Recent Belize News, 6/11/2015 to 6/20/2015, BelizeNews.com

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Catching up with the Lobster Crawl at Di’Vu
For the entire week the lobster crawl has been making its highly anticipated stops at some of our favorite restaurants around town including Pineapple’s, Crazy Canuks, El Divino, Pedro’s Pizza, and Amber Beach Bar to name a few. Today we got a chance to catch up on all the lobster yumminess at Di’Vu located on Wet Willy’s Dock. Be sure to crawl on over to Pirates Treasure tonight to get those passports stamped and remember to join in on all of the action tomorrow June 20th at the Central Park BLOCK PARTY! Trust us you don’t want to miss out o!

Baydr Sajia and Ronnie Sosa represent Belize at XV Central American Beach Volleyball Championship
Two island residents represented Belize in the XV Central American Beach Volleyball Championship held from Friday, June 12th to Sunday, June 14th in Puerto Cortez, Honduras. 31-year-old Baydr Sajia from San Pedro Town and 30-year-old Ronnie Sosa from Caye Caulker Village are long time beach volleyball players, and even though they did not win the championship, they certainly made Belize proud. The tournament featured 11 female teams and 12 male teams from participating countries Costa Rica (CR), Guatemala (GUA), El Salvador (ESA), Honduras (HON), Nicaragua (NIC), Belize (BIZ), and Panama (PAN). Participating women’s team included: CRC 1 Karen Cope/Natalia Alfaro, CRC 2 Eugenia Ramírez/Yuliana González, GUA 1 María José Orellana/María André Orellana, GUA 2 Blanca Recinos/Ada Patricia Villalobos, ESA 1 Ivonne Soler de Tobar/Laura Molina, ESA 2Kathya Vásquez/María Fernanda Vargas, HON 1 Gina Flores/Martha Euceda, HON 2 Christianne Etches/Jarisa Hynds, NCA 1 Elia Machado/Lolette Rodríguez, NCA 2 Swan Mendoza/Claudia Machado, and PAN Kihary Nicoll Pérez/Hashkyn Cuero. Male teams included: BIZ Baydr Sajia/ Ronnie Sosa, CRC 1 Diego Alpízar/Julio Alvarez, CRC 2 Bryan Monje/Richard Smith, GUA 1 Julio Recinos/Luis García, GUA 2 Andy Leonardo/Erick Garrido, ESA 1 Carlos Escobar/David Vargas, ESA 2 Franklin Flores/Armando Guatemala, HON 1 Mercuri Miller/Wilfredo Vega, HON 2 Luis Baide/Manuel Serrano, NCA 1Rubén Mora/Dany Alvarado, NCA 2 Gerald Umaña/Gerson Contreras), and PAN Carlos Enrique Sanjur/Jasón Omar Quintero. The tournament was divided into six group, with Sajia and Sosa playing in Group D against HON 1 and PAN male teams.

USAV Brandy Military Station conducting Land Operations in Belize
USAV Brandy Military Station was spotted off the coast of San Pedro on Tuesday, June 16th. The 53/10 meter special operation vessel entered Belizean waters on Saturday, June 13th (according to Port of Belize logs) on a special training mission. The USAV Brandy is part of the Exercise Tradewinds, a United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) sponsored training exercise held annually in the Caribbean. The vessel was seen at around 3:30PM attempting to pass the ‘Entrada San Pedro’ cut. Exercise Tradewinds has two phases, Maritime and Land Operations. On board the vessel is a team of four officers and 36 other ranks from the Coast Guard, and three other ranks as supporting staff. The Maritime Phase took place in St. Kitts and Nevis from Saturday, May 30th to Thursday, June 9th. The Land Operations Phase are being held in Belize from Sunday, June 14th to Wednesday, June 24th. The aim of Exercise Tradewinds is to help Caribbean nations to be better able to counter land and maritime security threats such as human smuggling, and trafficking of illegal weapons and ammunition.

Work continues on North Ambergris Caye Road
Work on the second phase of the North Ambergris Caye road commenced about a month ago and it is to comprise of four miles of cemented road. The project was expected to last three months, depending on the weather. In the first weeks, the road has been widened, extended, filled with layers of hardcore material and compacted. The work is being done by Romel Burgess Construction and aims at improving the tourism fabric on the island. This second phase comes with an estimated cost of $4 million and is being financed by the Government of Belize (GOB) in coordination with the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC). According to Deputy Mayor, Gary Greif, the project will not just boost tourism but also add more traffic on the north part of the island, benefiting the north business community on a whole. “The first direct benefit of this infrastructure development will be for the golf cart rentals and the people that sell fuel. As the road becomes more accessible, more people will drive up north, thus increasing the consumption of fuel.” He also touched on the impact it will have on tourism. “It will also definitely boost the economy of the island as there will be better accessibility to the northern hotels. Visitors and residents alike will see the benefits. If a guest wants to come to downtown San Pedro they will not have to worry about a bumpy ride to town because the road will be in excellent condition. In turn, town businesses get a boost as well,” said Greif. Even though the project is slated for just seven miles, the Central Government has plans to extend the pavement up to Basil Jones area where lots have been subdivided and given to residents of San Pedro.

Empowering Women through new markets for Invasive Lionfish Jewelry
Blue Ventures, a Sarteneja based organization, focusing on lionfish jewelry, held a presentation in San Pedro on Tuesday, June 9th at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve office. The presentation was aimed at introducing the skill to six island women. Disadvantaged women from fishing families were shown how to make lionfish jewelry that can be sold to tourists and earn an extra income. The event is centered with the purpose of providing a means of economic empowerment for these women and their families. It is expected that 10 women from across the country will be selected following the community presentation from at least four coastal communities across Belize to participate in a 3-day training to be held in August in Belmopan City. According to Country Coordinator, Jennifer Chapman, at each presentation there is an application form which every participant needs to fill out in order to participate in the workshop. “The 3-day workshop taking place in August is being facilitated and organized by Blue Ventures with the assistance of two Belizean lionfish jewelers as trainers. It will be done in Belmopan the center of the country and therefore more accessible for women from the country side to attend,” said Chapman via a phone interview. “The objective of the workshop will be to train participants in three main areas: safe handling of lionfish and preparation of materials, construction and design of jewelry and lessons of business development as well.”

Ambergris Today

Graduation Season is here!!!
Celebrating this week is the senior class of Isla Bonita Elementary School. Continuing in the island tradition of Uniform Signing started by San Pedro High School, the students graduating this Saturday had fun writing messages on each other's uniforms. Congratulations to all the Graduates.

Celebrity Spotting – Chef Christy Bono Vacations in San Pedro
Famous Southern California chef and restaurant owner Christy Bono on vacation in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize, comments on the great hospitality of islanders and the good food of Belize. Chisty is the daughter of the late singer Sonny Bono (Sonny & Cher: "I Got You Babe") who later turned politician, first as the mayor of Palm Springs and then as a U.S. congressman. She is also the stepdaughter of award winning singer Cher and the sister of Chasity Bono. Christy (55) got famous on her own merits as an accomplished chef, having owned and run several upscale restaurants in Los Angeles and Long Beach over a span of 25 years. She got the passion for cooking from her late father Sonny Bono, who had owned a restaurant in West Hollywood, CA.

Misc Belizean Sources

Solidifying the Caribbean as a Serious Trade Contender
The Caribbean put up an emphatic presentation at the EU-CELAC Summit 2015 in Brussels last week where over 500 delegates from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean convened under the theme “Promoting inclusive and sustainable growth by enhancing the role of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises”. The event hosted by the European Commission, was attended by a delegation from the Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export), the only regional trade, export development and investment promotions Agency of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group and who’s presence ensured the visibility of the comparatively small region against the vast populous countries of Latin America with the attending audience.

The Retiree Program That Can Save You Thousands
Since they often head back to Canada to visit grandchildren, the couple decided that the country’s retiree program, the Qualified Retired Persons program, gave them the most flexibility and saved them money. The program, run by the Belizean Tourism Board, is easy to qualify for. Aside from submitting paperwork like birth certificates, marriage license, and a clean criminal record, the most important requirements are that you be 45 or older and have an income of at least $2,000 per month from a pension, Social Security, or some other stable source that is deposited in a bank in Belize. The Belizean Tourism Board has also been known to accept applications from those who deposit $24,000 from a savings account into a Belizean bank annually or who have a monthly income of $2,000 or more from retirement investment accounts. Paul and Gail had some expensive must-haves they wanted to bring with them to Belize, and the program helped with that. You can bring in a container of household goods, a car (less than three years old), a light aircraft, or a boat tax-free.

Mrs. Elda Lara Hancock passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Lara/Hancock family on the passing of Mrs. Elda Lara Hancock. May her soul rest in peace.

Colorado State University's Conservation Leadership Program
The students of Colorado State University's Conservation Leadership Program recently visited us in Sarteneja to learn about our Lionfish Project. After hearing about our upcoming lionfish jewellery workshop, for which we have funding to support 10 participants, and hearing the stories of some of the applicants, these incredible students felt compelled to launch a campaign so that we can say YES to more women, increasing impact and spreading the benefit further. Belize is 25/26 in the 2014 Gender Gap Report for the LAC region. This workshop helps women gain economic independence and addresses the lionfish invasion head on. It costs just USD 500 per participant - please donate to this worthy cause! Thank you CSU-CLP students!

Peccary sightings
Courtesy Shipstern Conservation and Management Area! It’s not often that we have the opportunity to feature a wildlife encounter in the field. The chances of capturing those images are extremely slim but every now and again we get lucky. Last week, our Rangers ran into a drove of about 75 white-lipped peccaries and one of our Rangers was able to get out his camera just in time to catch this image. White-lipped peccaries are very special specie as they are a critical key indicator species. A presence of these is usually indicative of a reasonably healthy ecosystem.

The Fact Corner. Courtesy: Belize Sugar Industries!
Take a look at our new "Fact Corner" where we will be sharing and highlighting facts about the Belize Sugar Industries.The purpose of this segment is to inform and educate our Belizean & international audience with factual and reliable information!

Corozal ART IN THE PARK
Reminder - ART IN THE PARK - today Saturday June 20th!

June 7th – June 13th, 2015 Report
Another great Orvis group trip led by Joe from Orvis Travel with everyone getting some good fishing time in despite some windy and overcast conditions. Tarpon fishing was pretty darn good for those who didn’t mind doing some blind casting.

Mr. Romilio "Pelon" Interiano passes away
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Interiano family on the passing of Mr. Romilio "Pelon" Interiano. May his soul rest in peace. Mr. Interiano was diagnosed with a brain tumor and passed away in Orange Walk.

New business on Caye Caulker
New business on d island...Stressless Tours! Owners are Keith Nichlas Anderson and Joanna Penelope and it's located on Calle Al Sol, Caye Caulker. Best wishes for them both!!

Channel 7

San Pedro Resort Owner Courts Gay Tourists
San Pedro town has long been known for its thriving gay community – but one resort owner is taking it to another level completely: he’s courting the gay tourist market – with an event called the Biggest LGBT Pride Event in Belize’s History. It’s a week long event planned for September at the Caribbean Villas Hotel and gay guests will be regaled with, quote, “Drag shows, Toga Parties, Leather & Lace Parties, Reg-gay Nights, a Masquerade Ball, a Runway Model Show and more... !!” Now, the resort owner says he’s just trying to tap into an available and lucrative tourist market – but he’s also toeing the fault line for one of Belize’s biggest cultural wars. Today Caleb Orozco told us, bring it on:.. Caleb Orosco - Executive Director, UNIBAM "I was as surprised as you to have received the Facebook release from our people in the community and for us we applaud any private sector event that promotes a climate of inclusion."

Police Catch Castro - Girlfriend Says He Made Her Swallow a Bullett!
Tonight a Dangriga woman has a bullet lodged in her, but not from a shooter – she was made to swallow it by an abusive boyfriend! That boyfriend was caught in Dangriga today –and he is Kenworth Castro – the nephew of Minister of State Edmond Castro. Earlier this week police responded to a complaint in Maskall Village – where Castro had tied her up and stuffed an undershirt in her mouth as a gag. She was holding unto her infant child – but he took the child out of her hand – and put the baby to sleep. He then texted his cousin to bring a gun for him and took out three bullets – one of which he forced into her mouth. He told her to give him back the bullet – but fearing for her life, she did not. That’s when he tried to forced it out of her mouth, and during that process, she swallowed it – the X-Ray shows that it is still lodged there days later. She went to hide out in Dangriga – and today, after being wanted for two days – police picked up Castro in that southern town – where he was still pursuing her at her family home. He will be brought back to the Belize District for charges

The Battle For Channel 5 Going to The CCJ
The battle over ownership and control of the Channel 5 TV Station is going to Caribbean Court of Justice. That’s what the attorney for the current government controlled BTL asked the Court of Appeal today to allow. Last year in November, attorneys for the Aschroft Alliance and BTL went before the judges of the Court of Appeal. BTL attorney Michael Young argued before the court that the action by the former directors of the company – before it was nationalised – did the telecommunications company a serious financial injury when they divested Channel 5 as an asset and spun its ownership into a completely separate entity. He submitted that 10 million dollars of revenues from BTL was lost when both companies were separated, and that those former directors ought to be personally liable for that money. The Supreme Court agreed with him, but at the Court of Appeal, the panel accepted the arguments of Eamon Courtenay, the attorney for the former Directors. His position was that they were protected from any such liability by an indemnity. The Court of Appeal Agreed with them, but the current Management of BTL is refusing to accept that as a final decision. Michael Young made an application today to the Court of Appeal to be granted leave to appeal to the Caribbean Court of Justice. Outside of court, we asked him why:

Cardona Says "No Suspension"; He's Still A Practicing Attorney
Attorney Marcel Cardona says the news of his professional demise has been greatly exaggerated. Two weeks ago, this media house and others reported that the General Legal Council had decided to suspend Cardona for a year based on a complaint of professional misconduct. This complaint was lodged in June of 2013 and it alleged that he had defrauded a foreign client, and also allegedly confessed in an email to bribing a court officer for the release of an accused person. In interviews on June 5th, Cardona confirmed that he too had heard the reports, but he maintained his innocence and blamelessness. Well, today, through his attorney at the Marine Parade Law Chambers, he issued a statement saying, quote, “no decision has been made by the General Legal Council to suspend Mr. Cardona from the practice of law.”

The Fascinating Taxonomy Of Belize's Favourite And Most Fetishized Fruit
At this time of the year - after the first rains – it’s a mango lovers’ feast, a veritable festival of flavours. But, in Belize, a mango is more than just a fruit – it’s like what snowflakes are to Eskimos: they have a thousand words for snow – and, if that’s true, Belizeans must have a thousand names for different kinds of mangos! Of course, there are the well-known staples: Number 11, Slippers, and the ever popular Black Mangoes. But did you know about the obscure Tommy Hawkey, the buff Big Ben, the exotic Cambodiamas, cousins Sandy Shaw and Tanga Shaw, or the rare Gold mango? Well, I didn’t – and today I went to the market for an education in the fascinating taxonomy of Belize’s favourite and most fetishised fruit:… Courtney Weatherburne Reporting.... With the mango season in full swing, walking through the market is like going through a garden of a thousand lights, each mango with it's own look and flavour. For the uninitiated, these are just mangoes but for the connoisseur of this succulent fruit, each mango has a story of its own.

PUC Objects To PUC Fees
Earlier in the newscast, we told you about BTL’s legal fight over who owns Channel 5. Well, there was another case from the Court which involves the other telecoms company, Speednet, better known as “Smart”. In 2011, Speednet sued the Public Utilities Commission claiming that the utilities regulator was overcharging them for licensing of 238 channels used to conduct their business such as phone calls, text messaging and data. How much was Smart accusing the PUC of overcharging them? Almost 800,000 dollars, so the company asked the Supreme Court to rule on whether or not the PUC made errors in doing so, and the case was decided by Justice Legall. He dismissed the case, and so, they took it to the Court of Appeal for a second opinion, which was handed down today. The attorney for PUC told us outside of court that they were somewhat more successful this time around: Fred Lumor, SC – Attorney for PUC "It's an appeal against the judgement of justice Legall which was lodged by speednet communications. The PUC had assess certain charges in the schedule to the telecommunications act for speednet to be paid. Speednet contention is that the fees are too large, onerous and too expensive and it was due to misinterpretation of the schedule of fees by PUC. So they asked the court to clarify the meaning of the schedule. The court rejected the appeal but partly accepted the argument of speednet. So the appeal was allowed to certain extent meaning that the fees are not to be paid in advance but should be paid in arrears since speednet has paid PUC the fees in advance. The court ordered that PUC should pay interest on over 700,000 dollars to each speednet paid to PUC as fees in advance - meaning that PUC would have to make payments of 6% interest on that money back to speednet. However, since speednet is to pay fees to PUC, they can set it off against future payments. So in a nutshell that was the decision this morning."

Tzul Chanced By Chan Pine Ridge Cops
Late this evening, Orange Walk resident, Damian Tzul came all the way from his village of Chan Pine Ridge to complain about what he describes as brutality from Orange Walk Police. Tzul, who says that he is an activist in his community, and a former police officer with 12 years of service, says that one his former colleagues in the uniform treated him roughly last night. He says that they came to arrest him on a commitment warrant for a fee he owed the court for several years now: Here’s how he described it: Tzul says that he has gone to complain to police internal affairs, and he’s also made a criminal complaint about the officer. He asserts that he is not anti-police, and that he suspects he was brutalised by an officer who was under the influence of alcohol while on duty.

Mental Health Matters For The Ageing
When most of us think about getting old – the main thing we focus on is the physical deterioration. But, the mental part of ageing is just as, or even more important. Things like grief, dementia and depression are very real issues that make coping and caring for the ageing a challenge. That’s why the ministry of health today held a mental health and ageing workshop for health professionals and caregivers. I found out more from the Nursing Administrator, in the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Program, Eleanor Bennett:.. Eleanor Bennett - Nursing Administrator, in the Ministry of Health’s Mental Health Program "Today we have a workshop, we call it mental health and ageing and it's sponsored by the mental heath unit. The workshop - the main focus is to make sure the mental health staff in particular, is updated with their most recent knowledge as it relates to mental health care. We have a facilitator from New York, the Mount Sinai school of medicine - her name is Dr. Aloese and she comes from the department of psychiatry and neurology. And she spent a lot of her time doing cognitive research, research on the brain functions. She's focusing on disorders of the elderly which include dementia, the most common one is alzheimer. She will talk about mood disorders, anxiety disorders and talk about problems of the elderly such as grief and isolation."

Talking Tradewinds
Tradewinds is an annual Caribbean-based military exercise organised by the U.S. Southern Command to strengthening partnerships- principally in the area of drug trafficking, but also in disaster response. For the month of June, the U.S. Coast Guard is linking up with partners from 18 other nations, along with crews from the U.S Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and National Guard, to train in damage control operations, non-compliant vessel operations and other maritime activities. Phase one of the exercise started in St KItts and Nevis and now the crew is in Belize. Today 7news travelled to the island town of San Pedro to get a firsthand view of an operation Tradewind Dive exercise. Monica Bodden Reporting... Phase two of the Tradewinds exercise focuses on increasing national tactics and procedures for tracking, intercepting, and boarding suspect vessels. The 16 member dive training team provides the Belize Coast Guard and Mexican Navy training in the areas of group diving tactics. During this week the teams conducted hull search, bottom search and recovery- while practicing evidence site contamination prevention techniques.

BTL Says "Buh-Bye" To Gmail
“BTL.NET” – it’s been around since the mid 90’s and is probably the oldest email domain in Belize. Even in the age of gmail, yahoo and other web based mail solutions, “btl.net” still has thousands of users, in fact – right here at Channel 7 – our main business mail is still tvseven@btl.net. But this weekend, btl.net users will have to change up their configuration – that’s because for the second time in 5 years, BTL is migrating the service to another server. Google has decided to terminate the service called gmail.bet.net, and so BTL has formed a new partnership with the email hosting and server hosting company, Rackspace, which is based in the US. This evening, BTL’s IT engineering Manager explained to us what it means for those who still use a “btl.net” address:

The Tenth Film Festival
NICH and the Film Commission are preparing for the 10th annual Belize International Film Festival - which will be start one month from today. 115 films – a number of them Belizean made – were submitted this time around, and so, the judges have been hard at work to narrow that number down to the entries of the best quality. With that, the festival was officially launched today, and we spoke with the Director. Here’s what she told us: The Film Festival takes place on July 17-19th in Placencia at the Belize Ocean Club.

Channel 5

B.E.L.’s Earnings Doubled in 2014
The Belize Electricity Limited held its annual general meeting on Thursday night. Two major announcements were made at the closed-door meeting of the government-controlled utility company held at the Radisson. [...]

Court of Appeal Dismisses Speednet Claim
The two telephone companies were before the Court of Appeal which today concluded its second session for this year. First we go to the case of SpeedNet Communications Limited, the [...]

Court Upholds PUC Fees Per Channel
Attorney Lumor says the Court of Appeal helped to settle a major issue discussed in the court below – the exact meaning of the word “channel” as used in the [...]

Telemedia to Argue Divestment Case at the CCJ
The other case had to do with Belize Telemedia Limited and it involved a process which was more of a formality than anything else. Today, the Court of Appeal granted [...]

Trade Winds 2015 – Diving the Caribbean Sea
Phase Two of the annual Trade Winds exercise is underway in Belize, as officers with various armed forces from across the region are taking part in a series of drills [...]

B.T.I.A. Pres. Says Consultation on Protected Areas Bills was Selective
Today, N.G.O.s continue to express serious concerns with two pieces of legislation allegedly tabled before Cabinet. This first is the brand new National Protected Areas System Bill and the second [...]

Says Amendments Would Negatively Impact PACT’s Function
Another concern with the N-PAS Bill is that it would establish a National Protected Areas Council, but only in an advisory capacity and not an administrative capacity as sought by [...]

Amendments Would Put PACT Board Under G.O.B. Control
And then there is a concern with the composition of the PACT Board of Directors, which would change significantly with the amendments which have been proposed. Via Phone: Osmany [...]

Immigration Reality Costs Owner of Dream-Like Bar
At the top of the newscast you heard the Court of Appeal decisions. But the Magistrate Court was also busy with immigration matters. On Thursday, the Immigration Department was on [...]

American Writer Overstays Welcome in Belize
An American writer who came to Belize legally in December 2013 on a one month permit has been detained for over staying his welcome. Allan David Head was in court [...]

Toledo Woman Faces Loss of 45 Acres of Family Land
A woman from San Pedro, Columbia in Toledo has just found out that forty-five acres of land which has been in her family since 1952 has been sold out from [...]

Marcel Cardona’s Attorney Says his Client Not Sanctioned by the GLC
Attorney Godfrey Smith on behalf of another attorney, Marcel Cardona, has today issued statement on Cardona’s behalf. It is in respect of a recent media report that the General Legal [...]

Mental Health Stakeholders Participate in Workshop
More and more persons in the Jewel are living with mental health conditions, particularly in the elderly population. Today, a mental health and ageing workshop was held at the Belize [...]

Specialized Care for Elderly Persons is a Focus
Another setback says Nurse Eleanor Bennett is that Belize does not have the trained persons in geriatric psychology and health care that should be provided to those elderly persons that [...]

Placencia to Host 10th Annual Belize International Film Festival
The tenth annual Belize International Film Festival is set to open with a bang in the next few weeks at the Ocean Club in Placencia. The festival is competitive and [...]

Film Director Discusses Award Categories
The categories for which trophies will be awarded are for Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Film and Best Short Documentary and Best Animation. A new category introduced [...]

Carnival Season Kicks Off This Weekend
Carnival Season is almost here and the Belize Carnival Association is inviting you to their launch this weekend. Mas Bands, entertainers and fans will kick off the season that organizers [...]

LOVE FM

Speednet and Court of Appeal Find Middle Ground in Court of Appeals
Another decision that the Court of Appeal handed down today has to do with Speednet Communications Limited, the parent company of Smart. For background, in 2011, Speednet filed a lawsuit against the Public Utilities Commission, PUC, as it relates to fees that it had been required to pay for its telephone service. The PUC had […]

BTL Will Go to the CCJ After Appeals Court Ruled Against Them
Earlier this year, the former Directors of Belize Telemedia Limited, BTL, won a judgment that declared them free of responsibility for financing Great Belize Productions to the tune of ten million dollars and divesting it from BTL in 2009 when the Government of Belize was making moves to nationalize the company. BTL sued and won […]

Caleb Urges Tourism Agencies to Make Clear Their Position on LGBT Tourists in Belize
While Stirm is against gay rights and against the planned Gay Pride Event, Activist Caleb Orozco, who is a homosexual, himself, is all for it. He says it is about time that an event of this magnitude be held in Belize. CALEB OROZCO “For my good friend Pastor Stirm, I welcome his commitment to his […]

Pastor Stirm Says Churches Will Unite In Prayer Against Gay Pride Event
The owner of Caribbean Resort Villas in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, has chosen to market a tourism package to the international community. That package is being described as the largest and most extravagant lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender event to be held in Belize. The private event is being called Temptation Island Pride Week and […]

European Union Says Belize Is Not Cracking Down on Tax Avoidance
Belize is one of the Caribbean countries blacklisted as one of the world’s 30 worst offending tax havens by the European Commission. Each of the countries on the list had been suggested by at least ten European Union member states as problematic by not doing enough to crack down on tax avoidance. The other Caribbean […]

Tradewinds 2015 – Phase II Underway in Belize
Tradewinds 2015 is currently underway in Belize. The exercise is centred in the Caribbean and entails exercises and training sessions that aim to improve the military’s response to natural disasters, land and maritime threats as well as illicit trafficking. Led by the United States military, Tradewinds 2015 is currently in its second phase. As part […]

Police Seeks Castro for Wounding and Aggravated Assault
A 19-year-old woman was reportedly traumatized about a week ago when the young man she was in a relationship with assaulted her subsequently leading to her swallowing a bullet. Reports reaching Love News are that the one year relationship had gotten hostile and violent leading to the boyfriend, Kenworth Castro now being wanted by the […]

Cardona Still Practicing Law
Two weeks ago we had reported to you that following a meeting of the General Legal Counsel, it was recommended that Attorney Marcel Cardona be suspended from practicing law in Belize following a complaint by one of his former clients. Today, however, a notice was sent out from the law firm, Marine Parade Chambers, clarifying […]

PlusTV

West Will Play with Honduras
It’s official! Woodrow West has signed a contract with the Honduran Football Club El Progreso and his heading to Honduras next week to begin training in time for the Liga Nacional De Honduras...

Michael Feinstein challenges Stake Bank takeover
Provisions in the amended contract of operation of Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV) between its owners and the Government of Belize and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) had the effect of ensuring a continued source of revenue and satellite development through the Stake Bank project being developed b...

Allegations of fixed football match
Three football players in Belize are being investigated by CONCACAF and UNCAF for alleged match fixing. The allegations came after a match between BDF and Verdes in April 29th earlier this year, in which Verdes beat BDF six to nothing...

BTIA claims progress at general meeting
Six months ago the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) elected a new executive tasked with turning the organization around after some floundering in recent years...

FFB begging for money for National Team
The Football Federation of Belize, FFB, is turning to the public and Government for assistance going in to the third round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. After spending close to $500 thousand dollars solely from FFB accounts, according to Ruperto Vicente, the federation is pretty much broke....

Refurbished courts and free WIFI
Sports enthusiasts, especially for basketball and volleyball, have already been enjoying the refurbished Basketball courts around Belmopan. Yesterday, Wednesday June 17, saw the inauguration of the refurbishment basketball court at the Mauvelene Gordon Park, the third recently inaugurated...

Maurice Felix charges upgraded to murder
Reports are that wanted accused for attempted murder 30 year old Maurice Felix turned himself in to police today...

Belize Infrastructure Limited Office burglarized
The office of Belize Infrastructure Limited in Belmopan was burglarized. Sometime between June 16 and June 17, someone broke into the building at # 1664 Market Square Area, Belmopan City...

Amandala

Maurice Felix’s attempted murder charge upgraded to murder
Police Press Officer Raphael Martinez confirmed to Amandala this afternoon that Maurice Felix, 30, who was wanted by police, but who was able to elude arrest and went under the radar for more than a week, turned himself in around 5:00 o’clock this morning. Felix was remanded to prison on charges of attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm and dangerous harm. He was granted Supreme Court bail on Friday, June 5, but on that same day, Mark Gentle (Vernon), the person whom Felix is accused of shooting, succumbed to his gunshot injuries while undergoing treatment at Belize Medical Associates, where he was transferred from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) Intensive Care Unit. Felix was escorted to the Magistrate’s Court this morning by CIB officers, who handed him over to court police. Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser arraigned him on the upgraded charge of murder for “intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of Mark Gentle (Vernon) on June 5.”

Teachers and public officers to receive 8% salary adjustment
The paychecks of teachers and public officers will be substantially larger next month, when Government will pay what’s due to them to satisfy an 8% salary adjustment being implemented this year, amounting to an additional $38 million in salary payments. Usually, the budget figures are not finalized until months after the fiscal year closes on March 31, and the Government announced today, via the Ministry of Finance, that teachers and public officers will be receiving their salary adjustment in the coming weeks. Marvin Blades, president of the Public Service Union (PSU), who has also been representing the unions in the salary negotiations with Government, told Amandala today that the salary adjustment to cover the months of April, May and June would be included in July payments to open vote workers as well as established public officers, pensioners, teachers and all who work for the government. Others who receive increments based on merit will get an additional 2.25% salary increase, Blades said.

BEL announces record $36.2 mil in profits
On the occasion of its annual general meeting being held tonight at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City, the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), a government-owned utility company, announced that it had earned a $36.2 million profit in 2014, breaking the company’s record of $29.86 million announced for 2007, when the company was controlled by Fortis Inc. of Canada. BEL was initially privatized back in 1999, when the Government of Belize invited Fortis Inc. to invest and the company accepted a minority stake in BEL. The company’s profits in 2000 were reported at $10 million, and the company had consistently been growing its profits until it peaked in 2007, a year after Fortis acquired majority stake. However, the company recorded a loss of $10.8 million for 2008 but rebounded in 2009. Since then, profits had been on the decline, with the situation worsening in 2012, when BEL reported an excruciating loss of $16 million.

3 months for attempted murder!
The decision of Supreme Court Justice Dennis Hanomansingh not to impose a prison sentence on Wilbert Cuellar, who was convicted on December 12, 2011, along with Darwin Diaz, for the attempted murder of Josue Chay, triggered an appeal from Director of Public Prosecutions, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal. Justice Hanomansingh had expressed dissatisfaction with the jury’s verdict and decided to use his “inherent jurisdiction” to not send Cuellar to prison on December 19, 2011, the day the court had set for sentencing the two convicted men. Diaz, however, was not so fortunate. Hanomansingh sentenced him to serve 12 years in prison. DPP Vidal’s challenge to Justice Hanomansingh’s decision to not impose a prison sentence on Cuellar was heard in March 2014, and the Court of Appeal had ordered Hanomansingh to impose an appropriate sentence on Cuellar.

Husband flogged her with a machete then set her on fire, says woman
Maria Pech, 36, a housewife of Santa Clara, Corozal District, is lucky to be alive after her husband, Joel Alfredo Pech, 33, allegedly lashed her with a machete on her leg and body, and later set her afire. Pech told police that when she went back to the house after escaping from him, her husband doused her with kerosene and tried to set her on fire. She managed to put out the flames, but suffered burns to her arms. Neighbors called police and Pech’s husband was found in the village and arrested. The incident occurred at about 7:30 Monday evening at the couple’s home in Santa Clara.

Unions canvass members as GOB prepares to table PetroCaribe amendments
Amendments to the controversial PetroCaribe Loans Act are due to be tabled in Parliament next Friday, June 26, and constituent unions of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) have been asked to canvass the views of their membership on the proposed amendments before the executive of the Congress meets this Saturday, June 20, 2015. NTUCB president Marvin Mora told Amandala today that his union, the Belize Energy Workers Union (BEWU), has already begun to disseminate information to members and they will be canvassing the views of their general membership on the proposed amendments. On May 27, 2015, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dean Barrow met with NTUCB officials to discuss their concerns about the PetroCaribe Loans Act, as well as his proposals to amend the law at the upcoming House meeting.

McCaulay, West to Honduras?
Senior Football Federation of Belize (FFB) executive member, Marlon Kuylen, as well as Woodrow West, the well-known goalkeeper for the Belize national team, confirmed to local media today that both West and his Belize Jaguars teammate, star striker Deon McCaulay, are being courted by a professional club from Honduras. Media reports from that country suggest that officials from a team known as El Honduras Progreso, which partakes in the Liga Nacional de Honduras, were en route to Belize today to formally make contract offers to the two players. West told us today that he was initially contacted by a representative of the team two weeks ago, and that currently, no deal has been struck as yet with the agents who have come to negotiate with them; but if the conditions are favorable, he might end up playing with the team for its upcoming season which starts on June 29 in Honduras.

National Primary Schools Football Champions 2015
On Wednesday, June 17, the Primary School Football Nationals for females and males were held in Belize City. The female games were played at the MCC Grounds, while the male games were played at the Youth Hostel Field. Six male teams and six female teams participated, one male team and one female team representing each district as follows: Stann Creek – Independence Primary females and males. Cayo – Immaculate Concepcion RC females and Mount Carmel males. Belize – Belize Elementary females and San Pedro RC males. Orange Walk – Carmelita Gov’t females and La Immaculada RC males.

The best of the best playing
Playoff matches in the Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015, under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, kicked off over the weekend. There were two games scheduled to be played. At Lords Bank, Western Eagles vs Sunrise was postponed due to inclement weather. At Crooked Tree, Police traveled there to play the home team, Brilliant. Brilliant took to bat first, and at the fall of the last wicket, scored 100 runs. Arturo Wade scored 27 runs for the home team, while Walton “Baby Hulk” Banner and Baronlee Clare took 4 and 3 wickets, respectively. Police went to bat, and at the fall of 2 wickets, scored 26 runs. Rain then started, and the game had to be stopped and postponed. This game will continue on Sunday, June 21, in Crooked Tree. The games scheduled for this Saturday are: Brilliant goes to Belmopan against Police in game two. Sunrise goes to Rancho Dolores to play Western Eagles. If weather permits, these are games for fans to come out and watch.

Editorial:Welcome to the party: 2003 and 2015
Belize’s democracy is not in a good place today. Belize’s democracy is becoming skewed because of the Petrocaribe moneys. In 2003, Belize’s democracy had entered a bad place, because loans from various regional and international banking institutions had made the democracy one-sided: the ruling People’s United Party (PUP) had bought out everyone in sight. “Welcome to the party” was the mantra that was blowing like a storm. The same thing is happening today, in 2015, only that it is now the United Democracy Party (UDP) who are the incumbents and have unlimited money to spend. The difference between winning and losing in Belize’s electoral politics is so huge that many individuals are afraid of participating as candidates. The amount of personal abuse one suffers after being part of a losing election is crushing. Belize is a small place; the abuse is, to repeat, personal. The abusers in the streets are relentless, because they are encouraged by the politicians who have been victorious and gained access to public funds and the apparatus of state power. Losing an election can become a traumatic experience at the personal level.

From the Publisher
It is clear that there was an organized attempt at the highest levels of the Government of Belize to downplay the incident at the Sarstoon River Island which took place between Thursday, May 28, and Friday morning, May 29, when armed elements of the Belize Coast Guard and armed elements of the Guatemalan navy confronted each other. At the time of an incident, exactly three months before this May 28/29 incident, when armed elements of the said Guatemalan Navy kidnapped 37 Belizeans who were under the banner of Belize’s Northern Territorial Volunteers (NTV) from the same location in the Sarstoon River mouth and forced them to go to the Guatemalan port of Livingston, the response of the various Cabinet Ministers of the ruling United Democratic Party (UDP) had been inappropriate. One high-ranking leader of the Belize Government actually referred to the NTV mission as “misguided patriotism.” In the House of Representatives, the Toledo East area representative of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), it should be noted, took a similar line, when he criticized the NTV and similar groupings for behavior which he said would provoke violence from “those people” (the Guatemalans).

Major Lloyd Jones writes on Belize, Guyana and Petrocaribe
Dear Editor, Petrocaribe was born in June 2005 when 14 Caribbean nations signed on to the Energy Cooperation Agreement during the First Energy Meeting of Heads of State / Governments of the Caribbean on Petrocaribe. Since then its membership has expanded to 18, and today all but three members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are members of Petrocaribe. Belizeans have become familiar with Petrocaribe as a consequence of the Barrow administration’s insidious embrace and carefree spending of the Petrocaribe loan funds — and because of the single greatest post-independence challenge to our democracy: the Petrocaribe Loans Act of 2015. Petrocaribe, an initiative of the late President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, was designed, amongst other things, to counter American hegemony in the region. Comandante Chavez, a man with regional leadership aspirations, understood quite clearly the kind of political leadership that exists throughout the Caribbean. He understood that because of the failure of the said political leadership and their harmful developmental practices, he could buy influence within the Anglophone Caribbean. Enter Petrocaribe!

Message to the youth – begin reading good books!
Dear Editor, I wish to state my opinion on the educational system of Belize with regard to a recent letter posted in your newspapaer. The author, Alberto Vellos, spoke of the youth being lied to and he exhorted them to rise up. The young rising up sounds good, but I wonder how can we show we are not willing to have politicians and other unscrupulous persons step on our dignity? Many youth experience the harsh reality of doors closing in front of their faces and no one does anything. As Alberto pointed out, no one can do anything unless the youth themselves start out by taking action. It is at this juncture, that I want to point out that one factor contributing to the passivity of the youth is the failure of the educational system to shape the character of young people. When I finished high school in Benque Viejo in 2012, I had no idea how to start a discussion in class. I entered John Paul II Junior College, the new junior college at Benque Viejo, and I was disappointed to come to know through my personal experience, the ways in which the educational system is failing. I was able to notice this failure because the education offered at John Paul II Junior College is based on liberal arts and when one studies the liberal arts, one learns how to think critically.

Mexican tourism and commercial companies reach out
The Mexican Institute in Belize City was buzzing with activity this morning as a host of Mexican tourism and commercial companies participated in a tourism and commercial mission which was organized by the Embassy of Mexico to Belize and the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CANACO Chetumal). The objective of the event was to promote products and services that Southern Quintana Roo has to offer, as well as to promote regional integration between Belizean and Mexican companies. Amandala stopped by the event and spoke to Javier Aguilar, who is the Head of Economic and Tourism Affairs at the Mexican Embassy in Belize, and he elaborated on the purpose of the initiative. He said, “Today we’re having a tourism and commercial mission where companies come in from Chetumal, Bacalar and Mahahual. Most of these companies work in the tourism sector and the purpose of the mission is so that companies from southern Quintana Roo can come and offer their wide array of products and services to the Belizean public, and also that tour operators and entrepreneurs from Belize link with their Mexican counterparts from that area to share ideas and find ways to increase interaction and business opportunities between companies, but particularly in this region.”

Broadcasting and cycling’s Gerald Garbutt, 69, dies
Gerald Garbutt, 69, who worked at Radio Belize as a technician when it was the only radio station in the country as well as an arm of the government, and who was station manager for a fledgling KREM Radio in the early ‘90s, as well as a sports aficionado and president of the Belize Cycling Association, died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) last night, Tuesday, from heart-related complications. Garbutt had been ailing for several years and reportedly suffered a stroke at his Racecourse Street home, where he resided with his wife, who rushed him to the KHMH. After the government dismantled its radio broadcast monopoly and KREM Radio became the first private radio station in 1989, Garbutt worked as manager of the station up to the early 1990s. In the complex world of radio broadcasting, Garbutt had the talent for getting the show on the road on time with his attention to details and his no-nonsense approach to his job. In an interview with LOVE FM, Glenn Tillett, who knew him well, described Garbutt as “a technician extraordinaire, and a pioneer when it comes to outside broadcasting.”

BTIA launches 30th anniversary celebration
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) is launching its 30th anniversary celebration at the Ramada Belize City Princess Hotel in Belize City on the occasion of its 2015 bi-annual general meeting. During the morning session, BTIA officials presented the organization’s achievements and future plans. Thursday afternoon was set aside for a presentation on “The Core Importance of Customer Service from Upper Management to Front Line Staff,” by Javier Gutierrez, and the evening closes off with a cocktail to mark the official launch of BTIA’s 30th anniversary celebration. This morning, Osmany Salas provided an overview of the organization’s accomplishments since its AGM of December 2014, when he was elected to serve as the new president of BTIA. Reporting on the 10 target areas outlined for action, Salas announced that the BTIA had recruited John Burgos to fill the vacant post of executive director.

Justice Abel hears challenge to cruise tourism head tax
Supreme Court Justice Courtney Abel today began to hear the legal challenge which was filed by businessman Michael Feinstein against the Government of Belize, and which opposes the manner in which the US$7 head tax is collected by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) from cruise passengers and distributed mostly to the private owners of the Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV), which collects more than half the pie. While the court has yet to hear counsel for the FSTV, it did hear arguments today from attorneys for Feinstein and the Government of Belize. Speaking with the press this evening, Feinstein explained that the central claim he is making is that it is illegal for the government to collect and distribute the head tax in the manner that it has been doing. Feinstein is one of the original investors of the FSTV, but he later sold out to Royal Caribbean – which also wants to buy out Feinstein’s new project.

The Reporter

Caregivers learn about mental health and aging
The Mental Health Association focused on Friday on a real part of the human life as it relates to mental health – old age. The association enrolled its caregivers in a workshop to discuss different realities of mental health that affect mainly the elderly, and […]

Man who tried to burn wife alive denied bail
A man who tried to set his wife on fire was remanded this week to the Hattieville Prison on charges of attempted murder, harm and aggravated assault. Joel Pech, 34, who police say threw kerosene on his wife, Maria Pech, 36, and tried to light […]

Independence Primary boys win national football championships
The boys of Independence Primary School won the National Primary Schools Football Tournament, organized by the National Sports Council at the Raccoon Street field in Belize City on Wednesday, June 17. The Independence boys won the championship final 3-2 over the Cayo District champions, […]

Minister Saldivar’s driver charged for hit and run in government vehicle
Minister of National Security John Saldivar’s driver, Orlando Castillo was arrested and charged with multiple counts of traffic offences related to causing the death of a villager in Camalote on Saturday night, while driving a government vehicle. According to Superintendent Howell Gillett, Officer Commanding […]

“Tommy Goff” kills boy days before his 12 birthday
Elias Jucub would have celebrated his 12th birthday this Friday, but instead, he was laid to rest this week after a Fer de lance (locally called Tommy Goff), one of the deadliest snakes in Belize, bit him in his native San Miguel Village on […]

Belize gets Taiwanese grant for coastal community project
Belize is receiving a grant from the Taiwanese government to fund a Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) climate change adaptation program. The program is designed to help prepare and protect communities in southern Belize from extreme weather and the effects of climate change. With […]

“Wally” Williams’ murder believed to be gang-related
Allison Oswald “Wally” Williams, 28, a contractor with Cisco Construction, had just left his house at 3832 Rivero Street Extension on Friday night to visit a lady friend on Partridge Street Extension, when his killer snuck up on him and shot him in what […]

Belize borrows $65 million for highway project
The Government of Belize, through approved financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the European Union (EU), has borrowed $65 million for a project to upgrade a section of the George Price Highway from Belmopan to Santa Elena. The IDB is providing financing […]

US suspends visas and passports due to glitch
The United States (US) State Department has said it has had to suspend the issuing of visas and passports at overseas diplomatic missions, due to a glitch in its Consular Consolidated Database, (CCD). These services will remain suspended indefinitely, it said. “We do not […]

Two charged, remanded for ex-fireman’s murder
Two men, Brandon Kerr, 30, and Lindberg Williams, 32, are remanded to jail on a joint charge of murder for the shooting and mutilation by burning of former Dangriga Fire Chief, Ralston Patnett, 51, on the Commerce Bight Road in Dangriga. Kerr, who lives […]

BELTRAIDE helping SME’s tap into Central American market
The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) and the Regional Center for the Promotion of Micro and Small Business (CENPROMYPE) held a workshop on Tuesday with stakeholders in Belize to discuss improving economic opportunities with the rest of Central America. Fernando Ocampo, consultant […]

Guatemalan Gunboat Tecum Uman has “sovereign immunity,” spokesman says
The Guatemalan military vessel, GC-651, which ran aground between Middle Caye and Long Caye in the Glover’s Reef System, has returned to Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. At around 11:30 am on Saturday, the 65-foot Cutlass gunboat, which had been firmly stuck on the crest of the reef, was pulled off by […]

Caribbean, EU more than doubles funding for the Caribbean
The European Union (EU) has more than doubled the amount of regional funding for the Caribbean. EU High Representative/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, signed a new regional funding program, valued at €346 million (US $396.1 million). The new program increased the available amount from […]

Greater opportunities for Belizeans through CAPS
Belizeans now have greater access to employment opportunities throughout the Caribbean, through a new system, developed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The CARICOM Single Market Economy Application Processing System (CAPS), allows Belizeans, and members of all CARICOM member states, to upload their qualifications and contact […]

Belizeans claim they were terrorized by Guatemalan military
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly fired off a request for a verification exercise to the Organization of American States, following alarming allegations of abuse made by five Belizeans detained last weekend. Michel Romero, Ray Martinez, Ashton McKenzie, Rafael Cus and Rutilio Cal claim they were detained by Guatemalan […]

Kriols need to embrace their culture, says Belize Kriol Council
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines culture as the beliefs, customs, arts, behaviors etc., of a particular society, group, place or time. The National Kriol Council, this week, called on Belize’s Kriol population to learn about and appreciate the contributions of the Kriol as a people […]

Editorial
Having a referendum in Belize and a referendum in Guatemala on the same day, to decide on whether to submit the Belize-Guatemala claim to the International Court of Justice, provides a clear way forward for solving this knotty century-old dispute. Guatemala has indicated that she wants to combine her referendum […]

San Pedro resort offers LGBT bash! But anti-gay activists protest!
Caribbean Villas Resort in San Pedro is offering a tourist package marketed internationally, which it has described as the biggest Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Trans-gender (LGBT) pride event in Belize’s history. The seven-day, seven-night “Temptation Island Pride Week” isn’t scheduled to be held at […]

CONCACAF investigates game rigging
For the first time in the history of football in Belize, three players have been accused of taking bribes to affect the outcome of a game, known The game in question is one which was played on April 29, 2015, between the BDF Football Club and Verdes. BDF lost the […]

Public officers get salary increase
The government announced on Tuesday that public officers and teachers will receive an eight percent salary increase, totalling some $38 million. The increase is part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, signed by the Government of Belize and the Public Service Union (PSU), the Belize […]

NTUCB President speaks on union’s meeting with PM
National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) President, Marvin Mora, said after his meeting with the Prime Minister that he was surprised to learn that the government isn’t thinking about repaying the Petro Caribe loan and has not formulated any plan to do so. […]

The Belize Times

Barrow Too Soft On Guatemala! – GOB has allowed Guatemala to violate Belize’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
The Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) has chastised the Dean Barrow Government’s handling of Guatemala’s outright acts of aggression and antagonism. The recent brazen acts by our hostile neighbors in the west include the inhumane treatment of five Belizeans that include a UDP politician detained in Guatemala, the clandestine intrusion of two Guatemalan gun boats which crashed on our reef last week, the military invasion of Sarstoon Island in Southern Belize two weeks ago, the kidnapping of patriotic Belizeans who were observing Belize’s territorial sovereignty at the Gracias a Dios border marker in February, and the illegal incursion of armed Guatemalans who shot and killed Special Constable Danny Conorquie deep into Belize’s territory at the Caracol Mayan site in September last year. It appears that with each act, the level of faceyness and disrespect increases – and almost in chorus the defense of Belize’s sovereignty by the Foreign Minister Sedi Elrington and Prime Minister Dean Barrow weakens!!

They defend Faber’s Petrocaribe/Tacos Fest
“…my friends we were able in the Collet constituency to roll twenty-two loaded buses to Corozal Town today and we had a wonderful family day courtesy of Petrocaribe and our Prime Minister the Hon. Dean Barrow. We danced to Jorge Ernesto Babb and the Caribbean roots band. We bathe up inna di sea…you know the beautiful Corozal Bay sea weh look turquoise and milky and beautiful…we eat tacos and we eat pibil and we eat BBQ…we had a feast,” Patrick speaking at Darrel Bradley’s Convention, Sunday, June 7, 2015. The above statement by Patrick Faber has drawn the ire of the Belizean public, as it reveals how the UDP is mismanaging Petrocaribe loan monies for wasteful political gimmicks. While organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce have condemned the misuse, UDP officials have found it strangely and brazenly appropriate to speak in its favor. Financial Secretary Joseph Waight had no problem with Faber’s use of borrowed Petrocaribe money to buy tacos and drinks for UDP supporters. He told PLUS TV News that people will simply always have an opinion.

Moody’s warns about “Unsustainable Public Debt”
A June report issued by Moody’s Investors Service has warned investors that Belize could be staring at looming “unsustainable public debt” and possibly even the need for another debt restructuring in 2018. Moody’s forecast of Belize’s economy is that it will continue along its’ current state as the “economic fundamentals, including its economic strength, have not materially changed”, which means things will continue dull and dead for a majority of Belizeans. There will be no new ideas or major investment spending in any new industry by the Government, and their dependency on “tourism” and some expected recovery in agricultural sector. GOB’s dependency on oil has been hampered by decreasing oil exports. Moody’s also warned that the country could face unsustainable debt in the coming years for a number of converging reasons: the still outstanding BTL and BEL compensation liabilities, increased amortization payments to bondholders and the increased political pork and barrel spending by the Barrow administration as the general elections nears.

80 yr. old seriously injured after falling into drain access – CitCo denies assistance, says “No Money Noh deh”
80 year old Jose Hernandez says he is lucky to have survived a brutal accident he suffered last week Thursday, June 11th 2015. Hernandez broke his left elbow bone, and bruised and scraped his chest, leg and back when he fell into a drain access which had apparently been covered with an old piece of board. Hernandez was riding his bicycle along the Philip Goldson Highway (Northern Highway), just after the Pallotti bus stop, when he rode over the drain access thinking it was safe. Instead, the wood cover crumbled and he went almost face first on the concrete sidewalk. Two good Samaritans in the area helped him up, and he thought he was ok, until he felt a piercing pain on his left hand. He had to be rushed to the hospital.

Think About It
The majority of Belizeans have lost confidence in the government as it relates to the handling of any issue with Guatemala. We have never seen a government look so unsure and insecure in relation to simply standing up for the right of our people, our sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It is unheard of. A large part of the problem is the lack of information to Belizeans. It is becoming apparent that government is also lying and covering up facts rather than being straightforward. The loss of sovereignty over Sarstoon Island takes the cake. We cannot help but feel deeply disappointed with the government. The buck stops at the Prime Minister, and his deafening silence on the Sarstoon speaks volumes.

The ICJ – An Unnecessary Test
The chronic and antagonistic predicament that is the Guatemalan claim has once again reared its ugly head and assumes prominence in our existence. This sleeping dog has been awakened and now, as it has so often before, is growling and threatens to disrupt our “tranquil haven of democracy”. Belize has self-governed since 1964 and has been independent since 1981, but despite this, through it all, we have been taunted and haunted by a persistent belligerence from our neighbors to the west. There have been numerous incursions, violations of treaties, assaults on our security forces and even threats of invasion. The situation as it stands is that we are now being steered toward a hearing in court where the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be given the authority to redefine our borders which are already, solidly demarcated. There are those who are trying to convince us that we face no risk of losing any ground but skepticism is running high. I grew up in a Belize where the threat of an invasion from Guatemala was never far from daily conversations. Whenever a plane flew too low overhead or if the British made any sudden troop movement, the town became abuzz with rumors. Tensions would climb and the entire country would go on alert and succumb to a state of nervousness. I distinctly recall once when almost half of Benque Viejo evacuated and frantically fled to the northernmost tip of Corozal; I believe that some might still be living there. Belizeans lived in perpetual fear of these barbarians at our gate and the words “Guatemala dih come” was enough to detract from any other issue and send the bravest among us scurrying for cover. In retrospect, it was damaging to our self esteem but such was the order of the day.

UDP SELL OUT EXPOSED!!!
Earlier this year the government of Belize instructed their highly paid attorney to “withdraw” the appeal against the Mayan Leaders Alliance (MLA) in the case where they (Mayan Leader Alliance) had won a Supreme Court decision and was awarded Customary Communal Land Rights for the lands (18 communities) they occupy in the southern part of Belize. The UDP Government of Belize told the Court that they are withdrawing their appeal because they recognized the Mayans are “squatters” and they have been squatting for over thirty (30) plus years therefore under the Laws of Belize they have earned the rights to the lands by occupation due to their initial squatting. All Belizeans know that squatting is illegal in Belize, so in essence the UDP government has classified the Mayan in Southern Belize as criminals, and then allow them to maintain possession of the lands. Of course many will argue that if the UDP government had proceeded with the appeal they would have lost. So by giving a temporary pass to the Mayan people the UDP government saved face and appeared as though they did something good. But let us look at what all the UDP Government did leading up to their conceding. In the Courts they initially challenged the Mayan Leaders Alliance’s claim vehemently and the UDP in nepotistic style brought in Lois Young Barrow and Denys Barrow (Prime Minister’s ex-wife and brother) as private attorneys to defend the case even though the Solicitor General office is staffed by over 20 plus attorneys and legal minds, who are paid with tax dollars to represent the Government. The UDP government lost the case both at the Supreme Court and Appeals Court level and were on their way to the Caribbean Court of Justice when the UDP government changed their tune and dropped the appeal.

Lady Jaguars & Jaguars are volleyball champs
The Lady Jaguars swept the Moen Stars in the finals last Thursday and Saturday to win the 2015 Belize District Volleyball Association’s women’s championship. In Game 2 on Saturday night, the Moen Stars pulled out stops in a vain attempt to take the series to a Game 3. The Stars won the 1st set: 25-21 and tied the game 2-2 by winning the 4th set: 25-17. The Lady Jaguars won the 2nd and 3rd sets: 25-21 and 25-23. The extra 5th set went 15-11 in favour of the Jaguars. On Thursday night, the Lady Jaguars had won the 2nd, 3rd and 4th sets: 25-15, 25-21 and 25-22; as Zaire Garbutt, Shantell Arnold, Tichelle Solis, Maurissa Williams and Kay-de Vaughn scored points at the net on plays set by Tanesha Encalada and libero Tisha Solis after Moen Stars had won the 1st set: 25-18; as Sherika Burton, Kelsey Balderamos, Nelisa Ramirez, Jahshema Saunders and Kevanna Sebastian hammered kills on balls set by Krystal Bevans.

BES girls & San Pedro RC boys advance to football champs
The Belize Elementary School girls and the San Pedro RC School boys will represent the Belize District at the National Primary School Football Championships at the MCC on Wednesday, June 17 after winning the Belize district primary schools football championships held last Tuesday, June 9. In the girls’ final, the BES girls won 2-1 over San Pedro RC girls in penalty kicks, in which BES’ Alyanna Musa and Riana Chebat scored, while only Erica Pop scored for Isla Bonita. In the boys’ finals, the San Pedro RC boys won 2-1 over Hattieville Government 2-1; with goals scored by Dixon Paguada equalizing 1-1 after Enoch Rhaburn had scored for Hattieville, and Wilson Cruz scored the 2nd winning goal.

Belize defeats Dominican Republic 3-0
Belize football fans across the country celebrated the Belize Jaguars’ historic 3-0 win over the Dominican Republic at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium in Belmopan on Sunday, June 14; which qualified the Jaguars for the first time ever to the 3rd elimination round for the 2018 World Cup Russia. The Belize Jaguars now advance to challenge one of the other 12 winners in a home and away series; their opponents could be Jamaica, Haiti, Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Canada, Curacao or Guatemala. The Jaguars won’t know their opponent until FIFA holds a draw in St. Petersburg on July 25; that draw will also determine the format of the 4th round in which the 6 winners of the 3rd round will meet the top 6 in CONCACAF: Costa Rica, Mexico, the United States, Honduras, Panama and Trinidad & Tobago. Harrison “Kafu” Roches set the tone of Sunday’s game when he headed in the 1st goal in the 17th minute; and Elroy “Bib” Kuylen connected to a cross from Danny Jimenez with a left foot shot in the 37th minute that rocketed into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead at the half.

GOB’s Illegal Borrowing & Spending
On April 7, 2015, Ministry of Finance officials discovered that approximately $500,000 had gone missing from the Treasury Department in Belize City. The announcement was made on Thursday, April 16, by no less than the Prime Minister, Hon. Dean Barrow, who was briefed earlier that week on the case of the missing monies by Financial Secretary Joseph Waight. On April 24th 2015, the police escorted Treasury Department second class clerk David Enriquez, 28, to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court to be arraigned on charges in connection with the missing money from the Government Treasury. He was charged with 3 counts of theft of “unlawfully diverting funds”. Since 2012, Prime Minister Barrow and his Ministers have (as per the Finance and Reform (Audit) Act) unlawfully borrowed over $260 million and spent over $76 million in loan monies. They haven’t faced any penalties. Instead, they get to write a law that says their crime is no longer a crime.

Woman in the House – SERIOUS BUSINESS
There is kriol saying: “God noh like ugly.” When I heard the news that a Guatemalan Navy gunboat had run aground at Glover’s Reef, one of Belize’s three atolls, I definitely did not feel any sympathy for Guatemala or for those naval officers who were aboard the vessel when it came to a crashing halt and sat atop our reef. My feeling is that most Belizeans would agree that we can have very little sympathy for the Guatemalan Navy – not after their terrible aggression and hostility towards our Belizean sisters and brothers of the last few months. In 1798 our Reef played an important role in our history. In 2015 our Reef is a deterrent to invaders or unfriendly forces of many kinds. Earlier this year members of our Territorial Volunteers, as they call themselves, were kidnapped and forced to go to Livingston, Guatemala due to the most unfriendly, illegal, and uncalled-for belligerence of the Guatemalan Navy in our Southern waters. Similarly the most recent incident of Guatemalan sabre-rattling and blatant aggression towards the Belizean Coast Guard has left Belizeans hurt and angry. After all, at all times during the reported stand-off between members of our Coast Guard and the Guatemalan Navy our officers were on Belizean soil and in Belizean territorial waters. Incredibly, it is reported that the Prime Minister ordered our Coast Guard officers to retreat and leave the Sarstoon Island. They had very bravely stood their ground, as they knew exactly where they were, and they knew precisely our land and maritime boundaries.

Anthony Sabal: A Man on a Mission
Anthony Sabal, the new PUP standard bearer for Dangriga, Hope Creek and Sarawee continued his ground campaign to fight against a vindictive and oppressive UDP government for the upcoming bi-election. In the early afternoon he met with Party Leader Francis Fonseca and the other members of the Southern Caucus team Hon. Mike Espat, Hon Rodwell Ferguson and Hon. Oscar Requena. Today Sabal did some house to house in Sarawee. He also met with some key campaigners in Hope Creek in preparation for a community meeting. In Dangriga he gave some media interviews outside the Party Hall before returning to the streets to campaign. Anthony Sabal is a community minded man on a mission bringing dignity and integrity to the voters of this southern division. His message is clear. The country is in deep trouble with rampant corruption, high cost of living, and painful joblessness. He tells all the residents he meets not to be fooled by Barrow and the UDP who has neglected Dangriga for eight years.

Corozal man accused of attempting to set wife on fire
Corozal Police have arrested and criminally charged 34 year old Joel Pech, a resident of Santa Clara Village, after his wife reported that he tried to set her on fire. The wife, 36 year old Maria Pech, told the Police that while she was at home, in her back yard, her husband arrived home and assaulted her with a machete. She reported that he dragged her by her hair and locked her inside the kitchen where he allegedly threw kerosene on her and tried to set her on fire. She told the Police that she managed to wash off some of the kerosene and escape her husband’s abuse. The husband was detained by the Police following the report, and later charged for attempted murder.

PUP Expresses Grave Concern To Grounding Of Guatemalan Naval Vessel At Glovers Reef
The People’s United Party hereby expresses grave concern in relation to the grounding of a Guatemalan naval vessel at Glovers Reef. The position of that grounding, near Middle Caye, Glovers Reef is 30 nautical miles due ESE of Dangriga and about 57 nautical miles SE of Belize City. This raises the question about how it is that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize’s territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize’s national security apparatus. Equally troubling to the People’s United Party is the description of events as advanced by the CEO in the Ministry of National Security. The Ministry of National Security has informed the nation that the Guatemalan naval vessel was travelling to La Isla Mujeres, Mexico, when it encountered mechanical difficulties and consequently went aground. The Ministry of National Security’s description of events has done nothing to allay the fears of Belizeans that the Guatemalan naval vessel unlawfully entered our territorial waters prior to the mechanical failure occurring.

Belize Credit Union League convenes 59th Annual General Meeting
The Belize Credit Union League held its 59th Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 13 June 2015 at the Black Orchid Resort in Burrel Boom with over 80 delegates representing affiliated credit unions, and special invited guests. Credit unions in attendance were Holy Redeemer, St. Francis Xavier, St. John’s, Blue Creek, Toledo Teachers’, Saint Martin’s, Civil Service, and La Inmaculada Credit Unions. The League is the apex organization of most credit unions in Belize, and was established on 15 June 1956. In his address, President of the League, Mr. Clement Usher said of the Belize Movement: “We must unite as one credit union movement and speak with one voice…..It has been far too long since we have spoken with one voice!” This was in reference to how credit unions in Belize should deal with challenges, which are already being faced by credit unions in the region. He congratulated credit unions for another year of success, as most reported increases in membership, loans, savings, assets, and reserves. Dividends on members’ shares and savings ranged from 2% to 8% while interest rebate ranged from 5% to 20%.

