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Specials and Events

Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, Reef TV, KREM, and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Belize Now, Talk Ah Di Town, and other specials.


The San Pedro Sun

Head of British diplomatic service travels to Belize
Permanent Under-Secretary of State (PUS) at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Sir Simon McDonald will pay an official visit to Belize on 30 August. The Head of the British Diplomatic Service will visit Belize as part of a regional tour including Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. His visit will reaffirm the warm UK ties with Belize as well as providing the opportunity to discuss a wide range of international issues, such as illegal wildlife trade, regional stability, clean oceans and BREXIT.

Ban on the importation of regulated articles from Countries infested with Fusarium oxysporum (TR4) that pose a serious risk to our banana industry
With the recent confirmation of the presence of Fusarium Wilt of Banana, Fusarium oxysporum (TR4), in Colombia, the entire Central American Region and Mexico is on high alert, implementing quarantine measures to prevent entry of this very devastating banana disease that threatens our banana Industry and Food Security.

San Pedro Police seeks community help to raise funds for two more golf carts
There seems to be a decrease in crime on the island over the past weeks, following the installation of a new Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit, and the recent addition of 13 tourism police officers. However, with the additional personnel, more resources are needed and the San Pedro Police Formation is in need of more vehicles to better patrol the island. As such, businesses and individuals are being called upon to help raise funds for the acquisition of two golf carts. Captain Shark's has made an incredible offer to our local police to provide two golf carts for $20,000. Island hotelier and businessman Peter Lawrence is championing the cause to raise the funds and is calling on businesses/individuals to donate $1,000 each.

Central American Firefighter Sharing Operational Knowledge with U.S. Counterparts
The Joint Task Force-Bravo's 612th Air Base Squadron will be hosting a multinational firefighting exercise at Soto Cano Air Base, August 19-23, with the participation of 25 firefighters from Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Costa Rica. The Central America Sharing Mutual Operational Knowledge and Experiences exercise (CENTAM SMOKE) takes place twice a year and provides an opportunity for all firefighters to work as a team while learning from each other's capabilities through strenuous partnership-building challenges.

Aaliyah Pilgrim to represent San Pedro at the 74th National Queen of the Bay
As the September celebrations draw near, all is set to select the new National Queen of Bay! Representing San Pedro Town in this year's beauty pageant is 17-year-old Aaliyah Pilgrim. She is a former student of San Pedro High School (SPHS) and Miss SPHS (2018). Pilgrim is well-known on the island for her athleticism, as she was part of SPHS' volleyball, football, basketball, softball and track and field team during her years of high school. For her outstanding performance in sports, she received the award of SPHS 'Female Athlete of the Year' for two consecutive years (2018 and 2019). She is currently pursuing her Associates Degree in Chemistry and Biology at the University of Belize.

Mayors Sign the Belize National Spatial Data Infrastructure (BNSDI) Data Sharing Memorandum of Understanding
Mayors from across the country gathered at the Belize Police Training Academy in Belmopan on August 22, 2019, to sign the Belize National Spatial Data Infrastructure (BNSDI) data sharing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Through this agreement, spatial data will be shared and readily accessible on the BNSDI Geoportal to Local Government Authorities to support informed decision making in parcel/tax mapping, property management, permit tracking, flood mitigation and emergency management.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Heads Delegation to Seventeenth Summit of the Tuxtla Mechanism
A delegation headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Wilfred Elrington, participated in the XVII Summit of the Tuxtla Mechanism for Dialogue and Cooperation held on 23rd August, 2019 in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The Political Declaration adopted by the Heads of Government and States reaffirmed the importance of this regional space for dialogue and cooperation between the countries of Central America, the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Mexico.

San Pedro Pirates F.C secure their first win of the PLB season
During the fifth week of the Premiere League of Belize (PLB) 2019 Opening Season, the San Pedro Pirates have managed to win their first match. With a 2-1 score over FF Valley Pride F.C, the Pirates have secured their coveted three points. The game took place at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga Town, Stann Creek District on Sunday, August 25th. For their next match, the San Pedro Pirates F.C will be playing at home against BDF on Saturday, August 31st. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30PM at the Ambergris Stadium in San Pedro Town. ALL islanders are encouraged to come out and support the island team in their home game.

