Recent Belize News, 3/21/2016 to 3/31/2016, BelizeNews.com

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

The San Pedro Sun

NEBL playoffs fast approaching as teams fight for playoff positions
There are three weeks remaining in the National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) regular season, as each game becomes even more critical and teams are making their final playoff push. Below is the schedule for the upcoming games. All games can be followed live on our website at nebl.sportingpulse.net, with real time box scores, while the game is being played. The website also has all game scores, box scores, players and teams’ statistics, along with standings for the season.

First female DJ shines at Island Invasion’s King of the Island Easter Bash
It was another long Easter weekend on Ambergris Caye, and King of the Island Promotion’s Island Invasion did it again with their sixth installment of their annual Easter Madness. It all happened on Saturday, March 26th inside Fido’s Courtyard where hundreds of party lovers gathered for the highly anticipated Easter party of the year. The top DJs of Belize, along with feature performer and the first female DJ to join Island Invasion, Lady X from California USA, kept the massive crowd dancing until the wee hours of the night. The party came alive when Lady X took her spot on the stage. The crowd was quite appreciative of the tracks she played- and Island Invasion’s vibe only got better as the night went on. Keeping the festive atmosphere at its highest level with the best tunes in dancehall, hip-hop, soca, reggae and pop hits was an entourage of very talented Belizean DJ’s, including DJ Biggz of Air Invasion Sounds, DJ Jago, DJ Odyssey, Fyah Statah, and Evolution sounds.

Victor Garnett murdered over alleged gang retaliation
A notorious drug/gang affiliate was murdered in Belize City on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23rd. No stranger to the island, 35-year-old Victor Garnett was shot and killed on Sibun Street in the south side of Belize City shortly after 2PM. Garnett, who had only recently moved to the City from San Pedro Town, has long been associated in drug related incidents and was even acquitted of a murder which occurred on the island back in 2009. While police have not detained anyone in relation to Garnett’s murder, they strongly believe it was a planned assassination. “From what we are seeing, it appears as if he was in that area waiting for somebody, and that person or persons might have met him and eventually inflicted the gunshot wounds that he sustained, which subsequently resulted in his demise,” said Regional Commander for the Eastern South Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. Garnett was shot at twice while driving his vehicle, with one of the bullets hitting his head and resulting in an almost immediate death. “We are looking at a possibility of gang retaliation as a result of those murders that he had been accused of in the past. And from our investigation, what we have gathered so far, the suspects are two teenagers who were seen coming out of a yard and firing shots at him,” said Williams.

Brunching in style at Caprice
Caprice Bar and Grill has begun offering Sunday brunch specials. As if their fabulous Happy Hour(s) from 3-6PM on weekdays wasn’t enough, they draw us in on the weekend too: that banner featuring a luscious image of Eggs Benedict has teased and tempted us for weeks from our office across the street. How could one choose between classics like Bananas Foster French Toast, chocolate chip pancakes, omelets, biscuits and gravy…or…ooooh…Eggs Benedict, and Chicken and Waffles? Oh my! Our decision was made – Bennies and chicken and waffles, plus Apple Spice Crepes for dessert. Sunday Brunch at Caprice runs from 10AM – 2PM, on Barrier Reef Drive at the Holiday Hotel. You can call 226-2014 to make your reservation. We highly recommend brunching on the deck for both delicious food and views!

Ambergris Today

BDF Soldier Shot at Belize Camp near Guatemalan Border
A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs dated yesterday March 29, 2016, stated that the Government of Belize has requested the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the March 26, 2016, shooting incident that occurred 400 meters east of the Belize/Guatemala border in the Valentin Camp area in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve within Belizean territory. Members of the Belize Defence Force detachment who are stationed at the Valentin Camp Conservation Post were on a routine water supply and administration task at about 4:50 p.m. on Saturday when they came under fire from men armed with rifles. The encounter resulted in gunshot injuries to the arms and abdomen of a member of the BDF patrol. The injured soldier was subsequently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and he remains in a stable condition.

Mr. Vegas’ Manager Almost Drowned at Belize Reefs!?
Mr. Vegas was on the island of Caye Caulker, Belize over the Easter weekend and performed in a concert on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Needless to say the island was packed with local and international vacationers who were enjoying their long holiday spring break weekend and looking forward to his performance. Posting about his fun trip to Belize, Mr. Vegas has both images and videos uploaded on his social media channels, including a fun video in which he jokingly says that his manager almost drowned in our Belizean reef. In the video Mr. Vegas’s manager sums up the courage to dive into the Hol Chan Marine Reserve park, but soon changes his mind as he sees the sharks and sting rays approaching the boat. Mr. Vegas videos while his friends laugh as his manager desperately tries to get back on the boat.

Misc Belizean Sources

Celebrating Women in San Pedro
Here are a couple of photos that are on display at the San Pedro House of Culture. Please drop by and see the full collection. Celebrating Women in San Pedro by photographer Karen Brodie.

Power interruption 6:00am to 1:00pm, Sunday April 3
Cayo and Belize Districts: entire City of Belmopan, and area from Mile 31 to Mile 50 on the George Price Highway including La Democracia, Mahogany Heights, 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 replace transmission structure in the area.

Statistical Institute of Belize - Latest Statistics
The latest economic statistics released to day by the Statistical Institute of Belize: February 2016 External Trade statistics, February 2016 Consumer Price Index/Inflation statistics, Fourth Quarter 2015 Gross Domestic Product.

Small Business Development Centre (SBDCBelize) 2016-2017 Workshop Calendar
Please click the link to access SBDCBelize’s calendar of workshops/trainings for fiscal year 2016-2017.

Child Friendly Benque
Congratulations, Benque! Benque Viejo Town has been certified as child friendly.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Mojave, Star Wars: TheForce Awakens, Kung Fu Panda 3, The Forest.

Channel 7

Thieves Stole Four Guns From City Hall
There are four more guns on Belize City Streets tonight, and they were all stolen from the City Council. The city’s Special Constable office at the commercial centre was targeted. That’s the unit which handles nightclub and liquor licensing enforcement, and they keep their guns locked up in a safe inside their office. But between 6:00 last night and 7:00 this morning, someone slipped into the commercial centre, broke into the office, pried open the safe, and stole the guns. Police told us more this afternoon Inspector Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Southside: "We observed that the 2 main doors that leads to that office was tampered and inside of the main office where the manager of the Special Constable sits, a safe was broken and after making checks they discovered that 4 99 pistols was missing from the safe. The safe was tampered, it was allegedly opened with a crowbar and the firearms that were stolen are two glock 9 mm and two CZ 9 mm along with 55 live rounds of ammunition, GFL brand, 9 holsters; all to a total value of 7,085 dollars property of the city council. At this time we have several of the Special Constables being interviewed." Jules Vasquez: "Does it have the appearance of an inside job or was there inside knowledge?" Inspector Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Southside: "We have conducted an investigation at this time. We cannot just come and tell you it’s an inside job because we are not sure at this time."

Staff Sgt Lambey Released, Officialdom Still Mum
BDF Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey, who was shot on Holy Saturday by border bandits suspected to be Guatemalans, left the KHMH this morning after being treated for his gunshot injuries. He was picked up by BDF personnel who prevented the press from trying to get any on-camera comments. He did speak briefly to reporters, however, to explain that his recovery is coming along well, and that he had been allowed by his doctors to leave. And while the soldier’s reluctance to comment is understandable, today, still, no one from the BDF, the Ministry of National Security or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to our requests for comment on the very alarming incident. All we have is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs release which was issued 73 hours after Staff Sargent Lambey was shot. And it only discloses that

Cyclist Greg Lovell Gets Two Year Suspension For Banned Substance
Cyclist Greg Lovell has been suspended two years for use of a banned substance. The announcement came down today from the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation. It says, quote, “The Results Management Authority after hearing the facts as were presented in its hearing on March 1, 2016, and on Wednesday 23 rd March, 2016, has decided to sanction that named cyclist with a two year suspension effective March 10, 2016.” So that means Lovell, widely known as one of Belize’s best sprinters will not be able to ride in any sanctioned event anywhere in the world until March of 2018. Lovell tested positive for Dexamethasone when he placed second in the New Year’s Day KREM Cycling Classic. Dexamethasone is classed as a cortico-steroid that is used as an anti inflammatory usually to treat inflammations, asthma and arthritis. It is common in certain medicines.

Micah Cries Foul and Fraud In Youth Election
3 weeks ago, we showed you the by-election that the Department of Youth Services conducted for Presidency for the Belize Chapter of the National Youth Council. Stafin Duncan – a UDP supporter and Micah Goodin, a PUP supporter, went head to head, and when the votes were tallied, Duncan won. Goodin complained bitterly that UDP operators politicized the Elections when there should be no such thing in youth work. Well tonight, he’s taken it one step further; he says that Stafin’s UDP campaigners paid for votes. Now, as you may be aware, this National Youth Council is the Government’s latest attempt to give the Youth population an opportunity to have representation in the decision making process by Central Government. But right now, instead of giving the youth a voice, it’s just turned into “PUDP” noise. Today, Goodin and his fellow PUP youth advocate, Alberto Vellos staged a sidewalk press conference in front of the Department of Youth Services, where the Youth Council Elections was held. Here’s Micah explaining this evidence of 2 youth voters who came forward to complain of being bribed:

CITCO Will Pave Cinderella Plaza
The City Council may have spent a couple dozen million dollars on paving 150 streets in Belize City – but while the money may be done, the work isn’t! And today – 13 months after being elected to his second term of office – Mayor Darrell Bradley launched a new infrastructural program to sort of fill in the blanks. It’s 1.6 million dollars – which may sound a like a lot – but for a council which has spent close to thirty million on city infrastructure, it’s only finishing funds, to focus on those parts of the city that got left out of the paving bonanza. And it begins in Cinderella Plaza, a much-trafficked intersection, which has been left in a condition worse than the road to Pine Ridge! That’s because the municipal drainage project dug it up – and left it for City Hall to repair. But CITCO didn’t have the funds, until now….the council has negotiated an agreement to pave Cinderella Plaza and a whole lot more. The mayor outlined plans at Cinderella Plaza this morning where he says work will start next week:…

RJB Financing Street Works, But Mayor Deflects
And while RJB gets the 1.6 million dollar contract for Cinderella Plaza and various street works throughout the city – we were sort of surprised to learn that it wasn’t even put out to bid. The mayor explained that RJB had been involved in the development of the project – and that made the company an automatic fit:… Jules Vasquez "What make you select them and was it put out to tender?" Darrell Bradley - Mayor of Belize City: "This wasn't put out to tender. With this project we have been working with a particular contractor to kind of develop the scope of the work including what we want to do in relation to Cindarella Plaza and working with the utility companies for about 8 months; so that this isn't something that we are just kind of thinking about. Usually when we do sole source procurement it’s because we have a relationship with that particular contractor and they are working in the development phase of the contract. Again when we do the monitoring of this, we have our works team who will cross reference in terms of the pricing and so forth; but we are satisfied in relation to the quality and RJB has done probably about a third of our concreting streets so far." "In relation to RJB, the only difficulties we had with them as you mentioned in terms of some cracking works on Chetumal Street. What you did also mention is that immediately when there have been recognition of deterioration in works, we engage with the contractor and they fix the works immediately at their own cost and this what we've done with all the contractors."

City Will Pave Busy Streets
And that will include works on 7 other busy streets which are in dire need of repairs. The mayor says it begins with St. Joseph Street, which is off Baymen Avenue:… Darrell Bradley - Mayor of Belize City: "It will include the entire length of St. Joseph Street. If members of the public can recall that we commenced a first portion of St. Joseph Street last year from Princess Margret Drive to St. Thomas Street. The entire remaining length of the street from St. Thomas Street to Baymen Avenue would be concreted. We're also doing the finishing portions of Queen Street, we're doing Dolphin Drive; we concreted a section of that, so we're finishing that. We had started a section of East Canal but we did not finish the section from Bishop Street to Regent Street West that will be completed as well as the entire length of West Canal, especially in front of Publics. We're also doing Eyrie Street and we're doing the continuation of University Drive. As well we are looking at a project to asphalt some of the streets in Belize City including streets like 4th Street and 3rd Street. We've seen these as being strategically important particularly because we made 6th Street one way so that we need another street to be asphalted or concreted that will alleviate some of the traffic flows in that area.

Shoddy Cement Streets Will Be Fixed
And apart from paving those streets – the City Council will also embark on a program to repair concrete streets, which were not paved to standard and are already falling apart. The mayor says funds from this are coming from the contractor responsible for the poor work:… "Works that was not signed off on so that we have retention for that person in the amount of approximately 190,000 dollars and we are already doing the redevelopment in relation to using that retention to renovate and in some cases entirely reconstruct some of the works that the council was not satisfied with. I will point attention to Muscle Street which we completed works in terms of hot mixing on that area last week Friday and Saturday we did it over those 2 days because we didn't want to interrupt the flow of traffic. But if you go on Muscle Street right now, that is a perfectly finished and hot mix street."

Massive Manhole Drive
And the city has another project – but it’s an unconventional one. They intend to replace nearly four thousand manhole covers at a cost of a quarter million dollars. Today the mayor explained:… "To retrofit and rebuild all the manhole covers in Belize City. This is something that the council has been looking at for a couple months and we have done an analysis and there are 3,868 manhole covers that need to be repaired in Belize City at a cost of 251,000 dollars so that project is also being unveiled so to speak at this launch." As we understand it, the plan includes changing wooden manhole covers for cement ones.

CITCO Got Commercial Loan At 10%
Now, to finance a lot of its new projects, the city is taking out a commercial loan: close to 4 million dollars at 10%. At least half of that will be spent to settle judgment debts – which currently costs the council 1.2 million dollars annually. The mayor explains that they are getting more money and simply stretching out an existing loan. We asked if there weren’t cheaper financing alternatives:… Darrell Bradley - Mayor of Belize City: "So that cost us 100,000 dollars every month, so that what the council is doing is that we are getting one facility that we are actually stretching out an existing facility we have at Heritage Bank where we spent currently 20,000 dollars on and what we will do is that we will include in all of this the paying off of those litigation debts. So that we will no longer have the 100,000 dollars in terms a drain on monthly outflows and one of the things that Heritage has agreed to do is that they will keep the monthly payments at the 20,000 dollars so that we are actually going to save substantially in terms of our cash flow and we think that will allow us quite comfortably to carry out these projects."

GDP Ticks Up Slightly In Fourth Quarter
The Statistical Institute of Belize released its latest economic figures today. They show a slight increase in GDP for the fourth quarter of last year, a sharp decrease in imports and exports for February 2016, and a slight increase in consumer prices also in February. Also of note is that both the shrimp and drought crises of 2015 along with plummeting world oil prices were among the main contributing factors for the fluctuating figures in SIB’s latest report. First we take a more in-depth look at the Gross Domestic Product for the last quarter of 2015- that is from October to December. During this period GDP increased slightly by 0.6% percent.

Exports Crashed
Now moving on to our foreign economic outlook. The figures for the month of February show that imports are down but exports are waaay down. Imports showed a 2.6% decrease while exports showed a 43.1% decrease. This is representative of $4.6 million dollars on the upside, and $22.4 million dollars on a very sharp downside. The number of imports destined for “Export processing zones” fell sharply from $12 million dollars to $4.5 million dollars. A significant note is that for the first time this year all major exporting sectors showed negative growth. Tiffany Vasquez - Statistician 2, SIB: "Papaya and crude exports are basically halved in 2016 as you would notice. It falls from 2.6 million to 1.4 million; earning for crude from 6.3 million to 3.4 million. Marine on the other hand, while marine exports are almost one third what it was in 2015 but notably within this is the other category which grew considerably in 2016; so much so that the other category actually held the largest share of exports in 2016. The major contributor to this was animal feed which actually doubled in the period and of the 14.7 percent, 40 percent belonged to animal feed."

Inflation Inches Up
Now the last thing on the agenda was the inflation rate for the month of February compared to the same month in 2015. According to SIB’s latest statistics, the inflation rate or consumer price index is up by 0.3% during that period. This means that the price of goods and services was on average 0.3% percent cheaper in February 2015 than it was in February 2016. The statistical institute attributed this to the rise in local fuel prices – due to the higher import duty on fuel. Angelita Campbell - Statistican 2, SIB: "Inflation rate for the month of February stands at 0.3 percent. What this is saying is on average, prices are 0.3 percent higher than that of last year February. For example, if a consumer purchased a basket of goods for 100 dollars last year. What they would purchase for the same basket of this year February would be 100.30. When we look closely at the diagram, we realise that Orange Walk recorded the highest increase in inflation of 2.1 percent which can be attributed to an increase in rental of housing as well as food price; while Belmopan continues to show the highest decrease in inflation rate of -1.1 percent. Finally we'll be looking at the inflation rate in the region and within the region we see Costa Rica recording the lowest inflation rate of -0.3 percent; while Guatemala recording the highest inflation rate of 4.3 percent."

Immigration Officer Gets Kerry's Congratulations
Yesterday, Belizean Immigration Officer, Debra Baptist-Estrada received a high honour from US Secretary of State John Kerry. It was presented at the annual International Women of Courage Award Ceremony, in Washington DC. 14 women from around the world were honoured for exceptional courage and leadership in advocating peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Baptist-Estrada was one of those 14. She has over 20 years in the Immigration and Nationality Department and has served recently as the Port Commander of Belize’s international airport. Here are Kerry’s remarks as Baptist-Estrada was honoured:

Broaster Says On Brutality
As we told you on Friday, 2 teenagers were charged with 3 counts of robbery in connection with the Scotland Halfmoon armed robbery. They are 18 year-old Trevor McFoy, and a 17 year-old minor- and they were both were taken to court yesterday. The incident happened last Thursday when Mcfoy and the minor, dressed in Fort Point Security Uniforms barged into the Scotland Halfmoon Gas Station and held everyone up at gunpoint. They stole $1,490 cash, $1,000 Mexican pesos, deodorants, an additional $400 in cash and 2 iPhones. But police responded quickly and foiled the robbery- capturing the 2 teenagers and recovering all the stolen items and the 9 millimeter pistol. Now while the case is closed there is still another lingering side to the story. Mcfoy as well as the minor claim that police abused them and Mcfoy’s attorney Dickie Bradley also commented on the alleged police abuse saying that the boys were beat up badly and weren’t even given a medical form to properly submit their complaint. Well today Assistant Commissioner for Eastern Rural Division Edward Broaster told us that measures will be put in place to avoid a recurrence of such allegations.

Diplomacy And A Deal Got Back Tillett Pickup
You might remember that brazen incident back in February where Assistant Superintendent Selwyn Tillett, the commanding officer for Orange Walk Police, was car jacked in Benque Viejo. His son-in-law’s white 2014 Mazda pick up truck was stolen by armed bandits and a few days later, it was found abandoned in Guatemala, in an area known as Camalote, 10 miles away from Melchor. Well, Foreign Affairs Diplomat Said Guerra had been hard at work trying to get it back, and today, that effort paid off. The Guatemalan authorities finally handed the vehicle over after the paper work was finalized, and the Belmopan police took custody of it. But, in a neat kind of informal confidence building Belize police also handed over a van that had been stolen from Guatemala and recovered in Belize. All this was done without any diplomatic agreement, just a cross border quid pro quo.

Honduras Football Prez Pleads Guilty
Rafael Callejas is the former president of Honduras, and also the former President of Honduras’s Soccer Federation. He has pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges, admitting he solicited hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to award contracts for media and marketing rights to World Cup qualifier matches. Callejas said he distributed a significant portion of his bribes to delegates of the Honduran football federation so he could remain president, which he did from 2002 to August 2015. Callejas will be sentenced on 5 August and could face up to 40 years in prison. Belize is the only country in Central America where no soccer official has been indicted in the FIFA scandal.

Praying In A Petro-Chapel?
The KHMH now has a new chapel which patients and their families can retreat to whenever they need spiritual guidance and comfort in their time of need. But it’s not just any chapel; it’s a “Petro-chapel” – and that’s because the Prime Minister set aside some money from the Petrocaribe fund which made up a large portion of the funding for this church. We stopped by and spoke with the Church leaders and the KHMH administrators about it: The chapel is now open to anyone visiting the hospital.

Professional Policing Rewarded In Rural
South side police are well known for their community initiatives. They have the meet and greet sessions every Wednesday and are working on several youth projects. Well, the Eastern Rural Division has a reverse approach to community outreach and that's by rewarding officers for being professional and courteous to citizens. Today Broaster told us more about the project. The training for the officers is still on going. In order for officers to get their $500 reward at the end of the year, they must get the fewest complaints from the public - which will be evaluated by reviewing the citizens comments on a form provided to them, and they must be helpful and courteous.

Harbor Siltation Needs 2M Dollar Solution
Almost two months ago, we told you about the situation at southern foreshore where the sea was being swallowed up by silt. Well, since then it’s gotten much worse, and the mass of silt now stretches halfway across the harbor – even threatening to get into the channel that the cruise ship tenders and the water taxi’s use. And while all this happens, no one seems to be doing anything about it. Neither the Port Authority, nor the Fort Street Port, nor the Central Government, nor the city council is working to move out the silt. And today we found out why. The mayor says it costs two million dollars!:..

The Race, From Above
And we leave you tonight with one last look at the 88th riding of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. All these shots are from Jungle Drones which hovered above the race.

Bradley Bullish On Faber
And in one final clip from the Mayor – we asked him who he will support in the upcoming contest for UDP first Deputy. Here’s what he said:…

Channel 5

Thieves Make Off with 4 City Council Guns and Ammo to Boot
There’s a major burglary to report tonight which happened overnight and from the looks of it, the crime could be an inside job. Four guns and live rounds of ammunition [...]

Was Theft of Guns an Inside Job?
There were no security guards stationed at the building during the burglary and it is more than likely that the stolen firearms will end up on the streets of the [...]

Injured B.D.F. Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey is Released from K.H.M.H.
This morning, Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey was released from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was receiving treatment for injuries to his hand and abdomen. Lambey was promptly handed [...]

Charges Withdrawn from 2 of the Santa Cruz Thirteen
This morning, ten months after their arrests, the Santa Cruz Thirteen were back in court. A police raid in the early hours of June twenty-fourth of last year, resulted in [...]

Case Against Coastguard Officer Keyren Tzib is Adjourned
Tonight, Coastguard officer Keyren Tzib remains at home as she waits to learn her fate in the stabbing death of her common-law husband, Thythis Blancaneaux. He was fatally wounded on [...]