Breaking Belize News

NTUCB: GOB “unconcerned” about Petrocaribe repayment, investment
According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the Government of Belize “isn’t worrying about how the Petrocaribe loan will be repaid.” This is what he told members of the executive of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) in a recent meeting, according to its president Marvin Mora, who spoke […]

Butane prices cut by $3
Belizeans have so far enjoyed a reduction of more than a third in prices of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), commonly known as butane, since September of 2014 due to falling world oil prices. On Thursday the Supplies Control Unit in the Ministry of Trade issued notice that effective immediately there […]

World Bank supports Belmopan City Council
Officials from the World Bank and Social Investment Fund met with some Councilors, Managers and the Acting Mayor Jacklyn Burns this week at the Belmopan City Council. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate infrastructural works that have been completed within the municipality and works that are to be […]

Trio charged for Drug Trafficking in Corozal
A search done by Corozal police’s Quick Response Team at around 7:00 this morning, led to the finding of 68 grams of Cannabis at the residence of Angelita Logan. Reports are that the drugs were in a transparent bag on the bowl of the sewerage when police searched the #14 […]

BEL hosts AGM
The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City to report to shareholders about the company’s achievements and dividend payments for the year 2014. The biggest revelation to shareholders was net earnings of $36.2 million, resulting in $0.15 […]

Severe Flooding in Toledo Villages
Belize Media Group has received confirmation from NEMO Toledo Branch, that severe flooding is affecting several villages in southern Belize. Kenton Parham, Head of NEMO Toledo told us that the rural Toledo Villages of Santa Elena, Corazon, Blue Creek, Mafredi and San Jose have all made reports of flooding. In […]

Marijuana Bust at Mile 31
Belize is not part of the ‘Legalize it!’ forum for marijuana consumption in the Caribbean, and therefore four persons accosted by the police on Thursday afternoon are facing charges of drug trafficking after being caught with 67 kilograms of marijuana. Thirty-year old Calvin Augustus Lauriano, along with three companions, was […]

Belize Black-Listed by the European Union as a Tax Haven
From the sale of Blackadore Caye to actor, Leonardo Di Caprio, to Former’s top ten places to visit in 2015, Belize has certainly received its fair share of positive international publicity. Today, however, our nation has been placed in the spotlight by the European Union, who has listed Belize among […]

Blogs

My Week on Ambergris Caye, Belize – Izzy’s Shakes, A New Wine Bar and a Bit More
And the San Pedro Lobster Festival sign going up by Izzy’s Smoothies – this is the north most corner of Middle Street. Where I stopped later in the week for a delicious green juice…kale, ginger, pineapple, kiwi and about 5 other things. Izzy’s even got PEACHES! While waiting for my blend, I met a couple building a home and a business up north…just north of Palapa Bar on the road. A wine bar and event space called Stella’s Smile. Driving by you can see the large palapa going up…

Belize Photography Safari Tour 2015
Top up your travellers memory bank with awe-inspiring memoirs by capturing professionally produced images on a photography-themed adventure vacation led by an internationally acclaimed London based photographer, James Miller. Belize is truly a landscape, wildlife, and portrait photographer’s paradise, and for good reason. With a myriad of exceptional tropical ecospheres that are only matched by the uniquely diverse cultures that habitat them in this tiny new British colonial nation, you may find your biggest problem is where to point your camera. Opportunities for photography abound and there’s no better reason to hone your skills than with a professional photographer who will offer instruction in everything from camera settings to composition and will also lead special photo excursions to open your vision and expand your skills.

A stretch of Ambergris shore is no longer a sore sight for our eyes
Still basking in the glow of a huge effort to clear the roadside of trash just north of the Sir Barry Bridge, only one week later the neighborhood tackled an especially unsightly spot. About 20 neighbors met at Coco Loco’s Beach Bar Friday afternoon and, armed with bags and gloves, marched north on the trash. Their objective was the area near the barge landing. Once a deep water pool, separated from the sea only by a rock wall, the area has filled in with putrid sargassum and plastic. Compounding the sea-borne trash, cyclists and walkers frequently tend to dump their drink bottles and snack bags along the trail that runs through the field. In a little over an hour’s time, the crew made huge inroads into the trash, accumulating an impressive pile of stuffed garbage bags.

International Sources

Into the light: how lidar is replacing radar as the archaeologist’s map tool of choice
A technology using rapid pulses of light is helping archaeologists to chart ancient settlements hidden beneath dense forest canopies. Colorado State University archaeologist Chris Fisher found out about lidar in 2009. He was surveying the ruins of Angamuco in west-central Mexico the traditional way, with a line of grad students and assistants walking carefully while looking at the ground for bits of ceramics, the remains of an old foundation or even a tomb. He had expected to find a settlement, but instead he happened upon a major city of the Purepecha empire, rivals of the Aztecs in the centuries immediately preceding the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1519. The site covered 13 sq km; traditional surveying would have taken years, so he turned to a technology that uses pulses of light to penetrate the forest and ground cover to reveal what lay beneath. “In two seasons we had surveyed only two square kilometres,” Fisher said. But with this new technology – lidar – “we mapped the entire city in 45 minutes.” Using hardware based on the ground or on an aeroplane, Lidar can produce images in three dimensions. In the future, drones will probably do most of the surveys. Besides Mexico, lidar has been used to penetrate forest canopy in many countries – among them Belize, Honduras, Guatemala and Cambodia – where the vegetation had been too dense or too troublesome to allow for traditional methods.

4th Civil Affairs Group Conducts Site Survey
Marines with 4th Civil Affairs Group, Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve, conducted a site survey of the Belizean History Museum June 17, during exercise Tradewinds 2015. The purpose of the survey was to familiarize the CAG Marines with Belizean culture and history, so they could better understand how to interact with their partner nation populace. Though they may be requested to assist the local populace in a time of evacuation to protect items of cultural significance, this is not their main mission. “Civil affairs are forces that are specially trained to look at a problem from the perspective of the civilian populace,” said Maj. Jason Wetherington, a team leader with 4th CAG, FHG, MARFORRES. “Civil affairs trained Marines are the advisors to a commander on how their operation may affect the civilian populace. We are the only ones in the military that are specifically trained to focus on the civilian populace.”

Caribbean Share of Global Trade Has Declined According to New World Bank Report
Caribbean share of global trade has declined from three per cent in the 1970’s to a quarter per cent in 2012, according to a new World Bank report. But the report also notes that the rapidly changing environment for Caribbean exports presents both new opportunities and challenges for economies highly dependent on external markets. The report, ‘Trade matters: New opportunities for the Caribbean’, notes that while trade plays an important role in job creation, exporting also makes employment more vulnerable to external shocks. “Entrepreneurs are already seeing improvements in the business climate. Continued efforts to improve trade facilitation and step up investments in research and innovation, as well as quality education, will help improve skills and generate well-paid jobs in the Caribbean,” said Jorge Familiar, World Bank vice-president for Latin America and the Caribbean. The report also indicates that the region’s trade performance is limited by lack of diversity and limited innovation. The number of patent applications in the Caribbean has been lower than in other regions of the world.

Videos

Belizean Island Adventure!, 3min. Have you ever heard of Belize? Join me while I do a bunch of stuff during my vacation there! Julian Rivero was in the blue shirt doing most of the flips check out his channel for more.

Cayo Espanto Belize 3 days in 3 minutes, 3min. Miscellaneous clips that didn't make it to my helicopter, sea trek, snuba, or snorkel videos. We loved Villa Solana at Espanto!

First Belize Video, 6min.

Crank barge, Belize, 2min.

TALK AH DI TOWN (CERRO TRUSTEE), 15min. from PGTV News Network

EXCLUSIVE INT. WITH ASHTON from PGTV News Network, 25min.

Alice Diving in Belize, 4min. My brother-in-law shot this video of my mom in 1080p on a GoPro HERO4 Black.

keel billed toucan belize, 1.5min.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, Belize, 1min. Different butterfly species at the Green Hills Butterfly Ranch in the Mountain Pine Ridge area of Belize. Most interesting are the pictures of butterflies mating.

Scuba Diving in Belize 2015, 6min. Diving with sharks, turtles and more in San Pedro, Lighthouse Reef and Placencia. Special thanks to Belize Pro Dive in San Pedro.

BUILD FOR BELIZE 2015 "THE IMPACT", 2min. 25 SPERRO volunteers built more than a house in 5 days. A family was re-built, a community was strengthened, and relationships were constructed. This is the impact of their dedication.

SNORKELING IN BELIZE & HALF MOON CAY part 1, 6min.

jaguar in belize, 2min.

June 19, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Holiday Hotel celebrates 50 Years of Tourism Service to Belize
June 15th marked the 50th anniversary of The Holiday Hotel. Established in 1965, the hotel has since contributed its fair share in service to Ambergris Caye, Belize’s Tourism Industry and travelers visiting from across the globe. The story starts off in 1965, with Celi Nunez McCorkle. Before the installation of electricity, running water, streets, airstrips, or motorized boats; back when La Isla Bonita boasted only sandy roads and sailboat transportations to and from the island, Celi had a dream. She envisioned taking her hometown a step further, in creating an industry for the island by providing a resting place for these travelers that visited by boat. She believed in the beauty of Ambergris Caye and wanted to share it with the world. It was with that vision that the Holiday Hotel was born. What started off as a humble five room establishment with modest amenities, is now a 16 room hotel providing a tranquil, intimate beachside getaway to wanderers from around the world.

SPHS graduate injured in traffic accident
Gabriel Zetina a San Pedro High School (SPHS) 2015 graduate suffered major injuries in a traffic accident on Friday, June 12th. The incident occurred near Caribeña Fuel Station just south of Town core. Zetina suffered two critical fractures on his left leg and several other fractures to his lower foot and ankle. Due to this incident, the senior student was unable to attend his graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 15th. Zetina was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, where he is waiting on news if further surgeries will be needed to save his leg. According to Zetina, on Friday, he was driving a golf cart accompanied by other friends when a blue taxi van coming in the opposite direction, allegedly on the wrong side of the road, almost ran into them. “I was driving on my right, but the other vehicle was on the wrong side of the road coming straight to me. I swerved to the left to try and avoid a collision, and then I did a hard right to avoid running off the road, but when I did that, the golf cart flipped and fell on my left leg,” explained Zetina via a phone interview.

Chef Christy Bono Vacations in San Pedro
Christy Bono, a chef and restaurant owner from Southern California, USA is on vacation on Ambergris Caye. Her father was the late singer Sonny Bono, an American recording artist and producer who partnered with his second wife Cher as the popular duo Sonny & Cher. Christy became well known via her cooking and business skills. She has owned and run several upscale restaurants in Los Angeles and Long Beach over the past 25 years. She inherited the love for cooking from her father who owned a restaurant in West Hollywood. On Tuesday evening, June 16th, The San Pedro Sun had the honor of meeting Bono at Wine de Vine’s Tuesday wine tasting event. “I am truly happy to be in Belize and in San Pedro, the Belizean people are remarkably nice; I am really impressed with their kindness,” said Bono. When asked about her dining experience on Ambergris Caye, Christy definitely agreed Belizean food is good, “I have been savoring the local gastronomy and to be honest, I have no complaints. The local cuisine in San Pedro has really satisfied my taste buds. From the rice and beans to the tacos, fry jacks, pupusas etc. Every time I visit a new country I like to experience their culture, their traditional food.” However, she had hoped to find a good Italian restaurant in town.

Guatemalan Navy Vessel runs into Glover’s Reef Atoll
The Department of Environment (DOE) and Belize Fisheries Department are currently conducting an environmental damage assessment at Glover’s Reef Atoll where a Guatemalan Navy Ship ran aground into the reef. The incident occurred sometime in the late hour of Wednesday, June 10th, but a report was not made until on Thursday, June 11th. Apparently, the 65-foot vessel, bearing the marking GC-651 Tecum Uman, and enroute Isla Mujeres, Mexico, experienced mechanical problems and drifted into the crest of the reef. The grounding occurred about 500 meters north of Middle Caye. The vessel was removed on Saturday, June 13th.

The 2015 International Costa Maya Festival® is set to go!: Presenting Miss Costa Rica!
The San Pedro Sun is delighted to announce that the preparations for this year’s International Costa Maya Festival® are well underway. Naturally, readers will be delighted to know that the Reina de la Costa Maya delegates from all eight countries have already confirmed their attendance. The pageant is scheduled to take place on Thursday August 6th, the first night of the festival. But what about the remaining two nights? Well, fear not, the committee has been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure they bring you music, entertainment and culture once again! After the pageant kicks off the festival with beauty and color, the Friday night festivities will include a lot of culture and some amazing musical performances. Mexican Dance Troupe Alma Caribeña will grace us with their presence, and joining them will be the Belize Dance Company, an international DJ (to be announced at a later date) and of course, the mighty GILHARRY 7 Band!!

Misc Belizean Sources

Dia De San Pedro 2015
Schedule of Events Saturday, June 20th: La Bajada Service at the RC Church, 4am. Novena, 5am. And an exhibition of fishing, the festival and San Pedro at the Lobsterfestival in Central Park. Each night, The Novena will take place at the Roman Catholic Church at 6pm. Friday, June 26th There will be a karaoke competition and dance performance with an after party in the Old Football field. Saturday Night festivities continue in the Sporting Area with dancers, a marimba performance by the Benque Youth Academy and more. Sunday June 28th. There is a Fishing Rodeo.

PRESS RELEASE: LPG Price Change
Please note the new LPG prices your respective area.

First Ever Invest in Belize Seminar Held in the Republic of China (Taiwan)
The Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China (Taiwan) H.E. Cherie Nisbet hosted the 2015 Invest in Belize: Investment Seminar at the Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, on June 15, 2015. The event was the first of its kind and was held with the aim of attracting Taiwanese investment to Belize. A small delegation from Belize was invited by the Embassy of Belize to attend: Mr. Lincoln Blake, Director of the Policy and Investment Unit of the Ministry of Trade; Mr. Brian Lin, Manager of BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE; and Mr. Hero Balani, Investment Associate of BELTRAIDE. The seminar was attended by approximately 40 potential Taiwanese investors. The presentation focused on the areas of key interest for Belize: Tourism and Leisure, Medical Tourism, Offshore Outsourcing, Agri-Business and Agro-Processing, Aquaculture and Mariculture, Renewable Energy, and Investment in the Free Zone.

Power interruption 6:00am to 6:05am, Friday, June 19: entire Stann Creek and Toledo Districts
BEL to change transformer tap at La Democracia Substation.

Wildfire Gallery Art Exhibit
There's a new art gallery in town: Wildfire. They are launching a new art exhibit tomorrow night, the 19th, from 5pm to 8pm. Nihanda Higinio will be unveiling her mixed media collection entitled 'The Universal Language of Art.'

Sacred Heart College 2015 Graduation
Congratulations to all the SHC graduates! They had a great graduation, and Kenny Lamb was there to capture the moment.

Tapir
Rice University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Tapir

Puma
University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Puma

Ocelot
Rice University students capture wildlife of Las Cuevas Research Station in the Chiquibul through field cameras: Ocelot

Louisiana Army National Guard supports Exercise Tradewinds in Belize
The Louisiana Army National Guard (LANG) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is in Belize in support of Phase II of exercise Tradewinds 2015, lending their training knowledge to all participating nations. “We’re here to support our partner nations across various military branches in any medical case they require,” said Capt. Rachel Ward, a nurse from Louisiana Medical Command (MEDCOM), assigned to LANG for the exercise. The Pineville, Louisiana, native added, “We have a water purification section taking well water and ensuring it’s purified then taking it to the troops. And a food service section helping to prepare and serve meals to all of our partners here in theater.” Operating from four sites, the guardsmen have two medics in the jungle, where the U.S. Marines are working jointly with special forces from participating countries; two medics who are working an exercise element along a river, and two medics assigned to weapons proficiency training, embedded with the British Army Training Support Unit, Belize. This is in addition to three medics, a nurse and a physician’s assistant at Price Barracks, the exercise headquarters on the outskirts of Belize City.

BEL Holds Annual General Meeting of Shareholders - Dividend Payments Increase by 87.5%
Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) is holding its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders this evening to report to its Shareholders, the Company’s achievements and dividend payments for the year ending December 31, 2014. Shareholders will receive news of net earnings of $36.2 million. As a result, BEL’s Board of Directors has approved dividend payments of $0.15 per share for 2014 – an 87.5% increase compared to 2013. BEL’s Mission “To provide reliable electricity at the lowest sustainable cost, stimulate national development and improve the quality of life in Belize” is being proclaimed as the driving force behind the Company’s business plan, initiatives and decisions. Lowering electricity rates for the fifth consecutive time since 2013 is being highlighted as one of BEL’s major accomplishments under the new leadership. In addition to the recent decision to reduce the Mean Electricity Rate (MER) to $0.35 cents per kWh, the Company is also reporting a 51% reduction in the frequency of power interruptions since 2010.

Channel 7

Guatemalan Ambassador Rejects Narrative of Five Belizeans Held In Santa Cruz
On Monday, a new Guatemalan Ambassador presented his credentials to Governor General, Sir Colville Young in Belmopan. He is Manuel Roldan Barillas – a senior diplomat with 26 years in the Guatemalan Foreign service. He has served as Ambassador in Canada and Brazil but calls Belize his most important posting so far. And he enters at an interesting time – right when a public case is being made in Belize that the Guatemalan military is becoming increasingly aggressive against Belizeans – both out armed forces and our civilians. Today Roldan deflected the suggestion that his country is becoming increasingly hostile towards Belizeans. We started by asking him about the detention of five Belizeans over the weekend in Santa Cruz, Guatemala. H.E. Manuel Roldan Barillas - New Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize "if you were to read the note that your government sent to the OAS office, it states that we had a very active role in trying to sort things out and that's exactly what happened. I haven't got the official information yet, the OAS hasn’t pronounced itself yet as to what was requested of it. It's something that happens, human relations are not easy sometimes and they have a version and we have a version - we have to try to conciliate those. We're happy to see that everything was taken care of rapidly, that they are back in Belize and let's see how it goes from there."

Lots at Stake In Stake Bank Case
For months now, developer Mike Feinstein has been in court against the owners of the Fort Street Tourism Village. He's being trying to broach a resolution with village owners Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Diamonds International which would see his Stakebank Cruise port move forward without any lawsuits. All attempts have failed, and so now, both sides have commenced litigation before Justice Courtney Abel. As viewers may know already, Feinstein is challenging the legality of the head tax that is collected from each cruise tourist, which is then shared between the owners of FSTV, and BTB on behalf of the Government of Belize. His issue is that all tax revenues must be paid into the Government's Consolidated Revenue Fund, but in this case, most of it goes to the Tourism Village. FSTV has countersued saying that if this head tax is indeed illegal, then both the Government and Mike Feinstein, who originally helped to craft this agreement, should pay them an award of damages. The Government's position is that this "head tax" is not really a tax; it's more of a fee that is charged to each cruise passenger entering Belize.

Felix Turns Himself Into Police
Shooting victim Mark Gentle died in the first week of June – and since then police have been waiting to bring murder charges against Maurice Felix – but he’s been on the run from police. His brother was charged for Gentle’s murder on June 9th – and this morning after nine days on the run, 30 year old Maurice turned himself in. His charge of attempted murder was upgraded to murder when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Maurice is also charged with the attempted murder of Mark Gentle’s mother, Pamela Cumberbatch. So Maurice now joins Emory on remand – and they are to return to court on September 8. Last year, the brothers came off eight years on remand for a murder after three abortive trials for the murder of Mitchum Herredia.

ADU Busts The Heroin House In Ranchito
Today, four persons who were caught with heroin on Tuesday afternoon appeared in the Corozal Magistrate’s Court. They are 51 year old Fermin Velasquez, 25 year old Eber Rivera, 38 year old mother of two Alba Velasquez and the odd man out, Chinese hotel owner Kua Hsiung Liao known as Peter. They were all charged for trafficking 16.5 pounds of heroin and remanded to prison until September third. Now, 16.5 pounds is a lot with a street value of 1.4 million US dollars – according to figures posted on the internet. So how were they caught? Well it was the anti-drug unit –which moved on a house in Ranchito, Corozal on Tuesday at 4:30 pm. The police noticed that the Chinese businessman had been frequenting the house – which didn’t fit, because it was quite run down. That caused police to suspect something, and when they raided the building they found Velasquez, Rivera and Peter in a backroom with 7 parcels of heroin looking very surprised. They were downstairs while Alba Velasquez and her two under aged children were upstairs.

Man Remanded After Burning Up Wife
34 year old Joel Pech of Santa Clara Village in the Corozal District appeared in Magistrate’s Court today after he tried to burn up his wife on Monday night. He was charged for attempted murder harm and aggravated assault. He was remanded and more charges are expected to be brought. His 36 year old wife Maria told police that she was cleaning some aluminium to sell when Pech woke up and started cursing her out. He then lashed her with a machete and when she ran, he stoned the machete at her, but it missed. She then caught her, drafed her by the hair and locked her up in the kitchen where he dowsed her with kerosene and tried to light her on fire, but she managed to wash off some of the accelerant. He still managed to light only her forearm but she doused it in water.

Krismar Will spend At Least Eight
Krismar Espinosa was today sentenced to 16 year for the manslaughter of 24 year old Rachel Chun in 2007. He’s been on remand since then, and based on time served, he will serve 8 more years for the killing. He was convicted earlier this month after a jury of 12 was unable to reach a unanimous verdict of guilty for murder - so they found him guilty of manslaughter. In September of 2007, Chun was believed to have been taken into an abandoned building in Santa Familia, sexually assaulted and then bludgeoned with a cement block. She was found days later, half naked and decomposing. She was last seen with Esipnoza in front of her home. The 26 year old Espinoza still has another murder trial pending. He was accused of killing his cell mate Keon Swasey on Christmas Eve of 2009. He had gotten off, but the Court of Appeal ruled in 2014 that he must face a new trial for the same charge.

Capital Cops Got A 357 Magnum
A gun seizure in Belmopan: police found a Magnum pistol and ammunition in the Maya Mopan area yesterday. Yesterday morning at around 11:45 Belmopan Police, Special Branch and K-9 unit searched a vacant lot on Salvapan Street Extension in the Maya Mopan area. They found a silver six shooter .357 Magnum Calibre Ruger Brand Pistol. About 200 feet away 6 live .38 rounds of ammunition along with 6 live 9mm rounds of ammunition were found wrapped in a grey under shirt in some bushes. No one was in the area at the time of the search so all items were deposited as found property.

All Along The Watchtower
Today a new fire observation tower was inaugurated at the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area. This management area is known as the largest private protected area and the best managed in Belize. That status is being maintained with the construction of a new fire observation tower at the management area. While its main purpose is to allow rangers to more effectively detect and control fires in the area –the Executive Director of Program for Belize says it’s serves as more than just a fire watch tower. We traveled to the management area today to find out more. Courtney Weatherburne Reporting… This single column 40 foot cement structure was erected in 1990 and served as the fire tower at the East Gate post of the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management area. But it has over served its purpose and now it has been replaced with a larger, sturdier more modern fire observation tower. The new stainless steel tower has a 20 foot wide base and stands 60 feet high. This folding stick chair - mouldy and old – rests at the top of the tower overlooking the wide-open landscape of lush shrubs and pine Savannah. It’s a breath taking view in the somber light of an overcast morning

UDP Pawpa Mena Says People Power Not Petrocaribe Will Make Difference In Dangriga
Next week Monday is nomination day for the Dangriga Constituency when Anthony Sabal will be formally entered in the by-election as the PUP’s candidate. Frank “Pawpa” Mena will be on the other side of the political divide as the UDP candidate. He has been UDP’s standard bearer for a year longer, and so, it is perceived that he has an edge over Sabal, who was named as the Opposition’s replacement for Ivan Ramos one month ago. Last night, Mena was in Belize City, and we asked him about the sudden opportunity he’s being presented with to possibly be elected to the House of Representatives: Frank “Pawpa” Mena – UDP Standard Bearer, Dangriga "I have a committee who's working very diligently and getting things together. So the nomination is on Monday and we're already doing the ground work, the invitations - telling everybody to come out. We start our march to nomination from in front of Ms. Hortence's house at the corner at St. Vincent and we mark to the town hall and after that there is a big rally at the central plaza.

Burglar Got Big Bills From BIL
The Belize Infrastructure Limited at the Market Square in Belmopan was burglarised on Tuesday. The Administrative Assistant 27 year old Aura Montes reported to police that between 4:46 on Tuesday evening and 8:45 on Wednesday morning her workplace was burglarised. An assortment of items were stolen including 1 Dell Laptop, 1 Epson brand Projector, 1 white Oyster blender, 3 Canon calculators and 1 radio all to a total value over $6,000. The thief or thieves broke into the building through the roof by screwing off one of the zinc sheets. Police have no one detained as yet.

Want More From Chetumal?
With hundreds of thousands of Belizeans spending millions of dollars in Chetumal annually – you wouldn’t think that the southern capital of Quintana Roo has to promote itself too much, right? Well, think again: The Embassy of Mexico and the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism organized a Tourism and Commercial Mission today at the Institute of Mexico. Participants included hotels, restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies and other commercial companies from Chetumal, Bacalar and Mahahual. The objective is to promote products and services that Southern Quintana Roo has to offer, as well as to encourage regional integration between Belizean and Mexican companies. The Mexican Ambassador told us more:… Carlos Quesnel -Ambassador of Mexico to Belize "As we all know, Belize and Mexico we have a very good relationship but we also have a very good potential. This potential can be realised through more trade, more commerce and more influx of Belizean visitors to Mexico and more Mexican visitors to Belize. So we are very happy that we have this opportunity today to share this event with Mexicans and Belizeans together - trying to look for new opportunities for business.

The BTIA Bi-Annual
The Belize Tourism Industry Association held its 30th Bi-Annual General Meeting today at the Princess Hotel. The meeting, which was attended by members from across the country, touched topics such as the core importance of customer service from upper management to frontline staff and the importance of teamwork. It was an all-day event - and we stopped in this morning. John Burgos – Executive Director "We have the BTB as I mentioned before, we're going to be doing a proposal for the final destination chapters. Currently we're officially launching the local ad campaign. With the slogan, discover how to be a Belizean traveller and you can sign on for the hashtag #belizeantraveller. We already sent the information, you should be able to sign on basically we want you guys to be able to provide packages to promote local businesses. In other words your family, teenagers, who ever is going to be able to travel country wide this year, especially during the slow season.

San Salvador Expert Says Yes To Min Of Housing
Last night, we showed you day one of the Housing Ministry’s workshop organised to come up with a National Housing Policy. The goal is to create an action plan which will attract more international funding agencies to look favourably on proposals to provide affordable housing to needy citizens. The Salvadoran Facilitator told the media today that they are impressed with the enthusiasm from the Housing Agencies who participated in the workshop: The Housing workshop ended this evening.

The Importance OF Being Cecile
She touched down this afternoon at the PGIA in true -bad gyal- style. We're taking about Jamaican reggae artist Cecile. The reggae songstress is in Belize to perform two shows. This time she didn’t come alone – she brought along one of dancehalls newest female artists -who goes by the name of Amanyea. You might know her as a former Miami Heat dancer – but she is singing now. 7news caught up with the crew. The first show is tomorrow night at Club Elite and then Cecile will hit the stage on Saturday night in Dangriga.

Woodrow Rolling SouthWest To Honduras
According to reports, the Belize National Team goalkeeper, Woodrow West has signed with the Honduran semi professional team, El Progresso. They met with West yesterday evening at Yim Saam restaurant in Belmopan and finalised terms. This picture from PLUSTV shows the 29 year old with a Progresso Team Jersey. Reports said that the same Club Deportivo Progresso would be meeting with super striker Deon McCauley today to discuss him playing for them. We could not reach McCauley for comment. Both players are currently contracted to local teams in Belize – which would have to grant a release.

BEL Nets Big Bucks
Right now at the Radisson, BEL is having its Annual General Meeting. The company will declare a dividend of 15 cents per share, which is up almost 90% from last year. But even more impressive is the 36.2 million dollars in net earnings for the year ended December 2014. The Company is also reporting a 51% reduction in the frequency of blackouts since 2010. All this is good, but lamentably, for a company that is wholly publicly owned, BEL does not open its Annual Meetings to the media as do the other utilities BTL and BWSL.

Channel 5

Woodrow West Signed By Honduras Progresso
Within days of the big win against the national football team of the Dominican Republic, the goalkeeper who pulled off amazing saves for Belize is moving on from the Jaguars. [...]

Maurice Felix Surrenders…Is Remanded on Murder Charge
Relatives of murder suspect, Maurice Felix, confirmed to us today that early this morning, he handed himself into police custody. But strangely, when Maurice and his sister visited the police [...]

67K of Marijuana Found by Checkpoint Cops
This evening, a group of four persons, who were busted inside a Cherokee jeep, were remanded to the Belize Central Prison, after the prosecutor objected to bail due to the [...]

PACT Act Amendments Tabled in Cabinet
Amendments to the PACT Act which were allegedly tabled at Cabinet have been the cause of much speculation and even concern among N.G.O.s in Belize. Some representatives we spoke to [...]

N.G.O.s Have Concerns About Amendments
Among the complaints we’ve heard about the proposed amendments is that there is much more power being vested in the Minister, and apparently less inclusion of N.G.O.’s and less dependence [...]

Guatemalan Ambassador Admits Incursions Are Not Being Controlled
On Monday, the new Guatemalan Ambassador to Belize, Manuel Estuardo Roldan, was sworn in to assume his diplomatic mission in Belize. He begins his appointment at a time when there [...]

He Hopes to Rebuild Relationship Between the Countries
Ambassador Roldan says that his primary focus will be to build the relationship between Guatemala and Belize. And one of his priorities is to help alleviate the pressures on the [...]

Belize Named as One of World’s Worst Tax Havens
On Wednesday, Moody’s Investors Service reported that Belize’s debt is unsustainable. Tonight, we report that Belize is among fourteen Caribbean countries blacklisted by the European Union as the world’s worst [...]

New Fire Tower for Rio Bravo Protected Area
Nestled in the far reaches of the Belize River Valley is the Rio Bravo Protected Area, a large and lushly forested zone where flora and fauna thrive. But like other [...]

Supreme Court Examines Feinstein/FSTV/G.O.B. Relationship
Can the Government of Belize make agreements with a private party concerning another private party’s operation of his/her business? Can the Government cede collection of revenue by taxes to a [...]

No Legislative Support for Head Tax
The so-called head tax, paid by cruise ship passengers to enter Belize, is collected by the Belize Tourism Board (B.T.B.) and shared with the Belize City Council, Protected Areas Conservation [...]

Marshalleck Says G.O.B. Misrepresented Itself
Feinstein agreed that the original agreement for the village in 2001 designated it the only port of entry for cruise ships in Belize District for fifteen years, this has subsequently [...]

Butane Prices Down
As of midnight tonight, there will be a drop in the cost of butane gasoline. The government, in a press release from the Supplies Control Unit, announced today that effective [...]

San Pedro to Host LGBT Pride Week
In news that will surely fire off much heated debate on the social media, News Five has confirmed that from September fifth to September twelfth, members of the LGBT community [...]

More Works Underway on F.F.B. Football Pitch
The football pitch at F.F.B. headquarters in Belmopan has been an unending source of frustration for national team players and executive members. But not anymore. If you watched the home [...]

B.T.I.A. President Reveals 10 Short Term Goals
The Belize Tourism Industry Association is celebrating thirty years. And with those thirty years, the association has grown tremendously, just as much as the industry. The association president says that [...]

Mexican Embassy Hosts Trade Mission
The Mexican Embassy today hosted a half day trade mission for Mexican businesses to meet with local businesses. The aim is to build a relationship and forge business opportunities that [...]

Healthy Living: Emergency Apps by Red Cross
With the hurricane season upon us, the Belize Red Cross has released two new emergency apps that are tailored to meet the needs of the country. The first app basically [...]

CTV3

Man Slapped With Three Charges On Trying To Set Wife On Fire
Joel Alfredo Pech, a Belizean laborer of Santa Clara Village in the Corozal District, has been charged for the crimes of attempted murder, harm, and aggravated assault. The charges were filed against him following investigations into a report made by his wife, thirty six year old Maria Pech. Pech told police that on Monday of this week, at about seven thirty in the night, she was cleaning some aluminum to sell while her husband was asleep inside their home when he woke up and began insulting her and when she tried to go inside he began threatening her and her children. At that point, Pech says Joel came outside wielding a machete with which he lashed her on her left leg. The woman told police that she ran but he set chase after her, threw the machete at her but missed. She reports that things got worse when she returned home.

Espinosa Get 16 Years In Prison For Manslaughter
Sentencing for 26 year old Krismar Espinosa was held this morning at the Northern Session of the Supreme Court. Presiding judge was Hurbert Lord and Espinosa’s defence attorney was Leo Bradley. On June 5th 2015, Espinosa was found not guilty for murder but guilty of a lesser charge for manslaughter when it comes to the death of then 24 year old Rachel Cicely Chun. In court today, after 4 witnesses were called for the mitigation plea, Judge Lord sentenced Espinosa to 16 years imprisonment. Viewers may recall that in September of 2007, Espinosa was accused for the murder of Chun. Chun’s badly decomposed body was removed from an unfinished concrete house on Santa Familia Street in Orange Walk Town. At the crime scene, a bloody cement block, which was believed to be the murder weapon, was also found. That same day, Krismar Espinosa, an Orange Walk resident, who was only seventeen years old at the time, was arrested since he was the last person Chun was seen with and due to the conversations he had following the murder.

Consumers Will Get $3.00 Reduction On Price For Butane
We start off this segment of the newscast with some good news. Effective tomorrow, consumers will pay $3.00 less for a 100 pound cylinder of Liquid Petroleum Gas. A bulletin from the Supplies Control Unit reveals that the new controlled price per 100 pound cylinder imported by Belize Gas Limited and Western Gas Company Limited from Pemex in Mexico will drop $3.00 in Orange Walk Town going from $91.00 to $88.00. In Corozal, consumers will now pay a new price of $87.00 dollars. The controlled price of LPG imported by Belize Western Energy Ltd, Zeta Gas and Gas Tomza from within Central America now stands at $86.00 dollars for Orange Walk Town and $85.00 for consumers in Corozal. The across the board decrease of $3.00 dollars is attributed to a current production boom in North America that has led to a downward pressure in oil derivatives including LPG. It is of note that compared to last year; prices per cylinder are $32.00 lower this year.

Mexicans Claim Mistreatment At The Corozal Free Zone
There are reports surfacing that there is a surge of incidence of violence against Mexicans at the Corozal Commercial Free Zone. There is a full write up on the issue circulating on Facebook. According to that report, the rate of violence against Mexicans is rising and fast. The report even states that the level of aggression and bad treatment has risen up to seventy percent from last year. The write-up goes on to criticize and even discriminate against Belizean culture as being one of arrogance, adding that this is clearly demonstrated at the Belizean border. The author claims that there is rampant discrimination against Mexican nationals and makes the comparison to when Belizeans cross into Chetumal where they are treated with great hospitality. Of course we remind viewers of news articles we aired and which were reported on Mexican media in Chetumal of the growing incidence of robberies and abuse of Belizeans by Mexican taxi drivers and at grocery stores.

Belize Has New Israeli Ambassador
The beginning of a new relationships between the Guatemalan and Israeli communities have commenced as Manuel Roldan of Guatemala and Oren Bar El of Israel were sworn in as new ambassadors to Belize. Israel and Guatemala share a long history together; Israel provided weapons to the Guatemalan government during its genocidal civil war. Israel also became Guatemala’s main arms supplier in the 1970’s after the United States refused to supply them with weapons. Ironically, those very weapons were used for causing threats along our Belizean Borders. But it is a new decade, and despite the disorderly history between Guatemala and Belize, Israeli Ambassador, Bar El, assures the public that Israel is unbiased to the disputes. He personally believes that the disputes between Guatemala and Belize can be solved without Israeli input.

Three Men and One Woman Remanded For Heroin Bust In Corozal
They were found in possession of 7.4 kilos of heroin and tonight they are paying the price for committing the crime. Twenty five year old Eber Rivera of San Joaquin Village, Corozal, 51 year old Fermin Velasquez of Ranchito Village, Corozal, 51 year old Kua Liao, Chinese businessman of Mile 8, George Price Highway and 38 year old Salvadoran domestic Alba Velasquez of Ranchito Village, Corozal are spending their first night at the Hattiville Prison after being arraigned this morning at the Corozal Magestrates Court for drug trafficking. As reported last night, the Police Anti-Drug Unit was on a special operation when they searched a residence located near the junction of the Phillip Goldson Highway and the Maya Airstrip road where all four persons were in. There authorities found seven parcels of suspected heroin which amounted to 7, 418 grams. All four will remain in priosn until their next court date. We understand they will apply for bail at the Supreme Court level.

LOVE FM

Assistant Coach Believes Football Match was Fixed
Three football players are being investigating by CONCACAF and UNCAF for allegedly match-fixing. The complaint suggests that the game played by the Verdes and BDF FC on April 29 of this year was fixed by the three players. That complaint was made by the Assistant Head Coach for FFB, Charlie Slusher, who told Love News […]

Love Foundation Holds Awards Breakfast Event
Several persons from the private and public sectors as well as the general public attended a Breakfast meeting this morning at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City. The event was the Love Foundation’s first Awards Breakfast geared at presenting to its stakeholders, the activities and causes that the organization has undertaken over the […]

Butane Goes Down Three Dollars
Friday, June 19 will see a change in butane prices as per the information coming out of the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection. According to the release, the new controlled price per one hundred pound cylinder for liquid petroleum gas, imported from PEMEX in Mexico and distributed by Belize […]

Ambassador Nisbet Hosts Investment Seminar
The Ambassador of Belize to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Cherie Nisbet hosted the 2015 Invest in Belize: Investment Seminar on Monday. The event was the first of its kind and was held with the aim of attracting Taiwanese investment to Belize. The delegation comprised of Lincoln Blake, Director of the Policy and Investment Unit […]

PlusTV

Housing Ministry prepares new policy; grants for repairs available
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is rarely heard from but they continue to work at solving the problems of Belizeans in acquiring and maintaining proper housing. Today it embarked on the creation of a policy on establishing social housing for the country...

Man shot in Lord’s Bank
A man shot Tuesday night is in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. 28 year old Jorge Caseres was socializing at a residence in Lord’s Bank village around 8:46 in the evening when someone knocked on the main front door...

Husband accused of attempted murder of wife
A husband is facing charges for the attempted murder of his wife. 36-year-old Maria Pech, a housewife of Santa Clara village, Corozal District, reported that on Monday June 15 at about 7:30p.m. she was in her back yard when her husband Joel Pech assaulted her with a machete...

Four charged for trafficking heroin
Four persons have been charged with drug trafficking charges in the North. On Tuesday June 17 at about 5:15 p.m., Police Anti-Drug Unit (ADU) were conducting operations within the Corozal District when they searched a residence in Ranchito Village and found seven parcels of suspected heroin...

Four Belizeans bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Four Belizeans were today bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of the 2015 New Year Honours. The honours were conferred by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at today’s Investiture Ceremony...

Is Woodrow West being drafted for the international football league in Honduras?
Is Belizean goalkeeper Woodrow West being drafted for the international football league in Honduras? Plus news has been informed that today, members of El Progreso, the football club that wants West on their team, met with the 29 year old star goal keeper to finalize the documents...

The Guardian

Petro keeps rolling in Dangriga
On June 1, a contract was signed between Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL) and Hubert Usher and Sons Construction for the complete renovation of the Carl Ramos Stadium. The project will cost some 1.2 million dollars and on June 15 the first phase of the construction got underway. The Carl Ramos football pitch is one of the few, if not the best, in the country featuring a natural grass field. It has excellent natural drainage, proper slope and planarity. Over the years it has been well maintained, though it has been highly utilized. The rest of the facilities however were in definite need of refurbishment and new construction where major facility gaps existed. That will now be addressed The project will include the construction of a center building to hold the ticketing / entrance space, VIP and Media covered space and the accommodation of bleachers for 800+ along with bleachers for general admission fans. The facilities will also include public restrooms and concession facilities.

Jaguars enter third round of World Cup Qualifiers
There is no question that Government will make another significant contribution to the Belize Football Jaguars to assist in preparations for the third round of World Cup Qualifiers. No decision has been made on the amount to be donated or manner in which Government will assist but that should be decided after consultation with FFB executive. In 2013, GOB covered the travelling expenses of the Gold Cup contending team with a $50,000 donation and supported the decisions of nationally owned companies and statutory bodies to make donations. One person close to the Adminsitration says, “There is no chance that the national team will miss the third round because of weak support from Government.” He says, “If anything, football is the most lucky sport because the Prime Minister and all the senior Ministers are huge football crazies.” The Jaguars qualified for the third round of the 2018 World Cup in Russia with an impressive three-nil victory over a higher ranked Dominican Republic team. After beating the Dominican Republic two Deon McCauley goals to one on Thursday, June 11, at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, the Jaguars returned home for a match at the FFB Stadium in the capital city, Belmopan. Hundreds of enthusiastic Belizeans turned out and purchased tickets to the most expensive sporting event in Belize’s history; a sure sign of genuine love for the Jaguars.

C – Ray Cycling Club Youth Series 2015
The C-Ray Cycling Club Youth series for 2015 commenced on Sunday 14 June, 2015 at 1:00 pm on Princess Margaret Drive in front of the Marion Jones Stadium. Some 60 children registered to participate in 8 different categories.

Mayor Humphreys rolls out tax dollars into Dangriga’s development
These days, just about every infrastructure project that is being seen is thought to be Petro Caribe rolling, and while a significant number of those projects are indeed Petro-Caribe financed, it is not all being done through that program. One municipality in which that is the case is Dangriga. Having been in office for 100 days, the Dangriga town council has been able to prove that while Petro Caribe financing is a blessing, much can be done with existing resources. According to Mayor Francis Humphreys, through prudent financial management, he's been able to finance a number of projects from recurrent revenue from the town council itself. The repairing of John's Creek flood gate is one such project. For over three years the flood gate which was a major flood mitigation mechanism for residents in the Wagaerale and Benguche Areas of the town was not operational. That meant that during the rainy season residents would be flooded out. Over the past few days, with finances from the municipal government, the John's Creek flood gate was repaired.

Contracts signed for Cayo Central Constituency
A number of contracts have recently been signed for works in the Cayo Central Division. The good news comes as Chief Engineer Lennox Bradley, says the source of the funding for the new projects will be coming from Petrocaribe. The contracts just signed include the building of the Santa Elena Health Clinic, worth $270,000.00 and when completed will shorten the time for residents to access medical care. (Traditionally residents; especially the weak and elderly have had to travel to the San Ignacio Community Hospital many miles away.) The contractor who signed is Luis Avella and he is scheduled to start works on June 29 and is expected to complete the project in 16 weeks. Under the new contracts, two community centers will be built, one in San Antonio at a cost of $161,426.80 and the other in Cristo Rey at a cost of $90,592.07. The contractors for these two projects are Pedro Gutierrez and Carmelo Pech respectively. The works are to start on June 22 and the expected time of completion for both projects is 16 weeks.

Belizeans detained by Guatemalan armed forces
Five Belizeans living in the District of Toledo took a trip into the Guatemalan village of Santa Cruz, which is the neighbor of the southern village of Jalacte. They went to have a nice road trip for the day and ended up being detained and criminally charged by Guatemalan law enforcement. They claim that they were breaking no laws of that country, but Guatemalan soldiers wrongfully accused them of being drunk and disorderly. As a result Ray Martinez, Ashton Mckenzie, Rafael Cus, Rutilio Cal, and Mitchell Romero had to plea guilty to a charge that they assert absolute innocence of. To understand why these young men would willingly enter into Guatemalan territory for such an outing, readers must understand the dynamics between the Belizean village of Jalacte and the Guatemalan Village of Santa Cruz. The border between these two communities is completely unregulated, and has been for years. There are no Customs and Immigration facilities to regulate the flow of persons on either side. Because of that, an interesting relationship has developed where residents of Toledo travel over to Santa Cruz every day to buy cheap groceries from that side, which have less taxes. Some also go over there and sell their produce, and in some instances it is easier to get goods and services from Santa Cruz, than it is to get them from Punta Gorda Town. Strictly speaking, that’s contraband goods that are flowing in an out, but because it has become such an entrenched way of life, for Toledo, it is seen as normal. And, since the Road to Jalacte has been paved, there are specific bus runs which take residents of the south from whatever village they are from to Jalacte on daily runs to conduct business.

Community Center in Calla Creek being refurbished
4 the World volunteers from Calla Creek Village along with the Village Chairman Saul Uck and 4 the World's Executive Director Robert Keith Froom started a project to refurbish the village's Community Center on Sunday of this past weekend. Calla Creek is a Western Village by the Belize Guatemala border and has the unpredictable Mopan River going by it. In a press release from 4 the World, “..The Community Center is an important need of any community in Belize and Calla Creek's Community Center was unusable due to rotten wood framing, infestation of bats, no electricity and a leaky roof.” This 4 the World project will continue through the summer and will provide a place for the school by the end of August 2015. The Community Center will also provide shelter to members of the Calla Creek Community during severe storms and will also house NEMO’s early warning alarm system that warns villagers of dangerous floods.

Venezuela and Belize Celebrate Petro-Caribe’s 10th Anniversary
The Venezuelan naval vessel “Simon Bolivar” is heading to Jamaica which is its fourth and final stop on a tour to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the signing of the Petro-Caribe Agreement. The vessel, which is named after the liberator of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, was commissioned to visit four of Venezuela’s closest allies in the Caribbean: Barbados, Belize, Cuba and Jamaica. The Simon Bolivar is manned by a crew of 170, mostly cadets on an educational trip. An official ceremony was held at the Memorial Park on Thursday, June 11, at which the Head of State, Governor General Sir Colville Young, inspected the Guard of Honor. “You have graced our shores as we reach the tenth anniversary of the Petrocaribe Agreement,” said Lough-Ann Burns Martinez, Belize’s Ambassador Designate to Venezuela, as she welcomed the seamen to the Jewel. Martinez praised the late President Chavez for the Petro-Caribe initiative, liken it to a second independence: “Two hundred years ago Simon Bolivar, the Great Liberator, in his letter to Jamaica, called for unity and for self determination. So many years later this Petrocaribe initiative which is firmly based in the belief that we have as fraternal nations, that we own the right to determine how best to steer our economy and our policies for the betterment of our people and countries carry on this very vision.”

Petro Petro Everywhere
On Friday, June 12, two contracts were signed by the Minister of works. The first project is the rehabilitation of streets and construction of culverts in Dangriga. The contractor for those projects is DEC and Sons of Stann Creek. The cost of these projects will be $995,245.40. The second contract which was signed was for the concreting of streets in Succotz Village and the contractor is BCG Construction Limited. On Monday, June 15, four contracts were signed at the Ministry of Works for the rehabilitation of two community centers and a building to serve as a health center as well as the paving of three streets in Santa Elena, Cayo. (see story on Insert D) The Phenom that is the Petro Caribe has touched more lives in the last three years than anything else before it. Although it had been available during the PUP administration it was only enjoyed by a select few associated with some of the PUP leaders. When it was reactivated in late 2012 by Hon. Dean Barrow he sagely predicted that the country of Belize will see the kind of infrastructural growth and transformation the likes of which has never been seen before.

The 10th Annual Belize Public Service Awards
The Government of Belize through the Ministry of the Public Service congratulates and thanks the following Public Officers for their hard work and dedication in serving the people and Government of Belize. Public Officers will be awarded for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions at the 10th Annual Belize Public Service Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the Blue Water Grill, San Pedro Town, commencing at 10:30 a.m.

Queen’s Birthday honors
In a News Release from Belize House in Belmopan, the Office of the Governor-General Announces that Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to make the following appointments to THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER BRITISH EMPIRE on the occasion of BIRTHDAY HONOURS 2015. Order of the British Empire M.B.E. To be an Ordinary Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Mr. Delhart Luthrel Courtney Sr., for contribution to Sports and the Community Mr. Victor Moreno Sr., for contribution to Music Mrs. Norberta Pulido, for contribution to the Community The Date for the presentation of awards will be announced later.

Four Belizeans Bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Four Belizeans were today bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of the 2015 New Year Honours. The honours were conferred by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Attorney Michael Young received the order of Ordinary Commander for his contribution to the legal profession and the community; Ms. Esther Ayuso and Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth received the order of Ordinary Officers: Ms. Ayuso for her contribution to the community and women’s rights and Mrs. Tucker-Longsworth for her contribution to nursing and the community. For her contribution to community and leadership, Mrs. Bernadette Fernandez received the order of Ordinary Member. The Investiture Ceremony took place at the Belize House in Belmopan.

Justin Lemott to stand trial for murder
Justin Lemott will stand trial for the murder of Richard Waight Jr., 17, in the October Session of the Supreme Court. On Friday, April 4, 2014 a fight broke out on the basketball court in Hattieville Village and during the exchange Waight was stabbed to the chest. He fell to the ground and struggled to breathe as blood poured out unto the grass. Witnesses point to Lemott as the man who inflicted the stab wound on Waight. A Preliminary Inquiry was held before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Friday, June 12, to determine if there is sufficient evidence for Lemott to stand trial. During the PI, Lemott was unrepresented and made no submission. With that the Chief Magistrate accepted 25 statements and 10 sets of documentary exhibits from prosecutor, Cpl. Christopher Smith, which they intend to rely on at Lemott’s trial. His case was committed to the October session of the Supreme Court.

Diondray McKoy free after appeal
Diondray McKoy was sentenced to 12 years in prison for trying to kill Everal Gray but now he is a free man after the Court of Appeals overruled his conviction on Tuesday, June 16. McKoy was accused of the attempted murder of Everal Gray at Gray’s home on Queen Charlotte Street in June of 2009. Gray reported to police that he was at home when someone called his name. He answered the door and that was when several shots were fired at him. Gray gave a detailed identification of the shooter and later identified McKoy to police. However, he changed his story at trial and was deemed a hostile witness. McKoy succeeded in establishing that the identification evidence against him was poor and the trial judge had failed to give certain directions to the jury deciding the case.

Murder case falls apart after cooperating accomplice changes story
Supreme Court Justice Troadio Gonzalez directed a jury of seven men and five women to declare Talbert Mena and Jamal Jackson not guilty of the murder of Nigerian security guard Kabiru Olun-gu-dudu in February of 2010. Olungududu was working at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel when he was stabbed to death. He sustained 8 stab wounds trying to prevent an attempted and unsuccessful robbery of the establishment by 4 men. Kareem Stevens, who was also charged with the murder, was granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for testifying on behalf of the Crown as its chief witness. However, he turned on them and denied giving the police a statement, eventually becoming a hostile witness. Senior Counsel, Simeon Sampson, representing Mena and Jackson, argued that his clients had no case to answer and Justice Gonzalez agreed.

Illegal Honduran Immigrant caught at Bus Terminal
A construction worker from El Parasio Village, Honduras, Yony Nunez, 36, was pulled over by immigration officers on Thursday, June 11, just after he exited a bus at the Belize City Bus Terminal. He was asked to produce documents to show his immigration status in Belize but Nunez was unable to do so. Therefore, he was remanded into custody and an investigation revealed no record of him entering Belize legally through a point of entry. Nunez then admitted to immigration officers that he entered the country through the Mopan River in Benque Viejo on Wednesday, June 10. He was charged with entering Belize illegally.

Patrick Petillo busted with 120 grams of weed
Patrick Petillo was busted by police with 120.9 grams of weed on Wednesday, June 10, and is now out on bail for one count of drug trafficking. Police officers were conducting foot patrol on Lovely Lane when police constable J. Waight and WPC Lourdes Torres saw Petillo acting suspiciously at about 12:42 a.m. on Wednesday. When he saw them, Petillo started to run and that was when the officers ordered him to stop. He continued running and the officers chased after him. They caught up with him in a yard in the area. He was searched and police found a plastic bag in the front of his pants waist. The bag contained a green leafy item suspected to be cannabis. He was detained and taken to the Queen Street Police Station where the item was examined. It proved to be 120.9 grams of weed. Petillo was arrested for drug trafficking.

Belize Softball Federations names national junior girls softballers
The Belize Softball Federation has announced the names of the twenty five junior girls’ softballers that will be trying out for 18 spots to represent Belize at the Central American Junior Girls Softball Championship scheduled for San Salvador, El Salvador from July 31-August 3, 2015. The players selected are from across the country and they are Shareeni Soberanis, Shanaya Soberanis, Rose Simpson, Renisha Richards, Ronicia Vernon, Shanae Williams and Ashira Harris from Cayo, Denika Noralez, Chelsea Young, Kelsy Robinson, Elma Wade, Sabrina Campos, Devonie Reyes, Ranisha Rhaburn, Zhanae Jex, Rebecca Nicholson, Lynese Alvarez, Jalecia Jones and Sherelee Nicholson from Belize Rural, Jasany Westby and Janel Conorquie from Orange Walk, Essenie Ciego and Jahshema Saunders from Belize City.

Health Hookup
The Doctor's Order Can’t Stop Sneezing “I can’t stop sneezing doc!” is probably the most common symptom I hear as it pertains to allergic rhinitis – allergies. Allergic rhinitis is basically a group of symptoms that manifest as a result of exposure to an allergen. An allergen is something that elicits a reaction from the body. It can be consumed (food allergy), touched (allergy when coming in contact with a substance like poison ivy), or inhaled (pollen, dust, smoke). In this case we are focusing on allergens that cause you to sneeze. So why does this happen? The body treats the allergen as a foreign threat and releases something known as histamine to help defend against it; unfortunately it also causes the symptoms that make us uncomfortable and sick.

Temporary Pontoon Bridge Tragedy
This Sunday, June 14th, marks the 53rd anniversary of the Haulover Creek Temporary Pontoon Bridge Tragedy. The Temporary Pontoon Bridge was erected across the Haulover Creek between the end of Pickstock Street on the north side and Richard Sidewalk on the south side. Seven persons drowned in the Haulover Creek when a section of the bridge became loose. Although I personally did not experience this tragedy, it was surprising to me that some elders I spoke to and who lived in Belize City at the time of the accident vaguely remembered the event. I recently read that one well known Belizean writer and newspaper publisher, remarked in 2005 and 2007, that he could not remember if a demonstration/riot of May 29th, 1972, in which he participated, crossed the Pontoon Bridge. I think not, that was 10 years after the event. So when I came across the Official Commission of Inquiry Report,submitted to Governor Sir Peter Stallard, into the circumstances surrounding the event, I thought it would be worthwhile sharing the circumstances of this historical accident with you. Especially with today’s generation. It is not intended to conjure unpleasant memories of those who lost their lives or survived the accident. It is just a reminder that it is good to follow the rules. In this case, following the rules would have averted the loss of seven lives in the Haulover Creek.

8% Salary Increase for Police, Teachers
“We are so very pleased that we are once again coming through with [more than] ten percent over two years for the stewards of our education, our administration, our security.” – Honourable Prime Minister Dean Barrow. In a time when governments in the Caribbean region are raising taxes, freezing wages and laying off workers, the Government of Belize is going to spend $38 million on an eight percent salary increase for teachers, police officers and other public servants. This is the second consecutive year that public officers will benefit from a salary increase. In fiscal year 2014/2015, the Government spent $368 million for personal emoluments and $60 million for pensions. That includes almost $30 million for a six percent salary increase. The increases are based on a formula established in a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Government of Belize and the unions (Public Service Union, Belize National Teachers Union and the Association of Public Service Senior Managers). Under the Framework Agreement between the negotiating teams of the Government and the unions signed in February of 2014, one half of the increase in actual recurrent revenue from one year to the next (in a three year span) will be allocated to salary increases for public officers and teachers. Based on this formula, $29 million was allocated to salary increases in 2014 and now $38 million this year.

Guatemalan Coast Guard Boat removed from Barrier Reef
After being grounded for two days on the Glover’s Reef Atoll, the Guatemalan Naval Vessel, bearing markings “GC-651 Tecum Uman” was successfully extricated and allowed to leave Belizean waters on Saturday, June 13. An assessment of the damages that this vessel did to the reef is being prepared, and it will be sent to the Guatemalan Government through the diplomatic channels. The Belizean Government intends to seek financial compensation for this navigational mishap. News of the gunboat’s grounding on the reef went out early on Thursday, June 11, and after 3 hours by boat, a team from the Belize National Coast Guard confirmed that the vessel was indeed there. It had run aground on the reef about 500 meters off Middle Caye on Glovers Reef, in Belize’s southern waters. The government officials, like every other citizen became concerned about the implications of a Guatemalan vessel deep in Belizean territorial waters. So, the Coast Guard Officers questioned the boat’s 11-member crew, and that’s when they were informed that the vessel was on its way to Isla Mujeres in Mexico, when either a navigation error was made or the boat’s propulsion system had a glitch.

Indigenous Community Leaders Belize-Guatemala Meet
Following a reunion held in Punta Gorda among Indigenous Community leaders from Belize and Guatemala on the 20th of March, a three day trip was made to Peten by Maya Q’eqchi leaders of Belize. The leaders of indigenous communities from Southern Peten and Southern Belize shared their ideas, and vision on how to unite efforts and promote local participation that addresses the environmental, social and economic problems of their communities situated along the Belize-Guatemala border. The event started on the 5th of June in Poptun, Peten with a Maya ceremony which ended on the 6th of June (Kahib Noj) asking the Creator to illuminate the minds of the indigenous leaders. The representatives of the indigenous communities developed a draft Declaration with requests and recommendations so that more attention is paid to the communities located near the border by their Governments, which can help reduce the level of incursions that is affecting the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains and prevent incidents that can cause much pain and suffering. Once reviewed and finalized, the Declaration, whose contents is based on matters related to Territory, Natural Resources and Ancestral Knowledge, it will be presented to the Governments of Belize and Guatemala.

Belize’s mental health staff being updated on mental health practices
A three day workshop for mental health staff working at the Belize Ministry of Health ended on Saturday of this past weekend at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. According to Eleanor Bennett, Nursing Administrator at the Ministry of Health, the goal of this annual workshop is for the staff to be updated on their knowledge of mental health, so that they can provide the best evidence based treatment that is available elsewhere in the World. Thus; Psychiatric Nurse Practioners from across the Country became attuned to modern mental health practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Making the presentations during the workshop was Dr. Cyndi Aronson from the Mount Sinai University; as well as Dr. Stan Arco, a Psychiatrist from the Columbia University, also of New York. Dr. Arco told the participants on Saturday that they do courageous work in difficult circumstances. He also discouraged the use of Benzodiazepines during pregnancy for “…they are associated with congenital abnormalities.”

Upcoming plans for the People’s Coalition of Cayo
In its monthly meeting this past Wednesday night, members of the People’s Coalition of Cayo PCC went into planning mode. At this latest meeting, Chairman Eduardo ‘Dito’ Juan appointed Omar Tut, who is a Civil Engineer in background, as his Deputy. Among its plans, the PCC is lobbying for a proper septic holder for the San Ignacio Police Station, which will serve both Police and prisoners. The grouping which seeks to build community and police partnerships is also now planning for a public consultation. The PCC has been able to connect a generator to the San Ignacio Police Station and is now in the process of acquiring fuel from different sources. This generator for San Ignacio Police comes just in time for the hurricane season and the National Emergency Management Organization NEMO has been attuned to its existence. Also on Wednesday night, Jason Jones, a representative from San Ignacio Police, provided the latest crime statistics for San Ignacio and Santa Elena Towns and surrounding areas. For the month of May of this year, three vehicles were stolen. They were a white in color 1991 Honda motorcycle L/P CYM-1639, a red in color Meilun motorcycle as well as a blue in color Meilun brand motorcycle with identification number LE3YCM507DA000086.

Devon Bailey to Supreme Court for attempted murder
A Preliminary Inquiry in the case against Devon Bailey for two counts of attempted murder concluded with a commital for trial at the Supreme Court in October. Bailey is being accused of trying to kill, Charles Hines, 31, and Eldon Solomon, 41, on Elston Kerr Street on Friday, August 15, 2014. According to a police report, Hines and Solomon were walking on Elston Kerr Street when they came across a group of three men. One of the men opened fired in their direction. Hines was grazed on the top of his head. Solomon was shot in the back. Both were treated and released from the Karl Heusner Memorial.

Bail for teacher accused of having sexual relations with a minor
A teacher of Seine Bight Village, Desmond Ramirez, 30, is out on bail after he was charged for allegedly engaging in sexual activities with a 15 year-old minor. On Monday, June 8, Ramirez was arraigned in the Independence Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Yolanda Demoya for a single count of unlawful sexual intercourse. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Demoya denied bail and remanded him to the Belize Central Prison. However, Ramirez’s attorney, Oscar Selgado, applied for bail at the Supreme Court. The bail application was heard before Justice Adolph Lucas on Friday, June 12. Selgado submitted that his client has an alibi witness placing him somewhere else at the time the sexual allegation is said to have occurred. According to Selgado, his client was neither in the village or near the virtual complainant on the date specified in the charge sheet made against him. Justice Lucas granted Ramirez bail in the sum of $5,000 plus one surety of the same amount, with conditions.

Gun Assault charge dismissed against Daniel Caine
Daniel Caine, who is on remand for the murder of Harrison Smith Jr., saw another serious charge against him dropped on Friday, June 12. A charge of aggravated assault with a firearm against Caine was dismissed in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith. Caine was accused of assaulting Iran Jones with a firearm on Friday, October 4, 2014. According to a police report, Jones said that he was on North Front Street when Caine pointed a firearm at him. However, on Friday, June 12, 2015 Jones appeared in court and said he does not wish to proceed with the matter against Caine. Therefore, the case against Caine was dismissed.

Daniel Bradley, 19, remanded for sex with 14-year-old girl
Daniel Bradley, a 19-year-old resident of Ladyville, was escorted to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, June 16, to answer to a single charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old female. Bradley was represented by attorney Dickie Bradley when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser. The matter was dealt with “in camera” so all media personnel were asked to leave the court. Allegation being made against Bradley is that on Monday, June 8, 2015, he had sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl at a home on the Phillip Goldson Highway. No plea was taken in court since the matter is an indictable offense and due to the nature of the crime Bradley was denied bail and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 16, 2015. Bradley’s attorney is presently seeking bail through the Supreme Court.

