December 30, 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

Ambergris Caye Masonic Lodge #5 observes the winter solstice
The winter solstice (the longest night of the year) was observed on Ambergris Caye on Saturday, December 22nd by the Ambergris Caye Masonic Lodge #5 at the Marco Gonzalez Archeological Reserve south of San Pedro Town. The members of the island’s Masonic Lodge were joined by Chairman of the Board at the Reserve Jan Brown and Most Worshipful Grand Master of Belize Sandro Mena. According to The Lodge, the ceremony symbolizes the importance of preserving The Light during the longest night of the year. At the end of the ceremony, there was a contribution to the archeological site followed by a banquet held at a separate location.

Margaritaville to open resort on Ambergris Caye
An online article published on the site ‘Hotel Management on Friday, December 28th revealed the intentions of hotel brand Margaritaville to open a property 13 miles north of San Pedro Town. The project will consist of residential condominium units, residences and is set for a tentative opening in 2020. According to Rick Cunningham, Vice President of hotel development at Margaritaville, the company took over the construction of an abandoned development north of the island. The development currently includes seven buildings reportedly under construction. The company is planning to build two more structures consisting of 71 residential condos and residences. Some of the amenities the units will offer include verandas, furnished kitchens among others.

Misc Belizean Sources

Career Opportunity: Marine Reserve Ranger
The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) is inviting applications for the Post of Marine Reserve Ranger. This is an exciting career opportunity to become part of a professional cadre of Reserve Rangers tasked with ensuring the protection of our natural assets and marine life within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Addressing the re-colonization of Belize
By: Abdulmajeed K Nunez. In 2019 contemplating the future of African Descendants born in Belize should no longer be conversation, as it still is in Belize during this decade of African Descendants . Come join us at the Belize Liberty Hall as we address this issue among others stating at the gathering January 27th 2019. How do we develop and strengthen Individual, National, and International Identity? How do we connect an Individual, National and Regional agenda to the diaspora Race first agenda? At the same time, the question must be asked as to why the Black population of 90% 100 years ago is/has steadily reduced, now being 41.6 percent in 2018? Let’s try to answer these and other questions important to preserving the Belize Patrimony; While some of us are a sleep some of us are working each day to connect African Descendants born in Belize to the world-wide African Diaspora Families’ social, cultural, economic and environmental infrastructure to improve the condition in the lives of the Belizean black man and woman.

Prime Minister Departs on Personal Leave
The Office of the Prime Minister informs that the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow left the country today on personal leave. The Prime Minister will return to Belize on Saturday, 5th January 2019. In his absence, the Minister of Natural Resources Hon. Hugo Patt will act as Prime Minister.

New Year's Eve Countdown at Central Park
The San Pedro Town Council presents its annual New Year's Eve Countdown at the Central Park on Monday, December 31st, starting at 10:00 p.m.! We invite everyone to bring in the New Year with us! Bring your friends, bring your family or bring that special someone! We are going to have a blast with DJ Debbie, performances by Belizean artist, Marlyn Vansen and her dancers and to dance the night away, we have the Youth Connection Band that will be performing your favorite songs!

Pok A Tok Words
by Yasser Musa. Thirteen days ago I journeyed with the SJC History Club to San Lazaro for their village Festival. We had a special encounter organized by Hugo Carillo, the community museum-ologist and Maya activist. Our first stop was Orange Walk Town near the Marcus Canul Monument. I could not avoid the small white statue of Queen Victoria, her empire still in our minds, the capital project in full bloom in December 2018, the American Sugar Refiners smiling, Christmas lights blinking, crowded tacos stands. Just up the road, heading west, our bus makes the difficult climb to the top of the hill in Blue Creek. Its Sunday and everything is closed. On this morning most cows were seated, watching this army of cameras and orange t-shirts. From up there we could see wide rice fields, and the winding Hondo.

Caye Caulker Village Council did not authorize anyone to solicit funds for fireworks for New Years Eve
The Caye Caulker Village Council would like to categorically state that we did not authorize any individual or individuals to solicit funds for fireworks for New Years Eve. The Council is aware that several businesses hold fireworks display and we support and encourage our islanders and villagers to patronize these various establishments. We take this opportunity to extend gratitude to everyone who have worked with us. Wishing everyone a bless and prosperous New Year 2019!

Ascenthium Representing Belize at Wacken C.A.
Congratulations Ascenthium! They'll be heading to Panama next year to represent Belize at the Wacken Open Air Central America. "Belice ingresa nuevamente a la batalla por la plaza en Centroamerica al Wacken, Ascenthium. La banda de Belice ASCENTHIUM ha sido ingresada y calficada como participante de la competencia Centroamericana en miras a una plaza en el W:O:A en Alemania.

Todos Por Un Mundo Verde
In 1989 the Youth Environmental Action Group was created. Ten years later this became the FCD. Today FCD has helped organize another youth group – this time in Melchor. Todos Por Un Mundo Verde consists of 22 members. Plans for 2019 are well underway.

BELIZEAN CULTURAL MUSIC: Maya Pax the sound of rebellion
Belize is a country rich in culture and music . As different cultural ethnic groups interact they borrow instruments and make a unique sound which is adapted to their culture . While most of us know about the Creole Brukdown , the Garifuna punta music and its more modern form known as Punta Rock . There are other cultural music being played in Belize . In the Yucatec Maya communities of Northern Belize who may also be known as Maya Masewal or Maya Mestizo their traditional music is known as Maya Pax and Jarana . This music for the Northern Maya of Belize have a more religious ritualistic used especially when dancing the Óok'ostaj Pool(Hoghead dance) .

Channel 5

Traffic Accident
A police officer was reportedly knocked down off his motorcycle earlier today near Camalote Village, Cayo. The officer was rushed to the hospital. His condition is not yet known.

The Reporter

Grave With Weave, Hair and Skin Found. ? ANISHA YOUNG ?
Family and friends of missing woman, Aneshia Young, 23, also known as Anny, are convinced that a shallow grave found this evening in Maskall Village off the Old Northern Highway contained hair and skin tissue that belonged to her. While no body has been recovered, the family of the young woman believes that she is dead and was placed in the grave but was removed and buried elsewhere. A piece of jewelry that reportedly belonged to her was also recovered from the grave.

GOB Objects to Immediate Increase of Electricity Rates
The Government has asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to not consider any immediate rate increase until June 2019 when a review is conducted of the Belize Electricity Limited’s losses. It also did not agree with the amount of an increase that the PUC had granted. Government’s objection and request came after the PUC had approved an increase at BEL’s request.

Breaking Belize News

Police officer involved in road traffic accident in Western Belize
BBN has received reports of another road traffic accident involving a police officer. He has not yet been identified. However, we can confirm that he was knocked down off his motorcycle in Camalote, Cayo. […]

Shallow grave found in Maskall
Social media has gone abuzz again with reports that Anisha Young, 23, was found dead today. The misleading reports claimed that her body was found in Maskall, Belize. Our newsroom has been able to confirm otherwise. […]

Prime Minister departs on Personal Leave
Prime Minister, Dean Barrow left the country today on personal leave. Barrow will return to Belize on Saturday, January 5, 2019. […]

PACT Awards $6.7 Million in investments to Protected Areas
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) announced the award of a total of $6.7 million in targeted conservation investments for Belize’s National Protected Areas System (NPAS). The total investment will be made through six local conservation organizations that collectively co-manage 12 protected areas. […]

Belizean native who grew up in England granted right to remain in UK after being denied citizenship
Punta Gorda native, Darren Harrety, has been living in England since he was six months old. He and his mother had been granted indefinite leave to stay in the UK. However things took a drastic turn in 2010. He was banned from working and faced deportation after there was no proof of his arrival in England since his mother’s passport had been lost. […]

Andrew Bennett extradition case gets date for oral arguments
Belizean attorney, Andrew Bennett, who is wanted in the US district of Puerto Rico on money laundering charges, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court last week with representation from his attorney Anthony Sylvestre and a January 9 date was set for oral arguments to be heard. […]

Belize added to Dutch tax evasion blacklist
Belize, along with several other territories, has been added to the Netherlands’ official list of tax evasion jurisdictions by the Dutch Ministry of Finance. Belize was added along with British dependencies including the Isle of Man and the islands of Guernsey and Jersey. According to the Dutch Finance Ministry, Belize is now among the 21 low tax jurisdictions on its list which levies a tax on corporate profits of 9% or less. […]

Man stabbed in Belize City
Information to BBN is that a man was stabbed last night in Belize city. He has been identified as Shane Jones. Details are sketchy at this time but we understand that he was stabbed somewhere near Conchshell Bay. […]

Blogs

One-Of-A-Kind Beach Bar
Just past the turn off to Secret Beach, on the reef side, is the Rojo Beach Bar & Lounge. I recently took a young friend, Matt, for an afternoon visit. This spot might be the sexiest beach bar on the Caye. The drinks are extra large, ice cold, and creative. The food is very good. Our favorite snack is the Conch Fritters. These fritters may be the best you’ll find in the Caribbean. In addition to the food and drink you’ll find a small infinity pool with lounges built in and games to keep you entertained. A very cool spot to visit with a view to match.

Blue Water Grill-Sushi Anyone???
Every Tuesday and Thursday one of our favorite spots for sushi is Blue Water Grill. They are located on the beach right next to the Sunbreeze Hotel. Not only do they have nummy sushi every Tuesday and Thursday, their salads are some of the best on the island. If you want a great way to spend an evening out head over to the Blue Water Grill, you will also want to get your picture taken at their famous lighted BELIZE sign, a frequent picture taking spot on the Caye.

International Sources

Best Trips 2019
Belize makes it to the National Geographic 2019 Travel list. The world’s most exciting destinations for the year ahead.

Videos

December 29, 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

Family spared in Christmas fire; home destroyed and one injured
The San Pedro Fire Department continues to investigate a fire that destroyed a family house on Tuesday, December 25th located near Marina Drive south of San Pedro Town. The fire was reported around mid-day, and even though the island fire department was swift in their response, the wooden structure was completely gutted by the blaze. The homeowner Juan Chi was inside the house along with two minors when the fire began. He received minor injuries when he tried to salvage some of his belongings and was then rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where he was treated and released the same day.

Ambergris Today

New Hotel Development – Margaritaville Coming In 2020!
According to the website Hotel Management the resort hotel brand Margaritaville is developing a new property on Ambergris Caye. Our sources indicate that this new deveolpment will take place at the old Sueno del Mar property located about 12 miles in North Ambergris Caye; the development had been foreclosed by Belize Bank. The report stated that Rick Cunningham, VP of hotel development at Margaritaville, told HM that his company took over construction of a previously abandoned development on Ambergris Caye’s north shore and is repositioning it as a Margaritaville resort, utilizing the site's seven existing buildings that reportedly were under development as a hotel. The VP could not confirm the number of guestrooms that would be finessed out of the existing structures.

License Needed To Conduct Lottery Or Raffles
The lotteries committee hereby informs the general public that no person shall promote or conduct any lottery or raffle (any scheme for distribution of prizes by lot or chance), unless he obtains a licence or a letter of authorization for raffle in accordance with the lotteries control act, chapter 151 of the laws of Belize.

Misc Belizean Sources

Apartheid in Belize
By Abdulmajeed K Nunez. In 2018, contemplating the future of African descendants born in Belize should no longer be conversation, as it still is in Belize during this decade of African descendants. Come join us at the Belize Liberty Hall as we address this issue among others starting at the gathering January 27, 2019. How do we develop and strengthen individual, national, and international identity? How do we connect an individual, national and regional agenda to the Diaspora race first agenda? At the same time, the question must be asked as to why the black population of 90 percent 100 years ago is/has steadily reduced; now being 41.6 percent in 2018? Let’s try to answer these and other questions important to preserving the Belize patrimony.

The Paradise Theater is closed this weekend!
We’re Giving Time for staff to Get weird on a Saturday for once.. .. HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! See you next week !!

Park Ranger Michael August passes
The Institute of Archaeology NICH would like to extend our sympathies and condolences to Park Ranger Michael August and his family on the passing of his mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.

The People's Law Anniversary
On December 30th 2017, the Petroleum Operations Maritime Moratorium Act was passed. In celebration of its one-year anniversary, sensational Belizeans and wavemakers from all over the country came together to commemorate this milestone and to reiterate the message that we stand proud and strong in our decision to stop oil exploration in our waters. Together, we celebrate ‘The People’s Law’ and we thank everyone in attendance and everyone that has been along for the journey, your continued support does not go unnoticed. Together, we will continue to stand up for Belize!

Tourism, Archaeology & Information Committee Meeting
IT IS ANNOUNCED FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE TOURISM, ARCHAEOLOGY AND INFORMATION COMMITTEE WILL BE MEETING ON MONDAY, 7..." JANUARY 2019, AT 10:00 A.M. IN THE COMMITTEE ROOM OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING IN BELMOPAN TO CONSIDER THE RETIRED PERSONS (INCENTIVES) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2018. ANY PERSONS OR INTERESTED BODIES WISHING TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS AND/OR RECOMMENDATION ON THE BILL ARE INVITED TO DO SO EITHER IN PERSON AT THE MEETING OR, IN WRITING TO THE CLERK TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, BELMOPAN.

GOB Objects to BEL Getting Higher Rate Increase than Requested
The Government of Belize (GOB) expresses strong objections to the recent decision by the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to approve the request from the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) for an increase in electricity rate at a half cent higher than what BEL requested. The request to the PUC was for BEL to increase the electricity rate from 39.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 41.5 cents. PUC has approved an increase of 42 cents per kilowatt hour citing that their review and investigation of the submission for an increase revealed errors in BEL’s calculations which led the PUC to grant the additional half cent per kilowatt hour.

MISSING PERSON - ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL POLICE RELEASE:
Please be on the lookout for Melanie Smith, 16-year-old, Belizean student of Ranchito Village, Corozal District. Melanie was reported missing on December 28th, 2018 by Roxannie Smith, who reported that on December 27th, 2018, Melanie left home en route to BTL located on 5th Avenue Corozal Town to purchase a SIM card, and up to the time of making this report she has not been seen or heard from. She is of Creole descent, 5 feet 5 inches tall, slim built, short curly black hair, small face, thick eyebrows, and weighs about 110 pounds. If seen kindly call 911, 922 or 402-0022 Corozal Police Station.

Graffiti Fest
Corozal House of Culture, Sat. January 12th

NYE 2018 Extravaganza
The SISE Town Council is having a New Year's Eve celebration at the Cayo Welcome Center. There will be music, drinks, and fireworks at midnight. "Only at the Cayo Welcome Center. Come enjoy the New Years Eve Extravaganza. Live music and performances, prizes and culminating the night with massive fire works."

Channel 7

Man Critical After Gun Dispute About A Horse
A brazen gunman was shot last night around news time. It happened on Fabers Road Extension. The alleged gunman, Frank Smith pulled up at Hislop's residence wielding a gun, supposedly in defense of his nephew who allegedly tried to steal a horse from the house. Yup, that's what the incident was about - a horse. I went to try and piece this story together. Courtney Weatherburne reporting: Last night, Fabers road extension residents gathered outside after they heard gunshots. The shooting happened at this two story house. According to the home owner, this mare is at the center of all the commotion. The home owner told us off camera that a group of boys came to their house to steal the horse which caused another series of events.

GOB Tells PUC To Wheel & Come Again on BEL Decision
Last night, we told you about the latest decision from the Public Utilities Commission to approve an increase in electricity rates. Well, tonight, the Barrow Administration is rejecting that PUC decision, and asking the PUC not to consider any increase for at least the next 6 months. As we reported, BEL requested that the mean electricity rate be increased from 39.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 41.5 cents per kilowatt hour. The PUC went a step further. It gave them that and some "brata" when it approved an increase of 42 cents per kilowatt hour. Well, the government sent out a rare press release today - publicly disagreeing with its own government appointed PUC. It says, quote, "… (GOB) expresses strong objections to the recent decision by the …(PUC) to approve the request from…(BEL) for an increase in electricity rate at a half cent higher than what BEL requested." End quote.

Caracol Road Fully Funded For 90 Million
And while the Prime Minister's input will prove pivotal in how that one plays out, in his New Year's message which will air later tonight - he wasn't picking fights with anyone. In fact he was sharing out sugar plums, scarce as they are in these sour times. The PM announced the details for the fully funded Caracol Road in the west. We have only the audio version of his statement: Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "the signing ceremony for the Kuwaiti funding of the Caracol Road is fix for January 14th, 2019. I remind that this project is being co-sponsored by Kuwait and OFID and that the latter had earlier had signed for its portion. With that January 14th event the whole cost of the entire road would have been fully funded to the tune of almost 90 million US dollars..."

Looking for A Fight?: MOE Endorses School Management's Pay Cut
A week ago, we told you how the managements of schools countrywide were considering docking the pay of the teachers who attended the Belmopan protest against the Ministry of Education on November 7th. The Teachers Union called them the grinches who stole Christmas, but, now, the Ministry of Education has publicly declared its support for those school managers. A press release from the Ministry does not explicitly say this, but their statement is titled, "MoE Supports Managements For Upholding the Rules Governing Teacher Absences".

Thin Slice Sample: How Was Business This Christmas?
The Christmas hustle and bustle of down town Belize City has somewhat subsided, now that the big day is past. But the business community might yet have something to celebrate. That's because they are still tallying the numbers for this year's Christmas sales. So how were retail sales? Emanuel Pech visited some of the long established stores in downtown Belize City to find out: For some, Christmas is all about celebrating and sharing in the gift of giving. For others it is spending time with friends and family, celebrating the birth of Christ. But for the local business folk in downtown Belize City, the Christmas season is all about sales. It is the biggest sales season of the year and business owners try to make the most of the cash flow season.

PM Says Litigation Risk Not A Real Consideration
As we told you, the Prime Minister's New Year's message will air later tonight. We got the audio version just before newstime and in it he once again emphasizes his support for a "yes to the ICJ" vote. The Prime Minister took direct aim at those who continually cite litigation risk as the reason they don't want to take a chance going to the court. Again, we have only the audio version of the message:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Those who talk about litigation risk need to be reassured that the ICJ is obliged in its decisions to keep sovereign countries intact. The ICJ is thus completely bound by international law and its rigidly applied self-determination principles and those principles uphold absolutely Belize's right to live in peace within its 1859 borders..."

Guyana Eager To Go To ICJ, Despite Claim on 60% of Its Territory
And while few Belizeans are as confident as the PM, the Government of Guyana is even more so. Venezuela is claiming 60% of Guyana - but the Guyanese are the ones who are pushing to go to the ICJ. That's because they are so confident the court will trash Venezuela's claim. One month ago in the Hague, we discussed this with Belize's Ambassador to the EU. We asked him to contrast Guyana's eagerness to go to the court against Belize's reluctance:.. H.E. Dylan Vernon, Belize Ambasador to EU "Guyana is so absolutely confident of its legal case, of its legal arguments that Venezuela is wrong, that it is willing to say, 'I will go to the ICJ, even if Venezuela doesn't want to go and get to ruling in our favor'..."

Guatemalan Businesses Want To Establish Formal Trade With Belize
And keeping it on the subject of the dispute between Belize and Guatemala, both countries signed a Partial Scope Trade Agreement in the early 2000's and the agreement was said to come into effect in 2010. We can't say that it has been brought into much harness or currency - but we do know that business interests in Guatemala are looking closely at Belize, if and when the territorial dispute is settled at the ICJ. 11 days ago in Guatemala City, Carlos Amador from the CACIF Employers' group told us that settling the dispute will bring an element of predictability to cross border business dealings:

Guat Referendum Courted The Youth Vote
But, attitudes in that country are changing. Young persons - or millennials, as they are called are not educated under that odious "Belice es nuestro" mantra. They have a more progressive view of the world - and of their sovereign neighbor. Interestingly, according to the Guatemalan Supreme Electoral Tribunal - which is like their elections and boundaries office, their sensitization campaigns for the referendum focused on the youth of Guatemala with much success. We revisit last our interview earlier this month with the spokesperson for the Guatemalan STE:

One Year Later, OCEANA Celebrates Offshore Moratorium
"Belize said no," is what Oceana and hundred's of Belizean supporters from all over the country gathered to say today. Why? Because this weekend is the anniversary of the Petroleum Operations Maritime Zone Moratorium Act. This act prohibits oil operations in our maritime zone and aims to protect our Barrier Reef System. Oceana thanks all those who attended and showed support to make these human letter formations in Belize City and Stann Creek.

PACT Gives Grants
And there's more support for conservation…PACT today announced the awarding of $6.7 million to 6 local conservation groups that collectively co-manage 12 protected areas. The six recipients are Ya'axche Conservation Trust, which will receive $1 million; Friends for Conservation and Development, which will receive $1.3 million; Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association, which is to receive $1.05 million; the Toledo Institute for Development, set to receive $1.75 million; the Belize Audubon Society, which will receive $0.9 million; and the Southern Environmental Association, set to receive $0.7 million. According to PACT an additional $3.2 million is in the pipeline, expected to be committed by March 2019.

Play On, Rahjay!
The president of the Battle of the Drums, Darius Avila, gifted Rahjay Davis with a brand new personalized drum. Rahjay is a talented 12 year old drummer who is also the nephew of the late great musician Lascelle Martinez. Battle of the Drums hopes that this gift serves as a motivation to Rhajay and upcoming young drummers to keep on drumming. Here's more: Darius Avila, President, Battle of the Drums: "Rahjay has been somebody who is intimately involved with drumming. From since he was… he's a pretty young fella, he's 12 years old, and I know that he is just attached to the drums. He goes to church from time to time to play the drums and he is involved in the primary school. It is our hope that he will be going to high school, maybe another year or two and he'll continue at the high school's Battle of the Drums level..."

Our Favourite stories: "Johnny Cakes By Faiyahaat"�
And from that ancient practice to another, that's not ancient, but at least old-fashioned. It's the process of making Johnny Cakes by faiyahaat. Now, we know it should be Journey Cakes by Fire Hearth, but in one of our favourite stories of 2018, Jules Vasquez found this process so rootsical - that we just had to go with the creole pronunciation. After seeing Rosalind Roland at work, we're sure you'll agree:..

Alleged Southern Armed Robber Out On Bail
21 year-old Tareek Smith, a construction worker of Raccoon Street in Belize City, is out of prison tonight on Supreme Court bail. The robbery occurred at around 7:15 on the night of November 12th 2018 at Jian Store in Independence Village when 4 men robbed the store, getting off with $600 in cash, an iPhone and a gold chain. Smith and 4 others were charged, but Smith was the only one who applied for bail today. His attorney, Dickie Bradley, was able to convince the Justice Antonette Moore to release him on bail of $6,000.

Alleged Cop Shooter Gets Bail
Earlier this month, Kyle Chaplin was on remand for allegedly firing shots at 4 police officers on May Flower Street, but tonight he is out on bail. Crown Counsel Riis Cattouse objected, but Chaplin's attorney Dickie Bradley, convinced Justice Antonette Moore to grant him bail. Chaplin was offered bail of $10,000, which he met. He has also been placed on a curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

False Call To Court For Pipersburgh and Robateau
41 year-old Leslie Pipersburgh and 39 year-old Patrick Robateau are two well-known convicts serving life sentences for a double murder. They were not supposed to come to court today, but due to an error, they ended up in front of Justice Antoinette Moore for a bail hearing, of all things. They were escorted to court by members of the Gang Suppression Unit, since they are high-profile inmates, and when they went before Justice Moore, the court realized that they are actually supposed to be brought for re-sentencing. Viewers will remember that since the landmark ruling from the Court of Appeal in the case of Gregory August, a life sentence for a murder conviction is no longer automatic.

Channel 5

G.O.B. Objects to B.E.L. Getting Higher Rate Increase Than Requested
Will your light bill go up on New Year’s Day?  The Ministry of the Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities has essentially requested a stay of execution, asking the Public [...]

G.O.B. to P.U.C.: Hold off on Electricity Increase Until After June 2019
In a letter written by C.E.O., Doctor Peter Allen earlier today, the ministry states, “that any potential losses to B.E.L. due to the variance between the Reference Cost of Power [...]

