July 30, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Exciting and Reignited: International Costa Maya Festival rocks La Isla Bonita!
The biggest festival in Belize, the International Costa Maya Festival: Reignited, began on Friday, July 26th at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex with the Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. Taking the coveted 2019 title of Reina de la Costa Maya was Lisbeth Valverde Brenes of Costa Rica! After an elegant show of beauty, glamour, and culture onstage, Valverde Brenes managed to charm the judges and crowd, walking away with the crown. The big draw for the second night of the Costa Maya Festival was certainly the much-anticipated performance by songstress Becky G. Before she could come onstage to rock her fans’ world however, the stage was the venue for some Belizean superstars, including TR Shine, Marlyn Vansen, and the punta rock king himself, Supa G!

Ambergris Today

Commercial Fishermen Leading Ban Gillnet Movement In Belize
Commercial fishermen are leading the movement to ban gillnets in Belize. They recognize that gillnets have led to major declines in their fish stocks and they are concerned about the future of their fishery and their livelihoods. Of more than 2,500 licensed fishermen in Belize, only 83 are currently licensed as gillnet fishermen based on the official report provided by the Fisheries Department. “As Director of the Belize Federation of Fishers, I can state that this ban is the top priority for our members. Banning gillnets throughout Belizean waters is very important to our fishermen because gillnets represent an outdated and indiscriminate fishing method which threatens the health of our fish stocks,” said Nigel Martinez.

Various Belizean Sources

Mr. Saul Garcia passes away
Mr. Saul Garcia, who many of the students who have visited with us know, died today. It was not unexpected, he was old, and had been put into hospital the other day, but it is a very sad moment for us. Mr Saul was a great neighbor, always full of information and generous with his plants, and we have brought many hundreds of people through his farm. Mr. Sauls farm is the single most biologically diverse farm I have ever seen, with hundreds of species and multiple cultivars of most of those species. Well before "permaculture" was a word, Mr Saul was planting the seeds of what would be a very complex multistrata agroforestry system, a model that is unequaled in diversity and food security, which inspired much of our work. His land was very challenging, marginally steep, with a large ravine and a north facing slope, and yet, in a 25 meter by 25 meter area, we counted 22 species useful to Mr. Saul, not including the cacao, of which there were four distinct cultivars.

Helping Hands Summer Camp touring Goldson House

Mechanical rides have arrived in Corozal!

This huge crocodile is a lurking predator on Magrove Street in the Boca del Rio Area - San Pedro Town
It is walking into some yards of some residents and the concern is for the safety of children. Hopefully the Croc people relocate this dangerous reptile.

Miss East Indian Pageant 2019 will be held Saturday, August 3rd, 2019 in Corozal

Voting for Belize Destination of the Year
Have a favorite Belize destination? Now you can vote for it to win Destination of the Year at this year’s National Tourism Awards! This new category will allow you to vote once a day for your favorite destination. Vote here: http://bit.ly/32XJOoF

YOGOBEAN is coming to San Pedro!
Come check us out this August 1st. We are so Excited! We are located on Pescador Drive right beside Lino’s Meat Shop. Our opening hours are 8 am to 10 pm.

Kids in Action
This year program was another great success, we certified 38 persons. It would not be possible without the support of Sponsors and coordinators. Our vision is to create a sustainable educational and coral conservation partnership program. Were we can offer educational opportunities for the youth, while protecting our coral reef ecosystem.

Channel 7

Woman Murdered By Jealous Ex In Griga
It was a terrible and traumatic weekend in Belize - where 7 relatively young people lost their lives abruptly. Two 22 year old's, a 21 year old, and an 18 year old were killed in a single traffic accident. And then, a 26 year old was killed in a construction accident. And then, a 31 year old died while trying out for the coast guard. And, a 41 year old woman was murdered in a domestic dispute. And that's where we start tonight - in Dangriga.

Murder Suspect On The Run Has History of Violence
Now the ex-common law husband has a history of violence. According to Flowers' relatives, he has threatened to kill her several times and has even pulled a gun on her sisters and other relatives. He had been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm. Today at the morgue, we spoke to Flowers' sister and she gave more insight into their abusive relationship including a harrowing incident that happened just a couple days ago. We also spoke to Flowers' 18 year old daughter about the tragic loss of yet another parent.

Quadruple Road Fatality Leaves 4 Young Men Dead
And from that violent domestic dispute which ended in murder, we turn now to the weekend's other traumatic event. It was a fatal accident in the Ladyville area which left 4 Belize City men dead, and another recovering from serious injuries. It happened between miles 6 and 7 on the Philip Goldson Highway. 4 of the 5 occupants of a white Toyota Camry died when it slammed into a lamppost and snapped the car completely into 2. Our news team has closely been following the story, and Daniel Ortiz reports:

Father of Three Drowns In Coast Guard Tryout
On Saturday morning, 31 year old Brigel Teck from Libertad Village was one of the 360 hopefuls who showed up at the Coast Guard headquarters in Belize to tryout. He was over the age limit - and he had tried before and failed - but Teck was still hopeful. And he had reason to be, because he could swim - while many of the other hopefuls could not. That's why he was called up from the final reserve list after very many applicants had failed. And he completed the swim test, but, then, something unexpected happened. The Vice commander of the Coast Guard told us more:...

Family Says Teck Was Fit
Today in Libertad, Teck's niece spoke to CTV-3 about his physical health, and his zeal to join the Coast Guard. She said he had no known pre-existing conditions. Reporter: "As far as the family knows, was he sick, did he have a medical condition?" Shanique Neal- Brigel Teck's Niece: "No, he have no major sicknesses. He has always been vibrant determined, energetic, he has always been playing sports. Until now, he was in a league. He was to play the night and the morning we heard he died. He was to play his game the night but unfortunately this happened. He was always going around and everything. He was the defense for his team, he won first place and like that. So, he has never been sick. We have never heard he had a heart problem. So, it was shocking for everybody."

Roy Pott Dies After Accident At Construction Site
And, another relatively young man from the north died this weekend in a construction accident. 26 year old Roy Pott was working at a water plant in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk. He and others were digging out a large cavity for an underground reservoir at a privately owned water plant. But, suddenly, the earthen wall fell on him. Police told us more:

Roy Pott's Sad Demise
Today in Caledonia village, Pott's father spoke to CTV-3 - and he told them about his son's sad demise:.. Rudy Pott, Fathe of Deceased: "And the chief said, it's time to go home. Some of them left and my son stayed. And then they shouted that the thing collapsed on top of him. He was left trapped in the hole. They dug him out and rushed him to the hospital. And when he got there he was still talking and everything. But then the doctor told him he had internal bleeding..."

No Charges Yet For Police Corporal
It's been almost two weeks now since Allyson Major was killed by a police bullet in downtown Belize City. The Commissioner of police has publicly said that the corporal who fired on him was wrong to do so. But, whether he will be criminally charged is another matter. Today in Belmopan, the Commissioner said there was some delay in getting the file to the DPP:...

Hurry-Come-Up Curfew Is Mano-Suave Style
And, in another topical case, the commissioner gave us an update on a his "hurry-come-up" curfew which he launched 10 days ago in Belize City. As we told you, it targets the parents of children who are found on the street after dark. But today the COMPOL made it clear, it's being implemented "mano-suave" style:... Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "We have indeed encountered some children on the streets after hours and we took them home to their parent and we issued a verbal warning..."

BTL Expert Testifies About Text Messages At Mason Trial
ON Friday, we told you how DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal called 2 more FBI experts to testify in the murder trial of William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. The prosecution has been relying on DNA evidence to help prove that these 5 accused men are responsible for the July 2016 beheading murder Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. Well, today's testimony was about the part of the police's investigation into this case which involved the telephone communication between Pastor Lucas and William Mason. An IT specialist from BTL, testified today. He said that he was given a court order to extract text messages and registration names for 4 telephone numbers. One of those numbers belonged to Pastor Lucas, and the was allegedly a business number belonging to Mason.

Calling All Officers
Today at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan, the Commissioner of police called his second officer's conference since he took over in January. The 123 officers meaning those above the rank of Sargent - many of them recently promoted - were in session for the entire day in basically a professional development workshop. The Commissioner told us more: Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "It is important that as senior members of the Belize Police Department that we meet on a regular basis to be able to discuss our strategies and to see what we can do to enhance the level of service that we offer to the public..."

Promotions Cause Disgruntlement
So, those 123 officers ranked from Inspector to Commissioner from the senior command of a department with 2,300 police men and women. When promotions were approved earlier this month - a fair number of those in the rank and file weren't happy. They felt passed over, disrespected, and dealt an unjust hand. We asked the commissioner about it:.. Reporter: "For many the optimism and hope that greeted your arrival as the ComPol 6 months ago and worn off for many and there is a lot of discontent in the ranks, from the low ranks up to the high. We know that any promotion there are a lot of hearts broken and a lot of men are vex. Explain to me how are you managing this discontent?"

Cops Stage Low Grade Sick Out?
And while the commissioner defends the promotions process, reports say that disgruntled officers who were passed over started calling in sick after the promotions were announced. It got so bad, the compel had to send a memo requiring sick papers only from governnment health facilities. We asked the COMPOL and he said it wasn't that bad:... Reporter: "Is it not a fact that after the promotion finish, there were many officers who were calling in sick?" Chester Williams- Commissioner of Police: "No, that is not true. Our sick leave applicants have remained steady..."

PM Rejects Gang Narrative For June Murders
And moving from administrative matters to the situation on the ground, we also asked the COMPOL about June's murder figures which were up 340%. He said that was a bad month - but police still have things basically under control. We disputed that: Reporter: "You have been having a pretty good run as commissioner. Is it indicative of the fact that it's not about you, it's what the criminals choose to do. You dint really have control. You got lucky and got away for a few months, but then the criminals turn it up and there goes your numbers." Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "You have a funny way of putting things, but be that as it may, yes as I said before the month of June we took a shellacking. That is the truth..."

A Parliamentary Alliance Against Hunger
Switching gears now from crime Belize's Parliament is concerned about the rising rate of hunger and malnutrition in Belize, and so, they've decided to take direct action against it. They have formed a bipartisan organization called the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition. In theroy, the Alliance will use its legislative power to make policy and legislation changes to lessen the number of Belizeans being negatively affected by these 2 social ills.

City Hall Shows Some Love
If you passed by the Swift Hall in the Lake Independence area of Belize City today, you would have definitely noticed the crowds of women and children who were there. These were there for a generous back-to-school pantry program run by the Belize City Council, in collaboration with the American Christian Outreach mission called, Brothers And Sisters Ministries. Brothers and Sisters has chosen Belize as the country where it wants to spread a little generosity to impoverished communities.

Cayo Crops Caught Suspicious Men On the Move
On Friday night, sharp police work by Cayo Police may have intercepted a crime in progress. It started with police spotting a vehicle of suspicious men on the move in Santa Elena. Police acted quickly to intercept the men and round a weapon. Here's more: ACP Joseph Myvette- Head of NCIB: "On Friday evening sometime shortky before 5pm, police on patrol in the Santa Cruz area of Santa Elena Town came upon a green in color Toyota Corolla Taxi which at the time had in 3 occupants..."

Man Shot In Turf War
And, on Friday night in Belize City, a man was shot in the Port Loyola area. Police said that at about a quarter to nine, 23 year old Jeffrey Gomez was walking in enemy territory:.. ASP Alejandro Cowo: "Just after 8pm on Friday night police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they observed Jeffrey Gomez with apparent gunshot wound to the body. What police have learned is that Jeffrey was walking on T-Street when he was pursued by two male persons. One of the persons fired shots at this direction, causing the injuries to him. He was treated and he was discharged the following morning from the hospital."

Dateline Dengue
As we told you last week, Belize - along with Mexico and Central America - is in the middle of a Dengue outbreak. As of July, there have been over 700 confirmed cases of dengue in Belize. This is 7-times more than the number of cases last year, and the year before that. The Director of Health Services told us that the disease is cyclical and that given the situation in our neighboring countries, it was expected:

Channel 5

Quadruple Fatality on the Philip Goldson Highway
A quadruple fatality occurred on the Philip Goldson Highway on Sunday evening and at news time, post-mortem examinations have just wrapped up as grieving relatives were camped outside the morgue [...]

Orange Walk Man Dies in Hummingbird Highway RTA
Police are also provided details of another fatality which occurred last Thursday on the Hummingbird Highway. It led to the death of Adar Awe.  Awe was travelling with Dario Melendez [...]

Woman Fatally Shot, Friend Hospitalized after Being Stabbed in Griga
A woman was shot and killed early on Sunday morning in Dangriga, purportedly as a result of jealousy.  Geraldine Flowers was inside her house in the New Site area when [...]

Rodwell Arzu is Wanted for Murder and Attempted Murder
Investigators in Dangriga have determined that Samuel Reid, the individual who was inside the house where Geraldine Flowers resided, was stabbed and shot multiple times during the deadly encounter with [...]

Man Dies in Freak Accident
There was another death over the weekend. On Saturday evening, Rye Pott lost his life in an unfortunate incident.  Pott was working at a construction site in Carmelita Village, in [...]

Libertad Villager Dies during Coast Guard Recruitment Screening Process
A father of two from Libertad Village in Corozal died during a recruitment screening at the Belize Coast Guard Headquarters over the weekend.  According to the Vice-Commandant of the Belize [...]

Confirmed Dengue Cases Continue to Spike in Belize
Health authorities continue to monitor the cases of dengue as the number of persons affected continues to spike across the country.  Today, the Director of Health Services confirmed to the [...]

Ministry of Health Monitoring Dengue Cases in the Region
There are four stereotypes of dengue in Belize; strains two and three are the more predominant ones being detected. The goal is to prevent a severe case of the disease, [...]

Ministry of Agriculture Monitoring Citrus Industry
The citrus industry continues to grapple with low productivity, dwindling farmhands, as well as lack of financing. These challenges are compounded by citrus greening, so much so that the 2018/2019 [...]

Freak Storm Wreaks Havoc in Peini
A freak storm tore through Punta Gorda on Sunday night, tottering a number of trees in town and causing a power outage.  According to several reports from that municipality, the [...]

ComPol Refutes Crime Observatory’s Stats; not all Belize City Murders were Gang Related
The month of June was bloody and deadly with a horrifying and alarming murder count.  According to the Belize Crime Observatory, during the month of June one hundred and one [...]

ComPol Williams Evokes God in Self Defense after Criticism of Promotion Process Surfaces
Commissioner Chester Williams also responded to heavy criticism that has been thrown at him by members of his very own department.  Those criticisms deal with a reported level of unfairness [...]

Belize City Curfew Still in Effect
As part of the Police Department’s crime-fighting strategy, a curfew for children is currently in effect in Belize City.  The decision was made in June after the city was gripped [...]

Belize City Man Survives Shooting; Gang Rivalry is the Motive
The only gun violence reported in the city over the weekend involved twenty-three-year-old Jeffrey Gomez, who is lucky to be alive tonight. He was shot in his abdomen on Friday [...]

Ballistic Report for Allyson Major’s Death In; Police Officer Soon to be Charged
No one has been charged for the death of Allyson Major Junior. He was fatally shot in downtown Belize City on July sixteenth.  It has been thirteen days since Major [...]

Trio Busted with .38 Revolver and Ammo
Three men have been charged for firearm offenses. They are Kurt Morgan, Ernest Thompson, and Naim Sanchez.  The trio was busted by San Ignacio police on Friday evening with a [...]

Henry Palma Remanded for the Attempted Murder of His Mother
Henry Palma is being accused of attempting to kill his own mother, Rosalie Palma, during an incident on Saturday at the Pickstock Hutment area in Belize City.  This afternoon, the [...]

A Parliamentary Declaration is Signed to End Hunger and Malnutrition in Belize
Parliamentarians from both sides of the aisle agree on one thing; there is need to end hunger and malnutrition.  To this end, Belize joins the rest of the world in [...]

ComPol Chester Williams Hosts 2nd All Senior Officers’ Conference
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams today hosted the second All Senior Officers’ Conference at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. Senior officers countrywide converged to discuss several serious issues that [...]

Bandits Set for Scotiabank CONCACAF League 2019
The Belmopan Bandits are once again headed to the Scotiabank CONCACAF League, a tournament it will be participating in for the third time in a row.  Despite not having emerged [...]

New Team Jerseys for the Belmopan Bandits
Aside from that bit of good news, the team also revealed its new jerseys heading into the competition.   Douglas Grant, Executive Assistant, Belmopan Bandits “You know the Bandits go [...]

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

The Reporter

2019 National Song Competition’s Online Voting Begins at 8:00 p.m.
The National Song Competition has completed the primary phase of the competition, all entries submitted have been reviewed by a panel of judges and the Semi-finalists have been chosen.

Multiple Fatalities at accident between mile 6-7 on the Northern Hwy.
An accident on the Phillip Goldson Hwy. (Nothn Hwy.) has caused the deaths of at least 3 people from Belize City.

LOVE FM

Car accidents takes the lives of four young men
Four persons are dead and another injured after the vehicle they were traveling in crashed into a lamp post. The scene laid out on the Philip Goldson Highway just before seven o’clock last night saw four men with varying degrees of injuries flung from the vehicle to the side of the road and the middle …

Parliament taking on the task to end hunger
Hunger is a serious threat to the well-being of a nation and in the past the problem has been addressed on a small-scale level in Belize. The problem is now being addressed at the highest level with the launch of the “Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition”. This initiative saw parliamentarians come together and …

The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries launches a Ban Gillnets Campaign
The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries (CSF) is launching a “Ban Gillnets” campaign in Belize. In a release sent on Friday, they stated that commercial fishermen are leading the movement to ban gillnets, as they know it can lead to major declines in their fish stock, as well as negatively affect the future of the fishing …

Jealous ex-lover kills woman and injures her cousin
A bloodbath is how the family of 41-year-old, Geraldine Flowers described the scene of her murder. Flowers, who had been in an abusive relationship for two years, had finally decided to get out when her estranged lover, 38-year-old, Rodwell Arzu reportedly broke into her house on Isadora Street, Dangriga Town and shot her in the …

Man suffers heart attack during Coast Guard exams
A 31-year-old man is dead after he attempted to fulfil his dream of becoming a part of the Belize Coast Guard. Brigaile Teck of Libertad Village, Corozal District was at the Coast Guard Headquarters on Saturday, July 27, undergoing the rigorous exam for those desirous of joining the team. According to a police report, Teck …

Breaking Belize News

Husband must keep the peace after pulling knife on wife
A 39-year-old husband, who was before the court on a single charge of aggravated assault […]

Man accused of attempting to murder mother baffles court
Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer was hard-pressed to get through a routine arraignment for attempted murder after […]

Guatemala cracks under US pressure, signs ‘Safe Third’ agreement
After threats of economic sanctions by United States President Donald Trump, the government of Guatemala has […]

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation becomes first ministry with prestigious certification
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA) has become the first ministry within the […]

Police hold conference on improving crime fighting
Today the Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, held a conference with his senior officers at the […]

Police: T Street shooting gang related
Two suspects were detained but released in connection with Friday night’s shooting in Belize city. […]

Chester Willians: Curfew remains in effect
Earlier this month, Commissioner of Police, re-instituted a curfew for children in Belize City. Today […]

UK next to legalize marijuana?
Three British parliamentarians speaking to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) say they believe the United […]

Police comment on fatal road traffic accident
Assistant Superintendent of Police, Alejandro Cowo, today commented on a road traffic accident that claimed […]

Both major parties claim victory in village council elections
Both major political parties in Belize, the UDP and PUP are claiming victory in the […]

Choice Bank appoints new liquidatorRegional climate change organization warns Belize of extended drought
Despite increasing rainfall, the Barbados-based Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF), says Belize and some countries […]

“Ancient tools found in Belize reveal clues about ancient times,” archaeologists say
A research team from the University of New Mexico (UNM) has said that some ancient […]

RRR Air Evac and BERT partner for emergency response-Costa Maya 2019
RRR Air Evac and BERT partnered to provide Emergency Medical Services in San Pedro for […]

UDP claims victory in village council elections
The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) issued a statement today claiming victory in the village […]

Belize Peace Movement calls on GOB to exhaust all options to deter Guatemala from annexing Sarstoon River
The Belize Peace Movement (Patriots Engaged Against Corruption & Exploitation) issued a statement today informing […]

Who are we? We are what we share.
by Lisa Shoman. Jewelizeans are an incredibly resilient people. We pride ourselves in being resources and resolute […]

Choice Bank appoints new liquidator
Choice Bank, the now defunct offshore financial institution, has appointed a new liquidator, Kareem Michael, […]

British Army officer imprisoned for fatal accident in Belize
A British Army sergeant has been imprisoned for killing a Salvadoran diner in Belize in […]

Mother of fallen hero elected as village councilor
Jean Conorquie, mother of fallen Belizean hero, Danny Conorquie was elected as village councilor to […]

PUP dominates village elections countrywide
The Opposition, People’s United Party (PUP), in a press release issued today, declares that it […]

Woman stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend, man hospitalized in the incident
A Dangriga woman was fatally stabbed to death yesterday morning and a man hospitalized from […]

UDP did not contest village council elections in 7Miles/ El Progresso, Cayo
Surprisingly, the present UDP administration and Cayo Central Area representative, Rene Montero did not contest […]

Belize Coast Guard conduct internal investigation into examination systems
The Belize Coast Guard regrets the death of Brigel Teck of Libertad Village, Corozal. The […]

UDP ‘takes back’ Bullet Tree in Village Council Elections
The United Democratic Party (UDP) and Area representative, Omar Figueroa has taken back the reigns […]

Blogs

The New Lodge at Jaguar Reef in Hopkins Village
Last week, I spent two heavenly two nights at the new Lodge at Jaguar Reef in Southern Belize. I say “new” even though Jaguar Reef is one of the original hotels in the area. Always beautiful, she is getting an upgrade…in some major ways. We were in heaven. The property is so large and beautiful – the suite so perfectly appointed, it was tempting to spend the whole stay inside. Our own plunge pool! An indoor/outdoor shower! Perhaps leaving our rooms just for food – the stunning restaurant was only a few steps away.

The 15 Best Places to Visit in Belize
When most people think of visiting the Caribbean, they imagine a tropical island like Jamaica or the Cayman Islands. However, to get a taste of that tropical paradise, you might want to consider a trip to the small coastal country of Belize in Central America… As a few plusses, the country uses the dollar, English is the official language, and there are a ton of fun and beautiful places to visit in Belize. Situated just south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Belize is a place worth your time and attention. If you like the idea of white sandy beaches, a diverse and exciting local culture, and fabulous memories that will last a lifetime, Belize is the place to be.

6 Things to Know Before Traveling to Belize
Travelers to Belize are often surprised to see how much natural beauty and outdoor adventure this tiny Central American nation offers. From idyllic Caribbean beaches teeming with marine life to sacred Maya sites and adrenaline-pumping rainforest activities, it’s no surprise that tourism is on the rise in Belize. If Belize is on the radar for your upcoming travels, here are six things to know before you go.

Why You Should Spend Your Christmas Vacation in Belize
While you definitely won’t see any snow falling during Christmas in Belize, this small Caribbean country is one of the best places to enjoy the holidays. Although December and January are quintessential winter months in North America, in Belize, they are when the weather is at its finest. The Christmas period in Belize is full of warm, delicious sunshine and delightful temperatures that average in the mid-80’s, making it perfect T-shirt and sandals time. For many visitors, getting away from the cold and misery of winter is one of the best reasons to visit Belize during the Christmas holidays.

Rotary Club of Corozal, Belize cutting of the Ribbon was held this morning at Children's Park
few weeks ago, The Rotary Club of Corozal, Belize began a small project to remodel Children's Park in Corozal. During the Remodeling, They installed newly monkey bars, new swings, they upgraded the Rotary International Sign, They repainted the entire park in different colors, they added new tables and sits, new logos were added on the fence of the park, recycled tires for children to use. Fast Forward until today, Children's Park is now upgraded and is ready for the public to use.

Horseback Summer Camp in Belize
Kids and “kids at heart” have been coming to Banana Bank Horse Camp since 2006. In the first year, we had 5 participants and only one camp. This year we had 25 campers in our first camp and registration is still open for our second camp in August. In 2006 there were not many summer camp options for kids in Belize and certainly none that involved horses. The concept is based on teaching awareness and riding ability for anyone who loves horses, also, campers learn how to develop a relationship with their horse. Over the years we have had many newcomers as well as veterans, kids from nearby and not so nearby, ages from five to sixty-five; but all with one thing in common..their love for horses!

International Sources

British Army sergeant jailed for killing diner by reversing over him while drunk
An Army sergeant has been found guilty at court martial for causing death by dangerous driving (whilst in Belize - September 2016). An Army sergeant killed a diner by accidentally reversing a pick-up truck into a Belizean cafe while drunk. Sergeant Lee Humphreys, 44, of the 32nd Regiment, Royal Artillery, had been socialising with other soldiers at a night club while stationed in Belize, a court martial has heard. After he got into his Ford F150 pick-up just after midnight to drive home, the Army driving instructor put it in the wrong gear and careered backwards at 15mph into four people eating at a cafe.

2019 CONCACAF League: Everything you need to know
The 2019 Scotiabank CONCACAF League kicks off this week, and you can stream the matches live on Yahoo Sports. Here’s everything you need to know about the competition, how to watch, and more ... What is the Scotiabank CONCACAF League? It’s a club competition to determine qualification for the 2020 CONCACAF Champions League. It takes place from July 30 through November 26 of this year. The CONCACAF League is a knockout tournament, with each round featuring home and away legs. It begins with a preliminary round, with six winners advancing to the Round of 16, then winners progress to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and ultimately the finals.

Videos

July 29, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: The Wake
“I’ll probably be at Don Beto’s wake all night,” I told Sherry. My friend, old Señor Norberto Duarte had passed away while he was with his family in Cancun. The family brought him home and tonight the wake was to celebrate his life before the next day’s funeral. “I never understood why he was in Cancun,” Sherry said. “Was he seeing a doctor in Mexico?” “No. Nothing like that. He never went out of his house anymore and his kids thought it would be a treat to take him out to get some sun and breeze at a Cancun resort.” “Hey, Don Dennis—over here,” someone called, when I reached the Duarte’s house for the wake.