Antonio Gongora cleared of rape charge
Cayo taxi driver, Antonio Gongora, 30, is free from a charge of rape after a jury of nine found him not guilty of the charge on Friday, June 12, 2015. Gongora was accused of raping a teacher in the Cayo District on December 29, 2012. The teacher reported to police that sometime after midnight on December 29, 2012, she asked the taxi man to take her home after a night out with a friend at a restaurant and bar. However, instead of taking her home, the teacher says he took her to a racetrack and raped her in the back seat of the vehicle. The incident was reported to police and Gongora was arrested and charged with rape. The trial took place in the courtroom of Justice Denis Hanomansingh in Belmopan last week. In the alleged victim’s testimony, she says Gongora is a man she knows well. She says that she was with a friend at Meluchie’s Restaurant and Bar on the night of the incident.

Belize City Man Lured to his death
Twenty eight year-old Allison “Wally” Williams, a resident of Rivero Street, was gunned down and killed on Friday, June 12, breaking 2 weeks of peace and calm in Belize City. Police investigation is that at around 8:00 p.m. he was visiting a few friends at #1011 Partridge Street Extension. He was leaning on his car and speaking with 2 of those friends when a man approached from behind and fired a number of shots at Williams. He was injured in the head and body, and he went down in front of his vehicle, dying shortly after on the scene. By the time the police took him to the KHMH, the doctor on duty pronounced him dead on arrival at around 11 p.m. Right now, the suspicion is that Williams may have been lured to his death by someone he was in communication with recently. He reportedly began visiting the Partridge Street residence regularly about a month ago.

PI Concludes Jason Sanchez to Stand Trial for Murder
Jason Sanchez, 19, is the man police believe shot and killed BWS employee, Emmerson Arnold, 35, on Friday, November 28, 2014 at the corner of Gibnut Street and Central American Boulevard. Arnold was heading to work at around 7 a.m. when he was gunned down by a lone gunman. Sanchez was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Friday, June 12. The prosecution presented statements from 12 people and documentary exhibits in the form of post mortem results from Doctor Estradabran and pictures of Arnold’s murder scene. Sanchez was asked if he has any alibi witness. He said yes but the person he was referring to is already on the prosecution’s list as one of their witnesses. Sanchez then said he has no one else. Chief Magistrate Smith then ruled that there is sufficient evidence for Sanchez to face trial at the Supreme Court. She committed him for trial at the October Session.

Belize advances to the next round of World Cup qualifiers
The National Football Team of Belize waltzed into the history books when it eliminated the Dominican Republic from further play it the FIFA World Cup qualifier for Russia 2018 at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Sunday 14 June, 2015. Still on a high from its 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic’s National Team on Thursday 11 June, 2015, at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo. The National Team went into the home game at the FFB Stadium full with confidence and determination which paid off for it. The National Team jumped out to an impressive start. The Belizean National Football Team scored the 1st goal of the game when a pass from Danny Jimenez to Harrison “Cafu” Roches which found itself the Dominican Republic’s goal in the 17th minute of play for a 1-0 lead.

Shanicka Augustine captures Gold in Central American Junior Championships
The Belize Athletics Association contingent of 30 junior athletes and officials that participated in the Central American Junior Athletics Championship from June 10-14, 2015, in San Salvador, El Salvador returned home on Tuesday with 8 medals. The delegation captured 1 gold medal, 4 silver medals and 3 bronze medals. It’s worthy to note that Belize had quite a number of its athletes finishing in the fourth position. We extend congratulations to all our student-athletes that represented well in El Salvador.

Gerald Garbutt passes
The Sports Desk at the Guardian Newspaper mourns the passing of Mr. Gerald Garbutt former President of the Belize Cycling Association and a former President of the Belize City Softball Association. Mr. Garbutt passed away on Wednesday 17 June, 2015. We extend sincerest condolences to Mrs. Anita Garbutt and daughter Andrea of Kingston, Jamaica.

Breaking Belize News

BTIA claims progress at general meeting; remembers Peter Tonti
Late executive member of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) and chief executive officer of Belize Media Group (BMG), Peter Tonti, was remembered at today’s general meeting of the Association in Belize City, as the Association reported progress with its tasks assigned at the last meeting. Tonti, who […]

Former cashier charged for theft
A woman who worked as a cashier for the Ladyville Shell Gas Station on the Philip Goldson Highway is accused of stealing from her former employers. 35 year old Gaynor Richards faces two counts of theft to which she pleaded not guilty before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Richards […]

Maurice Felix charges upgraded to murder
Reports are that wanted accused for attempted murder 30 year old Maurice Felix turned himself in to police today. Felix was originally charged with the attempted murders of Mark Gentle and his mother Pamela Cumberbatch at their residence on Caesar Ridge Road on May 24 when two men […]

Moody’s keeps Belize bond rating stable; worries over debt
The Moody’s Investor Service on Wednesday released its outlook for Belize’s bond ratings at CAA2, with overall outlook being stable. According to Moody’s, quote, “The expectation of ongoing economic recovery mitigates the negative trends in public finances, although downside risks to the fiscal outlook remain. The risk of losses to bondholders […]

Woodrow West, Deon McCauley to play in Honduras
National team footballers Woodrow West and Deon McCauley will suit up for the Honduran side CD Progreso de Honduras, based in the central city of El Progreso. The team was promoted from the Honduran second division last year, made the top league playoffs in the opening half-season and finished sixth […]

Dominican Republic continues deportation of thousands
The Dominican Republic Government plans to resume deportations of thousands of Haitian-descended Dominicans and Haitian migrants after the deadline for them to register under the “Regularization Plan” passed yesterday, June 17th. Registering under that plan allows those who would have been subject to deportation, to be recognized as lawful immigrants. […]

Caterpillar infestation at San Estevan RC School
Officials from the Agriculture Department and BAHA are currently combating an infestation of pests, particularly caterpillars, at the San Estevan RC School campus. According to the school’s administration, since last week the problem emerged and days after, the schools buildings have been covered with the roaming pests. The issue has […]

Placencia Lobster fest 2015 is happening this weekend!
One of the most popular gastronomic events of summer in Belize is here. We are talking about the Lobster Fest activities being held in San Pedro Town, Caye Caulker and Placencia. The Placencia Lobster fest is the village’s savvy way of celebrating the opening of the lobster season and the […]

Football Players accused of match-fixing
Three members of the BDF football team have been accused of match-fixing. These grim allegations were made by BDF coach and current Jaguars Assistant coach, Charles Slusher, after the BDF/Verdes game on 29th April, 2015, where Verdes emerged victorious by a score of six to nil. Slusher forwarded a letter […]

GOB might assist Belize Jaguars in third round of the World Cup Qualifiers
The Belizean public is still in jubilation after the Belize National Football Team raised victory flags over the Dominican Republic. Celebrations have been soured however, after the Federation expressed lack of funds to prepare or participate in the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers. President of the Football Federation […]

British Empire celebrates Belizeans
On behalf of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, Governor General Sir Colville Young, bestowed honors of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire to four outstanding Belizeans. The recipients were: attorney Michael Young, who received the order of Ordinary Commander for his contribution to the legal profession and the […]

Belize welcomes Israeli Ambassador
The start of the week saw the start of new relationships with the Guatemalan and Israeli communities; Manuel Roldan of Guatemala and Oren Bar El of Israel were sworn in as new ambassadors to Belize. Israel and Guatemala share a long history together; Israel provided weapons to the Guatemalan government […]

Blogs

Xunantunich part 1
Last year, I visited Cahal Pech. Mr. Jorge Can was more than willing to provide information of the developments at the site. Yesterday, tour guides of the Cayo West Association and the Cayo Tour Guides Association visited the site of Xunantunich to listen to the new developments. Under the direction of Dr. Jamie Awe, the new excavations will be conducted on several buildings that have not yet been investigated and other areas that were previously excavated by Richard Levental. The areas that will be excavated and consolidated are structure A2, A3 and A20. This will certainly change the face of the site core as it is today, but I heard a rumor that the south end of el Castillo will also be done on a later project. So we met with Mr. Jorge Can at the base of A3, where he has already done a few discoveries. In fact, he had unearthed remains of a building infront of the A3 which was built during the terminal phase likely a residence for someone just before abandonment. We see similar structure in front of A4. Today on the right side of A3 we see the round corners protruding from the earth previously consolidated in 2004, when A4 was excavated during the tourism development project. Although the A3 building had round corners, it may have been covered up by a later construction done during the post classic period. This structure did feature balustrades. We see that at Cahal Pech, Caracol, and El Castillo Building at Xunantunich also had it at the base of its stairs but it was removed because it was poorly preserved. The stairs up to the first terrace is complete, but beyond that it is missing; likely the people in the terminal phase living near the site took the bricks to build the foundation of their homes or on other projects. We see that activity all over the site. Just to the right of the balustrade there is a deposit of mostly pottery shards but certainly we can see fragments of dishes and a few vases. There is a lot of work yet to do on A3 but the the structure face is going to be excavated and consolidated. Another team will come in later to dig for tombs. What secrets will we find then and what will they find under A2 where work has not yet even started?

From resistance to rebellion
Asian and Afro-Caribbean struggles in Britain. This article is taken from the author’s book, Race, Class and the State, to be published next spring by Pluto Press. Copyright © 2015 by Institute of Race Relations. On 25 June 1940 Udham Singh was hanged. At a meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society and the East India Association at Caxton Hall, Lon- don, he had shot dead Sir Michael O’Dwyer, who (as the Lieutenant Governor of the Punjab) had presided over the massacre of unarmed peasants and workers at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, in 1919. Udham was a skilled electrician, an active trade unionist and a delegate to the local trades council, and, in 1938, had initiated the setting up of the first Indian Workers’ Association, in Coventry. In October 1945 at Chorlton Town Hall in Manchester the fifth Pan-African Congress, breaking with its earlier reformism, pledged itself to fight for the ‘absolute and complete independence’ of the colonies and an end to imperialism, if need be through Gandhian methods of passive resistance. Among the delegates then resident in Britain were Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, George Padmore, Wallace Johnson, C.L.R. James and Ras Makonnen. W.E.B. DuBois, who had founded the Pan-African Congress in America in 1917, presided. In September 1975 three young West Indians held up a Knights bridge restaurant for the money that would help set up proper schools for the black community, finance black political groups and assist the liberation struggles in Africa. Of such strands have black struggles in Britain been woven. But their pattern was set on the loom of British racism.

Everyday Life of Birds in Belize
As a birder, I draw familiarity not just from my surrounding landscape, but also from the local bird communities. In Durham, where I have now lived for two years, I make my usual walk to campus surrounded by the common suburban species: the American Robin, Northern Mockingbird, Northern Cardinal, Song Sparrows, and others. Though I have seen the birds a million times, I still find delight in watching their antics, or marvel at particularly red cardinal males. When I travel to a new place, the first thing I do is try to gain a similar familiarity with the common species of my new location. I can’t really say for sure why I do it, other than I find it fun! With that aim in mind, I had my new field guide out only moments after my husband and I touched down for an eight night stay in Belize. Belize, a small Central American country facing the Caribbean Sea, is home to over 500 species of birds. Some have ranges that reach up into the United States, but the majority would be completely new to me: life birds. When we arrived in Hopkins, our beach destination for the first five nights, I sprang out of the car in a tizzy, rapidly snapping pictures of every feathered thing I could find. Did I have any idea what they were? Nope. Partly because I was mildly overwhelmed with excitement, and partly because many were simply new species for me.

Traffic jam, road rage: And to think that I saw it on Middle Street
I was cycling down Middle Street this morning and such a strange site did I see. A traffic jam was building up there before me, so unexpectedly. What could cause such a thing in little San Pedro, I wonder. An elephant? A camel or two? A brass band playing like thunder? Like little Marcos, a fatherly warning crashes upon my head: “Stop telling such outlandish tales. Stop turning minnows into whales.” So, no less strange as it is, I decide to go with the truth instead. In front of me sit golf carts, motorcycles and bicycles — all very still Except for horns blaring, (always a thrill …). I creep forward on my cycle, past one vehicle at a time, Until by Greenhouse Grocer, I spy the perpetrator of this crime.

DANGRIGA: IVAN RAMOS RESIGNS (PART 3)
Note: I had promised to publish Part 3 of my assessment of what was happening in the Dangriga constituency from 3 days ago. I dallied because I wanted to “wrap up” this analysis but found that it is a live and on-going story and events over the weekend were of great portent to what is going to happen there in the near term, and in regards to the by-election. So while I had written most of this part, I could not conclude the analysis until I knew what had happened in terms of the candidates actually lining up and had a better idea of what was happening with the PUP decision-making. Sadly it seems there may have to be some more articles …

San Pedro’s Lobsterfest And An Interview with The Breeze – San Pedro’s Newest Radio Station
Over the past week, there has been a bit of a guerrilla marketing campaign on posts around town..Infuriatingly smart. I was dying to know what the breeze was. And then…yesterday? It was announced. OH! A radio station. Wait…what? A radio station? Hmmmm…. Being honest, I haven’t listened to the radio in…years. But I do know that the local stations in Belize (and there are only a handful of them) are listened to constantly in every kitchen, auto mechanic shop and store on the island. But this one (on the website) was billed as a radio station for expats. Interesting…

International Sources

Fifteen regional jurisdictions on EU tax haven blacklist
A blacklist of the world’s 30 worst-offending tax havens, published on Wednesday by the European Commission, includes 15 countries and territories within the wider Caribbean. The list includes various well-known havens -- among them the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands and Bermuda -- but other jurisdictions that are commonly labelled as offshore tax avoidance hubs were notably missing. Switzerland, for example, was not named. The Commission explained that the list of 30 “non-cooperative jurisdictions” was designed only to assess non-EU members. As a result, the new register does not include countries such as the Netherlands, Ireland, or Luxembourg -- all of which are under investigation by the European competition authorities, suspected of offering “sweetheart” tax deals to multinationals.

Cal-Bel
The next schedule Cal-Bel Event is a fundraiser to help this Youth to get back up on his feet again. Mykelt Anthony is one of Belize's top Cricket Stars who have represented our little Jewel Internationally for years with an outstanding record. He is a family man who was trying to do right for his family, when he became the innocent victim of a gang shoot-out for being in the wrong place at the wrong time just doing legitimate day to day business. He is from a poor farming community in Rural Belize where jobs are scarce and money is hard to come by. He is presently laid up in a Belize Hospital hanging on and hoping that some way some how he would be able to raise the money to pay for a costly operation that would allow him to walk again. Cal-Bel is trying to help and is asking Belizeans in the Los Angeles Area to please do your best to support this Youth at our fundraiser on Saturday (See Flyer) or make a donation if you are not able to attend. Cal-Bel is a very solid, disciplined and well established Club, and we will make sure that all your contributions will go towards this most urgent and noble cause. May you be richly Blessed as You open up your hearts and give whatever you can afford. Every little bit helps. Thanks.

Were the Mayas the ultimate ancient civilisation?
Ahead of a major exhibition, Alastair Smart explains why we remain so fascinated by this magnificent, mysterious and bloodthirsty people. The trouble with the great civilisations of Mesoamerica isn’t just the sheer number of them, but the fact that their names sound so similar. From the Olmecs and Huastecs to the Toltecs, Mixtecs and Zapotecs, it can be hard, at times, telling one culture from the next. That said, two stand out above the rest, the Aztecs and the Maya – and there was always an easy rule of thumb for distinguishing them. The former were fighters, the latter thinkers. The Aztecs were the Romans of the New World, the Maya its Greeks. This line of thinking held sway for much of the 19th – and 20th – centuries, ever since US explorer John Lloyd Stephens and British illustrator Frederick Catherwood discovered a host of ancient cities, lost to the jungle and overgrown with tropical vegetation, during an expedition to Mexico and Central America in 1839. The monumental Mayan sites they helped uncover included Copan, Palenque, Uxmal, Tulum, and Chichen Itza. Now tourist hotspots on the well-worn “Ruta Maya” (Mayan trail), these were not so long ago depopulated and barely known, even by locals.

FIFA’S GOOD MOVE
It’s not all bad news from FIFA, soccer world governing body, embroiled in recent corruption scandals. FIFA’s decision to expand the 2015 Women’s World Cup, presently playing in Canada, from 18 to 24 teams was a good move and proved historical. All seven debutante teams gained valuable experience and enhanced and expanded the game, but Cameroon did more - it made history as the first African team in 16 years to advance to the second round since Nigeria in 1999. With all but two of the six groups completed in group play, two of the debutante teams have qualified for the second round, the Round of 16, with a possible third newcomer still in with a chance to move on. In Group C, Cameroon (2-0-1, 6 pts.) finished second when it rallied from a 1-0 deficit to defeated Switzerland, 2-1, and advance; defending champion Japan (3-0-0, 9 pts), which won all three matches, won the group. Switzerland finished as one of the best third-place teams and will move on to play Canada (1-2-0 5 pts.), which won Group A. China (1-1-1, 4 pts.) was second in Group A and will play Cameroon. Ecuador (0-0-3) was the other newcomer in this group and was unfortunate not to get a win despite its strong play at times.

Putting a Price on Nature
I’ve done the math, and for $1.20, you can preserve a 19-inch by 19-inch square of rainforest habitat—home, on average, to 0.000006 long-tailed macaques and 0.0000001 pangolins. All you have to do is pay a bit more for palm oil, found in roughly half of all grocery store items: chocolate bars, cereal, and lipstick, to name a few. “Most people probably consume some palm oil every day,” says David Wilcove, a professor of ecology at Princeton University. The ubiquitous stuff is squeezed from the fruit of trees whose rapidly expanding cultivation has infamously contributed to widespread deforestation in southeast Asia, and increasingly, parts of South America and Africa. In 2005, there was only one practical example of applying dollar value to ecosystem services, Guerry says, and even that was almost a decade old. In 1996, rather than build a purification plant, the city of New York decided to restore an upstream watershed in the Catskills—which provides most of the city’s water supply. Two years later, in a commentary in Nature, Columbia economists Geoffrey Heal and Graciela Chichilnisky estimated the Catskill project saved the city $6 billon. The project and the paper helped cement the idea of natural capital. Now, Guerry says, there are hundreds of stories of accounting for or discovering ecosystem services. For example, one study in the PNAS collection describes how a coastal development plan in Belize prioritizes both wildlife habitat and development revenue. In another, researchers found that environmental protection in a part of the Brazilian Amazon was associated with reduced instances of diseases like malaria among inhabitants.

EU Launches Tax Action Plan To Crack Down on Sweet Deals
The European Union's tax watchdog unveiled on Wednesday a plan for tackling corporate tax avoidance and ending the practice of sweet deals for multinational companies. The EU's executive Commission also published a blacklist of 30 countries it says are not doing enough to crack down on tax avoidance. The list ranges from Belize to Panama, European principalities like Monaco to Hong Kong and Pacific nations like Vanuatu. "These tax havens cover the five continents," said Pierre Moscovici, the EU's top tax official. He urged them to quickly adopt "agreed international standards" to fight against tax evasion. The plan aims to make sure that multinationals pay taxes where they generate profits, that tax rules in one country do not penalize others, and that honest businesses don't lose out to unscrupulous competitors. "Our citizens can no longer tolerate that certain companies, often the most prosperous, avoid fair tax contributions and that certain tax regimes encourage them on this path," Moscovici said.

Videos

Belize: Lamanai, 5min.

Belize 3, 10min.

Development in Placencia, Belize, 5.5min. This video was created in partial requirements for courses of the Water Resources Management, Coastal and Marine Resource Management and Climate Change streams at CERMES, University of the West Indies, Cavehill. It speaks to development in Placencia over time, both negative and positive impacts of this development and potential solutions to curbing unfavourable effects.

Go Pro Loyola Belize 2015 1, 3.5min.

Up Close interaction with Reef Shark in Belize 2014, 1.5min. Unedited video of a Reef shark checking out my camera (he seemed like he was looking for piece of fish on the end of my GoPro stick).

Go Pro Loyola Belize 2015 3, 7min.

Tricking Progressions | BackHandsprings Backflips, Gainers (Fails At The End), 6min. How's it going everyone This is a more progressed version of our Tricking here in San Pedro. Hope you guys like this and tell us what you think At the end of the video you will see all the fails lol so make sure that you check those out.

June 18, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

A few drinks and good laughs at the Squirrel’s Nest
Located just south of town at Matarocks resort, Squirrel’s Nest is the little beachside bar that’s so very easy fall in love with. This little thatched bar is the perfect getaway if you’re looking to escape and enjoy a few beachside drinks in a secluded atmosphere, yet relatively still close to town. Dennis and I headed over for a couple drinks on a Friday afternoon and we couldn’t get enough of the charming little nest. We were greeted by resort manager Sherilyn, who also fills in as bartender, and what a great one she is! Sherilyn was laid back and very easy to strike up a conversation with; she explained to us that Squirrel’s Nest isn’t a “fancy bar.”

ACES benefits from BWG’s monthly donation program
A $1,484 check was presented to the Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) as part of Blue Water Grill’s monthly donation program. During the month of May, BWG customers donated $782, which was matched 100% by the establishment. In addition to monthly donation program funds, an anonymous donor from Houston, Texas, USA through BWG, also donated $3,000 to the school. The generous donation will go towards the school’s scholarship program for children with disabilities. “Words cannot explain how grateful we are for this donation. It will greatly benefit our island children living with disabilities. We thank everyone that donated,” said ACES. For the month of June, monies raised will go to the San Pedro Belize Red Cross to support hurricane season initiatives. “With the start of hurricane season, it’s vital that we support our local Red Cross group that does so much to help our community in times of need. And they also provide invaluable training for our island and support countless local efforts to keep San Pedro healthy,” said BWG.

Two Crocodiles relocated from Northern Ambergris Caye
The American Crocodile Education Sanctuary (ACES) removed two large crocodiles from two different resorts north of San Pedro Town. The respective establishments requested their removal after the animals allegedly became a nuisance for the businesses. Both crocodiles measured 11 feet and are now in a safer area where they are not expected to harm anyone. ACES’ mission is to safely relocate troublesome crocodiles in order to conserve the species on the island. Northern Ambergris Caye is going through large scale development, and the crocodiles’ natural habitats in this northern area are shrinking. The end result in most of these cases is crocodiles coming in close proximity with humans. On Friday, June 5th, ACES conducted the removal of a crocodile from the Matachica Resort area. The reptile was discovered while works were being done around the resort near a shallow pond. The animal was relocated to the southern part of the island. Then on Monday, June 8th, ACES once again answered the call of another croc spotting, this time at Grand Caribe Resort area. The large crocodile was removed and remains in captivity in an emergency holding enclosure.

Cleaning up the island, one campaign at a time!
We are so please to report that more and more residents are cleaning up the island. Garbage has been a major issue on the island, but now several establishments/individuals have taken the initiative to organize cleanup campaigns. These campaigns are essential to stir up a movement to keep the island clean. The Phoenix Resort is among those that have spearheaded successful cleanup campaigns. Their weekly garbage collection efforts bring together community members who clean up the beaches and core of San Pedro Town. Each Saturday, the initiative gets bigger, with more persons joining in the cleaning up campaigns. Each week a different business sponsors the cleanup by providing trash bags and gloves. “Everyone’s help is so greatly appreciated, and without it we would not be able to cover as many areas as we do around town. Again, thank you so much to all of you for your help. Without you this wouldn’t be possible to carry out each week,” says the management of The Phoenix.

Island high school students celebrate graduations!
Over a hundred students from San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village have completed their secondary school education, and they were proudly celebrated over the weekend. High School Commencement Exercises were held to present students with high school diplomas, as proud family and friends looked on. Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy Class of 2015 was first to graduate on Friday, June 12th. 13 students marched to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance before family, friends and honored guests at the Caye Caulker Community Center. The Ceremony was led by Wilfredo Feliz, Poetry and Drumming teacher and English tutor at Ocean Academy. Guest speaker for the night was Katie Numi Usher, an artist working with The Image Foundation, and Heidi Curry delivered the Founder’s Speech. Leyvi Florian received top honors as class valedictorian, while Saira Reyes Ruiz was salutatorian. During the ceremony, a moment of silence was held in loving memory of Adriana Cal, a member of the graduating classed that passed away prior to the ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks given by Fernando Novelo. Graduates presented small gifts to parents, and a slideshow of great memories was shown.

Ambergris Today

Building a Blood Supply for San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
By helping ensure that blood is available whenever members of the Ambergris Caye community or visitors require medical attention, your blood donation may one day save a life. The San Pedro Belize Red Cross (SPBRC) has been working with the Belize Blood Bank and medical professionals of Belize to improve the communication and process for Ambergris Caye residents to receive blood in time of need. It is important for residents of Ambergris Caye to recognize that there is a blood supply allocated for all island residents and visitors. Of utmost importance is for all to recognize the necessity of the SPBRC blood drives on Ambergris Caye to keep a full supply of blood on hand at the Belize Blood Bank, Belize City. The SPBRC is working hard to increase the blood supply that is kept on reserve at the Blood Bank in Belize.

Government Gives Public Officers and Teachers an 8% Salary Increase
The Ministry of Finance is pleased to announce that public officers and teachers will receive an eight percent (8%) salary increase, totaling approximately $38 million, effective July of 2015 retroactive to April 1st, 2015. This increase in salary is separate and apart from the 2% annual increment which is given to public officers and teachers on the basis of merit. The salary increase stems from the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in February of 2014 between the Government of Belize and the unions representing public officers and teachers (PSU, BNTU, APSSMBZ). The Collective Bargaining Agreement established a framework, a part of which is a salary increase every year for three years commencing in 2014.

Costa Maya Festival 2015 Readies for Grand Pageant Night
The eight countries that compete for the coveted crown of Miss Costa Maya (Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant) have confirmed their participation for this year’s pageant. Three countries have already sent pictures and information of their chosen beauty ambassador. This week we introduce Miss Costa Rica Costa Maya delegate: Corlina On Porras, Costa Rica. Miss Costa Rica will join candidates from Belize, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama on Pageant Night that has been set for Thursday, August 6, 2015, kicking off Costa Maya Festival with a bang. The pageant will have a Carnaval theme with planned entertainment by the Belize Dance Company and Alma Caribena dance group from Mexico, among others.

U.S. Marine Corps, Central American Countries Participate in Multi-National Exercise in Belize
United States Marines along with 14 other Central American Countries to include Canada and Mexico, will be participating in Tradewinds 2015 from June 15-24 throughout Belize. The exercise consists of eight separate training tracks - Human Rights Awareness, Jungle, Military Support to Law Enforcement, Marksmanship, Riverine, Command and Control, Maritime, and Dive, which will take place at different training areas around Belize. All training tracks are focused on building capacity, improving interoperability, and providing Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) in security related topics among participating countries and throughout the region. Representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Barbados, and Colombia are expected to participate.

Misc Belizean Sources

Road Improvement Project in Ambergris Caye: The Key in Unlocking Bigger Investment Opportunities for Belize
Road improvement in North Ambergris Caye is unstoppable as the work continuously rolls to its second phase. The road is expected to be 7 miles of paved road that stretches from the Boca del Rio Bridge to North Ambergris Caye. The phase two of the road improvement will have a three stretching miles of paved road from Belizean Shores Resort up to the Portofino/Canary Coves’ mile 6. The paved road has been anticipated to get completed after three months from the joint venture of San Pedro Town Council and the Government of Belize. However, the GOB will be the one who will cover up the cost for paving the road. The northern road in its second phase will pave all the way to the Blue Reef Resort. But since the water systems might be affected with the road expansion, the San Pedro Town Council still awaits the Belize Water Services’ response with regards to water expansion so that they could start the project. The reason why the San Pedro Town Council got involved in this life-changing project is that they work on placing the speed bumps which will help them deter speeding on the newly constructed paved road. And if this road improvement has managed to finish on time without any hassles, probably, people living in Ambergris Caye will be ecstatic with the news as the road expansion will give them better opportunity to reach places.

Four Belizeans Bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
Four Belizeans were today bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of the 2015 New Year Honours. The honours were conferred by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Attorney Michael Young received the order of Ordinary Commander for his contribution to legal profession and the community; Ms. Esther Ayuso and Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth received the order of Ordinary Officers: Ms. Ayuso for her contribution to the community and women’s rights and Mrs. Tucker-Longsworth for her contribution to nursing and the community. For her contribution to community and leadership, Mrs. Bernadette Fernandez received the order of Ordinary Member. The Investiture Ceremony took place at the Belize House in Belmo

Another manatee found dead in Belize City.
This photo was posted by Manatee Researcher, Jamal Galvez, with the following caption: "Yet another dead manatee due to boat collision. This poor guy never got to grow up! Seeing the mother in the distance was sad! Manatees need help too."

https://plus.google.com/photos/111893827758236733999/albums/6161462768186973617/6161462769962727522?pid=6161462769962727522&oid=111893827758236733999
The Giant Slayer youth rally and concert is this Saturday at Falcon Field. Mervin Budram and R1pple 3ffect will be performing. It's free, and it starts at 7:00pm. "Mervin Budram - MD and R1pple 3ffect Band are heading to Cayo on Saturday! You don't want to miss out!"

UB 2015 Graduation
Congratulations to all 456 of the University of Belize's 2015 graduates. Well done! Now, get out there and give back some of that information to the rest of Belize. The graduation list is here.

Queen of the West Contestant Search
The search is on for this year's Queen of the West pageant contestants. If you are interested, call 804-2035 or email sisetowncouncil@yahoo.com. Good luck!

Esperanza Animal Clinic
CELA is having a free animal health clinic in Esperanza this Saturday, June 20th, from 9:00am until noon. They'll be checking out domestic animals, and will be spaying and neutering also. Thanks, CELA! "We are staffing two animal health clinics this weekend. The one in Cayo is in Esperanza at the community center. The other is in Ladyville at the community center there. Here's the flyer for Esperanza."

Channel 7

Shot Down In Lord's Bank
There was shooting last night in the usually quiet Lords Bank Village. It happened last night at around 8 p.m. when 28 year-old Jorge Caceres was inside a wooden house socialising with several people when someone knocked at the door. When Caceres opened the door, the man on the other side attacked and shot him. Today, the police press officer briefed the media on what investigators know at this time: Rafael Martinez - Police Press Officer "On 16th June at approximately 8:46 p.m, police responded to report of a shooting incident in the village or Lord's Bank. When they arrived at that location at a house at #151 Lord's Bank, just a few feet away they saw 28 year old Jorge Caceres lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Initial investigation revealed that Caceres was socialising at that residence at #151 Lord's Bank when apparently someone knocked on the front door. He opened it and the person and Caceres got involved in an altercation in which shots were fired and Caceres received his injuries. As a matter of fact he received injuries in the neck, the arm and of course his feet. Caceres was transported to the KHMH where he remains in a critical condition. The Ladyville police are following up on a lead, as a matter of fact they are seeking a person of interest for questioning and of course identification."

Hapless, Luckless Robber Tries to Plead Partial Guilt
Last night, we told you how a man tried to rob a gas station at gunpoint on Bullet Tree Road, but he was stopped by a brace security guard who only carried a machete. Well tonight, that man, 37 year-old Melhem Kelly, a resident of Orange Street, San Ignacio Town, is at Belize Central Prison after being taken to court. He was arraigned this afternoon in the San Ignacio Court, where he was read charges of attempt robbery, keeping an unlicensed firearm, keeping unlicensed ammunition, and wounding. Kelly pleaded not guilty to all the more serious offences, but inexplicably, he tried to accept guilt for the crime of wounding. That meant that he was basically putting himself on the scene, admitting that he attacked the Security Guard, Alexander Rios, and inflicted stabbing and cutting injuries to him. What he disagreed with in his plea, however, was that he tried to rob the pump attendant, Romeo Quiroz, and that he was armed with a loaded rusty .38 special revolver at that time.

BTB Says The System Isn't Broken, The Operators Are
Last night you heard from the independent tour operators who are dissatisfied with the system of operation in the Tourism Village. The President of the Fort George Tourism Zone Tour operators and Taxi Union, Arton Bowen told us that the freelance tour operators aren’t getting a fair share of business because the pre booked tour operators are the only ones benefiting. Today we spoke with the Director of Destination Planning and Cruise at the BTB Valdemar Andrade and he told us that it’s not the system at all – in fact he says that the tour operators agreed to this system. Andrade told us it all about the conduct of tour operators on site. He gave us an overview of the system and how it works in the favour of both pre booked and independent tour operators. Valdemar Andrade - Director of Destination Planning and Cruise "The main purpose of the standard operating procedure is we have divided up the gates to allocate people where they do business best, where they would get their better customers from at the end of the day. So at gate 1, we have pre-booked operators, at gate 2 we have independent operators, which is the taxi and tour guide association, presently Mr. Arton Bowen.

DPP Tries To Get Realistic Sentence for Convicted Man
About a year ago, we told you about Wilbert Cuellar, the man who was convicted of attempted murder, but he received a lenient sentence for very serious crime. Well, once again, the Director of Public Prosecutions has gone back to the Court of Appeal to reverse the decision of the sitting judge. As we told you, Cuellar was convicted in December of 2011 of the murder of Josue Chay, but the trial judge, Justice Denis Hanomansingh, believed it to be unjust. So, he invoked what is called “inherent jurisdiction” to set Cuellar free without serving any further time behind bars. In March 2014, DPP Cheryl Lynn Vidal challenged it at the Court of Appeal, and convinced the panel to pass an appropriate sentence for the crime. The case went back before Justice Hanomansingh, who decided that an appropriate sentence in this instance was 3 months – or time served in jail – which is what he formally delivered as the final sentence. Again, the DPP decided to appeal the judge’s decision, believing that she was compelled to do so since 3 months is not an appropriate sentence for attempted murder.

Helping Housing
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development… it’s not a ministry that regularly makes the news because as it is currently set up – the ministry exists mainly to dish out political patronage – and not to provide affordable housing. Well, we found out today that the Ministry hasn’t gotten any major donor funding, and so, their options are limited in how they serve the general public. That’s what CEO Denton Belisle told us today at workshop designed to come up with a national housing policy. According to him, this national policy will allow them to approach international funding agencies with a clear plan on how the money would be used to achieve the goal, which is to get more poor people to own their own homes. Here’s how he explained it: Denton Belisle - CEO, Ministry of Housing & Urban Development "This is a workshop which is an initial step - first step towards the elaboration of a national policy on social housing for Belize. Something which we recognise is needed at this point in time because we all know that the need for improvement in the number and the quality of housing that we have in Belize is tremendous. And so this is a first step towards the elaboration of a national comprehensive social housing policy for Belize. We have been actively involved recently in the deliberations and workshops for the SISCA. Which is the social integration system for Central America and they have a council of housing and human settlements and it based on that initiative that we came up with this proposal to develop a housing policy for Belize."

Pulled Serious Weapon On Cop In Club
Last week, we told you about 30 year-old Kareem Betancourt. He’s the man who allegedly pulled a weapon on a police officer outside a night club when he was about to be searched before being allowed to go in. Well, he’s at the Belize Central Prison tonight after being taken to court today. He was arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer on the offences of aggravated assault, keeping a prohibited firearm, and keeping prohibited ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and due to the nature of the offences, he couldn’t be granted bail. He was then remanded to prison until July 31. As we told you, the incident occurred on June 7. According to the police, Betancourt attempted to enter Elements Nightclub on Newtown Barracks. When Inspector Alejandro Cowo tried to search him Betancourt drew a black firearm and pointed it at the officer.

Peninsula Police Get Gun
Yesterday, Placencia Police seized a homemade firearm in Seine Bight Village. The Quick Response Team was in Seine Bight on a drug sweep, and found it in an open lot. It is believed to be a part of a homemade handgun, the rest of which was hidden at a different location. No one was present at the time, it was deposited as found property. Later that same day, the QRT received intelligence from Placencia Special Branch, and that led them to an area behind the cemetery in Independence Village. The officers searched inside a culvert, and that’s where they found this 9mm pistol with an empty magazine, which was wrapped in a plastic bag. Again, no one was found in the area, and so, the weapon was deposited as found property.

Two For GSU
The Gang Suppression Unit has also taken two more guns off the streets. They found the first one last week Friday at around 2:30 p.m. Officers of the GSU were conducting operations on Orange Street. That’s when they searched an empty lot in Taylor’s Alley, and found a black Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol. The officers believe that the weapon belongs to a member of the Taylor’s Alley Bloods Gang. The other weapon was found at around 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. A team of officers from the GSU were conducting operations on New Road, and they searched an open lot. They found a black and brown Luger 9mm pistol wrapped in a pink cloth and a black plastic bag, and then stuffed in a blue garbage drum. No one was in the area, so this weapon was also deposited as found property. GSU intelligence is that it belongs to a member of the Victoria Street Blood’s Gang.

Israel's New Ambassador To Belize
Four new ambassadors were sworn in on Monday in Belmopan. They include the new Ambassadors from Guatemala, Manuel Roldan and Oren Bar El of Israel. These two countries have a long history together – and, most notoriously, Israel provided arms – the famous Galil machine guns - to the Guatemalan government during its genocidal civil war. In fact, Israel became Guatemala’s main arms supplier when the United States refused to do so in the late 70’s. Those same weapons were used for sabre rattling along the Belize border. History tells us that a huge shipment of Israeli weaponry bound for Guatemala was seized in Barbados in the late 70’s. But now Israel has normalised relations with all of Central America – including Belize – and today we asked the news Ambassador what is their strategic interest. Orel Bar El - Israeli Ambassador to Belize "Traditionally speaking our priorities are mainly the cooperation and establishing good friendship. We don't have high economic or commercial interest - although I think it's important to try to develop economic ties."

Auction Action
Today, the Queen Street Police Compound in Belize City was crowded with city residents. No, it wasn’t a mass police detention; they were there for a bicycle auction. Hundreds of bikes with varying degrees of damage were on sale. Most-likely, they had been seized as part of some crime, or they may have been stolen, but the owners never came to retrieve it. So, rather than have them sitting around, taking up storage space, and gathering dust and rust, the Police Department regularly sells them off to the public at auctions. 7News stopped by and spoke with a few of the auction winners who got to leave with the rusty, damaged bike of their choice. They told us that with a bit of hard work and investment, all of these old bikes can be restored to almost brand new condition: Daniel Ortiz "Why did you pick the opportunity to come out and win this one at the auction?" Leopold Pineda - Owner of Purchased Bikes "Because I repair them and fix them up and I got it for my own use." Daniel Ortiz "It looks very damaged, how does one fix something like this to a usable state?" Leopold Pineda "I have another bike that I take off parts off it and fix it."

Track And Field Takes On Salvador
The Central American Track and Field Junior Championships were held in San Salvador over the weekend. Twenty Two young athletes represented Belize and when the event was over, Belize won a total of 8 medals – including 1 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. The group returned home yesterday by road – and after getting some needed rest, 7news caught up with the Athletes at the Marion Jones Stadium. Shanicka Augustine - Gold Medalist "It was a lot of competition but I did my best and I came in first in the triple jump, second in the long jump and third in the 100 metres." Monica Bodden "Tell me, were there any challenges?" Shanicka Augustine "Yes, a lot. Especially with the 100 metres because they were very fast but you just have to do your best and go all out because at the same time you are thinking about your country and bringing home so that they see Belize has talent."

Primary School Football
The 2015 National Primary School Football Championship matches were held in Belize City today. For the entire day, the district champions, went up against each other to find out who is the best football team this year. We stopped by the male games this afternoon, and spoke with one of the Coordinators from the National Sports Council about the tournament. Here’s what he told us the day’s event: At the end of the game you saw, San Pedro RC finished Third, as the representative of the Belize District. They defeated La Immaculada RC from Orange Walk. The winner of this tournament is Independence RC from Stann Creek. They defeated Mount Carmel Primary from Cayo, which now takes second place. The most valuable male player went to goal keeper Marlon Flores.

Angry About Anthem
Someday, those players may be the ones who pick up where Dion McCauley, Woodrow West, Elroy Kylen and Shane Orio left off. But one avid football fan hopes that when they play in a world cup qualifier – they will do so with a proper national anthem. Collymore says his hear sank and his coldseed beat a hasty retreat when the Belizean national anthem was cut short at Sunday’s world cup qualifier in Belmopan… For context, we do know that according to Olympic rules, national anthems cannot be longer than 80 seconds in length, which means that some countries have to work with a shortened version of their anthem.

Belmopan Park Gets Wi-Fi
The Mae Gordon park in Belmopan is the third in the capital city to benefit from a covered basketball court. But, more than that Mae Gordon will also have free wi-fi. Today, area representative John Saldivar and Acting mayor Jacklyn Burns underscored the significance:…

Excellent Belizeans
Four Belizeans received the honor of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire at Belize House in Belmopan. Governor General Sir Colville Young bestowed the order of Ordinary Commander on attorney Michael Young for his contribution to the legal profession and to the community. Esther Ayuso and Laura Tucker-Longsworth both received the order of Ordinary Officers. Ms. Ayuso was honoured for her contribution to the community and women’s rights and Mrs. Tucker-Longsworth for her contribution to nursing and the community. For her contribution to community and leadership, Mrs. Bernadette Fernandez received the order of Ordinary Member.

An Act That's Hard To Follow
Gildon Rowland is a real renaissance man. The ex-cop writes and performs poetry, and he also acts – he’s played bit roles in the recent B-Movies Poseidon Wrecks and Dragon Wasps which were filmed in Belize. And now he wants to develop his talent by attending an audition and training in the Bahamas. But he needs five grand to do it. Now, he’s not asking for a handout – he says it’s an investment:… Rowland says the audition agent is giving him a four thousand dollar discount.

Channel 5

3 Players Being Investigated by CONCACAF
For the first time in Belize’s storied football past, three players are under investigation by CONCACAF and UNCAF for match-fixing. The incredible allegation comes in the wake of a playoff [...]

F.F.B. Spent Half-a-Mil on Rounds 1 & 2
Even as that match-fixing investigation looms, the F.F.B. is coasting on an amazing victory over the Dominican Republic, and history being made as the Jaguars qualify for the Third Round [...]

Vicente Says Gold Cup Accounting Coming Soon
Vicente insists that the almost five hundred thousand dollars used between the First and Second Rounds was finances solely by the F.F.B., with no assistance from the public or from [...]

Lord’s Bank Man Riddled by Bullets
A twenty-eight year old man is tonight clinging to life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot multiple times to the body on Tuesday night. Just before [...]

Military Forces Converge on Belize for Trade Winds 2015
If you see increased military activity in your neck of the woods, don’t be alarmed. It is a well organized military training taking place. Personnel from the US, Mexico, Canada [...]

DOE Damage Assessment at Glover’s Reef Completed
The assessment of damages caused to the reef by a Guatemalan vessel running aground last Wednesday has been completed. On Thursday, the preliminary dive was done by members of the [...]

Santa Clara Man Charged With Attempted Murder of His Wife
Up north, a housewife has given police a report of a horrifying experience she lived at the hands of her husband. Maria Pech of Santa Clara Village, Corozal claims that [...]

ADU Makes Million Dollar Heroin Bust in Corozal
Further up north in the village of Ranchito, the Police Anti-Drug Unit, ADU, made a sizeable bust of highly addictive and illegal drug. In operations at a house in the [...]

Placencia Police on Alert Before Lobster Fest
On Tuesday, Quick Response Team of the Police Department in Placencia conducted several searches in Seine Bight for drugs. In an abandoned lot in that community, they found what appeared [...]

GSU Clamps Down in Crime in the City
The Gang Suppression Unit also carried out operations over the weekend. On Friday afternoon, the unit conducted a search through Taylor’s Alley area and in an empty lot they found [...]

Twins Charged for Harm After Beat-down
This morning, twin sisters, Tanisha and Tenisha Bodden of Arlington Drive, Belize City were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on a single charge of Harm. It is claimed [...]

Kareem Betancourt Remanded on Firearm Offences
Today, after being released from the K.H.M.H. having spent more than a week under police watch, thirty year old Kareem Betancourt, of the Saint Martin’s De Porres area of Belize [...]

BMI Research Says Belize’s Debt is Unsustainable
Earlier this month, BMI Research, a leader in financial information services, made public the results of a research into Belize’s existing economic state of affairs. That forecast was dismal, as [...]

Ministry of Housing Explores Social Housing Program
It’s been a while since we’ve heard of anything within the Ministry of Housing. Well, today they held a workshop in at the Biltmore where they met with partners with [...]

Housing Grants Available…But Only If Area Reps Approve
And while the establishment of the social housing policy is the latest initiative being undertaken by the Ministry of Housing in a very long time, the Ministry has long been [...]

Hand in Hand Ministries Builds Home for Lord’s Bank Family
A single father of four of the Lord Bank area, Belize District, is tonight celebrating the comfort of spanking new quarters. Aaron Garbutt and his family are moving from their [...]

Media/Sports Icon Passes
Veteran radio broadcaster and sports enthusiast Gerald Garbutt passed away today after suffering a massive stroke sometime last week. Garbutt was a mainstay in the local media for over fifty [...]

CTV3

Moody's Investor Services Grades Belize's Debts
With a debt burden which experts predict will become increasingly unmanageable in the coming years, today Moody's Investors Service has affirmed Belize's Caa2 issuer ratings and the outlook remains stable. The stable outlook on Belize's Caa2 ratings reflects Moody's ongoing concerns about public debt sustainability despite the short-term relief to fiscal liquidity pressures following the 2013 debt restructuring. Moody's says credit risks could potentially escalate by 2017-18 given that: (1) as the general election approaches, the government will find it more difficult to maintain fiscal discipline as demand for public sector wage hikes and increased social transfers increase; (2) debt service on market debt will escalate due to an increase in the step-up coupon rate - amortization payments will start in 2019; and (3) the compensation amount from litigation claims due to the nationalization of BEL and BTL could push public debt into unsustainable levels. Faced with pressures that could translate into financial stress, the possibility of a pre-emptive debt restructuring remains high through 2017 to 2018.

Belizeans Receives MBE Awards In Honor On Queens Birthday
Today at the Belize House in Belmopan, four Belizeans were bestowed the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire on the occasion of the 2015 New Year Honours. Attorney Michael Young received the order of Ordinary Commander for his contribution to legal profession and the community; Ms. Esther Ayuso and Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth received the order of Ordinary Officers: Ms. Ayuso for her contribution to the community and women’s rights and Mrs. Tucker-Longsworth for her contribution to nursing and the community. For her contribution to community and leadership, Mrs. Bernadette Fernandez received the order of Ordinary Member. The honours were conferred by the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

BNTU Brings Awareness On Petro Caribe Act
The Belize National Teachers Union has said it is serious about addressing national issues in the country. In staying true to that statement, today Otilio Munoz, President of the Orange Walk Branch told us that the union has joined other concerned groups in the much debated Petrocaribe Act. Even though the act has been passed by government, the BNTU said it had to do its share to educate the public. “We are serious when it comes to national isues because as educators we ned to look at thes things because at the end of the day we as educators we are responsible for educating our children as to anything that is happening in our country.” In its quest to obtain a better and full understanding of the act and its implications, Munoz says the union got input from experts and came up with a flyer containing points to spread awareness on what the act is all about.

Corozal Police Make Heroine Bust, Four Are Detained
Four persons from the Corozal District have been charged for heroin. They are 51 year old Fermin Velasquez and 38 year old Salvadoran Domestic Alba Velasquez both of Ranchito Village, 25 year old Eber Rivera of San Joaquin Village and 51 year old Kua Liao a Chinese businessman of Mile 8, George Price Highway. The four individuals were arrested after the Police Anti-Drug Unit searched a residence near the junction of the Phillip Goldson Highway and the Maya Airstrip road where all four persons were in. There authorities found seven parcels of suspected heroin which amounted to 7, 418 grams. There were two children along with the woman at the time of the search. Police report that the four adults were taken to the police station and have been charged for drug trafficking.

Man Accused On Trying To Set His Wife On Fire
Domestic abuse, without a doubt it is a growing problem in Belize and world wide. Often at times the report is made but right after withdrawn by the victim be it male or female. And most of the times the cases go unreported due t several reason. But tonight we air the story of one woman who decided to speak out and make the report to police placing her husband in the hot seat as he now faces charges of attempted murder after he reportedly tried to light his wife on fire. Thirty six year old Maria Pech, a housewife of Santa Clara Village in the Corozal District is the one who filed the report against her husband. Pech says that on Monday, at about seven thirty in the night she was cleaning some aluminum to sell while her husband Joel Pech was asleep inside their home. When he woke up, she says he began insulting her and when she tried to go inside he began threatening her and her children. At that point, Pech says her husband came outside wielding a machete with which he lashed her on the left leg. In fear for her life, Pech ran but Joel set chase after her and reportedly threw the machete at her but missed.

BNTU Says Salary Adjustments Not Coming From Petro Caribe Funds
Teachers and public officers are receiving an eight percent salary adjustment that becomes effective in July this year and which will total an approximate thirty-eight million dollars. As reported, this is in line with the terms under the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in 2014 where GOB and unions in representation of public officers and teachers established a framework which includes salary adjustments of up to thirty percent over the course of three years commencing last year. This said the President of the Belize National Teachers Union Orange Walk Branch, Otilio Munoz, is what he wants to clarify. Munoz says he wants the public to be assured that this is an adjustment that has been agreed to by GOB and unions and that this has nothing to do with the current Petrocaribe funds that have been given much campaign in the last months.

BNTU President Speaks On Salary Adjustment And Salary Increment
Yesterday the Government issued a press release where it announced that teachers are to be receiving an eight percent salary adjustment. Today, President of the Belize National Teacher’s Union Orange Walk Branch, Otilio Munoz told CTV-3 News that teachers need to be aware that the salary adjustment is not to be confused with a salary increase. In an interview with him this morning, Munoz clarified the difference between the salary increase that teachers should also be getting this year and the adjustment that has been approved by government. “The salary adjustment is to adjust the salary of the teachers to be in par with what we called the cost of living, to be in par with and the salary increment is based on your performance as a teacher and that is where the principal goes in a does your appraisal and then based on the apprisial and his recommendation then you are to get an increment, so this is where the problem lyes whenever let us say for example many teachers started to teach in September so they should be getting an increment for the whole year which supposed to have been approved already and recommended that you need to be getting an increment so you should be getting your increment plus yous salary adjustment so it is two things and that is what I want to ask teachers to ensure that when they get their pay they check with management that they look at the salary increment and the salary adjustment as well because of nature and money you need to check if your got both of them.”

LOVE FM

Media Colleague and Past Cycling President Passes
Veteran personality in the media and sports industries passed away last night at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. Gerald Garbutt had suffered a stroke about a week ago and has since been hospitalized. Glenn Tillett, a media personality as well spoke of his time spent around and working with Garbutt. GLENN TILLET […]

Political Momentum Picks Up in Dangriga
Residents of Dangriga have seen an influx of the political machinery of the two major political parties as they prepare for the upcoming by-election in that municipality. We hear more in this report from correspondent Harry Arzu. HARRY ARZU “Ivan Ramos, who was the Area Representative for Dangriga resigned from the House of Representatives on […]

Fire Officials Say Fire Was Set on Mahogany Street House
Last night we brought you the story of Dixie Wagner and his wife who lost their belongings in a fire last Thursday night on Mahogany Street. The couple had been renting the lower flat of the two storey structure for almost eighteen months when the incident occurred. We spoke with the Station Officer of the […]

National Housing Policy – A Move Towards Social Housing in Belize
Today was the first day of discussions in creating a National Policy that will focus on charting a way forward for sustainable, equitable Social housing in Belize. The policy is expected to be completed in three months. Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Michael Finnegan addressed stakeholders. MICHAEL FINNEGAN “In my view this must be […]

Gunmen Release Bullets in Rural Residence
Ladyville police are investigating a shooting incident that happened last night in Lord’s Bank. Police say just before nine o’clock they responded to a shooting in Lords Bank Village. On arrival they saw 28- year- old Jorge Caseres lying face down with multiple gunshot wounds. Caseres was transported to the K.H.M.H. where he is listed […]

Drug Bust in Northern Belize
Three men and a woman have been charged for trafficking heroin. Police say that yesterday evening, the Anti-Drug Unit was on special operations in the Corozal District which consequently led them to a residence in Ranchito Village. There they came across three men, a woman and two children. A search was conducted on the premises […]

Man Douses Spouse with Kerosene to Set Her Afire
A villager from Santa Clara in the Corozal District has been charged with attempted murder. A 36 year old housewife of Santa Clara Village reported that on Monday night, her husband, 34 year old, Joel Pech began to verbally abuse her while she was in the back yard doing some work. The woman told Police […]

PlusTV

Belizeans Arrested in Guatemala tell Their Story
Five Belizean’s, including PG Town Councilor Ashton McKenzie, have been charged for battery, in Guatemala after they were detained in Santa Cruz They had entered illegally through a route in Jalacte and arrived in Santa Cruz sometime around 3:30 pm...

Hilberto Sotz’ father says he will sue police department
Since the death of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz who died in police custody at the Cay Caulker Police Station on June 8th, two officers have been charged with first degree murder and three others have been placed on inderdiction...

Belize music industry unites for business seminar
Music is entertainment and art, but one need only look at the huge sums artists from the surrounding region rake in from concerts, television appearances and endorsements to recognize that it is also a business...

15 year old raped in church yard
A 15 year old student of Dangriga says she was raped in a church yard. The girl told police that on Monday June 15^th at 11 o’clock in the morning, she was forcibly taken into the Baptist Church compound located in the Foreshore area by a man who had his face covered...

Another teenager raped in Dangriga
There was another incident of rape reported in Dangriga yesterday, Monday June 15. According to a 16 year old female of Dangriga, she was at home when her baby’s father arrived at her home. She and the child’s father got into an argument which resulted in her being sexually assaulted...

Security guard and robber battle it out in foiled robbery
Police have detained a man who attempted a robbery in San Ignacio. Last night, Monday June 15 at about 10:05 p.m., San Ignacio Police responded to a robbery in progress at Chuc’s Gas Station located on Bullet Tree Road, San Ignacio...

Public Officers and Teachers Receive an 8% Salary Increase
The Ministry of Finance announced today that public officers and teachers will receive an eight percent (8%) salary increase, totaling approximately $38 million, effective July of 2015 retroactive to April 1^st, 2015...

Court of Appeal acquits man of attempted murder
Diondray McKoy of Belize City had a conviction of attempted murder quashed, sentence of 12 years in prison set aside and a judgment of acquittal entered after the conclusion of his case this morning in Belize City at the Court of Appeal...

Breaking Belize News

BTB Responds to Tour Operators: The system is fine; the conduct isn’t
Over the past weeks, the President of the Fort George Tourism Zone Tour operators and Taxi Union, Arton Bowen, has continuously expressed concern on the delegation of tours and distribution of tourists at the Belize Tourism Village. According to Bowen, only pre-booked tour operators are benefitting from the process, while […]

Guns Vs. Machetes – The Saga Continues
On Monday night, security guard, Alexander Rios, courageously defended a co-worker’s life against a gun-wielding robber. Today, 38 year-old Melhem Kelly of Orange Street, San Ignacio Town, is cooling his heels in prison following his arraignment on Wednesday afternoon. Kelly was taken to the San Ignacio Court where he was […]

Man charged for encounter with police
A man who menaced a police officer with a firearm and then tried to run away has been charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and keeping a prohibited firearm and ammunition. 30 year old tour guide Kareem Betancourt was read his charges before Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer […]

Court to decide on sentence for convict
The Court of Appeal heard a second appeal by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl Lynn Vidal today in relation to the sentence given to Wilbert Cuellar of Orange Walk. Cuellar was convicted of attempted murder by a jury along with Darwin Diaz in December of 2011, but Judge […]

Radio pioneer Gerald Garbutt dies
Gerald Garbutt, a founder and pioneer of free broadcast radio in Belize, died Tuesday night of complications from heart problems. Garbutt helped to found KREM Radio in 1989 and acted as its general manager in the early 1990’s, setting the template for its success in modern times. He […]

Muslims prepare to observe Ramadan
In respect of the revelation of the Muslim holy book the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad and in strict observance of devotion and obedience to God, Muslims around the world are preparing to observe the holy month of Ramadan beginning on Thursday morning, June 18. The primary feature […]

Man shot in Lord’s Bank
A man shot on Tuesday night is in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. 28 year old Jorge Caseres was socializing at a residence in Lord’s Bank village around 8:46 in the evening when someone knocked on the main front door of his residences. He answered […]

Firearms seized in Placencia
Yesterday, June 16th on two separate occasions, Seine Bight and Placencia police have managed to remove firearms from the streets. Working off tips, Placencia’s Quick Response Team searched multiple areas in the small Village of Seine Bight and in an abandoned yard, officers found a homemade firearm which was then […]

Husband attempts to set wife on fire
A lady from the village of Santa Clara in the Corozal District is lucky to be alive after she had a violent encounter with her husband. Reports are that on Monday night around 7:30 pm, 36 year old Maria Pech, reported that she was in her back yard, when her […]

Blogs

A Brief History of San Pedro, Belize & Dia De San Pedro: Part Two
The men of Ambergris Caye were jobless (no coconut palms, no jobs) – and many left the island looking for work. America was looking for male labor (even Mito’s uncle went to work in a factory in Pittsburgh, later to return). A few joined the war effort (we were still British Honduras at that point), one or two went down to Panama to help with expansion and lock work on the canal, some went to the mainland… And after the war many returned. The lobster industry had started a bit during the 1920s and 30s…before that it was junk. A Captain Foote came to the island buying lobster for one cent a pound…later freezer boats and canning began to buy lobsters and prices crept up slowly. At one point after WW2, a man with a Catalina seaplane would fly down to the island, fill it with a few thousand pounds of lobster and fly away to Florida. Taking the lobster on concession!

Belize Eco-Kids Summer Camp Winners 2015!
Officially known as the Children’s Summer Camp Scholarship Program, this annual event gives 24 young Belizeans between the ages of 8 and 13 a chance to learn about their natural world through a mix of adventure, social interaction, and fun filled applied education – all aimed at instilling a sense of wonderment in the unique cultures that constitute Belize and the environment that sustains us all. The Eco Kids are selected after submitting a 300 word written essay which is reviewed and shortlisted by the Chaa Creek scholarship committee with the winners going on to attend the week long summer camp. Chaa Creek will be providing all lodging, three healthy meals and snacks each day, structured educational activities, arts and crafts materials, tee shirts, 24-hour camp counsellor supervision, and guided tours conducted by licensed naturalist guides.

Want to know the future of Belize? See Greece
Pay attention to what’s happening in Greece. We’ve posted about this before and things di geh dread as we say in Belize. Greece is slowly being led to slaughter house and Belize is going to the same place, Greece is at the door, Belize is making it’s way down the chute. Greece’s economy will be locked down with capital controls if it can’t find a deal by the weekend European governments are ready to push for capital controls in Greece would mean a severe lockdown on flows of cash … strict limits on the amount that could be withdrawn from banks, taken abroad physically, or passed between international accounts. slam the brakes on outflows of money streaming out of Greek banks, but it would also make it more difficult for the country to recover economically Capital controls are easy to bring in and hard to get out of.

“My Quality of Life is Far Superior Since Moving Here”
The amazing scuba diving in Belize enticed Polly Alford to start a new life in the country. ©dsabo-Istock Name: Polly Alford Age:46 From: Southeastern England Living in: Punta Gorda, Belize Before moving to Belize, Polly Alford lived a cushy life in southeastern England. She had a lucrative job with an IBM partner company, drove a […]

“I Live Simply and it’s Easy to Make New Friends”
In November 2011, Patrick Snyder made his rst trip to Belize, to visit his brother. Planning to spend a month, he stayed for seven. He then returned home, took care of his personal affairs, packed his belongings, and returned to Belize in 2012. “I like the peace and quiet in Punta Gorda, and the slow pace of life. I enjoy being right on the bay. People here are friendly. I live simply and it’s been easy to make new friends. At this point in my life, I could not ask for more.”

Belize Travel Diaries – Discovering the Beauty of the Unspoiled Tropical Paradise
Until a year before, I had only heard of all that Belize was about. White sandy beaches, lush green trees, clear blue waters, breathtaking marine life, warmhearted people and relaxed lifestyle. Now, that is history. Because only last year in summer I packed my bag and headed to Belize with some friends. I must say, that was probably one of the best decisions ever. First, because this country is truly heaven on earth. Second, it’s all true. Belize is simply beautiful. As soon as we stepped on Belizean land, the relaxed lifestyle started getting to us. It was quite an experience. Luckily, we had booked a small inn for us, since they’re super cheap as compared to 5 star hotels or resorts. So we headed out towards the small inn. Traveling on the rocky roads of Belize give a feeling of adventure. On our way, we came across street vendors selling rice and beans with potato salad, which is a staple diet of the locals. The aroma of the food spread through miles, and made us realize how famished we all were! While our first day ended travelling and settling in, the discovery in true form started the next day. To tell you the truth, I could write a book on my wholesome Belize experience, but I guess I’ll resort to just a few things to keep reader interest and keep boredom at bay! I hope I am succeeding; fingers crossed!

Backpacking Belize On A Budget
Belize has also one of the lowest population density in Central America and offers a rich variety of wildlife and nature. The lack of development, billboards and other modern world crap, makes Belize one of our favorite countries. However, its beauty comes with a heavier price tag than its neighboring countries. Even experienced budget travelers will spend more money in Belize than anywhere else in Central America, but don’t let that keep you from visiting. With careful planning and our tips below, you can significantly reduce your cost and stay within your budget. Transportation: Public buses are by far the cheapest mode of transportation around the country. Although those old North American school buses can get crowded sometimes, they are just as efficient as private shuttles and taxis. Belize is a pretty small country and a ride from east to west takes about three hours. Fares cost between $1-10, depending on how far you go.

The Breeze is “on the air” in San Pedro, Belize
If you live in San Pedro you probably couldn’t help but notice the “teasers” plastered to nearly every telephone pole on the island “The Breeze is coming.” Did they get your interest up? Well, the mystery is over and the Breeze has been revealed: It is a gringo internet radio station here in San Pedro, aimed at ex-pats and future ex-pats and people who just wish they could be ex-pats. Also described as “A classic hits music and information radio station.” The music format is ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s with a little stand-up comedy tossed in. Ugh, I heard Henny Youngman this morning. “Take my jokes, please!” There also promises to be a sprinkling of island sounds — presumably Bob Marley to Jimmy Buffet. If you were listening around 10 a.m. today you got something like this: The Dixie Cups, “Going to the Chapel”; Wings, “Silly Love Song”; Carole King, “It’s Too Late”; Stevie Wonder, “Isn’t She Lovely”; Bill Haley, “Shake Rattle and Roll”; Leanne Rimes, “Can’t Fight the Moonlight”; Bill Haley again, “See Ya Later Alligator”; and Earth Wind and Fire, “September.” With a little Henny thrown in somewhere in the mix. The internet station intends to be advertising supported. Meanwhile, you can grab a listen right here. Scroll down the home page for some basic information, including how to add the station as a pop-up so you can listen while doing other things on the Web.

