June 9, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Guatemalan Vice Minister Visits the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce
Mr. Jairo Estrada, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Commercial Cooperation, along with his team, paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister with responsibility for Investment, Trade and Commerce. The Ministers, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission for Belize and Guatemala, Mr. David Vargas, discussed improving the trade relationship between the two countries by operationalizing the Administrative Commission in Guatemala.

LIII Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, the Heads of State and of Government of Central American countries convened in Guatemala City for the LIII Summit of the Central American Integration System (SICA). SICA leaders met to take stock of the progress of the region’s integration agenda in several areas including security, social and economic integration, climate change, and the ongoing migration challenge.

SIB reports inflation rates increase; San Pedro feels it more
According to latest release by Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), Belizeans are paying slightly more for basic goods and services than last year through the first quarter of 2019. Figures released by SIB show that the All-Items Consumer Price Index for March 2019 stood at 104.8%, an increase of 0.3 % from 104.5% in March 2018. On average, during the month of Apirl in 2019, the prices of goods and services regularly purchased by Belizean households were 0.3% higher than they were in the same month of 2018.

San Pedro Teams competing in FFB U-15 and U-17 Football Tournament
The Under-15 (U-15) and Under-17 (U-17) Male Football Tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize (FFB) is underway and seeing the participation of two teams (U-15 and U-17) from San Pedro Town. For their first round of games of the season, San Pedro Teams hosted teams from Corozal Town at the Ambergris Stadium on Saturday, May 25th. The first match started at 11AM with San Pedro’s U-15 team going against Corozal Town’s U-15 team. The island boys fought hard to win their first home match of the season, but when the whistle blew it was a clear 3-0 victory for the Corozal team. For their next match, both San Pedro Teams will be traveling to Orange Walk Town to go against Orange Walk’s U-15 and U-17 teams on Saturday, June 8th. The games are scheduled to begin at 11AM at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk Town.

Misc Belizean Sources

World Ocean Day Beach Cleanup Campaign at Miami Beach
This morning, Oceana Belize from Corozal did a" World Ocean Day Beach " Cleanup Campaign at Miami Beach. Oceana Belize would like to Thank those who all participated at this morning's Cleanup Campaign. Scouts of Belize, Rotaract and wave makers came out to join this event.

Hopkins Mango Festival
Visitors and locals alike attend the annual Mango Festival in Hopkins Village. BTB is proud to be a sponsor of this year's thriving Mango Fest.

Channel 5

61 Year Old Man Robbed
Belize City police are investigating a robbery which occurred last night on Neal Penn Road. Police say that 61-year-old Godfrey Rowland was riding his bicycle at around 8:15 p.m. when he was ambushed by two men who emerged from the bushes. The attackers wore stocking over their faces in an attempt to conceal their identities. A fire armed was produced causing Godfrey to fear for his life. He was punched in his abdomen and face. The robbers escaped with a bag containing an undisclosed amount of money.

Stabbed in His Own House
29-year-old Irbin Orlando Monroy is recuperating today after he was stabbed last night. It happened at around 9:30 p.m. while Monroy was at his house on Prince Street, Belize City. Police say that the attacker knocked on Monroy's front door and upon making checks an altercation ensued between both men. As a result, Monroy was in his chest.

Murder in Belize City
Police in the Old Capital are investigating the murder a security guard. According to reports, 34 year old Haitian National Jacques Wilder was found dead this morning. We are told that he was found between two cargo vehicles near Foam Factory on the George Price Highway. His hands were tied.

The Reporter

Taxpayers Not Liable for AIBL Woes, Says FinSec
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) case against the principals of the $100 million Sanctuary Bay real estate fraud carried out in Belize has swept up the Atlantic International Bank Ltd. (AIBL) in the investigation, leading to its eventual demise; jeopardizing the offshore sector and causing the government to engage in discussions with the FTC regarding a settlement of the issue.

Security Guard Murdered At Foam Factory
Police have officially release the name of the latest murder victim. He is Security Guard Haitian national Jacques Jean Wilder. Wilder’s body, was found around 5:05 a.m. on June 8th on the Foam Factory compound located at mile two on the George Price Highway.

Reformed Street Figure Executed In Taylor’s Alley
Just after 9:30 a.m. on June 2nd, gunshots rang out in Taylor’s Alley, scattering a group of men and sending them running for their lives. When the commotion died down, it was an all too familiar scene as one man lay bleeding inside a yard. Sources say that when the gunshot went off, the deceased Alvin Cumberbatch, 36, known as “Big Ben” attempted to flee from the scene but he only made it a couple of feet away and toppled over.

Father Charged For Death of Baby Boy
Following days of intensive investigation Troy Banner, the father of two-month-old baby Thevane Banner, has been officially charged by Police for the crime of Manslaughter in relation to the suspicious death of the child.

Editorial – Friday, June 7th. 2019
On Thursday, June 6th the countries which fought the German and Japanese forces in World War ll celebrated D-Day, that fateful day in June when the greatest sea-borne invasion in history was launched upon the beaches of France to take back the countries of Europe from the grasp of the German dictator, Adolph Hitler.

Allow Me To Introduce Myself
By: Mike Rudon Jr. – There are very many people who feel that I will never change. They see my words, and understand that I am good at words, and they believe I am a man only of words and little willpower. They think that I use my words to manipulate. Maybe I have. Maybe they’re not far wrong.

The Line Between Sanity and Insanity
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - I remember visiting Belize City regularly with my parents when I was younger. City trips as a kid was always a highlight. I grew up in Belmopan all my life so Belize City was totally different. It was busy, noisy and everything moved at a much faster pace than what I was used to. I remember the bustle of Albert Street and Battlefield Park with trees and benches which were often times occupied by the homeless and “challenged.”

Breaking Belize News

Student, 11, shot innocently in Belize City needs help with medical expenses; Two Belizean companies step in to help
Eleven-year-old student of St. Luke Methodist, Kyron Green, was shot to the face on May […]

Accused George Street gangsters face court
Four familiar names were taken on Friday before the Magistrate’s Court. Police allege that they […]

Fifth annual Jazz Festival winding down
This weekend marks the end of the 5th Annual International Jazz Festival, hosted by the National […]

San Pedro Tigersharks are 2019 NEBL champions
They’re probably still partying this morning on Ambergris Caye, as the San Pedro Tigersharks swept […]

Belize making history at NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour
For the first time ever, Team Belize is advancing in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour, […]

Burglar enters home and steals tablet in Belize City
Belize City resident, Rhea Rogers, 42, visited police last night and reported that her home […]

Senior citizen beaten and robbed in Belize City by 2 masked men
A senior citizen was ambushed and robbed last night on Neal’s Penn Road in Belize […]

Man, 29, stabbed to the chest last night in Belize City
A man is hospitalized after he was stabbed last night. He has been identified as […]

Security Guard, 34, murdered at his work place
A security guard was found dead at the Foam Factory at mile 2 of the […]

Videos

June 8, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

BDF Soldiers Participate in Military Exercises in Louisiana, U.S.A.
Twenty soldiers of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Volunteer Element departed the country on Thursday, May 30th, to participate in military exercises at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, U.S.A., along with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana National Guard. The main purpose of the training exercise is to validate Combat Teams readiness for deployment. The soldiers will be trained in Wide Area Security, Combat Arm Maneuver and in Conduct of Offensive, Defensive and Stability Operations. The BDF Volunteer Soldiers will be working alongside U.S. Special Forces for the first half of the training. Thereafter they will take up the role as Opposing Forces. The Belize contingent is led by Captain René Cavanas.

PUP Standard Bearer Andre Perez donates to San Pedro Police Department
The Belize Rural South (BRS) People’ s United Party (PUP) standard-bearer, Andre Perez donated a much-needed air conditioner and two printers/scanners to the San Pedro Police Department on Wednesday, June 5th. The donation was received by Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit Superintendent Reymundo Reyes along with other police officers. The donated items are expected to positively benefit the department. The AC and one of the printers/scanners are to be installed at the prosecution offices at the Magistrate Court. The other printer will be used downstairs by the police officers for purposes of recording and filing citizen statement.

Meet Miss Mexico And Panama – Costa Maya Pageant
This week we introduce to you the Miss Mexico contestant for the Costa Maya Pageant; she is 25-year-old, Monica Fernanda Hernandez Reynaga. Monica Reynaga is a proud Industrial Engineer student who enjoys sports and being active as her favorite pastime. Miss Panama is 22-year-old, Katherina Aurora Rios Cabrales. Katherina Aurora Rios Cabrales is currently on her second year attending La Universidad Latina pursuing a degree in Psychology. Katherina is no stranger to beauty pageants as she boasts previous experience in participating in the Señorita Panamá 2018 where she represented Isla del Rey and has also modeled for Physical Modelos modeling agency.

BTIA goes ‘Green” for Greater Profits
Belize tourism must protect the natural environment which is our prime attraction, and will help to market Belize as a sustainable destination, avowed John Burgos, President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), as the BTIA launched its Sustainable Tourism Project at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza Hotel in Belize City on Friday morning, May 31.

Pesticides Control Board Hosts Training for Pest Control Operators
Nine Pest Control Operators were recognized by the Pesticides Control Board on Monday, 3rd June 2019, at a ceremony held in Belmopan, for their achievement in the successful completion of an updated training programme for trade applicators involved in urban or structural pest control. The training programme consisted of 48 hours of theoretical courses divided into three modules, with an evaluation following each module, and a final practical evaluation.

Ambergris Today

Belize Submits Its Notification Of Successful Referendum To ICJ
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that notification of the Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala to submit Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 2008, along with its Protocol of 2015, was deposited to the Registrar of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands, today, June 7, 2019.

Misc Belizean Sources

Court Ruling Won't Stop ACCSD's Commitment to Protecting Cayo Rosario
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is the #1 attraction for tourists that visit Ambergris Caye; this protected area and national jewel generates millions of dollars for the community and the government of Belize. Cayo Rosario sits in the middle of the Hol Chan Expansion, protected as a productive fish nursery, world-renowned catch and release sport fishing zone and important migration corridor. On May 30, 2019, the Supreme Court of Belize refused leave for Judicial Review in the case brought forward by the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) against the Department of Environment (DOE) regarding the approved development at Cayo Rosario. The Belize Fisheries Act, Hol Chan Regulations (2015) clearly states that, "No Person within the boundaries of the reserve shall erect any structures temporary or permanent unless authorized by the Fisheries Administrator.”

Tiger Sharks Win NEBL Championship!
GOOOOO TIGER SHARKS! With a 72-65 victory over Belize City Hurricanes, the San Pedro Tiger Sharks are your 2019 NEBL Champions!!!

Global Sustainable Tourism Council Assessment Conducted in Belize City
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA), the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Belize Tourism Industry Association through the World Wildlife Fund partnered with the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies to conduct a Sustainable Destination Assessment for Belize City, using the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sustainable tourism criteria. The Sustainable Assessment is a first time for Belize and to the Mesoamerican region where similar assessments have been conducted in Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico in 2018. The assessment will assist Belize and the two other destinations to profile their current sustainable tourism status.

Belize Submits its Notification to the International Court of Justice
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces that notification of the Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala to submit Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of 2008, along with its Protocol of 2015, was deposited to the Registrar of the Court in The Hague, Netherlands, today, June 7, 2019. Article 8 of the Special Agreement as amended provides that the Registrar of the Court shall be notified of the Special Agreement jointly or by either of the Parties within a month after the referendum in each country has approved submission of the dispute to the ICJ.

Happy Police Week!
Police Week 2019, will be observed from June 23rd to June 29th In every district & jurisdiction. There will be activities simultaneously happening that will involve the public/community & police officers in public awareness/education, training & sporting activities etc.

World Map project
Check out the World Map project that BRO and GLOW clubs have finished in PCV Emily's site! "After 5 months of drawing, painting, and lots of patience, the BRO and GLOW Clubs have finished the World Map project at our school! I am so proud of their commitment, enthusiasm, and passion in creating an educational tool and legacy in their community.

Beyond the Horizon is coming back to Belize in 2020!
We just wrapped up the Initial Planning Conference in San Antonio, Texas and look forward to continuing our preparations for the construction projects and free medical clinics that will take place in Corozal next year. Thank you to USSOUTHCOM and U.S. Army South for hosting and organizing the conference and to our Belizean colleagues for your input and participation. #BTH is an exercise designed to build partner nation capacity for civil and military response to major disasters and to strengthen relations between our nations.

Chi Gordon recognized as a Young Belizean Entrepreneur
Celebrating Young Belizean Entrepreneurs! For the month of June, we are excited to feature Fatima Chi Gordon as our Young Belizean Entrepreneur! Fatima is co-founder of the accounting firm L3G's & Associates along with Ms. Yadira Chi. As a child, Fatima's "toys" were used books rather than Barbies like her siblings. After enrollment in school, her mom was convinced Fatima was destined for something greater than just a job. She was ambitious. When Fatima began pursuing a career in accounting, she faced a challenge common to many young people: where to get the funds to pay for her education. But Fatima persevered, receiving a fully funded scholarship from the Social Security Board.

Kids In Action 2019
Jul 15 at 5 PM, San Pedro High School. Free scuba diving certification and Coral Reef Conservation Specialty for Ambergris Caye elementary schools children. The diving community, giving back to it's island.

Global Sustainable Tourism Council Assessment Conducted in Belize City
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA), the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Belize Tourism Industry Association through the World Wildlife Fund partnered with the George Washington University International Institute of Tourism Studies to conduct a Sustainable Destination Assessment for Belize City, using the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sustainable tourism criteria. The Sustainable Assessment is a first time for Belize and to the Mesoamerican region where similar assessments have been conducted in Roatan, Honduras and Cozumel, Mexico in 2018. The assessment will assist Belize and the two other destinations to profile their current sustainable tourism status.

Belize City is well on its way of becoming a Sustainable City
We are excited to announce that Belize City is well on its way of becoming a Sustainable City in the region of Mesoamerica! For the first time ever, the Ministry of Tourism & Civil Aviation with the BTB and BTIA have partnered with George Washington University to assess Belize City alongside the sustainable tourism criteria. Works will now start to implement the Action Plan towards Sustainable Tourism for the city. Here’s to a better and more environment-friendly Belize!

The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for Guard
To view and apply for this vacancy announcement, please visit the ERA site at: https://erajobs.state.gov/…/vacancysear…/searchVacancies.hms For instructions on how to apply via the ERA system, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website at: https://bz.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/ . The U.S. Mission in Belmopan provides equal employment opportunity and fair and equitable treatment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. APPLY NOW! Deadline is June 20, 2019.

Ya’axché Farmers' Expo June 22
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, 22nd of June 2019 Ya’axché Farmers' Expo will happen at Indian Creek village school grounds. We will be awarding outstanding farmers of the Maya Golden Landscape, having information on climate-smart farming practices, fresh organic farm produce, live music by a DJ, food, drinks and a football marathon. See you at the Ya’axché Farmers' Expo!

Channel 7

Man Dies In Car Crash After Club Outing
A man was killed in an accident this morning after 4:00 on the Northern Highway. 38 year old Evan Gillett, who was driving the red Saturn SUV, and his cousin 25 year old Michael Young were heading back to Belize City after a night out at Eruption Nightclub in Ladyville. Gillett lost control and slammed violently into the median near mile 4.

Man Critical After Police Negligence in Cellblock
Colin Francis stabbed a psychiatric nurse and was charged for attempted murder yesterday; tonight - he has other serious charges pending, after a man who he beat up in the Queen Street cell block is in critical condition at the KHMH. Nestor Vasquez Jr. is at the KHMH clinging to life after receiving massive head injuries - allegedly inflicted by Francis in a vicious cell block beatdown. Police have responded quickly to what they concede is a case of negligence. And tonight, 3 police officers from Precinct 3, Sergeant Shawn Walton, who was the executive duty officer at the station, and Police Constables Edward Pitterson and Bernard Cayetano are on interdiction with half-pay, and are facing disciplinary charges.

Excelsior Remembers Alarice
There have still been no arrests and no real answers in Tuesday's triple murder of Alarice Andrewin, Vidal Yuman Cacho and Maria Delfina Lucas. Police have detained persons for questioning, but no one has been charged. Police are looking at a number of theories including the fact that her home was burglarized a month ago, and that she took over the reigns are Principal of Excelsior - after it had been discovered that 175,000 dollars in school monies had been misappropriated.

Gaza Gangsters Charged
Tonight, four alleged gang members are on remand at the Belize Central Prison. They are accused of being a member of a gang. They are 27-year-old Shane Harris, 27-year-old Henry Cornejo, 24-year-old Jovan Clare, and 23-year-old James Matthew Palacio. Police allege that Harris and Cornejo are member of the George Street Gang, while it is alleged that Clare and Palacio are members of a cell of the George Street gang cell known as the Afghanistan Click.

Buy & Sell Scammer Charged
An 18 year old will spend his 19th birthday in jail - after Belmopan police say he pulled off a brazen facebook swindle. 18 year old Sheldon Rodriguez is accused of two counts of "Obtaining property by deception." The first accusation is that Deseree Arzu from Belize City contacted him over Belize Buy and Sell and contracted him to buy an engine and bring it from the US to Belize. She claims she paid him $1,500 dollars and then he disappeared.

Ambergris Caye Citizens Will Fight Cayo Rosario
A week ago, we told you how the Department of Environment got a big win in the Supreme Court against the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development. This group of San Pedro residents was asking the court for judicial review against the DOE for granting environmental clearance to Cayo Rosario Development Limited. That company wants to construct of a resort on Cayo Rosario, a 10-acre island off the northwest coast of San Pedro. Justice Courtney Abel dismissed their claim at its very preliminary stage. The ACCSD notes that the May 30th refusal by Justice Courtney Abel was disheartening, but it does not deter them from their goal, which is to, quote, "stop destructive development, massive dredging, and over-the-water structures in Belize's Hol Chan Marine Reserve." End quote.

Another Manatee Chopped Up
A dead manatee washed ashore in the Yabra area this morning. The male manatee died a gruesome death, he was slashed up and disemboweled by boat propellers - unfortunately it is the end many manatees meet in Belize and that is why the Sea to Shore Alliance team wants to continue raising awareness to boaters to be careful and vigilant especially in shallow waters. Jamal Galvez, Sea to Shore Alliance: "Yesterday evening we got a call about a Manatee that was hit by a water taxi, I am not sure which one as yet. I am going to look into that today. Unfortunately, none of the water taxis have reported it. Some passenger on a boat had reported it to a colleague of mine and he had passed on the message to us..."

Belize Deposits Case At ICJ, the Countdown Begins
On May 8th, Belizeans voted "YES" to the ICJ. And, tonight, the Government of Belize is reporting tonight that it has officially notified the ICJ of that yes vote, just in time to meet the 1-month deadline after the May 8th result. A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the notification of the 2008 Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, along with its 2015 protocol, was delivered today to the Registrar of the ICJ at its headquarters in the Hague, Netherland. Belize's letter of notification was signed by Minister Wilfred Elrington, and it was hand delivered by Belize's Ambassador in Belgium, Dylan Vernon.

Guat Vice Minister in Belize
And, perhaps in line with this new phase in Belize - Guatemala relations, a high-ranking member of the Guatemalan Government was in Belize yesterday. He's Jairo Estrada, Guatemala's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for Commercial Cooperation. He and his team paid a courtesy visit on Tracy Taegar-Panton, the Minister of State with responsibility for Investment Trade, and Commerce. According to an official release, they discussed how they could improve the trade relationship between the neighboring countries. The hope is to re-open dialog on the Partial Scope Agreement, and possible links between the Secretary of Economic Integration of Central America (SEICA), and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

Sedi At SICA
And, keeping it on friendly foreign relations in Central America, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington was in Guatemala City on Wednesday for the 53rd Summit of SICA. The meeting was chaired by the outgoing President, Jimmy Morales, who, is also finishing up his term as Guatemala's President. A government press release says that the meeting highlighted an urgent need for a regional approach to the migration issue. Belize was also commended for the yes vote at last month's ICJ referendum.

The Quality Of Food Handling
Today, All around the world, public health personnel and medical professionals observed World Food Safety Day. It is to remind everyone of the importance of the job that these officials perform, while they police the agro-productive and livestock producing sectors. The world's leading health organizations say 1 in 10 people around the globe get sick from eating contaminated food. That's more than than half a billion victims in need of medical attention, and from that number, just under half a million of those patients die every year from food-borne illnesses.

Can You Spell "Whirligig"�?
The Countryside Park in Spanish Lookout was buzzing with activity for the 25th Bowen and Bowen National Spelling Bee this morning. The country's top 12 spellers battled it out, but in the end, Amir Miranda from Sacred Heart R.C School in Dangriga took the champion's title. 7News was there for the big win - here's the winning word: As you heard, the winning word was "whirligig," it is an object that spins or whirls or has at least one part that spins or whirls.

Wanderlust List
A group of young American social media stars - known as influencers - arrived in Belize this afternoon for an interesting trip. No, they're not here to take a break from all the "likes" and "forwards" they get in their home country, from their fans and the American press. They visiting instead to give Belize a major promotional bump as a tourist destination that travel enthusiasts may want to visit on their next vacation. Collectively, the 12 visitors have a social media reach of almost 20 million followers on instagram and youtube. And, all those viewers will be getting their fill of photographs and videos of all the tourist experiences that the team will be indulging in while they are here.

Saxuality For Jazz Fest
The Belize International Jazzfest continued last night ate the Bliss Cafe. It was an evening celebrating the horn and the the mastery of Dickie Straughn and and Richard Pitts. Here's how it sounded:..

G-Collective Eena Germany!
Meanwhile, in Germany, the Garifuna Collective is playing tonight in Berlin, Germany playing the YAAM Beach club. These images are from their gig last night in Switzerland. Tomorrow, they play in the Netherlands. This is the European leg of The Collective's tour, with stops at many of the biggest and best festivals in Europe.

Festival For All
And while those are Belize's accomplished musicians on local and global stages - the up and coming talent was at the Bliss last week, showcased in the Festival of the Arts Here are the golden winners from Orange Walk, Toledo and Belmopan. We leave you with that on this Friday night. Enjoy your weekend and join Indira Craig back here on Monday night.

Channel 5

Belize Submits Notification to I.C.J.
It has been a month since the historic May eighth I.C.J. referendum and steps have been taken following the ‘yes’ vote to formalize Belize’s position in taking the territorial dispute [...]

Belize and Guatemala’s Trade Ministers Meet to Discuss Trade Relationship
In other news involving Belize and Guatemala, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Commercial Cooperation, Jairo Estrada, called on Minister of Trade and Investment Tracy Taegar-Panton on Thursday [...]

Michael Young Perishes in Fatal RTA in Belize City
Twenty-five-year-old Michael Young lost his life this morning in an accident on the Phillip Goldson Highway near mile four.  Shortly after four o’clock, police were called to the scene of [...]

BT is out and His Soldiers are in Prison for Alleged Gang Affiliation
Tonight, the leader of the George Street Gang, identified as Brandon Tillett, also known as BT, remains a free man, while four of his alleged associates are on remand at [...]

Elderly Man Attacked in Cell Block, 3 Police Officers Placed on Disciplinary Charges
Sixty-year-old Nestor Vasquez junior is in critical condition after he was attacked in a holding cell at the Queen Street Police Station. The culprit has been identified as twenty-eight-year-old Collin [...]

Belama Phase 4 Residents Protest against Alex Chang
Belize City police broke up a protest this morning that unfolded along the Philip Goldson Highway. Residents of Belama Phase Four showed up in front of Fen Lan Company Limited [...]

OJ Elrington Comments on Belama Residents’ Protest
U.D.P. Standard Bearer Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington, who was involved in negotiations at the early stage, says that residents refused to take Chang’s proposals. According to Elrington, Chang was willing to [...]

Elrington Says Belama Land is Privately Owned Since 1991
According to Elrington, a land registry report shows that the land was privately acquired on October twenty-fourth, 1991. It was on October twenty-sixth, 2018 that the power of attorney was [...]

Meet the Winners of the 2019 National Primary School Track & Field Championship
Today, the national championship games for primary school track and field were held at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. Hundreds of children from across the country competed in the many [...]

Keeping Our Foods Safe
Unsafe foods kill four hundred and twenty thousand persons every year around the world. These are deaths that are preventable. When we consume unsafe foods it puts our health at [...]

Another Dead Manatee Found Floating Off the Coast of the Old Capital
Another dead manatee – that’s the sad news that manatee champion Jamal Galvez had to share today. On Thursday evening, a passenger on a water taxi reported that the boat [...]

Are You the Next Ocean Hero? Apply Today!
Do you have what it takes to be the next Ocean Hero? If you have done any work to champion the protection and preservation of the ocean, then Oceana wants [...]

Understanding ADHD, a Neurological Condition
June is being recognized countrywide as ADHD Month and is being used to create awareness on the neurological condition known as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It is organized by the [...]

The Lodge At Chaa Creek: From a Humbling Beginning to an Award Winning Resort
In part two of his Chaa Creek experience, News Five’s reporter Hipolito Novelo takes a look at what it takes to run an internationally recognized, award-winning resort. It all started [...]

Amandala

Heinous triple murder in home at Mile 10 ½
Yesterday, when Alarice Andrewin, 44, principal of Excelsior High School, did not show up at school, police were asked to go to check and see that all was okay with her at her home at Mile 10½ on the George Price Highway. The reason her colleagues were especially concerned was that they had not been able to make contact with her, and her home had been burglarized just about a month ago. When police arrived at Andrewin’s house at about 3:30 yesterday afternoon, they found that the front doors, one of wood and one made of iron bars, were open, and when they entered the house, they noticed that the house had been ransacked.

Protests at Belmopan Compre
On Wednesday, students and teachers of the Belmopan Comprehensive High School stood together in protest against the board of the institution. This was the direct result of a decision made by the school board to allow seventeen students who did not meet the academic criteria to graduate. Upon receipt of this information, several teachers submitted written requests for the board to reverse this decision, but their words fell upon deaf ears.

Troy Banner, 28, arraigned for manslaughter
Troy Banner, 28, of Camalote, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter for the death of his two-month-old baby, Trevane Banner. The charge was brought against him yesterday, Wednesday, at the direction of the Director of Public Prosecutions after the outcome of an autopsy that was done on the child’s body on Monday was released. The autopsy results indicated that the baby’s death was caused by fractures to the head and back, and head trauma consistent with Battered Child Syndrome.

Fined $3,500 for being a gang member
Brian Armstrong, 32, a stevedore of 165 West Canal Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of being a member of a gang when he appeared today before Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford. He was fined $3,500 and he was given until November 6, 2019, to pay. If he defaults on payment, he will serve 3 years in prison. Armstrong pleaded guilty to being a member of Rocky Road Bloods, a gang that is located in the Rocky Road area that is in close proximity to its rival gang, George Street Bloods.

The mayor, the minister and the machinery
The Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner, and the Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin, have been exchanging opposing sentiments over the issuance of exercise equipment that was to have been issued to the Mayor of Belize City, but instead was handed over to the Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Patrick Faber. In October of 2018, the Mayors Association of Belize and the Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding (an M.O.U.) stating that each municipality would receive a donation of exercise equipment that would be placed in various parks for public use, in order to promote a healthy lifestyle among Belizeans.

SJC 2E students and teacher publish book on Black Cross Nurses
There is a lot of history that is not being taught in the schools of Belize. The history of the Africans who were brought to Belize as slaves, and the Maya peoples who first populated Belize, has been neglected for generations, during the colonial period and later in the independent state of Belize, until St. John’s College incorporated the study of African and Mayan history in its curriculum. Today, at a short ceremony on its campus, the class of SJC 2E and their history teacher, Delmar Tzib, launched a book which was a collaborative effort of the students. The idea for the book grew out of an assignment to write a poem about the nurse, Vivian Seay, and the Black Cross Nurses that she led.

4th Annual C-Ray Cycling Club’s High School Series
The C-Ray Cycling Club hosted our fourth annual HIGH SCHOOL CYCLING SERIES. This program is geared towards populating the junior category at the highest level of cycling in the country with both male and female participants, as well as to introduce these student athletes to cycling and get them inducted into the sport. This year, we had eight participating schools: Wesley College, St. John’s College, Gwen Lizarraga High School, Sadie Vernon High School, Edward P. Yorke High School, St. Catherine Academy, Maud Williams High School, and ITVET.

