December 9, 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: Who Said?
“Here’s the coffee,” Mario said, handing me a cup. “And I got us some johnny cakes. They were sold out of meat pies.” Mario and I were having a late breakfast from Celi’s Deli on the deck of the Holiday Hotel. As we tucked in to our food an elderly gentleman in wet bathing shorts and tee-shirt took a seat at the table next to ours to drink his coffee. When I nodded to him, he said, “Good morning. It’s a beautiful day.” “It sure is,” I said. “It’s a great day for swimming.”

Launch of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers
On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) hosted the official launch of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture has identified beekeeping and vegetable production under protected covered structures as priority areas for development due to their high potential for enterprise development, economic opportunities for rural communities, and their eco-friendly nature. This also coincides with the Growth and Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS 2015-2020) which calls for new and emerging sustainable ventures with good economic prospects.

Doctor Love: Confused
Dear Doctor Love, I’m an older woman and I really don’t know how to socialize without feeling like I have to weigh and censor my opinions. It seems like any discussion of current events becomes a debate about political correctness. One example is, the other day someone in our group said that restaurants and bars in San Pedro should put in gender neutral bathrooms. I said that San Pedro needs to address the limited wheelchair accessible bathrooms and stores first before worrying about accommodating such a small percentage of the population.

Various Belizean Sources

South Ambergris Caye Neighbourhood Watch Meeting Dec. 11
Looking forward to seeing you at our monthly SACNW meeting this Wednesday December 11 at 7 PM at Lone Star Grill. Last meeting of the year!

Miss Universe Belize Destinee Dominique Arnold's costume
Its not what you wear, its how you wear it. When you have class and style, you can make a crocus sack look like a million dollars. So while all the parts of our Miss Universe Belize Destinee Dominique Arnold's costume did not make it to Atlanta with her, she surely rocked the parts that did...you would never have known otherwise.. that is the spirit, confidence and character of a true Queen.. it is always great to see one of the many rich and diversified cultures of Belize displayed on the international stage..

Congratulations El Chingon!
Top People’s Choice winners of the annual Lighted Boat Parade!

Corozal Inter Office tournament scheduled for January 9th 2020
A teams are asked to kindly pay registration fee of $200 by December 27th to finalize roster. Please contact by calling the number below.

Pictures from El Festival del Pueblo
Sunday y at the Yucatec Maya museum U Chan Mul Yaax Kaax at San Lazaro village Orange walk .

Tecuani and the Duende Screening Tour
We are delighted to announce the second leg of our national screening tour! Save the date for the screening closest to you - more details will be released as to venue and time closer to the screening date. Please help us share this - lets bring Belize's first animated movie short to as many Belizeans as possible! Look out for our Spanish language version which we will also screen in Belize's bilingual communities.

Florentina Choco recognized as the Commonwealth Point of Light 108 by Her Majesty the Queen of England
"Having grown up with limited economic resources and no formal education, Florentina [Choco] was nominated by her community to study solar electrification, becoming the first indigenous solar engineer from Belize" The Commonwealth Point of Light award will be presented to Florentina Choco [on behalf of her Majesty] by the Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Colville Young at a reception at the British High Commission Residence.

The River of Art Flows Everywhere” on Tour at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), through the Museum of Belize and the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk, cordially invites you to the Grand Opening of the touring Yoaling Lee Art Exhibition. “The River of Art Flows Everywhere” opening will be in Orange Walk Town and open to the public on Friday, December 6th, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk.

The Reporter

Murdered Dangriga Woman Last Seen Two Nights Earlier
We have gathered that Jasmin Francis Garcia, 36, whose body was discovered near a pier on Front Street in Dangriga Town early this morning was last seen alive on Friday night.

Hit-&-Run Victim Was Walking In Broad Daylight
Police have identified the victim of yesterday afternoon’s fatal traffic accident on the Southern Highway as Liborio Itch, 64, a farmer of San Jose Village, Toledo District.

Demographics and Population Control!
The Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States posits that the state as a person of international law should possess four qualifications; (1) a permanent population; (2) a defined territory; (3) a government; and (4) the capacity to enter into relations with the other states.

Company Vehicle and Workers Robbed At Gunpoint
A company vehicle belonging to Recino’s Imports of San Ignacio Town, Cayo, was ambushed and its workers were robbed at gunpoint of the day’s sales on Saturday night on the George Price Highway.

Home Invasion in Succotz
A family of Succotz Village, Cayo became the latest victims of a home invasion and armed robbery on Saturday night.

Body of Young Woman Found in Dangriga
Police sources have confirmed with the Reporter that the body of a woman was found in Dangriga Town early this morning.

Breaking Belize News

South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi is crowned new Miss Universe
South Africa’s Zozibini Tunzi was tonight crowed the new Miss Universe, topping the other 89 […]

Game 2 of Verdes-Bandits Premier League finals crucial after Game 1 draw
The first leg of the “El Clasico” Premier League finals finished 1-1 at the Isidoro […]

Belize not in top 20 at Miss Universe; Belizeans proud of representation by Destinee Arnold
The prestigious Miss Universe pageant is being held tonight at Tyler Perry studios in Atlanta, […]

Destinee rocks the stage at opening of Miss Universe 2019
The highly anticipated and prestigious Miss Universe 2019 pageant has just began. The pageant is […]

Verdes, Bandits meet tonight in the first game of Premier League final
They were the number one and number two teams all season long. Now, a 2-game […]

End of the World Marathon 2019 being held in Placencia today
Today, the annual End of the World Marathon 2019 charity event kicked off in Placencia. […]

Hit and run claims life of elderly farmer
A hit and run traffic accident yesterday afternoon claimed the life of an elderly farmer. […]

Armed thieves target Recinos employees
Authorities are investigating a report of an armed robbery that occurred around 10 last night. […]

Three masked men enter home and steal vehicle in San Jose Succotz
Authorities are investigating an armed robbery that occurred last night in San Jose Succotz Village. […]

Police investigate house fire in San Ignacio
Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire that occurred yesterday in San Ignacio. Carmita […]

Woman’s body found floating in sea in Dangriga
This morning, authorities recovered a body from the sea in Dangriga. The victim was observed to be partially nude with head injuries […]

Over 1,000 feet of gillnet found in waters of Southern Belize
Rrt t rkng lz Nw  tht rrhr tht wr lkng fr rdl nr th uth f unt Grd twn fund but 1,500 ft f gllnt […]

Security guard knocked down in Belize City
Minutes ago, there was a road traffic accident in Belize City. It occurred near the intersection of Vernon Street and Central American Boulevard[…]

Blogs

2019 San Pedro Holiday Lighted Boat Parade Shines on A Gorgeous December Night
The 2019 Holiday Lighted Boat parade AGAIN was just about the cutest thing ever. (Next week, I’ll be the declaring the 2019 LoveFM Holiday Parade thru town the cutest thing of the year. I can’t help it. I secretly love all things Christmas.) Last night, about 10 boats bobbled and bumper-car-ed in the water to line up as the sunset on a gorgeous night in San Pedro. Wayo’s Bar was packed…Hurricane’s Bar had a good sized crowd. Sandy Toes was hoping but I spotted a bar – on the longest dock in the area that had almost no one there. SO I chose that as my outpost.

Christmas Bram- Dance to the Rhythm of the Brukdong
Bram in Belize is the Kriol term used to describe festivities lasting until dawn during the Christmas season. This jovial event has its roots buried deep in our history. The earliest record of Bram took place during the height of the slavery era in Belize and also continued Post-Emancipation. Ex-slaves took jobs working in Belize’s mahogany forest. This would take them away from their family for months. However, when the rains stopped, these men knew it was time to return home. Their return meant that the Christmas festivities had begun. This jubilant time was mostly celebrated in Old Belize Town and villages along Belize River Valley. Today, the actual Bram celebration (Dec. 25th -26th) is mostly found in towns and villages outside of the city.

10 days in Belize
I was standing at a bike rack outside a supermarket in Placencia, a village on the Caribbean coast of Belize, watching some dogs casually walking through the door like they're about to do some grocery shopping. This Canadian guy (let's call him Friendly Drunk Fievel. Not his real name - sadly, he was not in fact a mouse from An American Tail) pulled into the parking lot in a golf cart, struck up a conversation and offered to give me and the bikes a ride back to the hotel. I was not about to get in this golf cart, a tiny bit because I read a book about serial killers on the plane ride, but mostly because he'd rolled up while drinking a beer and was telling this rambling story about smashing his kids' iPads and hiding the TV in the closet because everyone spends too much time on screens, and someone stole his laundry but then brought it back, and the Barefoot Bar in town is his living room or some shit (WTF? I have no idea).

Why Low Season Is A Great Time To Visit Caye Caulker, Belize
have to be honest. When I booked my trip to Belize, I hadn’t done much research on the place. Scratch that. I had done zero research. I won’t go into too much detail on how I ended up booking a one-way flight to a country I knew next to nothing about, but I will say this — it’s incredible what a few shots of tequila and access to the Internet can lead to. Thankfully, everything worked out because I was overdue for a vacation anyways. Despite not knowing much about the country I was jetting off to, I was excited to explore a new place, unwind in the hot Caribbean sun, and sip on a Pina Colada or two.

Belize on the cheap: A budget-friendly Belize travel guide
If you’re used to traveling cheaply in Central America, when you enter Belize, you’ll notice that you can’t stretch your money as much as you could in Guatemala or Honduras. This is because similar to Costa Rica, Belize is a bit on the expensive side for Central America travel. But don’t give up yet, by smartly planning your Belize vacation, you can still do Belize on the cheap while maximizing a great travel experience. Travel to Belize costs more than Central American counterparts because the country’s population is very small (approx 390,000 people), and aside from a few local products, EVERYTHING is imported. For instance, the average price for gas in Belize is $6 USD per gallon while it’s $3.50 in the U.S. Just imagine how this effects the Belizean economy.

25 Things You Should Do With Your Partner In Belize (In 2020)
You know your partner better than we do, but let’s be honest, one thing that carries through for all relationships is the fact that they take work. Often times, finding time to reconnect as a couple, and ‘maintain the spark’ gets lost under all these other work and life commitments. It’s important to make time for each other; studies have shown that the benefits of being in a healthy, loving relationship lead to better health, lower stress levels and better mental and emotional wellbeing.

International Sources

Rapid Growth Follows from Belize Automobile Market players Strategies
The Belize automobile Market report provides a complete perspective on the trends shaping the Belize Automobile market. The Belize automotive market is slowly shifting towards a service oriented model with new players focusing extensively on customer experience and consumer data. Transitions in automotive markets are providing opportunities for some parts while other components face stiff decline over the forecasts.

Colin Dodgson’s photographic love letter to Belize
“It’s all relative,” Colin Dodgson says. “You really have to approach it with the same intent.” Colin — known for his rich, empyrean-style of fashion photography against sweeping landscapes and hazy evening sunsets — is referring to the way he shot the images inside Deeper Green, his latest book. “I don’t classify myself as just a fashion photographer. I have operated in the realm of fashion as well as many other realms of photography,” he says. Created in collaboration with the World Land Trust, the book is comprised of a collection of images made whilst traveling through Belize in December 2018. Working with his friend, the WLT ambassador Jonny Lu — whose studio published the book — the pair travelled to Central America to learn more about the different organisations in Belize looking to improve sustainability and conservation in the region.

Treasured memories: Judge wants jailed gold hunter to reveal historic trove
Treasured memories: Judge wants jailed gold hunter to reveal historic trove Held in contempt of court since December 2015, ex-treasure hunter Tommy Thompson has stayed mum on the whereabouts of what is considered to be the most lucrative treasure trove in history. Now, a federal judge has demanded he reveal the location. On Wednesday, federal Judge Algenon Marbley ordered government prosecutors to draft an order that would require Thompson, currently being held in an Ohio jail, to give written consent for government investigators to probe a trust based in Belize where the treasures are believed to be stored. The trust has refused any inspection of Thompson‘s holdings without his consent, to AP.

Diving In Belize – Top 5 Locations To Tick Off Your Bucket List
Belize is one of the more famous dive destinations in the world due to the world-renowned Blue Hole. But, there are plenty of spots in this Central American country that you’ll be bummed if you miss. The good news is, the country is small and, with the right planning, it is quite possible to do a lot of these dives on one trip. The country is about 290 km (180 mi) long and only 110 km (68 mi) wide. So, get your logbook ready and make sure your dive computer is set up and let’s get going down the list.

Videos

December 8, 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

Belize Participates in the 2019 UN Annual Coordination Meeting of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework
Belize was represented at the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework 2019 Annual Coordination Meeting held in Barbados by the Honourable Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting held from November 27-28, Minister Elrington took the lead in presenting the Caribbean views on the ongoing UN Reform and progress thus far. While acknowledging the importance of the UN support to the Caribbean, Minister Elrington highlighted the need for increased substantive support from the UN Development System in the Caribbean.

Seaweed Mariculture Project to be Launched in Belize
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) supported by The Nature Conservancy Belize (TNC) has secured a grant through the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, Phase 2 of Compete Caribbean, within the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the development of the Belize Seaweed Mariculture Project. The overall objective of this project is to: i. support increased fisheries productivity for traditional fisherfolks in Belize through the development of sustainably farmed seaweed...

Caye International Bank selected as the Best Private Bank in Belize for 2020
For the third consecutive year, Caye International Bank (CIB) located in San Pedro Town, has achieved the distinction of being named the Best Private Bank in Belize by Global Finance Magazine. The 2020 awards ceremony will take place in March of next year in New York City, New York, USA, and will honor Caye International Bank as one of the best banks in the global marketplace.

Building Unit Awareness workshop held in San Pedro Town

Various Belizean Sources

CAYE CAULKER PUBLIC CONSULTATION NOTICE
All is invited to this Public Consultation. Vulnerability and Risk Management, and Crisis and Disaster Management- Climate Resilient plans for emerging destination. Monday December 9, 2018 at 6:30pm At the Caye Caulker Community Center

Corozal Tree Lighting Ceremony
May the Festivities Begin!

A car overturned earlier tonight in front of the Corozal Courtyard in Corozal
Opposite of the Central Park. The owner of the car was reversing, and, the car overturned.

Belize Audubon Society 50th Anniversary
Congratulations Belize Audubon Society on reaching this great milestone of protecting some of Belize’s most treasured natural resources for the past 50 years. It’s an honor to always partner with you.

The Hopkins consultation session on the Water Sports Standards draft is set for December 11, 2019

Story of Tzukan and Chaak
The ancient legend tells that of all the snakes that inhabited the Earth, Tzukán , protector of grottos and cenotes , was unique for its large size and mysticism. During the first drought of the Maya empire, thousands of years ago, Chaac , Lord of the Rain , was entrusted to collect the water from the subsoil and take it to the rest of the Maya empire. Chaac mounted a winged beast and looked for the precious liquid everywhere, but the lakes , rivers and cenotes were dry. Where was the water ? Tired of the search, the Rain Lord decided to rest a little and sat on a log, but it began to move. The deity and her animal were frightened to see that it was not a piece of wood, but the body of a huge snake. Hungry, the reptile opened the jaws and devoured the winged beast of Chaac in a single bite before he could fly.

The Reporter

The Butane Price War & G.O.B’s New Legislation
On Wednesday, at a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives, the Government introduced legislation to institute a floor on the price that importers can charge for Liquid Petroleum Gas, and explained that there will be an addition SI to allow for penalties for butane importers to be penalized if they do not abide by Government’s controlled prices which will be in effect if and when the law is passed.

Monuments Men
‘International asset recovery is any effort by governments to repatriate the proceeds of corruption hidden in foreign jurisdictions. Such assets may include monies in bank accounts, real estate, vehicles, arts and artifacts and precious metals.

Christmas Holiday Health Risks
Tis’ the season where any and everything is permissible; the only time of the year we allow ourselves to indulge, splurge and engage in all things jolly. Indeed the holiday season is a time for travelling, meeting up with family, socializing with friends and is supposed to be a relaxing time for most.

Editorial – Sunday Dec. 8th. 2019
The Caribbean Court of Justice has just jolted the justice system of Trinidad and Tobago by ruling that a land-owner cannot now recover legal rights to his land because he allowed a squatter to occupy this land for more than 12 years.

GOB Taken to Court Over Re-Districting
The Government has less than a year within which it is expected to call general elections, but two political organizations want the Elections and Boundaries Department to hold a boundary redistricting exercise before polling day.

Man Shot 3 Day Ago Dies From Gunshot Wounds
The Reporter has confirmed with Police sources that Gerald Lamb, who was shot around 8:30 on Wednesday night, has died of the gunshot wounds.

Police Charge Man for Edwin Usher’s Murder
Police have arrested and charged Shane Roman Jones for the murder of Edwin Gilbert Usher, a handyman of Cedar Street who was beaten into a coma on November 23rd and died on November 30th in Belize City.

Accident Near Haulover Bridge
There are reports of a traffic accident involving a pickup truck and a bus near the Haulover Bridge on the Philip Goldson Highway. We understand that the pickup lost a wheel in the impact, but there is no word yet if anyone was hurt.

LOVE FM

Belmopan CitCo gearing up for Christmas
The Christmas season is upon us and the Belmopan City Council has begun its activities and celebrations. Cayo Correspondent Fem Cruz has the story on a n upcoming weekend event.

San Pedro Christmas parade
The San Pedro Holiday Boat parade has been an annual event on Ambergris Caye for 13 years, having been started in 2006. It attracts thousands of tourists and locals to the beach annually.

After three years, trail begins
Valentine Baptist, who was accused of the murder of 19-year-old Devin Parham, is finally on trial. The murder was committed over three years ago.

Jordy Usher undergoes surgery
25-year-old Jordy Usher underwent a four-hour surgery to remove a bullet lodged behind his nose. He went into the surgery just after 2 o'clock today and is admitted at the Belize Medical Associates in Belize City.

Breaking Belize News

Toyota tacoma stolen tonight from Succotz, second vehicle stolen this week in the area
BBN Staff: BBN has confirmed that a vehicle was stolen around 9:30 p.m. tonight in Western Belize. The […]

Vehicle overturns inside courtyard opposite Central Park in Corozal town
A vehicle overturned earlier tonight in the courtyard opposite the Central Park in Corozal. The […]

Another fatal traffic accident on Belize’s highways
Our newsroom has just received a reliable report from an eyewitness of a fatal traffic […]

BTV disappointed with GOB over passing up $2 million in aid for fishermen
The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) says that it is extremely disappointed in the Government of Belize’s […]

BDF soldier bitten by venomous snake at Cadenas Observation post
Reports to Breaking Belize News (BBN) is that a soldier of the Belize Defense Force […]

Police charge one for beatdown-turned-murder
Police announced today that they have officially charged Shane Roman Jones for the murder of […]

Man reported missing in Belize City
The family of Belize City resident Devon Tariq Lopez, 22, is concerned about his whereabouts. […]

GOB: Taiwan grant to be used on infrastructural projects
On December 6, H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize, presented a bilateral […]

Permanent residents no longer eligible for fishing licenses
On December 6, the Government of Belize informed of the amendment of Fisheries Regulations to […]

Lights and ammunition found near burnt aircraft in Chan Chen
Authorities have issued an official report regarding the discovery of a suspected narco plane found […]

GOB turns down $2 Million for fishers to move away from gillnet fishing
The Government of Belize recently issued a statement detailing its latest actions against the use of gillnets, a destructive fishing practice; however, ...

Matthiew Klinck family “devastated, not surprised” by murder acquittal
“When my cousin was murdered, my uncle and aunt went [to Belize]. When they came back it was obvious that corruption is a big problem over there. The police ...

Their time to shine: Special Olympics held in Belize City
Kandice Morrison, national director of Special Olympics Belize, said that this year's event is possibly the largest one ever held, noting an overwhelming amount ...

Miss Universe Belize - Destinee Arnold counts down to Miss Universe 2019
Miss Universe Belize, Destinee Arnold and Belizeans are counting down to the prestigious Miss Universe pageant, which is now just a day away.

Belize Camping Experience introduces 'Apples for Kids'
In the aftermath of the drought that ravaged the agricultural sector, Belize Camping Experience (BCE), the organization that holds the annual ...

Nicaraguan national caught drinking in public now faces Immigration trouble
But in the course of the investigation, it was discovered that he has no legal immigration status in Belize. Because of his immigration status, he was handed over ...

Blogs

A Festive Month for Travellers Liquors Ltd.
It’s that time of the year again, and it is quite an exciting month for Travellers Liquors Ltd, the most iconic distillery in Belize! Travellers Liquors Ltd. has a month filled with surprises and exciting news to share with the public. Firstly, they announced their yearly Holiday expo dates and raffle dates. Their expo and raffles consists of a chance to win up to $500 BZD and gift boxes filled with Traveller’s special Christmas products and souvenirs. The first expo was held on November 30th at the Travellers Headquarters in Belize City where three people won $500 (first place), $300 (second place), and $200 (third place).

International Sources

Caribbean forecasters warn of expected decline in rainfall in several parts of the region
The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says as the region enters the new dry season, rainfall is expected to decline, with parts of the Caribbean already suffering drought conditions in recent months, feeling effects from long term drought by the end of the dry season. “These would include Barbados, Belize and Cayman Islands. This is despite the eastern parts of the region likely having above normal rainfall during the first half of the season,” the CIMH said in its latest Caribbean Drought Bulletin released here. It said that much of the region should monitor conditions “as there is some chance that long term drought impacts can be felt in other parts of the region”.

Simone Biles & Her BF Just Vacationed In Belize & Now We Have To Go, Too
You did it, sis. You made it to Q4 of the year, securing your bag without sacrificing your sanity, and if nobody told you today, I'm proud of you, damn it. As we gear up to prepare for the new year—setting our intentions, charting out our goals and sh*t—one date you can't forget to put on your calendar is the baecation of your dreams, and Simone Biles says you better Belize it. Last month, the professional gymnast broke yet another world record by winning her 21st world championship medal but recently, sis chose to press pause on the hustle in lieu of a little R&R. After one helluva year, Simone is trading in her leotard for some quality time with bae in Belize and now we want to go, too.

Videos

December 7, 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

Living Word Church to host annual Christmas Toy Drive
As Christmas Day is fast approaching, Living Word Church is seeking financial support to host their annual Christmas Toy Drive. The church plans to raise $US35,000 to donate gifts to 1,500 children in need on Ambergris Caye on Monday, December 23rd. Living Word Church Pastor Ian Zaldivar shared with The San Pedro Sun that this is time for people to donate towards a good cause. “As a pastor, my heart cries out for the less fortunate children in my community. Would you kindly help us to meet the needs of these poor children?

Team Trolling Passion wins annual Wahoo fishing tournament in Mahaual Mexico
After landing some of the heaviest Wahoo, Team Trolling Passion, Captained by Hilberto ‘Hillyboo’ Lara from San Pedro Town, was the winner of this year’s Pesca Wahoo de Plata fishing tournament in Mahaual, Mexico. The two-day competition took place on November 30th and December 1st off the Mexican Caribbean coast and saw a total of 17 teams both from Mexico and Belize participating. The teams with the heaviest catch captured the top three prizes. Mexican team Soma took second place, while San Pedro’s Reel Challenge came in third place.

Michael Cobo found dead in Belize City waters
After missing for over five days, the lifeless body of 18-year-old Michael Reyes Cobo of San Mateo Area in San Pedro Town was found floating off the coast of Belize City. The gruesome discovery was made on Wednesday, December 4th near Port of Belize Ltd, when police were alerted about a floating body wrapped in a sheet-like material, with his hands tied behind his back. Cobo’s family travelled to the mainland, where later in the day, their worst fears were confirmed as they identified the badly decomposed body.

Simone Biles meets former gymnast champion Alexandra Nicholson
On her last day on Ambergris Caye, Sunday, December 1st, world-renowned gymnast and Olympic champion Simone Biles visited the Maruba Beach Klub at Secret Beach where she met with proprietor Alexandra Nicholson, a former gymnast champion who was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in August 2002. Biles, currently the most decorated artistic gymnast of all time, was on a holiday break in Belize as she prepares to compete in the upcoming summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan in 2020. While on the island, Biles received a symbolic key to San Pedro Town and met with local Belizean athletes at a reception held at Ramon’s Village Resort.

SAGA Humane Society conducts mobile clinics and educational presentations in primary schools
During the month of November, the SAGA Humane Society of San Pedro Town welcomed a couple of volunteer veterinarians who helped the local staff treat dozens of pets (cats and dogs). SAGA conducted free spay/neuter services and operated a mobile clinic in areas like San Pedrito and San Juan, where dozens of these animals benefited from their services. On Thursday, November 26th, SAGA set a mobile clinic outside of La Isla Bonita Elementary School in the San Juan Area, where they treated several pets. Three days later, the team moved to San Pedrito where they treated 100 dogs and cats.

Ambergris Today

SPHS Celebrates Founder’s Day With Awesome Talent Show
Founder’s Day was once more celebrated at San Pedro High School. The faculty, staff and students of San Pedro High pulled off another great celebration as tradition has it, San Pedro High School is always up for a celebration in commemoration of (now retired) Principal Angel Nuñez’s birthday every year on December 5. Now that Mr. Nuñez has retired and now only a member of the board of directors of San Pedro High, the school has designated his birthday celebrations as Founder’s Day and have included celebrating the founding members of the school including, Mrs. Martha Guerrero, Mrs. Celi McCorkel, Mr. Allan Forman (deceased) and Mr. Al Felly (deceased).

Government Of Belize Turns Down 2 Million Financial Aid To Licensed Fishers
The Government of Belize announced that the use of gillnets in Belizean waters will continue. In doing so, the Government has turned down a two-million-dollar financial aid package that would have been disbursed to licensed Belizean fishers as part of their agreement to transition away from this indiscriminate and destructive gear. - Click Here to Read

Various Belizean Sources

CARICOM-Cuba Day - December 8
Forty-seven years ago, the then four independent member states of CARICOM established diplomatic relations with Cuba. That was a courageous and consequential decision in global and regional affairs. In this light, Belize is pleased to join in the commemoration of CARICOM-Cuba Day. The CARICOM-Cuba friendship has grown multifold since 1972. It is a testament to the common history and shared vision for a Caribbean that is self-reliant, cooperative and united.

Corozal Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Today Saturday, 7th December at 7:00 p.m. at Central Park. The colorful Corozal Town’s tradition Christmas tree lightning, is Scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 7th starting from 7PM. The Traditional Christmas Tree lightning, beautifies the park, with colorful lights after the Central Park is lightened after the Ceremony. During the Christmas Tree lightning Show, there will be having entertainment for Kids and Adults. All are welcome to this spectacular Christmas Tree lightning show at the Corozal Central Park. So, save the date, start making plans, and usher in the Christmas season in our beautiful Corozal Town!

