December 9, 2015

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Fundraiser for Katerin Michel
Come out and support young Katerin Michel!

30 years of BTIA
The Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA) was formed on April 26, 1985 when a group of individuals foresaw the importance of the industry and anticipated the need for a medium through which tourism concerns could be voiced. Led by the late Jean Shaw, the BTIA has become one of the largest non-profit organizations, linking private and public sector, and over the years, has seen the tourism industry grow by leaps and bounds. Its milestone 30th year was celebrated appropriately at a cocktail reception held at the Radisson Fort George Hotel on December 2nd, where outstanding members, pioneers and sponsors who were actively involved in the growth and development of the BTIA and the tourism industry of Belize were honored. The following day, Friday December 3rd, the BTIA hosted its 30th Annual General Meeting at the Ramada Belize City Princess Hotel Queen’s Room. Beyond updating members on the BTIA’s accomplishments over the past year, the AGM was the official forum for dialoguing current issues, challenges and concerns. At the helm of the meeting were the BTIA President and Board, as well as Destination Chapters Chairpersons, Sector Stakeholders and invited guests from the private and public sector. Honorary guest speaker was Mr. Hugh Riley, Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Youth Forum makes the voices of island students be heard
Upper division students from the various primary schools on the island, along with students from San Pedro High School (SPHS) gathered at the Angel Nunez Auditorium on Thursday, December 3rd for the annual Youth Forum program. Starting at 1PM, the forum saw the attendance of close to a thousand students and teachers celebrating the end of National Youth week 2015 by discussing ideas on how to make the island more child friendly. The 2015 Youth Forum was held under the theme “Youth, let’s make the dream work with team work” and was organized through a collaboration of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and local authorities. Moderator Greg Nunez announced the topics to be discussed as part of the forum, which included leisure activities for San Pedro youth, roles of leaders in society, crime and violence, drug and alcohol accessibility, education, opportunities for the future and civic pride. The presenters for the day were the students of SPHS who had been working on a given topic the week leading up to the forum. Each group discussed their topic at length, making recommendations on how to better the community. At the end of the seven presentations there was an open discussion where members of the audience could voice out their opinions on any of the topics discussed.

Presentation of Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Five ambassadors presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young today, December 7, 2015 at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. H.E. Rabah Hadid, Ambassador of Algeria; H.E. Petros Panayotopolous, Ambassador of Greece; H.E. Alfonso Manuel Portables Vazquez, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Vehbi Esgel Etensel, Ambassador of Turkey; and H.E. Valdrack Jaentschke, Ambassador of Nicaragua all expressed their pleasure in being a representative of their countries in Belize and extended warm greetings to Belize from their governments. Each ambassador conveyed to the Governor General that their country’s purpose is to continue to develop and maintain strong relations between their countries and Belize. The Governor General graciously received the credentials and welcomed the ambassadors to Belize.

Ministry of Health shuts down Oceanside Dental Clinic on opening day
Several days ago, residents reached out to The San Pedro Sun to voice their concerns about a dentist opening a new clinic in Ambergris Caye. Residents cited that in 2005 criminal charges were placed against the dentist for seven counts of injecting semen into his patients’ mouths. Upon hearing these concerns, The Sun commenced an intensive investigation which confirmed these allegations. The dentist in question is Dr. John Robert Hall of Oceanside Dental Clinic which was scheduled to commence operation on Monday, December 7th, but on that morning the Ministry of Health (MOH) halted the opening due to suspicious and unorthodox conduct on behalf of Dr. Hall. On Monday morning the 7th, concerned that the dentist in question would be free to examine patients in San Pedro, The San Pedro Sun editor Tamara Sniffin visited the police station in an effort to prevent the dental clinic from opening, and met with Deputy of the Coastal Executive Unit, Assistant Superintended, Henry Jemmott. This was the first the San Pedro Police learned of the situation and dialogue between the MOH and the San Pedro Police promptly began. “It was thanks to the diligence of The San Pedro Sun that this matter was brought to our attention that we were able to stop the opening of the clinic and ultimately charge Dr. Hall for his wrong doings. He was charged for providing false representation to the Belize Medical Council Board,” said Jemmott.

Ambergris Today

Pic of the Week - Chippy & Snowflake Take Over Ambergris Today
We can only wish to have Santa's helpers Chippy and Snowflake at the office of Ambergris Today and iTravel Belize; their assistance would be tremendous as the staff gets busier and busier with more news coverage and travel. Avid reader and follower of both websites, Tracy Eiley Gomez, paid tribute to us as her family counts down the days until Christmas Day with fun images of Chippy and Snowflake. We are honored with the homage and LOVE how the elves think so highly of Ambergris Today and iTravel Belize. We invite them to come vacation in Belize and help us out a bit, if they have the extra time. Thanks Chipp, Snowflake and Gomez Family all the way from Florida, USA.

Free Health Education Service in San Pedro
Did you know that 12% of deaths in Belize are due to cardiovascular disease? People living with diabetes, stroke and hypertension don't even realize they are silently suffering from these diseases. That's why we are here to help! Volunteers from abroad have come to San Pedro in order to help educate the public about various health conditions and how to prevent them. These individuals have experience in spreading public health awareness and are available to speak with at any time. They can visit your homes and have a personal talk with you if you would like to know more about a certain disease or if you have a friend/family member whose suffering from it, and would like to understand more about it or would know what to do and how to help them.

Letters To The Editor: Bravery That is Contagious (Belize/Guatemala Issues)
I want to congratulate the brave Belizeans who 'stopped the traffic on Coney drive'! The symbolism is so powerful! What were the elected leaders of Belize being paid for, even before Independence, when they came back with bags of cash from Guatemala? Why are Guatemalan fishermen and villagers compelled to cross into our waters so often? Why do they insist on access especially to 'islands'? Why do they make harvesting and exporting chate leaves that look like mermaid tails from our forests their business? Isn't there an island off the Big Apple called 'Coney Island'? Why entertain and exchange gifts with a foreign leader on that street? Ice cream treats are guaranteed? Treaties secured?

Misc Belizean Sources

Power interruption 5:30am to 7:00am, Friday, December 11, Cayo District:
Entire City of Belmopan, and area from Mile 31 to Mile 50 on the George Price Highway including La Democracia, Franks Eddy, Saint Matthews, Cotton Tree, Roaring Creek, Valley of Peace, Camalote, Teakettle, Arizona, Ontario, Buena Vista, Blackman Eddy, Unitedville and all that area from Belmopan to Armenia Village on the Hummingbird Highway. BEL to conduct upgrade works at the Belmopan Substation.

Pan and Bram
A Pandemonium Christmas, Dec. 13th at 6pm. House of Culture Belize City. In Orange Walk, Dec. 12th at 7:30pm, Queen Elizabeth Park. Mark the dates!

Copa Airlines Inaugural flight launch
Photo gallery from BTB

Calendar of Events
Check out the NEW Calendar of Events on iTravel Belize. December is full of action. Inquire how to get your event listed [email protected]

Trivia Night on Caye Caulker!
Come join the fun every Sunday and Wednesday! Test your knowledge of useless facts, have a laugh, and win money towards your bar bill! Always a great time - Fun,…Location : Barrier Reef Sports Bar & GrillStart Date: December 9, 2015End Date: December 9, 2015Time: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Congratulations COPA AIRLINES! Welcome to Belize from all of us in Northern Belize.
Welcome to our home, Belize, Copa Airlines! Nonstop flights Panama (and connections to 74 other destinations) finally "es posible"

Full Moon Christmas Concert
The SISE House of Culture is having their Full Moon Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 19th, at the Cayo Welcome Center.  The Panerrifix Steel Band will be performing.

In related news, Saint Martin's Credit Union is having their big Christmas concert at the CWC on Friday the 18th, and Panerrifix and the Benque Marimba Academy will be there.

In other related news, the George Price Centre is having a Christmas show, 'Emmanuel, God with Us,' tomorrow night.

In still other related news, the Allegro School of Music is having their Christmas concert on December 14th in Belmopan.

Friends for Conservation and Development new board members
FCD is proud to present its Board members, who were elected during the AGM held on the 5th of December. Mrs. Susana Vanzie Canton is the 7th Board member.

FCCA & BTB's Annual "Children's Christmas Party"!
A fun-filled day for a few excited children in Belize City; with Ozzy the Clown, Santa Claus and a Calypso Tour of Belize City!

Channel 7

Dirty Dentist Slipped Right Past Medical Council
Tonight San Pedro Police are preparing to charge an American man for making a false representation under the dental act. John Robert Hall - a dentist who was convicted in the US, and sent to jail for injecting semen into at least seven of his patient's mouths - seems to have effortlessly manipulated the Medical Council of Belize and gotten a license to work as a dentist, using just a nickname. He did all this despite the well reported 2004 offence - all anyone had to do to find out about it was Google search his name and the quite revolting story would come up. And so, that's likely why Hall didn't use his proper name. And, it seems the council didn't even ask him to present an ID! He got his medical license under an assumed name: Robert Bob Hall - even though all his id's show his name as John Robert Hall. And those ID's include a Belizean work permit and a social security card - which were given both under his legal name.

Belize Won't Help With 4k Stranded Cubans
The Government of Belize will not accept as many as four thousand Cuban refugees who are currently stranded at the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border. As we reported, the Costa Rican Government has called it a humanitarian crisis - and has asked Belize to help - by receiving the Cubans and then sending them unto Mexico. But, as the Prime Minister hinted on Friday - many details in the proposal were not clear - and that's why Cabinet today gave it a thumbs down. The Cabinet Secretary Calros Perdomo told 7News that Government thought it was supposed to be just an in transit arrangement, but the Mexican government is not giving a clear answer as to whether they would receive the people or not. He said Cabinet did not have enough information to really make a decision. An official release says quote, "after careful consideration, Cabinet is of the view that this is a regional problem. As such the Government of Belize is prepared to participate in a regional discussion to identify the necessary mechanisms to address the Cuban immigrants transiting through the region. At this juncture, the Government of Belize is unable to make any commitments outside of a regional arrangement."

Port Operations Remain At Standstill
Operations at the Port of Belize remain at a standstill as the standoff continues between the Port Management and the Christian Workers Union. As we told you last night, the stevedores went on strike yesterday - shutting down all operations at the port. The stevedores claim that Port CEO Arturo Vasquez retracted what he had promised concerning their retirement and pension plan. According to the stevedores, the agreement was for a retroactive payment going back to 2004 but Vasquez says that wasn't what was agreed, and that the Port simply can't afford that. Today Vasquez told us what came out of their late evening meeting yesterday and what action he has taken going forward. Arturo "Tux" Vasquez, CEO, Port of Belize "There were separate meetings. I think when we had the first interview we had already met with the Christian Workers Union where we had tried every effort to get them back to work so we can continue with the ongoing negotiations. That was not successful and then as a result we had already advised the Labour Commissioner and the Port Commissioner and also the Police Commissioner as to the situation. So really what we had later on yesterday was a meeting with the Labour Commissioner and the Port Commissioner and the police. As you know the ship has sailed as they said. There were some discussions as to whether the ship was going to return, as to whether the police would have taken it on an illegal action, but the shipping agent had decided that it had gone. So that was it. They were not prepared to turn back. But I believe that in the future, there is quite a possibility that there has to be an alternative as to what would happen when we have a situation like this.

Could Port Strike Mean No Turkey On Your Plate?
And that old saying about the elephants fighting and only the grass getting trampled holds true in this case - except it's not the grass getting trampled, it's more like the turkey on your table. This year, tens of thousands of pounds of turkey will be imported - and that's because local turkey producers did not go into full production mode this year, because of the Avian Influenza scare. So, Quality Poultry Products for example has 5 refrigerated containers with two hundred thousand pounds of Butterball turkeys waiting at the port in Santo Tomas Guatemala. But the agent won't put it on the ship unless they get a guarantee that the Port of Belize will be operational and able to off load the ship. And, right now, that is not forthcoming. So, that means Quality Poultry's turkeys - which could end up being the turkey on your table - is held in the balance. We spoke to the general manager of quality Poultry about his costly dilemma: Raymond Barkman, GM - Quality Poultry Products "Well obviously there is a lot at stake here. We have imported turkeys on there. We have 40,000 broiler eggs on that ship and so yes it affects us severely. And this one even more so because we have turkeys on it which we are out of. There are so many people banking on these turkeys for giveaways and lunch and meals and everything." Jules Vasquez "How long can you all wait for this container?" Raymond Barkman, GM - Quality Poultry Products "Well we cant. I mean the damage has been done. There is almost 40,000 eggs that are going back to Miami. The damage is done as being on the ship and obviously the turkeys, it takes a little while to get everything going organized and obviously we want these turkeys out for Christmas right. We need it immediately. Everyone is crying for turkeys."

Ellis Meighan Complains About Cops
Last night, we showed you the 9 Belize City residents charged for the brutal home invasion of Lebanese Diplomat Sarkis Abou-Nehra's estate outside of Burrell Boom. 6 of these men are believed to be connected to the Police Street and Ghost Town Gangs. Tyrone Meighan of Banak Street is among those charged, and his family is accusing police of tying him to this crime out of malice. They say that the investigators have rushed to charge him with rape without taking a DNA specimen, which could exonerate him. His older brother, Ellis Meighan Jr., who is reputed to be one of the Ghost Town Gang leaders, was temporarily caught up with this crime as well. He was one of persons picked up in a police sweep, and officers from Eastern Division Rural accused him of threatening public safety. Police say that uttered threats of his intent to target and kill Chinese businessmen as soon as he was released. Frightening stuff, and so, Senior Superintendent Edward Broaster told the press yesterday that he was going to be criminally charged.

COPA Airlines Cometh
At the end of July, the Belize Tourism Board held a ceremony to announce the launch of a new Direct Flight. COPA Airlines, based in Panama, was introduced as the newest air-carrier which would offer direct flights to Belize. It will open up Belize's tourism access to South and Central America. Well this afternoon, after 4 months of preparation, and 3 years of ground-work to build the connections , the first COPA aircraft, Flight #281, landed in at the PGIA. 92 Passengers coming from Hub de La Americas, in Panama City, were greeted by BTB staff, who were there for a ceremonial inauguration of this new flight. It was celebrated with pageantry, and 7News was front and center. Here's what the main speakers had to say to the gather on what is Copa's 7th Destination in Central America:

Southside Cops Snare City Robber
There was a big money robbery on the canal side near downtown Belize City today. It happened about a block from Public's store, near the corner of Bishop Street and west Canal. Reports say over ten thousand dollars in cash was nabbed from the driver of a cargo truck. But a quick response from Southside police has led to the recovery of most of the money and a firearm. Second in command of the Southside Alden Dawson told us more:... Alden Dawson, OC - Police Precinct 2 "Some time around 1:15pm today, an employee of Vega Distributors was on West Canal and Bishop Street collecting some money as pertaining to the business. Shortly after he got into his vehicle with the knapsack containing the cash and other personal items that he had collected and just before taking off a male person opened the passenger side of his black pickup truck and grab the bag from the seat. The said employee set chase at the culprit and was unable to catch up with him. He made a call to the police station. A quick response from the police lead the south side police to #28 Wagner's Lane and a search of that lead to the discovery of the bag containing most of the items reported stolen along with a fire arm and several rounds of ammunition at that residence."

BTB Says All Protocols Were Followed
The Belize Tourism Board maintains that all tour protocols were followed in the case of tourist Karl Simmons. 61 year old Karl Edwin Simmons died on an H2O Tierra Tour on November 17th. He was along with his wife on the tour at Shark Ray Alley in the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. Simmons and his wife Esther were both in the water but a police report says the current caused Esther to drift away. Simmons went after his wife and that's when he disappeared. His body was later found floating face down. Now the last update on the case was that Tom Wilson, the owner of H2O Tierra , was seeking assistance from the US with the post mortem results because he didn't agree with Dr. Mario Estradabran's findings which showed the cause of death to be "Asphyxiation by Drowning, Incidental". So, have any other tests been done in the US? Is there still an ongoing investigation? We didn't get any official release or interview from Wilson nor the BTB on this case so when we caught up with Valdemar Andrade from the BTB at another event he told us that as far as he is concerned - everything was in place for the safety of the tourists on that tour and that it was just an unfortunate incident. "On that incident just to be clear - one of the reasons we don't give response right away is because we also have to wait on the autopsy and we also have to wait on the official police report. So until we receive that then we respond. But basically that there was an incident. We are still from the autopsy trying to ascertain whether it was drowning or whether there was any negligent. It doesn't seem that there was any negligence in this case. All the different aspects from the emergency response that the operator has to have in place was taken into account..."

Moving Forward With Forward Operating Base
You may remember that now infamous showdown on the Sarstoon River between the Belize Territorial Volunteers, with Wil Maheia and Orlando De La Fuente on one side and the Guatemalan Navy, led by Guat. Vice Admiral Carlos Thomas. It sparked outrage and a fierce discussion over Sarstoon Island being the latest flashpoint for the Belize Guatemala Territorial Dispute. The Barrow Government took a lot of criticism for the lack of a presence from the Coast Guard and BDF at the Mouth of the Sarstoon River, which the Guatemalans claim. Before the General Elections, Prime Minister Dean Barrow promised that the Forward Operating Base would be built, and 2 weeks ago, National Security Minister John Saldivar declared publicly that a groundbreaking ceremony would be held on December 9.

Making Reparations Real
The Belize Commission for Justice and Reparations continued its awareness raising campaigning today with a Press Conference and update to its civil society partners. We learned more from the Coordinator about the effort to mainstream the idea of reparations:.. Jules Vasquez "It's not something that will enter the main stream. Do you think you are making progress towards mainstreaming this idea?" Cesar Ross, VC, Initiative for Justice & Reparations "Yes, we are trying very hard. We are traveling across the country to bring it and you are right. It's not the discussion that occurs around the water bottles or around the street corners. It's not. It has become a little more. It's being discussed a little more, but it's far from mainstream as such and that's one of the first things we have to push. This needs to be sort of a roots movement. It needs to be a movement of the masses and we need to get in there before we can ever look at Europe and tell Europe that they have to do something. We have to make sure that the mass is the people are fully in understanding and fully in support of this movement as such." Reporter "The fact remains as I think I've said to you before, that we are depending on the very same people that are in charge of the system to change the system. Is that sort of contradictory? What do you think of that?"

Cruise Event For The Kids...
From the Radisson to the Fort Street Tourism Village: there was another Christmas party for city kids today - but this time it was at FSTV's terminal 2. It's BTB's annual Christmas Party for those kids who may not be getting much gifts or cheer for the holidays. Valdemar Andrade, BTB's Director of Destination Planning and Cruise told us that it's all about giving back to the community. There were 200 kids at the party.

The Queen's Nod For Belizean Youth
The Queen's Young Leaders Award: It's a program that highlights exceptional young people in the commonwealth and this year Diedra Smith is the recipient of that award. Smith will spend a week in the UK where she will officially receive her award at Buckingham Palace from the Queen. She will also receive training and mentoring from lectures and representatives from Cambridge University. Smith is being recognized for her involvement at her school - spearheading various programs for other young people to excel including a scholarship program. Smith is also the co-founder of business called Id SEVEN which again provides support and assistance to young people.

Belize Volleyballers, Vamos!
And some young people who need all the support they can get make up the female national under 20 volleyball team. They defeated Panama last night at the Central American Championship in Nicaragua in 3 straight sets, 25-18, 25-21, 25-15. Kori Diego scored 14 points while Kevanna Sebastian scored 9. Belize led the match from beginning to end. The volleyball association calls it an important win and confidence builder. Right now Belize is playing El Salvador and tomorrow Belize plays Honduras. (UPDATE: Belize lost that game.)

Channel 5

US Dentist Convicted of Heinous Crime Licensed By Belize Medical Council
How did a dentist from the U.S. charged and convicted for gross criminal abuse of office get a license from the Belize Medical Council to open a clinic and practice [...]

San Pedro Police Charge John Roberts Hall for License in False Name
Hall’s license has been revoked, but it seems quite clear that the council could not have done even the most cursory due diligence since that license to practice was issued [...]

G.O.B. Takes Hands-Off Stance With Cubans Seeking Transit
There is no significant news on the fate of more than four thousand Cubans stuck in Costa Rica because they cannot access a transit point to the US. Late last [...]

Stevedores’ Strike Results in Cargo Vessel Returning to Miami
For the first time in history on Monday, a vessel, the Caribe Navigator from Miami, sailed away from the Belize Port without offloading its cargo following a seven-hour strike taken [...]

Industrial Action Allegedly Caused By Discrepancy in Pension Plan
Vasquez says that they have been having good negotiations with the CWU on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but that the stevedores cannot hold the Port hostage when they disagree on [...]

Belize Chamber Condemns Strike By Stevedores
But what are the implications of the ship leaving the port with cargo destined for Belize? Well late this evening, The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry issued a release [...]

D.P.P. Appeals Acquittal of Infamous Trio on Murder Charge
A trio of Belize City men, including twenty-two-year-old Orel Leslie, thirty-year-old Brandon Baptist and Tyrone Meighan was recently acquitted of the November 2012 murder of B.D.F. soldier James Noralez.  While [...]

Attorney Says Success of the Appeal is Unlikely
Leslie, Baptist and Meighan have since been served with a notice of appeal.  According to Senior Counsel Dickie Bradley, the possibility of a successful appeal seems unlikely since there is [...]

2 Men Will Stand Trial for Separate Fatal RTAs
Two men, who were charged in connection with separate traffic accidents, were today committed to stand trial at the Supreme Court for Manslaughter by Negligence.  Sixty-one-year-old Errol Belisle and twenty-four-year-old [...]

B.S.I. Announces Revised First Payment for Farmers
There is a bit of good news for caneros tonight as the first cane payment will increase to thirty-six dollars and sixty-five cents based on a revised first cane price [...]

Panama’s Flagship Airline Makes Inaugural Flight to Belize
The arrival of COPA Airlines’ maiden voyage to Belize at midday heralded the beginning of air traffic to and from Belize and Panama City.  It has been a little over [...]

PM Says Addressing Corruption in Immigration Will be an Ongoing Fight
There will be a Senate meeting on Wednesday when a request will be made to conduct an inquiry into allegations of corruption at the Immigration Department. Those allegations have resurrected [...]

HRCU Opens New Branch In Independence
The Holy Redeemer Credit Union is the largest credit union in Belize.  With over fifty-one thousand member-owners the HRCU ranks third in the region with assets amounting to a little [...]

B.T.B. Says Tour Operator Not Responsible for Death of Tourist
In November of this year, sixty-one year old American tourist Edwin Simmons drowned trying to save his wife’s life. Edwin and Esther Simmons were on a tour at Shark Ray [...]

Kareem Clarke Memorial Fund Donates to Two Feeding Programs
This morning, representatives of the Kareem Clarke Memorial fund presented just over two thousand six, hundred dollars each to two separate feeding programs in Belize City. The money was collected [...]

FCCA Hosts Christmas Party at Tourism Village
Some two hundred primary school students from Belize City were hosted at the Fort Street Tourism Village for an annual Christmas party organized by the Belize Tourism Board and the [...]

