February 9, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

The Carnaval fun continues! Check out the The San Pedro AIDS Commission Comparsa's presentation: Chupar Cervesa!

The Black and White Garifuna Center Comparsa!

Flora Ancona's Comparsa present Steve Harvey's mishap at the Miss Universe Pageant.
Garifuna group in San Pedro gets ready for the Carnaval comparsas tonight!

The humorous Cholo's Barbies doing their thing!
Can you believe these beauties are all men?

CG Esthetics: New location, new services
2016 is bringing much change to one of San Pedro’s premier beauty and esthetic service provider: CG Esthetic. Not only does the beauty salon have a new location, but it also boasts a variety of new services. From your classic hair styling, color, waxing, make-up, manicure, pedicure and facial packages to the newly added massage and acupuncture treatment booths, CG Esthetics caters to all your needs. Since December 15, 2015, CG Esthetics is now located on Seagrape Drive, just two blocks south of Pedro’s Inn. According to owner Carole Goudreau, the new location is more spacious and gives each customer a more intimate, personal feel. Check out CG Esthetics on Seagrape Drive, from Monday to Friday, 10AM to 6PM, and on Saturdays from 10AM to 1PM. For more information on all the services offered and/or to schedule an appointment, call 626-2451 or email [email protected].

Kelly McGuire and SP Red Cross: unBelizeable Fundraiser
Award-winning singer/songwriter Kelly McGuire is celebrating his birthday in Belize by hosting a series of concerts on San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. McGuire’s tour includes four concerts in which he is teaming up with the San Pedro Branch of the Belize Red Cross and the Wheelchair Foundation from California. The purpose is to raise funds to provide wheelchairs to Belizeans in need on Ambergris Caye. From the first concert so far, concert goers have generously donated almost $1,000BZ towards the cause. The aim of the Foundation is to bring in 260 wheelchairs to the country later this year. The concerts began on Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st, with the first performance at the Island Time Bar and Grill and the second at The Dive Bar. The third concert was held on Wednesday, February 3rd at Captain Morgans. All performances took place from 2PM to 5PM and many supporters and fans came out to listen to McGuire’s hits. The crowd was delighted with songs from his “Boat in Belize” album, which was named album of the year in 2008 by the Academy of Texas Music. He also shared some of his most recent singles from his “King of the Island” album.

MarAlliance conducts Sports Fish Studies
On Saturday January 31st MarAlliance, the non-profit marine research organization led by Dr. Rachel Graham conducted a full day of studies based around recreational fish species at the 2016 Captain Morgan’s Wahoo Tournament. The study, which began in 2014, aims to partner with fishermen to gather more information and build the national and regional database. According to Dr. Graham, this study is currently the first of its kind in Belize, as there are no records or information available on these fish. The study being done allows Dr. Graham and her team to expand the fisheries database as it relates to the diversity of game fish and the demographics on the various species often targeted in sports fishing throughout the MesoAmerican Reef and the Western Caribbean. Information gathered included measurements; otolith extraction and small samples which will allow the determination of several key factors including age and growth rate, reproduction, habitat preferences, species accumulating toxins and contributing factors, seasonal preferences, food web dynamics, and the diet of these recreationally important fish species.

El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro: Day One
San Pedro Town’s most colorful and fun tradition started on Sunday, February 7th under the theme “Bailando a Todo Color”. The annual El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro – The Great Carnaval of San Pedro is a long standing island tradition that brings three days of laughter and joy. A traditional celebration in honor of the commencement of the 40-day Lenten Season, San Pedro Carnaval is equal to no other festival in the country. Residents and visitors enjoy a variety of fun activities from the traditional comparsas dance groups and painting to the new additions of street parties. Sunday was the first day of the festivities as saw Color Powder and Foam Party at Central Park hosted by DJ Debbie and DJ Karma.

Island school students benefit from eye screening via the Lions
The Lions Zone 59-Belize National Children Eye Screening Program continued this week in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. The program provides free eye screening tests for children between the ages of 3-14 on the various schools on the island. It first started in November of 2015, with the first screenings at Holy Cross Anglican School. On Tuesday, February 2nd and Thursday, February 4th, The Island Academy, Holy Cross Anglican School, Little Angels Pre-School and ABC Pre-School participated in the program. Over 600 students were registered to have their eyes tested and vision needs addressed. On Friday, the team visited the schools in Caye Caulker an additional area assigned to the San Pedro Lions Club. The other area assigned to the Club is the entire Corozal District, which has 11,000 of the 15,000 registered children that need the screening. The program has the permission of the Ministry of Education office in San Pedro to carry on with the screenings on the schools. In order for children to take part in the eye test sessions, parents must give approval for the child to take the test. All children from the four schools had their parental approval for the screenings. The San Pedro Lions Club encourages all parents and schools to take advantage of this free and reliable program which can help detect any abnormalities in children’s eyes. This gives ample of time so the issue can be addressed, and possible permanent damage or even blindness can be avoided.

Fulbright Scholar Dr. Susan Catapano to assists Ambergris Caye students
After more than ten years without a Fulbright Scholar, Belize is once again hosting a professional attached to this international educational program. The Fulbright Program is an initiative of competitive, merit-based grants for international education exchange for students, scholars, teachers and other professionals founded by the United States in the 1940’s. Dr. Susan Catapano, from the University of North Carolina Wilmington USA was officially introduced as the scholar for Belize in mid January via the U.S. Embassy social media account. She then met with Ambassador Carlos Moreno and Deputy Chief of Mission Galanek to discuss her projects in Belize. Since then, Catapano had been working with the University of Belize supporting their early childhood program made possible through a European Union Grant. Catapano is highly involved in improving literacy and through her research, has been able to point out what the right procedures are for students to have an interest in reading and learning at the same time. “My students and I have noticed that few of the books that children read in San Pedro are related to their lives. If the books they are reading do not relate to them, then it will not make sense to them and the focus of learning can be lost. So we started writing books for them a couple years ago, we have actually published 22 books which are all about San Pedro and other places in Belize,” said Catapano. She mentioned that some of the content in the books have been a collaborative input from the children themselves, who are happy when they get to see the finished book.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Carnival Comparsas Day 1

San Pedro Carnaval 2016
Music, paint and entertaining street dancers – it’s the beginning of Carnaval in San Pedro. On Sunday, February 7, 2016 the island came to life as many enjoyed one of the most traditional celebrations on the island.

Tourist Seriously Injured After Fall from Belize Maya Temple
On Thursday, February 4, 2016, 36-year-old Brian Gooders was hospitalized after he lost balance atop the Maya temple when he tried to retrieve his fallen sunglasses. As he bent over to pick it up, he tumbled an estimated 35 feet to the ground sustaining injuries including a broken jaw, bleeding in the brain, facial injury and lacerations, serious neck trauma, nose bleeding, crushed liver and bruised lung. Manager of Chukka tour company, Valerie Woods, told the media that Gooders had left the tour group he was in at the archeological site, indicating that he would not participate in the climb. What he eventually did was an unsanctioned and unaccompanied climb of the A-1 temple and fell.

Carnaval Fun Kicks off in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye
Music, paint and entertaining street dancers – it’s the beginning of Carnaval in San Pedro. On Sunday, February 7, 2016 the island came to life as many enjoyed one of the most traditional celebrations on the island. Islanders and travelers surrounded the streets to witness some of the funniest Comparsas (street dancing groups) enjoying their laugh-out-loud lyrics, dance routines and outfits. Two groups hit the streets with their most awaited performances full of energy, kicking off Carnaval just right.

Misc Belizean Sources

Mermaids Are Real! Caye Caulker Ocean Academy Fundraiser
Our fundraiser at The Split for the Caye Caulker Ocean Academy has definitely been one of the highlights of our Belize Mermaid Retreat! Thank you to everyone who came out and donated! We hope you love the photos as much as we do! Feel free to share and tag yourselves.

SBDCBelize Costing and Pricing Workshop
Presented By: Mr Omar Castillo. The specific objectives of the training are to enable participants to: Better understand the importance of costing and pricing Acquire information about techniques used to calculate costs Acquire information on how to adequately price a product a service Participate in exercises that allows them to engage in costing and pricing Acquire the skills and knowledge to participate or facilitate in the costing and pricing of their product or service. Expected outcome: Competent individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively calculate cost of producing their product and service and to implement pricing that will allow their business to be profitable. Workshop Date: February 11th, 2016 Time: 9 am to 12 noon FEB SPECIAL!!!! Cost: $30.00. WORKSHOP LOCATION: ITVet Campus - Freetown Road (BTEC Building), Belize City, Belize Tel: 223-3195 or email: [email protected]

HON. HUGO PATT VISITS SAN PEDRO TOWN
On Thursday, February 4, 2016, Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Deputy Mayor Gary Greif and Councilors: Hector, Gabriel, Flora and Severo, welcomed Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Labour, Local Government and Rural Development, and his team, which included the offices of the San Pedro Town Council. Hon. Hugo Patt and his team were on an official tour, where they were visiting all the municipalities throughout the country with the intention of building and further fostering a strong working relationship between all municipalities and his ministries. At the meeting, Mayor Daniel Guerrero officially welcomed Hon. Patt and his team to San Pedro and expressed his gratitude towards the Minister for his efforts in visiting San Pedro Town. He also expressed that he wishes that both of them work together to continue with the development of San Pedro, since it is the main tourist destination of the country of Belize. The Councilors present also had the opportunity to discuss a few matters of their interest with Hon. Patt and his team.

Hon. John Briceño takes oath of office
At 10:00 this morning Hon. John Briceño took the oath of office, administered by Governor General Sir Colville Young. Briceño is now the constitutional leader of the Opposition in Belize.

CARNAVAL 2016 - COMPARSAS DAY 1
Sunday, February 7th, was the first day of Comparsas and Painting. Featured on our pictures are the Comparsas of the San Pedro AIDS Commission as the Hawaiians, Mrs. Flora Ancona's Group as the Tourists and the Black N White Charikanari Dancers.

Up & Down Challenge 2016
The Up and Down Canoe Challenge, which hit both the Macal and the Mopan rivers, was Sunday. Everyone's getting ready for the La Ruta Maya next month. "RF&G; Up & Down Challenge 2016 By Belize Canoe Association"

Belize River Valley Ecotourism Expo 2016
This year's Belize River Valley Ecotourism Expo will be on the 19th and 20th of February. There will be fun for the entire family. It starts at 9:00am. Call the Community Baboon Sanctuary at 245-2007 for more information. "Community Baboon Sanctuary Women's Conservation Group proudly presents the Belize River Valley Eco Tourism & Commerce Expo! SAVE THE DATE - FEB 19TH & 20TH!"

SAN PEDRO Carnaval 2016
Day One pics from San Pedro Carnaval 2016

Channel 7

Chopping Murder At Teakettle Brothel
The owner of 69 Bar in Teakettle was murdered over the weekend. Police got the call around 2 Saturday morning. They found 52 year old Chinese businessman Zhijiang Zhang with 7 cut wounds to his body and a female worker with a gunshot to the leg. Police say it was a robbery turned murder. We found out more today. 69 Bar - a business usually buzzing with activity is now closed down, abandoned. Neighbors say Chinese businessman Zhijiang Zhang opened the bar about a year ago but later on, they realized that the house - concealed by these overgrown bushes was more than just a hangout spot. Voice of Neighbor: "It says 69 Bar. But everybody knows from the time you mentioned 69, everybody knows it's not a bar, it's a place where they pay for sex, sexual favors. Everybody knows that." Every night, up until the very early hours of the morning - men are seen going in and out of the brothel, drinking and fighting in the yard. Saturday morning was no different…until the police arrived and found Zhang inside - dead.

Honduran Was Moving Weed In Weight
On Saturday at around noon, Ladyville police made a major drug bust. They caught a Honduran with almost 17 pounds of marijuana. But, 25-year-old Orbin Lenin Reyes wasn't a regular drug peddler - police believe he was moving weed from Mexico to southern Belize. They caught him at the mile ten, bus shed on the Northern Highway where he had fifteen packs of compressed marijuana in his backpack. Today, the commander of rural eastern division told us more about the significance of the bust:... Sr. Sup. Edward Broaster, O. C. Eastern Rural: "On Saturday we had a anti-drug operations in the Ladyville area, where we intercepted one Orbin Reyes who was bringing 16.5 pounds of wahaca cannabis from Orange Walk to Ladyville. We observed him alight the bus where we went in and made the arrest, found him with the knapsack containing the said cannabis. This was a targeted lead intelligence operation. We've been observing Mr. Reyes for a while in other criminal activities. The drug we believe came from Mexico and was heading to Honduras."

Mother And Son Remanded
Orange Walk Police arrested two persons over the weekend for the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Saturday afternoon at 2:30, the Orange Walk Quick Response Team searched the residence of well-known seamstress Mavis Wade on Saint Peter Street. Present during the search were a mother and son: Mavis Wade and student Steven Hyde. Police dug into a stack of books on top of a computer table. The books had been carved out from the inside creating a space to conceal a weapon. The cops found a 9 mm Browning pistol and 13 bullets inside a white sock and fifty two .38 live rounds. Police arrested and charged both mother Mavis Wade and her son Steven Hyde for Kept Firearm without a gun license and kept ammunition without a gun license. Today in court they were both remanded to prison until their next court date.

Big Guns In Town
Last week we told you about the big guns that city police found in an apartment building on the northside. At the time they told us they didn't want to release the photographs because they were hoping to make an arrest. Well, that didn't happen, and over the weekend they sent his picture showing that the Colt .45 pistol, with five gold plated rounds, and a Glock 40 caliber pistol, also with gold plated rounds were found under a staircase in an abandoned building.

Coconut Complaints
Many who commute to and from the city are familiar with the quarter mile stretch between Travellers Bar and Brodies where fresh coconut water can be bought from a bevy of vendors. But, they sell right on the side of the road, which is a traffic hazard, so recently the City council began enforcing a 10 feet off the road requirement for all coconut water vendors. We note that there were over a dozen of them along the quarter mile stretch before the new regulations began to be enforced; now we are told there are only about 7 or 8 of them currently operating. It was a necessary improvement some of those who stayed told us. But at the same time others say that all the shifting around has caused them to lose quite a lot of their cliental. Viviana Menjivar is one of them. She has had her stall for about 8 months now and claims that business has never been slower since they moved her business across the road. Viviana Menjivar, Coconut Vendor: "City Council moved us like 4 times already." Emanuel Pech: "Since you've been in the business." Viviana Menjivar, Coconut Vendor: "Since we open the business yes."

Crazy Tourist Robbery At Tropical Education Center
Yesterday around 4 p.m., a Canadian couple was robbed at gunpoint while they were staying at the Belize's Zoo's Tropical Education Center. Now, to be very specific, the armed encounter did not happen the Belize Zoo, located at Mile 29 on the Highway. It happened at the Tropical Education Center, which is a sister facility to the Zoo, but which is located at about a mile away. Today, the Police Commander of Rural Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, briefed the press on the information that they have at this time. Sr. Sup. Edward Broaster, O. C. Eastern Rural: "We had a robbery at the Tropical Butterfly area at mile 29 on the George Price Highway, where one Steven Temple, 75 years old and one Cynthia Fedricks, 65 years old were robbed by two dark-skin male persons. As a result of that one Jorge Lopez who was coming in his red pickup attempted to render assistance and he was shot, not before he inflicted a chop wound to one of the suspects who is at the KHMH under police guard at this time. Our investigation is ongoing right now and more than likely we will have the suspect who is at the hospital charge for robbery, aggravated assault and what have you."

Briceno, Back At The Helm
When John Briceno was elected as PUP party leader eight days ago, there was some question s to whether he could rope in the support from a majority of his colleagues in parliament to become leader of the opposition. It should be automatic for any party leaders - but the majority of parliamentarians had supported Francis Fonseca in the leadership race, so there was some question as to whether they would switch over to Briceno. They did so last week as the party closed ranks after the divisive convention. And so today, for a second time, Briceno was sworn in as leader of the opposition. Courtney Weatherburne was there:.. John Briceno and his family arrived at the Belize House a bit after 10 in his polished Prado. He stood outside, greeted a few supporters and police officers - appearing almost reluctant to go inside. But after his chit chat he and his family finally strolled into the Belize House for the short ceremony. Inside - instead of a large spirited crowd of supporters like those at the convention - he greeted by a small very composed, almost tense group. The all looked on in silence as the new leader of the opposition took his oath

Where Will Cordel Fit?
Now to inspire unity within the party and hopefully be victorious for the next general elections - there needs to be a strategy. Well, an integral part of that strategy is the popular Cordel Hyde. As you heard at last week's PUP press conference, Briceno will find a place or role for both former party leader Francis Fonseca and Lake Independence Area Representative Cordel Hyde. Today when we asked him about Hyde's role, he wasn't specific but what he was clear is that Hyde is indispensable to reshaping and refreshing the PUP. Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "I've always said that the Hon. Cordel Hyde has to play a critical role in the rebuilding and the re-strengthening of the party as we move to get to Belmopan in the next election. I have met with him and he is here with us today and I am very pleased that he has joined me in this very important occasion. It goes to show his commitment to the work that we have ahead of us. We are going to be finding ways on how we can use him to the maximum of his abilities. We all know that he has a lot of talent and abilities and that he has a way to connect with people."

Ysaguirre Frowns On SSB Loan To Santander
The Social Security Board has agreed to lend 12 million dollars to the Santander group - and it's raised some eyebrows. Some say that Santander is a private investment and shouldn't use local resources, while others say the fund's money shouldn't be exposed to that kind of risk. But, the Governor of the Central Bank has a different take on it. Santander has already gotten a syndicated commercial loan - with several banks - local and international - putting together to make that loan. And so, Santander's indebtedness became - what is called - of systemic importance because if the company fails, it could pose a risk to the banking system. And that's where Social Security came in. They are not regulated like a bank - so their 12 million dollar loan to Santander did not have to get Central Bank approval. And that's why the governor of the central bank, appearing yesterday on KREM TV's Sunday Review with Ya Ya Marin Coleman said they need to be cautious:..

Briceno Comments on Loan
Today, we asked the leader of the opposition about it - and he said caution is the key:.. Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition: "I just like to make 3 points. 1) That we always support foreign direct investment. The Santander group has made a massive investment in Belize and we need to recognize that and support that. By extension that investment that they have done has already created a lot of jobs and can bring in more foreign currency into our country. I want to make that very clear. Secondly. when it comes to the loan from Social Security for twelve million dollars to Santander Group, the first thing that comes to mind is how secure is that loan. We have to make sure that we can protect the workers' money because that twelve million dollars belongs to all of us who pay Social Security. We need to ensure that it is properly protected…that there are assets that are going to guarantee that loan, that God forbid something goes wrong that the twelve million dollars is properly secured and that workers do not lose a cent of their hard-earned money."

Man Who Ran Checkpoint, Ran Into Trouble
At the top of the news, we showed you that drug bust that the Rural Eastern Division Police made which they say has elements of transnational narcotics smuggling. Well, this weekend, Rural cops happened on another drug trafficking run when the alleged trafficker ran a checkpoint in Sandhill and crashed his vehicle while trying to escape from police. The Rural Commanding Officer discussed the incident with us this evening: Sr. Sup. Edward Broaster, O. C. Eastern Rural: "On the 5th February at about 12:15am, one Roland Rivas managed to elude the mobile interdiction team check point and crashed into a lamp post in the Sandhill area where our rural rapid response team went and accosted him and discovered marijuana and un-custom beers. The vehicle has been extensively damaged and Roland Rivas has been charged for the possession of marijuana that was found."

Kim + Kaya Kumbaya
The last we heard about female cyclist Kaya Cattouse is that she had "lawyered up" and her attorney Lisa Shoman had fired off a letter to Cycling Federation of Belize - who had threaten to fine and suspend her for a series of facebook postings. Cattouse was complaining about the Digicell Valentine's Tour only including elite male cyclists. Now the issue has gotten the attention of the special envoy for women and children, Kim Simplis Barrow. Today, she issued a release saying, quote, she "stands in solidarity with Belize's female cyclists in light of the recent decision to cancel their participation in the upcoming Digicell Valentine's Cycling Tour…allowing only the male elite cyclists to participate in this annual event, which previously included female riders, highlights the gender inequality that continues to be rampant in sports in Belize." End quote. The release further stated that Miss Barrow, quote, "calls on the Belize Cycling Association as well as all other sporting associations to take deliberate actions to develop women's sport in Belize." The release ends by saluting Kaya Cattouse and the other female cyclists who are quote, "breaking down barriers" in a male dominated sport. We contacted the Vice President of the association who told us via a telephone conversation that the matter has been blown way out of proportion. He said that it has nothing to do with gender based discrimination; It was simply a matter of logistics.

HPV Vaccine, A Real Solution
World Cancer day was observed last week Thursday. And, as a part of that, the Belize Cancer Society put together a 30 minute documentary focusing on the risks of cervical cancer. It is one of the most prevalent cancers in Belize, but also one of the most preventable because there is a vaccine. Here's more:… That documentary airs in its entirety later on tonight on Channel 7.

Channel 5

Chinese Bar Owner Murdered in Teakettle
A Chinese bar owner was brutally slashed to death at his place of business in Teakettle in the Cayo District, early Saturday morning. Fifty-two year old Zhijuang Zhang was closing [...]

Canadian Tourists Robbed at Gunpoint
There was another sensational crime this weekend, in which two Canadian tourists were held hostage by armed robbers who then shot a man while stealing his vehicle to make their [...]

John Briceño Sworn in as Leader of the Opposition
At ten this morning, P.U.P. Leader John Briceño was sworn in as the Constitutional Leader of the Opposition in the House of Representatives. The new leader will have an enormous [...]

Will Cordel Hyde be Appointed Senior Member of National Executive?
Briceño was joined at the swearing in by Cordel Hyde, formerly an opponent for leadership of the P.U.P.  The parallel campaigns of both men were cordial and never traversed into [...]

New P.U.P. Senators Will Be Appointed Soon
Early on in his interview Briceño may have been a little ambiguous on the planned changes in the party, especially where senators are concerned. But eventually he would confirm that [...]

Briceño Questions S.S.B. Loan to Santander
The recent announcement of a twelve million dollar S.S.B. loan to the Guatemalan owned Santander Group is raising eyebrows. The company, headquartered in the Cayo District, is near completion of [...]

Does G.O.B. Favor Foreign Entitles over Local Interests?
And while Briceño acknowledges the investment by the group, he questions the policy of Government…lending millions to a foreign company while refusing to lend to Belizeans.   John Briceño, P.U.P. [...]

Cordel Hyde Says the P.U.P. Will Unite
So in the wake of a less than amiable convention in some quarters, will the grand old party be able to overcome the pervasive division which has characterized it even [...]

Ladyville Police Make Significant Marijuana Bust on Passenger Bus
Honduran national, Orbin Reyes, who is an off and on resident of Orange Walk Town, claims he was used as a mule to transport over fifteen pounds of weed into [...]

Domestic Altercation Ends in Injuries and Charges
A domestic dispute between a woman and her ex-common-law husband did not end well for both. The man was pepper sprayed and cut with a knife, while the woman is [...]

ABC7 Report Bashes Belize for Violence against Tourists
There have been numerous incidents of violence against visitors which do not augur well for the tourism industry and serve to discourage potential visitors to Belize. As recent as this [...]

Special Envoy Supports Kaya Cattouse
Kaya Cattouse, the well-known female cyclist, has been threatened with suspension and fine by the Belize Cycling Federation for comments she posted on her Facebook page. Today, Cattouse received major [...]

House of Shotokan Excels in Mexico
This past Saturday, students from the House of Shotokan Karate Academy competed and won in an International Taekwondo Championships in Chetumal, Mexico. The tournament was organized by Black Belt Taekwondo [...]

No Apologies for Loss of Teacher Jobs
Education rules to come on stream in the new academic year will likely lead to the loss of jobs of about a thousand three hundred primary and high school teachers.  [...]

M.O.E. Says They Offered Opportunities to Teachers
The Belize National Teachers Union supports licensing and says that over the years; teachers were constantly reminded that to keep their jobs, they have to have to obtain the appropriate [...]