Cricket Corner – Bandits at first in Zone One; Wicked 11 and Berlan will battle for first in Zone Two
Hello to all friends, families, fans, supporters and players of our so-loved sport – Cricket! Pleasant time of the day to all! Under the auspices of the Belize National Cricket Association (BNCA), the Sir Barry Bowen/ Harrison Parks Cricket Competition 2019 continued over the weekend with a few interesting games, with teams battling for first positions. As the regular season is coming to a close, the matches are getting really hot. It was not too hard for the Bandits team of Belmopan to clinch first in Zone One, as on Saturday they defeated Western Eagles, 77 to 74, with 3 spare wickets.

Individual awards at National Amateur Women’s League Championship
On Saturday evening, June 1, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Jewel Fury Bandits of Belmopan were crowned champions of the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2018-2019 Closing Season, when they overcame a 1-0 deficit from the finals 1st leg with an overtime 4-2 victory over Verdes Rebels of Cayo. The 2nd leg had started badly for defending champion, Jewel Fury, as Verdes’ Florine Vasquez, who had scored the penalty in their 1-nil 1st leg victory, struck early (11’) to put Verdes up 1-nil again (2-nil aggregate); but Jewel Fury rebounded with goals from Anisha Nah (12’), Vaylene Lambert (30’) and Fatima Romero (43’), for the 3-1 lead (3-2 aggregate) before the half ended.

Dangriga Mayor’s Cup Week 16 results & standings; playoffs near
The Stann Creek Football Association (SCFA) continued its Dangriga Mayor’s Cup 2019 Tournament over the weekend with 2 games each on Friday and Sunday in Week 16 of the tournament at the Carl Ramos Stadium. In Friday’s opener, Dangriga Young Footballers Academy (DYFA) dropped Iderei (DYS), 5-nil, with goals from Lionel Thompson (22’ & 56’), Travez Reynolds (34’) and Jose Martinez (51’ & 65’). And in the nightcap, Conquerors recorded a 3-0 win over Hopkins Ibayani with a goal apiece from Gilbert Swazo, Jr. (2’), Elroy Kuylen, Jr. (34’) and Ryan Saravia (76’).

Editorial: Political BTL, No justice, Defunct PAC
There was a legal hurdle our present government had to cross to reacquire BTL. The company, under private ownership, had made interconnection seem impossible for rivals, had not encouraged voice over internet, had not been respectful to the PUC (Public Utilities Commission) — the government’s utilities regulator, and it was felt that a change in ownership was necessary for the greater good. The PUP had tried to pry away the telecommunications company from the owner, and sell it to another owner. The PUP was not successful. The UDP, when it came to power in 2008, almost immediately moved to nationalize BTL, and the decision did not go unchallenged. The lawyers for the owners argued that it was unconstitutional for the government to take away a private company.

From The Publisher
I don’t think there is any danger for anyone in discussing a sensational security incident that happened twenty seven years ago. It is appropriate to discuss this with you, for the record, so that you Belizeans do not underestimate the training and abilities of our security forces in Belize. Sometime in 1992, I believe, a Salvadoran revolutionary of sorts got into the El Salvador embassy in Belmopan and took the ambassador, a lady, hostage. I’m fairly sure that the late Gerald Garbutt was the manager of KREM Radio at the time, and we at the radio and newspaper on Partridge Street were alerted that the kidnapper was travelling to Belize City with his hostage.

BECOL’S response to BELPO’s letter — “20 years of misinformation”
Dear Editor, As a responsible corporate citizen, BECOL wishes to hereby set the record straight on certain untrue allegations which were included in the “Letter to the Editor” referenced above. Contrary to the claim by BELPO in their letter published in the March 30, 2019 edition of the Amandala newspaper, BECOL is very strongly regulated by law to protect the people and environment in its area of operations as evidenced by the Consolidated Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP) signed between BECOL and the Department of the Environment (DOE).

The Champion Hills of Cayo!
Dear Editor, Whenever I read the “Pedal by Pedal” reports featured in the sports pages of Amandala, I have to smile. I smile because the reports always take me back to my favorite childhood memories when we would jump on our little dirt bikes and ride up and down these hills of western Belize on adventure. Back in those days Cayo was sweet and innocent. You could ride or hike through a farm without worrying about being shot at by greedy landowners.

Ghastly and gruesome murders
It must be a strange national and social disorder indeed that our country is experiencing when I review in my mind the spate of crimes, the nature of these, the players, and all the collateral matters that flow. I have written before that I have stopped looking at the evening news because I found myself with tears rolling down my eyes for the death of “strangers,” who, yet, are brothers and sisters, that in the sense of humanity, I know. I don’t want to become insensitive to the continuous murderous deaths because I feel that if I do I will lose my humanity and ability to empathize with those in pain and enduring hardship.

Governance in our democracy: what good is it and will we fight for it?
Recently, I’ve been feeling like we exist in the talented Belizean artist Michael Gordon’s reimagined expression of a Salvador Dali painting superimposed with the Edvard Munch work, The Scream. Reality has me clutching my head in the recurring nightmare of being naked on a crowded street. This time, however, it is institutions of national government being stripped, norms discarded and our country (state) laid bare. Having peacefully navigated the ICJ referendum, the future is ours to win. But what is the condition of our governing institutions? Are they weak and shallow? If so, what would strong governing institutions look like?

Small growers must maintain their share of the citrus industry
Over the last three decades the population of our traditional small farmers has been contracting, except in some areas of the Toledo District where visionary leaders insisted that they would not expose themselves to competition that had far greater financial resources and more modern agricultural technology. The first sign that small sugarcane farmers were endangered was the closing down of the factory at Libertad in the mid-1980s. There was some talk about ethanol production, but that never came to anything. The closing down of the factory was a clear indication that the government wasn’t supportive of more sugarcane production in that district.

Evidence says Khalid had to take a sin
I don’t pay too much attention to what goes on in Belmopan because I don’t live there anymore, but if I ever give in to nostalgia I know where a big chunk of my heart will be. Belmopan is where I spent my teen years, and there was a time when I knew every corner. Before BYGEA youth came on the scene, my gang had a garden where there is now Piccini, and another garden where there is now Mountain View. Just about the first meeting Amandala readers had with me came about because one day, in Belmopan, I parked my vehicle in a place where I used to roam, and the Belmopan City Council gave me a parking ticket. I understood the new rules in the growing city, but I felt rejected. In my youth, all of Belmopan turf was home to me, and all Belmopanese were my family.

Allegedly mentally challenged man charged for stabbing his nurse
Colin Nathaniel Francis, Jr., 28, a laborer of 8315 Mahogany Street Extension who appears to be mentally challenged, was brought today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson to be arraigned on charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. She explained to him as best as she could that she would not take a plea from him because the offences are indictable and a plea will only be taken if the matter is sent up to the Supreme Court for trial.

Shyne Barrow and Bradley Roe may end up suing one another
Belize Music Ambassador and United Democratic Party aspiring politician, Shyne Barrow, and Bradley Roe, a member of a prominent Belizean family, apparently will end up suing one another. The flare-up between Barrow and Roe began on May 11 while both men were at the Northern Shops, an upscale business establishment on the Philip Goldson Highway. A video from the parking lot of Northern Shops allegedly shows Roe assaulting Barrow, and as a consequence, Barrow made a report to the police and Roe was arrested and charged.

Henry Jacobs, 31, convicted of murder, gets 20 years
Henry Jacobs, 31, who was convicted of the murder of Brian Welch, 49, on July 20, 2018, was given a life sentence yesterday by Justice Marilyn Williams. Jacobs will be eligible for parole after 20 years, and his sentence is to commence from April 2012, when he was remanded. Before she decided on the sentence, Justice Williams heard pleas for mitigation on May 22, 2019, from two character witnesses and Jacobs’ attorney, Hubert Elrington. Welch, aka “Yankee”, was shot and killed on April 29, 2012.

Magistrate says police’s stop and search of two men charged with weed possession was unconstitutional
Two persons who were charged with possession of 19.3 grams of cannabis were acquitted of the charge yesterday when the police witnesses failed to establish that the two accused persons were in actual possession of the two plastic bags in which the drugs were found. What emerged from the case ought to force the police to take a closer look at the methods they employ to carry out some of their duties.

The Reporter

FAMILY OF NESTOR VASQUEZ RELEASES STATEMENT
The family of Nestor Vasquez Jr., 60, who was critically injured while in Police custody by a man awaiting a charge of attempted murder, has issued a statement expressing their desire to pursue legal recourse against the Belize Police Department for their negligence in the matter.

Officers Placed On Disciplinary Charges After Incident
Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has issued a release stating that three officers – Sergeant Shawn Walton, PC Edward Pitterson and PC Bernard Cayetano have been placed on disciplinary charges and interdicted from duties pending disciplinary hearings.

Remembering Anastayja…
At 19, most people are still in school, either about to graduate from sixth form, or just enrolled in tertiary-level education. But for Anastayja (Ana) Villanueva, a fourth form graduate who passed 13 CXCs and was her class valedictorian, she will have no chance of anything, not furthering her education, or continuing in the work force, or getting married and having children of her own because her life was snuffed out on Sunday, May 12th, allegedly by another woman a year older.

Bennett U.S Extradition Case ‘Stayed’- & Going To Supreme Court
Attorney Andrew Bennett, who faces an extradition proceeding for his alleged role in a money laundering sting conducted by US authorities, was back in Court on Tuesday for what should have been the start of the hearing. Instead, his attorneys made a “case stayed” submission, essentially claiming Bennett’s constitutional rights were violated.

Four Men Charged for Dangriga Robbery
On Wednesday, June 5th. four men were charged for the weekend robbery at Family Imports Store. Fredrick Anthony Arzu, 39, Marvin Amaya, 34 and Travan Smith, 20, have been formally arrested and charged for the crime of Robbery. Edmond Camal, 32, has been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

Belize submits Notification To ICJ
Belize has submitted its notification of the Special Agreement of 2008 between Belize and Guatemala and the Protocol of 2015, to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)

Belmopan CitCo Owes SSB $100,000 + SSB Rejects Employee’s Claim
An employee of the Belmopan City Council who had applied for sickness benefits from the Social Security Board (SSB) was denied those benefits recently because contributions had not been paid in to SSB in order for them to collect those benefits.

RTA Near Haulover Bridge, 1 Dead, 1 Injured
The Reporter has confirmed that one man has died in an accident early this morning. He has been identified as Belize City resident Michael Young, also known as Guzman or ‘El Chapo.’

Breaking Belize News

Tourism Ministry conducts Global Sustainable Tourism Council Assessment
The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MTCA), the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) and the Belize Tourism Industry […]

Police trio interdicted, charged over incident at Queen Street Police Station
An incident involving an altercation between two detainees, one an alleged mental patient, has led to […]

Chair at Orange Orchard Park in Santa Elena, Cayo vandalized
A chair at Orange Orchard Park in the Bradley’s Bank area of Santa Elena Town, Cayo […]

First ever game 5 decides National Elite Basketball League champion tonight
The Smart Belize Hurricanes and San Pedro Tigersharks are all tied up – both at […]

Ambergris residents continue to fight for Cayo Rosario
The Supreme Court last week denied leave for judicial review by the Ambergris Caye Citizens […]

Bureau of Standards and BAHA host joint seminar
Today, the Belize Bureau of Standards (BBS) and the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) teamed […]

Leon Weir, 34, sent to Hattieville prison for keeping firearm without license
George Street resident Leon Weir, 34, was before the courts again for keeping a prohibited firearm […]

Boy, 11, recovering from gunshot wounds; Family seeking help for medical expenses
Twenty days after being accidentally shot while on an errand, Kyron Green,11, has made a […]

Admitted gangster says he wants to be left alone by police
Police continue their crusade to rid the Old Capital of its gang elements, but one […]

2019 City Guide: What To Do and See in Belize
It’s not the most well-known of Caribbean vacation destinations, but the beautiful nation of Belize should absolutely be […]

Prison escapees to serve another year in jail
Convicts Rafael Mencias, 31, of Cotton Tree, Cayo District, and Wilser Echevarria, 23, originally from Corozal […]

Manatee brutally slaughtered by boat
This morning the mutilated body of an adult manatee that was hit by a boater […]

GOB makes submission to the ICJ
The Government of Belize (GOB) announced today that it has officially made its submission to […]

Mental patient to face additional charges for beating fellow detainee unconscious
Mental patient, Colin Francis Jr., has been remanded to prison until July 29th. He was arrested and charged […]

Man dies in fatal road traffic accident
A man is dead after a road trip last night. He has been identified as […]

Belize City Council establishes sporting relations in Mexico
The Belize City Council has established sporting relations with the Council in Quintana Roo, Mexico. […]

Man, 47, lucky to be alive after being chopped to the forehead
A man is lucky to be alive after he was chopped to the forehead last […]

Father, 28, charged for death of his 2 month old son gets bail
Troy Banner, 28, accused of allegedly killing his two-month-old son Thevane, was arraigned in court […]

LOVE FM

Belama squatters protest in front of Fen Lan
This morning, there was an illegal protest in front of Fen Lan, which is about 4 miles up the Philip Goldson Highway. The illegal protest did not last long before police came to break it up. Love News Reporter, Courtney Menzies, was in the midst of things before the police arrived. Courtney Menzez – Reporter: …

Social Media Influencers will Generate close to 20 Million Views during visit to Belize
Social Media Influencers are important to marketing companies because they generate loyal followers to their brands. The income generated from being a social media influencer has become so lucrative that Forbes Magazine now issues a quarterly issue that features influencers in categories including food, exercise, beauty and travel. Today, a contingent of influencers arrived in …

“Food Safety is Everyone’s businees”
Reports have shown that approximately seventy-seven million people in the Americas contract some type of foodborne illness on a yearly basis. In this regard, the United Nations recognized today, June 7, as World Food Safety Day to promote efforts that ensure the safety of our foods. Dr. Miguel Figueroa, the Director of Food Safety, at …

Fatal Accident on Highway
There was fatal accident four miles on the Northern Highway in an area near Fen Lan Company. This morning after leaving the Eruption nightclub on the Northern Highway, two friends 25 year old Michael Andrew Young and 38 year old Evan Gillett were returning to their homes in Belize City. The friends had left in …

Financial Intelligence Unit warns against cyber criminals
On June 4th, the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) sent out a Fraud Alert in which they warned business of an electronic scam that has become common within Belize. With Belize moving more and more towards technology, it is becoming easier for these cyber criminals, especially since many monetary transactions are now being done electronically. Love …

Financial Intelligence Unit talks of their role in the triple murder investigation
The FIU is also a part of the taskforce created to investigate the recent triple murder that took the life of notable teacher, Alarice Andrewin, along with Vidal Yuman, and Maria Juarez. Kent Clare, the director, also spoke to us about the role that the FIU would play in a criminal investigation such as this. …

Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) is ready to Clean up Marine Litter
The Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP), hosted a workshop on supporting outreach and education to raise awareness about marine litter while providing communities with the knowledge and capacity to implement best practices to mitigate the pollution of our sea. The Best Practice workshop was held today brought together stakeholders from public and private enterprises to learn …

Blogs

Aji – An oasis for good food and scenery
Tucked away through a (well-guided) pathway and past a wooden bridge is a beautiful restaurant setting called Aji. Primarily known for its absolutely romantic layout, with twinkling lights ready to cast their glow on happy couples for dinner, Aji is evolving. They now serve breakfast, weekend lunches and their famous dinners continue to inspire. For reservations, call 226-4047. Open every day except Tuesday, they serve breakfast from 8am – 10:30am, dinner from 5pm – 10pm and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, stop in for a delicious lunch (and poolside fun) from 11:30am – 2pm. Their happy hour runs from 2pm – 5pm, so you can really enjoy a fun afternoon! Located at Buena Vista Resort, two miles north of the bridge, they are just north of Grand Caribe. Follow the signs to a delicious and refreshing retreat!

International Sources

Copalli Rum Only Uses 3 Ingredients: Zero-Impact, Community Employment, and Education Grants
The duo behind Belcampo Meat Co., an eco-conscious collection of butcher shops and restaurants in the Los Angeles and Bay Area as well as New York City, has worked tirelessly to change that. We talked to Anya Fernald about how the Belize land owned by her co-founder, Todd Robinson, was transformed into Copal Tree Distillery and Copalli Rum. “For me, I’ve always loved the idea and the possibility to work in developing countries, too,” said Fernald about this new step for Robinson’s Copal Tree Lodge. “So the chance to do what we were doing in Belize and do it with high-quality ingredients and high-quality farming … is really powerful for me.” Copal Tree Lodge includes a sustainable resort and 3,000-acre organic farm that grows and preserves native crops. Using that same commitment to the local ecosystem, Copalli Rum is created in a zero-impact facility using a non-hybridized sugarcane varietal native to the area.

Glorious pictures of pristine marine protected areas around the world
Black margates school off the reef at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the oldest in Belize. It was created in 1987.

Don’t scuba? Here are 10 other underwater thrills
NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF Earth’s surface is covered by water. What lies beneath is a fascinating and mysterious world of submerged canyons, brilliant corals, and dazzling marine life. Entering the home of whales, jellyfish, and other sea creatures usually means scuba diving—requiring in-depth, open-water training and certification for using complex equipment. But new diving technology, submarines, and underwater destinations are giving non-divers a chance to get closer to the realms beneath the surface. (See beautiful photos of life underwater.) Here are 10 unforgettable undersea experiences accessible to anyone—whether you want to dive in, go for a spin, or stay dry below the surface.

Bozeman man rescues dog from Central America
southwest Montana man traveled thousands of miles for a job last December and brought back an unexpected friend. Bozeman photographer Wesley White traveled to Central America for a gig and had an unexpected turn of events days before leaving. "I was working on a small island off the coast of Belize called Thatch Caye," White said. "I was just eating some food, drinking water, kind of looking out across the flat water looking for fish movement, and I saw his tail wagging in the mangroves, and I thought, ‘Oh, it's another island dog,’ because they're everywhere down there. And when I turned around and saw the state he was in -- he had no hair, he had mites. That's when I realized like, OK, he was probably abandoned."

Another massive amount of sargasso is approaching the Mexican Caribbean
The Sargazo Mass Arrival Early Warning System warned that the affected strip covers a 500 km stretch of coastal coastline. A significant amount of sargasso is approaching the Mexican Caribbean coastline. The seaweed stain extends from the arc of the lesser Antilles to the Yucatan Peninsula, so the recharge of sargasso will continue in the coming days with medium to high intensity, affecting the destinations of the central and southern coast of Quintana Roo. This stretch would cover from Isla Blanca, to the North, to the Zaragoza Canal, in Xcalak, on the southern border with Belize, and affects with greater intensity the central and southern region of the State, while also reporting prevailing winds from the Southeast, conditions that act in synergy and carry sargasso in moderate to high intensity, especially towards the central and southern coast of Quintana Roo, at least for the next 72 hours.

Videos

June 7, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Guatemalan Gold Panner Arrested in the Chiquibul National Park
On the evening of Friday, 31st May 2019, Conservation Rangers and Special Constables operating in the Ceibo Chico area of the Chiquibul National Park, 7.5 kilometers inside Belize, intercepted three Guatemalan gold panners two of whom escaped into the jungle. The third was caught in time but a struggle ensued between him and a Special Constable where he had to be subdued by hand before being arrested for illegal entry into the Chiquibul National Park.

Parents encouraged to sign up children for the Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Summer Camp
From Monday, June 24th to Friday, July 12th, island students will have the opportunity to participate in one of the longest running summer programs in San Pedro Town. Celebrating its 20th year, the Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Summer Camp is aimed at promoting the conservation of the Belize Barrier Reef System by teaching children on the importance of coral and marine ecosystems. The summer program is hosted through a partnership between students from Smith College in Massachusetts, USA, and Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

New information indicates Eco-resort on Blackadore Caye to open by 2020
Most recent news has indicated plans for the opening of the multimillion dollar eco-friendly resort development at Blackadore Caye set for 2020. Blackadore Caye, which is owned by Oscar-winning actor Leonadro DiCaprio, is located west of Ambergris Caye and was at the center of controversy from environmentalists after plans emerged of its potential development. Originally the resort was expected to open in 2018 and was being developed by Paul Scialla, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Delos Developments, however following the approval of their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in March of 2016, further news on the development went cold.

San Pedro Sun reporter Dion Vansen participates in IVLP program for journalists
With the aim to gain more knowledge in the field of journalism, The San Pedro Sun’s senior staff report Dion Vansen is currently in the capital city of the United States of America, Washington D.C. participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)- Edward R. Murrow program for Journalists. The program titled ‘New and Traditional Media in the Digital Age,’ covers journalism in the USA, disinformation, investigative reporting and exploring the impact of digital and social media on the availability and veracity of news among other topics.

Ambergris Today

Belize Medical Associates To Open Clinic This Month!
Belize Medical Associates, Belize’s premier, private medical hospital and clinic announced that it will be opening its Poly Clinic in San Pedro on June 17, 2019. It opens June 17th with weekday hours 8 to 5pm, Saturday 9 to noon and closed Sundays. This is a BMA CLINIC not a hospital but they have direct access to BMA Hospital in Belize City. Dr Renae Sersland of San Pedro is the full time doctor and there will be a weekly rotation of doctors that will be posted when the clinic opens. Monday, Pediatrician, Tues, GYN, etc.

Misc Belizean Sources

SBDC Workshop: Business Plan Development
CALLING OUT ALL ENTREPRENEURS, ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS AND BUSINESS OWNERS This Workshop is for you!!! Presented by: Mr. Mark Bowman, Business Adviser, SBDCBelize, Beltraide. Location: Beltraide Conference Room, 14 Orchid Garden Street, Belmopan Workshop Date: June 13, 2019. Time: 9am to 12 noon. Cost: $30.00, Includes snacks and refreshments.

2019 Belize International Jazz Festival
The Festival's program is meant to educate, endear and encourage the Belizean public's awareness of Jazz music with a collection of locally and internationally known bands and performers to celebrate this universally cultural experience in Belize. This festival collaborates with local culture makers, small and large business enterprises, and globally renowned artists committed to social, cultural and economic well-being. The Jazz Fest is an important initiative promoting heritage preservation of our multi-cultural nation, through wholesome event and educational tourism.

CASTE WAR STORIES: CHAN SANTA CRUZ IN SAN PABLO
Pedro Marin is said to have fled to Belize from Chan Santa Cruz, Quintana Roo with his wife Paula Acosta shortly after the turn of the century. Before coming to San Pablo he lived in Corozal Town and Louisville where he worked as a laborer on sugar ranchos. Many of the mayeros who settled in the Douglas-San Pablo area during the 1920s came from sugar ranchos in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts ( San Juan Saltillo, Louisville, and Caledonia; and Louisiana Farm, and San Lorenzo) while others had moved away from BEPC-owned villages (San Estevan, San Felipe, Libertad, and San Joaquin) get out form under company control...

Monthly Weather Summary, May 2019
Monthly weather summaries are prepared by the climate section of the National Meteorological Service (NMS) of Belize. The NMS of Belize maintains a network of over 25 weather stations that are situated primarily in the agricultural regions of the country. Temperature and rainfall are read at 9 am each morning and the rainfall total read at this time represents the accumulated rainfall for the previous day.

Guatemalan Vice Minister Visits the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce
Mr. Jairo Estrada, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Commercial Cooperation, along with his team, paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Tracy Taegar-Panton, Minister with responsibility for Investment, Trade and Commerce. The Ministers, accompanied by the Deputy Chief of Mission for Belize and Guatemala, Mr. David Vargas, discussed improving the trade relationship between the two countries by operationalizing the Administrative Commission in Guatemala. The Commission was established by both countries in order to reopen dialogue on the Partial Scope Agreement (PSA), and possible linkages between the Secretary of Economic Integration of Central American (SEICA) and the CARICOM Single Market Economy (CSME).

LIII Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
On Wednesday, June 5, 2019, the Heads of State and of Government of Central American countries convened in Guatemala City for the LIII Summit of the Central American Integration System (SICA). SICA leaders met to take stock of the progress of the region’s integration agenda in several areas including security, social and economic integration, climate change, and the ongoing migration challenge. The meeting was chaired by the outgoing Presidency Pro Tempore, His Excellency, President Jimmy Morales of Guatemala. The meeting highlighted the need for an urgent regional approach to the migration challenge. Heads of State and Government acknowledged the positive developments flowing from progress in economic integration among some member states and agreed the future focus should remain on enhanced trade facilitation and competitiveness measures.

Farewell to Lt Col Simon Walton
We, with CEO Enriquez, took the opportunity for an informal fond farewell to Lt Col Simon Walton and warm welcome to the new BATSUB Command Lt Col Simon Nichols MBE. The BHC / BATSUB partnership is a vital part of supporting UK/Belize relations. Good luck Simon in your next adventure!

World Blood Donors Day
Make at date June 14, 2019

Petition: Establish food standards in Belize
Whereas, Belize lacks a national food certification system that has standards for natural, organic or pesticide-free food products; and, Whereas, such lack of national standards retards development of value-added food items, both domestic and import, and diminishes consumer choice; and, Whereas, such lack of national standards jeopardizes food security and safety; Therefor, we the undersigned consumer do hereby request the Bureau of Standards begin the promulgation of standards for a national food certification system, including necessary consultations with consumer groups and the public.

Learn sketching and oil painting in Corozal!
Register now! July 1-5, Christiline Gill Primary School.

BHA Annual General Meeting
Join us on Wednesday July 3, 2019 for our Annual General Meeting, where you can hear what the Association has been doing for you for the past year and new projects for the upcoming 2019/2020 membership year. Dynamic Keynote Speaker, Mr. Manny Melendez, Field Marketing Director of TravelClick, will be discussing Revenue Management and how to make it work for you. The morning seminar, hosted by Expedia and ADARA, will focus on Data Driven marketing and new marketing strategies that can improve the way you do business. Guest Speaker Raphael Saul will inspire you on how to enhance your business approach and increase sales. Call us at 223-0669 or email us at bha@btl.net to confirm your attendance.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend:
Wonder Park, Beach Bum, Captain Marvel, Detective Pikachu

How Toxic is Your Sunscreen?
A lot of sun means the need for more sunscreen, be sure that yours is as reef-friendly as possible.

Channel 7

Father To Court For Causing Battered Baby's Death
As we told you last night, Troy Banner has been charged with manslaughter for the death of his 8 week old son Trevane. While the infant's cruel death from multiple skull fractures and battered child syndrome has outraged many, police and the DPP's office could not find enough to charge him for anything more serious than manslaughter. Banner was arraigned this morning in Belmopan and granted bail. 7news was there and we spoke with Banner's attorney. Hurl Hamilton, after the court session:

Still No Answers For Alarice Murder
Tonight, the police special task force investigating the triple murder at Almond Hill is still looking for a plausible motive for the murder. As we've reported, 44 year old Alarice Andrewin, 39 year old Vidal Antonio Yuman Cacho, and 19 year old Maria Delfina Juarez Lucas were killed sometime between Monday and Tuesday at Andrewin's residence at mile 10 and a half on the western Highway. A post mortem conducted yesterday confirmed that Andrewin received, quote, "multiple penetrating gunshot wounds to the face."

Kyron's Slow Recovery
For almost 3 weeks now, 11 year old shooting victim Kyron Green has been hospitalized at the KHMH, critical but stable after being shot on Friday, May 17th. The standard four student at St. Luke's was shot in the face at a city Supermarket while running an errand for his mother. He was hit by a stray bullett intended for an adult target. The bullet struck one of the bones in the neck area, and it caused swelling on his spinal cord.

Mental Patient To Court For Stabbing Matron
He's accused of stabbing nurse Augustina Elijio at the Port Loyola Acute Mental Health Day Care Center, and, today, 28 year old mental patient Colin Francis Junior was charged for attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. He was taken before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts Anderson who explained to him as best as she could that she will not take a plea because the offences are indictable and a plea will only be taken if the matter is sent up to the Supreme Court for trial. She also explained to him that she cannot offer him bail because of the nature of the charges. She remanded him until July 29.