Father Comes to Son’s Rescue and Would-Be Killer is Shot in the Neck
Just before news time on Thursday, shots rang out on Faber’s Road Extension at the residence of Dennis Hislop and his family. An armed man had targeted his son and [...]

A Blood Feud with No Apparent End
There are no arrests to report on tonight, in respect of the daylight execution of Daniel Hughes on Boxing Day.  Police are asking the public to come forward with any [...]

Lotteries Committee to Crack Down on Illegal ‘Rafflers’
The Lotteries Committee has now decided to enforce a law that dates back to the early fifties. It’s a piece of legislation that governs the promotion and execution of any [...]

You Can Be Fined $3K for Raffling Without a License
According to Samuels, any violation of this specific law and its regulations is an offence that carries a fine of three thousand dollars and/or six months in jail.   Lewin [...]

M.O.E. Supports Docking of Teachers’ Salaries
The Ministry of Education is siding with schools managements which have decided to dock the salaries of teachers who were absent on November seventh, the day that more than a [...]

School Management Makes Error in Hardship Allowance Payment
When more than one thousand teachers demonstrated in Belmopan in November, there were doing so for two primary reasons; time off to collect salary and hardship allowances. By a show [...]

Justice Adolph Lucas Retires from the Supreme Court Bench at 75
Upon celebrating his seventy-fifth birthday on December twenty-third, Justice Adolph Lucas reached his retirement age.  As stated in the Constitution of Belize, the high court judge must relinquish his seat [...]

Corozal Town Council Audit Reveals Gross Mismanagement
Two weeks ago, the Corozal Town Council, under the leadership of Mayor Rigoberto Vellos, released a nine-page financial report. The report focuses on the spending timeline of the previous town [...]

Former Corozal Council Gives Employee Dump Truck as Payment for ‘Vacation Leave’
As it relates to assets and inventory, Mayor Vellos says that one of the first tasks the council undertook upon assuming office is to review the possessions of the council. [...]

PACT Awards $6.7 Million in Conservation Investments to Protected Areas
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust, PACT, has awarded six point seven million dollars in conservation investments to protected areas. The investments will be made through six local conservation organizations that [...]

Bringing in the New Year with Premium Wines and Spirits
2018 is winding down and most Belizeans, like the rest of the world, are planning that special moment—who they will spend the countdown to the new year with or what [...]

Staying Safe This New Year’s Eve with Some Helpful Tips
The New Year is just around the corner which means that thousands of Belizeans will be celebrating this joyous holiday. And to bring in 2019, the celebration starts on New [...]

LOVE FM

Government Objects to PUC Rate Increase
And while the Government via the Ministry of Education is stern on educators, the Ministry of Energy is showing compassion regarding the proposed electricity hike that we would experience in January, 2019. GOB, via a press release today expressed strong objections to the Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) approval of electricity rate at half-cent more than …

Belmopan Residents arrested for drug trafficking
Police have arrested and charged five persons for drug trafficking after they conducted a search at a house in the Salvapan area of Belmopan. Correspondent Fem Cruz filed this report. Fem Cruz, Cayo Correspondent: “Yesterday afternoon two adults and three minors were charged for drug trafficking. According to police on Christmas night sometime around 8:30 …

Lotteries Committee Clamping down on Offenders
Because there is an abundance of individuals, organizations and companies who are hosting raffles and lotteries, the Lotteries Commission had found it necessary to remind the public that they must receive a license or a letter of authorization from the Lotteries Committee. This is a stern message for schools, churches, and those random people you …

National Fire Service wants you to be safe during the holidays
Many go all out for the holiday season baking the goods, exchanging gifts and hanging the Christmas lights. However, if one is not careful the lights that make the holidays all bright may end up being a fire hazard. With one more holiday left, the National Fire Service provided some helpful tips to keep everyone …

Two persons reported Missing
A 49 year old man with a mental disability is missing. (COCOM MISSING VO) Rodolfo Cocom who is also known as Nego, is a resident of Yo Creek Village in the Orange Walk District. His brother Remundo said that at 8:00 p.m., on Christmas day he took Rodolfo to his room and when he checked …

Robbery Suspect Gets Bail
And in news from the courts, twenty-one year old Tareek Smith, who was remanded on a charge of robbery with a firearm, was released on a bail of $6,000 today. The bail was granted with certain conditions, including that Smith is to report to the Raccoon Street Police Station every Friday, starting the fourth of …

Man in critical condition over a horse
A father’s intervention may have saved his son’s life. 24-year-old Dennis Hislop Jr. was in his yard on Faber’s Road hanging out with his neighbor, 21-year-old Kyron Samuels, when they were approached by two male persons. Reports are that one of the male person, a minor had visited the location earlier in an attempt to …

Amandala

Blood feud claims another victim
At about 4:30 yesterday evening, Boxing Day, Daniel Marvin Hughes Sr., 58, a laborer of Aloe Vera Street, Belize City, was driving his vehicle down Tibruce Street towards Haulover Creek, when two gunmen came out of the bushes in an abandoned lot and one of them fired shots that hit him in the side of his head and his neck. Hughes was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Hughes girlfriend, who was beside him in the vehicle, was not hurt in the incident. During the weekly police press brief held this morning at the Raccoon Street Police Station, ASP Alejandro Cowo said that the scene was processed and several expended 9mm shells and also a 9mm pistol loaded with 8 live rounds were recovered from the scene.

Belize Peace Movement mobilizing forces for a “NO” vote
As Belizeans across the country mingled with family and friends on the holiday yesterday, Boxing Day, the group which calls itself the Belize Peace Movement (BPM) met for a planning session in Belmopan to discuss the way forward in their “No to the International Court of Justice referendum” initiative. Among the items that the group discussed were an invitation to other proponents of the No to the ICJ stance, and a decision to seek out media houses which share their NO position. The group discussed the Private Members Bill that will be introduced at the House of Representatives by the Caribbean Shores area representative, Hon. Kareem Musa.

BNTU says school managers stole teachers’ Christmas
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) issued a press release dated Friday, December 21, in which it castigated school managements for withholding monies from teachers’ salaries because of their participation in the BNTU rally at the Belmopan Civic Center on November 7, when an estimated 1500 teachers participated in a demonstration and rally which was organized to address hardship allowances and other issues affecting teachers. “When asked if the Ministry intended to dock the salaries of the teachers who participated in the demonstration and rally, Minister Faber said that the Ministry had no intentions of doing so and therefore those monies would NOT be withheld from Managements,” the BNTU press release said.

Justice Adolph Lucas retires amidst challenging times for the court
Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas turned 75 on December 23, and according to the Constitution of Belize, he must demit office upon the attainment of that age. But Judge Lucas’ retirement comes at a particularly difficult time for the Supreme Court, which is struggling under the weight of a massive backlog of cases in the Criminal Division—as the list of accused murderers hovers near 300. Since attorneys practicing at the criminal bar have discovered that the criminal justice system is in violation of the constitutional provision that accused persons must be tried within a reasonable time, they have begun the process of bail applications for accused murderers and have been successful in having a number of them released on bail.

Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett served with NIP for traffic accident
Acting Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, has confirmed that Senior Superintendent of Police, Howell Gillett, the Commander of Eastern Division South Side, has been served with a notice of intended prosecution (NIP) for his involvement in a traffic accident which occurred in Camalote Village on Sunday morning, December 23. ACP Williams made the remarks at a police press briefing on Monday, December 24. The incident occurred in the early morning hours, when Gillett’s Toyota Hilux pickup truck hit a Wingle pickup truck that was parked on the side of the road. After hitting the Wingle, Gillett did not stop.

Two missing persons found alive
Two persons who were recently reported missing have been found alive, albeit not in the best of health. The first person found was Iverson Neal, 23, who had been missing since December 12. In our last article about Neal, we reported that police said they believed he was alive and was simply “hiding” because of a dispute that had been taking place within his family. On Saturday, December 22, Neal was found by a concerned citizen on the outskirts of Belmopan.

29th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic 2019 – Major Elite Station Prizes
Below is the list of Major Station Prizes in the Elite Male Category for the 29th Annual KREM New Year’s Day Cycling Classic 2019: $1,000.00 at San Roman Village (where Government house was located); sponsor – Freetown Drug Store. $1,000.00 at Shell One Stop, Orange Walk; sponsor – Hon. Johnny Briceno & Jaime Briceno. $1,000.00 at Smart Tower, Mile 46; sponsor – Anthony Mahler & the PUP Pickstock Committee...

San Pedro High girls and Sadie Vernon Tech boys are NSSSA Basketball Champions 2018
The National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) held its National High School Basketball Championships on Friday and Saturday, December 14 & 15, in Belize City, with games being played at the St. Catherine Academy Auditorium and at the Belize Civic Center. The tournament featured the four zone champions – North, South, East and West – for females and males, and followed a simple knockout format; and when it was over on Saturday, San Pedro High School (SPH) girls and Sadie Vernon Technical High School (SVT) boys were crowned National High School Basketball Champions 2018.

Golf – BAGA 2018 and December results
What a year 2018 has been for golf in Belize! In 2018, the Belize Amateur Golf Association (BAGA): Early adopted the more significant rule changes designed by the international golf regulatory bodies to speed up play; Elected three new executive committee members, all of which hold doctorate degrees: Dr. Peter Allen – President, Dr. Guillermo “Doc” Rivas – Secretary, and Dr. Margaret Smyth – Handicap Chair; Held 11 monthly tournaments, the RF&G Open, and endorsed six tournaments;

Belmopan Bandits SC, champions; Verdes FC, sub-champions of PLB 2018-2019 Opening Season
Some fans considered it a foregone conclusion before tonight’s championship final at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan, where defending champions Belmopan Bandits SC sported a 4-2 1st leg victory in the finals over Verdes FC at the Norman Broaster Stadium last Sunday. But the Bandits, usually unbeatable at home, have not been dominant of late, struggling to dispose of Police United FC in the semifinals (1-1 and 1-0 in injury time). Both of those Bandits goals had come from veteran striker/midfielder Jeromy “Jarro” James, and, as it turned out tonight, it was a Jarro goal late in the game that clinched the championship for the Bandits, after Verdes had come out strong and surprised all doubters by jumping to a 2-nil first half lead that nullified the plus-2 goal difference enjoyed by the Bandits going into tonight’s match.

editorial: Voters who are a concern for Belize
In the 1882 story, “The lady, or the tiger?”, by Frank R. Stockton, a youth who has dared to fall in love with the daughter of a barbarian king, must choose between two doors. If the gods feel he should be punished for his impudence, he will open a door behind which is an absolutely savage tiger. But if the gods favor him, smile on him, he will open a door behind which is a beautiful maiden, and there will be wedding bells and a great feast. The princess, because she is that kind of girl, knows what awaits behind each door. She knows behind which door is the tiger and she knows which door hides the beautiful maiden. It should be noted that she has caught this beautiful maiden making eyes toward her lover and she is not sure that her lover hadn’t reciprocated the overtures. The young lover knows that the princess, because of the kind of girl she is, knows what is behind each door.

Romel remembers a Lydia de Ramirez song
Dear Editor, “Buenas Tardes Chiquitines Belicenios Hoy les vengo una vez mas a cantar Y tambien a recordarles que tienen que estudiar y ayudar a su mama y a su papa.” “Good Afternoon my Little Belizeans, I come here once more; to sing to you and to remind you that you have to study and to help your mom and your dad.”

Papa Dee at the ferry
Several years ago, my cousin-in-law, Papa Dee (also known by his Christian name, David Banner), suffered a heart attack and died – he couldn’t have been more than sixty-five. Just after his death I told his nephew, Dale Banner, that we had to get together and chronicle, put down on paper for posterity, who he was, and what were some of his exploits. Ah, Dale and I have not reached there, yet, but in the interim, I tell you this riotous story. Riotous — he was that sometimes. Papa Dee was a very strong man, and very active, so it was a complete shock to most of us when we learned of his passing. The two snake bites he survived might have contributed to it.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
What a year, right, and as usual it went by so quickly. In fact, so quickly that we may often forget to stop and smell the roses or acknowledge the thorns that are on the stem, constantly reminding us that something’s gravely wrong with our collective consciousness; it’s all about perspective here. I have seen a lot this year and prayed the Serenity prayer a whole lot too because the things that have been happening in Mother Nature’s Best-Kept Secret have a way of making empaths like myself run wild. Some of these situations range from government ones like disregarding a regional court ruling or its $650,000 Christmas “Cheer” allocation project — the latter of which just further perpetuates the culture of “gimme tenk yuh” and paints a blatant picture of the inequity that exists as it relates to the dispersal of funds.

Police investigating cop found with aviation fuel and plane seat near suspected drug plane
At a police press briefing today, Acting Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media that police have not yet filed criminal charges against a police officer who was found in the vicinity of a suspected drug plane which touched down near BarrancoVillage, in the Toledo District. ACP Williams also told the media that several police officers were placed on suspension from duty while an investigation continues. On the night of Thursday, December 20, Police Constable Peter Graham was reportedly found in his SUV with aviation fuel and seats which resembled those that were on the suspected drug plane, a single-engine Cessna with the markings “Centurion 210,” which had landed between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. on a Mennonite farm.

Fire that destroyed home allegedly set by tenant
Early Friday morning, December 21, a fire erupted in the second story of a wooden house at #6701 Cleghorn Street. A male tenant living in the home is believed to have intentionally set the fire, and police said they were told that the man was suffering from mental instability. Station Officer of the National Fire Service, Orin Smith, said that the fire occurred around 9:27 a.m. He said that when the fire department arrived they saw thick smoke coming from the upper flat of the house. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire, but nothing in the upper flat could have been saved.

Date set for oral arguments in case for extradition of attorney Andrew Bennett
Since the news broke in early January that the United States has issued an extradition request for Belizean attorney Andrew Bennett, the extradition matter has been slowly making its way through the judicial system and is still at the Magistrate’s Court, where Bennett and his attorney, Anthony Sylvestre, have been attending court. Bennett was released on bail, after he was first arraigned on the charges stemming from the US extradition request, a 7-point grand jury indictment for money laundering, issued in 2015 in the US District of Puerto Rico.

Gang rivalry leads to shooting in Orange Walk
Two men were shot early Christmas morning, December 25, in Orange Walk Town, and police say the incident resulted from gang rivalry. The two men survived and checked themselves out of the Northern Regional Hospital in the afternoon of the same day on which they were shot. According to police, they went to the hospital at around 7:30 a.m. and found the two men, Llamont Wade, 28, and Pablo Senon Reyes, 21, both of whom have had run-ins with the law. Wade had been wounded in his buttocks and Reyes had a bullet wound in his right foot.

Breaking Belize News

GOB objects to BEL getting higher rate increase than requested
The Government of Belize (GOB) issued a statement today objecting to the recent decision by the […]

Belize City Police investigating shooting incident at Faber’s Road Extension
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night on Faber’s Road Extension in Belize […]

Thatched kitchen destroyed by fire at Che Chem Ha Resort
A thatched kitchen was completely destroyed by fire yesterday. Police responded to the fire report at […]

Orange Walk man reported missing
Rodolfo Cocom,49, of Yo Creek, Orange Walk has been reported missing by his family. His family […]

The Price of Electricity is Going Up in 2019
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has approved a request made by the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) […]

Trump threatens to cut aid to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras
President of the United States of America, Donald Trump this morning took to Twitter to announce […]

Blogs

Windy Beautiful Christmas Week on Ambergris Caye
After the rainiest of Christmas eves, the weather is sunny and beautiful and WINDY. GOOD grief, it is windy. With gusts over 20 knots this morning, the water is churned up… It’s been a bit of a lazy few days. So I have a bunch of pictures that I took on a Boxing Day beach dog walk/wild flower picking session and a sprinkling from a trip to Cayo Frances Farm & Fly yesterday. We were dropping off some gifts and a new mattress for a new staff room. It made me wonder why mattress in the States are all cream or white…and here in Belize, they are often bright colors.

International Sources

Margaritaville coming to Belize in 2020
Hotel Management on Thursday learned resort hotel brand Margaritaville is developing a new property on Ambergris Caye, Belize’s largest island. Rick Cunningham, VP of hotel development at Margaritaville, told HM his company took over construction of a previously abandoned development on Ambergris Caye’s north shore and is repositioning it as a Margaritaville resort, utilizing the site's seven existing buildings that reportedly were under development as a hotel. The VP could not confirm the number of guestrooms that would be finessed out of the existing structures. Cunningham added Margaritaville will be expanding the resort's footprint by building two more structures consisting of 71 residential condominium units, with an overall opening date for some time in 2020. The one- and two-bedroom residences will feature verandas, furnished kitchens and other amenities.

Dutch add Guernsey, Belize and Isle of Man to tax evasion blacklist
The Dutch finance ministry is expanding its official list of places it considers to be involved in tax evasion by a further 16 low tax jurisdictions, including the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, the Isle of Man, and Belize. All the countries on the Dutch list levy a tax on corporate profits of 9% or less, the ministry said in a statement. The additions bring the total on Dutch blacklist to 21. ‘By drawing up our own, tough blacklist, we are showing again that we are serious in our battle against tax evasion,’ junior tax minister Menno Snel said in a statement. ‘And this is just one of the measures we are taking.’

Belize Offers Unexpected Adventure and Magic
The howler monkey with her baby lazily laid on the branches high above us. They weren’t moving. It looked like I wasn’t going to see one up close that day. I was standing beneath the shade of the tree tilting my head upward peering through the broad leaves at the black face of the sleepy mother as the baby played hide and seek behind the trunk of the tree for about 20 minutes. However, the tour guide Geraldine Fremin, was an expert. She got a banana and coaxed the mother down the tree calling to her in a series of grunts and howls, the sounds the monkeys use to talk to each other. The mother slowly and cautiously made her way down the tree to a branch in front of me where she ate her banana and modeled perfect images right out of National Geographic. Geraldine has been with the local women-run nonprofit sanctuary, the Community Baboon Sanctuary, what the local Creole people call the black howler monkeys, protecting the monkeys for 18-years. Started in 1981, the sanctuary has been a model for saving the nearly extinct monkeys, that were estimated to be around a population of 400 at the time, and for private/public partnerships working toward sustainable tourism.

11 Least-Crowded Islands in the Caribbean
Psssst! These tropical destinations offer next-level serenity and solitude—so book your trip before everyone else discovers these hidden gems. Seeking complete solitude aside from fish and feathered friends? Just off the coast of Placencia, Belize, sits Bird Island, a privately owned island. With a population of zero—except for the brown-footed boobies and frigate birds that roam the half-mile area—Bird Island can accommodate six guests, who can expect total privacy during this staff-free experience. Located in the heart of the Belize Barrier Reef, which was recently removed from UNESCO’s endangered sites list, Bird Island is the ideal spot to snorkel and kayak in the crystal clear water. The island prides itself on its “no-tan-line” personal option due to the total privacy. The tour company that runs the island also offers side tours from manatee watching to tours of the main reef and Monkey River. Don’t miss the “Smorgasbord” trip where you can fish, snorkel and lobster.

CDB funds upgrade of Coastal Highway in Belize
The board of directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a loan of US$36.6 million and a grant of £25 million to the government of Belize, to upgrade the Coastal Highway. The funds will be used to improve climate resilience along the road, and increase connectivity between the southern and northern sections of Belize. “The project will have a transformative impact in nearby communities by reducing travel time, improving access to services such as health and education, and boosting economic development. Currently, the distance between the northern and southern districts, specifically between Dangriga and Belize City is around 119 km via the paved George Price and Hummingbird Highways. This project is expected to upgrade the Coastal Highway from an unpaved gravel road to a paved road, and in doing so reduce travel distances to 45 km between the north and south of Belize,” said Daniel Best, director, Projects Department, CDB.

Videos

December 28, 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

Misc Belizean Sources

Bowen & Bowen Recruitment
Positions Available: Production Coordinator, Account Coordinator, Digital Media Coordinator.

U.S. Embassy Belize: Government Shutdown affects
Due to the lapse in appropriations, our Facebook account will not be updated regularly. Please visit @StateDept on Twitter for updates. Scheduled passport and visa services will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits.

LOTTERIES COMMITTEE NOTICE
THE LOTTERIES COMMITTEE HEREBY INFORMS THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT NO PERSON SHALL PROMOTE OR CONDUCT ANY LOTTERY OR RAFFLE (any scheme for distribution of prizes by lot or chance), UNLESS HE OBTAINS A LICENCE OR A LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION FOR RAFFLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOTTERIES CONTROL ACT, CHAPTER 151 OF THE LAWS OF BELIZE. EVERY PERSON, WHO INTENDS TO PROMOTE OR CONDUCT ANY LOTTERY OR RAFFLE, SHALL APPLY IN WRITING TO THE LOTTERIES COMMITTEE. ALL APPLICATIONS ARE TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY OF THE LOTTERIES COMMITTEE. ALL RAFFLES SANCTIONED BY THE LOTTERIES COMMITTEE ARE GIVEN A REFERENCE NUMBER AND THAT NUMBER NEEDS TO BE REPRODUCED ON ALL TICKETS AND WHEN BEING ADVERTISED.

New Years Eve Rocking Party
Monday, December 31, 2018 at 9 PM, Palapa Bar and Grill, Boca Del Rio (over the water), San Pedro. SPECIAL DINNER : from 4-9 with Coconut Crusted Mahi on grilled pineapple or seafood kebabs with sauteed vegetables. Then at 9pm DJ Patron rocking the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s tunes. Great snacks offered and of coarse our complimentary Jell-O shots and champagne to Bring in the New Year with the best view of The Islands Fireworks. NEW YEARS DAY: we will be back at it again at 10am with our Annual Make your own Bloody Mary Hangover Bar! Lots of fun in the sun!

Belize District Agriculture Department office now located in Sandhill Village
The Ministry of Agriculture takes this opportunity to inform the public, especially residents residing in the Belize District, that the Belize District Agriculture Department office is now located in Sandhill Village at Mile 14, Philip Goldson Highway (adjacent to the NEMO office). The telephone and fax numbers for the office remain the same (telephone no. 203-2842 and fax no. 203-2856).

Channel 7

An Execution on Boxing Day Is Product of Dangerous Family Dispute
The 2 day Christmas holiday was cut short for a family in Belize City after their loved one, Daniel Hughes, was gunned down close to home. The 39 year old Fisherman of Aloe Vera Street was driving on a road close to his home yesterday afternoon when killers came it him. Emanuel Pech tells us what happened next, and how it is part of an ongoing blood feud in this neighborhood that has led to at least four deaths:  Paulet Gibson - Sister-in-law of Deceased: "He was a tall, nice young man, no problem with nobody you know and was humble. Go to sea every day, come here hang out, when he's tired of hanging out here, he go home to his girlfriend or go to his other friend that he is hanging out with or so. That's all I know about him, I don't know that is any trouble man." But trouble found him. Yesterday Daniel Hughes was ambushed in broad daylight within his own neighborhood.

Retaliation By Attempted Arson?
And - even though a man was dead - it didn't end there.  Later last night, someone poured gasoline on a house in that same neighborhood - with the intention to burn it down.   The Fire Department was quick to respond and was able to put out the fire.  They confirmed it was attempted arson: Orin Smith - Station Officer, National Fire Service: "On December 26 2017, 2018, sorry, at 6:25 pm, the Belize City branch of the National Fire Service responded to reports from the police of a structural fire on Tibruce Street, Lake Independence area Belize City. On arrival on scene, there were no visible flames or smoke from the structure. Found was a 30 by 50 wooden structure..."

Christmas Morning Gang Shooting In OW
And while that murder and attempted arson is the product of a long standing rivalry - that's also what led to a Christmas morning shooting in Orange Walk Town which left 2 men injured. Police have confirmed that it is a product of the ongoing rivalry between 2 gang groups in that municipality that's been playing out for months now.  As we told you, these gangs in the north are extensions of the gangs from Belize with the same name. The victims from this latest shooting are 21 year-old Senon Pablo Reyes, aka "Pebbles", and 28 year-old Llamont Wade, 2 men well known to police. On Tuesday morning, they were about to leave Reyes' house on Muffles Street when a gunman roared past on a motorbike and opened fired on them both. 

