April 29, 2018

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Easy access to technology has led to an increase in cyberbullying
As technology has become more accessible to young people, cyberbullying has increased in our society. According to a report by I-SAFE Foundation, cyberbullying has become a serious problem among teens and it is up to everyone in the community to help fight the problem. Cyberbullying can take many forms such as sending mean messages or threats to a person’s email account or cell phone, spreading rumors online or through texts, posting hurtful or threatening messages on social media network sites or web pages, stealing a person’s account information to break into their account and send damaging messages, pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person, taking unflattering pictures of a person and spreading them through cell phones or the internet and circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person.

William ‘Danny’ Mason returns to court on kidnapping charges
Accused murderer William ‘Danny’ Mason along with his alleged accomplices appeared in court for the first time months on Monday, April 23rd in Belmopan City. Mason and his companions (Ashton Vanegas, Keiron and Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Henry Castillo) are serving time at the Belize Central Prison for the decapitation of Pastor Lewellyn Lucas back in 2016. This time they were brought in for the alleged kidnapping of a Mennonite couple that occurred around the same time Lucas was murdered. Mason’s legal defence requested that the kidnapping charges be thrown out based on insufficient evidence.

Island football team to participate in Belize National Inter-District Championship 2018
On Friday, April 20th, the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) issued a press release stating the names of the 16 teams that will be participating in the National Amateur Inter-District Club Championship 2018. Among the teams announced was San Pedro’s very own, Terror Squad Football Club, who recently claimed sub-champions of Copa San Pedro 2017. The round of sixteen home and away knockout series will commence on Saturday, May 5th to 6th and will see Calcutta Young Starz versus Trinidad F.C, Progresso F.C taking on Terror Squad F.C, and Chunox F.C going up against Kelly Street F.C., Valley United F.C will take on Red Bull F.C, Arenal F.C versus Peniarol F.C, Elite F.C will face Club Atletico, Tribal F.C versus Dangriga Department of Youth Service, and B&B Landshark F.C will go against Altitude F.C. The eight winners of these rounds of games will qualify to enter the quarterfinal round which will be held on Tuesday, May 15th.

ACES Open Day celebrates inclusivity as Autism Month closes
Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES) held an informative and exciting Open Day on April 27, 2018. Under the theme “Bring Learning to Life”, the day coincided with the ending of Autism Month. Students in each classroom had prepared a variety of presentations showcasing the various strategies used for different types of learning. ACES operates under the belief that all children are capable of learning, and thus by working together and being inclusive, the classroom can be a wonderful place for all students. Joining the Open Day activities was Ms. Myra Arzu, Special Education Officer from the National Resource Center for Inclusive Education (NaRCIE). Operating under the Ministry of Education, Arzu was on hand to sensitize attendees about the role they play in special-needs students’ education, as well as to recruit children with special needs.

Misc Belizean Sources

Road Warriors Bike Show 2018
The 4th annual Road Warriors Bike Show will be in Belmopan on Saturday, May 19th, and Ascenthium will be performing. There will be food, fun and games, and motorcycle stunts. "Belmopan! we are heading to you on May 19th for a killer 2 set performance, Courtesy of the Road Warriors Motorcycle Club! tell your friends and spread the word! its a show you won't wanna miss. first set starts at 7pm!"

Director of Tourism Karen Bevans at the Skift Forum in Europe!
This year the location is Berlin. The one-day conference is considered the 'premier European travel event' and focused on top tourism marketers, strategists and technologists in the industry.

National Agriculture & Trade Show Grounds
Great day at the National Agriculture & Trade Show Grounds

Back by popular demand, Lady Liberty makes her second annual appearance at the National Agric Fair today!

The Reporter

Drug run turns fatal RTA
Three people are badly injured and one dead, after an apparent drug trafficking run turned into severe road traffic accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Police reported that around 12:50 a.m. officers at the checkpoint set up at the intersection of the Phillip Goldson Highway and Burrell […]

Man allegedly stabs friend and girlfriend in jealous rage
A Belize City man is under investigation for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend and roommate over a domestic dispute. Police say that Jefferson Jacobo, allegedly stabbed 20-year-old Joselyn Duarte and 21-year-old Manuel Acosta several times after 1:00 a.m. this morning at his home on Freetown Road. Police say […]

Inspiration Center to receive $160,000 donation
The Inspiration Center, the facility headed by the Special Envoy for Women and Children (SEWC) Kim Simplis Barrow, which delivers various forms therapy to children with diverse abilities, is set to receive a $160,000 from See & Taste Belize, Inc.is a non-profit organization based in the US. […]

Businessman killed in San Pedro
By: Benjamin Flowers Police are investigating a shooting in San Pedro last night that claimed the life of 25 year old Honduran businessman Reniery Adalid Figueroa Garcia. Initial reports are that around 8:00 p.m. Garcia was at his shop, Dickey’s Store, when two men, one armed with a gun, entered […]

Belize represented at regional customs conference
Belize was one of four countries with representation at the 3rd annual Regional Training Against Illegal Trade and Customs Defraudation held in San Salvador between the 25 and 26 April,2018. Superintendent Howell Gillett, Commander of Eastern Division, Region One, represented Belize at the event, alongside participants from […]

International Sources

Will Global Warming Create Larger Hurricanes?
As the planet warms, the extra heat and moisture available to hurricanes are expected to make them more destructive. Computer modeling work consistently indicates that greenhouse warming will increase the average intensity of global tropical cyclones by 2 - 11% by 2100, with an increase in the number of Category 4 and 5 storms (though the majority of the models predict that the number of weaker tropical cyclones will decrease). Global warming is also expected to make tropical cyclones rainier, with up to 20% more precipitation falling within 100 km of the storm center. But how might the areal size of these great storms change in our warming climate? Storm size is a crucial factor in determining how large a hurricane’s storm surge will be and how much damage it will cause. With hurricane storm surges progressively riding inland on top of ever-increasing sea levels, any increase in storm size could greatly increase storm surge damage.

Formation Of An Area Of Disturbed Weather In the Area From The Northern Lesser Antilles & Virgin Islands To Just East Of The Bahamas Is On The Table For Late Next Week & Next Weekend
I will be watching the area just east of the Bahamas and just north of Puerto Rico late next week through next weekend as it looks increasingly more likely that an area of disturbed weather may form here. In fact, an area of low pressure may form in this area of disturbed weather and whatever disturbance does form will need to be monitored for possible tropical development. The weather pattern next week across the western Atlantic is expected to consist of a east-southwastward moving frontal boundary located well offshore of the US East Coast and a fairly strong high pressure ridge that will be located along the Mid-Atlantic and Carolina coastline. I think that it is quite possible that we could see, at the minimum, an area of disturbed weather form at the tail end of this front just east of the Bahamas and that this system could try to spin up into a sub-tropical or tropical system. A majority of the model guidance continue to show this potential:

Caribbean eyes untapped potential of world’s largest climate fund
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) also known as the 5Cs, is looking for ways to boost the region’s access to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The centre is on the hunt for proposals from the private and public sector organisations around the region that want to work with the Centre to develop their ideas into successful projects that are in line with their country’s national priorities to build resilience to climate change. The 5Cs, the agency with responsibility for coordinating climate action in the Caribbean, has doubled its efforts in wake of the 2017 Hurricane Season which saw the devastation of several islands and which exacerbates the need for climate proofing critical infrastructure a building resilience.

He promised people paradise — and sent them to their deaths
In September 1822, about 250 largely impoverished Scots uprooted their lives to embark on what appeared to be the journey of a lifetime, sailing to a prosperous Central American country called Poyais to start anew. But rather than finding a land overflowing with vegetation, livestock, workable soil and opportunities galore as they were promised, “Poyais” was a barren nightmare of unfarmable land and hostile natives. Expecting to build new and better lives, they had instead fallen victim to one of the most audacious and deadly swindles in history, one that most didn’t survive. The new book “Hoax: A History of Deception” by Ian Tattersall and Peter Nevraumont (Black Dog & Leventhal), out now, features 50 tales of frauds and cons from throughout history. Perhaps none, though, was more brazen than Gregor MacGregor’s Poyais scam.

Videos

April 28, 2018

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

CARPHA introduces Caribbean Tourism & Health Program to Ambergris Caye
Aiming to raise awareness on a newly implemented Tourism and Health Information System (THIS) the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) held a training session at the NEMO office in San Pedro Town on Wednesday, April 25th. The presentation was facilitated by Head of Tourism and Health Programme and Foodborne Diseases of CARPHA Doctor Lisa Inder, with members of the islands hospitality industry in attendance. The session began shortly after 4:30PM, with Dr. Inder thanking everyone for their attendance, followed by a brief explanation of the program. THIS is a real-time web-based health information management system for hotels and other facilities to monitor the health of their visitors and staff. The program monitors provide alerts on the health of guests and staff members.

Reniery Garcia killed in San Mateo Area
On Thursday, April 26th 25-year-old Honduran National Reniery Adalid Figueroa Garcia, business owner of the San Mateo Area in San Pedro Town was shot and killed. Garcia received one fatal gunshot to the head. According to the official police report, around 8PM, Garcia’s body was found behind the counter inside his shop, Dicky’s Store, located on the lower flat of his building. Two male persons entered the shop, and one of them fired a single gunshot towards the victim, causing the fatal injury. They then ran towards the lagoon area making their escape. Residents of San Mateo Area are shocked at the news of Garcia’s death, as they knew him to be a good person and not a troublemaker.

San Pedro Police officer awarded for outstanding performance
The San Pedro Police Department is proud to have one of their own recognized at the annual Eastern Police Division Awards. San Pedro’s Corporal 1037 Allan Woods was recognized as one of the top performing officers for 2017 Wednesday, April 25th in Belize City for his outstanding performance for the most drug interdictions. Woods is very happy to receive such award. “I am part of the criminal investigation branch where we deal with drug and firearm operations,” Woods told reporters. “I was also tasked to do some operations in Caye Caulker where I did a lot of drug-related arrests. I feel very proud of myself and the officers that work along with me.” Woods pledged to continue working harder for the betterment of San Pedro.

Cayo Rosario Developers must comply with Environmental Compliance Plan
Residents of Ambergris Caye are greatly concerned at reports alleging the approval of a tourism development on Cayo Rosario, located off the northern-western coast of Ambergris Caye within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve Zone IV: Cayo Rosario Conservation Zone. The Environmental Impact Assessment was given the green light by the Department of Environment (DOE) in December of 2017, while the National Environmental Appraisal Council (NEAC) is yet to weigh in on the first draft of the project’s Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP) which comes with specific stipulations demanding changes in the construction design. Some of the changes include a reduction of over-the-water structures and allowing access to fishing in the area to name a few. This initial draft will be discussed next week by NEAC, and once it is finalized the developers will then be required to sign it before they can start the project.

Ambergris Today

Shop Owner Murdered In San Mateo Area
San Pedro Police are investigating the murder of a San Mateo Area resident of Ambergris Caye. Police arrived at the scene of the crime to find the lifeless body of businessman Reniery Adalid Figueroa Garcia, a 25-year-old Honduran national, with an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Initial investigations reveal that on Thursday, April 26, 2018, that about 8:00p.m., the deceased was inside his shop, Dicky’s Store, located on the lower flat of his building seated behind the counter. Two male persons entered the shop where one of them fired a single gun shot towards the victim, causing the fatal injury. They then ran towards the lagoon area where they escaped.

Belize And Cuba Share Ideas For Sustainable Fisheries Management
Belize and Cuba meet for a Fisheries Exchange to Share Challenges, Innovations and Success Stories for Good Governance of Fisheries and Sustainable Management of the Caribbean Ecosystem Sustainability and good governance of marine resources are critical for the national interests of both Belize and Cuba. This week, from April 24-28th, 2018, delegations from Belize and Cuba comprised of government representatives, managers, scientists, leaders of the fishing industry and representatives of fishing communities are meeting in Belize to share lessons learned and success stories in sustainable fisheries management and good governance of the seas.

Minister Of National Security Meets With San Pedro Residents
It was quite ironic that heads of government officials and high ranking members of the Belize Police Department were on the island addressing the crime situation in the country and addressing issues on the island of Ambergris Caye, that a shooting incident took the life of a shop owner as the meeting took place. The San Pedro Chapter of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) held a special meeting at the conference room of the Sunbreeze Hotel last night Thursday, April 26, 2018, that was a stakeholders consultation on citizens security to address crime. The discussion lead to the crime situation on the island and views were shared on ideas and possible strategies that the island community can take to address key crime issues. Officer Jemmott also answered questions from those in attendance. He also made mention of new police substations to be opened in North Ambergris Caye, continued works on a boat passenger manifest for increase in travelers’ safety, issue with golf cart theft and arrests made in some of the cases, admission of testimony via teleconferencing for court cases, among others.

Misc Belizean Sources

Ministry of National Security meets San Pedro BTIA Chapter to discuss Citizens’ Security on the Island
Last night, Hon. John Saldivar and representatives from the Ministry of National Security met with the BTIA San Pedro Chapter to discuss Citizens' Security on the island.

HAPPY WORLD TAPIR DAY!
We join wildlife lovers across the world today in recognizing one of the most amazing megafauna to ever trundle across the earth: the tapir! There are 4 species of tapir globally, and Belize's National Animal, the Central American Tapir, is the largest land mammal in our region! Tomorrow, Saturday 28th, we will be bringing festivities home with National Tapir Day at the Zoo from 10am to 3pm. Activities will be on-going throughout the day.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Wildling, Submergence, The Week Of, Early Man

Tapir and the Maya
Several Maya cave sites showed evidence of tapirs being sacrificed. Crystal Cave and Actun Uayazba Kab in western Belize both have tapir remains along with ceramic offerings to the gods. These creatures were associated with the underworld since they are nocturnal. Happy Tapir day!

Market Cay VENUE CHANGE
Due to the rain, the Market Day is being MOVED to Om Shanti Belize - Yoga, Spa & Wellness, Healthy Cafe -Vegan/Vegetarian at 10 Fort Street (The old Harbour View building close to the lighthouse). Still all your local favourites, but now in a cute place that will keep ya dry! Same HOURS: Saturday April 28, 11AM-2PM Please tell everyone you know about the changes!!!

Ambassador of the Republic of Peru Pays Farewell Visit to Belize
Today, April 27th, the Ambassador of the Republic of Peru accredited to Belize, His Excellency Jorge E. Román Morey, paid a farewell visit to the Government of Belize. His visit commenced with a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington and Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H. E. Pat Andrews to discuss topics of mutual interest and cooperation. The Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Peru also signed a Framework Agreement on Friendship and Technical Cooperation aimed at promoting and deepening the mutually beneficial friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Power outage scheduled from 10:00am to 2:00pm, Sunday, April 29: Mile 1 to Mile 8 along George Price Highway
Including West Lake, Western Pines, Sunset Park and Tropical Park; and Mile 1 to Mile 3 along Philip Goldson Highway including Coral Grove, West Landivar, Buttonwood Bay and Belama Phase 1. BEL to facilitate construction works on the George Price Highway.

Channel 7

Dangriga Witnesses Second Broad Daylight Murder in 72 Hours
Dangriga Town residents are still in shock tonight - after they witnessed the second murder in three days. And the reason they are shocked is that this kind of thing just doesn't happen in Griga - maybe Belize City, maybe Orange Walk or San Pedro, maybe even Cayo or Belmopan - but not Dangriga - which is known for its easygoing way of life. But, it is happening: two execution style killings in broad daylight in just 72 hours. Daniel Ortiz raced down to Griga to see what this one was about - and he found that it may have been the common denominator in many recent killings: a battle over drugs:... 43 year-old Gabriel Laurie Jr. was found dead here inside his house this morning after 10:00. Residents of the Wagierale area tell us that they heard the sounds of about 5 gunshots, and as soon as they felt it safe enough to venture outside, they discovered Laurie's body near to his front door.

Police Actively Investigating...
Less than two hours after that murder, we spoke to Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams who would not speculate on a motive:.. DCP Chester Williams, Commander of Operations: "The investigation in Dangriga is still underway. It is still in its infancy stage. I can't say much about but I can confirm one male person was shot and killed in his in Dangriga and the police are currently working on that investigation." As we told you, police do have a known suspect who they are actively seeking.

San Pedro Shopkeeper Killed At The Counter
And going now from a municipality not used to murders - to one that has seen too many for its own liking….San Pedro witnessed another killing last night. It happened in the San Mateo area of the island town. 25 year old Shop-owner Reniery Figueroa Garcia was killed as he sat behind the counter. Two men came in - not to rob - but to kill a man who his family says kept to himself. Sahar Vasquez found out more from his heart broken aunt. Dicky's store is usually filled with customers but this morning it was filled with grief. His aunt still in shock grabbed her dead nephew's cap and held it close to her heart with tears pouring out of her eyes.

Deputy Compol Says It Was a Robbery
And while Figueroa's family told us that the only thing they took was his cell phone, and police said in a press release that there was no robbery at all, Deputy Commissioner Williams had a different take. He told us that the incident now looks like a robbery because contrary to what was said before it seems money was stolen from the shop. DCP Chester Williams: "Well from what we are gathering the motive may have been robbery." Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "I know they did not take any money. DO you find that strange?" DCP Chester Williams: "From what we understand money was taken."

Renesha Remanded For Stabbing Common Law In Chest
Today a 19 year old female was arraigned for stabbing her common law husband, Herman Solis, who's also 19. Police say she did it after she read a text message on his phone. Renesha Alvarez, from Holy Emmanuel Street was charged with dangerous harm when she appeared today before Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser. No plea was taken but the Crown objected to bail. They say that if she gets bail, she may end up being harmed by the relatives of the man she stabbed. The police prosecutor added that he has two more surgeries to take and his condition is still uncertain; and further charges may be levied against Alvarez.

Belizean Remains In Guate Jail, Family Fears For His Safety
Tonight, Belizean fisherman Iginio Canto remains in a Guatemalan jail - and his family is worried about his safety there. As we told you he was arrested along with 2 Guatemalans 10 days ago allegedly smuggling large quantities of out of season lobster into Guatemala. On Wednesday, his brother in the Corozal District told CTV-3 that they got a call from inmates at the Puerto Barios prison demanding five thousand dollars to ensure his safety.

Vicious Robbery In Sandhill
A Chinese grocer was pistol whipped and robbed in his Sandhill shop. It happened on Thursday night around 8:00. Jimmy Huang was at his store when two armed masked men along with another man, stormed in. One had a shot gun and the other had a hand gun. The men held up Huang and stole about $5,000 from the cash register. They also made off with his wallet. One of the men hit him in the head with the gun. The trio then escaped.

A Quarantine Arch Now At Port
For some crossing the border to Chetumal, or even for those Guatemalans hopping over to Benque through the western border - those Quarantine treatment facilities that spray your vehicles may seem to be a nuisance. But, these structures are important. It keeps pests, bacteria and other agricultural crop- threatening diseases from entering the country. Well, to ensure this practice continues, one of these automatic spraying facilities has been installed at the Port of Belize. It was officially opened today and the Minister of Agriculture elaborated on the importance of this facility. Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture: "This is a new spraying station. We have built it in cooperation in OIRSA. If you recall there is one in the North we opened some time ago, there is one at the Benque Border..."

While Contraband Produce Keeps Coming…
And while those quarantine facilities have been set up at all the key border crossings - we know all too well that those contrabandists still find a way to get illegal produce in through the back door. A proof of that came this morning between 6:00 and 7:00, when officers from the Eastern Division Region 3, Quick Response Team and Special branch nabbed a whole bunch of contraband vegetables on 3 different buses. They stopped the buses at the intersection of the Phillip Goldson Highway and the Boom Road. In total the team confiscated 4 sacks of lettuce, 4 sacks of broccoli..

What To Do About Sagging Sugar Fortunes?
On Wednesday we told you the not so sweet news about Belize's sugar industry. The industry is taking a blow as the price for sugar on the world market has plummeted. As you heard from BSI, Belize was getting 21 cents per pound but now we are only getting 11 cents per pound. And it is all because of that cheap European beat sugar that's flooding the market. Today we asked Agriculture Minister Godwin Hulse, how Belize will recover. Well, he says he had anticipated this price drop, But he is optimistic that ASR/BSI will find a way to work around it.

The Wreckage Of The Rains
As we have reported, January 2018 was the wettest month on record. And while many of us might wish for some those rains right now to put out this scorching April heat, the farmers certainly don't need anymore rain. Many of their crops were destroyed in the deluge. Minister Hulse didn't give any stats or figures in terms of damage assessment or cost but he believes these farmers will bounce back with the Ministry's help. Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture: "There was some damage in the south, from flooding and the Ministry did have a look down there to see how we can help the farmers particularly with seeds and that sort of thing, there were farmers in the central who has some issues one particular farmer with watermelons."

Come One, Come All To Agri
And the place you can find some of those farmers is at the National Agriculture and Trade Show. It's this weekend and Minister Hulse told us why everyone should be out there. Hon. Godwin Hulse, Minister of Agriculture: "Our theme is let's get growing and so you will have displays of livestock, you will have displays of vegetables, fruits, you will have processing and the grounds have really really been improved, I mean I can assure you this year when you come even the sun hot you used to walk through, we have done something to help with that so you can cool off in some areas, there is a lot more benches, there are garbage bins all over so please no garbage on the grounds, there are bathroom facilities. It is just a good fun day but more importantly to inform our people and celebrate our hard working farmers." The show grounds open tonight.

Police Will Be Super Vigilant At Agri’
Hulse is not the only on that has something to say about the highly anticipated Agric fair this weekend. Alarmist threats have been sent out suggesting that gang members will be looking for five men during the fair. But Deputy COMPOL Chester Williams ensured everyone that the police presence will be heavy and they are taking all the necessary steps to avoid any adverse event. DCP Chester Williams: "In respect to the national agriculture which begins this evening and will come to an end on Sunday I would like to inform the Belizean public that the police will be at the show grounds in full force as well as on the highway to ensure that the show ground goes through peacefully and we know that there are certain rumors going around about threats against individuals at the show grounds.."

One George Street Man Charged For UNO Robbery
San Ignacio police have charged one man for the robbery of the UNO gas station in their town. He is 19 year old Marvin Phillips, from George Street in Belize City. He was formally arrested and charged for robbery and other suspects also from Belize City are being held pending charges. The armed robbery happened on Monday, and was caught on security camera, and cell phone by civilians standing outside the gas station. They saw the robber dashing off, but he was one of a team of 4, who got away with a whopping $33,000 in cash and cheques.

Belizean Boxer Big Baby Ready To Rumble
Tomorrow night on HBO, Belizean American World Heavyweight Contender Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller is fighting french boxer Johann Duhaupas at Barclays Center in Miller's hometown of Brooklyn, New York. The Frenchman is a former world title challenger - but he's seriously undersized at 244 pounds - while Big Baby weighed in this evening at 304 pounds. It's an important fight for Big Baby because its' basically an audition for a shot at world champ Anthony Joshua.

The Persistent Manhole Problem
Yesterday you saw Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner lambaste the fiscal indiscipline and reckless spending of the previous UDP council. And while he did a takedown for the financial mismanagement, his Deputy Oscar Arnold brought up the previous council's failing with those manholes. We had challenged the mayor on it many many times before. And now the new council's says it is something they plan to address: Oscar Arnold - Deputy Mayor, Belize City: "The council inherited an issue where there are many missing covers to what people refer to as manholes but they are actually over the drains where people walk; where individuals of diverse abilities have to navigate almost daily..."

Mayor Won’t Let Tax Slackers Get Away
And while the council will spend on those manholes - it plans to crack down hard on those businesses which aren't paying their trade licenses. The mayor says it is an area of lax enforcement which cannot stand:... Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "Again, arrears continue to rise. Businesses are allowed to operate without paying taxes. This must come to an end because it clearly demonstrates a weak compliance." As you heard yesterday, the PUP council is looking seriously at putting an end to property tax discounts. Today the UDP issued a release saying it, quote, "strongly condemns the callous decision of Mayor Wagner to discontinue the property tax discount program..."

Channel 5

Family Grieves in San Pedro as Killers Slay San Mateo Shopkeeper
There are two murders to report tonight that occurred within fourteen hours of each other; one in San Pedro and the other in Dangriga. We start tonight’s newscast with the [...]

In Dangriga, Death Came for Gabriel Laurie at Home
Another Dangriga resident was murdered today, making it the second homicide in that municipality over the past three days.  While both incidents may not be related, investigators are tonight piecing [...]

Referendum Push Gets Underway with Visit to Cayo
Guatemala completed a successful referendum on taking the Guatemalan claim to Belize to the International Court of Justice two weeks ago. A super-majority of voters said yes, but soon it [...]

Foreign Minister Wants Media to Stop ‘Obsession’ with Sarstoon Protocol
But even before Guatemala’s referendum on April fifteenth, questions were raised in a lawsuit in Guatemala’s Constitutional Court about the validity of the 2008 Special Agreement and 2015 amendment. The [...]

Belize, Peru Sign Cooperation Agreement
Fresh off the recent Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington and Peruvian Ambassador to Belize Jorge Roman Morey, based in El Salvador, signed a special [...]

The Results of the Summit of the Americas
Belize was represented at the eighth Summit of the Americas by both Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington and Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte. This triennial meeting of members of the [...]

Teen Girl Charged for Near-Fatal Stabbing is Remanded
Nineteen-year-old Renesha Alvarez is behind bars tonight, charged with dangerous harm against her domestic partner, who is in a critical but stable condition at the hospital. Alvarez is accused of [...]

Security Guard Accused of Sex with Schoolgirl Out on Bail
He is accused of a sensitive crime, but tonight, twenty-seven-year-old Ryan Neal is out on bail on a charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and grievous harm. Neal is accused of [...]

U.D.P. CitCo Didn’t Pay Taxes, Social Security
On Thursday, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner held a press conference at City Hall to share with the media findings from a transition report that was commissioned upon the new [...]

Successors at City Hall Fear Cash Crunch
During the past two terms of the U.D.P. city council, large sums of money were borrowed for the construction of streets across the city.  Those projects were funded with the [...]

Port of Belize Gets New Area for Quarantine Treatment
Today, the Ministry of Agriculture officially opened a quarantine treatment arch at the Port of Belize in Belize City. The new arch is part of a wider effort done across [...]

Forum to Discuss Response to Gender-Based Violence and Trafficking in Persons
Last November a project tackling official responses to gender based violence and trafficking in persons was launched. Supported by the U.S. Embassy through the Central American Regional Security Initiative, it [...]

Peruvian Photographer Featured in Exhibition
At this hour, an exhibition called “La Mirada de Chambi” is opening at the Mexican Institute in Belize City.  It is a photography collection by Peruvian artist Martin Chambi which [...]

Mexico’s Great Artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera Featured on Exhibition Tour
The “Diego y Frida” exhibition is on a tour across Belize. Last September, the exhibition opened at the Mexican Institute in Belize City and now it is in San Ignacio [...]

LOVE FM

New Quarantine Treatment arch inaugurated at the Port of Belize Ltd.
The Ministry of Agriculture and the International Organization for Health in Agriculture, (OIRSA) officially inaugurated a treatment facility at the Port of Belize Limited. Hipolito Novelo reports. Belize has been part of OIRSA since 1996.

The life of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on display
Frida Kahlo is one of Mexico’s most famous artists. She is known for her self-portraits and admired as a feminist icon. She married Diego Rivera, a famed Mexican muralist. The lives of the famous Mexican couple is on display at the San Ignacio and Santa Elena House of Culture. The exhibit is a collaboration among …

Belize represented at 3rd annual regional training
The third annual Regional Training against Illegal Trade and Custom Defraudation was held in San Salvador. The two-day event saw representation from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, the United States of America, and Belize. Senior Superintendent Howell Gillett, Commander of Eastern Division Region One, represented Belize at the event. The event discussed tools to recognize contraband …

Ministry of Transport will open office in Spanish Lookout
The residents of Spanish Lookout and surrounding villages will soon have a transport office in that vicinity, making it easier to conduct their transport related business. Earlier this week, the Ministry of Transport, Edmond Castro, and leaders from Spanish Lookout met to discuss the matter. Love news spoke with Castro about the initiative. Castro said …

Recological System Ltd interested in developing Port in the South
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), with responsibility for Ports, Edmond Castro met with representatives of Recological Systems Limited, who have formally submitted a proposal to the Government of Belize for the development of the Commerce Bight Port in the Stann Creek District. Love News spoke with Minister Castro who said that …

Belize represented at UWC Summit in Guatemala
Central American countries, along with Mexico, are participating in a scholarly summit which commences today in Guatemala. United World Colleges is hosting the summit. Emil Pulido, who is a volunteer member of the United World Colleges, is representing Belize at the summit. Pulido spoke with Love News about his participation. The 3-day summit is to …

Mayor Kevin Bernard wants to be Area Representative
Orange Walk Town Mayor Kevin Bernard wants to be the Area Representative for Orange Walk East. He wants to defeat the current UDP Area Representative Elodio Aragon Jr. Bernard told Love News why he has decided to take up the challenge. Before Bernard can challenge the current UDP Area Representative, he needs to defeat his …

Peruvian Ambassador donates Quena flutes to Samuel Haynes Institute
The Peruvian Ambassador later stopped by the Samuel Haynes Institute to make a donation of Inca Wooden Peru Quena Flute. Minister Elrington spoke of the donation. Belize and Peru established a relationship in 1991.

On last official visit Peruvian Ambassador sign framework agreement
As part of his farewell visit to Belize, Peruvian Ambassador to Belize, Jorge Morey signed a framework agreement with the Government of Belize. The Framework Agreement on Friendship and Technical Cooperation is aimed to promote and deepen mutually beneficial friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Hipolito Novelo reports.

‘La Mirada de Chambi’
This evening the exhibition “La Mirada de Chambi’ will officially open for public viewing. The exhibition is a collection of black and white photographs by Peruvian artist Martin Chambi. He was one of the first major indigenous Latin American photographers. Legal and Press Affairs Officer for the Mexican Embassy in Belize, Hugo Juarez Carrillo, says …

Ninety-nine youths awarded
The Community Rehabilitation Department within the Ministry of Human Development has awarded ninety-nine youths from across the country. The awardees were recognized for their remarkable strides to live a positive life in spite of the hardship they face.On hand for the occasion were: Captain Adrian Ramirez, a pilot in the BDF Air Wing, who was the Guest Speaker, Starla Bradley, Director of CRD, and Minister of Human Development, Anthony Martinez...

US Embassy giving away $1.2 million dollars
The US Embassy has been offering grants for several years under their Central American Regional Security initiative economic support fund. The first several years of the grant focused on at-risk youths; however, last year it shifted to support initiatives that promote good governance. In this regard, this year the US Embassy will be disbursing as …

“A Call to Action”
RET International Belize, in partnership with the University of the West Indies Open Campus, is hosting an open forum which is coined “A Call to Action”. This forum will tackle gender-based violence and human trafficking. Love News spoke with Malenie Barnes, National Programme Coordinator at RET International Belize about the initiative. The forum will …

Trio responsible for murder of Oscar Rosado remain at large
Police continue to look for three persons in reference to the murder of businessman, Oscar Rosado Sr. The well-known businessman was in his business place Rosado’s Construction Supplies around 1:30 Monday afternoon when armed robbers entered. Following a confrontation with the men, Rosado was fatally injured. Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino gave an update on the investigation …

PlusTV

Man shot, crashes before reaching hospital
There was another murder in Belize City last night. The deceased has since been identified as Kemmar Edgar Wade. Wade was shot to the head and the body. He was found dead in his car which had crashed into a lamp post. Police told us more. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: Sometime aro...

No leads, no radar detection of drug plane despite new $13M radar equipment
There have been no leads in the recent landing of a suspected drug plane. The plane was discovered early Tuesday morning. Today, gave some information on the new plane landing. ASP Joseph Myvette, OC NCIB: Upon inspection of the aircraft it was found that only the pilot seat was affixed inside the a...

Escaped Prisoner Johnny Matus found
One of three escaped prisoners has been captured. 19 year old Johnny Matus had been on the run for almost two weeks after he and two other men sawed their way through the metal bars of their holding cell at the Corozal police station. On Tuesday morning, Matus was recaptured. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Cr...

ELRINGTON SAYS ‘BELIZE HAS TO GET A ‘YES’ VOTE OR ELSE’
By now, most Belizeans are well aware of the results of Guatemala’s referendum held on April 15th. But, has the ‘yes’ vote of the Guatemalan people placed pressure on Belize to also vote ‘yes’ ? Foreign Minister Elrington told the media that Belize has to get a ‘yes’ vote in order to avoid the possi...

VIP condemns international pressure to go to ICJ
Today, Vision inspired by the people issued a press release saying that they reject any international pressure on the issue. The Release says that “If Minister Elrington is to be believed, Belize faces a grave position on the international scene which requires an urgent and decisive national respons...

NEW CITY COUNCIL says old City Council monies don’t match up
It has been fifty days since the elected PUP’s have taken office at the Belize City Council. Today, the new City Council held a transition team report in which they revealed what they are calling inconsistencies, discovered from an ongoing audit at City Hall. According to Mayor Bernard Wagner, the ...

No arrests in Oscar Rosado murder case
The Oscar Rosado Sr. murder which happened on Monday afternoon is being investigated by police. As we told you, the 70 year old businessman was in his store, Rosado’s Hardware, near to the Cemetery in Belize City on Monday afternoon. That is when three men entered and tried to rob Rosado. He resiste...

Patrick Crossdale murder update
was gunned down in broad daylight in the Monument Site area of Dangriga Town. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment but by the time police arrived there, Crossdale was already dead. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: HE was deceased when police arrived at the hospital. Information is that he was travelling on his motorcycle on his way home when an individual exited from the bushes and fired shots at him which proved to be fatal.

Thieves made off with 30k in Cayo robbery
On Monday, we told you about the brazen midday robbery in San Ignacio. It happened at UNO Gas station. A witness pulled out his phone camera and captured two robbers running from the scene. In the video, one of the men can be seen holding a blue bag which held the cash stolen; over thirty thousand dollars. Today, police filled in some of the details.. ASP Joseph Myvette, OC NCIB: 23RD April shortly before 10Am police was called ...

Girlfriend detained in TEENAGE DOMESTIC DISPUTE
A teenage domestic dispute left a young man badly injured. On Tuesday afternoon, 19 year old Herman Solis was stabbed to the right side of his chest. Police told us more. Wilfredo Ferrufino; Crimes Investigation Branch: Investigations have revealed that he and his common law wife Renisha Alvarez were in a argument and she inflicted...

ELRINGTON SPEAKS ON GUATEMALA REFERENDUM
Only 25% percent of Guatemala’s voting population was represented in the Guatemala referendum. While it is speculated that the low voters’ turnout in Guatemala is an indication that Guatemala’s majority is not interested in Guatemala’s claim to Belize, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington told the media that the referendum was a democratic process in which some people simply decided to not show up. Journalist: “ What is the perception of the Belize government in the fact that only it was a 26% voter turn out In Guatemala...

New charges for Mexicans accused of ATM stealing
On Tuesday, two Mexican nationals returned to court in ongoing investigations into a series of ATM thefts at Atlantic Banks across the nation. In all, the Mexicans are accused of withdrawing over one hundred thousand dollars from Atlantic Bank accounts countrywide. The culprits allegedly used several international debit cards to steal the monies 26 year old Belen Hernandez, and 31 year old Lionel Rodriguez, were originally charged back in January...

Another accused killer walks free
Another accused killer has been able to walk free from conviction. The murder trial of 33 year old Orlando Ciedos, which occurred in the Dangriga Supreme court, ended in a Nolle –prose on Wednesday. Ciedos was accused of the murder of 21 year old Edilsar Juarez which occurred on October 9, 2016, in Bella Vista Village, Toledo. Juarez was sharing an apartment with Ciedos when he allegedly hacked Juarez to death with a machete...

Belizean fisherman fined in Guatemala
A Belizean fisherman remains in a Guatemalan jail. Corozal resident Iginio Canto Bacab has been in a detention facility in Livingston, Guatemala for the past week, awaiting monies from home to pay his court fines. As we have reported, Bacab was picked up by Guatemalan authorities a week ago...

Adam Estell pleads guilty to weed possession
Twenty-eight-year-old Belize City resident Adam Estell pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana when he appeared in court yesterday. Estell and 3 other persons who were at his residence at the time of a police search, were all hauled off to court when cops found half a pound of weed...

Another Drug Plane lands
Another suspected Drug plane was landed in Belize, its contents carted off, and the airplane left abandoned. This morning, the large aircraft was discovered on the San Estevan/ Progresso Road in the north sometime after 5 a.m. No one was found at the plane and whatever it was carrying was long gone...

Murder in Dangriga; Man shot in the back
There was a shooting this morning in Dangriga in broad daylight. The incident happened sometime after ten o’clock this morning in the Monument Sitee area of Dangriga Town. According to police, 55 year old Jamaican national and resident of Dangriga, Patrick George Crossdale, was riding his motorcycl...

Another armed robbery in Dangriga
Reports of armed robberies have increased within the past few months and there was another one reported last night, this time in Dangriga. The target was Harlem Store located on Commerce street. The robbery happened sometime after 8 p.m. when three persons entered the store. One was armed with a poi...