Mother of Stabbing Victim Ezekiel McKoy Needs Assistance with Her Son
Ezekiel McKoy is on life support at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The Belize City resident was stabbed multiple times on the neck, back and arms and he was found [...]

Greg Lovell is Suspended from Cycling
The Results Management Authority of the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation has confirmed that well-known cyclist Gregory Lovell has tested positive for the In-competition prohibited substance Dexamethasone a Glucocorticoid steroid. The test [...]

Cinderella Plaza Finally Begins Its Transformation
After a significant delay, work is about to begin on the transformation of the Cinderella Plaza in Belize City. Mayor Darrell Bradley says that the contract for the four-million-dollar project [...]

Pastor Scott Stirm in Hot Water
Evangelical Pastor Scott Stirm has come under fire for remarks he purportedly made about the sacred “Dugu” ceremony of the Garifuna on a webcast beamed to the U.S. earlier this [...]

SIB Releases Quarterly Economic Indicators
Indicators of the performance of the economy for the last three months of 2015 and the first three months of 2016 were released today by the Statistical Institute of Belize. [...]

An Investigation into Allegations of Police Brutality in Ladyville
Following the arrests of Trevor McFoy and a seventeen-year-old student for allegedly robbing a gas station in Scotland Half Moon, officers attached to Rural Eastern Division have come under fire [...]

Belize Waste Control Employee Charged with Drug Trafficking
A Belize Waste Control employee picked up his first conviction for drug trafficking today in the court room of Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Deon Jex was slapped with the mandatory non-custodial [...]

Port Commander Wins International Women of Courage Award
But there is some good news to report and that is because Port Commander of Immigration and Nationality Department Debra Baptist-Estrada has won the International Women of Courage Award. The award [...]

An Ecumenical Chapel is Inaugurated at K.H.M.H.
Built with Petrocaribe funds, a chapel was today inaugurated on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital compound. It will be used by religious denominations across the board and according to hospital [...]

Rural Eastern Division Incentivizes Police Officers to be Professional
An initiative to incentivize officers attached to Rural Eastern Division was launched earlier today in Ladyville. The top twenty-five men and women in law enforcement working within that jurisdiction will [...]

Is Micah Goodin Sour Grapes After Losing District Youth Council Elections?
Three weeks ago, the Department of Youth Services had its Youth Council Elections. Micah Goodin and Stafin Duncan vied for the top spot in the Belize District; the race ended [...]

CTV3

Are We In Recession? UDP Says No, PUP Says Yes
On the first day of the 2016/2017 Budget debate which took place last week in Belmopan the Leader of the Opposition Honorable John Briceno expressed great disappointment in the budget. During his presentation Briceno declared that Belize is in recession as he cited figures from Statistical Institute of Belize showing Belize had experienced negative growth for two consecutive quarters in 2015. Briceno’s analogy was backed up by Honorable Francis Fonseca who in his statement mentioned that we are in fact in an economic recession since we are technically facing two-quarters of negative growth. For context here is that portion of Briceno and Fonseca’s presentation. Honorable John Briceno – Leader of the People United Party: “We are in a recession, and how is the government planning to get us out of this recession, by spending and putting a 50 million dollar whap on the Belizean people, you know how much of that 50 million dollar each one of us will have to pay, every Belizean man, woman and child will have to pay $143.00 more to government this year, this is the true picture and an economy in recession and our national debt reaching 80% of GDP and a government clueless about how to fix one of the key pillars of our economic growth the agro-productive sector .”

PUP Senators Object To Three Amendment Bills
At the last House Sitting on March 8th, Parliament approved five bills that will give the Minister of State with responsibility for Immigration, Beverly Castillo, authority to sign immigration documents and other powers. That Bill did not sit too well with the Opposition Senators who objected to the Bill yesterday when the matter went for second Reading before the senate. Senator Eamon Courtenay – Opposition Senator for People’s United Party: “What this is saying is that Minister Hulse may issue his order, delegates to Minister Castillo the ability to exercise and perform all the power under section 10 and 16 of the Nationality Act but at the same time simultaneously notwithstanding that delegation Senator Hulse reserves all to himself the right and ability to exercise all an any of the functions at the same time that Senator Castillo has the right to exercise any and all of those functions that is a duality of powers, when god forbid Senator Castillo says yes to something and signs it and I am not suggesting anything on to all but through some administrative slip up some oversight or just the fact that Minister Hulse was not made aware of it the matter comes to him and he says no on the same matter who prevails.” According to Lead Opposition Senator Eamon Courtenay, if accepted the new Legislation would award substantive power to a person who is not a member of Cabinet thus going against the constitution.

Orange Walk Records The Highest Inflation Rate In The Country
The Statistical Institute of Belize, today held the first in its 2016 series of press conferences, where its latest economic statistics were presented, including the 2015 fourth quarter Gross Domestic Product estimates, February 2016 External Trade statistics, and February 2016 Consumer Price. We start off with the Consumer Price Index for which figures show that the prices of various goods and services purchased by Belizean households were, on average, 0.3 percent higher in February 2016 than they were in February of 2015. This means that an increase of 0.9 percent was observed in the “Food & NonAlcoholic Beverages” category when compared to the same period last year. At the individual product level, higher prices were seen for beef, pork, fish, eggs and fresh vegetables but lower prices for Red Kidney beans partially offset these increases. The “Transport” category recorded an overall decrease of just over 4 percent when compared to last February, despite an increase of 0.7 percent in the “Fuel” index. Premium gasoline prices saw a 27 percent spike while regular gasoline was up by about 3 percent. In contrast, the average price of diesel fuel declined by 9 percent and international airfares were down by 32 percent.

SIB Releases Estimates On Country's Economic Activity
Today the Statistical Institute of Belize also released the figures for the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Preliminary estimates indicate that from October to December 2015, the country’s level of economic activity increased marginally by 0.6 percent compared with the same period in 2014. The total value of goods and services produced in Belize during the fourth quarter rose by almost $4 million dollars from $657.4 million in 2014 to $661.1 million in 2015. The primary sector experienced a sharp drop of 27.4 percent in total production for the period, as several major industries recorded downturns during the quarter. Marine production was significantly lower compared to the fourth quarter of 2014, due to a decline in farm shrimp production. Banana shipments also decreased, by 25 percent. Livestock production was down during the quarter, as both cattle and swine saw decreases for the period. With sugarcane deliveries starting in December 2015, a month earlier than in the previous delivery season, production of over 122 thousand metric tons was recorded for the fourth quarter of 2015, while there was no sugarcane production recorded for the same quarter of 2014.

US State Department Awards Belizean Woman
Yesterday the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry presented 2016 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award to a group of extraordinary women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. Since the beginning of this award in 2007, the Department of State has honored nearly 100 women from 60 different countries. But this year, for the first time, one of Belize’s very own was presented with this prestigious award for her exceptional demonstration of courage in three pivotal areas: exposing and opposing gender-based violence; combatting corruption and strengthening the rule of law; and promoting justice and human rights for all.Debra Baptist-Estrada, who works as a Port Commander at the Belize Immigration and Nationality Department was one of the recipients of the honorary award which was present at a ceremony at the US State Department office in Washington D.C. As Port Commander of Belize’s international airport, Estrada worked with U.S. to crack open a drug and human smuggling operation to the U.S. and Europe, and for her integrity and commitment to good governance in Belize she was honored as a woman of courage.

IMF Concludes Article IV Consultation With Belize
Executive directors of the IMF noted the slight improvement in economic activity as of 2015 attributed to a rebound in agriculture, a strong performance in tourism, electricity, construction, services and the relatively strong widening of imports which offset the significant decline in oil-related activities which saw the fall in international oil and food prices in December of 2014.The report continued by stating that the fiscal stance deteriorated significantly in the Fiscal year 2014/2015 where the primary fiscal balance recorded a deficit well above budget target, describing it as "a significant deterioration in the fiscal stance and the widening external current account deficit." As it relates to the banking system the report concluded that the termination of major correspondent banking relationships with Belizean banks has so far had a limited impact on the financial system and economic activity.

SIB Figures Shows Imports And Exports Are Down
Belize’s total imports for the month of February 2016 were valued at $168.3 million, decreasing 2.6 percent or $4.6 million from imports for February 2015, which totaled $172.9 million, this is according to the latest figures released by the Statistical Institute of Belize today. The report shows that Imports destined for the ‘Export Processing Zones’, which fell sharply from $12 million to $4.5 million, were the primary contributors to the month’s decline. Imports into the ‘Commercial Free Zones’ and purchases of ‘Chemical Products’ fell by $2 million and $1.5 million, respectively, in the month of February. Despite a slight increase in the quantity of premium fuel imported, Belize spent almost $6 million less on ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’, as fuel prices remained lower when compared to the same month of 2015. Imports of ‘Food and Live Animals’ went up by $2 million. Merchandise imports for January to February 2016 totaled $299.3 million, representing a 4.8 percent or $15.2 million decrease from the same period last year. The ‘Commercial Free Zones’ and ‘Export Processing Zones’ experienced the largest declines in imports within the period, recording a $13 million and $12 million dollar drop, respectively. Similarly, importation of ‘Mineral Fuels and Lubricants’ fell by $11 million, from $36 million to $25 million, the result of decreases in the quantities of all major fuels purchased coupled with lower world market prices.

Eighteen Year Old Nearly Beaten To Death
An 18 year old individual is tonight recuperating at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital after he was assaulted over the Easter weekend. Reports are that on Sunday at around 8:30 p.m. police received information of an altercation on Mahogany Street in Trail Farm Village in Orange Walk involving several youths from the area. When police arrived they found 18 year old Luis Fernando Lopez in a ditch bleeding profusely from injuries to his head and body. He was taken to the Northern Regional Hospital suffering from head trauma, broken right rib, stab wound on the right leg and a broken jaw. Lopez was then transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in a critical condition. One witness to the attack told our news team that she was at home when she heard the commotion; she said that she saw one individual being attacked by a group of boys who are known to cause trouble in the area.

LOVE FM

IMF Concludes Assessment of Belize
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded their Article IV Consultation with Belize. The Article IV Consultation is where a member-country is assessed by a team of economists as it relates to economic and financial developments as well as the economic and financial policies. Following their working visit to Belize, the IMF team brought forth […]

BNTU Members Travel to Jalacte
BNTU members representing all ten BNTU branches nationwide, participated in an event that took them to the Belize Guatemala border at Jalacte in Toledo. We hear more in this report from correspondent Paul Mahung. PAUL MAHUNG “In connection with the Belize National Teacher’s Union convention on Wednesday and Thursday of this week in Punta Gorda […]

Business Senator on National Security
As we told you yesterday, the Senators had met up in session to debate the budget for the fiscal year 2016/2017. The Senator representing the private sector, Mark Lizarraga in his presentation brought up concerns regarding the monies allotted for maritime security and national security, in general. Love News spoke to Lizarraga on his concern. […]

A Chapel for the KHMH
A dedication and consecration service took place on the grounds of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City as the administration in collaboration with the Council of Churches and the Belize Evangelical Association, officially opened the Chapel on the hospital’s ground floor. Chief Executive Officer at the KHMH, Dr Adrian Coye spoke to Love […]

Mayor Announces New Street Works and City Projects
An official opening held by the Belize City Council for upcoming infrastructural works in the city was held this morning at the Cinderella Plaza in Belize City. During his address to the small gathering made up of the council’s employees and the media, Mayor Darrell Bradley spoke of what this phase of the project will […]

Marie Sharp to the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame
Marie Sharp, the owner of Marie Sharp’s Fine Foods Ltd. has been selected to be inducted in the Hot Sauce Hall of Fame Class of 2016. The Hot Sauce Hall of Fame will induct five people, all of whom have been very instrumental in the fiery foods. This year’s group is the biggest and brightest […]

Police Gets Soup for Aggravated Assault
Jason “Soup” Williams, a resident of Supal Street who allegedly knocked down Deon Warrior with a car, was charged with aggravated assault when he appeared today before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Williams pled not guilty to the charge. He was offered a bail of two thousand five hundred dollars and his case was adjourned until May […]

McFoy and Student Charged in Scotland Robbery
Two persons, 18 year old Trevor Mcfoy, a sixth form student and a 17 year old boy, were charged with three counts of robbery when they appeared today before Magistrate Deborah Rogers. Mcfoy alone was charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license. According to the allegation, on March 23 three male persons, […]

Broaster Updates Media on Robbery Investigation
McFoy and the minor involved in the robbery reportedly escaped the scene in a car. Last week Police said there were three men in the waiting car. Today ACP Broaster said no charges have been brought against the men. EDWARD BROASTER “

Firearms Go Missing From Office of Special Constables
Around seven o’ clock this morning, CIB personnel reported to a burglary at the Commercial Center on Regent Street in Belize City. The second floor of the commercial center houses the office of Special Constables of the city council. When police got to the office they realized that four nine millimeter pistols had gone missing. […]

PlusTV

Day two of 2016 Budget Debate
The second day of the Budget Debate 2016 was held on Wednesday in Belmopan. Various aspects of the Budget of 2016/2017 were highlighted and one of those was the monies allocated to National Security; 141 million dollars. Minister of National Security, Hon. John Saldivar spoke about plans for the bu...

Belize Telemedia Limited will appeal Mek Mi Rich case
BTL executive committee chairman Anwar Barrow says that the company has plans to appeal the recent decision against them and Mek Mi Rich Productions, owner of the game show of the same name, in the Supreme Court. Businessman Curtis Swasey alleged that BTL conspired with MMR to sell his idea for a lo...

Prime Minister family rakes in millions in legal fees
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has been constantly accused of nepotism and Anwar Barrow at the head of the now state owned BTL has been one example cited. At the budget debates, Area Representative for Caribbean Shores, Kareem Musa, spoke about the outlandish legal fees raked in by the Prime Minister’s...

Oscar Gomez murdered, police say; prime suspect sought
Police believed that 41 year old Salvadoran national Oscar Gomez could not possibly have stabbed himself to death in a bizarre successful suicide attempt, and a post-mortem examination has proven them right. The Lords’ Bank man sustained at least 8 wounds, but the perpetrator may have been the...

Suspect in custody for Rene Chavarria murder
An unnamed suspect has been detained in relation to last Friday night’s murder of 25 year old Rene Chavarria of Ladyville. We hear more from Assistant Commissioner of Police and Officer in Charge of Rural Eastern Division, Edward Broaster. Edward Broaster: “As it pertains to Chavarria’s murder...

BDF commander says he is working with Guatemalan counterpart to ease tensions in Sarstoon
Today Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier General David Jones, issued a report on the ongoing efforts to ease tensions between his forces and those of Guatemala in the Sarstoon River. Speaking in Belize City, General Jones said he has established camaraderie with his counterpart a...

General Jones of BDF warns Belizeans over leaked Sarstoon report
A report by the Belize Defence Force (BDF) which was released ten years ago offered new insights into activity in the Sarstoon area. But it also brings up the question: when it comes to national security, how much knowledge is too much? Brigadier General David Jones, current BDF commander, believes ...

Breaking Belize News

Youth Services Department dismisses claims of corruption in elections
Party politics invaded the recent elections for the Belize District Youth Council held a few weeks ago. In the run-off between Micah Goodin of the PUP’s Belize Youth Movement and Stafin Duncan of the UDP’s Youth Popular Front for the post of president, Duncan prevailed by […]

CITCO launches latest infrastructure project
Belize City Mayor Darrell Bradley unveiled a relatively small but crucial infrastructural project to upgrade and cement Cinderella Plaza and complete the concreting of 7 other streets in the city. Following the completion of work by the Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Project, the heavily […]

Minors, adults detained in Victor Garnett murder
Reliable sources say there is a 15 year old minor in police custody tonight regarding last Wednesday afternoon’s murder of Victor Garnett in Belize City. Also in custody are two known street figures who have previously been accused of murder and are being questioned […]

SIB reports inflation up in back to back months for first time in a year
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the formal name for the measure of inflation, or increase in prices paid by Belizeans. It is measured in selected items representing what most Belizeans buy on a monthly basis. For all of 2015, Belize saw percentage decreases […]

It’s Faber for deputy, says Darrell
“Superdelegates” of the United Democratic Party – its many area representatives, Ministers, Senators, Mayors, Councilors and other big people – are quickly choosing sides in the coming battle for first deputy party leader between former chairman Patrick Faber and John Saldivar. The party has not […]

Belize has positive economic finish in 2015, slow start in 2016
Belize finished 2015 in a steady if not promising pace economically, according to statistics published today by the Statistical Institute of Belize. However, the country is both importing and exporting less goods to start the year 2016. Fourth quarter economic growth was just zero point […]

Special constables’ office at Commercial Center burglarized; guns stolen
There was a breach at one of the City Council’s Office in Belize City sometime between the closure of the work day yesterday and opening this morning. One of the office spaces at the Commercial Center in downtown Belize City was broken into and four firearms […]

The National Evangelical Association of Belize defends Pastor Scott Stirm
The National Evangelical Association of Belize (NEAB) has come out in defense of Pastor Scott Stirm, who recently came under fire over the last week following the publication of a video where he made derogatory comments about the Garifuna culture. Those comments led to a […]

Water to be restored in Santa Familia
A press release issued earlier today by the Department of Rural Development serves to inform residents of Santa Familia who are experiencing water problems, that the river will be used to restore water supply by tonight. It goes on to instruct residents of that […]

Elections for Premier League of Belize (PLB) Executive
Tonight the Premier League of Belize (PLB) will be having its elections for a new PLB executive. It will be held at the FFB compound in Belmopan at 6:00 p.m. PLB elections are held every 4 years. This will be the second electoral congress of the PLB […]

Woman escapes rape attempt
Belmopan Police are investigating what is believed to have been a rape attempt in the San Martin Area on Saturday night when a 27-year-old female was attacked by a man with a knife who threatened to kill her. The victim reported to police that […]

34-year-old Guatemalan found with weed in Benque
On Saturday afternoon in Benque Viejo Town, Cayo District, a Guatemalan National was arrested and charged for the offense of ‘possession of controlled drugs’ after he was busted by police with cannabis in his pants pocket. While patrolling on George Price Boulevard in that […]

Imports, exports down to start 2016
Belize is both importing and exporting less goods to start the year. For the first time in statistical history, all major export industries declined, marine products, citrus and sugar especially so. However, the sugar fall is due not to prices but level of exports, which are expected to recover. The free zone’s worries continue with less goods imported, while there is also less imports of fuel. Inflation is positive for the first time in several months; unfortunately, that means Belizeans are paying more for food and housing rental as well as health and insurance costs and even hairdressing.

Blogs

15 Things No One Told You About Living in Belize
In the blogging world, it’s all about lists these days – and I guess, when they have a bit of substance, there is nothing wrong with that. They are orderly, informational and easy to read. So, here’s my list – of things that I learned in my last 9 years living in Belize. Many…like the signs planted all over Caye Caulker, Belize, I may not have learned without moving here. It’s a pretty simple but solid piece of wisdom. Some on my list are not so deep. Here are the 15 Things that I learned living in Belize. 1. Though English is the national language, most people don’t speak it at home or with friends – 2. Time has a different meaning – 3. Groceries are expensive – 4. No one will look at you askance if you are drinking a beer with breakfast – ...

Debra Baptist-Estrada wins 2016 International Women of Courage Award
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry presents the 2016 International Women of Courage Award to Debra Baptist-Estrada of Belize, Port Commander at Belize Immigration and Nationality, at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., on March 29, 2016.

Practically free ways to travel more safely than ever...and the tired advice most people still don't follow, but we know we should :)
Over the last 2 years of having friends and guests (and ourselves) in Belize and elsewhere, we have watched as new apps and ways of keeping your stuff safe, communicating more effectively all over the world, and new inventions come up that can turn a potential vacation-ruining experience, into one that you pat yourself on the back, because your past self did your future self some favors by covering your behind! The first part of this post is some of the newer ways you can prepare yourself before your vacation - some that didn't even exist several years ago. Second part is some of the old, tired, boring stuff we all KNOW, but we still see first hand how many people do not/will not/forget to follow...and then vacations are ruined and you just want to slap that past self of yours! So, some ideas and gentle reminders... -Don't post on social media that you will be gone on certain dates, it is too easy to find all of someone's personal info with very little effort. Don't "check in" at the sweet places you are at, just post the pics when you get home.

International Sources

Belize's new port call at island resort Harvest Caye to open in fall
There's a new port stop coming to Belize, and it will be the only one in the country with a cruise pier. Harvest Caye, which has been developed by Norwegian Cruise Line, is an island-turned-resort that's scheduled to open in November. Last week, the cruise line offered a glimpse of what travelers can expect to find at this southern Belize port of call. The Norwegian Escape is scheduled to stop at Harvest Caye during weeklong cruises from Miami between May and October 2017. Regent Seven Seas and Oceania also will make stops at the island. So what's the island like? First off, you can stroll off the ship -- no need to take a tender -- and onto Harvest Caye, which has six miles of sandy beaches. Second, you may not need to go very far to enjoy this stop.

A remote job gave me a taste of island life – the culture shock was intense
My wife and I rented out our 750-square-foot Vancouver apartment for $1,200 a month, rented a 400-square foot fisherman’s shack on flood stilts on Caye Caulker for $300 a month and bought plane tickets with what remained of our savings. With our mortgage payments in Vancouver factored in, we would have roughly $300 a month for food, supplemented by whatever I hoped to write about the adventure or fish out from the lagoon behind our new home. For my four-year-old daughter and two-year-old son, it was the first time they would live next to poverty and on the open ocean. For my wife, it would be her first taste of life without a telephone or hot water, in surroundings of tropical flowers and fruit. As for me, I would have to tough it out daily at a job I mostly loathed, but would be able at the end of the day to rig a dinghy and sail to my heart’s content. We arrived in Caye Caulker at the start of February and stayed until the end of April. A water taxi deposited us at the end of one of the dozens of piers that jut out of the island. We pushed our four suitcases to the shack on a wooden cart. That afternoon, we discovered things about our island home that we had not expected. Behind our shack lived a tongueless war veteran from El Salvador and a crocodile; in the front field, scads of kids of all ages played without a parent in sight. Soon our kids, too, were shoeless and out of sight, and happily remained so for much of our stay.

Belize v. Belize Social Development Ltd.
Issue: (1) Whether, under the doctrine of forum non conveniens, as applied to the New York Convention by Article III, a foreign forum is per se inadequate because specific assets in the United States cannot be attached by a foreign court, as the D.C. Circuit has held, or whether it is adequate if it has jurisdiction and some attachable assets, as the Second Circuit held; and (2) whether, under Article V(2)(b) of the New York Convention, the public policy in favor of arbitration yields where confirmation of an arbitral award would be contrary to countervailing public policies, such as those grounded in constitutional separation of powers principles, combating government corruption and/or international comity.