Road and Directional Signs Spring up In Coroza
It is great to see road signs and directional signs being currently installed in Corozal, including the entrance and exit highway. This helps tremendously.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Rambo, Ad Astra, AboMinable, Hustlers

Institute of Archaeology Wash Day
A glimpse of some of the cool things that were cleaned at yesterday’s wash day. It’s always a blast when figurine fragments are involved .

BTB LAUNCHES BELIZE’S FIRST DEDICATED TRAVEL CHANNEL
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in collaboration with Color Blind Multimedia Productions and the National Institute for Culture and History (NICH), today officially launched the See Belize Channel, Belize’s first dedicated television travel channel, during a press conference held at the North Park Hotel in Belize City. The See Belize Channel has been created to take viewers on journeys through the veins of Belize’s cultural, social and ecological beauty, enabling them to immerse into the heart and soul of our Jewel. Through original, authentic and high-quality video content, viewers will be able to truly hear, feel and See Belize.

Contractor Workshop in San Pedro
On Wednesday, November 3rd, 2019, the Central Building Authority held a workshop with local contractors to inform them on the protocols and procedures that need to be carried out with departments such as: Public Utilities Commission, Central Building Authority, Department of the Environment and Local Government, prior to visiting the San Pedro Building Unit, with construction plans.

Crocodile relocated from Corozal Bay
Big thanks to Mr Ivan and Kristan Puerto and also Salustiano for capturing the crocodile that was in our bay and safely bringing it to shore kaz as u guys may know that if it was anyone else that would have gotten a hold of it it would have more than likely been killed and sold by the pound. Also, Ryan Rivera who is Corozal's Oceana Rep for contacting the right authorities that would be able to safely treat and relocate this amazing creature and to Jonathan Triminio from CRC (Crocodile Research Coalition) for coming to pick it up and take it to where it will be taken care of and hopefully later released back into the wild.

WE ARE YUCATAN / SOMOS YUCATÁN: ESDRAS CASTILLO PHOTO EXHIBITION
Photographic exhibition that brings together the recent work of Mexican photographer Esdras Castillo which reproduce emblematic sites of the state of Yucatan THURSDAY DECEMBER 12TH 2019 - 6:00 P.M. MEXICAN CULTURAL INSTITUTE – BELIZE

San Pedro San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade
A big thank you to everyone for making tonight possible! We look forward to seeing the coast light up tonight night starting at Hurricane's Ceviche Bar! Then join us for the awards ceremony at Sandbar where we’ll poll the audience to award a viewers choice prize! Please be sure to watch the parade from any of our official viewing stations and support the businesses that support the holiday boat parade!

Amendment of Fisheries Regulations to Remove Eligibility of Permanent Residents for Fishing Licenses
The public is advised that via Gazette of Statutory Instrument 81 of 2019, permanent residents are no longer eligible for fishing licenses. Only applicants who are Belizean, at least 18 years of age, and who provide evidence of residing in Belize for a continuous period of at least six months are eligible. Applicants must present a valid Belizean Passport, or a valid Belizean voter’s identification card or Social Security card accompanied by proof of address or a valid Belizean driver’s license accompanied by a Belizean birth certificate or Belizean nationality certificate.

MFFESD Comments on Measures to Control and Eventually Phase-Out Gill Nets
The issue of gill nets can be readily classified as a resource use challenge. In resource use challenges, one user advocates to secure the resource they think the other user is over-utilizing. Any action taken to resolve these situations must ensure that livelihoods security is a priority, especially for dependent communities. Today, this is referred to as social safeguards. An international NGO has proposed to fund a gill nets buy-back programme if a ban on gill nets is first instituted. From a social safeguard standpoint, a better approach is to ensure livelihoods are secured first before a ban is instituted.

The Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Continues to Contribute to the Infrastructure Development of Belize
Today in Belize City, H.E. Remus Li-Kuo Chen, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize, presented a bilateral cooperation grant to the Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development of Belize. The grant from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize is for the year 2019 under the Bilateral Cooperation Program between the two countries. The purpose of the grant is to help the overall development of Belize, particularly in the development of its transportation infrastructure.

INAUGURATION OF THE REHABILITATION AND EXPANSION OF THE HOPKINS VILLAGE WATER SYSTEM
An inauguration Ceremony was held to formally hand over the newly upgraded water system to the Water Board and community of Hopkins Village. This water system is designed to benefit more than seven hundred (700) households. This project was funded under the Banana Accompanying Measures Program 2013 (BAM 2013) with co-financing from the Government of Belize. The BAM Programme was designed to alleviate poverty and to focus on workers, families and communities in the banana belt area. As a result, Hopkins Village water system was selected as one of the BAM projects.

Caye Caulker Village Council Public Meeting
General Meeting is set for December 18th, 2019, please make an effort to attend.

D’ Chill Out Restaurant Grand opening in Corozal
D’ Chill Out Restaurant held their Grand opening in Corozal today Friday. It is located on Fourth Avenue in Corozal town, Next to the bakery PANADERIA DON CHAPARRO. They sell Frappes, Smoothies, food and more. D’ Chill out Restaurant will be opening from 10A.M. until 9P.M Monday to Sunday, except Wednesday’s are closed. Today, they will be closing at 9P.M.

USER FRIENDLY/INTERACTIVE TOURISM JOB PORTAL
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has launched the first ever Tourism Job Portal catering to Belize’s growing tourism industry. What can the Job Portal do? Employers can create and post tourism related vacancies and can easily make edits to any job submissions. Job seekers can upload their resumes and search for jobs by using key words. Job seekers can also remain in the loop by creating job alerts, this feature sends new jobs straight to their email.

See Belize Channel Launch
The BTB, in collaboration with Color Blind Multimedia Productions and the NICH, officially launched the See Belize Channel, Belize’s first dedicated television travel channel, during a press conference held at the North Park Hotel in Belize City today!

Story of Tzukan and Chaak
The ancient legend tells that of all the snakes that inhabited the Earth, Tzukán , protector of grottos and cenotes , was unique for its large size and mysticism. During the first drought of the Maya empire, thousands of years ago, Chaac , Lord of the Rain , was entrusted to collect the water from the subsoil and take it to the rest of the Maya empire. Chaac mounted a winged beast and looked for the precious liquid everywhere, but the lakes , rivers and cenotes were dry. Where was the water ? Tired of the search, the Rain Lord decided to rest a little and sat on a log, but it began to move. The deity and her animal were frightened to see that it was not a piece of wood, but the body of a huge snake. Hungry, the reptile opened the jaws and devoured the winged beast of Chaac in a single bite before he could fly.

El Pájaro Dziú y Chaac
Cuentan por ahí, que una mañana, Chaac, el Señor de la Lluvia, sintió deseos de pasear y quiso recorrer los campos de El Mayab. Chaac salió muy contento, seguro de que encontraría los cultivos fuertes y crecidos, pero apenas llegó a verlos, su sorpresa fue muy grande, pues se encontró con que las plantas estaban débiles y la tierra seca y gastada. Al darse cuenta de que las cosechas serían muy pobres, Chaac se preocupó mucho. Luego de pensar un rato, en...

Channel 7

Another Burnt Drug Plane In The North
Early this morning, a drug plane landed in northern Belize. It was found burned and abandoned in Chan Chen - which is the northernmost village in the Corozal district. Police found this on an unpaved landing strip a quarter of a mile north west of Chan Chen Village - which is very close to Mexico. It appears to be another Hawker Sidley 125 - just like the one abandoned in Blue Creek in October. No cargo or passengers were found, but the drug runners did leave behind either a clue or a message for police. It's this, an extended banana clip, the kind that is used in assault rifles. This one was found with 34 live rounds. Police also found 11 small aluminum buckets, and 4 portable rechargeable led lights. These are commonly used lighting gear in illicit nighttime landings.

Elito Puc Met A Terrible End
Last night we told you that the decapitated body of a missing man had been found in the Adjacency zone on property belonging to Jorge Espat - the same property that's been in the news because Guatemalans are encroaching on it. Elito had been missing since Thursday the 28th of November when he left his workplace at Silva's bus yard shortly before 7:00 in the evening reportedly to run errands in Melchor. And while the Puc family say they want justice for their brother and son. The people of Benque may be hard-pressed to share that sentiment because Elito had a very troubled past.

Densmore's Family Finds Troubling Clues
And while the Puc family has a very terrible sort of closure for their loved one, tonight, the family of Densmore Bowman remains desperate. The 34 year old Belmopan resident has been missing for one week and counting, after he went out last Friday afternoon to pick up money from Western Union. Bowman was reportedly seen thereafter socializing at a bar in the market square area until about 8:00 that night. Today, police responded to a report that a pair of trousers which could be his was seen at mile 24, across from the Solid Waste Transfer Station.

Shooting Victim Gerald Lamb On Life Support
Last night we told you that 28-year-old Gerald Lamb had been shot four times, three times to the head and once to the abdomen. His family believes that he was targeted due to a case of mistaken identity. Tonight we can report that Gerald Lamb remains on life support and is breathing only with the help of a machine. Lamb is currently in a coma and remains very critical.

Lottery Contract Put Out To Tender
After months of clamouring, the contract to run Belize's Boledo is going out to tender. A notice went out from Belmopan today saying that Government, quote, "invites tenders to administer the distribution, sale and marketing of lottery tickets of the Belize Government Lottery (Boledo, Jackpot Lottery and Ordinary Lottery)." So, here's how it works. There are two rounds, first the applications will be reviewed for technical details, and the best ones will be short listed. In the second round, the selection committee will review the financial proposals of the shortlisted bids, and a winner will be selected.

Senate's Robust Debate On Butane Price Control
There was a Senate Meeting in Belmopan today to follow up on the government business that was tabled in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. But, the most polarizing draft legislation of the day was the Supplies Control Amendment Bill of 2019. As we told you, this is the Government's fix for the pricing issues within the LPG industry, which we call butane. The problem started with the passage of the National Liquified Petroleum Gas Project law several months ago. That law tried to break up the monopoly that the 3 LPG companies, all owned by 1 Mexican family, held on the importation of butane in Belize. So, according to the Government, these companies retaliated by engaging in what is known as predatory pricing. While they can't control the importation of butane anymore, they still have major influence over the retail market.

The Battle Over IDB Education Funding
Another piece of legislation that attracted opposing views is a 20-million-dollar loan from the Inter-American Development Bank. The money is for their Education Quality Improvement Program or EQIP 2. It focuses on developing strong fundamentals in subject areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, which is commonly referred to as STEAM. They want to equip the next generation of Belizeans to be innovators and specialists in these different fields of study, instead of having to import outside talent.

Widespread Bashing of GOB on Gillnets
Tonight, there is widespread condemnation for government's position on gill nets - which was announced yesterday. It is not the ban that conservationists were hoping for, instead there are measures to, quote, "Control and Eventually Phase Out Gill Nets." Today, at the Senate meeting, the NGO Senator Osmany Salas said it's a disappointment and one they will fight against: Osmany Salas, Senator for N.G.O.s: "Its certainly not a gillnet ban. We were waiting with bated breath after all the work that the N.G.O.s and the coalition had done..."

OCEANA Laments Loss of An Opportunity
Yesterday OCEANA struck out at the decision, and lamented that in saying yes to gillnets, government had basically walked away from "a two-million-dollar financial aid package that would have been disbursed to licensed Belizean fishers as part of their agreement to transition away from gillnets." Today, Janelle Chanona who is away held a phone press conference with the media and said that it's a loss for Belize's fishers and natural resources: "This is obviously not the gillnet ban that so many people have been working hard toward." "This decision will have far reaching implications for both fisheries and tourism, and therefore to our national economy."

Territorial Volunteers Blast GOB
Government's release on gill nets does note that the use of gill nets will be forbidden in the southernmost waters, south of Punta Gorda. Today, the Belize Territorial Volunteers' Will Maheia called that a joke - and a very bad one:.. The BTIA says it will also condemn government's position. This evening, feeling the heat from the widespread rejection, Government went on a mini counter offensive, sending two releases at newstime.

A New Way To See Belize
Those of you who love browsing TV channels can now check out Belize's first channel, it's called See Belize Travel Channel. The Belize Tourism Board, Color Blind Multimedia Productions and NICH launched the channel today. I found out about the content and why this channel is going to be a game changer for tourists and Belizeans alike. Courtney Weatherburne reporting: These are just a few of the breathtaking shots that will be featured on the See Belize Channel. There will also be several TV series and different programs that locals and tourists can follow that highlight everything Belize.

Min Heredia Cool about Tourist Downturn
And, right now, Belize tourism may need more than just that shot in the arm. For the first time in many years, overnight tourism arrivals were down for an entire quarter. That was the third quarter of this year when tourist arrivals were down resulting in a 6.2 percent fall in hotel as well as 13 fewer cruise ship calls during this period. Could be a worrying trend, but today the Minister said it's not that bad in the regional context:

DPP Discusses Prosecutorial Challenges
Last night, we showed you our one-on-one interview with DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal. She was sort of taking a victory lap after the successful prosecution which resulted in the conviction of William Danny Mason, and his 4 employees for the 2016 murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. We also asked about other less successful prosecutions which have ended with accused murderers getting off by evading justice almost entirely. We asked about those cases where main witnesses go rogue, or when her office is forced to withdraw charges against accused murderers in the very early stages of prosecution.

Suicide Behind Bars
An inmate has apparently committed suicide at the Belize Central Prison. Last night 26 year old Byron Alarcon was found hanging from a prison window by a piece of fabric. 7News has learnt that he was placed alone in a cell at the special care unit at the prison - which is reserved for psychiatric cases. He was supposed to the see the psychiatrist today, but he was found dead at 9:00 last night. Alarcon had been in jail since June 2018, convicted for burglary, theft and damage to property.

Benque Deputy Mayor Caught In Western Carjacking
The Deputy Mayor of Benque was carjacked yesterday morning. It happened at about 10:00 in the remote reached of the Mountain Pine Ridge Area. 56-year-old Alvaro Gongora along with his employees were working on a farm located 20 yards off of main Hydro Road when they were approached by three masked men who were armed with 2 handguns.

Special Kind of Athletes
Over 250 kids from all over the country participated in the Special Olympics games today. It was a fun filled day with various sporting activities and even booths for dental checkups and health information. Here is more. Today there were cheers of encouragement for the Special Olympics athletes at the Marion Jones Stadium as they showcased their talent in track and field, 7 a side football and Bocce (baa-chee). The Special Olympics is the final event in a series of activities in celebration of national disability week where the kids from all over the country participate.

Hopkins Gets New Water System
The tourist friendly village of Hopkins has a high tech new water system. The system has been rehabilitated and expanded with funds from the Banana Accompanying Measures Program 2013 to the tune of 2 million dollars.

Man Says Soldier Tried To Drown Him in Hondo
There was some cross-river confusion in the area of Santa Cruz Belize and Botes Mexico today. It's a very popular illegal crossing - and one that law enforcement has been trying to shut down because of the traffic in contraband. Today, we received reports that the BDF had lost a drone in the rio Hondo which passes through the two villages.

The Media's "In Da House"�
This week, we've twice taken you to the National Assembly Building to cover House and Senate Meetings. Tonight though, we'll have a little fun and show you what happens with the media behind the scenes of those meetings. Here's what our team captured on just another day at the House on Wednesday: While you are used to seeing these guys take center stage at house meetings, behind the curtain are these guys, US, the media trying to compress hours of house floor hyperbole, grandstanding and effrontery into digestible sound bytes, all while sitting on the floor. It's a day of physical and mental stress, interspersed with boredom and blown deadlines:

Hope For Destinee
The Miss Universe pageant takes place on Sunday, and Belizeans have been showing their love for 26-year-old Destinee Arnold since the day she was crowned. She's received massive support from her fans, as they actively solicited votes in a poll that could have guaranteed her a top 20 spot. Destinee is an American Born Belize Beauty Queen who has participated in several pageants on the world stage including Miss International, and her fans feel that she is the most professional candidate Belize has ever presented at Miss Universe. Next is Dance X And that's 7news on this Friday night. We leave you this evening with highlites of last weekend's Dance X. Enjoy, have a great weekend and join us back here on Monday

Channel 5

Suspected Drug Plane Found Burnt near Chan Chen, Corozal
As earlier as eight a.m. today, reports reaching our newsroom were that the remnants of suspected plane were discovered somewhere in the village of Chan Chen in Corozal District, which [...]

Senators Spar of Barrow’s War Bill against Butane Importers
The government’s war bill against the three major importers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas went to the Senate floor today. Prime Minister Dean Barrow and his government are at war with Belize [...]

The Debate over LPG Price Formula
In October, representatives of Belize Western Energy Limited, Gas Tomza, and Southern Choice Butane (Zeta Gas) met with Prime Minister Dean Barrow to discuss the National Gas Company which in [...]

Elito Puc Beheaded and Dumped near the Border
Former teacher Elito Puc was found dead a week after his disappearance. His headless body turned up along the Belize-Guatemala border on Thursday evening. The family says that they don’t [...]

Customs Officials Say Allegations of an Incident in Santa Cruz Village are an Exaggeration of a Minor Incident
There are serious allegations coming out of Santa Cruz Village in the Orange Walk District. The village is a hotspot for contraband and other illegal activities. The reports speak of [...]

OCEANA Responds to G.O.B.’s Decision on Gillnet
Late on Thursday, Government announced that it had taken a decision to control and eventually phase out gill nets. Government says that the measures are to be carried out over [...]

2-Million-Dollar Fund is Off the Table for Gill Net Users
And so in the government’s decision to control and eventually phase out the use of gill nets in Belize, they turned down a two million dollar fund that the Coalition [...]

Belize Network of N.G.O.s React to G.O.B. Decision on Gillnet
The Belize Network of N.G.O.s also reacted to the government’s decision to retain the use of gillnets.  Senator for the N.G.O.s Osmany Salas says that the N.G.O. community will not [...]

Senate Debates $20M Education Loan Motion
The Senate debated a ten-million-dollar loan motion geared at improving the quality of education. The Inter-American Development Bank-Education Quality Improvement Program is designed to mainly improve the quality and gender [...]

Revisiting Mason’s Political and Business Connects
There was a collective sigh this week, when William Danny Mason and four other men, were found guilty of the beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in June 2016.  Mason, as [...]

Gerald Lamb is on Life Support following Attempt on his Life
In an on camera interview with News Five on December fifth, Vanessa Neal, the first cousin of Gerald Lamb, said that he had died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. [...]

Murder Trial Continues for Valentine Baptist
A murder trial without jury is taking place in the Supreme Court. The accused is Valentine Baptist, who allegedly murdered nineteen-year-old Devin Parham three years ago. Today, Senior Crown Counsel [...]

Inmate Discovered Dead Behind Bars
Prison authorities at the Hattieville Prison have confirmed that an inmate was discovered dead. The Guatemalan inmate was behind bars since June 2018 for Burglary, Theft and Damage to Property. [...]

Hydro Maya Power Project Bill Gives Private Company Extended Tax Concessions
The Hydro Maya Power Project Bill, 2019 was brought before the Senate today. It is strictly a financial bill that seeks to extend the concession agreement that was signed in 1998 [...]

How Will Belizeans Benefit from Hydro Maya Tax Concessions Extension?
Senator for the N.G.O.s Osmany Salas and Private Sector Senator Mark Lizarraga questioned what are the benefits that Belizeans are receiving through the concessionary agreement given to the private company. [...]

Annual Special Olympics Held at Marion Jones
Young athletes from across the country gathered at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex today where they participated in the annual Special Olympics.  Children with diverse abilities were given an opportunity [...]

See Belize is Launched as Belize’s First Travel Channel
The C.E.O. in the office of the Prime Minister, Audrey Wallace, in her role as the owner of Colorblind Productions, a private company, has partnered with B.T.B. and NICH to [...]

Amandala

Guilty as charged!
Today, 266 days after the trial on indictment started on March 12 for William “Danny” Mason, 49; Ernest Castillo, 23; Keiron Fernandez, 32; Terrence Fernandez, 34; and Ashton Vanegas, 27, for the murder of Llewellyn Lucas, Belmopan Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore told a packed courtroom that was so silent you could have heard a pin drop, that all five accused men were guilty of the crime for which they had been charged. Justice Moore has reserved sentencing for a date to be announced. The verdict phase of the trial began right after Justice Moore made the unprecedented decision from the bench to announce that all media representatives were required to turn in their cell phones, to the court police.

Inmate, raped in prison, sues for damages
A twenty-year-old man, who was on remand at the Kolbe Foundation-managed Belize Central Prison and was put in a section of the prison that authorities at the facility call the “Administrative Segregation,” a place of isolation for violators of the prison rules, has sued the prison. On two occasions in November, on the 25th and 29th , 2016, the inmate, whom we will only refer to as the Claimant, became the victim of an unnatural crime and battery when he allegedly was overpowered and sexually assaulted by another prisoner.

Gerald Lamb, 28, critical in KHMH
Gerald Lamb, better known as “Boma”, 28, a handyman of Biscayne, is in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot several times in the head and chest by an unknown gunman who fired at him from within a vehicle that was heading towards him from the opposite direction. Lamb, who was the passenger on a motorcycle at about 9:30 last night between Mile 24 and 25 on the Philip Goldson Highway, fell onto the pavement after being shot and the vehicle sped away towards Belize City.

Search for missing Elito Puc, 42, ends sadly
The search for Elito Puc, 42, a teacher of Arenal, Cayo District, who went to Melchor De Mencos Guatemala last Thursday and disappeared, came to a sad end today. His headless corpse was found in a state of decomposition near the Belize/Guatemala border, about 60 meters inside Belize. Police said that various other injuries were seen on the body. Police could not identify the body, and since no form of identification was found on the corpse, Puc’s family was called to the area where the corpse was found, to determine whether it was the body of Elito Puc, their loved one.

GOB passes new law to control Liquid Petroleum Gas (butane) price
At a special sitting of the House of Representatives yesterday, Wednesday, government introduced and passed through the House a new piece of legislation called the Supplies Control Amendment Bill that the government says has been crafted to control the predatory pricing of butane gas ahead of the National Gas Company, which will come on-stream next year. The importation of butane is controlled by a handful of companies that are reportedly owned by one Mexican family. The Supplies Control Amendment Bill is a strange law that members of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) roundly criticized when the bill was debated.

Opposition leader criticizes GOB over Imer Hernandez’s contracts
The governing United Democratic Party (UDP) has placed heavy reliance on their claim that they are building the country’s infrastructure. The building of infrastructure, however, inevitably involves the awarding of large contracts. One contractor who has gotten several multi-million dollar contracts from the Dean Barrow-led government, has been Imer Hernandez, a close relative of former Lands Minister and former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega. Hernandez’s company has built several roads, of which the integrity of the construction work has been called into question. That, however, has not deterred the government from awarding him more multi-million-dollar contracts.

EDITORIAL: A bright spot in one of too many tragic stories
The nation of Belize breathed a sigh of relief on Tuesday morning when Justice Antoinette Moore handed down guilty verdicts on five men who had been charged with the savage murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in July, 2016. The accused person who was at the center of the case, William Danny Mason, a foreign-born man who might have acquired Belizean nationality through suspect documentation, was acquainted with a number of high-ranking persons in the UDP Cabinet and government, and this added to the sensational nature of the case. Mason, aka Ted Oullette, of Guyana or Canada, was a business partner of Hon. John Saldivar, the present Minister of National Security, who is also one of two Cabinet Ministers of the United Democratic Party (UDP) who are contesting for the post of leader of that party in a convention scheduled for February 2020. The winner of that race could become Belize’s next prime minister.

Belmopan’s Densmore Bowman, 23, missing
The family of Densmore Bowman, 23, of Belmopan said that at about 3:00 Friday afternoon, he left home to pick up some money from Western Union after which he was seen socializing at a bar in the market square area up until 8:00 p.m. that Friday night, after which he disappeared. Callers to Bowman’s cell phone have been receiving an immediate voice mail response after dialing his number.

Body of missing Michael Cobo, 18, found floating in Yabra area
A search for Michael Cobo, 18, a fisherman of San Pedro, came to a sad conclusion at about 10:30 this morning. His body was found floating about 50 feet from the Belize Port Authority pier by some men who were working in the area, who then called police. Cobo came to the city on Friday, November 29, and was last seen in the Yarborough (Yabra) area of Belize City on Friday night, after which he disappeared. The best efforts of his family to find him were not successful. His body was found floating in the sea in the Brighton Beach section of the Yarborough area.

Leeroy Lorenzo, 28, arraigned for murder of American nurse
At about 3:30 Saturday afternoon, police went looking for Wendi Dardano, 51, an American national who had been reported missing by her friends. On arrival at her house, they were met by her boyfriend, Leeroy Alexander Lorenzo, 28, an unemployed man from Corozal Town. Police spoke to him briefly and took him to the Hopkins Police Station for questioning. ACP Joseph Myvett of the Police Department said that while Lorenzo was detained at the station, police went back to Dardano’s house, where they conducted a search for her, and during the search, they opened a blue 55-gallon trash bin, and after taking out some of the trash, they made the horrific discovery of her body.

Ewart Sutherland, 45, gets 3 years in jail and $10,000 fine for 30 lbs. of weed
Ewart Sutherland, 45, of Levy Street, Belize City, was busted with 30.2 pounds of compressed cannabis at a roadblock on Sunday in Carmelita, near the Toll Bridge. He was arrested and charged with drug trafficking. He was taken to the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday, where he appeared before Magistrate Patty Arana. In court, Sutherland pleaded guilty, and his plea was accepted by the magistrate, who gave him a punishment that consisted of both a fine and confinement. He was fined $10,000 and given a 3-year prison sentence.

Palas, “The Black Rocket” sweeps weekend races in Merida
Belizean cyclist, Fitzgerald “Palas”Joseph, a.k.a. “The Black Rocket”, reported to us that he just won 3 races in Merida over the weekend. The 53 year-old Palas, who recently returned with a Silver medal from Dominican Republic, said he participated in 3 “Master B” races in the 3-stage “Vuelta a Yucatan” in Merida – a 10.5-mile Individual Time Trial on Saturday morning, a 50-mile Road Race on Saturday afternoon, and another 50-mile Road Race on Sunday morning; and he won all 3. “I’m at a different level,” said Palas. “Those guys already told me, I’m above my age group; so I need to start riding with the lower age groups. I’m too much for my age in sports. Imagine that!?”

Host Belize loses, 2-0, to El Salvador; bows out of UNCAF U-15 Tournament
Playing at home proved no advantage to our Belize National U-15 Jaguars, whose 3 outings resulted in two 1-1 draws, against Nicaragua and Guatemala, and a 2-0 loss yesterday against El Salvador. (A win over El Salvador would have put us into second place and a spot in the semifinals.) This puts Belize at last place in our group; but at least we were competitive, with no lopsided losses. And we did draw against Guatemala. Congrats, youths!! “Belize in the Process!” We’ll do better next time.

