November 19, 2019

Enjoy Garifuna Settlement Day!!!

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, 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

SPRCS students shine in Dental Health Week Poster Competition
On Friday, November 15th, three students of San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) were awarded for their excellent poster submissions for Dental Health Week. Alexandra Bejerano, Ryan Ramirez, and Kaitlyn Brown were the stand-out artists from more than 100 poster submissions, all focusing on the 2019 Dental Health Week theme 'Brush, Floss, Be A Boss'. During a short ceremony outside of the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II, the winners and their classmates were addressed by Dr. Irma Zuniga, Dentist at the clinic.

San Pedro Lions Club observes Diabetes Day
On Thursday, November 14th, Belizeans joined millions around the world in observing World Diabetes Day. San Pedro Town was not the exception, where members of the San Pedro Lions Club held a walk to increase awareness about this disease. The walk started at 6AM from Central Park, heading north through Barrier Reef Drive. The group then went south on Pescador Drive, bearing a banner with the message to beat diabetes together and inviting everyone to get tested. The short walk ended at Central Park, where it started.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro High School Celebrates Belize's Culture
On Friday, November 15, 2019, San Pedro High School held a fun and educational Cultural Day Exhibit under the theme “Belize and its people integrated through its dance, music, culture and food”. After the official opening remarks by Principal Emil Vasquez, Mrs. Angie Ellis officially introduced the guest speaker Mr. Ravey Vellos. Mr. Vellos addressed the students and staff of San Pedro High with a very interesting and informational speech.

Various Belizean Sources

Belize Electricity Limited Inaugurates New San Pedro Branch Office
On Friday, Novemeber 15, 2019, the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) inaugurated its new San Pedro Branch Office on Pescador Drive. BEL took this opportunity to announce the Company's new strategic direction to expand its offerings to current and new customers. Ms. Sheena Garnett, Sr. Corporate Communications Officer of BEL was the Mistress of Ceremony for the event. After a lovely rendition of the National Anthem by Natalie Arceo and prayer by Father David Mumba of the San Pedro RC Church the welcome address was delivered by Mayor Daniel Guerrero of San Pedro Town.

Caye Caulker Power Scheduled Outage
Power outage 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 21 to affect entire Caye Caulker Village. BEL to straighten utility pole and conduct maintenance of equipment on the power distribution system in the area.

BWS Notice for Customers in parts of Belize City: Planned Interruption for November 20, 2019
Duration: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Area to be affected: the area bounded to the South by Freetown Road, to the East by St. Thomas Street and St. Matthews Street, and to the West & North by the Caribbean Sea.

BTB Kiosks Garifuna Celebrations
As we prepare to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day on Nov. 19, BTB's Kiosks hosted their own celebrations this past weekend.

WOMEN DURING THE CASTE WAR
MARÍA UICAB, PATRONA DE TULUM:MAYA COMMANDER AND PRIESTESS: María Petrona Uicab was from the middle of 1860 commander and priestess of the rebellious Maya soldiers of the peninsular east. Daughter of a cruzo'ob commander with the surname Uicab, María was one of the main figures of the rebellious Maya Máasewal in the war they waged against the troops of the state of Yucatan and the Mexican federal government. The military commanders of the villages of Chumpón, San Antonio Muyil and Noj Kaaj Santa Cruz obeyed the orders of the priestess, who resided in San Antonio Muyil and was the interpreter of the signs of the Maya crosses that had their sanctuary in the Holy Pueblo Santa Cruz Tulum, ancient Tsama '. A Woman of great charisma, she had a remarkable ability to be obeyed by her followers .

South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Dollar Drive
Now that tourist season is ramping up, we are attempting to boost our monthly income with dollar drives. Pairs of members station themselves at the beginning of the dirt road by Victoria House and ask passerby's to donate cash to support the SACNW. This requires 1-2 hours, or whatever time you can give, and has been very successful in the past. As well, it heightens awareness of our organization and the fact that it is only due to donations that we are able to have the Patrol keeping watch over our neighborhood.

San Pedro Town Council Closed Today
The San Pedro Town Council hereby informs the general public that its offices will be closed on Tuesday, November 19th, 2019 in honor of Garifuna Settlement Day. We will resume to regular working hours on Wednesday, November 20th. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. Happy Garifuna Settlement Day!

Congratulations to the Ocean Academy Dolphins, players and coaches!
They defeated the San Pedro Sharks today. These teams face each other again next Monday, November 25 in San Pedro. Come out and support your Dolphins!!!

Live reenactment of the Garifuna Settlers on Caye Caulker
The community is Invited to witness the Live reenactment of the Garifuna Settlers that came onto our beautiful land. The route will begin from Charles Rubio's home making its way down to the split then ending off infront of Sports bar. Come out and enjoy the drumming sounds of the culture boys and celebrate this historical day, Starting Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM HOSTS MUNDO MAYA EUROPEAN PRESS TRIP
On November 15th and 16th, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation hosted European press in efforts to promote the community tourism trail called Holpatin, being developed by the Ministry in the Orange Walk District. The team, which included journalists from Agencia EFE, Nattule, and Periodista Digital are visiting all five countries of the Mundo Maya region as part of a tour organized by the Mundo Maya Organization to promote the community projects that were part of the Regional Maya Community-based Tourism Program. They visited Lamanai, the U Chan Muul Yaax Ka’ax Museum in San Lazaro, and Mr. Susano Blanco’s medicinal trail in August Pine Ridge.

Belize and Taiwan Sign Project Agreement for the Strengthening of Medical Imaging Services in Belize
Today, November 18, 2019, the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Health and the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a project agreement to improve the Medical Imaging Services in Belize. The project beneficiaries are two regional public hospitals and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The project will increase accessibility to quality and safe imaging services as a means towards achieving universal access to health.

Join us on Wednesday, November 20th at the Corozal Chapter AGM!
We cordially invite all members and tourism stakeholders to our upcoming Belize Tourism Industry Association Corozal's Chapter Annual General Meeting to be held Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at LAS PALMAS HOTEL. See you all there!

Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration in Corozal
We invite you to: Witness the reenactment of the arrival of the Garinagu to the shores of British Honduras in 1802. Parade through Libertad Village, take part in the mass, parade over to the lawn of Reggaeville for a day of cultural performances. Taste the rich Garifuna culture with delicious cuisine on sale. All of this is happening tomorrow November 19th in celebration of Garifuna Settlement Day! If you need a ride over, jump on the free bus which will be leaving from the Corozal House of Culture at 6:30am, returning at 2pm. We wish everyone a happy Garifuna Settlement Day!!

How to Handle a Cold Front in Belize
by Hector Silva. WHEN JOE NORTH BEGIN TO SHOW UP, CHRISTMAS DI COME.> - Well last night . his pickney showed up.. In olden days, when the cold fronts began to blow, Belizeans would say. - "Joe North di come, chase the cockroach THEM ". Meaning that the cold season has approached, Get your coats ready. How does Cold Fronts affect Belizeans ? - It is a relief from the hot weather days of the previous months. - Likewise, it is a somewhat indicator that the Hurricane Season IS or HAS come to a close. ( there have been crazy hurricanes in late November. ) BUT very Cold Joe Norths in Belize affect those with old broken limbs, those of old age and if you catch a bad FLU.

San Pedro BTIA Meeting Nov. 21
Members and those interested in joining the SP BTIA are invited to join us this Thursday, November 21st.

Channel 7

ASP's Allegation: One too Many Cops Cursed For Wasani
A few months ago Wasani Castro - the son of Minister Edmond Castro - was accused of assaulting a police officer during a cycling race on Regent Street. But, no charges were brought. In 2017, he was also accused of assaulting a police officer, but, again, in that case there were no charges. But, it seems his good luck or good connections have run out - because today the 26 year old Castro was taken to court for just that: assaulting a police officer - and this time it's an Assistant Superintendent.

Teenager Charged For Murder, Appears in Court With Broken Jaw
On Friday's news, we told you about the senseless murder of 30-year-old Geovanni Lennan on Welch Street in Belize City. He's the firefighter and athlete who was gunned down and killed while he was heading home from work last week Thursday night. Police said that they caught a young man fleeing the scene of the crime, and over the weekend, they formally arrested and charged him. He's 18-year-old Denver Bevans, a resident of Cemetery Road, who is now facing 1 count of murder, and one count of aggravated assault.

Home Invaders Stabbed By Son On Crutches Wielding Pickaxe
Two women were stabbed on Friday afternoon. It happened during a home invasion that took place on Rio Grande Crescent in Belize City. The women 37 year old Elvia Cal and 42 year old Maria Pinto had just returned home from a day's work at Cal's taco stand. It was then that three men who had masked their faces with rags and armed themselves with knives and a firearm entered the yard. The burglars proceeded to enter the house but were unaware that their movements were being observed by Cal's son. Once inside the masked men threatened and attacked the women who screamed in terror. Cal's son was on crutches following a motorcycle accident a week prior. But in that moment he acted quickly grabbing a pick axe and moving, as unbalanced as he was, to swing at the men.

Delivery Man Shot By Robbers
A man was shot while sitting in his delivery truck. It happened on Saturday afternoon when 37 year old Issa Nunez accompanied by his son were parked on in front of Bernice York school on St. Thomas Street. At 2:45 they were approached by two men who demanded money. The man who was standing on the passenger side fired a shot into the vehicle which hit Nunez in the thigh. Nunez then sped off to the hospital. Senior Superintendent Romero told us more:

Handyman Run Over
71 year old Handy man Rudolph Russell Arnold was killed instantly this afternoon when he was crushed by an 8 wheeler gas truck this afternoon. Our news team was out on the corner of Central American Boulevard and Caesar Ridge Road as the police were processing the live scene. Courtney Weatherburne has more. It was a gory scene at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Caesar Ridge Road as police scooped up what was left of Rudolph Russell Arnold's body. Our information is that Arnold was riding his bicycle toward the Port Authority Compound when he was hit and crushed by this 8 wheeler gas tanker truck.

Zimbabwean Knocks Down, Kills Cyclist
A man was killed just outside of Hopkins in a fatal accident shortly before noon on Saturday. 40 year old Steven Olivas was riding his bicycle when a Land Rover rammed into him from behind. Police gave us more details. ACP Joseph Myvette: "On Friday last sometime around 11:40pm Hopkins police were called to an area on the main road just outside Hopkins or south of Hopkins whereupon arrival they observed the motionless body of Steven Olivas 40 years of a Hopkins address and a little further from the body the police observed a blue in color bicycle with extensive damage to the back wheel..."

Jury Finds Man Guilty of Sex With a Child
He's currently serving a 5-year prison sentence for child sexual abuse, but today, 41-year-old John Leslie was found guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse by a jury of 9. He stood trial in front of Justice Colin Williams for engaging in sexual relations with an 11-year-old girl. The incident happened between July 1st, and July 31st, of 2016 in Ladyville. The victim, who only 11 at the time, testified that Leslie had intercourse with her sometime in that month. After deliberating for almost 3 hours, the jury of 5 women and 4 men unanimously found him guilty.

American Man Allegedly Swallows Crack and Bullett to Escape Charges
We've all heard of crafty ways to destroy incriminating evidence. But, Ian Joseph Smith, a 48-year-old American national residing on Caye Caulker, is being accused of taking it to the next level. Police say that while he was in their custody, he managed to swallow a bullet and a small quantity of cocaine that they caught him with. The incident happened at around 1:00 on Friday, November 15th. Two police officers were on patrol when they met Smith, and found four transparent plastic bags with crack cocaine. They continued to search him, and that's when they found a single, live, 9 millimeter round of a Smith and Wesson brand.

Dangriga Man Shot In Instep
Violence in Dangriga is the last thing anyone wants to hear about ahead of Garifuna Settlement Day but here was a shooting in the culture capital over the weekend. 19 year old Alvin Lopez was walking home in the Lakeland area when he was shot to the instep by a man that he reportedly knows. Head of National Crimes Investigation ACP Joseph Myvette told us more today:

The Big Picture - Training For Medical Imaging Specialists
Any of us who've dealt with the public healthcare system know how challenging it is to get medical imaging services - like Xray's, "CAT scans" and ultrasounds. But, a new agreement may change that. Today, the Minister of Health and the Government of Taiwan signed a project to improve the Medical Imaging Services in Belize. The 2.1 million US dollar project targets the two regional public hospitals and the KHMH where two physicians will be trained to become radiologists. There will also be training for radiographers and X-Ray technicians. And, the project will be digitizing medical imaging equipment in the three hospitals and the development of a standardized radiological information system.

Ocelot Found Beheaded, Same Place, Same Fate As Jaguar in May
Before we get into our next story, we warn you that it has an image of a dead animal which some may find unpleasant. The Forestry Department doesn't know who is responsible for beheading an ocelot whose carcass was found in the Dump area of Toledo. The ocelot - whose pelt somewhat resembles a jaguar - was found in a state of decomposition. The Ocelot is one of the most commonly seen wildcats in Belize but is a threatened species. It is an offence to kill an endangered species. Earlier this year in May, a beaded jaguar was found at the same Dump area. The heads are believed to be used as ornaments.

Celebrating Preemies
Yesterday, November 17th was observed as World Prematurity Day. It is set aside to recognize that 15 million babies, or 1 in 10 neonates born every day, will fight for their lives against the many risks they face due to prematurity. The medical professionals at the KHMH's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit chose to observe World Prematurity Day today. They invited the press to stop by and celebrate the many Belizeans who won that fight against prematurity and have gone on to live healthy lives. We stopped by and here's what the manager of the NICU had to say:

Tourist Dies At Maya Site
A 58 year old German tourist dropped dead at Lamanai on yesterday. Konrad Karl Burchardt was one of 23 tourists with a German tour guide - on a tour coming out of Guatemala. His tour guide told Orange Walk police that Burchardt was not feeling well and took at seat when he reached the last temple. When he stood up, he collapsed. He had no pulse - and seemed to have died within second.

Faber Addresses UNESCO General Conference
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education and Culture Patrick Faber today addressed the 40th session of the UNESCO General Conference in Paris, France. He is there among 120 Ministers of Education - and here's a portion of what he said on the General Policy Debate.

Teenaged Girl Missing, Family Frets
A Belize City family is extremely concerned for a missing 17 year old girl. Karleisha Johnson's family says that she was last seen on the evening of October 17th at Gwen Lizzaraga High School. A week later Karleisha's mother filed a missing persons report with police.

DRUMMERS AT MIMI'S
Tomorrow is the 19th November marking Garifuna Settlement Day, and all over the country, drums will be heard. We heard them in the city today at Mimi's Restaurant where we were reminded of the art and the soul of the drum:

Keeping Things Clam When The Drums Give Way To Rum
And while there will be drums, there will also be rum, and that's why police presence will be beefed up nationwide surrounding the celebrations for Garifuna Settlement Day. ACP Joseph Myvette told us that Police will be using the operations from now until the end of the year to show new recruits from the academy how things are done during their on the job training this Holiday Season.

Yurumei
We leave you on the eve of this 19th holiday with some clips of the Yurumei ceremony from 2016 in PG and Dangriga - set to the song "Chatoyer" by the Garifuna Collective off their album Aban. The re-enactment of the of the Garinagu arriving to these shores, a scene that will be played out in communities all along the coast of southern and Central Belize tomorrow. Enjoy, and have a great Garifuna Settlement Day - We'll see you back here on Wednesday.

Channel 5

An Elderly Stevedore is Killed in Traffic Mishap Near Port
Road traffic accidents are a major cause of deaths on the roads and highways across the country so much so that the Police Department is now enforcing a number of [...]

American National charged for fatal RTA in Hopkins
The second accident was in the south, a Hopkins resident was knocked down and killed by a drunk driver on Friday night. Forty-year-old Steven Olivas was riding his bike in [...]

Popular Fast Food Vendor Elvia Cal is Stabbed During Home Invasion
Two women were at home in Belize City when three intruders broke into their Rio Crescent house in Belize City. The ordeal on Friday afternoon has left them traumatized. The [...]

Belize City Fisherman Charged for the Murder of “Baney” Lennan
This morning in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer, an eighteen-year-old fisherman of Belize City was arraigned for the murder of fireman Jiovanni Lennan.  Appearing before the lower court [...]

Wasani Castro charged for assaulting a female officer
In court today, Wasani Castro, the son of the Minister Edmond Castro, appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer. The twenty-six year old cyclist is facing charges for assaulting a female [...]

David Zetina pleads guilty to “Causing Death by Careless Conduct”
And in the Supreme Court , David Zetina, who pleaded guilty to “Causing Death by Careless Conduct”, will be sentenced on  December thirtieth, 2019 by Justice Marilyn Williams. Zetina knocked [...]

Belize City Delivery Man Targeted and Shot
Thirty-seven-year-old Belize City delivery man Issa Nunez is tonight recuperating after an attempt on his life was made on Saturday afternoon. Nunez was shot while inside a parked delivery truck [...]

Opposition Leader on Barrio el Juda Settlement
More than thirty Guatemalan families remain not only on the western border but on Belizean territory. These families claim they settled there since the year 2000 illegally squatting on a [...]

John Briceño Calls on John Saldivar to Resign
In early 2004, the then P.U.P. administration relocated some thirty families from the area after it was established that they had erected permanent structures in this side of the border. [...]

Where is the Sarstoon Protocol?
It has been six months since Belize submitted its notification to the International Court of Justice to have Guatemala’s unfounded claim permanently settled. The I.C.J. referendum was held on May [...]

Guatemala considering the resettlement of migrants in the Peten Department
The Washington Post is reporting that the government of Guatemala is considering the resettlement of migrants in the Peten Department which is not too far from the western border of [...]

Ban Guns says Opposition Leader
Last week, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams met with about twenty-five registered gun dealers in Belmopan. The meeting focused on proposed measures that would effectively increase gun control. One of those [...]

Policing measures beefed up during the 19th celebration
Preparations are well underway to bring in Garifuna Settlement Day. Today, police said that they have beefed up security for the nineteenth holiday. There will be increased presence on the [...]

Opposition Leader Criticizes GOB’s Decision to Fix LPG Prices
Late on Friday, the Government announced it was instituting fixed prices for Liquefied Petroleum Gas known as L.P.G.; the prices took effect on Saturday. According to the government, the fix [...]

Man shot in Dangriga; one person detained
Also in the crime blotter, a teenager was shot early on Sunday morning in Dangriga. Police say that nineteen-year-old Alvin Lopez was walking in the Lakeland area when another man [...]

Belize & Taiwan sign 2 Million US dollar project
This morning Belize and Taiwan signed a project agreement to strengthen the Medical Imaging Services in Belize. The project will benefit three hospitals, and will see improvement in equipment, the [...]

MOH gets four ambulances and two vehicles
The Ministry of Health’s fleet also got a much needed boost. The four ambulances and two vehicles will be used to help improve services in the health sector. Minister of [...]

The Lineup for November 19th is Here!!
At the Bliss tonight, the grand finale of KTV Latino takes place at 8:30 among a host of other activities. Meanwhile the annual Nineteenth of November festivities also get underway [...]

The Weekend of Sports with James Adderley
Good evening, I am James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting events...]

The Reporter

Midday Traffic Accident, ‘Russell Arnold’ Fatally Injured
A mid-day traffic accident near the junction of Central American Blvd. and Caesar Ridge Road has claimed the life of a man riding his bicycle. The victim has been identified as handyman Russell Arnold.

LOVE FM

Daylight shooting in Belize City
Two delivery men were shot at on Saturday in two separate incidents; one was hit while the other fortunately escaped injury. The first shooting occurred just before 3pm. 37-year-old Issa Nunez parked his delivery truck, with his son inside, on St Thomas Street, near Twin Supermarket when the crime began unfolding.

Zimbabwean national charged for fatal road incident in the South
A weekend traffic incident claimed the life of 40-year-old Stephen Olivas and a Zimbabwean national has been charged in the incident. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvette, spoke of the case in today’s press brief.

Taiwan donates to Belize’s health sector
The Republic of China (Taiwan) has donated to Belize’s health sector. Cayo Correspondent Pauline Soberanis Tillett told us more.

Los Lagos grocery store robbed at gunpoint
A storekeeper along with three of its patrons were held up at gunpoint last night in Los Lagos Housing community in Ladyville, Belize District. Surveillance footage shows three young men of dark complexion entering the store, one armed with a handgun.

Muslim Community holds blood drive
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Belize City held a blood drive on Saturday to assist with the shortage at the bank. It lasted from 8am to about 4pm.

Rotary Belize get donations of almost 300 wheelchairs
Rotary Club Belize received a donation of almost 300 wheelchairs from the Chair the Love organization, based in the US. The chairs were handed over in a ceremony at Old Belize on the George Price Highway.

Castro’s son in Hot Water Again
26-year-old Wasani Castro, a cyclist and the son of Minister Edmond Castro, found himself in trouble with the law again when he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer today. Chief Magistrate Frazer read three charges to Castro namely, using obscene language, assaulting a female police officer, Irma Anderson and resisting arrest.

San Pedro celebrates Garifuna settlement day
Activities leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day are taking place all across Belize. On Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro Branch of the National Garifuna Council has been active throughout the month. Our island correspondent has the details.

Ecumenical Junior College battle of the drums consecutive champions
The Battle of the Drums competition took place on Saturday in Punta Gorda Town. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung brought us the details.

18-year-old charged for Geovanni Lennan’s Murder
Police have formally arrested and charged 18-year-old Denver Bevans, a fisherman, for the murder of 30-year-old Geovani Lennan. Charges were levied against the teenager on Saturday and he was taken to court today.

Mundo Maya European Press Trip
On November 15 and 16, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation hosted the Mundo Maya European press trip. The trip is an attempt to promote the community tourism trail called Holpatin, being developed by the Ministry of Tourism in the Orange Walk District.

Youths In Punta Gorda Learn About Other Cultures In Belize
Claver College Extension in Punta Gorda Town recently engaged in a program that showed an appreciation for several cultures found in Belize including the Garinagu. Toledo Correspondent, Paul Mahung has the details.

Geovani Lennan’s Killer Is Behind Bars
Police have formally arrested and charged 18-year-old Denver Bevans, a fisherman, for the murder of 30-year-old Geovani Lennan. Charges were levied against the teenager on Saturday and he was taken to court today.

Toddler Dies After Accident In Custody Of Social Workers
A four-year-old baby is dead, and her mother blames the social workers that took her away from home. Deriana Ah had been suffering from hydrocephalus, a disease that is presented at birth that causes a fluid buildup in the cavities within the brain.

Two Women Stabbed After Home Invasion In Belize City
Two women were stabbed after three men entered their home on Rio Grande Crescent, Belize City. The invasion took place on Friday, November 15 in which Elvia Cal and Maria Pinto were attacked, robbed and stabbed. Senior Superintendent Hilberto Romero spoke on their preliminary findings into the case.

Elderly Man Crushed By 18 Wheeler Truck
71-year-old Rudolph Russell Arnold was tragically killed this afternoon on Caesar Ridge Road, Belize City. Preliminary reports state that he was riding his bicycle when he was knocked down by an 18-wheeler truck. Eyewitnesses told Love News that Arnold somehow landed under the truck with his head completely crushed.

Update On Highway Renovations
Villagers between Belmopan and San Ignacio Town have cited the works on the new Roaring Creek Bridge and the highway extending west as the cause of recent road traffic incidents. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz followed up on these concerns and filed this report.

Breaking Belize News

American charged for fatal road traffic accident
American national, Mark Cairns, has been charged in connection with a fatal road traffic accident. […]

One person detained for shooting of Alvin Lopez
One man has been detained following the shooting of Alvin Lopez, 19. Lopez told police […]

Wasani Castro charged with assault of female police officer
Twenty-six-year-old Wasani Castro, son of Government minister Edmond Castro, is once again in trouble with […]

Santino Castillo injured in racing accident
Former Caribbean Shores Area Representative and avid cyclist, Santino Castillo was injured in a racing […]

Murder reported in Dangriga
Our newsroom has confirmed a murder in Dangriga tonight. The victim has been identified as […]

Ministry of Tourism hosts Mundo Maya European Press Trip
On November 15 and 16, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation hosted European press […]

Vendors stabbed and robbed at home
Sometime over the weekend three men entered a home in Belize City armed with knifes […]

John Leslie convicted of unlawful sex with 11-year-old
John Leslie, 41, faces sentencing on November 26 after being convicted today in the Supreme […]

Truck driver shot in an attempted robbery
A truck driver is alive after he was shot in an attempted robbery. He is […]

Teenager charged in murder of Giovanni Lennan
Eighteen-year-old Denver Bevans is not only charged with the sensational murder of fireman and basketball star […]

Ecumenical Junior College wins Battle of the Drum competition again!
On Saturday the annual Battle of the Drums was held in Punta Gorda, Toledo. After […]

Belizean arrested for stealing from hotel guest in Monterrey, Mexico
Mexican news site, Norte.com reports that two men were detained by Monterrey police yesterday for […]

Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow sponsors Garifuna Settlement Day events throughout the country!
Ambassador Shyne Barrow, through the Office of the Music Ambassador, is sponsoring Garifuna Settlement Day […]

Blogs

Will you be the world’s newest diver?
According to PADI Instructor and Ambergris Caye based White Sands Dive Shop owner Elbert Greer, completing knowledge development online is different from using the open water book, with the online portion of the course enhanced with audio presentations, graphics and animations as well as interactive assessments with Greer as your virtual instructor. Student divers register for the online class at www.scubalessonsbelize.com, and from that point, Greer can interact with the student via phone, email, or chats depending on the student’s preference. This one-on-one interaction allows Greer to answer questions, provide information about local diving, discuss equipment or address any concerns the novice may have, assuring that they feel comfortable, confident, and well prepared before moving on with their diving certification in Belize.

Chaya/Maya Spinach
Throughout the Yucatan, Quintana Roo and Belize, there is a precious green superfood called Chaya, which forms a vital element of Maya-Mestizo cuisine. In Belize, especially for village dwellers, we learned to eat from the bounty of the land. It is customary for a Chaya tree to be a part of any home garden. Fortunately, Chaya practically grows wild, is non-invasive, and grows to be six feet in height. However, there is a specific and proper way it must be prepared. Chaya leaves should never be eaten raw. They contain high levels of a toxin called hydrocyanic acid. They must be cooked for at least 20 minutes and can then be used in soups, sauces, salsas, and even in salads. By far the most popular way to enjoy Chaya is in “tamalitos” or in eggs.

Salt Life Belize
The next 2 years are going to be bringing big changes to South Ambergris Caye. Salt Life Belize, located 3.5 South of the San Pedro Airport is bringing a lot of life to this end of the island. Developers have been invested in Belize over the last 30 years and are also the proprietors of the popular island restaurants Casa Picasso and The Black Orchid and in 2019 ventured out to develop a dream that was a long time in the making. With Phase 1 set to open in 2020, excitement surrounding this project is palpable. As this 50-acre project develops, everything a vacationer, retiree or investor could ask for is taking shape: A full-service resort, fly fishing lodge, beach club, townhomes, estate homes, restaurants, bars and more. In other words, ex-pats, visitors and investors can expect to live a good life within this community.

Belize’s Fishing Calendar
Thinking of planning a fishing vacation? Why not come to Belize. With the Belize Barrier reef stretching across the coast of Belize, it is a fantastic destination for sports fishing. Up for deep sea fishing, inner reef fishing, spearfishing, or fly fishing….. you name it, it is all possible with great fishing all year round. Despite having fishing year-round, particular times of the year you have better luck of catching certain species. Take a look at the fishing calendar for the different species of fish.

