Recent Belize News, 10/11/2017 to 10/20/2017, BelizeNews.com

Verification of Fuel Pumps: (April to June 2017), (July to September 2017)

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

The San Pedro Sun

Family Claims Police Neglected Deceased Baby’s Body
While the family mourns the death of their three-month old baby, they claim that the San Pedro Police Department improperly handled the body. According to the family, the baby was found dead around 3AM on Saturday, October 14th after going to sleep on Friday the 13th. The family took the baby to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, where he was confirmed dead. The baby’s body was then given to the San Pedro Town Police Officers, to be transported to the morgue in Belize City for a post-mortem examination. However, when a family member went to claim the body of the baby in Belize City on Monday, October 16th, the person was told that they never received the body from San Pedro Town. The family here on the island immediately contacted the San Pedro Police to determine the location of the body. The Police Officers said that the baby’s body was being keep in a cooler unit here on the island that served as a morgue.

Elections and Boundaries Department: “Your Vote is Secret”
The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby informs the public, that in any election, ballot papers are numbered for reconciliation and accountability purposes. Election Officials have a responsibility to ensure that all ballot papers counted in an election are only those legitimate ballot papers issued by the Presiding Officer. The public is advised that the law DOES NOT require any Presiding Officer or any election official, to inform anyone of the ballot book series or the ballot paper number he/she issues at any given point during the election process.

Second Annual High Tea Charity Party a huge success
On Saturday, October 14th, ladies from across Ambergris Caye gathered at Marbuck’s Coffee House for the second annual High Tea Charity Party. Organized as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization, Raise Me UP, the party was an amazing success. Attendees were dressed in their best tea dresses and elegant hats for the event that started shortly after 3PM. The venue had been transformed with beautiful floral arrangements, draping white linens and smooth music in the background. On Saturday, October 14th, ladies from across Ambergris Caye gathered at Marbuck’s Coffee House for the second annual High Tea Charity Party. Organized as a fundraiser for the non-profit organization, Raise Me UP, the party was an amazing success. Attendees were dressed in their best tea dresses and elegant hats for the event that started shortly after 3PM. The venue had been transformed with beautiful floral arrangements, draping white linens and smooth music in the background.

GOB makes first reduction in Fuel Prices
Following the Government of Belize’s commitment to reduce fuel prices after a record spike, regular gasoline has seen a reduction in price since Friday, October 6th. The dip in price by 84 cents per gallon had been scheduled for mid-October, but after a protest in Belize City demanding lower fuel prices, GOB approved the decrease earlier than scheduled. The Government also announced that the upcoming shipments will aid in the reduction on pump prices for diesel, oil, kerosene and premium gasoline. However the new prices are still to be announced. The recent decrease of 84 cents brings down the price for regular gas to $10.29 in mainland Belize, whereas on Ambergris Caye the price dipped slightly at $10.70 per gallon.

Ambergris Today

BDF Officer Completes Strategic Security Studies In USA
The Belize Ministry of Defence today informed the public that Belize Defence Force Officer, Captain Eric Richard Neal Jr., has successfully earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies and a War College Diploma from the National Defence University in the United States of America. Neil also obtained honors for his thesis entitled “Managing Indigenous People in Belize: Guaranteeing Security and Rights for All”. Furthermore, Captain Neal’s high level of academic performance was reflected in his cumulative G.P.A of 3.89.

Belize Places In Top 10 At Miss America Latina Del Mundo
Elicena Andrada, Miss Spain Latina, wins Miss Latin America del Mundo 2017. Final pageant night was held on Saturday, October 7, Oaxaca - Mexico. Joannie Cantun was at the beauty competition representing Belize and she proudly placed in the Top Ten. Rounding up the top ten spots Miss Belize, Joannie Cantun placed tenth in the competition. She is among the Belizean delegates who have performed well in the pageant. Last year Michelle Nunez placed fifth and in 2009 Liliana Nunez nabbed the Miss Amity title and also took Best National Costume for our country. it is the 2nd title that Spain wins in the contest.

Belize’s Future Dependent On Threatened Belize Barrier Reef
The extent to which Belize’s economy depends on tourism generated by the threatened Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage site has been revealed for the first time today by a new report launched by WWF and partner organizations. The report, Natural Heritage, Natural Wealth, aims to highlight the incredible resource the country is at risk of losing. Home to almost 1,400 species, the Belize Barrier Reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world, and a recognized UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996. Unfortunately, it is currently in danger of suffering irreversible damage due to harmful coastal destruction and the absence of a solid regulatory framework to ensure its protection.

Misc Belizean Sources

BELIZE DEFENCE FORCE OFFICER COMPLETES A MASTER OF ARTS IN STRATEGIC SECURITY STUDIES AT NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY IN THE USA
The Ministry of Defence wishes to inform the Public that Belize Defence Force Officer, Captain Eric Richard Neal Jr., has successfully earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies and a War College Diploma from the National Defence University in the United States of America. He also obtained honours for his thesis entitled “Managing Indigenous People in Belize: Guaranteeing Security and Rights for All”. Furthermore, Captain Neal’s high level of academic performance was reflected in his cumulative G.P.A of 3.89.

PUBLIC AND BANK HOLIDAYS, 2018
IT IS NOTIFIED for general information that public and bank holidays specified in the First and Second Schedules to Holidays Act, Chapter 289 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000 – 2003, will be observed on the following days during the year 2018 in accordance with section 3 of the said Act:-

Beltraide job opening
A vacancy exists at Beltraide in the post of IT Officer at their Belize City office. Deadline for application is Friday, October 27th, 2017.

Belize's Wonder Women! Ms. Beverly Swasey
Meet our Wonder Woman for the month of October, Ms. Beverly Swasey, born on March 13, 1947 to Mrs. Carolyn & Mr. Louis Swasey. She earned her Diploma in Education at the University Of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England in 1977. She was a very dedicated teacher and started teaching on May of 1964. She taught at Belmopan Junior School, presently known as Evergreen, as well as Belmopan Comprehensive School . Besides her professional life, she is one of the founding members of the Belmopan Cancer Society and was President for 16 years. She is also a Founder of Capital Culture drama group, as well as director and producer of several original plays, and is Representing Belize in El Proyecto Lagartija Centroamericano, which is a group of Central American actors and actresses trying to raise the level of acting in the region. In addition, Ms. Swasey is a Founder of Belmopan Women's Council, now Women Empowering Families. This Wonder Woman also served as a Belmopan City Councilor and as Deputy Mayor. She received the Belizean Patriot National Award in September of 2016. Congratulations Ms. Swasey!

The Caye Caulker Municipal Airstrip has been closed for repairs
The new investment will see a remarkable improvement with an elevated, longer and HMA-surfaced runway complete with international standards markings. The renovated Caye Caulker Municipal Airport will be a state of the art facility, which will facilitate the transportation of tourists and Belizeans in a safe and pleasant environment.

The start of Carmelita's industrial park project
The first building will measure 23,100 square feet. The hard work begins.

Tropic Air: taking delivery of our second Cessna Caravan from the early 90s

Why the Muslim School in Belize should be renamed “Ishmael Omar Shabazz” Primary School
The legendary Belizean black activist, historian, and founding member of the United Black Association for Development (UBAD) and pioneering soldier of the modern Islamic movement in Belize Ishmael Omar Shabazz was fond of saying that in every movement you have the jawbone, leg-bone and the backbone. He would delineate the deeper meaning by explaining the jawbone was the takers, while the leg-bone was those who did the actually work, and finally the backbone was the individuals who kept the whole ship afloat.

NEW CARICOM YOUTH AMBASSADOR BELIZE
The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is pleased to announce Ms. Kylah Ciego as the new female CARICOM Youth Ambassador (CYA), Belize, 2017-2019. Ms. Ciego was chosen from among fourteen (14) other vibrant applicants. Youth Development Expert Henry Charles was the lead interviewer on the panel. Kylah has been active in youth development work through her involvement in student councils, a GoBelize member and was employed as a Social Worker where she was involved in working with incarcerated youth at the Belize Central Prison. Kylah was very instrumental in the consultation process for the development of the National Youth Development Policy. She recently obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. Kylah strongly believes that in this era of globalization and connectedness we must be cognizant of the impact of our actions on others as we shape the type of world for future generations.

BPP demands transparency concerning $8 million contract
It is the opinion of the Belize Progressive Party (BPP) that the greatest evil that has emanated from the unadulterated greed of the PUDP system is the deprivation of our children’s right to an education. It is the opinion of the BPP that the Faber’s Road Construction Project, valued at almost $8 million, signed on October 12, 2017, is yet another poor economic decision, one that reeks of the stench of corruption. Instead of investing in our people, particularly our children, this obviously bloated contract will be invested in more “Keynesian” projects which force many of our “at-risk” children onto the streets without the knowledge or ability to provide for themselves, thereby fueling the societal ills of gang membership and ultimately crime.

IRON MAN CHALLENGE
All eyes this weekend on Miami Beach for all you cross fit lovers. It's the IRON MAN CHALLENGE event that will take place this Sunday, October 22nd at Miami Beach. What is crossfit? CrossFit is constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. All CrossFit workouts are based on functional movements, and these movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more. To register and for more details, contact Francisco Castellanos at 620-6104!

A power outage is scheduled for the entire Orange Walk District on Sunday, October 22 from 6:00am to 2:00pm
Necessary for BEL to conduct maintenance and testing of equipment at the Orange Walk substation and to replace poles carrying transmission lines.

Paradise Theater playing this weekend
Halloween is on it's way .. enjoy these scary picks. The Only Living Boy In New York, Annabelle, The Emoji Movie, Leatherface.

First Zone Elimination
Here are the results of the first Zone Elimination. This year, we are taking one additional school, a seventh school, to the Finals. We are calling that school the Wild Card School. The Wild Card School will be chosen from the two fourth place schools from each Zone Elimination.The fourth place school that has that highest cumulative score between Zones one and two will become the Wild Card School. Wesley Upper came in fourth in Zone one with a score of 650 points. Will Zone Two fourth place school be able to beat that score and advance? We will see tomorrow.

Zone One Eliminations in the Belize City Primary School History and Social Studies Competition
Here is the result of Zone One Eliminations in the Belize City Primary School History and Social Studies Competition. Holy Redeemer, Buttonwood Bay and Queen Square Primary School will move on to the finals next. Tomorrow eight more schools will compete.

Happy Diwali 2017
We wish the Hindu community of Belize a very Happy Diwali!

Channel 7

Guatemala Sets Date For ICJ Referendum
March 18, 2018 - that's when Guatemalans will go to a referendum to decide whether to take the territorial dispute with Belize to the ICJ. Multiple Guatemalan news sites are reporting that Guatemala's Supreme Electoral Tribunal will make the official announcement on Monday. The question will be: "'Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize on continental and island territories and any maritime areas corresponding to such territories shall be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final determination and that (the court) shall determine the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the parties?" Voters will respond with a simple "yes" or "no". The quezon will be identically worded in Belize when our referendum is held - which is expected to be late next year. But, if there is a "no" vote in Guatemala, then there may not be any need for a referendum in Belize.

PG Robber Chopped Chinese Shopkeeper
There was an armed robbery this morning in Punta Gorda Town today where the female shopkeeper was chopped multiple times. Between 8:00 and 9:00, two men with masks and machetes stormed into Blue Sky Store on the town's Main Street. They held up the couple who run the store, and the husband put up a fight. His wife came from the back and tried to help and that's when she got chopped. Her husband rushed to rescue her and the men broke into the cash register and ran off with a few hundred dollars and a cell phone. But police were quick to respond and reports are that two suspects have already been detained and could be charged as early as tomorrow. Police also recovered one of their knapsacks along with a number of stolen items. One of the men had scratches which he got in the scuffle with the man who runs the shop.

Another OW Armed Robbery
And, another Chinese store has been targeted in Orange Walk, this time in Trial Farm Village. Around 7:00 last night two men robbed Tan Store in Trial Farm of cash and cell phones. The owner of the store, fifty five year old Ziguan Tan shared surveillance video with CTV-3 which shows the terrifying ordeal his family and employees endured. Two Hispanic men rode up to the store and walked in at exactly 7:03 pm. Tan was seated at the entrance to the store and one pulled out a hand gun and chased him to the back of the store. Meanwhile, the other robber - with a mask over his face and a white hoodie - pulls the male employee to the back of the counter with Tan's wife and daughter.

Armed Holdup At Belchina Gas Station, Cops Get Suspect
And there was also an armed holdup in Belize City. This one happened yesterday afternoon at around 2:30. 41 years old gas pump attendant Floyd August was working at the BELCHINA Uno Gas Station when a man on bicycle rode up, held him up at gunpoint and demanded money. August handed over $627.00 dollars in cash. The robber rode off - but he didn't get far, because today police charged a 19 year old from Flamboyant Street for the crime. Today in court, Carrell Sanchez was charged with a single count of robbery with a firearm. Sanchez has been positively identified by Floyd August at the man who robbed him. Police are looking for a second suspect who remains at large.

Would Mayor Darrell Do a Road For 8 Million?
He paved 100 streets for 20 million dollars, so would Darrell Bradley pave a little over a mile for 8 million dollars? Well, it's not that simple a comparison. As you heard that one mile plus on Faber's Road will have drainage and a canal, and a roadway built to last for 20 years. As is well known, Mayor Bradley's roadworks project famously didn't include drains. Today he said that he cannot speak about the Faber's Road project because he doesn't know the details. But the PM did speak to Councilor Dion Leslie about those details. We asked the Mayor about that snub and to make a comparison between his road works and this project:... Darrell Bradley, Mayor - Belize City: "Not seeing anything to the scope of works I cannot comment whether or not any particular price would be commensurate with what that work is." "Notwithstanding all the concerns that has been raised by members of the media, let us not be lost in the sight that it's an important project and I think that overall we need more transparency with relation to works projects in Belize City."

Mayor Laments Situation With Lake I Boulevard
And while the Mayor has to bear the blame for whatever shortfalls there are in the city's cement streets - that's nothing compared to the hot potato that was put into the lap of the Manager of Belize Infrastructure Limited, Christy Mastry yesterday. The Ministry of Works Engineer said BIL is responsible for the failure on Lake Independence Boulevard - which is the one coming off the Chetumal Street Bridge. The Prime Minister told the media to talk to Christ Mastry - who tried to avoid the Blame game when we spoke with her. But it all falls within Belize City, and the mayor says this fiasco is an example of why there needs to be more transparency in public works:...

Police Release Suspect In Alleged Child Kidnapping
All week we've been reporting on the alleged attempted child abduction in the remote community of El Progreso/7Miles in the Cayo District. Three girls claim that an American man put them in the back of his pickup and tied them up. They also claim that he touched them - and one of them returned to her mother with her underwear missing. The girls escaped after one of them got free, allegedly jumped out of the moving truck and then freed her sister and friend - all just as her father happened to be coming along on the road. Cayo Police have had a hard time trying to piece together the facts on this one, and now they are in consultation with the DPP's Office to try and fill in specific details on key points of the allegations.

The Future For The BDF Command
You may have recently seen Colonel Steven Ortega on the news as the acting BDF Commander. General David Jones went on pre-retirement leave a few weeks ago, after being commander since 2013. Today we asked Minister of National Security John Saldivar what's next for the command of the BDF. Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security: "The decision has already been made and forwarded to the Governor General for Colonel Ortega to take over command upon the retirement of General Jones so General Jones is currently on pre-retirement leave and so Colonel Ortega is holding over until then and at the end of that leave colonel Ortega will be installed as the new General and promoted." "Colonel Ortega is the most senior person on the BDF at this point."

No Good News For Standby Soldiers
Acting Commander Ortega was the one who had to deal with the BDF standby's who refused to move from in front of the Price Barracks last Wednesday. Today we asked Saldivar for a comment on this issue and he reiterated Ortega's position. Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security: "Indeed there was no need for them to be waiting outside there, because there was a standby list that had already been prepared. We know that the facility can only take on 100 recruits and so the hope for these potential recruits was that somebody would drop out. But whenever that would occur, we would simply refer to the standby list and so standing outside the gate of the BDF did not improve your chance of getting in and for that reason the BDF had ask them to leave."

Saldivar Says Post-Convention Wounds Will Heal
And finally from Saldivar, we also asked him to comment on Sunday's UDP municipal convention in Dangriga. The slate that Area Representative Frank Pawpa Mena supported lost and Mena then made his displeasure known on his Facebook page. He alleged that his own UDP colleagues bought out the convention saying, "it's a shame ... you have to use money to buy my people. Sad that they don't know how you only care for your agenda and your racist needs. That's politics." Now, the background to this is that Deputy Party Leader Patrick Faber backed the winning slate, because Mena is an ally of John Saldivar. But, today Saldivar just brushed it off as just minor bickering - the kind he says is quite normal after any convention.

Airlines Await Paving Of Caye Caulker Runway
And while Saldivar says Mena and the UDP will get over that social media squabble, the 3 dents on the Caye Caulker airstrip won't can't be glossed over so easily. As we told you, Tropic Air and Maya Island took a joint position to postpone all scheduled flights to Caye Caulker on October 1st. to try and force the Civil Aviation Department to act. Well the $7 million dollar runway renovation project should start this week. But while that is about to get underway, there are reports that the road leading to the municipal airstrip could be having some sinking problems. While we have seen water pooling on some parts of the road, today President of Tropic Air John Greif says the runway at the Municipal is in perfect shape. We also got a comment from Minister of Tourism Manuel Heredia Jr. about the Caye Caulker runway project.

What's Up With Dredging In Caye Caulker?
Now the runway renovation isn't the only project happening on Caye Caulker. San Pedro Belize Express Water taxi is dredging near their pier. Now some expressed concerns that this project could be damaging to the environment and to the reef. But Area Rep Heredia says the project is quite safe and all residents will benefit from it. Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism: "Permission was granted by the department of hydrology, I believe who are the pertinent body, to San Pedro Belize Express to do a dredging on the side of their pier, because the water was too shallow and propellers were breaking every now and then. So after studying that with the pertinent bodies, they decided to grant them a permit to do it with the condition that all the materials will be for the use of the community and hence you can ask in Caye Caulker I think 3 days now they have been on the streets - just the cost of transportation whatever. That is what they are charging. But the sand will be distributed to all needy people including the 3 schools that we have."

PM says BNTU Is Fixing For A Fight
Earlier this week we told you about the letter exchanged between the BNTU and the Prime Minister where they both scolded each other for bad manners. But what the BNTU wanted was an itemized update on the eight demands in made during its 2016 trike. Yesterday the PM told the media he gave them just that, but he knows they won't be satisfied:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister: "What inauguration was needed? What was the position with the UNCAC, has it been signed. Yes. What more you want me to say? Of course as I tried to point out the attorney general who leads the implementation process has been copious in the press releases that he's been issued. So that the public has been kept well informed right along."

PM Says He Won't Be Around To Stop or Encourage Vega
KREM's Orson Picart also asked the Prime Minister about his former Deputy Gaspar Vega. A few weeks ago Vega told the media he might be inclined to run again for the UDP in Orange Walk North, despite the scandals attached to his name. When asked whether he would welcome or reject that, Prime Minister Barrow said - with more than a little relief - that he won't be around for that headache: Reporter: "Your former deputy Prime Minister Mr. Gaspar Vega made comments that should he need to run again up north he would. Now considering the amount of allegation of corruption surrounding the Vega family, what would be your comments to what he actually said months ago that he would consider running for the UDP up north, if needs be?" Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow - Prime Minister: "My comment sir that I can have nothing to do with that. By that time remember that I will have retired."

PM Explains Tender Process For Road
And going back briefly to the issue of the 8 million dollar Faber's Road contract. The Prime Minister and the Ministry of Works Engineer went to lengths yesterday to illustrate that the road works and related drainage and canals are worth all those millions. But what about not putting it out to open tender? Instead they sued the selective Tendering process. The leader of the opposition has written to the PM saying that the Finance and Reform audit act require it to be put to open tender. Here's how the Prime Minster addressed that yesterday:..

Kids On all Things History
The Primary School Social Studies competition was held this morning at the Bliss Center. It was a tough competition with even tougher questions but students representing their schools seemed like experts on all the History topics. 7News was there and got to speak to an organizer as well as the top finishers. Albert Avila, Community Liason Officer for the Belize City House of Culture and the Downtown Rejuvenation Project "Today the competition is to focus on the history of Belize City so most of the questions that are in this competition are Belize City focused and like I said because the students are our future we want them to be involved we want them to know our history and the significance."

New House Handed Over
This afternoon one of Jenny Pinelo's dreams came through. She finally got her own house. She was living with her mom but always wanted to have a place that she could call hers. After doing some research she found out about the Hand in Hand Ministry in Belize who along with The Heritage Bank helped bring her dream to life. We spoke to an overjoyed Pinelo this afternoon at the handover. Jenny Pinello, Recipient of Home: "I was sitting with my mom and my sister and we were just talking and she told me to build a house to the back instead of just renting or being with my sister so I went several places and suddenly she told me that the hand in hand is for families for moms like me to assist us in getting a home."

Sir Barry's Bust
As we showed you 11 months ago, renovation on the Municipal Airport were completed in November of last year. It was also renamed the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport. Sir Barry was a pioneering captain of industry who was known for his love of flying. Well today to top off the renovations, a statue of Sir Barry was unveiled at the airport. Here are a few excerpts from today's ceremony. Dixie Bowen - Wife of Sir Barry Bowen: "It is my privilege to have been requested by the Belize Airport Authority to be asked to commission a statue of Sir Barry for the Sir Barry Bowen Airport, renamed in his honor last November. The truth be known, Sir Barry was always taken by statues. When traveling he would always take time to stop and really study this form of art and I know today he would be so very proud of this lasting remembrance of himself at the airport he so painstakingly designed and was determined to make it a reality. Quoted from moon handbooks, the one about Belize, quote, 'Barry Bowen was a prominent businessman in Belize whose products touched nearly every Belizean and every visitor in Belize.

Helping The Caribbean
Earlier this week, we told you about the Hands Across the Caribbean Telethon which is being held on Saturday. It is a fundraiser for Caribbean emergency relief efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria which devastated CARICOM Nations of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. The effort is spearheaded by the council of churches along with different organizations like the Belize City Council. Today the Mayor and the President of the Council of Churches held a joint press conference to urge you to get involved:â€¦ The Telethon will be held at the Bliss Center on Saturday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Another CCJ Session of GOB Vs. AA
And in another part of the Caribbean - namely Trinidad - there's no hurricane, just a storm of lawsuits between the Government of Belize and the Ashcroft Alliance. Two days ago, they were arguing over the guarantee for Universal Health Care - and today it was about the compensation payment for the BTL acquisition. The second and final part of the compensation is past due - but - as we have reported - Government and the Alliance are arguing over what portion should be paid in Belize dollars and what should be paid in US dollars. That's because, in the settlement it was contemplated that a portion of the second payment would be used to fund social projects - after settling legal costs. But, those legal costs came up to tens of millions of dollars - leaving Government with only a few million for social projects. they say the Alliance isn't playing fair, and that the figure being demanded is exorbitant and unjustified.

Will Senate Select Come Up With Budget And Timeline?
And going back now to yesterday's senate hearings, when it was over Chairman Aldo Salazar discussed the timeline a timeline and a budget for the remainder of the hearings. As we have reported, the Prime Minster and the Chamber of Commerce are calling on the senate produce such a document. Chairman Salazar said he couldn't agree more. Hon. Aldo Salazar - Chairman, Senate Select Committee: "For myself, again, I think I got a lot of criticism when I said that we need to look to wrap this up because I think we need to consider our usefulness. I think as a committee we are definitely in a position to say how long more we can go for and how much money it will take. So, I definitely agree with the chamber's position, definitely agree with what the Prime Minister has said. I have been saying that for quite some time. We need to be able to say how we are going to wrap this up."

Crashed Car Was Being Pursued
Earlier this week we told you about the shooting outside the Princess on Saturday morning where a security guard fired a shot on the ground and it injured two men. After that is where things got even worse. As they were rushing Tyrin Faber and Elon Faber to the hospital the vehicle flipped on Freetown road, near the Cinderella plaza junction. Another one of their friends Jaime Bradley was severely hurt in the accident and had to be place an induced coma - which he is out of now.

Channel 5

The Government’s Choice: Imer Hernandez Paid 7 Mil for Hot Mixed Caye Caulker Airstrip
Another multi-million dollar contract has been granted to the government’s choice contractor, Imer Hernandez, the nephew of the former Deputy Prime Minister Gapi Vega. As recent as last week, Hernandez [...]

Hernandez Can’t Be Beat; He Won Regular Tender over 2 Other Contractors
Now Imer Hernandez’s company has been awarded numerous contracts for multimillion dollar projects in past years. Back in 2014, the Prime Minister had to defend Hernandez’s work because many considered [...]

Is Faber’s Road a Good Deal?
The dust has not settled yet on the controversial eight-million-dollar contract for work on Faber’s Road. The agreement was signed on Thursday and by Friday, execution began. It prompted the [...]

Mayor Calls for Transparency But Warns About Priorities
The controversy surrounding the cost, as well as the awarding of the Faber’s Road Project to Imer Hernandez, is quite possibly the result of a lack of information about the [...]

Mayor: Consultation Didn’t Matter to Me
Why was Mayor Bradley skirted by Prime Minister Barrow in favor of Councilor Deon Leslie during his consultations on the Faber’s Road Project? On the surface it appears that the [...]

BIL’s Mea Culpa: Hot-Mix Couldn’t Save Sinking Lake I Boulevard
Still on the issue of infrastructure projects…. it was intended to be a centerpiece of the giant Petrocaribe spending program – worth removing squatters, clearing out bushes and splashing cash. [...]

Mayor: “Appalling” Boulevard Should Have Been Questioned Earlier
Mayor Darrell Bradley also commented on the Lake Independence Boulevard. As both a citizen and Mayor, he was appalled at the state of affairs. He indicated that it was emblematic [...]

The Final (?) Hearing on B.T.L. Compensation
The long-awaited consolidated appeals and cross-appeals between the government, Dunkeld International Investments Limited and Dean Boyce and the B.T.L. Employees’ Trust were heard this morning in the Caribbean Court of [...]

Dunkeld: Government Can Run But It Can’t Hide
Answering for Dunkeld and the Employees’ Trust was Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay. He contended that the Government was seeking to delay its obligations under the agreement and ultimately not to [...]

Impasse in Collecting Outstanding Arbitral Awards in U.S.
While litigation involving the Ashcroft group is before the Caribbean Court of Justice, Prime Minister Barrow has weighed in on the matter of arbitral awards that were supported by the [...]

Released for Now, Suspected Abductor Could Still Face Charges
In an update to the alleged foiled abduction of three girls from El Progresso Seven Mile Community in the Cayo District, we can confirm tonight that the American businessman held [...]

Sir Barry Bowen Memorialized at Municipal Airstrip
The Barry Bowen statute was unveiled today at the municipal airstrip in Belize City which also carries his name. Among the invitees were his wife Dixie and family, ministers of [...]

Grumbling after Dangriga Convention is Not News
The U.D.P. municipal convention held this weekend in Dangriga has brought into the open the division within the hierarchy of the party. Former U.D.P. minister Mark King and current Dangriga [...]

Steven Ortega Rises to the Top of the B.D.F.
Bomb Expert and Commander of the Belize Defense Force, Brigadier General David Jones, is currently on pre-retirement leave after almost two decades of service with the force. But who will [...]

Water Taxi Has Permission to Dredge in Caye Caulker
There have been complaints from residents on Caye Caulker that a dredging project may have adverse effects on the surrounding ecosystem and the barrier reef. Since the beginning of this [...]

Statisticians Trained in Software Analysis
The Statistical Institute of Belize, in partnership with the United Nations’ Population Fund, wrapped up a two-day training in data analysis and micro-data access in Belize City. The training for [...]

Deserving Partridge Street Family Gets New Home
It’s been said that there is something permanent and something extremely profound in owning a home – and that is what a south side family found out today when they [...]

Dogs and Their Best Friends ‘Pawty’ in the Park
This Saturday at the Memorial Park in Belize City, man’s best friend takes center stage in the first ever Dog Show and Pawty in the Park. From two to six [...]

Join Hands to Help Caribbean’s Hurricane Victims
A telethon organized by the Council of Churches and the Belize City Council to raise funds in aid of the thousands of hurricane victims in Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda [...]

Healthy Living: Avoiding a Stroke
Many consider a stroke to be a silent killer. The truth is that a stroke may not always lead to loss of life but it can disrupt or destroy the [...]