One man detained in Oscar Rosado murder
Yesterday we told you about the murder of Oscar Rosado Sr. which occurred during a robbery at his store on Cemetery Road. Today, police issued a report on the incident. According to the police report, sometime around 1:15 p.m. on Monday April 23rd, two dark complexioned men and one Hispanic male p...

Baranco Residents want concessions for logging in their community
A contingent of dissatisfied Baranco residents gathered in Belmopan today for a scheduled meeting at the Ministry of Forestry and Fishery. For over a decade, the residents have been complaining about rapid deforestation in the Baranco forest area. Beatrice Mariano, Vice Chair Person of the Baranco V...

Minor charged for murder of Jason Bellencio
On Sunday, April 15, Jason Bellencio was walking on Lovely Lane in Belize City at around 6:30 when he was met by a barrage of bullets. Five bullets made their mark, hitting Bellencio to the head and back. Bellencio was not known to have any gang affiliations but today a 16 year old minor with clear...

Marlon “Yankee” Everett charged for PG man’s murder
Police have arrested and charged one man in connection to a weekend Belize City murder. Last Night we reported that 25 year old Albert Johnson, a resident of Punta Gorda was shot and killed on Rectory Lane in Belize City. Police have since arrested and charged 28 year old Marlon ‘Yankee’ Everett of ...

Belmopan resident to be charged for intentionally knocking down teen
Belmopan police are getting ready to charge a Belmopan resident with Dangerous Harm and Grevious Harm. This is in connection to the Tyreke Flores traffic incident that occurred in Belmopan last week. As we have reported, Tyreke was riding his bicycle in Belmopan when a vehicle ran him over. The driv...

House fire in Santana
There was a house fire in Santana village on Thursday night. According to police reports, 23 year old Melonie Francine Jones, a Belizean domestic of Santana Village, reported that on April 19th between 11:00 am and 12:00 p.m., she was at home with her two sons under the house when she connected a...

Accused murderer Allan Sommerville walks free
27 year old walked free of murder charges today. Sommerville was the accused gunman in the 2012 murder of Contractor Eleno Requeno. 32-year-old Requena was gunned down in cold blood in the presence of a group of minors. He was walking with a group of children, all relatives and minors, on the edge o...

Accused bank thieves granted bail
24 year-old Damon Dawson and 21 year-old Jonathan Almendarez, were granted bail yesterday when they appeared in court to answer to charges of theft. The duo is accused of stealing $10,000 from Heritage Bank. According to police reports, Damon Dwson was an employee of the bank who processed the ten t...

Gasoline prices go up again
Gasoline Prices go up at the pumps yet again. Effective tomorrow Wednesday 25th, the price of Regular Gasoline as well as Diesel will be increased. A gallon of regular gasoline, which stood at $10.65 cents per gallon, will now cost $11.06 cents, while a gallon of Diesel, which stood at $10.01 cents,...

Belize represented at the Commonwealth Heads in London
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, led Belize’s delegation to the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in London, United Kingdom from 16th-20th April 2018. He was joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth; CEO in the...

Hurricanes Vs. Belmopan Bandits
With only a few games remaining in the 2018 Pepsi NEBL regular season, the Smart Belize Hurricanes played against the Belmopan Bandits at the Belize Elementary Gym on Friday night. Glency Lopez was the top scorer for the Hurricanes as he led the team with 19 points. We spoke with Coach Jamel Wagner ...

The Guardian

Amandala

CitCo audit report reveals “a free for all,” says Mayor Bernard Wagner
Belize City’s mayor, Bernard Wagner, and deputy mayor, Oscar Arnold, held a press conference this afternoon at City Hall, where the senior managers of the new PUP Belize City Council were all present. The purpose of the press conference was to present the findings of the transition team’s audit report on the finances at the council. Mayor Wagner described the financial practices at City Hall prior to his entry and the new City Council members as “a free for all.” At the beginning of the press briefing, Mayor Wagner explained that they would present the facts on what they inherited from their predecessors.

City Council will tackle the “UDP” silt problem near Yarborough Bridge
The silt that has formed at the Yarborough Bridge, where Collet Canal empties into the Caribbean Sea, is not only an eye sore, but the stench coming from it may be a health hazard to area residents. Silt has been accumulating at this spot since Mayor Zenaida Moya’s time at City Hall, 3 years ago (how long was that?), and very little has been done about it since that time. Mayor Darrell Bradley and his team had promised that the canal would have been dredged, but this was never done, and now the silt is choking the canal from the Mex Avenue Bridge all the way to Yarborough Bridge.

Move or be moved: Belmopan CitCo gives squatters eviction notice
On Friday, April 13, the residents of Belmopan were shocked when PlusTV’s Louis Wade, Jr. showed photos of squatters who were occupying the Pleasant Creek Reserve area. For months, the residents of the Belmopan Heights area had complained about the sound of trees being cut down and other noises associated with construction. PlusTV had decided to take it upon themselves to fly a drone over the area, and discovered severe illegal clearing of the land. This area became a reserve after attempts to subdivide in it 2008 were obstructed by the residents, who touted the importance of the area as a water catchment area, as well as the habitat of a large amount of fauna and flora in the city.

Barranco villagers protest in Belmopan for logging rights
As the early morning heat beat down on Belmopan City, a group of protesters, between 25 and 30 persons, who made the journey from Barranco, Belize’s southernmost village in Punta Gorda, walked around the National Assembly building in colorful Garifuna attire in an orderly protest, beating their drums and carrying placards in a protest against the refusal of the government’s Forestry Department to grant them concession licenses for logging on lands surrounding their village. The villagers demanded that they be allowed to earn money through the harvesting of trees from lands which are adjacent to their village.

Belize Chamber of Commerce holds AGM
Today, the Chamber of Commerce held their annual general meeting. The Chamber is currently in its 98th year of operation, which makes it the longest serving private-sector organization in Belize. Kim Aikman, CEO of the Chamber, told Amandala that the central theme of this year’s meeting is anti-corruption. She stated that, “corruption is the root of all the inefficiencies that we have in the economic climate right now.” Aikman mentioned that they insisted on the government’s signing on to the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. They were able to have a guest speaker from Fiji, Mihaela Stojkoska, who is the United Nations Development Program’s senior anti-corruption expert, join them via Skype.

Drug traffickers now using jet plane to move drugs into Belize
The transshipment of drugs through Belize has entered a new phase of sophistication after a twin engine jet plane landed on the San Estevan / Progresso Village Road, located about 3 miles out of San Estevan village, Orange Walk District, early yesterday morning, Tuesday. The Hawker Siddeley 225 jet (wing span: 14.32m (47 ft 0in), length: 14.42m (47 ft 5in) (It has also been classified by some experts as a British Aerospace 125 — which is a twin-jet business class aircraft.) has presented Belizean law enforcement officials with a major challenge: how to move the mid-sized jet from the village road, where it is now under the guard of Belize security forces. Although it is most likely still airworthy, reportedly, there are no pilots in Belize who could fly it from its present location.

Bandits vs Police; Verdes vs BDF – “away-goal” rule and implications for game 2 of PLB semifinals
Both top seeds in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Closing Season got a wake-up call last weekend in the 1st leg of the home-and-away semifinals. #1 seed Belmopan Bandits SC barely salvaged a 2-2 draw in injury time against #4 seed Police United FC; and #2 seed defending champions Verdes FC were shocked, 2-nil, by #3 seed BDF FC/ Though the last half of this regular season has proven that there is parity in the PLB, these opening semifinals results were a bit surprising. Consider that, only the previous weekend in the final game of regular season, Police United had been bombed, 7-1, by Verdes; and the Bandits had pretty much “owned” Police, beating them twice, 2-1 and 2-0, in regular season play; while Verdes had cruised to 3-1 and 2-1 victories over BDF in their regular season encounters. But the playoffs are the playoffs; the re-set button erases all achievements in regular season, where advancing to the championship is concerned.

Tennis News – Brodies & RF&G Insurance Men’s and Women’s Doubles Tournament
This past weekend was one of some exciting tennis, as the Brodies & RF&G Insurance Men’s and Women’s Doubles tennis tournament kicked off at the Pickwick Club tennis courts under the auspices of the Belize Tennis Association. The format was done as a round robin to increase playing time. There were nine men’s teams which were divided into two groups, and there were four women teams playing round robin.

City Boys 10 & Under Grassroots – Championship results
Good night, Football Family! The City Boys 10 & Under Grassroots Tournament 2018 concluded on Saturday, April 21, at the Yabra Field with the 3rd Place & Championship games. In the 3rd place game, Reality Youths drew, 1-1, with Poor & Famous in regulation. Reality Youths then won in penalties, 3-2, to secure 3rd place. The championship game was a blowout, as City Boys Jr. won, 5-0, over Ladyville Rising Stars.

Cricket Update
Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! There was a break in the regular Sir Barry Bowen Harrison Parks Cricket 2018 competition over the April 21 & 22 weekend to allow the BNCA to host the All Star Event. There were two 20/20 matches played on April 21. The results were as follows:

Editorial: Stress and anxiety
In this third millennium world of social media, it appears that a lot of people have appointed themselves experts on a lot of matters. The problem is that such self-appointed, sometimes attention-seeking, “experts” are not held accountable, do not hold themselves accountable, when their opinions prove to be flawed or inaccurate. Newspapers like ours have to be substantially more careful than those who operate in the social media. There are matters which involve Belize’s national psyche. Such matters can be delicate. As the arrogant Guatemalan government, oligarchy and military turn up the pressure on the people of Belize, the level of stress and anxiety in The Jewel increases. At such a time, for sure, strong, mature, consistent, legitimate leadership is at a premium in Belize. In Biblical terms, one would say that the flock needs their shepherd more than ever when big, bad wolves are circling and howling.

Mr. Compton’s opinions on the Guat claim
Next month will make it exactly 81 years since the United Kingdom made the suggestion to Guatemala in May of 1937 that they agree to take their unfounded claim of our territory to the Hague Court, now the ICJ. Guatemala’s capable envoy, Jose Matos, who led the delegation to the coronation of King George VI, 12th May, 1937, met with officials of the British Foreign Office regarding Belize following the ceremonies. Matos was a member of the League of Nations/United Nations/ICJ, so he knew full well that his country had no valid case to take to the court, hence his insistence on going “ex aequo et bono”. Unfortunately for the Guatemalans, they were ill-advised by a few Central American lawyers at the time that they could claim Belize through the process of devolution, i.e., they could inherit Belize from Spain.

Coffee high
I absolutely don’t drink white rum. You want to know if a man is a low-down, good-for-nothing borracho? Just notice the color of his rum. If he’s drinking white, you don’t want too much of his company. Don’t let anybody tell you not to discriminate. You better know who to flock with, and who not to flock with. You don’t want to be around the white rum kind. Allow me, I need to invest a little more ink on those rum riff-raff, because it is so sometimes that a little graphics is required to drive a point home. If you see somebody sleeping in the drain, you don’t have to sweat your brains on it. It could be that white thing made from that plant which grows native in Bolivia. I hear that can really have a negative effect on a person. If it’s not that, it’s white rum.

Referendum to go to the ICJ – think it through!
I encourage every Belizean to visit the ICJ website ad learn about its functions and how it deals with disputes such as the Guatemalan claim over Belize. What I would highlight above is that once we remain before the court and allow it to give a verdict, we must be prepared to obey said verdict because there is no appeal process, unlike our local court system. On the issue of enforcement of the order, it is also different from a local court, yet in its own way it is powerful, especially for a small nation like Belize that does not have the influence and might at the UN Security Council as the U.S. has. This is what is stated on their website: “The court itself has no powers of enforcement, but according to Article 94 of the Charter of the United Nations:

Simply put… Guat es Mala
There are two conclusions we may reach from the results of the ICJ referendum recently held in Guatemala. Firstly, despite the expensive inducement campaign undertaken by their government, only about 25% of Guatemala’s 7.5 million eligible voters took part in the process. We may therefore conclude that the overwhelming silent majority of Guatemalans are not really interested in having a slice of the Jewel. Secondly, of those who voted, 95% are resolved to take the issue to the ICJ pursuant to the will of a Guatemalan oligarchy who are hell-bent on acquiring at least a significant portion of Belize. Even more significant is the fact that some Guatemalans challenged the April 15th referendum because their country’s constitution mandates that the people go to a referendum after the ICJ has made a ruling in the case and not before.

Citrus Growers Association turning their woes into wins
Many Belizeans enjoy eating sweet oranges, or drinking a cup of freshly squeezed lime juice. Yet, many people are unaware of the major challenges facing the citrus industry. Henry Anderson, CEO of the Citrus Growers Association (CGA), sat down with Amandala to talk about what the CGA is doing to effect a positive turnaround in the industry. The CGA is investing heavily in the future of the citrus industry, but all is not fine with the organization at this time. The organization borrowed from Atlantic Bank, $2 million to invest in a fertilizer program, and $1.7 million to establish Plant World Nursery. This loan has accumulated interest of a little over a million dollars, so the association has a total debt of 5 million dollars. The bank is set to foreclose on the nursery, but CGA has plans to save it. CGA plans, in coordination with the Legacy Fund, to float a bond for 8.5 million dollars. They are also opening the door for investors in the nursery.

“Sweet sampling for sweet returns” in cane land
In ordinary times the sugarcane industry has its ups and downs, its boom and busts. At different times King Sugar has been challenged by world prices, and pests, and productivity. Belize does not dictate world prices, and in the best of managements, pests will become a problem in a monoculture. For decades the Ministry of Agriculture, BSI (Belize Sugar Industries), and the Cane Farmers Association(s), have been working to help farmers to improve their crop management, with the primary objective of increasing the productivity of Belize’s cane fields. There are presently some 60,000 or so acres of sugarcane in the Corozal and Orange Walk districts, and Belize has known for a long time that the biggest challenge yet to our 5,000 sugarcane farmers was ahead — that being open market competition with European farmers and their beet sugar.

Gas prices rise yet again
A few days before the Easter holiday, the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) stated that the prices of fuel were going up, angering many Belizeans who were planning to travel. Another hike in gas prices happened again earlier this month, and even though the month isn’t yet over, we can expect yet another rise in prices. On March 27, the price of premium gas had risen by $0.15, the price of regular gas by $0.43, the price of diesel by $0.25, and the price of kerosene by $0.24. April 1 saw a rise in the price of kerosene by $1.32.

Kemmar Edgar Wade, 27, fatally shot on St. Jude Street
Kemmar Edgar Wade, 27, of Belize City, died after an unknown gunman shot him in the back of the head, in the left upper rib cage, and in the left forearm. Wade, who was employed at the Philip Goldson International Airport, was reportedly driving on St. Jude Street at about 11:00 last night when he was shot by an unknown person or persons.

The Reporter

School managers taking names for salary deductions
The Government of Belize has requested that school managers submit the names of teachers who participated in the March 22 protest, so that their salaries can be docked. The Reporter confirmed that GOB, through the Ministry put out the request today in preparation to make […]

Man killed in Dangriga
Belize has seen its second killing for the weekend, this one in Dangriga. Dangriga Police say that they responded to a call about a shooting in the Wagierale area of Dangriga Town shortly after 10 a.m., today, to find a man, later identified as 42 […]

Brian Hyde convicted of murdering his relatives in Florida
Belizean national Brian Hyde, 22, was found guilty in a Florida court last Friday of murdering his aunt, Dorla Pitts, 37; his cousin, Starlette Pitts, 17; her boyfriend, Michael Kelly and their unborn child in 2015. Hyde was found guilty on four counts of second […]

Hit and run victim succumbs to injuries
Eight days after he was knocked down and left badly injured near the Burrell Boom bridge, Christian Charles, 27, succumbed to his injuries at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) on Monday morning. Charles reportedly died after 5:00 a.m. He had been in a coma […]

PG resident shot dead in downtown Belize City
A resident of Punta Gorda town was shot dead in downtown Belize City sometime around 11:00 last Friday night. When police arrived at the scene on Rectory Lane, they discovered the body of Albert Ervin Johnson, 25, lying face up in the middle of the […]

Man falls from boat during trip and drowns
A man reportedly fell out of a boat and drowned while he and fellow work colleagues were travelling in the vessel last Wednesday. Jose Miranda, the manager of Turneffe Island Resort told police that they were heading out from Belize City to the resort when […]

Former employee is charged in connection with bank theft
Two men have been charged with swindling a customer of $150,000, via bank transactions. Both men are currently out on bail. The accused are former Heritage Bank employees – 27-year-old Damion Dawson and 21-year-old Jonathan Joshua Almendarez, a labourer and resident of Teakettle Village. Both […]

Mason kidnapping case to be decided next month
The notorious William Mason is awaiting a decision from the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court, on whether or not kidnapping charges against him will go to trial in the Supreme Court. Mason appeared before Belmopan Senior Magistrate, Marlene Moody on Monday, alongside former employees Ashton Vanegas, Keiron […]

App and Information Center launched for immigrants in Belize
In order to better facilitate ease of access to free and reliable information for migrants in Belize, the United Nations Agency for Migration (IOM) on April 18th announced the launch of the new Migration Information Center and MigrantApp. The new information hub is situated at […]

Goldson House to host World Press Freedom Day event: “Let Journalism Live!”
The Goldson House in Belmopan, the former residence of Philip S. W. Goldson, deceased Belizean politician, journalist and editor, will host an event to honor the ideals of this national hero on World Press Freedom Day, celebrated each year on 3rdMay. In celebrating this year’s […]

Metamorphosis hopes to tranform Belizean crime landscape
Spikes in crime in recent years have highlighted Belize’s need to find viable, long term solutions to an ever growing problem. Restore Belize has taken on the challenge and in a forum designed for the media, shared their findings and potential solutions. On Wednesday, April 25th, Marydelene Vasquez, Director of […]

PUP holds endorsement conventions in preparation for general elections
General elections are not due until 2020, and before that, Prime Minister Dean Barrow is expected to retire and make way for his successor in time for the elections, but already the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) is getting itself prepared well in advance to […]

NGC to elect new executive at Dangriga Convention
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) is slated to have its 34th Annual Convention on May 18 and 19, 2018, at the Pablo Lambey Center in Dangriga, and executive posts will be up for grabs. Incumbent president Sandra Miranda is seeking a second term of office […]

Bleak days for sugar, as export earnings plunge; prices on the world market may not rebound until 2020
When Belize’s domestic exports underperformed in 2016, sugar’s performance helped to mitigate the impact on the Belizean economy, and it was the only major export to record growth for the first quarter in 2016. Last year, when the economy began to bounce back, sugar continued […]

BTL workers sign collective bargaining agreement
A new pension scheme, vehicle allowance and data plan are all part of a new four-year collective bargaining agreement signed by the Belize Communications Workers Union (B.C.W.U.) with the management of Belize Telemedia Ltd at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City […]

Exports and Imports down for first quarter 2018
Belize’s exports continued to decline, showing a 19 percent drop for the first quarter of 2018 when compared to the previous year. First quarter imports were also marginally less than last year, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). The SIB’s latest External Trade Bulletin, released […]

Editorial
The struggle for independence in Mexico began in 1810 with the famous “grito” of Miguel Hidaldo, one of the heroes of the revolution. On August 24, 1821 Spain recognized the independence of Mexico in the Treaty of Cordóba. Three weeks later, on September 15 of that same year the Captaincy […]

Man shot, crashes and dies
Kemar Edgar Wade, 27, a customer service officer from Belize City became the nation’s latest victim of gun violence when he was shot three times on Saint Jude Street, just behind the Belize City Centre late Wednesday night. Wade was reportedly driving his grey Saturn […]

Another plane lands
The Ministry of National Security (MONS) broke its silence this week, following the latest in a string of illegal aircraft landings. The MONS issued a statement on Wednesday, explaining that Belize relies on the United States, Mexico and other Central American neighbours for information and […]

City Mayor accuses last Council of financial mismanagement
A review of the city’s fiscal and financial operations from March 2014 to March 2017 suggests that the past City Council mismanaged the Council’s funds by non-adherance to its budgets. “Everybody was running a free-for-all; everyone”, Mayor Bernard Wagner commented, as he reviewed the past […]

Gas price gone up again! Regular now over $11
Only nine days after the last gas price increase, Belizeans have been hit with another, this one sending the price of Regular fuel to a staggering $11.04 per gallon. The Belize Bureau of Standards announced on Tuesday, that the price would go up on April 25. The […]

Police gain ground in Rosado murder investigation
Police say they are closing in on the men that are responsible for the brazen daylight robbery which claimed the life of prominent Belize City businessman, Oscar Rosado Sr., this week. On Thursday, the Belize Police Department told the media they are seeking three suspects, […]

Blogs

Belizean gift products are a hit at Giftionery Taipei 2018!
The National Institute of Culture and History, Belizean Artisans and Unique Belize attended “Giftionery Taipei 2018” to showcase high quality assorted products that are created in Belize and are available for export. Giftionery Taipei, is an annual 4 day “International Gift & Stationery Show” held from 19th April to the 22nd April with this year’s show being hosted at the Taipei World Trade Center in Taipei, Taiwan. This event showcases products ranging from Gifts & stationery, Promotional Items, Holiday Decorations, Stationery & Art Supplies, School & Office Supplies, Art & Crafts, Houseware & Home Living, Toys & Children, Articles, Bags, Jewelry & Accessories, Pet Accessories etc. in the Gifts & Handicrafts, Office & Commercial Supplies industries. Rebecca Stirm of “Twig & Pearl” along with Ms. Karen Vernon, who represented Unique Belize Artisans including Sharondale Humes, Lula Bennett and Marvin Meza, were present for the event with Belizean products proudly and prominently displayed at the Belize booth.

Tapir Crossing - Janiel helps to bring awareness

International Sources

Louisiana Guard member practices jungle warfare in Belize
Louisiana National Guard 1st Lt. Kenrick Cormier became the first National Guard member to graduate from the Belize Defence Force's Jungle Warfare Instructor Course, Dec. 2017. In addition to Cormier, two Navy SEALs and 25 BDF members participated in the course. He was one of only 13 graduates. Cormier, a Lake Charles resident, has already earned a Ranger tab, Airborne and Air Assault wings during his nearly 15-year Guard career. The LANG and the BDF have trained and worked together as part of the State Partnership Program, which is administered by the National Guard Bureau, for over 20 years. Over that time, the two countries have participated in more than 250 events. This partnership has led to the beginning of several programs, such as a youth challenge program, modeled after the LANG's, in Belize.

How Bad Is The Corruption In Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua And Belize?
“As the founder of Best Places in the World to Retire, I’m often asked by those living in the US and Canada (what we’ll refer to collectively as “North of the Border,” or “NOTB”), the following question: “How bad is the corruption in Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua or Belize?” (I’ll refer to these countries collectively as “South of the Border,” or “SOTB.”) When I dig a little deeper to find out why they were asking, there would usually be two responses: 1) they wouldn’t want to live in a country where corruption was bad; and, 2) they wanted to find out how that corruption would affect them personally.

Simone Biles details her struggle to get back to top form in the gym
Olympic gymnastics champion and Rio 2016 sensation Simone Biles has only been back in the gym for a few months, but she's got her sights set on even greater medal success in Tokyo in 2020. The talented athlete is the subject of a new video by USA Gymnastics, which shows that the 21-year-old is already back to form and in the thick of training as she prepares to make her comeback to the sport after taking more than a year off to travel and spend time with her family. In the clip, Simone addresses her hotly-anticipated return to competition, admitting that, while others may have been eagerly awaiting the next step of her career, she hasn't been thinking much about the Olympics because 'so much has happened since then'.

Videos

April 27, 2018

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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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Cancer Society of California assists San Pedro Cancer Society
The President of the Belize Cancer Society of California in the USA, Arlette Pilgrim visited the island to make a donation to the San Pedro Cancer Society (SPCS) on Tuesday, April 24th. The donation was received by President of SPCS, Delsie Graniel, Vice-President Miguel Perez and Treasure Claudia Miranda. Pilgrim donated several items on behalf of her organizations, including bras, prosthetic breasts, lymphedema sleeves for patients who have had mastectomies, and comfy shoes. In addition to the donations, Pilgrim surprised the local cancer society with a “Smokalyzer” which can detect the amount of carbon monoxide in people’s breath.

Book Week celebrated in Caye Caulker
The Belize Book Industry Association (BBIA) celebrated their annual Book Week under the theme: “Read it! Dream it! Live it!” with a “Book Fair” at the basketball court in Caye Caulker on Wednesday, April 18th. Held in commemoration of International Book and Copyright Day each year, the Association organizes several activities. This year’s event began at 9:30AM, as residents were invited to view the several booths providing information on the importance of reading. The activities were aimed at promoting the importance of reading, publishing, and copyright and also to pay tribute to authors in the book industry, professionals or volunteers. Other activities that attendees got to enjoy included cultural performances, face painting and even storytelling sessions.

9-A-Side Football Tournament begins in Ambergris Caye
San Pedro Sports Committee’s (SPSC) 9-A-Side Football Tournament kicked-off this weekend at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. The tournament is seeing the participation of various teams in three different categories for a chance to win one of three championship trophies. The under-13 (U-13) category has the participation of San Pedro Pirates F.C and San Mateo F.C., the under-15 (U-15) will see the participation of San Mateo F.C, Terror Squad, Atletico Madrid, Los Catrachitos and Larubeya F.C. while in the female category the teams that will be competing for the championship include Island Warriors #1, Island Warriors #2, San Pedro High School (SPHS), Ambergris Combined Force, and Island Strikers.

Ambergris Today

Government Of Belize Releases Statement On Recent Spate Of Illegal Airplane Landings
The Ministry of National Security along with its regional partners, including the United States, Mexico, and Central American neighbors rely on information from each other, and the available radar capabilities, to keep informed of any airplane tracking towards Belize and the region. Despite these efforts, there has been a spate of illegal airplane landings in the country as the aircraft manage to avoid detection from the available regional radars.

Belize’s Department Of The Environment Tackles Medical Waste
On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, The Department of the Environment held a national consultation to address medical waste in Belize. Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer stated that the department has hired three consultants to look at Belize’s current position in three areas concerning medical waste management. The aim is for Belize to manage medical waste more efficiently and minimize secondary or direct impacts on human health and the environment.

Misc Belizean Sources

Garbage Bins Must Now Be Kept Inside Your Yard in San Pedro
The San Pedro Town Council hereby informs the general public that effective Friday, May 4th, 2018, all garbage receptacles/garbage drums used for the disposal of residential and commercial garbage must be placed inside your yard. Please note that all garbage bins must be easily accessible by sanitation workers for disposal. Failure to comply in removing bins off the street will result in the removal of these bins by the San Pedro Town Council.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of Apr. 16th thru Apr. 22nd, 2018
Every angler this week has caught bonefish. From the experienced angler to the inexperienced angler, the bonefish of Belize are an achievable goal. Our guides will put you on the bonefish so that you can enjoy the tug. Work on your double haul and come on down.

BTB Site visit at Copal Tree Lodge

Community Rehabilitation Department Honours 99 clients at Youth Resiliency Awards
Today, the Community Rehabilitation Department (CRD) within the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation held its first Youth Resiliency Awards ceremony to recognize current and former clients who have made tremendous strides to live a positive life despite the adversity they face. Ninety-nine youths from across the country were awarded within three categories: “On the Right Path” – 63 received certificates and a gift bag in this category “Milestone Achievement” - 30 plaques were distributed to clients who also received a gift bag, $20 phone credit courtesy of Belize Telemedia Ltd. and a $50 gift certificate.

Inauguration Ceremony for the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Orange Walk Town Farmers’ Market
The newly rehabilitated and expanded farmers’ market in Orange Walk Town officially opened today, April 26th, 2018. Financing in the amount of BZ$$554,986.10 for the works, was provided by the European Union through funds from the Accompanying Measures for Sugar (AMS 2013) programme, which supports the Government's Sugar Adaptation Strategy with counterpart funds by the Government of Belize.

Discussing Development of Commerce Bight Port for Response to Maritime Disaster
Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management, with responsibility for Ports, Hon. Edmond Castro met with representatives of Recological Systems Limited on Tuesday, April 24th. The company formally submitted a proposal to the Government of Belize for development of the Commerce Bight Port in the Stann Creek District for terminal related business with an emphasis on the establishment of a First Response to Maritime Disaster, offering protection to Belizean waters should an incident occur that could affect maritime livelihood.

Transport Minister meets with Representatives from Spanish Lookout to Discuss Establishment of Transport Office to Service that Community and Surrounding Areas
On Wednesday, April 25th, Minister of Transport Honorable Edmond Castro met with representatives from the Spanish Lookout Community in Belmopan to discuss the details of a plan to establish a new Transport Office to service that community and surrounding areas. The undertaking is being facilitated by the community itself which has identified a building to house the office, which should become operational by the middle of May 2018.

Belize and Cuba meet for a Fisheries Exchange to Share Challenges, Innovations and Success Stories for Good Governance of Fisheries and Sustainable Management of the Caribbean Ecosystem
Sustainability and good governance of marine resources are critical for the national interests of both Belize and Cuba. This week, from April 24-28th, 2018, delegations from Belize and Cuba comprised of government representatives, managers, scientists, leaders of the fishing industry and representatives of fishing communities are meeting in Belize to share lessons learned and success stories in sustainable fisheries management and good governance of the seas.

Movie Night at KoKo King
Family Friday!! Breadwinner and the Greatest Showman!! Kids dinners, popcorn and marshmallows!! See you Friday night!!!

GOB and OFID Sign Loan for Phase One of Caracol Road Upgrading Project

San Pedro Mother's Day 2018 Extravaganza!
The San Pedro Town Council and Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. present its Mother's Day 2018 Extravaganza! This year's line up includes Mérida's popular comedian, Nani Namu, Cayo's Ismael Chacon as El Buki and our very own Wil & Dale and Yaka's Elite Dancers! It promises to be a great show which will start at 8:00 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are only $20 and it includes a gift, gourmet dinner, a drink and dessert!

Open Mic Night on Caye Caulker
Gonna be an awesome night! Sign up now!!

Caye Caulker Health Week May 14th-18th
Caye Caulker Village Council presents Health Week May 14th-18th, 2018 Free Consultation & Eye Exam From BCVI, Free Consultation From Internist & Pediatrician from Belize Medical Associates with discount from lab & pharmacy, More Still to Come For Dental Care & Promotions by Dr. D's Clinic. Stay tune!

BBIA Book Week 2018
The BBIA's 2018 Book Week event was well attended, with many authors and publishers there with a selection of their works. The poetry readings and plays at the Wildfire Artzmosphere were fun and entertaining too. "We celebrate the 2016-2017 Literary Prize Winners: Dino Gutierrez Ivory Kelly Tisa Grant Jacklyn Burns Mary Gomez Parham. Like the Belize Book Industry Association to get started on your 2018-2019 Submission. Winners get Recognition, Cash Prizes and Published. Thanks to all who participated in making Book Week possible." BBIA picture album. Cayo Scoop day album. Cayo Scoop Wildfire album.

Vacancy for Park Ranger at Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Application deadline May 2, 2018

Channel 7

Drug Jet Flown to Williamson Hanger, BDF Airwing
The drug plane that landed on the San Estevan/Progresso Road has been removed - and it is secured in a hangar at the BDF Airwing in Ladyville tonight.   For sure, it’s nothing to celebrate - since no drugs were intercepted and no arrests made - but it was an unusual sight to see a jet whipping down a village road.   That’s just what happened today when the aircraft - flown by a mystery pilot - used the long, straight road as a runway - and took off in a flash.   From there it went airborne, and then landed at the PGIA just a few minutes later.

Drug Plane “Super-unknowns”
But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves: the news  tonight  is that the government found a pilot who could fly the jet, thus getting rid of one major headache and embarrassment - an empty drug plane on the side of the road.   But, the issue remains, police still have no idea who landed the jet in Belize, and what they did with the drugs.  Today, at the bi-weekly police press conference, the head of the National Criminal Investigations Branch told us what they have so far on the illegal landing: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"On Tuesday the 24th April shortly before 5 AM police received information of an aircraft that had landed on the San Estevan Progresso dirt road. As a result police proceeded to the area where upon arrival they observed a white in color twin engine Hawker Siddeley HS125 Series 700 A aircraft on the ground. The area was secured and later processed. Upon inspection of the aircraft it was found.."

Working Man Killed Because Of Someone Else’s Beef
A 26 year old working man was killed last night in the city. Kemmar Wade’s body was found in a crashed car in front of the Lion’s Den compound next to the KHMH. It was one more senseless murder: Wade was killed because of a dispute his friend had with someone else. Courtney Weatherburne has more on the murder motive and how Wade ended up in the Lion’s Den compound. To passersby, this late night accident may have looked like a fender bender in the BCVI compound, but really, this mishap is the tail end of a St. Jude Street shooting. The victim - 26 year old Kemmar Wade was inside the car bleeding to death. Wade had been renting a Mopan Street room for a couple years. His neighbor says he was at home last night hanging out by the front gate – which she says was strange since Wade usually kept to himself in his room.

Cops On Killing
So, from what we found out on the ground, the motive seems pretty clear cut. But, today, police would not confirm that information. Here is what they had to say:… Daniel Ortiz: "Persons have informed us that they believe that this particular murder is retaliation so to speak in some ongoing feud. Persons are telling us that Mr. Wade's brother - there was a theft of his gold chains valued around 2,000 dollars and that he may have retaliated against the person he believed to be the thief by burning that person's vehicle and that there was a subsequent retaliation with Mr. Wade being shot as a consequence of all of this back and forth. Has any such information come to police?"

Police Seeking Suspects In Rosado Murder
Police also discussed their investigation into  Monday’s  murder of business man, Oscar Rosado Sr. The 70 year-old was killed in a broad-daylight robbery turned murder at his business place, Rosado’s Construction Supplies, which is at the junction of Partridge Street and the George Price Highway. As we told you, 3 men went into the shop pretending to return some nails.  The gunman held up Rosado’s wife, Elena realized that main culprit was trying rob them, but before she could warn her husband, he held her up at gunpoint. Coming to her rescue, Oscar Rosado Sr., shoved the gunman, who shot him twice in the face, killing him inside his store. Here’s what the cops had to say about the case today:

No Arrests Yet For Killing Near A School
On Tuesday morning, Dangriga witnessed a shocking, broad-daylight, execution-style murder. As we told you, 55 year-old Patrick George Crossdale was riding his motorbike toward his home when a man jumped out of the bushes and fired 5 shots at him. We asked the police about the murder of the Jamaican not far from the Gulisi school, and here’s what they had to say about it: Wilfredo Ferrufino - Inspector, CIB: "The 24th sometime around 10:30 AM Dangriga responded to shots fired in the Monument site area. Upon arrival we received information that the victim was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital.;;"

Uno Robbery, Four Suspects, Tens of Thousands Gone
Earlier this week, we told you about Monday’s armed robbery at the UNO Gas Station in San Ignacio Town. It was caught on security camera, and cell phone by civilians standing outside the gas station. They saw the robber dashing off, but the police told us today that he was one of a team of 4 accomplices, and that they actually got away with a whopping $33,000 in cash and cheques. Here’s what the Head of the National Criminal Investigation’s Branch had to say on this topic: ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB: "On Monday 23rd April shortly before 11 AM police were called to the UNO gas station located on the Benque Veijo Road in San Ignacio Town where upon arrival it was reported to them that the gas station was approached by 4 male persons - 2 of whom entered whilst 2 remained outside..."

Elite Cyclist Brandon Cattouse Positive For EPO
One of Belize’s premier cyclists is under scrutiny tonight after he tested positive for a performance enhancing substance in the sample he gave at the end of this year’s Valentine’s tour.  7News has confirmed that Brandon Cattouse has come up with a positive test for EPO - which is the blood boosting agent used in cycling scandals all across Europe.  It increases the number of oxygen-carrying cells in the blood is purported to give cyclists more power and endurance.   An hour ago, the National Anti-Doping Organization sent out a release saying, quote, “Results received from UCLA reference lab for Anti-Doping have revealed an Adverse Analytical result for sample from Brandon Cattouse tested during the Valentine’s Day race, 11 February 2018….(he)tested positive for recombinant human erythropoietin.”

Mayor Asks, Why 59 Grand For Gilbert?
It’s been 50 days since a PUP council was elected into City Hall and today the mayor Bernard Wagner presented a transition team report.  And, included in there were a whole lot of goodies on what the previous administration did and didn’t do. But one of the most attention grabbing revelations was something that happened after the election on March 8th, when what the Mayor says is an oversized payment was authorised for contractor Gilbert Franklin:.. Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City
"When we assumed office on March the 8th after winning the election on March the 7th we noted this particular accounts payable which was done on March the 8th - one day after we winning the election...”

New Mayor Says Fiscal Indiscipline Reigned Under Last Council
And while that happened on March 8th., the new Mayor says that before March 7th, his predecessor was running a council with no fiscal discipline:…:… Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "Everybody was running a free for all, everyone - I'll give you some examples. Look at the categories. Overtime: budgeted 136,000 - spent 332,000, is there prudence there? Summer employment; this is when we employ youths - 20,000 budgeted - spent 44,000. Special portfolio allocation: budgeted 180,000 - spent 406,000. Donation: budgeted 72,000 - spent 163,000. This big one here, celebration and festivities, a lot of parties were going on here deputy. 96,000 - spent 455,000. Entertainment..."

