Thursday, September 30, 2010

Two Belizean Criminals Killed, One Wounded in Honduras

Alexander "Pinky" Edwards, deceased.

Gabriel Salazar, hospitalized.


Alex “Pinky” Edwards, Benjamin Peters (photo not available) and Gabriel Salazar are no strangers to the news. In fact, they were wanted in Belize for the Spanish Lookout March 13th Scotia Bank gun point robbery. The news today is that at least two of the men were killed and one remains hospitalized in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The San Pedro Sun confirmed with the family of Alex Edwards living in San Pedro that he was killed in Honduras sometime before Monday, September 27 along with Benjamin Peters. Robert Villafranco, the uncle of Alex Edwards explained that funeral services for his nephew were held on Wednesday, September 29th at 4 PM in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Villafranco explained that the parents of Alex travelled to Honduras and identified the bodies to the Honduran authorities.

Villafranco nor the grandfather of Alex Edwards, Frank Edwards Sr. would say what were the circumstances that led to the death of their relatives, but reports to media in Belize is that they were involved in a highway bus robbery and were killed during a shoot out with authorities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The relatives of Peters, who are from Santa Elena, Cayo are making arraignments to transport his body back to Belize for a funeral. Gabriel Salazar, as we understand, remains hospitalized in Honduras.

Police in Belize have not commented on the incident. Alex Edwards was also under investigation for the February 2009 triple murder in North Ambergris Caye.

Construction Worker Hospitalized

Authorities in San Pedro are investigating an incident that occurred at a resort south of San Pedro Town. The incident occurred sometime around 11:20AM, Wednesday. According to police, a man identified as 26 year old Angel Alexander Garcia, a Salvadoran construction worker, living in San Pedro Town, was on the second floor of a building when he apparently fell.

Garcia was quickly rushed to the San Pedro Lions Poly Clinic in a conscious state. According to Doctor Javier Zuniga, who first treated Garica, his condition is critical but stable. Dr Zuniga explained that Garcia apparently received serious head injures and it appears that his skull is fractured.

After Garcia was stabilized, he was airlifted via the Wings of Hopes plane sometime after 12:00 midday to the KHMH for further treatment.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Grand Belizean Estates Office broken into

When employees at the offices of Grand Belizean Estates arrived to work around 7:30am, they discovered that the place had been broken into. According to one of the employees, it appeared as though someone entered through a hole in the overhang of the roof of the building located on Barrier Reef Drive, upstairs of the Atlantic Bank kiosk. The intruder then entered the office after stamping a hole in the kitchen area. The back door was closed but unlocked, which is assumed to be the exit for the perpetrator(s).

Stolen from within were three (3) laptops - one (1) HP, one (1) Dell, and one (1) Compaq brand. The offices were ransacked, and paperwork/files were strewn all over. Coffee was used to vandalize portions of the office space, and it seemed that the intruders helped themselves to some snacks that were located in the kitchen area, after which, they defecated on the kitchen floor.

Grand Belizean Estates is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can bring forward information that leads to the recovery of the laptops and to the arrests of the individual(s) responsible.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Effects of Tropical Storm Matthew felt in San Pedro!!!!!!!!

The center of Tropical Storm Matthew made landfall this afternoon at about 1:00pm approximately 60 miles south of the Belize City at a reduced to intensity, with winds measuring at 35mph sustained winds with higher gusts, and with a central pressure of 1003 milli-bars.

There are some reports of flooding across the country, with damages centrally concentrated in the south of the country. As of present no fatalities have been officially reported. Reports of two vessels leaving early this morning, en route to Belize City were confirmed. Around 10:30am, the vessels arrived safely in Belize City.

In San Pedro, there were flooding in most of the low lying areas, including Boca Del Rio, San Marcus and immediately across the bridge leading northward. Wave height beyond the reef was estimated to be around 12 to 15 feet and hitting the shores of the island at about 4 feet.

According to Mr. Winston Panton of San Pedro’s National Emergency Management Organization, (NEMO), residents of San Pedro should expect to experience continuous rainfall for the next 12 to six hours. No major concerns, however, three classrooms at the San Pedro High School have been opened to accommodate individuals whose homes have been inundated, and that are in need to clean dry area.