LOVE FM

Engineer shares the specifics of the Faber’s Road Project
Leader of the Opposition John Briceno wrote to Prime Minister Dean Barrow on October 17 demanding that the Government immediately cease the pursuant of the Faber’s Road Reconstruction Contract awarded to Imer Hernandez. The People’s United Party is also demanding that any disbursement with regards to the contract be halted until a comprehensive assessment of […]

PM: “We are going to get value for money from Imer Hernandez”
Contractor Imer Hernandez has had his own share of controversy over the past years. He has received several multi-million dollar infrastructural contracts under the UDP Government. He is a known relative to former UDP Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega. Critics believe that Hernandez was awarded the 7.9 million dollars Faber’s Road Reconstruction contract because of […]

Moody comments on Lake Independence Blvd
After two years of being constructed, the Lake Independence Boulevard is in a deplorable state. Portions of the road are sinking and uneven. Yesterday Professional Chartered Engineer Evandale Moody explained what went wrong. Moody, who designed the construction of Lake Independence says that his design was never used. Belize Infrastructure Limited, BIL, took over the […]

PM discusses the lowering of Gas Prices
Last month Prime Minister Dean Barrow promised that the cost of fuel would decrease by mid- October. So far the price of regular gasoline has decreased but premium gasoline has yet to do the same. Barrow said that it should decrease in the next couple of days. He said that the sanctions placed on several […]

Elrington comments on Boycott between the Media & the Police
Last week, the media instituted a boycott of the Belize Police Department in response to the Department’s stance on not granting interviews with regards to major crimes. Yesterday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow said he hopes that the media and police would iron out the issues. Barrow said that the press should never be excluded. Minister […]

Minister of Defence refutes Claim of Divide within the UDP
Following the United Democratic Party’s convention on Sunday in Dangriga, UDP Area representative Frank Pawpa Mena went on Facebook to vent after the team he was supporting lost at that convention. He first wrote, quote, “it’s a shame … you have to use money to buy my people. Sad that they don’t know how you […]

Musa will not challenge Briceno for the Leadership
And while there seems to be an internal jostling for power within the UDP, yesterday Deputy Party Leader of the People’s United Party, Kareem Musa, announced that he will not challenge John Briceno for the leadership of the PUP in next month’s national convention. Musa made the announcement via his Facebook page yesterday. The announcement […]

PM discusses his Retirement
Leader of the United Democratic Party Dean Barrow is finishing his last term as Party Leader and Prime Minister. While there is no telling who his successor will be, Barrow says that whoever it is, that person will not have to worry about him looming in the background. He said that once he is out, […]

Colonel Steven Ortega to succeed Brigadier General David Jones
In June of this year, Brigadier General David Jones told the media that he would soon be retiring. Today, Minister of Defence John Saldivar told the media that the General is currently on pre-retirement leave after which he will leave the Belize Defence Force. Saldivar adds that Colonel Steven Andrew Ortega, who currently holds the […]

Captain Neal Excels Academically Abroad
Today the Belize Defence Force announced that one of its own has completed his Masters of Arts in Strategic Security Studies at the National Defence University in the USA. A statement from the BDF states that Captain Eric Richard Neal Jr. also obtained “Honours” for his thesis entitled “Managing Indigenous People in Belize: Guaranteeing Security […]

The Guardian

Southside residents deserve an 8 million dollar Fabers Road project
On Thursday of last week the Government of Belize through the Ministry of Works signed on to a contract for the complete overhaul of Fabers Road from Central American Boulevard to the George Price Highway. By some oversight, the scope of works was not expounded upon and the price tag of 7.9 million dollars took everyone by surprise as the stretch of road is only 2.5 kilometers in length. This led to mass hysteria and speculation as to the value of the contract and the television, print and social media went wild with accusations of the contract being bloated. COLA and their PUP attorney, Kareem Musa called a press conference and threatened to put the project into a grinding halt with an injunction. They claimed that the contract was in breach of the Finance and Audit Act. With all the speculation and accusations running rampant for almost a week it was not until Wednesday of this week when Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow called a press conference to clear the air.

Attempted abduction of three minors in Cayo
A 58 year old American National is currently detained by Cayo Police for questioning regarding an attempted abduction. Even with his detention, public concern has grown dramatically over the last few hours as to the safety for three female children. On Monday at about 10:00 am, a ten and a nine year old female went to buy ideals in El Progresso or Seven Miles in rural Cayo and on their way were invited by a clear complexioned male to travel to Belize City in his vehicle. The two females were then joined by another female minor. However; at the junction of Georgeville one of the minors saw her father and jumped out of the vehicle and so did the other two girls. In the process of doing so the children obtained some minor scrapes.

Kareem punks out
In a most sheepish manner, Kareem Musa has decided that he will not run for leader of the People’s United Party. In a statement he issued on Wednesday he completely backed down from the cavalier position which he had taken last week when he had invited the media to tell them he was considering running. In his craftily worded statement he blamed the media as the ones who “brought up my name,” stating that “I was surprised.” The reality is that it was neither the media nor was he surprised that his name was out there as he had in fact himself sent out the message as a trial balloon to test the weather.

Overnight and cruise arrivals show steady growth
According to the Belize Tourism Board, Cruise and Overnight tourism has shown a steady growth path in Belize. These positive trends have been visible for the first 9 months of 2017. The cumulative increase in overnight arrival has been a total of 8.6% while in September, there has been a 7.9% increase. September’s 7.9% increase represents an increase of more than 1,400 visitors. Although there was an increase in overall overnight arrivals, there was only a slight increase of overnight arrivals through the International Airport. This is due to the threat of storms in the region earlier in the month. While there was only a minimal increase through the airport in September, there was a more significant increase in the arrival of visitors through the Northern and Western land borders. For the third quarter of July to September 2017 when it was compared to that of 2016, there was a 10.9% increase in overnight tourism, despite this quarter being the traditional slow season.

Countrywide blood shortage
On Monday October 16th, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital sent out an advisory that it was postponing elective surgeries due to limited blood supply for these procedures. The shortage began two and a half weeks earlier and was attributed to the Blood Bank being unable to supply blood. While the hospital is able to continue life-saving surgeries, elective surgeries are being postponed. But what is causing the shortage? According to Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, it has to do with the Blood Bank being unable to screen blood. He told us that there is currently a region-wide shortage of HIV testing kits so even if donors provide blood, these cannot be screened. This has caused an acute shortage as the Belize City based blood bank is the only one that supplies blood to all medical institutions in need.

UDP selects Dangriga's municipal slate with record turnout
The United Democratic Party held a very successful convention in Dangriga where 1,301 supporters came out to cast their ballots for the persons whom they thought were best suited to represent the party in the upcoming municipal elections of March 7, 2018. There were two persons running for the position of mayoral candidate and in the end, current mayor, Francis Humphreys received 914 votes while his opponent, Herbert Nicassio received 322 votes. In the race for councilor candidates, there were 12 persons vying for 6 positions. Topping the polls was Cheryl Molina who received 754 votes; Alexander Joseph got 692 votes; Aaron Gongora secured 687 votes; Earth Lopez got 627 votes; Gary Franscisco got 624 votes and Yadira Diego received 603 votes rounding off the 6 candidates. The other candidates who contested were Therese Ariola who received 585 votes; Alden Chavez with 498; Anthony Garbutt 596; Marshall Mejia 489; Patricia Usher 444; and Augustine Sabal 290.

Aikman’s foolishness again!
About a month and a half ago, we thought we had put to rest this foolishness about political parties knowing how voters cast their votes at any particular election. However that thinking changed after midday on Sunday when we at this newspaper had the opportunity to watch the repeat of the Zenaida & Derek Show. The show is a show that is aired on Krem TV sometime during the week and repeats on Sundays. During that particular episode of the show Derek Aikman did a voting simulation in an attempt to prove that the Political Parties in Belize are able to tell how each and every one votes at any particular election. It is not the first time that Aikman has staged such a simulation.

PM says Cattouse’s murder not a political hit
Albert Cattouse was killed in his taxi on Thursday of last week and since his death some activists have said that his killing was motivated because he was an activist. On Wednesday, during a press conference, PM Dean Barrow stated that nothing could be further from the truth. He noted that Cattouse was an acquaintance of his and they were always cordial with one another whenever they met. He went on to state that the police’s investigations show that what happened was “completely at odds from any notion that this was a political hit. I am willing to bet my life that no UDP personality in the leadership of this party would ever do something like that.”

Belize City Council’s receives flood mitigation equipment
In November 2011, the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) signed a US $10 million loan agreement as well as US $750,000 counterpart funding for a flood alleviation and mitigation project for the Belama Area. The project, labeled “Flood Mitigation Infrastructure Project”, has three components which were to be completed in a 5-year span. The first component, Engineering and Administration, included the establishment of an execution unit and operational expenses. Next were the First and Second Year of Civil Works subcomponents, the first being comprised of the outputs of street improvements, canal construction, and the upgrading of two parks. Component three was for Institutional Strengthening which consisted of a host of studies to be done in the areas of flood alleviation and mitigation.

Protecting Our Planet through Climate Action on Multiple Fronts - Minister Lee Ying-yuan Environmental Protection Administration Republic of China (Taiwan)
Climate change is a scientific fact, and its effects are already being distinctly felt around the world, threatening human health, the places we inhabit, and the sustainability of our socioeconomic systems. This includes Taiwan, which this year alone has experienced several extreme weather events. In early June, Sanzhi District in New Taipei City, northern Taiwan, received 615 mm of heavy rain in just nine hours, while the mountainous regions around Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan received a record 1,446 mm in total. In late July, two typhoons (Nesat and Haitang) struck the island in close succession, a rarely seen event resulting in a record 690 mm of rainfall in the southern coastal region of Pingtung’s Jiadong township over a three-day period.

San Juan/ Cowpen receives NEMO Flood Mitigation Works
The village of San Juan/ Cowpen has recently benefitted from the expansion of electricity in the village as well as the paving of its main road and is again a beneficiary of works by the government. They have now received much needed work in the area of flood mitigation. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) began excavating and cleaning drains to facilitate the free flow of water, pertinent in these times of excess rainfall. These works are being supervised by Keith Emmanuel, Southern Regional Coordinator, NEMO; David Cruz, Stann Creek District Coordinator, and other Ministry of Works personnel. Direction on the ground is also being provided by San Juan/Cowpen Village Chairman Carlos Peraza and Councillor Abby Blades.

Police continue their Du Di Rait Ting program
The Belize Police Department, Community Policing Unit hosted the 13th national “Du Di Rait Ting” program on October 14, 2017 at the Old Belize Pavilion. There were 37 submitted candidates and from that submission, 7 were exemplified as great examples of doing the right thing. The 3 top winners are: Jasmine Diego from Claver College Extension, Yunior Ramirez from Corozal Community College, and Honenaida Garcia from Independence High School.

FOR ELENA SMITH: WHEN YOU KNOW YOU DON’T KNOW BUT PLAY LIKE YOU KNOW
On Tuesday October 17, 2017 nightly news (Channel 7), Senator Elena Smith president of BNTU, was heard making the following statements regarding the Public Sector Workers’ Trust. “The initial sums of monies that were spent from the trust was spent to put together the trust deed. That had to be drafted and that had to be drafted by attorneys and so we paid I believe 3 attorneys had been paid to draft the deed.” “We must now go and redo the trust deed based on the court judgement. The government has been named as the settler and so we must now go through and draft a new trust deed to be presented for acceptance and that is where we are.”

Teachers and students from Belmopan participate in Fun Run
For the third year in a row, the adventuring teachers and students from the Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic High School OLOGHS in Belmopan have pounded the asphalt from Belmopan to San Ignacio for a worthy cause. First to reach San Ignacio on Saturday morning was Jamel Webster, 25 years of age, and by the time he was at the finishing line his tennis shoe had worn out. At the ready to assist Webster and other runners was a team from the Red Cross ; with the Traffic Department also keeping a careful watch for their safety.

George Price Highway cleaned over weekend
In remembering 25 years of Environmental Sustainability, a trio composed of the Department of the Environment, the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority and the Belize Audubon Society once again partnered in a “Walk for a Green Belize” cleanup. The event aimed at building awareness and providing a firm foundation for an environmentally friendly Belize started at 7:00 am on Saturday along the entire 77 mile George Price Highway--with the involvement of over 50 groups, individuals and businesses.

What did Justice Abel tell the Unions to do?
Over the past couple of weeks there has been much chatter about the BNTU and the PSU refusing to abide by a court order issued against them. The unions were taken to court by persons who had their salaries frozen between 1994-1997 and were given shares in BTL as compensation. Since then the beneficiaries have not been able to receive any benefits from the trust which was established by the unions in 2014. For clarity we print some excerpts of the judgement to shed some light as to what needs to be done to make amends with the beneficiaries.

Saint Catherine’s Academy bans the use of disposable material
The Saint Catherine Academy community has ventured on a task to implement the utilization of reusable material into their SCA society. In speaking with Arlene Riverol, Vice Principal, Academic Affairs, as well as the seven girls that make up the student council, it was learnt that the task actually began three years ago but has finally come into play after the student council decided to take action.

Republic of China (Taiwan) Celebrates 106th National Day
A host of invited guests attended a ceremony to celebrate the Republic of China (Taiwan’s) 106th National Day at the Princess Ramada Hotel. At the ceremony on Friday, October 6, 2017, donations of refurbished ASUS laptops were made to fourteen organizations that included the Guardian Newspaper, Channel 7, Saint Catherine Academy, and the Pallottine Sisters.

Guatemalan remanded for sexually assaulting 8 year old girl
A Guatemalan construction worker who has been living in Belize for over 20 years has been accused of molesting an 8-year-old girl. He is 30-year-old Jorge Giovanni Garcia of Belize City. Garcia appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser for arraignment on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 where he was read a single charge of sexual assault. He pled not guilty to the charge but the Magistrate had several reservations and concerns. The first was regarding his status in Belize. Garcia claims that he has been living in Belize since he was 10 and never got documented by his parents.

Two dead in separate road traffic accidents
On October 11, 2017 at around 2:30 p.m., police officers responded to a fatal traffic accident between miles 32 and 33 on the Southern Highway. There they saw a lifeless body with head and body injuries lying on the side of the road. The body was that of 32-year-old Sebastian Cucul, a laborer of San Isidoro Village. Cucul’s body was taken to the Dangriga morgue. Investigations revealed that Cucul was riding his Skygo motorcycle towards Georgetown Village when he collided into the left side of a trailer truck which was travelling in the opposite direction. That truck was being driven by 33-year-old Hector Amilcar Melara of Hopkins. Melara has since been served an NIP as investigations continue.

Armed robberies in the north
On October 13, 2017, police visited Sun Luck Store located on Zericote Street in Orange Walk where they spoke to Hong Zhen Quin, a 24-year-old Chinese cashier, who reported that at 3:15 p.m., 2 male persons of Hispanic descent entered the shop. They were both dressed in full black clothing with caps on their heads and white rags covering their faces. One of the culprits was armed with what appeared to be a 9 mm pistol which he pointed to Zhen Quin. The robbers stole $600.

Bail for man accused of drug trafficking
A Belizean mason and contractor, 45-year-old Franklin Vernon, was taken to court on October 12, 2017 to answer to a single charge of possession of a controlled drug. Vernon was found in possession of 129 grams of cannabis earlier the same day. Vernon appeared before Magistrate Michelle Trapp where he was read a single charge for drug trafficking. He plead not guilty to trafficking and contended that he was guilty of possession and not drug trafficking. Magistrate Trapp explained that he was not being charged for possession. Prosecutor Inspector Hector Rodriguez informed Vernon that while he is unable to accept his plea for possession, he will be updated at his next adjournment which is set for December 21, 2017.

Keith Middleton killed at home
Keith Middleton, another resident of the Jane Usher Boulevard area, was killed in a shooting at his yard. He’s the fourth member of the Jane Usher boulevard neighbourhood to be murdered in 2 months, and this is the third time he’s been injured by gunmen. On Monday, October 16, 2017, at around 7:30 p.m. the 31 year-old was at his home on Mud Street, socializing with a friend when an unknown shooter opened fire on him and injured him multiple times.

Robbers hold Sirrom Gas Station
An unknown robber, with the assistance of another held a worker at the Sirrom Gas distribution point in the Kontiki Area of San Ignacio at gun point last Friday morning. Vicente Maldonado reported to San Ignacio Police that a man dressed in dark clothing entered into the fuel station and pointed a 9 mm hand gun at him and instructed him to hand over the funds. In response, Maldonado then handed $727.50 and his cellular phone.

Missing teen found in shallow grave
After being missing for 52 days, 17 year-old Erwin Rodriguez, a Belize City resident, was found dead in the Port Loyola area. A post-mortem has concluded that he died from multiple gunshot wounds to the face. It’s the end of a long search and a period of uncertainty for his family who had been hoping, but realizing that the worst possible outcome would be the likely result. His body was discovered in a shallow grave near the seashore area, behind the Port of Belize. That’s not too far from his home in the Jane Usher Boulevard area.

Shooting incidents, Accident and unintentional - Aaron Wilson shoots his brother
Aaron Wilson Guzman, a 23-year-old Belizean businessman of Silk Grass, Stann Creek, reported that on October 13, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. while at a farm about one mile from Silk Grass, he was with his brother Brandon Guzman loading lumber. After finishing, he jumped off the truck with his licensed Glock pistol with a bullet in the chamber which was tucked in the right side of his pants. The firearm fell on some lumber which caused it to discharge. The bullet caught his brother in his upper right arm. Brandon was transported to the Southern Regional Hospital for treatment.

Shootings in Belize City
On October 14, 2017 at 8:15 p.m., police visited the ER at the KHMH where they saw Kirkland Michael Dawson suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right thigh. Dawson, a 31-year-old electrician and resident of Euphrates Avenue, was socializing with friends on Curassow Street in Belize City when he heard several gunshots being fired. He felt a burning sensation in his right thigh and realized that he has been shot.

Swiss National is charged for drug and immigration offenses
On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, a 42-year-old retiree of Switzerland appeared unrepresented in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser to answer to a single immigration offense. He is Christian Reis, a frequent visitor of Belize. The allegations against Reis are that he entered Belize on April 13, 2017 through the Northern Border Station to remain legally until May 12, 2017 but he has since failed to get an extension to his permit. As a result, he has been charged with failure to comply with the conditions of a visitor’s permit.

Taximan Albert Cattouse’s killing a mystery
Family members and friends of 72-year-old Albert Cattouse continue to make funeral arrangements for him after he was killed in what appears to be a random act of violence in Belize City. The incident happened on Thursday, October 12, at around 7:30 p.m. That’s when police found his taxi, a grey Lincoln Town Car, in a drain on Hicatee Street. Inside it, they found him in the driver’s seat with a gunshot wound to the back of the head. Police say that from their investigation so far, Cattouse was driving his vehicle from the direction of West Collet Canal, toward Dolphin Street. Shortly after he passed Bocotora Street, nearby persons and residents heard the sound of gunshots. It is believed at this time that he picked up the person who shot him to the back of the head.

Teenager charged with attempted murder
Police have arrested and charged 19 year old Asher Saunders with Attempted Murder and Use of Deadly means of harm following a shooting incident on Tuesday October 13th. Police report that they visited the Emergency Room at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw Floyd Elston McNab, a 33-year-old Belizean Laborer of Campos Avenue, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right buttock and 3 gunshots to the left buttocks.

After staying one week with a friend, woman is accused of theft
On Thursday, October 12, 2017, Shelmadine Neal, a 21-year-old unemployed resident of Victoria Street, appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser in the Belize City to answer to a charge of theft. Neal appeared barefooted and dirty before the magistrate and claimed that she got into a fight with the family of the complainant on the way to court.

San Pedro Pirates best the Placencia Assassins in Premier League competition
The Premier League of Belize 2017 Opening Season is fast coming to an end with only three more weeks of play in the regular season remaining. On Saturday 14th October at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town, the host team San Pedro Pirates edged out the visiting Placencia Assassins by the score of 3-1. The San Pedro Pirates was the first onto the scoreboard when Hector Martinez scored the 1st goal of the game in the 28th minute of play to give his team a 1-0 lead. The lead was further increased when Inri Gonzaga scored his team’s 2nd goal of the game in the 45th minute of play for a 2-0 lead.

Belize Athletics Association elects new officers
The Belize Athletics Association held its 2017 Annual General Meeting on Saturday 21 October, 2017 at Edward P. Yorke High School in Belize City. The highlight of the Annual General Meeting was the elections of officers for the association. At the close of nomination day the following persons nominated for the positions are: President - Deon Sutherland, 1st vice president - Jaheed Smith, 2nd vice president - Tricia Flores, General Secretary - Josephine Flowers, Asst. Secretary - Jeneicia Sanker, Treasurer - Orville Melendrez Committee members - Andrew Pilgrim, Shelmadine Carr and Shaun Gill. The elected officers will serve until the next General Meeting in which an election will be held.

Football Federation of Belize to hold 11th Ordinary Congress
The Football Federation of Belize is pleased to inform the general public and the football world that it will be holding its 11th Ordinary Congress on Saturday 2nd December, 2017, at 10:00 am at the Ramada Belize City Princess on Newtown Barracks in Belize City. The high point of the 11th Ordinary Congress will be the elections of the President and Vice President of the Football Federation of Belize.

National Track and Field Championship reschedule for November
The Belize Athletics Association invites all athletes and track enthusiasts once again to be a part of a National Track and Field Championship event. The event will take place at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on November 4-5, 2017. All athletes 16 years and older can participate in the events.

Coconut - A Potential Super Food
Coconut is one of those foods that have been used for its beauty and competent creativity, rather than its richness in nutrition. Suddenly, coconut is back in style as a potential super food. Health experts have been analyzing the abundant health benefits of coconut; meanwhile one expert mentions that there are very few people, if anyone, looking at coconut health effects. Rather, much of the research on health benefits of coconut comes from India, a country that dominates the production of coconut food products- potentially tainting research results. What is known about coconut is that-in moderation- they offer a healthier type of saturated fat and fiber for your diet, and nutrients such as iron, potassium, selenium, choline, phosphorus, and niacin.

AMANDALA: “…THE TEACHERS (OR UNIONS) WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN POLITICAL PARTY…”
I am a parent and a teacher and I absolutely do NOT support the BNTU leadership. I strongly believe that the majority of parents similarly do NOT support the union leadership’s plunge into partisan politics! Should public sector unions even be allowed to exist if they involve themselves in partisan politics? Political partisanship violates a public sector union’s own principles and articles of association! Individual union members have the right to vote, and they should do so, like every other registered voter! Yet, the union’s role is completely different from that of a political party. Leadership should improve the abysmal PSE scores. They need to help produce good citizens – the almost total indiscipline in the community has got to be traceable directly to parents and teachers.

Issue #36-May 2017 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!

GOD BUSH CONTROL PROGRAM IN CITRUS
Struthanthus orbicularis is one of the various parasitic weed that reproduces on citrus in Belize. Most commonly known as God bush or “Mata Palo” in Spanish. God bush can be reproduced by seeds and plant tissues, the spread from tree to tree is mainly by birds, human and farm machinery. Inadequate management of God bush forces trees to compete for sunlight, water, and nutrients. The growth aggressiveness of God bush can cover trees foliage rapidly causing and ideal micro climate within trees suitable for fungal diseases, subsequently leaf drop, die back of branches and final death of trees. Chemical control methods for God bush has damaged trees if sprayed direct, most command method implemented to control have been pruning of infested branches. A herbicide trial was conducted to control S. orbicularis on orange trees at Cool Shade, Cayo District, Belize C.A. from the 18th January to 7th April, 2017.

Old Crops Become New Underutilized Native Crops: Sweet Potatoes
The problem in food shortage, even with the technology that has been developed over the decades, continues to rise. In 1975 the deficit in food availability worldwide was 12 million metric tons; in the 1990’s it had surpassed 85 million metric tons. Today it is closer to 100 million metric tons. The crops with the most acreage or tonnage produced in the world are wheat, rice, corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes, presented in order of importance. Of the aforementioned crops, sweet potatoes have achieved the highest yields per acre in farm trials. Of all the roots and tubers consumed in the world sweet potatoes take second place just behind potatoes. Approximately 46 million acres of potatoes are produced in the world and about 34 million acres of sweet potatoes. Asia grows 92 percent of the total acreage of sweet potatoes. It is one of the few crops that can be grown from sea level up to 6000 feet about sea level.

Dear Editor:
I am writing to share the importance of the visit we had by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, MIT scientist, who presented to the Pesticides Control Board and the general public, “Why Glyphosate Should Be Banned, Globally.” Representatives for seven sponsoring organizations including Belize Organic Family Farming, Pro-Organic Belize, Belize Wellness Institute, Belize Botanical Gardens, Plenty Belize, Sustainable Harvest International of Belize, and Southeast Watershed Alliance Group (SWAG) made presentations to the Pesticides Control Board Review Committee on August 30, 2016 requesting the PCB review and prohibit the importation of glyphosate, and all its formulations (some 19) currently imported into Belize. We were instructed to base our presentations on peer-reviewed studies. This means that a group of scientists must vet the science behind the study, and deem it to be based on scientific fact.

Update on Missouri farmer, J.R. Bollinger of Missouri, USA: See Carbon-Smart Corn article, Issue #34, November 2016
We have some news about farmer, J.R. Bollinger of Missouri, USA, whose biological methods for large-scale farming were the subject of the Carbon-Smart Corn article, reprinted from Acres USA magazine, in our November 2016 Issue #34 (pg 5). This article’s length greatly exceeded our usual article size, but because it was so nutrient-dense with exciting applications used in a large conventional row-crop farm, we could not resist sharing it. Recently David Yarrow, the author of that article, shared some information regarding Bollinger’s farm and costs. He said that by cutting his fertilizer bills by 50%, Bollinger saved over US$100 per acre (US$100,000) on input costs; we are unable to translate that to Belize dollars because landed costs here would include freight and duty. Bollinger’s $100,000 USD savings on former input costs is worth a further look. For his 2016 corn crop, Bollinger used the same carbon-smart methods, planting with the same 6 inch strips as in 2015, and still with 50% fertilizers (compared to 2014 use). He harvested 330 bushels (18,480 lbs) per acre in 2016 and had the #1 yield for corn for the state of Missouri.

The Dairy Industry in Spanish Lookout An Interview with Frank Friesen and Ernie Thiessen
If a Belizean dairy farmer wants to rapidly improve his herd’s genetics, he has 3 choices: live dairy cattle importation, artificial insemination, or embryo transfer. The first dairy bull of some merit brought into Spanish Lookout was a Holstein, flown in from Pennsylvania about 50 years ago, by Joe Friesen, Sr. Many high-producing, locallyborn acclimated cows resulted. Belizean dairy farmers have learned that animals born in Belize will out-produce almost any imported blood-lines, and so have moved for the most part to artificial insemination (AI) and now are moving to embryo transfers as a more affordable alternative to importing single animals. Also, percentages have increased to make each resulting animal more affordable.

Beyond the Backyard: What on Earth?
My friend recently hurt his back and was prescribed some pretty heavy- duty unpronounceable medication that was also very expensive. He asked me if I knew of holistic alternatives. I suggested these potent pain killers: bone broth full of glucosamine; turmeric (yellow ginger) as it contains curcumin which is an anti- inflammatory; capsaicin (from chili pepper) which decreases pain signals to the brain and ‘tuna’ which contains taurine. “Tuna!! What on earth!” I was not referring to tuna fish but a cactus Jamaicans call tuna and we in Belize call nopal or prickly pear.

A Case for Changing Agriculture in Belize
In the early 1970’s, the late Earl L. Butz, 18th US Secretary of Agriculture, famously said, “ Before we go back to organic agriculture in this country, somebody must decide which 50 million Americans we are going to let starve or go hungry.” This came at a time when the American biologist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Norman Borlaug was pioneering the Green Revolution at the Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de MaIz y Trigo (CIMMYT) in Mexico. The Green Revolution brought about significant increases in the yield of a select few agricultural crops through the adoption of various new technologies including, but not limited to, high yielding grain varieties, advanced irrigation systems and the extensive usage of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Ironically, this relatively new form of farming became known as “conventional” and traditional methods of farming were placed under the blanket term “organic” and, in many circles, became a testy topic of conversation.Organic agriculture became an ideology, one that had to give way to the banner of scientific innovation. In a flare of reductionism, the ultimate goal of conventional agriculture became higher yields per unit area.

BEL-CAR Updates
As we go to press, the bean harvest in Spanish Lookout, Cayo District is in progress. Bel-Car states that there is less acreage in black-eyes for this season, possibly up to 50% less, for several reasons. Roughly 12,000 (100 lb) bags of corn were harvested by Bel- Car farmers. ‘A’ grade corn price for Spanish Lookout has been listed as N/A - not available - on our centerfold Prices at a Glance page, for quite some time, as it is not sold in bulk, but rather used in the production of high quality corn meal.

National Coconut Stakeholders Platform Meets in Blue Creek, Orange Walk District
On Friday 31 March, the NCSP had its bimonthly meeting at the coconut farm of Sergio and Tina Marraquin. Almost all of the 12 original committee members plus many visitors who were all interested in learning more about the potentials of coconut farming in Belize made the trek to the remote Mennonite village in the northwest corner of Belize. Mr. Manuel Trujillo, Crops Coordinator of Central Farm called the meeting to order, and Ms. Omaira Avila, our (relatively) new Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) country representative took the reins of the meeting. As CARDI is officially appointed as the ‘focal point’, contracted to manage and fulfill the agronomical part of this Bz$5 M project, Ms. Avila reminded the group throughout the morning of the various tasks needing to be accomplished before the ending of this project in January of 2019.

National Agriculture and Trade Show
The 47th annual National Agriculture and Trade Show (NATS) was opened on Friday 28th April under the theme “Let’s Get Growing”. The opening ceremony was highlighted by keynote addresses by University of Belize’s new president Dr. Clement Sankar; and Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Godwin Hulse; and by the presentation of the Farmers of the Year awards. Male Farmer of the Year went to Mr. Gary Canto of Cayo District; Female Farmer of the Year was Ms. Mirva Flowers of Toledo District, and Junior Farmer of the Year was awarded to Mr. Santiago Gutierrez of Cayo District. NATS chairman Mr. Gary Ramirez estimated that close to 40,000 people visited the 3 day fair, which concluded on Sunday 30th April, at the newly renovated show grounds in Belmopan.

Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in the Sugar Industry
On April 12, 2017 the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the Government of Belize (GOB) and the European Union (EU) held a first-of-its-kind Integrated Pest and Disease Management Seminar at SIRDI’s headquarters in Buena Vista Village, Corozal District. A total of 185 stakeholders, including sugarcane farmers, sugarcane farmers associations, community leaders, students and NGOs, attended. Many farmers and stakeholders from the northern sugar belt are now well-versed and prepared to tackle the main pest in the sugarcane field known as the froghopper.

AgScience for Better Crops: Plant Disease Management
Agriculture in Belize has experienced a rapid expansion and diversification of crop production. Such changes come with increased challenges that growers have no control over and must learn to adopt and implement effective management practices. Currently the increase of pest and diseases remain a major threat to crop production. Moreover, there are main factors contributing to plant disease management, which include 1) the demand for safe and diverse food to support the growing population, 2) reduced agriculture production, 3) ecology of agro-ecosystem deterioration and natural resource depletion, and 4) increased disease epidemics from agricultural intensification and monocultures (He et al, 2016)

Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility Course
In the last days of February, Neal Kinsey arrived at University of Belize’s College of Agriculture at Central Farm to present his Intro 2 course on soil fertility using the Kinsey-Albrecht system. This was Neal’s 3rd teaching trip to Belize, and many of the participants had already attended one or both of his previous courses here. One of those repeating farmers said to Neal at the conclusion of the final class day, “Neal, you are changing the face of agriculture in Spanish Lookout”. What higher accolade can be given to our friend Neal? Other student comments on the annual surveys which asked, “What did you gain from this course?” included: “a better understanding of the complex interaction among elements and soil types and water”, Dottie Feucht.