CTV3

James Lindsey Exhibits Opens In Corozal House Of Culture
James Lindsey is a Canadian collector from Toronto Canada who has been travelling to Belize for about 20 years now. Lindsey has a passion for collecting stamps from all over the world and one day he stumbled on a British Honduras stamp which immediately caught his attention. Since then Lindsey has been studying the history of Belize through currency stamps or from items that sell on Ebay regarding British Honduras. Today Lindsey’s private collection is featured at the Corozal House of Culture and it includes coins dating back to 1894 as well as Spanish coin stamped with the British seal for use as legal coin in the Belize Settlement before the first British Honduran/Belizean coins were made.

SICB Concern About Over Production Of Sugar Cane
Yesterday the 2015/2016 crop season was officially declared open by BSI/ASR. The season saw a slow start mainly due to the weather and the conditions of the sugar roads. While that is of concern there is also the worry that the last survey conducted reveled an estimated production of 1.7 million tons of cane on the fields. That is more than the 1.3 million tons that the factory can mill. This means that there is high probability that cane will once again remain on the fields at the end of the crop. And this is after cane farmers were asked to increase productivity.So, while there is cane, the factory is not equipped to mill it and this is one of the biggest concern the industry faces.

Bursting And Selling Of Firecrackers Against The Law
During the Christmas season residents of Orange Walk Town are used to hearing the loud sound of firecrackers bursting. And behind that sound there is always a child. While many might say there is nothing wrong with bursting firecrackers, it does pose a risk for children especially if they are not supervised. And it also poses a legal risk for business owners because according to Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police Formation, Selvin Tillett, while lighting firecrackers is something children enjoy and the sale generates high profits for business owners, it is also against the law. “Anyone caught with firecrackers, you can get permit from the ministry if you have an event you can write to that and you can get it but if you had without a license for discharging firecrackers or possession of firecrackers without a license or permit why we get heavy and serious on these things, many people might not distinguish between a burst of a fire cracker and that sound of a gun so many times the next day you wake up you find that a person is dead so as a precautionary measure we try to go down hard on these things.”

Medical Council of Belize Issues License To US Dentist Accused Of Injecting Semen In Patients Mouth
He was accused in the United States for violating dentistry’s standard of care, engaging in immoral conduct and committing sexual assault or battery and according to international news article posted on July 1st, 2005, Dr. John Hall pleaded guilty to seven counts of injecting semen into his patients' mouths and choose to go to jail, rather than spend years on probation. It seems that after his fiasco in the US Dr. John Hall made his way to Belize and planned to open a clinic in San Pedro Ambergris Caye. But on the day the Oceanside Dental Clinic located at the Four Sisters Plaza on Pescador Drive was scheduled to open, it was shut down by the San Pedro Police Department. According to reports from the Ambergris Today, police received a tip about Hall’s past charges in the US and on Monday December 7th he was detained pending investigation.

Belize/Corozal Road Records Another Traffic Accident
Another traffic accident has left a fifty four year old man in a critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. At around 11:30 yesterday morning, Jesus Belito Moreno, a resident of 52 Cristock Street Orange Walk Town, was riding his bicycle on the Belize Corozal Road when he was knocked down by a motorcycle right in front of M&M; Fast Food. Moreno, who had just left his house, was heading to the Fort Cairns Market Plaza to pick up his wife who was coming out of work. But Moreno never made it to his destination as he was knocked down and to make it worst, instead of stopping to render aid, the driver of the motorcycle fled the scene.

COPA Airlines Introduces Flight From Panama To Belize
The main objective of the Belize Tourism Board is to build tourism in the most economically and environmentally sustainable manner and to promote Belize as a primary tourist destination both locally and internationally. Today the BTB issued a press release announcing COPA Airlines’ first flight to Belize City which arrived at 12:49 pm via Hub de la Americas in Panama City with a total number of ninety two passengers on board. The official inauguration ceremony began at 1:15 pm and included the Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation as a guest speaker. Heredia stated that Belize’s alliance with COPA will attract South American tourists to Belize, therefore, resulting in an expansion of Belize’s tourism industry. Executive President for COPA Airlines, Said Heilbron stated, quote “With our flight to Belize we expect to amplify the opportunities of development in the business and tourism sectors in this city, while improving in an important manner the connectivity of the country to Latin America.” End quote.

OW Police Sends Out Advice Against Acid Bombs
Homemade chemical bombs also known as acid bombs, are explosive devices that can be made easily from household items, for example muriatic acid and aluminum foil which can be purchased at a grocery store. When these ingredients are combined and shaken in a capped container, the internal gas pressure generated from the chemical reaction causes the container to expand and explode. The explosion can cause injuries or death to persons in the immediate area of the detonation. Over the past week our news room has received several reports from concerned residents about children making these acid bombs and detonating them. The Orange Walk Police Department has also received reports from concerned residents and today when we spoke to Officer Commanding the Orange Walk Police Formation, Selvin Tillett, he told us about the risk the chemical bombs pose.

PlusTV

Police make arrests in Burrell Boom home invasion
On Friday 4th December, there was a home invasion at the Honorary Consul to Lebanon in Burrell Boom Village, Belize District. One of the workers at the residence reported that they were held up at gunpoint by eight individuals of dark complexion with their faces covered. One of the workers was tie...

Fatal Traffic Accident in Stann Creek
A traffic accident has claimed the life of a man in the Stann Creek District. On Saturday the 5th of December at around 7:45p.m, a traffic accident took place at the Santa Cruz Junction and Placencia Road in Stann Creek, where a male person was “knocked down”. Initial investigations revealed that at...

Land obtained by Deception
On Friday December 4th, 29 year old Mark Antonio Rosales, a Belizean Farmer of Cristo Rey Village, was arrested and charged for 24 counts of obtaining property by deception. Rosales was arraigned before the Magistrate’s Court where Judge Ladona John remanded him to Central Prison until February 10t...

Two Chopping incidents in Belmopan
Over the weekend, two Belmopan residents were chopped in different altercations. The victims are 16 year old Carlos Jacob, a student of Belmopan Comprehensive School and 23 year old Andoni Harrison of Belmopan. Jacob was chopped to his left foot and his knee, while Harrison was chopped to the forehe...

Sugar prices being jacked up illegally before set date
We have heard the news that as of January 1, 2016, Plantation White Sugar will retail at a maximum price of 75 cents per pound countrywide. A Statutory Instrument was signed by the Minister responsible for Supplies Control dated December 4th, 2015 to give effect to this increase. This represents an...

VIP to refile election redistricting case
The case of Vision Inspired by the People (VIP) and the Southern Belize Coalition for Equal Political Representation and Development versus the Election and Boundaries Commission was scheduled to have been heard this afternoon before Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin in the Supreme Court. But it was no...

STEVEDORES WORK STOPPAGE
Early this afternoon, about 30 stevedores who are members of the Christian Workers’ Union (CWU) initiated their latest industrial action against the Port of Belize Limited. This follows on from their last action a few weeks ago which started in the night and was averted the following day by an agree...

Amandala

9 remanded for Lebanon consul’s home invasion
The scene around the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning appeared almost cinematic, as family members and friends of six men crowded in front of the court building, waiting all morning for police to bring them to court, while inside the court’s holding area, three women who were charged with the men sat down waiting. Around the perimeter of the court, heavily armed police officers from the Rural Rapid Response Team took up positions, but when the morning ended, there was no arrival of the men accused of the brutal home invasion in Burrell Boom of Lebanese Honorary Consul, Sarkis Abou Nehra, 77. The incident reportedly occurred between last Thursday night and early Friday morning. Nehra was not in the country, but his caretaker and his caretaker’s wife were at the residence. The caretaker was severely beaten and his wife raped by one of the eight intruders, who all wore masks, police initially reported.

Ham and turkey scarce for Christmas?
Stevedores were to report to work at 10:30 a.m. today to unload a ship that had docked at the Port of Belize Ltd., which contained Christmas goodies such as hams and turkeys, but instead of showing up to work this morning, the stevedores converged in front of the Port, where they held a demonstration. Guy Neal, a foreman for the stevedores, who is on the negotiation team, told Amandala that their ire, which prompted the demonstration, arose from concerns over their retirement benefits. Indeed, today’s industrial action by the stevedores was a part of their ongoing fight for fair benefits from their employer, they say. They took a stand and were not moved, even after learning that the ship was scheduled to return to Miami today, and it would depart even if it was not unloaded. Our information is that the ship did depart at 6:00 p.m. today without being unloaded. On Thursday, October 1, 2015, the stevedores of the Port of Belize Limited held a press briefing at the Christian Workers Union (CWU) Secretariat at 107B Cemetery Road; there, it was revealed that with the stevedores’ input, they have put together a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). With the CBA in place, it seemed that progress would be made with the Port of Belize’s management.

Costa Rica asks Belize to rescue 4,000 Cubans
An official response is expected from the Government of Belize today, Tuesday, on whether it will allow 3,000 to 4,000 Cuban migrants who are determined to land on US soil, to take advantage of that country’s “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy, which provides special privileges for Cubans to legitimize their status in the US, even if they arrive without papers, but which turns them back to Cuba if they are detained at sea. The migrants are currently stuck in Costa Rica after Nicaragua, last month, deployed its military to stop their passage through that country. Last week, Guatemala denied a request from Costa Rica to have the migrants pass through that territory, and now they have turned to Belize. After Friday’s sitting of Parliament, Prime Minister Dean Barrow told journalists that he had requested written documentation from Costa Rica, which would include expectations of the Mexicans, as well as the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

$44.7 mil PetroCaribe “bounty”: UDP and PUP debate
This morning, at the first business session of the House of Representatives that has been convened since the November 4 general elections, the Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) accused the Barrow administration of “vote-buying” with PetroCaribe funds, favoritism towards Belize City residents and neglect of farmers in the north who have been hard hit by what local authorities have said is a severe drought. In March 2015, Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca had said that the PUP “will not be accepting a single copper” of those PetroCaribe funds, “whether it be the Mother’s Day, the X-Mas or any other cheer,” because, he said, the PUP, cannot and will not be a party to any such criminality. At today’s sitting of Parliament, though, the PUP, after abandoning its legal challenge to the PetroCaribe program last week, was demanding “equitable sharing” of PetroCaribe funds. Parliament has approved in one sitting the spending of $44.7 million for the months October to December 2015, which includes $4.378 million in flood relief, mostly for flood assistance after torrential rains washed through several homes in the Belize City area in October.

Dangerous prisoner remains at large
Dangerous prisoner Lawrence Bernadez, 28, of Dangriga, remains at large after he escaped from police while he was being taken to the Belize Central Prison to be remanded. Police reported that a team of police officers were transporting three prisoners – Lawrence Bernardez, Eden Guzman and Daniel Mckenzie – to the Belize Central Prison from Dangriga. The three prisoners were put in the open back of a police pickup and handcuffed to each other, and Bernardez was additionally cuffed at the feet. Upon approaching the pedestrian ramp, however, which is about 50 yards from the Hattieville Police Station, two of the three prisoners – Eden Guzman and Lawrence Bernardez – jumped out of the police mobile unit and sprinted away.

SCA girls, Gwen Liz boys are CSSSA basketball champs
The Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) 2015-2016 basketball competition climaxed last week at Bird’s Isle with both female and male championships being determined in 2 games of a best-of-3 games Finals series. In game 1 of the female Finals on Thursday, December 3, St. Catherine Academy (SCA) crushed Maude Williams High (MWH), 45-12. SCA was led by Tricia Jefferies 16 pts and Indie Dixon 12 pts; while MWH was led by Ashley Bailey 6 pts. The male Finals game 1 on the same day saw Gwen Lizarraga High (GLH) prevailing in overtime over Sadie Vernon Technical (SVT) by a 100-93 final score. Top scorers for Gwen Liz were Keyvon Evans 51 pts and Aaron Young 23 pts; while Sadie Vernon was led by Glency Lopez 50 pts, and Darnel Galvez and Everal Tablada, Jr. with 15 pts apiece.

FFB holds 2nd Extraordinary Congress
The best-of-2 games semifinal series in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2015-2016 Opening Season tournament is halfway completed, as game 1 of both semifinals were held over the weekend. On Saturday night at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence, #3 seed Placencia Texmar Assassins turned back the very confident #2 seed Police United by a 2-1 margin. The Assassins jumped to a 2-nil first half lead, with goals from Alexander “Pleck” Peters (11’) and Luis “Baaca” Torres (39’), before Harrison “Cafu” Roches (83’) cut the lead in half for Police. And on Sunday afternoon at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, it was #4 seed Verdes FC delivering a shocking 2-nil blow to #1 seed Belmopan Bandits in a much anticipated encounter, following the late reversal of a protest decision in favor of the Bandits, after the final regular season game had already been completed.

FFB holds 2nd Extraordinary Congress
The Football Federation of Belize held its 2nd Extraordinary Congress on Saturday, December 5. On the agenda were: 1. Presentation and approval of the 2014 audited and financial report. 2. Presentation and approval of the 2016 budget. 3. Rule of foreign players in our league competitions (5&3). 4. Election of the FFB Electoral Committee and Electoral Appeal Committee. Those elected will serve a term of four (4) years. In attendance were the Members of the Congress, members of the PLB Board, FFB Executive, FFB Management Team, Special Guest the President Emeritus and representative from the National Sports Council.

BECOL basketball season ends
The BECOL basketball tournament came to a close this past weekend, as 4 other teams joined Western Queens as 2015 BECOL champions. On Friday night, game 1 of the Under 19 division finals tipped off, as Christian Ambassadors (#1) narrowly edged SHC (#2), 45-44. Shaquille Crawford was the leading scorer for Christian Ambassadors with 14 points, while Antuane McFadzen sank 13 pts. SHC was led by Jovanne Zetina, who had the game high with 19 pts, while Orel Neal finished with 12 pts, and Raheem Crawford chipped in 10 pts. With the win, Christian Ambassadors took a 1-0 lead in the Under 19 finals series. In game 2, Light and Peace (#1) swept the two-game series, 52-42, in the Under 23 category, defeating Spartans (#2). Light and Peace top scorer was Ian Augustine, Jr. with the game-high 21 pts, while Luis Barcelona tallied 13 pts. Spartans were led by Khalil Banner and Kevin Brown with 13 each. With the win, Light and Peace are the 2015 BECOL U23 champions. In the nightcap, the number 1 seed in the Senior division, Panthers, fell to Benque Power (#3), 58-51. Brandon Flowers was the top scorer for Benque Power with 18 pts, while Roberto “Mosho” Castellanos and Ivan Flowers netted 11 pts apiece. In a losing effort, Panthers were led by Garrett Bermudez with 12 pts, Johann “Cutto” Bermudez with 9 pts, and Zamir Usher and Daniel Nolberto with 8 pts each. With the win, Benque Power was able to extend the series to a third and deciding game 3.

Editorial: Five years, three months??
One observer has suggested that Prime Minister, Right Hon. Dean O. Barrow’s threat in the House of Representatives last Friday to take his United Democratic Party’s (UDP) third consecutive term to its constitutional limit of five years and three months, was directed towards the twelve Opposition People’s United Party (PUP) House members seated on the other side, and was not a statement of defiance intended for the masses of the Belizean people. Well, the Prime Minister said it in public and on national radio and television. If this was some kind of a joke on the PM’s part, there was no laughter amongst the Belizean people. There may have been smirks amongst the UDP faithful, for sure, but “five years and three months” reminds Belizeans of the unhappy UDP term of June 30, 1993 to August 27, 1998. During that unhappy and vindictive term, the Prime Minister was Right Hon. Dr. Manuel Esquivel, but his Deputy Prime Minister, often referred to during the latter part of that term as the “Minister of Everything,” was Mr. Dean O. Barrow.

From the Publisher
I guess the British Honduras Broadcasting Service (BHBS) must have become Radio Belize by the time British Honduras achieved self-government in 1964. (When I was about 7 years old [1954?] Miss Helen Craig sent me to play piano at the old BHBS, and when I was about 11 [1958?] I represented Holy Redeemer Boys School [HRBS], along with Carlson Gough, the late Neil Garbutt, and Errol Cattouse in the primary schools quiz competition. This was organized by the Education Department and broadcast from BHBS. The BHBS studio was then located in the old Paslow Building.) I think the man Jerry Ybarra (a white American?) played recorded jazz music on BHBS, and for sure Clifton Hall had a jazz show on Radio Belize for many years. As far as I remember, these guys played serious jazz music in the late nights (9,10) on the government monopoly radio station, and I didn’t really pay attention. For many people, jazz is an acquired taste, and acquiring the taste begins with paying attention, and listening. Jazz is not repetitive, simplistic, or mindless. There is jazz music that I don’t understand. And then, there is jazz music that is hidden within straight up ballads, such as the organ player’s riff in Byron Lee’s version of Stranger on the Shore, which would have been 1962, 1963.

Victor Recinos, 54, takes over Customs
Victor Recinos, 54, is the new Controller of the Customs & Excise department; he officially takes over on Monday from Emil Grinage, his predecessor, who has reached the retirement age of 55. Recinos will be in charge of 217 employees and he takes the helm at a crucial time in Belize, when it seems that contraband activity is on the increase. There have been recent incidents such as the latest one in which a truck from Corozal that contained 500 boxes of cigars was seized by Mexican police: How did this manage to pass our borders undetected? Indeed, Recinos has his job cut out for him; however, he brings to the position 36 years of experience and he has held every position there is in the Custom’s Department, and worked at every station. Recinos told Amandala, “We are the frontline or premier agency of anything being imported or exported.”

Breaking Belize News

Government of Belize discusses proposal to facilitate Cuban immigrants
Earlier today the Government of Belize’s (GOB) Cabinet met to discuss the proposal from Costa Rica’s Government to facilitate the mobility of Cuban immigrants stranded at the border of that country and Nicaragua. A release from the Government Press Office this evening, served to inform […]

Two to be tried in separate traffic accidents
Both cases garnered significant headlines and today Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith committed Errol Belisle, 61, and Boyd Lopez, 19, to trial for separate charges of manslaughter by negligence. Belisle is accused of knocking down and killing 11 year old Austin Olivera. The Stella Maris […]

Murder accused face appeal
Tyrone Meighan and Brandon Baptist were charged just yesterday in the home invasion and rape at the residence of Sarkis Abou-Nehra in Burrell Boom last week, among a group of nine. But we have received confirmed reports that they may face another set of charges […]

Belizean bodybuilders travel to El Salvador for world championship
Later this week a trio of popular Belizean body-builders are travelling to El Salvador for a world championship in their respective classes. We caught up with the group in training on Monday and spoke with president of the Belize Body-building and Fitness Federation (BBBFF), Mirna Paul-Greenidge. Belize will […]

Tour company found not negligent in tourist’s death
Karl Edwin Simmons from Texas drowned last month while trying to rescue his wife Esther, who was drifting away from their snorkelling group touring off Caye Caulker. The cause of death offered by the local examiner was asphyxiation due to drowning, incidental. But according to the […]

Cruise lines host Christmas party for kids
The spirit of Christmas is in the air, and those most under its spell are the children, who dream of their favorite toys under the Christmas tree at home, deposited by Santa Claus himself. But the reality is that many of those children’s parents […]

COPA Airlines launches inaugural flight to Panama
Eighty passengers today boarded flight 281, the first direct flight from Belize City to Tucuman Airport, Panama. The service is being provided by COPA Airlines. The flight costs 600 Belize dollars round trip and is scheduled twice per week on Tuesdays and Fridays, departing […]

Port of Belize turns to Labour Department in stevedore dispute
In October we reported that the Port of Belize limited and the Christian Workers’ Union – on behalf of the stevedores – agreed that they would continue to negotiate to get a Collective Bargaining Agreement finalized. Well the promise of an amicable negotiation was railroaded […]

New travel series promotes Belize like nothing before
There are a lot of travel series on television and the Internet promoting Belize’s adventure tours, luxury resorts, beaches and Mayan ruins, but few of them, if any, have told the story of Belize like the newly produced World of Wild, created, directed, and produced […]

Five detained after police recover gun and trove of ammunition from robbery suspect
Shortly after 1:00 this afternoon, Belize City police in pursuit of a robbery suspect, retrieved stolen items and a 9 millimeter pistol along with three magazines and 26 live rounds of ammunition, after they searched a residence to which the thief was followed. Reports […]

Stann Creek police looks for hit and run taxi driver
Honduran Manuel “Chanchero” Sanchez is being sought by Dangriga Police for being the alleged driver behind the wheel of the vehicle that knocked down 29-year-old Guatemalan Margarita Ical from Bella Vista Village. According to Ical, on November 19th, around 6:00 p.m., she was walking on the Southern Highway pushing her bicycle that was carrying firewood. Ical reported to police that as she walked the highway, a green van taxi knocked her down from behind.

Belize Bank and Radisson partner to spread Christmas joy
The month of December is the month of sharing and caring and The Belize Bank is good at it. With that said, yesterday at the Radisson Fort Gorge, 110 students from Stella Maris School in Belize City lived the joy of the season. For the seventh year in a row the Belize Bank Limited sponsored the event, providing the children with the full trimmings of a Christmas meal while also engaging them in various games, face painting and even dance competitions.

Blogs

My Eight Craziest Adventure Tours In Belize
Belize is full of adventure. Such a small country, you can be at the 2nd largest reef in the world on one day and then deep within an inland cave the next. It was my trip to the “Black Hole” that got me thinking about this list so I’ll start with that. Adventure? Me? Yes indeed. 1. Rappelling The “Black Hole” Drop 2. Night Snorkeling 3. Natural Watersliding At Cockscomb Jaguar Preserve 4. Ziplining Belize’s Longest Zip Line and Waterfall Rappelling at Bocawina Park 5. Climbing to The Top of The Tallest Building at Lamanai and then Coming Down 6. The Belize Zoo 7. Diving or Snorkeling the Great Blue Hole 8. THE ATM CAVE

5 of Belize’s Most Fascinating Mayan Ruins
From 2500 BCE to 1697 CE, Mesoamerica was home to an advanced civilization known as the Maya. Constructors of pyramids that rival those of even Egypt, this civilization flourished up until a combination of disease, drought and colonization caused them to vanish. Luckily, traces of their culture still survive in the form of the architectural marvels they left behind. Here are 5 of these ancient wonders we recommend you visit on your Belize vacation: Xunantunich Mayan Ruins, Caracol Mayan Ruins, Cahal Pech Mayan Ruins, Altun Ha Mayan Ruins, Lamanai Mayan Ruins.

Copa flies its inaugural flight to Belize
Copa Airlines will be flying its inaugural flight to Belize Tuesday, marking the start of a partnership between Belize and Panama that will see potentially hundreds of thousands of visitors from Central and South America to the country over the next few years, propelling the tourism industry to even greater heights. Copa Airlines will be offering two weekly flights to Belize City from Hub de la Americas, Panama City. With this new addition, Copa Airlines will now expand its route to 75 cities and 31 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean with Belize being the seventh in Central America. The addition of Belize to Copa’s route now means that the airline covers all of Central America and strengthens their regional leadership. “The connectivity will open enormous opportunities for tourism and commercial development for this interesting Caribbean country, as well as allowing for tourists from the same region to have the opportunity to enjoy all the tourism and commercial strengths Belize has to offer,” Copa Airlines Executive President Pedro Heilbron said.