New SSB Contribution Schedule Approved For June 1st.
You probably don't know it - and if you did it would keep you up at nightbut the social security fund is near a dangerous tipping point. Every year, the fund is running multi million dollar deficits - because there aren't sufficient contributions to support to burgeoning cost of pensions. And, so after getting hard won buy-in from all the social partners, including the unions and the business sector, Social security has now gotten approval from Cabinet to implement a new revised schedule of contributions - the first in decades.

The Belmopan City Council and SSB
In other Social Security news, today SSB's CEO Dr. Colin Young spoke on the case where the Belmopan City Council worker could not claim any benefits because the city council was not paying her contributions. Well, Young says the City Council has a responsibility to make those payments and based on his information the council has not paid those contributions for 13 weeks only. Young outlined the SSB's procedure in dealing with a case like this and also a message for employers and employees in general to avoid this situation.

City Snaps Back At SSB
But the council also has to have its say. We also got comment from the Belmopan City Council's City Administrator Ralston Frazer. Frazer admits they were late on payment but didn't think it should have been an issue since he says the city council and the SSB have a payment arrangement. Aside from that, Frazer spins the issue around saying that they are the ones who are owed money. Ralston Frazer- City Administrator, Belmopan City Council: "I will be the first to let you know that yes the Belmopan City council had been late in a payment or two, as it relates to the Social Security Board, but in a way that it would not and should not have affected any employee..."

"Compre" Moves Ahead With Graduation
Last night we showed you the interviews with the Belmopan Comprehensive School students. They ditched the exam rooms and stood in solidarity with teachers who were against the administration's decision to allow 17 students to graduate after failing to meet the standard requirements. Well, we went to Compre to see if we could get a comment from the principal but she declined comment.

Alcoholism: Enforcement and Excess
Last week you saw part 1 of our alcoholism feature where we took you into the life of an alcoholic and told you about what services are available to get help. Well, tonight we bring you part 2 where we delve into the element of liquor licensing laws, enforcement and how the various options of establishments that sell liquor contribute and encourage alcoholism. For some, you can walk to the nearest bar or nightclub, for others, it might be just be a 10 to 15 minute drive to a spot that sells liquor but there certainly isn't a shortage. Courtney Weatherburne has the story.

Escaped Prisoners Plead Guilty
They escaped from the Belize Central Prison last month, and, tonight, 31 year-old Rafael Mencias and 23 year-old Wilser Echeverria, are back behind bars serving out the rest of their prison sentence. They were arraigned today before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson on the offense of escaping from lawful custody, and they wasted no time, pleaded guilty to the charge. They both asked for leniency, and they were each sentenced 1 year imprisonment, which will run concurrently to the sentences they are already serving.

Rocky Road Resident Convicted For Being In Gang
2 weeks ago, the police tested the new anti-gang legislation, when they prosecuted 4 men who pleaded guilty to being members of rival gangs in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. Well, the cops have charged 1 other man, and he too has pleaded guilty. He's 32 year-old Brian Armstrong, a stevedore of West Canal Street, and he was arraigned today in front of Senior Magistrate Aretha Ford for the offense of being a member of a criminal gang. He pled guilty, and he was sentenced to pay a find $3,500 by November 6, 2019. If he defaults on payment, he will serve 3 years in jail.

Rage On Rocky Road
Now, after he was sentenced, Armstrong said he quit the gang life about a year ago, but said police still believe he is a gang member because he lives in the neighborhood. And when he went back to that neighborhood this evening after pleading guilty - the police were right back there too - he says, looking to detain him again. They called our newsroom and we found Brian Armstrong in an explosive, emotional state:...

New BATSUB Boss
The British Army Training and Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) has a new commander. He's Lt. Colonel Simon Nichols, MBE. The British High Commission's Belmopan office posted this photograph on their Facebook page. Nichols is the man in uniform to the far left of the picture, and he takes over from Lt. Colonel Simon Walton, the outgoing commander, who you can see on the far left of the picture. They are joined by Felix Enriquez, the CEO in the Ministry of National Security and British High Commissioner Claire Evans.

The Legend and Legacy of the Black Cross Nurses
A mark of a good teacher is one who can inspire his or her students to become enthusiastic about education. And one teacher at Saint John's College got his students so excited about Caribbean History that they were able to produce a book, which they want to publish. It's a study of the Black Cross Nurses, which was founded in the 1920's, as the women's auxiliary of Marcus Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. And like Garvey, the Black Cross Nurses were activists agitating for black empowerment and equal treatment of persons of African Descent. The Black Cross Nurses had an influence all over the Caribbean, as well as in Belize, and, a group of 2nd Form students from SJC, researched their activities in this country, back when it was still the British colony known as British Honduras.

Belize Got The Jazz
The 2019, Belize International Jazzfest launched last night with gusto at a Welcome Jam Session at the Mexican Institute,. It continues tonight with a jam session at the Radisson, a concert at the bliss and a juniors piano concert at the Gina Scott music school. Here's why you should catch one of the concerts: Concerts continue right through to Sunday.

Garifuna Collective Launches European/North American Tour in Switzerland
And while Jazzfest is playing in Belize, the country's most celebrated band has embarked on its biggest tour yet. The Garifuna Collective launched its North American and European tour tonight in Switzerland at the Afropfingsten Festival. They play in Berlin tomorrow, and continue through the summer and fall, in support of their new album, ABAN.

Farewell With The Festival
And, keeping on the music and performance theme, we leave you again tonight with more highlites of the Festival of the Arts. Again, we have highlites from Cayo and Styann Creek's kids performing last week at primary school festival of arts golden nights. Enjoy and join us back here tomorrow.

Channel 5

Alleged Baby Killer Arraigned on Manslaughter Charge
Tonight, twenty-eight-year-old Troy Banner stands accused of killing his own child. This morning in Belmopan, Banner was arraigned on a single charge of manslaughter for allegedly causing the death of [...]

Autopsies Reveal That Victims of Triple Homicide were Shot in the Head
This morning, autopsy results for the victims of a most heinous triple homicide were released to the media and the injuries sustained reveal that Alarice Andrewin, Vidal Yuman and Maria [...]

Chester Returns Fire at B.N.T.U. for Brusque Press Release
On Wednesday, the Belize National Teachers Union fired off a terse press release in the wake of the murders of high school principal Alarice Andrewin, Vidal Yuman and Maria Juarez.  [...]

Belmopan City Council’s Comes Under Fire over S.S.B. Contributions
The Belmopan City Council is under fire tonight for failing to pay social security contributions for one of its employees. In a letter dated May thirty-first, the Social Security Board [...]

Holy Angels RC School Desperately Needs New School Building
Holy Angels RC School in Pomona, Stann Creek District, has been having a bit of a rough year. In March, health officials closed down one of its school buildings after [...]

Mental Health Patient Remanded Pending Psychiatric Evaluation
A mental health patient is arraigned and remanded to jail pending psychiatric evaluation.  Collin Francis Junior appeared before Senior Magistrate Tricia Pitts-Anderson, charged for the attempted murder of psychiatric nurse [...]

Teen is Remanded for Armed Robbery of Sunny & Tan
A teenager has been arraigned for the armed robbery of popular Sunnyside Bakery on Racecourse Street in Belize City. “Sunny and Tan,” as it is otherwise known, was targeted by [...]

Black Cross Nurses: Analyses by S.J.C. Students
The S.J.C. History Department launched a book on the historical significance of the Black Cross Nurses in Belize. Back in 2013, the high school adopted a student-centered approach of teaching [...]

Chaa Creek: A Widely Civilized Belize Luxury Resort
Established in 1981, Chaa Creek: Belize Luxury Resort started off with a single hut. Fast forward more than three decades later; it is one of the world’s most eco-friendly resorts. [...]

President Trump’s New Policy Requires Visa Applicants to Submit Social Media Details
The U.S. Government is making major changes as it relates to its process of visa applications by foreigners. Under a new State Department policy, visa applicants to the U.S. will [...]

Romanian Ambassador Visits Belize
Earlier this week, Romanian Ambassador Daniela Gitman visited Belize and met with the Prime Minister and other government officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Education. The visit was [...]

2019 Belize International Jazz Festival Commences with a Bang
The 2019 Belize International Jazz Festival started on Wednesday night with a bang as the Mexican Institute in Belize City was the venue for a jam session featuring Belizean and [...]

Call for Entries for the 2019 National Song Competition
Call for entries for the annual September Celebrations Theme, as well as the National Song Competition, are opened and the folks over at the National Institute of Culture and History [...]

September Celebrations Committee Looking for 2019 Theme
Meanwhile the deadline for the submission for the September celebrations theme is July twenty-first. All Belizeans, even those living overseas, have an opportunity to submit a theme – something dear [...]

Garifuna Collective Kicks off 2019 Tour
The Garifuna Collective has kicked off its 2019 tour of Europe and North America ahead of the release their new album, Aban, which in Garifuna means one.  After years of [...]

Healthy Living: Donate Blood
You’ve seen countless calls in this very same newscast. You’ve seen a multitude of messages online. It’s a recurrent request that not enough people oblige. It’s a call for blood. [...]

The Reporter

Violent Brawl At Queens St. Station With Mental Patient
The Reporter has confirmed that a man was taken to the KHMH in an unconscious state after a fight at the Queen Street Police Station cellblock this afternoon.

Change Of Command – New Top Brass At BATSUB
While most military and former military personnel in Europe are honoring D-DAY in grand ceremonies, today the British Army Training Support Unit Belize (BATSUB) announced that there is a new commander at the helm.

Breaking Belize News

A TURNING POINT??
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Belmopan Citco faulted for not paying contributions for a sick worker
Breaking Belize News has seen a letter from the Belmopan Branch of the Social Security […]

One accused in Sunnyside Bakery robbery charged
Damion Saldano,18, has been arraigned and remanded to prison with respect to the recent robbery at […]

BATSUB bids farewell to old commander, welcomes new one
Today, the British High Commission and Ministry of National Security bid farewell to Commander of […]

Guatemalan Vice Foreign Minister visits Belize
By BBN Stafg: Jairo Estrada, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Commercial Cooperation, came to […]

Foreign Minister leads delegation to 53rd SICA meeting
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington, led a delegation to Guatemala City this week to represent […]

Garifuna Collective kicks off international tour in Europe
Today marks the first day for the international tour of renowned Belize band, The Garifuna Collective. […]

Do Not Miss: A Night of Jazz Music and Wine At Black Orchid Resort
Black Orchid Resort, located in Burrell Boom Village, is inviting music lovers for a night […]

UB pushing new boundaries in ocean research with new MOU
The University of Belize (UB) is seeking to advance ocean research in Belize through a partnership with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) […]

Warm weather to continue
The 24-hour weather forecast, prepared by the National Meteorological Service calls for warm weather with partly […]

Elwin Pollard Jr spared in unlawful imprisonment case
Elwin Pollard Junior, 22, was accused of unlawfully imprisoning his ex-girlfriend for unknown reasons, but she […]

Neighbor accused of almost running over Hattieville teenagers
Two teenage residents of Hattieville told police that a neighbor’s vehicle nearly plowed them over […]

Father, 28, charge for death of his 2-month-old child
Troy Banner, 28, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of his two-month-old […]

Four charged for Dangriga robbery
Dangriga police have charged four men in connection with the robbery of Family City Super […]

Mayor Wagner fires back at Pablo Marin
Yesterday Belize City Mayor, Bernard Wagner, fired off a press release in response to recent […]

Andre Vega taken to court over $400,000 land compensation
Andre Vega testified in the Supreme Court yesterday for the case involving a $400,000 compensation […]

LOVE FM

SJC’s students discovered how Black Cross Nurses defied the status quo
St. John’s College, SJC, has revolutionized the way history is taught by teaching it from the perspective of the oppressed in order to encourage critical thinking, allow for the students to have a deeper understanding and appreciation of the composition of Belize’s history. In this regard, SJC’s History Department launched a book, Black Cross Nurses. …

Who was Maria Juarez, the woman killed in triple homicide incident?
The postmortem examination results of the triple homicide has been released. 39 year old Vidal Antonio Yuman’s death was certified as Acute Cranevencephulic traumatic lupine from a single performing gunshot wound to the head. A single gunshot to the head was also the result of 19 year old Maria Delfina Juarez Lucas’s postmortem examination. The …

US Visa Requirements now Include Social Media
At the end of May, visa applicants to the United States were given an additional requirement to complete their background checks. Applicants must now submit links and information about social media accounts they have used in the past five years. Such account information would give the government access to photos, locations, dates of birth, dates …

Mother reunited with 10-year-old son
A 10-year-old boy and his mother were reunited after spending a month apart. Love News has been following the story of the young child who was taken away from his mother after entering Belize via the western border with a man who could not prove his relation to the child. Even though the mother had …

Child involved in accident while in foster care
Damaris Avilez struggled for a month without seeing her child, she said she even had problems with the foster home where he had been placed. While he was in the care of another family, he sustained injuries due to an accident that occurred, and she was not aware of it. Avilez told us more about …

Is there an established motive for murder of Excelsior Principal and friends?
The last time anyone had seen Alarice Andrewin was when she left Excelsior High School on Monday evening. Andrewin’s body was found on Tuesday at her home at mile ten on the George Price Highway along with the bodies of Vidal Yuman and his girlfriend Maria Juarez. There has been some speculation about two incidents …

Belmopan City Council says SSB Arrears are up to date
An employee of the Belmopan City Council allegedly went to the Social Security Board (SSB) to claim sickness benefits. That employee then was allegedly told that no contributions have been made by the City Council to SSB over four years. We spoke to the City Administrator for Belmopan, Ralston Frazer who says that the council …

Fifth annual Jazz Festival features local and international artists
The fifth annual Jazz Festival kicked off last night and will run up until Sunday. The Jazz Festival features several international artists as well as local artists. According to Karen Vernon, the theatre director of the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts, the purpose of having the Jazz Festival is to foster a deeper appreciation …

Blogs

My Thursday View in Corozal Bay, Belize
Good afternoon from Corozal. You know, there are lots of things happening around town. Today, I am so happy to have visitedLABEL BUBBLE COROZAL!! We are OPEN and waiting for you guys with super tasty BUBBLE waffles and coffee 3 Rd Street South, next to Auto Maya. I just love to see these Trees in Corozal. After visiting the coffee shop, I headed to the Beach at Corozal. The beach had such spectacular scenery. But, at the same time, it was windy while taking photos of the bay. After the rain, you will see a lot more views in Corozal like this.

Investment Testimonial: Blu Zen, Caye Caulker, Belize
Blu Zen, a 100% Belizean owned company, was designed to offer quality and elegance; featuring a 50,000-gallon pool, 140 ft pier and seawall, a restaurant and bar, and condo-hotel units. Each unit is built with hurricane impact windows and doors, and the interior wood accents are Belizean wood with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances. The architectural concept incorporates modern minimalism with natural elements (wood, stone, glass, and metal) to reflect the Balinese influence. Its elegance and charm complements and contrasts the rustic flavor of Caye Caulker in a balanced and harmonious relationship with the environment. They plan to invest over BZD $25 Million; and during peak operations, employ over one hundred employees.

Belize Tourism & Leisure: Outlook and Investment Opportunities
The exceptional growth trajectory in overnight tourism and cruise passenger arrivals attest to Belize’s authentic offerings for visitors seeking diverse experiences, which in turn creates vast investment opportunities. In 2018 there was a 14.6% growth in overnight arrivals from 232,249 overnight visitors in 2009 to 489,261 in 2018, another record-breaking year and one of the largest increases in the last decade. However, this is only one side of the success story; the average length of stay remains at 6 days, and the average daily visitor expenditure is at $148 USD; similarly, cruise passenger arrivals continue to surge with over 1.2 million passengers arriving in Belize, a significant increase of 19.1% since 2017, which represented over 190,000 more cruise passengers in 2018.

Men At Work will be held Friday at 7pm inside Corozal NICH
The Corozal house of Culture will be their "MEN AT WORK" event today Friday at 7pm. It is an event to honor Father's Day in June. During the event, there will be a short Ceremony to honor those who does a great job in their Art Painting. If you will be around town tonight, come join the event commencing at 7pm. For more information contact: Debra Wilkes – Coordinator Corozal House of Culture, Museum of Belize First Avenue, Corozal Town, Belize Tel – (501) 422-0071

International Sources

CDB To Connect Island Of Caye Caulker To Belize’s National Electricity Grid
The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) approved has a loan to connect the island of Caye Caulker, Belize, to the national power grid by submarine cable. “The submarine cable will provide cleaner, more secure, and reliable electricity to Caye Caulker,” said Daniel Best, CDB Director of the Projects Department. It is estimated that energy consumption in Caye Caulker, a renowned tourist destination north of Belize City with a population of around 1,700 people, will double by 2037. Diesel generators are currently producing all electricity in the island.

SUGAR CARTEL PROTEST
The four remaining Caribbean Community countries, which are still brave enough to continue producing sugar are demanding political and economic protection from regional governments saying tax free imported sugar from outside the bloc is undermining their efforts to remain in the industry. The umbrella Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) which met recently in Belize complained to anyone who would listen that up to 70 percent of all sugar consumed in the 15-nation grouping comes “from extra regional sources duty free, displacing market opportunity for more than 200,000 metric tonnes of Caribbean sugar.”

Five Caribbean Roots US Television Personalities You Should Know
It’s another Caribbean American Heritage Month and while many Caribbean nationals and Caribbean roots nationals remain largely hidden as part of the black or Asian ethnic groups of the US, millions are part of the fabric of these United States, including appearing on U.S. mainstream television. Here are five you should know: 1: Kendis Gibson, 2: Abby Phillip, 3: Yamiche Alcindor, 4: Rachel McNeill, 5: Marlie Hall.

Videos

June 6, 2019

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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, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, and other specials

The San Pedro Sun

Los Catrachos F.C advance to NALC Quarterfinals
After the second round of the round 16 playoffs for National Amateur League Championship (NALC) Football Tournament, Los Catrachos F.C have advanced to the quarterfinals while Vince Assassins fell short and were eliminated in this most recent round of games. The top eight teams that advance to the NALC Quarterfinals are Barrack Road F.C, Los Catrachos F.C, Progresso F.C, Club Atletico F.C, GG Sugar Boys F.C, Ceasar Ridge F.C, CJM Strikerz and Roaring Creek United. For the first round of the NALC quarterfinals, Los Catrachos will be playing at home against Barrack Road F.C on Saturday, June 8th. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. ALL islanders are invited to come out and support the island team in their home game.

2019 Miss Hispanoamericana and Miss International crowned in San Pedro Town
During a ceremony held at Casa Picasso Restaurant in San Pedro Town on Saturday, June 1st, San Pedro’s very own Gabriela Varela was crowned as 2019 Miss Hispanoamericana Belize and Selena Urias as 2019 Miss International Belize. Present at the coronation was Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Miss World Belize 2018 Jalyssa Arthurs, Miss San Pedro 2018 Chelsea Munoz and Miss America Latina Belize 2019 Iris Salguero. The Miss Hispanoamericana Belize and Miss International Belize organization is proud to give these young ladies the opportunity represent Belize abroad. Their goal is to make dreams come true and create a role model platform to inspire and empower young women in Belize.

San Pedro Tiger Sharks aim for the win at final NEBL Championship game
San Pedro Tiger Shark fell short during the fourth game in the best-out-of-five series of the 2019 National Elite Basketball League’s (NEBL) finals against the defending champions Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes on Saturday, June 1st, held at the Belize City Civic Centre. This loss leaves San Pedro Tiger Sharks at a 2-2 tie and now the island team must win the fifth game to be crowned the champions.

Belize Signs Framework Agreement with PARLACEN
The National Assembly of Belize has signed a Framework Agreement for Interinstitutional Cooperation with the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN). The Framework Agreement was signed during the Plenary Assembly of PARLACEN in Guatemala City by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Laura Tucker Longsworth, and, on behalf of PARLACEN, by Honourable Irma Amaya. The purpose of the Framework Agreement is to establish the basis for relations that will allow academic-interinstitutional cooperation between PARLACEN and the National Assembly of Belize.

Ambergris Today

PUP Standard Bearer Donates AC And Printers To Police Department
Mr. Andre Perez, PUP Standard Bearer and owner of Casa Pan Dulce Bakery, made a much needed donation to the San Pedro Police Department on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. Mr. Perez presents Mr Reyes of the San Pedro Police Departmetn with an Air Conditioner and two printers. The Air Conditioner and Printer/Scanner will be used by the prosecution offices at the magistrate court and the other printer will be used downstairs by the police officers.

Misc Belizean Sources

Village Council Elections 2019 Schedule

DISSOLUTION OF VILLAGE COUNCILS
WHEREAS, Section 10 (1) of the Village Councils Act Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000-2003, provides that the Elections and Boundaries Commission shall, at least seven days before any general election of members of the council becomes due under the provisions of this Act or any regulations made there under, dissolve that council, by Order published in the Gazette and on the radio; AND WHEREAS, the general election of members of those Village Councils set out in the Schedule hereto becomes due during the period 23rd June 2019 to 28th July, 2019. NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred upon it by the aforesaid Section 10 of the Village Councils Act, the Elections and Boundaries Commission hereby dissolves the Village Councils set out in the Schedules hereto with effect from 4 th and 11th June, 2019 respectively.

Bricks made from Sargassum
Craft brick made from sargassum is being used to construct homes in the Mexican Rivera Maya. Happy to know the council is taking steps to try and replicate what is being done in Mexico as a more sustainable way of collecting and use the microalgae that keeps washing up on our beaches.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: MAY 26, 2019 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2019
A week of light winds gave plenty of fishing options. On Tuesday, May 28, El Pescador Fishing Director Isa Rodriguez landed a Grand Slam on the fly from the beach and casting dock in front of the lodge.

Belize Tourism Board at the JG Black Book Roadshow

Message to U.S. Citizens: Passport and Notary Services in Corozal!
Is your U.S. passport about to expire? Do you need a document notarized? If so, representatives from U.S. Embassy Belmopan will be offering passport renewal and notary services in Corozal. When: Tuesday, June 11 from 11:00am to 12:00pm Where: Jam RockGrill, Corozal Town Who: All U.S. Citizens in Belize are invited What: The following consular public services will be offered:

Mafredi Votech visits Institute of Archaeology
We would like to thank Mafredi Votech for stopping in to see us, all the way from Toledo. This was the entire school, but we were glad to have them and share with them some knowledge on the history of Belize.

42nd Annual International Herpetological Symposium
Join us in Belize for the 42nd International Herpetological Symposium! 41 years have passed since the First Annual Symposium on Captive Propagation and Husbandry of Reptiles and Amphibians was held in July 1976, at Hood College in Fredrick, Maryland. The International Herpetological Symposium (IHS) evolved from this meeting. The mission of the IHS is to provide a forum for the dissemination of information and results of such research pertaining to the natural history, conservation biology, and captive management and propagation of amphibians and reptiles. If you want to attend 1 day, it is $75 Belize for 1 day participation at the conference.

'Surf the Wellness Wave' Heath Fair
The U.S. Embassy Health unit hosted 'Surf the Wellness Wave' heath fair to provide basic preventive medicine, health intervention and medical screening for the Embassy community. Health services provided to staff and their families were blood glucose testing, massages, physiotherapy consultation, vision screening and many more. They also provided information booths on malaria, dengue, typhoid, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases and nutrition information.

Win a free ticket to Becky G at the International Costa Maya Festival
With any purchase of regular chicken you can win a General Ticket for Becky G Concert! Only at Lino’s Meat Shop

Channel 7

Triple Murder Mystery Multi-Dimensional
Tonight, Belize City is still reeling from the news of yesterday's triple murder at mile 10 on the Western Highway: three people not known to have any criminal involvement tied up in a room, and shot to the head.   The victims: Alarice Andrewin - the well known acting principal of Excelsior High, her friend, naturalized Belizean Vidal Antonio Yuman, and his friend from Guatemala, Maria Delfina Juarez.  What was their connection?  And why were they killed?  Well, we do know more tonight than we did last night - and Jules Vasquez has all the new information along with what police found at the scene yesterday.  Here's his story: It's inside this three bedroom bungalow that the three persons were killed. When police got there - the front wooden door and the burglar barred door were both opened.

Excelsior Mourns Its Principal
So while police are going all out - at her school, Excelsior High on Faber's Road, the administration was doing all it can to help the 87 students deal with the shocking loss. We visited this morning - and found a school still moving forward in what has been a tumultuous year: It's review week at Excelsior High, but this morning instead of getting ready for exams, they were putting up a black bow on the front fence for their acting principal - Alarice Andrewin.  Sean Martinez - Ag. Vice Principal: "This morning when we broke the news to them, it for these students, it was a shock for them. They didn't expect it, they didn't expect to come to school on a Wednesday and expect the news that they heard this morning..."

Sisters Speak Up For Alarice
And so while we have heard from police and the school - we also have written statements tonight from her two younger sisters Samiyyah Andrewin Miranda and Aisha Andrewin - both residing abroad.   Samiyyah says, quote, "She was a great teacher and most recently an excellent principal. Full of passion and ideas for how she could make things better. The biggest tragedy is that we'll never find out what could have been. As a person, my sister was outgoing, with zero pretentiousness..."

Compol Chester Snaps At BNTU
The Belize National Teachers Union also issued a statement, titled: "BNTU Livid over Gruesome murder of its member." End quote.  The statement describes Andrewin as a stalwart member and supporter of BNTU activities.   It then goes unto say, quote, "the BNTU expresses total condemnation of this heinous act but also calls on the authorities at the Ministry Of National Security to ensure that all efforts are made to find those who have robbed us of such a young, vibrant, charismatic and consummate professional," end quote. The statement got unto say, quote, "As soon as the commissioner of police and other personnel at the Ministry Of National Security boast of a reduction in crime, there is almost an immediate increase.  We recall most recently a young student, Kyron Greenand so many other innocent victims who have fallen prey to the continued lawless behavior."

Manslaughter Charge For Baby Banner's father
Manslaughter - that's what baby Thevanne Banner's father has been charged with. 28 year old Troy Banner was charged this evening in Belmopan and is expected to be arraigned tomorrow.   That charge is based on the advice of the DPP who concluded that the evidence could not support a more serious charge.  As we reported, based on the results of the post mortem, the baby boy died due to fractures to the head and back - what is known as battered child syndrome.  He had bruises under his eye, on his temple and on his back - by all appearances and findings, the little newborn had been badly beaten.

Chaos At Compre
Dissent has been simmering for some time at Belmopan Comprehensive High.  And it arises from the fact that the administration has elected to allow 17 students to graduate - after they failed to mete minimum standards for graduation.   It's a process called "recuperation" and like everything else, it's complicated.  But, the broad outlines - and the sense of injustice it has inspired in students and faculty forced a spirited sitout today - in the middle of exam week.   It all went down a little after school started today and Courtesy PLUS TV we have video of the goings-on and interviews with the students:..

GOB Vs. Andre Vega In Court
Back in October 2016, former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega resigned from the Cabinet as Minister of Natural Resources.  That's after news broke that a land scandal had been discovered, in which Vega's son, Andre, was compensated $400,000 dollars, for land which his ministry sold. That land was privately owned, which meant that the Ministry should not have touched it. Under Vega's leadership, they did so anyway, and ended up costing the Government a total of $800,000, half of which was paid to Andre Vega. The big deal was about a 1.057-acre parcel of land near the Haulover Bridge, between the Caribbean Sea and the Philip Goldson Highway. Back in January 2013, Gaspar Vega approved the purchase of this piece of land, supposedly from the Government. By that time, however, it was already privately owned.

Senior Nurse Recovering After Bering Stabbed By Mental Patient
As we told you last night, a nurse was stabbed by a mentally ill patient at the Port Loyola Acute Mental Health Day Care Center.   The victim is 57 year old Matron Agustina Elijio the Former Deputy Director of Health Services. Police told us what happened today: ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "What police has gathered is Ms. Eligio was at the health center when a mental patient arrived and began demanding for medication. Whilst she was sitting inside of the health center dealing with other matters the mental patient approached her, pulled out a knife from his pocket and inflicted the stab wounds on her."

Dangriga Armed Robbers Charged
In other police news, the cops have charged four men who are allegedly the culprits in a brazen daylight robbery that happened on Saturday night in Dangriga Town. It happened at a Supermarket on the edge of town, one and a half miles on George Price drive.  Surveillance video captured the entire, terrifying ordeal as three of the men had guns.   Police gave us the name of the suspects today and their charges: ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB: "Reference the robbery at Family City Super Market in Dangriga town, which occurred on Saturday the 1st, police arrested and charge four persons..."