Weed Control Using a Grit-Blaster
Weed scientist and USDA agronomist, Frank Forcella of Minnesota, U.S. solved two problems with one invention that he calls “PAGMan”. The first problem was how to get rid of the pits from his bumper crop of apricots; the second was how to get rid of weeds in row crops. He says that combining those two into a single solution seemed silly at first but he and colleague, Dean Peterson, at the USDA North Central Soil Conservation Research Laboratory in Morris, Minnesota, bought a cheap sand blaster and started some simple experiments in a greenhouse. Their initial work involved growing weeds next to a corn plant; when the corn was about six inches tall and the weed was about one to three inches tall, the researchers blasted both with a split-second application of grit.

The Mighty Ceiba - Tree of Life
After Hurricane Earl took down our favorite birding tree, our “Giving Tree,” we began to pay more attention to the ceiba tree that had been hiding behind, but stood strong through the storm. This particular tree is rooted at the base of the hill below us which gives us the unusual perspective of a peek into the upper branches of this fascinating tree. Over time we watched the tree drop its leaves, then bloom with delicate pink flowers that attracted many kinds of birds and wildlife. We then watched the blooms turn to small buds, then larger pods that have now burst open, releasing puffs of cottony clouds, filled with seeds. We have seen squirrels and kinkajous feasting on the pods and birds taking the kapok for their nests. It strikes me how few seeds from this tree actually make it to a proper place for germination. At first the tree was bursting with flowers, thousands of them. Many of the flowers were eaten or knocked off before being allowed to progress to the next stage. Once the small buds evolved, they became irresistible to all manner of creatures. Those buds that survived the feasting and grew to maturity still had to fight off the squirrels and toucans who continued to eat them, sometimes taking entire pods and often dropping them to the ground.

BLPA Holds AGM
The 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Belize Livestock Producers’ Association (BLPA) was held on 25th February, 2017, at their headquarters, Mile 47.5 George Price Highway. Mr. Abdala Bedran gave the welcoming remarks, which preceded Dr. Henry Canton’s Chairman’s Address. BLPA General Manager Ms. Elba Cruz also shared remarks and introduced the keynote speaker, Minister Godwin Hulse.

Cattle Auction in Spanish Lookout
The March 4, 2017 cattle auction was a great success; 37 head of cattle and 3 horses were sold. We were privileged to have some Blue Creek producers bring a load of excellent breeding stock from there as well. There were 15 different owners selling cattle. The cattle were sold to 22 different buyers. Again I estimate more than 300 people came out for the event; 56 individuals registered to buy. People came from all over the country and also Peten, Guatemala. One bull was sold to a Guatemalan buyer. Weather was perfect: overcast with just a little bit of rain but not so much as to really interfere with the auction. Country Meats served us with a delicious steak for lunch.

An Overview of Land Taxes on Agricultural Property Past, Present and Future
In 2003 the government of Belize (GOB) took a serious look at land taxes, with regard to updating them. Many felt that the existing rates were too high for agricultural/productive sector lands and that owners were discouraged from further agricultural development on them. In 2004, Minister Fonseca signed Land Act No. 5 of 2004, which amended the Land Tax Act, Chapter 58. As well as amending the rates (see chart below from Land No. Act 5), it also redefined several categories which are also covered in the amending act. The law of 2004 included clarifications such as the following new definitions:

Industrial Hemp as Weed Killer
New scientific studies claim that glyphosate, found in Monsanto’s Roundup® weed killer as well as in other pesticides, is causing serious health problems wherever it is used. These include but are not limited to: reproductive issues, birth defects, diabetes, autism, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s, liver disease, as well as intestinal, digestive, kidney, and autoimmune disorders. The International Agency for Research on Cancer’s recent report stating that glyphosate is a probable cause of cancer has made this a priority issue in farming communities throughout Belize.

The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water
Book Review By Chris Harris. “The golden age of water is over”. That is the message of this comprehensive account of how we have taken water for granted over many decades. The fact is that 1.1 billion people of us do not have access to clean safe drinking water, and another 1.8 billion people do not have access to water in their homes. These are statistics [book published 2011] which should give us all pause for thought. And before we shrug those numbers off as a third world problem, we are reminded that Las Vegas, Los Angeles and large areas of American farmland are also threatened, not just with shortages, but rationing and even running out of water altogether. So this book really is a wake up call to us all.

Berries of Belize Part 1: Solanum Nigrum AKA Hierba Mora
The Mayas call it chayuk, but the Spanish, emphasizing both the leaf and the fruit in the name they gave it, called it mora after the Spanish word for blackberry or mulberry. In English we have been calling the fruits blueberries or wild huckleberries which they resemble more than either fruit in the mora category. A more correct English translation is nightshade; however since there are many nightshades, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant, that name doesn’t narrow it down much. But let’s not worry much about names and turn to culture and usage. Indeed, useful and under-appreciated, hierba mora is a plant bearing both edible leaves and fruit. Hierba mora is normally not cultivated; it grows wild, often coming up on burnt land and plowed land and growing profusely, winter and summer. You can recognize this “weed” which grows to a small bush bearing blue-black berries, by the distinctly purple underside of the leaves. However, the seeds from the ripe berries can be sown in trays and planted in a garden about 3 feet apart. Like other nightshade plants, they are an annual plant which can be planted any time weather conditions are favorable. They do not fruit according to a season. For planting in a garden, both summer and winter work well.

Coffee in San Vicente Toledo District
Approximately 8 miles northwest from Jalacte, Toledo District, and resting in the hills along the Belize- Guatemalan border, sits the quiet off-the-grid village of San Vicente, a primarily Maya Ketchi community of about 35-40 family farms, where cultivation of black beans, organic cacao and the recent addition of organic coffee are the mainstays. Efrain Caal, local farmer and TCGA (Toledo Cacao Growers Association) extension officer, met us as we arrived in the community and introduced us to Marcus Kal, one of the leading farmers of the newly formed San Vicente Coffee Growers. In 2006 Marcus started transforming a completely cleared hillside, previously a cattle pasture, into an organic multi-cropped orchard.

The Wonders of Green Coffee
Several years ago I wrote an article for the Belize Ag Report about the benefits of used coffee grounds in the garden. In this article I would like to talk about green coffee and the reported health care properties. The coffee and its beans have a reputation as a dark, rich drink that many enjoy for its “pick me up” property in the morning and during the day. The beans must be roasted to achieve the desired effect and flavor. Unfortunately during the roasting process many of the benefits which occur naturally are lost. The Arabica coffee plant produces two hard green seeds or beans per coffee “cherry”. These are fermented, cleaned, dried and bagged. Now they are ready for the roaster. In this form, green, coffee is very medicinal.

Senior Scientist and Professor from MIT Visits Belize
It was a rare privilege to welcome Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Senior Research Scientist at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. and her husband, Dr. Victor Zue, Director of International Relations, CSAIL and former director of the lab. Dr. Seneff’s recent focus on the role of toxic chemicals and micronutrient deficiencies in health and disease, with a special emphasis on glyphosate and the mineral sulfur brought in-depth scientific knowledge to our understanding. Having authored over two dozen peer-reviewed journal papers over the past few years on these topics, she shared her findings on KREM and LOVE TV, and in presentations in Spanish Lookout and University of Belize College of Agriculture at Central Farm (UB/CF) and to Belize’s Pesticide Control Board (PCB) as input to their re-registration and review process.

Inga Alley Cropping: An Innovative Method for Sustainable Agriculture
Many people have recently been asking the question of how to provide food for the growing Belizean population and protect the livelihoods of farmers while also maintaining the natural resources that attract tourists, providing jobs to a large number of Belizeans. How can we most efficiently use the land that is being farmed to produce a high yield without constantly needing to expand further into forested areas that benefit the agriculture industry and the country? Part of the solution may lie in inga alley cropping, a farming method that is being introduced to Belize after decades of testing at the Inga Foundation in Honduras. Whereas the traditional slash-and-burn practice involves rotating fields and has led to increased deforestation in some areas, inga alley cropping can be used to grow annual crops on the same piece of land for twenty years without the application of chemicals.

AG BRiefs
In March 2017, Belize welcomed back Dr. Gabriel Rodriguez Marques, a citizen of Uruguay, as the new country representative for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Dr. Rodriguez Marques served as country representative in 2009 to 2010 during which period he supported the tourism sector study which led to the development of a tourism master plan for Hopkins.

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Issue #37-Aug 2017 of The BELIZE AG REPORT is online here!.
Click HERE to download the PDF

Biochar Implementation in Agricultural Systems of Belize
By Gerardo Ofelio Aldana. In addition to pressures to adapt to climate change, agricultural production demands include innovative and effective solutions to balance both food production and environmental sustainability (Lehmann and Joseph, 2015). Volatility in agricultural commodities, in parallel with population growth, have initiated an alarming concern as to whether the rates of agricultural production will be able to meet its future food demands. Recent years have shown an improvement in agricultural productivity, but future demands are uncertain, especially in light of environmental factors such as climate change (Sands et al., 2014). The climate problem is now extremely large and is drastically affecting our food production systems. What the future needs is solutions that will counteract a myriad of problems all…

Old Crops Become New: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batata) Part 2
By Santiago Juan. An Underutilized Root Sweet potato is a plant grown for its tuberous roots in tropical, subtropical and warm-temperate regions. As mentioned in the last Belize Ag Report, issue 36, sweet potato is cultivated for food in more than 100 countries, sometimes as a staple food but usually as an alternative food. All varieties of sweet potato are a good source of vitamins and minerals. In East Africa, the sweet potato is known as “the protector of children” because it is often the only food that stands between a child’s survival and starvation. A fast-maturing perennial plant, it is grown mainly as an annual. The roots are adventitious, mostly located within the top 25…

Belmopan Weekend Farmers’ Market at NATS Grounds
By Sally Thackery. The new pavilions at the Belmopan showgrounds are now open on Saturdays and Sundays for local farmers to sell their products to the public. Opening day, Saturday July 29, was lively and well-attended, by both the public and the market sellers. Big thanks to CEO Jose Alpuche and Show Grounds Coordinator Gary Ramirez for such a bright vision for this property at the entrance to Belmopan. The entire showgrounds have been cleaned up, mowed, landscaped with beautiful plants and vendor stalls have been colorfully painted. These detailed improvements also include a new entrance gate, bathrooms in all sections and designated parking areas.In addition to fresh vegetables, the market offers dry goods, eco-friendly cleaning products, fruit trees, flowering…

SIRDI EU IPDM Project: Metarhizium anisopliae Production to Control Froghopper in Sugar Cane
By Jeffy Gomez, Luciano Chi, Luis Gongora and Jian Cob. Froghopper is considered a major pest in sugarcane; every crop cycle it affects sugarcane farmers by increasing control costs while decreasing productivity. The problem is especially serious with the elimination of the preferential market for Belize’s sugar. Hence, it is of great importance to start adapting more environmentally-friendly controls by deterring the use of chemicals and meeting standards set by the Fairtrade market. With the assistance of the European Union (EU), the Government of Belize (GOB) and the Sugar Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI), the project entitled “Strengthening of Integrated Pest and Disease Management (IPDM) in the Sugar Industry” is being implemented in the northern sugar belt. The…

Beyond the Backyard: Suck Your Way to Health
By Jenny Wildman. I came across an article about a strange fruit that can boost your brain function – something all seniors think of when they cannot remember names or misplace their glasses. The picture was that of the fruit known here as kenep, kinnip or guayo. The deciduous, polygamous kenep tree is part of the soapberry family along with logan, rambutan and lychee, all cousins to the northern chestnut. The scientific name is Melicoccus bijugatus commonly referred to as Spanish lime, quenepa, genip, chennet, talpajocote and mamoncillo from the verb mamar to suck. Kenep trees are native to South America and the Island of Margarita and also found in drier woodlands and gardens of the Caribbean and Central America.…

2016 Domestic Export Trade Data Disaggregation

Rice: Circle R’s Contribution to Food Security in Belize
By Jeffrey Magaña. The highest priority for Circle R Products Limited, a farmer-owned business, is food security for Belize. Their newest product, Dalla Rice, was recently introduced to provide a 14 oz. package of grade A rice for $1. Harvest for Kids is grade A premium rice; Jade is grade B; Ruby, grade C and Topaz, grade D. The Harvest for Kids product is named for the socially responsible project it supports. A percentage of the sale of all Harvest for Kids rice goes to support Belize Camping Experience in Belize City, summer Bible camps and work with kids in schools throughout the city. We believe that if our children are inspired today, our country can become a better place.…

Fusarium spp.: An Important Disease of Soybeans
By Felix Cawich, Agronomist, M.Sc. Worldwide, soybean is considered an important crop for the production of oil and as a source of protein for people and animals. In addition, it´s now being used for biodiesel production. According to the Worldwide Web Foundation (WWF), soybean production has grown 10 times in the last 50 years, covering over one million square kilometres. The increasing production area, like the increase in yield of monocultivation, has also led to higher presence of disease in soy plantations. Furthermore, the varying climate may favor rapid development of diseases. Important Diseases Diseases originating from different microorganisms can cause blights, cankers, rots, rusts, wilts and others, causing damage to different parts of the plant at any given growth…

Fertility Needed for Growing Pastures and Hay
By Neal Kinsey. When the requirements for life-giving soil fertility to provide abundant plant growth and robust animal health are accurately considered, far too many pastures and hay fields used for livestock production are seriously lacking. Testing the soils in pastures and meadows has sadly proven this to be true far too often, even when only the absolute minimum nutrient content for those soils is considered. To treat your animals right you have to treat your soils right. Anything less and you rob from the total potential of life-giving principles for your soil, the plants grown there, the livestock that consume them and the products that are provided as a result. When soils are not cared for correctly, it is…

Modern Water Wisdom: An Interview
AUTHOR JUDITH SCHWARTZ EXAMINES WATER MANAGEMENT Reprinted with permission from Acres USA magazine, Vol.47, No.6 Interview: Author Judith Schwartz Examines Water Management

Homemade Health – Why and How to Use Essential Oil – Part 1
By Marguerite Fly Bevis, RN, BSN. This article, part 1 of a 2 part article on essential oils, describes their basic properties and why they are used. Part 2 will describe how to use them. Essential oils, the quintessential essence of medicinal plants, have been used by man for therapeutic purposes for thousands of years. They are mentioned in the Bible at least 600 times. Thirty-three different oils are mentioned. Essential oils are the original medicine upon which modern medicine is based. Birch and wintergreen contain salicylic acid, the same component in aspirin but essential oils are easier on the body and present fewer, if any, side effects, whereas modern medicines can have many, some of which can be more…

Belize Strengthening Partnerships by Applying “One Health”
By Dr. Joe Myers, DVM, BAHA. Medical and veterinary officers from Belize were trained to collaborate using “One Health” strategies in zoonotic and food-borne disease surveillance, diagnosis and preparedness and response, through a comprehensive two-year professional development programme, the One Health Leadership Series (OHLS). The OHLS is part of the regional One Health, One Caribbean, One Love Project, implemented by the University of the West Indies (UWI), School of Veterinary Medicine. The One Health project was funded by the European Union (EU) and managed by the ACP Science and Technology Programme (S&T; II), in collaboration with the ‘Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Project’, of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programme coordinated by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).…

Control Postbloom Fruit Drop in Citrus Production
By Edwin Gomez, Raymond Arnold, David Saraiva and Davilmar Avilez.

Maya Mountain Heirloom Cacao
What Makes Belizean Cacao So Special? Understanding Genetics of Belizean Cacao Beans By Dan O’Doherty & Minehaha Forman. In the rapidly growing world of specialty craft chocolate, Belize has earned its place among the fine flavored origins of cacao. Known for its unique fruity/caramel flavor, Belize cacao has won numerous awards in recent years. Cacao beans originating from Maya villages in the Toledo district of Belize and processed by Maya Mountain Cacao, Ltd (MMC) recently received an heirloom designation from the Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA). The cacao sample was made into chocolate and blind-tasted by a panel of nine veteran chocolate companies including Guittard, Valrhona, and Felchlin. Panelists universally praised the sample for its overall high quality, as…

Cannabis Hemp Building Materials
By Karin Westdyk. James Savage, a New York business analyst, was greatly disturbed after learning about mold problems making thousands of New Orleans homes uninhabitable after hurricane Katrina, and of the thousands killed in Haiti, crushed by their own homes during an earthquake. He searched for solutions and came up with a material that has been around for thousands of years and started a company to create building materials made from mold resistant, stronger-than-steel cannabis hemp. Hempcrete The outer portion of the hemp stalk has a long history of use for producing paper, fabric, rope and sails (the word canvas comes from the word cannabis), but Savage discovered that hemp chips made from the woody interior of the cannabis plant…

Nematodes – Friend and Foe
by Mary Loan. Nematodes are non-segmented worms that live everywhere on the planet, including in ice and snow to the depths of the ocean and even in arid deserts. They are most abundant in tropical regions of the world, like Belize. Other names they are known as include: eel worms, thread worms, root knot worms. There are thousands of identified species of nematodes with estimates of about one-half million varieties to be ‘discovered’, studied and named. Most nematodes are almost invisible to the human eye and are less than 1 mm, or 1/125 of an inch in length. There are generally thousands of nematodes in a handful of soil, over one million in a spadeful, and as many as three…

The Humanure Handbook — A Review by Chris Harris
This is the book no one would publish. Why? Because it deals in some detail with a subject distasteful to some, uncomfortable to others and “something we just don’t talk about “ to yet more. So the author, Joseph Jenkins, published it himself. And in the process he did us all a big favour. OK, so what is this “taboo subject”? Well it deals with the subject of the ecological disposal of human waste. At first glance the author’s ideas amount to little more than an advanced view of the “bucket and chuck it” approach used in many rural areas of the world already. But here comes the rub. Jenkins applauds the “bucket” idea, but strongly challenges the “chuck it”…

Dear Veggie Detective
Dear Veggie Detective, Would you please investigate the mystery of the white-centered tomato? Why do some tomatoes have white centers and others are all red and tasty? Signed, Tomato Lover Dear Tomato Lover, Your mystery is solved! Tomatoes with white centers have a deficiency in potassium, an element abbreviated as K because phosphorus was assigned the letter P. Basic fertilizers that you buy have three main elements: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) and are designated in 3 numbers which corresponds to these three elements. If your soil doesn’t need N or P you can buy elemental potassium fertilizer. Potassium will give you not only the nice red color on your tomatoes but bigger fruit…

Ag Briefs
UB CF announces that the next Neal Kinsey Soil Fertility 3 day course will be held the week of August 27th (note this has been changed from the dates in the previous Ag Report). This will be a repeat of the very well-received Intro 2 Course given in February. To register, contact David Thiessen at 670-4817 or [email protected]. Limited registration. Avocados reached the highest prices in the US over 19 years early this summer, at $28 USD/10 kilos, due to lowered yields caused by bad weather and other problems in the main producing countries of Mexico (strikes), Peru (floods), Chile (droughts) and the US (California droughts). Avocado as colorant: Researchers at Penn State, USA, inadvertently discovered that avocado…

Agriculture Prices At A Glance

Breaking Belize News

Gas pump attendant robbed in Belize City
According to police reports, yesterday about 2:24 p.m., Floyd August, 41, a Belizean gas pump attendant […]

Armed masked men rob almost $4000 from Chinese Grocery Store in Orange Walk
Last night around 7:30, Ziguan Tan, 55, a Chinese businessman and owner of Tan Store located on […]

Chinese store robbed with machete in PG
Our newsroom has received confirmed reports of a robbery in the town of Punta Gorda […]

Two San Ignacio police officers charged for extortion
On Tuesday, two police officers attached to the San Ignacio Police Station appeared before the […]

BDF officer completes Master Degree in Strategic Security Studies in USA
The Ministry of Defence today informed the public that Belize Defence Force Officer, Captain Eric […]

Galen University honors World Food day
On Monday, Galen University students, along with representatives from the Cornerstone Foundation of Belize, participated […]

Press should never be excluded says PM Barrow
Local and national media houses continue to boycott police activities in Belize. This came after […]

No work permit for Chinese clerks says Labor Commissioner
Aldo Salazar, Chairman of the Senate Select Committee, on Wednesday went on record to say that […]

Ministry of Labor accepts no blame in Immigration scandal
Labor Commissioner, Ivan Williams, was summoned to testify on Wednesday before the Senate hearing. However, […]

Anyone can access your birth certificate says Assistant Registrar
Patricia Hinkson, the Assistant Registrar at the Vital Statistics Unit has left the general public […]

Belize Fruit Packers Factory opening for the 2017-2018 crop
Yesterday, the Citrus Products of Belize Limited (CPBL) issued a release informing all producers that […]

Cattouse murder not a political hit says PM Barrow
Last Thursday night, community activist and taxi driver, Albert Cattouse, 72, was gunned down on […]

Kareem Musa will not challenge Briceno in next month’s convention
Deputy Party Leader for the People’s United Party (PUP), Kareem Musa has issued a video […]

Blogs

Meet the Husband & Wife Duo Who Manage Ka’ana
Ka’ana Resort is a passion project for husband-and-wife team Wolfgang and Anoushka Brandl, our General Manager and Sales Manager, respectively. They live and breathe Ka’ana, and are all-around hospitality experts. The couple even met at a hotel! “We met, typical for hoteliers, working in the same hotel,” says Austrian-born Wolfgang. That was in Dubai, and he and Anoushka, who’s from Mauritius, have since teamed up in several countries, including here in Belize for the last three years at Ka’ana. What made you want to go into the hospitality industry? AB: I lived close to the international airport where I grew up and was inspired by the vibrant tourism atmosphere. This definitely peaked my interest in the hotel industry. WB: I always knew that I wanted to work in the hospitality industry. As a young kid I adored the chefs and waiters when my parents took me to local restaurants – I knew that this is what I wanted to do. I worked my way through the ranks and now I am where I always wanted to be as a GM.

The Amazing Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley
One of the top diving and snorkeling sites in Belize is the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. A protected national park, the Hol Chan Marine Reserve gets its name from the Mayan term for "little channel." This is because the reserve is located on a natural cut in the reef (known as a quebrada) that allows marine life to transit between the inner and outer portion of the reef. Measuring just 75 feet (23 meters) across and 30 feet (nine meters) deep, this natural passageway in the reef sees an astonishing diversity of marine animals, including sharks and rays that feed on fish transiting the area. The total area of the reserve is approximately three square miles (8 square kilometers) divided into four zones:

7 Belize Family Vacation Activities For Kids
Belize is a beautiful, tropical wonderland with plenty to do and see for the entire family. Here are 7 amazing family vacation activities for kids that you can enjoy in Belize: Founded in the 1980s to rescue injured and abandoned animals, the Belize Zoo is the country's premier wildlife education center. Kids can learn about and see more than 100 indigenous species at the Belize Zoo including harpy eagles, jaguars, and enormous boa constrictor snakes. Thanks to the geology of Belize's mainland, there are hundreds of limestone caves scattered across the country. Many of these were used by the ancient Maya priests to conduct sacred rituals, including human sacrifices. Today, kids can get a hands-on history lesson by exploring Maya ceremonial caves such as Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) Cave.

Belize in November: Weather, Places to Visit & Activities
November might be a month of increasingly cold nights across Canada and the United States, but the average daytime high in Belize is a beautiful and sunny 84 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius). The clear blue skies, balmy temperatures, and exciting festivals going on throughout the month of November make it the perfect time to visit.

Newest Cave Opened in Belize at The Sleeping Giant Lodge
The Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge in Cayo was the perfect place to kick off our summer travels. There are lots of activities to keep you busy there, but my favorite was the Sleeping Giant Cave. It’s the newest cave opened for tours in Belize and it can only be accessed through the resort’s property. I had so much fun on the tour. I learned all about the rainforest, trees and animals that can be seen on the path to the cave. We laughed so much along the way, cause mom is not very good at hiking and she was letting us know A LOT! The cave is a dry cave and there are parts of skeletons and skulls in there and lots of pottery too. If everyone turns their headlights off, you can’t even see your hands in front of your face. The tour guide knows and teaches so much about the Maya. I won’t tell you the secrets we learned in the cave cause I really think you need to experience it for yourself.

International Sources

Sun City Center inventor’s travel pillow lands online
Belizean born chasing his dreams! Support a Belizean born producer ... Glenn McCain thinks his travel pillow can make those long trips in the car or plane easier with his new invention, and he’s putting his money where his mouth is. McCain, a retired architect who says he logged around 1 million miles during his 39-year career, is betting $45,000 of his retirement savings that the Travel Kozy will be a hit. Some 1,500 pillows arrived at the Port of Tampa Oct. 5 and are already selling online. Boom or bust, McCain has no regrets. “I know this is a product that will work and I just don’t want to have regrets a few years down the road,” McCain said. “This is something I believe can help a lot of people.”

Going Deep into the Blue Hole
The Great Blue Hole in Belize is high up on any diver’s bucket list – and how could it not be with that deep blue ring surrounded by limestone reef? In reality, many divers who surface after the Blue Hole dive are very disappointed having laid down some serious cash to go diving in one of the most famous dive sites in the world. Your expectations would be pretty high right? That’s where a lot of people go wrong. You can’t expect much in terms of coral, colour or even sea life on this dive because that’s not what it’s about! You’re here to dive in a massive sink hole, 318m in diameter and 124m deep.

More Details on Belize’s Mahogany Bay
The new Mahogany Bay in Belize is planning a December debut, the property announced this week. The property, which will also include a beach club, is a new-build project set on 60 acres on Ambergris Caye. It will be the first Hilton-branded project in Belize, taking the Curio — A Collection by Hilton brand. “To bring this innovative lifestyle community to Belize has been a labor of love and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Beth Clifford, founder and developer. “Every detail of the property from the guest room layout and hand-selecting the bathrobes to providing access to a pristine private beach was strategically designed with the traveler in mind. We are excited to offer guests a new level of luxury and a chic yet relaxed way to discover Belize.”

Jamaican sworn in as Belize judge despite mounted opposition
Jamaican attorney Franz Parke was on Tuesday sworn in as a Court of Appeal judge in Belize amid controversy over his appointment. According to Belizean reports, the appointment came despite a claim filed last week by the Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party, Johnny Briceño, to have the Belize Supreme Court declare his appointment null and void on the claim that his appointment violates the Belize Constitution — the highest law of the land. It was also stated that the oppositions surrounding Parke's appointment comes from two standpoints — his qualifications and his past.

Manatee deaths concern Quintana Roo ecologists
he deaths of at least 20 manatees have Quintana Roo ecologists concerned with reports showing all of the deaths were human-related. The deaths of at least 20 manatees in Belize so far this year are worrying state researchers at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur) in Chetumal who say these manatees normally live in Quintana Roo waters. Janneth Adriana Padilla Saldívar, from the Department of Ecology and Systematics of Aquatic Resources of Ecosur, reported that the causes of death of these marine mammals has been mostly boat motors either killing them or inflicting injuries from which they eventually die. The big concern, she says, is that these manatees live in the Bay of Chetumal and often move to the waters of the neighboring country.

What you need to know about international banking
According to OCRA Worldwide — an organisation that matches people and companies to international banking — international banks tend to offer their services to companies and to fairly wealthy individuals, i.e., people with $100,000 and counting. But plenty of international banks, particularly Swiss banks, open their doors to customers of any income bracket. Companies do business with international banks to help facilitate international business, the complexities of which can be quite costly. Individuals work with international banks for a number of reasons, including tax avoidance. This may probably be the term you have heard the most in relation to offshore banking. Tax avoidance isn’t necessarily illegal, as you will learn later in this piece. But there are plenty of other hazards in international banking. First, we will look at some reasons for banking internationally.

Videos

Rugby Belize, 22min.

Hand in Hand Ministries - built 330 homes, 27min.

"Reach the Light" - latest video with Yung Proti-Jay the Traffic Man, 1min. Latest video with Yung Proti-Jay the Traffic Man. Thanks to the partnership with The Belizean Youth for Road Safety, the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and The Belize Road Safety Initiative!

Don't Drink and Drive - testimonial with Stig Da Artist and Yung Proti-Jay the Traffic Man, 1.5min.

Belize Tourism Board's (BTB) Social Media Campaigns' Success, 7min. Presentation (6'40) on Belize's Tourism Marketing strategy and the positive changes, implementations since 2012 in order to distinguish itself from the competition.

Belize 2017, 4min. Caye Caulker / Ambergris Caye Oct 12-17

Expert Kayaking in Belize, 1min.

ARMED ROBBERY IN ORANGE WAlk, 2.5min. Tonight there is another armed robbery to report here in Orange Walk Town, the third in less than a week. This time is was Tan Store located in the Black Water Creek area of Trial Farm Village which fell victim to armed robbers shortly after 7:00 last night. Today when we visited the establishment, we spoke to owner of the shop, fifty five year old Ziguan Tan. He did not wish to appear on camera but recounted the harrowing ordeal which was captured on the store’s surveillance

Talk Ah Di Town October 19, 2017, 23min.

From Yes to I Do Channel % will Follow You Application Call on Open Your Eyes, 22min.

Marriage Divorce and Matrimonial Property Rights on Open Your Eyes, 52min.

Reorganization in the Ministry of Natural Resources, 5.5min. Three Bills concerning the Ministry of Natural Resources will be presented for the second and third readings at tomorrow's Meeting of the House of Representatives. Senator the Honourable Dr. Carla Barnett spoke to us about the purpose of these Bills.

Jungle Fever Rave Adventure, 12min. If you missed the Jungle Fever Rave, you can experience some of it through this video put together by Donnie Rockwire, who was shooting video all through the night. It's quite an adventure, and the rave was phenomenal. Thanks, RawSpa, for having such an amazing event!

TKO Farms, Ltd. to be World’s Largest Soursop Grower, 6min. On MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon, TKO Farms, Ltd. reveals their Belize plantation.

Harvest 2017 - St. Barnabas, 2min. Students from St. Barnabas' Anglican School (Central Farm) give thanks for the fruits of the autumn harvest.

Caye Caulker, Belize | Virtual Trip, 19min. Caye Caulker is one of Belize's most famous islands, located right in front of the world's second largest barrier reef.Recognized for its relaxed atmosphere, it is an ideal place to discover the Caribbean Sea. We can reach the island from Belize City in about 1 hour with a taxi boat

Belize Trip 2017, 9min. I'm so glad I got this opportunity to go to Belize to serve! What a blessing.

Hello Belize, 1.5min. The wonderful Caye Caulker - simply Paradise

October 19, 2017

Some highlights from today's viewing of Hope for Belize's Hicatee!