How Many Teachers Will Be Affected By Reform?
Approximately five hundred primary and eight hundred high school teachers will be directly affected by the reform of the education system.  But there are some exceptions. Teachers who are in [...]

Basketball, Football and Cycling in Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sport Monday.   It was a full schedule of PLB football over the weekend and we caught up with yesterday’s match-up between [...]

CTV3

Honorable John Briceno Weighs On Position Of Cordel Hyde
After the honorable Briceno took the oath as the new leader of the opposition in a ceremony that took place at the Governor General’s House in Belmopan City, the media took the opportunity to ask him about the position of the Hon. Cordel Hyde, who was present at the swearing in today, in the national executive. In previous statements Briceno made it clear that he intended to find a place for Hyde in the PUP executive team and today he told us that position still stands. “I have always said that the Honorable Cordel Hyde has to play a critical role in the rebuilding and the re-strengthening of the party s we get to move to Belmopan in the next Election, I have met with him and he is here with us today and I am very pleased that he has joined me in this very important occasion, it goes to show his commitment to the work that we have ahead of us we are going to be finding ways on how we can use him to the maximum of his abilities, we all know that he has a lot of talent and his abilities and that he has a way to connect with people and that he is going to be playing a very important role, a very critical role in us in preparing the message that we want to present to the people, the policies that we want to present to the people to make sure that all Belizeans feel that they are a part of the work that we do and that they all believe that they have something at stake.”

Leader Of The Opposition Weighs In Santander Issue
On Friday we told you about the loan of 12 million dollars that Santander Sugar Mill may be receiving from the Social Security Board. The multi-million dollar loan that was approved last week brought about many questions and concerns and today at the swearing in of the new leader of the opposition in Belmopan, the media took the opportunity to ask the Honorable John Briceno to weigh in on the matter. Briceno says that the has three main concerns when it relates to this matter “Just want to make three points: one is that we always support foreign direct investments, the Santander Group has made a massive investment in Belize and we need to recognize that and support that and by extension that investment that they have done has already created a lot of jobs and can bring in more foreign currency into our country so I want to make that clear but secondly when it comes to the loan of Social Security for 12 million dollars to the Santander Group, the first thing that comes to mind is that how secure is that loan we have to make sure that we can protect workers money because this 12 million dollars belongs to all of us that pays Social Security and we need to ensure that it is properly protected...”

Carmelita Resident Accused Of Double Murder Get Sentence Reduction And Sent Home
Tonight fifty three year old Edison Johnson is back at home with his family after being incarcerated for one year and ten months at the Kolbe Correctional Facility after he was charged with two counts of murder. After being sentenced to six years back in 2014, Johnson reappeared in court earlier today and this time, his previous sentence was reduced to one year, however, due to time served already Johnson was released immediately. On April 11th 2014, Johnson had shot and killed two men at his farm located in the outskirts of Carmelita Village after he caught them stealing on his property. Twenty three year old Saul Garcia and twenty four year old Luke Cox had removed the zinc from the roof, sheet rack, tore out the electrical wires and had also taken other items from both of the buildings that were on the farm. The two robbers had only returned to take the remaining sheets of zinc when Johnson caught up with them and fired shots causing both men to run.

ABC7 News Gives Black Eye To Belize
The murder of American National Anne Swaney on January 14th 2016 continues to give a black eye to Belize pounding the Tourism Industry. The murder of the ABC7 Chicago Executive Producer on the grounds of the Nabitunich Resort in San Jose Succotz, Cayo, attracted attention nationally and internationally so much so that even the FBI got involved in the case. But to date Belize Police has been unable to charge anyone for Swaney’s murder and the US is not happy about the route the investigation has taken or at least her colleagues at AB7 Chicago aren’t happy. And that made that clear when they released this following report. As mentioned no one has been arrested for Swaney’s murder.

Honduran National Charged For Drug Trafficking Claims He Was Set Up
On Saturday morning at around 11:45, The Rural Eastern Division of the Belize Police Department conducted a search on the George Price Highway which resulted in a major drug bust. Twenty eight year old Honduran national, Orbin Lenin Reyes was travelling from Orange Walk to Belize City in a Tillett bus and had just stepped out on miles 8 and 9 when he was approached by police. The search resulted in the discovery of fifteen compressed packs wrapped with tape containing cannabis. The compressed packs amounted to a total of fifteen pounds of marijuana. Reyes appeared in court today before Magistrate, Deborah Rogers where he plead guilty for Drug Trafficking, however, Rogers alleged that he was ‘set up’ as he was told that he would be paid $100.00 if he had taken the bag to Belize City. Reyes was sentenced to three years in prison.

Mother And son Remanded To Prison For Firearm And Ammunition Offences
Tonight a well-known seamstress from Orange Walk Town and her son are behind bars at the Kolbe Correctional Facility after they were charged for firearm offences. At about 2:30 on Saturday afternoon, police visited the home of Mavis Wade, Belizean seamstress of #25 Saint Peter Street and carried out a search which led to the discovery of a 9mm CZ-83 Browning pistol with the serial number filed off. The firearm was found on a computer desk, inside a book that was cut out in the middle forming the shape of a square. During the raid police also discovered a white sock containing thirteen bullets along with 52 .380 Brand live rounds.

LOVE FM

Concerns Arise over $12M to Santander
On Thursday, February 4 we brought you the story of the twelve million dollar loan that Social Security Board has approved for Santander, an up and coming sugar mill in western Belize. Since we aired the story, it has been garnering some reaction from the public and has been discussed on various local shows. One […]

Bar Owner Murdered and Employee Injured in Weekend Incident
Belmopan Police believe that robbery was the motive of a murder that occurred in Teakettle Village this past weekend. Love News spoke with Officer in Charge of Roaring Creek, Inspector Octaviano Victorin. OCTAVIANO VICTORIN “It was around the hours of 1:50 and 2:00 am on Saturday the 5th day of February. Police were called to […]

ABC7 Chicago Makes Erroneous Statements on Belize
Following the murder of Anne Swaney in western Belize on January 15, Belize has been taking some hard hits on the international scene as a crime ridden country. The negative publicity, however, stands out from ABC7 who Swaney worked for. In an article dated as recent as Friday, February 5, ABC7 Eyewitness News referred to […]

AGM Held for JPs and Supreme Court Commissioners
The National Association of Justices of the Peace and Commissioner of the Supreme Court, held their fifteenth annual general meeting on Sunday morning. Attorney General Vanessa Retreage was the guest speaker. She spoke of the number of new applicants applying to be Justices of the Peace. VANESSA RETREAGE “In recent years there has been increase […]

Regional Commanders Meet in Belmopan
The regional commanders of the Belize Police Department held their monthly meeting today in Belmopan where several assessments on how to combat crime was carried out. Correspondent Fem Cruz reports. FEM CRUZ “

Ambassador Eric Sanchez Goes to UN’s ECOSOC Youth Forum
The Economic and Social Youth Forum also known as the ECOSOC Youth Forum took place last week at the United Nations’ Headquarters in New York, USA. The two day event had representation from Belize via the Minister of Youth, Elodio Aragon and Youth Ambassador, Eric Sanchez. The event featured discussion on how young people can […]

Missing Boy Found
Police have located a 14-year-old boy whose mother had reported him missing over the weekend in Dangriga. According to Isani Higinio, she sent her son, George Zuniga to the store to buy nails on Wednesday evening but he didn’t return. She says she believes that he may have gotten upset after she had hit him […]

Special Envoy Bats For Kaya on Female Inclusion
The Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow, came out in defence of female athlete Kaya Cattouse. Last week we reported that the Cycling Federation of Belize had sent a stern warning letter to Cattouse for her remarks she made on Facebook about the Federation and this weekend’s Digicell Valentine’s Cycling Tour. Kaya […]

PlusTV

PUP Leader says Barrow failed to get real help on banking issue
After being sworn in as leader of the People’s United Party (PUP), John Briceno took questions from the press. He first addressed the matter of correspondent banking relations. Suggesting that Prime Minister Dean Barrow had “failed” in his trip to Washington, D.C. to get real help to address the situation, Briceno said that Belize needed to reach out to its regional brothers and sisters to address an issue that hits high and low alike.

American tourist in critical condition after falling from Mayan ruin
An American national is listed in a critical condition after he fell off a Mayan Ruin in Belize. The accident occurred at Altun Ha inLucky Strike village in the Belize District. The 36 year old American national arrived into the country on Thursday February 4 via Carnival Dream Cruise and went to th...

FECTAB rails against Dark Night/ Institute of Archaeology deal
This morning the Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB), the umbrella grouping of smaller tour operators which has consistently stood against the larger players in the industry, returned to the warpath with grave allegations made against one of those rivals, Dark Night Cavetubi...

Santender approaches SSB for 12 million dollar loan
The company was introduced to Belize as Green Tropics; a foreign investment that government said would see the expansion of the sugar industry in the West of Belize and provide much needed economic activity and employment opportunity. But after Spanish Financial powerhouse Santender invested some 50...

Huang Park gets bail for abetment charge
Fifty-seven year old Korean national Huang Park, who was remanded to prison on a charge of abetment to pervert the course of justice, was released on a bail of $75,000 today which was granted by Justice John Gonzalez. The bail was offered on the condition that she surrenders all of her property docu...

Belizean music video nominated for international awards
If you are an avid PlusTv viewer, then you have surely seen “Giant Slayer” music video by Belizean artist Mervin Budram, but just in case you don’t know what we are talking about, here is a little peek: The video was shot by Belizean Stephen Usher and has now been nominated for two awards in the A...

Dental Clinic courtesy Rotary Club
Over the past week, the Rotary club of Dangriga held a series of medical clinics for the children of the South, in particular Hopkins village. The outreach, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Edmonton, took the form of a Dental Clinic set up at the Holy Family RC School , which allowed hundreds of child...

BPP tours Toledo
The Belize Progressive Party visited the Toledo District as a part of its country wide tour leading up to the upcoming village council elections. As a part of that visit, BPP’s Campaign manager, Robert Lopez, issued a video statement recorded at the garbage dump in Punta Gorda. A few weeks ago when...

Breaking Belize News

John Briceño sworn in as opposition leader
The Honorable John Briceño was sworn in as Leader of the Opposition by the Governor General today during a ceremony in Belmopan at Belize House. Among those present to observe the proceedings was Briceño’s family and Friends and parliamentarian Honorable Cordel Hyde of Lake […]

Belizeans react to “biased” ABC report
A report published What Tourists aren’t being told” has stirred reaction from the Belizean public as many consider the piece biased. The report is filed three weeks following the murder of ABC web producer, Anne Swaney, and while it quickly […]

Happy Chinese New Year 2016!
If you were surprised today by the sound of loud firecrackers you may have discovered it came from a Chinese home or business establishment. The reason – it is the Chinese New Year! 2016 is the year of the Monkey, according to the Chinese […]

Police have motive for 69 Bar killing
Police believe that the murder of 52-year-old Zi Jian Zhang, owner of “69 Bar” in Teakettle Village, was part of a robbery attempt. Zhang had been socializing with a female worker of the establishment after the close of business when they were attacked. Zhang was […]

Special Envoy backs women cyclists in Federation dispute
The Special Envoy for Women and Children has come out in solidarity with professional cyclist Kaya Cattouse who on social media earlier this month decried the Cycling Federation’s decision not to include the female and junior cyclists in their 2nd anual Digicell Valentine’s Tour. Her […]

Belize Bank implements new fees for cash transactions
Belize Bank Limited on January 28th implemented a cash withdrawal fee that has some customers displeased. Today when we called to check on it we were told that notices of the implementation of the new fee were placed inside every branch and was set up […]

Orbin Reyes pleads guilty, claims he was set up
28 year old Orbin Lenin Reyes today began a three-year jail sentence for drug trafficking after pleading guilty in the Magistrate’s Court. The Honduran national, who was busted with 16 and a half pounds of “high-grade” marijuana from Oaxaca, Mexico, valued at nearly 50 thousand […]

Tourists robbed but saved by passing motorist
A visiting couple was robbed at gunpoint at the Tropical Education Center at Mile 29, George Price Highway, but due to timely intervention by a passing motorist, police were able to catch at least one suspect who now faces charges. Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster, officer […]

Police find over 14 pounds of weed in drunken driver’s car
Shortly after midday on Friday, police responded to a road traffic accident between miles 16 and 17 on the Philip Goldson Highway, where they made the discovery of 14 pounds of cannabis inside an extensively damaged Ford Escape vehicle. The driver, 34-year-old Roland Rivers, was seen […]

Honduran found in Belize with almost 17 pounds of weed
A Honduran national, only in Belize for a period of 21 days, was stopped and searched by Ladyville police at a bus stop on Saturday morning, when a total of 16.75 pounds of cannabis was found inside his knapsack. The man, 25 year old Orbin Lenin Reyes, […]

New Opposition Leader sworn in
This morning newly elected People’s United Party (PUP) leader, John Briceño was officially sworn in as the leader of the opposition in Belmopan by Govern General Sir. Colvin Young. This comes after the Orange Walk Central Area Representative was victorious in the January 31st PUP National Convention.

Orange Walk Police seize nine-millimeter pistol
On Saturday February 6th, Orange Walk police confiscated a nine-millimeter CV-83 Browning pistol from a residence in that town. The Formation’s Quick Response Team searched the house of Mavis Wade, a Belizean seamstress on #25 Saint Peter’s Street and found the weapon hidden in a stock of books.

Tropic Air donates $500 to Dangriga Red Cross
A press release from Tropic Air issued earlier today, served to announce a $500 donation to Dangriga’s Red Cross branch as the start of the company’s ‘Tropic Gives Back’ charity campaign. The cheque was presented to the Red Cross on Thursday February 4, made possible through efforts from Tropic’s business partners, staff and customers, who contributed by purchasing flight tickets, of which a dollar was put toward the fund. Each month a different station will be chosen where tickets purchased will help to put money aside for a charitable institution in that municipality, with Caye Caulker having been selected for the month of February and Belmopan for the month of March.

Cool and relatively dry conditions to prevail
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting variably cloudy and cool weather today, becoming clear and cold tonight. Little or no rainfall is expected. Winds will be blowing from the North-Northwest at 10-20 knots and the sea state will be choppy to moderate.

Blogs

Day One of Carnaval in San Pedro: Bring Out the Plastic Wrap, the Kids and the Paint
After a day of drizzly cold rain, yesterday was the most gorgeous day on Ambergris Caye. For the very first day of Carnaval. Three days of parties and painting leading up to Lent. I headed into town early to take a look at the pre-festivities. Day One there would be music and kids running amock with painting and eggs (ILLEGAL) and fun. The New Sensations Band (they are GOOD!) was setting up and the Belizean staple – THE WALL OF SPEAKERS.

Dreaming of Tropical Islands in the Sun…
My wife, Suzan Haskins, and I do a lot of traveling. So we often find ourselves on the way to places. We find ourselves in airports. In taxis and shuttles. In planes and buses. In snow-bound cities and towns for holidays and family functions. I deal with these situations the same way a lot of people I know deal with them. In my mind, I go back to the island. That’s why I can sit in the middle of a restless crowd at the boarding gate of a flight that’s already been delayed twice with the prospect of missing my connection or having to spend the night in an airport hotel with my eyes closed and a big smile on my face. Suzan and I spent a lot of time on a lot of islands even before we started working for International Living. Back in the day, we were avid scuba divers. We lived for gin-clear water during the day and palapa bars at night. Most of our vacations were spent that way, and we vacationed on some of the most beautiful tropical islands on the planet.

NOW OPEN AT GRAND CARIBE BELIZE – THE BEACH BASKET!
With a focus on providing service to our guests here at Grand Caribe, as well as Northern Ambergris Caye residents – the Beach Basket provides your one stop shop for just about whatever you’re looking for – INCLUDING Cash-Withdrawal!! There’s a full complement of groceries and frozen goods, including but not limited to, cleaning supplies, imported rice, canned goods, pasta, snack goods, deli meats, a wide selection of cheeses and crackers, wines, and even liquor. The Beach Basket is home to over 60 bottles of fine wine as well as a wide variety of local and imported rums. Choose from wine brands like: Undurraga, Piper Heidsieck, Freixenet, Beringer Founders, Alamos, Lindemans, Lazo, Calvet, Bollini, Santa Margherita, Kim Crawford, Nederburg, Rene Barbier, Heitz and Luis Felipe Edwards, to name a few.

Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
There’s nothing in the Caribbean that matches the bio-diversity found in this expansive, lush corner of Belize. The CBWS preserve is home to mile-upon-mile of indigenous flowers, trees and plants in an environment that is so hospitable the region even has its own “moisture regulation” system that’s a perfect mix of rain, temperature and slight winds. Since tropical rainforests like this one are disappearing at alarming rates, a visit here gives you opportunities to see nature as it was thousands of years ago-—perhaps before mankind roamed the earth. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 20 miles south of Dangriga and can be reached by taking the Southern Highway. If you’re in close proximity to the area’s Maya Center Village, you’re just about six miles away. The dirt road from the Southern Highway extends for six miles isn’t paved, so if you drive, you’ll need a car capable of tackling rugged terrain. Use public transport if you can. Buses from Belize City and Dangriga Town get you to Punta Gorda Town and the Maya Village Center, then hike into the park. If you’re coming from a distance, grab a Maya Island Air or Tropic Air flight for the 20-minute trip to Dangriga. Taxis and tour companies are also viable options. First, the ideal way to experience this wildlife paradise is to book accommodations on premises rather than staying elsewhere so you’re in the midst of the action. Housing is rather primitive (think summer camp as a kid). The facility sleeps 24 people and has toilet facilities. Alternately, bring camping gear and a camping permit. During your visit, see Chucil Baluum, a Classic Period Mayan ceremonial site, Victoria Peak at an elevation of 3,675 feet and as many trails as time allows. Include visits to swimming areas, waterfalls, pine forests and the newest trail of all: The Outlier. The right guide can morph an already fascinating visit into an extraordinary one.

Ready, Set, Wait
We haven't broken ground yet for the pool or pool house, as the contractor and his crew are still working on the remodeling project for Dave and Dianna. However, there have been a few things happening here in preparation for the big day. First and foremost, our building permit was approved by the Ranchito Village Council. YAY! The other piece of business that gotten taken care of was amping up, so to speak, our breakers and breaker box outside. A real beauty, no? The extra breakers will allow power to be run from David's shop to the pump house. We also opted to have a weatherproof, lockable box. The other box had no cover, no lock, was rusting, and filled with a variety of dead insects and geckos. Now the breakers are protected from the elements and can't inadvertently turned off.

International Sources

Belize’s IFSC warns of fake regulation claims
One of the major financial services regulators – Belize’s International Financial Services Commission (IFSC) warned that the Arab Gold Bank Ltd. is falsely claiming to be registered in Belize. On its website the IFSC notes that the Certificate of Incorporation on the bank’s website is a complete forgery and it is not registered neither with IFSC, nor with any other competent authority in Belize to conduct any type of banking or trading activities. In conclusion the IFSC warns that all persons should take note and exercise extreme caution. On its website the Arab Gold Bank promises 100% guaranteed profit and daily payment of dividends. It offers investment in currencies, gold, oil and equity with four types of investment deposit plans: VIP Diamond shares, Gold stocks, Silver stocks and Bronze share, with net profit varying from 203.9% to 118.4% for investments with a 182-day duration. The company has agents in Oman, Saudi Arabia and Algeria. The Arab Gold Bank also offers a Ponzi scheme, dubbed “Marketing Commission for Life System”, in which the attracting of other investors brings additional profits from 1 to 7%.

De-Risking the Caribbean
De-risking: Between Rock and Hard Place in the Caribbean. The correspondent banking system in Latin America and the Caribbean has recently been facing increasing pressure, so much so that institutions like the World Bank and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have issued consultative reports on the brewing crisis in these emerging markets. Because much of the world’s cross-border capital flows are in US dollars, most Caribbean banks maintain what are called “correspondent accounts” in American banks. This allows them to exchange U.S dollars and handle other financial transactions in the United States. Without the accounts these banks would have limited access to foreign financial markets, thus severely hampering their ability to service client accounts without opening up a branch in the States.

Take A Gander At Leonardo DiCaprio's Private Island
A decade ago, Leonardo DiCaprio bought an island in Belize – in part because he’s a Hollywood megastar and that’s what megastars do, but also because he planned to build the world’s first eco-restorative resort to repair the eroding coastline, over-fished waters and deforestation. Leo first discovered the island, called Blackadore Caye, while vacationing nearby in 2004. “It was like heaven on earth,” he told The New York Times. The new resort, constructed in partnership with Paul Scialla, will feature all the usual trappings of a luxury hideaway – sprawling villas, infinity pools, impeccably Instagram-able sunset views – with a decidedly green spirit. According to the website, the development will be “completely powered by renewable energy and designed to increase the biological health of species on the island and in the waters around it.” Guests can focus on personal health and wellness while elsewhere, restoration programs are conducted and a research station studies climate change and habitat impacts.

Venezuela shopping centres halve opening times as crisis bites
Shopping centres in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, say they will be halving their opening times to four hours a day. The move will allow them to comply with government energy rationing. Ministers says a severe drought caused by El Nino has brought 18 of the country's hydro-electric dams to critically low water levels. A spokesman for the country's retail association said the drop in working hours would have an impact on jobs. The state energy corporation (Corpoelec) had wanted cuts twice a day, between 1pm and 3pm and then again between 7pm and 9pm. The retail association, The Chamber of Venezuelan Commercial Centres (Cavececo), said it had made an alternative proposal: that shops should open late at 12:00 and close at 19:00 saving five hours of energy use daily.

Caribbean experiences build Latin American expertise
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) subregional headquarters for the Caribbean has applied its experience in the Caribbean towards building the disaster assessment capacity in Peru’s National Center for Estimation, Prevention and Disaster Risk Reduction (CENEPRED). Since May 2015, ECLAC Caribbean has supported the efforts of CENEPRED to become a forerunner in the field of disaster risk reduction, since Peru remains one of the most vulnerable countries across Latin America to disasters. It is estimated that over the past 15 years there have been 59 disasters in that South American country, causing 3,565 deaths, and affecting more than 8.5 million people.

Birds, fish return to Havana Bay after a decade thanks to successful cleaning effort
The return of fish and marine birds to Havana Bay is an indication that Cuban authorities have managed to reduce pollution there by 50-60 percent over the past 10 years, experts quoted by official media reported Sunday. Havana Bay, which covers 2 square miles and has an average depth of about 30 feet, for years was considered to be one of the most contaminated zones in the Caribbean due to industrial and community waste from the Cuban capital being dumped there via several rivers and other channels. In 1998, authorities launched the GTE-BH cleanup program for the bay and the port that opens onto it that included identifying the sources of waste water and chemicals flowing into it. The program found that 124 industries were "aggressively" dumping waste into the bay and developed plans to reduce their polluting activities.

Videos

February 8, 2016

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Specials and Events

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: Great service at The Palms
Letters-to-the-EditorDear Editor, This past week our family came here to dive. We were staying at The Palms and appreciated so much that the manager sent golf carts to the airstrip to meet us. There were 3 heavy dive bags plus miscellaneous gear. We just want to give credit where credit is due to very efficient and courteous reception we received as guest of The Palms on this amazing caye.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Number Two
“It’s been one of those days,” my friend Bob said. “This morning I sent my yard man to the store for thumbtacks and he came back with Tampax.” “Joe Miller used to play guitar with me,” I told him. “He always said Belize is not a Third World country. It’s a Third Word country. We use so many languages that we all understand about every third word we say to each other.” Bob laughed and then he said, “Hey, you’re coming to my anniversary party; Right?” “Your second year anniversary? I wouldn’t miss it.” “Will you do me a favor?” Bob asked. “Sure. Anything you need.”

