Summer Camp exhibit on Thursday, October 4th. Everyone is invited to see the exhibit, and hear about the story behind the unique Summer Camp. "As promised, we will be exhibiting the results of our '1st No-plastic, No-styrofoam Kids Summer Camp, 2018,' which we held in Bullet Tree Falls, for 50 kids, during July. Please see the invitation below for details on the opening ceremony. Also, take note that the exhibit will be displayed at the NICH House Of Culture in San Ignacio Town, from the 4th to 18th of October. Feel free to visit anytime!"

Interruption in the Belmopan water supply, Tuesday, October 2, 2018, starting at 12:00am midnight
The areas to be affected are Birds area, Trees area, San Martin area, Salvapan area, Piccini area, Rio Grande Street, Fuits area, Constitution Drive, West Belmopan, Las Flores, Lomas de Las Flores, Rivera area, and Districts area. This interruption is the result of a broken water main. Customers may experience low water pressure and/or discoloration when water is restored. Businesses to be affected include Belmopan Market Square, Social Security Board – Belmopan, and Capital Investment.

Big congratulations to the CARSI ESF 2018 grant recipients!

Building the Alumni Network. Improving Literacy in the Jewel
The U.S. Embassy and the Belize Alumni Association hosted an event under the theme "Building the Alumni Network. Improving Literacy in the Jewel." Alumni, government officials, teachers and librarians discussed the challenges and opportunities Belize faces in regards to literacy. Many ideas were suggested including a book club, using technology positively, more literacy programs, peer helpers and to encourage parents to read along with their children.

Calypso Belize City and Museum Tour
Today the Downtown Rejuvenation Project conducted its Calypso Belize City and Museum Tour for all of the schools participating in the Belize City History and Social Studies Competition on October 17 and 18. The initiative is part of the festivities leading up to the annual competition. The aim is to immerse the competitors in our history and culture. Fifty five students and teachers participated.

Channel 7

GOB Has To Pay Another Multi-Million Dollar Settlement
Government has to pay out another multi-million dollar award. This time it's to NEWCO - a company of international consultants that was set up to privatize the Phillip Goldson International Airport during the Musa administration. The settlement is for 6 million US dollars - to be paid in two three million US dollar installments - the first of which is due in 30 days. The NEWCO deal goes back to 2002, during the Musa years, when they entered an agreement with Government to privatize the Phillip Goldson International Airport. The Musa government terminated the agreement which led to arbitration - which ultimately led to successive losses for Belize. Eventually the matter ended up at a US Federal Court which found in NEWCO's favour.

Parliamentary Debate Rages Over Fire That Killed Four
And while the NEWCO settlement is a sovereign matter - today's house meeting wound down on a much more local note. Orange Walk Central area representative John Briceno spoke on the adjournment about the devastating fire which happened in his constituency, claiming four lives. Hon. John Briceño - Leader of the Opposition: "That fire strikes close to home. I knew this young family. They lived about two blocks away from where I live. My son goes to the barber shop; my youngest son would go there to the barber shop. My wife Rosanna taught these three children at St. Peter's Anglican School and on Sunday the most regrettable thing is that there was a fire hydrant right in front of the Petillo family and the fire hydrant was sealed, it was disconnected from the WASA mainline. I have to say, $500 million of Petrocaribe was wasted..."

A Dozen Amendments to The Criminal Code
And, the other heated debate focussed on the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Amendment bill. PUP National Deputy Cordel Hyde said there has been a dozen or so amendments to this law in 10 years of UDP rule, with no effect:... Hon. Cordel Hyde- Lake I Area Rep, PUP: "I believe this must be the tenth or eleventh time we are here since 2008; bringing amendments to either the Crime Control or Criminal Justice Act or the Criminal Code. I think we first had amendments in 2008, twice in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 and this is the second time in the last five months we are having amendments and not much has changed really. Every time we come here you get the impression that well, okay, these are some stringent measures to be tough on crime and to be tough on the criminals and in fact it was, I believe, in April of this year that we passed some sweeping legislation..."

Stabbing Murder In San Pedro
There was a murder on La Isla Bonita. According to reports, this afternoon around midday police found the body of 21 year old Caye Caulker resident Christopher Meighan in a room at Hotel Central Park. He had multiple stab wounds to his body. Reports are that police have a suspect. We will have more on this murder on Monday.

Belmopan’s Alleged Attempted Abductor Positively ID’d, Police will Charge
Belmopan police are preparing charges for the attempted kidnapper who they caught yesterday. An ID parade was conducted today, where, we are told, the suspect was positively identified by all witnesses. Now, the police are about to charge him for attempted child abduction. Charges could be laid by later tonight. As we reported, on Tuesday in the area of Egoli Estate - a man in a white van tried to abduct an 8 year old - who was accompanied by his siblings. They fought off the attacker - who drove off. But, the kids, aged 14, 12, and 8 identified the brightly coloured van - and this is the vehicle police impounded yesterday. It has Belmopan plates and bears a resemblance to an ice cream truck. We'll keep following this story.

Girl Sexually Assaulted At Church
And, so, while that very disturbing attack looks like it will result in prompt criminal charges, the community is also hoping for a quick arrest in a deviant attack on a girl in Belize City. The ugly report of child molestation allegedly happened at a church in Belize City. A 12 year-old girl from Belize City visited the police station accompanied her parents, and she said that on last Sunday, at around 9:55 a.m., she went to a church service with her family. About an hour or so later, she went to use the bathroom, and when she exited, she was stopped by a man who was standing in front of the door.

Teachers Union Right Back At MOE
Last night, you saw the press conference that Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber and other officials of the Ministry of Education held to discuss the latest dispute with the BNTU over hardship allowances for teachers, and the cutting of time off for certain teachers to collect their end-of-month salaries. It all stems from a revised list of schools in rural and urban areas that qualify for the hardship allowance. That's where teachers who face challenges to commute to the remote schools are given a monthly stipend of between $100 and $200 a month to assist with those expenses. Some schools were added, which neither side takes issue with. But also, some schools were removed from the list of those approved for allowances, which the BNTU disagrees with.

The Reality of Teacher Hardships
Several of the Branch presidents of the BNTU also stepped forward today to say that whoever came up with the Education Ministry's formula for assessing which schools qualify for hardship allowances, and which don't clearly didn't do on-site visits and proper research. They say that these policy makers should go out to see the lengths that some teachers really have to go through to do their jobs, only to find out that their allowances have been cut, or taken away completely. Here's what the treasurer of the BNTU Stann Creek Branch, who the Deputy Prime Minister focused on yesterday, had to say about what her members deal with on a daily basis during the school days:

BWSL Will Take Over San Pedro’s Failing Water Supply
In our coverage of today's House Meeting - you've already seen all the stuff the members argued about - but one thing they did agree on was the 17 million dollar loan guarantee for the South Ambergris Caye Water and Sewerage Expansion project. If you don't live on the island - you might now know it, but San Pedro has serious water shortages - especially during peak visitor periods such as Easter. The loan fund from the CDB will be for BWSL to buy over the island's water company - Consolidated Water Belize Limited and upgrade the water supply.

Lawless Robbers In North
There were two daring armed robberies this week in Corozal. The first happened last night at around 9:00 at a 7th Avenue and 5th Street Chinese store. But what is interesting in this case is that based on the report, the police showed up as the four robbers dressed in black came out of the store. One of the men pointed the gun at police and the men just scrambled off with the money they jacked. But police may have a lead in this case as they have detained a suspect who was found with a homemade gun. Then the night before, on Wednesday at 7:00, two men robbed G Street's Aqua Fina Purified Water. Businessman Roy Reyes was standing outside the store when two men approached him. One of them had what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun.

NAC, HIV and an APP
The National Aids Commission is trying creative ways to spread awareness on HIV. They launched their second app today at the Biltmore. I found out how it works: Courtney Weatherburne reporting There are tons of phone apps to choose from. Some of the most universally popular ones are of course whatsapp, Facebook messenger and Instagram. Well, the National Aids Commission hopes that their new app will be on everyone's list of top picks.

The Field of Dreams, Or Is It A Fantasy?
The Belize Visionary Foundation of Baseball and Softball have a renewed vision for youth in baseball. Now, when it comes to sports in Belize, basketball and football are more celebrated - and even softball comes before baseball. But, the President of the foundation wants to shed some spotlight on baseball. They want to build a state of the art field. Now, we know, the old movie mantra goes, "if you build it, they will come…" But, first, they need the land to make it happen. We found out more at their press conference today.

BEL Teaches About Electricity Safety
Today BEL held its 4th annual Open Day for the public. It's an exhibition that the company organizes mostly for school children, so that they can learn about some of the benefits and hazards of electricity. They invited several primary schools to stop by for their educational, but fun demonstration. We found out more today:

UNICEF Encourages Kids To Give Input Via Social Media
And while BEL was educating school children about electricity, UNICEF was signing several hundred of them up for their U-Report project. It's a social media platform designed by the NGO to give young people a collective voice to influence policy in their country. The U-Report has been launched in over 30 countries worldwide, and today, UNICEF brought it to Belize. Today, the country representative told us that policy makers will be able to sample public opinion of the young Belizean subscribers on issues that affect them if they make use of the U-Report Platform:

Belizean American Suspect in Island Murder
And before we close tonight we have more information on the murder we told you about earlier. This morning at 11:18 police found 21 year old Caye Caulker chef, Christopher Meighan dead inside Central Park Hotel. He was sitting between two beds in a pool of blood with a large cut wound to the throat. He had 1 apparent stab wound to the left lower abdomen and 1 apparent stab wound to the left foot apparently dead.

Channel 5

Murder in San Pedro; American Man Stabbed to Death in Hotel Room
There is a murder in San Pedro that police are investigating.  The body of a young man was retrieved from a hotel room on Barrier Reef Drive around midday today.  [...]

A British National is Detained in Connection with Attempted Kidnapping of Boy in Belmopan
A sixty-three-year-old British national is in custody at the Belmopan police station. It is believed that he was the perpetrator of a foiled kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy on George [...]

Government Seeks to Settle NEWCO Debt
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned to the country on Thursday, but he was unable to attend today’s House Meeting since he is still recovering from surgery.  So, Acting Prime Minister [...]

Opposition Lambastes GOB for Attempting to Settle NEWCO Debt
The Opposition hotly debated the six million U.S.-dollar settlement agreement. John Briceño led the charge questioning why government wants to settle a U.S.-based judgment when it had ignored a judgement [...]

A 3-way Dispute Over Ownership of Belize Airports Concession Company
When the NEWCO deal collapsed, the Belize Airport Concession group was granted an agreement to manage the P.G.I.A.  The Belmopan Area rep John Saldivar raised the issue of who was [...]

More than 50% of B.N.T.U. Membership Affected by M.O.E.’s Re-Categorization
The Belize National Teachers Union called a press conference today to share its position on the Ministry of Education’s finalized list which was released at the start of the new [...]

B.N.T.U. Will Meet with M.O.E.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Education made a number of claims against the B.N.T.U., including that the union didn’t respond to information made available to them nor did they raise [...]

B.N.T.U. Says Wheel and Come Again, Minister Faber
And so the B.N.T.U. says that it will be participating in the meetings scheduled for the categorization list. But in the mean time, they want to make their point loud [...]

BWSL to Purchase Consolidated Water Belize in San Pedro
A loan for roughly seventeen million Belize dollars is being guaranteed by government for Belize Water Services Limited to acquire shares in Consolidated Water Belize Limited in San Pedro.  The [...]

Clear the Land Responds to Criticism of the National Fire Service
The tragic fire that claimed the lives of four members of the Petillo family in Orange Walk Town on Sunday morning remains a talking point in light of numerous criticisms [...]

Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act Amended for the Umpteenth Time
The state of emergency for two south side neighborhoods is presumably nearing its end.  That notwithstanding, another amendment was tabled before parliament today.  The Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act [...]

Armed Robberies at Corozal Businesses
Two businesses in Corozal were hit by robbers in just over twenty-four hours. The most recent occurred on Thursday night just before nine p.m. at Gao Tai Store at the [...]

U.S. Chargé on I.C.J.
The referendum is set for April tenth. 2019. It is the day when Belizeans will go to the polls to decide if the Belize-Guatemalan territorial dispute should be taken before [...]

National AIDS Commission Launches User Friendly App to Encourage HIV Testing
The National AIDS Commission is introducing an innovative way to get more people tested. They have developed an app which they are making available for free and can be downloaded [...]

U-Report Launches in Belize
Today, the U-Report was launched at the B.T.L. Park in Belize City. It is a free SMS social monitoring tool designed to gather information to address issues that affect youth.  [...]

Which Audit at Office of Music Ambassador? Faber Says There’s None
It has been reported across the media that an audit was to be conducted on the office of the music ambassador, Shyne Barrow. It was Barrow who first spoke out [...]

Faber Sanctioned Audit at Sports Council; Results Pending
There is also an ongoing audit at the National Sports Council. While it comes on the heels of the NICH external audit ordered by cabinet, Deputy PM Patrick Faber says [...]

Where Did High-Powered Rifle Come From?
Investigators are trying to figure out where a high-powered rifle retrieved in Orange Walk originated from.  As we reported on Wednesday, Orange Walk Police discovered an AR-Fifteen, five-point five-six rifle [...]

B.E.L. Hosts Health and Safety Open Day
The Belize Electricity Limited hosted an open day to share information on health and safety tips when using electricity and working or playing near power lines. The fair included several [...]

B.T.B. Takes the Local Media on Tour
The Belize Tourism Board is hosting its annual familiarization trip. It is an opportunity for the local media to experience Belize’s tourism offerings and tell you all about the exciting [...]

LOVE FM

ITVET sends 15 students to work electrical in Anguilla
The Institute of Technical Vocational and Educational Training (ITVET) is proud to announce that fifteen of its electrical students have been offered an employment opportunity to work as electricians at the DCK Company in Anguilla, Puerto Rico. Elvis Franklin, the Manager of ITVET spoke to Love News about the first time opportunity that has been …

Have BNTU and MOE reached an impasse?
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) remain in disagreement over the re-categorization of hardship and rural allowances for teachers.The BNTU says that even though it serves on the Joint Education Staff Relations Council, the Ministry of Education failed to consult them on the final list. Meanwhile, the Ministry of …

Belize Visionary Foundation of Baseball and Softball speaks on creating a change via sports in Belize
With a goal towards transforming the socioeconomic status of Belize’s citizenry with the creation of jobs, promoting positivity within the society and eradicating crime and poverty especially for the marginalized of the country, the Belize Visionary Foundation of Baseball and Softball, held a press conference today, to express their goals and vision for the sport …

BEL hosts its annual Safety and Health Open Day
The Belize Electricity Limited held its annual open day today. Reporter Stinah Blease stopped by and has the story. Sitnah Blease: “Striving to create a culture of safety and security for all citizens the Belize Electricity Limited hosted its fourth Safety and Health Open Day. The event featured a variety of organizations showcasing different ways …

US Embassy provides CARSI ESF grants to four organizations
Over the years the US Embassy in Belize has played an integral role in contributing to the country’s overall development through their Central American Regional Security Initiative Economic Support Fund (CARSI ESF) Grants. The fundamental role of these grants are to provide economic sustainability and support to key organizations whose main goals and objectives are …

8 million dollar US loan approved for Climate Resilience in Rural Development
Climate change involves rising temperature in the ocean, harsh and shifting weather conditions and changes to ecosystems that affect fisheries and eventually economies and cultural lifestyles. Droughts can be tougher and hurricanes can be stronger. This is why adaptation measures are significant for countries like Belize. Perhaps that is why the Government has procured a …

NEWCO 6 Million US Debt to be Paid and Politicians “Ketch” Feelings
That was the beginning of the House Meeting and that was also the end of the niceties. The honorable gentlemen got into a bit of professional mudslinging by referring to nepotism in one family followed by the member from Cayo South Julius Espat referring to John Saldivar as Danny Mason, the man in whose vehicle …

8.5 million US dollars for San Pedro WASA
The next loan motion was in the sum of 8.5 million US dollars. If you’re keeping count, the NEWCO settlement is for 6 million US, the Climate Resilient loan is for 8 million US and the Caribbean Development Bank Third Water (South Ambergris Caye Water and Sewerage Expansion) Project is costing 8.5 million US dollars. …

National AIDS Commission launches app
This morning the National AIDS Commission (NAC) launched its NAC HIV Testing Services app in the hopes of encouraging more people to get tested and know their HIV Status. Love News spoke with Enrique Romero, Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission, who said that the app will allow users to identify testing locations countrywide. …

U-Report allowing youths to be heard
A number of young persons gathered at the BTL Park to witness the launch of the U-Report. The U Report is a platform that youths can access to voice their opinions on issues that pertain to them. Dr. Susan Kasedde, the UNICEF Representative in Belize told Love News that the U Report is a mobile …

Amandala

Protect your children! Predator/abductor at large!
Today, three brave young Belizean children are safe at home after they were almost abducted on Monday at around 3:30 p.m. while walking home from school. This was near Egoli Estate in the Piccini Area of Belmopan. The children, ages 8, 14, and 12, who are all students of United Evergreen Primary School, said that they fought off the kidnapper and so they were able to escape unharmed. We spoke to the principal of United Evergreen Primary School, Mrs. Witty, but she declined an interview. She said that the matter was being handled by the police, and she preferred we communicate with them to find out what all they had learned about the matter. She did tell us that the children had told her what had happened and she had made the report.

IMF prescribes bitter medicine for Belize
A Belize Press Office release says a recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) report shows “positive economic growth in Belize”, but that amounts to finding a silver lining in what is really a rather gloomy report card. The IMF report, which was done by an IMF delegation led by Daniel Leigh, followed a consultative process in the country from Sept. 11 to Sept. 24. Leigh and his delegation met with Acting Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber, H.E. Joy Grant, Governor of the Central Bank of Belize; Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary; senior government officials, representatives of the opposition, private sector and public sector unions, before concluding their exercise. In its release, the IMF describes the report as preliminary findings of its staff, and stresses that the “views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board.”

Forced to steal electricity despite the frightening danger …..
Most people would not compromise their safety, and the safety of their family and neighbors, for anything. However, for some people, the choice is between their safety and having electricity in their homes – something that is considered a necessity today. The illegal act of attaching wires to lampposts in order to steal electricity is not something new in Belize but rather something that has been happening for years. Though many people do it, there are specific areas around the city, where it is more ubiquitous. Today, we visited one of those areas.

Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai hit with precedent-setting $200,000 fine in traffic fatality case
Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai, the People’s United Party (PUP) area representative for the Orange Walk South constituency, was slapped with a precedent-setting fine yesterday at the conclusion of a civil suit that was brought against him by relatives of a woman whose death he caused in a traffic accident in April 2016. Mai was driving his Toyota Hilux pickup truck through Trial Farm Village on April 1, 2016, when he knocked down Julia Arana. The 59-year-old Arana, who was a resident of Trial Farm, was left comatose. After she was released from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, she showed signs of improvement, but two months after her release, she died.

Claver College Extension fires 9 out of 11 teachers
Nine of the eleven teachers of St. Peter Claver College Extension, an adult night school for continuing education, were fired for refusing to sign a contract that would allow the school’s management to pay them quarterly for the year, instead of every month. Due to this, the school has suspended classes until October 1. The issue began in August when the idea of paying the teachers every 2 months (rather than the usual 15th of every month) was proposed by the school’s board, which is chaired by Lisel Alamilla. The teachers immediately rejected the idea.

Security forces’ leaders face Mose and Nuri on KREM WUB
Leaders from three different branches of Belize’s national security apparatus — the Belize Defence Force, Belize Police Department and Belize Coast Guard, along with their Chief Executive Officer from Hon. John Saldivar’s Ministry of National Security, took to the airwaves to explain their yes to the International Court of Justice ICJ referendum process, and to insist that the result of next year’s April 10 national referendum on whether to submit the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice for settlement has major implications for the national security of Belize. Representing the BDF was Brigadier General Stephen Ortega; Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams appeared for the Belize Police Department; Rear Admiral John Borland spoke for the Belize Coast Guard.

Corozal FA update on U-10, U-15, U-17 and Female U-17 tournaments
The Corozal Football Association (CFA) continued its U-10, U-15, U-17 and Female U-17 tournaments with games played on Sunday, September 23, at the Carolina Village Football Field. Below are the weekend games results, club standings in the different tournaments, and upcoming weekend schedule.

BFA U-21, and Saldivar Kids, Youth & Female Cup 2018 tournaments in Belmopan
The Belmopan Football Association (BFA) was busy this past weekend hosting games in its U-21 Football Tournament, as well as in the Hon. John Saldivar Kids, Youth & Female Cup 2018 Tournament at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium.

Orange Walk football highlights
Week 3 games of the Orange Walk Football Association (OWFA) Amateur Football Tournament 2018 were played over the weekend, 2 on Saturday and 4 on Sunday, at the Louisiana Football Field. In game 1 on Saturday, D-GYM FC dropped August Pine Ridge Sinbads, 1-0, on a goal by Elias Canas (57’). And in game 2, it was Galacticos FC, 5-2, over Sinbads San Estevan FC. Shaking the net for Galacticos were Berthier Correa (50’), Jose Alberto Cassanova (52’, 73’ & 86’) and Luis Witz (66’); while for Sinbads San Estevan it was Jesse Sedacey (1’) and Axel Alamilla (45’).

Weekend Warriors’ Race 1 of Series 2 on Sunday in ‘Landing
Weekend Warriors (WW) Cycling Club would like to invite all WW club members to participate in Race 1 of the Second Series for 2018 on Sunday, September 30. Starting location is the Bermudian Landing Field. The “Class A” race starts at 8:30 a.m. and goes 4 laps/48 miles around the Bermudian Landing Circuit; while the “Class B” starts at 8:45 a.m. and goes 3 laps/38 miles.

Editorial: Referendum 2019 – existential or political?
We have expressed the opinion to you before that between 60 to 70 percent of the adult population of Belize consistently vote for the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) or the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) in elections. We have said, to break it down a little, that 30 to 35 percent of Belizeans will usually vote UDP and 30 to 35 percent of Belizeans will usually vote PUP. Close elections are sometimes decided by one party’s superior ability to bring out its committed voters on election day, or the other party’s inability to do the same for its pledges. We speak of the election day machinery of each party, and these machines require financial fuel, increasingly sophisticated organization, computer analysis, and ultra-modern communications systems. But when there is a big disparity in the voting totals of the two major parties, it is because the independent voters, as much as 30 percent of the registered Belizean adults, decided, for whatever the reason(s), to swing overwhelmingly to one of the two parties on election day.

From The Publisher
To be a high-ranking “civil servant” (as public officers were called back in my youth) was to be a member of a privileged native elite back in the colonial 1950s and 1960s in the old capital, which we now call Belize City. By the time of Hurricane Hattie in 1961, my father had become the Postmaster General. His associates included Telford Vernon, my dad’s close friend and the Commissioner of Income Tax; Alfred “Jack” Campbell and Cornelius “Pat” Cacho, who were highly placed in the Ministry of Finance; Bernard “Barney” Mahler, the Principal Auditor; Fred “Bado” Moody, who ran the Marketing Board; and Arthur “Artie” Barrow, who would probably have been the chief pharmacist at the old Belize City Hospital. Except for Mr. Pat Cacho, a Garifuna, these men were all Creoles, and brown-skinned ones at that, with the exception of Jack Campbell, who was dark-skinned. Of these men, only my dad and Mr. Cacho, who lives in Florida, are still alive.

Cracks in the façade
I listened with interest to the departing British High Commissioner’s Monday morning interview on Love FM and must say that I am in total agreement with his position on the benefits that an ICJ decision on the validity of the international border established by the 1859 Treaty would confer on Belize. However, I consider it disingenuous of him to purport that this is what the Special Agreement seeks to accomplish. I also take exception to his contention that a “No” vote in the upcoming referendum would necessarily make us lose the moral high ground with the international community. Let me be clear, I am positively convinced that Belize should eventually take the border dispute to the ICJ for judgment on the validity of the 1859 Treaty, but definitely not under the present circumstances, and categorically not by using this 2008 Special Agreement with Guatemala as the terms of reference.

What, no risk in status quo?
We keep hearing from the “No to ICJ” bloc about a thing called litigation risk. The way they sound, there is no risk in status quo. Well, I have a little story about why status quo is not always a good state. I see a man in a dory, and he is leaning over and looking through a water glass at a rock. There are “feelers” by the “hundreds”; wow, the rock is loaded with big fat lobsters. Inside the man’s dory is a pair of fins, a diving mask, and a hook stick. Seems like a no-brainer that he will gear up and go get those juicy bohgaz. But at that moment he wavers. He wavers because the night before he was watching one of those JAWS movies and that has him thinking bad things.

Belize ambassador to the United States, Francisco Guiterrez, addresses Belizeans in Los Angeles!
The feature highlights the Belize Ambassador to the United States, Francisco Guiterrez’s special address to the Belizean diaspora through a special visit to the Los Angeles Belizean community on Friday September 8, 2018 at the FAME Building Hall in Los Angeles, California. The ambassador presented a sort of olive branch to the Belizean diaspora in that his government, the Barrow administration, recognizes the contributions of Belizeans abroad to the Belizean economy and is making a call for Belizean investments from abroad. He stressed the security of the Belizean economy despite all the problems that the three-time Barrow administration has faced since it came to power in 2008.

Beware of ciguatera fish poisoning
Today, the Ministry of Health issued a press release warning against the consumption of fish which might contain ciguatera, a poison found in some fish. According to the release, ten persons have already been affected by the poison after buying barracuda fish from an unnamed vendor at the Vernon Street Fish Market.

2 Guatemalans busted with contraband pesticides
Two Guatemalans who were busted with 40 cases of contraband Respekt 25WG insecticide, have been arrested and handed over to the Customs and Excise Department. Information to us is that at about 11:30 Saturday morning, police were conducting operations in Calla Creek, Cayo District, when they stopped a red pickup and found the insecticide inside. Police requested the permits for the insecticide from two men who were in the pickup, but they weren’t able to show the permits or any Customs documents. The two men in the vehicle were identified as Humberto Monroy, 33, and Ervin Garcia, 35, both Guatemalans from Melchor De Mencos in Guatemala. They were both arrested and handed over to the Customs Department, and the contraband goods were confiscated.

8 lawmen walk from murder and attempted murder charges
Eight lawmen charged with the February 2018 murder of Ariel Audinette and the attempted murder of Oscar Payes were released yesterday when they appeared in the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court for a preliminary inquiry. Senior Magistrate Michelle Arana struck out the case against the eight accused lawmen because police had not yet completed the directives that were given to them from the office of the Director of Prosecutions.

UB president Clement Sankat’s son jailed in US for allegedly attempting to steal airplane
The 22-year-old son of University of Belize president Clement Sankat appeared in the Brevard County Court in Florida last Friday. Nishal Sankat allegedly attempted to steal a passenger plane from the Melbourne International Airport in Orlando, Florida, last Thursday morning, September 20. Reports out of the US indicated that Clement Sankat issued a statement on Thursday night saying that the family was standing in support of his son. When the hearing ended, Sankat, who has been charged with three offences in connection with his alleged attempt to steal a passenger plane, was ordered to be held without bond. At the hearing, Sankat did not have an attorney.

The Reporter

ARREST MADE IN ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING OF CHILDREN IN BELMOPAN
The Reporter has now been able to confirm that British National Roger Wallis, 63, has been arrested and charged for two counts of Attempted Kidnapping. He was positively identified this evening. Wallis has allegedly been living in Belmopan for close to 15 years. He will be held in lock-down over the weekend and arraigned on Monday.

Jahangir Abadi CONVICTED OF ABATEMENT TO MURDER
Today Belmopan businessman Jahangir Abadi was convicted of the crime of Abatement to Murder in the Belmopan Supreme Court. Abadi had been charged in 2016 along with Bradley Paumen and others after they allegedly conspired to orchestrate a ‘hit’ on landowner Michael Modiri. Abadi will be sentenced on October 29, but could face up to life in prison.

UPDATE: IDENTIFIED – BODY FOUND AT SAN PEDRO HOTEL
The body found in the Hotel Central Park in San Pedro has been identified as Christopher Meighan, 21. Meighan was a resident of Caye Caulker. He was found in a hotel room dead with multiple stab wounds to the body. Sources say that Police have a suspect detained. That suspect was caught attempting to board a flight to leave the country.

Breaking Belize News

Man found guilty for putting a “hit” on businessman
Belmopan businessman, Jahangir Abadi, has been found guilty of the crime of abetment of murder. He […]

Robbers point weapon at police and escape
Just before 9 o’clock last night, Gao Tai store on 7th Avenue and 5th Street in Corozal Town […]

British National in white van charged with attempted kidnapping!
British National, Roger Wallis, 63, has been arrested and charged in connection with an attempted kidnapping […]

Man shot in buttocks at a bar
St. Matthews resident, Roni Diaz, 29, continues to be hospitalized after he was shot in his […]

Armed robbery in Corozal
Corozal police are investigating a case of robbery in that municipality. According to reports, on Tuesday night, […]

Child, 12, raped in Ladyville
A twelve-year-old child from Ladyville was raped on the night of September 18th. The child had […]

Thirteen Belizean electricians are off to Anguilla via ITVET
Thirteen certified electricians who received their education through the ITVET departed the country today. They are […]

Two men arrested in attempted robbery
Dangriga police have arrested two men in connection with an attempted robbery in that municipality. The […]

Man stabbed dead in hotel in San Pedro
BBN has confirmed that a man was murdered in San Pedro Town today. He has been […]

CARIFORUM-EU to host EPA Workshop and Business to Business Strategic Networking Event
The European Union (EU) Delegation in collaboration with the Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) and the […]

Student assaulted in a church bathroom
Police are investigating an assault report in Belize City. Authorities say that a 12-year-old student accompanied by […]

Dispute between neighbors lead to shooting incident
No one was injured but there was a shooting on Belize City’s south side on Wednesday night. […]

Belize makes ‘moderate advancement’ in combating child labor violations
Belize is among a list of several countries which has made ‘moderate advancements’ and meaningful effort […]

Blogs

The Bountiful Bliss of Belize
The small Caribbean country of Belize boasts an amazing bounty of natural wonders, including the wealth of the world’s second largest barrier reef, a snorkel and diving mecca with nearly 200 islands and a protected ecosystem of diverse tropical wonders, stunning coral gardens, abundant colorful fish and sea life, grazing manatees, playful dolphins, rays and sharks. The beauty extends to the rich diversity of the Belize people, the treasures of the once thriving Mayan culture in archaeological sites and discoveries of temples and palaces still being reclaimed from the lush tropical rainforest. Canoeing and tubing, caves and caverns are closely monitored, revealing amazing formations, sinkholes, and waterfalls. A birder’s wonderland, the rainforest is also a source of medicinal plants. The Belize interior landscape is dotted with large and small villages, rolling wooded hills, farms and ranches, and rich agricultural valleys prized by Mennonite communities.

The Museum of Belize
The Museum of Belize is one of Belize’s most unique places for you to learn about our nation’s rich history and cultural heritage. In the facility, you can see many interesting artifacts, including authentic jade pieces, preserved insects, and souvenirs that date back to the days of British Honduras. The Museum is located in the same compound as The Central Bank of Belize on St. Gabourel Lane in Belize City. It is the only museum in Belize of its kind that focuses on enhancing Belize’s cultural and historic heritage. Interestingly, the museum is a former Her Majesty’s prison and is built from bricks, known as “London Stocks,” that were brought from England.