Jacobs Got Life With Parole
In last night's newscast, we told you about the sentencing hearing for 31 year-old Henry Jacobs. He was convicted in a trial without jury before Justice Marilyn Williams of the April 2012 gun killing of 49 year-old Brian Welch. We told you that Justice Williams gave him a sentence of 20 years in Prison, but we got it wrong. Actually, the judge sentenced Jacobs to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after he has served 20 years in jail.

Mayor Wagner Strikes Back
On Monday's news,  you heard from Health Minister Pablo Marin, explaining why he decided to hand over exercise equipment promised to the Belize City Council to the Ministry of Sports. This is after City Mayor Bernard Wagner accused the Minister of Health of playing politics with the health and wellness initiative that he and the Mayors Association agreed to partner on. Mayor Wagner said that Marin decided last minute to hand it over to the Ministry of Sport. That equipment is now in place at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex.

Denied Social Security Benefit
Imagine going to the Social Security Board to claim a sickness benefit - only to find that you cannot claim anything because your social contributions haven't been paid in. That's what reportedly befell a Belmopan City Council employee - who has reportedly been working at the council for four years.   But, according to Social Security - in all those years, zero contributions have been paid in.  We could not get comment form the council this evening, but we know that historically they have had some issues with making timely social security payments.

Gillnets, The Full Picture
2 weeks ago, we showed you the press conference set up by the "Coalition to Save our Natural Heritage," to discuss the harmful effects that gill net fishing has on Belize's marine environment. These conservationists have been calling for a ban on gill net fishing in Belize, and they intend to present the findings of their recent study to the gill net task force. The hope is that these policy makers will be convinced by the report that gill net fishing licenses should be retired, and that the practice permanently shelved.  Well, another group of conservationists has commissioned a study on gill net fishing in Belize, which parts of the country practices it, and what its harmful effects look like. The Turneffe Atoll Trust release their report today called "Net Loss or Net Gain? Gill Net Use in Belizean Waters".

Muslims Give After Ramadan
Muslims have just finished their devotional month of fasting and prayers called Ramadan. And after that comes Eid which is the holiday celebrated by Muslims at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.   As part of its celebration, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat today gave out out pantry and grocery bags to needy persons in Belize City. We found out more:

Caught With Undersized Lobster
Illegal fishing in southern water continue and today a joint patrol with Coast Guard and TASA intercepted a fishing vessel this morning with 26 out of season lobster. The fisher folk are currently being detained at the Forward Operating Base awaiting charges from fisheries.

Channel 5

2 Women and a Naturalized Belizean are Victims of Shocking Triple Murder
The story of a horrid triple murder at a home on the George Price Highway continues to unfold, as new details emerge on what took place at mile ten on [...]

Excelsior High School Plunged into Grief Amid Murder of Beloved Principal
This morning at Excelsior High School it was classes as usual but with the presence of a team of counselors.  They were on hand to support the grieving members of [...]

Marshal Nunez Mourns Excelsior’s Loss
Former teacher and mainstay at Excelsior, Marshal Nunez, also visited the campus this morning to lend moral support to the mourning students.  He has been around the school for the [...]

Stabbing Victim Clings to Life; Will the Mental Health Patient be Charged?
Former deputy Director of Health Services Augustina Elijio remains in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, after she was stabbed multiple times by a mental health patient on [...]

4 Men Charged for Brazen Dangriga Robbery
Four men have been criminally charged for the brazen armed robbery which was committed in Dangriga Town this past weekend. Investigators strongly believe that thirty nine-year-old Fredrick Anthony Arzu, thirty-four-year-old [...]

More Patrols to Stem Increase in Armed Robberies
The spate of armed robberies across the country has seen a ramping up of police patrols in several municipalities.  Notwithstanding the efforts of the police department, home invasions and burglaries [...]

G.O.B. and Andre Vega Battle over $400K in Land Compensation
The case against Andre Vega commenced today before Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel. It made headlines back in 2016 when it was reported that Vega, who is the son of [...]

Was Andre Vega Unjustly Enriched?
Then there is the political angle of it all. As we mentioned, Andre Vega is the son of former U.D.P. Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega who was the minister at [...]

Faber’s Road Resident is Sentenced to Life for 2012 Murder
Henry Jacobs has been sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after serving twenty years. That was the decision made by Justice Marilyn Williams. Back in 2018, [...]

Carlos Coronado Fined and Confined for Drug Trafficking Conviction
Found guilty in absentia, Carlos Coronado has been fined ten thousand dollars and must spend three years in prison. Coronado learnt his fate while behind bars serving time for another [...]

Troy Banner’s Ex-Girlfriend Alleges Child Abuse
While Troy Banner is under investigation by police, his ex-common law wife is speaking out. According to the woman, Banner fathered a child with her but the baby reportedly experienced [...]

Drowning South Silk Caye Gets a Lifeline
If you’ve gone snorkeling or diving off the coast of Placencia, there’s a good chance that you visited the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. It is a popular [...]

SEA Needs Enforcement Support to Take on Illegal Fishers
Back in April we reported on the three Honduran fishermen caught illegally fishing within the Spawning Aggregation Zone at the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve in southern Belize. [...]

Turneffe Atoll Trust Releases Report on Gillnet Use in Belizean Waters
The Coalition for Sustainable Fisheries recently released the data on fisher folks in Belize. The data found that primarily along coastline communities, there are only two thousand, five hundred and [...]

Amendments to Fisheries Bill to be Tabled, But When?
For almost a decade, the Fisheries Department along with its partners has been working on amendments to the Fisheries Bill.  The amendments to the bill, if approved and enacted, are [...]

9 Pest Control Operators Recognized
On Monday, the Pesticides Control Board recognized nine pest control operators for having successfully completed a training program. The two-day training focused on trade applicators involved in urban pest control. [...]

Health Officials Monitoring Measles Threat
Health officials in Belize are keeping a close eye to any and all potential threat of measles from neighboring Mexico. Two months ago, the Ministry of Health issued an advisory [...]

Health Officials Warn of Dengue during Rainy Season
Health officials are also cognizant of the fact that with the rains upon us, a stronger effort is needed to address what is expected to be an increase of mosquitoes. [...]

The Reporter

More Details Emerging About Triple Homicide At Andrewin’s Residence
We have established that the victims are Acting Principal of Excelsior High School, Alarice Andrewin, 44, and Kutt Avenue residents, Antonio Vidal Yuman, 39, and Maria Delfina Juarez Lucas, 19.

Students Protest At Belmopan Comprehensive HS, – Walk Out
The Reporter has confirmed that the students of Belmopan Comprehensive School have walked out of their classrooms on day two of what is exam week.

Mental Patient Detained For Stabbing Nurse
Police have detained Collin Francis, 28, after the stabbing of Nurse Augustina Elijio which occurred yesterday at the Port Loyola Health Center.

Breaking Belize News

Father of two month old child battery death case to be re-interviewed; similar allegation reported a few years ago
Belmopan father, Troy Banner, is speaking to police again over the death of his two […]

ComPol to Teachers’ Union: do your jobs too!
We are doing our jobs, insists Commissioner of Police Chester Williams to the Belize National […]

‘Compre’ High School on strike again over graduates’ grades
For the second straight day, fourth form teachers of Belmopan Comprehensive School protested favorable treatment […]

Police form task force for triple homicide case
Yesterday’s discovery of three bodies on the George Price Highway property of acting principal of […]

Carlos Coronado faces more jail time for drug trafficking
Already imprisoned on a separate offense, 30-year-old Carlos Coronado of Pine Street, Dangriga, was informed […]

RoundUp and All Glyphosate Formulations are NOW Restricted-Use
Letter to Editor and All Stakeholders: Please let your readers know that the Pesticides Control Board (PCB) recently […]

Pope Francis makes changes in Lord’s Prayer over “temptation”
For centuries, Roman Catholics have prayed to God in the Lord’s Prayer to “lead us […]

Luis Gordon spared further jail time after guilty plea
Already serving five years for grievous harm, 52-year-old Luis Gordon is soon expecting to get […]

Belize is Unique
"Belize is a small developing country nestled on the Caribbean coast of Central America, immediately south of the Mexican Riviera Maya and north […]

Ministry of Health to discuss employee safety following stabbing of nurse by mental patient
The Ministry of Health (MOH) says that there will need to be urgent discussions on […]

BNTU mourns the loss of Alaris Andrewin
In the aftermath of the brutal killing of Alaris Andrewin, an educator and the acting principal […]

“Civil rights violation could dismantle Andrew Bennett extradition case,” says Dickie Bradley
Attorney Andrew Bennett appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this week in furtherance of his extradition […]

New report on looming threats of gillnet use in Belize launched
A new report documents the usage and looming threats of gillnet usage in Belizean waters. […]

Police identify other two victims in triple murder
Police have identified the other two victims found in a gruesome triple murder which happened […]

UDP can win a 4th term
With the referendum on taking Guatemala’s territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) […]

LOVE FM

GOB takes Andre Vega to court in order to recover monies
Two and a half years after the land scandal involving Andre Vega, Sharon Pitts and prime properties near the Haulover Bridge, Vega went to court today, as the Government of Belize is seeking to recover the monies paid out to Vega as land compensation. The payout came from the Ministry of Natural Resources after the …

COMPOL APPOINTS TASK FORCE TO INVESTIGATE TRIPLE HOMICIDE
Usually, police press briefings are held on Thursdays, but the department felt it necessary to address the triple homicide of Alarice Andrewin, Vidal Yuman and Maria Juarez. The commissioner of police was present at the briefing, flanked by senior officers under his command. Chester Williams made it clear that though all murders have their attention, …

Excelsior High School Remembers Principal as Murder Investigation continues
While the Commissioner of Police is busy setting up a task force, the Andrewin family is upset at losing their beloved Alarice. She was an educator that many were drawn to, especially those at Excelsior High School where she was serving as Acting Principal for the last six months. Jose Sanchez: “A task force comprising …

Baby Leo loses battle with cancer
Baby Leo Chan has been battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia since October of last year. This radiant 2-year-old was dealt a bad hand, and sadly, he lost his fight this morning at 7:43. The last we heard about baby Leo is that he underwent several chemotherapy sessions at a hospital in Chetumal, and that his parents …

Commissioner Tells BNTU to Do its Job
The Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) sent a press release regarding the murder of school Principal Alarice Andrewin. BNTU President Elena Smith said shockwaves were felt across its membership with the knowledge of Andrewin’s passing who was a stalwart member and supporter of BNTU activities. Smith chided the Compol when she said QUOTE “It has …

Pesticides Control Board recognizes nine pest operators
Nine pesticide control operators were recognized by the Pesticides Control Board for successfully completing a course for trade applicators involved in urban or structural pest control. The training programme included forty-eight hours of theoretical courses divided into three modules with an evaluation at the end of each module and a final practical evaluation. Registrar of …

Nurse Elijio recovering after being stabbed by mental patient
57-year-old, Augustina Elijio is recovering after she was stabbed two times whilst carrying out her duties as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at the Port Loyola Polyclinic in Belize City. The incident took place yesterday just before four o’clock in the evening. Reports indicate that Nurse Elijio was on duty when a mental patient, 28-year-old, Collin …

Blogs

A Walk Around the Historic Fort George Area of Belize City
As soon as you get off the water taxi in Belize City – or even the cruise ships that anchor here, you on a peninsula that juts out into the Belize City – an area called Fort George. This historic neighborhood is home to old wooden colonial houses – some in decent shape, some seriously sagging and buckling – the Radission Hotel and the Great House Inn (I stayed there 7 years ago), a handful of NGO headquarters and embassies along the coast. And at the mouth of the Belize River is the Baron Bliss Lighthouse and Memorial. I was in Belize City yesterday for a meeting and a few errands and took the chance to walk around and take some pictures.

Why you should NOT book before you arrive in Belize - Tips for easy-traveling in Belize
Why are you working yourself so hard? Belize is a laid-back country that will enable you to enjoy your vacation without any hassle…after all, who needs to learn about a country that they’ve never been in before? Here are 5 reasons why you should not book before you arrive in Belize: Planning is a hassle! There’s just too many details to account for when you’re traveling to mother nature’s best-kept secret: Belize. From how to get to Belize, how to get from the airport to your hotel, where to eat, and what to do in Belize...this would require you to do so much research that it’ll exhaust your brain!

International Sources

First Belize air, land, sea mobile training team
The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron conducted a first-ever air, land and sea training mission with the Belize Air Wing, Belize Defence Force and Belize Coast Guard this past May. The 571st MSAS mobile training team’s goal was to enact, change and build capabilities for each of the three Belizean forces, while building partner nation relationships. The team accomplished this by conducting various training courses, including an aircrew flying hour program, aircraft scheduling program, tactical first aid course, aircrew flight equipment program management course, hands-on radio course and an information technology principles course. Air advisors conducted a high frequency radio communications course with the Belize Coast Guard, which culminated in a Joint Maritime Exercise, the first of its kind performed in the country. Multiple scenarios were held at sea to allow the students to demonstrate the communications skills they had learned during the course.

See 10 dramatic pictures of sharks
In National Geographic

Videos

June 5, 2019

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

2019 National Song Competition Accepting Entries!
The National Celebrations Commission invites musicians, performing artists and songwriters to submit their songs for the National Song Competition 2019. The competition, created to provide professional and amateur musicians with the opportunity to create and showcase original songs, promotes artistic expression, national pride and Belize's diverse culture.

San Pedro Roman Catholic School hosts Education Expo 2019
To commemorate Education Month, San Pedro Roman Catholic School (SPRCS) held an Education Expo on Friday, May 31st. Under the theme: “Financial Literacy, a Pathway to a Productive Life,” the purpose of the Expo was to build their students’ knowledge of agencies that provide essential services to their island community. The Education Expo began shortly after 9AM with several establishments and organizations manning booths to educate the school children on the services they offer to the community of San Pedro Town. After their presentation

The National Oceanography Center and the University of Belize Sign MoU To Advance Marine Science Research in Belize
The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and University of Belize (UB) formalised their relationship by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the 30th of May, 2019. This partnership will see the two institutions develop joint training, research projects and technical programs to enable knowledge transfer and research collaboration focused on delivering world-class marine science for the benefit of local, regional and global communities. The signing of the MoU formalises an already positive and productive partnership.

2019 SPHS Senior Prom held under an “Arabian Night”
“Arabian Night” attracted hundreds of island residents eager to see the glitz and glamour showcased by the Class of 2019. Held on Friday, May 31st at the Angel Nunez Auditorium, students, their dates, and teachers enjoyed a night of dining and dancing. Shortly after 8PM, SPHS senior students started to make their debut down the glamorous red carpet, dressed in stunning gowns and elegant tuxedos. Some couples went all out, making grand entrances complete with fireworks, thrones and background dancers.

Now Accepting Entries For the 2019 National September Celebrations Theme Competition!
The National Celebration Commission announces the opening of the 2019 September Celebrations Theme Competition. All Belizeans living at home, or abroad, are invited to submit their ideas for the theme of the 2019 September Celebrations in commemoration of the 221st Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye and the 38th Anniversary of Belize’s Independence. The theme should not be more than ten (10) words. Multiple entries are allowed and the winner will receive a cash prize of BZ$1000.00 and an invitation to the official ceremonies during September.

Ambergris Today

Deputy Prime Minister Attends Inauguration Ceremony Of The New Salvadoran President
The Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture was in El Salvador over the past weekend where he attended the inauguration ceremony for the new Salvadoran President, H.E. Mr. Nayib Bukele. The ceremony took place on June 1, 2019. Upon his arrival, Hon. Faber spoke to the national and international press congratulating El Salvador on their elections. He also welcomed the continued excellent bilateral relations between the two nations.

Belize And UK Scientists Join Forces To Tackle Marine Litter
UK scientists have been working with Belizean partners to tackle litter in the ocean by collecting data to reveal the extent and type of items present in the environment. Belizean scientists are joining scientists from the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) to monitor litter on Belize beaches and analyze their findings in their new marine litter laboratory. Laboratory training has been delivered to nine trainees and the laboratory will be donated from CLiP to the Department of Environment in Belmopan, once the work is completed. The laboratory will help to build capacity and CLiP's long-term legacy in marine litter for Belize in support of the country's actions on single use plastics.

Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Is Back!
The 20th annual Coral Reef Ed-Ventures Summer Camp is returning to Ambergris Caye! The free, fun and educational camp is a collaboration between students from Smith College in Massachusetts, USA and the local Hol Chan Marine Reserve. The camp includes two programs that work to promote the conservation of the Belize Barrier Reef and teach island children about the coral and marine ecosystems. Everything is free and fun!

Misc Belizean Sources

Guatemalan Gold Panner Arrested in the Chiquibul National Park
On the evening of Friday, 31st May 2019, Conservation Rangers and Special Constables operating in the Ceibo Chico area of the Chiquibul National Park, 7.5 kilometers inside Belize, intercepted three Guatemalan gold panners two of whom escaped into the jungle. The third was caught in time but a struggle ensued between him and a Special Constable where he had to be subdued by hand before being arrested for illegal entry into the Chiquibul National Park. The detainee, 22-year-old Guatemalan national Salomon Martinez Pascual, is a repeat offender. He was found with 5 grams of what appeared to be gold contained in a small vial.

BEL outage in Placencia next Sunday
Rescheduled to Sunday, June 9 from 6:00am to 2:00pm power outage to affect entire Toledo District and a portion of the Stann Creek District including the entire Placencia Peninsula, Independence, Maya King, Santa Cruz, Georgetown, San Pablo, San Roman, Santa Rosa, Maya Mopan, Red Bank, Cow Pen and surrounding areas. BEL to replace poles carrying transmission lines, upgrade transformers and conduct maintenance of equipment at the Independence Substation to meet the growing demand for power supply in Placencia.

Local Journalist attends International Visitor Leadership Program
Dion Vansen of The Sun Pedro Sun is participating in the worldwide International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) for journalists in the United States. For the next coming weeks, we will be engaged in a lifetime learning experience as we embark in the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists on New and Traditional Media in the Digital Age. This program includes investigative reporting among other areas in journalism, and is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program by the U.S. State Department and facilitated by the U.S. Embassy Belize.

MARIA UICAB- QUEEN,PRIESTESS AND MAYA COMMANDER OF THE MAYA REBELS
María Petrona Uicab(Wicab) also known as "Riena Uicab, Santa Patrona y Reina de Tulum " was from the middle of 1860 commander and priestess of the rebellious Maya soldiers of the peninsular east. Daughter of a cruzo'ob commander with the surname Uicab, María was one of the main figures of the rebellious Maya in the war they waged against the troops of the state of Yucatan and the Mexican federal government. The military commanders of the villages of Chumpón, San Antonio Muyil and Noj Kaaj Santa Cruz obeyed the orders of the priestess, who resided in San Antonio Muyil and was the interpreter of the designs of the three crosses that had their sanctuary in the Holy Pueblo Santa Cruz Tulum, ancient Tsama '.

Northern Maya Peseants of Belize and the weather :THE WAY OF THE MASEWAL
Our Maya tatitos who did milpa or sugar cane gave us their knowledge on the weather and when to plant . Today many Paseants of Yucatec Maya Descent in Corozal and Orange Walk continue watching the behaviour of the animals like ants to predict rain . Another method use by the Maya paseants is Xok k'iin known in Spanish as " Cabanuelas" . Also our Mayero Grandparents taugth us to observe Uh(Luna) to know when to plant and what to plant . Today Mayeros continue observing the Tuulis Uh(Full moon) or Paal Uh(New Moon). Also some Maya in Northern Belize continue doing the tradition known as Cha Chaac primicias and Wahil Kol primicias to ask for rain and blessings . The way of the Masewal is a connection with earth ,a connection with our ancestors,a connection with our innerself and one which binds together the family .

Pesticides Control Board Hosts Training for Pest Control Operators
Nine Pest Control Operators were recognized by the Pesticides Control Board on Monday, 3rd June 2019, at a ceremony held in Belmopan, for their achievement in the successful completion of an updated training programme for trade applicators involved in urban or structural pest control. The training programme consisted of 48 hours of theoretical courses divided into three modules, with an evaluation following each module, and a final practical evaluation.

Orange Walk gets Exercise Equipment
This afternoon the Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin handed over a set of exercise equipment to the Mayor of Orange Walk Town, His Worship Mr. Kevin Bernard along with Deputy Mayor, Ian Cal. All the municipalities across the country now have a set of outdoor exercise equipment through the support of the Minister of Health and the Taiwanese Government.

Corozal Under 15 District Selection
Corozal Football Association is proud to introduce its Under 15 District Selection currently competing in the FFB Elite Interdistrict Competitions 2019.

Highlights of BioBlitz event
Tune in to 100.9FM from 7-8pm on Wednesday, 5th of June 2019 to hear highlights of recent BioBlitz event! Be sure to join Beth, Oscar, Sayuri and Max on Ya’axché's radio show. We will be live on Sunshine Raydio Station and we have lots of surprises.

ALMAHT’AN AND JUAN DE LA CRUZ PUC
One of the first prophetic series given by the Most Holy was the Proclamation of Juan de la Cruz also known as Juan de La Cruz Puc, known among the macehuales (Maasewal) as Santo Almaht'an (The Holy Commandments), perhaps the only document that is preserved of such proclamations and that is had as a book sacred in the communities attached to the cacicazgo of Xcacal Guardia . It was written in 1850, when after the appearance of the Cross, the rebellious Maya were in the process of reorganizing the armed movement; that is why the text is written with a belligerent spirit, which seeks to create awareness of the need to continue the war in which God is already taking part with the macehuales. Hence, one of the central ideas that can be seen in the manuscript is that the Maya of Quintana Roo are part of the people chosen by God in their fight against the whites.

Channel 7

Triple Murder At High School Principal's Home
Tonight, Belize City is stunned after a well known educator and high school principal along with two male acquaintances were found killed at her home at mile 10 on the Western Highway. At around 3:00, 44 year old Alarice Andrewin was found slain along with two friends inside her home. The two males have not been identified, but all three had been shot, while Andrewin's vehicle, a 2015 Nissan Rogue, had been stolen. Today at the scene, the Lead Investigator, Superintendent Hilberto Romero gave the press a briefing: "Around 3pm on today's date, police responded to a call at mile 10 on the George Price Highway, it is a residential area, one house is situated in this particular area. Police entered the house where they found the lifeless bodies of 3 persons inside one of the bedrooms of the house."

Police Try to Build Case Against Father For Battered Child Death
The death of 8 week old Thevane Banner has everyone reeling in outrage and also bewilderment. As we told you last night, based on the results of the post mortem, the baby boy died due to fractures to the head and back - what is known as battered child syndrome. So what happened to the baby ? And if someone did this to the child, who did it? Tonight there are no definitive answers to those questions. What we know is that the child's mother - who is reportedly 18 years old - and father, reportedly 28 - have been detained at the Belmopan police station since last night. Tonight Belmopan police are racing to put the file together to send to the DPP. Now, the baby's father, Troy Banner spoke to Plus TV yesterday before he was detained and we have more from that interview where he denies any allegation of wrongdoing or abuse, blaming the Western Regional Hospital staff and even the police for giving him the run around.

Killer Sentenced to 20
He was convicted of murder in a trial without jury in July of 2018, and, today, 31 year old Henry Jacobs was sentenced for it. Justice Marilyn Williams gave Jacobs a fixed sentence of 20 years with the possibility of parole, starting from when he was first remanded in April of 2012. The Court found that he killed 49 year old Brian Welch in April of 2012. The main witness was a police officer who testified that while he was on Central American Boulevard he saw Jacobs and several other men having a dispute with Welch. The officer said that Jacobs left on a motorcycle and returned shortly afterwards. Then he heard gunshots. Welch was shot in his mouth, his chest and his abdomen. He ran from his attacker and collapsed under a coconut tree and died.

Attorney Puts Up Mighty Fight Against Extradition
On last week Wednesday's newscast, we told you about the latest developments in the extradition proceedings against attorney Andrew Bennett. For the past few months now, he's been resisting an extradition request from the US Government. Law enforcement authorities from that country want him to stand trial in the District of Puerto Rico for 7 counts of money laundering. They claim to have evidence that he met with an undercover US agent, and allegedly negotiated a deal to launder money for a fictitious drug cartel. They further claim that he took payment from them in a backpack which reportedly contained a quarter million dollars in cash. The extradition proceedings were creeping along slowly. In the last few adjournments of this matter, his legal team were attempting to convince Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer to throw it out on a technicality - a single missing document.

Nurse Stabbed By Mental Patient
A nurse is reportedly in surgery at the KHMH after she was stabbed by a mentally ill patient at the Port Loyola Acute Mental Health Day Care Center this evening. Around 4:30, the 29 year old male mental patient was reportedly receiving treatment when he stabbed the nurse in the shoulder area - though the details are not yet confirmed.

Holy Angels On A Roll After A Bad Spell
The last time we told you about Holy Angles R C School in Pomona was in March when the teachers and parents took the day to stand by the speed bump to ask for donations. As we have shown you, their school buildings were in a deplorable state. Well, not anymore, they have a brand new building tonight. Courtney Weatherburne stopped by for the grand opening. Usually kids would only be going wild like this to play or for treats and toys, but today Holy Angels students were clamouring and pushing their way into the brand new school building. It is a remarkable upgrade from the collapsing rat bat and termite infested structure that stood for many years. But this building shows how successful their fundraising events and pleas for help were.

14 Hondos The Hard Way
Cayo police busted what looks to be a human smuggling operation on Monday. At around 6:30 that evening, they stopped a Suzuki XL7 at the junction of the Valley of Peace Road and the Western Highway. The small SUV was loaded with passengers - a total of 14 plus the driver! They found 5 men, 3 women and 7 minors inside - all undocumented Hondurans - along with a Belizean driver, a 59 year old from San Ignacio Town.

21 Year Old Shot By Gunman In The Dark
A 21 year old is stable tonight after he was shot last night in Sandhill Village. At 8:30, Jordan Murillo from 16 miles on the Phillip Goldson Highway left home on bicycle to go to the store. But, an unknown male was waiting for him inside a but - stop at the road mouth. He came out and fired five shots.

Mother Pleads For Missing Teen
Tonight, the mother of a 15 year old girl is crying out for her daughter to please come home, or just call. Clarissa Wagner left her home in Old Hattieville on Friday morning en route to school - but she never reached. Now, almost five days later, her mom made a plea on the media:..

Orel's Interesting Constitutional Challenge
In November of last year, we told you about the start of the first ever lawsuit in Belize, where a former prison inmate is suing the Belize Central Prison. The claimant is 30 year-old Orel Leslie, a resident of Belize City, who claims that he was subjected to several months of ill-treatment at the hands of the prison authorities while he was on remand awaiting a retrial for murder. He is claiming that his stay at the prison was inhumane, and that the conditions under which the authorities kept him in 4 separate prison cells were a violation of his constitutional rights. Leslie detailed in his claim that the prison cells were not only uncomfortable, but in some instances, they were unsanitary. He claimed that he and fellow inmates had to share a slop bucket, which was left in the cell with them for hours. He said that the foul odor of human waste, was often unbearable, since it was emptied about once a day.

Fire at Elderly Woman's Home Is Quickly Contained
There was a fire on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City this afternoon. It happened at the Moore family home - which is right in front of the Marion Jones Stadium. Smoke could be seen streaming from the roof of the cement structure. As we understand it - an elderly resident was at home. Fortunately, the Fire Department quickly brought it under control - and it was contained effectively. We hope to have more eon this tomorrow.,

Guat Gold Panner is Repeat Offender
Last week Friday, FCD Rangers and Special Constables operating in the Ceibo Chico area of the Chiquibul National Park, intercepted three Guatemalan gold panners - more than four miles within Belize. Two of them escaped into the jungle, but the third was caught. He put up a snuggle, but a Special Constable subdued him. He has been charged for for illegal entry into the Chiquibul National Park.

Redefining Poverty For Technocrats
It's the Ministry with the biggest name, the Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation - and they have a very big job - trying to unravel all the forces that create and perpetuate the spiraling poverty rate in Belize. This week, they are hosting the fourth event in the 2018-2019 Social Protection Conferences Series. The conference is being held under the theme "Poverty: Dollars to Dimensions" and we found out that it's all about adding depth to the understand go poverty: what it is, and what drives it:...