Letter to the Editor: ACES thanks for assistance for Charity Gala
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) would like to thank everyone who helped make the Ball Gowns & BBQ Charity Gala & Art Auction a huge success! Thanks to the incredible generosity of so many, our 1st Annual Ball Gowns & BBQ Gala was a night to remember and will be a bright spot on Ambergris Caye’s social calendar for years to come! Ambergris Caye Elementary School raised over $15,000 in much-needed operating and scholarship funds. Also, thanks to a generous matching grant every dollar raised at the event itself will be matched in support of ACES efforts to combine excellence and affordability in education on Ambergris Caye. We were delighted to have our tickets sell out well before the event and to see the ladies of San Pedro get into the spirit of the night with sequins and glamour galore, the gentlemen at their side sporting Hawaiian shirts and tropical linen (even the occasional panama hat could be seen among the crowd). With the gorgeous company and the rum punch flowing it could only be a great night in San Pedro!

Misc Belizean Sources

Conservation community plans exciting events for Reef Week 2016
The activities, set to take place between March 6th through to March 13th, include the Healthy Reef for Healthy People’s swim across the English Caye Channel, Oceana’s “Ride to the Reef” from the capital city to the coast, as well as educational and awareness events by organizations including the Belize Audubon Society, TIDE, FAMRACC, BTIA, Blue Ventures, the Turneffe Atoll SA, WWF, KREM, Wildtracks, the Wildlife Conservation Society, UB’s Environmental Research Institute and the Southern Enforcement Association. Partner entities for Reef Week 2016 also include the Belize Tourism Board, the Fisheries Department, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute and the Belize City Council. The week’s anchor event, the Reef Fair at the BTL Park in Belize City, will feature interactive games, giveaways and the exciting finish of the Women’s Cross Country being organized by the Belize Cycling Federation. The fair is set to open at 11AM on Sunday, March 13th 2016. Every year, the Belize Barrier Reef contributes a billion dollars in goods and services to the local economy via shoreline protection, tourism and fishing.

Belize Lobster Season To Close Feb 14th
The 2015- 2016 lobster Belize season is slowly coming to a close. The season opened on June 1, 2015 and lasted 8 1/2 months. It will close February 14, 2016. Fisheries and government officials place a moratorium on lobster fishing for 3 1/2 months to allow the species to spawn and replenish. During the closed season, possession or consumption of lobsters is illegal. The fines increase if your illegal lobster is undersized. We respectfully request that all citizens refrain from harvesting lobsters during the closed season. It is the only way we can be assured of having lobsters to harvest for generations to come.

Movie Night Tonight on Caye Caulker
Tonight, Monday, is Movie Night with the MERMAIDS at the outdoor Bondi theatre on Front Street. 6:30pm is The Little Mermaid followed by 8:30pm Splash. $12 tickets and $6 residents/students - all proceeds will support Caye Caulker's high school Ocean Academy.

Rotary Duck Race 2016
The 2016 Belize Duck Race was Saturday and they have the list of winners out. Congratulations to Felipe Flores on winning the $10,000 prize! "WINNING TICKET NUMBERS FOR THE BELIZE DUCK RACE 2016 All winners will be contacted. Also feel free send an email to [email protected] if you see your number below. Congratulations to all! On behalf of the Belize Duck Race Team we thank everyone who supported us by adopting a duck or as a Sponsor."

The Reporter

Mother and son arrested for unlicensed firearm
Police have arrested a seamstress from Orange Walk, and her son for having an unlicensed firearm and accompanying ammunition. The Orange Walk police’s Quick Response Team reported that they searched the home of Mavis Wade at #25 Saint Peter Street Orange Walk Town on Saturday, in the presence of Wade, and her son Steven Hyde, who is a student. While searching one of the rooms, police found a stack of books on a computer table. Those books had a square-shaped hole cut into the centre where the firearm was kept. Officers retrieved a nine millimetre CZ-83 Browning pistol with the serial number filed off. Police also discovered 13 bullets inside a white sock and 52 .380 brand live rounds.

CTO says Zika shouldn’t ruin travel plans
Despite the recent outbreak of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean, the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) maintains that the virus is no reason for visitors to avoid the regions. The CTO this week released a list of ten reasons why you shouldn’t cancel your trip to the Caribbean because of the Zika virus, and has been actively promoting the dissemination of the information contained in the list. The CTO explained that: the virus is mostly concentrated in Brazil and South America, around 200 suspected cases in the Caribbean; the World Health Organization (WTO) has issued a no-travel warning due to Zika; and that there is still much about the virus that has been unconfirmed. “The WHO itself has stated several times that it has no proof of a link between Zika and microcephaly. In fact, there is other research that suggests there is no link and that there are other causes of the suspected rise in cases in Brazil. There are also no reported cases of microcephaly linked to Zika outbreaks in other countries or regions,” the CTO said.

The Belize Times

“We Will Unite” – New PUP Leader Hon. John Briceño sounds the battle cry
Newly-elected People’s United Party Leader Hon. John Briceño called for unity and a re-commitment to the Party’s social justice values and philosophy rooted in service to the people, as he addressed supporters at the swearing-in of the newly-elected members of the National Executive held at Independence Hall, the Party’s Headquarters on Queen Street on Wednesday, three days after convincingly wining a spirited convention to decide who will be the next leader. “I am promising the Party members and this nation that the People’s United Party is united. It’s strong and it is ready to take over the Government. We need a government that has ability, has experience, has a vision for Belize, and that can only happen with a government of the People’s United Party. And there is hope to believe in the P.U.P., to believe in Belize and God willing we are going to form the next government of Belize,” declared the Party leader. The PUP is on the right track, to the grave disappointment of the critics and the cynics. Flanking the leader at the event were former PUP leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and Deputy Leader from the West, Hon. Julius Espat, two giants in the PUP.

“We Will Unite” – New PUP Leader Hon. John Briceño sounds the battle cry
Newly-elected People’s United Party Leader Hon. John Briceño called for unity and a re-commitment to the Party’s social justice values and philosophy rooted in service to the people, as he addressed supporters at the swearing-in of the newly-elected members of the National Executive held at Independence Hall, the Party’s Headquarters on Queen Street on Wednesday, three days after convincingly wining a spirited convention to decide who will be the next leader. “I am promising the Party members and this nation that the People’s United Party is united. It’s strong and it is ready to take over the Government. We need a government that has ability, has experience, has a vision for Belize, and that can only happen with a government of the People’s United Party. And there is hope to believe in the P.U.P., to believe in Belize and God willing we are going to form the next government of Belize,” declared the Party leader. The PUP is on the right track, to the grave disappointment of the critics and the cynics. Flanking the leader at the event were former PUP leader Hon. Francis Fonseca and Deputy Leader from the West, Hon. Julius Espat, two giants in the PUP. Their presence on Wednesday signalled support for Hon. Briceño and it is clear that with the convention being over, divisions have been put aside and the Party will move forward.

Cold blooded murders in Orange Walk
Orange Walk Police are still searching for a suspect who murdered two teenagers in cold blood on Monday afternoon. 19 year old Elrindo “Jun” Matura Jr. and 17 year old Rene Antonio Acevedo were shot dead by a lone gunman, a short distance from their homes on Gristock Street. The two teenagers and a third person were socialising outside the Matura’s residence when a male individual approached them along the street riding a bicycle and called for Erlindo. The Police say the man was inquiring about where to buy marijuana in the neighborhood. It is reported that Erlindo and the individual chatted for a short while on the street, before the man walked a short distance and turned around with a firearm in his hand, aimed at Rene. The man fired several shots. Erlindo and Rene were both shot while the third teenager was able to run away and escape harm.

Faber ready to fire 1,300 Teachers
Minister of Education Patrick Faber has announced one of the Barrow Administration’s retrenchment plans for 1,300 Belizeans. Faber declared that as of March 15th, teachers who have not met the full requirements to obtain a full teacher’s license will no longer have jobs at the Ministry. The announcement done at a press briefing on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 took teachers, principals and school administrations by total surprise. There has been no prior announcement of an ultimate deadline for teachers to comply with the requirements for their full licenses. The understanding among education stakeholders is that teachers will be given sufficient time to meet the criteria. Many have done so while others are in the process of being in compliance. Tertiary education is not affordable in Belize under this Government, and incentives offered by the Ministry are politically-not available to all.

Belizeans suffer under Barrow
Do you know how much Petrocaribe money is left? Let me tell you. Out of more than $350M borrowed in the past three years, $15M or even less is left. Do you know how much G.O.B. repays in debt every year? Let me tell you. G.O.B. has to find more than $100M every year to pay back for money it borrowed and spent. It is plain to see that the Barrow Government had an agreement all along with Fortis just before elections? Let me tell you. The people of Belize had to pay Fortis more than $60M for Dean Barrow’s wrong-headed appropriation of that company. Plus he had to give Fortis back 1/3 of B.E.L control. Do you know about the UDP Government’s secret agreement with Lord Ashcroft just before elections? Let me tell you. The people of Belize had to pay Lord Ashcroft more than $160M for Dean Barrow’s illegal appropriation of that company. PLUS…Dean Barrow had to agree to pay Lord Ashcroft back an additional amount based on the share value of B.T.L., to be determined by an arbitration panel. That decision is due any day now, and attorneys say it could be as much as an addition $200M.

Think About It
The People’s United Party has a new leader. He has the experience and been there and done that in the politics of Belize. The Hon. John Briceno emerged from the National Convention on Sunday as the winner in a three man race to lead the party from its long battle of in-fighting and disunity. Johnny competed with Hon. Francis Fonseca and Hon. Cordel Hyde, and received 1,122 votes out of 2700 delegate votes. Unity and dynamic leadership must be two of the key components of Johnny’s renewed leadership of the party. The organs of the party such as the Youth Movement, the Women’s Group, the Marshalls, the Constituency Committees must be reorganized and infused with new blood. The important media agents, the BELIZE TIMES and Vibes, the Party Radio/TV news needs new programming and additional hosts focusing on education, entertainment and particularly on capturing the attention of the young generation.

A time to heal
Belmopan was blue this past Sunday as delegates from across the nation converged to select a new leader for the grand old party. The last contested convention for the PUP was held in March of 2008 after former leader and Prime Minister Said Musa had stepped down following a loss in the General Elections of earlier that same year. In that convention, Johnny Briceño had defeated Francis Fonseca but that was a close contest. Mark Espat, who had already done considerable damage to the party, was initially nominated as a candidate, but he later withdrew and threw his support behind Briceño. Johnny pulled off the victory and went on to head the party for the next three years. He stepped down in 2011 and following a brief interim stint by Mark Espat, Francis Fonseca was endorsed as party leader at a convention in October of 2011. This time around, the contest was again between Johnny and Francis but Cordel Hyde, who had put a resounding whipping on Mark King in Lake Independence, made it interesting by also deciding to throw his hat into the ring. Cordel is extremely popular, in particular in the city, and many people believed that he had a more than decent chance of winning. The weeks leading up to the convention was tense and had all the excitement and drama of a General Election. At the end of a long hectic day of voting at Compre High School in the capital, the majority of delegates decided that they wanted to give Johnny Briceño another opportunity to lead the party.

Barrow fails!
Prime Minister Dean Barrow had no good news to share with the Belizean public and in particular the business community, about his recent mission to the United States to discuss with officials of the Obama Administration ways of mitigating the correspondent banking crisis crippling Belize. Barrow’s mission was a total failure and the best he got from Uncle Sam were supposed “assurances” that there is “nothing wrong with the Belize jurisdiction”. The Prime Minister was running in circles as he tried to convince the media that the U.S. banks’ de-risking of Belize’s banks is some kind of mistake. While he did mesmerize some of the news reporters with his half-cooked excuses, the Belizean public and business community are not fools. It is not true that there is “nothing wrong with the Belize jurisdiction”. Barrow needed to check with the U.S. State Department who are the ones who sign off on the annual International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR). President Barrack Obama reviews the reports and approves the designation of countries based on how grave their situations are. In the case of Belize, in the last report released in 2015, the country was classified as a “Major Illicit Drug Producing, Major Drug-Transit, Major Money Laundering” jurisdiction.

SCA girls & Wesley College boys lead football playoffs
The undefeated St. Catherine Academy girls and Wesley College boys are leading the Central Division high school football competition into the playoffs. The SCA girls have 4 wins, while the Wesley boys have 7 wins as they entered the playoffs. SCA won over the Wesley College girls on Monday afternoon, with goals by Kelsie Moss, Wareyni Gillett and Renisha Martinez. The Wesley College boys entered the playoffs, defeating the Ladyville Technical High School boys on Monday with goals by Nathan Oliva and Kermit Sutherland, while only Kenroy Allen scored for Ladyville.

City Boys win 2016 U-15 football champs
The City Boys won the 2016 Belize District Football Association’s (BDFA) Under-15 football championship finals: 3-2 in a penalty shootout against the Hattieville River Side Boys. In regulation time, the game ended 2-2 and 3-3 in overtime at the MCC Garden on Sunday. City Boys’ Akeem “Bib” Sutherland scored the 1st goal and Kyle Samuels scored a penalty for City Boys to lead: 2-0 at the half. Hattieville’s Mario Rivera scored after the break, and Michael Robinson scored Hattieville’s 2nd goal to tie 2-2 at the end of regulation.

Jaguars are male & female volleyball champs
The Lady Jaguars won 2-0 over long-time rivals Moen Stars to win the 2016 the national female volleyball championship finals at the Orange Walk Multipurpose Complex over the weekend. The Lady Jaguars’s Shantel Arnold, Tichele Solis, Zaire Garbutt, Maurissa Williams and Kay-de Vaughn scored kills on plays set by Tanesha Encalada and libero Tisha Solis to win 25-13, 27-25. The Belmopan girls placed 3rd after winning the Orange Walk Servivors 25-17, 25-8. Meanwhile, the Jaguars male team won 2-1 over the hosts, the Orange Walk Bad to win the 2016 national male volleyball championship finals.

Lucillo Teck gives thanks – Supporters pledge a total of $12,175.00 in one day telethon organized by KREM
Mr. Lucillo Teck on whose behalf Krem Radio and Television mounted a telethon to raise funds to help him pay his legal cost to Barrow & Williams Law Firm says a grateful and sincere thanks to the Belizean public. Mr. Teck on January 12, 2016 appeared on Krem Television soliciting funds to be able to defray his legal cost incurred as a result of his case against the Belize Sugar Industry Control Board (BSICB) represented by Barrow & Williams. This he did so as to mandate that the sugar cane grinding season for 2014-2015 be declared open since this was being used as leverage to force cane farmers to sign an agreement with BSI/ASR that was not beneficial to the farmers. This caused much economic hardship to the farmers who demanded that the government appointed and controlled SICB do it job and set the date and not side with the manufacture to the detriment of the farmers. At the end of the day in court it was Lucillo Teck alone against the Minister of Natural Resources, SICB, the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and BSI/ASR. Before the case could conclude the grinding season was opened after farmers became divided and under duress singed the agreement that has resulted in serious repercussions for them now.

Hiding CORRUPTION in the Dark – Belize blocks Transparency International for 8th Year
For the eighth consecutive year the Barrow Administration has denied the international watchdog group, Transparency International, the opportunity to evaluate the level of corruption in Belize. It appears that Prime Minister Dean Barrow is afraid of any scrutiny that would shed light on the serious transgressions committed by his Government. Every year Transparency International reveals its global corruption index, to indicate which countries operate under a democratic and accountable system or where corruption is rampant. This index is a serious measuring stick for investors and economic analysts. Belize has not been included in the indices since 2008, because the Barrow Administration has flatly denied Transparency International access to Government and country data for the agency to carry out its annual review of corruption.

Moody’s Predicts Collapse of Credit Card Services
The crisis in correspondent banking services in Belize will intensify and could almost cause the collapse of credit card services in the country, according a report issued to investors by Moody’s Credit Rating Service on Tuesday, February 2nd. Belize began losing correspondent banking ties with major United States banks such as Bank of America in mid-2015 as U.S. banks, under pressure from the Obama Administration which imposes heavy fines on banks who are linked to money laundering and terrorism, carried out a “purging” of overseas bank clients. According to Moody’s, U.S. banks see Belize as a huge risk. “Although domestic banks appear to be in full compliance with FATCA and international banking standards, large banks with US dollar operations face heavy fines under the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) initiatives if they are found to be involved in transactions deemed illicit. Their risk/return analysis is stacked heavily against doing business in Belize given the threat of large fines by US regulators,” explained the report. Moody’s indicated that the effects will be far-reaching and long term.

Police investigate Belize City shooting
On Wednesday the 3rd day of February 2016 about 7:12 p.m., police visited the KHMH where they saw 26-year-old Benua Andrews of Belize City suffering from two gunshot injuries to chest. Also seen was 26-year-old Tyron Myers also of a Belize City address suffering from gunshot injury to the left knee, right thigh and left elbow. Initial investigation reveals that on Wednesday, the 3rd day of February about 6:48 p.m., both Andrews and Myers were standing at the corner of Marigold Lane and Jasmine Street when male person approached and fired several shots at them causing their injuries. They are presently listed as stable.

PUP Leader Hon. John Briceno’s Message to Belizeans!
I want to thank the supporters of our People’s United Party for the opportunity to serve as their leader. I promise to continue to work hard everyday for our Party and our Country. I especially thank all those who offered themselves as candidates to serve on our Party’s National Executive and look forward to working closely with everyone as we revitalize our Party. Sunday’s convention was in itself a victory for our beloved PUP and marks the start of our campaign to energize the PUP and renew our commitment to the aims and objectives of our Party. I invite everyone to join us as we move forward, confident that together we can do great things. The People’s United Party has and always will be about the betterment of our nation and about service to others. Join me and together let us work in the spirit of our creed sharing the responsibility to build a Belize that works for everyone, where opportunity, fairness and justice can prevail over selfishness and injustice. I truly believe that the PUP is the best hope for Belize.

Cycling President tries to muzzle well-known female cyclist
Is Belize City Councillor Dion Leslie the Cycling Federation President or Emperor? It appears Leslie crowned himself king and ruler of all his subjects. As king he can order them to shut up and what to say when they speak. Or so he thinks. The BELIZE TIMES has obtained a copy of a letter sent by Leslie to well-known female cyclist, Kaya Cattouse, in which he threatens to fine and suspend her from the Federation if she continues posting comments on social media which he doesn’t like. “…you have written comments on social media regarding your displeasure on decisions of the C.F.B., you have been verbally advised to cease and desist by Executive members,” said Emperor Leslie scroll, “failure to cease will result in a fine and suspension”.

Congrats to New PUP Leader
Dear Editor, Big congratulations to Hon. John Briceño and his team elected to serve the PUP stronghold during this tenure. I know they will do a good job, and a big thanks to Hon Francis Fonseca also for guiding the Party when all thought that our Party was doomed. The rebuilding process starts now and anyone who says they support PUP need to chip in any way. Listening to Marshall and G. Mike on the air about a membership drive is an excellent idea. Party supporters can pay at least $10.00 a year for support. Another idea is for the Party to host an Annual Ball, catering to about 500 plus guests with a special guest speaker. If one charges $100.00 per person one would raise about $50,000.00 or more. This would help in running the expense of the Party especially the media outlets and Independence Hall. But I know Hon John. and his team will find away.

PUP Mayor Kevin Bernard: “it’s time to unite”
Dear Editor, At 10:15pm Sunday night John Briceño was officially returned as the new Leader of the People’s United Party. To share a hard-fought victory with his was his entire slate – new Chairman Henry Charles Usher, new Deputy Leader for the South Rodwell Ferguson, new Deputy Leader for the North Jose Abelardo Mai and new Communications Director Anthony Mahler. It was a good victory for these generals of the People’s United Party, but it was a GREAT victory for the many thousands of our supporters countrywide. Hon. Julius Espat stated last night that this process to select a leader, with voting from almost 3000 delegates, is a historic one…the first for any Party in Belize. The people have spoken…loudly. Now it’s time to put differences aside and to support the PEOPLE’S CHAMPION.

Breaking Belize News

Belize City man wins Rotary Duck Race
After the ducks crossed the finish line in Cayo yesterday evening, a lucky Belize City winner was called and told that his one crossed first, earning him a cash prize of $10,000. 81 other persons also received smaller prizes for their participation in the Belmopan Rotary Club’s annual duck race, which is a fundraising event that provides finances to help the club carry out its charity work.

Tributes in Belize City and Orange Walk mark Bob Marley’s 71st birthday
This weekend a pair of organizations are marking the 71st birthday of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley. On Saturday there was a concert organized in Orange Walk by the Charitable Roots Foundation to support a young cancer patient. It was held at the East Sports Center and featured Eljai, a Belizean-born reggae musician out of the United States. This evening in the Old Capital at Birds Isle, Dara Cyber Home Theater presents the fourteenth annual tribute and food drive to support Joel Dara Robinson’s feeding program which operates out of his Dunn Street home.

Blogs

Belize in April
April is the best month to visit Belize, preferred by many visitors because the large crowds of Easter and Spring Break have begun to taper off. With plenty of warm sunny weather and fewer crowds, April is a fantastic time to visit Belize. Whether you’re interested in exploring Maya ruins, swimming with whale sharks, tubing down a river through a series of caves or simply enjoying a lovely holiday in a tropical paradise, there’s plenty on offer in Belize in the month of April. Belize Events and Festivals in April San Jose Succtoz Fiesta – The small village of San Jose Succotz in Cayo District holds a yearly festival in April in honor of its patron saint. Lagoon Reef Eco Challlenge – On April 24-25 Ambergris Caye is home to a special kayak race featuring two-man teams competing to be the first to circumnavigate the island. With fabulously warm temperatures, April is a wonderful time to visit Belize. Make the most of swimming with whale sharks, diving, and snorkeling in the comfortably warm waters of the Caribbean or simply take the opportunity to relax on a beach. April is when temperatures start to heat up, with highs around 85°F (29°C) and warm nights that average about 76°F (24°C). April is also characterized by “Iguana Rains”, brief, cooling rain showers that wash away excess humidity.

Carnaval, One of San Pedro’s Most Unique Holidays, Starts Today! A Few Tips…
Mardi Gras or Carnival, the holiday is celebrated around the world. The festivus of eating, drinking and naughtiness before the beginning of Lent. Different places do different things…we all know about the celebration in New Orleans or in Rio (Brazil attracts 70% of its tourists during this week alone!) but in San Pedro, it’s been going on for decades and it is totally unique. Here is the full schedule. On a very chilly Friday night – the House of Culture did a photo exhibition…I wanted to go but COLD! Here is last year’s…stop by this week and check it out. They have some amazing and hilarious photos. And descriptions of the history and traditions. And Don Juan Carnaval. Last night was cancelled due to rain but today IT BEGINS with the little kids painting in the afternoon and starting around 4pm…comparsas dancers. Groups, often cross dressing, that dance for donations and just…fun.

Flan
This traditional Mexican dessert recipe is prized for it's simplicity. If you've never made flan before, now is the time to try this recipe. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. You will need 6 ramekins or other specialty flan cook ware and a large baking pan to put them in. Pour 1 cup sugar in warm pan over medium heat. Constantly stir sugar until is browns and becomes caramel. Quickly pour approximately 2-3 tablespoons of caramel in each ramekin, tilting it to swirl the caramel around the sides. Reheat caramel if it starts to harden.

International Sources

BELIZE’S IFSC INCREASES MINIMUM CAPITAL REQUIREMENT FOR FOREX BROKERS TO $500,000
The Belize financial regulator, the International Financial Services Commission (IFSC), has increased the minimum requirement for initial capital for financial and commodity-based derivatives brokers to $500,000, according to the latest version of the licensing regulation. The change affects brokers of forex, futures, options, contracts for differences (CFDs), interest rates, shares, and stocks. Prior to the hike, the required capital was a minimum $100,000. Companies that are yet to be registered and licensed in Belize will need to meet the new requirement, while those who already hold a license will have a period of two years to hike their capitals. Furthermore IFSC has increased the annual licence fee from $5,000 to $25,000. Belize is known as an offshore destination for financial service providers, where the regulation and licensing requirements are not as strict as in other countries. Incorporation costs are also significantly lower there. Many forex brokers choose to register and be regulated in Belize since the provision of a license there requires them to meet fewer and softer criteria and to comply with less strict rules and requirements than if they registered in other countries. In fact, the IFSC rather relies on self-regulation of the companies.