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

The San Pedro Sun

No New Reported Cases of Ciguatera Poisoning
The Ministry of Health would like to notify the public that over the last two months no new cases of Ciguatera Poisoning have been reported by consumers. It is believed that this random and unusual outbreak has concluded. Although the Ministry considers the barracuda fish may be safe to consume once again, the public is advised to continue monitoring their eating of fish and report any symptoms of fish poisoning.

San Pedro Pirates win against Placencia Assassin’s
San Pedro Pirates Football Club hosted the Placencia Assassins at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town on Saturday, October 14th. During the 10th week of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB), both teams gave their best during the tight match and at the final whistle, it was a clear victory for the home team.

October brings awareness to Breast Cancer
The month of October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant when the cells grow into surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer, too. This year the Belize Cancer Society (BCS) along with Special Envoy for Women & Children have organized many events for the month of October to bring awareness to this serious health issue.

Legends F.C lead Copa San Pedro 2017 football tournament
Five games took place during the sixth week of the Copa San Pedro 2017 Football tournament, with the first two games played on Friday, October 12th. The first match began at 7pm at the Ambergris Stadium, where Legends F.C defeated G. Strikers 3-1. At 9pm, Terror Squad faced United F.C with the match ending in a draw of 1-1. The last three games of the sixth week of the tournament were played on Sunday, October 15th. First up were Boca Bombers who won by default against One Shot One Kill, who have been eliminated from the tournament for not showing up for two consecutive games. At 5pm, Martha’s Ice faced San Mateo F.C, with a 3-2 victory for Martha’s Ice. At 7pm, the last game of the week, saw Assassins F.C versus Victoria House, with a 4-3 winning for Assassin’s F.C. Copa San Pedro continues this weekend with nine more games.

Ambergris Today

Tropic Air Awards Employee With 30 Years Of Service
Over the years Tropic Air has grown with the expanding community of Ambergris Caye and the demand for local flights throughout the country (now internationally too). From a small airline with one tiny three-seater aircraft to one of the larges employers in Belize, one thing that Tropic Air has is dedicated and loyal employees. This week Tropic Air gave recognition on an employee who has been with the company for 30 years. Elroy Archibal Vernon, better known to everyone as Josh, is celebrating 30 years with the company as he looks back at the time he has been with the airline working as Ramp Agent at Belize City’s Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport.

Belize Humane Society To Hold First Dog Show And Pawty In The Park
Belize Humane Society will hold its first Pawty in the Park on Saturday, October 21 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Memorial Park in Belize City. The highlight of the “Pawty” will be a Dog Show with eight categories from Best Obedience to Best Potlikka and more! Winners will receive a great prize package including trophies and medallions courtesy of major sponsor Tito’s Handmade Vodka, dog food and treats from Reimers feeds, gift certificates from Brothers Habet and lots more.

Misc Belizean Sources

Is 10 Grams Of Weed No Longer Illegal? ATTEND A FREE PRESENTATION in San Pedro
October 19, 6pm at Angel Nunez Auditorium, San Pedro High. by Mr. Bart Jones (Legal Officer) Of the Belize Police Department.

First Annual Belize Garifuna Song Competition Awards & Concert
Friday October 27, Bird's Isle, Belize City

CROCtober 18th
In locations where different crocodile species live together (sympatry) there are instances when two species breed-hybridization. Hybrids usually share physical features of both parental species. Hybrids have been recorded between Morelet’s and American crocodiles in Belize and are currently being investigated by the CRC. There is not much known about the capabilities and characteristics of hybrids, but information about hybrids of other croc species have shown hybrids grow faster and larger than their parental species.

Elections and Boundaries reaffirms votes are secret
The Elections and Boundaries Department hereby informs the public, that in any election, ballot papers are numbered for reconciliation and accountability purposes. Election Officials have a responsibility to ensure that all ballot papers counted in an election are only those legitimate ballot papers issued by the Presiding Officer. The public is advised that the law DOES NOT require any Presiding Officer or any election official, to inform anyone of the ballot book series or the ballot paper number he/she issues at any given point during the election process. Whenever the Presiding Officer issues a ballot paper to a voter, the voter proceeds behind a polling booth, within the polling station, to privately cast his/her vote. The voter is then requested to fold the ballot paper in such a way so as to conceal his/her vote prior to placing the ballot paper in the ballot box.

Training for evaluating the quality of medicines
The staff of the Drug Inspectorate Unit and the Pharmacy Unit is currently receiving training in Basic Tests Using GPHF (Global Pharma Health Fund) Minilab for evaluating the quality of medicines. Theoretical training included what the lab can do, its limitations, safety within the lab and interpretation of results. Today, participants have started in practice to do simple disintegration and pipetting practice among others. This introduction to Belize will be beneficial because of the threat of "bad quality drugs" in the marketplace and it will also establish some level of drug management. The week-long training is being facilitated by Mr. Sanford Bradley, Promoting the Quality of Medicines Program (PQM), United States. The Minilab is located on the Compound of the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan. For more Information contact the Drug Inspectorate Unit, Ministry of Health.

Urban Bird Watch 2017 in the Cayes!
A few photos from our Urban Bird Watch 2017 this past weekend in the cayes! A big thank you to all of our participants in Caye Caulker and San Pedro, as well as our friends from Ocean Ferry Belize Limited for their continued support! This weekend, we head to Northern Belize! Will you be joining us? Details here: http://bit.ly/2ybESO8

Rotary's Moonlit Masquerade Ball
The Rotary Club of San Ignacio is having their Masquerade Ball fundraiser on Saturday, October 28th, at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. "This is going to be an amazing night with dancing, great diner, Music review by Motown Memories and Omolewa Osain Band. Top that off with both a silent auction and a live auction of vacations to die for! This will be a sold out event!. Call 667-7555 for tickets!"

Got Talent?
Now is the time to show off! Come out Saturday, October 21st at the Welcome Center in San Ignacio.

Archaeology Week at Banquitas House of Culture
So far archaeology week at Banquitas House of Culture (NICH) in Orange Walk Town has been well attended with almost 300 students this far for the morning session. More to come!

Museum of Belize helps on the renovation of Banquitas House of Culture
Guess what? The Museum of Belize was glowing alongside the ISCR (Institute for Social and Cultural Reserach), for their excellent work on the renovation of Banquitas House of Culture in Orange Walk. We were honorably mentioned in the BTB's newsletter, Toucan Talk in September.

BTB Newsletter- Toucan Talk, July - September 2017
Check out the latest edition of the Belize Tourism Board's E-Newsletter "Toucan Talk."

San Pedro Healthy Body, Healthy Life Health Fair
HPV vaccines at a very low cost- protect your daughters from HPV and cervical cancer. Rapid HIV testing - know your status and how to live a happy,healthy life. Breast cancer screening, Women's rights in Belize, Kid's corner, ..... and musical entertainment! See you this Saturday at the Lion's Den.

Caye Caulker Wine Pairing Training
Wine Pairing Training will only take 20 participants. Kindly visit Akheil Badillo at Caye Living Properties to make payment to secure your spot! Sponsors for this event includes KOKO King, The Beverage Division at Karl H Menzies and Madisco.

Stop Human Trafficking
The Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP Office) announces an open competition for FY 2018 projects to combat trafficking in persons outside of the United States. Informed by the annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, current anti-trafficking programming, and in consultation with other offices in the U.S. Government, the TIP Office has identified 24 priority countries or regions for funding. The TIP Office will allocate funding through an open, two-stage competitive process. In the first stage of competition, U.S.-based and foreign non-profits, non-governmental organizations, public international organizations, institutes of higher education, and for-profit entities are invited to submit three-page statements of interest (SOI) for projects designed to address the programming objectives highlighted in the funding opportunity. Upon completion of a technical and programmatic review, the TIP Office will select a limited number of SOIs for further consideration. In this second stage of competition, applicants will be invited to submit full proposals that build on the concepts described in their three-page SOIs.

Learn Women's Self-Defense at UB Central Campus, Belmopan
More Free Self-Defense. Two times to choose from in Belmopan. Thursday November 2.

Question for reptile fans: Do you see a sign of head trauma?
This recent intake was a classic human wildlife conflict case with a typical "problem species": A 7 foot boa who ended up in the wrong place (a yard in town in Belize City)... Thanks to Gordon Kirkwood she was rescued from fearful humans who were about to kill her. You may think we are crazy to care about this animal and ask why you should appreciate the boa, or Wowla? Just one of many reasons: Because they are an excellent rodent hunter and will eat loads of rats! And in case you did not know: boas are not venomous! Thankfully this patient is recovering from her injuries. Who knows how we can tell?

A Salty Piece of Land Belize Jungle and Island Expedition
Passing pristine waterfalls and rivers that traverse through ancient caves, one could possibly stumble upon the ruins of a magnificent, undiscovered Mayan city.November 5 - November 12

Belize Nationals Regatta
TIME Sat Oct 28 2017 at 09:00 am, VENUE Belize City, Belize

Students of St. Francis Xavier Schoolvisit Corozal Town Hall
Always a pleasure to engage with our younger community members! Thank you to the Standard 4 teachers and students of St. Francis Xavier School for visiting the Corozal Town Hall to learn more about the history of Corozal through Manuel Villamor's historical mural.

Princess Casino Free Zone Presents!
EUGENIA CABRERA will be singing and performing super latin singers like Lupita Dalessio, Maricela, Yuri, Monica Naranjo and many more at the Princess Casino Free Zone Corozal. Don"t miss this weekend full of entertainment and fun! It starts Friday, October 20th and Saturday, October 21st beginning at 10:00 p.m. NO COVER!

Miss Shaenna Gilharry at Miss Divali Nagar
Congratulations,Shaenna. Your hard work and dedication has made you stronger than when you first entered the competition in Trinidad & Tobago. You survived the obstacles and the challenges and you took it all in strides.

Job Preparedness Certificate Ceremony
Thanks, BTEC, for the great Job Preparedness Training done in Cayo. 85 people attended and graduated from the seminar. "On Monday October 16, 2017, BTEC Certified 85 residents of the Cayo District in the fields of Front Desk, Wait Staff and Housekeeping. The 3 week training culminated in a certificate ceremony at La Loma Luz Adventist Hospital Conference Room. During the ceremony, several of the trainees shared their stories with those in attendance and special guest speaker, Lejia Melanie Gideon, GM of BELTRAIDE handed out the certificates."

Gardenia and Biscayne Village Community Consultation Meeting with BWS
Belize Water Services cordially invites all residents of Gardenia and Biscayne Villages to a Community Consultation Meeting on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at 1:30pm at the Biscayne Government School. Transportation will be provided for Villagers. A Dawson bus will start to pick-up villagers at 1:00pm from the Crooked Tree junction to Sandhill junction. Refreshments will be provided at the end of the meeting.

Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize and students from La Inmaculada Roman Catholic
It was a very successful and informative day along with our colleagues from the Institute of Archaeology (NICH) Belize and our students from La Inmaculada Roman Catholic, Trial Farm and Louisiana Gov't schools. Thanks for being part of this learning experience. Attendance was great with 360 students learning on the Ancient Maya. Special thanks to Antonio Beardall for being an awesome presenter and making it a fun day. Thanks to Josue Ramos and Paul, Ms. Georgia, Mr. Rosas and Jannellie Catzim for being an amazing support.

Channel 7

Kareem Musa Won't Challenge Briceno For Leadership
Last week PUP Deputy Leader Kareem Musa publicly flirted with the idea of challenging John Briceno for party leadership in an upcoming party convention on November 26th. Musa said the party needs a unifier - and made it clear that his leader has not been that. But, he didn't commit to challenging him - because that's no small task - since Briceno does have firm support - evidenced by the two dozen or so endorsements he has received from constituencies across the country. With the deadline to nominate persons for executive posts in just 9 days, Musa's window to declare his candidacy or just to sit back was closing - and in a two minute statement issued today, he made it official - he's not challenging. Here's how he put it:...

PM Defends, Explains, Expands On Faber's Road Contract
And while Musa snagged today's headline - this afternoon all the media's attention was focused on the Prime Minister at a two hour press conference called to defend the controversial contract for the reconstruction of Faber's Road. It's been all over the news for the past week, ever since we first questioned how could it be that government is paying 8 million dollars to pave 1.1. Miles of Faber's Road. That released an avalanche of criticism from COLA, the VIP, and the PUP. Well, today the Prime Minister held a press conference - not to announce that public pressure is forcing government to rescind the contract, but to explain that it's much more than just one mile of road. To do so, he brought in the Ministry of Works project engineer who gave a half an hour masters class on the finer details of engineering - complete with diagrams. Here's a super compressed version of how they explained it:..

Ministry of Works Misunderstanding All Because Press Excluded
Between the Prime Minister's explanation and his engineer's that session lasted about 45 minutes - before the question and answer session - which was another half an hour. All of that necessitated, why? Because when the Minister of Works signed the contract last week Thursday - they didn't invite the media. Instead, they called in the government press office and then sent out a press release which did not cover the full scope of the project. It could all have been avoided by just doing their job and inviting the media. Our News Director, Jules Vasquez questioned them about that today:... Jules Vasquez - Reporter: "Just to be clear, the press release said 1.9 kilometers; I can read it to you. 1.9 kilometers, engineer, I'm not an authority in math like you, I think that's 1.1 miles." Evondale Moody - Project Engineer, Project Execution Unit, MOW: "Yes, but that 1.9 kilometers is for the drain."

Engineer Makes It Plain About Failure On Lake I Boulevard
That project will also give the government 15 million dollars in reimbursement for the roundabouts abutting the Chetumal Street Bridge. That project - like this one for Faber's Road is overseen by the Ministry of Works Project Execution Unit - which, as you saw, has highly qualified engineers. So then, what went wrong with Lake Independence Boulevard!? That's a galloping disaster. It seems like every week road crews are out there trying to do patchwork on the road that is uneven and sinking fast. Today, in the first lucid and forthright explanation of what went wrong there, the Minister of Works Engineer said that he did the design of Lake I Boulevard, and the Ministry oversaw the landfill. But then, along came BIL - which is Belize Infrastructure Limited - and they ignored the engineers, removed the landfill and did their own thing leading to a Boulevard of broken pavement:..

BIL Boss Rebuffs Blame Game
The Prime Minister and the engineer didn't hold back in blaming Belize Infrastructure Limited for the failure of the Lake I Boulevard. So, we reached Christy Mastry, the General Manager of BIL by phone today for her rebuttal. She said she does accept some of the blame but it is a team effort and the fault is not just hers. Christy Mastry, General Manager - BIL: "I think that there is a little bit of nervousness, because its public perception that we want to find some way to maybe blame. This isn't necessarily a good thing, because we are all a part of the same team. I think that we work closely with the Ministry of Works and the decision that we made early on with Lake Independence Boulevard was we knew that there would be ample new land area - 50 acres for development and that road wasn't to be a road. It was really to be almost like an interlink highway between the northern and the western. Which means the demand for that road as far as traffic was much more than any of the other internal city streets. So we look to do a double lane boulevard."

PM Says Fuel Price Coming Down Soon
And, coming off all that talk about a broken boulevard, what about the gas for the cars that drive on it? Two weeks ago the Prime Minister promised lower fuel prices by mid-month. Today he said, wait a few more days for an incoming shipment of fuel from Venezuela:... Jules Vasquez, reporter: "Mr. Prime Minister, fuel prices, the mid-month has passed only the regular went down at about the 9th [October]... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Give me another few days, going down."

Police Still Have One Suspect In Case Of Alleged Child Abduction
The alleged El Progresso kidnapper is in custody OF Cayo police but no charges can be brought as yet because police still don't have a clear account of what actually happened. It is a complicated case because our information is that the girls keep changing their stories. As you heard last night, the version we got is that the 3 girls were heading to school after 8:30 on Monday morning. That is when a Caucasian man allegedly drove up in a blue Isuzu truck, grabbed them and pushed them in the pan of the truck. According to girls, two of them were tied up by their feet with one of their uniform shirts. But that is not the end of it. Although the medical examination confirmed that the girls were not violated, they reported that the man took them to a bushy area, removed one of the girl's underwear and touched her and another one of the girls.

Octogenarian Beaten, Police Mum
Police haven't reported it - but tonight an 82 year old man is clinging to life in the KHMH after he was viciously beaten down and robbed on the city's southside. On Saturday night at 10:00 Ricardo Vasquez was at the corner of Water Lane and West Street. Vasquez was reportedly at Kent Market, a game room where he is reported to be a regular patron. He stepped outside and that is when he was attacked, robbed of his wallet and left in the drain. Police picked him up out of the drain and rushed him to the KHMH where he is now hanging on for dear life. His family members are completely baffled as no one is able to tell them exactly what occurred and the police haven't told them anything, nor have they sent a report to the media.

Senior Officers Sent Out On Patrol
You only need to watch the news nightly and you will know that in the last three months, murders and violent crime have spiraled out of control. The Police Senior command is scrambling for answers - especially in Belize City where there have been 24 murders since July - and 7 recorded just this month alone. And one novel approach started on Monday of this week where senior police officers - meaning the Inspectors, Assistant Superintendents and even Superintendents have been deployed on regular mobile patrols. That means you'll see the men in brown - reportedly as many as a dozen of them - out on duty in patrol vehicles in the various Belize City sectors. And they have to do so on 12 hour shifts just like regular cops, working from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and 7:00 pm to 7:00 am.

Rogue Cops Criminally Charged
Two more police officers have been charged for extortion. A San Ignacio resident reported that in September police arrested him for Harm. While in custody PC Samuel Elijio and Allen Castillo told him he could be freed of the charge if he pay them $100. The resident agreed and one of the officers took him home to get the money. The resident was released and he made a report to the Professional Standards Branch. An investigation was done and both officers were charged yesterday. They were also placed on disciplinary charges for Soliciting a Bribe and Act to the Prejudice of good order and discipline. They appeared in San Ignacio town magistrate court yesterday where they plead not guilty. They were offered and met bail of $2,000. The case was adjourned until December 18th, 2017.

PM Explains Cattouse Murder
And while the police department has not provided an update on any of the 7 murders recorded in Belize City this month, today, the Prime Minister did speak on the Albert Cattouse murder. In a moment that defies comprehension, the head of government had to give a narrative on a murder that police have not been able to speak to the press on for one week now. First, the PM said, Cattouse's murder was not political:... Rt. Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister: "Now I know you said Mr. Cattouse was an activist and no doubt he was, but I considered myself very much an acquaintance of Mr. Cattouse. I knew him well and I didn't see him very often these latter days, but whenever I did we were extremely pleasant to each other."

PM Promises Progress on Police Media Relations, Police Minister Holds The Line
But that's the way the Belize Police Department wants it. For over a month now - the senior command has refused to approve a single media interview to clarify or discuss any crime. And there have been many. As we just told you, there have been 24 murders in the city since July - and 6 have been committed in the city for just this month. But, the police won't budge; they simply will not answer the media's questions. And their backative on this comes from their Minster Wilfred Elrington - who - as he outlined to us today - has a distinctly 19th century approach to media engagement. You'll hear from him shortly, but first to the PM - who said he wants the media and the police to normalize relations:...

Barracuda Is Safe (Probably)
Two months ago, we told you about 10 people who'd gotten Ciguatera Poisoning from eating Barracuda with the toxin. Those fish were purchased in the Ladyville area. Today the Ministry of Health sent out a public advisory saying it's safe to eat Barracuda again, but be vary careful: meaning, be on the lookout for any symptoms of fish poisoning. Ciguatera Symptoms include tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, around lips, tongue, mouth, and throat; upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea and/or abdominal cramps, joint pains, headache, and difficulty breathing.

Labour Commissioner At Senate Hearings
Last week Wednesday you saw Immigration CEO Edmund Zuniga take the seat at the Senate Hearings. His testimony was mostly about administrative changes that have been implemented to prevent any form of corruption or shady dealings in the department. Well today it was just as straightforward or maybe even more so when Labor Commissioner Ivan Williams and Deputy Registrar of the Vital Statistics Unit Patricia Hinkson were called in. We start off with Williams as he outlines the basic role of the labor commission as it relates to work permits and how it connects to the Immigration department. Ivan Williams, Labor Commissioner: "I would like to correct that the labor department does not issue work permits, the labor department approves work permits, work permits are issued by the Director of Immigration and Nationality." "You apply to the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Labor does it's labor market system to determine whether such a person is required for the purposes of work where Belizeans are not available or the requisite skills and issues a voucher to the director which says this is the person approved for the work permit but the issuance is done by the director in other words if anything is wrong or for any reasons the work permit may not be issued by the director."

What's With The Labour Permits?
Jinchen An, Yiu Pang Chen and Bo-Jie Shan - those are just a few of the many Chinese names that have come out during these senate hearings and throughout recent years as it relates to fraudulent immigration documents. While we do need migrant workers to fill posts especially in the banana and citrus industries - the problem, according to Chairman Aldo Salazar, isn't with Central American migrants - it's with these Asian nationals. Ivan Williams, Labor Commissioner: "The bulk of the work permits comes as a result of a request coming out of the industries, the porous nature of our borders that we have with Guatemala begs for people to come over in many respects irregular undocumented."

Vital Stats Secure?
Patricia Hinkson from Vital Stats took the stand next in a very short back and forth conversation. She recently took up the post so she didn't provide much depth as it relates to fraudulent birth certificates. Based on what she said there are no stringent measures to ensure there is no fraud. Hon. Aldo Salazar: "Some years ago there was a person who was caught with a birth certificate now he wasn't born in Belize but he was found using the birth certificate of somebody who was born I believe in shipyard and pretending as if he was that person born in shipyard so clearly he went to vital statistics unit and the document was issued out of the vital statistics unit as far as I am aware it was not a forged document or a fake birth certificate it was a real birth certificate but it was issued to a person who wasn't the real person." Patricia Hinkson, Deputy Registrar of the Vital Statistics Unit: "But anybody can apply for a birth certificate."

What Is The Value of the Reef?
Today, the World Wildlife Fund and partner organizations launched a report assessing the value of Belize's marine resources. The idea is to highlight the incredible resource that is imperiled by a host of issues. And to bring into focus the urgency to protect the second largest Barrier Reef in the World, the experts put a dollar value on it. Nadia Budd of the WWF explained that and Adriel Castaneda summarized the main topics discussed at the conference. Adreil Castaneda, Fisheries Officer of the Belize Fisheries Department: "Essentially we are trying to evaluate what the value of our marine protected areas are and compare it to the actual cost of operation and as we can see or as we saw on the presentations for one specific site we are talking about 8 million US dollars in benefits just looking at the tourism industry. Considering there are countless other services tourism, livelihood there is much more that we can take out from the marine protected areas that are beneficial."

Conservationists Welcome Moratorium
There's a house meeting on Friday is highly anticipated because government will introduce legislation for the moratorium on offshore oil exploration in Belize's waters. The bill may even get bi-partisan support. Oceana and concerned Belizeans have been waiting for this since it was announced in the last house meeting back in September. This morning we spoke to the Vice President of Oceana Janelle Chanona who reiterated why the moratorium is important for Belize. Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "The moratorium is coming up on Friday. How are you feeling going into this big event?" Janelle Chanona, OCEANA: "You're absolutely right this is history in the making. This would be huge not only for Belize but in terms of communicating to the world some of the information you have just heard presented."

Election and Boundaries Rebuffs BUFERHD Conclusion
5 weeks ago on September 13th, Derek Aikman's group, called "BUFERHD" held a voter Simulation exercise, to try and establish that due to the numbering of ballots, your ballot is not secret. It made the news this week when the Teachers Union President endorsed the exercise as legitimate and illustrative of a serious problem. That has forced the Elections and Boundaries Office to send out a release. They say that ballot papers are numbered for reconciliation and accountability purposes so that Election Officials can ensure that all ballot papers counted in an election include only the legitimate ballot papers issued by the Presiding Officer. But the Elections and Boundaries office stresses that "no Presiding Officer or any election official is required to inform anyone of the ballot book series or the ballot paper number he/she issues at any given point during the election process."

Channel 5

P.M. Cites ‘Urgency’ for Pushing Fabers’ Road; Handled Negotiations Himself
Since the announcement last week, there has been growing public outcry over the awarding of another contract to Imer Hernandez, the family of the former Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega. [...]

‘Limited Tendering’ Provided Shortest Route to Completion
As to the tendering for the award of the lucrative contract, you heard the Prime Minister say he solicited estimates from two contractors before settling for Hernandez. He had also [...]

G.O.B.’s Engineering Consultant Explains Rate Comparisons
To bolster an explanation on the seemingly exorbitant cost of the Faber’s Road project, government brought in an engineering consultant who has had extensive history working with the Ministry of [...]

Why Finance and Audit Act Did Not Apply
The Prime Minister opened the conference by specifically challenging the charge that the Finance and Audit Act was violated by the use of the selective tendering process rather than open [...]

Politics Aside, Imer Hernandez Will Provide ‘First-Class’ Result
Does Imer Hernandez’s family ties to former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega place him under intense public scrutiny insofar as the Faber’s Road project and other past contracts are concerned? [...]

P.M. Plays Peacemaker, But Police Rebelled against Media Interviews
It has now been over a month since any member of the Police Department last gave an on-camera interview to the press concerning criminal matters, not counting Commissioner of Police [...]

Kareem Musa Says No to Party Leadership for Now
This evening, Caribbean Shores area representative Kareem Musa issued a statement on social media declaring that he would not contest the position of party leader of the People’s United Party [...]

Ship on the Ocean to Bring Lower Fuel Prices; Trump and U.S. Notwithstanding
The Donald Trump administration has put restrictions on U.S. banks from doing business with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and put the equivalent of ‘kingpin’ designations on President Nicolas Maduro [...]

BIL C.E.O. Must Explain ‘Failed’ Lake I Boulevard
The controversy surrounding the cost of the Faber’s Road reconstruction has also managed to tear away the crust over the healing wound that is Lake Independence Boulevard. That stretch of [...]

P.M. Deplores Failed Cayo Abduction; No Charges Yet
San Ignacio Police are yet to charge an American national who is currently in their custody for the alleged attempted abduction of three students from El Progresso Seven Miles Community [...]

P.M. Barrow: Criminal Ambush, Not Politics, Led to Albert Cattouse Murder
Almost a week after well-known taxi man and activist Albert Cattouse was executed on Hicatee Street on south side Belize City; there is finally an official report on what happened [...]

At Senate, Labour Commissioner Discusses Prohibited Classes for Work Permits
The Senate Special Select Committee is moving closer to its conclusion, but it took a slight detour for today’s session. The two witnesses called – Labour Commissioner Ivan Williams and [...]

Guatemalan Workers Giving Headaches over Procedure
The Labour Department has a standing relationship with the two industries most in need of working labour – banana and citrus. But according to Commissioner Ivan Williams, there are concerns [...]

Free-For-All at Vital Statistics: Birth Certificate Not Secure
The Vital Statistics Unit is at least partly computerized although a vault of the old books with manual entries of births is still maintained. The newly-appointed Assistant Registrar for the [...]

Vital Stats Unit Chief Says Employees Must Have Integrity to Refuse Offers
Hinkson indicated that the office does not do any vetting of its own concerning persons seeking birth certificates apart from the signature and I.D. scanning. But what can prevent someone [...]

Senate Chair Non-Committal over Proceedings
It appears Chairman Aldo Salazar was at variance with his colleagues on the worth of today’s witnesses, but as indicated in his comments at the end of today’s session he [...]

Aldo Salazar Sees Light at the End of Immigration Tunnel
The bulk of Salazar’s post-Senate interview concerned its future. He confirmed that Minister of Immigration and fellow senator Godwin Hulse is next to appear before the Committee, in two weeks’ [...]

Barrier Reef is Economically Priceless
The extent to which Belize’s economy depends on tourism generated by the threatened Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage site was revealed today by a new report from World Wildlife Fund [...]

U.W.I. Hosts Human Resource Seminar
The University of the West Indies Open Campus Auditorium on Princess Margaret Drive was the venue for a one-day seminar that targets the role of Human Resources Units in both [...]

LOVE FM

Engineer explains specifics of Fabers Road project
According to Prime Minister Dean Barrow, the reconstruction of Fabers Road was considered as an urgent project due to its importance. The first group to voice its concerns was Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA who has requested the details of the contract and today Chartered Engineer who designed the project, Evondale Moody, shared […]

One Thousand Dollars Reward for Information on Mark Pollard
One Thousand dollars reward is being offered to anyone who can provide information leading to the location of Mark Pollard. It has been 108 days since forty-nine year old Mark Pollard went missing during his usual morning exercise. To date, family and friends are no closer to finding him and as a result, a renewed […]

BTB: Canada’s Advisory will not Affect Tourist Arrivals
Last week we reported that Canada had issued an advisory warning its citizens against travel to eight countries that were not affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. According to an online article, the advisory states quote, “Criminal activity, including armed robbery, mugging and sexual assault, is a significant problem throughout Belize”. End of quote. Yesterday […]

Jorge Garcia charge for Sexual Assault
Today, thirty year old Jorge Garcia, a Guatemalan national, appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser where a charge of sexual assault, on an 8 year old female child, was read to him to which he pleaded not guilty. He was denied bail and remanded into custody until December 18. The incident occurred on October 15. […]

Lawrence Appeals His Murder Conviction
Forty-year-old Jason Bruce Lawrence is appealing his conviction for the murder of his common-law wife, forty-year-old Mercedes Carillo. Lawrence’s attorney, Yohanseh Cave, had appealed on several grounds, but the court only considered the ground of diminished responsibility that Lawrence was allegedly suffering from when he committed the offence. Lawrence was examined by Dr. Latham, a […]

Amandala

Sadly, Erwin Rodriguez’s body found in shallow grave
The remains of Erwin Rodriguez, 17, a student of a Ground Dove Street address, was found at about 2:30 Saturday afternoon in a shallow grave fifty-three days after he vanished, after leaving home to visit his grandmother, who lives in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. Police said that a search party went to an area near the sea behind the Port of Belize, in Port Loyola, where they found human remains, and a few personal items, buried in a shallow grave under a tree near the sea. The belongings were identified by Silvia Rodriguez as property of her missing son, Erwin Paulino Rodriguez, who was reported missing since Thursday, August 24, 2017. The remains were taken to the morgue, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted.