New Mayor Says Tax/SSB Withholdings Were Not Paid By Predecessor
And while big money was being spent on entertainment, the new Mayor says his predecessors were not paying taxes or social security.: Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "We want to point out there that this city council has not paid in the employee income tax deductions to GOB since August of 2017, totally almost 173,000 dollars. Social security 40,000 still owed and not paid in; deducted from the employee but not paid in, is this the way we run business? We also note that the council has been accumulating large GST liabilities by not paying the GST tax which is on the invoice for waste control; 2.4 million and Belize Maintenance Limited 2.7 million and you can check the auditor’s report, it's right there. See the note and read the note and comprehend the note; weak fiscal and financial management."

No More Property Tax Discounts?
And, as you can probably tell from his impatience with budget over-runs and fiscal indiscipline, the current mayor is a banker - and they do love that bottom line.  And that’s why the mayor frowns on the long-established practice of giving discounts on prepaid property tax:  Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City: "We also found that there is an inefficient and ineffective method of tax assessment delivery and we also noted that the discount program is one of the chief drivers in eroding our capital base for the council, so we need to certainly look at that going forward. There is no need to give discounts; the council lose on an annual basis over 800,000 in discounts. The best incentive for paying taxes in my view is to give the tax payer value for money. We also need to look at revisiting the situation with the collection agents. We are currently 13 agents collecting taxes and it cost the council over 269,000 annually."

The Bouyant Bond
And, while the mayor hopes to get more recurrent revenue by trimming the discounts, where will he get money for capital projects?  The mayor says they want to re-float that 20 million dollar municipal bond. That would mean rolling over the payments to bondholders that come due in the middle of this year - and paying them back on better terms over a slightly longer period.  Deputy Mayor Oscar Arnold - also a banker - introduced that one: Oscar Arnold - Deputy Mayor, Belize City: "Mayor Wagner along with the rest of the city council team has pledged to look at re-floating the municipal bond but only and I stress to look at capital projects as well as projects that will create opportunities for the residence of Belize City. Whatever contracts that will be given out were the funds of the re-float will be issued will be above board and will be public knowledge."

CITCO Will Undertake Roadworks in Lake I
And one of the council’s first chanced to show that transparency is in its first major project, which is re-paving Holy Emanuel Street. That runs from La Croix Boulevard to Lake I Boulevard - which links to the new Chetumal Street Bridge.  It’s a major road - which was poorly paved a few years ago - and now has to be re-done.  Arnold says he expects that they will do a stellar and cost effective job of re-paving it:.. Oscar Arnold - Deputy Mayor, Belize City: "Preliminary works have already started where the studies have been conducted for paving Holy Emmanuel Street. For those of you who don't know where Holy Emmanuel Street is located, it is the street that passes through the Gungulung area that connects La Croix Boulevard to the 3.8 million dollar calamity that is now known as the Lake I Boulevard. So we will show that we can pave this street at far less cost and better workmanship."

CARACOL - A Road Runs Through It
And while the city government hopes to pave that major street in Lake Independence, Central Government today signed off on a most ambitious road project in the Chiquibul.   It’s the Caracol Road upgrade project. The loan motion for the project was tabled at the senate last month, and, now, it will finally become a reality. Today the Government of Belize and the OPEC Fund for International Development signed off on the $40 million US project. With this road upgrade agreement, about 26.4 miles of gravel road will be upgraded to an all-weather, paved standard. Five double-lane reinforced concrete bridges will be constructed and the Georgeville and Santa Elena access roads to the Caracol archaeological site will be upgraded.  At the signing in Belmopan, The Director- General of OFID along with the Prime Minister spoke on the benefits of this collaboration. 

Recognizing Resiliency
Yesterday we told you what Restore Belize is doing for boys aged 10 to 14 to keep them out of school and away from the gangs.   Well, the Community Rehabilitation Department under the Ministry of Human Development has been doing its part by making interventions for young people that have gotten into trouble with the law. Many of their clients face many challenges like being kicked out of school for committing crimes, so the Department assists them by enrolling them in programs to continue their education. The Department observed the incredible progress their clients had made under difficult circumstances and decided to reward them in the “Youth Resiliency Awards” ceremony today at the Bliss Center. We were there this morning and found out more:…

Hand In Hand Hits the Big 3-5-0
Hand in Hand Ministries has officially distributed its 350th home in Belize. It’s a big accomplishment for them and their supporters. We stopped by today and spoke to some excited members of the Ministry, and of course the happy recipient. The house has electricity and plumbing. It cost a total of $17,800 Belize Dollars to construct.

Inspector Ferrufino and The Collapsing Fraud Case
Last night, we told you about the strange twist in the case of the 3 Mexicans accused of fraudulently withdrawing tens of thousands of dollars from Atlantic Bank ATM’s across the country. As we reported 26 year old Belen Hernandez and 31 year old Lionel Rodriguez went before Corozal Magistrate Patricia Arana yesterday. Lead investigator, Inspector Wilfredo Ferrufino, had to disclose that the cops had no evidence to provide the court so the 2 charges against them in that jurisdiction were thrown out.  But before they could go anywhere, the cops had new charges against both.

Johnny Matus Wasn’t Hard To Find
And keeping it on news in Corozal, we asked police for details about the recapture of 19 year-old Johnny Matus, who was one of 3 prisoners who escaped from the police station’s holding cell  2 weeks ago. Matus was found in his home village of San Narciso, and he has since been arrested, charged, and arraigned on the offense of escaping from lawful custody and damage to property.

Stormy Relationship Leads to Stabbing
And in our last story from today’s press conference, police shared the details about 19 year-old Herman Solis, who was stabbed by his common-law wife in Sandhill Village. 19 year-old Renesha Alvarez is in police custody for stabbing Solis in the upper left side of his chest near his heart. Alvarez has not been charged with any offenses as yet.

Hands To The Plow In Port
The Port Loyola Organization for Women – PLOW has been helping struggling women in the community for years. Well they finally have a proper facility to continue their outreach work. The Government of Belize and Opec Fund For International Development joined up to sponsor their new office. It was officially opened yesterday on Kraal Road and the Director General of OFID discussed the impact PLOW has had and will continue to have on Port women. Suleiman Al-Herbish - Director- General, OFID
"Our motto, our slogan is Uniting Against Poverty, so poverty reduction is our mission.  It’s a noble mission and, as you know, poverty has many aspects."

Channel 5

CitCo Reveals Heavy Misspending by Previous Administration
For the past three weeks, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner has been hinting at the gross wastage of public funds at City Hall, during the time of the previous city [...]

Contractor Paid Within Hours of P.U.P. Election Victory
Perhaps equally as astounding was the processing of payment to one Belize City contractor in the immediate aftermath of the March seventh municipal elections.  An invoice in the sum of [...]

Administrator’s Contract a “Reward” for Management
Of particular interest is that the expenses incurred by the Public Relations Department, as well as the office responsible for parks and playgrounds, kept mounting annually, with little or no [...]

Kemmar Wade is Latest City murder Victim
A twenty-seven-year-old customer service representative was ambushed and killed on Wednesday night in Belize City.  Kemmar Edgar Wade was shot to the back of his head, rib cage, and left [...]

Trio Still on the Run for Oscar Rosado Murder
Businessman Oscar Rosado Senior was laid to rest today following funeral services in Belize City. But according to police, the hunt for his killers goes on. Three persons are sought [...]

Cops Also Seeking Killer of Patrick Crossdale
Fifty-five-year-old Patrick Crossdale, a Jamaican national residing in the Monument Site area of Dangriga Town, was ambushed on his way home on Tuesday near the Gulisi Primary School. A single [...]

Police Say Sample Taken from Downed Jet
The suspected drug plane that was found on the San Estevan/Progresso Road early on Tuesday morning has been removed and flown to the B.D.F. Air Wing across from the Phillip [...]

No Word on Fate of City Administrator; Councilors Restricted to Policy
Embattled City Administrator Candice Miller remains on suspension until early May when she is to return to office at City Hall.  The revelations of extravagance under her watch makes for [...]

Belizeans First for City Concerts
Last Friday, the cost of the February tenth concert at B.T.L. Park, billed as a free entertainment event for the public, made headlines when it was disclosed that a whopping [...]

Brandon Cattouse Handed Provisional Suspension after Failed Drug Test
Cycling has been big in the news this week as the upcoming elections for the Cycling Federation were announced to be postponed. Tonight, there is more news to report from [...]

1 of 3 Corozal Prisoners Recaptured; Policeman also Charged
Nineteen-year-old Johnito Matus, one of three charged for burglary offenses, managed to hack his way out of the Corozal Police Station holding cell two weeks ago. Also going at large [...]

New Charges for ATM Theft Trio
In January a trio of Mexican nationals, including a husband and wife, were arraigned in the courts for theft of tens of thousands of dollars from two of several Atlantic [...]

Westar Cheque Cashers Sought
A Roaring Creek businessman has been robbed of over seventeen thousand dollars. According to the owner of Westar Gas Station in Roaring Creek, fifty-six-year-old Nelson Gallardo, sometime between March twenty-ninth [...]

2 Acquitted in Robbery
Two Belize City men, accused of robbery and wounding, were set free of the charges today after the complainant did not show up to the Magistrate’s Court. Twenty-six-year-old Matthew Smith, [...]

Fishermen Deny Violations in Court
When we report on court cases involving fisheries violations, it usually ends with a guilty plea and heavy fines. But two fishermen today chose to challenge the department on their [...]

Youths Recognized at ‘Resiliency Awards’
About a hundred at-risk youths were recognized today for staying the course despite their exposure to crime and other societal ills. Many had been caught up in the cycle of [...]

Another New House Handed Out by Hand in Hand Ministries
A Southside family of four received a brand new home from the Hand in Hand Ministries this afternoon. The mother of three children was approved for her new home on [...]

Money is Here for Caracol Road
Belize now has some eighty million dollars to work with from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) for the Caracol Road Upgrading Project. Following approval from both chambers of [...]

Stella Maris Marks 60 Years
It stands alone as Belize’s all-purpose center for special education. But sixty years on from its humble beginnings, Stella Maris School still has many struggles and challenges. While it has [...]

Blue Balloons in the Air for Autism Awareness
Blue is a color in Belize mostly associated with the People’s United Party. But it also represents children living with the development condition known as autism. It affects how a [...]

ITVET Hosts Open Day
Today, visitors at the ITVET, Belize City, got the opportunity to experience the products and services made by students enrolled in the vocational and technical programs. Over four hundred students [...]

Healthy Living: Be Good to Your Liver
It’s an organ that we don’t typically think about. In fact, we only know something is wrong with it when it is severely damaged and usually it’s at its last [...]

LOVE FM

Belize CitCo updates on Social Infrastructure plans
As part of today’s press conference, the Belize City council updated the media with regards to its manifesto promises. Deputy Mayor Oscar Arnold focused the first half of his presentation on crime and what the council plans to do to help residents who are dealing with the loss of a loved one to gun violence. …

$80 million for the upgrading of the Caracol Road
The Government has secured a forty million US dollars loan from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID). The monies have been earmarked for the upgrading of the Caracol Road. Phase One of the project will include the upgrading of 26.4 miles of graveled road to an all-weather, paved standard. Five double-lane reinforced concrete bridges …

Belize City Council says previous council overspent tens of thousands of dollars
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner says that the previous council did not adhere to its budget and overspent tens of thousands of dollars on several goods and services, including concerts and a huge fuel bill for the City Administrator, Candice Miller. The newly elected Belize City Council summoned the media this afternoon to disclose what …

One of three escaped prisoners captured in Corozal
One of three prisoners who escaped police custody on April 11 in Corozal Town has been captured. Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino from the Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City told the media today that he has been charged for escape and at least one officer attached to that formation has also been charged in connection with …

Still no arrest in murder of 55-year-old Jamaican in Dangriga
Police also continue their investigation into the murder of 55-year-old Jamaican national Patrick George Crossdale in Dangriga Town. Crossdale was shot and killed shortly after ten o’clock on Tuesday morning. Inspector Ferrufino says they have still not established a motive for his death. Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino, Crimes Investigation Branch: “Information is that he was on …

Victim of fatal shooting drives himself to the hospital before succumbing to injuries
Shortly after eleven o’clock on Wednesday night, a vehicle crashed in the Lion’s Club parking lot adjacent to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. First responders initially believed that it was a traffic incident but, when medical personnel examined the body of the driver in the vehicle, they realized he had been shot. …

PlusTV

Oscar Rosado Sr. killed in store robbery
Oscar Rosado Sr. was killed this afternoon during a store robbery in Belize City. Rosado was at his store, Rosado’s Hardware, located near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City this afternoon around 1 p.m. We understand that three armed robbers entered and demanded money. During the robbery, Rosad...

PG MAN MURDERED IN BELIZE CITY
One man was murdered in Belize City over the weekend. Police reports are that on Friday night around 11 pm they responded to a report on Rectory Lane where they saw the motionless body of 25 year old Punta Gorda Resident Albert Johnson laying face up with 2 apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Poli...

Danny Mason’s lawyer makes no case submission on kidnapping charges
The Notorious William “Danny” Mason and the other men accused along with him appeared in court today. As the nation is fully aware, Mason and four other men from Roaring Creek, Ashton Vanegas, Keron Fernandez, Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Castillo, are accused of the brutal murder of Pastor Llewe...

Pickup truck slams into moving house; one dead
A fatal road traffic accident claimed the life of a Belizean student over the weekend. Reports are that at about 3 o’clock on Saturday morning, 25 year old Daniel Urbina was driving a Toyota Hilux in the direction of Orange Walk when, at around mile 41,he collided into a wooden building being carri...

Accident on George Price Highway
There was a traffic accident outside of Belmopan, near Kiki Wittz Restaurant on Saturday afternoon. Plus News understands that a silver SUV with four passengers inside was heading in the direction of Belmopan to Belize City and turning left off the highway when a White Isuzu delivery truck that was ...

Body of Missing Man at Sea Found
The body of a man who was missing at sea has been found. On Friday we reported that there was an ongoing search for Leonel Velasquez who was reportedly headed to work at Turneffe Island Resort from Belize City on Thursday when he accidentally fell out of a boat. Reports are that his body was found ...

Uno gas station robbed in San Ignacio
There was a robbery in San Ignacio this afternoon. Police have not issued a report on this matter as yet but a witness pulled out his phone camera and captured two robbers running from the UNO gas station where the incident occurred. We understand that the incident happened sometime during lunch t...

Traffic accident victim succumbs to injuries
Last week we reported that Christian Charles was in critical condition at the KHMH after a suspected hit and run in Burrell Boom. The day after the incident, we spoke to a family member who sought the public’s assistance in donating blood for a surgery. Plus News understands that Christian Charles succumbed to his injuries at the KHMH around 5:30 a.m. this morning. Police told us more.

Gwen Liz Teachers Call in Sick
Last week Tuesday we reported that teachers at Gwen Lizarraga High school in Belize City staged a sit out protest. Teachers protested the Principal’s appointment of Alifah Elrington to the school Board. The teachers indicated that the protest was not a matter of the individual appointed but the lack of due process taken. Hon.Patrick Faber, Minister of Education visited the high school on the day of the protest to hear the concerns of the teachers.

Transport officer knocked down in Maskall Village
A Transport officer was crushed between a concrete house post, a bicycle and a Toyota RAV that was driven by a Chinese Business Woman. Reports are that yesterday around 2 a.m., police responded to a report in Maskall Village. Upon arrival at C&R’s shop, officers reportedly found Roderick Jones, a transport officer, motionless on the ground in front of the shop.

Rented car stolen in Belmopan
A Ford Explorer SUV was stolen in Belmopan on Friday Afternoon. Reports are that around 12:30 p.m on Friday, 26 year old Adriana Sedassey along with Jacklyn Pollard went to visit a friend on Antelope Street, Belmopan in a white Ford Explorer SUV Rental vehicle. Sedassey told police that they left the vehicle parked at the Corner of Antelope and Inez Streets, with the engine running.

Corozal man arrested for drug trafficking
Police found crack cocaine on a man in Corozal Town. Reports are that on Friday morning officers conducted a search on 39 year old Rios Normando in the South End Area of Corozal Town while they were on mobile patrol. The search resulted in the discovery of three grams of crack cocaine. Rios has since been detained by Police pending charges for DRUG TRAFFICKING.

Accident in Guinea Grass leaves one man hospitalized
Another accident was reported this weekend. On Friday April 20th at about 6:45 p.m., Police responded to a Traffic Accident at the junction of Guinea Grass Road junction. According to police reports, 50 year old Gerardo Mendoza, a Belizean of Orange Walk Town fell off the back of a green Nissan Pickup that was travelling from the direction of Orange Walk to Belize City.

Two separate robberies in Belize City
A Belize City Car dealer was robbed on Friday. 29 year old Winston James, Belizean car dealer of Belize City, reported that on April 20th at about 6:30 p.m., he was standing at the Corner of Nargusta and Sittie Street. That is when a known male person approached him and stole his gold chain valued $2,000. Police are investigating.

Belmopan Residents tour squatting for Earth Day
The residents of Belmopan who live in the East Picinni extension say they are committed to seeing the end of squatting that has been taking place in their vicinity over the last couple of months. Yesterday being Earthday, a group comprised of residents got together with 3 City Councillors; and walked through the Belmopan buffer that was being aggressed by squatters.

Police Department Launches ‘Internet Watch Belize Reporting Portal’
The Belize Police Department has launched a new way to battle Child Pornography in Belize. This morning personnel from the Belize Police Department made a guest appearance on our Rise and Shine morning show to inform the public of its new online portal where the public can make reports of online chi...

CCCU President Receives Key to City
Yesterday, the New Belize City Council Mayor Bernard Wagner welcomed the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Union to Belize City. A ceremony was held at City Hall where Mayor Wagner gifted Hally Hynes, President of the CCCU, with the keys to the city. Wagner told the media that this move is in line w...

Police Finds Cannabis in Seine Bights
Police officers found two plastic bags of cannabis while on foot patrol. Reports are that on Wednesday about 8:20 p.m. police officers were conducting a foot patrol in Seine Bight Village when they discovered two black plastic bags on the street side containing cannabis. The first bag contained a to...

Brian Hyde Guilty of Second Degree Murder
22 Year old Belizean Brian Hyde was found guilty of second degree murder, in a US Court. You might recall the gruesome murder of 17-year-old Starlette Pitts, her boyfriend Kelly, and her mother, 37-year-old Dorla Pitts back in August of 2015. Hyde was arrested after a Fort Myers police officer found...

Fatal Traffic Accident Claims Life
A fatal traffic accident on the Stann Creek Valley Road claimed the life of one man. Reports are that about 1:50 p.m yesterday, Police responded to a Road Traffic Accident between Mile 6 & 7 on, Stann Creek Valley Road. When Police arrived they saw the motionless body of 82 years old, Belizean F...

Law Making Forum 2018
The Belize Law-Making Forum 2018 was held yesterday and today at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza. The Forum was hosted by The Attorney General’s Ministry in conjunction with the Office of the Prime Minister under the theme “Sound Policy for Better Law”. Attorney General Michael Perryfette tol...

New Coast Guard Facility in Southern Long Caye
Southern Long Caye in the Belize District has received a new and improved Coast Guard facility. The Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar accompanied by C.E.O Felix Enriquez, Rear Admiral John Borland Ministry of National Security personnel, and members of the Belize Coast Guard took a to...

Candice Pitts VS Gilroy Usher for Port
Doctor Candice Pitts, one of the 10 PUP Councilors holding office at City Hall in Belize City, has indicated that she will run in the 2020 General Elections as a PUP Standard Bearer for the Port Loyola Area. Pitts became well known during the campaign trail for her stories of selling Johnny Cakes as...

Belizean Students Trapped In Nicaragua
Several Belize students are trapped in Nicaragua as the country spirals downward into chaos. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in Managua, the capital, and other cities carrying out protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua. The protests are now in th...

AG Says US Narcotic Reports Baseless, Unfair and Cowardly
On April 9th, in a released International Narcotics Control Strategy Report prepared by the Department of State for a Presidential report to Congress, Belize was identified as a major transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States. In summary, the United States encouraged Belize to...

‘Re-Register and Vote’ says AG
The Belize/Guatemala land dispute has been the center of conversations for Belizeans home and abroad. Many of our nation’s leaders have weighed in on the matter in the aftermath of Guatemala referendum. The Attorney General was asked to comment on the dispute and the results of Guatemala’s referendu...

The Guardian

Orange Walk Town Council Broke
Things are slowly coming to a head in the PUP run municipalities. We are closely monitoring Belize City which by all indications will crash and burn sooner rather than later due to the poor fiscal management by that Municipality’s Mayor and Councilors. In Orange Walk Town which is where the mismanagement is most evident due to the tenure of that council (6 yrs.), the workers are beginning to feel the pinch. Reports reaching the Guardian Newspaper is that the general workers of the Town Council, including street sweepers, garbage collectors, handy men, street repair crew men, etc. did not receive their weekly salary as is customary on Friday last.

Suspected Drug Jet lands in San Estevan
Another plane has been illegally landed in northern Belize, this time, it was on the San Estevan/Progresso Road. Again, there is suspicion that it was used to transport some sort of drug cargo, but there is no proof of that. Aviation experts say that this is a British Aerospace 125, which is a twin-jet midsize business class aircraft. It has the ability to travel longer distances than the 6 other planes which have been discovered to have been illegally landed in Belize in the past 6 months. It also has the ability to carry a bigger cargo than those others, and in this instance, there were no seats found in the aircraft. That suggests that they were removed to increase the cargo capacity.

Oscar Rosado Sr. killed in robbery
Oscar Rosado Sr., the 70 year-old businessman and owner of Rosado’s Construction Supplies, was shot and killed inside his business establishment by robbers who pretended to be customers. They caught him and his family off-guard. This final robbery attempt at his business place was the third since 1999. It happened at around 1:30p.m. at the Rosado Construction Supplies compound, located at the corner of Partridge Street and the George Price Highway. Rosado’s wife, Elena Rosado, told the press that minutes before his fatal shooting, 3 men entered their business place and ordered 2 pounds of nails. They were served, and the men exited, but according to Elena Rosado, they did not give off the vibe that they were legitimate customers. She began to suspect that they were robbers, using the business transaction to do some last-minute surveillance of the store.

Police say they have cracked the murder of Jason Belencio, a 30-year-old father of three, who was shot and killed on April 15, 2018. The murder of the loving father has left his friends, family, and even the wider population in grief. For this murder, the police have named a 16-year-old minor as the shooter. That minor has since been charged and arraigned at the Belize Family Court.

Cane testing for better sugar at BSI
It’s no secret to anyone that right now, the sugar cane farmers of the north are going through a tough transition in the sugar cane industry. Belize’s sugar is competing on an even playing field with sugar produced in the most technologically advanced countries in the rest of the world. Since the changes to the European Union’s sugar market regime, Belize has lost preferential market access, and sugar produced here is competing directly with the sugar produced by the European beet farmers who can produce more sugar at a cheaper production price.

Maskall holds Agriculture Village Fair
There were over 5,000 persons in attendance at the Maskall Agriculture Village Fair on Sunday, April 22, 2018. The fair, which was held on the Maskall Community Grounds, was jointly hosted by Minister of Transport and NEMO, Hon. Edmond Castro, who is also the area representative for Belize Rural North, and the Maskall Village Council. Special guests and speakers at the opening ceremony included the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Godwin Hulse, and Minister of State and Dangriga Area Representative, Hon. Frank “Papa” Mena.

National Agriculture Show this weekend
Belize’s largest agricultural show is about to start this weekend. After some four months of planning by the Department of Agriculture, the National Agriculture and Trade Show launches at 3:00 p.m. this Friday, then continues on Saturday and Sunday. The show opens for the public at 7:00 am on both Saturday and Sunday and a number of activities have been planned. As has been traditional, the show grounds near Roaring Creek Village is being zoned to make it family friendly. Among the attractions this year is that visitors will be able to zip line from tree to tree thanks to a team from Cave Tubing. There will also be mechanical rides, paint ball duels and bouncy houses for the children. This year the agriculture departments from the various Districts will be showcasing techniques for growing crops in confined spaces.

DRUG PLANES LANDING RECIPE
• Your father had to have been convicted and did time in prison for being involved in landing of DRUG PLANES. • Your family must own huge tracks of undisturbed lands in areas, where DRUG PLANES are known to have landed and continue to land. • Your family must own FUEL STATIONS, where huge volumes of fuel including the type used in planes, are handled. • Your family has to be involved in the TELECOMMUNICATIONS business. • Your family must have a huge and loyal work force.

Johnny explains how he got land at Progresso Lagoon
Ever since the Prime Minister made the startling revelations of Johnny and his family’s ownership of huge tracks of land, located all around the country, Johnny appears to have been staying away from the media. However last week Thursday the media was able to track him down and ask him about those land transactions. Low and behold Johnny tried to hoodwink the press by saying that the lands in places such as Progresso were properties, that his family owned for a long time and in any instance his family bought those lands from private land owners.

PUP disloyalty and disrespect in Port
Just over a month after Gilory Usher helped in securing a victory for the PUP in Belize City and in particular to have Candice Pitts elected as a city councilor, she is now showing no regard for Usher’s efforts. She has boldly declared that she will contest Gilroy Usher for the position in Port and has thrown Usher’s support for her aside and is now toe to toe against him. This of course shows the lack of loyalty that the PUP have for each other and it stems from the top all the way to the grassroots.

Did PUP vandalize Caribbean Shores basketball rims?
Readers may recall when back in February, we reported on a confrontation, that took place at the Buttonwood Bay Park while refurbishment works were being done to the basketball court. During that confrontation, a POLITICALLY CONNECTED individual made threats to remove the new rims and backboards that were being installed at the time. Now some two months later someone has actually done damage to the installations at the Basketball Court. Already the rims have been repaired or replaced three times since the refurbishment occurred in February. Once again someone has vandalized the rims and backboards. Many people use Buttonwood Bay Basketball Court as a place to come together with positivity and play basketball.

Fight in PUP for Toledo East
It is open hostilities within the People’s United Party as defeated PUP Punta Gorda Mayoral candidate Carlos Galvez is going against party dictates and is openly criticizing his party for being undemocratic. The latest bout of grievances are as a result of a decision made by the PUP leader Johnny Briceno in not allowing a convention to take place to select a Standard Bearer for the Toledo East constituency.

How is Santander doing
With over a hundred million United States dollars having been invested in Belize, Santander in the Cayo District is now poised to reach a new equilibrium in the production of sugar. The Company is now 70% Belizean. As such Santander will soon be investing in a packing plant to produce sugar both locally and for the Caribbean Region. While Santander exports its sugar mainly to Europe, the current price of sugar there is 11 cents U.S per pound, the lowest it has been for the past 15 years. Adding to that challenge is that there has been too much rain in Belize. Not giving up on its creditors such as the National Bank of Belize and Regional Banks, Santander is aiming towards planting 22,000 hectares of sugar cane.

Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce hosts Business Forum
The diplomatic relations between Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) has continued to grow over the years and has encompassed several beneficial initiatives between both countries. Some of these initiatives include the signing of bilateral agreements, scholarship opportunities, exchange programs, and several other projects impacting the health and educational sectors. One of the latest of these projects is the business forum hosted by the Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce.

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance: A Model for Universal Health Coverage
The World Health Organization has for years urged Member States to take action to achieve universal health coverage by 2030. Although not a WHO member, Taiwan has offered universal health coverage to our island’s 23 million citizens since 1995. Taiwan launched the National Health Insurance (NHI) initiative by integrating medical programs from existing insurance systems for laborers, farmers, and government employees, which covered only half the population. This has since been expanded to provide equal coverage to all citizens from birth, regardless of age, financial status or employment status. Furthermore, all foreigners who legally work or reside in Taiwan are also afforded the same coverage.

Sheffield Brown in custody for burglary
Sheffield Brown, a 42-year-old resident of Jimmy Dyer Avenue off Faber’s Road and well-known criminal figure, is trying to post a $5,000 bail after being accused of burglarizing a home. According to Brown, it is his home. Despite his claim, the allegations are that on April 8, 2018, he entered the home of Rosa Jacobs, located on Jimmy Dyer Avenue, and damaged a white aluminum louver window valued at $200. He is also accused of entering the home of Jacobs and stealing three Bath and Body Works lotion valued at $60 along with $200 cash.

Arrest made in Rectory Lane murder of Albert Ervin Johnson
Belize City Police have arrested and charged 28 year-old Marlon Everett for the weekend murder of 25 year-old Albert Ervin Johnson, a native of Punta Gorda Town, who moved to Belize City recently. Police say that on Friday night, April 20, 2018, at around 11 o’clock, they responded to reports of a shooting on Rectory Lane in the Southern Foreshore area. When they arrived they found Johnson’s body lying face up on the street; he was suffering from 2 gunshots to the head.

Bulgarian National on remand for theft of $2,000
A 41-year-old unemployed Bulgarian national, Vasil Stoyanov Kadalov, is being accused of stealing $2,000 from the Atlantic Bank account of Donald Stuart, a resident of Caye Caulker. Kadalov was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Aretha Ford on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 where he was read two counts of theft. The allegations against Kadalov are that on April 14, 2018, he stole the sum of $2,000 Belize currency from an Atlantic Bank account. According to Stuart, he made checks on his account and noticed that $2,000 was missing. Upon this discovery, he went into the bank and was told that two transactions of $1,000 cash each were made; two transactions he never made. He reported the matter to police which led to the arrest of Kadalov.

Former bank employee and accomplice granted bail on charges of theft
Damion Dawson, a 27-year-old resident of Belize City, and Jonathan Almendarez, a 21-year-old resident of Teakettle Village, Cayo, were read charges of theft when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer.

Drug trafficking and found property
On Wednesday April 18, 2018 at about 8:20 p.m., officers were conducting a foot patrol in Seine Bight Village. During this patrol, they discovered two black plastic bags containing cannabis on the street. The first parcel weighed 82.6 grams and the second parcel weighed 123.1 grams, both to a total weight of 205.7 grams. The parcels of cannabis were deposited as found property. While conducting a mobile patrol on George Price Boulevard, Benque Veijo Town on April 22, police conducted a search on Bayron Manuel Jimenez Amaya, a 21-year-old Guatemalan laborer of Melchor de Mencos, Peten, Guatemala.

Ignatius Williams offered bail for unlicensed firearm
Ignatius Williams, a 24-year-old native of Dangriga Town who now resides in Belize City, was arraigned in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on two firearm related offenses on Friday, March 23, 2018. Williams appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where he was read two criminal offenses of kept prohibited firearm and kept prohibited ammunitions after he was found in possession of a .45 Taurus brand firearm along with 6 live rounds of .45 ammunitions.

Jamaican National executed in Dangriga
On Tuesday, April 24, 2018 just before 11:00 a.m., police visited the Southern Regional Hospital where they saw the lifeless body of a man. While children were at play in their school yard at Gulisi Primary School in Dangriga, they and their teachers were witnesses of an incident that would claim the life of a Jamaican national. That man, 55-year-old Patrick Crossdale, was reportedly riding his motorcycle when a gunman, positioned in some bushes near the school, surfaced and unleashed a barraged of bullets on the victim. Crossdale was en route to his house when he was hit to the back and thigh. Despite being placed in a taxi and transported to the Southern Regional Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment.

Another accused murderer walks free
Kareem Francis, a 28-year-old known criminal, walked away from a charge of murder when he appeared before Justice Colin Williams in the Supreme Court on Thursday, April 19, 2018. At the age of 21, Francis was charged for the April 2, 2011 shooting murder of Fei Lan Wu, a Chinese shopkeeper who was one of two Chinese nationals gunned down. The prosecutor in the case, Kileru Awich, was forced to enter a nolle prosequi in the case against Francis. After several attempts were made to locate the main witness in the case turned futile, the prosecution had no other choice. With that, he walked away after more than seven years on remand.

School Security Guard, has sex with school girl
On Friday, April 13, 2018, an 18-year-old female reported to Belmopan Police that she was raped on April 12. As a result, police arrested and charged 24-year-old William Daniel Carabantes for the crime of rape. Less than a week later on Thursday, April 19, 2018 at about 8:00 a.m., a 14-year-old female Belizean student, accompanied by her father, made a report. The student reported that while at her high school on south side Belize City on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 3:30 p.m., a 27-year-old Belizean security guard for said school called her to the third floor of the school building. There, he had sexual intercourse with her inside a classroom.

Kept unlicensed firearm
On Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 3:00 a.m., police conducted a house search at the residence of Ian Whittaker in the White Cocal Area, Corozal Town. Present at the time of the search were Ian Whittaker, a 23-year-old Belizean laborer, and Edwin Marin, an 18-year-old Belizean laborer of a Corozal Town address. The search resulted in the discovery of a black CZ 75P-07 DUTY brand 9mm along with its magazine containing fifteen live rounds of ammunition.

UNO Gas Station robbed in Cayo
The UNO Gas Station on the Benque Viejo Road was robbed at about 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Witnesses told police that two dark complexion male persons entered the gas station and held up the cashier with a .9 mm hand gun. After their crime, the men ran out of the gas station with their cash and made good their escape in a Geo Prism.

William “Danny” Mason and co-accused to court
William “Danny” Mason and five other co-accused persons were taken before Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court on Monday, April 23, 2018. There, the preliminary inquiry into the kidnapping of Lloyd Thiessen and his wife, a Mennonite couple, was heard. Mason as well as Ashton Vanegas, of Camalote Village, brothers Keiron and Terrence Fernandez, and Ernest Henry Castillo, all of Roaring Creek, were represented by attorney Herbert Panton who made a lengthy submission requesting that the kidnapping charges be thrown out.

Belize Defence Force FC whitewash Verdes FC in first playoff game
The Premier League of Belize Closing Season Playoffs round commenced last Saturday 21st April, out at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium in Belmopan between the Police United FC and the Belmopan Bandits SC. The visiting Belmopan Bandits SC was the first to make it onto the scoreboard when Jerome James scored the 1st goal of the game in the 26th minute of play to give his team an early 1-0 lead. The Belmopan Bandits took that lead into the half and into the opening minutes of the second half of the game before the Police United FC was able to make it onto the scoreboard. In the 49th minute of play, Marlon Meza scored the equalising goal for the Police United to tie the score at 1-1.

Belize District Basketball Association holds meeting for Firms competition
The Belize District Basketball Association kindly informs all interested teams that a meeting will be held on Thursday 26th April @7:00 p.m. sharp at Marion Jones Sports Complex conference room. Please make an extra effort to attend as important matters concerning the upcoming season will be discussed.

Belize Rural Central Basketball competition rolls on in Ladyville
The 2018 Belize Rural Central Basketball competition which is being sponsored by the Hon. Beverly Williams continued last week end in Ladyville with four games played. On Saturday 21st April, in the first game of the evening played, Diginet Assassins defeated B-Wood by the score of 75-65. The top scorers for the Diginet Assassins were Kadeem Olivera with 21 points and Orlando Ferguson with 16 points. For the B-Wood squad, the top scorers were Lyndon Swift with 17 points and Justin Wade with 14 points. In the second game of the night, Hard Rock won over Ladyville Heatz by the score of 76-54.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks is the top team into the Pepsi National Elite Basketball League playoffs
The Pepsi National Elite Basketball League regular season competition continued on April 21st, 2018, with three games across the country. At the San Pedro High School Auditorium in San Pedro Town, the host team and the top team into the playoffs the San Pedro Tiger Sharks edged out the visiting Digicell Belize City Defenders by the score of 71-68. The competition will continue this coming weekend with three more games on the schedule. On Friday 27th April at 9:00 pm out at the University of Belize Gymnasium in Belmopan, Verdes will go up against the Belmopan Bandits. On Saturday 28th April at 9:00 pm out at the Russell ‘Chiste’ Garcia Auditorium in Dangriga Town, Smart Belize Hurricanes will see action against the Griga Dream Ballers while on Monday 30th April at 9:00 pm at the Belize City Civic Centre, the Digicell Belize City Defenders will go up against the Smart Belize Hurricanes.

Belize Book Industry Association celebrates Book Week
As a singular force promoting books and writing in Belize, the Belize Book Industry Association BBIA has once again celebrated Book Week 2018 in San Ignacio Town. During an opening ceremony for the ninth annual book week last Friday, the BBIA recognized a new generation of writers for their stellar writing habits at the Cayo Welcome Center. A total of 27 entries had been submitted to the BBIA, with three coming from the Diaspora and proved so time consuming to review that the Literary Prize reviewers had to categorize them for the 2016 to 2017 time period. As for this year, the BBIA will be opening entries for more ‘Novelette’ this June with a closure in December.

Christian Charles dies 8 days after being knocked down
Accident Victim Christian Charles, a 26 year-old from Burrell Boom Village, died after suffering for 8 days at the KHMH. Police and all those closest to him think he was run over by a hit-and-run driver, but so far, there is no overt evidence to corroborate what is only a theory at this time. Police say that at around 5:20 a.m. on Sunday, April 15th, 2018, they travelled to the Burrell Boom road where they found Charles lying on the ground. He was suffering from several injuries to different parts of his body including scratches on the face, fractured ribs, a punctured lung, 2 broken legs, 2 broken arms, and other injuries to the chest area.