While some residents go in search of safety, other residents saw this as the perfect opportunity to "Ride the Waves"



Just across the Bridge, the streets were covered with about 6 to 12 inches of water in some areas, and deeper in others.

Holy Cross School and what used to be the Road leading to San Mateo



The Cut at Boca Del Rio became what seemed like a River with strong currents.


The road along the beach leading to Boca Del Rio.

Residents come out to see the damage caused by Tropical Storm Matthew.








BEL Provides Report on Power System Performance

Released: September 25, 2010

BEL Provides Report on Power System Performance

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advises that in the event there is loss of power supply due to damages caused by Tropical Storm Matthew, the Company will dispatch work crews to the field as soon as it is safe to do so. If weather conditions are such that it would make it unsafe for work crews, works will be delayed until conditions improve.

Customers are asked to call BEL at 0-800-235-2273 or 0-800-BEL-CARE to report any damages to power lines.

The Company also takes this opportunity to report on a few power outages experienced in the Belize District between last night and this morning.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. yesterday, the Company received a report of loss of power supply to sections of the West Landivar Area in Belize City. Work crews were dispatched to the field and once the power line fault was located the Company had to commission a power outage for the entire West Landivar Area at 12:36 a.m. in order to carry out repairs. Poor visibility and difficulty in accessing the location of the fault, slowed restoration works, however power was fully restored to West Landivar at 1:08 a.m.

In North San Pedro, there were intermittent power outages between 9:30 p.m. yesterday and 11:40 p.m. at which time the power supply was stabilized.

At 7:30 a.m. today, power supply was lost to the Lake Gardens area in Ladyville, as a result of a blown fuse on the distribution system in the area. Power was restored at 9:43 a.m.

At approximately 9:00 a.m., power supply was lost to portions of Belize City as a result of a power line fault on the distribution system. Power supply was restored within 30 minutes to the affected areas on the North Side. Power supply will be restored to the affected areas on the South Side, by 12:00 noon, except for Magazine Road up to the bridge on Fairweather Street, Cemetery Road from Pound Yard to Partridge Street and Raccoon Street, Seagull Street and the immediate surrounding areas. Power supply to these areas will be restored by 2:30 p.m. today.

BEL apologizes for any inconvenience caused. For more information, contact BEL at 0-800-235-2273.

-END-

Tropical Storm Matthew

Although San Pedro was spared a direct hit from Tropical Storm Matthew, which headed to southern Belize instead, the island is still seeing high seas and lots of rain. The storm is on a steady course and weather should improve later in the day.

Photos courtesy of our Facebook friends: The Tacklebox Bar & Grill, Matt King, Conch Creative, Linda Carter and Joanne Zore Buettner.

Friday, September 24, 2010

What a beautiful sight!!

Baby Daniel is doing so much better after his transplant in Colombia, SA. These pictures show him smiling, a huge difference from when he was in the US awaiting his transplant.

Schools receive desks, chairs and blackboards

-Press Release – Holy Cross Anglican School - What started out as an exchange of emails several years ago, recently produced great benefits for two local schools. On Monday 500 slightly used desks, 300 chairs and 21 blackboards found new homes at San Pedro High School and Holy Cross Anglican School. Mr. Vernon Wilson, Director of Holy Cross, was able to secure the much needed school furniture from a Canadian non-profit organization headed by Mr. Ron Kyles. Mr. Wilson and Mr. Kyles began a long-distance association in 2007 when a mutual friend who knew the needs of Holy Cross and the ability of Mr. Kyles to possibly address those needs put the two in touch.

