Dorado Tournament POSTPONED

Due to inclement weather and forecasted rough seas, the 4th Annual Dorado Rodeo has been postponed until May 22, 2010. Organizers apologize for the inconvenience caused...

San Pedro Speaks Out Against Crime

Hon. Mr. Manuel Heredia, Members of the San Pedro Town Council and hundreds of students flocked to the streets this morning, dressed in white carying posters depicting messages such as "Silence the Crime", "Stop The Violence", among others. The march against crime commenced at 8:30am this morning at the old football field, progressed through the major streets of San Pedro and returned to the field.

Founder of Credit Union passes

Our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and associates on the passing of Mr. Vicente Canul. In 1979, Mr. Canul, along with James Walsh, S.J., founded the St. Francis Xavier Credit Union, which currently boasts over 20,000 members and over $40 million in assets.

Canul, who lost his battle with Pulmonary Fibrosis on Saturday, April 24, is survived by his wife, Isidra and four daughters and a son Elvis Canul (Manager of St. Francis Xavier Credit Union, San Pedro Branch). He was 59.

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ACES Hosts Spelling Bee Contest

The Ambergris Caye Elementary School hosted a spelling bee contest on Wednesday April 28th, in an effort to encourage students to be competitive and introduce them to the art of public speaking. The Students from the Infant 1 class competed.

Participating from the class of Infant 1 are, Caroline Sersland (1st place); Hailey Haylock (2nd place); Naomi King (3rd place); Hussein Harmouch, Rhiannie Tillett and Tiare Medina.

“Our Environmental Cleaning”

Submitted by Miguel Hernandez, Principal, New Horizon School

New Horizon School would like to acknowledge staff, parents, students and friends who worked diligently to make Sunday April 25th 2010; “Environmental Cleaning Day” a huge success. Students, teachers and volunteers were able to clean the main streets of the D.F.C Area within three hours and gathered approximately thirty bags of garbage.

The management and staff take this opportunity to encourage residents of the D.F.C Area to continue this effort by maintaining their subdivision clean and healthy, that it may serve as an example to surrounding neighborhoods.

New Horizon School also extends a heart-felt thanks to all involved for their exceptional support and contribution which made the Bar B Q sale a huge success. Proceeds from the sale will be used to assist in the completion of the school’s bathrooms.

As a continuation in the efforts to encourage a cleaner island, the management of New Horizon School has planned a cleaning day for the school on Sunday May 2nd 2010. Principal expressed “This is a chance to show pride in the place we spend most of our waking moments at”. Parents and friends are encouraged to attend and be equipped with rakes and garbage bags. As last week’s Bar B Q sale was such a success, the management has organized another sale to accompany the cleaning efforts.

South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch host 2010 Sign Painting Party

Last Saturday, thirty young people spent a very busy, productive afternoon lending their creativity to improve the cleanliness and safety of South Ambergris Caye. With a rainbow of colors, they painted more than twenty signs with catchy slogans such as: “Way to Go, Drive Slow”, “La Isla Bonita Y Limpia”, “No Mess is Best” and (the favorite) “Slam Dunk the Junk”. Older participants painted signs as well; while younger children were kept busy with a fun program of art projects lead by Ardeth Jamison. Some well deserved snacks, sodas, hotdogs and sweets (lots of cupcakes and brownies) were served whilst all were completing their art works.

This took place at Joe’s Grocery and Grill. The young participants came from all over San Pedro for this South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch (SACNW) project.
These signs will soon be installed by the roadside. They are to remind people to drive safely and not to litter.

All involved deserve lots of thanks. It was a team effort of the sign committee Janet Goff, Diana Banks, Ardeth Jamison, Laura Schmidtt, and Josie Nunez, with special thanks going to sponsors Matt and Bonnie Fowler of Mr Joe’s Grocery and Grill, as well as Velie Paz for the extra chairs and tables, San Pedro High School, Amanda and the kid brigade, Jan Brown and Escalante Neighborhood Watch (ENW), Reynaldo Arzu, Oscar Chub, Steve Lee, Bob Utsman, Maria Escalon, Fidelia Tun and the many others who dropped by to help.

SPSUN Employee, Kainie Manuel Confesses to Embezzling

PRESS RELEASE

Valdemar Graniel, Chairman,
Lions Zone 59
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C. A.

RE: Belize Lions Zone 59 Clubs: San Pedro Town, San Estevan, Burrell Boom, Belize City and Belmopan City

April 26, 2010

The Belize Lions Zone 59 hereby announces that Ms Kainie Manuel is no longer associated with the Lionism movement in Belize. Her dismissal as a Lions Member follows an unfortunate incident that has brought embarrassment to the efforts of Lionism in Belize.