Ambergris Today

Belizean Gail Hudson Named 2020 Nevada Teacher Of The Year
On August 26, 2019, Belizean Gail Hudson, a fifth-grade teacher at Hummel Elementary was selected as the 2020 Nevada Teacher of the Year. Hudson is an educator who migrated to the USA from Belize when it was still known as British Honduras. Ms. Hudson is a national board-certified teacher who has been in the classroom for over three decades. According to reports the elementary school teacher says she takes pride in helping students who come from out of the country, adjust to cultural differences in the classroom.

Belize Qualifies For 2020 Concacaf Women's Under-17 Championship
Honduras, Cayman Islands, Belize and Guyana have all punched tickets to the 2020 Concacaf Women's Under-17 Championship after finishing atop their respective groups in last week's 2019 Concacaf Women's Under-17 Championship Qualifying. Matched with Saint Lucia, Bonaire and Anguilla in Group A, Honduras marched to a first-place finish with a 3W-0D-0L, 17GF-0GC record at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Southern Villages In Belize To Enjoy Primary Health Care
The goal of the BNSDI is to avoid duplication of efforts and make spatial data more accessible to public sector users, promote effective and economical management of public resources, and support the application of spatial data in the areas of transportation, community development, emergency response and environmental management. The Ministry of Natural Resources continues its collaboration and partnership with all BNSDI stakeholders, including the Local Government Authorities...

Mayors Sign Data Sharing Memorandum Of Understanding

Various Belizean Sources

mzz

San Pedro Lions Club General Meeting
Members of the San Pedro Lions Club are invited to a General Meeting to be held Thursday, August 29th at the San Pedro Lions Den. Be seated by 6:45PM, meeting commences at 7PM.

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

Fulltime and Temporary Teaching Vacancies at Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Mexico

Job Preparedness Training Summer Program
On August 7 & 8 the Department of Youth Services Benque Center conducted their Job Preparedness Training Summer Program with 10 youth from the Village of San Jose Succotz. The aim is to equip youth with the necessary knowledge, skills, attitude and values to be marketable to join the workforce. It also prepares youth with the necessary skills to be able to identify a job placement that suits their skills and abilities, how to apply and undergo an interview to maximize their opportunity of getting employed and operate to the best of their abilities in a professional manner. The Department of Youth Services would like thank all participants of the training and also Ms. Olivia Pat of the San Jose Succotz Library who provided us with the venue and assisted with recruitment.

Coronation Park in Corozal is being remodeled
They're doing a great job repainting this park.

Generation Of Heroes
Twelve-year-old Madison Edwards is the first Belizean to swim and snorkel the length of the Belize Barrier Reef. Her goal: to create awareness of the reef's value and encourage her generation-and the government-to stand up against oil exploration.

Public Service Union Corozal - Membership Meeting

Vacancy in San Pedro with Captain Sharks
Main Office Assistant. With accounting experience, QuickBooks experience, bilingual, good computer skills, good communication skills and a team player. A minimum of high school diploma is required.

BELIZE FISHING REPORT: AUGUST 18, 2019 THROUGH AUGUST 25, 2019
Light winds and sunny conditions provided plenty of action, including Bonefish and Permit landed on the fly from the El Pescador dock. Very good week for numbers of Bonefish on the fly.

The 7th installment of Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle - The Conservation Issue is now available for your reading pleasure
Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle (CC+L) is a creatively designed publication that caters to those curious in nature and those with a passion for travel. With the world moving at a fast pace, and with publications traditionally static, Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle blends print and digital with multimedia platforms. Today, the 7th edition of Caribbean Culture and Lifestyle Magazine was released at the Best Western Plus Belize Biltmore Plaza and is now available for your reading pleasure in both print and online as an E-book.

San Pedro Tourist Guide Association General Meeting
General Meeting for all members at 7pm on Thursday 29 August 2019 at the Lions Den ! Important issues will be discussed!! Do not miss it .