Driver crashes into house and dies
25 year-old Ever Hosmel Uk, a resident of Guinea Grass Village in the Orange Walk District, has been charged with manslaughter for the weekend traffic accident which claimed the life of 26 year-old Daniel Ian Urbina. Police say that at about 3 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, they were called to mile 41 on the George Price Highway, and when they arrived, they found a green Toyota Hilux pickup truck, which had extensive damage to the driver’s side. Inside the vehicle, on the driver’s side, the cops found the apparent lifeless body of Daniel Urbina. A short distance away, the cops found a wooden building on top of a GMC 10-wheeler Flatbed truck.

Man falls off boat and drowns
The body of 28 year-old Lionel Velasquez was recovered at sea after being missing for 3 days. In an unfortunate accident, he went overboard during a routine trip out to his worksite at the Turneffe Island Resort. Before they were besieged with requests for comment from the press, the management of the Turneffe Island Resort sent out a press release providing all the details of the accident which left one of their employees out in open waters between Belize City’s mainland and the Turneffe Island.

RESTORE Belize on the Metamorphosis Programme
Crime in Belize remains a prevalent issue and as such it was rightfully pointed out by representatives of RESTORE Belize. It cannot be treated as any singular problem. According to the 2013 Global Study on Homicide reports, Belize’s homicide rate was at a whopping 44.7 per 100,000 inhabitants. Most of the persons affected by these homicides are young males residing on the Southside of Belize City. In an effort to foster resiliency and to provide adults (over 24 years) with the knowledge and skills to be effective parents, the Metamorphosis Project made its way to Belize.

Fatal Traffic Accident
On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at about 1:50 p.m., police responded to a road traffic accident between miles 6 and 7 on the Stann Creek Valley Road. Upon arrival at the scene, the officers saw a Hispanic male person lying motionless on the road suffering from head and body injuries. They also saw a gray Mitsubishi Outlander on the left side of the road. Initial investigation revealed that Shamir Leslie, a 24-year-old clerk of Placencia Village, was traveling from Belmopan to Placencia along with Bernard Leslie, a 23-year-old tour guide of Placencia, and Teron Terry, a 27-year-old cook of Seine Bight Village.

Conflicting hit and run reports - security guard hospitalized
A hit and run traffic accident at the Guinea Grass Road Junction has left a 50-year-old man hospitalized. On Friday, April 20, 2018 at about 6:45 p.m., police responded to a traffic accident at the junction and upon arrival, they observed ambulance personnel treating a male person for multiple injuries. That man was later identified as Gerardo Mendoza, a 50-year-old Belizean of Rose Wood St, Orange Walk Town.

Toledo fire leaves family homeless
A fire in San Jose, Toledo has drastically changed the lives of Wilfredo Coc, his wife, and six children. The results of that fire were seen after 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 23. The family has lost just about everything, spanning three properties. Coc’s son, 23-year-old Venisiano Coc, was occupying one of the homes while his other siblings shared the two other houses with their parents. The Coc family is seeking public assistance.

WORDS of Life With Pastor Barry Fraser
Psalm 23, written by King David, is probably the best known Psalm. David rose from being an unnoticed shepherd boy to the most powerful position in the nation of Israel. The English Standard Version reads: “The Lord (Yahweh) is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Hon. John Briceño Said:” THERE IS NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE.”
On Thursday April 19, 2018 I could not believe my eyes and ears! There was the PUP Leader, explaining in “basic simple terms” to all Belizeans, the exact situation concerning Belize, Guatemala and the International Court of Justice. No discussion that I have heard previously or since on Krem, Vibes, Channel 5 or Plus TV is as important as the words of Johnny! His explanations were outstanding and warrant careful read and study by each and every Belizean, regardless of party affiliation. It is fitting that I present to you, his exact words…

Baffle Them with Crap
I was once in a meeting along with the late Michael Young during a period when I was a workers’ representative on a board. During a pre-meeting discussion, a certain well-known gentleman was going on and on about the dire economic challenges facing our nation, trying his best to convince all members present that these challenges were rooted in our trade imbalance between imports and exports. I was impressed with the gentleman’s knowledge regarding the possible range of local products Belize could export and which foreign markets were easily accessible for these products. His argument was that if we cancelled out our trade deficit Belize would be on easy street.

5 Milestones That Have Changed my Life Forever
Every so often in life, I find myself facing a new milestone. Often, I find them to be bitter-sweet life moments that mold me to higher heights of self-actualization. Both our positive and negative milestones help us grow, or change who we are as persons in some significant way. It is important to recognize milestones because once you do recognize them, you can be more accepting of the ways that they will change and grow you.

Secrets from Area 21 Secret to Escaping Poverty
Secrets from Area 21 is a column about my life growing up at the corner of Kraal Road and Kut Avenue in Southside Belize City. My family’s house lot served as the border line for four of the city’s most dangerous gangs for many years: George Street, Supal Street, Kraal Road and South Side Gang. As a result, I have intimate knowledge of the “thug life” in Belize City and will share some stories about the worst of times and best of times in my neighbourhood with two goals.

The Reporter

San Pedro businessman shot dead inside his store
A businessman from San Pedro was shot dead inside his business on Thursday night on the island. Police say that sometime around 8:30 p.m., they were summoned to the San Pedro polyclinic, where they saw the body of Honduran, Reniery Adalid Figueroa Garcia, 25, a resident of the San Mateo area. Figueroa’s body had a gunshot wound to the head. Police investigations have revealed that Figueroa was sitting behind the counter of his business establishment, Dicky’s Store on the lower flat of his property around 8:00 p.m., when two men entered the shop and one of them shot him.

Happening now: Belize City mayor gives financial report card for recent years
Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, is currently holding a press conference at City Hall. The Mayor is sharing the findings of revenues, expenditures and liabilities from 2014 to 2018. Mayor Wagner pointed to irregular and over-spending and outstanding payments due to the Income Tax Department and Social Security Board (SSB), which he said were deducted from the employees’ salaries but not paid in.

Breaking Belize News

Minister Elrington and Ambassador Rosado discuss ICJ with Students in Cayo
This morning Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington and Ambassador Alexis Rosado made an in-depth presentation […]

BTL’s services disrupted
Today numerous customers reported having issues using Belize Telemedia Ltd’s network. Customers reported that DSL, LTE and […]

Prime Minister and Opposition Leader meet to discuss national issues
Yesterday morning, Prime Minister Dean Barrow and Opposition Leader, John Briceno met in Belize City […]

$80 million loan signed for upgrading Caracol Road
Today, a US$40 million loan was signed between the Government of Belize and the OPEC […]

Belizean artisans attend Giftionery Taipei 2018
The National Institute of Culture and History (NICH), Belizean artisans and Unique Belize attended the […]

NGC backs Barranco villagers
The National Garifuna Council (NGC) said this week that it fully supports the Barranco villagers […]

Cost of living down in March, says SIB
Despite rising taxes, fuel prices, and soaring gas prices since the start of 2018, the Statistical […]

Airport employee shot dead in Belize City
Last night violence descended upon Belize City’s south side. Confirmed reports are that Kemmar Wade, […]

Gilroy Usher says Port is ripe for PUP victory
As we had previously reported, the race is heating up for the position of PUP Standard […]

Another accused murderer walks free
Yesterday Orlando Ciedos, 33, walked from charges relating to the murder of Edilsar Juárez, 21. […]

Man arraigned for half pound of weed
Four Belize City men were busted with a half pound of weed. However, only one […]

Belize exports contracts for first quarter
The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has released its quarterly report on the state of […]

Blogs

Ready, Set, SWIM! Some of the Best Beaches on Ambergris Caye, Belize
Belize is fast becoming well known for the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere (second only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef), for our gorgeous snorkeling, diving, sailing…all types of water sports. The closer you get to the reef, the whiter the sand, the bluer and clearer the water and there is an explosion of fish, turtles, dolphins and sea life. And Ambergris Caye runs right along the reef and no matter where you are along the beach, the view is spectacular. So what could there possibly be not to like? Nothing I say, the water is absolutely gorgeous and swimming and sunning off a dock is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

6 reasons to retire in Belize
As an expat relocation consultant and property manager in Belize, one of the first questions I ask my clients or prospective tenants is, “Why do you want to retire in Belize?” It’s important for me to know, because I want to make sure they have practical and valid reasons. It helps me answer their questions better. And if for any reason they have a mistaken notion about Belize, I can easily correct them before they move here and it’s too late! Many people have worked their entire lives with the idea that one day, they will escape the rat race and move to paradise. They can’t wait to wave goodbye to the materialistic and news-centric culture they are from and embrace a laid back and simple lifestyle. Belize is one of the most casual and slow-paced countries in Central America. So much so, that you may not know what to do with yourself for the first few weeks. But that feeling won’t last long.

To Go or Not To Go – The ICJ
One thing that gets me is the idea that because someone is against going to the ICJ they are somehow making uneducated decisions in the eyes of those that say they know better and/or are educated and want to go, as if we are not “Patriotic” or Belizean enough. All while those that know or are educated are doing little to nothing to properly educate the rest of Belize as to what the reality is about the history of the Belize Guatemala issue. It took legally educated peoples decades to get the knowledge they have on the topic and it’s expected that a Normal Belizean should make an educated vote on something that they know nothing about or with a little drop in the ocean.. It’s like asking a fish to breath out of water or climb a tree.

Sargassum is gone....but there is still plenty of beauty to enjoy no matter what mother nature brings!
Sargassum has been an issue for a few weeks in parts of Belize - and it is a nuisance to everyone. It can come and go, or stick around pretty nastily for days at a time; it is very unpredictable. Many visitors in their first time to Belize had a lot of questions. Because having it wash in, in the amount it has been, is still a relatively new phenomenon, there are many different theories you will find. It is everywhere in the Caribbean - not just Belize by any stretch, and many places get it much worse. Guests ask why Belize doesn't use nets or bulldozers, the way they would imagine it would be done in the US? Belize is unique in that it has a fragile barrier reef, the 2nd largest in the world, to protect. It typically gets more sea grass than an average beach because the sea grass helps support the marine life. Without it, there wouldn't be the amazing sea creatures that people come from all the over the world to snorkel with. It is part of the ecosystem and is not seen as a negative thing in reasonable quantities. We cannot use nets and heavy beach equipment because it destroys the fragile beaches (you can see much beachfront all over the world is seawalled - the seaweed helps build up the shore, and it doesn't take much to erode a beach.) Belize takes the protection of sea creatures very seriously, and the use of nets or other water devices will cause those same creatures to get caught up in them.

AMBERGRIS CAYE ISLAND ACTIVITIES
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye is the largest island and one of the most visited and favored vacation destination in Belize. The island is well known for its white sandy beach and clear blue waters, along with its many island activities and attractions. When vacationing in Ambergris Caye there is always something for the entire family to do. Adventure into the less traveled mangroves on the “Swampy Thing” a comfortable twenty-foot Carolina skiff, for an exciting evening search for crocodiles, birds and other nocturnal wildlife with CSI Belize, “Crocodile Scientific Investigators” and the ACES team (American Crocodile Education Sanctuary). Watch while expert biologists try to capture saltwater crocs for tag and release.

Culture in Belize
Many people come to Belize for the great weather, amazingly beautiful natural areas, and exciting adventure options without realizing that the country is home to a unique blend of different cultures and peoples. Belize is a true melting pot society, one where people of different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and languages all live harmoniously side-by-side. The first Europeans to visit Belize were the Spanish, who were only partially successful at subduing the Maya, the descendants of the advanced culture that built the pyramids, temples, and palaces that still dot the landscape of Belize. By the 18th century, however, the British had come to dominate Belize, bringing in enslaved Africans as loggers and workers on their plantations. Today, their descendants are known as the Creole (or Kriol), who speak a unique dialect of English.

It’s 2018, And Belize Continues To Grow In Popularity
Maybe it’s not exactly going from zero to hero, but having watched Belize evolve from barely known British Honduras to one of the world’s more trendy travel destinations has been a somewhat surprising and very satisfying experience. It really wasn’t all that long ago when the mention of Belize would result in blank stares. Then again, with only a couple of weekly flights, no real tourism industry to speak of, and sunburnt British soldiers making up the bulk of visitors, the unfamiliarity was understandable. But now the mere mention of Belize brings smiles, with many people either having been, or planning to visit. And with more airlines competing to carry an increasing number of visitors from a growing list of North American cities, thus making a Belizean vacation easier and more affordable, the Little Country That Could is becoming more popular all the time.

International Sources

Searching For The Next Harpy Eagle Nest In Belize Using Drones
It was an expedition into the Mayan Mountains in 2005 which led Jamie Rotenberg to the Bladen Nature Reserve in Belize where he spotted a juvenile harpy eagle. More than five years later, he discovered a harpy eagle nest – creatures once thought to be extinct. The harpy eagle is the largest raptor in the Americas and it’s still considered an extremely endangered species. The search continues to find the next set of nests. And Jamie Rotenberg, an environmental ecologist and ornithologist who specializes in tropical ecology, says he doesn’t want to wait another five years to make that discovery. We find out how he plans to expedite the process. On this edition of CoastLine, we also explore why finding the nests is so challenging, what other factors are affecting the harpy eagle population, and what that tells us about the state of the ecosystem.

How To Resolve The Territorial Conflict Between Belize And Guatemala
On Sunday, April 15, Guatemala held a referendum to determine whether it’s willing to take the border conflict with Belize to the International Court of Justice. With an admittedly low turnout of just 26%, a very high percentage of 95% voted affirmatively on the proposal. According to local newspapers, the consultation aroused little interest, and there was considerable misinformation about what was being voted on. It is now necessary to hold a similar consultation in Belize, and if it is affirmative, the litigation could be headed to the International Court. The day after the event, the government of Belmopan expressed its satisfaction with the result and announced that a consultation would be held in Belize shortly. Thus, the 2007 recommendation of the Secretary General of the OAS, would be fulfilled.

Beautiful Belize
Belize kent parelwitte zandstranden, turquoise wateren, eindeloze naaldbossen en onafzienbare jungle. Harmke vloog op Belize-City en startte haar rondreis op het eiland Ambergris Caye  Madonna’s La Isla Bonita. Vervolgens zakte ze af naar het midden en zuiden van het land. Ze ging snorkelen bij het Belize Barrier Reef, zwom onder watervallen en trad in de voetsporen van de Maya’s. Barefoot luxury bij Portofino: Het piepkleine vliegtuig van Tropic Air vliegt ons over een turquoise zee van Belize-City naar het eiland Ambergris Caye, Madonna’s La Isla Bonita. Een bootje brengt ons vervolgens van hoofdstadje San Pedro naar boetiekresort Portofino verderop aan de kust. Het is het resort van het Nederlands-Vlaamse echtpaar Jan en Sandra van Noord.

Caribbean Fisheries Forum calls region to action
At its recent annual meeting in Montserrat, the Caribbean Fisheries Forum framed a set of recommendations that will be submitted to regional policy-makers at the 12th Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), slated for 18 May 2018 in Montserrat. The Forum’s recommendations include measures for boosting production in the fisheries and aquaculture sector, risk insurance for fisheries, ongoing challenges to fisheries subsidies, gender mainstreaming, and the development of critical fishery management plans. The Forum noted that the overall trend in total marine fish production of the CRFM Member States since 2005 is one of increasing production, with continued improvements over the 2015-2016 period. However, the region is a net importer of fisheries products. Latest data indicate that imports for the year 2016 totaled US$281.5 million, while exports were valued at US$256.2 million.

Videos

April 26, 2018

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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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

BCCI and NEMO hold workshop on natural disasters for San Pedro business community
Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) organized an educational session with members of the San Pedro business community regarding natural disasters. In collaboration with the National Emergency Organization (NEMO), the two-part workshop was held on Wednesday, April 18th at the Sunbreeze Hotel. The presentations focused on preparing the business sector in damage assessment, needs analysis and emergency operations management while garnering feedback and concerns from the specific sectors. A handful of managerial personnel from different business establishments on the island attended the workshop. Welcoming everyone was Keisha Reyes Membership Programs Officer at BCCI. She thanked everyone for attending and then allowed the presenters to start the workshop. Initiating the session was NEMO Central Regional Coordinator, Al Westby, who explained the need to have a plan of action when dealing with natural disasters, such as hurricanes.

Lawmakers talk Sound Policy for Better Law
Belizean law enforcement officials from all branches of government discussed “Sound Policy for Better Law” at a law-making forum hosted by the Attorney General’s Ministry, in collaboration with the Impact Justice Project of Canada, at the Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Thursday and Friday, April 19th and 20th. Professor Velma Newton of the Impact Justice project congratulated the Belize government on its four years of participation in the project, drafting model legislation, improving legal professionalism and the liberal public legal education, expanding and establishing legal aid mechanisms, and training. The project has trained close to 2,000 persons across the region, including five from Belize, since 2014.

SPHS athletes win 4 Gold Medals at NSSSA track & field championships
The San Pedro High School athletes won 4 Gold medals at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) track and field championships, hosted by Ladyville Technical High School at the Marion Jones Stadium in Belize City last Friday and Saturday, April 20-21. SPHS was part of the Northern Zone, which tallied 24 medals: 6 gold, 7 silver and 11 bronze. San Pedro High’s Ernest Arzu of won Gold in the Senior 400 meters in 53:03 seconds, while Anglican Cathedral College’s Linden Wade took the silver in 53.45secs, and CCC’s Canaan Smith claimed the bronze in 54.71secs. San Pedro High’s Yahir Sandoval hurled the shot 9.94 meters to win Gold in the Junior shot put. Sacred Heart College’s Brion Young threw 9.49m for silver, and St. Ignatius High’s Jaheid Armstrong threw 9.31m for bronze. Sandoval also threw 30.30 meters to win Gold in the Junior discus, while CCC’s Martin Morales threw 28.42m for silver, and TCC’s Danique Neal threw 25.66m for bronze.

Ambergris Today

Hol Chan Reef Week 2018
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is celebrating its 13th Annual Reef Week from Monday, May 7, 2018 to Sunday, May 13, 2018. A week filled with fun activities aimed to educate on preservation and conservation of our beautiful reef. Here is a calendar of events that will be taking place throughout the week, be sure to be a part of this wonderful celebration.

The Belize Cancer Society Of California Donate To The San Pedro Cancer Society
The Belize Cancer Society of California paid the San Pedro Cancer Society a visit on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. The Belize Cancer Society of California is a group in the United States led by President Arlette Pilgrim and they hold fundraising, awareness and outreach for Belizeans from California. Throughout the years Arlette and her group have helped the San Pedro Cancer Society by securing wigs, prosthetic breasts and information for cancer patients. This trip, Arlette surprised the SP Cancer Society with a "smokalyzer" which can detect the amount of carbon monoxide in people’s breath. The donation also included bras that can fit a prosthetic breast in it along with lymphedema sleeves for patient who have had mastectomies. Also there were comfy shoes for patients to let them know there's people thinking of them and willing to help them throughout their battle with cancer.

Misc Belizean Sources

March 2018 External Trade & Consumer Price Index
Consumer Prices Down 0.6% in March 2018. For the month of March 2018, the Statistical Institute of Belize reported that the All-Items Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 104.5, a decrease from 105.1 in March 2017 (see Figure 1). The average Belizean household, therefore, experienced an overall drop of 0.6 percent in the cost of regularly purchased goods and services. For the first three months of the year 2018, the country saw a year-todate inflation rate of negative 0.1 percent, when compared to the same three-month period of last year.
IMPORTS DOWN 3.9%, DOMESTIC EXPORTS DOWN 18.5% IN MARCH 2018. During the month of March 2018, Belize’s imported goods were valued at $148.9 million, down by 3.9 percent or $6.1 million from the more than $155 million imported in March of 2017. The third month of the year saw decreased imports across most of the commodity categories, most significantly in the importation of ‘Manufactured Goods’, ‘Machinery and Transport Equipment’ and ‘Chemical Products’. Importation of ‘Manufactured Goods’ recorded the largest drop for the month, falling by 29 percent or $6.6 million, from $22.9 million in March 2017 to $16.3 million in March 2018, with goods such as cement, metal doors and carton boxes being among the reduced items.

Ombudsman Sworn-In for New Term in Office
In a brief ceremony held today, April 25th, at the Belize House in Belmopan, Mr. Lionel Arzu was sworn-in for a new term as Ombudsman. This marks Mr. Lionel Arzu’s fourth term as Ombudsman. Mr. Arzu was accompanied at the ceremony by his family.

Breakfast meeting with the Grieving Mothers at the Coast Guard Base
This morning Hon. John Saldivar, Hon. Tracey Panton, CEO George Lovell, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, Admiral John Borland and other Senior Officers of the Police High Command, had a breakfast meeting with the Grieving Mothers at the Coast Guard Base in Belize City.

Mother's and Father's Day Dinner and Dance on Caye Caulker
May 26th, Central Park. Hosted by the Caye Caulker Village Council

Diego y Frida Una Sonrisa a Mitad del Camino Exhibit Launch
The Diego y Frida Una Sonrisa a Mitad del Camino Exhibit Launch is today at the SISE House of Culture. It starts at 6:00pm.

Improving water resource management in Belize!
Department of Rural Development to improve water well drilling standards in Belize. Throughout the week, Terry trained 30 drillers from around the country on best practices for drilling water wells. Better drilling practices are a first step to better preserving and protecting and limited groundwater resources in Belize. We are proud to have supported Terry’s work and the Government of Belize’s efforts to protect their finite water supply.

GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program
Last week we visited the Belize Central Prison and promised them that we would introduce the GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) program. Today we are delivering on that promise and for the next 12 weeks officers from Region One will be working deligently with these 31 young boys from the Wagner’s Youth Facility of the Belize Central Prison. This is the first time in history that the GREAT program is being introduced to the prison but we believe it will help in the reform process. Next we will go into the different neighborhoods and admister to kids who did not make it through the education system.

Welcomeing students from Belmopan’s National 4-H Youth Development Center
Belizean youth, embrace Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math #STEAM! To celebrate #EarthDay, we welcomed students from Belmopan’s National 4-H Youth Development Center. American diplomats and our Belizean colleagues took the students on a STEAM tour of the Embassy, explaining the science and technology behind our IT, air conditioning, and water treatment systems, xeriscaping, our solar panels, and various art pieces around the Embassy. Thanks for visiting us! We hope you learned something new and had fun!

Ismael Chacon at The Botanero
The Botanero is pleased to present Ismael Chacon this Friday and Saturday from 8 P.M. To 8 p.m. There we go!!!

Work is currently being undertaken at the Xunantunich Archaeological Reserve
On the south side of El Castillo, to enhance access to the structure making it safer for all visitors.

“Diego Y Frida Una Sonrisa A Mitad Del Camino” Photograhic Exhibit
SISE House of Culture Invites you to “Diego Y Frida Una Sonrisa A Mitad Del Camino” Photograhic Exhibit Opening on Thursday, April 26 at 6 PM.

THE MAYA OF SAN JOSE (ORANGE WALK)
The Village of San Jose is said to have been founded around 1915 but it may be older . Populated mainly by people of Yucatec Maya descent who came because of the Caste War. Many of the settlers of San Jose originally came from San Estevan and moved back and forth between the two. In 1888 Victoriano Chuc baptized a daughter who was born in San Jose. The earliest references to two of these villages, San Pablo and San Jose, are found in the baptismal records of the La Immaculada Parish in Orange Walk Town and date to the 1880s. The earliest baptismal references which list San Pablo and San Jose as the children's place of birth occur in 1887 and 1886 respectively. Descendants of both these families, Juchim and Navarette, still reside in these villages. In the village today you may still find Maya speakers especially elders most youths speak mostly spanish and english and many residence still have ancient Maya surnames like Aban,Patt(Pat),Chuc,Mesh(Meex),Pott(Poot),Huchím(Juchim),Cowo(Couoh),Uh,Yah,Itza and others.

Statement on Recent Spate of Illegal Airplane Landings
The Ministry of National Security along with its regional partners, including the United States, Mexico, and Central American neighbour's rely on information from each other, and the available radar capabilities, to keep informed of any airplane tracking towards Belize and the region. Despite these efforts, there has been a spate of illegal airplane landings in the country as the aircraft manage to avoid detection from the available regional radars. The local law enforcement response is based primarily on initial tracking information and intelligence provided by regional partners. In the case of illegally flown airplanes, that information changes by the time the plane enters Belize’s airspace.

2018 International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP)
The organizers of the 2018 ICFP are seeking youth leaders aged 18 to 25 years old to be keynote speakers, media makers and moderators for sessions at the 2018 International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP). Young people who are selected will have conference registration and travel costs covered, and will play an essential role in providing a youth perspective and voice to the program. In the spirit of using digital communications to spread the word about family planning, the 2018 ICFP will be accepting applications for youth speakers through video submissions. This format was used for the 2013 and 2016 conference and was very successful. All youth applicants must complete their own video submission, but may seek assistance from local organizations or other resources. At least one professional reference should be provided in support of the candidate’s qualifications.

Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) Sensitization Session
Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA), with the assistance of Beltraide, under the 11th EDF will be carrying out their Direct Assistance Grant Scheme Program (DAGS) and hosted a sensitization session on April 25, 2018 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel & Marina from 8:30 am – 3:30pm. The purpose of the session was to educate private sector stakeholders and business support organizations (BSOs) on the details of the program such as the application & evaluation process, completion to the diagnostic tool, and the reimbursement process.

CSME Information Booklet- Directorate General for Foreign Trade
Get the latest information on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy here! Learn about regional trade and movement of people, investment opportunities, the current status of implementation in Belize, and much more!

Images from my visit to Caye Caulker and Belize
Daily Images of life in Belize. Photographs by Lozano

Las Mujeres Flores by Eunice Adorno
Photographic Exhibition at the Corozal House of Culture, Wednesday May 9.

Belmopan Cancer Walk 2018
The Belize Cancer Society of Belmopan is having their annual Cancer Walk on Saturday, May 12th. They have some nice looking t-shirts this year. "Belmopan Cancer Society BMP branch annual Cancer walk from Camalote Village to Belmopan. Bus leaves DFC parking lot at 5:15 a.m. Sharp!"

Placencia Regatta and Hands Across the Sand
In addition to sponsoring our regatta they are also hosting this years Hands Across the Sand in Placencia on the beach Next to Tipsy Tuna. If you're in Placencia or on the peninsula come to Placencia Beach next to Tipsy Tuna and be apart of Hands Across The Sands. Saturday May 19th Noon. Mark your calendars the people of Belize won a moratorium against drilling off shore so this year we celebrate that sending an International message that Belize Said NO. Hands Across the Sand which is an international coordinated day of peaceful action to say YES to clean energy and NO to seismic air gun blasting, offshore / nearshore drilling and filthy fossil fuels.

Hands Across the Sand 2018
Hands Across the Sand 2018 is coming to your community! This year, we hold hands in celebration of Belize's leadership in passing legislation that enshrines a moratorium on offshore oil! Find the nearest location on the flyer and join fellow Belizeans in silent solidarity in saying YES to renewable energy!

Wayúum
The name of this fruit in Yucatec Maya is Wayúum . It is a favorite fruit among our Maya of Corozal and Orange walk .

Chuhukil T'uuk
Dulce de cocoyol we call it in Maya as Chuhukil T'uuk .

Channel 7

Police Ministry Addresses The Drug Plane Problem
A drug plane landed on the San Estevan/Progresso Road yesterday morning - and that's where it remains tonight, on the shoulder of the road. But, 7News has learned tonight that preparations are being made to fly it from there to a secure location. As we told you it is a Hawker Siddeley 225 jet, which local pilots are not qualified to fly. But, the police department did find a qualified pilot in the PG area, and we are told he went to the site today to assess the aircraft. If all goes as planned, he is expected to fly it out of there early tomorrow. We'll wait and see.

Cabinet: Still No Date For ICJ
We also asked Minister Aragon about Guatemala's yes vote on the ICJ. The cabinet held its regular meeting on Tuesday and according to the minister no decision on a referendum date for Belize has been made, but he believes before any of that happens Belizeans need to be educated on the true nature of the territorial dispute: Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of State in Ministry of National Security: "That is an ongoing topic. I don't think we have gotten to the stage where we'll come out and things like that. I think everybody will have to look at it. I do think personally that there's a need for an educational campaign. I think that there is a lot that people need to know. I don't think the public out there has all the information..."

Bad News For The North, Global Sugar Prices Crashing
It's been about 7 months now that Belize's sugar industry has been operating without preferential access to the European market, which means competing on the same level playing field as the rest of the world. So now European beet sugar farmers compete head to head with Belize and the other African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. And the news tonight is that current world prices are already down by half of what they were just last year. We got a chance to speak with one of BSI/ASR's representatives about it at another event, and here's what she had to say:

KHMH, Still In “Emergency Mode”
In mid-March the KHMH went into emergency mode after the roof started falling over the X-Ray area. Since then, nothing much has changed - and the roof structure over a third of the hospital continues to be propped up by dozens of iron supports. A press release from the Hospital today says, quote, "our service capacity remains limited as we proceed to enact urgent structural strengthening measures to our facility. This has placed us in emergency mode for the past 7 weeks. During this time, we have postponed elective services and an abbreviated clinic schedule has been announced. We remind the public that we are not performing ANY private cases and that all payments for services at the KHMHA should only be made to cashiers inside the facility." End quote.

Southern Murder Trial Ends In “Nolle Pros”
Another murder trial has ended in a nolle-pros - leaving the alleged killer to walk free. This one happened today before Justice Hanomansingh in Dangriga Supreme Court. That's where 33 year old Orlando Ciedos got off the charge of murder against 21 year old Edilsar Juarez. The Crown was relying on a confession statement Ciedos had made to the police. But Ciedos told his attorney, Leeroy Banner that he gave the statement under duress because he was beaten by the police and Banner indicated to the court that he was going to challenge the statement.

PUP Gearing Up For A Showdown In Port
The PUP convention in Port Loyola is going to be held on May 20th - and the long-time PUP standard bearer Gilroy Usher isn't happy that he must face a challenge from a newcomer. Newly elected PUP city councillor Dr. Candice Pitts has made it official that she intends to challenge Usher. And here's why he isn't happy about the challenge: Usher went into Port Loyola in 2011 when his UDP Opponent Anthony Boots Martinez was at the height of his powers - and gradually built up support, coming within 71 votes of beating him in the 2015 General Election. And, in the 2018 Municipal Election, the PUP candidates won that area for the first time in more than a decade - taking about 20 percentage points off the UDP's turnout in the Municipal Election just three years earlier.

Farmers Able To Raise The Quality Of Cane
Earlier in the news, we told you how world sugar prices are currently down by as much as half of last year's prices. The world market is saturated with sugar, so the prices may dip lower as a result. But, those within the local sugar industry are trying to adapt to the stiff competition by improving their farming techniques, and reducing production costs. One such initiative is being led by BSI/ASR, and the Sugar Cane Production Committee, with funding from the American chocolate company, Hershey, through its Learn to Grow Program.

A Metamorphosis For At-Risk Males, Ages 10 - 14
Our next story is about a programme called "Metamorphosis - Building Resiliency in High Risk Male Children." It is designed by Restore Belize - and currently targeting 44 primary school boys between the ages of 10 and 14. The idea is to use a number of services to steer these high risk boys away from dropping out of school and joining gangs. They are currently in their third cohort - and - at a media breakfast this morning - Director Mary Vasquez explained how they gauge success:

Prisoner Recaptured Two Weeks Later
One of the prisoners who escaped from the Corozal police station holding cell 13 days ago has been recaptured. Yesterday morning Police found Nineteen year old Johny Matus right in his home village of San Narciso. He was taken to the Magistrate's Court where he was charged for escaping lawful custody and damage to property. In Court, the prosecution said that the metal bars damaged is the property of the Government of Belize and it cost $350. Matus will return to Court on May 3rd.

Grants For Trade Opportunities
We know about Beltraide's small and medium enterprise development programs and the entrepreneurial trainings but they partnered with Caribbean Export Development Agency to offer assistance to more large scale private sector companies. Caribbean Export offers what is called a Direct Assistance Grant Scheme (DAGS) which is a reimbursing grant. The agency has been offering this grant to companies all over the Caribbean for 10 years. There has been a few tweaks to the program over the years so today reps. from Beltraide and Caribbean Export held sort of a tutorial session for companies on how to apply for this grant. Here is more from today's session. Christopher Mcnair, Manager, Caribbean Export: "So we are doing two things today, the first thing is we are promoting what we call a direct assistance grant scheme (DAGS) and then the second thing we are doing which is the most important thing is that we are actually trying to teach companies how to apply to the program and how to navigate the difficult elements of the program."

Teenaged Wife Stabs Husband In Chest
Earlier this week we told you about a man who got run over by his ex in Belize rural. And, tonight the news is of a woman who stabbed her common law in the chest. Yesterday at noon in Sandhill, 19-year-old Renesha Alvarez had an argument with her common law 19-year-old Herman Solis and stabbed him to the upper left side of his chest - close to his heart. Police say Solis currently listed in a critical but stable condition.

Mexican Fraudsters Got Off One Charge, Then Faced Another
We've reported heavily on the Mexicans who are alleged bank card fraudsters, allegedly withdrawing tens of thousands of dollars from Atlantic Bank ATM's across the country. Well, when 26 year old Belen Hernandez and 31 year old Lionel Rodriguez went before Corozal Magistrate Patricia Arana yesterday for theft, the police weren't ready. Their attorney Leslie Hamilton demanded disclosure and lead investigators Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino was forced to tell the Court that thirteen weeks after arrest, they had no evidence to provide. With that said, the Magistrate dismissed the two charges against each.

Cops Honoured For Hard Work
Today police officers from the Eastern Precinct gathered at the Bliss Center to see several officers honoured with awards for hard work. We spoke to a few of the winners and Minister Aragon who said that awards like these are an important morale boost for officers. Hon. Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of State- Home Affairs: "I think it goes a long way because many times people work and are not rewarded. We want to build their confidence and self-esteem that what they are doing is the right thing. We have to recognize and appreciate and honour them. The best way we can do that is to honour them publicly and recognizing them for the good work they have done. It is very important for a department like the police department."

Minister Met With Mothers
In other police news, the Minister of National Security met today with the One Struggle group. As we've reported, the group is comprised of many violence survivors and family members of those who lost someone to gun violence. Today fifteen of the mothers from the group had a breakfast meeting with Saldivar, his cabinet colleague Tracey Panton, CEO George Lovell, Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, and other senior officers to discuss ways to effectively reach out to those who are living in violence.

PSU Met With OAS To Talk Corruption
And while Saldivar met with the mothers, yesterday Executive members of the Public Service Union and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize met with a visiting team from the Organization of American States Technical Secretariat for The Implementation of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption. The Unions made a joint presentation to the team on recommendations made to the Government of Belize in 2008 by the OAS on the Issues of Government Hiring and filling of vacancies in the Public Service; training, remuneration and probity of Public Officers, Open Vote and Contract Workers.

Channel 5

National Security Says Belize Missed Info for Drug Plane Landing
It has been thirty-six hours since the latest alleged drug plane landed in the north of Belize, on the San Estevan-Progresso Road. Late this evening, the Ministry of National Security [...]

Junior Minister Elodio Aragon Says We Will Do Better
This evening, National Security top brass, from northern area representative, former senior cop and Minister of State Elodio Aragon Junior to Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie issued statements on the [...]

Landing Was Illegal, says ComPol, but Police Still Investigating
The Commissioner of Police was also asked this afternoon about the suspected drug plane. While Minister of State Aragon was more forthcoming, ComPol Allen Whylie would only confirm that it [...]

Questions Remain on Plane Landing
The suspected drug plane left abandoned on the Progresso/San Estevan Road on Tuesday morning, remained there up until this afternoon. A team from the Belize Defence Force was on the [...]

Friend of Murder Victim Patrick Crossdale Fears for Own Life
Investigators in Dangriga are still probing the shocking, mid-morning execution of Jamaican national Patrick Crossdale.  The fifty-five-year-old was shot and killed on Tuesday as he rode his motorcycle from his [...]

Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Face to Face in City
A meeting was held this morning in Belize City between P.U.P. leader John Briceño and Prime Minister Dean Barrow.  The rare encounter was at the invitation of the P.M.  Though [...]

Fine for Convicted Belizean Fisherman in Guatemala
Belizean fisherman Iginio Canto Bacab remains behind bars in a detention facility in Livingston, Guatemala, awaiting monies to pay his fines for illegal possessions of lobster and conch out of [...]

Karl Heusner Still in ‘Emergency’ Mode
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority remains in emergency mode according to the hospital’s board. Since mid-March, the national referral hospital had to limit services due to structural damage to [...]

Cycling Federation Elections Postponed; Team Heads to Mexico
There has been an interesting turn of events within the cycling community, ahead of what would have been elections for a new executive of the Cycling Federation of Belize this [...]

Ombudsman Sworn in for Fourth Term
Lionel Arzu from Punta Gorda starts his fourth term as Ombudsman today. Having renewed his contract with the government, Arzu took the oath this morning at Belize House in Belmopan. [...]