The Caribbean is America’s Balkans for Jihadist Migrant Flow
Just as the Balkans have served as Europe’s «soft underbelly» for the largest mass migration of refugees since World War II, the Caribbean, coupled with Central America, is proving to be America’s own «Balkans» when it comes to Syrian and other migrants flowing into the United States. In the cases of both Europe and America, the flows of migrants, including non-vetted military draft-age men from Syria, Iraq, and other Muslim countries, is being facilitated by the huge network of non-governmental and quasi-governmental organizations influenced by and linked to the international hedge fund tycoon and all-around global troublemaker George Soros. As revelations spread through the news media in Europe that among the refugees who streamed into Europe from Syria were some of the suicide bombers who launched the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, America was faced with reports that the Obama administration was preparing to accept at least 10,000 Syrian refugees. This resulted in calls for a moratorium from 31 state governors, including 30 Republicans and one Democrat, Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire; the governor of Guam; and former Ohio Democratic Governor Ted Strickland. Hassan and Strickland are candidates for the U.S. Senate in 2016. Many governors and other elected officials, including mayors and Republican and Democratic legislators, were unconvinced that the Obama administration, which has been under pressure from the Soros machine to lift all border restrictions, could or would adequately screen the migrants. The Obama administration insisted that vetting was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, a department rife with incompetence, misbehavior by agents and officials, financial fraud, and bureaucratic turf battles.

Stalactites and Skeletons in Belize’s Mayan Underworld
If you’ve ever yearned for your own Indiana Jones-style adventure, be sure to add Belize’s most infamous cave to your bucket list. ATM—full name Actun Tunichil Muknal—is your ticket to the ancient Maya underworld, or Xibalba. Also known as the “cave of the stone sepulcher,” it’s near San Ignacio in the Cayo District, and it’s where the Mayas of old performed their sacred rituals long before Europeans came. Within, you’ll find scattered the skeletal remains of sacrificial victims, which calcification has cemented to the cave’s floor. The skeletons range in age from one-year-olds to adults. The famous crystal maiden, the skeleton of an 18-year-old girl, has been there 1,100 years. Her bones have a sparkling, slightly plump look. There is a physical price to pay to visit this natural sepulcher. You’ll hike for an hour to reach the mouth of the cave and cross three streams. There’s a short swim through the pool at the cave’s entrance. Then, for several hours, you’ll wade through a subterranean stream and climb ladders to reach the sacred chambers. But the trip is worth it. Each cave chamber is exquisitely adorned with crystalline stalactite and stalagmite formations. Along the way you’ll pass thousands of pottery shards. The Mayas used these pots during their sacred rituals: Note the “kill holes,” a hole made in the pottery that allowed the spirits to escape.

Weight Watchers Mexican Bagels
Ingredients 1 bagel 1/2 ripe avocado, thickly sliced 2 slices of your favorite cheese 4 teaspoons salsa Preparation 1. Split the bagel in half. 2. Spread salsa over each half. 3. Top each with avocado slices, a slice of cheese and two teaspoons salsa. 5. Place under the grill for 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.

International Sources

Belize Rejects Costa Rican Proposal to Move Cubans
The government of Belize on Tuesday rejected a proposal from Costa Rica to move nearly 3,000 Cuban migrants stranded at that country's border with Nicaragua through Belize. In a statement, Prime Minister Dean Barrow's government said the proposal was considered in a meeting with his Cabinet, but they decided it is a regional problem and should be handled as such. "At this juncture, the government of Belize is unable to make any commitments outside of a regional arrangement," the statement said. Costa Rican Foreign Minister Manuel Gonzalez expressed disappointment. "We feel deeply disillusioned with Belize's decision," Gonzalez said in a statement. "Without a doubt, this decision complicates significantly the situation of the migrants in Costa Rica and delays their exit from the country."

Copa Launches Belize Flights
Panama-based air carrier Copa Airlines has officially begun service between Panama and Belize. The airline’s first flight from Panama to Belize arrived on Tuesday carrying 92 passengers. Belize becomes Copa’s seventh destination in Central America. “For COPA Airlines this is a very proud moment for us to begin operations in this new destination with which we consolidate our leadership in the region, flying to all the countries in Central America and in this fortifying the connection that Hub de Las Americas in Panama City offers,” said Pedro Heilbron, executive president for Copa Airlines. “”With our flight to Belize we expect to amplify the opportunities of development in the business and tourism sectors in this city, while improving in an important manner the connectivity of the country to Latin America.” The Panama-Belize flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays, taking about 2 hours and 20 minutes each way.

There's no place like this home
Think globally, build locally. That’s what renowned architect Jason Mclennan, who created the Living Building Challenge sustainability standards, is doing on Bainbridge Island’s south shore. And the way he’s building the walls of his family’s new home is as old as dirt. In fact, he’s using dirt. “Some of the soil is from my site, from the excavation, and the rest is from a very short drive away. So there’s almost no impacts,” Mclennan said. Mclennan Design will be working on projects worldwide, and one of the more high-profile developments in the works is Leonardo DiCaprio’s Blackadore Caye, which will be the first Living Building resort. The famed actor asked Mclennan to work on designing the ambitious eco-conscious resort, with the intent to regenerate the damaged ecosystem of a narrow 104-acre island off the coast of Belize. Mclennan’s firm also launched an initiative called the Green Warrior Society, which will donate planning and design services for charitable organizations that want to use sustainable construction in building needed facilities.

Caribbean gets sustainable tourism money
Dr James Hospedales, Executive director, Caribbean Public Health Agency has announced that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved funding of US$800,000 for to address health, safety and environmental threats that challenge the sustainability of tourism in the Caribbean. CARPHA, which has direct responsibility for the project, will work with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CTA) to execute the project. Hospedales said that the Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world; therefore, the health of Caribbean economies is closely related to the health of its tourism industry. He added that there is currently no regional or national, tourism health information, monitoring and response (THMR) system in the Caribbean and that this initiative to improve countries' capacities to support health monitoring efforts can reduce tourism HSE incidents, and provide a healthier, safer, better quality tourism product for visitors and residents alike.

Videos

December 8, 2015

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

A Secret Santa surprise for Michelle Nuñez
Some people just make an impression. Michelle Nuñez was Miss San Pedro 2014-15, and during her year, managed to catapult that title to the highest of heights. She created S.H.I.N.E. – a program for girls 13 – 16 years old, with the goal to empower and motivate girls to grow into, and live out their full potential. Her passion for community made her a role model to many, both the young and young at heart. Her efforts and kindness caught the eye of a particular community member, who was so amazed by her selfless acts and giving nature, that a Secret Santa idea was born. On December 1st, Michelle posted her Christmas wish list on Facebook, and the Secret Santa was impressed that her requests were so simple and in essence, so Michelle: a blender, a tea seat (!!!), cupcake pans, an apron, wine (of course, a girl after our hearts) and candy. Secret Santa proceeded to ensure that the lovely Michelle would indeed get her wish and bought the presents, and The San Pedro Sun was happily enlisted into playing the role of Elves. Prancer, Dancer and Dasher (aka, Tamara, Mary and Monique) each carried a wrapped present and took them to Michelle’s place of work.

BTL to launch Region’s fastest LTE Network in 2016
On Friday, November 27th Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) announced that the company is in the final stages of selecting its mobile network vendor to build out and launch its Mobile LTE network in 2016. This new network is expected to be among the fastest and most robust in the western hemisphere, and BTL plans to take full advantage of the services in the LTE technology and equipment. According to Anwar Barrow, Chairman of the BTL Executive Committee, this initiative is a response to the demands of their customers for better quality of service. “Our customers (business and residential) are using their mobile devices more and more to access the internet while on the go. They demand and expect to be able to stream YouTube and Netflix, play games, hold video conference calls and conduct business in a seamless way whether they are at work, home or out on the road,” said Barrow. He added that BTL meets and exceeds their customers’ demands for mobile data bandwidth and speeds. “Our planned investment in mobile LTE will give them speed 10 to 20 times faster than what they get today,” ended Barrow who also indicated that this will give customers the advantage to do anything they want. According to Barrow, the performance and coverage of the LTE network will be among the best in the entire region.

Domestic Violence Workshop educates island women
The Women’s Department of Belize under its BA1 Project along with the Child Development Foundation (CDF) hosted an awareness workshop on Domestic Violence at the SunBreeze Hotel in San Pedro Town. The informational event took place on Tuesday, December 1st and Wednesday, December 2nd, which entailed lectures about the basic concept and understanding of the impacts of domestic violence. The training also focused on strengthening the capacity of the civil society and community based organizations that work hand in hand to address violence against women, human trafficking and femicide. The seminar was also held at the San Pedro High School where students were educated on the topic

Moratorium and Permanent ban protects Belizean marine resources
Oceana Belize applauds the announcement of the Government of Belize (GoB) today to permanently ban offshore oil exploration along the Belize Barrier Reef System and within the country’s seven World Heritage Sites. With a moratorium on all offshore oil activity in Belizean waters already in place, this move represents a tremendous step forward for Belize and her people as, for the foreseeable future, Belize’s entire marine area is protected from the inherent hazards of offshore oil.

Ambergris Today

Unethical Dentist Stopped from Opening Practice in Belize
Quick action from the San Pedro Police Department has prevented a possible fraudulent businessman from opening his doors to the public and offering his dentistry services to the island community of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize. The office of Oceanside Dental located at the Four Sisters Plaza on Pescador Drive was shut down before it could open on its inaugural day of business after the San Pedro Police Department was tipped off about the dentist’s past criminal business practices in the United States of America. On Monday, December 7, 2015, the businessman was detained by the police pending investigation into his case.

Misc Belizean Sources

You Can Help to Make Sure All San Pedro’s Children Have a ‘Beary’ Merry Christmas
Christmas is a time of joy, happiness, celebration and gifts for so many people here in San Pedro. But, for some families it’s a struggle and for some children, it seems that Santa just passes them by. None of us likes to think of children going without on Christmas day and so, inspired to spread the true spirit of sharing, a local business in cooperation with an international charity, have come up with a great way for anyone who wants to put a smile on the face of a child this Christmas morning by adopting a bear. Adopt a Bear is the brainchild of business women Britney O’ Daniel, owner of Sandbar Hostel & Restaurant and Kaitlin McWhorter, from Projects Abroad and the concept is simple but genius. All you have to do is pop into Sandbar or Crazy Canucks Beach Bar, who are also supporting this ‘beary’ good idea, and choose a bear from many hanging from their Christmas trees. Each bear has the name and age of a child in need on the back along with their Christmas wish...

Live Music with Valentino
Live Music with Valentino at the Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill from 6pm-9pm!Location : Barrier Reef Sports Bar, Front StreetStart Date: December 8, 2015End Date: December 8, 2015Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Beltraide participates in Christmas Expo 2015
The Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and Export Belize, two units of Beltraide, joined several of their business clients to showcase their products at the annual Christmas Expo which was held on Dec 5 & 6th at the Down Town Plaza Parking Lot in Belize City. Visitors to the Beltraide booth had the opportunity to purchase their spices from King Spices, sample the sauces from Marvilleous , get their supplies from Belize Rum Cakes Ltd and phone covers from A & S Covers, winner of BTL’s Entrepreneurship Competition among others. The event was organized by the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry with the aim to give Belizeans an opportunity to take advantage of the Christmas promotions offered by over 30 exhibiting companies from all over the country. The Expo was also an excellent opportunity for the Beltraide’s Marketing Team to inform Belizeans about the wide range of services offered by the organization.

San Pedro Sports Council Marathon
CONGRATULATIONS!!! LOS CATRACHOS for winning the Marathon held yesterday at the Hon. Louis Sylvester Sportinng Complex...... This Marathon was to kickoff the Tournament on December 18th 2015. The San Pedro Sports Council held its marathon on Sunday to kick off its Football 11-A-Side Tournament which will commence on December 18, 2015. Deadline to Register teams is December 11th, 2015.... You can check with Mr. Wilbert Magaña at the offices of The San Pedro Town Council for more information or to sign up!

A conversation with Alexandra Cousteau
If anyone will be in Caye Caulker today, you can make your way out to the basketball court as Ms. Alexandra Cousteau will be giving an Ocean Message to the community at 9:30 am. Thanks!

"The New Destination Belize"
At BTIA's 30th Annual General Meeting, McNab Publishing gave its first official presentation on "The New Destination Belize", giving the audience a first-hand look at what the industry can look forward to as they restructure the entire brand surrounding our country's most renowned marketing tool. Visit them online at www.destinationbelizemag.com to find out more.

Travel Leisure names Placencia as Top 2016 Destination
Placencia Village in Stann Creek District has been named as one of Travel and Leisure’s top destinations for tourists to visit in 2016 for its amazing ocean views, luxury resorts and fine local cuisine. According to Travel and Leisure, Belize is great for backpackers—much like Costa Rica in the 1980s—but certain areas have also become bona fide retreats for the well-heeled. Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn, according to the popular travel publication, has been drawing glamorous types to its cottages in the beach town of Placencia. The secret is on the verge of getting out, it added, especially with the late 2016 opening of Itz’ana, an ambitious farm-restaurant-retreat hybrid with 39 upscale villas—all within mere feet of the world’s second-largest coral reef system. The project, which is just down the road from Turtle Inn, is not just ambitious for its five-star creature comforts (rooms will have terraces with daybeds, waterfront views, and soaring ceilings). It’s also a stage for chef Mara Jernigan, of the immensely popular Limilita pop-up restaurant in Placencia, who will be using indigenous ingredients to spotlight Belizean agriculture and fine dining, Travel and Leisure said, adding that she even has a personal fleet of fishermen. The publication also highlighted that the property includes: a Mayan-inspired spa using locally harvested rainforest botanicals, a room (and sommelier) dedicated to rum, and chartered yachts for sundown cruises.

Splashers
This Thursday at Crazy Canucks 2p.m

Belize Youth Awards 2015
The Department of Youth Services held its 2015 Belize Youth Awards on Friday December 4, 2015 at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The event which marked the culmination of National Youth Week, celebrated under the theme “Youth, Let’s Make the Dream Work with Team Work”, is held annually to recognize and reward young people from all over Belize for their contribution to Belize’s development. The special guest speaker for the occasion was Mr. Mike Duggan, Executive Director of Domus Kids, a U.S. based NGO which provides a home and after-school programs for with at-risk boys. Mr. Duggan is also involved in the “No Youth Left Behind Initiative” which provides guidance and mentorship for young people. In addressing the awardees and guests at Friday’s event, Mr. Duggan said, “See young people as resources and not as recipients of services that you give. Actively get their input, have the trust and confidence in them that they know what they are talking about, that they know what they need, and they know what their communities need and they have the solutions.”

Presentation of Credentials to the Governor General of Belize
Five ambassadors presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize H.E. Sir Colville Young today, December 7, 2015 at the Belize House in the City of Belmopan. H.E. Rabah Hadid, Ambassador of Algeria; H.E. Petros Panayotopolous, Ambassador of Greece; H.E. Alfonso Manuel Portables Vazquez, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Vehbi Esgel Etensel, Ambassador of Turkey; and H.E. Valdrack Jaentschke, Ambassador of Nicaragua all expressed their pleasure in being a representative of their countries in Belize and extended warm greetings to Belize from their governments. Each ambassador conveyed to the Governor General that their country’s purpose is to continue to develop and maintain strong relations between their countries and Belize. The Governor General graciously received the credentials and welcomed the ambassadors to Belize.

Water interruption this morning in San Pedro
According to a text circulating from Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL), there will be a water interruption for entire San Pedro Town from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., today, December 8, 2015.

The San Juan Roundabout and the Sea Grape Drive Roundabout also got a touch of Christmas this year!

SAN PEDRO CENTRAL PARK TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY 2015
On Saturday, December 5, 2015, the San Pedro Town Council invited everyone to the lighting of the christmas tree at Central Park. Everyone gathered around the christmas tree awaiting the shining lights. Mayor Daniel Guerrero offered a few words where he gave a warming thank you to the Bowen family for donating the christmas tree a few years back and for ensuring that it goes up every year. After his speech, he gave the word, and ta-da! the Christmas tree was finally lit for everyone to enjoy! Following the Mayor's address, Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr. gave a few warm remarks in rememberance that Christmas is a time to share and be with family. Also, giving a few remarks was Lady Dixie Bowen who gave special mention to Mr. Guillermo Rodriguez for having the fun and complicated task of setting up the tree every year. After the tree was lit, the Isla Bonita Elementary School entertained everyone with their high energy dances. And to keep the christmas spirit high, local piano artist, Lascelle Martinez graced us with some Christmas

Passing of Ms. Eustolia Tzib
Mayor Daniel Guerrero, the San Pedro Town Council and Staff would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Tzib/Alamilla family & friends on the passing of Ms. Eustolia Tzib. May her soul rest in peace. Sunrise: November 8,1954 Sunset: December 7, 2015. A wake will be held in her honor at her residence on Pescador Drive (the Reef Restaurant), today, Monday, December 7, in the evening. Funeral services will be at the Reef Restaurant at 2:00 p.m., today, Tuesday, December 8, 2015. Ms. Eustolia was Councilor Hector "Tito" Alamilla's mother-in-law.

Los Posadas
The Banquitas House of Culture (NICH) in collaboration with the San Jose Nuevo Palmar Church invites everyone to celebrate the birth of Christ with the traditional Los Posadas. Scheduled for Dec.24th, 2015 at San Jose Nuevo Palmar, Orange Walk.

Channel 7

9 Charged For Home Invasion, Burglary, Rape At Diplomat's Home
On Friday night's news, we told you about the brutal home invasion at Lebanese Diplomat Sarkis Abou Nehra's estate just outside of Burrell Boom Village. Well tonight, police have arrested and charged 9 persons - including 3 females - all from Belize City. Tonight, they are spending their first night on remand at the Belize Central Prison. We'll show you these accused persons, but first we'll take back Abou Nehra's home where police started their investigation and made a crucial break in the case this weekend. Daniel Ortiz has that story: Since the home invasion of Lebanese Diplomat Sarkis Abou-Nehra, Ladyville police have made great progress in the investigation. That has resulted in the arrest of several Belize City men. Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural: "We went into overdrive with respect to the investigation into this aggravated burglary. We have arrested and charged John Grinage, Jerson Grinage, Brandon Baptist, Sheldon Grinage and Randalph Coleman, along with Tyrone Meighan jointly for the crime of aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit rape, handling stolen goods and theft. Separately, Tryone Meighan was charged for rape. Kemira Cacho, Crystal Augustine, Ashanti Roches and all others mentioned before were likewise charged for handling stolen goods. All of them are from Police Street, Belize City south side."

Mother Says Her Sons Are Being Persecuted
So, once again, the Meighan brothers, Tyrone and Ellis Jr., are in the crosshairs of law enforcement. Tyrone is accused of being one of the 8 armed thieves who stormed into the Lebanese Diplomat's Burrell Boom Home. He's also accused of raping a female victim who was tied up. Later on, we'll tell you how exactly Ellis Meighan Jr. is being tied to this crime, but first, his mother, Shelly, says that police have it all wrong with Tyrone. He and Brandon Baptist have only been out of prison for about 1 and a half months after spending 3 years on remand for a murder charge that they beat at the end of October. His mother is anxious to see him free from prison, and she's convinced that the police are tying him up in this crime out of malice. She also says that she has witnesses and police officers - who watch her home daily - who could vouch that Tyrone was at home until very late on Thursday night when this home invasion happened. Today, she made an impassioned plea for help from the powers that be to reverse the criminal charges against her son:

Six Guns Stolen From Diplomat Are Still On The Streets
But, while police and the Meighan family dispute Tyrone's role - or non-role in this brazen crime, 6 guns - all belonging to Sarkis Abou Nehra - are still in the hands of criminals right now. Those are a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol, a Mossberg Pump action 12 gauge shotgun, a Browning 9mm pistol, a Ruger 9mm pistol, a Pietrro Berreta single action shotgun, and a Remington .22 rifle. Police say that they need your help in recovering them, and a reward is being offered: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural "We will be sharing with you all pictures of the 6 firearms that were stolen from the residence which includes 3 - 9mm pistols, 2 shotguns and 1 - 22 rifle and we are going to encourage the community to call 922 TIPS and report any of the guns - If they recognize them to 922 TIPS and hopefully they will get a handsome reward."

How To Send Police A Distress Message
Also, as you heard, police did everything they could to try to prevent this crime. At the very end while it was in progress, the caretaker's wife was held at gunpoint and forced to tell the police responders over the phone that everything was okay. The cops from Eastern Divison Rural are taking that aspect of the crime very seriously, and they say that they've come up with a way for any hostage to communicate their distress to them. Senior Superintendent Broaster explained it to us: Sr. Supt. Edward Broaster - OC, Eastern Division Rural "We will be implementing the 3 P's - Personal Protection Program, where through your cell phone you will be able to send a distress alert to the rural eastern division where we would be in turn in a position to call you and dependent on what you say to us we will know whether or not you are in distress and then we will have adequate resources deployed in dealing with the threat or the situation at hand."

Nine Year Old Accident Victim Dies After Being Knocked Down
A family in Orange Walk is in stunned and grieving disbelief after their 9 year old son died as the result of a traffic accident. On Thursday at midday, Standard three student Geraldo Lopez was walking across the northern highway - when he was knocked down by a southbound motorbike. Today his mother told the media that they pulled over in front of Rony's Tortilla Factory - and she sent her son to buy. But he had to cross the road first. It's simple enough since the highway doubles as the main street in Orange Walk Town. But just feet from the tortilla factory, Geraldo was knocked down. He showed no outward signs of bleeding, and neither did he have any broken limbs, but by Saturday, the child very suddenly died. Asking to appear off camera, his mother told the media the story of the accident, and his very unexpected demise: VOICE OF: Normita Lopez, Mother of deceased "I saw him crossing but there was no vehicle coming. He was going and then all of a sudden a motorcycle came fast and knock down my little boy. When he knock down my son, he stopped. But at no time did he came over to where he (my son) was or asked what happened or if I needed help - nothing. At that time all I had in mind was to take care of my son and then another person just came to assist me and he took the boy to the hospital and when we found out the cyclist was not there."

Let The "Zafra" Begin
The cane crop opened today - right on time - and 7 weeks earlier than last year's disastrous late start. Things went off without a hitch this morning at the Tower Hill Factory in Orange Walk - where the Progressive Cane Farmers association members from San Estevan were the first to bring in their load. 7News was at the Tower Hill Factory in Orange Walk and here's the story of smoke signals and mixed signals, from an industry at the crossroads of a present that's tense and a future that's uncertain:... Jules Vasquez reporting Like a smoke signal from the factory to the fields, this plume of steam means the Tower Hill factory is operational - and it's the first day of the cane season. Jose Novelo - Chairman, Sugar Cane Production Committee "As an industry we had no choice but to try to start as early as possible because of all the stand over plant cane that was left in the field. All the stand over ratoon - all the new cane fields that are starting to come. We have to bring this industry back to its normal cycle where we start milling either in late November or early December."