10 Reasons Belize Deserves To Be On Top Of Your Travel Bucket List
The reasons to visit Belize total far more than 10 and narrowing it down wasn’t easy. From afar, Belize’s appeal is all about the warm and clear blue waters of the Caribbean and the dense, wild jungles that draw you in. Once there, you start to pick up on more detail: the heart-pounding land and sea adventures, the blissful moments (like lounging on a deserted island or experiencing the rainforest come alive at dawn), the fascinating history of the ancient Mayan people, and the vibrant culture of the present day. For those who need more convincing, here are 10 reasons you should move a trip to Belize way up on your travel bucket list.

IMF Gives Mixed Review To Belize Economic Performance
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Belize's economic outlook is characterised by sluggish growth, weak fiscal stance, and external and financial sector vulnerabilities. But the Washington-based financial institution also noted the recent improvement in economic activity, despite the significant deterioration in the fiscal stance and the widening external current account deficit. According to the IMF, gross domestic product (GDP) growth reached 3.6 per cent in 2014, up from 1.5 per cent in 2013 and well above the five-year average of 2.9 per cent. It said a rebound in agriculture, strong performances in tourism, electricity, construction and services offset the significant decline in oil-related activities. The fall in international oil and food prices pushed headline inflation to -0.2 per cent as of December 2014. But the IMF said that despite strong tourism receipts, falling exports and relatively strong imports widened the external current account deficit to 7.6 per cent of GDP in 2014, up from 4.4 per cent in 2013.

US Supreme Court asks solicitor general to weigh in on Belize petition
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States called for the views of the solicitor general regarding the government of Belize’s petition for a writ of certiorari from a decision by the DC Circuit. Belize’s petition asks the Court to resolve a circuit split between the DC and Second Circuits regarding the vitality of the forum non conveniens doctrine, and provide much needed guidance as to the proper balancing of public policy interests, when US courts are asked to enforce foreign arbitration awards. "We are pleased that the United States Supreme Court is giving careful attention to these important issues," noted Juan Basombrio of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel to Belize.

What is the real perception on safety for Expats living abroad?
The thought of living in certain places in Mexico or Central America can be alluring: fabulous beaches, colonial cities, inexpensive, quality healthcare, a slower pace and much lower cost of living. But some people think mistakenly that it isn’t safe. To determine how safe it is for expats in places like Panama, Nicaragua, Belize and Mexico, Best Places In The World to Retire asked some of its more than 500 contributors to weigh in. They said that petty crime can be a problem, although that’s no different than in the U.S. They also said that more serious crime is not nearly as rampant as the media indicates, although it’s important to avoid certain areas. That’s also no different than in the U.S. Overall, the expats said that they felt safe in their communities.

Videos

Mr Vegas's Manager almost drowned at Belize reefs!, 5min. Caribbean performer makes fun of his manager in funny video during Easter break.

Web Chat: Conversation With A Currently Serving Peace Corps Volunteer in Belize, 59min. Have your Peace Corps questions answered from the comfort of your home. Sign up for a real-time presentation and web chat with a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and recruiter, Emily Whitfield. This event will connect you with a Peace Corps Volunteer currently serving in Belize. We will discuss training, host families, work assignments, living situations, and the culture.

Easter 2016 - Caye Caulker, Belize, 4min. A little snap shot of Caye Caulker Island in the beautiful country of Belize during the easter 2016 weekend.

Belize Zoo 2016, 3min. Howler monkies, deer, tapirs, toucans, leopards, pumas, jaguars, crocodiles and more!

Ziplining in Belize 2016, 5.5min. Ziplining in Belize at Jaguar Paw / Chukka Video taken with GoPro HERO4

The Belize Public Service, 5min.

FISHING WITH WIL, 5min. from PGTV News Network

The Race, From Above, Montage, 1min. And we leave you tonight with one last look at the 88th riding of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. All these shots are from Jungle Drones which hovered above the race.

Diving in Belize!, 4min.

Sky Dive Into The Blue Hole, Belize, 4min.

Belize Trip Day 4, 5min.

BELIZE, 3min. San Pedro, Belize. What an unbelizeable experience! Taken July 2015.

Diving at Long Caye, Belize (Coral reef wall), 4.5min.

Secret Beach, Ambergris Caye, Belize., 2min.

Belize DAY 3 Travel Video, 6min.

Benefits of Lime Stone in Belize w/ Neal Kinsey (Ag Lime), 7.5min. http://www.limbebz.com/ Neal Kinsey of Kinsey Agricultural Services, Inc. visited Belize in February 2016 to give his course titled: Albrecht-Kinsey Method Soil Fertility Course. Limbe Managers took the time to learn more about the benefits of lime stone (also known as agriculture lime or white lime) and the best ways of making use of it in Belizean agriculture. The video above is of Neal Kinsey talking about the importance of lime stone in a interview he did for Limbe. He also talks about soil samples he's taken in Belize and speaks of his experience in Belize.

Belize - Caye Caulker, 2min. A quick trip to Caye Caulker is really all anyone needs to catch up on some quality R & R. A quick 25 min taxi from the Belize airport will get you to the port where you catch your 45 min to an hour ferry to island paradise.

March 30, 2016

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

Misc Belizean Sources

Veterinary Ventures is Coming to Belize
On May 3, 2016 Saga Humane Society will welcome six veterinarians and five technicians to San Pedro for a fourteen-day Spay and Neuter event. The doctors of Veterinary Ventures will visit Saga Humane Society, Caye Caulker Humane Society and the Belmopan Humane Society. During the fourteen days, the doctors will travel into the community, access current conditions, and take part in outreach, wellness and vaccination programs. Of equal importance, the travel team has set a goal to spay and neuter over 400 animals. Read on for more... Veterinary Ventures is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humane veterinary care to the under-served animals of the world by providing veterinary services and care of animals in needy regions of the world. We work directly with local humane groups to help them help their communities by organizing spay-neuter campaigns to control stray animal populations. 100% of funds raised will go toward the medications and supplies for our campaigns! We will be travelling to Belize in May 2016 and working with SAGA Humane Society, Belmopan Humane Society, and Caye Caulker Humane Society for spay-neuter campaigns in several locations in Belize. Our goal is to provide spay-neuter services for 400 dogs and cats while there. We need YOUR help to meet this goal and provide high-quality care to these animals. Cost per surgery is approximately $20 per animal, which includes pain medications, anesthetics, antibiotics, and surgical supplies. Can you sponsor an dog or two?

Governor General Sir Colville Young Attends 15th Conference of the Presidents and Governors-General of the Caribbean Community
It has been announced from Belize House that the Governor-General, His Excellency, Sir Colville Young and Lady Norma Young , are attending the Fifteenth Conference of Presidents and Governors-General of the Caribbean Community to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from the 29th March, 2016 to 1st April, 2016; under the theme “ Maintaining the Relevance of the Crown in a Changing Caribbean”. The conference will be hosted by the Governor- General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams KGN, GCMG, KNG, KSt. J, GCFO, and MBBS (UWI).

Letter: Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do... not!
by Paco Smith. Amid the latest, illegal and boldfaced move by Guatemala, to outrightly claim not only Sarstoon Island, but also the entire Sarstoon River, which has been acknowledged internationally as the shared border between Belize and its bellicose neighbour to the west, since 1859, understandably the stakes have become even higher insofar as Belize’s territorial integrity and national security is concerned. This is accentuated and compounded via the unholy bipartisan approach involving the recently re-elected UDP administration of Dean Barrow alongside Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition – PUP – as they persist in pushing their failed “4A Policy” of: appeasement, acquiescence, accommodation and adherence. Given that we have ended the Lenten Season, with the conclusion of Easter, one is inclined to posit the notion of “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do”, to the current, untenable debacle in which Belize finds itself. But to do so, would inevitably lend to and perpetuate the endemic cognitive dissonance that unfortunately defines Belize’s citizenry.

Great Belize Cooking - Episode 5: Corozal (Black Recado & Murcia)
Great Belize Cooking is the newest show produced by Great Belize Television - Channel 5. It is a travelling showcase of the different cultural foods and ingredients used within communities throughout the country of Belize. Host & chef, Sean Kuylen, takes viewers on this culinary journey, and even creates gourmet recipes using the traditional ingredients in non-traditional ways. Season 1 will feature 6 episodes. Each episode is shot on location in each of the six districts of Belize, and features food that is popular in that geographic location.

Easter-Week Sailing Clinic Completed at Belize Sailing School in San Pedro
Two fine young Canadian Optimist dinghy sailors who live in the Toronto area came to Belize for a week of training at the Belize Sailing School. They were enrolled in the Belize Sailing School's March 21-27 Easter Optimist Training Clinic. They had spent the week before at a preliminary training on Curacao. The pair are siblings, Dhalia Steinitz, 13, and her brother Andreas, age 12. They and their parents were dedicating the entire spring break to sailing in preparation for three solid weeks of Optimist training events and regattas near their home town this coming August. His father Dan said that Andreas in particular has a shot at making Canada's 40-boat Optimist National Team. Kevin Velasquez the current Belize National Champion, Caroline Sersland who ranks 3rd in Belize, and Nicholas Lausen who holds the 12th rank joined Dhalia and Andreas in the clinic. The addition of three of the Belize Sailing School's own candidates for international competition heightened all participants' resolve to concentrate and to train hard and enthusiastically. The clinic took place in the balmy waters behind the reef offshore at Caribbean Villas Hotel.

Belize Hotel Association at Beneath the Sea
The Belize Hotel Association, represented by Board members Barbara Hall and Rebecca Rath, will be at Beneath the Sea, this weekend April, 1, 2 and 3. at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.A. Beneath The Sea will see exhibitors from international dive clubs, dive shops, resorts, training institutes and manufacturing units of scuba diving gears and machinery. It is the largest consumer Dive show in the New Jersey area. Beneath The Sea's audience includes a growing market of professionals who dive and purchase top equipment, fashions, training and travel destinations. Beneath the Sea's 14,00 + attendees visit with the intention of spending their time and money on ocean adventure, sport and travel. Diving has been rated as one of the U.S. top wealthiest outdoor recreations. In fact, according to The Outdoor Recreation Coalition of America (ORCA)... more than 3.2 million Americans participate in Scuba Diving. In addition to an exposition floor presenting almost 400 exhibitors, representing everything from dive equipment, travel, instruction, and education about the marvels and needs of the oceans and their world underwater, Beneath the Sea offers a curriculum of over seventy workshops and seminars where the leaders of the dive industry come to lecture, give courses, and introduce new members of the ocean community to new equipment and diving's many specialties.

Many things have changed since Assad Showman was the foreign minister of Belize
By Wellington C. Ramos. Dr Assad Showman was the foreign minister of Belize under the administration of the People's United Party (PUP) for many years in the 1970s before we became independent on September 21, 1981. He knows many things that we, the average Belizeans, do not know that were negotiated with countries like Russia, the United States, Great Britain, Panama, Guatemala, Latin American countries and many other countries in the world that were for and against the independence of Belize. Apart from him, the former prime ministers of Belize, Manuel Esquivel, Said Musa and the late George Cadle Price, the leaders of the National Independence Party (NIP), the late Philip Goldson and the United Democratic Party (UDP), Dean Lindo and Dr Theodore Aranda should have some knowledge of the issues as well. The most important negotiations that took place concerning our country of Belize, took place when the People's United Party was in power before we achieved our independence. All the citizens of Belize need to know what was negotiated by the government of Belize prior to our independence because at that time they were asking us to support a document called "The Heads of Agreement". This document was brought from Great Britain by a British diplomat namely Nicholas Ridley, who was sent to Belize to negotiate the terms and conditions of our independence by the then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Splashers
This is Thursday's painting at Crazy Canucks for Thursday. The sign up is giving us little problems so In order to sign up comment below! See you there on Thursday!

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on the March 26th, 2016 Incident
The Government of Belize has requested the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency Zone to conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the March 26, 2016 shooting incident that occurred 400 meters east of the Belize/Guatemala border in the Valentin Camp area in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve within Belizean territory. Members of the Belize Defence Force detachment who are stationed at the Valentin Camp Conservation Post were on a routine water supply and administration task at about 4:50 p.m. on Saturday when they came under fire from men armed with rifles. The encounter resulted in gunshot injuries to the arms and abdomen of a member of the BDF patrol. The injured soldier was subsequently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and he remains in a stable condition.

Bus owners: "Being small I get squished, squashed and "shub" like cattle
Yamira Novelo is an environmentalist and tertiary level student who commutes from Belize City to Belmopan. She has finally decided she had enough and wanted to share her rant about the bus system and how difficult it must be for kids and people who are 5'4' or less on the road. This is her experience this Tuesday March 29, 2016 Yamira says "It's back to work and the first day of a working week. I haven't taken a bus in months but nothing has changed. The bus system is the same; people behaving like cattle in a pen trying to get out while trampling the smaller individuals. I'm not even sure if cattle would trample their own but people certainly do. Being small I get squished, squashed and 'shub' like cattle. And you hear everyone complain and sometimes a fight would break out. People yell all the time. Imagine we are reduced to such things but it is our fault. We complain every time about the public transportation issues and reduced ourselves to cattle behaviour.

Road works between miles 2 1/2 an 3 1/2 on the Consejo Road
Ministry of Works is currently conducting road works between miles 2 1/2 an 3 1/2 on the Consejo Road. Motorists are kindly advised to exercise caution when approaching this area as heavy equipment and road fill may interfere with normal traffic.

Sand Sculpting Competition
Thank you to all who made the inaugural Sand Sculpting Competition a great success at this past weekend's Easter Splash Beach Party. To our competitors and winners - Alvaro Dominguez (1st), Benjamin Cal (2nd) and Carlos Carrillo (3rd), thank you for your participation and creativity. Great thanks to our collaborators and sponsors of the cash prizes; Minister Pablo Marin and Fun Vybes.

Power interruption 10:00am to 12:00 midday, Wednesday, March 30 Stann Creek: Silk Grass, Hopkins, Sittee River, Maya Center & Riversdale.
BEL to replace utility pole carrying high voltage lines in area.

CARSI Economic Support Fund Grant
Thinking about applying for the CARSI Economic Support Fund Grant but have questions? Please join us on Tuesday, April 12th for an online Q&A; at 1:30 PM (Belize Time). This meeting will address: The background on CARSI, Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) objectives, Discussion of how proposals will be evaluated, Program budget overview, How to submit your application on Grants.gov, DUNS number applications SAM.gov registration, and an open Question & Answer session for any other questions you might have.

Channel 7

BDF Soldier Ambushed and Shot By Guatemalan Bandits At Caracol
On Holy Saturday, waves of concern went out all across the country after news hit the social media that a BDF Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey had been shot near the Western Border in the Caracol Archaeological Reserve. More worrying was the information that he and other soldiers were ambushed by Guatemalan civilians in Belizean territory. We've been pressing the country's security council officials for details all day, but it was not until a few minutes before the start of news that a press release was issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It confirms that the shooting happened 400 meters east of the Belize/Guatemala border in the Valentin Camp area in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve within Belizean territory. The Ministry release explains that BDF soldiers stationed at the Valentin Camp Conservation Post were on a routine water supply and administration task at about 4:50 p.m. on Saturday when they came under fire from men armed with rifles. The encounter resulted in gunshot injuries to the arms and abdomen of a member of the BDF patrol. The injured soldier was subsequently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and he remains in a stable condition."

Why Did They Kill Alwayne?
Everyone who knew 24 year old Alwayne Cherrington had nothing but positive things to say about him. He was kind, friendly, and mannerly and very involved in the services and peer activities at the Latter Day Saints Church…just a model young man. That's why when Cherrington was executed on Saturday night after 7:00 in the comfort of his family's home, the entire neighborhood was shaken. I went out to find more answers on this puzzling case. Alwayne Cherrington spent most of his days here at the BCVI Lab. He had been a lab technician in the Glasses Production Unit for about a year and just in that time, he became a major asset to the organization - customizing these glasses to fit every single client. Carla Ayres Musa, Deputy Director, BCVI: "He came on and instantly just impressed everyone with his very charming personality. Very soft spoken and very quiet but also very bright and very intelligent." With his skills and intellect, Alwayne would have had a promising future at BCVI. He was even planning to get certified and eventually become a doctor.

Cops Questioning Alwayne's Neighbor
So who would want Cherrington dead? Police are following leads on the possible involvement of a jealous neighbor but they can't confirm that as yet. What they can confirm is that Cherrington has no criminal history and is not known to be a part of any gang. Police told us more about this incomprehensible murder. Insp. Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Precinct 1 & 2: "What police has gathered so far is that on Saturday, sometime after 7, he was visiting a family member at 202 Lopez Street behind complex. While seated, speaking to family members, he went to look for his wife as his wife resides in that location. A male person just pushed his hand through the door and fired several shots at him causing the fatal injuries. Up to now we have 3 persons in custody that we are questioning who maybe can find provide some information to us in regards to these latest motives that we have in our area." Reporter: "Sir a motive for that murder?" Insp. Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Precinct 1 & 2: "Up to now we cannot establish a motive. This person is not known to be of any gang at this time, or gang affiliated or any other troublesome person."

Man Killed Outside Club
A man was murdered on Good Friday. It happened in Belmopan sometime around 3 am. Noe Cruz, a 37 year old Belizean Laborer of Las Flores Area, Belmopan, had visited the popular night club, and left. He wasn't seen again until a food vendor found him dead. She was picking up pint bottles at the end of the night and found Cruz in a sitting position beside the front wheel of a Nissan Patrol SUV. His pants were pulled down to his knees and he had cut wounds to the face and back of the head. Police told us via phone what they know so far. Supt. Howell Gillet, OC, Belmopan: "We believe that Mr. Cruz was socializing at the main night club and he exited the area appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and he went into the streets. Based on our investigation, we believe that he got into an argument with someone or some persons. We believe that it was then that he was fatally injured." Emanuel Pech: "Did he attend the establishment alone?" Supt. Howell Gillet, OC, Belmopan: "Well that's what we found out so far. He was socializing and he exited the establishment on his own prior to his death."

Cops Have No Clues In Waterlane Stabbing
The long weekend saw two stabbings in the City - none of them fatal. The first occurred in the wee hours of Easter Sunday. Around 2:50 am a man was found lying unconscious and bleeding in the Water Lane Area in Belize City. Ezikiel McKoy was taken to the KHMH where he was treated for multiple stab wounds: two to the back, one to the stomach and one to the throat. Now McKoy remains at the hospital in an unconscious state - and without his input, police don't know who to question: Insp. Alejandro Cowo, CIB - Precinct 1 & 2: "With reference to the stabbing incident, it happened on Sunday morning, sometime around 2 in the morning where police from Precinct 1, responded to a male person on Waterlane. Upon arrival they observed a male person lying on the ground with several stab wounds to the body. He was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he's presently at the ICU unit. He was later identified as Ezekiel McCoy, that's all the information that we have in regards to him. At this time, we are trying to locate any family members since up to now, we have no other information in regards to him. At this time we cannot give you a motive. We have checked about this person and we have no information as to being a person that is causing trouble or having problems with any other person."

Stabbing At Old Belize
The second stabbing occurred later that same day. Sometime around 4:38 on Sunday evening, police responded to a stabbing incident at mile 4 on the George Price Highway involving well known street figure Jason "Soup" Williams. Investigators say the incident stemmed from a fight between his younger brother Jermain Williams and two females at Old Belize. Sometime during the fight 21 year old Deon Warrior of Hattieville and the establishment's security guard got in the middle of the fight. That's when "Soup" Williams arrived in a vehicle, and allegedly knocked down Warrior, then stabbed him and attacked the security Guard before driving off. Here is what police said about it today. "Well there was an activity at Old Belize. There was a function there, several persons attended that function and just before the function was concluded, there was an altercation at the entrance of Old Belize's gate. Deon Warrior and another person saw what was happening and they intervened. As a result a male person inflicted two stab wounds to him..."

Cops Get Weekend Weed in Benque
William Gonzales, a 20 year old Salvadoran, was busted with close to 7 pounds of weed over the weekend in Benque. Cops found it around 8:30 on Saturday morning when they saw Gonzales acting suspiciously. When Police searched him they found 6.8 pounds of marijuana inside his knapsack. As a result Gonzalez from Duckrun 3 Village was charged for of drug trafficking.

Passerby Spares Woman From Violent Attack
A woman was attacked in Belmopan this weekend but luckily she got away. It happened on Saturday night in San Martin around 10. 27 year old Lorytha Martinez left her house to buy food when a man approached her near the corner of San Martin Road and Guadalupe Street near the old fire station. The man grabbed her hand and tried pulling her in the nearby bushes threatening her with a knife saying, "I'm going to kill you." During the struggle she fell to the grass at the same time the assailant jumped on top of her pinning her head to the ground. But the sound of an approaching motorcycle, caused the assailant to flee the scene, escaping through the bushes. Martinez immediately ran to a nearby house and called police. Belmopan police urge residents to refrain from walking alone especially at night and to be very observant of their surroundings.

Castellanos Caught And Sent To Jail
On Easter Sunday, police managed to take a home-made firearm off the street and foil a planned assault. The man they caught with that gun is Michael Castellanos, and tonight, he's spending the first night of a 3 year sentence. Just after midday, police came upon Castellanos, and a search led to this home-made gun, which is capable of fire shotgun cartridges. He was charged with firearm offences, and when he was arraigned today in the Belmopan Magistrate's Court he pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 3 years in prison. Police believe that Castellanos may have been hired as a sort of hit man to conduct an attack on another civilian. Fortunately, police got actionable intelligence and moved confiscate the weapon without incident.

Shoplifting, Not Robbery
There was some excitement in the city this morning when word went out that police had responded to a robbery at Habet and Habet on Cemetery Road. But, it turns out that it wasn't a robbery - only a case of shoplifting where a man had snatched almost a dozen fluorescent tubes. Police responded quickly, arrested the culprit, and got back the lamps.