Hit and Run Driver Crashed Into Cop
A police officer was knocked off his motorcycle in a hit and run last night.  
25 year old Keenen Bennett, attached to the Special Patrol Unit, was on duty in the St. Martin Area when, around 10 pm, while riding on Mahogany Street a car hit him from behind. ASP Alejandro Cowo told us more. ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City: "He was knocked down from behind by a white colored vehicle. The vehicle sped off and made good his escape. Police in the area pursue the vehicle and there later on detained 2 persons that were inside the vehicle a male and a female. The police was taken to the hospital where he's still admitted and in a stable condition..."

Brace For A Bigger Light Bill: PUC Approves BEL Increase
2 weeks ago, we told you how BEL made a formal request for the PUC to approve an increase in electricity rates. They were asking for the rates to go up from 39.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 41.5 cents per kilowatt hour.
Opposition Leader John Briceno put the government on blast for it at the last House Meeting, and he reminded the general public that BEL got a rate increase only 6 months ago. Well, the PUC has reviewed BEL's proposal, and the commission has done its own investigation into BEL's numbers.  And the news tonight is that it has approved the increase, and tacked on a little more.

Pair of Homes Destroyed in Boom Fire
Two families in Burrell Boom had to spend the holidays without a home. 6 days ago, on last week Friday afternoon, the houses of Kimberly Seguro and Temeka Card were completely destroyed by a fire. The fire is suspected to be electrical and started in Seguro's bedroom; it then quickly spread to her sister's home. It was eventually contained with the help of their neighbors and friends who alerted the fire department, but by then, it was too late. Although none of the five residents were harmed, both families lost everything. Today, we spoke with one of the victims. Kimberly Seguro - Fire victim: "It happened about around 1 o' clock in the afternoon. I was inside my sister's house watching TV with her because I had just finished washing some clothes and I send my son to the grocery store to purchase some things because I wanted to go and cook..."

Lost Their House on Christmas Day
The holidays were miserable and sad for the Chi family in San Pedro; their home burned down on Christmas morning. Juan Chi and his family were inside their home when the kitchen erupted into flames. They escaped and the fire was contained, but their home was destroyed. Here's more from the police. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Eastern Division: "San Pedro police visited the Marina Drive in San Pedro Town, where upon arrival they observed an elevated board house engulfed in flames. The house is owned by one Mr. Juan Chi of that same address. Initial police information is that Mr. Chi was inside of his house along with two minors when he observed the eastern side of the building engulfed in fire; that is where the stove is located.

OW Fire Was Arson
To add to this week's wave of fires, an Orange Walk business owner also fell victim to one this week. However, this may be a case of arson, since investigators found a possible fire starting device in the yard of the building. Orin Smith from The Belize City Fire Department tells us more. Orin Smith - Station Officer, National Fire Service: "On Wednesday, December 26th 2018, at 1:30 am, the Orange Walk branch of The National Fire Service received and responded to reports of a structural fire in Carmelita Village Orange, Walk District . On arrival on scene, found was a concrete structure that it appears, attempt had been made to burn down.

Be Careful This Holiday Season
And, In light of all these recent fires before, and during Christmas, Smith urges the public to exercise extreme fire safety during New Year's celebrations:… Orin Smith - Station Officer, National Fire Service: "New year's celebration, that's something that a lot of people look forward to year after year. It's a particular time of the year when they go out to party mostly all night. Those families that have young children, I advise that if they are planning on going out, leave them under the care of a responsible adult. By all means, do not leave children to look after children and when I say responsible adult, I mean someone who is not really a senior citizen that cannot keep up with the activities of these children..."

Late Evening, Man Shot on Fabers
Shots were fired a short while ago on Faber's Road in Belize City. It happened near the corner of Faber's and Baldwin Drive where police currently have the area locked down. Reports say - a shooter went to the area to open fire on some men who hang out there. Reports say they had a dispute form earlier on about a horse. But when the gunman opened fire, a licensed gun-owner opened fire on him. Images sent to us from the area show a small trail of blood. We have just confirmed that a victim has been taken to the KHMH. We'll have more on this tomorrow.

Alleged Pedophile Gets Off, Was He Framed In Family Dispute?
44 year-old Jose Aquino, a Honduran with permanent residency in Belize, is free of a sexual assault charge tonight after he was acquitted in the Magistrate's Court. Aquino stood trial in front of Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer where his female accuser testified against him. That complainant, who was 9 years-old at the time, told the court that the incident happened on May 12th, 2013 in Belize City. She said that Aquino fondled her privates. In his defense, Aquino denied the allegation under oath, and he said that his family and the family of his accuser had a dispute. He further alleged that as a result of that dispute between the 2 families, this child told lies on him, and falsely reported him to the police.

Going Back To Graham
We've got three newscasts left in 2018, and we'll be using those nights to pick our three favourite stories of the year.  One of those has got to be Daniel Ortiz's Graham Creek odyssey.   He went there in October with the Teachers Union to demonstrate what hardships teachers in remote areas have to endure just to do their jobs.  But what we didn't know is how much those hardships would bring even the durable Daniel to his knees.  Here now is a repeat of that story:.. Our very first trip to Graham Creek started in Crique Sarco, a village difficult to get to by road. We were told that the trip to the southernmost village in the Toledo District was an arduous one, but nothing could have prepared us for what it actually was like.

From The Land Of Snow, Sun Country Airlines!
On Saturday, one more US air carrier started regular weekly flights to Belize. Sun Country airlines made its charter flight out of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport directly to the PGIA. The non stop service is seasonal and is Belize's first reach into the the Upper Midwest of the US.  The seasonal service flies once weekly on Saturdays from December 22, 2018 to April 20, 2019.

Don't Take a Chance On A Raffle Without Lotteries Commission
When money's tight, or some funds need to be raised for a worthy cause, selling a raffle is a sure way to raise some cash in a hurry.   You sell a few chances and the lucky winner gets the prize; it's that simple - or at least it should be. And practically everyone does it: schools, small non-profit organizations, a family in need of money for a surgery, or perhaps even your favorite aunt. Nothing fishy or too unusual about it.  However, what many don't know is that what you're doing actually might be illegal. In a press release issued today the Lotteries Committee highlighted the illegalities of promoting or conducting any lottery or raffle without a license or letter of authorization from them.

Regular Fuel May Tip Down Again
On Monday, we reported that the new price of Premium gasoline is $10.41, but that was only the initial announcement.  Within a few hours, the Ministry of Finance had made a minor adjustment and the price that went to the pump at midnight was actually $10.47 - 6 cents higher, but still an 85 cent decrease per gallon. So, will prices continue to trend down with crude oil trading at less than 45 dollars per barrell in the US?  Our sources say, don't count on it.

Channel 5

Belize City Fisherman, Daniel Hughes, is Executed on Boxing Day
A Belize City fisherman was shot and killed on Wednesday and police strongly suspect that the homicide may have been the result of a longstanding feud between two families.  Daniel [...]

Orange Walk’s Gang Feud Leaves 2 Persons Injured
Police in Orange Walk are trying to stem the bloodbath in an ongoing gang feud which left two persons injured on Christmas Day. Twenty-eight-year-old Llamont Wade and twenty-one-year-old Pablo Reyes [...]

Police Officer Victim of Hit and Run
Twenty-five-year-old Police Constable Keenon Bennett is tonight at the K.H.M.H. recuperating after he was knocked down on Wednesday night. Bennett, a member of the Special Patrol Unit, was on duty, [...]

Another Increase in Electricity Rates, Twice in 2018
The cost of electricity is set to go up yet again, for a second time in 2018.  This follows a formal request by Belize Electricity Limited to the Public Utilities [...]

“This is simply a time for consumers to repay B.E.L.” – John Avery
The commission, in its decision, has approved a Mean Electricity Rate of point four-two cents per kilowatt hour.  According to Avery, BEL has had to incur an increase in the [...]

Director of Energy Explains the Need for Rate Increase
Director of Energy Ambrose Tillett also says that the rate increase being proposed is both wise and acceptable for the supply of service to consumers.    Ambrose Tillett, Director of [...]

Gas Prices Dip Again at the Pumps
On Christmas Day, gas prices at the pumps dropped for a second time in forty-eight hours. The cost of premium gasoline reduced by eighty-five cents to ten dollars and forty-seven [...]

Teachers’ Salaries Docked, B.N.T.U. Seeking Legal Recourse
On Friday, the Belize National Teachers’ Union came out swinging at some school managements, calling them the Grinch that stole Christmas. That’s because certain school managements decided to dock the [...]

President Elena Smith Says it’s Union Busting
According to President Elena Smith, the docking of teachers’ salaries is not only seen as ‘downright mean-spirited,’ but also as a form of union busting.   Senator Elena Smith, National [...]

Sisters in Burrell Boom Lose Homes to Fire
Within the past week, there have been several fires across the country. The first fire happened in Burrell Boom Village in the Belize District. Two wooden homes were destroyed by [...]

National Fire Service Still Investigating Fire in Steadfast Village
On Monday, we told you about a fire along the Stann Creek Valley Roadthat left a family of eight homeless. Sometime after ten a.m. last Saturday, a fire completely destroyed [...]

Christmas Day Fire; Family Loses Everything in San Pedro Town
And on Christmas Day a family was left homeless when a fire broke out inside their home around ten in the morning. It happened on Marina Drive in the DFC [...]

Police investigates Fire in Orange Walk
On Boxing Day there were two separate fires one in Orange Walk Town and the other in Belize City. The fire in Orange Walk happened around one-thirty in the morning. [...]

Fire on Tibruce Street; Blaze Extinguished by Cops
The second fire on Boxing Day happened right here in Belize City. The National Fire Service says that around six-thirty that evening flames were spotted inside a wooden home on [...]

B.E.L. Gives Back for Christmas
On Christmas morning, most of us spent the day at home with our families or out celebrating with friends. For B.E.L employees, it was a morning to keep with the [...]

The Philip Willoughby 7-a-Side Football Tournament
U.D.P. Standard Bearer for Port Loyola, Philip Willoughby is organizing a first-of-its-kind football tournament on New Year’s Day. Dubbed the Philip Willoughby Seven-a-Side Football Marathon, it is open to the [...]

LOVE FM

There is help available for victims of abuse
Many women in Belize are trapped in abusive relationships and some even die at the hands of their abuser. However, there is no need for persons to die in an abusive relationship since there is help available to protect these victims. Love news spoke with Inspector Martha Rhys, the Officer in Charge of the Domestic …

Philip Willoughby organizes football marathon for New Years Day
Sports aficionados, particularly football lovers, are all invited to a New Years Day football marathon. The event is being organized by Philip Willoughby and the event is, as a matter of fact, called the Philip Willoughby Football Marathon and it takes place at the Wilton Cumberbatch Field. Willoughby says there is still time to register …

Electricity hike due to deregulation in the peninsula area of Mexico
The cause of the increase in electricity has come as a result of deregulation in the peninsula area of Mexico. When the Electricity Giant CFE was splintered into several companies, the business model changed from a standard price to one that the market could afford. This means that electricity prices across Mexico vary and the …

Price of fuel at the pump goes down as Electricity ready to go up
The price for Premium Gasoline has decreased by 85 cents from $11.32 to $10.47 per gallon. The price of Diesel went down 92 cents from $10.75 to $9.83 per gallon. The Government of Belize says that the plunging fuel prices are principally due to weakening global demand reflecting concerns about economic growth prospects in 2019, …

Police Nab Gun in Capital
Police confiscated a firearm on Christmas day in the San Martin area of Belmopan. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz filed this report. Fem Cruz, Cayo Correspondent: “Acting upon a telephone call received from the community sometime around 12:30PM on Christmas day led Roaring Creek police to an open lot in the San Martin area of Belmopan. …

Two families lose everything in separate fires
A family from San Pedro Town is also reeling from what could have been a tragic event. They’ve lost everything in a fire. In Steadfast Village, in the Stann Creek District, another family also lost everything when their home went up in flames on December 22nd. Orin Smith, the Station Manager for the National Fire …

NTUCB hopes to find solutions that will diminish crime
There have been several initiatives undertaken to curb the escalating crime in Belize including criminal legislation, implementation of a State of Emergency and accompanying curfews. However, crime still continues to occur at an alarming rate. Marvin Mora, the President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, (NTUCB) told Love news how his organization plans …

Police Officer is knocked down; culprit escapes scene
On Boxing Day, a police officer was hit while he drove his motorcycle in Belize City, but the driver of the vehicle did not stop to render him any aid. ASP Cowo says it happened around ten o’clock in the night. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Belize Police Department: “Police Constable Keenon Garbutt, who is attached to …

Man murdered in broad daylight on Boxing Day
For one family, their Christmas celebration was shattered when they learnt of the death of their loved one. Daniel Hughes Sr. was shot and killed in broad daylight on Boxing Day in Belize City. The father of ten met his demise whilst driving in his vehicle. Johnelle McKenzie tells us more in this report. ASP …

Gang rivalry in Orange Walk results in two more men being shot on Christmas Day
Two men are injured in another shooting incident in Orange Walk Town. ASP Alejandro Cowo of the Crimes Investigation Branch says that, again, the incident is connected to an ongoing gang rivalry in that municipality. ASP Cowo says the shooter was on a motorcycle when he ambushed 21-year-old Senon Reyes and 28-year-old Llamont Wade on …

The Reporter

MAN CRITICAL AFTER HE WAS SHOT
A man was shot sometime after 6:00 this evening on Faber’s Road in Belize City. Police believe it happened while two men aggressed a man in his yard and the resident’s father opened fire at the gunman. Police sources have informed this media house that Dennis Hislop Jr., 24, was standing with Kyron Samuels, 21, in front of their residence, at #40 Faber’s Road, when the two men, one of whom was armed with a gun, chased Hislop behind his house.

Breaking Belize News

Man shot on Fabers Road, Belize City
A man was shot a few minutes ago in Belize City. He has not yet been […]

License requirements for lottery and raffles
The lotteries committee inform the public that no person shall promote or conduct any lottery or […]

Police man knocked down on Boxing Day
A police officer was knocked down from his motorcycle in Belize City last night. He has […]

Fire in San Pedro!
Yesterday just after midday there was a fire reported in San Pedro Town. Police visited Marina […]

Police provide update on murder of Daniel Hughes Sr.
Today police presented an update on the death of Daniel Hughes Sr. According to Assistant Superintendent […]

Anny Young missing for 19 days
The family of Anisha “Anny” Young is still seeking answers to the disappearance of their loved […]

BEL and staff gift hampers to 150 families and the elderly
During the month of December, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and its employees contributed to several initiatives […]

Belize: 143 murdered for 2018
There have been 143 Belizeans murdered in 2018. On January 1st the first victim was reputed […]

Child injured by firecrackers
Over the Christmas holidays, many Belizeans are accustomed to including firecrackers as a part of the […]

Fair weather to continue
A moderate East to Southeasterly airflow will maintain fair weather today. Sunny skies with some cloudy […]

Blogs

Wet and Happy Holidays With More to Parties Come
If you want to keep busy, there is always no shortage of parties to attend around Christmas. While I do miss celebrating with my family, I do not miss the “rat-race” of Christmas. These past few years I have been quite happy to do nothing for the holidays. This year was no exception and my temporary roommate Dennis agreed. His thought was “stay close to home” the furthest we needed to go was DandE’s frozen custard on Middle Street, only a stones throw away (4 blocks.) I had to do one small errand that led me a bit further – pick up a package from Maya Flats airstrip at Tropic Cargo and put it on a San Pedro Belize Express water taxi to Caye Caulker. Thankfully it was not rainy at the time like on the 24th, we got about 3 inches that day. I sure was glad for my lightweight waterproof trenchcoat on my errand run. Boxing day also gave us rain, however, Christmas day was its usual Sunny Self.

International Sources

Rwanda, Matera and Belize; three exotic destinations you definitely need to visit in 2019
There's a reason why Imtiaz Ali makes movies about travelling. It isn't just about exploring new destinations, but to find yourself. Apart from being all alone in an unknown city, travelling is a great opportunity to meet people from different walks of life, understand different cultures and explore a different side of yourself. Travel enthusiasts are often questioned on why they love to travel. The answer is simple. Travelling is one activity where you can truly challenge and test yourself. Apart from pushing you out of your comfort zone, each new trip you undertake brings an innate sense of pride, joy and energy. Located in Central America, Belize is bordered by the Caribbean Sea on the east. With the combination of Belize Barrier Reef, the place is famous for its water sports. Scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking and rafting, Belize is also famous for the jungles and wildlife reserves of fauna and flora.

Taking the Kids -- Places Made Memorable in 2018 by What We Ate
SNORKELING FOR OUR DINNER. We were in the clear waters teeming with tropical fish about six miles -- a 20-minute boat ride -- from the private island resort Cayo Espanto in Belize where we were staying, and not far from San Pedro, the town and tourist hub on Ambergris Cay, Belize's largest island. This immense barrier reef (second only to Australia's and, according to the Belizeans, much healthier) stretches for scores of miles along the Caribbean Coast (Belize is south of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, east of Guatemala and north of Honduras). Using a hook, our guide caught two spiny lobsters hiding under "tribes" made from corrugated tin and logs by fisherman. My husband and the guides caught a baker's dozen of small snapper while we got an onboard lesson in making ceviche from the conch.

‘He shoots insects in the wild.’ Unique bug photos take Lexington man around the globe
Tom Myers makes a living as president of a Lexington pest control company, but he also is known as a world-traveling photographer of insects, spiders, scorpions and ticks. Among his subjects: termites that shoot glue out of their heads, an African spider that throws a web over its prey, an ambush bug that covers itself in debris to disguise itself. His pursuit of exotic bugs has taken him to all seven continents (yes, there are tiny insects that live in icebound Antarctica). His photos have been exhibited in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and published in USA Today, National Geographic’s Traveler magazine and “Truman’s Scientific Guide to Pest Management Operations,” the “bible” of the industry.

Videos

December 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

San Pedro House of Culture hosts Belize/Mexico Art Exhibit
During the month of December, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and its employees contributed to several initiatives for the benefit of deserving families and the elderly countrywide. The 20th Annual Christmas Hamper Drive culminated on Friday, December 21 when BEL staff distributed hampers to 90 families and 60 senior citizens. Through yearlong donations from employees and the Company, the hampers valued at approximately $300 each were prepared with ingredients for a traditional Christmas dinner, groceries and toiletries.

San Pedro House of Culture hosts Belize/Mexico Art Exhibit
The San Pedro House of Culture (SPHC) held a Belize/Mexico Art Exhibition on Thursday, December 20th. The exhibit featured art work from Terryl Godoy, Papo Alamilla, Marcos Manzanero, Yaoling Lee, Fred Trejo, Edgar Gomez, Valeria Ancona, Nicole Denarle, Olivia Garcia from Belize and Marcelo Jimenez, Monika Cambrich, Joseas Montalvo, Francisco Holl, Christian Poot, Beatriz Brown, Conchi Sanchez and Celso Vasquez from Mexico. The art exhibit opened at 7PM, with attendees feasting their eyes on beautiful paintings while enjoying delicious appetizers and live music by San Pedro’s musician Terryl Godoy. The various artworks ranged from beaches to forests, animals, cultural scenes and even famous island areas. Both Belizeans and Mexican artists surely filled the SPHC display room with colorful, dramatic and bold masterpieces.

Misc Belizean Sources

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint natural pods.

The Reporter

MAN SHOT AND KILLED ON TIBRUCE ST. IN BELIZE CITY
The Reporter has confirmed that a man was shot and killed this afternoon on Tibruce Street in Belize City. Information reaching this media hoise is that Daniel Hughes, 39, a fisherman of Aloe Vera Street, was shot in his face and neck and died at around 4:00 pm. Police have no suspects or motive at this time, but they are following a lead.

Breaking Belize News

Man shot and killed on Boxing Day
Information to BBN is that a man was shot and killed in Belize City minutes ago. He has been officially identified as Daniel Hughes Sr. Reports suggests that he was shot to his face and neck on Aloe Vera Street.

Blogs

New Year’s Eve 2019 On Ambergris Caye
Happy Happy Happy Boxing Day – such a CIVILIZED holiday that we celebrate in Belize. I’m not sure WHY the ex-British American colonies did not hold onto that one. A day for eating Christmas candy and left-overs, napping, travel…just a buffer between the holidays and going-back-to-work. I just started opening emails and am a bit overwhelmed THE QUESTION: What should be do on New Year’s Eve. (I skimmed this in grammerly and I THINK I got the punctuation correct – it’s tricky!) I am hardly one to stay up late…and I haven’t been out in town for YEARS on NYE but here is what I’ve gathered. And it depends…do you want a dinner and mingling with a smaller group? Do you want to be in the middle of it all? Do you want to dance-dance-dance? Is seeing the fireworks at midnight a must? Here are some great choices.

Videos

December 26, 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

Mid-morning fire destroys home south of San Pedro Town
A family's home in the DFC Area was gutted by a fire on Christmas Day, December, 25th. The San Pedro Fire Department rushed to the scene to contain the blaze, while unofficial reports are that one person was injured and is being treated at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II.

Misc Belizean Sources

"From Island Boy to Professor: An Educational Journey" Book Travel Schedule
Dr. August's book schedule...

K'uk'ulkan(Quetzalcoatl) - Mesoamerican Messiah
Kukulkan impacted alot in Mesoamerica we can easy consider him "The Indigenous Messiah" and Mesoamerica the "Holy land " . Some said he even did miracles but today we will honor some of the things he did while he walked through Mesoamerica . K'uk'ulkan was born in May 18,895 Under the name of Ce Acatl Topiltzin . He assumed lordship over the Toltecs and migrated his people to Tollan. Reigning in peace and prosperity he contributed much to the lifestyle of the Toltecs with basic ideas such as civilization. He was generally considered a god upon earth by his followers with similar powers to those of his namesake. Kukulkan dispelled the traditions of the past and ended all human sacrifice during his reign.

17th Voice of the West Elocution Contest
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio will be having the 17th annual Voice of the West Elocution Contest on Thursday, February 7th, at Hode's Place. "This is an annual competition for the high school students in Cayo to show off their writing and speaking skills. Each high school can send three students, from any form, to compete in any of three categories."

Belize Rewind
Good morning Caye Caulker our Dinner Show starts today and keeps running regular shows into 2019 and beyond. Check our Facebook and Instagram page for changes in venue. Tonight and every Wednesday 630 pm show and weekly Monday to Friday 10am at Old Belize Jungle Pavilion or The Bliss. Dinner & Show. Belize Rewind presented by Jankunu Productionz, a play about culture and history. Don’t miss this ongoing tour!

Channel 5

Christmas Day Shooting in Orange Walk
On the 25.12.18 at 7:05 a.m. Senon Reyes and Llamont Wade were standing in front of his house located on Muffles Street in Orange Walk Town having a conversation. They saw a male person of Hispanic descent with a cloth covering his face coming toward them with a firearm. The male person fired several shots towards them. As a result, Reyes received a gunshot wound to his left foot and Wade received a gunshot wound the buttocks.

The Reporter

GANG VIOLENCE ? – IN ORANGE WALK ON CHRISTMAS DAY
Early this morning on this blessed Christmas Day, at approximately 7:00am Senon Reyes, 21, and Llamont Wade, 28, were standing on Muffles Street when a gunman with a mask on came toward them and fired shots at them. Reyes was reportedly hit on his left thigh and Wade on his buttocks. Both men are in stable condition at the Northern Regional Hospital.