Doctor Love: Challenges of Long Distance Relationships
Dear Doctor Love, I have been in a long-distance relationship with a man for three years. Until six months ago we talked or emailed almost every day and he planned to sell his house in Canada and join me in San Pedro. I visited him a couple times a year and he’s come to Belize many times. We had plans to spend the rest of our lives together once he retired, which was to be this year. In the last six months it seems as though everything is falling apart. He can’t sell his house because the market in his area has taken a downturn. He says he is concerned about retiring because he loves his job. He’s self-employed, and without work he’ll have nothing to do.

Ambergris Today

Becky G Makes Things Right With Super Concert At Costa Maya
Becky G’s arrival to San Pedro was not what fan’s expected; she came on a yacht due to her fear of flying and the crowd on the beach that waited for a glimpse of her were disappointed when they did not get an opportunity to see her. But Becky G showed the people of San Pedro what a sweetheart she is during her performance at the Costa Maya Festival on Saturday, July 27, 2019. Becky G fans and concert goers were delighted with her performance at the Costa Maya Festival as she presented her top songs during a show that lasted about an hour. She expressed how delighted she was to be in Belize and thanked everyone for their support. Accompanied on stage with an energetic dance troupe, the concert was a complete package of lights, music and high-energy performances. Becky G was the highlight of other top performances from various Belizean artists Denise Castillo, Deja and TR Shine and Alma Caribbean from Mexico.

Various Belizean Sources

Team El Pescador wins 2019 Silver Scales Fly Fishing Tournament
Congratulations to Team El Pescador, winners of the 2019 Silver Scales Fly Fishing Tournament held in Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico over the weekend. Led by brothers Luis and Cesar Acosta, and accompanied by Jose Efrain Gomez Perez of Xcalak, Team El Pescador took the big win this year!

KAYA CATTOUSE WINS FINAL DAY USA INTELEGENSIA CUP!
Cycling super star Kaya Cattouse was number 1 on the tenth and final day of the Intelligensia Cup in Chicago. She previously took the podium 2nd and 3rd place throughout the 10 day race. Kaya won the Belize Cross Country classic earlier this year. Congratulations to our Sports Ambassador Kaya Cattouse!

Beck G Live Concert at Costa Maya Festival 2019
Photos by Jose Luis Zapata Photography.

The Reporter

Dangriga Murder Victim Identified
The woman who was killed during a dispute at her house in Dangriga this morning has been identified as Geraldine Flowers, 41. Reports are that she was at home in the New Site area sometime before 6:00 a.m., when her ex-boyfriend showed up and the two got into a dispute.

Man Collapses, Dies During Coast Guard Training
A man from Libertad Village, Corozal is dead after he suddenly collapsed upon finishing the first of three stages of a recruitment exercise held by the Belize Coast Guard Service this morning.

Woman Dead, Man Wounded Following Stabbing in Dangriga
Police have confirmed that a woman was fatally stabbed in Dangriga and that a second victim, a man, also suffered stab wounds and is in a stable condition at the Southern Regional Hospital.

Breaking Belize News

Freak storm reported in Punta Gorda
A freak storm is reported to have occurred tonight in Punta Gorda. Information sent to […]

Georgeville elects new PUP village council
In a major upset to the present UDP administration, newcomer to politics and PUP standard […]

UDP wins 3 of 5 battleground villages in Cayo
Today the United Democratic Party (UDP) emerged victorious in 3 of 5 villages battleground villages […]

Man shot in Belize City
A short while ago a man was shot on Vernon Street in Belize City. Police […]

Multiple fatalities in road traffic accident on Philip Goldson Highway
There was a fatal road traffic accident this evening near Mile 7 on the Philip Goldson […]

Costa Maya headliner Becky G apologizes for treatment of Belizean fans
Following complaints of mistreatment of her fans on arriving in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, […]

Political parties battle it out at village council elections
The final rounds of village council elections are underway in Bullet Tree, Georgeville, Ontario, and Santa […]

Drugs found in Orange Walk
Shortly after midday yesterday, police conducted a search on the outskirts of San Pablo Village […]

Men robbed at gun point while fishing
Two men on a fishing trip were robbed at gun point yesterday. They are Abram […]

Woman murdered in Dangriga
Our newsroom has confirmed reports of a woman killed and a man critically injured. The […]

Blogs

Grand Opening of Big Willy's Burger Spot
Looking for Brand new place in Corozal? BIG WILLY'S BURGER SPOT will be opening their doors to the public, on August 1, 2019, on 1st Street North next to Speedy Loan. Come and enjoy Burgers and Wings, Nachos and more with us

2019 Miss Indepence Corozal Pageant
Mark your calendars, Miss Independence Corozal will be held on the 24th of August 2019. We proudly present the most prestigious and anticipated event of the September Celebrations calendar -The Miss Independence Pageant. Come witness an event like never before. A show with beauty, elegance, and style. Come and witness who will be crowned the new Miss Independence 2019-2020. On Friday August 2nd, 2019 we will be having our Sashing Ceremony, inside the Patio lounge at 8pm.

International Sources

The Biggest Heist in American History: Exposing the Kingston Group’s Nefarious Activities
Buying an LA mansion with your stolen tax dollars is pretty much a cliche at this point. But buying properties in Turkey and Belize?? What’s going on there? Tuck that question in the back of your mind, moving forward, because, as our first article tells us… there’s another man charged in all of this. Thus far, everyone who plead guilty to all this has been a member of the Kingston clan… but this guy… This is where things get really interesting.

Minister Bartlett Urges Collective Regional Response to Curtail Growing Sargassum Threats
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, says a strong collective regional effort is needed to curtail the rapidly growing threats posed by the influx of sargassum seaweed in the Caribbean. Among the interventions he is proposing, is the development of a comprehensive scientific initiative to devise the most efficient way to collect sargassum in the open sea without harming the ecosystem. He was speaking at a regional roundtable forum at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in St. Andrew on Friday (July 26), under the theme: ‘Sargassum and the Caribbean: Resilience, Innovation and Solutions’.

Belizean visitors down since Mexico implements new visa rules
Now that residents of Belize have to apply to enter Mexico, the Belizian consul in the state’s capital city of Chetumal says visitors from the neighboring country have decreased by 30 percent. Luis Montero, consul of Belize in Chetumal, says that now that the Mexican government requires Belize residents to apply for visas to enter the country, Belizean tourism to the city of Chetumal has seen a sharp decrease. While he agrees that Mexico has every right to impose immigration control measures, the process is incredibly slow, inhibiting tourism, saying that on average, only 25 visitor visas are granted per day. He says due to this slow process, Belize residents can wait up to three months to visit the state of Quintana Roo.

A Photographer's Vision Of The Magical Masks Of Mexico
A mask can be as revealing as concealing. "To masque the face" is "t'unmasque the mind," English novelist Henry Field tells us. There are masks and costumes so powerful they obliterate the wearer's personality and change him or her into another being entirely. The ceremonial mask, suggests Herbert M. Cole, professor emeritus of African art history at University of California, Santa Barbara, allows the wearer to truly say: "I am not myself." For more than 30 years, Phyllis Galembo has been fascinated by masks and costumes and photographed them in countries from Benin to Zambia. Most recently, she has turned her lens on Mexico. Her newly published book Mexico Masks/Rituals (Radius Books/D.A.P.) restores the mask — and the political, cultural, religious and social messages it can telegraph — from tourist commodity to its role as an artifact of ritual and celebration.

Videos

July 28, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Meet the 2019 San Pedro Pirates F.C
The 2019-2020 Opening Season of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) will commence on Saturday, July 27th. With fresh new faces across many teams, The San Pedro Sun is pleased to introduce the players that form the San Pedro Pirates Football Club. This season, the Pirates have six new and 12 returning players.

San Pedro Town has a third Little Free Library
To continue to promote reading among island children on Ambergris Caye, a third Little Free library was installed in the Boca del Rio Area in San Pedro Town on Wednesday, July 24th. The Little Free libraries operate under the honor system that you take a book and leave a book, so the content of the libraries constantly change. This new Little Free Library, complete with 50 books, was donated by Beth Mersch. Mother of island resident Alyssa Esquival, Mersch gifted the library in honor of her three grandchildren who are Belizean/American and live on the island. The new library is located one block away from Casa Pan Dulce in the Boca Del Rio Area, towards the lagoon side, and was built by Ronny Perez and painted by Melody Sanchez Wolfe from Belizean Melody Art Gallery.

Ten teen girls complete Hope Haven’s Teen Dating Abuse Program
Ten island girls completed Hope Haven’s and MPLUSE Studio Teen Dating Abuse Program held from Monday, July 15th to Thursday, July 25th at the Hope Haven facility. The program aimed to offer a safe space for teenage girls to learn about the red flags of teen dating, violence, and how to ask for support. Throughout the course, the teenage girls, along with their mentors, learned the importance of self-love. The participants were educated to gain a necessary understanding of abuse, support team, and sense of empowerment that can prevent them from becoming victims of abuse within a relationship. Topics included, what is teen dating abuse and what forms it takes, defining the roles of abusers, target and bystander, exploring how bystanders can help, warning signs of abuse, patterns of abuse, digital abuse and ending teen dating abuse.

Ernesto Caliz out on bail after accused of sexually assaulting a minor
Accused pedophile, 64year-old San Pedro resident Ernesto Caliz, is out on bail after he was remanded on July 8th to the Belize Central Prison for sexually assaulting a minor. Caliz had initially failed to meet an $8,000 bail plus two sureties of $4,000 each when he was arraigned at the Belize City Magistrate Court. A week later, he managed to meet bail and is now back in San Pedro Town where he is required to report to the police station every Friday. Caliz is expected to appear at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on September 12, 2019.

RRR Air Evac & BERT Partners to provide Emergency Response – Costa Maya 2019
Rickilee Response and Rescue Team (RRR) Air Evac and Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) are partnering to provide Emergency Medical Services in San Pedro for the 2019 Costa Maya Festival, and beyond. RRR Air Evac team members have strategically placed new advanced life support equipment on BERT’s ground and air ambulances. The partnership aims at improving BERT’s emergency response capacity as plans progress for expanded emergency services to areas not traditionally covered. RRR’s representative in San Pedro, Mr. Billy Leslie handed over a Zoll Cardiac Monitor to BERT’s representative Leon Seguro.

Ambergris Today

Becky G Makes Subtle Arrival In San Pedro For Costa Maya Fest
Her fans were waiting on the beach as Latina Superstar Becky G made her arrival to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, today Saturday, July 27, 2019. She arrived via an Amigos del Mar vessel, but only the media and a lucky few on the dive shop's dock got a tiny glimpse of her waving to the crowd before the boat sped away to her resort in North Ambergris Caye. Ambergris Today was able to capture the artist as she hid behind her cap and jersey and only taking a small peak through one of the boats windows. A small wave was all a few were able to see. We are guessing she wants to keep incognito until her performance tonight at the International Costa Maya Festival. Show grounds and performances commence at 8p.m. The Becky G concert is expected to commence at midnight.

Miss Costa Rica Wins Miss Costa Maya 2019 Title

Various Belizean Sources

Intermix Dance Showcase
Pictures from the Intermix Studio's Dance Showcase. The Cayo Welcome Center came alive for their production. It was an amazing show.

Becky G apologizes to Belizean Fans
Would like to address this. I normally don't give things like this much attention, but when it comes down to people talking about my character in any negative way & spreading false information, I feel the need to defend myself. Today we arrived in Belize. After two flights and only 2 hours of sleep the night before, I was caught off guard at the airport. I only travel with one personal bodyguard on the road at all times. Everything or anyone else beyond him is what promoters provide. I took a 1 1/2 hour boat ride instead of flying in the small plane because as my real fans know, I have a fear of flying and I didn't feel comfortable. Flying would have been much easier actually.

Ulama Tournament. The Mesoamerican Ball Game
Our Mayan Ancestors used to play. It was a great privilege to be able to see a game in person. I want to give thanks to Eric Cal and Ismael Cal for the invitation. And thank you to Adela Peterson for allowing me to go with you. I had a great time.

Channel 7

Beefing Up At Bacalar Chico
In August of last year, the Minister of National Security broke ground for a new Coast Guard Base at the Bacalar Chico area of Northern Ambergris Caye - more than 15 miles from the town. It's an unpopulated and fairly remote area, which is policed only sporadically, and that has made it the ideal target for wet drops by drug cartels. That drug activity drives much of the homicidal violence in San Pedro and other parts of the country. Now, the Ministry of National Security is seeking to put a permanent security presence at the source of these wet drops. After almost a year of construction, their new patrol base is now finished.

FBI Expert Testifies in Mason Trial
All this week, we've been reporting on the latest developments in the murder trial of William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. Since, Monday, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has been calling local and international forensics experts tie Mason and his co-defendants to the July 2016 beheading murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. Today, the DPP called 2 more FBI expert witnesses, including a special agent who testified that he transported several evidence samples from local forensic authorities to the FBI forensics lab in the US for testing.

Hon. Gaspar Vega's Nephew Killed In Accident
A 41 year old man was killed last night in an accident at mile 21 on the Hummingbird Highway. Two salesmen from Orange Walk were returning from Punta Gorda in a Ford Escape when the SUV had a front end blowout, and flew off the road in front of Hummingbird Hershey. Adar Adad Awe was flung from the vehicle and died on the spot, while his passenger, 27 year old Dario Melendez experienced only minor injury. Melendez's girlfriend told the press that he's going to be alright:..

Cops Shot Out His Back Window
We have been following the Alysson Major shooting death case since it happened last week Wednesday. Police shot the 36 year old in the head in downtown Belize City as he tried to escape a pursing patrol. Well our next story is someone similar but fortunately, this time, no one was hurt. Jasmine street resident Brandon Mejia was on his way home when he says an officer from a police mobile shot at his car, piercing his rear windshield and almost hitting him and his friends. Here is his account.

Man Prosecuted For Being Gang Leader
Police are reporting tonight that they've successfully prosecuted another Belize City man for being a member of a criminal gang. This time around, however, they say that this defendant is actually a gang leader. He's Christopher Hyde, and he was taken to the Magistrate's Court today for being the leader of the Rocky Road Bloods. When he was arraigned, Hyde wasted no time and pleaded guilty. The Magistrate has sentenced him to pay a fine of $5,000, and if he is unable to do so by the deadline, he will spend 5 years in default of payment.

Van Burst Into Flames
It caused quite a scene on Chetumal Street in the Belama area at 8:10 last night when a 15 seater van burst into flames. 58 year old Barrington Usher was driving the van over Chetumal bridge - and shut down the ignition while waiting for police to clear a checkpoint.

Human Trafficking For Health Practitioners
On Wednesday night we told you about the human trafficking workshop for health practitioners. Well the series of workshops continued today with a session for the labor department. We dropped by this morning to find out about the labor department's role in detecting human trafficking victims. Rosilyne Borland, Senior Migrant Protection and Assistant Specialist, IOM: "Today we are in the labor department and we are with labor inspectors from around the country and again we are talking about human trafficking..."

BRRRT?
The well-known Costa Maya Festival started last night in San Pedro, and this year, it is expected to attract especially large crowds for the Becky G concert. Indeed, it is an international event, and BERT, The Belize Emergency Response Team has stepped up to the occasion. They are partnering with RRR Air Evac to have air ambulances at the ready.

22 Years of Police Youth Cadet Corps
Yesterday we showed you the BDF Summer Camp. It was a lively and varied affair, but, when it comes to summer camps hosted by the security forces, the Belize Police Youth Cadet Corps surely has the record.

Lewis Fought The Law And The Law Won
He was dragged to court along with 8 other persons for being in possession of over a kilo of marijuana. But tonight, 37-year-old Carden Lewis is alone facing a 3-year prison sentence. That's after he told the court that the weed was his. At around 7:30 on Wednesday morning, police were on mobile patrol at the junction of the George Price Highway and the Coastal Road. They stopped a pick-up truck that seemed to be in a hurry. 7 men were in the pan, and 2 others in the front, and police felt they were acting suspiciously.

Faber Says BNTU Mis-Advising Teachers
Two weeks ago, the BNTU sent out a press release telling teachers not to fill out an application or the renewal of their teaching licenses which the ministry had sent out. The BNTU said it would be meeting with the Ministry honchos to decide a way forward. Well, that meeting hasn't happened yet, and, last week, EducatIon Minister Patrick Faber told LOVE TV that the teachers are putting themselves in peril:,..,.

Faber on FTC Fabrications
Education Minister Faber also commented on the court filing that the US Federal Trade Commission made in June. It's concerning the Sanctuary Bay debacle, and it makes allegations of meetings held, and undertakings given by the Prime Minister, Deputy Faber and others. Now the PM has already flatly refuted the claims as completely false. Here's what Faber had to say about it:.

Leaving No Child Behind
And, Education Minister Faber also commented on the sometimes controversial practice of leaving no child behind. It often translates into social promotions - just sending children who fail up to the next grade as a matter of course, which only worsens the problem. Faber says that's a mis-application and a misinterpretation of the policy of leaving no child behind:

The Reporter

Merging Passion & Fashion
Sustainable art fashion seems to be the next big thing in the fashion world and single mother Deona Pilgrim is wasting no time in tapping into the local and international market with her brand Feet 2 Soles which includes locally made footwear, jewelry and hair accessories handcrafted from recycled materials.

Farewell Kelly!
Last night the Taiwanese Embassy held a farewell reception at the Radisson Fort George Hotel for Kelly Chang, its Second Secretary whose tour of duty has come to an end. Ms Chang served at the Embassy for three years and was instrumental in coordinating with the Ministries of Education and Culture, as well as Health, and Investment and Trade on bilateral relations between Belize and Taiwan, as well as with the media at one point.

Woman Allegedly Stabs Man
A man was reportedly stabbed last night (Friday July 26th.) in Belize City. The person who committed the stabbing, a woman, claims she stabbed the man when he choked her for refusing to have sexual intercourse with him.

New Attorney Called To The Bar
Yesterday a new Attorney joined the Bar Association, and is now qualified and able to practice law in Belize. Kara Nisbet Hotchandani, 27, was called to the Bar after Senior Counsel, Eamon Courtenay moved her application to be called to the Bar in front of the Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin.

The Penalty Of Death
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - I place my phone on airplane mode whenever I put it to charge at night to prove to myself that “I run technology and technology nuh run me.” One day about a year ago, I remember waking up, turning on my cell phone and proceeding to set the coffeemaker. I listened to the unending “plings” from viber, Whatsapp, messenger, texts and voicemail notifications.

A Sinner’s Prayer…A Sinner’s Salvation!
By: Mike Rudon Jr. – I remember many days, coming off a drunk and wracked with remorse, I would curl up on my bed and pray for release. I would cry out to my God to free me from the demons. I cried out drunk. I cried out sober. I had heard stories from my friends about God lifting burdens from them. I’m a media person – we are bred to be skeptical.

Breaking Belize News

Orange Walk police find ammo
Orange Walk police conducting searched yesterday near Perez Ville alley off the Belize/ Corozal road […]

Coast Guard recruit drowns
Libertad resident, Brigaile Teck lost his life today after he reportedly went for a qualifying […]

Police find ammo
Belize City police conducting searches on Oleander Street in Belize City found a bag containing ten […]

Belize City man shot in abdomen
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in Belize City. Jeffrey Wilton […]

Woman stabs man who tried to rape her
A 40-year-old woman of Belize City stabbed a man last night after he reportedly accosted […]

San Ignacio police thwart robbery
San Ignacio police were conducting patrol on San Pedro street in Santa Elena when officers […]

Bullet Tree Village unveils new sign
The village council of Bullet Tree Village in the Cayo district, in collaboration with PUP […]

Spine Overseas concludes assessment clinics
More than 75 patients with varying conditions affecting their spine met with specialists from the international […]

“CARICOM applause validates SSB’s decision to increase contributions,” says CEO
The heads of social security organizations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has applauded Belize’s Social Security […]

Second annual Birding Festival promises to be bigger than first!
The 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival promises to bring bird lovers an even greater experience […]

International Sources

Here are the countries with the most U.S. retirees collecting Social Security
Interesting article. If you scroll way down to the bottom of the article it states there are 545 US citizens collecting SS in Belize.

Videos

July 27, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Congratulations to Miss Costa Rica Lisbeth Valverde Brenes, the new 2019-2020 Queen of the Mayan Coast!

Bryce Peterson wins Bantamweight Championship at Pro FC 2 MMA ‘Island Takeover’
Islander Bryce Peterson is the new Bantamweight Champion, after submitting his opponent Leonel Cetina via rear-naked choke. Peterson vs. Cetina was the co-main event of the Pro FC 2 Island Takeover held on Thursday, July 25th at the San Pedro High School Auditorium. The night was filled with several exciting Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) matches, featuring Mexican and Belizean fighters, and even included a female fight on the main card.

San Pedro’s Jordan Santos to represent Belize at XVIII Pan American Games
The Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association recently released the names of the nine Belizeans who will participate in the XVIII Pan American Games, set to take place from Friday, July 26th through Sunday, August 11th in Lima, Peru. Among the Belizeans selected is San Pedro’s own Jordan Santos, who will compete in the Triathlon sector of the games. Santos is happy for the opportunity to represent Belize and is hoping to do well. “The expectation about the race in general is what I am going for. Just expect to try my best, mostly by time. It is pretty hard to place in the competition, but by time is more what I am looking towards, getting better—personal best time. So that’s what I am working for more on for these games,” he said.

Island youngsters showcase football skills U-15 and U-17 Inter-District Football Tournament
San Pedro youngsters, both male and female, continue to showcase their football skills at Belize’s U-15 and U-17 Inter-District Football Tournament. San Pedro teams hosted teams from Belmopan for a day of football action at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, July 20th. The first match was at 11AM and saw San Pedro’s male U-15 going against Belmopan’s male U-15 in an intense match. At the end of the game time, Belmopan managed to come out victorious with a 3-2 score.

Belize Coast Guard opens new patrol base in northern Ambergris Caye
Northern Ambergris Caye now counts with the permanent presence of military personnel after the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) officially opened its new patrol base on Friday, July 26th. The new outlook post in the Bacalar Chico area, a mile and a half away from the Mexican border, will not only serve to patrol the northern coast of the island, but also deter any sort of criminal activities that threaten the safety and economic progress of Ambergris Caye. According to Minister of National Security Honourable John Saldivar, this outpost will be self-contained when it comes to responding to any incidents or emergencies. The minister briefly spoke on the double murder that occurred late June on the lagoon off the west coast of Ambergris Caye, where a tourist and a local tour guide were shot dead.

Dengue outbreak affecting districts in northern Belize
An outbreak of dengue fever is reportedly affecting many districts across Belize, and the number of confirmed cases is twice that of 2018. Most cases have been detected in the Orange Walk and Corozal District in northern Belize, with more than a combined total of 350 infected persons. Countrywide there are over 600 confirmed cases. Transmitted by the Aedes Egypti species of mosquito, symptoms include high and painful fever and skin rashes. Anyone with these symptoms is urged to seek medical attention at the nearest medical center. The large number of dengue cases reported in northern Belize is believed to be a trans-border health issue, as many Belizeans visit the neighboring Mexican state of Quintana Roo daily. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), Quintana Roo is reporting the highest incidents of dengue in all of Mexico.

Ground-breaking for new schools on Ambergris Caye to take place soon
Local politicians have promoted the idea of the construction of a new pre-school, primary and high school in San Pedro Town since May 2017, when the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced the building of 35 new schools countrywide. Ambergris Caye is part of this project, as confirmed by Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the Area Representative Honourable Manuel Heredia, and even Prime Minister Right Honourable Dean Barrow. The schools are planned for north of San Pedro Town, and the news is that a ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled to take place in August of this year.

Ambergris Today

Bryce Peterson Takes BantamWeight Championship For Belize
It was MMA Fight Night in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize last night at the Angel Nunez Auditorium, July 25, 2019. On the line was the 135lbs BantamWeight Championship title which was won by Belize’s Bryce Peterson. It was an eventful evening for many featured fights.

Various Belizean Sources

Stann Creek District - Epiphytes and Lithophytes of Mayflower Bocawina National Park
A new field guide for our always-growing collection of Belize field guides. All the field guides that we prepare as the result of our botanical work in the last few years get published on the field guide website. It has free access and everyone can download the guides in the pdf format. Authors: Bruce K. Holst, David Amaya, Ella Baron, Marvin Paredes, Sally Chambers

Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation is the first Ministry in Belize to be Certified in ISO 9001
2017 marked the beginning of a campaign to evolve the Ministry into an organization that internalized and embraced Quality Management. Through a partnership with the Belize Bureau of Standards, the Ministry began a two-year process to ready itself for Certification under the International Organization for Standardization’s (ISO) 9001:2015 Standard on Quality Management. Since then, the Ministry, its staff, its facilities have undertaken a physical and operational transformation that prepared it for its final Certification Audit in February of 2019. This makes the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation the first Government Ministry to achieve this coveted international certification.

The British High Commission hosts BATSUB’s Environmental Compliance stakeholders meeting
This was a multi-agency cooperation event, where a variety of organisations gave interesting and informative presentations, where best practises were discussed on how to ensure protection and sustainment of the Belizean environment and heritage. Dr. Allan F Moore and Ms. Sylvia Batty represented the IA at the British Army Training Support Unit Belize Environmental Compliance stakeholders meeting hosted by the British High Commission, Belmopan. We thank BATSUB and Major Alan Grant for their strong commitment to safeguarding heritage and the environment!

Costa Maya Delegates 2019 - Dinner at Casa Picasso

Travelling to the cradle of the Battle Ground of the Caste War
Honored to be invited for the second time as guest speaker at the 172 Anniversary of the “Guerra Social Maya” at Tihosuco and Tepich. Take this opportunity to deliver a strong message of family, resistance and survivor to our fellow Maya families who still stand bold and proud. There are no words to explain this mission because during the time of preparation the sharpness of the machetes and the smell of Polvora are still implanted; true confessions and revelations of our Mayas in Belize.

Infant I Readiness Camp in San Pedro
For more information or to register, please call 620-0038.