Belikin, From Humble Beginnings To A Thoroughly Modern Brewery
Belikin Beer is celebrating its 50th anniversary this month. But the actual start date for the brewery was?May 29th, 1969, when Eric?Bowen and his son Barry founded Belize Brewing Company. And while it is the flagship beer of Belize now - when it started it was far from that. It was a venture built on second hand equipment which many said would fail. Fast forward to the 2000's when Belize Brewing was modernized as a state of the art brewery - on par with European breweries. In 2009 our now deceased colleague Keith Swift visited and here's what he saw:

BDF Volunteers in Louisiana USA
Twenty volunteer BDF soldiers are at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, U.S.A., working with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana National Guard. The soldiers will be trained in Wide Area Security, Combat Arm Maneuver and in Conduct of Offensive, Defensive and Stability Operations.

Channel 5

Excelsior High School Principal, One of Three Persons Murdered Inside Her Home
A horrifying discovery was made this afternoon at a home on the George Price Highway. The lifeless bodies of three persons, including a high school principal whose absence from work [...]

Official Details on the Triple Homicide; All Victims were Shot
Late this evening, Superintendent Hilberto Romero spoke with the media and provided details of a preliminary investigation.   Supt. Hilberto Romero, CIB, Belize City “Around 3:00 p.m. police responded to [...]

Former DHS Augustina Elijio is Stabbed by a Mental Health Patient
Just after four this evening, there was an attack on an employee at the Port Loyola Health Centre on Faber’s Road. Matron Augustina Elijio, who retired in December from her [...]

Shooting in Sandhill Leaves 1 Man Hospitalized
A resident of Sandhill is tonight recovering at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was shot in the arm. Around eight-thirty on Monday night, Jordan Murillo who lives at [...]

Police Investigating Death of Baby Boy Who Died of Battered Child Syndrome
Police in Belmopan are investigating the death of a two-month-old baby boy. Thevane Banner was rushed by his parents to the Western Regional Hospital on Saturday after he began experiencing [...]

Andrew Bennett’s Extradition Case to go Before the Supreme Court
In the lower courts this afternoon, attorney Andrew Bennett appeared once again before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazier, where he continues to face extradition to the United States for his purported [...]

Was Communications Intercept on Andrew Bennett Done Unlawfully?
According to Bradley, the issue of Bennett’s constitutional rights will be heard in the Supreme Court.   Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley, Attorney-at-law “From what the lawyers have said to the Chief [...]

Kyron Green Shows Signs of Improvement, but Still Paralyzed
Eleven-year-old Kyron Green remains hospitalized at the K.H.M.H. after being shot in the face on May seventeenth.  The Standard Four student of Saint Luke Methodist remains paralyzed from the neck [...]

Holy Angels RC School Boast Newly Refurbished Building Courtesy Westrac Ltd.
Three months ago, a school building at Holy Angels RC School was shut down by health officials after the structure became infested with rodents and termites. More than one hundred [...]

Compre Teachers Stage Sick Out, Again
Fourth form teachers of Belmopan Comprehensive School today engaged in protest action against the administration of the school. The teachers are up in arms over the decision of the school [...]

Ministry of Human Development Redefining Poverty
As we’ve reported before, the Ministry of Human Development Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation is trying to establish a comprehensive social protection system for the country. So today, another round [...]

Which Indicators Will Define Poverty Come 2021?
A number of public and private sector reps, including members of the national assessment team overseeing the next country poverty assessment, were present at today’s session. But to help with [...]

Celebrating World Milk Day
World Milk Day is celebrated annually on June first, since milk was recognized as a world food by the United Nations back in 2001. It is a basic essential in [...]

Amandala

Baby, 2 months old, dies; “multiple skull fractures”
The parents of Baby Thevane Banner, 2 months old, are under investigation by police following the child’s death. Police believe that the infant was abused, and the parents have been detained at the police station in Belmopan pending the outcome of police’s investigation into the child’s death. ASP Alejandro Cowo said that at about 11:00 Saturday morning, the parents, who live in Camalote, took the baby to the Western Regional Hospital, where he was seen with bruises to his body, and he was suffering from breathing problems. He died at the hospital shortly after his arrival.

Alvin Cumberbatch, 36, fatally shot in Taylor Alley
Alvin Cumberbatch, 36, a security guard of West Street, was shot and killed in Taylor Alley by an unknown gunman while he was walking in the alley. The gunman shot him in the head and escaped. Cumberbatch was rushed to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. The motive for the shooting is unknown, and an investigation into the murder has begun.

Gerald Henry is new PSU prez
The Public Service Union (PSU) held elections for its new council of management and one of the big losers was Doreth Cayetano-Obermayer, who lost her bid to be re-elected as president of the PSU. Obermayer’s loss came at a time when the union is facing a serious challenge to get back its Belmopan headquarters that was sold right under their noses by the Belmopan City Council, from which they had been leasing the Hilltop property, which has been serving as their headquarters for many years. PSU members elected Gerald Henry as their new president. Henry topped the polls by capturing 209 votes, compared to the 76 votes received by Obermayer, the outgoing president.

Shamballa runs aground in Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve
The Belize Barrier Reef has yet again been impacted by a boat that ran around on it. At about 8:30 last night, Thursday, a 40-foot catamaran sailboat called Shamballa, which was traveling from Cuba to Rio Dulce, Guatemala, ran aground in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve, not far away from the Hunting Caye Forward Operations Base, where the Belize Coast Guard for that area is located. The boat has since been recovered from off the reef by the Coast Guard and taken to their base, where it has been impounded, and the two Americans who were sailing the boat have been detained, pending the outcome of an investigation to be carried out by the Department of the Environment.

Woman found dead on Belize City sidewalk
A woman was found dead on the sidewalk of Cemetery Road in front of American Imports, near Rene’s Store, at about 6:30 yesterday evening. The woman was identified as Stephanie Lozano, 38, of Belize City. She is well known in the area, since she liked to sing for residents. Information to us is that she was seen lying on the sidewalk for some time and when observers went to awaken her, she was motionless. Police were called and she was taken to the hospital, where she was declared dead.

The Class of 1969 – Saint Catherine Academy, Pallotti High School, and St. John’s College held 3-day Joint 50-year reunion
The Class of 1969 from Saint Catherine Academy, Pallotti High School, and St. John’s College in Belize City held their 3-day Joint 50-year reunion last weekend. Following the reunion Mass at St. Joseph’s Church on Friday, each school held it’s own mini-reunion. Marta Woods, nee Ordonez, graciously hosted the SCA gathering at Old Belize. Arriving guests found the street scene beautifully decorated with banners and signs for the special occasion and an elegant dinner table stretching out in the center of the street.

Belmopan’s Jewel Fury Bandits repeat as National Amateur Women League Champions
It was almost a stunning upset in the National Amateur Women League (NAWL) championship match, as for a few minutes on Saturday afternoon at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, the star studded defending champions, Jewel Fury Bandits was down 2-nil on aggregate to the amazing Verdes Rebels from Cayo; but a late first half red card ejection reduced the Rebels to 10 players, and Jewel Fury ended up victorious in overtime. Sporting a 1 goal cushion from a 1-nil first leg victory at the Norman Broaster Stadium the previous week, Verdes Rebels came into the Isidoro Beaton Stadium determined to defend their lead; and, when left wing Jamilet Alarcon’s center at the 11th minute found striker Florine Vasquez approaching goal on the right side, the young star was calm and efficient, lofting the ball over the head of oncoming Jewel Fury goalkeeper Jasmine Armstrong, to put Verdes Rebels in front, 1-nil, and a 2-0 aggregate lead.

Hurricanes defends home court against Tiger Sharks to even NEBL series at 2–2 in the Finals
After a heart wrenching game 3 loss in San Pedro, and now being down in the finals and facing elimination, the Hurricanes must leave it all on the court in order to force one more game in order to keep their championship hopes alive. From the opening tip, both Hurricanes and Tiger Sharks were quite evenly matched, as neither team gave any leverage to the other, as they both knew how crucial this game was. Hurricanes opened up the lead; however, the Tiger Sharks crew kept their composure together, and managed to trim down the lead to a single point at the end of the first quarter, 20–19. In the second quarter, it was a see-saw affair, as both teams switched leads and tied the game numerous times; but San Pedro took control late, and ended the half with a four point lead, 41–37. Entering the second half, things got physical and heated, as there weren’t many calls from the referees; but somehow all players from both teams kept their cool, and were able to play the game.

Universidad De Puebla grants scholarships to 4 talented young Belizeans
The Future Shock basketball team of Belize, owned and managed by the legendary basketball star Clinton “Pulu” Lightburn of Belize City, has opened doors to opportunities for talented Belizean basketball players from ages 12 to 19. Through the team’s efforts and collaboration with ABC Basketball Club of Quintana Roo, Mexico, the Universidad de Puebla, a leading university in Mexico, has offered 4 full basketball scholarships to gifted Belizean athletes to study at the university in any area of their choice. The university is the only institution that offers scholarships from Prep to Master’s degree level.

National Amateur Inter-District Week 4 results; back match on Wednesday
Week 4 matches, which constitute the decisive 2nd leg in the “Round of 16” match-ups of the Football Federation of Belize’s (FFB) National Amateur League Championship (NACL) inter-district tournament, were scheduled for this past weekend, but only 6 of the 8 scheduled games were actually played. One game was won by default, and another was postponed due to weather conditions. In a surprise turnaround, in the only scheduled Friday night game, CJM Strikers from Independence won by default (3-0) over Dangriga’s Sampson Proper Fix FC at the M.A. Stadium. Sampson Proper Fix had won the 1st leg the previous week by a 1-nil score, so this would give CJM Strikers the 3-1 aggregate victory, and a place in the quarterfinals.

Editorial: 13th Senator Senate must be replaced by elected Senate
On June 23, 2016, 71.8% of eligible voters in the United Kingdom (UK — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) voted in a referendum on whether to leave the European Union (EU), which is comprised of over two dozen countries in Europe. Some politicians in the UK had argued that they could do better if they weren’t confined by the rules of the EU, and they won a slim majority, 51.9% to 48.1%. The people in England voted 53.4% to 46.6%, to leave the EU; people in Wales voted 52.5% to 47.5%, to leave the EU; people in Scotland voted 62% to 38% to stay with the EU; and people in Northern Ireland also voted to stay, 55.8% to 44.2%.

Open letter to:
Back in the 1980’s, the Convenience Liquor License was introduced and designed for gas stations and properly established convenience stores. Alcoholic beverages were to be sold in sealed packages to be taken out, and were not to be consumed on the premises. This type of license was the cheapest, and it was soon discovered that with this license, one could retail as much as one could, and even more than a bar or a club. These shops started to pop up on all our streets countrywide. Today, in Belize City alone, there are over 400 of these shops scattered throughout our community, and the neighborhood club has all but disappeared.

The Bowmans and the Bowens in 1992
Politically, too, with the change to an elected government local whites have found it more expedient, and effective, to play a behind the scenes role – based on money and international contacts – than to enter the ethnically charged electoral fray. The Bowmans, once active in politics, have withdrawn completely. An early PUP supporter, H. T. A. distrusted Price’s anti-British stance, and his close identification with the colony’s white administrators made it difficult to make the shift to the strong nationalist politics of the independence movement. One son has moved to the States and another occupies himself with the family’s citrus operations, while the third committed suicide when his own son was critically injured in an accident in 1983.

DPM Faber noh gat no chaynj fu chaynj
If one had been tried, convicted and berated for a failure or behavior, and if one were contrite, and if the behavior or failure wasn’t of the type that psychiatrists have determined to be addictive, it would be expected that one would do all in one’s power to change his or her ways. It is in the nature of man to err sometimes, but at the very least one would make the effort to stay away from recidivism. Football folk know that when you are up against a force that is better prepared than you are, you are limited to striking out of a counterattack formation, and politicians know that when you have been called out for a certain type of behavior you should keep away from it with a 10-foot pole. What DPM Faber did recently gives everyone reason to say that he is the same old leopard, that hihn noh gat no chaynj fu chaynj.

Luis Gordon, 52, pleads guilty to use of deadly means of harm
Luis Gordon, 52, who has been serving a sentence of 5 years for grievous harm given to him in the Magistrate’s Court in 2014, pleaded guilty to use of deadly means of harm when he appeared today before Justice Colin Williams. The charges were for an incident that had occurred on September 6, 2013, at 48 Amara Avenue. Gordon and his brother-law, Roberto Gilharry, had a misunderstanding and Gordon struck Gilharry on his head with a shovel and a stick, and then chopped him on his shoulder with a machete.

Sunny Side Bakery robbed
The Sunny Side Bakery of Racecourse Street was robbed by two armed thieves who reportedly got away with over $2,000. Luckily no shots were fired and no one was hurt. The incident occurred at about 7:30 Friday night. The owner of the bakery, Mr. Aaron Pitterson, 57, told police that he and his wife were in the bakery when the men came in, and they were armed. The bandits pointed their guns at him and demanded money. Fearing for their lives, he handed over a bag of money and the robbers escaped.

No charges for Seine Bight boy, 16, who robbed and attempted to rape tourist
A boy, 16, of Seine Bight, who robbed and attempted to rape an American tourist, will not be charged. The American visitor told police that on Tuesday morning, May 28, while doing a morning run from Placencia to Seine Bight, a man came up to her and grabbed her private parts and threw her in the bushes, and attempted to take off her pants, but she struggled with him and fought him off. The woman, 28, jogged to Placencia and went to the police, where she made the report and identified her would-be rapist from a photo identification presented by the police. The woman then returned to her country.

BTIA moving toward sustainable tourism with emphasis on protecting the environment
Since Belize is no longer the best kept secret in the global tourism industry, and in reality, millions of tourists have been arriving over the years, the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) has set out on a course to cultivate what is has termed “Sustainable Tourism in Belize.” It was on the basis of that theme that the BTIA held a symposium today at the Best Western Biltmore Hotel that was attended by the tourism industry’s key stakeholders, both public and private; as well as various NGO’s and conservation groups. The symposium got underway with the BTIA executive director, John Burgos, explaining briefly the topics that the symposium intended to cover and acknowledging the presence of some of the key stakeholders and representatives of conservation groups.

The Reporter

Triple Homicide At Mile 10 1/2 On The George Price Highway
The victims of a triple homicide was discovered this afternoon at a residence that is at mile 10 1/2 on the George Price Hwy. The REPORTER has also received confirmation that 44 year old Ms. Alarcie Andrewin, who is the principal at Excelsior high schools in Belize City is one of the victims...

Teachers Sit-Out At Belmopan Comprehensive Overshadows Exam Week
The Reporter has confirmed that some teachers at the Belmopan Comprehensive School have commenced protest action in the form of not showing up for classes today.

Breaking Belize News

Acting principal of Excelsior High School found dead in triple homicide
Acting Principal of Excelsior High School, Alarice Andrewin, was one of the three persons found […]

Pest Control Operators complete training
Nine Pest Control Operators from the Pesticides Control Board (PCB) were recognized this week for completing […]

US Embassy’s Movie Night To Commemorate World Ocean Day
World Ocean day is commemorated on June 8th every year. As such, the United Nations […]

Taiwan, A Global Leader in Social Innovation
A digital media press group exploring Taiwan’s Political and Economic development met today with Digital […]

Belize: Big vehicles licensed as unguided missiles?
The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize […]

Child knocked down on La Loma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena Town
Minutes ago, a child was knocked down on La Loma Luz Boulevard in Santa Elena, […]

Triple homicide reported on George Price Highway
BBN has confirmed that authorities are in the scene of a triple homicide between Miles 10 and 11 […]

Legacy Global Development Shares Top 5 Misconceptions on Belize Real Estate
Legacy Global Development Shares Top 5 Misconceptions on Belize Real Estate Legacy Global Development, the developer of the […]

Westrac Ltd completes renovation at Holy Angels Primary School in Pomona
Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Holy Angels Roman Catholic (RC) Primary School in Pomona, […]

Taiwan Mainland Affairs Deputy Minister meets with press group on tour
A digital media press group exploring Taiwan’s political and economic development met today with Deputy Minister, […]

Guatemalan Gold Panner Arrested in the Chiquibul National Park
On Friday evening, Conservation Rangers and Special Constables operating in the Ceibo Chico area of […]

LOVE FM

Defining Poverty for Future Mitigation
The fourth social protection conference dubbed “Poverty: Dollars to Dimensions” was held in conjunction with a wide array of social partners. It’s a high level technical meeting that is expected to bloom with meaningful results in the next year and a half. But poverty is more than just being homeless or short on cash. Love …

Nurse stabbed by mental care patient
While one of our news teams were at the scene of the triple homicide, a report of another violent crime came to our news center. A nurse was stabbed at the Port Loyola Mental Health Day Care Center. Though details are sketchy, 57-year-old Nurse Augustina Elijio was reportedly stabbed twice by a male patient while …

Ahmadiyah Muslim Jamaat gives food hampers to poor
Earlier in the newscast we told you about the poverty assessment tools that would be used to define poverty in a local setting that would eventually aid policy makers to integrate programs into fabric of society to end poverty. But that’s a tall order that will be difficult to fulfill. Some other groups have decided …

Case of Child in Company of Guatemalan National still being investigated
A 10-year-old child was taken into custody on May 9 at the western border with neighboring Guatemala. The child was handed over to social services where he remains today. The Department of Human Services said the child was flagged since the adult, Guatemalan national could not prove that he was a relative of the boy. …

Well-know homeless woman, Stephanie, found dead
On Sunday night, the body of a woman was found on Cemetery Road in Belize City. What shocked many people is that the body was that of 38-year-old Stephanie Lozano, who most people know as just “Stephanie.” Love News reporter, Courtney Menzies decided to find out more about Stephanie and the life she lived despite …

Guatemalan caught Gold Panning in Chiquibul
A man was caught illegally gold panning in the Chiquibul National Park. On Friday, May 31, conservation rangers and special constables operating in the Ceibo Chico area of the Chiquibul National Park, 7.5 kilometers inside Belize, intercepted three Guatemalan gold panners. Two of the gold panners escaped into nearby bushes. The third suspect was caught …

Another lucky Belizean wins $15k from Scratch & Win
Clive Garnett once bought $50 worth of Scratch & Win tickets, only to come up empty handed. Discouraged, he stopped buying them for a week, but decided to give it a next shot. Little did he know, that he would have been the winner of $15,000. Garnett stopped by our studio to tell us about …

Police investigating triple murder
Three persons are dead including a Belize City School Principal. It was after three o’clock this afternoon when the news began circulating of a triple homicide. Our news team quickly responded to mile ten on the George Price Highway and found police officers cordoning off the crime scene – a white bungalow house. It is …

Blogs

The Garifuna Collective Announces 2019 Tour Dates
THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE, Belize’s celebrated band will be touring Europe and North America this summer and fall in support of their new album, ABAN. After years of hard work and dedication, and an explosive showcase at WOMEX last October in Spain the band is heading on the biggest international tour in its 18 years of existence. The European leg of The Garifuna Collective’s tour kicks off on June 6th in Switzerland, with stops at many of the biggest and best festivals in Europe including Denmark’s Roskilde Festival, Norway’s Førde Festival, Germany’s Fusion Festival and YAAM Berlin. The North American tour begins on July 12th in Montana, with stops at the Calgary Folk Fest, The Cleveland Museum of Art, and New York City’s Summerstage.

International Sources

On the Ground in Belize to Improve How Satellites “See” Water Quality from Space
Post on NASA Earth Observatory BZ-SDG meeting in Belize a few weeks ago. - Belize is a small Central American country whose people pride themselves on trying to maintain a balance between development and conservation. I grew up in Belize City, near where the Belize River empties into the Caribbean Sea. The country’s landscape—covered by tropical forests and a network of rivers extending into the ocean—is fascinating, especially when viewed from the vantage point of space. I was able to return to Belize to join scientists from four organizations (Wildlife Conservation Society, the University of Alabama in Huntsville, the University of Georgia and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory) to kickoff research the likes of which Belize has never seen before.

Southwest Airlines Resuming Cancun, Belize Routes
Southwest Airlines is set to resume several seasonal routes to the Caribbean for the upcoming winter season, the company announced. That will be highlighted by the return of daily flights between Austin and Cancun on Nov. 1. Southwest will also be resuming a host of weekly Saturday flights to the Caribbean, including service from Houston to Aruba; and from Nashville, Milwaukee and San Antonio to Cancun on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Southwest will additionally be resuming seasonal Saturday flights between Denver and Belize.

Videos

June 4, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Public Advisory on Illegal Peddling of Medicines
The Ministry of Health alerts the public on the identification of products that are being sold as medicines but not officially recognized and registered by the Ministry of Health. Two recent inspections resulted in the identification and subsequent confiscation of these types of products and other related supplies from peddlers/street vendors. The Ministry advises that peddling of medicines is illegal. The products being sold by the street vendors pose a health risk as these may be falsified, substandard and/or unregistered medicines that are sold by non-professionals. The public is encouraged to visit only licensed pharmacies that have registered pharmacists providing pharmaceutical service to the community.

Belize and UK scientists join forces to tackle marine litter
UK scientists have been working with Belizean partners to tackle litter in the ocean by collecting data to reveal the extent and type of items present in the environment. Belizean scientists are joining scientists from the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) to monitor litter on Belize beaches and analyse their findings in their new marine litter laboratory. Laboratory training has been delivered to nine trainees and the laboratory will be donated from CLiP to the Department of Environment in Belmopan, once the work is completed. The laboratory will help to build capacity and CLiP’s long-term legacy in marine litter for Belize in support of the country’s actions on single use plastics.

Ministry of Agriculture Hosts Training Workshop on Nutrition and Breeding Management of Sheep
The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Unit, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, hosted on Thursday, May 30th, a one-day theoretical and practical training on Nutrition and Breeding Management of sheep. The training was held at Yo Creek Agriculture Station in the Orange Walk District. The workshop covered topics on supplemental feeding and nutrition, pasture establishment and management, forage utilization, and vaccination methods. A total of 25 farmers from the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo attended the training.

The Island Academy graduates eight
During a graduation ceremony on Friday, May 31st eight students proudly received their Primary School certificates from The Island Academy (TIA). Graduates Bryan Camal, Ryan Camal, Nicholas Lausen, Malik Jones, Madison Edwards, Annie Nuñez, Elizabeth Sanchez and Louke Van Noord officially completed their eight years of primary school education and are now prepared to head to high school. Even a sudden downpour could not dampen the spirits of the happy bunch, who celebrated their milestone with family, friends and fellow schoolmates. The end-of-year ceremony highlights the achievements of all students at TIA, honoring top scorers in a variety of subjects as well as for their citizenry, extra-curricular activities and improvements.

Gaby Nuñez & Bryton Codd win 3rd Lazy Lizard beach volleyball championship
San Pedro’s own Gaby Nuñez and Bryton Codd won the third annual Sun Splash beach volleyball tournament sponsored by Landshark Lager and the Lazy Lizard, and hosted by the Belize Volleyball Association, while Kelsey Balderamos and Clara “Nandi” Sabal won the Female competition at the Split on Caye Caulker over the weekend. In the championship finals on Sunday afternoon, Gaby and Bryton won the $1,500 1st prize 14-21, 26-14,15-11 against Francis Hauze and Mike Jenkins, who took home the $ 1,000-second prize.

Enlisted BDF Soldiers Benefit from Adjustment in Pay
The Ministry of National Security (MNS) is pleased to announce that an exercise is now completed which addresses an anomaly in the yearly salary increments for all serving enlisted men and women in the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Regular and Volunteer elements. The adjustment in salary will result in a small pay raise for all Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates of the BDF and takes effect on June 1st, 2019.

Ambergris Today

Eight Island Academy Graduates Celebrate End Of School Year
For the first time ever, the Sir Barry Bowen Cup was presented to two graduating students and one alumni of The Island Academy during their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 31, 2019. The graduating class consisted of eight students. Madison Edwards, Louke Van Noord, Nicholas Lausen, Bryan Camal, Ryan Camal, Malik Jones, Annie Nuñez and Elizabeth Sanchez received their primary school certificates of graduation from The Island Academy. The graduating class of 2019 received their diplomas and awards for high mark, including other top students from Infant to Standard 5 classes.

Misc Belizean Sources

Music and Dance Summer Camp Hosted by Step By Step Tutoring Center
Monday, July 1, 2019 at 9 AM, Step By Step Tutoring Center, Corner of Estrella and Avenida Mangle Street, Caye Caulker. 3 weeks of fun - learning new instruments, playing wonderful melodies and expressing yourself through dance.

Applications being accepted for Miss Chiquitita 2019-2020
Ages 6-7 years.

Zika Clean-up campaign in San Narciso

BWS Notice for customers in parts of San Pedro: Planned interruption for Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Duration: 1:00pm to 5:00pm Areas to be affected: San Mateo and Boca del Rio areas.

Mango Festivities
Photos by BTB

Belize's Wonder Women! Dina Halsall
For the month of June, we are proud to announce that Dina Halsall is our Belize Wonder Woman! Dina along with Ascenthium Band is bringing awareness through music to a fundamental issue such as Mental Health. At the age of 25 she is the only professional female bassist in the country of Belize. Dina came up with the idea to organize a mental health Awareness tour of Belizean High schools and tertiary institutions. The music written and performed are based of Mental Health struggles that some of the members faced and overcame. The band is touring the country with a clinical mental health counselor and highlighting the importance of opening up the dialogue around mental Health Awareness.

Contract Signed for Development of Paslow Building site
Today, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation through the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project is please to inform the General Public that it has signed a contract with Eric Martinez and Son Construction and Design Ltd. for the construction of a new ferroconcrete building, which will be constructed at the site once occupied by the Paslow Building. A new two-story building will be constructed at Lot 977 located at the corner of Queen and North Front Streets. The new building is one of five structures in downtown the Belize City House of Culture and Downtown Rejuvenation Project is currently investing in. The new building is designed to host a Tourist Welcome Center and vendor booths on the first floor with offices and a Café on the second.

Ma'alob K'iin Belize
The Masewal Movement between the Yucatec Maya of Belize shows us new ways of expressing our Maya identity . As our surroundings are changing our youths find new ways to express their culture. Belizean Metal band Hanal Pixan present us the album U K'aayo'ob K'uyo'ob release through Polyversum Records from Brazil.

Sailing Vessel Shamballa under tow
The 40 feet Catamaran ran aground on the 30th May 2019 in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. The marine casualty investigation team has completed its initial asessment and the vessel is now being towed to port.

Paint N Splash
See you this week at from 2-4pm Thursday to paint “Just Swimmingly”.

New GOB’s Controlled Pump Prices
"The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the pump price for Premium Gasoline will increase by 24 cents from $11.30 to $11.54 per gallon. At the same time, the pump price for Diesel Oil will decrease by 21 cents from $10.46 to $10.25 per gallon. These price changes reflect current demand and supply conditions of crude oil in the international petroleum market and the availability of refining capacity in the countries from which the refined fuel is being supplied to Belize.

BDF Soldiers Participate in Military Exercises in Louisiana, U.S.A.
Twenty soldiers of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) Volunteer Element departed the country on Thursday, May 30th, to participate in military exercises at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana, U.S.A., along with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana National Guard. The main purpose of the training exercise is to validate Combat Teams readiness for deployment. The soldiers will be trained in Wide Area Security, Combat Arm Maneuver and in Conduct of Offensive, Defensive and Stability Operations.

Deputy Prime Minister Attends Inauguration Ceremony of the New Salvadoran President
The Hon. Patrick Faber, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture was in El Salvador over the past weekend where he attended the inauguration ceremony for the new Salvadoran President, H.E. Mr. Nayib Bukele. The ceremony took place on June 1, 2019. Upon his arrival, Hon. Faber spoke to the national and international press congratulating El Salvador on their elections. He also welcomed the continued excellent bilateral relations between the two nations.

Renovated Labour and Delivery Unit at KHMH
This morning, Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin was honored to be a part of the official reopening of the newly renovated Labour and Delivery Unit at Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA.) According to the CEO, KHMHA, Ms. Michelle Hoare, completed floor plans, renovations and refurbishings started approximately seven months ago. Total cost for the complete renovation which includes two operating theatres, extensive medical gas support equipment and furniture was approximately $140,000. Fifty percent of that total coast was supported through the Minister of Health, Hon. Pablo Marin. Managers of the Labour and Delivery Unit expressed sincere appreciation for the upgrade. Service within the unit was only interrupted today for the official ribbon cutting and tour.