Breaking Belize News

2 men shot in Orange Walk
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred this morning in Orange Walk. According to reports, Senon Reyes and Llamont Wade were standing in front of a home on Muffles Street when they saw a man with his face covered approaching them. […]

New gas prices announced
he Ministry of Finance yesterday announced that the price for Premium Gasoline will decrease by 85 cents from $11.32 down to $10.47 per gallon. The price of Diesel will also decrease by 92 cents from $10.75 down to $9.83 per gallon. […]

Fuel prices recalled
Early today, BBN reported on a decrease in fuel prices effective at midnight. However, the liaison officer at the Belize Bureau of Standards informed BBN that the new prices issued earlier have been recalled. […]

International Sources

Five Ways Boxing Day Is Celebrated In The Caribbean
Unlike here in the U.S., the day after Christmas is celebrated in the Caribbean as in most British former colonies as Boxing Day. This day hearkens back to slavery, when slave owners would give their slaves the day off and some even ‘boxed’ up some left overs and gave to them, hence the history of the ‘box’ as in Boxing Day. Today, in several Caribbean former colonies and current territories, the Day in celebrated often as a big carnival or street party. Here are five unique ways these Caribbean nations celebrate Boxing Day.

Videos

December 25, 2018

Happy Christmas Day.

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project holds fashion show fundraiser
On Saturday, December 22nd, the Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project held its annual fashion show at the Sandy Toes beachfront restaurant in the Boca del Rio area. The event saw several junior and senior models gracing the stage featuring the different festivals held on the island throughout the year. The show is the brainchild of 15-year-old Nayobie Rivero and raises funds towards purchasing gifts for the less fortunate children on the island. This year, that share of Christmas love will also reach children living at an orphanage on the mainland.

Ambergris Today

Santa Spreads Christmas Cheer At The Lions Den
The San Pedro Lions Club hosted their annual Children's Christmas Party with Santa. Children happily greeted Santa as he made his entrance at the Lions Den ringing his bell. They sat and waited for their turn as their names were called to receive their special gift and take a picture with Santa and his helpers. Merry Christmas to every one!

Misc Belizean Sources

Pump Prices for Premium Gasoline and Diesel Oil to Decrease at Midnight on Christmas Eve
The Ministry of Finance is pleased to announce that at midnight tonight, Christmas Eve, the price for Premium Gasoline will decrease by 85 cents from $11.32 down to $10.47 per gallon. The price of Diesel will also decrease by 92 cents from $10.75 down to $9.83 per gallon. These substantial decreases in the prices of Premium Gasoline and Diesel follow earlier decreases in the prices of Regular Gasoline and Kerosene which took place just two days ago on December 22.

Corozal Christmas Bram Event 2018
Representing our Maya culture at The Corozal Christmas Bram Event 2018 as we open the program with The Belize National Anthem in Yucatec maya and english. Later we delivered the Christmas cheer with 3 Christmas carols. Thank you to the KULCHA organization for a wonderful opportunity. Thank you to Mr Adan Palomo and members of To'one Masehualoon. Happy holidays to all.

BEL and Staff Gift 150 Families and the Elderly
During the month of December, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and its employees contributed to several initiatives for the benefit of deserving families and the elderly countrywide. The 20th Annual Christmas Hamper Drive culminated on Friday, December 21 when BEL staff distributed hampers to 90 families and 60 senior citizens. Through yearlong donations from employees and the Company, the hampers valued at approximately 5300 each were prepared with ingredients for a traditional Christmas dinner, groceries and toiletries. The Company also sponsored luncheons and employees volunteered at Belize Assemblies for Persons with Diverse Abilities, Welcome Resource Center, and for the elderly at Octavia Waight Center in Cayo, Casa Chan Ka'an in Corozal Town, and HelpAge Belize City. On Christmas morning, employees will prepare and serve breakfast to the homeless and shut-ins in Belize City.

Christmas Festivities at BTB

Downtown Belize City during the weekend Christmas rush
It was busier earlier today but nothing like the city lights at night.

La Cruz Maya y el ser Maya: Bernardo Caamal Itzá
¿Qué diferencia existe entre la Cruz Maya y la traída por los españoles? De principio, sus orígenes se remontan a los inicios de la cultura maya, aunque actualmente muchos la confunden con la Cruz traída por los españoles. La Cruz Maya representa a las deidades de un espacio relacionadas con la milpa. De tal forma que en cada uno de los cuatro puntos cardinales del xu’uk –mojoneras de la milpa- los abuelos nos platican que ahí moran los dioses, y por tanto con frecuencia son honrados con el Sakaj –la bebida sagrada- para que sean benévolos en la actividades que se realizan en el lugar. Ahora hay nuevas generaciones de mayas insensibles a su cultura debido a un modelo educativo impuesto que generó una barrera para propiciar el diálogo intergeneracional.

Communities Countrywide Celebrate Cultural Festivities and Celebrations which Form Part of Belize’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
The National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, through its Institute for Social and Cultural Research, ISCR, takes pleasure in advising the public of upcoming and ongoing cultural activities celebrated in Belizean communities during the December Period: Las Posadas, Grand Ball, and the Christmas Bram. These cultural celebrations, among others, form part of Belize’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Intangible Cultural Heritage or living heritage refers to practices, traditions, cultural expressions, knowledge and skills handed down from generation to generation. This heritage provides communities with a sense of identity and is continuously recreated. We take the opportunity to applaud all communities actively involved in the preservation and safeguarding of our living heritage.

Adopt a Bear Gift Distribution with Santa - 2018 Moments
Photos by Karen Brodie

Channel 7

No Charges for Cop Caught With Aviation Fuel
On last week Friday's news, we told you about the suspected drug plane which landed illegally at a Mennonite Farm a few miles away from Barranco Village in the Toledo District on last week Thursday night. Tonight, police officers are being investigated for their proximity to this crime. Acting Police Commissioner Chester Williams discussed the case at length, today including the suspension, and disciplinary charges that Police Constables Peter Graham and John Ordonez are facing because of this latest illegal landing: Chester Williams, Acting ComPol: "We received information that a plane was on the ground at Plett's Farm in the Barranco area. That is about 3 miles away from Barranco and we quickly deployed elements of the anti-narcotic unit as well as BSAg to the location where the plane was found. It is a single engine plane, similar to the one that was found in the Blue Creek area couple months ago."

Sr. Supt. Howell Hightails It From Accident Scene?
So, while those officers from the rank and file must explain to their superiors why fingers are being pointed in their direction, a senior cop has been issued with a notice of intended prosecution after he allegedly slammed into a civilian's parked vehicle over the weekend and fled the scene. That officer is Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, the commander of the Eastern Division Region 1, which was formerly known as Eastern Division South. Sheraine Mas, a resident of Belize City, reported to police that on Saturday night at around 10 p.m., she parked her black Wingle pick-up truck in front of Herbal Life on the far left-hand side of the George Price Highway, facing Belmopan City. She was attending a Christmas party, when she and others heard the loud bang of a traffic accident.

Broad Daylight Gang Shooting in OW
We turn now to a suspected gang shooting in Orange Walk, which happened yesterday evening on the Belize/Corozal Road, near a barber shop. 22 year-old David Diaz, a suspected affiliate of one of the gangs in Orange Walk, was shot to to the left leg by a man on a motorbike Police told us more: ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "Just after 5:35PM Orange Walk police visited the Northern Regional Hospital where they observed a male person by the name of David Dennis Diaz, 22 years old suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the left side of his knee. The information is that Mr. David was standing at the corner of Staines Alley and Belize Corozal Road where he was approached by a male person..."

Man Shot In Bedroom While 9 Year Old Sleeps
Early this morning in Hopkins Village, a 45 year old man was shot inside his bedroom where his 9 year old son was also sleeping. Alvin Lopez told police he heard footsteps followed by multiple gunshots into his house:.. ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "On Monday, 24th December 2018, at about 12:45am, Dangriga police visit the Western Regional Hospital where they observed Mr. Alvin Lopez, 45 year old Belizean who was suffering from apparent gunshot wound to the upper knee..."

Diesel Prices Down, So Are Sulfur Levels
You might call it a Christmas gift from Belmopan - but the price of Diesel and Premium fuel is going down quite a bit for Christmas day. At midnight, just as Santa is striking up that old sleigh, diesel is going down by 92 cents, from $10.75 per gallon to 9.83 per gallon, and premium is going down from $11.32 to $10.41 per gallon. This is the first time since March of this year that diesel has been under ten dollars per gallon. And to make this news even merrier, the diesel you'll be putting in is now significantly cleaner than it used to be. It now meets the Central American Standard for low sulfur diesel.

Hon. Elrington Declaims Against The Wilfred Disclaimer
And tonight we have the final installment of last week's extended interview with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington. We asked Elrington about the ICJ Education Campaign from which he has been removed - so that he doesn't say anything inflammatory. But, he's such a liability to his government's "Yes" campaign that there's a disclaimer about him on the government's referendum website. We asked him about that:.. Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs: "But I am not integral to the team, I'm really about peripheral. So that intemperate statement which I may make cannot be put at the feet of the team, because I am not integral to the team."

Elrington: Saying No To ICJ Helps Guatemala
And while Elrington blames his own people for biting on PUP bait, he blames Belizeans who want to vote "no" to the ICJ for playing into Guatemala's hands. Elrington said he finds it unbelievable:.. Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Foreign Affairs: "Now what I find interesting is that the Guatemalans who had for over 80 years said no to the ICJ. The British invited them from the 1930s. They refused and suddenly Belizeans are now saying, there are those among us who are now joining the Guatemala in this NO. I find that so amazing. It blows my mind and this is an extract from a fellow named Pablo Hurtado and this is the question that was asked of Pablo."

One Draw, Five-Hundred Bucks For Canuck
He took just a draw but a Canadian man paid dearly for it. Tracy Deach was hauled into court today after Caye Caulker police pulled up on the 51 year old in public with a cigar like object in his mouth. Suspecting it was weed, police arrested him. In court today Deach pleaded guilty to smoking cannabis. In his defense he said he had only taken one draw when police apprehended him. That one draw proved quite costly for him. The court fined him $500 plus $5 of court cost and was ordered to pay forthwith. Deach paid the fine and was released today.

Corona Contraband Christmas Party on Caye Caulker Cancelled!
And keeping it on Caye Caulker, someone's contraband Christmas party got seriously messed up when island cops intercepted a whole lot of Mexican beers on the Ocean Ferry Water taxi. Island cops seized twenty-one and a half cases of assorted Mexican beers during a cargo search. The beers was handed over to customs.

Major Weight of Weed Out West
Also on Saturday, a joint police operation in San Ignacio led cops to confiscate a whopping 72 pounds of marijuana in an area off the Casa Maya Road in the Shawville area. Today, police told us that although the weed was deposited as found property, they suspect that it belongs to a known drug peddler in the area:

Carrying a Serious Criminal Kit on A Bus
Diligent police work also led the cops to intercept a man who was carrying a prohibited firearm on a James Bus this morning. At around 7:00, the Independence police were carrying out a routine checkpoint at the junction of Monkey River Road and the Southern Highway. They stopped a James Bus, and a search of led them to find 36 year-old Marvin Monge, a resident of Belize City, with a .45 pistol, which had 4 live rounds. Police shared more with the press this morning:

In Death, Ernie Miranda Was Earl Hyatt
Police also shared the details about last week Friday's fatal stabbing of the man identified as Ernie Miranda. They've since been able to confirm that his name is actually 36 year-old Earl Abraham Hyatt, and here's what police know so far about the strange circumstances of his body's discovery in a drain on Morning Glory Street in Belize City: ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City: "On Friday, the 21st of December, 2018, just before 7 in the morning, police visited an area in front of #441 Morning Glory Street, where upon arrival, they observed the lifeless body of a male person inside of the drain..."

Moro Mobbed and Stabbed At Wedding
A man was viciously jumped and stabbed at a weeding in the Burrell Boom on Saturday night. Paul Moro Sr. was at a wedding with his wife when he had a misunderstanding with a woman. More and his wife were leaving when he was mobbed and stabbed by a group of men. Police told us about his condition:

No Charges For Alleged Cleghorn Arsonist
You may remember last week Friday morning's fire on Cleghorn Street in Belize City, which left 11 persons homeless. A two storey house was almost completely destroyed after one of the tennants allegedly lit some items on fire in his room intentionally, and left it to burn. That's arson, a criminal offense, but today, police told us that they may not be able to bring criminal charges. Here's how they explained why: ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City: "On Friday, the 21st of December, 2018, at about 9:30 a.m., police visited #6701 Cleghorn Street, the scene of a fire. Upon arrival, police observed a wooden structure, 2 storey, where they observed that the upper flat of the building was on fire. Fire personnel arrived at the location.."

Pair of Missing Men Found
On Friday, Iverson Neal's family was in an uproar. They accused police and his significant other of spreading all kinds of misinformation and misrepresentations about him. Thankfully, tonight, all that is at an end. He was found safe and sound over the weekend in Belmopan - slightly dehydrated but otherwise alright. Police told us more:... ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City: "Police were able to locate two of the male persons. The first one was located on Saturday in Belmopan. That was the person of Iverson Neal. He was found sometime in the evening in the outskirts of Belmopan by a concerned citizen, who thereafter handed him over to the police. Police noticed that Mr. Neal was dehydrated and was going through some kind of delusion and he was taken to the hospital, where thereafter family members arrived and he was handed over to the family. We have not had an opportunity to speak to him because I know that he was taken to seek medical attention this morning."

Family Worries For Seaman Greg Dillon, Missing Two Weeks
Another family which will spend the Christmas worrying about their loved one is the family of Greg Dillon, the missing fisherman. He's been missing for two weeks and tonight his family is desperate for answers. His family is asking for your prayers and for mariners to be on the lookout for him. They are also asking for fuel donations, since they mostly have to search for him via boat. Finally, they thank all those who have helped so far.

48 Encroachments on Western Protected Areas
There are 48 active illegal encroachments on the Western border within a radius of 90 kilometers, a recent FCD study shows. On the 12th of December, Friends for Conservation and Development along with the Belize Defense Force conducted an aerial reconnaissance mission from Arenal Village in Cayo to Santa Rosa in Toledo. The flight covered four protected areas: Vaca Forest Reserve, Caracol Archeological Reserve, Chiquibul National Park and Columbia River Forest Reserve. According to the study, six types of activities were documented: old active fields, farms with houses, multi-crop farms, pastures, cattle farms and marijuana fields.

Cops Make Christmas For PC Martinez's Family
As you may recall, PC Osborne Martinez was killed while on duty in November of this year. His six children were left without a father - and now that Christmas is here, his family feels his loss strongly. And so, today, the police department stepped in to give them a little boost and support at Christmas as they greive and moun the loss of their breadwinner. Here's more from that event.

Help With Hampers
While the police were helping the Martinez family, BEL and their employees helped over 150 families and senior citizens. On Friday, BEL held its 20th annual hamper drive; these hampers were filled with goodies valued up to $300. And, as per tradition, employees will also feed breakfast to the homeless and shut-ins in Belize City on Christmas morning.

Christmas On "The Alberts"�
Old habits die hard and for us today at Channel 7 that couldn't be truer. So, in keeping with tradition we hit the streets of down town Belize City this Christmas Eve to get a sample of the street sentiment - also known as "how di Christmas di come?" It had been pouring rain all day but it didn't stop the hustle and bustle of the last minute Christmas shopping.

Channel 5

Top Cop Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett Served with N.I.P. for RTA
Commander of Eastern Division South Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett would normally appear on the news for the community policing work he continues to do, but tonight the senior police officer [...]

2 PG Police Officers Suspended for Alleged Role in Suspected Drug Plane Landing in Barranco
Two officers have been suspended pending further investigation into a suspected drug plane in southern Belize. Police Constables Peter Graham and John Ordonez are in trouble with the law tonight [...]

Was Suspected Drug Plane Picking Up or Discharging Illicit Cargo?
News Five has been reliably informed that the aircraft was not making a drop, but was in fact carrying out a pickup. As has been seen in previous suspected drug [...]

72 lbs of Weed Found in Shawville Area, Cayo
A joint operation on Saturday resulted in police discovering more than seventy pounds of marijuana. Police say that the operation was conducted near the Casa Maya Road of the Shawville [...]

Man Attacked, Beaten and Stabbed at Wedding
Police are investigating the savage beating and stabbing of Paul Moro. Moro and his wife were at a wedding on Saturday in Burrell Boom Village when he got into an [...]

Deceased Ernie Miranda is Earl Abraham Hyatt
Thirty-six-year-old Ernie Miranda was fatally stabbed on Thursday night sometime before twelve a.m.  His lifeless body was not discovered until Friday morning by sanitation workers collecting garbage on Morning Glory [...]

The Re-emergence of ‘Gang War in Shuga City
A young man was shot on Sunday evening and investigators believe that it may be gang related. The victim is twenty-two-year-old David Diaz and it is reported that he is [...]

Who shot Alvin Lopez?
Police in Hopkins Village are investigating a shooting incident which left forty-five-year-old Alvin Lopez injured. Lopez was inside his home in the village when he heard gunshots. He told police [...]

Iverson Neal Found Alive and Well Outside of the Garden City
The saga of Iverson Neal who went missing from Belize City on December eleventh, has come to a positive end.  The twenty-three-year-old was found alive near the outskirts of Belmopan [...]

Missing Man Found Alive and Well
Benson Jerry Butler was found alive and in good health over the weekend. The fifty-three-year-old resident of West Lake Area of Western Paradise Village had been reported missing last week [...]

Man Busted with .45 Firearm
A man is in police custody and facing firearm offences. He is thirty-seven-year-old Marvin Monge and according to police, he was busted with a handgun at a checkpoint early this [...]

21 Cases of Contraband Mexican Beers Seized
Someone’s Christmas plans were ruined on Saturday after police in Caye Caulker confiscated twenty-one cases of contraband Mexican beers on Saturday afternoon. Police say officers searched a cargo at Ocean [...]

No Charges to be Brought against Tenant Who Torched Cleghorn Street Apartment
On Friday morning, a house fire on Cleghorn Street destroyed the upper flat of a two-storey wooden structure.  The blaze was the result of a tenant deliberately setting his room [...]

Family of 8 Loses Home to Fire
Fire completely destroyed a house at mile sixteen on the Stann Creek Valley Road over the weekend. A family of eight lost all their personal belongings, as well as the [...]

Sun Country Airlines Commences Seasonal Flights to Belize
The inaugural flight from Minneapolis courtesy of Sun Country Airlines landed at the Philip Goldson International Airport around eleven a.m. on Saturday. The flight, which will bring tourists to Belize [...]

Golden Tree Hotel Debacle Resolved
Golden Tree Hotel was temporarily closed down by the Belize Tourism Board for having violated the Hotel and Tourists Accommodation Act due to non-payment. Within twenty-four hours, the owners of [...]

Fallen Cop’s Family Gifted with Christmas Goodies
Back in November we told you about the shooting death of on-duty cop, Osbourne Martinez. The twenty-seven-year-old Police Constable was shot and killed when he responded to an armed robbery [...]

A Christmas Message from the Anglican Diocese to You
The joy of Christmas is being able to spend time with family and friends.  The spirit of the season is rooted in the celebration of the birth of Christ, a [...]

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

LOVE FM

Police believe Orange Walk shooting is another in string of gang related violence in that municipality
Police say they have evidence to believe that gang rivalry was the possible reason for another shooting in Orange Walk Town. That happened on Sunday after five o’clock in the evening when 22-year-old David Dennis Dias was shot on his knee. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Belize Police Department: “Information is that Mr.David was standing at the …

Man is stabbed at wedding reception
A misunderstanding at a wedding reception resulted in the stabbing of a guest. According to police, on Saturday shortly before eleven o’clock, they found Paul Moro at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital with stab wounds in his lower back and abdomen. Moro was treated and discharged. ASP Cowo says he got caught up in an …

Police locate three missing persons; two were found dehydrated and delusional
There is good news to report as police have located three of the persons who had been reported missing over the last week. Among them is Iverson Neal, whose family had been searching for, for a week. Neal went missing exactly one week ago, on December 16th. Police say he was found by a resident …

School managements dock pay for teachers who participated in November rally
In November, no less than 1200 teachers under the guidance of the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) took their causes to the Capital. Proposal 22 along with hardship and commuting allowances were some of the grievances they were pursuing in addition to respect from the Ministry. Those teachers who marched on the capital will lose …

Hopkins resident ambushed and shot at home
A second man was shot to the knee and that incident happened in Hopkins Village this morning. According to police, shortly before one o’clock this morning officers were called to the home of 45-year-old Alvin Lopez in Hopkins Village. There they found Lopez injured on his knee. ASP Alejandro Cowo, Belize Police Department: “Initial police …

Police will not charge person believed to have started Cleghorn Street house fire
An early morning fire on Cleghorn Street in Belize City last Friday left eleven persons without a home. The two-storey wooden house sustained serious damage which displaced three persons who lived in the upper flat and a family of eight who resided downstairs. Today police verified that the blaze was started by one of the …

Police investigate stabbing death of man found in drain
Just before seven on Friday Morning Belize City police found a male person in a drain on Morning Glory Street. The individual had died and upon a closer inspection, police noticed that he had been stabbed. While he was initially referred by the name Ernie Miranda, today police say they have verified his true identity. …

Teachers’ hardship allowance pay inconsistent, BNTU looks into the matter
The matter was discussed at a council meeting held last Friday. BNTU President Elena Smith said that they also discussed another issue that was brought to their attention. That surrounds hardship allowance. Smith says the BNTU has been told that at least one school management made hardship allowance payments using a proposed new list. She …

Officers suspended in relation to Plane that landed near Barranco
The plane that landed on a farm near Barranco Village last week Thursday did not come as stealthily as its pilot had hoped. It was being tracked by authorities in Venezuela. The security forces in Belize was informed and kept abreast of the plane as they verified that there was no late night flight scheduled …

NTUCB lays out issues for 2019
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) held its 52nd Annual General Meeting on December 10th. The NTUCB elected the leader of the Belize Energy Workers Union as its president. Marvin Mora now takes on the helm of the country’s strongest coalition for a two year term. Love News spoke to Mora who explained …

Deceased Cop’s Family meet with Police
27 year old Constable Osbourne Martinez was killed in the line of duty when he responded to reports of a robbery near the Belcove hotel in on Regent Street West in Belize City. That was on November second and the shootout prompted more calls for the police department to issue vests to officers …

Police discover over 70 pounds of weed in Cayo
Cayo police came across a large amount of weed stashed away in an open lot in San Ignacio. The weed was found on Saturday night after police received a tip. Assistant Superintendent of Police Alejandro Cowo provided more information on the discovery …

The Reporter

MULTI-VEHICLE – WEST-LINE BUS ACCIDENT ON THE GEORGE PRICE HWY
There was an accident a short while ago (Dec. 24th. 7pm) on the George Price Highway involving a Westline Bus, a van and a pickup. While we are told there were no fatalities, other details are scarce at this time. It has been raining heavily for most of the day, The Reporter advises motorists to exercise all caution on the roads which are very wet, and to drive slower.

MISSING STUDENT SHOWS UP ON FACEBOOK WITH OLDER-MAN
Police have issued a Missing Person’s report for Jenene Teul, 15, Belizean student of San Ignacio Town. She was reported missing on Sunday, December 23, 2018. Anybody with any knowledge of her whereabouts is asked to call 911/922. The Reporter understands that Teul may be in the company of one Francisco Bolon, who has placed pictures of himself and Teul ‘in a relationship’ on his FB page.

Breaking Belize News

David Diaz, 22, shot yesterday; Police investigating
A man is lucky to be alive after he was shot yesterday evening. He has been […]

Woman robbed at gunpoint in San Ignacio
A woman was robbed at gunpoint just before 1 a.m. today. She has been identified as […]

Cost of diesel and premium goes down on Christmas Day
For the second time this month, consumers will benefit from an ease at the pump. That is […]

Shooting reported in Hopkins, Stann Creek
A shooting incident this morning has left one man injured. He has been identified as Alvin […]

Belize~ Thank you for Reading
By Richard Harrison: I say special thanks to all the people who seek out and read my articles throughout the year. My informed opinions are generated from my extensive formal education, work and business experiences…they are organically Belizean. […]

San Ignacio teen reported missing
Out west police have issued an official missing person report for a female student. She has […]

Blogs

Sweet Potato Pudding – an unexpected treat for the holidays!
Possibly my favorite treat, especially around the holidays, is the Sweet Potato Pudding. Ground sweet potatoes (purple skinned with starchy white flesh), freshly grated ginger, some thick, creamy coconut milk, and brown sugar to enhance the sweet potato are all mixed and placed in a pan to bake till it’s a gorgeous dark hue. The old-fashioned way involved my mother sitting me down with a large bowl in my lap, box grater in hand, peeled and chopped potatoes and a nice knob of ginger ready for grating. (Yes, having children around was handy for these kinds of tasks.) Oh, but in the meantime, she was busy chopping down a fresh young banana leaf from the tree in the backyard.