5 Popular Maya Sites in Belize You Must Visit
Belize is literally littered with Maya Archaeology Sites! Whether it has been excavated or not, you can climb up a Maya Site in any district of Belize. Most of these sites are just a few miles away from any major town or city. They can also be located in a village. Although you can visit these sites on your own, it is recommended that you take along a guide or ask for a guide to get the most out of your tour. The guides, which can be requested for at the site, are equipped with all the facts and stories about the Maya Ruin that will make your trip worthwhile. Tip: Belizeans get to enter for free on Sundays and Public and Bank Holidays. Just make sure you have an official document to show your nationality. Here are 5 popular Maya Sites in Belize that you MUST visit:

International Sources

Taiwan donates to Belize Police Department to help upgrade equipment
To demonstrate Taiwan’s staunch commitment to diplomatic ally Belize, Taipei has provided a donation to the Belize Police Department to assist in the procurement of new law enforcement equipment, reports local media. Taiwan has delivered over US$500 thousand dollars to Belize Police over the past year, which has allowed for significant upgrade for the department. A ceremony to dedicate the new equipment and express gratitude to the Taiwanese government was held at police headquarters in Belize City on Sept. 28.

25 of the world's most magical jungle adventures
Jungles can be magical places. Unforgettable memories come instantly to mind. Sifaka lemurs dancing across the forest floor in Madagascar; a giant silverback gorilla cradling his infant offspring in the mountains of Uganda; shafts of sunlight, like spotlights on a stage, piercing the rainforest canopy in Costa Rica; gazing out over the jungle-covered Sierra Nevada mountains from the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) in northern Colombia. The Mayan temples of Belize provide the perfect destination for many a frustrated Indiana Jones while the jungle wildlife of the Orange Walk District includes caiman, howler monkeys and toucans. Excursions include canoeing, horse riding and exploring remote cave systems. The white sand beaches and turquoise seas of Ambergris Caye off the Caribbean coast make the perfect finale.

Hidden kingdoms of the ancient Maya revealed in a 3-D laser map
Hidden pyramids and massive fortresses in the jungle. Farms and canals scattered across swamplands. Highways traversing thickets of rain forest. These are among more than 61,000 ancient Mayan structures swallowed by overgrowth in the tropical lowlands of Guatemala that archaeologists have finally uncovered using a laser mapping technology called lidar. The discoveries, published Thursday in Science, provide a snapshot of how the ancient Maya altered the landscape around them for more than 2,500 years from about 1000 B.C. to 1500 A.D., and may change what archaeologists thought they knew about aspects of the ancient society’s population size, agricultural practices and conflicts between warring dynasties.

Videos

September 28, 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

Residents join in the fight against Sargassum after SPTC declares the situation a natural disaster
The non-stop influx of Sargassum to the coasts of Belize, including Ambergris Caye, is threatening not only the tourism industry but human health as well. The supernatural phenomenon, which for months has been affecting La Isla Bonita, was declared a natural disaster by The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) on Wednesday, September 26th via a press release. As such, the local authorities invited the entire island community to join their collective efforts in addressing the issue in the short and long term. The first step took place early in the morning on Thursday, September 27th and Friday, September 28th with a massive community clean up from the Boca del Rio Area to the Mosquito Coast area south of San Pedro Town, in an attempt to remove as much of the invasive seaweed from the beaches as possible.

Belize benefits from the Republic of Korea’s Development Assistance Programme
The Government of Belize received a donation of computers and equipment valued at US$90,000 from the Government of the Republic of Korea through an official Development Assistance Programme for the fiscal year 2018 on Thursday, September 20th. Presenting the donation on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea was His Excellency Lee In-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Belize, and receiving the equipment on behalf of the Government of Belize was Mrs. Deborah Domingo, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education.

Belize joining other Central American countries in Fisheries Research Project
A Fisheries Research project was launched across the Central American countries on Monday, September 19th. Led by the Central American Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture (OSPESCA), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations along with Mexico’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Institute, the project is aimed at evaluating the fishery resources in Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Under the title, “Prospecting and Evaluation of Fisheries Resources in Central America” the Fishing and Oceanographic Research Vessel “Dr. Jorge Carranza Fraser” will travel approximately 13,890 kilometers of coastline of the listed Central American countries and evaluate the state of their fishing resources.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Fights Back Against The Smelly Sargassum
San Pedro Mayor, Daniel Guerrero said that he was impressed with the turnout this morning. With the looks of the amount of sargassum on the beach, it will take more man power and a larger community effort to make an impact on the cleanup efforts. It’s a daunting task, but one that needs to be tackled head strong. Already the smell of the decomposing sargassum is affecting the tourism industry and the lack of beautiful beaches and crystal blue sea by the shore is driving visitors away. Residents are suffering from breathing complications, itchy skin, problematic breathing and sensitive eyes. The sargassum’s hydrogen sulfide byproduct as it rots is also affecting electronics, mostly televisions that have gone bad in the past months plus is corroding silver and other metals.

International Monetary Fund Reports Positive Economic Growth In Belize
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its annual Article IV consultative visit to Belize. A report published by IMF on September 24, 2018, has stated that Belize’s economic recovery has grown by an estimated 5.4 percent during the second quarter of this year and the real Gross Domestic Product grew by 1.4 percent since last year.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro residents, local authorities and private sector respond to emergency call for help by the San Pedro Town Council.
25 photos....

US Embassy Needs Plumber
Join the Embassy team! We are seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the following position of Plumber! Starting salary of BZ $20,662.00 per year plus benefits. Interested applicants must submit their application via the Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA) system, an internet-based system.

Hanal Pixan October 27th
Hanal Pixan is a tradition still done today by the Northern Maya of Belize . This is a invitation from the Corozal House of Culture .We invite you to learn about Hanal Pixan, the ancient Maya tradition of honouring the dearly departed. We are kindly inviting the community to create altars as part of the activities happening at this year's Hanal Pixan event at the Corozal Central Park Saturday October 27th. Altars can be whimsical, modern or traditional. It is all about raising awareness of this ancient tradition which is still practiced in our villages today. Message, call 422-0071 or visit the House of Culture for more information.

Gerardo Miquel Vasquez of Orange Walk missing
Kindly be on the lookout for Gerardo Miguel Vasquez 17-year-old, Belizean Labourer of Ontario Village,Cayo District, who was reported missing. He left home on 25.9.2018 sometimes between 11:00 a.m., and 12:00 p.m., to an unknown destination. He was last seen wearing a blue/white polo shirt, white short pants. If seen kindly call 911,922 or 0800-away-out.

PM returns on UDP’s 45th anniversary
Please join us in welcoming home our Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow. The Prime Minister returned to the country today after undergoing surgery in Cuba. Welcome home and well wishes to Prime Minister Barrow!

STATEMENT OF CAPABILITY TECHNICAL EXPERT
Sustainable Forest Management Specialist

SMART Big Deals on Caye Caulker
Expo deals coming to Caye Caulker this weekend! SMART's phone deals and Double Up ONLY at the Central Park at La Isla Cariñosa from 9am to 4pm! Check out the phone line up below!! Sign up for SMART'S INTERNET SERVICES! Contact me for more information at 6707030. Location MAY change depending on the weather.

Courts Belize invites you to the most EPIC launch of the Season!
Visit Courts Belize City Store on Saturday September 29th for a day of events, in-store suppliers, giveaways, LIVE music entertainment, discounts, demos, wine tasting, meet and greet with Miss Universe Belize 2018 and an opportunity to WIN amazing prizes in our Catch the Prize booth! Also look out for a motorcade in the main streets of Belize City starting at 10:30am!

OFFICIAL HANDOVER OF BASE RADIO SYSTEM & RAIN GAUGES IN TOLEDO
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management Honorable Edmond Castro was in the village of Santa Teresa, Toledo, for the official handover of a Base Radio (Communication) System and Rain Gauges which constitute one of several projects to assist in disaster risk reduction and disaster management, build capacity and resilience to Climate Change in a number of villages in the Toledo District. The project is being executed through a partnership between the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), Humana People to People Belize and various local groups and organizations.

What a great turnout for the first day of the clean up!
A total of approximately 70 truck/vehicle loads were recorded. It represents approximately 649 yards of sargassum; 146 people donated thier time, averaging to approximately 1090.5 hours. Note that he figures may increase since group 5 (Escalante Area) only provided data up until midday; however, they were still out until after 4:00 p.m. Group 2’s data(Palapa Bar area) was up until 3:00 p.m. and trips were still leaving at 4:30 p.m.

Movie Night at KoKo King
FRIDAY FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT IS BACK ON!! WE ARE SHOWING: HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA 3: SUMMER VACATION (PG) - Count Dracula and company participate in a cruise for sea-loving monsters, unaware that their boat is being commandeered by the monster-hating Van Helsing family. SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (PG13) - During an adventure into the criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and encounters Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebellion. MOVIES START AFTER DARK

Power outage scheduled for entire Orange Walk District on Sunday
September 30 from 6:00am to 7:00am. BEL to replace a transmission pole that was broken by a lightning strike.

Mahogany seedlings planted by children
With support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives , a youth environmental group has been formed in Melchor, Peten. Yesterday 300 mahogany seedlings were planted by children and parents in the village of Pichelito II as part of the youth movement.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Cruise, Hold the Dark, The First Purge, Hotel Transylvania 3.

Our Urban Garden nears completion
Only a few things remain to be completed such as the installation of the two water tanks, filling the tires and plant boxes with top soil and having the students use their creativity to paint the entire structure, plant boxes and tires. The next big step is to install the 2500 litre tanks on top of the Soup Kitchen building. The water tanks will play dual roles: one is to provide the garden with fresh rain water and the second is to provide the community with fresh water in the event there is a hurricane and the municipality's water system has been contaminated.

Belize Film Commission Opens New York Office
The Belize Film Commission now has an office in New York, New York, United States of America. The office has been established under the concerted efforts of the Consul General of Belize in New York, Mr. Herman R. Longsworth, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), The Belize Film Commission (BFC) & The Office of The Minister of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture, Min. Patrick Faber. The office was officially established on September 20th, 2018 through a request of Consul General Longsworth to assist the Belize Film Commission in expanding its reach in attracting film production and investment to Belize.

Raegan Denise Memorial Food Drive
Due to the recent fire, the kitchen at Hope Haven has been maxed out. Currently, about 150 people are being fed weekly in the shelter kitchen. Although I am no longer with the San Pedro Red Cross, when I was recently asked to do a food drive I could not say no. As many of you know, longtime island Immigrant Gaylynn Kapri recently lost one of her beloved daughters in an unfortunate Colorado Boating accident. She was crushed and asked on facebook to help her heart heal by honoring her daughter and keeping her memory alive by doing something good for someone in need like feeding the hungry. During her too short time on earth, Raegan made many trips to the island and fell in love with Ambergris and it's residents. I decided to join the two (with permission from all sides of course) and I give you the Raegan Denise Memorial Online Food Drive for Hope Haven Shelter. Thank you for doing the right thing.

Channel 7

Capital Cops Catch Alleged Kidnapper’s Van
Tonight’s headline is about story is about an attempted child abduction in Belmopan - and the most up to the minute news is that Belmopan police say they have caught the alleged kidnapper. More on that later, but first to the background of this very sensational story… For weeks, we’ve been hearing anecdotal reports of a white van trying to abduct children.  But, while there has been public confirmation of this in the north - up until last night - no one had made a police report.   Well, now they have. A mother in the Egoli Estates area of Belmopan told police that persons in a white van tried to abduct her children on Monday.  Here’s the account she gave to police:..

Belmopan School Reacted To Abduction Attempt
Now our news team was in Belmopan today and found out more details in this failed kidnapping case. The 8 year old child who the man in the van tried to kidnap attends United Evergreen Primary School. Now as the police stated, the 8 year old and 2 older siblings were heading to their Egoli area home after school when the incident happened. Well, the United Evergreen School is taking this case very seriously and issued a note to all parents advising them to be “alert and vigilant in taking extra precaution when it comes to the safety of your children.”  And many Belmopan parents are taking precaution by enlisting the services of Belmopan resident Julie Smith who is a professional child care and transport service provider.

By Cabinet Decree, NICH President Reinstated
Cabinet has directed that NICH President Sapnah Budhrani should be re-instated.  This is exactly one month after Cabinet directed that she should be placed on administrative leave.  That’s after the wind of a scandal blew all the way to Belmopan - when portions of an internal audit leaked into the media.   Well, today Cabinet voted to re-instate Budhrani after reviewing the findings of the external auditor, Baker Tilly Hulse.   They found that the internal auditor did not apply sufficient due diligence.  With that, the NICH Board of Directors voted yesterday to re-instate Budhrani and terminate the internal auditor.  Today, Cabinet - led by Faber as acting Prime Minister voted to do the same.  Faber explained:…

The Mis-Audit Explained
So while Matus has been made to endure extraordinary public humiliation, and Budhrani will be re-instated as president - it is an interesting outturn because in an ideal world, when a whistleblower speaks up about misfeasance, that whistleblower is rewarded. But in Matus’ case, it backfired and he now looks like the boy who cried wolf. We asked Interim President Dr. John Morris about the results of the audit and how it underscores, as Dr. Morris puts it, Matus’s incompetence. Reporter: "Did you support the decision made yesterday then, that the internal auditor Roberto Matus be terminated because we understand that was one of the decisions made yesterday."

PM Returns Bearded, Better
Prime Minister Dean Barrow returned from Havana, Cuba today after back surgery three weeks ago. He arrived from Miami this morning, fully bearded and a few pounds lighter, kind of looking like he was returning from a hermitage. In this video from the Guardian newspaper, he was greeted by his party chairman, and a number of well wishers on the airport road. The Prime Minister seemed to walk well enough for a man who’d just had two parts of his spine fused. We’re told he expects to be back in office by Monday - on a limited basis. He will not be at tomorrow’s House Meeting, but hopes to chair next week’s Cabinet meeting.

MOE Says BNTU Consulted Every Step Of The Way
Two nights ago we told you about the sabre-rattling release from the Belize National Teachers Union.   The union threatened to mobilise its members because of a re-categorization of hardship allowances and a change in which teachers qualified for time off to collect their salaries. The union concedes that as part of the Joint Education Staff Relations Council it was a part of the consultation on the changes, but says the Ministry then went off and finalized the list on its own - without the union signing off on it. Well today the Ministry struck back with an hour long press conference led by the senior policy makers. They said the consultation lasted form April to September with the Union involved in every meeting and and communication every step of the way.

Claver College Not A Matter For MOE
And while the Ministry’s clash with the union will probably reverberate for days, the one at Claver College Extension still has legs. 
As we reported, 9 out of 11 teachers were terminated after they protested a new stipend system presented by the board. The bord and teachers could not settle on this issue.  Well, we asked Education Minister Patrick Faber about it today and he didn’t provide much of a solution at all. He said that the school is private, so the ministry will observe from the sidelines and allow the board the handle this situation. But Faber also said the school better get it together quick because if not he can cut their special funding grant. Here is how he put it.

Cops Get New Toys
Tonight, the Police department is in possession of a million dollars’ worth of equipment and motorcycles, courtesy Taiwan.  The island nation has been consistently kind to it allies, like Belize, who support its independence.  And while it’s impolite to refer to dollar diplomacy, facts are, they need support on the world stage, and Belize need financial support right here at home.    So, the generous aid packages keep coming, and, sure as the sun rises in the east, you’ll hear Belize put in a plug for Taiwan at the ongoing UN General Assembly.  Today, those close diplomatic ties resulted in a donation of equipment to the police department. 7News was there when the police got to take ownership of its newest toys, and Daniel Ortiz has that story:

Hon. Aragon Disagrees With Judge
Last night, we told you about how the 8 lawmen from the Belize Special Assignment Group were freed of murder and attempted murder charges for the killing of Orange Resident Ariel Salazar, and the assault on Oscar Payes. These 8, seven BDF soldiers, and 1 police officer, got off without having to face a criminal trial because police were not ready with the case file yesterday, when the Magistrate called for a preliminary inquiry to be held. As we told you, the officers 21 year-old Bladimir Escaraga, 23 year-old Francis Sho, 31 year-old Patrick Villagran Sr., 26 year-old Edmar Petillo, 26 year-old Patrick Diego, 28 year-old Mateo Bolon 33 year-old Elvis Cobb, and 29 year-old Lennart Cajun were all accused of having a hand in the the very bizarre incident at Salazar’s and Payes’ home in Orange Walk. These law men allegedly barged into their house, and they beat Salazar so badly that he died from the injuries he suffered, all in a dispute over a cellular phone. 

Cops Trying To Find Source Of Big Gun
Police have to wait and see what ballistics tests show about an assault rifle that was found in a corn field in the Orange Walk District.  As we told you last night, the loaded AR15 Rifle was found in a rice field, 2 miles west of an airstrip in the Tres Leguas area.  We asked police if it was one of theirs: Reporter: "Are you able to speak about the intelligence that led to finding literally a needle in a haystack, finding a machine gun in a corn field?" ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "Well, ahm, the police was responding to information."

Delivery Men’s Strange Story
A trio of delivery men from Vega’s Imports are detained by Cayo Police after some suspected funny money business. It started with the report of an armed robbery in san Ignacio Town on Tuesday - and from there it got stranger and stranger:… ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "He was approached by a dark skinned male person wearing a helmet, and dark sunglasses who pointed a weapon towards him and demanded money.  As a result one of his co-workers handed over a little over seven thousand dollars in cash to the person who then made good his escape.  The area was canvassed by police officers, surveillance footage viewed within the area..."

Convicted Killer Will Get New Sentence
60 year-old Salvadoran Nicolas Guevara has been on a life sentence at the Belize Central Prison after he was convicted murder. But on Tuesday, October 2, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin will have to decide a a new sentence that is more appropriate. That’s because the Caribbean Court of Justice has scrapped mandatory life sentences, in the appeal of Belizean Gregory August.  Guevara was remanded for the murder of Marcos Antonio Tzul, which happened on November 4th, 1992. He was tried and convicted in Supreme Court of Tzul’s murder on December 16th, 1993, and he was sentenced death. He spent 7 years on death row before his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment.

CARSI Grants for Four Organizations
Four organizations were awarded grants under the US Embassy’s 2018 Central American Regional Security Initiative. They include Humana People to People, the Love Foundation, Research Triangle Institute International and the University of Florida which works closely with Belize. We were at the Chief of Residence in Belmopan for the handing over.

World Of Opportunity Opens At WOMEX
The Garifuna Collective is going to Spain next month for the World Music Expo, WOMEX. It was finalized today after NICH handed over a check of $30,000 Belize dollars to the band to foot the remaining trip expenses. The band has been rallying for support since June and they are finally set to go. But it goes beyond the cash, the Garifuna Collectives and NICH signed an MOU in Belmopan that will extend this WOMEX experience to other Belizean artists who are craving an opportunity like this. NICH also signed an MOU with the Belize Music Agency. We were there for the signing. Dr. John Morris - Interim President, NICH: "NICH has as one of its goal as an enabling environment, we want to work with the creative  industry, provide funds, provide expertise, provide research, provide documentation all those kinds of things and I think too often we don’t collaborate or create these MOU’s so we can know exactly where we are going."

Hon. Saldivar Skipping Cabinet When Faber Presides
As we told you at the top of the news tonight, Cabinet today approved the re-instatement of NICH President Sapnah Budhrani. That was with Acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber charing the Cabinet meeting. His chief rival for UDP Leadership John Saldivar wasn’t there today to oppose it.  In fact, he hasn’t been there a whole lot for events where Faber is acting as Prime Minister. The Press asked Faber about it today:… Reporter: "Was Minister John Saldivar at the Cabinet meeting today?" Hon. Patrick Faber - Deputy Prime Minister: "No he wasn't."

On Security Chiefs Making The ICJ Pitch
If you follow the morning shows this week, you’d have definitely seen the commanders of Belize’s security forces, the BDF, the Police, and the Coast Guard, making the media rounds to promote a “Yes” vote to taking Guatemala’s territorial claim over Belize to the ICJ. The opponents of the pro ICJ push interpret their public stances as a propaganda tactic from the Government, and organizations such as the Belize Progressive Party are already condemning it as inappropriate.  The Police Minister of State was asked about it today at the Taiwanese donation ceremony, and he said that these security leaders’ opinions should be respected, just like any other Belizeans, especially since they are on the front lines of the territorial dispute:

The Case of Kenrick
As we showed you two nights ago, the man wanted for shooting at police, Kenrick Longsworth turned himself in with the presence of the media.  He has been charged for three counts of Aggravated Assault.   He was arraigned today before Magistrate Emerson Banner, and he pleaded not guilty to the offenses.  Since they are alleged to have been committed with a firearm, he couldn’t be granted bail, and he was remanded to the Belize Central Prison. Now, his family argues that the police pulled up on him in an unmarked vehicle - which is why he fled.  Today, the head of the CIB said it was unmarked but clearly a police Wingle:..

Bar Brawl Leads to Shooting
A 59 year old man shot a 29 year old - apparently after he didn’t want to pay a bar tab.  Two night ago Roni Diaz and Miguel Funez had a fight at a bar at the entrance of Armenia village.  After the altercation the 59 year old Funez followed Diaz and fired a shot with his licensed weapon.  Police told us more:..

Rape In Pomona
A 52 year old woman was raped and beaten in Pomona village. Police told us it started with an attempted robbery:…

Cops Keeping Peace On Faber’s
Shots were fired last night on Faber’s Road between warring neighbors with underworld connections. Fortunately, no one was hurt - but police have had to intervene to defuse what could become a deadly situation. Here’s more:…

Fundraising For Grieving Cop
Earlier this week, we brought you extensive coverage of the tragedy which happened in Orange Walk last Sunday morning, when a father and 3 of his children died in a fire which destroyed their home. Alfredo Petillo and his 3 children, Kevawn Clarke, Jayda Petillo, and Mia Petillo, ages 10 to 14, were trapped in the blaze and they lost their lives. The Petillo family continues to mourn their untimely passing, and 11 other family members are trying to rebuild their lives after they lost everything in the blaze. Among the victims devastated by the fire is Corporal Wilfredo Petillo, who works at Eastern Division Region 1. Today, in a strong showing of fraternity, his police colleagues all across the country held barbecue sales to raise money to provide him with small relief aid. 

Channel 5

PM Barrow Returns to Belize
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is back in the country. He was in Cuba for spinal surgery which he underwent on September fourth.  The PM arrived at the Philip Goldson International [...]

8-Year-Old Belmopan Student Almost Kidnapped
There is a report of the alleged kidnapping of an eight-year-old student on Monday. It happened in Belmopan while the boy was heading home from school along with his older [...]

BSAG Eight to be Rearrested Says Police Minister
A policeman and seven B.D.F. soldiers, who were jointly charged for the crime of murder but had the charge dismissed on Wednesday, will be re-arrested and the charge levied against [...]

NICH Internal Auditor Terminated for Incompetence
Since embattled President Sapna Budhrani was placed on administrative leave, Doctor John Morris, the Director of the Institute of Archaeology has been at the helm of the statutory body. It [...]

Sapna Budhrani to be Reinstated as NICH Prez
There was a parliamentary caucus and a cabinet meeting held today in Belmopan prior to Friday’s House meeting.  Cabinet agreed to the reinstatement, with immediate effect, of Sapna Budhrani. The [...]

MoE Says B.N.T.U. Was Included in Re-categorizing Hardship
The Belize National Teachers Union and the Ministry of Education are at odds again.  The B.N.T.U. says a number of its members will be disenfranchised by the “finalized” listing of [...]

What About the Time Off for Teachers to Collect Salaries?
The Council also looked at the issue of day offs, half day or a full day, granted to teachers only at the end of the month to collect salaries at [...]

Minister of Education Comes Down Hard on B.N.T.U.
The Minister of Education Patrick Faber, however, came down hard on the B.N.T.U. saying that they had been part of the process to finalise the list of hardship posts. Faber [...]

Ministry of Education Will Monitor Situation at Claver College Extension
Nine of eleven teachers at the Claver College Extension on Punta Gorda were fired earlier this week on Tuesday. The teachers were let go when they could not agree on [...]

Elodio Aragon Jr.: “I stand with them on that decision”
On Monday morning, the top brass at the Ministry of National Security appeared on Open Your Eyes, the first stop in a media round speaking in support of a ‘YES’ [...]

Pomona Villager Attacked and Raped in Broad Daylight
A fifty-two-year-old woman was violently attacked and raped in broad daylight while at her house. On Wednesday, Dangriga police were called to the Southern Regional Hospital where they saw the [...]

Neighborly Feud Leads to Shooting
Shots were fired on Wednesday night on Faber’s road in the Old Capital. Residents of the area say that they heard the sound of gunshots at around seven o’clock. When [...]

Bar Brawl Leads to Shooting in Armenia Village
A fight between two men who were supposed to be friends led to a shooting incident in Armenia Village, Cayo. Twenty-nine-year-old Roni Diaz and fifty-nine-year-old Miguel Funez were at a [...]

San Ignacio Police Investigate Armed Robbery
San Ignacio Police are investigating an armed robbery which occurred on Wednesday afternoon. Delivery man and driver for Vega’s Imports, Ellsworth Martinez told police that he and the two coworkers [...]

Taiwan Gifts Belize a Million Dollars in Crime Fighting Equipment
The Taiwanese Government has gifted the Police Department one million dollars in motorcycles and crime fighting equipment.  Last year, the then Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Ellington lobbied for the [...]

$1 Million in CARSI-ESF Grants for Belize
The U.S. Government has awarded over a million U.S. dollars to the four organizations through the CARSI-ESF programme. Since 2008, over seven million U.S. dollars been awarded to various N.G.O.s. [...]

August Was 1% More Expensive
The cost of living went up in the month of August. Data from the Statistical Institute of Belize shows that the cost of living inched up by one percent due [...]

NICH Comes Up with Assistance to Get Garifuna Collective to WOMEX 2018
The Garifuna Collective is heading to Spain for the famed World Expo of Music, having secured the necessary funding. As you know, the Collective has performed on international stages, but [...]

LOVE FM

EXTERNAL AUDIT COMPLETED: NICH PRESIDENT REINSTATED
Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow and Internal Auditor Roberto Matus have been two of the driving forces against the President of NICH, Sapna Budhrani. The leaked document from Matus was ignited by Shyne Barrow and resulted in Cabinet suspending Budhrani while an external audit was underway. During that time it was revealed that the internal auditor …

TAIWAN DONATES TO POLICE
Taiwan has been a stanch ally of Belize. Earlier in August we had a state visit from Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-Wen who promised to continue assisting with the development of the nation by investing in education infrastructure, scholarships and hospitals. To date five hundred thousand US dollars worth have of equipment has been donated to …

POLICE MINISTER SUPPORTS MILITARY’S YES TO THE ICJ
The Ministry of National Security is promoting the case for taking Guatemala’s unfounded claim to the International Court of Justice. Admiral John Borland, Commandant of the Belize National Coast Guard, Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and Brigadier General Steven Ortega have been making the media rounds. Love News spoke to the Minister of Police, …

Ministry of Education Says BNTU did not object to changes
BNTU The question being asked by many teachers across the country tonight is “Will the union organize a strike action?”The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) and the Ministry of Education (MOE) area at loggerheads over the re-categorization of hardship and rural allowances for teachers. The BNTU indicates alleges the final list of schools was done …

Minister says BSAG will go back to court to face charges
Seven BDF soldiers and one police officer, members of the Belize Special Assignment Group BSAG were charged for the murder of Ariel Salazar and the attempted murder of Oscar Payes. They busted into the men’s home for a cell phone in February. 21 year-old Bladimir Escaraga; 23 year-old Francis Sho; 31 year-old Patrick Villagran Sr.; …

Mariannie Cadle speaks about her son’s recovery
In July, Grayson Cadle suffered burns to over seventy percent of his body in an explosion at his apartment on Mahogany Street in Belize. With the support of the Burn Victims Fund, Grayson was taken to Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Earlier this week we spoke with Grayson;’s mother, Mariannie Cadle who gave us an …

San Pedro community unite to combat sargassum
The invasion of sargassum in our coastal communities continues to be a problem. We understand that the massive amount of sargassum is negatively impacting tourism, which these communities strive on. A two-day clean-up campaign is taking place in San Pedro Town in an effort to get the problem under control. Love News spoke with the …

Garifuna Collective speaks about donations received and their road to WOMEX 2018
The Garifuna Collective has now received the needed funds to participate in WOMEX 2018. Al Ovando, the Collective’s Road Manager and bass player spoke on their experience trying to raise the funds. Al Obando Road Manager Member of Garifuna Collective: “We kept form from the beginning, all what was happening we just look through that and we …

Garifuna Collective receives thirty thousand dollar cheque from NICH towards WOMEX and signs MOU
The World Music Expo, WOMEX will take place next month in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Today, the Garifuna Collective received some much needed funds to ensure that they will be a part of the event. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture, Patrick Faber handed over a cheque to the group. As part …

NICH Interim President speaks on termination of internal auditor
It has been a month since Sapna Budhrani was placed on suspension. The interim President Dr. John Morris, told the media that there were many discrepancies that led to the current state of affairs which could have been avoided if correct auditing procedures were used. The interim President Dr. John Morris: “You have to remember …

Keith Gilges, Charge d’ Affaires for the US Embassy Belmopan speaks on the importance of voting
The referendum on April 10th, 2019 is one of the most important decisions Belizean’s will have to make. Keith Gilges, Charge d’ Affaires for the US Embassy in Belmopan also believes it is important it is for Belizean’s to vote. …

US Embassy provides CARSI ESF grants to four organizations
Over the years the US Embassy in Belize has played an integral role in contributing to the country’s overall development through their Central American Regional Security Initiative Economic Support Fund (CARSI ESF) Grants. …

The Reporter

MAN ATTEMPTS TO ABDUCT CHILDREN IN BELMOPAN
This is the van which Police believe was used in an attempt to abduct three children walking home from school in Belmopan on Monday. Police also have one man in custody, and we are told he is being questioned at this time. We have been unable to confirm whether he has been identified by the children.

SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS HIGH-LIGHTS
The GRAND FINALE of the September Celebrations was the Independence Day Parade. The students of many high schools were the stars, they came out by the thousands, sporting their uniforms and sashes. Waaayy Coool to be in school . . . . . .

Breaking Belize News

White man in white van fails kidnapping attempt in Belmopan
Belmopan police are investigating a case of attempted kidnapping in that municipality. On Monday just before […]

Woman, 52, raped while doing laundry in her backyard
A 52-year-old woman was raped in southern Belize. Yesterday police were called to the Southern Regional […]

Strange case of robbery out west
Yesterday shortly after midday San Ignacio police received reports of an armed robbery. Delivery man, Elsworth […]

Mayor Wagner learns from previous fire tragedies and adopts new measures
Various municipalities across the country have experienced the loss of human life in massive fires. Belize […]

The drama at NICH continues
There is new information coming out of the embattled National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). […]

Jose Mai fined almost quarter million for causing death in traffic accident
Jose Aberlardo Mai, the People’s United Party (PUP) Area Representative in Orange Walk South, has been […]

Suspected Pen Road shooter spends first night in prison
Suspected gunman, Steve Crawford, 22, spent his first night behind bars last night. That is after […]

PG school terminates 9 of 11 teachers!
The Peter Claver College Extension in Punta Gorda has terminated the services of nine of its eleven teachers after they […]

Ontario teen reported missing!
Police in western Belize are asking for public assistance in locating Gerardo Miguel Vasquez, 17. […]

Blogs

Cayo Rosario Development Update – WHY THIS PROJECT?
I haven’t posted here about Cayo Rosario in a while – but that does not mean it has not been on my mind…or my computer screen or in the 2 inch binder I now have of press releases, documentation, GOB regulations and guidelines, meeting minutes and more. So let me give you a summary of what has been happening over the last few months since this development plan was APPROVED by the NEAC board and our Department of the Environment. And why this tiny 6 acre caye on the west side of Ambergris Caye is something you should care about. And why I think this development flies in the face of many laws, regulations and guidelines set up by the Government of Belize. And why this development plan would be OVER THE TOP anywhere in Belize – in fact, it would be the largest over-the-water development (by cabana #) in the Caribbean.

