Do the Right Thing honors Ocean Academy students

Caye Caulker’s Ocean Academy held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor outstanding students in their institution who have been recognized for their academic accomplishments and for their contribution to the safety of the island. Two outstanding Ocean Academy students were honored to win the community policing Do the Right Thing Award. Mercedes Requena (November) is a top student who is passionate about marine biology, conservation work, and Environmental Club and Jaison Hernandez (January) is a young man who has overcome difficult circumstances (tropical storm destruction of his home, missing a year of schooling, health challenges) and pursued his educational goals with grace, determination and strength of character. 'Do The Right Thing' aims at encouraging youths by reinforcing socially desirable behavior among our young people. It will also serve as a means of demonstrating that “good kids” are newsworthy and will go a long way in fostering a positive relation between the Belize Police Department, youths and the community. This is an exceptional program that specifically targets in-school youths that have made a positive turn around in their lives and are role models to the other youths around them.

During the ceremony, semester one honor roll students were also honored, along with the newly formed volunteering Interact Club. It was a day of applauding great achievements with Mercedes Requena winning yet another award, this one for National Youth Award for Environmentalism.

Ocean Academy joined parents, media representatives, Board of Governors, education officers in congratulating the outstanding students.

NEMO holds training exercise

For the spectators on the beach, it seemed as though there was an accident in progress, but in fact, it was a simulation exercise for NEMO participants. Having trained for search, rescue and evacuation, participants of the exercise put what they learned into action. According to Mr. Frank Panton, the scenario was as such: “Two boats collided between the reef and Central Park. Belize Port Authority (BPA), Coast Guard, NEMO and SP Team came into action and tried to rescue and help those on board. There was one (hypothetical) death and one injury during the simulation, and participants had to apply what they had learned in the classroom.” He added that the exercise was completed successfully.

NEMO hopes that boat owners, managers, operators, participants and the public at large, will now ensure that passengers using the water taxis are documented (and not just by head count), plus that life jackets are won or made readily accessible to all who travel via water taxis. It is important for all to work together in a collaborative manner and be able to communicate with each other in such incidents. Safety and accountability for passengers was the top priority demonstrated.

Alberto Wade appointed Tropic Air SP Station Manager

Press Release – Tropic Air – March 2nd, 2010 – Tropic Air has announced a major change affecting the San Pedro Terminal. Catherine Paz, a 17-year veteran of Tropic, has announced her resignation as Station Manager and also as the acting Manager of the Sales and Marketing Department. She has decided to go into private business. Tropic is announcing the appointment of Alberto Wade to become the new Manager of the San Pedro Terminal effective March 1st, 2010. Alberto has worked for Tropic for over 20 years, 12 of which were in the San Pedro Station, as Assistant Manager and the last eight years in the Operations Department.

“We are pleased and fortunate to have Alberto as our new Manager. He comes with a wide range of experience by working in the San Pedro station and then in our Operations Department”, said Johnny Greif, Tropic’s President.

“Alberto brings a tremendous amount of knowledge that he has gained from the various departments throughout Tropic. He is widely known throughout San Pedro and will definitely be an asset to our employees and especially our customers”, concluded Greif.

Washington Redskins' Eddie Williams vacations on Ambergris Caye

Washington Redskins fullback Eddie Williams is on the island, enjoying a Caribbean honeymoon with his lovely wife Sarah. They had Belize on the list when picking honeymoon destinations, and when a friend of theirs offered their Sueño Del Mar condo – it was an offer they couldn’t refuse!
Eddie and Sarah say they have enjoyed their stay immensely, and in particular, Eddie likes how just being here “makes you lazy!” After a hectic season schedule, Ambergris Caye has been the perfect way to unwind. Captain Joe took them to snorkel at Shark Ray Alley, and it seems the sharks captivated them, as have the colors of the Caribbean Sea. Both agree that the food is delicious – they’re already looking forward to their return trip!

Traffic accident on Barrier Reef Drive

An accident took place yesterday evening on Barrier Reef Drive. The driver of the Polaris vehicle was travelling toward the corner of Caribena Street when he swerved to avoid hitting a child infront on Manelly's Ice Cream Parlor. The child had ran across the street and the driver had no alternative than to swerve the vehicle. This caused it to flip a couple of times and ultimately landing on top of the driver. Witnesses rushed to the scene and offered assistance. Dr. Daniel Gonzalez was on the scene of the accident shortly after. The driver did not sustain any serious injuries as a result of the incident.