Orange Walk F.A. Youth Tournaments Week 8 scores, standings
The Orange Walk Football Association (OWFA) Youth Tournaments continued with Week 8 games this past Sunday, December 1, at People’s Stadium. Below are the results and standings by category. U-10 Co-ed: Game 1– Rising Stars FC, 2-0, over Orange Walk Central Stars, with goals from Diego Mencias and Jafet Herrera. Game 2 – Minions FC won, 4-2, over Trinidad FC. Minions goals were by Tamron Baptist, Yaser Hernandez (2) and Kerth Guzman; while Luke Mai and Jayden Hall scored for Trinidad. Game 3 – San Estevan FC won, 1-0, over Yo Creek La Ceiba FC with a goal by Kaydraun Cadle.

Errol Anthony Belisle: A Life
One of the last acts of kindness Errol showed his mother not long before he died on Wednesday 27th November, 2019, was to bring her food at home. During his time in Chicago as a young man, living with his stepmother and the family there, she often lent him her car, with the only proviso that he should bring it back “in time”. And, he always did. But then that was Errol Belisle – considerate, disciplined and respectful. His colleagues in Belize’s tour industry where he worked as a tour operator until he died, describe him as: “a man of discipline”, “a hard worker” and “honest”. He was also a committed Christian and a church-going member of Wesley Methodist Church, Belize City. People usually refrain from speaking ill of the dead, but all who lived and interacted closely with Errol Belisle speak in sincerity with one voice when analysing his character. He was respected and liked.

George Gabb – Master Sculptor
George Gabb is 51 years, a poet, playwright, sports enthusiast, member of the British Empire and of course Belize’s most famous sculptor. To use some words from the British Empire’s most famous playwright, William Shakespeare, some men were born great, some had greatness thrust upon them others had to achieve greatness. George Gabb certainly wasn’t born great, nor was greatness thrust upon him, but he achieved greatness. Throughout Belize the name George Gabb is synonymous with wood-carving and zericote, a special wood he calls black gold.

I pray GoB has some money set aside for Krismos cheer
When I heard the GoB was going to the House for a meeting on Wednesday this week, my first thought went to the good old days of Krismos cheer. I know the self-proclaimed “caring” UDP were plenty much their old bad-minded selves on the sharing, in the way they distributed the funds. They gave to the children of families that voted Red more than they gave to the children of families that voted Blue, but half an aapl is better than no aapl at all. Sometimes you wish you were a mind doctor and they gave you Red heads to open and work on. Ai, in a world where there are men who like men, and women who want to take men down a peg, I guess every kind of mind is possible.

Neville’s male chauvinism: a tragic miscarriage
Lucille once told me that it was a pity she and Neville had not met before their respective parents had warped his attitude and personality with their outlook on life, as she was sure that they could have been friends if the circumstances of their acquaintance had been different, as, with his athletic and social graces, appealing personality and self-confident style he could be very charming. On arrival at his new post of responsibility he had organized cricket, soccer football and other sports events among his subordinates and the other males in the community, was an excellent dancer when free of the constraints of making an impression on the society of the capital and, cultivating the goodwill of the business community, had gained their financial sponsorship and support for both sporting and social activities.

“HENRY MONEY NO DONE”
Befo’ time, when lumber was King in the settlement of Belize at the mouth of the Old River, there lived some of the richest, wildest, bregginest black men you could find anywhere. It seemed as if lumber could never “finish,” and all the community life was built around it. There were those skillful and hardly enough to “fall” the large trees, load them on to the tractor-drawn truck-wagons which took them down to the water-side, ride the logs down to the mouth of the river, operate the tug-boats that hauled the logs to the “bogues” from which they were loaded on to ships that took Belize mahogany, pine and other types of lumber across the seas.

I borrow from Bob Marley: “It’s war!”
Dear Editor, As I look at the news and see murder continuously occurring, it supports my hypothesis that social structure change is needed. If you only treat the symptoms of societal ills, you have to keep medicating indefinitely, as is Belize’s present trajectory. Neither the UDP nor the PUP intend to do anything but magic shows like strong police presence or miniscule social intervention. It is no surprise that homicides are prevalent and endemic throughout the Caribbean.

The Reporter

Pantempters Wow Japanese audiences!
The Pantempters Steel Orchestra has been making a big name for itself and for Belize from almost the time of its inception around the mid-1990s under the now Governor General, Sir Colville Young, and two weeks ago was no different when it played to the amazement and delight of audiences in the town of Yokoshiba Hirachi, which is the host town for the Belize delegation for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

Plane Found Was Reported Drug Plane – MAP BELOW
Police sources have confirmed that a suspected burnt drug plane was discovered on an airstrip near Chan Chen Village, Corozal this morning.

A Visual Eye-Candy-Channel For Tourists In Belize
The launching of Belize’s own “See Belize Channel”, which is a cable travel channel that will be available on all local television stations, promoting Belize’s cultures, history, people and events for the benefit of tourists visiting Belize.

Armed Robbery Of James Bus In Punta Gorda
A James bus was held up and the conductor robbed of the company’s proceeds while the bus was on its last run in Punta Gorda on Wednesday night, Dec. 4th.

LOVE FM

Business Senator questions LPG enforcement
Business Senator Mark Lizarraga had some issues of his own in regard to the Supplies Control Bill. One of them was that the department in charge of enforcing the rules and penalties has never been strict in doing just so.

Belizean dismissed from British Army and sentenced to 9 months
Belizean, 32-year-old Audrey Urbina has been dismissed from the British Military and ordered to serve nine months in detention after being found guilty in the UK of fraud. We first reported the story at the start of October 2019 when it was uncovered that Urbina, who was attached to the United Kingdom Army, had misused seventeen thousand pounds from the army funds; equivalent to about forty-two thousand Belize dollars.

Senator debate loan to improve education quality
Belize’s Senators were in session today in Belmopan debating various Bills brought forward from Wednesday’s Sitting of the House of Representatives. The session began at ten o’clock this morning and the primary focus for about two hours was the Education Bill.

Fine or jail time
A Caye Caulker resident pleaded guilty to possession of controlled drugs. 24-year-old Rodney Moody was ordered to pay one thousand dollars or face ten months behind bars by January 31, 2020. This morning Moody appeared before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford where he pleaded guilty. For his guilty plea, he was ordered to pay one thousand dollars plus five dollars cost of court.

Special Olympics 2019
The proverbial fire within the hearts of disabled youths around the country was lit this morning as the Special Olympics concluded the week long torch run that started on December 1 in southern Belize. This is the 15th celebration of the event and it falls in line with Disabilities Awareness Week 2019.

Supplies Control Bill discussed in the Senate
The Supplies Control Bill stirred a fiery debate in the House of Representatives this past Wednesday. The bill seeks to establish a floor for the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and to enforce stiffer penalties for companies that do not comply.

Government declines 2 million dollar financial assistance against gill nets
The Government of Belize has rejected a two million dollar offer that was to be used in the fight against gill nets. In a release issued yesterday by the Belize Press Office, it noted that Cabinet decided that there would be a series of measures put into place to control the use of gill net in Belize’s waters.

Suspected drug plan completely burnt
Another burnt plane was discovered earlier today in northern Belize. Police in Corozal was alerted and responded to an area about a quarter of a mile north west of Chan Chen Village. In the area they found a twin-engine aircraft with markings N5461.

Minister of Tourism says decline of tourist visits is a regional problem
It is no surprise that tourist arrivals and overnight stays have been on a steady decline over the past few months. This has been reported by the Belize Hotel Association and Statistical Institute of Belize. According to the BHA one of the reasons for this was due to the closing of the borders after an agreement was made between bus owners and the Government.

Breaking Belize News

https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2019/12/06/miss-universe-belize-destinee-arnolds-stellar-performance-at-miss-universe-preliminaries-2019/Miss Universe Belize – Destinee Arnold’s stellar performance at Miss Universe Preliminaries 2019
Miss Universe Belize, Destinee Arnold tonight participated in the Miss Universe 2019 preliminaries. Raising her […]

Another suspected narco plane found burnt in northern Belize
Reports to Breaking Belize News is that another suspected narco plane was found burnt this […]

Bus bandit gets away with $400
A brazen bandit got away with little more than $400 from a James bus on […]

Three armed culprits hijack Benque Viejo resident at his farm
Benque Viejo resident, fifty-six-year-old Alvaro Gongora told police that on Thursday, December 5, he and […]

Reward offered for lost passport
Kristian Jaheed Tennyson is seeking the public’s assistance in recovering his lost passport. Tennyson believes […]

Simone Biles’ Belize vacation with boyfriend goes viral
Belize is trending on the internet once again as tons of international media outlets continue […]

National Gas Company “being protected” from butane importers, charges Opposition
Leader of Opposition Business, Senator Michel Chebat, opened the debate on the Supplies Control (Amendment) […]

Belize High School gets award for Outstanding Student Government
The Belize Youth Awards 2019 were held at the Belize City Civic Center in Belize […]

Belize joins in commemorating CARICOM-Cuba Day
Forty-seven years ago, the four independent member states of CARICOM at the time established diplomatic […]

“The Future is Accessible” – Santa Elena Primary celebrates National Disability Week
This week is National Disability Week and Belize is celebrating under the theme: “The Future […]

Senate meets to discuss bills brought from House
The Upper House follows on from Wednesday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, discussing bills […]

Candlelight vigil to be held for Nurse Wendi
Jane Dardano or “ Nurse Wendi” as she was affectionately known, was tragically and shockingly […]

Blogs

A Merry Holiday and a Party, or two, in Belize!
While spending the holidays close to family and friends is still the top option for many, holiday vacations are more enticing than ever – especially for our friends up north who’d much rather be on a sunny beach rather than chilled on a frosty evening. We are all looking for that “best trip possible,” and Belize has much to offer during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday; we are a country brimming with old and new holiday traditions. As the streets come alight with twinkling lights and jolly decorations, the merry season offers a variety of cultural and social events to ensure everyone (visitors included) have a memorable Christmas and end of year celebration.

Travel on a Budget
Do you sometimes find yourself scrolling through social media, and seeing your friend’s vacation pictures? Do you watch many travel vlogs? Do you wonder and wish you could go on such a vacation when everything seems so expensive? Well, I’m here to answer a common question, “How do I travel without spending a lot of money?” – Here are some tips to help you plan your next vacation on a budget. When travelling on a budget it’s more feasible to travel during these times because rates tend to be lower. Low season/off-peak time means that there aren’t many people travelling to a certain country – each country has its own time of year, for Belize, this is from May to November. Rates for hotels, resorts, adventure tours, and certain flights to Belize will be at a discounted price.

Hats off to the chef!
Jennie Staines is one of the top chefs in Belize. Her dedication, passion, and devotion to food makes her one of the best chefs. Growing up in Belize, Jennie’s favorite food was always tamales, but these days it’s che-chac or fish soup. She trained as a chef in Florida and Mexico, but Belize called her back home. She’s fascinated with the effect our many cultures have had on our food, especially as it relates to the wide variety of seasonings. Jenine’s favorite dish from another chef is stewed gibnut. When you visit us in Belize, be sure to try it.

The Gift of a Lifetime from the Bucket List Family
The Gee family, famously known as The Bucket List Family on Instagram, is kicking off their annual 12 Days of Bucket List Christmas! What is it you may ask? Well, this annual tradition is a dream vacation gifting spree for twelve lucky families as a way for the Gee family to give back to their devoted fans. The tradition started back in 2015 after Snapchat bought dad Garrett’s mobile scanning app for $54 million. It was then he and his wife, Jessica, decided to sell all their possessions and use the income to travel the world with their two kids.

Sail Belize
In the 1950’s and 60’s, when Belize was still an undiscovered paradise, it was customary for families to spend the long school holidays at the cayes. This was an adventure because the islands were mainly sparsely populated, and services were basic. This made it an exciting adventure. There were no water taxis or small airlines. So how did we get there? There were many fishing vessels like the ones that can be seen today at the swing bridge. One would simply hire one of these kind fishermen, load up the sailing vessel with provisions, and relax topside. As a child, I remember the excitement of leaving the city in the late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day and enjoy the flapping of sails and the lap-lap of the waves. We’d bring Johnny Cake sandwiches, sing songs and watch the sunset in the evening breeze and watch the moon and stars come out. It is a precious memory.

International Sources

Tourism In Belize: Ensuring Sustained Growth
Belize’s tourism sector has witnessed impressive growth in recent years with overnight tourist arrivals registering double digit annual growth rates since 2016. To guide the development of the tourism sector from 2012 to 2030, the government endorsed a National Sustainable Tourism Master Plan in 2011, setting various initiatives and targets for the immediate and medium terms. Using a panel regression analysis on twelve Caribbean countries, this paper finds that accelerating structural reforms, fortifying governance frameworks, reducing crime, and mitigating the impact of natural disasters will help sustain tourism growth in Belize and contribute to economic well-being. This is in addition to tackling infrastructure bottlenecks and mitigating concerns relating to the “shared economy”.

CCJ allows appeal in Belize case: No fraud by Caye Bank and Nagel
The Caribbean Court of Appeal has granted an appeal in the matter of Caye International Bank Limited (CIB) and Joel M Nagel v Tommy Lynn Haugen. The matter started in the Supreme Court of Belize when Tommy Haugen filed a claim against CIB and Mr Nagel for breach of contract and fraud. The Honourable Mr Justice Courtney Abel found CIB and Mr Nagel liable for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation and ordered CIB and Mr Nagel to pay damages in the sum of USD$200,655. After the Supreme Court judgment was given, CIB and Mr Nagel filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal in Belize. That court originally dismissed the appeal, but substituted the Supreme Court order for an order that the contract be rescinded on the grounds of fraudulent misrepresentation and that CIB and Mr Nagel pay the sum of USD$200,655 to Mr Haugen as a consequence of the rescission.

Family of slain Gatineau filmmaker devastated by not guilty verdict
The family of a Gatineau, Que., filmmaker killed in Belize say they're devastated to learn the two men accused in his homicide have been found not guilty. "There's no justice there," Klinck's mother, Louise Dallaire, told Radio-Canada in French. "It brought me back to the same place I was in four years ago. All the emotions came back." Banner told CBC the judge threw out several pieces of key evidence, including a confession from Anderson. Banner said the defence argued police had obtained the confession illegally.

Videos

December 6, 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

DPM Faber Represents Belize at Meeting of Vice Presidents of SICA in El Salvador
.The Deputy Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Patrick Faber represented Belize at the Meeting of Vice Presidents of Member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador. Under the leadership and presidency of El Salvador, the meeting was part of the ongoing agenda of SICA member states to address issues of regional importance. The commitment of the leaders was underscored by the signing of a Declaration whereby member states recognized the importance of maintaining an open political dialogue that allows for consensus on issues such as the fight against poverty, the impact of climate change and natural disasters, sustainable development,

Filmmaker Matthiew Klinck’s alleged killers set free
22-year-old Brandon Anderson and a minor, who were charged for the murder of Canadian Filmmaker Matthiew Klinck were acquitted of the charges of November 27th and set free. The duo appeared before Justice Antoinette Moore at the Belmopan City Supreme Court where it was determined there was insufficient evidence to convict the pair for murder. Attorney Leroy Banner represented the case challenging the validity of a statement against the accused, in which the Crown (prosecution) said that a caution statement given to the police by Anderson proved that he incriminated himself.

San Pedro Pirates’ 2019 PLB Opening Season journey comes to an end
San Pedro Pirates F.C fell short during the semifinal round of the Premiere League of Belize 2019 Opening Season against Belmopan Bandits and have been eliminated. For the second match of the PLB semifinals, the island team traveled to Belmopan City to go against Belmopan Bandits at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday, November 30th. The San Pedro Pirates gave their best and won the match 1-0, taking the accumulative score to a 2-2 draw. However, the Belmopan Bandits advanced to the finals due to scoring two goals in an away match versus Pirates’ one goal.

Ambergris Caye welcomes the Special Olympics Torch
The Special Olympics Belize Torch was hosted in San Pedro Town by the island’s police formation after arriving on Tuesday, December 3rd. The following day it was paraded through the main streets of town by members of the police department, the San Pedro Town Council and students from different schools. The torch is brought to San Pedro every year as part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) prior to the Special Olympic Games, which are set for Friday, December 6th in Belize City.

SPHS female team are back-to-back Northern Regional Basketball Champions
The San Pedro High School (SPHS) female basketball team emerged victorious at the National Secondary School Association (NSSA) Northern Regional Basketball competition on Saturday, November 30th in Orange Walk Town. The competition saw teams from seven different high schools trying to best each other for the top prize. At the end of the games, the winner in the male division was New Hope High School (NHHS), who joined SPHS’ girls in their journey towards the National Championship set for the 13th and 14th of December in Orange Walk Town.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Over The Caribbean Sea
One of the senior fishermen and original founders of the Caribeña Cooperative on Ambergris Caye, Mr. Wilfredo Alamilla Sr. poses at his fishing camp just offshore San Pedro. Today he is still an active fisherman.

Various Belizean Sources

December 14: San Pedro RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Saturday, December 14, the San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross will hold its quarterly blood drive at the Polyclinic from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m. Be someone’s hero! Give the Gift of Life during this Christmas season. Tourists and San Pedranos are welcome! Donors should be be 18-65 years of age and should eat breakfast or lunch before donating.

Photos from the BTIA 34th Annual General Meeting

Community Outreach in Columbia River Forest Reserve Communities
With endorsement from the Ministry of Education, Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association, FCD’s Environmental Educator is conducting outreach in 8 communities adjacent to the Columbia River Forest Reserve. The intent is to raise awareness for best use practices and promote stewardship, as well as sharing the outreach methodology among the leadership of the MLA for a more continuous community outreach effort. This is made possible through CICA/Sotz’il.

2019 Special Olympics
The 2019 Special Olympics will be held on Friday, December 6, to close off Disabilities Week. The BTB is pleased to contribute to this event which provides the athletes an opportunity t hw their tlnt while dring tgm nd drmntn.

Placencia consultation session on the Water Sports Standards
The Placencia consultation session on the Water Sports Standards draft is set for December 10, 2019. See you there!

Measures to Control and Eventually Phase Out Gill Nets
At its meeting held on Tuesday, December 3rd, Cabinet approved a series of measures from the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment and Sustainable Development to control gill net use in Belize’s seas. The measures were developed using a balanced, objective, and informed approach to the issue. Taken into account were concerns about livelihood from fishermen, citizens and experts surrounding the impact of gill nets on marine life and the economic cost of continued use in contrast to a proposed ban. Recommendations from fishermen, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and concerned citizens were also considered. These concerns and recommendations were deliberated at length by members of the gill net taskforce.

Ministry of Education Moves to Expand Inquiry Based Pedagogy and STEAM
The Government of Belize has secured assistance through the Inter-American Development Bank to execute Education Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) II. The program comes at a cost of US$10,000,000. The EQIP II is designed mainly to improve the quality and gender equity of education at the primary and secondary levels, with a special focus on innovation in Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) education at the secondary level. Honorable Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, has clearly signaled the need to foster innovation and creativity in education.

GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE TURNS DOWN 2 MILLION FINANCIAL AID TO LICENSED FISHERS
Illegal users to benefit from lack of political will to take decisive action on indiscriminate and destructive fishing gear. Oceana assures the public that we will continue to advocate for the integrity of our marine resources and just as importantly, all those who depend on it.

San Pedro “Saving Alligator High” postponed!

BELIZE CRUZO'OB MAYA: THE CHILDREN OF REBELLION
"General May sold out to the Mexicans." - The Indian Christ,The Indian King(The Historical Substrate of Maya Myth and Ritual) by Victoria Reiflel Briicker interview to Ex-Yucatec Maya rebels who belong to the Cruzoob Maya living in Patchakan Belize in 1972 The Yucatec Maya group known as the Cruzo'ob Maya were one of the main protagonist of the Maya social War wrongly called the Caste war . The Cruzo'ob Maya mantained a good relationship with the British since they bought weapons from them . The Cruzo'ob Maya kept the Mexicans and white yucatecans away of the territory. The British even recognized the Maya nation of Noh Kah Santa Cruz as independent but all this ended when the British Government assigned Sir Spenser St. John to disentangle Her Royal Majesty's Government from the Maya free state.

Channel 7

Cheryl's Victory
For the past 2 days, we've been taking a close look at the implications of Tuesday's guilty verdict against the accused murderers, William Danny Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. Justice Antoinette Moore has found all 5 of these men guilty of the 2016 beheading murder Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. Pastor Lue's killing is one of the most gruesome crimes that we've reported on, and Mason, the man believed to be the mastermind behind the murder, has a very interesting backstory. Before coming to Belize, he lived in Guyana as Rajesh Ouellet. A few years later, he turned up in Canada as the allegedly shady businessman known as Ted Oulette. And then several years after that, he came to Belize and became the man we know today as William Danny Mason.

Missing Man Found Decapitated at Border
Missing teacher from San Jose Succotz Elito Puc has been found decapitated body in an area about 60 meters from the Belize - Guatemala border.  It was found  on property belonging to Jorge Espat - the same property that's been in the news because Guatemalans are encroaching on it.   And now, it is a crime scene.  Puc's body was found there today decapitated, and in an advanced state of decomposition. A police report says, quote "The body was observed with various injuries."

18 Year Old's Floating Corpse was Bound with Barbed Wire
Last night we told you about the 18-year-old whose body was found floating in the Belize city port. His mother said she knew it was her son's body immediately and police confirmed it after a formal identification at a post mortem.  Today CIB Chief Superintendent Alejandro Cowo told us that the body was cruelly and deliberately disposed of.  Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Police were called to the Belize Port Authority which is located on Cesar Ridge and almost halfway off the pier and about 50ft away from the pier police saw the body of a male person floating faced down..."

High-speed Shootout Ends with Headshot
A man was shot multiple times last night, at a stone's throw from his home in the Belize Rural area.  28 year old Gerald Lamb's family believes that he was targeted due to a case of mistaken identity. Cherisse Halsall spoke with his mother earlier today: This is the road Gerald Lamb was driving down when he was ambushed and shot at. Voice of Janet Dominguez - Mother of Gerald Lamb: "The vehicle that hurt Gerald was parked right over there, he didn't know what they were up to. Gerald and a friend passed on a cycle because he went to buy phone card and when they reach there, is by the time they pass, the vehicle take from there behind them and by the time they stop to swing, the vehicle was right there and the vehicle just shove that full load in my son."

GOB Says Yes to Gill Nets, OCEANA Says Shame
Government has finally taken a compromise decision on gill nets -  proposing measures to quote, "control gill net use in Belize's seas."  And, bottom line, "controlling" it means saying yes to the nets.   But, it's a yes with a few restrictions. A press release says there will be an immediate moratorium on the issuance of gill net licenses to new persons and importation of gill nets will be restricted based on licenses.  All existing gill nets will have to be re-registered and licenses will now be for a seasonal duration. 

Mayor on Bill the Builder
By now you've probably seen the interview with Bill Lindo, the contractor - who says he's not the contractor - who's repairing the Swing Bridge for the City Council.  When we caught him last week, Lindo refused to discuss how much he's getting paid. Today, we caught the mayor - and asked him about Bill's bill:.. Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City Council: "What I'll say Jules, the repairs for that bridge, first of all pains in comparison to the 49 million dollar bridge that is being constructed as we speak. It represents 0.00 percent, not even 1 percent of that. We know the quantum and listen to me, this bridge ya was a tragedy waiting to happen."

Mayor on Candice's Crowfoot Claim
But the Mayor knows exactly how much the court has ordered the city council to pay former City Administrator Candice Miller.  That's 378 thousand 175 dollars and thirty five cents, plus another 69 thousand 817 dollars in costs.  That's almost half a million dollars - and today the Mayor didn't want to say a whole lot about it: Reporter: "Has the council adhered to the payment plan that Candice Miller had asked through her attorney?"

Mayor Says Bond Oversold
And the mayor may think he can afford to have a big laugh about that, after all - he has two law firms and another attorney pursuing the appeal.  They are Courtney & Coye LLP, Glenn D. Godfrey & Co, and Anthony Sylvestre.   And the Mayor also seemed pleased with his claim that the council's bond offering is oversubscribed and it hasn't even been launched yet.  He says that because they are taking their time:

City Hall Says No Discount on Property Tax
But, before they get that bond infusion, the city council is in its "mawga" season - the time when it has big bills, and a small revenue stream.  In these dry days, this is the time when the previous council would turn to large traders and property owners and offer lavish discounts for pre-payment of property tax and trade licenses.   The Mayor says his council won't give in to the discount temptation:

New Traffic Lights for Busy Intersection
Today's press powwow with the Mayor happened at an opening ceremony for a set of newly installed traffic lights at the corner of Neal Penn Road and the Central American Boulevard.  It's one of the cities busiest - and most dangerous intersections,.  Now, the council hopes the lights will establish some order for both drivers and pedestrians.  With some help from the Taiwanese Embassy in Belize, the lights - with pedestrian signals are now fully functional.   Here's what the Mayor had to say about this important development for this part of the City:

BTIA Members Meet
The Belize Tourism Industry Association today held its 34th Annual General Meeting at the Radisson. The main objective is for all members such as hoteliers, resort and restaurant owners among others  to gather and evaluate how the year has been for their businesses and the overall tourism sector. We dropped by and first, we found out more about the association and what are the benefits to members. John Burgos - Executive Director, BTIA: "This is one of the main events that we host for our membership which basically we provide a report on what has transpired over the last 12 months in terms of our finances and our projects and various works and benefits we offer to our membership and at the same time we tell them what they can look forward to for the next year..."

Burgos Says Bus Ban Could Cripple Tourism Industry
Burgos also spoke about the situation with the Bus Operators. They effectively lobbied for a ban on tourist busses coming in from Guatemala. They say they can and should transport these travellers within Belize.   But, the European companies who run these tours out of Guatemala can't work with that formula.  Burgos says that the bus ban threatens to severely impact the tourism industry: John Burgos - Executive Director, BTIA: "The main thing that led that decision, was that they made a misinformed decision, they did not understand the entire tourism sector to see how that's going to negatively impact. With regards to the phenomenon we cannot control, sargassum we cannot control it, we can only manage it but this is something we can control, so what we're doing is we are cutting our wings, shooting ourselves in the foot..."

Hulse Knew Not Mason
Last night, we took you back to Tuesday's guilty verdict against the accused murderers, William Danny Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. The biggest story of this news week is they have been convicted of the 2016 murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. Our story last night was to demonstrate how Mason, the man who the DPP prosecuted in this trial as the mastermind behind Pastor Lue's gruesome end, made a lot of friends in high places, including elected politicians and senior police officers. Well, in that story, you saw Minister Godwin Hulse, who famously visited Mason's Intelco Hill home only once in June 2016.