Pedal By Pedal Breakdown of Cross Country
If you're a patriot - this past Holy Saturday wasn't exactly a day that made your heart swell with pride. First, at midday, a Guatemalan won the cross country, easily, while his brother was second - worst of all? The Belizean they beat, Joel Borland is a young Coast Guard officer. And then it only got worse by 5:00 pm, a BDF Staff Sergeant had been ambushed by Guatemalan bandits in the Chiquibul and shot multiple times. By nightfall, the flag inside your heart was definitely flying at half mast? But how were two Guatemalan brothers able to beat everyone else, and to do it so easily? Well, our Codie Norales was out on the road on Saturday and he saw just how it unfolded. Kwame Scott has this report:... Sign in on Princess Margaret Drive at the BTL Park started from 4:30 am - we see National under 23 Champion Giovanni Lovell in his Belize jersey. 2013 Champion Darnell Barrow, last year's second place finisher Scottie Weiss, defending 2015 champion Justin Williams and perennial contender Julio Padilla, two time Cross Country Champion Chris Harkey, veteran Fitzgerald Joseph, a blast from the late 80's and 2005 champion Bill Elliston. At the line - past champions were called up to lead off the race which left from BTL Park in a rolling leadout at 10 minutes to 6:00.

The Winners Take It All
And, right after the riders crossed the finish line, 7News was there to talk with the winners and the losers about how it went. Joel Borland, the first Belizean to cross the finish line right after the Padilla Brothers, told us that he was outnumbered on the final attack: Reporter: "What can you say about today?" Joel Borland, 3rd Place - 2016 Cross Country "Definitely hard. Definitely a lot of suffering, I could tell you that. I just to say thanks to the Belizean public, because with motivation even with the people who doesn't even know me "Belize, Belize. Borland, Borland." Thank you very much, because without them I wouldn't stick there as much. The Guatemalans just overpowered and out fast me. I have no excuse." Reporter: "At what point in the race did you figure it was going to be tough? Or you thought there was still a chance that you could beat them somehow?"

Teachers Went To Jalacte
And while the Guatemalans came to Belize City for the garland, Wil Maheia today took 100 Belizean teachers to Jalacte - which is at the southwestern border with Guatemala. We're told that the outing took some three hours and the teachers, who organized the trip got a chance to see for themselves, some of the different cross-border issues at play between the neighboring Villages of Belize's Jalacte and Guatemala's Santa Cruz. We note that Santa Cruz is also an unregulated border point, and also a little shopping hotspot.

Stations Of The Cross In Benque
And, that's the news for this Tuesday night. In the spirit of Easter - we leave you with images of the very rich religious celebration on Good Friday in Benque Viejo. It's called the Stations of the Cross and provides a vivid re-enactment of the crucifixion of Christ and other cornerstones of the Catholic observance of Easter. We have that tonight courtesy of NICH. We leave you with that - and please join me back here tomorrow.

Channel 5

A B.D.F. Staff Sergeant is Shot Near Valentin Camp in the Chiquibul Forest
In early March, there was an armed encounter between Belize Defense Force soldiers on foot patrol in the Chiquibul National Park and Guatemalan poachers. At the time, one of the [...]

COLA Speaks Out in Wake of Near Fatal Shooting
This afternoon, COLA issued a statement on the shooting of Lambey. COLA called on the government to undertake an aggressive internationalization of the territorial dispute by Guatemala. COLA’s President Geovanni [...]

BCVI Optician Alwayne Cherrington is Executed Inside His Home
Just after seven p.m. on Holy Saturday, shots rang out on Lopez Street off Mahogany Street Extension in Belize City. It would lead to the first of two murders over [...]

Predawn Murder Near La Cabana on Good Friday
In the capital, a man known to the law was found dead. The family claims Noe Cruz was found in a seated position, but the police point out that Cruz’s [...]

Do You Support a Curfew for Children?
And tonight’s question is: Do you support a curfew for children? Send your comments and responses using your SMART phones to 8686 or post your vote on our e-poll at [...]

Senate Debates 2016/2017 Budget: No Stimulus for Business Community
The budget for fiscal year 2016/2017 was discussed at length by the Senate this morning, succeeding a two-day heated debate in the House of Representatives a week ago. Dubbed “Stability [...]

Opposition Says Barrow Budget is Uninspiring and Underwhelming
The Opposition, for its part, describes the budget as both uninspiring and insipid and therefore the party cannot lend its support to the budget that has ballooned into a massive [...]

Unions Say They Were Not Consulted in Drafting of Budget
With government and opposition senators weighing in on the budget in detail, one complimenting the financial plan and the other altogether condemning it, what is the union’s outlook for the [...]

2 Belize City Men Arraigned of Robbery of Gas Station in Scotland Half Moon
Six days after the robbery of Valley Supplies Gas Station, in Scotland Half Moon in the Belize District, an adult and a minor are facing charges. The armed robbery occurred [...]

Belizeans Busted in a Gang Sweep in the U.S.
There are reports tonight that U.S. immigration agents have arrested more than one thousand suspects and have charged them for attempted murder and witness tampering in an anti-gang sweep. The [...]

Who Stabbed Ezekiel McKoy on Easter Sunday?
There were two stabbing incidents in the city over the extended weekend…both on Easter Sunday. Sometime after two a.m., police found Ezekiel McKoy on Water Lane; he had been stabbed [...]

Supal Street Boss Arraigned for Stabbing Dean Warrior
Notorious street figure, Jason “Soup” Williams, is back in the news tonight for committing an aggravated assault with a deadly instrument and causing grievous harm during an incident at Old [...]

Juan Alvarado Loses His Life in Traffic Fatality on Bullet Tree Road
There are two traffic fatalities to report, one in the west and the other across the border. This morning on the Bullet Tree Road, Cayo, a Nissan pickup truck driven [...]

A Fatal Road Traffic Accident in Melchor Claims Life of Belmopan Resident
In the other fatality, reports are that sixty-eight year old Lloyd Andrews was killed as he drove to Melchor de Mencos, Peten. There were four passengers in his vehicle: Nora [...]

Faulty Electrical Connection Cause of Weekend Fire in Belize City
In addition to the murders and shootings, as well as traffic accidents that occurred during the Easter break, a fire also destroyed a small house. The house was unoccupied when [...]

William Gonzalez is Busted and Charged for Drug Trafficking
Police are reporting a drug bust at the Benque Viejo Del Carmen Bus terminal. It yielded them over six thousand grams of weed or more than thirteen pounds of the [...]

Vehicle Stolen from ASP Selvyn Tillett to be Returned to Belize
Assistant Superintendent of Police Selvyn Tillett was robbed at gunpoint on Valentine’s Day and relieved of his son-in-law’s pickup truck while in his hometown of Benque Viejo. ASP Tillett was [...]

Churches Weigh in on Budget
During today’s lengthy Senate debate, the church also had its say on the pros and cons of the annual budget. While Senator Ashley Rocke did not altogether pan the 2016/2017 [...]

Sports Monday: Guatemalan Wins the 2016 Cross Country Garland
Good evening, I’m James Adderley, this is sports Monday and I certainly hope that you had an enjoyable holiday. Of course the entire nation was glued to the 88th [...]

CTV3

Easter Break Claims The Life Of One Person In The North
The Easter weekend resulted in the tragic death of thirty nine year old Hermelindo Mai, a resident of San Jose Village in the Orange Walk District. Mai along with his family had been invited by a friend to spend Easter Sunday at a ranch located in the village of Progresso. Upon their arrival at the village, they all travelled in a canoe across the lagoon to an island where they planned to spend the day swimming. At about 4:30 in the evening the family decided to return to shore and that is when a day of fun turned into tragedy as the canoe containing ten persons including four children, capsized causing everyone to fall into the lagoon. Our news team travelled to San Jose Village earlier this evening and spoke to Mai’s common-law wife, Sheila Corzo, who told us that she basically witnessed her partner’s death as he slowly drowned with his daughter in hand.

BDF Shot While On Duty, OAS To Investigate
News spread like wild fire on Saturday that a BDF Staff Sergeant was shot several times allegedly by a Guatemalan poacher. While over the weekend and most of today…there was no official report of the incident despite the press pressing for answers, late this evening the Government of Belize issued a release shedding some light into the incident. According to GOB, members of the Belize Defense Force detachment who are stationed at the Valentin Camp Conservation Post area in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve, were on a routine water supply and administration task at about 4:50 p.m. on Saturday when they came under fire from men armed with rifles. The encounter resulted in four gunshot injuries to the arms and abdomen of Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey, a member of the BDF patrol. The injured soldier was subsequently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where he was treated for his injuries and he remains in a stable condition.

COLA Voices Opinion On Shooting Of BDF Sergeant
While the BDF Commander, the Minister of National Security nor the Minister of Foreign Affairs has spoken about the issue, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA is not keeping quite. Today COLA issued a release stating that Saturday’s incident involving Belize Defence Force Staff Sergeant Richard Lambey provides another impetus for aggressive internationalization of Belize’s dispute with Guatemala.COLA calls on Government to issue a timely and relevant response and goes to say in the release that this is not the time to blame the media, no time to deflect deserved criticism.COLA also called on the trade unions, civil society, the NGO’s, the Chamber of Commerce and the Maya leaders to denounce these acts of aggression by Guatemala.

Fuel Price On The Rise
If you were one of the many Belizeans who visited the pumps last week to fill your gas tank just before the Easter vacation you probably didn’t even notice that you paid more for a gallon of fuel and that’s because Government did not announce the hike that took effect on Wednesday March 23rd. Before the increase consumers paid $8.23 per gallon of regular gasoline now you will pay $8.85 per gallon that’s 62 cents more. As for Diesel…it went from $7.57 to $7.78 cents seeing an increase of 21 cents. While the price of premium remained the same, the price per gallon of kerosene reduced by a mere seven cents and now sells for $4.29. As mentioned the increase was not announced by GOB who has indicated by the end of the year they plan to collect an additional fifty million dollars in revenues from fuel taxes.

Belizean Detained In US Raid
U.S. immigration agents have arrested more than 1,000 suspects on charges including attempted murder and witness tampering, in a nationwide operation aimed at international gangs, among those detained are Belizeans, according to a report on Reuters. While most of those detained were Americans, 239 were nationals from Mexico, Spain, El Salvador, China, Jamaica, Guatemala, Honduras, Philippines, Belize and other countries. The five-week operation headed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, dubbed Project Shadowfire, targeted criminal organizations linked to drug trafficking, murder and racketeering. Of the 1,133 arrested, 915 were cross-border gang members and associates. Just over 1,000 were charged with criminal offenses and the rest face immigration charges, it said.

Governor General Travels To Antigua And Barbuda
Governor-General of Belize, His Excellency, Sir Colville Young accompanied by Lady Norma Young are scheduled to attend the Fifteenth annual Conference of Presidents and Governors-General of the Caribbean Community that will be held this year in Antigua and Barbuda under the theme “Maintaining the Relevance of the Crown in a Changing Caribbean”. The conference which will be hosted by the Governor- General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Rodney Williams, commenced today 29th March and concludes on the 1st of April where several important issues will be discussed including presentations by Sir Christopher Geidt, the Private Secretary to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, on the topic, “The Crown and the Caribbean Realms – The Relationship”. During the absence of his Excellency, Sir Colville Young, the functions of his office will be performed by Carlos Perdomo CVO, Cabinet Secretary.

Attempt Robbery On Stadium Street, One Person Charged
A female resident of Lamanai Street in Orange Walk Town reported that on Thursday March 17th while walking home on Stadium Street she was approached by a male individual on a bicycle who demanded money from her. The victim reported to police that while she refused to give up her items a struggle ensued between herself and her assailant. With the assistance of concerned residents of the area who came out to her aid, the female individual was able to get away from her attacker who fled the scene but was later captured by police. Superintendent Selvin Tillett – Orange Walk Branch formation: “Police patrol team detained the said male person and conducted an investigation and formally arrested and charge one Jorge Jimenez resident of Orange Walk Town for the crime of attempt robbery, Jimenez was arraigned and pleaded guilty and was send to three years imprisonment.”

LOVE FM

Bullet Tree Accident Proves Fatal
The body of a San Ignacio carpenter is at the morgue awaiting a post mortem examination after he was involved in a traffic incident on the Bullet Tree Road in that municipality. Love News spoke with the Western Regional Commander, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez on the investigation. ANDREW RAMIREZ “ The other two passengers have been […]

Belizean Borland Claims 3rd; Padilla Brothers Claim Cross Country Garland
A new cross country cycling classic champion was crowned this past weekend. We have the details in the following report.

Foreign Affairs Issues Release on Shooting of BDF at Valentin
Earlier in our newscast we reported on a shooting incident involving a BDF soldier. A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came in a short while ago and we will read it verbatim. It says quote “The Government of Belize has requested the Office of the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Adjacency […]

Senate Meets on Budget and Five Bills
Sitting of the Senate took place today with the aim of looking at the budget for the fiscal year 2016/2017. Senator for Government Business, Godwin Hulse explained the role of the Senate, today’s aims and objectives as well as the next step forward. GODWIN HULSE “After we close off the sessions and we pass the […]

Senator Lizarraga Concerned Over 2016/2017 Budget
The Senate sat in session today at the National Assembly where concerns and clarifications regarding the budget for the fiscal year 2016/2017 were aired. The session began a few minutes before ten o’clock with Eamon Courtenay being officially sworn in as a PUP Senator. Senator Macario Coy was the first to speak and he opened […]

Mechanic Dies in Traffic Incident in Peten, Guatemala
A well-known mechanic of Belmopan, Cayo District is dead following a road traffic accident that occurred about five miles outside Melchor de Mencos in Peten, Guatemala over the weekend. Lloyd Andrews was traveling with his wife, Leticia Andrews and his three children, ages five, twelve and fourteen when the incident occurred. His 14-year-old son, Jimmy […]

Orange Walk Resident Drowns in Progresso
On Easter Sunday, reports are that nine men went to Progresso in a canoe. Late that evening, while in the water, the canoe capsized. All passengers resurfaced except thirty nine year old Hermilindo Mai. His body was retrieved an hour later. Superintendent Dennis Arnold, Officer in Command at Corozal says that they do not suspect […]

Quintero to Be Arraigned Following Fight in Northern Belize
Orange Walk Police have detained 21-year-old Freddy Quintero of Trial Farm Village pending charges. Police say on Sunday night they responded to reports of a fight on Mahogany Street in Trial Farm Village. There they saw 18-year-old Luis Fernando Lopez lying in a drain bleeding from the head. He was transported to the Northern Regional […]

Two Busted with Cocaine on Ambergris Caye
22-year-old Michael Anthony Mendez has been charged with drug trafficking. On Friday, morning police responded to a fight in front of Luna Loca located on Pescador Drive in San Pedro Town. Mendez was detained and escorted to the San Pedro Town Police Station where a search was conducted on him resulting in the discovery of […]

Breaking Belize News

City man murdered on Saturday night
Belize City Police are investigating a Saturday night shooting that claimed the life of 24-year-old Alwayne Cherington who was at a friend’s house when the incident occurred. Investigations revealed that while socializing inside the friend’s house on Lopez Street at around 7:05 p.m., a […]

Teenager critical after being badly beaten
Police officers responding to reports of a fight in Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk District on Sunday night, saw the badly beaten and stabbed body of 18-year-old Luis Fernando Lopez upon their arrival at the scene. At 8:35 p.m., Lopez was discovered on Mahogany […]

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Statement on the March 26th, 2016 Incident
A short while ago the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a formal statement on the incident that played out on Holy Saturday where a BDF was shot while on duty. The statement says that members of the BDF detachment stationed at the Camp Valentin conservation […]

Man hospitalized after Sunday morning stabbing
Investigation are ongoing into a pre-dawn stabbing incident that happened on Water Lane in Belize City and left Ezikel McKoy lying unconscious with multiple wounds. Around 2:50 on Sunday morning, police were called to the scene of the stabbing and were redirected to the […]

PACT awards over $1M in grants this week
The Protected Areas Conservation Trust will be awarding over one million dollars in grants to seven organizations on Thursday this week. $19,719 will be awarded to Celso Poot for “Evaluating the Central American Tapir’s Habitat Use and Movement in Central Belize: A Human Dominated […]

“Soup” Williams in Old Belize assault
Police have arrested and charged “street figure” Jason Williams, who goes by the alias “Soup”, for aggravated assault in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred at Old Belize on Easter Sunday. Inspector Alejandro Cowo, Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigation Branch South Side said […]

HE Sir Colville Young attends conference in Antigua and Barbuda
Governor General, HE Sir Colville Young and Lady Norma Young are in Antigua and Barbuda attending the Fifteenth Conference of Presidents and Governor Generals of the Caribbean Community. The event began today March 29, and runs to April 1st under the theme: “Maintaining the Relevance of the […]

Police brutality claim by accused in Scotland Halfmoon robbery
Police last week announced the arrests of 22 year old Trevor McFoy, a evening division student of SJC Junior College, and a 17 year old high school student of Belize City in relation to an armed robbery at the River Valley Supplies Gas Station in […]

Belizeans busted in US gang sweep
U.S. immigration agents have arrested more than 1,000 suspects, including several Belizeans, on charges including attempted murder and witness tampering, in a nationwide operation aimed at international gangs, officials said on Monday. The five-week operation headed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, dubbed Project […]

Dangriga man charged for rape of female minor
A 28-year-old Dangriga resident has been charged by police for the offense of ‘unlawful sexual intercourse’ after a female minor reported that he raped her last Wednesday while she was at home with her sister and grandmother. The minor told police that a man she knows entered […]

Warm and dry conditions to prevail
Winds will be blowing to the East-Southeast at 10-20 knots and the sea state will be moderate. High temperatures today are expected around 87 degrees Fahrenheit along the coast; 94 degrees Fahrenheit inland and a comfortable 80 degrees Fahrenheit up at the exposed areas of the Mountain Pine Ridge and along the Maya Mountains in the south.

Blogs

Overnight at Cayo Frances Farm & Fly – Leeward Side of Ambergris Caye
Sunday afternoon, we headed up to “the farm”…or to the entrance Cayo Frances lagoon – a huge lagoon in the center of Ambergris Caye. And one of a handful of developed properties on that whole side of the island… Sunday was a gorgeous gorgeous day. We passed the 5 star Cayo Espanto as we looped out of the lagoon behind San Pedro town. And then, about 10 miles north passing “Secret Beach” and the pretty pinkish sand bars, we dipped into a little cut in the mangroves…a deep channel and then shallow shallow water. And back to a little peninsula where “the farm” is well on its way to being finished. A place for flyfishermen, people who like to relax, kayak, swim, sun, SUP and more… The shallow water – you can see the little cut where the channel is and how shallow the little lagoon is.

Belize – 8 things that just won’t happen here!
People travel to make memories, have experiences, grow, or relax. Regardless of where you go, things are bound to happen! but here in Belize, we can assure you that these 8 things just won’t! 1. You’ll never stay at a chain hotel, 2. You’ll never eat at a chain restaurant, 3. You’ll never get lost at an airport, 4. You’ll never get stuck in traffic, 5. You’ll never breathe cleaner air, 6. You’ll never run out of things to see, 7. You’ll never be closer to nature, 8. You’ll never want to leave.

GRAND CARIBE BELIZE’S EASTER ACTIVITIES – A HUGE SUCCESS!!
Grand Caribe Belize hosted what is becoming an annual event. Our Easter Egg Hunt Activity. With about 30 plus youngsters, including guests as well as owners’ children, the day was set to be a fun filled one. Our first activity was the Balloon Popping contest. The object of the game: the participant must run and fetch the balloon, blow it up, run over to an assigned chair and – using only the pressure from bouncing on the balloon – pop the balloon. The first one to pop three balloons would be named the winner. With little effort – 13 year old Azalea took this competition. The kids were quite adorable, as they pounced up on the slippery balloons. The kids were too eager to get it started so – we moved straight into the Easter Egg Hunt. The day before, Grand Caribe Staff with the help of our eager office practice students, Mali & Julius, prepared some 200 eggs stuffed with goodies and hid them around the property.

The Enemy of My Culture is Religion
by Julio Saqui. I am a Maya teacher in my village. One of the things I teach is about our culture and traditions. Having been in the cultural field and a cultural enthusiast for decades, I now firmly believe that RELIGION is the most destructive force on our Maya culture in my lifetime. Understand that I come from a family that valued our traditions and was proud of our culture. My grandfather taught my father, he taught me and my siblings, and we have tried to teach our children. It is a much more difficult task today than it was when I was a boy. But what does Maya culture mean? Our Tradition & Culture teaches our children Survival, Respect, Dignity, Appreciation, Love and Togetherness. Maya culture is taught to us by our parents and elders, and it takes many years to fully understand our traditions. They include our attitude to our world, our village, the rain forest, our family, our community. It is our food, our marimba music and dance, our traditional dress and our celebrations. We have traditions for birth, marriage, raising children, looking after our elders and death. We have special ceremonies that ask our God for help and thank Him when he provides it. In those celebrations we pray and worship and learn to love and respect all of the gods that make up our GOD. All of our cultural practices are designed to ensure a peaceful life, free from hunger and fear. We have a system of restorative justice, known as alcalde, which keeps our villages in order and in peace. And historically that has been the life for Maya people, but not anymore….

Strategic Planning and Sustainability
How does a group of diverse community representatives start with an agreed upon vision for future community improvement and then turn ideas into tangible results through a planning process? Once community stakeholders have created a set of objectives aligning with their vision and goals for community improvement, the community must set about designing a revised organization and structure to move forward with the development of a plan that will minimize chaos and unintended consequences. “Planning” could be defined as creating a process that allows a group of people, such as in a community, to take action that will result in an outcome that would otherwise not have come about. When thinking about planning for a community, maintaining and even increasing the assets available to people living in the future is an important operating principle. When developing a plan to improve the local area, you can see your whole community as an enterprise unto itself – one that serves its customers – all citizens – by satisfying human needs. By building your capital (e.g., natural, built, social, cultural, financial, political, and human), you are increasing your ability to satisfy human needs now and for future generations.

Business Case for Sustainability
In broad brush strokes, elements supporting the business rational for sustainability can be categorized into two basic areas: cost savings and enhanced brand reputation. Business should be especially cognizant of the savings that can be realized by operating sustainably. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels and saving energy are not only good for the environment, but those savings drop straight to the bottom line. Similarly, anything a business can do to eliminate waste and use materials more efficiently can create cost savings both in terms of purchased materials as well as avoided costs affiliated with disposal of waste. Regardless of the size or type of company you work for, material and energy savings are typically easy to quantify and monetize. These are the sustainability no brainers. There are additional benefits to be reaped when companies focus on environmental and social responsibility efforts. For example, enhanced brand reputation strengthens customer loyalty and can drive preferential purchasing behaviors. Given an equal playing field on cost and service, customers will more often choose products because of sustainability promises. Responsible companies also want to buy from responsible suppliers.