Belize City Auditions: Musicians
Hosted by Carnival Cruise Line Entertainment. Pro DJ I Caribbean Soloist I Male Rockband Vocalist I Female Rockband Vocalist I Trumpet I Saxophone I Trombone

Media Session on Flag Day and Standardization Presentation and Calendar of Events
The Flag of Belize is in the final stages of being standardized. At an event held today at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex in Belize City, the media was informed of the work currently underway to standardize the Belizean Flag. This initiative has received bi-partisan support and has already been approved by the Cabinet, with the support of the Leader of the Opposition and is currently embarking on a Consultation and Education Campaign. The endeavor currently underway is to establish a Belizean Flag that is as close to the design of the original flag flown on the 21st of September 1981 with clear guidelines to enable for accurate recreation both locally and internationally.

FLAG DAY PRESENTATION
The Flag of Belize is in the final stages of being standardized. At an event held today at the Marion Jones Sporting Complex in Belize City, the media was informed of the work currently underway to standardize the Belizean Flag. This initiative has received bipartisan support and has already been approved by the Cabinet, with the support of the Leader of the Opposition and is currently embarking on a Consultation and Education Campaign. The endeavor currently underway is to establish a Belizean Flag that is as close to the design of the original flag flown on the 21st of September 1981 with clear guidelines to enable for accurate recreation both locally and internationally.

LAUNCH OF MINISTRY OF TOURISM & CIVIL AVIATION JOB PORTAL
The Ministry of Tourism is pleased to offer you a FREE, USER FRIENDLY, and FULLY MANAGED web application designed to connect tourism supported employers and job seekers.

Grand opening of the San Pedro/Cristo Rey Villages Health Centers
Together with a Health Fair, held Thursday.

Hitz 100 3rd Anniversary
Hitz 100 is having a huge 3rd anniversary party on Saturday, September 7th, at the Santa Elena Sporting Complex. Supa G will be performing, and Olatunji, from T&T, will also be there, along with many local DJ's and Lucio and the New Generation Band. Happy anniversary, Hitz 100!

Huay Balam
For the ancient Maya, the Maya word "Huay" was used to refer to an animal - real or chimeric - that shared its essence with each person; a kind of "accompanying spirit." In its original meaning, the way could also be an object or phenomenon (star, fire, comet, rainbow) or a combination of all the previous elements. For example, a Ceibal Ajaw had a "Water Jaguar". Linguistically, the "way" particle seems to have a root related to sleep or mystical transfiguration, since its meaning persists among the various Maya languages. After the conquest, the demonization of ancient Maya beliefs resulted in the Huay to be seen as something related to witchcraft and black magic .

A Loving crocodile story in pictures
I met Elda (whose name means Warrior) today as she was being transported to the mainland to have a vet pump her stomach. ACES may have given her a different name but I forgot to ask so I had to give her a fitting name for this post. About a week ago someone, who has no excuse for not knowing better, was witnessed feeding (what we believe was) this croc "biodegradable" not "edible" plastic bags of frozen chicken. ACES caught her this morning about 1am. She is not in good shape and we all hope she will survive. Life on the island hasn't been kind to her. She measures 8 feet 10 inches. She is super skinny for this size of croc. She is blind in the left eye, has a deep gouge between her eyes and is missing her left foot. Some of these injuries are old and perhaps not caused by people.

Gary P. Nunn's 7th Annual Belize Bash
From August 29th - September 1st we'll be hosting our 7th annual Belize Bash with Lonestar icon Gary P. Nunn! We look forward to this event of country music under the Caribbean sun all year long and are so pleased that "The Music Ambassador of Texas" will be joining us once again. Unlike other musical events and festivals, Victoria House offers an intimate setting for enjoying the talented Gary P. Nunn with the opportunity to shake his hand and get to know him personally. Gary is also known to create an exclusive list of songs to play so that guests experience a unique performance that can't be seen or heard elsewhere. Hosted by Victoria House Resort & Spa.

Channel 7

Cabinet Comes Down On Faber For Betraying Collective Responsibility
Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber is not a politician known to dodge the media - but he did so today when the press waited for him at the conclusion of another event. He said he didn't want to get in trouble. Sources tell us - the Deputy Prime Minister is in trouble with the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Those sources say the PM scolded him yesterday at Cabinet for speaking out of turn last week. That's when Faber commented publicly on the house approved write-off for the Cabinet Secretary's son, Joshua Perdomo. Here are the remarks he gave to Love TV:...