International Sources

Vampire bats found to carry infectious bacteria at high rates
Bartonella are bacteria that cause endocarditis, a potentially life-threatening illness in humans and domestic animals. In Latin America, common vampire bats (Desmodus rotundus) are frequently infected by Bartonella, and their subsistence on blood creates a risk for bacterial transmission from bats to humans and livestock. A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases by Daniel Becker at Montana State University in Bozeman, found Bartonella infections in vampire bats are highly prevalent in Peru and Belize, and that Bartonella genotypes are distributed widely, rather than clustered geographically.

The CCJ must protect the court from subversive agents
Belizean High Court Justice, Colin Williams, a Vincentian, could someday be named to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Up to last year, Justice Williams was the autocratic director of public prosecution (DPP) in the Ralph Gonsalves government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The CCJ and its watchers – and all Caribbean people – should sit up and take no comfort: Such an appointment is not peculiar to SVG. No one should take comfort from the possibility. Indeed, they should be afraid. Very afraid. No court, high or low, should be a political trophy or a haven for damaged interlopers. With the recent CCJ sales blitz, you’d be in better stead if you look at these old facts afresh. This should be read like a mournful dirge with the chorus: The man is a judge, Lordy.

Maya Civilization: Unprecedented Survey Reveals More Than 60,000 Ancient Features Hidden in Guatemalan Jungle
Unprecedented new research involving jungle-penetrating imaging technology is revealing fascinating new details about the ancient Maya civilization—which dominated the region covering what is now southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Honduras—for more than 2,500 years. An international team of researchers spearheaded by the non-profit consortium PACUNAM (Foundation for Maya Cultural and Natural Heritage) employed a revolutionary technique known as LiDAR to survey more than 2,000 square kilometers (772 square miles) of northern Guatemala—an area rich in tropical forest known as the Maya Lowlands. The technique makes use of instruments fitted on planes that fire pulses of laser light towards the ground, enabling the creation of detailed 3D maps that reveal the topography of the land and ancient features.

Wondrous whale sharks! The magic of swimming alongside the world's largest fish
Looming out of the turquoise blue a whale shark measuring around 26 feet long silently swam towards me. I wasn't sure how I would feel meeting the world's largest fish - especially growing up with a fear of the sea - but I felt completely at ease as the gentle giant glided alongside me with its spotted skin shimmering in the sun. Earlier that day I'd asked Richard Somerset, a territory director for the diver training organisation Padi, to sum up the whale shark in three words, and I could now see how his reply - 'big, mysterious and beautiful' - fits the bill perfectly. During the week-long event, I'd learned how little we know about the whale shark and how the species is currently listed as 'endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (Icun), due to human threat.

Tropical Storm Kirk to aim for Caribbean as other Atlantic tropical threats brew
Kirk will cruise through the Caribbean Sea with gusty winds, rough seas and the risk of flash flooding to some of the islands into this weekend. After becoming unhinged earlier this week, Kirk recently regained tropical storm status on Wednesday. The storm passed over St. Lucia on Thursday night. Rain and wind will decrease over the Lesser Antilles by Friday afternoon as Kirk moves away. As Kirk tracks westward through the Caribbean Sea into this weekend, clusters of showers and thunderstorms have the potential to bring localized flash flooding to the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Videos

September 27, 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

Suspected Ciguatera Poisoning Detected in Fish Consumers
The Ministry of Health would like to alert the public that suspected fish poisoning (Ciguatera poisoning) was detected in ten persons that had eaten Barracuda Fish bought from a fish vendor at the Vernon Street Fish Market in Belize City. Further investigation into these cases has linked and identified the fish poisoning with the consumption of Barracuda.

First round of PLB 2018 concludes: San Pedro Pirates win 2-1 against Dangriga Wagiya F.C
The first round of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) 2018 Opening Season concluded this past weekend, with four matches taking place across the country. On Sunday, September 23rd, the San Pedro Pirates F.C travelled to Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District to face Wagiya F.C. The island team claimed 2-1 victory, gaining three more points in the PLB chart and moving to third place in the tournament standings.

UK Armed Forces to continue training in Belize: Revised Status of Forces Agreement signed
A revision of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) concerning the legal framework of the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom (UK) while in Belize was signed on Wednesday, September 19th. The revised SOFA and its Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Minister of National Security, Honorable John Saldivar, on behalf of the Government of Belize (GOB) and the UK Minister of Defense, Right Honorable Mark Lancaster. The SOFA is an agreement that allows the UK to have military forces stationed in Belize without it being considered an act of military occupation.

Boca Bombers and Ambergris Combined are leading the 2018 Copa San Pedro
The 11th week of 2018 Copa San Pedro saw ten intense matches at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. So far Boca Bombers lead the tournament with 22 points, while Ambergris Combined’s 21 points lead in the female category. The football weekend started on Thursday, September 20th with a tight match between Sandy Point F.C and Genesis F.C that ended in a 3-3 draw. At 9PM, Boca Bombers defeated San Pedro Pirates U-17 with a 5-3 score. 2018 Copa San Pedro continues this weekend starting, on Thursday, September 27th at Ambergris Stadium at 7PM. All islanders are invited to come out and enjoy a weekend of football. Food and drinks will be on sale during all games.

Ambergris Today

Suspected Ciguatera Poisoning Detected In Fish Consumers
The Ministry of Health would like to alert the public that suspected fish poisoning (Ciguatera poisoning) was detected in ten persons that had eaten Barracuda Fish bought from a fish vendor at the Vernon Street Fish Market in Belize City. Further investigation into these cases has linked and identified the fish poisoning with the consumption of Barracuda.

SPTC Declares Sargassum Beaching A Natural Disaster
The San Pedro Town Council recognizes the massive natural disaster caused by the significant amount of sargassum that has been washing up on our beaches. While we have experienced this phenomenon in the past, this has been the worst we have seen over recent years. Over the past months, the council has used all its resources available to ensure that our beaches are clean to an acceptable level. Nonetheless, this is now something that requires more than just efforts of the local government and as such the council is declaring this issue a natural disaster.

Misc Belizean Sources

BATTLE OF THE DRUMS 2018 and Belize Garifuna Musical Festival
The night commences with the 13th Annual Battle of the Drums Competition and Show. This is a Competition and Show that allows groups to compete and display their musical artistry in playing five (5) different categories of Garifuna drumming. The first Battle of the Drums was held in Punta Gorda Town on November 17, 2006, and was well received by spectators from home and abroad. In 2007, there was even a bigger audience and greater enthusiasm. As of 2008 the event has evolved into an international drumming competition and show involving drumming groups from various parts of Belize as well as from neighboring Guatemala and Honduras. This competition and show have become a major local and tourist attraction and a catalyst for significant economic activity in the Punta Gorda Area during the period when it is hosted. The Battle of the Drums Competition and Show is held every year on Saturday immediately preceding the 19th day of November.

Suspected Ciguatera Poisoning Detected in Fish Consumers
The Ministry of Health would like to alert the public that suspected fish poisoning (Ciguatera poisoning) was detected in ten persons that had eaten Barracuda Fish bought from a fish vendor at the Vernon Street Fish Market in Belize City. Further investigation into these cases has linked and identified the fish poisoning with the consumption of Barracuda. Consumers are warned that ciguatera poisoning is normally seen in predatory fish, mainly Barracudas, however, other fish such as the Coral Trout, Red Snapper, Parrot Fish, Grouper, Spanish Mackerel, Red Emperor, Wrasse, Reef Cod, Sturgeon Fish, Trevally and Moray Eel may also cause Ciguatera poisoning. It is key to note that this toxin does not affect the appearance, odor or taste of the fish and that freezing or cooking the contaminated fish will not prevent the poisoning. Anyone who consumes fish contaminated with the ciguatera toxin will become ill.

Logo Competition for 2nd Annual Shipstern Day
Inviting ALL HIGH SCHOOLS & 6TH-FORM STUDENTS throughout Belize to participate in a Logo Competition for our 2nd Annual Shipstern Day Event. Last year's prize was a Scholarship & a SURPRISE trip to Bacalar Chico NP & MR. This year's grand prize is a secret. So we'll allow your imagination to run wild for a bit

August 2018 External Trade & Consumer Price Index
The latest results of the Statistical Institute of Belize’s monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) survey show that for the month of August 2018, the All-Items CPI stood at 105.4, an increase of 1 percent from 104.4 recorded in August 2017 (see Figure 1). This means that, on average, Belizean households experienced a 1 percent rise in the cost of regularly purchased good and services when compared to the same month last year. For the first eight months of 2018, a year to date inflation rate of 0.2 percent was recorded.
During the month of August 2018, Belize’s imported goods were valued at $172.5 million, up 16.1 percent or nearly $24 million from the $148.5 million imported in August of 2017. The total value of Belize’s domestic exports for the month of August 2018 was $22.9 million, up by a negligible 1.1 percent from the $22.7 million recorded for August of 2017.

International Monetary Fund Reports Positive Economic Growth in Belize
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded its annual Article IV consultative visit to Belize. A report published by IMF on September 24, 2018, has stated that Belize’s economic recovery has grown by an estimated 5.4 percent during the second quarter of this year and the real Gross Domestic Product grew by 1.4 percent since last year. The IMF delegation, led by Daniel Leigh, was in Belize from September 11th to 20th. While in Belize, the delegation met with Acting Prime Minister Hon. Patrick Faber, H.E. Joy Grant, Governor of the Central Bank of Belize; Joseph Waight, Financial Secretary; senior government officials, representatives of the opposition, private sector and public sector unions.

Representatives of SICA Meet in Belize for SICA Preparatory Cooperation Meeting
Under Belize’s Presidency Pro Tempore of SICA, representatives of the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) met in Belize on Monday, September 24, 2018, for the SICA Preparatory Cooperation Meeting. The objective of the Preparatory Cooperation Meeting was to evaluate and prioritize the 25 regional cooperation projects and 1 project for the Strengthening of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Central America. The projects are to be presented for approval at the XVII Mixed Commission between Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Republic of China (Taiwan), to be held in Belize in December 2018.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint “Sail Away”- inspired by a photo by Kay Scott!

Mirab’s NEW Department store in Belize City opens Wednesday, October 10
“Immerse yourself in over 100,000sq. ft. of Retail Therapy” We’re Excited!!!

Urban Birdwatch 2018 Schedule

2018 Military Parade
The 2018 military parade was last week, and the 501 Boyz captured some great shots. The Minister of National Security got some nice pictures too. The GoB has a video of most of the event., and the MoNS has a short video of the parade.

BWRC Gala Fundraiser 2018
The Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic is having their annual gala fundraiser on Saturday, November 24th, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. They'll have amazing food and a silent auction with many great items. If you can donate for the auction, let them know. "Join us for BWRC's annual Gala fundraiser with silent auctions, door prizes, cash bar, games and more. Find that special gift, Christmas present and enjoy good food and company. Join us to celebrate BWRC's 6th year of service with a brief review of patient and activity highlights and help BWRC to provide free veterinary care to injured, orphaned, neglected or imperilled wildlife, rehabilitation and environmental outreach. Menu, ticket prizes and further info forthcoming soon. Thanks for your support!"

Happy Birthday Minister Manuel Heredia!
Saturday is his birthday, but the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation's staff celebrated is birthday Wednesday with a luncheon on his behalf. Eleven years and counting as Minister of Tourism.

Channel 7

NICH Board Decides To Reinstate And Terminate
The NICH Board of Directors met today in Belize City and took some major decisions. First, based on the findings of the external auditor, they took a resolution to re-instate President Sapnah Budhrani who Cabinet placed on administrative leave 4 weeks ago. But, it's not that clear cut- we're told tat the matter will first have to go to Cabinet for approval - and pending their approval, she will be re-instated. But, the other resolution was more clear cut - and this one needs no Cabinet approval. 7News has confirmed that the board took a decision to terminate internal auditor Roberto Matus. He's the one who started the whole uproar with an interim audit that pointed to all kinds of irregularities at NICH.

Hon. Jose Mai Liable For Traffic Death
2 months ago, we told you about the lawsuit that the Arana family brought against Jose Abelardo Mai. Back in April 2016, The PUP Area Rep. for Orange Walk South was driving a Toyota Hilux which knocked down Julia Arana, a resident from Trial Farm Village. She suffered severe head and bodily injuries, but she survived, and after spending 2 very difficult months at home trying to recover, her health deteriorated, and she passed away. Her son, elite cyclist Nissan Arana, was the member of the family who brought a private claim against Mai. He and his family believe that Mai should be held responsible for the accident, and her death, which Mai completely rejects. He insists that the accident happened so fast, there was nothing that he could do to avoid hitting her.

The BSAG 8 Get Free After Historic Murder Charge
In February, it made national headlines when 8 lawmen - 7 BDF soldiers and 1 police officer - all members of the Belize Special Assignment Group - were charged for the murder and attempted murder in Orange Walk. The accused were 21 year-old Bladimir Escaraga, a resident of San Jose Village; 23 year-old Francis Sho, a resident of Belmopan; 31 year-old Patrick Villagran Sr., a resident of Ladyville; 26 year-old Edmar Petillo, a resident of Carmelita Village; 26 year-old Patrick Diego; a resident of Pomona Village; 28 year-old Mateo Bolon, a resident of Jalacte, Toledo; 33 year-old Elvis Cobb, a resident of San Victor Village, and 29 year-old Lennart Cajun. That was history - as all 8 were sent to jail on remand. Well, tonight they are free men after Senior Magistrate Michelle Arana threw the case out.

A Sad And Heavy Day In Orange Walk, Four Fire Victims Sent To Grave
Today was a sad and heavy day in Orange Walk Town. A throng of townspeople came out to see the joint funeral for four members of the Petillo family. It was held at the St. Peter's Anglican Church for 36 year-old Alfredo Petillo, his 14 year-old stepson, Kevawn Clarke, his 10 year-old daughter, Mia Petillo, and his 12 year-old daughter, Jayda Petillo, who all perished in a fire on Sunday morning in Orange Walk Town. All four family members were placed into two large coffins, carted out of the small church and then taken in an especially sombre funeral procession. It's the second time in as many months that four persons have bene lost in a house fire.

OW Mayor Says Nearby Hydrants Were Working
And while the town mourns, the scrutiny on the Fire Department remains very high. The town Mayor Kevin Bernard doesn't buy the story that the fire hydrant closest to the Petillo family home at the corner of Cinderella and Progress Street was not working. The Fire Department says that because of that failure they had to get water from a hydrant almost a mile away - leaving the fire raging and the fire trucks without water for as long as ten minutes. But, Mayor Bernard has sent us BWSL's list of hydrants and it shows that a hydrant two blocks away, on Progress Street by Lito Urbina's resident was working, as was another even closer at the corner of San Andres and Progress Street. Yet, he says, the fire department went all the way to Asuncion and Stadium Street to get water.

Cops Find Gun, May Be One Of Theirs
Orange Walk Police have found a big gun - and our sources say, it may be one of their own. It was found in a cornfield which is located about 2 miles west of the Northern Road Airstrip. A sweep of the entire area led police to this AR-15, 5.56 rifle, the type used by law enforcement. It also had a magazine which contained 5 live rounds of ammunition. We're told the weapon may be linked to a police formation in the north. This is also an area where drug planes are believed to land, and the weapon could be tied to questionable law enforcement activity. We'll keep following it.

The Clash At Claver In PG
A teacher staff of two is no staff at all when you have 85 students to teach. Well, that is the situation at the Claver College Extension in Punta Gorda. As we told you last night, Chairperson Lisel Alamilla fired nine of eleven teachers after they staged a sickout last week. This is after the teachers and the two-person board could not come to an agreement on a new employment contract. Now, the teachers want their jobs back but are not prepared to settle for the new payment terms and Chairperson Alamilla isn't about to wait on these teachers to change their minds; she is looking for replacements. Today our news team traveled to PG to get both sides of this dispute. Here is that story. During the day, these teachers are Toledo Community College educators. In the evening, starting at 5:30, they, along with nine others, teach at the Claver College Extension.

The Dispute Over Pay Periods
Now for some background, the teachers say they have been going back and forth with the board since the contract was first presented on August 20th. There was a revised contract that was never agreed on and a number of failed meetings that yielded no solid compromise between the teachers and the board. This breakdown in communication has unearthed a host of issues and concerns. The teachers brought up points that this was a political move because Education Ministry officials refused to intervene on behalf of the teachers and simply stated that "their hands were tied". Teachers also expressed their outrage that the board would simply terminate them after some teachers have dedicated over thirteen years of service to the college extension; and they stressed they stayed on that long for the love of it, not for the money. That's a lot of pent up grievances. But one of the main points that the teachers raised is that the payment system reflects a tertiary level module rather than secondary, which the teachers say should not be the case. Chairperson Lisel Alamilla begs to differ.

Is Claver Properly Governed?
Another big issue the Claver College Extension teachers have is that they have a two-person board. The say a proper board should have a teacher, ministry and church representative, and that is not the case. The teachers are not happy that Chairperson Alamilla made what they call a unilateral decision that affected 95 percent of the staff. Here are their points on this topic. Vanna Noralez - Claver College Ext., Teacher Rep.: "Let me just point out also that our board is currently only two people- our chairperson and our treasurer. Now, that is also something that we have been pushing to get alleviated because we need to have a board that is made out of more than two people to make the decisions that will benefit our teachers our staff and our institution on a whole."

Guat Pesticide Smugglers Face Half a Million Fine
Guatemalans Humberto Alfonso Monroy and Ervin GARCIA both farmers from Melchor are expected to go to court tomorrow where they will face a half a million dollar fine for attempting to smuggle 40 cases of insecticide into Belize. On Saturday morning, a police patrol caught them on the Calla Creek Road with 40 cases of Rainbow Respekt Insecticide - which is a pesticide not registered in Belize. That means it is prohibited, and it's also vary value. Customs puts the value at almost 172 thousand dollars - and the fine is three times that.

Ciguatera Re-appears In Belize’s Barracuda
The Ciguatera toxin has again been detected in Belize. The Ministry of Health says it was detected in ten persons who ate Barracuda bought from a fish vendor at the Vernon Street Fish Market in Belize City. This is not the first time we have heard of ciguatera poisoning in Belize. Here is what to look out for in an interview on the last time it was detected in the Sandhill area:

Alleged Pen Road Shooter Remanded
22 year-old Steve Crawford, a construction worker of Curl Thompson Street, is on remand at the Belize Central Prison tonight after he was taken to court for a shooting which happened last week. 35 year-old Jermaine Garbutt and 40 year-old Everal Neal reported to police that at around 6:50 p.m. on September 19th, they were sitting on the steps of a house on Neal Penn Road, when they were approached by 2 men riding on a motorcycle. 1 of the men on the motorcycle pulled out a weapon and opened fire on them. Neal was injured to the left side of his hip, while Garbutt suffered gunshots to this left knee, his right knee, and his left leg. They had to be hospitalized for those injuries.

Murder Trial Proceeds With Positive ID’s
The Supreme Court trial for accused murderers Andy Forbes, Clinton Fitzgibbon Harris, and William Vasquez started yesterday before Justice Collin Williams. These 3 men are accused of the June 2012 murder of 21 year-old Joseph Myers. It happened at the Living Hope Preparatory School, on Maskall Street in Belize City. Joseph Myers was among a group hanging out on the verandah socializing when 2 gunmen snuck up from behind the building and opened fire on them.

Land Rights Commission Working on Policy
The Maya Land Rights Commission - which is the body set up by government to implement the decision of the CCJ - has been much in the news - usually on the receiving end of attacks from the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association. Those groups say the Commission simply isn't doing its work - that they're not working seriously ti implement the decision and give real meaning to customary land rights tenure. Well, today the Commission Chairman engaged us to prove otherwise. Lisel Alamilla was in an intensive session with international consultants to discuss the first draft of a customary land tenure policy. She explained:...

IMF Reports Favorably on Belize Economy
The IMF has finished its Article Four consultation with Belize, and have issued a farily favourable report. They say, quote, "Belize's economic recovery is strengthening, the government is making significant progress toward debt reduction, and the Central Bank of Belize has taken resolute actions to improve financial soundness." But, the fund warns, "public debt is elevated, the external current account deficit remains large, and international reserves are just above 3 months of imports of goods and services." furthermore, the bank states that there are substantial risks, including quote, "Contested legacy claims, estimated at about 5 percent of GDP, (which) could lead to large public and external financing needs."

Channel 5

Mass Firings of Teachers at Claver College Extension in Punta Gorda
There has been a mass firing of teachers at the Saint Peter Claver College Extension in Punta Gorda. As many as nine teachers, who represent ninety percent of the teaching [...]

Decision Was Unilaterally Made by Chair and Treasurer
The decision was unilaterally taken by the Board of Saint Peter Claver College Extension. But that board consists of only the Chair, Lisel Alamilla and the treasurer, Mark Miller.  The [...]

PG Adjunct Teachers to be Replaced
Alamilla became chairperson of the institution back in November of 2017 and since then, the student population has doubled. There have also been various improvements at the facility. She contends [...]

Arana Family Awarded over $200K
The Supreme Court has handed down a hefty fine on Orange Walk South area representative Abelardo Mai to pay over two hundred and twenty thousand dollars in damages to the [...]

Justice’s Ruling Was Monumental, Here’s why:
Today’s ruling was monumental. It sets a new precedence in amounts to be paid to grieving families in Belize for fatal traffic accidents. Attorney Sheena Pitts explained that the conventional [...]

Murder Charge against ‘BSAG Eight’ Dismissed
Eight lawmen jointly charged for murdering forty-six-year-old Ariel Audinette had the charges dismissed this morning when they appeared in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court.  Police officer Lennart Cajun; B.D.F. soldiers [...]

Prosecution Was Waiting for Further Instructions from D.P.P. Office
According to attorney Oscar Selgado, the Crown told the court that the case file is not ready because the prosecution has not received further instructions from the Office of the [...]

NICH Prez to be Reinstated; Internal Auditor Terminated
The Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber will be holding a press conference on Thursday where he will be asked about the situation at the National Institute of Culture and History. [...]

Calling on All ‘San Pedranos’ to Help Fight Off Sargassum Attack
The San Pedro Town Council has declared the sargassum beaching a natural disaster and is calling on its residents to come out on Thursday and Friday for a massive cleanup. [...]

Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission Holds Consultations to Draft Land Tenure Policy
For the past two days, the Toledo Maya Land Rights Commission has been meeting with consultants to develop a draft of a Maya Customary Land Tenure Policy.  On Tuesday, the [...]

While Maya People May Not Agree with Process, Goal is the Same
But the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde Association have often complained of not being included in the discussion and that government doesn’t show the political will to respect [...]

IMF Preliminary Findings Published
A team from the International Monetary visited Belize earlier this month and met with government officials as well as with the private sector and unions. It has released a preliminary [...]

Steve Crawford Charged for Attempted Murder of Neal Pen Road Brothers
Twenty-two-year-old construction worker, Steve Kent Crawford of Belize City has been charged with two counts each of Attempted Murder, Deadly Means of Harm and Dangerous Harm. Crawford is believed to [...]

Red Bank Villagers Detained for Illegal Logging in Maya Mountain Forest Reserve
Reports of illegal logging have been on the increase. On Tuesday, the Compliance Management Unit of the Forest Department responded to one such report of the illegal activity taking place [...]

High Powered Firearm Discovered in Orange Walk
The Orange Walk Police have picked up a high-powered rifle, described as a Rockriver arms with serial number C.M. one-seven-six-five-eight. The firearm was found during a search at a cane [...]

UB President Says Thanks for Support During a Difficult Time
On Monday, we reported on twenty-two-year-old Nishal Sankat, the son of the University of Belize President Clement Sankat, who was detained in Orlando, Florida.  Late last week, the young man [...]

LOVE FM

Fish Poisoning at the Market
The Ministry of Health is alerting the public that suspected Ciguatera poisoning was detected in ten persons that had eaten fish bought from a fish vendor at the Conch Shell Bay Fish Market on Vernon Street Fish in Belize City. Further investigation into these cases have linked and identified the fish poisoning with the consumption …

Love Foundation receives anti-corruption grant from US
As the Love Foundation strives towards creating a positive impact and a change within Belize, many have seen its dedication towards improving the lives of Belizean citizens. As a result, in times of need, blessings are received and this time was no different. Recently, the foundation has received numerous grants, garnering the support of many …

Security Forces all say YES TO ICJ
The three sister agencies of the Ministry of National Security: the Belize Defense Force, the Police Department and the Belize Coast Guard usually collaborate and share resources to combat narco-trafficking. The last joint initiative in September resulted in capturing a very large shipment of cocaine from a plane that landed in the Orange Walk District. …

NCFC and UNICEF: Child Marriages and Unions becoming an epidemic among Belizean children
In an effort to end the vast majority of child marriages and early unions occurring in Belize, several organizations such as the National Committee of Families and Children (NCFC), the Technical Working Group for Child Protection (CPTWG), UNICEF, UNFPA and the CAMY fund partnered to spearhead the first workshop of its kind in Central and …

Guatemala’s President Ready for Belize’s Referendum
Guatemala’s President Jimmy Morales addressed the general debate at the 73rd Session of the General Assembly of the UN on Tuesday. He told the General Assembly that the U.N. backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) that has tried to prosecute him was a “threat to peace”. Morales also spoke about their April 15th …

Hawksworh Bridge closes due to construction
The public is to be advised that for an entire three week period, starting October first to the twenty-first of this year, the Hawksworth Bridge between San Ignacio and Santa Elena, Cayo, will be closed due to works being done on the roads within the area. The public is advised that they are to now …

BNTU says it will consult members before responding to MOE
Will the union organize a strike action? That’s the question weighing on the minds of many teachers and school administrations tonight. That is because the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is at odds with the Ministry of Education (MOE) over the re-categorization of hardship and rural allowances for teachers. The BNTU indicates it was done …

Jose Mai ordered to pay over $200,000
The court has ordered Jose Mai, the PUP Orange Walk South Area Representative, to pay over two hundred thousand dollars in damages for causing the unlawful death of Julia Arana. Sheena Pitts, the attorney for Edgar Nissani Arana, the Administrator of the Estate of Julia Arana, spoke to the media about the outcome of the …

Inflation was up 1% in August
The Statistical Institute of Belize released its latest figures for August, which shows an increase of one percent in the prices of goods. The All-items Consumer Price Index went up from 104.4 in August 2017 to 105.4 in August 2018. The category that recorded the largest inflation rate was transport with 2.7 percent increase, mainly …

Imports up by 16.1%
During the month of August, imported goods were up by 16.1 percent, a total value of $172.5 million from $148.5 million imported for August of 2017. Meanwhile, the total value of domestic exports was up by a negligible 1.1 percent, a total value of $22.9 million, from the $22.7 million recorded for August of 2017. …

SICA held meeting in Belize
Representatives of the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) met in Belize on Monday for the SICA Preparatory Cooperation Meeting. The objective of the meeting was to evaluate and prioritize the 25 regional cooperation projects and 1 project for the Strengthening of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Central America …

Steve Crawford charged with attempted murder
Twenty-two year old Steve Crawford, a construction worker was charged with two counts of attempted murder when he appeared today before Magistrate Khadeem Palmer. Crawford was also charged with two counts of dangerous harm and two counts of use of deadly means …

High Power Weapon Found
The police department has discovered a high powered weapon during an operation. On September 26th, Orange Walk Police went to a cornfield about two miles west of the Northern Road Airstrip. They then walked about ten yards from the roadside into the field where they found …

The Reporter

WEAPON FOUND BY POLICE NEAR DRUG PLANE SITE
According to Police, acting on information received they recovered an AR-15 with five live rounds in a corn field two miles west of what they call the Northern Road Airstrip. While not much information has been provided, the Reporter has been informed that the assault rifle was located near to where a drug plane landed recently.

SEVEN B.D.F SOLDIERS WALK, CASE FILE NOT AVAILABLE
Seven BDF soldiers and one Police Officer, all assigned to the Belize Special Assignments Group (BSAG) in February 2018 when they were accused of beating Ariel Salazar to death, walked free today in Orange Walk after Magistrate Patricia Arana struck out the case. We are told that she did so on the grounds that the case file was not available.

Breaking Belize News

Kenrick Longsworth charged with aggravated assault
Belize City police have today charged Kenrick Longsworth with three counts of aggravated assault. The charges come […]

Belize~ Will there be more investment if we go to the ICJ?
By Richard Harrison: One of the principal arguments being used by proponents of “Yes to ICJ” is that there would be more investments in Belize and Guatemala. The evidence shows that Foreign Direct Investments in both countries have declined significantly […]

Representatives of SICA Meet in Belize for Cooperation Meeting
Under Belize’s Presidency Pro Tempore of SICA, representatives of the countries of the Central American Integration […]

Baseball and Softball Foundation to Discuss Proposal to Build Fields and Stadiums in Belize
The Belize Visionary Foundation of Baseball and Softball, a non-profit organization, today issued a release informing […]

7 BDF and 1 police officer walk free from murdering unarmed civilian
Eight law men accused of murder, walked free today in the Orange Walk Magistrate Court. According […]

Trump: No US support, No US foreign aid!
Belize, a country often dependent on foreign aid, might soon find itself in an uncomfortable position. […]

German teacher busted with cocaine at Koko King
Stephan Bernstein Fisher, a teacher from Germany, is in serious trouble with Belizean authorities. That is […]

Adrienne Barillas’ death criminally investigated by US army
Earlier this week we reported that Belizean national, Adrienne Barillas, 22, died on a United States […]

Two men take turns to rape Belizean woman
Police have charged a Guatemalan national with the atrocious rape of a Belizean woman. He is Esperanza resident, […]

Man who allegedly shot at police turns himself in
He was wanted for allegedly shooting at two police officers and a soldier on Saturday morning […]

Belize and Russia tackle bilateral cooperation
TASS, a Russian News agency is reporting that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of […]

Suspected Ciguatera Poisoning Detected in Belize City
The Ministry of Health would like to alert the public that suspected fish poisoning (Ciguatera poisoning) […]

International Sources

Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards
We are delighted to inform you that the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Innovation for Sustainable Development Awards have just been launched. With a total of £30,000 available in prize money, the Awards seek to celebrate and support impactful innovations and forward-looking solutions that are helping Commonwealth countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while advancing the values in the Commonwealth Charter.

Here’s How You Can Win A Belize Vacation To Play A Giant Game Of Hide ’N Seek
Now that summer has gone and temperatures are quickly dropping, I'm already dreaming of tropical, sun-drenched beaches in anticipation for the cold and gloomy months ahead. If you've been sleeping on booking a fall getaway for when sweater weather starts dragging, you're in luck, because the government of Belize is offering five individuals with superior hide 'n seek skills the chance to banish travel FOMO once and for all this fall. Get ready to tap into your inner child, because here’s how you can win a Belize vacation and compete in a giant game of hide ’n seek come November. You'll want to bring your A-game, because this countrywide tournament is definitely a few steps up from your childhood games in grandma's basement.

Belize Is Hosting a Nationwide Game of Hide & Seek — and They Will Fly You Out There for Free
Belize is upping the ante on one of your favorite childhood games. The Belize Tourism Board has recently announced that they will be selecting five participants to play the first-ever nationwide game of Hide & Seek, set on what is undoubtedly the biggest stage to date: the entire country of Belize. Here's how it works: Of the five participants, four Hiders will be scattered throughout Belize to relax in true seclusion, enjoying the Central American country's remote resorts, subtropical jungles, hundreds of miles of coastlines, and gorgeous cayes.