10 reasons you shouldn’t cancel your Caribbean trip over Zika
The spread of the Zika virus in the Americas, including countries in the Caribbean, and the possible link to birth defects such as microcephaly (babies with small heads) have left many people – especially pregnant women – wondering whether they should cancel their holidays to the region. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and individual countries have advised their pregnant citizens not to, and some airlines and cruise lines are offering refunds and/free penalty-free changes. But the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) say there is no reason to panic or to put travel plans on hold. Here are 10 reasons why, based on a list of Frequently Asked Questions the two have put out.

Videos

February 7, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

First blood drive of the year hosted by SP Red Cross
On Saturday, January 30th, the San Pedro Belize Red Cross (SPBRC) held its first blood drive of the year. It has been an ongoing collaboration with the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II and the Belize Blood Bank, as SPBRC strives to build the island’s blood supply. Even though the blood drive was not as successful in comparison to previous, a total of nine usable pints of blood were collected. A single pint of blood can save up to three lives, therefore it is important to come together as a community and provide this important resource. Eight volunteers along with several others behind the scenes showed up at the Polyclinic early to help with the endeavor. From 9:30AM to 3PM several text messages went out in call for support and even though many events took place simultaneously on Saturday, the SPBRC is pleased with the response they received. The blood collected was transported to Belize City for storage in order to keep a full supply on hand at the Belize Blood Bank available for anyone in San Pedro that may experience an emergency. Snacks and refreshments were provided to all those who donated blood.

Five-a-side Football Tournament’s latest results
The San Pedro High School (SPHS) and Island Citizen Sporting Club (ICSP) Five-a-side Football Tournament is in its sixth round of games and will soon be heading into its first eliminations. The last set of games was held on Saturday, January 30th and Sunday, January 31st at the Angel Nunez Auditorium. No matches will be played this coming weekend. Five-a-side action returns on Saturday, February 13th.

Long time volunteers return to Smile Dental Clinic
For 11 years, Dr. Alex Willis has been a volunteer at the Smile Dental Clinic at Holy Cross Anglican School, and from Monday, February 1st to Thursday, February 4th he was back at it again. This time Dr. Willis brought a friend, Dr. Steve Sudderth, and both provided free dental care to close to a hundred students at Holy Cross. Assisting the doctors in their four days of service were their wives, Dental Assistants Vickie Sudderth and Nancy Willis.

Over 100 bags of garbage collected from North Ambergris Caye
San Pedro Sagebrush Community Church organized a clean-up campaign for Northern Ambergris Caye which saw the collection of an astounding amount of garbage. Held on Saturday, January 30th, with close to 50 persons participating, the clean-up efforts saw the collection of more than 100 bags of garbage. The clean-up campaign was organized by the church’s Guest Services Team who are on mission here in San Pedro. Participants gathered in front of the Paradise Theater from 8PM. Equipped with 50-gallon garbage bags, the group collected garbage from both the road side and beach area from the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge up to Belizean Shores Resort. From there, the group drove up to the Secret Beach in the Grand Belize Estate Area where they continued to collect garbage. “This was probably where we got most of our trash, the area was filled with garbage,” indicated one of the clean-up participants.

Belize Bank implements new fees for cash transactions
Belize Bank Limited (BBL) has recently implemented new cash withdrawal fees and customers are not happy. The fee is $1 for direct cash withdrawal and $0.50 for ATM cash withdrawals. These charges came into effective on Thursday, January 28th and BBL costumers have raised several complaints on the new charges. “I recently went to withdraw money through the ATM and before discharging the money a pop up appeared asking me to confirm a 50¢ charge for withdrawal. This is getting ridiculous! Every time we go to the ATM they will be charging us 50¢. And then it is $1 when you go inside the bank and wait in line to use the teller to withdraw. We don’t even have free access to our own money now,” said a concerned citizen to The San Pedro Sun.

Doctor Love: Saddened and Last Chance
Dear Doctor Love, I am in my late thirties and divorced. I have been seeing a man for five months who is also divorced and has two children from his first marriage. We have reached the point where we are spending almost every week end together. Last week he told me he does not feel as strong for me as I do for him and we should probably see other people. I do feel very strong for him but I think his problem is that he got burned really badly when his wife left him and he can’t get over it. I would do anything to keep him but I don’t know how. Please help. /s/ Saddened

Misc Belizean Sources

SUPER BOWL BIG SCREEN OIL WRESTLING, Kama Lounge San Pedro, Belize
Sunday, February 7at 4 PM - 11 PM. PRE PARTY OIL WRESTLING UNLIMITED LOCAL RUM DRINKS $50 during GAME Time ONLY

Taste Belize Tours visited Urban Gardens for Food Security and Peace
What an exciting week! Taste Belize Tours visited Urban Gardens for Food Security and Peace on 38 Zericote Street in Belize City. We are impressed and motivated to support positive grassroots initiatives like these across Belize. The garden is reaching out to local schools and at risk youth and producing delicious organic food. We will back and doing more to support and we hope others will join us!

Paint Party Events
Come join us this Thursday at the Crazy Canucks Bar where we will be painting the lovely "Stained Glass Mermaid". Please bring a sharpie marker along with you. Regular cost is $25 U.S. and there is a certainly discount for members. See you all there on Thursday! February 11, 2016 at 2:00 PM

Santa Rita Maya Wedding Re-enactment postponed
Oooops! Due to inclement rainy weather, the Santa Rita Maya Wedding Re-enactment scheduled for today Saturday, February 6th, has been POSTPONED until further notice. Please hold on to your tickets and look out for the new date via radio, TV and social media. Stay dry and safe!

Juan Carnaval 2016
Due to the wet weather we will be presenting Juan Carnaval 2016 today Sunday February 7th - same times ...same places...5pm caravan on the principal streets and 8pm stage presentation. See you out there!!

BEL continues repairs on substation transformer that supplies portion of Corozal District
Critical testing of equipment to be carried out following repairs. Power supply expected to be restored by 8:00 a.m., Sunday, Feb 7 to Pueblo Viejo, Saltillos, Copper Bank, Chunox, Orchid Bay, Sarteneja and Joseito & Dominguez Layouts.

Sawdust Tapestry Call
Benque is famous for its annual cultural event of making sawdust tapestries. If you want to create one, now is the time to sign up. "Sign up! Take ownership, select your area,be a part of the 2016 elaboration of Carpets!"

Belize Fishing Report January 24th – January 30th, 2016
A very solid week of fishing for everyone at the lodge. A group of doctors from Wilderness Medical joined us for a retreat/business trip. Dick was the tarpon guru to start the week and in an unusual event, Junior landed a tarpon right in front of the lodge! A few other bites, a bunch of follows and who knows how many shots were made. Keeping your cool while face to face with a tarpon takes some practice!

Unexpected death of Rene Dario
We are very saddened by the unexpected death of Rene Dario Ical, one of our Zipline guides. Our heartfelt condolences to Rene's family and to all those who's life he touched. He was very special and will be missed. He passed away while on his motorbike in an unfortunate accident. He lived life to the fullest and now he will rest in peace. We'll miss you Rene. Sad day today as I lose a close friend and fellow birder. My condolences to his Dad, Mr. Pedro Ical. I trained Rene Dario Ical at Bocawina Rainforest Resort, where we both did bird surveys in remote locations. The legacy he leaves behind? A strong spirit of adventure and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Those trails will never be the same without you..

Carnaval Photographic Exhibition
The San Pedro House of Culture opened their Carnaval Photographic Exhibition on Friday, Feb. 5th. Unfortunately, due to the weather not many were able to attend but the HOC went all out to showcase costumes, songs and photos of the Good Old Carnaval de San Pedro. Here we see Mr. Guillermo "Mito" Paz as Don Juan, welcoming those who attended.

Amandala

De-risking could substantially hurt Belize economy: Moody’s
Since early last year, the alarm was sounded that the decision taken by US banks to cut off their relations with Belize banks could have dire consequences, and that was underscored in a report recently released by Moody’s Investor Service, a well-known international agency. Dubbed “Loss of Correspondent Bank Services Compounds Existing Economic and Fiscal Challenges,” the report, authored by a team of Moody’s analysts: Jaime Reusche, VP-Senior Analyst; Mauro Leos, VP-Sr. Credit Officer; and Anna Snyder, Associate Analyst, warns that although de-risking would not likely lead to a trade collapse, it could, nevertheless, have a major impact on Belize’s economy. It added that, “Of the five domestic banks in Belize, only two smaller banks, Scotiabank and Atlantic – would retain correspondence with other top-tier banks for US dollar transactions, including wire transfers, bank drafts, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and credit card transactions.” “The loss of correspondent banking services initially only affected Belize’s (Caa2 stable) offshore banks but has spilled over into the domestic banking sector and could have a strong negative impact on tourism, trade flows and overall economic activity,” the report said. Significant disruptions could consequently impact Belize’s tourism, trade and cross-border investment flows, Moody’s detailed.

No judgment yet for Gapi and Monchie!
This morning, the Chief Justice of Belize, Hon. Kenneth Benjamin, was scheduled to hand down his ruling in the slander case brought by Orange Walk North area rep and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Gaspar “Gapi” Vega, against Ramon “Monchie” Cervantes, his rival and PUP standard bearer during the November 4 general elections, but when representatives from the city’s media houses arrived at the Supreme Court shortly before 9:00 a.m., the usual kind of activity associated with the case was absent from around the court building. There were no signs of Vega’s supporters, who have been making the trip to Belize City in support of him, and neither were there any Opposition People’s United Party supporters for Cervantes. The final submissions in the case were made on November 22, 2015, and Chief Justice Benjamin had indicated that he would have handed down his ruling on December 22, 2015. The ruling, however, was pushed back to today, Thursday, February 4.

Two Lake I men survive gun attack
Benua Andrews, 26, and Tyrone Myers, also 26, both of the Lake Independence area, survived a murderous barrage of gunshots at about 7:30 last night, Wednesday. Andrews and Myers told police that they were standing in a yard at the corner of Marigold Lane and Jasmine Street when a lone gunman came up and fired about 10 shots at them. The gunman then ran into Marigold Lane and disappeared. Police say that Andrews was shot in the chest and Myers was shot in the left knee, right thigh, and left elbow. The men were rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital by a BERT ambulance, and were admitted in a critical but stable condition.

Belize asks Venezuela for 1.5 million barrels of fuel for 2016
Belizean consumers used almost 50 million gallons of fuel in 2015, with the bulk of that being sourced from Venezuela under the PetroCaribe accord. Despite a change in political administration in Venezuela last year, Belize has not suffered any cutbacks. This is according to John Mencias, deputy chairman of APBEL, the joint partnership between Belize and Venezuela which handles fuel purchases for Belize. “The fuel keeps coming,” Mencias said. Whereas the country imported 1,043,658 barrels of fuel from Venezuela in 2015, it has asked for 40% more fuel for 2016 – a total of 1,464,000 barrels, Mencias informed. The projection is that Belize will need to import 510,000 gallons of regular gasoline, 810,000 barrels of diesel, and 144,000 barrels of “jet A” grade kerosene over the 12-month period. The last shipment arrived late January and a new shipment is due to arrive tomorrow, Friday, February 5, said Hernan Herrera, commerce and supply manager of APBEL. It is expected that once that fuel reaches the pumps, the price per gallon will be even lower than the price on the last shipment, as world market prices have continued to fall. The price of regular gasoline in Belize City is $7.68 on the gallon, down from $8.20. The December price for premium gasoline, imported from the US market, continues to hold at $9.30 a gallon.

PetroCaribe account down to $15 mil
Financial Secretary Joseph Waight disclosed to the press this week that PetroCaribe funds are down to BZ$15 million, a drastic reduction following a decline in world market prices by about half, plus major expenditures which the Government made from the funds last year. In his New Year’s Message, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dean Barrow, said that among the challenges that would confront his administration in 2016, the most pronounced would be the reduction in PetroCaribe flows. “With the dizzying fall in oil prices, we expect to get much less from these Venezuela loan funds than we did in 2015. And already 2015’s intake was only half of 2014,” Barrow said. Today, an official source in the Ministry of Finance indicated that whereas the Government had received around US$2 million monthly last year, this year, it is down to US$1 million monthly. The money is received under an arrangement which allows the Government to defer half of the payments for fuel imported from Venezuela under a 25-year financing agreement and instead keep the portion of revenues from local fuel sales to finance its programs. The other portion has to be paid within 90 days.

PUP leader John Briceño and his new National Executive sworn in
In the wake of the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) convention on Sunday, January 31, this morning, the party’s headquarters at Independence Hall came alive with supporters and parliamentarians who gathered for a swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected PUP leader, Hon. John Briceño, and his team of national executives. The new PUP executive is made up of four Deputy Leaders — Hon. Kareem Musa, for the East, Hon. Julius Espat for the West, Hon. Jose Abelardo Mai for the North and Hon. Rodwell Ferguson for the South. There were no contested conventions for Musa and Espat, while Mai and Ferguson won their position in Sunday’s national convention, on Briceño’s slate. Mai defeated Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., the powerful area representative for Corozal South East, and Ferguson defeated Hon. Mike Espat, the area representative for Toledo West. The post of National Campaign Manager is filled by Victor Espat, who was unchallenged at Sunday’s convention. Ramon Cervantes, Jr., is the new treasurer; he was also unchallenged for his post.

Lady Jaguars (female) and Jaguars (male) are Belize National Volleyball Champions
After 23 competitive matches over two days at the OW Multipurpose Complex, champions were determined. After round robin play on Saturday, defending men’s champion, Toledo King Scorpions, and the previous champion, Belmopan Blingz were ranked top in their pool and won the bye directly to the semi-final on Sunday. In the quarter final, Jaguars won over SQ Dragons, and home team, OW Bad News, won over Corozal Massives, to play against Toledo and Belmopan, respectively. After completing the women’s first round, the semi-finals were set with defending champions Moen Stars (1st seed), who went undefeated, vs OW Servivors, and Lady Jaguars vs Belmopan Bandits. On Sunday morning, the men’s semi-finals featured Toledo Scorpions vs Jaguars in a highly anticipated male match. Jaguars overcame Toledo, 25-19, 25-23, to advance to the final against OW Bad News, who had pulled it off in the deciding set over Belmopan Blingz, 25-18, 14-25, 15-12. In the women’s division semi-finals, Moen Stars won over OW Servivors, 25-6, 25-8, and Lady Jaguars won over Belmopan Bandits, 25-16, 25-17, to set up the perpetual final between Lady Jaguars and Moen Stars.

Cricket Corner – Marathon in Lemonal
Under the auspices of the National Cricket Association, the Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2016 kicks off with a Marathon to be held in the village of Lemonal on Saturday, February 6, and Sunday, February 7, starting at 10:00 a.m. sharp on both days. Captains are asked to register their teams on those days. Failure to do so will prevent them from playing in the regular season that is expected to start on Saturday, February 13. As this year’s season begins, I must mention that last year there were a lot of misunderstandings between players, fans and officials of games. It would be greatly appreciated if players conduct themselves in such ways that their family and friends could follow suit. This game is played in these areas to allow us to meet friends or find new ones. Let your conduct speak for you.

C-Ray Saturday Race Series 2016 – Week 3 results
On Saturday morning, January 30, the C-Ray Cycling Club Saturday Race Series continued with the third race of the series. The field continues to grow every week. Alliance Cycling Team and the Choto brothers of C-Ray Cycling Team, all the way from Cayo, were present at the start line. A total of fifty cyclists lined up in six different categories: 28 Elite, 1 Female, 5 Category 4/5, 12 Juniors, 3 40-years+, and 1 50-years+. The course changed slightly this week. The race started, as usual, in front of Ready Call, turned at the Hattieville round-about, turned again at the junction with Philip Goldson Highway, and finished in front of CDS Gas Station. This week was definitely the fastest of the three weeks, clocking 28 minutes at the Hattieville round-about, and 54 minutes at the other end. Averaging 26.4 miles per hour, the race clocked a total time of 59 minutes 40 seconds.

Editorial: Power inside the PUP
A lot of things happened inside the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) between late October and November of 2011. First, the PUP Leader chosen by a leadership convention in March of 2008 to replace the reigned Rt. Hon. Said Musa (Fort George), Hon. John Briceño (Orange Walk Central), himself resigned. Briceño was replaced on an Interim Leader basis by Hon. Mark Espat (Albert); Espat was subsequently endorsed for the substantive post of PUP Leader by 30 of the 31 electoral constituencies, the only nay vote coming from Arthur Saldivar of Belize Rural North. Espat, after an 11-day period as Interim Leader, then withdrew himself from leadership candidacy, and the said Saldivar, Mike Espat (Toledo East), and Julius Espat (Cayo South) offered themselves as leadership candidates. Finally, behind closed doors, an unknown executive cartel of the PUP which did not present itself to the party or the Belizean public, announced that the Hon. Francis Fonseca (Freetown) had been chosen as the new PUP Leader. Francis Fonseca quickly retooled the national party executive, replacing Mark Espat and Hon. Cordel Hyde (Lake Independence), the two Senior Deputy Leaders who had supported Briceño at the March 2008 leadership convention and had been appointed by him to those executive positions, with a “five pack” of Deputy Leaders which included Mike Espat, Julius Espat, Hon. Florencio Marin, Jr. (Corozal Southeast), Dolores Balderamos-Garcia (Belize Rural Central), and Carolyn Trench-Sandiford (Collet). At that point in time, late 2011, the PUP had only six area representatives, elected in 2008, in the House. These were Francis Fonseca, John Briceño, Said Musa, Mark Espat, Cordel Hyde, and Florencio Marin, Jr.

From the Publisher
In a sense, the neoliberal capitalist philosophy begins from the premise that man is a basically selfish creature. If we accept this premise, it follows that any social, political, and economic system which is based on a denial of this fundamental aspect of the human being, will be less successful than a system which accepts man as he is and allows, yea encourages, him to operate instinctively, or as his nature prescribes. In the neoliberal world, the individual is exalted, and the operative, concomitant system of so-called free market democracy assumes that once individuals are allowed and encouraged to operate without a lot of social or governmental restrictions, then such a system will produce wealth, in the form of goods and services, and such wealth will inevitably spread to the masses of the people, thus benefiting them. An antithesis to the individualistic, capitalist thesis developed over the centuries which declared that the state, or the government, had the responsibility to protect the masses of the people from excessively “gifted” or greedy individuals, in order to ensure that the wealth of the nation-state was available for the sustenance of the masses.

Drought to shift from northern to southern Belize
Last year, the drought concern was mostly for northern Belize, but in the months ahead, a portion of southern Belize should be on the alert . Cumberbatch said that there is no drought concern for Belize up to April 2016, but the extended 12-month forecast anticipates a drought watch for the southwestern and central coastal areas of Belize during the latter part of the year. She said that a national climate forum was held last year with representatives from the agriculture, tourism and health sectors, to warn them of the anticipated drought—which was intended to help with putting in place interventions to mitigate the drought’s impacts. “Because of the excessive rainfall that occurred in October and November of 2015 the drought situation has eased off over the entire country through to March of 2016. In the long-term, there is still concern for drought in south of the country during the end of June 2016,” said the Met Service, in an online summary.

National 2016 budget to be drafted this month
There is a lot of curiosity over what the 2016 budget will look like, as the new financial year begins to appear on the horizon. The national budget now exceeds a billion dollars, with the bulk of the funds going towards recurrent spending such as salaries. Of note is that the new budget for 2016-2017—originally forecasted at BZ$1.04 billion, a shade smaller than the $1.07 billion approved last year for 2015-2016—should include the third and final tier of salary adjustments the Government promised to teachers and public officers. In 2014, teachers and public officers got a 6% raise and last year, they received another 8%. The third adjustment will be worked out after the budget year ends on March 31, when the Government will know how much, if any, excess revenue it earned that it can split with workers, under a 50-50 arrangement. In the days ahead, the Ministry of Finance will accelerate work to put together the budget. It is currently awaiting final submissions from the various government ministries, which it hopes to receive by the end of the week.

Despite spike in homicides for January, Belize can become a safer place in 2016
With 12 murders reported by the Police Department for the month of January 2016, including the stabbing murder of Mariano Castillo reported over the weekend, the year is off to a very bad start. In fact, the month’s murder tally is the third highest ever recorded in Belize for that specific month. Although January 2005 saw a record 14 murders, the year 2005 saw far less murders than had been reported in Belize over the past 10 years, with a total tally of 81. This makes the point that a bad start to the year does not have to equate with a bad finish. When 13 murders were reported in January 2013, the year finished with 99, breaking the triple-digit trend which began in 2010. The year before, 2012, had actually seen a record-high 145 homicides—but only 4 of those had occurred in January.

Home sweet home, after lockup in Mexico
Two Belizean men are home free after they were released from a jail in Chetumal, Mexico, where they have been since February 2013, on charges of drug trafficking. Police said that yesterday, Ermilindo Vasquez and Hugo Casanova, after being released from jail yesterday, were taken by Mexican police to the Belize northern border today, where they were handed over to the Belize police, who, after doing checks to ensure that the two men were not wanted for any offenses in the Belize, were released from custody. Casanova went home to be reunited with his family in Corozal, and Vasquez went to his family in Orange Walk Town. Mexican police say that on February 7, 2013, the two men were busted during a sting operation at the home of a well known drug dealer in Chetumal and southern Mexico.

Daniel Anderson, 31, walks from murder charge
Supreme Court Justice Adolph Lucas this morning ruled to acquit accused murderer Daniel Anderson, 31, of the June 2010 murder of Joyce Mitchell, 19, who was shot in the head as she sat on her sister’s car in front of their home on Sibun Street. The trial was without a jury. In acquitting Anderson, Justice Lucas said that the prosecution had failed to prove the case against him. “The Crown did not discharge the burden (of identification) to the requisite standard. I have no other recourse but to find the accused not guilty of murder,” Justice Lucas said at the conclusion of his judgment. Justice Lucas ordered Anderson to stand up. “I find you not guilty of murder. Go and try to sin no more,” he said.

Two teens shot to death in Orange Walk Town
Two Cristock Street, Orange Walk Town teenagers were shot and killed at about 4:30 Monday afternoon — their bodies left sprawled on the road in front of one of their homes. Erlindo Matura, 19, was shot in the upper left side of his chest and back, and died almost immediately, while his friend, Rene Acevedo, Jr., 16, was shot in the back of the head. Their friend, another minor, managed to escape the killer. Orange Walk police told Amandala today, Thursday, that they know who they are searching for, but have not found him yet. Matura and Acevedo were transported to the Northern Regional Hospital, where they were pronounced dead on arrival. The three friends were at Acevedo’s home, when a man rode up on a bicycle to the yard and called for Matura. Matura came out of the house onto the road to talk to the man. His two friends, Acevedo and the minor, followed him to see what the man wanted.

Ladyville residents “happy with Serrano’s Bus Service”
Hernan Serrano has been given a permit since January 15 to operate two buses between Belize City and Ladyville; his two buses don’t go all the way to Lord’s Bank as do the other bus lines, Haylock Bus Service and Ramos Bus Service, however. Serrano’s Bus Service run is apparently very much welcomed by the residents of Ladyville, who said that prior to the Serrano runs their needs were not being met. Amandala spoke with a few of the passengers; a man who was on crutches said, “This is the transport I use now,” and noted that it is very convenient, since the villagers don’t have to walk to the highway to wait for a bus. Another passenger told Amandala that having another bus on the road alleviates the congestion (which necessitates that a lot of passengers be standees) that occurs on the buses, and this new run allows them to ride “comfortably”.

The Reporter

Another tourist mishap
Belize has recorded another unfortunate incident involving a tourist suffering harm, this time at the Altun Ha archaeological site. Reports are that a cruise passenger, American national Bryan Goeders, had to be flown out of the country for further treatment on Saturday, after falling from the Altun Ha Mays temple on Friday. Goeders, who had only been in country for a few hours, was booked on a tour of the site with Chukka, and declined to climb the site. After his group of over 40 people had gone ahead, however, Goeders decided to climb the temple, but lost his balance trying to pick up his sunglasses, which had dropped from him. He fell 35 feet and landed face-first, causing a crushed liver, abrasions to the forehead, dizziness, nose bleeding, throat pains, a broken jaw, bruised lungs, and bleeding to the brain. Chukka Tours Director Valerie Woods, maintains he was not on a sanctioned climb, and that the other tourists were in no danger.