VACANCY: Quality Improvement Officer, Mesoamerica Project
The Government of Belize has received grant financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), toward the cost of the Mesoamerican Health Initiative Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include providing assistance to the Project with monitoring of its quality improvement component. It is anticipated that the consultancy will commence in August 2019 and run for a period of six (6) months. The critical minimum requirements for this position are listed below, however, applicants are asked to view the detailed terms of references:

Reina de la Costa Maya 2019
Lots of great photos!

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
A Classic Underdoll Story, Skin, Tolkien, La Llorona

Ya’axché's Summer Camp Extended
We are extending Ya’axché's Summer Camp to include ages 16-30 years, due to high interest! If you are from the Maya Golden Landscape, join us for a week of fun activities, games, field trips, and much more! Apply by Friday, 9th of August 2019 to reserve your spot. Applications are available at Ya’axché PG office and at Ya’axché field station from Monday – Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. The Summer Camp is made possible with the support of Europe Aid through the Forest Governance Project.

Congratulations to To'one Masehualoon for their great efforts in bringing Intermediate Yucatec Maya Language Lessons to the Corozal community
Today 's final class was spent having a good time playing the Maya version of Chalupa! A big congratulations to Ed and Liz Diaz for excelling in and completing the lessons! Unfortunately other participants of the program were unable to complete due to prior obligations. We look forward to next summer as we will offer two programs: a children's Maya language/music workshop and a teacher's accreditation course in Yucatec Maya language.

Channel 5

Patrol Base at Bacalar Chico to Deter Cross Border Criminal Activities
North Ambergris Caye has been an area well-known for illicit activities, from wet drops to murders and drug trafficking.  Narco-traffickers, in particular, have been operating there with general ease in [...]

National Security Minister Comments on Latest Sarstoon Showdown
National Security Minister John Saldivar says he was surprised when he was informed that Guatemalan Armed Forces continued to attempt to prevent Belizeans from traveling on the Sarstoon River.  That [...]

Pathologist Takes the Stand in the Murder Trial of Danny Mason and Co-Accused Men
The murder trial of William “Danny” Mason continued in the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore in the Belmopan Supreme Court. Mason and four other men, accused with the beheading of [...]

How Can the Citrus Industry Rebound?
Can the citrus industry rebound? That’s the question we posed to officials of the Citrus Growers Association when we met for a one-on-one interview on Thursday.  Hit by citrus greening, [...]

Adar Awe Perishes in Fatal RTA on Hummingbird Highway
There was a fatal road traffic accident along the Hummingbird Highway last evening between miles thirty-six and thirty-seven.  The mishap involving a Ford Escape SUV happened shortly after six o’clock [...]

Fruit Vendor’s Van Destroyed by Fire
On Thursday night, just after eight, a vendor’s van was destroyed by fire in Belize City. Fifty-eight-year-old Barrington Usher of Saint Matthews Village told police that he was driving the [...]

Carden Lewis Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking
Nine persons from Hattieville, Belize District were dragged to court this afternoon to be arraigned on a single count of possession of a controlled drugs, to wit, one thousand and [...]

Christopher Hyde is Fined for Being the Leader of a Gang
While Christopher Hyde is free, he has a fine of five thousand dollars to pay for being the leader of a gang.  Hyde, of a West Street address, claims he [...]

A Basketball Tournament in Honor of Major Pain
Thirty-six-year-old Allyson Major Junior will be laid to rest on Saturday in Belize City, while an investigation is yet to be concluded into the circumstances surrounding his shooting death at [...]

Training for Labour Officers: Trafficking in Persons and Migrant Smuggling
The Ministry of Labour and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a workshop today in Belize City to offer specialized training for labour officers in the areas of trafficking [...]

SIB Grants 3 Full Scholarships
Three Belizeans have received full scholarships awarded by the Statistical Institute of Belize in partnerships with the Inter-American Development Bank and the University of Belize. Scholarships for Bachelor’s degree in [...]

190 Police Cadets Complete Summer Programme
Today the Belize Police Department held its closing ceremony for its national annual cadet summer program. The programme, in its twenty-second consecutive year, saw the participation of almost two hundred [...]

Amandala

Guatemalan military blocks Sarstoon
The Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) has returned to its old posture of aggression against Belizean civilians on the Sarstoon River. On Tuesday, the GAF forced a Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) and SATIIM mission to Black Creek to turn back after the BDF escort boat developed mechanical difficulties, according to the Ministry of National Security. Today, Thursday, the Belize Ministry of National Security issued a press release in which it claimed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is lodging a “strong protest” to the Government of Guatemala, regarding the moves by the GAF to bolster their military presence on the Sarstoon River.

Dengue outbreak in north and south of Belize
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that there is an outbreak of dengue fever in Belize. This year’s outbreak of the deadly fever is affecting the west (Cayo District), the north (the Corozal and Orange Walk districts) and a certain section of the south of the country (Stann Creek). The number of cases in Dangriga Town has increased when compared to the numbers from last year. The Ministry of Health reported that there are 230 cases in the Orange Walk District, 124 in the Corozal District, 90 cases in the Cayo District and 105 in the Stann Creek District. Belize and the Toledo Districts have recorded the least, with less than twenty laboratory cases.

FBI witness gave DNA evidence in Danny Mason beheading trial
The murder trial of William “Danny” Mason and four others, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo, who have been indicted for the July 2016 beheading of Dangriga pastor, Lewellyn Lucas, continued in Belize City today for a second day in the Supreme Court of Justice Antoinette Moore, sitting without a jury. This morning defense attorneys finished with their cross-examination of scenes of crime technician, Barrington Montero, who testified about his processing of the men after they were in police custody, taking samples from their clothing that he sent overseas for DNA analysis, and who also visited the murder scene at Mason’s ranch, located at Mile 31 on the George Price Highway, where he had collected several pieces of potential evidence to be used against them, including burnt bones.

UEF victorious – to hell with Thomas Paslow, cruel slaveowner!
Monday, July 22, marks 100 years since the Ex-servicemen Riots in Belize, and still, the historic event is hardly a topic of discussion in the streets of our country. In 1919 many Belizean men who served in World War I under the British armed forces returned home feeling disrespected and disregarded. Their battle was not limited to the war zone, but included their struggles among their own fellow soldiers who displayed acts of racism and intolerance. To compound their hardship, their salaries for their services were being delayed following their return from war — a final straw that became too much to bear for the 340+ men who risked their lives at war.

More pain at the fuel pumps Prices going up, up, up
Belizean motorists will have to dig a little deeper in their pockets in the wake of a government press release announcing new increases in fuel prices. The Ministry of Finance release announced that effective midnight tonight, July 24, there will be increases in the prices of regular gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The price of regular gasoline will increase by 18 cents, jumping from $10.37 to $10.55 per gallon. The price of diesel oil will increase by 12 cents, from $9.96 to $10.08 per gallon, and there will be an increase of 26 cents in the price of kerosene, which will jump from $7.45 to $7.71 per gallon.

UDP loses Ladyville village council chairmanship to the PUP
The United Democratic Party (UDP) and the People’s United Party (PUP) brought out their full campaign machinery in village council elections in Ladyville today, the largest village in the country, which went into the elections with an incumbent UDP village council. Although Prime Minister Dean Barrow graced the polling area in Ladyville with his presence in support of the UDP 7 and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber stayed on the ground throughout the balloting until the polls closed around 5:00 p.m., things did not fully go their way. Some residents of Ladyville were saying, “Today, we will send a message to Belmopan. We need a change in Ladyville.”

Dara’s 8th Annual Hunger Awareness Ride this Sunday, July 28
This Sunday, July 28, will see Dara’s 8th Annual Hunger Awareness Ride taking off from in front of the Belize Civic Center, onto the Philip Goldson Highway, continuing through the Hattieville-Burrell Boom Road, and returning to the George Price Highway, to finish in front of the Belize Civic Center. There will be two (2) ten-minute breaks along the way – at CD Gas on the Boom Road and at 8 Miles on the George Price (Western) Highway. Registration begins at 5:00 a.m., and the Ride starts at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Contribution – $10.00 per participant. All proceeds go to Dara’s Feeding Program.

Belize youths to participate in Orlando, Florida Real Madrid Football Camp
Two kids from the recently completed Smart Mundialito football tournaments will be attending the Real Madrid Football Camp in Orlando, Florida from Monday, July 29, to Friday, August 2. The contingent leaves Belize on Sunday, July 28, including: Devin Marshal, 11 years old from Stann Creek, and Dean Belisle, 13 years old from Belize City, accompanied by Stanley “Jordan” Reneau and Tyrone “T-Bone” Young (Muschamp). The trip is being sponsored by SMART and the Football Federation of Belize (FFB).

Dangriga sports stats – PLB Week 1 Opening Tournament – Dangriga Derby; also, Dangriga Town Council Mayor’s Cup Championship Finals showdown
This weekend will be the opening of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) Opening Tournament for this year 2019-2020 throughout the country of Belize. This Saturday, July 27, in Dangriga will be the battle for the Carl Ramos Stadium; it’s the Dangriga Derby – Freedom Fighters Valley Pride, who is now here at the Carl Ramos Stadium with players from the Valley, Dangriga, Silk Grass and Punta Gorda, will take on the newly improved Wagiya football club with a couple of newly signed players. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. – Freedom Fighters Valley Pride vs Wagiya Football Club.

Discovering Belize Gold medalist, Hilary Gladden
n the sport of athletics, the most spectacular event is the 100m race. Who is the fastest? For the past decade, the face of athletics worldwide has been Jamaican sprinter and world record holder Usain Bolt, and his female counterpart, Jamaican female sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. In the Belize delegation headed for the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru this week, the Belize Olympic Committee press release included one Hilary Gladden among the 9 member delegation. (See the story “Belize Olympic Committee sends delegation of 9 to XVIII Pan American Games in Lima, Peru” elsewhere in this issue.) With athletics usually the highlight of these games, our curiosity was drawn to the sole sprinter in the delegation, Hilary Gladden, who will be representing Belize in the 100 meter race at the Pan American Games.

Belize’s political leaders hog happy with corruption
One thing we’ve learned from Belize’s political leaders over the years is that they never accede to any suggestion from the people if it means their giving up any power they need to hide dishonesty in government. They will yield on occasion, to make it look as if we are a party to this democracy, fully involved, but if the change means less capacity to cover up malfeasance, it won’t happen. One party, the People’s United Party (PUP), passed a law that prohibited area representatives from crossing the floor. Prior to this piece of legislation, area representatives had crossed the floor twice, Toledo’s Vicente Choco leaving the United Democratic Party (UDP) to join the 1974-1989 PUP government, and the UDP’s Stanley Usher, again from Toledo, leaving the UDP to join the 1989-1993 PUP government. The law preventing a crossing of the floor was in order to check area representatives so they couldn’t vote against their party.

Kremandala recalls two great men
Today would have been the birthday of Belize’s national hero, Hon. Philip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson, who was born in Belize City on July 25, 1923, and passed on October 3, 2001. One of the founder/leaders of the anti-colonial People’s United Party (PUP) in September of 1950, Mr. Goldson was charged, convicted and jailed for sedition by the British government authorities here in 1951. Along with Leigh Richardson, another PUP founder/leader, he served nine months in jail at the old Her Majesty’s Prison where the Central Bank building is now located.

CURFEW BRINGS FALSE SENSE OF SAFETY!
I know for a fact that no knee-jerk response or reaction to our current crime problem will bring resolution to the situation. I say this not because I want those taking these decision to fail, but because I want to warn them not to take steps that will fail on its own and to instead get other sectors to step in and help. Over 25 years ago, that is in 1994, the then minister of National Security Dean Oliver Barrow decided to tackle crimes with force rather than social infrastructure to help the disenfranchised and marginalized. By Amendment No. 28 of 1994 he amended the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Act CAP 102, Laws of Belize, to give himself the power to declare certain areas as hot spots. The law specifically stated:

Kriols missed the Green Revolution
The Mennonites are amongst the most successful tribes in the country, and they have been recognized locally and internationally as the most productive Belizeans. Hugh O’Brien, and Louis Wade, two outstanding Kriol brothers who have excellent business relationships with the Mennonite community in Belize, believe that it would be wise for Roots Belizeans, especially the Kriols, to copy the Mennonite blueprint. Hugh, an outstanding agriculturist who once headed the Belize College of Agriculture (amalgamated into the University of Belize in 2000), and also held other high postings in the Ministry of Agriculture, does business directly with the Mennonites, and Wade, the owner of Plus TV, gets much of his advertising from them.

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
“Belize is not a real place.” I was born within the embrace of eight thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven square miles of fertile green earth, as Rufus X likes to call it. This pristine plot of land, however, is plagued with political lethargy for many complicated and interconnected reasons. It seems that our leaders are juggling a Rubik’s Cube while not being able to discern colors with hands calloused and ravaged by years of autoimmune-induced arthritis. One of my favorite series is Narcos, which is a series that outlines the triumphs and defeats of the people of Colombia during the reign of King Narco — Pablo Escobar. In one episode, the character Cesar Gaviria in a speech to the citizens states, “Colombians say, God made our land so beautiful, it was unfair to the rest of the world. So to even the score, God populated the land with a race of evil men.”

One month after his wife died from cancer, husband is suing KHMH for malpractice
A Belize City man called a media briefing in front of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital yesterday to announce that he is planning to sue the hospital for a misdiagnosis of his wife’s cancer that led to her death. The KHMH responded by issuing a press release in which it explained that the claim is being reviewed by the KHMH legal counsel. Floyd Reneau, 53, is claiming that his wife, Irma Samuels Reneau, 54, died as a consequence of the negligence of the doctors at the KHMH, where she was treated in 2017, when she first fell ill.

Missing Porfilio Nino, 65, found dead on his farm
The search by police and family members for Porfilio Nino, 65, a farmer of Maya Mopan, came to a sad end at about 12:30 midday today. Nino was found hacked to death, buried in a shallow grave on his farm in Maya Mopan three days after he was reported missing. Police, who were conducting a search for him, found the body in a state of decomposition. Nino had been chopped on his head and body. An onsite post-mortem was conducted, after which he was buried. Information to us is that he was found about 125 feet away from his house on the farm, buried under a tree in a grave 16 inches deep.

Jules Vasquez and family take a stand for our mentally ill
Nestor Vasquez, Jr., 60, of Belize City, the brother of media personality Jules Vasquez, the managing director of Channel 7 Belize, died after he was savagely attacked by a mental patient, Collin Francis, 28, while they were both in lockdown in a cell in the cell block at the Queen Street Police Station on Thursday, June 6. Police saw the assault in the holding cell on a monitor, after Vasquez was put in the cell with Francis. By means of the monitor, police officers at the station could see Francis viciously slam Vasquez’s head against the cement wall and on the iron bars of the cell door.

Traffic Department enforces vehicle tint regulation
During an interview with us today, traffic officers explained that the law regulating the level of tint permissible in vehicle windows and windshields, outlined in Statutory Instrument no. 19 of 2011, is now being enforced. To be compliant vehicle owners are reminded that the tint in their vehicle must have a grade of 50% VLT in the front window, and at the top of the windshield. The officers explained that 50% VLT (visible light transmission) describes how much outside light the tint allows to pass through. The traffic officers are equipped with a meter which is used to measure the VLT, and if it is less than 50% — too dark, it will not be accepted.

The Reporter

Business Community Condemns Bank Charges
The business community has been adversely impacted by the fees introduced by the Central Bank to commercial banks and which have been passed down from the banks to consumers, seeing charges applied to basic transactions such as cashing a simple cheque. The fees have become such a burden and concern that the Chamber of Commerce has written to the government regarding the impact of the fees and one business-owner has started an online petition.

MICAH !
Major Lloyd Jones (Ret’d) -The recent news about the alleged involvement of some of our senior public officials in the Sanctuary Bay scandal has reminded us why we need better people in politics. I am fifty years old and I regret to say that my generation has left Belize a bitter legacy. Those of us on the back side of the hill need to make way for younger, more energetic and talented Belizeans. It is their time to lead and maybe, just maybe, they can get us off this gravel road upon which my generation and those before have set our beloved Belize.

Editorial – Friday, July 26th. 2019
This is good advice which should be heeded by men and women of good will. If crime is allowed to continue on its projected path, no one will be safe, neither the Police nor the politicians, not even in their own homes. Our streets have become a killing ground, and our villages, once considered peaceful hamlets, are teeming with intrigue and smuggling and violence. The gangs live in open defiance of the Police and they have the ability to strike at will.

Caught Dumping Pups On Camera!
Three puppies between seven and eight weeks old, who were dumped like garbage on the roadside on Saturday, had to be euthanized on Monday because there was no available means of treating them and housing them for the duration it would have required to nurse them back to health, coupled with the financial costs that treatment and fostering and care would have necessitated.

BDF and GAF Face-off in Sarstoon
An incident – the latest since the May 10th Referendum when Belize voted “Yes to the ICJ” – involving members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), personnel from the Sarstoon Temash Institute of Indigenous Management (SATIIM) and Belize Defense Force (BDF) soldiers, occurred in the Sarstoon River on Tuesday morning and could have ended in a life-threatening situation for the civilians, had the BDF not intervened.

Andre Vega Ordered to Pay Back $400,000
On Thursday, July 25th. Andre Vega, the son of former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Lands Gaspar Vega, was ordered by the Supreme Court last week to repay the government more than $400,000 which he illegally received as compensation for a parcel of land near the Haulover Bridge – land which was already privately owned.

NINE DAYS – NO CHARGES! Cops Await Ballistics Result
Nine days after Allyson Major, 36, was killed at the foot of the Swing Bridge in Belize City by a bullet fired from the gun of a cop pursuing him, Police have been unable to bring any charges against the officer. The Reporter has been informed that investigators are awaiting the results of a ballistics test done on the firearms of the officers involved in order to single out one.

KHMH Prepares for Malpractice Suit
A man has sued the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for Malpractice after his wife died last month from cancer. He says that the negligence and inefficiencies they encountered at the hospital brought his wife, Irma Samuels-Reneau undue suffering, and delayed whatever possibilities she had to fight the sickness, because the necessary information was not shared with them when it should have been.

Fatal Accident On The Hummingbird Highway
Police say that an accident occurred around 7:15pm. last night (Thursday July 25th.) in front of Hershey’s. on the Hummingbird Highway. When they arrived at the scene, Police observed a Ford Escape SUV with extensive damages, as well as the motionless body of a man on the road.

LOVE FM

National Security Minister comments on recent Sarstoon Situation
Earlier this week, the Belizean public were shocked that the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Territorial Volunteers were still receiving hostile treatment from the Guatemalan Armed Forces in the Sarstoon. Yesterday, the Government of Belize issued a press release in which they said they are lodging a strong protest note to their counterparts in …

New Coast Guard Base at Bacalar Chico inaugurated
A much needed Coast Guard base was inaugurated today in Bacalar Chico, which is located about a mile south of the northern Belize border or at the northern tip of Ambergris Caye. According to the National Security Minister, John Saldivar, there was an incident back in 2012, when their forces came under fire at Bacalar …

Breaking Belize News

BBN’s Journalist to participate in training on Financial Forensics
The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) is hosting a training for journalists as part of […]

Christopher Hyde charged for being gang leader
Belize City resident, Christopher Hyde, is the latest person charged with being a member of […]

Statistical Institute of Belize awards three scholarships
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and […]

Kara Nisbet called to Bar in Belize
Duke University Law School graduate Kara Nisbet, 31, has been home in Belize for a […]

‘Ban Gillnets Belize’ campaign launched
Commercial fishermen are leading the movement to ban gill-nets in Belize. Fishermen recognize that gill-nets […]

Man gets 20 years in prison for killing sister
In his zeal to rob someone, 28-year-old Elijah Burke hacked his sister Julian, 29, to […]

Chinese shopkeeper fined $30 for failing to display liquor license
The offense of ‘failure to display liquor license’ is one that you seldom hear of, […]

Mental patient charged with murder of minor headed to court next week
Villagers of Yo Creek in Orange Walk are uneasy as the murder trial of Larry […]

Political parties prepare for last round of village council elections
The ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) and the Opposition, People’s United Party (PUP) are preparing […]

PUP rally comes to Bullet Tree
The tranquil village of Bullet Tree in the Cayo district is preparing for its village […]

Belize City Council prepares for Super Sale Zone
This Saturday, the Belize City Council will be having the back to school edition of […]

Back-to-School literacy training held for teachers
The Peace Corps Volunteers (PCRVs) and the Ministry of Education are facilitating a Back-to-School literacy training for […]

US Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. celebrates 1 year in Belize
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the United States Embassy in Belize, Keith Gilges is celebrating his […]

Murdered farmer might have known his killer; Police investigating
Police are trying to determine if Porfilio Nino, 65, the farmer from Yo Creek who […]

New charging facility coming soon for Victor Galvez Stadium
The Victor Galvez Stadium in San Ignacio, Cayo is widely used by youths, children, and […]

Van completely destroyed by fire in Belize City
A 15-seater dodge van was completely destroyed by fire last night in Belize City. Barrington […]

Documents naming possible killers of Porfilio Nino found
Yesterday, police commented on the murder of Porfilio Nino, 65. It was revealed that on […]

Man dies in fatal traffic accident
Authorities are investigating a road traffic accident that occurred on the Hummingbird Highway last night. […]

Man dies in traffic accident
Authorities are investigating a road traffic accident that occurred on the Hummingbird highway last night. […]

Blogs

Summer is a Beach Blast!
There is so much potential for fun activities that staying indoors is just unthinkable. From a simple backyard BBQ to lounging by a pool, this is the best time for some outdoor fun. If you are lucky enough to have a Belizean summer vacation, you need to spend a day out on a boat! Boat… beach… picnic… the words I yearn to hear. Why stay on land, when the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea beckon me to come and enjoy its rhythmic waves? Include a group of friends and family, with some food and drinks into your plans, and then you have a beach picnic as well! This is what my perfect summer day entails:

International Sources

Caribbean Warned Of Recurrent Episodes Of Heat Stress
The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) is warning about “recurrent episodes of heat stress” as the drought affecting the region continues. In its latest Caribbean Climate Outlook Newsletter, the CIMH said that for August to October this year, “this period marks the peak of the Caribbean heat season, which runs from May to October and is likely to be warmer than in the past two years with several heatwaves possible in any low-lying area”. It said that the main impact would be “recurrent episodes of heat stress to vulnerable individuals, in small livestock and poultry. “Drought may continue in areas currently affected,” it said, noting, however, “a seasonable increase in very wet and extremely spells is expected across the region, which may bring some drought relief, but also concern for flash floods and flooding”.

IRS fugitive John McAfee sent to UK after stint in Dominican jail
John McAfee of antivirus software fame has arrived in London from the Dominican Republic, where he had been detained for several days with his wife and several others for entering the Caribbean nation with a cache of weapons on his yacht, his lawyer said Friday. Authorities “asked him where he wanted to go, and he decided on London,” his attorney Candido Simon told Reuters. News of his arrival in the UK came two days after McAfee, 73, the eponymous founder of the PC software security giant, said on Twitter that he was released “after four days of confinement” along with five other people, including his wife, Janice.

World has a lot riding on the survival of coral reefs
Coral reefs are so crucial to the way we live and eat — moreso than we realize. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, coral reefs support more life per unit area than any other marine environment: 4,000 species of fish, 800 species of hard corals and hundreds of other species. Scientists estimate there are 1 million to 8 million undiscovered species of organisms living in and around the reefs throughout the world. They say these uncover creatures may be the key to finding new medicines in this century and beyond. And the buck regarding the value of reefs doesn’t just stop there.

Videos

July 26, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Ministry of National Security CEO Felix Enriquez on Visit to the U.K.
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security Mr. Felix Enriquez is on a visit to the United Kingdom attending to bilateral defence matters. The CEO and UK MOD officials discussed various topics including defence collaboration between Belize and the United Kingdom and improving the training and capacity building of the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard.

Caye Caulker resident files complaint against police officer
24-year-old Caye Caulker resident Shaquille Rogers has filed a legal complaint against a police officer attached to the Caye Caulker police formation, after claiming abuse by the officer while in custody. Police have not commented on the issue, but the matter is under investigation and Rogers is expected to appear at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Friday, July 26th, where he will present the evidence of the abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of the police officer.

San Pedro R.C School’s first floor is tiled up and ready for the new school year
Thanks to a family of island businesses, San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) first-floor classrooms are now tiled and ready for the new school year in September. The tile project was sponsored by Blue Water Grill along with its sister businesses, Red Ginger, The Phoenix Resort and Wine de Vine, and cost approximately 30,000 dollars. The projected started at the beginning of July, and the money was raised via Blue Water Grill’s monthly charity guest donations. From January through June 2019 they raised money to tile the first-floor classrooms at SPRCS. In total, guests at The Phoenix and customers at Red Ginger, Wine de Vine, and Blue Water Grill donated 8,881.24 dollars.

Copa San Pedro Opening Season 2019-2020 commences August 1st
According to Sports Councilor, Hector ‘Tito’ Alamilla, the committee is looking forward to a competitive season of great football action on the island. “We are expecting this league to continue developing in quality and structure. One of our main goals is to create players who will take the jump to play at the highest level of football in the country. We also want to give Copa San Pedro more exposure to showcase the quality of players that we have on the island. We want to highlight the work that the committee puts in, giving their time to be at the games every week as volunteers to see that rules and regulations they’ve structured are enforced to have a disciplined tournament.

Jankunu Productionz’ Kruffy Air lands in San Pedro Town
Kruffy Air, an original theatrical play by Jankunu Productionz, touched down in San Pedro Town on Friday, July 19th and taxied its way to the Paradise Theatre where it received a standing ovation from an impressed audience. The dynamic musical play featured several colorful, extremely curious and opinionated characters known in Belize as ‘Kruffy.’ Aboard an international flight with Kruffy Airlines, the entertaining performance had the audience laughing from beginning to end.

Ambergris Today

Sow To Reap
Today, it is very common to hear people say that you only live once or as to how it is abbreviated with style “YOLO”. Many times, we use this as an excuse to do as we please and get away with it. As a matter of fact, the term is not untrue, life is short, but does that mean it omits us from the consequences. When we apply this motto to our life we should also realize that we are all just passengers in the vessel called life, which means that we have limited time to make a difference and to plant a seed that will spread its roots to many. I am not saying do not enjoy life but revaluate your decisions, measure your actions and consider the aftermath.