Videos

November 18, 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: Tell the Truth
Mario said, “I miss Vernon since Yolanda won’t let him go night fishing with us anymore.” The snappers were running and Mario and I had been fishing down by the bridge since dark. By nine o’clock we had a nice catch that we were cleaning on the concrete seawall. “Speak of the devil,” I said, “and there he is. Hey, Vernon.” “Hey, Mr. Dennis,” Vernon said. “I was hoping to find you here. I want to catch a ride home.”

NEBL set to tip off in January 2020, San Pedro Tiger Sharks ready to defend their title!
Basketball aficionados can look forward to another exciting season of the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) Tournament set for January 18, 2020. The first game of the season will be between the 2019 defending Champions San Pedro Tiger Sharks and Belize City Defenders at the Angel Nuñuez Auditorium commencing at 9PM. The 2020 season will see a new team hailing from Punta Gorda Town, Toledo. The Punta Gorda Panthers will join the seven other teams (San Pedro Tiger Sharks, Verdes, Belize City Defenders, Belize Hurricanes, Belmopan Bandits, Orange Walk Running Rebels, and Dangriga Dream Ballers), who are gearing up for the competition.

Doctor Love: Desperate Mom
Dear Doctor Love, I am really worried about my fourteen-year-old daughters’ reaction to this uproar about climate change. She has always been sensitive and her focus on various ideals can border on obsessive, but she is making herself sick over this issue. She is very well read on the movement with that Swedish girl and when I try to calm her down, she argues with me and says I don’t care and am uneducated on the topic. I want to help her, but I don’t know how. If I try to reassure her or tell her she is over-reacting, she fires back with all this stuff about global warming, melting Artic ice and habitat loss. How do I make my little girl feel safe and secure and hopeful for her future?

Various Belizean Sources

Casa Picasso & Black Orchid Restaurant Partner Up!
Casa Picasso & Black Orchid Restaurant have Partnered to bring you Air Conditioned Fine Dining in Unique Settings. Hope you can join us soon. Tuesday through Saturday Happy Hour Afternoons with Dinner Service at 5p. Reservations Recommended at 226-4443.

Missing person in Corozal
The Belize Police Department is seeking the assistance of the general public in identifying this female. She was found in Corozal Town and gives her name as Antolina Chan 68-year-old, Belizean, of San Ignacio. Kindly call 911 or 922 if you can assist with identification.

BEL services and payment options on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye

Your Invitation to Celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day in the Corozal District
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize and the Corozal House of Culture, and in collaboration with the National Garifuna Council - Libertad Branch is pleased to invite you to celebrate Garifuna Settlement Day in Corozal. We are offering community members a free excursion to Libertad Village to witness the Yurumein (reenactment of the arrival of the Garifuna to Belize's shores). This will be followed by a Mass and celebrations including cultural performances with delicious Garifuna cuisine available for purchase.

The Winners of the 2019 Belize International Film Festival are…
The National Institute of Culture and History, through the Institute of Creative Arts and the Film and Media Arts Unit, held the Closing Awards Ceremony for the 14th Edition of the Belize International Film Festival’s Awards on Sunday, 10th November at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. The event was hosted by Mr. William Neal and filled with engaging performances by the National Youth Orchestra of Belize. Awards were presented by Chris Pack, Natalie Thompson and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, the Jurors, to the Winners in the Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary, Short Documentary, Short Film, Belizean Short Film, Branded Entertainment and Music Video categories.

The Reporter

Proposal Made for Fewer Bullets for Gun-holders
Persons who hold gun licenses may very likely not be allowed to legally purchase as many bullets as before. This comes as a result of a new proposal which the Ministry of National Security has made for amendments to the Firearms Act.

Police Make Arrest For Murder Of Jiovanni Lennan
Denver Bevans, 18, a fisherman was arrested and charged on Saturday for the murder of firefighter, Jiovanni Lennan. Lennan was shot multiple times as he came out his girlfriend’s house on Welch Street on Thursday night.

Deliveryman Shot In Belize City
Delivery man, Issa Nunez, 37, of Curl Thompson Street, Belize City is in a stable condition with a gunshot wound to the right thigh after one of two thieves tried to rob him. The incident happened around 2:30 on Saturday afternoon while Nunez and his son were sitting inside his parked vehicle on St Thomas Street in front of Bernice Yorke School.

Orange Walk Salesman Targeted in Old Capital
A salesman of the Orange Walk District narrowly escaped injury when his delivery truck was shot at on Saturday evening in Belize City. Jesus Cuellar, 25, who resides on Delta Street in Orange Walk was reportedly delivering ice at New Hope Store on Baymen Avenue in Belize City around 5:20 p.m., when a youth arrived on a motorcycle and fired several shots.

Broad Daylight Home Invasion!
Two women are receiving treatment and are in stable condition at the KHMH after they were attacked and wounded yesterday afternoon in a home invasion in Belize City. The incident at #36 Rio Grande Crescent sometime around 1:30 p.m., left Elvia Cal, 37, and Maria Pinto, 42, with stab wounds.

Tit For Tat !
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - Belize is considered a culturally diverse country. We are ALL different in our own way. We think differently, we see things from different angles and we interpret the same things differently. Imagine going to an art gallery.

Traffic Accident In The South Claims Life
A man was knocked down and killed late last night in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek. The incident happened around 11:00 p.m., one mile south of the village, and claimed the life of Stephen Olivas, 40, of Hopkins.

Decapitated Wildcat Is An Ocelot
We’ve confirmed with a Forestry Officer that the animal whose headless body was discovered this morning on the outskirts of Punta Gorda is that of an Ocelot, which is a smaller wild cat than the Jaguar.

Breaking Belize News

The dream is over – Jaguars slip to 3-2 defeat
The Jaguars fought bravely, but slipped to a 3-2 defeat to Grenada, destiny slipping out […]

Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Belize Real Estate in 2020
A recent New York Times article pointed out that Belize remains a strong favorite among retirees, expatriates and those looking […]

Jaguars are in Grenada – aiming for a big W in final Nations League match
Denied an opportunity to qualify earlier this year for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the […]

US national charged for manslaughter by negligence
Picture: Stephen Olivas US National, Mark Cairns, 57 has been formally charged for manslaughter by […]

Lost elderly woman identified as mental health patient from San Ignacio
BBN has confirmed that the elderly woman seen at the Corozal bus terminal this morning […]

Two women stabbed during a home invasion
Two women were stabbed during a home invasion in Belize City. Police say that Elvia […]

Armed robbers target delivery man
Authorities are investigating an armed robbery that occured yesterday afternoon in Belize City. Delivery man […]

Alvin Lopez shot in Dangriga
Police are investigating a shooting incident that occured this morning in Dangriga. According to reports, […]

Good Samaritan tries to locate family of lost elederly woman seen at Corozal bus terminal
A concerned good Samaritan noticed an elderly woman that seemed lost at the Corozal bus […]

Denver Bevans charged for murder of Giovanni Lennan
Denver Bevans, 19, of Belize city has been arrested and charged for the Thursday night murder of Giovanni Lennan, 30, on Welch street.s […]

Blogs

CTGA in Mountain Pine Ridge
Yesterday, members of the Cayo Tour Guide Association visited the Mountain Pine Ridge where we repaired and resurfaced the access trail to some of the most popular destinations in the area: the Rio On Pools and Rio Frio Cave. We all boarded Mr. Jorge De Leon’s Jungle buggy, a Toyota SR5 pickup, modified with seats to carry tourists into the jungle this in its self is an interesting experience and a different way of touring the jungle. It certainly lacks the air conditioning that we are all now accustomed to but this puts the rider closer to nature.

COLD FRONT! Blissful Cooler Breezes Bring Temps into Low 70s on Ambergris Caye
It was a very very hot summer on Ambergris Caye. But this week, the winds shifted…and we are currently enjoying our first real cold front. COLD FRONT! TOGETHER WEATHER! CHRISTMAS TIME! The time of year when the wind blows from the north, humidity dips below 90 percent (HELLO GOOD HAIR!) and locals bundle up as if it is going to snow. I digress…as usual. My main point is…the weather is beautiful and feel gorgeous. I walked outside in a full-blown sweatsuit this morning. Overkill perhaps…but it kept the mosquitos at bay.

Woodcutters of British Honduras
During the 16 and 1700’s explorers and conquistadors from Spain and England were colonizing the “New World” in search of wealth and territories for their monarchs. The lure of Belize was the riches of its interior, proximity to the American colonies, the familiar English language, and most importantly access to the Caribbean Sea. Groups of settlers came from England in search of the logwood, which they found in abundance along the banks of the old Belize River, and later, along the banks of the New River in the north.

Art Talk
Dust off your Art History books and take out those paintbrushes and canvas. Art has a pulse and it’s beating strong in Belize. Take a walk to the historic Museum of Belize and you’ll be pleased to see the amazing artworks Belize has to offer. “The River of Art Flows Everywhere”, by Yaoling Lee is just the latest art exhibit to hit the museum. The exhibit is a study in working from life and brings with it a captivating lesson in art for its audience as well. The exhibit features over 63 art pieces from Yaoling that centres on the study of Oil Paintings, Watercolour, Plein Air, and Charcoal.

Videos

November 17, 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

BIDC Expo promotes Barbados’ products to Belize
Belize presently enjoys a favorable trade balance with Barbados which buys more Belize exports than Belize imports Barbados. Ten Barbados companies promoted their products and services, seeking Belizean partners, at a two-day trade Expo hosted by the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC) in collaboration with BELTRAIDE, at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 12-13. It’s all part of the move to regional integration under the Caribbean Single Market and Economy CSME, whereby Barbados presently buys a lot of raw materials from Belize, but now hopes to offer value-added manufactured products to Belizean consumers.

Oceana Belize and Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries to commit over two million dollars to assist fisheries’ transition from gillnets
Oceana Belize and the Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries (CSF) have committed via letters of intent to the Government of Belize (GOB) over two million dollars to assist Belizean fisheries transition from gillnet use in Belize’s waters. Both Oceana and the Coalition require that the GOB take the necessary legal steps in 2019 to declare a ban on gillnets at the beginning of 2020. This policy change will support sustainable fisheries management efforts and ensure that Belizean fishers will always be able to fish. Eligible beneficiaries for this initiative have been identified by the Belize Fisheries Department in response to the request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

Belize removed from EU tax haven blacklist
Belize is back in good graces with the European Union (EU) after its Economic and Financial Affairs Council removed the country from the list of non-cooperative jurisdictions on Friday, November 8th. This change came after the recent amendment to the International Business Act, along with the promulgation of the Economic Substance Act. The House of Representatives and the Senate passed these pieces of legislation within a couple of days to meet the requirements from the EU, so to be removed from the said blacklist.

One year later: Organizers reflect on BIG GARBAGE CLEAN UP Campaign
Illegal dumping and improper garbage disposal have long been an issue on the island resulting in street sides littered with large items such as appliances and old furniture. This has led to the pollution of our water system, threatening the health of our environment and marine life. The goal of the SP BTIA and ACES’ four-day clean-up campaign was to pick up garbage from multiple locations in various neighborhoods, but due to the massive amounts of trash located in one area, the San Pedrito Highway, efforts focused on clearing that road of all trash. Throughout the four days, there was an army of seriously dedicated and hardworking people, along with multiple golf carts, trucks, trailers, backhoes and bulldozers, who pulled tons of trash from the San Pedrito Highway. Despite the combined efforts, tons of garbage remain along the road. Over four days, more than 150 volunteers collected more than 900 bags of trash and 744 square yards of garbage with 151 vehicle/truckloads delivering to the Transfer Station, located south of Ambergris Caye.

Various Belizean Sources

Ocean Academy Dolphins vs San Pedro Sharks Monday
Put it on your calendar. Caye Caulker Basketball Court!! Ocean Academy Dolphins vs San Pedro Sharks, 2:00 Monday 18 November.

Grenada vs. Belize, Nations League Football
6pm Live on The National Channel | Exclusively on Central TV & Internet | Channel 10 on Dibo | (not authorized for facebook streaming)

Battle of the Drums 2019
This year's Battle of the Drums kicked off Friday night with the annual event of Food & Fete, a celebration of Garifuna cuisine and music. On Saturday, the Competition and Show had a full house as everyone cheered for their favorite drummers.

Garifuna Settlement day celebrations at the Philip Goldson International Airport Arrival

Breaking Belize News

Special needs child who was taken away from mother and dropped in state custody passes away
On Wednesday, BBN broke the story of a distraught mother who was desperate for help […]

Motorcyclist injured in road traffic accident on Spanish Lookout Road
A motorcycle driver was injured in a road traffic accident this afternoon on the Spanish […]

Teenager, 13, goes missing after leaving school
Gwen Lizarraga high school student Andrea Ashaida Bowen, 13, from Belize City has been reported […]

Ocelot killed by poachers
Our colleagues at PGTV have confirmed the discovery of a decapitated ocelot in southern Belize. […]

New prices for butane: What you need to know
This week, the Government of Belize (GOB) announced that, as of today, the prices for […]

New HIV infections rose in 2018, especially in Belize District
The Ministry of Health National HIV program this week released statistics on the condition of […]

Ahmadiyya Muslim community organizes blood drive
Today the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Belize is having a blood drive. It started at […]

Basketball community and local leaders mourn loss of Giovani Lennan
Yesterday, the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) issued a statement mourning the loss of Giovani […]

Accused murderer walks after prosecution drops case
This morning a man accused of murder woke up in his own bed at home. […]

Jaguars on their way to Grenada for date with destiny
Ytrd th lz gur lft lz  th bgn thr urn t Grnd […]

Blogs

I Recycle Countrywide and Stopping a Silent Killer
I was long overdue for another recycling and garbage update but got minorly slowed down by other things. A parttime grant writing position fell in my lap helping secure funds for organizations helping people on a low socioeconomic scale in another country. I decided it would be an advantageous thing to learn in case any of my chosen island charities ever need assistance one day. I will eventually start researching potential grants in the garbage and recycling area too. We have been funded in this area before by The Inter-American Development Bank and we could still use a lot more help with our crazy Ambergris Caye garbage situation.

Milperos – Slash and Burn Farming
In the latter part of the 1800’s Belize (British Honduras) was known as a haven for colonizers, buccaneers, and other settlers looking for freedom and a better quality of life. For some reason, however, it is a little-known fact that, following the Civil War of the States between North and South, ex-Confederates from the states of Louisiana and Mississippi were also drawn to our shores. At the same time, the abolition of slavery, the emergence of free trade and declining mahogany prices, devastated the colonies of the region. In response to economic decline in the Caribbean, the British reorganized and consolidated their efforts in the Caribbean in order to reduce overall operating expenses. As a result, British Honduras was now administered by a lieutenant governor who was subordinate to the governor of Jamaica. Citizens of British Honduras, realizing the need for economic revitalization, observed the events in the United States immediately following the Civil War (1860 to 1865) with considerable interest.

Central Americans in Belize
Belize is rich in many diverse cultures. People from a huge variety of backgrounds have found their way to its sunny shores. This mix of cultures gives Belize its unique blend of colors, flavors, and traditions. Belize was initially a British colony. Its inhabitants have included Dutch Mennonite people looking for a place to practice their religion, the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna looking for a home, descendants of the ancient Maya, Mexicans and Central Americans.

Oh My Meat Pie! A Belizean Breakfast Classic
While it may not sound like a breakfast item, meat pies are truly the best-selling most popular breakfast food in Belize. These mini hand pies are a Belizean staple. You will often see vendors riding around with coolers on the front of their bikes selling these little pies in the morning and during lunchtime. These pies are an ideal pocket food as they are made to eat on-the-go and readily accessible in both quantity and price, usually costing $1.50 BZ ($0.75 USD). Meat pies are purely dough stuffed with chicken or beef, and seasoned sauce; golden crisp on the outside, warm, soft and, juicy on the inside. It’s like a soup explosion in your mouth!

Milperos – Slash and Burn Farming
The Milpa is an intrinsic part of the Mestizo-Maya culture and it is merely the name for a field used for planting subsistence crops, especially maize. So, the Milpero is the farmer who leases a tract of land from the government and pays for it over a period of 5 years. Except for owners of cattle, who often live away from their villages on their rancho, the typical small farmer lives with his family in a central village. He is usually in his forties and according to studies made, has an average family of seven. Usually, they learned the arduous process of subsistence farming from their fathers and grandfathers. This is not to say that they had no experience outside of their village. Because farm work is seasonal, most milperos had “worked out” in jobs including logging, cutting sugarcane, extracting pine resin, carpentry, as chicleros, or even as hired laborers on nearby Mennonite farms.

International Sources

U.S. could send asylum seekers to remote jungle region under Guatemala plan
Asylum seekers rejected by the United States could be transported to a remote airport in the lowland jungles of Guatemala as part of the Central American nation’s new migration accord with the Trump administration, according to senior officials from both countries. Guatemalan Interior Minister Enrique Degenhart, who was in Washington on Friday to finalize his country’s asylum cooperation agreement with the United States, is planning to receive and resettle migrants in the Petén department, far from Guatemala’s capital. The plan would have U.S. immigration authorities deliver migrants to Petén’s Mundo Maya airport, which is used primarily by tourists visiting the Mayan ruins at Tikal. There are currently no direct flights there from the United States, and any new routes would require the approval of U.S. aviation authorities.

Videos

November 16, 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

SPHS Sharks place fourth at NSSSA volleyball championships
The San Pedro High School (SPHS) Sharks won fourth place at National Secondary Schools Sports Association’s (NSSSA) volleyball championships hosted by Delille Academy at the Russell “Chiste” Garcia Sports Complex in Dangriga over the weekend. The SPHS Sharks had qualified to the nationals as the Northern regional champion, but in Game three in the third-place consolation match on Saturday morning, the Sharks fell 0-3 to the Southern regional champs, the Julian Cho Technical High School girls. Aaliyah Leiva led the Sharks’ attack hammering five kills at the net on plays set by Caroline Sersland. Vatranny Perez hammered four kills and served an ace, and Dennisa Mairena and Normalee Gomez each scored two hits.

BTB’s New Tour Guide Training Techniques presented to SP Tour Guide Association
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) joined the San Pedro’s Tour Guide Association at an informative meeting held at the San Pedro Lions Den on Wednesday, November 13th. The main topic of the evening was a professional tour guide training program facilitated by BTB, which will be a mandatory requirement for every tour guide. The meeting also saw a new set of tour guide graduates receiving their certificates of completion. BTB’s Director for Quality Assurance and Industry Standard Herbert Haylock addressed a packed Lions Den discussing the new components of the training program. “We bring the communication component which deals with the tour briefing and debriefing, and the tour methodology which looks at the organization and entertainment value of the information,” said Haylock.

MSC Meraviglia Cruise: World’s Seventh Largest Ship debuts in Belize
On Wednesday, November 13th, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Meraviglia cruise, which is the 7th largest cruise ship in the world, made its golden voyage to Belize, carrying nearly 4,500 guests (at double occupancy) on board. MSC Meraviglia is owned and operated by MSC Cruises and entered service in June 2017. It is the world’s seventh-largest ship and was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France, by STX France. MSC Meraviglia was MSC Cruises' first ship in the innovative Meraviglia class of next-generation ships, designed to be able to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports.

Belize Coast Guard to get a new commander
On November 27th, the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) will be celebrating 14 years of service to the country, and following their annual ceremonies, a new Commandant will be sworn in. He is Deputy Commandant and Captain 42-year-old Elton Bennett. He will be replacing incumbent Admiral John Borland, who has commanded the BCG for over a decade. Bennett transitioned from the Belize Defence Force into the BCG. He has served for almost 14 years, ten as the Deputy Commander. Meanwhile, Borland will be taking a post in the Ministry of National Security in an advisory capacity.

MOH addresses allegations of forged internship documents signed off to foreign medical students for cash
An investigation taking place at the University of Otago in New Zealand named Belize as one country where medical students studying there from New Zealand falsified their work placement records. According to an online article, the students of that country allegedly received their elective paperwork signed-off for cash and chose specific medical centres around Belize, one of them being in San Pedro Town. The Ministry of Health (MOH) in Belize defended itself, stating that they dealt with the issue immediately when they learned about it 2016. The other locations where these students went included San Ignacio and Belmopan.

Ambergris Today

Then The Fishing Cooperative Thrived In San Pedro
Up until the 1930's and 1940's Sanpedrano men were mostly employed and engaged in the coconut industry, but the Hurricane of 1942 flattened the coconut plantations and destroyed 90% of the houses in the village. Sanpedranos were out of a job and San Pedro without an industry. To survive they turned to the sea for subsistence fishing and eventually took their surplus product to Belize City to be sold at he market. During this time lobster had no market so fishermen caught only what they would consume and threw away the rest from their fish traps. Lobster was considered a pest.

Various Belizean Sources

Ministry of National Security Makes Clarification on Amendments to the Firearms Act
The Ministry of National Security hereby clarifies that a proposal has been made for some amendments to the Firearms Act, including a proposal to limit the number of bullets that can be purchased by a license holder. The Ministry advises that the proposal is still under review. Along with the Commissioner of Police, the Ministry will continue to seek ways to improve the accountability of license holders as well as gun dealers.

Corozal Football Association Opening Season Youth Tournament
Football Action never stops in Corozal. It is alive and kicking. Here is our Schedule for Sunday, November 17th. It all begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Carolina Football Field on the Philip Goldson Highway.

Xmas Rocks II
The Bluffs will be hosting this year's Xmas Rock 2 concert. Planeta Vagabundo and half of Ascenthium will be performing on Saturday, December 21st. Great food, awesome rock and roll, and prizes too.

Scuba Diving Magazine's 2020 Readers Choice Award
Congratulations! Belize has won a total of 11 awards this year in Scuba Diving Magazine's 2020 Readers Choice Awards ! Ms. Michelle Bowers and Ms. Althea Sebastian from the BTB had the honor of accepting the award at the DEMA show this week.

DEMA Show 2019 - in Orlando, Florida. DEMA (Diving Equipment & Marketing Association) Show.

U.S. Embassy Belize EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the following position: Janitorial Supervisor Closing date: November 27, 2019

Water Taxi between Sarteneja and Corozal
We are excited to announce that the STGA water taxi "Bay Runner" has once again started operating between Sarteneja and Corozal. On Mondays and Fridays, it will leave Sarteneja at 7:00 am, and again depart from Corozal at 4:00 pm. This has been made possible through the project “Enhancement of the water taxi to increase tourism services to and from Sarteneja”, under which the Sarteneja Tour Guide Association (STGA) is receiving assistance to strengthen its management capabilities through the reactivation of the water taxi services, thanks to the assistance of MAR Fund, with funds provided by the German Government through KfW, through the project "Conservation of Marine Resources in Central America - Phase II".

NEW CONTROLLED PRICES FOR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG)
The Supplies Control Unit (SCU) in the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce is hereby informing the general public that effective Saturday, November 16th, 2019 there will be fixed prices for the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This change with previously established threshold/limits now reflects quantities for sale in volumes <300 gallons, 300 gallons 2000 gallons and quantities >2000 gallons. The Government advises the general public that amendments to the legislation in establishing fixed prices has become necessary to prevent predatory pricing by major importers who have engaged in an act of driving prices downward well below the maximum ceiling for retail and wholesale of LPG. This temporary measure therefore is critical to keep local operators of LPG in business.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow this afternoon met with Alexandria Fermin
His youth counterpart for the National Children's Parliament. Alexandria will act in the role of Prime Minister at the upcoming sitting of the Children's Parliament next Wednesday, November 20th.

Corozal/Sarteneja Road Project Groundbreaking
The Governments of Belize and Taiwan officially broke ground in Corozal yesterday, November 14th, signalling the start of the Corozal/Sarteneja Road Project. GOB signed a contract on October 21 with Overseas Engineering and Construction Company Limited S.A., the Taiwanese firm that will oversee the upgrade of the road. The contract is for the design and upgrading of 43.2 km (27 miles) of road, including the construction of two bridges to replace old ferries at Pueblo Nuevo and Laguna Seca. Upon completion, the new road will provide a direct and all-weather link between Corozal Town on the Northern Highway and many of the communities to the east of the Progresso Lagoon-John Piles Creek–Laguna Seca Waterway System, including the village of Sarteneja.

Statistical Institute of Belize needs Interviewers
Are you looking to gain work experience? If so, then why not add “field interviewer” to your resume? Statistical Institute of Belize Invites you. We are now hiring in Louisville, Libertad, Concepcion, Calcutta, Xaibe, Ranchito, Chan Chen, Consejo, San Andres, Copper Bank, Chunox, Progresso, Sarteneja, Little Belize, Neuland, and Corozal Town.

Panerrifix Voice & Steel
Panerrifix will be playing in Santa Elena in one month on Sunday, December 15th. Contact them for more information. "Save the dates...2 shows. Sunday December 8th in Belmopan and Sunday December 15 in Santa Elena, Cayo. "Voice and Steel" featuring all our four groups and our special musical guests from Eden High School. Tickets available from band members."

FCD Annual General Meeting
FCD is pleased to announce its 20th Annual General Meeting this 30th of November 2019

El DUEÑO DEL AGUA
Between our Northern Maya communities of Belize there is the legend of El dueño del agua(Nojoch Kaan) . This spirit is discribed as a huge snake mostly seen in the Noh Ucum(Rio Hondo) . Some say they guard the rivers,Cenotes,Swamps and even wells. Some have discribe them to have wings also . El Dueño del Agua is also known as Tzukan or Nojoch Kaan(Huge snake). In some versions due to the influence of Christianity El Dueño del Agua is seem as evil and when they grow to large it is believe God stroke them with thunder to kill them .

Channel 7

Fireman and Athlete Executed
Tonight police have an 18 year old held pending a charge of murder. He was caught minutes after he allegedly killed an innocent man last night. And while we've been numbed by senseless murders, this one is particularly so - because, again, an athlete and working man was targeted - and it happened right in front of his home. Fireman and accomplished basketball player, 30 year old Geovanni Lennan lay dead on Welch Street last night, all the life suddenly sapped from long, powerful limbs that once blocked shots. Shot jumpers, led fireman and manned firehoses.

Dollar Store In Heart of Downtown Robbed
Three nights ago, we showed you the "box head burglar" who broke into the Dollar Store on Water Lane and burglarized the place. The thief only got off with a small amount of money, but he did ransack the place. Well, that was minor compared to the very scary holdup that happened last night. Just after 8:00, two men went into the store and pretended that they wanted to buy something. While one of them was at the cooler and the other was at the counter - things suddenly changed. The man at the counter grabbed the storekeeper, 27 year old Ahmad Mijan by the collar and held a gun to his head. The other man then dashed behind the counter, grabbed the cash pan and also robbed the storekeeper of his possessions. While the store remained open, he then rummaged behind the counter for anything else of value he could find.

Ministry Puts Chester In Check On New Gun Laws
Last night, licensed gun owners all over Belize raised a collective eyebrow when the Commissioner Of Police appeared on TV and said that sweeping new regulations governing ammunition and gun licenses would come into effect next year. Here's a snapshot of some of the measures he announced for January. Chester Williams - Commissioner of Police: "What the new measures is going to do is that we are now limiting every license firearm holder to 200 rounds per annum, so each license firearm holder will only be allowed to have 200 rounds for the whole year..."

Security Guard Free Of Murder Charge
Tonight, a security guard turned alleged murderer - who was on remand for 5 years is at home after a "nolle pros" was entered in court today. In April of 2015, Darion Hamilton was charged with the murder of 41-year-old Wilmer Cisneros. The killing arose out of a petty dispute over a ten dollar entrance fee to the Blue Hole Bar.