Stevedores' Spontaneous Strike, Christmas Cargo Ship Sails
The last time we reported on the stevedores at the Port of Belize - they were still trying to get their Collective Bargaining Agreement finalized. That was in October and at the end of it all both sides agreed that they would continue to negotiate. It perhaps seemed like another tedious turn in a negotiation that's been going on for years, but there seemed to be renewed resolve and it seemed like maybe the Christian Workers Union and the Port of Belize would actually work it out. Well, not quite - today the stevedores staged a spontaneous strike shutting down all operations at the port - putting all Christmas cargo on instant pause. Guy Neal, a member of the CWU negotiating team told us why they had to take action this time. Guy Neal, Negotiating Team, CWU "The issue is that we had a thing signed with the CEO of Port Mr. Arturo Vasquez and we got everything signed up and all of a sudden when we had the meeting on the 3rd, he backtracked and its the retirement for me and for all the stevedores who went and who is presently working. And if we let that go like that, there will be nothing in our pockets at the end of the day. So we are working for nothing basically. We are doing this dangerous work and it's a work that we have to do in any kind of weather basically; rain, wind or whatever." Courtney Weatherburne "It seemed like it was a level playing field and everyone was on board. So what the issue now? Why did he retract? What is he saying to you all?"

Ok, So the VIP Won't Overturn Election Result
On October 15, the political party, the Vision Inspired by the People, or VIP as it is better known, announced along with it's allied political activists that they were going press the Supreme Court to nullify the results of the November 2015 General Elections. That was at beast, a political hail-Mary, a long shot…but it seems right now, that it wasn't even that: it was just political big talk without any actions to back it up. Today, we turned up at court, expecting to attend the first hearing of the lawsuit, but we only found their attorney, Hubert Elrington. When we asked where this first hearing was supposed to happen, Elrington told us that the case was not happening today. When we asked why, Elrington told us that they had come across some difficulties, and so the claim as originally filed will not go forward. He did tell us that the main aspects of the case will happen, but when we asked for details about what those will be, or when it should happen, we was very vague. Chairman of the VIP, Hubert Enriquez, told our colleagues from Krem that their attorney informed them that re-filing the claim is the best option available to them. Again, Enriquez did not share any specifics of this new claim form, and right now, nobody knows if and when the Supreme Court will entertain this supposed new case.

Remembering Those Who Flew Away
Today is Civil Aviation Day and a wreath laying ceremony was held at the Belize Municipal Airport to honor those fallen pilots. The airport team and families of these pilots attended. We spoke with the families of 2 fallen pilots - Nigel Flowers and Sir Barry Bowen. They told us why it's important to remember their passion for flying and how they contributed to society. Garbutt told us that the purpose of this event it to remember these pilots but also to acknowledge the sacrifice it takes to be a pilot.

Opposition Wins Compressional Election In Venezuela; The End of Petrocaribe?
The so called Chavissimo - which loaned Belize and other Caribbean and central American countries hundreds of millions of dollars under the Petrocaribe programme - has an uncertain future - after the Venezuelan opposition won a majority of the seats in congress in elections on Sunday. International news reports say the opposition coalition won at least 99 seats in the 167-seat legislature. Chavez's ruling United Socialist Party won 46 seats. They had been in power for 17 years - during which time they pushed what is called the Bolivarian Alliance, known as ALBA - the vision for the social, political and economic integration of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean - which gave rise to Petrocaribe and other initiatives such as Mission Milagro. President Nicolas Madura has accepted defeat for his party, calling the results a right wing counter revolution. Now, bear in mind that these were not presidential elections, and Maduro remains in that post until 2019. It will be left to be seen if he can outmuscle an opposition controlled congress. But, if the opposition coalition wins 13 of the 22 undecided seats, it would have a supermajority which it can use to initiate a referendum to revoke Maduro's mandate.

Youths Who Said Yes To Excellence
On the evening news, you often hear of youths being charged for crimes. Very regularly that makes the headlines. But, what happens to the majority of Belizean youths who are law-abiding, and who continue strive for excellence? Well, last week was Youth Week 2015, and the Department of Youth Services organized a group of activities designed to honor outstanding youths. Elodio Aragon Jr., the Minister of State with responsibility for Youth, Sports and Culture, was the keynote speaker at the Youth Awards, on Friday night. He told the gathering that these awardees give him hope for the up-and-coming leadership of the nation: The awards consisted of sixteen categories. They are as follows with their respective winners: The Environmental Award went to Adaly Cartagena of Ocean Academy. Crystal Samos was given Innovation Award, while the Youth in Media award went David Smith. The Enterprise Award went to Kenrick Gonzalez, while the Arts and Culture Award was given to Raheem Mariano. The Differently Abled Award went to Janae Matute, while the Youth in Agriculture Award was given to Kadeem Bennett.

Muscle On The Move
Right now, 3 of Belize's elite male bodybuilding athletes are preparing to represent Belize for the first time the World Bodybuilding Championships held by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness. The IFBB is the umbrella organization for over 170 national federations coming from 191 countries worldwide, and so these 3 Belizean bodybuilders are up against stiff competition. This weekend, we caught up with them during one of their final workouts before they leave for the competition in El Salvador. Here's what they had to say about the opportunity: The first day of competition takes place on this Friday, December 11.

Stella "Partois"?
Christmas parties! - you will be going to and hearing all about those for the rest of this month. One was held today at the Radisson for kids from Stella Maris School. There were a number of fun activities for the kids and even Santa dropped by to hand out gifts - 7News wasn't far behind. Belize Bank sponsored the party. 110 kids attended.

Channel 5

The Brothers Meighan and Grinage Siblings Arraigned for Home Invasion
Police believe they have cracked an armed home invasion at a residence in Burrell Boom last Thursday night. Six of eight suspects have been arrested, charged and arraigned in court [...]

Shelly Meighan Says Murder Maybe, But Her Son Certainly Did Not Commit Rape
The group was expected in court this morning so family and friends were awaiting their arrival. They did not appear until the afternoon and it was under heavy police guard. [...]

Nine-year-old Gerardo Lopez Killed in Road Traffic Accident
One man has been arrested and charged after he knocked down a young student last Thursday on the Belize Corozal Road in Orange Walk Town. The student was crossing the [...]

Parent Teachers Association Clamor for Speed Bump on Busy Highway
Today as the school mourned, parents gathered to express their anger and frustration at the death of a student – a death they feel could have been avoided by the [...]

Stevedores Set Off Impromptu Strike Action at Port of Belize
The stevedores are once again on strike. This morning around eleven o’clock, Gang Seven staged a protest at the Port of Belize which disrupted operations and threatens the unloading of [...]

Freightliner Sets Sail Without Discharging Cargo
At this time, the Port of Belize is in discussions with the labor commissioner and reps from the CWU over the situation at the port. Earlier today, the shipping company [...]

2015/2016 Sugar Crop Kicks Off in the North
After two successive crop season delays underscored by tension and strife in the industry, the 2015/2016 crop season started right on schedule. But even with that start there is concern [...]

Cane Delivery Off to a Slow Start
Traditionally, on the first day of crop cane trucks and tractors-trailers are lined up to weigh in and deliver. Today was different, with trucks trickling in to the point where [...]

What’s the Formula for Reaching Sugar Quota?
Because the last survey estimated one point seven million tons of cane in the field, and the factory can only mill one point three, the Sugar Cane Production Committee had [...]

Maya Leaders Alliance Receive Equator Prize 2015
The Maya Leaders Alliance received the prestigious Equator Prize 2015 Award earlier today at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris.  The organization is being acknowledged on the world stage [...]

Conservation Group Questions G.O.B.’s Turneffe and PHMR Omissions
Cabinet’s recent approval of a policy to permanently prohibit offshore oil exploration in areas along the Belize Barrier Reef System and within seven World Heritage Sites in Belize, does not [...]

Civil Aviation Day Commemorated in Belize
December seventh, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, is recognized globally as International Civil Aviation Day. The purpose of the celebration is to generate worldwide awareness of the [...]

Belize Bank and Stella Maris’ Annual Christmas Party
The joy of the holiday season was felt this morning by the children of Stella Maris School. Hosted by the Belize Bank, the children had an unforgettable party at the [...]

Pickstock Social Interaction Program Links Up with Police Department
Of late the Police Department has been big on community policing, and the statistics have indicated very positive results. But it isn’t all about the ‘meet and greet’ initiatives in [...]

Basketball Championships & PLB Playoffs in Sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.   The PLB playoffs got off with a band this weekend with all 4 teams seeing action. We caught up [...]

CTV3

SDA School Advocating For Pedestrian Ramp For Safety Of Students
The untimely passing of nine year old Geraldo Lopez has affected the students, parents and administration of Salomon Seven Day Adventist School. And it has also raised concern. Lopez’s death has prompted the PTA of SDA to continue advocating for a pedestrian ramp in the area. It is a request long overdue, says president of the PTA, Maxwell Torres. “For quite some time we have been asking for a pedestrian ramp or somebody that could be out there with the students when they come across the road, you know in the morning we have over a hundred students on that road, me myself as a parent have three kids and have to pass that street in the morning and in the evening and actually me myself have to wait along with my kids and the transportation don’t even wait nor hesitate they come straight across, we have to be out there like five, ten fifteen minutes sometimes there are some drivers who are very conscious and they stop but not all of them and I personally have already asked the representative and I told him about it and brought it to his attention and he said he will be working on that.”

Four Men Remanded To Prism For Fire Arm Offences
Four men from the Orange Walk District are tonight behind bars after they were arrested and charged for firearm offences. On Saturday about 8:30 in the night Orange Walk Quick Response Team and Special Branch Personnel conducted an operation in the Indian Creek Mennonite Community when they pulled over a red Toyota pick-up truck with Orange Walk license plate. Driving the vehicle at the time was Danilo Castillo a Belizean Operator of Belcogen and resident of San Estevan Village. Accompanying Castillo were Gaspar Gongora, Belizean employee of BSI/ASR and resident of Palmar Village, Nolberto Junior Santos, Belizean farmer of San Carlos Village and Carlos Barrientos, Belizean Farmer also of San Carlos Village.

2015/2016 Crop Gets Underway Weather And Sugar Road Conditions Slow Delivery
The 2015/2016 crop season got under way this morning but unlike other years, it saw a slow delivery. This year there was not a long queue. The first to make deliveries were cane farmers of the San Estevan Branch who fall under the Progressive Sugar Cane Farmers Association. The slow delivery, from all indications, was due to weather and sugar road conditions. Jose Novelo- Chairman SCPC: “It is a function of the wet period even the cane fields are soaked with water so all those contribute to having a slow start so to speak in terms of delivery but we expect that this will improve, generally speaking with the weather patterns that has changed over the last three years; December, January has been the pretty well but as an industry we had no choice but to start as early as possible because of all the stand over plan cane that was left in the field, all the stand over Raton , all the new cane fields that are starting to come we have to bring this industry back to its normal cycle where we start milling either in late November or early December depending on the weather conditions but it is important that we start early so that we can finish under good weather conditions because June and July will obviously be even wetter than what we are experiencing right now.”

Consumers Already Seeing Increase On Price Per Pound Of Sugar Before Effective Date Of January 1st 2016
Although the official date set for the increase in the price of Sugar from 50 cents a pound to 75 cents a pound is set for January 1, 2016, there are vendors here in the North who are already implementing the price increase, or at least that is what consumers are saying. This morning, during the Despierta Belice show, numerous calls came complaining about local vendors selling the pound of sugar at 75 cents. That should not happen until January first and if it is business owners are breaking the law. According to a press release issued by the Belize Bureau of Standards on December 4th, 2015, vendors should refrain from implementing the price increase until the official date set by the Bureau, January 1, 2016. Failure to meet the terms of the Supplies Control Regulations can result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of 1,000 dollars or both imprisonment and fine charged.

Five ambassadors Presents Credentials To Governor General Of Belize
Today five Ambassadors presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize His Excellency Sir Colville Young. His Excellency, Rabah Hadid, Ambassador of Algeria, His Excellency Petros Panayotopolous, Ambassador of Greece: His Excellency Alfonso Manuel Portables Vasquez, Ambassador of Spain; His Excellency Vehbi Esgel Etensel, Ambassador of Turkey and His Excellency Valdrack Jaentschke, Ambassador of Nicaragua, all expressed their pleasure of being a representative of their country to Belize. Each ambassador conveyed to the Governor General that their country’s plan is to develop and maintain strong relationships between their country and Belize.

BSI/ASR Introduces New 40 Ton Truck Dumper To Smooth en Delivery Process
To start off the 2015/2016 crop season BSI/ASR received 4,600 tons of cane today and the same amount is expected to be received tomorrow. That amount will increase gradually as the crop progresses until it reaches 7,000 tons cane per day. For that to happen there must be a must be a smooth and quick delivery. And that is where this newly installed 40 ton truck dumper comes in. The new equipment, along with a new cabin, comes at a cost over one million dollars and is expected to make the delivery more efficient and safer. “The original one which handles approximately 60% of the cane it was seen that more trucks, it showed the old method of hooking trucks and trailers using the cranes to unload is quite inefficient it takes a long time to turn around but with trucks dumpers we will see an improvement in the turnaround time or the cane to be off loaded here, so this investment here combined with the new modern cane yard cabin is over a million Belize dollars but we expect to see a lot of benefits from it both from an efficiency stand point, safety as well as you can see from some of the footage the operators and drivers of those vehicles when they are loading the cane using the cranes they have to get on top of their trucks they have to hook them off and climb them off and it possess off a safety risk as well but with the truck dumper you go on to the ramp and you hook your truck, you signal that it is ready and the operator in the cane yard cabin offloads it and it takes less than a minute and the truck goes away and the other method we just observed one truck with three trailers take almost half an hour to unload their cargo I mean it is a big difference when you are unloading through this truck dumpers versus the method of loading against the cranes which is on the east and the west side.”

LOVE FM

Sugar Crop Season Opens Amidst Concerns
The 2015/2016 Sugar Cane Crop Season officially opened today. The sugar factory at Tower Hill began milling the first few tons of cane this morning after ten o’clock. However, not everything is sweet in the sugar industry at the moment. All three cane farmers association had to convince the Government of Belize of increase the […]

Ladyville Police Cracks Case of Aggravated Burglary; 9 Persons Charged
For the second time in ten years the home of the Honorary Consul General for Lebanon to Belize, 77-year-old, Sarkis Abou- Nehra, was invaded. In the first instance dated December 6, 2005, it had turned out to be a failed attempted robbery with Abou-Nehra receiving an injury to his right hand. But a few hours […]

Minor Dies in Accident; Motorcylist Charged
Last week a young student of Solomon Seventh Day Adventist School was knocked down by a motorcycle, he died this past weekend. Reporter Hipolito Novelo has the story. HIPOLITO NOVELO REPORTING “Nine year old, Gerardo Geovanni Lopez died on Saturday morning at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. He was hit by a motorcycle on […]

Belize Coalition Wants Moratorium on Oil Exploration Ban Formalized
About one week ago, a release from the Government’s Press Office had announced the banning of oil exploration in certain areas. The Barrow administration, as a result has received much applause, due to the move, from various entities both locally and internationally. Coupled with those applause, came the request that the two other reserves be […]

Stevedores Take Industrial Action; Cargo Ship Left Belize Unloaded
There is upset at the Port of Belize once again as the stevedores are saying that the head of the Port of Belize, Arturo Vasquez is reneging on an agreement they had as it relates to retirement funds. Guy Neal spoke to Love News on the protest this morning and their rationale. GUY NEAL “I […]

Fallen Pilots Remembered on Int’l Civil Aviation Day
International Civil Aviation Day is being recognized in Belize as the Department of Civil Aviation held a brief memorial ceremony for pilots who have passed away. The event took place at the Belize City Municipal Airstrip. Ordinarily, the Department of Civil Aviation would hold an award ceremony but this year, they chose to honor their […]

Youth Awarded at Gala 2015
Youth Week was celebrated from November 29 to December 5. The Department of Youth Services along with the Love Foundation ended the week with the National Youth Awards Gala at the Belize Biltmore Plaza. The purpose of the award night was to recognize outstanding youths in society for the good work and involvement in their […]

PlusTV

Garfuna Community Celebrates Andy Palacio’s birthday
It has been almost 8 years now since the passing of Belizean Musical icon, Andy Palacio. Yesterday, December 2nd, a memorial mass was held in different parts of the country for Andy Palacio including Belize City, Dangriga, Belmopan, Punta Gorda, Seine Bight, Hopkins and Barranco Village, Andy Palacio’s hometown. Palacio, Belize’s foremost Musical ambassador, received the Best New Artist Award at the Caribbean Music Awards in 1991, the prestigious WOMEX Award in the 2007 and the BBC3 Awards for World Music award in the Americas Category in 2008. In addition to a long career of teaching and serving as Deputy Administrator of the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, Palacio was also named as the UNESCO Artist for Peace. In keeping the culture Palacio left behind, the Wagiya Foundation has partnered with the Andy Palacio Foundation to host the first ever music festival fundraiser in Barranco Village. This festival will be held this Saturday, December 5, 2015 from 2pm to 10 pm. The main event will feature a number of live performances from well known Garifuna musicians.

Woman stabbed on dock in San Pedro
A 35-year-old Belizean clothes vendor of Boca del Rio area was stabbed on Monday night while she sat on a dock in San Pedro. Reports are that a Hispanic male person went and sat beside her and proceeded to fondle her and requested sex. When she refused, he allegedly grabbed her by the hair; held her down, broke a bottle and stabbed her to the right side of the face, neck and chest area. She then made her way to the San Pedro Poly clinic to seek medical attention. Police say they have detained a 24-year-old man from San Mateo area pending investigation.

Belmopan Woman shot in leg for bike and phone
A woman was shot in the leg and then robbed of her phone and bicycle. It happened last night, Wednesday, December 2nd, after 8 p.m. on a Belmopan walkway. 22 year-old Rosa Chocoj of Maya Mopan area, was riding her bicycle on the Central walkway along with her brother and sister. When they reached between the Civic Centre and Social Security Board, a male person came running towards her. He then slapped her on the right side of her face and shot her in her right leg with a handgun. The male person then took away her bicycle and demanded her phone. He then rode off on her bike. Last night, the victim’s sister spoke to PlusNews at the Western Regional Hospital.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

Chris Roggema: Peace be to All!
What is a more better greeting than As-Salaam-Alaikum, with the person you address responding Wa-Aleikum-Salaam = And unto you Peace! In these days coming closer to the days of celebration of the birth of Jezus, of Peace and Love we are pushed to make believe that we are not all One. We are all One . We all are One in the eyes of the Lord. Whatever you call your Lord. Jezus, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh. You can only call another brother an unbeliever when he does not believe we are One. It is the warmongers who want to make you believe we are not One. That you are not my brother or sister because you pray towards Mecca or you pray to the Light from Bethlehem or to Jerusalem or light up a spliff and say Thanks To Jah or turn towards The God inside your heart and are grateful for another blessed day.

Breaking Belize News

Elderly man killed in Road traffic accident
37-year-old David Anthony Bermudez was detained by police following a traffic accident at the Santa Cruz junction with Placencia Road, in which his Dodge Ram pickup truck collided into a man riding a bicycle, resulting in fatal injuries. Police responded to the scene around […]

14-year-old boy missing
Police are trying to locate missing 14-year-old student of Skill Trade Center, Josiah Bowden, who was reported missing by his mother, 37-year-old Eva Olga of Old Well Road in Lords Bank Village. Olga told police that her son left home around 7:00 a.m. on […]

Police bust almost two pounds of weed
A large amount of cannabis was found yesterday morning in the area of Neal’s Pen Road, Belize City, during a search in an abandoned lot. Around 1:30 p.m., officers made the discovery of a white bucket containing six parcels of the green leafy substance, […]

Governor General welcomes five ambassadors
Today five ambassadors presented their credentials to the Governor General of Belize, H.E. Sir Colville Young. At the Belize House in Belmopan City H.E. Rabah Hadid, Ambassador of Algeria; H.E. Petros Panayotopolous, Ambassador of Greece; H.E. Alfonso Manuel Portables Vazquez, Ambassador of Spain; H.E. Vehbi […]

Orange Walk man in critical condition after hit and run
One man is in critical condition after he was knocked down this morning in Orange Walk Town. BMG has been informed that at around 11:30 this morning, Belito Moreno Sr. was riding his bicycle on Cinderella Street in Orange Walk Town when he was hit by an […]

2016 sugar crop underway
The 2015/2016 sugar crop commenced today and the BSI factory began receiving deliveries at 10:00 in the morning. All the scheduling for deliveries has been set in place but this morning the process was slow due to bad weather, however, the pace picked up after midday. The […]

Police make arrests in Burrell Boom home invasion
Late last week we reported on an investigation into the home invasion in Burrell Boom, which involved Belize’s honorary consul to Lebanon, 77 year old Sarkis Abou Nehra. The caretaker of the residence of told police that between 8:00 Thursday night and 3:00 a.m.Friday morning he and his spouse were held […]

2016 sugar crop officially open
The 2016 sugar crop began today. BMG understands that the Belize Progressive Sugar Cane Farmers Association will be making the first deliveries. The Belize Sugar Industry also gave stake holders and the media a tour of improvements that have been made within the factory. We will […]

Stevedores walk off job at Port of Belize
Disgruntled stevedores working at the Port of Belize have walked off the job early this afternoon, accusing the management of going back on their Word. Guy Neal, a member of the Christian Workers Union negotiating team, told us that Port CEO Arturo Vasquez has backtracked on […]

BTIA tackles tourism industry problems at AGM
Last Thursday, December 3rd, on the 30th anniversary of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), the association held its annual general meeting in which many problems facing our country’s tourism industry were highlighted and BTIA President Osmany Salas pledged that they are ready to work along […]

Venezuelan opposition wins: What it means for Belize
Venezuela’s opposition Democratic Alliance has won an overwhelming mid-term congressional victory in that country’s December 6th elections, claiming just about two-thirds control in the National Assembly. Ballots for several seats in Venezuela are still being tallied but winning at least 101 of the 167 seats in the National […]

How the Internet and Modern Technology is Killing Belize Telemedia Limited
Reporting: We live in a world where telecommunication is now an innate part of our lives. We keep in touch with family and friends via social media sites, we get our news streamed to our phones, we watch movies and TV shows on our computers and […]

The Vision Inspired by the People’s (VIP) withdraws challenge against election validity
The Vision Inspired The Vision Inspired by the People’s (VIP) case challenging the validity of the 2015 General Elections has been withdrawn, according to Senior Counsel Hubert Erlington. The group had suggested voters were disenfranchised because constituencies did not have a nearly-as-equal-as-possible amount of voters in each division […]

First Andy Palacio Music Fest a huge success
For months, volunteers, musicians, artists, family and friends have been spreading the word about the first annual Andy Palacio Music Festival to be held in Barranco Village – the home and final resting place of the legendary musician – and, on Saturday, their work paid off. […]

Opposition party wins in Venezuela
Venezuela’s opposition party won the majority of seats in the National Assembly in the elections that was held Sunday, overturning nearly two decades of dominance by the Socialists of President Nicolas Maduro. “Venezuela, we won!” said opposition leader Henrique Capriles.”I always told you all, this was […]

Blogs

Tasty, Filling, and Healthy: Nine Foods to Try in Belize
When vacation is not about sightseeing, it’s about eating local cuisine. Belize is especially famous for its unique Caribbean food that brings together an eclectic mixture of Mayan, Spanish and African influences to produce dishes unlike anywhere else in the world. Here are 9 exotic Belizean foods we recommend you try on your Belize vacation. 1. Rice and Beans 2. Stew Chicken 3. Belizean Tamales 4. Ceviche 5. Salbutes 6. Garnaches 7. Conchita Pibil 8. Fry Jacks 9. Chimole (Black Dinner)

Mexican Rice
Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until the onion is soft, about 2 minutes. Add the rice, achiote powder, and bay leaf and frozen peas and carrots. Cook and stir until the rice is opaque, about 2 minutes, Add the tomatoes and broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the liquid evaporates to just below the level of the rice, about 10 minutes.