The Great Barrier Reef May Be Restored Using Electricity
Reef Ecologic's electric grid project promises to dramatically interrupt the effects of mass coral bleaching events. On the minds of many has been the fate of the Great Barrier Reef, the large coral reef system which has been directly impacted by climate change. Although efforts have been underway to protect and preserve other reef systems, for instance in Belize, the Great Barrier Reef seems to have been continuing to dwindle, decreasing in size and vibrancy as the years pass. Now, however, one environmental group is developing a coral reef management system it hopes will provide relief in restoring the ecological balance provided by the Reef. Specifically, they are aimed at reversing the impact of coral bleaching, a process by which coral release their algae reserves in warm water. Australia-based Reef Ecologic is behind the massive project involving steel frames that emit small doses of low voltage electricity. The electricity, in turn, promotes limestone growth on the reef structure as a result of interacting with natural minerals found in the seawater.

Caribbean Leaders To Begin UN Address Thursday
Caribbean Community, (CARICOM), leaders will begin delivering their annual address to the UN today, Sept. 27th, as the 73rd session of the United Nations’ General Assembly, (UNGA) continues this week. Haiti and Jamaica will be the first Caribbean nations to address the General Assembly this year, doing so today. Representatives of Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados will address the forum the debate tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 28th.

Mennonites and empire
Empire mattered. It seized land for settlement. It provided a global set of destinations. It enabled communication and transportation. It said yes, sometimes no. And it persisted. In the late 1950s, British Honduras (later renamed Belize) offered Mennonites a privilegium and moved 1,700 individuals from Mexico. Empire also changed the ethnic and cultural composition of the church. The first Mennonite mission fields were all located in colonies or territories opened by imperialism: the Dutch East Indies, Indian reservations in the American West, British India, China, and the Belgian Congo.

Videos

September 26, 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

Ambergris Today

Belizean Health Official Receives 2018 PAHO Award
Belizean Health Official Receives 2018 PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, was conferred with the 2018 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Award for Health Service Management and Leadership at the 56th PAHO Directing Council Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Belize Independence Day Parade 2018
Lots of great photos! San Pedro Celebrates with Style, Color, Energy and a Fantastic Show of Patriotism on Independence Day, September 21, Belize's September Celebrations.

Government Of Korea Donates State Of The Art Computers To Schools In Belize
On Thursday, September 20, 2018, the Government of Belize received a donation of computers and equipment valued at US$90,000 from the Government of the Republic of Korea through an official Development Assistance Program for the fiscal year 2018. The donation was successfully executed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), a governmental agency dedicated to providing grant aid programs and supporting the sustainable socioeconomic growth of partner countries like Belize. Through these donations, the Government of the Republic of Korea hopes to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the people and Governments of Korea and Belize. The Republic of Korea and Belize commemorate the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year. The Korean Government has generously supported Belize in areas such as human resource development, capacity building and technical cooperation. The official handing over ceremony took place at the Laing Building in Belize City.

Misc Belizean Sources

Slogan for Belize Bureau of Standards
Can you come up with a slogan for the Belize Bureau of Standards? The Bureau is looking for a catchy and innovative slogan[1] that will complement the BBS logo and be able to connect across businesses and reach out to the everyday consumer, representing what the Bureau is all about. The winning entry will become the official slogan to be used in promotional campaigns and official documents for the Bureau.

Corozal Flea Market Saturday
FLEA Market, at the Farmer's Market ! Saturday, 29th of September at 6:30 am all are welcome, a small fee will be charged.

Dr. Oliver Komar at the Belize Birding Festival
Meet our Keynote Presenter, Dr. Oliver Komar, and his topics of presentations for the first ever Belize Birding Festival. Get excited!

Annual Tourism Industry Conference
Reserve your spot for the annual Tourism Conference! Oct. 19th, Ramada Princess Belize City

NOJOCH CHIIC ANSELMA YAM POTT:PART 1
by Edith Yam de Vellos Esta es la historia de una mujer que nunca quiso tener grandes negocios, y tampoco quiso salir de su tierra. Nunca tuvo miedo al trabajo insasiable no tan solo para ella sino tambien para su familia. Dedico su vida a una labor communitaria. Hoy con mucho orgullo y la dicha de tenerla presente festejamos sus 100 anos de vida..... Anselma Pott de Yam nacio el 21 de Abril de 1915, en Laguna Chanbenque Corozal, Belice.Del matrimonio de Jose Ines Pott y Juanita Yah. Laguna era una communidad proximo a Ayende separdo por el Rio Hondo. fue un campamento rico en caoba en donde Jose Ines Pot, padre de Anselma, era obrador. Aselma disfruto su niniez a lado de sus 2 hermanas y 2 hermanos.

NOJOCH CHIICH ANSELMA YAM POTT: PART 2 by Edith Yam de Vellos
Durante toda su vida, Eluterio Y Anselma patrocinaban bailes en honor a los santos dando ofrendas y pidiendo bendiciones para sus seres queridos. Ellos organisaban celebraciones que son tradicionales de la cultura Maya. La vaqueria se celebraba el 3 de mayo. Despues de las novenas la celebracion culminaba con un baile que era acompanada con musica hasta casa de los integrantes de este grupo de personas. Eluterio y Anselma eran los patrones de esta fiesta. El baile de la cabeza de cochino tambien era parte de este evento, el cool/sopa- era hecha de maiz, frijoles y el famoso vino hecho del arbol de bal che. Otras celebraciones culturales incluyian la primisia , el Bish, el cha chak,y hanal pixan.

Tropical Agriculture Conference
Regeneration Belize Announces A Tropical Agriculture Conference. Regeneration Belize and Regeneration International invite the farmers of Belize to the conference to be held at the National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) grounds, Belmopan, 13th-15th November 2018. This is not a traditional expo-type fair, although major sponsors will have displays and products available. The event is an educational opportunity for all interested farmers to come and hear successful tropical farmers share their experiences with regenerative methods. Come learn how to have healthy plants that produce nutrient-dense food even in times of extreme weather.

Update on Prime Minister Barrow’s Return to the Country
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow will return to Belize on Thursday, September 27th. The Prime Minister is recovering on schedule and hopes to return to office at the soonest.

Business #@ckathon
Presented by Beltraide, Deadling October 2

Louis Bacon Environmental Master's Fellowship
is a program that brings together emerging leaders dedicated to preserving and enhancing our shared environment. This program is a game-changing opportunity for scholars and practitioners eager to take up the mantle of environmental leadership and stewardship for the rising generation.

Belizean Health Official Receives 2018 PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership
Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, was conferred with the 2018 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Award for Health Service Management and Leadership at the 56th PAHO Directing Council Meeting in Washington, D.C. The Award Committee for the PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership 2018 chose Dr. Beer from a group of eight nominees submitted from countries including Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Belize. The committee highlighted that Dr. Beer has shown “considerable achievements in the area of Maternal and Child Health, having proven to be a strong supporter in the use of data for decision-making on policies and programs.” It was also mentioned that Dr. Beer’s work has contributed to the strengthening of evidence-based, and people and community-centered public health strategies to improve the lives of people in vulnerable areas of Belize.

SPTC declares sargassum beaching a natural disaster: a collective effort is needed to address the issue
The San Pedro Town Council recognizes the massive natural disaster caused by the significant amount of sargassum that has been washing up on our beaches. While we have experienced this phenomenon in the past, this has been the worst we have seen over recent years. Over the past months, the council has used all its resources available to ensure that our beaches are clean to an acceptable level. Nonetheless, this is now something that requires more than just efforts of the local government and as such the council is declaring this issue a natural disaster. We urge our residents, as well as the business sector, the tourism sector, non-governmental organizations, government agencies and our national government to join our collective efforts in addressing this issue, both in the short and long terms.

BELIZE IS GIVING AWAY FREE ALL-INCLUSIVE TRIPS FOR AN EPIC, NATIONWIDE GAME OF HIDE & SEEK
If you consider yourself to be preternaturally skilled at hide and seek and have always dreamed of exploring the natural beauty of Central America, you may have a unique opportunity at your fingertips. That's because the Belize Tourism Board just announced it will be giving away free trips there to a handful of a lucky people so that they can participate in the world's first nationwide game of hide and seek. This fall, Belize plans to conduct the world's first-ever countrywide game of hide and seek, and it's looking for five people to take them up on the offer for an all expenses paid trip to be a part of it. Specifically, it's looking for four "hiders" who'll decamp to various relaxing locations around the country, and one "seeker" who'll team up with a local guide to try and track down the others around the country. It's more or less exactly the same as the game you played as a kid, only on a much larger scale and with a free trip to a tropical country worth $5,000.

Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fights coming to San Pedro in October!
Mark you Calendars.

10th Annual Belikin Blue Water Classic
October 13 & 14.

Women's leadership Seminar in Corozal Town
Facilitated by the dynamic Cynthia Ellis-Topsey. A conglomeration of amazing women in northern Belize. Taking an in depth look at the state of affairs in Belize. CREATING teams and partnership to effect positive change now.

2nd Annual Corozal Bay Bikers Fest
Corozal - 2nd Annual Corozal Bay Bikers Fest is confirmed for Saturday, November 17th, 2018. The venue will be announced at a later date. Bikers from all over Belize and Chetumal will congregate on our beautiful town to bring a sense of community togetherness and friendship in a fun environment. Expect plenty of entertainment. Pin your calendar for this date.

Water outage in Corozal Today
Belize Water Services informs its customers in parts of Corozal that there will be low water pressure in the water supply today, Wednesday, September 26, 2018, starting at 8:00am. The entire Corozal Water Distribution System will be affected. This low water pressure is the result of a power outage scheduled by Belize Electricity Limited. Due to the upgrade, customers may experience discoloration when water is restored.

Water outage in Dangriga Today
Belize Water Services informs its customers in parts of Dangriga that there will be an interruption in the water supply today, Wednesday, September 25, 2018, starting at 1:00pm. The areas to be affected are 1st New Site and 2nd New Site. This interruption is necessary for the installation of a new water main. Due to the upgrade, customers may experience low water pressure and/or discoloration when water is restored.

The Belize City House Of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project has two additional projects underway
The first is the Urban Garden at ACC and the second is the building of a new building at Cockburn Lane. As you will notice foundation works has started at our Cockburn Lane Project.

On this #TreeTuesday, we are placing the spotlight on the “Macrolobium” tree (Macrolobium sp.)
In all of Belize to date, only two individual trees belonging to the tropical genus Macrolobium have been identified. Both of these trees are in the Bladen Nature Reserve. Due to the rareness of the genus in Belize, Ya’axché rangers monitor one of the trees each month to record its seasonal patterns and attempt to observe it in flowering or fruiting condition. The exact species is currently unknown – it is necessary to collect and compare these trees’ flowers to other Macrolobium herbarium specimens before they can be fully identified. Though the trees have only been observed and collected in non-reproductive condition, their geographical separation from other Central American species and their leaf and trunk characteristics indicate that they belong to a species new to science!

Channel 7

Wanted Man Turns Himself In, Says Police Had Him Under Shoot On Sight Order
Last night we told you about Kendrick Longsworth - who's been on the run from police since before dawn on Saturday morning. That's when two officers in an unmarked car pursued him near the Swing Bridge - and claim that Longsworth fired three shots at them and then jumped into the river. The officers fired back - and thought they may have killed him. They even called in the Coast Guard to search the river bed for his body - in case they did shoot and kill him. But, Longsworth survived, and re-surfaced today the Raccoon Street station. 7News was there: Kendrick Longsworth Hendy - accompanied by his mom and girlfriend turned himself in at the Raccoon street Police station this afternoon. Before going into custody he let his mother take pictures of the wounds he got when he was running from police early on Saturday morning. His mother says he fractured his ribs:

Police Want To Talk To Valentine
And while Longsworth turned himself in - police have another wanted man tonight. 2 weeks ago, we told you about the gun murder of 24 year-old Anthony McDonald, which happened during the 10th of September weekend. Well, police are searching for a man who they believe may be able to help them solve this killing. He's Albert Valentine, and police say that he is wanted for questioning in McDonald's murder. Our records show that Albert Valentine was acquitted of a murder in 2017.

Alleged Pen Road Shooter Charged
And, so while police have that person of interest in that Pen Road murder - they have charged another man in a Pen Road shooting that injured two men. This evening, police charged 22 year old Steve Kent Crawford from Curl Thompson St. for two counts of Attempted Murder, two counts of Deadly Means of Harm and two counts of Dangerous Harm. They say he shot Everal Neal and Jermaine Garbutt last week Wednesday. After that shooting police were quick to respond and caught two men who had fled the scene on a motorbike.

The Household Danger of Plastic Butane Hoses
Tonight Orange Walk town is still trying to come to grips with the reality that four persons, one father and his three kids, perished in a fire in a fire which destroyed their home. 35 year-old Alfredo Petillo and his 3 children: Kevawn Clarke, Jayda Petillo, and Mia Petillo, ages 10 to 14, never made it out of the house and post mortem examinations show that the children died from smoke inhalation, while Petillo's succumbed to a combination of burn injuries he suffered, as well as the smoke inhalation. Apart from these 4 who died, 11 other members of the Petillo family are homeless because that fire destroyed 3 homes built close together in the family yard.

PM, Slight Delays, Set To Return Soon
The Prime Minister is coming home soon. His trip to Havana Cuba for back surgery took a few days longer than expected because of some minor post-surgical complications. But the Government of Belize is reporting that he should be back in Belize in 2 days. The PM travels to Miami tomorrow - and after a night's rest, he then heads home on Thursday. He will have been gone for 22 days.

Possible Half a Million Fine For Contraband Insecticide
Last night we told you about the two Guatemalan men caught coming out of Calla Creek near the Western border with a major shipment of contraband insecticide. Well, the pair is expected to go to court tomorrow where they will face a whole bunch of charges - plus a fine of - get this - more than half a million dollars. That's because the 40 cases of "Insecticida RESPEKT" has a local market value of 171,000 dollars - and a fine of three times that would be about 510 thousand dollars. But, that insecticide is not even registered to be sold in Belize - so it is a prohibited item - which means that there's also a significant criminal offence.

Cops Catch Pine Being Smuggled
And from insecticide, we turn now to illegal timber. The cops say that they caught illegal loggers in the act of trying move their cargo of pine logs that they were not authorized to cut. The cops say that these persons were caught between Carmelita Village and Tower Hill, just outside of Orange Walk Town. Last Saturday, Police intercepted this truck, which was loaded with 39 logs. They estimate that these 39 pieces of log have a total of 4,276.8 board feet, with an estimated value of $8,553.

Badly Burnt Baby Girl Flies Out For Treatment
Last night we told you about 1 year old baby Kelvin who drowned in a vat. Well, there is another child who was also harmed in an accident. Fortunately it wasn't fatal. 5 year old Kelsey Galindo was burnt to 30% of her body after a pot of boiling water fell on her, scorching the skin near her genitals. It happened last Saturday, the 15th at their Buena Vista home. Today with the help of Burn Victim Mercy Fund, baby Kelsey was flown out to Shriners Hospital for Children in Galveston Texas. We spoke to her father today at the KHMH about what happened that Saturday and about their hopes for her recovery. Joel Galindo, Father: "My wife says that she left a pot with boiling corn on the stove. When she checked the stove the baby was wet up from the chest towards."

After Butane Explosion, Grayson Cadle Coming Along
And while little Kelsey's journey is just beginning at Shriners, Grayson Cadle is well into his road to recovery at Doctors Hospital in Augusta Georgia. As you all will remember, Cadle is the 21 year old who was caught in a terrible butane explosion at his Mahogany Street apartment in early July. He was burnt to 70% of his body. Well, he has been at the hospital for 80 days now, and, today, his mom, Marianne Cadle, told us via phone that he is responding very well to treatment. He can open his eyes, speak and now, even take a few steps with help from his therapist. Marianne Cadle gave us an update via telephone. Marianne Cadle, Mother: "Grayson went into surgery continuously from the time he arrived at the hospital in Georgia. For about 6 weeks he keeps going into the OR - come back - he does his surgery - he goes in for dressing."

Sick-out Teachers Fired At Peter Claver College
It has been going under the radar, but from Wednesday, teachers at St. Peter Claver College Extension, which is a night school have been staging a sickout. That's because they don't want to sign an employment contract - which would see them getting paid every 8 weeks instead of bi monthly. Well, today, after 4 days with no classes, 9 of the 10 teachers were fired. A letter signed by the Chair Lisel Alamilla says, quote, "as a result of your inability to enter into a mutually agreed contract, your services are no longer required." End quote. She adds, quote, "It is indeed regrettable, but it is now three days that students have shown up to class with the majority of lecturers absent." End quote

BNTU Saber Rattles Ministry of Ed.
In another teacher related matter - the Belize National teachers Union says it is ready to begin mobilization of its members if the Ministry of Education doesn't come correct on a list of teachers who are eligible for hardship and rural allowances. Apparently, the Ministry has circulated a revised list of schools which qualify for those allowances, and for time off to collect their salary. The Union says it sits on the Joint Education Staff Relations Council and did not get the finalized list. But, when the school year started, the Ministry circulated a finalized list school Managements, Principals and Teachers.

A Health Award For Dr. Beer
Belize's Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer won the PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership. She is the Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health. Dr. Beer topped eight nominees from countries including Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela among others. A release states, quote, "Dr. Beer has shown considerable achievements in the area of Maternal and Child Health, having proven to be a strong supporter in the use of data for decision-making on policies and programs….

Woman Reports Rape By Men Known to Her
Four days ago, a woman from St. Margaret's Village has reported to Belmopan police that she was raped by a pair of men familiar to her. Police were quick to make an arrest. Here's more:... ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of NCIB: "On the 21st of September a 20 year old female of St. Margaret's Village visited the Belmopan police station where she reported that on the 15th of September sometime around 10:00 pm her home was visited by two male persons known to her. At the time her common law husband was not at home..."

Another Benque Free Zone Burglary
The outlaw culture at the Benque Viejo Free Zone continues to be exposed with regular reports of criminality. On Satruday, another business burgled - this time the thieves got off with 44 boxes of cigarettes, and $13,320 dollars. But, the 28 year old Guatemalan business owner Eswin Guiterez refused to cooperate with police:.. ACP Joseph Myvett- Head NCIB: "Information was given to us of a burglary at the Western Free Zone on the 22nd of September. However, it is our understanding that the proprietor of the warehouse is requesting no court action and he is not being too cooperative with our officers in regards to the burglary."

Sankat Son In Serious Trouble In The US
Clement Sankat, the President of the University of Belize, is making international news after his son, 22 year-old Nishal Sankat, has been criminally charged for allegedly attempting to steal a commercial aircraft from the Orlando Melbourne International Airport. News reports out of Florida say that on last Thursday, at around 2 a.m., Nishal Sankat jumped the airport compound's fence, and he boarded a vacant American Airlines flight. The aircraft was being worked on by 2 maintenance employees who spotted him and immediately detained him. The staffers were attempting to take him to a holding area, when he allegedly gave them the slip and ran off. Those 2 maintenance employees set chase in a golf cart, and caught him. He was then handed over to Florida law enforcement, and he has since been charged with grand theft, burglary and trespassing. He was denied bail.

Belizean Born Soldier Killed in Accident
Tonight there are more questions than answers in the death of 22 year old Belizean American US Army 2nd Infantry Division soldier, Adrienne Barillas. In an online article published on Stars and Stripes it states that Barillas was found "unresponsive at Camp Humphrey's in South Korea". It continues by saying that "the circumstances surrounding her death were being investigated by Criminal Investigation Command." Barillas was stationed at the camp in South Korea for 6 months after joining the military as a water treatment specialist. According to the article, she earned the Army Achievement Medal and National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon.

Caye Caulker Cocaine
He's a teacher from Germany, but police say that 32 year-old Stephan Bernstein Fisher was selling cocaine on Caye Caulker. The cops say that they were continuing their operation clean up, and on Saturday, September 22nd, they encountered Fisher at Koko King on the North side of the island. He was searched, and that's when the officers found him with 1.16 grams of cocaine. Any amount over 1 gram of cocaine is considered drug trafficking, and so Fisher was immediately detained and has been criminally charged for the narcotics.

Channel 5

Petillo Family Calls Out Fire Department for Inadequate Firefighting
A candlelight vigil was held on Monday night at the Petillo’s residence in Orange Walk in memory of the four family members who perished on Sunday in an early morning [...]

Caught on Video: 2 Students Manhandled by Officers
Two young students from Santa Elena, Cayo were manhandled by the police; the images were caught on cell phone camera and posted on social media. The incident was witnessed by [...]

Accused of Shooting at Cops, Kenrick Longsworth Hendy Hands Himself Over to Police
Twenty-six-year-old Kenrick Longsworth Hendy handed himself over to police this afternoon. Longsworth was wanted for allegedly shooting at police officers on Saturday morning near the Swing Bridge in downtown Belize [...]

PM to Return to Belize on Thursday
Prime Minister Dean Barrow left Belize weeks ago for Cuba where he underwent spinal surgery on September fourth for a back condition that plagued him for years.  There is word [...]

Belizean-American Soldier Dies in South Korea
A Belizean-American soldier has died in South Korea. Twenty-two-year-old Private First Class Adrienne Barillas of Woodlands, Texas, was found unresponsive at Camp Humphreys on Sunday. There are not many details [...]

Will Security Commanders Push ‘YES’ Vote to I.C.J.?
The top brass at the Ministry of National Security has publicly come out in support of a ‘YES’ vote to take the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice.  [...]

What are the Political Implications of the Ministry of National Security Saying ‘Yes’ to the I.C.J.?
Taking such a public position is unprecedented because the I.C.J. vote is a controversial and emotional issue with political implications. The position of the top brass of the security forces [...]

Some Relief for Dialysis Patients
End-stage kidney disease, or renal failure, continues to be a life-threatening affliction that many Belizeans grapple with.  Treatment of chronic disease includes hemodialysis, which uses a machine to filter blood [...]

1 Man Charged for the Rape of a Woman
A twenty-year-old young woman of Saint Margaret Village, Cayo says that she was raped by two men, known to her husband on September fifteenth. According to the victim, the men [...]

Police Search Special Constable’s Residence in PG
On Saturday, Punta Gorda police executed a search at the residence of special constable of police, Devin Trapp, a twenty-year-old resident of Orio Street in that southern municipality. The search [...]

Caribbean PM Sounds the Climate Change Call at GCAS
The Global Climate Action Summit was held in San Francisco, California on September twelfth to the fourteenth. It is an event that brought leaders and people together from around the [...]

Belize Network of N.G.O.’s Launches I.C.J. Online Survey
As the I.C.J. Referendum campaign intensifies, the Belize Network of N.G.O.’s launched an online I.C.J. survey last week Thursday. The aim of the survey according to N.G.O. Senator Osmany Salas [...]

Guat Prez Speaks at UN about Territorial Dispute with Belize
The general debate of the United Nations opened this morning at the UN headquarters in New York. The Guatemalan President, Jimmy Morales was among the speakers on the first day [...]

Final Call to Re-Register
As of Saturday, September twenty-second, one hundred and twenty-four thousand, four hundred and sixteen re-registration applications have been received by the Elections and Boundaries Department. Between September sixteen and twenty-second, [...]

Belizean Doctor Wins PAHO Award
The Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, Doctor Natalia Largaespada Beer, was conferred with the 2018 Pan American Health Organization Award for [...]

BNTU Says Teachers Are Being Disenfranchised by MoE
The Belize National Teachers Union issued a strong release today saying it is disgusted at the way the Ministry of Education shared a “finalized” listing of re-categorised schools to managements, [...]

An Empowerment Conference for Pastors
An empowerment conference for pastors and their spouses kicked off today in Belize City. The two-day event features international speakers and will include worship and transformational sessions. The aim is [...]

LOVE FM

Empower Conference hosted to uplift Belizean pastors and churches
A number of Christians and pastors from across the country are participating in Belize’s first ever Empower Conference. The aim of the event is to uplift the pastors and their wives. The conference is being spearheaded by the director of the Children’s Cup Organization of Belize, Derrick Pitts. He explained the initiative and the overall …

Twenty-two year old Belizean-American found soldier found dead in South Korea
The US Army is investigating the passing of a 2nd Infantry Division soldier who was found dead at Camp Humphreys earlier this week in Seoul, South Korea. The deceased is a Belizean national, 22 year old Adrienne Barillas. Barillas had been assigned to the 11th Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at the base …

Why do so many neglect making a will?
As much as one would like, the reality is that you cannot take your possessions with you, so why do so many people die without leaving a will? The situation creates confusion and chaos since loved ones are left clamoring for property because the deceased individual failed to leave instructions as to how it is …

Post Mortem Examinations revealed the cause of death for fire victims
A postmortem examination has been conducted on the bodies of the 4 persons who perished on Sunday during a fire that gutted a home at the corner of Progress and Cinderella Streets in Orange Walk Town. The body of Alfredo Petillo was found in the bathroom of the building and the cause of his death …

Young woman raped by two men in Belmopan
On Sunday, Belmopan police received reports from a twenty year old resident of Saint Margaret’s Village that a week ago, she had been sexually assaulted by two men. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett provided the details of the incident. ACP Joseph Myvette: “On the 15th of September sometime around 10 am, a woman was …

Government to invest in Roadworks
Independence Day speeches are usually moments when the Government of Belize reviews accomplishments and highlight new initiatives and plans for the development of Belize. While the Government announced 2 free dialysis treatments per week for 100 patients in a Government subsidized program, there were few other promises made. The Acting Prime Minister noted that there …

Fire Chief, Ted Smith spoke on challenges experienced over weekend fire
Following Sunday morning’s fire in Orange Walk Town, the National Fire Service has once again come under criticism. A number of catastrophic fires have highlighted the fire department’s lack of adequate equipment that is needed for the department to successfully carry out its job. Yesterday, Fire Chief Ted Smith responded to some of the criticisms …

Belize is experiencing Economic growth
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team ended its article four consultation on Belize, last Thursday. The report states that Belize’s economic recovery is strengthening, the government is making significant progress toward debt reduction, and the Central Bank of Belize has taken resolute actions to improve financial soundness. The IMF report points out that public debt …

Police seeking one individual
Police are looking for a male person who eluded them early Saturday morning. According to police reports, 47-year-old Glenn Caliz, the former Gang Suppression Unit Commander, was on duty when he received credible information that a man who had a gun in his possession was walking on North front Street in Belize City. As a …

Faber speaks on citizen security since state of emergency
Initially approximately 100 individuals were detained in Belize City when the State of Emergency was declared on a portion of the south side of Belize City. Human rights observers noted that it may have been a draconian move since people were being detained up to 30 days at the Belize Central Prison without a trial. …

Coast Guard Officer caught with marijuana
ACP Joseph Myvett also provided an update on an incident that occurred last Thursday in which Dangriga police arrested and charged a coast guard officer for the possession of controlled drugs. ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of Crimes Investigation Branch: “Dangriga police was conducting patrols in the Riverside Area where the conducted a search on Leonard Flores a 25-year-old Belizean Coast Guard Officer. During the process of the search of a bag he had 54.1 grams of cannabis was found he has since been arrested and charged for the offence of possession of a controlled drug and was taken before the court.”

Guatemalans found with contraband
Over the weekend, two Guatemalan nationals were caught with forty cases of contraband insecticide. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head of National Crime Investigations Branch, provided the media with the details. ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: “San Ignacio Police were conducting mobile patrol in the Calla Creek area where they came across a red Toyota pickup which had two occupants..."

Prime Minister’s return to Belize
Prime Minister Dean Barrow is expected to return to Belize on Thursday. The Prime Minister is currently in Havana, Cuba recovering from spinal fusion surgery he underwent on September 4th.

Belizean wins prestigious PAHO Award
Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, (VO STARTS) the Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, was conferred with the 2018 Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Award for Health Service Management and Leadership at the 56th PAHO Directing Council Meeting in Washington, D.C. The Award Committee for the PAHO Award for Health Service Management and Leadership 2018 chose Dr. Beer from a group of eight nominees submitted from countries including Bolivia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela and Belize.

BNTU at odds with Ministry of Education
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) is once again claiming that it is not being respected by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The latest disagreement is over the re-categorization of hardship and rural allowances. The BNTU says it views with disgust, the manner in which a finalized list of re-categorized schools was arrived at and then circulated by the MOE.

Amandala

Alfredo Petillo – heroic dad
On Sunday morning, just before daybreak, a fire began raging at the Petillo family’s house, located at corner of Progress and Cinderella Streets in Orange Walk Town. By the time firefighters arrived, there was nothing that they could have done to save the lives of a father and his three children who were trapped inside the burning house. They were all incinerated: Kevaughn Clare, 14; Mia Petillo, 10; and Jada Petillo, 12. Only the mother of the kids and her youngest child made it out alive. This morning, some members of the Petillo family looked on as workers cleared away the debris from the spot where the family home once stood.

Toddler, 2, falls into vat and drowns
Willy Quinocte, 28, a laborer of Belize City, and his family are mourning the death of their baby, Kelvin Sanchez, 2, who drowned after he fell into a vat near the verandah of their house at about 6:00 Saturday evening. Quinocte recovered the baby from the vat and tried to resuscitate him, but the effort was in vain; an ambulance was called, but nothing could have been done for the baby, and his body was taken to the morgue. Quinocte said that the drowning of the toddler was an accident, but he is still at a loss as to how the tragedy occurred.

Bobby Lopez harassed by BMP celebrations committee
Belizean political leader, activist and businessman, Robert “Bobby” Lopez, was harassed by Belmopan authorities when he lined up for the September 21 parade last Friday in an electric golf cart with a sign that said, “Vote No ICJ – tek no chance.” Lopez says he was blocked a number of times by police officers before being allowed to get in the parade. He was in his golf cart, and his wife and their 9-year-old granddaughter were behind him in a vehicle. He said they were in line, waiting for the parade to move off, when a senior police officer, who was accompanied by three constables, advised him that the organizers of the parade did not want him to participate because of his message.

Dr. Dean Lindo, former UDP Leader/Minister of Government, given state funeral
Last Thursday the body of His Excellency Dr. Dean Lindo, 86, Senior Counsel, and a former UDP Leader/Minister of Government, was cremated and his ashes were put in a small mahogany box. This afternoon the box was taken via a procession to St. John’s Cathedral for a state funeral that was well-attended. Lindo, who had been ailing since last year, passed away on September 17 at his home in Buttonwood Bay. The eulogy was read by Hugh Michael Lindo and Mrs. Lydia Thurton. Others who spoke at the funeral included Hon. Michael Finnegan, Minister of Housing; Senator Godwin Hulse; Sandra Lindo and Anwar Barrow. The sermon was read by the Right Reverend Philip Wright, Bishop of Belize.

After 3 years, still no justice for Danny Conorquie
It has been said time and again that Danny Conorquie, the 20-year-old Special Constable of the Tourism Police Unit who was gunned down in cold blood at the Caracol temple in western Belize on September 25, 2014, should not have died in vain, but the sad reality is that three years after his broad-daylight execution in the sight of visiting tourists and tour guides, no suspect has even been named for his murder. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Patrick Andrews, indicated to Amandala today that the investigation which Belize had requested the Organization of American States (OAS) to conduct into the Conorquie execution has met a major snag – that is, the Guatemalans are “stalling,” because they want a reinvestigation into the April 20, 2016 shooting death of Julio Rene Alvarado, 14, the Guatemalan minor who was shot dead after Belizean soldiers and rangers from Friends for Conservation and Development came under hostile fire in an operation to curb illegal activities on the Belize side of the border.

Independence Day 2018 ceremonies in City of Belmopan
The official ceremony to mark the lowering of the Union Jack and the raising of the blue, white and red flag of Belize on Belize’s Independence Day 37 years ago, on September 21, was held at Independence Plaza in the city of Belmopan this morning. A number of leaders of government, local and foreign dignitaries, and special guests attended the ceremony, which featured a number of speeches, by the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church in Belize, Lawrence Nicasio; the Mayor of Belmopan, Khalid Belisle; the Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives, the PUP’s John Briceño; and the Deputy Leader of the governing party, the UDP’s Patrick Faber, who deputized for the Prime Minister, who is convalescing in Cuba after a surgery.