Keith Middleton gunned down on Mud Street
Less than one week after the murder of Justin “Etdan” Hyde, 22, another man has been gunned down in the same general vicinity of Jane Usher Boulevard. Sometime after 7 o’clock tonight, Amandala was told, Keith Middleton, who was in his early 30s, was gunned down in his yard, which is on Mud Street in the vicinity of Jane Usher Boulevard. Information to our newspaper is that two gunmen gained entrance from the back of his yard on Mud Street and crept in while he was socializing with other men. Shortly thereafter, as many as eight shots were fired. We are told that the first shot hit Middleton in his leg and he attempted to climb onto the verandah of his home to escape the attack, but one of the men fired more shots, hitting him in the head and upper body.

The UDP’s obscene $8 million hustle
With municipal elections slated for next March, the nation is again heading into political season. It is known that during these times, political parties are “scratching around” for campaign finances for their campaign machineries. If you listen to the PUP, the VIP, and COLA, however, the party in power, the UDP, doesn’t have to “scratch” around, because they have their hands in the public coffers, which is to say, taxpayers’ pockets. Well, to mix our metaphors, the UDP just plucked out a PetroCaribe-sized gob of grease to get their election motors oiled and rolling. That’s the view of these parties after Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s administration issued an almost 8-million-dollar contract to a UDP crony for a project, which, according to a statement issued by the Government of Belize on Thursday, is for rehabilitation, and drainage infrastructure improvement of 1.9 km or about 1.1 miles of Fabers Road in Port Loyola constituency, of which Hon. Anthony “Boots” Martinez is the area representative.

3 schoolgirls escape abduction in El Progresso
hree young girls who were walking to El Progresso Government Primary School, were abducted by two men in a pickup at about 8:00 this morning. When the men saw the girls, they stopped the pickup, got out, walked over to the girls, grabbed them, tied them up, threw them into their vehicle pan and drove away with them towards San Antonio. The men were described as “Gringos,” or white men. A student who saw what was happening ran home and spread the alarm, and the men in El Progresso quickly got a vehicle and set chase after the kidnappers.

Breaking Belize News

Dangriga residents concerned about murky canal
Some concerned residents living in the Rivas estate area of Dangriga contacted BBN to explain the problem they are having with water settling in their yards. According to the residents, the canal in the area is being filled up and that is causing all the murky water to settle in their lands. Residents told us that the canal has not been dredged in years.

Chris Roggema died of natural causes
Norwegian- Belizean businessman Chris Roggema went missing last week Monday when he went to see a property along the Sibun area in southern Belize. Roggema had been suffering from bronchial cough but still went with a surveyor and another person to see the land he was interested in buying.

US national detained for attempted abduction
An American national is currently detained at the San Ignacio Police Station pending investigation into the attempted kidnapping of three children from 7Miles village. The girls were on their way to school around 8:30 a.m. on Monday and on their way, they stopped at a nearby shop to buy ideals. That is when a man driving a blue Isuzu pickup reportedly stopped and offered them something to eat.

PM calls out BNTU for being disrespectful; gives updates on demands
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has written back to the Belize National Teachers Union (BNTU) providing them with updates on the demands they made last year and calling them out for what he called “disrespect”.

Residents concerned about dredging on Caye Caulker
Some concerned residents of Caye Caulker contacted BBN to share their concern and displeasure with some dredging that is being done on the beach.

Blogs

Birds Of Belize: 20 Cool Species (You Must See)
Birding is described as a hobby in which individuals enjoy the challenge of bird study, identification, listing or any other activity revolving around bird life. Documented as a hobby that rose in popularity after world war II, birding has been a pastime for those enthralled by our avian friends for a very long time. In Belize, birding can be a very fulfilling hobby, since, as a whole, the small country boasts over 500 species of tropical birds and this number only grows when considering migrant species that make their way through here as the seasons change. Special thanks to Sarah and the Belize Raptor Center for helping to make this list as cool as it could be! Sarah and her team do awesome work with educating Belizeans about the importance of our avian friends and why preserving their habitats are of utmost importance!

Marbucks Tiaras and Tea Parties
High Tea at Marbucks Coffee House was a great success and thanks to sponsors, volunteers ( especially the bachelors that got auctioned ;) ) and ticket purchasing tea drinkers, the event raised a ton of cash so far. Proceeds went to Raise Me Up - the final total still being calculated and will be amended when it comes in.

International Sources

History in the palm of your hands at Trent University Durham GTA
Archaeology at Trent University has been an important part of the university for more than 40 years. The program has built a strong experiential learning component into its curriculum, providing students with the opportunity to attend field schools in Ontario, as well as more exotic locations, such as Belize in Central America. My project in Belize is the latest in a long line of Trent field schools in Belize. I went to Belize in 1990 as an undergraduate student on a field school and fell in love with the country. Twenty-eight years later, I am still returning to Belize year after year, only now I direct a field school for my own undergraduates at Ka’kabish, an ancient Mayan city with a long history dating from 800 BC to AD 1500. My research is focused on understanding how cities can survive for 2,300 years. Unfortunately, it is often hard to balance preservation of the past with the needs of the future, and sites like Ka’kabish are in danger of being subsumed by development. As part of my work, we are trying to raise money to buy the 50 acres on which Ka’kabish sits and create a new national park. We have currently raised two-thirds of the money that we need to create a National Archaeology Park in Belize, and are working to raise the remaining $17,000 via Indiegogo crowd-funding that will finalize the purchase and enable us to protect the site for future generations.

UWI student wins Miss Divali Nagar
University student Seema Moonilal was in shock when she was announced the winner of the Divali Nagar Queen Competition on Monday. Delegates from five countries participated in the annual queen show at the Nagar Site in Chaguanas and at the end TT’s Moonilal, 22, won the competition. Miss Nagar Canada Suvina Smolsky was first runner-up while Miss USA, Navina Misir, took the second runner-up position. Among the countries represented were USA, Canada. Suriname, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. Moonilal said she stood still when her name was called as the winner.

Ambiente: la barriera corallina del Belize vale 19 milioni di dollari l’anno
Per la prima volta si conosce il valore economico del turismo che ruota attorno alla barriera corallina del Belize, uno dei più importanti siti Unesco e Patrimonio dell’Umanità dal 1966. Nel nuovo report lanciato oggi dal WWF, Natural Heritage, Natural Wealth si evidenzia proprio il valore questa incredibile risorsa che però stiamo rischiando di perdere. Il report analizza quattro delle sette aree marine protette (MPAs) che rientrano nell’area, che sono: Blue Hole & Half Moon Caye Natural Monuments, Glover’s Reef Atoll Marine Reserve, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park. Queste 4 aree generano complessivamente oltre 19 milioni di dollari l’anno come profitti economici portati dalle attività turistiche e ricreative. Si tratta di un contributo significativo dal punto di vista socio-finanziario e che riflette solo in parte i benefici economici totali per il paese.

Videos

Mental Health, 37min. on Open Your Eyes

World Food Day 2017, 19min. on Open Your Eyes

The St. Martins Credit Union, 23min.

Tayra, locally known as "Bushdog", 15sec. Even if they give you a couple of seconds to video them it`s special, seen them in the wild is very rare. So you just got to appreciate wildlife in Belize when you encounter them.

Andy Palacio and Youth Connection visit Los Angeles 1996, min. To performed at the 9th annual Belize Caye Fest. at Rancho Cienega Park. Telemundo TV) Live

Turismo em Belize_por Pitaya Filmes, 5min.

Launch of "Natural Heritage, Natural Wealth, 54min. Highlighting the economic benefits of the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System World Heritage Site

The Senate Select Committee met in a short session today in Belmopan, to listen to the testimonies, 12min. The Senate Select Committee met in a short session today in Belmopan, to listen to the testimonies provided by the Labour Commissioner Ivan Williams and also the Registrar of the Vita Statistics Unit Patricia Hinkson. Both departments work in correlation with the Immigration Department to provide key documents that can affect a person’s immigration status in Belize.

Belize Humane Society, 42min.

Caye Caulker Fine Art Photo Walk, 3min. Fine Art Photography Walkabout on Caye Caulker Belize

2 days exploring Belize City, 6.5min.

The Great Blue Hole, Belize, 3.5min. This submarine sinkhole off the coast of Belize is in every scuba diver’s bucket list. Even if you are not into enjoying a myriad of species underwater, it’s totally worth flying over the Blue Hole for a breathtaking view.

Spot Check: Belize City, Belize, 6.5min. Pros: Lots of sea side parks, lots of virgin spots, lots of creative spots. Beautiful and relax city. Lots of nature around! Cons: No skateparks, need lots of wax because there’s no bladers and everything needs to be waxed

BELIZE!, 4min. Had an amazing and humbling experience in this beautiful country. From the people, to the scenery, to the adventures, this place will always be in my heart. We also had an opportunity to give back by building a classroom for a local school which was incredibly humbling. Always taking things for granted.

San Pedro, Belize, 9.5min. My little vlog about our trip to Belize.

Diving the Elbow in Belize, 7.5min. Scuba Diving the Elbow in Belize with Amigos del Mar Dive Company.

Xunantunich, Belize, 9min. Xunantunich in Belize are one of the most spectacular mayan ruins of the country. With many pyramids and a great view point on all the region on the border between Belize and Guatemala. It's located about 100km from Tikal, the main Guatemala Maya site, and it can easily be reached from San Ignacio.

October 18, 2017

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

The San Pedro Sun

San Pedro Remembers Faye Lin Cannon
In memory of Faye Lin Cannon a memorial ceremony was held on Saturday, October 14th, from 11pm to 2pm, at the Lions Den in San Pedro Town. The ceremony was organized by Faye’s adoptive father Dave Cannon. “The ceremony is for children and adults who want to send a message of love for my daughters,” said Dave. He is has been in Belize since the news of Faye Lins death. Dave Cannon is currently trying to obtain custody of Faye Lins three sisters but for the meantime they are still under the care of the Department of Human Services until further notice.

Caye Notes
Everyone is welcomed to the Church of Christ, Iglesia de Cristo, just across the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge in San Mateo Area for a seminar. The seminar will be held starting Sunday, October 22nd to Thursday, October 26th from 9AM to 3PM daily. Teaching will be provided by Mark Batteiger, education and preached for 30 years. Everyone is invite and lunch will be provided. LOVE YOUR EYES! Come get them checked free of cost. A comprehensive eye exam by Stanford Ophthalmologists with state of the art equipment. Date: Monday October 23- Thursday October 26, 2017, Time: 8:30am to 4:30pm. Please bring your Social Security Card or other I.D. Place: Belize Vision Clinic located at the Lions Den Clinic Ph: 669-8412

Arrivals to Belize Continue Steady Growth Path
For the first 9 months of 2017, the tourism arrivals continue to show a positive trend. The latest statistics show there was a 7.9% increase in Overnight arrivals in the month of September, representing an increase of over 1,400 visitors. In September 2017, arrivals through the International Airport increased only slightly, as the number of incoming flights were impacted by the threat of storms in the region in the early part of the month. An increase in the arrival of visitors thru the land borders in Northern and Western Belize assisted in these gains during September. The cumulative overnight arrival increase was 8.6% through the first 9 months of the year.

Ambergris Today

Arrivals To Belize Continue Steady Growth Path Overnight Arrivals
The Belize Tourism Board reports that for the first nine months of 2017, the tourism arrivals continue to show a positive trend. The latest statistics show there was a 7.9% increase in Overnight arrivals in the month of September, representing an increase of over 1,400 visitors. In September 2017, arrivals through the International Airport increased only slightly, as the number of incoming flights were impacted by the threat of storms in the region in the early part of the month.

Misc Belizean Sources

Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute participates in the Major aspects of the coastal environmental management Workshop
Representatives of Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) will be participating in the workshop “Major aspects of the coastal environmental management” to be held from 17 to 20 October in Kingston, Jamaica. The Workshop will include four days of theoretical and practical sessions to acknowledge the main sources of marine pollution in each country of the Caribbean Community. Its purpose is to develop a proposal of an environmental management instrument intended to improve marine environmental conditions of the participating countries. Staff from CZMA’s technical programs which includes: Mr. Samir Rosado (Coastal Planner), Mr. Gilbert Andrews (Environmental Lab Technician), and Mr. Victor Sho (Sport Fishing Coordinator) will engage in the workshop through assisting to the developing proposals that will better the Caribbean communities’ marine environmental conditions. By doing this, CZMAI intends to harbor awareness to occurring marine pollutions.

Arrivals to Belize Continue Steady Growth Path
For the first 9 months of 2017, the tourism arrivals continue to show a positive trend.The latest statistics show there was a 7.9% increase in Overnight arrivals in the month of September, representing an increase of over 1,400 visitors. In September 2017, arrivals through the International Airport increased only slightly, as the number of incoming flights were impacted by the threat of storms in the region in the early part of the month. An increase in the arrival of visitors thru the land borders in Northern and Western Belize assisted in these gains during September. The cumulative overnight arrival increase was 8.6% through the first 9 months of the year.

Diabetes Run coming soon!!!
Only 17 more days to go. Register your teams today! It is only 23 miles from the Belmopan Market Square to our piece of Paradise: Palacios Mountain Retreat. We will have persons walking and running all 23 miles. Runners will be divided into marathon runners or relay runners. Register your team/s today. Call Brito at 6152249 for more information

Victoria House for the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence
Voting ends soon! Please don't forget to vote for Victoria House for the Condé Nast Johansens Awards for Excellence. Shortlist voting will close on the 19th of October. We appreciate everyone's support immensely, and thank you so much to everyone who has already voted!

Benque Viejo cleanup!
Department of Youth Services and Benque community participating in the cleanup in Benque Viejo

Ya'axché Conservation Trust 2016 Annual Report
2016 was an incredible year for Ya’axché! We take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication of the staff, board of directors, volunteers, partners and the kind funds received from our donors. Learn more details of our impact by downloading our Annual Report at http://yaaxche.org/files/annual_report_2016.pdf. Enjoy!

2017 Central America Travel Market
The Central America Travel Market ( CATM ) was held in San Salvador from October 6 to 8, 2017. This regional tourism event, held in a different Central American country each year, has a main goal of promoting Tourism to the area. Participating countries this year included Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama and Nicaragua. Over 100 wholesalers from Europe, the US and South America and many international journalists attend this event each year in an effort to make new connections and contracts within Central America. The Salvadoran Ministry of Tourism said CATM "... will house more than 100 tourism companies in the region, and about 80 of whom are specialized multi - product buyers from Europe, South America and the United States, allowing for promotion of business relationships with tourism suppliers in Central America. " The eleventh edition of the event was organized by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador and the Federation of Chambers of Tourism of Central America (FEDECATUR) and the Central America Tourism Agency (CATA). The Belize Tourism Industry Association ( BTIA), being the representatives of CATA in Belize, spearheaded this initiative, whereby local tourism stakeholders could participate in the event.

LETTER FROM PRIME MINISTER RT. HON. DEAN BARROW TO PRESIDENT OF THE BNTU SENATOR ELENA SMITH
Dear President, Thank you for your last letter of October 13, 2017, which I was made aware of by way of your media release. Actually, I thought it was the letter from you to me of September 15, 2017, initiating this chain of correspondence, that was disrespectful. It was written in a peremptory, demanding and uncivil fashion. I nevertheless tried to avoid any similar vein of discourtesy in responding. Notwithstanding, you have tendentiously labeled my reply and that is unfortunate. But let me turn to the substance of your request, the answers to which will underscore certain of the points I made last time. 1. As you, and all Belize, well know, the Senate Select Committee has been appointed and has been working now for almost a year.

San Pedro Breast Cancer Awareness Walk or Run 2017
It's here again! Our Breast Cancer Awareness Walk or Run 2017! SIGN UP NOW! Share with all your friends and family! Last year we raised $3,645.25; let's try to go higher! All proceeds will go towards the San Pedro Cancer Society.

Illegal dredging on Caye Caulker
Concerned residents of Caye Caulker want to know who is responsible for this dredging since the local authorities, the Caye Caulker Village Council had denied the request to allow it.

Dangriga canals a health risk?
Concerned residents of Dangriga are complaining about the status of the canals which have not been dredged in years and now poses a health risk. It has been years since any of the major drains in Dangriga has been properly cleaned. All the the drains needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. Because things will only get worse.

BTI - Belize Temptation Island - Silent Party
BTI - Belize Temptation Island - Silent Party PT 2. IS COMING DECEMBER 2, 2017! Are you ready for host Instagram sensation Princemarni & Suzan #Mr.OxtailBone? Also check out co-host, the Bullie Queen, Ms Million herself, Tanya Carter. And music? Well the versatile cast of DJs will keep your eardrums thumping all night no matter what your taste: No Fear Deejays, Ras & Jaro Fyahstatahsound., DJ Omar Habet and DJ Dzl. Pre-sold tickets and section info coming in a couple weeks.

4th Annual East Indian Festival 2017
Sunday October 29th Elridgeville Community Center. Be sure to get a taste of all the delicious food that will be at the event: CohuneCabbage, Tacari, Dahlroti, Chutney, Serosee, Just to name a few

INDOOR FOOTBALL IS BACK in Corozal!
Referees Association for officiating our 3rd Edition Corozal Interoffice, Departments & Companies Fut 7 football tournament 2017- 2018. Games are every Thursday and Friday at 7pm. Credit Photo: Mr. Carlos Aka: Net Acosta Sr

TEDxBelmopan 2017 Success
Pictures from the TedxBelmopan, which was in Belmopan on September 30th.

Channel 7

Another Murder In The Jane Usher Area
As we told you last night, another man was killed was killed in the Jane Usher area of Belize City. It is the second murder there in a week - and last night on Mud Street, a killer went into 31-year-old Keith Middleton's family yard to execute him. 7News was on the scene last night and Sahar Vasquez has more: Last night started out as an average night for Keith Middleton. He and a friend were outside in his yard socializing when 7 gunshots rang out. Those 7 gunshots were not random they were all aimed in the direction of Middleton and each shot pierced his body, killing him in his own yard. The yard he used to play in with his one-year-old son.

Almost Abducted, How Three Girls Escaped
The parents of the abducted El Progresso girls speak out tonight. As we told you, 3 girls - 2 sisters and one of their friends were on the way to school in the remote reaches of the Cayo District yesterday morning when a man kidnapped them. According to the girls - the man took off one of their uniform shirts to tie the feet of two of the girls. But one of the girls untied the other two and they escaped in a getaway that seems to come right out of a movie script. Now there are many details like this that still have to be verified but today we went to El Progresso to get the firsthand account of the story. Courtney Weatherburne has more.

Mexican President Will Co-Chair Summit in Belize
Belize has a very special guest coming to visit on October 25th. The President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto will make his first visit to Belize for a quick half day of official business. He has been indicted by Prime Minister Dean Barrow to co-chair the fourth CARICOM- Mexico Summit to be held in Belize City. At the Summit he is expected to endorse the importance of Mexico's cooperation with the Caribbean in security, climate change, and the prevention of natural disasters. His participation will underscore 35 years of friendly relations between Belize and Mexico.

Retirees Says Trust Is A Bust For Them
Last week, we reported extensively on the Public Sectors Workers Trust. That's the the entity set up by the BNTU and the PSU to manage the proceeds of more than half a million BTL shares. The Esquivel Administration gave the shares to the union as compensation to the teachers and public officers who had their wages and increments frozen between 1995 and 1997. Now, the question of who is really entitled to the multi million dollars proceeds of those shares is a matter of contention. On the one hand, you've got the public officers - thousands of them - who were employed at the time, and may still be in the public service, or have since retired. On the other, you have the trustees - who are current members of the PSU and BNTU that are administering the trust. Some of those retired public officers took the trust to court to argue that they should have the first say in how the trust's money is managed - when presently they have no say at all.

Union Pres Says Lots of Mischief Surrounds Trust
Now, the Public Sectors Workers Trust takes a very different view, of course. They say they are developing projects for the benefit of public officer, and add that auditors have twice given them a stamp of approval for sound management of the Trust. President of the BNTU, Elena Smith says there's a lot mischief making out there:... "Unfortunately, some of what is out there is plain mischief making, because we are well aware of the purpose of the trust and it was to put together projects for the beneficiaries of the trust. And so I want to make it clear that the BNTU has not gotten any monies from that trust to run our organization. Not to pay anybody, not for any strike, not to buy any t-shirts - nothing of that sort."

PM Sends Sharp Letter to BNTU
Keeping it on the BNTU, last night you heard the president explain that the union wrote to the Prime Minister last week Friday asking for an update on the eight demands coming out of their strike one year ago. The union kind of scolded the PM, saying he had disrespected them and demanded a comprehensive update in a week's time, by this Friday October 20th. Well, the Prime Minister wrote back to the Union today and opened by scolding them right back, saying, quote, "Actually, I thought it was the letter from you to me of September 15, 2017, initiating this chain of correspondence, that was disrespectful. It was written in a peremptory, demanding and uncivil fashion." After that, the PM gets into the business of the letter, updating the union on each one of its eight demands.

COLA Demands Answers For Slain Activist
Tomorrow will make one week since 72 year old taxman and activist Albert Cattouse was killed and police have made no arrests. Yesterday, the president of COLA demanded answers form the police and the government: Giovannie Brackett, President - COLA: "One of the thing is that we've asked them to do to check his phone records from about 6:25pm that evening to about 7:00pm to track the callers who have called him and I think no less than not just the Minister of Police, cause what he said debt assure us of anything. He just sounded like a noisy cymbal. Aragon with all due respect when you spoke on Friday you didn't care to call COLA, you didn't call the family to give us an assurance. You spoke to the media and so we don't have any closure right now."

No Elective Surgeries At KHMH
The KHMH is the biggest hospital in Belize - but the Management says it has been forced to suspend elective surgery because of a blood shortage. In a release, the national referral hospital says that there has been a shortage of available blood products for the past two and a half weeks, due, first to a limited blood supply and, second, to restrictions imposed by the Blood Bank which is controlled by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry codes that there has been a shortage in the delivery of screening kits for blood and that has forced restrictions on the use of blood for transfusion. But the good news is that the shortage will be resolved this because the kits have arrived. In the meantime, the KHMH says they have been able to continue life-saving surgeries and elective surgeries will resume as soon as possible.

Dutchman Died of Natural Causes
The 69 year Dutch National Chris Rogemma died of natural causes. That's the result of the post mortem examination. When we spoke to one of his sons today he told us that it was related to the bronchial cough he had when he went missing. As we have reported, last Monday morning Rogemma along with a surveyor went to inspect a piece of land he wanted to buy in St. Margaret's village - despite warnings from his friends to stay home. Roggema wondered off and got lost in the jungle. His body was found on Friday afternoon.

Missing Baby Found During News
On Friday's newscast, Kareem Thompson, the father of Kattalea Thompson came to our studio in a state of panic because he and his wife could not find their five year old daughter - who'd gone disappeared from school. Thompson and his family were searching desperately for the little girl but thankfully she was found shortly after you saw him on the news. It turns out Kattalea wondered off into the street and a close family friend saw her and took her home. But, she forgot to tell the parents. She didn't realize it was problem until she saw Kareem Thompson on the news, which is when she immediately called them and the family was reunited.

How to Help Caribbean Hurricane Victims
For weeks, we've been showing you the devastations wrought by the hurricanes which tore through the Eastern Caribbean. Well, there's finally a way for you to help those small islands like Anguilla, Dominica, St. Marteen and the Virgin Islands. The Belize Council of Churches and other agencies have organized a Telethon for Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Bliss Center. The president of the Council Reverend Roosevelt Papouloute, told us more: Pledges can be made by calling Ms. Charlene McDonald at 227-3373 or 227- 2308 and deposits can be made directly to the Belize Bank at account number 6950111081261. And, again, all the funds collected will be given to the victims through the Belize Red Cross.

BTB Says Arrivals Continue to Be Strong
Tourism arrivals in the third quarter of the year showed a strong out-turn. 3rd quarter comparisons to 2016 reflect a 10.9% increase in overnight arrivals - which is good for what is considered the low season. Cruise Arrivals were up by 6.1% in the third quarter increase when compared to 2016. Overall visitors from the US continue to be the largest market.

Universal Healthcare Case At The CCJ
Major legal arguments were heard Today at the Caribbean Court of Justice in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Once again it was the Ashcroft Alliance versus the Government of Belize. Now, we know, just hearing those names, you're probably already rolling your eyes in weary anticipation. But, this case is not the usual BTL back and forth. This time, it's a suit over the Musa Administration's guarantee of 33 million dollars in debt for Universal Health Services. Universal made the loan as private hospital, and government secretly backed it up - without going to Parliament - or reporting it to Cabinet. The Barrow Administration has refused to pay the indebtedness saying it was contrary to public policy - and today Eamon Courtenay for the Ashcroft Alliance told the highest court that Government would have to prove a very high standard for them not to pay:

Celebrating Archaeology, A Mayan Sauna?
As we told you yesterday, it's Archeology Week, and to honor the occasion we went into our archives form 12 years ago to look at a most unusual archeological find. IT's like a pre historic sauna out at Pook's Hill outside Teakettle Village. Here's that story from our Archive:... Jules Vasquez Reporting, [[email protected]] Sitting about half an hour away from Teakettle on a rough road that cuts right through the rainforest - we came upon Pook's Hill - a bustling hive of archaeological activity. 15 international archaeology students are here excavating the site: breaking stone, making copious maps of the layout, and clearing away one thousand years of overgrowth brick by brick. Leading the dig is University of London student Christophe Helmke. It's part of the Belize Valley Archeological Reconnaissance Project - a homegrown project directed by Dr. Jaime Awe. Along with Dr. John Morris and NICH President Yasser Musa, Awe explained that Pook's Hill, though a very small site, is very important to understanding how the Maya lived.

Channel 5

After Previous Attacks, Keith Middleton is Latest Murder Victim in Jane Usher
There is a resurgence of crime and violence on Jane Usher Boulevard area in the Old Capital. On Monday night, there was another shooting which left a thirty-one-year-old resident lifeless. [...]

U.S. National Detained Following Alleged Abduction of El Progreso Schoolgirls
In Monday’s newscast, we reported on the foiled abduction of three young girls in the west. Today, News Five’s Duane Moody headed to El Progresso Seven Miles Community to follow [...]

Belize to Welcome Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto for CARICOM Summit
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto will be in Belize for the first time next week. Traditionally, Mexican presidents visit before their inauguration as part of a tour of bordering countries [...]

Belize Bank Makes Final Appeal for U.H.S. Money
The Caribbean Court of Justice opened its first term for the 2017-2018 judicial year with the appeal of Belize Bank Limited versus the Attorney General. The case concerns the long-standing [...]

Preliminary Inquiry Delayed for Anke Doehm
But in the local courts, recently widowed Anke Doehm appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer. With her late husband David, she is accused of cruelty to a child – her [...]

Alfonso Noble to Learn Fate in RTA Case in January, 2018
On Christmas Eve of 2016, media personality Alfonso Noble was accused of knocking down and killing Hattieville resident Gilbert Myers near mile four on the George Price Highway. Noble was [...]

Andrew Lewis Takes Rap for Gun in Vehicle near Hattieville
Hattieville police made a gun bust on Sunday during which they intercepted a trio of men inside a pickup and found a nine millimetre firearm and four live rounds of [...]

Swiss Cannabis Accused Faces Permit Charge
Forty-two-year-old Swiss national Christian Reis is in trouble with the law. On Monday, he appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Fraser and was fined one hundred and fifty dollars for the [...]

Julius Espat Continues Fight over House Suspension; Case Adjourned by Court of Appeal
He is back in the House of Representatives, but Cayo South area representative Julius Espat still has an axe to grind with the way he was put out on the [...]

As Franz Parke Begins Work, Opponents like B.N.T.U. Plot His Removal
Justice Franz Parke showed up for his first day of work at the Court of Appeal of Belize this morning. The newly sworn-in judge is the latest senior official in [...]

Fabers Road Doesn’t Add Up for B.N.T.U.
While COLA is not particularly ecstatic about the cost of government’s latest rejuvenation project, the Belize National Teachers Union is itself taken aback by the seemingly exorbitant price tag of [...]

Contractor’s Efficiency Gives COLA’s Brackett a Pause
You heard Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action’s take on the Fabers’ Road contract for near eight million dollars issued through selective tendering to Imer Hernandez Development Company, to concrete [...]

A “Civic” Made of Gold?
The Belize Civic Center is nearing completion. It is projected, according to contractors International Environments Limited, to cost thirty-two million dollars under the Belize Infrastructure Limited, but widespread reports are [...]

P.M. Turns Fire on B.N.T.U., Says Unions Must Do Their Part for Some of 8 Demands
Prime Minister Dean Barrow has responded in writing today to the Belize National Teachers Union, following a stern letter written by President Elena Smith, dated October thirteenth. The B.N.T.U., in [...]

Will Teachers Take Action?
In speaking with the media on Monday, National President Elena Smith says that the B.N.T.U. is not attempting to call the tune on behalf of the prime minister; however, it [...]

Mark King Rails at U.D.P. Leadership
The internal intrigue in the United Democratic Party continues. On Monday, we showed you the response of Dangriga area representative Frank “Papa” Mena to the results of the Dangriga convention, [...]

Heads of Vital Stats, Labour Before Senate Wednesday
On Wednesday, the Senate Special Select Committee intends to call the heads of the Labor Department and the Vital Statistics Unit. This is following revelations in recent weeks about the [...]

Even B.T.B. Surprised by Tourism Stats
The Belize Tourism Board says that tourist arrivals are up for the first nine months of 2017. The latest stats show that even the slow season registered increases. According to [...]

CTV3

COLA Calls For Civil Disobedience
Another party who has objected to the $8m contract for the upgrading of Faber Road in Belize City, is the activist group COLA. COLA, through their attorney Kareem Musa, has requested to see the contract details through the Freedom of Information Act, and is awaiting a response from Ministry of Works CEO Errol Gentle. This issue is just one in which COLA has clashed with the Government. Yesterday, COLA’s President Geovanni Brackett expressed total frustration with the Barrow Administration, and even called for civil disobedience.

Papa Mena & Mark King Take Heavy Swings At UDP Hierarchy
The United Democratic Party appears to be slipping into internal turmoil of late. Over the weekend the UDP held a municipal convention in Dangriga in which current Mayor and his slate won to contest the municipal race in March. But the convention and results seem to have divided the UDP in two, and has resulted in open clashes on social media between the factions. This became apparent to all when the UDP’s Dangriga area rep Frank “Papa” Mena took to Facebook to slam his party for the convention.