Porcupine and Heavenly Sea Urchin
One of the perks of my job is that I get invited to some pretty cool places and as a result, I get to try some pretty great stuff. I was there to photograph a small part of the Christmas dinner special by Chef Nolvin. I also invited to eat at O Restaurant and sample the regular menu with a plus one. For now, onto the specific holiday dishes I was asked to photograph. Click through to see the full Christmas dinner menu and pricing. If you have not booked your holiday meal call O restaurant to make reservations 226-4249

Happy Holidays and A Look Back on 2018
The coolish weather continues – I’m wearing a sweatshirt as I type – but I wanted to recap 2018. My first blog post was June 2011 so I’m well into it…but Belize continues to amaze and intrigue me. There is still SO much to learn and I didn’t get to travel enough…at all. While many of my posts focus on weather or errands or news about town, my year was punctuated by some more significant events. And running throughout was the influx of sargasso seaweed – the plague our shores from mid-February and is clearing up a bit now. But that may just be a temporary wind shift situation. Here’s a relatively quick recap of my entire year.

12 Things You Must Do While Spending Christmas in Belize
North Americans fed up with ice and snow fly south like the migrating tree swallow birds during the winter months, but no experience quite compares to the Christmas holidays in Belize. Pack your bags. And your dancing shoes. But don’t pack your expectations because we promise that they will be exceeded! Here are a dozen things you will want to do to celebrate the once-in-a-lifetime holiday experience known as Christmas in Belize.

Actun Chapat Tour with St. Leonard's Tours
St. Leonard's Tours offers fun and professional services to anyone who wants an adventure in Belize. One of their most fun tours in Belize is a spelunking journey into the underworld of Xibalba at Actun Chapat Cave. Accompanying us were 3 expert cave guides, Mr. Rodolfo, Elio, and Shanice. The name “Actun Chapat” means “Centipede Cave;” and if you can make the connection, the cave is littered with centipedes inside. Don’t worry, they won’t bite. Getting to Actun Chapat requires a short drive to Cave World Adventures Park in San Jose Succotz Village, and a hike for about 20 minutes before reaching the cave entrance. At the park there are many activities that you can do such as horseback riding, natural spa, rock climbing, and hiking. For our trip, we were interested in exploring the extensive cave system in the area so we headed straight for Actun Chapat.

Must-Have Culinary Experience in San Ignacio Belize
San Ignacio Town is becoming the perfect stop for foodies traveling to Belize. You can enjoy a trip through the stalls at the local farmer’s market to eat like the locals, or even find fresh seafood from the emerging street food scene. Better yet, you can book an authentic Belizean cooking experience with Cook a Belizean Adventure. This is a MUST-HAVE experience for the next time you’re in San Ignacio. This is more than just a food tour...this is an authetic food adventure!

10 Reasons Why Belize is Central America’s Hidden Gem
Belize is located on the Central American mainland just south of Mexico, but it looks and feels like a Caribbean country. If you are looking for a destination that offers white sandy beaches, ancient Maya cities, delicious cuisine, verdant jungles, turquoise waters that are ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling, and friendly people to mingle with, then you should add Belize to your bucket list. Below are the 10 reasons why you should pack your bags and visit Belize in 2019:

Tis the Season for Rompopo
Whether you’re rich or poor, Mestizo or Creole, there’s one thing that is never missing in Belizean homes during the Christmas holidays. I’m talking about Rompopo, Belize’s Christmas holidays’ drink equivalent to North America’s eggnog. December in Belize just ain’t the same without it! Rompopo is far better than your regular eggnog, though. I’m totally being biased but please indulge me, since I can’t help myself. I grew up drinking it religiously for Christmas and New Years, and aside from it being absolutely delicious, the flavors spark countless fond memories. Since it’s the season of giving, I’ll be sharing my family’s not-so-secret Rompopo recipe. By following this recipe you will now be able to make your own at home and have the same experience as most Belizeans have during the holidays. I hope you’re excited!

Videos

December 24, 2018

Belizean Christmas Carols
Want to enjoy some Belizean Christmas Carols? Mervin Budram has a video out for his Reggae version of Mary Did You Know. Alex Deeds adds some great electric guitar work to the song. Another amazing performance from MD and his crew.This song is part of the album "Belizean Christmas" by MD & Alida Sharp. They also have a Volume 2, Peek here for a few of the cuts off YouTube, and links to their albums... Merry Christmas!

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

Wolfe’s Woofer: Jaguar
A-i-i, Don Dennis,” he said, when I visited him. “I thought you forgot the old man.” “Never, Don Julio,” I said. “I want to hear about some of your jungle adventures.” Old Julio is one of my favorite people in Belize. He’s in his 90’s now but his younger days were full of adventure. He worked as a surveyor, mapping out the jungles and his stories are some of the best I’ve ever heard. “Let me tell you about when we were surveying the Maya site they call Caracol, over near the Guatemalan border. This was back in the 70’s and we had to fight off Guatemalan bandidos and wild animals to get the job done.”

Doctor Love: Not Again
Dear Doctor Love, In the past my boyfriend has been unfaithful to me. I found out because they were sexting each other. He begged me to forgive him and agreed to be open with his friendships with other women, so his phone is not off limits to me. I agreed to give him another chance and we’ve worked hard to put our relationship back together. Recently he received a text from “Mario” and when I looked, it was obvious that “Mario” was a woman. This was a new contact. He saved her under a man’s name. The chats started about three weeks ago and this one was an invitation to come watch a movie with her. His answer was that he can’t tonight, he is busy.

Caye Caulker Police confiscate over 20 cases of contraband beer
A total of 21 1/2 cases of illegal canned beers were seized by the Caye Caulker Police Formation on Saturday, December 22nd, after conducting a cargo search at the Ocean Ferry Water Taxi terminal. According to the official police report, at 3:30PM officers conducted a search at Ocean Ferry and discovered and seized 14 1/2 cases of Modelo can beer and seven cases of Superior can beer. There are no reports of anyone being detained for the offense. All items were handed over to customs officials.

Misc Belizean Sources

ATLANTIC BANK (Caye Caulker Branch) HOURS FOR THIS WEEK
December 24 - 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. December 25 & 26 - CLOSED. December 27 - REOPEN WITH NORMAL HOURS. Any other questions regarding their hours, please visit the bank.

Drive Safely, Holiday Check Points in San Pedro
The San Pedro Traffic Department and San Pedro Town Council would like to ask everyone to drive safely this Holiday Season. • Do not drink and drive • Do not text and drive • No Speeding The SPTD also reminds everyone to have all documentation in order as our department will be conducting various check points. • Valid Driver's License • Up to date Insurance • ACTCC stickers We thank you for your cooperation and understanding. May you and your family have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

Thunderbolt Christmas Schedule 2018
24th Dec 7am Corozal to San Pedro. 3pm San Pedro to Corozal. 25th Dec no runs. 26th Dec return to regular schedule straight into the new year: 7am Corozal to San Pedro. 3pm San Pedro to Corozal. With regular stops in Sarteneja. Wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!!

Corozal Annual Christmas Dance
Wood House Restaurant & Bar Invites - Live Band December 25th.

Mr. Michael Arnold passes away
The International Costa Maya Festival Committee mourns the sudden passing of Mr. Michael Arnold, the National Director of Miss Costa Maya Belize. We wish his family and friends comfort and strength during this difficult time.

Channel 5

Benson Buttler Found Alive
Benson Buttler who was reported missing was found alive and well this afternoon in Belize City.

21 Cases of Beers Seized
On Saturday 22nd December 2018 at 3:30 p.m., Caye Caulker Police conducted a cargo search at Ocean Ferry and as a result they discovered and seized fourteen 1/2 cases of Corona can beers and seven cases of Superior can beers. All items were handed over to customs officials.

Minor Detained for Drug Bust
A joint operation yesterday resulted in police discovering more than seventy pounds of marijuana. Police say that the operation was conducted near the Casa Maya Road of the Shawville area of San Ignacio Town. The operation led to the discovery of seventy-one point seven-five pounds of marijuana. A minor is in police detention pending investigation.

Man Attacked, Beaten and Stabbed at Wedding
Police are investigating the savage beating and stabbing of Paul Moro. Moro and his wife were at a wedding yesterday in Burrell Boom Village when he got into an altercation with another person. As the couple left the event, a group of men attacked and stabbed Moro. He was stabbed to the stomach. He is currently listed in a critical but stable condition at the KHMH.

Senior Cop Involved in Hit and Run (?)
Reports emerging this morning are that Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett, Commander of Eastern Division South, was allegedly involved in a hit and run incident. Sources say that the incident occurred in the wee hours of this morning in Camalote Village, Cayo. It is reported that a parked vehicle was hit by a black Hilux. The driver of the black Hilux did not stop and render aid. Police officers pursued the Hilux until it came to a stop at Gillett’s house. The senior cop reportedly exited the vehicle and entered his home. Gillett has refuted the version of events, saying “Farthest thing from the truth. Haters abound which won’t stop me from being positive.” “One evil person behind this. My vehicle hit another and it’s covered comprehensive which will take care of itself. I remain positive. Despite the negatives the work continues”, Gillett said.

The Reporter

NO SIGN OF ANISHA YOUNG
The family of missing woman Anisha Young, 23, might have to regroup once again following today’s search on a private property in Rural Belize which turned up nothing. The search party comprised of approximately 50 persons including family members and Police combed a property between Double Head Cabbage and Willow’s Bank but did not come up with any major leads.

SOUTH OF THE SIBUN
By Major Lloyd Jones (Ret’d). The ICJ push by Belize’s power structure is yet another affront to the peoples of the South. No matter how the proponents of the ICJ dice it, the fact remains that the current ICJ option exposes Belize’s territory. Belize’s southern territory to be exact!

MAN STABBED AT BOOM WEDDING
Paul Moro is currently hospitalized at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City in a critical condition due to stab wounds which he sustained last night during a brawl in Burrell Boom Village.

VIDEO SHOWS MANGLED CAR AFTER EARLY MORNING RTA
The female driver of a burgundy Mazda car has been rushed to the KHMH after her vehicle flipped and crashed at Mile 8 on the George Price Highway a short while ago. Her identity and condition are unknown at this time.

VILLAGER CLAIM – Sr. POLICE ASP INVOLVED IN EARLY MORNING HIT & RUN
Police are currently at the home of Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett in Blackman Eddy. Reports are that Gillett was driving a black Hilux which hit a Wingle parked on the side of the road in Camalote at 2:30am this morning.

REGULAR FUEL DIPS AGAIN
On Friday, December 21st, the Belize Burea of Standards announced the second price adjustment in fuel for the month of December. Effective December 22nd, consumers at the pump will now be able to take advantage of a 45 cent decrease in the price of Regular fuel which dropped from $9.76 to $9.31.

Breaking Belize News

Over 20 cases of contraband beers confiscated at Ocean Ferry
Yesterday, Caye Caulker Police conducted a search at Ocean Ferry. There, they found 14 1/2 cases of Modelo can beers and 7 cases of Superior can beers. […]

Orange Walk man shot
A man from Orange Walk was shot this afternoon. According to reports, David Diaz was chilling out at a barbershop known to be a hangout area for ‘Back a Town Crips’ when a lone gunman drove by and shot him. […]

Man stabbed at wedding party in Burrel Boom
Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred last night in Burrel Boom Village. According to reports, Paul Moro and his wife were socializing at a wedding party when he and another man got into an argument. […]

Moist weather to continue
Moist weather is expected to continue today and tonight. Cloudy skies with some isolated showers, and periods of rain is forecast for today. […]

Black Orchid Resort Manager invents all natural bug repellent
Beverly Dawson, general manager of the Black Orchid Resort, has invented a new, all-natural mosquito and general bug repellent called ‘Bug Off’. The repellent is made locally from 100 percent all natural ingredient. It is an environmentally friendly bug spray and it is delicate enough for those with allergies or sensitive skin. The Facebook page for the bug spray is Belize All Natural Bug Repellent. […]

“Sedi” blames media for twisting comments on possibility of Guatemala invading Belize
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington has blamed the media for twisting his words and presenting his comments out of context to former Guatemalan Foreign Minister, Carlos Raul Morales, on the possibility of Guatemala invading Belize in the event that Belizeans vote ‘No’ to taking the territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). […]

Senior officer reportedly involved in hit and run
According to reports, Commander of Eastern Division Region One, Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett was involved in a hit and run accident this morning. Gillett was reportedly driving his black Toyota Hilux and hit a Wingle pickup truck, which was parked on the side of the road in Camalote village, Cayo. […]

Iverson Neal found alive and well
Police yesterday informed 23-year-old Iverson Neal was located by police alive. Neal was reported missing on Wednesday, December 19. He was taken to the Western Regional Hospital for a medical check up following his discovery. […]

Westrac invests in solar energy at Spanish Lookout main branch
Westrac recently undertook a large-scale initiative to invest in renewable energy and install solar panels at its main branch in Spanish Lookout in an effort to leave a smaller footprint on the environment while supplying a steady renewable source of energy. According to Julian Thiessen, from Westrac’s Marketing Department, “We are now looking to get over half our power from the sun.” […]

Minister Boots’ brother makes explosive allegations on suspected drug plane landings
Police are investigating the landing of a suspected drug plane that touched down in Barranco, Toledo on Friday morning. Surprisingly, Edward Vincent Martinez, the brother of Minister Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez had already predicted the landing of the plane via his Facebook page and the area in which it was expected to land in Belize. Furthermore, Martinez’s Facebook post mentions that a senior officer is involved as well as ‘two crash dummies’ attached to the Southern Police Formation. […]

Videos

December 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

San Pedro Lions Club hosts another successful senior citizens Christmas Party
The San Pedro Lions Club once again hosted their highly anticipated and popular Senior Citizens’ Christmas party 2018 on Thursday, December 20th. The doors opened at 6:30PM and over 80 guests were warmly welcomed by fellow Lions, Leo members and volunteers. After the guests were seated, they were treated with an appetizer, drinks, Christmas dinner and dessert. The festive evening was full of entertainment, with music provided by San Pedro’s very own, Rompe Raja! Many of the seniors got up and danced into the night. This year, the staff at Belize Bank, along with members of the San Pedro Lions Club, provided gifts and handed them out to some very seniors.

Reef rehabilitation project starts on Ambergris Caye
A reef restoration project has begun on the eastern coast of Ambergris Caye, in an attempt to replenish areas along the Barrier Reef where corals have died. The project is run under the San Pedro Tour Operators Association (SPTOA) and involves the Kids in Action Club, which certifies young divers every year. The program exposes children and adults alike to the marine environment and engages them in sustainable projects like this one. Currently, two nurseries consisting of two frames have been built and placed under the sea in front of the island, with over 100 coral plants/fragments on it. When they are mature, these corals will be moved to designated areas along the reef system.

Misc Belizean Sources

8th Annual Chili Cook Off in Consejo
Sunday, January 13th 1:00 PM The New Millennium Restaurant – Consejo. Cost is $10.00 Belize which allows you to sample all the chili you want. Chili providers have free admission. Fundraising will be held by having the 50/50 draw and Silent Raffle. Senior Jorge will be on hand to sell beer and other beverages. Chili providers should bring their Chili to the Millennium at 12:30. Each participant will receive a number for voting. Voting will end at 2:30. Winners will be announced at 3:00. Please make sure to bring a spoon or ladle with your chili. Volunteers are needed so please contact, Dan at 627-4536 or Kim at 600-0852. If anyone would like to donate for the raffles, please contact Kim at 600-0852. Please share this event with anyone you can think of. The more the merrier!!!

SunCountry Airlines first flight to Belize
Congratulations to our friends at SunCountry Airlines on their inaugural nonstop flight from Minneapolis to Belize on Saturday. Flights are every Saturday through April and can be booked on Suncountry.com Welcome to Belize SunCountry

Corozal Christmas Bram 2018 Today!
Colcha presents Corozal's Signature Christmas Bram 2018! A great opportunity to come out and enjoy a fun family friendly evening. The event will feature local talents, dances, music and food to to fill your senses with joy and happiness! A feature of the event will be local black cake, rumpopo and the famous chicken foot ceviche tasting competition. See you there! Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 5 PM – 10 PM, Central Park, Corozal.

Sun Country Airlines Meet & Greet
Sun Country has acheduled flight direct from Minneapolis, Minnesota USA every Saturday. Belize welcomes Sun Country to Belize.

Anignazio Makin is the Terrestrial Ranger of the Year
Thank you Protected Areas Conservation Trust for recognizing our exceptional ranger Anignazio Makin as the Terrestrial Ranger of the Year, and awarding Ya'axche Conservation Trust as the Grantee of the Year. Ya'axche has had numerous PACT-funded projects successfully implemented in the Maya Golden Landscape, southern Belize. Thank you PACT for continuously supporting our work.

Grading road south on Ambergris Caye
Good news if you booked your accommodations (or live) in south end, they are grading the road.

Buoys replacement at Mexico Rocks cave
Robinson,outside Mexico Rocks and Santa Rita Canyons. Thanks to SPTGA, Hol Chan, and Canary Cove Crew.

Maya people of Northern Belize from the group To'one Masehualo'on and Maya people of Quintana roo Mexico meet ay Centro Comunitario Raxalaj Mayab'
Photographic exhibition of Jesus huchiim "Sublime moments in the Mayan zone" as part of the activities of the community center raxalaj mayab '

K'uk'ulkan(Quetzalcoatl) - Mesoamerican Messiah
Kukulkan impacted alot in Mesoamerica we can easy consider him "The Indigenous Messiah" and Mesoamerica the "Holy land " . Some said he even did miracles but today we will honor some of the things he did while he walked through Mesoamerica . He assumed lordship over the Toltecs and migrated his people to Tollan. Reigning in peace and prosperity he contributed much to the lifestyle of the Toltecs with basic ideas such as civilization. He was generally considered a god upon earth by his followers with similar powers to those of his namesake. Kukulkan dispelled the traditions of the past and ended all human sacrifice during his reign. Kukulkan reach Mayab or Maya which was the name of Yucatan the peninsula before the conquest . Kukulkan wisdom impress the lords and they respected him . Kukulkan convince the lords to build a new city and he named it Mayapan, meaning "Standard of the Maya people". According to the Books of Chilam Balam when the city of Mayapan was build the people became known as Maya . The word Mayab or Maya can mean "Few ,Not many" or also "The choosen people " .

A Yucatec Maya dad and his baby son from Orange walk district entering El Festival del Pueblo in San Lazaro (Orange Walk)
El festival del Pueblo is a place where the Maya communties in Northern Belize get together to honor their heroes, express their culture and to enjoy . Note: Picture taken by Belize Yucatec Maya/Ak Kuchkabal Maya December 16,2018 .

Channel 5

Police have confirmed that Iverson Neal was found alive today in Belmopan

LOVE FM

Joss Stone give gifts and performs for Belize
Joss Stone, the British singer rose to fame in late 2003 with her multi-platinum debut album, The Soul Sessions. Her second album, Mind Body & Soul topped the UK Albums Chart for one week and spawned the top ten hit “You Had Me”, Stone’s most successful single. She is in Belize for a concert that takes …

Courts Belize patrons win shopping spree campaigns
There was much excitement at Courts Belize today not only as Belizeans conducted their Christmas shopping, but one special Belizean won herself a ten thousand dollars shopping spree. Grisel Carballo tells us about the campaign. Grisel Carballo: “This was a Mabe campaign, in courts we sell all types of brands and Mabe is a very …

The Reporter

NOPE . . . NOT TODAY !
By: Mike Rudon Jr. What a hell of a year it has been. So much so that this is the third column I’m writing this week. The first was terrible, a real funeral dirge. I read it and cried myself to sleep, it was that sad and that bad. The second was better – or at least a little more positive. I spent a lot of time in that one alternately beating up on myself and feeling sorry for myself, and yet managed to thank my faithful seven readers from the bottom of my heart and still send out wishes for love and peace this Christmas. Imagine that. What can I say? I’m a wordsmith. This is what I do.

ERNIE MIRANDA IS MURDER NUMBER 142
Early Friday morning, sanitation workers who were conducting their normal routine on Morning Glory Street in Belize City came across the body of Ernie Miranda, 36, lying inside a drain behind Sadie Vernon High School. While Police are yet to release an official report, the Reporter was made to understand that authorites were informed of the discovery around 6:50 a.m. on December 21st. When they proceeded to the location, Miranda was found in a pool of blood with a large stab wound to his abdomen area.

International Sources

Police detained as plane makes illegal landing with drugs
A police officer has been detained after a suspected drug plane landed in southern Belize, police have confirmed. The police said that the plane, a Centurion single engine, similar to one that was found in Tres Leguas community in Orange Walk with 1,226 pounds of cocaine and a senior police officer arrested earlier this year. But the police said in the case of the latest plane landing on Thursday night, the cargo had already been carted away when they got to the scene.

19 Best Places to Go in 2019
Belize made another must see list: Conde Nast Traveler's 19 Best Places to Go in 2019. They focus more on the luxury, seeming to forget about the adventure and ecotourism Belize is known for, and forget that Belize's reef is now the largest living barrier reef, but it's a good mention. "Just down the Caribbean coast from the Yucatan with a fraction of the tourism, this Central American country on the world’s second largest living coral reef has been buzzing with new openings that are transforming this one-time backpacker haven into a luxury destination... The major advantage, of course, is that Belize is only a five-hour flight from New York, with a blend of Mayan, Creole, Mestizo, and European cultures that will guarantee we’ll soon see English-speaking Belize turning up on everyone’s Instagram feeds."

Videos

December 22, 2018

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Co-Ed Softball Tournament plays last games of 2018
San Pedro Co-Ed Softball Tournament continued this weekend on Sunday, December 16th at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town with three intense games. Many softball fanatics enjoyed the matches. The current standings have Extreme at the top of the chart with 8 wins one loss, followed by Quality Reef with six wins and three losses and RCGO with six wins and three losses. Rusties has 3 wins six losses, Beer League has two wins and seven losses, and at the bottom of the chart is SPHS with two win and seven losses. Due to the upcoming holidays, San Pedro Co-Ed Softball Tournament will be on hiatus until Sunday, January 6th. The first match will see RCGO vs. SPHS at 10AM. Beer League will take on Rusties, and the last match of the day will feature Extreme going against Quality Reef.

Moorings buoys replaced inside Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan Marine Reserve team installed new moorings buoys at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Channel, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks Reserve on Monday, December 17th. The team was assisted by the San Pedro Tour guide Association (SPTGA) in splicing ropes and preparing the buoys. Mooring buoys are a management tool to reduce damage to coral reef and seagrass beds. Within Hol Chan Marine Reserve, boats are not allowed to anchor at the recreational sites, hence, the buoys are in place for visiting vessels to use. “Part of managing the Reserve is to ensure that the moorings are maintained and replaced when they break or go missing,” stated Hol Chan Marine Reserve Marine Biologist Kirah Forman-Castillo.

Adopt a Bear brings joy to hundreds of island children
For the fourth consecutive year, ‘Adopt a Bear’ project brought happiness to hundreds of children on Ambergris Caye. Five hundred children who wouldn’t otherwise receive a Christmas present were gifted on Thursday, December 20th. As of 9AM, island children gathered at Hope Haven Center to receive their gifts from Santa Claus, complete with hugs and even candy. Several wanted their picture with the jolly man in red too. One island mother told The San Pedro Sun that her children have been receiving gifts from ‘Adopt a Bear’ project since 2015 and she is beyond grateful. “I’m a single mother with four kids, so sometimes it’s hard to purchase Christmas presents for all of them. I appreciate the help I have been getting with the ‘Adopt a Bear’ project for the past four years,” she said.

