Delivery van crashes into beer truck

A delivery van had an unfortunate mishap early this afternoon when it crashed into the beer delivery tractor on Barrier Reef Drive. Luckily, no one was severely injured, as the driver only suffered minor lacerations. We urge everyone to drive safely, and with due care and attention.

Child Stimulation Ends with Parade

Culminating with a rowdy parade through the streets of San Pedro, Child Stimulation Month drew to an end. Children from ABC Preschool, Brighter Tomorrow Preschool, Little Angels Preschool and San Pedro Preschool were accompanied by great drumming from both the San Pedro High School and Isla Bonita Drum groups. Live music kept the children and their parents moving and grooving through town.

Brighter Tomorrow Preschool

San Pedro Preschool

San Pedro High School Marching Band

ABC Preschool

Isla Bonita Marching Band

Little Angels Preschool

"Celebration of Life" Of Fred Somes

A "CELEBRATION OF LIFE " for Fred and his family will be taking place on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at The Palapa Bar and Grill.
Friends are invited to The Palapa Bar to "Honor the fact that Fred was a NAVY VETERAN CORMAN", guest are asked to wear their best Tropical blue shirts.
Fred will be missed and was loved by his family and friends. Come and celebrate the life of Fred Somes.

Traffic mishap Sat. night

On Friday night, by-standers lined up on Barrier Reef Drive as a man laid on the cobblestones. A traffic accident caused for much glances and looks. The man, bloodied, got up and managed to get into the police vehicle and was transported to receive medical attention.

Official Police Report:

Traffic Accident
*Mynor Martinez, 32-years-old taxi driver of DFC Subdivision, San Pedro Town, reported to Police that on Friday, March 27th, 2009 about 8:20 p.m. while he was driving his white Toyota Minivan with license plates SP D0067 at the intersection of Barrier Reef Drive and Black Coral Street, he felt something knock into the passenger side of his vehicle and upon making checks, he observed a male person of Hispanic decent lying on the ground beside a black beach cruiser bicycle. The individual, later identified as Lorenzo Gonzalez, 27-year-old laborer of DFC Subdivision was issued with a pair of legal medical forms where doctor certified injuries as wounding. The incident remains under police investigation.

UNESCO to place Belize in Danger list

Two officials from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Committee (UNESCO) were dispatched to belize to conduct investigations into dredging activites which have allegedly been occurring at one of Belize's reserves. Edward Muller and Marc Patry addressed concerned citizens at the Lions Den where it was stated that Belize might be placed on the "Danger" list as early as June. That would mean that the Government of Belize would have to take into serious consideration anything that might affect the prosperity of the World Heritage Sites in Belize.

Seven marine protected areas along the Barrier Reef and its adjacent atolls were nominated and accepted by the World Heritage Committee to form what is now called the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System. The seven areas are Bacalar Chico, the Blue Hole at Lighthouse Reef, Half Moon Caye, Glovers Reef, South Water Caye, Laughing Bird Caye and the Sapodilla Cayes.

R.I.P Fred Somes

It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the death of Fred Somes of Coral Beach Realty. He sadly passed away in Belize City after health complications at around 10:30 a.m. Funeral and memorial arrangements will be announced later.

The San Pedro Sun extends its deepest condolences to his wife and children, the Coral Beach Realty family and all his friends. May he rest in peace.

Sports Day for Child Stimulation Month!

Child Stimulation Month continues with preschools around the island holding a Sports Day where parents and children interacted. Playing games, enjoying a snack, laughter everywhere, everyone had a wonderful time.

BTL to release 2009 Telephone Directory

Belize Telemedia Limited announced the release of the 2009 Telephone Directory! The theme of this year’s Directory is “Celebrating our Cultural Foods!” Cover artwork used for the Directory came courtesy of artist Carolyn Carr. The official launch of the 2009 Directory will be on Wednesday, April 1st, 2009.

US based EcoFlight fly Media over AC

From the air, the world below unfolds like a living atlas and with the topography of San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, the revelations are many.

In an effort to educate the community, the Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development (ACCSD) invited the media to an early morning flyover of San Pedro to get a first hand view of the developments in progress on the island. The flyover was conducted by EcoFlight, an environmental organization based in Aspiring, Colorado in the USA specialized in flights for conservation.

The flyover took the media over the proposed South Beach Belize Development south of Ambergris Caye, the major construction over the leeward side of the island, a few of the developments north of the Caye, the entire San Pedro town area as well as Hol Chan Marine Reserve.

Ecoflight is a non-profit organization that has been conducting conservation flights in various part of the world in an effort to promote the protection of the environment.

Looking for a job?

Labor Department seeks to help you Located upstairs of the Island Galleria building across from the Five-a-Side court located on Coconut Drive, San Pedro Town.
The Labor Department offers their services to the public. With three staff members on board, the Department counts with the help of Labor officer – Mr. Aniki Palacio who deals with complaints and offers Labor Advice.
Ms. Denise Spain is the Employment Officer/Inspector and she (1) matches vacancies with jobseekers (2) assists jobseekers with training on how to do proper resume, how to attend interviews for a job, how to identify their skills (3) offers advice how to go about looking for a job. The third individual on staff is the secretary who is always available in the office.
As of next week, the Labor Department will be posting Vacancies in The San Pedro Sun's Classified Section. So, keep an eye out for the vacancies provided by the department.
For further information, inquiries and assistance, kindly contact 226-2700.