BCC Dragons, 87-73, over Tuff E Nuff for FBL Championship 2018
After sharing the first two games of a best-of-3 games championship series, Belize City Council (BCC) Dragons and Rico Black’s Tuff E Nuff squared off this past Saturday night at the Swift Hall basketball court for the decisive game 3, and it was the Dragons coming away with an 87-73 victory for the Firms Basketball League 2018 championship. Game 1 was an 88-83 win for the Dragons on Thursday night, September 13; but Tuff E Nuff rebounded the following night with a 70-69 win, to even the series at 1 game apiece. Originally scheduled for the next day, Saturday, September 15, “Carnival Day,” the championship game was wisely postponed until this past Saturday night, September 22, when a handsome crowd turned out for the finale.

First Round finished in PLB Opening Season; Freedom Fighters record first win
The first round in the double round-robin Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2018-2019 Opening Season was completed with Week 7 games this past weekend; two streaks were broken, but Belmopan Bandits remain undefeated, while Verdes holds on to the top spot in the standings. (See standings below.) In the only Saturday encounter, Belmopan Bandits SC maintained their unbeaten record with a 4-0 win over visiting Altitude Assassins FC at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. The Bandits got a goal each from Norman Anderson (29’), Morvin Budna (75’), Inri Gonzaga (79’) and Georgie Welcome (90+’), who also maintains the top spot in the goal scoring column.

U-17 Female football kicks off with one game at MCC
One U-17 Women football game was played this evening at the MCC Grounds, as the Belize District Football Association (BDFA) is partnering with the high schools to feature its 2018 U-17 Female Football Tournament. In today’s game, SCA girls were too much for Pallotti, beating them 8 goals to 1, with Aaliyah Herbert blasting 4 goals (2’, 9’, 12’ & 24’), Alyssa Martin scoring 1 (33’) and Carlene Tillett netting 3 (41’, 48’ & 53’); while Pallottti’s lone goal was by Jiana Usher (44’).

Pedal by Pedal report of Chief & Palas Race on Sunday, September 23, 2018
Following is the Pedal by Pedal report of Chief & Palas Race of September 23rd for Weekend Warriors and Invitees: I will start today’s story by answering the question, “Who are invitees?” Well, there are some riders who, due to their young age, or being ranked as a Category 3 Cyclist by the Cycling Federation of Belize, cannot get into Weekend Warriors, and can’t hold on to the Elites either, so they are left in “no man’s land.” Consequently, when we sponsor races, we invite them. With the exception of Smoke Gladden, no other invitee has ever won any of these races. That being said, today, under pouring rain, 31 brave men showed up to do battle on their bikes.

The nature of the newspaper
From the legal standpoint, the publisher of a newspaper is held responsible by the Government of Belize. The publisher must sign two copies of each issue of the newspaper he publishes, and send them to the Attorney General’s office. If there is any seditious or defamatory material in an issue of the newspaper, and any type of lawsuit ensues, then the signed copies of that newspaper will be adduced as evidence to establish the publisher’s responsibility in court. Newspapers are centuries old, a relatively ancient industry, compared to the social media sharing of news which has been enabled by the Internet for the last two to three decades. There appears to be no legal responsibility for the news and opinions which are posted on the social media network by individuals who often act under the cover of anonymity. The social media is a news and opinion landscape which is not properly policed.

From The Publisher
When the Prime Minister of Belize (or, in last Friday’s case, the PM’s “representative,” the Deputy Prime Minister) delivers the Government of Belize’s Independence Day speech, whether we humble citizens of Belize realize it or not, that speech is directed, to a significant extent, to the power structure of Belize and the diplomatic corps stationed here, who represent interested foreign nations. In the case of last Friday, an important portion of the speech spoke of national security. But relatively little of that portion focused on external national security, as one might perhaps have expected: the Independence Day speech was mostly about domestic national security. There is an Arab proverb which says that sixty years of tyranny are to be preferred to one day of anarchy. In poor communities and societies, there are sections of these where the citizens live in a permanent state of apprehension, even fear.

Another successful Soundfest with honours going to Zoila Clarke and Lucio Alcoser
Dear Editor, On Friday, September 14, 2018, the 17th edition of the Soundfest was held at the beautiful Bird’s Isle. The brainchild of Tony Wright, also known as “The Real Deal Music Ambassador of Belize,” the Soundfest was attended by many Belizeans from home and those visiting from abroad for the September celebrations. The show flowed smoothly, featuring many Belizean talents. There were giveaways and lots of food and drinks. The highlight of the show was the presentation of lifetime awards going to two Belizean icons who have given, and continue delivering to The jewel, their undiluted talent from their hearts and souls.

John Briceño doesn’t have a drug problem
The UDP, especially on WAVE Radio, run off a lot about Briceño family involvement in the marijuana trade in the 1980’s, and the arrest and jailing of a family patriarch. There was a time when Orange Walk Town wasn’t Shuga City. It was called Rambo Town and it was a very rough place. There are stories to explain why weed became king in the northern districts. I don’t know that much about it. There’s always research, but I don’t need that for what I’m about today. For me, on the personal, while I don’t encourage anyone to take drugs, especially illegal ones, I have no real issues with drugs if you can conduct the trade without bodies falling. I have issues with violating another country’s territory.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
If you did not know already, the Eastern Division Region 1 (EDR1) of Belize City is under a State of Public Emergency (SoPE). Come to think of it, though, that EDR1 terminology was not used in the official statutory instrument, no. 49 of 2018 that was gazetted on September 4th, 2018. In April of this year, high-ranking members of the Belize Police Department said that they would officially stop referring to Southside Belize City as Southside Belize City, because it cast a negative stigma on people and a community that fall within the boundaries of the area and that they were very serious about the renaming because it is “more than semantics to them”. Well, the statutory instrument totally threw that out the door, right?

Belizeans, open your eyes
I ask this question – Do Belizeans want to be the second Palestine in the middle west of the world, who have lost their homeland? Now is the time for Belizeans to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts and stand united as one people in defense of our national sovereignty and the sanctity of our borders. In relation to the convention between Her Majesty and the Republic of Guatemala, relative to the boundaries of British Honduras, signed on the 30th of April 1859, I consider this great historical event so important for the permanent national security of our independent nation of Belize that I feel obliged to reproduce in writing the exact contents of this great achievement as a guarantee for our national existence with our secured national boundaries in perpetuity.

Accused cops in US$7 million drug plane bust get Supreme Court bail
The bail applications for two police officers and a civilian from the Orange Walk District who had been arrested in connection with the landing of a drug plane in that district, succeeded today when the matter was heard by newly appointed Supreme Court justice Francis Cumberbatch. After one week at the Belize Central Prison where they were being held on remand, Senior Superintendent of Police David Chi, 53, who was the officer in charge of the Orange Walk police formation, along with his fellow accused, police corporal Norman Anthony, 52, and Blue Creek resident, Peter Friesen, Jr., were granted bail of $150,000 cash.

Decomposing body of Miguel Arroyo, 23, found in northern San Pedro
The search for Miguel Arroyo, 23, a fisherman of San Pedrito, San Pedro, who has been missing since Friday, September 10, came to a sad conclusion at about 1:00 on Saturday afternoon when his body was found in an advanced state of decomposition in some bushes about 75 yards from the lagoon in an area about 1.5 miles into Northern San Pedro. He was identified by members of his family. Arroyo was wearing a silver chain with a silver cross and a white G-shock watch, which were found on him.

Belizean-American Adrienne Barillas killed in South Korea
A Belizean-American, Adrienne Barillas, who was serving in the United States Army and was posted in South Korea, reportedly died from a grenade blast. The circumstances surrounding Barillas’ death are unclear at the present time and her family is awaiting an official report from the US government about how she was killed while she was on active duty in South Korea. Barillas attended St. Joseph Primary School and after completing her primary school education, she enrolled at Pallotti High School, after which she attended St. John’s College Junior College.

Two of three men charged with murder plead guilty to manslaughter
Oscar Maldonado, 26, and Jewel Palma, 32, two of three men charged with the murder of Taiwanese national Tsong Ming Liou, 59, pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter today before Justice Colin Williams. A nolle prosequi, indicating that the Crown does not wish to proceed to trial, was entered by the Crown for the third accused man, Jonathan Suazo, 27. Justice Williams has deferred sentencing until Wednesday, September 26, so that the convicts can present character witnesses, if any, to testify on their behalf, and also in order for Liou’s wife to give an impact assessment statement.

The Reporter

P.G. SPECIAL CONSTABLE MAY HAVE STOLEN MANY ITEMS
On Saturday Police conducted a search at the home of Special Constable Kevin Trapp in Punta Gorda Town. They confiscated a number of Police uniforms, and arrested and charged Trapp for assaulting an officer during the search. What wasn’t mentioned is that Police also confiscated a large number of items, including a toilet, which are believed to have been stolen in recent burglaries in PG.

BELIZEAN-AMERICAN Adrienne Barillas, FOUND DEAD ON U.S ARMY BASE/KOREA
The Reporter extends condolences to the Barillas family on the death of Adrienne Barillas. According to a US Army newsletter, Stars and Stripes, Pfc. Barillas, who was stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea for the past six months, was found unresponsive on the base and pronounced dead on Sunday. The newsletter states that the sudden death is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Command.

Breaking Belize News

Suspected Pen Road gun man charged for double shooting
Police have today charged Steve Kent Crawford, 22, in connection with a shooting last week. He […]

BTB giving away free all-inclusive trips to Belize
The Belize Tourism Board has announced that it will be giving away free all-inclusive trips to […]

UB issues official statement on Nishal Sankat
Earlier this month it was reported that Nishal Sankat, was busted in the United States trying to steal […]

Police man’s home shot up in San Joaquin, Corozal
Authorities in northern Belize are still investigating last Thursday’s shooting at the home of a police […]

PM Barrow returns to Belize on Thursday
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that PM Barrow will return to Belize on Thursday, […]

Two police officers and BDF soldier survive shooting attempt on their lives
Career policeman, Glenn Caliz, 47, is alive after an armed civilian opened fire at him. […]

IMF says Belize economy recovering
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, which recently concluded a visit to Belize, says that the […]

US Embassy announces grant recipients for CARSI
The U.S. Embassy announced today that they have selected four organizations as grant recipients under the 2018 […]

Saldivar says Security Forces will be on alert regardless of upcoming referendum vote
Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, followed up comments he made yesterday regarding the referendum on […]

Office Gurus add second location in Belize
The Office Gurus, a division of Superior Group of Companies, Inc and global provider of custom […]

Belizean Health Official Receives 2018 PAHO Award
Dr. Natalia Largaespada Beer, Technical Advisor for the Maternal and Child Health Unit of the Ministry […]

Blogs

Scuba Diving in Belize
Although it is a small country, Belize is one of the premier destinations in the world for scuba diving. Belize sits on the coast of the Caribbean Sea, just south of the Yucatan peninsula, with 240 miles of coastline and countless cayes (islands). Among these hundreds of cayes, some are privately owned or resorts, but most are stunningly natural, untouched, and look like they came belong on a poster. Belize is also home to the second largest barrier reef system in the world, making it hugely popular with snorkelers and divers. The range of diving you can do in Belize, despite its small size, is one reason for its vast popularity, and it can vary depending on whether you are in the north, south, or outer atolls. Due to the fact tourism is a huge part of the Belize economy, one of the most common careers for Belizeans is as a tour guide. Belizean’s often come from a long line of fisherman, boaters, or lobster catchers, and so naturally have a comfort with the sea, making them very skilled and knowledgeable diving guides. As a result you will hear visitors comment on the wealth of memorable dives and skilled instructors available in Belize. There are several world-class diving operations in Belize such as Ramon’s, Neptune’s Cove, and SeaStar.

Conservation Tidbits: Species Preservation, Responsible Eating and Wildlife Rescues!
12-year-old Jeffrey McPherson was out for a family ride in the Rocky Point area on Ambergris Caye when he and his stepfather Ezekiel saw what appeared to be a large mass in the water. Eagle-eyed Jeffrey swore he saw a fin or flipper move, so he insisted they look closer. It’s a good thing they did, because that lump turned out to be an Olive Ridley turtle trapped within a loose net that weighed close to 15 pounds! The first restaurants to sign up to the Fish Right Eat Right initiative are Blue Water Grill, Elvi’s Kitchen, Wild Mango’s Restaurant, and Fido’s Courtyard in San Pedro Town. These restaurants have been officially certified by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Oceana Belize. The establishments promote sustainable fishing by adhering to certain rules and regulations and use the OurFish App to track seafood purchases.

International Sources

1,500-Year-Old Maya Altar Reveals Amazing Secrets of the 'Snake Kings'
Archaeologists have discovered a nearly 1,500-year-old carved stone altar in the ancient Maya city of La Corona, deep in the jungles of northern Guatemala. The finding, announced Sept. 12 at the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in Guatemala City, is the oldest monument on record at the La Corona site from the Classic Maya period, which lasted from A.D. 250 to 900, the archaeologists said. An analysis of the carvings on the altar revealed how the powerful Kaanul dynasty started its 200-year rule over much of the Maya lowlands, the archaeologists said.

First house entirely made of Sargassum built by Mexican inventor in Quintana Roo
What the Quintana Roo authorities and scientists never imagined in their wildest dreams, a Portomorelense (man from Puerto Morelos) did… he built the first house entirely made of Sargassum, which could represent a worldwide milestone. Omar Sánchez Vázquez built Angelita – (he named the house in honor to his mother) – transforming the feared seaweed that invaded the beaches of Quintana Roo, into an organic, thermal and functional construction material, which by the way, costs 50 percent less than adobe bricks.

2nd ID soldier dies at Camp Humphreys; cause under investigation
The Army is investigating after a 2nd Infantry Division soldier was found dead at Camp Humphreys earlier this week. Pfc. Adrienne Barillas, 22, of The Woodlands, Texas, had been assigned to the 11th Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade at the base since November 2017. Barillas — who had earned the Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Army Service Ribbon — was found unresponsive Sunday and was pronounced dead by emergency personnel, the statement said.

US congratulates Belize on independence anniversary
The Trump administration has congratulated Belize on its 37th anniversary of political independence from Great Britain, saying that “the bonds of friendship between our nations are strong.” “On behalf of the government of the United States, I congratulate the people of Belize as you celebrate your independen­ce,” said US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo in a statement on Friday. “We stand united in a common goal of achieving prosperity and security for all citizens of Belize,” he added.

Russian, Belizean foreign ministers tackle bilateral cooperation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belize Wilfred Elrington discussed ways to galvanize bilateral cooperation in various spheres on the sidelines of the 73rd UN General Assembly session on Tuesday, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported. "The foreign ministers discussed the current state of Russian-Belizean relations and the possibility to galvanize bilateral cooperation in various areas, as well as dwelled on the issues of Russia-Belize cooperation in the UN," the ministry reported. The sides also signed a treaty on relations between Russia and Belize.

Gibnut: A “royal rat” that's fit for a queen
What do you serve to a queen? If you’re Belizean, the answer is gibnut, or at least that was the answer back in 1985 when Queen Elizabeth II visited the newly independent nation. It was an unusual choice. The gibnut is a large rodent and, under normal circumstances, it would never show up on the plate of someone from the upper classes. Gibnut is considered a “bush” meat, one of the few native animals regularly hunted in the rainforests of Belize. Historically, farming communities have hunted the rodent, along with other wild game, to supplement their agriculture-based diet. Because of its history with the queen, Belizeans refer to the gibnut as the “royal rat.” The rodent can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh as much as 31 pounds. Its coat is similar to a chipmunk’s, chestnut brown with light stripes and spots. A nocturnal feeder that hides in a den during the day, a gibnut is easy to hunt (especially with dogs who can sniff out its unique scent) but, because much of its habitat outside of protected areas has been destroyed due to expanding human populations, it has become a relatively rare delicacy. ike other Belizean meats, gibnut is typically served stewed or grilled. The taste resembles a gamey ham or a greasy rabbit.

The 7 Best Yachting Destinations for Scuba Diving
Diving off of a yacht to discover the world of color and creatures beneath the surface is one of the most enduring, ethereal memories of the superyacht experience. The ocean is the final frontier, full of wonders— yet some destinations are particularly special for diving. Here are the top 7 compiled by OceanScape Yachts. The Blue Hole dive site of Belize very regularly appears on the list of top 10 dive sites in the world, and this 300m deep sinkhole is home to some fabulous sea creatures, such as the Caribbean reef shark. However, that’s not all there is to diving in Belize, which has the second largest barrier reef in the world after Australia. Ambergris Caye in particular is tipped to be even better than the Blue Hole for its astonishing array of sea life.

Why Sharks Matter: Love em' or hate em', we need sharks!
Sharks are the perfect predator – formed by 450 million years of evolution having lived longer than the dinosaurs and surviving five major extinctions. They formed life as we know it and keep the oceans, our planet’s life force, healthy. We exist, in part, because sharks did – and still do. There is also undoubtedly no other species on the planet that is more collectively hated and villanized than sharks. Even though sharks are the unsung heroes of our watery world – we spend most of our media attention on misconceptions and fear, blinding us to the fact their populations are decreasing at incredibly alarming rates. One study in the U.S. indicates that the elimination of sharks resulted in the destruction of the shellfish industry in waters off the mid-Atlantic states of the United States, due to the unchecked population growth of cow-nose rays, whose mainstay is scallops. Other studies in Belize have shown reef systems falling into extreme decline when the sharks have been overfished, destroying an entire ecosystem.

IMF concludes mission to Belize
An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Daniel Leigh visited Belize from September 11-20 to conduct the discussions for the 2018 Article IV consultation. The team met with Patrick Faber, acting prime minister; Joy Grant, governor of the Central Bank of Belize; Joseph Waight, financial secretary; and other senior government officials, representatives of the opposition, private sector, and public sector unions. Belize’s economic recovery is strengthening, the government is making significant progress toward debt reduction, and the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) has taken resolute actions to improve financial soundness. At the same time, public debt is elevated, the external current account deficit remains large, and international reserves are just above three months of imports of goods and services. In the view of the team, policies to enhance Belize’s growth and resilience are essential for addressing these challenges and for improving economic wellbeing.

Videos

September 25, 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

Miguel Arroyo found murdered North of San Pedro Town
After 12 days missing, the body of 23-year-old island fisherman Miguel Arroyo was found in a severely decomposed state approximately one and half miles north of San Pedro Town. Arroyo was reported missing on Monday, September 10th, when he failed to return home after leaving to go to the store. An immediate search was launched by family members and the San Pedro Police. According to an official police report, information received on Saturday, September 22nd at around 1PM stated that a body had been discovered in a lagoon area north of the island. About 75ft deep in some bushes, Arroyo was found. Due to the state of decomposition, an on-site postmortem examination was carried out, certifying the cause of death as a result of injuries to the head. Due to the cause of death, police have ruled Arroyo’s death a murder, and a full investigation into the incident has been launched.

Ambergris Caye celebrates Belize’s 37th Independence anniversary with much patriotism
Belize celebrated its 37th Independence Anniversary on Friday, September 21st, and thousands of islanders on Ambergris Caye honoured the memorable occasion with patriotic activities. Under the theme ‘Belize Da Fi Wi- Now and Forever, 8867,’ San Pedranos convened at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Arena on Thursday, September 20th for the official Independence Eve and midnight flag raising ceremonies. After ushering in Independence Day, the celebration continued on Friday with a grand parade through the main streets of San Pedro Town, culminating at the Central Park where a beach party took place until late in the evening.

Ambergris Today

A September To Remember - Fireworks, Flag Raising Ceremony & Jouvert!
A September to Remember - Celebrating our country's Independence is something rather important and there are many events leading to the grand celebration. We have combined some pictures of a few events that took place on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye commemorating our country's Independence. San Pedro High School held a reenactment of the raising of the Belize Flag for the first time on Independence Cay 1981; the British Flag came down. Mr. Angel Nunez was the guest speaker for the event and a poster competition was held among the Freshmen Class. The San Pedro Town Council held the Independence Eve Block Party at the Hon. Louis Sylvestre Sports field. The Belize Coast Guard carried out the flag raising ceremony, 21 gun salute and specatators enjoyed a colorful and bright fireworks display. Independence Day Celebrations kicked off early on Friday, September 21, 2018 with Jouvert starting from the Old Football Field parading through the streets of San Pedro.

Missing Person Found Dead On North Ambergris Caye
Police are now investigating the death of Miguel Arroyo who was reported missing on Monday, September 10, 2018, when he failed to return home after leaving for the store. Twelve days later his body was found in a shallow grave north of San Pedro Town. An official Police Report stated that after receiving information on Saturday, September 22, 2018, at around 1 p.m., police visited a lagoon area about 1 ½ mile north of San Pedro Town. In some bushes approximately 75 feet from the lagoon they found the decomposed body of Miguel Angel Arroyo Hernandez.

The Belize Network Of NGOs Launches ICJ Online Survey
The Guatemalan Claim is a very touchy topic, to go to ICJ or not is a question many Belizeans still don’t know what to choose. And although many have expressed their strong opinions on social media there are some that are still indecisive. With this in mind the The Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) has launched a survey to collect data on the perspectives of Belizeans on Guatemala's claim to Belize. The survey will be administered by Aldair Gongora, a Belizean PhD Candidate at Boston University.

San Pedro's Independence Day Parade ROCKED!
The residents of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize put on a FANTASTIC parade in commemoration of Belize's 37th Independence Day celebrations this past weekend. On Friday, September 21, Belizeans all over the country showed off their patriotism in many ways; San Pedro organized one of the most energetic and colorful parades. It was hot, but then it rained, then it was hot once again, but none of this made it any difficult for the revelers to put on a spectacular show full of color, dance and pride for Belize.

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE BENEFITS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA’S DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME
On Thursday, September 20, 2018, the Government of Belize received a donation of computers and equipment valued at US$90,000 from the Government of the Republic of Korea through an official Development Assistance Programme for the fiscal year 2018. Presenting the donation on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Korea was His Excellency Lee In-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Belize, and receiving the equipment on behalf of the Government of Belize was Mrs. Deborah Domingo, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Education. It is expected that this generous donation will outfit Bishop O.P Martin R.C School, Belmopan Methodist High School, More Tomorrow Government School, Franks Eddy Government School, Big Falls R.C School, Forest Home Methodist School, Fire Burn Government School, and Paraiso Government School with state of the art computers and will allow for the delivery of high quality skills to students and teachers of the above mentioned institutions.

Caye Caulker Spearfishing Tournament
Sunday, September 30, Registration at 8am at Palapa Gardens

COROZAL - PREVENT ZIKA - RED CROSS COMMUNITY CLEAN UP
COROZAL - PREVENT ZIKA - RED CROSS COMMUNITY CLEAN UP. The Belize Red Cross is hosting a Community Cean-Up Campaign to reduce areas of mosquito breeding in our Corozal District. Corozal District has the highest number of reported Zika cases in all of Belize. Areas to be covered are, in Corozal Town: Skeleton Town and College Road. Rural areas include: San Narciso, Ranchito, Calcutta, Chan Chen and San Joaquin. See date and time on E-flyer below. Trash bags will be provided by the Red Cross for clean up around homes and public areas, and bags will be collected for removal.

A Recap of the Caye Caulker September Celebrations Parade....Part 1

A Recap of the Caye Caulker September Celebrations Parade....Part 2

Photos from the American Birding Expo
Belize Tourism Board

Job Vacancy, Oceana needs Administrative Assistant in Belmopan
Oceana in Belize is seeking to fill the vacant position of Administrative Assistant in Belmopan. General responsibilities include: Accounting and administrative support. Interested applicants should possess at least an Associate’s Degree in Management or Business Administration. Applications must be emailed to [email protected].

One of Belize’s great political leaders, Dean Lindo, has died
By Wellington C. Ramos Dean Russel Lindo, an attorney by profession, and the first leader of the United Democratic Party (UDP), died on September 17, 2018, at his home in Belize City. He was also a two-time elected representative from Fort George Division in Belize City, a minister of natural resources in the 1984 UDP Manuel Esquivel administration, a Belizean ambassador to the United States of America, UDP national campaign chairman and advisor to the party. He was the uncle of Belize’s current three term prime minister, Dean Barrow, who was named after him and was his mentor since he entered politics in the late 1970s. From the time I was born in Dangriga, there were only two main political parties in Belize and they were the People’s United Party (PUP) led by George Cadle Price, a former premier and prime minister, and the National Independence Party (NIP) led by the late Philip Goldson, a representative for Albert Division in Belize City for many years.

Ministry of Human Development Offers Support in Wake of Devastating OW Fire
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation joins the country in mourning the devastating loss of Mr. Alfred Petillo and his three children in the tragic fire on Sunday morning in the Orange Walk District. The Ministry has reached out to all three families affected by Sunday’s fire and has provided them with counselling intervention via counsellors from the Belize Community Counselling Center. Additionally, the Ministry is providing material assistance for all three families inclusive of burial assistance to help with funeral costs.

Extension of Opening Hours- Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices
The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby advise the public that the opening hours for the Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices countrywide have been extended for this FINAL WEEK of the Re-Registration of Electors Exercise. The Opening Hours are from: Monday 24th September to Sunday 30th September 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All qualified persons are encouraged to take advantage of the extended opening hours. Remember you cannot vote in ANY election or Referendum if you are not registered. Re-Register: “Your Right to Vote Depends on It.”

Updates on the 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise
The Elections and Boundaries Department is pleased to present another update to the public on the ongoing 2018 Re-registration of Electors Exercise. An update is hereby provided as follows for the period 16th to 22nd September, 2018. During the period a total of One Thousand and Twenty-Six (1,026) applications were accepted, therefore the total number of applications received as at 22nd September, 2018 is One Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand, Four Hundred and Sixteen (124,416).

CCLTC Quarterly Public discussion
You are Cordinally Invited to the CCLTC Quarterly Public discussion. Thursday September 27, 2018. Time- 6pm-9pm. At Caye Caulker Community Center. Please RSVP your seat by emailing [email protected].

Women of the Belize Coast Guard
I have admiration for women serving our country in military uniform. Last week we witnessed a full female squad of the Belize Coast Guard heading the midnight celebration to welcome our Independence! The Squad Commander Ensign Shawdi Reyes leads!

SUPPORT FOR EXPORT-LED DEVELOPMENT IN THE COROZAL DISTRICT WITH A FOCUS ON REPURPOSING THE FREE ZONE
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce is embarking on a Consultancy titled "SUPPORT FOR EXPORT-LED DEVELOPMENT IN THE COROZAL DISTRICT WITH A FOCUS ON REPURPOSING THE FREE ZONE" through a Technical Cooperation (TC) with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The Ministry hereby invites stakeholders to a consultation session with Consultants from "Vivid Economics (London)" on Thursday, September 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Conference Room of the Corozal Junior College, Corozal Town. The Corozal District has benefited from an estimated 3,800 jobs in the Corozal Free Zone. Free Zones were originally created with the objective to expand trade in goods and to attract foreign investment. The focus on this objective has changed over time and the Free Zones are no longer serving their original purpose. Free Zones operate under a high cash environment where the banking system, due to the de-risking concerns, is hesitant to offer services to existing free zone businesses.

Customer Service Excellence Training
Beltraide is having a free Customer Service Excellence training this Thursday and Friday at the Santa Elena Library. Contact them at 223-0322 to register. "SAN IGNACIO / SANTA ELENA RESIDENTS: BTEC, a unit of BELTRAIDE, is proud to offer the upcoming 2-day training in Customer Service Excellence. The training takes place on September 27-28 at the Santa Elena Library. See the flyer attached for more details and contact us at Ph: 223-0322 or Email: [email protected] to pre-register."

Mistah Pick-up in Cayo
Cayo has a new delivery service. Mistah Pick-up has started delivering as of today. Many local businesses will be teaming up with them to get food and supplies delivered. You can read more on their page, or contact them at 603-5666. They are also on Whataspp.

A vacancy exists for a Chef at the US Embassy
The successful candidate will be required to obtain a security clearance and undergo a medical examination. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION: The Chef is responsible for the day-to-day planning, budgeting, purchasing, preparing and presenting meals for events of 2 to 100 guests. The Chef’s repertoire must include a diverse range of cooking styles, and meal types, including vegetarian. The Chef will also be required to maintain financial records, manage inventory and assure highest standards of safety, cleanliness and proper food preparation and storage. The Chef is required to maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen, including appliances, dinnerware, utensils, and surfaces, and always be properly and professionally attired. The Chef will also lead teams of service staff at functions.

San Pedro Beach Cleanup Thursday
This Thursday September 27 at 6am full town cleanup of the beach !!! Come one come all !! Bring your pitchfork wheelborow trucks !! Central Park !!

Employment opportunity at Hol Chan Marine Reserve

How was southern Belize Colonized?
The Belize Archives just released this powerful document which shows how the Baymen treated our indigenous ancestors. "Until recently, Belizean historiography suggested that all of the Maya people living in (what is today known as) southern Belize were killed before the British arrived—and that the land remained essentially empty until the 1880s. - Joel Wainwright, Check out his talk here:

Channel 7

Father and Three Kids Perish in Fire Tragedy
Tonight, we have a packed newscast following the 3-day Independence Day weekend, but the story making headlines tonight is that a second family of 4 has died in a house fire in only 3 months. This one happened in Orange Walk Town early yesterday morning, when the Petillo family was resting after a night out. Alfredo Petillo and his 3 children, Kevawn Clarke, Jayda Petillo, and Mia Petillo, ages 10 to 14, became trapped in a blaze that destroyed their home, as well as those of their uncles. The family yard, located at the corner of Progress and Cinderella Street in the Town, had 4 homes built close together, where the 3 Petillo Brothers and their spouses and children lived. At the main building is where their parents lived, but yesterday's fire started in Alfredo Petillo's kitchen and quickly spread to his brothers' family home, destroying everything in its wake.

Fire Department Says Stove Was Left On
So, you've seen the immense pain and grief in the aftermath of this fire, but up until this afternoon, it was unclear what exactly started it. The senior command of the National Fire Service hosted a press conference this afternoon to explain in details what their findings show. They say someone just left a pot on the stove and forgot to turn it off: Ted Smith, Fire Chief, National Fire Service : "The fire started from the stove area." Reporter: "Was the stove left on?" Ted Smith: "It appears that something was being cooked on the stove, a sort of aluminum type material as it melted and flowed within the top of the stove. We do have pictures but we didn't get it on the computer. That reflected that. When that occurred, the gas tank that was near and the transparent tubing - once the fire started it quickly broke the transparent tubing."

Fire Dept Defends Itself Against Claims of Being Late and Unprepared
Of course, with all that pain comes rage, and members of the Petillo family are unhappy with the performance of the fire department. You'll know that the firefighters are often the first ones at whom the fingers are pointing. And, in this case, the grieving family say that the authorities response to this deadly fire was inadequate, with a lack of water, and lateness in arriving to the scene. Here are a few of their complaints: Saturinno Petillo - Brother/Uncle of the Deceased: "They ran out of water. They had to bring an extra truck and try to do their best. Everybody was trying to give a hand. But it was too late."

One Year Old Drowns In Vat
A 1 year old baby boy drowned in a vat this weekend. It happened in the Port Loyola Area of Belize City at Krooman Lagoon on Saturday night. Now the family says they have been getting a lot of hate messages on social media, calling them negligent. Well, the baby's father spoke to us off camera today to set the record straight. He says it was an accident and it happened so fast. The baby's mom didn't see when the baby slipped away. Here that story. Courtney Weatherburne reporting Today Alexie Sanchez and her family spent most of their day inside their Krooman Lagoon home - enfolded in bitterness and sorrow. Sanchez's baby boy Kelvin Sanchez drowned in this vat near their house. The tragedy happened on Saturday night around 6:00.