Fundraiser for Jordy's Surgery
On Tuesday we told you that 25-Year-old Jordy Usher was shot to the face by police after he allegedly ran from the cops. You may remember that he and his mother gave impassioned accounts of the night he was shot by an officer who until this past weekend was also a close family friend. Due to the severity of his injuries, Jordy remains listed in a critical condition.

Police Have Suspect for Edwin Usher Beatdown
49-year-old Edwin Usher was attacked at Li Zhen Store on November 23rd.  Usher was punched multiple times before falling to the floor. The attacker then stamped on Usher's head.  He died from his head injuries a few days later.  Today, Police told us that they were not aware that the fight had occurred until after Usher ‘s death.  Supt. Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "On Sunday the first of December about 9:00 in the morning a family friend of Mr. Edwin Usher visited the police station and gave the police certain information and as a result, the police visited the hospital where they observed Mr. Edwin Gilbert Usher apparently dead..."

Special Day for Special Needs Kids
As part of National Disability Week, the activities continued today with a mini Memorial Park concert for kids as well as a march. We stopped by this morning to find out more about the event. Roxanne Marin - President, BAPDA (Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities): "Today hype day for kids, we always look forward to today because there is music because today we have parade so everyone will have their posters and we have schools definitely Stella Maris is a member of BAPDA, we have BAPDA members, we have the Inspiration Centre with us, we have NARCIE here with us, Wesley College, ACC, Holy Redeemer and Canaan High School so there are different schools we invited this year they are on the route we will be passing..."

The Dominican Situation
As we reported earlier this week Chief elections officer Josephine Tamai is heading the elections observer mission to Dominica. Ambassador Assad Shoman is also there as part of a Commonwealth Observer Team. The general elections are tomorrow and they are already observing' some real tension. According to a Washington Post article, supporters of the opposition party United Workers Party blocked the road leading to the Douglas- Charles Airport. It was chaos and many travelers had to walk over a mile to get to the airport.

Belize Camping Experience Launches 'Apple for Kids'
Like many others in the drought affected Agricultural community, Belize Camping Experience had a major setback this year with its Harvest for Kids, their main fundraising project. As such, the organization was inspired to launch "Apples for Kids." But all is not lost because BCE got Mexican Farmers to advance a container of its best apples, fresh from the Mexican orchard. They are now seeking the community's assistance in buying the apples. 

Julius Espat Declaims Vega's Absence from house
And, finally, tonight, we have one more bit from yesterday's house sitting. Speaking on the adjournment, the PUP's Cayo South Rep Julius Espat lamented the long absence of Gaspar Vega, the UDP's Rep for Orange Walk North.  Vega hasn't been to a house meeting in years.  Espat said, do your job!:

Channel 5

Gerald Lamb is Executed in Biscayne Village
There have been six murders in the past seven days. Over the weekend four persons were killed, another was found dead on Wednesday and by today, there was one more [...]

Headless Body of Elito Puc is Found near Benque/Melchor Border
There is another murder, a retired teacher went missing a week ago; this afternoon his decapitated body was found at a bushy area on this side of the border near [...]

Result of Post-mortem on Michael Cobo Inconclusive, but Who Killed Him?
The family of eighteen-year-old Michael Cobo from San Pedro is still reeling from his recent gruesome murder.  Late on Wednesday, Cobo’s mother identified his body after he had been missing [...]

1 Person Detained for Deadly Beat Down of Edwin Usher
In respect of recent killing, one person is detained pending investigations into the fatal beat-down of Edwin Usher. The forty-nine-year-old handyman of Cedar Street died on November thirtieth; one week [...]

Who Shot Curassow Resident, Godwin Flowers?
Who shot Curassow resident Godwin Flowers and why? Police are investigating an attempt made on Flowers’ life on the evening of December third, just a stone’s throw from where he [...]

Mennonite Couple is Victim of Armed Robbery by Fake Cops
Criminal activity is heightening as the Christmas Season gets underway. In the Barton Creek area in Cayo today, a Mennonite couple was attacked by two men dressed in police uniforms. [...]

Belize City Council Installs Set of Traffic Lights on C.A. Blvd and Neal Penn Road
If part of your routine involves commuting by foot or by vehicle, private or public, there is something to look forward to.  Traversing the Central American Boulevard can be a [...]

The Latest on Candice Miller’s $378,000 Judgment Win Against CitCo
One of the issues haunting City Hall is the huge payment ordered by the Supreme Court to former City Administrator Candice Miller.  As you know, the court awarded Miller a [...]

CitCo’s Swing Bridge Contract to Bill Lindo is $120,000
During the traffic light unveiling, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner came under fire for recent decisions that have a semblance of nepotism. Now, the City Administrator is Stephanie Lindo, her [...]

Gaspar Vega Absent from House Sitting Yet Again!
There was a Special Sitting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday and absent for the umpteenth time was U.D.P. Area Representative for Orange Walk North Gaspar Vega.  Vega has [...]

Firearms Amendment Bill 2019 Taken to the House
On Wednesday, the Government introduced the Firearms Amendment Bill 2019. The bill provides for new licensing fees which will be lowered tremendously to appease gun license holders since the cost [...]

Belize City Council Biting the Bullet to Make Ends Meet
The end of the year is quickly approaching and so is crunch time. At City Hall, Mayor Bernard Wagner says he is biting the bullet and will not be offering [...]

Belize City Mayor Provides Update on Municipal Bond
One way by which the Council plans to become fluid, is by selling bonds through the municipal bond. Now, the bond received the support of the House and Senate in [...]

Caribbean S.B.D.C.s Network is Launched
Belize, along with other CARICOM member states, has signed a memorandum, launching the Caribbean Small Business Development network.  Penning the memo on behalf of the government was Minister of State [...]

House Debate Hydro Maya Power Project Bill
The House sitting on Wednesday was chock full of pressing matters. The House passed the Hydro Maya Power Project Bill, 2019 which seeks to give effect to certain undertakings and [...]

Prime Minister Dean Barrow Misspoke
After the house adjourned for committee meeting, PM Barrow consulted with Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and returned, apologizing for having misspoken.   Prime Minister Dean Barrow “Accept that I misspoke. [...]

The Annual Disability Awareness Parade
Today, a Disability Awareness parade was organized by the Stella Maris School under the theme, “the Future is Accessible.” As we found out, the purpose of the initiative is to [...]

Stella Maris School – the Future is Accessible
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Education held a workshop with teachers and other stakeholders about the roles they play in the education system and working with students with diverse [...]

Healthy Living: Special Olympics National Games
“Let me win! And if I cannot win, let me brave in my attempt.” That is the motto of Special Olympics Belize. This Friday is a big day for the [...]

The Reporter

Elito Puc’s Body Found Near Belize-Guat. Border
The Reporter has confirmed that the body of retired teacher Elito Puc, 42, was found moments ago near the Belize/Guatemala Border.

Roadway Shooting Leaves Man Near Death
A man is listed in extremely critical condition after he was reportedly shot three times to the head and once to the chest last night.

LOVE FM

Tackling the stinky sargassum problem
Sargassum is one of the major problems affecting tourism in multiple countries in this region. In Belize, many beaches have been impacted by Sargassum, causing hotels, residents and other organizations to put extra efforts in disposing of the seaweed.

BTIA hosts 34th Annual General Meeting
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has recorded another successful year as 2019 comes to a close. Today, they held their 34th annual general meeting to discuss with their members the plans they have for 2020.

Children invited to Garifuna exhibit
The Chaya with the Maya exhibit has been at the Mexican Institute in Belize City since October. While it focuses on Mayan farmers, it also showcases other Belizean cultures as well.

Caribbean SBDC Network
Today saw the launch of the Caribbean Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) network at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The newly formalized network of Caribbean SBDC programs will be linked with each other and existing partners located throughout the Western Hemisphere to, not only share successful practices but also to connect their clients with multilateral international trade opportunities.

Man beaten to death
We have reported on the death of 42-year-old Edwin Gilbert Usher. Usher was at a store on November 23 on Vernon Street, Belize City, when he was attacked. He passed away a week later.

Shooting on Currasow Street Belize City
A Belize City man was shot Tuesday night just after six o’clock as he stopped at a food stall to make a purchase. 30-year-old Godwin Flowers was on Curassow Street, near his home, buying food when the shooter came from the direction of Supal Street and fired a shot in his direction.

Belize Pilot flips over in Car Incident
A Belizean pilot was involved in a road traffic incident last night in the south. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung has the story.

James Bus robbed in Punta Gorda
A James Bus was robbed in Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District last night. Toledo Correspondent Paul Mahung has the details.

Man charged for theft
David Darrell Smith , a former employee of Karl H. Menzies Company Limited, is accused of stealing $270.07 from the establishment after holding over as cashier for half-day. Today, the case came up for trial before Magistrate Emmerson Banner.

Police take on Cobo’s murder
Cobo’s body was found in the Caribbean Sea in a state of advanced decomposition just after ten o’clock yesterday morning. The teenager’s body was found wrapped in a sheet and some barbed wire and anchored with four cement blocks.

San Pedro Family In Mourning
A San Pedro family is distraught after their missing family member was discovered floating in the sea in a state of decomposition. Today 18-year-old Michael Cobo was buried in San Pedro Town.

Triple Funeral Held For Wade/Alcoser Family
A triple funeral was held today at the University of Belize’s Gym in Belmopan. The funeral was for retired police officer Eduardo Wade, his daughter Lourdes Wade, and his daughter-in-law, Mayra Alcoser.

Elito Puc Found
The body of a retired teacher from Benque Viejo del Carmen Town, Cayo District has been found. 42-year-old Elito Puc left home seven days ago to go to Melchor De Mencos, in Guatemala to run...

Swing Bridge Repairs Seem Like Nepotism, Mayor Wagner Says
Otherwise The repairs being conducted on the historic Swing Bridge, by William Bill Lindo, who has publicly declared that he is not an engineer and is merely going by trial and error, is costing the Belize...

Belize City Council Inaugurates New Traffic Lights
The Belize City Council hosted an official unveiling this morning of traffic lights erected at the junction of Central American Boulevard and Neal’s Pen Road in Belize City. Mayor Bernard Wagner boasted that the lights...

Bowman Remains Missing
A father of four, Densmore Bowman is still missing after six days. Bowman left his home around three o’clock on November 29 to pick up money from a Western Union office. Relatives became concerned and...

No Contract Yet For Haulover Bridge
Among the infrastructural works that have been occurring about the country, GOB has also promised to rehabilitate the Haulover Bridge, which connects Belize City to the Philip Goldson Highway. At the Sitting of the House...

Man Shot By Police Soon To Undergo Surgery To Remove Bullet
The family of 25-year-old Jordy Usher are raising funds for their son’s surgery to remove the bullet that is lodged behind his nose. According to the family Usher is currently admitted at the Medical Associates...

Town Councilor Robbed
Love News has received reports of an armed robbery that took place on the Hydro Road in Benque Viejo del Carmen Town, Cayo District. According to these reports, a town councilor of that municipality was...

Breaking Belize News

GOB takes limited action against gill nets, Oceana not impressed
Today, the Government of Belize (GOB) issued a statement detailing its latest actions against the […]

Decapitated body of missing retired teacher was found in contentious Barrio de Juda area
The name of the area, Barrio de Juda may sound familiar, this is because it […]

Ministry of Education moves to expand Inquiry-Based Pedagogy and STEAM
The Government of Belize informed today that it has secured assistance through the Inter-American Development […]

Belize eliminated from UNCAF U-15 tournament after loss to El Salvador
Photo Courtesy: Football Federation of Belize The Under-15 boys’ football team played their hearts out over […]

Hopkins village inaugurates rehabilitation and expansion of water system
Over 700 Belizeans, including residents and visitors, will benefit from the rehabilitation and expansion of the […]

Inspiration Calendar 2020 and agenda launched
On December 4, the Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children, in partnership with […]

Jordy Usher’s family seeks assistance for surgeries
The family of Georgeville resident, Jordy Usher, is seeking public assistance for monetary donations to […]

Body of missing retired teacher found
Relatives of missing retired teacher, Elito Puc confirmed to BBN today that the remains found […]

Aeromexico flights to Belize on “pause,” BTB expects minimal impact to visitor numbers
Aeromexico’s season direct flight from Mexico City to Belize is “on pause” at the moment,” […]

Fake cops assault couple and kill their horse in Cayo
Authorities are investigating a report of an armed robbery that occurred this morning on the […]

US Embassy partners with community for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence project
On December 4, the United States Embassy in Belize launched a campaign to assist victims […]

World recognizes first Water Loss Day 2019
The Belize Water Services (BWS) issued a statement yesterday informing that December 4, 2019, marks […]

Edwardo, Lourdes Wade and Mayra Alcoser to be laid to rest today
Edwardo, his daughter Lourdes Wade and his daughter-in-law, Mayra Alcoser lost their lives on November […]

Blogs

Grateful for Belize in December
As I come closer to my anniversary of moving to Ambergris Caye (Jan 2006) I always practice feeling extra grateful to be experiencing Belize in December and ringing in a New Year. Snowless warm and sunny. I saw the scary alternative’s this week on tacogirl.com Facebook page and in Fb messenger with the USA and Canada. While it was pretty in pictures the thought of getting around in the snow for six months or so made my insides tense. There is something special about a tropical Christmas. I love it just as much now as I did when I was a kid. Hawaii, US Virgin Islands, and Florida are all places I have been lucky enough to spend holiday time when I was young. They helped shape my desire as an adult to live in a snow-free world.

Belizean Rum Cake
Christmas is not complete without… A Belizean Rum Cake! If you’ve ever traveled to the Caribbean, chances are you’ve had the amazing rum cakes. Besides a black or white fruit cake, one of the most significant desserts you can find on a Belizean’s kitchen table for Christmas is a Rum Cake. It is a delicious treat that is soaked in rum. The cakes are moist in texture and consist of a rich flavor that is deeply satisfying. Soft, fluffy and supremely moist, it is bursting with rum and yellow cake flavor. Rum cake is easy to prepare, and perfect for any special occasion.

Belize as a Yogi Destination 2020
For a while now the art of yoga has been finding its way into Belizean society; so much so that Belize is becoming a top yogi destination. This jewel offers everything you are looking for in a yoga retreat. You expect perfect lighting and calming music to set the tone, so what better than the natural environment around you to offer just that? From Northern to Southern Belize, you can find a yoga retreat that is tailor-made for you.

The old Palapa Bar Location Re-Opens Quietly as Rum Dog Bar
The original Palapa Bar owners have moved to a new spot – much closer to town – and have a bigger bar that is very very popular. And there are new owners. So now…after at least one year of being closed…maybe two…the beloved old building has been spruced up and has opened quietly. Ready for the busy season. And I stopped in to take a look around. There used to be a large back deck so the building is a bit smaller. But there is now LOTS more seating and a pretty cool new tree house-y loft area.

International Sources

Belize Power Market Next Big Thing - SWOT analysis Outlook to 2030
The Exploration study offers deep assessment of the Belize Power Market and helps market participants to gain a solid base in the industry. The Research report presents a complete assessment of the market and contains Future trend, Current Growth Factors, attentive opinions, historical data, facts and statistically supported and industry certified market data. It delivers regional exploration of the Belize Power market to expose key prospects presented in different parts of the world. The study is segmented by products type, application/end-users. The competitive scenery is generally appraised along with company profiling of leading players operating in the Belize Power market. Some of the Most Important Key Players Involved in the Study are Belize Electricity Limited.

Belize, a worldwide vacation destination, assesses disaster preparedness and sustainability
Belize is home to an abundance of wildlife and scenic landscapes and draws thousands of visitors each year to its marine sanctuaries, tropical rain forests, and archeological sites. While the nation has taken significant steps to protect these resources from disaster risk—adopting both the United Nations’ Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks and undertaking protections through UNESCO—it remains highly vulnerable to the destructive forces of natural disasters. Facing hurricanes, flooding, coastal erosion, sea level rise, coral bleaching, and extended droughts, experts predict these challenges will only intensify as the age of climate change advances. With an eye on sustainability and the need for reliable, scientific methods upon which to form future decisions, Belize has partnered with the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) to help advance its resilience-building and sustainability initiatives.

Videos

December 5, 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

Belize Participates in the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation
Belize attended the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in San Salvador, El Salvador from December 2-3, 2019. The Forum welcomed the delegation of Japan headed by H.E. Tomoyuki Yoshida, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Under the auspices of the Presidency Pro tempore of El Salvador, SICA Member States expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for its kind regional cooperation through the SICA-Japan Regional Cooperation Action Plan 2015-2020 in areas such as the JICA Program, Regional Master Plan for Transportation and Logistics, the implementation of an emergency warning broadcasting system, empowering women and gender equality, citizens’ security, integral management of natural disasters and the effects of climate, among others.

Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project Hosts Fashion Fundraiser; Rivero crowned Miss Teen Mundial Belize
The Nayobie’s Hope for Children Project held its fourth annual fashion show on Saturday, November 30th at the Diamond Lodge south of San Pedro Town. Several junior and senior models graced the stage outfitted in a variety of colors that resembled the theme ‘Painting of Hope.’ The event raised funds to purchase Christmas gifts for less fortunate island children on December 25th. The project is spearheaded by islander Nayobie Rivero who was recognized at this year’s Belize Youth Awards (BYA) Gala on Friday, November 29th, where she received the Minister’s Award for Leadership and Advocacy. Rivero was also chosen to represent Belize in El Salvador at the international pageant, Miss Teen Mundial 2020. All in all, it was quite the busy weekend for Nayobie.

San Pedro celebrates 35th Township Anniversary with public fair
To commemorate San Pedro’s 35th Township Anniversary, and the 30th anniversary of Belize signing to the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of a Child (CRC), a public fair was held at the Central Park on Friday, November 29th. The fair saw the attendance of the Department of Youth Services, UNICEF Belize, the National Committee for Families and Children, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, National AIDs Commission San Pedro Branch, San Pedro Town Council and Projects Abroad.

Belize spared once again during 2019 Hurricane season
On Saturday, November 30th, the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season officially came to an end with no major storms affecting Belize. The season, which began on June 1st, called for up to 15 named storms, with eight of these becoming hurricanes, including major cyclones ranging from category three and up.

Completion Ceremony of the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project
Belmopan. December 2, 2019. The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize jointly announce the successful completion of “The Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project” (The Sheep Project).

Miss Belize Destinee Arnold shines at Miss Universe 2019
Beautiful Destinee Arnold is making her mark in Atlanta, Georgia, USA as she prepares to compete in the 68th edition of the Miss Universe pageant to be held at the Tyler Perry Studios. The pageant, held on Sunday, December 8th, will air live at 7PM on FOX (Channel 15 on Coral Cable Vision in San Pedro).

Ambergris Today

Missing San Pedro Resident Found Dead In Belize City
Island resident, 18-year-old, Michael Cobo reportedly was last heard of on Friday, November 29, 2019 and was reported missing on Monday, December 2, 2019. The Cobo’s family worst fear came true as they headed to Belize to identify the body of a male person that was found floating near the Port Authority pier. According to Police Reports, on Wednesday, December 4, 2019, about 10:10 a.m., Police responded to a report at the Belize Port Authority pier, at Ceaser Ridge Road, Belize City. Upon arrival, and about halfway on the pier and about 50ft off the pier in the sea, they observed the decomposed body of a male person wrapped in a blanket, weighted down with what seemed to be a cement block and had his hand bound together.

Law Enforcement Torch Run For Special Olympics
On Sunday, December 1st, 2019. The Law enforcement Tourch Run for Special Olympics began in Punta Gorda and has made its way to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. This torch is paraded around the country by the police and other law enforcement officers including the Belize Police Department, National Fire Service, Customs Department, Belize Defense Force and The Kolbe Foundation in an effort to garner special attention to children with disabilities and the Belize Special Olympics, raising funds for the same organization.

Nayobie Rivero Is Miss Teen Mundial Belize
On Saturday, November 30, 2019, 16-year-old, Nayobie Rivero was crowned Miss Teen Mundial Belize 2020. Nayobie is a junior student at San Pedro High School majoring in Business. She is no stranger to pageantry as she has held the title of Miss Chiquitita 2010 and Little Miss SPHS 2010. Nayobie Rivero will represent the Jewel - Belize at the Miss Teen Mundial to be held in El Salvador from July 18 - 26, 2020.

Various Belizean Sources

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: NOVEMBER 24, 2019 THROUGH DECEMBER 1, 2019
Anglers continued to have plenty of shots this week with a lot of good eats and tarpon coming unbuttoned on the first or second jump. El Pescador advises anglers to practice strip setting and putting away the trout set before venturing out. In all, it was a great week for permit and the tarpon seem to be more willing to be fed flies!

Establishing an Integrated CARICOM Market for Regionally Produced Sugar
The 49th Regular Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED), convened in Georgetown, Guyana from November 17-18, 2019. On its agenda was the discussion and decision for the establishment of an Integrated Sugar Market that would seek to balance the interests of both regional producers and manufacturers. Robust discussions between sugar-producing states and manufacturers from other CARICOM states were informed by the recently completed regional study on the Substitutability of Plantation White Sugar for Refined Sugar. The conclusion of that study firmly validated that:

COUNTRYWIDE FREE LEGAL CLINIC
FREE LEGAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE IN: *FAMILY LAW * CRIMINAL LAW *IMMIGRATION LAW * LABOUR LAW *SEXUAL HARRASMENT *DOMESTIC VIOLENCE *LANDLORD AND TENANT * CONSTITUTIONAL CONSULTATION

Launch of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers
On Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019, the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) hosted the official launch of the Honey Production Redevelopment Support Project and Covered Structures – Support to Small Disadvantaged Farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture has identified beekeeping and vegetable production under protected covered structures as priority areas for development due to their high potential for enterprise development, economic opportunities for rural communities, and their eco-friendly nature.

FCD Research Unit Technicians Get Training
FCD’s Research Unit technicians were trained on wildlife care and regulations that protect wild animals by the Belize Forest Department and Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic. This training was made possible by Adventure Travel Conservation Fund and World Nomads.

Delmer Tzib a Yucatec Maya of San Antonio Cayo we are so proud of you for your hard work
In 2013 he led the team effort to develop and write a teacher driven curriculum for SJC’s African and Maya history program. From 2014-2018 he has collaborated on a number of eBOOKs and eResources that formed part of the ePortal or online classroom developed by the History Department of SJC. In May 2019 he collaborated with 2nd form students to research and write the educational book Black Cross Nurses in Belize. This past June he was the lead researcher and writer for the book RIGHTS about the 1919 Black uprising and rebellion in Belize Town, what we call the 1919 Revolution.

Torch Run for Special Olympics in San Pedro
On Tuesday, December 3rd, the Law enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics arrived in San Pedro as it made its travel from Punta Gorda Town. The Torch was carried by Deputy Mayor Gabriel Nuñez and escorted by a parade through the streets in town by the Isla Bonita Elementary School Band, Holy Cross Anglican School and Ambergris Caye Elementary School.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday.

Free photography workshop at the Mexican Cultural Institute
Dec. 13, 1-5pm, frree admission.

Tropic Air is Changing it's Schedule to Orange Walk
Those frequently flying to Orange Walk, please take note of Tropic Air's new schedule! Effective, December 4th, 2019, Tropic Air will be amending its flight schedule between San Pedro and Orange Walk (Tower Hill – ORZ). Twice daily, scheduled service will now operate five days a week with passenger, Lamanai tour and cargo service from Mondays to Fridays. Please note the Orange Walk Station will now be open 7:00am through 4:00pm on weekdays.

Handing-Over and Official Pilot Launch Ceremony of the PSIP MIS Project
Strengthening the Capacity of the Ministry of Economic Development to Implement the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP MIS Project). The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) held an official ceremony on December 4, 2019 to mark the inception of the pilot phase of the Public Sector Investment Programme Management Information System (PSIP MIS) and officially handed over equipment purchased under the project to pilot ministries. The equipment will enable them to better assist the MED in monitoring and reporting on the PSIP. The Government of Belize received grant funding of US $338,750.00 from the CDF to finance consultancy services for the design, construction, pilot and installation of the MIS.

Rose Chan Passes Away
It is with our deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved Mother, Wife, Grandmother and Aunt, Rose Chan. Sunrise: 5th December, 1945 to Sunset: 2nd December, 2019. The funeral will be on Thursday December 5th, 2019 at Corozal Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Thank you for your endless support and love!

Cayo Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
The annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is this Saturday, December 7th, at the Cayo Welcome Center, at 6:00pm. This year, there will also be a parade and multiple concerts. Ernestine Carballo will be performing at the CWC, and MD will be at the Santa Elena Sports Complex. Per Mark O'Brien: "A twist for the Season. Christ is the Reason. A time to care and share. Just a little something for the family. Come out at the Victor Galvez Stadium for a family fun day, followed by a Christmas Christian Parade, Christmas tree lighting at Welcome Center, Blessing of the Twin Towns for a safe Christmas Season and ends with a Christian Concert at Santa Elena Complex. Cayo peeps something for the Family. One LOVE!!! SATURDAY, Dec. 7th."

Channel 7

Teen Bound, Bludgeoned And Sunken With Cement Blocks
A body was found floating near the Belize City Port just before midday today - and, tonight we can confirm another murder, apparently a very cruel one. When police retrieved the body, they found that it had been bound up and weighed down with cement blocks. Tonight we can tell you that while police are still referring to the body as a John Doe, but the Cobo-Chi family is saying it's their son and brother, 18 year old Micheal Cobo who has been missing since Friday. Cherisse Halsall spoke to his mother:

GOB Passes Law Against Predatory Pricing of Butane
There was a special sitting of the House Of Representatives today in Belmopan - and one of the main pieces of business was the passage of a Supplies Control Amendment Bill to put a hard ceiling and floor on the price of butane, or LPG gas. As we told you a few weeks ago, the price was firmly fixed to deter a practice which is known as predatory pricing. That's where the Mexican companies who are the major retailers - and also the country's sole suppliers and importers lowered the price to consumers - so low that the Belizean butane vendors like Brown's Butane could not compete with the lower price. That's called predatory pricing, and government introduced a law today to make it illegal. As expected, the PUP said Belizean would rather lower prices to price controls.

The Rise, Fall and Ruin of Danny Mason
Last night, our headline story was the guilty verdict that Justice Antoinette Moore handed to William Danny Mason, and his 4 workers, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. The judge has convicted all 5 defendants of the 2016 beheading murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. At a date to be announced, she will hand each of them a sentence for the guilty verdict. Back in July 2016, when Pastor Lue's killing became national headlines, and Mason was first charged, details started emerging about just how politically connected he was. Some of the big-name personalities from both the Barrow Government and the Opposition had crossed paths with Mason.