San Pedro Pirates Football Club leave the Premier League of Belize
Ambergris Caye’s football club, the San Pedro Pirates F.C. informed their fans on Thursday, December 13th via their Facebook page that they will not participate in next year’s season of the Premier League of Belize (PLB). The announcement was made after the team fell short against Verdes F.C., and did not advance to PLB’s finals this year. The team’s management indicated that due to the lack of sponsorship and support in San Pedro, they cannot afford to continue existing as a body and thus, will not participate in the upcoming PLB season. It is uncertain at the moment when and if the San Pedro Pirates will go back to the PLB. The San Pedro Sun will continue keeping the sporting community informed on this matter.

95-room hotel development puts Turneffe Atoll at risk
Belize reaps an estimated $540 Million annual economic benefit from the Turneffe Atoll, which has now been put at risk by a huge 95-room hotel development without so much as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), the Turneffe Atoll Trust warned in a report presented to the media at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City on Tuesday morning, December 18. There are about 25 fisherman camps on the atoll, but no residences or urban communities, but there are three high-end eco-tourism resorts: Turneffe Flats, Turneffe Island Resort and the Blackbird Caye Resort. A new player is the 95-room Belize Dive Haven. Consultant Valentino Shal prepared a new report on how unsustainable and unregulated development is threatening the existing benefits. He cited a litany of rules which are being violated or ignored: the Turneffe Atoll Coastal Zone Management Guidelines (ICZMP), the Fisheries Act, Sport Fishing Regulations, Environmental Protection Act, EIA Regulations, Forest (Protection of Mangrove – Updated), Wildlife Protection Act, Mines and Minerals Act, Belize Port Authority Act, the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Order and the Turneffe Atoll Marine Reserve Regulations. The hotel development also flies in the face of several development plans prepared by the Ministries of Natural Resources and Economic Development.

Ambergris Today

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Christmas time is here and with out fail the San Pedro Lions Club is once more hosting its annual children's Christmas party with Santa. The fun filled event is taking place this Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. For more information on this event kindly contact Pamela Zetina at 604-6630.

Misc Belizean Sources

The Market Hosted by Banyan Bay Suites Today
Join us Saturday from 10am to 1pm for your end of year shopping at The Market! It's fun, fresh and local! See you all there!

Congratulations to Team Eagles on winning the 2018 Belmopan Christmas Cup Futsal Tournament!

HAPPY BATTLE OF SAN PEDRO YALBAC
December 21,1866 our Maya Grandparents defeated the British Troops in the village of San Pedro Siris in the Yalbac area(Northwestern Belize). The Maya leaders on that battle were Asuncion Ek ,Marcos Canul,Santiago Pech and Rafael Chan . El Poder de los Machetes !!! Viva los liberadores Mayas !!! Viva el Pueblo Maya !!! Viva Belize !!! Note : The Picture are Maya people of Northern Belize at Orange Walk 2018 for El Festival del Pueblo,San Lazaro . They are the children of those brave Maya who fought during that period .

H.E. Shyne Barrow, Ambassador of Music, welcomes Grammy award-winning singer Joss Stone to Belize
Joss Stone is in Belize to perform live and unplugged at the Belize City Civic Center for the Office of the Music Ambassador’s holiday concert. While in Belize, Stone will also collaborate with Garifuna musician C Wills and will assist Ambassador Shyne Barrow with the distribution of toys.

Ascenthium Playing Benque on NYE
Ascenthium has changed their venue for their concert on New Year's Eve: Picadilly Lounge in Benque. It's going to be a block party. "Hey Guys we're closing out the Year in the Gonzalez brothers' home town. Piccadilly Night Club and Lounge Benque Viejo is closing off a street for a massive Block Party and we headline. Come light sparklers and popshots Benque style and rock out to an amazing show!"

Five Star Jankunu Dancers
Kindly Join us as we celebrate Christmas Belizean style at the San Pedro House of Culture on Saturday, December 22nd at 5 PM.

Crazy Canucks Beach Bar Hermit Crab Races on Christmas Day
Going to be in San Pedro for Christmas? We will open at 2pm and will also have our Hermit Crab Races that night. Santa will host race #1!

Channel 7

Another Drug Plane Lands, This One on Mennonite Farm In Toledo
Tonight, yet another plane has been added to the long list of suspicious aircraft that have landed or attempted to land in Belize.   Recently though, reports have started to place those planes in the south.  Two weeks ago, one landed on the Guatemalan side of the Sarstoon - and last night it was on a mennonite farm near Barranco, Toledo .  Our Emanuel Pech and Angel Noble were the first media to get there and here's what they saw: Emanuel Pech: "I am on the outskirts of the quiet village of Barranco near what is presumed to be  a drug plane landing. This goes on the list of a series of drug plane landings in Belize over the last couple of years. Just behind me over that shed is small white aircraft heavily guarded by a platoon of officers."

Who Was PC Cucul's Killer?
Tonight there is still very little official information about the point blank murder of 35 year old Modesto Cucul, a police constable attached to the Belmopan formation. He died around midday yesterday after his car was ambushed on a village road in Toledo. What motivated the ambush is anyone's guess. However, as we told you yesterday, Cucul had a certain history that may have garnered him some enemies in the town.  This may have led to someone putting out a hit on him.  When we looked at his S-10 pickup today it showed how serious the killers were.   Three bullet holes shattered the glass window of the passenger's side. Blood stains still lingered on the bottom edge of the passenger's door; this was where the onslaught began.

A Grim Scene On Morning Glory
It was anything but a glorious morning on Morning Glory Street in the Martins area. 36 year Ernie Miranda was killed before dawn and his body left sprawled in a ditch.  Now Miranda has had  many run-ins with the law and according to his brother, he was just released from prison two months ago. So is it a case where Miranda's bad deeds caught up with him? His brother says that may have been the case. I found out more. Voice of Cecil Miranda - Stepfather: "I just get it this morning that they find him dead in a drain." It is the worst news a parent can wake up to. Ernie Miranda's body was found thrown in the gutter on Morning Glory Street. According to residents, the garbage men alerted them of his body around 6:00 this morning. Miranda's brother says he doesn't know what happened after he went to sleep.

Anisha's Family confident New Leader Will Take Them To Her Body
Tonight Anisha Young's family is preparing for another search on Sunday. As we told you, activist Jose Uk Espat is now leading the search and doing his own private investigation.  Well, he claims he has made major headway. Although he doesn't want to get into too much detail at this time, he says he has established the motive and has evidence to back it up. The family also has high hopes that they will find her body on Sunday. Espat and the family called us over to meet them at Princess to give an update. Here is more Jose Espat - Search Party Leader: "At the beginning, we had two possible motives. We had been doing the initial investigation based on what the family has investigated and myself. We have gotten very very serious leads; at this point we have gotten enough information to narrow it down, and when I say information, I mean with evidence as well..."

Iverson's Family Angry At Misrepresentations Of Missing Brother/Son
Another of those missing persons cases that recently caught the attention of the general public is 23 year-old Iverson Neal. As we told you, he's been missing since last Wednesday, and according to police the last confirmed sighting of him was in the Cayo District. His family is desperate, and worried about his wellbeing.   Their frustration is amplified by what they say is a public misrepresentation of his personality. Earlier this week, we spoke with his girlfriend, who was one of the last persons who communicated with him. She alleged that he was having a series of mental problems, and when we contacted his family that same day, they strongly refuted that as baseless allegations.  Then, there was the comment from police at the press conference yesterday. Assistant Police Superintendent Alejandro Cowo, said that police have reason to suspect that he may be alive, but that he is hiding from his family because he does not want to be confronted about an internal family dispute.

11 Homeless After City Fire
11 Belize City residents are homeless tonight, only days before Christmas, after their apartment on Cleghorn Street was destroyed this morning. The fire happened at around 9:00 when this 2-storey apartment was gutted by a fire which started in a bedroom in the upstairs flat. Before the tenants, and the landlord could do anything, the flames spread and destroyed everything upstairs. The firefighters managed to put the fire out, but in the process, the downstairs flat received water damage. It's a disaster for these persons who lost everything in the fire, but investigators say that that this was a case of arson. We'll get to their comment, but we start first with our interview with one of the neighbors, who is relative of the landlord. She was inside her home when she was enveloped by the choking smell of smoke:

BEL CEO Ready to Roll
With almost a quarter billion dollars in gross revenue - BEL is the most money making company in Belize.  And its 17.8 million dollars in profits put it right behind BTL as the second most profitable company in the country.  And a large part of that success has been owing to CEO Jeffrey Locke's leadership.  He took the helm of the utility in 2011 when government was forced to take it over from the private majority shareholder, Fortis - which was in a cash flow crisis.   And while Locke's tenure has been stellar, he's told the company that he won't renew his contract when it expires in June of 2019. 

Wilfred Against The World
Last night you saw our interview with Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington.  He was splitting hairs with the media - accusing us of misquoting him because he said there is a "possibility" that the Guatemalans could invade, and when we asked Carlos Raul Morales about his question, we  used the word "risk".  Most folks would tell you that they're interchangeable in this context - but Elrington maintains that we distorted his words.   In another section of our 52 minute interview, he said there are influential people who have been attempting to publicly undermine him ever since he took up the Foreign Affairs portfolio, and he's ready to leave it behind, if called upon to do so:

Kerosene and Regular Gas Go Down, Diesel Stays Stubbornly High
Gas prices will go down just in time for Christmas - at least on regular gas and kerosene. At midnight tonight, Regular gas is going down by 45 cents per gallon; taking the price from $9.76 to $9.31. While kerosene's price is reducing by $1.17 cents; taking it from $8.51 to $7.34 per gallon.  And much to the dismay of the productive sector, diesel will remain at a very high $10.75 per gallon, while premium remains at $11.32 per gallon.

Schools Managements May Dock Salaries of BNTU Protestors
6 weeks ago, we took you to Belmopan for the protest from the Belize National Teachers Union. Over 1300 teachers, their fellow unions, and allied members of civil society took to the streets of the capital to demonstrate against the Ministry of Education. The teachers were voicing their discontent about the way the Government was handling their concerns such as teacher hardship allowances, time off to collect their salaries and pay their bills. They forced the Ministry to come back to the table on their terms, but, for some, at a dear cost.

Grammy Winner Joss Stone in Belize For Unplugged Show (UPDATE)
Grammy award winning Singer Joss Stone landed in Belize yesterday and this morning we met her giving out toys with Music Ambassador and politician Shyne Barrow.  Now there aren't a whole lot of world famous international performers who pass through here - and seeing her in a tiny constituency office giving out toys to kids made it even more disorientating.
And that's why, even though you may not know Joss Stone - or be familiar with her music - you may want to check this free spirit out in concert tonight after you hear what she's about: And that easy going approach landed her today in the Mesopotamia division at Standard Bearer Shyne Barrow's political office giving out two thousand toys to constituency kids.  She told us why:

Cultural Christmas at Museum of Belize
This week, the Museum of Belize held a Cultural Christmas Program for children ranging from ages 6 to 14. This program was made possible by a partnership between The Museum of Belize and BEL, and it taught the children about the different Belizean Christmas traditions. The children were also taught how to make various Belizean Christmas ornaments like corn husk angels. Here's more on that event. Alexis Salazar - Director of the Museum of Belize: "What it is is a partnership, a continued partnership between Belize Electricity Limited as a corporate sponsor, and the Museum of Belize. What we did was, it's an extension of our summer program. Our summer program was so successful this year that BEL approached us and said that we would like to do something for Christmas also.

Welcome Center Taking Care of The Needy at Christmas
The Welcome Resource Center in Belize City is an important point of service for those persons who live on the margins of society. The Centre offers clients a hot lunch, shower and a change of clothing. but, they're closing for Christmas so today they held their annual party to give those clients enough food items to last them through the holiday.

Channel 5

Another Drug Plane Lands in Barranco; 1 Officer Detained
The most recent suspected drug plane landing was in southern Belize. Previous landings were occurring frequently up north where the narco-traffickers were generally outsmarting police in their modus operandi. The [...]

Ernie Miranda is Stabbed and Killed Behind Sadie Vernon
There have been two more murder victims this week, which brings the murder count so far in 2018 to one hundred and forty-two. That is dead even with the total [...]

A Suicide Attempt Ends with a House Fire on Cleghorn Street
Eleven persons who occupied a two storey building on Cleghorn Street, Belize City, are left to pick up the pieces just before the Christmas. This morning one of the tenants [...]

Fire Department Says Cleghorn Street Blaze was Deliberately Set
Station Manager Orin Smith provided details of the firefighting effort to extinguish the blaze, however, he was not able to confirm the suggestion that the tenant who started the fire [...]

Police Provide Details on the Slaying of One of Their Own
Police Constable Modesto Cucul lost his life on Thursday morning when he was ambushed by a pair of gunmen who opened fire on him and his common-law while they were [...]

Belizeans Prepare for Christmas 2018
Its four days until Christmas and people are busy with their preparations for their own version of a Christmas dinner. Downtown Belize City was extra busy today with shoppers from [...]

Golden Tree Reopens
Golden Tree, the newly renovated hotel here on Coney Drive, is back in business. Earlier this week, the Belize Tourism Board closed it down for infractions to hotel regulations contained [...]

B.N.T.U. Calls Managements the Grinch who Stole Christmas
The Belize National Teachers Union is calling some school managements the “Grinch who stole Christmas.”  The powerful union fired off a press statement this evening in which it expresses its [...]

Price for Regular Gasoline Reduces
There is good news for motorists tonight. The price per gallon of regular fuel is expected to decrease at midnight tonight. The price will go down by thirty-five cents, from [...]

Iverson Neal’s Family Appeals to the Public to Help Find Him
The family of missing man Iverson Neal says that, contrary to police reports, they fear he is dead. Today family members told the media that they don’t believe the twenty-three-year-old [...]

A Guided Search for Anisha Young
As Christmas Day approaches, the family of Anisha Young grows more resolute in locating her. The young woman has been missing for almost two weeks now and there has been [...]

Rum Popo – a Recipe Tested by Generations for 55 Years
The Christmas holiday in Belize is synonymous with family get-togethers. And at the heart of the celebrations are the delicacies like the ham, Christmas cakes and the rum popo. To [...]

President Jimmy Morales Orders CICIG Agents to Leave Guatemala
On Tuesday, Guatemala announced that they have withdrawn diplomatic immunity from eleven officials who have investigated alleged corruption, including cases involving the son and brother of President Jimmy Morales. Morales [...]

U.S. Senator Says Moscow Exerting Pressure in Latin American
President Morales is accusing the CICIG of violating the presumption of innocence of those it has investigated. By refusing to renew its mandate earlier this year, the president effectively gave [...]

$13,000 in Shopping Spree at Courts
The Christmas season for the family of Marjorie Carter just got a lot better. This morning, the Belize City resident cheerfully picked up ten thousand dollars worth of prizes from [...]

A Christmas Party for the Mentally Ill
This morning, Welcome Resource Center held its annual Christmas party for its many guests.  The partygoers included the homeless, the mentally ill, as well as the elderly.  This year, the [...]

Belizean-American Kendis Gibson Says Goodbye to ABC World News Now
Kendis Gibson is one of the Belizeans who have moved up the ranks in U.S. networks. This morning, the forty-year-old announced to his viewers that he is leaving ABC World [...]

LOVE FM

Family Not Divided as their Loved one Remains Missing
Iver Neal is the 23 year old Belize City youth that went missing after he left his home on North Front Street in Belize City, last week Wednesday. The family believed his life was in danger and that was the reason they think he wanted to get on a bus to Punta Gorda to go …

Another suspected Drug Plane Lands in Belize
A police officer is in police custody as Police in Toledo investigate the landing of a plane in that district. According to police, the plane landed about three miles outside Barranco Village. Police report that personnel of the Anti-Narcotics Unit and the Belize Special Assignment Group intercepted the plane but not until after the contents …

600 children in the south were treated to a Christmas party
Children are usually on the receiving end of all the giving which takes place at Christmas. In this regard, over 600 children in the south were treated to a Christmas party where they were given gifts amongst other things. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung filed this report. Paul Mahung Toledo Correspondent: “Over six hundred ninety six …

Youth Cadets from Hopkins were treated to a Christmas party
Youths from Hopkins were treated to a Christmas party which was made possible by the Police Department. Southern Correspondent Harry Arzu filed this report. Harry Arzu Stann Creek Correspondent: “The Belize Police Department hosted a Christmas party for all members of the Police Youth Cadets from Hopkins Village who were also awarded certificates for their …

OJ Elrington hosts Christmas party in Freetown Area
Orson “OJ” Elrington and his merry helpers are hosting a Christmas party for the residents of the Freetown Area. It happens on Saturday afternoon. One of his organizers, Wendy Hulse tells us what they have prepared for the residents. Wendy Hulse Organizer: “We are having this Christmas event not only for the kids but also …

Fire leaves eleven persons homeless
It is the Christmas season and while many are wishing for all sorts of goodies to make their Christmas merry and bright. Eleven person who lost their home in an early morning fire, are only wishing for a roof over their head this Christmas. We get more in this report from Johnelle McKenzie. Johnelle Mckenzie: …

Police investigate shooting in Benque
Benque Police are investigating a Tuesday night shooting. It happened at the Churchill Street at the residence of Roberto Galvez. By the time police responded, Galvez had been rushed to the San Ignacio Community hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries. ACP Joseph Myvett told the media what investigators have gathered. ACP Joseph Myvette Head, National Crime …

Men hold up gas distribution center in the Corozal District
Up in the northern part of the Country, Corozal police investigate an armed robbery that happened on Wednesday. Police report that around 6:45 that night, two men robbed Tomza Gas’ distribution center in Ranchito Village, Corozal District. The Watchman, 20-year-old Ricardo Neal gave police his account of what happened. ACP Joseph Myvette Head, National Crime …

Body Found in Seine Bight
Police do not suspect foul play after a man was found dead in Seine Bight Village. Southern Correspondent Harry Arzu filed this report. Harry Arzu Stann Creek Correspondent: “The body of a male person was found this morning in a house in Seine Bight Village in the Stann Creek District. The individual who reportedly was …

Gas prices will be rolled back
The next time you take a trip to the gas station, you may notice a change in gas prices which may not be by much, but at this time of year every penny counts. At midnight tonight, new gas prices will come into effect; however, premium and diesel will remain the same. Regular gas will …

Police release details on murder of PC Modesto Cucul
Police say two men ambushed officer Modesto Cucul and his common-law wife on Thursday morning, killing him. An official police report indicates that Cucul and his common-law-wife, 35-year-old Anlavidia Cal, were traveling in a pick-up truck on the Crique Jute Village Road …

Amandala

Cop shot dead in ambush
It appears that an ambush had been set up for a police constable by two men, who shot both the constable and his common-law wife. The cop has died as a result of the shooting. This morning, around 10: 00 a.m. PC Modesto Cucul and his wife were fired upon as he drove his personal vehicle about a ¼ mile from the junction of the Crique Jute and San Antonio roads in the Toledo District. Police this evening said that they received a report of a shooting and went to the scene of the incident, where they saw a beige Chevy S10 pickup truck, without license plates, parked on the left side of the road when viewed from the perspective of someone traveling west from Crique Jute Village.

Bert Vasquez gets 4 years for attempted rape
Prison inmate Bert Vasquez, 35, who is serving a sentence of 10 years for forcible abduction and aggravated assault of an indecent nature, had 4 years more added on to his sentence on Monday, December 17, when Justice Colin Williams imposed a sentence on him of 4 years for attempted rape in relation to another incident. Justice Williams stipulated that the sentence should run consecutively to any other sentence Vasquez is serving. So Vasquez will be serving a total prison sentence of 14 years.

Golden Tree Hotel shut down less than a year after massive renovations
All Belize City residents no doubt witnessed Golden Tree Hotel’s grand transformation. The hotel got a total makeover and now has 9 floors, a pool, and a state-of-the-art gym, along with fully air-conditioned rooms, among other amenities. That makeover was no cheap investment, and less than a year after the fully completed renovations, Golden Tree has been shut down by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB). The impressive hotel which sits on Coney Drive was significantly behind on paying their taxes, and according to News5, BTB officials, along with members of the Police Department, went over to the hotel to close its doors today.

Over 50 persons reported missing so far, for 2018
Another person has been added to the ever-growing list of missing persons. 53-year-old Benson Jerry Butler was reported missing by his nephew, Marlon Kisling, 39. Kisling, a truck driver, told police that on Sunday, December 2, sometime after 8 a.m., Butler left their home at #28 West Lake Area en route to Belize City and since then he has not heard from him. Butler, who is also known as Jerry, has a slim build, a brown complexion, black hair that is worn in an afro and dark brown eyes. He walks with a limp on his right foot. He was last seen wearing a white, button-down shirt with long sleeves; plain, black dress pants and a pair of black shoes. Kisling noted that Butler does not suffer from mental illness.

Imports up 7.2% in November, and up 5.9% for January-November
Latest reports from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) are that Belize’s imports for the month of November are up 7.2% over November last year, and the overall figures for the first eleven months of this year show that Belize’s imports are up 5.9% when compared to the period January-November 2017. Statistics showed that total imports for November 2018 were valued at $165.6 million, an increase of $11.1 million over the $154.5 million worth of goods imported in November 2017. The SIB said that purchases of minerals, fuels and lubricants contributed the most to the increase, and this was “mainly due to the fact that there was a sizeable purchase of diesel fuel made during the month, while there was none imported in November of last year.”

Amidst GAF control of the Sarstoon River, Belize still in search of Sarstoon protocol
In May 2015, Belize entered a new reality at the Sarstoon River, where it shares its southern border with Guatemala. The Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) began exercising complete control over the entire Sarstoon River, and they have been insisting that Belizeans traveling on the river first get their permission before venturing onto it, at times telling Belizeans “to respect the protocol.” There is, however, no formal protocol between Guatemala and Belize when it comes to navigating the Sarstoon River, long regarded as the border between the two countries. Then on May 28, 2015, the GAF demanded that a group of Belize National Coast Guard officers move from an area on Sarstoon Island, where they had gone to scout out an area to build a forward operating base. Ever since then, Belize has been trying to get Guatemala to agree to a Sarstoon protocol that would normalize movement on the river which divides both countries.

Buck-it is a star, from Hostel Field to MCC
It was interesting to note in the quarterfinal 1st leg encounter between Caesar Ridge and City Boys in the ongoing CYDP Peace Cup, that one Sydney Bradley, Jr., a.k.a. “Buck-it” was not inserted into the ball game until second half. His presence was instrumental in creating the go-ahead goal for Caesar Ridge, who ended up in a 1-1 draw, after another super-talent, Orlando “Bredda” Velasquez converted a penalty late in the game for City Boys. Caesar Ridge ended up winning that series in over-time, 5-3, this past weekend; and it was Buck-it who scored both the tying goal in regulation and the go-ahead goal in overtime for Caesar Ridge.

Queens Restaurant & Bar and Chino’s Bar 8-Ball Tournament – Belmopan concluded – Shattaz champs
The Queens Restaurant & Bar & Chino’s Bar 8-Ball Tournament concluded on Sunday, December 16. Here’s how it ended. Match #1 of best-of-two finals between Mike’s Shooters and Shattaz took place at Chino’s Bar. In this match, it was all about Shattaz, who shattered the minds of Mike’s Shooters, 3-0. For Shattaz, Orlando Cassanova defeated Erwin Woodye,Jr., 4-1; Elder Paredes won Ernest Borland, 4-2; and Salvador Orellana won Edmund Guy, 4-1. So, Shattaz was in the driver’s seat cruising; and in Match #2, Mike’s Shooters needed a 3-0 victory to force a tie-breaker.