Changes in the Pump Price of Premium Gasoline and Diesel Oil
The Ministry of Finance announces that effective Tuesday, June 4, 2019, the pump price for Premium Gasoline will increase by 24 cents from $11.30 to $11.54 per gallon. At the same time, the pump price for Diesel Oil will decrease by 21 cents from $10.46 to $10.25 per gallon. These price changes reflect current demand and supply conditions of crude oil in the international petroleum market and the availability of refining capacity in the countries from which the refined fuel is being supplied to Belize. The Government of Belize is monitoring the price movements and supply conditions closely and will work with the fuel industry to safeguard the pump prices paid by Belizean consumers.

Ministry of Human Development Seeks to Redefine Poverty
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation is this week hosting its fourth event in the 2018-2019 Social Protection Conferences Series. The five-day conference is being held under the theme “Poverty: Dollars to Dimensions” and takes place in Belize City (June 3-4) and Belmopan (June 5-7). This latest conference aims to increase national understanding of poverty as an experience of multiple hardships that poor people face in their daily lives. It will also introduce the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and will seek to reach a national consensus on the purpose and structure of a national MPI for Belize, taking into consideration the dimensions and indicators that are best to characterize poverty in our local context.

BTIA: Paving the Road to Sustainable Development in Belize Symposium
The Belize Tourism Industry Association hosted a Symposium on Friday, May 31, 2019 to introduce the core components and objectives of its proposal submitted to the Summit Foundation for the funding of a Sustainable Tourism Programme for Belize that will promote sustainable tourism practices in Belize with the intent to assist in protecting and creating a sustainable use of the Mesoamerican Reef system. Since 2000, the MAR has remained a vulnerable environment being compromised by large-scale, irresponsible tourism development caused mainly by dredging, overfishing, deforestation, climate change, pollution, increased carbon footprint, etc. The Sustainable Tourism Programme, a three-year project ending December 2022 should focus on targeting ways in which the reduction of these negative impacts can be achieved.

FFB Elite Interdisctict Competitions this Saturday
Sport News - The Corozal Football Association invites all Corozaleños and all football fans to come out and support the District Selection as we play against Belmopan, this Saturday, June 8th, 2019 starting at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Ricalde Stadium. Come and support our Corozal All Stars!! Entrance - Adults $3.00

Free Eye Screening in Corozal June 21
Everyone suffering with diabetes should have a complete dilated eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common form of eye problems that affect people with diabetes, but other eye problems related to diabetes are common, such as glaucoma and cataracts. Early detection, timely treatment and proper follow-up can reduce the risk of severe vision loss.

A Collection of Joy in Corozal
Here is a wonderful initiative! A Collection of Joy. Let's help to brighten up someone's welfare. If you have unwanted items at home and in your business, please drop them off this Saturday, June 8th and next week Saturday, June 15th at our Central Park. The donations will sorted out and distributed to our Corozal most needy. Here is thanking you in advance. Blessings. Uempower Youth Group.

PACT Celebrates 23
Happy 23rd anniversary, PACT! The Protected Areas Conservation Trust is having activities this week to celebrate. They are also having a video competition.

Celebrate World Ocean's Day 2019 with OCEANA at Movie Night!
When: Thursday, June 6th, 2019. Time: 6:30 PM. Where: Governor General's Field, Belmopan. Join us for a special screening of "A Plastic Ocean" in this family-friendly fun event! This is a FREE event with complimentary popcorn available, plus giveaways from our partners and more! Miss Deb's will also be available for purchase.

Participate Learning has once again opened its recruitment process for the next school year in Belize until the end of June
So far, 45 Belizean teachers are active in the Belize United States teach abroad program and Participate Learning is accepting more. (Apply on their website) There are opportunities to teach Elementary (primary), Math (secondary) and Science (secondary) All positions are full-time and salaried, with competitive health benefits and professional development opportunities. As an additional benefit, in case the teacher recruited has a family, it is possible for the members to travel to the United States with all migratory arrangements accomplish and supported by the program to obtain the visa.

Case study report on Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve
We are very excited to share with you a case study report on our work within the Maya Mountain North Forest Reserve. Since 2014, Ya’axché has been supporting the 31-member Trio Farmers Cacao Growers to grow cacao within the 936 acre agroforestry concession – a first for Belize! "The agroforestry concession is a new pathway forward for protecting natural spaces in Belize. It offers valuable land access to rural households in need, while also creating a regulated, climate-smart zone between PAs and nearby threats such as fire, agrochemicals, cattle and encroachment along boundaries." Thank you Meredith Beaton for putting together this fantastic report!

Channel 7

8 Week Old Boy Dead, Cause? Battered Child Syndrome
An 8 week old boy is dead - and baby Thevanne Banner's skull was cracked; the infant was the victim of Battered Child Syndrome. That is according to a post mortem which was just concluded. The post mortem says, quote, "at the conclusion the cause of death was certified as due to fracture to the head and back, multiple skull fracture, and head trauma consistent to Battered Child Syndrome." Today, Thevanne Banner's father, Troy Banner disputed that; he said the child died due to an adrenaline overdose at the hospital, and not from abuse:...

Survived Many Attempts On His Life, But Big Ben Got Killed On a Sunday
He'd been shot up three times over 15 years - surviving gunshots wounds to almost every part of his body. But, yesterday morning, 36 year old Alvin Cumberbatch known as "Big Ben" couldn't escape death again - this time the gunman shot him in the face. He was gunned down yesterday morning in Pregnant Alley - a known gang area where he'd been shot before. A Sunday morning stop at Pregnant Alley on Cemetery Road made Alvin Cumberbatch a target. A gunman shot and killed him as he stood in the alley - not too far from his house.

Four Men, Three Guns in Griga Robbery
On Friday, Commissioner Chester Williams said that police were working to crack down and contain a spike in armed robberies of businesses. But, by Saturday night - ruthless criminals had struck again, this time in Dangriga. It happened at a Supermarket on the edge of town, one and a half miles on George Price drive. Four men - one with a shotgun - two with handguns stormed into the store. Surveillance video captured the entire, terrifying ordeal - which happened at night under very bright lights that make it look like daytime. Police told us more:...

Robbers Go After Sunny Side
And another business was robbed - this one in Belize City on Friday night at around 7:00. Two robbers held up the owners of the well-known Sunny Side bakery on Racecourse street and stole over $2,000. Police say they believe robbers have been monitoring the bakery for some time. ASP Alejandro Cowo: "Mr. Elon Pitterson, 57 years old of number 63 Racecourse Street was inside his businesses place Sunny's Bakery located at number 63 Racecourse Street along with his wife, when two male persons entered the establishment and held them up at gun point. As a result, the two male persons stole about two thousand two hundred dollars in cash from them. One of them was armed with a pistol and thereafter made good their escape."

Car Crashed Into Culvert
A car crashed into a culvert and flipped last night - fortunately no one was seriously hurt. It happened last night at 11:30 at mile three on the Stann Creek Valley Road. The car was traveling to Dangriga Town from Sarawee Village when the 35 year old driver, taxi man Vinson Hill allegedly lost control of the car which and slammed into the culvert. His passenger, 38 year old Nicole Gary broke her leg, and 33 year old Deshawn White sustained injuries to the chest and back. The driver, Hill sustained injuries to both legs, chest and back.

Barrelled Into Boiton's
And, while they were spared major injury so were the persons in a car that came racing across the Hawkesworth Bridge this morning. Police didn't give details, but security video form a nearby store shows the car losing control coming off the bridge and crashed into the fence of Boiton's Bar B Que. Again,. No one was seriously hurt.

The Minister of Health Says
On Thursday, Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner vented a serious complaint against the Government. Wagner said that the Ministry of Health was playing politics with a donation of exercise equipment that should have gone to the Belize City Council. Instead, they ended up at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex. As we told you, the donation was supposed to be part of a collaboration between the Mayors Association and the Ministry to encourage healthy living in all the municipalities around the country. But, to hear it told from Mayor Wagner, the Government passed him over for the donation, which they would have placed in public parks under the Council's control.

Pablo And Angel, UDP Frenemies?
Turning now to other news out of the Health Ministry, viewers will remember that 2 weeks ago, the Office of the Prime Minister announced that Dr. Angel Campos was no longer the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health. Effective on May 21st, he was reassigned as Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation. Persistent reports out of the Ministry of Health were that Campos and Marin did not part ways on good terms. Information to 7News was that these 2 UDP Area Representatives from Corozal did not get along well, and that allegedly, Marin as the senior minister gave strict orders that Campos was not to interact or give instruction to any of the Ministry's technical advisors.

Hon. Pablo Will Sue Brints
And while that's his response on his current colleague, what does he have to say about allegations of corruption coming from a company owned by his former UDP colleague? 2 weeks ago, Brints, which is owned by Mark King, the Former UDP Minister of State, made a Facebook post basically alleging that they qualified to get the contract to provide security at the KHMH. But they weren't awarded it because they were allegedly being obliged to pay inducements. Brints says that these requests came from the decision makers of both the hospital and the Ministry. KHMH CEO, Michelle Hoare, told us that she couldn't comment when we asked her directly and so, we then asked the Minister about it.

Peddlers and Pharmaceuticals
The press also took the opportunity to ask the Minister of Health about last week's revelation that the Drug Inspectorate Unit found street peddlers selling bogus pharmaceutical products. A ministry press release announcing the discovery said these are bogus drugs that don't meet standards and could harm you. In today's interview with Marin, he told the press that the Ministry personnel will be increasing its surveillance to try and detect other peddlers of illegal or fake medication. Here's how he explained why:

PSU Has A New President
A new executive for the Public Service Union was elected this weekend in Dangriga. President Doreth Obermayer was soundly defeated by a margin of almost three to one by Gerald Henry who is the new president. Jacqueline Willoughby is the new second Vice President, while Trisha Perez was elected Secretary General, and Felipe Ramclam and Philip Tate were elected councillors.

Home Shot Up In Ladyville
A Lord's Bank family is lucky to be alive after last night's terrifying shooting incident. It happened around 9:50. The family says it seems like two gunmen crept up from behind their Hollywood area home and opened fire. 4 persons were awake inside the house at the time, including a retired police officer 57 year old Ezzart Anthony. One of the relatives we spoke to says she was in the kitchen braiding her nieces' hair when the bullets pierced the walls - if it weren't for a pot on top of the stove, she would have been struck in her back. Here is more from the family. Felicia Robinson, Resident: "I was inside when I heard the first set of shots. When I look to the room I saw the glasses spill. the first shot hit the louvers and then there was a second amount of shots. I would say about 6 shots."

Butane Delivery Men Robbed
Two butane gas delivery men were held up on a run on Friday morning around 11 in Hattieville. The two armed robbers stole cash and a phone from them. Police told us more today. ASP Alejandro Cowo: "Mr. Tyrique Arana, 19 years-old Belizean of Paradise Area, was delivering butane gas in the old Hattieville area. Whilst delivering gas, along with his co-assistant, they were held up at gun-point by two male persons who robbed them of one hundred and fifty dollars and a cell-phone. Therefore, the two male persons made good their escape within the bushes in that area."

Shamballa "Under Tow"�
She ran aground on the reef on Thursday night, and tonight, the Sailing Vessel Shamballa under tow. The 40 foot Catamaran ran aground on the 30th May in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. A release from the Coast Guards say The marine casualty investigation team has completed its initial assessment and the vessel is now being towed to port.

KHMH, Best Place To Have A Baby?
The Karl Heusner Memorial, Belize's national referral hospital, made a major investment last year to fix their roof after an extended period of reduced services. In October, they re-opened at full capacity, and this morning, the hospital's staff was a celebratory mood once again, after they unveiled the newly refurbished Labour and Delivery Unit. By the hospital's count, approximately 2,000 babies are born there annually, and in a very short while, all new mothers will have a higher level of comfort and patient care with this 140 thousand-dollar upgrade. The press was invited to see what improvements were made, 7News was the hospital this morning for the unveiling ceremony. We spoke with the authorities about the investment, and we asked why their new unit is better equipped to handle emergencies that can happen during child birth. Here's what they had to say:

New Building At Paslow Site
The historic Paslow building burned down in September of 2002 and since then - there's just been an empty lot at the foot of the swing bridge, mostly used for parking. Well now, as part of the Downtown Rejuvenation Project a new building is going up at that location. The Ministry of Tourism signed a contract with Eric Martinez and Son Construction and Design Ltd. for the construction of a new ferroconcrete building. It's a two-storey and it will host a Tourist Welcome Center and vendor booths on the first floor with offices and a Café on the second.

Diesel Down
Fuel Prices have been unstable for the last few months, going up, down, and then up again. Tonight, the Government is reporting that pump prices are changing once again. As of midnight, Premium gasoline will increase by 24 cents, going from $11.30 per gallon to $11.54 per gallon. At the same time, prices for Diesel oil will decrease by 21 cents from $10.46 to $10.25 per gallon.

Shyne Says Slavery Days
On Friday you saw our exclusive interview with Shyne Barrow. The aspiring UDP politician discussed what happened on the morning of May 11th when Bradley Roe hit him in the face. But what prompted the assault? We heard it was hard talk. Shyne gave his version:... Shyne Barrow- UDP Std. Bearer: "He came up to me and started hurling explicit at me and I walked out of the establishment. The entire video shows him following me out of the establishment and then shows me stopping and saying, you know, 'What is his problem.' And he continued to hurl explicit and I said, 'Listen this is not the slavery days..."

Deputy Faber to Salvador For Bukele
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber, was in El Salvador over the past weekend where he attended the inauguration for the new Salvadoran President, Nayib Bukele. Faber welcomed the continued excellent bilateral relations between the two nations. Bukele is the first president of that country to not come from the two major political parties.

Pablo Playing His Cards Close
So, while Faber made that state appearance, who does Corozal Bay Rep Pablo Marin support, out of the two candidates who have expressed interest in the leadership of his party? He told us today that he is still observing both Patrick Faber and John Saldivar to make up his mind: Reporter: "From your two colleagues who have expressed interest in leadership of the UDP, are you prepared to reveal who you would want to support?"

Why Bay Voters Said No to ICJ
But what Marin has to watch even more closely than those leadership candidates is his own seat. In the ICJ referendum, the majority of voters there said no to the ICJ. We asked Marin if that outcome means that he's losing ground politically in Corozal Bay. Here's how he answered that one: Hon. Pablo Marin - Area Rep., Corozal Bay: "I went various times to the media, and I explained to the people of Corozal, and I said, this is my take. I do believe that we supposed to go to the ICJ to finish all this claim from Guatemala..."

Gordon's Fate At Court
52 year-old Luis Gordon, who is currently serving a 5-year prison sentence for grievous harm, pleaded guilty to use of deadly means of harm today before Justice Colin Williams. He was charged with attempted murder against Roberto Gilharry, but of facing a full trial for that, he chose to plead guilty to the lesser charge. Gilharry, who is Gordon's brother-in-law, reported to police that they had a misunderstanding back on September 6, 2013 at a home on Amara Avenue. Gilharry told police that this disagreement escalated when Gordon struck him on the head with a shovel and a piece of stick, and then chopped him on his shoulder with a machete.

Channel 5

Big Ben is Murdered in Pregnant Alley
There was a murder in Belize City on Sunday morning in an area off Cemetery Road known as Taylor’s Alley.  Just before nine-thirty a.m., gunfire erupted and despite attempting to [...]

3 Men Arrested for Armed Robbery in Dangriga; 4th Suspect at Large
Three men have been arrested in connection with a brazen armed robbery which police say they committed, with a fourth accomplice, in Dangriga Town. On Saturday night, four men, three [...]

Sunny Side Bakery Robbed of over $2,000!
One of the oldest and most well-known Belizean bakeries was robbed on Friday night. Police say that two armed men walked into Sunny Side Bakery on Racecourse Street in Belize [...]

Robbers Target Butane Delivery Truck in Hattieville
Two armed robbers held up two butane delivery-men in Hattieville on Friday. Salesman Tyrique Arana and his co-worker were out delivering gas around ten-thirty that morning when they were approached [...]

2-Month-Old Baby Dies from Battered Child Syndrome in Camalote
Police are investigating the death of a two-month-old baby. On Saturday, a man in Camalote village took his son Thevane Banner to the Western Regional Hospital. There he told doctors [...]

3 Persons Injured in Road Traffic Accident
Three persons received varying degrees of injuries this morning when the taxi they were in overturned on mile three along the Stann Creek Valley Road. It happened shortly after eleven [...]

Price for Premium Gas to Increase, while Diesel Cost Decreases
As of midnight tonight, the pump price for premium gasoline will increase. The new price will be eleven dollars and fifty-four cents, an increase of twenty-four cents and six cents [...]

Miscommunication over Exercise Equipment; Health Minister Sets the Record Straight
Health Minister Pablo Marin has taken offense to comments made by Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner on the distribution of exercise equipment, donated to his ministry from the Taiwanese Government. [...]

Pablo Marin: “What has Mayor Bernard Wagner Done to Improve Health?”
So, did Mayor Bernard Wagner jump the gun? Minister Pablo Marin says that he will honour his commitment and provide a second set of exercise machines to Belize City. But [...]

Health Minister: Dr. Angel Campos Asked to Change Ministry
It took effect last week Tuesday, Doctor Angel Campos is Junior Minister for Health no more; in fact, he is now the Minister of State in the Ministry of Human [...]

Minister Pablo Marin Suing Brints Security Ltd. Employees
Minister of Health Pablo Marin is taking legal action against several employees of Brints Security Limited for defamation of character. News Five understands that the suit stems from a social [...]

Cocaine Testing Kit Found in Pharmacy; Police Investigating
Last week, the Ministry of Health issued a warning about medicines that are not officially recognized and registered by the ministry. The ministry, through its ongoing monitoring, detected that there [...]

Has Corozal Bay Voters Lost Confidence in Pablo Marin?
On May eighth, an overwhelming majority of Belizeans took the decision to take the Belize Guatemala dispute to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. In Corozal Bay, however, [...]

Pablo Marin for Deputy Party Leader of the U.D.P.?
While we had the opportunity, we also asked Health Minister Pablo Marin about who he will be supporting for the leadership convention for the United Democratic Party, whenever it is [...]

Gerald Henry is Elected as New President of the P.S.U.
Gerald Henry is the new president of the Public Service Union.  He defeated former president Dareth Obermayer by more than one hundred and thirty votes.  The P.S.U. held its ninety-seventh [...]

New P.S.U. Prez to Tackle Many Issues
Under his leadership, Henry says that the P.S.U. will focus its efforts on tackling several issues within the public service that are negatively impacting the lives of many public officers. [...]

A Newly Refurbished Labour and Delivery Unit at the K.H.M.H.
Today, a refurbished Labour and Delivery Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital was officially launched and opened to the public. The planning process began about two years ago and [...]

Is a Non-Fatal Shooting a Warning to Ex-Cop in Ladyville?
One last thing from the police… investigators are looking into a shooting incident that happened in Ladyville. Shortly before ten o’clock on Sunday night, someone fired several shots at a [...]

Luis Gordon Gets Reduced Time for Chopping Brother-in-law in 2014
F ifty-two-year-old Luis Gordon was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to use of deadly means of harm.  In 2014, Gordon was charged for the attempted murder [...]

BHS Hosts First Ever High School Hackathon
A hackathon was held at the Belize Elementary School auditorium this afternoon where six teams comprised of students from first to third forms participated.  They identified a number of national [...]

James Adderley and the Weekend Sporting Stats
Good evening I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   [Highlights of the weekend in sports....]

The Reporter

8 Week Old Baby Died From Head Fracture, Parents Questioned?
Police have released the results of the post-mortem examination on 8-week-old baby Thevane Banner who died over the weekend in Camalote. According to the examination, the cause of death was certified as due to fracture to the head and back, multiple skull fracture and head trauma consistent with Battered Child Syndrome.

Coast Guard Tows Catamaran After Rescue At Sea
On Thursday May 30th we reported that the Belize Coast Guard rescued two US Nationals from a 40 foot catamaran that had ran onto the Reef at the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. According to the BCG, they received a distress call at 8:30 Thursday night and deployed a rescue team from Hunting Caye.

Vehicle Overturned Near Dangriga With Several Passengers
A taxi cab overturned just outside Dangriga in the Stan Creek, District and multiple persons are believed to have been injured in the accident which occurred earlier today (June 3rd.).

Breaking Belize News

Post mortem reveals that eight weeks old child died from ‘battered child syndrome’
On June 1st, police visited the Western Regional Hospital (WRH). There, they saw an eight […]

BDF soldiers participate in military exercises in Louisiana, USA
Twenty soldiers of the Belize Defence Force Volunteer Element departed the country on Thursday, May […]

Police investigating armed robbery at Sonny’s Bakery in Belize City
On Friday night there was an armed robbery in Belize City. It occurred at the […]

Police investigating armed robbery in Hattieville
Hattieville police are investigating an armed robbery that occurred today. According to reports, sometime around […]

Police comment on the murder of Alvin “Big Ben” Cumberbatch
Police today commented on the murder of Alvin “Big Ben” Cumberbatch that happened on Sunday. […]

Authorities investigating shooting in Ladyville
Shortly after 9 o’clock last night, gunshots rang out in the Hollywood area of Ladyville. […]

Deputy Prime Minister attends inauguration of new Salvadoran President
Deputy Prime Minister, Patrick Faber, was in El Salvador yesterday for the inauguration of the […]

Ministry of Human Development hosting five-day conference on poverty
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation is hosting a five-day conference this […]

Premium going up, Diesel going down
Today the Government of Belize (GOB) announced its latest adjustment to the price of two […]

Hurricane season to descend on San Pedro – winner takes it all in Game 5 of NEBL finals
Facing elimination and on the brink of the Atlantic Hurricane Season, the Smart Belize Hurricanes […]

LOVE FM

Family Home shot several times
Sunday night brought a downpour across half the country, including the Belize District. In the Hollywood area of Lords Bank, a former police officer was at home with his family, enjoying the cool night. But while the rain pelting the roof, there was a barrage of bullets that penetrated the walls. Love News went to …

Daring Dangriga Heist Caught on Camera
The police say three thousand dollars were stolen in a daring heist at Family City Imports in Dangriga. Customers and employees were caught off guard when the men ran in with guns blazing and held up the establishment on on Saturday night. The owner of the store, Ting Jiu Liu, told police that one of …

KHMH gets newly refurbished Labour and Delivery Unit
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, KHMH, is responsible for approximately one thousand five hundred deliveries for the year. In order to deliver continued quality care to its patients, it saw the need to upgrade its Labour and Delivery Unit where expecting mothers can deliver their babies in comfort. Michelle Cox-Hoare, the Chief Executive Officer of KHMH, …

Marin defends donation to Faber
The Mayor of Belize, Bernard Wagner, had expressed disappointment over being excluded from receiving exercise equipment. Wagner said that he was overlooked and the equipment went to the Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber who used them to outfit the Marion Jones Stadium. Today, Minister of Health, Pablo Marin, who was responsible for distributing the equipment …

Blogs

Day Trips from San Ignacio Belize: Exploring the Ancient Maya Ruins at Xunantunich
Resting majestically atop a plateau overlooking the Mopan River and the Guatemalan countryside of Western Belize lies Xunantunich, one of the largest ancient Maya cities ever built. Today Xunantunich is Belize’s most visited site, and the surrounding area of the Cayo District has become one of the most popular destinations in mainland Belize known for its multitude of Maya sites as well as its incredible caves, waterfalls, rivers and lush jungles. There are tons of adventure activities to be found which include hiking, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, zip-lining and of course exploring the incredible cave systems. You can easily spend a few days here with the highlight of your visit being a trip to Xunantunich.

A Guide to the Regions of Belize
Belize is a small country with endless adventure! With its lush and verdant rainforests, crystal clear waters, and surprisingly diverse terrain, we love to boast that we’re among the world’s last unspoiled travel destinations. Situated at the base of the Yucatan Peninsula in Central America, Belize borders Mexico to the North and Guatemala to the South and West, with the Caribbean Sea to the East. We have miles of virgin coast and over 65% of our country is blanketed in lush green forest, parts of which are still unexplored. This is a country with as many diverse geographical regions as there are cultures, languages and ethnic groups. To help you plan your trip, we’ve broken down the highlights of every region from the beaches in the east to the untamed jungles of the west.

Me Oh My Oh, Just Like The Bayou – Is Belize’s Cuisine The Cajun Cooking of Latin America?
When one of the world’s most well known newspapers, England’s Daily Telegraph, put Belizean food in the same class as Cajun cuisine, our appetites for another helping of news was as sharp as a French Quarter waiter’s attire. “Belizean food stands out in Latin American as much as Cajun food does in the United States. It’s spicy, usually stewed, heavy on seafood, usually comes with beans and rice, and is often topped with Marie Sharp’s famous hot sauce…. As a bonus that can only lead you to better food, there are no McDonald’s, Burger Kings, Starbucks, or KFC’s in the entire country.

A Brief Talk about The Rain in Corozal, Belize
Good night from Corozal Bay, Belize. Today, I will be discussing why is it important to have your equipment ready, while visiting Belize in a rainy season. The rainy season runs from June to November when annual Belize rainfall is highest. The early months of May and June when rainfall is just getting underway, are a good time to travel to Belize as you can escape the tourist rush and hotel rates tend to be lower. We are in the Tropics. Surprisingly, The day can go from a sunny day to a gloomy Rainy day. Sometimes it may rain at night or During the day. It all depends on the weather conditions. This past weekend, The weather in Corozal was quite overcast by lots of Rain, Lightning, and Rumbling of Thunder. I even saw lightning struck on the ground in some areas. But, This weather was caused by a low depression that developed over our area this past weekend.

Videos

June 3, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Wolfe’s Woofer: Jumping the Line
“No one in this country sells ordinary table lamps,” Sherry said. “There’s a new department store in Belize City that’s having a grand opening tomorrow. They show lamps in their advertisement and I want two of them.” I caught a seven o’clock flight to try to beat the crowds to the grand opening. And there was a crowd. Forty people, mostly women, were in line in front of me by eight waiting for the doors to open. A young lady walked up to another standing ten spaces back from the front of the line.

Doctor Love: Using Protection
Dear Doctor Love, My boyfriend and I have not had sex because he doesn’t want to wear a condom. I’ve only had one other boyfriend and when we didn’t use one, I was scared after because I might get pregnant. My guy now says it takes the fun out of it and he doesn’t get the same feeling as when he doesn’t wear one. He says he doesn’t have AIDS and that condoms don’t do any good anyway because they break all the time. We always end up in a fight about it and he leaves and he’s mad at me for days. I really love him and we are going to get married and I’m beginning to think he may be right and we should just do it. /s/Name Withheld

Misc Belizean Sources

Ocean Academy at the Global Robotics International Olympic Competition 2019
Belize High School joined forces with Ocean Academy to put together "Team Belize" to go to the First Global Robotics International Olympic Competition 2019 in Dubai. Our country is filled with talented and smart people. Both schools are working Hand in hand to come up with the best candidates to represent "Team Belize".

Following a string of robberies, the police Department has sent a press release Sunday morning to address crime
The Belize Police Department, warns the general public about a spike in robberies countrywide and particularly where business places are being targeted. We wish to inform the general public that the police is doing what we can to mitigate this situation; however, we ask that you also employ your own precautionary measures such as, never keep more money than is necessary in your stores, do not allow hanging out/loitering, or public drinking in front of your place of business, call and report every suspicious activity to the police, do not open beyond your opening hours, cause a background check to be done on all prospective employees and limit the number of persons who have knowledge of where cash in larger quantity is been kept.

Orange Walk Town Council and JICA collaboration of the decorated trash bin project
The Garbage Bin Design Contest was held on the 31st of May at Technical High School with Masaki Kimura, JICA volunteer. 34 students from 7 schools participated in the competition and after 5 hours of dedicated work, produced creatively designed garbage bins. Now it is voting time! We would like to ask Orangewalkeños to be judges and vote for the most attractive design. There will be a ceremony on the 7th of June at the central park to announce the winner. The picture which gets the most likes by that date will win. We would like to ask everyone for their kind cooperation!