Last Week in Belize: From Gorgeous Sunshine to a Belizean “Cold” Front
Last week started absolutely gorgeously…and really didn’t shift until Friday and Saturday…and then, we who live here, rejoiced. Christmas weather! Day time temperatures in the low 80s…a chill at night! Here’s a look at my week which started off with a 300 foot drop into a sinkhole and ended with some good old fashion nesting weather. Grey and cool. I’ve sprinkled in some gorgeous photos from Instagram from here and around the country… And the gorgeous weather continued… Christmas is here! And the announcement of the re-activation of the Lighted Boat Parade MAY have been the best part.

International Sources

Greg Norman to design Caye Chapel, Belize golf course
Greg Norman, the famous golf champion and designer of some of the best golf courses in the world, visited Caye Chapel Island in Belize to announce he will be designing the 18-hole golf course of this spectacular resort, located in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean. Norman spoke in the presence of the First Lady of Belize, Kim Simplis Barrow; Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism; Tracey Taegar-Pantom, Minister of Investments; other representatives of the federal and local government, and special invited guests. Caye Chapel will be the most exclusive and spectacular tourist destination in Latin America. This 280-acre island, located only 11 kilometers from Belize City, will offer breathtaking lots and beachfront houses. It will also offer a luxury hotel with over-water bungalows, a private landing strip that allows for arrivals within minutes to the island from the international airports of Belize and San Pedro, and an outstanding marina that holds yachts up to 140 feet. Surrounding the marina is a select mix of stores, restaurants and bars that will create a unique business center in the area, and an incomparable golf course that only an island like Caye Chapel can offer. Caye Chapel Island is just one kilometer away from the second largest coral reef in the world and just a few kilometers from the Blue Hole, the most coveted destination for diving lovers. The topography of the island allows for breathtaking views of both coasts of the island, surrounded by turquoise waters.

Belize deaf church began after hearing God’s voice
More than 40 adults and children participated in the 10th anniversary celebration of Jesus’ Deaf Church Oct. 11. Nancy Marshall, a worker with Virginia Mennonite Missions and Eastern Mennonite Missions, started the church and continues to pastor the group. Marshall had been living and working in Lancaster, Pa., in 2004 when a friend invited her to teach sign language to deaf children in Belize for the summer. During her last three days in Belize, she heard God’s voice in her head: “I want you to come back to Belize to start a deaf church.” Marshall had never heard God’s voice so directly. She replied: “How can I pastor a church? I’m a woman. It won’t work here. There are pretty conservative gender roles in Belize.” Then Marshall visited San Felipe Mennonite Church, about an hour from Orange Walk. On a wall she saw a picture of a white woman with a head covering. When she asked who the woman was, a friend told her it was Dora Taylor, an EMM missionary nurse who had started the church in the mid-1960s.

Watching the Fruit Fall
Mayan King, the largest banana producer in Belize, abruptly ceased operations in October when the Irish fruit company Fyffes stopped importing Mayan King bananas due to fear of economic sanctions from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In 2012, OFAC designated Mayan King owner John Zabaneh a Drug Kingpin under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act) for his alleged connections to Mexican fugitive drug lord Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman and associated Colombian drug cartels. Here are the impacts on Mayan King's former employees: A new battlefield in the U.S. War on Drugs, the recent closure of Mayan King Banana Farm in Belize creates hundreds of Central American farm worker economic casualties. Guatemalan women and their children protest the loss of jobs at Mayan King and the impacts on their families. As collateral damage of the U.S. War on Drugs, close to 1200 migrant farm workers and their children from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua suddenly lost their economic lifeline.

Three Caribbean getaways make Travel and Leisure’s top 50 destinations for 2016
To compile its annual list of the best places to travel in the upcoming year, Travel and Leisure editors consider a variety of factors: “Which under-the-radar gems are most exciting to our network of contributing writers and global correspondents? Which destinations are our A-List travel specialists fielding requests for? Which classic vacation spots are starting to emerge—but for entirely new and compelling reasons? Which global events and changes in travel restrictions have made certain destinations easier to get to?” Representing the Caribbean on the 2016 list are Canouan in the Grenadines, Placencia in Belize, and Havana in Cuba, each of which meet Travel and Leisure’s criteria in their own unique ways. Here’s what the magazine had to say about the featured Caribbean destinations: Belize is great for backpackers—much like Costa Rica in the 1980s—but certain areas have also become bona fide retreats for the well-heeled. Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn has been drawing glamorous types to its cottages in the beach town of Placencia in Stann Creek District. The secret is on the verge of getting out, especially with the late 2016 opening of Itz’ana, an ambitious farm-restaurant-retreat hybrid with 39 upscale villas—all within feet of the world’s second-largest coral reef system. The project, which is just down the road from Turtle Inn, is not just ambitious for its five-star creature comforts (rooms will have terraces with daybeds, waterfront views, and soaring ceilings). It’s also a stage for chef Mara Jernigan, of the immensely popular Limilita pop-up restaurant in Placencia, who will be using indigenous ingredients to spotlight Belizean agriculture and fine dining.

50 years ago: Famous aviatrix visits
In the Dec. 8, 1965 edition of The Caymanian Weekly, a precursor to the Cayman Compass, a front page story highlighted a notable arrival at the airport. “A single engine Cesena called in at Owen Roberts Airfield on the Dec. 6. It had four people on board, including Mrs. Jerrie Mock of Columbus, Ohio, who is a world famous aviatrix. “Mrs. Mock is one of the very few women who have flown round the world, solo, in a single-engined plane. This feat was performed last year when she took off from Columbus, Ohio, on March 19, went east, and arrived back there on April 17. Mrs. Mock, who died in September 2014, was in fact the first woman to fly solo around the world in any type of plane. The Cesena plane she used, The Spirit of Columbus, is now on display at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum in Virginia. The 1965 article went on to state that on this trip – which began in Columbus and included stops in Texas, Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, Bahamas and Florida before returning to Columbus – Mrs. Mock was accompanied by her husband Russell, her sister Barbara Saar and a friend, Alfred Baumeister.

Caribbean health agency gets US$800,000 to address health in tourism
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved US$800,000 in funding for Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to address health, safety and environmental (HSE) threats that challenge the sustainability of tourism in the Caribbean. CARPHA, which has direct responsibility for the execution of the project will work along with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CTA) to execute the project. CARPHA Executive Director Dr C. James Hospedales pointed out that the Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, and the health of Caribbean economies is therefore closely related to the health of its tourism industry. “Monies from the IDB will allow CARPHA to develop a regional tourism health information, monitoring and response system; Caribbean-wide HSE tourism standards; and a training and certification programme to build capacity in food and environmental safety,” he said. Hospedales further explained that health surveillance systems for travel and tourism implemented by the US Centres for Disease Control and other agencies have proven to be a key factor in reducing outbreaks.

Videos

December 7, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Florentino Velasquez found guilty of Aggravated Burglary and Grievous Wounding
Velasquez, who was no stranger to San Pedro Police at the time, had broken into the couple’s apartment in the Tres Cocos Area and wounded three persons. The incident occurred on September 12, 2014 shortly after midnight when Velasquez forcefully entered the apartment through the front door, attacking Kelly and later Neal with a kitchen knife. Kelly received two cut wounds to the stomach, three cuts over the left eye and four cuts on top of the head, while Neal received injuries to the left eye and mouth. A neighbor of the couple who tried to aid them, Thomas Fiorille, was also injured in the incident by Velasquez. Fiorille sustained cut wounds to the chest and wrist. Even though Velasquez was able to escape after the incident, police managed to apprehend him three days later on September 15, 2015 when he was officially charged for his crimes. Velasquez was remanded to the Belize Central Prison but later came out on bail and committed yet another crime, this time robbery. Police once again arrested and charged Velasquez for the crime of robbing 24-year-old Allison Holmes, an American Forest Ranger on June 20, 2015.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Birthday Gift
“What’s for dinner?” “I don’t know,” Sherry said. “What are you cooking?” “Me?” I asked. “You know I don’t cook.” “Well, I’m not cooking either until you get that sink drain fixed. I’m tired of keeping a bucket under the sink to catch the drip.” “You know as well as I do that if I tell you I’m going to fix something it will get fixed,” I said. “There’s no need to remind me about it every six months. Seriously, what’s for dinner?” Half an hour later I was eating tacos at my favorite taco stand. My friend Mario took a seat at the picnic table and said, “Hello, Mr. Dennis. How are you doing?” “I’m doing all right,” I said. “You don’t look so good though. You have scratches all over your face and it looks like you’re missing some chunks of hair.”

Government of Belize Bans Offshore Exploration in and around all Seven World Heritage Sites
Cabinet at its meeting today, Tuesday, December 1, 2015, approved a policy that will legally apply a ban on offshore exploration in areas along the Belize Barrier Reef System, and within the seven (7) World Heritage Sites in Belize. Cabinet has agreed to specifically ban offshore exploration in all 7 World Heritage Sites: Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve and National Park Caye Caulker Marine Reserve and National Park Lighthouse Reef Natural Monument South Water Caye Marine Reserve Laughing Bird Caye National Park Glovers Reef Marine Reserve Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve This effectively results in a total of 448 square miles being banned. In addition, Cabinet agreed to a ban offshore exploration within one kilometer on either side of the Belizean Barrier Reef System, resulting in an additional 868 square miles falling under the offshore exploration ban. The total area covered by the ban is 842,714 acres or 1,316 square miles.

Doctor Love: Childless and Almost
Dear Doctor Love, I have been married for three and a half years. Instead of starting a family right away my husband and I decided to wait until our lives were more settled. We are just now getting at that place where we are talking about doing away with the birth control and see what happens. In the meantime we always have to deal with people asking if I’m pregnant yet and when are we going to have children. One of the first things they usually ask is whether or not we’re trying. I usually put them off with some line about having dogs and a cat is enough for right now. Only once have I got sarcastic and said we decided to quit having sex and we are going to have a surrogate mother for a child. It caused some problems with my sister-in-law but it was worth it. What I really want to say is that it’s none of their business. Is there a polite way to do this? /s/ Childless

Ambergris Today

Central Park Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Santa Claus and Miss San Pedro Iris Salguero and Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation joined in on the celebrations as Mayor Danny gave the word for the tree to be lit. Hundreds of pictures were taken with Santa and dance numbers were presented by students of Isla Bonita Elementary School. Central Park was filled with color, music and joy as the San Pedro Town Council distributed cupcakes and soft drinks to all the children present. The Christmas Tree is a gift to San Pedro Town by Lady Dixie Bowen and Family and is assembled by her team of employees.

Price of Suger Set to go up After New Year in Belize
A press release from the Belize Bureau of Standards has indicated that effective January 1, 2016, Plantation White Sugar will retail at a maximum price of 75 cents per pound countrywide, an increase of 25 cents per pound. This announcement comes from the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, A Statutory Instrument has been signed by the Minister responsible for Supplies Control dated December 4, 2015 to give effect to this increase. While the GOB has maintained the controlled prices for sugar for more than a decade, this increase of 25 cents per pound is to allow the industry to earn a fair price in comparison to other producers in the region. The Ministry reiterates that this price change becomes effective on January 1, 2016 and merchants are hereby warned to desist from adjusting retail prices before the above mentioned date. Furthermore, Sections 15 and 16 of the Supplies Control Regulations requires every retailer of any priced controlled goods to display for public viewing a list of approved maximum retail prices as well as clearly mark the retail price on the packaging of such price controlled goods offered for sale.

Misc Belizean Sources

Christmas Carol Concert and Sing-a-long
Come and join the Allegro Choir as we bring in the Christmas Season with some traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Bring the kids and your best Christmas Singing Voice! Monday, December 14at 7:00pm, George Brown Field, Libertad Ave. Belmopan. We are looking for people to set up food and drinks stalls at this concert! It's an excellent opportunity to raise some money, we are thinking the usual simple fast food - hot dogs, garnaches, burgers. Please ask around and have people get in touch with us if they want to come and sell food!

Poets Corner: Unsophisticated
By Abdulmajeed K. Nunez. Despite being intelligent and educated Belizeans are still not sophisticated Belize does not really want to solve its problem The hostel issue is no longer about the children Adults with inflated egos trying to defend A corrupted system Designed to institutionalize our children Designed to criminalize them It’s about people with degrees but no temperature Trying to defend the system of our enslaves Trying to beef up their raptures People making money off children and youth pomp and circumstance It’s not about the youth it’s about creating dependence The laws needs to revamped, they have lost their relevance Is it any wonder three girls died due to incompetence Hostel is redundant Wagner’s is repugnant Skills Training Center replication After all these projects, youths are still not entrepreneurs Their records aren’t cleared Do they even have the skills to work anywhere? All rehashed, no innovation All preparation for the slave plantation

Buffalo Wing Monday
Buffalo Monday... $1 wings at the Lazy Lizard, all day, every Monday. Chef Rey says come and get messy at the Split!!!Location : Lazy Lizard at the SplitStart Date: December 7, 2015End Date: December 7, 2015Time: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Snippets of the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony held at the Central Park in Corozal last night

Christmas Lighting in Corozal 2015
On December 5, 2015 its 8th annual Christmas Light show was held in Corozal town. The show started with a prayer and host and co-cost thanking the audience for their presents. 16 performances from around town schools show their talented show. Dance, skits, music karaoke, skits of true meaning of Christmas, Mayor awarded two people Joe and Ms. Beningna Welsh 2015-16 citizen of the year. This year's performance where made impossible by Calcota Orcestra, Guadelupe School, CCC an CJC school, Corozal Methodist School, Mr. and Ms Santa Claus, Poems, St Francis Xavier School, Mary Hill School, Shining Star Dancing Group, Guadalupe School, Singers Phillip Aldana, Morlena Puck and Mcbrian Puck. Fireworks was donated by the town council. It was shown live at 102.1 Romantica.

The Reporter

Single energy drink can prove harmful, new study suggests
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), says that a single energy drink can prove harmful to healthy teens. Researchers gave test subjects a fake energy drink and a real one and monitored the changes they experienced after. The fake energy drink contained the same amount of sugar and almost the same amount of calories, but lacked the natural stimulants a real energy drink contains, such as: caffeine, the amino acid taurine, and extracts of guarana seed, ginseng root, and milk thistle. The study showed that young adults had a 74 percent increase in blood levels of the “fight-or-flight” hormone norepinephrine; more than double an average 30 percent increase in norepinephrine that the same participants experienced when they consumed the energy drink.

Vigil held for teens that perished in hostel fire
Relatives and friends of the late Ana Carlos, Elizabeth McKoy, and Shadisha Arnold, who all perished in last weekend’s fire at the Princess Royal Youth Hosyel, held a vigil at the Fort George Memorial Park to honour their lives on Saturday night. The event, organized by Tiffara Castillo-Molina, was one of several held across Belize. Molina explained that she, along with the Nancy Marin Youth Foundation decided to hold a vigil in a show of solidarity to the mourning families and also in an effort to inspire a change in Belizean response to incidents of the sort. “I didn’t just want to sit behind my computer and write a long message on Face Book,” Molina said. “We want their names to live on, the family, the traumatized youths at the hostel and the community at large do not want to see this happen again.” Vigils were also organized in Corozal, San Pedro, San Ignacio and Orange Walk.

BCCI Christmas Expo hits downtown
This weekend the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry held its fourth annual Christmas Expo at the Romacs Plaza in downtown Belize City. The two-day event, a spin-off from the BCCI’s annual expo held in September, featured local businesses engaging consumers with a variety of products and special holiday prices. Entrepreneurs and businesses exhibited products such as jewellery, clothes, handicrafts, jams, liqueur, and juices. Jamilee Rocke, marketing and public relations manager for the BCCI, explained that the event gives small businesses, that otherwise wouldn’t have large marketing budgets, to promote their products on a larger scale than they normally would. “We have about 30 businesses here, 75 percent of them are small businesses,” Rocke said. “We have less exhibitors but this year we have a bigger crowd.”

Breaking Belize News

Placencia named as one of Travel and Leisure’s top 2016 destination
According to Travel and Leisure, Belize is great for backpackers—much like Costa Rica in the 1980s—but certain areas have also become bona fide retreats for the well-heeled. Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn, according to the popular travel publication, has been drawing glamorous types to its cottages in the beach town of Placencia. The secret is on the verge of getting out, it added, especially with the late 2016 opening of Itz’ana, an ambitious farm-restaurant-retreat hybrid with 39 upscale villas—all within mere feet of the world’s second-largest coral reef system.

End of the World Marathon held in Placencia
The 4th annual End of the World Marathon was held this morning in Placencia village, Stann Creek, with over 160 participants lining up as early as 5:30 a.m. for the charity event. The marathon, which began as a celebration of the Maya Calendar’s end in December 2012, has become one of the most sought after running events in Belize. The race was divided into two categories: a full marathon and half marathon. The marathon began at the football field at the end of the peninsula. The full marathon (26.2 miles) saw runners passing through Placencia village, Seine Bight Village and Maya Beach. The race then looped back a few miles south of Riversale and ended back in Placencia. The half marathon (13.1 miles) began at the marathon turnaround and also finished in Placencia.

International Sources

Best Places to Travel in 2016
To compile our annual list of the best places to travel in the upcoming year, T+L editors thoroughly and meticulously consider a variety of factors. Which under-the-radar gems are most exciting to our network of contributing writers and global correspondents? Which destinations are our A-List travel specialists fielding requests for? Which classic vacation spots are starting to emerge—but for entirely new and compelling reasons? Which global events and changes in travel restrictions have made certain destinations easier to get to? Belize is still great for backpackers—much like Costa Rica in the 1980s—but certain areas have also become bona fide retreats for the well-heeled. For years now, Francis Ford Coppola’s Turtle Inn has been drawing glamorous types to its cottages in the beach town of Placencia, on a little-known peninsula on the country’s east coast. But the secret is on the verge of getting out, especially with the late 2016 opening of Itz’ana, an ambitious farm-restaurant-retreat hybrid with 39 upscale villas—all within mere feet of the world’s second-largest coral reef system. The project, which is just down the road from Turtle Inn, is not just ambitious for its five-star creature comforts (rooms will have terraces with daybeds, waterfront views, and soaring ceilings). It’s also a stage for chef Mara Jernigan, of the immensely popular Limilita pop-up restaurant in Placencia, who will be using indigenous ingredients to spotlight Belizean agriculture and fine dining. (She’ll even have a personal fleet of fishermen.) Also on property: a Mayan-inspired spa using locally harvested rainforest botanicals, a room (and sommelier) dedicated to rum, and chartered yachts for sundown cruises.

Videos

December 6, 2015

FOR TODAY'S BELIZE WEATHER, CLICK HERE

Click for our Daily Tropical Weather Report.

Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

Hop aboard the YOLO- San Pedro’s Ultimate Party Boat!
Nothing says San Pedro quite like a day on a party boat with a group of your best buds. We’re talking boozin’ and cruisin’- and even snorkeling at famous reserves like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. For an unforgettable experience, look no further than the YOLO! Janelle and I were invited on a day trip to Caye Caulker and you know we didn’t have to be asked twice! Let’s NOT beat around the bush, the first thing that caught my eye was the fully stocked bar! I mean they had everything from premium vodkas, tequila, rums, beers, juices, sodas, wines and fresh juices. The cocktail menu, with a series of signature drinks made to order, sure caught my eye! After all passengers were onboard, Kevin gave us a briefing on what the day had in store: our first snorkel stop would be at Hol Chan Marine Reserve, followed by Shark Ray Ally. Snorkelers were advised not to consume alcoholic beverages, but the rest of us? Well, drink as much as your little liver desires.

Belize Diving Adventures improves Tuffy Channel marker
On Tuesday, December 1st, Belize Diving Adventures (BDA) restored the buoy marker at Tuffy Channel. The marker had been worn out over time, so staff of BDA took it upon themselves to fix it up, with Everette Anderson spearheading the work. With the renovation of the marker, mariners now have an identifiable marker when entering and exiting the main water channel of San Pedro Town. The improvement of the marker is aimed at bettering Ambergris Caye’s local maritime community. Markers are essential for guiding boat captains trafficking through channels. They assist in avoiding collision with the nearby reef systems preserving the marine life and coral formations. Some of the work that needed to be done on the buoy marker included welding the marker to patch corroded areas and replacing the worn out shackles holding the marker in place.

World AIDS Day Solidarity Walk raises awareness in our community
Island residents joined in the fight to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/ acquired immune deficiency syndrome) during the annual World AIDS Day Solidarity Walk. Held on the evening of Tuesday, December 1st, the walk was observed worldwide in hopes of challenging people to rethink outdated stereotypes, challenge myths and be positive about HIV. Here on Ambergris Caye, the San Pedro AIDS Commission spearheaded the activities held. Members of the community congregated at Central Park at 6PM with candles in hand. “We have been doing this walk for a little over 15 years. This is a major part of our work in the community to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS. The San Pedro AIDS Commission is not the go to group for people to join because of the stigma that comes along with the disease. But throughout the years and with the work we have done, we have seen a great improvement. People are becoming slightly more open to come and talk to us about HIV/AIDS. The advocation and awareness has gone a long way, mostly, in part to the community who has supported us,” said President of the San Pedro AIDS Commission, Felix Ayuso. Wrist bands displaying the San Pedro AIDS Commission motto ‘Live and Let Live’ were handed out by San Pedro AIDS Commission members to those present.World AIDS Day Solidarity Walk-4

Five-a-side Football Action is back!!
Futsal (Five-a-side Football) action is back on with the commencement of the second San Pedro High School (SPHS) and Island Citizens Sporting Club (ICSC) Tournament. The tournament started with a grand marathon at the Angel Nuñez Auditorium on Sunday, November 29th at 10AM. Residents from across the island came out to support the participating teams and enjoy the games in a fun, family friendly environment. Teams participating in the marathon were divided into six categories to better accommodate the level of each athlete. The categories for the day included Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Female and Male Senior. Each game lasted about 20 minutes, with the team earning the most points in each category winning a championship trophy.