Police Contemplating Charges for Parents
We also asked the head of CIB about this child drowning case. They say they are looking at the possibility of negligence: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "The family was having a reunion and the child was left in the house. They began to look for the child and the child was nowhere to be found. The mother went to her residence which is not far from where her mother lives and the child was not there. The father at the same time was coming out and he was looking outside if the yard when he saw inside of the vat the minor. They took him out and they rushed him to the hospital. However, he succumbed to his injuries whilst at the hospital." Reporter: "Any idea how the minor got into the vat?" ASP Alejandro Cowo: "What we believe is that the house is six feet elevated off the ground and the vat is about seven feet in height, so just about a foot difference in height of the house."

Man Found Murdered on San Pedro
There's been another murder on San Pedro - and like the many that have proceeded it, this one could be drug related. 23 year old fisherman Miguel Arroyo left home on the Tenth September at 2:00 pm to go to a nearby store. But, he never came home. His family started searching and found him dead yesterday - a good distance from home, with his head smashed in: ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB: "The family, as we know, they have been searching along with police in different locations within San Pedro. On that day they ventured across the lagoon and that is where they met up with the decomposed body..."

Man Drinks Poison, Urges Stepdaughter to Do Same
A 30 year old man drank the poisonous herbicide gramaxone - and then urged his 15 year old stepdaughter to do the same. It happened this morning in Bella vista Village in the Toledo District. Felistino Ash was with his stepdaughter - who had run away from home on Friday the 21st. She met up with him - and in an act of what can only be called madness, he got her to drink gramaxone with him. Reports say she put it in her mouth and waited until he had gulped down a large amount, to spit it out. The girl survived, while he died in the room. Police told us more:..

Young Mother Killed In Hit and Run
It was a rough holiday weekend on the highways - and out our next three stories about road traffic fatalities. We turn now to the north where a young mother was killed in a hit and run on Independence eve. 22 year old Caroline Riverol was walking across the road at the Santa Martha- Carmelita junction when she was run over by a truck that didn't stop. Police told us more: ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Our investigation so far is that she probably was in the process of crossing the highway when she was knocked down by a truck which failed to stop..."

Family Says She Was Waiting on The Roadside
Our colleagues from CTV 3 News also spoke with Salazar's uncle, Juan Rodriguez. He said that from what the family's been able to establish, she was not crossing the road, but standing at the side of the highway, waiting to travel to Orange Walk town. She was going to meet up with her aunt to enjoy their regular Independence Eve outing together. They say that's when the truck hit her: Juan Rodriguez, Uncle of Deceased: "Everyone was getting ready to go to the September celebrations. It was 20th night - to see the fireworks. It's something that my wife and my niece normally goes out together and waited for the juuvey in Orange Walk that was in the morning at 4am. At that time my wife was getting ready to go and meet her. They were actually texting that they were going to meet - that the bus was coming and that she was going to take the bus and my wife was texting her back that they will at the town council. We got a call saying that she had died. I didn't believe it. But we got another call to confirm."

Man Sees Checkpoints, Jumps Off Moving Bus To Death
A man jumped off a moving bus - and ended up dead - all because it appears he wanted to avoid a police checkpoint. Police told us it happened on last week Thursday when the Santander employees' bus was on the Valley of Peace Road. Here's Assistant Commissioner Myvett with more:... ACP Jospeh Myvett- Head of National Crime Investigations Branch: "On the 20th of September, shortly after 3:30 pm, Belmopan police was conducting a vehicular checkpoint on the Valley of Peace road when a bus approached the checkpoint but shortly before the bus came to a stop a male Hispanic person jumped out of the moving bus through the backdoor. His name was later learnt to be Carlos Jimenez, a 24 years Honduran of a Young Bank address. He was taken to the Western Regional Hospital and later transferred to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he later succumbed to the injuries he received from the accident."

Bella Vista Traffic Fatality
And in a third traffic fatality to report tonight - there was another fatal hit and run accident - this one outside Bella Vista village. Police told us more:... ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of National Crime Investigations Branch: "Sometime around 6:31 pm, police officers from the intermediate southern formation were called to an area between miles 44 and 45 on the Southern Highway where they observed the motionless body of a Hispanic male person later identified to be Juan Pop, 62 years Guatemalan farmer of Bella Vista Village on the right hand side of the road...""

Cayo Man on Life Support After Shooting
A man from Santa Elena, Cayo is on life support after he was shot to the head. It happened on Saturday night after a fight between two groups. Trapp was in the middle of that fight - and later that night when he was at home cooling off, two masked men pulled up to kill him. Police told us more:.. ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: "On the 21st of September sometime around 8:55 pm, police were called out to the hot-point area of Santa Elena town at a residence where they learnt that some six persons were socializing and during the process two persons road up on a motorcycle, one of whom got off the cycle and fired several shots towards the direction of where the persons were socializing and one of those shots caught Mr. Harvey Trapp to the left ear. As a result he was transported to the San Ignacio Community Hospital and later to the K.H.M.H. where he is now on a mechanical ventilator and he is in a critical condition."

Special Needs Man Shot
And, there was also a shooting in Belize City - fortunately this one wasn't very serious. But, the man who was injured was a blameless victim, actually a special needs individual. Police told us more:.. ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB, Belize City: "On Friday at about 8:35 pm police visited the Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital where they observed Mr. Leroy Waller, 37 years old Belizean of Neal's Pen Road, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of his neck. What police have gathered so far is that Mr. Waller was walking on Neal's Pen Road heading towards the boulevard when he was approached by someone who came from behind and fired several shots at him. This happened in front of 187 Neal Pen Road where a wake was taking place. Fortunately he was admitted and discharged on the same night. His injury was a minor one."

Family Homeless After Jane Usher Fire
A Curl Thompson street family lost everything in a fire. It happened early yesterday morning after 1:00 in the Jane Usher Area. Shantel Smith and her 14 year old brother were asleep inside the house when he alerted Smith to the fire. They ran out just in time, unharmed but they had to watch their home go up in flames. Today we spoke to a neighbor whose home was minimally damaged by the fire. Dorian Cardenes, Neighbor: "After 1 o' clock I woke up and I saw flames in the sky through the window and then have the neighbor called the fire department, but it took a little while but they came. They came late when the house already burnt down."

He Shot At Cops In City
Our next three stories are about acts of violence targeting police over the Independence Day weekend. We start in the city where a man known to the police is still wanted after he allegedly fired on two cops. ASP Cowo told us more:... ASP Alejandro Cowo- OC, CIB, Belize City: "On Saturday just before 5 in the morning, a police officer had just departed the Queen's street police station on board of an unmarked police vehicle, driven at the time by Inspector Caliz accompanied by Srgt. Maroquin and a BDF corporal that is attached to the ACT Operation. Whilst they were leaving the compound they drove into Barrack Road, into North Front Street and just approaching by Bottom Dolla, they were alerted that a guy was ahead of them with what appeared to be a firearm..."

Corporal’s Home Shot Up In San Joaquin
And while police are waiting for Longsworth - Hendy to turn himself in - they are still trying to confirm who shot up a policeman's house in San Joaquin, Corozal. It happened on the 20th night but wasn't discovered until the 21st.:... ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: "On the 21st of September police received information sometime around 11:30 am from the common law wife of a police officer living in San Joaquin Village who reported to police that on the 20th of September, shortly after 10 pm, she heard several bangs but did not pay much attention to it as she thought it was fire-works. However on the 21st of September around 8 am, when she exited her home and went to the street side, she observed a number of expended shells on the street side..."

Racing Hilux Hit Cop At Checkpoint
And, in Cayo, a police constable was injured at a highway checkpoint, when an eastbound Toyota Hilux blazed past and hit him. It happened on Friday night near the Red Creek checkpoint near San Ignacio. Police told us more:... ACP Joseph Myvett- Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Also on Friday, sometime shortly after 7pm, a team of police officers were conducting vehicular check point at the Red Creek checkpoint in Santa Elena. Whilst on the checkpoint, a white pickup approached the checkpoint at high speed and one of the officers who was standing in the middle of the highway near the checkpoint sign was hit by the bumper of the vehicle and also during the process..."

Uniforms Found In House Search
And while police look for that pickup with a broken side mirror - in Punta Gorda, the cops came upon a stash of police uniforms in a house search. They were in possession of a special constable and the cops say they may be legit. Here's more:... ACP Joseph Myvett - Head of National Crime Investigations Branch: "On the 22nd September sometime around 5:30am, Punta Gorda police conducted a search at the residence of Kevin Trapp, 20 year old of an Oreo Street Address in Punta Gorda. As a result a number of police uniforms were found. However, during the investigative process it is learnt that Mr. Trapp was a member of the police youth cadet corps for a while before he became a special constable. So far he has only been charged for assaulting a police officer. I do not know at the point in time whether other charges are forthcoming in relation to the uniforms."

50 Boxes of Sugar Cane Insecticide Found West, But For Whom?
And while police in the south were looking for uniforms, a patrol team out west came out with a large amount of contraband insecticide. It happened on the Calla Creek Road which is a main route for contraband smugglers. The cops caught two Guatemalans coming through in a pickup with Beqnue plates, loaded with insecticide:... ACP Joseph Myvett - Head of National Crime Investigations Branch "Also on the 22nd September, sometime around 11:30am whilst San Ignacio police were conducting mobile patrol in the Calla Creek area, they came across a red Toyota pickup which had 2 occupants and at the time the pickup was loaded with 40 cases of respec insecticide..."

Guardsman With Ganja
And in another bust, a Coast GuaRdsman was busted with marijuana in retail quantities and packaging. Police told us it happened in Dangriga:... ACP Joseph Myvett - Head of National Crime Investigations Branch: "On Thursday 20th September, sometime around 6:55pm, Dangriga police was conducting patrols in the Riverside area where they conducted a search on Leonard Flores, 25 year old Belizean Coast Guard officer. During the process of the search of a bag he had, 54.1 grams of cannabis was found. He has since been arrested and charged for the offence of possession of control drugs and taken before the court today."

There Will Be More Than One Arrest For Pier One Brawl
Last week we told you about a single arrest for the Pier One bar brawl that left three persons injured. Well, another video has emerged showing just how lawless the entire episode was. And the acting police commissioner has directed that everyone in the video be found and arrested for disorderly conduct. Police told us more charges will be coming forward:...

National Day Speeches Were Combative
On Thursday at midnight, the Belize flag went up for the 37th time - this one at the memorial park in Belize City. And on Friday, it was the official independence day ceremonies in Belmopan. The main speeches were given by the Leader of the Opposition and the Acting Prime Minister, with an introduction by their host mayor, Khalid Belisle:.. In terms of cherry plums, there weren't many, but there were a few. First, the announcement that another project is in the pipeline for the Phillip Goldson Highway, to re-pave it from mile 24.5 all the way to the Corozal border.

State Funeral Lindo, Lion Of The UDP
The State Funeral for the first Leader of the UDP, Dean Lindo was held this afternoon at St. John's Cathedral. The 86 year old was cremated according to his wishes and the ashes were put in a mahogany box. The box was marched today to St. John's Cathedral for a church ceremony that was primarily officiated by the Right Reverend Phillip Wright, Bishop of Belize. There was attendance of a cross-section of political personalities, the legal community, and friends from his long public life as an attorney, a sportsman and a statesman. The eulogy was read by Hugh Michael Lindo and Lydia Thurton - while Michael Finnegan gave the official remembrance. Here are excerpts:

EXTRO
And, we end tonight - in a manner befitting the patriot that Lindo was - with a few more scenes of the flag raising at midnight - followed by 15 minutes of fireworks. We leave you with that - join me back here tomorrow...

Channel 5

Father and 3 Children Perish in Orange Walk Fire
There has been another tragic fire which has resulted in loss of life of several family members. In June, four members of the Nunez family perished in a fire in [...]

Coping Through a Tragic Loss
The fire at the corner of Progress and Cinderella Streets in Orange Walk has caused emotional distress. Five adults and seven children survived and have been left displaced. Today, counselors [...]

Fire Destroys Home in Belize City
Here in Belize City, a fire wiped out a family home in Belize City on Jane Usher Boulevard, but fortunately there was no loss of life.  The family of four, [...]

Missing San Pedro Man Turns Up Dead!
Almost two weeks after he disappeared, the decomposing body of Miguel Arroyo was discovered on an island near San Pedro. The twenty-three-year-old San Pedro fisherman headed to a store on [...]

Toddler Drowns in Vat
There was another tragic death. Sometime after six on Saturday, police were called out to the Krooman Lagoon area at the entrance on mile one and half on the George [...]

I.C.J. and the State of Public Emergency Resonate at Independence Day Ceremony
The official ceremonies on Independence Day took place in Belmopan. Since Prime Minister Dean Barrow was not available for the event and still in recovery, Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber [...]

National Security Commanders Come Out in Support of the I.C.J.
The three arms of the Ministry of National Security have taken a collective position as it relates to the International Court of Justice.  Appearing in uniforms this morning on Open [...]

Resolving Matter at the I.C.J. Will Make Protecting Belize’s Sovereignty Easier
The Belize Defence and the Belize Coastguard are charged with protecting the sovereignty of Belize and its internal security.  The B.D.F. and the Coastguard are both active in the Sarstoon [...]

Shot to the Head, Harvey Trapp Fighting for His Life
A Santa Elena resident is tonight fighting for his life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital following a shooting on Saturday night in Santa Elena. Harvey Trapp was shot in [...]

Shootout between Cops and Alleged Gunman
There was a shootout between police and a gunman in the vicinity of the Swing Bridge on Saturday morning just before five o’clock. A senior officer travelling along with a [...]

Another Shooting on Neal Pen Road
There was yet another shooting in the Neal’s Pen Road area of Belize City; the fourth in the past two weeks. But today, police say that the shooting of thirty-seven-year-old [...]

Police Corporal’s House Shot Up
On the twentieth night as Belizeans were in a celebratory mood, an attack was made on the San Joaquin house of a Corporal of Police attached to the Corozal Police [...]

Police Charge Man for Pier 1 Bar Brawl
One man has been charged in connection with the brawl at the Pier One Bar at Digi Park two weeks ago. That person is Dwayne Michael Leslie and not Wayne [...]

Carmelita Villager Becomes Victim of Fatal Hit and Run
Traffic accidents in the north, west and south claimed the lives of three persons. On Thursday night at about nine-thirty when Belizeans were getting ready to celebrate, a hit and [...]

62-Year-Old Killed in Hit and Run
There was also a fatal road traffic accident in southern Belize. It occurred in the village of Buena Vista on the Southern Highway and it was also a hit and [...]

Man Jumps from Bus to His Death
And in the west, there was a third victim of a traffic accident.  Carlos Jimenez, a twenty-four-year-old Honduran national, leapt to his death from a moving passenger bus on around [...]

PC Garcia Recovering After Pickup Truck Hit Him
While those road traffic incidents were fatal, a police officer is lucky to be alive after a speeding pickup truck hit him during a routine check point in the Red [...]

2 Guatemalans Nabbed with 40 Cases of Uncustomed Pesticide
Two Guatemalan nationals are in trouble with immigration tonight after they were detained over the weekend in the Calla Creek area in western Belize. Humberto Munroy and Ervin Garcia, both [...]

Suicide in Bella Vista?
This morning, shortly after nine, Intermediate Southern Formation officers were called to an apartment building in Bella Vista Village. There, they made a shocking discovery of a thirty-year-old man who [...]

Coastguard Officer Busted with Weed in Dangriga
A coastguard officer finds himself on the other side of the law tonight after he was arraigned today for the crime of possession of a controlled drug. Just before seven [...]

Son of UB President Remanded to Prison in the U.S. for Allegedly Attempting to Steal a Plane
Twenty-two-year-old Nishal Sankat, the son of the University of Belize President Clement Sankat, is being held in detention tonight in Orlando, Florida.  Late last week, the young Sankat attempted to [...]

Dean Russel Lindo is Laid to Rest
An official memorial service was held at Saint John’s Cathedral this afternoon for the late Dean Russel Lindo. Family, U.D.P. supporters, the Bar Association, as well as friends from all [...]

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

LOVE FM

Family of four loses home to fire in Belize City
A Belize City family also suffered from the loss of their home during a fire. The early morning blaze destroyed the home of a family of four on Jane Usher Boulevard. Kendra Smith and her siblings are struggling to find shelter, clothing and food. Love News spoke to Smith who said she was not at …

Official funeral ceremony held to commemorate the life of prominent UDP figure, Dean Lindo
While Independence was being ushered in, historians and family members were saying goodbye to a man who help build the foundation of the United Democratic Party. Family and friends gathered to bid farewell to Dean Russel Lindo at an official funeral. Lindo died last week after a long illness. Minister Michael Finnegan, Lindo’s personal friend, …

Father and 3 Kids Perish in Fire
A tragic fire occurred in Orange Walk Town on Sunday morning. A father and three of his children were lost when the inferno took possession of the house at the corner of Progress and Cinderella streets. The wooden house became kindle to the fire when it started about 5 a.m. After it was extinguished by …

Two persons died in separate hit and run accidents
Police are investigating a fatal hit and run incident which claimed the life of 22-year-old Carolyn Riverol. ACP Joseph Myvette told the media the incident occurred last Thursday. Joseph Myvette – Head of National Crime Investigation Branch: “Police were called to an area between Mile 44 and 45 on the Philip Goldson Highway where upon arrival …

Mayor Says Time to Upgrade Fire Service
The Peoples United Party and Orange Walk Mayor Kevin Bernard have expressed their sincere condolences to the families and the community over the loss of Kevan Clare, Mia Petillo, Jeda Petillo and their father, Alfred Petillo. Mayor Bernard made a petition to the government to get better trucks for the National Fire Service to use …

Man dies after jumping out moving bus
A Honduran national has succumbed to injuries he sustained when he jumped out of a moving bus on the Valley of Peace Road as the bus approached a vehicular checkpoint on Thursday. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett, provided more details regarding the story. ACP Joseph Mvyette: “Shortly before the bus came to a stop …

Fire Service says Several Factors including the Stove led to Fire
The National Fire service is taking a lot of heat over their handling of the Orange Walk fire. The trucks lacked access to water from a nearby fire hydrant, and a town resident had to assist with a water truck. This afternoon the Fire Service held a 42 minutes press conference during which they made …

Man hit an unintended target
37-year-old Leroy Waller was walking on Neal’s Pen Road on Friday night when several shots were fired in his direction and he was hit to the left side of his neck. As a result, he was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of CIB said that police investigations revealed that …

Another toddler drowned
Police are investigating the drowning death of a toddler which occurred on Saturday at a residence located at two and half miles on the George Price Highway. Police investigation revealed that the family was socializing when they lost sight of the child, Kelvin Alexander Sanchez who was later found in a vat that was adjacent …

Are police officers’ lives in danger due to rise in attacks?
The Police Department has a very important role to play as it ensures the safety of the community. Over the years, the community seemingly has lost its respect for the department, which is evident in the increase of attacks on police officers. At today’s press brief, ACP Joseph Myvett spoke of two recent attacks on …

Breaking Belize News

3 Belizeans busted with dead howler monkey
Three men from Succotz village, Cayo were busted yesterday with a dead Howler Monkey inside their backpack. Authorities […]

San Ignacio police officers accused of police brutality against students
A video of alleged police brutality has gone viral on social media. The video shows […]

Saldivar says Belizeans will not become ‘refugees’
Minister of Defense and National Security, John Saldivar, in a Facebook post today, said Belizeans would […]

Traffic accident in Southern Belize leaves one injured
A traffic accident a short while ago in San Isidro, Toledo has left one person injured. […]

Ministry of Human Development Offers Support in Wake of Devastating OW Fire
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation, and Poverty Alleviation joins the country in mourning the devastating loss of Alfred Petillo […]

Extension of Opening Hours- Elections and Boundaries Registration Offices
The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby advise the public that the opening hours for the Elections […]

PUP issues statement on tragic fire that killed 4 people in Orange Walk
The People’s United Party (PUP) mourns the tragic loss of lives of a father and […]

Undocumented worker dies from jumping out of moving bus
A Honduran national is dead after sustaining injuries from jumping off of a moving […]

Police considering charges for parents of drowned toddler
The Belize Police Department is considering the possibility of criminally charging the parents of a minor that […]

UDP do not want Mark King in Fort George; King will now file for an injunction
This afternoon, Mark King, the former member of Lake I posted on his Facebook page that […]

Son of UB President denied bail for trying to steal plane
Nishal Sankat, the 22-year-old son of University of Belize President Clement Sankat, who was arrested last […]

Hit and run victim dies in southern Belize
A man from southern Belize is dead after a road traffic accident last night. His identity […]

Belize benefits from Korea’s Development Assistance Program
Last week, the Government of Belize received a donation of computers and equipment valued at US$90,000 from […]

Adrienne Barillas reportedly dies in South Korea
Belizean American, Adrienne Barillas, is dead. Details surrounding her death is at this time sketchy […]

Blogs

Sherlette, Queen Of the San Pedro Jump Up Parade, IS BACK!
The 2018 Jump Up Parade for September 21st – Independence Day was extra awesome this year. It just seemed a little bit longer…a little bit more colorful…super fun. And despite the fact that it is always BLAZING hot in late September in Belize (think 100% humidity and temperature that feels over 100) and the parade always starts a bit late…I wouldn’t miss it for anything. There is a bigger parade in Orange Walk, Belize on the 21st – and ONE DAY, I keep saying, I will totally make it to that one. But I just can’t seem to rip myself away from San Pedro. This year it was SO GOOD to see some of the schools participating again. There has been a bit of controversy in years past…about kids and drinking (many of the floats have coolers and bartenders!) but I love to see Island Academy and ABC Pre-School parading again.

Travel Bucket List: Exploring Caves in Belize
While many travelers flee to the cayes when they touch down in Belize, the mainland itself — both above and below ground — offers incredible adventure opportunities. On a recent visit, the award-winning, full-service San Ignacio Resort Hotel in the Cayo District of western Belize revealed a landscape full of exotic flora and fauna. The resort is home to the Green Iguana Conservation Project, a continuous effort that aims to look after the endangered green iguana species in Belize. The boutique property also runs a number of day trips throughout this unique area of Central America, including one to Barton Creek Cave where, after canoeing through a giant crack in a mountain, visitors are greeted by magnificent natural formations. Ambient light gives way to headlamps inside this magical world of the ancient Maya, whose traces — in the form of pottery shards and human remains — can still be found throughout the cave.

Low Season in Belize is Chillout Time
Here in Belize, the weather stays pretty constant all year round (it’s always hot, sunny, and humid), and there is tourism all year round…but there are some distinct differences between high season and low season in terms of day-to-day living. And at this time of year, it’s definitely more chilled. Low season (rainy season) runs from about June to October. There is a distinct increase in rainfall, but it comes mostly at night, or in short bursts during the day. The villages explode with growth and color during these times, and for storm lovers, the thunderstorms are epic. Frogs love the puddles the rainy season brings, and so you see more of them hopping around at this time of year. You’ll find you need to wear a little more bug spray, but we also have more rainbows, and gorgeous sunsets and sunrises during these months.

Independence Day in Belize, 2018!!!! San Pedro & Placencia...
Although September is low season, one of the highlights of the low season is Independence Day - September 21st! This year was 37 years for Belize as an independent country. The country takes its celebration very seriously! The party starts at the beginning of the month with St. George's Caye Day and continues through the month. You'll see streamers, flags, and national pride everywhere. The party started in Placencia overnight on the 20th/early the 21st at "jouvert" (large party) which was an overnight parade and fireworks! During the day on the 21st, our guests at CBC celebrated starting in the afternoon.... And then the afternoon parade in Placencia! It starts a couple miles north of the village, and the parade walks all the way through town, where the party ensues into the night!

Best Beaches in Belize
Simply put, Belize has been blessed by a bounty of beautiful beaches. Belize enjoys more than 200 miles (380 kilometers) of beaches along its Caribbean coast, ensuring a more than ample supply of white sandy beaches for both locals and tourists to enjoy. In addition, Belize has more than 200 offshore islands located on the Belize Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-largest coral reef system in the world. In Belize, islands are known as cayes (pronounced “keys”), and most are located within just a few miles of the mainland. Belize’s largest island is the popular tourist destination of Ambergris Caye. Measuring 25 miles (40 km) long by one mile (1.6 km) across, Ambergris Caye is home to some 15,000 people. Other popular tourist destinations include Caye Caulker, Tobacco Caye, and Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Many of Belize’s islands lie inside protected marine environents and are uninhabited except for scientific monitoring stations.

Diving in the Outer Cayes and Atolls of Belize
The Belize Barrier Reef is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most biologically diverse marine environments on the planet, making it the ideal place to enjoy activities like scuba diving and snorkeling. The Belize Barrier Reef is composed of more than 400 islands and three atolls, the only true atolls in the world found outside of the Pacific Ocean. Atolls look like rings of coral with a lagoon in the center because they originally formed around volcanic seamounts that were later subsumed underneath the waves. The barrier reef contains seven different protected marine conservation areas, making them great places to enjoy scuba diving. Some of the most amazing sites that you can visit on the Belize Barrier Reef include:

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. On your November vacation in Belize, you can enjoy activities such as:

10 Gorgeous Birds You Are Likely To See On Your Belize Vacation
With more than 600 different bird species recorded in Belize, it can be difficult to decide a top 10 list of the most beautiful. Belize’s pristine landscapes of mountain forests, wetlands, offshore islands, rainforests, and jungle make it an ideal location for birds to thrive, including several rare and endangered species. Here is our list of the top 10 most gorgeous birds in Belize:

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

International Sources

Belize: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2018 Article IV Mission
A Concluding Statement describes the preliminary findings of IMF staff at the end of an official staff visit (or ‘mission’), in most cases to a member country. Missions are undertaken as part of regular (usually annual) consultations under Article IV of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, in the context of a request to use IMF resources (borrow from the IMF), as part of discussions of staff monitored programs, or as part of other staff monitoring of economic developments. The authorities have consented to the publication of this statement. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF Executive Board for discussion and decision.

10 of the Most Incredible Natural Phenomena to See Before You Die (or They're Gone)
From the tropical paradise of Cook Island to the rolling greenery of the Scottish Highlands, your travel bucket list is ever expanding. But we suggest you add a little wiggle room in your itinerary for some of these you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it sites. Pink lakes, sherbet-colored mountains and glowing beaches—this planet is an amazing place. But make plans to see these wonders soon, before they disappear. If you couldn’t tell by its name, the Great Blue Hole is a giant underwater hole in the middle of Lighthouse Reef, 73 miles off the coast of Belize. Technically, it’s a sinkhole that formed as far back as 153,000 years ago, before sea levels were as high as they are today. After some glaciers danced around and melted, oceans rose and filled in the hole (very scientific explanation, no?). The near-perfect circle (wow) is 1,043 feet in diameter and 407 feet deep, giving it a dark navy hue.

Videos

September 24, 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

San Pedro Independence Parade
Belizeans on Ambergris Caye celebrated Belize's 37th Independence Anniversary with a grand colourful and patriotic parade!

Wolfe’s Woofer: Haircut
“Meet me at one o’clock for a late lunch at that restaurant by Brodie’s,” Sherry said. “If you have time, you need to get a haircut.” I was already tired of shopping, so I found a small two-man barbershop and took a seat for waiting customers. A barber finished one customer and took his money. Then he waved me into the seat. “I’m behind this young man,” I said. I pointed to an eight or nine-year-old boy who was the only other customer waiting, “It’s alright,” the man in the next barber chair said. “You can go ahead. He’s with me.”

Billionaire’s Poker Lounge debuts at Captain’s Casino
On Monday, September 17th Billonaire’s Poker Lounge debuted in San Pedro Town with a round of No Limit Texas Hold’em Poker games. Held at Captain Morgan’s Casino north of San Pedro Town, the grand opening of the tournament saw many eager players, who at the end of the night walked out with cash and other fabulous giveaways. Organizers of the event deemed it successful, with an excellent turnout of players. The game is a variation of the card game of poker. Two cards, known as the hole cards are dealt face down to each player, and then five cards known as ‘community,’ are dealt face up in three stages. These consist of a series of three cards, later an additional single card, and a final card. Each player looks for the best five-card poker hand from any combination of the seven cards of the five community cards and their two hole cards.

Doctor Love: Not Fanfare
Dear Doctor Love, My sister married her fiancé in June, and the planning of the wedding was a year-long drama with costs that skyrocketed, feelings that were hurt and fights that sometimes even led to things getting broken. I watched this all from the bridesmaid seat and swore that I wouldn’t have this kind of stress in my life, especially during what is supposed to be a very happy time full of love and hope for the future. My boyfriend and I have decided to get married. The problem is my family doesn’t like that we plan to go to the Justice of the Peace and marry in a civil ceremony then have a short honeymoon at a seaside B&B. The twenty grand we will save by not having a huge wedding will be put as a down-payment on a house.

Misc Belizean Sources

ORANGE WALK DISTRICT HOUSE FIRE
About 5:10 a.m., on 23.9.2018, Police responded to a report of a house fire at the Corner of Progress and Cinderella Street, Orange Walk Town Upon arrival, they observed an apartment that house the Petillo family totally engulfed in flames. Police were also informed that four persons were trapped inside the apartment. The fire was later extinguished by personnel from the Fire Department. A search in one of the rooms led to the discovery of three apparently burnt bodies identified to be Kevan Clare, 14-year-old, Mia Petillo, 10-year-old and Jeda Petillo, 12-year-old. Zelda Bowen, 31-year-old, Belizean Domestic of said address reported that she saw the kitchen area of their apartment engulfed in flames and ran out for help as her three children were inside one of the room. Her husband Alfredo Petillo who was outside running in the apartment, however, the fire began spreading and he got trapped inside with the children, they were all burnt inside by the fire. The four bodies were transported to the Northern Regional Hospital where they were pronounced dead. The bodies now await a post-mortem examination. The cause of the fire has not been ascertained and Police investigations continue.

Power outage scheduled for Wednesday, September 26 from 8:00am to 4:00pm to affect Halls Layout area
, Xaibe, Canlum, Patchakan, Carolina, Calcutta and San Joaquin. BEL to install and prepare poles for future upgrades to the power distribution system.

Independence Eve Christian Parade 2018
Many of the Cayo churches came together for an Independence Eve Christian parade. Downtown was packed. "There was a rainstorm throughout the day with intermittent power outages but it was a beautiful moonlit night that was just perfect for the very first Independence Eve Christian Parade for the Twin Towns of Santa Elena and San Ignacio. It was a celebration not only of Belize Independence but also of the joy of the Lord that cannot be contained but overflows into the streets of the city with singing and dancing. Area churches joined together to create the parade that included floats, a marching band, music, drama and dancing. Free Bibles and Christian literature were distributed to the crowds of people watching the parade. There were 14 stops along the parade route for the special presentations, which were repeated after the parade at the Falcon Field basketball pavilion. Fireworks ushered in Independence Day at midnight."

A Belizean-U.S. band performed for the Governor General, diplomats, and Belizean people during the Independence Day Celebrations!
The Belize Defence Force invited five musicians from their U.S. Military State Partner, the Louisiana National Guard, to form a multinational band during 2018 September Celebrations. The multinational band performed at the National Flag Raising Ceremony in Belize City and the National Independence Day Ceremony in Belmopan on September 20 and 21.