The March 27, 2016 issue of The STAR (Cayo) is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

SAN IGNACIO TAXI MAN AND WIFE ROBBED ON BULLET TREE ROAD:
Sixty-one-year-old Albino Itzab, a taxi driver of San Ignacio Town, and his wife are lucky to be alive after they were lured to the Santa Rosa area by three passengers and robbed of his vehicle and their possessions. Caoba Restaurant in San Ignacio Town when two males and a female requested service Calla Creek on Wednesday afternoon, March 16. Itzab was not the slight bit suspicious of the three Hispanic decent individuals. On the way to Calla Creek, about 500 yards from a farm in the Santa Rosa area, one of the males took out a knife and placed it at Itzab’s neck. The would be robber made it clear that he was dead serious and ordered Itzab to hand over everything he had.
Man Knocked Down And Killed In Spanish Lookout:
Police have issued a notice of intended prosecution upon Spanish Lookout resident, Felix Sandoval, 59, who knocked down and killed 89-year-old Guatemalan National, Alejandro Padillo in Spanish Lookout last week Wednesday, March 16. Police received information of a road traffic accident in Spanish Lookout at about 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Initial investigation revealed that Mr. Felix Sandoval of Duck Run address had just finished repairing his truck tire at the Esso Gas Station compound on the Center Road in Spanish Lookout and while reversing out he felt an impact at the rear end of the vehicle.
New Kitchen At Octavia Waight Center:
Octavia Waight Center for the aged now has a fully equipped new kitching thanks to a partnership with the Gobie Foundation. The center is managed by Help Age Belize and is currently home to 32 residents. The center was founded in San Ignacio Town about 25 years ago with a visit by Raleigh International. The kitchen is fully furnished with stainless steel refrigerators, two large stoves, mixers and other appliances. Donations were made by businesses in the San Ignacio/Santa Elena area such as Benny’s and Builders Hardware.
Benque Viejo Archaeological Reserve Opened:
Benque Viejo del Carmen now has a new attraction at its center, with the opening of the Benque Viejo Archaeological Reserve on Thursday of last week. Once a suburb of the nearby flourishing Xunantunich City State, which existed around 700 A.D, the just opened Maya site may have once been the home of an elite leader or warrior; that gathered significant tribute last week with the presence of Ambassadors from Mexico, Guatemala, Canada, Britain and Brazil. Master of ceremony for the opening was Dr. Allan Moore, Associate Director of the Institute of Archaeology, who welcomed all the guests and attendees. At the start of the ceremony, the National Anthem was played by the Benque Marimba Academy from the Benque House of Culture. During the ceremonies, Mayor of Benque Viejo, Hilberto Ramcharan accredited the efforts of Subrata Basu, a US Peace Corps volunteer, who had worked tirelessly for a period of three years to preserve the Maya site.
National Budget Debate Set For Tuesday And Wednesday:
The General Revenue Appropriation Bill (the national budget) will be debatede on Tuesday, March 22, and Wednesday, March 23. Prime Minister Barrow entitled his budget speech, “Stability in a Time of Change”. The budget is more conservative than those of recent years – not because Government cannot afford bold ventures but because there is too much uncertainty ahead. Questions are left to be answered such as how will the sugar industry fair in the changing market; how will the citrus and aquaculture industry rebound from disease; how will the financial sector be affected in the long term by derisking exercises; what does the future hold for the PetroCaribe Initiative and what will be the payment ordered by the court for acquisition of Belize Telemedia Limited, among others.
Ashton Edwards Drops 45 Down South, Including 10 From Downtown:
On Friday night, Belize City No Limit hosted Cayo Western Ballaz at Bird’s Isle in Belize City. The home team jumped out to an early 20 - 16 first quarter lead, which they extended to 36 - 27 by intermission. In the second half, the lead was extended to 26 points, which Belize City No Limit never relinquished, easily winning the game 85 - 61. Belize City No Limit (4-5) was led by Michael Babbles who had the game high of 24 points, to go with 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 rebounds. Jamal Augustine had the best game of his career, with 19 points and 6 rebounds, while Gregory “Chippy” Rudon scored 18 points to go with 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Keith “Superman” Acosta finished the game with 18 points and 9 rebounds.
Massive National Convention In Dangriga:
The United Democratic Party’s army marched into Dangriga Town on Sunday, March 20, and flexed its muscle with a turnout of over 5,000 supporters at an uncontested convention. The coalition that took the UDP to victory in 2008 was made up of veteran UDP warriors, patriotic Belizeans who were disgusted at the PUP’s stifling of national pride and an unprecedented youth base that wished to rescue a future that the PUP was giving away. The convention on Sunday proved that the same coalition is well oiled and growing even stronger. They assembled under the theme: “One Team, One Dream… United We Work, United We Win”. After years oin control of the country’s local and foreign affairs, there is no longer any question about the strength and staying power of the UDP coalition. Co-hosts of the event, Area Representative for Dangriga, Hope Creek and Sarawee, Hon. Frank Papa Mena, and Mayor of Dangriga Town, His Worship Francis Humphries welcomed UDP relatives from across the nation. Mena said the massive showing reaffirms what just a few months ago we confirmed when we got the results of the General Elections.
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The Star

March 30, 2016 issue of The Capital Weekly is online HERE

This Week's Stories:

NEW FISCAL YEAR BEGINS, Challenges Abound - Restraint Applied - Optimism Maintained:
This Friday, April 1, 2016, marks the start of the new fiscal year. It is when the new National Budget kicks in with its approved allocations for public spending set out in General Revenue Appropriation Bill. The new Budget Proposal was introduced in the National Assembly three weeks ago on Tuesday March 8, 2016 and debated in the House of Representatives on Tuesday and Wednesday March 22 and 23, after which the House approved it. It is expected to be ratified by the Senate on Tuesday March 29, after which it will be signed into law by the Governor General.of unprecedented regional and international challenges, against a backdrop of shrinking disposable financial resources, but thankfully on the back of a macro-framework characterized by, in the words of the Prime Minister, “an economy and public finances which stand on the rock-solid foundation of a strong currency backed up by excess reserves, robust fiscal revenues and a well-managed public debt.”
BelizeanMore Border Problems, Guatemalan Shoots BDF Soldier:
A member of the Belize Defence Force was shot on Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016 by a Guatemalan farmer near the Western border. Sergeant Richard Lambey was at a water-pond more than a Kilometre north-west of the Valentin Operation Post, when he was attacked by the Guatemalan Xatero who had a .22 rifle. There was an exchange of gunfire and Sergeant Lambey was hit a few times, including to the abdomen and hand. As many as twenty-six expended shells have been removed from the scene. Sergeant Lambey is receiving medical attention at the KHMH Hospital. As we go to press Easter Monday evening, the matter is under investigation by the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in accordance with the usual protocol adhered to with respect to such border incidents that have the potential to escalate tensions between our two countries.
Guatemalans Grab Garland, Belmopan’s Borland First Belizean:
After 144 grueling miles of pedal-pushing, Belize’s most popular single-day sporting event, the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, came to a finish at the BTL Park in Belize City, with two visiting Guatemalan cyclists taking first and second place. The new Cross Country Champion is Alejandro Padilla Miranda, and the second place finisher is his brother Julio Padilla Miranda. Third place was taken by Joel Borland of Belmopan, the first Belizean to cross the finish-line. Fourth Place went to Brandon Cattouse; Fifth Place to Bill Elliston; Sixth Place to Scottie Weisse, Seventh Place to Nissan Arana, Eight Place to Robert Liam, Ninth Place to Henry Moreira, and Tenth Place to Ron Vasquez.
Editorial: Reflection - Renewal - Recommitment:
The Easter Holiday just past, is invariably for us a time of reflection, renewal and recommitment to the principles and ideals we strive to uphold. We trust that such is the spirit of the entire nation. The timing of the holiday this year was particularly appropriate, as it marked the end of the old fiscal year and the beginning of the new. Following some fiery, sometimes personal exchanges in the House of Representatives, our parliamentarians had the extended Easter weekend to cool off and refocus; and now the work of nation-building must resume in earnest. By all accounts, the fiscal year that commences April 1, 2016 will be exceedingly challenging as disposable public resources are shrinking and large sections of our productive and financial sectors face crippling adversities, some natural, others induced by the architects and regulators of the global economy.
Faber or Saldivar for Deputy? PM Barrow “Scrupulously Neutral”:
It’s a contest that has been looking inevitable for quite some time, but it has now been hastened by the voluntary stepping aside of Hon. Gaspar Vega as First Deputy Leader of the United Democratic Party. And, as expected, Belmopan Representative Hon. John Saldivar and Collet Representative Hon. Patrick Faber have both announced their entry into the contest to fill the position. Both gentlemen did so on Monday, March 21, the day immediately following the Party’s National Convention which was scheduled well in advance when no one anticipated the position of Deputy becoming vacant. As to the special convention to fill the post, that hasn’t yet been exactly scheduled, but all indications are it will be sometime in June.
Fireworks in the Capital, Debate on National Budget 2016-2017:
Eagerly awaited, this year’s edition of the annual debate on the national budget did live up to expectations as far as the fireworks were concerned. But how substantive and productive were the often fiery exchanges? The answer can be as subjective or objective as one wants to be. As objective as we can, let’s recap some of the highlights of the two-day debate. In accordance with tradition as spelled out in the Standing Orders of the House, the debate kicked off on Tuesday March 22 with the rebuttal by Leader of Opposition Hon. John Briceno who gave an almost point by point reply to the PM’s Budget Proposal.
CARICOM supports BELIZE, Issues Strong Statement against Guatemalan Intimidation:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has issued a Statement expressing concern over an incident between Belizean Security Forces and Guatemalan Armed Forces, at the Sarstoon River, the Southern boundary of Belize with the Republic of Guatemala, on 12 March 2016. The full statement reads as follows: “The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expresses its grave concern over the incident which took place at the Sarstoon River, the southern boundary of Belize with the Republic of Guatemala, between Belizean Security Forces and Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) on 12 March 2016. The GAF entered Belizean internal waters and acted in an intimidating manner towards the Belizean forces at their Forward Operating Base on Belize’s mainland at the mouth of the Sarstoon River.
National Unity on Belize-Guatemala Issue, New Bi-Partisan Efforts and Old Political Challenges:
The new efforts at resolving the age-old Belize-Guatemala Territorial Dispute has an encouraging component, which is the rekindling of national unity around a bipartisan approach to negotiations and bi-lateral talks with the Guatemalans as facilitated by the OAS and supported by our international friends. This has been enabled, to a large extent, by the level of political maturity demonstrated by the opposition’s new leadership. Shortly after being sworn in as Leader of the Opposition, Briceno met with PM Dean Barrow and expressed his party’s desire to work in unity with the Government on matters of National importance, citing the Belize-Guatemala relations as one such issue. Prime Minister Barrow has reciprocated the goodwill, keeping Briceno and his party updated on developments and including the Opposition in negotiations and bilateral talks at the highest level.
BELIZE-GUATEMALA-OAS TALKS, New Efforts At Resolving An Age-Old Dispute:
As we reported in our last edition, an encounter between elements of the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemalan Military in the Sarstoon area two Saturdays ago on March 12, had escalated border tensions between our two countries. In a press release, the Government had indicated talks were to take place in Washington on Tuesday, March 15th between the two sides under the auspices of the OAS, and that the Belize delegation headed by Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington would also include Assad Shoman as the representative of the Opposition. Following the talks, the Government hosted a press conference in Belize City on Thursday, March 17 with Foreign Minister Hon. Wilfred Elrington flanked by Ambassador Assad Shoman and Belize’s Ambassador to Guatemala H.E. Alexis Rosado.
Catalyst For Change, At the Center of Economic Development, Trade and Investment:
Every ministry and department is important, as it must fulfil its unique function as an essential part of the Government which has the full responsibility to manage the nation’s affairs and look after the overall interest and wellbeing of the people and country. One of them is the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce. That Ministry is led by Honourable Erwin Contreras with Honourable Tracy Panton as his Minister of State. One of two women who are newly elected to the House of Representatives, Hon. Tracy Panton is a valuable addition to the Cabinet as she brings years of experience in various sectors of economic development, having served as Director of the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Tourism and CEO of BNE Trust managing proceeds from petroleum revenues for national development.
Breaking The Cycle of Poverty, Ground Breaking for Six New Schools:
More than 1,500 Students will soon be enrolled in new pre-schools & primary schools in Belmopan, Stann Creek and Toledo. In this regard, ground-breaking ceremonies were recently held to officially commence construction of the respective schools, thanks to the Government of Belize. Funding for the construction of the 6 (six) government schools is made available through grant-funds from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) under the bank’s Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF 7) Program. This means that students in the respective communities will have easier access to a better learning environment.
“THE ESSENCE OF LIFE,” Belize Celebrates World Water Day:
Often referred to as ‘the essence of life’, water is one of the most basic elements that distinguish our planet in a universe filled with millions of lifeless cosmic bodies. To highlight its importance, the United Nations has set aside a day, March 22, observed every year as International Water Day. This year, World Water Day was celebrated under the theme, “Water and Jobs”. In Belize, the day was heralded with an exhibition and Water and Jobs Summit held a week in advance on March 15th and 16th, in Belize City and Belmopan.
Making Municipalities Child-Friendly:
Much public investment has been made over the past few years in improving the physical infrastructure of our cities and towns countrywide; but most will readily agree that development is really about people, perhaps more importantly about children and young people who represent the future. The question of how child friendly are our towns and cities, particularly Belize City, was recently addressed by UNICEF’s Country Representative in Belize, Ivan Yerovi at an event in the Old Capital.
International Belizean Scientist ReturnsStrengthening Capacity against Human Trafficking, Two-Day Workshop for Caribbean held in Belize:
The International Organization for Migration (OAM) has brought together key stakeholders from five Caribbean territories at a two-day workshop in Belize in an effort to strengthen coordination to counter trafficking in persons in the Caribbean. Government representatives charged with leading their country’s counter trafficking efforts from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago gathered in Belize City on March 16 and 17, 2016, to discuss best practices as well as to explore areas of collaboration and cooperation. “One aim of the workshop is to promote amongst the participants the use of regional cooperation and to share information, ideas and techniques,” said Rukiya Brown, project manager. IOM has been working for more than nine years with countries in the Caribbean training stakeholders, providing assistance to victims and governments, and raising public awareness through information campaigns.
International Belizean Scientist Returns:
President of the University of Belize, Alan Slusher, extended an invitation to Dr. Arlie Petters to visit with the University’s Institutional Curriculum Review Committee. The visit, held on Friday March 18, 2016 at the Jaguar Auditorium on UB’s Belmopan Campus, was intended to facilitate dialogue with Dr. Petters and the institution’s academic leaders. Their Discussions focused on strategies to increase UB’s contributions to national decision making processes through a focus on targeted research engagements by Faculty. The group also discussed the significance of STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) as a tool to build national capacities to support national development, economic growth and achieve poverty alleviation.
TRANSFORMATION & INAUGURATION, OFFICIAL OPENING OF ISIDORO BEATON STADIUM IN CITY OF BELMOPAN:
The best FIFA certified stadium with all-weather synthetic turf in the country, was inaugurated in the City of Belmopan Tuesday, March 15. The new facility is home to the Belmopan-based Bandits Football Club. Attending the opening ceremony was Area Representative and Minister of National Security Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Works Hon. Rene Montero, Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture Hon. Elodio Aragon, and Minister of Immigration and Natural Resources Godwin Hulse, along with Belmopan Mayor Khalid Belisle. The magnificent facility was constructed under the supervision of Belize Infrastructure Limited and Pedro Lizarraga & Sons Construction Company. The opening segued into the inaugural football match, Bandits versus the professional football club Progreso from Honduras. Belmopan Bandits lucked out and the match ended 3-0 in favour of Honduras.
RibbonNational Coastguard Graduates 46 New Recruits:
Belize’s National Coast Guard brought in the Easter Holidays with its 8th Graduation Ceremonies on Holy Thursday, March 24 for a total of 46 new recruits. The recruits, both men and women, underwent rigorous training over a period of 12 weeks in order to become sailors in the National Coast Guard. Speaking with Channel 5 News at the graduation, National Coast Guard Commander Admiral John Borland stated, “By and large they get absorbed into the fleet to start doing operations in an apprenticeship role because, remember, their first year they spend as seamen apprentices to get all the practical work and on the job training that they couldn’t get in twelve weeks of basic training, which was basically for transforming them from a civilian into a military figure.”
Taiwan President’s Farewell Visit To Belize:
He first visited Belize back in 2009, one year into his presidency and the first term of the Dean Barrow Administration which both started in 2008; and President Ma Ying-jeou of Taiwan was back in Belize from March 16 to 17, 2016 as part as his farewell tour. Upon arrival at the Phillip Goldson International Airport, he made the following statement: “It is a great honor and privilege for me to be invited by Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister of Belize, to lead a delegation to visit Belize. This is my second visit to this beautiful country. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I would like to extend our warm greetings to the government and people of Belize.

International Sources

World's Most Amazing Zip Lines
JAGUAR CAVE ZIPLINE, Belmopan, Belize. Zoom into the depths of a cave for one of the most adventurous flying experiences on the Jaguar Cave Zipline. Fodor's listed the Jaguar Cave Zipline one of the world's best ziplines. They missed Bocawina's zipline somehow... There are some amazing ziplines around the world. Jaguar Cave is in the Nohoch Che'en area, and Dark Night has a short video showing the ride. A highlight of Belize’s outdoor adventure culture, mainline cruises that port in Belize City—including Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises—send passengers by the bus load to the Belizean rainforest course. Adventurers seek out the course for the chance to coast through ancient Mayan caves, try their balance on the rickety suspension bridges, and hover among stalactite and stalagmite formations.

Rotarians from Ellsworth, MDI deliver wheelchairs to Belize
Rotarians from clubs in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth joined a contingent from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to help disabled residents of Belize. Earlier this month, the Rotarians traveled to Belize to deliver 126 wheelchairs and help fit them to their new owners. The wheelchairs were purchased from the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation. The project was the work of multiple Rotary clubs from four distinct geographical Rotary districts. Nine Rotary clubs in Belize helped locate and distribute the wheelchairs to those who needed them. “This is a good thing that Rotary makes possible for us to do, not just our club but our district,” said Shaun Farrar, the Bar Harbor club’s incoming president. Following on the heels of a successful wheelchair distribution in Panama in 2015, the clubs applied for a Rotary International district grant to help support the effort for Belize.

U.S. Supreme Court Asks Solicitor General to Weigh in on Belize's Petition for Certiorari
On Monday, March 28, the Supreme Court of the United States called for the views of the Solicitor General regarding the Government of Belize’s petition for a writ of certiorari from a decision by the D.C. Circuit. Belize’s petition asks the Court to resolve a circuit split between the D.C. and Second Circuits regarding the vitality of the forum non conveniens doctrine, and provide much needed guidance as to the proper balancing of public policy interests, when U.S. courts are asked to enforce foreign arbitration awards. "We are pleased that the United States Supreme Court is giving careful attention to these important issues," noted Juan C. Basombrio of Dorsey & Whitney LLP, counsel to Belize. This case involves the enforceability of an arbitration award in U.S. courts that is similar to one which the Caribbean Court of Justice, the highest court in Belize, recently held to be unenforceable, because to do otherwise would disregard Belize’s “core constitutional values” and “attack the foundations upon which the rule of law and democracy are constructed throughout the Caribbean.”

2016 Women of Courage Award Winners
Debra Baptist-Estrada, Belize: Estrada has fought corruption from within the Belize Department of Immigration for the past 20 years. From her position as port commander of the country’s only airport, Estrada helped U.S. officials break up a large drug and human smuggling ring last spring. Estrada was transferred to Belize’s northern border this summer, where she has repeatedly turned down bribes and unflinchingly upheld immigration laws.

US honors ‘International Women of Courage’
The United States issued awards Tuesday to 14 lawyers, activists, humanitarians and reformers said to represent "International Women of Courage." "Fourteen leaders, fourteen role models, fourteen women of courage, one crystal clear message," said Secretary of State John Kerry. "Don't accept the unacceptable or wait for someone else to step up. Act in the name of justice. Act in the name of tolerance. Act on behalf of truth." All but one of the honorees were able to attend the ceremony in Washington, an annual event that began in 2007 to encourage women's empowerment.

The Best Vacation Depending On Your Relationship Status
Ah, relationships (or, depending on where you are in life, the lack thereof). They can be amazing - or amazingly complex. Now throw in a dash of wanderlust and what do you get? Likely confusion about where to go, how long to spend away and what to expect. Whether you’re single and ready to mingle, newly coupled, not even sure if you’re in a couple (uh, it’s complicated), or been married or partnered for years, it can be tricky to find a destination that matches where you are in life (and love). Here are Cheapflights.com‘s travel picks for every level of love. You’re together, now you’re not. You’re dating, now you’re not sure what’s going on or where you stand. Cue the confusion. A trip during an “it’s complicated” phase of a relationship, or just when you aren’t really sure how committed the two of you are can be risky. However, it’s not out of the question and could, potentially, bring you closer together. Think fun, easy-breezy and eclectic to keep things interesting yet relaxed. A good option, which has both beach and eco-adventure activities, is Belize. It’s not too far and it has enough to keep both of you busy should things get, uh, even more complicated while you’re there.

Caribbean Investment Summit 2016- Miami
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in collaboration with the Caribbean Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (CAIPA) will host the 3rd staging of the Caribbean Investment Summit on May, 13, 2016 at the Marriott Hotel, Miami, USA. The event will be funded and co-organised by the Inter-American Development Bank as a part of a Regional Public Goods Initiative entitled: Support to Foreign Direct Investment in the Caribbean. Produced with support from Financial Times’ fDi Magazine, the Caribbean Investment Summit offers a unique window for investors to the region’s diverse opportunities available to them, and aims to attract a wealth of potential investors interested in the dynamic Caribbean brand.

IMF concludes consultation with Belize
The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the Article IV Consultation with Belize. Real GDP growth reached 3.6 percent in 2014, up from 1.5 percent in 2013 and well above the five-year average of 2.9 percent. A rebound in agriculture, strong performances in tourism, electricity, construction and services offset the significant decline in oil-related activities. The fall in international oil and food prices pushed headline inflation (y/y) to -0.2 percent as of December 2014. The executive board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has concluded the Article IV Consultation with Belize. Real GDP growth reached 3.6 percent in 2014, up from 1.5 percent in 2013 and well above the five-year average of 2.9 percent. A rebound in agriculture, strong performances in tourism, electricity, construction and services offset the significant decline in oil-related activities. The fall in international oil and food prices pushed headline inflation (y/y) to -0.2 percent as of December 2014.