US students teach at local schools

They arrived from our sister city, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA and for the next few weeks, seven teaching students, from the University of North Carolina, will be finalizing their certification in La Isla Bonita. As part of their certification, Kristen Trotter, Amy Lancaster, Margo Ennis, John Derian, Wendy Unsworth, Will Fassbender and Amanda Barnes, the seven students, have to teach actual students up close and personal in the real classroom environment. They first taught at their various assigned schools in New Hanover County but as part of a special exchange program, they are now teaching at San Pedro High School and Isla Bonita Elementary.

Well received by both students and teachers, Professor of Education, Dennis Kubasko, who is accompanying the group, says that, “this is just the beginning of a great exchange program where both countries will benefit.” According to Kubasko, this program was facilitated by the Consulate of Belize, Dr. Edward Paul and Mayor of San Pedro Town Elsa Paz through the close ties that bind both through their sister city relationship.
Through the program, the students have not only experienced teaching in the classrooms but have also realized the similarities in the problems faced by teachers of both countries. “We have so many similarities when it comes to the problems, such as poor class attendance, being overworked but yet underpaid. But we can also see the love that these teachers have for their profession and for their students, something that we can very much relate to.”
The students have enjoyed their time spent in classrooms in San Pedro Town, “Students that we teach are so curious but they acclimate to us and welcome us into their environment,” said Trotter. The beautiful island scenery had not been brushed off by the students either who enjoyed a day of fishing during their weekend. “It is nice to see the Caribbean Sea from the classroom, the swaying palms to just get the island feel has been great,” commented Derian.
The seven students plan on leaving with a fabulous experience which will include not only points toward their certification but a love for Belize’s culture and island life, as well as its people. “The people here have been great and so fantastic. They have all been so welcoming, attentive and friendly,” ended Kubasko.
As part of the Sister City relationship enjoyed between Wilmington and San Pedro, this is the first in, what is hoped to be, many exchange programs. Kubasko stated that this is “just the beginning of a long term relationship.”

D.E.A.R

Every day at 11:45 a.m. you could hear a pin drop at The Island Academy - in fact, you could hear a page turn. Every student and staff member--from Beginners to teachers and office staff too - Drop Everything And Read as part of the D.E.A.R. program during March. Head of School Lady Dixie Bowen says, “My grandchildren in the States were enjoying an all-school reading time, so I decided to try it here.”

Even Wilema gets in on the reading fun ...

The results have touched every member of the school. Standard IV teacher, Lisa Anderson contributes, “I am getting into young adult fiction, such as Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet, and The River, so I can keep up with my students.”

As submitted by Teacher Lisa.

James Jensen remanded to Hattieville Prison

Update: For the full story, Click Here!

Resident of San Pedro Town for over a year, James "Mr. Jim" Jensen was remanded to Hattieville Prison after having been arrested and charged for the crime of theft and obtaining property by deception.

More information on Thursday's edition of The San Pedro Sun.

Police receive training on CIM System

Police officers from the San Pedro Police Department spent last week honing their computer skills at Holy Cross Anglican School. The computer lab at Holy Cross provided the perfect venue for the five day workshop which was led by Corporal Sheridan Lemoth, Ms. Inaldi Cardona - Web Content Manager and Mr. Harry Noble Jr. - Network Administrator. The workshop was part of a country wide training program for the Belize Police Force. The focus was on accessing, storing and sharing information within the police department, agencies of the Government and international law enforcement organizations. Officers learned how to utilize the Crime Information Management System which will enable them to spend less time on paperwork and getting information from other agencies. This in turn will allow the officers to spend more time in crime prevention and serving the people of their community

Second Lion Fish captured alive

On Sunday, two Searious Adventures guides: Horace Bladen & Wayne Cumberbatch, caught yet another Lion Fish. This one was found at Shark Ray Alley at around 11:00 am. Reports from the boys indicate that it is even bigger than the one caught at Xaman Ek. The Hol Chan Marine office personnel picked it up personally at the Searious Adventures Tour Office and transported it to their office for observation. The students of San Pedro Pre School were at the office this morning when The San Pedro Sun stopped by for pictures. The fish has joined the second one that was found up north at Xaman Ek, and both are being kept in the aquarium for observation.
This recent catch makes for three Lionfish caught so far.

Baron Batch speaks to students

American football high school star is on the island of San Pedro Town. 21 year old Baron Batch came with a group of American volunteers working at Holy Cross Anglican School.

As part of this stay in San Pedro Town, Batch took time out on Wednesday and Thursday to speak with both students of the San Pedro Roman Catholic School and San Pedro High School. On Wednesday, Batch was at the Central Park with the team of volunteers socializing with local primary school children as they were involved in balloon arts and face painting with the kids.

On Thursday, Batch spoke to the San Pedro High School students stating that he is familiar with the trouble and problems that high schools are faced with especially during their teenage time of their life. Batch encouraged the students to stay focus and use God as source of guidance when they are faced with problems and temptation in their life.

Red's fundraiser tomorrow

Lots to eat, lots to drink, tons of entertainment - come enjoy some time at the San Pedro Lions Club. BIG Family Day to be held tomorrow, Sunday, March 22nd starting at 8:00 a.m. Come out, buy your lunch, desserts and snacks at the Lions Den. Help the Lara family who lost everything during a blaze. Come out and support!

ACCSD defend their livelihood

The Ambergris Caye Citizens for Sustainable Development marched through the principal streets of San Pedro Town, screaming for safe development practices; ones which will safeguard our environment for generations to come.