Former City Admin Asks For 200K Too Halt Crowfoot Seizure
This week we've been reporting on former City Administrator Candice Miller's crowfooting of the city council's assets to collect on a 400 thousand dollar judgement debt ordered by the Supreme Court. Well, tonight, thanks to an ugly smear campaign launched by a city councillor on Facebook - we know some of the behind the scenes negations as the city tries to get out from under the crow's foot.

The Land/Border Dispute Dialogue
On Last night's news, we took you to the Belize/Guatemala Border at the edge of Benque Viejo Town. The area, known as Barrio El Juda, is where Guatemalans have begun encroaching on Belizean territory. Now, that's a problem for the Belize Government, who will have to work with their counterparts in Guatemala to reverse the situation. But, on the ground, the man feeling the most pain from these encroachments is Belizean Jorge Emiliano Espat.

Activists Criticize GOB Inaction
For yesterday's trip to Barrio El Juda, Jorge Espat invited the activists, Giovannie Brackett and Nancy Marin to accompany him. After visiting in person, observing Espat's plight, and talking directly with the Guatemalans in the area, they are convinced that this situation needs to be resolved urgently. Here are a few choice comments that both Brackett and Marin had for the Government about what they think is the adequate response to the encroachment:

Corozal Gets A "Brand New Second Hand"� Firetruck
Countless times on the news we've told you about the decades old fire trucks that can be found at district substations all across Belize. Well, yesterday in Corozal, they got a brand new second hand one. Minister Edmond Castro handed over what is being called "a newly acquired fire truck" for the Corozal District. It's actually a used truck in good working condition donated by the Calgary Fire Fighters' Association, from the Calgary Fire Department in Alberta, Canada. We asked the Fire Chief today whether this 2000 model and trucks of this type are suitable for Belize's fire fighting needs:

New Fire Chief Building Consensus and Learning How to Fight Fires
Gillett took over the helm of the National Fire Service in July - and a large part of his mission is capacity and morale building by acquiring new equipment. We asked him how it's been going as an outsider with a specialization far from being a fireman: Reporter: "When you're going to run a national fire department you wouldn't look naturally to someone who has a specialization in natural resource management; a) how does that fit and, b) what type of pushback have you received because you are not from here. You are an outsider being brought in. Unlike Mr. Ted for example, the preious fire chief who came up in the department - you've never fought a fire."

BEL Boasts About New Office on San Pedro
BEL pulled out all the stops this morning for the Inauguration of its New San Pedro Branch Office. Now, it's just a building - but the company hopes to use it as an illustration of its commitment to this fast growing community with a prolific appetite for power consumption. And this morning's official ceremony focused on BEL's larger, new strategic direction intended to expand its offerings to customers. BEL General Manager Sean Fuller told the Media told us more.

Caye Caulker's Timeline For A Diesel Disconnect
And while BEL beamed with boasts of its ever expanding services on San Pedro, the island just across the channel, Caye Caulker, is still getting its electricity from diesel generators. General Manager Fuller says that the decommissioning of those long running generators is a mere 2 years away. Sean Fuller, General Manager, Commercial & Retail Services "The loan has been approved, the environmental clearance from the DOE has been approved. We are now in the process of going through the bidding process to select a vendor to supply the cable and install the cable. We will commence actually work on the ground immediately. We know that by the end of 2020 the cable will be installed and we're hoping to energize that cable link late 2020 or early 2021."

BEL Deflects Blame in Independence Day Blaze
And from future plans for the power needs of Caye Caulker to the power debacle that may have contributed to a fiery calamity. In September Elmer Chub perished in an Independence Day fire. At the time Chairlady, Seleny Villanueva-Pott, said that BEL had a part of the blame, because when the first responders arrived on the scene, the electrical lines were live and on fire. BEL needed to cut the power, before they could start to douse it with water.

Grinage Bros Gone Clear After Non-Cooperative Witness
Tonight, the 30-year-old John Grinage, and his brother, 28-year-old Sheldon Grinage are freed of a murder charge after being on remand at the Belize Central Prison for over 3 and a half years. The DPP's Office has decided to discontinue the prosecution against them for the 2016 murder of 32-year-old Mariano Castillo. In January of 2016, Castillo was stabbed to death when he was walking on Police Street. The Grinage brothers and another man allegedly attacked Castillo and fatally stabbed him with a kitchen knife. That injury quickly claimed his life.

Prosecuting Refugees
Earlier this month we told you about the UNHCR media training on refugee reporting. Now the Agency is sensitizing another valuable sector of the public service, The DPP's Crown Councils, to the plight of the refugees with a workshop on on Refugee Law and Policy.

Saltpickers and Storytellers
The Leo Bradley Library welcomed author Zoila Ellis today as she presented her new book, The Salt Pickers. The book is the ninth in Cubola Productions Belizean Writer's series which previously featured mainstays of the High school literature curriculum. And the author of "On Heroes, Lizards and Passion" and "Pataki Full" presents this new volume to speak to the particular concerns of female identity across all the countries and cultures that she's inhabited.

A Lazy Day On A Ladyville Lagoon
You may know about the Caribbean Shrimp Company, the shrimp farm enterprise headquartered in Ladyville. They boast of being an eco-friendly company that produces organically-raised shrimp produce. They also have other commercial interests in the form of a restaurant and a pool, and now, they are diversifying their business model yet again. The family-owned company is now launching the first Lagoon tour. It is a novel operation, which maintains their eco-friendly brand, and today, the invited the press to find out exactly how it will work. 7News attended the official launch, and Daniel Ortiz has that story:

BBS Fixes LPG Prices to Contain Predatory Pricing
The Bureau of Standards is laying down the hardline on butane or LPG importers by declaring fixed prices. Usually, they only set out a maximum price, or ceiling - but, now, the game has changed due to what the bureau calls "predatory pricing" by the major importers. A release from the bureau says that the major importers are, quote, "driving prices downward well below the maximum ceiling for retail and wholesale of LPG. This temporary measure therefore is critical to keep local operators of LPG in business." End quote.

Channel 5

Fire-fighter ‘Baney’ Lennan is Latest Murder Victim
A firefighter was executed early on Thursday night. He was heading to his house on Welch Street, Belize City when Jiovanni Ian Lennan, was ambushed from behind by a gunman [...]

Mahogany Street Barber Claims Police Brutality
Well-known Belize City barber and cabdriver Ursulo Mendoza, known by many as Dread or Barba, was manhandled by a pair of policemen attached to the Special Patrol Unit on Wednesday.  [...]

Barrio El Juda – a Guatemalan Community Inching its Way in Belize
The encroachment into Belizean territory was as clear as daylight when we visited Barrio El Juda on the western border on Thursday. Guatemalan families have settled there and their community [...]

Firebrand Activist Geovanni Brackett Calls on G.O.B. to Act Now
Joining the trip to the western border on Thursday was firebrand activist and former COLA President Geovanni Brackett. Brackett saw the developing Guatemalan community that has been inching its way [...]

Belize People’s Front says Belizeans Need to Put Pressure on Government
Nefretery Nancy Marin is the leader of the recently formed Belize People’s Front. Marin was also present during Thursday’s trip to the Barrio el Juda along Belize’s side of the [...]

G.O.B. Fixes LPG Prices
The government has moved to establish fix prices for the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas known as L.P.G. beginning this Saturday.  The fixed prices are to prevent predatory pricing by [...]

MOH Still Struggling with Procurement of Anti-retroviral Medication
The procurement of anti-retroviral medication for persons living with HIV/AIDS continues to be an issue for the Ministry of Health. For months the Ministry has been battling with a shortage [...]

Grinage Brothers Freed of Murder Charge
John and Sheldon Grinage were freed on Thursday for the murder of thirty-two-year-old Mariano Castillo. Crown Counsel Portia Staine-Ferguson entered a nolle prosequi since a witness could not be located. [...]

A Payment Plan to Compensate Candice Miller
There is fresh information tonight in respect of a proposal by former City administrator Candice Miller to the Belize City Council.  Pending an appeal, Miller has proposed to stop the [...]

Proposal for Decrease in Security Companies’ Gun License Fees
On Thursday, the Belize Police Department held a meeting with about twenty-five registered gun dealers in the country. That meeting, led by Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, covered a number [...]

Victor L. Bryant’s Gun Dealer License Still Under Review
One of the issues covered during the meeting was the storage of the firearms. Commissioner of Police Williams says that remains a high priority and they continue to carry out [...]

Independence Day Fire on Caye Caulker Caused by a Candle
While with the Fire Chief earlier today, the media got an update on the Independence Day fire on Caye Caulker during which one person lost his life in the blaze. [...]

National Fire Service Under a New Fire Chief; How’s that Going?
Fire Chief Colin Gillett was recently appointed to the position after career fire-fighter and former chief Ted Smith retired. Gillett, like Smith’s predecessors, did not move up the ranks of [...]

Calgary Fire Fighter’s Association Donates Truck to Corozal Fire Department
It is well documented that there is need for additional equipment and fire trucks for the National Fire Service to adequately fire fight in times of disasters. On Thursday, the [...]

B.E.L. Inaugurates New Branch Office in San Pedro
In the prime tourism island of San Pedro this morning, B.E.L. opened its first permanent branch office. With record tourism numbers, the utility company recognizes the need to keep up [...]

Liyan Moralez is Most Outstanding Candidate in 2019 CAPE Exams
Nineteen-year-old Liyan Moralez is majoring in chemistry and math at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad & Tobago.  He is the Most Outstanding Candidate in [...]

Mark King and U.D.P. – What’s His Future with the Party?
Former Lake I U.D.P area representative Mark King on Thursday let loose  questioning the quality of candidates running for high posts in the  in the U.D.P. King was highly critical  [...]

Mangrove Education Onboard the Mangrove Maiden
Mangroves serve many important functions for coastal communities. They act as a watershed and provide storm surge protection, as well as land stabilization. They also provide habitat for fish, birds [...]

BECOL to BELPO – We Are Not Responsible
On November thirteenth we told you about the Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy concerns about the state of the Macal River. In that story, BELPO’s Candy Gonzalez made [...]

Belize Beats French Guiana 2-0
The Belize Jaguars faced off with French Guiana on Thursday night in Belmopan in the CONCACAF Nation’s League. At the end of the ninety-minute game, Belize won two-nil. An early [...]

Belize Jaguars Heads to Grenada
And less than twenty-four hours after that win, today the Belize Jaguars hopped on a flight to travel to Grenada. The team will spend the overnight in Miami and arrive [...]

F.F.B. Update on Belize’s Place in the CONCACAF Nations League
So, Belize won a match on Thursday night and they have another game on Sunday in the CONCACAF Nation’s League. These games are to help qualify for the 2021 Gold [...]

Belize District Dominates the National Primary School Championships
Turning to the local competition in volleyball, Championship Games concluded just a few minutes ago at the Civic Centre in Belize City. Belize Elementary School of Belize City and San [...]

Amandala

Guatemalan farmers invade Belize
The Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory has once more created an international incident along the border between Belize and Guatemala. This time, the cause of the problem is a group of Guatemalans who are squatting on private land in an area known as Barrio El Juda. Earlier this week, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, as he usually does, urged patience so as to give the necessary time for diplomatic efforts to work. Belizean landowner Jorge Emilio Espat, made a trip to the area today and took the media along as witness to what has been happening on his land for several months now.

Jiovanni Lennan, 30, shot dead tonight on Welch Street
The life of another Belize City man was lost as a result of senseless gun violence. Jiovanni Lennan, 30, a fireman of Welch Street, was killed at about 8:30 tonight on Welch Street near its junction with Gibnut Street. Residents of the area told us tonight on our visit to the scene that Lennan was playing basketball at Rogers Stadium. At the end of the game, he rode out of the stadium on his bicycle into Dolphin Street, in the direction of Yarborough, and made a right turn into Gibnut Street, and then made a left turn into Welch Street.

The CXC-CAPE results are in!
There were noteworthy performances in the CSEC and CAPE exams by Belize’s secondary and tertiary level students from various schools in the country. An exemplary trio of young women from Edward P. Yorke High School took top spots in the 2019 CSEC Examinations, namely Ms. Alexis Guy, Ms. Dayana Marroquin and Ms. Angie Matute. Guy, who is an alumna of the 2018 Youth Ambassador’s program, took first place with an impressive seventeen Grade I’s and one Grade II. Following closely behind, Marroquin scored fourteen Grade I’s and two Grade II’s, and Matute is the first female to be awarded the Subject Group Award in Technical Vocation. The Caribbean Examination Council has invited Angie to a ceremony in Grenada where she will be presented with an award for most outstanding performance in Technical Vocation in the region.

Ronald Haynes, a son of Samuel Haynes, Sr., visits Belize
Ronald Haynes, a son of the great patriot, Belizean Samuel Haynes, who penned the poem “Land of the Gods,” which became Belize’s national anthem in its variation as “Land of the Free,” is on his first visit to Belize. This morning, Haynes was a guest on KREM’s Wake-up Belize Morning Vibes (WUB) show with co-host Nuri Mohammad, and gave Amandala an interview after leaving KREM’s studios.

Former activist for Maya rights, Gregory Ch’oc, called to the Bar
Gregory Ch’oc, the former executive director of the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management, who stood at the forefront in the fight for the protection of Maya land rights and brought to the forefront other issues affecting the Maya communities in Southern Belize, has returned home as a qualified attorney. At a special sitting in the Supreme Court of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin this morning, Friday, an application hearing was convened for Ch’oc to be called to practice law at the Belize Bar. Ch’oc’s application for membership to the legal fraternity was moved by the former two-term Prime Minister and Fort George area representative, Hon. Said Musa, Senior Counsel.

In Dangriga, fisher folks rally for gill net
Their numbers are small, reportedly only 83 of 2,513 licensed fishers in Belize, and sentiments seem firmly against them, but some gill net users are holding fast to this fishing tool they have been using for decades. A small group of them congregated at Alejo Beni Park in Dangriga Town, on Wednesday, November 13, to emphasize to the nation why the proposed gill net ban would be wrong for Belize. According to News5, in a report by Isani Cayetano, the leaders of the group in support of gill net said that those behind the proposal for the gill net ban do not have all the facts. They said that laws are in place to ensure the sustainable use of gill nets, and charged that the persons who are pushing for the ban on gill nets are doing so only because they are being paid to do it.

Garifuna awards night at the Mexican Institute
Activities leading up to Garifuna Settlement Day, on November 19, are being held countrywide. This Friday, November 15, an awards and recognition ceremony will be held at the Mexican Institute of Culture, located at the corner of Newtown Barracks Road and Wilson Street. The purpose of the event is to recognize individuals, past and present, who contributed to and supported the preservation of the Garifuna culture in Belize. The event is a collaboration between the Mexican Institute and the Belize City Garifuna Council.

Coast Guard changes command: Elton Bennett takes over from Johnny Borland
The High Command of the Belize Coast Guard will change on November 27. Amandala was informed that Rear Admiral John Borland, the incumbent Commandant of the Coast Guard, will hand over command to Deputy Commandant Elton Bennett, who will be the new Commandant, and Rear Admiral Borland goes off to the Ministry of National Security to take up a new post as National Security Chief of Staff, which involves being the chief security advisor to the ministry. The change of command will be conducted shortly after the Coast Guard celebrates its 14th birthday on November 25.

Police statistics highlight decrease in major crimes
The Belize Police Department has released the crime statistics for the period January to September 2019, and when the figures are compared to the same period last year, there is a noticeable decrease in major crimes. At a press conference where the figures were released, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, told the media, however, that there were some serious incidents. The Commissioner made specific references to the triple murder on the George Price Highway, in June, and the 5 men who were murdered at sea, which also occurred in June.

Dengue epidemic continues to rage — more deaths reported
The dengue fever epidemic which began affecting Belize from as early as January has showed no signs of letting up and continues to claim lives. Yesterday, dengue claimed the life of Ruggeri Tzul, 21, of Xaibe Village, Corozal District. Also, earlier this month, it was confirmed that Jennifer Moreno, 14, a Sacred Heart College student, died from dengue. Today, Amandala spoke with Ministry of Heath epidemiologist Dr. Russell Manzanero, who confirmed that since the outbreak of dengue in Belize, seven persons have lost their lives after contracting the disease.

Belize and Barbados move to establish trade partnership
The Caribbean sister nations of Barbados and Belize made a significant move today to begin a partnership which will see the two CARICOM member states trade in goods and services. To bring about the reality of trade between the two countries, the Belize Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce, in coordination with BELTRAIDE, teamed up with its Barbados counterpart, the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC), for a Trade Expo which opened at the Best Western Biltmore Hotel this morning, featuring representatives from 10 companies in Barbados.

Carlos Chayash, 40, robbed and stabbed in Quintana Roo
Carlos Cirilo Chayash, 40, a supervisor from Trial Farm, Orange Walk District, who recently relocated to Carrillo Puerto, Mexico, on October 28, was beaten, stabbed and robbed by thieves. According to Diario De Quintana Roo, just before 6:00 Sunday morning, police in the city of Carrillo Puerto went to the Mayan Zone based on a 911 call from residents of the area, and on arriving in the center of the Vicario Colony, they found a person lying on the sidewalk on 66th Street, between the 75 and 77 blocks.

Gustavo Lizarraga, 25, drowns on fishing trip near San Pedro reef
At about 1:30 Friday afternoon, two cousins, Gustavo Lizarraga, Jr., 25, a laborer of the DFC Housing Site area of San Pedro, originally from Corozal; and his cousin, Roberto Lizarraga, 36, also a laborer of the same area, went on a fishing trip to the reef in a kayak. While they were paddling to the fishing area, high waves overturned the kayak, and the two men, neither of whom were wearing life jackets, hung on to the capsized boat.

Myron Martinez, 40, succumbs after Ladyville accident
Myron Martinez, 40, a driver for the Belize City branch of the Customs and Excise Department, who was the father of three children, died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) yesterday of massive head injuries he suffered in a collision on the morning of Saturday, November 9, in Ladyville, after slamming into a trailer that was carrying a house. Martinez suffered head and body injuries and was rushed to the KHMH in a critical condition. He fought for his life for 5 days in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, but died yesterday.

Ernesto Lewis, 33, seriously injured in collision on “S Curve”
Ernesto Lewis Jr., 33, of Ontario, Cayo District, is in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after suffering massive head and body injuries during a collision on the “S Curve,” between Miles 54 and 55 on the Western Highway in Teakettle at about 7:30 Tuesday night. Police said that Lewis was driving his car from Ontario to Belmopan, but when he reached the S Curve, he crashed into a freightliner truck that was coming from the opposite direction. The car ended up under the truck.

editorial: Horrific murder rate has young males thinking short-term
The number one issue in a country with a horrific murder rate is, of course, murder, and in our case the demographic most in danger of being killed is the young male. This horrific murder rate weighs on the psyche of our entire population, but young males, naturally, are the ones whose minds are most affected. Speaking recently on a job training session facilitated by the Love Foundation, Caribbean Shores area representative, Hon. Kareem Musa, spoke of the importance of the program, and said it was disappointing that of the twenty-one participants at the training only one was male.

From the Publisher
On the occasion of Garifuna Settlement Day 2019, I’d like to pay my respects to two outstanding Garifuna gentlemen – Cliff Augustine, who is presently in Chicago fighting with kidney disease, and Cornelius “Pat” Cacho, who lives in Florida and recently became the University of Belize’s greatest benefactor. Cliff celebrated his 80th birthday while in Belize for this year’s September celebrations, and Mr. Cacho has to be in his nineties. Cliff Augustine, a native of Hopkins, left the Roman Catholic priesthood to marry Elma Whittaker, a graduate of Pallotti High School who worked for a while at Amandala and was also an officer in the last UBAD executive in 1974. Theirs has been the greatest love story I have ever seen.

Belize wins, 2-0, over French Guiana in Concacaf Nations League match!
A goal in each half, from rookie Ean Lewis at the 4th minute, and from veteran star Deon McCaulay at the 68th minute, gave our Belize Jaguars the 2-0 victory in the Concacaf Nations League match against French Guiana tonight at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium. Belize had lost the first match against this opponent by default (3-0) back on September 5, after our team encountered difficulties with a chartered air carrier. Going into tonight’s return match, Belize stood at last place in our Group A of Concacaf’s League B; but this victory, and a 0-0 draw tonight between Grenada and St. Kitts & Nevis, means that we have moved up into the second position.

Dangriga Pool Tournament
Aba Isieni Cool Spot hosted a 10-week pool tournament for teams in Dangriga which saw the participation of 6 teams, each with 7 players. Of the 6 teams (One Blood, Griga Shooters, Wrecking Crew, Gunners, D’Invincibes, and D’Rebles), we had 3 teams that came out on top – Griga Shooters (First Place), One Blood (Second Place), Gunners (Third Place). The MVP for the tournament was Chris Banegas.

SCA girls and SJC boys are both 2019 National Secondary Schools Volleyball Champions
The National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) held its annual national high schools volleyball championships (female and male) on Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, in Dangriga, where the 4 regional champions – North, Central, West and South – met in a simple knockout format, with the semifinal winners on Friday going on to play for the championship on Saturday. The Nationals this year were hosted by Delille Academy at the Russell Chiste Garcia Auditorium, and it was both Central Region’s SCA girls and SJC boys emerging as national champions.

COMPTON FAIRWEATHER
When I left Belize to come and live in New York City in 1978, the biggest issue in Belize was George Price and his People’s United Party (PUP) travelling all over the world to try and get support for our independence. The leader of the United Democratic Party, Dean Lindo, and his members, were afraid that if we obtained independence without a defense guarantee from Great Britain, Guatemala could invade our country. The UDP held many “No Guatemala” demonstrations in Belize City that drew large crowds from all over the country.

Search for Paul Nabor’s Naguya Nei
Over the years a number of times I’ve had a few dollars in my pocket and I’ve looked in the cd stores for Paul Nabor’s Naguya Nei, my pick for the best Belizean song, ever, but maybe it sells out within a week of hitting the shelves, because I was never fortunate to get a copy. I have the cd Watina, a great cd that has the song, but I always had my eye out for a full Nabor. Well now, Nabor is at my fingertips, on a phone one of my two sisters bought me, and while I am joyful about my find, I’m a little guilty, because I want to pay my two cents. I don’t know how our music artists make money these days, outside of doing shows.

Matron sacrifices her marriage!
One month before she was eighteen, Pauline Atkins came to the capital as a nurse-trainee, boarding with Granny “P” until the nurses’ building was ready for occupancy. She was popular right from the start, with a winning personality like her mother’s: friendly, vivacious, self-confident, helpful and generous. To a certain extent she was mentored by Matron, whom she respected and emulated in everything to do with work, and Pauline was not shy about putting forward her ideas for improving performance, conditions of service, and treatment of her fellow trainees; as well as about the overall conditions of patients, support staff and everything connected with the hospital.

Our poor Macal River
Dear Editor, Years of the dams holding back water, releasing it, holding it back, has naturally led to massive erosion. The river banks have turned to mud. Trees continue to rot and fall into the river and come downstream. With the heavy rains last week, enormous amounts of this rotting vegetation and sedimentation are washing downstream, flowing into the Belize River and eventually to the sea. The turbidity (the dark muddy water) does not allow for sunlight to penetrate to the river bottom, which means the river is not getting oxygen. What is happening to the fish and vegetation that need oxygen?

Cayo’s golden oranges
Dear Editor, It was a rich harvest. And there we were, swinging from limb to limb, like happy little monkeys pulling fruits from trees. Those who didn’t have the agility to climb could be found scampering like squirrels, collecting fruits from the floor of this Cayo orchard. From here, the sun-ripened delights would be sold and shipped for processing somewhere else, finally ending up on someone’s table as fresh oranges or a nutritious cup of juice. I wasn’t the happiest tree climber or the fastest picker, I admit. But I did pull my weight in the heat of the day. While we worked, the sweet fragrance of golden oranges filled the air, energizing our activity among the rows of healthy, green trees that stretched endlessly to the horizon.

Enablers of eco-cide: the fallen orange tree
Dear Editor, citrus growers and ALL Belizeans: There is a recognized aspect of the condition of those suffering from alcoholism, and that aspect focuses on what is termed “the enabler”, or that person(s) who contributes to the alcoholic’s consumptive addiction by the manner in which this person(s) relates to the alcoholic and supports the alcoholic’s habit. Let us move to the present catastrophic phenomenon of “eco-cide”, which can be seen as the genocide of the ecologies of our planet, our hemisphere, our country, our communities, and now, to the specific point of this letter — our precious and gravely ailing citrus industry, that has been devastated by the “greening disease” (Huanglongbing (HLB)), which is literally translated as “the dragon disease”.

LOVE FM

Acclaimed Belizean Writer Zoila Ellis Launches New Book
Belize’s very own, Zoila Ellis along with Cubola productions announced the publication of “The Saltpickers And Other Caribbean Stories” written by her. Ellis is a Garifuna lawyer, writer and cultural activist.

BEL San Pedro Inaugurates New Headquarters
The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) officially inaugurated its new offices today in San Pedro Town. It’s a major upgrade for the residents on the island since they are the fastest growing community in the entire country.

Shovels in and construction begins on the Sarteneja Road
Work has begun on the 27 miles of road between Corozal and Sarteneja which will cost fifty million US dollars to pave. The fifty million loan was granted to construct this road from the Government of Taiwan.

Black Friday in Belize
Black Friday is taking on a life of its own in Belize as several businesses are using this period in November to promote various deals and discounts. This is the third year that the Belize Chamber and Commerce and Industry is promoting Black Friday in Belize.

Eco-friendly lagoon tour launched in Belize
The Caribbean Shrimp Company in Ladyville Village, Belize District, is looking to upgrade the services they are offering by including a unique boat tour through a mangrove lagoon. Reporter Courtney Menzies joined the tour today and brought back some highlights.

Corozal Fire Department receives new fire truck
The Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, Edmond Castro, received a donation of a firetruck for the Corozal District. The donation was given by Calgary Firefighters’ Association, through the Calgary Fire Department in Alberta, Canada. National Fire Chief Colin Gillett and Corozal Officer in Charge, Kevin Williams received the truck on behalf of the Fire Service.

Firefighter gunned down in Belize City
A Belize City firefighter was gunned down last night, moments after exiting his house on Welch Street in Belize City. 30-year-old Geovani Ian Lennan was yards away from his home when he was approached from behind by a male person just after seven o’clock last night.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at to host blood drive in Belize City
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and the Belize Blood Transfusion Services will be hosting a blood drive tomorrow. The drive is to raise awareness that lives can be saved, and health can be improved with the donation.

One Year behind bars for handling stolen goods
An unemployed man is sentenced to one year behind bars for handling stolen goods. In May of this year, 37-year-old Denmark Cruz was arrested and charged with burglary and handling stolen goods.

Grinage Brothers Freed
John and Sheldon Grinage, who were on trial for the murder of 32-year-old Mariano Castillo, were able to go home after a nolle prosequi was entered today. This morning, Crown Counsel Portia Staine-Ferguson was forced to enter the nolle prosequi indicating that they will no longer pursue the case since the third witness could not be located.

Gillnets Found In Marine Reserve
This morning, divers were shocked to find a 400-foot and a 50-foot gillnet within the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. According to a Facebook post by Oceana Belize, tour guides that were diving in the area found the nets strung out along the north wall. They brought the bycatch back to Ray Caye and counted them in the presence of two Coast Guard Officers and two SEA rangers.

Firearms Act To Be Changed
The Ministry of National Security has made proposals for changes to the Firearms Act. A brief release was issued today noting that there are several proposals being made but only listed one of them as being the placement of limits on how much bullets a license holder can purchase. According to the release the proposals are being reviewed.

Ten Thousand Dollars Donated To The Garifuna Collective Band
On November 4, 88-year-old Gerald Compton Fairweather passed away from bronchial pneumonia. To honor his memory and everything he had done for Belize, the National Institute of History and Culture, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, has set up a Compton Fairweather Award for promoting Belizean music both locally and internationally.