IMF Executive Board Concludes 2015 Article IV Consultation with Belize
On September 16, 2015, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV Consultation1 with Belize. Real GDP growth reached 3.6 percent in 2014, up from 1.5 percent in 2013 and well above the five-year average of 2.9 percent. A rebound in agriculture, strong performances in tourism, electricity, construction and services offset the significant decline in oil-related activities. The fall in international oil and food prices pushed headline inflation (y/y) to -0.2 percent as of December 2014. Despite strong tourism receipts, falling exports and relatively strong imports widened the external current account deficit to 7.6 percent of GDP in 2014, up from 4.4 percent of GDP in 2013. PetroCaribe and other official disbursements continued to finance the current account deficit and help build international reserves (equivalent to 5 months of imports at end-December 2014). The fiscal stance deteriorated significantly in FY 2014/15 (April–March). The primary fiscal balance recorded a deficit of 1.5 percent of GDP, down from a revised deficit of 0.2 percent of GDP in FY 2013/14 and well below the surplus of 1 percent of GDP envisaged in the FY 2014/15 budget. Revenue collection remained in line with budget targets. Spending continued to grow well above budget targets. Financing of the fiscal deficit essentially came from a drawdown of PetroCaribe deposits and official external loans. Relatively strong GDP growth helped maintain public debt around 76 percent of GDP.

Videos

Jaguar Cave Zipline, 1/2min. Check out the only zipline in the world that takes through a cave!!!

Snorkeling in Belize 2016 - Part 1, 3.5min. Snorkeling off the Reef in Belize about 4 miles east of Coco Plum Island Resort (11 miles south-east of Dangriga)

Belize Trip Day 3, 5min. So I hope you all have been enjoying these vlogs and enjoyed the zip lining part in this one. And I will see you all tomorrow with day 4

Trippin to Belize. On a Cruise ship!, 8.5min.

Shark Ray Alley, Ambergris Caye, Belize, 2.5min.

Snuba Diving, Mexico Rocks, Belize., 2.5min.

March 29, 2016

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

Editorial: The more things change, the more they stay the same
While celebrating the recent 25th anniversary of The San Pedro Sun, one nice person thought we would enjoy reading an old copy of the Coconut Wireless. The Wireless was printed in San Pedro from 1981 through 1990 and the copy we thoroughly enjoyed was dated February 7, 1989; a full 27 years ago! This particular issue featured a less than appealing front page, with headlines ranging from a tourist dying in a diving accident, a speeding vehicle flipping and crashing, a rape and a burglary. We are thankful that rarely does our front page read so grim, but it was surprising that even way back then, San Pedro was evolving from a sleepy fishing village to a community facing growing pains. We couldn’t help but think; the more things change, the more they stay the same. Ironically, the most profound example of this has to be a feature from the Wireless titled From the Mayor’s Desk. The Mayor at the, Pedro Salazar, commented on the town council’s recent regulation of closing the front street on weekend evenings, stating that although the regulation “…causes slight inconvenience for the taxis and other vehicles, it does, on the other hand, allow everyone, especially our children and tourists to feel safe on the streets. It’s a sense of liberty – the sort of environment that one expects to find on an island or tropical vacation resort. Surely there will be some inconvenience caused, but the pleasure and satisfaction of the majority has been kept in mind.” The Mayor also mentions another regulation under consideration; controlling the number and type of vehicles brought to the town.

Letter to the Editor: Rapid, uncontrolled and perhaps unregulated traffic woes
Dear Editor, It is it with deep concern that we from the People’s United Party (Belize Rural South) write to our local news media with regards to the rapid, uncontrolled and perhaps unregulated traffic woes that are affecting our town in the most negative manner. For proof, please find attached two videos that were taken this weekend in the Boca del Rio area that shows the importation of brand new golf carts presumably for rental. All this, at a time where traffic congestion is at an all time high, importations even higher, solutions and moratoriums at an all time low and the constant promise of less vehicle permits: a false reassurance to our community. There are many questions to be asked directly to the Mayor and his councillors. How many more golf carts are yet to come in to the island? Are these the result of campaign promises? Who approves these permits, the mayor himself or a traffic committee? Is there an active traffic committee or have they too been overrun? If there is a traffic committee then who are they? The public deserves to know. Why isn’t the list of approvals published in the local papers as was done in the past? These are only some of the many questions that the residents of San Pedro deserve to know.

Raising awareness for children living with disabilities
March 21st marked “World Down Syndrome Day”, and Sarah Freudenberg, special needs teacher at Ambergris Caye Elementary School (ACES), challenges the community to see past visible disabilities and learning impairments of special needs children and embrace humility. April is observed as Autism Awareness month, and ACES never misses a chance to raise awareness regarding those living with disabilities. On April 17th, ACES will be hosting their second annual autism awareness 5k. Along with volunteers, ACES will focus on awareness, promoting acceptance and bringing the conversation about Autism. Sarah hopes to enlighten people, especially those who are prejudiced towards people born with disabilities. At the moment, Sarah is working alongside other primary school teachers promoting the method of inclusion—where children with special needs are in the same classroom as children their age. Furthermore, all teachers are currently taking an online class about special education from an accredited American university. “Having a special education classroom really helps all of the students at ACES. It teaching the children to accept people with disabilities. ACES staff is like a family; all of the teachers and administration work together so well,” said Sarah.

Plan proposed to light up our beach
The San Pedro Police Department (SPPD), along with the San Pedro Town Council and other stakeholders are in the beginning stage of negotiating a much-needed addition to La Isla Bonita’s beaches. The plan proposes installing solar lights along our shores, providing adequate lighting for all pedestrians. Officers from the Coastal Executive Unit, Sandra Bowden and Henry Jemmott, will embark on this plan as an additional safety protocol/strategy to prevent crimes and accidents. “These lights will be placed around the beach where we have registered crimes in the past. The purpose of the lights is not only for tourists’ safety, but that of residents in general. If we can improve the lighting conditions in certain areas on the island, then those areas can become safer for everyone—ensuring that law enforcement can focus elsewhere. A simple light can deter a criminal, just as the presence of an officer can deter a crime,” said Bowden.

Ambergris Today

Flashbacks - The Original Sands Hotel
It is not among the first hotels but certainly among the early hotels on Ambergris Caye. Sands Hotel was built by the owner himself, George Parham, a member of the very influential family, the Parham's. The Parham's were major land owners of Ambergris Caye along with the Alamillas and the Blakes. George Parham (R.I.P. ) a born San Sanpedrano, had been living in the United States and in the 1970's returned home to retire and become involved in the a tourism industry, thus the building of Sands Hotel right in the heart of San Pedro Town. George lived the rest of his life in San Pedro enjoying his home and hotel, being active in politics, social events, and community affairs until his passing. Sands Hotel is now under the management of his granddaughter as Hostel La Vista, offering backpackers comfortable and economical accommodation in La Isla Bonita.

25 Years Ago - Singing and Feeding Program at Elementary School
In the good old days of our beautiful little fishing village of San Pedro there was a school class period (or ‘subject’) called "singing". Also in the GOOD OLE DAYS, and I mean in the really good old days, there was a feeding program in our elementary school. Here is how it went. Singing in Class: Every Thursday afternoon during the last period at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School, students enjoyed Singing Period. The teacher would write the lyrics of a song on the blackboard and the students copied it in their song exercise books. The teacher then proceeded to teach the new song and the students gradually pitched in as they became familiar with it. Once it was mastered (this took two or three weeks), the students then sang it in unison, at times in two voices to learn harmony.

AIDS Commission Commences New Mural at San Pedro High
As part of its educational campaign program, the San Pedro AIDS Commission is once again undertaking the task of painting a second mural, this time on the more visible wall of the San Pedro High School compound. The Commission has received approval from the school and works has commenced on the positive images and messages that will be painted along the wall. “We have selected attractive images about HIV/AIDS Awareness that will be painted on the fence as a constant reminder to the students to get educated and make the right choice,” commented SP AIDS Commission President, Felix Ayuso. The money collected from the group’s Carnaval Comparsa will be used to fund the mural that is being painted by local artist Pablito Guerrero.

3rd Annual Caye Caulker Kayak Island Challenge – Post Race Report
The most contested category was the Men's Single. There were five participants and first place in this category and second overall was Steven Arnold; he won $800 and trophy. Second place and third overall was Jerry Rhaburn, he received $400 and trophy. Third place and fourth overall was Kenrick Daniels, he received $200 and a trophy. The other two participants that did not finish the challenge were Brandon Lind and Sean Arnold, great effort guys!

Misc Belizean Sources

Kite Sailing from San Pedro To Placencia, Belize
Martin John, Mark Worthington & 8 others friends will be Kite Sailing from San Pedro To Placencia, Belize Beautiful Coast, from the Barrier Reef to Maya Mountains, covering 100 miles for Justice. Join Us. In memory of Jeffrey Eiley, on April 2nd 2016. Jeffrey Eiley was passionate of our National Resources especially our Barrier Reef. KITE to POINT INSPIRED BY JEFF POWERED BY WIND. We will be leaving San Pedro at 6am. More info to follow. Have a Happy Easter.

3rd Annual Caye Caulker Kayak Island Challenge – Post Race Report
The Third Annual Caye Caulker Kayak Island Challenge got on the way at 11 am on Holy Saturday, March 26, 2016. The Kayak Island Challenge is an open kayak race around the island. Seven brave kayakers which included one woman, participated in three categories – Men's Single, Women's Single, and Rudder. Chris Guydis, paddling for Paddle Stop, the only entrant in the Rudder Category used a surfski sit on top racing kayak completed the race a distance of about twelve miles in about two hours. He was overall winner and opened a gap of about 21 minutes on the second place overall winner. Although no official time was taken, this was the best estimate looking at our watches. The surfski will most likely be the racing kayak of choice in the near future here in Belize. Chris picked up a $300 cash prize with a trophy and won all station prizes along the way.

Emergency First Response Instructor Course: Caye Caulker
With tour guide renewal coming up in a few months, why not take a little refresher course at reasonable rate, or if it's your first time, why not learn to assist people and gain the confidence you need with the right knowledge. It's a great skill set for not just guides but even hotel or restaurant staff, especially during crazy party seasons like easter.Contact me via fb to set up a session, reservations must be made 3 weeks in advance. Please note, I won't just sign you off for a small fee, either take the refresher course if you want to update your card or find someone else. $70.00 bz

Fabrication! by Abdul Marin Nunez
Allah forbids oppression Some Muslims understand not this prescription Flogging for alcohol consumptions Stoning to death for adultery and fornication The Ulamah are wrong Turning their faces to Washington Allowing enemies of Islam To defame the prophet Muhammad Allah abrogation Is not a part time position When Allah made the Muslim Change their praying direction From the Khaba to Jerusalem He separated the Jews from the Muslim And created and new Ummah for them Back then the Muslims were turning their backs to the Kabah When Allah abrogated the Ayah Then instructed Muslims to turn to Mecca

The Reporter

Man dies in traffic accident
A traffic accident early Easter Sunday morning claimed a man’s life and left two more injured. The accident occurred at around 2:00 a.m., on the Bullet Tree road. San Ignacio Police were summoned to the scene and saw a red Nissan Frontier double cab pick-up truck on the left hand side of the road, with extensive damages to its front portion. Police also found three male persons on the scene with injuries. Initial investigation reveals that Juan Alvarado, 43, a carpenter of Hillview area, Santa Elena town, was driving the vehicle with passengers, John Xol, 24, a mechanic of Bishop Martin Street, Santa Elena town and Byron Barcena. The group was heading from Bullet Tree village heading towards San Ignacio Town when Alvarado lost control of the vehicle, ran off the road and overturned. Alvarado was taken to the San Ignacio community hospital bleeding from his ears. He was pronounced dead on arrival.

Breaking Belize News

Traffic accident claims one life on Bullet Tree Road
San Ignacio police are currently investigating a traffic accident that has claimed the life of 43-year-old Juan Alvarado, a Belizean carpenter of the Hillview Area in Santa Elena Town, Cayo. Officials in that municipality reported that on March 28th, at around 2:10 am, officers responded to information of an accident on the Bullet Tree Road. Upon arrival, police officers observed a red Nissan Frontier with extensive damage. Initial investigations have revealed that Alvarado was driving the vehicle in direction of San Ignacio Town when he lost control of the vehicle causing it to run off road and flip, landing on its wheel.

National debt expected to reach $3 billion by 2017
Belize’s national debt at the end of 2014 was in the range between $2.2 and $2.3 billion; now Belize’s debt is estimated to be over $2.35 billion and by next year that figure will be upward of $2.8 billion. By 2017, the national debt is projected to reach $3.03 billion! That is a staggering rate of debt growth and is indicative of the unprecedented level of borrowing the government has undertaken in recent years. And while it is generally accepted that every country must undertake a certain level of debt to finance various aspects of development, it is expected that whatever development is financed by such debt would benefit the country by creating economic advancement. But in Belize, where there is a real deficiency in transparency and accountability as it relates to the management of public funds there is enough cause to worry whether or not the growing national debt is actually benefiting the country.

Blogs

Lubaantun Mayan Ruins of Belize
Lubaantun’s 11 large, towering structures–plus five plazas and three ball courts–are marvels that have no equal, according to Belize’s Institute of Archaeology and archaeologists who oversaw excavation of this landmark. There are no doorways to be seen, and building corners are round rather than square. You’ll have to imagine thatch and wood structures that once topped these buildings because they’re gone now. Green moss peeks out from every crevice, reminding visitors that Lubaantun thrived during the Classic Period (730 to 890 AD) but remains nothing more than an echo of the past today. Despite its high elevation—200 feet above sea level—you might think this attraction easy to find, but in fact, rainforest obscures Lubaantun until one gets close. It’s situated above the Columbia River and about 1.5 miles from San Pedro Columbia Village in the Toledo District. Some speculate that Lubaantun once served as a military overlook due to its lofty elevation. If you’re starting from Punta Gorda Town in the Toledo District, travel about 26 miles to San Pedro Columbia Village and you’ll be less than two miles from the entrance. Park in the lot and follow the trail for approximately 70 yards–all downhill–to reach the visitors center.

International Sources

How Our Favorite Fish Could Recover in a Decade
Here's how the world's depleted fish populations could be turned around. After decades of declines, most of the world's fish populations could recover in just ten years, while fishermen make more money at the same time, scientists reported in a new study published Monday. The solution is for more countries to adopt systems for sharing rights to harvesting fish, which have been effective in a handful of countries, including the U.S. and Belize. "I've spent my career working on fisheries issues and I did not expect such a dramatic finding," says Amanda Leland, a co-author of the study in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Leland, a fisheries scientist with the Environmental Defense Fund, worked on the study with scientists from the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of Washington. The team ran computer simulations on a massive database of 4,713 fisheries, representing about 78 percent of worldwide fishing activity. By 2050, global fish populations could double if all countries switched to the best management practices. The percentage of fisheries that are considered biologically healthy would grow from around 47 percent today to 77 percent in 10 years.

Il Belize di Norwegian e Harvest Caye
Norwegian Cruise Line e impegnata nello sviluppo di Harvest Caye, in Belize, la sua nuova ed esclusiva destinazione dei Caraibi occidentali, per offrire agli ospiti un ambiente che rispecchi il paese in modo autentico e consenta di accedere alle meraviglie del Belize meridionale. Il resort offrira strutture, servizi di lusso e attivita eco-turistiche. Questo scalo in stile resort, che accogliera i primi ospiti nel novembre 2016, sara l'unico porto del Belize ad essere dotato di un molo per navi da crociera. Oltre alle meraviglie e alle bellezze naturali del Belize, Harvest Caye offrira tutto cio che i viaggiatori cercano in una destinazione tropicale: una spiaggia di circa 30mila m2, sport acquatici, escursioni a terra alla scoperta delle rovine Maya, tour nella natura e molto altro. Gli ospiti che privilegiano la privacy, potranno affittare una delle 11 lussuose ville sulla spiaggia: ognuna puo ospitare fino a 10 persone ed e dotata di tutti i comfort, dall’ aria condizionata, a lounge e sale da pranzo riservate, docce interne ed esterne, amache e opzioni esclusive per cene e servizio bar, con concierge dedicato.

Belize Tourists in Quintana Roo
Over the course of the past week, between 30,000 and 35,000 Belizeans have crossed into Quintana Roo. Most say they are coming on holiday, but many are coming to purchase groceries and household goods. The exchange rate is bringing on a holiday air all its own and, in many cases, the savings are completely paying for a very nice vacation. The sheer numbers of Belizean tourists has served to add quite a few new jobs in the tourism sector in Quintana Roo and it is expected that these “almost local” tourists will be back soon.

LAND OF WILD MEN AND TAME DEVILS
Here's a fun read ... a 1972 travel article in Sports Illustrated about Belize. Remember the days...
If you want to go where nobody goes, try Belize. Fish and game abound, and duendes might carry you off and teach you the guitar A puzzled look came over the travel agent's face, and he asked me if I would please repeat. "Certainly," I said. "My wife and I are looking for a place where nobody goes and we can catch a little sun and a few fish and it doesn't take forever to get there—and nobody goes there!" "Yes," the travel agent said, "I see. Hmmmmm. That shouldn't be too hard. Hmmmmmmm. Let me see. Ah, ha! I've got it! Alabama!" "We've been to Alabama." "Well, then," the agent said, pulling out a map. "Let's try something dramatic. How about Oaxaca? No? San Jose? Oh, I see. Grenada? You've been there, too? Let's see.... How about British Honduras?" "How about where?" "British Honduras, also known as Belize. Look here at the map. It's that little spot just south of Mexico. Just east of Guatemala. On the western edge of the Caribbean."

Longest Coral Bleaching Event on Record Continues to Hammer Reefs
Even as the El Niño of 2015-16 winds down, coral reefs remain threatened by the longest episode of global-scale bleaching on record. NOAA announced in October 2015 that the third global bleaching event had begun, with reefs from the Florida Keys to Fiji suffering widespread damage over the past year. In February, NOAA scientists announced that the bleaching event was the longest on record. The event is a result of widespread ocean warming related to long-term climate change as well as regional warmings triggered by El Niño, which began in early 2015. The prolonged nature of the bleaching event is especially worrisome because it allows for multiple years of damage during seasonal peaks in upper-ocean temperature, giving the reefs less time to recover. “We may be looking at a 2- to 2½-year-long event,” said Mark Eakin, coordinator of NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program. “Some areas have already seen bleaching two years in a row.” In its 2015 annual summary of conditions across U.S. coral reefs, issued on March 7, 2016, NOAA projected that the global bleaching event will likely extend into 2017. Since 2014, the report noted, 100% of all U.S. coral reef areas have experienced at least some level of thermal stress associated with unusually warm waters, with 41% experiencing Alert Level 2 thermal stress (typically associated with widespread bleaching and mortality). Record-breaking events occurred in 2015 near Hawaii, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Florida. Reefs near Hawaii were hard hit by bleaching in both 2014 and 2015.

Videos

Spring Break: Caye Caulker, Belize, 8.5min. A collaboration of go pro footage from our spring break trip to Belize. No fish were harmed in the making of this film and all were released safely. Tight lines!

The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize - Belikin, 28min. The Beer Diaries is proud to present The Beer Diaries World Tour: Belize, a series dedicated to using beer as an introduction to history, culture and the geo-political state of countries around the world. In this episode, we travel with host Mike Mann and his team back to the mainland, exploring the reputation of Belikin Beer and its iron-fisted business tactics that pushed Charger Beer, a Matus Brothers Brewery, out of the Belize beer market. In addition, Mike speaks with Shelly Bowen-Stonesifer, Head of Marketing for Bowen and Bowen/Belikin, about renewing a relationship with the people of Belize, in search of their continued loyalty to the brand. Ultimately, Mike chats with the first Belizean Brewmaster, Nolan Michael, about enhancing the brand and job force in the country of Belize.

Cayos de Belize 2016_ Cayo Hunting, 4min. Excursion left at 6am from Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. It takes almost two hours by boat to reach Hunting Cay. It is amazing.

Vacation in Belize 2016, 5min. My parents vacation in Belize, all filmed with a GoPro Hero3+

Belize 2016, 7min.

Spelunking Belize, 4min. Barton Creek Archeological Site, May 10 2015.

Belize, Hopkins 2016, 3min. Moto rental in Hopkins Belize up to Mayan Centre down through Sittee River Road.

Belize Garifuna Drummers2 2016, 6.5min. Belize Literacy Alive 2016.

Diving at Long Caye, Belize, 2min. Underwater life taken at Long Caye, Belize. Using a GoPro Her4 Silver plus red filter.

Belize Snorkeling Hol Chan 3 20 16 new, 3.5min.

Belize Snorkeling Shark Ray Alley 3 20 16, 6min.

Belize Trip Day 2, 9min.

March 28, 2016

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

The San Pedro Sun

Letter to the Editor: Traffic Solutions
Solutions to help San Pedro’s Traffic problem. Everyone who owns a vehicle should keep that vehicle in the best working condition possible, both for safety and reliability. 1 – All motorized vehicles must be licensed and insured (This includes heavy equipment) 2 – Everyone driving on the roads must abide by the laws set out in the Road Traffic act of Belize. 3 – Drivers should be more considerate of other road users, not drive like they own the road. 4 – Aggressive driving should not be tolerated. If the people of San Pedro are serious about helping reduce the complaints about our traffic, they are the ones that have to change; one only has to stand on the side of any street and watch how people are driving. The way people drive here would not be tolerated anywhere else in Belize, they drive too fast and have no consideration for anyone else including pedestrians; it is only by chance that someone has not been killed. You can see the arrogance of some drivers as they bully their way through traffic, overtaking dangerously just to get one vehicle ahead. The island is small no one has miles to travel to get to work or school, so why do they feel it is necessary to drive so aggressively and dangerously to go just a short distance. I have driven in many countries as a professional driver and have never seen driving as bad as the drivers here on San Pedro.

Wolfe’s Woofer: An Old Man’s Prayer
“How are you doing today?” I asked Charlie, when he arrived. “Don’t ask,” he replied. “It’s been one of those days so far and it’s barely lunchtime. There’s no telling how bad it can get before the day is over.” We had met up at Bella Italia Restaurant for our weekly meeting. This is the meeting where we solve the world’s problems and bitch about everything. “Hello, Mr. Charles,” Ali said. “The usual? Two beers and a glass of ice?” “Thank you, sir,” Charlie said, when he brought his beer. “The world already looks a little better. If I have six of these I’ll be like that song where it says, “I think to myself, what a wonderful world.”