BPP calls for proper garbage disposal in Toledo
The Belize Progressive Part (BPP) is calling on the Government of Belize and the residents of the Toledo district to address an ongoing problem with garbage disposal, which mars the beauty of the jungle. Robert Lopez, campaign manager for the BPP, in a report compiled from an ongoing countrywide, said that the roadsides in Toledo were littered with everything from garbage to dead animals. He said that it was a Punta Gorda garbage truck responsible for dumping the trash in the area. “This is the most pristine of the districts of Belize with a thriving jungle,” Lopez said. “Belizeans we have to do better than this.” He called on the government to establish a proper waste disposal site in the area, to avoid the unsightly incident. Lopez, on his tour also questioned the government’s decision to place a Belize flag monument two kilometres inside Belize’s territory at the village of Jalacte, instead of at the established border point between Belize and Guatemala.

FECTAB takes issue with NICH
The Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB), held a press conference on Saturday morning to publicly voice its discontent with the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). FECTAB representatives met at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, to address several concerns, including: seemingly preferential treatment to foreign-owned tour companies, the need for more meaningful infrastructure at the Nohoch Che’en Archaeological Site, and what they feel is disrespect by public officials. FECTAB said that NICH imposes rules on their operators that other companies, such as Chukka and Dark Knight Cave Tubing are exempt from. These include the eight-persons-per-tour-guide rule. They also added that the government has changed the name of an entire cave system to accommodate a foreign operator. “They changed the name now from whatever it was called before to Dark Knight Cave System,” FECTAB said.“

Quake shakes Taiwan
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake shook southern Taiwan early Saturday, the United States Geological Survey said. At least 126 people were rescued from a 17-story residential building that collapsed in Tainan, the media office of the Tainan municipal disaster response center told CNN. A total of 26 people were hospitalized. Seven people at a market were also transported to hospitals. The building has 60 apartments and it was unclear how many people were trapped inside, Li Bomin, an official from Tainan City Fire Department, told CNN earlier. More than 100 rescuers were at the scene, he said.

Breaking Belize News

When it Comes to Corruption, Why Can’t Belize be more like Denmark?
Year after year, Denmark is ranked among the least corrupt countries in the world. This year is no different. Transparency International has once again ranked Denmark as the world’s least corrupt country over the last year. In contrast, Belize is absent from the list […]

San Pedro boat owners recover stolen vessel
The owners of a boat that was reported stolen yesterday from Grand Colony Dock near San Pedro Town, contacted Belize Media Group a short while ago to extend their gratitude for an article written, as the boat was found at the south side of […]

National unity needed
There are some issues that require national unity and transcend partisan politics. It’s long been agreed that the Belize-Guatemalan territorial dispute and efforts to resolve it, is one such issue as it threatens the very existence of our nation as we know it. ‘De-risking’ […]

Rotary Duck Race under way
The Rotary Club’s annual Duck Race officially got under way about half an hour ago when hundreds of rubber ducks were thrown into the Macal River. Each duck is marked and the owner of the one that crosses the finish line first, with the […]

BSI/ASR demonstrates mechanical harvesting to farmers
The Belize Sugar Industry, BSI/ASR in collaboration with the Sugar industry Research and Development Institute, (SIRDI) held a session with sugar cane farmers to demonstrate mechanical harvesting. While stakeholders in the industry agree that this harvesting system is definitely a part of the future, […]

Murder at ’69 Bar’ in Teakettle
After contacting the Belmopan Police Department, Belize Media Group was able to confirm that a man was murdered and a woman shot to the leg at ‘69 Bar’ in Teakettle Village this morning but details of the incident are still not being released as […]

Tourist in recovery after fall from Altun Ha temple
American tourist Brian Gooders has been flown out of Belize for further treatment but appears to be out of danger after an incident at the Altun Ha Mayan site on Thursday in the Belize District. The 36-year-old had to be hospitalized after he lost balance […]

Blogs

Ambergris Caye: Best Spring Break Destination in Belize
Located just a quick hours by air from the United States, the gorgeous tropical nation of Belize is a unique destination for people wanting to experience the ultimate spring break. One destination in particular, the island of Ambergris Caye, has all the ingredients for a wonderful spring break vacation. Spring break opportunities on Ambergris Caye include both exciting activities on land and in the sea as well as plenty of delicious food, sunny beaches, and lovely cocktails made from local rum and fresh tropical juices. The largest island in Belize, Ambergris Caye (pronounced “key”) is the country’s premiere vacation destination. With close access to the majestic Belize Barrier Reef, there’s plenty of sailing, swimming, snorkeling and diving opportunities. The mainland is only a hopper flight or a boat ride away, and you can take an adventure tour in a day and be back to enjoy the island’s many restaurants, bars, and live music to relax the night away.

Visiting Ambergris Caye in February? Do not miss the Fiesta De Carnaval
February is a fantastic time to visit Ambergris Caye in Belize as the island ushers in the season of Lent with exuberant Carnaval festivities. The streets of San Pedro fill with parades, music, and locals competing in special group dances called comparsas. One particularly fun local tradition involves flour fights and body painting. The main streets in town are closed so locals can have fun painting one another in brightly colored water-soluble paint. The multi-day festival also hosts art exhibitions, and locals and visitors alike can compete in several different categories for best watercolor painting. Another popular tradition is the Mardi Gras-type parades where locals march through the streets singing silly and raucous songs to the beat of live music. Carnaval in San Pedro is a great place to let your freak flag fly as lots of men take advantage of the festivities to dress up in wildly colorful women’s outfits. For children, there’s also a special pinata party. Live entertainers sing silly songs including parodies of popular favorites. Carnaval ends with a huge celebration that includes a comical ceremony known as Juan Carnaval. For more than 100 years, locals read out the purported will of the apocryphal figure of Juan Carnaval and then burn him in effigy in order to ward off bad luck for the following year.

Issue #30 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!

Homemade Health – Essential Oils
Last summer I had the privilege of staying with a friend who is particularly gifted in the nursing healing arts and complementary therapies. I know a little about aromatherapy but she practices it every day. Her favorite method is to add essential oils to coconut oil (cold-pressed) and use it for massage oil. I found her massage oil to be very helpful for swollen joints, so much so that I became intrigued and decided to learn more. Pure essential oils have been pressed or distilled from the leaves, bark, roots, and other aromatic portions of a plant, yielding highly concentrated compounds. What I didn’t realize is that they can be used with therapeutic benefit for a great number of illnesses and diseases. Digging deeper I learned that essential oils are used for not only treatment of stress and anxiety; they are being used with success in the treatment of cancer, pain, and for many other problems. Here are a few significant findings. *“Cancer starts when the DNA code within the cell’s nucleus becomes corrupted,” says Immunologist Mahmoud Suhail. It seems some essential oils have a re-set function, correcting the DNA code.

To The Editor
Did you know that minimum wage in Mexico is close to 1/3 of minimum wage in Belize? This fact is the key to understanding the challenges that farmers face in Belize. Imported produce grown more cheaply in countries with a lower minimum wage competes unfairly with produce grown locally. Farmers in Belize suffer the same consequence in competition with imports from Mexico. The great appeal of agro-chemical farming is largely due to the savings in labour. Farmers can simply spray rather than pay more workers to do the job by hand. In this way they can somewhat compete in both the world and local market by cutting the cost of production. This is where local organic farmers peel away the endemic veneer of false economy that oppresses growers the world over. The organic farmer uses labour rather than cheap agro-chemicals, which are specifically priced to target and entice farmers according to their local economy, making “agri-business” chemical farming the most economical choice. These chemicals, and the corporations that produce them, most often have their roots in chemical warfare applications from way back in the 1940’s. As wartime dissipated in the 1950’s and 60’s these corporations had to find new applications for their products, and locked on to food production as a more stable market, introducing everything from preservatives to chemical farming applications, and everything in between, in the process of profit. Now we can rarely read a food label that does not contain unpronounceable ingredients about which we have little information, and no education. So how does all this affect our local market here in Belize? Belizean farmers must compete directly with the cost of Mexican imported produce, which is generally as much as 70% cheaper, and represents approximately 50% or more of the fresh fruit and vegetables in the fresh food open air markets in Belize.

Stormy Weather
Where were you late afternoon on 28 September? Do you know the reason for that tremendous thunder storm that dumped 55 mm (over 2 inches) of rain in just 45 minutes around Belmopan? Don Thompson’s Weather Analysis web site, www.weathertricity.blogspot.com, explains that the earth was hit by an intense burst of radiation from the sun. Belize was on the outer edge of this strike. The graphic on his web site shows the extent of the hit; South America was hit the hardest although it extended west to Africa and north to the Caribbean. He further explained, “There was a high pressure ridge down the east coast of the Yucatan into Central America. It looks like a line of cells got trapped under the ridge. The one over northern Belize at 5PM local, suddenly exploded and within minutes became a violent thunderstorm directly over Belmopan. The city power was interrupted 3 times. By 8 PM the whole storm system was gone.

Young Grove Management Under Huanglongbing (HLB) Scenario In Belize
The challenge facing citrus growers today is how to bring into production young citrus trees under the heavy infestation of Huanglongbing (HLB) and Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). As infected orchards become unproductive, the decision to replace them with new ones is challenging. It is now six years since HLB was detected in Belize and there is an accumulated experience with the disease. The following are important guide lines on how to protect the new groves and minimize the infection rate with HLB. The first priority for citrus growers is to join the coordinated Area-wide Integrated Management System (AIMS) to suppress the Asian citrus psyllid population. A combined effort by everyone is more effective than individual control at the farm level. Participating in AIMS ensures the use of selected insecticides which are applied in March/April and October/November within a three week interval by all citrus growers to suppress the population of the psyllid throughout the industry. This will help to reduce the psyllid population to a low level and in the long term will allow new plantings to come into production and thus maintain low incidence of HLB. The second guideline is high density plantings: a higher number of plants per acre in the first four years. This will contribute significantly to early accumulated yields, reduce the time for recovery of investment and reduce the rate of infection.

Corn That Says “No” To GMO
In the modern world where large agriculture companies are gaining ground with GM (genetically modified) corn seeds, non-GM growers have been in an increasingly difficult situation from GM pollen drift. This pollen can drift over four miles in the wind and once it lands in a non-GM field, that corn becomes tainted with the GM variety. Once contaminated, the farmer typically gets a lower price, and for specialty food grade and organic corn the price can be as little as half what it would have been. However, one bright spot is that a few plant breeders have found a way to develop non-GM corn varieties that “say no” to the GM pollen when it comes blowing its way. Blue River Hybrids in Ames, Iowa U.S.A., is the leading company that offers this type of seed, known as PuraMaize, for Midwest U.S. farmers. Blue River describes PuraMaize as a natural gene system which impedes pollination from GMO traited and blue corn pollen. It is naturally bred into Blue River corn hybrids, giving organic farmers a powerful tool to combat contamination from neighboring fields. Corn hybrids that contain the PuraMaize gene complex have the ability to recognize and favor pollen that also contains the PuraMaize gene complex. During pollination, the pollen grains move down the silk channel trying to fertilize the potential kernel. A PuraMaize corn plant will quickly accept like pollen from other PuraMaize plants and slow the pollen of a foreign plant, like GMO or blue corn. The foreign pollen can’t win the race down the silk channel and is unable to contaminate the PuraMaize plant.

Energetic Agriculture – Pesticides & Healthy Crops
Late last year a farmer from Blue Creek in Orange Walk asked me how to effectively deal with aphids and mites in his crops. This was a hard question to answer. It took me several months of research to find the answer. The answer is so simple it spins the mind. I knew part of the problem, but not the entire solution. From my previous research and 3 years of experiments, nutrition appeared to be part of the cause of this pest problem for farmers. I had also known that nitrogen was also part of the problem. Nitrogen in two forms is used in agriculture — ammonia and nitrate depending upon the stage of growth of the plant. All plants need nitrogen for their development but a major problem in agriculture is the mind-set of farmers. If a crop needs say 100 lbs./acre of ammonia, most farmers will put more than 100 lbs. because they believe that more is better. Biology, chemistry and physics are precise. Nitrogen should not be needed in quantities of more than 40 lbs./acre for corn crops in Belize if the other minerals are in balance.

Soil Inoculants – Nutrient Uptake, Water Use, Disease Resistance
Understanding soil biology is important for keeping agricultural systems healthy and productive. Living soil is complex and includes creatures that cannot be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, protozoa and nematodes, as well as familiar creatures such as insects and earthworms. One teaspoon of a healthy soil can contain billions of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms. This community of organisms is bound together in a food web that affects the chemical and physical properties of soils. We care about these properties because they also affect plant growth and health. Practices such as adding manures or composts to soil, planting cover crops and rotating crops are all aimed at rebuilding and maintaining soil organic matter, recycling and retaining nutrients, and controlling soil disease and pest levels. These practices are usually associated with increased beneficial soil microbial diversity and abundance. While there are examples of soil inoculants that successfully improve plant growth and crop yields (Table 1), their commercial production and use are still in their infancy. The success of a particular inoculant depends on direct and indirect effects on the desired plant species and interactions of the inoculants with the entire exiting soil biota land. Variation in soil physical and chemical properties, such as texture and acidity, also affect the success of inoculants.

Beyond The Backyard – Tropical Pioneers
Two trees that could be confused at a distance and have a lot in common are the trumpet tree and the balsa tree. Both arrived in my garden uninvited but the more I study them my respect increases.They are both fast growing indigenous jungle plants that play a very important role in the eco system. Cecropia named after the mythical first king of Athens Cecrops may have about 25 species in Belize of the family Urticaceae. Perhaps the most common is Cecropia peltata called the umbrella tree, embauba, trumpet tree, guarmo, yarumo and kooche as it is everywhere you look. It has been a seriously studied jungle weed due to its interdependency with biting Azteca ants who colonize its hollow stalks and feed exclusively on the muellerian food it provides. In Central America the leaves are also important food to howler monkeys, tapir, deer, sloths, birds,and bats plus a nesting place for chachalacas and an egg depository for the Cecropian Orion or stinking leaf wing butterfly. When the leaves are salted cattle will eat with gusto.

Why Sulfur?
Although elements, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, usually referred to as NPK, are the major considerations for fertile soil by farmers, sulfur should be considered the fourth major nutrient in terms of the amount required. Most crops use between 40 to 90% as much sulfur as phosphate. Corn, sorghum and rice use around 35% as much sulfur as phosphate; citrus and sugarcane, about 50%, but cabbage and onions, 90 to 110%. There is a difference between sulfur and sulfate. Sulfur is an element, S; sulfate is sulfur combined with oxygen, SO4. When you compare phosphate, P2O5, with sulfur you should use the sulfate form of the element to obtain an accurate comparison. Although soils are tested for the elements, it is the sulfate form broken down in the soil that the plant uses. And the higher the phosphate level the more sulfur is needed because phosphate is more stable than sulfate in soil; it doesn’t leach away as sulfate does and is more readily absorbed.

The Soils Of Belize By District/Region – The Belize District – East To West
My last article introduced the soils of the Belize District along and from the sea coast. This article is a further exploration of these soils extending westwards into the Cayo District as these soils are related to the course of the main agents of formation, the southern Belize and Sibun Rivers. We go from swamps to elevations of about 200 ft that have been formed by the Belize River in the north and the Sibun River, including the Caves Branch tributary, in the south. A major characteristic is the presence of relatively large and minor lagoons, creeks and streams. As the elevation rises the containing lowland pine ridge gives way to broken ridges interspersed with areas of broadleaf forest on undulating lands going to the west. Phosphorous is generally deficient. These soils of the lower Belize River Valley, on the eastern seaboard, are mangrove swamps and do not have a true coastline. The soils are mucky and in many areas are impacted by a high water table that has saline intrusions.

Both Soils & Crops Need Boron
More often than not, the soils we receive to be analyzed for growing all types of crops are deficient in several micronutrients, but the one that requires constant vigilance to assure the greatest success is boron. Like nitrogen and sulfur, boron can be leached from the soil. So just as is true concerning sulfur, it is necessary to test for boron content and generally expect it to be required to correct the soil accordingly from year to year. Although it should be, boron is not usually considered as a necessary addition for growing most crops including corn, soybeans, wheat, vegetables and even pasture. Without adequate boron more nitrogen is needed in order to produce the same amount of growth. Consequently, it needs to be present in sufficient amounts as plants begin to grow and throughout the growing season. Apply boron to your land based on need as established by a reliable soil test, not by guessing whether it is or is not needed.

The Tropic Rice Part Of “Rice And Beans”
The seeds of the rice plant are the grain that we eat in our rice and beans meal. Like most grains, the seeds have to be threshed to remove the hulls. In the old days this was done by swathing or bundling the stalks together and beating them in troughs manually. But not in Spanish Lookout where Tropic Rice uses the latest technology to mill rice. Paddy rice, as the grain coming to the mill is called, has to have only 12 – 13% moisture for milling. Sample paddy rice is tested for moisture and quality; the price to the farmer depends on both. The first stop in the mill is a holding bin. The rice is unloaded and from there it goes through a pre-cleaner, and then to a paddy husker where the rice husks are removed and discarded. Next is the paddy separator, which removes the kernels that didn’t husk from the brown rice. Rice to be made into white rice then goes through an abrasive whitener that removes the bran from off the kernel, after which it enters the polisher where the rice is brought to its natural whiteness using clean water and gently rubbing the kernels. Brown rice bypasses the whitening and polishing processes.

Silicon’s Role In Rice Production
Silicon (Si) is the second most abundant element of the Earth’s crust after oxygen. It has long been neglected by ecologists, as it is not considered an essential nutrient for plants. However, research in recent years shows that it is beneficial for the growth of many plants, including important crops such as rice, wheat and barley. For instance, Si enhanced the resistance against pests, pathogens and abiotic stresses such as salts, drought and storms. Silicon might, thus, play a crucial role in the development of sustainable rice production systems with lower or zero input of harmful pesticides. Researchers from the interdisciplinary LEGATO project on sustainable rice production looked in more detail at the cycle of plant-available Si in contrasting regions of Vietnam and the Philippines to provide insights on the importance of this element in rice production.

Bird Watch – From My Perch
Chiquibul Adventures – Watershed Awareness, Solitaire Canyon River Expedition. With the aim of further exploring and understanding the Chiquibul National Park, the Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) and Mountain Equestrian Trails (MET) completed another exploratory expedition on an un-explored river in the western jungles of the park during the month of August. Jim Bevis shares the essence of the team’s experience: We entered the crystal clear river with inflatable kayaks at a remote location on the western base of the Maya Mountain Massif. The purpose of the expedition was to explore the downstream and photograph points of interest in the 14 miles stretch for a period of five days. Soon after casting off from the north side of the river, we entered a rugged and beautiful steep walled limestone canyon, where in places the swift and turbulent floodwaters of many millennia had cut deep and smooth into the polished limestone walls. The upper part of this river was somewhat shallow in places and much of the first day was spent dragging our kayaks through and over basketball-sized “boulder gardens” to the next pool of deep water.

Reminiscing With Joe Friesen Sr., Cattleman Par Excellence
Of all the families who moved to Belize from Chihuahua, Mexico in 1958 one of the largest families was the Peter Friesen family. Joe, who is the second oldest of 11 children was 6 years old when his family moved from Manitoba, Canada to Mexico and 16 when they moved to Spanish Lookout.As a pioneer in the developing country Joe’s father, Peter Friesen,did lathe work and made his own machinery for whatever he needed. They settled in Spanish Lookout on lands along the Belize River. At the time, it was in bush with many cohune trees and much bamboo. Rather than bring cattle from the 7,000 ft elevation area they left in Mexico, they purchased Brahman-type cattle from local sources, such as Eduardo Juan, Trinidad Juan, Negroman {Ranch} and the Delafuentes. Beginning in 1964, Joe began marketing cattle, a trade he would carry on for over 40 years until 2004, when he would turn things over to his sons. In the mid 60’s, Joe sold 2 head per week, from his farm and from others in Spanish Lookout, for which the farmers received 11 cents/lb live wt for good cows, and 14 cents/lb live wt for the best steers – all local type Brahman.

What Do ppm & ppb Quantities Really Mean?
Descriptions of minute quantities, parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb), can be difficult to grasp. How can we practically relate to one part per million or one part per billion? One ppm is one part per 1,000,000, equivalent to one drop of substance diluted into 50 liters. In an analogy to time, one ppm is equivalent to 32 seconds of one year. One ppb is one part per 1,000,000,000, equivalent to one drop of substance diluted into 250 fifty-five gallon (200 l) drums – that is one drop into 13,750 gallons! In time, that would be 3 seconds out of a century. Many common synthetic-based pesticides’ Maximum Contamination Levels (MCL) are figured in single digits of parts per billion, ppb, which hints at their intense toxicities. Synthetic poisons are much more concentrated than “botanical” poisons (those derived from natural botanical substances). Charles Walters points out: “… it would take a tractor-trailer load of botanicals to disturb, say, a water main, whereas a quart of Paraquat would do maximum damage.”

The Southern Pine Beetle Is Speaking To Us!
You would think that as an environmental advisor to the United Nations I would be a better steward of our planet, but alas I grew up in Texas where tree huggers are hard to find and in only the past ten years have I lightened my footprint on the world. No matter where you stand on global warming, you have to admit the planet is heating up. Whether this is a cycle in our globe’s very long history, which has become very warm and very cold many times, or this is the last big heat up created by man’s ignorance to his surroundings, I will leave to each of our readers. I will probably get a sigh of relief from many of you when I tell you this article is not about melting glaciers, but something much smaller…..The Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) (Dendroctonus frontalis). Dark brown to black in color, and approximately 1/8th inch long with a unique rounded rear end, the SPB belongs to the largest order of insects, Coleoptera, and family Scolytidae. It has a life cycle of 35-60 days; that’s six generations per year capability and has increased with the temperature. In natural forest situations, pine beetles prepare the way for ecological succession by selectively removing mature, stressed or damaged pines. Consequently pine beetle infestations often begin on damaged trees, but the beetles quickly reproduce and move to other surrounding trees. As beetles bore into bark, the tree tries to protect itself by exuding pitch, resulting in the formation of characteristic pitch tubes. Weakened trees may not be able to produce sufficient pitch flow to prevent colonization and when beetle populations are high, the number of beetles attacking trees may be so large that even healthy trees cannot withstand infestation.

Lemon Grass
The typical variety of lemon grass grown in Belize, Cymbopogan citratus, is commonly known as “fever grass” as a traditional remedy to reduce and alleviate symptoms of fever. Lemon grass is a perennial plant that grows in large clusters of long thin green leaves and produces a pleasant lemony, citrus aroma when crushed. It has a slightly pungent, but delicate lemony flavor with undertones of mint and ginger to season food, especially tea, soups, curries and salads. Stalks and bulbs of the plant are commonly used as an ingredient in Asian and Indian cuisine. As a gardening aid in tropical gardens it is used as a companion plant. Many Belizeans have lemon grass plants growing as an attractive decorative and useful plant in their home gardens. There are more than fifty varieties of lemon grass; not all are used for culinary, medicinal or agricultural purposes. Lemon grass is indigenous to India and tropical regions of the Asian continent, including Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. It is also commonly grown and used in Central America, Java, Madagascar, China, West Indian islands and Zambia and other warm tropical climates. It grows year-round in all tropical countries and can successfully be grown indoors in cold climates. Mature plants resemble common field or “cattle grass” and generally grow from about two to four feet in height. Plants do not flower or produce seeds; they are propagated with portions of the root of the plant. Once established, lemon grass usually grows wild via underground rhizomes. It is an easy plant to grow and requires little care beyond a sunny location and watering in the dry season.