Breaking Belize News

US $50 million Corozal/Sarteneja Road Project breaks ground
On November 14, the Governments of Belize and Taiwan officially broke ground in Corozal signaling […]

Mark King lashes out at UDP
Former United Democratic Party Minister, Mark King, lashed out at his party during a recent […]

Three promising ballers killed in 2019
The Belize Police Department continues to say that crime is down. However, there seems to […]

Divers find over 400 feet of gillnets within the Gladden Spit and Silk Caye Marine Reserve
Photos courtesy: Dasha Shivers/ Ray Caye Island Resort Oceana Belize today informed that this morning, […]

Re-enactment of arrival of Garifunas to be celebrated in Libertad
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize and the […]

Mind Health Connect launched to champion mental health awareness
Belize City Councilor, Allan Pollard, was at the launch of the newly established Mind Health […]

Corozal receives new fire truck
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management (with responsibility for the National Fire Service), Edmond […]

Corozal student second to die from dengue
Another student, 21-year-old Ruggeri Tzul, has reportedly died due to dengue on Sunday morning. Just […]

Police seize kilo of weed at San Pedro airstrip
Alert authorities conducted a cargo check around 6:00 last night at the San Pedro airstrip […]

Armed culprits rob Dollar grocery story
Two armed culprits robbed Dollar grocery store on Water Lane in Belize City last night. […]

Water advisory lifted for San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Benque Viejo
The Belize Water Services (BWS) today informed customers in San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Esperanza, Benque […]

Ministry of National Security: Proposal for amendments to firearm act under review
The Gun Dealers Association of Belize issued a statement yesterday informing that there will be […]

Blogs

Cassava Bread- A Garifuna Staple
My Beautiful Belize recently had the unique opportunity to visit Sabal’s Cassava Farm as part of the 2019 Belize Tourism Board media familiarization trip on the southeast coast of Belize. Located at mile three on the Hummingbird Highway, right outside of Dangriga Town, this family-owned business has been operating since 1987 and produces cassava bread, starch, juice, and other deliciousness. The farm’s premier product – the cassava – is an essential part of Garifuna culinary culture, and the Sabals take it from the root to the dinner table. The best part is that they open that process to visitors who can tour the farm and observe the processing of the root vegetable, and the actual making of cassava bread, “Ereba” in the Garifuna language.

International Sources

Family mourns diver slain in Belize after moving from Palm Beach County
A former Marine who recently lived in Palm Beach County while learning to scuba dive had planned to return to his hometown of Atlanta on Thursday, according to relatives. But 36-year-old Drew DeVoursney never made it home. He and his Canadian girlfriend Francesca Matus, 52, were found slain in Belize this week, authorities said. A big man with a big heart, “he was very adventurous, very brave, and he was always wanting to be out in nature and not stuck inside,” DeVoursney’s mother, Char DeVoursney, of Atlanta, told the Sun Sentinel. Few details have been released by police about the murder investigation. The couple reportedly were last seen leaving a bar in the northern Corozal District on April 25, days before their bodies were found Monday.

Videos

November 15, 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

Murlene ‘Mel’ Spain re-elected as President of San Pedro’s Lions Club
During the San Pedro Lions Club 44th anniversary celebration on Saturday, November 9th, Murlene ‘Mel’ Spain was re-elected as President. Hosted at the Lions Den on Barrier Reef Drive on San Pedro Town, the event saw a reshuffling in the club’s Board of Directors, who were officiated in front of invited guests from the island and mainland. The annual event also included refreshments for the attendees and live music with the island’s number one band, Rompe Raja! As the Club’s efforts in the community were applauded, Belize Zone 59 Chairman Moises Cal further commended the organization for their continued work on San Pedro. Immediately after, a new board was installed. Spain was re-elected as President, and Everette Anderson as Vice-President.

San Pedro Invader lose 8-0 against Guardians F.C
For their third match in the 2019 National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) Football Tournament Opening Season, San Pedro Invaders hosted the Guardians F.C in San Pedro Town on Sunday, November 10th. The island girls tried their best for a home victory, but when the long whistle blew it was a clear 8-0 victory for the Guardians F.C.

San Pedro Police burn kilos of seized drugs
A large amount of drugs, consisting of marijuana, crack cocaine, cocaine, pills such as Ecstasy, among other illicit drugs, were destroyed by fire by the San Pedro Police formation on Wednesday, November 13th, at a location south of San Pedro Town. The drugs had been in storage for several years and were the result of concluded cases and drugs that had been found and labelled as ‘Found Property.’ Present to officiate the destruction of the items, besides the police, were members of the judiciary system, forensic department, an attorney at law, the Government Press, and a Justice of the Peace.

Belize Port Authority levies charges in water-taxi explosion deaths
The Belize Port Authority (BPA) has concluded its investigation into the explosion that occurred on May 5, 2019, on a boat docked at the Ocean Ferry Water Taxi Boat Terminal in Belize City. Charges have been brought against boat Captain Ernesto Delgado, as well as boat companies San Pedro Water Jets International and Ocean Ferry Belize. The explosion took the lives of eight-year-old Kimberly Melissa Guy, ten-year-old Yamiri Yasmin Guy, and injured several other persons.

Ambergris Today

MSC MERAVIGLIA: World’s 7th Largest Ship Makes Golden Voyage To Belize
MSC Meraviglia, the 7th largest cruise ship in the world, made its golden voyage to Belize on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, carrying nearly 4,500 guests(at double occupancy) on board. MSC Meraviglia, is owned and operated by MSC Cruisesand entered service in June 2017. It is the world’s 7th largest ship. It was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France by STX France. MSC Meraviglia was MSC Cruises first ship in the innovative Meraviglia class of next-generation ships, designed to be able to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports.

Ocean Commits Over $2Million Dollars To Assist Fishers Transition From Gillnet Use
Oceana and the Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries have committed via written letters of intent to the Government of Belize, over BZ$ 2 Million dollars to assist Belizean fishers transition away from gillnet use in Belize’s waters. Both Oceana and the Coalition require that the Government of Belize take the necessary legal steps in 2019 to declare a ban on gillnets beginning in 2020. This policy change will support sustainable fisheries management efforts and ensure that Belizean fishers will always be able to fish. Eligible beneficiaries for this initiative have been identified by the Belize Fisheries Department in response to the request made under the Freedom of Information Act.

San Pedro Police Destroys Over 100Kilos Of Drugs
For the first time ever San Pedro Police destroyed over 100 kilos of illicit drugs that have accumulated over the years here on Ambergris Caye. On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, the above the ground burning of the drugs took place under heavy police presence. According to Superintendent Chris Noble from the Coastal Executive Unit of the Police Department the police department got rid of a large amount of drugs that were label as found property and other concluded case that were handled at court. This operations was the first of its kind and Supt. Chris Noble hopes that it is not the last but is hopeful that a proper working incinerator can be brought to the island for such operations to take place.

Various Belizean Sources

Oceana Commits $2M+ To Assist Fishers Transition From Gillnets
Oceana and the Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries have committed via written letters of intent to the Government of Belize, over BZ$ 2 Million dollars to assist Belizean fishers transition away from gillnet use in Belize’s waters. Both Oceana and the Coalition require that the Government of Belize take the necessary legal steps in 2019 to declare a ban on gillnets beginning in 2020. This policy change will support sustainable fisheries management efforts and ensure that Belizean fishers will always be able to fish.

Missing sign at Caye Caulker Mangrove Reserve
If anyone has information about who removed this sign, please PM me. It was taken down and has disappeared from our little reserve that is leased from the government to restore mangroves. I'm angry and saddened that anyone would be so shitty.

Boil Water Advisory Lifted for San Ignacio, Santa Elena and Benque Viejo Water System
Belize Water Services informs customers in San Ignacio, Santa Elena, Esperanza, Benque Viejo and Succotz that the boil/disinfect water notice that was in effect from November 5, 2019 has been lifted. We are pleased to confirm that BWS and the Department of Public Health have confirmed that the potable water quality has been restored; therefore, boiling or disinfecting is no longer necessary.

New requirements for Water Sports Activities to be discussed
New requirements for Water Sports Activities are being introduced and Public comments are being accepted in seven destinations. Click the link to see the schedule of sessions open to the general public.

MSC Meraviglia Makes Voyage to Belize
MSC Meraviglia, the 7th largest cruise ship in the world, made its golden voyage to Belize today carrying nearly 4,500 guests (at double occupancy) on board. MSC Meraviglia, is owned and operated by MSC Cruises and entered service in June 2017. It is the world’s 7th largest ship. It was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France by STX France. MSC Meraviglia was MSC Cruises first ship in the innovative Meraviglia class of next-generation ships, designed to be able to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports. The ship initially operated in the western Mediterranean and has also cruised in Northern Europe as of summer 2019. In October 2019, MSC Meraviglia repositioned to the United States for the first time.

ITZAMNA: SUPREME BEING
Itzamna also known as Hunab Itzam Na Is the creator of the world and supreme father of the universe . Itzamná represents the creation of the world and the universe . Also writing,science and divination . The word "Itz" seems to be a sacred liquid (like water,sap,semen and blood ) and also magical . Itzamna can mean "Wise wizard" . Some Believe that the Maya Cross between the Yucatec Maya communities is a representation of Itzamna and Chaak . In the Cruzo'ob Maya faith the interpretation of the message of "Hahal Ku" the true God of the Maya Máasewal is some times declared as literally Itzamna . The early colonial sources variously connect, and sometimes identify,Itzamna with Hunab Ku, Kinich Ahua and Yaxocahmut .

Official handing over of fire truck to the Bay Area Firefighters, Corozal

O.W.C 1st Inter-generational Expo
The Octavia Waight Centre is having their 1st Inter-generational Expo on Friday, November 29th. They'll have music, art, games, informational booths, and fun for everyone. It starts at 9:00am. "Save the date! The Octavia Waight Centre is initiating its' first Inter-generational Expo and invites you to be apart of this special event. Come and enjoy fun activities for the family, There will be music, games, art exhibition, prizes and lot's more! All happening on November 29, 2019 from 9a.m. to 3p.m. at the Octavia Waight Auditorium 3 Carmelita Street, San Ignacio, Cayo. ENTRANCE IS FREE. Mark the date and be there! It's an event you just don't want to miss."

Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges greeted attendees at today’s Garifuna Awareness Day Cultural Expo
We were honored to participate in today’s expo hosted by the National Garifuna Council celebrating the unique culture and countless contributions of the #Garifuna community in #Belize. Belize is a country with many languages, cultures, and peoples, each of which plays a big part in making Belize such a special place!

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
The theater is closed this weekend. Headed to pick up a replacement projector. We’ll be back next Friday (Nov 22).. upcoming movies are IT 2, Angel has Fallen, Lady and the tramp (2019) Once upon a Time in Hollywood. See you next weekend !

Channel 7

Bze/Guat Showdown At The Barrio
Last night, we showed you the comments from Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington the Guatemalan encroachment on Belizean territory that is taking place on the Western edge of Benque Viejo Town, in the Cayo District. That's where the Belizean land-owner, Jorge Emiliano Espat, owns the land he inherited from his father and grandfather.  He says that his family has owned it for several generations, and now, he is slowly losing it to the Guatemalan encroachment that is taking place in the area known as Barrio El Juda. He is frustrated with the glacial pace of Government's efforts to reverse the situation through diplomatic channels.  And in the meantime, the Guatemalan Campesinos living in the area are moving more and more into his land.

COMPOL Proposes Radical Changes to Gun License Regs
Gun owners beware, because the Police Department wants to radically change the regulations governing the sale of licensed ammunition, and the requirements for getting a gun license in the new year. Commissioner Chester Williams called the gun dealers to the Police Training Academy for what turned out to be a lively meeting.  He wants to seriously curtail the amount of ammunition they can sell to any licensed gun owner in a year.  Here's how the Commissioner put it:

The Plane Didn't Land
Williams also discussed recent drug plane activities.  On Monday night, a suspected drug plane could be heard circling over Belize city. And on Monday morning at 2:00 AM, Corozal residents heard a drug plane - most audible in the Xaibe area. That one was reportedly being pursued by a chopper from the Mexican Army - which CTV-3 reports - had gotten permission to enter Belizean airspace in pursuit of this drug plane. Today, Commissioner Williams would only say that the planes did not land:

Man Snatches Purse, Gets Knocked Down
A purse snatcher got the come uppance of his life yesterday in downtown Belize City.  He snatched a woman's purse off a desk inside city hall, - and then hopped on his bike and darted off into downtown traffic on Regent Street.   But, he rode out into traffic and an oncoming driver couldn't stop in time and knocked him down.  He went sprawling unto the pavement and the purse tumbled out of his hand.  He dashed off, leaving the purse, and his bike. Today, through some sharp detective work, we tracked down the passenger in the vehicle that knocked him down:

New Mental Health NGO Launched
If you've attended a health or wellness fair in recent years you've probably picked up a pamphlet or had a foot massage at one of "Mind, Health, Connect's booths, but after a few years of providing information and resources the founders of this NGO are looking to be more visible in their quest to spread Mental Health awareness and bring a much needed conversation to the national forefront.  Mind, Health, Connect was officially launched this morning at the Image Factory Art Gallery. We stopped by to talk to the founders about what they've achieved in the seven years that they've been carrying out activities and what they hope to achieve moving forward. 

Two Students Suspected To Have Died Of Dengue - What Can Be Done?
Belize is having a dengue outbreak - and seeing the greatest number of infections since 2015.  Reports say that two students: a sixth former from the north and a second former from the west have reportedly died from the disease.  So what's the Ministry of Education doing to raise awareness amongst students of the symptoms? We caught up with Minister of Education Patrick Faber earlier today and asked what's being done: Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education: "I join with the ministry of health to of course encourage the enabling of the environment to not have these kinds of mosquito diseases..."

Health Minister Says Dengue Is a Crisis
And, today in Corozal CTV3 News spoke to Minister of Health Pablo Marin today about the recent death of 21 year old Ruggeri Tzul reportedly from Dengue. He declined to comment stating that the ministry is currently conducting its investigation into the young man's sudden death but told them that his Ministry had requested additional funds to combat the Dengue crisis.  Hon. Pablo Marin - Minister of Health: "Every time there's a crisis with dengue, we always ask for more finances and we have gotten more finances through the Ministry, thanks to the Prime Minister we got more finances..."

The Road Of Promise for The North
3 Weeks ago we showed you the signing of a contract between GOB and  Taiwanese firm, Overseas Engineering and Construction Company Limited S.A., for the upgrade of the Corozal/Sarteneja Road.   It will cost 50 million US dollars to pave the 27 miles of road between Corozal and Sarteneja. And today a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the junction of the Corozal and Sarteneja roads. Minister of Works Rene Montero called it a historic event: Hon. Rene Montero - Minister of Works and Transport: "Today marks the official start of the upgrading of the Corozal Sarteneja Road to paved standards. It is indeed a happy occasion, as it marks a new level in another important milestone of the road infrastructure development in Belize."

Cayo Cops Catch Robbers Quickly
Cayo Police were quick to catch the the robbers who allegedly held up a San Ignacio Store on Tuesday afternoon.  The 44 year old female business owner, Shu Yun Chen was confronted by two masked men, one with a gun and one with a machete.   Police told us more at the press briefing this morning: Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero - CIB: "There was a robbery at G and A store situated at Flamingo Street San Ignacio. The report is two male persons entered with firearm and held her up and stole an amount of cash. Thereafter one of the males persons inflicted an injury at the establishment..."

Marine Marauded By Roommates
A US marine got jilted by his own roommates after they stole $70,000 dollars in jewelry from their apartment. Fortunately police have detained the culprits and retrieved most of the US national's belongings. Here is more. Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Mr. Edwin Beaks retired US marine residing in Belize City reported that someone stole from his apartment an assorted amount of jewellery amounting to over $70,000. As a result police conducted an investigation which led to the detention of 4 male persons those persons will be charged today and will be going to court later this evening. Majority of the jewellery that were reported stolen were recovered by police."

Ex Soldier Succumbs After Collision
Accident victim Myron Martinez died yesterday at the KHMH while receiving treatment. The accident happened on Saturday morning on the Philip Goldson Highway. The retired BDF soldier was heading to his Lord's Bank home when he slammed into a trailer. He received severe head injuries. Police say they are investigating the trailer truck driver.

Garifuna Collective Gets First Compton Fairweather Award
Last week we told you about the passing of noted patriot, and seminal record producer Compton Fairweather.   Today, NICH honored his memory by creating and giving a cash award in his name.  It is ten thousand dollars for an outstanding music contribution that gains international recognition for Belize.   Today, Belize's leading record label, Stonetree Records and the Garifuna collective was the first recipient of that.

Why No Shyne?
Now, the last time the Garifuna Collective got state level funding was in August of 2018, when they were headed to Spain for the World Music Expo, known as WOMEX. On that occasion Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow teamed up with BTL and BTB to cover some of the total costs.  But today, Shyne was nowhere to be seen. We asked the Minister of Culture about that: Jules Vasquez: "One notable omission here today sir is the Music Ambassador. In your moment of greatness generosity, the man who back handily referred to you as ungenerous, I will be kind, is not here to see your generosity. Why is the Music Ambassador not here?"

The Collective's Message To Musicians
But the show went on without Shyne - and after the award was given, the afternoon segued in a kind of "how-to" session for up and coming musicians who want to emulate the Garifuna Collective's global success.  But, Al Ovando cautioned them, that it's not an easy road, and there's not blueprint to success.  In fact, he says, even "success" is a very relative term, open to interpretation:

The Cape-Man Liyan Moralez
On Tuesday, we told you that Corozal Junior College's Liyan Moralez is the Most Outstanding Candidate for his eight Grade I's and one Grade II on the CAPE examinations.  For that performance, he is the winner of the Belize Scholarship for 2019. Moralez is currently studying in the Caribbean but CTV3 spoke to him by phone and he told them how much it took to achieve the top grade. 

Education Minister Praises Gov't Secondary School
And the Minister of Education is beaming with pride over the trio of brilliant Belizean students who performed exceptionally on the CSEC exams. Today, when we caught up with him, he underscored the achievement of Edward P. York, a government school, in producing the exam's three top performers.  Hon. Patrick Faber - Minister of Education, Culture,: "It is a success story every year that we are able to see so many more students take a CSEC examinations of course this is in no small part because of the government's intervention and the government's paying for six CXC's or CSEC's for these students..."

PUC Announced Decision on BWSL
The Public Utilities Commission, which regulates the utility companies in Belize, has conducted a Full Tariff Review Proceeding on the Belize Water Service Limited.  After careful examination of all the variables surrounding the water company's performance, the PUC has approved an average tariff increase of 1.42%, which Belizean water consumers will have to pay to BWS over the next 5 years. Currently, consumers on the mainland are paying $17 dollars and 49 cents for every 1,000 gallons of water they consume. With newly approved tariffs, consumers will experience no increase in their water bill for the next 2 years.

Gunman Caught After Newstime Murder
And there was a murder just a short while ago near Rogers Stadium.  It happened in Welch's Alley - where one man was fatally shot.   But, then the gunman ran away, and the police reportedly intercepted him in the roger's stadium. Reports say that the driver of the getaway car was then caught on Cemetery Road near the pound yard bridge.  Our team is out on the scene now getting information.

Channel 5

Did the Plane Land?
Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed today that there was a suspect low flying aircraft within Belize’s airspace late Monday. But he says that there is no information to suggest that the [...]

Crow-footing of CitCo’s Assets Affect Maintenance Work
At the start of the week, former City Council Administrator, Candice Miller started to crowfoot the assets of the Belize City Council located at its facility on the George Price [...]

Driver in Fatal Accident to be Served with N.I.P.
Police say that the driver involved in the fatal accident that claimed the life of retired B.D.F soldier Myron Martinez is expected to be served with a notice of intended [...]

Hugo Patt Says His Candidacy Comes From Much Deliberations
This morning in Corozal District, six area representatives, including Gaspar Vega and Minister of National Security John Saldivar, were on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony to commence work on the [...]

Pablo Marin Says It’s the Corozal Bay Way
Hugo Patt’s entry into the race to fill the available posts is wholly endorsed by cabinet colleague Pablo Marin, who is also an area representative in Corozal Bay.  Marin was [...]

B.N.N. Calls Out Fisheries Department
There is another report on Guatemalans entering illegally in Belize. Following the protest against the ban of gillnets in Dangriga on Wednesday, the Belize Network of Non-Governmental Organizations says that [...]

No Increase in Water Rates for 2 Years
Residents can breathe a sigh of relief tonight following an initial decision made by the Public Utilities Commission not to increase water rates for the next two years. On October [...]

What Determines the Decision of the Public Utilities Commission?
According to Commission Chair, John Avery, there were several factors that were taken into consideration.  An analysis of the data showed that BWSL benefited handsomely from revenues collected by between [...]

Guatemalan Community Growing along Western Border in Belize
In the west, a sizeable group of Guatemalan families have set up homes on land belonging to local businessman Jorge Espat. The problem has been building up for some time [...]

Over $70K Worth of Jewelry Stolen
Over seventy thousand dollars was stolen from an apartment in Belize City. Quick police work led to the recovery of most of the items and four persons have been detained. [...]

Three are Charged in Connection with Robbery in the West
Police have charged three persons in connection with the robbery at J and A Store in San Ignacio. In Wednesday night’s newscast we told you about the two men who [...]

Two Charged for Lee Lopez’s Murder
Twenty-seven-year-old Jason Garcia and a minor were charged and arraigned for the murder of Lee Lopez. Lopez was stabbed to death in front of his home on Heron Street in [...]

The Garifuna Collective is Awarded $10K for Putting Belizean Music on the International Stage
The Garifuna Collective has carved a name for itself; recently it was recognized as number one in the Trans Global World Music Charts and is the only Belizean band that [...]

Why Wasn’t Music Ambassador at Garifuna Collective Award Ceremony?
DPM Patrick Faber was also asked about Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow who was notably absent from the Garifuna Collective Award ceremony today. It is known that DPM Patrick Faber and [...]

Education Minister Pleased With CSEC Performance
Ahead of the CSEC and CAPE award ceremonies to be held on November twenty-ninth in Independence, the media asked Minister of Education Patrick Faber about the outstanding performances by students [...]

Another Suspected Dengue-Related Death of a Student
There is a report that a Xiabe resident and student from Corozal Junior College died after contracted dengue. This is the second student in the past two weeks who has [...]

ComPol to Institute Firearm Control Measures
In February of this year, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams met with the gun dealers in the country to discuss stronger gun control measures. In that meeting, there were several [...]

Firearm License Holder Must Be Certified to Handle Firearm
During that meeting, another issue that was discussed was the issuing of gun license. Commissioner Williams says that the licenses will change, but another big change will be that all [...]

Firearms Dealers Weigh In on Proposed Gun Control Changes
So, all those changes and what are gun dealers saying? Well, at today’s meeting, the President of the National Gun Dealers Association says that for the most part they are [...]

The Corozal/Sarteneja Road Finally Set to Begin
With a fifty million dollar loan from the government of Taiwan, the ground breaking took place today of a stretch of twenty-seven miles of road from Corozal to Sarteneja. The [...]

Mark King Gives his Take on U.D.P. Leadership Race
There is more on the leadership race of the U.D.P., when we caught up with Mark King today in Belmopan, we asked him about his thoughts on the leadership race. [...]

Mark King Says Some U.D.P Candidates are Not Fitting of “Honorable”
And while Mark King thinks it is too early to tell who will win that race, he says he has a problem with the quality of the candidates that the [...]

Mind Health Connect is Officially Launched
Mental health disorders can affect just about any person; the issue took centre stage recently when two persons lost their lives at the hands of persons diagnosed with mental health [...]

Providing Access to Help for Mental Wellness
Martine King says that statistics show that suicides rates are higher than ever, rates of depression and anxiety because attention is not being placed on mental health. The non-profit organization [...]

Healthy Living: Mindfulness, a Way to Improve Your Wellbeing
Stress, anxiety, pain management, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder – that would be a shortlist of all the things that are said to be remedied by the mindfulness practice. [...]

LOVE FM

Education Minister congratulates EP Yorke on CSEC scores
Belize performed well on this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificates (CSEC). As we previously reported, two students from Edward P Yorke won the titles of Most Outstanding Candidate and Outstanding Candidate in Belize.

NGO created for Mental Health
A non-profit organization for Mental Health went public today to inspire hope and provide information on the resources available to improve mental health. Mind Health Connect has been under the radar for quite some time now assisting individuals in need and providing information on mental health resources.

Western Regional Hospital is improving its services
Improvements and additional services are being made at the Western Regional Hospital. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz has the story.

Belize on its way to digitizing the education system
The Ministry of Education is working on digitizing the education system. In this day and age, the ability to utilize technology is an important asset.

Education Minister discusses what schools can do to help prevent dengue in students
A Corozal student passed away this past weekend, reportedly after battling with dengue. 21-year-old Ruggeri Tzul became seriously ill on Sunday, just two days after having been diagnosed with dengue.

Foreign Fishers protesting against gillnets
The Belize Network of Non-governmental Organizations (BNN) has called for an investigation into reports of foreign fishers coming into Belize and protesting the ban of gillnets. A release from BNN states that they are appalled at reports that, quote, “non-resident fisherfolk entered Belize via our southern border over 2 weeks ago without clearing Customs or Immigration and were transported to Belmopan to participate in a media appearance in favor of the continued use of gillnets in Belizean waters.”

World Diabetes Day
World Diabetes Day is being observed today in hundreds of nations. In Belize, the focus is on awareness, prevention and management. Reporter Alisha Valentine reports.

Seven Students Granted Scholarships
Seven students were granted high school scholarships through the Programme for Belize and the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area (RBCMA). A short ceremony took place last Saturday, November 9 in Belize City, to present the scholarships to Leann Pott of Rancho Dolores, Jayvan Anthony of Lemonal, Aldair Chan, Roany Tuz and Gloria Soliz of August Pine Ridge, Ed Canizalez of San Felipe and Julio Cesar Perez of San Carlos Village.

Second store in San Pedro Town raided
Authorities on Ambergris continue to conduct operations on various stories in search of possible uncustomed goods and expired products. Our Island correspondent has the details.