Fin. Sec.: Perdomo Bond Statute Barred
Faber's refusal to comment today is an indication that he may not be ready to publicly support the Cabinet position on the write-off - which was upheld yesterday in Cabinet. We know it was held because four members of Cabinet - led by Chairman John Saldivar, went to the Finance and Economic Development Committee and approved the write-off. But, party insiders tell us that it's not nepotism favoring the Cab-Sec's son. Financial Secretary Joe Waight today told us that there is a very simple, technical reason why the write-off was tabled; quote, "The GOB has taken this position based on the advice of the Attorney General's Ministry that the Bond is by now statute barred." End quote.

Made in 1981, The Belize Flag is Standardized in 2019
And, switching gears now, our next story is about something we'll all be thinking of over the next month. It's the Belizean flag - unique in the world as the only flag with human figures on it. But, as we've documented before, the skin tone of those human figures has changed significantly over time. You might not know this, but the Coat of Arms started in the 1800's with two black woodcutters - and since then the melanin content of both men has been consistently going down.

Another Hostel Breakout
There was another breakout at the girls' section of the Youth Hostel today. It's another in a series of incidents at the youth hostel over the past weeks, including reports of riots and multiple escapes. Today we spoke to Starla Bradley, the director of the Community Rehabilitation Department. She confirmed the escapes and explained some of the major challenges that the institution is facing. Voice of: Starla Bradley: "What we've had is the same set of children who are high risk, meaning that some of them have some serious mental health issues, some of them being gang involved..."

The Undersea Wonders of Hol Chan
San Pedro residents have a personal connection to the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. It's only about 4 miles south of Ambergris Caye and it provides jobs for the tour operators in the area who take visitors to the reserve. But aside from San Pedranos and tourists, not many Belizeans know or have even visited the site, although it is free for locals. Well, on Monday Courtney Weatherburne went to find out more about the beauty and uniqueness of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and why there must be constant improvements made to better protect this underwater wonder.

Hol Chan Will fight Cayo Rosario Project
One of the challenges that the Hol Chan Marine Reserve is facing right now is the Cayo Rosario project. As we have reported, Cayo Rosario Development Limited wants to construct of a resort on Cayo Rosario, a 10-acre island off the northwest coast of San Pedro, which is smack in the middle of the Hol Chan Reserve. Viewers will remember that the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development lost their court case against the DOE for granting environmental clearance to Cayo Rosario Development Limited. While that case is dead, the Hol Chan Marin Reserve is not giving up that easily. The Executive Director says the reserve's attorney's will file another injunction to stop any further developments. He says this case will be strong and backed by research. Here are his comments.

The Super Unknown: Sargassum's Effects On the Reef
Aside from this injunction, Hol Chan is also busy working on new research on sargassum. The Technical Manager for Hol Chan, Kirah Castillo says it is a very new initiative so she can't go into too much detail. Kirah Castillo, Technical Manager, Hol Chan Marine Reserve: "Last year we assisted the University of Belize with collecting data on sargassum and so we have been approached again this year to continue that work and make it more a bit more formal in terms of them collecting and looking at sargassum and the effects of sargassum to the reef I don't want to get too much into it because really it is new and we are just starting the initial discussion as to how we will work together on this effort."

GDP Contracted Slightly in Second Quarter
The Statistical Institute of Belize has released its latest data on the country's gross domestic product, the consumer price index, and the external trade for the second quarter of this year. Tonight, we start with the snapshot of Belize's GDP - which had a downturn in the second quarter. According to the SIB, between April and June 2019, the country's overall level of production declined by 0.8%, when compared to the same period last year. The primary sector is down by as much as 2.9%, which is largely due to lower sugarcane, citrus, and banana production.