RESTORE Belize Discusses ‘Metamorphosis’ of City Youth
In the past five years, with funding from UNICEF and other U.N. agencies, the Taiwanese and U.S. Embassies and others, the RESTORE Belize program has undertaken a long-term project called [...]

Anti-Crime Organization Plans for Citizen Security
A key part of today’s discussion was the seeming lack of coordination between public and private sector in addressing the crime and youth issues in Belize City and elsewhere. Many [...]

The High Cost of Crime to Children
A primary finding of the Metamorphosis Project is that it is important to understand how childhood experiences have a long-term impact on child development, even into adulthood. The trauma of [...]

1 Pleads Guilty for Bag of Weed
Four men were charged but one, twenty-eight-year-old Adam Estell of Sittee Street, pleaded guilty to possession of half a pound of marijuana. A police search of Estell’s residence on Wednesday [...]

Exports and Prices Take Tumble in First Quarter
External trade has contracted in the first quarter of 2018, according to the Statistical Institute of Belize. Belize sold nearly twenty-five million dollars less goods for January to March of [...]

B.S.I. Tests Sugar Cane Quality
The third payment for sugar is looking lower than anticipated, according to industry sources. But today millers up north are finding ways to boost efficiency. American Sugar Refinery and the [...]

Awards for Top Police Officers
Today the Belize Police Department held an award ceremony to recognize the top performing officers and civilian staff of the Eastern Police Division. The event is used to reward those [...]

BELTRAIDE Promotes Caribbean Export Program to Businesses
Between 2011 and 2016, some five point eight million Euros were given out to two hundred and eighty-two companies in the region through a programme called the Direct Assistance Grant. [...]

Kraal Road Gets Resource Center
A new facility was inaugurated this morning in the Port Loyola community in Belize City.  It was funded by the OPEC Fund for International Development, OFID whose Vienna based Director, [...]

LOVE FM

BSI demonstrates the “Sweet Sampling” process
The Belize Sugar Industry held a Pre-Harvest Sugar Cane Quality Testing Program Demonstration for the media in Orange Walk this morning. The demonstration highlighted the “Sweet Sampling for Sweeter Returns” project, which monitors sugar cane quality.The program came about after farmers questioned BSI as to how they improved their sugar cane quality. The questions arose …

Police Officers awarded for outstanding performance
This afternoon the Police Department recognized ninety-seven men and women in uniform. The award ceremony took place at the Bliss Institute for the Performing Arts. Commissioner of Police Allen Whylie, Ambassador Charles Liu of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Elodio Aragon Jr. Minister of State in the Ministry of Natural Security …

Foreign Affairs Minister speaks on Sarstoon Protocol
The Guatemalan Government believes that Sarstoon River and Sarstoon Island is theirs. They have a military base at the mouth of the river and just recently Belize’s Government established its own military base in the area. The area has seen confrontations mainly between Guatemalan Armed Forces and Belizeans. Several Guatemalans have been caught fishing illegally …

A ‘yes’ vote must be secured, says Minister Elrington
Will Belizeans vote ‘yes’ to take Guatemala’s claim to the International Court of Justice? We won’t have a definitive answer until a referendum is held and that will not happen this year. It is expected to be held after the re-registration exercise is fully completed. The general sentiment is that Belizeans do not want to …

Allen Whylie remains as Commissioner of Police
Earlier this month, rumor had it that Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie was on his way out and his Deputy, Chester Williams will succeed him. The persistent rumors forced Williams to publicly deny the reports. However, today we asked the Former Minister of Home Affairs, Wilfred Elrington about it. Minister Elrington said that putting Williams …

Will GOB respect a ‘no to the ICJ’ result?
It is expected that Belize will hold its ICJ referendum sometime in 2019 or later. While the Government wants to secure a ‘yes’ vote, the general public’s feeling is that Belizeans are against taking the matter to the ICJ. If a ‘no’ vote is achieved, former Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister, Carlos Raul Morales had advised …

Outsiders causing problems for villagers
Vice-Chairperson of Barranco Village Council, Beatrice Mariano was in Belmopan yesterday. Mariano was part of the group that met with representatives from the Forestry Department over logging concessions. Mariano said villagers are faced with a number of problems, including the roads that are in a deplorable condition. Beatrice Mariano, Vice Chairperson, Barranco Village: “It’s pretty …

The successes of the Metamorphosis Programme
This morning journalists were invited by Restore Belize to a briefing where lessons learnt from the Metamorphosis programme were shared. The objectives of Metamorphosis Programme are to strengthen communities in Southside Belize City by fostering resiliency in young people and to provide adults with the knowledge and skills they need to be effective parents.Director of …

P.L.O.W. has new building
P.L.O.W., the Port Loyola Organization for Women, inaugurated its new facility today. PLOW has been in existence for several years, helping women in the Port Loyola Community empower themselves. Over the years, PLOW has tried to find a headquarters of its own and, after moving from one location to the other, and after much dialogue …

DC Sugar production can help minimize impact of lowering global sugar prices
BSI has begun production of Direct Consumption Sugar at the start of the 2017/2018 sugar crop. Production continues and as stated by Avilez, its production is seen by the company as the way to go under the current strains being faced by the industry. Given the lowering global market prices, which does impact the payments …

Suspected drug planes avoiding radar detection, says Ministry
The Ministry of National Security is working with Mexico and the United States, sharing information that can assist the government to keep informed of any airplane tracking towards Belize and the region. This comes after three suspected drug plane landings in the north. The airplanes which have landed under the cover of night have managed to avoid detection from regional radars.

Global sugar prices continue to spiral downward
Sugar Price continue to fall on the global market and there is not telling whether the trend will continue in the months ahead. Last year prices stood around 21 cents US per pound. In 2016, prices were in the range of 22 to 24 cents US per pound. Presently, the price has dipped to 11 cents per pound on the global market. Olivia Avilez, Cane Farmer Relations at BSI spoke on the impacts this has on Belize’s sugar industry and what measures are being taken.

Sugar Cane varieties and their role in sugar quality
There are other factors at play when it comes to sugar cane quality. One of those is sugar cane varieties. Presently, farmers manage a few of these, but a majority is growing one particular type of sugar cane. While this is considered a good variety, being able to endure weather changes for the most part, it is posing some challenges. BSI on the other hand has been growing another variety that has helped it to top the results of the quality testing. Regel Cal, Cane Farmer Relation Officer explains.

Goods & Services decreased by 0.6%
The Statistical Institute of Belize is reporting that the average Belizean household experienced an overall drop of 0.6 percent in the cost of regularly purchased goods and services. For the first three months of 2018, the country saw a year-to-date inflation rate of negative 0.1 percent, when compared to the same three-month period last year. The Transport category recorded a five percent decrease for the month of March and this is attributed to a sharp decline in international airfares.

Unions meet with the OAS
The Executive members of the Public Service Union and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize met with a visiting team from the Organization of American States. The meeting was a part of the Follow-Up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption.

The work to reduce plastic and Styrofoam pollution moves forward
On March 20, Cabinet approved a proposal to reduce plastic and Styrofoam pollution. The proposal is to phase out single-use plastic shopping bags and Styrofoam and plastic food utensils by April 22, 2019. When the government made the announcement via a press release, it stated that these items quote, “are thrown away where they can …

Still no detection of whooping cough in Belize
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the potential spread of pertussis, a bacterial infection most commonly known as whooping cough, in the country. Earlier this month, the Ministry was notified that a tourist who had been diagnosed with the disease had travelled to Belize in the third week of March. An investigation was immediately …

Management Plan of the Belize River Watershed in final phase
The Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Belize is in the last phase of a project to develop a Management Plan for the Belize River Watershed. The University of Belize in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund embarked on this project last year. Love News spoke with Josue Ake, Lecturer at the …

Barranco villagers protest against injustice
Today, villagers of Barranco staged a protest in front of the National Assembly in Belmopan. They were protesting the fact that outsiders were granted licenses to conduct logging in their village, while the villagers were denied. Love News spoke with Beatrice Mariano, Vice-Chairperson of Barranco Village Council just before the members of the village met …

The Department of the Environment tackles medical waste
The Department of the Environment today held a national consultation to address medical waste in Belize. Martin Alegria, Chief Environmental Officer says the department has hired three consultants to look at Belize’s current position in three areas concerning medical waste management. The aim is for Belize to manage medical waste more efficiently and minimize secondary …

PlusTV

Briceno Denies PM’s Land Scam Allegations
During the March 2018 budget debate, Prime Minister Dean Barrow accused Opposition Leader Johnny Briceno of unlawfully acquiring huge acres of land while the People’s United Party was in government. Briceno was accused by P.M Barrow of enriching himself and his family. The Prime Minister went on fu...

Man Missing at Sea
The search for a man missing at sea is still on going. Reports are that yesterday Lionel Velasquez was headed to work at Turneffe Islands from Belize City on a boat when he went missing. According to passengers on the boat, 45 minutes before they reached the island, they heard Velasquez shout and th...

High School teen Reports unlawful sex with School Security Guard
A High School Security Guard has been arrested and charged for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 14 year old student. Reports are that yesterday, a 14 year old female minor, accompanied by her father told Police that while at her High School in Belize City, on the 9th of April around 3:30pm ...

The Reporter

Man shot; crashes and dies before reaching KHMH
A man reportedly died after he was shot three times and crashed his vehicle while trying to drive to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) to receive treatment. Unconfirmed but reliable information is that the incident happened around 11:30 Wednesday night. The victim, still unidentified, […]

Chopping spree ends in two men wounded
A man is hospitalized with chop wounds after he and another, whose injuries were not serious, got involved in an altercation which involved three other men. Police say that sometime around 10:55 a.m., today, they responded to a report of the chopping in Bella Vista […]

Revised fuel price list released; Regular and Diesel prices go up
The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS), which yesterday announced that fuel prices would be increased effective midnight last night, recalled that announcement later in the evening and offered an apology “for any inconveniences caused”; but has announced again that fuel prices have gone up. In […]

Blogs

Marriott Partnership Announced and Southwest Airlines Seat Sale or is it?
An airfare sale is not always a sale or the cost of getting a cheap flight is being time flexible, like my incoming company. My friend’s daughter Sandra was willing to do a 19-hour layover in order to save big on her Belize flight – $319 Canadian return. As for the long layover, she worked Texas out with my cousin (her other “mother”) to do a short visit. Recently a beachside celebration was held in honor of the Marriott joining with Exotic Caye International Development (ECI) and the long-awaited revamp of Exotic Caye Beach Resort. I was unable to attend last minute however my Editor Shirlee went to the event and did the brief write up below about the new development. I was glad to read they are implementing cisterns to help minimize their effect on the already overstressed water system.

International Sources

Learn About Chocolate In The Jungles Of Belize
I’ve had—and loved—chocolate in most contexts. As bars, in layers of cakes, baked into cookies. Hot with floating marshmallows, cold with sprinkle toppings. A friend who shares my fondness for the flavor once gave me a trinket that sits on a windowsill at home. It reads: “Chocolate will get you through times of no men better than a man will get you through times of no chocolate.” This is an absolute truth. But, throughout my love affair with the melted to powdery, and rich to bitter delight, there was a way I had not experienced chocolate. A way I needed to experience it. A way I would. While staying in Placencia, a peninsula off the coast of Belize that cradles the Caribbean, I follow an aerial yoga session and lunch on the beach with a walk to the Naïa Spa for an afternoon appointment. The spa is tucked below jungle canopies. Stone pathways and small bridges snake over slender streams to the front doors of five detached treatment suites. Mine faces the lagoon and is equipped with a shower. It is needed, as I am about to be coated in chocolate.

Where Does The Caribbean Rank On Press Freedom?
Where does the Caribbean stand on press freedom? Here are the positions of the seven Caribbean nations surveyed – ranked here by News Americas from worst to best, according to the latest 2018 World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders, (RSW), which evaluates the level of press freedom in 180 countries each year. The Central American nation of Belize dropped from 41 last year to 47 this year on the global ranks. Reporters without borders say coverage of political developments and criminal cases in Belize is controversial because the media are extremely polarized and this often results in legal proceedings that are long and costly for media outlets. Cases of threats, intimidation, and harassment of journalists are occasionally reported while Internet access in this nation is among the slowest and costliest in the Caribbean, the report added.

Videos

April 25, 2018

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Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Tiger Sharks clinch #1 seed in the 2018 NEBL playoffs
The San Pedro Tiger Sharks have managed to lock in the #1 seed in the 2018 National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) playoffs, after narrowly defeating the Digicell Belize City Defenders 71-68 on Saturday, April 21st in San Pedro Town. With just one week remaining in the NEBL regular season, the results of this upcoming weekend’s games will decide the playoff matchups and the order of the remaining three seeds. During their last home game of the regular season, the Tiger Sharks hosted the Digicell Defenders at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium, where their resilience granted them the much-needed win to secure their playoff seeding. The Defenders were by far the most challenging team the island athletes have played at home court. At the end of the first quarter, the visiting team garnered a four-point lead, and during the second quarter, the Tiger Sharks had difficulty netting any scores at all. The Defenders’ dominance was clear and by halftime, they were leading 33-31.

San Pedro House of Culture celebrates first Festival of Cultures
The Boca del Rio Area of San Pedro Town came alive on Sunday, April 22nd with the first-ever Festival of Cultures took place on the beach. Hosted by the San Pedro House of Culture (SPHC) in collaboration with Foreva Fancy Boutique, the event was a fundraiser to assist the SPHC in future events. Attendees enjoyed cultural food, drinks, live music and a cultural fashion show showcasing the attire of different ethnic groups living in Belize. Throughout the day, Caribbean Kings provided musical entertainment, while island residents and visitors stopped by to learn about the different cultures of Belize. The traditional food of the Garifuna, Chinese, Mestizo, Maya, Creole, East Indians and even Lebanese were all available for sale. Guillermo ‘Mito’ Paz of the SPHC stated that the event was a large one to organize, and he is thankful to those who stepped up to help. “It was an opportunity for Belizeans and visitors alike to learn more about the different cultural groups that make up Belize,” he said, adding that the SPHC looks forward to hosting the event next year.

Ambergris Caye hosts Friendly Rugby Tournament
San Pedro Rugby Football Club (SPRFC) hosted a friendly Rugby tournament inside the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, April 21st. The tournament saw the participation of the Orange Walk Black Mambas, San Pedro Turtles and San Pedro Hammerhead Sharks competing. Jorge Olivarez, Captain of the SPRFC is happy to have hosted the tournament on the island. “We organized this friendly tournament to be more prepared for the upcoming second round of the Belize Rugby Competition. We are grateful that we had Orange Walk Black Mambas with us.” Even though the island teams did not claim victory, Olivarez is still glad for the experience. “We will continue to practice hard to do our best. As captain of the San Pedro rugby club, I would also like to thank the coaches that took time into getting us prepared for the game.”

Rise and SHINE 5K run/walk declared a success
Bright and early on Saturday, April 21st, islanders came together for the first ever ‘Rise and Shine’ 5k Run/Walk. The event served as a way to raise funds for SHINE, a non- governmental organization that empowers young girls and women of Ambergris Caye. At 5AM, a large crowd gathered in front of the Hope Haven & SHINE Center located on Lion Street. Before the race began, Kent Gabourel, Sports Coordinator at The San Pedro Town Council thanked everyone for supporting the fundraiser. SHINE Representative Britney Travis led participants through some warm-up routines, after which the 5K run/walk immediately began. The designated route saw participants running/walking their way to the bump after El Divino and back.

Ambergris Today

Belize Represented At The Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting In London
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, led Belize’s delegation to the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in London, United Kingdom from 16th-20th April 2018. He was joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth; CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Patrick Andrews; wife of the Prime Minister of Belize, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow; as well as High Commissioner of Belize to the United Kingdom, H.E. Perla Perdomo, and other representatives of the Belize High Commission.

NCFC Condemns Sexual Abuse Of A Minor At A High School In Belize City
The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) condemns the recent report of a 14-year-old minor who was allegedly sexually abused by a security guard at a local high school. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC), this is a direct infringement on the child’s right to be free from sexual abuse (Article 34). Moreover, children have the right to be protected from any form of exploitation (Article 36).

Misc Belizean Sources

Inauguration Ceremony for the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Orange Walk Town Farmers’ Market
The newly rehabilitated and expanded farmers’ market in Orange Walk Town will be officially opened on April 26th, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Financing in the amount of BZ$$554,986.10 for the works, was provided by the European Union through funds from the Accompanying Measures for Sugar (AMS 2013) programme, which supports the Government's Sugar Adaptation Strategy with counterpart funds by the Government of Belize. Two objectives of the Sugar Adaptation Strategy are to foster diversification of the agricultural production base in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts; and to minimize the overall macroeconomic impacts on the communities of the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts, that result from reductions in the guaranteed prices for Belize’s sugar exports and competition in a more liberalized market.

BELIZE REPRESENTED AT THE COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT MEETING IN LONDON
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, led Belize’s delegation to the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in London, United Kingdom from 16th-20th April 2018. He was joined by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Laura Tucker-Longsworth; CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Patrick Andrews; wife of the Prime Minister of Belize, Mrs. Kim Simplis Barrow; as well as High Commissioner of Belize to the United Kingdom, H.E. Perla Perdomo, and other representatives of the Belize High Commission. Leaders from the fifty-three (53) countries of the Commonwealth gathered at various venues across London to discuss shared global challenges facing the members of the Commonwealth.

Belize City Civic Center official fanpage
Go on over and give it a like (y) to get notified for all future events from the Civic Center! Also how to get your tickets!

2018 National Agriculture and Trade Show this Weekend!
This show will have over 100 displays, plants, produce, Made in Belize products, kids friendly rides and many more! Bring out the entire family to the best annual show in Belize!

Festival of Cultures & Fashion Show
The House of Culture presents the Festival of Cultures & Fashion Show. The San Pedro House of Culture, Foreva Fancy Boutique along with Errol Gentle presented Culture meets Fashion on the 22nd of April 2018 Another successful event to promote the diverse cultural heritage of Belize. The House of Culture wishes to say Thank you to everyone for the continued support. Thank you to the models... you all did a great job. Thank you to the young girls from the RC Primary School for taking part in the cultural segment. Thank you to Caribbean Kings for the music and the San Pedro Dance Company for great performances.

Gardening Agroecology Training in Trio Village
35 farmers joined us in Trio Village to learn about gardening. Some important considerations for gardening include orienting beds north to south, having access to water, planting oregano among crops and using brightly colored flowers or fabrics around garden to deter pests, sourcing high quality seeds and utilizing compost. This is one of the agroecology training sessions provided to farmers in southern Belize by Professor Ruben of Universidad Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Agroecology looks at understanding and linking climate smart farming practices with the protection of nature.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint this gorgeous gecko!.

Attorney General of Belize Attends Anti-Corruption Conference in the Republic of China (Taiwan)
The Attorney General of Belize and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Senator Michael Peyrefitte is currently in the Republic of China (Taiwan) attending a three-day international conference on anti-corruption. Hon. Peyrefitte was invited to participate in the seminar as Belize’s Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. Three other Central American nations namely Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, along with the Dominican Republic were also invited to attend.

Inauguration Ceremony for the Rehabilitation and Expansion of the Orange Walk Town Farmers’ Market
The newly rehabilitated and expanded farmers’ market in Orange Walk Town will be officially opened on April 26th, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. Financing in the amount of BZ$$554,986.10 for the works, was provided by the European Union through funds from the Accompanying Measures for Sugar (AMS 2013) programme, which supports the Government's Sugar Adaptation Strategy with counterpart funds by the Government of Belize. Two objectives of the Sugar Adaptation Strategy are to foster diversification of the agricultural production base in the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts; and to minimize the overall macroeconomic impacts on the communities of the Orange Walk and Corozal Districts, that result from reductions in the guaranteed prices for Belize’s sugar exports and competition in a more liberalized market.

Art Exhibition and Book Fair on Caye Caulker
Sunday, April 29, 2-5pm, at Il Baretto

BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE facilitates presentation on Business Opportunities in Belize at the Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Business Forum
BelizeINVEST, BELTRAIDE facilitated a presentation on Business Opportunities in Belize to over 50 private sector stakeholders at the Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce Business Forum held at the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) Training Room in Belize City on April 21, 2018 with the Keynote Address delivered by Hon. Tracy Taegar Panton, Minister of State, Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce. Minister Panton highlighted some of the key milestones accomplished over the past three years by the Ministry, along with BELTRAIDE in the different priority sectors through the implementation of a strategic Investment Model which encompasses 5 key factors:

MAYA SYMPOSIUM IN COROZAL
MAY 18TH AND 19TH 2018. MAYA SYMPOSIUM IN COROZAL, BELIZE. Sponsored by To'one Masehualoon and The Northern Maya Association of Belize. Topic. Murals of Chactemal. National and International presenters. Maya Cultural events, dances and ceremonies. Pok ta pok ball game. Maya wedding reenactment. Real wedding. Folkloric group from Chetumal Quintana Roo. Come and enjoy the culture of the Northern Maya of Belize .

NATS 2018 Schedule
This weekend! Here's the schedule! The 2018 National Agriculture and Trade Show is only 3 days away. They have the schedule up. The opening ceremony on Friday is at 3:00pm. This show will have over 100 displays, plants, produce, Made in Belize products, kids friendly rides and many more! Bring out the entire family to the best annual show in Belize!

Birding at Pooks Hill Lodge
What an amazing treat at Pooks Hill lodge.. With a superb team and lots of birds . Thanks a Lot to the cooks and staff for such a wonderful day..

WestJet Expos 2018
Belize represented at this year's WestJet Expos in Canada

Channel 7

Another Drug Plane Lands - This Time It’s a Jet!
Another drug plane landed in northern Belize early this morning, and, tonight police have no drugs, and no suspects. In fact all they have is the headache of figuring how to move a very large and valuable aircraft from off a village road. Jules Vasquez has details:.. The jet was found on the San Estevan/Progresso Road early this morning. It's a British Aerospace 125 700 - commonly known as the Hawker Siddeley 125, described as a mid-sized business jet. But the business here was drugs, so this one had no seats for passengers inside: all that had been cleared away for a massive drug cargo. And while the aircraft appears to be intact, under the wings are scorched - from where the crew apparently tried - unsuccessfully - to set it on fire.

A Minor For A Major Murder
This evening, a 16 year old minor was taken over to the family court and charged for murder. Police say he killed 30 year old Jason Belencio on Lovely Lane nine days ago. The minor - whose face we cannot show - allegedly shot Belencio multiple times on a Sunday afternoon as he walked to his mother - in - law's home. Police did not disclose the motive and Belencio was not known to be gang affiliated.

One Man For Murder, Others Detained
And over at Magistrate's Court - there was another male arraigned for murder. 28 year old Marlon Everett from West Canal was charged for the murder of Albert Johnson on Saturday night. It happened on Rectory Lane, not far from West Canal - where Johnson - a Punta Gorda resident - was shot in the head. Everett has been charged - but others from that area are also expected to face charges.

No Arrest For Businessman Slain In Store
And there have been no arrests made yet in the murder of businessman Oscar Rosado, Sr. But 7News has learnt that police do have a 19 year old suspect who they are seeking tonight - as well as another suspect in custody, and a taxi impounded. The 70 year old was killed in his store yesterday afternoon. A trio of men entered pretending to return a pound of nails. One of them had a gun and attacked his wife, Elena. When Oscar Rosado tried to intervene and pushed the assailant, he shot Rosado twice in the head, killing him instantly.

Dangriga Murder Out Of Nowhere
And there was a shocking broad daylight execution style murder in Dangriga Town today. It happened around 10:30 when 55 year old Patrick George Crossdale was ambushed as he rode his motorbike towards his home. A man jumped out of the bushes near the monument site and fired 5 shots at him. Two of them caught Crosdale - who was rushed to the hospital and succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Crosdale is a Jamaican who had been living in Dangriga for some time.

Bullet Grazes Man’s Head In City
And there was almost a murder in Belize City this afternoon. According to reports, a 21 year man was targeted on Holy Emmanuel Street, near the Chetumal Boulevard. Reports to 7News are that some time around 2:30, 21 year-old Samuel Neal, a labourer from Sand Hill Village, was conducting work near 2 and a half miles on the George Price Highway on the road side. That's reportedly when a dark-skinned man approached him, pulled out a gun and fired several shots in his direction.

Belizean Fisherman Imprisoned in Guatemala For Lobster
Last week, we told you about the Belizean fisherman, Iginio Canto Bacab, who was intercepted by the Guatemalan Navy. He was in the company of 2 Guatemalan nationals and the authorities there say that the trio were trying to smuggle out-of-season lobster into Guatemala. Well, we've since learned that all 3 men were charged for being in possession of 216 pounds of whole lobster, 20 pounds of lobster tails, and 80 pounds of the queen conch, which are all out of season according to SICA fishing regulations. We're also informed that the boat they were caught in is licensed in Belize, with the plate number TOL-035.

Barranco Villagers Want Their Forestry Resource
Last week Thursday, we told you about the disgruntled Barranco residents. 5 residents applied for logging licenses and their applications were rejected while an outsider, someone from Boom Creek, was granted his license to log in the Barranco forest area. Well, a handful of Barranco residents took their grievances to Belmopan today where they protested outside the National Assembly building, and also met with the Chief Forestry officer. Courtney Weatherburne has more. Under the mid-morning sun, a choir of Barranco residents circled the assembly building…. then the Prime Minister's office. Hoping that the solid beat of their drums over ancestral songs will get their message across - a message of community. But the livelihood of that community is under threat.

The Mystery of Mendoza’s Accident
Last night, we told you about 50 year-old Gerardo Mendoza, the Orange Walk resident who is in a critical condition at the KHMH getting into some kind of a traffic accident. His family says that he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver, but police believe that he fell out of the back of a pick-up truck. The cops have released the official version which says that on Friday, April 20, at around 6:45 p.m., officers from Orange Walk Town responded to a traffic accident at the Guinea Grass Road junction with the Phillip Goldson Highway. That's where they found Mendoza suffering from severe head and bodily injuries.

Alleged Killer Free On Nolle Pros
After spending 6 years in prison on remand, 28 year-old Allan Sommerville, a resident of Hattieville, was told today that he could go home. The DPP's Office has indicated that they no longer want to prosecute him at this time for the April 2012 murder of 32 year-old Eleno Requena. As we reported, Requena was on the shoulder of the Cornel English Bridge in Hattieville at around 8:00 on the night of April 9, 2012. He had a 10 year-old boy on his back, and they were both walking home. That's when a man dressed in dark clothing came up close to Requena and shot him in the midsection. He died on the spot, and the 10 year-old boy was injured to the left foot.

Cuba and Belize Talk Fisheries
Today the Cuban and Belizean authorities came together for an exchange. It was not an exchange of money or a scholarship from the Cubans instead it was an exchange of information. The Fisheries department from Belize and Cuba met today to exchange knowledge on different aspects of our similar marine lives and the threats to it. We found out more this morning from the experts. Daniel Whittle, Senior Director- Cuba Oceans Program: "My organization EDF works to hand overfishing and preserve Marine Ecosystems that fish depend upon. Belize and Cuba are two of the most important places in the Caribbean in terms of biodiversity fisheries. For environmental reasons and benefits but also for socio-economic benefits for the people. Fishing communities in Belize depend upon healthy marine resources and likewise in Cuba and so we are here to share lessons, get together and to see what works and does not work."

Ambassador Promises Cuban Continuity
The Ambassador also discussed her a new president. For the first time in more than half a decade the president of Cuba is not a Castro. His name is Miguel Diaz Canel - and he took over form Raul Castro last week Friday. But with the new president will things change in Cuba? Well according to the Ambassador, the ideals of the revolution will continue: Lisette Perez, Cuban Ambassador to Belize: "We have a new president. His name is Miguel Diaz Canal. This is a man that was born after the revolution. He, of course, will take over from Fidel and Raul. It means that the Cuba revolution will not break anything. We will continue our legacy. The social program that we built for the people, trying to build a better society. We can assure security for all we can assure the health services for all, we assure the free education for all. This our ideals."

Village Fire Claims Three Structures
Yesterday afternoon three homes were burnt down in the Village of San Jose in the Toledo District. According to PGTV, the houses belonged to Wilfredo Coc and his son Venusiano Coc who lived in the three structures with their five children. The fire is believed to have started inadvertently by neighbours who were burning garbage. Wind carried the flames onto Coc's property - and there was no stopping the blaze which quickly burned out of control.

“Harlem” Held Up In Griga
Minutes before 9:00 last night, three masked men tried to rob the Harlem Store in Dangriga. Today, reports say the police were able to detain two of the three men involved.

Family Says Loved One Held For More Than 48
Earlier today we told you about the West Canal man charged for the murder of Albert Johnson on Saturday night in Belize City. Others are detained pending charges - but this evening, the sister of one of the detained came to our newsroom to say her brother has been detained too long without a charge. She asked to appear off camera: Voice of: Sister of one of the detainee: "He was detained Saturday night at the Queen Street police station. When we went back there they told us that he wasn't there, so they sent us to Raccoon Street. We went to Raccoon Street, he wasn't there. No one told us that he was in Ladyville until Sunday Evening we heard that he was at Ladyville..."

Uno Robber In Cayo Caught On Camera
Cayo police are looking to charge a man from George Street in Belize City for the robbery of a gas station yesterday. It happened at 10:00 AM at the UNO gas station in San Ignacio yesterday. The robbery was caught on both security camera and on cell phone camera by civilians standing outside. They saw the robber dashing off - and captured it on cell phone camera. Cayo police are doing an ID parade tonight. The only complication - we are told - is that their main suspect is one of a pair of identical twins.

AG in ROC On Taiwan
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte is currently in Taiwan attending a 3-day international conference on anti-corruption He was invited to participate in the seminar as Belize's Focal Point for the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). There are 3 other Central American nations that's also represented at this anti-corruption conference: Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. From the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic was also invited to attend. At the launch of the seminar, AG Peyrefitte met with Dr. Tsai Ing-Wen, the President of the Republic of Taiwan.

Hoop Dreams
A team of young Belizean basketball players left Belize today for Cleveland, Ohio. That's where they will participate in the "Dru Joyce Classic" Youth Basketball Tournament. Formerly known as the King James Tournament, now, it is known as the Dru Joyce Classic. It's still the same tournament where athletes under the age of 18 years compete against each other by NCAA rules. The Belizean team is going there for its chance at glory, sure, but the more important objective is to put their basketball talents on display, in the hopes of catching the attention of the basketball coaches, scouting for talent for their college basketball teams.

Belize Well Represented At Commonwealth Meeting
Last week, Belize had a full contingent at the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, which was held in London. The Belize team was headed by Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, and he was joined by House Speaker Laura Tucker-Longsworth; Foreign Affairs CEO, Patrick Andrews; Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis-Barrow,; Belize's High Commissioner to the UK, Perla Perdomo. LGBTQ activist Caleb Orozco also attended to lobby for gay rights. They joined leaders and representatives from 53 countries of the Commonwealth at different venues all across London, for discussions under the theme, "Towards a Common Future".

Channel 5

Business Jet Turned Drug Plane Makes Landing and Discharge in O.W.
The sixth suspected drug place since the start of the year landed in a remote area off the San Estevan/Progresso Road in the Orange Walk District and like in the [...]

Cold-Blooded Shooting in Dangriga Scares Kids, Jamaican Community
A horrific execution occurred while some students were enjoying recess at a Dangriga school leaving both teachers and pupils traumatized.  A gunman emerged from the bushes near the Gulisi Primary [...]

“Yankee” Goes to Court for Albert Johnson Murder
Police have quickly cracked the mysterious murder of twenty-seven-year-old Albert Johnson, originally from Punta Gorda Town. Today, West Canal resident Marlon Everett, a twenty-eight-year-old construction worker, was read a murder [...]

Minor Read Murder Charge in Death of Jason Belencio
The alleged shooter of Jason James Belencio was this evening charged with murder. The sixteen-year-old was arraigned at the Belize Family Court late in the evening under tight security. He [...]

Gas Hike in Effect for Third Time This Year
Gas is going up again! For the third time this year, there are increases to report at the pumps – and an erroneous release from the Bureau of Standards actually [...]

Barranco Loggers Take Case to Belmopan
It may be one of the most-recognized and well-known villages in Belize and particularly the Garifuna community. But the southern community of Barranco is fighting a tough battle to get [...]

Barranco Villagers Say November 2017 Agreement “Disrespected”
The November agreement was approved by a supermajority of attendees at a meeting in Toledo. Among other things, it called for the Barranco village council to be fully involved in [...]

Concession Holders Will Make Big Money; Villagers Want In
A total of ten applications have been received – five from Barranco residents and five from persons outside the village. Apart from the disallowed concession application of Colon and Rash, [...]

Bulgarian Drifter Charged with Bank Theft
Bulgarian national forty-one-year-old Vasil Stoyanov Kadalov was charged with two counts of theft in connection with the reported stealing of two thousand dollars from a Caye Caulker resident’s bank account. [...]

Jewelry Shop in Chetumal’s Plaza Las Americas Robbed
The popular Plaza de las Americas, in the northwest corner of Chetumal, is a favorite of Belizeans for some of the best deals in the trendy shopping destination. On Monday, [...]

Haven House Needs Your Help on “Denim Day”
Haven House is a non-profit domestic violence shelter. Since 1993, it has been providing support and intervention services for women in crisis and their children. Haven House offers shelter, counseling, [...]

A.G. to Taiwan for Anti-Corruption Conference; U.N. Committee on Torture Prevention Visits
Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte is off to Taiwan for a three-day international conference on anti-corruption in the Republic of China (Taiwan), representing Belize as focal point for the United Nations [...]

The Ariel Rosado Foundation Rides Again
The Ariel Rosado Foundation held its annual ride along the George Price Highway this past Saturday. The riders traveled from Galen University Campus in Central Farm and ended at the [...]

U-18 ‘Ballers Off to Dru Joyce Classic
Belize’s Under-eighteen Boys Basketball team left the country today to compete in a tournament in Akron, Ohio. The Dru Joyce Classic runs from the twenty-seventh to the twenty-ninth of April [...]

PlusTV

Person Falls from 130 ft Xunantunich
A tourist fell from the 130 feet Xunantunich Archeological reserve. While details are still forthcoming, plus news understands that the incident happened this morning around 9 a.m. NICH Belize issued a release after the incident advising all visitors to archaeological reserves to please exercise cau...

Accused Murderer of Chinese Shop Keeper Set free
Another alleged murder suspect has been set free. 28-year-old Kareem Francis was 21 years of age when he was was charged for the April 2, 2011 shooting murder of Fei Lan Wu, a Chinese Shop Keeper. Wu was one of two Chinese national gunned down in the city on that Saturday during an increase in stree...

Briceno Says “Guatemala has not been a good neighbor”
You might recall a recent interview with President Jimmy Moralez of Guatemala, where he stated that Belize has a neighbor that loves them. Moralez made these statements during his Refferendum campaign last week. However, Leader of the Opposition, Johnny Briceno believes quite the opposite. In a medi...

Briceno Talks about Belize City Hall
A couple weeks ago, Belize City Council Mayor, Bernard Wagner was slammed by the UDP for writing checks to himself. The United Democratic Party referred to Mayor Wagner’s actions as corruption to the highest degree. On The other hand, Mayor Wagner tried to clear his name by owning up to the accusati...

Suspected Valley of Peace Rapist Arrested and Charged
Police has caught and charged a Valley Of Peace rape suspect that they were seeking. Today, 24 year old William Daniel Carabantes was charged by police for the crime of Rape. On Tuesday we reported to you that Police was looking for a known suspect in the case of the rape of an 18 year old student. ...

SALVADORANIAN CHARGED AND BEGS TO REMAIN IN BELIZE
A Salvadoran national that was charged with handling stolen goods will be sent back home even though he says he does not want to return. 28-year-old Salvadoran national, Elvis Sandoval was yesterday charged in court for the offense of handling stolen goods after stolen items from a Belama resident, ...

NEMO HURRICANE SHELTER VISITS
In an effort to Prepare for the upcoming Hurricane Season, which begins in less than six weeks, Hon Edmond Castro the Minister of National Emergency Management has been on a nationwide tour. We have been reporting on his stops made thus far in the Toledo District and in Ambergris Caye. Yesterday Ca...

UB holds 8th Annual Research Conference
The University of Belize held its 8th Annual Research Conference. The conference was held under the theme, “Research is the Gateway to Innovation and Transformation.” Plus News Spoke to Dr Bernard Watler, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences. Dr Bernard Watler, Dean of the Faculty ...

ITVET ORANGE WALK EXPO
The Orange Walk ITVET is preparing to host their annual ITVET expo. The event is one of the institutions biggest marketing ventures. Cinday Garcia, ITVET Orange Walk Administrative Assistant, told us more as a guest on our Rise and Shine morning show Cindy Garcia; Administrative Assistance: “ Tomorr...

New Rodeo Safety Measures
As Belizeans gear up for the Annual Agriculture and Trade Show, The Rodeo and Life Stock Committee made a guest appearance on our morning show to inform our viewers about new safety measures being implemented in this year’s Rodeo Show. The Rodeo show is a highly anticipated event for Show Ground Vi...