Various Belizean Sources

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: JULY 14, 2019 THROUGH JULY 21, 2019
More wind and stormy weather reduced visibility on the flats. Anglers still scored on Bonefish, Snook, Tarpon and Permit by fishing the Mangroves and protected areas. Bonefish action was good on protected flats and deeper water.

Ministry of National Security Comments on Sarstoon Incident
The Ministry of National Security has reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) an incident on the Sarstoon River between the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) which occurred on July 23rd, 2019. In this encounter, the GAF tried to impede access to the Sarstoon by a civilian vessel, and as a result, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is lodging a strong protest to the Government of Guatemala. The Ministry of National Security has described this latest incident as “Very disappointing and demonstrates bad faith at a time when both countries have made significant progress in moving towards a permanent solution to the long-standing unfounded territorial claim.”

Four Digital Cameras donated to FCD
We thank Mr. and Mrs. John Bailey for the donation of four digital trail cameras provided to FCD this week. These will form part of the wildlife monitoring system in the Chiquibul Forest.

Touring the Customs Department and securing the Rio Hondo River
During a recent tour of the Rio Hondo River, Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges met with Officer Adrian Gilbert Gibson and other personnel to learn more about the Customs Department, Belize Defence Force, and Belize Police Department mechanisms for securing the Rio Hondo River that runs between Mexico and Belize.

Costa Maya Delegates 2019 - Cocktails & Tapas at Pier 366
Costa Maya Delegates 2019 Activities

Town Councilors meet MMA Fighters
Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Councilors Flora Ancona, Ruben Gonzalez, Severo Guerrero and Gary Greif met with Jeremy Mahon and Travis Cones who traveled from Houston to San Pedro, Belize for the Pro FC2 Island Takeover MMA fight.

Dog Grooming on Caye Caulker Tomorrow
On Saturday July 27th we will be coming to Caye Caulker. We provide all your grooming needs. Groomings are done by our Certified/Experienced Groomers. We also have Heartworm Pills, Deworming Pills and Flea/Tick Pills. Please make your appointments before time. Call 6381666 or send us a message We assure you that your Dogs will Love us and So will you

Congratulations to Bryce Peterson, your NEW, winner by submission, Bantamweight Champion!!!
Bryce beat his opponent Leonel Cetina via rear-naked choke.

INTRO by XS Entertainment is Back
Grand Opening Saturday, July 27.

Corozal Town Council Municipal Bazaar
Come today at Corozal Summer Editions Corozal Town Council Municipal Bazaar. It all begins this morning at 8am until. Food. Clothing, sales on cars and lots more will be on sale. Over 30 businesses to take part. Early bird catches the worm. Come and get your special deals and discounts.

Final touches at Children’s park in Corozal
Come check out the Cutting of the Ribbon Monday July 29, 2019 at 10AM.

Summer Fun 2019
The Belize Red Cross is hosting “Summer Fun 2019” at the office in Santa Rita, Corozal on August 1-2. Children from age 7-12 are invited to sign up by July 31st. Contact number in flyer for registration form. registration is free. Lunch will be provided.

New light posts being installed at 7th Avenue Phillip Goldson Highway

Belize Birding Festival Exhibitor Registration now open!
Interested in participating as an exhibitor at the 2nd Annual Belize Birding Festival? Registration NOW OPEN!

Corozal Football
FOOTBALL ACTION continues at the Ricalde Stadium this Saturday, July 27, 2019 starting at 9:00 a.m.

Frenemy: a Jankunu Production
Don’t miss this .. trust us.

The Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project proposes competition to name site at corner Queen and North Front Street
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, through the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project, is pleased to invite the General Public to participate in a competition to name the location once occupied by the Paslow Building on the corner of North Front Street and Queen Street in Belize City. Deadline for submission of names is Friday, 30th August, 2019 @ 5:00 PM. 1st Prize: $800.00, 2nd Prize $600.00, 3rd Prize $400.00. A new two-story building will be constructed at Lot 977 located at the corner of Queen and North Front Streets in Downtown Belize City. The new building is one of five structures in the downtown of the Old Capital that the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project is currently investing in. The new building is designed to host a Tourist Welcome Center and vendor booths on the first floor with offices and a Café on the second, and a parking area in the rear. Construction commenced in June 2019 and is projected to be completed at the end of 2019.

Miss Costa Maya International 2018 by Jose Luis Zapata — at Ramon's Village Resort
Miss Costa Maya International 2018 - Miss Honduras Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo. Photographed by Jose Luis Zapata at Ramon's Village Resort.

Channel 7

Family Of Five InJured In Accident
Tonight a family of 5 from the Toledo District is recovering from injuries they suffered in a serious accident just outside Dangriga Town this morning. And, a police checkpoint is being given partial blame. At around 8:20, police had a checkpoint set up at around mile 3 on the Stann Creek Valley Road. The cops spotted a black SUV speeding toward them, and when it did, the vehicle collided into the guard rail and flipped over. The impact then caused the occupants of the vehicle to be flung from it. They likely were not wearing seat belts.

Police Looking For Porfirio's Killer
On Tuesday's news, we told you about 65-year-old Porfilio Nino, the farmer who was murdered and buried on his farm, in the Maya Mopan area. His daughter reported him missing on Sunday after she couldn't reach him by cell phone on Saturday night. She was worried sick about him, and on Tuesday afternoon, her worst fears were confirmed when his body was found buried in a shallow grave. A post-mortem has confirmed that he died from blunt force injuries to the head.

GOB Sends Angry Diplomatic Note To Guatemala Over River Aggression
A "very disappointing" act of "bad faith." That's what Belize's Ministry of National Security is calling the show of aggression by the Guatemalan Military on the Sarstoon River two days ago. As we showed you, the Guatemalans attempted to block the Belize Territorial Volunteers and SATIIM from going down the Sarstoon. The BDF had to swoop in to escort the BTV vessel - even as the Guatemalans continued to trail them. Well, in a statement sent early this morning, Government confirms, quote, "the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is lodging a strong protest to the Government of Guatemala."

20 Years In Jail For Man Who Chopped And Killed Sister
Back in 2017, 28-year-old Elijah Burke was charged with murder for chopping his own sister, 29-year-old Juliane Burke, to death in Belize City. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter earlier this year, and, today, the judge ordered him to spend 18 more years in jail for the crime. On March 20th, 2017, Juliane Burke and her son, who was only 6 years old at the time, were walking to their home on St. Peter Street in the Kings Park Area. They were a short distance away when her brother, Elijah, came sprinting at her with a machete. He chased them into the street, and he chopped Juliane multiple times in the presence of her young son, fatally injuring her.

Yo Creek Villagers Monitor Murder Trial With Apprehension
And there's a similar case we are watching up north. In June 2016, the unthinkable happened in the remote village of Yo Creek, Orange Walk. There was a mass chopping where six people - 3 adults and 3 minors were injured. One of the minors, 13 year old Danny Choc died days later from a chop to the head. The man who wielded the machete is Larry Banner. He has a history of mental illness. That day in June, Banner went to his family's house with a machete and started to flail it wildly. It was a horrific and bloody attack. Banner was arrested and arraigned for aggravated burglary and maim and later murder for the 13 year old's death.

Police Adopt Mental Health Manual
And, both those stories involve mentally ill individuals who killed innocent persons - while in a psychotic state. Police have to deal with such persons on a regular basis - and as the Nestor Vasquez Jr case shows - it can be mishandled with tragic consequences. The 60 year old Vasquez was put into a cell with 28 year old Collin Francis - who was in a dangerous and unstable state, awaiting charges for stabbing a psychiatric nurse. Francis beat Vasquez unconscious, leaving him in a brain damaged coma from which he never recovered.

Getting Past Paslow
As we told you last night, the new public building at the corner of Queen and North Front Streets, on the property called Ground Zero will NOT be named after Thomas Paslow. But what will it be named? Well, now,, you can decide that. As we told you lats night, there will be a public competition to name the new building to be constructed under the Downtown Rejuvenation Project. After the UBAD Educational Foundation and The Image Factory raised an uproar over the project invoking Thomas Paslow's name just to name the site - it was announced today that there will be a competition, quote, "to name the location once occupied by the Paslow Building".

US Diplomat Tours the Hondo Hotbeds
Botes, Mexico is one of the hottest of the hot spots for contraband coming across the Rio Hondo into Santa Cruz, Belize. But, since early July, contraband has become scarce in some areas, thanks to a a multi agency deployment of customs, immigration, police and BDf to slow the traffic at that illegal crossing. And it has slowed the traffic. Earlier this week, the US Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges went on a tour of those Rio Hondo hotspots.

Kevon's Comeback At Traffic
He held the job as former Belize City Traffic Manager for over 10 years, almost half of the 23 years he worked in the traffic department. But, 10 months ago, the PUP City Council shuffled the deck and sent Jenkins over to the Sanitation Department - a much lower profile posting. It was seen then as part of the PUP council changing things up after four UDP terms in City Hall. But, now they've kind of changed it right back. It was announced today that Jenkins is back at traffic.

Summer Camp By Soldiers
The annual BDF summer camp is well underway at the different outstations in the country including at Price Barracks in Ladyville, Camp Belizario in Cayo and Fairweather Camp in PG. Over 300 kids are participating in total this year. Today we stopped by Price Barracks tosee what the kids have been up to there. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. For about 2 weeks the BDF Price Barracks in Ladyville has been transformed into a playground to kickstart their summer camp 2019. Kids from all over the country have been engaged in a number of fun and instructive activities on the compound. There are many disciplines the kids can choose from including those that hone their creative skills.

BDF Cricket Team Surges
So while the kids were having fun and learning new skills at their summer camp at Price Barracks, the BDF cricket team was also at base putting in some serious work to train for its semi-final match against Bandits in the Harrison Parks Cricket Tournament. The BDF team took a 9 year break from the tournament but they came back last year and are even hungrier to win this year. We interviewed the coach and one of their star players today about the tournament.

Dara Dread Rides Again
Grassroots philanthropist Joel "Dara" Robinson has been featured many times on this newscast. He leads the feeding program in which he fundraises annually to provide for needy primary school children from Belize City. He and his team feed these children so that they can better focus on their schoolwork, instead of worrying where their next meal will come from. He depends on generous donations to keep the program running, and this Sunday, it's his 8th Annual Ride for Hunger fundraiser. Dara and Kwame Scott stopped by our office this afternoon to tell us why they need you to support the ride:

Faber's Road Scary Action Scene
It looked like the scene form an action movie gone wrong on Faber's Road yesterday when a a Chrysler car got wedged underneath an 18 wheeler. The odd accident occurred when the car hit the front end of the 18 wheeler, and then careened across the pavement sliding under the back of the trailer.

Belize Jeers, While Regional Social Security Bosses Cheer SSB Increase
You may have been groaning when you got your paycheck and you saw more money deducted for increased social security contributions this month. But in Guyana, the Heads of Regional Security Organizations were applauding the Social Security Board for successfully getting those increases in social security contributions pushed through.

Channel 5

Belize Protests GAF Aggressive Behaviour at the Sarstoon
An incident on the Sarstoon has prompted a reaction from the Government. An excursion led by Will Maheia transporting members of SATIIM, an N.G.O., was stopped in its tracks and [...]

Forensic Experts Provide Evidence in Pastor Llewellyn Lucas Murder Trial
In our continued coverage of one of the most heinous murders, we headed to the Belmopan Supreme Court where the notorious William “Danny” Mason and four other men are being [...]

The Rash Family Overturns Outside of Dangriga
Members of a family of five from southern Belize were injured during a accident this morning. It happened just outside Dangriga when the Rash family from the village of San [...]

Man Pleads Guilty to Killing His Sister
In the Belize City Supreme Court, the trial of twenty-eight-year-old Elijah Burke came to an end today.  Burke took a guilty plea to killing his own sister by hacking her [...]

Caught on Camera; 2 Minors are Charged for Assault of Another
Two minors, who were seen in a video, bullying another minor, have been charged by police for targeting the minor.  The video was widely circulated on social media, but the [...]

Citrus Industry Remains in Bad Shape Amid Constant Decline in Production
While up north the sugar industry is having a bumper crop, in the south, the citrus industry is in dire straits. The 2018-2019 crop has been plagued by many factors [...]

Dengue Outbreak: Recognizing the Symptoms & Alerting Authorities
The Ministry of Health is battling a dengue outbreak which is prevalent up north, with the Orange Walk District reporting the highest number of confirmed cases. Dengue is caused by [...]

Several Persons Detained for Murder of Elderly Man in Maya Mopan
Police say that there are several persons detained in connection with the murder of Porfilio Nino. The sixty-five-year-old farmer was first reported missing and shortly after, he was found buried [...]

B.D.F. Summer Camp, Phase One Completed
One of the most anticipated summer camps is underway; it gives children an opportunity to learn discipline and team work in a fun way as they enjoy activities of their [...]

Recruiting the Best Men and Women to Join the B.D.F.
The B.D.F. is looking for a few good men and women to add to its ranks and over the weekend the force concluded the first phase of its recruitment process [...]

B.D.F. Cricket Team Prepare for Semi-final Round of Championships
While at Price Barracks today, we caught up with the B.D.F. cricket team, who has been preparing for the nationals in the sports. This year, a team of avid cricket [...]

Renaming the Paslow Building; the Competition Begins
Earlier this week, a protest was held by a group of energized Belizeans seeking to give the old Paslow building a more appropriate name when it is completed. Construction for [...]

Belize’s CARICOM Youth Ambassador Returns from Regional Youth Parliament Debate
CARICOM Youth Ambassador Kris Miller participated in the fifteenth regional youth parliament debate in Port of Spain, Trinidad last week. Miller and other youth ambassadors from across the region debated [...]

Second Annual Back-to-School & Pantry Programme to Help City Residents
The Belize City Council is launching its second annual back to school and pantry programme next week. The Council says that this time, even more underprivileged families will benefit.  Last [...]

CitCo’s Super Sale Continues this Weekend
If you don’t have any plans for this weekend, the City Council wants you to check out the downtown super sale. The monthly event, organized by the City Council in [...]

The Reporter

Sudden Turn At Checkpoint Leads To Accident
A man and one of his children were seriously injured in a accident that occurred on the southern Hwy. near Dangriga, 35 year old Pablo Rash who is an electrician from San Isidro village was driving his black Mitsubishi Montero at mile 3 when he saw a traffic checkpoint. According to eyewitnesses he swung his vehicle and lost control. He then crashed into the guard rail and the vehicle flipped and ended up on the other side of the road.

Problems On The Sarstoon Again – GAF Badger & Impede Belizeans
Another incident has occurred on the Sarstoon River with the Guatemalan Armed Forces, in witch they badger and impede the passage of Belizeans trying to traverse the waterway in small boats. This latest incident is considered more serious than other recent incidents, and today the Ministry of National Security in Belize conveyed the details to what happened to the Foreign Ministry, who then sent an official protest to that country’s government.

LOVE FM

NTUCB calls for re-implementation of the Crime Control Commission
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) sent out a release on the heels of the recent spate of violence. Marvin Mora, the President of NTUCB noted that the crime situation threatens the livelihood of workers in Belize and that a unified approach needs to be addressed quickly and urgently. Marvin Mora – President …

Belize attends Regional Youth Parliament Debate
The CARICOM Youth Ambassador, Kris Miller, attended the fifteen Regional Youth Parliament Debate which was held on July 17 in Trinidad & Tobago. This was the first time Belize participated in the debate. This year’s debate focused on migration, which is a crisis being faced by the region. Kris Miller told Love news that the …

Progresso Heights Ltd and Elrington back in Court
Progresso Heights Limited and Wilfred Elrington are battling yet another court matter as the company is suing Elrington for placing cautions on its properties. Progresso Heights Limited is also suing the Registrar of Lands who has refused to remove the cautions from these properties. The cautions on the properties have prevented Progresso Heights from selling …

Scouts Association of Belize honors Dr. Villanueva
During last night’s launch of the Join-In Jamboree for the Scouts Association of Belize, Dr. Rene Villanueva who chairs the Belize Scout Foundation was honoured for his commitment, passion and productivity in the scouting movement. We spoke with him on his seat as Chairman and his love for scouting. Dr. Rene Villanueva – Chairman of …

Teaching care for human trafficking victims
Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling – these are crimes becoming more talked about and investigated. With the increase in awareness, it is important for health workers to be able to not only identify suspected human trafficking victims but also to know how to provide care for them. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) held a …

Former Building Poslow to be Renamed
Following the protest that occurred earlier this week, the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project announced that they will be having a competition to determine the new building’s name. The idea to keep the Paslow name received a lot of negative responses, hence the call for suggestions. Proposed names will be evaluated …

Scouts adopt SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was adopted by almost two hundred countries, which form part of the United Nations, at a three-day summit. The summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters located in New York City in September 2015. The seventeen goals include: eliminating poverty and hunger, promoting good health and well-being, establishing quality …

Man Sentenced for Killing His Sister
A man with mental health issues was sentenced to the Belize Central Prison for twenty five years. 28-year-old, Elijah Burke, who was diagnosed with mental and behavioural psychosis, pled guilty of killing his sister, Julian Burke. Elijah was before Justice Marilyn Williams today in court for sentencing, represented by Attorney Darrell Bradley. The backdrop to his …

Man granted bail after assaulting girlfriend and sister-in-law
A man was granted bail after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and caused serious injuries to the girlfriend’s sister. According to 26-year-old, Yasmeen Young, sometime after 5pm on July 18, her sister, Jayelle Young, was talking to her boyfriend, Trevor Brown (GF ASSAULT VO) when all of a sudden, she heard her screaming. Yasmeen rushed …

Scouts Association holds Join-in Jamboree
The Scouts Association of Belize remains active in the country with various activities and initiatives geared at engaging young people. One of those activities officially opened last night and is dubbed, The Join-In Jamboree. Last night, many gathered at Camp Oakley just outside Burrell Boom Village, Belize District for the launch. According to the Camp …

Teaching care for human trafficking victims
Human Trafficking and Human Smuggling – these are crimes becoming more talked about and investigated. With the increase in awareness, it is important for health workers to be able to not only identify suspected human trafficking victims but also to know how to provide care for them …

Former Building Poslow to be Renamed
Following the protest that occurred earlier this week, the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project announced that they will be having a competition to determine the new building’s name. The idea to keep the Paslow name received a lot of negative responses, hence the call for suggestions …

Scouts adopt SDGs
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was adopted by almost two hundred countries, which form part of the United Nations, at a three-day summit. The summit was held at the United Nations Headquarters located in New York City in September 2015. The seventeen goals include: eliminating poverty and hunger …

Man Sentenced for Killing His Sister
A man with mental health issues was sentenced to the Belize Central Prison for twenty five years. 28-year-old, Elijah Burke, who was diagnosed with mental and behavioural psychosis, pled guilty of killing his sister, Julian Burke. Elijah was before Justice Marilyn Williams today in court for sentencing, represented by Attorney Darrell Bradley …

Man granted bail after assaulting girlfriend and sister-in-law
A man was granted bail after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and caused serious injuries to the girlfriend’s sister. According to 26-year-old, Yasmeen Young, sometime after 5pm on July 18, her sister, Jayelle Young, was talking to her boyfriend, Trevor Brown (GF ASSAULT VO) when all of a sudden, she heard her screaming …

Scouts Association holds Join-in Jamboree
The Scouts Association of Belize remains active in the country with various activities and initiatives geared at engaging young people. One of those activities officially opened last night and is dubbed, The Join-In Jamboree …

Breaking Belize News

Competition launched to name site in Belize City
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, through the Belize City House of Culture […]

Belizean makes strides in CDU Policy paper competition
The Caribbean Young Democrat Union (CYDU) and its executive congratulates Anazette Olivera General Secretary of […]

Family of 5 injured in traffic accident transported to KHMH
A family of 5 were injured in a traffic accident this morning. Panlo Rash was […]

Progresso Heights case against “Sedi” Elrington headed to court next week
The civil case between the real estate company Progresso Heights and Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington will […]

Dengue Fever outbreak! Over 600 cases reported
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is working aggressively to contain an outbreak of dengue fever […]

Where in the world is Gaspar Vega?
Orange Walk North area representative and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, […]

Lake-I minors caught bullying on video charged with common assault
Authorities have charged two minors from Lake Independence, Belize city with ‘common assault’ and ‘harm’. […]

Guatemalan President appeals court ruling on immigration deal with the United States
Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has appealed his country’s constitutional court decision to bar his government […]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodges strong protest to Guatemalan government
The Ministry of National Security today informed that it has reported to the Ministry of […]

Five injured – 2 adults, 3 kids – in traffic accident near Dangriga
There was a road traffic accident this morning about three miles outside of Dangriga town. […]

Digi opens new signature store at Mirab!
Digicell Belize has opened its new signature store at Mirab in Belize City. The store […]

Biscayne fisherman fined $2,000 for hicatee offense
Four hicatees (Central American river turtle) was one too many for 30-year-old James Seguro, fisherman-farmer […]

BDF intervenes in Sarstoon showdown over BTV trip
According to leader of the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), Wil Maheia, a timely intervention by the […]

Blogs

BTB Digital Marketing Summit 2019
This July 19th, 2019, the Belize Tourism Board held its 5th Digital Marketing Summit at the Best Western Plus in Belize City. The annual event, which counts with the attendance of a variety of industry members—from luxury resorts to bed & breakfasts, came together to learn about the latest trends and secrets in the digital marketing arena and how to implement aggressive strategies in today’s competitive and ever-changing market. The event featured a varied set of panel discussions that addressed the current state of digital marketing and plans looking ahead to the future. Highlighted topics included Social Media, Influencer Marketing, Digital Marketing, and Brand Strategy.

Videos

July 25, 2019

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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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

UNDP Appoints New Resident Representative for Belize
Denise E. Antonio, an American citizen and native of the west African country, Liberia, who had recently been appointed United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Jamaica, has also been appointed to serve as Resident Representative for Belize. Ms. Antonio, who operates from the Kingston country office will be in Belize on mission from 22 to 26 July where she will meet with government officials, UNDP Belize and UN Resident Coordinator teams, as well as other UN agencies.

Hope Haven receives $17,250 donation during Grand Caribe’s 3rd Annual International Deep Sea Classic Fishing Tournament
A total of 17,250 dollars was raised for Hope Haven Shelter during Grand Caribe’s 3rd Annual International Deep-Sea Classic Fishing Tournament, held from Friday, July 19th to Sunday, July 21st. The donation was handed over to Kristina Romero from Hope Haven on Sunday, July 21st during the tournament’s award ceremony. As a part of the activities hosted during the three-day fishing tournament, Grand Caribe purchases a painting and some prints from marine artist Carey Chen. The painting was auctioned, and Grand Caribe donated the proceeds to Hope Haven. Carey Chen then donated another piece for a silent auction, which was won by Molly Doley and Grand Caribe matched the amount bid. At the end of the tournament, a total of $17,250 was raised for Hope Haven.

BTB hosts 5th Consecutive Digital Marketing Summit
For the fifth year in a row, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) hosted its annual Digital Marketing Summit. Friday, July 19th saw stakeholders, and interested individuals convene at the Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City for a day of learning. The BTB had lined up a variety of marketing experts to share their knowledge and comprehension on the latest digital/social media developments while advising on the best ways to adapt to improve their businesses’ online presence. Participants were able to strategize the best way to position a business online – whether via Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook, Google/YouTube or a combination of all - they learned ways to make the internet and digital marketing work for them. From the smallest of businesses to larger corporations, the digital age is necessary to tap into a market that is ever online.

Superintendent Christopher Noble is the new Officer in Charge of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker
Superintendent Christopher Noble took over the reins of the Coastal Executive Unit (Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker), replacing Superintendent Reymundo Reyes. Noble brings to the Cayes 27 years of seniority in the police department and is confident that with the support of the community, the local police formation will deliver, making the islands safer at a time when crime is on the rise.

Accused murderer Donald Heredia out on bail
55-year-old mentally challenged Donald Heredia was charged and remanded for the murder of Caye Caulker resident Jennifer Coleman in August 2016. Nearly three years later, on Monday, July 22nd, he was released after successfully securing a $20,000 bail plus two sureties of $10,000 each in the Supreme Court in Belize City. Heredia was represented in court by attorney Darrell Bradley, who managed to secure his bail in the courtroom of Justice Frances Cumberbatch. The bail came with several conditions, with orders for Heredia to undergo medical and psychiatric evaluations and to remain within the country or breach bail. He is also required to report to the Racoon Street Police Station every Monday of the week.

Ambergris Today

Belize Needs To Reform Some Laws
by Maestro Angel Nuñez - Occasionally some laws become outdated and do not function well for the purpose for which they were written and legislated. Then what is done about it? Simple. Amend the law so it can better serve its purpose. A point in case is the archaic custom of poaching for manatees and sea turtles for their meat during the time when there was a scarcity of meat. However today there is no scarcity of meat, so the law was rewritten to prohibit the killing of these animals. Good deal. Now many people are clamoring for reform in other laws especially in the area of crime which has become a cancer in our society. A few ask that the law which states that an alleged criminal is innocent until the prosecution proves him guilty be charged to the opposite end. Let him be arrested and charged and treated as guilty and let him prove his innocence.

Various Belizean Sources

Costa Maya Delegates 2019
Lots of great photos!!! Costa Maya Delegates 2019 - My Place Restaurant

Hurricane Janet, Survivor story and the Nukux Tat(Tataduende)
Carmita Garcia, now a housewife, was 10 years old when Janet struck Corozal. She was one of many youths who had never experienced a hurricane. She remembers sort of hoping that the hurricane would strike Belize, not knowing the tragedy that awaited her family. She lived at Aventura with her father, mother, three sisters, and one brother. They heard over the radio that the hurricane would strike and they all made preparations. Carmita’s father told the children not to run outside for any reason, even if the house was falling on them. The hurricane arrived and the Garcias were sleeping while the winds blew stronger and stronger. The house was falling on them and their father told them to go under the bed, but the wind opened the door.