Dairy Products At Home: Mozzarella & Ricotta Cheese
The cheeses for this cheese-making workshop are mozzarella and ricotta. These are cheeses presumably invented in Italy but now prized all over the world, the second being a byproduct of the first. Mozzarella is the gooey topping for lasagna, pizza, and other Italian dishes which everyone likes so much. Here in Central America, mozzarella makes itself at home on enchiladas or quesadillas, with its famous melting quality. It’s not easy to fit into a new culture, but if we were all so friendly and likable, sacrificing ourselves for the benefit of others, it would be much easier, more like… melted cheese. Here is a simplified recipe which has evolved in my kitchen through the natural selection of shortcuts inherent to that environment. Recipes generally call to acidify sweet milk with citric acid, but milk that is naturally sour needs no acidification, so I just use a blend of sweet and sour milk. It may be whole or skimmed, or some of each. To make hard cheeses, you will need rennet, which can be purchased in liquid form from Western Dairies in Spanish Lookout. To make it easier to measure small amounts, I put mine in a dropper bottle. You need ¼ tsp to 4 gallons of milk, or 6 drops to a gallon. Stir in the rennet and let the milk set. In less than an hour, your milk will curdle, or become a solid rather than a liquid. The curd is ready to cut when you can cut into it with a knife and it makes a ‘clean break’, being of cutting rather than pudding consistency.

World Food Day At Mopan Technical High School In Benque Viejo
World Food Day was organized in 1979 and promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to combat poverty and eradicate hunger world-wide; it is now observed in almost every country of the world. October 16, 2015 was the date of forums held and attended by millions of people around the globe. Belize held the event one week later on October 23, 2015. The theme of the 2015 World Food Day was: “Soil Protection and Agriculture: Breaking the Cycle of Rural Poverty”. Mopan Technical High School provided the venue and it was a showcase for the teachers and students of the school who provided tours of their healthy gardens and gave vibrant seedling plants to all who visited their booth.

Pro-Organic Belize On The Grow!
The seeds for Pro-Organic Belize (POB) group were planted at a symposium “Sourcing Healthy Food in Cayo” which was held at Maya Mountain Lodge in November 2014. Following this well-attended event, POB paired up with the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association (SACOGA) to cultivate a growing relationship with the goal of having organic produce for sale at the San Ignacio open air market on Saturday mornings starting in December 2014. SACOGA now has a permanent booth at the market, run by Abdias Mesh, the founder and director of SACOGA and takes orders for fresh organic produce each week for pick-up on Saturday morning (see ad below). POB and SACOGA have developed a participatory guarantee system (PGS) of organic certification which is based on that of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM). The mission statement of POB is “To support and promote the San Antonio Cayo Organic Growers Association and other organic initiatives in Belize.”

Ag Briefs
Neal Kinsey will return to Belize to again deliver his Introductory Soil Fertility Course on February 8th, 9th ,10th, 2016 at UB Central Farm. There may be a soybean field day after the course. Second Annual Christmas Plant Sale to benefit the Belmopan Humane Society. Saturday December 5 –Blue Moon Restaurant @the roundabout in Bmp. 10am-4pm. For Sale: plants & cuttings, poinsettias, palm trees, Christmas decor. Enter the raffle to win a completely decorated tree ready to plug in and light up your home or business! Worms that eat styrofoam: A Beihang University professor and his doctoral student, and a Stanford University professor co-authored a study, just published in Environmental Science and Technology, showing that mealworms, the larval form of the darkling beetle, can digest Styrofoam and produce a biodegradable waste. What do you do when the supply of bananas exceeds the demand and the price to the grower gets reduced too low to pay laborers in the harvest period? Look for alternative ways to industrialize the raw material! How about banana flour? The initiative to produce banana flour is still in its experimental stage in Paraguay.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

International Sources

Belize’s IFSC issues warning against Arab Gold Bank Ltd
Belize’s financial regulator. the International Financial Services Commission (or IFSC), has issued a warning regarding a retail investment firm called Arab Gold Bank Ltd operating from website https://arabgoldbank.co. Arab Gold Bank Ltd offers trading and investment schemes in commodities and forex. According to the IFSC, Arab Gold Bank Ltd holds itself out to be registered in Belize, even posting on its website a Belize Certificate of Incorporation (see above). However the IFSC notes that the Certificate is a complete forgery, and Arab Gold Bank Ltd is not licensed by the IFSC or any other competent authority in Belize.

New direct flight Mérida – Havana coming in May
It has been confirmed that on May 2016, Mexican air carrier Aeromar will reinstall a direct flight between Mérida, Yucatán and Havana, Cuba. This flight adds to the growing local air connectivity that now links “La Ciudad Blanca” with destinations such as Milán, Italiy; Toronto, Canada; Houston and Dallas Fort Worth, Texas; Miami, Florida and Belize City. The historic relation between Cuba and Yucatán goes back a long way. But in terms of air connectivity, the last time there was a direct flight, was back in the 1990s when extinct Mexicana de Aviación, used to have a Mexico City – Mérida – Havana flight, three times a week. Nowadays, if you want to travel from Mérida to Havana, you need to go to Mexico City and then take either an Aeromexico or Cubana de Aviación flight; despite the short distance between the peninsula and the island.

Videos

February 6, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

San Pedro Tourism Stakeholders introduced to the new Destination Belize
The official visitor’s magazine of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), Destination Belize is on a country wide tour promoting the 2016-2017 publication scheduled for release on September 2016. On Tuesday, January 2nd, the Destination Belize team was in San Pedro, where they met with tourism stakeholders to promote advertisement packages on the publication as well as discuss the new destination of the magazine. For 15 years, Destination Belize has been one of the leading forms of promoting Belize’s tourism industry. According to Creative Director at McNab Publishing in charge of the Destination Belize, Tanya McNab, this edition will not only feature the printed magazine but also an interactive travel website with an integrated destination marketing approach. “Wanting to modernize Destination Belize and its components, the BTIA found it imperative to collaborate with a team of technologically savvy creatives to rebrand, restructure, and completely revamp the publication. McNab Publishing took on the challenge to transform Destination Belize into a brand that is engaging, accessible, and valuable to both the audience and advertisers with a strong online presence that can resume its rightful place as Belize’s premier publication. The rebranding of Destination Belize will include the signature magazine, a pocket edition, a QR and poster campaign, an e-book, an app and social media presence,” said McNab.

SPJC to host ATLIB National Volleyball Championships
The 2015 Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) Regional Volleyball Tournament was held on Saturday, January 30th in Corozal Town. Female and male volleyball teams from the several junior colleges in northern Belize participated, including the San Pedro Junior College (SPJC) Male Volleyball team. At the end of the tournament, SPJC edged out their competition, earning the privilege to represent the north, along with the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College (CEMJC) Female Volleyball Team at the ATLIB National Volleyball Championships. SPJC and CEMJC will be representing the north at the ATLIB National Volleyball Championship scheduled to take place on Sunday, February 7th here in San Pedro Town at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium starting at 9AM. The other male and female teams competing at the Championship are University of Belize (UB), Sacred Heart Junior College (SHJC) and Saint John’s College Junior College (SJCJC). Everyone is invited to come out and support their SPJC volleyball team!

The San Pedro Sun announces annual Valentine’s poetry contest
It’s Valentine’s Day and romance is in the air! Each year The San Pedro Sun holds its annual Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest and we are asking you, our readers to help us pick the winners! All poems submitted to The Sun will be posted on our popular Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SanPedroSun shortly after they are submitted. Winning poems will be chosen based on the number of “likes” they receive by you, our loyal fans! Poets can submit their master pieces to [email protected], deliver them to The San Pedro Sun office at 63 Barrier Reef Drive suite #202, or mail them to P.O. Box 35, San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize. Deadline for submission is no later than 5PM on Wednesday, February 10th. Online voting ends Thursday, February 12th at 10AM, and the winners will be announced in the Friday, February 12th issue of The San Pedro Sun.

2016 Jerry Jeff Walker “Camp Belize” fans enjoy La Isla Bonita and donate to the community
The annual migration of Jerry Jeff Walker music fans has come and gone, and as usual their generous hearts (and wallets) have benefitted worthy community causes while they were here. Every January music lovers and musicians from around the world flock to San Pedro for the annual sold-out Jerry Jeff Walker (JJW) “Camp Belize” concerts that are held at Fido’s Courtyard. This year the “camps” ran from January 17 through the 23rd and the 24th through the 30th. Although the crowd of more than 300 people over the two-week period flock to San Pedro to attend the concerts of the legendary singer-songwriter JJW, they also come to enjoy camaraderie in our Caribbean ambiance, playing music together at various jam sessions at favorite local bars and spending their hard-earned cash on recreational fun, such as diving, snorkeling, mainland day trips and catamaran tours. Jerry Jeff Walker Fido's Camp Belize-2Some of that cash also goes to benefit community-based service organizations here in San Pedro.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks chomp on Cayo Western Ballaz
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks have claimed their second win in the 2016 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) Tournament. Now in the third week of the tournament, the Tiger Sharks have defeated both of the western basketball teams. Their most recent victim was the Cayo Western Ballaz, who fell against the Tiger Sharks in a 71-59 point match at their own home court. The Tiger Sharks are definitely off to a good start hoping to claim the NEBL Championship for the third consecutive year. Next up, The Belize City No Limit will face off against the Belmopan Bandits at Bird’s Isle basketball court in Belize City on Friday, February 5th at 9PM. Also facing off on Friday at Dangriga Warriors and Cayo Western Ballaz at the Ecumenical High School auditorium in Stann Creek Town at 9PM. On Saturday, February 6th, Independence Thunderbolts will host the Orange Walk Running Rebels at the Independence High School auditorium at 8PM. The final match of the weekend will be a home match from the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, who will take on the Smart Belize Hurricanes at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium at 9PM. Everyone is asked to come out and support the Tiger Sharks!

Belize and Mexico strengthen relations with several new agreements
Ambassador Quesnel Melendez went on to highlight the nine new agreements signed by Belize’s Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington during his visit to Mexico in July 2015, and four others he subsequently signed; as well as four more the Mexican government hopes to conclude negotiations for and sign this year. Of special interest for Belize’s tourism industry is a study of the uses for Sargassum in the Caribbean, undertaken by the Center for Research and Development in Port, Coastal and Marine Engineering (CIDIPORT) of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (UAT). UAT also entered into an agreement for academic cooperation in research projects on climate change with the Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) in Belmopan. These include studies on environmental vulnerability and sustainable development, early warning systems and coastal ecology.

Ambergris Today

BTB Donates Vehicles to Belize Tourism Police
On February 3, 2016, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) donated three (3) 2015 Mazda BT-50 pickup trucks to the Belize Police Department, for the dedicated use of Tourism Police Unit’s (TPU) transportation needs in fulfilling its mandate to address the needs of the tourism industry. Present for the handing over were Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. – Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Hon. John Saldivar – Minister of National Security, and Mr. Allen Whylie – Commissioner of Police.

Eternal Rest for Genaro Nuñez
It is with profound sorrow and respect that Ambergris Today, on behalf of the entire community of San Pedro, says goodbye and celebrates the life of Don Genaro Nuñez who passed on to be with his Creator on February 4, 2016. Tio Genaro leaves behind respectable families as Emerita Nuñez, Graniel, Diana Nuñez Halliday, Ilva Nuñez Castillo, Alice Nuñez Ochaeta, and Christino Nuñez. He was a founding member of the fishing cooperative and an active producing fisherman for over 30 years. Don Genaro ran his own business, Alice Store and Saloon, where he made innumerable friends due to his good service and outgoing personality. Mr. Nuñez was invited to become a Justice on the Peace, an honorary post he executed with distinction. Don Genaro will be remembered as caring father, a loving granddad, a joyful great grandfather, a friend who a always stretched out his hands of support; someone who offered his shoulders for friends to cry their and receive caring support.

Misc Belizean Sources

Accelerate Caribbean hosts Business Incubation Management Training in Belize
The Accelerate Caribbean training program focuses on strengthening the knowledge and skills of professionals in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The Business Incubator Management training will be delivered by infoDev certified trainers with experience working in Latin America and the Caribbean. Participants can be current or future incubator managers and staff members as well as representatives of incubator stakeholders, economic development agencies, and other organizations active in supporting the development and growth of enterprises. The day is designed to be practical, collaborative and interactive. During the three-day course you will learn how to: Manage and grow your own incubator in a sustainable manner; Monitor, evaluate, and benchmark your incubator’s performance against local and international competitors; Adapt and apply the key principles of technology commercialization through incubation.

Passing of Mr. Genaro Nuñez
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Nuñez family & friends on the passing of Mr. Genaro Nuñez. May his soul rest in peace. Mr. Genaro was the father of our Transport Supervisor, Mr. Cristino Nuñez and grandfather to our Senior Accountant, Mr. Castillo.

Voice of the West 2016
Congratulations, Bernard, Marion, and Joshua! They won at the 14th annual Voice of the West Elocution Contest, which was held at Hode's last night. Bernard and Joshua are attending Sacred Heart College, and Marion is at BCS. "The Voice of the West Elocution Contest last night was a great success with well prepared high school students sharing their talents and views. Here's the list of the winners and generous sponsors. Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen for the 14th year!."

Oceana Cayo Human Banner
Everyone is invited to participate in Oceana Belize's Valentine's Day Human Banner project, which will be at the low lying bridge on Wednesday, February 10th, at 4:00pm. "You are invited to participate in Oceana's Valentine's Day Human Banner! Let's join together to show love and appreciation for our resources. Date: February 10th, 2016 @ 4pm Location: Macal River"

AMAZING NIGHT AT DRAMA BRAWL
courtesy of Restore Belize and Joseph Stamp Romero....IT WAS AWESOME!!! Maud Williams High, Sadie Vernon and Nazarene were grrrreeeat competitors! Joseph Stamp Romero, you are a GENIUS that Belize must realize... The brawl was real fantastic!!!

SJCJC Career day 2016

Bi-national watershed program
FCD’s Environmental Educator runs the bi-national watershed program. To do so he works with communities to maintain the rivers cleaner. At Arenal village, school students helped keep their riverside free from garbage.

Santa Rita Maya Wedding Re-enactment
Organizers of the Santa Rita Maya Wedding Re-enactment confirmed to the Corozal Daily this evening, that two additional Maya Cultural presentations will be performed during the re-enactment at the Santa Rita site tomorrow Saturday February 6th, 2016. These include the " Biale del Cochino or Hog Head Dance" by the Centro Escolar Junior College and the "Ek Balam Poktapok" team from Yo Creek, Orange Walk District.

Valentine's Eve Celebration
It's February, and that means Valentine's Day is almost here. The Wine House is celebrating with a concert and dinner buffet on Saturday the 13th, and specials on wine all this month. "Come enjoy and participate. Special Valentine's Day Promotion"

Sponsor the “CHIQUIBUL GRISONS” on the Maya Mountain Adventure Race
o sponsor our team call FCD office at 823-2657, we have raised $1500.00. We need $5000.00 to compete among world series champions. Helps us protect nature.

Channel 7

Bail For Alleged Korean Conspirator
Today one of the persons charged for her part in the alleged Bradley Paumen murder conspiracy applied for bail before Justice John Gonzalez at the Supreme Court in Belize City. She is Korean National Hyang Chong Park of New York - and she's been locked down ever since she landed in the country last week Wednesday. Police say she played a role in the wider conspiracy against her ex husband, Michael Modiri in February of 2015. The charge against her is perversion of justice. And while everyone else in the group of four has gotten bail - her case is the most complicated because she lives in New York and is considered a flight risk. But, today Park who has been a regular visitor to Belize for the past 15 years, was granted bail of $75 thousand dollars - despite objections from the prosecution. Attorney Dickie Bradley presented her bail application in court today - and he spoke to us outside the courtroom:...

Customs Caught Contraband In Carmelita
For weeks we've been reporting on vegetables - mainly local farmers in Orange Walk stuck with fields lined with carrots they couldn't sell. That brought into focus the larger issue of legally imported vegetables, which the Ministry of Agriculture has to balance against local production. But, contraband also plays a huge role in the market dynamics - especially because the Mexican vegetables are more attractive than the locally produced ones. And the Customs Department saw proof of that before dawn this morning when a large Ford van loaded with five to six thousand pounds of assorted vegetables was busted in Carmelita Village. Here's what happened: Customs got word that the van had moved off from one of the 16 or so illegal landings along the Rio Hondo river in Orange Walk. Customs set up to capture the van on the northern highway, but it sped up, jumping the speedbump in Carmelita at mile 40. That's when the back wheel blew out most likely due to the massive weight in the van.

Cruise Tourist Tumbles At Altun Ha, Fractures Neck
A cruise tourist took a major fall today at Altun Ha. 32 year old Brian Golders who came to Belize on the Carnival Dream was climbing structure A-1 when his sunglasses fell, and he bent over to pick it up. That's when he lost balance and fell an estimated 35 feet to the ground, face first. He suffered major facial injury and lacerations, and serious neck trauma. He was rushed to Belize Medical Associates where he is at this hour. We are told he is sedated but stable with a fracture to the neck, but with no major damage to his spine, or legs. He is expected to be flown out to the United States via air ambulance in the next hour. He was part of a group of 48 tourists on a Chukka Tour and Director Valerie Woods told us today that Golders was not on a sanctioned climb. He told the tour guides he would not climb, but instead stay on the ground with his family and shop. After that he went unaccompanied to structure A-1 and fell.

Rice War 2 Update, Jack's Got "'Em Spooked!
Both the Director of BAHA, Emir Cruz and the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero say they don't know anything about the complaint importer Jack Charles has made regarding locally produced rice. And the CEO in the Ministry of Agriculture, Jose Alpuche had no comment at all. That level of executive dodging suggests to us that Jack Charles is unto something big - but we don't quite know what it is just yet. What we do know is what one senior source in the Ministry of Agriculture told us on the condition of anonymity. He said that Charles has sent them a complaint about contamination of the local rice supply with some kind of fungus. The extent and certainty of this so-called contamination is not known - but Charles has told us we should expect some news on Monday.

Kayla Comes Home, Free From Guatemalan "Gaol"
From a Guatemalan jail to home in Ladyville, that's what the last 24 hours has been like for Belizean Kayla Sanchez who managed to dodge jail time in Guatemala. She was accused of stealing a cell phone in Melchor. Guatemalan Police charged her for aggravated robbery, but the savvy diplomat Said Guerra convinced the authorities that the police made an error with the charge. Aggravated robbery is an offence where a defendant is accused of using force, such as with a weapon, to steal from a victim. Ambassador Guerra pored over the charge documents and picked up on a wording error in the police report. Her charge was downgraded, and because the Peten Magistrate was receptive to Ambassador Guerra's intercession on Sanchez's behalf, Sanchez went from facing a possible 6 months in jail, to getting off completely without having to face a criminal trial. This evening, Guerra spoke with us via telephone and he told us that when he was activated to come to Sanchez's aid, he was expecting the very worst:

Trading In Machetes For Machines in Cane Country?
2 months ago, we told you about the unexpected low prices that the cane farmers would get for their sugar cane during the 2015-2016 Crop Cycle. That's because the European market prices for sugar are down, and it is beyond the control of the millers, Belize Sugar Industries Limited, and their majority shareholder, American Sugar Refineries Limited. Well, you the local consumer, are taking a whopping 50 % price increase in sugar to make up some of the shortfall. But, while that increase is this year's fix, the coming years also look dire because in Europe Beet Sugar will be allowed to complete equally with sugar cane. So, to compete, the cost of production has to go down - and, ideally, that could mean replacing all those machetes with machines. The Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute, better known as SIRDI, invited the press to take a look at the new way to harvest cane, and 7News was in Orange Walk to see it for ourselves. Daniel Ortiz reports:

Cane Crop "Mud-Up"
Apart from streamlining the harvesting process, the use of these mechanized harvesters could have another major benefit, the reduction of the amount of mud that BSI has to deal with while trying to grind the cane. As viewers will remember, this season had a tough start because of the volume of muddy cane that the farmers were delivering, and right now, the mill has ground 16% less cane that last year's at this time. Today, we spoke with one of BSI's consultants who say that mechanizing the harvesting process could help to reduce the amount of mud entering the factory right now due to manually harvested sugar cane. Modesto Ulloa - International Consultant, ASR/BSI: "Rain is the sugarcane grower's worst enemy during the harvesting season. It's a best friend during the planting season because the crop requires moisture to germinate and also moisture to grow. But during the harvesting season we want cool and dry weather. So when we have a rain event like this we have 2 options; one option would be to fold and to stop delivering cane which is in the case of Belize its complicated because we already have more cane than the capacity to process or we continue to push on cutting cane under wet conditions and that's when we need to implement some kind of best harvesting practices.

FECTAB Calls For Level Playing Field At Nohoch Che'en
For weeks now we've been reporting on the Bradley Paumen murder conspiracy. And that has brought the whole issue of Nohoch Che'en into focus. That's the cave system formerly known as Cave's Branch where about a dozen tour operators ply their trade. The allegation has been - and we saw this for ourselves - that NICH is very strict when enforcing standards for the local tour companies, but totally lax when doing so for the foreign owned tour companies. Bradley Paumen's Dark Night is one of those foreign owned operations - and today FECTAB held a press conference to demand that NICH institute a level playing field:... David Almendarez - Fantasea Belize: "This is what we have subjected the others to. While you give another man a cave system and you give him the artefacts, you subject us to be like this and then you say we have no right to make no noise on our land. If you are going to put a check point for us, the local and Belizean people, your brothers and sisters who you are put to protect, put a check point at Dark Night Cave System. Make sure it's accessible for all Belizeans. We want to make sure that everybody is paying the adequate park fees. You can't have a company collecting government's money. Nowhere in the world that is being done. We want access to all cave systems. No longer should nobody own any cave and say no Belizeans who are tour guides who are trained to do a cave system, cannot do a cave. Those days are done. We want equality for everybody."

FSTV's Strict Code of Silence
FECTAB also had a thing or two to say about the foreign owned Fort Street Tourism Village. As we've been reporting, the management of the village has been bringing down the hammer on tour operators and restaurant owners inside the village. Industry observers say it is a move by management to consolidate its operations with a single business partner - at the expense of other local companies. Yohnny Rosado today told the press that he was invited inside the village - but he couldn't agree to their enforced code of silence:... Yohnny Rosado - Cavetubing.com: "There are many tour operators inside that they cannot take it anymore. I am telling you they are calling me right now after this press conference "Yohnny, we need to do this, we need to do that." Jules, you should understand they signed a paper that if they see their face in this press conference - done. In fact I got the contract last year. I just needed to sign and pay and I was going to be a member inside. But they gave me the contract about 15 pages and one page alone is to keep silent.

Yohnny Tired of NICH, But Not Tired of Tires
And while Yohnny Rosado didn't go inside the Tourism Village, he has gone back inside his tire shop. As we told you last week Tuesday, the city council closed down his "Econo Tire Shop." Rosado alleged that there was a malicious intent behind it all. He concedes that he doesn't have a full trade license but he showed us a receipt which demonstrates he has paid a down payment towards his trade license. Still, for the past 8 months that he had been operating he received no hassle from the city council. But a few days after he got back up on the media, his business was closed down. Two days later his tire shop opened back for business. So how did that happen? Here is how Rosado explained it. Yohnny Rosado - Econo Tires Shop: "Very hard to believe, but actually my son was the one that they close on his face and he was the one that went in there because I was doing another job. He was the one that went in there to find out what's going to happen with the business, if it going to remain closed until we the actual certificate and they told him go right ahead, open the business and we will deal you all later on."

Mameyal Mash-Up
Just before news time yesterday there was a traffic accident that happened near the notoriously dangerous Mameyal curve between miles 59 and 60 on the Northern Highway. It happened at around 6:30 pm when Francisco Javier Corado who was on a motorcycle crashed into a white Toyota Four Runner driven by 30 year old Ivan Patt of San Narciso Village. Corado was overtaking a vehicle when the collision occured. Corado was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital, while Patt has been served with a notice of intended prosecution.