Conflicting reports surrounding road traffic incident that has left a fifty-year-old man hospitalized in critical condition
The family of 50-year-old Gerardo Mendoza is seeking answers from the police after he was involved in a traffic incident last Friday night. According to his son, Luis Mendoza, police told the family that he fell from behind a pickup truck shortly before seven o’clock that night on the Philip Goldson Highway across from the …

The Guardian

Amandala

Meat pie king, Dario Hernandez, passes at 79
Over the years, Dario’s meat pies have become a beloved part of Belize City’s lunchtime cuisine. Dario Hernandez, 79, has been selling his signature meat pies for over 35 years. Unfortunately, on Saturday, April 21, Hernandez passed away at 8:45 p.m. He had apparently been suffering from stage 4 type 7 cancer since last September. Brent Hernandez, Dario’s son, told Amandala that his father had a humble beginning, leaving Holy Redeemer Primary School after only completing standard three, and starting to sell pastries that his mother would bake in their home at #2 Cards Alley. In the late 1940’s, he would ride his bicycle through the streets, selling pastries such as honeybun, Spanish cake, and polvoròn.

Oscar Rosado, 70, murdered in his store
Around 1:00 p.m. today, three young men walked into Rosado’s Construction Supplies, located at the beginning of the George Price Highway, opposite Partridge Street at its junction with the highway. A few minutes later, the unmistakable sound of gunfire was heard and the three men dashed out of the store, leaving Oscar Rosado, Sr., the store’s owner, mortally wounded on the floor of his store. They ran across the highway, into the Lord Ridge Cemetery. Two policemen on the scene attempted to set chase, but the overweight cops were no match for the young men, who out-ran them.

Brian Hyde, 22, found guilty in US court of slaughtering family
On Friday, April 20, a jury found Belizean Brian Hyde, 22, guilty of killing his aunt, Dorla Pitts, 37; his cousin, Starlette Pitts, 17; her boyfriend, Michael Kelly, and their unborn child. The trial lasted five days. According to News-Press, Hyde had testified that he had no memory of killing his family, and that he had previously suffered a similar traumatic incident in Belize, in which many of his family members had died. The defense argued that Hyde’s inability to remember finding his family murdered could be attributed to the trauma he suffered from that previous incident.

$50,000/5-year sentence stipulated for the media
At the time the government presented the 2018-19 budget, it also came up with a raft of new legislation, and among them was the 2018 Amendment to the Crime Control and Criminal Justice Amendment Act, which prescribed a new regimen of very stiff penalties for persons who are affiliated with or belong to criminal gangs, or who harbor and assist gang members. Recently, the Caribbean Court of Justice, (CCJ) made a ruling in the criminal appeal of convicted murderer Gregory August, who was serving a life sentence. The ruling upheld a Court of Appeal decision which found that a life in prison sentence without the possibility of parole was unconstitutional. August’s life sentence was therefore replaced with a 30-year in prison sentence.

Barranco villagers prepared “to fight government” over logging rights
It is not only the Maya who have been contending with Government over land and human rights; residents of the Toledo District’s Barranco village have also, among other gripes, been angered by the Forestry Department’s decision to reject their requests for logging licenses, even though the department has reportedly granted licenses to entities the villagers consider undeserving. The residents plan to express their displeasure through a protest which is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Tuesday, in Belmopan, which is when Cabinet meets.

PUP announces free education policy
The Opposition People’s United Party (PUP), bolstered by its gains in last month’s municipal elections and the narrowing of the margins in some key constituencies, has begun mobilizing its supporters for constituency conventions across the country. Today, Sunday, hundreds of supporters from the Toledo East and Toledo West were bused into San Antonio for an endorsement convention for their two sitting area representatives, Hon. Mike Espat and Hon. Oscar Requeña; and yesterday, Saturday, hundreds of the party’s Stann Creek West constituency supporters gathered in Hopkins Village for the endorsement of their sitting area representative, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, for the next general elections, scheduled to be held in 2020.

PLB semifinals drama; top seeds shaken up in 1st leg
Both top seeds in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Closing Season were rattled over the weekend in the 1st leg of the home-and-away semifinals. #1 seed Belmopan Bandits SC barely pulled out a 2-2 draw in injury time against #4 seed Police United FC; and #2 seed defending champion Verdes FC was shocked, 2-nil, by #3 seed BDF FC. It’s what the playoffs are all about! A ticket to the “Big Dance” Finals is on the line for all 4 teams in the 2nd leg of the PLB semifinals this weekend:

Charger sub-keeper, Norman “Maniprat” Humes, passes
You know you are in the veteran stage of life when you are with increasing regularity shaken up with the news of one of your former football colleagues making that final transition. A couple weeks ago I was informed that veteran great goalie, some say he was the best ever, Wilfred “Palmer” Davis was in hospital in Chicago, after suffering a heart attack. A super star from the sixties, Palmer was our captain/sweeper one year with Charger in the mid-70s. Just this evening, I understand that my mid-80s goalkeeper on Milpros, Wayne “Bom” Jones is back in hospital at the KHMH, and he is very weak. Other teammates are encouraged to give him a shout, as it lifts his spirit.

NAWL Week 2 results
The National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) completed Week 2 of its home-and-away round-robin regular season this past weekend. The 8-team competition is divided into two zones, North and South. In the South Zone on Saturday, April 21, at the Carl Ramos Stadium, home standing Dangriga Pumas had to come from behind to secure a 1-1 stalemate with visiting Sagitun from Independence. Sabrina Eiley (27’ PK) gave Sagitun the lead from the penalty spot; but Dorita Ramos equalized at the 80th minute for Pumas.

Pedal by Pedal – Chief’s Saturday Race – April 21
Thirty-one riders lined up today for Chief’s Saturday Race, which started at 7:15 a.m. from Leslie’s to Boom Village Junction and back to Old Belize, for 38 miles. These were made up of 21 Elites, 9 Weekend Warriors, and Tevin Chaplin as the solitary Junior. Despite having only 21 Elites, though, ALL the brand names were here, including Giovanni Lovell and Oscar Quiroz, fresh from the Commonwealth Games in Australia, and they seemed hungry. Right out of the blocks, a 6-man break formed, including Ernest “Peenie” Bradley and Greg Lovell of Digicell. At Bardon Creek Bridge, just 4 miles into the race, the chase was on in earnest by the “Heads of State” leaving bodies scattered all over the road. By the time we got to the Central Prison, only 5 Weekend Warriors remained; but the Big Boys now had the front runners in their gunsights, and the pace jumped from 28 to 32 m.p.h.

Editorial: Morazán, Carrera, Walker, and the 1859 Treaty
Francisco Morazán (1792-1842) was president of the Federal Republic of Central America from 1830 to 1839. Before he was president of Central America, he was the head of the state of Honduras. He rose to prominence in the Battle of La Trinidad on November 11, 1827. Morazán then dominated the political and military scene of Central America until his execution in 1842. In the political arena, Francisco Morazán was recognized as a visionary and great thinker, as he attempted to transform Central America into one large and progressive nation. He enacted liberal reforms in the new Federal Republic of Central America, including freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Morazán also limited church power by making marriage secular and abolishing government-aided tithing.

Follow the Security Council Lead
Dear Editor: This is the British response to Guatemala’s referendum vote to go to the ICJ, yes the same British that caused this mess with Guatemala in the first place: 1. “The United Kingdom has welcomed the result of April 15 referendum on taking Guatemala’s territorial, maritime and insular dispute with Belize to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. We also congratulate the people of Guatemala for participating and demonstrating their commitment to democratic values. Through debate, discussion and deliberations, they confirmed that the ICJ route is the best way to resolve any differences. The British Government supports this process as the route agreed upon jointly by Guatemala and Belize”, said UK ambassador to Guatemala Carolyn Davidson.

The moment M of G cannot seize
There is something fascinating to people about the number “three.” Horse race aficionados drool over the trifecta. There is a big bonus, a whopper of a prize, if you can pick the first three places in a horse race, in order. Ball teams feel they have accomplished something special if they win three championships in a row. If you like baseball and softball, you get all of three strikes before you make an out. If you’re feeling religious, there is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The Christ could have jumped off the cross, but He waited three days. We know the lengths Dean Barrow (Master of the Games (M of G)) went to, to win three elections in a row. We’ll not discuss how he rolled out the PetroCaribe, like Henry money kud a neva done. We are told that results, bottom line, is what counts in politics. Those results left a sweet taste in the mouths of all things UDP, and a sour one in the mouths of all things PUP. But they, the PUP, can find gratification in the way he is suffering now.

Referendum to go to the ICJ – think it through!
“The hardest lesson I learnt at law school is that law and court is not about truth; it’s about who can present the best evidence!” – Audrey Matura, 2005. I finished my legal studies in 2005 and when asked about it, I had to tell a friend that of all the things I learnt from all the books and lessons and exercise was that going to court does not mean the truth will prevail. As I began to practice before the courts I believed this even more and today, after thirteen years as an attorney, I am even more convinced by this. I have had cases with the seemingly strongest evidence collapse before the court, and I have seen cases that look tenuous or even weak succeed when I least expected it. This week alone while doing my cases I had two cases that seemed so strong against my client fall to naught.

BELIZEAN STANISLAUS
What hypocrisy. What monumental HYPOCRISY! To equate Mayor Wagner’s naivete in handling $500 of public funds with the historic UDP corruption is laughable! I scoff at the UDP humongous expression of silliness, and am angered by the stupid insult to our intelligence. My dear UDP Propagandist, your piece about newly elected Mayor Wagner focused our justifiable anger as we recalled how Jesus Christ, the greatest moralist who ever lived, condemned the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees of his time. He said: you hypocrites, brood of vipers, before you point to the speck in your brother’s eye take out the beam in your own first.

Two men charged with theft of $10,000 from Heritage Bank
Two men, Damon Dawson, 24, and Jonathan Almendarez, 21, were charged with theft when they appeared today before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser. Almendarez was also charged with handling stolen goods. The prosecutor objected to bail being granted to the men on the ground that the investigation is still ongoing and most of the stolen money has not been recovered. The prosecutor also objected on the ground that other charges are to be filed against Dawson and Almendarez.

Student, 25, dies after crashing into house being transported
Daniel Urbina, 25, a student of San Jose Palmar, Orange Walk District, was driving his Toyota pickup from Belize City to Orange Walk at about 3:00 Saturday morning, when, on arriving at Mile 41 on the Philip Goldson Highway, he crashed into the side of a timber house that was being carried on a flatbed truck from Orange Walk to Belize City. Information to us is that Urbina suffered massive head and body injuries; the left side of his pickup was extensively damaged, and he died immediately on the scene.

Hit-and-run victim, 26, succumbs after 9 days
Christian Charles, 26, of Burrell Boom, died last night at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) while receiving treatment for massive head and body injuries he suffered after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver sometime on the morning of Saturday, April 14, while he was walking on the Burrell Boom road near the bridge. Charles was found injured and bleeding at about 3:00 that Saturday morning, and was rushed to the KHMH that morning, where he was admitted in a critical condition and taken to the Intensive Care Unit.

Tourist falls fifteen feet at Xunantunich
On Wednesday, April 18, at around 4:30 p.m., a tourist was at the Xunantunich archaeological site when she fell off the temple’s A-6 structure. Cindy Vanhoff, 59, was climbing down the stairs of the temple when she lost her footing and fell fifteen feet to the ground. BERT ambulances arrived 50 minutes after the accident, and Vanhoff was transported to the San Ignacio Community Hospital. The extent of her injuries is unknown, but sources say she was able to talk. A National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) representative stated that they “advise all visitors to archaeological reserves to please exercise caution while climbing structures and to please climb only where allowed.”

The Reporter

Bureau of Standards announces recall of fuel price hike
The Bureau of Standards, a few minutes ago, announced that the Ministry of Finance has recalled the price increases for fuel which the Bureau had announced earlier today. In a Facebook post less than an hour ago, the Bureau apologized for inconveniences caused by the announcement of the fuel price increases. Those increases were for Regular and Diesel fuel, and the increases would have taken effect at midnight tonight. It had Diesel taking a 69-cent leap to $10.70, and Regular going up by 41 cents to $11.06.

Man shot dead in Dangriga
Unofficial but reliable reports are that a man was shot dead sometime before 11:00 this morning in Dangriga. The incident reportedly happened near the primary school in the Gulisi area. Sketchy information to the Reporter is that there was an altercation between the deceased and […]

Fifth suspected drug plane found abandoned on Progresso Road
The San Estevan Road in the Orange Walk District is currently being monitored by police officers and BDF personnel who are on the scene of another suspected drug plane landing. The discovery was made just after 5:00 a.m. on April 24th on a feeder road leading from […]

Breaking Belize News

Police issue official report on Dangriga murder
Police have issued an official report on today’s murder in the town of Dangriga. Police say […]

Fuel prices still going up
Belizeans on social media were happy to see GOB backtracking from the fuel prices increase […]

GOB backtracks on fuel prices
The Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) has just issued new gas prices effective midnight tonight. Regular and diesel […]

Family lose everything in house fire
Melonie Jones of Santana Village, Belize District reported to authorities that on April 19, 2018 between 11 […]

Belize’s Attorney General attends anti-corruption conference in Taiwan
The Attorney General of Belize, Michael Peyrefitte is currently in the Republic of China (Taiwan) […]

Student from Trial Farm, Orange Walk missing
Yesterday around 5, Evelyn Conorque, 38, of Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk reported that she noticed […]

17-year-old student missing in Orange Walk
The family of Maribel Yamileth Cruz, 17, is concerned because yesterday, Cruz left home en […]

Man shot dead near Gulisi Primary School in Dangriga
Patrick Crossdale, a Jamaican national living in Dangriga was shot dead minutes ago. Reliable information […]

Orange Walk farmers market rehabilitated
The newly rehabilitated and expanded farmers’ market in Orange Walk town will be officially opened […]

No suspects yet in Oscar Rosado Sr.’s murder
Yesterday afternoon shortly after 1:00, Oscar Rosado Sr. was at his businessplace, Rosado’s Construction, was killed […]

Belizean delegation attends Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, led Belize’s delegation to the bi-annual Commonwealth Heads of […]

PUP announces conventions in Corozal
The People’s United Party (PUP) is now in its convention season, fielding Standard Bearers for […]

Mason back in court for kidnapping charges; His attorney says his constitutional rights were violated
Yesterday, infamous William ‘Danny’ Mason along with his 5 employees appeared in the Belmopan’s Magistrate Court to answer charges for […]

Premier League semifinals kick off with much fanfare
Fans were in for an action packed weekend as the semifinals for Premier League of […]

Alleged bank thieves released on bail
Two men who reside in western Belize are accused of stealing $10,000 each from Heritage […]

House burns down in San Jose, Toledo
Yesterday afternoon around 2, a house in San Jose, Toledo was completely destroyed by fire. Wilfredo […]

Man knocked down by ex girlfriend
Transport Officer, Roderick Jones, almost lost his life after he was crushed by a vehicle […]

Another plane lands in northern Belize
Police are currently investigating the discovery of a plane that landed this morning around 5 […]

Blogs

Testing Out of the Newly Graded Roads North and West
Beyond the paved road (which ends at 3.5 miles north), we have a hard-core, unpaved road that was finalized about 4 years ago. Using rock and white marl (from the quarry on the island at about 9 miles north) – the road is perfect for golf cart traffic but degrades (holes and pits) with the heavy dump truck traffic that comes down from the quarry. And the road out to Secret Beach has been smoothed – it was graded about half way out to the west side of the island. I’m not sure if they are going to complete the job – extend it all the way out to Secret Beach but I also drove out there to enjoy it.

M is for marvelous Maruba Beach Klub at Secret Beach
With a full access road, the not-so-secret beach is the ultimate playground for fun in the sun. New to the scene, and perfectly complimenting the area with their signature eclectic ethno-vibe, is Maruba Beach Klub. If the Maruba name sounds familiar, it should! This new beach klub is the brainchild of the super creative and fun sisters Alexandra and Franziska Nicholson from the renowned Maruba Resort Jungle Spa in Maskall Village in the Belize District and Kama Lounge (now closed) here in San Pedro. Replete with their flare for bright colors, bold patterns, lots of lounging space and flowing sheers, the stage is set with groovy techno beats pulsating in the background. Located 6.5 miles north of San Pedro Town, the hour drive via golf cart is a scenic look at stunning reef views to the east and lush mangrove lagoons to the west. Wildlife such as birds, iguanas, and even crocodiles can be spotted along the way, and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to stop at if you get thirsty or hungry. For those us of who may not have the time to travel by road, or just want to get to Maruba Beach Klub ASAP they offer a boat shuttle (for a small fee) by reservation from town, which is a brilliant idea!

Random Comments and Delicious Treats
I love it when a random Facebook post ends up problem-solving on a totally unrelated topic. This time it was via my tinder super likes star pic post that quickly got facked (tacogirl.com word #2 in Urban Dictionary). The post in question is also a good example of how all conversations generally revert to food sex or bodily functions… not necessarily in that order. This one moved fast from getting busy because I had 3 super likes on tinder in 24 hours to no potential for “fun” and onto one of my other loves – food. More specifically the conversation turned to one of my favorite occasional shopping options – The Truck Stop Farmers Market. This led to not only salivating over the possibilities but also scoring a few ride offers.

International Sources

Legal but illogical reasoning from the chief justice of Belize?
How does a law stigmatise any person “as being a criminal” even if one is engaged in unlawful conduct, unless that person is convicted of such offence in court? Based on this sloppy line of reasoning everybody could claim to be stigmatised “as being a criminal” simply by the existence of laws that proscribe certain behaviours without ever having been arrested and convicted in court for said breach of the law. The chief justice relied on a constitutional challenge to South Africa's common law prohibition on sodomy vis-à-vis dignity and cited a dictum from Ackerman, J which says in part:

Quickly fading La Niña delays onset of wet season in the C'bean
The Barbados-based Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) says the onset of the wet season may be delayed by a few weeks in much of the Caribbean region. “By contrast, The Bahamas, Cuba, and French Guiana might be wetter than usual, with extreme wet spells being a potential concern for flooding and flash floods,” CIMH said, blaming a “quickly fading La Niña” which is associated with cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures, for the situation. In its latest Caribbean Climate Outlook Forum (CariCOF) outlooks for the period May to October this year, released Tuesday, the CIMH said heat discomfort, surface wetness and large water reservoir recharge rates related to wet spells may show a slower increase than usual. “However, dry spells and episodes of Saharan dust incursion may be frequent in Belize and the islands,” it added.

British Citizen One Day, Illegal Immigrant the Next
Renford McIntyre was just a child when he left Jamaica to join his parents in Britain. He spent the next 50 years here, working various jobs and paying taxes. Like tens of thousands of people from families encouraged to come from British colonies in the Caribbean to help rebuild postwar Britain, he had always assumed that he was a full-fledged British citizen. Until, that is, the government decided he wasn’t. At the age of 60, he was declared an illegal immigrant. He lost his job. He could no longer apply for benefits. He became homeless. “I’ve lost out on everything,” said Mr. McIntyre, who is now 64. The issue has simmered in Britain since Theresa May was home secretary and set out to create a “really hostile environment” for illegal immigrants, imposing tough new requirements in 2012 for people to prove their legal status.

Guatemala sends special forces to border with Belize
Barely one week after the national referendum “Yes” vote to approve the government of Guatemala going to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to adjudicate the long standing territorial dispute with Belize (formerly British Honduras), the Kaibiles, the Guatemalan Special Forces, have been sent to the border area between the two countries in an apparent attempt to solidify Guatemalan claims over the disputed territory. This also comes days after the announcement by Guatemalan president, Jimmy Morales, that Guatemala is enforcing strict protection of its claimed sovereignty of the disputed Sarstoon River. On April 21, the Guatemala military posted pictures on its Twitter account showing navy engineers preparing to move materials, purportedly to the Sarstoon.

Videos

April 24, 2018

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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, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Islanders celebrate World Earth Day 2018
To celebrate World Earth Day 2018, a group of islanders participated in beach and sea clean-up on Sunday, April 22nd. The annual event is observed worldwide, with various events held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. In San Pedro Town, the clean-up began at 9AM as participants gathered in front of Chuck & Robbie’s Scuba Diving dock in Boca Del Rio Area. After cleaning up on the beach, volunteers headed for the water using kayaks and snorkeling gear to dive for underwater garbage. Retrieved were bottles, plastic, metal, Styrofoam products, and even clothing, among others.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week: Belize Is Full Of Great Friends
“Another great day chillin with my buddy Crush!” Josh Nunez makes it into our Picture of the Week once again with another fantastic underwater picture. He is always making friends at the Marine Reserves of Mexico Rocks and Hol Chan while tour guiding with with his father of Tanisha Tours.

SP House Of Culture Holds Cultural Fashion Show
The San Pedro House of Culture held its first annual Festival of Cultures on Sunday, April 22, 2018 on the beachside by Palapa Bar. There was plenty to eat and drink and live music provided by the popular Caribbean Kings. Highlight of the event was the Cultural Fashion Show put together by the House of Culture and Foreva Fancy Boutique. Here are some pictures of the event for your enjoyment.

Resorts Are Building Beaches With Sargasso
Setting the example in 2015, Dimas Guerrero took upon himself to build a beach with the sargasso that was accumulating on shore. Today, various resorts are mimicking Guerrero’s technique and applying it to their properties. It’s a very time-consuming and tasking process but one that produces great results - MORE BEACH!! Take a look at the beach properties of Grand Colony Island Villas and Mata Rocks that are making strides in cleaning and building their beach after much erosion and now, sargasso accumulation. Grand Colony is digging large holes on the beach and filling them up with sargasso, using the excess sand to extend the beach area. Mata Rocks on the other hand is spreading the sargasso and covering it with sand; both techniques proving to be successful.

Misc Belizean Sources

2018 CARSI ESF Grants Question and Answer & Web Chat Session
Please join us at the Embassy or log-on online for an informative session on the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Economic Support Funds (ESF) grant opportunity to strengthen civil society and civil servant capacity through partnership. This session will address: · The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) objectives and outcomes; · Criteria used to evaluate grant proposals; · Information on budget requirements; · Instructions on how to submit your application on Grants.gov, · DUNS number applications & SAM.gov registration information; · Any other questions regarding the grants process. Friday, May 4 at 1:30 PM at the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan.

Food drive at the US Embassy
Last month, the Embassy’s local staff (FSN Association) began a food drive at the Embassy to collect basic food products such as rice, beans, sugar, and various canned foods. We are proud that today, our FSN Association, led by its President Marco Novelo, along with Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Deborah Lingwood, presented a small but meaningful food donation to the San Martin Government School feeding program.

OVER 5,000 ATTEND ANNUAL MASKALL AGRICULTURE VILLAGE FAIR
A total of over 5,000 persons visited the Maskall Agriculture Village Fair grounds yesterday, April 22, 2018, jointly hosted by Minister of Transport and National Emergency Management Hon. Edmond Castro (Area Representative for Belize Rural North) and the Maskall Village Council. The fair was held on the Maskall Community Grounds and featured livestock and farm-produce displays and deals, as well as a wide assortment of local, cultural dishes with on-the-spot village style cooking. There was musical entertainment by a number of Belizean artists accompanied by the Youth Connection Band. There were also cultural performances by the youth and games for the children.

Violence Against Children Must End
The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) condemns the recent report of a 14-year-old minor who was allegedly sexually abused by a security guard at a local high school. According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC), this is a direct infringement on the child's right to be free from sexual abuse (Article 34). Moreover, children have the right to be protected from any form of exploitation (Article 36). Protecting children is a shared responsibility. It requires the active involvement of multiple stakeholders, including government, all institutions, parents and every adult. If this responsibility is taken up by all, then child abuse has the potential to be reduced and even eliminated.

Threat of Measles
As part of Vaccination Weeks in the Americas, the Ministry of Health reminds you to keep informed of the threat of Measles as we continue to do everything possible to minimize the effect to our population if and when it is confirmed in Belize. For More Information, contact the Maternal and Child Health Unit, Ministry of Health in Belmopan or your nearest health center.

Maya Symposium May 18 & 19
Yes. This is happening in Corozal town, Belize .A first time event! Join me for a conglomeration of the greatest professional and academic minds to powerfully come together in Corozal Town. We will highlight The Murals of Chactemal, the Splendor of the maya civilization, the struggles and discriminations the Maya have endured in the past and also now, in the 20th century.

Delille Academy Mestizo Day
May 4, 9am-3pm

Channel 7

Business Owner Killed Inside His Store For Wallet
There is another southside murder to report tonight - but this one isn't the product of gang warfare. This afternoon around 1:30, a well known businessman was killed inside his workplace by a robber. Oscar Rosado Sr., the owner of Rosado's Construction supplies at the junction of the Western Highway and Partridge Street was targeted by armed robbers for the third time since 1999. Rosado Sr. was shot in that 1999 robbery, and in 2006, he chased off the robbers with shots from his own gun. But today when the gunman grabbed his wife, they caught him off guard and killed the business owner inside his own store.

PG Man Killed In City - Gangster Arrested
From this afternoon's murder, we turn now to another killing on the city's southside. 25 year-old Albert Ervin Johnson, who's originally from Punta Gorda Town, was shot and killed on Rectory Lane in Belize City, in the Southern Foreshore area. At this time, it is unclear what happened, but on Friday night at around 11 o'clock, the cops found him lying on the corner of the street. Someone shot him twice in the head, and left him to die right where he collapsed. Today, at their bi-weekly press conference, the police told us that they believe he was ambushed by 3 men. Here's what they had to say about his murder:

Jails For Security Guard Who Had Sex With HS Student
Last week he was a security guard at a southside high school, but, tonight, after being accused of an egregious violation of trust and ethics, 27 year old Ryan Neal is in jail. Today Neal appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford where he was charged for unlawful sexual intercourse and grievous harm. No plea was taken because the case will be heard at the Supreme Court. The magistrate explained to him that she cannot offer him bail until after 3 months have passed.

Belizean Brian Hyde Convicted of Machete Murder In Florida Courtroom
Belizean Brian Hyde has been convicted in a Florida Courtroom of the machete murders of his 37-year-old aunt, Dorla Pitts; his 17-year-old cousin, Starlette Pitts; and 19-year-old Michael Kelly. The fourth count was for the unborn child of victim Starlette Pitts. The killing happened in Lehigh Acres, central Florida, in August of 2015. Forensic experts confirmed that Hyde's semen was inside his cousin's body and that his DNA was on her body. They also testified that Hyde's shoes were stained in numerous places with the blood of all three victims.

Man Knocked Down By Ex Won’t Press Charges
This weekend, Transport Officer Roderick Jones was at the Maskall Agriculture Village Fair when he was crushed by a car - and it appears to be the result of a domestic dispute. On Sunday morning around 2 he socializing with some friends in Maskall where he had reportedly been working earlier in the night. Police say that a RAV 4 driven by a woman crushed him between a concrete house post, and a bicycle. Jones was transported to K.H.M.H. where he had a broken leg and a neck sprain.

Meatpie Man, Fast Food Legend Dario Has Died
This weekend the Rufino Dario Hernandez creator of beloved Dario's Meat Pie passed away. His death comes as a massive blow not just to his family but to all his customers. Dario's meatpies are trafficked by plane, boat and bike daily to every corner of Belize - and if you're a Belizean - chances are that at some point you've eaten one of his pies. Today, like a normal day, his family respected his wishes and opened for business. We stopped by this morning and found that the man we called Dario was more than just a baker - he was a fast food institution.

Belizeans Blocked In Sarstoon, Again
The Guatemalan Navy at the mouth of the Sarstoon River has reportedly aggressed a group of Belizeans - and these folks have nothing to do with Wil Maheia and the Belize Territorial Volunteers. This group of Belizeans was on a goodwill mission to Toledo's southernmost village of Graham Creek. This village is only accessible via the Sarstoon River or several hours of hiking through very difficult terrain. This group was taking drilling equipment to rescue to the residents of Graham Creek. They're currently facing a water crisis where their only source of drinking water is stagnant, and was causing the residents to suffer from waterborne diseases.

Velasquez’s Body Found, He Drowned
On last week Friday's newscast, we told you about the search at sea for 28 year-old Lionel Velasquez. Last Wednesday night, the Corozal resident went overboard a vessel belonging to the Turneffe Island Resort, the company he works for. As we reported, he and other co-workers were aboard the Eagle Ray, when he fell into the open waters of the shipping channel. The Coast Guard and the employees of the resort searched for most of Wednesday night, Thursday, and Friday.

Bank Employee Accused of Theft
Tonight, 24 year-old Damon Dawson, and 21 year-old Jonathan Almendarez, are out on bail after being accused of stealing $10,000 from Heritage Bank. The allegation against both men is that Almendarez went to the Heritage Bank's San Ignacio Branch and he withdrew $10,000 from an account. Police say that Dawson, who was an employee of the bank, had processed this money for a customer, and that gave him knowledge of how to steal money.

Danny Mason Back in Court For Kidnapping Charge
Today in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court Senior Magistrate, Merlene Moody heard the preliminary inquiry into a case of kidnapping against the notorious William "Danny" Mason and five of his employees, all co-accused. Mason and crew are accused of kidnapping of a Mennonite couple. His Attorney, Herbert Panton made a lengthy submission to Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody requesting that the kidnapping charges being thrown out.

OW Man Crashed Into Moving House, Died
Family members and friends of 26 year-old Daniel Ian Urbina, a resident of Palmar Village, Orange Walk, are getting ready to lay him to rest after he died in a traffic accident on the Philip Goldson Highway over the weekend. It happened some time before 3 a.m. on Saturday, April 21 at mile 41. Urbina was driving a Toyota Hilux to Orange Walk when he slammed into a wooden house which was being carried on a GMC 10-wheeler truck heading in the opposite direction.

50 year-old Critical After Puzzling Accident
So, while Orange Walk cops have been quick to bring charges for that accident, there appears to be some confusion in the case of 50 year-old Gerardo Mendoza who is in a critical condition tonight. We've spoken to his family via telephone and they told us that he was knocked down on Friday night at around 6:40. The Mendoza family told us that he was riding his bicycle to his job site as a watchman as he does every day. They tell us that he looks after vessels belonging to Lamanai Eco-Tours, which is located right at the foot of the toll bridge.

Accident Victim Succumbs, Cops Still Don’t Know Whodunnit
In other accident news. Last week we told you about 25 year old accident victim Christian Charles - who was in a critical condition. Well, 8 days after the accident, he died this morning from his injuries. Charles, was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver. Today, the cops told us that they are trying to figure out what happened to him:

Sticks and Stones Will Get You Shot
A cop responded to stoning with gunfire. It happened in Dangriga Town over the weekend, where a police officer is reporting that a man started throwing rocks at him. The cops say that 23 year-old Jesse Lopez started stoning the officer, and because he refused to desist, the cop shot him in the leg. The police spokesperson shared more details with the press today:

One Less Gun
There's one more gun off the street. On Saturday night around 10:30, police searched an abandoned lot on Prince Street. They found one .32 Special Pistol with one live round. No one was present at the time so the weapon was retrieved and labelled as found property.

Bullets In a Chips Bag
And, on Sunday morning around 4:30 officers conducted a search in some garbage in the Pickstock Hutment area where they found ten 9 millimeter rounds of ammunition inside a Lays chips bag. They also found fourteen 9mm rounds of ammunition inside a grey sock along with a small amount of weed.

Live Explosive Threat Forces Evacuation
Today, the Central Health Region's office and the Central Lab near the KHMH had to be evacuated after a bomb threat. The police, BDF and Fire Department had to respond. Nothing was found. Now, we don't usually report on such threats, but this one is different - and that's because as we understand it - the threat wasn't called in anonymously. It was reportedly made by a well known Belize City figure who has a grievance with a sibling - who works at the facility.

Pres. Jimmy Morales Facing Demands For Resignation
There were strong calls this weekend for Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales to resign. Several social groups released a joint statement saying, quote, "Guatemalans demand...the resignation of Jimmy Morales for corruption, for thievery,". They staged weekend protests to demand his resignation after a second round of investigations into illicit campaign financing.

Channel 5

Construction magnate Oscar Rosado Senior killed in own shop
There was a brazen midday murder in the City today. A well-known elderly businessman who had been targeted twice before unfortunately did not survive the latest attack on his life. [...]

P.G. man meets death in early morning in Old Capital
A Punta Gorda resident also lost his life in an execution style murder just before midnight on Friday. Twenty-five-year-old Albert Johnson was attacked by a trio of men as he [...]

Body of Leonel Velasquez found at sea
The body of thirty-year-old mechanic Leonel Velasquez, from Paraiso Village, Corozal District, was found on Saturday. He had been reported missing at sea since last week Wednesday. Police have confirmed [...]

Danny Mason and others to Belmopan court for kidnapping P.I.
Already facing charges of murder in the Supreme Court, the notorious William “Danny” Mason and five co-accused could face a separate trial for kidnapping in two weeks. Mason; Ashton Vanegas [...]

Brian Hyde guilty of triple murder and baby’s death in Florida
On Friday a Belizean in the United States was found guilty of a most heinous crime after a re-trial. Six jurors in Lee County, Florida, needed three hours to find [...]

House driver charged in fatal accident
A young resident of Orange Walk lost his life in a road traffic accident around three o’clock on Saturday morning. Daniel Urbina, the son of Rosendo Urbina Junior and his [...]

Christian Charles dies; was it hit-and-run or something more?
Twenty-seven-year-old Christian Charles was knocked down a week ago and left for dead near the Burrell Boom Bridge in rural Belize District. Swanka, as he is affectionately known, valiantly fought [...]

Transport officer “mashed” in Maskall; Guinea Grass rider takes hard fall
Aside from the two deadly traffic accidents, there were two other traffic incidents. In the early hours of Sunday morning in Maskall Village, Transport Officer Roderick Jones was crushed between [...]

Families in Toledo wiped out by fire
A pair of families in San Jose, Toledo District lost everything to a house fire this afternoon at around two-thirty. Wilfredo Coc, along with his wife Gabriela and six children, [...]

Opposition Leader hits back at “politics” charge on Guatemala
In his weekly message, Opposition Leader John Briceño discussed the recent referendum result in Guatemala, in which nearly ninety-six percent of participating voters agreed to support the Guatemalan government’s filing [...]

Corozal fisherman still held in Livingston; soldiers threatened fishing party
This morning Belizean fisherman Iginio Canto Bacab of Caledonia, Corozal District, was scheduled to appear in a court in Livingston, Guatemala, charged with illegal capture of lobster. However up to [...]

Ryan Neal charged for schoolgirl rape; N.C.F.C. condemns
Police have charged twenty-seven-year-old security guard Ryan Neal, accused of having sexual intercourse with a fourteen-year-old female student at her high school in Belize City. The student told police that [...]

Two charged for pilfering bank account
Two men including a former employee were charged with the theft of twenty thousand dollars from a customer’s account at Heritage Bank in the Cayo District, though they are accused [...]

Reporter’s assaults spotlighted in U.S. human rights report
The U.S. State Department has issued the 2017 report on human rights issues worldwide, including Belize. Belize is faulted for several alleged unlawful killings by security officers, corruption by government [...]

Ecumenical boys off and running to Penn Relyas
As of news time, a team of seven young men from Stann Creek Ecumenical College in Dangriga Town are on their way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to participate in the world-famous [...]

Dario Hernandez: when the meat pie was king
News Five tonight reports the passing of well-known proprietor and Belizean icon in the meat pie industry, Dario Hernandez. He died Saturday night shortly after ten p.m. Hernandez’s bakery had [...]

Latest from the world of sport
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities….]