Power outage Wednesday, Placencia and Toledo
Power outage scheduled for Wednesday, June 5 from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to affect entire Toledo District and a portion of the Stann Creek District including the entire Placencia Peninsula, Independence, Maya King, Santa Cruz, Georgetown, San Pablo, San Roman, Santa Rosa, Maya Mopan, Red Bank, Cow Pen and surrounding areas. BEL to replace poles carrying transmission lines, upgrade transformers and conduct maintenance of equipment at the Independence Substation to meet the growing demand for power supply in Placencia.

El Pilar Forest Garden Exhibit
The Benque Viejo Public Library is launching their El Pilar and the Forest Garden exhibit on Tuesday, June 11th, at 10:30am. If you want to know more about El Pilar, and its significance in the Maya realm, this exhibit is for you.

Another Day In San Antonio 2019
The 2019 Another Beautiful Day in San Antonio event is just 2 weeks away. ABDISA is a cultural celebration, and they'll have many cultural presentations and events for the entire family. The Don Elijio Panti Cycling Race will kick the day off. Fun for the entire family. "Join us on June 16th 2019 as we celebrate our community, San Antonio, Cayo! San Antonio is a vibrant Maya agricultural community that is striving to maintain its identity. Over the years, the people’s connectedness to specific long-standing lifestyle, language, and agricultural subsistence practices has waned. ‘Another Beautiful Day In San Antonio’ (ABDISA) seeks to celebrate our identity to ensure that it is passed on to our children. ABDISA seeks to build on the success of last year’s event, which brought hundreds of villagers and visitors to the village to experience a day filled with Maya traditions, food, dances, art and craft, games, educational booths, a football marathon, and a bicycle race (The Don Elijio Panti Cycling Race).

THE MAYA CROSS
The cross is a symbol that has been present in the Maya culture since the Prehispanic times . Upon arrival, the Spaniards were surprised to find crosses between the Maya . so when the Franciscan missionaries and religious began to evangelize the Yucatan peninsula in 1546 it was made simple for the indigenous Maya to identify with this religious symbol of Christianity. Through torture many Maya where converted to Christianity but many tried their best to hide their Maya spirituality inside the spaniards religion. The Maya Cross does not have elements of the body of Christ or the Passion as the traditional Christian crosses .

Channel 5

Police Arrest Two Suspects for Dangriga Robbery
Police Commissioner Chester Williams have confirmed that two persons have been arrested in relation to an armed robbery which occurred in Dangriga Town last night. According to Williams, police have “detained two of the suspects and have recovered (1) 9mm pistol and (1) 12 gauge sawed off shotgun both believed to have been used in the robbery.”

Police Release Details of Dangriga Robbery
According to police, at around 8:35 p.m. last night information was received of an armed robbery at Family City Imports located on George Price Drive, Dangriga Town. The store owner, 33-year-old Ting Jiu Liu reported to police that four men with their faces covered barged into the store. One of the men was armed with a shotgun. Two of the robbers were armed with handguns. The thieves demanded money. They made off with monies from the Boledo sale. Police are investigating.

Eastern Police Division Youth Basketball Cup Tournament 2019
Eastern Police Division Youth Basketball Cup Tournament 2019 entered its 3rd week of competition which began yesterday at the Belama Riverside Basketball Court. Participating are 80 young men who have pledged to 'shoot hoops, not guns'.

The Reporter

Alvin Javon Cumberbatch. ‘Big Ben’ Killed
A man who was affectionately known as Big Ben was killed this morning just after 9:00 in Pregnant Alley off Cemetery Road in Belize City. At 9:35 Police were called out to the KHMH where they saw the lifeless body of a man identified as Alvin Jevon Cumberbatch, 36, with gunshot wounds to his face and back.

Robbery At Dangriga Supermarket Caught On Video
The Reporter has received footage of a robbery at the Family Shopping Center in Dangriga yesterday ( Saturday, June 1st.). The entire ordeal was caught on security camera video, Shown Below.

Compol Warns Of Recent Spike In Robberies
Following a brazen robbery at the Family Shopping Center in Dangriga on Saturday and a robbery at the Sunnyside Bakery in the city, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams has issued an alert to residents, particularly business owners, warning them to be much more vigilant.

Breaking Belize News

Taiwan: ‘The beautiful island’
By Zoila Palma-Gonzalez: Taiwan, formerly called “ La Ilha Formosa”, meaning the beautiful island is home to Taipei […]

Men accused of murder conspiracy of Lindsford Baldwin freed for lack of evidence
Three men accused of conspiracy to murder Lindsford Baldwin saw charges dropped in court on […]

Man chopped by relative for wifi password
BBN has confirmed with our police sources that a man is being sought for chopping […]

Woman found dead in Belize City has been identified
BBN had previously reported that a woman was found dead in downtown Belize City. We […]

Body found in Belize City
Police are said to be on the scene near Rene’s Store on Cemetery Road in […]

Compol Williams: Two Dangriga robbers detained, weapons recovered
Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, is vigorously investigating the robbery of Family City Imports in Dangriga. […]

Measles case in Mexico triggers alert in Belize
Authorities in Belize are on high alert after an outbreak of measles in Mexico. The Office […]

PSU elects a new president and executive
The Public Service Union(PSU) elected a new president in elections held yesterday. In the race […]

Anthony Joshua knocked out by Jarrell Miller’s replacement for heavyweight titles
Could Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller have done to Anthony Joshua on Saturday night what Andy […]

Murder in Belize City
Minutes ago there was a murder on Belize City’s southside. It reportedly occurred downtown near Taylor’s […]

Blogs

Beer in Belize: “No working during drinking hours”
A motley crew of pirates and buccaneers supposedly built Belize City on a foundation of emptied bottles of rum. Consequently, rum-punch is still a firm favourite of the contemporary inhabitants of this strip of land by the Caribbean Sea. It’s not hard to understand why. Simply look at that horizon of blue sky that merges with a turquoise sea, look at the coral beaches, the waving palm trees and try not to drool when someone puts a shot of coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice in front of your face. That cocktail is locally nicknamed a Panti Rippa (Panty Ripper), because… Well, you understand why. Nevertheless, Belizeans also love to drink beer. Their biggest pride is Belikin. That’s the name of the beers brewed by Belize Brewing Company, a brewery with a semi-monopoly over the beer market in Belize. In that light, a slogan like The Only Beer Worth Drinking gets another dimension.

Belizean Melody Opens A Studio and Shop North: You Can Make Art!
Belizean Melody‘s empire expands! Earlier this week, San Pedrana, artist, wedding planner and fabulous entrepreneur opened a small shop on the north side of Ambergris Caye. Let’s call it Belizean Melody Norte. A pastel building across from Belizean Shores Resort and Coco-Beach where you can buy some beautiful Belizean made gifts but, best of all…make your own! It’s about 3 miles north Ambergris Caye.

Finding Culture & Adventure Fit for a Teen
Great article highlighting a few of the many local cultural attractions that are great experiences for teenagers. Well written, and Xunantunich, Cahal Pech, and the sites in MPR(Rio Frio Cave is pictured above), are all in there. They loved their stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel, and enjoyed the Green Iguana Conservation Project. "Our week in San Ignacio barely scratched the surface of the outdoor and cultural excursions offered here.. We wanted to make sure we learned as much as we could about our hometown for the week, so we dedicated a full morning to San Ignacio itself. We toured through the fruit and vegetable market (busiest on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) and also really enjoyed learning about the history and process of cacao and drinking chocolate in the Mayan tradition at AJAW Chocolate and Crafts. Additional tours offer cooking classes and lessons on corn processing and tortilla-making at a Mayan women’s co-op...

International Sources

Head of tourism clarifies sargasso not on all Cancun, Riviera Maya beaches
While the topic of sargasso continues to make news around the globe, the head of tourism for the state says it is false that the seaweed is on all beaches. Marisol Vanegas Pérez, Secretaria de Turismo Quintana Roo says that news circulating that sargasso has infested every beach in the state is simply not so. She clarifies that the arrival of sargasso is not widespread on all coasts of the Mexican Caribbean as is often reported. Although many beaches around Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mahahual and Puerto Morelos are seeing the seaweed accumulate along its shores, crews are out doing their best to remove and dispose of what does make it to shore, while navy efforts continue offshore. According to Nereus Program, sargasso blooms have reportedly fouled more than 700 beaches, not only around parts of Mexico, but also in other popular beach hotspots including Belize, Cuba and the United States.

Did the Maya Really Sacrifice Their Ballgame Players
Imagine a crowd roaring as royalty take to the ball court, rubber ball in hand in a sport so spectacular, it symbolized good versus evil. The ballgame played by the Maya, Aztec and neighboring cultures is famous for its ubiquity in Mesoamerica before interloping Europeans shut it down. But many mysteries and misconceptions continue to dog people's understanding of the game. For instance, did the game's winners or losers get sacrificed at the end of the game? And were the hoops on the ball courts treated like modern-day basketball nets? The answer to both questions is no; the players were most likely not sacrificed, and the ball wasn't meant to go through the hoop, although it likely happened from time to time, said Christophe Helmke, an associate professor at the Institute of Cross-Cultural and Regional Studies at the University of Copenhagen.

Videos

June 2, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Increase in traffic accidents prompts San Pedro Traffic Department to address speeding
Over the past weeks, Ambergris Caye has registered an alarming increase in golf cart traffic accidents, with several residents and visitors sustaining grave injuries. The San Pedro Traffic Department has stepped up to address the issue, saying it believes the incidents are caused by speeding. As a result, golf cart rentals on the island are being inspected to find out if their vehicles’ speed limiters have been altered. If golf carts are found with this modification, the proprietors will be ordered to reset the limiter before the cart can be used or rented out.

NEMO and DANA host workshop in San Pedro Town, ahead of 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season
To increase preparedness during the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Damage Assessment Need Analysis (DANA) along with the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) held a workshop at the NEMO office in San Pedro Town on Wednesday, May 29th. The workshop was facilitated by DANA National Liaison Officer Tennielle Williams-Hendy and saw the participation of 21 island residents from both the private and governmental sectors.

Forceful eviction attempt damages tenants’ property; opens questions on legal procedures
The Valladares family has been leasing a piece of property in the San Pablo Area south of San Pedro Town since 2002, and up to May of this year, they had been living there peacefully. In mid-March, however, they were served with an eviction note from a law firm on behalf of the property owner, demanding they leave the premises. The family, originally from the Corozal District, agreed to move out but asked for an adequate time-period before doing so. Now they are claiming that since then, members of the San Pedro Police Department have been pressuring them in regards to the eviction note. The situation escalated when a group of workers with heavy equipment was sent to remove a camper from the property, destroying it in the process along with the family’s belongings inside.

Ramon’s Village and SP BTIA donate medical supplies to Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II
Ramon’s Village Resort, along with the facilitation of the San Pedro Chapter of Belize Tourism Industry Association (SP BTIA), donated many medical supplies to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II on Thursday, May 30th. Ramon’s Village Resort manager, Einer Gomez, SP BTIA Vice-chair Karen Brodie and members Diane Tabony and Pete Davis met with the medical staff of the polyclinic to present the items, which are expected to better prepare the clinic. Gomez had previously met Polyclinic Administrator Eric Najarro asking how they (Ramon’s) could assist the clinic. Najarro recommended him to speak to Pete Davis and Diane Tabony to discuss the polyclinics latest supplies, equipment and infrastructure repairs and how best to help.

Ambergris Today

A Magical Prom Night At San Pedro High School
The Graduating Class of 2019 of San Pedro High School held its prom on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the Rafael Angel Nunez Auditorium. It was a night filled with glitz and glamour. Here are pictures for your enjoyment!

The Reporter

BOOST, PANTRY AND POLITICAL COERCION!
By Lloyd Jones – Prime Minister Barrow has repeatedly referred to his administration as a “pro-poor” government. However, after ten years of “pro-poor” dynamics no one in Mr. Barrow’s government has been able to show us how many people have been lifted out of poverty. The moniker “pro-poor” therefore can be properly construed as meaning an affinity for poor people as opposed to a distaste for poverty itself. Since 2008 Mr. Barrow’s objective seem to be to make poverty bearable a,s opposed to the lofty goal of eradicating poverty altogether.

The “Alcoholic Gene” – Who’s at Risk??
By: Dr. Abigail Joseph - Genes are responsible for our traits – they dictate our physical and behavioral characteristics. We do not control our genetic make up for our parents pass it on to us. Like many chronic non-communicable diseases, we can cause our children to be predisposed to alcohol and substance abuse due to their genetic make-up. Research shows that genes are responsible for approximately half the risk in alcohol use disorder (AUD).

Hurricane Season Upon Us; Normal Activity Expected
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting that there will be between nine to 15 named storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. Of that number, the Centre further predicts that between four to eight of those storms could develop into hurricanes, with winds of 74 miles per hour or higher, and that between two to four will become major hurricanes of category 3 or higher, with winds of 111 miles per hour or stronger.

Breaking Belize News

Security guard shot in Dangriga armed robbery
Earlier tonight there was a robbery in Dangriga, Stann Creek. It reportedly occured at Family Imports Shopping Center. Robbers entered armed with a weapon and demanded cash.

“Murders were down in May,” says National Security
The Ministry of National Security says that the number of murders countrywide has gone down considerably at the five-month mark when compared to the same time period last year. The Ministry issued a statement saying that the 2019 murder count stands at 48, a reduction of 30, from 2018’s 78 murders at the end of May.

Liverpool F.C. dispatch Tottenham Hotspur for Champions League title
After trouncing Barcelona a few weeks ago, Liverpool F.C. prevailed today over Tottenham Hotspurs with a final score of 2-0. However, this afternoon’s Champions League final in Madrid, Spain, was effectively settled 2 minutes in by a Mohamed Salah penalty in favour of Liverpool on a handball.

Teen reported missing found safe
Referencing the May 29th missing person report of Evelyn Cal, 14, the Belize Police Department has reported that she has been found and returned safely to her parents.

Hattieville teen reported missing
The Belize Police Department and the family of Clarissa Wagners, 15, are asking the public’s assistance in locating her. Wagner, a resident of Hattieville Village, was last seen on the morning of May 31, when she left home headed for school. She was last seen in her school uniform, a white pleated dress and had a pink backpack.

Mexico and U.S. trade war of words over immigration after tariff threat
Responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to raise tariffs against its southern neighbor, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador extended a hand of negotiation while warning Mexico “[is] not going to fall into any provocations – we are going to act prudently with respect to the authorities of the United States [and] with respect to President Donald Trump.”

Councilor Micah Goodin hosts fundraising barbecue
We had previously reported that Belize City Councilor, Micah Goodin, was seeking to establish a scholarship fund. Today a fundraiser is underway at the Constitution Park in Belize City. The first initiative is a barbecue fundraiser.

U.K. publication encourages travelers to visit Belize
The Telegraph, a publication based in the United Kingdom, published a travel writing piece this week, encouraging people from the U.K. to come to Belize for their next vacation. The exposure in the U.K. market is good for Belize’s tourism industry.

Boat belonging to US nationals hits the barrier reef
Two US nationals on a 40-foot boat named Shambella, ran aground on the barrier reef on Thursday. Members of the Belize Coast Guard say that the boat hit the reef in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve area last night and that they received a distress call around 8:30 p.m.

Blogs

Future Event's Happening This Month of June 2019 in Corozal, Belize
This months events in Corozal

Lobster Fest Schedule for 2019
Schedules for the different Belizean Lobsterfests.

International Sources

Tropical threat may brew in Gulf of Mexico as Atlantic hurricane season officially begins
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway and the southwestern Gulf of Mexico is being monitored for potential tropical activity early this week. A broad area of unsettled weather traversing across the Bay of Campeche is the area being monitored for potential tropical development. An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft may be sent out to investigate the area of unsettled weather on Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Belize’s Biggest International Festival Reignited!
Costa Maya Festival: Reignited! is the theme for this year’s 27th anniversary of the International Costa Maya Festival, Belize’s biggest, that will be held on July 26th, 27th and 28th at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town. The festival began in 1991, and was an annual event with only one cancellation in 2016 due to Hurricane Earl. Originally known as the Sea and Air Festival, the Costa Maya Festival has evolved into a celebration of music, dance and celebration of the Mundo Maya countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and even Panama.

Videos

June 1, 2019

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Ministry of Health hands over fitness equipment to San Pedro Town
San Pedro Town is one of the municipalities across the country that was the recipient of exercise equipment from the Ministry of Health. The donation was a joint effort with the Embassy of Taiwan in Belize to promote a healthy lifestyle. The equipment will be installed in a public area and made available to island residents at no cost. The designated area has yet to be revealed.

ACES students participate in Financial Literacy Challenge
Under the title “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned” Standard six students at Ambergris Caye Elementary School prepared a presentation for the Financial Literacy Challenge on Friday, May 23rd. The challenge focused on three things: spend, save, share, and was assigned as a way for students to understand the value of money and hopefully learn to set up financially responsible habits for their future. Using the three S’s guidelines, ACES students demonstrated their understanding of responsible spending, saving with a purpose, and sharing (which can eventually turn into investing). ACES was one of four schools in the Belize District that participated and was observed by a representative of the Belize District Education Center and three other judges.

Costa Maya Reignited presents Miss Guatemala and Miss Costa Rica for Miss Costa Maya International 2019
With a newly motivated committee in place, the annual International Costa Maya Festival – Reignited is working on an exciting array of events, including the highly anticipated Reina de la Costa Maya pageant. The 2019 International Costa Maya Festival pageant is set to take place on Friday, July 26th at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex in San Pedro Town. Honduras’ Mary Cruz Cardona Galindo is the proud 2018 titleholder, and she will be handing over the crown to one of eight beauties hailing from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama.

Our Forest is Our Future – Belize’s forests worth USD$35 Million to REDD+
Belize’s forests have provided jobs for Belizeans from the birth of our nation; logwood and mahogany were our first exports, but now keeping our forests alive an uncut can be worth US$35 million. Our forests contain 7 million tons of carbon dioxide, which at current market prices of US$5 per tons of carbon on international markets for carbon credits, adds up to USD$35 million to Belize. Just as catch-and-release game fish have been estimated to be worth US$10,000 per pound as living fish swimming in the sea, so too, our forests are worth far more as a living, breathing ecosystem, than as cut lumber for furniture, housing or firewood.

Misc Belizean Sources

Ministry of Agriculture Hosts Training Workshop on Nutrition and Breeding Management of Sheep
The Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Unit, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat Project, hosted on Thursday, May 30th, a one-day theoretical and practical training on Nutrition and Breeding Management of sheep. The training was held at Yo Creek Agriculture Station in the Orange Walk District. The workshop covered topics on supplemental feeding and nutrition, pasture establishment and management, forage utilization, and vaccination methods. A total of 25 farmers from the districts of Corozal, Orange Walk and Cayo attended the training.

Postmaster General new phone numbers
The Postmaster General wishes to inform all Government Ministries, Departments and the general public of its new office new telephone numbers as a result of recent relocation, of the Administration, Parcels and Counter Section. The new telephone numbers are as follows; • 223-7381 • 203-7382 • 203-7380 • 227-2330 • 223-0996 (Fax) We apologize for any inconvenience caused from this change.

Belize need to file a complaint against Guatemala at the UN Security Council for its action in the Sarstoon
By Wellington C. Ramos - As a Belizean citizen, I am tired of hearing about the Guatemalan military’s attitude towards our citizens as it relates to the Sarstoon. Part of the Sarstoon is for Guatemala and the other part is for Belize. This is based on the approved boundaries of the two countries that were agreed upon between Britain and Guatemala in 1859. Guatemala has no right to trespass on our territory. Likewise, we do not have any right to trespass on theirs. The United Nations was founded for member nations, to foster a climate of peace and harmony among themselves. Also, to respect for each other’s borders, boundaries, territorial integrity and sovereignty. If any of these countries are having a problem with another country on these matters, they have the right to bring their complaint or complaints to the UN Security Council to seek assistance.

BTIA: Paving the Road to Sustainable Tourism in Belize Symposium
at Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza

Father's Day Concert 2019
The San Ignacio Santa Elena House of Culture and The National Institute of Culture and History in Collaboration with San Ignacio & Santa Elena Town Council Presents: LATINOS NIGHT FATHERS DAY SPECIAL! This June 15th bring out the family, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 pm at Cayo Welcome Center! Dont Miss it!"

Let’s Talk About Corruption!
Fifty Five students from Independence High School attended a session on the UNCAC, anti-corruption and ethics. UNDP Belize is carrying out a series of school visits in southern Belize to sensitize youth about the impacts of corruption and the role every individual has to play in forming a transparent society. This activity is part of UNDP’s ongoing CARSI ESF grant funded by the U.S. Embassy.

Chargé d’Affaires at the Chiefs of Mission Conference
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Keith Gilges participated in the annual Chiefs of Mission Conference hosted by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) this week. Senior U.S. diplomats representing nations across the Western Hemisphere discussed #SOUTHCOM’s support to U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic efforts in South America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as collaboration to counter threats and strengthen partnerships in the region.

Opening of 2019 Hurricane Season
Saturday 1st June marks the beginning of the 2019 hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin. The season runs from 1st June to 30th November 2019. However the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year, as shown by the formation of Subtropical Storm Andrea on May 20, which upon its formation marked the fifth consecutive year a storm developed before the official start of the season. The 2019 forecast is suggesting that tropical cyclone activity will be for near normal in the Atlantic Basin (North AtlanticOcean, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico) this year.

Prime Minister Barrow Sends Condolence Letter to Jamaica
Your Excellency, I express my profound sadness upon hearing of the passing of former Prime Minister of Jamaica, Most Hon. Edward Seaga. On behalf of the Government and people of Belize, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Most Hon. Edward Seaga and the Government and people of Jamaica as they mourn the loss of an esteemed leader...

Enlisted BDF Soldiers Benefit from Adjustment in Pay
The Ministry of National Security (MNS) is pleased to announce that an exercise is now completed which addresses an anomaly in the yearly salary increments for all serving enlisted men and women in the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Regular and Volunteer elements. The adjustment in salary will result in a small pay raise for all Warrant Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Privates of the BDF and takes effect on June 1st, 2019. After extensive revision exercises and consultations with the Ministries of Finance and the Public Service, this long overdue and very important exercise which ensures that enlisted soldiers receive respective emoluments on par with members of other security forces such as the Belize Police Department and the Belize Coast Guard, is now complete.

Belize Signs Framework Agreement with PARLACEN
The National Assembly of Belize has signed a Framework Agreement for Interinstitutional Cooperation with the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN). The Framework Agreement was signed during the Plenary Assembly of PARLACEN in Guatemala City by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Laura Tucker Longsworth, and, on behalf of PARLACEN, by Honourable Irma Amaya. The purpose of the Framework Agreement is to establish the basis for relations that will allow academic-interinstitutional cooperation between PARLACEN and the National Assembly of Belize.

Designated Processing Areas (DPA) Training/Informative Session
oday, the Investment, Policy and Compliance Unit (IPCU) of the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Commerce met with about thirty (30) companies in the Stann Creek and Toledo Districts that fall under the Designated Processing Area (DPA) Programme. The DPA Act which was passed in December, 2018 ensures that companies in Belize are compliant with exporting regulations and standards set forth by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the EU Code of Conduct on Harmful Tax Practices, and other regulatory bodies.

BDF platoon heads for Tradewinds 2019
A BDF platoon of 37 BDF & 01 BCG departed yesterday from the Phillip Goldson International Airport to participate in the first phase of Tradewinds 2019, a multinational maritime security and disaster response exercise in the Caribbean, begun in Dominica Republic on May 30 to June 8 with 21 partner nations scheduled to participate. Tradewinds 2019 is sponsored by SOUTHCOM which is one of 10 unified commands in the United States Department of Defense. It is responsible for U.S. military operations and security cooperation with partner nations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

The U.S. Embassy is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Senior Foreign Service National Security Investigator
To view and apply for this vacancy announcement, please visit the ERA site at: https://erajobs.state.gov/…/vacancysear…/searchVacancies.hms For instructions on how to apply via the ERA system, please visit the U.S. Embassy’s website at: https://bz.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/

It's the end of an era, the stage is gone at Fido's Beach Bar

Channel 7

Shyne Says He's The Victim
Shyne Barrow is an aspiring UDP politician - but right now he's gone viral on facebook, not for the political work he's doing in Mesopotamia, but for his now very public beef with Bradley Roe, a member of one of Belize's leading families. Their beef started three weeks ago at "Maxie's" - a trendy restaurant and lounge on the Phillip Goldson Highway - when the two had words. The 39 year old Barrow and the 29 year old Roe took it into the parking lot - and for the first time anywhere, tonight - you'll see what happened next. Jules Vasquez has the story:...

Commissioner Confused About Strange Lawyer Letter
And where does Commissioner of Police Chester Williams stand on all this? Neal wrote a letter to him on May 30th saying, quote, "the purpose of this letter is to seek the intervention of your police department to stop Mr. Barrow from continued criminal behavior so that my client can move and socialize without fear of harassment and/or physical injury." Now, we've seen lots of lawyer letters, but this one - basically asking for preemptive relief from something that is not clearly established - is a first for us. Today the Commissioner told us he doesn't know what to make of it:...

From Remand To Release
For the past 4 years and 7 months, 21 year-old Charles August has stood accused of the 2014 murder of 33 year-old Salvadoran national, Jose Luis Umana. Well tonight, he's free after he was acquitted in a trial without jury before Justice Colin Williams. In October of 2014, Umana was at the corner of New Road and Hydes Lane when a gunman killed him with a fatal shot in the center of the forehead. Police arrested and charged August, who was only 16 years-old at the time, with the crime of murder. Since then, he had been on remand, until August 2018, when he became one of the few defendants accused with murder to be granted Supreme Court bail. He ended up violating the terms of that bail, because he was out his house during designated curfew hours ordered by the court. That bail was confiscated, and he was sent back to jail until his trial which began this month.

Shambella Stuck On the Reef
Last night the Coast Guard moved quickly to rescue a vessel that had ran aground on the reef and was going down. It happened in in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve where the Coast Guard got a distress signal from the Shambella, a 40 foot sailboat. The Coast Guard deployed a Search and Rescue Unit from the Forward Operating Base at Hunting Caye and found two Americans on board. They were rescued and the Coast Guard towed the vessel off the reef in order to prevent further damage to it. The Coast Guard says the captain of the vessel is currently detained at Hunting Caye until an in-depth assessment of the extent of the damage to the reef is concluded.

Robbed And Dragged Into Cemetery
A woman had a terrifying encounter near the Lord Ridge cemetery last night. At around 8:00, 30 year old Rachel Wallace was riding a bicycle on the George Price highway, and as she was passing near to the cemetery, two men dragged her off her bicycle. One of them was armed with a pistol and they dragged her into the cemetery where they robbed her of $600.00, as well as her passport and social security card along with her apartment key. The men then ran off on foot through the cemetery towards Pitter street.

Minor Sexually Assaulted A Tourist, But Faced No Charge
Police are putting together a file on another case of criminal action that is not so clear cut. On Tuesday, a female tourist staying at a resort own the Placencia Peninsula was taking a jog through Seine Byte village when she was assaulted by a young man who she claims tried to rape her. He grabbed her private parts and threw her in the bushes, but she fought him off, and got back to safety. She was traumatized and also had scratches. Still, she kept with her plan to return home. But, before she left, she did she gave a statement and identified a photo of the main suspect. But, despite having the statement - and having gotten a confession and the victim's cell phone from the young perpetrator - police still released him without charges.

Inside the Shadow Of Narcissistic Abuse
It is rare that abuse survivors speak out and tell their stories. Many survivors are too scared, too ashamed and others too caught up in the cycle of pain and trauma to break the silence. But Roaring Creek resident Jemma Williams found her voice and wants to raise awareness on a form of emotional abuse known as narcissistic abuse. In fact, tomorrow, June 1st is recognized as World Narcissistic Abuse Awareness Day. I spoke with Williams last week and here is her story. 30 year old Jemma Williams might seem happy and care free with her big smile and friendly personality. But she wasn't always this way - she was abused throughout her childhood and her adult life and a part of her healing process is speaking out.