Mexican President To Visit Belize For The First Time
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto is scheduled to visit Belize for six hours upon the invitation of Prime Minister Dean Barrow, to co-chair the IV Mexico-CARICOM Summit, to be held in Belize City on October 25. A release issued today by the Mexican embassy in Belize indicates that President Peña Nieto’s visit to Belize is aimed at consolidating the progress of the Third Mexico-CARICOM Summit which was held in Merida, Yucatan in April of 2014. His visit is also expected to endorse Mexico's importance to cooperation with the Caribbean in the areas of security, migration, climate change mitigation and prevention of natural disasters.

Opposition Leader Weighs In Over The $8 Million Contract To Imer Hernandez
Yesterday the Opposition voiced their concerns over the awarding of an $8 million contract to Imer Hernandez Development Co. Limited, a company involving the nephew of former UDP Deputy Leader Gaspar Vega, for the rehabilitation of 1.1 mile of Faber’s Road in Belize City. The Opposition said in a release that it considered it a grossly bloated contract and it gave comparisons of other road works which cost much less for a greater road size. Today, Opposition Leader Hon. John Briceno gave media interviews to discuss his concerns about the contract.

LOVE FM

Mother Loses Son to Gun Violence
Another man is murdered in Belize City, just four days after the murder of activist Albert Cattouse near Roger Stadium as the gun violence in Belize City continues on an upward trend with perpetrators becoming even more brazen and brutal. Last night’s victim is thirty-one year old Keith Middleton who was lured out of his […]

COLA: “Cattouse was Murdered to Send a Message”
On Thursday, October twelve, seventy-two-year-old taxi man and activist, Albert Cattouse, was shot and killed in Belize City. His murder sent shockwaves throughout the activist community. Yesterday, Cattouse’s close personal friend and President of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, COLA, Geovanni Brackett, told the media that activists are interpreting Cattouse’s murder as a message. […]

Briceno Comments on Cattouse’s Murder
Also speaking on Cattouse’s murder is Leader of the People’s United Party, John Briceno. John Briceno, Opposition Leader “On Thursday we were saddened to find out that Mr.Albert Cattouse was murdered in his taxi. As I am told he was called out from his home to probably pick up a passenger and he was murdered. […]

Mexican President to Co-Chair 4th CARICOM-Mexico Summit
Mexican President, Enrique Peña Nieto, is scheduled to be in Belize on October 25. Pena Nieto has accepted the invitation of Belize’s Prime Minister, Dean Barrow, to co-chair the fourth CARICOM-Mexico Summit. According to a statement from the Embassy of Mexico in Belize, the President’s participation aims to consolidate the progress of the third CARICOM […]

BNTU President: Still Waiting for an Update on the 8 Demands
Last Friday, the Belize National Teachers’ Union wrote Prime Minister Dean Barrow for an update on the eight demands that were negotiated last year. This is the second such request. In response to the first letter, PM Barrow referred the BNTU to the media for the update. In the second letter, BNTU’s President, Senator Elena […]

Barrow addresses BNTU’s Demands
Prime Minister Dean Barrow responded to the letter sent by the BNTU which he said he learnt via the BNTU’s press release yesterday. In his letter, the Prime Minister says that it is the BNTU who was disrespectful. Barrow stated quote, “It was written in a peremptory, demanding and uncivil fashion. I nevertheless tried to […]

Robbers Escaped with Conductor’s Day Sales
Last night, a West Line bus transporting passengers was coming to Belize City and was a mile away from its final destination, when the unexpected happened. A little after 9:00 p.m., the bus stopped in the vicinity of Lord Ridge Cemetery for passengers to disembark, when one of the three passengers who came off the […]

Anke Doehm’s case adjourned once again
Today, Anke Doehm appeared before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer. Her last court appearance was on September 20, when she made an appearance with her husband David Doehm. As we reported, David Doehm committed suicide on October 5, leaving his wife to face the charge of child cruelty. Today in court, the prosecution, represented by Jacqueline […]

Swiss National to be Deported
For forty-two year old Swiss national Christian Reis, trouble came two fold. Yesterday he appeared before the Chief Magistrate, Sharon Fraser and he was fined $150 plus $5 court cost after he pled guilty to possession of 1.4 grams of cannabis. He was ordered to pay the fine forthwith, in default 1 month imprisonment. Today […]

Andrew Lewis sentence to 5 years
Twenty-nine year old Andrew Lewis, one of three men charged with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license, pled guilty to the charges when he appeared today before Magistrate Michelle Trapp. Because he saved the court time and he had no previous conviction, he was sentenced to 5 years for each offence with the […].

Amandala

Taxicab driver and activist, Albert Cattouse, 72, gunned down on Hicatee Street
Taxi driver and activist, Albert Cattouse, 72, was gunned down shortly after 8 o’clock tonight in Belize City. Information to Amandala is that he had just dropped off a passenger on Hicatee Street, behind Rogers Stadium on Dolphin Street, and was leaving the area when a man on a motorcycle rode up beside his vehicle and opened fire. Cattouse was shot once in the back of the head and left for dead behind his steering wheel. The gunman was then seen fleeing the area on foot. It is not yet known if Cattouse was robbed before he was killed.

Mexico president to visit Belize next Wednesday, October 25
Official sources have confirmed to Amandala that Mexico’s president, Enrique Peña-Nieto, is scheduled to make his first official visit to Belize on Wednesday, October 25. Peña-Nieto, elected to serve for the period 2012 to 2018, plans to hold bilateral talks with counterparts here in Belize, but he will also lead Mexico’s delegation which will be coming to Belize for a one-day summit with leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). According to the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Patrick Andrews, Belize will be hosting the summit of regional leaders as well as officials from Mexico. Mexico has promised to provide a plan to bring the regional leaders to Belize. The parties, he said, should be discussing development and opportunities for trade.

US diplomat flees Belize!
On Saturday, Samantha Castillo dropped her brother, Matthew Castillo, at Old Belize. He was going fishing. The thirty-year-old Samantha headed back to her Bella Vista home in Belize City. Traveling with her in her Hyundai Element SUV was Martha Nayeli Vasquez, her sister-in-law; her one-year-old daughter, Deanna Castillo, and six-year-old daughter Angelique Castillo. The four family members didn’t make it back home. At approximately 4:00 p.m., a pickup slammed into Castillo’s Hyundai near Mile 4 on the George Price Highway. The impact was catastrophic. Samantha, Martha and her baby, Deanna, were killed. The only member of the family to come out of the horrible accident alive was the 6-year-old child. She suffered two broken legs. Both girls are Matthew Castillo’s daughters.

BNTU challenges appointment of Franz Parke to Court of Appeal
Amid controversy over his appointment—with the latest public objection coming from the militant Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU)—Franz Parke was today appointed as Justice of Appeal for the Belize Court of Appeal for a 5-year term. The appointment comes notwithstanding a claim filed last week by the Leader of the Opposition People’s United Party, Johnny Briceño, to have the Belize Supreme Court declare his appointment null and void on the claim that his appointment violates the Belize Constitution – the highest law of the land. In a press release issued on Friday, October 13, the BNTU said that its council of management had unanimously agreed with the objection previously raised by the Belize Bar Association.

Two Belizean ex-cops called to Fiji bar
Mannon Dennison and Holman Katanegie, two former Belizean cops who have ventured into law studies, recently concluded a 15-week Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University in Fiji in Suva, Fiji’s capital city. Dennison, who formerly worked as a cop as well as an investigator at the Financial Intelligence Unit, and Katanegie, who formerly worked at the Police Department and Fire Department, are said to be the very first Belizean graduates under the GDLP, which began to be offered in 2012. The men began the GDLP program this March, when the latest cohort was taken in.

Smart Mundialito Week 2 results from Marion Jones Sports Complex
The Smart 13 & Under Mundialito continued on Saturday with Week 2 games at the Marion Jones Sports Complex. In game 1, Reality Youth dropped Sampson Academy, 2-1, with goals from Curtis August and Shawn Pitts, while Christopher Gonzales scored for Sampson Academy. Game 2 saw Carlston FC with the 3-0 win over Corinthians, with a goal each from Jerwin Carcamo, Max Jones and Sanjay Baltazar. In game 3, Brown Bombers bombed Collet Strikers, 5-1, with 2 goals apiece from Keyden Shaw and Jaylen White, and the other from Peter Morgan; while Collet’s lone goal was by Chris Marshal.

Playoff hopes still alive for San Pedro, Placencia and Wagiya, with 4 reg. season weeks left in PLB Opening Season
Defending champion and league leading Belmopan Bandits SC posted another victory over the weekend, against BDF, and became the first team to secure a spot in the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2017-2018 Opening Season playoffs. The Bandits got another game winner from captain Elroy Smith at the 89th minute to break a 1-1 deadlock against BDF FC at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday night. Darrol Lambey gave BDF the 1-nil lead at the 15th minute, but an own goal by BDF’s Charles Grant (48’ OG) made it 1-1, until midfielder Rene Leslie’s pass set the table some thirty yards out for advancing Bandits defender Elroy Smith.

Charles Hogan reflects on his glory days of primary school football in ‘Griga
Amandala (A): So, tell me about that season… that ’66 season… Charles Hogan (H): Good… Good… That team, mein..! A: Who was the captain of that team? H: The captain was Leslie… a guy by the name of Richard Leslie A: I don’t recall that name. H: His nickname was “Shaker.” A: Hmm! What position did he play? H: He played inside right…. Because the forward was a 4-forward thing… It was myself, Wayne “Wapi” Fortnard, who is walking around Belize; I saw him yesterday… A: What was his name? H: Wayne Fortnard.

Editorial: Corruption, collusion, cronyism
It was less than two months ago that news broke that the Auditor General’s Annual Report for the year April 2012 to March 2013 had exposed some major shenanigans at the Ministry of Works involving almost a million dollars of missing tires, and the questionable targeted spending of $1.7 million with a specially favoured Belmopan-based businessman behind a dubious company called Special Effects. The report revealed that tires had been purchased from the said Special Effects at prices well beyond what could be found at the various tire outlets in the country, and that in one case where the tires had been bought cheaper at a competitor, the tires were returned and the storekeeper public officer ordered to purchase from the Belmopan crony. These special deals with Special Effects had cost the Belizean taxpayer hundreds of thousands of dollars, and when the Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Works was questioned by the Auditor General about these suspect arrangements, his answers were less than forthcoming, or at times not forthcoming at all.

RIGHT TO THE POINT: Revisiting Common Law unions
I have had several men and women approach me to discuss the issue of Common Law unions and I have had some really sad stories on this topic because consistently it seems that persons living together do not seem to understand what is the true legal status of their relationship in many instances. Thus I have decided to visit this topic, with the hope that other people will read, learn and share with others, to avoid some of the most personal painful situations in life. It seems that some of the most awful stories stem from women who opt to live with their new partner despite these men still being legally married to their wife. I will not get into the issues of the personal choices as life is real and relationships end and others begin and some overlap.

A false premise
Belize will remember that when PM Barrow appointed his ex-wife, Lois Young, to head our defense in some major cases, he declared that she was hired because she was the best in Belize. Again, when he hired his brother, Denys, to defend Belize in some major cases, he declared that his brother, who had returned to Belize from employ abroad, was the best Belize had. One common factor, besides being closely related to him, was that both were in private practice. Of course, another common factor might be that they indeed WERE the best we had. Many Belizeans thought that the lead defenders of national interests should have been public employees. Belize has a battery of lawyers that are paid from the public purse. It definitely would have been much cheaper, up front, for the defense to be public servants. But, were they competent to do the job?

Justice Lucas to issue ruling in BDF Militia Hall killing
Closing arguments were made today in the trial of Jermaine Rhaburn, 22, a Belize Defence Force volunteer soldier who has been accused of killing another volunteer soldier, Clifford Cruz, 21, with an AR-15 assault rifle on the compound of Militia Hall on October 1, 2012. The incident occurred in the guardroom of the building, which is located around Mile 1 on the George Price Highway, opposite Lord Ridge Cemetery. Rhaburn was tried in the Supreme Court of Justice Adolph Lucas, who heard the case sitting alone without a jury. Justice Lucas has set October 24 as the date when he will give his decision.

His supporters say that the murder of human rights defender and local activist Albert Cattouse, 72, was “despicable and cowardly”
There is widespread speculation that the Thursday night murder of cab driver and activist, Albert Cattouse, 72, was a political hit. But Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Elodio Aragon, Jr., told the press on Friday that such speculation was “outrageous.” Aragon went on to say that he believes he understands what transpired, but he declined going into details. At around 7 o’clock on Thursday night, as Cattouse was driving his vehicle on Hicattee Street near the Rogers Stadium in Belize City, heading from West Collet Canal towards Dolphin Street, two men on a motorcycle pulled up beside him and one of them fired several shots. Cattouse was hit in the head.

After two trials and more than 8 years on remand, accused murderer files bail application
Warren Lewis, 26, a former BDF volunteer who has been accused of the August 2009 murder of Albert Allen, filed a bail application through his attorney, Darrell Bradley. Lewis’ bail application was heard today at the Supreme Court before Justice Herbert Lord, who has reserved his decision for an unspecified date. The state was represented by Crown Counsel, Jacqueline Willoughby, who squared off with Bradley, making submissions opposing Lewis’ bid to regain his freedom. In stating the facts of the case in her response to Lewis’ bail application, Willoughby said, “On 18 August 2009, the Petitioner (Lewis), along with Cordel Flores, were arrested and charged for the murder of Albert Allen, which is alleged to have occurred in Belize City on said 18 August, 2009.

Christoffer Roggema, 69, found dead near Sibun River in St. Margaret
The worst has been confirmed in respect of the disappearance of Norwegian-Belizean businessman, Christoffer Roggema, 69. On Friday, police confirmed that at around noon his body was found by a search party near the Sibun River in St. Margaret. There were no visible signs of foul play and police await the results of a post-mortem examination to assist in their investigations. Our newspaper tried to get more information regarding exactly where the body was found, and in what condition, but the Police Press Office today responded that they have no information to give us. Amandala had previously reported that just before midday on Monday of last week, the deceased and two other persons had gone to visit a property in the vicinity of St. Margaret, in the Cayo District, that he was interested in buying.

Breaking Belize News

UDP divided after Dangriga convention
The United Democratic Party (UDP), which has encountered its share of internal dissension playing out in public, is faced with more controversy and apparent division following this weekend’s municipal convention held in Dangriga.

BTB’s report says that arrivals to Belize Continue Steady Growth Path
According to a release issued today by the Belize Tourism Board (BTB), for the first 9 months of 2017, the tourism arrivals continue to show a positive trend.The latest statistics show there was a 7.9% increase in overnight arrivals in the month of September, representing an increase of over 1,400 visitors.

Police mum on attempted kidnapping
Yesterday, BBN reported of three young female students from 7miles village, Cayo that were allegedly kidnapped. The girls were on their way to school around 8:30 a.m. and on their way, they stopped at a nearby shop to buy some ideals. That is when a man driving a blue Isuzu pickup reportedly stopped and offered them something to eat

Adele Ramos, published poet and prolific writer exits Amandala
Adele Ramos, the assistant editor of the widely circulated Amandala newspaper, is scheduled to make her gracious exit from that post next month after 20 years with the paper.

Cristo Rey man to be jailed for pen gun and ammunition
A man from the village of Cristo Rey is about to face time in prison after he was busted with a pen gun.At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, police conducted a search at the residence of Fernando Tut.

Construction worker missing since Saturday
Pablo Choc, 50, a Belizean construction worker of San Roman left home on Saturday en route to work in Placencia but has not returned.He was last seen wearing a sky blue Polo shirt, grey long pants, black and yellow slippers.

Police issue official report on last night murder
Police have issued an official report on last night’s murder in the Jane Usher Boulevard area.According to the report, at 7:10 p.m., police visited Mud Street in Belize City where the body of Keith Middleton, 31, was seen with multiple gunshot injuries to the head and body.

Belize~ The wet paper bag banks
By Richard Harrison: Belize currently have 5 banks listed as “commercial banks” by the Central Bank of Belize. These are Atlantic Bank, Belize Bank, Heritage Bank, National Bank and Scotia Bank. All indications are that the entire banking system is in jeopardy…they hold properties as collateral that if their capital valuations are updated, the assets they hold are far less than the loans owed to these banks. In other words….they are all WET PAPER BAGS.

Cops find gun and bullets in a foam plate
At around 5:50 p.m. yesterday police conducted a search in an empty lot at the end of Flamboyant Street in Belize City near the riverside.

Elderly Guatemalan farmer attempted to smuggle weed in Belize
An elderly Guatemalan national busted with drugs has been charged for trafficking.

Special Envoy and Cancer Society unveil cancer awareness flyer
Last week, the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Kim Simplis Barrow joined with the Belize Cancer Society to unveil the 2017 Cancer Awareness/Empowerment Flyer.

NEMO Flood Mitigation Works in San Juan/ Cowpen
The village of San Juan/Cowpen is now receiving much needed Flood Mitigation works this week. Equipment owned by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) began works in that village, excavating and cleaning drains to facilitate the free flow of water in times of excess rainfall.

Another murder on Jane Usher Boulevard
Police are investigating another murder in the Jane Usher Boulevard area. The latest victim has been identified as Keith Middleton. Sometime before 8:00 last night he was shot in front of his home.

Mexican president comes to Belize for CARICOM Summit
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto has accepted Prime Minister Dean Barrow’s invitation to co-chair the IV CARICOM-Mexico Summit, to be held in Belize City, on October 25.

Blogs

The World’s Most Popular Pet Website Recognizes A Special Belize Potlicker
We were EXTREMELY excited when I was introduced to one of the Dodo’s writers just a week or two ago. She wanted to hear about my dog Elsie. The best dog in the world. I won’t rehash her story because….ELSIE IS FEATURED IN THE DODO! Or…as we’ve been chanting around my house – because it makes Else smile – EL C N DE DO DO! Elsie makes our life so much better – it’s impossible to quantify. Here is her story. Dog Who Nearly Starved To Death Has The Best Life Now In Belize And here are some pictures of her this morning – today is “her birthday”. Almost 3 years ago, the Hopkins Humane Society volunteers (I was helping out that day) found Elsie. And saved her life. Best. Dog. Ever.

Belize Scores 3rd Place on Miss Divali Nagar 2017
Congratulations to Miss Belize Shaenna Gilharry for placing 3rd Runner-up at Miss Divali Nagar 2017 and winning Best Talent. This marks the second consecutive year that Belize has placed 3rd Runner-up in this pageant. Miss Divali Nagar is a pageant that celebrates Indian Culture and the pageant concluded on (October 16, 2017) in Trinidad & Tobago. There were 10 delegates competing, 5 from Trinidad & Tobago, and the remaining 5 from Belize, Canada, Jamaica, Suriname, and USA.

Amigos del Mar Dive Shop (San Pedrano owner) OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Amigos Del Mar Dive Shop started off as a thatched roof structure in 1987 that offered snorkeling trips to Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley reserves as well as a rental for scuba and snorkeling gear. The vision of providing a resourceful and fun-filled expedition to Barrier Reef and other National Reserves was something that owner, Changa, has always wanted for his community. It started as a small family venture with the renting of the scuba equipment and booking small local dive tours, then slowly went venturing off to other natural and National Reserves of our country which included the Turneffe Islands and Light House Reef and not to mention Belize’s famous Blue Hole. Now the diving center is the largest dive center on the island. Amigos del Mar also assists smaller dive centers with dive rental equipment such as dive tanks, dive masks and any other equipment needed. It is a freelance business that works with known resorts on the island. The diving center is well known for dives at the Blue Hole since it has the largest facilities for this particular all day trip.

International Sources

Sandfly bites cause big trouble for newly married couple
Q: Two months after our daughter and son-in-law came back from their honeymoon in Belize, they have sores that still will not heal. She has two sores on her hand; he has three on the right side of his body. After a biopsy, they have been diagnosed with Leishmaniasis. Their dermatologist is referring them to an infectious disease specialist. What can you tell us about this disease and its treatment? A: It sounds like they have localized cutaneous Leishmaniasis, which is caused by protozoa, a type of parasite. The most common one from Belize is Leishmania braziliensis. It is transmitted by the bite of a sandfly, a tiny and silent insect whose bites often go unrecognized. They are nocturnal insects, so people who are out at nighttime are at risk.

Dying manatees great concern of state ecologists
The death of at least 20 manatees has state ecologists concerned with reports showing all of the deaths were human-related. The deaths of at least 20 manatees in Belize so far this year are worrying state researchers at El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur) in Chetumal who say these manatees normally live in Quintana Roo waters. Janneth Adriana Padilla Saldívar, from the Department of Ecology and Systematics of Aquatic Resources of Ecosur, reported that the causes of death of these marine mammals has been mostly boat motors either killing them or inflicting injuries from which they eventually die. The big concern, she says, is that these manatees live in the Bay of Chetumal and often move to the waters of the neighboring country. She explained that there are reports of significant manatee deaths by fellow researchers from Belize due to the extensive boat activities that circulate in the Belize tourist areas. Due to studies by Ecosur, they have verified that Quintana Roo manatees swim to neighboring Belize waters to mingle with other groups of manatees, often staying a month or so in Belize lagoons.

How Birding Tourism Can Support Communities and Foster Conservation
In developing countries around the world, a lack of economic opportunities often drives local people to engage in activities that degrade natural resources. Unsustainable timber extraction, poaching, and land clearing for agriculture diminish the long-term value of these ecosystems for biodiversity—and, ultimately, for the local people who rely on them for resources. Ecotourism has been embraced by many as an economic alternative that can raise incomes for people who live close to biodiversity-rich areas while helping to conserve natural resources. But marketing pristine natural habitats as tourism “products” doesn’t always bring significant benefits to surrounding communities. “In the Bahamas, we’ve seen so many conservation programs come and go,” says Scott Johnson, science officer with the Bahamas National Trust. “Sometimes they get what they want and then leave, without building relationships in the community.” Large companies and developers from outside the area can dominate the local ecotourism economy, and their hotels and stores often divert money away from the community. Without the support and economic involvement of entrepreneurs and small enterprises, even otherwise well-designed ecotourism ventures will fail to generate the kind of local support that is necessary for real and long-lasting results.

Videos

Half Moon Caye, Belize, 42min. Half Moon Caye é um monumento natural, é uma ilha dentro do sistema do Atol Lighthouse Reef , fica a 13 milhas (20 km) a leste do Atol Turneffe e, portanto, incrivelmente isolada. Esta pequena ilha é o lar de um parque nacional e um santuário de pássaros protegido (certifique-se de verificar a plataforma que fica no topo das árvores para a melhor observação das aves). Aqui, você consegue o melhor dos dois mundos, tudo em uma pequena ilha. Você pode ver a praia e a vegetação exuberante em uma caminhada muito curta. E sem as multidões.

Carnival Magic - July 2017 - Belize, 14min. Our day snorkeling in Belize.

YOUTH ENTICED TO VENTURE INTO THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR, 8min. Here in Belize the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to host its annual agricultural fair at the Belize High School of Agriculture school campus in the village of San Lazaro in the Orange Walk District. But we all know that it will take more than just an agriculture fair to reach the goals of World Food Day. For instance getting more people involved is extremely necessary especially our youth. Bearing this in mind, today BHSA hosted its first ever national rural youth symposium which saw the participation of over a hundred students from five educational institutions here in the north.

What exactly is coral? The answer might surprise you, 2min.

My first 150 days as Director of National Sports Council has been quite eventful, 4min. I wanted to get it all done immediately. However, as my freind and mentor Sergio Chuc once reminded me, Rome was not built in a day. I grew up an athlete in my early years and I spend the better part of my life so far, in sports management. Therefore I knew the challenges and frustration to be on that side of the fence. However, I now know the challenges and frustrations that exists on this side of the fence. I keep reminding myself though, that I did not take up this roll merely for a pay check or to have a title. My goal is to remove that fence. Create that environment where Belize is more condusive to sports and Sports development. I must say. I have seen through several infrastructure projects in my short tenur so far. Most notable is the transformation of the Marion Jones Sporting Complex...

Belize Tourism Video, 3min.

BAMBOO HOUSE SAN PEDRO, BELIZE, 7.5min.

House Hunters (International October 17 2017) Rekindling a Marriage in Belize, 21min.

Police Check Point Talk Show Oct 17, 58min.

October 17, 2017

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

The San Pedro Sun

Hope Haven Children’s Home expected to open in November
San Pedro’s first children’s home Hope Haven is just weeks away from being completed, with opening day expected for the first week in November. According to representatives from the non-profit organizations (NGOs) Raise Me Up and Shaping Healthy Identities through Nurturing and Empowerment (SHINE) all that is left are some final touches on the building floors, furniture and painting on some of the walls inside the building. The shelter is still in need of items like air conditioner units and kitchen utensils that could be donated to the facility. It is expected that once complete it will accommodate the community’s vulnerable groups and provide adequate assistance to victimized children and women on the island. According to Britney Travis from Raise Me Up, the second floor of the shelter will serve as the space where vulnerable children will be housed. “The second floor of the building will host children who may need immediate removal from their homes to be placed into protective care,” said Travis. “This could be for an overnight, or more time if parents lose the custody of the child, to even a prolonged period of time if it is needed depending on the situation.”

Ambergris Today

Pink Eye Is Not Over Yet - Worst Outbreak In Belize History
Jesse Chun, Sr. Biostatistician at the Ministry of Health told Belize City media last week that approximately 11,000 people have shown up at clinics countrywide with the dreaded conjunctivitis (Pink Eye). He also stated that, in terms of numbers, it is the biggest outbreak in decades for Belize. Chun told 7News Belize that he believes that Belize is currently in the middle of the outbreak; that the Pink Eye came from the northern part of the country and has since spread all the way down to the Toledo District down south. The Belize District reports having the majority of cases which is expected, as it has the most population in the country.

Faye Lin Cannon's Father Holds Memorial For His Departed Daughter
In the wake of the court cases, dramatic news headlines, death and hope for justice, David Cannon, father of young Faye Lin Cannon, organized a memorial service for his deceased young girl, held at the San Pedro Lions Den on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The venue saw residents in and out the Lions Den throughout the afternoon as they came to pray for Faye Lin, meet her father David Cannon and extend their support and assistance throughout his ongoing battle for the custody of his three adoptive daughter, sisters of Faye Lin - Mia, Siri and Zoe. The children who visited the memorial were not the only ones writing messages of love and hope to Faye’s siblings, but even the adults took to creating their own cards, filling them with positive messages for David to deliver to his daughters.

Misc Belizean Sources

Splashers
Join us this Thursday to paint "Cock-A-Doodle-Do" at Crazy Canucks from 2pm-4pm.!!

Belize Bodybuilding in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Back from Mr Bahia 2017 in Chetumal!! Belize represented! I won 1st Place Overall. My colleague Lee Barry Busano won 2nd Place Overall. Oyinkro Akpobodor won 1st place Mr Physique Classic, and Spartan Gym's Elvis Sanker won 2nd place in Mr Physique Novice.

80's Halloween Masquerade at the Biltmore Plaza
TIME Sat Oct 28 2017 at 09:00 pm. VENUE Belize Biltmore Plaza, 3 Miles Northern Highway Belize City.

Dog Show and Pawty in the Park
TIME Sat Oct 21 2017 at 02:00 pm. Belize Humane Society, PO Box 2622, Belize City.

7th Annual Bob Marley Tribute 2018
Sat Jan 27, 2018, at 06:00 pm. Muffles College Auditorium, San Andres Street, Orange Walk. UNITY SOUNDS - Belize City, RAS CAS SOUNDS - San Ignacio, VIBES ALIVE INTERNATIONAL - Orange Walk City.

Working together!
OUT AND ABOUT- New U.S. Embassy Political Officer, Bryn West, and members of her team visited the Ombudsman Office, the Belize Central Prison, representatives of the LGBT community, and Belize Youth Empowerment for Change to introduce herself and discuss various issues affecting Belize.

Diversity Visa Program Entry Instructions
The Diversity Visa Program 2019 is here! Application deadline is November 7, 2017. APPLY NOW

World Food Day
We’re celebrating World Food Day in Belize too! 16 farmers have established inga alley cropping plots to grow corn, beans, and other annual crops. They are investing in their soils because they want to eat healthier food!

Caye Caulker dental clinic hours
The dental clinic is open on Wednesdays from 9 am to 4 pm. Call 6150707 for an appointment, by Dirty McNasty. Making an appointment is necessary. This Wednesday is fully booked

San Juan/ Cowpen receives NEMO Flood Mitigation Works
Having recently benefited from expansion of electricity and paving of its main road, the village of San Juan/Cowpen is now receiving much needed Flood Mitigation works. This week, equipment owned by the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) began works in that village, excavating and cleaning drains to facilitate the free flow of water in times of excess rainfall. The works are being supervised by NEMO Southern Regional Coordinator Keith Emmanuel and Stann Creek District Coordinator David Cruz along with personnel from the Ministry of Works. Direction on the ground is also being provided by San Juan/Cowpen Village Chairman Carlos Peraza and Councillor Abby Blades.

Rigo Vello is Back for Mr. Bahia 2017 in Chetumal!!
Belize represented! He won 1st Place on Overall. His colleague Lee Barry Busano won 2nd Place Overall. Oyinkro Akpobodor won 1st place Mr. Physique Classic, and Spartan Gym's Elvis Sanker won 2nd place in Mr Physique Novice.

Cayo Talent Competition
The SISE House of Culture is having a Talent Competition on Saturday at the Cayo Welcome Center, and the top 5 contestants will be invited to the Cayo Art Festival on December 2nd. "The San Ignacio & Santa Elena House of Culture is hosting a Talent Competition this Saturday October 21st at the Cayo Welcome Center. Kindly see attached flyer for more information."

Channel 7

Three School Girls Escape Abductor
Tonight, Cayo police are looking for a man who allegedly tried to kidnap three school girls. It happened this morning at around 8:30 in the fairly remote, rural area of 7 Miles/El Progreso. The girls, aged 9, 10, and 11 were walking to school when a man allegedly picked them up and put them into his double cab Isuzu pickup. Reports say he also tied them up. The family found out about the abduction almost immediately, and gathered men from the community to set chase. Somehow, the report is that the girls managed to get out of the moving pickup and escape. The girls - two of them are sisters - have been returned safely to their parents - who are tonight giving statements at the San Ignacio police station. As for the suspect - reports suggest he is a foreigner who lives in the area, but he is not at home, and nowhere to be found. Tonight police have checkpoints up to try and find him - but reports also say that San Ignacio police had no vehicle to respond at the time of the attempted abduction this morning. 7Miles/El Progreso is on the road from Georgeville heading to the Chiquibul.