No Contract For Haulover
In the past few weeks Contractor Imer Hernadez has become major grist for political gossip, and PUP advertising. And today his name echoed in the House of Representatives, where the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister spent almost a full hour debating the whether this contractor had received special consideration for a mother lode of special contracts. Hernandez was also the subject of a statement from the Minister of Works right at the start of the House Meeting. He addressed the widely circulated political gossip that Hernandez had been approved got build the 49 million dollar replacement for the Haulover bridge.

Briceno Goes After Contractor Imer
But when he spoke on the adjournment, PUP Leader John Briceno still added that 50 million dollars to Imer's total contractual haul - which the Leader of the Opposition says is 259 million dollars. Bricneo spoke for half an hour about all things Imer:

Barrow to Briceno: "You Da Lone Mouth"�
And while the leader of the opposition spoke for half an hour, the Prime Minister took 23 minutes to reply, scolding the PUP leader for suggesting he would cancel a contract signed by the British government:

Seen a Crime? There's An App for That
Crime Stoppers Belize was established in 2004. The program provides the public with an easy, safe and anonymous way to give tips that could help police solve crime. Most, if not all of us are very familiar with their 922 hotline, but the board members want you to get comfortable with their new app. It is called P3 Tips. It was officially launched last night at the Biltmore. We spoke with a crime stoppers board member today about how the app works and why everyone should download it. Lauren Reardon Smith, Chairperson, Crime stoppers Board: "Now that technology is moving forward and apps are everywhere it is now even easier to submit a tip from you mobile phone, you can go on the computer..."

Male Inmate Sues Prison, Says they Enabled His Rapist
Since June of last year, we've been telling you about the lawsuit that Orel Leslie brought against the Belize Central Prison. In that case, he is claiming that the prison treated him inhumanely while he was on remand awaiting a re-trial for murder. Well, 7News has learned that another prisoner is suing the prison, and the complainant says that due to the prison's negligence he was raped by another male inmate on two separate occasions. He's now urging the Supreme Court to order the Prison authorities to pay him damages for the ordeal he suffered.

Elito Puc Missing, False Alarm In Melchor Rattles Family
A human skull was unearthed in Melchor de Mencos and media reports out of that border town say it could be a Belizean. A media report says residents of the Suchitan neighborhood of Melchor, are alarmed after a skull in an advanced state of decomposition was found in a public pool. Earlier today questions had been raised as to whether the skull might be part of the remains of 42 year old Succotz resident Elito Puc who has been missing since the 28th of November.

$20 Million For STEAM Lab in Belize
The House of Representatives today approved a 10 million US dollar loan from the Inter American Development Bank for the Education Quality Improvement program called EQIP. The side is to build a lab for Science, Technology engineering Arts and Mathematics in Belize. Put together, those subjects are called STEAM - and the PUP felt that at 20 million dollars, it had a little too much hot air:

Gun License Fees For Security Companies Reduced
A Firearms Amendment Bill was also introduced at the House Meeting today. It will lower the fees on gun licenses for security companies. A 300% increase in those fees earlier this year had the unintended effect of making security more expensive:

2020's Inspiraitonal Agenda
Special Envoy for Women and Children Kim Barrow today launched the 2020 Inspiration Calendar and Agenda. The launch was held at the Inspiration Center, where Taiwan's Ambassador to Belize Remus Li-Kuo Chen spoke about the calendar's central intention.

UB Will Open Medical School
The University of Belize and the Autonomous University of Nicaragua - Managua have teamed up to develop Belize's First National Medical School. It is quite an ambitious goal and representatives from both schools put it in writing and signed a cooperation agreement on Monday at the UB Belmopan Campus. Now, the next step since the agreement has been signed is to train UB faculty and medical practitioners to be able to teach the students when the Medical school is operational.

UB's First Rhodes Scholar
And in advance of that medical school, a UB student has made her university very proud. She has spent her youth advocating for families, children, and social justice in Belize and pretty soon 20 year old Abbie Godoy will be pursuing a Masters at the University of Oxford. Godoy is the second Belizean to be selected as a prestigious Rhodes scholar -- and is believed to be the University of Belize's first. Godoy sat down with Cherisse Halsall to reflect on her academic and activist careers thus far and how they prepared her for what will be her entry into one of the leading universities in the world.

Heightening Honey Production
Honey Production Redevelopment Support and Cover Structures: those are the names for two projects that the Ministry of Agriculture along with its partners launched yesterday in Central Farm. The projects seek increase Belize's honey production and construct more green houses for famers. Here is more from the launch.

The Other Side of OSH Urgency
On Friday's news, we told you about the Social Security Board's Employment Injury Forum. It was a frank discussion between the SSB officials and employers and employees about how costly their coverage of workplace injuries have been. SSB is encouraging all parties to work together and urge the government to pass the OSH, or the Occupational Safety and Health Bill. This is a draft piece of legislation that was tabled all the back in 2014 to legally establish minimum standards for a safer work environment for all Belizean workers. In principle, it is a great idea, but in its original draft form, the nation's employers complained that the legislation placed too great a financial burden on them to ensure occupational safety for their employees.

Channel 5

Michael Cobo’s Lifeless Body is Found Floating near Port
A San Pedro family travelled to Belize City today for the difficult task of identifying a body. Reports spread quickly this morning that a badly decomposed body had been located [...]

The L.P.G. Price War is On!
Today’s house sitting in Belmopan was fiery and spirited as the LPG price war wages.  Prime Minister Dean Barrow is loading the government’s arsenal, expecting some sort of retaliatory effort [...]

G.O.B. Armed and Ready for Push Back by LPG Importers
The Government introduced and passed the Supplies Control (Amendment) Bill which increases penalties that may be imposed on these three companies if they continue to sell LPG below the fixed [...]

Is Imer Hernandez G.O.B.’s Favorite Constructor?
Contractor Imer Hernandez and the many multi-million dollar infrastructural contracts that he has been awarded under this U.D.P. government was the subject of a heated debated between Prime Minister Dean [...]

Opposition Writes Lending Institutions over Imer Hernandez’s Contracts
In response to the statement made by Briceño, Prime Minister Dean Barrow defended Hernandez saying that these contracts are awarded by international entities which carry out their due diligence.   [...]

Works Minister Explains How Imer Hernandez Got Coast Road Contract
Before the Imer Hernandez debated unfolded, during the Sitting of the House Minster of Works Rene Montero made a statement related to multimillion dollars Coastal Road contract that Hernandez’s firm [...]

Works Minister Says No Contract for Replacement of Haulover Bridge Signed
Works Minister Rene Montero also spoke of government’s plans for the Haulover Bridge which his rapidly deteriorating. The Barrow Administration, in mid-October 2017 secured a twelve-million U.S. dollar loan from [...]

An Integrated Sugar Market for CARICOM
A significant decision was taken at a recent regional meeting which is sweet news for sugar producers in Belize, A.S.R./B.S.I. and Santander.  After years of lobbying, the locally produced sugar [...]

A Benque Family is Displaced by Fire
The family of thirty-two-year-old Silvia Maas lost her house and belongings in a fire on Tuesday afternoon. Maas was not at home when the blaze erupted and only rubbles remain [...]

Where is Retired Teacher Elito Puc?
The Puc family from Succotz Village in the west remain on edge tonight since their loved one has not been seen or heard from for six days. Elito Puc, a [...]

5 Days Later and Densmore Bowman is Still Missing!
Earlier you heard that the family of Michael Cobo has identified his body. But have you seen Densmore Bowman? The Belmopan resident was last seen on Friday night in the [...]

Former Inmate Sues the Prison
A former inmate is claiming that he was raped while serving time at the prison and is seeking compensation. The alleged victim is seeking aggravated and exemplary damages, for the [...]

Mark Waight Awaits His Fate for an Attempted Murder Charge
Justice Colin Williams is expected to hand down a decision on December eighteenth 2019 in the case of twenty-one-year-old Mark Waight, who was charged with the attempted murder of Jamelia [...]

$20 Million for Loan to Improve Quality of Education
In the House today, the government today passed and approved a loan motion for ten million US dollars to improve the quality of education in the country. The Inter-American Development [...]

Opposition Party Criticizes G.O.B. Loan to Improve Quality of Education
Members of the Opposition questioned the purpose of the loan, pointing out that there is a lot left to be desired for Belize’s education system. While the education system isn’t [...]

A Family in the West is Gifted a House
Christmas will be a happy time for a family in San Ignacio. That’s because Mirna Cuellar and her children today received the keys to a new house, which will bring [...]

When She Speaks, Listen – a G.B.V. Awareness Campaign
As a part of its contribution to the Sixteen Days of Activism, the U.S. Embassy launched its gender-based violence information campaign. The message is being shared through one hundred and [...]

The Value of Gender Based Violence Awareness
The Special Envoy for Women and Children Kim Simplis Barrow was also present at today’s event. Barrow spoke about the value of gender based violence awareness and the impact the [...]

Lowland Tropical Forest and its Productivity
The Programme for Belize, through a project with the Food and Agriculture Organization, carried out extensive research to determine what it would take to ensure the long term productivity of [...]

Taiwanese Embassy Issues Another Public Caution
For the second time in recent months, the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belize has issued a public caution. This time it is about an article circulating [...]

Lands Minister Says Land Amnesty Bill Has a Mistake
One more item from the House…a motion to extend the land amnesty tax programme was tabled today.  The Partial Remission of Land Tax Arrears Programme which was originally scheduled to [...]

Special Olympics Torch Run Aims to Raise $10K
Since 2012, the Belize Police Department has been hosting a torch run to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics Belize. This year the department is backed up by [...]

2020 Inspiration Calendar is Rolled Out in Style
The 2020 Inspiration Calendar was unveiled this morning to much fanfare.  In attendance at today’s launch were twelve young artists, each of whom is differently abled.  Their work is showcased [...]

The Reporter

Belize Traumatized & Terrorized, Another Body Found
The people of Belize are traumatized and terrorized by yet another body found near the coastline. The victims of all of the recent bodies found this year, which has been approximately 12 people so far are local fishermen and or seamen.

LOVE FM

Missing Teenager’s body discovered floating in the sea
The family of missing teenager, Michael Cobo, is currently at the Belize Medical College preparing to confirm if a body found floating in the Caribbean Sea this morning is their missing son. The 18-year-old young man had gone missing on Friday, November 29 when he came to Belize City for a party that never happened.

Alcaldes in Punta Gorda Town complete capacity building training
Alcaldes in Punta Gorda Town were engaged in a training session aimed at building capacity. Toledo Correspondent, Paul Mahung has the story.

Family lives changes after receiving a home from Hand in Hand Ministries
The Belize Bank Limited and Hands in Hands Ministries teamed up to give a family a home for the Christmas. Cayo Correspondent Elaine Berry has the story.

Love Foundation helping people find jobs
24 participants of the Love Foundation’s One Stop Job center programme have graduated today. These participants are from the Caribbean Shores constituency and the collaboration was made by Area Representative, Kareem Musa.

Politicians debate loan to improve education
In today’s special sitting of the House of Representatives, the members of both the UDP and PUP debated on a US ten-million-dollar loan as part of the Education Quality Improvement Program.

Setting a floor for LPG prices
Earlier this week, the Minister responsible for Trade, Investment and Commerce, Tracy Taeger-Panton, explained the rationale for the recent fixed prices for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Book launch for 16 days of activism
A book launch took place today in the capital city, Belmopan. The book was launched as part of the activities under the 16 Days of Activism. Correspondent Pauline Soberanis Tillett has the story.

Creating a Marine Economy Strategy Plan for Belize
Stakeholders in the fisheries department meet in Belize City to discuss a strategy plan to help strengthen the maritime economy in Belize. Today a draft of an Oceans Economy and Trade Strategy (OETS) is being presented to the stakeholders.

Embassy of Taiwan addresses fake Taiwan article
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) issued a release today warning Belizeans against believing a fake article that has been circulating on social media. The article is entitled “Taiwanese Government warns investors, caution with Belize,” and is posted on a fabricated Taiwan News Facebook page.

2020 Inspiration Calender
Special Envoy for Women and Children in collaboration with McNab Visual Strategies launched the twenty-twenty Inspiration Calendar and agenda at the Inspiration Centre today. Twelve children with special needs were chosen to draw a picture to insert in the Calendar.

John Briceno Voices Concerns Over Imer Hernandez Contract
At the start of the week we told you of the contracts for infrastructural works that were signed at the Ministry of Works in Belmopan on Monday, December 2. There were three contracts. One went to Belize Roadway Construction Company Limited for thirty-eight million dollars to rehabilitate sixteen miles of road from San Ignacio to the Caracol Archaeological Centre via the villages of Cristo Rey and San Antonio.

Mark Waight Acquitted Of Murder
21-year-old Mark Waight, who was charged with the attempted murder of Jamelia Neal, will know his fate on December 18, 2019, when Justice Colin Williams is expected to hand down his decision. Today, Waight called two witnesses in his defense, including his sister, Desiree Waight, who testified that he was with her at the time of the incident.

Caribbean SBDC Network
The signing of a memorandum for the Network of Caribbean Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) is scheduled to take place at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza, Belize City, on December 5 at 9 am.

Breaking Belize News

Family confirms body found is missing San Pedro teen
This morning, authorities were called to the Belize Port Authority pier at Ceasar ridge road […]

Ministry of Economic Development launches public sector investment program
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) held an official […]

Works Minister denies any contract for Haulover Bridge
At the House of Representatives, this morning, Minister of Works and area representative for Cayo […]

Ministry of Agriculture launches Honey Production support project
On Tuesday, December 3rd the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the CARICOM Development Fund […]

Taiwanese Embassy cautions public regarding fake news announcement
The Taiwanese Embassy in Belize issued a statement today cautioning the public regarding a fake […]

Puc family says picture of head circulating on the internet is not their loved one
Earlier today a news outlet in Melchor de Mencos published a story about the discovery […]

Family loses home to fire; pleads for assistance
A family of four lost their home last night in Benque Viejo when it was completely […]

Government takes fight with gas “monopoly” to National Assembly
There was an animated and spirited debate in the House of Representatives on the amendment […]

Police investigating Currasow Street shooting
Authorities are investigating a shooting incident that occurred last night in Belize City. Around 6:10 […]

House debates EQIP II loan motion
A second Education Quality Improvement Program (EQIP II) will be funded to the tune of […]

Conservationists concerned about the endangerment of crocs in Belize
Conservationists are concerned about the constant harassment of crocodiles by humans in Belize. Reports to […]

Dead body found floating near Port of Belize
Our newsroom has confirmed that a badly decomposed body has been found floating in the […]

Order in House extends land tax amnesty
The Ministry of Natural Resources has agreed on an extension of the land tax amnesty […]

Body found in Belize City
Our newsroom has confirmed that a dead body has been found near the pier at […]

Special Olympics to be held on Friday
Rounding out this year’s celebration of Disabilities Week, the 2019 Special Olympics is set to […]

San Ignacio/ Santa Elena Christmas tree lighting ceremony to be held on Saturday
The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony for San Ignacio and Santa Elena will be held […]

Christian Christmas parade to be held this weekend
On Saturday, December 7, 2019, the San Ignacio and Santa Elena Town Council in collaboration […]

Tropic Air changes schedule to Orange Walk
Effective today, Tropic Air will be amending its flight schedule between San Pedro and Orange […]

P.U.P. rural-based representatives march in Belmopan
Ahead of today’s meeting of the House of Representatives and coinciding with Tuesday’s decision in […]

Blogs

Cassava Bread
We all know the adage, “Bread is the Staff of Life”. In Garifuna culture, this bread is called “areba” and is made from a tuber, the cassava root. Its preparation is time-consuming and laborious. Usually, women work in small groups, sharing equipment and singing to relieve the monotony. Despite the hard work, “areba” is prepared with good humor and playfulness. Beginning before dawn, one or more women and children go to the farm to dig up the bitter cassava roots, and transport 40 0r 50 pounds back to a house yard in head baskets, sacks, or more rarely gadouri (tump-line backpacks.) The roots are peeled, washed and grated on hip-high rectangular wooden graters fitted with stone teeth.

Top 3 Places to Snorkel in Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker is a small island that is full of life and personality, with friendly locals and a variety of beachside bars. It’s a hotspot for tourists and locals alike because they all enjoy the comfortable accommodations and relaxing vibe of the entire island. Caye Caulker is also a port from which guests can take snorkeling tours to the Belize Barrier Reef; there are reserves, atolls, sandbars, and smaller cayes scattered along the reef. Most of the tours offered go to three very popular areas: Coral Gardens, Shark Ray Alley, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Fishing in Placencia
Placencia is a beautiful beachside village in Stann Creek, with 16 miles of golden sand beaches lining its shores. Every resort in Placencia offers fishing for both experienced and inexperienced fishers. Available are various types of fishing tours for you, including reef fishing, fly fishing, or catch and release. You are sure to have a great fishing experience as all the guides are experienced and know the waters inside and out.

The Belize Travelcast
The Belize Travelcast is a new audio and video podcast series created by Belizing.com, a brand that is passionate about telling authentic stories, promoting sustainable tourism, and traveling in Belize. Each episode is an engaging conversation that delivers authentic travel experiences, useful travel tips and advice, as well as relevant updates on the Belize tourism industry and important issues affecting the environment, culture, and economy of Belize.

International Sources

They Belize in love! Gymnast Simone Biles puts on a VERY passionate display with boyfriend Stacey Ervin Jr. as the bikini-clad Olympian enjoys a romantic Thanksgiving getaway
Simone Biles has put on a steamy display with her boyfriend of over two years, as the couple took a break from the real world over Thanksgiving week to travel to Belize with family and friends. The Olympic gold medalist, 22, took time off from training to go on a tropical vacation with her boyfriend, former gymnast Stacey Ervin Jr. During the vacation, Simone shared a sweet snap of herself and Stacey, 26, enjoying the beaches of Belize in swimsuits while wrapped in an intimate embrace.

Simone Biles Passionately Kisses Her Muscle-Bound Boyfriend Stacey Ervin Jr. In Belize
Discuss a PDA alert! Simone Biles, 22, regarded head over heels in love when she gave her muscle-bound beau Stacey Ervin Jr., 25, a giant kiss throughout their time in Belize on Dec. 3. The shirtless hunk held her in his arms as the 2 of them went in for the kill, smooch sensible. Simone wrote “grownup swim” as a intelligent but brief caption to her personal publish of the photograph whereas Stacey went a lot deeper in his. “To say I’m grateful for you’ll be an understatement,” he started earlier than taking about their time within the Central American nation.

Simone Biles Is Having The Time Of Her Life In Belize
US Olympian Simone Biles is having the time of her life in Belize with her boyfriend Stacey Ervin, Jr. and the top gymnast is not shy about sharing her Caye Caulker vacay with the world. Biles is taking a deserved break from training and competition ahead of next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan and has been showing off her toned body in a variety of stylish swimsuits on Instagram and even sharing a steamy pic with Ervin with her fans. “I can’t belize you’re mine,” Biles, 22, captioned a shot of her sitting on Ervin’s shoulders. “Adult swim,” she captioned another of the two making out in their bathing suits.

Seven Caribbean countries will ban the use of plastics in the year 2020
Starting January 1st, 2020, single-use plastics and polystyrene will be banned in seven Caribbean countries, with the main objective of preventing ocean pollution which directly affects different marine species. Unfortunately, the Caribbean has been highlighted as one of the most polluted regions in the world, so this measure is intended to prevent the degradation of their marine habitat that would cause a health and food security risk for some 40 million people living in coastal areas.

2019 Future Of Belize Telecommunications Market- Trends, Outlook and Growth Opportunities of Mobile, Fixed Landline and Broadband Markets
The report details the future value proposition for Belize’s telecommunications market by 2025. It is also an imperative to gain market share in a highly competitive telecommunications sector. It offers unparalleled depth and breadth in factors, challenges, pricing, competition, subscriber behavior, infrastructure, regulatory support, and more. The report provides detailed information on the mobile, fixed-line and fixed broadband markets in Belize. The number of subscribers and penetration rates are forecast for each subsector, including the cellular, fixed and broadband segments, from 2005 to 2018 and from 2019 to 2025.

Videos

December 4, 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’s Liga FC hosts Mexican team La Raza for international friendly football game
A friendly football match in the over 35 league between San Pedro’s Liga Football Club (F.C) and Mexican Team La Raza from Jose Maria Morelos, in the State of Quintana Roo, was held on Saturday, November 30th at the Ambergris Stadium. Both teams showcased years of football experience and discipline, but in the end, it was La Liga who prevailed with a 3-1 victory. The game started at 7:30PM sharp, with the singing of both the Belize and Mexico anthems. During the first half of the game, La Raza, La Raza was dominant, but could not open the score. Near the end of the first 45 minutes, La Liga managed to make the first goal.

William ‘Danny’ Mason along with four men found guilty of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas murder
On Tuesday, December 3rd, William ‘Danny’ Mason, Ernest Castillo, Ashton Vanegas, Terrence Fernandez, and Keiron Fernandez were found guilty of the kidnapping and beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas. The trial took place at the Supreme Court in the Capital City of Belmopan before Justice Antoinette Moore, who considered all evidence presented against the five men alleged to be involved in the heinous murder that occurred in July 2016. The trial lasted over an hour and Justice Moore found that such evidence as DNA, surveillance footage, and the head of Lucas found in Mason’s vehicle among other

San Pedro Town Christmas Tree lighting ushers in the holidays
San Pedro Town welcomed the Christmas Season with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Sunday, December 1st. Held at the Central Park and organized by The San Pedro Town Council, the event included messages from local authorities, performances from different schools on the island, and a special appearance by the Pandemonium Steel Band from Belize City. Miss San Pedro Litzy Castillo Guillen opened the event by welcoming everyone gathered at the park. An invocation followed by Pastor Clive Welsh, with Mayor Daniel Guerrero delivering a few remarks. “This is a joyful time for all of us to come together and celebrate this special occasion of the year,” Guerrero said.

UK aid provides GBP 25 million to rehabilitate major highway in Belize
The UK government was pleased to witness the signing of the construction contract for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project in Belize which forms part of the £330 million UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) portfolio. This project will upgrade approximately 59 km of the road network, associated bridge and drainage works linking the George Price Highway to the Hummingbird Highway.

Caracol Road Upgrading Project — Sections 1A and 1B
This project, located in the Cayo District, was appraised by the OPEC Fund for International Development and presented to its board of directors who approved a loan to the Government of Belize. The Caracol Road Upgrading Project will be carried out in two sections, Sections 1A and 1B.

Ambergris Today

Belize Represented At Meeting Of Vice Presidents Of SICA In El Salvador
.The Deputy Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Patrick Faber represented Belize at the Meeting of Vice Presidents of Member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador on Monday, December 2, 2019. Under the leadership and presidency of El Salvador, the meeting was part of the ongoing agenda of SICA member states to address issues of regional importance. The commitment of the leaders was underscored by the signing of a Declaration whereby member states recognized the importance of maintaining an open political dialogue that allows for consensus on issues such as the fight against poverty, the impact of climate change and natural disasters...

Nayobie Rivero Wins Minister’s Award At Belize Youth Awards Gala
The Department of Youth Services hosted its annual Belize Youth Awards Gala on Friday, November 29, 2019 at the Belize City Civic Center. The Youth Awards night celebrates amazing and talented young people who have shown leadership, innovation, and community service skills while empowering their peers and motivating their communities. Lovely Sanpedrana Nayobie Rivero was awarded with the Minister’s Award for Leadership and Advocacy.

Various Belizean Sources

COROZAL ANIMAL PROGRAM (CAP) BINGO
Wednesday, December 11th a Tortuga Grill & Paddle Lounge. From 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Cash Prizes.

Signature Travel Network Destination Showcase
BTB in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Celebrating Tourism Month
The Northern Border celebrated Tourism Month in November, greeting guests with snacks and Belize merchandise!

This Sunday El festival del Pueblo
“8.º Festival del Pueblo” XMaya Ko’olel dedicado a nuestras mujeres Maya. Estrenos de documentales Xuunan Kaab y U Paax K Chíibal de nuestra cultura! Presentaciones culturales. Exhibiciones en historia y arte. Gastronomía. “8 Festival del Pueblo” XMaya Ko’olel dedicated to our Maya Women. Premiering documentaries on Xuunan Kaab and U Paax K Chíibal of our culture heritage. Cultural presentations. Exhibits in history and art. Food. Salvaguardando nuestra cultura tangible e intangible! Safeguarding our tangible and intangible cultural heritage. 8 DEC 2019 San Lazaro @ 1:00 p.m.

Miss Nayobie Rivero named Miss Teen Mundial Belize
Mayor Daniel Guerrero and the San Pedro Town Council would like to congratulate Miss Nayobie Rivero on winning the Minister's Award at the Belize Youth Awards for Leadership and Advocacy and also on being crowned the first ever Miss Teen Mundial Belize which will take place in the year 2020 in El Salvador. The Community of San Pedro is proud of you and all of your accomplishments. We wish you the best and may you continue to excel!

Belize Participates in the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation
Belize attended the XVIII SICA Japan Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in San Salvador, El Salvador from December 2-3, 2019. The Forum welcomed the delegation of Japan headed by H.E. Tomoyuki Yoshida, Director General for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Under the auspices of the Presidency Pro tempore of El Salvador, SICA Member States expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for its kind regional cooperation through the SICA-Japan Regional Cooperation Action Plan 2015-2020 in areas such as the JICA Program, Regional Master Plan for Transportation and Logistics, the implementation of an emergency warning broadcasting system, empowering women and gender equality, citizens’ security, integral management of natural disasters and the effects of climate, among others.

Belize Participates in the 2019 UN Annual Coordination Meeting of the Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework
Belize was represented at the United Nations Multi-Country Sustainable Development Framework 2019 Annual Coordination Meeting held in Barbados by the Honourable Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting held from November 27-28, Minister Elrington took the lead in presenting the Caribbean views on the ongoing UN Reform and progress thus far. While acknowledging the importance of the UN support to the Caribbean, Minister Elrington highlighted the need for increased substantive support from the UN Development System in the Caribbean. He also expressed concerns about the down-sizing of UN funds, programs, and agencies within the region.

Belize Youth Awards 2019: Honoring Outstanding Belizean Youth
The Department of Youth Services, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, held its annual Belize Youth Awards on November 29th, 2019 at the Belize Civic Center under the theme “Youth Mental Health matter; Let’s erase the Stigma”. Young people aged between 14 and 29 years old, were honoured for their participation and contribution to the overall achievement of our very own National Youth Development Policy, Horizon 2030, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Statement by Minister of National Security on Guilty Verdict in the Mason Case
I want to first thank the Almighty for working through his instruments here on earth to secure this clear and resounding victory for the Lucas family and all the friends of Pastor Llewelyn Lucas. Justice has been served. I also want to thank the Director of Public Prosecution and her staff, the investigators of the Police Department, the Scenes of Crimes Technicians, the witnesses, and all who played a part in securing this guilty verdict. The perpetrators of this heinous crime have been brought to justice. Though the verdict cannot bring back Llewelyn, it is my hope that the family can find some solace in this triumph of our justice system. Let us now work on the way forward to making our country more secure and prosperous.