CYDP Peace Cup quarterfinals completed; semifinals kick off on Saturday at MCC
Based on information gleaned from reporter William Ysaguirre’s report (endorsed by CYDP officials) on the 2nd leg of the CYDP Peace Cup 2018 quarterfinals on Saturday, December 15, at the MCC Grounds, the tournament has now reached its semifinals stage, with the surviving four teams scheduled to take the field this coming Saturday in the 1st leg of the semifinals. Those 4 quarterfinal winners are Barrack Road FC, Caesar Ridge FC, Lucky Strike FC, and Ladyville FC. The CYDP (Conscious Youth Development Program) Peace Cup has been sanctioned by the Belize District Football Association (BDFA) as its 1st Division Amateur Tournament for a couple years now.

In the Gap Institute kicks off “Football for Life” at Marion Jones Sports Complex
On Friday, December 14, an international, friendly football match was played at the Marion Jones Sports Complex between Belize Baby Jaguars (National Under 17 team) and Atleticos Arriga, an under 17 team from Guatemala City. The Belize Baby Jaguars won the match by a score of two-nil with the goals scored by Jahlin Pelayo and Elton Reneau. This was the first of a planned three-match series between Belize and Guatemala that comes through an organization known as the “In the Gap Institute,” which kicked off its program called “Football for Life Peace Match” with its first friendly match.

Editorial: April 10 – better than bread and circus
Bread and circuses — It means distracting people with food and entertainment (bread and circuses/popcorn and movies) so they won’t notice the things that are really wrong… The term comes from the work of the Roman satirist Juvenal (ca. A.D. 60-140), who wrote: Duas tantum res anxius optat/Panem et circenses. (The people) long eagerly for two things: bread and circuses.” (From Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Allusions by Elizabeth Webber and Mike Feinsilber) The Statistics Institute of Belize (SIB) is to be commended for their consistency in producing data related to the state of our economy. The data they produce sometimes needs explanatory notes, but that doesn’t negate the effort. Every month, and quarterly, and yearly, we are informed about the performances of our primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. The SIB is far and away the most consistent institution in Belize reporting on the activities in their area of work. Other organizations in our country should recognize their responsibility to Belizeans and follow the lead of the SIB.

Brian Plummer on representative democracy and direct democracy
Dear Editor, It is the Christmas season and my favorite time, New Year, is approaching. It is a time of reflection and improvement. Some improve their home by repairs, painting and decorations. Some improve themselves by being generous and making New Year’s resolutions. In this vein I suggest an improvement for the Belize political system which is a representative democracy. The next level of democracy is direct democracy, in which all people make the decisions as a group, without intermediate representation.

Philistinic Americans murdered black blowup Santa
Some white people carry real hate for us. You can’t fault anyone for loving their color and their tribe. And really, you can’t fault people if they don’t like you. But if someone hates you, you’d want them to hate you for the “right” reason/s. Ignorance is a deplorable reason to hate. I can’t say that the people who slashed a black inflatable Santa are ignorant, but the odds are that they’re in the category. The despicable act occurred in America, USA. I read it on Yahoo. Megan Johnson, in a December 15 Yahoo post titled, “Vandals destroy family’s inflatable black Santa Claus: Trump is really changing this country!”, wrote: “An Oregon family was shocked to discover that an inflatable black Santa Claus on their front lawn had been slashed by vandals just 24 hours after they put it on display.

Christmas is a number
Doña Helena edged forward in her chair. She felt the tension tightening around her gut and wished once more that her husband Edgardo had changed his mind and accompanied her to the ceremonia. He would have shared the excitement boiling over in her and hugged her understandingly. The family lived in Cotton Tree village, a ten-minute drive away, but Edgardo (or Eddie) had to stay behind to watch the house. It was early December in 2016, and already they had begun their Christmas preparations, having strung some lights, bought a few gifts, and started on the painting.

Hitchhiker arrested for killing Marcos Ack, 48
On Monday, December 17, 48-year-old Marcos Ack was viciously stabbed after picking up a hitchhiker. Yesterday, December 19, police formally arrested and charged this hitchhiker, Hubert Junior Taylor, 26, for the crime of murder. Ack had picked up Taylor somewhere in the Red Bank area while he was on his way to Independence Village.

Turley family terrorized in San Pedro
In the Tuesday edition of the Amandala, we reported that a gunman or gunmen had fired shots at the home of the Turley family in San Pedro at about 1:30 last Saturday morning while the family was sleeping. About 10 shots were fired at the house and the bullets had damaged a wall of the house and shattered some windows. Luckily, no one was hit. Police who inspected the shooting scene said that 7 expended 9mm shells were found in the area. On September 9, a motorcycle belonging to a Turley family member, 21-year-old Trent Turley, was set on fire and completely destroyed. Police who investigated the arson did not report any arrests. Police said they don’t know whether the incidents are connected.

Ernest Thurton, Jr., gets 29 years for double murder
A sentence of 29 years in prison was imposed today by Justice Adolph Lucas on Ernest Thurton, Jr., aka “Dangalang”, who was convicted on September 12 of the murders of Frank James, 41, and Robert Young, 50. Justice Lucas said that the sentence was life imprisonment for the murders of James and Young, and the sentences are to run concurrently. He explained, however, that since the court could no longer give a sentence of life imprisonment without parole and it must give a fixed sentence, he would be imposing a sentence of 35 years and was deducting 6 years from the sentence, which was the time Thurton spent on remand.

Roger Wallis, British “man in the mask”, 63, charged with attempted kidnapping, denied bail again
Roger Robert Wallis, 63, a British national remanded for 2 counts of attempted kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy, was denied bail when he appeared yesterday before Madam Justice Marilyn Williams. Wallis, a resident of Belmopan, was arrested and charged on September 26, following a report that he tried to kidnap the boy in Belmopan. According to the allegation against Wallis, the boy and his two sisters were walking on the street, on their return from school, when Wallis, who was driving a white van, offered to give them a ride.

Amidst GAF control of the Sarstoon River, Belize still in search of Sarstoon protocol
In May 2015, Belize entered a new reality at the Sarstoon River, where it shares its southern border with Guatemala. The Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) began exercising complete control over the entire Sarstoon River, and they have been insisting that Belizeans traveling on the river first get their permission before venturing onto it, at times telling Belizeans “to respect the protocol.” There is, however, no formal protocol between Guatemala and Belize when it comes to navigating the Sarstoon River, long regarded as the border between the two countries. Then on May 28, 2015, the GAF demanded that a group of Belize National Coast Guard officers move from an area on Sarstoon Island, where they had gone to scout out an area to build a forward operating base. Ever since then, Belize has been trying to get Guatemala to agree to a Sarstoon protocol that would normalize movement on the river which divides both countries.

The Reporter

ANOTHER DRUG PLANE LANDS
About five persons from Punta Gorda including a Police Officer working out of that municipality are detained pending investigation into a suspected drug plane landing on Thursday night. The Reporter was made to understand that the Police Officer has been identified as Peter Graham who in the company of another male person was found in an SUV near the vicinity of the landing site on Plett’s Farm outside of Barranco Village. Reports say that inside the SUV investigators found a drum of aviation fuel and seats that resembled those from inside an airplane.

COP EXECUTED
Police sources tell the Reporter that investigators believe that the murder of PC Modesto Cucul on Thursday morning at 10:00am was a planned ambush and execution. Cucul, who is stationed at the Belmopan Police Station, was shot at close range with a shotgun on the Crique Jute road about a quarter mile from its junction with the Southern Highway in the Toledo District. His wife, Anavida Cal, was also shot and is in critical condition.

BABY TEVIN CRITICAL – POLICE SAY, BLAME THE MOM TOO
One week after a traffic accident almost took his life, two-year-old Tevin Cacho is showing signs of improvement as he receives treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. A police mobile driven by an officer in the Gang Suppression Unit ran over Cacho on the night of December 13 on Iguana Street Extension. Shereema Moody, Cacho’s mother, told the Reporter that his last CT Scan showed that the swelling in his brain was going down. His recovery is such that doctors have taken him off of the medication that kept him in an induced coma, and they are waiting to see what happens when he wakes up.

MINOR MISSING
The Police and family members are currently conducting searches for Daly Street resident and student, Javier Foreman, 11. Foreman was officially reported missing by his grandmother Margarita Cabral on December 19th. Cabral reported to authorities that she last saw her grandson around 2:30- 3:00 p.m. on December 19th, in the vicinity of Pou’s meatpie shop on New Road in Belize City.

MAKING A HARD JOB LOOK EASY
Sanitation work is often times looked upon with scorn or as a demeaning chore and the people who do the job are regarded in no better fashion; but one remarkable woman who has taken to cleaning up Belize City’s streets has not only been praised for doing her job well but for earning the kind of respect from fellow citizens for her cheerful, mannerly personality, treating her job as much more than an unpleasant chore.

CAYE CAULKER AIRPORT RUNWAY SINKING ALREADY ?
THE REPORTER: News Staff - Dec. 21st. The Reporter has been informed by credible sources from within the Department of Civil Aviation and from experienced pilots that the recently constructed

EDITORIAL – December 21st. 2018
By: Mr. Harry Lawrence. Christmas is a season of joy and generosity, of thanksgiving for what we have, and remembering that what we have has been given to us from on high. It was gratifying therefore to hear Prime Minister Dean Barrow address his colleagues from across the floor of the House to wish them a Merry Christmas and to say that political exchanges in the House may at times become heated, but they are without malice.

ANOTHER MYSTERY PLANE LANDS IN THE DEEP SOUTH
There are reports that a plane believed to have been carrying drugs landed three miles from Barranco in the Toledo District before dawn this morning. Sources say a Police Officer was seen fleeing the scene and was later caught with aviation fuel in his vehicle. The plane has been secured and we are told Police are currently conducting a search for the cargo.

ERNIE MIRANDA FOUND DEAD IN DRAIN WITH SEVERAL STAB WOUNDS
The body of a man identified as Belize City resident Ernie Miranda was found in a drain on Morning Glory Street this morning. Police are on the scene and multiple stab wounds have been observed on the body.

Breaking Belize News

Music Ambassador welcomes Joss Stone to Belize
Belize’s Music Ambassador, Shyne Barrow welcomes Grammy award-winning singer Joss Stone to Belize. Stone, is an […]

BNTU Call School Managements ‘the Grinch that Stole Christmas’
The membership of the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) engaged in a demonstration and rally […]

Golden Tree and BTB reach agreement
The Golden Tree Hotel in Belize City is once again open for business. According to […]

Police issue report on suspected drug plane
The Belize Police Department has issued an official report on the suspected drug plane that landed […]

11 year old reported missing
The family of eleven-year-old Javier Foreman is concerned about his whereabouts. Foreman was reported missing on […]

Gas prices plunge as Christmas approaches
The Belize Bureau of Standards has just issued new fuel prices effective midnight tonight. Belizeans will […]

Belizean police and Guatemalan detained after landing of suspected drug plane
Breaking Belize News has confirmed that a Belizean police officer and a Guatemalan national are detained […]

Is ‘Belice es nuestro’ outdated?
‘Belice es nuestro’ is a popular slogan used by Guatemalans to firmly express their sentiments […]

Guatemalans make up 5% of Belize’s population
Many Guatemalans continue to migrate to Belize in search of better jobs and opportunities. Yesterday, Guatemalan […]

Suspected drug plane lands in southern Belize; Police officer detained with aviation fuel in the area
Reports to Breaking Belize News indicate that a suspected drug plane landed this morning about three […]

Belize City man stabbed to death
The body of a man was found this morning in a ditch on Morning Glory Street, […]

Senators write to Fisheries Department requesting moratorium on gillnets
Business Senator Markhelm Lizarraga and NGO Senator Osmany Salas have written a letter to Belize’s Fisheries Administrator, Beverly […]

Police officer ambushed, killed in Punta Gorda
Authorities are investigating the murder of a police officer in Punta Gorda (PG), Southern Belize. […]

Blogs

Travel Guide: Sailing in Belize with Raggamuffin
It is the year 2013, we are on the beach in Nice (France) and talk about the beautiful trips we want to make in the future. Ries says that he would like to go sailing in the tropics and I would like to go to the Caribbean. As we walk to the sea, we promise each other that within the next five years, we will make a sailing trip in the Caribbean. Flash forward to the year 2018. We have just booked our tickets to Guatemala and Belize when we see that the company Raggamuffin* offers sailing trip along the many islands around the Caribbean Sea. Wauw, this feels meant to be and so we decide to join them on one of their famous adventures! In this blog I will tell you everything about our sailing trip with Raggamuffin! After first having spend a few nice days on Caye Caulker, we sail out from this nice island at 08.00 in the morning. The evening before we have had a briefing, where we got to know the crew and of course our fellow passengers. We have a nice and versatile group with people from Australia, Canada, Austria, Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. In total we are with eleven passengers and three crew members.

International Sources

Mars: Pictures reveal 'winter wonderland' on the red planet
Earth's North Pole is famous for its snowy climes - and for hosting Santa's workshop, of course. But as these pictures reveal, it's not the only planet with snow scenes this holiday season. This is the Korolev crater, near the north pole of Mars, as captured by the European Space Agency (ESA)'s Mars Express mission. The crater is 82km (50 miles) across, and filled with ice 1.8km thick. It was named after rocket engineer and spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev, the architect of the Soviet Union's space programme.

Explore these pristine, little-known Maya ruins
Dozens of swallowtail butterflies are dancing in the air, and we pull the car over to watch. We’ve been on the road in Belize for nearly three hours with no shortage of sightseeing along the way. The drive from San Ignacio winds through San Antonio, a Maya town that is also the home of my tour guide, Israel Canto. We drive through the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, and the deserted sustainable logging town next door. We take a pit stop to stretch our legs in a massive tunnel system–the Rio Frío Cave. Alas, we are on the final stretch, a few miles of dirt road leading to the largest Maya site in Belize–larger than its famous neighbor, Tikal in Guatemala. We are arriving at Caracol. The site is like nothing I’ve seen before. We are four of only a handful of people exploring the area. There is no gift shop, no restaurant, not even water for sale. It’s the beauty and challenge of going so far off the beaten path.

Why You Should Go to Belize Now
The film Casablanca is what first got me traveling, searching the world for Rick’s Café. That near-mythical place where idealists, romantics, and wanderers wash up, drifting in and dropping out, a sense of it glimpsed in Palermo, Antananarivo, Brazzaville. You know a Rick’s Café when you walk into one. But why would Rick choose Belize, an Adam’s apple of a country on the neck of the Central American isthmus? Because south of Mexico, north of Guatemala, the former colony of British Honduras is an outpost of low taxes, high idiosyncrasy, tremendous skies, and torpid stability, still sufficiently uncrowded that visitors and settlers feel they have happened on somewhere everyone else has overlooked. The peninsula of Placencia—“pleasant place,” the Spanish called it—is a straggle of beaches, mangroves, and lagoons caught between the coastal plain of Belize and a Caribbean sea as blue as a Dutch policeman’s shirt. Just over the horizon, the second-largest living coral reef in the world holds the swells at bay. The shallows seem too warm and sleepy to bother raising a wave.

US donates equipment to help fight climate change in Caribbean
The United States Government recently handed over an approximately US $2 million Light Detection and Ranging System (LIDAR) and US $500,000 in other equipment, including a state-of-art server, computer workstations, and relevant software to the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center, known as the 5Cs, based in Belize. A statement issued by the US Embassy on Friday, notes that the information systems store and process climate-related data and will be used by decision makers and key stakeholders in the Caribbean region to develop more effective responses to natural disasters and extreme weather events.

A wind of digital change blows through Concacaf Member Associations
From 11 to 12 December representatives of FIFA and the FIFA Connect team presented the digital platform to a range of selected Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) Spanish-speaking Member Association (MA) representatives who will be using the new system to register their football stakeholders in the future. Representatives from the Canadian and Belize Member Associations were also attending the training to learn how to use the new innovative tool. Martin Sam, the project manager leading the development of the platform, was delivering the workshop along with his colleagues from the FIFA regional office in Panama. He expressed how he firmly believes that new technologies can significantly improve football development and bring more efficient use of digital data in the region.

UNCOVERING ARCHAEOLOGY
In the second half of Uncovering Archaeology, I tell about several trips I have made to explore the Maya Coast of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras. After returning from these trips, I carefully examined photographs I had taken and made some interesting interpretations of things I had seen. As you may know, I have always been interested in American Indians and the Mayans. I found the Mayans had developed a written language and had a calendar accurate even by modern standards. At Copan in Honduras, I visited an ancient ball field that had stone statues of elephants around the perimeter. We have always been told that elephants did not exist in the Western Hemisphere. How then did the Mayans know how to carve statues of elephants? We do know that elephants were once hauled by ship across the Mediterranean Sea, to invade Rome from the north by crossing the Alps. Could they have also been hauled across the Atlantic and brought to Central America?

Kendis Gibson Leaving ABC “World News Now”: Where Is He Going?
Kendis Gibson gave ABC World News Now viewers a bit of a rude awakening on Monday (December 17), when he announced he’s leaving his broadcast home of more than three years. While his colleagues are seemingly rejoicing about having him out of their hair, the early morning news hours won’t be the same for WNN viewers. Why Is Kendis Gibson Leaving ABC World News Now? Kendis Gibson announced his departure from ABC World News Now live on Monday’s broadcast. While his colleagues are ecstatic, the show’s viewers are going to miss him. The 40-year-old’s final show with WNN is on Friday, and he’s reportedly going to reveal what’s next for him in the future. If you’re wondering why Kendis Gibson is leaving WNN, he said during his Monday announcement that he’s going to join the “daywalkers.” He’s been a mainstay on ABC’s early morning time slot since 2014, and his quirky liveliness has earned him loyal fans.

Videos

December 21, 2018

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Media engages with Guatemalans on the territorial dispute
A group of Belizean journalists concluded a visit to Guatemala City, Guatemala on Wednesday, December 19th. The purpose of their trip to the country was to determine the Guatemalans’ sentiment and gather opinions from officials ahead of the upcoming referendum in Belize on whether to take the Guatemalan territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The three- day media tour started on Sunday, December 16th, and included meetings with former politicians, the general public, Guatemala’s Tribunal Supremo Electoral (TSE) (Elections and Boundaries) and members of private institutions, the business and judiciary sector.

Images of Ambergris Caye by Tony Rath
A new collection of images, spanning 20 years and focused on Ambergris Caye, have been put together in a stunning new book titled ‘Images of Ambergris Caye.’ Photographed by Tony Rath and produced via Cubola Productions, the new book captures island life through the eyes of one of Belize’s best photographers. The grand unveiling was held on Wednesday, December 19th at the Parham Plaza Hotel in downtown San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. Cubola declares it “an exquisite visual journey, a lasting testimony to the beauty and diversity of [a] special Belizean island.” Featuring island faces, idyllic beach shots, aerial views of the blues of the waters off the reef, wildlife, lifestyle shots, and classic island life photos, the details are marvelous. Island lovers will agree that while it is hard to define just what makes Ambergris Caye so attractive to many, this book gives you an idea!

U-15 and U-17 Male and Female Teams compete in 5-A-Side Football Tournament
Many island residents enjoyed the 5-A-Side Football Tournament held at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium on Sunday, December 16th. San Pedro Town Council organized the football tournament along with San Pedro High School teachers and the Island Citizen Sporting Club and saw the participation of various male, female and under-17 and Under 15 teams competing for the championship. In the female category, the championship went to Caye Caulker Strikers, while the male category champions were E & L Warriors. The champions in the U-15 male category were the San Pedro Sea Wolves, and Terror Squad became the champions in the U-17 male category.

Choking loggerhead turtle rescued from pufferfish
It was supposed to be just an ordinary evening out on the water, sailing aboard the Felicity on a sunset cruise. However, as tour guide Carlos Soto found out, always expect the unexpected! About 400 feet away from the main Hol Chan Marine Reserve he and Captain Horace Bladen noticed splashing and a struggle in the waters ahead. Fearing that someone was drowning, they drew closer, but their keel would not let them get close. It was close enough, however, that they realized it was a loggerhead turtle in distress. Soto thought the turtle was choking on a piece of plastic, but to everyone’s surprise, when the culprit was finally removed from the loggerhead’s windpipe, it was a pufferfish. “We were surprised, but also glad it wasn’t plastic,” said Soto. “The rangers did a great job of removing the fish from the friendly loggerhead, and we’re glad that he will continue to greet our visitors for years to come.”

Santa Claus is Coming to Town (San Pedro Lions Den!)
Bring out the children for a day of Christmas cheer! Sunday December 23rd, 4PM at the SP Lion's Den. Tickets available.

Speaker of the House of Representatives of Belize Meets with the President of the Central American Parliament
On Saturday, December 15th, 2018, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belize City, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Laura Tucker Longsworth, met with the President of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), Honourable Irma Amaya, who was in Belize attending the SICA Meeting. The aim of the meeting was to commence a dialogue between both parliaments in an effort to establish an inter-parliamentary relation in areas relating to politics, economics, environment, education and culture.

Golf cart rentals using up public parking areas
The already congested Barrier Reef Drive, in the heart of San Pedro Town, is getting worse with the addition of golf cart rentals relocating to the busy street. Residents are unhappy with the rental companies that are using the public parking area to keep their golf cart fleet. They believe that public parking areas should not be overwhelmed by these businesses, and instead keep their rental fleet in their garages from where the vehicles can be delivered to their clients. The local authorities from The San Pedro Town Council have not commented on the issue, even though they held a meeting with golf cart rental companies in 2017 to address traffic-related issues.

Ambergris Today

How Lovely is this Couple? Happy 65th Anniversary to don Lucito and Angelita Guerrero! Ambergris Today and the community of San Pedro extend warm and cheerful greeting to don Lucito and doña Angelita Guerrero as they celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today, December 20, 2018. Pillars of the community and members of the founding families of Ambergris Caye, this lovely couple is truly admirable, to say the least. We extend them warm wishing and blessing during the holidays and many more beautiful years together. Don Lucio is 88 years old and doña Angelita is 83 years old. They have six children, 2 girls and 4 boys, 16 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, WOW!

Misc Belizean Sources

A Taste of Corozal Christmas
Colcha is excited to share with you the launch of A taste of Corozal Christmas Competition at our Christmas Bram 2018. Registration is free with attractive cash and trophy prizes! Sunday, December 23, 2018 at 7 PM – 8:30 PM, Corozal Central Park.

Power outage 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 21
To affect portion of Placencia Peninsula from Miller’s Landing to Placencia Lagoon Estate and surrounding areas. BEL to reconfigure voltage regulator in the area.

El Festival del Pueblo San Lazaro
This little Maya girl of 5 years from San Lazaro spoke in Spanish, English and Yucatec Maya. Introduce her self,counted and told the importance of speaking different languages. She presented at El Festival del Pueblo San Lazaro.

Rumpopo on Caye Caulker
The last orders of rumpopo will be for this Sunday. Comment below to place ur orders now!

The Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) is inviting applications for the Post of Marine Reserve Ranger
This is an exciting career opportunity to become part of a professional cadre of Reserve Rangers tasked with ensuring the protection of our natural assets and marine life within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Happy 65th Anniversary Don Lucito & Angelita Guerrero!
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to wish a Happy 65th Wedding Anniversary to Mr. Lucito and Mrs. Angelita Guerrero. May God keep blessing you with lots more happiness together.

ACES: This has been a pretty bad week for wildlife calls
Saturday was interrupted with kids stoning a croc who was just trying to sunbathe and warm up after the cold spell. Sunday saw construction workers from a large resort macheting and stoning a raccoon in the lagoon next to a seawall. The disgusting bastards then stood around watching the poor critter drown as he succumbed to his wounds. Monday was relatively quiet, but Tuesday we were alerted to kids trying to catch the croc by the bridge. When we arrived a tourist struggling with a dangerous lack of common sense was there with her camera on a tripod, she informed us there’s a large croc in the pond and that the very young kids with her were splashing around in the shallows trying to catch a small croc for her to take a picture of!!!! Yesterday was another report of kids stoning a different croc while he basked in the sun. This morning a lovely couple called us after confiscating a small furrowed wood turtle from children who were dropping and throwing rocks at the poor creature, cracking its shell. But the highlight of this disappointingly miserable week would be the discovery of a decapitated croc found at secret beach, drifting towards shore with her head and tail macheted clean off.