Breaking Belize News

Man killed on Welch street identified
The man killed on Welch street earlier tonight has been identified as Giovanni Lennan. Residents in […]

Murder on Welch street, suspect reportedly detained
A man was reportedly shot and killed a short while ago on Welch street in Belize […]

The Jaguars’ dream is alive
After the heartbreak of Grenada and the humiliation of St. Kitts and Nevis, this was […]

Belize City Council and partners redevelop Fred Westby Park
After months of collaboration, yesterday the Belize City Council, Caribbean Shipping Agencies and Diversified Life […]

Three men charged with robbery of J&A Shopping Center
Three men have been charged in connection with Tuesday’s robbery of J&A Shopping Center in […]

Neighbors allegedly steal $70,000 worth of jewelry from retired US marine
On Tuesday retired United States Marine, Edwin Beeks, reported he was a victim of burglary. […]

Stalemate at Barrio de Juda: Guatemalan residents insist they have title to property of Belizean Jorge E. Espat
Landowner Jorge Emiliano Espat of Belize City is clearly in a pickle after being unable […]

Retired soldier Myron Martinez succumbs to injuries received in traffic accident
Police today confirmed that Myron Martinez passed away yesterday while receiving treatment at the Karl […]

Prices for gun license to go down in 2020
The Belize Gun Dealers Association today issued a statement informing all gun owners that the […]

Man hospitalized and dog killed by GSU in raid connected to murder investigation
The Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) of the Belize Police Department is under fire again – […]

Police meet and greet in Old Capital’s downtown neighborhoods
What started in the wake of complaints of police not being fully engaged with those […]

Cameras “with facial recognition” to watch over Belize City
“Every breath you take and every move you make/Every bond you break, every step you […]

World’s 7th largest ship makes golden voyage to Belize
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) yesterday announced the arrival of the MSC Meraviglia, the 7th […]

Commissioner confident of success in Eldon Arzu case
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, and ex-President of the Police Association, Corporal Eldon Arzu, are […]

Blogs

A Step Back in Time: Belize’s Spectacular ATM Cave
Do caves fascinate you? There’s a reason they do, writes Sam Anderson in the UK publication “Independent”. But reading about them can’t compare to a visit-especially if that cave was the site of Maya sacrificial rites and rituals. Your motive for wanting to go cave exploring could be as diverse as seeking inspiration, exploring ancient secrets or testing your bravery when you step into the dark recesses of an unknown world, notes Anderson. Caves are “totally alien landscape: barren, inhospitable and forbidden,” he adds. All the more reason to shore up your courage and visit Belize’s Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave where a crystalized skeleton is just the start of your journey into the past. Located within a jungle that is part of the Mountain Taper Reserve, it takes around 45 minutes by vehicle to reach this spot from either San Ignacio or Belize’s capital, Belmopan.

Sleepy Sarteneja Village: Glowing Water and Art on My Quick Visit
Sarteneja is a small village located on a peninsula in Northern Belize. It is surrounded by the sea and the view is enviable. I mean almost impossibly GORGEOUS. I took so many pictures of one collapsed dock…from every single angle. The village is a traditional fishing and ship building village – and still is today. I’ve been there a few times before. To stay overnight and visit the Manatee and Monkey Sanctuary called Wildtracks. And to work with some visiting veterinarians to do a clinic to spay and neuter pets and village dogs. This time I was staying further down the peninsula – outside of a village called Chunox – at Orchid Bay Development and community. (Chunox is pronounced “chew-nush”, it’s a Maya word)

British Honduras Arrival Of Garinagu
In the 1800’s, in a show of solidarity, Belize formed a secretariat, The Caribbean Organization of Indigenous Peoples. This was done to galvanize the efforts of our neighbors in Honduras and Guatemala to receive the Garinagu who were fleeing St. Vincent in order to be free to practice their religion and culture, as well as abusive practices. The first mention of their presence in the settlement of British Honduras comes from a Magistrate’s meeting of August 9, 1802, recording the decision “that the admission of Caribs into the settlement rests with the Superintendent”. However, there was considerable opposition to their being admitted into Belize. On December 17, 1802, one Andres Cunningham Esquire addressed the magistrates: Saying that although he didn’t wish to be classified as drunk, childish or hysterical, he saw great danger in receiving Charibs, because he believed stories of the supposed atrocities that these people had committed in Grenada and St. Vincent.

International Sources

Caribbean Trade Ministers Asked To Endorse Three Outcomes On Region’s Sugar
The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) promotes trade and economic development of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and oversees the operations of the Single Market and Economy. COTED trade ministers will meet in Guyana on November 18th and have been asked to endorse three outcomes from the COTED Agriculture Ministers meeting which took place in October concerning sugar. They are that: Refined sugar would be ineligible for Conditional Duty Exemptions when regionally produced white sugar meets the quantity and specifications required by industrial users of sugar;

Belize trying to solve illegal migration from Guatemala
The Belize government says it has taken “several diplomatic steps” towards the “peaceful and expeditious” removal of Guatemalan nationals who have encroached on private property in the Barrio El Juda area, Cayo District. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) had also conducted a joint operation “to officially inform the settlers that they are illegally inhabiting Belizean territory and to provide a timeline for the voluntary removal of their belongings”. It said that all illegal construction has ceased since that joint operation and that high-level officials within the Ministry of National Security, the BDF and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made multiple visits to the area.

Unlimited First Class Flights For Life—How American Airlines Made The Most Expensive Mistake In Aviation History
Lots of companies make mistakes. Some mistakes just turn out to be more costly than others. In the case of American Airlines, well, they are still paying for their mistake nearly 30 years later. Their mistake may not hold the same grandiose numbers as the other examples used, but in terms of aviation, which works on thin margins, this was a substantial misjudgement. In the case of American Airlines, well, they are still paying for their mistake nearly 30 years later. Their mistake may not hold the same grandiose numbers as the other examples used, but in terms of aviation, which works on thin margins, this was a substantial misjudgement. In 1981 American Airlines realised that those metal birds that they make their revenue from required some basic inputs such as fuel and well, staff. Unfortunately for American Airlines, they had run out of cash. Scraping for nickels to keep their fleet flying, American’s former President Robert Crandall wanted to cut costs dramatically and rebuild the airline from the ground up. With high interest rates at the time, the airline came up with an alternative way to try and raise quick cash—by offering unlimited First Class tickets for life, for $250,000 each.

Videos

November 14, 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

San Pedro Pirates F.C advance to PLB 2019-2020 Opening Season Semifinals
For their last match in the regular series of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Opening Season, San Pedro Pirates F.C hosted Wagiya Sporting Club at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, November 9th. Despite a 2-2 draw against Wagiya, the island team still managed to claim one of the conveted spaces in the PLB semifinals. For the first round of the semifinals, San Pedro Pirates F.C will be travelling to Belmopan City to go against Belmopan Bandits on Sunday, November 17th. The match is scheduled to begin at 4PM at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan City. Anyone interested in accompanying the Pirates as a fan can contact 608-6396.

HCMR and Ramon’s Dive Shop guides assist turtle in distress
On Friday, November 8th Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR) was able to save a distressed sea turtle found South of San Pedro Town by Ramon’s Village Resort Dive Shop tour guides, the turtle had air accumulated in its intestines. Said air was removed with the assistance of HCMR, and the turtle was released into the water. HCMR Marine Biologist Kirah Forman-Castillo shared with The San Pedro Sun that it is a common affliction among turtles to build up air inside them that cause difficulty breathing and swimming down. Therefore, it has to be removed using a syringe. “The turtle was seen in distress so the guides from Ramon’s contacted us and brought the turtle to their dive shop, where we assisted by removing the air accumulated in its intestines and showed the guides how to do it. It’s common among turtles. However, we don’t really know what are the causes as we do not have a laboratory here to do x-rays and the necessary lab work,” she said.

Legends F.C. conquers Copa San Pedro 2019
A new Copa San Pedro Champion was crowned on Sunday, November 10th at the Ambergris Stadium. Legends F.C. claimed the coveted sporting title after overcoming Captain G’s F.C, who went into the pitch with a three-goal disadvantage in the aggregate score board. Captain G’s needed to score at least four goals in order to grab the championship and its first attempt was successful at minute 19 when they scored against Legends. The top three teams of the tournament were then called for their awards. The third place team, San Pedrito Scorpions was awarded with their trophy, followed by the sub-champions Captain G’s, who collected their second place prize. Taking the top prize and becoming the 2019 Copa San Pedro Champions was Legends, who happily accepted their trophy. All teams received cash prizes as well.

Gustavo Lizarraga Jr. drowns on Ambergris Caye
On Friday, November 8th, 25-year-old Gustavo Lizarraga Jr., a Belizean laborer of San Pedro Town, drowned while fishing. The Police Department's official report states that around 12PM, Lizarraga Jr., along with his cousin went south of San Pedro Town en-route to the Barrier Reef area, which is approximately one and half miles east of the shore to fish. They were without life jackets. Reports are that while onboard a green Emotion brand kayak about 45 minutes into their fishing trip, water started to get into the kayak, which caused it to sink. Both men began swimming towards shore, but Lizarraga mentioned that he couldn’t make it, and so he stayed by the kayak, while his cousin swam towards the shore to seek assistance.

Ambergris Today

Belize Port Authority Charges Boat Captain And Operators In Water-Taxi Explosion
On May 5, 2019 Yamiri Jasmine Guy and Kimberly Melissa Guy lost their lives and several other passengers sustained various injuries on board a water-taxi owned by San Pedro Jets Xpress, being operated by Ocean Ferry Belize which exploded. The Belize Port Authority conducted investigations and has levied charges against the boat captain and both water-taxi operators. According to reports the Belize Port Authority has conducted an inquiry into the explosion on board the water taxi. The inquiry was conducted by the Belize Port Authority and include statements obtained by the police, from key witnesses and experts, and other evidence gathered in the course of the inquiry.

Various Belizean Sources

Police Theme Song Competition
Get involved and maybe you can end up winning the cash prize. Calling all Belizeans who are interested in developing & producing the Belize Police Department's new "Theme Song. $2000 Cash Prize!

Stephanie is 'One to Watch'
Congratulations, Steph! She was celebrated by Women in Tourism for her achievements in the tourism industry. Well deserved recognition. "WOW she is #unbelizeable meet our “One to Watch” Woman in Tourism Stephanie Elena. Stephanie grew up moving from one destination to another as a result of her father’s profession. By the age of 20, Stephanie had lived in 11 different destinations where she was able to experience the culture and uniqueness of various communities, which subsequently fostered her interest for tourism and travel. She is fluent in Spanish and English, with a good understanding of French as well. She graduated with a dual Bachelor’s Degree majoring in International Business and a Minor in Marketing from the University of Indianapolis (USA) and Galen University (Belize). Since 2013, she has been working for the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, an award-winning luxury boutique hotel in Western Belize, and is currently the lead for their Marketing and Public Relations endeavors.

FCD announces Chiquibul Park Ranger posts
Screening and selection is rigorous. Females are encouraged to apply. Call or write us at 823-2657, [email protected] to get details and application forms.

U Ko'olel Cab
Colel Cab, "Owner of the Earth" or "Mother earth" , mentioned in the story of the creation of the "Chilam Balam de Chumayel". it's probably another one of her titles . It is also known ki'ichpan ko'olel "Beautiful grandmother" or " Beautiful woman" . U Ko'olel Cab,Grandmother,Guadalupe,any feminine principles of universe,(gann 1888,Thompson 1933,Villa Rojas 19450. Due to the syncretism some call Virgen de Guadalupe Ki'ichpan ko'olel .

World's 7th Largest Ship Makes Golden Voyage to Belize
MSC Meraviglia, the 7th largest cruise ship in the world, made its golden voyage to Belize today carrying nearly 4,500 guests (at double occupancy) on board. MSC Meraviglia, is owned and operated by MSC Cruises and entered service in June 2017. It is the world’s 7th largest ship. It was built at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France by STX France. MSC Meraviglia was MSC Cruises first ship in the innovative Meraviglia class of next-generation ships, designed to be able to call in most of the world’s international cruise ports. The ship initially operated in the western Mediterranean and has also cruised in Northern Europe as of summer 2019.

Caye Caulker Form 2 Students visit GIS Expo and Belize Museum
Today form 2 students traveled to Belize City to attend the GIS Expo and to visit the Museum of Belize. Thank you to Ms Fallon Santon, coordinator of the GIS event (Geographic Information System) and thank you to Mrs Liz Usher OA Belizean Studies teacher.

Changes in the Pump Price of Fuel Effective November 14, 2019
The Ministry of Finance announces that on November 14, 2019, the pump price of two fuel products will change. The price for kerosene will register an increase and diesel will register a decrease as follows: Kerosene will increase by 11 cents from $ 7.42 to $ 7.53 per gallon; Diesel will decrease by 19 cents from $10.09 to $9.90 per gallon. The prices for premium and regular gasoline will remain unchanged at $10.78 and $10.07 per gallon, respectively.

Belize-IAEA Country Program Framework Signing
Today, November 13, 2019, Belize and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) entered into the 2019-2023 Country Program Framework (CPF) which provides the strategic structure for cooperation between IAEA and Belize for the next four years. The CPF focuses on radiation safety, food and agriculture, human health, water and the environment, and energy. The newly signed CPF replaces the 2010-2015 chapter, which yielded various successful cooperation projects in Belize, such as: 1. The development of a phytosanitary infrastructure to establish and maintain a fruit fly free area in collaboration with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA).

US Embassy Public Auction Sale
U.S. Embassy Belize invites you to its Annual Auction Sale happening on Saturday, November 23, 2019.

Channel 7

Nuevo Juda - Searching For The Diplomatic Solution Difficult
Last night, we brought you extensive coverage of the latest conflict in the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute. The Belizean, Jorge Emiliano Espat, is a land-owner on the western edge of Benque Viejo Town, and he owns several properties right next to the border between Belize and Guatemala. That location is known as the Barrio El Juda area.He says that whenever there are elections in Melchor, politicians there try to muster support by using land-ownership as the lure. He says that these politicians encourage the Guatemalan voters to pursue parcels of land near the border on their side. Eventually, these voters then encroach on Belizean territory; in this case, right onto Espat's land. And int doesn't stop until the Belizean authorities step in and remove them.

Corozal Student Dies From Dengue
A 21 year old student from Corozal reportedly died from Dengue on Sunday morning. Ruggeri Tzul was a Corozal Junior College student. Two days prior to his death a private clinic did a blood test which confirmed a positive diagnosis of Dengue.He may be the 5th person to die from Dengue in Belize so far this year. CTV-3 news spoke to Tzul's father about the dramatic chain of events that saw his son quickly sicken and die. Here's his interview, translated from Spanish:

The City And The Crow
As we've been reporting for the past two nights - the City Council's assets are being crowfooted by former city administrator Candice Miller. The council owes her almost half a million dollars after the court found that it wrongfully terminated her multi-year contract. Her attorney, Magali Perdomo moved swiftly to apply for an order of execution of the court's judgment. And the city says that she moved too swiftly, and that it was an act of bad faith since it intends to appeal the judgement of Supreme Court justice Courtney Abel. Today, we asked the Deputy Mayor what it's like working under the crow's foot:...

Father Bill, Big Bridge and the Bill
We also asked Deputy Mayor Arnold about the Swing Bridge repairs contract awarded to Bill Lindo - father of City Administrator Stephanie Lindo. At first it was a contract award for twenty thousand dollars to do minor repair work - but when they got under the bridge, they found a whole lot more that needed to be fixed. Now, works have been underway since August and are slated to continue for two more weeks. Today, we asked the Deputy Mayor if hiring the city administrator's father for a contract of indeterminate cost and duration is an arm's length transaction:

Garcia For Lopez Murder
On Monday's news, we told you about the murder of the 41-year-old Ladyville resident, Lee Lopez, better known as "Gambino". Reports from Lopez's neighborhood were that he was killed by his close friend, a man who was often at his home, and someone who Lopez regularly offered whatever aid he could.Well, this morning, police arrested and charged pair of Ladyville residents, 27-year-old Jason Garcia, and a 17-year-old minor, jointly for murder. They arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson. She remanded them to the Belize Central Prison until January 10th, 2020.

Drugs Destroyed on San Pedro
Today, there was no convoy of speeding police vehicles carrying loads of drugs to their location out west to be destroyed. This time, for the first time, upwards of 100 kilos of illegal items went up in flames on La Isla Bonita. It was an above ground burning on San Pedro - an island town known for the easy access and availability of drugs. The press office spoke with Supt. Chris Noble from the Coastal Executive Unit of the Police Department about today's drug destruction.Supt. Christopher Noble, Coastal Executive Officer:"First and foremost, it's the first ever being done on the island and it is something that whilst it's the first, it will definitely not be the last or logistical arrangements were made based on what has been in our exhibit room. Applications were made, and accepted and we are here today to get rid of, so to speak, what are concluded cases that were cases before the court and what is property that has been found and has been lingering over a period of time."

Man Struggles With Major Injures After Accident
33 year old Ernesto Lewis is lucky to be alive tonight after he was seriously injured last night near Ontario Village on the George Price Highway. Lewis, was driving a Nissan Altima heading toward Belmopan, when he crashed into a Freightliner truck near mile 55. A comment from his mother states that he sustained Broken bones, bruises, and that he is in tremendous pain.

Fisherfolk Feisty About Keeping Gillnets
Today protestors assembled in Dangriga's Alejo Beni park to oppose the proposed ban on Gillnets. The group was led by Belize Fishers Cooperative Association who are holding firm with gillnets. They told Cheriss Halsall that getting rid of those nets will take food out of their families' mouths:As you may have heard a lot of the criticism today was against NGO's like OCEANA who - those fishers feel - are pursuing a big business agenda which disenfranchises the fishers.

Park Renovation Attracts Bi-Partisan Support
The Fred Westby Park is an odd little slice of land between Albert and Albert Street west in Belize City.But, in a city starved for green recreational areas this little strip is a breath of fresh air in the congested downtown area. And - thanks to two corporate sponsors in the area - the park has gotten a major upgrade.

Police Going For Facial Recognition Cameras
And while the city takes care of green spaces - the police want to cover every other part of the city. BTL and the police department have teamed up for a matrix of security cameras to cover the city.And while that's expected, what you might not have known is that the police are also looking to add facial recognition features:..Reporter:"We see a new camera being installed at corner of King and Albert Streets. We are told this camera will work with facial recognition. Is this a new level of surveillance you are trying to put on the society?"

Why Did the GSU Shoot Dean Cain?
And while the police want to blanket the city with surveillance, their ambitions in the village of Burrell Boom are not that great. But they do want to keep the village safe and tranquil, which seems to be in jeopardy after a recent murder and retaliatory shooting - supposedly over the weed trade. So, on Friday, the police stormed unto the property of a well-known figure who lives in the village, shot his pitbull and shot the caretaker who lives in the back of the yard. Today we asked the commissioner if the shooting of Dean Cain was justified:

COMPOL Wants to "Root Out"� Gang Members
We also asked the commissioner about the continuing prosecutions of gang members. Recently, a trio of those who admitted to gang membership were sent to jail - when in the past they were simply being fined. Williams says he welcomes this because he is trying to, quote, "root them out of society":Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police:"We are going after those who are hell-bent about trying to create havoc within the society and we can prove by way of investigation that the activities that they are engaged in is that of a gang member, so that when we present the case before the court we will be able to get a conviction."

Six Months For Shooting At Cop Enough?
And, while he didn't confess to being a gang member, Kyle Chaplin did confess yesterday to shooting at four police officers. He got six months for it. We asked Commissioner Williams what he thought of the penalty:Reporter:"Kyle Chaplin confessed or told the court he is guilty of firing upon 4 police offiers and he got 4 concurrent sentences of 6 months, so he will serve 6 months in prison. Are you satisfied with that sentence?"

Woman and Son Held Up In Residential Area
In other police news, a woman and her 19 year old son were held up last night around 8:00 on Chetumal Street. Vanessa Borges reported that she had just gotten home and was with her son inside their Nissan Rogue SUV, when a man pulled open the driver's side door and pointed what appeared to be a firearm at her 19 year old son and told them to hand over what they have. The robber then took her purse containing cash and personal documents. Police are investigating.

Comedian White Yardie in Belize
If you are a comedy fan, you most certainly have come across one of White Yardie's hilarious videos on youtube or social media. White Yardie is a British Jamaican comedian who is in Belize for the first time to put on a show on Friday night. He arrived today and we met with him this afternoon. He told us how his online comedic fame took his career to another level.

GIS And "The Science of Where"�
Today was observed as World GIS Day, and here in Belize, Total Business Solutions Limited, one of the local leaders in graphical information systems, hosted its annual GIS expo. Students from primary, secondary, and vocational schools from all over the country traveled to the Princess Ramada Hotel in Belize City to learn about how the Government and major players in the country's industries are using the technology to improve the way they do business.If you're not familiar with the term GIS, but if you own a smartphone, you're already using it. If you have the GPS activated, you can share your current location with other persons, and the phone can give you driving directions.

The Son of Samuel Comes Home
The Belize National Anthem, "Land of the Free", as Belizeans, we all know it - or should know it - by heart. And even though we have it memorized by heart, the composer, Samuel Alfred Haynes Sr., is not as well-known as the anthem itself.But history remembers Haynes as a patriot, a nationalist, a solider, a fighter for civil rights, and a music composer. Born in Belize in 1899, he moved to the US, and while there, he became a major player in the Marcus Garvey's UNIA Movement.He left a great and diverse legacy, and this week, his son, Ronald Haynes, made his first visit to Belize. This evening, he was hosted by the management of the center in the Lake I area which bears his fathers name: the Samuel Haynes Institute of Excellence, on Mahogany Street in Belize City.

Anglican's Celebrate Cathedral Restoration
And in another story with historical resonance, we today spoke to the Bishop of the Anglican Church Phillip Wright about the restoration of the Anglican Cathedral. As we told you last week, the first phase has been completed which renewed the corroding roof, repaired extensive crumbling brickwork, rotting and peeling windows and doors, corroded gates, and supplied interior accent paint decor.Today - in the shadow of St. John's - the Bishop told us they are proud:

Cops Holding Crime Down in Gang Area
So far on the news tonight you've heard a lot from Commissioner Chester Williams. We caught him at a police meet and greet in Belize City with the commander of Eastern Division. They were in the gang hotspots of Precinct 1 and 2 where they said crime is down:

The Rise of "Silly Murders"�?
And while the community waits for the re-activation of the police cadets, for the senior command, the focus right now is on bringing down last year's total murder count by 10%. We say focus, but it's more like a fixation for the commissioner who discussed their crime strategy today:

SUV in San Pablo Sailed Into Lamppost
And there surely was a silly accident today on the Phillip Goldson highway passing through the village of San Pablo in the Orange Walk District. As this security video shows, an SUV coming at high speed rammed head on into a lamppost and fence post. The vehicle was southbound and snapped the lamppost. The impact happened right in near the community centre at a wide curve where drivers must slow down as they approach a speed bump.It looked serious, but seconds later, the footage shows the driver clambering out of the SUV, and walking.

A PG Protest Over Streets
One of the most annoying things is driving on a bumpy pot-hole ridden road. Well, you can find many of those streets all over the country, but it seems PG residents really have it bad and have had enough. This morning at 10:00 PG residents protested by driving around in their vehicles. We have a clip of a disgruntled PG resident.The UDP PG town council put up a post with pictures on facebook showing that they are fixing the streets.

A Break on Diesel Prices
And in gas price news, effective tomorrow, Kerosene will increase by 11 cents from $ 7.42 to $ 7.53 per gallon while Diesel will decrease sharply by 19 cents from $10.09 to $9.90 per gallon. The prices for premium and regular gasoline will remain unchanged at $10.78 and $10.07 per gallon, respectively.

Channel 5

Retired B.D.F. Soldier Myron Martinez Succumbs After Weekend Collision
Retired Belize Defense Force soldier Myron Martinez passed away at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital this afternoon, following a road traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway in the early [...]

Two Suspects Charged for the Murder of Bambino
Police have cracked a recent murder that occurred in Ladyville, Belize District. . Twenty-seven-year-old Jason Garcia and a teenage minor appeared before Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson this morning where they were [...]

Fishermen Meet in Dangriga to Support Gillnet Usage
There are two sides to the use of gillnets. In some quarters the use of the fishing gear is said to be harmful and dangerous but among others, the traditional [...]

One Man Injured in Accident on ‘S Curve’
Ernesto Lewis, better known as ‘Caddy’, was involved in a serious RTA on Tuesday night. His Nissan Altima car was totaled as an eighteen-wheeler crushed it at the Dead Man’s [...]

Another Case of Alleged Police Brutality in Belize City
A News Five team was doing its job at the Mahogany Street police station today when our crew came under attack. It happened when a witness was giving an interview [...]

C.J.C. Celebrates Students’ Outstanding Performance on CAPE Exams
On Tuesday, the names of this year’s brilliant students were released. We start with Liyan Moralez and Randel Pate; both are at the University of the West Indies Saint Augustine [...]

The Top Scorers for the 2019 CSEC Exams
On November twenty-ninth in Independence Village in the south, Moralez and pate will be honoured along with some four hundred plus students including those who sat the CSEC. Edward P. [...]

Edward P. Yorke Fields Top Students for Second Consecutive Year
As we said, all three female students were enrolled at the Edward P. Yorke High School in Belize City. The administration at the school is ecstatic because this is the [...]

No Conclusive Findings in B.T.L. G.S.T. Audit as Yet
An audit by the General Sales Tax Department of B.T.L.’s accounts is yet to be concluded and there is no way of knowing when it will be.  A throve of leaked [...]

Fuel Prices Changing at the Pump
At midnight, there will be another change in the price of fuels.  Kerosene will increase by eleven cents and will sell at seven dollars and fifty-three cents per gallon. Diesel [...]

BELPO Sounds Off on the State of the Macal River
The Belize Institute of Environmental Law and Policy wants answers on the Macal River in the west. BELPO sent out a release this morning to say that they have serious [...]

Police Destroys over 100 Kilo of Drugs on San Pedro
Today San Pedro police destroyed over one hundred kilos of various drugs on Ambergris Caye. The drugs, according to San Pedro police, have accumulated over a couple years. This is [...]

ComPol Williams Explains GSU Raid in Boom
An operation mounted by the Gang Suppression Unit in Burrell Boom Village resulted in one person being shot with a non-lethal round as he attempted to flee from police.  Dean [...]

Meet & Greet on South Street
This afternoon in the vicinity of South Street, officers from the Belize Police Department went door to door meeting with residents of the area.  They were in full force as [...]

What’s Up with the Police Lawsuit Involving the ComPol?
The case involving President of the Police Association Corporal Eldon Arzu will proceed in the Supreme Court in February 2020, but does he have a strong case to present to [...]

Alfonso Mario Ayuso Sentenced to 6 Months for Sexual Assault Conviction
Shopkeeper Alfonso Mario Ayuso, who was found guilty of sexual assault against a female minor, was sentenced to six months behind bars.  Prior to his sentencing, Ayuso begged the court [...]

Armed Robbery at J & A Store in San Ignacio
There was a robbery in San Ignacio on Tuesday afternoon just before one. Police say that two men entered J & A Store on Flaming Avenue and held up the [...]

GIS Expo: “Embracing Digital Transformation”
For those not inclined towards technology, digital transformation means that technology will be used to better serve customers. Now, in education the customers are the students so today as many [...]

UB’s 12th Annual Marketing Expo a Success!
UB’s marketing Expo took place in Belize City today. The expo provides an avenue for enterprising entrepreneurs to turn ideas and concepts into business opportunities. Hundreds gathered for the event [...]

2 Resident Businesses Adopt the Fred Westby Park in the Alberts
The Fred Westby Park, located in the Albert Division, Belize City, has been spruced up with support from two corporate citizens in the division. For decades families have converged at [...]

The Reporter

In Our New Global-Village, Google’s YouTube & U.S Law By Effect Is Global
In a SIGN-OF-TIMES, of the new digital age of our global-village, the fastest growing digital video platform in the world ‘YouTube’ issued a notice today that affects everyone who have or will upload a video to YouTube.

2 Men Charged For The Murder Of Lee Lopez
Police have confirmed that two men have been charged for the murder of Lee Lopez, the Ladyville handyman who was stabbed on Sunday.

Driver Survives Infamous ‘Dead-Mans-Curve’ On Hwy.
A man was seriously injured in a road traffic accident which occurred on Tuesday night (November 12th.) at approximately 7:30pm. He has been identified as Ernesto Lewis, 33.

3 Detained For Tuesday’s Armed Robbery In San Ignacio
Three persons have been detained for questioning following an armed robbery in San Ignacio on Tuesday. According to reports, around 12:45pm...

LOVE FM

TBSL changing the way students learn
Total Business Solution Limited engaged the youths today on using the Geographic Information System (GIS) in school. They held their 7th GIS Day Expo showcasing devices used in gathering geographic data.

Punta Gorda residents tired of road filled with pot holes
A protest took place this morning in Punta Gorda Town. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung has the been following the event and filed the following report.