Police Report
Found Drugs: On Friday, March 18th at around 8:29PM, San Pedro Quick Response Team personnel’s conducted a search in an empty lot located in the Boca Del Rio Area, San Pedro Town, which led to a black plastic bag in a garbage pile containing green leafy vegetable substance suspected to be Cannabis, amounting to 70.4 grams. The suspected drug was transported to the San Pedro Police station where it was labelled and deposited as found property.
Found Firearm: On Monday, March 21st the San Pedro Police responded to a report of a fight in the Boca Del Rio Park Area. Upon arriving at location two young men, one of Creole descent and one of Hispanic descent, who were involved in said fight, ran over the Boca Del Rio Bridge and managed to escape police apprehension. Upon searching the immediate area where one of the male persons were last seen with what appeared to be a firearm, police discovered a chrome 380 pistol with black handle, Walther Brand, serial number unknown, with a magazine containing three 380 Auto rounds. The firearm and ammunition was taken to the station and was labelled found property.
Drug Trafficking: On Tuesday, March 22nd around 6:15PM acting on information received San Pedro QRT Personnel’s conducted search on 24-year-old Jovanie, Belizean Construction Worker of Bayside Area, San Pedro Town who was carrying a red gift bag in his hand leaving the Tropic Air Cargo Section which is located on Sea Star Street, San Pedro Town. Search conducted inside the red gift bag led to the discovery of a transparent plastic bag containing green leafy vegetable like substance suspected to be Cannabis, amounting to 61.2 grams. He was formally arrested and charged for Drugs Trafficking.

Doctor Love: The In-law and Apalled
Dear Doctor Love, I have been married for less than two years. Every year at Easter my mother-in-law gather’s her family together and they have Easter dinner like other families do at Christmas and Thanksgiving. We live a long way from my mother-in-law. All of my husband’s three brothers and his sister live in Punta Gorda. For them it is only a short drive or even a walk to their mom’s house. We live in San Pedro and for us it is a sacrifice to go and it costs a lot of money. We have to catch a boat to Belize and then a bus to PG while traveling with a one year-old child. We have to stay there overnight and make the trip back the next day. My husband’s mom and her children are very nice people and I do not want to hurt their feelings. It’s too late for this Easter but what can I do for next year and the future? /s/ The In-law

Misc Belizean Sources

10th annual San Pedro Lobster Festival
The 10th annual San Pedro Lobster Festival kicking off on Wednesday, June 15th, 2016! Voted #1 Festival in Belize! The San Pedro Lobster Festival is an annual event that celebrates the reopening of lobster season in Belize. The first festival was held in 2007 with a week of nightly events leading up to one epic block party. Over the past 10 years the festival has evolved into a 10 day festival filled with over 20 great activities and incredible lobster themed foods! Mark your calendars now to join us for this year’s festival! The activities kick off on June 15th with the opening party. There will be daytime and night time events leading up to the Lobster Fest Central Park Block Party on Saturday, June 25th, featuring the musical talents of the Pannerifix Steel Band!

Dog needs home, Caye Caulker
It is with a heavy heart that I must ask for urgent help. Bwian, the dog we rescued a few weeks ago needs a good home within the next 2-3 days. I unfortunately cannot keep him and due to prior commitments have run out of time. Bwian, we believe, is just over a year old and was neutered last week. He's an adorable dog and needs someone to adopt and love him. Please find it in your heart to take him or ask around if anyone you know would like him. Please contact myself, my sister or the humane society.

Holy Saturday Cross Country 2016
Kenny Lamb got some great pictures while the cyclists were in Cayo. "Men's cycling race in Belize of a 140 miles. Starts in the Old Capital to San Ignacio and return, its the 88th edition."

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: Weeks of March 20th – March 26th, 2016
Another great permit week with with tarpon fishing coming on during the full moon ( which is against conventional wisdom). Matt started his stay out with an over the top day with a grand slam on Saturday, despite 20 mph easterly windy Mr. Matt inspired the crowd with his first grand slam ever! Tom had a soft slam! (A permit tarpon and bonefish all in one trip)

The Reporter

BDF sergeant shot by Guatemalans in Chiquibul
A Belize Defense Force (BDF) sergeant is currently receiving medical attention at the Western Regional Hospital (WRH) after he was shot during a confrontation with Guatemalan intruders in the Chiquibul Forest Reserve. The incident, this newspaper understands, occurred on Holy Saturday afternoon while Sergeant Richard Lambey was on patrol in the Caracol area, a “hotspot” known for frequent incursions by Guatemalans. Sergeant Lambey was shot during a crossfire with a group of Guatemalans and required air transportation out of the reserve. The matter is currently under investigation at the Ministry of Mational Security and the Foreign Affairs levels.

Breaking Belize News

Easter weekend violent in Belize City: two shootings, stabbing reported; one fatality
Two separate incidents of violence in the Old Capital have been reported up to this morning. There was a fatal shooting reported in Belize City on Saturday night. The incident took place somewhere behind the Charles Bartlett Hyde Administration Building, in the same area as a shooting reported hours earlier. Police have yet to respond to our request for information. We are also told that there was a stabbing incident on Water Lane in Belize City this morning. The victim has been identified but police have issued no statements and we will therefore withhold his name for the time being.

Do social service organizations support curfew?
We have been reporting on the Police’s efforts to keep youths out of danger and off the streets by means of a check-up program which has been referred to as a curfew. On Wednesday during his Meet and Greet tour on Fabers’ Road, reporters asked Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams about reports that not all social service organizations are supportive of the move. Williams said he knew of no such report, but expected that the matter would be resolved at a meeting to be held after the Easter break. However, Williams touted his community support for the curfew as expressed on Facebook.

The best will not come this year
The budget debate has come and gone and United Democratic Party (UDP) supporters, after wiping the brown from their noses, have hailed it as a wonder budget; while People’s United Party (PUP) supporters, with vicious snarls on their faces, have condemned it as perhaps the country’s worst yet. So what’s what? Who’s right? Because UDP sympathizers no doubt believe Belize is “stable in a time of change” and PUP supporters believe the country is going through a “recession”. So again, who’s being honest? Well, neither. Big surprise, right? The economy is indeed struggling and prospects for the future don’t seem much brighter outside of tourism, but the country isn’t yet at the point of total economic collapse, nor are we currently facing a recession.

Blogs

You are wrong, Jeffrey. Travel makes you a better person.
Let us pause for a moment and allow a wave of compassion wash over us for Jeffrey Grey. The self-defined millennial recently wrote a piece for the blog “Thought Catalog” titled, “Why Your Obsession with Travel Means You’re Living a Mediocre Life.” I’m sure we can all deduce what we need to know about Jeffrey from the title, and it is puzzling and sad, but let’s hear some more from the author: “The truth is that my generation has been completely brainwashed by bullshit #millennial propaganda. Cute little listicles featuring chic pictures of young sexy people standing on the edge of waterfalls, that tell our generation that life is only worth living if we ‘travel.’ Instagram travelers who ~perfectly~ filter every single picture they’ve taken while exploring Europe on daddy’s dime. “Do you want to know what I believe, honestly? The only people who want to travel incessantly are people who have, or want, completely mediocre lives.” I will concede one point to Jeffrey: Some globetrotters can be annoyingly shallow reporters. I’ve had enough of fascinating pictures posted to Instagram or Facebook that are entirely void of context. And I’ll say the same for selfies. Your face in the foreground does not enhance your pictures of the Bujang Valley temple ruins or the Baatara Gorge waterfalls.

International Sources

Heidelberg students study biology in Belize
For their spring break in mid-March, nine Heidelberg University students accompanied Dr. Amy Berger on her Caribbean biogeography course to the Tropical Research and Education Center on Ambergris Caye, Belize. I tagged along, and I thought you might enjoy reading a few snippets from the blog they kept during the eight-day trip. “Today was our first diving day, so we practiced in the pool then walked to the dock carrying our snorkel gear, like a flock of happy chickens...Our first snorkel location was Tres Cocos, which was located just inside the breaking waves (of the barrier reef) and was pretty turbulent. The corals here were HUGE and some even reached the surface or close to it, so it was difficult to navigate. We saw blue tang, blue-headed wrasse, a stoplight parrotfish and long-spined sea urchin here.” — Sarah Miller “I held a sea biscuit! (Look it up!) Biology is so cool! The breathtaking feeling of a stingray swimming not even five feet below you is something I won’t ever forget. Or the taste of a mouthful of salt water. Gross. Oh! — and a barracuda swam about two feet from my face! Come to find out, they’re curious animals. We also saw some squid change colors in front of our eyes!” — Sarah Parker

Caribbean economies continue to face growth challenges in 2016
As Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow welcomed Caribbean Community leaders to his English-speaking Central-American nation last month, there was one topic that he couldn’t ignore. “There has been a failure of the world economy to recover properly from the shock of the financial crisis,” Barrow said, touching on an all-too-familiar concern among leaders of the 15-member regional bloc known as Caricom. “That failure, for the majority of us in Caricom, has meant slow growth, increasing difficulties with our public finances, and tremendous strains on our capacity to satisfy the life-improvement aspirations of our people.” Indeed, the decline in global economic growth from 3.4 percent in 2014 to 3.1 percent last year provided for a difficult economic year for the region’s economies, the Caribbean Development Bank said. Still tourism in the region set new arrival and spending records. Indeed, the decline in global economic growth from 3.4 percent in 2014 to 3.1 percent last year provided for a difficult economic year for the region’s economies, the Caribbean Development Bank said. Still tourism in the region set new arrival and spending records.

For Expats Living in Mexico and Central America, Safety Is Not a Big Concern
The thought of living in certain places in Mexico or Central America can be alluring: fabulous beaches, colonial cities, inexpensive, quality healthcare, a slower pace and much lower cost of living. But some people think mistakenly that it isn't safe. To determine how safe it is for expats in places like Panama, Nicaragua, Belize and Mexico, Best Places In The World to Retire asked some of its more than 500 contributors to weigh in. They said that petty crime can be a problem, although that's no different than in the U.S. They also said that more serious crime is not nearly as rampant as the media indicates, although it's important to avoid certain areas. That's also no different than in the U.S. Overall, the expats said that they felt safe in their communities.

Videos

Body & Soul, Featuring Noel Brickell and Charlie Sorrells, 8min. This video is about a trip to Body & Soul Medical Mission in Belize.

Belize 2015, 1.5min. Ran into a crab under the old Palapa Bar, Ambergris Caye. January 2015.

Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Lodge Belize, 6min. Footage from our second stay at Cave's Branch Lodge. We toured the baboon sanctuary, Belize zoo, zip line and did the cave expedition. The kids loved it and we will be back.

Belize Cross Country 2016, 2.5min.

Belize Dives, 15min.

Ambergris Caye || Belize|| 2016, 5min. This is my first travel video of my family going to Belize for spring break

You Better Belize It!, 10min. 2016 Alternative Spring Break in Belize.

Belize 2016, 11min.

Tom Owens Caye, Belize, 5min. ReefCI project during spring break of 2016.

Snorkeling In Belize, 3.5min. Day 3 of Royal Caribbean Cruise - Liberty of the Seas. 4/27/2015.

Belize 2016 Holy Saturday Cross Country Race, 2min.

Belize - Day 1, 16min.

March 27, 2016

HAPPY EASTER!

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

Old World Explorer encourages boomers to go solo
Linda J. Brown, at 78 and a half years old, is not your ordinary retired senior citizen. Over the years, she has made exploration not only a hobby, but her lifestyle. One would think that traveling the entire world once is a great personal achievement, but Linda has exceeded her accomplishments by traveling the world three times. She is definitely not shy when coming out of her shell and has since motivated many people to travel. Linda’s adventures and experiences inspired her to publish her first book back in 2008 entitled “Hey Boomers, Dust off Your Backpacks” and she also created two blogs: www.heyboomers.com and www.insecretdiffusion.com. Her book rotates around the ‘baby boomers’ of America, which is the name given to the generation of Americans born after World War II. The dramatic growth of newborns became known as the baby boom. So Linda correlates her book around her generation of her peers that grew up in the sixties, where selective groups were hippies. “In the 1960’s, before hippies got married and had kids like I was doing, they were going all over the world with backpacks, discovering Blue Lagoon and Bali. And that’s what I am doing now. I am calling out to the boomers,” explained Brown.

SPTC introduces new Sports Coordinator
A well-known sports figure has joined The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) family as its new Sports Coordinator. He is no stranger to the island, much less the athletes around the country, as his sporting career has seen him representing the Jewel as far as the international stage. Kent Gabourel, or Bob as everyone knows him, is widely known for being an enthusiastic sports activist on Ambergris Caye. He is always very involved in the community, whether it is organizing sports camps for children or planning tournaments. Gabourel is familiar with various sports, and his experience in these makes him an asset to the community. His disciplines include swimming, running, football, softball, and volleyball just to mention a few. One of his greatest accomplishments was when he represented Belize at the 20th Commonwealth Games that took place in Glasglow, Scotland in July 2014. His greatest accomplishments do not end there, however, as he is a proud winner of the Belize Lion Man Triathlon three years in a row (2013-2015).

The Charikanari Garifuna Dance Group represents Belize in Mexico
Talented Belizeans continue to put our Jewel on the map beyond the country’s borders. Whether in sports or in cultural presentations, Belize is truly blessed with a wealth of talented people. Such is the case of the San Pedro Garifuna Charikanari Dance Group, who recently participated in a cultural show in nearby Mexico. Their performance was the most anticipated of the event, and they did not let us down! It is was Charikanari’s second visit to the event called “Cultural Evening of Latin America-Music, Dance, Culture,” and hosted by the Universidad Juarez Autonoma de Tabasco in the city of Tenosique in Tabasco Mexico. The event took place on Thursday, March 17th and saw dance groups from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Mexico performing. The Belizean dance group was accompanied by members of The San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) and The San Pedro Cultural Committee. The Belizean delegation’s participation in the event was made possible through the Honorary Consul Jorge Valencia and The SPTC, along with the support of a few businesses on the island.

San Pedro AIDS Commission’s new board members set goals
A mural at the local high school aims to create awareness through education via a sensitive message on HIV/AIDS. Newly elected members of the San Pedro AIDS Commission (SPAC) seek to launch an aggressive educational campaign on the deadly virus, starting with the mural. The newly installed board members of the SPAC were elected during their general meeting held early in March. The new members for the 2016 board are: Felix Ayuso (President), David Jenkins (Vice President), Carmen Trejo Ancona (Secretary), and Nesher Acosta (Treasurer). According to President Ayuso, the mural by the San Pedro High School (SPHS) is being funded via money collected during the organization’s participation group in this year’s annual Carnaval Comparsas back in February. “As part of the educational campaign being launched, we have selected attractive images about HIV/AIDS Awarenes,” said Ayuso. “These images will be painted on the fence and serve as a constant reminder to the students about the importance of educating themselves on the disease and making the right choices.” The artist who will be painting these images will be Pablito Guerrero who has done many of the organization’s murals.

NCL announces first call to Harvest Caye set for November 2016
Even after much debate and controversy, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) still plans on opening a port at Harvest Caye. It’s been over three years since news first broke of the construction of a cruise port on Belize’s southern island of Harvest Caye, and even though local tourism stake holders and environmentalists protested its construction, NCL proceeded with the development. Now, NCL has announced that the first call to Harvest Caye will be on November 15, 2016. The announcement was made on Wednesday, March 16th during a presentation at Seatrade Cruise Global (the world’s largest cruise industry event). Both the Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., and the Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans, were present for the announcement made by President and Chief Operating Officer for NCL, Andy Stuart. “Belize is one of the most ecologically and culturally rich gems in the Caribbean, and Harvest Caye will be the perfect destination for guests to experience all that the country has to offer in authentic, unique ways. There is so much to do on the island, from the spectacular seven-acre beach and watersports, to interactive wildlife programs. Beyond Harvest Caye, we will strongly encourage our guests to explore Belize through the spectacular eco-adventure and cultural tours this incredible destination has to offer visitors,” said Stuart, during the big announcement of the port opening.

Misc Belizean Sources

Western Ballaz Host Running Rebels
The Western Ballaz host the OW Running Rebels on April Fools Day. It's almost playoff time, and the Ballaz need to win this match. Go Ballaz!

JOEL BORLAND: BELIZEAN LEGENDS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPION!
It's is amazing to us here at Belizean Legends of the guts, brain, and bran that Belize Cross Country legend, Joel Borland, showed in the 2016 88th Belize Holy Saturday Cross Country Race. He is our champion here today, since Belize did not win the Cross Country. But Borland's third place is like first place for us here. He made us all proud at home and abroad for his relentless strength he endured being 'double benk' by two serious Guatemalan brothers cyclist who appeared to have come to Belize to win by all means necessary. Joel Borland was impressive to us here from this side of the world. We had hoped for a repeat of the 2015 Belize Cross Country Champion, Justin Williams win here, but it was not meant to be.

Hopkins International Paranda Music Festival 2016
A full night of paranda melodies by some of the best in the music industry!

CTV3

Traffic Accident Near Crooked Tree
A traffic accident that occurred earlier this evening on Mile 31 of the Philip Goldson Highway near the cut off of Crooked Tree Village has left one individual hospitalized. CTV3 News understands that the driver of the vehicle did not stop to render aid but instead fled the scene in a white pick-up truck traveling towards Orange Walk Town. We will have details of this story in Tuesday’s newscast.

PM Leaves For Easter Vacation
After two consecutive days of debate inside the House of Representatives in Belmopan on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the 2016-2017 budget, today Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow left the country on personal leave during the Easter holiday. He left Belize today and is scheduled to return on Tuesday March 29th. During the Prime Minister’s absence, the Hon. Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister will act as Prime Minister.

Belize Strengthens Capacity To Fight Human Trafficking
Belize along with four other Caribbean countries took part in a two-day workshop with the main purpose being to Strengthen Capacities to Fight Trafficking in Persons in the Caribbean region. The workshop which was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was held in Belize City on March 16 and 17 where future areas of collaboration and cooperation were discussed. A press release issued by the organizers of the workshop quoted project manager Rukiya Brown as saying that “One aim of the workshop is to promote among the participants the use of regional cooperation and to share information, ideas and techniques.”According to the release, Government representatives charged with leading their country’s counter trafficking efforts from Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago and Belize have all displayed their commitment to countering trafficking in persons in their countries which would lead to an increase in the number of cases investigated and successful prosecutions.

P.M Barrow Defends Budget 2016/2017
The 2016/2017 budget debate ended late yesterday evening with the Prime Minister of Belize’s presentation. The Right Honorable Dean Barrow’s speech only lasted for half hour but during that time he lashed out the Opposition for claiming that the unemployment rate is at an all-time high. “He talked about what the average earnings in this country are, but he offered no source or authority for the figure he gave. Likewise he said he had embarked on some sort of tax per dollar calculation for the people’s earnings, but in coming up with the number, and in telling us how he did so he used such outrageous sleight of hand that it required a scolding from the Minister of National Security who is the only true economist in this House. It was not surprising then Mr. Speaker that when it came to our Statistical Institute of Belize the leader of the Opposition cited them and their data with approval when it suited him.”

The Reporter

Man shot dead in Lake I
Reports are that a man was shot dead about half hour ago in the Lake Independence area of Belize City. While information is sketchy at this time, the Reporter understands that the shooting occurred in the Complex area. We will have details of this incident on Sunday.

Guatemalan brothers are top two Cross Country cycling race winners
Guatemalan cyclist, Alejandro Padilla, is the winner of the 88th Annual Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic, which ended just before midday today in front of the BTL Park in Belize City. Padilla finished the race in 5: 51:09. The second place finisher was Padilla’s younger brother, Julio who rode in side by side with his older brother and allowed him to cross the finish line in a tenth of a second before him. The younger Padilla was the first to break away from his older brother and the only Belizean cyclist, Joel Borland, who was able to hang onto their repeated attacks. That break-away occurred near mile 10 coming in. At about mile eight, Alejandro rode left Joel Borland, who held on to that position to cross the finish line solo about two minutes later.

Breaking Belize News

One of Belize’s most fascinating characteristics is an exotic mix of cultures and peoples, but it’s anyone’s guess how the name of a Russian saint was bestowed upon St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park. St. Herman was born in Moscow in 1755 and became a legendary North American missionary, yet he never traveled further south than Kodiak, Alaska. You might want to solve the mystery yourself-before or after you visit.

St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is more than just the place 200 species of birds and exotic cats call home. Caves, hidden amid forested land marked by nature trails used by jaguars, ocelots, tapir and armadillos when humans arenâ€™t around, take visitors to a 180-foot-wide entrance that could easily be missed because jungle vines are everywhere. This cave was once used for Mayan ceremonies and rituals, remnants of which were left behind when the cave dwellers moved on. The blue sinkhole on premises is fed by underground streams and it’s fascinating enough on its own to draw crowds.

Why you should visit St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park

The unique geological features within this 575 acre forest plus the beauty and wildlife combine to offer visitors plenty of reasons to tour this area. But it’s the cave system thatâ€™s the big lure: walk the 200 yards into the enclave to marvel at prehistoric-looking speleothems and Mayan artifacts. What’s the Blue Hole? It’s the lush blue pool deep within the cavern that’s 100-feet deep and 300-feet in diameter. Donâ€™t confuse this Blue Hole with the place near Lighthouse Reef atoll thatâ€™s beloved by divers. That said, what other excursion offers opportunities to see wildlife, Mayan artifacts, a cool cave and a sinkhole fed by underground rivers all in one place?

What makes this park unique?

Every notable site in Belize has its own romantic history and St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is no exception. Created by Mother Nature when an underground limestone cave collapsed, this natural wonder is connected by a river that invites swimmers and tubers eager to navigate aspects of the cave via the waterway to jump in and have fun. First showcased as a great place to visit back in 1965, this popular destination became an official Belize National Park in 1978 after funds from the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago-based philanthropic entity, underwrote a project that enhanced the location by helping to stem erosion.

Where is it located?

This destination is close to the nation’s capital, Belmopan, but you don’t have to be headquartered there to visit because licensed tour agents will be happy to escort you to and from this natural wonderland.

When is the best time to go?

Any time of year!