Gabriel Tamay
General Gabriel Tamay(Tamai) was a Maya Yucatec leader of the Icaiche Maya until at least the until the late 1900's. Gabriel Tamay was the successor for Santiago Pech . Under his control the Icaiche still maintain control over certain villages in North western Belize and collected tax from the British. Who ever wanted to pass through the area had to ask permission to General Gabriel Tamay. He was consider a good honest man even by his detractors .

Official Results for Village Council Elections held on July 21, 2019

Border Control Officers On Illegal Fishing Prevention Course
Eighteen border control officers from seven Member States of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) are currently undergoing a four-week training course in Fisheries Prosecution and Interdiction, organized by the Barbados-based Regional Security System (RSS) in collaboration with the CRFM Secretariat, the Government of Barbados, and the British Royal Navy’s Fisheries Protection Squadron. The course is expected to improve the skills and competencies of authorized officers responsible for enforcing the Fisheries Acts and Fisheries Regulations, and supporting administrative policies.

Las Vegas student selected to join international activism congress
Her entire childhood, she’d been told that she was the future. Now, 17-year-old Salomée Levy says youths are the present, too, and she thinks adults should see it that way. “We’ll be here,” she says. “We’re going to be impacted by climate change, we’re going to participate in the 2020 election. We’re impacted as much as adults and sometimes more, because we’ll be here longer.” In two weeks, she will fly to Puerto Rico, where she will be one of 130 students from around the world to join the International Congress of Youth Voices. She sees herself becoming the first female prime minister of Belize, her father’s country of origin. She also aims to become a U.S. senator and, before that, write for The New York Times. Her immediate goal is to write for Teen Vogue.

SELL-A-THON @ the Lions Den in SanPedro
Need something? Sell something? Saturday the SP Lions Den is the place to be!

Ministry of Agriculture and FAO Conclude Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Sustainable Food Systems and Value Chain Development
The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today concluded the first phase of a three-day train-the-trainers workshop under a regional Sustainable Food Systems and Value chain Development Project. The event which started on Monday, July 22nd, 2019 was facilitated by Ms. Bree Romuld, FAO Value Chain Development Expert. The workshop sought to introduce participants to sustainable food systems and value chain development principles and process. The project, which is being funded by FAO, consists of two phases and six modules.

Corozal Basketball Association Summer Camp
Corozal Basketball Association held their third day of Summer Camp yesterday-morning at the Civic Center. Today, it’s there 4th day of summer Camp. Time: 8 am to 11 am for children 14 and under. Time : 1 pm to 4 pm for youths 15 and older.. OPEN TO EVERYONE! Date: 22nd to 26th July 2019. Location: Corozal Civic Center

Miss Independence 2019-2020 Sashing Ceremony
Friday August 2nd at 8pm.

Chronixx Live in Belize
August 3, Marion Jones Complex.

Corozal Animal Program Fundraiser
Corozal Animal Program Fundraising Poker Run at Tortuga Grill & Paddle Lounge (located across Rainbow Beach & Park) this Friday, July 26th starting at 9:00 a.m. Get a chance to meet new friends and great people that support CAP program. It will be super fun for a great cause. See you there.

Power outage scheduled from 6:00am to 2:00pm on Sunday, July 28 to affect the majority of Belize City
Except portions of Lake Independence, West Landivar, and King’s Park areas, which will experience two 10-minute outages from 6:00 a.m. to 6:10 a.m. and from 1:50 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. BEL to conduct maintenance of the West Lake Substation, transmission system and distribution system, including replacement of poles, and removal of hazardous vegetation growing into power lines.

Peace Corps Response Volunteers Training of Experts
In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Peace Corps Response Volunteers started their Training of Experts this week! Last week they met with representatives from the Ministry of Education and prepared for the training. One of the PCRVs tells us more - "This week we are training 20 expert Belizean teachers to provide back-to-school literacy training for Standard 1 teachers around the country. By the middle of August our PCRVs and this group of teachers will train every Standard 1 teacher in the country on skills and strategies to identify and support struggling readers. Literacy is an important human right and a high priority in Belize; our PCRVs team could not be more excited to be a part of this work!"

Miss Costa Maya Delegates 2019 in their Traditional Costumes
Traditional Costume Photo Shoot by Jose Luis Zapata.

SONGS OF DZITBALCHE(Book of the dances of the ancients)
Songs of Dzitbalche originally titled The Book of the Dances of the Ancients, is the source of almost all the ancient Maya lyric poems that have survived, and is closely connected to the Books of Chilam Balam, sacred books of the colonial Yucatec Maya. The sole surviving copy of the Songs of Dzitbalché was written in alphabetic Mayan in the 18th century. The author identifies himself as Ah Bam, an elder of the town of Dzitbalché. He appears to say that the book was originally written in 1440. Manuscripts of this era were often copies of copies of copies, so scholars have to look at internal evidence for clues to the original date of composition. Many of the poems appear to be much older than the manuscript, and contain ancient ceremonial and ritual material. Other poems are songs of love, philosophy, and spirituality. Many of them appear to have had a musical accompaniment. The Book of the Dances of the Ancients, its original name, was changed to the current title by its first translator.

Channel 7

Dengue Outbreak in Belize
There's an outbreak of Dengue in Belize and the rest of Central America. The numbers are the highest in Corozal and Orange Walk, and trending up in Cayo and Stann Creek.   So how many more cases are there this year?  Try 20 times more than last year at this time! The Ministry of Health's Surveillance Officer, Lorna Perez told us more: Lorna Perez - Ministry of Health, Surveillance Officer: "It started in the north, Orange Walk to be specific then we started to see the shift going up Corozal which has maintained up to now, Corozal is actually showing some high numbers but since the last 6 weeks, even though Dangriga, some communities had some elevated numbers at the beginning of the year for this last 6 weeks I must we have seen an increase in Dangriga Town itself. So presently we have like Corozal having 124 cases, Orange Walk 230, Cayo having 98, Stann Creek 105..."

What Should You Do About Dengue In Your Life?
So, what can you do to keep Dengue out of your home?  The Chief of Operations for the Vector Control Unit says first you have to know the symptoms if it does come to your home - and take steps to keep it out: Kim Bautista - Chief of Operations, Vector Control Unit: "The first thing is that identifying the symptoms. Fevers, back ache, pain in the joints, rash, that persistent fever and in some cases, you might have bleeding of the gums, vaginally in cases of females. Symptoms, you ask person if you have those, go to your nearest health facility; what that does is that it triggers the alert to notify us that there is a case and we need to investigate it, we need to carry out interventions, that's the first thing..."

MOH Takes New Approach To Dengue
So, with more types of Dengue circulating - Bautista explained how the Ministry is trying to respond to Dengue at the community level: Kim Bautista - Chief of Operations, Vector Control Unit: "One of the things that we're doing this year is actually having all the 6 district programs develop a preparedness and response plan for dengue..." From January to May of 2019, a total of 1.1 million cases of dengue have been reported across the Americas.

Mason Trial - Defense Attorneys Try To Debunk DNA
The murder trial without jury against William "Danny" Mason and his 4 co-defendants continued today in the Belmopan Supreme Court. For the past 3 days, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal has been presenting large quantities of forensic evidence against Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo.  She's trying to prove that these 5 men were responsible for the July 2016 beheading of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas.  DDP Vidal called a DNA expert from the FBI to testify yesterday via a Skype teleconference call. That witness told the court that based on samples sent to them from Belize, several of the defendants had blood on their clothes the night they were detained after Pastor Lucas' decapitated head was discovered in the pan of Mason's pickup truck. That expert went on to tell the court that the blood on the clothes matches the DNA profile of Pastor Lucas.

Murders Surged 350% in June 2019
You probably don't need a statistician to tell you that the number of murders recorded in June was way up.  But how much exactly?  Well, figures posted on the Belize Crime Observatory website show that there were 350% more murders in June of 2019, than there were in the same month of 2018.  That's 4 murders in June 18, and 18 murders in June of this year.   While that is an alarming increase and a very violent month - up tot the end of June there has been a considerable decrease in murders. The 66 murders recorded up to the end of June, 2019 are 16 fewer than the number recorded up to June of 2018.  That's a 20% decrease overall so far for 2019.

Man Blames KHMH For Wife's Death
A man is trying to reach a settlement with the KHMH after he says that his wife died due to negligence and an incorrect diagnosis. Floyd Reneau spoke to us outside the KHMH today to discuss the long and painful road throughout his wife's illness. His wife, 54 year old Irma Samuels Reneau fell ill in 2017. A biopsy along with several other tests were done at the KHMH but after about a year and half of going back and forth at the KHMH, Reneau says that no one could tell him what his wife had. So late last year he took his wife to the US and he finally found out she had colon cancer. Unfortunately, his wife died last month. Here is Reneau's account.

Culture Minister Faber Against Paslow Name Too
On last night's news you heard UBAD Educational Foundation activist Yaya Marin Coleman.  She was raising hell about the prospect of re-naming the structure at the foot of the swing bridge "Paslow Building."  That's the name of the old building which burnt down in 2002.   Now, under the Taiwan funded Downtown Rejuvenation Project, a new two-story building will be constructed at Lot 977 at the corner of Queen and North Front Streets.  But, will it be named Paslow, like its predecessor?  Yaya fears it will, but but Culture Minister Patrick Faber says it won't.  He says he and Yaya are on the same page.  He told us via text, quote, "I completely agree it shouldn't be called Paslow.  I'm thinking we can have a naming competition where we hear suggestions for the new name and stakeholders decide."

1919 - The Colonial Documentary Record Now Available
And promoting awareness of that historic yet overlooked event, Assad Shoman's Citizens for the Defense of Sovereignty group donated digital and hard copies of a number of original documents on a key event in Belize's history: The People's Uprising that took place in Belize Town on July 22nd 1919. Shoman's group donated them to the Belize National Library Service. In a press release it states that "The copies of original documents collected from the British National Archives include hundreds of pages of evidence taken by the Commission of Enquiry appointed by the Governor to inquire into the origin of the riot, the Report of the Commissioners, British official correspondence on the riot, correspondence on the conditions in the colony in 1918 and 1919, and other papers that throw light on the causes and consequences of the Uprising." 

Deputy CBB Governor Turns Liquidator
The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Kareem Michael stepped down last Wednesday, and immediately stepped into the shoes of the liquidator of Choice Bank Limited.   That's after the previous liquidator, chartered accountant Cedric Flowers's one year contract ended in early July - and it was not renewed.   But, there are questions as to whether it is a conflict for Michael - who was the Deputy Governor of  Financial Supervision and Compliance - to continue the liquidation.  After all, it is the Central Bank which revoked the licence for Choice Bank Limited 13 months ago.  That was defined as a non compliance issue - which Michael's tittle suggests he was in charge of at the time of the revocation and, in the normal course, he would have been expected to be part of the decision-making in revoking the license for a non complying bank.

Calvary's Cross
A report on the Ministry of Education website gives a sobering portrait of failing school in Belize City.  What is called a "Targeted Supervision Report" conducted in January of 2018 at Calvary Temple School in Belize City shows that the school's 9 teachers and 140 students are struggling mightily.   The figures show consistently poor grades on BJAT and PSE, which culminated in 2016 when not one of the 15 standard 6 students managed to get a 60% - which is the minimum passing grade on Math.  That 0% is down from a 5% passing rate the year before.   But, because of better performance in English, 20% of the test takers at that school managed to pass the PSE in 2016 - better than just 5% the year before.   And while the burden of low grades is borne by the students, the failure is really with the administration and management.  The Ministry's reports points to the condition of the school facilities and poor physical conditions of buildings including garbage and drainage problems.  

How to Care For Trafficked Persons
It was big news last month when Belize was upgraded from a Tier 3 human trafficking country to a Tier 2. It certainly is progress but it doesn't mean the authorities can sit back and relax.   The Ministry of Health along with the International Organization for Migration is taking a proactive approach and is using the upgrade as an incentive to work harder. The team today hosted a 2 day workshop for health practitioners. The purpose of the workshop is for health officials to identify human tracking victims and know how to treat them physically and psychologically. Here's more from the training.

Bail for Brown, allegedly Dragged His Girlfriend Alongside Moving Car
Tonight, Belize City resident Trevor Brown is out on bail after he was taken to court for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, and then injuring her sister with his vehicle. On Thursday night, police found 26-year-old Yasmeen Young, from Unity Street, with scratches, swelling, and bruises on her face and upper body.  She also had a broken tooth. She reported to police that that around 5:00 that evening, she was at home, and her sister, Jayelle Young, was speaking with her boyfriend, Trevor Brown in his car, which was parked in the yard. She suddenly heard her sister screaming for help, and she ran out to assist. Yasmeen allegedly found Jayelle seated in a slanted position, while her boyfriend, was allegedly holding her head down.

Messenger with Marijuana
Belize City messenger , 28-year-old, Gian Sosa of a King's Park address is out on bail tonight for a drug trafficking charge after police allegedly busted him with three quarter pound of marijuana.  Police say that on Monday, officers on patrol spotted Sosa at the roundabout which connects Chetumal Boulevard with the Philip Goldson Highway. He was on a motorcycle with a plastic bag on his handle, and according to the cops, he was acting suspiciously. So, they stopped and searched him.

Channel 5

An Outbreak of Dengue Fever in Belize; Ministry of Health on High Alert
An outbreak of dengue fever has been reported, seven months into 2019, and the number of cases so far is already more than twice the figures for the entire 2018. [...]

Porfilio Nino Died from Force Trauma to the Head
Four persons have been hauled in by police concerning the murder investigation of Porfilio Nino. A post mortem examination revealed that the sixty-five-year-old Valley of Peace resident died as a [...]

Progresso Heights Versus Sedi Elrington: Will the Cautions be Lifted?
Progresso Heights Limited, a master development plan situated along Cocos Lagoon in Progresso, Corozal District, remains in the headlines for several lawsuits that have surrounded the real estate company.  Notwithstanding [...]

Is Political Interference Taking Place at Lands Registry Over Progresso Heights?
While an attempt will be made ahead of July thirty-first to get the cautions lifted, Courtenay says that there has been a complete abuse of process where it concerns the [...]

More Cross-Examination into DNA Evidence in Murder Trial
The murder trial for slain Pastor Llewellyn Lucas continued today in the Belmopan Supreme Court.  The day’s proceedings focused on the forensics with four witnesses appearing in court.  This morning, [...]

Trevor Brown Arraigned for Assaulting a Pair of Sisters
The boyfriend of a Belize City woman is out on bail tonight. Both Jayelle Young and her sister, Yasmeen, claim that Trevor Brown physically abused them.  Jayelle alleges that he [...]

Belize City Man Takes Legal Action against K.H.M.H.A.
Legal action is being taken against the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority for malpractice and negligence. Belize City resident Floyd Reneau says that the doctors at the K.H.M.H. failed to [...]

Floyd Reneau Alleges that Malpractice Led to his Common-Law’s Death
According to Reneau, a biopsy was done, but he was told that the results returned negative for any signs of a disease.  Her condition, however, worsened to the point that [...]

K.H.M.H.A. says Matter is Being Reviewed by Legal Counsel
That wrong, Reneau says, was done by health officials at the K.H.M.H.  After his attorney sent a letter to the authority, Reneau met with Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin [...]

News Five Digs Deeper into Sanctuary Belize Scam
The deeper we dig, the more details emerge on the Sanctuary Bay saga. News Five has obtained the copy of an affidavit by Anthony Bailey; he is a resident of [...]

Gaspar Vega Emerges for Village Council Elections
The once powerful Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources has been keeping a low profile.  Gaspar Vega has missed countless meetings of the House of Representatives on behalf [...]

“The Dark Side of the Caribbean”
A detailed news article published by “El Pais” looks at the dark side of the Caribbean. Belize is featured in two aspects: Blue Creek, the powerful economic engine of the [...]

A Vehicular Collision of Faber’s Road; Young Woman Escapes Unhurt
A young lady was left shaken up, but fortunately escaped unhurt after a frightening accident this afternoon.  Her small car was damaged when it was hit by a towhead and [...]

Caring for Trafficked Persons: Guidance for Health Providers
A manual combining research, field experience and good practices for providing health services to victims of human trafficking has been introduced by the Ministry of Health and the International Organization [...]

FAO and Ministry of Agriculture Conclude Train-the-trainers Seminar
Phase One of a three-day train-the-trainers workshop being held by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organization has concluded.  The Sustainable Food Systems and Value Chain Development [...]

Belize & El Salvador Police Officers Receive GREAT Training
A group of police officers from Belize and El Salvador are participating in an eight-day training in the community policing initiative, known as the GREAT Programme. The Gang Resistance Education [...]

Breaking Belize News

Protest raised against ‘Paslow Plaza’
On Tuesday morning, on the second day of commemorations of the 1919 Ex-Servicemen’s Revolt, protestors […]

Train-the-Trainers Workshop on Sustainable Food Systems and Value Chain Development concludes
The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United […]

Vasquez family says police need more training on dealing with mentally unstable suspects
The family of Nestor Vasquez Jr., who died following a tragic incident where police left […]

Chamber launches new Policy Tracker website
Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI)’s says that as a part of its triple-C […]

United Kingdom has new Prime Minister
Photo: BBC Following the resignation of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (UK) Theresa […]

Fair weather to continue
Generally fair and dry weather is expected to continue with a temporary increase in moisture […]

Canadian woman battling cancer seeks help to keep Belizean daughter in Canada
A Canadian woman who had settled in Belize, opened a school, adopted a Belizean girl […]

Ministry of Health monitoring dengue cases
The Ministry of Health is closely monitoring dengue cases in Belize. 7News Belize confirmed yesterday […]

2 Belize City men wanted for separate murders
Belize City resident, Emerson Garnett is wanted by police for the murder of Jose Hilario […]

Would-be thief defeated by all-seeing camera
In a strange case of what not to do when attempting a burglary, 27-year-old Cris […]

DNA links 3 of 4 accused murderers of Pastor Lucas
It shocked the entire nation when the head of a pastor was discovered inside the back […]

National Security CEO Felix Enriquez visits U.K.
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, Felix Enriquez is on a visit […]

LOVE FM

Caribbean People as One
Encuentro is in its third day of a week long event, coordinated by the Methodist Church. Young people continue to acquaint themselves with each other and are doing their best to overcome language barrier, among other things. Love News had a chance to speak with some of the youths from other countries to get their …

More dengue cases recorded this year than in previous two years
There has been an outbreak of dengue in Belize, particularly in the northern and southern districts. The numbers recorded so far have surpassed those that were recorded in the past two years, combined. When we spoke to Doctor Marvin Manzanero, the Director of Health Services, he said that the outbreak was not unexpected. Dr. Marvin …

Health workers learnt to identify suspected human trafficking victims
Belizeans are not used to hearing of cases of human trafficking, particularly, in their own neighborhood. The unfortunate reality, however, is that many times it could be playing out right next door and we wouldn’t be able to identify it. While the country is still finding its way in countering and preventing cases of human …

Man blames wife’s death on hospital negligence
A man who recently lost his wife to cancer, is claiming that she would still be alive if not for the negligence of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. For 15 long months, Floyd Reneau reportedly had to watch his wife suffer as colon cancer slowly killed her; the whole while not knowing that she was …

Blogs

Consider the Lobster Roll: Elvi’s Kitchen for Lunch
We went for lunch yesterday at one of my favorite eating spots in San Pedro – Elvi’s Kitchen. I was lured in by the lunch special. $25bzd. Lobster Roll. The New England classic that screams SUMMER. The sandwich that seems so simple…just a few ingredients…but differs so much by US state and even individual restaurant. At first sight, it’s lightly dressed lobster on a fresh hot dog bun. But so much can go wrong especially if you are a staunch supporter of a specific preparation. Which brings me to the great Maine Lobster Roll vs. Connecticut Lobster Roll debate. Mayonnaise vs. Butter. Hot Lobster roll vs. cold. Lemon? Celery? Green onion? It can be SOOOO straightfoward and delicious. Or it can be a gloppy mayonnaise-y or even worse, an oniony mess. I like both types, I like them hot and cold. I like a lobster roll. I like it very much. So we went into Elvi’s to test it out. Elvi’s Kitchen Lobster roll is delicious. Here are the deets.

International Sources

John McAfee says he's been released from detention in Dominican Republic
Millionaire anti-virus software founder John McAfee said Wednesday that he was released from detention in the Dominican Republic. A spokesman for McAfee's 2020 campaign tweeted earlier this week that McAfee was being detained and threatened to release data hidden by McAfee if he did not check in. The Caribbean island's armed forces and public ministry told The Associated Press earlier Wednesday that McAfee was taken into custody along with U.S. citizens Elizabeth McAfee and Richard Alan Gibson, Robert Whitfield of Germany, Oral Thompson of The Bahamas and Vasner Louis of Haiti. They were suspected of traveling on a yacht carrying high-caliber weapons, ammunition and military-style gear.

The Dark Side of the Caribbean
The coastal area shared by Mexico, Guatemala and Belize is one of the most porous and little-known regions in the southern America border. Via three feature articles – in Xcalak, a remote Mexican village that lives off the cocaine that washes up from the sea; in Blue Creek, the powerful economic engine of the Mennonites; and in Puerto Barrios, the dark Guatemalan port in the Atlantic – this special report describes the enigmatic reality that exists just a stone’s throw from some of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. A detailed news article published by “El Pais” looks at the dark side of the Caribbean. Belize is featured in two aspects: Blue Creek, the powerful economic engine of the Mennonites and Don Luis, an immigrant who fled Belize to Mexico due to the drug trade, specifically cocaine. Belize is a transit point for international drug traffickers and recently many drug planes have been found in Belize, burnt and destroyed.

Twist Travel Magazine Issue 008
Twist Magazine loves Cayo in their latest issue. They mention many of the more popular sites around Cayo, including Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, Ajaw Chocolate, and Mountain Pine Ridge, and they are enamored by the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Great read, and one can get an idea of how Cayo is perceived from the guests' point of view. "During your stay in San Ignacio, be sure to take time to enjoy the town itself. The fruit and vegetable market is busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so go on one of those days if possible, and consider booking a session at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts, where you can learn about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition. We spent a week in San Ignacio and barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here. With more time, we would have canoed the Macal River, rappelled into a sink hole, toured more caves, and driven over the border to see the ruins at Tikal. We didn’t miss megaresorts, all-inclusive dining experiences, or beaches."

Videos

July 24, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

NEMO hosts first official EOC meeting of the 2019 Hurricane Season
To better prepare for the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season, the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) held a meeting with committee members of San Pedro’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) on Thursday, July 18th. Held at San Pedro’s NEMO branch office, the meeting aimed to review the EOCs’ state of readiness and fine-tune their plan of action in the event of a storm or extreme rain. After a short welcome and introduction by Parham, representatives from each EOC committee present shared their status regarding preparedness. Those in attendance also voiced concerns and made recommendations on how to better the island’s emergency plan of action.

First-ever Sports Fishing Summer Course certifies seven islanders
Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) in partnership with Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) and the San Pedro Tourist Guide Association (SPTGA) conducted the first-ever Sports Fishing Summer Course for island youths from Monday, July 15th to Monday, July 22nd. The goal of the seven-day summer course is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of Belize's sports fishing sector as a potential career option among the youngsters of San Pedro Town. From Monday, July 15th to Friday, July 19th, students met at San Pedro High School (SPHS) where they were introduced to the equipment, marine ecosystems, line tying techniques, casting techniques, poling, and navigation. The course was facilitated by well-known San Pedrano and professional sports fishing guide, Omar Arceo, Victor Sho from CZMAI, and SPTGA President Billy Leslie.

Friendly match between San Pedro Pirates F.C and Belize’s Jaguars ends 0-0
To further prepare for the new season of the Premier League of Belize (PLB), the San Pedro Pirates F.C hosted Belize’s National Team, Belize Jaguars for a friendly match in San Pedro Town. Held on Saturday, July 20th at the Ambergris Stadium, the match saw the best of both teams, but when the long whistle blew, it was a 0-0 score. The San Pedro Pirates F.C are the reigning champions of the PLB and therefore have been arduously preparing for the new season as to bring another PLB title to the island. For their first match of 2019 opening season of the PLB, the San Pedro Pirates will be facing the Belmopan Bandits on Saturday, July 27th. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town.

Extortion charges dropped against San Pedro Constables
Special Constable Orlando Mendez and Police Constable Nelson Ramos, formally attached to the San Pedro Police Formation were freed on extortion charges on Wednesday, July 17th. On June 15, 2017, American tourist Timothy Braun accused Mendez and Ramos of shaking him down for US $300 to drop a marijuana charge. At the time of the incident, Braun told The San Pedro Sun that while he was enjoying his cigarette, he was approached by three San Pedro police officers on a golf cart. They accused him of smoking marijuana. Braun informed the officers that he was smoking tobacco, but was promptly told they were taking him in for smoking weed.

Ambergris Today

GOB Gets $31.96 Million Grant Funding For Solar Mini Grids For Rural Areas
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Belize, signed a Financing Agreement for a total of BZD $31.96M / Euro $14M for the energy sector. The signing ceremony was held today, 22 July 2019 in the Office of Prime Minister at the Laing Building, Belize City.

BTB Hosts 5th Consecutive Digital Marketing Summit
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) hosted its fifth consecutive annual Digital Marketing Summit on July 19, 2019 at the Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City, where marketing experts updated marketers on the latest developments and guided them on how to improve their respective businesses. The summit was split into four panels, namely Social Media, Brand Strategy, Digital Marketing and Influencer Marketing. A new added feature this year was a workshop segment where participants had the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience from what they have learned during the summit. There were four workshops in the afternoon based on the above-mentioned panel categories.

Various Belizean Sources

Shooting Stars Dance Academy Fundraiser
Our kids are members of the Shooting Stars Dance academy and we are fundraising weekly to take these little girls to Honduras to perform in January. Our sale is this Friday.We will be having a cheap sale and located at the CTC bazaar and selling the crusts there. However we are also getting preorders which we will deliver. Contact number is 6314681 Ms. Georgina Johnson.