The Reporter

THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
Last week a friend of mine posted, on Facebook – “As a people we are lost. No principles, no loyalty, no moral compass…we think everything is about doing what we feel, never considering the consequences of our actions on others. We are selfish and self-centered.” Ihad to edit slightly because my friend, bless her acerbic soul, curses worse than a sailor on shore leave, but the message is intact. I start on a personal note, and I go there first because I am many things, many terrible things, but I draw the line at being a hypocrite. I have been as lost as it is possible to be. I have taken long journeys on seas of alcohol where my moral compass was nowhere in evidence. I have done, and continue to do selfish things, putting my wants and pleasures first, and my family’s needs last.

A FAMILY IN ORANGE WALK PERISH IN EARLY MORNING FIRE
Residents of Orange Walk are still trying to comprehend the tragedy which took four lives this morning. There is confirmation that father Alfredo Ernesto Petillo, 35, stepson Kevaughn, 14, and daughters Jada, 12 and Mia, 10 all died in a fire which started at around 5:00am in their wooden home. Reports are that Petillo, his wife Zelda and youngest child got out safe, but he went back in to save them. Friends and neighbours say the fire is believed to have been started by a candle left burning in the home.

Breaking Belize News

Senior citizen found dead in Caye Caulker
Police are investigating the death of a senior citizen in Caye Caulker. Yesterday morning police visited the residence of Estanislao Villamil, 75, on Estrella street. That was when they saw Villamil on the floor and his neck stuck between his bed and a drawer. […]

Cayo man shot in his left ear last night
A shooting out west has left one man injured. He is Harvey Trapp, 27. According to police reports, last night just before 9:00 p.m. he was at the residence of Noel Hyde located on Santa Teresita Street in Santa Elena Town. […]

Over $13,000 in cigarettes stolen at Western Free Zone
Benque Viejo police are investigating a case of burglary at the Western Free Zone. Yesterday morning, Eswin Gutierrez reported that upon arriving at his business, he observed the building was broken into. According to him, forty boxes of Modern brand cigarettes and four boxes of Golden Deer brand cigarettes were stolen. […]

Police issue official report on fatal fire in Orange Walk
When police arrived on the scene they observed an apartment that housed the Petillo family. Police were also informed that four persons were trapped inside the apartment. The fire was later extinguished by personnel from the Fire Department. However, during a search in one of the rooms, three dead bodies were found. They were identified to be Kevan Clare, 14; Mia Petillo, 10; and Jeda Petillo, 12. Zelda Bowen, told police that she saw the kitchen area of her apartment engulfed in flames and ran out for help as her three children were inside in one of the room. Her husband, Alfredo Petillo, ran inside to save the children but he got trapped inside with them. […]

Fire claims life of father and three children
BBN has confirmed that a fire in Orange Walk Town has claimed the life of three children and their father. We understand that the victims are the Petillo family who had resided at the corner of Id Cinderella and Progress Street. Reports are that the fire started 5 a.m. while the family was asleep inside their home. […]

One year old baby found dead
A one year old baby boy is dead under mysterious circumstances in Belize City. He has been identified as Kelvin Sanchez. The child was reportedly left in the care of his maternal grandmother who resided near the Krooman Lagoon. He apparently wandered away and was found by his father inside a nearby vat dead. […]

Blogs

Working Hard Towards Former Parade Glory – Happy Birthday Belize
Yesterday was Belize’s 37th Independence day and countrywide the nation turned out in style to say “Happy Birthday Belize”. While it was always great the past few years, the parade has been a little light. This year it finally felt like it was getting back on track towards what it once used to be (but still nowhere near as big.) I say that because 12 years back and the next few years following, there were so many more parades, decorated golf carts, and big flatbed trucks for floats with increased giant speaker action. I did not see any of the friends I had loose plans to meet and of course, I ran into many friends I had no plans with. The first two I saw when I came barreling down Buckaneer Sreet were Mary and Tamara from, our local newspaper and tourism magazine, My Beautiful Belize. This was fortunate on my part as those girls are also crowd cutting professionals and swiftly had us navigating through the spectators and parade to the other side. We made it to Front Street just in time to catch the full parade at one of the best parts when it disperses into the park and turns into a big party.

Videos

September 23, 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

Presentation of Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Three ambassadors presented their Letters of Credence on September 18th, to the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young, at the Belize House in Belmopan. In their address to the Governor General, H.E. Mr. Eric Mayoraz, Ambassador of Switzerland; H.E. Mr. José Renato Sepúlveda Nebel, Ambassador of Chile; and H.E. Mrs. Ana Elena Moser Cazar, Ambassador of Ecuador, conveyed greetings from their respective countries and their pleasure in being in Belize to celebrate the nation’s independence.

First UDP Leader, Dean Lindo passes at 86
Former politician and first leader of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) Attorney Dean Russel Lindo passed away on Monday, September 17th at his residence in Belize City. Lindo rose to political significance when the UDP was founded in 1973. As its first leader, the party rose rapidly to become a prepared Opposition against the People’s United Party. According to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Lindo was also known for his conservation initiatives, which led to the establishment of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in the country in 1987, when he headed the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture.

Private businesses to soon pay fees for beach use, says SPTC
The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) plans to implement a new norm that will see beach restaurants and bars paying a fee for accessing the beach. This implementation will apply to those private businesses that keep tables and chairs on the beach for the comfort of their customers. Such practice, according to the SPTC, has been encouraged to service the demands of the tourism industry. However, as the industry continues to grow, the plan is to eventually charge a fee for the usage of the beach, which according to the laws of Belize, is ‘Queen’s Land’ or public property. The Ministry of Natural Resources in Belize have, on different occasions, explained that all land up to 66 feet from the high water level is considered National Land or Queen’s Land. According to them, these areas are to be kept accessible to the public. Mayor Daniel Guerrero says that he understands it is a public area, but at the moment the practice is allowed because the industry calls for it.

Misc Belizean Sources

Independence Day Address by the Hon. Patrick Faber, Acting Prime Minister, September 21, 2018, Belmopan
Before I get into this address, kindly allow me to say what a privilege it is for me to be standing at this podium to be offering such a notable speech that lands me in the company of only a few others, probably not more than five in number who have had such a distinguished honor to address the nation in such a capacity on the anniversary of our nation’s Independence. Allow me as well to encourage all Belizeans to continue to pray for the full recovery of our prime minister, the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and to thank the many who have extended, by way of the government, their best wishes for his recovery. I’d also wish to ask you to remember in your prayers, the family of another great Belizean leader and patriot, the Hon Dean Russel Lindo who passed on and will be buried by an official funeral on Monday afternoon at St John’s Anglican Cathedral.

Eternal Sun Rave
Ready for the next dance party? Chai Garden Ashram will be the location, and Night Quest will be mixing. Under the Moon will also be performing, as will many others. "Conscious Dance Culture, alcohol free event features local and international DJ's, yoga, vegan food, unlimited fruit, techno, kombucha bar and brewery, electro-acoustic kirtan, chanting and meditation in the jungle of Belize. Natural spring fed waterfall and swimming! All this AND free camping with admission! An uplifting intimate gathering, this microfestival has limited tickets available."

September 21st in Orange Walk
24 Photos

Voting in the USA
Many states allow registered voters to submit Federal Post Card App via fax or email.

TSOTOB
Today Tsotob is being made in the village of San Pablo/San Jose in Orange Walk . Tsotob is one of the traditonal Yucatec Maya food known also as "Tamalitos de Maiz" . Many Northern Maya still plant milpa from where they get the corn to create the nice tsotob . Corn continues to be very important for the Maya today . Not in vain the Popol Vuh says we are made of Corn .

The Reporter

APRIL 10th. 2019: BE NOT AFRAID
In its drive for the YES vote in the upcoming ICJ referendum,the Barrow administration has relied on two main weapons: fearand half truths. Belize went to independence on September 21, 1981 under a state of emergency and without a defence guarantee from the British. There were a great many people, including the then opposition (United Democratic Party) who were terrified that Guatemala would have invadedus as soon as we became independent. Thus September 21, 1981 was a frightening time for many in the Jewel. Belizeans have had a tangible fear of Guatemala for decades because we, who are not a warlike people, had good reason to fear Guatemala’s belligerence.

BODY OF MISSING FISHERMAN FOUND
The Reporter has confirmed that the body of missing San Pedro fisherman Miguel Arroyo, 23, has been found. Arroyo left home on September 10th at 2:00pm to go to the store and never returned. The Reporter is investigating and will provide more details shortly.

Breaking Belize News

Man missing for 12 days found dead
San Pedro fisherman, Miguel Arroyo, 23, has been found dead. Further details are sketchy at this time but we remind readers that Arroyo left his home on Pelican Street in San Pedro Town on September 10th at 2:00 pm to go to a store. […]

Belize Network of NGOs launches ICJ Survey
In the next seven months, Belizeans will go to the polls to determine if they want have Guatemala’s unfounded territorial claim adjudicated in the Internal Court of Justice (ICJ). Several Belizeans have taken to social media to express their views in an open way. However, the Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) has launched a survey to collect that data. […]

Deputy Prime Minister delivers Independence Day speech
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, in the absence of Prime Minister Dean Barrow who is still recovering from back surgery, delivered the Independence Day address to the nation on the 37th anniversary of Belize’s Independence. Faber credited the government and Barrow’s Cabinet for ensuring that democracy and the rule of law always prevail despite many challenges facing the country. […]

Man shot on Independence Day in Belize City
Leroy Waller, 37, remains hospitalized in a stable condition after he was shot last night. According to police reports, Waller was at a residence on Neal’s Pen Road when someone opened fire. He was shot in the neck and transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. […]

Son of UB President arrested in Florida after trying to steal plane
Nishal Sankat, 22, the son of University of Belize President, Clement Sankat, was arrested on Thursday in the Orlando Melbourne International Airport after he had reportedly hopped a fence and boarded a plane, which was being worked on by a maintenance crew. […]

International Sources

The tropics are heating up again: Tropical Storm Kirk forms in eastern Atlantic
Following a brief lull in tropical weather across the Atlantic Basin, several areas of interest have developed this weekend, including the season's newest named storm. Tropical Storm Kirk developed on Saturday morning. It formed at 8.3 degrees north latitude, making it the lowest latitude at which an Atlantic named storm has formed since 1902. "Kirk is moving through an environment of warm water and within an area of relatively low shear," AccuWeather Expert Senior Meteorologist Dan Kottlowski said. Elsewhere in the Atlantic, a tropical depression is slowly churning towards the Caribbean. This system is expected to dissipate as it approaches land over the next couple of days.

USA SCORE RECORD BREAKING 198 RUN WIN OVER BELIZE
Friday saw an incredible TeamUSA performance as twin centuries from Malhotra and Patel powered the hosts to 249 before they bowled Belize out for 51 to claim a record breaking 198 run win and remain unbeaten at the ICC World Twenty20 Americas Qualifier in North Carolina.

Videos

September 22, 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

Ministry of National Security Issues Statement on Recent Incident on the Sarstoon River
The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) conducted their third annual Sarstoon Kayak Challenge on September 15th, 2018. While in the previous two years, there was no resistance from the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) during the races, there was resistance this year. The Belize Forward Observation Base (FOB) Patrol Commander reported that on September 14th, a vessel with five men and two women passed near the FOB. The patrol recognized that one of the men on board was Mr. Wil Maheia of the BTV but noted that the vessel did not stop at the FOB as has been publicly advertised and is advised for all vessels. The commander reported that the persons onboard shouted that they were not going far. The Commander also reported that the seeming intent of Mr. Maheia was to plant a flag on the Sarstoon Island.

Independence Day Message from the Prime Minister of Belize, Rt. Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow
As we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of our Independence, I have been reflecting on just how glorious an achievement it was. Consider the circumstances. We were confronted by twin, seemingly insurmountable odds: a large, militarized neighbour with an unjust and illegal claim to our country, threatening our extinction; and a colonial power reluctant to do what was necessary to help finalize our secure freedom. But we would not be deterred. And history records the tremendous persistence and skill with which Belize persevered and overcame. The nations of the world all remarked the force of our campaign. No one doubted that its triumph stamped our small country as one destined for greatness.

Island authorities in Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye seek more autonomy for better decision-making
The authorities on the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye are concerned over the lack of autonomy in their respective jurisdictions. Some problems include the assignation of personnel to run the islands’ Transport Department and the approval of high-rise buildings. Island leaders take issue with the assignations, as they include members from the mainland, making the decision process on important island matters frustrating. Ambergris Caye’s local authorities have long voiced concern over this system, and the Caye Caulker Village Council has recently disclosed their challenges as well.

Misc Belizean Sources

Letter: My Independence Day reflections, by Charles Leslie Jr.
Whereas the people of Belize- (b) respect the principles of social justice and therefore believe that the operation of the economic system must result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all,… that labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions but that there should be opportunity for advancement on the basis of recognition of merit, ability and integrity,… that equal protection should be given to children regardless of their social status, and that a just system should be ensured to provide for education and health on the basis of equality; What we need to do is reflect and ask ourselves if this system is doing what it should be doing. More and more youths have very little opportunity to pursue happiness and upward mobility…

Caye Caulker Independence Day celebration

Happy Independence Day, Belize!
The Caye Caulker Village Council put on a spectacular show Thursday night, and the 20+ minutes of fireworks were superb. Thank you.

Belize booth is set at the American Birding Expo

September 21st in Orange Walk

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Mandy, Solo, Purge, Uncle Drew

The Reporter

School Children’s Parade, Independence Day Sept. 21st. 2018
Belize’s Independence Day celebrations kicked off this morning with simultaneous celebrations in Belmopan and Belize City. The official ceremonies in Belmopan featured formalities such as the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, inspecting the Guard of Honour of the Belize Defense Force, an address by Leader of the Opposition John Briceño and Acting Prime Minister Patrick Faber.

INDEPENDENCE DAY ACCIDENT REPORTED ON THE PHILLIP GOLDSON HWY.
There was a road traffic accident sometime this afternoon near Crooked Tree on the Phillip Goldson Highway. There are no details at this time. It appears two vehicles were involved and two persons injured.

NGO NETWORK LAUNCHES ONLINE ICJ SURVEY
The Belize Network of NGOs (BNN) has launched an online survey geared towards understanding Belizeans’ perspective on Guatemala’s territorial claim. The BNN explained that the survey aims to produce data that will give a sense of Belizeans’ willingness to take the territorial dispute to the International Court if Justice.

Breaking Belize News

Three guns stolen from home in Belize city
Police are investigating a burglary report in Belize city. On September 20, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., the home of Reginald Welch on Jones street, Belize city was burglarized. […]

Gas Tomza in Belize city robbed
Police are investigating a burglary that occurred this morning. Police reports say that around 12:20 a.m. today, two men with their faces covered entered the Gas Tomza limited located at mile 4 ½ on the Philip Goldson highway and held up the watchman. […]

Woman killed in hit and run accident
Police are investigating a hit and run accident that occurred around 9:30 last night. Caroline Riverol, 22, was walking across the Philip Goldson highway when a truck hit her. The driver of the vehicle did not stop to render any assistance. […]

CARICOM congratulates Belize on 37th anniversary of Independence
he Caribbean Community (CARICOM) today issued a statement expressing its wholehearted support for Belize’s stance on its sovereignty as the country celebrates 37 years of independence. CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, in a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Dean Barrow noted that the theme of the celebrations, “Belize Da Fi Wi – Now and Forever 8867!” […]

United States Department of State wishes Belize a Happy Independence Day
Today, the Secretary of State of the United States of America, Michael Pompeo issued a statement on behalf of the Government of the United States congratulating the people of Belize on the 37th anniversary of Independence. […]

Santa Elena Primary School hosts patriotic competition
Yesterday, the Santa Elena Primary School in Santa Elena town hosted a classroom patriotic competition. Teachers, students and parents were tasked with decorating the primary school in patriotic, red, white and blue colors, incorporating this year’s Independence day theme and depict student patriotism in Belize. […]

BPP demand transparency on Government’s referendum campaign
The Belize Progressive Party (BPP), yesterday, issued a release demanding transparency from the Government in regards to the national referendum education campaign. The BPP says that the issue is of paramount importance and warrants the full attention of all Belizeans and friends of Belize who understand the true depth of its gravity. […]

Thief gets away with $6,000 in Belize City
Police are investigating a robbery that occurred yesterday in Belize City. Around 12:33 pm yesterday, Pedro Gudiel,33, a salesman for Fiesta Chicken told police that when he entered his delivery truck and was about to close the door, he was approached by a man. […]

Belize celebrates 37th Independence anniversary
Belizeans at home and abroad are today celebrating the 37th anniversary of Belize’s Independence from Great Britain. This year, Belize celebrates under the theme, “ Belize da fi wi, Now and Forever, 8867.” Belize, formerly British Honduras, obtained its Independence on September 21, 1981. […]

Cotton Tree man shot in buttocks in Belize City
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday morning in Belize City. Around 10:30 am, police went to the KHMH and saw Michael Arnold,25, of Cotton Tree Village with a gunshot wound to his buttocks. […]

Blogs

Beautiful Belize Turns 37 Today: The 2018 Jump Up Celebration Parade
You might think I’m crazy but September 21st is my favorite day of the year. Yes, it’s INCREDIBLY HOT. Always. And it’s slow season. But Belize celebrates Independence Day is such a ridiculously joyous way, I can hardly get enough. I may have missed the ceremonies in town last night – but here is a gorgeous photo taken by Danny Medina of the fireworks. I have SO many photos…so I’ll try to keep this reasonable. This was my 12th parade and one of my favorites yet. Each year I consider going to the biggest parade in the country – in Orange Walk…but I just can’t NOT go to San Pedro’s Jump Up Parade. It’s so ridiculously fun seeing all the people you know celebrating Belize. It is most DEFINITELY my favorite September motto – each year on a national level a competition is held and one chosen.

International Sources

For this Christian sect in Belize, community is everything
Mennonites reject cars for personal use – not because they're bad for the environment, but because travel by horse and cart stops settlements growing too far apart. When Mennonites began moving to Belize in the late 1950s, they did so for the same reason their ancestors have migrated for centuries: to live in line with their religious beliefs, including the separation of church and state, pacifism and sustainability, without interference. That means apart from the government, with limited technology and surrounded by farmable land. Mennonites, a traditionally sectarian Christian denomination, trace their roots to the Anabaptist wing of the Protestant Reformation. Today they number approximately one million worldwide, with most living in parts of the developing world, including Paraguay, India and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Those in Belize, called Old Colony Mennonites, descend from the settlers of Chortitza, the earliest Mennonite colony in Russia. Their ancestors moved from the Netherlands and what is now Poland to Russia in the 1780s, then to Canada in the 1870s, Mexico in the 1920s and, a few decades later, Belize.

All Eyes on Belize: The Tiny Country Hits Double-Digit Tourism Growth
For decades, Belize has remained a mostly quaint, laid-back destination viewed by many travelers as an alluring alternative to some of the Caribbean’s more upscale and fully developed tourist stops. For those who prefer flip-flops as their go-to footwear, and the opportunity participate serious diving (a la the Great Blue Hole and the Belize Barrier Reef), low-key Belize has been the go-to destination for decades. “As the rest of the Caribbean was growing up, we were still a fishing village,” developer Andrew Ashcroft, whose family has lived in Belize for three generations, told TravelPulse during a recent interview. And while the charm that keeps the tourists coming is not changing, what is changing is the numbers of tourists who have discovered Belize and who are spending time there.

5 popular folklore from Belize still told till date
Belize is a country with a very diverse society and fascinating history. The main ethnic groups that make up the Caribbean nation include the Creoles, the Maya, the Mestizos and the Garifuna. The Creoles are mostly made up of descendants of African slaves imported into the country between the 18th and 19th centuries. The Maya, though a part of the minority in the country constitute its indigenous population with records showing their inhabitance on the Caribbean nation dating back to 2500 B.C. There are three Maya groups in Belize namely the Yucatec, Mopan, and Q’eqchi’ Maya. The Mestizos, on the other hand constitute people of mixed Spanish and Maya descent who originally came to Belize in 1847 to escape the Caste War.

Wholehearted Caribbean Community support for Belize on its 37th Independence Anniversary
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has restated its wholehearted support for Belize’s stance on its sovereignty as the country celebrates 37 years of independence. CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque in a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Dean Barrow noted that the theme of the celebrations, “Belize Da Fi Wi – Now and Forever 8867!”, highlights the staunch position of Belizeans that their country unequivocally belongs to them, a position the Caribbean Community wholeheartedly supports. The Secretary-General also praised, as being of great value to the Community, the Prime Minister’s role as lead Head of Government for Justice and Governance in the CARICOM quasi-cabinet. “Your leadership in this area is aptly demonstrated by the fact that Belize is among the four countries which have accepted the Caribbean Court of Justice in its Appellate jurisdiction.”

Videos

September 21, 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

Hope Haven hosts a successful fundraiser in League, Texas USA
To raise funds for San Pedro’s Hope Haven Center, an auction was held in League City, Texas, USA on Saturday, September 15th. The fundraiser was a success and saw the attendance of 100 guests which included Belizean representatives for Hope Haven and friends. The live auction fundraiser saw beautiful paintings, tasty wines, elegant arts and crafts, famous sports shirts, alluring jewelry, among other interesting items up for bid. The fundraiser also consisted of a silent auction section, where attendees placed their names on the item they wanted. Britney Travis of Hope Haven was thrilled with the turnout of the fundraiser stating, “The fundraiser was a great success, and we are so thankful for those who contributed to helping our community.”

Island students celebrate Belize’s 37th year of Independence
Various pre-schools in San Pedro Town joined the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) in a patriotic parade through the main streets of the island on Thursday, September 20th. The fun display was in honor of Belize’s 37th anniversary of independence on September 21st. The parade began around 9AM, heading north on Barrier Reef Drive. Many island parents join their children in the parade, dressed in their most patriotic colors, while others gathered along the street sides of the route to get a good view. Leading the parade was a marching band complete with dancers, followed by the different pre-schools of the island with the SPRC students ending the parade.

Anke Doehm seeks court permission to travel out of the country for medical purposes
Widow Anke Doehm returned to court on Thursday, September 13th, seeking a variation to her bail conditions so she can travel to the United States of America for health reasons. Doehm, who faces a charge of ‘Cruelty to a Child,’ in connection with the death of her 13-year-old adopted daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, was almost remanded to prison instead after the person who had initially posted bail for her canceled it. Doehm was lucky enough to secure another bond and thus, was free to leave the court. She will return to court on Friday, September 28th to find out if her application for traveling will be approved.

Mexican 3rd party Insurance required to enter Mexico with Belizean Vehicle
Belizean buses and private vehicles entering Chetumal, Cancun or any other destination within the state of Mexico are now required to purchase insurance in order for them to enter the neighboring country legally. The requisite insurance can be bought at the Corozal Northern Border for $12. 50 for 12 hours or $25 for an entire day (24 hours), adding up to a total of almost $2,000 per year. This regulation is not a new one, as it was originally passed in 2014, but not until August 2018 has it been enforced. Many Belizeans are angry, as Belize, Mexico, and Guatemala had an agreement that granted permission for them to drive to border towns in Mexico and Guatemala without insurance. However, the law is now being enforced and Mexico is requiring that buses and vehicles have a 3rd party insurance policy to travel on their roads.

Fisherman Miguel Arroyo remains missing
San Pedro Police and family members continue the search for 23-year-old island resident Miguel Arroyo, after the fisherman went missing from his home on Monday, September 10th. Up to press time, his whereabouts remain unknown, and his family and police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Arroyo. Anyone with information can contact the police station on Pescador Drive by calling 206-2022 or the nearest police station. Family members have placed messages on social media in hopes that it could lead to his return home. They gave a further description of Arroyo, stating that was also wearing a silver chain with a silver cross and a white g-shock watch. Additionally, he has his name tattooed on his left arm and a scorpion tattooed on his neck. Relatives also described Arroyo as someone who would not just disappear without notice. They described him as a good person with a good heart.

Ambergris Today

Independence Eve Children's Patriotic Parade
It's our country's Independence Day Eve and the San Pedro RC School hit the streets of San Pedro and paraded in patriotic colors. The Marching Band played its melodious beats and majorettes danced gracefully to the tunes. Classes displayed their beautifully made banners with this year's theme "Belize Da Fu Wi, Now and Forever. 8867". Happy Independence Day to all!

Misc Belizean Sources

A photo snippet of this early morning's jouvert parade in Corozal
Thanks to Ian Daniels for the courtesy of the photos.

September Celebrations at Tourism Kiosks
Belize Tourism Board

SEATRADE MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE SHOW - PORTUGAL
Belize Tourism Board

Downsizing From “Absurd” to “Ridiculous” Does Not Make the Approved Development at Cayo Rosario Reasonable or Appropriate
The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) would like to counter the defense given by the Government of Belize (GOB) officials (see attached) when asked about the appropriateness of the approved Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the development at Cayo Rosario in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. September 18th, Dr. Percival Cho, C.E.O., Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, and Sustainable Development told Channel 5 News and LoveFM that “the development was downsized.” Minister Omar Figueroa, on July 17th, told Channel 5 news “the level of development was scaled down completely, scaled down significantly. Whereas adjusting a plan for 90+ over-the-water structures in a marine reserve to more than 40 is technically “downsizing,” we counter that this project should never have been presented for public consultation in the first place. “Downsized” does NOT equate to “appropriate” - especially within Belize’s protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Open Letter regarding the government of Belize education campaign
It is with considerable disconcertment that we at the Belize Progressive Party – BPP, find it necessary to present this letter of concern. By way of the UNDP’s role as the implementing organisation concerning the “Referendum on Border Dispute” Project (00109024), you are undoubtedly fully aware of the importance concerning the impending referendum scheduled for 10th April 2019; involving Guatemala’s unfounded claim to sovereign Belize territory. We understand by way of not only the project documents but also via your recent public pronouncement on 6th September, that the intended output of this project is to ensure the people of Belize have greater access to objective information on the referendum and that the State has improved capacity to undertake an effective nationwide referendum. Accordingly, given the existent situation, this is where the foundation of our concern derives.

Caye Caulker Independence Celebration Thursday night
Photos

Tourism Expo Japan
Directors of Tourism of CARICOM member Countries are being hosted in Japan for the Japan Tourism Expo in Tokyo. Represented are Belize, Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, Suriname, Grenada, and St, Vincent.

Channel 7

7M USD Of Cocaine Up In Smoke
This afternoon, the smell of burnt cocaine filled the Cayo air. The 1,225 pounds of cocaine that was found in Blue Creek in this Cessna 210 single engine plane 11 days ago was destroyed. The drugs were escorted by a convoy of police vehicles. Members from the GSU, BSAG, MIT, BDF, and Special Patrol guarded the drugs all the way to Pine Lumber in Georgeville for the destruction. And the team maintained their heavy presence at the site. Courtney Weatherburne was there and here is her story. After 11 this morning, a fleet of police vehicles zoomed out of Belize City. The convoy was westbound transporting 1,225 pounds of cocaine to the Pine Lumber compound in Georgeville, where the fire raged on, feeding on scrap lumber.

Why The West?
Now we have seen drugs destroyed at the furnace in Tower Hill and other locations in the north. Williams discussed the reason behind not heading north to burn the drugs this time. DCP Chester Williams - Commander of Operations: "Well I would want to think that for us to have gone to Orange Walk to destroy, I don't think that would have been a wise idea and so we decided to do the destruction elsewhere at a different location and that location was chosen for security reasons as well - as opposed to going to Orange Walk Town to do the destruction."

Bail For Accused Drug Trafficking Lawmen
And while the drugs were destroyed today - the Belizeans accused of trafficking all those kilos went to court for bail.   Last week Friday,  Peter Friessen Jr., a tradesman from Blue Creek; Police Constable Norman Anthony; and Superintendent David Chi, a senior cop with 34 years of service in the Department were - along with two Mexicans - all arrested and charged for the September 9th illegal landing of the drug plane in Orange Walk along with two .  The Belizean three went to back to court today after a week in jail.  They were seeking seeking bail from a Supreme Court judge, and 7News was there for hearing of their petitions. Daniel Ortiz reports.

Can Police Restore Trust After Tainted Lawmen?
And so while Superintendent Chi and PC Norman Anthony are out on bail, the allegations against them have sullied the reputation of the entire police department.  Other officers - the majority of them completely innocent - are now painted with the very same brush of suspect behavior.  Today, acting Commissioner Chester Williams told us that they have put a new, no-nonsense OC in Orange Walk Town as a means of confidence building:.. Reporter
"As a ranking officer, what are your thoughts on the fact that there are other members of the department who have been implicated in this particular drug bust and the fact that they're not only on interdiction but their reputations have been stained as police officers?"

Caught Cruising in A Stolen Cruze
Last night we told you how sharp police work in Belmopan had led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of the driver. The vehicle was stolen in Belize City and so the driver and the car were returned here for criminal charges.   Today, 27 year old Shejeen Espat, a fisherman of Las Flores, Belmopan, was charged with handling stolen goods for driving the stolen vehicle. Espat pleaded not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Emerson Banner. He was offered a bail of $3,000 and his case was transferred to Belmopan Magistrate's Court. He is to return to court on November 23.  The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze was stolen between September 12th and 13th on Regent Street West.   The owner, Deborah Morrison, told police the vehicle has a value of $13,000.

OW Robber Runs Off, Cops Catch Him
There was another broad daylight attempted robbery of a business today - this one happened in Orange Walk.  This morning, Li-Li Store on the Belize Corozal Road was the latest target for armed robbers.  A man dressed in dark clothing with a while shirt over his face entered the store armed with a hand gun and demanded money from the proprietor.  Surveillance video shows the would-be robber as he entered the store, a few seconds later he is seen removing a white cloth from his head, giving the camera a clear view of his face.   After that though something went wrong, and he fled empty handed as the proprietors called police.  Reports say that the robber was captured by police and is expected to be charged.

Crazy Crash After Contraband Chase in San Victor
San Victor in the Corozal District continues to be a main passage for contraband - and on Tuesday night, a contraband chase resulted in a car wreck with one man sustaining serious injury. Wilfredo Patt was driving a blue For Ranger which flipped - as it was trying to elude a pursuing Customs patrol mobile. His passenger Laurel Novelo received serious injuries.   Customs was on a stakeout and saw the pickup coming out of San Victor village loaded with contraband.  They set chase and claim the Ranger flipped 2 miles our of San Narciso Village - going back to San Victor.   When the driver lost control as he was doing evasive driving at high speeds.   But,the driver claims he didn’t lose control; he made a complaint to police saying that the customs pickup bumped him, forcing him to lose control and flip. Police told us more about his complaint:..

Cops Bust Rogue Santa Maria Sawmill
Police and the Forestry Department teamed up to bust an illegal logwood operation yesterday in the Toledo District.  The Punta Gorda Quick Response Team and the Forestry Department went to a remote area southwest of San Felipe Village. Police told us what they found:.. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "A joint police-forestry operation was held in the San Felipe village vicinity in the Toledo District. Upon arrival to the area officers discovered six San Felipe residents involved in illegal logging. As a result, some 3 thousand feet of lumber was confiscated however those persons were not detained..."

Businessman Succumbs 9 Days After Being Shot
9 days ago, we told you about the near fatal shooting of 43 year-old Jing Hu Wu, a Chinese Belizean businessman from Mahogany Street in Belize City. On the 10th of September, when everyone was enjoying their holiday, Wu was on the job, and he went to Lovely Lane to make a delivery at a shop on that street. He was in his Ford Ranger pick-up, and his employee, Rogelio Selgado was with him.  
Around midday, he was making deliveries as usual - but it’s in gang turf - and when Wu was driving past an overgrown lot a shooter sprang out and took aim at Selgado.  As soon as Selgado heard the sound of gunshots, he ducked and tried to warn Wu, but it was too late. Wu, who is also known as “Ivan”, suffered injuries to the right side of his rib cage, his right upper arm, and his left arm. He was rushed to the KHMH, and he clung to life for 9 days until last night, when he passed away.