Ms. Manuel was nominated and elected to serve as the Belize Lion Zone 59 Cabinet Secretary/Treasurer for the year 2009-2010 and as such was given the responsibility to oversee the funds pertinent to the Zone. Sometime in March 2010, the members of Lions Zone 59 Cabinet were informed that monies raised for a past Lions member receiving medical attention in New York, USA were not delivered by the Zone Secretary. In addition, the Cabinet members were also informed that a check from the Belize Lions Zone 59, written to the Belize City Lions Club, was returned because of insufficient funds.

As a result, the Cabinet voted that the Belize Lions Zone 59 carry out a complete audit and investigation into the Zone’s funds. As part of the audit and investigation, Ms. Manuel was questioned and she confessed in embezzling and exhausting the Zone’s funds. After agreeing she had misappropriated the Zone’s funds, Ms. Manuel signed a promissory note in which she outlined how she would repay the Zone of its funds. Ms Manuel refused to comply with the promissory note she signed. Furthermore, Ms. Manuel has continuously refused to hand over financial documents belonging to the Belize Lions Zone 59. As such the Chairman of the Belize Lion Zone 59, on behalf of the Lions Organization in Belize, has proceeded to file criminal charges against Ms. Manuel.

We regret that the Lions Organization in Belize has had to go through such embarrassment by one of its members, but at the same time promise to make every effort to investigate the matter to the fullest and press charges accordingly. We want to reassure the Belizean people that despite the unfortunate incident, we remain committed to serving the nation of Belize with pride and dignity.

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PRESS RELEASE

Ron and Tamara Sniffin
Owners/Editors
PO Box 35
San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, Belize, C.A.

April 26, 2010

In June, 2008 Ms. Kainie Manuel, an employee of The San Pedro Sun confessed to embezzling over $50,000 from the business over a period of three years. In an attempt to give Ms. Manuel the opportunity to redeem her self, as well as repay the amount embezzled, San Pedro Sun owners, Ron and Tamara Sniffin gave Ms. Manuel the option to enter a binding, legal agreement in lieu of pressing criminal charges. Two months later, in August, 2008 the contract, drafted by Barrow and Williams Attorneys-at-Law, was signed by all parties and filed with the Supreme Court.

Manuel remained to be paid her full salary of $452/week until March 2009 when her wages were garnished by $200/week. In July, 2009 based on non-compliance with her contract, and within the binding agreement The San Pedro Sun began to retain her salary in full to expedite the repayment process.

Although a portion of her debt has been paid, there remains a balance of over $45,000. Since then Ms. Manuel has been in violation of the contract on several occasions and has admitted to embezzling at least an additional $7,000 from the company and misrepresenting the company on her behalf.

In light of Ms. Manuel’s indiscretions with the Belize LIONS Zone 59, as well as an on-going investigation of additional criminal acts, The San Pedro Sun has the legal right to terminate the contract and press criminal charges accordingly, which they are in the process of doing so.

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Follow-up story: Channel 7 News

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=16766&frmsrch=1

Berklee Bandwagon Fundraiser for Derrick

Over $2,400 was raised on Friday night when Pedro’s hosted the Berklee Bandwagon Fundraiser for Derrick. Many supporters showed up to have fun as All Cayed Up and other musicians rocked the house. The fundraising efforts are to send the talented Derrick Baños to attend Berklee’s summer music camp in Boston. Best of luck to Derrick!!

Kayakers are in...

Official details will be posted as stats become available. Below find some images of the final leg of the race as paddlers cross the finish line.

Ranza Boys (sponsored by The Reef Radio) were the first to cross the finish line

Belizean Shores team couldn't wait to hit the water...

The face of relief and elation...land!!

Congratulations to all participants!!

Lagoon - Reef Eco Challenge Begins.

This morning at around 6:00 a.m, thirty five two-man teams gathered at the old football field in front of the Sunset Restaurant for the commencement of what will be a two day challenge promoting awareness, protection and conservation of mangroves, lagoons, reefs and the diverse species that are found along the shore lines and mangroves of the island.

This year marks the sixth year of the annual Lagoon-Reef Eco Challenge. The concept was originally inspired by Mr. Elito Arceo and it has blossomed into a national event, welcoming participants from country wide.

The race is schedule to culminate at the Central Park tomorrow, where a full day of activities is scheduled. All are invited to come out, bring the family and enjoy a day of fun filled games, food and drinks and support your favourite team.

Congratulations to all the participants and good luck.