Corozal Neighbourhood Watch Program
Our local police cannot do all the job of crime fighting and prevention alone in our Corozal community. Corozal Town already has several active Neighbourhood Watch Groups. Those we know about, that have been holding meetings and installing NWG warning signs, include the Santa Rita Neighbourhood Watch, Rainbow Town Neighbourhood Watch and the newly formed Corozal Central Neighbourhood Watch Groups. Others groups that are active exist outside the town limits. Consejo Shores has always had a very active group. Years prior, between 2012 and 2015, there were probably double the amount of NWG in town and the groups were more proactive, assuring that the Corozal Community Policing Unit had bicycles, batons, handcuffs, flashlights, whistles, etc.

Barton Creek Cave Tour
I Visited an Ancient Mayan Cave and the Inside was SHOCKING. In this video, I will be showing you guys the inside of an Ancient Mayan cave near San Ignacio, Belize. The cave was used by Mayan Indians for spiritual and ritualistic purposes. This video is episode 1 of my Belize series, so subscribe to virtually travel throughout Belize with me too!

The Faith Janded on by Jesus
The San Pedro Roman Catholic Invites the Community to teachings by Padre Luis Toro at the Lion's Den on Sunday, July 28, 2019 at 8:30p.m.

Ministry of National Security CEO Felix Enriquez on Visit to the U.K.
Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security Mr. Felix Enriquez is on a visit to the United Kingdom attending to bilateral defence matters. On Monday, July 22, CEO Enriquez, accompanied by UK Defence Attaché based in the Caribbean, Lt. Col. Anton Gash, made a courtesy call on the Ministry of Defence (MOD). They met with the Rt. Hon. Col. Mark Lancaster, Minister of State for the Armed Forces, and General Officer Commanding London District Major General Ben Bathurst. CEO Enriquez, along with H.E. Perla Perdomo, Belize’s High Commissioner to London, also called on Deputy Director Nigel Baker at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Effective Midnight Tonight (Tuesday 23 July 2019)
The Ministry of Finance announces that at 12:00 a.m. on July 24, 2019, the pump prices of three fuel products will change. The prices for Regular Gasoline, Diesel and Kerosene will register increases as follows: Regular Gasoline will increase by 18 cents from $10.37 to $10.55 per gallon; Diesel Oil will increase by 12 cents from $9.96 to $10.08 per gallon; and Kerosene will increase by 26 cents from $7.45 to $7.71 per gallon. The price for Premium Gasoline will remain unchanged at $10.63 per gallon.

COROZAL BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE
BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE by "Take Me Deeper Ministries of Belize". School Supplies needed by August 24th include the following and can be dropped off at A & R in Corozal or contact Tracy at 653-3951. Our goal is to provide 75 filled backpacks to school children at St. Paul's Anglican Primary School, Corozal Nazarene Primary School, and other children in need. All donations stay in Corozal.

Last Phase of Children’s Park Renovation
Rotaracter Nekeisha Lima is doing a fantastic job drawing the final art works to make it a happier place for Children We are looking for sea sand to put under slides and merry go round to make safe for children suggestions and donations are welcomed I want to remind people that Rotary, Rotaract and Oceana are all NGO’s and we are all volunteers working hard to make our community better. Volunteers and donations are always welcomed If you are unsatisfied with the results of the park feel free to contact us and help us fix these problem. This park was not designed for toddlers or very small kids.

Ay! Las Amigas
Ay! Las Amigas will be performed this Thursday at 7:00pm at Cayo CET. Orquidea Negra will have a special appearance there too. "Tickets are now on sale for the theatre production by the #WATCHIT! Theatre Group which will be held on July 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cayo Centre For Employment Training. Come and support our young and talented trainees as they perform the play directed by the Panamanian instructor Ángel Gutiérrez. Payasita Raquelin and Orquidea Negra of Benque Viejo will also be performing. Don't miss out!"

NOTICE TO MARINERS
Belize Water Services hereby advises all mariners that works will be conducted in San Pedro to install an underwater pipeline crossing on the seafloor from Boca Del Rio to San Mateo on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM midday. Mariners are being advised that vessels will be restricted to navigate within this area. Extreme caution and adherence to the NO WAKE zone will be enforced by the Belize Port Authority for the duration of the installation of the underwater pipeline crossing. BWS apologizes for any inconvenience caused. For more information regarding this or any other BWS Release, please contact Belize Water Services at 222-4757 Ext. 1000

Culture Day for Trainees and Peace Corps Staff!
Yesterday was Culture Day for Trainees and Peace Corps Staff! Belizean staff, US staff and Trainees prepared cultural presentations to share with each other. Belizean staff presented on local cultures which they are representatives of. These were Q'eqchi, Mestizo, Kriol, Garinagu, Yoruba and East Indian. The US staff and Trainees also got an opportunity to present on their different cultures. There were posters talking about history of the culture, language, customs, traditions, beliefs and other folklore. There were crafts, traditional clothing, cultural dances, and lots of food! Everyone surely had fun and Trainees got a closer picture of the culture of the people they will be serving.

Day 3 of Kids in Action Open water dives
Day 3 more fun for the kids and the start of the Teacher training.

Channel 7

BTV and BDF VS. GAF on Sarstoon
The Guatemalan Armed Forces was at it again on the Sarstoon River today. A navy boat stoped the Belize Territorial Volunteers as they were heading up-river on the Belize side of the waterway which forms the boundary between the neighbouring countries. But, today, there was a big difference; the Belize Defence Force swooped in to fend off the Guats, and stand by the BTV. Here's the story of what happened:.. Will Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers: "This was a trip between where the BTV offered to take Satiim up Sarstoon into Black Creek to investigate some allege stealing of timber by Guatemalans. So we left Punta Gorda Town around 7:30 this morning and when we got to the BDF base, they told us we could go ahead and proceed."

Defence CEO in UK Military Meetings
And we tried to get comment on today's aggressive tactics on the river by the GAF from Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security Felix Enriquez. But, a government release says he's on an official visit to the United Kingdom, quote, "attending to bilateral defence matters." So far, he's made a courtesy call on the Ministry of Defence and met with the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Col. Mark Lancaster, and General Officer Commanding London District, Major General Ben Bathurst.

Elderly Farmer Murdered
Turning now to crime news, there's been another murder - this time in the Maya Mopan area outside Belmopan. An elderly farmer was found dead, three days after his last contact with his daughter. This morning at the crime scene in Maya Mopan, she told the media that when she couldn't reach him on Saturday night, she had a portent that he had been killed:..,. Yanira Rivas, Daughter of deceased: "My dad use to call me every day in the morning and in the night before he goes to sleep and on Saturday at 1pm he call me and then he say he will call me in the night, but he never did call me. Then in the night around 11pm I was dreaming that someone was killing my dad...."

Paslow Pilloried
Last night you saw the crowd from the UBAD Educational Foundation and the Image Factory lead a procession through the city streets - commemorating the centenary of the ex-servicemen's riot - which happened in Belize Town on July 22 and 23rd, 1919. So, while the ex-servicemen and thousands more rioted for two days, the UEF and IF crew honoree that spirit by agitating for social change for the past two days. Yesterday, it was demanding recognition for the historical importance of the ex-servicemen's riot, and, today, it was declaring that the new building planned for the foot of the Swing Bridge CANNOT be named after former slaveowner Thomas Paslow.

Danny And The DNA
In yesterday's news, we told you how DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal called a local forensics expert to testify against accused murderers William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. All 5 men are standing trial without a jury in the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore. This senior Scenes of Crime technician was the official who prepared all the evidence that police gathered back in July 2016, starting from the time when the decapitated head of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas was found in the pan of Mason's pick-up truck at a bar in Belmopan. This same technician then photographed all 5 accused men, took their clothing, and prepared samples to be sent abroad for DNA testing. He was also the official who visited Mason's ranch at mile 31 on the George Price Highway, where important pieces of evidence against the men were also collected.

Family of Nestor Vasquez Jr. Keeps Fire Burning
60 year old Nestor Vasquez Junior died on June eighth - from massive head injuries he sustained in a vicious beating he received while in police custody. Police put him in a cell with a dangerously unstable mentally ill man - who was there waiting to be arraigned for stabbing psychiatric nurse Therese Eligio. When we last heard from the family in June, they were in discussions with police finding out what happened and figuring out what they would do to make sure something good came out of their brother's passing. They said they would push for structural and cultural change in the department and the treatment of mentally ill persons. Today, they gave the press an update in an impromptu briefing at the Radisson.

Dengue Cases Explode In the North
The number of Dengue cases is exploding in northern Belize. 7News has confirmed that the numbers have ballooned drastically. Sources tell us that the number of infections for 2019 has surpassed cumulative numbers for 2017 and 2018 combined! There are also a large number of cases turning up at the Southern regional hospital but the figures are not unexpected.

Fuel Fluctuates
Pump prices for fuel have been all over the place in the last few months, going up, and down, and up again. And the Ministry of Finance is reporting tonight, that regular gas, Diesel, and Kerosene will see a price increase. At Midnight, the changes will take effect, and regular gasoline will increase by 18 cents, from $10.37 per gallon to $10:55 per gallon. Diesel Oil will increase by 12 cents, going from $9.96 per gallon to $10.08 per gallon. Kerosene will also increase by 26 cents; it is currently $7.45 per gallon but at midnight that price increases to $7.71 per gallon.

The Encuentro Experience in Belize
The Methodist youth conference that is held every three years is here in Belize. Some 250 participants from all over the Caribbean are in Belize for a conference called the "Youth Encuentro." It is a week-long program that provides the youth with an opportunity to grow in faith among their peers. Bishop Moses Benguche President of the Methodist Church Belize Honduras District explains more.

Police's Most Wanted
Last night we told you about two men who were wanted for recent crimes in Belize City. Well, police have released their wanted posters. The first is 26 year old Emerson Garnett. He is wanted for the murder of Jose Hilario Diaz. Diaz is the clothing vendor who was killed last week Wednesday evening. The shooter did not try to rob him - and just shot him multiple times. One other man has already been charged for abetting this murder based on surveillance video.

Miss Scuba Scores
Organizers say Miss Scuba is a pageant with a difference. And we won't argue; it's very different: the queen is appointed by National Director Zenaida Moya and her team. And it's also different in another regard: it's not solely a beauty or scuba competition but it merges both to help raise awareness for marine conservation and celebrate the beautiful women - who look good with a an air tank on their backs.

An Odd Embassy Escapade
The Belize Embassy in Washington - 99% of us will never go there - and that's not necessarily a bad thing; generally, walking through an embassy is about as exciting as going to the CB Hyde building. Except, the sterile monotony of an embassy is occasionally punctuated by charming splashes of kitsch and decorated with transplanted trinkets. You're just as likely to run into Sir Colville's Pataki as you are to find a Samuel Haynes songbookindeed, foreign embassies can be slightly strange.

Positive Vibez Belts Out Topical Song
And that's it for 7news tonight - we leave you with a new song from the artist Positive Vibez - he released it today in memory of Allyson Major. He performed it last night to great effect at the vigil for the 36 year old...

Channel 5

Elderly Man Found in Shallow Grave, Murdered in Belmopan
An elderly man of the Valley of Peace area in Cayo was killed and his body buried in a shallow grave.  Porfilio Nino had been missing since Saturday and his [...]

Vasquez Family Clamors for Mental Health Training at Police Academy
The family of Nestor Vasquez Junior, who was beaten to death while in detention at the Queen Street Police Station back in June, met with the Mental Health Association this [...]

Will Charges be Brought Against Collin Francis for Death of Nestor Vasquez Jr.
While the Vasquez family is also seeking a revision of antiquated legislation dealing with the treatment of persons with mental illness, they are hoping that the Director of Public Prosecutions [...]

Vasquez Family Tables a Compensation Proposal
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, at a press brief following the death of Nestor Vasquez Junior accepted that the police department will be held liable for the tragic incident inside [...]

Pastor Lucas’ DNA Found on Clothing Worn by Three Accused Killers
A shocking new disclosure was made today during the murder trial of William ‘Danny’ Mason, who stands accused, along with four others, of beheading Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in July 2016.  [...]

Weighing in On DNA Evidence in Mason Murder Trial
While D.N.A. evidence lifted from the clothing of three of the five accused men does not, as yet, implicate his client, attorney Norman Rodriguez is studying today’s testimony carefully since [...]

Fuel Prices Goes Up At Midnight, Again
There is another hike in fuel prices that will put a dent in the pockets of consumers.  At midnight, the prices for regular gasoline, diesel and kerosene will go up. [...]

Sarstoon Showdown! G.A.F. Orders Belizeans to Return; B.D.F. Stands Its Ground
The Sarstoon is back in the news tonight and according to BTV Leader Wil Maheia, Guatemalan Armed Forces attempted to sink the boat Belizeans were attempting to traverse the river [...]

NTUCB speaks on the impact of the Sanctuary Bay scam
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize discussed a number of pressing issues this week, from crime to the recent Sanctuary Bay scam. According to President Marvin Mora, the N.T.U.C.B. [...]

Belize City Youth Wanted for Murder of Taxi Man
Police have issued a wanted poster for twenty-one-year-old Belize City resident Dante Reneau. He is wanted for the murder of fifty-two-year-old taxi-operator Emmanuel Ampomah.  Investigators believe that Reneau can assist [...]

Choice Bank has New Liquidator, Again
The third liquidator has been appointed by the Central Bank for Choice Bank Limited. The offshore bank was forced to fold and thrown into receivership in June 2018, after the [...]

Denise E. Antonio Is New UNDP Representative to Belize
Denise Antonio, an American citizen, and native of Liberia has been appointed to serve as Resident Representative for Belize. Antonio is committed to supporting the government in areas such as [...]

A vigil for Allyson Major
Allyson Major Junior was shot and killed by police almost a week ago, but his friends and family were determined to use his untimely death to shine a light on [...]

NTUCB speaks on fatal shooting of Allyson Major
On Monday, the N.T.U.C.B. issued a press release to condemn the wave of recent criminal activities. The organization raised concerns over the impact of crime on the workforce, highlighting that [...]

Teen Arraigned for Attempted Murder of Raheem Chambers
A week ago, Raheem Chambers was shot and injured during a shooting incident on Lacroix Boulevard in the Saint Martin’s de Pores area, Belize City. Today, a teenager was arraigned [...]

Anthony Reyes is Committed to Stand Trial for Murder of Emmerson Anderson
Tonight, a twenty-two-year-old youth is back on remand as he awaits trial for the 2018 murder of a man who was playing cards and was not the intended target. Anthony [...]

Biscayne Fisherman Guilty of Possession
A Biscayne fisherman and farmer, thirty-year-old James Seguro was slapped with a two thousand-dollar fine for the offense of possession of more than three hicatees. Allegations are that on Monday, [...]

A Protest at Ground Zero; Activists Want Building Named ‘1919 Plaza’
An energetic group protested at ground zero this morning at the foot of the Swing Bridge in Belize City. They want to rectify a vexing matter in respect of the [...]

Land issue brewing in La Gracia
There is a land issue brewing in western Belize.  Over twenty farmers in La Gracia claim that surveyors have initiated works on their land.  The farmers say that majority of [...]

Week 3 of KTV the Remix Season III; Who Made the Cut?
Don’t miss out tonight and be part of the fun. It’s another round of competition in KTV, the Remix.  The search for this season’s singing sensation is well underway and [...]

Meet Miss Scuba Belize 2019, Johnisha Ariola from Hopkins
A twenty-one year old advanced diver is heading to Malaysia to compete in the Miss Scuba International Pageant. She is Johnisha Ariola, a stunning beauty from Hopkins, Stann Creek District.  [...]

Amandala

Central Bank Deputy Governor new liquidator for Choice Bank
A Deputy Governor of the Belize Central Bank has resigned from his post and has taken up a new appointment as liquidator for the now defunct Choice Bank, an offshore bank which was stripped of its license by the Belize Central Bank and placed in receivership in June of last year. The new Choice Bank liquidator, Kareem Michael, has become the third person named to that post. Michael’s appointment becomes effective today, Monday, July 22, the Central Bank said in a media release it posted on its website on Friday.

Vega ordered to pay back $400,000
The Government of Belize won a major victory in the Supreme Court this afternoon when the civil case against Andre Vega concluded before Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel, who ruled that the $400,000 that the Ministry of Natural Resources paid to Vega as compensation for a duplicate Minister’s Fiat Grant amounted to unjust enrichment, and ordered him to return the money to the government. In 2016, a major scandal broke involving Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, area representative for the Orange Walk North constituency, who, as Minister of Natural Resources, authorized a $400,000 compensation payment to his son, Andre Vega, for a property near the Haulover Bridge.

Judge rules not to admit confession statement in Danny Mason murder trial
After a long pause, the murder trial of William “Danny” Mason and his co-accused, namely, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo, resumed on Tuesday, July 8, in the Belmopan Supreme Court, where Justice Antoinette Moore is sitting without a jury. The trial, however, immediately slipped into a voir dire, which continued until Friday, July 19, as defense attorneys and the Director of Public Prosecution, who is leading the evidence for the Crown’s case, grilled police witnesses over a caution statement given to police by Ernest Castillo. Castillo’s caution statement allegedly included an admission that he carried out the cruel murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas.

Home invasion in Consejo
A group of robbers invaded the home of Rodney and Wanda Brean, an American couple living in Consejo, beat and tied them up, then ransacked the house. The thieves, four masked men said to all be of dark complexion, stole $17,000 in cash, jewelry and electronic items before escaping. Information to us is that last night, Retired American National, Rodney Brean, 52, and his wife Wanda, 51, were watching television in their home at #681 Consejo Road, Corozal District, when four robbers gained entry into their house by jumping over their fence and ran across the patio and went into the house through the unlocked back door and surprised the couple in the living room.

9 homeless after fire destroys house in Roaring Creek
A fire in the Another World area of Roaring Creek completely destroyed a bungalow timber house belonging to Denise Arnold, a sanitation worker who lives in Roaring Creek, and her family. As a result, 9 persons are now homeless. All the house’s uninsured contents were destroyed. The estimated loss to Arnold and her family is about $35,000. Arnold told investigators that this morning she secured her house and went to work in Belmopan. At about 4:00 this evening, she was on her way home when she was told that her house was on fire. When she arrived home, she saw her house engulfed in flames.

A candlelight vigil in Battlefield Park for police shooting victim, Allyson Major, Jr.
The family and friends of Allyson Major, Jr. who died tragically from police gunfire last Tuesday, gathered in Battlefield Park this evening along with sympathizers from the community for a candlelight vigil. Yvonne Craig Major, the mother of Allyson Major, described his killing as an “execution.” Major said that the support that their family has been receiving is overwhelming. Major said that Allyson was her only child. “Because of the overwhelming support that we have been getting we decided to have a candlelight vigil because we are God-fearing people,” she said.

Ladyville Rising Stars repeat as Smart Mundialito Champions
The championship final of the Smart 13 & Under Mundialito 2018-2019 Closing Season took place yesterday afternoon at the MCC Grounds, where defending champion Ladyville Rising Stars became back-to-back champions when they defeated City Boys, 1-nil, in the exciting final. Some 12 teams participated in the single round-robin regular season which started back on Saturday, May 4; after which the top 8 teams entered knockout quarterfinals last Saturday morning, July 13; then the knockout semifinals followed that same afternoon. The opening match yesterday afternoon at the MCC saw Heights FC prevailing over Brown Bombers to claim 3rd Place in the competition.

1 back remains to decide playoff spot in National Over-40 football
The Belize National Over-40 Football Tournament 2019 now has only one back match remaining, after the back match played on Saturday night at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence, where home standing Golden Eagles FC Veterans put themselves in strong contention for the last playoff spot, when they shut out Roaring Creek Veterans, 3-0, with goals from Archibald Ferrill (17’ & 40’) and Wayne Castellanos (84’).

PLB 2019-2020 Opening Season kicks off this weekend
The Premier League of Belize (PLB) has released the schedule of games for its up-coming 2019-2020 Opening Season which will again feature 8 teams; but there are a few changes. Returning to action will be Placencia Assassins FC, who sat out last season, lending their support to the new entry, Assassins Altitude FC; while Police United FC will not be appearing at all in this edition of the PLB tournament.

SCFA Smart U-13 Mundialito games for Tuesday
These Smart U-13 Mundialito games, hosted by the Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA), were postponed due to the weather conditions over the weekend. They will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Carl Ramos Stadium.

Editorial: FOUR years of any P is ENOUGH
The United Democratic Party (UDP) would do the country a great service if they put out a manifesto that promised the 4-year term and then proceeded to call the next general elections before the end of November, 2019. (The UDP’s present term started on November 4, 2015.) The People’s United Party (PUP), if they are serious about reform, should put the 4-year term in their manifesto again, so that, whoever won, there would be a decrease in the duration of their term. The PUP had the 4-year term on a set date in their 2015 manifesto, but they lost at the polls. The PUP didn’t lose because their manifesto included the end of the tedious 5-year term. They lost because they were mired in an intra-party ideological battle and couldn’t find common ground, and the UDP was rolling in Petro Caribe funds, the oil wells were still gushing, and they declared a satisfactory settlement to the BTL negotiations, thanks to Lord Ashcroft becoming a Good Samaritan.

A dream is a wish your heart makes
Dear Editor, “A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you’re fast asleep. In dreams you will lose your heartaches. Whatever you wish for, you keep. Have faith in your dreams and someday your rainbow will come smiling through. No matter how your heart is grieving. If you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true.” (Cinderella (Disney)–”A dream is a wish your heart makes”.) And I would sing and twirl around the flowers, smiling with joy, until… Until I heard her. A girl taller than me and approximately 12 years of age, long black hair, faceless, with a long white dress.

For the youth of today, killing a person is like a “badge of honor”
Dear Editor, I understand and sympathize with Compol Chester Williams’ frustration over the spate of crimes in our country, especially in Belize City, which now seems to be spreading to the rural areas like a virus. He is trying his best, but nothing seems to stop this madness. We must first understand the times. For the youth of today, killing a person is like a badge of honor, not like in the past when it was a shameful thing to be a murderer. If you took someone’s life intentionally, you expected to be hanged.

Fences and things
Dear Editor, There are, I believe, three places in Belmopan the curious visitor might want to see, especially during the upcoming national celebrations: the Parliament building, the US/British Embassies and the Governor General’s (G-G) official residence. The first is unfenced (no further comment); for the second grouping, there is only security fencing, by nature low on aesthetics; and the third—well that’s what this piece is about. These sites are significant because of their symbolism, mostly historical, but also architectural and cultural.

More from Romel Cuello
Dear Editor, I would like to offer my apologies to family members and friends of the Briceños in Orange Walk for forgetting to mention, in my letter about Mr. Daly being laid to rest, two important persons who had predeceased him – – his elder brother “Lalo” Briceño, founder of the well-known San Francisco Restaurant in Orange Walk Town, and his sister Dina Cantun-Briceño.

How the hash of the Americanista Price was saved from jail, twice
“Since the movement of liberation from colonial status began in 1950, America has been like a shining beacon and a home away from home to a large number of Belizeans, even though most of them have never been there. How else can you explain the fact that the supporters of the movement, whenever they marched in the streets of Belize City, sang at the top of their voices ‘God Bless America, My Home Sweet Home’?” (from “ A Bit of History”, by Janus, Amandala of August 16, 2009.) It doesn’t matter who you are, there are things in your life that make you say, ‘I can’t believe that was me’. You could be the Pope; you bet there are things in his life that he’d like to forget. You could be Donald Trump; you bet there are tons of things in his past that he is sorry for. You could be Said Musa…

Our words are meaningless if we do not act!
I write because I want to be part of the historians of this country and thus I have to record what is happening in this country in real time through my writings. I don’t want to have the story told through the eyes only of the leaders who have corrupted the country and have benefitted from corruption. We the people, who live daily lives struggling to make it a better country and who have a greater vision for a greater country, need to place in the annals of history the reality of where we are and how we got here and what is being done, if anything, to change things for the better or the worse. Change is constant, and be it for good or bad, change keeps happening. Last week I wrote about the agony I felt as a Belizean, when I read in real time about the many news reports on the new murders and body count.

Post-mortem: taxi driver Emmanuel Ampomah crushed to death by his overturned taxi
Emmanuel Ampomah, 52, a national of Ghana, Africa, who was a taxi driver in Belize City, was attacked and stabbed in his cab by one of two men who were passengers in his taxi at about 8:00 last Tuesday night on Seashore Drive in Buttonwood Bay. Ampomah lost control of the taxi, which ran off the road and crashed into the drain. The vehicle overturned and Ampomah was thrown out. The vehicle then came to rest on him. Meanwhile, his two assailants escaped.

American tourist Steven Vorhaus, 67, drowns on diving tour
Steven Williams Vorhaus, 67, an American national of Lafayette, Colorado, USA, who came as a tourist to enjoy the beauty of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and to dive in its pristine seas, was participating in a diving tour along with others at about 11:30 a.m. yesterday when at about 2:00 p.m., he went missing. A search for him was immediately conducted and he was found lying on the seabed. He was immediately rushed to the San Pedro Polyclinic, where he was officially declared dead. He was identified to police by his common law-wife, who was also on the tour along with him.

Maximo Chiac, 23, arraigned for the murder of Hermelindo Ical, 30
On Sunday morning, March 31, the body of Hermelindo Ical, 30, a volunteer soldier of the Belize Defence Force, B Company Detachment, Cayo District, who was also a farmer of Armenia, was found lying on the roadside in some bushes not far from his house by a man who was walking on the road. He had been hacked to death, and chop wounds could be seen on his head and body. An investigation into the murder led to Maximo Chiac, 23, a farmer of Springfield, Cayo District. The arrest has been made 4 months after Ical’s death, and police said that they have sufficient evidence to charge Chiac with the murder of the soldier.

Destroyed drug plane found in Toledo
Last week Sunday, law enforcement officers and soldiers of the Belize Defence Force made an arduous march to an area in Graham Creek, Toledo District, where they found a plane that had been completely destroyed on a make-shift runway, and a bulldozer was also seen parked not far from the remains of the suspected drug plane. Searches were made in the plane and around the area, but nothing was found.

The Reporter

Team Belize – Off To The XVIII Pan American Games In Lima Peru
The Belize Olympic & Commonwealth Games Association will be sending a contingent of nine (9) to participate in the XVIII Pan American Games which is set to take place from July 26 through August 11, 2019 in Lima, Peru.