Corporal Acting Like An Outlaw
Tonight, the police Professional Standards Branch is investigating the conduct of a police corporal caught on security camera behaving like an outlaw. Corporal Daniel Requena, who is assigned to the Major Crimes Unit in Belmopan, was in his hometown of San Ignacio on Friday night. This footage shows him walking into Rainbow Restaurant, pointing what looks like a nine millimeter pistol at the woman behind the counter, and then holding the gun to another man's head, as he puts him in a chokehold. Requena then points his weapon once more and then puts it away. After that he turns his attention to the woman behind the counter and on the security video, it looks like he tries to sexually assault her. She quickly steps away and the Corporal continues to jolly himself inside the restaurant - leaving a minute later.

COLA Angry About Street Contract, Ready To Take It To Streets
Work has already started on Faber's Road - where the contractor Imer Hernandez Development Co. Ltd. is being paid a shade under 8 million dollars to reconstruct just over a mile of the battered roadway. The works include drains and other effects, but, still, it has generated a great deal of controversy - with the PUP today calling it a bloated contract. But, COLA isn't just calling it names, that activist group has applied under the Freedom Of Information Act to see the actual working papers. Today COLA President, his attorney and contracting consultant had a repress conference to outline the many ways they plan to try and block this project: Rufus X, COLA Consultant: "Really and truly there is nothing in that piece of road that can cost 8 million dollars. No way, you look at it. This is craziness."

Teenager's Remains Found
17-year-old Erwin Rodriguez was reported missing on August 24th, and 52 days later on October 14th, the mystery of his disappearance was solved with a bitter ending the family had come to expect: at around 2:40 pm on Saturday, his skeletal remains were found buried in a shallow grave. A search party, along with the police found the remains near the SeaShore area, west of his neighborhood in the Jane Usher Boulevard. The search had been going on intensively for weeks, and some of his belongings had already been found. Jose Espat who was the leader of the search party said that on Saturday Erwin's mom got a tip as to where her son's body was.

Erwin's Family Gets Grief With Closure
Like his brother Kevin who was killed three years earlier when he was 18, Erwin met a violent end. But, still, the family and friends of the teenager now have the closure of knowing where his remains are buried. They spent many long days not just searching but dealing with all the anxiety and fear that came with the situation. Rodriguez's mom said she is relieved that her son has finally been found but she is hurting. Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother: "They came for me around 5 telling me that they discovered him." Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "When you heard your son was discovered what was your reaction, your feeling?" Sylvia Rodriguez, Mother: "Not nice, but at the same time at that moment I thanked the Good Lord because that is what we were praying for. To find him."

Recycler Died On Highway Cleanup
On Friday night we told you about the highway cleanup called Walk For A Green Belize. It's a great initiative to pick up garbage along all 77 miles of the George Price Highway. Recycler Elroy Jones was a part of that effort - he was part of the cleanup crew sweeping up the bags of garbage that the volunteers had collected. But, a terrible accident happened; when he fell off the truck he was working on, and was crushed under its wheels. Sahar Vasquez has more on the loss of the 39 year old father of three: 39-year-old Elroy Jones showed up to work at the sanitary landfill on Saturday to work for a good cause, picking up the bags of trash left by those participating in the big clean along the George Price Highway. But near Jaguar Paw - a day of doing a community cleanup turned into tragedy

Security Guard Shooting Leads To Accident, More Hurt
3 men are in the hospital tonight after a strange series of events. 2 of the men were shot and then got into an accident on the way to the hospital while the other man is in a coma as a result of the accident. Now it all started early Sunday morning after 3:00. Tyrin Faber and his cousin Elon Faber were along with friends at Elite Club inside the Princess Hotel. Reports are that a fight broke out between one of Faber's friends and another group of men. All the men were chased outside the club but they took the fight out in the parking lot. That is when one of the security guards, Glenford Brown fired his 12 Gauge Mossberg Sawed-off Shotgun to the ground to break up the brawl, but one the bullets ricocheted and struck Tyrin Faber to the chest and hand while Elon Faber was hit to the back.

Despite Controversy, Justice of Appeal Franz Parke Is Sworn In
We've been reporting on Justice of Appeal Designate Franz Parke for weeks now, but he was only sworn in today. This morning, in Belmopan, Parke went to the Governor General's office where they had a brief, cordial discussion. After that, Parke took the oath of office, making the Jamaican - American a justice of the Court of Appeal for 5 years. Controversy over his qualifications, and a pending lawsuit have attended his ascension to the post - but ultimately it's the Prime Minister's advice to the Governor General that matter most - and they made it official today.

What Will BNTU Do About Franz Parke?
...Now as we have reported the Belize National Teachers Union, the Bar Association, the Opposition, and Civil Society have made it clear that they do not support Franz Parke's appointment as Justice of Appeal because in their view, he is not qualified for that position. The PUP have even filed a law suit against the government to block this appointment. Well, all this opposition and condemnation was pretty much ignored because Parke was sworn in today. So what will these groups do now? When we asked the BNTU president today, she didn't have a hard and fast position but she said that she just hopes the PM rethinks this decision.

A Pair of Holdups In OW District
On Saturday night around 8:25 a robbery took place a Mini Harvie Shop located in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk. 37-year-old self-employed Yulisa Villamil reported that two dark skinned men in dark clothing and masks stormed into her shop. They held her son at gunpoint and stole several items from her and her customers. A still shaken Villamil gave an off-camera interview to CTV-3 news to describe some of what she experienced. Voice of: Yulisa Villamil, Shop Owner: "One of them detained us on the verandah the other two entered the house and put the gun in my sons head and demanded money. I was scared and I told them to take everything but do not hurt my son nor my family. They took the money and also robbed the customers of their items."

Man Used Halloween Outfit To Rob
Another robbery took place in Orange Walk - this one happened in the town on Friday afternoon and the terror of it was caught on security camera. At around 3:15 in the afternoon, 2 men - one of them in a Halloween outfit white rags covering their face came into the store. One of the men pointed a 9mm pistol at Quin and they made out with $600. The police continue to investigate the matter.

Another Murder In City
There is the report of another fatal shooting in the City's Southside tonight. Initial reports are that a man was shot in his head in the Jane Usher Boulevard area near the basketball court. Our team on the scene reports that he is dead - in an area that has seen countless murders.

BNTU Fires Off Letter to PM
Back to BNTU news - We also asked President Elena Smith about an update on their 8 demands. They have been waiting on the PM to give them a progress report. But at this point - there has only been a back and forth of letters between the PM and the BNTU. So they fired off another one to him today. Here is how Smith put it. Hon. Elena Smith, President, BNTU: "We wrote the PM again because he responded and we sent him another respond and our request remains the same that we are asking that he provide us with an update on our 8 demands. Again we must reiterate the fact that when we discussed or when we negotiated these 8 demands, it was with the PM and so we feel that it is only right to go directly to him and ask him to provide the update we haven't gotten any as yet, we hope that we will be getting one seeing that we sent him another letter."

BNTU Says Ballots Not Secret
Is your vote really secret and confidential? Well according to a mock election that was held in September - it isn't. BNTU president Smith participated in this simulation exercise and here is what she had to say. Hon. Elena Smith, President, BNTU: "We were invited to witness what was happening and it was of interest to me personally and to us as a Union because we have always been hearing that your vote isn't secret and so I wanted to see for myself, you can call me doubtful Thomas. So I took part and at the end of it I was surprised to hear that Mr. Akeman was able to share with us how each person voted, he told us exactly who spoiled their ballots, how the ballots were spoiled and how each person voted on each of the questions. It was a bit alarming to me to find out because I look back and I say Oh my gosh anybody can tell how you vote. But for me it poses a question of secrecy and how is it that as Belizeans people would react knowing that now it is possible that they can tell who vote and how you vote." The mock election was held at St. Mary's hall in Belize City. It was a public event organized by BUFFERHD - which is Derek Aikman's new political activism group.

A Week For Antiquities
International Archeology Day is celebrated on October 21st - that is this Saturday but the Institute of Archeology is commemorating this day with a week of activities. The overall purpose is to recognize the important role archeology plays in our history. Dr. Allan Moore told us more about this observance. Dr. Allan Moore, Associate Director, Institute of Archeology, NICH: "We decided hey! Why not put it into an archeological week and extend it. Unfortunately not everyone could be involved in this week and for it to be meaningful and kinda get something out of it we decided to take two, three venues, we tried Dangriga but we have postponed that until after so tomorrow we start at Banquitas." "Banquitas is in Orange Walk right so they are highlighting a number of what is happening in Orange walk in terms of the history, the culture etc. etc. so we will kinda of support that and augment that with some of the local archeology you know the Quello, the Noh Nul and the Cacabish and the what have you and to show them and highlight what they have in their district."

UDP Danger in Dangriga With Rep. Pawpa
The UDP held its municipal convention in Dangriga on Sunday and - while the outcome was not close - it was fiercely contested. That's because the larger factions within the party are jostling for dominance. When it was done, the slate that Area Representative Frank Pawpa Mena's supported was defeated - and that led to some Facebook ugliness that has caused a black eye for the UDP. On his Facebook page, Mena addressed his opponents within his own party, posting, quote, "it's a shame ... you have to use money to buy my people. Sad that they don't know how you only care for your agenda and your racist needs. That's politics." And when a bogus account struck back with an insult for Mena, he then later added, quote, "Create your accounts and attack. With time my people will know that you don't really give a (blank). I will continue to defend them even though you think we all have a price."

Despite Tragedy, Cleanup Was Successful
The "Walk for a Green Belize Clean up" took place on Saturday and according to Tyrone Chimilio the Communications Officer for the Belize Management Solid Waste the clean up was a success. People came out in big numbers to help clean the George Price Highway. He also shared his sorrow regarding the freak accident that took the life of Elroy Jones during the bag collection. Tyrone Chimilio, Belize Solid Was Management Communications Officer: "It was a very succesful campaign that we did. We had a great number of individuals that came out and assisted with the cleanup." Sahar Vasquez, reporter: "Was there a lot of garbage that was actually found on the side of the road?" Tyrone Chimilio: "Yes it was. We had several groups who actually ran out of bags. So we had to quickly redistribute those bags to them. Of course we know on hand that we do have an issue which is littering which is a continued effort that highlights the reason as to why we continue to do the "Walk For A Green Belize Clean Up.""

Channel 5

Brave Schoolgirls Escape Abductors in El Progreso, Cayo
There is a disturbing report coming in from the west where two men attempted to abduct three girls—ages nine, ten and eleven—from El Progresso, seven miles village in the Cayo [...]

Erwin Rodriguez Laid to Rest after Remains Found Near Sea
Tonight, seventeen-year-old Erwin Paulino Rodriguez was laid to rest at Eternal Garden Memorial Cemetery on the George Price Highway following a short graveside service. The last faint hopes of his [...]

Franz Parke Appointed Despite Storm Clouds of Controversy
As the October session of the Court of Appeal opened today in Belize City, in Belmopan, attorney Franz Parke was sworn in as the new justice to the court. The [...]

COLA Says “Obscene” Fabers Road Contract May Be Final Straw
The Imer Hernandez Development Company Limited has already begun construction on the stretch of Fabers’ Road between Central American Boulevard and the George Price Highway. For that approximately one-mile stretch [...]

Did Ministry of Works Violate Finance and Audit Reform Act?
But before it gets to that, COLA has engaged Kareem Musa to write to the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Works, Errol Gentle, along with Minister Rene Montero and Contractor [...]

Does Imer Hernandez Have Airstrip Contract Too?
The People’s United Party issued a statement today condemning the award as containing no rational justification other than to, in the P.U.P.’s words, enrich select U.D.P. ministers and cronies and [...]

Recycler Run Over on Highway
A recycler was killed over the weekend following a clean-up of the George Price Highway. Elroy Jones was on the job when he lost his life; he was run over [...]

Security Company, Police Eye Guard for Breach Following Shooting at Princess
A security guard attached to Technical Security Systems Company Limited out of Cayo is tonight in police custody following a shooting incident at the parking lot of the Ramada Belize [...]

Kirkland Dawson Shot Following Misunderstanding
But thirty-one-year-old Kirkland Dawson is tonight at home recovering from a gunshot wound to the thigh. The electrician of Euphrates Avenue was socializing with friends and family inside an open [...]

Teen Charged in Attempted Murder of Floyd McNab
Nineteen-year-old Asher Saunders has been charged for the attempted murder of Floyd McNab who was shot in the buttocks in Belize City on Friday night. Shortly after nine o’clock, officers [...]

Gas Station Robbed in Cayo
There was a brazen armed robbery on Friday in San Ignacio. Just before ten a.m., twenty-eight-year-old pump attendant Vicente Maldonado of Shawville area was held up at gunpoint at Sirrom [...]

Robbers Strike Carmelita, O.W. Town
There were two other armed robberies over the weekend in Orange Walk. The first occurred on Friday afternoon on Zericote Street in Orange Walk Town. Sometime after three o’clock, two [...]

Jermaine Rhaburn Awaits Decision in Murder Trial
Twenty-two-year-old Jermaine Rhaburn awaits his fate at the Belize Central Prison, pending a decision by Justice Adolph Lucas in a murder trial which concluded earlier today. The former Belize Defense [...]

P.U.P. Gags Would-Be Candidates before National Convention
The National Executive of the People’s United Party met on Thursday and set a deadline of four p.m. on October twenty-seventh for Party Chairman Henry Charles Usher to receive both [...]

U.D.P. Return Francis Humphreys in Dangriga, But Area Rep Not Happy
In other political news, the United Democratic Party held its municipal convention for Dangriga on Sunday at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic School near the sea. Incumbent Mayor Francis Humphreys is [...]

B.N.T.U. Tries Again with Curt P.M.
The Belize National Teachers Union is giving Prime Minister Dean Barrow an ultimatum after receiving a terse response when the executive requested an update on the progress of the eight-point [...]

Teachers Wary Over ‘Divide and Conquer’ Tactics
Smith says the inclusion of the other unions is simply another attempt by government to disrupt the harmony within the National Trade Union Congress of Belize. Elena Smith, National [...]

Police Chase Clues but Activists Bunker Down after Albert Cattouse ‘Hit’
The activist community is shaken by the Thursday night execution of seventy-two-year-old Albert Cattouse. The taxi operator was gunned down with a single shot to the head inside his Lincoln [...]

How to Clean Up Jane Usher Boulevard: Send G.S.U./B.D.F.
The Jane Usher Boulevard area has become well-known for its murderous rivalries. When the intervention and community policing program under former south side commander ACP Chester Williams was in full [...]

K.H.M.H. ‘Poor a Blood;’ Suspend Elective Surgeries
If you have an elective surgery scheduled at the K.H.M.H. – they say it will not happen because all elective surgeries have been suspended due to the lack of blood [...]

Why Was Santa Elena’s German Flores Beaten into Coma?
Twenty-seven-year-old German Flores, a resident of Hill View area in Santa Elena, is clinging to life at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital tonight, after being beaten to a bloody pulp [...]

James Adderley Brings You Sports Monday
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday. [Highlights of the weekend sporting activities….]

CTV3

COLA Demands GOB Bust Open The Books On Faber's Road Contract
And as we told you last week, COLA is also highly sceptical of the million dollar contract and has evoked the Freedom of Information Act to request the contract documents from the Ministry of Works. Today, COLA’s attorney Kareem Musa explained why they believe the matter will end up in Court. Kareem Musa, Attorney for COLA: “At this point what we do know is that they employed the selective tendering process and I think it was the VIP that issues a Press Release that rightly pointed out under the Finance Audit Reform Act section 19(5) that any contract, any procurement in excess of five million dollars ought to be under the open tendering procedure and we get the initial remarks from the government that this was not done so this was ought to have been open to tender...”

Franz Parke Is Appointed To The Courts Of Appeal Despite Growing Opposition
Despite growing opposition, this morning Governor General Sir Colville Young proceeded with the appointment of Jamaican-American Franz Parke as a Justice on the Court of Appeal. On Wednesday October 11th, Opposition leader John Briceno requested the Court’s permission to seek a constitutional challenge of the appointment. In his affidavit, Briceno called on the Court to review the appointment and declare it improper, unconstitutional and therefore null and void. Briceno indicated that he opposed the appointment as he did not believe that Parke was duly qualified to be appointed to the Court.

Chinese Business Robbed At Gun Point
And the second robbery took place on Friday afternoon. This time Chinese businessman, twenty four year old Hong Zhen Quin, reported to Orange Walk Police that shortly after three o’clock two Hispanic men dressed in full black clothing with white rags covering their faces entered his establishment “Sun Luck Store” located on Zericote Street here in Orange Walk Town. According to Quin, one of the men was armed with a 9mm pistol. The perpetrator allegedly pointed the firearm at Quinn and proceeded to rob the store of six hundred dollars in cash before fleeing the area.

BNTU Scold PM Barrow And Demands Answers By October 20th
On October 3rd, the Belize National Teacher’s Union held a special ceremony in Belize City to commemorate their “Save Belize” campaign, which was marked by an 11-day protest to advocate for good governance reforms. Union President Elena Smith indicated that as part of the anniversary she had written the Prime Minister, requesting an update to the reform measures that had been accepted by the Government for implementation. The Prime Minister’s response came with a degree of unwelcome indifference, according to Smith.

St. Francis Xavier Credit Union Experiencing Serious Economic Challenges
There is no question that our country is experiencing serious economic challenges. At the macro level, last year the Government had to force the renegotiation of the terms to pay its external debt. At the micro level, just take one look at the weekly local newspapers and note the number of homes being auctioned away by the banks, based on non-performing mortgage loan agreements, is just the tip of the iceberg. Last week, we had the opportunity to speak to St. Francis Xavier Credit Union Assistant General Manager, Michael Riveroll Sr, who told us his institution is doing its best to aid those in need.

PUP Says 8 Million Dollars Farbers Road Contract Is Bloated
The controversy continues over a contract awarded by the Ministry of Works to Imer Hernandez Development Co. Limited, a company involving the nephew of former UDP Deputy Leader Gaspar Vega. The contract is for the rehabilitation of just over 1 mile of Fabers Road, but the amount agreed to as payment has raised eyebrows. The Ministry says it will pay $8 million to the company for the work. The Opposition expressed shock in a press release issued today. The release states, “The PUP condemns the awarding of a grossly bloated contract…to Imer Hernandez, nephew of disgraced former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega”.

LOVE FM

Four Shooting Incidents – No Fatalities
21-year-old Tyrin Faber received gunshot wound to the chest and forearm. According to police report, an altercation occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sunday inside Elite night club at the Princess Hotel & Casino in Belize City. The altercation moved to the parking lot where it escalated. In an attempt to part the fight, 33 […]

Business Establishments: Robbed at Gunpoint
Mini Super Harvies in Carmelita Village in the Orange Walk District was robbed at gunpoint over the weekend. According to Police reports, at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Saturday night, two masked men dressed in dark clothing barged into Mini Super Harvies. One of the men was armed with a handgun. One of the robbers stole […]

Court Late with Maintenance Money
Last Friday, October 13th, a group of single parents was almost in tears after being told by the Belize Family Court that they would not be able to collect their monthly maintenance money, which became due at the end of September. They were given the run-around and were not told when the funds would become […]

Gilharry Pleads Guilty to Wounding
Fifty-five year old Henry Gilharry, aka “Punisher”, a car washer of Belize City, pled guilty to a charge of wounding when he appeared today before the Chief Magistrate, Sharon fraser. Gilharry was sentenced to 2 years. In addition to that a warrant was prepared for him to serve 1 month for a fine of $100 […]

Belmopan City Council continues its infrastructural work
Infrastructural works are currently on-going in Belmopan. Fem Cruz spoke to the Mayor Khalid Belisle. Fem Cruz “The Belmopan City Council continues with their ongoing work in Central Belmopan. As you can see both motorist and pedestrians are benefiting from the upgrading of streets, walkways, drains and parks. Love news caught up with the Mayor […]

Belize to Benefit from CDB’s Poverty Reduction Programme
Belize is set to benefit from a poverty reduction programme being implemented by the Caribbean Development Bank, CDB. The CDB said that it has been able to negotiate more funds for the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) to improve the programme’s efficiency and effectiveness, and will strengthen partnerships with the private sector. It said these […]

Belize to participate in 19th World Festival of Youth and Students
A Belizean delegation is in Sochi, Russia, participating in the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students. The festival began on October 14 and is schedule to conclude on October 22. The purpose of the festival is to bring together the youth of the world community around the idea of justice, the strengthening of international […]

Remains believed to be those of Erwin Rodriguez found
Reports to Love News are that remains believed to be those of Erwin Rodriguez have been found by a search party. The discovery was made in the ‘Dyke Area’ in the Jane Usher Boulevard in Belize City on Sunday afternoon. Rodriguez went missing in August and his family had been searching for his body for […]

Franze Parke sworn in as Justice of the Court of Appeals
Despite objections from the People’s United Party, the Belize National Teachers Union and the Bar Association of Belize, Franz Parke was sworn in as a Justice of the Court of Appeals. The PUP has filed a lawsuit challenging Parke’s appointment. The claimant is PUP Leader, John Briceno and the respondent is the Attorney General of […]

Breaking Belize News

“Cattouse’s murder was a hit,” says COLA President
Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) President, Giovanni Brackett is calling the recent murder of activist Albert Cattouse an ordered execution.

Man loses his home to fire
A man is homeless after his house was burnt to the ground yesterday. At around 2:39 a.m. on Sunday, Alberto Logan, 44, told police that he received information that his home at Amazing Grace area in Independence Village was on fire.

Three men busted with a 9mm
Just before 10 o’clock on Sunday night, police was conducting a mobile patrol on the George Price Highway when they came to a stop at mile four.

Alleged gunman charged for Friday night shooting
Police have charged Asher Saunders, 19, with attempted murder of Flord McNabb. On Friday night, McNabb was on Mosul Street closing a gate when a man pointed a gun at him and opened fire.

Police: Erwin Rodriguez died of multiple facial gunshot wounds
A post mortem examination says that Erwin Rodriguez, 17, died of, “traumatic craneoenecephalic due to multiple facial gunshot wounds.”

Man and woman busted with 1,142 grams of cannabis
This morning, police conducted a predawn operation which led to the discovery of 1,142 grams of cannabis.

Man loses $16,350 worth of valuables in burglary
There is a case of burglary coming out of the Cay District. According to police reports, just before 5 p.m. on Sunday, cops visited the Lomas Del Rodeo New Extension area of Benque Viejo where they spoke to Cesar Olivarez, 39.

Mark Pollard missing for 105 days and counting
There has been closure for the families of Erwin Rodriguez, 17, and Kelvin Usher, 17, who had previously been reported missing.

COLA to take legal action against GOB for Faber’s Road contract
Community activist group Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA) is prepared to pursue legal action against the Government of Belize (GOB), over the contract for the rehabilitation of Faber’s Road.

Man beaten and left on roadside
Police are investigating a case of “Grievous Harm” after a man was found badly beaten on the road side.

Surgeries getting canceled due to reagent shortage
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) is postponing elective (non-emergency) surgeries, because of quality assurance […]

Francis Humphreys wins UDP convention in Dangriga
Over the weekend, the United Democratic Party (UDP) held its municipal convention in Dangriga. UDP […]

PUP demands Cancellation of Bloated Contracts
The People’s United Party (PUP) today issued a release condemning the awarding of a “grossly […]

The murder of Albert Cattouse – Whose legacy?
By Glenn Tillett: It has taken a few days for me to regain some semblance of emotional control […]

A closer look at road rehabilitation for Santa Elena town and Fabers Road projects
On August 21, the government of Belize issued a press release informing the public that […]

Blogs

The beauty of the Silk Cayes
Long before they were called the Silk Cayes, a cluster of three islands in the middle of the Caribbean Sea were called Queen Cayes. That is the story relayed to us by Splash Dive Center on a recent visit to the remote and beautiful islet. It was a bright sunny day when our boat pulled up to the island’s shores. The varied hues of blues and greens around the tiny slip of white sandy island positively glowed under the bright sunshine. There is nothing quite so delicious as wading out, the sun beating down mercilessly as our feet disappeared into the thick sandy floor, water swirling around us. When we looked down, tiny fish darted about, ignoring the intruders who would soon be out of the water and lying on the sand to catch the rays, or hanging on a hammock over the water.

The 10 best Belize Resorts to stay
From the reef to the rainforest, swanky offshore islands to rustic hillside retreats, Belize combines its the Caribbean and Central American assets into a “one-stop” vacation package that has something for every traveler. It’s the kind of destination that draws an eclectic mix of travel aficionados, including passionate beach-seekers, trekkers, and top drivers from around the world. But many are just looking for those signature Belize resorts, the places to stay that you can’t find anywhere else. So whether you want to laze on a beach; tour ancient Mayan ruins; or see jaguars and other jungle wildlife up close and personal, Belize definitely merits a spot on your 2017 must-see list. Here are the top 10 Belize resorts for every kind of getaway.

Flintstones Size Belize Licence and Money Saving Option
Note to anyone needing to renew theirs in the next two weeks, you will get a "Flintstones Size Belize Licence." As advised by the traffic department, I got mine laminated at Gecko Graphics. Also included in this post, information on the Hot Guide Belize Loyalty Card Discount APP - great for both travelers and locals.
September is my birth month so my Driver’s license was up for renewal. This year, I waited until the pink eye epidemic had mostly passed to cross that chore off my list and today turned out to be the perfect day for it. First thing this morning my Have Fun Stay Fit trainer Sara messaged me to cancel our morning session due to a golf cart malfunction. I decide to replace my work out with a 1 hour errand run walking around town. First stop was Caye Supplies to check out their curtain selection. Next came the Traffic Department which is downstairs from the San Pedro Town Council Office on Barrier Reef Dr (Front St). This time I got lucky and I was given a tip to save a step by going to the town Treasury upstairs (actually in the Town Council Office) and pay before going into the office. So I proceeded upstairs, showed the lady in the Treasury Office booth my expired license and told her I wanted to pay for my renewal. She took my $60.00 and gave me a receipt for the payment.

International Sources

Antigua and Barbuda PM reproaches developed countries over financing
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne electrified a gathering of representatives of international agencies and governments in Washington DC on Saturday by reproaching developed states for undermining the development of small states by the withdrawal of correspondent banking relations. The prime minister was speaking at a Small States Forum organised by the World Bank as part of the week of meetings of the Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Browne told the Forum, “It is unconscionable that developed states, which control the international payment system, have increased the vulnerability of small states by creating artificial impediments that undermine our development.”

Helping hands in Belize
This past summer, two students and an instructor from SAIT’s School of Business embarked on a field trip to Belize, an independent country on the eastern coast of Central America. Their initiative was to partner with a UK based organization called Accounting for International Development (AFID) to establish relationships and experience by participating in field work at an International NGO. The purpose, said Fiaz Merani, faculty member at the school of business and organizer of the trip, was to allow the students to apply their technical skills and professional knowledge with a not-for-profit organization, while gaining experiential learning, integrating acquired skills and knowledge, and taking a holistic approach to learning.

When lemons give you life: Herpetofauna adaptation to citrus orchards in Belize
Natural habitat areas exhibit similar abundances and diversity of herpetofauna as citrus orchards and reclaimed orchard forests in Stann Creek, Belize, reports a comparative study by researchers Russell Gray and Dr. Colin Strine of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand. The scientists utilized several drift-fence arrays equipped with double-funnel traps to monitor and compare reptile and amphibian communities in a lowland broadleaf forest, a lime orchard and a reclaimed citrus orchard at the Toucan Ridge Ecology and Education Society (TREES) field station. Their study was recently published in the open-access journal ZooKeys. Often referred to as Central America’s “hidden gem” for its abundance of undisturbed rainforests and natural beauty, Belize has a long-standing record for vigorously protecting and maintaining their forested areas. However, just as in any other developing country, its primary sector is expanding with agricultural land clearings becoming more frequent with newly established properties.

Placencia, in Belize, è la meta da sogno che nessuno (ancora) conosce
Il piccolo villaggio di pescatori di Placencia è stato di recente scoperto dai primi turisti che se ne sono innamorati e hanno sparso la voce che, in un angolo sperduto del Belize, affacciato sul Mar dei Caraibi, c’è un paradiso inesplorato che aspetta solo di essere scoperto. Qui il mare è spettacolare. La barriera corallina, lunga quasi 300 chilometri, permette di fare snorkeling e immersioni incredibili. Nei suoi abissi ci sono canyon da esplorare e coralli rimasti ancora intatti. Per non parlare della spiaggia: oltre 25 chilometri di sabbia bianca e fine, con una laguna nella zona occidentale, il mare caraibico a oriente e pace e tranquillità in mezzo.

Olympic champion Simone Biles has new coach and plan for her return to competition
Simone Biles has a new coach and a plan for when she’ll return to competition. The Olympic all-around champion said Monday night that she’ll train with Laurent Landi, who coached fellow Final Fiver Madison Kocian. Landi also will serve as the team program director at the World Champions Centre, the gym owned by the Biles’ family. Biles and Landi will begin working together Nov. 1. “I’m excited to get to work with him because I know how strong a bar worker he is,” Biles told USA TODAY Sports. “Hopefully I’ll gain more swing and rhythm. If not, at least I’ll gain more confidence on bars.”

Caribbean officials agree on marking vessels to fight IUU fishing
As the Caribbean continues its fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, fisheries officials agreed at a meeting last month to harmonize standards for marking authorized fishing vessels, as well as to establish a list of vessels involved in IUU fishing. According to a news release on the website of the Food and Agriculture Organization, a working group comprising members of the Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism, and the Organization for Fisheries and Aquaculture of Central America reached the agreement at a second meeting, held 19 to 21 September, to devise strategies for deterring, preventing, and eliminating IUU fishing. IUU fishing is estimated to account for 20 to 30 percent of fish harvests in the Western Central Atlantic fisheries, which includes the Caribbean Sea, and is valued at between USD 450 to 750 million (EUR 384 to 640 million) annually.