Mobile Outreach in Libertad Village, Corozal
Are you a resident of Libertad Village and need assistance with land administrative services? If yes, the Mobile Unit will be in Libertad Village for three (3) days from December 4th, 2019 to December 6th,2019 at the Libertad Polyclinic ( 2nd floor) providing several services. Come out and take advantage of this outreach!

DPM Faber Represents Belize at Meeting of Vice Presidents of SICA in El Salvador
The Deputy Prime Minister of Belize Hon. Patrick Faber represented Belize at the Meeting of Vice Presidents of Member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador on December 2nd, 2019. Under the leadership and presidency of El Salvador, the meeting was part of the ongoing agenda of SICA member states to address issues of regional importance. The commitment of the leaders was underscored by the signing of a Declaration whereby member states recognized the importance of maintaining an open political dialogue that allows for consensus on issues such as the fight against poverty, the impact of climate change and natural disasters, sustainable development, security, education, culture, energy, tourism, gender equality, the rights of older persons and those with disabilities as well as the rights of indigenous peoples and people of Afro-descent.

"Saving Alligator High, " Jankunu Production in San Pedro
Looks like a great production by this very talented and entertaining group! San Pedro we’re coming to spread good cheer!!! Book your tickets early!! Call 610-4282 or visit Reef Radio and get your tickets today!

Better knowing Destinee Arnold - Miss Universe Belize 2019
Destinee Arnold is Miss Universe Belize 2019 and a whole lot more. She is one of a few international Belizean Beauty Ambassadors in 2019. She is no ordinary beauty queen and we love it that way. She is also Belize’s only hope for a 2019 Miss Universe crown – the most coveted title of all the “Big 4” international pageants for women. We have many reasons to be proud and hopeful. There is great confidence, determination and fire in Destinee. There is also a tremendous sense of destiny and calm in her, which I suspect are rooted in her strong faith in Christ. After I got to know more about her through words from her friends and family, mainly through her mom Marie-Arnold McDowell, I believe that a lot of it comes from a well-rounded, loving and happy upbringing.

St. Francis Xavier Feast Day
Teachers and students participating in the procession commemorating St. Francis Xavier Feast Day.

Power outage 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 5 to affect portion of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
entire Middle Street, Pescador Drive, portion of Tarpon Street, Almond Street; San Pedrito Area including Crocodile Street, Gluten Street, Tropic Wave Street and Water Lane; DFC Area including Mar Tumbo Drive, Sea Grape Drive, Villa Drive; Elliot Subdivision, Escalante Subdivision, San Pablo Area and San Marcus Area. BEL to install utility pole in the area.

EK CHUAH
Ek Chuaj, also known as Ek Chuah, Ekchuah, representation of the Cacao . As well as a patron of merchants .

Bean To Bar Chocolate Tasting Event
Mahogany Chocolate and Flight Cafe invite you to our Bean To Bar Chocolate Tasting this Wednesday December 11, 2019 at Flight Cafe from 2-4 PM. Sample the amazing chocolate made here in Belize and be one of the first to try Mahogany Chocolate's New Collection of Chocolate Bars and other chocolate treats!

Channel 7

Danny Mason Guilty!
The verdict is in and Justice Antoinette Moore has ruled. The accused murderers, William Danny Mason, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo, are all guilty of the 2016 decapitating murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. That was the judgment she handed down today after carefully reviewing all the evidence that DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal presented in what is surely the trial of this young century. It a victory by land-slide for the DPP, and our News team was in Belmopan for close examination of the verdict. Daniel Ortiz reports: Justice Antoinette Moore, a passenger in this SUV, was the first to leave the court after delivering today's big verdict. She has found William Danny Mason, and his fellow accused, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo guilty of the July 2016 Murder Pastor Lewellyn Lucas.

Saldivar Swoons At Mason Verdict
And in a surprising move, John Saldivar, the Minister of National Security has released a public statement on the guilty verdicts for murder against William Mason and his employees. Now, as viewers will remember, Mason's key defense witness was a US Federal Agent who put in a statement that Mason had told him that Saldivar was framing him. Saldivar denied this as baseless hearsay. But, Saldivar's former business connections to Mason caused him a major political headache when Pastor Lue's murder became headline news. Those connections caused Prime Minister Barrow to temporarily remove Saldivar as the Minister of National Security.

Cops Shot Him in The Face, Jordy Gives His Side Of The Story
25 year old Jordy Usher is in the Western Regional Hospital tonight, after police shot him in the face this weekend, allegedly after he ran from the cops. The bullet is lodged in in his face and has caused swelling of his lower brain. According to the cops, on Saturday night, they spotted a motorcycle in Santa Elena Town, and it was heading to Esperanza Village. The officers realized that the motorcycle did not have any lights, it had no license plates, and the driver and passenger were not wearing any helmets. The cops say that Usher was fleeing and resisting arrest and that the shot fired in his direction was merely a warning.

Belizean Boyfriend Charged For Killing American Nurse
Police have charged Wendi Dardano's boyfriend, 28 year old Leroy Lorenzo with her murder. As we reported, Lorenzo allegedly stabbed American nurse Wendi Dardano to death and then stuffed her inside a garbage bin in front of her Hopkins home. As you saw in the story, Dardano's friend said she knew of abuse Dardano suffered in the relationship but that Dardano did not want to speak out or make a police report.

Tommy Got Chanced
On Sunday afternoon, 49 year old Edwin Usher was hanging out his corner store on Vernon Street - when he was badly beaten - allegedly by a man from the same neighborhood. After being punched and kicked he still managed to walk home, but had to be rushed to the hospital after where he was admitted in critical condition. On Sunday morning, he succumbed to his injuries at the KHMH - and police know have a murder investigation on their hands.

"Yellowman"� and Dr. Zabs Appear Before House Committee
Today, Mace-Bearer Brian Yellowman Audinett appeared before the House Staff Committee to answer to complaints that he threatened a senator within the walls of the House of Representatives. That Senator is the PUP's Dr. Louis Zabaneh. The meeting started at 2:00 pm and we saw Yellowman waiting around for about two Horus before he was called inside. Also waiting around was Dr. Zabaneh - in case the Chair of the committee, House Speaker Laura Longsworth called him.

DPM In Salvador For SICA
And committee member Patrick Faber wasn't at that meeting to consider the case of Yellowman - who publicly dissed him last week. That's because Faber is in El Salvador. Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber represented Belize at the Meeting of Vice Presidents of Member States of the Central American Integration System (SICA) in El Salvador.

JOSEPHINE TAMAI TO DOMINICA
While DPM Faber is wrapping up that visit in El Salvador, Chief Elections Officer Josephine Tamai is preparing for her trip to Dominica. According to an online article on Caricom Today, Tamai will head a mission to monitor the general elections in Dominica. The December 6th elections in that island nation will be hotly contested as Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit's DLP seeks a fourth term. The other members of the mission include experts in Electoral Management and Administration from Antigua and Barbuda; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Jamaica; Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Suriname.

PUP's Omni Protest In 'Pan
And, This morning as Belizeans waited with bated breath for the final verdict in what could be called the trial of the decade, PUP protestors were lining up in front of Belmopan supreme court. They held signs that said: Justice for Lue, Mia, and All affected and Stop the Nepotism, Cronyism, and Dishonesty. We spoke to PUP Standard for Belmopan Oscar Mira and he had several criticisms of the justice system to share.

Parolee Alleged Tried To Rob Police
He's already a parolee and now 31 year old Dillion Diamond allegedly tried to rob an off duty police officer. He was arraigned today and read a single charge of attempted robbery before Magistrate Khadeen Palmer. Diamond pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor objected to bail, but Magistrate Palmer granted him bail in the sum of $5,000 plus one surety of the same amount.

Alleged Flasher Exposes Himself To Corporal
Indecent public exposure isn't the type of crime that regularly makes the news, but a Belize City man has pleaded guilty to the offense today. He's Eduel Haulze, a laborer of Fabers Road, and police say that he shook his private parts at 2 adults and some school children at 2 different locations yesterday morning. The first incident occurred when Hauze was at the corner of Curassow and Warrie Streets. A woman reported to the police that while she was at that location, Haulze shook his privates at her and some children who were on their way to school. The second incident occurred shortly thereafter

Do You Know Where Elito Puc Is?
A watchman from Succotz Village is missing. On November 28th 42 year old Elito Puc left his workplace at Silva's Bus parking lot in Benque Viejo Town to have the oil changed in his vehicle in Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala. Puc was supposed to return that night but has yet to be seen or heard from.

The Future of Special Education
The Ministry of Education hosted a special education conference at the Radisson for educators. A number of themes were discussed such as inclusion and how to break that barrier between teacher and student to ensure a full academic experience for children with special needs. The conference is part of the National Disability Week celebrated under the theme: The Future is Accessible!

Building With Planning
Unless you are fascinated with buildings, architecture and the full process of getting a construction permit, you may not be all that ecstatic to hear about the launch of what's called a building unit awareness workshop series . But it is important and necessary since every other day a new Chinese store, motel or restaurant is being constructed.

Benny's Says Maintenance Worker Will Fully Recover
Last night we told you about the man that fell from the roof's at Benny's Homecenter on the northern highway. It happened just before 5:00, when a maintenance worker fell off the roof. He was taken to the KHMH in an ambulance.

Channel 5

Guilty as Charged – The Mason Five is Convicted of Beheading Pastor Lue
The sensational trial of William “Danny’’ Mason and four other accused men concluded today in the Belmopan Supreme Court.  As the nation waited with bated breath, the verdict from Justice [...]

Pastor Lue’s Family Reacts to Verdict
William “Danny” Mason and the four other convicted men exited the courtroom and entered a police vehicle parked immediately in front of the court. Police were on hand to avert [...]

Pastor Lucas’ Last Interview with News Five
As you heard, the family of the deceased pastor believes that justice has been served more than three years after his grisly murder. On the day in which his life [...]

P.U.P. Demonstrates in the Name of Justice for Pastor Lue and Other Victims
While the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore was at its capacity, outside near the parking lot, a handful of politicians and supporters of the People’s United Party gathered in protest.  [...]

Minister John Saldivar Issues Statement on Mason Trial Verdict
Following the verdict by Justice Moore, the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, issued a rare statement. During the trial, a US federal agent who was stationed at the US [...]

Edwin Usher Dies 1 Week after He was Brutally Beaten
An investigation has been launched into the death of a resident of Cedar Street in Belize City. Edwin Usher died over the weekend at the K.H.M.H. after he was beaten [...]

Leroy Lorenzo is Charged for the Murder of American Nurse in Hopkins
The common-law husband of an American national has been charged for her murder. Fifty-year-old Wendy Dardano, a nurse attached to the Hopkins Satellite Clinic was murdered over the weekend; stabbed [...]

Devon Nicholas is Guilty of Firearm Offences
In the Magistrate court in Belize City, Devon Nicholas was sentenced to two years behind bars after he was found guilty of firearm offences. Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford found him [...]

P.U.P. Senator takes on U.D.P. House Sergeant-at-Arms
The House Disciplinary Committee met today in Belmopan to discuss several items including a police report made P.U.P. Senator Doctor Louis Zabaneh against House Sergeant-at-Arms, macebearer Brian “Yellowman” Audinett. The allegation [...]

P.U.P. Senator Failed to Make Report against ‘Yellowman’ to House Disciplinary Committee
A member of the House Committee is Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte. According to Peyrefitte, Doctor Zabaneh failed to submit a written report to the committee and as such there was [...]

Can “Yellowman” and Zabaneh Hash It Out?
The People’s United Party was represented by Florencio Marin Junior who agreed that no report was submitted for the Committee to consider. Marin Junior, however, says that such issues should [...]

U.D.P. Chairman Says that Party Facing Challenging Times
The House Sergeant of Arms, Brian “Yellowman” Audinett and Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber are at odds. Just recently, Audinett was fired from a position at the National Sports Council [...]

P.U.P. Protest Bloated Contracts
A few members of the People’ United Party demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister’s office in Belmopan. One of the issues under protest is what is described as bloated [...]

Disability Week Promotes Equal Opportunities for all Including Persons with Disabilities
Persons with diverse abilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society. This week activities are being held to highlight that they too should have access [...]

Taiwan Commits Monies to Support Belize’s External Representation
On Monday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a release to say that the Republic of China (Taiwan) has given Belize support to facilitate international representation.  According to the release, [...]

DPM Represents Belize at SICA’s VPs Meeting
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber represented Belize at a meeting of the Vice Presidents of the Central American Integration System. The meeting, which was held in El Salvador on Monday, [...]

Ministry of Housing Hosts “Building Unit Awareness Series”
The Ministry of Housing, along with its partners, is hosting workshops with municipal level building units and stakeholders in building and construction. The workshop is to discuss processes needed to [...]

Amandala

American nurse’s body found in trash
Wendi Jane Dardano, 50, an American nurse who was living in Hopkins and was a part of the medical team in the village, was fatally stabbed in the chest and her body was dumped in a trash can in her yard. Her body was found at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon. Her common-law husband has been detained as a person of interest in the murder investigation. Dardano’s friends who were supposed to meet her Saturday morning began calling her phone, but became concerned when she did not answer.

Anthony Crawford gets 4 years for shooting teenage gir
After deliberating for over three hours on Friday, November 22, a jury in the Supreme Court of Justice Colin Williams returned a unanimous guilty verdict on the indictment of Anthony Crawford for “use of deadly means of harm with intent to cause grievous harm.” Justice Williams had set Friday, November 29, as the mitigation and sentencing date for Crawford. Two relatives of Crawford appeared in court to ask the court to show leniency to him.

House of Representatives meeting on Wednesday
The House of Representatives will meet this Wednesday, December 4, in the National Assembly chamber in Belmopan. Among the topics that are listed on the House Order Paper is a new excise law that is aimed at strengthening the tax law to facilitate more efficient tax collection. In addition to the new excise law, there will also be a new Customs law aimed at making the importation of goods into Belize more secure.

5 persons missing
Five persons have been reported missing by their families. They are Densmore Bowman, Michael Cobo, Damion Clive Baizar, Reanna Espat and Elito Puc. At about 9:30 Friday morning, October 25, Damion Clive Baizar, 17, of Hillview, Santa Elena, Cayo District, left home with two friends to travel to Belize City, and he has since disappeared. Reanna Espat, 13, a student residing in Benque Viejo Del Carmen, Cayo District, left home at about 7:30 Monday morning, November 25, to go to Mopan Technical High School in Benque Viejo, and has since disappeared.

Death row inmate Andrew Kelly wrote to the Queen!
This afternoon, there was a sentencing hearing for a former death row inmate who has spent half of his forty years on this earth behind bars after he was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death. Shortly after 2:00 p.m. this afternoon, the Supreme Court of Justice Colin Williams began the resentencing hearing for convicted murderer Andrew Kelly, who was initially sentenced to death by hanging.

Shaquille Phillips, 25, shot dead on his home’s verandah
Shaquille Michael Phillips, 25, a laborer of Altamira, Corozal Town, was in a chair on his verandah at about 12:30 this morning when an unknown gunman fired about 8 times at him. Phillips was struck multiple times in his head and body, and died almost immediately, and the gunman escaped.

American tourist, 79, and 53-year-old man die in two road traffic accidents
Apart from the 7 persons who died in a terrible accident on Wednesday, November 26, there were two more deaths last week due to two other traffic accidents. A man, Esteban Arana, 53, was killed on the Southern Highway on Wednesday night in a hit-and-run accident, and Carolyn Moxley Gillis, 79, an American tourist, was killed at Mile 42 on the Philip Goldson Highway at about 3:30 Thursday afternoon. Gillis and six of her family members, who are all tourists from the USA, went on a tour in the Orange Walk District. They were returning to the city with their tour guide, in a tour van when on their arrival between Mile 42 and 41 on the Philip Goldson Highway.

Richard Smith, 26, shot dead in Hattieville
Richard Smith, 26, a laborer of Farmers Site, Hattieville, was ambushed and shot in the Mile 17 area of Hattieville as he was walking home via a shortcut route at about 6:30 Friday evening. Smith was going home after being at his friend’s house when an unknown gunman ambushed him and shot him in the head and body. Smith died almost immediately, and the gunman escaped.

Scratch and Win sales agent charged with theft
Christian Novelo, 25, a sales agent of Trial Farm, Orange Walk District, has been charged with theft. On Thursday, November 28, he was arraigned at the Orange Walk Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Patty Arana, who read the single charge to him. Police said that Novelo stole $8,760 from his employer, Lucky Dalla Ltd., a scratch and win enterprise of Orange Walk Town. Novelo pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail of $4,000 and one surety for the same amount and was ordered to return to court on December 16.

editorial: The rot in the $34 million Link Road
Every five years or so we choose a party to govern based on a manifesto they present to the electorate before the election. The brain trust of the party that wins then sets about implementing the projects they promised. The way it should work, if we will tap into all our available talent, is that the party that wins would draw ideas from all over, not just from the party’s close affiliates. The public would be invited to weigh in on proposed projects. When the projects go to the House of Representatives for approval, what the Cabinet puts forward would be thoroughly debated. Decisions made by the House would also get the fine-tooth comb at the Senate. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and that is why we end up with so many disappointing projects.

Mr. Belize, Clayton Greenidge crossing milestones for Belize Bodybuilding
Appearing on Krem’s Press Cadogan Sports Show yesterday, Sunday, was the reigning Mr. Belize, Clayton Greenidge, who updated listeners about his most recent accomplishments in the sport of Body Building, where he has made a couple great strides for Belize on the international scene. On October 11 – 14 of this year, Clayton represented the Belize Body Building & Fitness Federation (BBBFF) at the International Federation of Body Building (IFBB) Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Future FC U-10 & U-13 football semifinal results; finals on Saturday
The Future Football Club U-10 & U-13 Little League Football Tournament came down to its semifinals on Saturday at the ITVET (Old Technical) Football Field, where, after 4 semifinal games had been played, the stage was set for the 3rd place and championship games in both categories this coming Saturday. Six (6) U-10 teams and seven (7) U-13 teams participated in the competition. In game 1 (U-10), Tutbay Yabra FC crushed Caesar Ridge, 7-0, with 3 goals from Esmond “Bagga” Sanker, 1 each from Tyreque Frazier, Ali Thurton and Christon Linarez, along with an own goal by Caesar Ridge’s Deon Meighan.

Belize loses, 2-0, to Guatemala in International Female Football Friendly at FFB Stadium
Football Federation of Belize (FFB ) President, Sergio Chuc was in attendance at Saturday’s return leg of an International Friendly home-and-away series that his FFB had arranged with our Guatemalan counterparts. And it is just as well that the game was poorly promoted, with an apparent low budget restricting much of its advertisement to Facebook posts, as the result was not any sort of payback for the embarrassing 9-1 onslaught our women sustained in the first leg of the series in Guatemala about a month ago. Some FFB sources conceded that they are experiencing budgetary constraints near the year’s end, and that may explain rumors of a possible boycott by some former National Women Team members, who reportedly had issues with the “treatment” they have received from the FFB.

PLB semifinals over; Bandits vs Verdes for Opening Season Championship
The regular season was “down to the wire,” and so was the situation in the semifinals of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Opening Season, as no team had a commanding lead going into the decisive game 2 of the semifinal series. Regular season #1 seed Verdes FC had been held to a 1-1 draw with #4 seed Altitude FC last Saturday night in Mango Creek; and #2 seed Bandits Sport had managed a mere 2-1 victory over defending champion, #3 seed San Pedro Pirates FC on their home turf at Ambergris Stadium, also on Saturday night.

Miss Dolly’s bull whip revenge
A lot of water had passed under the bridge before Lucille and I had met again face to face, but in the interim I had heard from time to time how things were going with her. When we spoke she had confirmed that she had experienced some hard times with Neville Enright, but had survived and was stronger and had better sense. It was one of her characteristics that she never whined, was the sort of person who was unafraid to venture, willing to face consequences and just keep going. From day one with the Station Sergeant, there had been difficulties of one kind or another, right up to the end. The first disaster, right after the ceremony, had been the trip by sea down the coast, when she had been sea-sick from setting foot on board until she had landed at the wharf two days later.

From The Publisher
Some of the stories I’ve told you in this column over the years, it’s not as if I’m just taken up with myself. I’m entertaining you, making a living, with the writing gift the Lord blessed me with. The power structure here, the educators and the education system as such, which means the powerful Christian churches which control the schools, made it so that I could not make a living telling these stories under the cover of fiction. So, this was how this column evolved. Between 1969 and 1975, I was basically doing fiction, not this publisher’s column. In a small society like Belize, when you write fiction what happens is that many, many readers are looking to see if they can link a fictional character to some real life personality in Belize. Fiction is, of course, ultimately derived from life experiences which have been real events in the writer’s life.

Early warning system for drivers
Dear Editor, A crow flying over the accident scene last Wednesday caught the eye of a newsman as he was reporting from Mile 17. I immediately thought of what a powerful message it would have sent to drivers, approaching from both directions, if that bird had been a hovering BDF helicopter. Seen from miles away, this would have made a driver know immediately that there was a problem up ahead — a fire, a holdup, or as happened last week, an accident.

Name the Hummingbird Highway the Andy Palacio Highway – he deserves it!
Dear Editor, It’s good to know that efforts are being made to recognize the works and achievement of the greatest musical icon that ever lived in the history of Belize, the one and only Andy Palacio. For me, enough is not being done to honor this great musical legend, which is so unfortunate. A mere mass and a couple hours of Garifuna music do not justify the magnitude of achievement that this extraordinary Belizean musical artist has accomplished for his culture and his country.

Writer of the Popular “Day-O” and the Barbados National Anthem Dies at 95
A day before Barbados celebrated its 53rd anniversary of independence from British rule, the man who wrote the national anthem and also helped singer Harry Belafonte popularize calypso, died at the age of 95. US media reports say Irving Burgie died last Friday in Brooklyn as a result of complications from heart failure. Prime Minister Mia Mottley confirmed his passing at the start of her speech at the annual Independence parade on Saturday, and called for a moment of silence.

The Reporter

Leroy Lorenzo, 28, Charged For Murder Of American National Wendy Dardano, 50
The circumstances that led to the murder of Wendy Dardano are still unknown, and the motive or reason for the crime is still under investigation. What we know so far is that 50 year old Wendy Dardano worked at the Hopkins satellite clinic for the past 5 months, prior to her employment at the Hopkins clinic she worked as a nurse at the Dangriga poly-clinic.

Ministry Of National Security: Statement After Mason 5 Verdict
The Ministry of National Security has issued a statement following the guilty verdict of William Danny Mason and his four co-accused. Here is that statement:

GUILTY ! Danny Mason And 4 Others Found Guilty: VIDEO BELOW
Following the guilty verdict of William “Danny” Mason and co-defendants, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Ernest Castillo and Terrence Fernandez this morning, the media spoke with Norman Rodriquez, the Defense Attorney for Ashton Vanegas, who said that he thought the verdict would have gone differently for at least a couple of the accused men.

Edwin Usher Beat-Down Upgraded To Murder Investigation
Belize City Police are seeking one known suspect for the fatal beat-down of Edwin Gilbert Usher, 49, which occurred over a week ago at a store on Vernon Street.

Danny Mason Verdict Will Be Heard Today In Belmopan
There is heavy security at the Belmopan court plaza today as Justice Antoinette Moore prepares to hand down her verdict. The five men accused of the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas are being held in a room adjacent to the courtroom, waiting for the decision scheduled for 10:00am.

LOVE FM

Fourth Annual yoga festival held in Belize
The fourth annual Yoga Festival was held on Sunday at Harbor View Greens in Belize City. Love News Reporter Courtney Menzies attended the festival and told us more about this ancient practice.

LDN-TSP Validation Workshop
Through the Ministry of Natural resources, the Government of Belize has committed to start their Land Degradation Neutrality Target Programme. The validation workshop took place at the Belize Biltmore Plaza.

Vigil held for Mayra Alcoser
29-year-old Mayra Alcoser was killed in a tragic car accident that will go down as one of the worst Belize has ever seen. Alcoser was one of seven victims who died. She worked at Scotia Bank Belmopan branch and was well-liked by her colleagues.

Farmers in Cayo are being assisted by Ministry of Agriculture
Farmers in Cayo are receiving the attention they require. They were visited by the Minister of Agriculture who presented the current standing on two separate projects. Cayo Correspondent Elaine Berry, gave us more details.

UB to expand its medical programs
The University of Belize is expanding its programs to facilitate aspiring medical professionals. Cayo Correspondent Pauline Soberanis Tillett gave us more details.

Ahmadiyya basketball league places second in Copa Gatorade 2019
The Ahmadiyya Basketball League Belize brought home silver medals in both U18 and Open categories in the Copa Gatorade 2019 tournament. The tournament had participating teams from across Central America and the US.

Danny Mason trial over what’s the Verdict?
What was perhaps one of the most sensational murder cases in recent years in Belize, ended today. Security was tight and the media was stripped of their cell phones as they entered the courtroom of Justice Antoinette Moore in Belmopan. Renee Trujillo was on hand to hear the judgement and filed the following report.

Tribute to Andy Palacio held in Belize City
This year marks the eleventh anniversary of the passing of Musical Icon and Cultural Ambassador, Andy Palacio. In commemoration of his life, every December 2, on his birthday, a memorial mass is held in several communities to pay tribute.

Man dies one week after being brutally beaten
A laborer has passed away after succumbing to his injuries he received a week prior to his death. 42-year-old, Edwin Gilbert Usher, was at Li Zhen Store, Belize City, on November 23, when a male person approached and attacked him. Usher was left unconscious and on the floor with injuries to his head and mouth.

Deputy Prime Minister represents Belize in SICA meeting
Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber, is out of the country to participate in a regional workshop in El Salvador. The workshop is to address issues in the region.

Families Is Left Homeless After Fire Destroys Their House
A family of 6 is today without a home after theirs was completely destroyed by a fire. Toledo Correspondent, Paul Mahung, has the story.

Belize Launches Its National Investment Police And Strategy
Yesterday saw the launch of the National Investment Policy and Strategy (NIPS). This plan has been in the works for about three years, as it was approved by Cabinet back in 2016.

24 Year-Old Devon Nicholas Gets Two Year Sentence For Firearm Offenses
24-year-old Devon Nicholas will be spending two years away from his newborn baby after he was found guilty of firearm offenses. Nicholas was sentenced to two years imprisonment today by Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford after he...

Fruitful Young Persons Awarded
The Department of Youth Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Youth held its annual Belize Youth Awards on November 29 at the Belize Civic Centre. Young persons ranging from 14-29 years old...