Another Sugar City Shooting
Gun violence continues to spike in Orange Walk Town. On Monday we told you about the brazen double murder that claimed the life of Rene Acevedo Jr. and Erlindo Matura jr. Police are yet to make an arrest for it, but before they close this case, the cops have another shooting to solve. Fortunately, the victim in this case survived. At 2:10 this morning 34 year old Enrique Rodriguez was arriving at his home on San Francisco Street, Orange Walk Town when two men double riding on a bicycle with hoods on their heads passed by and fired several shots in his direction. Three of the shots caught him in the leg. He managed to get himself to the hospital for treatment. Police continue to investigate.

Museum of Belize is 14
Today the museum celebrated its 14th anniversary. As usual, primary school kids were invited to celebrate with balloons and cupcakes but the Director of the Museum Sherilyne Jones told us that she hopes these kids will take away something meaningful from the tour. Sherilyne Jones - Director, Museum of Belize & Houses of Culture "As we celebrate our 14th anniversary it's important that we invite these kids because the museum has to remain relevant and engaging and also create unique visitor experiences. So while we are celebrating 14th and like you said we normally have an open day where we invite our kids. We give them activities tied into the exhibitions and displays that they see. And we will also be showing them images of our history throughout the 14 years where we were to where we've come. I hope that when leave here they remember something important, something historical, something cultural that really resonates with them even if it's the insects if they saw something cool and then they can take that to their families and say I went to the Museum of Belize today and I saw something cool. For museums to survive in our society we have to be engaging. We have to be innovative especially with the onslaught of social media. So how do we incorporate social media, innovative ways to get and engage our visitors?"

Cyclist Kaya "Lawyers Up"
Yesterday we told you how the Cycling Federation had suspended elite female rider Kaya Cattouse. That's after she blasted the Federation on Facebook, when she found out that the Digicel tour would not have a female category. The Federation wrote a sharp letter warning her to cease and desist or else face a fine and suspension. Well today she snapped a letter right back at them - and this one is from Senior Counsel Lisa Shoman. Shoman warns the Federation, that it quote, "issued this letter in complete and utter disregard of my client's right to Natural Justice". Shoman goes on to point out that the Federation did not say exactly what "behavior" the federation was complaining about. The letter ends by saying and we quote, "CFB failed to observe and honor the right of Ms. Cattouse to a fair hearing prior to coming to a determination…the Federation has acted in a manner that is unreasonable…and…in my opinion, the determination made against her by the CFB is therefore null and void." We now await the Federation's response.

OW Pulls For Bob Birthday Bash
The 14th Annual Bob Marley Tribute is here again and there will be 2 shows to celebrate it - one in Orange Walk and one in the city. The first show is tomorrow in Orange Walk at the East Sports Center. Omar Ayuso from Charitable Roots Foundation came to our studios this afternoon to tell us more about the event. He says it's all about reviving the Legacy of Bob Marley and at the same time giving back to the community. We also spoke with the featured Belizean Artist Eljai about his new single. The proceeds of this event will go to 14 year Shawn Bowden who is battling cancer. Gates open at 6 tomorrow night.

Dara For The People
So if you won't be able to make it to Orange Walk tomorrow, you have a chance to be a part the tribute on Sunday in Belize City. Kwame Scott from Dara Cyber and Feeding Program gave us a little taste of what to expect on Sunday. The show starts at 6 Sunday night at the Bird's Isle. They will also be showing the Super Bowl on the big screen.

The Art Of Breathing
Scientists tell us that we take about 24 thousand breaths a day - and with all that - you'd think we know well enough how to breathe. But yoga master Michelle Williams says there's a lot more to it than that. She's brought in what's called a Reiki instructor to teach what's called breath work. We spoke to Lorraine Meyer who told us about the countrywide workshops they are doing: Workshops will be held in Belize City, in Ladyville and in Placencia throughout this week. To find out more about how you can sign up you can call Michelle Williams at 610-0882.

A Tempting Tango
A world class Tango Dance company called A Puro Tango is getting ready to perform for public in 4 day event. These professionals dancers have been in many different countries, and in two weeks time, they want to entertain you with the Tango, which originated in the South American Countries of Argentina and Uruguay. Today, one of the performers visited our studio extra early to try to convince the public to come out and experience their very first performances in Belize. Here's what she told us about the upcoming event: Her fellow performers will arrive in Belize on Wednesday, February 17, and we hope to take you behind the scenes for a peek at their rehearsal. You can get tickets at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts.

Channel 5

Huong Chong Park Gets Supreme Court Bail
Huong Chong Park, a Korean woman charged along with American Bradley Paumen, Lisburn Anderson and Jahangir Abadi last Wednesday, is the last of the bunch to be freed on bail. [...]

Attorney Dickie Bradley Says Charge Will Never Stand Up in Court
As Bradley stated, Justice Gonzalez at one point in court clearly contemplated holding all Park’s assets in-country as bail. Just before granting bail, he was handed documents which represented a [...]

Cyclist Kaya Cattouse Fires Back At CFB through Her Attorney
On Thursday night, we brought you coverage of a brewing storm between elite female cyclist Kaya Cattouse and Cycling Federation of Belize President Dion Leslie. On Tuesday, Leslie wrote Cattouse [...]

FECTAB Rails at NICH and B.T.B.
The association comprised of small tour guides and operators, Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize, has stated that it will continue to ramp up the pressure on Government, NICH [...]

David Almendarez Claims Small Operators Are Unfairly Regulated
Almendarez and members of FECTAB have maintained that small operators are being unfairly treated while big companies get all the perks. They cite the many safety rules and structures which [...]

Yhony Rosado Calls on G.O.B. to Help Small Operators
As he does at every conference and every opportunity, small tour operator Yhony Rosado of Cave-tubing.com called on government to act on their behalf. He claims that the livelihood of [...]

Yhony Rosado’s Tire Shop Back in Business
Yhony Rosado’s tire shop on the Phillip Goldson Highway is back open. On January twenty-sixth Econo Tires was closed down by City Council employees over some confusion about a trade [...]

14 Pounds of Weed in Vehicle Wrecked by Drunken Driver
A Belize City man is lucky to be out on bail tonight and luckier to be alive after he got drunk and slammed his red Ford Escape into a tree [...]

RED’s Rapid Response Team Finds Weed in Bermudian Landing
Hours after that, officers from the Rural Eastern Division’s Rapid Response Team found another cache of weed. At about nine-thirty, they conducted searches on several male persons hanging out at [...]

Sr. Supt. Chester Williams Fires Back at Attorney Oscar Selgado
On Thursday, we interviewed attorney Oscar Selgado, representing accused murderer and sex offender Bert Vasquez. Selgado claimed on national television that his client will walk because Police have absolutely no [...]

Belize City Man Arraigned for Drug Trafficking
Today in court, Mark Lopez, a resident of Faber’s Road, Belize City was arraigned on a single charge of drug trafficking for ninety-four grams of cannabis. He appeared before Magistrate [...]

Will Cane Cutters Be Replaced by Mechanical Harvesting?
In the months of the sugar crop, thousands of laborers are employed in fields to plant and cut cane.  The practice is as old as the history of the local [...]

Mechanical Harvesters Will Mean Less Mud
To assist with the development of the strategic plan for the industry, ASR has brought in sugar consultant Modesto Ulloa. Ulloa’s role is to bring new ideas and technology to [...]

Dara Hosts 14th Annual Bob Marley Tribute and Food Drive
Humanitarian Dara Robinson is hosting another fundraising event to help the many children that benefit from his feeding program. On Sunday at the Bird’s Isle in Belize City, the fourteenth [...]

Who Jacked a $100,000 Vessel in San Pedro?
Brazen thieves made away with a thirty-five-foot boat on the island of San Pedro. The boat was stolen on Thursday morning from the Grand Colony Dock; it belongs to Island [...]

Belizean Featured for Fight Against Cancer
World Cancer Day was celebrated on Thursday; the news in Belize is that a staggering number of persons are affected with cancer and that figure is on an upward trend. [...]

LOVE FM

American Tourist Falls From Maya Temple in Belize
An American national is listed in a critical condition after he fell from atop the Altun Ha Maya site in Lucky Strike Village, Belize District. 36-year-old, Bryan Goeders came into Belize yesterday on the Carnival Dream cruise ship and had opted to go on a tour with Chukka Tour Company to Altun Ha. Just before […]

Innovation in the Sugar Industry via Harvester
The agricultural department of the Belize Sugar Industries Limited hosted a Mechanical Harvesting Pilot demonstration in Orange Walk this morning. The idea is to persuade small and big cane farmers that mechanical harvesting is a method best used to harvest sugar cane. Hipolito Novelo reports.

The Problem of Mud and Sugar
For week eight of the sugar cane crop season, more than three hundred thousand tons of cane has been ground and more than thirty thousand tons of sugar has been produced. This is about ten thousand tons less when compared to the same time period last year. And while the sugar production is low, the […]

Monies Owed to BSI Retirees
Our newsroom recently received the copy of a letter sent to Orange Walk South area representative, Jose Mai by Austin Waight, a retiree of BSI/ASR. Waight who worked at BSI for thirty years wrote on behalf of all BSI/ASR retirees. He says quote, “we were given a gratuity of four thousand dollars and a small […]

Will Machine Replace Manual Labor at Tower Hill?
Earlier we mentioned the mechanical harvester that BSI/ASR and SIRDI are informing cane farmers about. While it is a method of harvesting sugar at a more effective and efficient rate, there are concerns. The immediate concern that arose is job risk. Will the new machine take away the job of the hundreds of cane cutters? […]

Revers Crashes Into Tree In Attempt to Flee Police
Just after midnight last night there was an accident at mile 16 on the Philip Goldson Highway involving a burgundy Ford Escape SUV. Upon arrival at the scene, officers attached to the Ladyville Police Station found that the vehicle had crashed into a tree after the driver was escaping from police officers. Reports are that […]

Korean National Granted Bail on Abetment Charge
Fifty-seven year old Korean national Huang Park, who was remanded to prison on a charge of abetment to pervert the course of justice, was released on a bail of seventy five thousand dollars which was granted by Justice John Gonzalez. The bail was offered on the condition that she surrenders all of her property documents […]

Marijuana in Bermudian Landing
Members of the Rural Rapid Response team were in the village of Bermudian Landing this morning at around nine thirty when they came across some men hanging out at a shop in the village. Whilst the authorities came up empty handed on that search, further search in the immediate area led to a black plastic […]

Does NICH and Dark Knight Have Exclusive Deal?
The Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB) has come back to the media to express their concerns over a number of issues. Once again the Federation is against what they feel is preferential treatment towards the cave tubing company, Dark Knight owned by Bradley Paumen. Today they spoke of a contract signed with […]

Cruise Tourism Association Makes Demands to Government
At FECTABS’s press conference, the members had a list of what the association is demanding from the government. These include fair treatment, safety procedures, access to all caves and ramps for handicapped visitors. Co-Executive of FECTAB David Almendarez expanded on their wants.

PlusTV

Tourism Police Unit receives new vehicles
The Ministries of National Security and Tourism have collaborated to equip the Tourism Police Unit with 3 new Mazda pickup trucks, solving a longstanding need for mobility there. Its head, Inspector Carla Gamboa, was especially grateful for the donation. Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie said duri...

Two shot in Lake I
A pair of Belize City men are in the hospital recovering from injuries sustained when a gunman opened fire on them last night in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. The shooting occurred sometime before 7 pm when a lone gunman opened fire on a group of men who were hanging out at the corner ...

Toddler drowns in bathtub
Tonight the family of a 1 year and two month old baby girl is mourning her sudden and unfortunate death. Reports are that the child drowned in a bathtub at the family home in Camp 51, Indian Creek village, Orange Walk District. Reports are that around 10:15 yesterday morning the baby, Adanetta Blatz...

Tourism Minister says they did nothing wrong on Paumen
The Bradley Paumen saga’s many tentacles stretch to no less than four Ministries – Works, Natural Resources, Tourism and the Prime Minister’s own office. The American businessman now accused of abetment to murder after a dispute with a business rival that went against him in court prompted him to al...

Belizeans accused of drug trafficking free from jail
Earlier this week, two Belizean men incarcerated in Mexico for drug trafficking offenses were released from Chetumal Prison. They are Hugo Cassanova from Corozal and Ermelindo “Melin” Vasquez from Orange Walk. The pair were escorted to the Northern Border by Mexican immigration officials and were to...

Ministers propose solutions against crime
Today Minister of National Security John Saldivar and Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation Manuel Heredia Jr. were grilled on the ongoing crime situation, which has hurt Belize in two dimensions. With 13 murders reported in January and two more to date, Belize has had a poor start to the year in t...

Bert Vasquez back in court
Bert Vasquez is back in the news because he is back in court. Vasquez remains on remand for the murder of 13 year old Jasmine Lowe but that is not the only charges that have been levied against him. Back in June of 2012, he was arraigned for 11 counts of common assault for inappropriate contact he a...

Rangers Training Camp
Every year it gets a little more dangerous for rangers to guard and protect Belize’s rainforest treasures from Guatemalan poachers. With the Chiquibul so close to the border with Guatemala, and fearless illegal loggers, gold panners and xate collectors constantly attempting to extract our natu...

The Reporter

FECTAB takes issue with NICH
The Federation of Cruise Tourism Associations of Belize (FECTAB), held a press conference on Saturday morning to publicly voice its discontent with the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH). FECTAB representatives met at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, to address several concerns, including: seemingly […]

Quake shakes Taiwan
A magnitude-6.4 earthquake shook southern Taiwan early Saturday, the United States Geological Survey said. At least 126 people were rescued from a 17-story residential building that collapsed in Tainan, the media office of the Tainan municipal disaster response center told CNN. A total of 26 people were hospitalized. Seven people […]

Drunken drug trafficker crashes into tree
A Belize City man crashed into a tree on Friday morning, in a failed attempt to avoid police capture. Responding to reports of an accident, police picked up Ronald Reyes, of 7017 Antelope Street Belize City, at around 12:15 a. m., having crashed his burgundy Ford […]

Baby Brenae Clings to Life after Tragic Accident
The worst nightmare of any parent is unfolding at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), and has been since last Friday. Brenae Timmons, 3, lies in an induced coma while doctors wait for the swelling in her brain to subside. She yawns and moves her arms and legs, but following […]

Zika goes global
The World Health Organization (WHO), this week, declared the Zika virus outbreak a global health emergency. The WHO decided to sound the alarm on Monday, after experts met to examine the patters observed in the way the virus has been spreading. Countries such as Brazil, have already […]

Stem cells could cure type 1 diabetes scientists say
Scientists in the United States have used stem cells to create a treatment which could potentially cure type one diabetes. Several universities, including Harvard University, used stem cells to create insulin-producing cells which when used in animal trials shut down the effects of Type one Diabetes. The […]

Why is it important to protect Half Moon Caye?
The recent detention of eight men fishing in restricted no take zones outside of protected fishing areas, brings to light why it is important to protect conserved areas such as Half Moon Caye. The Belize Audubon Society (BAS), that manages seven conservation sites in Belize […]

Regional service provider coalitions discuss way forward
The Belize Coalition of Service Providers (BCSP), this week, shared some of the results emerging from the strategic meeting of the Caribbean Network of Service Coalitions (CNSC). Belize’s representative at the meeting, Orson Elrington, explained on Wednesday that the two-day meeting was to finalize the CNSC’s upcoming […]

The BPP tells GOB to better the economy, cut your salaries by half
The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) made three suggestions to the government, this week, which it feels would help to improve the conomic climate of the country. “Cutting your [ministers] salaries and benefits by 50 percent,” is the first suggestion. The party said cutting unnecessary spending, […]

PetroCaribe countdown begins
Belize’s access to PetroCaribe funding draws close to its end, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight reported this week. “We’re down to $15 million,” Waight said Tuesday. “We had compensation payments to make, and commitments and we borrowed a little out of it as well.” Waight added […]

President Ma Ying Jeou promotes peace at Taiping Island
With regard to President Ma Ying-jeou’s trip to Taiping Island Jan. 28 to inspect the island and celebrate the Lunar New Year with personnel stationed there, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs states the following: (1) Whether from the perspective of history, geography, or international law, the Nansha (Spratly) Islands, Shisha […]

New leader to promote ‘Strength in Unity’
John Briceño was elected the People’s Unity Party leader in a national convention on Sunday. The victory was sweet for Briceño as he has contested and won the position twice in his political career. The first time, he contested the seat against former party leader, the Francis Fonseca, and the […]

Mennonite baby drowns in tub of water
A one-year-old Mennonite baby drowned in a tub of laundry water in the Indian Creek village in Orange Walk on Wednesday morning. Around 10:25 a.m. on Wednesday, baby Aganetha Blatz was found by her brother, lifeless in a tub of water and clothes. The family […]

2 men shot in murder attempt on Jasmine Street
Two men were shot while standing at the corner of Marigold Lane and Jasmine Street in Belize City on Wednesday night. Police say that around 6:48 p.m. on Wednesday, 26-year-old Benua Andrews and 26-year-old Tyron Myers were standing at the corner when a male person […]

Tourist drowns while snorkeling at Hol Chan
An American tourist died while on a snorkeling tour at Hol Chan Marine Reserve this week, making him the third American to die while on vacation in the country in three months. Jeffrye Thomas Bartl, 58, his brother and two other friends were on a […]

Two teenagers gunned down in Orange Walk
Two teenage boys were shot and killed in broad day late Monday afternoon, leaving Orange Walk town shaken and police with little information. Nineteen-year-old Erlindo Matura Jr. and 17-year-old Rene Antonio Acevedo were standing in front of Matura’s house along with another minor on Monday […]

The woman that brought light to her whole village
The village of Santa Teresa in Toledo is a remote village in Southern Belize. It is 35 miles away from Punta Gorda town and an hour drive from the Jalacte Highway cutoff through a rocky road. The village, that consists of about 70 families living […]

Editorial
Elections to determine new leadership, and a new direction for the People’s United Party were held last Sunday in Belmopan with far-reaching results. Mr. Johnny Briceño, emerged the winner by a modest margin over Mr. Francis Fonseca and Mr. Cordel Hyde. But he not only won as Party Leader. His […]

Experts suggest ‘de-risking’ alternatives
By Alexis Milan Editor The Prime Minister, along with his team of financial advisors, returned to Belize this week, following meetings with banking regulators in the United States regarding the current ‘de-risking’ problem and indicated that one solution on the table is partnering with smaller banks. During the visit, Prime […]

PUP’s executive sworn in
The ten-member team that now forms the executive of the People’s United Party (PUP) was sworn in at the party’s Independence Hall headquarters on Queen Street on Wednesday. All five that were elected joined the five that were previously appointed, to take their Oath of […]

Over 1000 teachers could be canned!
Teachers who are not holders of a teaching license could find themselves without a job at the end of the school year, according to the Ministry of Education. Minister of Education, Patrick Faber, flanked by high-ranking ministry officials and the President of the Belize National […]

NICH presents ‘A Puro Tango’ musical group
The National Institute for Culture and History (NICH), in collaboration with the entertainment company, World Wide Arts is presenting the entertainment act “A Puro Tango” on February 18-19 2016 at the Bliss Center for Performing Arts.  Oksana Kordiyaka, coordinator and cultural promoter of World Wide […]

Breaking Belize News

Boat stolen in San Pedro
A boat was stolen from the Grand Colony Dock near San Pedro Town yesterday morning around 12:40, belonging to ‘Island Divers Belize’ and was used to take tourists out to sea on diving expeditions. The 35 foot long Pelican boat with canopy, twin Yamaha 200 horsepower engines, oxygen units, life jackets and other items, valued at approximately $100,000, is being sought by its owners who use it daily to conduct business around San Pedro and are asking for the public’s assistance in locating it.

Social Security Board gives Santander $12M loan
A loan of $12 million from the Social Security Board (SSB) has been approved and is now in the publication stage before it is completely formalized, then handed over to Santander, which will use it to further develop its mill in the Cayo District. Chairman of the SSB, Doug Singh, explained in an interview that Santander is investing US $142 million to establish a sugar factory, as well as purchase acres of land in Cayo, with US $50 million coming from their equity investments and the other US $96 million being obtained through loans from Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank, Heritage Bank, regional banks and a bank in Washington DC.

Cold front setting in
The National Meteorological Service of Belize is predicting cloudy skies with a few showers and periods of light rain mostly over the South and some coastal areas. Winds will be blowing from the North-Northwest at 10-20 knots and the sea state will be moderate […]

Blogs

Top 5 “Can’t Miss” Belize Events of 2016
When thinking of top vacation destinations, Belize should be one of the countries that appear on your list. This beautiful jewel offers a wide variety of activities and locations for adventure seekers, or those simply looking for a relaxing getaway. Belize is a country known for hosting various events year-round and we’ve compiled a concise list of “Can’t Miss” Events for 2016: La Ruta Maya (March 3 – 7). Chocolate Festival of Belize (May 20 – 22). Lobster Fest (San Pedro: June 15- 25, Placencia: June 24- 26, Caye Caulker: July 1-3). International Costa Maya Festival (August 4 – 6). Belize Carnival Road March (September 17).

Relleno Negro
Clean and season Chicken. (Set aside) Cut up onions and crushed garlic. Heat frying pan and add 1 tsp fat. Season ground Steak with onions, garlic, oregano leaves and apasote leaves. Place meat mixture in frying pan. Fry until well done. Turning frequently. Remove from heat and add raw eggs. Mix well. Stuff seasoned Chicken with ground meat. Putting in a whole egg after each portion of ground meat is inserted. Continue until all ground meat and eggs are used up. Sew up Chicken. Boil Chicken in sufficient water to cover up Chicken. Add black recardo to 1 cup water. Mix to soften. This gives the colour. Turn Chicken frequently to cook properly. Chicken can be removed from liquid and browned in the oven (serve with liquid from pot). Serve with some tortillas

Monkey River Tour
A Monkey River adventure takes travelers deep into the land of Howler Monkeys, primates so loud, they could never hide from predators without giving themselves away. To visit their neighborhood, you’ll first have to journey from Placencia (if you are vacationing in Placencia Peninsula) to Monkey River Village by boat, passing mangrove swamp and other exotic scenery that includes wild flowers, scaly critters and (if you’re lucky) manatees, since these gentle marine mammals make their homes here among mangrove-filled estuaries. Since the monkeys stick around 12 months of the year, humans eager to see them can show up in Belize year-round, too. Given river access that’s required to get to your destination, it stands to reason that if there’s flooding during the green season, the trip could be a bit more thrilling, but that doesn’t mean tours are cancelled just because it rains! No worries about parking. There’s not a single car in the village which has only two streets, so it’s impossible to get lost in Monkey River Village. You can also get here by taking a 15-mile boat ride to the mouth of the Monkey River and then hike to the village. The most highly-recommended way to take a Monkey River Tour is to book a registered tour guide who is well-versed in the area’s animals, people and landscape. Wear hiking shoes to avoid surprises and long pants to protect you from bug bites and thorns. If you intend to swim in the river, bring a suit and don’t leave your sunglasses, sunscreen and hat back at your resort in your excitement. You’ll travel by boat and by foot through forest and along trails to reach Howler Monkey nirvana where you can let loose frustrations by howling at the simians. Travelers tell us that shouting at monkeys is better than therapy and these primates never send a bill!

Fabulous Finn Opens Fabulous Finn & Martini – The Newest Hot Spot in San Pedro
If you live in San Pedro or just follow the SanPedroScoop, you know Finn “Kardashian”. We’ve followed his travels through Central America 2 summers ago and then SE Asia last year. Finn is fabulous, hysterical, endlessly entertaining and…well…just Finn. After 10 years charming at Rojo Beach Bar, he has opened his own spot – Finn & Martini. The spot he’s been dreaming of…now let’s see how Finn likes being the boss. Last night was the “soft opening” – a full kitchen will be opening during the next few weeks – and the place was packed. As early as 6:30pm. But Chef Marvin and his food truck, “El Jefe” might have a little something to do with that. Everything was Fin-tabulous. From the drinks to the restrooms… They are located just south of the High School – across from Annie’s Pastries. It’s hard to miss.