How to get here

From Belmopan, travel about 12 miles southeast along the Hummingbird Highway to the park’s entrance. Expect to hike through the jungle to reach your destinations.

Best way to experience St. Hermanâ€™s Blue Hole National Park

Travel through dense forest to the entrance where a picnic area, visitor’s center and gift shop await. Because this site is so easy to wander, you won’t need a guide. Visit the cave, the Blue Hole and surrounding environment using easy-to-follow trails before using the site’s changing rooms to get ready for a refreshing swim. One cautionary note: because this site is, by its nature, a wet adventure, exercise caution when you encounter slippery steps on your journey back in time.

BDF soldier allegedly shot by Guatemalan
Word reaching Breaking Belize News is that a BDF soldier on patrol was allegedly shot this evening by a Guatemalan in the Caracol Area. Information is sketchy but BBN was made to understand that the soldier was injured during an exchange of fire against […]

Premier League of Belize weekends results
On Thursday night after the final whistle, the Verdes Fc won 3-0 against Wagiya FC. Shamir Pacheco scored a penalty and the other 2 goals were from Deon McCauley. Then in Belmopan, the visiting Placencia Assassins took 2 goals from the Belmopan Bandits Amilcar […]

BBN Player of the Week: Jamie Carbajal
Jamie Dominic Carbajal was born in San Ignacio. His friends and family call him “Kemba”. Growing up in one of the twin town, Carbajal went to Sacred Heart Primary School and then moved on to Sacred Heart High school where he started playing basketball. At […]

Belizean family reportedly in collision in Guatemala
Guatemalan authorities are reporting a traffic accident in La Maquina Village along the way to Melchor de Mencos, Guatemala. Reports are that a Belizean family of five suffered a collision where one Andres Lloyd, 68, died on the spot. The other four are reportedly […]

Guatemalan brothers take the Garland
Alejandro Padilla Miranda of the Guatemalan National Team edged out his brother Julio for first place in today’s Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic. Third went to Joel Borland of Team Digicell. A full story is coming shortly. © 2016, www.breakingbelizenews.com. This article is the copyrighted property […]

Cross Country 2016 – the story so far…
The 88th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic kicked off under clear skies this morning with more than 80 elite riders participating, including visitors from Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States. Team Starlight, all of whose members including two women were involved in […]

The 88th Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic underway
The 88th edition of the Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic is underway on the George Price Highway. Official ceremonies were held this morning at BTL park, followed by a lead-out to the traditional starting point at Mile 2 on the George Price Highway, […]

Blogs

Palapa Papas Surprise and My first Ad with Belize Tourism Board
As I write this I am sipping my big Easter chocolate treat iced coffee with Noah’s Boah’s Chocolate Syrup on top. If you have not tried it yet I highly recommend. At $12 a bottle it blows the regular chocolate syrups out of the water. Very rich flavor and simply delicious and made locally with all natural organic ingredients: sugar, water, cold pressed organic cocoa powder, vanilla and salt. A while back the BTB wrote me with news that The Belize Tourism Board has teamed up with The Reporter Newspaper to develop Toucan Talk – a full page, full color feature twice a month. These publications are geared at bringing awareness to Belizeans and encouraging them to be a #BelizeanTraveller. The ads will feature different sites, activities and festivals throughout Belize, and have some great visuals.

Fresh Organic Greens Grown on Ambergris Caye Plus a Super Fun Fact
Just recently I heard that people were getting deliveries of fresh organic lettuce and greens. The company called Ambergreens Organic Aquaponics Greenhouse was up and running. The very first of its kind on the island. I’d visited a hydroponics greenhouse on the Belize mainland over a year ago – that supplies some of the bagged lettuce and greens here in San Pedro… But I wondered: what’s the difference between hydroponics and aquaponics? Here is my very basic understanding. Fish. The fish provide the fertilizer and keeps the whole system organic. I walked over to Mahogany Bay to meet up with Markus and Melanie, the owners of the new business. When I’d heard that they were a pair from Austria, for some reason I was picturing a much older couple…

Pool Project: Week Two
This week has been exhausting for the crew, us, and the dogs. The guys were bound and determined to pour the floor for the pool seating area, finish digging out the pool area, installing the drain and release valve, plus building the pool's vertical steel basket. Let's see how they did. I am going to start with the pool seating area. At the end of last week, this is what that area looked like: Not much room there for seating with all that dirt. The crew obviously removed the piles of dirt, as well as the earth beneath it to create a level base. With that task done, they put down plastic and tied the steel grid for the floor.

International Sources

Green light stops sea turtle deaths
Illuminating fishing nets is a cost-effective means of dramatically reducing the number of sea turtles getting caught and dying unnecessarily. Illuminating fishing nets is a cost-effective means of dramatically reducing the number of sea turtles getting caught and dying unnecessarily, conservation biologists at the University of Exeter have found. Dr Jeffrey Mangel, a Darwin Initiative research fellow based in Peru, and Professor Brendan Godley, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University's Penryn Campus, were part of a team of researchers who found that attaching green battery powered light-emitting diodes (LED) to gillnets used by a small-scale fishery reduced the number of green turtle deaths by 64 per cent, without reducing the intended catch of fish. The innovative study, carried out in Sechura Bay in northern Peru was supported by ProDelphinus, the UK Government's Darwin Initiative, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and published in Marine Ecology Progress Series. It is the first time that lighting technology has been trialled in a working fishery. At a cost of £1.40 ($2) for each LED light, the research showed that the cost of saving one turtle was £24 ($34) -- a sum which would be reduced if the method was rolled out at larger scale.

Videos

, 1/4min. Padilla brothers... winners of the 88th Annual DigiCell Cross Country Cycling Classic! Congratulations to the Guatemalans who won the cross country classic.

Fly Fishing bonefish Ambergris Caye Belize, 1min. Guide Wil Flack of Tres Pescados with the save.

San Pedro and Orange Walk Town, Belize, 3min.

Easter in Belize, 1min. Easter in Dangriga/Belize

Belize 2016 - What a Time to Be Alive !, 4min.

20160316 Belize cave tubing, 6min.

20160313 Belize cave tubing 2, 7.5min.

20160316 Belize cave tubing 3, 11min.

20160316 Belize ATV, 17min.

Butts Up Cave Tubing - Belize with Jimmy, 39min. This is a video of out Cave Tubing excursion we took in Belize with Butts Up Cave Tubing you can find them here http://www.cave-tubing.com/ Pieces of the description were taken from trip advisor and applied perfectly to our trip as follows: They picked us up right outside the cruise terminal. After leaving town, it took about an hour to get to the national park. Along the way Jimmy, our guide, provided useful information. - The "hike": About 30 minutes. Mostly a reasonable dirt path through the woods, a couple of points where it is a bit steep up or down a hill and 3 points where you wade across a river (under 2 feet deep at the deepest) - The water: Refreshing after the hike.

20160316 Belize zipline, 5min.

20160316 Belize zipline 2, 4min.

Belize 2016 - Wake Forest University, 4min.

WHS Belize Ziplining, River Caves, & Snorkelling, 5min.

Snorkeling and Diving in Belize - March 2016, 12.5min. Snorkeling and diving in the beautiful waters of Belize along the coral reef. Amazing colorful corals, tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and nurse sharks.

Gladden reef Belize. Silky caye, 1min.

Paddle Me Hard in Belize., 6min. This video showcases our recent adventure in Belize. Highlights include: Belize City, Caye Caulker, snorkeling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, exploring the Lamanai Ruins, and kayaking the mangroves of Caye Caulker with Ocean Academy.

Captain Jack throws a fish to a bird - Belize, 1min.

2016, 88th cross country cycling race in Belize, 2min.

Belize 2016, 13min. This video is about traveling to Belize in 2016 with my girlfriend and 4 year old son! It was a pretty amazing experience!

2016 Valentine's Cycling Tour - Belize, 4min.

March 26, 2016

Caye Caulker Fuels Easter Schedule

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

Quarterfinals are set for Mayor’s and Minister’s Cup
Eight teams have advanced to the quarterfinals of the Mayor’s and Minister’s Cup Tournament. They are: Catrachos, Progresso Boys, Peacemakers, Ambergris Divers, Belize Pro Divers, Veterans, San Mateo, and Searious Warriors. A series of six games were played at the Honorable Louis Sylvestre Sports Complex over the weekend. With three more weeks until finals, all teams are aiming for the first place trophy. Best of luck to all teams for making it this far in the tournament.

Completion of barracks to alleviate inadequate police housing
Both Deputy Coastal Executive Officer Jemmott and Bowden indicated that some of the buildings in which officers are currently living are truly sub-standard. Despite numerous complaints about structural issues, leaky roofs, electricity and water outages, and poor plumbing, the rental contract on the subpar buildings were recently renewed at $3,600 a month. Limited space and resources are some of the biggest challenges the department faces on a daily basis on Ambergris Caye. Due to the lack of space, housing is not available to place much-needed additional officers. The San Pedro Police Department hopes that long-term changes and upgrades can be made by the Commissioner in Charge to ensure proper living spaces for the island’s officers. “The government needs to ensure that the island housing is up to standard so our police officers can live comfortably here,” ended Bowden. Upon the completion of the new barracks building, three more officers will have proper housing while serving on Ambergris Caye.

NEBL 2016 Tournament winding down
The National Elite Basketball League (NEBL) saw much excitement this past weekend. Basketball fans were not only treated to four spectacular matches, but also to the All Star Night. As for the San Pedro Tiger Sharks, they seem to be back in the game, nabbing a much needed win in their latest games. While the Tiger Sharks still remain in the fifth position on the NEBL leader board with 15 points, hopes are still high for a comeback. All four scheduled matches for the ninth week of the tournament were held on Friday, March 18th. Starting off the games were the Belize City No Limit who hosted the Cayo Western Ballaz at Bird’s Isle in Belize City. The home team jumped out to an early 20 – 16 first quarter lead, which they extended to 36 – 27 by intermission. In the second half, the lead was extended to 26 points, which Belize City No Limit never relinquished, easily winning the game 85 – 61. In the following game, Smart Belize Hurricanes traveled to the south to face their rivals, Dangriga Warriors at the Ecumenical High School. Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the Dangriga Warriors delivered a 72 – 54 blowout win at their home court. Also playing on Friday were the Orange Walk Running Rebels who hosted Belmopan Bandits at the Orange Walk Multi Purpose Complex in Orange Walk Town. Belmopan Bandits won 98 – 67.

San Pedro Library hosts Easter Camp
Easter season in Belize also means no classes for around two weeks for students countrywide. In Ambergris Caye different organizations set up learning programs in order to keep students occupied and learning new things, specially the very young ones. As a result, the San Pedro Library held a series of activities for the youngsters in an Easter camp that tested their imagination and creativity. The camp was held from Monday, March 21st to Wednesday, March 23rd targeting children between the ages of 7 to 12. During the three days of camp from 9AM to noon, different activities kept the children well entertained. They watched educational films, played games and even got to do some arts and craft, all related to Easter. According to Senior Library Assistant Marlene Coral, the children had fun at the camp while at the same time learning new things during their holidays. “Many of the activities dealt with teaching the children the importance of the holiday and why we celebrate Easter. Some of these children may not know the significance of the holiday, thus, through fun activities we teach them about it,” said Coral.

Ambergris Today

San Pedro Needs More Consideration for Bicycle Tourists
Dear Editor, We love to bicycle ride while on vacation. This is the reason we only book vacation on low traffic vacation destinations and preferable on island's with predominantly golf carts. We thought that your island's traffic made bicycle riding unpleasant and even dangerous at times. You have too many cars, too much speeding causing too much dust, danger and health concerns. Neither bike riders nor tourists on a golf cart want to inhale dust while driving to town or inhale vehicle exhaust in San Pedro's caravan traffic. From a tourist point of view, the traffic on the island needs containment and speed regulations. International guests will not accept such speeding and high traffic during their vacation. Tourists need to relax and re-charge while vacationing and not fight with traffic.

Misc Belizean Sources

Caye Caulker 2nd Annual Kayak Island Challenge
Saturday March 26th. Triathalon for Men and Women Sunday March 27.

Caye Caulker Free Italian, German, and karate lessons
Tuesday 29th and Wednesday 30th are free Italian and German lessons (3-4pm) and karate classes (4-5pm, equipment provided). Meet at the library. All ages welcome for both language and karate classes. Natascia Silvestri Jones, husband Paul and children Elisa and Luca are Ocean Academy supporters who are happy to give back to the community with these free classes over the holidays. Come on out! More info: 626-0408.

Cayo Easter Fair Setup
Happy Easter! The Cayo Easter Fair is almost ready. The fair is this weekend.

Stations of d cross, Good Friday March 25th 2016, Caye Caulker
Christians in Belize mark Good Friday with a procession through the streets, which stops to pray at several Stations of the Cross along the route. Each Station of the Cross has a special meaning. Here's wishing everyone a Happy Easter if you believe, and if not, a happy holiday! (For those that do not know, the long Easter weekend (Holy Thursday to Easter Monday) is Belize's equivalent of the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Fire on Roches street
Behind the Complex Building on Friday night.

Standard 1 sayings for Good Friday

Las Alfombras del Viernes Santo
Benque's famous Alfombras del Viernes Santo. The Benque HoC also got some great pictures, along with pictures of the Passion of the Christ. Happy Easter! "Las alfombras del Viernes Santo (The Mats of Good Friday) is a tradition in Benque Viejo Del Carmen Town in Belize which commemorates the death of Jesus Christ. The community gathers together to make various designs on the streets where the Santo Entierro (holy funeral) passes by later in the evening which is carred out by the procession. They are designed by vaious materals such as sawdust, salt, flour which are colored using various other materials to create the designs which represent christian images and messages."

ON THIS 2016 BELIZE CROSS COUNTRY EVE (PART SEVEN)! KENRICK 'THE KING' HALLIDAY!
The four times Belize Cross Country Cycling Champion, the legendary Kenrick 'The King' Halliday who won four Belize Cross Countries has gone down in Belize sports history as one of the few Belizean cyclists who had won four Cross Countries like Aston Gill, Jefferey O'Brien, and Johnito Miguel before him. It appears that no other Belizean Cross Country champion had repeated four wins as these four legendary Belizean cyclists, and Kenrick Halliday has gone down as one who had accomplished this phenomenal record in Belizean cycling. From his book, Sports, Sin & Subversion, the acclaimed Belizean writer, Evan X Hyde wrote: My Uncle (Buck Belisle) is always arguing that Hutchinson would have continued to beat Halliday on Holy Saturday, but I'm not so sure of that. I loved The Tank, but Halliday just kept getting better and better, and he and Alfred Parks ruled the remainder of the golden seventies.

A beautiful, relaxing Good Friday
With the amazing birds at Belize Bird Rescue.

The Reporter

Man found murdered in front of night club
Belmopan police are investigating a murder that was discovered early Thursday morning in front a popular night spot on the outskirts of the capital on the Hummingbird Highway. The victim, Noe Cruz, 37, a Belizean labourer of Las Flores community, Belmopan, was discovered sometime before 3:00 a.m., in a seated position beside the right front wheel of a grey and green Nissan Patrol SUV, which was parked in the parking lot of La Cabana night club. Cruz was bleeding from a cut wound above the left eye and had severe head and neck injuries. According to Lilian Raquel Salazar, 27, a food vendor who makes her living selling from the compound, she discovered Cruz’ body while making her routine rounds picking up pint bottles.

Breaking Belize News

Belmopan man murdered on Good Friday
After a dance concluded at popular Belmopan City night club, La Cabana this morning around 3:00, police were called by a food vendor who saw a badly wounded man leaning against the front wheel of a vehicle and bleeding profusely. Upon arrival at the […]

Alleged Murder suspect commits suicide
Breaking Belize News has been reliably informed that the victim who pulled the trigger on himself this morning is well-known Shane Bennet. Bennet is allegedly a suspect wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of Dwayne Logan. He is also known for a […]

Attempted murder turns suicide
Best information reaching Breaking Belize News is that a man in Independence Village attempted to shoot a lady but the gun snapped. Shortly after the man turned the gun to himself and it went off fatally impacting the culprit. This is a developing story. […]

Blogs

A Gorgeous Night For a Party at the Palapa Bar
It’s Good Friday and today there is no alcohol sold or served in Belize. In San Pedro, many tour companies are closed – it is considered by many to be bad luck to be on the sea today. But last night, was a different story…a huge surprise party was planned for Scott’s (aka “The Palapa Papa’s) 60th birthday. We arrived a bit after 5:30pm (the invite read 5) and the place was packed and it was an absolutely gorgeous night. Did we miss the surprise? We did not. So I took a look around…Jodie and Scott have done an amazing job of relocating perhaps the most famous bar on Ambergris Caye. Scott finally pulled up after a day of spear fishing and beers with some friends. He was indeed surprised when the crowd broke out into HAPPY BIRTHDAY. And then another surprise…his son flew from the states for the party. I just happened to be sitting right behind him. Super fun and I know the party continued for many many hours…but we had a 6:30pm reservation for the hottest ticket in town, Finn & Martini.

Case study of Agricultural Policies in Belize
This Report provides an analytical review of the major policy provisions for the agricultural sector in Belize. The focus is on the appropriateness of the policy mix in facilitating transformation of the sector into one characterized by higher levels of efficiency and competitiveness. The review is conducted within the context of the challenges confronting agriculture as a consequence of direct liberalization and globalization. While the primary interest was on the commodities selected for the CARICOM competitiveness study (hot pepper, sweet potato, papaya, coconut and small ruminant), the review was necessarily broader in scope to include sector-wide policies since such policies could provide incentives for enhanced efficiency and competitiveness of Agriculture in general. The review also examined commodity-specific policies for other important commodities, since it was felt that lessons could be learnt with respect to policy relevance and effectiveness from such cases.

St. Herman's Blue Hole National Park
St. Herman’s Blue Hole National Park is more than just the place 200 species of birds and exotic cats call home. Caves, hidden amid forested land marked by nature trails used by jaguars, ocelots, tapir and armadillos when humans aren’t around, take visitors to a 180-foot-wide entrance that could easily be missed because jungle vines are everywhere. This cave was once used for Mayan ceremonies and rituals, remnants of which were left behind when the cave dwellers moved on. The blue sinkhole on premises is fed by underground streams and it’s fascinating enough on its own to draw crowds. The unique geological features within this 575 acre forest plus the beauty and wildlife combine to offer visitors plenty of reasons to tour this area. But it’s the cave system that’s the big lure: walk the 200 yards into the enclave to marvel at prehistoric-looking speleothems and Mayan artifacts. What’s the Blue Hole? It’s the lush blue pool deep within the cavern that’s 100-feet deep and 300-feet in diameter. Don’t confuse this Blue Hole with the place near Lighthouse Reef atoll that’s beloved by divers. That said, what other excursion offers opportunities to see wildlife, Mayan artifacts, a cool cave and a sinkhole fed by underground rivers all in one place? This destination is close to the nation’s capital, Belmopan, but you don’t have to be headquartered there to visit because licensed tour agents will be happy to escort you to and from this natural wonderland. From Belmopan, travel about 12 miles southeast along the Hummingbird Highway to the park’s entrance. Expect to hike through the jungle to reach your destinations.

International Sources

Lavallette scientist helps animals in Belize
Editor’s note: Earlier this year, Sherri Paris of Lavallette, a marine scientist, mother and entrepreneur, went to Belize to help volunteer with a nonprofit organization that rescues animals with life-threatening conditions. With a strong science background and a passion for educating youth, she started New Logic Educators to help individuals with supplemental educational needs. She combined her love for marine science and education and created Marine Science Camp, a weekly hands-on summer learning adventure with more than 20 locations along the Jersey Shore. I did it — an entire month completely off the grid, in the jungle, 2,000 miles away from home, with no connection to civilization. Forget hot water, social media, Wi-Fi, cell phones, TV, the newspaper, emails, voicemails — all I had was here and now. With heavy, packed-to-the-brim bags in my hands, one completely filled with medical supplies, I traveled by myself to a remote area of northern Belize called Sarteneja, a sleepy fishing village tucked away on Corozal Bay. No, this wouldn’t be a vacation, or a personal retreat. I was there to volunteer at Wildtracks, a nonprofit Manatee and Primate Rehabilitation Facility that rescues animals with life-threatening conditions. I was on a mission to give back, to make an impact, and as I stepped foot on to the dirt road that led to a shack that I would call home for the next month, I had no idea what would really be in store for me. This journey would be an experience of a lifetime.

Bob Bounahra Wins 2015/16 WSOP Circuit The Bicycle Casino $1,125 No-Limit Hold’em
Bob Bounahra from Belize triumphed on Friday in Event #6: $1,125 No-Limit Hold’em on the 2015/16 WSOP Circuit The Bicycle Casino schedule, collecting his first cash from the Circuit series and his first gold ring. The player’s share of the tournament’s entire prize pool amounted to $26,555. Bounahra does not have much experience in WSOP Circuit events. However, the player has been seen at the tables of WSOP tournaments over the years. He has cashed in a total of 5 Series events, scooping a little less then $1.5 million in those. Bounahra’s best career performance was his 7th place in the 2011 WSOP $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. He took the amount of $1,314,097 for his efforts.

Videos

Belize 2016 Tour, 48min. Maya ruins

Belize Jungle Exploring, Cave Tubing, and More- Emerson Action Cam, 10min. God's Creation is beautiful! What an awesome experience with family.

Whale Shark Rescue, 1min. Huge Whale Shark lets divers approach it to cut a commercial fishing line that's wrapped around its body.

Belize 2016 - If You Can't Beat 'Em, Eat 'Em, 3min. Family trip to San Pedro, Belize for spring break 2016. Great diving, and snorkeling. All filmed on a GoPro Hero 2.

Caye Caulker Belize Scuba Diving, 3min.

Escape Away Belize fun at Palapa Bar San Pedro, Belize, 1.5min. Enjoy a beverage and a swim at the Palapa Bar near Escape Away Beach House

2016 Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic teaser - BELIZE, 2min. The 'Holy Saturday Cross Country Cycling Classic' is a yearly cycling race in Belize, Central America. The race is the oldest (88 yrs) and arguably the largest one-day cycling classic in the region. Every Holy Saturday, Belizean and foreign cyclists (USA, Mexico, Guatemala) take part, covering the distance of 144 miles.

2016 Valentine's Cycling Tour - Belize, 4min.

First zip line at Bocawina Rainforest Resort - Belize, 1min.

Second zip line at Bocawina Rainforest Resort - Belize, 1.5min.

Birds flocking on coastal island - Belize, 1.5min.

March 25, 2016