Burglar gets more than he bargained for
A burglar caught red handed got more than he bargained for when he was accosted and chopped. 28-year-old Nassin Cantun burglarized a home in Orange Walk and was caught by the homeowner at around six o’clock on Saturday night.

Torch run for special Olympics
The Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics began yesterday in Punta Gorda. The torch is taken around the country by police and other law enforcement officers in an effort to garner special attention to children with disabilities. Here once again is our Toledo correspondent, Paul Mahung.

BAPDA launches disabilities ID
The Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) commemorates Disability Awareness Week with the launch of their new National Disability ID cards. These cards are for people who have a physical or mental disability.

Man left unconscious on ebony Street Belize City
30-year-old Julio Del Cid was left hospitalized after he was chopped and left unconscious on Ebony Street near Public’s Supermarket. The incident occurred at around 8:45 pm.

Breaking Belize News

Belize’s Garifuna community hosts first-ever regional congress
On the heels of Garifuna Settlement Day celebrations in November, Belize’s National Garifuna Council (NGC) […]

THE MASON VERDICT: Family “relieved” at court decision; pastor says it’s “a great day” for Belize
No one more anticipated today’s verdict than the victim’s family, who sought answers as to why […]

THE MASON VERDICT: Defense attorneys anticipate appeal
While none of the defendants in the Llewellyn Lucas murder case showed any reaction in court […]

#DestinationBelize – Countdown to Miss Universe 2019
Belizean beauty ambassador, Destinee Arnold, prepares to represent Belize at the world’s prestigious Miss Universe […]

THE MASON VERDICT: Analysis of Justice Moore’s decision
In the end, Supreme Court Justice Antoinette Moore ruled this morning, there was but […]

Belizean youths honored at Youth Awards 2019
The Department of Youth Services, Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports, and Culture, held its annual […]

Is it safe to buy property in Belize?
Belize is becoming an increasingly popular destination for retirees and investors from the United States […]

Corozal resident charged for murder of American nurse
Corozal resident, Leroy Alexander Lorenzo, 28, was charged on Monday, December 2 for the murder […]

Belize represented at meeting of Vice Presidents of SICA in El Salvador
Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, Patrick Faber represented Belize at the Meeting of Vice Presidents […]

John Saldivar on Mason verdict: “Justice has been served”
Minister of National Security, John Saldivar, has issued a statement saying that justice has been […]

Guilty verdict returned in murder of Llewellyn Lucas
Ernest Castillo, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez and William “Danny” Mason have been found […]

Police: No word on Elito Puc
The Belize Police Department says that it does not have any new information regarding the […]

Heavy security presence in Belmopan as Mason faces verdict
The murder trial for William “Danny” Mason; Ernest Castillo; the Fernandez brothers Terrence and Keiron; […]

Densmore Bowman of Belmopan still missing
Thirty-four-year-old Densmore Bowman remains missing today according to Police. Searches for the Belmopan resident by […]

International Sources

These students make maps for the Philippines and Belize. They never leave campus to do it
With Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” humming in the background, about two dozen students at George Washington University traced skinny lines and square-shaped landmarks on a satellite image of a rural chunk of Mindanao, the second-largest island in the Philippines. They are in the early stages of piecing together a map of the region where half of the country’s food is grown but where most people live in poverty. The students carefully scanned the photos to scope out buildings and roads tucked between thick trees. The task is painstaking but necessary to create an up-to-date map. This corner of the Philippines — like large swaths of the planet — does not have any recent digital maps.

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) hosted the first ever Regional Garifuna Congress
This past weekend, November 30 and December 1, 2019, National Garifuna Council (NGC) in partnership with International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) hosted the first ever Regional Garifuna Congress (Konguresu Hadamurigun Garinagu). During the opening ceremony, remarks were given by Francisca Sanchez, legal adviser ICJ; Sandra Miranda, NGC President; and Mayor Francis Humphreys. Day 1 continued with presentations which focused on Garifuna woman and human rights, Garifuna identity and education and the need for new international treaties about business and human rights, which were done by Carmen Lopez, from Guatemala, Venancia Caballero & Sebastian Cayetano, from National Garifuna Council and Carlos Lopez, from ICJ Geneva, respectively.

Olympian Simone Biles enjoys steamy beach vacation while brother awaits trial
Simone Biles is leaving her troubles behind and enjoying a romantic beach vacation with her boyfriend as her eldest brother sits behind bars. The record-breaking Olympic gymnast shared steamy Instagram snaps of her time in Belize, posing with her man, Stacey Ervin, and showing off her toned body in a variety of stylish swimsuits.

Videos

December 3, 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.

Ambergris Today

UK Aid Provides GBP 25 Million To Rehabilitate Major Highway In Belize
On Monday, December 2, 2019, the UK government was pleased to witness the signing of the construction contract for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project in Belize which forms part of the £330 million UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund (UKCIF) portfolio. This project will upgrade approximately 59 km (approximately 37 miles) of the road network, associated bridge and drainage works linking the George Price Highway to the Hummingbird Highway.

t’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas – Tree Lighting Ceremony
It’s beginning to look a Lot like Christmas, the San Pedro Town Council held its official lighting ceremony of the Town’s Christmas Tree on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at Central Park. It was fun-filled event enjoyed by island residents and tourists alike. Central Park was filled with color, music and joy as the San Pedro Town Council distributed cupcakes and soft drinks to all the children present. Come on down to Central Park with friends and family and enjoy the beautiful lights and take a few pictures with the beautifully decorated Christmas Tree – Season’s Greetings!

Various Belizean Sources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Receives Support from Taiwan for International Representation
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belize received support from the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to facilitate international representation. The support was provided in the context of an ongoing project for the Institutional Strengthening of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Countries of the Central American Isthmus, which Taiwan has generously funded. The funds will be used to support Belize’s external representation.

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The New Zealand Government, through its aid programme, will be offering 20 scholarships for eligible Caribbean citizens who wish to pursue world-class postgraduate programmes in the priority areas of climate change, food security and agriculture, renewable energy and disaster risk management.

Completion Ceremony of the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project
The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Government of Belize jointly announce the successful completion of “The Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project” (The Sheep Project). A ceremony to mark the completion of the project was held on November 28, 2019, at the National Agricultural Show Grounds in Belmopan.

The Economic Development Council on “Capital Market Development in Belize”
The Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Technical Secretariat, along with the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), recently partnered with the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) to facilitate an exploratory mission to Belize on the subject of “Capital Market Development” from November 25 - 27, 2019. The visiting delegation included the Chairman and Managing Director of the JSE, along with Jamaican stockbrokers from Barita Investment Limited and NCB Capital Market Limited.

Google Digital Workshop: Google Ads and Google My Business
Contact us at [email protected] to register and secure your space.

BWS Notice for customers in Caye Caulker:
Planned interruption on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Duration: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Area to be affected: the entire Caye Caulker Water Distribution System.

New Fire Truck for the Placencia Peninsula
Minister of National Emergency Management (with responsibility for the National Fire Service), Hon. Edmond Castro was in Placencia, Stann Creek District on November 28, 2019, to receive a fire truck for the peninsula area. The Pierce fire/rescue truck was purchased and donated by a group of residents from the Placencia Peninsula, with the National Fire Service paying the cost of shipping it to Belize.

Caracol Road Upgrading Project — Sections 1A and 1B
The Government of Belize secured a loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for the Caracol Road Upgrading Project. This project, located in the Cayo District, was appraised by the OPEC Fund for International Development and presented to its board of directors who approved a loan to the Government of Belize. The Caracol Road Upgrading Project will be carried out in two sections, Sections 1A and 1B. With no objection from the funding agency, the Government of Belize signed a contract for the Caracol Road Upgrading Project with Belize Roadway Construction — Section IA, in the amount of BZ$37,998,176,55. Section 1B, in the amount of BZ$13,992,917.15, was signed with A&N Construction Ltd.

Sixth Road (Coastal Highway Upgrading) Project
The Government of Belize has secured financing through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and grant funding from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund (UKCIF) for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project. This project was appraised by the CDB and presented to its board of directors who approved a loan to the Government of Belize. The United Kingdom Government also approved a grant for the country of Belize for which a portion will be applied towards this highway upgrading project. The Coastal Highway Project is approximately 58.04km (36.2miles). The proposed upgrade includes the construction and paving of the entire 58km of road and the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 10 bridges across various creeks and rivers along the highway.

Send 133 Students to High School in Belize
Most Caye Caulker children were forced to quit school at the age of 12 until Ocean Academy opened as the island's first high school offering an education to all children who want to learn. Ocean Academy provides a highly subsidized education to 100% of students and additional scholarships, tuition bartering, and work study to ensure all youth have access to education. Free tutoring, small classes, and individualized attention build core skills and empower students to believe in their futures.

Government of Belize Launches the National Investment Policy and Strategy (NIPS)
The Government of Belize (GOB) through the Ministry responsible for Investment, Trade and Commerce, the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) launched the Belize National Investment Policy and Strategy (NIPS) project on Monday December 2nd, 2019 at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza – Toucan Hall.

"THE RIVER OF ART FLOWS EVERYWHERE"
Join us on December 6th, 2019 at 7:00 pm at Banquitas House of Culture for the grand opening of Yoaling Lee Exhibition entitled "THE RIVER OF ART FLOWS EVERYWHERE".

Food Handlers Class Tuesday and Thursday on Caye Caulker
All Individuals that are interested in obtaining a Food Handlers Certificate, please note that the next class will be on December 3rd & 5th, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., Caye Caulker Community Center. Please bring along your Social Security card and (1) one passport size picture if you're applying for the first time. Renewals will need to bring the expired Food Handler ID. A fee of $20.00 bz dollars will be charged on applying. • CCVC Office Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 noon 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Online Payment, Invoicing & Real Time Account Information
The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) is proud to announce our Online Portal has gotten an upgrade! With new and exciting features, you’ll be able to submit your Guest registration forms online, and experience many other improved functions

FOOD DRIVE for the elderly at CASA CHAN KA'AN
ENCHANTING GALLERY PARTY STORE is hosting a FOOD DRIVE for the elderly at CASA CHAN KA'AN in San Joaquin, Corozal District from now through December 20th, 2019. Location for drop off is Enchanting Gallery Store at #22 4th Avenue, Corozal Town. If anyone knows of a homeless elder who needs care, please contact CASA CHAN KA'AN in San Joaquin for more information. Donation can be food for the elderly in oatmeal, beans, milk, adult diapers, wipes, sugar, rice, etc. Tel # to contact 606-6071 - 6288.

FCD celebrated its 20th Annual General Meeting
Over 80 persons attended the event which was then followed with an Anniversary event. FCD is grateful for the support of our families, friends, staff and donors who have lessened the burden for the last 20 years.

Belizean Untold Stories : Lost of language between the Yucatec Maya of Belize
"Older Maya Mestizos told me about their school days ,recalling how frightened they were of the teachers . Exhibiting airs of superiority,teachers made fun of Maya folklore,rediculed stories about magical dwarves and frogs coming from the sky ,and magligned Maya Mestizo villagers for speaking what they called "inferior language "- Spanish and Maya . They believed that English was the only worthed language ,and enforced an English only policy in the schools. As punishment for students who lapsed into Maya or Spanish ,the teachers brought out the Lash." - Agents of Change in Bullet tree falls by Andrew Gordon

Channel 7

American Woman Killed, Bzean Boyfriend Detained
Another US national died in Belize over the weekend, taking the death toll to 5 Americans in 3 days: As we have reported, 4 were killed in last week's two separate fatal accidents and now, the 5th is 50 year old Hopkins nurse Wendi Dardano. Dardano was stabbed and then her body dumped in a garbage bin at her home. Dardano's colleague and friend says she was a victim of domestic violence, and, tonight, her 28 year old boyfriend is detained by police. Courtney Weatherburne has the story. American national Wendy Dardano was stabbed to death. Her body was stuffed inside the blue garbage drum that was removed from this spot, Right in front of her Hopkins home.

Police Prioritize Murder of American
And today at the police press briefing in Belmopan, Head of National Crimes Investigation Branch Joseph Myvett gave us more details in this case. Myvette told us that Dardano's friend who reported her missing said that after calling her phone many times, a man finally answered and gave her conflicting stories regarding Dardano's whereabouts. Although police can't confirm if that man is Dardano's boyfriend, they have him detained for questioning. Myvette also said that Dardano and her boyfriend were seen in Hopkins on Friday night. Here is more from police.

Was Smith Killed for Weed Business
A twenty six year old man was gunned down in Hattieville on Friday night. His family believes that he was targeted over what they say is an old beef. Cherisse Halsall went to Hattieville today tracing Richard Smith's last stepshis sister says that police haven't done enough to to give the family any hope of justice for Richard. Friday night would have seemed a typical night for 26 year old Richard Smith. He went to Dollar Kite Store to pick up some food, rode home on his bike to eat, and then came back out to take a few drinks with some friends. But that Friday night that you could almost call common place, became anything but, because Smith wouldn't survive it.

Man Killed Verandah
The terrible weekend of murders didn't end until midnight last night in Corozal Town when a 20 year old was shot on the verandah of his family home. Shaquile Philips was hit multiple times to his body as he sat on a couch on the verandah - which is in the Alta Mira area of Corozal town. Police told us what they have learned so far: ACP Joseph Myvett: "Mr. Phillips along with his father were at home on the veranda and his father had gotten up to go inside the house and shortly thereafter a number of shots were heard and upon him returning outside to make checks he observed that his son was apparently shot..."

Ganja Under Pickup Truck
Justice has been swift for a man caught with 30 pounds of weed yesterday evening in Orange Walk. Police intercepted 45 year old Belize City resident Ewart Seaford Sutherland in Carmelita village yesterday evening at 5:30. He was in a Chevy pickup with a hidden compartment underneath. Police say they looked inside a metal box under the pickup and found 15 parcels of weed. It amounted to 13.7 kilos, or 30.2 pounds.

Anticipation Builds, Mason Verdict Tomorrow
5 weeks ago, Justice Antoinette Moore reserved judgment in the murder trial of William Danny Mason, and his fellow accused, Ashton Vanegas, Keiron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo. Well, Justice Moore is ready with a verdict, and tomorrow, the defendants will find out whether or not she thinks that they all had some role to play in July 2016 beheading murder of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas. Viewers will remember that this trial ran its course over many months, and in that time, DPP Cheryl-Lynn Vidal presented volumes of evidence against the men. She has acknowledged that her case is based on circumstantial evidence and that there were no eyewitnesses.

He Ran from the Police and Got Shot in the Face
Tonight, a police officer from the Cayo District is being investigated after he allegedly shot a man in the face. The victim is 25-year-old Jordy Usher, a resident of Georgeville Village. Police say that he tried to run from them when they discovered that he was driving an unlicensed motorcycle. According to the cops, on Saturday night, they spotted a motorcycle in Santa Elena Town, heading to Esperanza Village. The motorcycle had no lights, or license plates, and the driver and passenger were not wearing any helmets.

Mega-Millions for Coastal & Caracol Road Upgrade
The Coastal Road has languished for decades as an unpaved, and often un-driveable shortcut from central Belize, straight to the heart of the south. For those who travel south , it's kind of like a "whit-if" road - as in what if this were paved? It would probably cut about 45 minutes to an hour off a trip to Dangriga and all points beyond. Well, now it is close to reality - but still three years away. Contracts were signed for the Coastal Highway Upgrading Project - co-sponsored by the funded through a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank with grant funding from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Partnership Fund.

Third Party Sues for Proportionality of Representation
It's been a while since the lowercase political parties made the news for their unending quest to rid the country's affairs of everything that's wrong with PUDP business as usual. But, tonight they're back in the news because of a lawsuit that they've brought against the Barrow government. They say that the voter re-registration process which was completed several months ago has clearly demonstrated that the 31 electoral divisions are not equal in size, as the Belize Constitution legally requires them to be. It's an issue that we've highlighted before where some constituencies are made up of three thousand or fewer voters, while larger ones are made up of more than five thousand.

RAYMOND SMITH SHOT
A man was shot on North Front Street last night, fortunately he survived. 29 year old New Road resident Raymond Smith was riding his bicycle in front of Musa and Balderamos towards Spoonaz River Deck when a gunman crept up from behind and shot him. Police gave us their report today. Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero - Deputy Head, NCIB: "On Sunday, the 1st day of December 2019, around 6:15 p.m., police visited the KHMH, where they saw Raymond Smith, with gunshot injuries..."

Friday Night Chopping
The cops are also trying to find out who chopped 30-year-old Julio Del Cid Jr. to the head in Belize City and why. At around 8:45 on Friday night, the cops responded to reports of an incident in front of Publics Supermarket on Central American Boulevard. When they arrived they found Del Cid unconscious, bleeding from a chop wound to the left side of the head. He was rushed to the KHMH, where he is stable.

Acquitted Murderer Charged with Attempted Murder
Last week Thursday, we reported on the shooting of 27-year-old Richard O'Neil, a resident of Ordonez Street in Belize City. As we told you, he was in the St. Martin's area of Belize City last Wednesday night. Someone kidnapped him and took him to the Hattieville Boom Road, where his assailant or assailants shot him and left him there for dead. Fortunately, the cops were alerted in time, and rushed him to the KHMH, where he was treated for his injuries. Police are reporting tonight that they've already arrested and charged one man for this crime. He's 22-year-old Elden Flowers, who was acquitted of murder only a few months ago.

Belmopan Man Missing Since Friday
Tonight the family of 34 year old Densmore Boman, a resident of Belmopan, is very worried about him. That's after he went out at around 3:00 on Friday afternoon to pick up money from Western Union. Bowman was reportedly seen thereafter socializing at a bar in the market square area until about 8:00 that night. Here's what police said about their leads so far. ACP Joseph Myvett: "On Saturday Belmopan police received a report from one Sylvia Gillett who reported to police that her common-law-husband, one Densmore Bowman, 34 years old of a Belmopan address left their home on Friday and has since not been seen or heard from. I know that the family and police have made several searches for him and so far he has not been able to be located."

Accident Victim Identified
Police from Stann Creek had a difficult time identifying a man who was knocked down and killed in Santa Cruz Village. Aas we reported on Friday, at around 5:15 that morning, 37-year-old Woelke Jacobs, a Belizean Mennonite from Unitedville told police that he was blinded by high-beams from a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, and that caused him to hit a cyclist who suddenly appeared in front of him.

Homeowner Stood His Ground and Chopped Indruder
The cops are also investigating a chopping incident in the Orange Walk District. However, unlike the chopping of Julio Del Cid Jr. in Belize City we told you about earlier, the victim reportedly trespassed into a man's house and attempted to steal his tools.

BAPDA Says Documenting Disabilities Could Save Lives
This Morning, the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities launched the first national disability I.D. cards. It is estimated that in the population there are 15% persons with disabilities. While physical disabilities are often identifiable and therefore immediately acknowledge certain mental disabilities can be far less so.

Is "Yello" on Faber's Firing Line?
Brian Yellowman Audinett made headlines last week by putting the Deputy Leader of his own party, Patrick Faber on acid-blast. He called the man who seeks to be leader of the UDP "a sick puppy." Well, tomorrow Audinett will have to go before that same man he calls a "sick puppy" - when he is called before the House Staff Disciplinary Committee. As you probably know, Audinett is the Mace Bearer of the House of Representatives, the Sargeant-At-Arms, and with the mace, he asserts the supremacy of parliament.

The Delay Debacle at Mexico Sport Complex Explained
On Friday we had a chance to speak to Sports Director, Ian Jones about his decision to terminate Yellowman, We also used that opportunity ask him about the very long delay with the opening of the Mexico Sports Center - which is right beside the Marion Jones Stadium. The Center - funded by the Mexican Government was supposed to have opened from February of 2018, and we're now coming up on February of 2020 - and it's still not opened! So on Friday, we asked Jones, when will it actually be opened? - and in the procerss, we unearthed a whole lot about what's causing the delays:

Faber Says Children's Parliament Criticisms are Important
Last week we showed you our interview with Minister of Education Patrick Faber. Well, in that interview, he also commended all the students who participated in the November 20th children's parliament at the national assembly. While he takes all their points and criticisms about the education and health system in Belize, he says true leadership goes beyond just criticizing and he hopes to get that point across to the kids in a follow up meet and greet session.

Hard Fall at Hardware Store
And finally tonight, a man is in the hospital after falling from one of the roof's at Benny's Homecenter on the northern highway. Information is sketchy but it happens just before 5:00, when a maintenance worker fell off the roof. He was taken to the KHMH ion an ambulance. More on this tomorrow.

Channel 5

American Nurse is Stabbed to Death in Hopkins
The month of December started in a painful way for three families who lost loved ones in violent and separate incidents.  We go first to southern Belize where an American [...]

Richard Smith is Murdered in Hattieville
In Hattieville, Belize District, a man was murdered on Friday evening. As investigations take place, police say that they don’t know much about the shooting death of twenty-six-year-old Richard Smith [...]

Father of 1 is Executed in Corozal
The third murder victim for the weekend was Shaquille Michael Philips of Corozal Town.  After midnight on Sunday, Phillips was gunned down as he sat on the verandah of his [...]

LPG Price War! G.O.B. to Hit Back with Legislation Amendments
There is an ongoing LPG war between the three main importers of butane, small retailers and the government of Belize. On Wednesday, during a Special Sitting of the House the [...]

Minister Panton: “They are cutting the prices so that they can then control the market completely”
According to the Minister, the low prices are a reaction to Government’s decision to allow for the establishment of the National Gas Company. Taeger-Panton says that G.O.B. will do all [...]

A Decision in Sensational Mason Murder Trial is Nigh Upon Us
The local trial of the century comes to close on Tuesday when Justice Antoinette Moore will be handing down a decision. The highly connected William “Danny” Mason and four accused [...]

Belize Peace Movement Files for Judicial Review to Challenge GOB on Re-districting
An application for judicial review has been filed by attorney Arthur Saldivar on behalf of the Belize Peace Movement and Vision Inspired by the People.  Both organizations are challenging the [...]

Will There be Re-districting Prior to 2020 General Elections?
With general elections a little less than a year away, the challenge, should the claimants be successful, can prompt a countrywide realignment of all constituencies ahead of that exercise.   [...]

3 Men are Arraigned for Water Taxi Explosion
Water taxis usually run to and from the mainland to the cayes without any incident.  However, on May fifth, 2019, there was an explosion on board a water taxi, which [...]

Belizean Citizen Detained in China for Funding Key Members of Hostile Forces
A businessman who possesses Belizean citizenship is currently detained in China for allegedly colluding with people in the United States to meddle in the affairs of Hong Kong. This is [...]

Orange Walk Family of 4 Homeless after Fire
A fire consumed the house of Maria Esther Garcia in Orange Walk Town. The single mother and her three children were not at home when the blaze swept through the [...]

Man Charged with Attempted Murder
Police have arrested and charged one man in connection with the kidnapping and shooting of Richard O’Neil which happened last week. Police says that the following the investigation and interviews [...]

Raymond Smith Shot in the City
A man was shot on Sunday in Belize City. Police say that Raymond Smith was out for the day and upon his return, he was walking on North Front Street [...]

Police and Civilians High-Speed Chase End in Shooting
The Police Department has launched criminal and internal investigations into a high speed chase between police and civilians that resulted in a shooting. One of the two men, Jordy Usher, [...]

Man Chopped in Belize City
On the crime blotter, a man was chopped in the head in Belize City on Friday night. Police say that the incident happened sometime around nine-forty-five. Fortunately, the victim survived [...]

Burglar Caught in the Act; Now Recovering in the Hospital
An intruder was caught red-handed and chopped up inside the house he was stealing from. Police say that a man is in the hospital recovering from chop wounds when the [...]

Have You Seen Densmore Bowman?
Have you seen Densmore Bowman? Police say that the thirty-four-year-old man from Belmopan is missing. He was last seen alive sometime on Friday night. His family reported that it is [...]

Belize’s Sugar Exportation to CARICOM Members States a Reality
Belize has finally been successful in getting its sugar into CARICOM for export. Trade Ministers of the Council for Trade and Economic Development in November agreed that Belize, and other [...]

Belize’s National Investment Policy and Strategy Launched
After three years on the drawing board, Government is rolling out a national investment policy and strategy. The NIPS starts at the doorsteps of BELTRAIDE where investment proposals will be [...]

Contracts are Signed for Caracol and Coastal Road Paving
Government has awarded another major multi-million dollar contract to Imer Hernandez; it is for the paving of the Coastal Road and for the rehabilitating of bridges. The value is over [...]

Benque Free Zone Board Arbitrarily Increase Fees without Consultation
In early November, a protest broke out at the Benque Free Zone after the Board decided to institute an increase of fees. This was met with disagreement and a riot [...]

The Reporter

30 Pounds In Secret Compartment, Orange Walk Police
Orange Walk police have detained one man pending a charge of Drug Trafficking in connection to a drug bust which yielded over thirty pounds of suspected cannabis.

Corozal Midnight Shooting Leaves 1 Man Dead
A man was killed at his home in Corozal just around 12:30am today. (Dec. 2nd) Police went to a home in Alta Mira...

LOVE FM

Minister Panton explains fixed LPG prices
Back in November, the Government of Belize established fixed prices for the sale of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in order to prevent controversy with the major importers who are reportedly setting the prices lower than what is sustainable for the country.

Belize/Taiwan finalizing trade agreement
Among all the projects between Belize and The Republic of China (Taiwan), the two countries are now trying to finalize a new agreement. This agreement will help Belize in exporting more products, including sugar.

Imer Hernandez gets road contract of over one hundred and thirty million dollars
Limited for the rehabilitation of the Caracol Road from Georgeville; that contract is for just under fourteen million dollars. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Works office in Belmopan.

Man claims he was shot to the face by police officers
25-year-old Jorde Usher, a resident of Georgeville, Cayo District was reportedly shot in the face by police on Saturday night. He was on a motorcycle making his way home at around ten o’clock when police pursued him.

American nurse killed and dumped in garbage bin
The weekend saw three murders. One in the south, one in the north and in rural Belize. We begin our newscast with the American woman who was found murdered in a garbage drum.

COTED meeting held to enter CARICOM’s sugar market
Minister of Investment, Trade, and Commerce, Tracy Taeger-Panton, updated the media on the latest meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED). It is Belize’s hope that the country will be able to enter its white plantation sugar into CARICOM’s market.

San Pedro resident reported missing
18-year-old Michael Cobo, a resident of San Pedro Town, was last seen on Friday night in the Yarbrough area of Belize City. According to the police, they have no information on this case.

Richard Smith shot on Sunday night in Belize City
29-year-old Raymond Smith was shot on North Front Street, Belize City. Smith received gunshot wounds to the right hip and hand. According to Senior Superintendent Hilberto Romero, they are seeking one person of interest.