PG Had Highest Inflation In Second Quarter
So, in which part of Belize was the cost of living at its highest during the second quarter of this year? Well, according to the Statistical Institute, the pockets of the Punta Gorda Town residents were the hardest by inflation, when compared to the rest of the country. Statistician Melvin Perez provided an overview to the media today as to why PG folks ended up having to pay more than everyone else for their everyday needs:

Eco-Alternatives To Plastics
By now, we should all know that there's a plastic ban somewhere out there on the event horizon. And, when it comes, all those plastic straws, styrofoam containers and single use plastics will have to be phased out. What will they be replaced with? Today we got a glimpse of the eco alternatives that could replace those plastics at the Eco-Marketplace Expo at the Biltmore where 17 organic and environmentally friendly product providers showcased their wares. Event organizer Tanya Mcnab told us why going green is the next big trend:...

Softball's Stiff Competition
The 29th Annual Women's National Softball Championship will be held this weekend where 8 Teams will compete for the chance to be named National Champions. This morning at the Roger's Stadium we got a run down on this year's tournament and how the player's have been preparing: The 29th Annual Women's National Softball Championship will open at the Roger's Stadium and starts on Friday August 30th at 6:00pm.

The Story of Belize's Flag
Earlier on in the news we told you about NICH's plan to standardize the Belize flag - so that, once and for all, the colors of all the elements, including the woodcutters can be firmly fixed and uniformly printed. That's a big relief for one of the men who designed the flag in 1981 - former Chief Education Officer, Inez Sanchez. Five years ago, in 2014, Courtney Weatherburne sat down with Mr. Sanchez - who also happens to be her grandfather to get to the bottom of this flag business.

Man Charged for Santa Elena Murder
In news just in, a man has been charged for the murder of Nelson Flores. The 35 year old father of six was killed on Sunday night at his Santa Elena home. A gunman wearing a motorcycle helmet stormed into his home and opened fire on Flores, and also injured his 12 year old daughter. Tonight, Cayo police say that gunman is Jorge Galindo. He is 33yrs old of Santa Elena Town.

Channel 5

George Galindo is charged for killing Nelson Flores and injuring his daughter
The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams and his team were in San Ignacio today where a surge in violence has residents on edge.  Earlier today, San Ignacio police arrested and [...]

No arrest in Quiroz shooting in Santa Elena
San Ignacio police are also looking for the gunman who let off a barrage of bullets at three persons inside the yard of a house on Perez Street in Santa [...]

Police Department comes down hard on gangs in Twin Towns
In the wake of the recent gun violence in Santa Elena, the Commissioner of Police has decided to come down hard on what he calls are four troublesome groups in [...]

An armed man holds up four patrons in a St Mathews bar
Following our report of an armed robbery in Cotton Tree earlier this week, a video was provided to our newsroom of another robbery in the west. It occurred on August [...]

Dwayne Cherrington is Shot by Motorist Near Dream Like City
There was also gun violence in the city. Thirty-one-year-old Dwayne Cherrington was shot by an unknown motorist sometime after midnight on Tuesday in the vicinity of Dream Like City and [...]

PSU outraged at the debt write off to the son of the Cab Sec
Another matter that has been in days has to do with a debt write-off. The Finance and Economic Committee of the House on Tuesday approved a motion for the unpopular [...]

Abalone Caye's Struggling Survival Against Erosion
In southern Belize, Abalone Caye is part of a reserve co-managed by TIDE, the Toledo Institute for Development. The caye stretches for half an acre within the larger Port Honduras [...]

Police on the hunt for robbers who have struck in separate villages in Cayo
Also on the crime blotter, Police are looking into a string of robberies that have been plaguing the Cayo District. In less than two weeks, two business establishments were targeted [...]

Police meet with residents in Santa Elena after recent gun violence
Police were back in the hot spots in Santa Elena Town this afternoon but not as part of their investigations into the two recent cases. Officer Commanding Superintendent Henry Jemmott [...]

Teachers of Belize Rural High School Stage Sit-out
Five teachers of Belize Rural High School in Double Head Cabbage staged a sit-out today as a result of a power struggle between the principal and teachers, and the school's [...]

Brushfire Near Lakeview Street
There was a brushfire in the vicinity of Lakeview Street this afternoon in Belize City and personnel from the National Fire Service had to be called out to extinguish the [...]