Gang Figure Shot, Police Try To Suppress Retaliation
Tonight Northside Belize City police are on high alert for a possible retaliation after a gang figure was shot this morning. It happened around 10:30 when 25 Year Old Michael Arnold known as “T-T” was at the corner of Lancaster and Yorke Street. Police told us more:… ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Just before 11, I think it was about 10:40 or 10:45, police responded to shots being fired on York Street. They visited the hospital where they observed Michael Arnold with an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of his buttocks. He is presently at the hospital in a stable condition..."

Suspects Held In Pen Road Shooting of Brothers
And there was also a Belize City shooting last night.  It happened during the news at #95 Neal’s Pen Road when two men were shot in front of their yard by a gunman on motorbike.  Police told us more:… ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Jermaine Garbutt, a 35 year old Belizean of number 95 B Neal Penn Road; he was suffering from three gunshot wounds—one to the right knee, one to the left knee and one to the left leg. And also seen was Mister Everal Neal, a 40 year old Belizean of that same address, number 95. He was seen with an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of his hip. What police has gathered so far is that both of them were standing in front of their residence when two male persons stopped on a motorcycle and one of the male persons fired a barrage of gunshots causing the injuries to Mister Garbutt and Mister Neal. Both of them are presently admitted in a stable condition."

Chancing Chicken Delivery Man
There was also an armed robbery of a delivery truck in Belize City today.  It happened on Mapp Street where a Fiesta Chicken truck was robbed. 33 year old Pedro Gudiel, a Honduran salesman for Fiesta Chicken had just gotten into the delivery truck and was about to close the door when a man in a motorcycle helmet stopped him from doing so.   Gudiel struggled with the assailant who still reached into a small compartment inside the truck and snatched a black plastic bag with the days sales of $6000 dollars. 

Cops Caught Maya Center Gunman
Police have more information on the apprehension of two suspected robbers who held up a store in Maya Center on the Southern Highway.  They ran from the cops but were caught later close to Placencia on a bus. Here’s the story: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "Shortly before 8:30 PM his business was entered by 4 dark complexion male persons, two of who were armed and they proceeded to rob him of an undisclosed amount of money as well as 3 cellphones. Police responding to the area observed a white Ford Escort car with Belize license plate and in an attempt to intercept the car, the driver sped off and the vehicle was later encountered by police on the Placencia Road; however the occupants had made good their escape so that vehicle is now in police custody.

Jeweller Says He Lost Big, Cops Not So Sure
And, for the final piece of crime news tonight, police are trying to fill in the blanks on a supposed hundred thousand dollar heist in San Ignacio Store. It happened at a jewellry store early on Tuesday morning:.. ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On yesterday's date one Oscar Cano visited the San Ignacio police station and reported that sometime between Sunday night and Monday morning, his jewellery store located on Savannah Street San Ignacio was broken into and an assortment of jewellery was stolen. He had additionally spoken to the police on Monday but he could not give ascertain what exactly was stolen.."

Yoga Jonah Back From India
The government of India through the local Consul has facilitated a limited number of scholarships for Belizeas to study  yoga teacher training in India  - which is the birthplace of Yoga.   Jonah Supal was the first to go.  He participated in an all expenses paid, four week diploma course in Bangalore at the SVYASA University, a world class yoga institution.  He came back today and told us what he learned about Yoga’s healing power:…

A Workers’ Agreement With No Conflict
While labour disputes always make headlines - often enough there are stories of productive industrial relations leading to the smooth signing of collective bargaining agreements. That’s what happened between the Central Bank of Belize Security Officers, who are represented by the Christian Workers Union and the Central Bank of Belize.   The terms of a new collective bargaining agreement are that the security officers are poised to receive a ten percent salary increase under a three-year Collective Agreement signed this morning at the Bank’s Board Room. 

Cayo Rosario Development: “Downsizing From ‘Absurd’ to ‘Ridiculous’?
6 weeks ago, we told you about the disputed development proposed for Cayo Rosario, a 10-acre island off the northwest coast of San Pedro Town. The National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) has granted permission for an environmental impact assessment to be done on Cayo Rosario, which is the next step in the approval process for this small island to be developed into a tourist destination. The initial plan was for over 80 over-the-water structures to be built as part of the facility, but NEAC convinced the developer to downsize to only half of that. 

Cops Keeping 21st. Safe
And, as we go into tomorrow’s Independence Day - the police say they will ensure that the public marches are going to be safe for all.  Acting Commissioner Williams started out with the Carnival tomorrow in Orange Walk Town:… DCP Chester Williams - Commander of Operations: "I know we have the Orange Walk Carnival tomorrow - that is always a huge event and somehow that carnival appear to be even bigger than the Belize City Carnival. So I want to assure the Orange Walk people that tomorrow we will be in Orange Walk in full force, to police the carnival and even after the carnival is over..."

When Will the 40 Be Free?
And while police presence will be high, Belize go into Independence day in a strange  state - for the first time since Independence, not all Belizeans have unqualified enjoyment of those rights guaranteed in our September 1981 constitution.  That’s because of the state of emergency enacted in two areas of the southside 16 days ago.   Today, Acting Commissioner Williams said those areas may be under a state of emergency - but life goes on as normal in those areas - minus the 40 men who are being held for 30 days:…

Freestyle Frankie
And that’s the news for tonight… We wish all our viewers a very joyful Independence Day.   You can see the flag raise for the 37th time at midnight tonight right here on Channel 7 and then, tomorrow, you can tune in to channel 7 for liver coverage of the official day ceremonies from Belmopan… Goodnight, be safe, enjoy your long weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday… WE CLOSE TONIGHT, AS WE ALWAYS DO ON THE 20TH with Frankie Reneau’s extravagant, extended rendition of the national anthem…

Channel 5

Steep Bail for Drug Plane Trio
There are two major developments on the illegal landing of a drug plane with fourteen million dollars worth of cocaine. The drug, one thousand two hundred and twenty-six pounds of [...]

Millions of Dollars in Cocaine Goes Up in Smoke
Tests confirm that more than one thousand two hundred twenty-six pounds of cocaine were inside bales discharged from a CESSNA aircraft on September ninth. Today, a convoy of heavily armed [...]

John Briceño: “There Are Even Bigger Fish Than That”
On Wednesday, P.U.P. Leader and Orange Walk Town Central Area, Representative John Briceño expressed shock when he learned that Orange Walk Commanding Officer, David Chi, had been implicated in the [...]

Chinese Businessman Perishes 10 Day after He Was Shot
Ten days after he was shot, a Chinese businessman, Jing Wu, succumbed at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Wu was along with his sideman, who is believed to have been [...]

Michael Arnold Shot on York Street
A Belize City resident is the latest victim of gun violence. Twenty-five-year-old Michael Arnold was shot this morning sometime around ten-forty as he was riding his bike on York Street [...]

Belize City Brothers Shot on Neal Penn Road
Prior to this morning’s shooting on York Street, at about seven p.m. on Wednesday night, shots rang out—some say up to nine blasts—on Neal Pen Road Extension. As the echoes [...]

Is Pier 1 Stabbing Connected to Neal Penn Road Shooting?
But was the shooting on Neal Pen Road Extension in retaliation for the stabbing incident at Pier One over the weekend? Coincidentally, earlier on Wednesday, Wayne Leslie, who is the [...]

Pier One Bar Lease Expires in 2019
The shocking bar brawl at Pier One Bar and Grill has some parents concerned over the safety of their children. The park is a place that attracts entire families, especially [...]

Corozal Police Investigate Strange Shooting Incident
A man from San Narciso Village in the Corozal District was injured in a scary ordeal in a contraband hotspot in the north. Wilfredo Pott says that on Tuesday night [...]

Illegal Logging Operation Busted in San Felipe, Toledo
Police busted a logging operation in the southern village of San Felipe, Toledo. On Wednesday, a joint patrol between police and the Forestry Department led to the discovery of three [...]

Elderly Man Claims Unfair Treatment at the Hands of GSU
The following is another story involving claims against the Gang Suppression Unit. Seventy-two-year-old Belize City resident Gladstone Brown and Melda Casimiro Valerio say that their house was raided by members [...]

No Arrest for Kortobacco Heist
Police have yet to levy charges for the major heist which took place at Kortobacco Belize Limited located inside the Benque Viejo Free Zone. The heist took place in the [...]

Duo Charged for Maya Center Robbery; 2 Others Sought
A Belize City man and another from Dangriga have been charged in connection with a robbery on Tuesday night in Maya Center Village in Stann Creek. Just before eight-thirty p.m., [...]

More than $100,000 in Jewellery Stolen from Cayo Businessman
Police in San Ignacio are investigating an alleged burglary at a jewellery store in that municipality. A businessman, Oscar Cano, is reporting that his business located on Savannah Street in [...]

Saldivar or Faber for Party Leader – Minister Elrington Weighs In
Ministers John Saldivar and Patrick Faber have been all over the country rallying support for their bid for leadership of the United Democratic Party.  For the past few months, Saldivar [...]

Is the I.C.J. the Only Option?
The Referendum Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched its awareness campaign to educate the public about the territorial claim and taking it to the International Court of [...]

“You are not crazy if you don’t support going to the I.C.J.” – Minister Elrington Takes Back His Words!
Minister Wilfred Elrington says there will be a lot more effort in the awareness campaign outside of Tuesday night’s town hall meeting organized by Great Belize Productions/Channel Five.  He says [...]

Leader of Opposition Disappointed with the Chambers
Leader of the Opposition John Briceño says he is disappointed with the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Briceño’s comments come after the B.C.C.I. fired off a release eight days [...]

Belize City Mayor Takes on N.T.U.C.B. President
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner had some strong words for National Trade Union Congress of Belize President, Floyd Neal. On Wednesday, during the P.U.P.’s annual wreath-laying ceremony for George Price, [...]

A Look Back When Belize Became an Independent Nation
Prime Minister Dean Barrow remains in Havana, Cuba, after undergoing spinal fusion surgery. He’ll spend Independence Day recuperating and is expected to return to the country in a few days.  [...]

LOVE FM

Another man shot in broad daylight
A broad daylight shooting has left one man injured. Michael Arnold was walking on Yorke Street when he was fired upon. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of CIB, provided the media with the details. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Head of Crimes Investigation Branch: “Police responded to shots being fired on York Street. They visited the hospital where …

Briceno: It was pointless to vote on UHS bill
Earlier this month, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) condemned the Government of Belize for failing to resolve the decade old UHS debt saga on Friday, August 31st in Parliament. The opposition did not get off the hook since BCCI felt that they were also to blame. It described what transpired in parliament …

Illegal Logging Operation found in Toledo
On Thursday a joint police and Forestry Department operation in San Felipe Village in the Toledo District sought out and found an illegal logging operation. The Head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch, Joseph Myvett said from time to time they cooperate with the Forestry Department in joint operations. ACP Joseph Myvette, Head of National …

Orange Walk Carnival
Belize will be 37 years old tomorrow, way off the calendar but not yet old enough for a midlife crisis. It’s been a bumpy 37th year with unsolved crime; unflattering international categorizations about high murder per capita; being a tier three trafficking country and having a political divide on whether or not to forward Guatemala’s …

Briceno: The nation has lost another great leader in Lindo
Yesterday, the People’s United Party honored the Father of the Nation, George Cadle Price, who led Belize to its independence on September 21st, 1981. The former Prime Minister was well known for his emphasis on service to the nation. It is noteworthy to mention that this week we also lost another great leader, Dean Russell …

Will the new law deter Belizeans from going to Chetumal?
Thousands of Belizeans visit Chetumal on a monthly basis spending an average of one hundred dollars. With the new mobility law, will fewer Belizeans make the trip across the border to Chetumal? The new law will make it mandatory for Belizeans entering Chetumal in their private vehicle and staying for twelve hours to pay two …

SHOOTING IN SAN VICTOR
There have been reports in the north that the Customs Department was in hot pursuit of a vehicle carrying contraband and the chase allegedly ended with the vehicle flipping over. The story changed today and it is still unclear if the Customs Department was involved. According to ACP Joseph Myvett, the police received a report …

Bail for Chi, Friesen, and Anthony
On September 9th law enforcement officers discovered a single engine aircraft with over one thousand two hundred pounds of cocaine on board. Following the discovery, five men, including the Officer Commanding Orange Walk Police, were charged with abetment of the importation of a controlled drug; conspiracy to land a plane at an unlicensed airfield; and …

ROBBERY IN MAYA CENTER
A robbery in Maya Center in the Stann Creek District resulted in the police first chasing a lead on a getaway car, followed by the thieves fleeing on a bus. It happened on Tuesday night, shortly before 8:30. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvett said they have caught a couple suspects and are seeking more. …

2 shot at home on Neals Pen Road
There was a shooting minutes before seven o’clock on Wednesday night in Belize City. Two persons were shot on Neal’s Pen Road. The police department is also looking at the possibility that the two shooting victims may be collateral damage of the Pier One fight which occurred last weekend. Another resident of 95 Neal’s Pen …

Central Bank and CWU signed agreement
The Central Bank of Belize and Christian Workers Union signed a three year collective agreement. Security officers who are represented by the Christian Workers Union are poised to receive a ten percent salary increase...

Amandala

Elrington’s deplorable scare tactics
At a ceremony for the Status of Forces Agreement that was signed today between the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Belize, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, area representative for the Pickstock constituency, said that if we vote no to go to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), “The whole country will become refugees if the Guatemalans come across and chase us out.” Elrington explained that the Guatemalans had been insistent that they get our land: “either that or they want to exercise control over our foreign affairs and our defence. They are not asking for money, they want land. If you give them an inch, they will not stop. We cannot reach any agreement with them that is hopeful.”

Court of Appeal orders new trial for Aracely Cahueque for abetment to murder
In March 2014, Aracely Cahueque, 21, a former Corozal beauty contestant, walked out of the Belmopan Supreme Court of Justice Dennis Hanomansingh freed of a three-count indictment for abetment to murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions, however, appealed the judge’s decision to acquit Cahueque, and the Court of Appeal has handed down a decision ordering that Cahueque be tried a second time. Cahueque’s entanglement in the criminal justice system came as a consequence of the murder of Raylene Dyer, 18, who was killed in October 2010. According to evidence given in court, Dyer’s head was cut off and her body was dumped in the river around the Roaring Creek area. Dyer’s body was never recovered. The motive established for the murder was that Cahueque allegedly wanted Dyer’s baby.

Baby born at home after hospital turned mother away
News of a woman giving birth to a baby boy at a relative’s home after she was told by the Corozal Community Hospital that she wasn’t ready to deliver, spread like wildfire on social media yesterday. Fortunately, the baby was safely delivered by the father, but there has been much public criticism of the hospital that told a pregnant mother to go home while she was in labor. In an interview with CTV3, the baby’s father, Jaime Hernandez, age unknown, said that he and his wife, Elena Hernandez, went to the hospital after she began experiencing what felt like labor pains. After being examined by a nurse and a doctor, she was told that the pain was simply due to hunger or gas, and that she should go home and eat.

Guatemalan aggression in the Sarstoon, but Hon. Saldivar blames BTV
Last Saturday, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) held their third annual Eco Challenge, with the route of the race being from Barranco, a village in the Toledo District, to the Sarstoon Island and back to Barranco. The kayakers were to paddle around the island, but that didn’t happen. Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) prevented the kayakers from doing so by blocking their path with gunboats. This extremely provocative move took place despite the presence of Belize’s Forward Operating Base on the north bank of the Sarstoon River.

National Service Day held in remembrance of Rt. Hon. George Price
Today marked seven years since the Father of Belize’s Independence, Right. Honorable George Cadle Price, passed away and was laid to rest at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in a massive state funeral that saw thousands of Belizeans line the streets of the old capital to get a glimpse of the funeral procession for the man who is credited as one of the founders of the nationalist movement that led Belize to independence in September 1981. This morning, a number of PUP executive members and supporters converged on the Lord Ridge Cemetery to pay their respect to Price, who was Belize’s first national hero, in a wreath- laying ceremony.

SMART commissions book to promote reading in students
The telecommunications company, SMART, is giving back to the community by commissioning the production of a children’s book designed to motivate kids to put down their electrical devices and read instead. The book, Do The Smart Thing, was launched yesterday at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza. According to Adelaide Sabido, public relations representative from SMART, they wanted to collaborate with different organizations which are involved in improving literacy among students in Belize. They also wanted to find a fun avenue to motivate students to want to read more.

Football tournaments under way in Corozal
This week, the Corozal Football Association (CFA) marked the 6th week of our ongoing U-15 Male and U-17 Male Tournaments. There are a total of 5 teams for the U-15 Male, and 10 teams for the U-17 Male tournaments. It has been going well; all teams trying to top the ranking scores. In addition, this week we launched a U-17 Female and a U-10 Male/Female tournament. For the U-17 Females, we have a total of 4 teams; and there are 5 teams for the U-10 tournament. Another success for Corozal! Three games were played on Saturday, September 15: (U-15) Corozal Invaders clipped Rising Stars, 1-0; (U-17) Libertadores and Bacadia Warriors played to a 3-3 draw; and (U-17) Caledonia also drew, 3-3, with Progresso United.

Bandits’ protest dismissed; standings remain; Verdes leads at Week 6 of PLB 2018-2019 Opening Season
As reported in our Tuesday issue, the nil-nil draw on Saturday night last between San Pedro Pirates and Belmopan Bandits out at Ambergris Stadium had resulted in a protest lodged by the Bandits. But on Tuesday, the Premier League of Belize (PLB) secretariat informed us that, “The point of contention was cleared by the referee; therefore, the protest had no validity and was dismissed.” Quickly reviewing the weekend results, they are: On Saturday night, San Pedro Pirates FC drew, 0-0, with Belmopan Bandits SC at Ambergris Stadium; and Altitude Assassins FC clipped Wagiya FC, 2-1, at the M.A. Stadium in Independence. Then on Sunday afternoon, BDF FC dropped Police United FC, 3-1, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium; and Verdes FC crushed Freedom Fighters FC, 5-0, at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex, to take first place in the standings.

Independence High School Invaders stun Honduras 6-2 in boys football at CODICADER Games in Panama
(F) St. Ignatius High lost 3-1 to Guatemala on Sunday afternoon. Guatemala’s Andrea Alvarez Donis, Julia Lopez Hernandez and Nayeli Bocel Perez each scored a goal, to lead 3-0 before Kelly Dawson scored for Nashus, making it 3-1 at the half. No goals were scored in 2nd half. (F) Ashley Rodriguez, lately of Rumberas fame, scored Nashus’ only goal in their 6-1 loss to Panama on Friday morning at the FIFA Goal Project Stadium – Estadio Luis E. Cascarita Tapia. (M) The 2018 NSSSA male MVP Alwynn Zelaya and Alexis Chan each scored a goal in Independence High boys’ 7-2 loss to Panama at the Maracana Stadium on Saturday.

BDFA Interoffice Football concludes at the MCC
The Belize District Football Association (BDFA) McLean Insurance Brokers Interoffice Football Tournament 2018 concluded on Saturday, September 15, at the MCC Grounds, where the championship final was preceded by the third place game. In the third place game, Fort St. Tourist Village won, 3-2, over BWS. Tourist Village got a goal each from Thomas Castro, Carlos Lino and John Castro; while David Robateau netted both goals for BWS. And in the championship game, it was MOE Sports/Premium Wines with the 2-1 victory over Ramada/Habet. Steven Baizer and Melhelm Hernandez shook the net for MOE, while Kareem Flowers scored for Ramada.

Editorial: Three decades and seven years ago …
Many of us Belizeans have not viewed political independence as a challenge to consolidate our status as a nation-state. Rather, we have been encouraged by leaders of various descriptions to see these annual commemorations of our September 21, 1981 independence primarily as opportunities, or just reasons, to indulge in the merrymaking which has become a focus of so many of our lives. Have fun, the Belizean people are repeatedly being told, have fun. Unfortunately, crisis is a characteristic of the human condition. Fun is something you’re allowed to have when you have survived or overcome crisis. Belize in September of 2018 is a nation which is experiencing some serious challenges. We have not done a good job of preparing ourselves for these challenges during the 37 years of our independence.

From the Publisher
This year’s September celebrations, the last before next April’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) referendum, are almost over. Soon, Settlement Day and Christmas will be upon us. After that, April 10 will stare us directly in the face. The days dwindle down, to a precious few, as the song says. I find it strange that Belize never, ever reviews the incidents involved with the Heads of Agreement in mid-March of 1981. These incidents were unprecedented in my lifetime, and no events of equal drama have transpired in Belize since then. I say I find it strange, but the silence is not strange if we had expected the then ruling People’s United Party (PUP), or the then Opposition United Democratic Party, which was in relative wreckage following their 1979 general election disaster, to want to remind Belizeans of the anti-Heads uprising, an uprising which may be blamed for the violent deaths of Sylvino Riveroll in Corozal Town and then of the musician/policeman Pete Matthews at the Queen Street Police Station.

Another successful Soundfest with honours going to Zoila Clarke and Lucio Alcoser
Dear Editor, On Friday, September 14, 2018, the 17th edition of the Soundfest was held at the beautiful Bird’s Isle. The brainchild of Tony Wright, also known as “The Real Deal Music Ambassador of Belize,” the Soundfest was attended by many Belizeans from home and those visiting from abroad for the September celebrations. The show flowed smoothly, featuring many Belizean talents. There were giveaways and lots of food and drinks. The highlight of the show was the presentation of lifetime awards going to two Belizean icons who have given, and continue delivering to The jewel, their undiluted talent from their hearts and souls.

Belizeans, open your eyes
I ask this question – Do Belizeans want to be the second Palestine in the middle west of the world, who have lost their homeland? Now is the time for Belizeans to open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts and stand united as one people in defense of our national sovereignty and the sanctity of our borders. In relation to the convention between Her Majesty and the Republic of Guatemala, relative to the boundaries of British Honduras, signed on the 30th of April 1859, I consider this great historical event so important for the permanent national security of our independent nation of Belize that I feel obliged to reproduce in writing the exact contents of this great achievement as a guarantee for our national existence with our secured national boundaries in perpetuity.

Far right capitalism like monarchy
Architects of capitalism worried about what would happen to the system when everyone had all the material goods that they wanted. We know the answer to that¯marketers came along to convince people that what they had wasn’t enough. The capitalists, maybe more than socialists, invest a heck of a lot in research. And the marketers are always at the ready to pounce to get the sales going. They’re the ones who found out that a super prime girl posing beside a bottle of rum could make a fellow change his brand, and such. Allow me a little pause here so we can retrace the steps to the glory of the material world. We know that there is nothing new under the sun. Every invention of man is really a discovery. The wheel was born when man saw an orange rolling on the ground. A monkey using the spring in a bent branch to catapult himself through the trees, a feathered seed flying through the air, a frog going downstream on a piece of board, lightning brightening the skies, all these things gave man ideas when he observed them.

Salinas de Gortari: one of the worst Mexican governments …
In this time of uncertainty Belize is going through, I thought it important to consider certain historical issues that arose with projects that were conceived by the representatives of the corporations and the neoliberal capitalist think-tanks. It is very important for us to bear in mind that the Anglo-Guatemala-Belize issue is not something surprising, since the objective from the birth of the United States of America has been to extend its hegemony throughout the Latin American and Caribbean countries, with the starting point being the 1823 Monroe Doctrine. Thereafter, there was the first American continental war, in which the United States seized more than half of Mexico´s territory.

Expo 2018 saw decline in attendance numbers, but hailed as a success by BCCI
Thousands of Belizeans in search of a good bargain and wholesome fun and entertainment converged at the 22nd annual Expo Belize Marketplace on the ITVET campus (old Technical College campus) on Saturday and Sunday. Although the number of persons who attended this year’s Expo is less than the number of those in attendance at the Expo last year, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) hailed it as a “landmark event.” The BCCI, in a press release issued yesterday, Monday, reported that this year’s Expo had the participation of 110 companies which were spread out in 189 booths across the vast ITVET campus.

Mexican vehicle insurance requirement deferred for about 5 months
Belizeans traveling to Chetumal will likely not be denied entry because their vehicles don’t bear the Mexican vehicle insurance, as was announced previously. The Mexico Honorary Consul to Belize, Dr. Luis Montero Maldonado, told us there has been a delay in the implementation of the new Mobility Law enacted by Mexico because the Mobility Institute has not yet been established as the main body with the mandate to carry out and enforce the new laws which came into effect on September 12. The Mexico Honorary Consul to Belize told us that there will be a delay of about 5 months before the administration begins its operation. Dr. Maldonado explained to us in an interview today that authorities at the border are requesting that vehicles entering Mexico have the mandated insurance coverage, but a clarification must be made.

Steven Moss, 24, accused of murder, committed to stand trial in Supreme Court
Steven Moss, 24, charged with the murder of Daniel Anderson, 31, was today committed to stand trial in the January 2019 session of the Supreme Court by the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser, after a preliminary inquiry was held to determine if there was enough evidence to establish a prima facie case against him. Moss had agreed to a paper committal — a process that would involve a submission by the Crown of all of the evidence it intends to rely on without it being challenged by Moss. Moss is also charged with 2 counts of attempted murder and 2 counts of use of deadly means of harm with intent to cause dangerous harm.

Dennis Haylock, 37, committed to stand trial for unlawful sexual intercourse
Dennis Haylock, 37, a resident of Lords Bank in the Belize District, who has been charged with unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl 14 years and 11 months old, was today committed to stand trial in the January 2019 session of the Supreme Court by the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser, after a preliminary inquiry was held. Haylock had agreed to a paper committal, whereby all of the evidence that the Crown intends to rely on is submitted to the court without it being challenged by him. The incident occurred in May 2017 in Lords Bank.

The Reporter

IN THE NAME OF CORRUPTION
Some years ago,I was speaking to a friend of mine, a brilliant political mind from the Middle East. He opened my eyes to look at corruption from a completely different angle. Where I thought the Government was creaming from the top of the money pile, this conversation really made me look at incidents I have been exposed to in our country and made me understand better why politicians would risk their ‘reputations’ to protect seemingly common petty criminals. Khaled AlSa’di said to me that our Government usesour judicial system to protect low-level officials or petty criminals, because they are key players in a criminal system.

CWU and CENTRAL BANK SIGN NEW CBA
The Christian Workers Union has negotiated a new collective Bargaining Agreement with the Central Bank of Belize, allowing the security staff to get a 10 percent salary raise. The CWU announced the new CBA today, explaining that agreement is for three years with 5 percent of the increase taking effect in 2018, 3 percent in 2019 and 2 percent in 2020, without any reduction to other benefits being received.

POLICE SEEK ASSISTANCE IN IDENTITY OF MAN IN VIDEO
Police in Orange Walk are seeking your assistance in the apprehension of this man, identified as Fredrick Rhaburn Jr. of an Orange Walk Town address who tried to rob an undisclosed Chinese establishment a short while ago.

SECURITY GUARD ATTACKED AT 1.30am BY 3 MEN
Security Guard Adan Martinez, 55, is lucky to be alive after he was attacked at around 1:30 this morning by 3 men who tried to take his gun. Martinez, who was on duty at Maria Chang and Sons on Castle Street...

Breaking Belize News

Belmopan man detained for handling stolen goods
Police have detained a fisherman from Belmopan city for handling stolen goods. Deborah Morrison, 26, a […]

Young woman raped by 2 men
Police are investigating the rape of a 20-year-old Belmopan woman. The young woman reported that on […]

Four phony security guards charged for gun, ammo and failure to produce license
On September 17, 2018 around 2:00 p.m., police went to the Benque Viejo del Carmen free […]

Two men shot in Penn Road incident last night
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred yesterday. Around 6:50 last night, police went to […]

“ Nothing special about Sarstoon,” says Belize’s Foreign Minister
The University of the West Indies and Channel 5 Belize yesterday held a town hall meeting […]

Central Bank security guards getting raise of pay in new collective bargaining agreement
Security officers of the Central Bank of Belize (CBB) that are represented by the Christian Workers […]

My Independence day Reflections
By Charles Leslie Jr. :BELIZE CONSTITUTION: Preamble: Whereas the people of Belize- (b) respect the principles of social justice and therefore believe that the operation of the economic SYSTEM must result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all,…

Drug plane suspects get bail
Peter Friezen, Norman Anthony and Superintendent of Police David Chi, three of the five men […]

Two brothers shot in Belize City
A shooting in Belize City has left two brothers injured. They are Everald Tablada and […]

Blogs

Corozal held its 2018 Carnival Parade
A month of festivities is held around Belize in the month of September. Carnival in each district is held on different dates. Today I blogged about the Corozal Carnival float parade. So, sorry that I could not continue going live. Usually, the Carnival is always held on the 20th of September in Corozal. Because everyone loves to go to Orange Walk on the 21, of September. Corozal felt the September Celebration on Thursday, September 20, 2018, with Colorful floats that gathered at the roundabout by the Corozal Hospital at 3pm. By then, the people had already lined up all through the main streets of Corozal parade Line. Main floats came out very decorated, creation, drum line, businesses and other floats that participated in this year's event.

Citizen input through Primate-Watch Belize helps monitor monkey populations
However we look at it, primates – the Yucatan black howler monkey and the Central American spider monkey, are coming under increasing pressure in Belize. Both considered globally endangered, their main threat is from agricultural expansion – with hundreds of acres disappearing under bulldozers each year. Using citizen science, we are starting to map primate distributions across Belize, asking people how populations are doing in their area, and to send reports and photos in to the Primate Watch Belize Facebook Group, linked to the Wildtracks page, to build a picture of what is happening in Belize. This will be combined with community surveys and protected area data to provide a much better picture of how our monkeys are doing in Belize, and what steps we can take to ensure that they continue to live in Belize’s forests in the future. Join us! Make a difference for the conservation of these species in the long term! Add your sightings (species, location number in troop, adults / young), photos and comments online at Facebook.

International Sources

Students dive into their research in Belize
UTRGV students studying abroad in Belize this summer explored one of the most famous dive sites in the world - the Great Blue Hole. “You dive down and it’s just open blue, just beautiful,” said Chelsea Pavliska, a UTRGV graduate student from Liberty Hill, Texas. The Ocean, Coastal and Earth Sciences major was one of the students enrolled in the coral reef ecology course in Belize, led by Dr. David Hicks, director of the UTRGV School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences. “I don't know very many places where you get to go diving for your research or diving for a class, like at UTRGV,” Pavliska said. The Great Blue Hole is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the largest coral barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere.

ITU finalises coordination for Caribbean and Central American digital switchover
The ITU has finalised the coordination process that will enable digital switchover to go ahead in Central America and the Caribbean region. The global telecom body worked with regional regulators the Comisión Técnica Regional de Telecomunicaciones (COMTELCA), the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) and the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL) to finalise the cycle of regional frequency coordination meetings on the use of the VHF band (174-216MHz) and the UHF band (470-806 MHz) at a meeting last week in Belize City, Belize. That meeting, the final of four that took place across the region over the last 18 months, stablished the basis for formal frequency coordination inter-government agreements for broadcasting and mobile services in the VHF and UHF bands.

Caribbean sugar producers want protection from white sugar imports
With the region no longer enjoying fixed quotas and guaranteed access to the European raw sugar market, the region’s four remaining sugar producers have asked governments to clamp down on refined, or white, sugar imports, saying they can meet the required average demand for 100,000 metric tons. This week, Guyana, Jamaica, Belize and Barbados petitioned the council of trade ministers to order governments to increase import taxes on white sugar imports in a bid to restrict merchants in the region from buying white sugar from Colombia, the U.S. and other markets. In the past year, the four countries have been moving to switch from raw brown sugar manufacturing to white, or refined, sugar after their decades-old sugar protocol with the EU collapsed when the EU ended the fixed quota system, guaranteed prices and a market of indefinite duration in October of last year.

Videos