Yakarelis Hernandez represents Belize at Miss Centroamerica Pageant
Yakarelis Hernandez has returned from León, Nicaragua after participating in the Miss and Mister Centroamerica Pageant on Friday, November 27th. Even though our Belizean beauty did not place in the pageant, she certainly represented the country well. Aimed at promoting regional tourism and the beauty and talent of the people of Central America, the pageant sees the participating of delegates from Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama. Hernandez traveled to Nicaragua from Saturday, November 21st to participate in pre-eliminatory competitions. The pageant consisted of both a teen and regular division for both the Miss and Mister titles. Hernandez competed in the Miss Centroamerica division along with Miss Panamá Khadine Barria, Miss Honduras Francy Ayala, Miss Nicaragua Fatima Bonilla, Miss Guatemala Nadelyn Marroquin, Miss El Salvador Leonor Rivas, and Miss Costa Rica Daima Briseño.

Charred remains of Cessna aircraft found in Spanish Lookout
Investigations are ongoing on the discovery of a charred plane in the Spanish Lookout Community. The Cessna 210 aircraft was found on Tuesday, December 1st in a remote location in the Spanish Lookout Community near the Aguacate Lagoon. Reports indicate that the aircraft landed in the area sometime around midnight on Monday, November 30th. While police have not released any official statement on the aircraft, residents of the area have indicated that they heard the aircraft circling the area prior to landing, after which a number of vehicles were seen in the same area. But when police arrived at the scene, the Cessna had already been burned, with its only recognizable feature being the tail which displayed numbers YZ3241. The speculations are that the vessel is a drug plane used to bring in narcotics to the country. The plane may have been burned to destroy all evidence of drug related crimes.

Misc Belizean Sources

San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade
The 2015 San Pedro Holiday Boat Parade is back on! Join us for an evening filled with lights, food, fun, and cash & prize giveaways, all to benefit the San Pedro Food Bank, SAGA Humane Society, and Ambergris Caye Elementary School! The kickoff will be at 5PM from Wayo's Beach Bar / Aqua Vista Beachfront Suites and ends at Sandbar after parading North and South!

A lil hardcore material for the north road on Ambergris Caye
(by Las Terrazas Resort)

Trivia Night!
Come join the fun every Sunday and Wednesday! Test your knowledge of useless facts, have a laugh, and win money towards your bar bill! Always a great time - Fun,…Location : Barrier Reef Sports Bar & GrillStart Date: December 6, 2015End Date: December 6, 2015Time: 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Ms. Janet Gibson receives a custom portrait of Glover's Atoll and Middle Caye
In appreciation for her years of dedicated service as leader of the Wildlife Conservation Society in Belize and broader pioneering work and contributions to marine conservation in Belize and across the region. Despite Ms. Gibson's impending retirement we know that she will continue to lend her voice and support to efforts focused on the management and conservation of the extraordinary wildlife and wild places of Belize.

Caye Caulker Chronicles

A North Wind Doth Blow
It was a blustery morning on Caye Caulker and the North wind dictated many people’s choices of what to do with the day ahead. I was up at 7am and drinking strong black coffee trying to push my sluggish brain into gear. The Friday Jam at Barrier Reef Sports Bar had left my head a little tender. No, no, no! It wasn’t because of the music, that was superb, I think it may have had something to do with the couple of Belikins I drank as I listened to the artists play. Okay…. it was more than a couple of drinks, but it was a Friday night… Walking the dog this morning seemed like the best cure to kick-start the day. I’d had my coffee as fuel; I just needed to get it moving round my body. As soon as the leash was picked up, the dog ran frantically back and forth towards the door and if she could smile, she was beaming. Got to love those furry friends because they always put a smile on your face. A gentle stroll to the split and time to take in the calm before the Lazy Lizard opens and all the people come to drink, party and have fun. At the point of the split, where Mojo Fishing Charters have their sign, I stood with a cool Northern breeze in my face. The skies looked particularly grey for a December morning in Belize and ominous clouds loomed in the distance. I kind of like these days and appreciate the beauty of our surroundings on this lovely caye when they aren’t interrupted by the cacophony of people.

2,000 linear feet of beach being reclaimed
You might have noticed that sand is being dredged and stockpiled in the area of the Palapa Gardens in what has affectionately become known as the “Caye Caulker mountain.” What exactly is this for, you might be asking yourself? According to Mr. Al Chanona, General Manager of the dredging project, a beach reclamation is under way. In an interview, he explained that 2,000 linear feet of beach is being reclaimed. This is so that visitors to the island can have a pleasant experience the moment they step off the water taxi. Narrow areas of the beach are being widened, with the area in front of the basketball court being the recipient of the some of the most fill so far.

Ocean Academy Student, Adaly Cartagena, Wins Environmental Award
Ocean Academy student, Adaly Cartagena, won the National Youth Award for Environmentalism presented by the Department of Youth Services for her work protecting manatees. Co- founders Lilian and Adaly were inspired to start a youth Manatee Club on Caye Caulker because they want to continue the legacy of Chocolate Heredia’s passion for manatees and contribute to the current work of Jamal Galves to protect manatees. The awards ceremony was held at the Best Western Hotel in Belize City yesterday, Friday, December 4, 2016. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Youth Services. Here you can listen as Adaly tells us in her own words how she got interested in manatee conservation.

Amandala

BTIA president urges GOB to tackle tourism challenges
Like any other tourism destination in the world, Belize has its share of obstacles hampering the delivery of the best tourism product that can be offered, and today, on the occasion of the annual general meeting held at the 30th anniversary of the Belize Tourism Industry Association (BTIA), BTIA president Osmany Salas highlighted the many challenges and needs which need to be forthrightly addressed. “There has been a spate of robberies in Hopkins recently, partly as a result of poor police presence, inadequate street lighting, and bad streets… We feel that the authorities have taken too long to address the situation. We are concerned that if we don’t act very soon, the industry in Hopkins may suffer greatly and people will feel an economic pinch,” Salas warned. He asked for the Government to urgently address the problems being faced in Hopkins.

Mexican thieves giving Belizeans hell in Chetumal!
Hundreds of Belizeans usually flock to Chetumal to shop for Christmas and with the annual festivities approaching, an alert has been issued warning Belizeans of a spate of robberies in Chetumal. According to Periodista, Quintana Roo, Belizeans are being advised to take precautionary measures to prevent attacks both inside and outside of shopping areas, as they may be robbed of cash or exploited by persons who clone their credit cards without their knowledge. Reports have also been surfacing on social media of persons falling victim to career criminals who seek out vulnerable shoppers in places such as Sam’s Club, Walmart and Plaza de Las Americas Shopping Mall, where several Belizeans have reportedly been robbed in broad daylight. In some cases, wallets and purses have been stolen from shoppers who only realized what happened when they could not find their purses or wallets at the cashier desks to pay for their purchases.

Testimonies conclude in Mek Mi Rich trial
Almost one year after he first filed his lawsuit, Curtis Dale Swasey, a Corozal businessman, had his day in court when he took the witness stand to testify in the claim that he brought against Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) and Mek Mi Rich (MMR) Belize Limited, alleging that the two companies stole his idea for lottery by text messaging, using BTL’s network. Following the testimonies of all the witnesses in the trial, the testimony phase of the trial ended late this evening with the attorneys agreeing to make written submissions to Supreme Court Justice Courtenay Abel by January 29. All the parties will return to court on February 16 to make oral submissions to the skeleton arguments that they will submit. Swasey has alleged that Andre Vega, the son of Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar, and his business partner, Sunjay Hotchandani, the directors of Mek Mi Rich, collaborated with BTL to steal his original lottery texting idea. Swasey is being represented by attorneys Kareem Musa and Wayne Piper, while BTL is being represented by attorney Magali Perdomo and Naima Barrow is representing MMR, Belize Limited. Perdomo cross-examined Swasey, suggesting to him that he cannot claim an intellectual property rights violation, because he did not patent his idea.

Cops believe traffickers burned plane after removing drug cargo
San Ignacio police are investigating the origins of a plane that was found completely destroyed by fire yesterday morning near a farm in the Green Hills area near Aguacate Lagoon, in Spanish Lookout. According to police, very little is presently known about the plane, but they believe that the plane was a drug plane that was intentionally destroyed. Civil Aviation authorities have identified the plane as a single-engine Cessna 210, widely used by flight training schools, private operators, air taxis and commercial charter, and private companies. People in the area told police that they heard a plane circling over Spanish Lookout without lights at 1:30 yesterday morning. At about 7:00 yesterday morning, people who were travelling in the area found the plane, already destroyed. Police strongly suspect that the plane was used to transport drugs, most likely to neighboring Guatemala, which is not far from Aguacate Lagoon, and that the drugs had already been transferred.

Belize beats UNESCO deadline to ban offshore exploration
One week ahead of an official visit to Belize by World Heritage Centre (WHC) staff, to discuss efforts made by the Government towards the removal of the Belize Barrier Reef System from UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites in danger, Cabinet announced a decision to adopt a policy that will provide a special carve-out for 8 offshore protected areas where petroleum exploration will be banned for the first time in Belize. The announcement comes amid an unrelenting campaign here in Belize against offshore drilling that began to gain momentum in 2010, and which has benefitted from international pressure brought on by UNESCO. Offshore exploration has been carried out in Belize—without major incident; but the Deep Water Horizon catastrophe of April 2010 quickly galvanized a demand for a more precautionary approach here in Belize, where any such accident would spell nothing short of devastation for this tiny Jewel and its open economy. According to the Cabinet press release issued Tuesday, the total area covered by this historic ban spans 842,714 acres, or 1,316 square miles.

Senate should investigate David Schnitzer’s “fraud!”
An international fugitive, David Nanes Schnitzer, who is wanted in Mexico for his role in a multimillion-dollar offshore banking scam, was located in Belize last month by United States Marshalls and Belize police. Schnitzer, who had been living under the assumed name of David Banes, was remanded to prison on a charge of uttering a forged document, but was granted Supreme Court bail by Justice Dennis Hanomansingh and subsequently fled the jurisdiction, creating a major black eye for Belize in international law enforcement circles. The government of Prime Minister Dean Barrow has not issued any statement indicating that it is willing to launch any investigation into how Schnitzer obtained the Belizean identity documents, including nationality certificate and passport, but the Opposition People’s United Party Senator, Lisa Shoman, today served notice of a motion to the clerk of the National Assembly for the Senate to investigate the Schnitzer matter.

Verdes to FIFA/CONCACAF
Football Federation of Belize, or Football Federation of Belmopan Bandits? I write this letter hoping it may find its way in this week’s edition of the Amandala. I also write this letter to inform the general public, the football family and fans country wide of the stifling issues and dilemma affecting the football community. Let’s rewind to August before the start of what can be now termed as the most controversial football season in recent history. In an emergency meeting called by (FFB) President Ruperto Vicente and General Secretary Michael Blease, in the presence of all team owners and Executive Members Sergio Chuc and Cruz Gamez, the President made a proposal termed as the way forward for football in Belize. There were two very important points made in the presentation/proposal by Mr. Vicente. The first being that the FFB is recommending that the PLB (Premier League of Belize) abolish its Executive and form a Board of Directors (BOD) in which each president from each club will be a member of the BOD, and that of the 9 presidents, a Chairman of the Board would be elected. This sounded very good to the team owners/presidents. The other very important point was that each club can register a total of 5 foreign players, with 3 on the field at any given time, but that Central American players would be treated as if they were nationals (a decision passed by UNCAF at Congress, according to Mr. Vicente). Now, this sounded too good to be true, but Mr. Vicente said it was a decision passed by UNCAF.

Fix Falcon Field folly
The Editor, AMANDALA: As much as I applaud the Government of Belize for the huge investment they have made in sporting facilities and infrastructure in the country, via Belize Infrastructure Limited (BIL), I am disheartened by the quality of basketball facilities that are being constructed. I am writing as a basketball enthusiast, who has been involved with basketball at all levels in the country of Belize. Given that I live in San Ignacio, I will speak solely about the basketball court that was built at Falcon Field. I cannot question the aesthetics of the structure, but can surely question the purpose of the building. Any basketball court that has an overhead covering should be built as a weather proof facility that is accessible when it rains. At Falcon Field, everyone refers to our building as a “dry-weather court,” because just a small drizzle gets the playing court wet, not to mention a rain. It is frustrating that the engineering and architectural designers could not factor in that very elementary component. We are presently having our annual BECOL tournament, and every time it rains, we need to sweep and dry the court, if not, postpone the games.

Special Olympics Torch arrives in Belmopan
Acting Mayor of Belmopan, Retired Senior Superintendent of Police Geraldine Itzab Willis, received the heavily escorted Special Olympics Torch in Belmopan, on the arrival of the torch from Dangriga, at about 11:30 this morning. The torch, which was being carried by Inspector Stephanie Grinage, Deputy Commander of the Belmopan Police Formation, was handed over to Mayor Willis, in front of the Belmopan welcome sign at the junction of Constitution and Forestry Drive. On receiving the torch on behalf of the Belmopan City Council, the city and people of Belmopan, the Mayor began to run, and then walk, with the emblem through the streets of Belmopan. In an interview with Amandala this morning in Belmopan, Mayor Willis said that the event is in support of people with disabilities and special needs. As the torch is being carried throughout the different districts, funds are being collected to help individuals who have disabilities. She said that the torch was taken from Dangriga to Belmopan, then it will be transported to Cayo and then to Belize City, where on its arrival, the Special Olympics games will commence.

Editorial: Weekend drama, weekend tragedy
Within a matter of six hours on Saturday, November 28, two different sets of incidents occurred which probably exposed Belizeans’ exaggerated weekend nonchalance. In colonial days, government departments worked until 12:30 on Saturday afternoons, but today, Belizeans start shifting into weekend gear from Friday evenings.The tourism industry, which has grown substantially in the last two decades, contributes to the party atmosphere in the nation, because at any given time there are many non-Belizeans in Belize, some permanently and some temporarily, who do not work here, but have come here to retire or to party. The Government of Belize no doubt took Belizeans’ weekend nonchalance into their deliberate calculus when they organized the visit of Guatemala’s President-elect, Jimmy Morales, to Belize. Morales is controversial in Belize, for more reasons than one. The security of a foreign head of state, especially a controversial one, was obviously a top priority for the recently re-elected Government of Belize. A front page story in this newspaper last Friday declared that Morales would NOT be visiting Belize on his tour of Central American nations. This was what the Government of Belize wanted the people of Belize to believe. Friday afternoon, within ten hours of this newspaper’s hitting the streets of Belize City on Friday morning, however, news began to circulate that there would indeed be a Morales visit, and it would take place between Friday evening/night and Saturday morning. Belizeans had already gone into their weekend gear. This was how the Government of Belize wanted this tricky visit to be timed. We can see this no other way.

From the Publisher
I was tried in the Supreme Court twice – in July of 1970 for seditious conspiracy and in January of 1971 for housebreaking and stealing. I was also tried in Magistrate’s Court in 1972 on two separate occasions. I was first tried early in 1972 for possession of dynamite and an unlicensed gun and ammunition, and then later in 1972 for resisting arrest, assaulting police officers, and indecent language. When you are tried in Supreme Court, it is after you have been arrested, bailed, and have to attend Magistrate’s Court hearings for months. There are usually several adjournments before the preliminary inquiry begins in order to establish a prima facie case to be sent to the higher court. For example, in the matter of seditious conspiracy, I was arrested in February 1970, but the case was not heard in Supreme Court until July of that year. Between February and July I was up and down at the Magistrate’s Court, which was at Riverside Hall at the time. In the matter of housebreaking and stealing, I was arrested around April or May of 1970, if I remember correctly, and the case wasn’t tried in Supreme Court until January of 1971. In addition, in the matters of the two Magistrate’s Court cases, there were, as usual, several adjournments. (The dynamite case was tried when a Magistrate’s Court was on Church Street, and the resisting arrest and assault business was tried when the Magistrate’s Court was in the old Paslow Building.)

Take care of our Jewel …
Dear Editor, Through your esteemed newspaper I want to express my concern in reference to civic pride. I notice that Belizeans while visiting our neighboring country Mexico, namely Chetumal, abide by the country’s laws by not throwing garbage on the streets or in any public area. In Belize it is quite the opposite, since as soon as they cross to the Belizean side, I notice individuals throwing garbage out of their vehicles. Take a moment and question why? Why take care of another country and not yours? Is it that the penalties over there are so hefty? Or is it that there are more law enforcement officers patrolling the streets or is it that we do not have any civic pride? Whatever the reason, we abide by the laws. So, tell me why not in our beautiful Belize? Are the penalties for littering in our country not strict enough or is it that persons in charge are not enforcing the laws? Is it that the law being enforced is to a selected few or do people in Belize take law enforcement officers for granted? It is estimated that Belize produces approximately 300,000 tons of solid waste annually from domestic households and commercial establishments. This means that each person living in Belize produces approximately two to three pounds of solid waste every day (The San Pedro Sun, 2007).

Belize air traffic control system to get an upgrade
The Government of Belize signed a contract for the modernization of the Philip Goldson airport, which is being made possible through COCESNA (Central American Corporation for Air Navigation), of which Belize is a member. The upgrade will be done to the air traffic controls, the radar system and the meteorology services. On hand for the occasion were Jorge Vargas, executive president of COCESNA; Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism & Civil Aviation; Lindsay Garbutt, Director of Civil Aviation, and Enrique Castillo, Director of Latin America Affairs for Indra Systems. Minister Heredia said in his address, “Today marks a very important day for civil aviation in Belize, because we will be signing a contract with Indra Systems, an international equipment supplier from Spain. The government of Belize and COCESNA are in the process of carrying out a 9.5 million dollar- project for a state of the art modernization of our air traffic control center, radar system, meteorological system and all other associated equipment of the air traffic control system.”

Epidemiologist Dr. Manzanero named as new DHS
Dr. Marvin Manzanero, the man who has been known as the epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health and the person in charge of the ministry’s HIV/AIDS desk, has been promoted to serve as the ministry’s new Director of Health Services (DHS). Manzanero told us that Health Minister Pablo Marin offered him the job after the general elections, after which the last DHS, Dr. Ramon Figueroa, was upgraded to become Marin’s Chief Executive Officer, replacing Dr. Peter Allen, who was moved over to the Office of the Prime Minister/Ministry of Finance, Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities. The former DHS, Dr. Michael Pitts, had resigned earlier this year, leaving the post vacant. After Figueroa became the DHS, Manzanero succeeded him as Director of the Policy, Analysis and Planning Unit – a job he had held since September. He has more recently served as the interim DHS for the past three weeks, while waiting for the paperwork for his formal appointment to be finalized.

Sugar to increase to 75 cents per pound
Today, Jose Alpuche, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed to Amandala that a Statutory Instrument (SI) will be signed this week to increase the price of white sugar by 25 cents per pound; however, the increase will not affect brown sugar. This comes after the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association passed a resolution to increase the domestic price of sugar to $1.00 per pound at their Annual General Meeting, which was held on Sunday, November 22. After the cane farmers had their general meeting, they met with the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Gaspar Vega, and it was agreed that instead of the $1.00 price they requested, the cane farmers will get a 25-cent price increase, bringing the price for one pound of sugar to 75 cents. Alpuche said that the last time there was an increase in sugar prices was in 2001, and the increase of 25 cents will allow for the farmers to get a reasonable price on the cane. Alpuche added that the SI will not take effect until January 2016, and buyers should know that the current price is still 50 cents per pound.

One-flat house falls; owner seeks the public’s aid
On Sunday, a one-flat wooden house located on Neal Pen Road, belonging to Sherol Brooks, 39, a single mother, collapsed. Brooks told Amandala that on Sunday afternoon at approximately 2:00 p.m. she was at home with her sister when it collapsed while both of them were inside. Brooks said that she has lived in the house for over 10 years and she blames the recent flood which occurred in mid-October for the unfortunate incident; after the flood, she noticed that the posts that held up the house had shifted, she said. Brooks said that her daughter, her niece and her nephew lived with her in the house. She added that the situation has been really difficult for the children. Since the incident her nephew had several attacks of epilepsy and her daughter had an attack of asthma, she mentioned.

PUP withdraws Petrocaribe lawsuit
Yesterday, Tuesday morning, media representatives gathered outside the courtroom of Supreme Court justice Courtenay Abel to cover the case brought against Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the Minister of Finance, over his spending of over 230 million dollars from the Petrocaribe fund, by the Cayo North East area representative Hon. Julius Espat, the chairman of the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee. The surprising news to come out of the courtroom of Justice Abel, however, is that Espat had withdrawn the lawsuit. Today, Amandala spoke to one of the attorneys who were initially involved with the case, Andrew Marshalleck, SC. Marshalleck told us that he had come off the case before Espat decided to withdraw it from the court. “The law has been changed twice and the ground that the case encompassed has been overtaken by the legislative changes,” Marshalleck added.

The Reporter

House of Representatives gets down to business
The House of Representatives gathered on Friday for its first official meeting since the inaugural ceremony. Amidst the traditional political back and forth between the incumbent and the opposition, government tabled a number of Bills, including: a motion to enter into a loan agreement with the […]

PM says GOB will consider helping Cuban immigrants
Following an appeal by the Government of Costa Rica, Prime Minister Dean Barrow says he is willing to consider the issue facilitating the passage of some 4000 Cuban immigrants through Belize to help them get to the United States. Barrow said on Friday that he […]

COLA and BTV respond to BDF building FOB at Sarstoon
Leaders of activist groups, Citizens Organized through Liberty and Action (COLA) and the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) have mixed feelings over the announcement by Minister of National Security John Saldivar, that the Belize Defense Force (BDF) will break ground to construct the Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Sarstoon on December […]

Chukka shares the christmas spirit with students
This week, renowned tour company Chukka, gave a special treat to primary school students, by holding a Christmas luncheon and toy drive. Chukka hosted 75 infant school students, ages five to seven, at the luncheon at the company’s corporate headquarters in Belize City. Apart from food and refreshments, students were also entertained by a Santa Clause and well-known Belizean entertainer, Ozzy the clown. Through the toy drive, Chukka managed to give toys to children attending more than 15 primary schools. The management explained that the drive was made possible through a staff effort, which starts in September. The staff contributes a portion of the money made from the tours conducted up until November, and the company matches the amount raised. “Christmas is a very special time of year. Chukka is very happy to be a part of this annual children’s toy program, made special this year with the luncheon where our staff volunteered in preparing the lunch themselves”, commented Country Manager, Valerie Woods.