International Sources

Belize coast guard sailor still at the helm during Tradewinds 2015
Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Lawrence, a coxswain in the Belize coast guard is still at the helm of his high powered chase boat 23 years after joining the military. One of the first Sailors to enter the Belize Coast Guard when the force was formed 10 years ago - branching off from the Belize Defense Force, Maritime Division, a branch of the military, Lawrence had already served for 13 years. "There are only about eight of us left," he said. "I think it's safe to say I'm the most experience coxswain in the Coast Guard." The 40-foot rigid-hull inflatable boat he captains is powered by three 300 horsepower engines - enough it give it a top speed of close to 45 knots. "The boat is designed to chase and capture other boats and it's something we do from time to time. Not long ago we needed the speed to capture smugglers who we found with 20 kilos of cocaine.

Moody's affirms Belize's Caa2 sovereign rating; outlook stable
Moody's Investors Service has today affirmed Belize's Caa2 issuer ratings. The outlook remains stable. The key drivers of today's rating actions are the following: 1) The expectation of ongoing economic recovery mitigates the negative trends in public finances, although downside risks to the fiscal outlook remain. 2) The risk of losses to bondholders through 2017-18 remains considerable given fiscal challenges and a confluence of risks. Belize's long-term local-currency country risk ceilings and the foreign currency bond ceiling remain unchanged at B2. The foreign-currency bank deposit ceilings is also unchanged at Caa3. The short-term foreign currency bond and deposit ceilings remain at NP (Not Prime). These ceilings reflect a range of undiversifiable risks to which issuers in any jurisdiction are exposed, including economic, legal and political risks. These ceilings act as a cap on ratings that can be assigned to the foreign and local-currency obligations of entities domiciled in the country.

Decoded: name on Mayan king’s tomb
Researchers in Mexico say they have decoded the hieroglyphic name on the Palenque tomb of ancient Mayan King Pakal, revealing it to read “The House of the Nine Sharpened Spears”, more than sixty years after the crypt was discovered. Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered the burial crypt in 1948 and new research into the jaguar, a sacred animal for the Maya civilization, led Guillermo Bernal, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), to make a link with other hieroglyphics of the same form. “This is a name linked with war and an aspect which was not previously known as the hieroglyphic (could not be) deciphered until now,” Bernal, from UNAM's Mayan Studies Centre, told a news conference in Mexico City. “'The House of the Nine Sharpened Spears' is a denomination represented by the nine warriors in the walls of the tomb.”

Videos

Belize 2015!, 3.5min. 10 days in beautiful Belize condensed into 3 1/2 minutes!

OATS - Route of the Maya - Day 12, 18min.Our last day in Guatemala........After breakfast at hotel Camino Real, we visit the Mayan ruins at "Yaxha" and had lunch at the restaurant were the TV show "Survivor" crew members also ate........ Crossed the border into Belize and continued on to our hotel in Belize City.........

Takeoff from Belize City Airport, 3min. Taking off in a United Boeing 737-800 from BZE to IAH on 6/15/15.

Landing at Belize City's Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, 6min. This was an interesting landing at Belize City's airport. It was drier than expected. However it was the end of the dry season.

Half Moon Cay, Belize 2015, 15min. La segunda parte de nuestros viaje: Half Moon Cay, Belize 2015, Gracias por su participacion en una aventura mas de Scuba Excite!!

2015 Belize, 3min. Scuba diving under the Sun Dancer II in Belize from June 7-12, 2015.

June 17, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Huge ship on reef
We were alerted to the presence of a huge ship at our beautiful reef and truly, you could not miss this behemoth. It is the USAV Brandy Military Station measuring 53meters x 10meters, and appears to have entered Belizean waters on Saturday, June 13th (according to Port of Belize logs). The vessel was seen at around 3:30PM attempting to pass the ‘Entrada San Pedro’ cut. It is now outside of the Belize Barrier Reef making its way back to Belize City. The USA Navy was in Ambergris Caye conducting a special training mission. It seems we have quite a few military vessels traversing our waters these days! We have confirmed that indeed the crew is made up of Navy officers parttaking in the United States Southern Command's Exercise Tradewinds.

Lobster Season is a Go!
Yesterday marked the official opening of Lobster season and what a grand opening it was! San Pedro fishermen brought in their highly anticipated bounty to supply a lobster-craving town! We hope there’s room for plenty of lobster in your appetite because local restaurants have already begun whipping up some of their best lobster specials! Grilled lobster tails, lobster ceviche, lobster pizza, fritters, lobster dip and so much more, we hope you’re ready! Don’t forget this coming Saturday June 20th is the annual Lobsterfest Block Party. There will be LOADS of lobster to enjoy.

Public Officers and Teachers Receive an 8% Salary Increase
Government Press Office – June 16, 2015 – The Ministry of Finance is pleased to announce that public officers and teachers will receive an eight percent (8%) salary increase, totalling approximately $38 million, effective July of 2015 retroactive to April 1st, 2015. This increase in salary is separate and apart from the 2% annual increment which is given to public officers and teachers on the basis of merit. The salary increase stems from the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in February of 2014 between the Government of Belize and the unions representing public officers and teachers (PSU, BNTU, APSSMBZ). The Collective Bargaining Agreement established a framework, a part of which is a salary increase every year for three years commencing in 2014. Last year public officers and teachers received a six percent (6%) salary increase. The Government of Belize appreciates all public officers and teachers and the level of service they provide to the general public.

Belize Jaguars dominate Dominica Republic in 2nd round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
The Belize National Football Selection captured an impressive victory over the National Football Selection of Dominican Republic in the second round of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers. With a score aggregate of 5-1, the Jaguars managed to win both home and away games, making their country very proud indeed. The results of the two part game series eliminated DR from the competition and is allowing Belize to continue their journey on the road to World Cup Russia 2018. The first match was an away game for the Jaguars on Thursday, June 11th and was played at the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo at 2PM. The Belize team quickly took control of the game with Belize’s star forward, Deon McCauley scoring the first goal in the 11th minute. The Jaguars controlled the entire first half of the match, not allowing DR a single chance to score. Unfortunately the ball slipped past Belize goalkeeper Shane Orio in the second half, tying the game 1-1. But the Jaguars were determined to bring home a victory! In the final minutes of the game, McCauley took control of the ball once more and scored his second goal, securing the 2-1 victory.

Justice for Sotz family
The Caye Caulker Police Department (CCPD) is under new command following the arraignment of two and the interdiction of three, police officers due to police brutality which led to the death of an 18-year-old. Police Constable (PC) 628 Leonard Nunez and PC 819 Hallet King were jointly charged for the murder of Hilberto Sotz on Wednesday, June 10th by Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith. Sotz died under police custody on Monday, June 8th, and this led to a full on investigation of the department. In addition, Woman PC 1107 Bernadette Ramos, PC 1932 Edilberto Patt and former CCPD Officer in Charge, Corporal Kirby Palma, were placed in interdiction as investigations revealed they were on duty at the time of the incident. A candle light vigil was held on Wednesday, June 10th to honor the life of Sotz. Residents from both Caye Caulker and San Pedro converged at the Caye Caulker community basketball court in a show of solidarity against police brutality. “I have known Hilbert for so many years. He was a student at the school where I was principal. It really saddens me. He doesn’t deserve this. God is control and my people I want to ask you to be peaceful. We need to send out a message out there that we are tired of this, and that violence is not the way to go,” said Deputy Chairman of Caye Caulker, Enelda Rosado.

The Belize Mexico Channel- a Maya creation!
San Pedro Town is often considered as one of the most unique destinations in Belize. The local community is rooted with both Mestizo and Spanish traditions, as many of the first settlers are originally from Xcalak, Mexico. But it’s not only the culture that is common, we also share a border! Yes, a border! The only thing that separates Belize and Mexico is a narrow channel within the Rio de Cantena. The channel is believed to have been dug out by the Maya to provide a trade route from the Bay of Chetumal, Quintana Roo to the Caribbean around 600 A.D. Evidence of this theory can be seen in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, which contains several unexplored Maya sites- after all, the entire Ambergris Caye can be considered an Archeological Site. Apparently, Ambergris Caye was a large trading post for the Mayas. Civilizations in the Yucatan peninsula used the channel to get Chac Balam (the Maya ruins that lie within Bacalar Chico). Chac Balam was a very important Maya trading center for everything from salt and food to jade, obsidian, and pottery along the Caribbean coast. From there, goods were distributed to the about 19 known Maya Sites across Ambergris Caye, most of which are unexplored.

San Pedro, Belize to benefit from study of at risk populations
The San Pedro neighborhood of San Mateo on Ambergris Caye, Belize has been identified as at risk by the Belize Red Cross Society. Flooding caused by tropical storms and hurricanes coupled with insufficient water and electric infrastructure has resulted in increased risk of fire and spread of disease. Belize Red Cross Director General, Lily Bowman suggested the area as the focus of a June 13-21, 2015 survey and research project, being made possible by Florida State University Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program (FSU EMHS).

Ambergris Today

Renown Interior Designer Adds Magical Touch at Mahogany Bay Village
With over sixty acres of property, Mahogany Bay Village is one of the largest developments on Ambergris Caye and is steadily moving forward with a grand opening next year that has residents curious as to the full scope of the development. The resort boasts in becoming a new evolution in resort community living, infusing advanced modern amenities, a rustic-chic style and lively ambiance with unforgettable Belizean hospitality, culture and charm. Once completed the property will feature private residences, a four-star hotel, bay and beach club, spa, restaurant, bars, business center and even a general store. Mahogany Bay Village is quite possibly the largest development on the island, employing close to 200 Belizean employees. There is a team of workers out in the Cayo District, Belizean craftsmen who are in charge of producing all the woodwork and furniture being placed into the project. British colonial stylings include rustic furniture with high ceilings, Belizean hardwood finishings and living spaces reminiscent of old British architecture with a touch of modern island style.

Misc Belizean Sources

Second quarterly Blood Drive of 2015 in San Pedro
In an ongoing effort to build our blood supply for Ambergris Caye Residents and tourists, the San Pedro Red Cross has teamed up with Belize Blood Services for our second quarterly Blood Drive of 2015. Saturday, June 27th at the San Pedro Poly Clinic ll from 9:00am - 3:00pm. During the blood drive, we will have volunteers out directing people to donate blood as well as taking donations. Thanks for your continued support. San Pedro Belize Red Cross

ON JUNE 28 Come and SUPPORT JAZMINE CAMPOS of Corozal Town!
Courtesy Corozal Bay Sailing Club! It is still not late to donate!

Power interruption 8:30am to 1:30pm, Friday, June 19, Cayo and Belize Districts
Affected areas: portion of George Price Highway from its junction with George Price Boulevard at Mile 46 to Mile 30, including Cotton Tree, St. Matthews, More Tomorrow, Franks Eddy, Mahogany Heights & La Democracia. BEL to sleeve high voltage lines, repair lightning arresters & replace angle structures on the power distribution system in the area.

A Painted Conversation Group Painting Sessions
You can help out with the upcoming Cayo mural. They have a Google calendar set up online. They just finished painting a lot of butterflies. They are working in the old Cafe Sol building, right next to the new Ice Cream Shoppe(which has the best ice cream in the world).

Business Plan Development WORKSHOP
The overall objective of this training is to equip our clients with knowledge, skills, and capabilities necessary to develop their business plan. The purpose of this workshop is to help participants understand what the elements of a business plan are. The time constraints of the session, and sensitivity of private client information, do not allow the participants or the facilitator to actually draft any component of the business plan during the workshop. However the workshop instead should be lead as a brainstorming session to allow participants to be thinking of what would be included in their specific plan. Then later they would write their business plan using the ideas generated during this workshop. Therefore the class should be very informal and mostly discussion based. The manual provides pointers, but it is up to the participants to come up with their own specifics. Trainer should actively engage the participants throughout the workshop to be sharing ideas and thinking of how each element of the business plan comes into play in their specific business. PRICE: FREE ** NOTICE ** Workshop location will be at La Inmaculada Credit Union in Orange Walk. University of Belize, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, West Landivar Telephone Number: 501-223-3195

Caribbean Villas Hotel to Host the Biggest LGBT Pride Event in Belize History
A ground breaking LGBT Pride event will be taking place on the Caribbean island of San Pedro, Belize from Saturday September 5th to 12th at the Caribbean Villas Hotel, an all-inclusive private beach resort. Caribbean Villas Hotel (CVH) will be hosting the first annual Temptation Island Pride Week, an exclusive event with nightly activities such as Drag Shows, Toga Parties, Leather & Lace Parties, a Masquerade Ball, Runway Model Shows and more. As this event will be the biggest LGBT gathering in the history of Belize CVH has set aside all 61 of their rooms in order to exclusively accommodate event attendees.

Free Movement of People in the SICA Region
Consultation workshop for a strategy to improve regional market access for MSMEs and free movement of people in the SICA region. The Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) has been working on the development of Belize’s MSMEs competitiveness as they represent a high contribution on employment and economic development in Belize. Our aim is to improve the MSMEs position in the market and take the opportunities that the regional market gives. The objective of this workshop is to present the results to the Board of Directors of SIECA, CENPROMYPE and SITCA in order that the recommendations will result in initiatives that promote the use of economic integration and trade, particularly for small businesses of the region.

Expression of Interest: Participate in the 2015 edition of the HAVANA INTERNATIONAL FAIR (FIHAV)
Caribbean Export would like to invite interested CARIFORUM firms to submit applications to participate in the 2015 edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV) 2015 in Havana, Cuba from November 2nd to 8th 2015. FIHAV is the most important general trade fair in Cuba. This year will be the 32nd year that show has been convened. All sectors of the Cuban economy takes part in this event, which succeeds in putting together the most complete national and international trade exhibition in a space that enables exhibitors and visitors to establish commercial contacts, close business operations, exchange experiences and update in new technological developments.

Commentary: The political blitz in Dangriga will increase tensions and could become violent
By Wellington C. Ramos. When PUP representative Ivan Ramos resigned his seat from the House of Representative, their leader Francis Fonseca and the members of the People's United Party were caught off guard. Why? Because they looked at Ivan Ramos as a faithful, loyal and dedicated PUP who will continue to abide by their instructions. Little did they realize that Ivan Ramos also has families and supporters who were watching the way the People's United Party was disrespecting him over the years. They were telling him: "Ivan you need to do something about how these people from Belize City are disrespecting you, your family and supporters.” This disrespect was displayed when they asked him to come to Belize at their press conference to give our people and the country the impression that he was in support of having Anthony Sabal replace him. I watched that fiasco press conference and so did many other Belizeans and it was clear to me from what Ivan Ramos said that he was not happy with his party for conducting a political coup against him. Most of the people who he thought were his friends for years, he found them to be his frienemies. He went back home and then said, they think I am a fool, I will teach them a lesson. His resignation was a lesson that they were not prepared to take in Dangriga Politics-101.

Honduras Progreso tiene en la mira a dos beliceños
Belize Football stars West and McCaulay to Honduras? It may very well be because there's a Honduras professional Football Team that is knocking on their doors. Nothing has been finalized, but talks are underway! McCaulay presently holds a record, along with six others, for the most goals scored at this stage of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers. West’s achievements on the pitch have also not gone unnoticed. While the Belizean standouts have been touted for their athleticism on the home front, C.D. Honduras or Honduras Progresso, as the team is also known, currently plays in the Liga Nacional de Honduras and is looking to expand its roster by adding two of Belize’s finest. It is a dream that, according to FFB Executive Marlon Kuylen, every player aspires to. He told News Five that while the team is wooing both players, contracts are yet to be signed if the deals are favorable.

NURTURE OUR ENTREPRENEURS
Here is a great opportunity for Corozal businessmen and women to link up with the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce and Tourism to open dialogue for business opportunities. All business people are invited to attend. (See contact number below) The Embassy of Mexico and the Chetumal Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (CANACO SERVYTUR CHETUMAL) embark of a special TOURISM and COMMERCIAL MISSION to be held this Thursday Jun 18th, 2015 at the Institute of Mexico in Belize City, Corner Newtown Barracks/Wilson Street. The trade mission will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A Chetumal delegation of entrepreneurs will be participating and open to dialogue.

Corozal Rotary Club humbly accepts gift from Canada Rotarian!
Jim Miller, Rotarian from Hillsburoh, Ontariao, Canada has gifted a plaque to our Club to announce our meeting time at the Hok'ol K'in Hotel/Restaurant in Corozal Town Belize. The Club members are posing with the sign and Fred Oreo is holding it up for a better view of it. Thanks Jim! The Hok'ol K'in has agreed to mount the plaque outside the conference room, so the public will know where and when we meet.

BEL Vacancy
A vacancy exists at Belize Electricity Limited for the post of Messenger in the Executive Services Department.

Spartacus Rehabilitated
Feelgood news of the day! A happy ending to the long journey of the rescued howler monkey, that had a severed hand. Spartacus, after many years at Wildtracks, and a few surgeries at the Belize Wildlife Referral Clinic, is being released, along with his mate, Jenny. Dr. Isabel Ford credits Spartacus as being the patient that inspired her to open the BWRC as a fully operational veterinary clinic. Thanks to all, and congratulations to Spartacus. "Spartacus, found on the ground at night in a rainstorm at Hickatee Cottages in Toledo District, a bedraggled 4.5 month old baby. His left hand was nearly severed, and he was rushed through to Belize Wildlife & Referral Clinic, where he was patched up and put on the road to recovery. His wrist has needed another operation since then, but he is now fully recovered and assessed as being ready for life in the wild, with Jenny"

Sensational Belize Video Competition
Oceana is having a video competition for the Belize International Film Festival. The prize is $1000, and the deadline is July 3rd. The winner will be announced at the BIFF. Good luck! "The Belize Intenational Film Festival and Oceana invite you to take part in this year's video competition!"

Rotary Orthopedic Clinics
Rotary is having their annual orthopedic clinics around Belize starting next Monday, when they’ll be here in Cayo at La Loma Luz and Western Regional. Thanks, Rotary! "The Rotary Club of Belmopan hereby notifies the general public of our annual orthopedic clinics across the country. Please see the flyer for additional details regarding dates and times."

DEVELOPING THE POTENTIAL OF BELIZE'S MUSIC INDUSTRY
NICH, through the Institute of Creative Arts, has embarked on formulating a five year plan to develop the music industry in Belize. Since April of this year, an international consultant has been meeting with key stakeholders of the music and entertainment industry, including artists, promoters, government bodies and independent groups, in an effort to document critical areas that are lacking, as well as strengths that must be developed and utilized. Since the consultations, one thing is clear, Belize has unique selling points, but what we lack is turning our industry in a fully fledged business. Today, at the Belize Music and Entertainment Industry Development Initiative project, Lloyd Stanbury explains the key findings.

Belize Bird Rescue Fundraising
We only have 14 more days to reach our first goal of 40 donors contributing a total of $5000. This will earn us a permanent place on Global Giving so we can advance with our Nursery appeal. We are at just over $3200 now from 18 separate donors (bless you all!!!) But maybe there's another 22 souls out there that could help us with the additional $2000...

Channel 7

Machete Wielding Watchman Wards Off Gun Toting Robber
Last night in San Ignacio, a dramatic scene played out when a man went to rob Chuc’s Gas Station on Bullet Tree Road. When police responded, they found the 28 year old security guard in the drain fighting off an armed robber. So what made a watchman with a machete bold enough to take on a robber with a loaded 38 pistol? That’s what Daniel Ortiz asked him today:… Romeo Quiroz - Pump Attendant "I was sitting down on my chair waiting and from there, when I took a glimpse at my side I see the man point a gun at me - a revolver. What I did is not to approach him but to stay behind the pump. Then I called the watchman and the watchman approached him immediately and thing being to wrestle down and we tried to catch him down until the police arrive." Alex Rios - Detained the Armed Robber "He point to the man and tell him give me all your money or you will die. But when he do so and look at me and I was trying to run to the man and the man run to the fence and like he knew the place good and touch the fence and he bounce back and I was close to him and I caught him, bam! Knocked him in the face and he dropped to the ground. When he dropped to the ground I grabbed him by his two hands. When I grabbed him by his two hands he took out a knife for me to let him go, but I no let him go. Then we rolled and we dropped in the drain. In the water he took out the knife again and cut me."

Border Watcher Wil Says Guatemalans Systematically Stepping Up Hostilities
Yesterday 7News travelled to Punta Gorda to hear first hand the account of five men who were detained by the Guatemalan Army when they went across to Santa Cruz, Guatemala. The narrative they shared is quite stunning: they were targeted for arrest, and then roughed up, abused and threatened with death – made to run four miles with army rifles trained on them. The ordeal culminated in a guilty plea at a San Luis Petén courtroom and a fine for what they say is a bogus charge or disorderly conduct. Today, Punta Gorda politician and border activist Wil Maheia told us it is a shocking story – and one that sends ominous signals to Belmopan:… Jules Vasquez "Having heard their story which is a quite surprising story." Wil Maheia - PNP, Border Activist "Shocking! Let me tell you Jules and you ask anybody in Punta Gorda - these guys are respectable guys. One of them I'll even vouch for the UDP councillor knowing I'm a PNP. He's a decent young man and the other guy that was with him, Mr. Martinez and Mr Romero - they are decent young men. I could tell you that nobody in Punta Gorda Town could say they have ever seen these guys drunk and disorderly. I mean it's unfortunately they targeted these guys. I am even wondering if they stood out; because they are two black guys who stood out and were probably the only guys that stood out in the amount of people that were visiting at the time. The military being the Guatemalan military, always wanting to show itself decided - well we will just have some fun this weekend.

PUP On The Ground In Griga Dang, Playing Catch Up
The PUP is on the ground in Dangriga town – and has been since Sunday. That’s what Leader of the opposition Francis Fonseca told us today via text message today when we requested an interview. After making an assessment of whether it would contest the seat, the party is now throwing its energetic support behind candidate Anthony Sabal – who, last we checked, had not been officially endorsed as Standard Bearer. Presumably that will happen sometime soon, but right now the Opposition has to try and recover ground that was lost, first, with the divisive departure of former area representative Ivan Ramos, and , second, with the delay in the commencement of a campaign that started seven days late.

Teachers, Public Officers Get Their Raise
Government today sent out a press release announcing that the 8% increase for teachers and public officers will come though as promised in July. It’s retroactive to April and is going to cost the public purse 38 million dollars, every year, and is in addition to the 6% increase from last year – which cost about 29 million dollars. In addition to this increase, public officers and teachers also qualify for their 2% annual increment. And that’s not the end of it, the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in February of 2014 between the Government of Belize and the unions calls for a salary increase every year for three years commencing in 2014.

Appeals Court Sets Shooter Free
23 year-old Deondray McKoy was serving a 12 year sentence after being convicted in November 2013 of attempting to murder Everald Gray. That’s up until today when he successfully appealed his conviction and actually managed to convince the Justices of Appeal that he should be acquitted. Viewers may remember that in his trial before Justice Troadio Gonzalez, the victim, Gray took the stand and recounted how he got shot. When it was time for him to identify the assailant, he told the court that he couldn’t see the shooter clearly because light in front of his house kept flickering. He never did positively identify McKoy as the shooter in the trial. Also, during his testimony, he told the court that he didn't want to continue with the case. That forced the prosecutor to treat him as a hostile witness who was not cooperating with the case. Despite the turn of the events, and the fact that McKoy provided an alibi, the jury convicted him of the offense.

Remanded For Alleged Sex With Teenager
Nineteen year old Daniel Bradley, a resident of Lord’s Bank, is at prison tonight after he was taken to court for a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse today. The incident occurred on June 8. The complainant, a 14 year old girl, accompanied by her mother, went the police station and reported that Bradley had sex with her. When he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser, no plea was taken because the offence is indictable. The court also couldn’t offer him bail due to the nature of the offence, and so, Bradley was remanded into custody until July 16.

Tour Operators Tell All
A week ago we told you about the disgruntled terminal 1 tour operators who were complaining about loss of business. According to them, the doors for terminal 1 were closed on Tuesday morning, June 9th around 9 and tourists were being directed towards terminal 2 instead. Well, today we have more from the tour operators – this time it’s the president of the Fort George Tourism Zone Tour operators and Taxi Union, Arton Bowen – he is saying it is way more than just these issues at the terminals; it’s the overall system of operation at the tourism village that’s unfair. Arton Bowen -President, Fort George Tourism Zone Tour Operator and Taxi Union "In terms of the issue affecting us directly as a union, there are several issue affecting us and one of the main issues is that we've been appealing to the BTB, to the police. And the last time we made an appeal to even the minister to try to assist us in putting a system in place that is fair for everybody and so tourist can enter in a move friendly environment but the thing is tha - truthfully speaking we've been in over 10 meetings venting our concerns upon the same issues but nothing has been done to address these issues. The last meeting that we were in was actually had a meeting with the top brass in the tourism police unit and we were assured that steps would be taken to solve these problems but nothing was done again. Given that the people doesn't have a pre-booked tour with these people, we're all considered freelance - it is the tourist when they come out decide who they want to go with.

Memory of Fire Haunts Family
A woman and her husband are staying at her boss’s house after all their belongings were destroyed in a fire. On Thursday night at around midnight, the couple was awakened by a neighbour banging and shouting at the widow of their Mahogany Street home in Belize City. The jumped out of bad to find smoke billowing out of their house. Today we spoke to the couple and they told us that they have no idea what started the fire and are looking for answers. Dixie Wagner - Fire victim "About 9:30 I gone bathe and after that I gone sleep. So, about 2 hours after that I hear somebody shouting my house is getting burn up. So I get frightened and I hurry wake up her to come out of the house and when I gone into the next room, I see the big fire high already so I can't do nothing. All that I do is close up the gas tank and take it out. We want to know how the fire was caused, because I don't see the fireman and they are telling me how it was caused. We lose 2 bed, a stereo, washing machine, all of our clothes got burned up and stove got burned up.”

Will Coach Jorge Stay With the National Team?
Even today, 48 hours after the Belize National Football Team played the game of its life at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan – Belizeans are still on a high from witnessing the masterful performance. High…and hopeful that the success can continue. To hear the assistant coach and the players tell it, a lot of that success depends on the stability of the system that Brazilian Head Coach Jorge Nunez has instituted. He’s shy, laid back and only speaks broken English – so you’ll rarely see Coach Nunez in the spot light. But on Sunday night at the game he spoke to Fredy Cantialiano in the rain. Fredy asked him if he will be staying with the team:… Fredy Cantillano - Reporter "Do you see yourself in the future in the national team? And to what extent do you see yourself working for the national team?" Jorge Nunez - Head Coach, Belize National Football Team "We all know of our financial difficulties, we are not a federation that has a hold of a lot of moneys, but when I accepted to train the national team, I stated that I would work within the national team system and the federation system, I will work with whatever there is, we can work with what is needed, but we will work with what we have. Slowly we will be better, and the national team begins to have a high level of football, that’s where the money will start to come; for now we need to continue work hard and have patience, and be humble. We have not won anything yet, we have just gone from the second to the third round, but no doubt we must continue working. From now I’m inviting the young player, with talent of course, whenever they are called to come to the training, that’s the only way we will continue to change. We have well balanced team, with well experience players, mixed with young ones, and that is very important."

Teenager Raped In Church Yard
Police are investigating the rape of a 15 year old student in Dangriga. Yesterday morning at around 11:00, the 15 year old girl was heading over to meet her father who has a stall at the market in the Foreshore area in Dangriga. But on her way to the market, a man grabbed her and forced her into the Baptist Church compound nearby and raped her. A medical examination conducted certified that she had been raped. The man’s face was covered and police are interviewing people in the area who might have seen something. And in the same Foreshore area, another teenager was sexually assaulted – this time by the father of hew newborn child. Yesterday evening at around 7:30, the 16 year old was at home with her 3 month old baby when the father of the child came by her house with supplies for the baby. But while they were talking, he tried to take her clothes off – she resisted and then he attacked her. She had bruises around her neck and abrasion to her knee. The father has been detained pending charges of harm and sexual assault.

Belize did Complain to OAS
At the top of the newscast we told you how the government of Belize had not sent any formal letter of protest to the Guatemalan Government about the Santa Cruz incident where five Belizean men were targeted for arrest, and then roughed up, abused and threatened with death – made to run four miles with army rifles trained on them. And while nothing ahs been sent form Belmopan to Guatemala City, during this newscast, we have learned that a letter was sent to the OAS on Monday. The letter notes, quote, “there are serious concerns arising from complaints that have been received from these citizens of Belize of their alleged mistreatment and abuse at the hands of officials of the Guatemalan Armed Forces, and by the alleged false charges brought against them.” The letter also notes that OAS officials helped in securing their release.

Where In The World Is Santa Cruz?
So, those of you who haven’t been there must be asking what’s the deal with this Santa Cruz village that’s suddenly at the center of the this national discussion? Well, 7News went there in December 2008 – that’s 7 and a half years ago – and since then, a lot has changed, but the basic setup is the same, and so are the tensions. We revisit Jules Vasquez’s story:… http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=19089&frmsrch=1 Since then the main change has been the road to Jalacte which is now paved – only increasing the two way traffic across the unregulated border point.

The Message Is In The Music
In mid-April we told you about the Belize Music and Entertainment Industry Development Initiative. It focuses on addressing myriad issues crippling Belize’s music industry. During the 1st phase – stakeholders met and compiled a list of issues with business management at the top of the list. But among the major setbacks is the subpar quality of music produced in Belize. Today, producers, promoters and other key players in the industry met at the House of Culture to further engage artists in this musical movement. One of the coordinators discussed the opportunities available for Belizean artists to advance their musical career and the overall vision for the initiative. Jackie Castillo - Belizean Artist: "So we are going to be having 4 days of workshops. Today is the first day at the house of culture, it's a public forum. We don't have as much representation from the artist community which is a bit disappointing because everybody else here is able to give their feedback on the recommendations that need to happen. I hope over the next couple of days we have the Belizean artists coming out so that they can voice their opinion. Blackberry is here and I have to commend him because he's really committed to the process. There is an entertainment lawyer here, Debra Wagnon that has an amazing opportunity with the university of Tennessee. She is bringing 12 music business producers, sound engineers and other people involved in the music industry - 12 students in Belize.

Rachel, Still Strong After Decades Of Doing It
If persistence and commitment is the mark of the artist – the Rachel Heusner has it. We’ve been reporting on her art work since the mid 90’s – and since then, she’s stayed true to her calling, constantly refining her craft. Tonight, she’s back with another display at the Belisle Art Gallery. This is her first exhibit in three years in Belize and features paintings from her collections of scenery and landscapes. Today 7news stopped by to check out the display. The exhibit opened on Monday night and will run for one week only at the Bliss.

Channel 5

Guatemalan Vessel Had ‘Sovereign Immunity’
On Wednesday, Guatemalan gunboat GC-651, Tecum Uman, allegedly suffered mechanical difficulties and crashed into the reef just off Middle Caye in the Glover’s Reef system. By Saturday morning, it was [...]

Wil Maheia Says G.O.B. Needs To Step Up
That explanation by C.E.O. Wallace will likely do little to quell anti-Guatemalan sentiment, especially after two very hostile encounters recently with Guatemalan military. Just over two months ago, thirty-seven Belizeans [...]

….Says Belizeans Now Afraid to Go to Border
Maheia is also very vocal on another, more recent issue – as recent as this weekend. Five Belizeans are claiming that they were detained by Guatemalan military in Santa Cruz [...]

P.U.P. Will Contest Dangriga Bye-Election
In political news…The People’s United Party decided over the weekend to contest the bye-election set for July eighth in Dangriga. Last week, the party met and coming out of that [...]

But Fonseca Says Finances Limited
Today, Fonseca was on the ground in Dangriga, and we are told that the call has gone out to all Standard-Bearers to rally the troops and report for duty. Passion [...]

Do you support G.O.B.’s release of the Guatemalan gunboat?
And our question for tonight is: Do you support G.O.B.’s release of the Guatemalan gunboat? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote [...]

Honduran Team Courting McCaulay and West
Across the regional football community much has been said about the illustrious careers of star striker Deon McCauley and goalkeeper Woodrow West. McCauley presently holds a record, along with six [...]

So What’s Next for the Belize Jaguars?
What’s next for the Belize Jaguars as they head into the third round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers? Well, that’s what we asked F.F.B. senior executive Marlon Kuylen today. [...]

F.F.B. Paid Stipend to McCaulay
In mid-April, the Football Federation of Belize took a hard line position not to sponsor Deon McCauley’s return to the Jaguars, but an ad-hoc team of supporters banded together to [...]

G.O.B. Vs the Bar – Judgment Reserved
Almost never has the Court of Appeal been put in such a dicey position as they were this week in respect of a case concerning the overturning of constitutional amendments [...]

Battle Hinges on Independence of the Judiciary
President Mottley resigned in 2010 while Morrison stayed on until April of this year. Their colleagues on the court at the time, now-President Manuel Sosa and Denys Barrow, were given [...]

McKoy Walks After Appeals Court Quashes Sentence
Diondray McKoy was convicted in November 2014 for the attempted murder of Everald Gray. He was sentenced to twelve years in prison after being found guilty of shooting Gray multiple [...]

EMTs Train in Belize City
About four hundred and fifty technicians are trained to provide emergency medical services throughout the country via BERT, the Belize Emergency Response Team. Their skills on how to manage an [...]

Teachers & Public Officers to get 8% Increase in Salaries
Just before six o’clock this evening the government announced that public officers and teachers will receive an eight percent salary increase. The package according to the government release represents about [...]

MSME Workshop Launched
A national consultation workshop on the proposed strategy for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from the legal instruments of SIECA was held today in Belize City. The initiative [...]

Initiative Faces Logistical Challenges
According to Ocampo, there are several logistical challenges that the initiative is faced with, including the harmonization of participating countries. Fernando Ocampo, Consultant, CENPROMYPE “The huge challenge here is coordination, [...]

NICH to Formulate Plan for Music Industry
NICH, through the Institute of Creative Arts, has embarked on formulating a five year plan to develop the music industry in Belize. Since April of this year, an international consultant [...]

Can Music be a Business?
The feedback from this week’s event is expected to be included in the five year plan. And that plan will be assessed, as the consultant says that he will be [...]

CTV3

Teachers And Public Officer To receive 6% Salary Increase
Late this evening, the Ministry of Finance announced that teachers and public officers will be receiving an eight (8) percent salary increase effective July 2015 retroactive to April 1st, 2015. The increase, says the Ministry, will total approximately $38 million and is separate from the 2% annual increment which is given to public officers and teachers on the basis of merit. The salary increment stems from the Collective Bargaining Agreement signed in February of 2014 between the Government of Belize and the unions representing public officers and teachers among them the PSU and BNTU. The Collective Bargaining Agreement established a framework, a part of which is a salary increase every year for three years commencing in 2014. It is of note that last year, public officers and teachers received a six percent (6%) salary increase.

FFB Cash Trap, Will Team Jaguars Be Able To Play For The Third Round
After an excellent performance on Sunday against the Dominica Republic, the Belize Jaguars are looking stronger than ever. Hopes are high for the upcoming 3rd round of the 2018 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers as the Belize team has grown even more confident and is performing better than ever, but will the Jaguars have the funding they need to travel for away games? That is the black cloud the team is facing as the Football Federation of Belize, FFB has announced that it does not have the funds to send the team on anymore away games, as the trip to the Dominican Republic cost over a hundred thousand dollars. So what’s the plan? According to Ruperto Vicente, President of Football Federation of Belize, Belizeans must unite as a country, support the national team and make history. Ruperto Vicente – President of Football Federation of Belize “Money is always a serious thing, there is always a question mark on that because to keep a national team and to have a national team going it takes a lot of money, this national team to get it to where it is it has cost us $8000.00 per week to; to keep our players and to feed them and to take good care of them, for these two rounds that we participated in it has cost us over BZ$400,000.00 it is an expensive venture and it is not an easy thing and so we have to be able to depend on the business community and on the population to carry this team out remember that this is not the FFB team, this is the national team, it is going to take all of us, it is going to take all of our effort to get this team forward and to move on.”

Woodrow West Considering Signing Contract With Honduras Football Club
So, what do the players have to say about the possibility of being hired by the national football league of Honduras? This evening we spoke with one of the men Woodrow West who confirmed that he has been contacted about Honduras Progresso’s offer. West says he received a call two weeks ago while he trained with the Belize national team but says that despite the number of calls he has received, he has yet to make up his mind on signing with the club. “The guy that made the contact was Luis Cabrerra, he was a trainer here with the national team for Belize for six year I believe and he is training a team over there and he asked me if I want to go play in Honduras and I told him that it depends and he said that he has a team in Honduras to play which is Honduras Progresso and he made the coach contact me and he told that yes he wants me to go and play with the team and this is not try out but straight line up and I told his that it depends on what they have to offer and so when I came up on Friday the boss from the club he called me personally and told me that he has made adjustment to play over there and he talked about money and we are negotiating up to this point and he called me last night and they are coming to Belize today.”

San Pedro Red Cross Conducts Blood Drive
The San Pedro Belize Red Cross has been working with the Belize Blood Bank and medical professionals of Belize to improve the communication and process for Ambergris Caye residents to receive blood in time of need. Blood drive coordinators in San Pedro say it is of upmost importance for all to recognize the necessity of the SPBRC blood drives on Ambergris Caye to keep a full supply of blood on hand at the Belize Blood Bank in Belize City. And in an effort to keep a healthy flow of blood in the bank, the committee is hosting yet another Blood Drive on Ambergris Caye. Sue Barkhouse is a member of the San Pedro Red Cross. “We’ve been working with the Belize Blood Bank to increase the amount of blood supply because what is happening is we wanted to make sure that anybody from ambergris Caye whether you are a resident or a tourist, if you are going to have surgery or medical emergency or any medical need at all you would have blood allocated for you, in the past what has happened is people unfortunately if they needed blood won’t have blood readily available or they would have to replace any blood that they use so the idea of San Pedro Belize Red Cross got together to have regular quarterly blood drive so that we can have a blood supply available to anybody from Ambergris Cay so no matter if it was a surgery or medical emergency they would have blood on hand and there won’t be any pressure on the individual or family to replace that blood.”

Minister Of National Security Driver charged For Manslaughter By Negligence
Minister of National Security John Saldivar’s driver, Orlando Castillo has been formally charged for manslaughter by negligence after he knocked down caretaker, Vallan Paul Cucul of the Toledo District. Reports suggest that sometime on Saturday Cucul was riding his black and red beach cruiser bicycle in Camalote Village when he may have veered into the highway and was hit from behind by a vehicle, killing him on the spot. Police received the call around 7:00p.m and their investigation led them to the house of Saldivar’s driver, who was arrested and charged after it was determined that he was driving a Volkswagen Jetta car. The vehicle in question belongs to the Ministry of National Security and when he hit Cucul, Castillo did not stop to render aid. The car had minor damages to its front portion.

Honduras Interested In Two Belizean National Players
The Honduran football club, Honduras Progresso has its eyes set on two of Belize’s top football players. Reports are that directors of the team should be in Belize as of today to finalize the contracts with Woodrow West and Deon McCauley. Twenty-nine year old West is Belize’s national team’s goal keeper while twenty-seven year old Deon MaCauley plays forward and is presently holds Belize’s leading goal scorer in the recent games. The report was filed today on the web page of a radio station titled Diez. According to that report, the Honduras Progresso President Elias Nazar has confirmed that the director would be in Belize today. CTV-3 contacted Executive Member of the FFB, Maroln Kuylen who told us they are aware of the situation but say the discussions are in the initial stages.

Mexican National Charged for Theft
Yesterday we told you about the Mexican National who was arrested and charged for theft by Corozal Police after the manager of Mundo Moda located in the Corozal Commercial Free Zone accused him of stealing a cell phone valued at $500.00. Last night we were unable to reveal the name of the individual since he stated to police that he was 17 years old, meaning a minor. But tonight we can release his name since authorities have confirmed that he is 18 years of age. Adriel Azariel Colli Cortez, a resident of Chetumal Quintana Roo, Mexico, is expected to appear before the Corozal Magestrates Court on Thursday. In the meanwhile he will remain behind bars at the Corozal Police Station. Police were able to confirm Cortez’s age after his mother brought in an ID.

Customs Officer Accused Of Knocking Down Corozal Resident
A resident of Corozal sustained injuries after being the victim of a road traffic incident. According to reports, on Friday night around 9:00, Azir Zalazar was riding his bicycle on College Road in Corozal when he was hit by a car and began experiencing pain to his hands and legs. Zalazar was taken to the hospital by Kenroy Samuels, a 43 year old customs officer who was behind the wheel at the time. Police say that Samuels was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol and subsequently detained. Samuels was then informed in the presence of a doctor, that a blood and urine sample was needed but he refused. He was later taken to the Corozal Police Station where a notice of intended prosecution was given. Samuels is also expected to be charged with “failure to provide specimen.”

PlusTV

Allison “Wally” Williams shot and killed in Belize City
Police are investigating a latest murder in Belize City that took place on Friday evening...

Jason Sutherland a shooting victim in Belize City
There was another shooting incident in Belize City over the weekend, however, this one was not fatal. Sr. Supt. Alden Dawson gives the details of the attack on Jason Sutherland on Saturday night. “On Saturday, the13th after 9:00 pm, inform...

Police Department makes changes in Caye Caulker
The Belize Police Department exited last week with much egg on its face after insisting that 18-year-old Hilberto Sotz had died of natural causes while in their custody being questioned over a series of burglaries...

Minister’s Driver Charged for Fatal hit and Run
Tonight, 57 year old Orlando Castillo, a resident of Belmopan and the driver of the Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar, is facing a slew of charges relating to a hit and run incident that occurred on Saturday June 13th...

Man fixing vehicle on road side hit by motorcycle ; dies
24 hours later after that accident on Saturday, there was another fatality near the George Price Highway; this one involving 33 year old Marco Gutierrez, a Honduran National and a resident of St. Matthews Village...

Court of Appeal discusses judges’ tenure
An appeal heard today in the current session of the Court of Appeal hits home for that court, concerning as it does the issue of security of tenure for judges appointed to sit there...

Two charged with security guard’s murder acquitted
Supreme Court Justice Troadio Gonzalez today directed a jury of seven men and five women to declareTalbert Mena and Jamal Jackson not guilty of the murder of Nigerian security guard Kabiru Olun-gu-dudu in February of 2010...

Belize Jaguars victorious over DR
Belize Jaguars made history yesterday by qualifying for the third round of 2018 Gold Cup Qualifiers with a blowout victory against the team from the Dominican Republic; beating them 5-1 in the global score. On Sunday June 14^th, Belize played the second leg of the match up against the DR team in ho...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Caye Caulker Police Sub formation To Hold Community Meeting On June 18, 2015
The Caye Caulker Police Sub-Formation has scheduled a public meeting on Caye Caulker, Belize. It is set for June 18, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the community center. “Come be a part of the progress!” exclaims the announcement. Two members of the Caye Caulker Police Department were indicted for murder after 18 year old Hilberto Sotz, a local youth who was being detained for questioning regarding a string of burglaries, ended up dead. Hilberto was the third person detained at the station under police watch to end up dead over a span of twelve years.

Celebrate! The Crusty Crustaceans Are Here. Lobster Season Is Now Open!
Celebrate, peeps! Lobster season is now open. The first harvests of the new season have been rolling in steadily since June 15th. The first grilled lobsters, curry lobster, lobster ceviche, lobster salad and just about every other lobster concoction you can think of have been served. So far, the start of the season is looking great for some fishermen. This was the scene at the dock belonging to Blue Sea Diving Services. Everyone is excited the season is open. The annual Lobster Fest, a festival which celebrates the opening of the lobster season, is set to begin on June 25, 2015. Think they’ll have enough for the festival?

Elections & Boundaries Will Be Registering New Voters At The Community Center On Saturday
The Elections & Boundaries Department notifies the General Public that a team of officers will be at the Caye Caulker Community Center on Saturday, 20th June, 2015 from 9am to 4pm. This is to facilitate the registration of persons who have attained the age of eighteen (18) years and older and have not yet registered, and delivery of voter ID Cards.

Amandala

GOB gives Guat gunboat “red carpet” treatment!
The Guatemalan naval vessel GC 651 Tescum Uma, which illegally entered Belize territorial waters on Wednesday night and ended up running aground on Glover’s Reef Atoll, near Middle Caye, was removed from the reef yesterday, Sunday, and was given clearance, presumably on instructions by Prime Minister Dean Barrow to both Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington and National Security Minister John Saldivar, to return to Guatemala immediately, even before damage assessment by the Department of the Environment is completed. Belizeans learned of the so-called “accident” involving the 65-foot Guatemalan gunboat on Thursday morning mostly via social media. In a statement from Ret’d Colonel George Lovell, the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of National Security, on Thursday morning, it was said that the boat purportedly “experienced propulsion problems,” meaning engine troubles, which caused it to drift.

Two charged for Ralston Patnett’s murder in Dangriga
Two men have been remanded to the Belize Central Prison for the murder on June 8 of retired Dangriga Town fire chief, Ralston Patnett, 51, whose remains were found in his smouldering car that was completely destroyed by fire, in the driveway of a house for which he was the caretaker, near the Commerce Bight Pier in Dangriga Town. Brandon Mason Kerr, 30, of Mile 21on the Hummingbird Highway, and Lindberg Oxford Williams, 32, of Commerce Bight Road, Dangriga, were charged by police on Wednesday for Patnett’s murder. Today, Friday, they were arraigned on the murder charge at the Dangriga Magistrate’s Court by Magistrate Patty Arana, and then remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July 29. Police reported that at about 2:30 Monday morning, they were informed that a car was burning in the driveway of a house in the Commerce Bight Pier area of Dangriga.

Allison Williams, 28, gunned down on Partridge St. Extension
Last Friday night, shortly after 9:35, the explosive sound of multiple gunshots alerted residents in the Partridge Street Extension area of Belize City that, given the trend, a murder had just happened. Moments later, an apparently lifeless body was spotted lying face-down in a pool of blood in front of a late-model grey Mazda car which was parked in front of #1011 Partridge Street Extension. While area residents who rushed to the scene were unable to initially discern the identity of the victim, relatives and friends who received the news and went to the area soon declared that it was Allison “Wally” Williams, 28, a resident of Rivero Street, Belize City. According to police, Williams was socializing with two female friends of the abovementioned address when he was accosted by a gunman who shot him several times in the head and body.

Guatemalan soldiers “punk” Belize – again!
Roughly five hours after a Guatemalan gunboat, which was illegally in Belize’s waters, along with one other gunboat and a Columbian-type boat, was allowed to leave Glover’s Reef Atoll, near Middle Caye, where it had run aground, on Sunday, without any penalties for damaging the reef, five Belizeans were allowed to leave a Guatemalan court where they had been charged for an incident fabricated by Guatemalan soldiers in the village of Santa Cruz, a Guatemalan community which borders Jalacte, an informal border point where a lot of commercial activity occurs between Belize and Guatemala. After reaching the safety of Belize, the men told the media that they had to plead guilty to the false charges brought by Guatemalan soldiers who accused them of being drunk, or they would not have been released. They were charged 500 quetzals each, but even after they paid the fine, they still would not have been released if it were not for the efforts of Belize’s Ambassador to Guatemala, Alexis Rosado and protocol officer Said Guerra.

Inspector Dehanne Augustine is new Caye Caulker police chief
Inspector Dehanne Augustine, commander of the National Community Policing, is now the new police commander of Caye Caulker. The announcement was made by the police high command on Friday. Inspector Augustine took over on Friday, and the deputy commander is veteran sergeant Norman “Bregal” Benguche. Inspector Augustine has spearheaded many community policing initiatives and came to prominence while spearheading the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program, and also the Do the Right Thing Program, among other programs that have been implemented nationally.

Computerized student tracking to be implemented new school year
a generic and open source Education Management Information System available to all UNESCO member countries, which is used to collect and report data on schools, students, teachers and staff – is being implemented in Belize by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and UNESCO, and official sources indicate that the plan is to have the system implemented in schools for the next school year. Alan Gennity, Deputy Chief Education Officer in the Policy, Planning, Research and Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of Education, confirmed to our newspaper today that the plan is to have the systems in place in the coming months, so that schools could begin to directly input student information. He told us that during the months of May and June 2015, Education officials visited schools across the country to collect student-level data, such as the names of students, the names of their parents, their address and other background information, and they are in the process of hiring data entry persons to enter the data into the OpenEMIS.

Belize, 3-nil over Dominican Republic at FFB Stadium
For the first time since the stadium was built and hosted international matches, our Belize National “A” Team was victorious at the FFB Stadium, in an important World Cup Qualifier match against the much higher ranked Dominican Republic team, and Belizean fans were ecstatic. Nothing the Dominican Republicans had seen or heard of Belize, except maybe Deon McCaulay, could have prepared them for what transpired yesterday. Belize got some breaks in game 1 in Santo Domingo, and our acclaimed striker Deon McCaulay was indeed the difference, for our opponents dominated play in midfield as the Belize players strove to find cohesion in transition from defense to attack inside the 3 forward – 3 middle formation they have been battling to master in training sessions since November of last year. In last Sunday’s training match at the MCC, their performance was disappointing; but coach Jorge Nunez and his assistant Charlie Slusher remained confident that their game strategy would, eventually be mastered by the team. In game 1 in Santo Domingo, our squad seemed to be struggling, but there were some moments when we seemed to be putting our game together. And a little luck, and the artistry of Deon was enough to garner the win.

Playoff race hot: Smart 13 & Under Mundialito
While our National “A” Team made the nation proud yesterday with our first step forward to the 3rd Round of World Cup 2018 Qualifiers, the future stars are in one “helluva” battle at the MCC Grounds, where only 2 more weeks remain in the regular season of the 2015 Smart 13 & Under Mundialito. The top 4 regular season teams will go on to the one-game knockout semifinals; then the two remaining teams will play a home-and-away championship Finals. 12 teams are in the tournament, making 11 games each in the single round-robin regular season. Week 9 games were played this past Saturday, June 13, and competition was fierce, with only one game showing more than 1 goal scored. In the opener on Saturday, Collet Strikers got the 1-nil win over Face of Belize on a goal by Michael Palacio. Game 2 was a 0-0 draw between City Boys and London Strikers.

Boxer is gone; R.I.P. Henry “Boxer” Gill
Our heart is still heavy with the shocking news we received yesterday of the passing on Friday, of boxing enthusiast, one time professional boxer, and dedicated youth activist, Henry Gill, a.k.a. Boxer. Just a few days earlier, he had reached out to the public for financial assistance for his “Henry Gill Boys & Girls Boxing Club” located at the Body 2000 building on Coney Drive. As I drove home on Sunday morning after the Press Cadogan Show on Krem FM, I saw the black ribbon on the door at Body 2000, confirming that there was no mistake, my friend had passed. Initial reports are that his funeral will be held on Saturday, R.I.P. brother Henry “Boxer” Gill.

The return of the Jaguars
A confident Belize Jaguars team arrived at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) in high spirits shortly after midday today, after a 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic’s national football team in the first match of their home-and-away series yesterday, Thursday. Their elation was bolstered by boisterous relatives, friends and fans who greeted the team, which is now one step closer to reaching a historic third round in the 2018 World Cup Qualifying games. Both of Belize’s goals were scored by the country’s most prolific goleador, Deon McCaulay, who explained that, while he was happy to deliver for his team in the Dominican Republic, he is also looking forward to a positive outcome in the return game, which will take place at the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) Stadium this Sunday, June 14. He said, “I’m very happy to be back with the team. Everybody has given me all the love because they know that once Deon is back, there will be goals. Thank God that I was able to prove myself once again, and I’m looking forward to the game on Sunday, hoping for the same results. Once we come out as a team and work hard, anything is possible.”

Editorial: Risk, symbolism, and independence
In the space of two weeks, the territorial integrity of Belize was violated by the Guatemalan Navy at Sarstoon Island, on May 28/29, and at Glovers Reef on Thursday, June 11. In both incidents, the Belize Coast Guard was instructed to refrain from standard defence protocol. In the case of Sarstoon Island, they were instructed by the Prime Minister of Belize to withdraw from that island, and in the case of Glovers Reef, the occupants of a Guatemalan gunboat stuck on Glovers Reef reportedly refused to hand up their arms and submit to Belizean authorities. Guatemalan Navy personnel were allowed to return to Guatemala. Our reports of the Glovers Reef incident are still incomplete and imprecise. In fact, our reports are probably inaccurate. From the beginning of the incident, it was clear to the Belizean people that the authorities and spokesmen of the Government of Belize have sought to tell a story which, at every turn, casts the Guatemalan gunboats and their crews in the most favorable, least offensive light. The Belizean authorities and their spokesmen have been behaving like defence attorneys for the Guatemalans in such incidents for such a long time that few Belizeans are in any way surprised. Bitterly disappointed, yes, always bitterly disappointed. But surprised? No. We think it is reasonable to say that the masses of the Belizean people have felt repeatedly embarrassed. And every such incident is another blow to our fragile national dignity.

Caye Caulker in mourning
Dear Editor, Last year I was asked to write an article about the police, by a constable, to shed some light on the problems of serving the law here on Caye Caulker and under what kind of conditions they have to perform their duties. I told him I would have to play the Devil’s Advocate because I have my opinions too, I told him, and those might not be to your liking. And you want me to do this in collaboration with you because you want me to express your concerns and at the same time you want to be anonymous. At the same time, it must be hard when you are straight and you see the corruption around you; probably you feeling like you’ve ended up as a pissing post from all sides – the public, your superiors, your colleagues, etc. Here or abroad, it is not very appreciated to be a whistleblower, which can result in a lot of trouble on the job, especially in a rigid system as the military or the police. Well, I told him, to me, it feels like quite a challenge, so let’s see what comes out of this.

Indigenous leaders prepare declaration to reduce incursions
Maya Q’eqchi leaders of Belize traveled to Poptun, Petén, Guatemala, recently for a three-day meeting, as a follow-up to a reunion of indigenous community leaders that was held in Punta Gorda this March. The representatives of the indigenous communities developed a draft declaration calling for more attention to be paid by their governments to the communities located near the border, so that incursions into the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains area can be reduced. “Once reviewed and finalized, the declaration, whose contents is based on matters related to ‘territory, natural resources and ancestral knowledge,’ will be presented to the Governments of Belize and Guatemala,” said Rafael Manzanero, Executive Director of Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD). “The leaders of indigenous communities from Southern Petén and Southern Belize shared their ideas, and vision on how to unite efforts and promote local participation that addresses the environmental, social and economic problems of their communities situated along the Belize-Guatemala border,” Manzanero added.

Spouse jumps out of vehicle during alleged domestic dispute
report on the incident as yet, Amandala understands that an unidentified woman suffered varying degrees of injuries to her body when she reportedly jumped out of a moving SUV during a domestic dispute with her spouse yesterday at around 6:00 p.m. Reliable police sources have indicated to us that the couple was engaged in an altercation inside the Chevy Blazer when the woman reportedly jumped out and injured herself near the La Popular Bakery, which is located along the Philip Goldson Highway in Ladyville. We were told that police took a statement from the driver of the vehicle this morning and that the woman has since confessed to authorities that she was not pushed out of the moving vehicle.

Breaking Belize News

Guns vs. Machetes in Cayo
In San Ignacio Town, two nights ago, 28 year old Alex Rios bravely defended Chuc’s Gas Station on Bullet Tree Road from a pistol-wielding robber – with a machete. According to reports, Romeo Quiroz, who works as a pump attendant, was manning his station when he glimpsed a man pointing […]

Making music big business in Belize
A first of its kind Music and Entertainment Industry Seminar over four days this week brings together heavy hitters from across the Belizean music landscape and their associates for a serious look at advancing music as more than a lifestyle, but also a living for its practitioners. Belize […]

Honduras Progresso Football Club scouts for Woodrow West and Deon McCauley
Today, two star players of the National football team are being drafted by the international football league in Honduras. Members of El Honduras Progreso are en route to Belize to finalize all the paper works for the enrollment of Goal keeper, Woodrow West and goal striker Deon McCauley, confirmed Elias […]

Drawing date for the 3rd round in the 2018 CONCACAF has been set
The drawing date for the third round of the 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers is set for July 25th, 2015 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The 8 teams that have qualified for the 3rd round include: Barbados, Curacao, Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Grenada. Meanwhile, […]

Standard Six students engaged in self-awareness lessons
Standard six students from the La Inmaculada Upper School were today engaged in several self-awareness lessons thanks to the schools administration in collaboration with the Department of Youth Services. The students were engaged in lessons on Bullying, Drugs, Self-esteem, self-worth among issues that students face when transitioning from Primary to […]

15 year old raped in Dangriga
Dangriga police are today investigating a case of rape in that municipality. Information reaching our news room is that a 15 year old student from Dangriga accompanied by her aunt reported that on Monday, June 15th, around 11am, she was forcibly taken into the Baptist Church compound located in the Foreshore […]

Melhem Kelly charged for attempt robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm
Police in the west have since arrested and charged 37 year old Melhem Kelly from Orange Street in San Ignacio in the Cayo District for the crime of attempt robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm. Reports are that on Monday, June 15th, around 10:05pm, they received and responded to a […]

Pot bust in Corozal
A resident from Chunox village in the Corozal District has been charged for the crime of Drug Trafficking. According to Corozal Police, on Monday, June 15th, around 6:30 pm, they were on mobile control within the village, when they stopped a public bus and conducted searches on 38 year old […]

Family of Hilberto Sotz is still mourning
Last week’s murder of Caye Caulker resident, 18 year old Hilberto Sotz sent shock waves across the country and sparked a riot in the small community which was angered by the senseless acts of the police officers who were responsible for the teenager’s death. Since the incident occurred, a post […]

Custom officer knocks down cyclist
A traffic incident on Friday in Corozal Town injured a resident of that municipality. According to the report, Azir Zalazar was riding his bicycle on College Road in Corozal when he was hit by a car and began experiencing pain to his hands and legs. The incident occurred at around […]

George Price Highway between Belmopan and Santa Elena will get major upgrade
For the last few years, citizens have constantly complained about the deterioration and many potholes on the Belmopan – Santa-Elena stretch of the George Price Highway. Yesterday, however, it was reported that the government is going to dish out 1.5 million US dollars to upgrade it. That amount will be […]

PUP Questions Guatemalan Intrusion
“How is it that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize’s territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize’s national security apparatus?” This official release sent by the PUP yesterday is just one of the many questions left unanswered, days after a Guatemalan vessel has been removed from Belize’s […]

PUP will contest the Dangriga bye-election
The PUP will contest the bye-election for a new Dangriga Representative that is scheduled for July 8th. Last week Tuesday, the party was unsure if they would contest the election, due to lack of funds, and available finance being directed towards the upcoming general election. However, the PUP has […]

Blogs

10 Best Belize Family Hotels & Resorts
Every parent knows the secret to taking kids on vacation is finding a spot that’s so kid-friendly, they never miss their electronic gadgets! Belize resorts for families are at the top of many parents’ lists because the country is easy to navigate, big on attractions and activities, affordable and not so crowded you’ll have to compete for beach space. Beaches and forests are enchanting. Seeing wildlife in natural habitats thrills kids of all ages, and there’s much to be said about lullabies courtesy of rhythmic Caribbean waves after full days of family fun.

From Caye to Cayo: Top 4 Experiences in Belize
The Cayes and the Cayo. Typographically, they may be very similar, but topographically these distinctive regions in Belize are worlds apart. The Cayes (pronounced “keys”) are the hundreds of islands that stretch the length of Belize’s coast, ranging from tiny spits of sand and tangled networks of mangrove, to the 25-mile long Ambergris Caye. About half the size of Barbados, Ambergris is a laid-back Caribbean beach town with a decidedly “no shoes, no shirt, no problem” attitude. On its narrow, sandy roads numerous “Go Slow” street signs maintain an orderly flow of golf-cart traffic (there are no car rentals here), while on the water dozens of speedy boats and water taxis whisk vacationers to beachside resorts and some of the best dive and snorkel spots in the world.

PORN - Food Porn Anyway
When I think about the most missed items from my previous life, many are food related. Restaurants, and dishes that you just can't find down here. I will say there is some phenomenal eating in and around San Pedro - and if you know where to go you can really knock out some amazing culinary experiences. They don't all have to come from a restaurant either - I fancy myself a pretty good cook really (had you sampled the grouper I just cooked you would likely disagree...but I can't nail them all). I tend to enjoy telling stories as I write - but my brain is kinda fried. So while thinking and remembering these events as I re-count them for you; I won't be using my normal story telling style, but more just a 'here's a picture and description of the event' type of approach. Or they at least won't be one cohesive story..eh, we'll see what comes out. Home Cooking is often underrated. I'm not a genius in the kitchen, but I have a few dishes that I like to think I've conquered. Tacos is one for sure. I make an crazy good taco. My secret? I do have a proprietary sauce that is yumilicious. But really in my opinion the shell is the biggest factor. There are a million taco vendors here and they all have one major issues - the shell is instantly soggy and the goodies fall out the bottom. It's really not tough to make a decent taco but apparently I'm the only one here that can. Casserole's are my other favorite - not for the yum factor, but you cook once and eat for days.

Where were you when the lights went out?
Around noon I began to grow concerned. A random survey of my neighbors yielded a startling discover: In this condo complex, they all had electricity. Except me. Some asked me if there was a red tag on my meter — a sign that I’d failed to pay my electric bill. Some looked at me with the sad wizened eyes of experience, nodded their heads sagely and said with a touch of concerned, “Looks like it is your turn.” I knew what they were talking about. I’d heard the stories from my elders, around the bar at Feliz Bar & Grill. The Outage. It strikes when you least expect it. Sometimes the power comes back on all by itself, but mark my words, this ain’t over. In another day, a week, a month — it will go out again. Sometimes once it is gone, it is lost until your unit is rewired. It seems that when this complex was built, trenches were cut from the power source to the buildings and wiring was laid. Unprotected aluminum wiring. Wiring that corrodes in the salty air of Ambergris Caye, Belize.