Months ago Mr. Kyles contacted Mr. Wilson and informed him that a Canadian primary school was being torn down. There would likely be school furniture available IF the money could be raised to pay for the shipping costs. Mr. Wilson immediately contacted several local schools and was delighted when Mr. Vasquez, Principal of San Pedro High School expressed an interest in some of the furniture and a willingness to assist in raising the necessary $12,000BZ. When contacted, Mrs. Mel Paz, President of the San Pedro Lions Club also agreed that the Lions would help. Mr. Kyles, through his Canadian Rotary Club, was able to raise $6,000BZ to contribute to the shipping. That brought the cost down to $6,000 that the local schools and the Lions Club needed to raise.
The furniture was shipped from Canada and arrived in Belize several weeks ago. Unfortunately Custom and Duty costs were much higher than expected and an additional $2,500BZ needed to be raised - fast. Thanks be to God, the San Pedro Lions Club agreed to pay all the Custom expenses! Mr. Eiley from Caribbean Depot (and proud Lion) donated the use of a barge to provide transportation from Belize City to San Pedro at no expense. Mr. Palma from Varela’s Lumber Yard provided a large truck to assist in delivering the furniture. San Pedro Town Board and Holy Cross each provided smaller trucks and the two schools provided the workers to unload the furniture.
On Monday, September 6th, much needed desks, chairs and blackboards were placed in San Pedro classrooms. Many thanks to everyone who helped make this acquisition possible!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Classes Cancelled...

Notice:
ALL Classes have been cancelled for Friday, September 24th, 2010 in light of incoming Tropical Storm Matthew. (Notice from Arlette Gomez, Ministry of Education).

National Emergency Management Organization issues Public Advisory

National Emergency Management Organization

“Preserving Life and Property”

DATE: Thursday, September 23, 2010 TIME: 12:00 pm

NEMO Public Advisory TD 15

Tropical Depression 15 forms over the South Central Caribbean Sea. Watches and warnings issued for portions of Central America. The center of Tropical Depression 15 is located near latitude 13.9 North, Longitude 76.2 West. The depression is moving toward the West near 15 MPH and this general motion is expected to continue for the next 48 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 MPH with higher gusts with strengthening to occur. The Depression could become a Tropical Storm later tonight or Friday.

The public is being advised to be aware of the increased likelihood of further deteriorating weather conditions as Tropical Depression 15 nears our area over the weekend

NEMO advises people traveling to the Cayes and those along the coast to pay particular attention to sea conditions. The public is further advised to listen to their local radio and television stations for further advisories from the NEMO and the National Met Service.

NEMO is on high alert as it continues to monitor Tropical Depression 15. Please contact your NEMO District Coordinator for local information.

Postponed: Planned Power Outage

Kindly note that the Planned Power Outage scheduled for Sunday, September 26th, 2010 has been postponed until further notice due to approaching weather system.

San Pedro FC says THANKS

The San Pedro Under-19 Club would like to extend gratitude to everyone who supported them through their Belize District Under-19 competitions and we are proud to announce that you are a big part of our success in coming sub-champion 2010 of the Belize District.

Belize District under the name of Belize Rising Start (Champion Brown Boomers) together with the best two teams of the Belize District (San Pedro FC and Bwel Flames) is representing the Belize District association in the National Inter-District Competition. Five of our young talented players (San Pedro FC) were given the opportunity to represent in Belize Rising Star FC.

We are seeking your kind support for travelling expenses for the young players representing San Pedro FC. Let’s support our young players so that they could become more professional and you never know they may end up representing San Pedro in the Belize National Team.

Please assist us and help in keeping a healthy and safe community by keeping sports alive on the island. Contact Fulgencio Hoare at 604-8015.

The San Pedro team players are: Samuel Figueroa, Jesse Guerrero, George Barrera, Steven Arnold, Travis Eiley and Gorvani Chavez.

Last weeks results: Belize Rising Star FC - 3 VS Cristo Rey Corozal – 0. Goals by Samuel Figueroa – 1, Ernin Flores – 1, John Valerios – 1. Next weeks game will be held in Belize City against Plamar from Orange Walk.

Thanks in advance
/s/ Fulgencio Hoare

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

San Pedro enjoys the Independence Day Parade

Even rain couldn't stop revelers from enjoying the carnival parade on Tuesday afternoon. September 21st, 2010 was the 29th anniversary of Belize's Independence - and adults and children alike created floats and colorful costumes to join in the parade held through the principal streets of San Pedro. With loud, vibrant music and lots of energetic dancers and participants, the parade was a sight to behold. Enjoy some of the images of the parade...