Man critically injured in car accident
A road traffic incident has left a Cayo resident critical. Just after seven o’clock last night a collision occurred between a trailer truck and a sedan.

Mayor Wagner comments on Candice Miller Case
The crow footing of the Belize City Council’s assets continued yesterday by a court bailiff who has been action on an order of a writ of execution. The execution has to do with the three hundred and seventy-eight thousand dollars plus seventy thousand for legal fees granted to Candice Miller.

Lets talk about issues in Belize with Mayor Wagner
In recent days, reports circulated that the Belize City Council had no water supply due to disconnection for non-payment. The council had issued a release denying that report.

Silly Crimes says COMPOL
Unconventional – that is the word used by the Police Commissioner Chester Williams to describe the recent murders. In what is becoming a rare occurrence, the Police Commissioner gave the media an interview after a long wait on the south side as he conducted his meet and greet session which we will tell you about later.

Tackling financial crimes in Belize
A training that looks at standards to operate by when it comes to money laundering and financial crimes continued today in Belize City. Belize’s Financial Intelligence Unit is the chair of the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee and is the host for the training of the Financial Action Task Force.

Breaking Belize News

Andre Vega to launch appeal of decision on Haulover land purchase next week
Next week, the Court of Appeal is to get its first look at the case […]

Oceana and Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries commit over $2 Million to transition from gillnet use in Belize
Oceana and the Belize Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries have committed via written letters of intent to […]

Police defend effort to smash gangs
For the last few months, police have rousted members of various gangs City-wide simply for […]

Police winning war against crime in City and country, says ComPol
Entering a traditional time of increase in crime, especially major crimes in Belize, the Police […]

Diesel price to see decrease
Today the Ministry of Finance announced that effective midnight the pump price of two fuel […]

One-hundred new Belizeans sworn-in
Yesterday, a hundred people from various nations became nationalized Belizeans. They were sworn-in at the […]

Minor detained for stabbing incident in Santa Elena
BBN has confirmed that a 14-year-old minor of Santa Elena, Cayo is detained pending investigation […]

Residents in Punta Gorda protest deteriorating street conditions
This morning, mover 20 vehicle owners protested via drive through to express their discontent with […]

Mother devastated after special needs child taken away, falls and breaks teeth while in state custody
A woman from Stann Creek’s Valley community is devastated and desperate after she claims that […]

Two charged for murder of Lee Lopez
Police have charged two people in connection with the murder of Lee Lopez, 41. They […]

Belizean student Angie Matute to receive regional CSEC award in Grenada
The Ministry of Education, yesterday issued a release extending congratulations to all students that excelled […]

Evo Morales: “I will return soon with more strength”
Former President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, landed in Mexico yesterday after being granted political asylum […]

Two teens escape from Marla’s House of Hope
Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating two teenage girls who escaped from Marla’s […]

Trial for Eldon Arzu judicial review set for next February
An internal feud in the Belize Police Department is set to spill over into next […]

Man injured in road traffic accident in Ontario, Cayo
Last night BBN reported of a collision that occurred on the George Price Highway in […]

Blogs

Get Married in Belize
Exotic landscapes and thrilling adventures have made Belize a sought-after location for a destination wedding. Picture saying “I do” against a beautiful blue backdrop, with your feet deep in the sand. Or perhaps you’re saying it while standing at the top of a Maya temple overlooking an expanse of green, or next to a waterfall deep inside a rainforest. These are all possible settings when getting married in Belize. But it’s not just the spectacular scenery that will make you want to tie the knot here. As the only Central American country where English is the official language, planning your wedding abroad is a whole lot easier. As a less crowded and less populated destination than its neighbors, you can choose from a variety of secluded spots–including an island all to yourself. And you won’t have to worry about your family and friends traveling far, as Belize is just a two to three-hour flight from major airports in North America.

The Photographer’s Paradise
You’re not as enthused about your feed as you used to be. How many times will you take the same picture of your pets? Why not snapshot extraordinary Jabiru storks, gorgeous Keel-billed toucans or Magnificent Frigate birds in a place where they needn’t be caged? The blue-crowned mot-mot, scarlet macaw and red-footed booby, back-dropped forever by emerald foliage, are sure to attract bird-enthusiasts to your work. Indeed, like so many seagulls on a crystal beach-which, you could also photograph-they will flock. Dive into the water off the crystal beaches, then, and take photos of the largest barrier reef in the western hemisphere. This collection of thriving coral and other, more mobile, sea life are excellent focuses for your work. Indeed, even the locals are entranced by their beauty.

International Sources

Netflix Will Premiere An Exciting Series About The Mayan Civilization
As Netflix ramps up its repertoire of original series, a new show about the Mayan Civilization was announced. It will arrive in 2021. The new project, called Maya and the Three, has been described as an animated series. The show's writer will be Jorge R. Gutiérrex, director of the 2014 animated feature The Book of Life. Screenwriter of Elena of Avalor, Silvia Cárdenas Olivas, and Moana's animator, Jeff Ranjo will be joining him. In a Variety magazine interview, the director gave some general insights as to the show's plot. It will all be about a warrior princess who's looking for three mythical fighters, these will in turn help her save the world from the gods and humankind. Gutiérrez intends the series to be "like a Mexican Lord of the Rings, but with comedy."

Healthy mangroves help coral reef fisheries under climate stress
Healthy mangroves can help fight the consequences of climate change on coral reef fisheries, according to a University of Queensland-led study. UQ's Professor Peter Mumby said corals have been bleached and reefs have lost their structural complexity as a major consequence of warming seas. "Many people are worried that -- due to climate change -- reef fishery yields could halve if coral reefs flatten, losing the hiding places that support thousands of fish," he said. "When a young fish arrives at a degraded reef it has nowhere to hide and is easily targeted by predators.

Heat and humidity of Belize jungle tests Angus green berets
Angus-based Royal Marines have left behind the plummeting mercury of the county to test their combat and survival skills in the humidity of a Central America jungle. Zulu Company of Arbroath’s 45 Commando have been contending with the sticky climes of Belize, where heavy rain has added to the training challenge faced by the elite unit. They took over the mantle of Lead Commando Group from 40 Commando earlier this year, a role which puts them at high readiness to deploy anywhere in the world. New kit and cutting-edge technology has been utilised in the jungle deployment following acclimatisation at Price Barracks, the base of the Belize Defence Force and home of British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB), located just outside Belize City.

Dengue reaches highest number ever recorded in the Americas
DENGUE in the Americas has reached the highest number of cases ever recorded, with more than 2.7 million cases and 1,206 deaths so far this year, according to a new epidemiological update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The largest previous dengue epidemic was in 2015, but the number of cases registered until October this year is 13 per cent higher. Despite the increase in number of cases, the fatality rate, or proportion of deaths in dengue cases, was 26 per cent less in 2019, PAHO said in a release yesterday. The four dengue virus serotypes are present in the Americas and co-circulation of all four was reported in Brazil, Guatemala and Mexico in 2019. According to the release, simultaneous circulation of two or more types increases the occurrence of severe cases of dengue.

In addition to being a Magic Town, Bacalar is known for its exquisite cuisine
In Bacalar as in the rest of the state of Quintana Roo, there is a great influence of Yucatecan and Belizean cuisine. From Belize stands out the dish “rice and beans”, which has the particularity of being cooked with coconut oil. Xpelon tamales (a variety of beans) and Sotobichay or Brazo de Reina (queen’s arm) are also made with tamale dough mixed with chaya. Also, the stew known as Chocolomo is common in the area. On the Day of the Dead the “mucbilpollos”, tamales of the region that are baked are prepared and there are also dishes made from fish and shellfish, such as “Pan de cazón” and Tikin-xic fish. Grouper, Huachinango, lobster and sea snail are part of the seafood variety in the region.

Videos

November 13, 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

NCFC hosts children’s rights workshop
A workshop on the Convention of the Rights of a Child (CRC) was held for Children’s Right Ambassadors at the Belize Institute Management in Belize City on Saturday, November 9th. The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) organized the workshop with the goal of reinforcing the importance of children’s rights and why they should be respected and protected. The workshop began at commemorates with NCFC Executive Director Margaret Nicholas welcoming everyone and introducing the first activity of the day. Attendees were teamed up in pairs and asked to identify the rights they considered most important and explain why.

Various Belizean Sources

CSEC and CAPE Examinations
The Ministry of Education has announced the 2019 outstanding performance for CSEC and CAPE examinations. Congratulations to all schools, teachers, parents, and most importantly, the students who have demonstrated excellence!

Advanced Culinary Training in Belize City
The BTIA in partnership with the Mexican Embassy facilitating a three day session of Advanced Culinary Training in Belize City.

SIP & SEE in COROZAL: Carillo's Art Work Display & For Sale
Saturday 23rd, November from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the New Millenium in Consejo Village. Entrance fee $5.00 - Live painting by Carillo - Beers & Drinks for sale at the bar. Event to support Candidate Ethan Arana for "KING" at St. Francis Xavier RC Primary School. Tickets available at the New Millenium - Call or text Ronnie 620-0519 for Tickets.

Sherima Guity is Young Belizean Entrepreneur of the Month
For the month of November, we are excited to feature Rory and Sherima Guity as our Young Belizean Entrepreneurs! Rory and Sherima wanted to offer something different to Belizeans, so this young couple traveled to Mexico to learn how to make authentic Mexican tacos. Upon return, they opened Tacos Don Carlos—a brightly colored taqueria, welcoming visitors with a bright Mexican mural since April 2019. This Belmopan couple has been together since high school, which has allowed them to learn and respect each other's strengths and weaknesses—a necessary ingredient in ensuring the restaurant’s success. Each and every day, Rory and Sherima strive to make their customer's experience happy and authentic!

WÁAY(Huay) - BELIZEAN MAYA LEGEND
Between the Yucatec Maya people of Belize there is the story of the Wáay . The plural of Wáay is Wáayo'ob . For the ancient Maya the Wáay refered to a animal that shared its essence with each person; a kind of "accompanying spirit". The wáay also spelled as Huay can refer to a person who can control this accompanying spirit or transforms into an animal while asleep . After conquest due to religion this legend was more associated with evil . A Wáay can be either good or bad . A wáay can use its powers to benefit a community . Also can use its powers to do mischievous acts .

4th Annual Belize International Yoga Festival (2019)
Date: December 1st, 2019. Time: 6:00am-6:00pm. Cost: $10 for Adult/ Kids under 12 enter FREE! Where: Harbour View Greens, Fort Street. Belize City. Belize International Yoga Festival (BIYF) is designed to bring together yoga and meditation practitioners, aspirants and the general public from Belize and around the world to enjoy soulful moments of wellness, healing, relaxation and reflection. The festival is a time for positive interactions which are vitally important for the well-being of our community and country. BYIF is a non-alcoholic, family friendly event. The first of its kind in Belize and the region, patterned after similar festivals around the world.

Movie Night! Hosted by The Truck Stop
This week we're showing the heartwarming new adventure comedy THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON. Zak, a young man with Down syndrome, runs away from the nursing home where he lives to chase his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Through circumstances beyond their control Tyler, a small-time outlaw on the run, becomes Zak's unlikely coach and ally. Starring my wife's Hollywood crush, Shia Labeouf!

Garifuna Celebration Activities in Belize City

MAY-JUNE 2019 CXC EXAMINATIONS – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN CSEC EXAMINATION
The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture and the CXC National Committee of Belize congratulate all students who sat the 2019 CXC examinations, especially those that displayed outstanding performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. The Twenty-Fifth annual CXC National Awards Ceremony to recognize the outstanding students is scheduled to be held on Friday, November 29, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at The Omar Longsworth Auditorium, Independence Village in Stann Creek. At the Awards Ceremony the CXC National Committee of Belize will present several categories of awards to outstanding students in the 2019 CSEC Examinations. Four hundred two (402) students will receive CSEC Certificates of Excellence, two (2) will receive Subject Group Awards and thirty-four (34) Individual Subject Awards.

The Ministry of National Security Provides Update on Situation at Barrio El Juda, Cayo District
The Ministry of National Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OAS Adjacency Zone (OAS/AZ) has been actively taking steps to address the issue regarding the illegal settlements and encroachments by Guatemalan nationals on private property in the Barrio El Juda area, Cayo District. Since the Ministry of National Security became aware of this situation, the following actions have been taken to ensure the immediate discontinuation of illegal settlements in that area.

Inquiry into the explosion on board the water taxi, San Pedro Jet Xpress
The Belize Port Authority has conducted an inquiry into the explosion on board the water taxi, San Pedro Jet Xpress, which occurred at the Ocean Ferry Belize Limited water taxi terminal, on 5 May 2019, in which Yamiri Jasmine Guy and Kimberly Melissa Guy lost their lives and six other passengers sustained various degrees of injury. The inquiry was conducted by the Belize Port Authority and include statements obtained by the police, from key witnesses and experts, and other evidence gathered in the course of the inquiry.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint “Meet the Ray”.

GOB Signs Matching Grant Fund with the Los Pequenos Agricultures y Ganaderos de Nago Bank Co-operative Society Ltd
The Government of Belize (GOB), through a financing arrangement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), has embarked on a six-year programme, Resilient Rural Belize (RRB), which aims to minimize the impacts of climatic and economic events on small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The programme will help small farmers employ climate-resilient agricultural practices and technologies; integrate profitable participation in the development of select vegetable, fruit, and honey value chains; and support production capacity through investments in public and private climate-resilient infrastructure and in the strengthening of small farmer organizations and relevant Government Departments.

The Ministry of National Security Provides Update on Situation at Barrio El Juda, Cayo District
The Ministry of National Security in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the OAS Adjacency Zone (OAS/AZ) has been actively taking steps to address the issue regarding the illegal settlements and encroachments by Guatemalan nationals on private property in the Barrio El Juda area, Cayo District. Since the Ministry of National Security became aware of this situation, the following actions have been taken to ensure the immediate discontinuation of illegal settlements in that area. 1. High-level officials within the Ministry of National Security, the Belize Defence Force, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have made multiple visits to the area.

The International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) 2019
BelizeINVEST, a unit of BELTRAIDE, participated in the International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) held from November 1 – 2, 2019 at the Intercontinental Park Lane in London. The Conference provided a platform to drive international awareness and investment into the tourism sector by bringing key decision makers from the public and private sector to share innovative insights on the countless opportunities that exist at each destination. Belize was an integral part of the panel discussion, which sought to showcase the competitive advantages and investment opportunities across the region. Additionally, the Conference also provided the opportunity for one on one networking sessions, where representatives from Belize met with viable investment interests.

23rd Annual President’s Week Asset Protection & Investment Conference Ambergris Caye, Belize
Nagel & Associates LLC in partnership with Caye International Bank Limited hosted over twenty regional potential investors, as part of President’s Week, to discuss matters relating to international business, finance and investment opportunities. The 23rd Annual President’s Week Asset Protection and Investment Conference is being held as of November 9th – 13th, 2019 in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye featuring key international and local speakers with expertise across various fields. The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) was represented by its sub-unit BelizeINVEST by Ms. Lianne Torres in presenting on investment opportunities in priority investment sectors, particularly the Tourism Sector in Belize.

Garifuna Nuguya 12K
This 12K run is coinciding with Garifuna Settlement Day on Tuesday, November 19th, 2019. Men and women's category. Organizers are asking for sign up, as very few people have registered. Come on Corozal, let's make this event happen.

Darina Garifuna Museum in Libertad Village
Welcome to the Darina Garifuna Museum in Libertad Village. Each year, during the week before Garifuna Settlement Day, curator Mrs. Simeona Zuniga offers a special edition of her Garifuna Exhibition. Many local schools take the opportunity to visit and learn about Garifuna culture. We invite you to visit the museum on November 13th & 14th for the special edition!

Crafters Wine & Paint
This Saturday at the Soul Project, they'll be having the Crafters Wine and Paint event. Eat, drink, paint, and be merry. Call 604-9237 for more information.

Channel 7

An International Incident: Espat and the Encroachers
For a few months now that the Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute hasn't been in the news. But, since the beginning of this year, it's been quietly playing out in realtime at the Western Border, on the very edge of Benque Viejo Town. The location in dispute is known as the Barrio El Juda area. That's where the Belizean, Jorge Emiliano Espat, owns approximately 100 to 150 acres of land in different parcels. The problem is that his land is right next to the Western border in the area known as the adjacency zone. Espat says that whenever there are elections for the municipality of Melchor, the politicians on that side use land as leverage to gain political support from voters.

Guatemalan Trespasser Says The Land Is Hers
Interestingly, the Guatemalan teacher, who Espat complained of as the chief culprit that has built an almost-complete house on his land, granted a revealing interview 2 months ago to a Guatemalan media house. Here's what she had to say on September 12th to the reporter who went looking for answers about the controversial construction on Belizean territory. We have that translated for you: Reporter: "We are informed that you are the owner of a construction that is currently underway by the Belize/Guatemalan border. Is it yours?"

OAS Has Pronounced But Failed To Act
Tonight, Jorge Espat remains convinced that he is being wronged by this Guatemalan national. He says that several months ago, the OAS did an independent verification to ensure that his property is on Belizean territory and that this was a case of Guatemalan encroachment. Here's how he explained that in our interview from today: Reporter: "The OAS was involved, talk to us about that confirmation where the location of the land." Jorge Espat: "The confirmation came about through the OAS and Guatemala as I understand had requested verification though the Mexican source and yes indeed the verification from the OAS came out intact."

Finally, Port Authority Charges Responsible Parties For Water Taxi Explosion
Tonight, more than 6 months after an explosion aboard the San Pedro Jet Xpress water taxi that claimed the lives of two girls - the Belize Port Authority has announced the findings of their investigation into who's responsible. A release this evening says that the boat master, Ernesto Delgado, the boat's operator, "San Pedro Water Jets International Limited", and the water taxi service operator, "Ocean Ferry Belize Limited" have been charged for negligence in causing the loss of life of Yamiri Guy And Kimberly Guy; Causing a vessel that was unsafe to be sent on a voyage; and, Attempting to send a vessel that was unsafe on a voyage.

The Crow Returns To City Hall
The crow returned to city hall today - we're talking about the crow - footing court bailiff. Reports are that he went to the city council's main office on Albert Street this afternoon to continue marking items - mostly office equipment. This is to settle the council's almost half a million dollar judgement debt to its former city administrator Candice Miller. Yesterday, the bailiff was at the works compound marking heavy equipment for seizure.

Boxhead Burglar Hides Identity
Very regularly on this newscast we show you surveillance video of crimes in progress - and, many times, the culprits are caught because of that. Indeed, these surveillance cameras are getting cheaper, sharper, and turning up everywhereand the criminals are taking notice. And that's what inspired one burglar to go for a new look: the cardboard box head. That's right - last night at Dollar Store on Water Lane in Belize City, a burglar put a box over his head so that the camera couldn't make him out.

Kyle Confessed To Shooting At Cops
The cops say he came after them with guns blazing - and today Kyle Chaplin went to court and pleaded guilty. In December of 2018, the 28 year old allegedly fired upon the cops, as they pursued him through an alley in the gang infested Mayflower Street area. The incident occurred on December 9, 2018. Four police officers responded to shots being fired in the Mayflower Street area and claim that Chaplin came after them wi9th a gun in his hand firing shots at the officers.

Stellar Students Shine on CSEC
The 2019 CXC results are out, and a stealer trio of brilliant Belizean students have performed exceptionally on the CSEC exams. Edward P. York's Alexis Guy earned the top spot and was named the Most Outstanding Candidate. Guy obtained seventeen Grade I's and one Grade II. Not far behind her are hers schoolmates, also from EP Yorke: Dayana Marroquin the Outstanding Candidate, attained fourteen Grade I's and two Grade II's; andAngie Matute who was awarded Most Outstanding performance in Technical Vocation in the region. We spoke to all three students today about their successes and how their teachers helped them along the way.

Corozal Has The Best CAPE Students
And Belize's high school students aren't the only ones who saw major success in their exams. Four Sixth Form students will be receiving Certificates of Excellence for their performance in the CAPE examinations. Corozal Junior College's Liyan Moralez is the Most Outstanding Candidate for his eight Grade I's and one Grade II.

Barbados Wants To Open Trade Route to Belize
The Caribbean nations of Belize and Barbados are making a genuine attempt at regional integration for the purposes of a free-flow of goods and services. Whenever the topic of a fully-functional Caribbean Single Market and Economy comes up, it is often met with skepticism, because there are always claims that one nation or another sets up artificial barriers to trade. Well, the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Commerce, through BELTRAIDE, has been working with its counterparts in Barbados, the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation. That partnership seeks to introduce goods and services from that country into the Belizean market, in the hopes that Belizean consumers will embrace the products from their Caribbean brethren.

Is Tracy On Faber's Slate By Default?
The Opening Ceremony of the expo gave us an opportunity to talk with Tracy-Taegar Panton about the developing political intrigues happening within the ruling UDP. Battle lines have been drawn in the race for the Leadership Convention of the UDP. Panton has submitted her name as a candidate for the Party's First Deputy Leader. She's doing so without a slate, and her opponent is Hugo Patt, who is now a part of John Saldivar's team. So, we asked her today, if that means that she will have to join Patrick Faber's camp by default. Here's what she said: Reporter: "John Saldivar seems to be campaigning on behalf of your opponent for the first deputy. Does that by chance, or by process of elimination, force you to align with the Faber group?"

Belize Cautions on Military Influence In Bolivia Political Crisis
There's turmoil in the South American country of Bolivia tonight. This is after president Evo Morales was pushed out of office in what he says was a coup. Morales has taken up exile in Mexico while violent clashes continue in the streets between his supporters and the security forces. Morales's sudden, enforced departure created a power vacuum and today, the ongoing political crisis took a dramatic turn when - according to the New York Times - a leading lawmaker stepped forward and claimed the presidency.

Jamaican Play Adapted For Belize With Great Humor and Resonance
A new play is being adapted for the Belizean audience and theatre goers are excited about Jankunu Productions latest offering, called 'Saving Alligator High.' The play focuses on tragic circumstances which result in a school nearly being closed and its clearly defined characters present a satire of an educational institution held at the mercy of a community. Alligator High is located in an inner-city community, but the drama unfolds mainly in a staff room. It's a story of rape, teenage pregnancy, dysfunctional families and poverty told from the teachers' perspective. Here's more from the theatre company's rehearsal.

Why Anti Money Laundering Standards Matter
There's probably nothing quite as dull as 60 banking and financial regulators sitting in a room talking about international standards in combating money laundering, and the financing of terrorism. But that's what happened today at the Caribbean Motors Conference Room where the FIU hosted a Financial Action Task Force Standards Training.

UB's New Board Is Mostly Renewed
The University of Belize have given a new term of office to its Board of Trustees. Harrison Pilgrim was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Board, while Mr. Lynn Young was elected as its Vice Chairman, also unanimously.

Channel 5

Guatemalans Squat in Barrio de Juda, Cayo
Encroachments by Guatemalans are well-known within the Chiquibul. But now, embolden Guatemalan nationals are setting up permanent structures closer to the western border and well within Belizean territory. For years, [...]

Ministry of National Security Says Guatemalan Squatters Have Ceased Illegal Construction
Espat wrote to the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pat Andrews on the issue of Guatemalan squatting on his land. Espat tells Andrews that he has waited four [...]

CitCo Files Application to Appeal the Candice Miller Decision
On Monday, the Belize City Council filed an application to appeal a decision handed down by Justice Courtney Abel on October fourth, in favour of former city administrator Candice Miller.  [...]

Is Candice Miller Playing Chess with CitCo?
Upon exiting the Supreme Court victorious on the evening of October fourth, attorney Magali Perdomo, who represents Miller in the wrongful termination suit, reiterated the fact that a contract, in [...]

CitCo’s Assets at Works Department are Crow-footed in Lieu of Payment
With an application for appeal setting the backdrop for CitCo’s next move, has a preemptive strike by Miller to crowfoot its assets, backed City Hall into a corner?  Here’s how [...]

Repairs on Swing Bridge Gone into Overtime
The historic Swing Bridge in the heart of the city is undergoing repairs to ensure the safety of thousands of pedestrians who traverse the bridge every day. But the state [...]

The Top Scorers of the 2019 CSEC & CAPE Exams
The National Awards Ceremony takes place later this month in the south. The ceremony will recognize students that excelled in the CSEC regional exams and the CAPE. Students from the [...]

Trial of Police Assc. Prez Vs ComPol Chester William to Proceed
Almost nine months after a lawsuit was filed by Corporal Eldon Arzu, the President of the Police Association, against the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the case has still not [...]

Charges Brought Following Deadly Explosion at Water Taxi Terminal
A deadly explosion that claimed the lives of a pair of siblings and injured fourteen others onboard a vessel on May fifth, has resulted in charges being filed against several [...]

Fire Destroys Wooden House in Benque
A fire quickly swept through a wooden house in the New Site area of Benque Viejo Del Carmen. A family of three lost all they owned in the blaze that [...]

Tracy Panton Still Undecided on Who to Support for Leadership Convention
The leadership convention for the United Democratic Party has been set for February ninth, 2020 when as you know, Patrick Faber and John Saldivar will go head to head in [...]

Tracy Panton Ready to be 1st Deputy Leader of the U.D.P.
Panton was the first to have announced her bid for the first deputy leadership of the U.D.P.; Manuel Heredia Junior is also running for second deputy leader. Panton says she [...]

Tracy Panton: “Some will win…some won’t make the central executive team”
Both Faber and Saldivar have taken to social media to bolster their candidacy. Faber for some time was seen as the person being groomed to be the next leader of [...]

Tracy Panton Says Gapi is Entitled to Privileges
Minister Tracy Panton also responded to a question about former cabinet minister Gaspar Vega. As we’ve reported, while Vega resigned as a member of cabinet in 2017 due to a [...]

Belize Bird Rescue – Saving Belize’s Birds!
Belize’s yellow-headed parrot population is disappearing from our forests; it is a bird that is endangered worldwide. Illegal poaching, deforestation and other pressures have reduced this colorful bird to a [...]

License for Domestic Parrot Holders are Coming
As you heard in that story just now, Belize’s parrots are under threat. The illegal trafficking of native parrots for house pets has been a growing problem. The yellow-headed parrots [...]

Boosting Trade Between Belize and Barbados
The economies of Belize and Barbados are dependent on tourism, but there are other opportunities that can open up for further trade between both countries. This is why a mission [...]

Establishing Greater Market Access for Belizean Produced Sugar in CARICOM
As it relates to CARICOM, some of Belize’s agricultural products have made their way into the regional market. But even as discussions are ongoing to introduce Belize Sugar Industries’ plantation [...]

Will Belizean Sugar Be Exported to Taiwan?
While CARICOM is natural trading partner, Minister Panton says that Belize is looking at other opportunities outside of the CARICOM region to export the Belizean produced sugar. A delegation is [...]

Amandala

Candice Miller attacks CitCo with crowfoot order
On Friday, October 4, Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel handed down a decision in favor of Candice Miller, the former Belize City Administrator who signed a new employment contract beyond the life of the City Council she was serving under United Democratic Party mayor Darrell Bradley. Miller’s new contract gave her a hefty salary increase. The PUP’s Mayor Bernard Wagner and his councilors eventually voted to terminate Miller as City Administrator because, the Mayor said, Miller had failed to advise him and his team that they needed to file a defense in a lawsuit that was brought against the City Council by a sanitation company, Belize Waste Control Ltd. According to Mayor Wagner, the failure to advise the new council to file a defense cost the council one million dollars.