International Sources

PAHO calls for political commitment and more resources to fight zika in the Americas
More resources are urgently needed to fight the spread of the zika virus in the Americas and the apparently related increase in microcephaly and other complications, the director of the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) told ministers of health on Wednesday in a meeting convened by the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), in Montevideo, Uruguay. All countries in the Americas need to allocate new resources to step up mosquito control efforts, prepare their health services for an increase in demand, carry out public education campaigns and track the spread of Zika and increases in suspected complications of the virus, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. “This work will require tangible and explicit support from the highest political levels,” Dr Carissa Etienne told ministers of health at the meeting.

Dangers in Paradise: What Belize tourists aren't being told
The ABC7 I-Team reports on dangers in paradise and crime threats to tourists following the murder of our ABC7 colleague Anne Swaney three weeks ago. The I-Team traveled to Central America after Anne was killed. This stretch of winter into Spring Break is a popular time for Chicagoans to head south. But the I-Team has found dangers in paradise that you won't see in the travel brochures - including Belize, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world. In Central America, Belize is one of the fastest-growing destinations for Americans. Last year, a record quarter-million flew off to their rich beaches, offshore diving spots and inland jungles, teeming with wildlife along great hiking trails and meandering rivers. It was the emerald hills of western Belize that attracted ABC7 web producer Anne Swaney. She was staying at an equine lodge last month when someone attacked her and dragged her body into the Mopan River. But our colleague wasn't the only American killed recently in Belize. In the very same district where Anne was murdered, northern Indiana native Paul Signorino and an American friend were killed in a machete and gun attack last May. Last fall, a man from Washington D.C was stabbed to death in his seaside hotel room; another U.S. national was attacked and killed on his farm; and a Canadian film producer was stabbed in the doorway of the home where he was staying. The Belize murder rate is third highest in the world - more than twice the homicide rate of Chicago and higher than any U.S. city.

Belize is paradise for adventure travellers
If you’re going on an adventure trip to Belize, be prepared to learn about conservation and become ecologically aware. Private tour groups and university study-abroad programs based in Belize are also moving beyond basic ecological awareness to create environmental education experiences that focus on maintaining and replenishing conservation areas. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, a diverse and unique stretch of coral, lines the entire coast of the country. There are slow yet steady improvements, especially with the introduction of new environmental laws. Protection of the reef is taken very seriously here. Poaching or fishing endangered species in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, can land you in prison. Private tour operators that focus on activities around the reef act as educators and protectors. Companies such as Island Expeditions offer tourists a chance to be part of unobtrusive travel, explore the barrier reef by sea kayak, paddle to colourful snorkel sites, and learn about the species they encounter and what role they play in the ecosystem.

Caribbean Islands Battle Zika in Effort to Save Tourist Season
The Caribbean is tackling the mosquito-borne Zika Virus on many fronts in an attempt to safeguard the upcoming tourist season. The Caribbean Regional Public Health Agency, known as CARPHA, is heading the charge and stressing the need to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. Saint Lucia, an island nation with a population of around 175,000, has no confirmed cases of Zika, but the country's chief medical officer says health officials are concerned about the potential impact on pregnant women if the virus reaches its shores. “It can have some unwanted effects, particularly on the unborn child in pregnant women and sometimes after persons have recovered, the paralysis it can cause," said Dr. Merlene Fredericks. "It is important for us to continue taking the same precautions that we took for Dengue Fever and for Chikungunya. Ensure that we get rid of the mosquito breeding places."

Videos

February 5, 2016

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Specials and Events

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

BTB hosts Belize media partners to casual mixer
On Saturday, January 30th, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) held a Media Mixer to share the industry’s 2015 accomplishments and insights with Belize’s media partners. From noon to 4PM, members of the media and BTB gathered at the conference room at Hour Bar in Belize City in an effort to strengthen their relationship leading into 2016. The casual event was officiated by BTB Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Noriko Gamero. Both Director of Marketing and Industry Relations, Karen Pike and Director of BTB, Karen Bevans addressed those in attendance. BTB took time to share accomplishments in the tourism industry made in 2015 as well as plans for improving tourism in 2016. The event also saw an interactive discussion between the media and BTB Directors as well as several giveaways. Media houses represented at the mixer included: The San Pedro Sun, My Beautiful Belize, Ambergris Today, Channel 7 News, The Reporter, Amandala Press and Love FM.

IDB issues grant to improve Regional tourism health in the Caribbean
Belize is among six Caribbean countries that will benefit from an $800,000US Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) grant aimed at the development and implementation of a Regional tourism health information, monitoring and response system. The grant was signed on Wednesday, January 27th at a ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago and will benefit the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The grant is being issued following the recent pandemics these tourism dependent countries have experienced, and is expected to build safety and environmental standards within the tourism industry of each respective country. The countries benefiting from the grant have in one way of the other, been affected by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), H1N1 flu virus (swine flu), Chikungunya and, now, Zika virus. This has led to the urgent need of a monitoring and response system, as these are travel related illnesses which need to be addressed in order to support the tourism sector. It is IDB’s goal that with this grant, the countries adopt comprehensive and effective health and environmental sanitation practices.

Improving literacy at Holy Cross Anglican School
Even though English is the official language of Belize, many still struggle in the pronunciation of the language. Children with Spanish speaking parents commonly face the most literacy issues while in school. For the past week, Monday, January 25th to Friday, January 29th, an American retired teacher has been providing reading lessons to challenged Holy Cross Anglican Primary School students. Julie Bigaouette has been providing this invaluable service to island children for the past three years, teaching them the proper pronunciation of words and improving their reading skills. Bigaouette encourages all teachers to try to identify what the needs of their students, as this makes it easier to find approaches to assist them. “Even some of the students in the upper standards are still reading at a primary level and that can be very discouraging. By the time they are finishing school, they recognize that they are not able to read most of what is given to them and this diminishes their self-esteem. We as teachers need to help reaffirm all children of their potential and validate what they do well. We need to make each child know they are valuable in a class, as well as teach other children to be kind and considerate of one another,” said Bigaouette.

Ambergris Caye basketball teams top Belize Rural Basketball Eliminations
On Thursday, January 28th, the National Sports Council hosted the Belize Rural Basketball elimination tournament for Zone 5, which includes Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye. A series of amazing games for both male and female teams took place at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) compound where four primary schools competed for the coveted title to represent the zone at the district finals next month. The different schools participating in the tournament were SPRCS, Isla Bonita Primary School, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic, and Holy Cross Primary School. The last match of the tournament in the male division saw SPRCS boys dominating the Caye Caulker boys with a final score of 38-13. With these results, Ambergris Caye will be proudly represented at the district finals by Holy Cross Primary School female team and the SPRCS male team. In the female division, Holy Cross and SPRCS were the only female teams and they played two games. Holy Cross defeated the SPRCS girls in both matches, ending the first 8-3 and the second 3-2. Holy Cross girls will be heading to the district finals.

Week 5 of Mayor’s and Minister’s Cup
The last games for the Mayor’s and Minister’s Cup for the month of January brought much entertainment to the football fanatics who once again came out to support their favorite teams. Games for this coming weekend have been postponed until the following weekend starting Friday, February 12th, 7PM sharp at the Honorable Louis Sylvester Sporting Complex.

US Currency Control green lights Belize banks
Belizean banks are completely compliant with United States’ federal banking regulations to prevent money-laundering and any illicit movement of funds which may be used to finance terrorism; U.S. authorities at the Office of the Controller of Currency (OCC) Thomas Curry and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) assured Prime Minister Hon. Dean Barrow during his visit to Washington D.C. last Monday to Saturday, January 25-30. This was important good news for foreign investors in Belize seeking to repatriate profits to U.S. banks. Prime Minister Barrow’s mission was to resolve the difficulties banks in Belize were having in maintaining correspondent banking relationships with U.S. banks to handle U.S. currency transactions. His delegation included Central Bank Governor Glenford Ysaguirre, Financial Secretary Joseph Waight and Ambassador Mark Espat, who was part of the negotiating team who worked out a solution to the Super-bond payments.

Misc Belizean Sources

Discrepancy between male and female bicycle riders
Last week Kaya C. Cattouse made these comments on her personal fb page: she then received the letter below!! We are living in a country where we are discouraged to speak up!! 1. Digicell Valentine Tour. Sounds nice chu? The tours are coming back to our cycling calendar. Way to go CFB! Way to go Digicell! Or at least that's what I would say if I were a MALE ELITE cyclist. Female and Junior category aren't "tour worthy"...we have to be satisfied with a one day race. I'm starting to wonder now if DIGICELL is partnering with the federation and discriminating agaisnt riders based on thier age and gender.

Department of Youth Services, Job Preparedness Training
The Department of Youth Service’s (DYS) Youth Enterprise/Job Creation Unit is presently conducting a Job Preparedness Training for twenty five youth between the ages of 17 – 29 years. The main objective of the training is to empower these young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to become marketable to join the work force. A total number of ten (10) sessions are being conducted. The various topics include: Skills Identification, Work Ethics, Conflict Resolution Management in the Workplace, Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, Mock Interviews and how to work along with HIV infected persons in the workplace. The other component of the training is to continue mentoring these young people and procure placements for them or assist them in returning to school where necessary, or engage them into other skill trainings such as those offered at ITVET.

Western Ballaz Host No Limit
The Ballaz are playing back to back Thursday night, travelling to Dangriga on Friday, and then hosting the No Limit on Saturday. Saturday is Fan Appreciation night too. Go Ballaz! "FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT - THIS SATURDAY - Lowered entrance prices - Kids enter free - Adma's Photography taking pictures of fans with players - Free beer with parking ticket - 3 BEERS for $10 - $2 horns - 25 FREE horns Bring out the entire family to SHC's Auditorium this Saturday as we show our appreciation to all our fans for your continued support."

Carnaval: A Pre-lenten Festivity in Northern Belize
Volume 2 of the Belize Cultural Celebrations Series set to be released soon.

Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge 2016
The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge (MMAC ) has taken on a life of its own. What started as a typical adventure race production has developed into a testament of one of the last truly unspoiled corners of the world. On our first trip to Belize in Februa The Maya Mountain Adventure Challenge will be held on February 14th of 2013. Please check out the website to learn more about registration.

Paradise Theater this weekend!
Superbowl this Sunday on the big screen free entry... Spotlight, Steve Jobs, Aladdin, Our Brand is Crisis.

San Pedro “Light the Night” Cancer Awareness Walk
The San Pedro Cancer Society held its annual “Light the Night” Cancer Awareness Walk tonight in commemoration of World Cancer Awareness Day.

St. Herman's Blue Hole Park Upgrades
On January 14, 2016, PACT visited St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park to look at the completed activities under our medium grant project entitled “Enhancing St Herman’s Blue Hole National Park (SHBHNP) through new infrastructure, mapping and management plan”. The main purpose of this project was to upgrade and install much needed infrastructure for the protected area with the aim to improve visitor experience. Additionally, a Management Plan for St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park (SHBHNP) was developed to guide the conservation priorities of the protected area. Demarcation and mapping of the Park was also carried out through this project.

TRIBUTE TO MAURICE WHITE: THE SPIRIT OF A MUSICAL GENIUS!
(A Belizean Legends musical expose for Black History Month) I had told myself many years ago growing up in Belize that since I was so powerfully influenced by the musical genius of the awesome African-American musician, producer, and artist, Maurice White, that music would not be the same when he stopped making and producing them. And it was truly so since Maurice had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and disappeared from the music industry since the late 1980's. Here was someone that I didn't even personally know but who changed my life and outlook about music and even more than that. When the American band Earth, Wind & Fire came on the scene in the early 1970's my first hearing them in Belize was through an A-Track that my brother Nelson Morris had brought back to Belize from Chicago, 10 years after his migration from Belize in 1961, the year I was born. I didn't know my brother, being born the same year he left, just as how I didn't know anything about the United States of America and its talented black population that has given it its musical art forms of Gospel, Jazz, and Rhythm and Blues. So when Nelson came home with all that music from the shores of the U.S. it was like an introduction for me to the senior member of my parents household as well as an introduction to the sound of Maurice White and Earth, Wind & Fire through an incredible six track collection of some of the most touching music I had ever heard at 12-years old called Head To The Sky.

MIT's Underwater Conservation Photography Class
Faculty, WCS staff and support staff from the US and Belize at Middle Caye last week.

Consular Tip: Your child might not need a visa interview
Children who are 13 years old or younger might not need an interview if they • Were born in Belize and hold a Belizean passport • Have parents/legal guardians who both hold Belizean Passports, and • Have at least one parent/legal guardian who holds a valid visa or is renewing his/her visa at the same time as the child

Channel 7

Rice War 2?
BAHA used the long arm of the law to slap down importer Jack Charles the first time around - but information to 7News is that another rice war could be on the horizon - and this one could come right down to that plate of rice and beans you had for lunch today. A senior official in the Ministry of Agriculture has told 7News that government's lawyers are dealing with a complaint brought by Jack Charles. But it's not about importing Guyanese rice; this time, it's about the quality of Belizean rice - the same one we all eat everyday. Our information says that Charles has found that local rice could be contaminated with harmful fungi - and that is the basis of this new complaint. The Director of BAHA would not return our calls our texts asking for a comment. Apparently, Charles is getting back at government, after they banned his Guyanese rice alleging that it was of inferior quality or that it did not meet health and safety standards. We called Charles today and he only told us to look out for some major developments on Monday of next week.

When Will Bert Vasquez Have His Day In Court?
The name, Bert Vasquez, has gone mostly unreported for the past 3 years, but back in June and July 2012, he made national headlines after he was arrested and charged for the murder of 13 year-old Jasmine Lowe. It culminated in hundreds of residents of the twin towns of San Ignacio and Santa Elena camping out in front of the Police Station to him being detained, charged and criminally arraigned. Well, since then, he's been on remand waiting for his day in court, but apart from that murder charge, he's facing 2 other cases where he's been accused of sexual offences. He went to court today for an adjournment before the Supreme Court, where it was to be decided when exactly he'll stand trial for the first of the 2 sex crimes accusations. He has a new attorney, Oscar Selgado, who is taking over from Simeon Sampson, and this morning before that Supreme Court hearing, he granted the press an interview. He updated on his client's criminal trials:

Two Men Shot, Not Fatally
There was a shooting last night in Belize City's Lake Independence area. It left 2 Belize City men, 26 year-old's Benua Andrews and Tyron Myers, hospitalized at the KHMH. At around 7:12 p.m., police showed up at the hospital and found Andrews, who been shot in the chest, and Myers, who was suffering from gunshots to the left knee, right thigh, and left elbow. Today, Precinct 2 Police briefed the media about the information they have at this time on the shooting: Sgt. Roberto Novelo, NCO - CIB Precinct 2: "Wednesday 3rd day of 2016 around 7:12pm, police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw Benua Andrews, 26 year of age of Belize City suffering from an apparent gunshot to the left and right side of the chest. Also seen was 26 years old Tyron Myers, he was suffering from apparat gunshot to the left elbow and left knee and right thigh. Initial investigations revealed that both were standing at the corner of Jasmine and Marigold Lane when a male person approach them and fired several shots towards their direction causing the initial injuries. Subsequently they were transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they are in a stable condition. We are presently continuing the investigation and we are following certain leads. We have one person detained at this time who we believe can assist us in the investigation."

Northside Cops Find High Powered Weapons in Gang Turf, Hold Out For Arrest
Belize City northside police found two high-powered firearms - but tonight they say they aren't releasing pictures until they make an arrest. The 40 and 45 caliber weapons were found in this apartment building on Handyside Street sometime this morning. Those are prohibited firearms, but police aren't declaring them as found property right now because they are first trying to lift some fingerprints off them. That's because intelligence says the guns are linked to the nearby Majestic Alley gang. The guns were found concealed in a stairwell, which is used by many people in the apartment building.

A Tec-9 In A Tiny Village
Orange Walk Police also made a gun seizure today. They received accurate intelligence, and at around 1:30 this afternoon, they went to an area in San Pablo Village in the Orange Walk District. They canvassed the location and found a black plastic bag under a rotten log. When they opened it, they found this black 9mm Tec-9 semi-automatic pistol. Since they couldn't tie it to anyone, it was deposited as found property.

From Melchor Jail To Freedom For Kayla
Since Monday, we've been telling you about the plight of 25 year-old Belizean Kayla Sanchez who was arrested in Melchor, Guatemala. Well, due to the successful intervention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has been released without any conviction, and after the transfer documents are complete, she'll be allowed to come home. As we told you, she was detained this weekend in Melchor for the theft of a cellular phone. She was then arrested and charged with aggravated robbery due to a report that she was found with a knife. Because of that knife, which is taken as a sign of aggression, she got into more serious trouble, and she was risking 6 months of jail time if she was convicted. After spending 3 nights inn Guatemalan state prison at San Benito, Peten, she was taken before the Chief Magistrate who has jurisdiction for the Department of Peten. By that time, Foreign Affairs Diplomat Said Guerra had been on the ground personally interceding on her behalf. She had a difficulty with the language barrier, and he took over as advisor and translator. Before today's hearing, he met with the Guatemalan Chief Magistrate and successfully convinced him that Kayla was not violent or aggressive, and so the nature of the crime should be downgraded. That argument was successful especially due to a confusion in the wording of the police report related to the topic of the knife she was allegedly caught with.

Kaya Speaks Up For Lady Cyclists
Kaya Cattouse is a well-known elite Belizean cyclist. But, tonight, she's up in arms with the Cycling Federation of Belize. That's because she is alleging sexual discrimination on the part of the federation and one of its biggest sponsors - BTL. It all started with a stinging post on Facebook regarding the upcoming Digicell Valentine Tour. Kaya posted, and we quote, "The tours are coming back to our cycling calendar. Way to go CFB! Way to go Digicell! Or at least that's what I would say if I were a MALE ELITE cyclist. Female and Junior category aren't "tour worthy"….I'm starting to wonder now if DIGICELL is partnering with the federation and discriminating against riders based on their age and gender." End quote. Kaya continued with her angry tirade by threatening to convince her fellow riders to switch to SMART.

Frank Vasquez Verdict Pending
A judge will decide whether Byron James killed Frank Vasquez. James is accused of killing Frank Vasquez in May of 2012. Vasquez was shot multiples times to the head, shoulder, back and mid-section. His sister testified saying that she saw James riding away after her brother was shot. But James's attorney, Oscar Selgado submitted that she saw James from a distance and added that there was no identification parade conducted by the police. The trial concluded yesterday and the prosecutor is Kileru Awich. Justice Troadio Gonzalez has reserved his ruling for next week at a date to be announced. James remains on remand at the Belize Central Prison.

Trio Villagers In Land Stress
Right now, a large number of Villagers from Trio in the Toledo District are in distress. They risk losing their homes and their farms because the current owner of the land they've been squatting on has showed up demanding that they move or pay for it. We understand that it is large tracts of farm land, which used to belong to the Thurton Estate, but has been acquired by a Chinese businessman. The villagers have been staying there for over 20 years - some of them claim that they've been there for 25 to 30 years. They've cultivated the land and built their homes on it. These same residents say that successive Governments have promised to regularize the situation on by acquiring they land on which they are squatting, and giving them access to titles for it. But, that never came, and the Chinese businessman has now showed up, and we're told he's telling them that they either need to pay him 20 thousand dollars in compensation, or else, they have to move.

Baby Drowned In Bathtub
A one-year-old infant drowned when she fell into a bathtub that was filled with water. The incident occurred at a home at Camp 51 in the village of Indian Creek Orange Walk. Reports are that around 10:15 yesterday morning the child wandered inside the laundry room where a large bathtub was located. She fell inside and drowned. Her older brother would later find her dead inside the bathtub. Orange Walk Police say they are not suspecting any foul play and are categorizing it as an unfortunate accident.

BTL Working Through Its Difficulties
Just a couple weeks after BTL slashed its calling rates, hitting an all-time low of 47 cents…bam! There entire short code system went down. That meant thousands of customers were unable access simple services like checking their credit balance, buying bundles, and other essential services that sustain the mobile experience. Today there system is back online, or at least partially. Today we spoke with Gale Malic, the Senior Public Relations Representative at BTL, who gave us an update on the status of their short code system. Gale Malic-Ozeata, Senior Public Relations Representative - BTL: "Our shorts codes are back up as of Monday afternoon. We notified our customers via social media pages, we sent them a text blast. We also did call in to the radio shows to let them know that most of short codes are working. The ones that they use the most, which are the 135, the *22 and *20 to check your credit and add credit. Our *100 for the 100 ways promotion; the *767 to buy and check text bundles and also the *932 to but the 2G plan. The *638 to buy the night shift plan too. So all those are working. So what were able to do in a span of one week, we were able to restore on the servers that went down that supports these short codes. We have a second server currently down which we are working on to restore and we hope to have that restored by the end of next week."

Belize Survivors Playing a Part In Global Cancer Awareness
World Cancer Day is being observed today and the focus is on awareness and prevention. Belize is playing its part in the global coverage by being featured in a video produced by the World Health Organization. IT features stories from Jamaica, the Philippines, Uganda and Belize - and here is an excerpt: You can see the entire video later tonight on Channel 7.

Higher Standards For The Lower Court
In this year's Ceremonial Opening of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin told the nation that the Magistracy Department would have a complete overhaul with the roll out of a new Criminal Procedure Rules. It's a document in the making for a number of months, and we've been informed that it has since been rolled out since the second half of January 2016. It's an extensive document which will bring sweeping changes to the way the court handles criminal cases, and if it is followed strictly, there will be a marked difference in the resolution of criminal trials in the lower courts. It introduces the electronic recording of trials for transcript and transparency, and for the filing of documents from attorneys electronically. It considerably shortens the number of adjournments that a case can have, which is usually misused either by the police or the defense attorneys, and causes cases to drag on for years.

Mersey Coming To Belize
A British navy ship will visit Belize from February 6th to 9th. The HMS Mersey is on Atlantic Patrol and crew will conduct joint training with the Belize Coast Guard and BDF in boarding operations and gunnery drills. The ship will also host a crisis planning exercise with the BDF, Coast Guard and Belize Red Cross. The Commanding Officer is quoted as saying that his sailors will also, quote, "enjoy some rest and relaxation on Belize's beautiful beaches." The Mersy is also taking part in the operation Trade Winds 2016 in June and will conduct counter-narcotics patrols with the US Coast Guard.

Collision in Cane Country
A traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway just before news time tonight left one man injured. The incident occurred near the notoriously dangerous Mameyal Curve and it involved a motorcycle and a white Toyota Four Runner. We understand that the driver of the motorcycle was transported to the Northern Regional Hospital suffering from multiple injuries. Unconfirmed reports are that the Four Runner was travelling towards Corozal Town when the driver of the motorcycle, who was traveling in the opposite direction, collided into him.

Channel 5

2 Men Shot in Southside Belize City
Two men were shot  on Wednesday night in south side Belize City just before seven o’clock, shattering a period of relative quiet on the streets since the beginning of the [...]

OW Police Recover Tec-9 Submachine Gun
Orange Walk was once known as Rambo Town, back in the days when drugs and violence had overtaken that northern community. It has not quite reached that point yet, but [...]

Mysterious Deaths at the K.H.M.H. Linked to Influenza Virus?
Six persons died at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital between October 2015 and January 2016 due to unknown illnesses. The hospital, however, believes the deaths may be related to the [...]

Vega Vs Cervantes Adjourned Again
Gaspar Vega versus Ramon Cervantes Junior and Fiesta FM – the anxiously awaited decision in that sensational libel and slander suit was to be handed down today by Chief Justice [...]

Baby Brenae Remains Critical at the K.H.M.H.
Three year old Brenae Timmons remains in an induced coma at the K.H.M.H. The child was badly injured last Friday when a heavy metal gate fell on her near the [...]

CFB Threatens to Suspend Kaya Cattouse
Well known cyclist and sports enthusiast Kaya Cattouse has been threatened by Cycling Federation of Belize President Dion Leslie. In a letter sent to Cattouse Tuesday, Leslie accuses her of [...]

Statistics on Cancer in Belize
On this World Cancer Day, the news is no