A construction worker is accused of harm by his common-law
Tonight, Zane Peter Patt is accused of harm by his common-law-wife. The construction worker, who dismantles houses for a living, appeared before Senior Magistrate, Tricia Pitts-Anderson to answer to a [...]

Economy Declines Marginally in 2nd Quarter of 2019
There has been a decline in the level of production between April to June of this year in comparison to the same period last year. According to the Statistical Institute [...]

Eco-Marketplace Expo 2019 Held in Belize City
The Eco-Marketplace Expo is in full swing at the Biltmore Plaza. It got underway this morning and a number of artistic, as well as creative business persons, are using the [...]

Third Annual Maya Heroes Day to be Celebrated in Sugar City
This Saturday in Orange Walk Town, the Northern Maya Association will be hosting Maya Heroes Day, a cultural event to honor outstanding promoters of the Mayan heritage. The activity which [...]

The National Flag of Belize receives a face lift
The National Celebrations Commission today announced that the Belize flag is being standardized. For years, Belizeans have complained that the national is not uniform. Relying on historical information and after [...]

New Flag design tries to keep historical resemblance
So what does the new flag look like? According to Encalada, it has been a tedious task to complete, but they laboured to make the new design and colour scheme [...]

Twenty Ninth Women's Softball Championship to be held Weekend
The twenty-ninth women's softball championship is scheduled to begin on Friday at Roger's Stadium in Belize City. Four teams, two from Belize City and two from Rural Belize will go [...]

Softball Teams Determine to Win Championship
The women of each participating team spoke to the media, expressing their aims for this weekend's softball tournament. The athletes shared what they would focus on during the upcoming matches.  [...]

Annual Back-to-School Trimming Drive is Here Again!
In its ninth year, the annual Back-to-School Trimming Drive is here once again and primary and high school students from across south side Belize City are looking forward to spending [...]

The 74th Queen of the Bay to be selected this Friday
The annual pageant to select the Queen of the Bay takes place this Friday. This evening, eight young delegates from across the country were at the Bliss Institute in anticipation [...]

Amandala

Fish dying by the ton in severely polluted New River!
The fish kill in the New River which runs through the Orange Walk District has worsened to the point where even crocodiles and turtles which inhabit this river are now turning up dead. On Friday night, officers from the Department of the Environment (DOE) descended on Orange Walk to make presentations about the increasing threats to the New River. An estimated 500 Orange Walk residents took the time out to attend the DOE presentation, which was expressed mostly in specialized technical jargon that was aided with the use of a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

Faber distances himself from Barrow on Cab Sec's son's loan write-off
At the last meeting of the House of Representatives, Prime Minister Dean Barrow tabled a write-off motion for a loan of $40,000 that Joshua Perdomo, son of his Cabinet Secretary, Carlos Perdomo, failed to repay after he was granted study leave to pursue a Master's Degree in Forensic Genetics. Perdomo absconded and never repaid a dime of his student loan. Barrow told the House that Perdomo's whereabouts are unknown and that the motion had the recommendation of Cabinet.

Belize Women U-17 qualifies, thanks to Kaite Jones' 4 goals against St. Kitts & Nevis
Belize Women U-17 National Team was on the verge of elimination yesterday afternoon, when our star striker Kaite Jones exploded for 4 goals to help Belize gain a 4-3 victory over St. Kitts & Nevis, and thus secure the top spot in Group C of the qualifiers for participation in the Knockout Stage of the 2020 Concacaf Women's U-17 Championship next year March - April. The top 16 ranked Concacaf teams, according to the July 2018 Concacaf ranking, automatically qualified to the Group Stage of the tournament, from which the top 12 will go on to the Knockout Stage, beginning with the Round of 16.

Nelson Flores shot to death; daughter, 12, injured
At about 9:00 last night, Nelson Flores, 42, a laborer of Santa Elena, was at home with his family when a man drove up on a motorcycle and went to his house through the back of the yard. He met Flores' son and asked for his father, Nelson Flores. Flores' son tried to stop the man from entering their house, and there was a struggle between them, but the man overcame the son and ran into the house, where Flores was, and shot him multiple times in his chest and head. Flores' daughter, 12, was shot in her abdomen.