International Sources

Belize activist: ‘I’ve sacrificed my life to this work’
” ‘Batiman!’ someone called from the shade of a food-cart umbrella. “In Belize — a small Anglophone Caribbean nation tucked into the eastern flank of Guatemala and Mexico — “batiman” (Creole for, literally, “butt man”) has long been the supreme slur against gay men, the worst possible insult to their personhood and dignity. But now another slur is beginning to take its place: ‘Orozco.’ … ” A seven-foot-tall security gate barricades his driveway. When home, he must remember to lock all six locks — two for his house, two for his office and two padlocks on the gate for good measure. Those precautions do not prevent Orozco’s neighbor or people walking by his house from throwing rocks and bottles over the walls, shouting, ‘Aala unu fu ded’ (‘All of you should die’). Other residents have picked up two-by-fours and chased him in the street. People stone Orozco’s house frequently enough that he rarely bothers to call the police at this point. …

Central American four lead the way
There were no major surprises in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ in Russia. Canada opened their account with aplomb while the Central America quartet of Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Nicaragua all move on. Cuba’s hopes were dashed at the first hurdle while goals tumbled in across the Caribbean. FIFA.com takes a closer look at all the action. Deon means goals in Belize: Belize struggled to score without hit-man Deon McCaulay in the opening rounds. They scored only once – and that from a set-piece – in 180 minutes of football against the Cayman Islands. But the return of their star striker in the second-round series against Dominican Republic made all those woes disappear. He scored three in two games and is on track to repeat his amazing feat of four years ago when he finished global top-marksman in qualifying for Brazil 2014, edging out Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. “Deon’s composure in front of the goal is the kind of thing you can’t teach,” veteran Belize midfielder Elroy Kuylen told FIFA.com

Most intriguing creatures of the deep
The elusive batfish was seen in Belize by tourists who had the weird sea creature pointed out to them by a fisherman. The strange fish has legs that allow it to walk on the ocean floor.

2nd Law Enforcement Battalion conducts crowd control training during exercise Tradewinds 2015
Members of 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, conducted crowd control training event for partner nations participating in phase II of exercise Tradewinds 2015 at Price Barracks June 16. The Marines of 2nd LEB shared their knowledge with four other nations on the second day of training during Tradewinds 2015. “We are teaching them how to clear a building and the safeties involved with that, how to exploit evidence if they came across any and crowd controlling techniques, while also learning what we can from them,” said Lance Cpl. Dalton Raven, a field military police officer with 2nd LEB. During the event, the Marines outlined, using caution tape, rooms to a house as a training area for the partner nations to learn how to clear buildings alongside their other military counterparts. Cpl. Aquilo Sho, reconnaissance platoon, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Belizean Defense Force, expressed how much he learned from the training and how valuable it was.

Mexico researchers decode name on Mayan King Pakal's tomb
Researchers in Mexico say they have decoded the hieroglyphic name on the Palenque tomb of ancient Mayan King Pakal, revealing it to read "The House of the Nine Sharpened Spears", more than sixty years after the crypt was discovered. Mexican archaeologist Alberto Ruz Lhuillier discovered the burial crypt in 1948 and new research into the jaguar, a sacred animal for the Maya civilization, led Guillermo Bernal, from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), to make a link with other hieroglyphics of the same form. "This is a name linked with war and an aspect which was not previously known as the hieroglyphic (could not be) deciphered until now," Bernal, from UNAM's Mayan Studies Centre, told a news conference in Mexico City on Monday. "'The House of the Nine Sharpened Spears' is a denomination represented by the nine warriors in the walls of the tomb." Born in the seventh century, King K'inich Janaab' Pakal is said to have ascended to the throne aged 12. He led a prosperous government in the ancient city of Palenque and is believed to have been behind the building of its finest architecture.

Q&A Emma Martin
Interpreting the Mesoamerican civilisation for a UK audience. Emma Martin, the head of ethnology at National Museums Liverpool, discusses her work on a temporary exhibition, displaying 385 objects from the ancient Maya kingdoms, spanning eastern Mexico to Guatemala, Belize, western Honduras and El Salvador from 1000BC –1542AD.

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Wes
The U.S. Ambassador to Belize, Carlos Mareno, visited a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter here today as the maritime phase of the annual Tradewinds exercise began. Mareno said the U.S. Coast Guard pairs perfectly with its Belizian partners. He added that with the regional-security challenges faced here and throughout Central America, there is no better branch of our military than the Coast Guard to help during this important joint exercise. USCGC Paul Clark (WPC-1106), commanded by Lt. Lloyd Belcher, is leading the Coast Guard’s role in Tradewinds 2015 maritime phase II - which includes coastal patrol operations, small boat operations, engineering administration, maritime law enforcement, and operation center procedures. Up to 18 nations are expected to participate in phase II of Tradewinds 2015 which runs through June 24th.

Videos

Mexico Belize Channel, 1/2min.Around 600 A.D the Maya dug a channel to to provide a trade route from the Bay of Chetumal, Quintana Roo to the Caribbean. It now acts as a border between Belize and Mexico.

Ambergris Caye, Belize, 10min. I shot this snorkeling video in June 2015 on my GoPro Hero4 Black mainly in 4K, with some 1080p mixed in.

Belize Trip, 12min. Catamaran Belize Trip 10/24/14-11/1/14.

Belize 2015, 3min. Vacation in Ambergris Caye, Belize with the Nevil's, Day's, Day's, O'Higgins', and the Mears. 2015.

Sun Dancer II Liveaboard Belize (Part 1), 7.5min. Sun Dancer II Belize May 2015 - great liveaboard, great crew, awesome time!

Sun Dancer II Liveaboard Belize (Part 2), 11min.

Swim in marine life heaven Caye Caulker Belize, 3min. Swim in marine life heaven Caye Caulker Belize.

Cave Tubing Belize 2015, 4min.

IT'S ALRIGHT, BELIZEAN ARTIST STEPHEN SMITH, IS THE MIGHTY ICEBERG!, 4min. The Mighty Iceberg is Belizean reggae musical artist, Steven Smith, who has been a legend in the Los Angeles Caribbean music scene since the 1970's. A classic bass player since the legendary Belizean artist days, bredda David, who lived in the Los Angeles Belizean Community, The Mighty Iceberg is rated amongst some the best Belizean reggae artists and musicians of his time. A cool and humble brother who sings a melodic alto, his incredible album, Meeting Time, is graced by some of Belize's best musicians like Bamiki Bandula's, Carl McGregor on bass, and Delbert McGregor on drums. The 2006 musical release by Smith had passed by many Caribbean music lovers who missed one of the most well played and produced reggae albums of that year.

WHEN HARRINGTON TRAPP SINGS THE BIRTHDAY SONG!, 5min. The legendary Belizean musical artist, Harrington Trapp's 2010 hit single, Birthday Song, became an instant hit both in Los Angeles, California, and Belize almost at once when the former Babylon Warriors lead singer released the song on the Los Angeles Belizean music scene. The hit single from Trapp's full album called Harrington Trapp, Bithday Song celebrates Belizean culture with its delicious Central American and Caribbean cuisines, and unique lifestyle.

THE ACCLAIMED BABYLON WARRIORS'S TWO FOOT COW!, 5min. The internationally acclaimed Belizean band, Babylon Warriors's track, Two Foot Cow, became an instant hit in 1997 in the Los Angeles Belizean Community, and went on to top the charts in Belize within the Punta Rock music scene. Babylon Warriors being a reggae band of the 1980's, began experimenting with the Punta Rock genre when they added the legendary Garinagu artists, Jesse Flores, the late Dana Martinez, Sapps Sanchez, and Georgette Lambey to their repertoire. It became the first fusion of Belizean Creole and Garifuna artists that would be playing a wide variety of different Caribbean rhythms in the 1990's.

THE LEGENDARY BELLA CARIB SINGS FOR WOMEN OF COLOR!, 4min. The 2010 celebratory track, Woman of Color, by the legendary Belizean musical queen and world class dancer, Bella Carib, pays tribute to the first Black First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, and her work for women all over the world. The song was written by Bella Carib herself, and produced by the legendary Belizean Grammy Award Winner, Michael Hyde, and Bilal Morris of Belizean Legends. It became and instant hit among many Caribbean and African American women in Los Angeles.

June 16, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

SPHS students participate in art and drama exchange program
Five San Pedro High School Students (SPHS) participated in the second annual student exchange program with Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) in the USA. An initiative by Larry and Debbie Heimgartner, the program allows students to participate in a one week art and drama exchange. This year, participating students included Jaqueline Caliz, Brittany Cornejo, Eddie Jackson, Elina Palma and Yasir Roberts along with SPHS counselor Alexis Guerrero. The program ran from Saturday, May 23rd to Saturday, May 30th and provided essential experiences to the participants as it connected them with students from other countries in an effort to work together on a project called “Our World”. In hopes of continuing the aim of “Our World”, as it helps spread awareness on different social ills affecting young people globally, SPHS worked on several project. “The project that three of our students worked on was from the “Our World V: Zanzibar Edition” which focuses on the environment, and specifically looks at food, water and shelter shortage. Because this is a global project, the piece written can be applied to any country in the world. As such, Larry will be working along with certain individuals to modify this piece to make it specific for Belize and San Pedro. Afterwards, our goal is to have our students learn the piece and present it to the school and to the community. The other students worked on pieces referring to “Drugs” and “Divorce” which I am proud to say will be performed in November, 2015 when Larry returns to the island with other presentations from the “Our World” project,” said Guerrero.

Wheel of Fortune Winners enjoy Grand Prize Trip to Ambergris Caye
Well this past week Grand Prize winner Dan Keyser and wife Sharlene enjoyed their prize which was a seven day/ six night stay at the Ramon’s Village Resort. Dan is the the fourth person to have won the show’s Grand Prize within the last two years and what a prize this was! During their stay the two were provided with daily breakfast, Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley snorkel trips and round trip Tropic Air flights to and from the island! Talk about a come up! The couple was welcomed to the island by Ramon’s Village owners Richard & Gina Headrick along with the legendary host of the iconic beach resort Mr. Ramon Nunez . While here they certainly got to experience the best of the island as they explored town, enjoyed shopping at the Tiki Turtle Trading Company, snorkeled with Ramon’s Divers and of course dined at Pineapple’s on the Beach. We absolutely love the food there, so we know they enjoyed as well!

Coral Reef Ed- Ventures movie night
The Coral Reef experts are already on the island gearing up for the 16th Annual Coral Reef Ed-ventures summer program scheduled for June 29th. The program is organized by students from Smith College in Northampton Massachusetts, USA with assistance from Hol Chan Marine Reserve. To kick off the fun, members of the program held a movie night on the evening of Tuesday, June 9th at the Lion’s Den 6:30PM sharp. According to co-leader Riley Gage, the movie night is a way to get the word out about the program to everyone on the island. “Movie night is for the whole family, especially the children as we are showing “Finding Nemo”, which I am sure any child loves watching! The movie does relate with our program, which has to do with the reef and learning about its many inhabitants,” said Gage.

Adventure Sports Ministry Volunteers visit Holy Cross
A group of 31 volunteers from Adventure Sports Ministry (ASM) of Houston, Texas in the United States are presently on the island at the Holy Cross Anglican School providing volunteer services. The group, which mostly consists of high school students, will be in Belize for a week starting Monday, June 8th. Their mission is to motivate high school students to get out and do things with their lives, to give back to their community, to show love, compassion and support the less fortunate. The main focus is on religious schools where students primarily go to church but are involved with their faith. ASM finds easy ways for students to experience ministry and missions. During their week’s stay, the group of volunteers will be engaged in different activities from beach cleaning to religious concerts. According to the organization founder, Graham Gamble, this is the first time they have visited Belize, and they can’t wait to start doing all the activities they have planned. “During this week, we are doing some manual labor at the Holy Cross School, like painting, cleaning around the school and the beach as well. Also, we are doing some work at Pastor Palacio’s Church, and then in the afternoons we work with the kids at Holy Cross where we do vocational bible studies, games, crafts, music, stories, and talk to the children and build relationships and have fun together,” said Gamble.

Living Tree Academy donates to San Pedro Town Library
Early this year, representatives from Living Tree Academy (LTA) met with San Pedro Librarian Brianne Leiva with the purpose of initiating a partnership with the San Pedro Library. The LTA is developing a process in the United States to ship/ transport books via visitors, expats, and volunteers to San Pedro. The first shipment of books has already been donated to the library and there are plans to have more in the coming weeks. Librarian Brianne Leiva welcomed this assistance to the library. “We are happy to be working together with Living Tree Academy and appreciate their donation of books to the library. These new books will assist students who come to the library to do their homework,” said Leiva. “The library provides many services such as general information, printing services, and internet. We have holiday programs as well, like for Easter and during summer.” Leiva mentioned that with the new flow of books, the library expects to attract more people as they want everyone to make use of their services and resources. She is also making a call to volunteers in any trade to come to the library and get involved in the different programs they are initiating.

Ambergris Today

SP Graduating Class of 2015
Congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2015, San Pedro High School that held commencement exercises on Saturday, June 13.

This is how LOBSTER SEASON is looking in Belize!
Season opened today with great numbers on the first day's catch.

"Speeding and reckless driving"
We are first time visitors and liked the idea of a golf cart island. During a 2 week vacation: We have been in an accident with a speeding motorbike driver who ignored our left turn signal completely. His bike was damaged. Luckily he got away with minor injuries. A second time a similar accident was just avoided due to our additional care knowing already that a hand signal for a left turn would be ignored. A third time our golf cart was hit from behind by an impatient taxi driver. Our most concern was for our daughter sitting in the back. This is not what tourists can expect and deserve for a relaxing vacation. And btw. can anyone tell your island car drivers that the horn is not in place to greet each and every friend you might spot on/near the road.

Government Looks into Grounding of Guatemalan Naval Vessel on Belize Reef
On June 11, 2015, the Department on the Environment (DOE) received a report of a vessel grounding near Middle Caye on the Glover’s Reef Atoll. Upon receiving such report, the Department of the Environment (DOE) responded by dispatching personnel to the site along with members of the Fisheries Department, the Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Port Authority in accordance with the National Standard Operating Procedure for Marine Casualties.

Belize Canoe Team Brings Home Silver and Bronze Medals from Puerto Rico
On June 6 and 7, 2015, four Belizean paddlers - Chris Guydis, Wilberto Daniels, Bayron Cruz and Amado Cruz - from the Belize Canoe Association competed in the Puerto Rico Olympic Cup and managed to place in two competitions fairly new to them. The Puerto Rico Canoe/Kayak Association hosts this grand event annually, which incorporates Kayak Sprint Races of distances of 200M, 500M, and 1000M in K1, K2 and K4 Categories. This year, the event was attended by Belize, Guatemala, Guadeloupe and Puerto Rico. Usually more countries are represented; however, due to the upcoming Pan-American Games in Toronto, Canada this summer, many countries were not represented. A first of its kind for Belize, the guys struggled to master the art of the kayaks due to their slender style. After only 2 days of practice, all four men raced and even though they did not medal in the K1 or K2 events, they managed to place 2nd in the K4 1000 m and 3rd in the K4 200 m events. Working together, Belize managed to bring home silver and bronze medals from their first ICF sanctioned event. Mr. Amado Cruz also placed 9th overall in the 5000 M race with a time of 26 minutes 16 seconds. The top time was 22 minutes, 30 seconds.

Misc Belizean Sources

Learn to Swim!
Registration Form YMCA Swimming Prorgam 2015 Please complete the following registration form for our child and return it along with the payment by June 20 to YMCA Belize: 7539 Faber's Road Extension, Belize City, Belize. Phone: 222-5526 Email: programs@ymcabelize.org. The program runs from July 6th to July 23

Rotaract Soca Party Fundraiser
The Rotaract Club of San Ignacio is having a Soca Party fundraiser this Saturday at Thirsty Thursdays. It's only $10, and all proceeds go towards their amazing community service projects. See you there! "Rotaract San Ignacio Presents: SOCA PARTY! On 20th June, 2015. Thirsty Thursdays San Ignacio $10 Admission, Music By: DJ Jessie!!! & Mr. ROS!! Join us for this event,all proceeds go to community projects. See you There.... It's Soca Time...."

Calla Creek Community Center Project
4 the World is helping to refurb the Calla Creek Community Center. It was unusable, but soon it'll be nice again, and will be used for many village functions. Thanks, 4 the World! "Today 4 the World volunteers from Calla Creek Village along with the Village Chairman Saul Uck and 4 the World's Executive Director Robert Keith Froom started a project to refurbish the village's Community Center... This project will continue throug the summer. And will provide a place for the school to use durring the day as classrooms by the end of August 2015. The Community Center will provide shelter to the village during severe storms and will also house the NEMO early warning alarm system that warns the village of dangerous floods. "

Governor General Welcomes Four New Ambassadors to Belize
The Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young, was presented with letters of credence from four ambassadors to Belize. The Ambassadors are H.E. Manuel Roldan Barillas of Guatemala, H.E. Oren Bar El of Israel, H.E. Masanori Nakano of Japan and H.E. Alfredo Raggio Lafone of Uruguay. In his presentation to the Governor General, H.E. Manuel Barrillas conveyed greetings and best wishes from President Otto Perez Molina, and expressed his desire to “further promote and enhance the relations that so happily exist between our peoples and government”. Ambassador Bar El expressed his intention to “contribute to the strengthening of relations and friendship between Belize and Israel, as well as to join efforts to help shape a better world”. He also stated that both countries share the “same democratic principles, a desire for peace, and a true pluralistic and heterogenic society”.

50 years for Holiday Hotel
"The Holiday Hotel opened it's doors on June 15, 1965. This was the start of tourism for Ambergirs Caye. Thank you Celi, eres un orgullo sampedrano."

LITERALLY STANDING ON LOBSTER
Aha, those lovely crustaceans! June 15th marks the official opening of the 2015 Lobster Season . For many of us Belizeans and visitors to our jewel, especially around our coastal communities, grilled lobster, lobster kebabs, lobster dip or a lobster ceviche and even lobster ice cream is something they look forward to from June 15th to February 14th. There is no need to punish those taste buds any longer, as the Fisheries Department has officially declared the 2015/2016 Lobster Season open yesterday June 15th. Scientifically known as Panulirus Argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster is the only lobster that is regulated in Belize. Because lobster, like conch, is considered commercial species, a fisherman’s license is needed to engaging in the catching of Caribbean Spiny Lobster. While the season is open, the Fishery Department will still be monitoring for undersize lobster. To crack down on the catching of undersized lobster, the Fisheries Department will be using two ways to determine the lobster size; one for whole lobster and the other for the tail only. In the case of the whole lobster, Hall explained that the vernier caliper (from center of eye to the starting of the tail) carapace must measure three inches or more. When it’s only lobster tails, it must weigh four ounces or more to be considered legal for consumption.

BEL Annual Meeting ofShareholders
Thursday June 18, 8:30pm

Belize Archaeology and Anthropology Symposium XIII
The 13th annual BAAS starts on Tuesday, June 30th. Once again, it'll be in the Bedran Hall at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. They have some interesting topics this year. Call 822-2016, or email research@nichbelize.org for more information. "Be sure to look out for one of the highlight events of this summer, the 13TH Annual Archaeology and Anthropology Symposium set for June 30th – July 3rd, 2015 at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel (in San Ignacio, Cayo). This year, local and international scholars will congregate to present scholarly papers and discourse topics such as; 'Settlement and landscape Archaeology' ; 'Social Organization & Political Boundaries of the Ancient Maya' and also 'Examining the Representation of Indigenous Peoples in Belize and the region.'"

Flor de la Feria's Miss Photogenic
You can vote for Miss Photogenic in the Flor de la Feria pageant. Voting is open until July 10th. Just go to their fb page, and choose your favorite. They are having a special presentation of the candidates this Saturday, come rain or shine.

RESPECT JAGUARS – CONGRATS BELIZE!
History was made today by Belize’s National Football Team. It was perhaps their best performance ever, and it earned us our first ever trip to the Third Round of World Cup Qualifiers. All Belize needed was a draw, but we got a convincing 3-0 victory at home, winning the series by an aggregate of 5-1 in the Second Round against the Dominican Republic. The goal scorers today were Harrison Roches, Elroy Kuylen and Deon Mccaulay; but it was a complete team effort by the entire National Selection. Also playing their key role were Belizean fans in the stadium, throughout the nation and around the world, whose palpable support lifted the spirit and confidence of our boys as they played their hearts out and got great results. It was an exceptional series for Deon McCaulay who scored 3 of Belize’s 5 goals overall. Respect, Jaguars! Congratulations, Belize!

Channel 7

Jaguars Win! Belize Advances To Third Round!
For the first time in history, Belize will play in the third round of a world cup qualifier. That’s the bottom line after the Jaguars won in style yesterday at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan – thrashing the Dominican Republic three to nil. The game was a tour de force performance and a joy to behold for the thousands of Belizeans in the stadium and the tens of thousands who got to watch it live on TV. Channel 7 had live coverage – and we got reaction from the goal scorers and the assistant coach after the game:..

PUP Will Contest Bye-Election
Turning now from sports to politics - the PUP has decided that it will contest the bye-election for a new Dangriga Representative on July 8th. The party met last week Tuesday - and opinion was divided on whether it should even contest the election. That's principally because the party is low on finance - and was hoping to direct its limited funds towards an imminent general election. So, while it should be automatic that the PUP would contest any election - particularly to hold unto a seat - those senior party members who hold the purse strings urged a more conservative approach. Well, they are the same ones who did the assessment - and it seems the overwhelming reaction was that, the party must fight - even if it is an uphill battle. An official announcement is expected tomorrow - one week after the party took a wait and see approach. And it's one week lost - because in being so cautious about what some say should have been automatic - the opposition has sacrificed critical campaign time - because the election is now only 23 days away.

Guat Vessel Removed, Opposition Not Happy
The Guatemalan Naval vessel has been removed from the reef. The gunboat was removed on Saturday morning at 11. When we spoke to Coast Guard Commander Bennett he told us that it only took about 10 minutes to tug the vessel off. Bennett told us that the new tug line from Guatemala made all the difference in this case -it was stronger and more durable. By 11:40, the gunboat was tugged all the way out of site. Now, a team from the Department of Environment was sent out today and their assessment should be finalized by tomorrow. The official report will then be sent to the Ministry of National Security and of Foreign Affairs. So, that's good news right? Seems like a happy ending ….Well not for some, there are still a number of questions arising from the public and in this case the PUP. The PUP sent out a release today questioning the description of events by the CEO in the Ministry of National Security. In the release, the PUP also questions the presence of the naval vessel in Belizean waters. It says "How is it that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize's territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize's national security apparatus." The release goes on to outline 4 questions relating to the Guatemalan naval vessel issuing a distress call on time and if charges will be laid for breaches of the Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act and the Environmental protection Act.

Belizeans Detained By Guatemalan Armed Forces Tell Their story
But did the embarrassment of the grounded vessel have anything to do with what appears to have been the hostile detention of five Belizeans in Guatemala this weekend?

EXTORTION...
But, the men told us today that the entire ordeal could have been avoided at the initial stage. They say that the Guatemalan soldiers tried to extort them for 25,000 quetzales, and if they paid, they would be released, no questions asked. Here’s how that encounter went:

Cops: Hon. Saldivar's Driver Hit And Run
Police Minister John Saldivar’s driver has been arrested and charged for knocking down a man in Camalote on Saturday night. Around 8:00, the driver, Orlando Castillo was heading to Belmopan in his Volkswagen when he hit Vallan Paul Cucul between mile 50 and 51. Castillo said that Cucul veered onto the road on his bicycle and he couldn’t avoid hitting him. Cucul died on the spot. Well, today 6 charges were brought against Castillo at the Magistrates Court in Belmopan. We wondered– was there any special treatment afforded to Castillo? – After all he is the police minister’s long time driver. OC Howell Gillett today assured us that everything was done to maintain transparency in this case.

Man Run Over And Killed While Repairing Motorbike
There was another fatal accident out west, but this time on the Jaguar Paw road. Last night at around 9:00, 33 year old Marco Antonio Gutierrez was fixing his motorcycle on the side of the road when another motorcycle driven by a 17 year old crashed into Gutierrez – instantly killing him. Belmopan police updated us on the case so far. We also spoke to his wife today who was at the station looking for answers about the death of her husband.

First City Murder In Three Weeks
There hadn’t been a murder in Belize City for about three weeks – but the peace was broken on Friday night when a man was murdered on the southside. Today Monica Bodden spoke to his family to find out why – here’s her report:..

Caye Caulker Makes Changes
Last week, we had extensive coverage of the story of 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz who became the third man in 12 years to die in the Custody of Caye Caulker Police. The outcome of that incident is that 2 police officers have been criminally charged with murder, and they are also facing disciplinary charges. 3 more officers, including the former commanding officer of the island, have also been put on interdiction because it is suspected – but still unproven – that while they were on duty, they may have known that Sotz was being brutalized and tortured, but they did nothing to stop it.

Men Cleared Of Security Guard Murder
Accused murderers Talbert Mena and Jamal Jackson are free tonight after they were acquitted before Justice Troadio Gonzalez.

Bar Battles GOB In Court Over Judges' Tenure
How long should a High Court Judge appointed to serve before it appears that his or her tenure security is not at risk? And, do judges with short appointments by the Government of Belize appear to be under influence by the Cabinet of Ministers, especially when the Government is a litigator?

Major Upgrade For G. Price Hwy. From Belmopan To Santa Elena
The Western Highway between Belmopan and Santa Elena Cayo is a quite ragged stretch of road - but now 65 million dollars will be spent to upgrade it. The Financing comes from the IDB which is providing 27 million US dollars - while the European Union is chipping in with 5 million Euros and Government puts in 1.5 million US dollars. Now if 65 million dollars sounds like a lot for 19.4 miles of road - well it includes the installation of a new Roaring Creek Bridge with a higher and wider bridge. The current one is flood prone and can barley hold two lanes of traffic. The project emphasizes a reduction in road fatalities, and a decrease transport times.

Coach Nunez Speaks
For the past week – the news has been all about the National Football Team, the Jaguars. We’ve had extensive coverage in the Dominican Republic and in Belize. But, through it all you haven’t heard very much from Brazilian Head Coach Jorge Nunez. He lets his assistant Charlie Slusher do all the talking to the press. He does that, primarily – we suspect – because his English isn’t very good – but also because it’s his style – he’s naturally very laid back and shies from the spotlight. But, there must be something substantial behind the shy exterior – because this Brazilian Coach has Belize playing the beautiful game. Yesterday his assistant told us it has a lot to do with coaching continuity:…

Goodbye Round 2!
And so, tonight, we end as we began - with visions of football artistry - for the first time Belize can say goodbye to the second round of world cup qualifying and hello to a third round where the opponents will be tougher, the stadiums will be bigger, and the stakes will be higher... We close tonight with images of the second round from the D-R to the FFB Stadium… Have a great night and join me back here tomorrow….

Channel 5

Belize Jaguars Dominate Dominican Republic
Sunday’s momentous victory in front of hundreds of cheering fans at the F.F.B. Field ensures Belize a place in the third round of qualifying matches ahead of the 2018 World [...]

Belizeans Detained in Santa Cruz…
The detention of five Belizeans in Guatemala, and the alleged abuse of those detainees, has resulted in a formal protest being forwarded to Guatemala. It’s an incredible story which started [...]

…Say They Were Terrorized by GAF….
Despite the worst fears of the detained men, they were not shot and left in that grassy pasture as they expected. Instead they were taken eight more kilometres where they [...]

….But Plead Guilty to Offences
McKenzie and his companions were taken back to the Police Station without being allowed to speak on their own behalf. They were first put into a cell with other Guatemalan [...]

Belize Issues Formal Query to Guatemala
As we told you earlier, a formal note has been sent to Guatemala through diplomatic channels, following the reports made by the men. According to Acting C.E.O. in the Ministry [...]

Belize City Man Gunned Down
Three persons lost their lives over the weekend in separate incidents in the west and the Old Capital. On Friday night, shots rang out on Partridge Street Extension sometime around [...]

Another Shooting in the City
Twenty-four hours after the murder of Williams, shots rang out once again in the city. Just after nine p.m., twenty-seven-year-old Jason Sutherland was shot to the left foot as he [...]

Replacement Officers Detached to Caye Caulker
Last Wednesday, two officers, PCs Leonard Nunez and Hallet King were arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate Court for the murder of eighteen year old Hilberto Sotz. Sotz, a second [...]

Sotz Family Still Grieves Senseless Murder
The sensational murder of eighteen-year-old Hilberto Sotz of Caye Caulker left the country stunned. Sotz was beaten and killed whilst in police custody at the island’s police station. As we [...]

Minister’s Driver Charged in Hit-And-Run Fatality
On Saturday night a man on a bicycle was hit by a speeding government vehicle and killed on the George Price Highway, between Miles fifty-one and fifty-two in Camalote. It [...]

Customs Officer Involved in RTA in Corozal
On Friday night around nine, sixteen year old Azir Zalazar was knocked down off his bike on College Road in Corozal. Zalar, who was complaining of pain in his hands [...]

World Day Against Child-Labour Observed
World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June twelve. It’s an opportunity for the globe to raise its voice against child labour and at the same time make a [...]

Prison Officer Speaks About Inadequate Conditions
Earlier this month, twenty-four-year-old Michael Robinson, recently released from a seven year stint in prison, visited the media with a list of allegations against the management and even prison officers [...]

Are Inmates Allowed Home Visits?
When Michael Robinson spoke out about conditions at the prison in early June, he mentioned that certain privileged inmates were given temporary “get out of jail” cards which allowed them [...]

Prison Officers Beat Down on Inmate
According to Staine, the trafficking of drugs into the prison is rampant, and so is the abuse of prisoners. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg where the Belize [...]

Belize at the World Series of Poker
It’s not a game that is followed by the masses but for those who know a thing or two about poker; it is understood that the World Series of Poker [...]

Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. There comes a time when opportunity presents itself and indeed you’ve got to grasp it with both hands. 3 [...]

CTV3

Eighteen Years Hilberto Sotz Laid To Rest
There is still much controversy surrounding the death of eighteen year old Hilberto Sotz in Caye Caulker. The teen was killed while in police custody following his detention as police investigated a series of burglaries on the island. The Sotz family laid him to rest over the weekend but his father approached the media to express his hurt over what had happened to his son. Sturino Sotz told the media he had high hopes for his child as he has for all his children and is now left hurt over the way the family was robbed of his son’s future and dreams. “I got hurt because due to what, I fight for my son, my father never does me this, he never supported me this way and that is why say I’ll give my heart for my son is, I have four of them and they are doing good in school, if they wouldn’t be doing good I would say I wouldn’t defend them but because I still have to help them anyway, but the thing is that Hilbert he told that he wanted to be a doctor and he also told that he will his best on what he can do,

Guatemalan Naval Vessel Removed From The Reef
The Guatemalan vessel that got lodged on the Belize Barrier Reef has been removed after several days but there are more speculations surrounding the entire incident. Several Belizeans took to the social media to express their concerns over how the vessel ended up in Belizean waters and subsequently on the Barrier Reef. While the Ministry of National Security has reported that the vessel was travelling to La Isla Mujeres, Mexico, when it encountered mechanical difficulties and consequently went aground, there are many questioning the lawfulness of the vessels route on Belizean waters. One of those is the People’s United Party which has issued a release condemning the way the matter has been handled.

Team Jaguars Makes Belize Proud
Belize’s National Football Team, the Jaguars have secured passage to round three of the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualification. Cited as one of the best performance by the team, the Jaguars who needed a draw, made history with a convincing 3 – 0 win against the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Statistics show that the Jaguars have won the series by an aggregate of 5 – 1 in the second round against the Dominican Republic. Although it was a complete team effort by the entire National Selection the goal scorers were Harrison Roches, Elroy Kuylen and Deon Mccaulay. Here is clip of the highlights of the game. The Belize National Team is now in round three and pending the outcome of other matches, the draw will be held on July 25th 2015, in Saint Petersburg Russia and the dates of the games will take place during August 31st to September 8th. Apart from Belize the others teams advancing to the third round of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers are Curacao, St. Vincent, Barbuda and Barbados.

Honorable John Briceno Pays Tribute To Mom And Dad
There was much celebration held over the weekend and one of those was a celebration for mothers and fathers from the Orange Walk Central division. The event, which is held annually, was organized by Orange Walk Central Area Representative John Briceno and his team and was held this year at the Gala Lounge. The evening was filled with fun activities for men and women and some activities that included the participation of couples. There were a series of games and competitions that had the crowd fully entertained. These ranged from eating contests to dancing and even singing. Central Area Representative John Briceno was present and joined the crowd in the evening of entertainment and surprises. At the end of a wonderful night, Briceno addressed a grateful crowd and gave thanks to those who made the event possible.

Belizean Receives Prestigious Award
A Belizean has been awarded with the elite distinction of “Christie’s International Real Estate Luxury Specialist”. Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the world’s most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beverly Hills, and Palm Beach, and 139 global affiliates with 32,000 real estate professionals in 47 countries, Belize being one of them. Every year, Christie’s awards an outstanding member of its residential sector and on June 9th, during the second edition of the world’s leading luxury real estate network’s Top Agents Conference, Gil Castillo, President of San Cas Realty Ltd. was the recipient of the award.

OWTC Acquires Dump Truck For Garbage Collection
In an effort of normalizing its temporary delay on garbage collection, the Orange Walk Town Council has acquired a much needed dump truck. The purchase of the ten-wheeler truck comes at a time when a few of the Sanitation’s fleet were non-operational. According to Mayor Kevin Bernard, the purchase of the dump truck will assist the Sanitation Department get back on track with their garbage collection schedules.

Lobster Season Officially Opened
The Belize lobster season was officially declared open today. For many seafood lovers, lobster is one of the most succulent delicacies enjoyed as part of the coastal lifestyle. Scientifically known as Panulirus Argus, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster is celebrated in festivals all over the country right after the season opens. Because lobster is considered a commercial species, a fisherman’s license is needed to trap and catch these crustaceans. However, there are some legal details even lobster aficionados should note and insist upon. If you are thinking of enjoying lobster tails, they must weigh a minimum of four ounces to be legal. If you are thinking of enjoying a whole lobster, the body of the lobster from the center of the eye to the starting of the tail must measure three inches or more. The Fisheries Department will be actively monitoring fishermen and establishments who trade lobster. Individuals or restaurants with lobster below the minimum prescribed sizes will be charged for being in possession of undersize lobster. The charge carries a fine of around $20 for each undersized tail or whole lobster. The Lobster season ends on February 14, 2016.

Three Belizeans Detained In Guatemala
Since the signing to amend the Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala a few weeks ago, there has been a spike in instances involving Guatemalans in our country’s turf and waterways. Last week, we reported on the Guatemalan Armed Forces Naval vessel which ran aground on the reef at Middle Caye in the Glovers Reef Atoll and this weekend, a trio of Belizeans were detained in Guatemala. According to reports, sometime Saturday evening, a group of five Belizeans socializing on Guatemalan soil at Santa Cruz bordering Belize's southernmost village Jalacte, were detained and escorted away by Guatemalan police to San Luis, Peten. Other Belizeans who witnessed what transpired informed the families of the individuals involved, among them Punta Gorda Town Councilor, Ashton McKenzie, teacher Ray Martinez and credit union employee, Mitchell Romero. We are told that Punta Gorda Mayor Fern Gutierrez sought the involvement of the Belize Ministry of Foreign Affairs whose officials, in consultation with their Guatemalan counterparts, secured the return of the detainees.

Police Change Command on Caye Caulker
Following the sudden death of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz of Caye Caulker last week, the Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie has dispatched Inspector Dehanne Augustine to take command of the Caye Caulker police formation. Inspector Augustine has a background in community policing and came to public notice as the first face of the Jasmine Alert program formed by citizens after the death of Jasmine Lowe to provide faster response to child abductions and kidnappings. For context, officer’s Leonard Nunez and Hallet King face criminal charges of murder and disciplinary charges by the Department after allegedly beating the teenager to death in the station while questioning him over a series of burglaries. A post-mortem examination revealed that Sotz died from trauma to the body and head.

LOVE FM

Minister John Saldivar’s Driver Charged in Hit and Run Incident
Orlando Castillo, the driver for the Minister of National Security has been charged with a number of offences following a fatal hit and run incident in Camalotte Village on Saturday night. He was charged with manslaughter by negligence, causing death by careless conduct, failure to stop and render aid, failure to provide blood and/or urine […]

Jaguars Roared Victory Against Dominican Republic
Belize’s National Football Team will be moving on to the third round of the World Cup Qualifiers after a convincing three-nil win over the Dominican Republic on Sunday. The FFB Stadium was filled with fans, urging on the home team to victory. Harrison Cafu Roches opened the scoreboard giving Belize a one to nil lead […]

PUP Finds Holes in Government’s Report on Guatemalan Vessel
One of the four questions in the release is asking whether Guatemalan authorities had informed Belize of their intent to transit our territorial waters and if so, when and to whom, did they advise. The problem with this question is that our officials have told us that the vessel was traveling through international waters but […]

Opposition Party In Doubt of Government’s Report on Guatemalan Vessel
The PUPs are planning for a National Party Council meeting to take place over the weekend in Dangriga …. And while those plans are being made, they have also found time to present questions for the Government of Belize surrounding the recent incident where the Guatemalan Naval Vessel was lodged onto the reef in Belize’s […]

Senior Supt Explains Increased Police Presence and Decrease in Crime
It is to be noted that the amount of reports on firearm offences, shootings and murders has tapered off in the last few weeks; we asked Dawson to talk to us about their added efforts particularly considering that the areas under Precinct Two were the hot spots for crime. ALDEN DAWSON “We have acquired some […]

Shooting Victim Refuses to Cooperate with Investigators
While police are trying to find the man who shot and killed Allison Williams over the weekend, they have also been trying to find the person who shot and injured 27-year-old, Jason Sutherland on Saturday night in Belize City. Senior Superintendent Alden Dawson, who runs Precinct Two, told Love News that they have been experiencing […]

Belizeans, Including Town Councillor, Detained by Guatemalan Police
Five Belizeans, including a Punta Gorda Town Councillor, were detained in Guatemala on Saturday. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Sylvestre provided an update on Saturday night. LAWRENCE SYLVESTRE 1 “Since receiving the reports of the detention of a group of five Belizeans, officials have been in contact with their Guatemalan […]

Who Killed Allison Williams and Why?
A murder on Friday night has the victim’s family members believing that the deceased was lured to his death. Renee Trujillo has the story. RENEE TRUJILLO REPORTING “Investigators of Precinct Two of the Belize Police Department are investigating Friday night’s murder that took the life of 28-year-old, Allison Williams. Williams was at home with his […]

PUP Supporters to Unite for Nomination Day
According to Usher, the process of consultations began immediately following the National Executive meeting and will continue through to the weekend when the party will be bringing its members countrywide to aid in the campaign process. HENRY CHARLES USHER “We had a team that went down there, right after the meeting on Tuesday. It consisted […]

PUP Will Contest Dangriga Bi-Elections
At the news of the possibility that the main opposition, People’s United Party would not be taking part in the upcoming bi-elections slated for Dangriga on July 8, 2015, supporters and members of the party expressed their disappointment and discontent that the idea was even being contemplated. Following a National Executive meeting last Tuesday, June […]

PlusTV

FinSec: No problem with Patrick’s Petro sponsored Pibil
Hon. Patrick Faber’s Comments on National Television on his latest spending of petro caribe sponsored dollars on a few members of his constituency sparked a heat of opposition from sectors of the public including the Belize Chamber of Commerce who openly condemned it as the, “misuse of Caribe Loan Funds.” In his statements aired on June 8th, the Hon. member for Collet said he treated 22 bus loads of people from his constituency to tacos and pibil at a family fun day event held in Corozal Bay all through the courtesy of Petro Caribe. In an exclusive interview today with Plus TV, the Financial Secretary of Belize, Joseph Waight said the member for Collet was well within the guidelines of Petro Caribe spending.

Hopkins vs Sitee, who owns what?
Villages, by law, can own about a mile out from the furthest point of the village in each direction. But what happens when two villages are exactly adjacent to each other? Two words, “land dispute.” That is the reality of two villages South East of the country. Hopkins and Sitee River are both claiming rights to the area South of Hamansi, all the way town to Sitee Point. For context we have to understand the political demography of the two villages, which are as follows: Hopkins is operated by a PUP village council while Sitee River is operated by a UDP village council. One of the key points surrounding the dispute is who collects moneys for the liquor license. Plus News spoke to Wayne Casimiro, the Chairman of the Hopkins village council who gave us their side of t he story.

She topped the PSE in Cayo
The top scorers for this year’s Primary School examination (PSE) were announced on Monday earlier this week via a press release. Gabriel Hope, of Bernice York institute of Learning, bested the PSE this year with a score of 386 out of 400...

Road Safety Project Gives Ambulances
Two brand new type 3Ambulances were donated this morning to the Belmopan Medical Chapter as part of the third component of the Road Safety Project, funded by the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Development bank, (CDB)...

Two men arrested for fire chief murder
Dangriga police have charged two persons for the murder of retired Fire chief 51 year old Ralton Wilburn Patnett. Parnett’s burned body was found earlier this week in a car which was set on fire...

Gunboat Still Stuck On Our Reef
Efforts continue to remove the Guatemalan military vessel that was grounded near Middle Caye on the Glover’s reef Atoll in the early hours Thursday morning...

Second Graduation of Youths for Road Safety
On June 12th, 16 youths graduated from a two week training course as part of the youth component of the Road Safety project, Youths for Road Safety...

Breaking Belize News

Men charged with security guard’s murder acquitted
Supreme Court Justice Troadio Gonzalez today directed a jury of seven men and five women to declare Talbert Mena and Jamal Jackson not guilty of the murder of Nigerian security guard Kabiru Olun-gu-dudu in February of 2010. Olungududu was working at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel […]

Deon McCaulay making Belize proud in 2018 World Cup Qualifiers
The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process is currently underway and while the host team Russia has automatically advanced to play, 31 of 32 teams are battling out to make the cut. All 208 remaining FIFA member associations are eligible to enter the qualifying process and for the first time […]

PUP leader denies meeting over new party
Belize Media Group has learned that unconfirmed information we received this afternoon that high-ranking People’s United Party (PUP) members had travelled to Peru in South America to meet with a multi-millionaire financier is in fact incorrect. According to former party leader of the PUP Hon. John Briceno, the allegations made […]

BTIA to host 30th Bi Annual GM
On Thursday, June 18th, the Belize Tourism Industry Association, BTIA will be hosting is 30th Bi-Annual General Meeting at the Ramada Princess in Belize City. IDB’s Chief of Operations, Jose Manuel Ruiz will be the speaker in the morning portion of the session. The meeting will include a seminar focusing […]

Belize national team might not have funds for 3rd round of the 2018 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers
After an excellent performance yesterday, June 14, ultimately winning the game 3-0, the Belize Jaguars are looking stronger than ever with Deon McCaulay once again playing in a Belizean jersey. McCaulay scored 2 of Belize’s goals in game 1 against Dominica and again scored a beautiful header yesterday to help […]

5 teams advancing to the 3rd round of the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifiers
Ten teams participated in the second leg of the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup Qualifiers yesterday. The teams that have advanced include; Belize, Curacao, St. Vincent, Barbuda and Barbados. At the FFB stadium in Belmopan, Harrison Roches got the scoring started for the Jaguars in the 17th minute and teammate Elroy […]

Belize’s National Youth Cadet Holds Graduation
Belize’s National Youth Cadet Corp, an organization which falls under Department of Youth Services, teaches troubled young men between the ages of 13 to 17 years old, good work ethics and values. On Thursday, June 11th, the Corp’s 16th intake of cadets graduated from the program after 10 months of […]

Ebenezer Methodist Primary School receives donation from SMART
The Ebenezer Methodist Primary School’s feeding program has been running for the past 15 years. During that time it has provided nutritious meals for its needy students and ensuring that no child fails to reach their maximum academic potential due to hunger. The feeding program was born from the concept […]

Belizean receives prestigious award in Chicago
Christie’s International Real Estate is an invitation-only affiliate network composed of the worlds most proven and qualified real estate specialists in the luxury residential sector. The company has offices in London, New York, Hong Kong, Beverly Hills, and Palm Beach, and 139 global affiliates with 32,000 real estate professionals in […]

The Belize Met. services predicts relatively moist and unstable conditions
The general situation over Belize is for relatively moist and unstable conditions to continue across the country. The 24 hour forecast is for cloudy at times with few showers and thunderstorms mainly over the coastal and northern areas this morning and tonight. Showers and thunderstorms will become isolated this afternoon. […]

Blogs

What's new at Caribbean Beach Cabanas!!!
The long break in blogs is due to friends' visits, weddings, being BUSY here, and I have been in the US for a lot of the last couple months, leaving my husband Dave in paradise to work :). Thanks to his efforts, there have been a lot of great changes to our place, and many of them are going to be very exciting for upcoming guests!! One of the great changes....we just upgraded our wifi so that it is STRONG!! you will be able to get a strong signal throughout and even out past our property now--even in the water (not recommended :))! This is quite a feat in Belize, where you have to ship in everything you need :) Dave was "excited" to learn all that programming :) We also have two brand new bikes for guests to use! Two of them are old fashioned beach cruisers that have baskets for groceries, and the other two are great for longer journeys up the peninsula.

A WEEK TO 10 DAYS IN BELIZE – WHAT TO DO?
Belize is a perfect destination for North American travelers during the winter months for a ton of reasons: Its warm for starters, just off shore lies the 2nd largest reef system in the world along with a bunch of beautiful islands, on the other side of the country is full of rain forest, and they even speak English! This small country, nestled under Mexico’s famous Yucatan, packs a lot of punch for its size. There is something for everyone beaches, jungle, relaxation, and plenty of adventure. It many only be a few hours away on a plane, but once you are there you will feel worlds away.

Belize has a new luxury residential project
Belize has a new luxury residential project to celebrate these days named after the Mayan god of day and night called Itz’ana Resort & Residences.In the quaint coastal village of Placencia, Belize, Itz’ana Resort & Residences has a prime location on the destination’s 16 miles of Caribbean peninsula, with the sea on one side and lagoon on the other. The resort is ideally located next to islands, beaches, rivers, jungle, caves and the world’s second largest barrier reef, affording residents and guests’ endless opportunities for adventure and exploring. The 39 luxury boutique cottages and villas are designed for waterfront living featuring tall windows and doors with high ceilings to emphasize spacious, open-air living. Boston-based architect Roberto de Oliveira Castro, a native of the region, uses traditional forms and materials to deliver a modern take on Belize’s British colonial past. Famed interior designer Samuel Amoia will outfit the residences. Itz’ana Resort & Residences vary in size from 1,000-5,000 square feet, with opening prices ranging from $240,000 – $925,000 (USD). Buyers will have the opportunity to choose between beach or lagoon front living, with all residences located directly on the waterfront.

Scrumptious, Savory Tuna Salad
Simple Summer recipe for tuna salad. You can serve this with bread to make a sandwich or serve with avocado or spinach or lettuce wraps.

A Brief History of San Pedro, Belize and Dia De San Pedro: Part One
This gorgeous mural in the House of Culture is a representation of Ambergris Caye’s history from the Maya to present. In 1847, the Caste Wars began in the Yucatan peninsula – where the native Maya (the very bottom of the caste system) revolted against the colonial Spaniards. Many of those of European descent were driven out…and some in the south, from Tulum and Bacalar, fled to British Honduras or Belize. Coming to Orange Walk and Corozal and Ambergris Caye. People fleeing from the town of Bacalar (I put a little sun next to it on the map) named the Northern part of Ambergris Caye – Bacalar Chico. Or “Little Bacalar”. In 1850, the very first document was signed and sent to Belize City… by residents of the island asking that Cristiano Novelo (great great…uncle of Mito) be named head of the alcalde – the government system used for small villages. The village was officially called San Pedro in the document.

International Sources

Itz'ana Resort & Residences Announced in Belize
Belize has a new luxury residential project to celebrate these days named after the Mayan god of day and night called Itz'ana Resort & Residences. In the quaint coastal village of Placencia, Belize, Itz'ana Resort & Residences has a prime location on the destination's 16 miles of Caribbean peninsula, with the sea on one side and lagoon on the other. The resort is ideally located next to islands, beaches, rivers, jungle, caves and the world's second largest barrier reef, affording residents and guests' endless opportunities for adventure and exploring. "Eight years ago, we knew that Belize would become a world-class destination because of its natural beauty, culture and proximity to major markets. Ka'ana's success in the jungle continues to exceed our expectations. With the entire destination now coming of age, we're thrilled to launch Itz'ana on the beach in Placencia and share this investment opportunity," said Colin Hannan, developer.

More railway lines needed in Panama and Central America
Representatives of the Central American Commission on Maritime Transport (COCATRAM) will meet in Panama from Tuesday, June 16 to Friday, June 19 to define joint actions towards the development of a competitive regional logistics platform, to stimulate trade between the countries of the Mesoamerica Project (PM). Addressing the REPICA 2015 meeting, Tomas Avila, Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) secretary general, expressed support for “complementary formulas” to maritime transport that avoid cargo movement by road because “studies say that land cargo in Central America moves at an average speed of 18 kilometers per hour.” This is without taking into account the occasional road closures due to social problems. Costly delays can be incurred due to poor road condition and crime, factors that limit truck movement to daytime hours, in addition to numerous border crossings with divergent Customs regulations. The cost of transportation by truck is more expensive than other options, such as rail. A railway can transport thousands of containers per journey, as compared to articulated trucks that can only carry up to two containers.

Videos

Reefs for People – Mangroves, 6min. Mangroves play a key role maintaining fisheries, as well as providing services for tourism and shoreline protection. In spite of their indisputable economic, social and environmental importance, throughout Belize mangroves are getting cut and dredged.

Giant Cave HD, 8min. Cave diving exploration at Giant Cave, Belize, Caye Caulker Island

Winter Wonderland HD, 7min. Cave Dive exploration at Winter Wonderland, Caye Caulker Island, Belize

Belize Zip Line, 3min.

I promised and now you have it. San Pedro La Isla Bonita Long ago!, 7min. Check out La Jefa rubbing shoulders with the one and only Don Fransisco. This video is a must watch. I can taste Mr Chico's world famous ceviche!

Belize 2015, 7.5min.

OATS - Route of the Maya, 18min. Our last day in Guatemala........After breakfast at hotel Camino Real, we visit the Mayan ruins at "Yaxha" and had lunch at the restaurant were the TV show "Survivor" crew members also ate........ Crossed the border into Belize and continued on to our hotel in Belize City.........

Belize with Appleseed Expeditions, 3min. Belize blends the best of two worlds, lush tropical rainforest and blue Caribbean Sea. Offshore, kayakers glide from one sandy, palm-dotted islet to another, while snorkelers swim through translucent seas, gazing at a kaleidoscope of coral, fish, dolphins, and turtles. Inland, explorers investigate ruins of ancient civilizations, and birders aim their binoculars at some 570 species. Between national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and marine reserves, more than 40% of the country’s area is protected in one form or another, creating a haven for countless creatures of land, sea, and sky.

Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge, 2min. This one hour film covers a 3-day adventure race through the heart of the Chiquibul mountain region of Belize

Belize Fishing Video, 8min.

San Pedro beach cruiser time-lapse from the northern tip of Ambergris Caye | Belize, 1min. Beach cruiser ride from the northern tip of Abergris Caye through the town of San Pedro... Belize!

Snorkeling the Great Blue Hole of Belize, 3min. The Great Blue Hole is mostly known as a dive destination, but that does not mean you cannot visit it for a nice snorkeling adventure. Divers love to add a cave/sinkhole experience to their diving list and that is a huge draw for divers from all over the world. But the Blue Hole is also available to snorkel for those non-divers who also want to experience the world wonder.

BELIZE LOBSTER SEASON KICKOFF 2015, 3min. LOBSTER, IT'S WHAT'S FOR DINNER~~Nothing better than a day out with for a Lobster and Fish BBQ. Friend, Food Good Times and Adventure....Gear up! Let's Go!

BREDDA DAVID: WORLD LEADERS!, 4min. The reggae hit single, World Leaders, by bredda David marks the Belizean artist's consciousness and broad musical spectrum. The legendary Belizean musical artist, bredda David, has rose to become one of Belize's most consistent national artist that has represented the country of Belize worldwide as a cultural ambassador for Belize. He is the innovator of the popular Belizean musical art form called Cungo Music, which is a combination of Belizean Creole Brukdong, and Garifuna Paranda rhythm. The legendary artist once made his home in Los Angeles after his migration from Belize in the 1960's, and later returned home to Belize in the 1980's becoming an intricate part of Belize's musical and cultural forums that aim to promote and develop Belize's musical and cultural institutions. Also a passionate activist for the promotion of the African Belizean culture called Creole, bredda David has worked for the advancement of the recognition of Belizean national heroes like Isiah Morter, Cleopatra White, and the former British slave enclave in Belize City, called Ibo Town. The featured track, World Leaders, is one of bredda David's reggae hits in the country of Belize, among many others that he has written and produced throughout is long career as a Belizean musical artist with a worldwide recognition.

DADDY TRACEY: LE GO!, 5min. The hit single Le Go from Daddy Tracey's second album in 1992 called Daddy Tracey!

June 15, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

Letter to the Editor: Leslie Snyder on Traffick
We have been visiting for many years in a row and would like to express our observations. This year we vacationed after Easter in the hopes for another great vacation and a relaxing traffic situation. For years it has been wonderful to drive a golf cart around town. This golf cart system is also used and supported on Catalina Island in California. Unfortunately, what we noticed was that the charm of the island is quickly eroding and close to being ruined. We’ve had heavy dust on roads mixed with the bad exhaust from heavy, large construction vehicles and annoying, speeding taxi drivers. Many times the taxis passed us, putting children on the side of the road at risk. The large trucks take up 3/4 of the road and put the pavement into risk of breaking. This will eventually cost the residents lots of money for repairs! In addition, on many days with less breeze, there was an odor of garbage, pollution and sewage on the road into town. What is happening to the most wonderful place we’ve found in the past? Are there too many tourists to manage? Can you not control the results of more people coming to your island? This is not acceptable!! For the last two years there was a new sense of total rudeness by car drivers and an overall sense of ‘No Respect’ from some car and taxi drivers towards golf cart tourists.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Heavy Sleeper
Dennis-Wolfe-Wolfes-Woofers“Captain, do you mind if I go on board and take a nap before the boat leaves?” I asked. The captain of the water taxi to Belize City said, “No problem. We have forty-five minutes before the boat leaves and we already have one guy taking a nap inside. It must have been a real party night in San Pedro last night.” “The first night of Lobster Fest is always rough on everybody,” I told him. Before I dropped off to sleep another bleary-eyed, hung over partier showed up. “Captain, I’ve been up all night,” he said. “I’m dying to sleep a little.” “Sure. Have a seat next to this guy.” The captain pointed to the heavy sleeper across the aisle from me.

Police Report: Detention of Diana Aracely Moh for Drugs Trafficking
On Thursday, June 6th, acting on Special Branch (SB) Information, a team of Criminal Investigation Branch and SB personnel intercepted peach-colored golf cart at about a quarter mile on the Northern Ambergris Caye Road. The golf cart was traveling in a northerly direction. At the time it was being driven by 26-year-old Diana Aracely Moh and her common-law-husband, both of Hurricane Street. A search was conducted on both persons. Inside a brown bag belonging to Moh, police discovered a foil paper inside a baby diaper. Upon opening the foil paper it revealed six small transparent Ziploc plastic bags, which contained white powdery substance, suspected to be Cocaine amounting to 3.5 grams. Moh was formally arrested and charged for Drugs Trafficking.

Doctor Love: Family and Relationships
Dear Doctor Love, I am turning fifteen this year. My father is getting married again and he expects me to be there. I have told him that I am old enough to make up my own mind and really don’t want to go. He said never mind, I have go to the ceremony at least. His fiancé is OK I guess but I think I would feel really uncomfortable if I have to be there, What should I do? /s/ Old Enough Dear Old, When your father tells you he wants you at his wedding he is trying to tell you something. It is his way of showing you that he is committed to you as his family. Some day you will be getting married and you will want him to be there. Honor him as your father and put aside your feelings.

Misc Belizean Sources

LOTTERY DRAWING for Sunday, June 14, 2015: First: 6430 Second: 7018 Third: 0584 Missing: 2, 9

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Good Samaritan Helps Secure Donations Of 34 Standing Fans For Local Primary School
With June being one of the hottest months on record on Caye Caulker, Belize, the heat was on! To make matters worse, the school building which houses the local primary school on the island is made of concrete. It has to be that way, as it doubles as a storm shelter during storms. It is also located in the middle of the island, an area that doesn’t get much ventilation even on a breezy day. When local Hicaquena Suzie Blease went to pick her son up from school during one of those hot days, she found him uncomfortable and sweltering. If her son was suffering, she thought to herself, so were all the other children. That couldn’t make for good concentration and studying. Feeling bad that the poor kids had to experience such discomfort while simply trying to study, she hatched a plan. She would try to rustle up some donations of fans for the school. Noelle Grey donated the first $50, which Suzi supplemented with a personal donation of $25 and she purchased the first fan. But the school needed more. One fan is barely enough to cover a quarter of one classroom, and there are 16 classrooms at the school.

Body of Hilberto Sotz, Youth Beaten To Death By Police, Laid To Rest
The body of Hilberto Sotz, the youth beaten to death while in police custody, has been laid to rest. Funeral services for Hilberto were held on Saturday afternoon at the Assembly of God church. He was buried at the local cemetery. Hundreds of villagers came out to pay their respects to the young man who in death became the iconic face of police brutality in the nation. Most businesses closed during the time of the funeral in solidarity with the family. R.I.P. Hiberto!

Min. of Education Releases PSE Scores. High Scorer For Caye Caulker Is Tristan Magana.
Highest scores came mostly from Belize City schools, with three schools in particular featuring repeatedly on the top 30 list. These are Bernice Yorke School, Hummingbird Elementary and Belize Elementary School. Gabriel Hope from Bernice Yorke was the top scorer, followed by Carrell Moralez of San Narciso school in Corozal. Third and fourth place finishers hailed from Belize Elementary School, with Junyan He of Corozal Methodist tying for fourth place. The highest scorer on Caye Caulker was Tristan Magana with a score of 88.5. Well done, Tristan!

Chriss Roggema: Commentaries From The Garden
Last year I was asked to write an article about the police by a constable to shed some light on the problems of serving the law here on Caye Caulker and under what kind of conditions they have to perform their duties. I told him I would have to play the Devil’s advocate because I have my opinions too I told him and those might not be to your liking. And you want me to do this in collaboration with you because you want me to express your concerns at the same time you want to be anonymous. At the same time it must be hard when you are straight and you see the corruption around you. Probably feeling like ending up as a pissing post from all sides. The public, your superiors, your colleagues etc. Here or abroad it is not very much appreciated to be a whistleblower and can result in a lot of trouble on the job especially in a rigid system as the military or the police. Well I told him; to me it feels like quite a challenge so let’s see what comes out of this.

Four Students Celebrate Their First Holy Communion
Four students who were being home schooled by Principal Sayonara Pasos at the Step by Step Tutoring Center celebrated their First Holy Communion on Sunday, June 14, 2015. The four students are Fatima Arceo, Dian Canul, Corry Rodriguez and Jared Badillo. Proud parents and other well-wishers were at the church ceremony which was held at the Roman Catholic Church located adjacent to the school. The mass was conducted During the ceremony, one by one the children went up to read a passage from the bible, the holy book for Roman Catholics. At the end of the ceremony, they each received holy communion for the first time. Congratulations to all!

The Reporter

Government tackling unemployment in Belize says minister of labour
The Government of Belize is taking several steps to address the unemployment rate in Belize, according to Minister of Labour Godwin Hulse. Hulse, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Investment, said this week that GOB is tackling the unemployment rate, which officially stands at 12.1 percent, acceding to the Statistical Institute of Belize, though investing in human capital, encouraging entrepreneurship and working with foreign investors to create employment opportunities for Belizeans. “We have thousands of students coming out of University every year, and while they might have some academics they may not be ready for work, Hulse said. “So we have trainings being facilitated through BELTRAIDE to give them that extra preparation.” He went on to say that Belize has numerous programs, many of them either government funded or supported, which train in entrepreneurship for Belizeans.

Celebrating the Flowers Bank 14
Villages in Flowers Bank paid homage this week to 14 Belizeans who contributed to the existence of Belize today. The Flowers Bank Kriol Festival is held annually to pay hommage to the Flowers Bank 14, men from the original settlement who voted to stay and fight against Spanish invaders. Chairman of the Flowers Bank Village Council, Kenton Rhaburn, said that in the 218th celebration of the event, many Belizeans either do not know or do not fully appreciate the value of their contribution to Belize. “The initial vote at the public meeting was 51-51, and these men paddled their canoes to come and vote to stand and fight,” Rhaburn said. “If they didn’t vote that way we would not have had Belize today.” Myrna Manzarnares, cultural representative for the Kriol Council, said that the council was there to teach the village children about their Kriol heritage through playing the traditional games that were played in colonial and post-colonial Belize. “We went to teach about lime and spoon, sack race, three legged race, “jankunu” stick and man of the other games that many of the children today do not know about,” Manzanares said.