LOVE FM

Creator of Darios Meat pies dies
You might not know him personally, but, you have probably tasted his creation. Seventy nine year old Rufino Dario Hernandez, the person responsible for the famous and tasty Dario’s Meat pies, passed away on April 21. In a short statement, the Hernandez Family said, quote, “it is sad day for the Hernandez family that our …

Love FM and the BTB hold first ever Sea Challenge
Love FM and the Belize Tourism Board have partnered to bring Belize the first ever BTB Love Belize Sea Challenge. The competition will see kayakers paddle 190 miles along Belize’s coast, starting from Punta Gorda Town to Corozal Town. The kayakers take off from Punta Gorda Town on May 17 and will push through five …

Gwen Liz teachers ‘sick out’
Love News received reports that about twenty teachers from Gwen Lizarraga High School have staged a sickout in protest of the Acting Principal’s decision to reappoint former UDP councilor Alifa Elrington to the board as the Community Representative. Last Monday a group of teachers decided to ‘sit out’ of classrooms because they say that the …

OAS congratulates Guatemala on its referendum
On April 15, 1.8 million Guatemalans voted in favor of taking their country’s claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. Following the successful referendum, the Belizean Government congratulated the Guatemalan Government and its people. GOB views the results as a step further toward permanently settling the age-old dispute between the two countries. …

Dr. Candice Pitts wants to represent Port Loyola under the PUP
Belize City Councillor Dr. Candice Pitts is not backing down from her challenge against Gilroy Usher Senior to become the PUP’s Standard Bearer for Port Loyola Division. Dr. Pitts launched a campaign, after being elected to the Belize City Council on March 7. While Usher has been on the ground for the past two elections, …

Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce holds business forum
Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) have always enjoyed a resilient diplomatic relationship. Over the past years, Belize and Taiwan have engaged in exchange programs, signed bilateral agreements and offered each other technical assistance. This past weekend, the Belize Taiwan Chamber of Commerce under the presidency of Fred Shyu held a business forum. The …

Punta Gorda man gunned down in Belize City; police have no motive
Police have identified the man who was shot and killed on Friday night in Belize City. Police say he is 25-year-old Albert Ervin Johnson, a resident of Punta Gorda Town, Toledo District. Today, Inspector Wilfred Ferrufino said that Johnson was approached by three men and one of them killed him. Insp. Wilfredo Ferrufino, CIB, Belize …

Hit and Run victim succumbs to injuries
Christian Charles, the 27-year-old resident of Burrell Boom who was knocked down on April 15 has died. Charles was knocked down shortly after five o’clock that morning on the Burrell Boom Road where police found him. Insp. Wilfred Ferrufino, CIB, Belize City:“Ladyville police visited the Burrell Boom Road where they observed the body of a …

CEMJC celebrates 10 years
Centro Escolar México Junior College in the Corozal District is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Last Friday a special event was held under the theme ‘A Decade Ascending as a Family.’ Hugo Gonzalez who has been at the helm of the school since its inception spoke to Love News. Hugo Gonzalez: “Let me tell that at the very beginning …

Police officer shoots man in Dangriga; PSB investigating
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting involving a police officer. Inspector Ferrufino said the incident happened on Saturday on Commerce Street in Dangriga. Insp. Wilfredo Ferrufino, CIB, Belize City: “A police officer was on duty and he was approached by a male individual who began throwing rocks at him. Upon the individual attempting …

Police say Lionel Velasquez’s death was accidental
Police say that Lionel Velasquez’s death was an accident. Velasquez was traveling on a boat last Wednesday heading to Turneffe Island Resort where he works, when he fell overboard and was lost at sea. His body was recovered on Saturday. …

A Belizean delegation return from 11th Commonwealth Forum
A Belizean delegation returned on Friday from London, where members attended the 11th Commonwealth Forum. The Commonwealth Forum had several aspects to it such as the People’s Forum, the Women’s Forum, the Business Forum and the Youth Forum. Love News spoke with Dominique Noralez, President of the National Youth Council, who shared about the youth forum. …

Trucker charged for death of Daniel Urbina
One man has been charged for the death of 25-year-old Daniel Urbina. Urbina was killed in a traffic incident around three o’clock on Saturday morning. Inspector Ferrufino told the media today that while their investigations show that Urbina collided into the oncoming vehicle, there were other factors that have led to charges being levied on the other driver. …

PlusTV

Police Shot 21 Year old Valley of Peace Resident
A 21 year old Valley of Peace Resident was shot by police yesterday afternoon. Police reports are that about 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, they were about to conduct an operation at the residence of 21 year old Kevin Avetar in Valley of Peace when he ran into the nearby bushes. Police reportedly pursued Ave...

Sandhill home invaded
A home in Sandhill village was invaded in the early morning hours on Tuesday. According to police reports, on Tuesday 17th April , 33 year old Sean Yorke of Maxboro, Sandhills Village, reported that between 12:00 a.m., and 1:00 a.m., he was at home sleeping when he was awakened by his girl fr...

Belizean fishermen fishing in Guatemalan waters?
Guatemalans have continually raided Belize’s reserves on land and at sea, especially in the south of the country. We have had several reports by PG TV that show Guatemalans fishing in Belizean waters unimpeded, even though they are near the BDF outpost on the Sarstoon. Well, reports are that Belize...

IOM OPENS NEW INFORMATION CENTER AND LAUNCHES APP
Today, the United Nations Agency for Migration (IOM) opened a new Migration Information Center in Belmopan and launched a regional MigrantApp. According to a press release by The United Nations Agency for Migration, IOM is collaborating with the Child Development Foundation in establishing the new I...

Young man run over by vehicle; was it an accident?
A young man was run over by a vehicle in Belmopan on Friday. Based on information that we have gathered, Tyreke Jones was riding his bicycle in Belmopan when a vehicle ran him over. Rumors surrounding the story are that some young men were causing mischief by stoning rocks at house in Belmopan. The ...

PG accident; Motorcyclist collides into dog
There was an accident this morning on the Southern Highway. According to information received, a man wa riding his yellow motorcycle on the highway in Hicattee Village in the Toledo district, when a dog ran across the road. The motorcycle hit the dog, causing the motorcycle to flip and the driver to...

Brothers arraigned for assault of woman and son
Tonight the Russell brothers of Bermudian Landing are out on bail of $1,000 after they were arraigned this morning in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on separate charges in connection with an alleged bat attack upon a mother and her son in the village of Bermudian Landing. The brothers have be...

WOMAN ROBBED IN ORANGE WALK TOWN
A 37 Year old Business Woman was robbed by a lone gun man in Orange Walk. Reports are that 37 year old Francis Yvonne Reynoso was walking on George Price Avenue in Orange Walk Town on Monday night when a male person stepped in-front of her, holding a black object resembling a firearm.

Gun and weed found in rural Belize
Police found a gun, live rounds of ammunition and weed while conducting an operation. Reports are that Ladyville Police conducted an operation today in a bushy lot in Sand hill Village which lead to the discovery of a 9mm pistol and thirty- six live 9mm rounds of ammunition.

University of Belize hosts 3rd Annual Math Symposium
The University of Belize in Belmopan held its Third Annual Math Symposium. The Symposium was conducted under the theme “Mathematics, The Key to Infinite Possibilities”. University students and High school students alike were present at today’s event. Steven Lewis, Math Lecturer at the University of Belize and Coordinator of their Math’s club, spoke to us about the idea behind the symposium.

Belize City Administrator seeking legal recourse in suspension
Mayor Bernard Wagner may be facing his first lawsuit as Mayor of Belize city. That is because the City Administrator, Candice Miller, has had her attorney write to the Mayor to retract her one month suspension. The letter sent to the Mayor expresses that the suspension was unlawful as it did not follow proper procedure and Miller denies authorizing payment for a six thousand dollar restaurant bill that was allegedly racked up by the former Mayor’s father...

Chester Williams Dispels rumors of becoming new Compol
There were rumors online that there will soon be a new commissioner of Police. According to Breaking Belize News, they received reliable information that Commissioner of Police, Allen Whylie, has received notice that his time as Commisisoner of Police has come to an end. BBN reported that they have also been reliably informed that Deputy Commissioner of Police Chester Williams would be taking over the post in the next few weeks. Well, Chester

UK supports Guatemala Referendum Results
The United Kingdom is pleased with the results of the April 15 referendum held in Guatemala. According to an online article by Mecro Press South Atlantic News Agency, UK ambassador to Guatemala Carolyn Davidson has congratulated the Guatemalan people for participating and demonstrating their commitment to democratic values.

CAYE CAULKER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT PROJECT PICKS UP MOMENTUM
Renovations on the Caye Caulker Municipal airport has picked up momentum and is to meet its completion date of mid-june of this year. The Belize Airports Authority has reported that substantial work has already been done to the airstrip with the focus being the expansion of the runway’s shoulders and the laying of thousands of yards of geogrid to provide greater earth stability.

NEMO Assists Storm and Fire Victims
Honorable Edmond Castro, Minister of the National Emergency Management, has been giving humanitarian assistance to victims of freak storms and fire. On Monday, the Minister visited Ambergris Caye to deliver assistance to three families that were left homeless after a freak storm affected the island on Sunday Morning. During a visit to Toledo District last week...

The Reporter

Police make arrest for murder
Police have arrested and charged Marlon Everett, 28, of Belize City for the murder of Albert Johnson. The killing happened on Saturday night on Rectory Lane in Belize City. Johnson, a resident of Punta Gorda, was walking on Rectory Lane when three persons approached him […]

Well-respected Belize city businessman murdered
Well-known Belize city businessman, Oscar Rosado Sr., was shot and killed this afternoon at his establishment. The incident happened shortly after 1:00 p.m. at Rosado’s Hardware near the Lord Ridge Cemetery at the entrance to Belize city. The three robbers reportedly went into the store […]

Breaking Belize News

Monkey Bay Resort and school chaperones sued over US student’s drowning
Adell Forbes, the mother of Tomari Jackson who drowned at Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Belize during […]

Marlon Everett charged for weekend murder
Belize City cops have made an arrest in connection with the murder of Albert Johnson […]

Pitts and Usher wage war for Port
Within the next 60 days the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) hopes to have an […]

Man receives bail for death of Daniel Urbina
Over the weekend, Daniel Urbina, 25, lost his life in a fatal road traffic accident. Today, […]

Man shot by police in Dangriga
A Dangriga resident was shot by police over the weekend. Fortunately, he is alive and receiving […]

NCFC says violence against Children must End
The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) has issued a statement condemning the recent report […]

Businessman Oscar Rosado Sr. killed in broad daylight robbery in Belize City
Minutes ago a broad daylight robbery ended in bloodshed. According to reports, the robbery occurred […]

Belizean found guilty of killing relatives in the USA
On Friday, Belizean National Brian Hyde, 22, was found guilty of killing three of his family […]

‘Reading: It’s my right’- World Book day 2018
Annually, World Book day is celebrated on April 23. This year, it is being celebrated […]

San Ignacio’s UNO gas station robbed this morning
Reports to BBN indicate that the UNO gas station on the Benque Viejo road in […]

Belize, Guatemala and the ICJ…Between these lines
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Nicaragua’s President open to discussions on Social Security reform
Nicaragua’s President has said that his government is now willing to review the Social Security reforms, […]

Alleged rapist arrested
Police are investigating a case of rape reported by a student from Cayo. The 18-year-old student reported […]

Hit and run victim dies
BBN has been reliably informed that Christian “Swanka” Charles, 26, passed away sometime between last night […]

Blogs

Three things you should do as quickly as possible once you move to San Pedro
The three best things you can do once you move to Ambergris Caye in Belize involve getting off the island. One means getting out of the country. None of them includes the Blue Hole or the “Chicken Drop.” This sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? I mean, here you are, newly landed on one of the great expat destinations in the world, and this guy who is moving away shortly is telling you to get off the island for your own sake.

Welcome to San Pedro, now go and explore the rest of Belize
The first trip is pretty common and the most obvious: Visit the rest of Belize. If you go all the way back to the very start of this column, August 2013 and September 2013, you will see mapped out a three-week discovery tour. That’s simply how we came to the decision to live on Ambergris Tour, by process of elimination. Everybody tells you to tour Belize before moving here but a lot of people simply land in San Pedro, get loaded on Boca del Rio and then say “I’m selling everything, moving here and buying a bar, and never ever have to work for a living again!” Sure, you laugh. (And I hear you laughing the hardest, you bar, restaurant and hotel owners.)

International Sources

Nicaragua abandons social security changes after dozens killed in riots
Nicaragua’s president has withdrawn changes to the social security system that triggered deadly protests and looting. President Daniel Ortega said in a message to the nation that the social security board of directors had cancelled the changes implemented on 16 April. The overhaul was intended to shore up Nicaragua’s troubled social security system by both reducing benefits and increasing taxes. The changes touched off protests across the Central American nation that escalated into clashes with police as well as looting. The demonstrations appeared to expand to include broader anti-government grievances.

Judge weighs teachers’ blame for Cobb student drowning in Belize
A woman in a blazer quietly listened as attorneys argued before the judge. Adell Forbes’ case was about her 14-year-old son who died in another country two years ago. Forbes blames several people for the death of her boy, Tomari Jackson, who drowned in a Belizean river during a North Cobb High School international studies magnet field trip on Feb. 13, 2016.

Garifuna response to the Guatemalan ICJ referendum
We the Garifuna people are one nation who live in the countries of “Yurumein” now known as St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Belize, the United States and elsewhere. Around March 14, 1796 after we lost the war to the British, our King Chatoyer was captured and killed and about 5,000 of our people were assembled, tortured, imprisoned and taken to the island of Balliceaux off the coast of St. Vincent where they awaited removal to another country. The King of Great Britain George III, gave the orders for our people to be removed from Balliceaux and be taken to a distant island of Roatan, Honduras thousands of miles away. This was after the torturing and killing continued by the British on the island that led to the deaths of about 2,500 of our people who were buried on the island. Their remains are still on this island and nothing is being done to upkeep and preserve them to this day. To make matters worse, there are still attempts to sell the island with our people’s remains. The British sent some naval vessels to remove our people from the island on March 11, 1797.

Videos

April 23, 2018

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Fishing Stories
“Three large coffees, please.” I told the lady at Celi’s Deli. By the time I walked over to the deck of the Holiday Hotel Mario was already walking up from the beach. “Good morning, Mr. Dennis. I need that coffee this morning. The snappers is running so I went fishing last night and didn’t get in until three a.m.” Mario is my friend and he’s my yardman, when he feels like working. This morning he and Vernon were scheduled to plant two large palm trees for me. When Vernon arrived, he looked like he hadn’t had much sleep either.

Doctor Love: Prom Hopeful
Dear Doctor Love, I have asked this girl out twice and both times she turned me down. She says she likes older guys because they are more mature and the guys at school are immature and stupid. She crushes on older guys who don’t even notice her and ignores guys who like her just because they are her age. How can I get her to notice that I am not stupid or immature? /s/Prom Hopeful

Ambergris Today

Earth Day 2018 Marks Countdown To Phase Out Of Single-Use Plastics
Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22nd. Each year Earth Day is celebrated under a theme, and this year’s theme is simple: End Plastic Pollution. There’s no question that plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life, and affecting our health! This couldn’t come at a better time for Belize with the government’s recent announcement to phase out of single use plastic shopping bags, Styrofoam and plastic food utensils by Earth Day 2019! Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 192 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network ran by president Kathleen Rogers.

Misc Belizean Sources

Exploring Indigenous Cultures Familiarization Tour
Photos by the Belize Tourism Board

The Reporter

Pioneer in meat pie business passes
News has been received of the death of Dario Hernandez, a pioneer in the meat pie business in Belize. Popularly known by his first name Dario, Hernandez passed away on Saturday night. He had been operating his business at 33 Hyde’s Lane in Belize City for at least 35 years. His meat pies were popular throughout the country and beyond. The Reporter will have a full story on this pioneer in our printed edition later this week. Our condolences go out to the Hernandez family.

Breaking Belize News

Cuba has a new president
While Cuba has a new president, who is preparing to do new things in the country, friendly relations with Belize will remain unchanged, according to to Cuban Ambassador to Belize Lissette Perez.

Belizean fisherman still in Guatemalan custody
Belizean fisherman, Iginio Canto Bacab, who has been detained in Guatemala for attempting to smuggle illegal lobster almost a week ago, should appear in court tomorrow according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belize.

Owner of Dario’s meat pies passes away
Last night, BBN was informed that Dario Hernandez, the owner of Dario’s Meat Pies in Belize City passed away. Hernandez was a pioneer of meat pies in Belize and had been managing the business for the last 35 years.

World celebrates Earth Day 2018
Earth Day 2018, annually observed on April 22 to demonstrate support for global conservation efforts, is being celebrated around the world with a number of volunteer projects.

Bandits’ Rilwan Salawu looking forward to second consecutive championship
Former Nigerian-American soccer star, Rilwan Salawu, who currently plays for the Belmopan Bandits said he is looking forward to helping his team win the league title for the second consecutive year.

Blogs

You can fool a Moppit some of the time but you can’t fool a Moppit all of the time
Yes, we are still here. In Belize, until Thursday. Getting to San Miguel de Allende with a little dog and six formidable suitcases in tow (still an estimate) will be quite a coup from my perspective. I turn out to be very good at perspective, while Rose is, in fact, even better at actually scheduling things like planes (2) transport vans (2), and hotels (1). Meanwhile, I have been studying YouTube videos on how to lovingly coax your little dog into an even littler carrier. I just finished a 9-minute video in which the rather attractive woman spent seven of those minutes telling us, me, how lovely and obedient her own little Muffie is.

Videos

April 22, 2018

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

ECI Development unveils first Marriott branded property in Belize
On Thursday, April 19th, the ECI Development group announced plans to bring the Marriott Hotels’ signature brand to Belize. During a private event south of San Pedro Town, the project was revealed as a 203-unit hotel, combined with as many as 70 branded residences. In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Economic Development, San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., Vice President of Marriott Hotel Brand Rahul Vir and other invited guests. “We are thrilled to bring the Marriott Hotels’ brand to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites,” said Michael Cobb, Chairman, and CEO of ECI Development. “We are particularly excited about the opportunity to deliver top-quality lodging and residences in this special place with a beloved global brand.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Jairo Romero has been found, he is safe
Thank you SP Police Formation and San Pedro residents and everyone who prayed, shared his picture and was on the lookout. Let’s keep an eyes open for our little ones!

FIRST PARROTHEAD BEACH BASH IN BELIZE!
PLEASE JOIN US for music and fun and the FIRST PARROTHEAD BEACH BASH IN BELIZE! Come for all 3 days or DAY PASSES are available. Also special rates for Belizean Citizens. You can purchase your tickets through our website www.parrotheadbeachbashbelize.com or come by on either of the days! And NO - you do not have to be a Parrothead! Just love listening to good Trop Rock music and contributing to Education in Belize.

This sweet pup needs a home!
Don't forget Brutos is still looking for a home. We are fostering him and polishing his doggie manners so he is the best dog for his new home. Please pass by to visit him.

Belize Law-Making Forum 2018
The Attorney General’s Ministry in conjunction with the Office of the Prime Minister held the Belize Law-Making Forum 2018 at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City on April 19th and 20th 2018 under the theme “Sound Policy for Better Law”. The purpose of the Forum was to create a training platform for public officers who play a role in developing policies that are intended to underlie proposed legislation. The Forum’s core learning objectives include:

Ariel Rosado Foundation’s scholarship program
BEL supports the Ariel Rosado Foundation’s scholarship program annually and contributed $3,000 to today’s fundraising ride. Thanks to our Megawatts Cycling Club for riding in support of the cause!

Mind & Me Launch Party
Mind & Me has announced the date and place for their launch party. It'll be on Saturday, May 19th at Casa Sofia in Unitedville. If you want to see Night Quest before the launch, he's mixing at the Festival of the Sun and Moon next Saturday in San Pedro. Night Quest mixed last month at the Moon Vibes beach rave, and he was superb.

Hip Hop Festival
The Hip Hop Festival is tonight at the Victor Galvez stadium. It'll be a sports oriented event, and will be family friendly. "All are invited to attend a Family Friendly Festival at the Victor Galvez Stadium on Saturday, April 21st, 1pm -9pm. Entrance is FREE! This event is being organized by a missionary group. Activities such as: Basketball clinics Children's Activities Football Family Games Volleyball And Much More"

Wildtracks Update: Field notes from Fireburn and the North East Corridor
As part of Belize's newly created North East Corridor, Fireburn lies in an area of extensive, contiguous forest that supports wide-ranging species such as white-lipped peccary and jaguar that cannot exist when forests become patchy and fragmented. The forest is also important for supporting birds of prey...meet one of this year's new arrivals - a young ornate hawk eagle. Rudy Castellanos and his post-release tracking team keep an eye on the reintroduced howler monkeys in Fireburn. Adept at moving through the forest, and equipped with a long lens for capturing ID photos of monkeys high in the canopy, they are also able to capture photos of the other wildlife of the area with minimal intrusion. This isn't the only large avian offspring located this year with the help of wildlife reports from the Fireburn community...the other baby is even larger, and much more unexpected....but I'll leave you guessing on that one for a few more days!

The Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project
The Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project has selected several buildings for reconstruction and renovation in downtown Belize City. The project are: Yarborough Water Front Development ( already Started with Basketball Court), Anglican Cathedral Church (repairs), Government House Property (repairs and new HOC building), Cockburn Lane Property (new building), Court House ( repairs), Paslow Parking Lot (new building), and The Human Development Building on Albert Street (new building). The Yarborough Water Front Development Project has started already with Component A. The next project in the pipeline will he the rebuilding of the Human Development Building scheduled to start as early as May. Below, you will find a short history of the previous building.

Happy Birthday to Nojoch Chiich Anselma Yam who today she is 103 years old
his Maya elder from Patchakan Village Corozal is like a book of knowledge on our Yucatec Maya traditions of northern Belize

The Reporter

Fatal traffic accident in OW
A man lost his life in a traffic accident early this morning in the Orange Walk district. It happened around 3:00 a.m., while Ever Hosmel Uk, 25, of Guinea Grass village, Orange Walk, was driving a GMC flat bed truck on the Phillip Goldson Highway with a wooden building measuring 24 by 32 from Orange Walk to Belize City. As Uk reached mile 41, a Toyota Hilux travelling in the opposite direction crashed into the house. The impact caused extensive damage to the left upper portion of the Hilux and caused severe head injuries to its driver, Daniel Urbina, 25, a student of Palmar Village. Urbina was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A passenger travelling in his pickup, Rony Pech, 22, of Yo Creek village suffered minor injuries.

Man dies of injuries previously suffered in accident
A man who was injured in a traffic accident earlier today has died of his injuries. American/Belizean, Edward Lachendro, 65, a resident of Sittee River village, Stann Creek, reportedly died shortly after 3:00 this afternoon. Lanchero was receiving medical care at a private hospital in Belize City, after the motorcycle he was driving had a mishap on the Hummingbird highway earlier today.

Fatal shooting on Rectory Lane
A fatal shooting occurred late last night on Rectory Lane and police have not yet identified the victim. Police say that they were alerted to the scene around 11:00 p.m., and saw the dark-skinned person lying face-up, motionless on the street. The man had two gunshot wounds to the head. Police discovered that the man was walking on Rectory Lane when three other persons approached him from behind and one of them pulled out a firearm and shot him twice in the head. Police have no suspects.

Former US First Lady, Barbara Bush to be laid to rest today
Funeral services for Barbara Bush, the matriarch of a Republican political dynasty, is underway in Texas. Mrs. Bush, only the second woman in US history to have had a husband and son elected President, died Tuesday at the age of 92 at her home in Houston. She had been battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. She decided against seeking additional medical help earlier this week after she had been hospitalized a number of times. Her husband of 73 years, former President George H.W. Bush, entered the church with his son, former President George W. Bush, who wheeled him in.

Two accidents reported; one in Boom, one on GP highway
Two traffic accidents have been reported – one on the Burrell Boom road and the other on the George Price highway. The accident on the Boom road happened a few miles past the Hattieville Prison and involved a fuel tanker and a car. The other accident happened between miles 46 and 47 on the George Price highway and involved a delivery truck and an SUV. The SUV reportedly turned over several times and landed off the road on the grass after the impact.

Body of man discovered, says unconfirmed report
Unconfirmed but reliable reports say that Coast Guard personnel have discovered the body of a man. The discovery, according to sketchy reports, was made somewhere between Middle Caye and Alligator Caye. The Reporter Online News will have the details of this latest discovery as they are provided to us.

Body found at sea identified as that of missing man
Police have confirmed that a body was found earlier today at sea; and they have identified the corpse as that of Leonel Velasquez, who was missing. Coast Guard personnel found Velasquez’ body between Middle Caye and Alligator Caye this afternoon.

Breaking Belize News

Body of man found in sea
This afternoon, the body of a man was found near Alligator Caye. The body is believed to be that of missing Paraiso Villager, Lionel Velasquez. […]

U.S. Human Rights report highlights corruption and aggression toward media
The U.S. Department of State’s recently published 2017 report on Human Rights Practices doesn’t note any major human rights violation but does cite several instances of aggression against the media as well as allegations of corruption by ministers of government. […]

BBN Person of the Week- Alberto Palma
Alberto Palma is a successful entrepreneur and community activist in Santa Elena, Cayo, today, but his inspiring journey from humble beginnings was not without its challenges. Palma, BBN’s person of the week, recently shared his experiences with us. […]

US Embassy meet with new Belize City Council team
This week, Charge d’ Affairs, Adrienne Galanek of the United States Embassy in Belize met with Mayor Bernard Wagner and the new Belize City Council. The purpose of the meeting was to foster relationships with various organizations that will be beneficial to the municipality. […]

Elderly man robbed in Belize city
Belize City police are investigating the armed robbery of a retiree that occurred yesterday morning. Gregorio Neftaly Requena, 68, reported that around 10:15 a.m., yesterday while he was at the Salvador body works shop on Amara Avenue, two men armed with knives approached him and robbed him of his wallet containing $1,000 and other important documents. […]

Violent protests claim 10 lives in Nicaragua
Officials have confirmed that 10 people have died as a result of violent clashes between civilians and police in Nicaragua this week. Nicaraguans are protesting a new Social Security law passed by President Daniel Ortega’s government. The law increases employer and employee contributions but decreases the overall pension amount by five percent. […]

Belize holds Law-Making Forum 2018
The Attorney General’s Ministry in conjunction with the Office of the Prime Minister held the Belize Law-Making Forum 2018 at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City yesterday and today under the theme, “Sound Policy for Better Law”. […]

Security guard charged for raping student in Belize City
Police have formally arrested and charged Ryan Neal for ‘Grievous Harm’ and ‘Unlawful Sexual Intercourse’ yesterday. Neal is being accused of raping a 14-year-old high school student of Belize City where he was employed as a security guard. […]

Orange Walk student dies in fatal traffic accident
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident that occurred this morning on the Philip Goldson Highway. According to reports, the incident happened around 3 AM. […]

Mayor gifts regional credit union president key to the city
As a symbol of friendship, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner presented Hally Haynes, president of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, the key to Belize City during a ceremony at City Hall this week. […]

Blogs

Weekend Update: The Road to Secret Beach, Cayo Rosario and Another Marriott Resort
Ten years ago, there was no way to get to the west side of Ambergris Caye by truck or golf cart – it was boat only. But developers obtained a large chunk of “land” – some rock, some land and much mangroved lagoon – and started Grand Belizean Estates. Plots of land on the west side of the island for relatively low prices. An area where there were no utilities – no power, sewage and water – for the foreseeable future. A few homes have been built – they can be counted on 2 hands – but the coast line has become wildly popular. One of the top spots for visitors these days – Secret Beach. The road was built 7 or 8 years ago – piled up to cut across the waterway – and has been heavily used. It has never been smoothed or repaired…UNTIL NOW. All those jagged ruts and jolting rocks, puddles that fill during the rainy season and create small lakes…I hear that it is being smoothed. Yesterday, I took a picture of the newly graded road. And today I’m heading out that way to get the FULL scoop.

Corozal Community College Held their Victory Parade in Corozal
Corozal Central Park was the center of attraction on Friday April 20, 2018, as 100's of Belizeans from all over Corozal town and Belize to witness the Corozal Community College Victory Parade 2018. Corozal Communtiy College victory Parade 2018 kicked off with a parade through the main streets of Corozal town at 5:30pm. It was a celebration of color, rhythm, talent and passion and spirits were high as participants headed in the recalde Stadium in Corozal stadium for the main event. Many had already filled the stadium when the Marching band arrived. The victory parade was to give back to the public a reward ceremony. During the event a short ceremony was made and the field performanced was done. The victory show concluded at 8pm.

International Sources

Ex-Flying Eagles star Salawu eyes Belize league crown
Former Nigeria U20 midfielder Rilwan Salawu has told ScoreNigeria.com.ng that he is looking forward to help his Belize team Belmopan Bandits win the league title back-to-back. The Nigerian-American said he will be delighted to feature in CONCACAF Champions League again after helping his team top the league. The playoffs to determine the champions which will involve the top four teams starts this weekend,” he told SCORENigeria “My target is to help my club win the league title back-to-back so I can play in CONCACAF Champions League for next season. “We finished first in regular season and we are going to start the play-off weekend.”

Will the Commonwealth be Relevant in the Future?
It is Queen Elizabeth who has been at the heart of this post-Empire organisation going, but what lies in store for the Commonwealth after her? “The Commonwealth is turning the corner – it’s not quite round it, yet but it’s turning,” a leading official involved with the 53-country organisation, which gets more brickbats than praise, said to me at the end of the past week’s two-day summit and forums in London. That just about sums up the most optimistic view possible on the current status of this strange post-empire body which, if it owes allegiance to anything or anybody, seems to do so to Queen Elizabeth who turned 92 on Saturday. She has been the organisation’s head, and has held it together, since her mid-20s. Just last week, she secured agreement from the summit that Prince Charles, 69, her eldest son and heir to the British throne, will in due course take over from her.

Videos

April 21, 2018

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System remains in UNESCO Danger List; Land Development to blame
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has released its Coastal and Marine Land Use and Tenure Analysis Report for 2017, highlighting the areas of concern in the ecosystem as well as other important findings. The report was aimed at producing an updated coastal-marine land tenure inventory for Belize (within a 1-3 km inland area of interest and cayes (excluding Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker and Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve), that includes ownership, tenancy (e.g. lease) and other arrangements for the use of the lands. It was created via multiple data collection tools, such as conducting research, analysis, and synthesis of data, which produced qualitative and quantitative findings leading to an informed conclusion and recommendations. The World Heritage Committee in its 2017 decision to retain the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System (BBRRS) on the Danger List, stressed the urgency of addressing development issues within the BBRRS.

San Pedro Tour Guide Association hosts a successful meeting
San Pedro Tour Guide Association (SPTGA) held an informative members meeting at the Lions Den on Wednesday, April 18th. Various speakers were present at the meeting addressing attendees on different policies and regulations tour guides must follow within Belize to avoid fines or facing jail time. At 7 PM, SPTGA President Billy Leslie welcomed and thanked everyone for their attendance. The meeting officially began with the first speaker of the night, Corporal John Arana who addressed the attendees on the importance of possessing a tour guide license and renewing it immediately after expiration. He further spoke on the penalties, which included a fine of $1000 and up to three months jail time. In addition, the company employing the unlicensed tour guide will also be charged a larger fine of approximately $5,000 and up to one year jail time.

Authorities won’t confirm if Cayo Rosario tourism project has been approved
The Department of Environment (DOE) cannot confirm if the tourism development proposed for Cayo Rosario has been approved. Cayo Rosario is a 10-acre privately owned island west of Ambergris Caye, packed with mangroves and teeming with wildlife. According to an online publication, the project was approved in the second week of April and calls for 80% of the project to be constructed off the island as over-the-water structures. San Pedro residents are highly against the project, concerned about its potential environmental hazards, and the fact that the island is part of the finalized expansion of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Ambergris Today

Belize Fisheries Department - Extension For Issuance Of Fishing License
The Belize Fisheries Department hereby reminds the PUBLIC that it will cease the issuance/renewal of fisher folk and vessel licenses for the year 2018 by April 30, 2018. This is an extension from the date that was stated in the Press Release for the opening of the renewal process in January. Furthermore, fishers are also advised that they must be in compliance with the following:

Marriott Hotels Announces Debut In San Pedro, Belize
ECI Development announced yesterday, April 19, 2018, plans to introduce the Marriott Hotels’ namesake brand to Belize with a project designed for customers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. The project will grace Ambergris Caye with an investment of US$43Mil and offer 175 studio and two-bedroom condominium homes in a stunning white-sand beachfront setting. San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero welcomed the project with open arms stating that he is happy ECI and Marriott will implement eco-friendly and environmentally responsible operations on the island. “We share in the excitement and we want to express our commitment and support, both from a local and national level, to ensure that today’s event will mark the beginning of a future success story.”

Misc Belizean Sources

Minister of National Security Tours Belize Coast Guard Facility
The Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar today, April 20th, toured the improved Belize Coast Guard facility at Southern Long Caye in the Belize District. The new facility provides increased efficiency for the troops stationed there and increases their capabilities to aggressively patrol our Belizean waters. Southern Long Caye serves as an important point of control for illegal and criminal activities on our high seas. Since the establishment of this base, a number of illegal activities have been detected and deterred by the Belize Coast Guard.

Weekend Events in Corozal - Don't Miss Out:
1) CEMJC 10th Anniversay Celebration & Inauguration of Auditorium - Friday, April 20th - 4:00 P.M. - School Grounds - Private Event 2) Corozal Community College Victory Motorcade and Presentation - Friday, April 20th - 5:00 P.M. - Round House at Miami Beach 3) Movie Night Sponsored by Justice For Babies - Friday April 20th - 6:00 P.M. - Coronation Park across from House of Culture - Free Event 4) Live Musical Comedy Show with "EL BOX" - Friday, April 20th - 10:00 P.M. - Princess Casino Free Zone - No Cover Charge 5) Earth Day Waterway Cleanup - Saturday, April 21st - Old Social Security Building or in front of LANOs - 7:00 a.m. - Volunteer 6) Sarteneja Tour Guide Association Meeting - Saturday, April 21st - 2:00 P.M. - S.T.G.A Office - Private Event 7) Live Musical Comedy Show with "EL BOX" - Saturday, April 21st - 10:00 P.M. - Princess Casino Free Zone - No Cover Charge

Power outage scheduled for entire San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and Bomba Village from 6:00am to 7:30am on Sunday, April 22
BEL to complete urgent repairs of jumpers for submarine riser structure on the transmission system

Celebrateing Earth Day
Today, we celebrated Earth Day by planting a beautiful #jacaranda tree with Belmopan Comprehensive School students, Belmopan City Council, Belize Forest Department, and our program alumni! Special thanks to our Facility Maintenance team for making this possible!

Channel 7

The Cable Crackdown is Coming
Next week is intellectual property rights week - and while that might sound like just another perfunctory observance, this year there is some urgency to it. And that's because the enforcement of intellectual property rights is about to bring sweeping change to what you watch on cable television. The Government of Belize and cable operators are under serious pressure to put an end to the signal piracy which fills up your cable lineup with 200 plus channels. That means two things: they'll have to pull a lot of channels, plus your cable bill will be going up, because the channels they offer will now have to be legitimately bought from the rights holders, no more piracy. As we've reported, HBO executives recently came to Belize and met with the Belize Cable Television Operators Association. They demanded that the Cable operators pull their channels which include HBO, HBO Family, HBO Signature, Cinemax and others including SHOWTIME, Encore and Starz.

Grave Concerns for Corozal Man Lost In Southern Seas
Tonight, there are grave concerns for the health of Corozal resident Lionel Velazquez after he went missing at sea on Wednesday. For the past 2 days, the Coast Guard has been out on the sea looking for the 28 year old Paraiso villager who went over board on Wednesday evening while on the way to his job at the Turneffe Island Resort. The management of the resort have confirmed via a press release that on Wednesday afternoon, their vessel, Eagle Ray, departed the dock at the Radisson Hotel with a captain and 7 employees, Velasquez included. At around 7 that night, when the Eagle Ray was passing through the shipping channel into open waters, Velasquez fell overboard. Fellow passengers witnessed the accident, and alerted the captain immediately. They circled back for him, and searched the surrounding waters.

CJ Has Problem With DPP As Bar President
Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal was elected as the new President of the Bar Association 2 months ago, and it appears the Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, is of the view that her new post places her in a conflict of interest. The issue flared up because, as the President of the Bar, she is legally required to sit as a member of the Judicial and Legal Services Commission. This is the body which oversees the appointment of judges and attorneys to important posts within the public service. Other members on the Commission include Solicitor General Nigel Hawke, the Chairman of the Public Services Commission, and Chief Justice Benjamin, who is the Chair.

7 Shots Fired, No One Hurt
Last night during the news we got reports that shots had been fired on the southside. It happened on Euphrates Avenue, and fortunately no one was hurt. It happened at around 7:00 when a group of men were playing basketball on the neighborhood court. Two men with caps pulled down low rode up on bicycles and fired three shots at an off duty policeman, and four more shots at the other persons on the court. 7 shots total, but no one was hit as everyone scrambled for cover.

Belizean Fisherman Still Held In Guatemala
2 days ago, we told you about the Belizean fisherman, Iginio Canto Bacab, who was intercepted by the Guatemalan Navy along with 2 Guatemalans trying to smuggle out-of-season lobster into Guatemala. As we told you, he is facing criminal charges in Livingston, Guatemala, and, tonight, best information suggests that he remains in the custody of the Guatemalan authorities. We've been trying to get information about the latest developments in his case, and sources tell us that he was supposed to have had a court hearing today. We could not find out the result of that at newstime.

High Schooler Says Security Guard Had Sex With Her on Campus
There is a very disturbing allegation of a sex crime tonight. A 14 year old high schooler says the school security guard had sex with her on campus. It is alleged to have happened at a high school on the City's southside. The girl says that on Monday, April 9th., at 3:30 pm, the 27 year old security guard called her to the third floor of the school where he had sex with her in a classroom. She was examined by a doctor two days ago where she was certified to be carnally known and her injuries were classified as "Grievous Harm".Yesterday morning she went to the police station with her father to make a report.

Man Charged For Rape Of Cayo Student
Last week Friday, an 18 year old student from the Cayo District was raped. At 8:00 at night, she was hitchhiking from Belmopan to Camalote Village when a Hispanic man on a motorcycle gave her a ride. But instead of taking her to Camalote, he took her down the Valley of Peace Road and raped her. He then left her near the West Star gas station. Yesterday, Belmopan police arrested and charged 24 year old William Carabantes for rape.

The Bio-Degradable Solution
Yesterday we showed you two different food and hospitality businesses that are eliminating styrofoam by using biodegradable and reusable items. But, where are these environmentally friendly items available and for what price? We found that Belize has an Eco-Friendly company that has been importing container-fulls of environmentally friendly products for years. Sahar Vasquez has more: Sahar Vasquez reporting" Eco- Friendly Solutions is a Belizean company that imports and distributes biodegradable items like cutlery and bags. You may not know them by name but It is almost certain that you have seen their products at the Le Petite bakery or on shelves at some stores.