Breaking Belize News

Abandoned house on hotel property burns in San Pedro
The San Pedro Fire Department (SPFD) and the Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred on Friday afternoon shortly after 2PM. According to the San Pedro Sun the Fire Service on the island was notified about a fire engulfing an abandoned building on the beach adjacent to […]

Farewell to Francis; PM tells Opposition they will wait for next election
Prime Minister Dean Barrow made a special tribute to his opposite number, Leader of the Opposition Francis Fonseca, who is serving out his final term as PUP leader and Opposition leader, during Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives. He described him as a dignified, indefatigable […]

First House Meeting of new Government is busy
The Parliament met on Friday for its first business session since the November 4th General Elections. Brought before the house were several loan motions and money related bills. One was a loan motion for US 12 million dollars from the OPEC Fund for International Development. The partial […]

Belize weighs Costa Rican request for help with Cubans
By Aaron Humes: On Wednesday the President of Costa Rica called Prime Minister Dean Barrow to make a request. He wanted to know if Belize could serve as an in transit bridge for some 4 thousand Cubans headed to the US and who are stranded off the coast of Costa […]

Guatemalan judge arrested in FIFA corruption probe
Guatemalan judge Hector Trujillo was arrested by U.S. federal agents on Friday on board a Disney cruise ship in Florida. He is one of many football officials charged by U.S. prosecutors investigating corruption in football’s world governing body, FIFA. According to Reuters news agency, FIFA is in the […]

Blogs

Community Spirit All Over San Pedro, Belize And A Call To Allen Iverson
Yesterday, with the help of Oceana Belize, the kids from Standards 4 to 6 from the Holy Cross School were enlisted. And the team turned to an ARMY. And after the hard work and filling bags, the neighborhood volunteers met back at Marbuck’s Coffee at DayDreamin’ Bed & Breakfast Belize for some tasty donated snacks. Kelly and Mukul, the owners of Blue Water Grill as well as other businesses, have the community in mind with everything they do. Each month, they pick a charitable cause in San Pedro – collect donations and then match (and often match again) to get the project done. This month, the subject is the much used Boca Del Rio Basketball Court. And what Blue Water Grill has to say: “For December, we are raising money to fix up the Boca Del Rio Park (just south of the bridge) with new playground equipment, new basketball hoops, and lots of TLC. We want our fellow Hoya, Allen Iverson, to come inaugurate the new basketball court and speak to the kids here. We’ll fly him and his family down here. We’ll put them up at The Phoenix. And we will NOT ask him about practice. Who can help us get in touch with him?” Can anyone help? I know we all can by donating some money at The Phoenix, the Blue Water Grill or Red Ginger Restaurant. But does ANYONE know Allen? Or Patrick Ewing?

Holy Cross kids join our monthly trash attack
They came, they saw, they picked up trash. I’m talking about 100-plus kids from Holy Cross Anglican School here in San Mateo who joined our growing band of First Friday Roadside Cleanup volunteers yesterday. As we gathered in front of the Paradise Cinema, as we have on first Fridays for half a year now, the students came walking out of the nearby school, one form at a time. Soon we had three grades, eagerly grabbing rubber gloves and black plastic trash bags. The youngest students stayed around the bridge area, off the busy road. They cleaned from the bridge, along the waterfront, to the entrance to the San Mateo neighborhood and right up to the entrance to their school. The next older group walked up to The Cloisters and began cleaning along the road and beach. The oldest kids were driven up to the Marbucks/Palapa Bar area on a fleet of golf carts and worked their way south along the beach and road.

International Sources

The Privy Council vs the Caribbean Court of Justice as Jamaica's final court
I have refrained from entering the debate on the issue of the replacement of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as Jamaica's final court for the simple reason that I was so close to the arguments and decisions relating to the establishment of the Caricom Single Market and Economy and the CCJ in its two jurisdictions that I thought others should be free to express their opinions. The superficial nature of the debate, if it can be so described, especially in the Senate; the Page 1 editorial in the Daily Observer of Friday, October 23, 2015 'CCJ: How dare you appropriate the people's rights unto yourselves'; and Ronald Mason's column in the Sunday Gleaner, October 25, 2015, have forced me to reconsider. In the Caribbean, Guyana, Barbados, and Belize have withdrawn from the Privy Council. Remarkably, none of these countries has subjected the decision to a referendum or national vote. In several cases, including Canada and Australia, the Privy Council on more than one occasion struck down constitutional amendments to abolish it. In all cases the Parliament simply continued to refine the legislation until it was accepted. The refusal of each country to subject the authority of its Parliament to a referendum or other process has been a tremendous asset to other countries. Jamaica would be the first of the former colonies to subject the determination of its Parliament to another process. This will not only affect Jamaica, but will create a difficult precedent the countries in the line. Many of these countries are very small and take leads from Jamaica.

U.S. Expats Who Know the Rules May Avoid All Income Taxes
There are ways to avoid or limit tax liabilities to foreign countries. But this depends on where someone is living, how often they move, and the nature of the foreign tax system. If an expat is uncertain, consulting a tax professional can help. The web site, Best Places in the World to Retire, covered this topic and others related to expat living. The site has more than 400 contributors who have answered more than 6,500 questions about living in several other countries. Among the contributors is Stewart Patton, a U.S. tax attorney now living in Belize. Patton is founder of U.S. Tax Services. Patton made clear that he could only discuss tax law in general terms and that everyone's situation is different. He said that everyone should consult a qualified professional before implementing a tax strategy. Patton said that "the simplest way" for George to avoid foreign income taxes would be "to live in a jurisdiction that has a zero tax rate."

Tips for top sights to see in the Yucatan, Part 1
The state of Yucatan occupies the northern third of the Yucatan Peninsula, which is separated into the aforementioned Quintana Roo and Yucatan states as well as the undiscovered jewel that is Campeche. The Yucatan Peninsula proper occupies all the territories north of the New River’s entrance into Chetumal Bay in Belize to the northern end of the Laguna De Terminos in Campeche State (roughly mirroring highway 186). This area is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Campeche City, Uxmal Ruins, Chichen-Itza Ruins, and Sian-Kaan Biosphere), all well worth exploring.

Videos

December 5, 2015

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Specials and Events

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

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Fitness Club celebrates Grand Re-opening
The San Pedro Fitness Club held its grand re-opening with a fun pool party on Sunday, November 29th. From 12PM to 5PM, there was a good community turnout, including a few long time members of the club. Families brought their children to enjoy a fun day in the pool, while a DJ kept the atmosphere lively. To beat the heat, Manelley’s Ice Cream scoops were available during the festivity along with delicious food on sale from Coconut Café. Many also took advantage of the membership specials that were available during the event. The facility comes with a fully equipped gymnasium, and membership offers multiple services. The different membership options accommodate individuals, families and corporate groups as well. An individual membership runs $80BZ per month, or $200BZ for three months. Family and corporate memberships are $200BZ dollars per month, covering up to four members in the respective groups.

Abandoned house destroyed by fire in San Pedro
The San Pedro Fire Department (SPFD) and the Police Department are investigating a fire that occurred on Friday afternoon shortly after 2PM. The SPFD was notified about a fire taking place at an abandoned building on the beach adjacent to Crazy Canucks beach sports bar by Coconut Drive. When they arrived at the scene, they observed a two story building belonging to Exotic Caye Beach Resort, engulfed in flames. The quick response by the SPFD put the fire under control and stopped it from spreading to the nearby buildings. The building did not have electricity, which raises suspicions as to what caused the fire in the first place.

PM Dean Barrow speaks on the disappearance of David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer
It’s been 13 days since Supreme Court Judge Denis Hanomansingh granted David Miguel Nanes Schnitzer bail and he has still not reported to the San Pedro Police Department. While one knows his whereabouts, authorities strongly believe Nanes Schnitzer is on the run again. With this development, Prime Minister Dean Barrow has expressed his disappointment in the legal system for having granted the wanted Mexican fugitive in the Stanford Ponzi scheme bail. In an interview with the media, Barrow indicated that he wanted to extradite Nanes Schnitzer to Mexico in order to face pending charged for defrauding Mexican investors of $42US million. But due to the fact that Nanes Schnizter also faced charges in Belize, Barrow was obligated to follow legislative protocol and allow the judiciary system process Nanes Schnitzer before handing him over to Mexican authorities. “We have a legal process that we must follow. And in the course of trying to comply with due process requirements in this country, he was taken before the court and the court gave him bail. I have my own views about that determination of the court, but you know in this country, we respect judges,” said Barrow.

SPHS Girls are Northern Regional Basketball Champs
The National Secondary School Association (NSSA) Northern Regional Basketball Championship was held over the weekend in Corozal Town. The games took place at the Corozal Complex on Saturday, November 29th, and saw four high schools competing for the top prize and the opportunity to represent the country’s Northern Division at the National Championship level. At the end of the games, it was the San Pedro High School (SPHS) female team and the Muffles College High School (MCHS) male team that walked away with the win. The final statistics show SPHS girls and MCHS boys in first place and the official Northern Secondary School Regional Champs for 2015. Both SPHS and MCHS will be representing the Northern Division at the 2015 National Secondary School Association National Championship. The games are to take place at the Corozal Complex in Corozal Town on December 11th and 12th.

San Pedro AIDS Commission hosts successful awareness fair and fundraiser
The San Pedro AIDS Commission and the National AIDS Commission/Island Committee (NAC Island Committee) collaborated in hosting the annual World AIDS Day Awareness Fair at the Central Park on Sunday, November 29th. Some of the activities held in commemoration of the day were free HIV rapid testing, information and counseling, condom distribution, pastry and food sales. International AIDS Day is officially observed on December 1st across the world as an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV. The two HIV/AIDS awareness groups on the island got the activities underway at 9AM sharp with a good turnout of visitors stopping by the various booths. There was even a booth where children could entertain themselves learning how to paint while their parents were tested. Serenading the event was no other than San Pedro’s number one band, Rompe Raja! The San Pedro AIDS Commission sold delicious pastries, rice and beans, and drinks for fundraising, while the NAC Island Committee offered free testing, education and counseling.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Founder's Day
San Pedro High School celebrated Founder's Day with speeches acknowledging Ms. Martha Guerrero, Mr. Alan Forman (+), Ms. Celi McCorkle and Mr. Angel Nuñez. The student body showcased their talent in singing and dancing performances in honor of the founders of SPHS.

Fire Destroys Abandoned Building Next to San Pedro Resort
The San Pedro Fire Department responded to a fire report on Friday, December 4, 2015, at about 2:00p.m. just south of downtown San Pedro where they encountered an abandoned building on fire. The wooden second floor of the building was completely destroyed by the blaze. The fire threatened the adjacent Exotic Caye Beach Resort and Crazy Canucks bar, but fire officials were quick to out the blaze before any nearby structures were in any danger. Destroyed along with second floor of the building were furniture and other stored items of the vacant building. Fire officials are investigating the cause of the fire as the building did not have a supply of electricity.

San Pedro Person of the Year 2015
This year we are doing things a bit different and reaching out to our readers and the community asking for nominations. Who do you think deserves to be recognized as Person of the Year for San Pedro, Ambergris Caye? Do you know an exceptional person who is doing great and positive things for the island community? Someone who is helping others, giving of his/her free time, making a positive change for the betterment of others or promoting a good cause? Let us know; we would love to find out more about that special person and place him/her on our list of potential nominees. All nominations will be looked at closely in order for us to decide on the best possible recipient of San Pedro's Person of the Year 2015

Misc Belizean Sources

Fill The Basket
Dear friends of Cap’n Ron and Belize fans, this winter as you consider end-of-year charitable donations, can you help us Fill The Basket and support more Belizeans through educational scholarships and community grants? “Wan, wan, okra, ful baaskit.” This adage means that together, bit-by-bit, with perseverance, hard work, and cooperation, we will fill the basket. Our 100% volunteer-run organization endeavors to “fill its basket” over the next several weeks with generous donations so we can continue to support Belizeans and their communities. Will you join us and add your donation to the basket? Unlike in the US, public school in Belize is not free. For a typical high school student, one year of tuition, fees, uniforms, books, and materials costs up to US$1,700. These costs can be a real burden—and a deterrent—for low-income Belizean families. Our scholarship program has become so well-known and respected that we had nearly 70 students vying for our limited scholarship funds for 2015-16. Each and every one of these students is an intelligent, hard-working student at risk of not completing his/her high school education. You can help us break the cycle of poverty and enable these deserving students to continue their education.

San Pedro Diabetes Information Meeting at the Polyclinic
Thursday Dec. 10th, 8am and 5pm

Fresh roasted Coffee on Caye Caulker
Fresh roast coffee contact me at 6634853 or 6290958.For more info

Yard Sale on Caye Caulker
Bring your old stuff to sell at the open lot across from LICA on Saturday!

NY Eve on Caye Caulker
Just a little something to look forward to - bringing in the New Year with a firework display in the ultimate party location - you better be ready for 2016!!

Ms. Florence Dillett, Ms. Margaret Nicholas in spearheading the investigation into the fire at the Youth Hostel
The Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty Alleviation informs that Ms. Florence Dillett has now joined Ms. Margaret Nicholas in spearheading the investigation into the fire at the Youth Hostel that occurred on November 28th, 2015. Ms. Florence Dillett has decades of experience working with young people both locally and internationally. She has done pioneering work in Belize with at-risk and vulnerable girls. She is the founder of the Youth Enhancement Services, an organization which continues to do sterling work. Ms. Dillett holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. The Ministry reiterates its commitment to a full, comprehensive and objective investigation of this tragedy.

The Government of Belize is in negotiation to receive 4,000 Cuban refugees
The refugees left Cuba with the intent of making their way to the United States. They arrived in Ecuador, traveled in smaller groups through Columbia & Panama & are now in Costa Rica on transit visas after being denied entry into Nicaragua - a known close ally of Cuba - and have also now been denied entry into Guatemala. Costa Rica's media reports that the Governments of Costa Rica & Belize are in negotiation to fly the refugees into Belize. A decision is expected to be made by next week when the recently reactivated Refugee Eligibility Committee convenes.

BTB Western Belize Video
The Belize Tourism Board has released a short travel video for Cayo. You'll see many of the landmarks you know and love in the minute long video. Well done, BTB!

Florida Travel Industry Association in town
Miss Michelle Bowers Flowers (Travel Trade Manager ) & Deborah Gilharry (Senior Travel Trade Officer) giving a presentation to approximately 80 agents from the Florida Travel Industry Association.

Posadas
The San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture (NICH) invites one and all in continuing the tradition of the Posadas scheduled for December 15th, 2015. You are cordially invited to "Posadas" at SISE House of Culture on December 15th at 7:00 pm.

Increase in the Control Price for Plantation White Sugar
The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, hereby informs the general public that effective January 1, 2016, Plantation White Sugar will retail at a maximum price of 75 cents per pound countrywide. A Statutory Instrument has been signed by the Minister responsible for Supplies Control dated December 4th, 2015 to give effect to this increase. While the GOB has maintained the controlled prices for sugar for more than a decade, this increase of 25 cents per pound is to allow the industry to earn a fair price in comparison to other producers in the region.

Watch the Miss Earth 2015 Pageant Final LIVE from Vienna, Austria
Miss Belize Christine Marie Syme tries to secure Belize's first ever placement at Miss Earth and only Belize's second placement in one of the Big 4 pageants! The pageant final is today, Saturday December 5th, 2015 beginning at 1pm (BZ)/ 2pm (ET) on Venevision or NEXtv. If your cable provider doesn't carry any of those channels, you can stream live online via the websites or YouTube channels linked below. NEXtv Stream: http://www.nexpanama.com/envivo Venevision Stream: http://www.tv-porinternet.com/…/venevision-en-vivo-por-inte… Rappler (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/rapplerdotcom/videos Hey-U (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/user/HeyUEntertainment

WET PAINT in Central Park!
Central Park getting a paint job just in time for Christmas and the New Year!

Roots Reggae with Julian Melodyman Escobar
Saturday Night is Roots Reggae at the Sports Bar with Julian Melodyman Escobar from 6 - 9 pm! Come listen and dance to the beats of Roots reggae -- Belizan…Location : Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill, Front StreetStart Date: December 5, 2015End Date: December 5, 2015Time: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

COPA AIRLINES Launches Flights to Belize December 8th, 2015
Panama and South America, Closer To Belize Than Ever. Copa Airlines will soon be offering fights to Belize.This is exciting news for those of you planning a trip to Belize from Panama, Central and South America, as well as Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba or the Dominican Republic. In total, Copa will have flights to 31 countries and 71 cities. Flights will begin December 8th, 2015, so get ready to book your flight! Copa Airlines will be flying to Belize on Tuesdays and Fridays from Panama at 11:29 a.m. and arrive in Belize City at 12:52 p.m. They will offer flights from Belize City to Panama also on Tuesdays and Fridays with a departure time of 2:17 p.m. from Belize City and an arrival time in Panama of 5:34 p.m. The flight will be direct and take approximately two hours and twenty minutes. Copa will be using a modern Embraer 190 with passenger seating for 94 people, including ten in business class and 84 in the main cabin. For extra passenger comfort, there will be two seats on each side of the aisle, eliminating a middle seat. 1) No immigration, customs or visa in Panama. 2) Complimentary on-board service including hot meals and beverages. 3) Luggage checked through from Belize to your final destination. 4) One of the best on-time performances in the world. 5) Earn miles with ConnectMiles loyalty program when flying with Copa Airlines or any other Star Alliance member airline. 6) Inaugural Flight to Belize: December 8th, 2015

UB Science Expo and Biogas Lab Inauguration
The University of Belize had their Science Expo on the same day that they inaugurated the first biogas lab in the Caribbean Commonwealth. "The laboratory was recently delivered to Belize and after final installation of the lab, the opening ceremony was held on November 27, 2015. In the speeches delivered at the ceremony, the speakers highlighted the importance of promoting science for students. Well deserved recognition was given to the CCCCC and GIZ REETA, which supplied the Biogas Laboratory to UB. The University was recognized for being a strong partner with the best capacity in Belize to utilize the Laboratory. UB committed to integrate the laboratory in its curriculum to ensure ‘the students of today could use the technology tomorrow.’ Dr. Andreas Täuber also mentioned that in the future, support by GIZ for UB might be on the agenda to support the implementation of a Renewable Energy Study programme."

Belize's First Community Bird Guides being recognized as we speak!
A powerful partnership between Belize Audubon Society (BAS), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and National Audubon Society (NAS).

Channel 7

Parliamentarians Battle Over the Use of Petro Dollars For Flood Relief
Today was the first business session of the newly elected House of Representatives. There are 4 new first time representatives in the UDP's 19, and two first timers for the PUP's 12. All of them took their seats on the back bench of their respective sides this morning - as they took in their first house meeting in the chamber. And it was a good one - nothing too feisty - but there was robust debate, particularly on the Petrocaribe spending between October and December. 44.7 million dollars has been approved for those three months - and the PUP called it vote buying - especially the over 4 million dollars spent on flood relief. Here's how the debate on that went:... Rt. Hon. Said Musa, PUP Area Rep. Fort George "In other words Mr. Speaker, that 44.7 million dollars was spent just prior to the elections. Between October and now. I note further Mr. Speaker that flood assistance, there are several items dealing with flood assistance. A total, if my math's serve me right of $4,378,000.00 spent on flood assistance. That an extraordinary figure Mr. Speaker. I supposed that explained why all this mattresses were circulating all over the place just before the election. Why refridges and stoves and plywood and everything else was circulating. Yes. Mr. Espejo was circulating those things as well in the Fort George division, but it didn't help him. In other words Mr. Speaker, the government is boasting that it bought the election. This is what they are doing today. It's boasting that they bought the election. And just look at how they treated the poor rural constituencies' man. Only $20,000 assistance for the small farmers. But 4.3 million for so called flood assistance."

Hon. Espat Exposes Immig. Scam; Prime Minister Says Espat's Associate Was Involved
And while that geographically diverse debate took up most of the business of today's house sitting, the PUP members still had plenty to say on the adjournment. That's when they speak on matters of public importance and Toledo East Representative Mike Espat detailed an immigration scam where over a dozen of his constituents form the villages of Bella Vista and Trio had been tricked into paying a thousand dollars for their nationality:... Hon. Mike Espat, Toledo East Area Rep. "The 28th October Mr. Prime Minister, 14 approval for nationality was granted by the Immigration Department. The people hat got their nationality came from the village of Trio and Bella Vista and they work on these poor people. They want to be legal in Belize. They all have to pay for a work permit and sometimes they go to extremes to try and achieve what they want and I can't blame them. The price Mr. Prime Minister for each nationality was $1,000. That is the report that we got - $1,000 per nationality.

Hon. Kareem Musa Questions Charges For Mex. Fugitive
And that wasn't the only immigration matter raised on the adjournment. New member Kareem Musa spoke about the case of the fugitive David Nanes Schnitzer who - through fraudulent means - became Belizean David Banes, possessor of every kind of Belizean identity document, right down to a voter's ID Card. His case has been extensively documented in the media - but Musa focused on the criminal charge he was held on. Police charged him for uttering upon a false driver's license. Musa asked why didn't the government bring a charge against him for the more serious offence of fraudulently obtaining a passport: Hon. Kareem Musa, Caribbean Shores Area Rep. "So what I am saying Mr. Speaker is that the government had a fair opportunity before the 20th November to make a criminal complaint. All I am asking is whether one was made by the government in relation to this fraud. This is not about any driver's license. This is fraud obtaining a passport. So all I am asking and anybody on that side can be free to clarify whether a criminal complaint was made. That is all I am asking. Mr. Speaker, this case the David Schnitzer has demonstrated to the world that there not just collusion as the Prime Minister said in an interview, but there is the other "C" word that the Prime Minister seems to be skirting around. The other big "C" being corruption. Multi-layered corruption Mr. Prime Minister from top to bottom."

Lebanese Diplomat's Home Invaded (Again!)
Early this morning, the home of 77 year old Lebanese Diplomat Sarkis Abou Nehra was targeted for a frightening home invasion. Abou-Nahra wasn't in Belize, but his caretaker was viciously assaulted by a team of armed thieves who cleaned out the house and raped his wife. This morning, we found Ladyville Police investigators at Abou Nehra's home a few miles outside Burrell Boom village. They had first responded about 5 hours earlier when the caretaker and his spouse called them in distress. They reported to police that sometime between 8 p.m. last night and 3:00 this morning, 8 masked dark complexioned men stormed the compound, held them at gunpoint and tied them up. The men then searched Abou Nehra's palatial estate, and stole an assortment of jewelry to a total value of ten thousand dollars, 1,500 US dollars in cash, two 9mm pistols, a 12 gauge shotgun, and a .22 rifle. They then stole Abou Nehra's Mercedes 500 s to escape - and pried open the trunk. Police found the car later in the morning in Belize City, abandoned on Saint Joseph Street, directly in front of the school. The scenes of crime team dusted it extensively for prints and it had to be hauled away.