Breaking Belize News

Belize defeats Dominican Republic, advances to third round
The national football team of Belize secured passage to round three of FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualification, defeating the Dominican Republic 3-0 at the FFB Stadium here this afternoon before a capacity crowd. The Jaguars were defending a 2-1 lead from the away leg in Santo Domingo, but coach Jorge Nunez and […]

Belize Jaguars win 3-0 over the Dominican Republic
The Belize National Team has made history by beating the Dominican Republic 3-0 in today’s 2018 FIFA world cup qualifying match in Belmopan. The three players that scored for the Belize team are: Harrison Rochez (1st goal), Elroy Kuylen(2nd goal), and the sharp shooter and superstar Deon Mccaulay. Go Belize, […]

BELIZE NATIONAL TEAM ON FIRE!
Belizeans are reeling from an incredible first half at today’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Dominican Republic in Belmopan. So far, the match has all of the makings of epic football playing: excellent team work, […]

Police: 1 injured after shooting on Central American Boulevard in Belize City
Police say that a shooting left 1 man injured on Saturday night around 9 p.m. in Belize City. According to police reports, the shooting happened on Central American Boulevard and the victim has been identified as 27 year old Jason Sutherland. Sutherland received a gunshot wound to the left foot […]

Blogs

Doing Community Development Right?
The term “community” represents a group of people rooted in a sense of place through which they are in a reciprocal and trusting relationship with one another and their landscape. As such, a community is not simply a static place within a static landscape, but rather a lively, self-reinforcing resonance of ever-changing, interactive, interdependent systems of relationships. Because a community is a self-organizing system within a larger environmental system, it does not simply incorporate information, but changes its environment as well. Thus, as the community in its living alters the landscape, so the landscape in reaction alters the community. A community also maintains a shared identity grounded in its history, which must be passed from one generation to the next if the community is to know itself throughout the passage of time. History, in turn, is a reflection of how we see ourselves and thus goes to the very root by which we give value to things. Our vision of the past is shaped by and in turn shapes our understanding of the present – those complex and comprehensive, mental images by which we decide what is true or false about us. When the continuity of a community’s relationship to the landscape is disrupted, a trust is violated in some way, the community suffers partial extinction of identity, and may begin to view its landscape as a separate commodity to be exploited for immediate financial gain. When this happens, community is destroyed from within because interpersonal trust is withdrawn in deference to growing economic competition.

The Belize-Guatemala Conundrum
Spain and Great Britain left behind in Central America an unresolved Boundary Dispute between Guatemala and Belize for which there is absolutely no sign of a settlement almost 150 years later after various negotiations have failed even with the immediate arbitration of the O.A.S. Will the dispute be settled in the unforeseeable future by the ICJ or will the Security Council of the United Nations be forced to intervene? GUATEMALA CANNOT BE TRUSTED IN FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE THE OLD ANGLO-GUATEMALAN BORDER DISPUTE. Surprisingly, many Belizeans were not taken aback by Guatemala’s decision not to participate in the October 6th Referendum; on the contrary many felt that Guatemala’s trickery and dishonest behavior is exactly what the Leadership of that country is all about. Belize is an independent country and Guatemala cannot nor will we step aside and let it dictate to the Government of Belize to change our Referendum Laws.

International Sources

Texas A&M University-Kingsville students aid Belize children
As a Texas A&M University-Kingsville graduate student studying to become a speech pathologist, Brianna Bates became aware of how many countries were without help for those with problems speaking. That meant children with learning and developmental disabilities, stroke survivors and many others were without resources for improving their ability to communicate. Bates already was an avid traveler. She lived in Egypt for more than three years and worked on development projects in Bhutan. She wanted to use the knowledge she was gaining from her graduate program to help others. So, she formed the group Students for Global Communication to do just that. "We found out that there were no speech pathologists in Belize, and so we decided to set up a program there," she said. "Belize also had the advantage of being an English-speaking country and not being too expensive to travel to."

Barbados, Belize and Curacao move on in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying
In a rain-delayed match in Havana, Cuba and Curacao played to a 1-1 draw that sees visiting Curacao advance on away goals after the first match finished in a 0-0 draw. Michel Marquez scored for the hosts in the fifth minute, but Curacao's Vidarrell Merencia evened the score in the 16th minute. The game was stopped at halftime due to heavy storms, and no goals were scored after play resumed. Belize got goals from three different players as they beat the Dominican Republic 3-0 to advance 5-1 on aggregate to the next round. Harrison Roches got the scoring started for the hosts in the 17th minute and teammate Elroy Kuylen added another first-half goal in the 38th minute. As the second half wound down, Belize's Deon McCaulay added an insurance goal to secure the win.

Conflicto territorial entre Guatemala y Belice
Guatemala y Belice aún no terminan de separarse debido a que aún no hay dictamen de la Corte Internacional de Justicia (CIJ) en dejar en claro la separación de ambas naciones. Guatemala en 1992 reconoció la soberanía de Belice, pero únicamente basado en la autodeterminación de sus habitantes pero el diferendo territorial quedó pendiente y aunque no se ha resuelto ante instancias internacionales, expertos constitucionales aseguran que es imposible que Guatemala recupere ese territorio. Guatemala cedió el territorio de Belice a Gran Bretaña en 1859 a cambio de la construcción de una carretera que nunca fue construida por lo que se reclamo el territorio, pero debido a la autodeterminación y a la firma del presidente Guatemalteco Álvaro Arzú, en 1992 ya no caben los reclamos no obstante hay que concluir el proceso de separación con una consulta popular.

Videos

DADDY TRACEY --INDEPTH INTERVIEW-, 30min. This is the fully Edited 30 minutes segment of; DADDY TRACEY --INDEPTH INTERVIEW---- MELLOWVISION ON LOCATION IN LOS ANGELES- INTERVIEWERS ARE BELIZEAN ICE AND BILAL MORRIS. BE SURE TO WATCH THIS ENTIRE VERSION

Motion of the Ocean Mixtape, 4min. A compilation of an unforgettable trip, travelling and diving in and around the Caribbean. Featured locations include Belize, Cozumel, Roatan, Grand Turk and St John Just some of the many sights you can feast on if you choose to cash in on your opportunities to get out there and see and experience our amazing world!

Belize vs Dominican Republic 3-0. All Goals. World Cup Qualifiers 14/6/2015, 3min.

Belize Trip 2015 (GoPro Hero 4), 3min. Amazing family trip yo Ambergris Caye, Belize!

Toucan Centre, 5min. Belize Entrepreneurship and Cultural Centre Belize City, Belize, Central America

baboon sanctuary belize, 2min.

Wamalali, voz de Garifuna, Voice of Garifuna!, 120min. Garifuna! Self Determination, Self Govern!

June 14, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

All set for San Pedro Lobster Fest 2015
With the opening of the lobster season comes the annual San Pedro Lobster Fest extravaganza. The week long activities will kick off on Sunday, June 14th and will culminate with a grand block party on Saturday, June 20th. With only days left before the festivities, organizers are hard at work tweaking final details for this year’s Lobster Fest, which promises to be the best yet. Among the list of activities is the Lobster Crawl. Residents and visitors are invited to visit the participating establishments and get their Lobster Fest Passport stamped. As always, each stamp will earn you a chance to win the grand raffle prize of the ultimate vacation package for two for the 2015 Lobster Fest. Passports can be stamped at participating Lobster Crawl establishments or through the San Pedro Lobster Festival Committee.

Amanda Lindroth to put her magic touch at Mahogany Bay
Work at Mahogany Bay Village (MBV) has been steadily going forward, with expectations of the resort’s grand opening coming in 2016. The development has an ambitious plan to provide private residences, a four-star hotel, beach club, bay, restaurant, bars, spa, business center and even a general store. With a clean, airy esthetic that invites the Caribbean breezes to breathe through white painted wooden walls, beautifully designed Belizean-made rustic furniture and high ceilings, MBV’s design captures the timeless colonial feel of Belize back then. Now MBV designer Julia Starr Sanford is collaborating with Amanda Lindroth of Lindroth Designs to put the ultimate Caribbean touch on the 16,000 square-foot Great House. Lindroth is synonymous with elegant, fabulous, chic…soothing, wonderful designs that bring to life the dreams of vacationers headed to the Caribbean. In an interview on location, she described how she takes the idea that vacationers have a dream: of looking amazing in their specially chosen resort wear; of sipping their favorite beverage at a beautiful poolside or beach; of relaxing and finally, crawling into a bed made with crisp sheets, surrounded by gorgeous furnishings and the little touches that make one truly slip into vacation mode. (Oh to dream!)

Kristina Romero returns from workshop in Jerusalem, Israel
San Pedro’s National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC) representative, Kristina Romero recently completed a one-month training program in Jerusalem, Israel. Titled “Educational Methodologies Youth At-Risk: Preventing Student Dropouts and Facilitating Reintegration”, the program was sponsored by Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The program lasted from May 4th to June 4th and was held at the Aharon Ofri International Training Center. The 30 day interactive seminar included lectures and discussions led by experts, as well as several training workshops. The attendees also participated in analysis of educational planning through written material and professional visits. “The main purpose of the program was to equip us with the necessary knowledge to be able to identify who our youth at risk are and how we can help. Often times, we turn a blind eye to the behavior of our youth, or chalk it up to puberty; however the behaviors demonstrated can be early indicators that our youth need help,” said Romero.

Lobster Season to open June 15th
The 2015/16 Lobster Season will officially come to an open on Monday, June 15th. As regulated by the Belize Fisheries Department under the Fisheries Act of Belize, the consumption and harvesting of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus Argus) is allowed from June 15 to February 14. During this time, residents and visitors, especially along the coastal communities will indulge in their favorite lobster dishes. Furthermore, the Fisheries Department will be closely monitoring the lobster fishing season for undersized species. Lobster tails must weigh four ounces or more to be considered legal for consumption. In the case of the whole lobster, the vernier caliper (from center of eye to the starting of the tail) carapace must measure three inches or more.

Ambergris Today

Waruguma Restaurant has a new location
Waruguma Restaurant celebrates the grand inauguration of its new location on Angel Coral Street. New environment, new menu and new experience. Go check them out. Free ceviche and rum punch today with Special of shrimp or beef kebab, served with veggie rice and garden salad.

Misc Belizean Sources

Young Student of Corozal Junior College excels in scholastic aptitude
arsheel Kishore Makhijani is cited as the most Outstanding graduate of CJC, graduating class of 2015. Harsheel just turned 17 on April 4 of this year, and he is already looking to a future of major accomplishments. He is originally from Orange Walk Town where, through hard work, he has earned the privilege of being the valedictorian at both New Life Presbyterian Primary School (2009) and Muffles College High School (2013). He will be graduating from the Corozal Junior College on Sunday, June 12 with a cumulative GPA of 3.88 Likes: Harsheel loves keeping up with the latest technology and inventions, reading world news as well as science forums. He enjoys talking about politics and also keeping updated with world politics, and engaging in conversations about controversial topics such as marijuana legalization or terrorism as government acts. He also enjoys video games.

Cuevas Challenge 2015 Winners
Congratulations to the Rice University students that did the Cuevas Challenge. The Friends for Conservation and Development have had quite a few student groups visit lately. The FCD has been very busy in their quest for protecting the Chiquibul. Thanks, FCD! Be safe. "FCD thanks Dr. Scott Solomon and students from Rice University for visiting Las Cuevas Research Station and for keeping the tradition of Las Cuevas Challenge – a race through the trail network at Las Cuevas. Congrats to the Cuevas Challenge 2015 winners."

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Students of Little Stars Pre School Enjoy Fun Day At The Reef
The little students of Little Stars Preschool enjoyed a fun day out at the reef on Friday, June 8, 2015. Their day out included a day at the reef provided courtesy of Ragamuffin Tours. The little stars were accompanied by principal Vanina Sosa as well as parents of the children. Even Mickey Mouse made an appearance. As you can tell from the photos, everyone had a great time!

Ocean Academy High School Graduates 13
Ocean Academy High School on Caye Caulker held its graduation ceremonies on Friday, June 12, 2015. 13 students were excited to earn their high school diploma. As Pomp and Circumstance played, all the graduates walked up in single file to take their place at the front of the room. The graduation ceremonies were held at island’s community center. Ocean Academy is Caye Caulker’s only high school. It is a private school which is fully funded by private donations. Congratulations to all the graduates. Well done to all of you!

The Reporter

CARICOM moves to establish single business jurisdiction
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) this week launched a series of consultations in member states to begin establishing the framework for a single business jurisdiction among members. The consultations began in St. Lucia, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago, and will begin in other member states in August. The single jurisdiction will entail harmonizing legislation of all CARICOM countries, so that businesses can move or expand operations effortlessly to other member states. The single jurisdiction will present more opportunities for citizens in member states to work and progress themselves economically. The draft policy was developed by the firm, BKP Development Research and Consulting, under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) CSME and Economic Integration Programme. It addresses incorporation of companies, securities, bankruptcy and other law-related areas.

Political will needed to move reparations movement forward in Belize
Support from the government of Belize is vital for Belize to move forward with seeking reparations for slavery from European nations, Myrna Manzanares cultural representative of the Kriol Council said this week. Manzanares, one of the members of the Belize Commission Initiative for Justice and Reparations, explained that while many of the other Caribbean nations have already put forward their position on the issue, Belize is still behind. “I’m not saying that we won’t take a position as a country, but we have not done so as yet,” she explained. “We can get out there and do everything but we need a signal from the government that says ‘we’re with you.” She added that one of the main signals of commitment the commission wants is for GOB to assign a replacement for Ambassador Adalbert Tucker as the person who will oversee the country’s interest in reparations full time.

The Belize Times

Chamber Blasts UDP Petrocaribe Feast – Patrick Faber blows away $50,000 on liquor, tacos & pibil
The evidence of wasteful spending of Petrocaribe loan funds has come, as they say, from the horse’s mouth as UDP Collet representative Patrick Faber announced that he used his portion of the Mother’s Day cheers money for a spring-break type fest for his loyal UDP supporters. While speaking at a UDP rally in Belize City on Sunday June 7th, 2015, Faber arrived appearing highly influenced on some special beverage and when he took the podium he said that he used the $50,000 provided by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance to pay for a grand feast for his specially selected UDP supporters. What was Faber’s feast all about? Under the Petrocaribe loan agreement, funds are to be spent on social development programs that bring about poverty alleviation, but in the case of Faber’s Mother’s Day spree, it meant free tacos, pibil, alcoholic drinks and an outing along the Corozal coast-line.

Killer Cops in Caye Caulker!! – Post mortem confirms 18 year old Hilberto Sotz died from massive trauma while in Police Custody
A post-mortem carried out by Police Pathologist Dr. Mario Estradabran on the lifeless body of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz on Wednesday, June 9th, confirmed that the teenager died from massive trauma due to extreme physical violence. The post mortem listed the causes of death as “vascular shock; pronounced massive heart thrombosis; acute heart trauma and cerebral edema”. “Sounds like a brutal traffic accident”, one medical officer commented when we shared the results of the post mortem. But Hilberto was not involved in a traffic collision. He was being held by Caye Caulker Police officers and it is clear that he did not undergo a normal interrogation while in custody. He was physically and violently beaten, leading to the fatal swelling of his brain and blood cloths.

Barrow snubs Sarstoon Island questions
In his usual arrogant style, Prime Minister Dean Barrow outrightly rejected attempts by news reporters to get his view, as the nation’s leader, of the recent highly-controversial standoff between Belize’s coast guard and Guatemala’s military near Sarstoon Island, which is inside Belize’s territory but within the area claimed by Gyatemalan. The news reporters were attempting to get direct confirmation that he had given instructions to our Coast Guard personnel to withdraw from the Sarstoon Island in the face of aggression from Guatemala’s military. This was the Prime Minister’s coward response regarding the incident in which Guatemala showed blatant disrespect for Belize’s territorial sovereignty. His refusal to discuss whether or not he instructed our Coast Guard to surrender is proof that he is aware of the grave political repercussions of his actions and omission to act.

Ex-Fireman burnt up in bullet-riddled car
Dangriga Police are investigating the gruesome killing of 51 year old Ralston Patnett, an ex-fireman, who was found burnt to death inside his Toyota Camry car on Sunday night, June 7th 2015. Police responded to reports of a vehicle on fire in the Commerce Bight area of Dangriga Town, and upon arriving at the scene they were forced to contact Fire officials, as they met a car on fire. Once the fire was extinguished, they saw the charred remains of a body later identified as that of Ralston Patnett. Police have ruled the case as murder. The body of the vehicle had numerous bullet holes. The vehicle was found outside a property for which Patnett was the caretaker.

Think About It
The tiny tourist island of Caye Caulker will never be the same after Monday night 8 June 2015. Hundreds of residents erupted into a mini riot that lasted for hours. They had gathered in front of the village Police Station on hearing news that a young man had died in Police custody. Yes, even in a small tourist village the Police conduct themselves so unprofessionally that it becomes easy for the villagers to lose faith and believe the worst. All across Belize this is what our Police officers have come to. They have been working diligently to achieve the terrible reputation of behaving like criminals. They verbally and physically abuse people. They tighten hand-cuffs on persons. They detain persons for no reason. They keep people in Police Stations for days with no charges. They torture suspects. Their new technique is to pepper spray inside a black plastic and pull it over the head of persons in custody. Belize being small, everyone knows what the Police do. The only persons who do not know and do not care are the Police Commissioner, the D.P.P, the Ombudsman, the C.E.O, the Minister, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. They pretend to be blissfully ignorant of this cruel reality that exists among many Police for several years now. The death of 17 year old Hilbert Sotz at the Caye Caulker Police Station is of no importance to Government.

A RIOT BROUGHT RESULTS
It took a riot, civil disobedience and the stoning of Police officers to bring about some semblance of justice for the residents of Caye Caulker. A frightened government in Belmopan, which had just turned tail and allowed our navy to be run off the Sarstoon Island, found itself at odds with the peaceful and law-abiding residents of Caye Caulker. Over three hundred residents rioted for over three hours to express their righteous anger. They threw bottles, stones and other missiles and faced the riot squad which was rushed in from Belmopan, in order to make their point. That one singular point was Police abuse. In this instance the abuse had gone so far as to claim the life of an 18 year old student, Hilberto Sotz. Hilberto was in Belmopan on Sunday the 7th June, where he is a student at the Belmopan Baptist College. On Monday morning he arrived on Caye Caulker where his mother, father and siblings live. Several vendors and residents saw him alight the boat and went to his father’s gulf cart taxi. He visited his mom, Carmelina at home. Along came Police officer Nunez. He told the father, Saturino, that Hilberto was wanted for questioning for a burglary which occurred Sunday night. Nunez seized the diminutive Hilberto by the waist in front of his parents and dragged him away.

Central Bank, Belikin & DigiCell win Interoffice basketball games
Belize Water Services won 67-44 against the Central Health Region, led by Jamir Enriquez with 15 points and Karim Thompson with 13 points. DigiCell 4G won 59-55 against Atlantic Bank, with Raheem Staine scoring 21 points and Ed Thompson adding 13 points. On Saturday, the Central Bank team won 69-55 over Complex Generals with Jacob Leslie scoring 21 points, Terry Benedict added 13 points and 16 rebounds. The Heritage Bank Heats scorched Ready Call Center 90-63 with Winston Pratt scoring 18 points and Devon Defour trailing with 16 points. Belikin edged past the Belize Bank Bulldogs 54-53 with Kadeem Olivera scoring 19 points and Alejandro Baptist added 10 points.

Holy Redeemer & St Joseph win city football champs
The Holy Redeemer RC School girls and the St Joseph’s RC School boys won the Belize City primary schools football championships at the M.C.C. Grounds last Thursday and Friday, June 5. On Thursday, the Holy Redeemer girls won 1-0 in a penalty shootout against the up-to-then undefeated Belize Elementary School girls who had drawn 0-0 with Holy Redeemer in the regular season. Holy Redeemer’s Yu Ting Li and Wareyni Gillett could not get through BES’ defense and goalie Melodie Robateau, but BES’s strikers Alyanna Musa and Rhyana Chebat were also shut down by the Holy Redeemer defenders, offering no real threat to goalie Nathida Alvarado. In the shootout, BES Allyana Musa stopped 3 penalties while 2 others missed. Holy Redeemer’s Nathida Alvarado also stopped 2 penalties and 3 kickers missed the goal altogether, sending the shootout into sudden death, in which Nathida Alvarado scored the winning goal.

San Pedro Tigersharks, 2015 NEBL Champs
The San Pedro Tigersharks won their 2nd National Elite Basketball League championship and the $20,000 first prize by scorching the Cayo Western Ballaz 61-55 in Game 2 at the Angel Nunez auditorium in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye on Sunday. Playoff MVP Darwin “Puppy” Leslie led the Tigersharks scoring, with 27 points in Game 1 and 18 points in Game 2. The Tigersharks led from the getgo and never let up, leading all the way to the 4th quarter. James Milton scored 22 points in Game 2, while Raul Roches and Densmore Edwards added 6 points apiece, and Andrew Ortiz slam-dunked 5 points. Cayo’s regular season MVP Richard Troyer scored 21 points, Ivan Flowers added 10 points, and Kurt “Chengo” Burgess tossed in 9 points, but the Ballaz were still down by two points at the end of the 3rd quarter. The game tied up 55-55 with 54 seconds remaining. The Tigersharks put up 6 crucial points in those final seconds, while the Ballaz came up empty.

An appeal to the people of San Pedro
Dear Editor, Tourists don’t feel very comfortable while driving in a small golf cart often jammed between trucks and taxis. They don’t feel safe and high traffic during high season counteracts to tourists’ need to relax while on vacation. How about a Public Transportation System? Rather than expanding our current taxi service, a system of small buses could be the solution or at minimum be part of a traffic solution for our beloved Ambergris Caye. Any expansion of the current traffic situation would be hindering growth of tourism. A loss of reputation would be followed by less visitors as the result. A public bus system with electric powered, small to medium sized buses would be pleasant for everyone, locals and many tourists alike. Tourists would pay $5 or $7, locals/residents $3, kids would be free for the ride. Three or four buses would be driving back and forward between the DFC area/or beyond and the soccer field in town. If these buses are electric powered (noise and exhaust free), we could show the island’s dedication of becoming environmentally friendly.

Belize Police Department: Animal Farm
Dear Editor: Did you know that the Belize Police Department is a big animal farm? Yes, all the animals are not equal. All the good Commissioners have retired and from Henderson onwards it’s been a big joke! I don’t even know why Wiley is getting a fat salary as he is hardly in office. Is he running away from the media or from his shadow? The poor guy doesn’t even have a TV where he lives so he can’t keep up with the mess in his department. Some dumb officers are being promoted, but only if Wiley likes them. Qualified people are not accepted at police training school because they are not related to the senior clan at the Police Department. If you have a special name you will automatically be accepted for training and you will score high and guess what, you will receive the baton of honour. Yes, the surname is special. A cunning and wily thing! I am sorry for our Police Constables. They work the hardest and the lazy senior officers get the credit. Something should be done to reward the Police Constables. Many of them commute and buy lunch daily with their meagre salaries. The Corporals and Sergeants penalize them for stupid things because they want a promotion. The Constable has no say and if they are not liked, it’s even worse, as they will be picked on and frustrated until they get the hell out of the department. Instead of calling meetings to iron out problems, Senior Officers take sides. Some of them take their problems to work and take it out on officers of lower ranks.

San Pedro needs a Public Transportation System!
Dear Editor, About 12 years ago I got International Actors Guild of New York to send down to Belize the first X-Ray Machine freely being the only one of a modern nature in Belize. Now I had an X-Ray machine that Mayo Clinic was to send down but instead they revitalized it and sent it to their new clinic in India. The Belizean government has given many of our tax dollars to build some of the best staffed hospitals around this country but so far didn’t help us finish the polyclinic that Ramon Nunez and I got $1,000,000 in contributions to build the first floor and when asked to complete the second floor they only built part of it for a dental office. People of San Pedro and our good friends from abroad I ask you to look in your hearts and then in your pocketbooks to help Dr. Danny finish his clinic that will benefit all of us. We need to send emails to our government officials such as Manuel Heredia to get government to give back part of the millions they receive in taxes from us to help us create better medical facilities and more physicians. Belize has just created the Belize Tourist Medical Association so let’s push for medical facilities and doctors and nurses that the rest of Belize has better than us.

Belize’s Shining Stars – Part III Featuring: St. Catherine’s Academy, Belmopan Comprehensive School, Nazarene High School, Orange Walk Technical High School, Independence High School, Escuela Secundaria Mexico, Wesley College, Ocean Academy, San Pedro High School, Gwen Lizarraga High School and Muffles College
St. Catherine’s Academy (SCA) held their Graduation ceremonies on Saturday, May 30th, 2015 at the Ramada Princess Hotel’s King’s Room on Newtown Barracks in Belize City, beginning at 3:00 p.m. 123 young women took the march, led by Valedictorian Ms. Aliyah Marin, Salutatorian Ms. Jin Shaung (Sukie) Tan and 3rd Place finisher Ms. Jia Xi Xiao. Belmopan Comprehensive School in the capital had its Graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 4th, at the University of Belize Gymnasium in Belmopan City, starting at 6:30 pm. 209 out of 225 students took the march, led by Valedictorian Ms. Josette McGann, from class Senior 2. The Salutatorian was Ms. Eudora Chiu. At Nazarene High School, students proudly marched on Friday, June 5th, at the nearby First Church of the Nazarene on Princess Margaret Drive. 67 of 75 students marched up, representing 3 different disciplines [Vocational, Business and Academic], led by Valedictorian Ms. Leanny Gonzalez (with an unconfirmed Grade Average of 81.5%), and 16-year-old Salutatorian Ms. Alisha Estell (of Class 4 Business, with a Grade Average of 81%.

PUP Position on Sarstoon Caye Incident
The People’s United Party condemns the feeble response by the Barrow Administration to the armed incursion into Belizean territory by the Guatemalan Armed Forces on Thursday May 28, 2015. The conflicting accounts of the events given by the government are further cause for concern. Particularly so since, reportedly, no less than the Prime Minister ordered the withdrawal of the members of the Belize Coast Guard from the Sarstoon Island, an island well inside Belize’s borders. The declared mission, which was to conduct an overt reconnaissance patrol, does not in the normal course require Prime Ministerial approval to come to an end. The PUP therefore rejects the account given by the Belize Coast Guard that the mission had been completed and that that was what prompted their “extraction”.

The Chamber Calls for Responsible Spending of Public Loan Funds
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphatically condemns the confessed blatant misuse of the Petro Caribe Loan Funds as confirmed by the Minister of Education Patrick Faber and aired by multiple media houses on newscasts of June 8th 2015. The minister stated at the Caribbean Shores endorsement convention that he used Petro Caribe Loan Funds to take twenty two (22) busses of his constituents to Corozal Bay for a beach party, using the said loan money to finance this outing. Spending loan funds on a picnic can in no way be seen as investing in our people’s future, and this activity underscores the need for procedures that uphold the principles of accountability, transparency and responsible spending, particularly in the use of loan funds.

JAZZ ANYONE??
From time to time I revisit my jottings about Jazz, published in October 2009 by the Image Factory Art Foundation in the book “Jazz Sketches – Profiles of Thirty Greats.” Earlier, I had written this series of articles that appeared in the Belize Times under the heading ‘A World of Jazz.’ Yasser Musa and I compiled and put out these pieces as “Jazz Sketches”. One of my entries, which I wrote on March 8, 2009, was on the great guitarist Wes Montgomery. A month or two ago a professional associate of my husband saw a part of my jazz CD collection. He was so impressed that he bought and sent me as a gift a new double CD of very early Wes Montgomery recordings that I did not have in 2009 when I wrote about Wes. This new recording is a treasure trove, which showcases Wes and his group in the mid 1950’s. Their music was recorded live at jazz venues in his hometown of Indianapolis, and reveals the phenomenal talent of Wes. He was playing along with his brothers Monk and Buddy and a few friends. I am certainly very happy to have this addition to my Wes Montgomery discography. I must make sure that I invite my jazz buddy, guitarist Mark Phillips, to have a listen.

Arise Young People of Belize
“Our youth deserve the opportunity to complete their high school and college education, free of early parenthood. Their future children deserve the opportunity to grow up in financially and emotionally stable homes. Our communities benefit from healthy, productive, well-prepared young people.” Jane Fonda Those are indeed inspiring words by Miss Fonda. In 2015 however the young people of this country (persons ages 15 to 35) have very little to celebrate although they have huge power in their hands as the largest voting bloc in the country. Our prison is filled with hundreds of young people, whose lives are being wasted with the serving of lengthy sentences for petty offences such as possession of a few ounces of marijuana or riding a bicycle contrary to the flow of traffic. One of the groups paying the heaviest price for the raging crime situation in Belize today is the young people of this nation. Of the over 60 persons murdered in the first half of 2015 almost 50% or 80% of them are young people of Belize. Sadly most of those murder cases remain unsolved.

Petrofied!
The blatant and continued abuse of Belize’s Petro Caribe Funds should be of major concern to not only those who are not benefitting, but to each and every Belizean. The fact that the loan is being secured at a very low interest rate should in no way justify us just squandering this money. Even if we were being charged absolutely no interest, or even if it was simply a grant, just out of respect and consideration for those who make it available, then we should do our endeavor best to ensure lasting value for the monies spent. The people of Belize, all of whom will have to pay this money back, must not relent in their demand for transparency and accountability where these funds are concerned. These monies do not belong to Dean Barrow or to the United Democratic Party but to every citizen of this country. All of us are contributing and it is our hard taxed dollars that will eventually go toward paying back this loan. The way it has been going, it is only UDP ministers and their cronies who have been enjoying the bulk and only UDP supporters who have been getting the crumbs. Something is not right! The irony in all this is that while this United Democratic Party is having a grand time squandering and sharing this borrowed money among themselves, the people of Venezuela, who have been kind enough to grant us this loan, are suffering. Venezuela is presently confronting a major economic crunch and as Pedro Palma, one particular economic expert from Caracas laments, “We are on the verge of getting into a much deeper economic crisis”.

GOB Disrespects Dangriga
The United Democratic Party Government has disrespected the residents of Dangriga once more. Last week the Government announced that two contracts had been signed for projects in that town. You would have thought that the contracts were awarded in a fair and transparent manner and with the aim of ensuring that the local residents benefit. Lo and behold, the contract recipients are persons closely connected to the UDP in Dangriga. The first contract went to Hubert L. Usher, who is a close relative of the UDP standard bearer of Dangriga. It isn’t a coincidence that the Usher company with such close links to the UDP. The second contract, awarded to Coleman Construction Ltd., is not only another slap to the face of Griga residents because once more another UDP crony will benefit, but because the company is based all the way in Hattieville.

Castro won convention with big money, not integrity nor record
It was all about the money at the United Democratic Party’s Belize Rural North convention held on May 30, 2015, which saw the scandal-ridden politician, Edmond Castro, defeat a long-time educator and pastor, Dwight Tillett. Castro’s head has been on the chopping block, he was aware of this. He has become a political liability for the UDP. His name is synonymous with scandals. He is the politician which the longest political rap sheet. His antecedent report would include hustling from public funds, land scams, confessed abetment to visa hustling, alleged sexual offence while on official business, and the ugly list goes on. An influential section of the UDP wanted to get rid of Castro and the baggage he placed on the UDP. This section included Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley, who openly campaigned against Castro and attacked his integrity.

BYM calls for objective investigation into death of Hilberto Sotz
The Belize Youth Movement stands in solidarity with the community of Caye Caulker and calls for an objective and thorough investigation into the unexplained death of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz who was under Police custody at the time of his death on Monday, June 8, 2015. The Police’s account of what occurred does not hold when compared with the accounts of the local residents. The Police’s accounts makes no mention of alleged bruises on the teenager’s body, and while authorities claim that the young man died after experiencing respiratory problems, his family vouches that he had no such medical complication. Furthermore, the reports that the teenager passed away at the local health center have been disputed by witnesses who saw the lifeless body moved from the Police Station to the health centre on Monday evening. The question is: did the Police use excessive force while interrogating young Hilberto? The members of our Police Department and other security forces have a much higher duty to exercise care and responsibility over the citizens of our country, even those suspected of wrongdoing.

PUP Belize Rural South demands justice for slain teen
The People’s United Party Belize Rural South Office and standard bearer Mr. Jose Elito Arceo extend the most deepest and sincere condolences to the family of the late Hilbert Sotz. We are hereby demanding a full investigation by an independent party so that justice can be administered. We understand the anger and discontent the residents of Caye Caulker expressed yesterday as these sad events unfolded. We hope a fast and fair resolution is found so that residents and visitors can return to feeling safe in Caye Caulker.

Breaking Belize News

One man injured in fatal road accident in Camalote Village
One man has been injured in a fatal road accident that happened last night in Camalote Village, Cayo. Sources say that the man behind the wheel of the vehicle is the driver of Hon. John Saldivar, area representative for the Belmopan division and Minister of National Security. Police have since […]

Guatemalan military vessel removed from Belize’s Reef
The Guatemalan military vessel that ran aground Belize’s reef on Wednesday night around 11:00pm has been removed from the reef between Long Caye and Middle Caye in Glover’s Reef. According to reports, the vessel has been allowed to return to Puerto Barrios with all crew members on board which is […]

5 Belizeans detained in Guatemala
Reports reaching our newsroom are that 5 Belizean men were detained in Santa Cruz, Guatemala yesterday evening. Santa Cruz is a Guatemalan village that borders Jalacate in southern Belize, and according to reports, the men were drunk and disorderly and were involved in some sort of altercation. It is interesting […]

Guatemalans protest government corruption: Why it matters to Belize
Britain’s The Guardian reports that thousands of Guatemalans have camped out in the Constitution Square outside the National Palace in Guatemala City for the last two months, demanding an end to corruption and the resignation of President Otto Perez Molina, whose term expires in 2016. Ahead of elections due […]

Belize, Guatemala indigenous cooperate on reducing cross-border incursions
Indigenous Maya leaders from Belize and Guatemala met last week in Poptun, Peten, Guatemala, to discuss collaboration on decreasing the number of cross-border incursions and subsequent destruction of natural resources in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains which straddle both countries. The indigenous groups aim to unite the efforts of the communities living […]

Belizean shrimp sold to British retailer
Belize Aquaculture Limited (BAL), a major producer of farm-produced shrimp, has entered an export contract with UK-based seafood agent Blue Earth Foods to provide raw shrimp to the UK’s largest chain of retailers, Sainsbury’s. Blue Earth is a subsdiary of Thailand’s SeaFresh Industry, which has owned half of BAL since […]

Murder in Belize City
Belize City Police are reporting that last night around 8:30 p.m., they visited #1011 Partridge Street Ext in Belize City where they saw 28-year-old Allison Williams of Rivero Street, Belize City lying face down on the street apparently dead. According to reports, Williams AKA Wally went to visit some friends […]

BMG will live stream Belize vs. Dominican Republic game tomorrow
After an exciting and victorious match in Dominican Republic, the Belize’s Jaguars are looking for a second win to seal their ticket to the third round of qualifications for the road to the World Cup 2018. Preparations at the FFB football stadium in Belmopan are in full swing for this […]

PUP might not contest the bye-election in Dangriga
The People’s United Party (PUP) is still assessing whether they will contest the bye-election in the Dangriga constituency. The bye-election is scheduled for July 8th and the assessment has still not been completed. According to a local news report, the assessment isn’t just a stalling technique but it is serious […]

Blogs

“Feel The Need In Me” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Earlier this week after a shower I looked at myself in the mirror and I knew, I just knew. So I said to myself (yes I am ‘guilty’ of talking to myself but at least this time I could see who I was talking to) “Do you feel the need in me?” I’ve never felt this way before but I had a compelling urge for a ho. I’ve had these thoughts before but I’ve shown tremendous restraint and controlled them. But this time the need was too strong! I needed a ho that would do most of the work for me. I’m not getting any younger you know. I think I could have fought the desire for a ho if it were not so easy to find one here on Ambergris Caye. But the establishments where they are available are so well known and the signage makes it obvious that you’ll find a ho inside them. I decided that I would not tell Rose about my needs.- she might not understand and we might end up arguing about it. Sometimes in life you’ve just got to do what your body is telling you it needs. So I filled my wallet with BZ$ 50 notes, surreptitiously left the house (OK, OK so it was sneakily) and headed south to where I was confident I’d find the ho that I was looking for. And needed so badly.

Dharma talk, guided meditation on Sunday at Ak’bol Yoga Retreat
San Pedro friends, a special treat for us all on Sunday, June 14, 4-530 p.m.: Our good friend and Dharmacharya teacher from California, John Salerno-White, is visiting and will be presenting an afternoon of mindfulness and guided meditation at Ak’bol Yoga Retreat and Eco Resort. John was ordained by Vietnamese Buddhist Zen master Thich Nhat Hahn in 2005 and currently leads three meditation groups back home. John recently completed nine and a half years of Dharma prison practice. With the guided meditation, John will deliver a Dharma talk on the Three Dharma Seals (Impermanence, Non-self and Nirvana). There is no charge for the afternoon of mindfulness. This is John’s gift to the island. Please join us! — Bob and Rose Alcantara

International Sources

The Best Diving and Snorkeling in Belize
Tiny Belize’s mainland beckons with lush jungle canopy, palm-tangled Mayan ruins, and diverse wildlife. Still, this Central American jewel is best known for its snorkeling and diving sites along hundreds of cayes, atolls and a 185-mile barrier reef – second in size only to Australia’s. Abundant sea life and colorful corals fill the turquoise waters, are easily accessible and welcome divers and snorkelers of all experience levels. Dive tours can be half or whole days, with boat rides calm and usually under two hours. Other tour options include live-aboard boats, which offer week-long trips featuring 2 to 3 daily dives, including nighttime. From the busy north of Belize to the sleepy south, here are our choices for the best marine meanderings.

Tropical Update for the Atlantic
As of 2:00pm EDT on Saturday, June 13th, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami are keeping a close eye on a broad area of low pressure in the tropics. Recent satellite imagery shows the center of low pressure over the Yucatan Peninsula (Mexico) and northern Belize. In the area, there is a large cluster of showers and thunderstorms that has developed. In the Caribbean Sea, winds are also near "gale" force. Conditions in the Gulf of Mexico support further development by the early part of next week. It could continue to develop over the southwestern Gulf by Monday morning, and potentially continue on a northward track.

Disturbance in Yucatan produces heavy rain, storms
A broad area of low pressure over northern Belize and the Yucatan peninsula is producing a large area of showers and thunderstorms and winds to near gale force over the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Environmental conditions should support some development of this system when it moves over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by tomorrow night and across the northwestern Gulf of Mexico through Tuesday. Regardless of development, heavy rains are possible over the Yucatan peninsula during the next day or so. * Formation chance through 48 hours...medium...40 percent * Formation chance through 5 days...medium...50 percent

Top Ten Reasons to Love Belize for Scuba Diving
Publishing a Top 10 list is always risky, especially when it comes to listing the wealth of adventures a diver can have in a country like Belize. It may be one of the smallest nations in Central America, but it's home to the world's second-longest barrier reef and three of only four true coral atolls in the western hemisphere. During the spring and early summer months, Belize is one of the most reliable destinations for swimming with whale sharks, and it boasts the most recognizable landmark in the known dive world, the massive ocean cavern known simply as the Blue Hole. Now factor in the topside attractions-some of the most significant Mayan archaeological sites in all of Central America, laid-back beach towns, remote island dive lodges and adventurous jungle tours. Ten doesn't even begin to cover all the reasons thousands of divers flock to Belize every year. So Belize veterans, let me state up front that there will likely be differences of opinion, maybe even a few glaring omissions compared to your own list-and that we should get together soon over a cold Belikin or three and hash them out. Until then, go to www.scubadiving.com/Belize_top_10 and post your own list, because I'll bet we can agree on this: Belize is one great destination, no matter how you add it up.

Videos

Ocean academy 2015 Graduation, 2min.

University of Arkansas Community Development in Belize 2015, 7.5min.

Belize 4 youtube, 8min.

Dives 1 & 2 Turneffe Atoll North Belize Diving 2015 06 11, 1.5min. Here's a quick synopsis of the highlights of our first two dives with Belize Diving Services. Eels chasing fish in the open and a fish suctioning onto my head. Fun times!!!

June 13, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

SPRCS’s Betty Alpuche and Shanelly Gutierrez are San Pedro’s top PSE Scorers
The Primary School Examination (PSE) results are finally out, and students across the island showed excellent performance. Once again, San Pedro’s top scorers are from the San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School (SPRCS). Betty Alpuche and Shanelly Gutierrez both scored 91.3% in their examinations. In a close third was The Island Academy’s Luis Nuñez with 90.3%, while New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist Primary School’s Elias Zetina took the fourth highest score on the island with 88.3%. Gabriel Hope of Bernice Yorke Primary School, Belize City, is the top scorer in the country of Belize, with a score of 96.5% 386/400. On Wednesday, June 10th, The San Pedro Sun spoke with top island scorers Betty and Shanelly who were very proud of their accomplishments. “I studied really hard,” said Betty. “I am definitely happy with my results.” Shannelly shared similar sentiments. Top three PSE scorers for each school in San Pedro are as follows:

Project BA 1 participant’s complete training
On Friday, June 5th 34 single mothers graduated from the Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking seminar “Project BA 1” in San Pedro. The program was designated to assist the women in becoming more self confident, by empowering them with the necessary tools to help them gain personal development. The program also allowed the participants to receive a small grant in order for them to achieve their goals. The project started on May 18th and wrapped up on Friday with the presentation of certificates by Mayor Daniel Guerrero. Hosted by the Belize Training and Employment Center (BTEC), which is a unit under the Belize Trade and Investment Development Service (BELTRAIDE) in collaboration with the Women’s Department of Belize and the Central American Integration System (SICA), the seminar took place at the San Pedro Town Council Conference room. The targeted participants were victims of domestic violence, single mothers and persons vulnerable to human trafficking. The prime participants were single mothers who took on courses to learn life planning skills and their personal development. Another goal of the project is to eradicate or reduce violence against women.

Ely’s Pool Bar and Grill- Good Food and Good Times
Ely’s Pool Bar and Grill is located at Walden’s Apartments (formerly Belize Hutz) in the friendly San Pablo Community a couple miles south of town. With a pool and full bar, Ely’s is the perfect place for cooling down on a hot day. Enjoy a day filled with fun as you dip in the pool; then have a seat around the bar while you sip on your beverage of choice. Hungry? Well say no more, there’s a complete menu filled with yummy items to choose from! The owners and staff are extremely nice, the atmosphere is open, clean and family friendly, the food is mouth watering and the drinks are always cold. Next time your thinking of a local place to hang out- consider Ely’s!

Stylin’ at the 2015 SPHS Prom
The 2015 class of San Pedro High School (SPHS) held its annual Prom Night on Thursday, June 11th under the theme “Midnight Summer Dream” at Jaguar’s Temple Club. The highly anticipated show of glitz and glamour proved to be once again a spectacular occasion. As always a large crowd of spectators gathered around for a glimpse of the lovely couples.

Passenger details harrowing experience in Cessna 182: V3-HHT crash
On Tuesday, June 2nd a Tropic Air vessel (Cessna 182: V3-HHT) flying to Roatan, Honduras experienced engine malfunctions that resulted in its crash landing within the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. While none of those onboard were seriously injured in the accident, one of the passages has detailed his experience as quite harrowing. The initial reports stated that Belize Coast Guard (BCG) and Belize Audubon Society personnel rescued the pilot and two passengers at the crash site. But according to this passenger’s account it wasn’t so, as all three on board (including the pilot) had to swim miles in inclement weather conditions before being rescued.

San Pedro Police Department receives new vehicle fleet
A Toyota Tacoma pickup, a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV), a Land Rover and two Carryalls were handed over to the San Pedro Police Department on Thursday, June 11th. The donation was made by the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and Area Representative and Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., in an effort to alleviate the department’s lack of vehicles and helping the fight against crime in San Pedro. The short ceremony, which started after 10AM saw the presence of His Worship Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Area Representative Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., and Officer Commanding Coastal Executive Unit Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott, among other invited guests.

Ambergris Today

Midsummer Night's Dream at Prom 2015
It was a Shakespeare inspired evening for San Pedro High School as the future graduates of the school celebrated prom in elegance. Jaguar’s Temple Nite Club was the venue for Prom 2015 and a section of Barrier Reef Drive was closed off to traffic for about two hours to allow the graduating class and their dates to walk down the red carpet and for the hundreds who gathered outside to admire and take pictures of their favorite couple. The titles of Prom King and Queen 2015 were awarded to Gabriel Nuñez Jr. and Magdaluz Guerrero.

San Pedro Police Department Fortified with Five Vehicles
Being that the San Pedro Police Department only had one working vehicle at one point, today it is proud to boast a new fleet of five additional vehicles that were donated to the department by the Government of Belize and private business sector of Ambergris Caye. The official handing over of the vehicles to the Department took place on Thursday, June 11, 2015. The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr, was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony, along with San Pedro’s Mayor, His Worship Mayor Daniel Guerrero. Representatives from the San Pedro Town Council, Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Police Department and private sector partners were also present.

San Pedro AIDS Commission Completes School Fence Beautification Project
The fence lies facing an alleyway adjacent to the Sunbreeze Hotel. The passage is used by many who take a short cut between Barrier Reef Drive and access directly in front of the San Pedro Airstrip. The wall was covered with unsightly graffiti, and with extra money to use as part of their educational campaign, the San Pedro AIDS Commission decided to clean up the wall and brighten it with beautiful and positive messages for the community, in part to make awareness of the group’s endeavors of HIV/AIDS awareness. The Commission hired local artist Pablito Guerrero to paint these child-friendly HIV/AIDS awareness messages to strengthen their educational campaign in the community. The project was kicked off with funds that the Commission raised with their Carnaval Comparsas and it then received assistance from the San Pedro Lions Club and the San Pedro Cancer Society that donated the paint. Assistance was also rendered by ‘He Intends Victory’, The Chocolate Boutique and Laurie Norton (Taco Girl) to start the painting of the logos.

Misc Belizean Sources

Rachel Heusner Art Exhibition
My Exhibition coming together come check it out Monday 15th at the Bliss Center for the performing Arts. 6 30pm the show runs to the 19 th June

Do you believe Doctor, Minister or Autopsy Report
Following the untimely death of 18 Year old Hilberto Sots, the people of Caye Caulker protested angrily on the night Sots died inside the police station. Two officers, Leonard Nunez and Hallet King have been charged with murdering the youth. Minister of National Security John Saldivar has expressed his condolences but controversy has arisen with the autopsy report. People are confused about what to believe while pundits are hoping that Dr. Fernando Cuellar won't be called to testify for the officers accused of committing murder. By trashing the terminology used in the report, the conclusions appear futile as well as an implicit insult to the author of the report. The following quoted extracts are from 7 and 5 News. John Saldivar, Minister of Police (Ch7) There must be something wrong happening out at Caye Caulker. This is something we cannot hide from. What took place in the murder of this young man is so heinous that we've got to stop and do a gut check as to what's happening out there. And as the minister of police I can assure the Belizean public that we will not cover up anything.

Today we open the pre-release cage doors to let this year's howler monkey troops go free
Today we open the pre-release cage doors to let this year's howler monkey troops go free. They have been down at Fireburn since Tuesday and are now settled in and feeding well...and becoming accustomed to the new sights, sounds and smell of the Fireburn forest. Meet the individuals being released this year - three troops (two pairs and one troop of four) - these photos are from the pre-release enclosures, where they have been practicing their climbing skills, learning how to keep together, how to find shelter...and loudly advertising their presence to the other troops! Wildtracks seems strangely quiet now that they have left on this final step into the wild... Thank you, Fanny, for this final pre-release set of photos!

Urge the Belize Government to Protect its Marine Parks from Oil and Gas Mining
Offshore drilling is being proposed in Belize's spectacular marine areas, according to a report in Mongabay.com. Belize's Great Blue Hole, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, would be included in areas opened to oil and gas drilling under a new proposal from the Belizean government. The government has proposed opening up most of the country's marine areas, including seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Belize currently has a voluntary moratorium on any such drilling. Conservation groups have strongly opposed the plan, which could grant petroleum concessions that overlap with the Belize Barrier Reef, the second largest reef in the world. The marine parks of Belize are too precious to be put at risk of an environmental disaster. Will you join me in urging the Belize government to protect its natural heritage from an environmental disaster and not allow mining in its marine parks? Please sign and share the petition.

How To Successful Run A Family Business
Today, business owners who keep it in the family and hire other relatives, were invited to attend a workshop organized by BELTRAIDE, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, and FINPYME. They were there to take discuss issues the secrets to success for the families, communications and conflict management, family governance, family meetings, councils, company constitution, ethics, and a host of other issues that business owners face on a daily business in this type of commercial module. We stopped by and spoke with the organizers and asked about the hypothetical about what to do when a family member in the company believes that he or she can be negligent or non-performing, and still be protected from termination simply because of relation to the bosses. Here’s what they told us:

Georgia College State University Kinesiology Workshop
The Georgia College State University came to Cayo, and did a Kinesiology Workshop at Sacred Heart College. They taught everything from CPR to bandaging to proper warm ups and cool down excercises. There was even a healthy lunch provided. Thanks, GCSU!

National team shirts
Get your National team shirts at FFB office belmopan and at Brodies northern highway. GO JAGUARS!!!!!!

Two Type III Ambulances were officially handed over the to the Western Regional Hospital and the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT)
The Type III Ambulances falls within the Road Accident Emergency Services Component to support the improvement of post-crash trauma care through the provision of two Type III ambulances, one of which will be assigned to BERT through a signed agreement between the MOH and BERT and the other to the Western Regional Hospital.

Training for trainers in Road Safety
Join us in congratulating the 16 young men and women who completed a two-week intensive training for trainers in Road Safety and are graduating today. These youths will now join and support a previously trained cohort of youth facilitators, and will reach over 2,000 young Belizeans on road safety issues. In addition, Junior Master Trainers were selected from the first pool of facilitators who will help to sustain the longevity of the programme and train more facilitators. The training was facilitated by Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) in partnership with the Government of Belize and the Caribbean Development Bank. As facilitator and director of YOURS, Floor Lieshout, reiterated, "Road safety is everbody's business!"

BOLEDO DRAWING for Friday, June 12, 2015: 44

Cornerstone Father's Day Fundraiser
The Cornerstone Foundation is having an early Father's Day fundraiser tonight at Club JJ's. The theme will be 80's.

Guatemalan Naval Vessel - grounding Glover’s Reef
On June 11, 2015, the Department on the Environment (DOE) received a report of a vessel grounding near Middle Caye on the Glover’s Reef Atoll. Upon receiving such report, the Department of the Environment (DOE) responded by dispatching personnel to the site along with members of the Fisheries Department, the Belize National Coast Guard and the Belize Port Authority in accordance with the National Standard Operating Procedure for Marine Casualties. The team has confirmed that a 65-foot Guatemalan Naval Vessel, bearing the marking GC-651 Tecum Uman and having a crew of eleven members, has been grounded on the crest of the Barrier Reef approximately 500 meters north of Middle Caye. Upon conducting a preliminary assessment of the incident, it has been learnt that the area where the naval vessel grounded comprises of “bare rocks” with minimal damage seen along the vessel’s path to the point of grounding and was limited to two coral species, namely Fire Coral and Elkhorn Coral. The design of the vessel, having jet propulsion and a flat bottom, has been attributed to the reason for minimal damage observed during the preliminary assessment.

Channel 7

Gunboat Diplomacy
Tonight, a 65 foot Guatemalan Navy Gun Ship named "Tecum Uman" remains on the reef in Belize's southern waters. Well, tonight, it's still there - despite multiple efforts to pull it off. Tonight - we'll tell you all about it and show you the efforts right up until this morning. But, we begin where the story started. On Wednesday night at around 11:00, two Guatemalan Naval ships - each carrying 12 personnel onboard - were heading to Isla Mujeres, Mexico from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala on a training mission. But on their way, one of the ships had engine and propulsion failure. According to the investigation so far, the failure was due to a leak in the steering hydraulics. One of vessels then crashed into the reef - a quarter mile from Middle Caye in Glovers Reef. Our news team was out on Middle Caye from yesterday, all through the night until this morning to monitor efforts at getting the ship removed - Courtney Weatherburne has an extensive report from the site.

Ralston's Killers Were Robbers
Dangriga Police have charged two men with murder for the death of 51 year-old Ralston Patnett, the retired fire chief who was shot to death and then burnt. Those men are 30 year-old Brandon Mason Kerr, a resident of mile 21 on the George Price Highway, and 32 year-old Lindberg Oxford, who lives on the Commerce Bight Road in Dangriga. Patnett had been looking after a house on the Commerce Bight Road which belong to his American friend, 68 year-old Edmond Domenic Couch. The place was burglarized, and 12 gauge single action shot gun was stolen. Patnett was shot and killed with that stolen weapon which they recovered in an abandoned lot in the Commerce Bight Road Area. The officers also found 34 live rounds of twelve-gauge cartridges with the gun.

PUP Still "Assessing" While Bye-election Date Drawing Nigh
On Tuesday the PUP voted to send a team to Dangriga to assess whether they would contest the bye-election in that southern constituency. But the July eighth election is just 25 days away - and still, the assessment hasn't been finalized. Yet, we are told that the assessment isn't just a stalling technique, those who are involved tell us it is serious and active - as meetings are being held right now, actually. But, no date has been set for this assessment to be concluded, and nomination day is on June 22 - which is just ten days away. If the PUP sits this one out - and no other independent challenger appears - only one person, the UDP's Frank Pawpa Mena would be nominated. In that case, no bye-election will be held - and the sole nominee would become the representative. If not altogether dark, that would surely be a weird day for democracy - but the brain trust and the bank of the PUP - holds the concerted opinion that contesting will cost them money they don't have - and will accomplish very little in shifting the balance of power one way or the other.

Jaguars Come Home
Tonight the Belize National Football Team is resting at a Belize City Hotel in preparation for Sunday's return match against the Dominican Republic. The FFB has put them up at a hotel to ensure that they remain together, focused and not distracted before the game. Rest is a big part of that equation right now because they've been up from 1:00 am this morning travelling back from Santo Domingo. Jules Vasquez was with the team and he has this report:... Jules Vasquez reporting It was sleepy eyes all around this morning - as the team had to leave for the Santo Domingo airport at 3:30 am - that's 1:30 Belize time - and that's after a world cup qualifier the day before. Ian Gaynair, Defender - Belize Jaguars "Tired, fatigue... you called it the "red eye." everybody eye must still be red. I haven't gotten any rest yet." Elroy Smith, Captain - Belize Jaguars "From 1am this morning. You won't feel it like right away, but tomorrow is when that will tell."

How Did Deon Do It?
So, Belize is in the driver's seat - and we would be in that position were it not for the consistent on field brilliance of Deon McCaulay. He scored two goals yesterday in Santo Domingo. The first goal in the 13th minute was an odd one; he shot a penalty kick, and the Dominican Goalkeeper blocked it - but the ball remained in play. No defender swooped into the box to help and McCauley had one of the easiest goals of his stellar career as a striker. He replayed it for us this morning at the Miami International airport:.. Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals "I was fortunate that the ball came back to me and I ended up putting the ball in the net, but sometimes things like these happen in the game. You just have to stay focused and execute once the ball comes back to you." Jules Vasquez "Are you surprised no one from the Dominican Republic responded after the goal keeper block the ball?" Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals "Well I was surprised, but I think that it happens so fast that nobody couldn't react and nobody knew what would have happened. They didn't even know if the keeper would have made a save. So I think that that's why nobody reacted in time."

Team Captain Questions Substitutions
And while it's easy to focus on the brilliance of those goals - the truth is that McCauley's "go-ahead" goal saved Belize from a game that was going quickly downhill because the field strategy had fallen apart. The Dominicans had equalized in the 71st minute, and the defence was lacking. Many observers feel that is because Harrison Cafu Roches was taken out of the game to start the second half - and the less physical, less experienced and less warmed up Jordy Polanco was placed in the midfield. Today team captain Elroy Smith was candid when he told us that the coaching staff has to do a better job with substitutes:.. Elroy Kuylen "Well the coaches, it's their responsibility to makes sure that kind of thing doesn't happens. They have to know what they are doing, how to do it and when to do it. With all respect to the coaches, the game was a tough game. So you have to think good about the changes you will make in a game like that. I think that first stage bothered us a little because the young boy wasn't fully warmed up. The man came up and did his thing but for the first 5 or 10 minutes he got in there, he wasn't fully warmed up and brought a big pressure on us."

Coach Says, Keep Eyes On Prize
And while we didn't have a chance to ask Assistant Coach Charlie Slusher about that specific issue, he did speak to us generally about sticking to the game plan and keeping the teams eyes set on the prize - which is the third round of world cup qualifying. Here's his message to them going into Sunday's game:.. Charlie Slusher - Assistant Coach - Jaguars "This is no time to rejoice. This is no time to celebrate. We have not achieved anything as yet. The same way we came here and won a game. The Dominican team can go in Belize and win also. So we are one foot in the third round, but we have to be concentrating. We have to work hard and be focused to get a victory in Belize. We cannot make this opportunity go down the drain for us." And to see if they do seize that opportunity - you can tune into Channel 7 on Sunday afternoon for liver coverage - or you can also go see the jaguars in person at the FFB Field in Belmopan.

The Indigenous Peoples Of Bze and Guat Meet
Last week Friday and Saturday, the Indigenous Mayan Leaders of Belize and Guatemala met in Poptun Peten. The purpose was to collaborate to decrease the number of cross border incursions and destruction of the natural resources in the Chiquibul-Maya Mountains. The idea is to unite efforts of the communities living along the Belize-Guatemala border to try to deal with the environmental, social and economic problems which causes destruction of forests on both sides. The representatives of the communities developed a draft declaration with requests and recommendations on how to achieve that goal. One important point of the discussion was that the governments must pay attention to the communities located near the border on both sides. This can help to reduce the number of incursions and prevent armed encounters between the illegals and the military who must protect the forests. This draft declaration is to contain suggestions and recommendations related to territory, natural resources, and ancestral knowledge. Once it is finalized, it will be presented to the governments of Belize and Guatemala.

Youth Cadets Graduate, Where's Mom and Dad
Yesterday, the National Youth Cadet Services Corp graduated its 16th intake of cadets, made up of young men between the ages of 13 to 17 years. These were youth who were troubled and at risk of getting involved with the street life. The organization, which falls under the Department of Youth Services, aims to teach these young men positive traits such as the rule of law, good work ethics, self-respect, discipline and a commitment of service to their community. Yesterday, we got a chance to meet those new cadets who have gone through 10 months of training. Minister of State with responsibility for Youth and Sports, Herman Longsworth was also present. He told the gathering that he was a bit disappointed to see that some parents of these reformed young men were missing for this occasion:

SMART Helps Feeding Program
For the past 15 years the Ebenezer Methodist Primary School has been running a feeding program for its needy students. That program grew out of the premise that hungry children are unable to learn. Recently, however, the managers of the program have had to go shopping around for donors to keep it properly financed. When they were recently approached for assistance, Speednet Communications made the decision to support the feeding program by donating $1,500 quarterly for the next year. That first cheque was handed over today, and 7News was there. We asked the coordinators how the money will be put to use: As noted in the interview, 75 children will benefit from the continuation of this program.

New Ambulances For Road Safety
Today the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) and the Western Regional Hospital each got a brand new Ambulance from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. It's part of the Government's Road Safety Project that has been launched with financing from the Caribbean Development Bank. The authorities want to minimize the number of traffic accidents along the George Price Highway from Belize City to Belmopan, but they acknowledge that there is always the possibility that an accident can happen even under the safest conditions - which is where ambulances come in. So today, the Executive Director of BERT expressed gratitude for the donation:

Rolling It In Dangriga And Succotz
Earlier we told you about the PUP's ongoing assessment of the Dangriga seat and whether it will contest. And while the Opposition is hemming and hawing - the UDP government is rolling it into Dangriga. Contracts were signed today for road works in the southern town - CEO in the Ministry of Works Errol Gentle outlined it at a contract signing today:.. Errol Gentle, CEO - Ministry of Works "The first contract being rehabilitation of streets and construction of culverts in Dangriga and those contracts will be signed with DEC and Sons of Stann Creek and the contract price is $995,245.40. The second contract to be signed will be with BCG Construction Limited and we have Mister Salvador E. Habet and this contract is for the concreting of streets in the Succotz area."

Ciao D-R!
And as we close this Friday night - we say goodbye to the Dominican Republic - where Belize's Football Jaguars made their mark with an impressive two to one win. We leave you with that - have a good night and a great weekend - and join me back her on Monday.

Channel 5

Belize Jaguars Return Victorious from the Dominican Republic
Less than twenty-four hours after the Belize National Football Team won the away game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifier on Thursday, the athletes and coaching staff touched down [...]

Realistic Expectations: Will the Jaguars Prevail Again on Sunday?
But with a win in the Dominican Republic, are the Belize Jaguars ready to defend its turf and what are their predictions for the game? Deon McCauley, Striker, Belize [...]

Guatemalan Coast Guard Vessel Remains Grounded Near Glovers Reef
Tonight, News Five can confirm that Guatemalan military vessel GC-651 is still high and dry, perched on the reef between Middle Caye and Long Caye in the Glover’s Reef system, [...]

What’s the Status of the Crooked Tree Causeway?
Just like clockwork, the rains came in June, and for residents of Crooked Tree that wasn’t good news. Their causeway was elevated just days before to deal with the inevitable [...]

Participants Graduate from Youth-led Road Safety Project
And in more news on road safety…today, sixteen young men and women graduated from the Youth for Road Safety (YOURS) Train the Trainers Programme at the George Price Center. YOURS [...]

Western Regional Hospital Finally Receives New Ambulance
The Ministry of Health has been plagued by ambulance complaints; hospitals either don’t have ambulances or the ones that they do have aren’t working properly. The list of reports about [...]

Devon Bailey, Justin Lemott and Jason Sanchez to Stand Trial in Supreme Court
A trio of Belize City men has been committed to stand trial for murder and attempted murder in the Supreme Court, following a preliminary inquiry earlier today. The first to [...]

Belizean Poker Team Represents the Jewel at Las Vegas Poker Tournament
In 2011, Bob BouNahra made history being the first Belizean to make it to the Final table of the World Series of Poker also known as the November nine. BouNahra [...]

Belize Jaguars Need Your Financial Assistance for Round 3 of Football Competition
While all hopes are that the Belize national team will advance to the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, the reality is that the Football Federation [...]

Soca Madness Kicks Off at the ITVET…
Soca season is officially set to kick off this weekend with a massive lineup of Belizean and regional performing artists, including Patrice Roberts and Killa, taking the stage at the [...]