Evo Morales accepts asylum in Mexico
President Evo Morales of Bolivia and his Vice President resigned yesterday, Sunday, after he addressed the country in a televised statement. Morales, a socialist, was elected as the 80th president of Bolivia in 2005, and ushered in number of socialist policies that helped to alleviate poverty. Last month Bolivia plunged into protests, following the results of the presidential election in which Morales was declared as the winner.

GSU storms house in Burrell Boom; shoots caretaker
The Belize Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) has been employing unorthodox policing methods from the time it burst on the scene with its officers’ faces covered with masks. The GSU’s new policing methods have come at a high cost to taxpayers in the form of lawsuits that the GSU has lost in the courts. Yesterday, Friday, some members of the GSU descended on a house in Burrell Boom to conduct a search, but instead of conducting the search, they ended up transporting the caretaker of the property to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for medical treatment after he was shot multiple times at close range with non-lethal rounds from a pump action shotgun.

Jaswant Brooks, 18, murdered for nothing
Jaswant Brooks, 18, a laborer of Giles Street, Lake Independence, was reported missing on Monday evening, November 4, when he failed to return home after going to buy some weed on Police Street. On Friday morning, November 8, his decomposed body was found in the Mile 6 area off the George Price Highway. After an autopsy was conducted, the cause of his death was declared to be inconclusive. Brooks was buried at the Eternal Garden Cemetery at Mile 13 on the George Price Highway.

Belize Elementary girls and Holy Redeemer boys are Belize District Primary School Volleyball Champions 2019; Nationals on Friday
The Belize District Primary School Volleyball Finals were held today, Monday, at the Stars Gym in Belize City, where the 4 top teams from Belize Rural, 2 females and 2 males, clashed with the top 4 teams from Belize City, 2 females and 2 males, in a simple knockout format. In the semifinals, the Belize City teams dominated their Belize Rural counterparts, setting up a repeat Belize City clash in the District finals, with the same results as in the Belize City finals last week.

Alrick Carcamo, 29, murdered on Raccoon Street Extension
Alrick Carcamo, 29, a construction worker of Caesar Ridge Road, was murdered at about 8:30 Thursday night on Raccoon Street Extension. In an interview with us today, a shop owner whose business is located in the yard near which Carcamo was killed, told us that Carcamo was socializing with about 5 friends in front of the yard and was standing on the sidewalk on Raccoon Street Extension. The shop owner said that at about 6:30 that Thursday evening, she began to have an uneasy feeling, and she believed that something bad was going to happen, and decided to close the shop.

Michael Williams, 21, stabbed by boy, 15
Michael Williams, 21, a laborer of Santa Elena, was at a food stand buying food at about 12:30 Sunday morning when he was approached by a young male who asked him some personal questions. Williams ignored the man, who then stabbed him in the right side of the chest. The culprit then ran away. Police who viewed footage recorded by cameras mounted in the area were able to identify the young male who stabbed Williams — he is a boy 15 years old, also of Santa Elena.

Drinking turned deadly: Lee Lopez, 41, fatally stabbed in chest with broken bottle
Lee Lopez, 41, a handyman of Heron Street, Ladyville, was drinking with three men who are known to him in front of his home at about 9:00 last night when they became involved in an argument that escalated into a fight. One of the men broke a bottle and stabbed Lopez in the chest, and the men then fled the area. One of his friends came by and saw him lying near his gate in pools of his blood, and the gate was also bloody.

Ports Commissioner confirms that charges will be laid for deadly boat explosion
On Sunday, May 8, 2019, there was a horrific explosion onboard a water taxi that was starting its engines to head out to San Pedro and Caye Caulker. The blast claimed the lives of Kimberly, 8, and Jamiri Guy, 10, two young sisters who were on the boat along with their mother and stepfather. The explosion also injured a number of other passengers, some of whom were tourists. At the time of the incident, the Belize Port Authority announced that it was conducting an investigation into the cause of the explosion.

From The Publisher
As I understand it, my great grandfather on my mother’s side, George Lindo, who had migrated to British Honduras from Jamaica as a young man, used to own a rum shop (or maybe more than one) in old Belize Town, and he had a hefty cash flow. He was rich in the early twentieth century, before Bob Turton made his, in the 1920s thereabouts. But George Lindo was a compulsive gambler, and by the time I began to have a sense of myself as a child, living with my parents at #7 Church Street in the early 1950s, George Lindo was broke and being taken care of by his daughter (my grandmother), Eva Lindo Belisle.

PLB regular season ends; 4th playoff spot decided in injury time
It went “down to the wire” indeed, as the final playoff spot in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Opening Season was only determined in injury time of a Week 14 game in San Pedro on Saturday night. This past weekend’s Week 14 games ended the PLB regular season; but the 2 games scheduled for Sunday had no bearing on the playoffs, while the 2 games on Saturday night were critical to determine whether Wagiya FC or Altitude FC would grab the 4th spot in the playoffs along with Verdes FC, Bandits Sport and San Pedro Pirates FC, all 3 of whom had already secured a playoff berth.

FFB announces National “A” Team final list for upcoming CONCACAF Nations League games
The Football Federation of Belize (FFB) is calling the following National “A” Team male players to camp on Monday, November 11, 2019. The players are to report at the FFB headquarters by 10:00 a.m., where they will continue to prepare for the CONCACAF Nations League match against French Guiana. The match is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 14, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan. National “A” Team male players called to camp are (Verdes – Ver, Bandits FC – Ban, BDF FC – Bdf, Wagiya SC – Wag, San Pedro FC – Snp): goalkeepers – Woodrow West (Ver), Shane Orio (Ban)...

National Women’s League football Week 5 results, standings
The Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2019-2020 Opening Season has completed its fifth week of games, and already there appear some interesting match-ups to be anticipated, as there are still 2 undefeated teams each in the North and South groups. (See Week 5 standings below; our apologies for last week’s error in labeling Week 4 standings as Week 5.) Three (3) games were played in Week 5 this past weekend, 2 games on Saturday, November 9, and 1 on Sunday, November 10.

Anthony J. Chanona, J.P., offers his “two cents” on the citrus industry
Dear Editor, Please allow me to express “my 2 cents” opinion on your Editorial of Friday, November 1, 2019, titled, “GoB must assist the CGA and all small farmers.” Indeed, GoB should not allow the CGA to collapse into financial ruin. This institution was crafted into law in 1967 by luminaries such as Alexander S. Frankson and birthed in Parliament by the then Minister of Agriculture, Sir Alexander Hunter.

Bolivian president Evo Morales resigns after election result dispute
Evo Morales has announced he will resign as president of Bolivia after the military called for him to step down and the police withdrew their support following weeks of unrest over disputed election results. In a televised address, Bolivia’s president of nearly 14 years said he was stepping down for the “good of the country,” but added in an attack on opponents whom he had accused of a coup attempt: “Dark forces have destroyed democracy.”

If OJ did it, here’s how he did it
No, there’s no white Bronco here; this is no story about a disgraceful foreign OJ who, if public opinion mattered, would have been strung up by his neck until he was dead. This here story is about a local OJ who, if he did what some philistines said he did with what they say Faber said, and the honor codes of old applied, he would have been put through the wringer, and hung out to dry. You see why some of us are driven to drink. Tideh day da noh like bifo times. The Belize Times “Belly of the Beast” columnist says that they broke some story about a drunken outburst from Faber about Barrow and the Barrows that was spilled by OJ. I can’t swear that everything they say da soh, but if da soh …

The big picture
When we take a close-up look at the so-called gang phenomenon in Belize, we find young men caught up in situations that are not entirely of their own making. Many are victims in a cycle of events they were born into. This does not excuse them from personal responsibility, but it forces us to look at the bigger picture of our social values and structures to see what circumstances created this phenomenon in the first place. Crime is an act of personal choice and an effective criminal justice system holds individuals accountable for their criminal behavior. Nevertheless, those who wish to prevent crime before it occurs cannot ignore the fact that the majority of people filling our prisons come from impoverished backgrounds and lack a formal education…..

Matron is engaged, married, and gives birth
It was only a small number of citizens who had the courage, ability, stamina, concern or civic-mindedness to take on all the problems that plagued our little country during the twentieth century, starting particularly during the Twenties. This was after the end of World War I, when those who returned from the front with a different outlook, resulting from exposure to the prejudices, challenges and experiences of a hostile world from which their distance had sheltered them, created a volatile and uneasy environment; but our older heads, priding themselves on their strong religious and civilized beliefs, persevered in their peaceful, tolerant and law-abiding ways to do whatever was in their power to improve their condition.

Editorial: No saving the youth if the state’s justice system doesn’t work
We are sure that we can all be better people. Belize is one of the five countries in this Caribbean project, and we are sure the workshops will produce/disseminate information that will help our youth better understand themselves, why they behave the way they do and why some behaviors need to be changed. No culture is perfect; we should always be open to new ideas; and we should select the ones that can help us become better. A lot of who we are is animal DNA. All animals have a survival instinct, a need for food and sex and territory, and in the forest animals go about achieving their ends by following the laws of the jungle. Human beings, the most cerebral animal on the planet, over time have developed laws by which to live. These laws are generally the same all over the world. For example, every country and respected culture has a law against murder. There are also small, and not so small, differences. For example, some countries condemn homosexuality and some don’t.

The Reporter

The Ministry of National Security Provides Update On Situation At Barrio El Juda, Cayo District
A man who claims that Guatemalan families have been squatting on his land situated at the Benque border says he is getting ready to take those families to Court after repeated attempts to get them to move, even after asking the Foreign Affairs Ministry to intervene.

The War With Candice’s Legal Team, CitCo Files Counter Maneuvers
The Reporter has confirmed that attorneys acting for the Belize City Council have filed an application to stay the crow-footing of Council assets by former Administration Candice Miller.

Evo Morales Lands In Mexico After Political Asylum Is Offered
Earlier today (Tuesday, Nov. 12) the former president of Bolivia Evo Morales arrived at the airport in Mexico City, after Mexico granted him political asylum. Mr. Evo Morales served as the first socialist president of Bolivia for 13 1/2 years. He became president of the south American nation of 10 million people in January 2006.

Fire In Benque Viejo Destroys House
Investigators believe that faulty electrical wiring may have caused a fire which totally destroyed a house in Benque Viejo on Monday night. Around 9:25 Police were called to Pedro Guerra Street where they saw the 20ft.×15ft. wooden structure engulfed in flames.

LOVE FM

Tensions rise at the Belize/Guatemala border
The silence has been broken as it relates to the Belize/Guatemala border issue. After having filed the matter at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) major incidents at the Sarstoon and along the country’s border with Guatemala have been minimal, perhaps even nil.

Boat explosion investigation concludes
The Belize Port Authority has concluded their investigation into the boat explosion that killed two persons and injured six others on May 5, 2019. The explosion occurred at the water taxi terminal at the foot of the Swing Bridge on board a vessel from San Pedro Jet Express.

EP Yorke tops this year’s CSEC awards
Edward P Yorke High School (EPYHS) came out on top in this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. The high school is known to be consistent in delivering excellence and for having students win awards.

SCA and SJC consecutive National volleyball champions
Females from the Saint Catherine’s Academy Volleyball team took home the trophy once again for the 12th consecutive year. The SCA girls won the national volleyball championship this past weekend.

Barbados commercial Expo
Barbados Investment and Development Corporation and Belize’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce brought the Barbados Commercial Mission to Belize Expo. Today ten companies from Barbados were represented at the expo.

Elderly woman narrowly escapes house fire
An elderly woman was able to avoid injuries last night after she realized that one of the houses in her yard was on fire. 77-year-old, Aminda Avilez was inside her home on Pedro Guerra Street in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo District when she heard a loud explosion just after nine o’clock last night.

Love Foundation helping those in need
Love Foundation has been hosting series of “one stop” job workshops in Belize City. These programs cater to those less fortunate who might be unemployed or underemployed and are looking for a place to work.

Belize Coast Guard to change Commander soon
The Belize Coast Guard will be changing command in fifteen days. Admiral John Borland will be passing the proverbial baton to the Vice Commandant Elton Bennett. 42-year-old Bennett has been in the Belize Coast Guard for almost 14 years after having served in the Belize Defense Force for nine years.

Marsden walks for insufficient evidence
After spending three and a half years at the Belize Central Prison, 27-year-old Raheem Marsden was released yesterday when the murder charge against him was withdrawn. Marsden was on remand after being charged for the death of 30-year-old Alfonso Castillo that occurred on July 21, 2016

Eldon Arzu case adjourns
Almost nine months after a lawsuit was filed by Corporal Eldon Arzu, the President of the Police Association, against the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, the case has still not proceeded to trial. This is due to Arzu’s attorney not complying with certain instructions given by the court

Women’s Leadership And Political Participation
The United Democratic Party, National Organization for Women, is a group that engages constituents in the idea of women in politics. Women make up fifty percent of our population base. According to Tracy Taeger- Panton, sixty percent of persons who went to the polls to vote for the last ICJ referendum were women.

Breaking Belize News

Road traffic accident reported near Ontario, Cayo
Reports to BBN are that there was a road traffic accident on George Price Highway […]

National Security Ministry working to ensure immediate discontinuation of illegal settlements in Barrio El Juda, Cayo
The Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Organization of American States (OAS) […]

Ministry of Education highlights students who excelled in 2019 CXC Exams
Today, the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture and the CXC National Committee of Belize […]

City man admits shooting at police
Kyle Chaplin, 28, of Mayflower Street will serve a concurrent sentence of six months jail […]

CARICOM congratulates Canadian Prime Minister on re-election
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque today extended congratulations to Prime Minister of Canada, […]

Asian grocery store in San Ignacio robbed
Police are investigating a robbery that occurred this afternoon at J&A store in San Ignacio. […]

Belize Coast Guard to see change of command
The Belize Coast Guard Service is to have a change in command at the end […]

Edward P. Yorke students rank first and second in 2019 CXC
In Belize two female students from Edward P. Yorke High School have been ranked first […]

House destroyed by fire in Benque Viejo
A home and all its contents were completely destroyed by fire last night in Benque […]

“Garifuna Made Easy” series to bring language to schools
Just in time for Garifuna Settlement Day and in support of this year’s theme, which […]

Celebrating Belizean women- Meet Adma Robinson!
Women all over Belize are making a positive impact on their communities. Belizean entrepreneur, Adma […]

Venezuelan woman fined $1,000 for entering Belize without permit
A Venezuelan woman apparently trying to save on a flight home is $1,000 lighter today […]

DIGI/BECOL basketball tournament ends regular season this weekend
San Ignacio Town SSBA Secretary The DIGI/BECOL Basketball Tournament has only one […]

Blogs

Corozal: A Lovely Colorful Belize Town with A Definite Mexican Feel
I had been through Corozal quite a few times in the past 12 years – mostly to get to Mexico or from Mexico out to the cayes but….I had never really lingered and I haughtily felt like I didn’t need to. What makes Corozal particularly intriguing to many who are looking to relocate to Belize – especially those looking for a more affordable alternative to the cayes is the proximity to Mexico. JUST across the border – less than 10 miles away – is a relatively HUGE city of Chetumal Mexico. A place that has a huge array of shopping spots, malls, movie theaters, fast food joints and just people. Chetumal is estimated to have a couple hundred thousand people. Compare that to the entire country of Belize that has just around 400,000. Or Corozal town…which has less than 20,000.

Bird Watching in Belize: Top Hotspots
With more than 570 species of birds thriving in its varied ecosystems, there's no better place to go bird watching than in Belize. This gem of a country provides wonderful, year-round experiences for great birding experiences. From casual onlookers to veteran ornithologists, birders of every level delight in the sight of macaws, toucans, trogons, hummingbirds, storks, parrots, raptors, and other species commonly seen throughout Belize. Here are four of the best destinations to go bird watching in Belize:

Things To See and Do In Corozal
Corozal is conveniently located between Mexico and Ambergris Caye, with its own turquoise shores and diverse landscape, from beaches and historical sights to a nature reserve. In town, remnants of historical and cultural heritage are on full display. There are gun turrets at Fort Barlee used during the 19th century during the Caste War; the vibrant Corozal Town Mural depicting the district’s history and the Maya temple of Santa Rita, where the mestizo population of Belize was born.

Taste of Belizean Tradition
Like its kaleidoscope of cultures, Belize’s culinary landscape–from stick-to-your-ribs stews to streetside tamales–begs exploration. Belize’s dual Caribbean and Central American identity leads to flavorful cuisines across six districts. There are surprising options beyond the national plate of coconut rice and beans, with stewed chicken. Start with this primer, and then add your own discoveries.

November is Garifuna History Month – San Pedro Celebrates
When you think of November, most would think about Thanksgiving but for Belizeans, the month signals the celebration of the rich history and cultural immersion of the Garifuna people to Belize. With Belize’s rich diversity of people, the Garifuna make up about 7% of the entire country’s population and their contributions as a culture have propelled over the years. The Garifuna people primarily inhabit the Caribbean coastal communities of Belize including Barranco, Seine Bight, Dangriga, Hopkins, and Punta Gorda. The first Garifuna people arrived in Belize on November 19th, 1802 in the town of Dangriga, which is considered to be the cultural capital of the Belizean Garifuna people. In 2001, UNESCO declared the Garifuna culture, music, dance and language as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. While music and drumming remain synonymous to the Garifuna identity, dance is also a major reflection and integral part of the Garifuna culture, stemming from its West African origins.

Enjoy Bird Watching at Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island off the coast of Belize, and it’s divided by the Split, which is a narrow channel separating the two masses of land. To the south is the island’s only settlement, known as Caye Caulker Village. Caye Caulker has a lot to offer to visitors. The surrounding clear, pristine waters and fascinating coral reef attracts visitors from around the world. However, not all the Caye’s treasures are in the water. The south end of the island is home to a dense mangrove forest and diverse birdlife. Although the island is small, there are over 100 species of resident and migratory birds on the island.

International Sources

Ocelot tracking is revealing new information about this elusive cat
It is night in a Central American pine forest, and an ocelot is following a game trail. The predatory wild cat, approximately twice the size of a housecat, is hoping to catch the scent of a rabbit or hear the rustle of mice in the undergrowth. Along the way, the ocelot passes between two remotely triggered infrared cameras set at about knee-height off the ground. The cameras flash simultaneously, startling the animal and momentarily illuminating the forest. The resulting photographs capture the unique markings of the elusive cat: solid black bands and spots over tawny yellow fur, a pale underbelly, and a bright white spot on each rounded ear. Moments like these have been a regular occurrence in the pine forest and broadleaf jungles of Belize, where Professor Marcella Kelly, of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, has spent the last 15 years tracking the movements of predatory ocelots and jaguars using remote sensor cameras. Now her research, one of the longest continuous studies of wild cat populations in the world, is giving scientists new insights into the range, population sizes, and migratory habits of Central American wild cats.

Scientists say too much tourism is fueling mysterious disease killing the Caribbean’s corals
The breathtaking reds, yellows and purples of the Mesoamerican Reef have been turning sickly white, leading researchers on a desperate hunt to understand and fight the mysterious disease killing the Caribbean’s corals. In a little over a year, the Mexican Caribbean has lost more than 30 percent of its corals to a little-understood illness called SCTLD, or stony coral tissue loss disease, which causes them to calcify and die. Experts warn the disease could kill a large part of the Mesoamerican Reef, a magnificent arc of more than 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) of coral shared by Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. SCTLD has put the region in a bind: it could potentially devastate the vital tourism industry around the reef, the second-largest in the world after Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. And yet, it is highly possible that too much tourism is in fact fueling the problem, scientists say.

Healthy mangroves help coral reef fisheries under climate stress
Healthy mangroves can help fight the consequences of climate change on coral reef fisheries, according to a University of Queensland-led study. UQ’s Professor Peter Mumby said corals have been bleached and reefs have lost their structural complexity as a major consequence of warming seas. “Many people are worried that – due to climate change – reef fishery yields could halve if coral reefs flatten, losing the hiding places that support thousands of fish,” he said. “When a young fish arrives at a degraded reef it has nowhere to hide and is easily targeted by predators.

Head to Belize for the Eco-Friendly Vacay of Your Dreams
Sure, it might take three planes to get to the southern tip of Belize Punta Gorda, but TBH, it’s a place like no other. I spent four days in the lush rainforest at the Copal Tree Lodge, an eco-friendly resort featuring an organic farm and a rum distillery, and fell in love with its fields of fruit, cacao trees, heirloom sugarcane, and all the local livestock. Uh, yes, this is the remote vacay of your dreams. Here’s how to have the best experience, complete with howler monkeys, coffee cupping, farm-to-table food, and fresh-caught seafood.

Enlarging Chetumal canal intended to encourage marine tourism
The Quintana Roo government has begun dredging to extend the Zaragoza canal in order to spur marine tourism in the region. The project will also boost trade by connecting the state capital Chetumal to the community of Xcalak. Governor Carlos Joaquín González and military authorities inaugurated the project at the naval base located at the entrance to the canal. He said that opening a navigable route between the Caribbean and the bay of Chetumal is a strategic economic action.

More drought concerns for Caribbean region
The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says below normal rainfall continued in parts of the region already with concerns over drought, including over Belize and Barbados. “There are areas of concern over short term drought by end of January 2020 that can impact agriculture, streams and small rivers, particularly in the vicinity of Belize and Cayman Islands,” the CIMH said in its latest Caribbean drought bulletin. It said there is wider concern over long term drought by the end of November 2019 that can impact ground water and large rivers, particularly in Belize, the Guiana's – northern Suriname and French Guiana – and some islands of the eastern Caribbean, namely Barbados, Dominica and St Kitts.

Videos

November 12, 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

The National Institute of Culture and History notes the passing of Mr. Compton Fairweather, a Cultural Pioneer and Political Activist
The Honourable Patrick Faber, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture and the National Institute of Culture and History notes the passing of Belizean Cultural Pioneer and Political Activist, Compton Fairweather O.B.E., J.P. Compton Fairweather was born in San Ignacio, Cayo on March 15th, 1931 and attended St. Paul’s Anglican School in Corozal, St. Peter’s in Orange Walk, St. Andrew’s in San Ignacio, St. Micheal’s College in Belize City, Belize Technical College, University of Maryland, and The City College of New York.

BPAHM hosts Forum on Food and Nutrition Security
Members of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) gathered Friday, November 8th at the Marion Jones Conference Room in Belize City for a forum on Food and Nutrition Security for a Healthy Belize. In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Honourable Patrick Faber, said his Ministry is planning to scale up school feeding in Belize as well as ensuring that school children are fed one healthy meal a day.

Ambergris Today

Man Goes Fishing And Drowns In San Pedro
One man is dead as a result of a drowning incident that occurred over the weekend in San Pedro. According to official police reports, on Friday, November 8, 2019, at about 2:49 p.m. San Pedro Police visited the San Pedro Polyclinic, upon arrival, they observed the lifeless body of male person identified as Gustavo Lizzaraga, 25-year-old, Belizean laborer of a San Pedro Town address.

Ministry Of Health Holds Food & Nutrition Security Forum For A Healthy Belize
Members of the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition (BPAHM) gathered on Friday, November 8, 2019 at the Marion Jones Conference Room in Belize City for a forum on Food and Nutrition Security for a Healthy Belize. In his address to the gathering, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Honourable Patrick Faber, said his Ministry is planning to scale up school feeding in Belize as well as ensuring that school children are fed one healthy meal a day.

VIDEO PIC OF THE WEEK
The island community of Ambergris Caye has come to LOVE this dynamic duo at American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES), for their personality, their love of community and their passion in saving and protecting the endangered crocodiles. Chris Summers and Christina Manzi of ACES share this video of their hard work and passion that has brought them together as a couple that creates awareness and helps protect crocodiles in Belize. Enjoy the video and help support their worthy organization.

Various Belizean Sources

Endorsement Convention for Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr
The Endorsement Convention for Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr will be held in San Pedro on November 23rd. All those from Caye Caulker who wish to attend are welcome to. Information on transportation will be posted closer to the date.

Remembrance Day in Corozal
Remembrance Day ceremonies were held across the country yesterday, Corozal's ceremony took place at Soldier's Park, where we were able to honour two living Ex Servicemen from our community; Mr. Vera and Mr. Correa. Thank you to all who participated and to our community members who showed support by attending!

BEL Authorized Collection Agents around the country

Ya’axché’s Community Forum: Forest Conservation and Governance
Ya’axché cordially invites communities to take part in Ya’axché’s Community Forum: Forest Conservation and Governance. Updates on our programs – Protected Areas Management, Community Outreach and Livelihoods and Science – will be provided by our expert staff at Ya’axché. Come learn about our work in the Maya Golden Landscape, our area of focus. Join us on Friday, 22nd of November 2019 at San Pedro Columbia Nazarene Education Centre, starting at 8:30am and ending at 3:00pm. Snacks will be provided! Ya’axché’s Community Forum is made possible with the support of EuropeAid through the Forest Governance Project.

Benque Cleanup
Thank you to the members of our community who showed up to help clean our community. Mopan Technical students including those in the Peer Helpers and HUGS club, members of the Child Advisory Council, Department of Youth Service, Town Council employees and Mayor Marconi Sosa. Thank you to Rudy Cruz for assisting with his canoe to get the garbage in the river. There is a lot of work to be done if you would like to help come out tomorrow. We meet at BeCol park to start at 8am.

Garifuna Setlement Day Celebration 2019 & Award Ceremony
The Embassy of Mexico in Belize in collaboration with the National Garifuna Council-Belize City Branch, has the pleasure to invite you to the: Garifuna Settlement Day Celebration 2019 & Award Ceremony. Friday, November 15TH, 2019 – 6:30 - 8:30 PM. Mexican Cultural Institute – Belize. Newtown Barracks and Wilson streets, Belize City. FREE ADMISSION!

14th BELIZE IFF WINNERS
The 14th Edition of the Belize International Film Festival (Belize IFF) took place from November 6th to 10th. The Belize IFF had culminated with an award show on the closing night. The 5 days showcased Belizean, regional and global films in several categories. The most entries from Belizean artists came in the Music Video category, created to highlight the local music industry. The winner of the Feature Narrative category is PAN DE SALAWAL. The winner of the Feature Documentary category is BAKOSO: AFROBEATS OF CUBA. The winner of the Short Docs category is SORISSO-LEGENDADO. The winner of the Shorts category is FLIGHT. MY FATHER BELIZE and TECUANI and the DUENDE both tied as winners of the Best Belizean Film. The winner of the Branded Entertainment category is MACAW. The winner of the Music Video category is Nicole Craig- RAISE MY VOICE ft. Asheigh Craig.

Caye Caulker Dog Grooming
We will be coming this Wednesday November 13th. To make your appointments can call us at 662-4549 / 226-4838 or fb message me. We doo groomings , baths , nails also have available flea and tick prevention pills .

The Corozal Christmas Tree is being put up right now at the Corozal Central Park
I love it at this time of the year in Corozal. In the coming days, they will be adding more decorations at the central park.

Be aware that 1st North In Corozal, is being fixed in Corozal
The other side of the street is being used to fill the whole by the BWS. And, the street is blocked due to heavy machinery being worked to fix the street at this moment.

Belize Port Authority licensing boats Nov 11-15
Please take note that Belize Port Authority will be here licensing boats.

St. Francis Xavier Parish Fair
Saturday, November 30th, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. at the St. Francis Xavier School Grounds.

Job Opening at BEL
A vacancy exists for the post of Administrator, Executive Services in the Executive Services Department of Belize Electricity Limited.

Channel 7

Candy, The Crowfoot and City Hall
On Friday, October 4th, we told you about the almost half a million dollar judgement that Candice Miller, the former administrator won from City Hall. She was dismissed for gross dereliction of duty shortly after the council took office in 2018. Well, the Supreme Court found that firing to be wrongful, unlawful and without cause. The judge ordered the cash strapped city hall to pay Miller $378,175 dollars for breach of contract of employment, plus another $70,000 dollars in costs.