Hon. Saldivar At New Coast Guard Base
National Security Minister John Saldivar was at Southern Long Caye in BELIZE's southern waters today to tour the newly upgraded Coast Guard facilities at that location. He was accompanied by CEO Felix Enriquez; and Coast Guard commander Rear Admiral John Borland. This new facility is positioned to allow the coast guard to patrol Belizean waters more aggressively. It's important because Southern Long Caye serves as an important pivot point for control of criminal activities on Belizean waters. A press release says that since its establishment, this base has helped to coast guard to detect and deter a number of illegal activities.

9 Pounds of Cannabis in Hattieville
Yesterday, the GSU found over 9 pounds of weed behind a home in Hattieville. At around 2:00 in the afternoon, the GSU searched the home of a target where nothing was found. But searches behind the home in an abandoned bushy area led to the discovery of 2 parcels of marijuana wrapped up in plastic. They weighed in at 9.2 pounds. The weed was deposited as found property.

Octogenarian Killed in Road Accident
An 82 year old was knocked down and killed yesterday on the Stann Creek Valley Road. Around 1:50 in the afternoon, 24 year old Shamir Leslie was traveling from Belmopan to Placencia about to approach the Xaibel gas station - 6 miles out of Dangriga - when he knocked down 82-year-old farmer of Big Falls, Toledo Pedro Cucul. Cucul was crossing the road to catch a bus. He died on the spot.

US Human Right Report Criticizes Corruption in Belize
The US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor today published its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017. The report does not single out Belize for any great or excessive abuses, but notes, quote, "The most significant human rights issues included allegations of unlawful killings by security officers, which the authorities investigated and prosecuted; allegations of corruption by government agents; allegations that several killings were motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity; trafficking in persons; and child labor." End quote.

DPM, Lodge Brother
16 Belizean Lodge Brothers - including the Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber were in Jacksonville Florida last week for a meeting of the Steadfast Masonic Lodge. The delegation was led by Ashton Longsworth saying, quote, "Worshipful Master Longsworth and Most Worshipful Grand Master Walter Gulley Jr have committed to community projects that will aid and assist…citizens of Belize while trying to help in the alleviation of social ills in the country." End quote. The release continues, quote, "The Grand Master also recognized the Civic and Fraternal achievements of Sir Knight Patrick Faber and expressed to the Fraternal congregation that anyone who has made it to the ranks of Deputy Prime Minister Of his country deserves to be recognized." End quote.

High Schoolers Rally Against Violence
For this entire week, the students, the faculty and staff of the Wesley College in Belize City have been celebrating their Violence Prevention Week. It's an initiative by the school and the students where they take a stand against all the violence and murders that have been happening countrywide, but especially in Belize City. Some of the students live in these neighborhoods where, at any given time, rival gangs are warring over turf, or feuding over "old beef."

The reality Of Guatemalan Fishers in Belizean Waters
Earlier in the news we told you about Iginio Canto Bacab, who was intercepted by the Guatemalan Navy trying to smuggle lobster into Guatemala. Reports in the press there suggest he was arrested by the Guatemalan navy within Belizean waters. While that is a definite affront - for those who know the area it isn't in the least but surprising. For years, the Guatemalan navy and fisherfolk have been acting like the entire Sarstoon is for their benefit and enjoyment. And now that a Belizean fisher has been caught - allegedly running a red with out of season lobster - it makes for a glaring contrast with the Guatemalan fishers who are in Belize's waters - on the north side of the Sarstoon - almost daily, freely catching fish.

Reparations for The Ras
Last night you may have seen our interview with Ras Ruben, a committed Rastafarian who believes Belize should be doing more to investigate and make use of the cannabis plant. Proponents say it has a whole host of uses from clothing, to shelter, to medicine, and for Rastafarians, it is a also a sacrament and a means of meditation. So, now that the possession of 10 grams has been decriminalized - is that a welcome break for the Rastas who use marijuana as part of their religious devotion. Ras Ruben told us that they need an apology for all the years of persecution:..

Channel 5

How to Spend 130 Thousand Dollars on a “Free” Concert
Back in February, the Belize City Council, then controlled by the United Democratic Party, hosted a free concert at the B.T.L. Park marking the anniversary of its remodeling. The event [...]

The Woes of the Municipal Airstrip
Millions of dollars, as much as seventeen, were spent on the overhaul of the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airstrip which was launched with much fanfare in November 2016. But a [...]

Corozal Man Fell Out of Boat, Now Missing
A thirty-year-old mechanic from Paraiso Village in the Corozal District is missing at sea since Wednesday and his family fears the worst. This afternoon, Anna Leticia Revolorio came to News [...]

Search Continues with Eagle Eyes of Coast Guard
Efforts to locate him were immediately conducted by the captain to recover Velasquez, while a ‘man overboard’ distress signal was radioed in to the resort. According to a release issued [...]

Belizean Fisherman Iginio Canto Bacab Remains in Custody in Livingston
As of news time, Belizean fisherman Iginio Canto Bacab of Caledonia, Corozal District, remains in custody in Livingston, Guatemala, charged with illegal capture of lobster. His hearing is set for [...]

Economist Weighs in on Referendum Result
The popular magazine The Economist has weighed in on the results of Guatemala’s referendum on Sunday. Nearly ninety-six percent of participating voters agreed to filing a case at the International [...]

P.M. Barrow, O.A.S.’ Almagro Meet in Washington
The Organization of American States has had a central role in finding a solution to the territorial dispute. As we have been reporting, Guatemala held its referendum on Sunday and [...]

Another PAC Meeting Canceled
During the Budget debate in March, member of the Public Accounts Committee Patrick Faber made note that the last three meetings of the Committee to that point had been canceled. [...]

Barranco Loggers Demand Answers for License Refusals
From the deep south comes a story of unfair treatment in one of Belize’s oldest and most well-known villages. Five residents of the village of Barranco say they have applied [...]

Concerns Leading Up to the Cycling Federation’s Elections
Elections at the Cycling Federation of Belize are scheduled for next Saturday, but there is growing concern that all is not above board. The federation is currently led by former [...]

Honduran Visitor Has Rough Experience: Stabbed and Robbed
A Honduran national visiting Belize was the victim of a vicious attack on Thursday night. Reports are that just before midday police were called out to a bus stop in [...]

Bail for Dumped Shotgun
Ignatius Williams today obtained bail on a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm in the Supreme Court. The twenty-four-year-old, a repeat alleged offender originally from Dangriga, was seen by [...]

2 Teens’ Sex Attackers Charged
Police have made arrests in two separate cases of rape and unlawful sexual intercourse. Twenty-four-year-old William Daniel Carabantes faces charges of rape after a report by an eighteen-year-old female to [...]

Cuba Has New President but Castro Legacy to Continue
The news around the world on Thursday was the installation of the new Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel. He became Cuba’s first leader sans the Castro surname in over fifty years. [...]

Cuba to Continue Aid to CARICOM
What does a new leader mean for the CARICOM region which depends heavily on Cuba for health, education and other forms of aid? According to Ambassador Lissette Perez, the regional [...]

Relations with Washington Remain Cool
Ambassador Lissette Perez also spoke about the Cuba-U.S. relations in light of a new leader. She said that while Cuba remains open to relations with the U.S., they will not [...]

UWI University Singers in Belize for Major Anniversaries
The University of the West Indies is celebrating its seventieth anniversary with a bang. University Singers are in Belize to mark the occasion with the UWI Belize Open Campus. The [...]

The Search for Next Miss Belize Begins
The Miss Universe Organization started the search for its Belizean beauty ambassador to represent Belize in the 2018 Miss Universe Pageant. The auditions, which started today and continues on Saturday, [...]

LOVE FM

New Cuban President to maintain friendly relations with Belize
Not much is known about Cuba’s new president’s plan to tackles the challenges facing the country. The 57-year-old father of two was elected president of Cuba on April 19 after Raul Castro, who led the country for 10 years, stepped down is expected to continue in the same vein as his predecessor. Cuban Ambassador to Belize, …

Senate Special Select Committee meets
The Senate Special Select Committee met last week in an effort to begin compiling its report on the Senate hearings that lasted more than a year. The Committee first met on October 12, 2016, and its last hearing session was on December 6, 2017. The Committee was tasked to investigate the findings of the Auditor …

Marriott Hotel coming to Belize
Earlier this week, ECI Development announced plans to bring Marriott Hotels’ namesake brand to Ambergris Caye. Chairman and CEO of ECI Development Michael K Cobb said that they are excited about the opportunity to deliver top-quality lodging and residences on the island. ECI plans as many as 70 branded residences as a part of its …

Department of Youth Services giving at-risk children hope
The Mayflower community has been labeled as one of the gang-infested neighborhoods. As such, those in that community are well acquainted with the ongoing gun violence. The Department of Youth Services is hoping to help the children escape that life-style and in so doing avoid becoming another tragedy. In this regard, they have opened the …

Cuba has a new President and he is not a Castro
Miguel Díaz-Canel is the new president of Cuba. He replaces Raul Castro who took over the leadership of the country from his ailing brother, Fidel Castro. It has been noted that Diaz-Canel is the first person who is not a Castro to lead Cuba. Even though Díaz-Canel was born after the revolution, he is a …

AG shares details on the 8th Summit of the Americas
Yesterday, the Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte shared with the media what transpired at the Eighth Summit of the Americas held recently in Peru. Attorney General Peyrefitte along with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington and Belize’s Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States, Daniel Gutierrez attended the summit. The …

Participants comment on Law Forum
Today was the final day of the forum held by Impact Justice. Yesterday, we told you that the Belize Law-Making Forum is being held under the theme “Sound Policy for Better Law” which brought together several stakeholders from different ministries. These ministries will now be involved in the drafting of the laws in order to …

Will Belize have a better turn-out for its referendum?
On Sunday, Guatemalans voted yes to have the decades-old Belize-Guatemala Dispute be decided by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Guatemala’s referendum was marked by a low turn-out. Belize’s Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte told Love News he is hopeful that Belizeans will turn out in numbers to participate in our referendum, whenever a date is …

133K for ‘free’ concert
Before the March 7 Municipal Election, the then UDP Belize City Council held what it described as a free concert for the public. They brought in international artists like Cecil and Baby Sham. While the public did not pay an entrance fee or anything of that sort, the money to pay for it all came …

Boat Mechanic lost at sea
The search continues for 28 year old Lionel Velasquez who is believed to have fallen overboard a boat as he was headed to work on Wednesday. According to reports, Velasquez, who is a boat mechanic, left with others from the Radisson dock, headed to Turneffe Island. Twenty minutes into the journey, those on board the …

Belize’s Human Rights Report highlights corruption in Police Department and Government
The US State Department has released its 2017 human rights report. So how did Belize do? Here is Dalila Ical. According to the State Department’s report, the areas of particular interest for Belize include quote, “allegations of unlawful killings by security officers, which the authorities investigated and prosecuted; allegations of corruption by government agents; allegations that several killings were motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity; trafficking in persons; and child labor,” end of quote.

School security guard charged for sexual misconduct with student
A fourteen year old has accused a man of unlawful carnal knowledge. According to police, the teenage girl and her father reported that on April 9, around 3:30 in the afternoon, she was her high school in Belize City when the security guard employed there called her to the third floor of the building.

82-year-old knocked down and killed in Stann Creek
A traffic incident has claimed the life of an elderly man in the Stann Creek District on Thursday afternoon. According to police, shortly before two o’clock 24-year-old Shamir Leslie of Placencia Village was traveling from Belmopan to Placencia, along with two other persons in a grey Mitsubishi Outlander.

Ministries learn about data gathering
Today was the final day of a training held by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in partnership with the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). Earlier this week, we told you that SIB hopes to improve its data gathering by implementing a register-based statistical system. The register-based statistical system will be shared amongst ministries that are also involved in data gathering in the hopes of producing more efficient information at a reduced cost.

PlusTV

Guatemala says “yes” to going to the ICJ
On Sunday April 15, 2018, Guatemala held its national referendum on whether or not to take the Belize Guatemala territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice. Not surprisingly, the huge majority of those who went to the polls voted “Yes”. However, while it is considered a successful “Go ...

Government of Belize congrats Guatemala on its referendum process
Today, the Government of Belize sent out congratulations to the Government and people of Guatemala on conducting their referendum. A statement from GOB says, **“The Government acknowledges the results as a step further toward permanently settling the age-old dispute. This act of civic expression in ...

Belize has set NO date for referendum
Belize has not set a date for its referendum as yet, but according to the Vice President of Guatemala, Jafeth Cabrera, Belize’s national referendum will be held in May of this year. Cabrera told the Guatemalan media that he was informed of this by Belize’s Foreign Minister, Wilfred Elrington at the...

Murder in Ranchito
A man was shot and killed as he tried to foil an attempted robbery. The victim was 38 year old Ivan Emmanul Sosa. The incident happened at Pasadina bar in Ranchito Village early Sunday morning as the proprietor was closing up the building. A masked male person stood at the door and pointed what app...

Jason Bellencio gunned down in Belize City
There was a murder in Belize City on Sunday. The victim has been identified as 30 year old Belize City resident Jason James Bellencio . Bellencio was shot shortly before 6 p.m. as he walked on Lovely Lane in Belize City . He was shot multiple times, with several bullet wounds to his head and back. ...

Two men stabbed in San Pedro
Two men were stabbed during a bar fight in San Pedro Town over the weekend. Police reports are that sometime after 9 o’clock on Saturday night, Hector Lopez was stabbed to the right side of chest and received a cut wound on his upper lip. Juan Carlos Alvarado was also injured and received three cut ...

Female Hitchhiker raped in Camalote area
An 18 year. old female student from Camalote Village was raped while hitch hiking from Belmopan City to Camalote Village. The female student reported to Police that on Thursday of last week, she was hitch hiking from Belmopan to Camalote Village when she was picked up by a Hispanic male person in Ro...

Squatters served with Eviction notice
Residents in the East Piccini Extention of Belmopan scheduled a meeting for 6 p.m this evening to take further action on the squatting issue in their area. In our last newscast on Friday, we extensively covered the illegal squatting taking place within reserved areas near the Mount Pleasant Creek in the Belmopan Heights area. Our drones covered the area and to our surprise most of the southern part of the buffer is gone and in its place are cleared lands where construction of wooden homes are happening.

Dangriga Business robbed
A Dangriga business was reportedly robbed over the weekend. A 33 year old business woman from Dangriga Town reported to Police that on Friday at around 4:30 pm she was inside her shop with her 2 daughters when she observed a dark skinned male person at the burglar barred window. The individual asked for a twenty five cents bag of water. One of the proprietor’s daughters reportedly went for the water from the freezer.

Three fugitives still on the run
The three prisoners who escaped from the Corozal jailhouse last Wednesday are still at large. As we reported, the three men escaped by apparently sawing through the metal bars. The fugitives are Marvin Pec, Johny Matus, and Austin Sutherland . Today, police say they have not been able to locate the men so far.

Man knocked down on highway critical
A young man is in critical condition at the KHMH after a suspected hit and run in Burrell Boom, and his family is asking for public assistance. Plus News understands that Christian Charles was knocked down in Burrell Boom around 4:30 a.m. yesterday while heading home from a social gathering. His brother, Kareem Myvette, spoke to us over the phone and told us what the family believes happened to Charles.

Prime Minister Barrow to Meet with IMF and OAS
Prime Minister Right Hon Dean Barrow departed the country today. The PM went to attend meetings with the International Monetary Fund and Organization of American States. The Prime Minister will return to Belize on Saturday, April 21st, 2018. During the Prime Minister’s absence, the Hon. Hugo Patt will act as Prime Minister. This is the second time in as many weeks that Minister Patt is holding over for the PM while he is out of the country. Last week when the media met up with Minister Patt, they had asked him about his holding over for the PM for the first time and if he would be holding over again the next time the PM went out. Here is how that went.

NEMO Minister Tours Humana Projects and Infrastructure Works in Toledo
Minister of National Emergency Management Organization, Honorable Edmond Castro, was on a two day tour in the Toledo District alongside Humana People to People which is executing a number of projects throughout the district. The Minister’s tour started off with a quick briefing in Punta Gorda, followed by a visit to Humana’s Clothing Store and then a visit to 11 different communities in the District. Included in the 11 villages were Santa Teresa where they inspected a tower and solar-powered facilities to provide communication for five villages.

DOUBLE MURDER NEAR CAYE CAULKER
There is a double murder near Caye Caulker Village to report on tonight. Police visited a three story building on Caye Lagos four miles South of Caye Caulker Village about 3 a.m this morning, where they found the lifeless bodies of Gabriel Escalante and Mark Seawell, both from Ladyville Village. Initial police investigation revealed that Gabriel Escalante and Mark Seawell were socializing on the third floor of the building with an unknown male person about 11:30 pm on Friday night when the incident happened.

Illegal Squatting in Belmopan, creek buffer chopped down
Illegal squatting has intensified in Belmopan within the past few months. One particular Belmopan neighborhood is up in arms as several homes have sprung up within reserved areas near the Mount Pleasant Creek in the Belmopan Heights area . The creek runs behind the last street, Doyle’s Delight street, in East Piccini Extention . Homes in the area are supposed to be protected from potential flood waters by a thick buffer of trees that used to line the creek.

Amandala

AG Michael Peyrefitte calls US “unfair and cowardly”
On April 9, The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the US released its International Narcotics Control Strategy Report in which it named Belize as one of the 22 major drug transit countries. The report states that even with efforts to reduce drug production and distribution, Belize is still obstructed by “insufficient resources, weak law enforcement institutions, an ineffective judicial system, and inadequate compensation for civil service employees and public safety officials” — all of which “facilitate corruption.”

Chief Justice asked Bar Association prez, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, to leave meeting of JLSC
At a recent meeting of the Belize Judicial and Legal Services Commission (JLSC), which is made up of the Solicitor General, the Chief Justice, the chairman of the Public Services Commission, and the president of the Belize Bar Association, the Chief Justice, Kenneth Benjamin, who chairs the JLSC, asked the recently elected president of the Belize Bar Association, Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, to excuse herself from the meeting. Apart from being the president of the Belize Bar Association, Vidal is also the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Mayor Darrell Bradley’s $133,000 concert spree
The Belize City Council, under former UDP Mayor Darrell Bradley, apparently was used as a cash cow for all kinds of questionable things having nothing to do with the improvement of the lives of city residents. Just before the March 7 municipal elections that the incumbent United Democratic Party was so cock-sure that they would win, the City Council spent a sizeable chunk of funds to finance a concert at the BTL Park, which featured two foreign artists, Cecile and Baby Cham, along with a few local artists. The cost was a whopping $133,000 from the public purse.

City Administrator, Candice Miller, will challenge her suspension in court
City Administrator, Candice Miller, who was suspended for one month with full salary by the incoming PUP Belize City Council, led by Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, has decided to take the matter of her suspension to court. Today reporters caught up with Mayor Wagner at a function at City Hall and asked him to comment on a letter Miller’s attorney had sent him. “We have received the letter and have forwarded it to our attorneys, and will leave it at that for the appropriate moment to speak about this matter,” Mayor Wagner said.

Former Belize Ambassador David Gibson says he expects a “no” vote in ICJ referendum
ollowing his appearance on the KREM WUB morning show this morning, Amandala asked the former Belizean ambassador, David Gibson, who now heads the think-tank, Center for Strategic Studies Policy Analysis and Research (CSSPAR), to comment on Belize being at the critical crossroad of an ICJ referendum to take or not to take the longstanding Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice for final settlement. “I think our process of trying to resolve this issue, is in line with the United Nations Charter, which outlines how states with territorial differences, or with contentious issues, international issues, should resolve in a peaceful and amicable way these differences,” he responded.

Denise Matthews will be District 90’s newest Director of Special Education
During a board meeting on February 19, Denise Matthews, a Belizean woman living in Chicago, was selected as the upcoming Director of Special Education for the District 90 schools in that US state. Matthews will take over the position on July 1. She is currently working as the Assistant Director of Specialized Student Services for Compliance, and she has also worked as assistant principal at Westmount High School and Oakland Park Elementary. She began her journey right here in Belize City, where she was born and raised. She received her Associate degree in History and Literature from St. John’s College Junior College and her Bachelor’s degree in English/Language Arts Teacher Education from the University of Belize.

Cricket Update from the BNCA
Greetings from the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA)! There were some great matches played over the weekend in the Sir Barry Bowen Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2018. In Rancho Dolores, Police Cricket Club went up against Western Eagles, where Keenan Flowers put up 97 runs for Police Cricket Team. Police was able to put up a total score of 239. It was too big a score for the Eagles to conquer; even with Dirk Sutherland’s 51 runs, the Eagles only made 129 runs.

Corozal Bay Sailing Regatta
Corozal Bay Sailing Club hosted their 8th Annual Regatta over the weekend of the 14th and 15th, April at Jam Rock Café on the beautiful sea front of Corozal Town. The competition consisted of 6 races each for the Optimist and Laser Class-One design boats over the 2 days of the weekend. Four races were scheduled for Saturday and 2 races for Sunday. Excitement was high with the commencement of the first races on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. under a very firm breeze gusting to 15 knots. The Optimists started first in these challenging conditions, the wind constantly building, and eventually forcing most of the competitors to retire to the calmer setting of the beach.

Belize Rural Primary girls and Salvation Army boys are Belize District Primary School Softball Champions
The Belize District Primary Schools Softball Finals were played yesterday, Wednesday, April 11, at Rogers Stadium in Belize City under the auspices of the National Sports Council. There were four teams participating in the female division and four in the male division, namely: FEMALE: Division A – Central Christian (Bze City) and Belize Rural Primary (Bze River Valley); Division B – St. John’s Primary (Bze City) and Our Lady of The Way RC (Ladyville).

Belize U-15 wins bronze in COCABA Championship
The Belize Basketball Federation (BBF) congratulates the Under 15 Boys National Basketball Team for securing bronze medals in the COCABA Championship (Central America) held in El Salvador from April 11 to 15. Against very competitive opponents, our team played with spirit, determination and focus, ending the tournament with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. Our boys all played well, and two of our players received special recognition for top tournament performances in four of the seven categories awarded.

Editorial: The claim/conflict in context historical
We think it would be educational, and also interesting, to place the Guatemalan claim to Belize, also referred to as the Guatemala/Belize differendum, in two different historical contexts: that of the region between Guatemala and Cuba in the years between 1954 and 1962, and that of the region from Nicaragua through Belize to Yucatan (Mexico) between 1790 and 1798. The Roman Catholic kingdom of Spain, with the blessing of the Pope of Rome, ran roughshod in this region from the time of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage in 1492. Spain introduced African slave labor into the so-called New World. Spain raped the New World, in the name of God.

Correction appreciation
The editor of the Amandala forwarded me a note from eminent Belizean historian/librarian, Mr. Lawrence Vernon, in which he pointed out an error in my story titled “Her Moment to Shine”, which was published last Friday. In that piece I had said that a disgruntled Philip Goldson declared “seven days of freedom” in Guatemala AFTER he was jailed in Belize, for sedition. Mr. Lawrence says his research shows that Goldson was in Guatemala a month or so BEFORE he went to jail. I am sure Mr. Vernon knows that the paragraph in which the error was made wasn’t deadly serious, but the correction is very important. The paragraph in question was much smile humor, in color, not black and white, but the substance needed to be corrected. I said that to make sure that what follows here is not confused with “excuse.”

1970s Punta Gorda and Guatemala’s unfounded claim
by Jerry Enriquez. Sometime in the early 1970s, a large vessel, reportedly a Guatemalan gunboat, entered Belize’s southern waters and beamed its bright powerful spotlight up and down the entire length of the Punta Gorda coast as it headed slowly north of the town, then returned south. Allegedly, this was done to intimidate the residents of PG and to signal to the rest of country, Guatemala’s intent to aggressively assert her unfounded claim of Belize, especially southern Belize. I was a young boy then, returning home from an errand via Front Street that night when I saw this most unusual occurrence. A small group of citizens whom I met along the way had also gathered to observe. Among them, an elderly man opined that this was a sign of troubling times ahead as talks between Britain and Guatemala had broken down. His pessimism made me nervous.

Ministry of Health monitors possible presence of whooping cough in Belize
The Ministry of Health (MOH) issued a press release yesterday informing Belizeans of a confirmed case of Pertussis (whooping cough). The Centers for Disease Control alerted the ministry that in the third week of March, a tourist with the disease had travelled to Belize. The MOH had been notified of the case on April 13, and has since assembled a team to investigate further and get into contact with people with whom the infected person might have interacted. So far, there have been no confirmed cases in Belize, but the ministry is still monitoring the situation.

In the absence of PM Barrow, Government unable to articulate position on Guatemala’s ICJ vote
On Sunday, Guatemala held its referendum to determine whether its citizens consented to taking its claim of half of Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and other than a government press release which congratulated the Guatemalans for holding the referendum, Belmopan has been silent on the outcome. This afternoon, Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber, told reporters that due to the temporary absence of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Cabinet has not met to discuss the implications of Guatemala’s yes vote in its ICJ referendum. Government has not been able to articulate a position in the wake of Guatemala’s yes to the ICJ vote, Deputy Prime Minister Faber explained.

Supreme Court rules against Meridian Enterprises Limited
Meridian Enterprises Limited, owners of one of the largest banana-producing farms in the country, proceeded to sue the international corporation, Fyffes Group Limited, for breach of contract and damages stemming from Fyffes’ abrupt termination of its purported contract with them. Meridian is only allowed to sell its bananas to the Banana Growers Association (BGA), which, in turn, sells to Fyffes. Meridian claims that Fyffes believed that John Zabaneh, who was accused by the US of being a drug kingpin (that designation was retracted by the US some months ago), was still associated with the company, Meridian, and had cut them (Meridian) off as a supplier of bananas despite the fact that Meridian had bought over Zabaneh’s farms in 2012.

Antwan Rivero, 19, charged with the murder of Marcia Downs, 37
In the # 2 Magistrate’s Court this morning, Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford arraigned Antwan Rivero, 19, a construction worker of a Handyside Street address, on one count of murder. The charge was for the shooting death of Marcia Downs, 37, a mother of two, who resided in an alley off Handyside Street. Downs, who was employed at Channel 5, was shot around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, and died about one hour later while undergoing treatment at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.

The Reporter

Shooting downtown Belize City!
are that a shooting happened sometime after 11:00 p.m., Friday night in Belize City. Very sketchy information at this time is that the incident happened on Rectory Lane off Regent Street. We will post more information online as […]

Man critical after falling from moving pickup in OW
A man lies critically injured after he reportedly fell from a pickup truck this evening. Sketchy reports from police are that the man was sitting in the back of the pickup that was travelling near the Guinea Grass junction in Orange Walk. The man, not […]

Truck overturns on Philip Goldson highway
A truck full of logs overturned about half hour ago near the Tower Hill junction off the Philip Goldson highway. The incident occurred in the area of Little England community. We are awaiting information on whether anyone was hurt in the mishap. Motorists approaching the […]

City Mayor meets with US official
Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner and some city councillors met today with US Charge d’Affaires to Belize, Adrienne Galanek. The meeting served as an impetus to future partnerships between the Council and the US Embassy, which later posted on its Facebook page: “We congratulate you, […]

Police charge man for rape of teen
Police have arrested and charged a man with the rape of a teenage girl last week Thursday off the George Price highway. The man charged is William Daniel Carabantes, 24. The victim told police that on that night she was waiting for a ride from […]

Ministry of Health on the lookout for whooping cough
The Ministry of Health is actively monitoring Belize for cases of Pertussis (whooping cough) after the Center for Disease Control (CDC) sent an alert that a person who was infected traveled to Belize. Dr. Ethan Goff, head of the Epidemiology Unit at the MOH, said that the […]

Diesel down, Regular up; cost of fuel adjusted again
In the fifth gas price adjustment for 218, drivers of diesel powered vehicles got some reprieve from the escalating prices, while consumers of regular gasoline saw their fuel cost inch ever-closer to $12 a gallon. The latest change, which took place on Saturday, April 14, saw Diesel […]

The fight against time to save the Antillean manatee
Positive strides made over the past two decades to protect and increase the threatened Antillean manatee population in Belize may have once again been undermined over more recent years by human interference. Estimates are that there are fewer than 2,500 adult Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus […]

OUTSTANDING OCELOTS!
Linda and Rhaburn our two gorgeous ocelots, have been living side by side for many months. It was always the intention of our Animal Management Department to allow an introduction to happen. And the objectives of the exercise would be to allow both beautiful cats to have a larger area […]

Teen charged for shooting murder of single mother
Police have arrested and charged Antwan Rivero, 19, a construction worker of Belize City for last Wednesday night’s murder of Marcia Downs, who was shot dead in her yard on Handyside Street in Belize City. Police would not say if Downs’ killing was influenced by […]

Was Dangriga fire a case of arson?
After more than two weeks of investigation, police are still been unable to determine the circumstances that led to an abandoned house in Dangriga being destroyed by fire. The department has been investigating the incident, which happened on April 7, around 10:30 a.m., but to date have […]

Hattieville residents granted bail on drug and gun charges
by Anita Nembhard/Flowers Four Hattieville residents found in possession of high grade imported marijuana and 28 live rounds of ammunition at the northern border, were charged then granted bail to the tune of $25,000 plus one surety on Friday, April 12th. They have been identified as 30-year-old Maudel Blancaneaux, 31-year-old […]

Man accused of slitting Panamanian Ambassador’s throat claims self defense
He was only 18 when he was accused of killing a Panamanian Ambassador on November of 2013. Now 23, Wilser Echeverria faced Judge Antoinette Moore in the Dangriga Supreme Court on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 and claimed self-defense in the matter. The case was prosecuted […]

Belize elected to serve on Executive Committee of the CRFM
The Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) convened its annual session of the Caribbean Fisheries Forum earlier this week in the island paradise of Montserrat, where representatives of Fisheries authorities from Belize and several other Caribbean countries met to discuss pressing issues affecting the fisheries and […]

Seven-decade full circle: Guatemalans vote “Yes” to ICJ
There are all sorts numbers that should be and have been coming up for analysis in relation to last Sunday’s, April 15th referendum vote in Guatemala. Surely, the 95.8 percent “yes” vote is naturally the most eye-catching, albeit most unsurprising, statistic. Next to that number is the less than 30 […]

Guatemalans say “Yes” to the ICJ
On Sunday, April 15 around 1.9 million Guatemalans voted in favor of Guatemala taking its claim to Belize’s continental, maritime and insular territory to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a final resolution. The final results of the referendum were met with mixed reviews […]

Editorial
Several media houses covered the Guatemalan referendum while it was in progress, giving Belizeans a better understanding about what Guatemalans want to achieve. Some 26 percent of the voting population or some 1,985,982 men and women participated in the referendum and voted overwhelmingly in favor of taking the Belize-Guatemala land […]

City Admin sues City Hall over suspension
The early warnings that Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner sounded to his staff upon taking over office last month came with swift action when he suspended the City Administrator two Thursdays ago; but now he faces a law suit for allegedly not adhering to proper […]

Belizean man arrested for illegal fishing in Guatemala
Three men, including one Belizean, are in Guatemalan custody after the trio was allegedly caught transporting a large shipment of out-of-season lobster in Guatemalan waters. According to Guatemalan newspaper, Prensa Libre, the men were detained by Guatemalan authorities early Tuesday morning. Iginio Canto, Julio Rodriguez […]

Tourist falls at Xunantunich, NICH assures visitors’ safety
An American tourist was transported to the San Ignacio community hospital on Wednesday afternoon after she fell 15 feet to the ground while descending the stairs of the Xunantunich archaeological site. The extent of the injuries that the tourist, Cindy Vanhoff, 59, sustained are unknown; […]

Police rename Eastern division regions
The Police Department and the Ministry of National Security, this week, announced that as part of continued efforts to encourage peace and positivity in Belize city a decision was made to rename the the Eastern Division’s three jurisdictions. “In an effort to eliminate the ongoing stigma that […]

Belmopan squatters given two-week notice to clear out
The Belmopan City Council has given a group of squatters who have settled in the Mount Pleasant Creek Reserve a two-week notice to vacate the area or be removed by force. The Council served the written notices to the squatters this week, advising them to […]

Breaking Belize News

After 7 years locked up, man freed of murder charge
Kareem “Yankee” Francis, 28, is the latest person to walk free from a murder […]

Accused rapist scheduled for trial
After almost two years on remand, accused rapist and robber, Adam Meighan, has been committed to […]

Violent protests erupt in Nicaragua over Social Security reform
Nicaraguans are protesting a new Social Security law passed by President […]

Junior College in Benque recognized for unique liberal arts program
John Paul II Junior College (JPIIJC) in Benque Viejo del Carmen is the only Junior College […]

Jamin Perez is elected ‘Principal for a Day’ at St. Andrew’s Anglican School in Cayo
This morning, Saint Andrew’s Anglican School in San Ignacio Town, Cayo held its ‘Principal for […]

Blaze it up- 4/20, Weed day today!
Are you wondering why friends are sharing 4/20 and pictures of marijuana leaves on their […]

Minister of National Security tours coast guard facility
Today, John Saldivar, the Minister of National Security toured the improved Belize Coast Guard facility […]

1 dead in a fatal traffic accident on Stann Creek Valley Road
Authorities in southern Belize are reporting a fatal traffic accident that occurred yesterday afternoon around […]

Student raped by security guard at her school
Police in Belize City are investigating the rape of a young girl that happened on […]

Search for Lionel Velasquez continues
Last night, BBN reported of Paraiso villager, Lionel Velasquez, who works at Turneffe Island and […]

PUP yet to make a decision on ICJ
The government of Belize and the Opposition, People’s United Party have congratulated Guatemala on recently […]

Belize participates in Penn Relays track and field competition for 1st time
For the first time, Belize will participate in the Penn Relays. The Penn Relays (also […]

Belize~ The Language of Peace with Guatemala
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News. […]

UN Torture Prevention Body to make first visit to Belize
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will visit Belize for the first […]

BTL CEO: Belize has the fastest mobile network in Caribbean and Central America
Belize now has the fastest mobile internet in the Caribbean and Central America according to […]

Blogs

“Belize reawakened me” says Ali Wunderman
We met Ali Wunderman in the most unlikely of places, and once we spent more time together, it was clear that our chance meeting in the Chiquibul rainforest in the Maya Mountains is classically Ali. She is unique, outspoken, passionate and in love with Belize. Her experiences, which she shares frankly with us, have only cemented her love further. Here she shares some of her reasons ‘Why Belize?’ MBB: So first of all, how did you find out about Belize? Surprisingly late in life! A few years ago I was going on a kayaking trip in San Francisco, and the guide was just about to move to Belize to start a kayaking company there. He was really cool and he made Belize out to be this magical jungle paradise, more off the beaten track than Costa Rica or even Nicaragua.

Losing your OCD in Belize
Living on Ambergris Caye for 12 years has made me realize that losing your OCD in Belize is a part of natural evolution. Let me qualify above statement by saying I have long said everyone has a little bit of “Sheldon” in them. For those who are not familiar, he is the oddly amusing high-level Obsessive Compulsive Disorder character in the TV show “The Big Bang Theory”. Scheduling is a great example. Most people have some degree of OCD on scheduling their lives. Life is definitely not as regimented here in that respect. If you just keep your flow and think outside the box you can easily make things happen instead of being frustrated when “traditional” methods are not working.

International Sources

What’s the Best Caribbean Island for You?
Of course, we all know the Caribbean is the perfect place for sun, sea, and sand. But not all islands were created equal: This dreamy cluster of isles stretching more than 2,000 miles across the Caribbean Sea is home to a wealth of destinations, each with its own unique topography, attractions, and individual style. Belize’s largest island is a must-visit destination for serious scuba divers angling to explore the Belize Barrier Reef, the largest of its kind in the Northern and Western Hemispheres. The island’s main town of San Pedro is home to most of the resorts, but divers in search of a more secluded experience should head just three miles off the mainland to Cayo Espanto, a private-island resort where the white sands and clear waters are exclusive to a handful of lucky guests. When you’re not busy swimming with colorful triggerfish and parrotfish, you’ll be soaking up the sun at your private plunge pool.

8 Luxurious Honeymoon Hotels You Can Actually Afford
If there’s one vacation where you want to feel like you’re in the literal lap of luxury, it’s undoubtedly on your honeymoon. As they say, you only get married once—you might as well enjoy it to the fullest. But, let’s be honest, most of us don’t have the unlimited budget that allows such lavish vacations. The good news is there are plenty of honeymoon hotels worldwide seemingly dripping in luxury that don’t cost an arm, leg, and all your wedding gifts combined.

Where in the Caribbean can you smoke weed?
It's 420, the day that marijuana smokers consider Cannabis Christmas. As the world focuses on marijuana, not just the consumption but the repeal of laws that make possession and consumption illegal, we take a look at what Caribbean islands are doing in that regard. Is it safe to smoke in the Caribbean? Which islands have made marijuana legal and can you smoke just for medicinal use or recreation? In this list, we look at the islands taking a progressive stance on marijuana.

Videos