…Concert Proceeds to Aid Carnival Bands
According to show promoter Andazzi, the event also aims at assisting the local carnival bands with preparations for this year’s Carnival Road March. Andazzi, Promoter, Flavaz Entertainment “Flavaz Entertainment [...]

CTV3

Guatemalan Vessel Runs Aground Near Glovers Reef
This morning news spread like wild fire, a Guatemalan vessel ran aground near Glovers Reef. Comments on the social media grew by the minute and before midday authorities were in the area assessing the level of damages caused to Belize’s Barrier Reef. Reports are that around one thirty this morning the Guatemalan Naval vessel with markings GC 651 got stuck on the reef in the vicinity of Glovers Reef off Middle Caye. CEO of National Security, Retired Colonel George Lovell spoke with the media on the matter. “At about 1:30 this morning, the coastguard were informed that there was a vessel on our reef off Glovers Reef in the vicinity of Middle Caye. Immediately our coast guard officials sent out patrols into the area to confirm the reports of this grounded vessel which was confirmed that there is a vessel, a Guatemalan coast guard vessel with markings GC651 on that vessel. We also, when we went on the ground, observed that there was a second vessel that was in close proximity to where this vessel went aground and we were then concerned, we got in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who in turn got in touch with our Guatemalan counterparts and they informed us that the vessels were destined to go to La Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Our coast guard that were on the ground had an opportunity to speak to the crew of the Guatemalan coastguard vessel and they confirmed that yes they were heading to Mexico. They claim that they had lost steering and that they drifted onto the reef.”

LOVE FM

McCauley Scores Goals For Belize in DR
The Jaguars are home but adamant on not losing focus on the upcoming game on Sunday, June 14. With Deon McCauley as part of the team that came home today and the player who scored both goals, we just had to ask McCauley how he feels considering that just a few weeks ago, sporting officials did not extend a helping hand to him to get back home after experiencing some hardships abroad. Here is how he responded. Just like McCauley who carries no negative feelings for the entire situation, Ian Gaynair says it is time to move past that.

Belize Jaguars Are Home
In March, Belize began its road to the 2018 World Cup in Moscow. The first hurdle was the Cayman Islands and although it was not an easy task, after the home and away series ended, the Jaguars prevailed. The team with a number of changes travelled to the Dominican Republic this week to take on the home team yesterday. At the end of regulation, Belize was once again victorious on two goals by Deon McCauley. The game ended in a two to one score. Today the team was back on home soil and they have little time to savour the victory as on Sunday afternoon they will try to seal their way to continue in the competition. Love News was at the Philip Goldson International Airport awaiting Belize’s football stars. We spoke to Ian Gaynair and Shane Moody to get their feel of yesterday’s game.

Guatemalan Vessel Still Lodged on Belize’s Reef
The Guatemalan Naval vessel remains lodged on Glover’s Reef last night with officials attempting to pull the boat out early this morning. Our news team, accompanied by members of the Belize Coast Guard journeyed to the site yesterday and last night they stayed on Middle Caye to keep watchful eyes on the vessel in which armed Guatemalan men were forced to stay as a consequence of what is being described as an accident. The vessel was on its way to La Isla Mujeres, Mexico, but due to mechanical problems it began drifting and subsequently crashed into the reef. Officials from the Department of Environment and the Belize Port Authority visited the site to conduct their investigations. Hipolito Novelo tagged along and reports from Glover’s Reef.

PlusTV

Government will pursue Guatemalan military over grounding
In just four months, the Guatemalan navy has entered illegally inside Belize’s sovereign waters , not once, but twice. Today they may have made a third incursion into Belize, this time causing possible damage to Belize’s precious barrier reef. The incident occurred about one o’clock this morning...

Tanks explode in Spanish Lookout Oil field
Two tanks exploded inside one of the Belize Natural Energy’s oil field in the San Marcus Area, Spanish lookout. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. earlier today and by four p.m...

Venezuelan training ship visits Belize on Petrocaribe anniversary
Ten years ago this month, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela leagued with its fellow Caribbean and Central American countries to advance social development through its bountiful petroleum resources under the Petrocaribe program...

Michael Feinstein Stake Bank case pushed back again
A conflict with other court cases kept litigants in the case of Michael Feinstein and the Attorney General and Fort Street Tourism Village from proceeding today in the Supreme Court of Justice Courtney Abel...

Belize Kids First celebrates anniversary
It was formed by concerned residents of Belize City five years ago and has helped numerous children attend school and parents navigate the ins and outs of parenting. Belize Kids First today celebrated its fifth anniversary. Founder and veteran teacher Annie Palacio spoke of the ethos of the program.

Belize Jaguars beat Dominican Republic!
We start tonight’s newscast with some good news. Belize’s Jaguars won against the Dominican Republic’s football team two to one this afternoon. And the man of the hour is Deon McCauley...

Tourist robbed in Dangriga
An American tourist staying at a resort in Hopkins Village, Stann Creek District reported that on June 2 at about 11:00p.m...

Chinese business owner pulls gun and demands payment
A Chinese man has been detained following an incident of aggravated assault at his nightclub. 29-year-old Edward Bochub of Punta Gorda town, reported that on Wednesday June 10, he was socializing at a nightclub located at Front Street Punta Gorda town and at about 9:25 p.m. he decided to leave...

Found property
Police have recovered drugs and weapon that were labeled as found property. On June 11 at approximately 12:20 p.m...

Caye Caulker holds vigil for slain youth
It was raining last night in Caye Caulker, nevertheless, some 400 people took to the sandy streets of the island in a peaceful march in solidarity with the family of the slain teenager Hilberto Sotz...

Minister Condemns His Officers
Late yesterday evening the Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar through the Government issued a press release where he expressed his condolences to the family of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz who died under the care of authorities of the law...

Registered voters for Dangriga By-election
As we told you on Monday, the date for the Dangriga by-election triggered by the resignation of PUP Area Representative Ivan Ramos, has been set. That date is Wednesday, 8^th July. Nominations for persons wishing to contest the election will be received on Monday, 22^nd June, at the Dangriga Town Ha...

Caye Caulker Chronicles

U.S. Embassy Visa and Passport System Experiencing Technical Problems
The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently experiencing technical problems with our overseas passport and visa systems. This issue is not specific to any particular country, citizenship document, or visa category. We apologize for the inconvenience and are working urgently to correct the problem and restore full operability. U.S. passport applications accepted overseas on or after May 26, 2015 are affected by this delay. If you applied for a U.S. passport overseas during this time frame and have travel plans within the next 10 business days, please consider requesting an emergency passport at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at which you originally applied. Information about how to apply for an emergency passport is available at the following: http://belize.usembassy.gov/passports.html. Applications for a U.S. visa made after June 8, 2015, are also affected by this delay. Nonimmigrant visa applicants in Belize who submitted their DS-160 online application on or after June 9, 2015, should reschedule their interview appointments for the next available appointment date on https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-BZ/niv. If you submitted your DS-160 on or after June 9, 2015, please do not come to the Embassy for your appointment without first rescheduling.

Full Basket Belize awards six scholarships to Ocean Academy students
The charity organization Full Basket Belize comprising of former or current Peace Corp volunteers has awarded six scholarships to students at local Caye Caulker high school Ocean Academy. Five are renewals and one is a new scholarship. Congratulations Annabella Requena, Lilly Alamina, Kimberly Sotz and Milvia Reyes! All four girls earned a renewal for the coming school year of their $1000bz scholarships from Full Basket Belize. The students had to maintain high grade point averages and demonstrate continued school and community involvement. Full Basket Belize is a volunteer-run organization founded by former Peace Corps Volunteers. They also fund raise for community projects across Belize. Mindy Rowlands, below in photo, awarded the girls their renewal awards.

Power Lines Are Being Installed On The North Side
In one of the most dramatic developments of the decade, we can report that power lines are currently being installed on the north side of Caye Caulker.

Amandala

2 Caye Caulker cops charged with murder
A riot erupted on Caye Caulker on Monday night, June 8, when residents learned that a teenager had died hours after he was taken into custody. A crowd, estimated to consist of over 200 persons, descended on the police station and polyclinic where Hilberto Sotz, 18, was pronounced dead. Caye Caulker police had to call for reinforcements from Belize City, and the officers reportedly fired live rounds to disperse angry residents. The result of Sotz’s autopsy apparently indicated that he had been brutalized to the point where he died of his injuries. Late this afternoon, one of the court prosecutors at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court told a policeman who was about to close the main door on the Regent Street side of the court building, not to close the door because he was “expecting two prisoners” – who would turn out to be two police officers who have been accused of causing the death of Sotz. Just before 4:00 p.m., a heavily tinted unmarked police SUV pulled up at the Treasury Lane side of the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, and the two officers, PC Leonard Nunez, 43, and PC Hallet King, 32, who were handcuffed together, emerged.

Guat gunboat runs onto Glovers Reef
Just before midnight last night, Wednesday, the loud revving of a heavy engine overwhelmed the sound of the hard rains on Glovers Reef and shortly after the noise of the engine, a crashing sound alerted the park rangers and Fisheries Department staff who are stationed on the island that something had happened about 500 yards from where they are housed. Following the crashing sound, powerful spotlights came from the direction of the reef, where a Guatemalan Navy boat had become beached. Frantic calls were made from Glovers Reef to the Belize Coast Guard, as another Guatemalan gunboat was observed in the immediate vicinity. With the arrival of daylight, the large Guatemalan gunboat, with its heavy 105mm gun, could be seen parked on top of the reef. The news of the Guatemalan Navy boat crashing onto Glovers Reef began making the rounds early this morning on social media.

Hilbert “Ketchi” Sotz supporters rally against his murder
The atmosphere was charged with emotion on the island of Caye Caulker last night as at least 200 concerned citizens came out in spite of a drenching downpour to display their unwavering support for the family of Hilbert “Ketchi” Sotz, 18, who died while in police custody three days ago. In the wake of his death, a host of Caye Caulker residents who had gotten wind that his death was as a result of police brutality protested in anger, which led to a confrontation with police officers who were deployed to quell the situation later that evening. Yesterday, however, some of those same residents were joined by comrades from San Pedro, as well as a group of expatriates who all share the same aversion to the upsetting and successive incidents of blatant, excessive abuse of authority by cops on the island. The protesters decided to hold a peaceful candlelight vigil which, according to one of the organizers, Deon Green, is a means of healing the community after the loss of a promising young life due to a culture of police brutality across the country, which often goes unchecked.

“They beat him to death!”
An autopsy conducted on the body of Hilbert “Ketchi” Sotz, 18, a 2nd form student of Belmopan Baptist High School who died in the custody of Caye Caulker police on Monday of this week, determined that he did not die of natural causes, as police had originally indicated, but was instead beaten to death inside the police station on that island. The two officers who are believed to be responsible for his murder were remanded to prison yesterday, Wednesday, and three others who were present at the time of the incident have been placed on interdiction pending the outcome of the case for being “slovenly inactive” during the entire incident. Though swift and practically unprecedented, those actions are no compensation to either the Sotz family or to Sotz’s close friend, Manuel Guerra, who, we understand, watched helplessly as Sotz was allegedly beaten and tortured at the hands of two officers who were attached to the Caye Caulker Police Formation. Amandala visited “La Isla Carinosa” late yesterday evening and conducted an extensive interview with Guerra shortly after he was released from police lockdown, where he and the deceased were being held pending investigation into a burglary that recently took place on the island.

Court presses for hearing on cruise port head tax
Last month, we told you of Government’s plan to introduce new legislation in Parliament, to confirm and validate the US$7 cruise tourism head tax retrospectively, amid a challenge to the tax regime lodged in the Supreme Court by Michael Feinstein, whose US$100 million Stake Bank project is stalled due to an impasse with investors in the Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV.) The planned port would provide a new offshore port for the cruise tourism sector at Stake Bank Island, a few miles from Belize City; however, the development would rival the existing port at the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City, which claims exclusivity under a contract with the Government of Belize, to which Feinstein was a party before he sold his interest in that investment to Royal Caribbean. Under the existing arrangement, Stake Bank would not be guaranteed a portion of the head tax. Although Feinstein has sued the Government over the allocation of the head tax to FSTV—from which the FSTV would have earned nearly US$4 million last year—FSTV has countersued for damages, because it claims that if the head tax were to be lost, it would mean a substantial loss of revenue, although its exclusive contract with the Government does not expire until 2028.

Dr. George Gough faces malpractice lawsuit
A number of Belizeans have suffered silently at the hands of doctors who perform surgery on them or prescribe medicines that have worsened their condition. Some have even lost their lives. Lawsuits for medical malpractice, however, are scarcely pursued by Belizeans in the courts. Nevertheless, one woman who had a laparoscopic surgery performed at Belize Medical Associates on December 18, 2009 and almost lost her life has decided to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor who performed the surgery. Case management in claim #154 of 2013 filed by Alice Arana-Gillett against Dr. George Gough took place before Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel last Friday, and dates were agreed upon by her attorney and Dr. Gough’s attorney, for expert witnesses to testify in the case. The attorneys also agreed on dates for written submission and the court also accepted into evidence for the case, a number of witness statements.

Deon McCauley scores two goals in victory against DR
“Deon McCaulay scored two goals to help Belize win their away leg at theDominican Republic 2-1. McCaulay opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Belize held on until Geremy Lombardi equalised in the 71st. But McCaulay put home a rebound two minutes from time to give the visitors the victory.” “McCaulay broke the deadlock with two minutes remaining in Santo Domingo after Geremy Lombardi leveled proceedings in the 71st minute, cancelling out the former’s first-half opener.”

Rural North Football Tournament Finals begin
Following a two-week break in action, the Belize Rural North Football Tournament 2015 for the Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro Cup 2015 resumed this past Sunday, June 7, in Sandhill Village with game 1 of the U-16 two-game championship series, and the Senior knockout Finals in Group-A and Group-B. In game 1 of the U-16 championship Finals, Ladyville Rising Stars and Boom Junior Celtics played to a 1-1 draw. Denroy Baptist (29’ PK) put Ladyville in front from the penalty spot, but Gordon Richards, Jr. (68’) got the equalizer for Boom just 2 minutes from the end of regulation. In the Group-B Senior knockout Final which followed, Lake Rising Stars dropped Kephawn Pawn Shop, 2-1. Tevin Robinson’s (28’ PK) goal gave Lake the lead early. Clinton Gill (57’) equalized the ball game for Kephawn; but then Marshall Nunez, Jr.’s (65’) goal sealed the Lake’s seat in the championship series.

Western Eagles beat Excellence, 157 runs to 5 runs
The Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2015, under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association, continued over the weekend with some very interesting games. The first is the continuation of a game between Excellence of Double Head and Western Eagles of Rancho Dolores. In a previous article that I wrote, I mentioned that a team that has always been hard for the Eagles to beat is Excellence. This match started on March 14 in Double Head. Western Eagles batted first, and at the fall of the last wicket, scored 157 runs. After lunch break, Excellence took to bat. During the over, Eagles bowled a ball that was called “wide” by the umpire. The ball crossed the boundary line for 4 runs; because it was a “wide,” an extra run was awarded, making it 5 runs. Rain started then, and the game had to be postponed. Ever since then, for some reason or the other, this match could not continue. The most important reason is that the game was started playing on a mat. That mat became damaged beyond repair, according to information I received. Later on, only half of the mat could be found. The second half of the competition was started, and on May 9, Excellence went to Rancho and defeated Western Eagles. Still, the unfinished game was not played.

Editorial: The mighty and the fallen …
It is amazing how far the mighty People’s United Party (PUP) has fallen since 2003, which is the last time the party won any kind of election. Staring certain defeat in the face in next month’s by-election for the Dangriga seat vacated on Sunday, June 7, by the PUP’s Ivan Ramos, sections of the PUP leadership this week were actually talking about “boycotting” the Dangriga by-election, of not running a candidate against the ruling United Democratic Party”s (UDP) candidate – Frank “Pawpa” Mena. In the last days of his National Independence Party (NIP) in late 1971, the Hon. Philip Goldson always insisted that this was what political parties do: they contest elections. No matter what. In those last and desperate days of his NIP, Mr. Goldson chose to form an alliance with the fledgling UBAD Party to contest the December 1971 Belize City Council election. In a sense, this may be seen as a reckless move on Mr. Goldson’s part, but it shows you how far he was prepared to go just to show up at the “post,” which is how the starting line is referred to in horse racing circles. A major problem with the PUP has been that they don’t want to spend any money. There is a section of the electorate which believes that PUP leaders and their cronies got away with hundreds of millions of dollars between 1998 and 2008, so the way the PUP has been behaving, as if they are begging people to vote for them instead of investing in campaigning, is rubbing some voters the wrong way.

He has acted like a child …
Dear Editor, All right thinking Belizeans were surely stunned to hear the words of Hon. Patrick Faber on Sunday, boasting how he used Petrocaribe money. It is difficult to find the right words to express any reaction to what was said or done. Was this how Hugo Chavez meant his generous loan to be used? He must be turning in his grave. He had hoped to provide the means whereby people in the Caribbean could begin to rise above the position they were left in by the slavemasters. Hugo Chavez was a great man who died far too soon and will be remembered for his dedication to improving the lot of the dispossessed. What has Patrick Faber done? He has shown that he is a true product of what those slave masters would have predicted, that given a little education and power, the natives would act like children because that is what they are. How CAN an Education Minister sink so low?

Justice Abel slams “culture” of court adjournments
Supreme Court Justice Courtney A. Abel of Guyana this morning slammed what he described as a “culture” of adjournments that leads to a backlog in the legal system, in the face of a persistent appeal by Government-affiliated attorneys to have a lawsuit put off until Parliament can pass retrospective legislation that would render the challenge to the cruise tourism head tax nugatory. The strategy was to have the case put off until Parliament sits on Friday, June 26 – but the judge, who reluctantly agreed to a one-week adjournment, adamantly insisted on having the matter heard before Parliament meets. “They will do what they have to do; I will do what I have to do,” Abel said. “This culture of adjournments in Belize has to stop…,” he commented. The judge noted that attorneys show great ingenuity in coming up with reasons for seeking court adjournments. However, he said, when this causes things to get backed-up, the very same attorneys turn around and complain about the backlog.

PUP breaks silence on Guat’s Sarstoon incursion
Twelve days after Guatemala’s naval patrol made an incursion into Belize, at Sarstoon Island, demanding that a detachment of the Belize Coast Guard vacate Belizean territory, the Opposition People’s United Party has broken its silence on the issue. In a strongly worded press release, the Opposition calls out Prime Minister Dean Barrow, head of the National Security Council, “to immediately explain to the Belizean people why he ordered the withdrawal of the Belize Coast Guard from Belizean territory in the face of such overt acts of aggression by Guatemala; immediately cause a temporary observation post to be established on the Sarstoon Island to be manned by both the Belize Coast Guard and the Belize Defence Force until such time that a permanent Forward Operating Base for the Belize Coast Guard can be established; and urgently make the necessary strategic investments in Belize’s national security apparatus to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Belize.”

Move afoot to create seamless business space in CARICOM
CARICOM is advancing plans to set up a regime by means of which a business registered in one member state could operate in another member state without having to undergo new registration procedures. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat says the plan aims “to create a seamless space within which companies can do business.” There is already a draft policy which outlines proposals for “the Single Jurisdiction for the Registration and Incorporation of Companies” in CARICOM. The document, developed by bkp Development Research and Consulting of Germany, under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), addresses incorporation of companies, securities, bankruptcy and other law-related matters, says a press release issued this week by the CARICOM Secretariat. National consultations on the draft policy begin this Thursday, June 11, 2015, in the Eastern Caribbean nation of St. Lucia. Amandala tried to get information on exactly what the plan is for the Belize consultation, such as the date and venue for the event(s), but the officials within the Ministry of Trade, Investment Promotion, Private Sector Development and Consumer Protection who handle CSME matters for Belize do not yet have any details.

Carrel Moralez, 2nd top PSE performer, wants to be a scientist
In the mid-week edition of Amandala, we introduced to you Gabriel Hope of Bernice Yorke Institute of Learning, the top performer in this year’s Primary School Examination (PSE). Now, we present to you the aspiring scientist who attained the second highest score in this year’s PSE – Carrel Moralez, the 11-year-old student of San Narciso RC School who also got the best grade for his school and his district. Moralez, who lives in Santa Clara, Corozal, received 380 of a possible 400 points on the exam (or 95%). He scored 100% on the Science portion of the exam, while he scored 97 on Math, 94 on Social Studies and 89 on English. Moralez was ecstatic when he received his results on Tuesday morning. He told us that he was expecting to place among the top performers, because he had worked very hard. He told us that he reads a lot, and does a lot of extra work outside of school. San Narciso RC’s principal, Gregorio Moralez, is celebrating not just because one of his 50 students who sat the PSE got the second highest score, but also because Carrel happens to be his nephew.

Wesley faces challenge over new graduation requirements
Graduation day is the grand climax of the academic life of any student. Even as thousands of graduates will this year enjoy this major milestone, there will be those who just did not make the cut. A group of students from Wesley College are among those who didn’t—but their inability to graduate with their peers last night is being attributed to a sudden change in graduation requirements during the final few months of the academic year. That change is being challenged on behalf of one of those students by attorney Godwin Haylock, who penned a letter on May 21, 2015 to Wesley College chairman, Rev. Roosevelt Papouloute. In that letter, Haylock outlines the case of Dante Reneau, who was advised last month that he could not graduate because he did not meet the requirements. Parents were informed in a meeting this January that the GPA requirement had been changed from 1.0 (which represents a grade of 60% to 64%) to 2.0 (which represents a grade of 65% to 70%.) Prior correspondences detailing graduation requirements had indicated that the minimum GPA to graduate is 1.0.

Court presses for hearing on cruise port head tax
–Last month, we told you of Government’s plan to introduce new legislation in Parliament, to confirm and validate the US$7 cruise tourism head tax retrospectively, amid a challenge to the tax regime lodged in the Supreme Court by Michael Feinstein, whose US$100 million Stake Bank project is stalled due to an impasse with investors in the Fort Street Tourism Village (FSTV.) The planned port would provide a new offshore port for the cruise tourism sector at Stake Bank Island, a few miles from Belize City; however, the development would rival the existing port at the Fort Street Tourism Village in Belize City, which claims exclusivity under a contract with the Government of Belize, to which Feinstein was a party before he sold his interest in that investment to Royal Caribbean. Under the existing arrangement, Stake Bank would not be guaranteed a portion of the head tax.

The Reporter

A bright future for youth cadets
Twenty at risk youths graduated this week from the National Youth Cadet Service Corp training program. The gradates demonstrated their skills at their graduation ceremony held at the Institute for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ITVET) compound. The program, operated by the Ministry of […]

Government launches anti-child labour education campaign
The Government of Belize, in commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour, launched a public education campaign on Friday. The campaign, set to raise awareness about the different forms of child labour, was built around this year’s theme for this year’s commemoration, “Child Labour is […]

CitCo distributes land to employees
The Belize City Council, on Thursday afternoon, held ceremony at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, where 207 parcels of land were distributed to CitCo staff who have been employed with the Council for three years or more, to the delight of the employees. The […]

Bernice Yorke student tops PSE 2015
The results for the 2015 Primary School Examination (PSE) are in, and Gabriel Pope of the Bernice Yorke Institute of Learning is this year’s top performer. Pope scored 386 out of a possible 400 points, giving a grade of 96.5 percent. His grade put him […]

Upgrades for the George Price Highway
The George Price Highway is scheduled to get major upgrades between Belmopan and Santa Elena. In a joint release issued this week the Inter-American Development Bank and the European Union said that they approved some BZ $65 million in financing for the project, which will […]

Feinstein Stake Bank case delayed again!
It is what it is, declared a philosophical Michael Feinstein, developer of the Stake Bank cruise port facility off Belizes coast, after his court case against Fort Street Tourism Village and the Government of Belize was postponed again Thursday morning. Justice of the Supreme Court, […]

Cop shoots man with gun at Element night club.
Belize City police are currently conducting an internal investigation after an on-duty police officer, working as a security guard at the popular Element night-club on Newtown Barracks, shot a man, who reportedly tried to enter with a gun.. The man, identified as Kareen Betancourt, […]

Driver in Ladyville accident served with notice
The driver of a Chevy SUV involved in an accident near the Maskall junction which claimed the life of 57-year-old pastor Oscar Chacon, has been served with a notice of intended prosecution and may face several charges, including manslaughter by negligence. According to Police […]

GOB and UNICEF improve early childhood development
The Government of Belize, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is continuing its drive to develop early Childhood Development Services through sectoral integration. Denise Robeateau, UNICEF education officer in Belize, explained this week that the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, and […]

Largest food drive in San Pedro history
The San Pedro Red Cross (SPRC) in collaboration with the San Pedro Food Bank, the Saga Humane Society and Sperro, a non-profit volunteer group, held a food drive on the island on Saturday with great success, saying it was the biggest drive they’ve organized. […]

Belize shrimp on international market
A United Kingdom-based seafood agent, Blue Earth Foods, has been awarded an exclusive contract to provide the UK’s largest chain of retailers, Sainsbury’s, with Belizean shrimp. Blue Earth, part of Thailand’s SeaFresh Industry which produces shrimp, has started providing Sainbury’s with shrimp from Belize […]

Police confiscate five guns over the weekend
In a number of separate raids and operations, Belize police seized and five guns, 40 rounds of ammunition and more than five pounds of marijuana. In the first incident on Saturday afternoon a businessman on Freetown Road reported that a man of dark complexion […]

Caribbean health officials talk health security
Health officials from across the Caribbean met in Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend where they discussed mechanisms to strengthen the region’s ability to respond to new and emerging threats following outbreaks of Chikingunya and Ebola several months ago. The Caribbean Public Health Agency […]

Fireman burned to death after taking a bullet to the head
Ralston Patnett, 51, a veteran fireman, met his death around midnight on Monday, by the very thing he spent his life fighting – fire. It was deliberately set, after someone shot him inside his car. The incident occurred in a remote area of Dangriga, […]

Fire Department gets new equipment
The Belize National Fire Service, on Tuesday, received over $80,000 worth of new equipment with the assistance of the Ministry of Labour to help the department improve its ability to contain and control fires around the country. According to Benisford Matura, Belize National Fire […]

‘Simon Bolivar’ docks to commemorate 10th PetroCaribe Anniversary
A Venezuelan naval training vessel and its crew anchored in Belizean waters on Thursday for an official ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the PetroCaribe initiative, introduced by the Boilvarian nation in 2005. The Governor General, Sir Colville Young, Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar […]

Ivan Ramos resigns from the House!
Ivan Ramos, the People’s United Party’s (PUP) Dangriga area representative who stepped aside a month ago, accusing his party of essentially forcing him out for newcomer, Anthony Sabal, resigned on Monday as a member of the House of Representatives with immediate effect, without giving his […]

Former Immigration CEO created disharmony, says Minister Hulse
Minister of Immigration, Godwin Hulse told the Reporter on Wednesday, that former CEO, Candelaria Saldivar was removed to try and bring harmony to the department. “Many people found that her strengths were too stiff”, Hulse claimed in an interview, and “the Prime Minister and the Cabinet decided that we will […]

Editorial
We have been greatly encouraged by the action of the General Legal Council in taking a more hands-on approach to the workings of the justice system in Belize. The justice system is only as good as the integrity of those officers who administer it, and sad to say, officer quality […]

Stranded Guatemalan gunboat raises alarm!
Anti-Guatemalan sentiment spawned after an incident in Sarstoon on May 28, 2015, likely contributed to serious public outrage and concern following the news that a Guatemalan gunboath had run aground on the reef just off Middle Caye in the Glover’s Reef system. What was a Guatemalan gunboat doing so far […]

Did youth die at hands of police? Caye Caulker residents claim murder and stage riot!
Police constables, Leonard Nuñez and Hallet King find themselves at the Hattieville Prison, after they were remanded until July 14th on a joint charge of murder for the death of Hilberto Sotz. The18-year-old student resident of Caye Caulker was in police custody at the time […]

Belize wins! McCaulay scores 2-1 against Dominican Republic
Belize’s most prolific international striker Deon McCaulay, added 2 goals to his personal tally as he led the Belize Jaguars to a 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. The game was the first in the series of World Cup 2018 qualifiers at the Felix […]

Breaking Belize News

Jaguars return home victorious
Belize’s national football team, the Jaguars, gave a commendable performance at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, taking a 2-1 away win. On Sunday at the FFB Stadium they must ensure that Los Quisqueyanos do not overturn their one-goal lead. But before they got […]

Drug bust in Corozal Town
Reports coming out of Corozal Town are that police have made a drug bust. According to reports, Corozal police were conducting a routine checkpoint when they searched a pickup truck with Belize City license plate and found a container full of marijuana inside the vehicle. Information is still sketchy but […]

Police change command on Caye Caulker amidst arrests, interdictions
Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie has dispatched Inspector Dehanne Augustine to take command of the Caye Caulker police station in the wake of the death of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz earlier this week. Inspector Augustine has a background in community policing and came to public notice as […]

Two type III ambulances handed over to the Western Regional Hospital
The Western Regional Hospital now boasts two new, much needed Ambulances thanks to the Road Accident Emergency Services in the Ministry of health. Reports are the Two Type III Ambulances were officially handed over to the hospital and the Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT). The initiative is part of the […]

Unrest in Guyana over rice market and petrocaribe funds
The PetroCaribe Program allows participating countries to purchase oil from Venezuela on conditions of preferential payment. Some of the money is paid upfront while the rest over several years. Under a trade agreement with Venezuela, Guyana supplies rice to Venezuela and the proceeds go to the PetroCaribe fund which is […]

Traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway sends five to the NRH
A traffic mishap on the Philip Goldson highway sent five persons with varying injuries to the Northern Regional Hospital this afternoon. Authorities say the incident occurred between miles 46 and 47 in the outskirts of Carmelita village around 1:30pm. Reports are that six persons travelling north bound in a red […]

Belize Bank Ltd. donates $20,000. to the National Elite Basketball League
This past weekend, basketball fans gathered in Cayo to watch the first game of the championship finals played between San Pedro Tiger Sharks and Cayo Western Ballaz of the National Elite Basketball League. San Pedro Tiger Sharks stole the game against Cayo Western Ballaz. The second game was played in […]

Traffic accident leaves 2 persons injured
Reports reaching our newsroom are that 2 females were injured this afternoon in a traffic accident in northern Belize. According to reports, the victims have been transported to the Northern Regional Hospital. We will be updating this story as more information becomes available. Photo courtesy of CTV3 News.

Belize stop Dominican Republic in World Cup qualifying opener
Belize is in the driver’s seat heading into the second leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament after defeating the Dominican Republic 2-1 at the Felix Sanchez Center in Santo Domingo. Star striker Deon McCauley proved to be worth the trouble to bring home to appear […]

Police charge two for murder of Ralston Patnett
Dangriga Police have charged 30-year-old Brandon Mason Kerr of mile 21, George Price Highway, and 32-year-old Lindberg Oxford Williams of Commerce Bight Road Dangriga were charged jointly with the murder retired fire chief 51 year old Ralston Wilburn Patnett of Dangriga. Patnett was reportedly shot with a 12-gauge […]

Venezuelan ambassador says they will not “supervise” Petrocaribe; program will keep going
The Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is marking ten years of Petrocaribe partnership with Belize. During the ceremonies marking the arrival of the Venezuelan navy vessel ‘Simon Bolivar’, Ambassador of Venezuela to Belize H.E. Yoel Perez Marcano was asked for his views on the spending habits of the […]

Nightclub owner pulled gun for payment
Police are investigating an aggravated assault allegedly perpetrated by a nightclub owner in Punta Gorda Town against a customer who he alleged had not paid for his beer. Owner of Galaxy Nightclub, 36 year old Jin Zhou Wu is said to have pursued Hopeville area resident Edward Bochub […]

Toledo students improving on PSE, St. Peter Claver lead the way
Chief Education Officer for the Toledo District Education Center, Dr. Carmen Jane Lopez, cites an improvement in results for the 2015 Primary School Examination (PSE) over 2014. The preliminary results released on Monday show that about three quarters of the over 600 students from Toledo who sat the […]

Moist and unstable weather conditions to prevail today and over the weekend
The general forecast for today, Friday, June 12th is for relatively moist and unstable conditions. The 24 hour forecast is for similar conditions but with a few showers and thunderstorms over some coastal areas and certain parts inland of the country. The weather tonight is expected to be cloudy with […]

Guatemala’s naval vessel is still on our reef
The 65 foot Guatemalan navy vessel that ran aground on Belize’s reef on Wednesday night around 11:23pm is still stuck on the Belize reef. According to reports, the timeline for removing the vessel from the reef is uncertain, and the boat is being treated the same as any other civilian, […]

Blogs

Alice Needs a Ride, Henry Needs a Home: Dog Walking at SAGA Humane Society
Yesterday I walked over to SAGA Humane Society to meet up with Alice aka Caia aka Coconut Gial. I had met her a few months ago, during The Great Sargassum Outbreak (Sarmaggedon 2015) on the beach. She wanted to play fetch the coconut with every single tourist that went by. For a dog with some years on her…and clearly MANY litters behind her…she had so much energy and spent half her day in the water. And heartbreaker Henry. He has been at Ft Dog since March 2014. He is calm and LOVING. He just wants to lean into your legs…or when you bring him to the beach, into your lap. I would take Henry in a heart beat. If my three cats wouldn’t murder me in my sleep.

April Dives Down with Chuck and Robbie’s
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to “swim with the fishes”? Not in the mobster sort of way – but in a scuba diving way? I’ve wondered about diving but am scared to DEATH of actually seeing what I’m swimming with sometimes. I’d like to just pretend that all sea life evacuates the water when I decide to swim. However, our friend April enjoys every second in the water and went out with Chuck and Robbie’s while she was here. Here is her account of scuba diving……….I will just live vicariously through her post and pictures. Did you know that the second largest barrier reef in the world, The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is just minutes from San Pedro, Ambergris Caye? Well, it is and I had to check it out! Fortunately, I received a personal recommendation to Chuck and Robbie’s Dive Shop. So, without further ado I headed down to the dock to make a morning reservation.. I was up early and excited to experience this underwater masterpiece. I arrived shortly before 8 am on the dock to obtain my gear and meet up with the rest of the morning divers. I requested to dive Hol Chan. I thought this was a wise choice since I really wanted to see as much as possible. Where better to see great things than this protected area. So, with excitement and anticipation I took a seat awaiting my 9 am departure. As I looked around, I thought, “This dock is a busy place.”

“Mercy Mercy Me” in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize.
Last weekend seems like a blur to me. Probably because I spent a good deal of it in a blurry Belikin state! It all started Friday evening when I picked up Geordie (regular readers will ‘know’ Geordie from previous editions) and his colleague Chrissie who recently replaced our friend Dave as 2 IC for BATSUB, They caught the last Maya Island Air flight from the Municipal Airport and I collected them from the San Pedro airstrip and took them back to the two bedroom apartment we have on the ground floor of our house. They stowed their bags and then joined us upstairs and within minutes Chrissie and Rose were chatting away as if they’d been friends for years. We’ve always had great times when in the company of the BATSUB team but now Rose has someone of the same gender to chat with. In the evening we went out for a few beers (well maybe slightly more than a few) at Carlo & Ernie’s Runway Bar & Grill but were all up bright and early (early is a relative description in this case), had breakfast (bacon sandwiches if you must know) and then set off for a drive north to show Chrissie a little of the island.

More than one way to clean up in Belize
It was a clean sweep. From the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge to just short of the turnoff for the Palapa Bar, nearly 60 people picked the roadside clean of trash on Friday morning. The volunteers were split nearly evenly between a Houston mission group, Adventure Sports Ministry, and friends and neighbors from the neighborhood. The “locals” showed up ready to rumble with homemade spear sticks. Carmen Arenal from Coco Locos pulled up with a box of heavy duty trash bags and some spare rubber gloves. (Carmen also bought two cases of chilled water from Village Market to distribute as the day heated up.) Timing is everything and today happened to be the day that the town trash truck makes its foray to the north. As we were wrapping up the day, with mounds of trash bags at several spots along the road, the town workers rumbled by and picked it all up to take it to the landfill. I am in awe of the timing of all of this. The crew from Adventure Sports Ministry had been planning a roadside clean up for today all along. When we heard about it — my neighbors and I have been talking about doing this very thing — word swept from Facebook page to Facebook page.

Dangriga: Ivan Ramos resigns
Whenever Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow, the Prime Minister of Belize and the Leader of the ruling United Democratic Party decides to call for general elections, it will be the fifteenth in the modern post-World War Two of what we now know as the nation of Belize. On April 30th, 1954, 20 candidates, (9 Peoples United Party – General Workers Union; 9 National Party; and 2 Independents) contested for 9 seats in the first election under universal adult suffrage for the Legislative Assembly. The PUP-GWU won 8 seats and the election and their ascension ushered a new era of “home-rule” and the voters had given the first such elected “party in government” a mandate for self-government. The purpose of this hopefully brief introduction is to alert my readers that in covering the impending General Elections for my blog, I intend to keep history firmly in mind as I make my assumptions, presumptions, conjectures, assessments, predictions et cetera. The past is always prologue to the future.

DANGRIGA: IVAN RAMOS RESIGNS (PART 2)
Alan Arthurs after winning three consecutive terms as Dangriga area representative won the convention battle and lost the election war in 1974. The constituency’s Garifuna residents had closed ranks and I remember a lady I knew only as Ms. Castillo telling me, a third form student at the just opened Stann Creek Ecumenical High School, that Arthurs had not supported the workers in a recent strike against the Citrus Company of British Honduras. Simeon Joseph had emerged as one of their leaders. Most of the workers at the company in Pomona at that time were Garifuna. There was a schism between the town and the village, between the workers and the so-called Kriol and expatriates who managed the factory and Arthurs became identified with the latter, particularly by union firebrand Meshek Mawema who had led the strike. In about a year after the strike the company had started to replace its Garifuna field workers with non-union people brought in from Honduras and Guatemala, but all that is a story for another time.

The Backdoor Of Belize
Two years ago John Mcafee fled Belize rather than face questioning as “a person of interest” in the case of the shooting death of his neighbour in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. On May 29th he posted on his Facebook page that he had surreptitiously visited Belize earlier in the year and put up a collage of him crossing the Rio Hondo at Blue Creek as evidence. He wrote: “A few people have doubted my frequent visits to Belize over the past two years. Anyone who knows me, of course, knows full well that I come and go as I please. My usual place of entry is what I call “The Back Door Of Belize”. It is a tiny immigration station across the river from the Mexican village of Union. Union, by the way, has a population of 61 inhabirants. The village in the Blue Creek district of Belize, across the river, where the immigration station is located, has, as best I can ascertain, a population of 8. It is an ideal entry point for someone like myself, or indeed for anyone who can’t be bothered with the formalities associated with leaving one country and entering another. “At night everything is closed, even the boat ferries. The river at that point, however, is very shallow and one can wade across it in a matter of seconds. I have never done this at night since I have an irrational fear of crocodiles, and people disappear into their bellies with great regularity in this region. Call me a coward if you wish. Sticks and stones….as they say.

The day the music went live ….
34 years ago, on Tuesday, May 12th, 1981, Evan X Hyde told me that Bob Marley had died. He had died the day before. It was around 2 in the afternoon and I was standing near the light table busying myself with getting ready to layout the first pages of the weekend paper. I don’t know if he had seen me come to work because I was even more self-absorbed than usual. I had come to work that day with a fully-loaded .22 caliber revolver stuck in the back of my waistband. Back then I used to wear a tam, and I had stopped combing my hair. I was a week or so shy of my 20th birthday. I tried to not to react outwardly to the news. Me, and indeed it seemed most of my cohorts in the struggle, had been listening to a lot of Bob Marley lately. We had just started to discover his revolutionary message and it struck a chord with a riotous resonance in our youthful rebellious souls. We were at war with the government, our society, the established order. And we had a hero. Robert Nesta Marley had burst on our consciousness like an atomic bomb revealing life as we knew existed but also as how we knew instinctually it should exist. And then he died, but the music went live.

BELIZEAN ARTIST DELLY McGREGOR & ‘MY LOVE’!
Belize’s pulsating drummer, vocalist and reggae star, Delly McGregor became the stylistic voice over the band Bamiki Bandula’s tracks from the early 1980’s in Belize to the 1990’s in the Los Angeles reggae scene. The Belizean born and bred artist has transcended himself within the Los Angeles music world, and has cut a name for himself on the city’s reggae scene. The memorable hit tune, My Love, that became a big hit for Bamiki Bandula in 1983, gave McGregor his connection with Belizean music lovers, and later made him a prominent reggae vocalist among southern California’s reggae lovers from the Golden Seals in Long Beach to the House of Blues in Hollywood, and later on to the beach cities in L.A.

The Belize Boledo Story, a saga for generations
The Belize “Boledo and Sunday Lottery” numbers game has been around longer than I have been on Planet Earth in this form and reportedly was started in Belize when Belizeans returning from working on the building of the Panama Canal (1904-1914) brought the game back with them. Lately I have started reporting on the going-ons in this institution which was privatized in 2009. I will have more on its history as I continue to report on the current state of play. It’s been a long time coming … I have heard anecdotal reports that the enduring popularity of Belize’s boledo has meant that it is not only played in nearby neighbouring countries like Livingston, Puerto Barrios, and Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala, Cuidad de Chetumal, Mexico, Roatan and Puerto Cortes, Honduras, but also in Jamaica and the diaspora communities of Los Angeles, Miami and Brooklyn, New York. Lord knows I have fulfilled a request or two from parts afar to buy a numba on someone’s behalf and in one memorable case long ago, they even won. Anyway “Brads” (Brads Gaming Company has the license to operate the game) “mussi mi tek wan lik” Monday night when “Ought Seven” popped up on the machines. I won’t go so far as to say they lost (paid out more than they took in) but it must have been one of the highest pay out for this year.

I want to write …
This picture was posted on facebook a few days ago by the photographer Noel Escalante and he wondered as to the fate of the young pilot who by all accounts took off into a clear near cloudless March sky and for all intents and purposes disappeared into the wild blue yonder. The story is a painful scar for Harold’s relatives and friends, particularly his mother, because it is a wound that the passage of time has not and may cannot heal – my deepest condolences go out to her. I wrote that article and indeed I wrote all of the articles, except for one, on that front page of AMANDALA as I used to do in those days as the editor of the newspaper. For me this is a photo of a headline that is a “lemma” in the collage of the articles I wrote for the newspaper. It remains fresh and sharp in my mind, my memory, my soul, my psyche. I knew Harold. I considered him a friend. I had seen him just before he disappeared and the group of friends who was gathered there with him had no clue whatsoever that we would never see him again alive or dead or in the flesh.

International Sources

Why Eco-Developers May Choose Belize Over Costa Rica
In the world of ecologically-conscious real estate development, Costa Rica has enjoyed favored status in the Americas for a few decades; however, the challenges of getting some of these projects started are prompting some eco-developers to look at friendlier jurisdictions such as Belize. As a real estate activity, eco-development is firmly established in Costa Rica, which means that the government has created a number of laws, rules and programs to control this business practice. It is easy to understand the government’s motivation in this regard; after all, the natural beauty of Costa Rica has become one of its greatest assets and drivers of gross domestic product. Nonetheless, some eco-developers see this deep involvement by the government as a bureaucratic and inflexible obstacle they must negotiate in order to carry out their projects. Unlike Costa Rica, the young Central American nation of Belize, which is a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations, does not challenge eco-developers with as many bureaucratic hazards, thereby allowing them to realize their projects with greater freedom. Let’s take a look at two examples:

Storms over Caribbean, Yucatan have low 5-day chance of forming tropical system
The National Hurricane Center is tracking a patch of disorganized showers and thunderstorms from the northwestern Caribbean Sea to Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, but gives it only a 10 percent chance of forming a tropical system over the next five days. The storms are associated with an upper-level trough of low pressure, said Hurricane Specialist Eric Blake and Senior Hurricane Specialist James Franklin in a 1 p.m. tropical weather outlook message. "This activity is expected to move northwestward into the southwestern Gulf of Mexico by late Sunday where development, if any, is unlikely due to strong upper-level winds," the message said.

Expect a rainy Saturday, cool Sunday
The Atlantic tropics are still pretty quiet. The National Hurricane Center is watching a tiny area of disturbed weather off the coast of Belize. The moisture is expected to push north across the Yucatan Peninsula, but it is unlikely we will see any tropical development. The Eastern Pacific is already on named storm number three Carlos. If you are planning a trip to Acapulco you may want to keep an eye out.

Oil Palm Causes “Environmental Disaster” in Guatemala, Group Says
A river in Guatemala has become the scene of an “environmental disaster” due to the runoff from oil palm plantations, the Latin American Network against Tree Monoculture, or Recoma, said Friday. The environmental damage was reported by local communities in May and gained public attention this week when thousands of dead fish appeared in the La Pasion River, located in Peten province, which borders Mexico and Belize. In a statement co-signed by 18 Latin American environmental groups, Recoma decried “the terrible ecological, social and environmental disaster affecting species and the ecosystem in the region, and also fishermen, villages and communities that use and benefit from the La Pasion River in Guatemala and Mexico.” Area residents say the Repsa oil palm company is responsible for polluting the river with chemical compounds. “Negative impacts of the oil palm agroindustry on ecosystems are numerous: the intensive use of toxic products dumped into water sources and the contamination caused by oxidation lagoons,” Recoma said.

Guyana’s PetroCaribe Fund almost bankrupt; no money to pay rice farmers
The PetroCaribe Fund that was set up as part of Guyana’s rice for oil arrangement with Venezuela is just about empty. And Minister of State in the Ministry of the Presidency Joseph Harmon says it means government will somehow have to find about US$15 million to pay rice farmers for the next shipment of rice to Venezuela. Harmon blamed the state of the fund on “the casual and, in some cases, very callous manner” in which the previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration dealt with the proceeds from the PetroCaribe arrangement. “The fund is almost bankrupt. There is nothing of it,” he told a post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday.

Videos

BELIZE SPEARFISHING, 3min. No views Buck visits an island off the coast of Belize for some spear fishing for Lion fish.

Belize Kids First celebrates anniversary, 3min.

BELIZE, CAYE CAULKER - STING RAY ISLAND. 2013, 1min.

TEENAGE PREGNANCY RATE IS HIGH IN BELIZE., 6min. Belize has a high rate of teenage pregnancies with the Cayo District showing the highest numbers in the country. This information comes from data gathered by the Go Belize Alumni Association, a nongovernmental organization focused on youth leadership in sexual and reproductive health in Belize. In an effort to curb the incidence of teenage pregnancies, GO Belize has embarked on a project called the GO Belize Advocacy Project, From Rights to Responsibility - Prevention through education. Through the initiative, the organization intends to implement comprehensive sexuality education in high schools in the Cayo district. The organization has launched its project with a four day training of trainers for the association’s alumni who will in turn implement the project on the ground. The training began yesterday in Orange Walk and focuses on advocacy and media.

Belize police CHANCY, 2.5min. A bunch of youths got together and did a song about police brutality in Belize and its pretty accurate. The message in this vid is powerful. Unu check it out.

Rappelling at Bocawina Park near Hopkins Belize, 3.5min. We travelled about 30 minutes from downtown Hopkins Belize to go zip lining at Mama Noots. At the midpoint we did a short Rappel off of one of the towers. This video captures the Rappel.

June 12, 2015

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3
Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials

The San Pedro Sun

It’s RAIN-ing Happy Hour!!
We are always looking for that fabulous deal that makes us both look good and feel good. One place guaranteed to do both is the gorgeous Rain Restaurant and Rooftop Terrace! Don’t believe me? Well, when you take the stunning vistas of both the reef and lagoon side, AND couple it with the chic setting of the rooftop setting, and delicious drinks at the bar, believe me – it’s good to spend Happy Hour at Rain. And, if you linger long enough, oh those sunsets are GLORIOUS! Most Happy Hours are restrictive, but Rain has made the deal so sweet, you get to taste some delicious appetizers at special prices AND enjoy 50% off their cocktails! Five gazillion coconut mojitos for me please!!

Caye Notes: Fundraising for Jerome Mejia and Al Anon Family Groups
The community is being asked to kindly render assistant to one of its own: Mr. Jerome Mejia. Mejia has a brain tumor and needs to undergo numerous tests to help him with his illness; for this reason he requires substantial financial assistance. Mr. Mejia approached the San Pedro Town Council for an official endorsement to solicit funds from the general public/business community (financial or otherwise). Any assistance granted to Mr. Jerome Mejia will be greatly appreciated. Persons wishing to contribute can do so via Atlantic Bank Account # 210591536 Thank you in advance for your kind contribution. Al Anon Family Groups will be starting a 12 step meeting on Wednesday evening at 5:00PM in the Catholic Church Hall. The first meeting will be June 17th.

Major Jade find at Nim Li Punit
Archaeologists are thrilled with a major discovery made at the Nim Li Punit Archeological Site that yielded a jade pendant believed to be one of greatest finds in Belize. Located in Indian Creek Village in the Toledo District, Nim Li Punit was undergoing excavation after the recent unearthing of a burial chamber in early May. The major find of 26 ceramic pots and several jade pieces was made on Saturday, May 23rd, and has been classified as one of the most important discoveries since the Jade Head at Altun Ha. The excavation at Nim Li Punit, commonly known as Big Hat, was being led by Dr. Geoffrey Braswell, anthropologist with the Mesoamerican Archaeology Laboratory at the University of California in San Diego, USA. The discovery location believed to be the burial chambers of kings and queens between the Maya Classic Period around 800 A.D. “We were excavating in the royal palace of the site where the kings and queens of Nim Li Punit who lived from about 400 A.D. until after 800 A.D. But the discovery that was really exciting came from a much later tomb that dates to about 800 A.D. In it we found 26 beautiful pots, the nicest of which are displayed at the visitors’ center in Nim Li Punit. We also found an incredible jade pectoral, a piece of jade that would be worn around the neck of Maya kings for their rituals,” said Braswell.

Food Drive a huge success
The drive started at 10AM and went through until around 2PM. Volunteers made their way to various participating stores and businesses where the collection took place. The participating establishments were: Super Buy, Rocks Grocery Store, Paradise Market, Almaza, Reef Radio and TV. Caye Mart, Ritchie’s and Mark’s, Island City, Super Buy South, Marina’s and Mermaid Store. Both cash and food items were collected, including pet food for Saga Humane Society. “Feeding the hungry means feeding our island animals as well, so it was a natural decision to include Saga Humane Society, the island’s only non profit full service veterinary clinic, in the event. Founded in 1999 SAGA Humane Society serves to improve the general health and well being of the domestic and wild animals of the island. Community means all of us, and that includes our animals.

Elias Zetina represents San Pedro at 21st Annual Coca Cola National Spelling Bee
The 21st Annual Coca Cola National Spelling Bee took place on Friday, June 5th at the Corozal Community College Auditorium. 12 of the brightest spellers from across all six districts of Belize converged to test their skills hoping to claim the title of top speller. Among them was San Pedro’s very own Elias Zetina from New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist School, who had placed second in the Belize District Finals. Unfortunately, Zetina did not take top prizes at National, nevertheless he sure made his community proud. Participants in this year’s National Spelling Bee were Lavern Coe from Toledo Christian Academy, Gavino Teul from Santa Cruz Roman Catholic Primary School, Adrianne Young from Shiloh Seven Day Adventist Primary School, Santiago Chub from Our Lady of Bella Vista Primary School, Shandel Parham from St. Ignatius Primary School, Jafet Munoz from Trail Farm Government Primary School, Aaliyah Leiva from Louisiana Government Primary School, Benita Caal from Kuxlin Ha Government Primary School, Laura Menedez from Buena Vista Government Primary School, Aimee Gonzalez from Corozal Nazarene Primary School, Mishtony Castillo from Christiline Gill Seventh Day Adventist Primary School and Zetina.

American Airline launches direct flight between PGIA and LAX
Belize continues to expand its airways, and as such, now has a direct flight to Los Angeles, California, USA. American Airlines (AA) held its first inaugural flight between Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BGIA) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday, June 6th. The addition of this new route is part of AA’s goal of further expanding its airline’s route network in Latin America. With this new flight, AA customers in Belize will have access to an extensive route network out of LAX, which includes more than 200 daily flights to more than 50 destinations throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Ambergris Today

Caye Caulke peace walk and candle vigil
Despite the bad weather, residents of Caye Caulker held a peace walk and candle vigil yesterday evening in observance of the death of Hilberto Sotz and against police brutality in the community. Two Caye Caulker Police Officers stand for murder charges.

San Pedro, Belize to Benefit from Study of At Risk Populations
The San Pedro neighborhood of San Mateo on Ambergris Caye, Belize has been identified as at risk by the Belize Red Cross Society. Flooding caused by tropical storms and hurricanes coupled with insufficient water and electric infrastructure has resulted in increased risk of fire and spread of disease. Belize Red Cross Director General, Lily Bowman suggested the area as the focus of a June 13-21, 2015 survey and research project, being made possible by Florida State University Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program (FSU EMHS). FSU EMHS, in partnership with the local Red Cross Society, is seeking to measure the water and sanitation situation of the San Mateo community and to assess storm vulnerabilities. The research project will include a site survey of the San Pedro neighborhood. The FSU team, which includes six researchers / graduate students plus faculty and staff, will travel June 13-21, 2015 to provide research survey technical assistance.

Wheel of Fortune Winners Cash in on Vacation at Ramon’s Village, San Pedro
This week, Ramon’s Village Resort, in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize welcomed Wheel of Fortune Grand Prize winner Dan Keyser and his wife Sharlene for a seven day/six night stay at the iconic beach resort. Ramon’s Village provided a Grand Prize for the famed Wheel of Fortune show, starring Pat Sajak and Vanna White, which included seven days/six nights accommodations, breakfast for two daily, a snorkel trip to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley and roundtrip airfare to Belize City with air transfers via Tropic Air to San Pedro. Dan and Sharlene have been busy exploring San Pedro, enjoying dining at Pineapples On The Beach, shopping at the Tiki Turtle Trading Company and of course snorkeling with Ramon’s Village Divers in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Ramon’s Village owners Richard & Gina Headrick, along with the legendary host of Ramon’s Mr. Ramon Nunez, welcomed the couple to San Pedro.

Misc Belizean Sources

Peace March on Caye Caulker
Caye Caulker Residents peacefully march after one of their residents, 18 year old Hilbert Sots was murdered inside a police station less than an hour after he returned to the island. Two officers have been arrested and charged for Sots murder. The peace march on Wednesday, June 10th follows the initial unrest on the island that brought out anger against the police. The residents of Isla Carinosa hopefully found peace while making corrupt officials know they will always stand up and march for justice.

Paint N Splash
Next Thursday at Crazy Canucks! Join us for "Toucan Falls"

Dangriga By-election (Including the areas of Hope Creek and Sarawee)
A By-election for the Dangriga Electoral Division (including the areas of Hope Creek and Sarawee) will take place on Wednesday, 8th July 2015. Polls will open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. Nominations for persons wishing to contest the election will be received on Monday, 22nd June, 2015 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. at the Dangriga Town Hall, Dangriga Town. Nomination forms can be obtained from the Elections and Boundaries Registration Office in Dangriga Town or Mr. Colin Griffith, Returning Officer, at the Customs and Excise Department, Ceasar Ridge Road, Belize City; or from Ms. Sylvia Usher, Election Clerk, at the Immigration and Nationality Department, Dry Creek Street, Belmopan City.

June 2015 The Placencia Breeze
INSIDE JUNE 2015 Page 5: Meet Tomas Gongara, aka DJ Dzl; June Flag Designer Knows Marketing, Sales and Parties Page 5: Editorial: We're Jipping the Lobster at Lobsterfest Page 6: Opinion: Will it Take Another Hurricane to Revive the Arts Association? Page 8: Thinking Outside the Box Page 9: Kitty Fox, 1946-2015 Page 10: Lobster Menu Page 11: Prizes in Placencia Lobsterfest Grand Raffle Expected to Draw Many Players Page 11: Official LobsterFest T-shirts Featuring Watercolor Painting Go on Sale; Winning Artist Says She is Humbled Page 11: Lionfish are Reef Stalkers Page 12: Take Placencia Lobsterfest to Your Kitchen Page 16-17: Community Events Briefs Page 23: Few Hurricanes Expected This Year in Caribbean; Still, Peninsula Residents Urged to Be Prepared Page 25: Could you be Love and be Loved? Page 28: Memories of Kitty Fox from Friends Old and New

Guatemala's Navy vessel will sleep on the Reef
Because night has set in the work has been postponed and the ship is still stuck on the barrier reef at the rear of Middle Caye in the Glovers Reef atoll. The Belize Coastguard will continue working on Friday morning to assist the Guatemalan vessel and crew. The Guatemalans were heading to Mexico in the merchant shipping lane when it ran aground on the reef. The vessel was not in international waters but in Belize waters. Typically the vessel's captain would be charged for damage to the reef. No information has been released to determine if the Guatemalans will be charged.

Summer Solstice Event at Marco Gonzalez Maya Site
If you want a magical time to celebrate the start of Summer, please drive south and join us in the Main Plaza of the Marco Gonzalez Archaeological Reserve. Mr. Choc, 87 year old K'iche Maya from the south in Belize, will be here to give the blessing to the site and all who attend for a peaceful and prosperous year. Hopefully he'll pray for good weather before arriving!!! The site is in a jungle environment, complete with Gods creatures large and small.......large is the black striped iguana and small are the mosquitoes - which we'll have at bay for the event. Yucatec Maya Mr. Moh will prepare a delicious Pibil (bury the pig) and tamale dinner to purchase. Wash it down with a cold Belikin or soft drink while enjoying the music and the San Pedro Dance Co. preforming traditional Maya dance. This is a FUNDRAISER for our Non-Profit Organization. Park fees will apply to Non-Residents and, since it's a Sunday when Belizeans/Residents are not charged, we will appreciate a donation in any amount. Come a bit early so you can make the 12 minute walk into the Plaza and not be late!

BOLEDO DRAWING for Thursday, June 11, 2015: 05. FANTASY 5: 28 4 37 26 32 T

5 VEHICLES HANDED OVER TO THE SP POLICE FORMATION
Today, June 11, 2015, is a positive day for San Pedro Town, the business community and the San Pedro Police Formation. Mayor Daniel Guerrero, on behalf of the San Pedro Town Council, and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture & Civil Aviation, officially presented the San Pedro Police Formation with a fleet of vehicles which consisted of: 1 Mitsubishi Montero, 1 Land Rover, 1 Toyota Tacoma and 2 Carryall Turf Club Car Golf Carts. The San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. are working hand in hand with the business community and the San Pedro Police Formation in acquiring these vehicles in their efforts to alleviate the crime situation in San Pedro Town. These vehicles are much needed by the San Pedro Police Formation and it will improve their effectiveness and efficiency during patrols. In his speech, Asst. Superintendent of Police (Officer Commanding Coastal Executive Unit) Mr. Henry Jemmott assured that these vehicles will be serviced regularly to ensure their durability and performance.

Cayo Wellness Symposium
The Belize Wellness Institute is having another great Wellness Symposium this Saturday. It'll be at the Maya Mountain Lodge, and will start at noon. They'll have over 20 businesses showing off their wellness related products.

Guatemalan Naval Ship
This Guatemalan Naval ship was heading to Mexico in the shipping channel. It ran aground on Wednesday night behind Middle Caye, which is located in the Glovers Reef Atoll. The Belize Coastguard had gone to rescue the soldiers from vessel. The coastguard remains on Middle Caye. They are working through the night to pull the vessel from the reef. The Coastguard will remain on Middle Caye for the night. The vessel was not in international waters but in Belize waters. Typically the vessel's captain would be charged for damage to the reef. No information has been released to determine if the Guatemalans will be charged.

WHEN CYCLING WAS KING: LET'S RECALL THESE CHAMPIONS!
Truly a nostalgic and epic cycling photo of the 1960's Belize cycling greats, and cycling memories that Belizeans of that era will never forget. Name these Belizean cycling champions?

WHEN WE WERE KINGS: A BELIZEAN SPRINTER NAME MORRIS!
When Belize's athletic history speak the names of Belize's legendary track athletes like Sonny Meighan, Colin Thurton, Harrison Pilgrim, Michael Hyde, Jude Lizama, and Father Henry (The Fly), the name Ernest Morris had not come up yet until he began to dominate Belize's Track & Field in the early 1970's as one of the most powerful sprinters that would come out of Belize of all times. Morris dominated the 100 and 200 meters with record time, and left an unbeatable record in both meets after his migration from Belize in the mid 1970's. A powerful sprinter like Ben Johnson out of the blocks, he had beaten some of the aforementioned sprinters that came before him, and became the new athlete on the block.

JOE WAGNER & WE'VE COME A LONG WAY!
It touched my soul to be writing this about one of Belize's most outstanding songwriters of all times, the legendary Joe Wagner, and the father of the legendary Belizean vocalist, Micheal Wagner. It burns like fire when you think about all the Belizean artists, sports athletes, and public figures who has given so much to Belize, and never even got a word of recognition for their honorable contribution. So, it will be short to say that Joe Wagner was remembered for the genius that hid within his struggle to make good music, that we have not seen one bit of today in today's generation of Belizean artists, particularly in songs like, We've Come A Long Way, that became one of Belize's most celebrated patriotic songs of all times. Your spirit lives on brother Joe. Always and forever.

AT AGE 14, FAITH MORRIS IS THE YOUNGEST BELIZEAN ATHLETE COMPETING IN THE 2015 CENTRAL AMERICAN & CARIBBEAN GAMES!
Belizean athelete, Faith Morris is the youngest Belizean athlete to compete in the 2015 Central American & Caribbean Games that will be kicking off this month. The young rising Belizean track athlete is the daughter of Belizean athletic coach, Ernest Morris, who had coached and conditioned many Belizean athletes over the years in preparation for the many athletic competitions that Belize had sent to Central American track meets over the years. Coach Morris also became one of Belize's most respected conditional coaches in Belize's football. Faith Morris will compete in the 100, 200 and 400 meters in this year's Central American & Caribbean Games. The picture here taken with Morris practicing on the hurdles, was taken in 2010 when Morris was only 11 years old. Belizean Legends sends a big shout out to Belize's youngest athlete in this year's Central American & Caribbean Games, Faith Morris.