Regular Up – Diesel Up – Premium Unchanged – Kerosene Up
The Ministry of Finance announced that at midnight on July 24, 2019, (Tonight) the pump prices for gasoline, diesel and kerosene will increase as follows:

Boris Johnson Is The News Prime Minister Of Britain
Britain has a new Prime Minister. He is Mr. Boris Johnson. He was elected as the new Conservative leader in a ballot of party members. He beat Jeremy Hunt winning 92,153 votes to Hunt’s 46,656. Boris Johnson is former London mayor who was also Foreign Secretary in the Government of Teresa May. In his victory speech, he said: “We are going to energise the country.

Missing Farmer Found In Shallow Grave
After a false alarm earlier today, family members have confirmed that the body of farmer Porfilio Nino, 65, was discovered in a shallow grave on his farm in the Maya Mopan area of Belmopan.

Breaking Belize News

2020’s public and bank holidays
Expect lots and lots of long weekends next year, as the schedule of public and […]

Six of Belize’s best headed to Pan American Games in Peru
Belize’s team to the 18th Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, departs this evening. The […]

Fuel prices hike at midnight
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective midnight tonight, the pump prices of three fuel […]

La Gracia residents concerned about new land surveys
Several farmers of La Gracia village, Cayo contacted Breaking Belize News to share their concern […]

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative appointed for Belize
An American citizen and native of the West African country, Liberia, Denise E. Antonio has […]

Remembering the 1919 Revolution
Belizeans gathered yesterday to commemorate the 1919 Revolution in Belize. In July of 1919, several […]

Messenger busted with marijuana
A messenger of Belize City was busted with marijuana yesterday. According to reports, police were […]

Dante Reneau, 21, wanted for murder of Ghanaian taxi driver Emmanuel Ampomah
Authorities are looking for Dante Reneau, 21, for the murder of Ghanaian taxi driver Emmanuel […]

Body found in Belmopan
Reports to BBN’s newsdesk are that the body of a man was found this morning […]

National Trade Union Congress: Things must be done differently to address crime in Belize
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) says that things must be done differently […]

LOVE FM

Protest for Paslow Plaza Name to be Changed
It is not uncommon to find buildings named after heroes or influential people in society. As a matter of fact, it is a practice carried out around the world. Today, in Belize, however, there were objections to the renaming of the proposed building at ground zero, the Paslow Plaza. If you know your history, you …

Vasquez Family to use settlement to invest in mental patient care
While the initiative by the Vasquez family seeks to assist other mentally ill individuals, there is still the matter of how Nestor Vasquez Junior died. At the press conference, Jules gave an update on his brother’s case. He said that the family’s lawyer, Leslie Mendez, has proposed a settlement, which they hope to use to …

DNA tests connect three of the accused to the deceased
The Mason trial got interesting today as results of DNA tests were revealed by a US FBI Expert. The DNA results connect three of the defendants, namely, Ernest Castillo, Terrence and Kieron Fernandez, to the deceased, Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. Attorney for Ashton Vanegas is Norman Rodriguez; Bryan Neal is representing Terrence and Kieron Fernandez while …

Strengthening the Spirits of Caribbean Youths
The Methodist Church is on day two of an event dubbed, Encuentro. The event serves to strengthen the spirit of youths all over the Caribbean. Day-2 included a flag raising ceremony at the Ramada Princess followed by a march to Wesley College. Throughout the next few days, the participants will engage in sessions aimed at …

Vasquez Family lobby for better treatment of mental patients
Since the tragic death of 60-year-old, Nestor Vasquez, a mentally ill man and brother of Channel 7’s own Jules Vasquez, mental health has come to the forefront of many discussions. The topic is no longer being treated as something taboo in Belizean society and authorities are now forced to take more precautions when dealing with …

Blogs

Market Day: Memories of the Old Belize City Central Market
Between sleep and wake, it didn’t take me too long to recognize who was rustling in the dark and what it meant when I was a child growing up in Belize City. During the week, but more often on the weekend (Friday and Saturdays), my mother would get up early in the morning before the break of dawn, got dressed and prepared to go to the Belize Central Market at the foot of the Swing Bridge in downtown Belize City. In the dark or with little light for a few minutes, she rustled in the kitchen to get two or three straw or canvas bags she needed to carry produce, meat and fish. With rope handles the canvas bag that was taken to the market was what Belizean called a market bag. The youngest in my family, on hearing the commotion in the house as she moved from the bed room to the kitchen, I would get up and ask her if I could go to the market with her. The answer was always yes and I would hurriedly and excitedly put on my clothes to go to the market.

International Sources

A Quest to Learn More about the Common Man
Archaeologist Eric Fries digs deep into the Maya civilization. Eric Fries’ inspiration stems from his childhood adventures alongside his grandfather. “My grandfather was a hobby archaeologist in Germany. He took me out when I was little into the fields to work with him,” he said. Now, Fries is in his second year of the anthropology doctoral program studying archaeology; only this time, he is working in the fields of Belize. He researches Maya archaeology, focusing in settlement, where he looks at big cities and their outlying areas. Not much is known about the common man in the Maya civilization or the role they served for the rich and powerful, but Fries is trying to change that. “I look at the outlying areas of cities: villages, farmers’ households, small towns that are far from the main centers,” Fries said. “I try to understand how those settlements came to be, how they function, and how they relate to the big temples.”

Boris Johnson to be UK's next prime minister
Boris Johnson set to become the UK’s next prime minister after receiving two-thirds of the votes in a ballot of party members. He decisively beat Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt - who earlier admitted his decision to vote Remain in the 2016 referendum had proved an insurmountable hurdle with members. Mr Johnson will officially take office tomorrow and begin making appointments to his cabinet – but it is already confirmed that Nottinghamshire MP Mark Spencer will become his chief whip.

Trump threatens Guatemala after its court blocks asylum deal
President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened retribution against Guatemala over immigration after the country’s high court blocked its government from signing an asylum deal with the United States. Trump tweeted that Guatemala has decided against signing a “safe-third agreement” requiring Central American migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. to instead apply for those protections in Guatemala, even though the country’s government never said it had agreed to the arrangement. Guatemala “has decided to break the deal they had with us on signing a necessary Safe Third Agreement. We were ready to go,” Trump complained. “Now we are looking at the ‘BAN,’” he wrote, along with tariffs, fees on remittance money Guatemalans working in the U.S. send back to their country, “or all of the above.”

John McAfee allegedly arrested – threatens to leak secret documents
American cryptocurrency and antivirus personality John McAfee allegedly has been arrested by US authorities. Now people in his vicinity are threatening to release secret documents if McAfee is not released. Crypto personality and presidential candidate John McAfee have disappeared and now people in his vicinity fear he has been arrested by US authorities. John McAfee has been on the run since 2012 when he was accused of involvement in a murder in Belize. McAfee himself denies the accusations and has previously called them “propaganda from the US government for the purpose of silencing me”.

John McAfee Arrest Rumors Spark Concerns About Dead Man’s Switch
John McAfee’s campaign manager has said on Twitter that the presidential candidate and his wife might have been arrested or detained on his boat, sparking rumors about a possible “dead man’s switch” that John McAfee recently talked about online. McAfee has been living off a boat and says it’s because he’s wanted for not paying his taxes. Now his campaign manager is saying that McAfee and his wife might have been detained on that boat. This is a developing story.

Mom with cancer seeks aid for adopted daughter
A former Stelly’s Secondary School teacher facing a terminal cancer diagnosis is appealing for financial help to keep her adopted daughter in Canada. Joni Miller, 49, has spent much of the last 12 years living in Belize, where she opened a school for children in Caye Caulker, a small island that is home to about 2,000 people and was previously without a secondary school. It was also in Belize that she adopted her daughter Naijah, now 11. When Miller, who grew up in Metchosin, found out that the cancer she had beaten years earlier had returned, she came home to Victoria for treatment and brought Naijah with her. Her daughter doesn’t have Canadian citizenship and is currently on a visitor visa, and Miller is worried about what will happen to Naijah when she’s gone.

Videos

July 23, 2019

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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Noche San Pedrana starts off International Costa Maya Festival – Reignited!
On Saturday, July 20th, hundreds of islanders and visitors flocked to the Central Park to enjoy Noche San Pedrana. The traditional event is one of the main Costa Maya Festival activities where pageant contestants in Reina de la Costa Maya, set for Friday, July 26th are introduced. The crowd of spectators enjoyed an evening of international pageantry as each candidate graced the stage in their cultural costumes. There was also food and drinks on sale, and spectators were treated to a wide variety of live entertainment. The show proceeded with each contestant, presenting a traditional gift from their home country. Items ranged from coffee to themed porcelains, Maya masks, and native wood carvings. Following an intermission with a performance by the San Pedro Dance Academy, the girls returned on stage to model their cultural attire.

Government of Belize and The European Union Signs Financing Agreement of BZ 31. 96 Million Grant Funding for the Energy Sector
The Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow and Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Belize, signed a Financing Agreement for a total of BZD $31.96M / Euro $14M for the energy sector. The signing ceremony was held today, 22 July 2019 in the Office of Prime Minister at the Laing Building, Belize City. Funding for the energy sector is allocated under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) to assist in the social and economic development of Belize. The proposed project is in line with Belize’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS) and will assist in achieving the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of a "Sustainable Energy Roadmap of Belize".

Ambergris Today

International Costa Maya Festival's Noche San Pedrana
San Pedro had the opportunity to meet the eight lovely delegates who will be participating in the Costa Maya International Beauty Pageant this week. Noche San Pedrana was hosted at the Central Park in a block party style and presented a program that delighted both the pageant ladies and guests. The young ladies were officially sashed, they presented their country’s gift, and modelled themselves in their country's national costumes and couture wear and spoke about themselves and their country's main attractions. Entertainment for the evening included dance presentations by the San Pedro Dance Academy, El Criminal, Pandemonium Steel Pand, Rompe Raja and Caribbean Kings. It was surely a fun filled one leading to the main pageant night that takes place this Friday, July 26, 2019. Don’t Miss out!

Various Belizean Sources

Winners of the Grand Caribe 3rd Annual Deep Sea Fishing Tournament
It was a very exciting weekend of Sports Fishing. Below are the winners of our 3rd Annual Deep Sea Fishing Tournament held in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Congrats to all winners! 1st Place - Boss Gial - Troy Mock & Team, 2nd Place - Catchin A Buzz- Kyle Rensenhouse, 3rd Place - Long Range - Byron Lara, 4th Place - Jollymon - Brandon Bowen, 5th Place - Reel Deal - Hillyboo Lara.

Chargé d'Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges traveles to Corozal
He and the Embassy team met with Northern Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Luis Castellanos, Superintendent Marcia Moody, and Corozal Police Officers to gain a better understanding of police operations in the Corozal District. While touring the Corozal Police Station, Chargé Gilges observed Belizean youth watching a film as part of the Corozal Police Department’s efforts to reduce crime amongst the youth.

Belize City Marine Conservation Summer Camp
Now is your chance to apply for the Marine Conservation Summer Camp taking place from August 5th to the 7th! Applying is easy - all you have to do is submit a 30 second video stating why you want to be a part of the conservation summer camp. Applicant must be ages 7-12 years old to qualify.

BELIZE & EU SIGN ENERGY AGREEMENT!
Rt Hon Prime Minister and Minister of Energy, Dean Barrow signed an energy financing agreement with the European Union today. The Ambassador from the EU was on hand as well as Minister of State for Energy Hon. Frank Papa Mena.

International Costa Maya Festival: ARRIVALS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

The Summer Art Wave's program: Ko'onex Tsikbal Maya began Monday morning
The Yucatec Maya language lessons are being offered by members of To'one Masehualoon group, who preserve and promote the Yucatec Maya culture.

Fundraiser for Thandie, representing Caye Caulker at Junior Miss Belize
So we are planning another fundraiser for Thandie who will be represening Caye Caulker on Sept.8th 2019 at Junior Miss Belize. (Please save the date).However we did not make enough funds but hoping we can now to cover the balance of neccessary items needed for Thandie for the pageant. Another bbq and pastry sale on Saturday Aug.3rd,2019. Not much items will be needed to make this fundraiser possible. (We already have some items from the past fundraiser). We thank you very much for your kind love and support that you all have been giving to Thandie, its truly amazing and we look forward to making the island proud!

Spraying on Caye Caulker
Spraying will be done by the following schedule: Day 1 (today) 5:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. Day 2 (tomorrow) 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. Day 3: Day 1 repeat. Day 4: Day 2 repeat. For queries/ complaints please email: [email protected] Thank you

Renovation of Corozal Children's Park Ribbon Cutting Deremony
Monday July 29, 10am.

Caye CaulkerSailing Club presents 2nd Annual CCCSC19 Regatta
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual CCCSC19 Sailing Regatta taking place on August 10th & 11th, 2019 at the Palapa Gardens right here in Caye Caulker. Come out and support our young sailors of our Caye Caulker Community Sailing Club as well as other sailors from other sailing clubs here in Belize. First race on Saturday the 10th starts at 12 noon. Everyone is invited.

PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS, 2020

Government of Belize and The European Union Sign Financing Agreement of BZ 31. 96 Million Grant Funding for the Energy Sector
The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow and Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Belize, signed a Financing Agreement for a total of BZD $31.96M / Euro $14M for the energy sector. The signing ceremony was held today, 22 July 2019 in the Office of Prime Minister at the Laing Building, Belize City. Funding for the energy sector is allocated under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) to assist in the social and economic development of Belize. The proposed project is in line with Belize’s Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS) and will assist in achieving the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and the implementation of a "Sustainable Energy Roadmap of Belize".

Restriction on Sale of Intoxicating Liquor on Election Day
The Elections and Boundaries Department reminds the public and liquor license holders of Rule 12 of the Village Council (Elections) Regulations 2009 (Statutory Instrument No. 134 of 2009) which states that every person who is the holder of a liquor license granted under the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act shall be prohibited from the sale of all forms of intoxicating liquor during the period from the opening of nominations right up to the announcing of the results. All owners of such establishments shall close the establishments to the public during these times, that is Sunday, 28th July, 2019. A breach of this section by any person is an offence and a fine of $250.00 or to imprisonment for six months.

Actun Chapat Cave Advisory
The Institute of Archaeology (IA), National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) advise stakeholders that the Actun Chapat Cave is not a designated archaeological reserve. Currently, the Institute does not have any management presence, and Actun Chapat Cave has safety, health, and security risks. Tourism stakeholders should not take guests within this cave since studies have indicated oxygen and carbon dioxide levels concerns, which could lead to death. Actun Chapat is susceptible to flooding, and if guests are in the big room, they will die since there are no emergency exits. Actun Chapat is not a legal archaeological reserve. Therefore the cave should not be advertised as a tourist destination.

Power outage in San Pedro today
Power outage 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24 to affect Mara Laguna and Tres Cocos Area in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Two 45-minute outages from 6:00 a.m. to 6:45 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. will also affect Boca Del Rio, Almond Street, Barracuda Street, Basil Jones Street, Beach Front, Bermuda Beach, Blue Dolphin, Buena Vista Area, Bonefish Street, Bright Waters Street, Canary Cove Area, Coco Beach Area, Deer Street, Habaneros Area, Iguana Street, Indigo Street, Jewfish Street, Lagoon Street, Laguna Street, Mangrove Drive, Middle Street, Pescador Drive, San Juan Area, Sandpiper Street, Seagull Street, Seaweed Street, Spider Lily Street, Lina Point, Mata Grande, Mata Villas, Mexico Rocks Subdivision, North Ambergris, Nunez Subdivision, Playa Blanca, Punta Arena Street, San Feliz Area and Tres Cocos. BEL to continue to upgrade power lines and transformers in the area.

Sacred Heart JC 2019 Graduation
Sacred Heart Junior College had their 2019 Graduation last month. Congratulations to all the graduates. Time to change the world.

BTB’s Cruise Conference 2019
“Get ready, stay ready, ready for the long haul!” It’s BTB’s first-ever Cruise Conference on August 23 in Belize City. This one-day event aims to foster a better understanding of the inner workings of the cruise industry and help our stakeholders improve their cruise tourism business. You’ll have access to presentations, networking, and opportunities to learn valuable information first-hand from cruise executives!

RITUAL OF THE BACABS
Ritual of the Bacabs is the name given to a manuscript from the Yucatec Maya containing shamanistic incantations written in the Yucatec Maya language. The manuscript has been dated at the end of the 18th Century, though this is not certain. The style of writing in the manuscript suggests that much of the information included was copied from older works. The work references many figures in Maya mythology who are for the most part unknown from other works. Ritual of the Bacabs includes some forty-two main incantations, with fragmentary supplements throughout. Most of the manuscript is written in the same hand. In his translation, Roys referred to this main writer as the "Bacabs hand."

Day 2 of Kids in Action Open water dives
The kids are having, the time of their life.

Los Hijos Del West to Perform at the X Festival Nacional de Marimbas Limonal Abangares 2019 in Costa Rica
Los Hijos Del West are travelling to the 10th “Festival Nacional de Marimbas Limonal Abangares” in Costa Rica. This festival is normally an exhibition of Costa Rica’s national bands, however, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary the organizers have invited international marimba groups from Guatemala, Argentina, Mexico and Belize to participate. The Marimba is the national instrument of Costa Rica. The “Festival Nacional de Marimbas” is a national festival where various marimba groups from all over Costa Rica are invited to perform, amounting to 50 groups that participate in the Festival with an estimated audience of 50,000 persons.

Channel 7

A Vigil for Allyson
Right now in downtown Belize City, the friends and family of Allyson Major Jr are having a candlelight vigil in his memory at the battlefield park. The 36-year-old school teacher and father was killed by a police bullet last week Wednesday in downtown Belize City. It was the culmination of a high-speed pursuit through downtown Belize City - where Major was suspected of having a small quantity of marijuana. He had no weapon. Since then the commissioner of police has acknowledged that police were wrong to open fire in that situation. A criminal investigation is underway.

Cops Getting Ready to Charge a Cop
And police are moving promptly to give the family some small measure of satisfaction that at least the officer responsible will be held criminally liable for his death. Today police said the file has been sent to the DPP:... Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "Police is still conducting an investigation into this matter. On Friday we had received some reports from the forensic and we are awaiting one more piece of evidence from them so that we can finish compile a file and thereafter decide on charges to be laid against a person or more than one persons."

Looking For Emmanuel's Killer
And while police hope to soon bring charges in that case, they are looking for a suspect in another killing. 52-year-old Emmanuel Ampomah was stabbed up in his taxi last Wednesday night - and he crashed on Seashore Drive. Police say he wasn't killed by the multiple stabs, he was crushed under his Toyota Four Runner: Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "Reference the death of Emmanuel Ampomah, the post mortem was conducted and the doctor certified that the cause of death was not due to the stab wounds that he had received but it was because of the vehicle that had dropped on top of him..." >

Remembering July, 1919
It's been relegated to a mere footnote in history, but the ex - servicemen's riot of July 22 and 23rd 1919 in Belize City is one of the most important events in Belize's nationalist movement. Yet, it's been criminally neglected in school and public education - which is why the UBAD Educational Foundation and the Image Factory are determined to restore the event to a place of importance, and have it writ large as a part of Belize history. They started that today with a centennial remembrance of the day right where it started one hundred years ago - in downtown Belize City. This time, they called it a revolution:

Mason Trial Moves to City
On Friday's news, we told you how Justice Antoinette Moore refused to admit a confession statement as evidence for the prosecution in the murder trial of William "Danny" Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. The judge ruled at the end of a trial within a trial last week that the alleged confession statement that police say Ernest Castillo gave them, cannot be used in the case because it was taken from him under duress. Well, the trial resumed today in Belize City, and the prosecution, led by DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal moved on with their case against the men.

EU Gives to Energy Sector
The European Union is funding a 32 million Belize dollar project for the Belizean energy sector. The news is that it will give electricity access to remote rural areas while improving energy efficiency in the public and private sectors. The EU ambassador to Belize was ate the Prime Minister;Minister's office in Belize City today to sign the financing agreement. The Prime Minister underscored the significance and discussed the areas of emphasis:

Police Investigating La Milpa Shooting
Tyrique Munnings was shot multiple times last week in Ladyville, and was left in critical condition. It happened in the Milpa area - which is a crime hotspot in that village. Police say they are trying to get the victim's family to assist in the investigation:.. Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "Police have been speaking to the family reference the shooting of Tyrique Munnings and we are still trying to convince them to give Police a statement..."

Shooting Victim Raheem Showing Improvement
Another shooting victim from one and a half weeks ago is showing steady improvement. Raheem Chambers was shot the night after gunmen targeted his brothers. It's part of an internal gang rivalry in the St. Martin's area. Police discussed his condition today: Police say they are trying to get the victim's family to assist in the investigation:.. Supt. Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Eastern Division: "Mr. Chambers is still hospitalized. His health condition is getting better and better every day and he is in a stable condition at this moment. I know that a male person by the name of Earl Baptist was charged yesterday for that offence of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm caused to Raheem Chambers."

Young Girl Bullied, Beaten
A video of a bullying and assault off a young girl went viral this weekend. But she hasn't come forward to report it to police. Here's a look at the video and what the cops are saying:

Balona, The Hawk?
Alex Balona is the PUP Standard bearer for Cayo Central - and on Sunday he was in the thick of a tense political fight in the villages of San Antonio and Esperanza. And, in the head of it, Balona allegedly spat on one of his political rivals, Bobby Montero - who is UDP area rep Rene Montero's son. This cell phone video captures the ugly moment.

Cops Found Trapp's Safe
Last week we told you how a pair of men home invaded San Ignacio Mayor Earl Trapp. They assaulted him, and then stole his safe before running off into the night. Well, 7News has confirmed that town police have recovered his safe - with all the contents missing - in a bushy lot fun the Bradley Bank area of the twin towns. It appears to have been blowtorched and then broken open.

Teenager To Jail for Sex With Minor
19-year-old Mainor Sagastume, a construction worker from Belmopan, is at the Belize Central Prison after he was taken to court today for allegedly committing sexual abuse against a 13-year-old girl. Last week Friday, the minor and her mother went to the police and reported that she ran away from her mother's house in Belmopan, and she went to Belize City with Sagastume. She says that he took her to an unpainted, and unfinished concrete bungalow house on University Drive and had intercourse with her on 2 occasions, July 3rd, and July 19th.

Weekend Warriors, Rejoice
The Government has released the list of public and bank Holidays for 2020, and the weekend warriors will be happy to note that there will be 9 different holiday weekends next year. The first holiday falls on midweek on Wednesday for New Years Day, January 1st. Then Monday, March 9th is National Heroes and Benefactors Day. Good Friday, April 10th, starts off the Easter Holiday weekend, which ends on Monday, April 10th. Friday, May 1st is Labour Day, and the next one after that is Monday, May 25th, which will be celebrated as Commonwealth day in lieu of Saturday, May 24th.

Ready To Rumble?
Fans of Mixed Marital Arts have a major international event coming up on Thursday in san Pedro. It's an international title bout and we spoke to the fighters today:

Crash At Free Zone
There was an accident on Sunday in the Corozal Free Zone. It happened at about 3:40 p.m., when 46 year old Belizean Sergio Mesh of Libertad Village, was reversing his Mazda pick-up that was parked in front Laxmi Micheladas Store. In the process he allegedly collided into the front of a Volkswagen Vento car that was being driven by a Mexican from Chetumal traveling on the Free Zone Main Road. After hitting the Volkswagen, Mesh lurched over a sidewalk and hit Mariseli Chable a 19-year-old, Belizean sales Clerk, also of Libertad.

Channel 5

Danny Mason Returns to Supreme Court in Belize City for Murder Trial
When we last reported on the murder trial of William “Danny” Mason and his co-accomplices, it was from the Belmopan courts. Today, the trial was transferred to Belize City with [...]

A Synopsis of Mason’s Murder Trial Thus Far
On Friday, Justice Antoinette Moore ruled that a caution statement given by Mason’s co-accused, Ernest Castillo, in which he confesses to lapping off Lucas’ head, was inadmissible.  As a result, [...]

Lawsuit Against ComPol Williams is Adjourned to September
This morning before Justice Shona Griffith, a hearing for judicial review in a case filed by Corporal Eldon Arzu against Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stalled yet again.  Arzu is [...]

Vendor was not the Intended Target of Fatal Shooting
There is some progress in the murder investigation of one of four victims of last week Tuesday’s murder spree.  Police say that murdered Belize City vendor, Jose Hilario Diaz, was [...]

Investigation Still Underway into Allyson Major’s Fatal Shooting
Last week four police officers were placed on interdiction following the fatal shooting of Allyson Major. Major was shot in the head by one of the cops during a high [...]

Ghanaian Cabbie Died from Injuries Sustained During Crash; Police Looking for Suspect
In an update to another murder last Tuesday, police say that they are still looking for a suspect in connection with the death of Ghanaian national Emmanuel Ampomah.  The fifty-two-year-old [...]

News Five Journeys to Sanctuary Belize; PM Speaks On Cabinet Confidential Memo
Sanctuary Bay is quite a beautiful place. Well, this is what the Prime Minister was told and undoubtedly what recidivist scammer Andris Pukke and associates used to convince more than [...]

PM Barrow Comments on F.I.U. Investigation into Sanctuary Belize Scam
In September 2016, the then Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit, Joy Grant, received an email alerting the F.I.U. of an ongoing investigation into massive violations of our Foreign Exchange [...]

PM Barrow Says Sanctuary Bay Scam is a Civil Matter, Not Criminal Matter
The People’s United Party says that the F.I.U.’s determination to not proceed with criminal charges is bogus.  During a press conference last week, P.U.P. Kareem Musa suggested that charges such [...]

Can G.O.B. Prevent a ‘Sanctuary Bay Scam’ Reoccurrence?
The multimillion-dollar Sanctuary Bay real estate scam is the biggest scam that the F.T.C. has investigated. It has certainly scared off future foreign investors and forced Atlantic International Bank Limited [...]

Teenage Girl Assaulted; Police Say Victim Needs to Make a Report
A video of two girls assaulting another teenager in Belize City went viral over the weekend. The video, which racked up thousands of views and hundreds of shares on Facebook, [...]