Videos

Ministry of Defence Hosts Third Annual Multi-National Security Conference, 4min. The Ministry of Defence hosted the 3rd Annual Multi-National Security Conference on Friday, 6th October in Belize City. The main objective of the conference was to share Belize’s vision, work, and requirements with regards to military assistance with our allies and partners.

Government of Belize Hosts Study Tour on Marine and Coastal Management, min. From the 1st to the 10th of October, officials from Morocco were on a study tour in Belize to learn and exchange views on Belize’s experience in marine and coastal management. As a part of the tour, the Moroccan officials visited the processing facilities at the National Fishermen Cooperative, the Placencia Rainforest facilities, the Punta Gorda Rainforest facilities, Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Punta Negra Village, TIDE Fish Festival, and the Fishermen and community leaders at Punta Negra.

Community Baboon Sanctuary Video, 1/2min. Devin Burns put together a nice video highlighted everything the Community Baboon Sanctuary has to offer visitors.

Glovers Reef Belize, 1min. Nothing like living, fishing, swimming, cooking and eating... You better Belize It. Making memories before I head out again.

See it to Belize it - Mi viaje por Belice, 8.5min. Un viaje espectacular en Caye Caulker - Belize

Scuba Diving in Belize, 4min.

San Ignacio, Belize, 7.5min. San Ignacio is the second biggest city in Belize, after Belize City. The town is located near the guatemalan border and is surrounded by the Macal river, mountains and jungle.. we can find there two mayan ruins: Cahal Pech and Xunantunich.. It's the perfect place to discover Belize, its landscape and population.

Caye Caulker Belize, 2min. This is from my trip to Belize over the summer of 2017 here are the highlights.

THIEVES TARGET STORE IN CARMELITA VILLAGE, 5min. There were two armed robberies to report here in Orange Walk tonight. We start off with the incident that occurred on Saturday in which a small grocery shop in the village of Carmelita fell victim to robbers who walked away with almost four thousand dollars in cash and other items.

Understanding GDP - Legacy Foundation, 36min.

National Women's Commission 16 Days of Activism, 22min.

Archaeology Week 2017, 25min.

Not that clear but play and zoom. 5-6ft Croc trying to grab a duck..., 10sec. In San Pedro

The Government of Belize continues to Move Belize Forward with: 27 new rural water systems, 1min. 43 more rural water systems expanded ... 11 villages in Belize River Valley connected to BWSL ... Life is BETTER; Water is LIFE!

Cahal Pech, San Ignacio, Belize, 6min. Cahal Pech is a small Mayan historical site just next to San Ignacio in Belize.We ca reach the ruins by walking 20 minutes from the center of town. A very quiet place, not touristic at all in low season. The entrance fee is 10$B per person. It definitivly worth a visit if you are in san ignacio!

Harvest Caye Belize View from the Norwegian Escape, 1.5min. The beautiful view from the Harvest Caye port in Belize from the Norwegian Escape.

Travel Belize, 4min. We all went to Belize back in August, these are our travels.

October 16, 2017

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

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Delegation Participates in the First SICA-Chile Political Dialogue and Cooperation Forum
The Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Wilfred P. Elrington participated in the First Central American Integration System (SICA)-Chile Political Dialogue and Cooperation Forum in Santiago, Chile on October 12, 2017. The Parties discussed key areas including the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the importance of the provision of adequate means of implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), institutional strengthening, climate change, natural disasters, conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and its resources, and the environment.

Wolfe’s Woofer: Just Like Mama
“Rafael, I saw your mama last week at the water taxi and we was talking,” Mario said. “She says you looking to get married.” “Looking ain’t the same as getting,” Rafa said. “I been looking to get married for the last two years but I ain’t been getting married. It never works out.” We were sitting at the big picnic table at the rice and beans restaurant where I always take Mario for lunch when he’s working for me. “Why don’t it work out?”

Health Corner: Halitosis – or chronic bad breath
What Causes Halitosis? If quick bad breath fixes are only covering up the problem for a short time, something else may be happening in your body, including: Dental Issues: Cavities and deeper pockets from gum disease give bad breath bacteria extra places to hide in your mouth that are difficult to clear out when you’re brushing or cleaning between your teeth. Either can contribute to halitosis. Mouth, Nose and Throat Infections: According to the Mayo Clinic, nose, sinus and throat issues that can lead to postnasal drip may also contribute to bad breath. Bacteria feeds on mucus your body produces when it’s battling something like a sinus infection, leaving you sniffly and stinky.

Doctor Love: Put a ring on it
Dear Doctor Love, I have been living with my boyfriend for three years and we have a wonderful relationship. Last year we bought a lot to build a house and we have talked about children in the future. But my family keeps asking when we will get married. I want to get married but when I mention it he says he is happy with the way it is now. He says he would live together forever but how do I make him see that a wedding is important? /s/ Put a Ring on It

Misc Belizean Sources

Yet another senseless murder
The Belize Progressive Party (BPP) is saddened, once again, by yet another senseless murder. On this occasion, it is the cold-blooded killing of Mr Albert Cattouse, a hard-working, senior citizen and fervent activist for just causes. This is a sad day for Belize and all who stand up for Belize. Mr Cattouse was a true born Belizean who unflinchingly stood up for what he believed, which distinguished him as being one of the few activists who did so without fear.

Brother accidentally shot by brother's gun
On 13.10.2017 12:30 p.m. 23 year old Aaron Wilson Guzman, was at a farm along with his brother Brandon Guzman located about a mile from Silk Grass Village, Stann Creek District. After he finished loading the lumber, Aaron jumped off the loader with his licensed and loaded Glock which also had a bullet in the chamber. The gun was which was tucked to right side of his pants and when he fell on the lumber, it discharged and the bullet caught his brother Brandon on his right upper arm. Aaron took his brother in a pickup for medical treatment at the Southern Regional Hospital.

Security guard fired sawed off shotgun on Princess Hotel Compound to disperse a fight
On 15.10.2017 at 3:30am, Police visited KHMH where they saw 21 year old Tyrin Faber suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest and another to the left forearm. At 3:00 a.m. a fight occurred inside the Elite Club, located inside the Princess Casino. The two groups were escorted outside the night club. Both groups met inside the compound and resumed to fight in public space for everyone to see. 33 year old Glenford Brown, a security guard, employed by Technical Security Systems Co. Limited was on duty at the time was on duty at the Princess Ramada Hotel and Casino. Brown was armed with a 12 Gauge Mossberg Sawed-off Shotgun. He fired a single shot from the illegally modified weapon on the pavement and the laws of physics dictated the pellets would ricochet and as a result Tyrin Faber received the 2 gunshot injuries. mentioned injuries. The police Investigation continues.

FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT
On 14.10.2017 at 2:45pm, Police visited miles 35 George Price Highway where they found an eighteen wheeler white Kenworth towhead truck bearing L/P OWA-4407 and a cargo trailer attached to it bearing L/P OW-T00183 parked partially off the road on the right hand side facing Belmopan City. The body of Elroy Jones of Belize City was seen motionless logged under the trailer wheel. 19 year old Cornelius Schmitt, a truck driver of Spanish Lookout Village was driving the truck whilst Jones and other workers picked up bagged garbage. Elroy Jones who was along with the group had accidentally slipped from the truck and fell under the wheel and was crushed. Jones was taken to the Western regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:00 p.m. Cornelius Schmitt was issued a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

Skeletal remains believed to be Erwin Rodriguez
On Saturday 14th October, 2017 at 2:40 p.m. as a result of an intensive investigation, Police visited an area near the sea behind the Port of Belize in the Jane Usher Blvd Area where they found the remains of a human skeleton and other belongings buried in a shallow grave. The personal belongings were identified by Silvia Rodriguez to be property of missing person Erwin Paulino Rodriguez who was reported missing since 24th August, 2017. The skull had an apparent injury and the remains was transported to the morgue awaiting a post mortem examination.

Miss Belize Shaenna Gilharry posing with other delegates from the Americas
Dressed for the Neha Karina fashion show as part of Miss Divali Nagar 2017. To vote for her as Miss Photogenic, visit National Council of Indian Culture of Trinidad and Tobago (NCIC TT), find her photo in the pinned album, like, share, and comment! Voting ends this Sunday at 9:59pm BZ.

"Between these lines.." by Glenn Tillett
It has taken a few days for me to regain some semblance of emotional control to write this, and to do so without profanity I think, but please forgive me, because that is not a promise. We are an armed, angry, paranoid people. Many years ago, and it no longer matters how long ago it was in years, I criticized Mr. Barrow’s much heralded “Restore Belize” initiative and predicted it would fail. My primary point was that he had created a pretty but petty bureaucratic solution for a real problem that needed real world street leadership and tactics. I tried not to gainsay the effort too much because I had by then long accepted that the problem of criminal violence, particularly on the streets of southside Belize, needed a massive expansionary but inclusionary effort, the likes of which is unprecedented in the annals of Belize’s existence, and therefore anything, and I mean any-frickin-ting, was better than nothing. It took me almost 72 hours to process that my friend, the esteemed Albert Cattouse Esquire, was gunned down in cold blood on a Belize City southside street. It will take me the rest of my life to mourn his death.

A Walk for a Clean Belize!
Focus joins to the effort of the Belize Audubon Society and the Department of the Environment - DOE as we clean miles of highway across the country! Thanks to all volunteers and friends who participated in this effort! And to all of you out there remember to always... Keep Belize Clean!

Clean up campaign of Corozal Bay
Corozal Bay - It is said that when we work together, we can move mountains and yesterday October 15th, we just did that. The Corozal Junior College Eagles Environmental Club, which is one of the most active environmental clubs in northern Belize, chaired by Mrs. Yvette Sanker Riverol and OCEANA Wavemakers, teamed up with this news shack to carry out a water clean up campaign of our Corozal Bay that started in-front of Rainbow Beach. What began at 8:00 a.m., following a short briefing, took us over four hours and more than a dozen kayak loads, piling up a mountain of broken bottles, whole bottles, TIRES and other STUFF that do not belong at the bottom of our beautiful bay (which, by the way, filled up 24 trash bags). It is with this in mind, that we hope to continue sensitizing and bringing awareness to our people and children that our Corozal Bay plays an important and vital role in the development of our Corozal Community. It is perhaps our most important attribute and ecologically sensitive resource that we have. The CJC Eagles Environmental Club has made history in Corozal by being the first ever environmental group in this area to embark in a task like this. I cannot thank them so much for taking the challenge and stepping up to the plate.

Cayo Cancer Walk 2017
The Cayo BCS is having their 5th annual Cancer Walk on Saturday, October 28th, and everyone is invited to walk a few miles for cancer awareness...and cancer eradication. In related news, the Belmopan chapter of the BCS is having a variety show next Sunday, October 22nd.

Oceana 2017 River Clean Up
"On September 30th 2017 the Department of Youth Services Collaborated with Oceana for the annual Coastal & River Clean-up where youths from throughout the country clean the riverside or beach. Here are some pictures of Department of Youth Services Benque youths participating in the Annual Clean-up."

Belmopan Tourism Expo 2017
The Belmopan BTIA is having their 2nd annual Belmopan Tourism Expo on Saturday, November 4th. This year, it'll be at the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds.

The Reporter

Missing teenâ€™s body found
The worried family of missing teenager, Erwin Rodriguez had their worst fears confirmed this weekend when his body was found on the south side of Belize City. Rodriguez’ body was found near a tree in the Port Loyola area of Belize City, around 5:00 pm, on Saturday. The search party found him with his hands and feet bound, with injuries to the forehead and an apparent gunshot wound to the head. Sylvia Rodriguez, Erwin’s mother, said that she had feared the worst from the time he went missing, because it was not like him to not check in with her. She added that she did not know if he had any enemies, but was concerned because of the friends that he had.

Man shot during fist fight
A man was shot in the chest and left forearm when a security guard fired a shot to disperse two groups that were fighting. The incident happened in the Princess Ramada casino compound shortly after 3:00 am. Police say Glenford Brown, 33 years, employed with Technical Security Systems Limited, was on duty at the Princess, and fired off a 12 gauge shotgun on the pavement to disperse two groups. Thr bullet ricochetted and hit Tyrin Faber, 21, who was in the crowd.

Man crushed to death on George Price highway
A man was crushed to death on Saturday afternoon at mile 35 on the George Price highway. Police say it happened some before 2:00 pm, when Elroy Jones, who was part of a clean-up crew, slipped off a moving 18-wheeler towhead, which had a cargo trailer attached to load bagged garbage. Jones fell under the trailer wheel and was crushed. Police have served Cornelius Schmitt, 19, a truck driver of Spanish Lookout community, who was driving the truck, with a Notice of Intended Prosecution.

Citizens walk for a Green Belize
Public servants, community volunteers and concerned citizens gathered on the George Price Highway this weekend for the second “Walk for a Green Belize” cleanup campaign. At the event, hosted by the Department of the Environment (DOE), in conjunction with the Belize Solid Waste Management Authority and the Belize Audubon Society, participants picked up garbage along both sides of the highway, covering a total of 77 miles. The hosting organizations explained that the activity was held to mark 25 years of Environmental Sustainability, and to raise awareness about the environmental burden caused by littering.

Breaking Belize News

Police issues official report on Erwin Rodriguez
According to police reports, yesterday around 2:40 pm, authorities visited an area in the Jane Usher Boulevard near the sea behind the Port of Belize where they found the remains of a human skeleton and other belongings buried in a shallow grave.

Man crushed to death by 18 Wheeler Truck
Yesterday afternoon around 2:45, police visited miles 35 on the George Price Highway where a white eighteen wheeler Kenworth towhead truck bearing license plate OWA-4407 and a cargo trailer attached to it bearing license plate OW-T00183 was parked partially off the road on the right hand side facing Belmopan City.

Armed robbery in Orange Walk
Last night around 8:25, police visited Mini Super Harvies Shop located in Carmelita Village, Orange Walk where Yulisa Villamil,37, reported that sometime around 8:15 pm, two dark skin male person dressed in dark clothing and covering their face entered the shop where one was armed with what appeared to be a handgun.

Electrician shot to the right thigh in Belize City
Yesterday around 8:15 in the night, police visited the KHMH where they saw Kirkland Michael Dawson, 31, a Belizean Electrician of Euphrates Avenue, Belize City suffering from 1 gunshot wound to the right thigh.

Belize City youth shot this morning
This morning around 3:30, police visited the KHMH where they saw Tyrin Faber, 21, a Belizean young man of Faber’s Road, Belize City suffering from a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest and a gunshot wound to the left forearm.

Body of missing teenager found
The body of seventeen year old Erwin Rodriguez was found shortly after 5 pm yesterday. The teenager went missing on August 24, 2017. According to reports, the teenager’s body was discovered buried under a tree near the sea in the area of the Port in Belize City.

Blogs

Society Scoop: High Tea on Ambergris Caye for a Fantastic Cause
Yesterday I attended a seriously fancy event. So seriously fancy that I put a DRESS on for my third time in 10 years. So fancy that finger sandwiches were served and tea poured from real tea pots. And so fancy because it was so lovingly organized, painstakingly put together by SO many people for the most beautiful cause. Dress code: Heels and hats…AHHHHH! I have neither! A large fundraiser to help with completion of an amazing project and labor of love. But I can draw from the 2015 Old Navy sun dress collection. ALL proceeds would go to Raise Me Up. Hope Haven Childrens’ Shelter and the Shine Foundation. Hope Haven Shelter is a shelter, meeting place, foodbank (and more) that is NOW being completed in town for children in need.

International Sources

Hurricanes slow down a gainful year for Caribbean tourism
Prior to hurricanes Irma and Maria, Caribbean visitation was up 5.2% in the first half of 2016. But because of damage wrought by Irma and Maria, growth will slow to 1% to 2% through the end of the year, said Caribbean Tourism Organization chairwoman Joy Jibrilu, who expects that growth rate to continue into 2018. "There are many challenges ahead," Jibrilu said at CTO's State of the Industry Conference. "We want our message to get out that much of the Caribbean is open for business now and will continue to be, but we must continue to support our neighbors who have been so affected. When the crisis is over, when the story ends, when the issues change, the world will move on, but there will still be a need to keep reminding the world that the distance between Barbados and Belize is more than six times as great as between Toronto and Montreal, that New York to Chicago is only half as far as the Bahamas to Grenada and that 70% of the large Caribbean region is open, operating at full speed and wanting to welcome visitors."

Videos

Forest For Life Music Video,3 min. The Belize Forest Department shot a video in Mountain Pine Ridge, and it shows off the amazing beauty of the Cayo district. Definitely worth a watch. " The Belize Forest Department, through the Key Biodiversity Areas project, is encouraging young people and local communities to join them in better managing Belize's forest resources. Ian 'Stizzle' Armstrong, a local musician and a Forest Department officer, created the pulsating and catchy rhythmic sounds. The video features Belizean children and their parents enjoying several nature sites in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve."

Compassionate Hearts Alliance 2017 Belize Medical Mission, 8min.

Mayan Sun Southbound, 4.5min. Funtastic time through Mexico, Belize and Guatemala

Belize Education Project 2017, 3.5min.

Project Mangrove: Een stukje Belize in Burgers' Zoo Aflevering 1, 25min. In aflevering 1 van de documentaire, over onze Mangrove, beginnen we bij de oorsprong: de Mangrovebossen in Belize. We nemen een kijkje in Belize en wat de stand van de Mangrovebossen nu is. Daarna wordt er gekeken naar de voorbereidingen voor de Mangrove in Arnhem: verplaatsing van dieren en controles voor de sloop. In de documentaire wordt ook aandacht geschonken aan de Mennonieten in Belize. Hun technologie is niet wenselijk voor de mensen en Mangrovebossen in Belize.

Scuba Diving with Dolphins in Belize!! Ambergris Caye Coral Reef Dive October 2017, 3min. While scuba diving in Belize we happened upon 2 dolphins swimming playfully with each other. It was INCREDIBLE. Even our divemasters said this RARELY happens. We were fortunate to catch it on the gopro, enjoy!

Monkey River Howling Monkeys Audio (Belize), 1.5min. An audio sample of the actual chilling and amazing sounds made by the beautiful, but notoriously difficult to photograph, Monkey River howling monkeys (Monkey River Basin, Placencia Area, Belize)...NB, Hike only with a professional guide familiar with the Monkey River basin area, and always wear full body mosquito protection clothing for maximum comfort on hike...

Belize Cave Tubing! Jungle Fun With HobbyTiger and HobbySpider HobbyRockiesVlog, 7min. Go on a jungle adventure with HobbyTiger and HobbySpider! We see wildlife, go into a cave and cliff jump into the cave river on this dark, watery excursion.

Belize Carnival 2017!, 16min. Join us while we enjoy Belize Carnival 2017! IDK if it was the drinks or what but we def. had a good time.

October 15, 2017

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

The San Pedro Sun

Belize Hosts Third Multi-National Security Conference
The Ministry of Defence hosted the 3rd Annual Multi National Security Conference on Friday, 6th October 2017 at the Radisson Fort George Hotel in Belize City. The main objective of the conference was to share Belize’s vision, work and requirements with regards to military assistance with our allies and partners. The conference emphasized security cooperation and military capacity building for the Belize Defence Force, Belize Coast Guard, and the Joint Intelligence Operations Centre. The keynote speaker of the conference was the Chief Executive Officer, Lt. Col. Rt’d. Felix Enriquez. He highlighted that the Ministry of Defence’s vision “requires a broader understanding of national security to encompass the defence of our territorial integrity, fighting criminality locally and transnationally and providing a stable and enabling environment for the prosperity of Belize.

Authorities respond to reports of raw sewage disposal in northern Ambergris Caye
According to Mayor Guerrero they still do not know who is guilty of the dumping as it seems to be happening at night. He indicated that he condemns such activities by people who have no regard for the environment. “Anyone up here in the north of the island knows that they need to get rid of their sewage waste the proper way, which is by using the only sewage treatment plant on the island located south of town, operated by the Belize Water Services Limited (BWSL) and consists of four large ponds where the waste is deposited,” said Guerrero. “If this continues and we find out who the culprit(s) are, the Town Council will take drastic measures through a court case. If it is a business, they can run the risk of losing their trade license for such offense.” Guerrero added that until the sewage treatment plant is installed in northern Ambergris Caye, residents and business owners from that area of the island need to have their sewage waste transported to the BWSL ponds.

Iris Salguero represents Belize in Miss Earth Pageant
Former Miss San Pedro and Miss World Belize, Iris Salguero, is back in the pageant spotlight representing Belize in the Miss Earth 2017 Pageant. Currently in the Philippines, Salguero will be taking part in a series of activities and pre-competition events leading up to the big pageant on Saturday, November 4th. The Miss Earth Pageant is an international event challenging the beauty industry to make a change and promote environmental awareness. With 88 delegates from across the world, Miss Earth is one of the largest pageants held under the theme “Heroines Fighting Climate Change”. Participants begun arriving in Manila, Philippines on Friday, October 6th. The month long journey to the main event will see the participants taking part in clean-up campaigns, environmental seminars, school tours, eco tours, interviews and several meet and greets.

San Pedro Lions and Leos place anti-littering signs on North Ambergris Caye
Improper garbage disposal has long been a problem across Ambergris Caye. Throughout the years, several organizations have launched clean-up initiatives to bring awareness to land pollution and the effects it has in our environment. As improperly disposed trash continues to accumulate on the island, the San Pedro Lions Club along with the San Pedro Leos Club is making an effort to encourage people not to litter by placing signs on Northern Ambergris Caye. According to the San Pedro Lions, the project was initiated by the former San Pedro Lions Queen and Leos’ member, Solani Graniel last year. The project was completed this year by the Leos with assistance from the Lions Club. In observance of Lions World Service Day, members of both clubs took to the streets on Sunday, October 8th to install the anti-littering signs north of the Sir Barry Bowen Bridge as far up as four miles. The aim is for these signs to remind persons traveling in the area to refrain from disposing garbage along the streets or in the nearby waterways.

Misc Belizean Sources

Customer service training for new tour guides on Caye Caulker
Customer service training for all new tour guides was held last night. We will announce all other trainings early next week for the CCBTIA annual Tourism Training Week. Dr. Alberto August, Principal of La Isla Carinosa Academy was the facilitator. Sponsors of this event includes Lazy Lizard and Barrier Reef Sports Bar & Grill. Thank you very much for prizes that made this class even more exciting!

Walk For A Clean Belize
Kudos to all who came out to support Walk For A Clean Belize initiative in Belmopan along the George Price Highway this morning! Special thanks to the Belmopan Cancer Society, Women Empowering Families, 4H, and the Belmopan City Council! Mr. Luke Ramos and his wife donated metal picks and breakfast and Mr. James Scott joined in the cleaning impromptu during his morning run! Amazing what gets accomplished with willing hearts, determination, and great partners!

Art in the Park, Corozal
Art in the park was held last night in Corozal.

Institute of Archaeology goes on Tour for Archaeology Week
The Institute of Archaeology in Orange Walk and San Pedro to celebrate International Archaeology Day! The National Institute of Culture and History through the Institute of Archaeology under the guidance of Dr. Allan Moore, Associate Director of the Institute, will be touring with a lecture series to Orange Walk Town on the 17th and 18th and talk about the origins of the Maya. The presenters, Antonio Beardall, Josue Ramos and Paul Smith will be looking back in time, using photographs, video clips and the fossilized remains of a giant sloth. The presentation will also give emphasis to specific aspects of a few of the sites in the Orange Walk district such as Lamanai, Cuello and Ka’kabish. The team will then visit San Pedro Town, on the 19th and 20th October. These presentations will focus on the Maya use of the island as a trading zone, especially highlighting the dynamism of the Marco Gonzales Site. A visit to Marco Gonzales will be coordinated on the Saturday the 21st (Archaeological Day).

Channel 5

BODY OF ERWIN RODRIGUEZ FOUND!
News 5 has confirmed that the body of 17-year-old Erwin Rodriguez was found a short while ago. The teenager's body was buried under a tree near the sea in the vicinity of the Port. His family confirmed that the body was found close to the area where his bike was discovered two weeks ago. The minor's hands and feet were tied. The body shows injuries to the forehead & has at least one gunshot wound to the head. Rodriguez has been missing since August 24th. His family & friends have been searching for him for the past couple weeks. His bike & slippers were found previously.

The Reporter

Activists offer reward for the capture of Albert Cattouse’s killer
Following the shooting death of activist Albert Cattouse, the group Belize Leaders for Social Justice has offered a $5,000 reward for information that will lead to the capture and conviction of his killer. The BLSJ condemned Cattouse’s murder as emphatically as it could, calling on other activists and the Belizean public to take a stand against the violence that has been plaguing Belize. The group was also disturbed by what it feels is the possibility that Cattouse may have been targeted for his role in protesting corruption. “The Activism Community and Human Rights Defenders are concerned that this murder can be related to Mr. Cattouse outspoken condemnation for acts of corruption and the injustices levied on our citizens by the Government of Belize,” the group said.

Controversy erupts over Fabers Road reconstruction contract
Members of civil society and the political third parties have condemned the Government of Belize’s decision to award the contract for the reconstruction of Faber’s Road to the nephew of former Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega. The Vision Inspired by the People third party, called for the contract to be rescinded because it was awarded in contrary to the Finance and Audit Reform Act, Chapter 15 of the Laws of Belize. The community activist group, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA), has also retained the services of a law firm to demand that GOB make the contract public. The firm of Musa and Balderamos wrote to GOB on COLA’s behalf asking that the contract be disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act.

Mental Health Association hosts speech competition
Students from four high schools put their public speaking skills to the test on Friday at the 10th Annual Speech Competition, hosted by the Mental Health Association of Belize. The contestants gathered at the St. John’s College Chapel, where they were required to give a speech between four and eight minutes long, focusing on the 2017 theme for World Mental Health Day “Mental Health in the Workplace.” Candidates were scored out of 100 points for various aspects of their speech, including presentation and tone. “The Speech contest for high school students is an activity that serves to disseminate information on mental health issues in a format appropriate for this age group,” the MHA said.

Breaking Belize News

Orange Walk Chinese store robbed of $600
Yesterday, police visited Sun Luck Store located on Zericote Street, Orange Walk town where Hong Zhen Quin, 24, reported that around 3:15 p.m., two Hispanic men dressed in full black and white rags covering their faces entered the store.

Man shoots brother in freak accident
A Silk Grass village resident in the Stann Creek district reported to police yesterday that he shot his brother in a freak accident. According to Aaron Wilson Guzman, 23, he and his brother, Brandon Guzman, were unloading lumber from a loader.

Armed masked men rob SIRROM Gas
Yesterday morning around 10, Vicente Maldonado 28, a pump attendant reported that around 9:45a.m., while on duty at the Sirrom Gas located in the Kontiki area of San Ignacio town, a dark complexion man dressed in dark clothing, with his face covered, approached his desk and put a black .9mm pistol against his left cheek.

17 year old girl missing in Belmopan
Yesterday, Jerlene Neal,28, a Belizean Administrative Assistant of Marla’s House of Hope located on Mountain View Area, Hill-top Lane, Belmopan City reported that around 7am, Ailyn Raquel Limas,17, a third form student of the Belmopan Methodist High School left Marla’s House of Hope along with two other female students.

Belize City man shot in buttocks
Last night around 9:25, police visited the Karl Husner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) where they saw Floyd Elston McNab, 33, of Campos Avenue, Belize City suffering from a gunshot wound to the right buttock and 3 to the left buttock.

“We’ve got this,” says police minister
Responding to the escalating level of violence in Belize for 2017, the Minister with responsibility for the police, Elodio Aragon Jr. has assured the public that police have the situation under control.

Aragon says Cattouse’s murder not a political hit
On Thursday night, 72-year-old taxi man and activist Albert Cattouse was murdered in his car on Hicatee Street in Belize City. Cattouse was a firebrand activist speaking out against social injustices. He was an executive member of Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action (COLA). He was killed exactly one week after he participated in a protest against recent gas hikes in Belize.

Francesca Matus’ family says no help from Belize police
According to a report from Canadian news outlet, the Toronto Sun, the family of Francesca Matus told them in an exclusive interview, that the Belize police are not accepting or returning their phone calls.

Blogs

Grey Weather: Out and About on Ambergris Caye
Three grey days is a pretty long stretch here on Ambergris Caye – even for the rainy season. Not total rain-outs but some rain and lots of clouds. The winter birds are coming down…yesterday I spotted this guy in the morning. I’m told he is a Wunderman’s Heron: Last, there is a sub-species of the Great Blue Herons called Ardea Herodias Occidentalis and is known as the White Morph form. This morph is found only in South Florida and the Caribbean. In Florida where the white and blue forms of the Great Blues overlap, an intermediate bird known as the Wurdemann’s Heron can be found, although somewhat rare. They have the body of Great Blues, but the white and neck of the Great White Heron.

International Sources

Maggots, worms, amoebas: Animal Planet explores ‘criminal acts’ of parasites
After a family vacation in Colombia, an American teenager returned home with a rash. Doctors found the cause — maggots that were hatching and eating her flesh. In all, 212 tiny larvae were picked from her head. Her harrowing experience and that of other Americans who hosted foreign organisms make up “Monsters Inside Me,” an Animal Planet show whose eighth season is getting underway. The series is popular because people respond with fear about these invasive creatures, many of which are parasites, said Dan Riskin, a biologist who appears in each episode. But parasites deserve our respect, he said.

Videos

Tanya Carter, 5min. New song from Tanya Carter "Million"

Maya Pax del Norte de Belice - Marcus Canul, 1.5min. The Maya of northern Belize at the Venezuela Embassy exposing our Maya culture and history.

Mark Mulligan - Belize Oct. 2017 - Even The Bad Days Are Good, 4.5min. Even The Bad Days Are Good performed at Captain Morgans. The Tres-Amigos trip to Ambergris Key in October 2017. Kelly McGuire, Mark Mulligan, and James White.

From Belize to lovely city of Flores in Guatemala, 4min. Traveling from San Ignacio in Belize to Flores city in Guatemala. Starting point to our Tikal adventure.

Listen to Young Voices, Belize Forest Department,1.5 min. Listen to Young Voices: Belizean children views on why it is important to protect our wildlife. Are we listening?

MARCOS CANUL LIBRARY, 1min. The northern Maya Association of Belize were invited to honor the Maya hero Marcus Canul by naming a library Marcos Canul as part of the Indigenous Resistence Day

October 14, 2017