Introduction to Birding and Bird Identification
Just finished one more "Introduction to Birding and Bird Identification" Course for Tour Guides and Tourism Establishments. This time at the magical Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge. Too many good birds... it asks for a second course. However, the birds were only half my highlight. This is officially the funniest team I have worked with! Quite the mix of tough Jungle Master dudes and inspiring female guides. — with Ella Baron and Darrel Smith at Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge.

Channel 7

Planning For Belize Victory Against DR
Belize beat the Dominican Republic "2-1" three hours ago in Santo Domingo. It was a thrilling game, and a tremendous win for Belize. 7News was there with the team - and we'll have their post-game reactions shortly. But they say they key to success is preparation, and that started this morning at the courtyard Marriot in Santo Domingo -when the team had its last strategy session -Jules Vasquez was allowed to sit in:.. Jules Vasquez reporting This morning at 9:00 the team gathered in a hotel conference room for an X's and O's session. In a very thorough 90-minute meeting, Assistant Coach Charlie Slusher outlined a detailed game plan - but more than just X's and 0's, he urged them to seize the moment: Charlie Slusher, Assistant Coach "Life could be hard on us, if we don't handle ourselves today." Slusher also went over what the coaching staff wanted on the defensive and offensive ends. He also warned them against bad habits.

The Jaguars Won!
At around 2 p.m. this afternoon in the Dominican Republic, the Belize National Team, the Jaguars, took to the football pitch to face off against that country's national team and after 90 minutes of play time, plus injury time, the Jaguars managed to defeat the DR Team 2 goals to 1. It's a huge victory, and Belize's two goals were scored by the country's premier striker, Deon McCauley, who put one behind the net early in the first half. The Dominican Republic manage to sneak one past Belize Goal Keeper Shane Orio, but late in the game, McCauley made a repeat performance gave Belize a 2 second goal. 7New Director Jules Vasquez is in the Dominican Republic right now, and right after the game, he got a reaction from the players about the big time performance they put on get this result. Here's what they had to say: Deon McCauley, Scored 2 Goals "The first goal was a penalty. Thank God that the ball rebound back in my path and I ended up putting the ball in the back of the net and the other goal late in the game that was wonderful. A wonderful pass from Evan Mariano on the right wing and I was able to displace the goal keeper and the defender and put the ball in open goal. That's just a striker's instinct in the last moment of any game. We have to try and still win the game no matter what score it is."

Guatemalan Vessel Grounded On Belize Reef
A Guatemalan Navy Gun Ship has run aground on the reef in Belize's southern waters. The report was received early this morning, and after a three hour boat ride to the site, the Coast Guard officers found this ship near Glover's Reef, where it had run aground. That's way inside Belizean territorial waters, and like the general public, and it has raised, eyebrows, alarms and the nation's collective blood pressure. After all, what were the Guatemalans doing in Belizean waters, and how did they end up on the reef? This morning, we spoke to National Security CEO George Lovell, who had received a briefing from the Coast Guard. Here's what he told us: George Lovell - CEO, Ministry of National Security "The Coast Guard was informed that there was a vessel on our reef off Glover's reef in the vicinity of Middle Caye. Immediately our Coast Guard officials centered sent out patrols into area to confirm the reports of this grounded vessel which was confirmed that there is a vessel a Guatemalan Coast Guard vessel with markings GC651 on that vessel. When we went to the ground we also observed that there was a second vessel that was in close proximity to where this vessel went aground and we were then concerned. we got in touch with Ministry of Foreign Affairs who in turn got in touch with our Guatemala counterparts and they informed us that the vessels where destined to go to La Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Our Coast Guard that were on the ground had an opportunity to speak to the crew of the Guatemalan Coast Guard vessel and they confirmed that yes they were heading to Mexico. They claimed that they had lost steering and that they drifted unto the reef."

Police Commissioner Comments On Caye Caulker Craziness
Last night, we showed you the two police officers who were criminally charged with murder for the death of Caye Caulker teenager Hilberto Sotz. We also spoke with Police Minister John Saldivar who spoke candidly about the culture of police brutality and abuse that led to such a heinous death. Well there is more to add tonight the Police Department has both publicly apologized Sotz's family for his death while in the Caye Caulker Police Station. A press release sent late yesterday from the Commissioner of Police. He informed that Leonard Nunez Police Constable # 628 and Hallet King, Police Constable # 819 were arrested and charged with murder, and that they have been arraigned and remanded. More than that, he added that they have been charged with displinary offences as well. There are now 3 others who have been immediately placed on interdiction, and they are WPC #1107 Bernadette Ramos, PC #1932 Edilberto Patt, Corporal Kirby Palma who was serving as the Officer in Charge of Caye Caulker Police. They were on duty at the time that Hilberto Sotz was detained, and it is suspected - but currently unproven - that they may have stood by and let the alleged abuse and torture to happen without question.

Petrocaribe's 10th Anniversary
Today was the 10th anniversary of the PetroCaribe agreement between the Government of Venezuela and the Government of Belize. Now, whenever you say that word the United Democratic Party is quick to remind how that funding has been the pillar of all the construction programs around the country. The PUP, on the other hand, is quick to condemn it for what they say is wanton and unnecessary spending of moneys in questionable programs. But the Government was buttoned all way up when they received the Venezuelan ship known as "Simon Bolivar" with a contingent of Venezuelan Navy Personnel. Officials from the Foreign Ministry, the National Security Ministry, the Belize Coast Guard, the Governor General, other Government Officials held a ceremony for the Venezuela officers and their Ambassador to Belize.

APBEL Receives The Venezuelans With A Friendly Gesture
From there, the Venezuelans went over to the Coney Drive Office of APBEL to greet with the Government officials in that company, who manage the PetroCaribe Finance which comes in every month. An informal social event was set up for the officers in commemoration of the 10 anniversary of the agreement. We stopped by and spoke with the accountant about the importance of such a gesture: Hernan Herrera - Accountant, APBEL "It's a great appreciation what these Venezuelans are doing, first of all for the Petrocaribe program. They came here for a couple days and their primary objective was to pass by the Caribbean and come by Belize and of course there are this solidarity between Belize and our company. They're just passing by in essence." Daniel Ortiz "Talk to us about what you all have done here for this event. What is its purpose?"

Venezuelan Ambassador Comments On Petro Spending
From there, the Venezuelan Navy hosted the press on their sprawling and luxurious vessel known as "Buque Escuela Simon Bolivar". We show you a bit of that ship, but that trip aboard afforded us an opportunity to speak with the Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize about the controversial positions when discussing PetroCaribe spending. Recently, Education Minister Patrick Faber came under fire for announcing that he took his Collet Constituents to Corozal for a family day of swimming and fun, a bill which the PetroCaribe Funds covered. We asked the Ambassador if his Government assesses that kind of spending as either good or bad. He told us that this kind of judgment goes against the principles of the program to question a sovereign nation: H.E Yoel Perez Marcano - Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize "Rules for the Petrocaribe agreement are very much different from those of the IMF and the World Bank. We don't supervise. We don't control. We don't decide for a sovereign country. We issue our opinions. We put forward recommendations. We proposed initiatives, but always in the framework of respect for the sovereignty and of the dignity of our sister countries which are part of Petrocaribe."

Dangriga Police Make Headway in Pattnet Murder
Dangriga police made a major break in the Ralston Pattnet murder case. Police found a 12 gauge gun along with 34 cartridges in the area. Apart from that major find, police have the main suspect in custody along with several others. Charges will be brought against at least one of the suspects. Police believe that this was a burglary turn murder. Apparently, the assailants were burglarizing the house he was maintaining for his American friend on Commerce Bight Road and Pattnet arrived at the same time. That's when Pattnet was shot and then burnt in his vehicle. It happened on Wednesday June 8that around 12:13 in the afternoon. Police responded to a fire on the Commerce Bight Road and that's when Pattnet's charred remains were found in the vehicle.

City Hall Distributes Land To It's Employees
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley has intentions to leave that office and become an elected area representative, but he's still looking after the interest of staffers at City Hall. He's been working on a land program for those employees for several months and today at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall those new land owners found out today how the program will work. The Mayor explained the process: Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City "This is something that we've been working on from last year and the City Council had acquired from the Ministry of Natural Resources 57 acres of land at mile 14 and we've been working through the process of getting lease then getting title then doing the subdivision and dealing with the clearing of the lots and so what we're doing today is that we're doing a random draw because again what we have identified is that it's something we want to do to reward long service. We started. We didn't know exactly how much parcels of land we we're going to get so we started with the employee who worked for the longest that's Miss Cynthia Nunez.

Aboard The Simon Bolivar
As we told you earlier, the Venezuela ship Buque Esquela Simon Bolivar is in Belizean waters for in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the PetroCaribe agreement between Belize and Venezuela. That ship arrived with a contingent of Naval Officers from that country, and 7News as invited aboard to meet it's captain and crew as a part of today's celebration. Here's what the lead naval officer told us about his ship: Navy officer Gines Anaguren Santana - Captain, Simon Bolivar Vessel "We are much honored to represent the Republic of Venezuela and we for the first time are here in your country Belize. We have the honor and distinction of sailing through your waters for the first time and we look forward to also have more training for our personnel in your beautiful waters. Just a description of the ship: we have 4 ports in the upper section and then 2 upper ports in the second section to the back. I am very grateful to the government of Belize for opening this opportunity for us to be here with you and they have received with open arms and we are very grateful. We offer we our schedule, we left Venezuela on the 23rd May. Our first phase was a stop in Barbados, just before coming to Belize. Our next port of call will be Cuba, then Jamaica and then we go back to Venezuela."

Putting Belize's Kids First
The fledgling organization Belize Kids First held an award ceremony to honor students who are beneficiaries of their programs, and those who have been keeping up with the requirements to keep qualifying for it. They asked us to drop by to meet these persons and hear their stories of overcoming difficult trials, and so we did. Here's what the leaders of the organizers told us:

Prosthetics For The Differently Abled
Yesterday, an international organization was helping differently abled persons at Helpage with prosthetics to replace lost limbs, and we dropped by to see the good work that they were doing. Here's what they told us:

Justin Avila - The Football Super Fan
Belize won on the field today in Santo Domingo but they had help from a secret weapon. That's Justin Avila, a Belizean American businessman from Naples Florida. Justin isn't a big time name in sports sponsorship - but he is, without doubt, the biggest fan of the Belize Jaguars. Since 2006 he's been following the team on every major international outing; he flies from his home in Florida to meet them. But, he doesn't just cheer lead in the stands - he provides key logistics and support. For example, in Santo Domingo, he got there one day before the team, made sure the rooms they got were close together, put gallons of water in each player's room - and rented a car to basically be the team's run man. He gets nothing out of it, nothing form FIFA or the FFB. So why does he do it, well, as he explains he is just the Belize team's biggest fan... Jules Vasquez "You came to us all on your personal timing, on your personal expense. Why do you do it?" Justin Avila - Team Belize SUPERFAN "That's a good question. I do it because I think that there's one place that I was born and that's Belize and I realize that the team always needs help and I think that back home we didn't have the kind of help that we need. Is sounds like a controversy, but it's the honest to God truth - the team is always underfunded.

Keeping The Team Focused For Game 2 Against DR
Super striker Deon McAuley scored two goals - and we must now wait for the return match on Sunday at the FFB Stadium to see if Belize can make history by advancing to the third round of group play. But, a lot can go wrong between then and now when the team returns home to ecstatic fans. This evening in Santo Domingo Jules Vasquez asked the head of delegation, FFB Vice President Marlon Kuylen what they will do to make sure the team doesn't celebrate before Sunday's victory is secure: Jules Vasquez "You all are going back to Belize now. How do you feel about managing the team, because when you get home there will be elation and you can easily fall into that and '[boy] let us party'. How do you contain these guys and keep them focus for the real game that comes this Sunday." Marlon Kuylen - FFB VICE PRESIDENT "We don't even have to wait until we're home Jules. These guys want to celebrate now as it is. We are the Dominican Republic, but we are all focused. They know that the job isn't done. Yes, this is a huge victory but we have to go out there Sunday and at least draw or preferably win again. So when we get back home to Belize, in fact we're staying here at the hotel tonight. Nobody's going out tonight. When we get back to Belize, we'll book them into a hotel and we'll have them there until Sunday. After we play the match then we can celebrate but in the meantime everybody's focus on the job at hand."

GUATEMALAN NAVAL VESSEL GROUNDS ON REEF NEAR MIDDLE CAYE
CEO of National Security, Rt'd Colonel George Lovell, has confirmed to News 5 that about 1:30 am this morning, he was informed that a Guatemalan naval vessel with markings GC 671 was lodged on our reef in the vicinity of Glovers Reef off Middle Caye. He informed us that our coastguard officials are on the ground and a team is being put together to assess the damages and determine how best to remove the vessel. It is possible that Guatemalan tug boats may be used. Lovell says a claim will be lodged with the Guatemalan government if there are damages to the reef. He says that according to the Guatemalans, the naval vessel was headed up North towards Mexico when the ship lost steering and drifted from of their course into Belize's reef. This will be investigated by a Belizean team as well.

Channel 5

Guatemalan Coast Guard Vessel Runs Aground Near Glovers Reef
What is a Guatemalan naval gunboat, unauthorized at that, doing in Belizean waters? That was the million dollar question after reports surfaced early this morning. Coming on the heels of an [...]

What Was It Doing In Belizean Waters Anyway?
According to C.E.O. Lovell, Mexican officials have confirmed that the Guatemalan coast guard vessel was indeed on its way to the small island town. To allay concerns that may arise [...]

Environmental Damages to be Assessed In Wake of Grounding
So here are the facts – a Guatemalan vessel is in Belizean waters, but preliminary investigations are that it is not a voluntary presence. Mike Rudon was on the site [...]

Belize Defeats DR to Take Game One of Home and Away Series
The Belize Jaguars did us proud today as they edged out the Dominican Republic’s national football team in a match aired exclusively on this station. Super striker Deon McCauley continues [...]

2 Men Arrested for Murder of Fireman in Dangriga
As we told you on Wednesday night, Dangriga Police recovered the shotgun used and detained suspects in the latest homicide of that municipality. Well, we can confirm that two men [...]

Demonstration Following Arraignment of Caye Caulker Cops
Two policemen, Constables Hallet King and Leonard Nunez, were charged with the murder of eighteen-year-old Hilberto Sotz on Wednesday. And as we told you on Wednesday night, three others have [...]

Fate of Stake Bank Project to be Decided by Supreme Court
Prime Minister Dean Barrow had been trying to fight it off, meeting with multiple parties in Miami and Belize over the past few weeks. But the case of developer of [...]

Developer Michael Feinstein Comments on Stake Bank Project
For developer Michael Feinstein, it has been nothing but a series of headaches since the project began. The enabling legislation to start the project is delayed due to the lawsuit [...]

Honduran National Arraigned on Immigration Offenses
A Honduran man enjoyed a short stint of free passage in Belize before he was nabbed by immigration officials at the Novelo’s Terminal in Belize City this morning. Thirty-six-year-old Yony [...]

Teens Charged with Theft Given Option to Join Apprenticeship Program
Two teenage friends have been given the choice of attending and completing the apprenticeship program or spending time behind bars after one of them pleaded guilty to theft today. Eighteen-year-old [...]

Bye-election in Dangriga is Set for July Eighth
The date for the Dangriga bye-election has been set for Wednesday, July eighth. Nomination day will held on Monday, June twenty-second for persons interested in contesting the election. Those wishing [...]

Quality Infrastructure for Agriculture Sector…
A national dialogue on the importance of quality infrastructure to the agricultural sector was hosted in Belize today. Agriculture, as it stands, accounts for fourteen percent of the Gross Domestic [...]

…Where Does Belize Currently Stand?
With the assistance from the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality, agricultural stakeholders from both the public and private sector gathered to devise a priority list to put in [...]

Petrocaribe Celebrates Tenth Anniversary in Belize
The tenth anniversary of the Petrocaribe initiative was commemorated today in Belize City with a brief ceremony held at the Memorial Park. The oil alliance which is made up of [...]

How Prepared is NEMO this Hurricane Season?
The rains have started in earnest, and while the 2015 Hurricane Season is forecast as less than average, that does not mean that disaster will not strike. Are we prepared [...]

Healthy Living Looks at Hypertension Control
World Hypertension Day is celebrated annually on May seventeenth. This year, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization are urging that you pay more attention to blood [...]

CTV3

DEO Emphasizes On District Performance Rather Than Individual Performance
The Primary School Examinations results are in as we have reported before Orange Walk has performed the best across the country followed by Corozal. Schools are in the process of analyzing their performance as is the Orange Walk District Education Center. District Education Manager Carla Alvarez says that these results are subject to change as each school goes over the results. “We are still within the time where schools can make protests and queries and so on that is why we keep on saying that this is just the preliminary reports because it could change, in past years we had experienced where it has changed for some school in terms of the number of points that some students get and so on but the preliminary analysis shows that as usual we have topped the country in terms of performing best overall and also we have performed the best in all subjects, I know that some principals feel a bit discourage that we did not meet the national top 25 list but as I mention to them and I keep on emphasizing we need to focus as a district more on the school performance and stop focusing on individual students yes it is good that we have students that they have done well and we need to applaud them and we need to showcase that they have done well but we need to focus on school overall performance and that is what interest me more than anything.”

DEM Speaks On The Importance Of Literacy At Lower Level In Schools
As in other districts Math and English continue to be the more problematic subject areas for students sitting the Primary School Examinations in Orange Walk. This trend again presented itself as the district education center officials continue to analyze the preliminary results of the exams. District Education Manager Carla Alvarez says students continue to have difficulties scoring high grades in the problem solving section of the math exam. “Problem solving continues to be a problem and then it goes back to literacy, we need to ensure that our students know how to read, they might know how to solve the problem but if they don’t know how to read the question because it is wordy questions so if they can’t read the problem they can’t solve the problem and what a lot of schools continue to do is that they continue to read out the problems to the students and when the time comes for PSE the teacher is not there to read the question so we need to really move away from things like that and again it goes back to the fact that we need as a district to work on literacy on the reading and building that foundation from the very early and putting our bet teachers and most qualified teachers at the lower division; teaching them how to read, teaching them fluency and proper pronunciation and things like that.”

Belize National Team Victorious Over Dominican Republic
Belize’s National Football Team played their first game today for the second round of the World Cup Eliminations. They faced the team from Dominican Republic in Dominica Republic. And at the end of the whistle Team Jaguars did not let down its fans as they won the game two one. Both goals were scored by Belize’s striker Deon McCaulay. Here are the highlights of the match. On Sunday team Belize will once again go against Dominican Republic this time at the FFB Staduim in Belmopan. The game starts at 4:00pm.

LOVE FM

Belize Works toward Laboratory to Certify Quality of Locally Made Goods
The Belize Bureau of Standards in collaboration with the CARICOM regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) with the support from the German Metrology Institute, PTB, hosted a workshop today on promoting dialogue between the national Quality Infrastructure and the Agriculture sector in Belize. The initiative is to build awareness and understanding of the significance […]

Venezuelan Ambassador Comments on the Spending of PetroCaribe Funds
And while the initiative is celebrating the tenth anniversary, in Belize there has been many concerns raised especially from the opposition, People’s United Party and some social partners about how the monies are being used. Today Venezuelan Ambassador, Joel Perez Marcano was asked whether the Venezuelan Government is concerned about how the money is used […]

10-Year Celebration of PetroCaribe Brings Venezuelans to Belize
An official ceremony marking the tenth anniversary of PetroCaribe was conducted this morning at the Memorial Park in Belize City. Incidentally, a Venezuelan vessel, Simon (see-mon) Bolivar is in Belize’s waters with the presence of several military personnel and diplomats. Addressing the gathering this morning was Belize’s Ambassador to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Her […]

Guatemala’s Coast Guard Will Be Fined for Damages to the Reef
With this incident happening less than two weeks after the incident at Sarstoon Island in southern Belize, all eyes are on the Government of Belize to see just how they will respond. The keen attention from Belizeans comes after it was widely believed that Belize’s response to the Sarstoon incident on May 28 was meek […]

Southern Border Indigenous Communities Meet to Discuss Peace
Maya Q’eqchi leaders of Belize were in Peten, Guatemala for a 3-day trip to meet with their neighbors in southern Peten to discuss ideas and talk on efforts to unite on issues surrounding the environment, social and economic problems, particularly in the border area with Belize and Guatemala. The three day visit began in Poptun, […]

Elections and Boundaries Lays Out Timeline for Bi-Elections
With the recent announcement of the upcoming bi-elections for the Dangriga electoral division which includes the areas of Hope Creek and Sarawee, personnel have been busy making preparations for the elections process. The department issued a press release today relevant to those who wish to contest the bi-elections as well as voters of the division. […]

Bradley Awards Council Employees with House Lots
Fifty seven acres of land along mile 14 on the George Price Highway has been sub-divided into two hundred and seventeen plots of measurements 80 by 100. The land was acquired from the Ministry of Natural Resources by the Belize City Council as part of the council’s Employee Land Program which was initiated last year. […]

How Secure are Belizeans in Belize?
One of the questions that arose out of the entire incident of the Guatemalan vessel being able to come in our waters, particularly, in the still of the night when Belize was sleeping, was what level of national security does the country have in terms of monitoring those who are approaching or have come into […]

Guatemalan Military Vessel Runs Aground on Glover’s Reef
Just before midnight last night six Belizeans, five men and a woman, who were stationed at Glover’s Reef were alarmed at the sound of a loud bang in the area. Upon further inspection of the source of the disturbance, it was then that the two Fisheries Officers who approached the area first, found out that […]

PlusTV

Family demands justice for son’s beating death
A post-mortem examination conducted on Tuesday afternoon in Belize City confirmed the worst fears of the family of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz, the teenager detained by Caye Caulker police on Monday and found to have died while in their custody...

Petrocaribe “explained” by Senator Hulse
In the wake of revelations by Minister of Education and Collet representative Patrick Faber during a political convention on Sunday that Petrocaribe funds were spent on a jaunt by constituents to Corozal, those fighting for law and order have come out swinging, contending that such spending was not ...

Garifuna community wants communal land rights
PlusTv visited the beautiful village of Hopkins last Friday where the village council and concerned villagers gathered to share with us several issues they are having with Central Government...

Immigration Minister defends GOB actions at Sarstoon
Prime Minister Dean Barrow recently shrugged off reporters asking him about his reported order to extract Belize National Coast Guard personnel from Sarstoon Island near the southern border with Guatemala after an apparent stand-off with Guatemalan Coast Guard personnel...

Fate of Marcel Cardona soon to be determined
We have been reporting on attorney and former Orange Walk East area representative Marcel Cardona, who faces a year’s suspension from practicing the legal profession after the General Legal Council determined that he had set out to pervert the course of justice and allegedly conspire with and bribe ...

En Croix School of Dance preps for annual production
On Thursday June 11th the En Croix school of Dance, in Belmopan will be having its annual end of year production and they are inviting everyone to come out and support their young ballerinas ages 2 to 15 who have been diligently practicing their twirls, leaps and pointés to put off a good performan...

BWS launches water system for Belize River Valley
Villages of the Belize River Valley from Scotland Halfmoon to Rancho Dolores have had to make do with the increasingly iffy water source of the mighty Belize Old River that gives the valley its name...

Two Officers Charged for Murder of Caye Caulker teen
And it seems the family of 18 year old Hilberto Sotz, will not have to wait around too long for justice to be served as authorities are charging two of their own with first degree murder. They are Police Constables Nelson Nunez and Hallet King...

Guatemalan Caught With Mayan Jade Artefact.
Orange Walk Police detained one man of Guatemalan Nationality, pending charges for the illegal possession of a Maya jade artefact. The artefact is suspected to be Maya ceremonial chain with a jade pendant typical worn by the High priests of the ancient Maya...

The Guardian

Teenager killed in police custody
Residents of Caye Caulker Village took the streets of that island on the evening of Monday, June 8 and rioted after they got the news that 18 year-old Hilberto Sotz died while being detained for questioning in connection with a burglary. That break-in happened on Sunday, and in an effort to try to solve it, the police started rounding up suspects and persons of interest. Multiple persons say that Sotz was away from the island when this incident happened, and so he couldn’t have been connected to it. They and his father, Saturino Sotz, assert that he arrived on the island early on Monday morning because he was away at his high school in Belmopan. Nevertheless, police picked him up that same morning, and detained him in connection with the burglary. Now, the two versions of what happened to him while he was in lockdown are as different as night is to day. Residents, family and friends say that they have been informed by inside sources that Sotz was brutalized by officers as a plastic bag was placed over his head. They say that he suffocated to death because of the treatment of the police officers whose care he was in. They further accuse the police of trying to cover up their actions by rushing him to the community’s health center in an attempt to get the doctor on duty to declare that he died there instead of inside the police station.

Papa Mena to be new Dangriga representative - by election set for July 8
Dangriga, Hope Creek and Sarawee will be going into a by-election on Wednesday, July 8, 2015. This follows the resignation of up until Monday June 8, the representative for the Dangriga Constituency, Hon. Ivan Ramos. In a release by government it states that, “his Excellency, the Governor General, Sir Colville Young, has issued a Writ of Election for holding a By-Election in the Dangriga, Hope Creek and Sarawee Electoral Division to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Area Representative, Hon. Ivan Ramos.” The release goes on to state that, “the nomination day will be Monday, June 22nd, 2015 and the place of nomination of candidates will be the Dangriga Town Hall. The By-Election will be held on Wednesday, July 8th, 2015.” The stage is now set for Frank ‘Papa’ Mena to take Dangriga as its new Area Representative. Mena has been very active in the constituency since he was elected as Standard Bearer for Dangriga on January 26, 2014. He has been the prime mover of the development that has been taking place in Dangriga and even before this he was one of the best Mayors that the municipality had seen. He held that position from 2006 to 2009.

2 cops charged for murder of Caye Caulker student
Police officers, 32 year old Police Constable #819, Hallet King, and Detective Constable, #628, Leonard Nunez, 43, both residents of Caye Caulker were taken to Magistrate’s court in Belize City where they were charged with murder. The charges against both officers are in connection with the death of 18 year old student Hilberto Sotz who died while in the custody of Caye Caulker police on Monday June 8(see story on page...). a post mortem examination on Sotz’s body certified that he died of Vascular Shock, Pronounced Massive Heart Thrombosis and Acute Post Traumatic Cerebral Oedema, basically he had been subjected to physical abuse prior to his death. Both men were brought to Magistrate’s Court by CIB head, Hilberto Romero and within a couple of minutes they were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith after which they were remanded to custody until July 14, 2015. They were then quickly escorted to an awaiting police van for immediate remand to the Belize Central Prison.

18 of top 26 PSE performers are from private schools, why?
Gabriel Pope of Bernice Yorke Institute of Learning is the most outstanding performer in this year’s Primary School Examinations. Placing second was Carrel Moralez of San Narciso R.C. school and Third was Sahil Hotchandani of Belize Elementary. Pope scored 386 out of a possible 400 points, 96.5%. He is one of seven students from Bernice Yorke ranked amongst the top 25 P.S.E. candidates in the country this year. Not to be outdone is the Belize Elementary School which also has seven students ranked amongst the top 25 P.S.E. performers. Such outstanding performances by these institutions have the rest of the nation asking what exactly are Bernice Yorke Institute and Belize Elementary doing that our public schools aren’t. If the three students from Hummingbird Elementary are added to this list then that is 17 out of the top 26 P.S.E. scores coming from three private schools (6th best score from Shepherd’s Academy would make it 18 of 26). Why are private schools more effective institutes of learning than public/church institutions? Many who have studied the operations of private and public schools believe it is not even fair to compare the two with test scores. Former US Congressman Dennis Moor says, “when comparing private school and public school test scores, it's like apples and oranges. Public schools have to take everyone, but private schools can be selective.” This may be true but selectivity is definitely not the issue in Belize. Private schools here pretty much accepts anyone who can afford to attend. There is no entrance test for primary school students in Belize; therefore, the private schools cannot select the smarter infants. Still, those who attend private schools are far more likely to excel academically than those who attend public/church schools. Why is this?

Krismar Espinosa convicted of manslaughter of female minor
A jury of eight men and four women found Krismar Espinosa guilty of manslaughter in the death of Rachel Chun on Wednesday, June 3. Chun was killed on September 14, 2007 in Orange Walk Town. Her body was discovered by police shortly after 10 p.m. on September 16, 2007, when police were led to an unfinished concrete house on Santa Familia Street where they found her decomposing body. Chun’s head was smashed with a cement block which fractured her skull and jaw. Police investigations resulted in the arrest and charge of Espinosa. The jury for Espinosa’s trial before Justice Herbert Lord was selected on April 15, 2015. During the trial, two pastors testified that the accused went to their house on the night of September 16, 2007 and confessed that he had killed Chun and left her body at the house on Santa Familia Street in Orange Walk Town. According to the two pastors, they then advised Espinosa to turn himself in to the police. The two pastors then went to report the matter to police and led Cpl. Elron Carcamo to the scene of the crime. In trial, three witnesses identified Espinosa as the last person seen with the deceased on September 14, 2007.

Edward Flowers arraigned for assault with a Firearm
Businessman Sanjay Pilgrim, 29, is accusing Gill Street resident Edward Flowers, 26, of pulling a gun at him and threatening his life. Flowers appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Monday, June 8, to answer to a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm upon Sanjay Pilgrim. He was unrepresented when Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith read the charge. Sanjay Pilgrim told police that he was at home on Freetown Road at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, when Flowers approached and pointed a gun at him. Police responded to reports of an incident on Freetown Road and saw Flowers walking away from the scene when they arrived. He was detained and taken to the police station to be charged.

Phillip Neal, 45, charged for a number of burglaries and theft
Phillip Neal was granted bail for two counts of theft on Thursday, June 4, but that was taken away shortly after when he was brought back before the court an hour later to answer to two counts of burglary. On Thursday Neal was taken before Senior Magistrate Sharon Fraser to answer to two counts of theft. Allegations are that on May 17 he stole a sack of rice, an ice cooler, a live chicken, assorted meats and electronic items from Chinese businessman Yuan Sheng He. Then on June 1 he allegedly stole two car batteries belonging to Bjana Bradley. He was unrepresented in court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. There was no objection to bail by court prosecutor, Inspector Hector Rodriguez; even though police say Neal was caught on surveillance camera. Bail was offered in the sum of $3,000 plus one surety of the same amount.

Wababa Zee Noralez remanded for attempted burglary
Wababa Noralez, 27, who beat a murder charge for the 2007 shooting of Kurlin Felix is tonight at the Belize Central Prison on remand for attempted burglary. Noralez was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, June 8, for attempting to burglarize the home of Carolyn Neal, 35, at #14 Baracat Street, Belize City. Noralez appeared unrepresented in court but told the Chief Magistrate that he will be represented by Audrey Matura-Shepherd who was a no show. He said police told him they were picking him up for a murder then they charged him with attempted burglary. He claims police are targeting him and that the victim fabricated the story. Noralez then pleaded not guilty to the charge when he was told that he can put up his defense during trial. Chief Magistrate Smith chose to defer bail consideration for June 19, 2015. Until then, Noralez will be held on remand at the Belize Central Prison.

Former Fire Chief killed in Dangriga
Fifty one year-old Ralston Patnett, the former Fire Chief, was brutally killed in Dangriga on Monday, June 8, 2015. To make matters worse, his attackers then burnt his body in a car, possibly in an attempt to destroy evidence. Police arrived at the scene on the Commerce Bight Road at around midday. What they found at the location was Pattnet’s charred remains. His vehicle was parked right in front of a house that he maintained for his American friend. Right now, investigators believed that he was just about to get out of the car, when the person or persons shot him to death and set him on fire. Pattnet was a dedicated public servant, and his disturbing murder has shocked the community. His sister has indicated to the press that one possible motive is a land dispute he was involved in. He was transferred as Fire Chief from Orange Walk to Stann Creek, but he applied for early retirement.

Michael Rowland charged for death of his brother
Michael Anthony Rowland, 42, was charged for killing his brother on Monday, June 8. According to police reports, on February 17, 2014, Michael Anthony Rowland reported to police that his brother, Lester Eduardo Yorke, 61, went missing. After the report was made, police investigation led to the discovery of Yorke’s body inside a concrete vat at his residence, #20 Guerrero Street. Police learnt shortly after that the last time Yorke was seen alive he and his brother, Michael Rowland, had a misunderstanding. Rowland had admitted that he pushed his brother and as a result he fell to the ground and went unconscious. Allegations are that Rowland then placed his brother’s body into the concrete vat and left him there. This altercation occurred on February 7, 2014, and Yorke’s body was found in the vat on February 17, ten days later, in an advanced state of decomposition.

Denfield Tasher Jr. on Remand for Pulling Gun
Denfield Tasher Jr., 26, is at the Belize Central Prison on remand for allegedly pulling a gun at Mark Anthony Rocke, 26, and threatening to kill him. Tasher was unrepresented when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Anne Marie Smith on Monday, June 8. He was read a single charge of aggravated assault with a firearm and pleaded not guilty to the offense. According to police report, at about 2:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, Denfield Tasher pulled up at CNC Meat Shop in the Michael Finnegan Market. Rocke, who works at the shop as a butcher, told police that Tasher approached him with a gun in the right side of his pants front and said, “Ah wah kill yuh right now ahn go back dah jail”. According to Rocke, Tasher had his finger on the trigger of the gun which made him fearful for his life. Rocke went to report the matter to police shortly after the incident and Tasher was arrested.

Jeffrey Thomas remanded for Mahogany Heights shooting
Mahogany Heights has been the location of several murders and shootings in recent months; many of which have gone unsolved. However, police have made an arrest in the latest shooting out of the area. 20-year-old Jeffrey Thomas is at the Belize Central Prison on remand for allegedly shooting Melvin Smith on Tuesday, June 2. According to a police report, at about 10 p.m. on Tuesday there was a shooting in the area in which a gunman fired several shots at Smith. One of the bullets grazed him on the foot and he was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial where he was treated and released. Based on information received, police detained Thomas on Wednesday, June 3, and charged him with the attempted murder of Smith who identified him as the shooter. No motive has been established for the shooting as yet, says police.

Darrell Bradley set for Caribbean Shores
"We are not campaigning on a promise, we are campaigning on a record," was what Darrell Bradley told the gathering of over a thousand Caribbean Shores voters on Sunday June 7 as he was officially endorsed as the UDP's Standard Bearer for that constituency for the upcoming General Elections. It was a fun filled event with giveaways and music by the Sweet Pain Band, Chico Ramos and Poots 'Tittyman' Flores. Those present also got an opportunity to hear Hon. Dean Barrow express that there are those who think that Darrell can do nothing more to supersede what he has already done, but he pointed out that Darrell keeps on working. Even as he is embarking on the path to the National Assembly, the P.M. commended the Mayor for looking after the welfare of employees at City Hall. "He could have said let that worry be for the next person who follows him, but instead he is doing it himself," cited the PM as he commended Bradley for securing house lots for CITCO employees. He continued to explain that as Mayor, Bradley has served the city with a degree of commitment that is unequal and his dedication to the wellbeing of the city will continue in full measure until the day he wins the general election.

Ivan Ramos Resigns
On Sunday June 7, Hon. Ivan Ramos held a joint Mother's and Father's day celebration for his Dangriga constituents during which he announced that he will no longer be the area representative . He said that effective the following day, Monday June 8, he would tender in his resignation as a member of the National Assembly. True to his word, by 8 on Monday morning the resignation letter was submitted to the Clerk of the National Assembly who notified the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Michael Peyrefitte who accepted the resignation. The PUP is now left scrambling and even worse, contemplating to not even contest the by-election. But Ramos' decision was one which may be taken as a man's right to stand the moral high ground despite the overall personal detriment that he will suffer. It is the very People's United Party who after having used Ivan Ramos, pushed him aside. Orchestrated by the PUP's highest officers including Francis Fonseca, Godfrey Smith and Julius Espat- on May 13 it was announced that Ramos would be shoved aside for a new standard bearer in Dangriga, Anthony Sabal. As he was being relegated to the background, Ramos would not go quietly. He went off with quite some stirring remarks, he noted that, "I don't entertain idle talk – I hate idle talk. This party has been engaged in too much idle talk and it is hurting the party. It is something I've said around the table before and I'm saying it again. You will cause your own destruction if you don’t desist from this behaviour". But while he had those choice words when he was ousted, it would not be until after he had decided to step down as representative that the full picture of his ouster began to unravel.

Two families attacked in Cayo, one woman...
A 39 year old woman from Orange Walk was shot in the Cayo District early on Thursday of last week. The incident occurred at the Flower Farm, located about 2 miles into the More Tomorrow Area. Paula Zacharias was found lying face up with a gunshot to the left side of the neck whilst she was in a wooden building. At the time Paula Zacharias was with her family when a group of armed men came into the farm. They were looking to steal some pigs. Elisa Garcia the Daughter of Paula Zacharias told the media that at about one am on Thursday, dogs began to bark at the farm and that was when her father checked through the window. But a short time later, her father reported seeing a white taxi that moved slowly and then someone from within it began to shoot. The father ordered Paula Zacharias to get down to the floor and while she was doing so, she was shot on her neck. The children who were in the same room did not hear any noise thereafter and everyone got out of the house to see if anybody was there and on their return they examined their mother; only to discover that she was already dead.

Three years in jail and $10,000 fine for 17 kilos of weed
Richard Smith, 35, Jason Phillips, 29, and Kent Nunez, 30, have been found guilty of trafficking 17 kilograms of weed near the Belize western border. The men were busted by police on May 6, 2014 near the Belize/Guatemala border in Benque Viejo. According to police constable William Castillo, he saw two men carrying a bulky bag from Pugas Farm to a maroon vehicle parked on the side of the road. He says they placed the bag in the trunk of the vehicle and that was when police approached and conducted a search. Inside the bag police found what they suspected to be a large quantity of cannabis. The vehicle was being driven at the time by Kent Nunez. Jason Phillips and Richard Smith were the ones PC Castillo saw taking the bag to the vehicle. All three were detained and taken to the police station where the substance was tested and measured. It proved to be 17,233 grams of weed. The men were charged with drug trafficking.

Belize Elementary School girls and San Pedro Roman Catholic
The Belize District Primary Schools Football Competition came to an end on Tuesday 9 June, 2015, with the District championship played at the MCC Grounds. In the girls’ championship game, Belize Elementary School defeated San Pedro Roman Catholic School by the score of 2-1 to capture the 2014-2015 Belize District Title. The goals for the Belize Elementary School were scored by Alyanna Musa and Riana Chebat in penalty kicks. In the first game of the girls’ championship, San Pedro Roman Catholic School defeated Holy Redeemer School in penalty kicks by the score of 4-2. The goals for San Pedro Roman Catholic School were scored by Shalini Young, Mayranie Panti, Erica Pop and Babee Lopez. For Holy Redeemer School, the goals were scored by Wayreni Gillett and Jazanni Rodriguez. In game two, Belize Elementary School defeated Burrell Boom Methodist School by the score of 2-0. The goals for Belize Elementary School were scored by Jadon McGregor.

Belize District Firms Basketball competition rolls on at Bird’s Isle
The Belize District Basketball Association Firms competition continued last Saturday 6 June, 2015, at the Bird’s Isle with three games on the schedule. In the first game played, Central Bank defeated the Generals by the score of 69-55. The top scorers for Central Bank were Jacob Leslie with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 steals; Benedict Terry with 13 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, and Farron Louriano with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 assist. For the Generals, the top scorers were Marshall Nunez with 11 points; Ron Nicholson with 10 points and 2 rebounds, and Wilfred Richards also with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. In the second game of the evening, Heritage Bank defeated Ready Call by the score of 90-63. The top scorers for Heritage Bank were Winston Pratt with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals; Devon Defour with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, Steve Bonnel with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals, and Felix Martinez with 11 points, 4 rebounds,1 assist and 3 steals.

Belizean athletes to Central American Junior Championships
The Belize Athletics Association (BAA) contingent to the Central American Junior Championships, which is scheduled for June 12-14, 2015, in San Salvador, El Salvador, left the country today. The contingent of 30 athletes and officials is travelling to El Salvador via Guatemala on road. The contingent received a grant of $5000.00 towards its expenses from the National Sports Council. The contingent is expected to return back home on Tuesday 16 June, 2015.

San Pedro Tigersharks back to back National Elite Basketball Champions
The 2015 National Elite Basketball League championship came to an end on Sunday 7 June, at the San Pedro High School on San Pedro Ambergris Caye. In the second and final game of the championship series, the defending champions the San Pedro Tigersharks wasted no time in closing this one out against the number one seed into the playoffs and the championship favourites the Cayo Western Ballaz when it upended it by the score of 61-55. The top scorers for the budding champions were James Milton with 22 points, 16 rebounds and 1 assist, Darwin Leslie with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals,and Raul Roches who scored 6 points, 6 rebounds, and a steal and Densmore Edwards who also scored 6 points in a winning cause. For the Cayo Western Ballaz who had to settle for the bridesmaid spot for a second consecutive year the top scorers were Richard Troyer with 21 points, 11 rebounds, and a steal, and Ivan Flowers who scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, and had 3 assists. At the end of the championship game, Darwin Leslie of the San Pedro Tigersharks was named the Most Valuable Player.

National Primary Schools Football Championship this Friday
The National Primary Schools Football Championship for 2014-2015 will come to an end on Friday 12 June, 2015, at the MCC Grounds in Belize City. The National Primary Schools championship is played for between the champions in both the boys’ and girls’ champions from all six geographic districts in the country. The district championship is the final elimination process for the schools in the various districts. The team plays in their zone elimination at the urban, rural and then the district level before a champion is determined. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the MCC Grounds at 8:30 am. The girls’ championship will be played at the MCC Grounds and the boys’ championship will be played at the Youth Hostel Field.

Belize Softball Federation names Junior Boys to National Team
The Belize Softball Federation selected the following 24 junior male softballers from across the country to try out for the 18 spots available on the National Junior Male Softball Team that is currently in training for the up-coming Central American Junior Male Softball Championship scheduled for Esteli, Nicaragua from September 4-7, 2015.

Francis presiding over the PUP’s fall from grace
The US President Ronald Reagan once said. “Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.” The narrative which has been unfolding in the Dangriga Electoral Constituency and the one in Cayo North before that seems to suggest that that is what Francis Fonseca will be relegated to…writing a book. And the use of the word relegated in no way demeans the writers of books; it simply describes Francis as a writer because if we are to judge from his day to day performance his book will leave much to be desired. Francis is a disgraced Politician who orchestrated some of the most obscure and nefarious arrangements whilst being the Attorney General of this country. When Belizeans hear the words accommodation agreement only one name comes to mind – Francis Fonseca. He along with Said Musa and others presided over the wholesale giveaway of our nation’s assets and burdened the nation with the infamous Superbond. For five years Francis Fonseca flaunted his ineptitude, incompetence and impotence whilst in Government and in 2008 the Belizean people put him where he belongs- in opposition. It seems however that Mr. Fonseca cannot shed that skin of ineptitude, incompetence and impotence that has inexorably adhered to him. As a result, he is now evolving as the worst and most disgraced leader the People’s United Party has ever had.

Bully With Money
On Tuesday night when I heard Fonseca’s statement as he emerged from their emergency meeting, the more convinced I was that this politician lacks proficiency in communication skills and is light years away from presenting a viable political strategy to his Party. It is sad when a political leader has to struggle to make a statement in reference to an INTERNAL situation affecting his supporters. No doubt that deep down the general resentment causing the rift is the easy access to money by the present Government of Belize. All the lending agencies have increased their credit rating for our country compared to the dying effect which the blatant looting of the former Government had on these lending agencies. It seems then that the Opposition would rather have a cash strapped government which would inevitably result in limited social programs and an abandoned infrastructure development, in like manner how they neglected our highways and streets during all the years they were in Belmopan. They would rejoice if we were in a dire economic situation just to have an EXCUSE for their coming back to office.

American Airlines Offers Direct Flight to Los Angeles
Belizeans coming home from Los Angeles for summer vacation and the September celebrations will not have to travel through Miami on American Airlines because the company now offers direct flights to the Phillip Goldson International Airport. On Saturday June 6, officials from American Airlines and the Ministry of Tourism, Civil Aviation and Culture welcomed the first visitors on American Airlines’ direct flights from Los Angeles. Abil Casteneda, Acting C.E.O. in the Ministry of Tourism, says “We want to ensure that for visitors the Belize experience is convenient, safe and enjoyable.” Country Manager for American Airlines in Belize, Luis Alpuche, says, “We look at Los Angeles as a connecting point for people from Asia; especially Southeast Asia which is a fast growing market, and the surrounding areas of California.” Alpuche says he believes the West Coast market will continue to grow. American Airlines is the second company offering direct flights from Los Angeles to Belize. Delta Airlines' inaugural flight from Los Angeles arrived in December of 2013. Both airlines have been prompted by the significant increase in overnight visitors experienced in the last few years. In 2014, Belize surpassed the 300,000 overnight visitors mark for the first time in history.

Collet’s CHEER Frustrating the Grinches
The three people most bothered by Government’s use of Petro-Caribe funds on social programs are: an individual who stole General Sales Tax collections; a pastor who can barely afford to keep his television station on the air and a business “leader” who had to depend on contraband bacon to keep his business afloat. While the people of Belize are the happiest they have ever been, these men wake up bitter and cold every morning. They are the Grinches trying to steal Belizean CHEER. The most recent thing they are grumbling about early in the morning is the Collet Constituency Family Day in Corozal Bay. While other Area Representatives held Mothers’ Day banquets or distributed gifts to mothers with the Petro-Caribe supported Mothers’ Day Cheer allocation, Hon. Patrick Faber and the people of Collet decided to use their funds for a community retreat. The Collet committee decided to search for a venue conducive to bonding; however, they did not have to look very long because UDP supporters from the Corozal area volunteered to host Collet residents at Corozal Bay. The Collet Committee visited homes in the division and invited all residents to come out on Sunday, June 7, for a family trip to Corozal Bay and when the group left at about 7 a.m. on Sunday there were 22 buses loaded with Collet residents. In Corozal Bay the people of Collet played games together, danced, went swimming and just enjoyed each others company. It was a true day of healing as they were served by UDP supporters from the Corozal area. Those receiving the greatest reviews are the committee members from the San Narciso Committee who, by all accounts, did an excellent job on the barbecue grill. The people of Collet had a great time together – it was a retreat much needed.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Father of PSE Top Scorer Speaks About Parenting
Gabriel Hope, scored a whopping 96.5% in the 2015 PSE exams making him the top scorer of the year. Understandably, his parents are extremely proud of the honor and pride Gabriel has brought not only to their household but to their entire community and school. But have you ever wondered how a child grows up to become a top PSE scorer? In an interview with LoveFM News, Gabriel’s father says that for starters, it helps to have an involved father and a stable home.

Caye Caulker Residents Hold Peace Vigil
Caye Caulker residents held a peace vigil to appeal for calm and peace in the village. Gilberto Sotz, an 18 year old high school student, died on Monday evening while in detention at the Caye Caulker police station. He was being detained for questioning in relation to a sting of burglaries which had occurred on the island leading up to his detention. Two police men have been charged for murder, and the remaining police contingent stationed on the island when the death occurred have been put on interdiction. These are WPC#1107 Bernadette Ramos, PC#1932 Edilberto Patt and Corporal Kirby Palma. They are facing 13 disciplinary charges. Despite facing stormy and inclement weather, over 150 villagers showed their support. They walked through the village streets chanting “We want justice!” Due to the weather, the vigil lasted about an hour.

Have you ever wondered what the Giant Caye Caulker Cave looks like?
The Giant Caye Caulker cave system in Belize is thought to be one of the largest cave systems in the world. The entrance is located only 50 yards or so from shore on the lagoon side of the island. The cave is thought to be one of the most extensive in the world, extending under the Split and Caye Caulker for large distances. The entire cave has not yet been explored, but it’s pretty extensive. As you can see from this map compiled by the Belize Cave Diving Society, entire Caye Caulker neighborhoods sit atop the cave.

Former Hicaquena Cindy Novelo Releases Her First Album
Cindy Novelo formerly of Caye Caulker but now of Lawrence, KS has just released her brand new album, “Meditation.” She will be appearing on June 14, 2015 on the River Trade Radio, hosted by Mikal Shapiro Music and Kasey Rausch Music, which airs every Sunday morning from 9-11am (CST) on KKFI 90.1 FM. You can stream live from anywhere in the world at at www.kkfi.org and enjoy it. An award-winning musician and singer/songwriter, Cindy performs frequently both solo as an accompaniment musician, having supported many internationally acclaimed singer/songwriters, including Cary Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao, Don Conoscenti, Johnsmith, Kelley Hunt and Grammy award-winning Nashville songwriter Jon Vezner. Cindy has performed across the U.S, in Europe and Latin America, where she lived for 17 years and was a long-standing member of the

Breaking Belize News

Guatemala will not stop until we get some answers to some questions
By: Wellington C. Ramos Dear My Belizean People, There is no need for us to be surprise about this Guatemalan Gunboat landing on Belizean soil because this is not the first and will not be the last no matter which political party is in power until we get some answers […]

Government will pursue Guatemalan military over grounding
While Venezuela’s military vessels were invited to Belizean waters, two Guatemalan Coast Guard vessels strayed inside Belizean territory while transiting to Mexico. One of them ran aground on the Belize Barrier Reef in the Glover’s Reef atoll southeast of Belize City. Belizean officials are on the ground assessing […]

Belize Bank Ltd. Awards Coca Cola Spelling Bee winner a Sixth Form Scholarship
The 21st, Annual National Coca Cola Spelling Bee grand final was held in Corozal Town at the Corozal Community College Auditorium. In attendance were 12 finalists supported by various primary schools, students and their coaches. After two rounds of elimination, Aaliyah Leiva from Louisiana Government School was declared the winner […]

Police close in on solving Dangriga murder
Police have in custody the men they believe shot fire chief of Dangriga Town Ralston Patnett in his vehicle on Sunday night, then set it on fire. Police say they have recovered what they believe is the murder weapon: a shotgun. Patnett, 51, was shot dead in front of the […]

PUP Orange Walk Mayor begs party to re-consider decision on by-election
Will the People’s United Party (PUP) contest the upcoming Dangriga by-election? Nothing has been decided, but even the possibility that the party may pull out has surprised many, not least of all the party’s own supporters. Some have spoken out on social media, particularly the mayor of Orange Walk Town, […]

Petrocaribe forum in Belize City postponed
Today in Belize City at the University of the West Indies (UWI), five influential speakers were scheduled to debate their views on the PetroCaribe Loans Act and the way it’s being used by the Belizean government. Everything was already prepared for the event but yesterday, Jane Bennett, UWI Open Campus […]

P.M. confident of victory in Dangriga by-election
The United Democratic Party (UDP) is preparing for a by-election to be called on July 8, 2015 in the division of Dangriga, following the resignation of its PUP area representative Ivan Ramos. The PUP has delayed its decision on whether to contest the by-election until it has assessed its situation […]

“Excellent” Candelaria Saldivar transferred from Ministry of Immigration
Now-former CEO of the Ministry of Immigration and Nationality, Local Government, NEMO, and Rural Development, Candelaria Saldivar-Morter, was three weeks ago placed on administrative leave. The relative of National Security Minister John Saldivar was a central figure in alleged misconduct at the Immigration Department when Elvin Penner was a Minister of […]

Chamber of Commerce says Petrocaribe Act amendments are “redundant”
The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) has taken up a position against the proposed amendments to the Petrocaribe Loans Act, 2015. Senator Mark Lizarraga, the appointee representing the business community and private sector, says that position came from a meeting of the BCCI executive with its attorneys and […]

Family of Hilberto Sotz claims vindication as officers charged
18 year old Hilberto Sotz’s injuries were not from natural causes, as contended by police on the island of Caye Caulker who detained him in a burglary investigation. A post-mortem examination confirmed the opposite view, that the teenager sustained trauma to the head from being beaten, possibly by police, before […]

Belize vs. Dominican Republic
Across the country of Belize, many are anxiously awaiting the clock to strike 2pm for the much anticipated football game between the national selection of Belize and the national team of the Dominican Republic. As the team prepares for today’s match, many are questioning who will be the man inside […]

Unauthorized military vessel ran aground on the reef in Southern Belize
Reports reaching our newsroom are that a Guatemalan military vessel ran aground on the reef in Southern Belize. According to reports, the incident happened sometime early this morning and the boat is still at the scene. Update at 10:33 am According to reliable sources, the Guatemalan boat is a GC651 […]

‘Troubling’ Times at University of Belize?
This morning, BMG received an email from a UB Student that details a number of critical issues that are affecting the national university. “I can tell that it’s not all cumbaya at our National University. Mr. Slusher has proven and continue to be incompetent and allow his personal qualms to […]

Blogs

Building Materials Needed: Shopping Belize City
San Pedro, Belize probably has more hardware stores per square foot than most places in the world. But when you are looking for a large selection, more options and usually cheaper prices, many head to Belize City. Just a 20 minute flight or hour and a half boat ride away… First stop, Brothers Habet to look at some tiles and bathroom fixtures. Notice the movie style posters on the outside. Awesome marketing in my book… We next stopped at Marelco – the Yamaha dealer in Belize City. Bikes and boat motors. On to the Macy’s of Belize – Mirab’s. Now located right near the water taxi and the cruise ship terminals, they are building a FOOTBALL field sized building out on the Northern Highway and moving… Bought a few housewares – it really is the best for that…and headed out to the Northern Highway for tiles, tiles and more tiles. And then the Home Depot of Belize – Benny’s Home Center. I can’t believe I had never been here before. The place is huge…and gorgeous.

6 Ways to spend a perfect day in San Ignacio Belize!
San Ignacio Town is located in the Cayo District and it’s a beautiful and diverse town worthy of visiting. Known as “El Cayo” this charming town is home to a bustling market, pristine rivers, amazing archaeological sites and Belize’s adventure hub. Here are a few of the many things you want to do while visiting Belize’s San Ignacio Town: Take a Journey to an Ancient Metropolis, Meet the friendliest people, Must have an authentic Belizean lunch, Get to Know the Fascinating History of Belize, Canoe down the meandering Macal River, A Night Out in Town – Dinner and Drinks.

Guatemala Warship in Belizean Territory
Not sure if others are blind to this and why the international governing bodies are not taking action. Maybe our politicians and those that are in place to do so still can’t grow a pair to demand that action be taken against the aggressive behavior against Belize and Belizeans. Recently there have been cases where Guatemalans illegally enter Belizean territory and squat right in the Adjacency Zone under the nose of the OAS. There is the case of Danny Conorquie that was shot at the Caracol Maya site in broad day light. Then we have the case of the Belize Territorial Volunteers that were harassed and abducted by the Guatemalan military from Belizean waters. Yet again we have the case where Belizean military were surrounded at the Island in the Sarstoon river that is well known to be inside Belizean territory. This all within the span of a year. And if you research you will find more stories where Guatemala has always been aggressive toward Belize and nothing is done. Today the story is a Guatemalan military boat has infiltrated Belizean territory and has crashed into the barrier reef. If this is not a blatant act by Guatemala as a show of force mere days after surrounding our Military personnel on the Sarstoon Island. We at FiWeBelize wonder what action will be taken by our Government and the international bodies to ensure that Guatemala knows it’s role and sit it’s ass down.. However, seeing the past actions of those in office and those with the hots for going to the ICJ, we will not be holding our breath for anything to be done. This will be another one of those, coil your tail between your legs and run into your dog house to hide.

Retiring to Affordable Belize? That Might be the Best Decision You’ve Ever Made
Finding a place to retire that’s more than a reasonable distance from your current abode can be fraught with complexity if you’re the worrying type. After all, retiring at home is stressful enough. Move abroad and things get complicated. But in many respects, finding an affordable destination and taking the leap can be the single most liberating decision you’ve made in years, once you see how nicely you can live on less at one of the most desirable destinations in the Caribbean. Why choose Belize over typical retirement destinations like St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Tulum, St. Thomas or Costa Rica? Because if you have a calculator—or you’re a pencil and paper person—math can tell the story. Browse real estate websites in a sampling of nations and compare property costs, but don’t stop there. It’s also wise to compare and contrast tax rates and cost of living, at which point, your decision could be a no brainer. How will moving to Belize put you in a better financial light? First, you can do what so many retirees do when they choose Belize as their new home: Get rid of that heavy furniture that will cost you an arm and a leg to ship, and with those savings, buy gorgeous, affordable hand-crafted pieces once you arrive so you enjoy a complete fresh start. If you must schlep furnishings, take advantage of the Retired Persons Incentive Act: avoid duties up to $15,000 USD if your household goods are valued at under that amount.

International Sources

IMF wants to know what PetroCaribe money was used for in St Vincent
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it is monitoring the potential impact of Venezuela's current economic stress on PetroCaribe, the country’s oil alliance with several Caribbean islands, and it also wants to know what PetroCaribe money was used for in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Merco Press reported. According to SVG Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Caracas has invited PetroCaribe member countries to a meeting about “reaffirming” their commitment to the initiative, the brainchild of the former Venezuelan president, the late Hugo Chavez. IMF Western Hemisphere advisor, Elie Canetti, told reporters that the IMF’s main concern “is that we know Venezuela is going through increasing financial stress, and oil prices have dropped from around US$120 a barrel to mid 70s a barrel and Venezuela is hugely dependent on selling oils.” “So, we are mindful and concerned about the feasibility of PetroCaribe continuing, certainly at the level it has been, and we are looking into what will be the impact on Caribbean countries,” Cantelli said.

How Belize Is Tipping the Scales for Sustainable Fishing Worldwide
Belize just redefined marine conservation, entrusting its fishermen with a nationwide system of multi-species fishing rights for all its coastal fishing waters. This landmark decision is a victory for communities on Belize’s Caribbean shore, allowing fishermen to create more food and jobs on land by replenishing more life and diversity in their seas. But Belize’s move also has implications for the rest of the world. The government blazed a pioneering trail, with a powerful example that may prove a tipping point for sustainable harvests of coastal fisheries anywhere. Belize raises the bar when it comes to marine conservation. The extraordinary Belize Barrier Reef, second in size only to Australia’s, hosts a rich diversity of mangroves, corals, seagrass and cayes teeming with life. Offshore life also brought onshore health. As 3,000 fishermen harvest spiny lobster, conch and reef fish, they nourish Belizeans with an important source of healthy, locally-produced animal protein. Yet fishery managers struggled to overcome illegal fishing that created a “tragedy-of-the-commons” dynamic of perverse incentives, which can bring a vicious spiral of depletion, poverty and food insecurity.

Caribbean Leaders to Discuss Growth at World Bank Forum
More than 200 business leaders and government representatives will gather in St. Lucia next week for a two-day forum organized by the World Bank to discuss sustainable growth in the Caribbean. “This forum is an opportunity to take stock of the progress made and to identify innovative solutions to ignite growth in the region,” the World Bank’s vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean, Jorge Familiar, said Thursday in a statement. The Third Regional Caribbean Growth Forum will bring together public and private sector representatives from St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Belize, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Suriname, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Videos

Flight of the Valkyries, 4min. Trying out my new GoPro on a selfie stick whilst on a visit to Central America with my partner. We caught a flight between islands and ended up on a 4 seater prop plane flying from Belize to Roatan with fantastic views.

Water Taxi from Caye Caulker to Belize City, 2min. Water Taxi ride from Caye Caulker into Belize City. Ride was relatively smooth but took about 45 minutes. I bought round trip tickets in advance in Belize City and just showed up at the time i wanted to leave. They will generally do everything they can to get everyone onto the boat so it may be crowded. Enjoy Island Life!

San Pedro Express Water Taxi, Belize, 1min. The San Pedro Express water taxi route from Caye Caulker to Belize City. Ride is about 45 minutes from Caye Caulker, 90 Minutes from San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Zipline Belize 2015, 3min.

Belize Blue Hole Pt 1, 8.5min.

Belize Blue Hole Pt 2, 3.5min.

Belize Mission Trip 2015, 8.5min. A quick look into what our Belize mission trips look like!

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND IN COROZAL AS CONSTRUCTION TAKES PLACE, 4min. Last week Thursday construction workers unearthed a number of human remains in Corozal Town. Immediately police were called in, followed by the archaeological department who descended to Corozal to investigate the finding. With the assistance of second year Primary Education students from the Corozal Junior College, Archeological Research and Education Officers Antonio Beardall and Josue Ramos extracted the skeletal remains from burials located in the South End Bacadilla area of Corozal Town.

THE SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER CREDIT UNION QUIZ COMPETITION, 3.5min. Last week the 21st annual Coca-Cola National Spelling Bee competition took place in Corozal. At the end Aaliyah Leiva from Orange Walk was crowned the winner of the competition. And today Corozal Town was the venue for another competition this time organized by Credit Unions Countrywide.

Dominican Republic - Belize 1-2. Goals. World Cup Qualifiers 11/6/2015, 3min.

2006 BELIZE, 9min. This video is about our visit in 2006 to BELIZE. We were sent by business partners to investigate possible purchase of a resort...so we got to check them out and spend time in the beautiful country.

Sharks in finger canyons Belize, 2.5min.

My Journey Through Belize In 2015, 11min.

Belize Adventure 2015, 5min. The following footage was taken at the Turneffe Atoll at the Calabash Caye field stationin in Belize. This is what the students from the University of Belize's Natural Resource Management Program live as part of their career.

Belize Snorkel 2015, 4min.

You Better Belize It!, 38min. Two Bethel students' experiences in Belize, studying environmental science through the Creation Care Study Program.

Venezuelan Ambassador speaks on PetroCaribe. , 8min. H.E. Yoel Perez Marcano, Venezuelan Ambassador to Belize, spoke to the media onboard a Venezuelan Naval vessel that was docked at the Port of Belize. The gist of the interview below is that each country decides on how to use the PetroCaribe funds. Venezuela does not tell countries how to use the loans

The work and education programs conducted at Glover's Reef Research Station are part of WCS's global marine conservation efforts, 2.5min. More than two thirds of our planet is covered in water, yet less than one percent of that is protected. The time to act is now. Together, we will turn the tides to protect our blue planet.

June 11, 2015