Man Stabbed to Death By Close Friend
A man was stabbed to death at his home in Ladyville, and the person who allegedly attacked him was his close friend. He's 41-year-old Lee Lopez, a resident of Heron Street, and while he was socializing with his usual friends in his yard, he got into some sort of argument with one of them. Things escalated quickly, and Lopez was killed - reportedly stabbed straight to the heart with a pint bottle.

Cops Looking For Two
Today, police said they have two persons detained while one man is wanted. Here is Senior Superintendent Hilberto Romero from the National Crimes Investigation Branch at today's press briefing in Belmopan. Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, CIB: "Two persons are detained for this investigation. We're looking for one other person in regards to this murder."

Man Stabbed In OW, Family Wants Him Home
And an Orange Walkeno was also stabbed over the weekend. But this stabbing happened in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo - which is 100 miles north of Chetumal. Carlos Cerilo left Belize on the 28th of October. He had reportedly gone to Quintana Roo to work, however, while there he was brutally attacked. It happened at around 6:00 on Sunday morning. Cerilo was found on the street with a knife stuck in his chest and a cut wound to the neck. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he received surgery. CTV-3 News spoke to his sister Melly Chayash earlier today. She says that the family knows very little about his life in Mexico or the attack but they want their brother and son to be able to recuperate at home.

Raheem Rolls Out Of Jail
27-year-old Raheem Marsden, the man accused of murder for the stabbing death of 30-year-old Alfonso Castillo, is at home tonight after being remanded at the Belize Central Prison for almost 3 and a half years. The charge has been withdrawn against him at the request of the DPP's Office. Marsden was the man police accused of stabbing Castillo on July 21st, 2016. Castillo was socializing with several friends in an ally a few blocks away from his Belize City home on Victoria Street. Castillo somehow ended up in an argument with another man, which quickly escalated to violence.

Bees Attack At Trial Farm Gov't School
This morning, 11 students and 2 staff members at Trial Farm Government School in Orange Walk were attacked by Africanized bees. Now, we know that angry hives of Africanized Bees have killed before - and in the Orange Walk District. In this instance, however, the victims escaped shortly after they attacked, and so none of them were seriously hurt. The management of the school immediately took action and called in the Ministry of Agriculture to take care of the bee problem. Our colleagues from CTV3 News spoke with the Principal and the Ministry of Agriculture employee about the incident.

Alrick Targeted Again
A man and woman from Belize city couple are recovering from gunshot wounds after they were shot on Saturday night. It happened at the Corner of Curl Thompson and Mud streets in Belize City. At 7:50 when residents heard shots - and 33 year old Alrick Smith, a man well known to police, was hit. Smith was turning a corner with 19 year old Aldelia Morey when they were approached by a man who fired several shots at them. Senior Superintendent Romero told us more:

Shooting in Gang Turf On Friday
And there were two more shooting victims in the City over the weekend. 22 year old Lemar Lamb and 21 year old Daniel Lopez were standing on Neal Pen Road on Friday evening when they were approached by two men. One of the men pulled out a firearm and fired 4 or 5 shots at the pair. Police say it happened at about 7:05 on Friday evening. Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, CIB: "On Friday the 8th day of November 2019 Police responded to a shooting incident on Neal's Pen road where reports were received that two people had been shot..."

Teenager Allegedly Stabbed 21 Year Old In Cayo
A 21 year old was stabbed in Santa Elena, Cayo yesterday afternoon. The head of National Crimes Investigation, Assistant Commissioner Joseph Myvette told us about the case of Michael Williams: ACP Joseph Myvette: "Yesterday afternoon shortly before 1:00pm San Ignacio police were called to the La Loma Luz hospital where upon arrival they observed one Micheal Willams 21 years of a San Ignacio town address with stab wounds..."

Seeking a Seaweed Solution
When we hear the word seaweed most of us think of that thick, super sweet, soupy drink with loads of condensed milk. But, seaweed is actually a highly sought after high protein nutrient. And. on Friday a group of conservationists, business owners and other private sector stakeholders visited a seaweed farm in Placencia. Except the farm is in the sea! They wanted to see first-hand how the marine plant is cultivated and discuss the possibility of developing the seaweed industry in Belize and in the region. Here is more from that trip.

Faber Takes Delegates On Weekend Outing
Last week, UDP Deputy Leader Patrick Faber told us he is very much in the race for party leader. And he flexed a bit on Sunday when he sponsored a trip for his loyalists and delegates to Rendezvous Caye. A facebook post boasts that 150 delegates from the Belize and Orange Walk Districts were on the trip as solid supporters. He says he will be going to the other districts soon. Faber needs 281 delegates to be elected leader.

Advanced Culinary Training From Mexico
If you are a super fan of food network cooking competitions, any cooking channel or just a food lover, you will know the joy and excitement that comes from watching how chefs turn basic ingredients into delicious, creative masterpieces. Well, the Belize Tourism Industry Association is hoping to WOW the Belizean and tourist clientele by training chefs from all over the country in advanced culinary techniques. The training is being held at the ITVET and we dropped by this morning for the theory session. John Burgos, Executive Director, BTIA: "What you see happening this week is that this is something we began to discuss with the Mexican Ambassador here in Belize where we were looking to find better opportunities to provide training to our local industry service members..."

Disaster Response For Public Officers
Many say you can never really be fully prepared for a sudden tragic event or disaster but that does not mean you shouldn't do all you possibly can to protect yourself and others. That is the idea behind NEMO's 3-day training at the ITVET. Over 60 public officers are being trained in disaster response techniques. Here is more from this morning's session. Kevin Pollard, District Coordinator, NEMO: "It is a basic first aid training as you know that normally we have public officers in the shelters and this training is to assist in the event that something was to happen within the shelter, they can assist before we get additional assistance."

Film Festival Winners
The Belize International Film Festival held its closed last night with an awards ceremony at the Bliss Center. And some of the Festival's promising selections won major recognition in the Feature Narrative, Feature Documentary, Short Documentary, Short Film, Belizean Short Film, Branded Entertainment and Music Video categories.

Collision Injures Two
No one was killed in a collision on the George Price Highway last night. It happened between miles 38 and 39 when an SUV and a pickup collided. Police told us more: ACP Joseph Myvette: "Last night shortly after 7:00pm Roaring Creek police were called to the scene of a road traffic accident between miles 38 and 39 on the George Price Highway whereupon arrival they observed a black Xterra SUV type vehicle..."

Lexus Torched In Garden City
Police are looking for 2 suspects who lit a man's car on fire in Belmopan. It happened just before 4 o'clock on Saturday morning. 30-year-old Curlin Flores, a barber of the Piccini area of Belmopan, was at home when his neighbors saw his 2009 Lexus engulfed in flames. The Fire Department who managed to put it out, but his $30,000 vehicle was extensively damaged.

SCA & SJC Repeat As National Volleyball Champs
The girls of St Catherine Academy won their 12th national volleyball championship this weekend in Dangriga. The event was held at the Chiste Garcia Sports Complex and in the championship game on Saturday, the SCA girls bested over the Western Zone champions, the Belmopan Comprehensive School 3 - 0 in the championship final. And in the males, The St. John's College Wildcats repeated as national volleyball champions. They had to go to four sets to prevail 3-1 over the Northern Zone champions, the Muffles College Bobcats, in the championship final Saturday evening.

Castro and Cricket
A cricket coaching course was held last week in Bermudian Landing. The course which is accredited by Cricket West Indies and recognized by the International Cricket Council was facilitated by Caribbean Cricket experts. 16 participants from various cricket teams throughout the Belize District attended as did their area rep, Belize rural North's Edmond Castro.

Channel 5

Candice Crowfoots CitCo
Late this evening, bailiffs rolled into City Hall’s compound on the George Price Highway where the council’s heavy equipment are kept to crowfoot its assets. Candice Miller reportedly filed an [...]

Ladyville Man Chopped, Stabbed to Death
The life of Lee “Bambino” Lopez was cut short on Sunday night in Ladyville, Belize District. Lee was hanging out with three persons he knew, on the street in front [...]

An Orange Walk Resident is Brutally Stabbed in Carillo Puerto, Quintano Roo
Tonight a Belizean, forty-year-old Carlos Cirilo Chayash is recovering in a hospital in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico after being stabbed on Sunday morning. Mexican [...]

Four Persons Injured in Weekend Shooting in the City
In the city, four persons, including a nineteen-year-old female, were shot and injured over the weekend. Gunshots rang out on Friday night on Neal Pen Road where Lemar Lamb and [...]

Myron Martinez Comatosed After Crashing Into House on a Trailer
A Ladyville resident is clinging to life at the K.H.M.H.  Myron Martinez was involved in an accident as he headed home on Saturday morning. He collided into a trailer transporting [...]

Non-Fatal Traffic Accident in St. Matthews Village
There was a road traffic accident in Saint Matthews Village on Sunday night. Police were called out to miles thirty-eight and thirty-nine on the George Price Highway where they observed [...]

#It’sAllAboutTheBase – Patrick Faber Targets Delegates
In political news, two weeks ago, the U.D.P.’s Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar brought out thousands of supporters, including many of his political colleagues, for the launch of his leadership [...]

Gapi Vega’s Salary Breakdown
As we reported on Friday, Former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega continues to enjoy ministerial benefits, despite his resignation amid a land scandal involving his son, Andre, back in 2017.  [...]

21-Year-Old Stabbed in San Ignacio; Minor is Detained
A twenty-one-year-old man was stabbed and a minor has been detained. Police say that Michael Williams was in Santa Elena on Sunday afternoon when a man he doesn’t know approached [...]

30K Car Set on Fire in Belmopan!
In the nation’s capital, a thirty-thousand dollar vehicle was destroyed by fire over the weekend. A Belmopan barber reported that his car was set on fire while parked in front [...]

Jaime Hope is Freed of Attempted Murder Charge
Jamie Hope, who was charged with “Attempted Murder and “Grievous Harm, was freed of the charges when she appeared before Justice Marilyn Williams and Crown Counsel Sherigne Rodriguez entered a [...]

4 of 6 Men Get Supreme Court Bail
Four of the six men appeared before the Chief Magistrate and received bail today. They are facing charges relating to a robbery which occurred months ago at Cooking Master Restaurant [...]

BAPDA Hosts a Caregivers’ Training with Team Canada Healing Hands
Team Canada Healing Hands is back in Belize. The organization is working along with the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities to train persons on how to take care [...]

Developing the Seaweed Industry in Belize
On Friday, BELTRAIDE made further steps to develop the seaweed industry by connecting producers, developers, and consumers. A ‘Ministerial and Private Sector Seaweed Mission’ took industry stakeholders to the seaweed [...]

B.T.I.A. and Mexican Embassy Host Advance Culinary Training in Belize
The Belize Tourism Industry Association has teamed up with the Embassy of Mexico for a three-day advance culinary training at the ITVET in Belize City. The training is the first [...]

The Winners of the 2019 Belize International Film Festival
On Sunday, the fourteenth edition of the Belize International Film Festival closed with the announcement of the winners of this year’s festival. There were a total of seven categories for [...]

The Weekend in Sports
Good evening, I am James Adderly and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting events...]

The Reporter

Ladyville Handyman Died After Senseless Fight
Police say that they have detained two men and are looking for another following the murder of Ladyville handyman Lee Lopez, 41, on Sunday. Investigators say that the men were drinking together when a fight started.

Economic Genocide!
The economic landscape of Belize has changed significantly since independence; but it was really over the last fifteen years or so that we saw an economic model emerge which can only be described as economic genocide.

President Of Bolivia Resigns Under Pressure
The President of the South American nation of Bolivia Evo Morales has resigned amid turmoil following his disputed re-election last month. On Sunday, international monitors called for the election result to be annulled, saying they had found “clear manipulations” of the 20 October poll.

LOVE FM

Senior citizen injured in car accident
A senior citizen was the victim of a road traffic incident last night in the Cayo District. Our Correspondent, Fem Cruz has ascertained that Glenford McFadzean is listed as critical at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

Ladyville man fatally stabbed with pint bottle
41-year-old Lee Lopez was stabbed to death after an altercation erupted between him and three other men, in Ladyville Village, in front of his home. Preliminary reports are that Lopez was stabbed with a broken pint bottle.

Veterans Day 2019
Yesterday an official ceremony was held in honor of war veterans in Belize. Veterans Day is a celebration in honor of Veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

A San Pedro resident drowns
A Belizean laborer drowned on Friday afternoon in San Pedro.

Three-Day Culinary Training
The Belize Tourism Industry Association initiated an Advanced level culinary training today at the ITVET compound. The three-day training is being facilitated by a certified Mexican Chef.

Paralyzed minor, Kyron Green, recovering well
The mother of 11-year-old Kyron Green is happy to report that her son is recovering well after months of medical treatment. Green is a standard 4 student from St. Luke's Methodist in Belize City who was seriously injured while he was at a store on Central American Boulevard, running an errand for his mother.

Dredging in San Pedro town
ACRE Dredging has been on Ambergris Caye conducting dredging on two dredging permits for many years. Of recent, their operation has come under sustained criticisms in both the local press and social media to the point that they are moving ahead with taking legal actions for defamatory statements made against them.

Public Service CPR Training
The National Emergency Management Organization conducted a first aid training for Public Officers. Over 100 public officers will be participating in the training over the course of 4 days

Teaching the necessary skills to acquire a job
Love Foundation hosted job workshop, this time in the Caribbean Shores area in Belize City. The workshop is a joint collaboration with Area Representative for Caribbean Shores, Kareem Musa.

Two men shot in Belize City
Two men were shot on Friday night just after seven o’clock in Belize City. The victims, 22-year-old Lemar Lamb and 21-year-old Daniel Lopez were standing on Neal’s Pen Road when they were approached by two male persons who opened fire in their direction.

MAN BRUTALLY BEATEN IN MEXICO
An Orange Walk Man was brutally attacked in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Quintana Roo, Mexico. At around 6:00 yesterday morning Mexican Authorities were called to Avenida 66 between 75 and 77.

ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN SHOT WHILE EXITING THEIR HOME
33-year-old Alrick Smith and 19-year-old Alidia Morey were both shot on Saturday night just before 8 o’clock at the corner of Curl Thompson and Mud Streets. Police investigation shows that they were exiting Morey’s house and heading towards their vehicle when a lone gunman approached the two.

SAN ESTEVAN MAN MISSING
A woman of San Estevan Village, Orange Walk District is hoping that her son will show up safe and sound after he hasn’t been heard from in six days. Martina Leveron Perez says her son left the village on Tuesday, November 5 to go look for employment and has not returned home since.

Breaking Belize News

Man charged in assault case
Aaron Gonzalez, a financial consultant of Wilson Street, Belize City was charged with harm, common […]

Belize Ex-Services League makes call to veterans to sign up for more assistance
Ex-servicemen, relatives and those associated with the pre-Independence armed forces can get a windfall through […]

Lest we forget: Observation of Remembrance Day
Picture: Belize Coast Guard On this day 101 years ago, the guns fell silent and […]

Evo Morales granted asylum in Mexico
Ex-President of Bolivia, Evo Morales was today granted political asylum in Mexico. Violent unrest shook […]

Son of National Anthem author, Harold Haynes, makes first visit to Belize
The son of Samuel Haynes, author of Belize’s national anthem, is in Belize. This is […]

Belize VU donates over $60,000 worth of equipment to Benque Police
Last week, security tech company, Belize VU donated equipment valued at over $60,000 to the […]

Two alive after road traffic accident
Two people are alive and well after a road traffic accident last night. They are […]

Two suspects detained in murder of Lee Lopez
Police have detained two men and are seeking a third in connection with the murder […]

Four people shot in Belize City over the weekend
Four people were shot in Belize City over the weekend. Each of those victims survived […]

Haven House raising awareness of domestic violence with 5k run in Belize City
In Honor of the upcoming 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Haven House Belize, […]

San Antonio Village Council calls out Area Rep over Water Board appointment
The San Antonio Village Council issued a statement yesterday calling out the area representative, Rene […]

Blogs

Tasting my first Boil Up
Virginia Melendez has been cooking for 20 years, and as the proud owner of Itza Belizean Place eatery in downtown San Pedro, provides special items like hudut, boil up and more. With her repertoire and reputation preceding her, it made sense to taste her version of the boil up. Taught by her mother to make this dish, Virginia served up a beautiful plate complete with whole fish, some ground food, a sauce and the classic boiled cake.

The Barrier Reef & Northern Islands
Belize has many wonders, but one in particular is our national treasure, our Great Barrier Reef, which spans 180 miles, protecting our coast line. It is the largest coral reef in this hemisphere; Australia being the other. Small populations and careful management has preserved this treasure. Here you can find more than 400 species of fish, and a myriad of marine environments. The Northern Islands are the most frequented and populated islands in the country. Caye Caulker and San Pedro are not just water sport havens but also bustling towns where socializing is a favorite pastime. Enjoy the island life on the main cayes or caye hop and explore the dozens of white sand beaches like Goff’s Caye, Sargent’s Caye and other smaller most often unpopulated islands.

Belize, A Place for Nature Enthusiasts
Close to 100 areas are protected in Belize, which makes up about 28% of Belizean territory protected. This provides various opportunities for travelers to experience natural trails, waterfalls, beautiful marine life, and breathtaking caves. Go ahead and wander into our most popular and accessible protected sites, teeming with wildlife on and off land. Here’s a list of some of the protected areas and what you can see at each in Belize that you must visit.

International Sources

Top 10 Resorts in Central America: Readers' Choice Awards 2019
Congratulations to Turneffe Island Resort on being named one of the Top 10 Resorts in Central America by Condé Nast Traveller UK! They were awarded by the 2019 Reader's Choice Awards.

Strange disease threatens Caribbean coral reef
The breathtaking reds, yellows and purples of the Mesoamerican Reef have been turning sickly white, leading researchers on a desperate hunt to understand and fight the mysterious disease killing the Caribbean's corals. In a little over a year, the Mexican Caribbean has lost more than 30 percent of its corals to a little-understood illness called SCTLD, or stony coral tissue loss disease, which causes them to calcify and die. Experts warn the disease could kill a large part of the Mesoamerican Reef, a magnificent arc of more than 1,000 kilometers of coral shared by Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. SCTLD has put the region in a bind: it could potentially devastate the vital tourism industry around the reef, the second-largest in the world after Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Fifteen years of ocelot tracking is revealing new information about this elusive cat
It is night in a Central American pine forest, and an ocelot is following a game trail. The predatory wild cat, approximately twice the size of a housecat, is hoping to catch the scent of a rabbit or hear the rustle of mice in the undergrowth. Along the way, the ocelot passes between two remotely triggered infrared cameras set at about knee-height off the ground. The cameras flash simultaneously, startling the animal and momentarily illuminating the forest. The resulting photographs capture the unique markings of the elusive cat: solid black bands and spots over tawny yellow fur, a pale underbelly, and a bright white spot on each rounded ear. Moments like these have been a regular occurrence in the pine forest and broadleaf jungles of Belize, where Professor Marcella Kelly, of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, has spent the last 15 years tracking the movements of predatory ocelots and jaguars using remote sensor cameras.

Videos

November 11, 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

Wolfe’s Woofer: God’s House
“We have another guest coming for the cookout,” Neil said. “I hope you and Sherry don’t mind.” “Of course not,” I told him. “We’re your guests. As long as he doesn’t eat all the barbecue and drink up all the beer, I don’t mind.” “No worries there,” Neil said. “He’s a young priest who has taken a parish on the mainland. Susi met him on the ferry and invited him for dinner.” Neil and Susi are our good friends who moved to Ambergris Caye from Louisiana in the U.S.

Doctor Love: Perturbed
Dear Doctor Love, On the referral of a friend, I hired a girl to tidy up and clean the kitchen and bathrooms. We agreed on seven half days and one full day a month and I pay her a very generous salary that includes lunch and taxi fare. After she left the third time, I noticed a piece of jewelry wasn’t where I normally keep it. I couldn’t be certain I had put it back but then I searched everywhere, and I haven’t been able to find it. When she came again, I asked her about it and she denied seeing it, so I let it go thinking I had lost it myself.

Various Belizean Sources

Duck Run 2 inaugurates new facility at St Joseph R.C. School
St Joseph R.C. School inaugurates new building. For the last six years, the school buildings had become deteriorated. The Village of Duck Run Two received assistance from Spanish Lookout and other donors. Two fundraising activities were also held and over $50,000 was raised. Duck Run 2 Villagers, men and women donated half the cost and also worked on the project to see the facility reach completion. The building will be inaugurated on Sunday, November 10th, 2019. Congratulations Duck Run Two.

Belize Birth Rate
Fact Check: On average, around 20 babies are born every day in Belize, most of them within the public sector hospitals. The work of the health staff, particularly nurses midwives in this regard is for the most part unacknowledged - the vast amount of babies delivered safely and in accordance with established standards. Kudos to all the health staff across the country for the tireless efforts 24/7.

Belize EntreCon V
It's Entrepreneur Month, and Beltraide has many events planned, with it all culminating with the 5th annual EntreCon, which will be on the 29th. Check out their listing of entrepreneurial events at their website. "The National Entrepreneurship Convention [#EntreCon] is the leading entrepreneurship event aimed to gather all industry stakeholders, including government, business support agencies , professionals and academia, to discuss trends and challenges facing entrepreneurs in Belize.

Corroncha Son Concert
Corroncha Son will be performing at the Wildfire Artzmosphere on Saturday, November 23rd. Check out their performance of Sulaita on Youtube. "Get into the groove NOV 23 live music ..."

Ya’axché and Oceana Belize collaborated to provide a presentation on plastic pollution and clean-up activity at Big Falls primary school
The 45 participating students learned about the effects that plastics have on our environment and the wildlife found both on land and in the Caribbean Sea. Although single-use plastics are a global problem, individual action is an important part of the solution. After the presentation, which the students were attentive to, a clean-up activity was done on the school compound. Analee Chuc (Oceana Belize), Evarista Sho (Ya’axché Education & Outreach Officer) and Julio Chub (Ya’axché Community Laiason Manager) are grateful of the opportunity to raise awareness on plastic pollution at Big Falls, a community in the Maya Golden Landscape.

Breaking Belize News

Mexico and Central America agree on refugee plan
As of mid-2019, Belize’s population stands at approximately 392,000. By the count of the United […]

Brazil ex-President Lula walks free from jail
BBC News reports that former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, […]

Belmopan family seeks public help locating missing relative
The family of Belmopan native Jacklyn Bennett needs your help in locating her. Bennett, better known […]

P.U.P.’s Briceño dares “coward” Gaspar Vega to get back in politics
They are the scions of their powerful Northern families, and there is no love lost between […]

P.U.P. leader makes light of U.D.P. leadership “show” but says people have decided
Despite their respective shows of support, does it matter who is the next leader of the […]

Extended tax amnesty should benefit smaller owners, says Opposition leader
The Ministry of Natural Resources has extended the deadline for a land tax amnesty passed […]

Fourth Belize Strong Man & Woman competition coming to Ladyville
The Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation (BBBFF) is inviting the public to the fourth […]

University of Belize and Inter-American Development Bank host climate change seminar
This week, 16 professionals in the field of engineering and land use management completed a […]

Battle of the Drums returns to Punta Gorda this weekend
Punta Gorda Town is the place to be next weekend for the annual Battle of the […]

Police investigating double shooting
The Belize Police Department has launched an investigation into a shooting incident in Belize City last night that left two people injured […]

Blogs

Jankunu Festival Of The Garifuna
Jankunu, also known as John Canoe in English, is the HABINAHAN WANARAGUA Festival of the Garifuna of southern Belize. According to tradition, this festival is rooted in male secret societies of West Africa, Poro, and Egungun, which was where most of the African slaves were taken by the British and forcibly brought to British Honduras to fuel their exploitation of the logwood trade. The name comes from “Alusi”, a deity of the Igbo people. Until perhaps the last decade or so, this exotic ritual was almost a well-kept Belizean secret, and mostly only in southern Belize. This impressive art form is an amalgam of music, dance, mime and cultural symbolism in a formidable display of male supremacy, likely to reinforce their resistance to slavery.

Let’s Celebrate the Garifuna Culture!
The 19th of November is a National Holiday in Belize. It is the day that the country commemorates the arrival of the Garifuna people to its shores. The Garinagu have greatly contributed to Belizean culture. In 2001, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) declared the Garifuna culture a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. However, keeping the traditions and language alive has been a rising concern. The loss of such a beautiful culture would be devastating not only to Belize but to the world. Luckily, organizations such as The National Garifuna Council and The Battle of the Drums initiative are making efforts to prevent this from being a reality.

An Ocean Bar Offers A Life Of Fun In Caribbean Belize
We had come to Ambergris Caye—Belize’s largest island—on our honeymoon and loved it. We spent our time diving, fishing, and exploring the cays and atolls. The waters and reefs were incredibly beautiful and we instantly fell in love with the island and its friendly people. Another big plus is that English is the first language. By 2007, we were seriously considering a move and in February that year, we found a local watering hole for sale on Ambergris Caye. The next week, we flew down to take a look at it, and the rest is history. In buying the bar, we’d gone totally out on a limb. We arrived with nothing but our determination, hopes, dreams, and of course, our bartender guide book. Our goal was to find a niche and create own our little piece of paradise.

25 Things that create the Belize experience
While you might find a few of these things elsewhere in the world.....most of these are part of what makes the Belize experience so memorable and unique! 1.) There’s a napkin wrapped on every beer ...and you order a beer by saying, "I'll have a beer" (beer=regular Belikin) sarahandduncantravel.wordpress.com 2.) Fry jacks - sometimes as big as a football and stuffed with tons of stuff 3.) Belikin Beer 4.) Puddle jumpers

Death and the Journey
Ancient people from around the world share similarities in ideology and afterlife beliefs, even though they never communicated, interacted or they simply lived in different time periods. There are many mythological realms and places we go to when we die and that varies from culture to culture. The Ancient Romans had Tartarus, a place where evil souls go to be tortured, and the Fields of Elysium, the place where wariors and normal citizens souls go. In Judaism, there is a place for the souls that are not prepared, a place similar to a purgatory or limbo, where souls go through a period of reconciliation and are shown how their lives could have been different and better. They need to be cleansed first then move on to their peaceful place with God. We have the Christian belief with a hell where Satan reigns supreme, where the souls of the damned go to suffer and be tormented in a fiery pit under the earth for all of eternity, and heaven, where God the Father is and where there is no more pain and suffering.

Your Guide to Belize Vacation Packages
Belize is small but it is an incredibly diverse travel destination. And whether you travel alone, in a group, with family members, or just a partner, knowing where to go, what to do, and for how long, is key to having a great time in Belize. In other words, the right Belize vacation package can make or break your trip. Typically, I recommend spending a minimum of one week in Belize and visiting at least two destinations. And which destination or destinations you choose to visit should depend a lot on the experiences that you want to have! To help guide you, here are the top Belize vacation packages highlighting the best locations in Belize.

International Sources

Belizean assaulted and stabbed while at Felipe Carrillo Puerto in Quintana Roo, Mexico
A man was injured with white gun in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, he was found lying on the public road with the injury in the neck and chest a sunken knife, according to the victim of an assault. The incident was recorded near 6:00 in the morning of today, on avenue 66 between 75th street and 77, was lying with the knife embedded in his chest and an incision in the neck.

Bolivian president Evo Morales resigns after election result dispute
Evo Morales has announced he will resign as president of Bolivia after the military called for him to step down and the police withdrew their support following weeks of unrest over disputed election results.

Videos