Police Need Eyewitnesses to Assist with Ladyville Shooting
Tyrique Munnings is at the K.H.M.H. in a critical condition after he was shot several times on Thursday night.  Munnings was in the Milpa Area of Ladyville when a lone [...]

Raheem Chambers Hospitalized; 1 Man Charged with Attempted Murder
While robbers targeted a restaurant on Saint Thomas Street, in the south side, a teen was shot multiple times on Thursday night and is recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial [...]

N.T.U.C.B. Weighs in on Crime in Belize
Today the National Trade Union Congress of Belize issued a press release to sound off on the spate of killings and crime in Belize. The N.T.U.C.B. says that it has [...]

E.U. Signs Financing Agreement with G.O.B. for Energy Sector
This morning at the office of the Prime Minister in Belize City, a significant financing agreement of thirty-one point nine-six million dollars for the energy sector was signed by the [...]

Village Council Elections Get Heated in Cayo; P.U.P. Standard Bearer Charged
Round five of the village council elections took place in four districts: Corozal, Orange Walk, Belize and Cayo, where sparks flew among opposing party supporters and candidates.  The People’s United [...]

Accused Murderer Out of Bail
Donald Heredia, an alleged murder suspect, was able to secure bail through the Supreme Court after sitting behind bars for more than three years awaiting trial. Heredia is said to [...]

Would-Be-Thief, Caught on Camera, is Arraigned for Burglary
A would-be-thief went to burglarize a closed business establishment, but was caught on the same surveillance camera he tried to steal. Cris Anthony Reyes of Marigold Lane, Belize City, was [...]

PRO FC Prophecy Fighting Championship to Take Place in San Pedro
PRO FC is on a mission not only to promote the sport of mixed martial arts, but also to provide Belizean fighters with a platform to become regionally ranked.  For [...]

Remembering the 1919 Revolution
An event that happened a century ago; has not been featured prominently in our history books, but it could have sparked a change in history of the then colony. According [...]

Activists to Protest in Front of Ground Zero
It’s been almost two months since construction works have begun on Ground Zero at the bottom of the Swing Bridge in the heart of the City. It is where an [...]

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

The Reporter

NTUCB Pushing To Re-instate CCC – Even Chester May Like It
The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) has weighed in on the recent tailspin that crime has shown, which it feels is proof of “an inequitable economy that has poor social protections in place.” In a press release, the NTUCB raised concern over the impact that crime has had on the work force.

Breaking Belize News

Bail granted to mental patient accused of Caye Caulker murder
On Friday, attorney for 55-year-old Donald Heredia, Darrell Bradley, successfully secured his bail in the […]

Elderly man reported missing
The relatives of 65-year-old Porfilio Nino is concerned about his safety. Nino was reported missing […]

Police urge beaten teen to make formal report
Over the weekend social media went abuzz with two girls seen beating a female teen […]

Police: Waiting for evidence in Allyson Major case
The investigation into the death of Allyson Major, 36, remains open. Today police indicated that […]

Tropical Depression forms in Bahamas
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) is issuing advisories on newly formed Tropical Depression Three. The […]

The Faye Lin Cannon case two years on
American Anke Doehm, 48, still awaits trial in the Supreme Court on charges of ‘cruelty […]

Teenager reported missing in Cristo Rey, Cayo
The family of Serene Celi Sanchez, 16, of Cristo Rey, Cayo is concerned about her […]

GOB and European Union sign agreement for $31 Million grant
Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Her Excellency Malgorzata Wasilewska, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Belize, […]

Fiery exchanges during Village Council elections
In a major victory for the People’s United Party (PUP), the party won all seats […]

Politician to face charges for ‘spitting’ on opponent’s son
Cayo Central Standard bearer for the People’s United Party (PUP), Alex Balona will face charges […]

LOVE FM

Attorney failed to file application, Police Association’s case pushed back
Since being appointed as Commissioner of Police in January, Chester Williams has made several changes to the Police Department. One of those changes that he is trying to institute has been met with disdain and it has to do with the appointment of the Chairman of the Police Association. Williams has made a decision that …

Blogs

Budget Belize Island Hopping: Sailing the Barrier Reef with Raggamuffin Tours
Last week, Jamie and I set sail with Raggamuffin Tours. This was not your regular day sail. The adventure included 3 full days of fishing, snorkeling and island-hopping (Caye-hopping technically) along the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world. It was awesome. We were on a gorgeous catamaran with our own private chef, a captain, and 2 crew members. We were barefoot the entire time – in fact, our flip-flops were collected as we boarded the boat on day one. We overnighted on two tiny sandy cayes off the Belize coast – one night in an over-the-water hut waking to the sunrise and the SLAP of a pelican dive-bombing fish just feet from our window. We camped one night falling asleep under a full moon and stirring to the rumble of thunder and stunning gorgeous black morning skies.

Third Annual Corozal's Best Ever Rum, Ribs, Rice Tasting Contest 2019 (Part of the September Celebration 2019)
Part of the September Celebration, Corozal's Best Ever Rum, Ribs, Rice Tasting Contest 2019 will be held on September 13, 2019. The event will be commencing at 5pm at the Andres Campos Civic Center. What Do you need to enter? Sample of your best Rib and/Or your specialty Dish. Anyone can enter For Free. You can Pre-Register call Miss Pat: 668-7668 or Corozal Library or Corozal Civic Center. Here is an interview with Miss Janet Castillo more about this event.

Corozal House of Culture held Their First Day "The Summer Art Wave's program"
The Summer Art Wave's Program is a program that teaches you to learn Maya Langauge. Usually, it is held at this time of the month in Corozal. Maya Language is not spoken a lot this day, the few people who speak Maya Language today, are around speaking Maya Language. And, they are teaching other people to keep this Language Alive. So, hold on because I will be talking about why is it important to attend this event annually. use of Mayan languages in many important domains of society, including administration, This morning was the First day of "The Summer Art Wave's program'' by Ko'onex Tsikbal Maya Yucatec Maya language lessons.

Guest Blog - Top 10 Traits Successful Expats Share
1.) Friendly - if you're going to move to a new place you need to meet new people; without a social network, an expat needs to be able to meet people outside of work and social circles. This is not difficult for most people, as warm countries tend to be friendly and locals are very accepting and eager to chat. 2.) Humility – Regardless of how educated or successful you are at home, you’re in a new sandbox and you don’t know how things work, so be humble and understated and you will make friends much quicker and not fall into the next category. 3.) Humility II – Moving to another country and assuming your well thought out business plan from home will work in your new country can be the kiss of death…different things work in different places and economies, so assume you know nothing ---- observe, speak to as many people as possible and figure out what works for your NEW home.

8 Adventurous Things To Do In Belize
Adventures in Belize aren’t confined to activities. They can be found in every journey you make around this perpetually surprising destination, whether that’s a bumpy van ride down dirt roads to a picnic site in the jungle, or hundreds of slippery steps that lead you to a secret waterfall. In my case, it was an hour-long speedboat ride over choppy ocean waves that made me grateful for the modern wonder of Dramamine. I’m not prone to seasickness, but that bumpy journey was more than I bargained for.

Eco Kids Summer Camp 2019 Day 7: Belizean Wildlife & Final Farewell
We’ve made to the last day of camp. It felt like just yesterday the eco kids had arrived. It was a misty morning with grey clouds above, hearing the birds echoing throughout the jungle. The eco kids woke up and got ready for the morning muster with Mr Levi as he explained the last day of activities. By now the campers knew almost all the songs from their song books. With excitement they took turns picking songs that would guarantee a bit of teasing and laughing. One of their favorite lines from the song Shine Eye Gyal was a “A shine eye gyal is a trouble to man.” Singing this song they pointed at each other bursting out loud in laughter.

Eco Kids Summer Camp 2019 Day 6: Solid Waste Management & Sustainability
It’s been a successful week with so much to be grateful for. How amazing that twenty-four kids from all over country have been fortunate enough to attend such a prestigious camp and to have experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime. Having first hand experience in the field learning about the Ancient Maya, Biodiversity, Medicinal Plants, and Land Conservation. On the day’s agenda the camper’s will be learning about Solid Waste Management.

International Sources

NM scientists document late Pleistocene/early Holocene Mesoamerican stone tool tradition
From the perspective of Central and South America, the peopling of the New World was a complex process lasting thousands of years and involving multiple waves of Pleistocene and early Holocene period immigrants entering into the Neotropics. Paleoindian colonists arrived in waves of immigrants entering the Neotropics, a region starting in the humid rainforests of southern Mexico before 13,000 years ago and brought with them technologies developed for adaptation to environments and resources found in North America. As the ice age ended across the New World people adapted more generalized stone tools to exploit changing environments and resources. In the Neotropics these changes would have been pronounced as patchy forests and grasslands gave way to broadleaf tropical forests. In new research published recently in PLOS One titled Linking late Paleoindian stone tool technlogies and populations in North, Central and South America, scientists from The University of New Mexico led a study in Belize to document the very earliest indigenous stone tool tradition in southern Mesoamerica.

Scientists discovered a new species of tiny sharks that glow in the dark
Sharks are known to stalk and sniff out prey before they attack. But all this newly discovered shark species has to do is glow in the dark, and the prey comes to them. The 5 1/2-inch American Pocket Shark is the first of its kind to be discovered in the Gulf of Mexico, according to a new Tulane University study. It's less fearsome than it is wondrous. Scientists stumbled upon a teeny male kitefin shark in 2010 while studying sperm whales in the Gulf. It wasn't observed again until 2013, when National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researcher Mark Grace found it in a pool of less luminous specimens. It's only the second pocket shark ever captured or recorded, Grace said in a statement. The other was found in 1979 in the east Pacific Ocean.

New tropical depression forms off the coast of Florida
A concentrated batch of downpours and thunderstorms churning near the eastern Bahamas strengthened into Tropical Depression 3 late Monday afternoon, as AccuWeather Meteorologists predicted. The storm formed close to the coast of Florida, approximately 120 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida, and was moving northwest at 13 mph, according to the The National Hurricane Center. If the Tropical Depression strengthens into a tropical storm, it would be named Chantal. Even if a named storm fails to take shape, an extended stretch of increased showers and thunderstorms will impact the Florida Peninsula this week.

Videos

July 22, 2019

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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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Belize attends 44th Annual Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
Speakers, parliamentarians and Clerks of parliaments from the Caribbean Legislative Assemblies have gathered in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for the 44th Annual Conference of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic (CAA) Region of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), that is being held under the theme “Globalization and Nationalism: Quo Vadis – Impacts on Commonwealth Parliaments”. The conference is being held from 12th - 19th July 2019, and comprises of sub-meetings, namely: 12th Regional Conference of Women Parliamentarians (CWP); Regional Executive Committee Meeting; Annual General Meeting; 44th Plenary Conference; and 15th Regional Youth Parliament.

Police Report: Kept Unlicensed Firearm
On July 17, 2019, about 2:30 p.m., whilst police were conducting a joint operation, they visited the Sundiver Beach Resort, San Pedro Town and searched a room belonging to the owner of the resort, Dennis Brain McCully. During the search police discovered (1) .25 pistol with serial number 69485, (1) .22 revolver and (6) .22 live round of ammunition. Present during the search were, Dennis Brain McCully 57-year-old, American Businessman and Mary Patricia McCully 58-year-old, American Businesswoman, both of San Pedro Town. The McCully's could not produce a license for any of the firearms. As a result, police formally arrested and charged Dennis Brain McCully and Mary Patricia McCully for the offence of Kept Firearm without having been granted a gun license.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Keeping the Peace
“Has anybody seen Linsford lately?” Mario asked. “Not me,” Moses said, as he missed sinking the 5 ball in the side pocket of the pool table. The Nosénada Club consists of me, Mario, Juan, Vernon, Moses and Linsford when Maria lets him out of the house. It was Wednesday, our weekly pool tournament night. Vernon said, “I seen him last night passing my house at about seven o’clock.” “I haven’t seen him since he had to go to court last month,” I said. “That was after he got in that fight with Dario.”

What’s New: Wet Corner Car Wash
They say necessity is the mother of invention, and ‘they’ would be right. When one golf cart owner found that keeping his cart clean added up quickly, he realized that others must find it just as expensive too. Not only was he inconvenienced by the price, but timeliness was another issue. Thus, he brainstormed and decided to open his own car wash to suit everyone seeking professional service, and Wet Corner Car Wash came to be! Located on Sea Grape Drive, Wet Corner strives to provide its customers with the best in professional services. From a simple hand wash and vacuum to waxing and polishing and full interior/exterior detailing, their pride is in a job well done. Their popular $35 service brings an overall wash and oil bath, shine treatment, and tire care.

Doctor Love: P’s and Q’s
Dear Doctor Love, I’d like to respond to “Not Sorry,” a mother of a toddler who doesn’t make her child say “please” and “thank you.” I want to see her letter to you when this kid is fifteen and is an ungrateful, demanding teenager who shows no consideration for anyone and girls ignore him because he is impolite. How will this mother feel when he treats her like the maid, telling her to get him a sandwich or take him to practice? She’s setting her son up for social and relationship failure by not teaching him that please and thank you are not just words they are the epitome of courtesy and good manners.

Various Belizean Sources

Dianny Enriquez receives SEALEG micro-grant
Dianny Enriquez is the second recipient of a $250 USD SEALEG micro-grant made possible by a generous donation from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. Dianny, a native of Caye Caulker, Belize, is the owner and operator of Lionfish Souvenirs & Adventures and the President of Belioness, a consortium of female eco-entrepreneurs from the coastal regions of Belize. Dianny first became passionate about marine conservation while attending BTIA tour guide classes. “If we lose our island reef, we lose our island life”, she said in a recent interview with The Voice of Caye Caulker. After attending a lionfish workshop hosted by Blue Ventures in 2015, Dianny opened Lionfish Souvenirs & Adventures in Caye Caulker to retail artisan lionfish jewelry, provide unique lionfish-centric eco-tourism experiences, and raise local environmental awareness. the British Virgin Islands, and Indonesia.

Corruption is a true enemy to development
The Belize Peace Movement (BPM) is appalled at the prime minister’s response to the latest mega scandal engulfing his government, his law firm and himself. This scandal came to public attention with the publication of a 50-page document filed in the Southern Court of Florida by the United State investigators known as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The document names the prime minister, deputy prime minister and other cabinet ministers, as well as a government Senator, the past and present governors of the Central Bank and senior managers of Atlantic International Bank Limited. The scandal was mastermind by a convicted American whose company, Sanctuary Bay, sold over 1,400 properties at hundreds of thousands of dollars each. Some one hundred million US dollars were embezzled by sanctuary Bay. The properties were part of a large track of land in Southern Belize for which it is unclear if the required taxes were paid to the ministry of lands.

Pengereng Book Launch
The Wildfire Artzmosphere is hosting the Cayo launch of Ivory Kelly's Pengereng. The book has a collection of short stories in English and Kriol. You can get a signed copy on Saturday, August 3rd. "We're exciting about hosting another book launch! Congratz to Ivory Kelly!!!!! PENGERENG! AUGUST 3RD @ 7p. HOPE TO SEE Y'ALL THERE!"

COUTURE DESIGNER DRESS - HAYDEE LU STUDIO
The Miss Costa Maya 2019 Delegates were photographed at Haydee Lu Studio by Photographer Haydee Nuñez in their Couture Dress made by a designer of their country of origin. Here are the results! Thank you Haydee!

Costa Maya Delegates 2019
Costa Maya Delegates 2019 - YOLO Sunset Cruise

Summer Art Wave in Corozal
We are kindly inviting community members who are interested in learning to speak Yucatec Maya to the Ko'onex Tsikbal Maya program on Monday July 22 beginning at 8:30 am. The free course is being facilitated by the great people of To'one Masehualoon. Message, call 422-0071 or visit the House of Culture to register.

NORTHERN MAYA OF BELIZE
For many years we have heard little of the Northern Maya of Belize. Many do not know that we, the Maya Masewal in Belize, are the ones who stood up against the British imperialism during the Guerra Social Maya (Caste War). During and after the Caste War it has not been easy for us. After our Maya villages were burned down in Yalbac in 1867 and again in 1930’s by the British, we had to move to more populated areas of Northern and Western Belize. Our great grandparents and grandparents were punished in Belizean schools for simply speaking Maya and they were ridiculed for their culture and beliefs. They made them feel that being Maya was bad. Many of our grandparents to avoid more discrimination did not teach Maya to our parents.

Kids in Action Scuba Instructors
I am proud to present this year Kids in Action, Scuba Instructors.

Day 1 of confined and open water dives for the kids in Action group
The kids are amazed with their underwater experience.

The Reporter

Heavy Rains Cause Flooded Roads In Some Areas
The weather-man did tell us all that there would be heavy rains over the weekend, and the roads, especially in the low lying areas are showing the results, in the past 36 hours there has been some flooded areas, and Motorists are urged to take note that certain areas of the country’s road network are under water.

Breaking Belize News

Foreign Ministers of Belize and Guatemala speak to OAS
The Organization of American States (OAS), starting in 2000, began managing the process of dialogue […]

GSU cop arraigned in accident that injured 2 year old toddler
Some eight months after their near-fatal encounter on Iguana Street, Police Constable Marvin McKoy, a […]

Man gets four months in jail for stealing $4.75 corned beef
Perhaps expecting a lenient sentence, 37-year-old Wilbert Clark pleaded guilty in court on Friday to […]

Cops in San Pedro beat extortion charge
A Special Constable and Police Constable, both with the San Pedro Town police station, have […]

Blogs

International Sources

Garifuna Collective brings native culture, heaps of rhythm to Music Haven
A lot has been written about Music Haven recently which, considering it’s the 30th anniversary of the summer concert series, makes sense. To be brief, Mona Golub and the Music Haven team provide an essential service to the local arts and culture scene. Through Music Haven shows, folks are introduced to music they’d likely never otherwise hear. And most importantly, particularly at this moment in our nation’s existence, they’re exposed to cultures they may otherwise have never known existed. Take Sunday night’s show, headlined by the Garifuna Collective. How many people are familiar with the Belizean band, much less with the history of the Garifuna culture? The Garifuna are an Afro-indigineous group that originally came from the Caribbean, was exiled to Honduras and eventually settled in Belize.

Institutional Investors Hate on Consolidated Water Co LTD Falls
institutional sentiment decreased to 1.07 in Q1 2019. Its down -0.20, from 1.27 in 2018Q4. The ratio dived, as 32 hedge funds opened new and increased stock positions, while 30 cut down and sold their stakes in Consolidated Water Co LTD. The hedge funds in our partner’s database now own: 7.60 million shares, down from 7.66 million shares in 2018Q4. Also, the number of hedge funds holding Consolidated Water Co LTD in their top 10 stock positions was flat from 0 to 0 for the same number . Sold All: 7 Reduced: 23 Increased: 21 New Position: 11. Consolidated Water Co. Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, develops and operates seawater desalination plants and water distribution systems in the Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, Belize,

Videos

July 21, 2019

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, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.

The San Pedro Sun

Minister of National Security Hands over New Equipment to BDF
The Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar, today handed over eight chainsaws to the Belize Defence Force for use at the various observation and conservation posts along the Western Border. During a recent tour of facilities in the Cayo district, the Minister became aware of the need for these chainsaws, which will be used to cut fallen trees that block trails and pathways in the areas patrolled by the BDF, and as well, to cut firewood for cooking.

Mosquito Coast Park undergoes renovations
Members of the San Pedro Lions Club and the business community have embarked on a renovation project at the Mosquito Coast Lions Park south of San Pedro Town. The activity aims to give the popular park a much-needed facelift and improve the amenities it offers to island residents, who have made it one of their favorite recreational areas.

FIU Issues Statement Regarding Sanctuary Belize, FTC, and AIBL
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has been monitoring media reports relating to issues surrounding the enterprise known as Sanctuary Bay or Sanctuary Belize, Atlantic International Bank Limited and the United States Federal Trade Commission. The FIU generally does not make public statements on its investigations (past or ongoing) in accordance with international best practices, unless a prosecution is publicly underway. To provide clarity and in response to several inquiries received, the FIU issues the following statement.

Island Takeover MMA fight night coming to San Pedro Town
Thursday, July 25th has been set for a fantastic Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight night in San Pedro Town, with nine matches featuring fighters from Belize, Mexico and the United States of America. The event, dubbed ‘Island Takeover,’ will include three Jiu-Jitsu and six MMA combats. The event is scheduled to start at 6PM at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium. The event, organized by the PRO FC- Belize Mixed MMA League, will include a co-main event and the main event, along with a female match. Two of the fighters representing Belize, Bryce Peterson, and Jash Caballero, shared with The San Pedro Sun that they have been arduously preparing for this fight night and are confident that they will represent well.

Not enough markets for Belize’s record-breaking sugar crop season
The 2018-2019 sugar crop season came to a close on Monday, July 15th with yet another record-breaking sugar cane milling season. Sugar industry stakeholders in the northern part of the country claim that the results were beyond expectations, producing over 140 thousand tons of sugar. However, despite successful in production, the industry continues to struggle in securing markets, following the European Union (EU) reforms which no longer give Belize preferential rates on sugar.

Various Belizean Sources

Corozal Cleanup
Shout out to all who showed up today. Rain can't stop we. Shout out to Karima Pech for the photos :) Shout out to Tariq Aguilar Cano for the kind donation to motivate participants, as well as C's Pharmacy for helping out with gloves. Shout out to Rotaract Club of Corozal, Rotary, Cub Scouts, Wavemakers and Corozaleños who care about the bay. Apologies to those who I forgot to inform about the time change. Thank you from myself and Oceana Belize — at Mangrove Park, Corozal Town.

VIGIL FOR ALLYSON MAJOR
A vigil will be held at battlefield park for slain teacher Allyson Major this Monday at 5pm. Major was shot in the head by police after a pursuit downtown Belize City. The Ministry of Police has order a special investigation into the matter. Colonel George Lovell, CEO for the Ministry of Police and National Security, met with the family to offer condolences and assure a thorough investigation.

The Reporter

Death On Seashore Drive – Taxi Man Killed, Not Robbery
A well-known Ghanaian taxi man, Emmanuel Ampomah, 52, was stabbed to death on Tuesday night by two passengers inside his cab as he drove along Seashore Drive around 8:00, just before his vehicle ran off the street and overturned in a drain.

Record Cane Season Closes, But Cane Farmer Concerns Persist
The 2018/2019 sugar crop season recently came to a close on July 15, with the northern sugar industry seeing a record year of production at the Tower Hill factory in Orange Walk. The factory produced over 155,000 metric tons of sugar in an extended 214 day season, exceeding the previous record set in 2016 by more than 12 thousand metric tons. Despite this success, however, some farmers say they are still struggling to break even due to the price of cane on the market.

Fake Cops Invade SI/SE Mayor’s Home
San Ignacio/Santa Elena Town Mayor, Earl Trapp is recovering from injuries he suffered during a home invasion on Tuesday night July 16th. at his home in San Ignacio Town. The Mayor told the Reporter on Wednesday that he was asleep at home around 9:40 p.m., when his wife, Claudeth Trapp, woke him up and told him that three Policemen had knocked at the door and were asking for him.

Breaking Belize News

Caye Caulker resident accuses cop of brutality
Shaquille Rogers, a 24 year old resident of Caye Caulker is claiming that he was […]

Deported Belizean U.S. Marine denied entry to USA for scheduled citizenship interview
Deported Marine Corps veteran Belizean Roman Sabal, 58, has been denied entry to the U.S. […]

San Pedro resident walked free from murder
He is 45-year-old Rafael Ramirez Calderon, a resident of San Pedro who was accused and […]

Dangriga man busted with gun and ammo
Charles Bradley of Ghans Avenue in Dangriga has been charged for ‘kept firearm without a […]

Police find .38 gun in open lot
Authorities on patrol yesterday morning noticed a chef leaving an open lot on Antonio Soberanis […]

Hattieville construction worker charged for murder
Jovi Hernandez,19, a construction worker of Hattieville has been charged for the murder of Nixon […]

Leroy Haultzes charged for ‘conspiracy to commit murder’
Leroy Haultzes, 23, of Cemetery road, Belize City was charged on July 18 for the […]

Department on Environment to address contamination in New River
Residents contacted Breaking Belize News to share their concern about the current contamination of the […]

Mason murder trial comes to City as caution statement thrown out
The murder trial against William “Danny” Mason, Terrence and Keiron Fernandez, as well as Ashton […]

Court rules that Andre Vega must repay land compensation
The Supreme Court has ruled that 400 thousand dollars paid in compensation to Andre Vega, son […]

International Sources

CCJ, best court for all
The new head of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will be working doubly hard to convince TT nationals and other citizens in the countries that have not yet signed on completely to the CCJ as their final court of appeal, that it is truly the best court for the region. “Judging is not a mathematical science but the appreciation of culture and values and societal goals whose national disputes you are judging,” Justice Adrian Saunders told Sunday Newsday last week. “I think a Caribbean court will always be better placed to do that than a court based in Timbuktu or wherever.”

A hidden United benefit will extend your trip for next to nothing
If you have the United Explorer Card like I do, the Excursionist Perk is a great way to get more from your miles. The Excursionist Perk adds an extra flight to a multi-city itinerary for no extra miles. For me, this helped to extend a recent trip to Greece to see Italy as well for just 60,000 miles and under $150 in taxes. The best part is that it's so simple to use. There's no need to enter any promotional codes — all it requires is booking with miles through United's site in order for the Excursionist Perk fare to take effect automatically.

American Airlines to offer free Wi-Fi? Here's what it'll cost you
As the big airlines begin to promise that Wi-Fi on flights will be free, they're gambling on flyers tolerating more big discomfort. Flying has become a little less glamorous. Delays are commonplace. Cancellations are regular, too. And even the latest planes, like the Boeing 737 MAX, seem to have been created with commercial exigencies more prominent than those of, say, safety. Still, there's one thing flyers crave on a flight. No, not food or friendly smiles. Those departed a while ago and are only slowly making a comeback. Instead, everyone wants Wi-Fi. Good Wi-Fi. Great Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi.

Costa Maya Delegates 2019
Secret Paradise, Secret Beach

Videos