BTB Christmas Festivities Photos

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
First Man, Halloween, Christmas Vacation, El Royale, Elf, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. *At 7pm on screen 2 each night we will be playing a different classic Christmas movie .. as per requests in the inbox .. Please note First Man starts at 6:50 and Halloween 9:05*

Channel 7

PC Cucul Killed, Was It An Old Vendetta?
The Punta Gorda community is in a state of shock tonight after 34 year old police officer Modesto Cucul was murdered about two miles from the San Antonio Police Station. His body lay sprawled on the road side next to his pickup, with clear signs of a gunshot to the face and midsection. Meanwhile his wife, 35 year old common law Anlavidia Cal of Maya Mopan Village, Stann Creek, is at the hospital suffering from a gunshot wound. We are told that Cal, who is the sole witness to Cucul's execution style murder, is currently listed in a stable condition at the Punta Gorda Town Hospital.

Hon. Elrington Says He was Misquoted On Invasion Line
One week ago, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington caught us all off guard when he said it was a possibility that Guatemala could invade Belize - if we vote no to the ICJ. Earlier this week when we asked Elrington's former colleague Carlos Raul Morales about it, he was very surprised and dismissed the possibility out of hand. Well, today Elrington responded to Morales's shock. He blamed the media for twisting his words. For context we first air Raul Morales's reaction:... Marleni Cuellar, Reporter: "In a recent interview he has said that there is a risk that Guatemala may invade Belize if we vote no."

Former Guat Congressman Asks Why Belize Signed Special Agreement
And while Elrington will not relent from the position that he was misquoted - another Guatemalan politician we spoke to questioned why Elrington signed the special agreement in the first place. Cesar Augusto del Aguila is a former Guatemalan Congressman, and now a practicing attorney and talk show host. When we told him all the misgivings Belizeans have about going to the ICJ - and the uncertainty of what Guatemala will claim - he asked why we signed the special agreement in the first place: Cesar Augusto del Aguila, Former Guatemalan Congressman: "I can't say exactly because I don't have all the relevant documents on hand. What I can say is that there is an issue that if we don't resolve it in this century it will have to be resolved in the next century..."

Elrington Dismisses Diputado's Perspective
Responding to that characterization today, Elrington said his comments are irrelevant: Hon. Wilfred Elrington: "The special agreement is simply and agreement entered into between the two countries to take the matter to the ICJ. That's a pre-requisite. The special agreement has nothing to do with the claim other than it authorizes the ICJ to hear the matter. Hs nothing to do with Belize's borders, where they are stated, where it is positioned - had nothing to do with it..."

Why Guatemala Wins With a "No"� Vote
And while Elrington dismisses Aguila - he supports the comments made by Pablo Hurtado. He's the Executive Director of the Guatemalan Think Tank named "Asi Es". He confirmed what we've been reporting all week; that Guatemala is very happy with itself for voting yes to the ICJ - and very happy with the 26% turnout - since it was the largest turnout ever in a Guatemalan referendum. And, if Belize votes "no" in its referendum - it will be even better for them:..

Attorney Fighting Extradition
It's been about 10 months since we last reported on the extradition proceedings against attorney Andrew Bennett. The US Government has made an extradition request, and they want him to be sent to the District of Puerto Rico to stand trial for 7 counts of money laundering. The American authorities say that they have evidence that he took a backpack containing 250,000 dollars from one of their agents, who was posing as representative of a fictitious drug cartel with Colombian and Puerto Rican ties. They allegedly also have evidence of the conversations between Bennett and this agent about this money, in which it was made clear to Bennett that this organization was looking for a money laundering operation, and that Bennett allegedly offered to provide the service.

Too Many Missing
Anisha Young, Iverson Neal, Benson Butler, Greg Dillon, Milo Paz, Ruby Portillo and her baby, Gerardo Vasquez. These are just a few of the people that have gone missing over the past couple months. Just gone without a trace and the cases continue to mount. Today at the bi-weekly press conference the police addressed this concerning increase in missing person reports. ASP Alejandro Cowo advised the public to report to the police as soon as they realize their loved one is missing. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Eastern Division: "It is of paramount importance for the police that whenever there is a missing person, where any loved one is missing, that you do not need to wait for any time to report the matter to the police. There is no immediate time or specific time for you to report a missing person. That can be done five, ten minutes after you have not seen the person, and we encourage that the best time for you to report is as soon as you are aware of it and do not wait..."

Anisha, 11 Days And Nothing
Now, one of the more puzzling missing cases is Anisha Young. It has now been 11 days since she has gone missing and no significant leads have materialized. Police told us more today. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Eastern Division: "We received a lead yesterday. We were in the vicinity of the old Northern Highway by the Maskall road where we did an extensive search in the area, but it lead to nothing. Any little lead that we get, we are following it up." Reporter: "Is there is any report or any sign that there is hope of finding her with any life?"

Butler Missing for 18 Days
The other missing person's case is of 53 year old Benson Butler. He left his 8 miles home on December 2nd to run some errands and hasn't been seen since. Police gave us what they have so far in this case. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Eastern Division: "If you recall Mr. Butler was always seen by the Shell Gas Station repairing tires on an old vehicle. So, we are urging the public if anybody has any assistance or information or have seen Mr. Butler, to kindly inform us, so that we can assist the family with these missing people's investigations."

Cops Says Iverson Neal Hiding, Not Missing?
And finally in the case of Iverson Neal, there are conflicting reports regarding his whereabouts and police are trying to sort through all of them. But police seem to be more optimistic about this case saying that they believe Neal is alive, hiding out somewhere. Here's more. ASP Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Eastern Division: "We spoke to the family members on Wednesday and they are coming with different…everybody is coming with a different story and that is something that the police is looking at. We know that the last sighting of him was at El Rancho in the Belmopan area. We believe that he is still alive..."

PC Pandy's Tragic End
Today at the bi-weekly briefing, police gave their official statement on the San Antonio Road accident that claimed the life of PC Kenyon Pandy. Police confirmed that Pandy lost control of the vehicle and it flipped - killing him and injuring his passengers. Here is more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Punta Gorda police responded to an information of a road traffic accident between miles 85 and 86 on the Southern Highway in the area of Dump. Upon police's arrival, a brown Toyota Corolla was observed on the left hand side of the road, in the bushes with extensive damage to its front portion. Initial investigations revealed that the vehicle which was being driven by Kenyon Pandy, 27, police officer attached to Belmopan police formation..."

Benque Shooting Victim Warned Police
There is no clear motive in the shooting of Benque resident Robert Galvez. Although Galvez recognized his attacker he could not say why the shooter would want him dead. Here's more from police. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Benque Viejo police responded to a shooting incident on Churchhill Street at the residence of Roberto Galvez, where upon arrival, they were informed that Mr. Galvez had received several gunshot injuries and has already been transported to the San Ignacio Community Hospital. Initial investigations revealed that sometime around 9:40 pm Mr. Galvez arrived at his home on his motorcycle where he was met by a Hispanic male person dressed in dark clothing who fired several shots towards his direction..."

Ranchito Robbers
A pair of robbers held up the Tomza Gas Station security guard in Ranchito Village. It happened yesterday evening after 6:00. Here is more. ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch: "Corozal police was called to the Tomza Gas Distribution in Ranchito Village, where upon arrival, they met one Ricardo Neal, 20 years watch man, who reported to police that some time around 6:15 pm he was approached by two Hispanic male persons..."

Which Is the Real Guatemalan Map?
As you've been seeing in the news since the start of the week - we interviewed a whole lot of folks over in Guatemala City earlier this week. But we couldn't get a single one of them to tell us what portion of Belizean territory the Guatemalans are actually going to claim, when they go to the International Court of Justice, and what is the official position on the map of Belize. Former Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales says Belize is included in the map of Guatemala with a dotted line as a matter of law. But according to former congressman Cesar Augusto del Aguila, The map of Guatemala does not contemplate the Belizean territory. Here's how he put it:

Economic Upliftment Projects In Guatemalan Border Communities
And while the official position on the map remains unclear, on the ground, efforts are being made to make good fences and good neighbors. The Guatemalan Consul in Benque Viejo told us about ongoing projects in border communities to promote economic wellbeing and discourage incursions into Belize: Edgar Chan, Guat. Consul General - Benque Viejo: "We have a program - through the Ministry of Agriculture - several projects are being done in various communities, first sustainable development projects..."

Cannabis Cultivators Charged For 3 Inch Tree
Tonight, 2 cousins, 20 year-old Erwin Lanza, and 21 year-old Edward Ferguson, are facing huge fines after they pleaded guilty being in possession of a marijuana plant, and an illegal firearm. At around 7:30 yesterday morning, police executed a search at the cousins' home in Lords Bank. They found a .22 pistol and a three inch marijuana plant growing on the verandah. Police arrested and charged both of them with marijuana cultivation and keeping an unlicensed firearm. They were arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford, and both Lanza and Ferguson pleaded guilty to the marijuana cultivation charge.

Mentally Ill Man Gets Off
A man accused of sexually assaulting two minors walked away a free man today after he was found mentally unfit to stand trial. Towards the end of August 2018, 34 year old Daniel Howard of Mahogany Heights was accused of inappropriately touching two minors in a village on the George Price Highway. He was arraigned back in August and was remanded to prison without bail. At his arraignment, Howard's mental stability was called into question. As a result the magistrate ordered a psychiatric evaluation. The evaluation concluded that he was effectively unfit to stand trial. As a result his charges were dropped and he walked home a free man today after spending four months in prison.

The Salvation Army's War for Christmas Cheer
850 needy people received Christmas food hampers today thanks to The Salvation Army. These packages include many non-perishable food items and were handed over to different families at The Salvation Army's 3 Belize City locations. The care packages were made possible by donations from numerous businesses and the general public. We spoke with Major Joliker Leandre from The Salvation Army about the sharing event. Major Joliker Leandre, Commander, Salvation Army: "Well, as you would have noticed, we have kettles all over the place and persons go into various stores, drop in coins and checks and whatever they have. And that is the accumulation of everything; everyone's contribution made it possible today. We have started with distributions from the 6th of December and we are continuing until the 29th of December, so, after Christmas we'll still have distributions..."

Buh-Bye Butterball, Local Turkeys Only This Year
You may have already purchased your turkey for your family's Christmas dinner, but in the event that you haven't, Quality Poultry says that they have plenty of birds to supply the entire country's needs. They tracked last year's demand for turkey, and anticipating that the market will be just as busy if not more, they made sure produce more than last year. Today, the company's Belize City Branch manager told us that are only selling local turkey this year:

Channel 5

PC Modesto Cucul is Murdered Near Crique Jute
On November second, PC Osbourne Martinez was murdered in the line of duty in Belize City when robbers shot at him on Regent Street West. This morning, in southern Belize, [...]

Search along Old Northern Highway is Fruitless, Still No Signs of Annie
Another futile attempt at locating the remains of twenty-three-year-old Anisha Young, despite investigators following all leads forwarded to the C.I.B. office in Belize City.  On Wednesday, officers combed an area [...]

Ivor Neal – Gone Without a Trace
There is also very little progress to report on the disappearance of Ivor “Iverson” Neal.  The whereabouts of the KBH security guard is unknown since he was last seen a [...]

Benson Jerry Butler is Reported Missing
Fifty-three-year-old Benson Jerry Butler is also missing. The resident of West Lake Area of Western Paradise Village left home en route to Belize City to run some errands around eight [...]

Don’t Wait to Report a Missing Person!
There are at least seven other persons reported as missing across the country. In respect of an ostensible increase, the police department has come forward to inform the public that [...]

Failure to Pay Hotel Tax – Golden Tree is Shut Down Indefinitely
Golden Tree Hotel on Coney Drive, a popular getaway in Belize City, has been shut down by the Belize Tourism Board.  Officials from B.T.B., accompanied by officers from the police [...]

A Different Approach to the Referendum Campaign in Guatemala
In the months before Guatemala’s referendum in April this year, a number of non-governmental agencies took the lead in a “YES” vote campaign.  One private sector group, however, had to [...]

S.I.B. Releases November’s Economic Figures
The cost of living dipped marginally in November, as consumers prices went down by point zero two percent.  That’s according to the Statistical Institute of Belize which has released the [...]

Andrew Bennett Goes Back Before the Chief Magistrate
Attorney Andrew Bennett was back before the lower court today where he is presently fighting an extradition request by the U.S. government.  It is alleged that the lawyer participated in [...]

Official Report on PC Pandy’s Fatal RTA
Today police gave the official report on the accident that claimed the life of one of their own, twenty-seven-year-old Police Constable Kenyon Pandy. Pandy is the first officer to perish [...]

Hitchhiker Hubert Taylor Charged with Murder
Good Samaritan Marcus Ack was driving his vehicle when he stopped and picked up a man whom he recognized. That hitchhiker turned around and stabbed Ack to death. Police have [...]

7 Expended Shells Recovered from Shooting Scene in Benque
A Benque Viejo resident is luckily to be alive after he was shot four times to the body and head on Tuesday night. Roberto Galvez was ambushed as he returned [...]

Robbers Strike in Ranchito Village
With Christmas around the corner, criminals are on the loose. At around six-forty-five on Wednesday night, robbers who were not wearing masks held up a man at a gas depot [...]

Woman Robbed of Her Purse in Ladyville
Another robbery took place in Lord’s Bank and the victim is a female resident. According to the victim, she was walking along with a family member when she came under [...]

B.F.F. Booted From Gillnet Task Force, Replaced with B.C.F.A.
Social partner senators Mark Lizarraga and Osmany Salas have written a letter to Fisheries Administrator Beverly Wade, demanding an immediate moratorium on the issuance of permits for the use of [...]

B.F.F. Concerned Over Composition of TASA Board
The Belize Federation of Fishers was also booted from the Turneffe Atoll Sustainability Association Board and, according to Nigel Martinez; it was because they were asking the right questions. The [...]

B.F.F. Claps Back at B.C.F.A.
The Belize Federation of Fishers has been very vocal regarding several developments in the fishing industry.  When the B.F.F. first called out the Gillnet Task Force for not carrying out [...]

Light and Peace Blocked from Competing in the NEBL
Hundreds of Belize City youths have received some sort of professional training by the Light and Peace Basketball Foundation. The foundation, for more than a decade, has been hosting basketball [...]

Where to Get Your Ham for the Christmas
It is the time of the year when families are looking forward for the traditional Christmas meal: ham, turkey and the trimmings. Even if your meal doesn’t include the bird, [...]

850 Families Benefit from Salvation Army’s Hamper Programme
The Salvation Army’s Christmas programme started with the yearly Kettle Appeal. Earlier this month, the organization hosted a party for deserving children in the city. Today, they topped it off. [...]

LOVE FM

Salvation Army Distributes Xmas Hampers
The Salvation Army hosted its annual Christmas party for youths in Belize City a few weeks ago. Today the Salvation Army gave out food hampers at its headquarters on Regent Street in Belize City. Love news spoke to Salvation Army’s Regional Commander Major Joliker Leandre, Regional Commander about the initiative at this time of year. …

Police Officer Murdered, wife shot
Two officers have lost their lives over the past few days. On Tuesday Police Constable Kenyon Pandy, who was attached to the Belmopan Police Formation, was killed in a road traffic accident. Just before 12 this afternoon, a police officer was murdered. The officer, Marcus Cucul and his wife were shot. It is unclear if …

53-year-old man goes missing; family and police call on public for help
And as police address the matter of missing persons, there is a new report. 53-year-old Benson Butler has been reported missing and police seek the public’s assistance in locating him. ASP Alejandro Cowo Head of CIB, Belize City: “Mr. Marlon Kissling a Belizean truck driver of 28 West Lake reported that the 2nd of December …

Coast Guards assist in promoting sustainable fishing
The Fishing Industry is an essential part of the Belize’s economy and there are fishing regulations in place to sustain the industry. In this regard, various patrols take place on a regular basis at sea to ensure that fishermen are in compliance. Captain Elton Bennett, the Vice Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard shared the …

Police believe Iverson Neal may still be alive
23 year old Iverson Neal is among the list of people who have been reported missing and remain missing. Neal was last seen a week ago near El Rancho located in the outskirts of Belmopan City. Police said that they have maintained communication with the family and are too following on leads. ASP Alejandro Cowo …

CRC Ambassadors donate hampers to 10 families
Today, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, CRC, Ambassador, an armed of the National Committee for Families and Children, NCFC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Development helped put smiles on ten families’ faces by donating hampers to help make their Christmas brighter. Love news spoke with Michael Fritz, the Public Relations …

Coast Guards were treated to a Christmas Luncheon
Belize is a transit country for narco trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking. Thirteen years ago, the Belize Coast Guard added its strength to the security forces and since then, it has been patrolling the rivers and sea to help curb crime. Today, the Belize Coast Guard held its annual Christmas luncheon and the organization …

PC Pandy lost control of vehicle says police
At the police press briefing in Belize City on Thursday, the death of Constable Kenyon Pandy was addressed. Police are saying that information gathered indicate that Police Constable Kenyon Pandy lost control of the vehicle he was driving, leading to his demise. As has been reported, 27-year-old PC Pandy was driving a brown Toyota corolla …

Police continue to look for Anisha Young
ASP Cowo said investigators also continue their search for Anisha Young who remains missing. ASP Cowo says that their latest lead took them to the Maskall Village area but officers found nothing there. ASP Alejandro Cowo Head of CIB, Belize City: “We are still working on that, we received a lead yesterday and we were …

Senators join call for ban of gillnet fishing
There is another pressing issue facing another important but often misunderstood fisheries sector. The managing of Belize’s natural resources is sometimes seen as a conservation versus a need for employment along with local consumption and export. This has led to discussions on banning the use of gillnets, a divisive measure in the NGO community with …

The Reporter

THE MONSTER INSIDE
By: Mike Rudon Jr. You want brutal honesty. People don’t like drunks. That is the truth. And I don’t blame them. Hell – I don’t like drunks either. I’ve lost some pretty decent people who couldn’t handle me under the influence. Sober, I’m a hell of a guy. High, I’m barely bearable. Drunk, I’m an idiot. It’s as simple as that. A few people tolerate us. A few people pity us. A few people openly scorn us. But nobody likes us. There’s nothing to like.

POLICE OFFICER AMBUSHED AND KILLED IN TOLEDO
This morning at approximately 10am a police office assigned to the Belmopan Police Station was ambushed and killed near the village of Crique Jute in the Toledo district. Sources say that the Policeman’s wife was also injured by gunfire, but her condition is unknown at this time. The Officer has been identified as Modesto Cucul, who was acquitted of murder charges in 2014 and re-enlisted in the Department.

Breaking Belize News

Belizean travel book becomes #1 best seller in Canada
When you want to explore one of the top destinations in the world, Belize is a […]

Corozal minor charged for drug trafficking
A minor from Corozal has been charged for drug trafficking. On Tuesday, December 18, 2018, police […]

New report finds that white-lipped peccaries have been eliminated from 87 % of their historical range
A new study done by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), El Colegio de Frontera Sur, Washington […]

Armed thieves rob gas attendant in Ranchito
Police are investigating a robbery report in Ranchito, Corozal. Last night, a gas attendant told police […]

2 men charged for cannabis cultivation and unlicensed gun
Police have detained and charged two men for cannabis cultivation and an unlicensed gun. According […]

Taiwanese Embassy donates $20,000 for new Hillview Park in Santa Elena
On December 12, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) donated $20,000 to Cayo Central […]

Cold front expected today
The National Meteorological service is reporting thata cold front is expected to cross Belize later today. […]

Guatemala gives anti-corruption researchers 72 hours to leave country
Today, in an official Gazette from the Guatemalan government, it was confirmed by that country’s Immigration […]

Blogs

Tony Rath’s Photo Book of Ambergris Caye Launches on One Gorgeous Day
Yesterday, the recent cold front* broke and the weather was absolutely GLORIOUS. Breezy, cool in the shade, hot in the sun, sparkling blue perfection. It all made perfect sense. Because Tony Rath – Belize’s premier photographer – was in town. To unveil, with Cubola Publishing, his new photo book of Ambergris Caye. ALL AMBERGRIS CAYE looking absolutely gorgeous.

International Sources

Preserving forests in Belize – Chocolate that doesn’t cost the earth
Cacao agroforestry farms... Many of us will enjoy tucking into some chocolate over the festive period. But how many of us will think about where it has come from? Cacao farming in forest systems – known as agroforestry – can be a sustainable option for producing the raw material that feeds our chocolate obsession. Fauna & Flora International’s long-standing partner in Belize, Ya’axché Conservation Trust, works with over 80 small-scale cacao farmers within the Maya Golden Landscape, a patchwork of community and private lands and protected areas, to adopt climate-smart agroforestry. In these farming systems, cacao is planted, along with spices, fruits and tubers, beneath wild trees. This practice allows cacao to be cultivated within the forest and enables degraded, treeless areas to be rehabilitated under the farming system. With trees providing much-needed shelter for shade-loving cacao, well-managed agroforestry farms can be productive for more than 25 years.

Belize charts sustainable, trade-led course for its fisheries
Belize is looking to diversify its fish catch to include red snappers and groupers, and not just lobsters and conchs, after holding its First National Stakeholder Workshop on Ocean-based Sectors in Belize City on 28–29 November. The central American country is tackling the challenge of guaranteeing food security and jobs in its essential seafood and fisheries sectors while maintaining the integrity of its marine environment. The workshop, supported by UNCTAD and the United Nations Division of Oceans Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS) in cooperation with the Commonwealth, gathered together about 25 stakeholders from state authorities, the private sector, and regional intergovernmental organizations to map out a strategy for two ocean-based sectors: The sustainable use of species of finfish (not shellfish) from the sea, and Seafood production that adds value to meet demand for processed goods.

Scarlet macaws stalked by wildlife traffickers in Guatemala
Travel the pathways of what was once the Mayan world, and you’ll see images of the scarlet macaw, appearing at bus stations and on advertisements for hundreds of tour operators. But for this emblematic species, its own pathways for moving and surviving seem to be closing. The last corridor for the scarlet macaw in Latin America crosses Guatemala, Belize and Mexico. It’s here that this species is fighting against the continued loss of habitat caused by forest fires, the expansion of farming and the appearance of new human settlements. And on top of all that, it faces an ongoing siege by the wildlife traffickers who target its young. Environmental organizations consulted by Mongabay in the three countries estimate there are fewer than 1,000 scarlet macaws remaining in this corridor. However, it’s believed that a greater number are kept as pets, bought on the black market. Even some high-ranking officials have been found in possession of the birds.

Peccary’s disappearance foreboding for other Mesoamerican wildlife
The white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), a hairy, pig-like mammal that once lived throughout the forests of Central and South America, now only skitters around in 13 percent of its former range, according to a report released in November 2018. More than two-thirds of white-lipped peccary populations are on the decline, said scientists who met to discuss the future of the species in an August 2016 meeting in Belize City, Belize. That’s concerning, they warn, because peccaries are sensitive to hunting and deforestation. Thus, their disappearance could be a harbinger of the future loss of other wildlife.

25 Ancient Places That The World Clearly Neglected (And We're Thankful For)
Evidence of ancient civilizations lie in countries all over the world and can be a humbling reminder of how even the most powerful empires can come to an end. There are a lot of sites around the world that offer visitors a unique peek into the past and one is often left to wonder what kind of people built the architectural marvels that have withstood the test of time? One of the most popular attractions in Guatemala, Tikal lies just two hours away from the border of Belize. Tikal is home to a majestic Mayan site, home to one of the largest archaeological sites and urban centers of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization. Tikal is an ancient village that still has the ruins of a number of architectural structures that showcase the customs and culture of the time. Among some of the ruins are pyramids, palaces, residences, administrative buildings, platforms, temples, and towers that reach over 70 meters high. The entire ancient village of Tikal was designated a UNESCO world heritage site. (cahalpech)

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