Counsellor Says Emotional Abuse Is Real
We also spoke to professional counselor Aimee Jex at the Belize Medical Associates. Jex says there aren't a lot of studies and research done on narcissistic abuse but it is recognized as a form of emotional abuse. Jex also goes into what is narcissism and what signs to look out for. Aimee Jex, Professional Counselor, Belize Medical Associates: "It is a phenomenon that people have been noticing and it has been having a ground swelling over the past 6 years there is a celebration of it by a committee, it is worldwide kind of thing that is being started and it is celebrated on June 1st..."

San Pedro Stunned, DOE Wins Cayo Rosario Case
Last year, it was big news out of San Pedro Town when a group of conservation-minded residents formed a group called the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development. They started bringing public pressure on the government for the Department of Environment's approval of a proposed development on Cayo Rosario. This is a 10-acre island off the northwest coast of San Pedro, beloved to island residents due to its importance as a rich natural habitat for marine and terrestrial wildlife. Well, that island is owned by the private company, Cayo Rosario Development Limited, and they want to build a resort there. The infrastructure was initially proposed with more than 80 over-the-water structures.

Alleged Shooters Arrested
Last night, we told you about a shooting on Tuesday night which left 20 year-old Edin Perez, a resident of Armenia Village, injured with multiple gunshots. Police said that they were looking for 4 suspects, and they are reporting tonight that they've already charged 2 men. They are 22 year-old Daniel Osequeda, and 21 year-old Alex Bah, who are both labourers from the same village of Armenia. They have been arrested and charged with the offenses of attempted murder, aggravated assault, and use of deadly means of harm.

Another Freightliner Crash On PG Hwy
There was another accident involving a freightliner cargo truck on the Phillip Goldson Highway today and two men are lucky to be alive. It happened near Carmelita Village around 3:00. A cargo truck was travelling from Orange Walk to Belize City near the Santa Martha cut off when it attempted to overtake a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck travelling in the same direction. As it was overtaking, the cargo truck hit the back of the pickup causing both vehicles to run off the opposite side of the road.

Tourism And Sustainable Development, The Way Forward
By the year 2022, the Belize Tourism Industry Association is hoping that all its members will have transitioned to become more eco-friendly in the way they do business. The Association is encouraging all tourism stakeholders to cut back on business practices that harm the environment, especially Belize's marine ecosystem. That can include adopting more eco-friendly ways to get rid of waste, conserving on water usage, and adopting renewable sources of energy to power their resorts, hotels, and business places: all in an effort to reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

Cops As Role Models
Every night on the news we report on the police and all they're doing - or not doing - with crime. But, it can't be all about crime - and the cops have to - in a sense - be all things to all people. And for the young population of Belize City, that also means acting as role models. Over 160 of them are part of 3rd Annual Police Youth Mentorship Program - which launched today at the Radisson. The commissioner told us why its one of his department's flagship projects:..,

The Season of Anxiety Begins
As we reminded you last night - the most dreaded time of the year - hurricane season starts tomorrow, and NEMO is hoping that all of you will remain alert for the entire five months. A Government press release notes, quote, "The 2019 forecast is suggesting that tropical cyclone activity will be for near normal in the Atlantic Basin this year. The prediction is for there to be twelve to fourteen named storms, of those five to seven are expected to become hurricanes and two are expected to become major hurricanes. An average season in the Atlantic Basin consists of twelve named storms, six hurricanes and two major hurricanes." End quote.

Cancer Society's Conveyance Deed
The Belize Cancer Society today handed over the conveyance deed for 1 acre of land to Ministry of Labour CEO Sharon Young. Young is the Society's raffle winner - and, it's worth mentioning - is also the former CEO for the Ministry of Natural Resources, or the Lands Department. The treasurer gifted her land to the Cancer society for the raffle to raise funds. Here is more from the handing over

Alla-Hoops!
The Ahmadiyya Basketball League will be having its finals on Sunday at Swift Hall. It's a huge tournament that has grown exponentially in interest and number since it first started a five years ago. The local representative told us more:

Channel 5

A Tiff between Shyne and Bradley Roe Lands on the ComPol’s Desk
Tonight, businessman Bradley Roe and Music Ambassador Shyne Barrow are making headlines, following an incident on the night of May eleventh during which Shyne was physically assaulted by the Ladyville [...]

Sailboat “Shambella” Grounded on the Belize Barrier Reef
Two U.S. nationals were rescued on Thursday night after their forty foot sailboat “Shambella” grounded on the Belize Barrier Reef. At around eighty thirty pm, the Belize Coast Guard received [...]

2 U.S. Nationals Rescued by Coast Guard Officers
According to Lieutenant Soberanis, the couple was making their way from Cuba to Rio Dulce in Guatemala. Soberanis says that the captain of the vessel is currently detained at Hunting [...]

Belize City Woman Attacked, Robbed at Gunpoint by 2 Men
A Belize City woman was robbed at gunpoint at around eight o’clock on Thursday night. Thirty-year-old Rachel Wallace was riding her bicycle near the Lord Ridge Cemetery when she was [...]

U.S. Tourist Becomes Victim of Attempted Rape, Suspect is Released
A female tourist was robbed and sexually assaulted while in the Village of Seine Bight in Southern Belize. Reports are that the tourist was jogging when she came under attack [...]

3 Men Walk Free from Conspiracy to Commit Murder Charge
A seventeen-year-old minor and two adults have been freed of conspiracy to commit murder in the shooting death of Lynford Baldwin. The trio appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser and [...]

2 Men Charged for the Shooting of Guatemalan Edin Perez
A brazen attempt was made on the life of Guatemalan national Edin Perez on Tuesday night in Armenia Village.  The twenty-year-old was shot multiple times when a group of men [...]

B.T.I.A. Takes a Serious Look at Sustainable Tourism
The B.T.I.A. unveiled to its stakeholders and partner agencies a three-year plan for sustainable tourism in Belize. The objective of the symposium was to share details on how the association [...]

National Oceanography Centre & UB Sign M.O.U.
The University of Belize and the National Oceanography Centre in the U.K. signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday to advance marine science research in Belize. Both entities recognize the [...]

Hurricane Season: June to November
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season begins on Saturday and will run through to November thirtieth.  The forecast for this year suggests that tropical cyclone activity will be near normal in [...]

Belize Coast Guard Prepares for 2019 Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season
Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis of the Belize Coast Guard led an informational session to discuss the Coast Guard’s state of readiness for the 2019 Atlantic Basin hurricane season.   Lt. Gregory [...]

3rd Annual Police Youth Mentorship Program Launched
One hundred and sixty-eight boys and girls are forming this year’s intake for the third annual Police Youth Mentorship Programme. The program which starts tomorrow and concludes in the next [...]

Ramadan has Ended
The month of Ramadan has come to an end.  It is a month-long period of fasting for persons of Islamic faith.  To celebrate the passing of Ramadan, the Ahmadiyah Muslim [...]

Ahmadiyah Basketball League Hosts Tournament this Weekend
And on Sunday, the Ahmadiyah Basketball League concludes a season of basketball tournaments with a marathon at the Swift Hall where teams from across Belize City and as far away [...]

Certifying Belizean Chefs in Food Safety
Chefs from across the country took part in sixteen hours of intense training spread across four days this week, to learn professional standards of food handling, as well as the [...]

Amandala

Husband and wife, both 74, killed in vehicle accident
A fatal road collision in San Narciso at about 2:00 yesterday afternoon, between Miles 72 and 73 on the Philip Goldson Highway, claimed the lives of Audomaro Chan, 74, and his wife Ramona, 74, both of San Narciso. Audomaro was driving his pickup from San Luis to Corozal Town when he collided with a 40-foot tanker truck that was traveling from Corozal Town to Orange Walk. The injuries of the driver of the tanker truck, Eric Ermoff, 35, of Orange Walk Town, were described as not life-threatening.

$16,000 reward for jaguar killer
A jaguar was found decapitated in the Dump area of Toledo at about 9:30 last night. The headless carcass of the majestic animal was found by a man who was walking on the road in the area and he immediately called police and forest rangers of the Toledo Forest Department. The remains of the animal were then retrieved and buried by the rangers. An investigation has begun to find the person who killed the jaguar.

Public advisory on illegal peddling of medicines
This afternoon, we received a press release from the Ministry of Health concerning the identification of products “that are being sold as medicines but not officially recognized and registered by the Ministry of Health.” The release says that during two recent inspections, the medicines were confiscated from “peddlers/street vendors.” The release says that, apart from being illegal, the medicines pose a health risk, as they may be “falsified and substandard.” We wanted to find out if the ministry had any idea from where the peddlers got the medicine, whether the medicines were expired, and whether the peddlers were charged with any crime according to our medical laws.

The Trump Administration vs Huawei
In the telecommunication world, talk has been stirring over the recent ban by the US government on the Chinese tech giant, Huawei. The franchise had been accused by United States president Donald Trump of several security breaches and the violation of US sanctions against Iran, leading to the banning of all Huawei devices in America. Huawei has been a longtime partner of Belize Telecommunications Limited, which entered into a 40-million-dollar deal with them in 2016 to roll out the 4G LTE mobile network that serves all Digi users countrywide. Considering the direct link between Huawei and BTL, many are wondering what these US restrictions will mean for Belizeans who are currently subscribed to Digi’s mobile service, especially in regards to the removal of all Google apps from Huawei’s mobile devices.

CEMO is ready for Hurricane Season 2019
The Belize City Council’s emergency management arm (CEMO) held a press conference today to disseminate vital information to the public with regards to this year’s disaster preparedness plan for Hurricane Season 2019. As we know, June 1 marks a crucial time for Belizeans, as we must remain on the alert for any impending storms and excessive rainfall until November 30. Today, Mayor Bernard Wagner, Deputy Mayor Oscar Arnold and Councilor of Sanitation, CEMO, Security Flood Mitigation and Climate Change Michael Norales, addressed the media concerning the preparations that have been made to safeguard city residents during this vulnerable time of the year.

The Belize Cancer Society building awareness one cancer walk at a time
This past Saturday, the Belize Cancer Society held another of its Cancer Walks in which thousands of Belizeans walked from the starting point in Ladyville, in front of Celina’s Bar, to the headquarters of the Belize Cancer Society on Mercy Lane, in Belize City, a nine-mile journey to spread awareness of the deadly disease. Heather Reneau, the senior administrator for the Belize Cancer Society, told Amandala this afternoon that the Cancer Walk is one of the biggest activities that the society does annually to build awareness of the burden of cancer.

NEBL Finals heads to crucial game 4 on Friday night; Tiger Sharks has 2–1 series lead
The playoffs bounced along this past weekend in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL), as game 2 was played at the Civic Center in Belize City on Friday night, and game 3 sailed out to the island on Saturday night in its best-of-five final. After a disappointing game 1 loss in San Pedro, Mirage/Smart Belize Hurricanes regrouped and strategized in preparation for game 2 on their home court at the Civic Centre. From the tip, Hurricanes opened up aggressively with their suffocating defence, but San Pedro Tiger Sharks was able to match their intensity.

Abner Lopez records another regatta win at the 7th Annual Placencia Youth Sailing Regatta
May is the sailing month for Placencia, and sailing enthusiasts descended on the “Point” for 2 days of perfect sailing conditions, with steady winds and clear skies. Hosting its 7th Annual Placencia Youth Sailing Regatta last weekend, May 25 and 26, the Placencia Sailing Club organized another successful event with over 20 participants. The Optimist class races started at 12:00 noon with 12 Optimists on the start line on Saturday. Only 4 races were planned for the first day, and winds started to pick up around 3:00 p.m. to about 15 knots. With perfect conditions prevailing, the racing committee decided to do the 5th race, considering that the weather forecasts suggested that some rain was expected on Sunday.

Rural North Football Week 6 results from Sandhill
Sandhill Village was the venue for Week 6 games on Sunday, May 26, in the Belize Rural North Football Tournament for the Edmond “Clear the Land” Castro Cup 2019. In game 1, (U-17) Kings College Strikers drew with Sandhill Youths, 3-3. Netting a goal each for Kings College were Jordi Reyes (4’), Jordhy Riva (54’) and Carlos Gutierrez (59’); while Sandhill goals were by Deandre Dawson (62’ & 66’) and Leonardo Higinio (17’).

BBSF Classic & U-19 8-Ball Tournaments in Belmopan
BBSF Classic (In memory of Angel “Chips Man” Vargas) A total of 47 players from throughout the country participated in the single-man, race to 3, 8-ball Classic. The champ is Larry Lisbey of Belize City (prize: $1,200 + trophy), while Luis Valdez of Corozal (prize: $600.00 + trophy) was the sub-champ. Larry was undefeated going into the final, so Luis had to beat him twice to be the champ. It was a tall order, but Luis gave it an enormous effort, as he won Larry in the first set; but Larry was successful in the second set and was declared the champ. Ranking 3rd place was Nain Rosado (prize: $300.00), and 4th place was Johnny Betancourt (prize: $100.00).

Editorial: Our governments made the climate for Sanctuary Bay
There is a story out there that the Americans are trying to put a hook in the Government of Belize, us, for a project that has reportedly bilked mostly American citizens out of over US 100 million dollars. In other sections of the media, and in the Amandala, there have been detailed reports of the ongoing saga at Sanctuary Bay, located near Sittee River in the Stann Creek District. A number of hooks have been placed in our mouth these past two decades, so maybe we cannot be blamed if we start believing that we are some kind of fish. We have been reeled in so, so many times, and have had to give up so, so many pounds of flesh, we are nearing bankruptcy. Our leaders really must stop opening our mouth for foreigners to put hooks inside it. Enough, our jaw is sore to the point of breaking.

From the Publisher
For many, many months, years in fact, a situation has been developing at the extreme southwestern corner of an empty lot at #3 West Canal Street on Southside Belize City. There is a very tall, dead coconut tree trunk which has been eaten away by termites until it is in imminent danger of falling, whereupon it would bring down the electric wires which bring current to two or three homes which sit at the end of an alley which runs off West Canal parallel to the empty lot. If and when the dead coconut tree trunk falls and hauls down the wires, there would be the danger of fire, in the first instance. The neighbours have complained to me that the people at the electricity company claim they can’t do anything about the tree trunk unless a complaint is made by the owner of the yard where the trunk is located. Well, the yard at #3 West Canal is, to repeat, an empty lot, owned by the estate of Chrystel Lynwood Straughan, nee Hyde, whose two children have lived in Atlanta, Georgia, for quite a few years.

Compton discusses the UDP’s expulsion of B. Q., Hubert, and Derek in 1992!
Compton discusses the UDP’s expulsion of B. Q., Hubert, and Derek in 1992! To the Editor, There is only one week remaining for Belize to submit documents to the ICJ for the Court to consider the Compromis. At this time, Guatemala has not revealed the name of their “Agents” and they are also resisting the inclusion of our Maritime AreasAct of 1992. Twenty seven years ago, at that time the late Edward A. Laing Jr., the Hon. Philip Goldson and I had extensive discussions on the passage of this Act. For the benefit of our younger citizens I have retrieved from the Freedom Committee archives an explanation and discussion on the issue.

Only God can make a tree
Dear Editor, It is with sadness that I read of the fallen flamboyant at Mile 50. Belize is blessed with many varieties of beautiful tropical trees. If we would only nurture and care for them, we would become a special attraction for the world. The colonial masters raped our forests of our mighty giants and did not think of planting them back. We got rid of the chains of colonialism and then we finished off the forest. During the Second World War, the British, who knew that our men hunted and fell giants in British Honduras, took them overseas and named them the forestry unit.

The UDP grab for seats and positions!
It’s interesting to note that anyone in Belize can be a politician. There is no requirement for any educational qualification, nor any level of economic stability, nor any history of public service, nor any professional experience, and, worse yet, there is no requirement for disclosure of campaign financing. As a matter of fact, ex-felons convicted in other jurisdictions, who have fled to Belize or been deported, have run and are running for office. There is no requirement for specific qualifications or some level of skills or proficiency in the Ministry that they will head, except for the Ministry of the Attorney General, where an attorney is required! So we have had people with no clue about agriculture heading that Ministry, or no clue about medicine heading that Ministry, or no clue about construction heading the Ministry of Housing, and the list goes on… you get me! As a matter of fact, there is a strange trend in our history that it seems that those qualified and skilled in a particular field are being intentionally kept out of that field.

When citrus is king again, will small growers be a part of it?
The citrus industry in Belize, which, records show, began in 1913, has had its ups and downs over the years, but the present down, which began about five years ago and continues up to today, May 2019, is the worst the industry has ever seen. The citrus industry will rebound. Citrus growers are largely a hardy, hopeful group, so the question is just when the good days will be back again. http://belizeinfocenter.org says the industry “started in 1913 when three investors – Dr. S. O. Browne, Mr. A. E. Vine and Mr. W. A. J. Bowman imported nine hundred budded grapefruit trees from Florida. These were planted in the Stann Creek Valley. The industry grew and by 1954, it reached the million dollar exports mark…. Income from the citrus industry has increased from over $33 million in 2002 to $95 million in 2011.”

Musings by the Curious Non-Conformist
I’ve always been a sexual and reproductive health rights advocate. In fact, it is on 2621 Mercy Lane in Belize City that my organized leadership capacity was honed. It was at the Belize Family Life Association’s Youth Advocacy Movement (YAM) that I was introduced to human rights, comprehensive sexuality education, and governance in a safe space that allowed me to question every and anything. I want to give special thanks to Arthur Usher, Ana Carillo and more recently Sheena Gentle for allowing me those freedoms. It was the place that I saw religious views come in direct conflict with human rights. Well, outside of the Christopher Columbus story of him ‘discovering the Americas’ and spreading Catholicism by any means necessary, including genocide. An elderly woman would kneel with bare knees in the afternoon heat on loose gravel to pray for the deliverance of the people who work inside the building. “Weird flex but okay.”

I don’t care for that woman’s mind
I’m a fan of old movies, Turner Classic Movies, and a part of that must come from the fact that I didn’t go to many movies when I was a youth, so a lot passed me by. There are run-of-the-mill things about me that some people would find discouraging. As a boy I had little respect for the people behind movies, books, songs and people who liked to take pictures. I liked all of those things well enough, but the people behind those things were of no interest in my world. There are oh so many dots that I didn’t connect. I think the worst is that I didn’t see the danger in people who study books. When I was a boy I saw the world all Tom Sawyer: who can lick who. The world belongs to wimps! What a sickening realization, that power doesn’t come from the might in a fist or out of the barrel of a gun: it comes from the people who promote people to fight with fists and the people who send the strong to shoot down one another in wars.

John Chessman pleads guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death Chinese grocer
oday, after she heard a plea for mitigation from John Chessman, Jr., 28, who was charged with murder but had pleaded guilty to manslaughter, Madam Justice Marilyn Williams set July 22 as the date for sentencing. There were no character witnesses, and only Chessman spoke on his behalf. He said the he was sorry for what he did. Chessman was charged with the murder of Chinese businessman Jiantao Yang, who was shot in the back of the head about 5 p.m. on August 9, 2012. Yang was at his business establishment, E-Bay Supermarket, located at 116 Crab Catcher Street in Ladyville, when Chessman and another man entered. The men held up Yang at gunpoint and they demanded money. They made their way behind the counter and while Yang was opening the cash register, one of them shot Yang.

Carlos Reyes, 18, drowns in Valley of Peace
Carlos Reyes, 18, a laborer of Valley of Peace, drowned while swimming in the Belize River in an area known as “the Reservoir” in the village. His body was recovered by his friends, who were along with him. He was rushed to the Western Regional Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The tragedy occurred at about 2:30 Sunday afternoon. Reliable information to us is that Reyes and his four friends were socializing at the riverside when they saw him go into the water. After he had gone into the water, he went under the river’s surface, and they became concerned when he did not resurface.

Jessica Heusner, 35, dies tragically in road accident
A fatal road collision claimed the life of Jessica Heusner, 35, an Immigration officer of Belmopan, who was a mother of two children, ages 12 and 8. She died immediately in a head-on collision with a tandem truck that was coming from the opposite direction, behind another tandem truck, which she had hit. Heusner was traveling from Belize City to Belmopan in her SUV and the truck was heading to Belize City and due to the impact of the collision, her vehicle exploded and erupted into flames, causing her to be burnt to death. After the flames engulfing the wrecked vehicle were put out by firemen, the remains of her body were recovered from the vehicle and taken to the morgue. She was identified by means of her drivers’ license that was found in the wreckage.

Joseph Budna, 38, escapes from hospital in San Benito, Guatemala
Joseph Ryan Budna, 38, who has been serving a 30-year jail sentence for kidnapping and other crimes in neighboring Guatemala, escaped this morning from a hospital in San Benito, Guatemala. Police said that after he requested to see a doctor because he was ill, Budna was taken to the hospital for medical attention, but he escaped from the facility, although the details of how he was able to do so are not yet known. Prensa Libre, Guatemala’s leading newspaper, reported that he took advantage of the minimum security at the hospital.

The Reporter

Sunnyside Bakery Robbed By 2 Men, In Crude Disguise
The Sunnyside Bakery on Racecourse Street was robbed earlier tonight; the details of the incident are that the owner and his wife were robbed at approximately 7:00pm when two men entered the establishment, one of the robbers had a cap over his face and the other’s face was covered with a shirt.

Editorial – May 31st. 2019
The Police Department and its Commissioner should be supported and commended for their efforts to make it more difficult for young people to buy liquor, including beer.

It Has Come Down To This !
By: Mike Rudon Jr. This isn’t one of the columns I want to write. In fact, I am dreading the writing of it. But I have to. I just have to, maybe for the preservation of my own sanity. This weekend, two persons I love dearly called me a failure. Because despite all my talk about staying sober and being strong and positive, I fell. And when I fall, I fall spectacularly.

From Gangs to Tattoos
The price for living the gang life can sometimes be very high, and for Belize City resident and well-known tattoo artist Roque Rodriguez, 39, his disability is a reminder of just how important it is for him to prevent other youth, friends and family members from taking the same path he did in his teenage years.

2 U.S. Nationals Rescued At Sapodilla Caye Reserve
The Belize Coast Guard has reported that they rescued two US Nationals from a 40 foot vessel, the Shambella, which ran aground on the reef in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve. According to the BCG, they received a distress call at 8:30 Thursday night and deployed a vessel from Hunting Caye.

Regional Police Associations Battle Over Local Police Politics
The ACCP release says: “The ACCP wishes to advise that this body [the CFPWA] has no jurisdiction over such matters and further that the matter being sub justice, it would be improper for this body to comment or to intervene.”

Roe to Shyne: BACK OFF or I Will Defend Myself
Late this evening the Reporter received copies of a letter written by attorney Bryan Neal and addressed to Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, asking the intervention of the Police Department to stop Shyne Barrow’s ‘continued criminal behaviour so that my client can move and socialize without fear of harassment and/or physical injury.”

Breaking Belize News

Transport sector gets climate change training
Various public and private sector entities gathered at the Best Western Belize Biltmore Plaza this […]

Are electric cars feasible for Belize?
Would bringing electric cars into Belize to reduce the country’s carbon emissions work out? That […]

Fifty Years and counting, the story of Belize Brewing company
This week, the Belize Brewing Company celebrated a major milestone, marking its 50th anniversary of […]

CONCACAF League: Belmopan Bandits face off with Costa Rican giants Saprissa
There are no easy matchups in football, and national champions the Belmopan Bandits have been assigned […]

Government CEO wins Ladyville property from Cancer Society
Cancer survivor, activist and current CEO in the Ministry of Labour, Local Government and Rural […]

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye eco-resort to open in 2020
Actor and noted environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio is planning a 2020 opening of his eco-resort on […]

Corozal police confiscate gun and ammo
A police search this morning removed some deadly items from the reach of criminals. Those […]

PM Barrow extends condolences to Jamaica on passing of former Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dean Barrow today sent a letter expressing condolences to Jamaica on the passing […]

Enlisted BDF Officers Benefit From Pay Adjustment
The Ministry of National Security (MNS) announced that an exercise is now completed which addresses […]

Hair stylist robbed of cash and valuables
Authorities are investigating a report of a robbery that occurred last night on the George […]

Ministry of Agriculture hosts training on Nutrition and Breeding Management of sheep
Yesterday, the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock Unit, through the Genetic Improvement in Sheep and Goat […]

American research students meet with farmers in Vaca Forest Reserve
On May 30, farmers in the Vaca Forest Reserve area met with research students from […]

Bee-Keeping flourishing in Vaca Forest Reserve
During a tour hosted by Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD) yesterday, we met one […]

Postmaster General informs of new telephone numbers
The Postmaster General informs all Government Ministries, Departments and the general public of its new […]

Prepare for Hurricane Season 2019
Tomorrow, June 1st marks the official start of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Hurricane season runs […]

LOVE FM

St. Martin De Porres hopes to put an end to bullying
The management of St. Martin De Porres Primary School in Belize City saw that bullying was affecting their children and as a result the school was no longer a safe place for these students. Therefore, the management and teachers went to great lengths to instill in the young minds that bullying is not acceptable. Love …

NEMO prepares for Hurricane Season
How have you been preparing for this year’s hurricane season? Most people tend to start stocking up on canned foods as well as figuring out whether they will stay at home or find shelter elsewhere. Ronald Gordon, Climatologist at the National MET Service, told us that this season may prove to be an average one. …

Belize Coastguard Prepares for 2019 Hurricane Season
The hurricane season is upon us and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration revealed 21 potential storm names on Wednesday ahead of 2019’s season, set to begin June 1. AccuWeather’s predictions were released midweek, and 2019 is expected to be more active than a typical season, but not as dynamic as the last two seasons. …

June 1 marks the beginning of the Hurricane Season
As we’ve said earlier in our newscast, the hurricane season begins tomorrow, which means that households should have already started to prepare in order to avoid lost of property or lives. However, we wondered if persons have taken action as yet, so we took to the streets to find out. Citizen: “Well no not yet, we …

US Nationals rescued after Grounding on Reef
Two US nationals were brought into safe harbour by members of the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) last night. The duo was in the Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve at around eight thirty last night when they sent out a distress signal. According to Lieutenant Gregory Soberanis, Fleet Commander for the BCG, a vessel from the Hunting …

CEO lands cancer prize
Sharon Young is the winner of a piece of land, raffled by the Belize Cancer Society in an effort to raise funds to continue assisting cancer patients. Of course, Young is well-known since she is the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Labour. Young is not only a staunch supporter of cancer organizations, but also …

Blogs

Three Festivals to celebrate the Spiny Lobster – which will YOU attend?!
Since the closing of the Lobster Fishing Season on February 14th, seafood lovers anxiously await the opening season on June 15th. It’s not just about loading our plates with this crustacean delight, but rather, the three fun festivals that Belize hosts for the opening of the Lobster Fishing Season. Held in three different locations and on different dates, the Lobster Festivals have become a must-attend event! Plans upon plans are made to ensure we get to enjoy and celebrate the Spiny Lobster in all its glory. While all three festivals share the same name, each is equally unique to their destination and cultural atmosphere!

International Sources

Southwest Airlines extends its flight schedule through the end of 2019
I know many will be happy to see Belize on their list again...

Leonardo DiCaprio will open revolutionary eco-resort in Belize in 202
Back in 2015, DiCaprio decided to take the plunge and purchase an island in Belize to build his very own eco-resort, set to be “ground-breaking in the environmental movement.” The island in question, Blackadore Caye, was sold for $1.75 million to DiCaprio and his business partner, who have been working ever since to create an eco-haven of restorative paradise in Central America, to open in 2020. The eco-resort was supposed to open in 2018, but the team announced that the opening was to be delayed until late 2019 as it was still incomplete. This year, it was declared that the new opening was to be in 2020, as and when the finishing touches have been applied with a fine tooth comb.

Tropical threat may brew in Gulf of Mexico as Atlantic hurricane season officially begins
The 2019 Atlantic hurricane season is officially underway and the southern Gulf of Mexico is being monitored for potential tropical activity into early week. A broad area of unsettled weather located near the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula will move west-northwestward over the Bay of Campeche this weekend. "Given sufficiently warm water, this low pressure area could evolve into an organized tropical system" Kottlowski said. There is also relatively low wind shear, or changing of wind speed and/or direction with altitude, over the Bay of Campeche, which provides a conducive environment for tropical features to organize.

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