Richard Smith shot to death
A Belizean laborer is dead after he was fatally shot in Hattieville Village, Belize District. 26-year-old Richard Smith, also known as Cinco, was shot several times to the body on Saturday night just after seven o’clock.

Danny Mason’s faith to be decided
Almost three and a half years after being charged for the murder of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas, the five accused will know their fate in tomorrow’s session of the Belmopan Supreme Court. Love News understands that Justice Antoinette Moore has set Tuesday, December 3 as the day to deliver the court’s judgement.

Abbie Godoy Is First Female Belizean Recipient Of Rhodes Scholarship
20-year-old Abbie Godoy is not only the 2020 recipient of the Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarship, she is the first female Belizean to ever achieve this feat. Godoy, who is currently majoring in English at the University of Belize, said that when she first applied, she never believed that she would even be shortlisted, much less that she would win.

Where Are You? Belmopan Resident Reported Missing
The family of Belmopan resident, Densmore Bowman, is concerned about his safety after he was reported missing by his wife on Saturday. Bowman left his home on Friday afternoon around three o’clock to pick up money from a Western Union office. Relatives became concerned and made several attempts to reach him on his cellular phone, but those calls proved fruitless.

Man Killed While On His Veranda In Corozal
A man was shot to death at his home in Alta Mira, Corozal just after midnight last night. The man has been identified as Shaquile Phillips. According to the victim’s father, they were together until around midnight, and then he went inside, leaving Shaquile on a sofa on the verandah. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Myvette, a motive is yet to be established.

Missing Watchman Of Benque Viejo
A watchman from Benque Viejo del Carmen Town, has not been seen since November 28. 42-year-old Elito Puc had requested time off from his job to go to Melchor De Mencos, Guatemala. Puc was to return home that same day but when he failed to do so, his employer became concerned and filed a missing person’s report.

Breaking Belize News

Murdered nurse Wendy Dardon was not responding to calls before body found, say police
Around 3:00 p.m. Saturday in Hopkins, Stann Creek District, police were alerted that 50-year-old American nurse […]

Belize 9th in the region for HIV infections
While Belize has an estimated HIV infected population of less than 5,000; the country ranks […]

Belize opens UNCAF-FIFA Forward U-15 tournament
After a disappointing year for the national A team, the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) is […]

Murders without warning in Corozal and Hattieville
Two young men in the Belize and Corozal Districts lost their lives over the weekend […]

Police give their side of pursuit turned shooting of Jordy Usher
A police internal investigation will determine whether the police officer involved in the late night […]

Commissioner orders internal investigation into Georgeville shooting incident
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams issued a statement today saying that he regrets the unfortunate […]

Man charged with attempted murder after being acquitted of murder charge earlier this year
Elden Flowers, 22, a construction worker of a Flamboyant Street address who was acquitted of murder […]

Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities honors National Hero and disabilities advocate Philip S.W. Goldson
Today, the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) on the occasion of the launch […]

Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities launches new identification cards
Today the Belize Assembly for Persons with Diverse Abilities (BAPDA) continued its advocacy work for its […]

William “Danny” Mason and accused co-conspirators to learn fates Tuesday
The murder trial for William “Danny” Mason; Ernest Castillo; the Fernandez brothers Terrence and Keiron; […]

The Economic Development Council explores “Capital Market Development in Belize”
The Economic Development Council’s (EDC) Technical Secretariat, along with the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), […]

Orange Walk welcomes December with a bang!
Picture courtesy: Ian Cal Besides unanimous consensus on having the best tacos in the country, […]

Genetic improvement in Sheep and Goat Project completed
The Embassy of Taiwan and the Government of Belize announced the successful completion of “The […]

Help Uffy get back to his family
Uffy, a Blue Heeler pup belonging to a 12-year-old child from Tower Hill, Orange Walk […]

DIGI/ BECOL basketball tournament bounces into playoffs
The DIGI/BECOL Basketball Tournament which is hosted […]

Murder in Corozal Town
The country’s latest homicide victim is Shaquille Michael Phillips. Just after midnight last night he […]

Blogs

Belize Maya Resistance to Spanish Conqueros — 1525 to 1700
In order to understand the plight of the Maya in resisting the Spanish, we must first be mindful that the Spaniards had already decimated the Aztecs in Mexico. Hernan Cortes had a strategy to first befriend the indigenous chiefs, ply them with gifts and promises, and then turn on them. Records show that, in 1521, Cortes sent Pedro de Alvarado to Peten and western Belize. The fearful Maya knew that the Spaniards had terrorized the Indians by killing, looting, and burning, not to mention, introducing diseases, which the Maya could not resist.

Cuello Archaeological Site in Orange Walk, Belize
If you’re learning about the Maya history of Belize, the ruins at Cuello should definitely be one of your stops. These ruins have unearthed fascinating evidence of a truly ancient settlement in the area. The Cuello ruins are about five miles outside of Orange Walk Town in the Orange Walk District. This is a quiet, rural district that is home to Mennonite dairy farms, the Mestizo people, and the New River Lagoon. The Maya ruins of Lamanai are also in this district.

Mangroves in Belize
Mangroves are a group of trees especially adapted for survival in very salty soil and water conditions, as well as conditions of low oxygen, and even flooding. Belize is home to three types of mangrove (Red, Black, and White) and subspecies known as Buttonwood. Mangroves cover 3.4% of Belize’s land surface, occurring in a belt along the coastal zone, also along the Western Highway, 12 miles from the coast. Sometimes they are found near rivers in freshwater, thriving on the nutrients from upstream which collect among their dense roots.

Hib Op – Belize 9th Dance X festival
“Hib Op”, according to the Belize Kriol dictionary, is to shake one’s body in dance. So allow me to say, come hib op wid wi! Translation- Come dance with us! This past week, Belize came again in motion with the 9th Dance X festival. Featuring dancers from different countries, Dance X is rooted deep in Belize’s dance history. This year, Dance X is in celebration of Belize Icon, the late, great Rosita Baltazar. Rosita Baltazar was one of Belize’s finest dancers who paved the way for dance in Belize. Rosita, along with other dancers formed Belize’s first-ever dance company, the Belize National Dance Company.

Shipping to Belize - Life as an Expat
I mentioned at the close of my last article I would address shipping items and mail forwarding. Shipping personal items takes on many different forms depending on how much you plan to bring, how large and heavy the items are. We only brought things we felt essential other than furniture since we were renting a furnished unit. If you decide to buy or build, you may decide to bring furniture and more. Under the Qualified Retirement Program (QRP) it allows you to bring personal possessions duty free. If that is the case, you will need to look into a shipping container or something similar which is beyond my personal experience. That said, I have used a container shipping company to ship larger purchases that were not practical to bring on a plane since we moved here.

International Sources

Simone Biles shares incredible video of her diving on vacation
Simone Biles looks like she's ready to conquer another sport. The gymnastics superstar posted an Instagram video on Sunday showing her flying through the air into the ocean on vacation and looking like she could make a run at a spot on the U.S. women's diving team at the 2020 Olympics.

Simone Biles and Her Boyfriend Brought Their Double Backflips Along With Them on Holiday
We know Simone Biles can do incredible gymnastics no matter the time or place — remember when she executed a full-twisting backflip on solid ground before throwing the first pitch at a World Series game? It was effortless. While on holiday in Belize with boyfriend Stacey Ervin Jr., the five-time world all-around gold medalist and 2019 female Olympic athlete of the year continued to show off her skills in the best way she can: flipping and twisting into the ocean with ease.

Videos

December 2, 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

Island youth join the Belize Coast Guard; San Pedro’s Almita Pinelo promoted to Lieutenant Commander
A total of 87 recruits successfully joined the ranks of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) on Wednesday, November 27th, and were formally welcomed into the maritime law enforcement agency during a special ceremony held at its headquarters in Ladyville Village outside Belize City. Among the proud graduating class of intake number ten were three young men from San Pedro Town, 19-year-old Noel Hernandez, 21-year-old Cade Gian Segura, and 23-year-old Zamani Anderson. The ceremony, which included the swearing-in of a new Commandant of the coast guard, also saw islander and senior officer Almita Pinelo promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Thunder
Will you pick up some plant food while you’re downtown?” Sherry asked. “It’s for those tomato plants I’ve been raising in the clay pots. They’re droopy and starting to get wrinkly because they’re getting old.” “Do you really think it will do them any good?” “Of course,” she said. “Anything old, droopy and wrinkly needs to be fed. That reminds me, your dinner is in the oven for when you get back from the bar.” “All right,” I said. “I’ll just have one quick beer with the guys.”

Iguana Eco Corner Sanctuary protecting island iguanas
Located on the lagoon sideof the heart of San Pedro Town, the Iguana Eco Corner has been fostering and protecting these endangered reptiles for the past decade. The mangrove area is home to more than 200 hundred green and Black Spiny-Tailed iguanas. Founder of Iguana Eco Corner Calvin Young shared with The San Pedro Sun that he started with two iguanas, and now there are over 200 hundred in the area. “Ten years ago, I saw two iguanas that were in the mangrove area here beside my house. I decided to take care of them and protect them from poachers, the years, more and more started to come and live here since they felt safe. Now we have over 200 hundred iguanas living at the sanctuary,” he said.

Doctor Love: Leave Me Alone
ear Doctor Love, I dated a guy for a few years, and it ended over a year ago. We remained friends and we see each other occasionally. I am engaged to someone else and have moved on with my life. My problem is his new girlfriend. He’s been dating her for about three months and from almost day one she has been stalking me both on the internet and in real life. I’m not afraid of her but I think it’s weird that first, she sent me a “friend request,” which I declined.

Various Belizean Sources

Scorpions Win 2019 ATLIB Championship
The SHJC Scorpions are the 2019 ATLIB Basketball Champions, again! Well played. Congratulations to the team, the amazing coaches, and SHJC! "Yes Folks Scorpions Seals the Deal. The West is Boss!!!"

NICH Caroling Caravan
Dec 20, 5:30-9pm.

Belize aak'ab k'iin
Yuum Cimil is the representation of dead a cycle of the human life . Dead is not the end but the transformation of the body and the Pixan (Soul). The Yucatec Maya(Máasewal) of Belize put altars to honor our loved ones . Especially for the U Janal Pixano'ob (Finados) the Yucatec Maya honor our family and friends who are on the spiritual world . Note: Yuum Cimil is also known as Ah Puch , Ah Cizin, Hun Ahau or Kimi . Yuum Cimil means Señor muerte (Lord of death).

The Reporter

Coast Guard Has New Commandant
The symbolic lines: “Sir, I relinquish command!” and “Sir, I assume command!” on Wednesday marked the dawn of a new era for the Belize National Coast Guard Service, which changed leadership from Rear Admiral John Borland to Captain Elton Bennett as outgoing and incoming Commandants respectively.

Nurse Found In Garbage Can In Hopkins
The Reporter has confirmed that an American nurse was found dead in the southern village of Hopkins earlier today, (Saturday Nov. 30th.) Police visited the home of 50yr. old Wendi Jane Dardano after a friend of the diseased said that she was not answering her phone.

Breaking Belize News

Simone Biles makes a splash on Caye Caulker during Belize vacation
Gymnastic sensation, Simone Biles is taking a deserved break from training and competition ahead of […]

Fourth International Yoga Festival held in Belize City
Today, yoga practitioners, aspiring yoga practitioners and those interested in the benefits of yoga and […]

Chamberlain Consulting hosting leadership seminar in Belize City
Chamberlain Consulting, the company that hosted the Belize site for the global leadership conference Leadercast […]

Verdes vs Bandits for PLB championship
The Green Machine’s offensive juggernaut awoke at home this afternoon, steamrolling Altitude FC of Independence, […]

Acknowledging the power of communities on World AIDS Day
Today, countries around the world took a moment to acknowledge everyone involved in the global […]

Police investigating fatal traffic accident in the south
Police are investigating a traffic accident that occurred in the early hours of Friday morning […]

Man shot near Majestic Alley
Minutes ago a man was shot on Belize City’s north side. He has not yet […]

Police investigate murder of Richard Smith
Authorities are investigating the murder of Hattieville resident Richard Smith. According to police reports, Smith […]

Robbers take cash, Belikin beers and iPhone
Authorities have detained two suspects pending investigation of a robbery that occurred on Friday night […]

American national found dead inside blue plastic drum
Authorities in Hopkins are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an American woman. Police […]

Blogs

Made in Belize: Shopping for Christmas Gifts With Local Vendors in Belize City
Small local businesses NEED our support and this is the time of year they count on. Tourist season…Christmas season…the holidays. Friday afternoon I headed to Belize City on the water taxi. I’d been invited to stay at a new hotel/restaurant/hip spot in my favorite neighborhood of Belize’s largest city, the historic Fort George area. North Park Hotel was hosting a “Backyaad Sip and Shop” featuring music, snacks and drinks and vendors from around the country – some I’ve met before and some new to me. I’ll write more about the LOVELY spot in a beautiful old waterfront colonial home soon…

Swimming with Sharks & Sting Rays in Belize
This past summer we went on a Carnival cruise on the ship Miracle for 7 days in the Caribbean. When the boat docked in Belize, we decided to go on a ship excursion to Shark and Ray Alley recommended by my aunt. We booked it ahead of time but if there are still open spots you can book it while you are on the ship plus there were other tour options to Shark and Ray Alley after you disembark. Off the boat we easily found our tour group in Belize City on the pier. After a quick (and free!) bathroom break in a nearby store, we boarded a smaller boat for the 50 minute ride to the small island of Caye Caulker. Once on the island, we donned our swimsuits and were given mask and fins (provided with the tour) for snorkeling later!

COULD BELIZE BE THE NEXT BUCKET LIST RUNNING DESTINATION?
It’s probably not what you think of when you hear “Belize:” running. You think of snorkeling the Barrier Reef, diving the Great Blue Hole, exploring Mayan caves and relaxing seaside in San Pedro and Caye Caulker. You think islands, jungles, archaeological sites and wildlife. Marathons and half marathons? Not so much, yet. But it’s happening. Belize is becoming an active vacation destination as it slowly begins to build a reputation for producing top runners and hosting professional running events. The woman behind the impetus? Patty Ramirez, who with her husband Ralph Capeling, runs the award-winning Splash Dive Center in Placencia, one of the best dive centers in Belize.

25 Things You Should Do With Your Partner In Belize (In 2020)
You know your partner better than we do, but let’s be honest, one thing that carries through for all relationships is the fact that they take work. Often times, finding time to reconnect as a couple, and ‘maintain the spark’ gets lost under all these other work and life commitments. It’s important to make time for each other; studies have shown that the benefits of being in a healthy, loving relationship lead to better health, lower stress levels and better mental and emotional wellbeing. Doing activities together as a couple is a perfect way to deepen the bond you share and create new memories.

International Sources

Making a splash: Gymnastics legend Simone Biles pulls off jaw-dropping dismount into the sea
US gymnastics idol Simone Biles has wowed her social media followers by posting a video from her Belize vacation where she landed her signature double-double dismount off a diving platform and into the sea. Biles, the most decorated gymnast in US history, is seen standing on the edge of a diving platform before hurling her jaw-dropping combo high in the air and splashing into the Caribbean Sea.

Why Belize's Ambergris Caye Holds the Key to My Heart
This was nothing like the beauty pageants I’d seen on TV. The Costa Maya Festival – which is held every August in Belize’s San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye – was alive with music, bedazzling costumes and a pervasive aroma from the food purveyors keeping everyone well-fed with stew chicken and fry jacks. The audience was just as hyped as the women on stage representing each of the Central American countries. Rather than the yawn-inducing polite, seated clapping I had always associated with pageants, onlookers' hips were swinging to the beat of a drum. Even though I was one of very few tourists in attendance, it was impossible not to be caught up in the rhythm alongside the Belizeans celebrating this expression of their unique culture.

Videos

December 1, 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

San Pedro High School Female Basketball team REgional Champions
Congratulations San Pedro High School Female Basketball team. Back to back regional champions!

Annual Adopt a Bear to bring joy to island children for the fifth year
For the fifth consecutive year, the ‘Adopt a Bear’ initiative is back on the island for the Christmas season. The project, sponsored by the Raise Me Up Foundation, gives individuals in the community the opportunity to gift a Christmas present to one child whose parents are not able to do so during the holidays. The program involves residents and visitors choosing a bear ornament from a Christmas tree at participating locations. The bear is labeled with the first name, gender, and age of a child, as well as their dream gift. By adopting a bear, the giver is committed to purchasing three items for the respective child; something they need, an educational item, and their wish gift written on the bear.

The 2019 BBBFF Strongest Man and Woman in Belize are Kaylon Godoy and Mary Gonzalez
Island resident Mary Gonzalez, The San Pedro Sun Associate Editor, placed first in the female division of the 2019 Belize Strong Man/Woman Competition held in Ladyville Village on Sunday, November 24th. The competition was hosted by the Belize Body Building and Fitness Federation (BBBFF) and saw five males and three females competing for the coveted titles. Taking the title of Strong Man 2019, was Kaylon Godoy of Power House Studio, Belmopan.

Olympic Medalist Simone Biles receives symbolic keys to San Pedro Town
During a short ceremony, world-renowned Olympic gymnast and gold medalist Simone Biles was presented with the symbolic key to San Pedro Town at Ramon’s Village Resort on Wednesday, November 27th. Present at the ceremony was Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Manuel Heredia, councilors, island athletes, and media corps. The short ceremony began at 7PM, with Belize Tourism Board (BTB) Communication and Public Relations Officers Raphael Martinez welcoming everyone and introducing Biles. After that, Mayor Guerrero, along with Miss San Pedro Litzy Castillo, officially presented Biles with the symbolic key to the island. Mayor Guerrero stated that they are privileged to have Biles visit it the island, and hope to see her more often, enjoying all that the island has to offer.

Awareness campaign to minimize Persistent Organic Pollutants in Belize
In an effort to raise public awareness about the hazards of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), the Department of Environment (DOE) is finalizing a package of strategies along with the Basel Convention Regional Centre for Training and Technology (BCRC) in the Caribbean to educate people about these harmful chemicals. An-all day workshop was held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel and Marina in Belize City on Tuesday, November 26th, where several stakeholders representing the government and the private sector were engaged with the proposed plans that are expected to be made available to the public in 2020.

Various Belizean Sources

Corozal Town’s Christmas tree lightning
The colorful Corozal Town’s tradition Christmas tree lightning, is Scheduled to be held on Saturday, December 7th starting from 7PM. The Traditional Christmas Tree lightning, beautifies the park, with colorful lights after the Central Park is lightened after the Ceremony. During the Christmas Tree lightning Show, there will be having entertainment for Kids and Adults. All are welcome to this spectacular Christmas Tree lightning show at the Corozal Central Park. So, save the date, start making plans, and usher in the Christmas season in our beautiful Corozal Town!

Hurricane Season 2019 ends today
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is the fourth consecutive year of above-average and damaging seasons dating back to 2016 and is tied with 1969 as the fourth-most active hurricane season on record, with 18 named storms and 20 tropical cyclones in total, although many of which were weak and short-lived, especially towards the end of the season. The season officially began on June 1 and will end today November 30.

Santa Rita Neighbourhood Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa Rita Neighbourhood Watch Group invites everyone to their Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Children's Treat - Sunday, December 1st at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Rita Park in Corozal.

FCD EYG Wins Club of the Year
Congratulations, FCD Environmental Youth Group! They won Club of the Year at last night's Belize Youth Awards in Belize City. Well deserved, as they work on many different projects around Cayo that focus on sustainability and environmental awareness. "FCD Environmental Youth Group is Awarded Club of the Year at the National Youth Awards 2019. This Award is Awarded to an organization that has consistently led, engaged and encouraged youth development activities and programmes that positively impact young people in whatever field of development."

National Youth Awards 2019
FCD Environmental Youth Group is Awarded Club of the Year at the National Youth Awards 2019. Congratulations for setting a high standard of service to this country of ours!!!

Water Sports Standards draft
The Caye Caulker consultation session on the Water Sports Standards draft is set for December 2nd, 2019. See you there!

2019 Belize Youth Awards
Kudos to Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative - YLAI alumnus Hernan Urbina for his nomination for the Youth in Entrepreneurship Award at the 2019 Belize Youth Awards. Congrats, Hernan, on your impressive achievement - the leadership you have shown in supporting young entrepreneurship in Belize is exactly what the YLAI program is all about. From all of us at the U.S. Embassy, we are proud and honored for you to be part of our embassy program alumni community!

The Reporter

The Hand-Made Coffin
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph. A stroke manifests itself in many ways. Many times we are only witnesses to the aftermath and consequences of a stroke, where a person may be talking with slurred speech and half of their face droops down.

Police Top Brass Honor & Recognize Good Police Officers
On Thursday the top-brass of the police department held a ceremony held at the Queen Street Police Station to honor several officers that have been protection and serving the public, and exemplary investigative police work.

Belizean National Arrested By Chinese Authorities In China
According to a report from news agency Reuters, a Belizean businessman living in China was arrested on November 26 for allegedly colluding with the United States to meddle in Hong Kong affairs.

Man Found Unconscious On Ebony Street Last Night Nov 29th.
A man is in stable condition at the KHMH after he was found unconscious om Ebony Street near Public’s Supermarket on Central American Boulevard around 8:45 Friday night.

Breaking Belize News

Ladies’ football goes down 2-0 to Guatemala
Guatemala’s senior female football team visited Belize this afternoon for the return match with Belize […]

Man stabbed in Orange Walk restaurant
A young man was reportedly stabbed tonight during an altercation at Oriental Mascot restaurant in […]

Volleyball congress concludes a successful year
Picture courtesy: Belize Volleyball Association The Belize Volleyball Association (BVA) met in general congress this afternoon […]

Friends for Conservation and Development discuss dangers of poaching in Chiquibul forest
Today, Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) hosted their annual general meeting at the San […]

Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) celebrate 20th anniversary
Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD), a non profit, non-Governmental organization recognized for its valuable […]

Richard Smith is Belize’s latest murder victim
Last night Breaking Belize News (BBN) broke the story that a man was murdered near […]

Mainland China arrests Belizean-Chinese for alleged Hong Kong “meddling”
Reuters news agency reports that Mainland China has arrested a citizen of Belize “for allegedly […]

Atlantic Bank San Ignacio Christmas loan fair is today
Atlantic Bank’s San Ignacio Christmas loan fair is today!! Fultec Systems, Bella’s delights, Palma’s Lumber and […]

Blogs

Busy Season on Ambergris Caye
It is starting to become “busy season” on Ambergris Caye. Not only do the tourists start returning much to the pleasure of business owners, but by this, I mean it gets very busy as we lead up to Christmas in Belize. Events and invitations are popping up daily, pretty soon we will be able to take all the island events and make an Island holiday Advent calendar.

Steel Pan Music
Very often in movies that have a Caribbean country as their backdrop, you can hear the tinkly, tinny cadence of a steel band in the background. The steel band is synonymous with Caribbean culture, and Belize is no exception. In general, music is part of everyone’s life story and connects us with events and memories in our lives. Steel Pans are a sound, a special language that draws one in. Since Belize straddles both Latino and Creole culture, these influences and sounds are incorporated into our music.

Belizean Lemon Pie
Belizean lemon pie has been a dessert treasured by most families; most people grew up on this dessert. A store-bought lemon pie cannot come close to the deliciousness of a homemade treat. And as delicious as they are, they’re easy to make. For a lemon pie specifically, it has to have a pure lemon flavor, but it also needs to be silky smooth. Flavors of Belize’s Belizean Lemon Pie recipe definitely covers both.

Orange Walk and The Role of The Catholic Church 1876
In 1881 Orange Walk was established as a separate district from Corozal. At this time a large number of Mestizo Yucatecans were added to the primarily white and creole population. This dramatic influx of Spanish and Mestizo Catholics met with a corresponding increase in the activity of the church in Orange Walk. Although the people of the New River had been served by various priests on a missionary basis, they now welcomed their first pastor, Father Alphonse Parisi, an Italian Jesuit (sent by the church in the Yucatan). He served Orange Walk from 1875 to 1880. His church, which had been built sometime before 1872, was a simple thatched structure located near the present Pallotine convent. Several years before his arrival, it had served the soldiers as a barracks.

Weather in Belize
When going on vacation, the type of weather can ultimately determine what kind of vacation you will have. Belize has a subtropical climate and similar to other countries in Central America, there are two seasons – wet and dry. The wet season or hurricane season in Belize is from June to November, while the dry season is December to May. Normally I would suggest that coming to Belize is perfect any time of the year, but if you are trying to avoid certain types of weather then here’s what you can expect.

Barton Creek Cave in Belize
Belize is filled with well-known caves that draw adventurers and explorers every year. Among them is Barton Creek, one of the most beautiful and mysterious caves in the country. Barton Creek Cave consists of massive passages covered with several large speleothems over a navigable river, and these features of the cave have made it a popular cave tour in western Belize. Archaeologists have found artifacts inside Barton Creek Cave that date from the years 200 AD to 900 AD.

Belize in Film
Last month the Belize International Film Festival kicked off another successful week of films. Belize’s first and only film festival is quickly gaining popularity in the realm of international film. This year especially, it was the Belizean films that were getting the most buzz. The directors of the films this year were delving into themes that had more social consciousness and commentary. The film festival opened on Wednesday, Nov, 8th. However, Friday night belonged to the Belizean short films and this is where Belizean directors shone.

New Jaguar Sanctuary
Jaguars are the largest and most threatened wildcats in the Americas. Belize is already involved since our Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary in the Stann Creek District is well known throughout the world. It is a protected area where Jaguars are free to prowl, especially at night. However, we need to do more. Officials from the conservation group Panthera, based in Brazil, have met with officials from the government of Belize to declare 7,000 acres of a key Jaguar habitat near the capital, Belmopan, as an additional protected area.

Rum Punch – Taste of the Tropics
Rum Punch is a refreshing rum-based beverage that is found in many different tropical locations from the Caribbean to Hawaii. This cocktail is great all year long and a Belizean favorite! It’s the most popular cocktail in the region. It is quick and easy to make, but more importantly, it is so tasty. Rum punch is simply rum with added fruit juice. The recipe to make a rum punch usually consists of rum (dark, light, or coconut) and lots of fruit juice such as orange juice, pineapple, lemon or lime juice, and grenadine for color. These can sometimes be swapped out and the amounts may vary, but these are essentially the basic ingredients to make a rum punch.

International Sources

China arrests Belizean, Taiwanese citizens over alleged meddling in Hong Kong affairs
China has arrested a citizen of Belize for allegedly colluding with people in the United States to meddle in the affairs of Hong Kong, the official Guangdong Communist Party newspaper reported on Saturday, citing local authorities. Lee Henley Hu Xiang, a Belizean businessman who lives in China, had funded key members of “hostile forces” in the United States to undermine China’s national security, and supported activities that led to chaos in Hong Kong, the Southern Daily said.

Videos