Police's Version Of King Street Robbery
Last night we told you about the robbery on King Street, well we got the official police report today. Yesterday Western Pines resident 39 year old Angela Hislop was walking at the corner of Far West Street after 12:30 midday when two men approached her. One of the men held her up at gunpoint and took her purse. The man then hit her in the head with the gun and fled. The robbers took off with Hislop's Black IPhone 5S cellular phonec valued at $1,300, $600.00 in cash, her Social Security Card, Driver's License, her ATM Card, house and vehicle keys. But Police have recovered her property and have detained a 17-year-old boy of Bagdad Street for the crime.

Making CAPE Exams More Effective
As we told you on Wednesday, the 17 top CAPE and CSEC performers in the Caribbean were awarded here in Belize as part of the 2015 annual meeting of the CXC council. It's the first time they are meeting here since 1993 and now that these outstanding students have been awarded, the council members must still evaluate the overall performance in order to improve and upgrade the exam. Today at the Radisson, council members discussed the improvements Belize has made in the number of CXC applications but they also spoke about other critical issues that need to be addressed. There are plans to create a CXC package that will act as the actual High School certification. The council is also working on adding new subjects to the CXC curriculum - one of which is Animation and Game Design. That will be available in September of next year.

PM Discloses A Request To Bring 3,000 Cubans To Belize
And now…back to Belmopan. Today the Prime Minister discussed a request from the President of Costa Rica for Belize to assist with three thousand Cuban immigrants who have been stuck at the Costa Rican border with Nicaragua for weeks. The proposal is for the migrants to be flown into Belize, and then unto Mexico. Today the Prime Minister discussed the rpoposals and outlined some of the difficulties with it:.. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister "Said it was a humanitarian crisis and ask whether Belize would consider allowing the use of our facilities for transit purposes. Said he was asking me and he was asking Guatemala. As I understand it the deal would be that how many we thought we could handle if we agreed would come, land at the PGIA in planes that the international organization for migration would pay for, would get onto busses that would also pay for. But the Mexicans would give us an assurance that there would be immediately processed at the border with Chetumal and then allowed to enter into Mexico for purposes of transit ultimately to the US.

Fabers Road Shooter Arraigned
11 days ago, we told about the shooting on Fabers Road in which 35 year-old Clive Arnold and 27 year-old Herman Ramsey were shot. Well tonight, Trevor Guy, the man accused of pulling the trigger, is at the Belize Central Prison. He was arraigned today before Magistrate Deborah Rogers for 2 counts of attempted murder, 2 counts of dangerous harm, and 2 counts of deadly means of harm. No plea was taken, and he was remanded into custody until February 4, 2016.

Two Months Jail Time For 2 Grams Of Weed
2 grams of marijuana is next to nothing, less than one-tenth of an ounce. Under the law a conviction for possession of this small amount usually means just a fine. But, tonight instead of a fine, 34 year-old Albert Ford has been confined and is spending the first night of a 2 month prison sentence. According to police, at around 8:45 yesterday morning, they were on patrol in Pitts Alley when Ford threw away a plastic bag. Police recovered the bag which contained 2 grams of weed, and an additional 65 grams in another section of the bag. He was charged with drug possession for the 2 grams and drug trafficking for the second amount.

Local Sugar Price Increase Takes Effect On New Year's Day
A week ago, we told you about how the Government approved an increase in the price of local sugar. Well, the Belize Bureau of Standards announced today that the statutory instruments putting this price increase into effect has been signed. A release from the Bureau says quote, "The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. hereby informs the general public that effective January 1, 2016, Plantation White Sugar will retail at a maximum price of 75 cents per pound countrywide. A Statutory Instrument has been signed by the Minister…" That's a steep 50% increase, which will likely put a hurting on consumers, but it provides relief for the farmers who requested it to mitigate the losses that will result as a consequence of the low sugar prices in Europe.

Another Investigator For Hostel Fire
The horrific death of 3 girls in the Youth Hostel fire on November 28th sent waves of hysteria and rage across the country. There still are many questions as to what actually happened, where procedures broke down and who is to blame. As we have reported, a number of crucial protocols were not followed: from the faulty padlock that was put on the door to the lighter that the girls allegedly had in the room. But so much more needs to done in the investigation so that means more help and expertise is needed. To this end, The Ministry of Human Development today announced that Florence Dillett has joined Ms. Margaret Nicholas in spearheading the investigation in to the fire. Dillet, the release says has decades of experience working with young people both locally and internationally. It ends saying, quote, "The Ministry reiterates its commitment to a full, comprehensive and objective investigation of this tragedy."

Special Olympics For Special Kids
Yesterday you saw hearing impaired kids competing in finger spelling but tonight you get to see more kids with diverse abilities competing on an open field. Today the National Special Olympics Games was held at the Marion Jones Stadium and a number of kids from Special Education Schools across the country participated. This is all part of Disabilities Awareness Week where these children are celebrated and included in various educational and sporting activities. The National Director of Special Olympics Belize told us more about the event and why it's important to engage kids with diverse abilities. Over 170 children attended.

Bragging Rights On The Line For 2015 Volleyball Nationals
Today, 12 primary school volleyball teams from across the country competed in the 2015 Nationals Tournament. The dozen had each won at the district level, and today;s competition was for the national title. 7News stopped by this morning for the opening of the tournament to see how the match ups looked. Here's what the National Sports Coordinator had to say: And, after all 6 district males and females competed against each other, it was a battle between the south for this year's bragging rights. The male and female teams from coming from Stann Creek and Toledo were ones who made it in the finals. Holy Angels Primary from Dangriga won for the females while St. Matthews Primary won for the males. These representatives from Stann Creek defeated the male and female teams from Toledo. The male and female hosts from Belize Elementary School came in third.

PM Tips Hat To Outgoing Leader Francis F.
As you've seen on the news so far tonight - today's house meeting had presentations from a wide cross section of members. But, there was nothing from the Leader of The Opposition, Francis Fonseca. And that's because he's just holding over until a new party leader is installed at the end of the month. It may be his last house meeting in the head seat for the opposition and the Prime Minister used the opportunity for a rare showing of across the floor comity:

Hon. Faber & Hon. Requena Battle Over Road Works In Toledo
That moment of grace was about the only one today - a day when the debate was uniformly robust. Representatives for Toledo West and Collet clashed over the issue of flood-affected roads in the south. Here's how that went:

PM Barrow Discusses The Displeasure Of the Mexicans
And finally tonight - here's the media's conversation with the Prime Minister about David Nanes Shnitzer - who gave Belizean authorities the slip. It's become an international embarrassment for the Government of Belize, with major disappointment from the Mexicans and scrutiny from the Americans - who spearheaded the apprehension of Nanes Schnitzer on San Pedro. Today, the press asked the Prime Minister if Nanes Schnitzer is even being sought in Belize:... Sources tell us that Nanes Shnitzer's cell phone was last tracked to Corozal a few days after his release.

Channel 5

David Nanes Dominates Debate During House Meeting
The house met today in Belmopan for the approval of more than forty million dollars being spent in three months but it is the curious tale of multi-millionaire fugitive David [...]

PM Admits Nanes Debacle Has Created Tension with Mexico
But speaking on a more serious note, P.M. Barrow expressed that he greatly regrets the Nanes situation which has created some tension with our northernmost neighbour who had requested the [...]

PM Addresses Corruption in Immigration
After that apology of sorts to Mexico, P.M. Barrow also embarked on a variation of his infamous ‘for God’s sake stop it’ exhortation, and again…the issue is corruption in immigration [...]

$44.7 Million in Petrocaribe Money, Was It Used for Electioneering?
Today’s sitting of the House of Representatives was the last of this year, and the one usually reserved for the only bit of goodwill and cheer ever seen in that [...]

Opposition Chides Barrow Administration on Distribution of Flood Relief Funds
While there is some issue from the Opposition on the use of more than four million dollars on quote unquote flood relief just before elections, a major point of contention [...]

Toledo West Area Rep Comes Out Swinging on Flood Relief Efforts
The always feisty member for Toledo West, Oscar Requeña was on fire this morning, claiming that while Belize City residents got stoves and refrigerators, all the people of Toledo got [...]

Is Belize Prepared for Mass Cuban Influx?
Costa Rican and Belizean officials are in negotiations over the fate of thousands of Cuban refugees stranded in Costa Rica for weeks where they were detained as they made their [...]

PM Says There Are More Questions Than Answers
According to the Prime Minister, there are more questions than answers and a whole lot of verification that would need to be done. One question which immediately arises, says the [...]

New Allegations of Immigration Hustle in Bella Vista
G.O.B. has come under intense scrutiny for the fact that when fugitive David Schnitzer Nanes was caught and released he had every form of Belizean I.D. it is possible to [...]

More from PM on Immigration Fiasco
As you saw, when the Prime Minister was protected by the parliamentary privilege afforded in the House, he was quick to make a connection between the alleged Immigration scam artist [...]

Psychologist Florence Dillett Joins Investigation into Deadly Hostel Fire
Three young girls perished in a fire at the Princess Royal Youth Hostel seven days ago. The details provided so far are less than convincing and questions continue to linger [...]

Couple Attacked, Wife Sexually Assaulted During Home Invasion in Burrell Boom
Police are investigating a home invasion that occurred on Thursday night in Burrell Boom, Belize District. The residence of the Honorary Counsel of Lebanon and businessman Sarkis Abou Nehra was [...]

Fire in San Pedro Guts Two-storey Building
Authorities on San Pedro Ambergris Caye are trying to determine the cause of a fire that completely destroyed a two-storey building in the island.  The fire started shortly after two [...]

Women Caught Stealing Underwear are Granted Bail
Two women who were captured on surveillance camera footage stealing more than two hundred pieces of underwear are out on bail. Donela Smith and Johny Netty Lopez were seen stealing [...]

Cost of Local Sugar to Increase in January
The price of white sugar on the domestic market will increase from fifty cents per pound in January 2016. A Statutory Instrument was signed today setting the maximum price to [...]

Sugar Crop Scheduled to Begin on December Seventh
The C.E.O. also provides an update in respect of sugar industry. A new crop season begins this Monday.   Via Phone: Jose Alpuche, C.E.O., Ministry of Agriculture “As they said [...]

Regional CXC Awards Ceremony Held in Belize
This week, top achievers from the Caribbean have been in Belize to be recognized for their impressive performances at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) C.X.C.  An award ceremony paying [...]

47th Meeting of CXC Concludes at the Radisson
A press conference following the meeting of the Caribbean Examinations Council was held this afternoon at the Radisson.  While the panel gave an update on matters that were discussed during [...]

LOVE FM

Costa Rica Asks Belize for Help with Cuban Immigrants
Thousands of Cubans are currently displaced after making a failed attempt at reaching the United States on the backdrop of the Cold War Era Policy whereby the US accepts them once they set foot on US soil. Almost four thousand Cubans are currently in Costa Rica and Panama but they are facing difficulties as Guatemala […]

Estate of Lebanon’s Honorary Consul General Invaded Again
Almost ten years ago, the home of the Honorary Consul General of Lebanon, located on the Bermudian Landing Road just outside of Burrell Boom Village in the Belize District, was invaded by armed robbers. Tonight, it is like history repeating itself only that this time there were eight armed men who invaded the estate between […]

Fire on Ambergris Caye Destroys 2-Storey Structure
Just after two o’clock this afternoon there was a fire on Ambergris Caye in which an abandoned building near the beach became engulfed in flames. The San Pedro Fire Department was notified and responded immediately to the scene, right next to the Crazy Canucks Sports Bar near Coconut Drive. The two-storey structure that was destroyed […]

Two Minors from Children’s Home Go Missing
Two minors who were in the care of the Dorothy Menzies Children’s Home in the Kings Park Area, Belize City, have been reported missing. According to the police blotter, the 11-year-old boy and girl were sent to school with the other children, as per the norm, yesterday morning at around eight o’clock. When the van […]

Dillett Joins Nicholas in Hostel Fire Investigation
It has been less than a week since the tragedy unfolded leaving three young girls burnt and creating outrage from the public as well as myriad questions. Monday morning saw the administration of the Youth Hostel where the fire occurred, sitting at the head table of a press conference along with the Minister and the […]

Traffic Incident Injures Four on Southern Highway
Four persons were involved in a traffic accident last night on the southern highway. Correspondent Harry Arzu reports.

Belize Hosts Governance Meetings of CXC
Belize is the only Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) participating country in Central America and our country has been selected to host the 2015 annual governance meetings of CXC. The CXC governance meetings are held annually in one of the CXC participating countries. The meeting of the School Examinations Committee took place yesterday in Belize City […]

Youth Awards Gala Comes Together with DYS and Love Foundation
To end the celebrations of Youth Week, the Department of Youth Services along with the Love Foundations have come together, once again to hold the National Youth Awards Gala at the Belize Biltmore Plaza in Belize City. Tonight’s show, which starts at seven o’clock, seeks to recognize the outstanding achievements of several young persons in […]

PlusTV

Contraband Cigarettes from Free zone confiscated in Chetumal
Federal Police in Mexico have confiscated a truckload of contraband cigarettes they say are from Belize’s Free zone. The large white cargo truck was speeding down the highway and police began following it. When the truck stopped at a gas station to refuel, the police approached the truck only ...

Escaped prisoner still on the run
Police are still trying to locate 27-year-old Lawrence Bernardez of Lakeland area Dangriga. As we told you yesterday, Bardalez escaped from police custody while being transported to the Hattieville Prison on Wednesday December 2. Bernardez, was along with fellow prisoners Eden Guzman and Daniel McKe...

New Church Senator wants to bridge divide among Evangelicals
There are now two Evangelical associations in Belize. The new group, the National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) left behind the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches (BAEC), accusing it of being unwilling to finalize a constitution that would make the BAEC more representative of chu...

Top CXC candidates visit Belize
Belize’s top awardees in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) were honoured last week. Their fellows from around the Caribbean have come to Belize for the annual meetings of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and award ceremo...

Teenager pleads guilty to firearm possession
Eighteen year old Richard Bennett Jr., one of 7 persons charged with keeping a prohibited firearm and keeping ammunition without a gun license, pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared today before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza. Bennett was sentenced to 3 years for the firearm and 5 years for the ...

693g of Cannabis found
The North Side Strike team in Belize City found 693 g of Cannabis. Today, the 3rd of December, members of the Team conducted a search in an open lot located on Kelly Street where they found a black plastic bag containing 496 grams of Cannabis. Further searches of the empty lot led to the discovery o...

Belize City resident charged with drug trafficking
A Belize City resident was found with 65g of Cannabis. Today, the 3rd December, members of the North Side Strike team were conducting mobile patrols on Pitts Alley, when their attention was drawn to Albert Ford, who at the time was holding a plastic bag. When the Ford saw the police, he threw away t...

The Reporter

PM says GOB will consider helping Cuban immigrants
Following an appeal by the Government of Costa Rica, Prime Minister Dean Barrow says he is willing to consider the issue facilitating the passage of some 4000 Cuban immigrants through Belize to help them get to the United States. Barrow said on Friday that he […]

House of Representatives gets down to business
The House of Representatives gathered on Friday for its first official meeting since the inaugural ceremony. Amidst the traditional political back and forth between the incumbent and the opposition, government tabled a number of Bills, including: a motion to enter into a loan agreement with the […]

Barrow to hand over Queen Square to Sister B
Denise “Sister B” Barrow, the younger sister of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, will likely inherit the Queen Square Division from him when he leaves politics at the end of the 2015/1520 term. The Prime Minister confirmed the report to the media during a joint […]

MOH holds training for nurses
The Ministry of Health (MOH), along with several international organizations, hosted a sub-regional workshop for nursing educators in Belize on Monday. The workshop was organized with the aim to review, update and develop a plan of action for nursing and midwifery practicioners. The workshop, in […]

Belize observes World AIDS Day 2015
This week countries around the world, including Belize, joined together to observe World AIDS Day under the theme “Getting to Zero”, symbolizing the global target to have zero new HIV infections by 2030. The Ministry of Health, through its various departments, and several of its […]

EDC to lead development of transportation master plan
It is likely safe to assume that most business professionals, academics and policy makers would agree that the “school is out” on whether or not there is a positive link between infrastructure development and a country’s overall economic growth. More specifically, some studies have (including Bom and Ligthart, 2009) gone […]

Taiwan’s Magnificent Gesture:+ donation to the Inspiration Center
Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Benjamin Ho, on bahalf of his government, has made a $400,000 donation to Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow, for the community-based rehabilitation (CBR) program at the Inspiration Center. The donation was presented during a ceremony on […]

Bus with passengers erupts in flames
Passengers aboard a West Line Bus on Tuesday morning had a terrifying experience as the bus suddenly erupted in flames near mile 60 on the George Price highway. According to Manager of the West Line Bus Company, Usbaldo Castillo, the bus was transporting workers that […]

Belize and Taiwan team up to improve sheep and goat farming
Belize is looking toward creating a viable export market for sheep and goats, after the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Sustainable Development and the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) signed a project agreement this week. Minister of Agriculture Gaspar Vega and the […]

Party condemns GSU for ‘excessive use of force’ against protesters ppppppdemonstrators
The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) has condemned the Gang Suppression Unit (GSU) for what it describes as excessive use of force against unarmed Belizeans who gathered to peacefully protest Guatemalan-President-elect Jimmy Morales’ visit to Belize. The BPP described the actions carried out by the GSU […]

Youth caught with TEC-9 Family escapes serious jailtime
A Belize City family, including an elderly woman and children, has been spared serious jailtime for possession of a TEC-9 submachine gun after a teenage member of the family claimed sole responsibility for the outlawed weapon. On Thursday, 18-year-old Richard Mervin Bennett Jr; along […]

Barranco hosts first Andy Palacio music festival
Celebrated Punta Rock legend, Andy Palacio, will be honoured posthumously in his home village of Barranco, Toledo this weekend with the first ever Andy Palacio Music Festival, in commemoration of his birthday on December 2nd. The event is a partnership between the Wagiya Foundation […]

Proposed new bill will protect the Geographic ID of Belizean products
The Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce, this week, held a validation workshop for a proposed Bill to protect the Geographical Indicators of Belizean-made products. Geographic Indicators (GI) are aspects of a product that are tied to a specific location, such as […]

Special Envoy launches new Inspiration calendars and agendas
The Office of the Special Envoy for Women and Children (SEWC), in collaboration with McNab Design, this week, launched the latest editions of the inspiration calendars and agendas. The SEWC, Kim Simplis Barrow, held the launch at the Inspiration Center on the George Price highway […]

Suspected drug plane lands in Spanish Lookout then burnt
Police have not yet issued any details regarding the circumstances of a suspected drug plane landing on a remote dirt road in the Mennonite community of Spanish Lookout, Cayo early Tuesday morning. The private single engine Cessna 210 aircraft, which apparently contained illicit drugs, landed […]

Fallout spawns new evangelical association
After months of contention, the leaders and members of some 200 churches have broken away from the Belize Association of Evangelical Churches (BAEC) and formed their own association. The national executive for the newly-formed National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB), held its official launch on […]

Road fatalities down since Road Safety project introduced
Road traffic fatalities have been on a decline between since the Road Safety Unit introduced a road traffic safety project, called the Pilot Safety Corridor, which extends from Belmopan to the entrance of Belize City.   Of the total number of fatalities that have taken place […]

GOB says “No” to offshore drilling
The Government of Belize, this week, officially banned offshore oil exploration within the seven World Heritage Sites in Belize and in areas along the Belize Barrier Reef System. GOB made the announcement after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, stating that the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve […]

Belize 2016 & Beyond - the Perfect Economic Storm in the Making..?
Belize’s economy does not appear to be in ‘freefall’ state, and there is no definite indication of gloom and doom in the immediate future, but there are definite suggestions of a wobble that may turn into a topple if what could be a perfect storm continues to build. Like any […]

British Honduras memorabilia exhibit opens at Corozal House of Culture
British Honduras memorabilia dating back over 100 years and accumulated in the private collection of Canadian visitor James Lindsay, went on public display in an exhibition that opened at the Corozal House of culture on Monday, November 30. James Lindsay hails from Toronto, Ontario, […]

Higher speed internet on the way, says BTL
Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) announced it is in the final stages of selecting a mobile network vendor to build and launch its Mobile Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network in 2016, expected to be among the fastest, most robust mobile data networks in Central America. Chairman of […]

Editorial
Law enforcement in Belize has deteriorated so much that people no longer look to it for answers. The Minister in charge of law enforcement needs to pull up his socks. Here’s why: Last weekend three teenage girls, detained in an institution by order of the court, were killed in a […]

Oil industry in trouble
As Belize’s oil industry continues it’s downward spiral, revenue derived from the industry is at the second lowest it has been since extraction began, according to data from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB). In 2014 the industry only earned $102 million in revenue, coming in some $15 million above the $87.5 million when the industry first began. the figure is far less compared to the $236.5 million in 2007, and the $292 million in 2012...

Breaking Belize News

Sugar prices set to go up for the New Year
A release from the Belize Bureau of Standards issued today, served to inform the general public of the signing of a Statutory Instrument by the Minister responsible for Supplies Control, which made official the increase in sugar prices effective January 1st, 2016. The document signed […]

Lebanese Consul’s home robbed and vehicle stolen
Preliminary reports from Belize District Police indicate that a group of eight robbers hit the burglary jackpot in the wee hours of this morning when they broke into the residence of the Honorary Consul to Lebanon, Sarkis Abou Nehra, in Burrell Boom Village. Police […]

British Honduras memorabilia exhibit opens at Corozal House of Culture
Toronto’s James Lindsay, a frequent visitor to Belize and collector of Belizean memorabilia on the internet, has offered his private collection for public display in an exhibition opened this week at the Corozal House of Culture. Lindsay has expressed the intention to donate his […]

Petroleum exports will continue to decline, Government says
Former Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities which was also responsible for petroleum, Dr. Colin Young, has told the Reporter Press that oil extraction is projected to continue downward until at least 2024 if no more oil […]

Several arrested in San Pedro drug raid
While conducting drug searches in San Pedro yesterday, police detained four persons from two different apartments and seized a total of 166.6 grams of cannabis in the Bayside area. The first search was conducted at around 5:30 a.m. in an apartment occupied by 53-year-old Anthony Montes and 43-year-old Clarina August, where officers found 67 grams of cannabis and subsequently arrested the pair for “Drug Trafficking”. A second search in the same area around 6:00 a.m., resulted in the discovery of 99.6 grams of cannabis in the apartment of 33-year-old Deon Pitts and 26-year-old Glenis Martin. Upon seeing police, Pitts threw away a plastic bag containing the drugs but it was retrieved and later weighed in his presence […]

Fisherman charged for shooting incident
A Belize City fisherman was charged yesterday in connection with a shooting on November 22nd, in which two other fishermen received gunshot wounds and had to be treated at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH). Around 6:20 that morning, police responded to reports of […]

Daring daylight robber caught by police
A bold daylight robbery in the old capital yesterday afternoon resulted in a Western Pines resident losing items and cash valued at $1900, along with identification cards, credit cards and keys. 39-year-old Angela Hislop reported to police that around 12:35 p.m., while walking at […]