Bowen & Bowen terminate contraband-importing employees
Today, Bowen & Bowen confirmed, via a statement from its corporate headquarters in Belize City, that it has terminated the services of an unspecified number of employees for using two of the company's vehicles to facilitate the transportation of contraband beverages into the country. John Palacio, the Public Relations Manager at Bowen & Bowen, told Amandala this afternoon that on Thursday, August 19, Belize Customs officers discovered two Bowen & Bowen vehicles that were being used for illicit activities.

Vance Cuthbert Vernon, retired businessman, dead at 74
On Saturday, August 24, Vance Cuthbert Vernon, a businessman of Punta Gorda Town died from a heart attack, his son, Nigel Vernon, told us this afternoon. He was 74. Vernon told us that his father had suffered a myocardial infraction in 2001 and has been on medication ever since then, because he had an enlarged heart. Vernon did the first three years of his high school work at Lynam Agricultural School, which was located on Canada Hill, in Pomona Valley, Stann Creek District, then moved on to complete his final year of high school at the prestigious St. John's College, in Belize City, in 1963.

Defending champs, San Pedro Pirates gains first win at Week 5 of PLB Opening Season
After losing 1 and drawing 3 games, defending champion San Pedro Pirates FC finally entered the winning column, as they claimed their first victory, against winless newcomers FF Valley Pride FC, at Week 5 of the Premier League of Belize (PLB) 2019-2020 Opening Season. The only Saturday night game in Week 5 saw Bandits Sport regrouping in second half, after visiting Wagiya SC had taken a 1-nil first half lead through Carlton "Fubu" Thomas (39'), and turn the tables in the second half with goals from Georgie Welcome (56' & 88') and Andres Makin, Jr. (79'), to register the 3-1 home victory.

Orange Walk Billiards Association announces AGM for Sunday
The Orange Walk Billiards Association (OWBA) would like to inform the general public that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held this Sunday at Darvis Cool Spot, starting at 10:30 a.m. sharp.

8 medals for Belize at 2019 Yucatan Open Table Tennis Tournament - Circuit of Merida
Report of the results of the 5th Edition of the Circuit State of Merida - Yucatan OPEN 2019. The event was held from 16 - 18 August 2019, with the participation of athletes from Yucatan, along with some other Mexican clubs, and Belize. The following categories were played in the tournament: U11, U13, U15, U21, 1ST CATEGORY, - 900, - 1700, DOUBLES, MIXED DOUBLES.

National Belikin 8-Ball Finals in P.G. - Chatta's of O.W. - Champs!!!
The 22nd Annual National Belikin 8-Ball Tournament concluded over the weekend at the newly constructed Sports Complex in Punta Gorda Town. Throughout the country, teams competed from May to win a spot in the National Finals. Representing their region were: Mighty Ducks (Corozal), Mean Machine (San Pedro), Chatta's and Emalee (Orange Walk), Long Island and Warriors (Belize District), BRC Shooters (Belmopan), CK Shooters (Cayo), Warriors (Stann Creek), and Challengers (Toledo).

Editorial: Our formula for success: Made in Belize
When neighbors work together, both prosper. How good it is when one neighbor milks their cow and shares the product with a neighbor who gives them green corn and RK beans in return. That is a healthy relationship. The relationship between neighbors is not always healthy. All is good when the goods and services the neighbors share are comparable in worth, but all is not good when one neighbor is constantly contributing more than the other. In those cases we have an unbalanced relationship. This is not healthy. The side that is contributing less begins to fall into a beggar situation.

Russell E. Czarnecki - put down the rum bottle!
Dear Editor, It was after reading Audrey Matura's column in the August 24 edition of the Amandala that I was reminded of why I had permanently left Belize after living in the country for seven years. My revulsion over just how corrupt the government is in "The Jewel" - and it's even gotten worse since I left - made untenable any thought of prolonging my stay.

The Reef Afire - a book review
There is no suspense in Hart Tillett's latest book, The Reef Afire; we know who the heroes are, and that they will win. We can be happy, or disappointed, that the heroes are a lot more civilized than the crowd Admiral Burnaby met when he landed here in 1785 to formulate a set of laws, Burnaby's Code, to bring order and decency to the settlement in the Bay of Honduras.

A RELEVANT CONVERSATION ABOUT AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY IN BELIZE!
The classic documented feature, "A Relevant Conversation About Agriculture & Food Security in Belize", featuring two of Belize's most respected Belizean legends, the late Ismail Omar Shabazz and David Alexander Buddan, who both passed away in the same year of 2014; comes to us here at "Belizean Legends" with one of the most heartfelt memories of the way they are remembered as two of the most hard working Belizeans in the diaspora in the 1980s.

Our young men represented our culture well at volleyball tournament
I'm talking about the picture on page 45 of the Friday Amandala, a shot of the team that represented our country at the XIX Central American Beach Volleyball Championships last week. There is only one thing more important than winning, and that is dignity, respectability. Our guys placed 5th and 9th (we had two teams) in the tourney which was held at Kukumba Beach at Old Belize. Okay, we didn't do all that well. (our girls finished 8th in a 9-team competition) There are only seven countries in Central America, and six of them participated. We didn't do all that well, but we kept our pants up.

"JUSTICE", CHARLES X EAGAN & IBRAHIM ABDULLAH!
My life as a businessman and activist in Belize in the 1990s brought me around to meet for the first time in my life, the revolutionary and radical Muslim Belizean activist, Charles X Eagan, better know as "Justice", whom for many had begun the first period of the Nation of Islam in Belize in 1961 (months before Hurricane Hattie), and started its humble beginnings in Belize City after he was deported back to Belize from the United Sates after serving prison time there.

PUP name two new Senators - Isabel Bennett and Dr. Louis Zabaneh
Leader of the Opposition People's United Party (PUP), Hon. John Briceņo, returned to his Belize City office today after spending three weeks on doctor-recommended sick leave, following a road traffic accident in which he received minor injuries on Friday, August 2. On this first day back at the office, the PUP leader named the party's two new senators. The PUP's recommendations for the new Senate are long-time nursing educator, Isabel Bennett, who will replace Senator Valarie Woods; and Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who will replace Senator Paul Thompson, the PUP's Albert constituency standard bearer.

Cop and passenger killed in Spanish Lookout traffic accident
Corporal Lenard Puc, 35, of Santa Familia, who was attached to Belize City police, was driving his car on Center Road from Spanish Lookout to Santa Familia at about 6:30 yesterday evening when he lost control of the vehicle, which collided with an oncoming pickup. The car flipped and overturned several times. Traveling with Puc at the time was a relative of his, Manuel Cabb, 44, also of Santa Familia. As a result of the car flipping and overturning several times, they both suffered massive head and body injuries, and were trapped in the car wreck.

Michael Hyde, 32, found floating in the central lagoon in Turneffe
The body of Michael Hyde, 32, an electrician of Zacaranda Street, Belize City (not to be confused with the Michael Hyde of KREMANDALA), was found floating in a lagoon in the Turneffe Atoll area of the Belize District on Thursday evening. The body was in a state of decomposition. He was found by the owner of CoCo Caye, Fabian Johnson, and some men who were searching for him after they were informed by the watchman on CoCo Caye Thursday evening that Hyde had been missing since Tuesday morning, August 20.

Henry Gideon, 27, arrested for stabbing and robbing grandmother, 64
Henry Gideon, 27, a laborer of Trinidad Village who was wanted for robbery, theft and aggravated assault and was on the run from police, was arrested yesterday in Blue Creek as he was trying to leave the country, on his way into Mexico. Gideon is accused of beating, stabbing and stealing $300 from his grandmother, Fernanda Garcia, 64, of Trinidad.

The Reporter

Mid-Afternoon Bush-Fire In Lake-I, Was Close To Houses
At approximately 1.45pm this afternoon the Belize Fire Service were alerted by neighbors near to a large overgrown lot that was ablaze and could spread to nearby homes.

Another Shooting Out West
On Monday night a man identified as Arden Quiroz, 18, was shot while hanging out with friends at a car wash on Perez Street in Santa Elena...